Fashion

Introducing Philos - the New Origins of Running

Recently launched Dutch brand Philos – focusing on everything running for the passionate female – has opened the doors to their first store in Amsterdam.

The new store is located in one of the Dutch capital’s most breathtaking areas, Spiegelgracht, emblematic of the city’s radiant scenery – a harmonious blend of breathtaking natural landscapes and striking architectural Rafinesse.
A visit to Philos can only be described as an exquisite experience, inspired by the ancient origins of running. Upon entering, one will be welcomed into ‘Philos Temple of Running’, inspired by the sport’s ancient roots.

Philos Running’s innovative concept, focusing on the specific needs of women in running sports, importantly broadens the growing female specialized high quality sportswear market. The brand’s concept, with its deeply personal history of origin, is fitting for a city like Amsterdam, with its progressive character and powerful community of female runners. Putting females first through creating a community of powerful women, inspiring and supporting each other.

Running is more than just a sport. It is a way for us as humans to connect with each other – through unleashing our innate need for self-expression.

The store – hosting the ‘Running Armor’ collection and ‘Philos Athena’ running shoes – can be visited at Spiegelgracht 21 in Amsterdam.

www.philos.run

Fashion

Marsèll Fall Winter 2024

In a campaign at the core of which lies art, Marsèll creates the path for innovation and architectural designs in fashion. In the latest Fall Winter 2024 collection, viewers are presented with the fundamental principles of the Italian brand: bridging two extremes – the celebration of materiality and functionality and the pursuit of essence and spirit.

Titled Fondamenta, translated from Italian to “foundations”, the new line introduces what initially feels like a Brancusian silhouette. The designer of the House shocks through a futuristic and structural shape which outlines the Fasma clutch. The star of the show, Fasma reflects the core values of Marsèll, blending art with technology, and craftsmanship with elegance. In the colors black, mist, and mortar, the minimalist clutch is crafted with fine leather which molds to the sharp edges and curves, which are brought together by the thin gold chain.

Representing the innovative thinking of bridging the gaps between art, fashion, design, architecture, and sculpture, the campaign has a clear and defined aim of professing renewed loyalty to the brand’s origins, creating a solid foundation upon which to keep reinventing its idea of the future repeatedly. Marsèll’s creative team pushes the boundaries of innovation in the Fall Winter 2024 campaign, and proposes minimalism as the next trend, while respecting tradition and the heritage of the brand.

www.marsell.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2025 PFW – Musings on the Suppleness of Structure

How to reconcile two antagonists, softness and power?

This is a question the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2025 collection ponders at Paris Fashion Week. It comments on the soft power of French fashion as a shaping of culture as well as muses on the ways there can be power in softness and vice versa. The 2025 collection appears to be in constant movement creating contrasts from look to look but also within each one individually.

The show begins with structured jackets with large puffed sleeves reminiscent of the Renaissance in which Nicolas Ghesquière found inspiration for this collection. While the shape is historically inspired the fabrics and pairings are modern to a tee. With classic French stripes and paired with biker shorts, to create a look that seems like it should not work but does. Throughout the show there is a back and forth of this and softer less structured shapes with increasingly flowy and silky materials, you never know what to expect with the next outfit which builds the tension until the final looks.
The stars of the collection manage to combine both ideas into a harmonious yet exciting Grand Finale. Three unstructured jackets depicting paintings from artist Laurent Grasso’s Studies into the Past worn with glistening tassels on the bottom. These paintings combine modern celestial and atmospheric events with classic Renaissance painting style to result in a perfect mesh of the supposed contradictions of softness and power.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Hermès PFW Spring Summer 2025 – Sensual Summers Yet to Come

Step into the artist’s studio where silhouettes are composed through movement and where the sensuality of light reveals a multifaceted femininity that is forever evolving.
That is the atmosphere of the Hermès Spring Summer 2025 collection presented at Paris Fashion Week. Strongly anchored in the heritage of the artisans workshop this collection employs a deceptive simplicity that turns leather and fabric into a pathway for new perceptions. The materials skillfully outline the lines and curves of the body with silk mesh revealing glimpses of the skin beneath. The looks have a throughline of an assertive sensuality that is a celebration of the body also in its color scheme with garments focussing on the full spectrum of brown tones. The clothes are like a second skin, but not a thing to hide behind but something highlighting the beauty and confidence beneath.

Additionally, the collection focuses on a beauty in the use of your clothes, in the individual choice on how to wear them. This is demonstrated through the Birkin Bag turned inside out and carried upside down or sideways scrunching up the leather. People have become increasingly precious with their bags and this show highlights the free spirit they were supposed to evoke. Outerwear pieces adapt from a coat to a bomber jacket or a gilet, reminding us of the coexistence of style and function and the joy in versatility.

While a lot of the collection focuses on lines and curves with rather simple monochromatic colors there is also a refreshing use of patterns that lead back to the role of artisans and the joy of creation.

This collection is like a warm summer wind inviting you to a sensual adventure soon to come!

www.hermes.com

Fashion

KASSL Editions x TRETORN

October 4th can’t come soon enough for fashion and design lovers. The day bears exciting news, as KASSL Editions will open the doors to a new Amsterdam pop-up store, which represents a meaningful collaboration with the Swedish brand TRETORN. Envisioned by spatial designer Dennis Vanderbroeck, the space brings out the true aesthetic of KASSL and both brands’ dedication to make rainy weather fashionable.

The capsule collection clearly introduces the vision and the aim of the two brands – born in Amsterdam and Sweden – to combat bad weather in style. The collaboration presents functional rubber shoes and boots that are complementary to the rest of the KASSL Fall Winter 24 line. Reinterpreted by KASSL, a key element of the capsule collection is TRETORN’s iconic waterproof rubber shoe. Combining functionality with style, the renowned shape is meant to allow the wearer to perform daily tasks, and look cool and trendy while doing it. In spite of the Northern European weather, everyone should be able to go on with their lives with elegance. In addition to the water repellent shoe, the launch also adds a high boot and two ankle boot designs to the brands’ heritages, as well as a clog and a loafer. The common denominator in this capsule line is the sustainability oriented ethos, the drive to create something that stays fashionable in a responsible manner.That's why the shoe creators experimented with technical, eco-friendly materials that offer flexibility, allowing designers to incorporate intricate details. The collection explores a fall coded color palette, with Black, Coffee Brown, Moss and Cherry shades at the center of it.

Unique and creative, the concept store will soon be available not only at Van Baerlestraat, but also at de Bijenkorf in Eindhoven, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Co-founder Bart Ramakers invites guests to dive into the joy of the collaboration: "At a time when the industry is dominated by large luxury brands and independent brands are struggling to survive, we are looking for meaningful partners who understand our values [...] We are excited to invite our customers to our pop-up that physically embodies the world of KASSL Editions.”

www.kassleditions.com
www.tretorn.com

Fashion

Eton - The Phoenix Service

Probably the first and one of a kind, Eton comes out with a new initiative that supports its customers’ love for clothes and for traveling. Ever been in the situation of getting excited to go on holiday, only to find out your luggage was lost or never got to your destination? The Phoenix Service cures the anxiety of parting ways with our most valuable items – whether it’s the vacation outfits we planned in our head, business attire for a work trip, or cherished personal belongings that have sentimental value.

The Phoenix Service is a lifetime travel insurance that makes sure Eton never leaves travelers’ bags. Available exclusively for Eton’s White Signature Twill – a white, versatile shirt that is a staple in anyone’s baggage – the service is accessible to everyone who purchases the item, as the clients receive proof of insurance via email. As CEO David Thörewik would say, the only thing that can replace an Eton shirt is another Eton shirt, which is why, in case of a fashion disaster, all buyers have to do is send airline documentation confirming the loss of their luggage to Eton, and the team will send a new Signature Twill Shirt their way.

Encouraging traveling in style and emphasizing the importance of quality, the creative project is available on the brand’s website, as a limited edition service, from September 16th to November 11th. Just as a Phoenix bird, the iconic shirt can never be gone – it is a symbol of immortality, of endless resilience, always rising from the ashes to embody style and elegance.

www.etonshirts.com

Fashion

Diesel MFW Spring Summer 2025 – Traversing the Indigo Wasteland

The Diesel MFW Spring Summer 2025 show was more than a runway show, instead audiences were offered a full immersive experience. This presentation bridged the gap between sustainability, art, innovation and the heritage of the Diesel brand.

The runway is made up of 14.800kg of a giant rectangle of denim scraps (to be repurposed after the show), which the models walked down in intricate choreography. Over the speakers music is joined by a voiceover of a monotone voice discussing the history and creation of denim. Both elements are equally contradictory as well as perfectly aligned in a strange and haunting way. The eerie elements are elevated by the models in various hues of contact lenses, from full white and black to piercing green and blue – they are beautiful aliens walking through the waste of our world.

As could be expected based on the set the collection centers denim in all its shapes and forms especially distressed. The models walk through the mounds of denim waste in clothing made from the same material, blending in and standing out. This highlights the beauty in waste and a parallel to the purposeful distressing of the new collection with a focus on true circularity. Instead of mere claims to change and attempting to hide the waste of fashion, Diesel is embracing it and has taken on the challenge to be circular yet innovative.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Tod's Spring Summer 2025 MFW - Nostalgia for Summers Yet to Come

True craftsmanship is found in the little details. Tod’s MFW show brought out the finest designs for the Spring-Summer 2025 collection. Reflecting essential values and adding to its Italian heritage, the show is a testimony of research and experimentation, of the playfulness that can be found at the core of fashion.

Celebrating iconic silhouettes that give us summertime nostalgia, the collection is inspired by a journey along the Mediterranean coast, adding new leather goods to the brand's distinguished repertoire. Each piece echoes the timeless elegance and ease of coastal living, with a modern twist. One standout item is the Gommino, Tod's iconic loafer that has become synonymous with the brand. In the refined version, the shoe showcases a series of interlocking rings, creating a fresh, signature motif. Other footwear designs feature the Barretta accessory, a thin metal band that takes the shoe from casual day to day wear to night elegance with ease.

Fine materials take shapes and volumes of a relaxed wardrobe, introducing jackets and shirts in crepe mélange – a shade that rhymes with the broader palette of the ready-to-wear collection. The color scheme, inspired by the natural beauty of Italian landscapes, evokes the earthy tones of stone, sand, and sea, evokes the rugged beauty of Italy’s landscapes.

Creative Director Matteo Tamburini puts on display the show of the season, inviting guests to explore the latest additions to the Di Bag Folio family. Tones of bronze and ochre echo on the brushed calfskin that wraps the fantasy of Di Bag Swing. In collaboration with artist Lorenzo Quinn, the venue surrounding the runway was decorated with sculptures of two hands that hold crossed leather ribbons, hinting at the exquisite artisanal skill.

www.tods.com

Fashion

Emporio Armani in Milan

The newly renovated Emporio Armani flagship store in Milan is an ode to the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Joining the rest of the Armani group locations – Emporio Armani Ristorante & Caffè, Nobu Milano, Armani Hotel, and the Privé club – the store reopens in the famous ‘A’ shaped building on Via Gastone Pisoni 1.

Recalling the first ever Emporio Armani store, Giorgio Armani says “The space soon became a key gathering point for Milanese locals and visitors alike. After all this time, I thought the moment had come to update the design, using new technology and opening the windows to emphasize the dialogue between inside and out”. In doing so, and respecting original structures, he collaborated with his team for a renovation that would reflect contemporary design and meet the sustainability standards that Emporio Armani has set. The use of LED screens on the ceiling, the transparent tables, and the LED video parallelepipeds confer the space a futuristic feel, creating a dynamic play of references to the themes of Armani collections. Additional details such as the carefully chosen materials – eco-resin and cement – and the neutral tones around the store provide visitors with a refined sense of elegance and sustainability, while the seamless integration of modern technology enhances the overall experience, reinforcing the brand's commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

In its journey of becoming a leading brand in the sustainability area, Emporio Armani has begun the process of obtaining the highest level of LEED certification. Last, but not least, the team is using the renowned boutique as a method of promoting the “Milano Green Circle” project that involves the renaturalisation of the city and supporting the broader sustainability goals of the Armani Group.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Fendi MFW Spring Summer 2025 - One for the Ages

The Fendi Spring Summer 2025 runway at Milan fashion week is monumental, and I am not merely talking about the column silhouettes prominently featured. This collection designed by Kim Jones is presented in celebration of the Houses 100th year in business. A grand feat speaking to its strong standing as a family business passed down through matriarchal line with an illustrious heritage, as well as an ability to go with the forever changing tides of fashion.

The collection draws from the year Fendi was founded – 1925 – with dropped waists and intricate embroidery and fringes. Additionally, the designer worked with and considered the four generations of Fendi women who set the course for the brand’s success and history and through its direct discussion over the speakers at the show allows the audience to reminisce alongside the family business.
Altogether, this results in a celebration of womanhood and female fashion. Walking down the runway are all different types of Fendi women, sporting looks ranging from sheer ornamental celebrations of the female form that are simply jaw dropping displays of craftmanship to more androgynous looks that radiate contemporary chic.

All are united in their confidence and certainty. They are a Fendi woman.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

"Tales & Tellers" Art Basel Paris

Aiming to give its audience new understandings of the world, “Tales & Tellers” creates a universe in which storytelling takes center stage. The event – part of Art Basel Paris – represents Miuccia Prada’s fascination with the lives of women and their experiences and tales. Earlier this year with Miu Miu Women’s Tales, we explored themes of love and culture, honoring women in cinema. Now it’s time to understand their background, while giving the visitors an opportunity to engage with the directors and artists behind the two projects.

“Tales & Tellers” is dedicated to the expression of meaning, sharing both real and fantastical stories. Every short film from Women’s Tales, alongside some video pieces taken at Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2022 show, will be represented in the show as a character, reenacted by real-life actors. The venue, Palais d’Iéna in Paris, will become a canvas for discussions, a safe space for sharing intimate and personal experiences. Curated by Polish multidisciplinary artist Goshka Macuga and by the director of MACBA in Barcelona, Elvira Dyangani Ose, the event will also organize screenings of all commissioned short films, after which the audience will be able to interact with the visionaries behind them. As such, everyone has the chance of telling their own tale and become part of a broader narrative exploration.

The event promises to be both a celebration of creativity and a safe haven for open dialogue. “Tales & Tellers” will be staged at the Palais d’Iéna, Paris and is open to the public from 16th to 20th of October. Online registration is possible.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Paralympic Games

Following his shows for the Maison Margiela and Gucci runways, Lucky Love is in Paris for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Growing up in Lille and Brussels, Lucky Love – aka Luc Bruyère – was pretty lonely. It was only a matter of time until he would get discovered as an actor. During a tough period when he was 18, Luc was cast for a movie whose director offered to pay for his acting school, which is how he ended up in Paris studying at Le Cours Florent.

As a full circle moment, Lucky Love is back in Paris where his whole career started to perform for the Paralympic Games 2024. Talking about his world, he can recall difficult times, not being able to fit into a group because he was born different. Then, when he discovered dancing, he also discovered his love for music. This led him to pursue a career in the field, his first song “Masculinity” being released in 2022. On the 28th of August, Lucky Love performed “My Ability” dressed in Louis Vuitton by Pharell Williams.

Wearing a white embroidered single-breasted jacket, Carpenter pants, a white tank top, and black cowboy boots, Luc Bruyère not only makes a fashion statement, but shapes a beautiful universe in which self-love and love for life are central.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Krug X Flower Concept Bar

For over 150 years, Krug has been an industry leader, known for one of the most refined and of the utmost quality champagnes. Founded in Reims, France, by Joseph Krug, the essence of the Maison lies in its mastery and innovative creations that redefine Champagne making, delivering exceptional quality and an unparalleled sensory experience with every bottle.

Each year, the Krug House highlights a unique ingredient in its culinary creations. To celebrate a decade since the event first debuted, Krug chose flowers as this year’s ingredient. Paying homage to ancient civilizations, the use of edible flowers blends beautifully with the sparkling taste of champagne, forming a harmonious fusion of history and elegance that enhances the sensory experience of each glass. From the Romans' use of rose petals in salads and omelets to the Victorians' candied violets on desserts, flowers have long been celebrated in cuisine. Most recently, Maison Krug has partnered up with Maximilian Gradl, owner of the Ory Bar in Munich, and German chef Jan Hartwig, for the opening of Krug x Flower Concept Bar, a concept that pairs champagne with flowers. Starting on September 11th, visitors will be able to delight themselves with Michelin star amuse-bouches, accompanied by a glass of the finest Krug Grande Cuvée or Krug Rosé.

As a symbol of culinary innovation and historical appreciation, Maison Krug continues to carry on Joseph Krug’s legacy as a visionary and an artist.

www.krug.com

Fashion

Gucci FW24 – Exploring Harmony in Contrast

The Gucci FW24 women’s campaign presents a world of harmonious contrasts and a strong link to the brand’s heritage through accessories.

Compared to recent Gucci Ancora campaigns living in abstraction this collection seeks to create a narrative between personalities and clothes. In an intimate setting every look and expression adds to the continuous dialogue between model and garment. A juxtaposition of delicate embroidered slip dresses and rich wool coats creates a wearable sensuality that defies notions of frailty and embraces unconventional notions of femininity. Moreover, the classic soft earthy tones of fall and winter are complemented by surprising bursts of color to brighten up the colder months.

The center point of this campaign can be found in its accessories, especially bags. The Gucci B bag is a new take on archival pieces originating from the 1950s. The relaxed and oversized silhouette is both effortlessly chic and practical for daily wear.

Additionally, the GG Milano bag is making its debut, paying homage to the vibrant creative city it bears the name of as well as Creative Director Sabato De Sarno’s personal reflection on Milan as a continuous source of inspiration.

Lastly, the continuously adored Gucci Jackie is available in new colorways, a fresh take on a timeless staple.

www.gucci.com

Travel

GRAU Salt Summer Edition

GRAU the German light company launches a new limited edition of their widely successful Salt Lamp: Meet the Salt Summer Edition.

Sporting a vibrant shade of light blue as well as its iconic design, the Salt Summer Edition is the perfect companion for any summer adventures in- or outdoors. The new limited-edition colorway of the most powerful mobile light on the market is directly inspired by the sky during blue hour and offers a wide spectrum of light modes, from clear light to a deep sunset orange to match any mood or occasion. Due to its splashproof design and over 100-hour battery life, Salt forms the perfect addition to a beach day, a leisurely time on the balcony or a picnic under the stars.

And more than just creating a beautiful light the Sunset Dimming technology as well as the Sunset Sleep Timer calm the body and support a healthy sleep cycle making the Salt Lamp great for nighttime use as well.

The Salt Summer Edition in Light Blue, made in Germany, the perfect summer lighting companion.

www.grau.art

Fashion

Breitling Pop-up in Paris

Breitling, the renowned Swiss luxury watch brand, has inaugurated its newest pop-up store on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Marking a significant milestone, this establishment is not only the largest watch boutique on the Champs-Élysées but also one of the largest worldwide. The opening of the store coincides with the celebration of Breitling's "140 Years of Firsts," in the journey of its historic achievements.

Located at 76 Champs-Élysées, the 400-square-meter lifestyle space offers an immersive experience of Breitling's world. From July, watch enthusiasts can explore a wide selection of items that seamlessly blend innovative technology with exquisite design, representing the brand’s various themes. Moreover, this pop-up store will nestle down in Paris permanently in 2025, at 78 Champs-Élysées, to welcome Parisian customers. The pop-up store will host special events, gatherings, and exclusive partnerships to celebrate the brand’s anniversary, emphasizing the connections between time, adventure, and innovation. In particular, visitors can also personalize their watches with a variety of straps with after-sales service.
www.breitling.com

Fashion

Blauer FW24 Campaign

Blauer’s FW24/25 campaign, titled “The Soul of Seoul,” explores the Korean wave against the backdrop of the extraordinary metropolis in South Korea. The true Korean essence infuses the dynamic energy of the city into Blauer’s iconic archive pieces, which reference police and military-inspired designs.

Once again shot by the renowned James Mollison, his distinct sensual vision created captivating scenes where an exotic urban vibe merges with Blauer’s American identity. The FW24/25 collection features leather and shearling jackets, as well as down jackets, combined with archival pieces in various fabrics such as knit, wool, nylon, and denim. These elements offer a relaxed feel while presenting a new vision of freedom that transcends borders and remains timeless.

The campaign showcases South Korea's cultural diversity, featuring various local artists including tattoo artists like Greem Jeong and Hyo Seong Kim, professional models such as Guy Park, Daria, Alexander, Hwan, Dain, and David, as well as sports trainers, musicians, and DJ Minju Kim. Filming took place at some of Seoul’s most iconic locations, including Sindang-dong, known for its Jung-ang market frequented by young artists, and the Hongje Yuyeon gallery beneath the Hongje River bridge. Other hipster areas include Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Greem Jeong's studio in Hongje, the Han River with Jamsu Bridge, and the Undept Café. Moreover, the Haebangchon district, known for its breathtaking panoramic views of Seoul, conveys the city's beauty. Overall, the FW24/25 campaign is a tribute not only to fashion but also to the vibrant culture and creativity that Seoul represents today.
www.blauerusa.com

Fashion

TOM FORD PRE-SPRING 2025 WOMENSWEAR

The Tom Ford Pre-Spring 2025 Womenswear collection encapsulates the glamorous, seductive aesthetic that lies at the core of the brand. Connecting past and present fashion, the latest womenswear collection redefines Tom Ford's iconic style, infused with sophisticated modern elegance. This glamorous, nostalgic collection is inspired by Veruschka, the legendary German model and artist. Back in late 60s and 70s, her iconic bohemian maximalist style was an inspiration for prestigious photographers and big brands such as YSL, Tom Ford, and Dolce & Gabbana. Now, Veruschka’s influence seamlessly blends with Tom Ford's essence in this resort collection, evoking nostalgia for the brand's glamorous past.

Slinky trouser suits, mini skirts, and cotton-drill jumpsuits reveal body silhouettes, while glamorous flyaway caftans and mini dresses with ruffle details highlight feminine allure, embodying a luxurious and modern ethos in Tom Ford. These pieces present subtle nods to iconic images of Veruschka, showcasing her in outfits such as an Yves Saint Laurent 1976 safari jacket or an A-line micro-dress with a cross-ribbon neckline. Indeed, the collection embodies contemporary feminine glamour with a slight touch of retro, evoking the heyday of the brand and paying homage to its rich history and heritage.
www.tomford.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Store Opens in Düsseldorf

Louis Vuitton brings exciting news to German customers with the opening of a new store in Düsseldorf on July 5, 2024. The new store embodies the synergies of fashion, art, and the architecture of the lively city, offering the essential dimensions of Maison Louis Vuitton.

The store's atmosphere revolves around a modern spatial concept, highlighting refined materials such as natural stone and exquisite wood to provide customers with a unique shopping experience. Especially, the architecture and interior design were crafted by New York architect Peter Marino, featuring linear silhouettes and modern, minimal elements. A sophisticated lighting setup guides customers through the contemporary and elegant space, allowing them to delve deeper into the exclusive heritage and craftsmanship of the house. The store presents both womenswear and menswear, including ready-to-wear items, accessories, small leather goods, shoes, and jewelry. Moreover, in keeping with Louis Vuitton's dedication to the essence of travel, the store also offers Louis Vuitton signature travel pieces, such as the iconic Keepall and the innovative Horizon trolley designed by Marc Newson.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

GUCCI INTERLOCKING WATCH COLLECTION

A global luxury brand, Gucci unveiled a new interlocking watch collection that fuses its iconic signature and timeless design in modern watches. The eye-catching Interlocking G motif slips into the watch collection, encapsulating the essence of modern elegance and sophistication crafted by the Maison’s expertise in design and watchmaking.

The new line consists of two distinguished models. One has a sporty yet refined look, while the other is an exquisite statement piece, blending strength and grace with a contemporary spirit.

The sporty line includes two 41-mm automatic versions and three 41-mm chronograph variants. The 41-mm automatic timepieces feature the iconic Interlocking G motif at 6 o'clock, serving as the seconds hand, staying faithful to the Maison’s refined design. Meanwhile, the chronograph timepieces come in black, blue, or green and enhance precise time measurement with three sub-dials and two pushers. In short, both automatic and chronograph designs combine a sporty yet sophisticated appeal, crafted for those who value precision and personality.

Another line, focused on elegant, exquisite details, comes with two 29-mm versions, embodying graceful femininity. The watch pieces are embellished with diamonds, exuding a sumptuous aura. The eight diamond markers and sleek G motif accents harmonize every detail, creating a balanced and refined look, while the stainless-steel bracelet sums up the contemporary aesthetic of the brand.

Whether sporty and sophisticated or elegant and feminine, the new Gucci interlocking watch collection offers diverse charms and unceasing allure on your wrist.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

LOUIS VUITTON MEN FW2024 CAMPAIGN

Louis Vuitton has unveiled the latest campaign for the Men’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection. Dreamed up by Pharrell’s vision, the FW menswear pieces were staged against a sprawling desert with a distant view of snow-capped mountains in the campaign. And there is the hero, cowboys, and horses.

For the FW season, the Louis Vuitton Men’s collection centers around the iconic cowboy. The cowboy-themed collection depicts a magical display of savoir-faire, inspired by workwear with roots in the American Western wardrobe. The campaign captures the adventurous journey of cowboys through both images and stylishly filmed videos. The cowboy models in the campaign are subtly mysterious yet stylish, while exuding grandeur, transforming the frontier fashion through sophisticated aesthetics and styling. The cowboy-inspired ensembles represent a unique yet elegant look: cowboy hats, cowboy boots, blanket coats, embroidered shirts, jeans, suits, and leather jackets.

Above all, the classic American Western style is elevated with delicate embellishments of pearls, metal studs, and turquoise button accents on most outfits. In particular, a blue Louis Vuitton Speedy bag is a key piece to achieve the Louis Vuitton cowboy look, adding vivid color accents to the Western cowboy style.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Blauer USA SS 2025

American fashion brand Blauer USA unveiled its SS25 collection, embracing functional style and innovation. Catering to the sophisticated tastes of both men and women, the collection embodies Blauer's signature refinement in fashion, enhanced with functional features and contemporary aesthetics. Consisting of several lines to meet the diverse needs of fashion lovers, each line boasts distinct charm and style.

First, B.Essential is a captivating fusion of timeless style and technical innovation. The garments feature pure lines, refined design, and optimal performance and quality over time. On the other hand, the B.Urban Police line focuses on the US brand’s DNA, blending military elements with luxury streetwear, suggesting urban ready-to-wear typical of New York.

B.Department emphasizes an adventurous and practical essence merged with Blauer's distinctive style, adapting to both urban and outdoor settings. Men’s outdoor clothing adopts a neutral color palette, such as browns and army greens, while its cutting-edge materials are suitable for both outdoor performance and urban comfort. Womenswear presents functional pieces inspired by workwear yet stays true to the brand’s iconic style. With a careful choice of materials, the garments are made of lightweight, functional fabrics and cotton blended with nylon or linen, skillfully balancing performance and comfort.

Lastly, the B.Rider and B.Project lines present masculine menswear inspired by the racing world. The racing jackets exude a dynamic racing mood, enriched with bold color accents and monogram prints of the brand’s iconic logos. The B.Project line focuses on urban style, emphasizing practical details like LED flash pockets, showcasing the brand's technical quality and design.
www.blauerusa.com

Fashion

Men’s Paris Fashion Week – Louis Vuitton

After his beloved debut collection for SS24, Creative Director and producer Pharrell Wiliams returns to the runway with a vision that focuses on humanity, culture, and celebrates the core values of Louis Vuitton. The campaign represents a collaboration with Air Afrique – a cultural platform dedicated to Afro-diasporic art, conversations, and knowledge – inspired by the legacy of the airline with the same name.

From cropped tailored jackets to camionneur-collared knitwear, the SS25 collection features silhouettes that invite the audience to indulge in the fantasy of details. It is dominated by the Snake-o-Flage motif, the embossed Branded Monogram, and other patterns and textiles that evoke the central theme: the unifying spirit of the global mentality of Louis Vuitton. With a total of 81 looks, Pharrell introduces a line of Soft Leather Goods that brings back iconic pieces of the brand like the Alma, the Christopher, and the Neverfull reinterpreted for travel in graceful, highly luxurious leather. The highlight of the new line is the fully covered rhinestones Keepall.

In association with Air Afrique, the French luxury brand displays a series of travel-inspired logos with elements like Damier chequers and blueish-green tartan that contribute to the series of hand-crafted bags. Similar to the purse collection, shoes are adapted to a traveler’s style and explore exotic combinations of leather, colors, and patchwork. Accessories such as aviator caps, cowboy hats, velvet gloves, silk ties, and opera scarves complement the chunky coloured wedding rings, tennis necklaces, and pearl stud earrings, paying tribute to the travel concept of the runway.

Hosted in Paris’ La Maison de l’UNESCO, the show reflects another success for Pharrell Williams and welcomes guests to act like the world is theirs - “Le Monde est à vous”, translated from French.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Tod’s Milan Fashion Week – Men’s SS 2025 Collection

Aiming to revolutionize fashion in the same way artificial intelligence revolutionized the tech world, Tod’s SS 2025 campaign introduces Artisanal intelligence. With this collection, the team at Tod’s, led by Creative Director Matteo Tamburini, shifts its focus to offering the ultimate quality, while adding contemporary elements that bring the savoir faire of authentic Italian style.

While artificial intelligence still casts uncertainty over its capabilities, Tod’s artisanal intelligence plays an important role in encouraging customers to express confidence and embrace high-performance attitudes. Part of the Pashmy project, the collection draws the creative team closer to their goal of using exclusive materials known for their softness, lightness and silky touch.

The essence of Tod’s Spring - Summer 2025 is captured by the sixth look of the collection. Inspired by timeless elegance, Matteo Tamburini creates a sophisticated silhouette using pashmina as his central component of the look. The pashmina jacket – a piece of the Pashmy project – paired with the Bubble Gommino and the T Timeless shopper bag become essential items that contribute to the sense of classicism of any wardrobe. Complementary to pashmina are the fine leathers used to transport customers to a world of luxury, where relaxation and opulence meet.

Artisanal intelligence is the first ever Men’s collection designed by Matteo Tamburini, who places the development of individuals in the center of the creative process.

www.tods.com

Art

MONTBLANC HAUS Exhibition: INSPIRE WRITING | FILMMAKING

In Montblanc’s headquarters city, Hamburg, the first-class craftsmanship brand Montblanc unfolds its 100-year story of the Meisterstück with a temporary exhibition titled INSPIRE WRITING | FILMMAKING, presented at MONTBLANC HAUS.

The Meisterstück is one of Maison’s iconic writing instruments, boasting a high standard of performance, quality, and style with the signature Montblanc emblem. Over the past century, this sought-after writing instrument has undergone endless evolution, and its compelling story is celebrated through the exhibition.

Opening on June 6th, 2024, the exhibition honors the glorious journey of the legendary Meisterstück fountain pen, emphasizing the pivotal role of writing in filmmaking. It also showcases the new anniversary campaign dreamed up by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Wes Anderson. The exhibition takes visitors on a compelling journey through the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the filmmaking process. From a source of inspiration progressing through ideas on paper to a re-imagined studio set for the brand’s campaign film, these unique installations offer sensory experiences to visitors in the filmmaking world.

Since its opening in Hamburg in 2022, MONTBLANC HAUS has been dedicated to narrating Montblanc’s history, craftsmanship, and the impact of its writing instruments. The INSPIRE WRITING | FILMMAKING exhibition highlights the value of writing in helping people express their full potential, emphasizing the profound connection between writing and the art of filmmaking.
www.montblanc.com

Fashion

A New Destination

On June 3rd, the first Vacheron Constantin boutique in Munich opened its doors, inviting guests, collectors, and flâneurs to venture into the Maison’s world of horlogerie. Located at Maximilianstraße 27, this stand-alone boutique is synonymous with Vacheron Constantin’s dedication to excellence.

Adorning the windows and interior of the boutique is the bespoke art installation “From Past to Present” by Munich-based artist Ruben Benjamin. Drawing inspiration from the flow of time, the pieces are defined by light and vibrant hues, filled with volume and texture that evoke a joie de vivre. Characterized by a pursuit of perfection, overcoming technical challenges and achieving virtuoso know-how, the installation aligns with the Maison’s values. Through the use of materials like acrylic glass and mirrors, “From Past to Present” creates a floating impression that transports visitors to the otherworldly realm of Vacheron Constantin.

Inside this one-of-a-kind interior, which features the Maison’s own design concept, guests can explore the Maison’s collections in comfort and elegance. Featuring all collections – Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Historiques, Overseas, Fiftysix, and Égérie – as well as exclusive in-boutique models, the Munich store stands as a living testament to the Maison’s rich heritage. This legacy is deeply intertwined with Germany, where Vacheron Constantin has nurtured an enduring and close relationship since 1847, when the first watches were sold to German clients.

The boutique also features a VIP area, which offers an intimate and private atmosphere, as well as exclusive services such as strap personalization. Additionally, a Watchmaking Panel provides a comprehensive overview of the crafting stages of the Maison’s iconic watches, including processes such as polishing, straightening, chamfering, and many others. Guests have the unique opportunity to meet an in-house watchmaker inside the boutique, adding a distinctive touch to their visit.

Combining heritage with modern aspects, the first Munich boutique of Vacheron Constantin is a must-see piece of art. From Benjamin’s art installation to the emblematic watchpieces, every small detail is meticulously thought through, reaching a standard of excellence that is embedded within the Maison’s DNA.

www.vacheron-constantin.com

Travel

Juvia by Paul & Shark

Juvia by Paul & Shark Paul & Shark, an Italian luxury clothing brand, draws upon its identity rooted in a passion for the sea for the upcoming project, Juvia by Paul & Shark.

A creative concept inspired by the history and identity of the island led the brand to a fantastic project on the island of Formentera: a stylish restaurant, the Juvia by Paul & Shark project. Continuing its summer customization project since 2023, Juvia by Paul & Shark is ready to serve customers for the summer of 2024 in the heart of Es Pujols, offering a fabulous ocean view of the island's crystal-clear waters. The island is a distant oasis suspended in time, and the restaurant's mesmerizing setting embodies the sophistication of the brand. The venue features light-colored, porous wood furniture and blue hues, all crafted primarily from recovered materials. In this spacious outdoor setting, customers can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with exquisite Mediterranean cuisine and an array of signature cocktails, against the breathtaking backdrop of the sunset.

Beyond offering a luxurious dining experience, Juvia by Paul & Shark is dedicated to supporting the local community, which has always been at the heart of Paul & Shark's mission. Through the collaboration with Vellmarí, a local association focused on researching and protecting nature and the marine ecosystem, they continually contribute to planting vital aquatic plants, responsible for reducing Co₂ in water and fostering biodiversity.
www.paulandshark.com

Fashion

Aesop’s 20-Year Icon

Seamlessly blending nature’s properties with know-how, Aesop products offer a sensational skin care experience. The lines provide gentle and efficient solutions, ensuring a skin care experience free from redness or irritation. Synonymous with attention to detail, the formulas cater to various skin needs.
An essential part of many skincare routines for 20 years now, the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel is a loyal companion. As the jubilee of this iconic product approaches, one can’t help but reaffirm its place as an icon.
With its honey-like texture, the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel ensures a one-of-a-kind experience. Its nutritious formula, containing Vitamins B and C, lightly moisturizes and balances the skin.
Standing as a synthesis of ultimate benefits, consolidating a powerful skin treatment into a single product, the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel softens and evens the skin’s appearance, as well as hydrates and balances it. The cherry on top: the skin embraces its matte finish.
Aesop continues to set the standard in skincare excellence, offering products that merge science and nature for truly remarkable results. As the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Aesop remains dedicated to innovation and quality in skincare.
www.aesop.com

Fashion

Walk Of Fame

Dior takes a new step in sneakers with the introduction of its Chrono Sneaker. With its sporty lines and refined details, this new pair is the fashion statement of the busiest days.

The silhouette is Y2K, and on the side are the initials CD, as a wink to the origins of the House and its founder, Christian Dior.
With a clear 2000s influence, the Chrono sneakers are the cool girls' pair. They feature star inserts, meaningful in the brand's imagery and a nod to Christian Dior, who was particularly attached to them.
Metallic colors and precise lines offer a pair that's as fashionable as it is comfortable, designed for the busy and the hurried, those who need sneakers that go with everything, anywhere, all the time, always with style.
www.dior.com

Fashion

The Grand Meisterstück Hotel

In honor of the Centenary of its fountain pen Meisterstück [Masterpiece], Montblanc unveiled a special campaign, called "Through the Eyes of Wes Anderson", for which the fabulous American filmmaker created and starred in a small commercial film. Wes Anderson also designed his own Montblanc pen, a limited-edition called the Schreiberling [The Scribbler], that will be released in 2025.

The brand celebrated this unique anniversary campaign with a grand event at the Paramour Estate in Los Angeles. Guests such as John Legend, Emma Roberts, and Emilia Schüle attended the evening, celebrating the Meisterstück's legacy amid the glamour of Hollywood's golden age.
Wes Anderson short’s film was unveiled, revealing to be set against the backdrop of the fictional Montblanc Headquarters atop Mont Blanc, the campaign features an ensemble cast including Rupert Friend, Jason Schwartzman, and Wes Anderson himself.
The guests were then able to explore a special exhibition showcasing the evolution of the Meisterstück design over the past century.

Opening the festivities to all cinema and writing lovers, Montblanc Chalet Pop Up in Beverly Hills is to be discovered until July 31st, offering an immersive experience to experts and the curious while celebrating the heritage of Montblanc's Meisterstück pen, and the unmatched cinematic vision of Wes Anderson.
www.montblanc.com

Fashion

H&M STUDIO RESORT CAPSULE

H&M’s most directional, fashion-forward offering, H&M Studio line has unveiled the Resort capsule collection. Inspired by dreamy Italian palazzos, swirling Venetian glass, and magical shell-encrusted grottoes, the collection channels a holiday state of mind. Drawing on the vibrant summer vibe in Italy, the collection purposed the summer holiday essential for escape to Italy. The optimistic, upbeat vibe comes with a feminine silhouette, and joyful prints while the Italian aesthetic is reflected on the sunset palette of tangerine, honey-yellow, and flashes of pistachio, with richly textured embroidery pieces. In particular, the eye-catching prints, golden-hour gowns along jet- set swimwear perfectly epitomized the easy beach style.

Overall, the collection is daring and dreamy. Especially, a slinky V-necked patterned dress and a honey-colored oversized suit are evening stand-outs. Moreover, the entirely beige tone outfits reminiscent of pure summer mood, such as the ruched two-piece consisting of a skirt and off-shoulder top as well as the crocheted detailed top evoke a feminine mood yet hold boldness. Also, elegant timeless black features several pieces, like a black ruffle-trimmed maxi kaftan, tailored blazers, and printed metallic swimwear. Meanwhile, bold accessories complete the maximalist mood such as gold leather sandals with distinctive texture, and a matching mini bag alongside sculptural and beaded jewelry.

The H&M Studio Resort capsule will be available in selected stores and online stores from May.
www.hm.com

Fashion

Art Champenois

Ruinart opened "Maison Ruinart 1729" last night, Wednesday, April 24, at Oranienburger Straße, Berlin. The event marked the House's second "Carte Blanche" collaboration, inaugurating a wonderful pop-up.
It will welcome visitors to the heart of the Champagne House's history from April 25 to 29.
For the occasion, Berlin's crème de la crème of artists and celebrities were invited to a festive and chic event dedicated to art and champagne.

The evening showcased the work of Henrique Oliveira, Marcus Coates, and Thijs Biersteker, three artists who have created unique installations for Ruinart, inspired by the treasures of the Champagne terroir.
It was a journey for the soul, as after admiring the works on display in the Art Gallery, guests were invited to take part in a multi-sensory experience based on the House's heritage. The trendy Veronika restaurant rounded off this sensory journey with culinary delights enhanced by Ruinart's new Chardonnay champagne, Blanc Singulier, which made its German premiere.
The event ended in music with a performance by the fabulous DJ Noah Becker, delighting special guests such as Maria Ehrich, Paul Schrader, Lea Zoe Voss, Kristian Schuller, and Annabelle Mandeng, and kicking off the wonderful Berlin "Maison Ruinart 1729" pop-up store.
www.ruinart.com

Fashion

A Puffy Silhouette for Cold Seasons

GG Milano is the new Gucci it-bag! Designed by Sabato de Sarno for the Italian House and unveiled during Fall-Winter 2024 Milan Fashion Week, the handle bag presents a puffy silhouette and is declined in stunning colours.
The GG Milano is an evolution and a reinterpretation of the GG Marmont silhouette and the emblematic codes of the House. Enhanced by the iconic Double G hardware, it takes the Fall-Winter silhouette to a new level and is the perfect fit for a cozy winter day or a crazy night out!
Sabato de Sarno said it to be a personal reflection on his arrival in Milan as well as a tribute to the vibrant city; infused with art, fashion, design, and a never-ending creative energy.
The GG Milano will be available worldwide, from September 2024, just in time for the fall glow.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

Rokh H&M Collection Event in London

In the heart of London, at Haymarket, H&M and Rokh celebrated their first-ever collaboration, “rokh H&M collection” with the fashion crowd. Numerous celebrities and influencers turned up to celebrate the festivities in the immersive setting designed by the visionary set designer, Jabez Bartlett while accompanying the classic melodies by members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, inspired by Hwang’s love of cinematic scores. The blessed guests, later, also enjoyed the exclusive DJ set by the experimental musician Arca, dressing the complete look of the collection, blending her genre-defying sense of style.

The one-of-a-kind collection, rokh H&M explored the complexities and possibilities in garments which tapped into both impeccable and delicate tailoring, showcasing exquisite silhouettes and attention to detail. The designer Hwang also added extra layers to his garment, merging and cutting the items, as well as transferring elements from one style to another, which is clear in the trench dress. The collection pieces are highly customizable in multiple ways. They can be either layered or adjusted or even worn backward. They also feature removable, adjustable elements, such as hems with hook-and-eye details and button-up seams. Focusing on multi-functional design, it allows the wearers to experiment and create the styles on their own, resulting in a one-of-a-kind style.

The rokh H&M collection will be available in the selected stores and online from April 18, 2024.
www.hm.com
www.rokh.net

Fashion

Dior and the City That Never Sleeps

The Dior Fall Ready-to-Wear 2024 collection, unveiled on April 15, 2024, in New York, pays tribute to New York and its influence on the life and work of Christian Dior.
From Christian Dior's beginnings in Paris in 1947 to this day, New York has always held an irresistible fascination for the designer. The House's history with the American fashion capital began with the creation of the New York ensemble by Christian Dior, with its sleek, infinitely modern style.
In Christian Dior's autobiography, the chapter dedicated to his Paris-New York trip opens a dialogue between the fashion capitals, highlighted by Maria Grazia Chiuri through two key prints: the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower.
The show took place at the Brooklyn Museum, which had previously hosted the "Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" exhibition in 2021, and here perpetuates its history with the house.

For this collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri chose German-American actress Marlene Dietrich as her muse, a Dior icon both in life and on screen. The Dior Fall 2024 silhouette is inspired by the actress and her phantasmagorical charisma.
Printed dresses, straight but light silhouettes, and loose bar suits are all elements of Dior's Fall 2024 wardrobe, celebrating Christian Dior's love of the two emblematic fashion cities.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Paul & Shark X Bixio Braghier - SS24 Capsule Collection

A luxury outdoor clothing brand, Paul & Shark has launched a capsule collection of T-shirts designed by an Italian artist, Bixio Braghieri. The collaborative collection is a meaningful gesture conveying its support for the world of art and design while staying true to the brand’s DNA rooted in the sea. The limited-edition T-shirt Capsule Collection was inspired by various perspectives on the sea, delving into its scents, nuances, nuances, strength, and lightness. The sea has always inspired the brand’s philosophy and collections but also played key roles in Bixio’s life, living by the sea and his work featuring renewed nuances of sea views. This shared ancestral vision was captured through the collaborated collection, especially the artistic take on the shark and the iconic symbol of Paul & Shark.The iconic shark prints come in two models. With watercolor technique and pure blue tones, the prints appear in different graphic versions of the 100% cotton T-shirts: one with the shark print front, the other with a more evocative design. It features distinctive brushstrokes reminiscent of the sea sunset while the iconic shark features on the shoulders. Also, the fresh blue palette evokes the sea: nuances range from light blue to aqua green and sky blue. White is still a core color reminding waves crashing on the rocks, as well as iconic Paul & Shark blue. Paul & Shark X Bixio Capsule Collection fits seamlessly into the brand’s 2024 Spring/Summer Collection with a clear message of “evolving in continuity”, holding steadfast aspects such as respect for the planet, a love for water, and a passion for life outdoors.

This limited-edition T-shirt will be available in the brand’s stores from April 2024. www.paulandshark.com

Fashion

Cynematic Wrist

Gucci High Watchmaking achieves unprecedented excellence through its latest innovations, seamlessly blending groundbreaking technology with its distinctive aesthetic. The House introduces the exclusive Gucci-signed minute repeater, a testament to its commitment to pushing horological boundaries. This remarkable timepiece celebrates the beauty of sound, employing cymatics for the first time in watchmaking while also paying homage to the harmony between nature's geometry and human artistry.

Additionally, the collection welcomes masterpieces showcasing cutting-edge innovation and precision. Among these groundbreaking releases is the GUCCI 25H Minute Repeater, marking a pinnacle in Gucci's watchmaking journey. Featuring a unique carillon minute repeater movement, it delivers a rich and complex sound akin to a musical instrument, activated innovatively by a rotating bezel.
The collection also includes the GUCCI 25H Skeleton Tourbillon line, boasting transparent sapphire glass and avant-garde design elements. The introduction of Gucci Interlocking introduces a fusion of flying tourbillon and jumping hours complications, housed in a striking cushion-shaped case.
To complete this line, the G-Timeless Planetarium dazzles with its rotating precious stones surrounding a central tourbillon, offering a mesmerizing display of color and light.
Each piece reflects Gucci's commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, ensuring a truly exceptional horological experience.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

On the Road

Amidst the winding roads, casting a glance at the path already traveled and the one awaiting footsteps, a new adventure begins. Maison Montblanc embarks on an exciting journey, unveiling its Spring/Summer 2024 leather collection. With a seamless harmony of style and functionality, the designs pave the way for innovation. As a nod to the Maison's traditions, heritage motifs are reimagined, taking on fresh formats and colors that resonate with the evolving tastes of a new generation of Montblanc customers.

Combining functionality with a sleek contemporary style, the Montblanc Extreme 3.0 collection ensures durability and performance. Completed by small accessories like wallets and card holders, the assortment serves as a reliable companion for a fast-paced lifestyle. Available in warm yellow and ink blue hues, the Montblanc Extreme 3.0 brings structure to unexpected daily adventures.

As an ode to the art of handwriting, the Sartorial collection emerges. From ink bottle shapes to envelope-like construction of the bags, this signature business collection is an aesthetically appealing masterpiece. As the protagonist hue of the new Sartorial assortment stands mastic, an elegant neutral brown tone that adorns bags and small accessories. A warm clay tone also plays its part, enriching the selection of small and medium-sized bags. Adding a playful touch, shades of steel, dusty blue and coral decorate wallets, card holders and pen pouches.

With a texture reminiscent of tree bark, evoking the origins of paper, the Montblanc 4810 collection offers a sensorial experience. Elegance intertwines with smart organization solutions, rendering it a perfect fit for the business world. Featuring a pale tone of green, pewter, as well as a light tone of gray, steel, the collection introduces new medium-sized shapes: the Montblanc 142 Bag and the Mini Messenger.

Tailored for business travelers, the #MY4810 lightweight trolley is ideal for those on the move, whether for overnight work trips, weekend escapes or far-away journeys. This collection presents three trolley sizes in new colors, clay and pewter, ensuring both style and practicality on the road.

www.montblanc.com

Fashion

The Duality within the Singularity

In a captivating dance of contrasts, the Dior Fall 2024 collection emerges, seamlessly blending light and shadow, black and white, and the interplay between feminine and masculine elements. Drawing inspiration from the timeless glamor of actress Marlene Dietrich's iconic style, Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri envisioned a daring array of designs that boldly challenge the boundaries of convention. Delving into the depths of these contrasting concepts, like the plurality within the nature of femininity, the collection embodies a fusion of sophistication and naturalness.

From the enduring elegance of the 1950s to the contemporary flair of today, each ensemble within the collection is intricately weaved from such dual motifs, creating a harmonious symphony of contrasts. Below-the-knee pencil skirts and lace-encrusted petticoat dresses are given a subtle sensuality, revealing glimpses of lingerie that add an unexpected charm while maintaining an air of elegance. Miniature editions of Dior bags, including the emblematic Lady Dior, allow for freedom and movement, ensuring a comfortable look without giving up style.

Through a convergence of refined silhouettes and fluid movements, the Dior Fall 2024 collection narrates a story of delicate balance amidst forces, achieving a singular unity of excellence through the duality of motifs.

www.dior.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – Y/Project

Due to financial pressures, Y/Project by Glenn Martens was not present on the PFW runway. Favoring production over the catwalk, the designer decided to show his Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection only in a lookbook. The models included his father, his stylist, his designer, and friends such as Ye.
The collection has unholy inspirations, veils, and drapes cover the heads, and dresses and skirts are long, hiding the ankle and reaching to the floor. Nevertheless, between rope-print skirts, deconstructed pants, and oversized pieces, we find Y/Project's emblematic style. The collection showcases Glenn Martens' signature denim looks, snap-on overboots, and oversized pieces, reminiscent of his work at Diesel but at the same time detached from it.
From body-revealing pieces to silhouettes that conceal the body almost entirely, the Y/Project Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection presents a surprisingly edgy harmony, true to its roots, and has us looking forward to the brand's return to the catwalks…
www.yproject.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – MIU MIU

For her Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection, Miuccia Prada aimed to make elements from childhood and adulthood coexist. Men and women, models from different ages walked the runway symbolizing the essence of her inspiration for this collection.

The shrunken proportions, pajamas, cropped sleeves, and puffed skirts referred to childhood. Exit transparent tights, Miu Miu calls for woolly and colorful legs to stay warm with style, in a playful nod to childhood strolls. While the gloves, brooches, little black dress, and tailoring marked a step into adulthood and responsibilities. Merging those two periods of life, Miuccia Prada unveiled a collection interesting by its colors and cuts, stamped with the brand’s codes but telling a new story about life, fashion, and how they interact. The collection combines elements from the designer's past collections - pearls, vintage-looking double-breasted coats - with the Italian fashion so dear to the designer and her brand, represented by vibrant colors and timelessly chic faux furs. With pearls, satin, furs, and under-the-knee dresses, the collection somehow also gave royal vibes. Some of the looks recalled for Princess Diana’s style, offering a chic and stylish off-duty royal aesthetic.

This collection is addressed to all ages and made to dress every step of life. A line that’s both wearable and fashionable, playful and elegant.
With her Fall-Winter 2024/25, Miuccia Prada aimed to create classics, a wardrobe addressed to all ages, allowing everyone to be whether playful or serious, “a child or a lady”, revealing a bright collection that everyone can identify with.
www.miumiu.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Christian Louboutin presented his Fall-Winter collection during “The Loubi Show”, an artistic and glamour event. Among the friends of the house present were Barbara Sprouse, Tayce, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Samuel Arnold.

After unveiling the Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection, Christian Louboutin presented the new Our Angels capsule, leather-heeled Santiags boots inspired by the aesthetics of the Far West. Available in three colors, they are the result of a sophisticated patchwork of top-quality leather. They feature the company's unique savoir-faire in an exclusive design. The Our Angels collection is scheduled for release in September 2024.
Louboutin also unveiled a collection of accessories such as the Loubi54 bag among leather belts and corsets.

Christian Louboutin is expanding its offering for men this year with a series of new launches starting in May, and extending throughout the summer. As well as revisions to some established styles, the new line includes an innovative sneaker due in July and a selection of shoes, boots, and accessories inspired by the American Wild West, such as the Rocknrun sneaker line, featuring the iconic red sole. From MJ Moc loafers and Our Pabelito derbies to Cheliviss Chelsea boots, the Menswear collection suits every style and occasion. Accessories such as the Rocknride trucker cap complete a collection both iconic and modern.
The Menswear and Womenswear Fall-Winter 2024/25 collections will be available in all Christian Louboutin stores and online from May 2024.
www.christianlouboutin.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – VALENTINO

Black is both a powerful and elegant color, used to hide or reveal, the must-have, iconic little black dress was the star of Valentino’s Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection, designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli. The designer presented his collection “Le Noir” for Valentino, inspired by a quote from the French poet Charles Baudelaire: “Black is the uniform of democracy”.

As Valentino is known for its appeal to colors, Pierpaolo Piccioli definitely took a daring turn by choosing to design a collection entirely black. It was a bold gamble; "La petite robe noire" is as timeless as it is technical. Indeed, when a garment is not interesting by colors, it has to be by textures and cuts, allowing it to sublimate a collection whose nuances were restricted. However, the shade of black chosen was as simple as it was interesting, a pure, matte, yet almost glossy black.
Furthermore, the result proved that Valentino’s ateliers are creative and talented technicians. The plissés were well-executed, and the cuts were precise, giving extra value to the designs. Good tailoring, fringe and leather gloves completed the collection's depth. And, even if he has freed himself from the house's heritage with this all-black collection, the designer still referred to it, especially through the use of Valentino's emblematic rosette motif. The result was not boring, using sequins, strass, slit dresses, and transparency in a feminine line with an assumed air of simplicity.
The collection was feminine and classy, enhancing every skin tone in a “rebellion to romance”.
www.valentino.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – DIOR

For Dior Fall-Winter 2024/25 Ready-To-Wear, Maria Grazia Chiuri revealed a collection inspired by the House heritage with Miss Dior as the theme.
Displayed in hand-written graphics all over the collection, the words “Miss Dior” inspired the Artistic Director who explained that these graffiti-like inscriptions were taken from an archive Christian Dior logo and reintroduced here by the designer as a tribute to the House’s past.
The décor of the show was an installation created by the Indian artist Shakuntala Kulkarni in an exploration of the woman's body, powerful yet whose strength is denied, in a feminist and moving décor made of sculptures and movie extracts.
The collection was inspired by Marc Bohan’s work at Dior, a visionary artist who marked the House’s history with its timeless work, giving haute couture a new breath.

Characterized by beige, camel, white, and black tones, the same shades that were the trademark of Maria Grazia Chiuri's latest collections, the catwalk featured vintage-inspired silhouettes modernized by urban-looking Miss Dior inscriptions.
Miniskirts, gold jewelry, and large capelines falling delicately down the eyes were straight out of the '60s. The garments were enhanced by a bright pink, almost fuchsia make-up, adorning the corner of the models' eyes while the shoes and bags were adorned with discreet Miss Dior details.
With wide pants, straight skirts, and well-cut trench coats, Fall-Winter silhouettes differ from the characteristic codes of the New Look, too unsuited to ready-to-wear to give freedom of movement while preserving the signature chic of the House.
www.dior.com

Fashion

MILAN 2024/FW - PRADA

The Prada Autumn/Winter 2024 collection by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons is a fashion embarkation with fragments of history. Exploring beauty in a contemporary but shaped by the past, world.
As often with Prada, romance is in the air but this time, explored through time's eye. Here, history defines the collection, borrowing materials and silhouettes from another time to make them contemporary and modern. Contemporary garments such as biker jackets, knitwear, and bomber jackets are deconstructed and mixed with other, more timeless, close-fitting pieces. An ode to fashion that transcends the ages.

Materials seemingly intended for men's fashion are reworked to become intrinsically feminine. Knots, frills, and ruffles, associated with feminine fashions of other times, are redefined and modernized. As other accessories inherent to the image of womanhood, make-up, and sunglasses are combined, and handbags are suspended. Skirts are made of delicate silk, asserted by straight cuts, while hats and shoes feature exaggerated, almost theatrical shapes, reinterpreting the very notion of femininity in an Instinctive Romance.
www.prada.com

Fashion

H&M Studio exhibition - “La Maison”

H&M Studio presented its Spring/Summer collection through a temporary exhibition hosted during PFW. Untitled “La Maison”, the space was a showroom and archive display, revealed during a Parisian party on February 26. Were present invited brand friends including Iris Law, Alexa Chung, Hari Nef, Caro Daur, Tina Kunakey, and Jill Kortleve. Singer Ama Lou and DJ Honey Dijon performed during the event.

Open from February 27 to February 29, “La Maison” space in Paris is open to the public, offering an immersive experience through the brand’s collections. The exhibition features key pieces of archives and current collections enhanced by a theatrical red décor and a surreal giant book display. Visitors can immerse themselves in archived H&M Studio collections showcased through printed imagery, complemented by whimsical installations showcasing the iconic pillow bag.
For the occasion, an exclusive limited-edition powder-blue version of the pillow bag will be available for purchase solely at the exhibition.
Developed alongside creative agency Ray Atelier, The H&M Studio exhibition La Maison is located at 51 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, and is open to the public from February 27 to February 29.
The H&M Studio Spring/Summer 2024 collection will be available globally from 12 March in select stores and online.
www.hm.com

Fashion

Jackie Notte: The go-to bag for Night Owls

Sabato De Sarno introduces the Jackie Notte, his very first bag creation for Gucci.
With a new silhouette and subtle details, this bag embodies the line’s identity while giving it a special twist, as a reflection of the designer’s style.

Sabato De Sarno reinvents here the vintage sophistication of the Jackie 1961 with a contemporary allure, elevating any look with a statement piece. To design this special bag, the designer found inspiration in Italy so dear to his heart, interpreting it through bold colors and a sophisticated allure.
This model reflects the codes of the iconic collection while giving it a new silhouette and joyful nuances. Made to bring joy and glamour into everyday life, the Jackie Notte elevates any look.

Timeless and glamorous, the Jackie Notte is the perfect addition to any night-out look from a slip-back dress to tailored pants.
Now available worldwide, in Gucci stores network.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

SECONDSKIN by ZEGNA: A unique shoe that fits like a glove

ZEGNA, the global luxury menswear brand is launching its new Triple Stitch SECONDSKIN shoe.
Once again a demonstration of ZEGNA's technique and contemporary style, this new model fits like a glove.

Centrepiece of ZEGNA’s modern and technical identity, the Triple Stitch technique combines softness and lightweight. Its outstandingly flexible sole combines comfort and technology.

As well as the other Triple Stitch pieces, this new SECONDSKIN shoe is a reflection of ZEGNA’s expertise. Initially intended for gloves, the use of the SECONDSKIN technique in footwear is imbued with the brand's unparalleled heritage of craftsmanship. Using the daring technique of working with glove leather to craft a shoe, the Triple Stitch SECONDSKIN indeed fits like a glove to offer a luxurious walking experience to the feet. Each pair of Triple Stitch SECONDSKIN is made in Parma, Italy by expert artisans using the finest New Zealand calf leather. Combined with a unique ovine tanning technique, the shape-retaining 'memory' in the sole of the shoe provides a resistant and incredibly comfortable shoe.

By presenting its new shoe ZEGNA remains true to its roots, bringing together innovation and tradition. The Triple Stitch SECONDSKIN results from a harmonious compromise between expertise and style. ZEGNA's expertise is at the heart of this new model, creating a real second skin sensation in a shoe that is both durable and delicate.
Exclusive to ZEGNA for the next three years, SECONDSKIN is a unique luxury footwear experience made to last.
www.zegna.com

Fashion

Chanel Spring-Summer 2024 Haute Couture Collection

Buttons and Ballet - the two defining ingredients behind Chanel’s Spring Summer 2024 Haute Couture Collection. In a mission of discovery to find new ways of telling enchanting stories, the house's Creative Director Virginie Viard recognizes dance as evocative of all emotions she considers close to her heart and as an integral part of Chanel’s DNA. In convergence with a Chanel-characteristic code as the button, old iconographies merge with new tales to sing in harmony. It was no one less than Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself who envisioned the button as a symbol of emancipation, allowing women to rid themselves of everything that had prevented them to move freely. The touches of ballet become evident in dazzling lace, tulle skirts or on royal ruffles on collars and sleeves, exuding an Elizabethan glamour. Merging with masculine figures on emblematic suiting silhouettes, the creations give rise to a unique affirmation of a triumphant feminine body. This celebration of feminine philosophies also manifests through sequin, coquette bow or floral patterns, reminding of beautiful bouquets. A century following Gabrielle Chanel’s initial creations for ballet, this haute couture collection, dominated by aquarelle tones of pink and white, draws its tender color accents from the influence of Ballets Russes of Léon Bakst and Sergei Diaghilev. In this couture collection touched by grace and wonderment, the worlds of fashion, theater and music come together, constructing a piece of tangible poetry.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

Dior's Spring-Summer 2024 Couture Collection

Presented as an exploration of the feminine aura, Dior unveils its Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2024 Collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri. All garments being infused with the spirit of that explorative quest, the collection manifests as a deep-dive into the plural beauty of textiles. Twenty-three disproportionate silhouettes, which all exert an enchanting playfulness, grace the dreamy weft-scenography conceived by Isabella Ducrot. Refined moiré, a defining fabric of this couture collection, drapes beautifully and uniquely on bodies under novel interpretations of coats, skirts and dresses reminding of waves, as it pays tribute to archive piece La Cigale, an iconic dress dreamed up for the collection of Autumn-Winter 1952 by Christian Dior himself. Moreover, we recognize an architectural elegance in coats with imposing collars, wide skirts revealing exaggerated cut-outs and in the masterly layering of pants and jackets. Velvet on other garments amplify the tenderly elegant energies of the collection, while floral ornamentation enchants its onlookers even further. Added onto by a feathered cape, the auratic, sculptural and metamorphic value of this collection once again highlight the exquisite craftsmanship as well as the poetic passion, which both lie deep in the DNA of the house of Dior.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Dior Men's Winter 2024 Collection

The House of Dior has unveiled a Men’s Winter 2024-2025 collection inspired by the beauty of ballet. Named after Nureyev, after one of the greatest male ballet dancers of all time, it is his persona who shall be the leitmotif. Highlighting the contrasts of his multifaceted self in public and private, ready-to-wear garments embody rigour, excellence and ease, while haute couture reflects the extravagance of his stage presence, flamboyance, insolence and elegance. Drawing on inspiration from the Dior archive, the house’s exquisite tailoring is translated onto menswear, birthing beautiful silhouettes with pleats, volume and characteristic necklines. Monsieur Dior’s bar finds a new masculine reiteration that merges with Kim Jones’ very own oblique. The straightforward attitude of Nureyev’s greatest years, the 60s and 70s is manifested in single-breasted simplicity with gently flared trousers in suiting realized in off-rich wool melange, as zipped wool jumpsuits and shorts, second-skin ribbed knits and duffle-inflected outerwear with sumptuous leathers mirror the style of a practicing dancer. The couture collection, as the first men’s couture collection this season, do not just echo stage extravagance, but also pay tribute to Nureyev’s passion for collecting antique textiles. Emblematic of this are kimonos that feature ancient weaving techniques realized by master craftsmen in Japan. Accessories merge the two, as seen in a dancing slipper made from rigorous San Crispino leather against the silk-polyester Mary-Jane sneaker. Amplifying house codes, oversized grained Macrocannage camera and bum bags and lavish velvet turban hats round the collection off perfectly. The two collections as poles of Nureyev’s life find unification practically and poetically in a show directed by Baillie Walsh with music by composer Max Richter.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Marsèll's first flagship store in Milan

Marsèll, the esteemed Italian footwear and accessory brand has inaugurated its first flagship store in the fashion district of Milan with an event during Pitti. 400-square-meters stretch out over the two-level space, that now showcases Marsèll’s genderless and limited-edition leather goods. Dedicated to the study and exploration of form in every sense of the word, the boutique is a result of an eight month collaboration with Berlin design studio Lotto Studio, embodying a modular environments inspired by Marcel Breuer’s architecture and calming atmospheres conceived by Carlo Scarpa. Apart from housing the brand’s iconic garments, the novel flagship also opens the doors to art projects in a gallery. The design incorporates carefully chosen materials, such as travertine for the women's area, walnut wood for the men's area, stainless steel, glass, leather, and Marsèll's signature colors. The innovative use of materials and the flexibility of the space reflect Marsèll's commitment to design and craftsmanship, creating a timeless and unclassifiable environment that encapsulates the brand's philosophy over its two-decade history. Creative Director and Founder of Marsèll, Marco Cima, emphasizes the importance of this moment as the brand engages in direct dialogue with its audience.
www.marsell.com

Fashion

Levi’s X Beams Capsule Super Wide V2 Collection

A fruitful collaboration that has withstood the test of time: Levi’s and BEAMS unveil their fourth collaborative capsule collection that centers all around new super wide fits. Inspired by the iconic Americana allure of Levi’s 1944 denim archive, the pair has dreamed up a novel expression of denim while ignoring previous conceptions of wider silhouettes. A true homage to Levi’s heritage, the collection features new bold and widened pieces derived from classic styles and washes. The combination of the skillsets of Levi’s, as the pioneer of modern denim, and BEAMS, as a leading figure in Tokyo’s fashion, is what makes this capsule collection so remarkable. As a derivative of the 1944 Levi’s jean jacket, the Super Wide V2 Type I Trucker, made from heavy 16-ounce custom Orange Tick selvage denim, features just four shanks, a custom super wide leather back patch, doubling the width of the iconic Two-Horse Pull patch, and a BEAMS exclusive tab. For a full denim look, the Super Wide V2 Type I Trucker pairs beautifully with Levi’s x BEAMS Super Wide V2 Jean, which is inspired by the 1944 501 Jean. Also made from Orange Tick selvage denim developed exclusively for BEAMS, it features the BEAMS exclusive tab and custom reworked leather back patch. This limited-edition capsule collection is available in select Levi’s and BEAMS stores and online starting January 9, 2024.
www.levis.com / www.beams.co.jp

Fashion

FENDI x FRGMT x POKÉMON

FENDI joins forces with the iconic Hiroshi Fujiwara's Fragment, introducing a special collection that transcends boundaries and celebrates the Year of the Dragon with Pokémon. Kim Jones, FENDI's Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear, expresses admiration for Fujiwara, describing him as an influential figure in Japan's club, youth fashion, and streetwear scenes. The 'Friends of FENDI' initiative, curated by Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi, brings together diverse projects, emphasizing sincerity and friendship over strategy. Hiroshi Fujiwara, renowned as the 'godfather of streetwear,' seamlessly blends fashion, music, art, and design, shaping global fashion with his multi-modal creativity. The FENDI x FRGMT collaboration unveils the 'FF Fragment,' applying Hiroshi's signature on the iconic FF jacquard logo. The disrupted design graces women's Peekaboo and Baguette bags, while men's staples incorporate the FRGMT disruption with yellow contrast zips. Taking a playful turn, the FENDI x FRGMT x POKÉMON collection merges FENDI's iconic bags with the beloved Dragon-type Pokémon to commemorate the Year of the Dragon. From inlays and prints to 3D marquetry, the collaboration showcases the Maison's mastery of leather goods. The lineup extends to jewellery, clothing, and even a rare collector's item—a meticulously crafted Dragonite available in a limited series. This collection will be available worldwide in selected FENDI boutiques and online from January 4th, 2024, marking a new era in the fusion of high fashion, streetwear, and pop culture.
www.fendi.com

Art

Aesop Sendlingerstrasse

Aesop's latest outpost, located on Sendlingerstrasse, is a testament to the beauty of simplicity and functionality. Embracing the International style that emerged in the 1920s, the store boasts a streamlined design that is unencumbered by excess ornamentation. The largely open plan invites visitors to explore key elements that serve distinct purposes—communal sinks for product trials, freestanding shelving for leisurely browsing, and a point-of-sale counter at the far end. The material palette, featuring stone, wood, and fabric, along with reflective and patinated metals, creates a rich and textured atmosphere. Despite the seemingly still and calm ambience, there's an underlying dynamism and playfulness within the store's stripped-back composition. Aesop Sendlingerstrasse integrates reconditioned pieces, such as wall-mounted consoles from a former Aesop store in Hanover and freestanding shelves designed by BBPR for Olivetti, New York. These elements contribute to the liveliness of the space, showcasing a harmonious blend of the pre-loved with the new. Founded in Melbourne in 1987, Aesop has been dedicated to formulating effective products with a commitment to ethics. A visit to Aesop Sendlingerstrasse promises not just a shopping experience but an immersion into the artful intersection of stillness and animated design.
www.aesop.com

Art

Louis Vuitton at Art Basel Miami Beach

In a celebration of the longstanding collaboration between Louis Vuitton and legendary architect Frank Gehry, the luxury Maison is set to showcase the Frank Gehry x Louis Vuitton collection at this year's Art Basel Miami Beach. The specially designed booth embodies Gehry's signature aesthetic, featuring wood and cardboard models integral to his design process. The exhibition is organized into four themes dear to Gehry—Architecture and Form, Material Exploration, Animals, and the Twisted Box creation for "Celebrating Monogram." Visitors can explore a diverse array of objects, including handbags, trunks, perfume bottles, original artworks, sketches, and architectural models. A highlight of the event is the world premiere of the Louis Vuitton x Frank Gehry limited-edition handbag collection. The collaboration, based on key themes from Gehry's career, showcases designs inspired by Louis Vuitton's iconic Capucines bags, the Twisted Box Trunk, and the Bear With Us Clutch—a remarkable creation based on Gehry's 2014 Bear with Us sculpture. Each bag represents the fusion of Gehry's design prowess and Louis Vuitton's craftsmanship, featuring unique details like glass-like resin petals, leather marquetry, and innovative 3D cement-effect screen-printing. Louis Vuitton, now a global Associate Partner of Art Basel, reaffirms its commitment to the arts, building on a legacy that began nearly a century ago. The exhibition runs from December 8th to 10th at the West Lobby of the Miami Beach Convention Center, offering a captivating journey into the intersection of fashion, art, and architecture.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

NARS Cosmetics Holiday 2023 Collection

'Tis the season to dazzle, and what better way to make a statement than with the NARS Cosmetics limited edition Holiday 2023 Collection. This collection is a curated blend of bestsellers and rising stars, featuring exclusive, radiant sets. The 'Endless Nights Eyeshadow Palette' promises an unforgettable night with its nine highly pigmented, seductive eyeshadows. From shimmering neutrals to vibrant pinks and violets. Embrace the festive spirit with captivating colours like "Let Loose," a shimmering peach-champagne, and "Starlet," a glittering bronze gold. 'All That Glitters Light Reflecting™ Cheek Palette' is a limited-edition palette featuring six vibrant Light Reflecting™ blush shades, adorned with glitter for that extra touch of glamour. From the metallic cool pink of "Silver Screen" to the satin terracotta-red of "Sabrina," each shade is carefully curated to enhance your natural glow. In other news, NARS proudly marks the 10th anniversary of the essential Radiant Creamy Concealer, with a commitment to inclusivity, the Concealer boasts an extensive range of 30 shades, catering to all skin tones. What sets this concealer apart is its infusion of Multi-Active Botanical Blend Technology, tightening the skin, reducing redness, and fortifying the skin barrier. Its availability in a mini size makes it the perfect on-the-go companion. Discover the timeless Radiant Creamy Concealer and the Holiday 2023 Collection as a celebration of all things glitter, glamour, and boldness.
www.narscosmetics.com

Fashion

Marciano By Guess Holiday Campaign

Get ready to glam up this holiday season with MARCIANO by GUESS's stunning new Holiday campaign. Shot against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Como in Bellagio by the talented Alina Troyan, under the creative direction of GUESS. Featuring the Ukrainian beauties Iryna Dzhagarova and Diana Zotova, alongside Sicilian model Simone Bonaccorsi, the campaign showcases an array of glamorous dresses and apparel that embody the essence of MARCIANO by GUESS. From silky sateen dresses in monotone or bold festive patterns to elegant mini dresses adorned with shiny appliques and sequins, the collection exudes sophistication and glamour. Draped in flawless pleats, ruches, and revealing slits, the garments elegantly follow the body's contours. The holiday lineup also includes exclusive pieces like a corset top and cropped sleeved dress, featuring an all-over gold embroidered motif, as well as long skirts with satiny ruffles. Complete your holiday ensemble with the winter collection of accessories all infused with MARCIANO's iconic retro-glam style. Whether you opt for flamboyant feather necklines or intricate embroidery, the 2023 MARCIANO by GUESS Holiday collection promises to turn heads and make a statement on every festive occasion.
www.guess.eu

Fashion

Breitling’s Avenger Collection

For more than two decades, Breitling's Avenger has soared through the skies as a symbol of precision, durability, and unparalleled design. The new Avenger collection, recently announced in a press release by CEO Georges Kern, is set to redefine aviation watches with its elegant detailing, wear-resistant materials, and the formidable Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 in the chronograph models. The watch pays homage to the brand's pioneering HUIT Aviation Department, which crafted precision instruments for aviation and pilot chronographs. The collection, available in three versions - 44mm Chronograph, Automatic GMT 44mm, and Automatic 42mm - promises not just style but substance. The Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 and Night Mission, powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, boast a 70-hour power reserve, a five-year warranty, and COSC certification. The bold design choices, including coloured dials and a stainless steel rotating bezel, make a statement both in and out of the cockpit. The Avenger Automatic GMT 44, tailored for pilots and frequent travellers, features a red GMT hand for easy Zulu time reading. With a steel case and a choice of dials, it's a compact companion for globetrotters. The Avenger Automatic 42, a well-balanced timepiece in a 42mm diameter, offers robustness in a compact form. Its COSC-certified mechanical automatic movement ensures precision, while design options cater to varied tastes. The Avenger can withstand the toughest conditions in the cockpit and never backs down. The redesigned collection is not just a watch; it's a statement, ready for action-packed adventures in the sky.
www.breitling.com

Fashion

ZEGNA X Real Madrid

In a seamless fusion of Italian Luxury and sports spirit, ZEGNA, the eminent menswear house with a heritage dating back to 1910, proudly continues its exclusive partnership with Real Madrid, the iconic football club that has been dominating the pitch since 1902. With the motto “Every king needs a tailor,” the collaboration between these two reinforced their shared values and commitment to surpassing limits. As the Official Luxury Travelwear Wear Partner for the 2023-2024 season, ZEGNA will dress both the football and basketball first team of Real Madrid in exclusive outfits tailored to perfection. The first Champions League Trip of the Season unveils their new wardrobe, showcasing ZEGNA’s ALBA Overshirt, GHIACCIO Blouson in Oasi Cashmere, jogger bottoms, crewneck, and the latest version of the Triple StitchTM shoes. The made-to-measure collection, goes beyond fashion, extending into a commitment to excellence, hard work, societal responsibility, and a continuous pursuit of new frontiers, blending the heritage of both brands. It is now available in selected ZEGNA boutiques globally. ZEGNA and Real Madrid, with their respective championships in luxury menswear and on the football pitch, epitomize the idea that success is not just about the destination but also the journey.
www.zegna.com

Art

Brionvega Exclusive Cherrywood Finish for rr26 fo-st Radiofonografo

In a celebration of timeless design and craftsmanship, Brionvega introduces the Cherrywood finish for the iconic radiofonografo, originally designed by the Castiglioni brothers in 1965. Limited to only 100 numbered pieces, this exclusive edition invites passionate enthusiasts to become the custodians of a truly unique art piece, destined to be cherished across generations. Following the global success of the limited Canaletto walnut edition in April 2023, the Cherrywood finish is set to captivate aficionados with its dual nature—symbolic of strength and compactness, yet embracing the gentleness and elegance associated with cherry blossoms – a tree representing rebirth and beauty. Each radiofonografo undergoes meticulous handcrafting in Italy, the natural grain of the cherry wood adds a unique character to every piece, elevating the radiofonografo into an embodiment of rare and timeless beauty. Available for customer orders from July 1, 2023, this limited series offers partners an exclusive pre-order opportunity in June 2023. Brionvega's commitment to sustainability is reflected in the concept of creating products designed to be enjoyed for a lifetime and beyond. As Brionvega continues its mission to globally relaunch the icons of Made in Italy design, the Cherrywood radiofonografo stands as a testament to the brand's dedication to the preservation of timeless beauty.
www.brionvega.com

Fashion

Paul Mescal and Xiao Zhan Star in the Gucci Horsebit 1953 Loafer Campaign

Through the campaign starring actor and Ambassador Paul Mescal and Global Brand Ambassador Xiao Zhan, Gucci proudly celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Horsebit 1953 loafer, an enduring symbol of the maison’s rich heritage and savoir-faire. The Gucci Horsebit loafer, introduced in 1953, revolutionized the world of footwear, bringing together comfort and sophistication. The loafers are especially characterized by their distinctive design, featuring a miniaturized horse bit which gives the footwear their iconic name and which quickly became one of Gucci’s distinctive marks, bridging the gap between past heritage and contemporary fashion. Throughout the decades, the Gucci loafers have evolved to become a staple piece in every man’s wardrobe thanks to their versatility and elegance, which allows the wearer to pair them effortlessly with every outfit. The Gucci Horsebit Loafers are a synthesis of high-skilled Italian craftsmanship, America outdoor lifestyle, and classic British equestrian aesthetic. The new campaign starring Paul Mescal and Xiao Zhan showcases the timeless allure of the loafers and of the Gucci style, perfectly capturing the feeling of ease, comfort, and classic elegance that the Horsebit Loafers embody. The portraits of the campaign are proof of how the loafers’ heritage and silhouette continue to inspire and captivate generation after generation.
www.gucci.com

Art

Hublot Design Prize 2023

Hublot, the renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker, recently held the prestigious Hublot Design Prize award ceremony at the new extension of the Kunsthaus Zurich on October 2nd. Since its inception in 2015, the international competition has recognized and celebrated original design, with a focus on designers under 40, spanning diverse realms of creative expression. This year's ceremony witnessed the spotlight on two exceptional talents. The Hublot Design Prize 2023 was awarded to Aqui Thami, whose fluid multidisciplinary practice encompasses graphic and social design, art, and performance. The jury commended Aqui for her deep activist engagement, evident in every aspect of her work, showcasing a profound social impact and inspirational approach. The Pierre Keller Prize found its deserving recipient in Gabriel Fontana, lauded for his innovative use of sport as a catalyst for redefining societal roles and norms. Fontana's work aims to create a positive impact, challenging preconceived notions of identity and inclusion. His exploration extends to developing non-stigmatizing clothing for sports and community activities. The Hublot Design Prize serves not only as a recognition of exceptional talent but also as a springboard for young designers' careers. The ceremony at Kunsthaus Zurich brought together the six finalists, the esteemed jury, and an invited audience, marking another milestone in the ongoing commitment to celebrate and foster creativity on a global scale.
www.hublot.com

Fashion

BOSS | Samsonite Aluminium Capsule Collection

In a harmonious fusion of elegance and durability, BOSS and Samsonite have joined forces to create a capsule luggage collection, ensuring that you can always travel in style. This collaboration marries BOSS's commitment to bold, self-determined style with Samsonite's legacy of durable travel solutions, reflecting premium quality, innovation, and timeless design. Crafted from high-quality aluminum, the BOSS | Samsonite shells are embellished with an anodized signature BOSS monogram pattern in a tone-on-tone black motif, adding a sleek luxury touch. The interior features the iconic BOSS camel color, complemented by prominent branding and adjustable packing straps for convenient organization. What sets this collection apart is not just its aesthetic appeal but also its thoughtful design for fashion-forward explorers. Co-branded leather handles, paired with high-performance wheels, a secure TSA lock, and the option to add your personalized touch through initials, exude sophistication. Samsonite CEO Kyle Gendreau expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing both brands' dedication to delivering high-performance products. The luggage seamlessly aligns with the new BOSS FW23 collection. Available in limited edition from October in select BOSS and Samsonite stores and online, the BOSS | Samsonite capsule collection offers four models, including a cabin, two check-in suitcases, and a trunk. For those who refuse to compromise on style, this collaboration is a passport to jet-set elegance, marking a new era in the intersection of fashion and travel. As the collection extends its availability in 2024, it promises to continue offering fashion-forward travelers the perfect blend of sophistication and functionality with ever-lighter and stronger products.
www.samsonite.de/boss_samsonite/

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week - Dior

Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative force behind Christian Dior, delves into the intricacies of time and feminism in her SS24 collection, seamlessly weaving together past, present, and future. In a collaboration typical of Dior's visionary approach, Chiuri joins forces with artist Elena Bellantoni in designing the show’s space. ‘NOT HER’, the video installation covering the walls in an electric mix of pink and yellow, is unmissable. The 7-meter-high LED screens respond to sexist advertisements with counterpoint phrases challenging the dominant stereotype. From the neon pink and yellow hues to the dark, Parisian neo-grunge vibes on the runway, Chiuri's vision is a powerful statement against the conventional norms of fashion. The collection draws inspiration from iconic women rebels like Ingrid Bergman and Maria Callas, bringing a sense of empowerment to the designs. Opening with a statement of black lace gowns, metallic knitwear and bewitching accessories, all elements converge to create a spellbinding visual journey. Witches as custodians become emblematic figures in this narrative—symbols of feminine strength and independence. The Middle Ages provide a historical backdrop, interpreted in an abstract and contemporary manner. Prints and embroideries draw inspiration from the celestial, featuring phases of the moon, suns heralding seasons, medicinal herbs, and fantastical animals. A modern twist acknowledging Dior's historical Bar jacket and '50s haute couture, the iconic jacket is transformed with eased waists and frayed hems, and the pleated New Look circle skirt is disrupted with leg-flashing slits and bold prints. Chiuri rejects the notion that collections must adhere to a single reference: beyond being a showcase of fashion, they hold the duty to empower women. SS24 reflects the need for fashion to be relatable, the exploration of feminism through time and the rebellious spirit of witches, offering a wardrobe that allows the personalization of style.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Ferrari

Ferrari unveiled its SS24 collection at Teatro Alcione during Milan Fashion Week, focusing on the power of desire. Connecting to the strength and the passion that has always driven Ferrari, the collection focuses on the unconditional passion and the continuous dedication that traces the contour of the legendary brand. The collection is built around a sentiment that constantly strives for excellence and elegance, be it in design, performance, or innovation. Ferrari’s Creative Director Rocco Iannone leans towards a new dimension of complex simplification, focusing on feelings that guide the path to emotions, resulting in a collection that exudes Ferrari’s powerful allure through fashion. The brand’s style codes, racing, workwear, and tailoring, are filtered through the creative director’s lens putting the body and its silhouette at the center stage. The silhouettes are carved, molded, and exaggerated through volumes and sharp lines, which also contribute to the dynamic feel of the garments. Iannone goes to the core of forms and materials, de-saturating colors to emphasize the shapes. Through tightness and voluptuousness, a new language of the body is born as a symbol and the expression of the brand’s perpetual desire to create, innovate, and communicating the passion that drives it.
www.ferrari.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Bottega Veneta

The Bottega Veneta Summer 24 collection presented at the Milan Fashion Week is the continuation of a journey of transformation and escape following the vision of Matthieu Blazy, Bottega Veneta’s creative director. In this collection, the travel is both literal and metaphorical, encompassing an array of influences from all over the world. The models traverse the world of the show walking across the continents and oceans that spread before them in a quest for inspiration through dislocation, at the border between reality and imagination. The trope of the journey becomes the emblem of the effortless passage between ordinary and extraordinary, encompassing both the manmade and primitive world. The clothing showcases the ethereal nature of this journey through simple silhouettes that challenge the notion of “getting changed”. Clothing from the previous season is metaphorically shed, brought in oversized, basket-woven intrecciato bags. The collection explores all kinds of journeys, from the city commute to the journey of a castaway. The notion of a “national dress” transforms into that of an “international dress”, which borrows and takes inspiration from cultures all over the world. Newspapers are morphed into foulard bags, and highly crafted leathers take on a new meaning, in this collection where everything appears to be possible.
www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - FENDI

In the brand’s SS24 womenswear collection, FENDI’s Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear Kim Jones takes the city of Rome, the founding place of the brand, as the main source of inspiration. The garments in the collection explore an ease of dressing with a certain Roman freedom. Throughout this collection, imperfection becomes a more human perfection, and luxury is found in comfort and quiet. The clothing and accessories allow the wearer to feel fully themselves in them, exploring a sense of duality that permeates the whole collection. The garments are simultaneously pragmatic and playful, crafted with masculine tailoring and materials but applied fluidly and femininely with elegance and sensibility. The materials and textures range from the finest kid mohair to silks and knits. The garments are fluid and everchanging: a washed silk evening dress is able to slip into the day-to-day, while a folded-over waistband reveals a pair of trousers’ inner construction. The way the outfits are put together also reflects FENDI’s dualistic approach, such as pairing a masculine, heavy coat with ballet shoes. In this collection, masculine utility and comfort come together with a feminine flourish with the agency of the wearer in mind. The collection caters to both style and comfort, effortlessly revealing the elegance of the FENDI woman.
www.fendi.com

Fashion

Gucci’s New Jewelry Campaign

In his first campaign for the brand, Gucci’s new creative director Sabato De Sarno presents the Maison’s new jewelry campaign starring Polish-Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy. The campaign, centered around Gucci’s Marina Chain jewelry collection and photographed by David Sims, is a celebration of Sabato’s past debut in the fashion world and its current debut as Gucci’s creative director. The Marina Chain jewelry collection is inspired by the chain of an anchor, and it was first introduced with a bracelet in the late 1960s. Throughout the decades, the Marina Chain collection has come to represent an iconic element of Gucci’s history and jewelry line. The campaign’s shots have a free, light, and elegant feeling to them. The aquatic theme perfectly embodies the Marina Chain’s source of inspiration, the sea, now reinvented with an eye that looks at the future. Daria Werbowy and David Sims showcase perfect symbiosis between model and photographer, effortlessly bringing to life the character at the core of the campaign, and perfectly representing the classic and innovative aspect of the Maison of Gucci. The campaign was shot at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, perfectly capturing De Sarno’s vision of an unfolding, meaningful story.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

Ralph Lauren Spring 2024 Women Collection

On September 8th, 2023, Ralph Lauren showcased its new Women’s Collection in New York with an immersive fashion experience transporting guests to the core of the brand’s values and personality. The event was a romantic and artistic celebration of Ralph Lauren’s classic American style. The collection dresses a cool and sophisticated woman, giving her the freedom to craft her style. Faded denims and painterly florals contrast black and gold shapes, giving life to an eclectic mix of colors and patterns that is elegant and sophisticated. For the event, a utilitarian warehouse in the heart of New York’s Brooklyn Navy Yard was transformed into a world of romance and rusticity with a modern feel. The location is an ode to artists' retreats, and it is a reminder of the Spring 2024 runway backdrop, with glimmering chandeliers, artfully draped canvases, and wood textures. The collection features a classic spring palette that is innovative in its mixtures of white and blue hues, eclectically combined with denims and embroidered patterns. The black and gold juxtaposition brings vibrancy to the pieces, emphasizing self-expression and originality. Ralph Lauren’s Women Collection for Spring 2024 celebrates female self-expression, emphasizing the importance that personal style and individuality have for the modern woman.
www.ralphlauren.com

Fashion

Sacai X CARHARTT WIP

Marking a creative joint offering between Sacai and Carhartt WIP, the extraordinary pieces from Sacai men’s 2023 Fall Winter Collection and Sacai 2023 Fall Collection will be launched on on September 8th. By embracing the essence of utilitarian wear, Sacai has teamed up with Carhartt WIP and crafted an array of men's and women's silhouettes that fused with the resilient, functional attributes and hardware associated with both brands, at the same time, incorporating Sacai's distinct design language. The collaborated collection displays delicately intertwined design elements of Carhart WIP's iconic duck fabric jackets and Sacai's distinctive nylon twill, which elevate the typical workwear into stylish daily ensembles. Emphasizing a deconstructive aesthetic, the unique items were unveiled in a unified manner, reimaging the traditional chore jacket with Sacai's distinctive signature. Moreover, displaying Carhartt WIP’s iconic colors, the collection presents an intricate color match ranging from khaki and light blue to warm brown and black. Meanwhile, the accompanying campaign features a cast drawn from Carhartt WIP’s skate team, including Pepe Tirelli, and Tolia Titaev, as well as Dede Lovelace and Kasper Kacia. Captured through the lens of filmmaker Joaquim Bayle, the visuals spotlight rituals, and peculiarities that define skateboarding. Elsewhere, a series of special pop-ups will exhibit the collaborated pieces at multiple locations worldwide. While Saci has been defining technical deftness and elegant style with an avant-garde touch through comprehensive and innovative silhouettes, the exclusive collaboration with Carhartt WIP, brings a unique aesthetic to the brand. Sacai x Carhartt WIP collection is available at both Sacai’s online and offline stores as well as Carhartt WIP’s online store. www.sacai.jp www.carhartt-wip.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet’s New Pieces in Collaboration with Matthew Williams

The renowned Swiss horlogerie brand Audemars Piguet announces a collaboration with the American designer Matthew Williams, founder of the fashion label 1017 ALYX 9SM. The partnership results in four new editions of Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore models, plus one unique piece of the Royal Oak made of stainless steel and 18k yellow gold. What makes the watch unique is the duo-chrome bracelet and the signature touch of both brands, which is distinguishable on the dial. The one-of-a-kind Royal Oak was auctioned off in Tokyo on the night of the collaboration’s launch, raising $1 million to benefit underprivileged children. The new pieces combine the unmistakable design features of the manufacturer and the sophisticated signature style of Matthew Williams. This cooperation gives life to a modern collection that aims to be enjoyed by fans of urban fashion. The timepieces allow for the expression of individuality, effortlessly combining modern fashion with the classic practice of wearing a watch. A shared avant-garde worldview, great attention to detail, and the advocacy for a holistic and sustainable approach unite Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams. Their collaboration on the design of their Royal Oak Watches showcases elegance and attention to detail.
www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

Elie Saab X Aubade - New Capsule Collections

Aubade announces its collaboration with haute couture brand Elie Saab on three luxury lingerie capsule collections for winter 2023. Through its lingerie, which celebrates glamour, beauty, and strength, Aubade aims to express the essence of French sensuality. It does so through high-quality materials, seductive designs, and a purpose to bring joy and comfort to whoever wears their lingerie and nightwear. Aubade’s pillars pair perfectly with the brand Elie Saab, known for its dedication to high craftsmanship and its dreamy collections. Elie Saab pays particular attention to understanding the female body and creating sophisticated compositions that pay homage to it. The two brands have created lingerie and nightwear collections that bring the feminine form to the forefront, embracing every silhouette with flattering materials and designs. The “My Desire” lingerie collection and the “Whimsical Affair” nightwear collection are designed with a playful seduction in mind which materializes in feminine forms through the workings of a chiaroscuro effect on the skin. The collections are available in two color palettes, “Naughty Black”, a deep black, and “Love Affair,” a nude rose. Elie Saab’s understanding of the female body, and Aubade’s sophisticated glamour, evoke a sensual interplay through beautiful details and careful use of materials and fabrics.
www.eliesaab.com
www.aubade.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta Supports Biennale Danza for the Third Year

In lieu of its ongoing collaboration with Biennale Danza, Bottega Veneta is supporting the event for the third year in a row. Biennale Danza is the International Festival of Contemporary Dance, which, this year, marks its 17th edition. The festival is famous for its international, diverse program and for representing a platform for new and emerging artists on the international dance scene. The new Biennale College Danza’s project is titled “When I Am Facing U” and developed under the supervision of notable Chinese dancer Xie Xin. Bottega Veneta is not only supporting the event for the third time but is ever present in the show. In fact, the costumes worn by the dancers of Biennale College Danza during their performances have been designed by Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta. The costumes feature denim silhouettes replicated on viscose silk, thus creating an interesting contrast between the rigidity of the pictured denim and the fluidity of the silk. The lightness and malleability of the shapes and the feel of the clothing reflect the sensuality imbued in the choreographies performed. Through radical minimalism and departure from form and context, the show leaves a lot of space for improvisation and freedom of interpretation. The choreographies are explorative and experimental, perfectly enhanced by Bottega Veneta’s costumes.
www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week - Fassbender

“Original” is the provocative title of Fassbender’s SS24 collection presented at the Berlin Fashion Week 2023. The collection indeed plays with the meaning of the word “original,” which stands for both the real thing that already exists and something completely new. The Hamburg-based label, formed by Christina Fassbender and Matthias Louwen, combines elegant and sophisticated tailoring with comfort and functionality, resulting in a unique style that appears effortless in its complexity. The brand was founded in 2017 alongside Christina’s brother, Sebastian Steinhoff. With a strong focus on sustainability, the brand uses the most innovative techniques and findings to ensure that its garments are made sustainably throughout the process without compromising style and affordability. Fassbender believes in a solid circular economy, contributing to the well-being of nature and living beings. The garments manufactured in Europe are made to adapt to a constantly evolving wardrobe: they are versatile and wearable on multiple occasions. Fassbender’s passion for innovation is evident in their interest in using AI in fashion design, something the brand’s creatives are eager to integrate into their process. One of the brand’s goals is to draw attention to the work of craftsmanship that takes place behind the scenes of every collection. The care that goes into crafting each garment is part of the sustainability behind the brand, which poses itself in direct contraposition to the culture of fast fashion, emphasizing the timelessness of their clothing.
www.myfassbender.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week - William Fan

At the 2023 Berlin Fashion Week, William Fan brings a collection focusing on the play with different materials, finishes, and colors. The German designer, whose homonymous label has been producing clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, furniture, and objects since 2015, conceptualizes his designs according to the critical Euro-Asian dialogue he conducts within himself, thus honoring his Asian roots. Indeed, his designs mix European elements with Chinese influences, resulting in a proper merge between the two cultures. Indeed, according to the designer, the inspiration for his collections comes from his past and future experiences and environment. In this context, the city of Berlin represents a significant source of inspiration for the designer, as it is a melting pot of different cultures and a place where it is easy to live immersed in the art scene. The collections focus on neither gender nor age, adopting gender neutrality as one of the main principles of the brand. Instead, the clothing is directed towards expressing Fan’s purpose of telling a story through his fashion shows. William Fan has studied fashion and worked in the industry in The Netherlands, London, Hamburg, and Berlin, where he finally founded his brand in 2015. The brand has been a part of the Berlin Fashion Week since its beginning and still views the event as a major support to its growth.
www.williamfan.com

Fashion

Mixing of Dress Codes in Louis Vuitton’s Men Prêt-à-Porter Fall 2024 Collection

For its Fall 2024 Menswear collection, Louis Vuitton adopts a dual wardrobe approach based on the elevation of everyday clothing that can adapt to an array of situations. Professional and casual dressing is hybridized according to Maison's practice of code-switching, resulting in a transitional wardrobe. The Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme designed the collection as a standalone proposal. Every look is styled by mixing different dress codes and with accessories that diverge from standard archetypes. The visual elements that distinguish the Maison also take on a different character, as is showcased in how the emblematic Epi is brought to life using various materials, creating optical effects. An element that characterizes this menswear collection is the use of accessories, specifically their role in morphing with the clothes. The LV Pacific slip-on shoe exemplifies the blending of formal and casual styles, combining a sneaker sole and a suede upper. In the jewelry, corduroy and Maison’s classic Epi are fused in embossed metals with an aged gold finish, to be found on bracelets, necklaces, and band rings. A different interpretation of the Epi leather is translated on the red Maxi Epi texture on the Alma bowling bag. At the same time, the classic Louis Vuitton monogram emerges in two new colorways (olive-green canvas with orange lining and blue canvas with brown lining) on various bag models. This menswear collection fully captures an innovative light on Louis Vuitton’s iconic style.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

An Archaic Past is Revived in Dior’s FW23/24 Collection

Maria Grazia Chiuri presented Dior’s FW23/24 Haute Couture Collection in the afternoon of July 3rd. The collection is constructed around the idea of time, reflecting the care that is put into creating couture. The past is integrated into the present: the sketched form is immediately translated onto the dress without making use of any paper patterns. The forms are simple, morphed into archetypal sartorial elements such as the peplum, the tunic, or the cape. Maria Grazia Chiuri has worked on the collection presentation with the artist Marta Roberti, transforming the catwalk into an art gallery that evokes archaic artistic elements such as goddesses and animals. The artist assembles these elements to represent myths of a distant world where the female figure was revered above all else. The Mediterranean region is a reference point, as the ancient cultures in those areas produced the anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images present in Roberti’s art for the Dior fashion show. The models' composition recalls divinities through a vertical silhouette and flat shoes. The main colors are white, beige, silver, and pale gold, with coats evoking the shape of classical statues. The shimmery dresses are intertwined with pearls, symbolizing purity. Overall, the presentation of this collection aims to represent the strength and fragility of femininity through the cult of goddesses, enhancing sensitivity and attention to detail.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles’ Partnership with the Prism Prize for Music Videomaking

The Prism Prize, awarded yearly to videomakers, has partnered with the Canadian clothing brand Moose Knuckles. The Prism Prize yearly awards videomakers with the Heatmakers Grant. One of Moose Knuckles’ priorities is to support emerging creatives, and the brand is excited to uplift promising Canadian artists that can have a positive impact on the future of the hip-hop scene through their videos. This vision pairs perfectly with that of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, which aims to promote and encourage local artists. The award, which can be worth up to $35,000, is intended to promote the production of high-quality videos in the Canadian hip-hop scene. The winners of this edition, announced by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, are Sean Leon, iaamSam, and Skiifall. The three artists are a diverse representation of the Canadian hip-hop music industry. Sean Leon, who was awarded the title of “Ambassador,” has been present on the Canadian music scene for over a decade. iaamSam is a self-taught multidisciplinary audio-visual artist, while Skiifall is a music creator quickly building visibility. The commission awarding the Heatmakers Grant is composed of music and fashion professionals, such as Canadian all-round musician Kardinal Offishall and Moose Knuckles’ Global Artistic Director Carlos Nazario. With more than 170 applications from all around the country, the committee had to shortlist 25 artists to determine the three recipients. The winning artists will work alongside a creative team to bring to life the music videos financed by the Heatmakers Grant.
www.mooseknuckles.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent’s SS24 Men’s Collection

‘Each man kills the thing he loves’ is the expressive title for Saint Laurent’s SS24 men’s collection, dreamed up by Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello. In line with Saint Laurent’s world tour, the SS24 show revealed the designer’s deep appreciation for Berlin – a landscape that speaks to his own past. The impressive Neue Nationalgalerie, designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and representative of classical modernism, set a certain novel-inspired mood to begin immersing the guests into the collection’s atmosphere. As a continuation of the womenswear line, the word evolution comes to mind when thinking about Vaccarello’s future aspirations. A desire to transcend gender codes is also apparent, opening up space to leave behind limitations. Sharp tailoring remains central: shedding special attention to structure and volume. Boxy suit jackets with broad shoulders are purposefully combined with delicate silhouettes, appearing weightless. Mousseline de Soie, as well as the timeless leopard print and polka dots provide elegance while retaining a certain sensual touch – seen in trench coats, tank tops with décolletés, and blouses. Trousers rise high and are narrow at the waist, while also cut at the ankles to accentuate heeled boots. After the show, guests were led to the Kraftwerk Berlin club for some dining and dancing. It was only fitting to finish off with a nod to Berlin’s intense party scenery.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Virginia is for LVERS

In his much anticipated first show as Men’s Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, Pharell Williams looks to the sun as the ultimate source of inspiration. The sun is a guiding light, a source of life, and a vital source of empowerment across cultures and creeds that are laced into the fabrics, the graphics, the palette, and the decorations of this collection.

The collection presents this vision through fresh twists and new approaches to familiar, foundational elements of Louis Vuitton. The heritage Damier pattern morphs with a camouflage print, birthing "Damoflage" across accessories, workwear, denim, knitwear, fur, and more. Imagination runs wild as Damier is also expressed in primary color treatments featuring the revived Louis Vuitton Marquee Déposée logo, new digitized patterns by American pixel artist ET and hand embroidery with pearl decorations on denim sets. The collection is rich with new takes on prized Louis Vuitton bags, from Monogram Copper materializations that transform in the gleam of the sun to embroideries and pixelated images of artists Henry Tailor and ET respectively.

Embodying a connection between Paris and Virginia, the home state of Pharell Williams, the SS24 collection was presented on Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris with a backdrop view of the Louis Vuitton studios. This relationship is epitomized through design choices that amplify classic American styles such as the varsity jacket. Through the re-contextualization of Maison’s Parisian ateliers, the sporty staple is adorned with intricate pearl embroideries or monograms signifying the new wave of LVERS while nodding to the slogan of Pharell Williams' home state: “Virginia is for lovers”.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Drawing a New Circle

A circle of sustainable solutions, a circle of imagination, a circle of cross-cultural influences, and a circle for an inclusive, ongoing dialogue of creative minds in the contemporary style scene. Corneliani’s Circle project sees an expansion this SS24 season as it opens up from a style-focused space to a creative platform for collaborations that bring together the domains of the Arts.

In its first act, the narrative features Paris-based design and architecture duo Gaëlle Gabillet and Stéphane Villard, who conceived a circular pavilion to be donated to the city of Milan after the end of the sales campaign to welcome a wider community. In the days before its presentation at Milan Fashion Week, the duo hand-built a majestic mosaic dome from giant tiles of marbled paper produced in Italy by Riccardo Cavaciocchi and tinted individually by French painter Matthieu Lemariè.

The circular arena became the immersive stage for the SS24 Corneliani looks, displayed both in and out of its perimeter. For the SS24 collection, Corneliani highlights their commitment to sustainability through organic and certified materials in a natural, minimalistic yet elegant color palette evoked also by the dome. Timeless, refined menswear archetypes, and relaxed and lightweight silhouettes are conceptualized through a language of elegance and savoir-faire. Sleek, luxurious finishes add depth and distinction to each piece, from co-ords to layering staples. Bold twists of green and red, and textures such as Prince of Wales plaid, elaborate stitching, and seams with painstaking details add an invigorating twist conferring depth and distinction without complication.

www.corneliani.com 

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Brioni

For its Spring 2024 menswear collection during Milan Fashion Week, Brioni transforms a quality embedded in its spirit into a creative perspective. Lightness becomes this season’s guiding principle, providing ease and freedom to enrich possibilities of self-expression. Instead of being overpowering, the new garments dissolve into the everyday: a practical tool to fit the wearer’s daily needs and occasions. Intrinsic to life, clothing becomes your best companion in exploring new ways to look at the world and live in it accordingly. This season, the embodiment of this newly embraced perspective is what Brioni is about.

At the top floor of a stern-looking, hard-edged building, guests are immersed in Brioni’s world of light as the aerial view of the city unfolds in front of their eyes, setting the ambiance for the collection’s presentation. Nodding to the history and spirit of Brioni, the collection is suffused with painterly Roman hues. Formalwear remains impeccable in craft, but attains a certain softness with a relaxed fit and construction achieved through fuller volumes and hollowed shoulders. Similar levity is found in the treatment of nubuck leather and suede, while at night, lightness takes on a mantle of muted shine.

The circularity of intents defines a fluidity of new perspectives.

www.brioni.com

Fashion

Tod’s SS24 Men’s Collection

Giardino Italiano, Tod’s SS24 men’s collection, zeros in on the passion of handmade that affords Italy its unique position in the world. Not surprising then, Italian craftsmanship and excellent quality form the very essence of this season’s collection. For its all-round Italian homage, the historic Milanese location linked to the Tod’s brand, Villa Necchi, sets the scenery for the presentation with a traditional Italian garden. To go with Tod’s Italian lifestyle, casual tailoring is even more relaxed, made from high quality materials in warm tones of brown and ecru. A triangular leather pattern becomes a recognizable symbol on the jackets, which ensure a simultaneously timeless, refined, and relaxed style. Key garments of the Italian wardrobe are indispensable, such as the short and light cabans which never compromise a man’s elegance and taste for quality. Further undisputed protagonists are the Bubble Gommino and the iconic Gommino, combining the classic tradition of the driving shoe with a modern twist. Typical of Italian craftsmanship, the leather handmade construction process is clearly visible in the moccasin. Tod’s Riviera Slip-on with tassels marks another symbol of the Italian lifestyle, while bags and belts become the foundation of the contemporary man’s looks. Italian know-how meets continuous experimentation with Tod’s.

www.tods.com

Fashion

FENDI’s SS24 menswear collection

Dedicated to excellence in fine leather goods, the new FENDI Factory in Capannuccia becomes the desired destination for the artisans of the future. Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, FENDI’s SS24 menswear collection pays homage to this new adventure and historic return to Florence – a place entrenched in FENDI’s history. The collection and show are a metafictional reflection on process. Exploring the liminal space distinguishing man and machine, past and future, nature and innovation: the industrial and handmade are linked in perpetuity. This season’s silhouette celebrates the archetype of the ‘corporate artisan’. Patch pockets of workwear belts, the apron as halter neck collared shirts, and the zip-off suit trousers indicate that a game of proportions is afoot. The presence of the Tuscan landscape is not only visible in the factory’s space, but heavily informs the color palette: a stratum of mineral shades from burnt umber to deep indigo is diffused by a soft haze of sage, limestone, and chalk. For the SS24 accessories collection, the ‘corporate artisan’ is taken up through an exploration of tactile expressions: structured and deconstructed bag shapes complement new styles, textiles, and patterns. Punctuated by the FENDI KENGO KUMA project, the accessories form part of a new artistic dialogue between Italy and Japan.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Gucci's Green Doors Reopen

Gucci is reopening its newly renovated boutique in Saint-Tropez, between the port and the Place des Lices. The store is situated in a classic Saint-Tropez house at 72, rue François Sibilli characterized by green shutters that typify the surrounding landscape. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in a world that blends Gucci’s spellbinding summer charm with the immaculate beauty of the French Rivera.

Through pastel hues, local materials, and classic design elements, the interiors of the boutique are perfectly complementary to the pristine beauty of the French Rivera. Liberty-style mosaics on the floors, natural oak on the walls with woven rattan finishes, and newly designed brass racks come together in harmony to immerse guests in a unique Gucci experience. In the private garden which crowns the boutique, guests can relax around a preserved well and enjoy the greenery, sunshine, and fresh air.

Within the space, which spans over 200 square meters over two floors, visitors can explore pieces for both men and women, from ready-to-wear, footwear, and accessories to the house's signature handbag lines and a selection of precious jewelry. The boutique additionally showcases the Gucci Valigera collection, designed for the dream holiday.

Gucci also imprints its unique aesthetic in collaboration with the renowned Loulou Ramatuelle Beach Club. After a captivating transformation, the beach club will host a temporary Gucci pop-up. An exclusive Saint-Tropez capsule collection will be available alongside the Summer Stories collection and a special selection of cocktails and menus by Giardino 25 from June 1st until the end of September.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Smells of Well-ness

The dramatic landscape and extravagant beauty of America’s Pacific Coast form the inspiration for the ethereal scents of Louis Vuitton’s Cologne Perfumes. Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud has captured the magnetic energy of Los Angeles, creating an olfactory adventure within each bottle. Each member of the Cologne Perfume collection has a personal story about the light in the city, from the gentle glow of the dawn to the sparkles that light up the streets at dusk. The newest addition is “Pacific Chill,” inspired by the detoxifying fresh breath of morning light on the skin.

California’s cool and purifying vibe is not only attributed to the regenerative vigor of its ocean views and energizing force of its green rolling hills but also its renowned health and wellness culture. Pacific Chill was crafted in line with this sense of balance and well-being, an exhilarating scent that caresses the skin with an uplifting spirit. Belletrud drew further inspiration from characteristics and experiences unique to the LA lifestyle – beloved detox smoothies and energizing morning hikes before the heat settles. The scent palette opens with blackcurrant, held aloft with cedrat and lemon, amplified with coriander and ambrette seeds, basil, peppermint, and orange essence – an impeccable attention to detail. Iridescence is brought out of an essence extracted from carrot seeds with apricot, date, and fig. A hint of May Rose is the final seal offering a floral sweetness.

Los Angeles-based contemporary artist Alex Israel has collaborated with the Maison on their previous Cologne Perfumes and once again paints an exclusive image to accompany Louis Vuitton’s latest scent upon a Fragrance Trunk and Travel Case.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

One Stop Shop All Summer Season

Mr. Porter, a destination for discovery for men around the world seeking inspiration for all styles, has an unparalleled product offering. Through a seamless online shopping experience and express worldwide shipping, Mr. Porter offers something for everyone: from the most sought-after menswear and lifestyle brands to exclusive capsule collections. Their latest campaign and their biggest to date, Summer Stories, is a celebration of the sun-kissed festivities from June to August. The standout collection features 125 brands and 49 exclusive ranges that embrace the warm weather for every occasion.

The campaign began on May 29th, with 5 multi-faceted chapters encompassing ready-to-wear, swimwear, shoes, accessories, luxury watches, jewelry, and lifestyle that will be unveiled throughout the next three months, solidifying Mr. Porter as a one-stop destination all season long. The capsule began with “For Sun, Sea And Sky,” with the foundations of a vacation wardrobe and poolside essentials that promise unforgettable memories to come. “Al Fresco” will be released on June 19th, consisting of the unmatched Italian brands and craftsmanship that are loved worldwide. On July 10th, “Bohemian Spirit” will be released, a selection of designer and contemporary brands catered to the adventurous hearts and souls unleashed through warm-weather activities. With a focus on new watches and exclusive jewelry, the offerings of “At The Bazaar'' will gleam under the summer sun from July 24th. And last but not least, “Pacific Dream” will round off the season with laid-back ready-to-wear for long, lazy evenings after days full of adventure.

www.mrporter.com

Fashion

A Higher Standard of Luxury for Golf

Loro Piana, the Maison known for its distinctive understated elegance and celebration of Italian excellence, has announced that they will once again collaborate with Team Europe for the Ryder Cup, Golf’s greatest team contest. The greatest team contest in Golf will be held at the “Marco Simone Golf & Country Club” in Rome from September 25th to October 1st. Loro Piana will dress the athletes and their entourages for all the official events, inspiring players through the highest standard of clothing and the savoir-faire that has been the Maison’s hallmark for six generations. Through meticulous design and craftsmanship, the garments will be functional and comfortable, without cutting short on style and elegance. Loro Piana used 3D technology to stimulate the clothing’s reaction to the fine movements of golf, guaranteeing ease of movement for each and every swing. Six looks especially designed by the Maison will include a short-sleeved polo, a high-neck shirt with a zipper, a waterproof vest, and classic tailored trousers. The technical materials of each have been chosen for maximum softness and stretch, as well as for special features that enhance ergonomic performance to guarantee unparalleled wearability. In addition, a selection of the Team Europe uniforms, collectors’ items, complete with the Team Europe and the players logos, will be available in the Maison’s boutique in Rome exclusively during the competition for golf lovers to experience the wardrobe for themselves.

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Old-fashioned Craftsmanship and Modern Design

C.P. Company explores new ways to incorporate handmade and old-fashioned craftsmanship techniques in its forward-thinking, cutting-edge design process. A special capsule of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and shirts made in complete antithesis to serial mass production and elevated through the use of such artisanal techniques. Not to mention that they also keep alive the know-how of Italian printers and graphic designers.

This special capsule includes both prints and designs developed with the Italian artists of the Stamperia Artigiana Marchi, as well as handmade pieces made with modern digital screen-printing techniques. The Stamperia has been running since 1633 and specializes in wood block printing. Quantities are limited and each piece is unique as the manual technique causes slight imperfections. The prints are crafted using a method employed since the shop’s foundation. The process begins with the realization of the mold, carved by hand from pear wood. The natural pigments are fashioned by the printer, who then spreads them on the mold and beats it with a wooden hammer to transfer the design on the T-shirt, which is then dipped in a special liquid and hung to dry. Also producing one-of-a-kind garments, which are numbered with the date and time of their creation, are the designs developed by screen printing the outline of the iconic British Sailor and dampening the fabric with a cloth while the ink is still wet – producing smudges, an unpredictable expansion of pigments, and stains which are then fixed into the fabric.

This special capsule is now available in stores.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Cut Throat Waves

Creating with the future in mind, for the second year in a row Kim Jones, the Artistic Director of Dior Men, has collaborated with Parley for the Oceans, an environmentally conscious organization that works to combat threats to the ocean. Parley for the Oceans, started in 2012 has been protecting marine life through a strategy called Parley AIR: Avoid, Intercept, Redesign. Together, Dior and Parley have created a Men’s beachwear capsule collection that reflects the deep connection Dior has with nature whilst making sure to protect the said nature through conscious designs and meticulous attention to detail.

Christian Dior is well known for his passion for flowers and gardens, however, this collection was deeply inspired and formed around his love for water and the ocean, first blooming when he was lulled by the song of the waves in Granville. Kim Jones, sharing Christian Dior’s passion, created a collection made from 96% recycled materials to ensure the presence of beaches in the future of our world to wear these garments at. The garments relay a confident relaxation– bold colors catch the eye and a joyful declaration of living is embedded into each fold and thread of the garments. From mules to bags to wetsuits, this capsule collection has integrated every aspect of the beach. The wetsuit accompanied by a dazzling surfboard, sports a graphic water overlay under the iconic Dior logo, embracing the natural elements and playing into the function of the garment. The surfboard, also embellished with a graphic overlay of splashing water is sure to increase your speed as you cut through vicious waves.

www.dior.com
www.parley.tv

Fashion

Dior’s First Boutique in Hamburg

In March 2023, Dior opened its first boutique in Hamburg. On April 27th, to celebrate the occasion, Dior organized an in-boutique cocktail, followed by an exclusive dinner at the premises of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Bathed in natural light thanks to large bay windows, the reinvented building where the boutique is housed offers a breathtaking view of the Bleichenfleet canal. Inside the building, the unique space – spread over nearly 500 square meters and divided over two floors – hosts the different universes of the Maison, from ready-to-wear to accessories.

Starting from the ground floor, we come across Victoire de Castellane’s creations, as well as iconic women’s shoes and bags, such as the Lady Dior, the new 30 Montaigne Avenue, and the Dior Book Tote, embroidered with Plan de Paris or Dior Petites Fleurs prints. Moving on to the second floor, Dior’s SS23 ready-to-wear line by Maria Grazia Chiuri is enhanced by wood sculptor Etienne Moyat’s artwork, whereas Kim Jones’ wardrobe is staged in a refined atmosphere, adorned with an abstract painting by Scottish artist Peter Seal. Combining the purity of white and the naturalness of wood with elegant touches of beige and gold, the sophisticated setting features emblematic Dior fundamentals throughout the entire space, such as the Versailles parquet floor. To complete this eye-catching environment, designer furniture adds an ultra-contemporary touch, while the grand staircase is punctuated with white canvases from the haute couture ateliers, a poetic fresco inspired by 30 Montaigne. The boutique conveys Dior’s savoir-faire, and its constantly renewed inventiveness.

www.dior.com

Fashion

The Third Edition of the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS

With a mission to celebrate inspirational and talented contemporary women, the third edition of the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS ceremony was held on April 26th. The start studded award show dates back to Bulgari’s initiative on March 8th, 2016, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, a symbol of intelligence and creativity. The first edition of the award ceremony was held in China in 2019 to pay homage to contemporary Chinese women’s creativity and transformative power. Full circle, in collaboration with the official media partner of the luxury brand Marie Claire, the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS ceremony is back in China to celebrate and highlight the achievements of Chinese women.

The third edition of the awards ceremony hosted many iconic and talented names among them were, Mr. Vincenzo Pujia, Bulgari Retail & Customer Experience VP and Greater China Managing Director, Mr. Emanuele di Lorenzo Badia, The Charge' d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Italy to the P.R.C., Bulgari brand ambassador Liya Tong, Wen Qi, Fan Chengcheng, Bulgari PR ambassador Kai Xu, Famous actress Kara Wai, Zhuo Tan, as well as celebrity friends of Bulgari - Nazha, Li Zhang, Duling Chen, Lingzi Liu, Keni Zeng, Yunrui Li, Keran Lu. Moreover, the ceremony was also blessed by the appearance of this year’s nominators and the winners of this and past years’ BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS.

Dedicated to honoring the creative and transformative power of modern Chinese women, and constructing discourse about their journeys of growth and innovation – the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS ceremony celebrated a total of seven nominators and nine winners from fields such as film, art, and dance. These winners include the versatile actress Jingyi Zhang, the coveted young director Dongmei Li, swan-like dancer Jiejing Zhu, and more powerful and awe-inducing women.

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

New Dimensions in The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu

In his third collaboration with Hublot, Maxime Plescia-Buchi inks the art of tattooing into watchmaking. Just as his tattoos have the power to unleash a new identity, he reimagines the strokes and architectural design of The Spirit of Big Bang. He infuses Hublot’s DNA, the enhanced three-dimensional and ergonomically enhanced design of an iconic timepiece, with the geometry and symmetry of Sang Bleu. The Salone del Mobile of 2023 in Milan saw the unveiling of The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu.

The Spirit of Big Bang takes on the Big Bang’s original features in a 42mm diameter barrel-shaped case. Maxime retains its distinctive quality with three limited editions with a perfectly proportioned design that becomes one with the case. The Sang Bleu signature is instantly recognizable in each model: 200 units in titanium, 200 in All Black ceramic and 100 in King Gold. In addition, two models are set with 180 diamonds weighing approximately 2.4 carats, in titanium and King Gold. Each indelible line is chiseled, beveled, polished and satin finished, while hexagons, diamonds and triangles overlap to create a new mysteriously magnetic interpretation of volume. A sapphire dial disc displays the HUB4700 automatic skeleton chronograph movement. The back of the case has been arched to ensure the watch fits flush across all wrist sizes, for both men and women.

In a quest for perfection, Maxime has revisited each component of Hublot’s The Spirit of Big Bang, ultimately creating a tattooed chronograph that embodies the Hublot philosophy ‘Be First, Unique and Different.’

www.hublot.com

Fashion

An Unforgettable Afternoon with Breitling

To celebrate its newly launched models of the Top Time Classic Cars and Premier B01 collection, Breitling delivered an unforgettable afternoon with the Style & Speed Event 2023 in Berlin. Breitling CEO, Georges Kern, invited guests, friends of the brand, VIPs, media and concessionaires for a full immersion into Breitling’s impressive world. The energic afternoon kicked off with an exclusive Breitling diner, followed up by a spectacular live concert by the country rock band The BossHoss.

“We are going after that sense of freedom and fun with the 1960s-inspired Top Time Classic Cars collection, and are thrilled to once again partner with Ford to introduce the new Thunderbird model, along with updated versions of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and Shelby Cobra chronographs”, says Georges Kern. The four watches feature the colors and emblems of their 1950s and 1960s sports car counterparts, and now all come with one of the most highly regarded chronograph movements in the industry, the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01. The manufacture movement provides an approximately 70-hour power reserve, a five-year warranty, and a water resistance of 100m with the enhanced Top Time case. However, the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 now also features in six new Premier models, introduced with a heritage-inspired design. Willy Breitling – who designed the Premier line, a series of elegant chronographs with the best materials, finishes, and calibers – has been an incomparable inspiration within the Swiss watchmaking brand. The new Premier B01 Chronograph 42 assortment lives up to Willy Breitling’s uncompromising technical standards.

www.breitling.com

Fashion

Horizons Truly Never End with Louis Vuitton & Lionel Messi

As a football legend and recent world champion, it is rather inevitable that Lionel Messi is frequently on the move. Entirely fitting, then, is the fact that Messi stars in Louis Vuitton’s new travel campaign, Horizons Never End. Captured by fashion photographer and filmmaker Glen Luchford while seated in an airport terminal with his legs stretched out on his Horizon rolling cabin bag or seated upon the iconic Louis Vuitton trunk amidst the planes of the airport apron, Messi appears ready to take on countless adventures with his Horizon luggage by his side.

With this Horizon luggage collection dreamed up by Marc Newson, the Maison remains devoted to its founder’s art of travel, while also reshaping it with Newson’s numerous contributions. Newson developed “the ultimate contemporary backpack” for his debut collaboration with the Maison, as well as designed and engineered many Louis Vuitton travel essentials. His new-iconic Horizon collection marked a true accomplishment for the Maison’s luggage family in terms of design, durability and functionality when it was first launched in 2016. Packaging space, a crucial necessity for an itinerant, is optimized through a generous, flat-bottomed interior, whereas a highly maneuverable exterior trolley system with silent, miniature wheels grants 360° directionality. The Maison’s trunkmaking legacy peeks through with the ultra-lightweight cases in molded mesh composite, covered in specially developed Monogram or Damier canvas and trimmed with natural cowhide.

Starting April 14th, 2023, the first chapter of the Horizon collection will debut internationally in print and on Louis Vuitton social channels.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Seventh Edition of the Loro Piana Knit Design Award

The seventh Edition of the Loro Piana Knit Design Award, an international competition between talented students dedicated to a creative interpretation of iconic yarns that represent the excellence of the Maison, has recently come to a happy ending. Since 2016, the first Edition of the Loro Piana Knit Design Award, students from the most prestigious international design schools have participated in the exciting competition. The theme for 2023 was “Regenerate” and the students from the six participating schools– the Fashion Institute of Technology of New York, Heriot-Watt University of Edinburgh, Donghua University Shanghai, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Università IUAV di Venezia, and Institut Français de la Mode– were requested to develop a creative idea with a focus on sustainability and recycling, which will in enhance the value of Maison’s exclusive yarns in the long term.

After the initial brief, the competing students were given a chance to fly to Italy to see first-hand Maison’s extraordinary heritage and a general outline of the production process explained meticulously by the Research and Development team through guided tours of the wool mill. The finalists, presented on the 6th of April, were judged by international experts and internal representatives including but not limited to CEO Damien Bertrand. The winning pair were students Sumin An and Blake Dewitt of the Fashion Institute and Technology of New York. An and Dewitt were graciously celebrated for their win, leaving Italy with a prestigious Loro Piana Knit Design Award 2023 handmade silver trophy, along with a scholarship and an employment contract with the company. Loro Piana’s efforts to merge teaching and professional experience allow for the company to shorten the distance between education and the job market– providing youthful creatives with an opportunity to showcase their talents to the world with no time to spare.

An and Dewitt’s finished pieces, supported by expert artisans, will be exhibited in Pitti Filati, to be held in Florence from the 28th-30th of June.

www.loropiana.com

Travel

An Italian and Japanese Dance in the Sky

On the 4th of April, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts celebrated a momentous occasion: the opening of the brand’s newest luxury hotel, the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo. The new hotel combines Italian tradition and glamor with Japanese history and culture to adorn the 40th-45th floors of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a new ultramodern skyscraper overlooking the iconic Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace Gardens, all the way to Mt Fuji.

This incredible addition to the Tokyo hospitality scene was first celebrated by a ribbon cutting ceremony led by the Bulgari Group CEO Jean-Christophe Babin with the Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, Italian Ambassador to Japan Gianluigi Benedetti, famed actress Anne Hathaway, the singer and actor Tomoshisa Yamashita, Executive Managing Officer of Mitsui Fudosan Co. Yutaka Kawamura, Executive Vice President Bulgari Group Silvio Ursini, General Manager of Bulgari Hotel Tokyo Yuji Tanaka and President of Bulgari Japan Vincent Reynes in attendance. The acclaimed group of individuals was later joined by 400 guests on the 40th floor to enjoy early performances by Simona Molinari and later on DJs Ami x Aya and Alisa Ueno. The night ended with Miyavi, a star guitarist, surprising the crowd and joining DJ Alisa Ueno on stage for an impromptu live collaboration!

A devout follower of the essence of audacity and bravery, Bulgari associates each of its glamorous hotels and resorts with a rare and precious gem. The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is married to the pink diamond – an elegant homage to the beauty and harmony threaded into Japanese culture and Sakura season. As Babin expertly states in the brand’s press release, “Jewelry and hospitality combine perfectly to meet Bulgari’s client’s expectations of a high level”.

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton’s Unveilings at Milan Design Week

This Milan Design Week, from 19 to 23 April 2023, Louis Vuitton’s latest Objets Nomades, the Cabinet of Curiosities by Marc Newson, and the Marc Fornes pavilion will all be showcased at Palazzo Serbelloni.

The Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades collection grows with the unveiling of 11 new innovative furnishings and objects created by a renowned selection of international designers. Creations from Atelier Oï, Raw Edges, Atelier Biagetti, Marcel Wanders, Zanellato/Bortotto, Studio Louis Vuitton, and Campana are exhibited in a space especially curated in the historic Palazzo Serbelloni. Amongst the new additions are designs inspired by Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram, such as Atelier Biagetti’s Flower Tower lamp, with 15 glass bubbles that appear to float when lit and Studio Louis Vuitton’s Flower Carafe and Twist Glass, handmade by Venetian artists.

Louis Vuitton will also premiere the fascinating Cabinet of Curiosities by Marc Newson. A hard-sided travel trunk transformed into a presentation case with 8 doors and secret compartments by the Australian industrial designer. The trunk houses 19 leather-covered metal cubes in 3 sizes and 3 colorways. The cubes can be arranged in over 1,000 configurations to display books, art, souvenirs, or anything the heart desires.

Finally, the Maison presents its annual exhibition of nomadic architecture in the palazzo’s courtyard. Architect Marc Fornes designed the structure from 1600 uniquely shaped anodized aluminum sheets. The structure resembles a coral-like, living entity, and will host a series of events throughout Milan Design Week.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

BOSS Legend Series: Bruce Lee

BOSS has announced their latest capsule collection as part of the inspiring BOSS Legends series. The next instalment is a tribute to the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee. The collection celebrates and channels his pioneering and courageous spirit; a call to be your own BOSS.

Bruce Lee is a true, global icon. He created a legacy not only in martial arts, with his unique hybrid philosophy, Jeet Kune Do, but also in pop culture, where he bridged the gap between East and West. In both worlds Lee was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century and is still well-known today. He transcended the idea of having a single goal, instead seamlessly combining his passions to revolutionise martial arts and cinema. From his massive impact on centuries of fixed styles and systems in martial arts, to his trailblazing career as a movie star and director, Bruce Lee’s legacy is exemplary of the unbelievable feats that one can achieve through the power of self-belief.

The capsule collection has a laid-back, casual and gender-neutral style, but each piece packs a punch. Black, white, and blue T-shirts and hoodies are printed with snapshots of his signature, unforgettable moves. A baseball cap with 3D embroidered calligraphy rounds off the collection. His popular stage name, “Lee Little Dragon,” is spelled out in traditional Chinese characters throughout the collection. This capsule is next in the series, which has previously spotlighted Freddie Mercury, Muhammad Ali and Frida Kahlo.

www.boss.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger x Shawn Mendes

Tommy Hilfiger and Grammy nominated multi-platinum singer songwriter Shawn Mendes launched a joint Spring 2023 collection of menswear and womenswear. Tommy x Shawn Mendes Classics Reborn prioritizes comfort, inclusivity, and sustainable materials while breathing a fresh, contemporary life into Tommy’s timeless and iconic take on American prep.

Uniting in their shared vision to create a more responsible future for fashion, Hilfiger and Mendes pillared the collection on four innovative principles. Color Reborn utilizes the Recycrom™ technique, reprocessing factory fiber scraps into vivid dyes. Materials Reborn ensures a more circular life cycle for the fibers that are used in the collection, with recycled and regenerated industry-certified materials used throughout. Self Reborn reflects a modern approach to fashion highlighting diversity in ideas, passions, and perspectives. Community Reborn emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support and inspire you to be your best self. The collection therefore marks the brand’s development towards “fashion that wastes nothing and welcomes all,” as said by Tommy Hilfiger.

Creative directed by Team Laird and shot by Cass Bird, the designs were revealed in a campaign featuring the pop-stars friends and family, from his sister to other multidisciplinary talents. The launch was celebrated with a tour of presentations at key Tommy Hilfiger stores in Amsterdam, London, Berlin, and Milan with new channels for engagement such as AR mirrors to digitally try on the collection and embroidery workshops to inspire upcycling practices. Parties welcoming Hilfiger, Mendes, and many other VIP and press guests ensued.

www.tommy.com

Fashion

Prada Frames: Materials in Flux

The Prada Frames symposium, presented by Prada, aims to spark reflection and innovation to define a new reality with an environmentally conscious approach. International scholars and professionals from a full disciplinary range are brought together to explore the complex interactions between design and the environment. Fusing a transdisciplinary approach with an ecological lens, Prada Frames explores how these dynamics can be improved to ensure a brighter future. The event is curated by Formafantasma, a research and design studio based in Milan and Rotterdam that investigates the ecological, historical, political, and social forces that shape the discipline of design with the goal to use design to initiate vital transformative interventions.

In 2023, the second edition of Prada Frames is held in Hong Kong and Milan, with the theme ‘Materials in Flux’. Inspired by the work of British anthropologist Tim Ingold, one of the many contributors to the event, the concept is focused on how materials and matter are interconnected, with an endless life cycle.

In Hong Kong, the symposium began on March 21 and 22 at the M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, inaugurated by its architect Jacques Herzog.

On April 17, 18 and 19, during the Salone del Mobile, the symposium will continue to unfold in Milan’s Teatro Filodrammatici, one of the oldest theaters in the city. The program includes sessions and talks titled ‘Conceptualizing’, ‘Contextualizing’, ‘Designing’ and ‘Valuating’, ‘Governing’ and ‘Re-inhabiting’, unpacking every step and process that makes up global waste infrastructures, and delving deep into the relationships between matter and ecosystems.

Admission to Prada Frames in Milan is free, but there is a limited availability. From April 6th it is possible to register for attendance on the Prada website.

www.prada.com

Fashion

W&W Vacheron Constantin: The Essence of Watchmaking

This year, the very essence of watchmaking art took precedence above all else in Vacheron Constantin’s show at Watches & Wonders in Geneva. While in the past we saw “Classic with a Twist” and “The Anatomy of Beauty”, this year’s theme, embodying the spirit of the manufacturer, is Less’ential. The Maison took technical mastery and the originality of artistic crafts as its guiding principles for its new novelties, as well as its new booth architecture. The outcome? A perfect balance between shape and design; a new form of elegance and sophistication; timepieces where mechanical complexity and a meticulous attention to detail devote themselves to beauty. All the new designs symbolize Vacheron Constantin’s artistic priority. The Overseas moon phase retrograde date, a sporty-elegant steel watch, combines the precision moon phase – an astronomical complication – with the retrograde display. Inspired by the 1950s designs, the Patrimony retrograde day-date watch’s hour markers and hands follow the gentle curve of the dial. The Traditionnelle tourbillon retrograde date openface watch expresses an avant-garde aesthetic, where the opening onto the architecture of the 2162 R31 movement highlights the watch’s mechanical power. Among the new releases we encounter new pieces for the Overseas collection. Yet, one of the most eye-catching designs is a one-of-a-kind double-sided watch in white gold: Les Cabinotiers Dual Moon Grand Complication, which captures 11 noble horological complications in one refined casing. Vacheron Constantin’s new releases are a celebration of excellence, featuring mechanical perfection enhanced by the combination of creative inspiration and refined skills.

www.vacheron-constantin.com

Fashion

Etro Makes Sail

Vela is the first bag designed by Marco De Vincenzo, Etro’s new Creative Director. It takes its inspiration from the nautical world. With a sharp silhouette, like a sail by the winds of the sea, it is molded with dynamic curves and contours. It takes its name from this image, as “vela” is “sail” in Italian.

Natural and timeless, the bag is finished with innovative and captivating details, like its V-shaped closure with a flexible zipper. Vela is adaptable, with a double detachable shoulder strap that allows it to be worn on the shoulder or across the body. The zipper features a distinct chain to which a medal is attached; engraved with the same technique used to mint coins, the Etro logo shines on one side, and a Pegasus on the other. The Vela Bag is made of a luxurious calfskin, available year-round in black, ivory, and gianduja chocolate, along with a rotation of seasonal colors.

The bag was released with a series of editorial images featuring Italian top model Bianca Balti. Like a siren in the sea, she exemplifies an audacious and alluring femininity. Centered in an essential background with colors reminiscent of the open ocean, she creates a sensual connection with the Vela Bag that embodies its timeless beauty.

www.etro.com

Art

Blue Makes Radiofonografo Infinite

Blue is infinite: the color of the endless sky, the relaxing constancy of the ocean’s waves, the four walls of our earth. Since the beginning of art, blue has been an emblem for loyalty, courage, and beauty. Now, the radiofonografo becomes blue. Brionvega will present the latest version of its radiofonografo in a deep, unforgettable blue alongside many other new products at the Salone del Mobile in Milan in April 2023.

Brionvega’s radiofonografo was originally created in 1965 by designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, but it is much more than a modern design object. Originally conceived to flawlessly reproduce music, the radiofonografo is a true work of multi-sensory contemporary art. It has become a key figure in stories and memories, an ebullient companion that brings people closer to music and technology.

The radiofonografo was and is a friend for life for some of the greatest icons of the 20th and 21st century. David Bowie was a tireless collector of art of every kind. His love and devotion to the radiofonografo represents one of the greatest tributes to its one-of-a-kind design. Francis Ford Coppola, one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema has expressed his fascination with Brionvega over the years, particularly his admiration for the unmatched performance of the radiofonografo. The radiofonografo has, as such, gained value over time. Owned by icons of the present such as Kendall Jenner, it will continue to prevail as it is passed onto future generations.

www.brionvega.com

Fashion

Exclusive Chocolate Creations, Dior You Can’t Wear

As Easter approaches, the House of Dior reveals a delectable approach to honoring their history and founder, Christian Dior. The art de vivre and gastronomy were cherished by Christian Dior, who was proud to describe himself as a “gourmand”. The House cultivates and shares this passion, with a series of exclusive chocolate creations.

Delicate and delicious; they are works of art that can be held in your palm and melt in your mouth. The distinct and exquisite sculptural forms take the shape of three iconic Dior silhouettes. The sculptures are exceptional recreations of some of Dior’s most emblematic creations. The magnificent petal skirt of the Junon dress, the swirling movement of the Tourbillon dress, and the timeless Bar jacket exemplify a convergence of mastered skill, from couture to the culinary arts. The chocolate dresses are presented at La Pâtisserie Dior, located at the 30 Montaigne boutique. The heart of Dior, 30 Montaigne and its neighboring buildings are a fully immersive world that take you back to the beginnings of the couture house.

The elegant experience of the chocolate dresses can be carried home in a poetic box, kept and savored for over a year. They can also be enjoyed on the spot at La Pâtisserie Dior as a truly unique and cherishable memory.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Beauty Threaded in with Speed

A provocative and bold analysis of beauty, what it is, and what it means – Ferrari’s FW23 collection explores the ins and outs of beauty as a concept. The brand’s Creative Director Rocco Iannone masterfully outlines what beauty is for the brand driven by speed: “Beauty is the pleasure that derives from speed, captured in its initial burst, in its full symbolic and design potential. It is the movement that stems from an idea, the aesthetic that captures the uniqueness of the transient, the sign of what is about to take place”.

The collection features beauty sewn into motion and speed, the ultimate signifiers for the luxury brand. The garments, sleek and dutifully inspired by the elusive world of racing are crafted to produce silhouettes that are aerodynamic, outlining the body and providing the foundation for further acceleration. The colors are bold, classic black is contrasted with a pop of blood red or magnificently saturated yellow. The beauty is observed in the details.

The color red symbolizes Ferrari's universal identity and elegance, and within the spaces of Palazzo Citterio, a historic building housing the Brera Art Gallery, it reaches full saturation. A highlight garment from the collection, workwear-inspired by practical elements as well as the world of racing, the loose suit paired with a blue leather jacket is adorned with blood-red fur lapels and heels lined at the sole with the same omnipresent hue. The monochromatic cohesiveness and the conscious disruption enhance the vitality of the silhouettes and the entirety of the collection.

www.ferarri.com

Fashion

Porsche x BOSS

Porsche and BOSS’s collaborative SS23 collection features an intimate pairing of innovative designs and a distinctive L.A. essence. The brands’ collaboration celebrates the notable friendship between the luxury fashion brand and the renowned German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance luxury sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. Putting forth a collection perfect for a multitude of activities on a warm day, Porsche and BOSS once again showcased their potential as a duo.

In January, the beloved Colombian singer Maluma was announced as one of the faces of the global campaign. The world-renowned singer is also featured as the lead in the Porsche x BOSS collection.

The SS23 collection features a series of transcendental athleisure garments and premium casual wear pieces imbued with the charisma of seasonal colors such as bright white and warm royal blue. The silhouettes feature several jersey and nylon styles, such as polos, hoodies, and more, which are embellished with color-gradient detailing that imbues the garments with notions of speed and adrenaline. Lightweight essentials: jackets, sweatpants, hoodies, and sneakers are adorned with white stripes and piping inspired by elements of the active warm-weather lifestyle. The allure and excitement of the collection are sewn into the essence of smart casual wear paired with the elevated L.A. vibe.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

The Chosen Four

Succeeding C.P. Company’s 50th Anniversary project, the SS023 ADV campaign follows the stories of four individuals. Stemming from diverse cultural backgrounds while also differing in age, gender and interests, the chosen four interpret seasonal looks with their own personal style. They represent the brand as an engine for social change and innovation by virtue of their experiences.

The ADV campaign is attended by five-year-old Leo and his father Diego, who frequently skates at Milano Centrale, a source of aesthetic inspiration. The brand’s attention to detail prompted an immediate attraction during his search for practical jackets, essential for wintertime skating. Representing his story, Diego wears a workwear-inspired Ba-Tic Light jacket together with his own camouflage cargo pants. The brand’s affinity to pursue utility and functionality is shared by Louison Bahurel. The brand’s garments, he explains, are fashioned as tools, “helping you preform actions more easily thanks to their ergonomics and adaptability.” Wearing a 50 Fili Tr-P jacket with a concealable hood is Gabriel Moses, a successful photographer and video maker from South London. This versatile jacket with a military inspired fabric and a polyurethane coating secures an ideal hard-wearing outwear piece. Sofia Pace, a New Yorker, found herself a one-of-a-kind piece for her closet. Representing the brand’s wide array of experimental fabrics, she wears the reflective Kan-D jacket with a detachable hood, crafted using a flattened monofilament nylon yarn.

This entrancing partnership epitomizes C.P. Company’s pioneering urban sportswear and its hybridization of functional menswear and Italian fabric innovation – characteristic of all pieces.

www.cpcompany.com 

Fashion

Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama’s New World of Infinity

Louis Vuitton has collaborated with artists for years, an impetus which continues with perhaps the pre-eminent global artist of the 21st century. Yayoi Kusama’s transformative imagination is embraced by the Maison, taking over all its product lines. The gift that sparked their relationship in 2012 exemplified their shared vision. Kusama hand-painted her characteristic INFINITY DOTS, known for giving a glimpse into infinity, onto of the most timeless, emblematic Louis Vuitton objects - the trunk.

This collection unites the two in their pursuit of crafting fantastical objects with an investment to detail and infinity in mind. A cascade of Kusama’s captivating motifs in vibrant, joyful colors furthers the limits of Louis Vuitton’s savoir faire in Drop 2 of their collaboration.

In stores starting March 31st, 2023, PUMPKINS, FLOWERS, FACES, INFINITY DOTS, and INFINITY NET encompass the ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, accessories, luggage, trunks, and fragrances available to men and women. The winsome form of PUMPKINS is integral to Kusama’s hallucinatory world. They take center stage, inspiring new forms, and playful new designs on iconic pieces. The women’s world receives special attention inspired by the psychedelic FLOWERS painting from 2004, with delicate embroideries and prints of elegant hyper-florals. FACES, especially chosen for the collaboration, are married with the new signature blue of Louis Vuitton, combining chicness with chaos especially in ready-to-wear. A second wave of INFINITY DOTS introduces enthralling new colors to accessories and men’s footwear. Finally, the Capucines bag is entirely enveloped in the mesmerizing rhythm of Kusama’s INFINITY NET motif.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Longchamp’s New Ambassador

Longchamp has revealed its newly appointed ambassador: South Korean singer and actress Kim Se-jeong. “We are delighted to welcome Kim Se-jeong to the Longchamp family,” comments Creative Director Sophie Delafontaine. “Not only is she an exceptionally talented performer, but her joy and energy make her great to be around.” In addition to making a name for herself in her native country, the talented actress shot to international stardom with her award-winning role in the SBS romantic comedy series Business Proposal – one of the most popular non-English shows on Netflix in 2022. Her lively and relatable personality is the key source of her burgeoning fan base. Her Instagram account, where she tells us to keep an eye out for her future work with the brand, has over nine million followers. “It is an honor to collaborate with Longchamp, which to me epitomizes the style of the Parisienne,” Se-jeong explains. “I feel we can maximize the relationship by playing to our strengths and similarities”. With her natural warmth and sparkle, Se-jeong was the ideal choice to embody the energy and authenticity of Longchamp as well as to front its SS23 campaign. The visuals shot in Seoul display Se-jeong modeling key looks from the SS23 collection, characterized by a synergy of bold colors, prints and materials, in combination with Longchamp’s star bags, such as the new Box-Trot in natural canvas and leather or eye-popping candy-pink. The Longchamp SS23 campaign with Kim Se-jeong is available for purchase on the brand’s website.

www.longchamp.com 

Fashion

PFW - Transforming Perception with Miu Miu FW23

For FW23 Miu Miu collection, Miuccia Prada is “focused on the instinctive process of looking, […] and how an act of observation can, in turn, transform the object of its focus.” As models walk down the runway with messy hair, tights over tops and no trousers, it becomes clear that – to transform how we visually read looks – the structure of how we dress, what lies underneath and outer layers are redefined through fabrication, styling and perception. A casual yet elegant line with a youthful attitude is put together as familiar clothing items take on new arrangements and meanings. In the Palais d’Iéna, Mia Goth initiates the show as she walks down the lifted runway wearing Miu Miu’s iconic prim cardigan and slingback heels with a matching purse on her wrist. Transparent chiffon reveals commonly concealed elements: bright tights are exposed, lowered waistlines and layered fabrics create complexity, dresses are overlaid and the trending only-panties-look is notably embraced. A muted color palette, emphasis on comfort, and broad-shouldered silhouettes characterize the looks – as seen on a mustard corduroy jacket, hooded sweatshirts and twinsets. Conforming with the collection’s spirit is the show’s accompanying installation by artist Geumhyung Jeong, whose work examines “the relationship between her own body and clothing”. The youthful touch is not only visible throughout the collection but also in the character cast, including Amelia Grey and Emma Corrin among others, and the incorporation of male models for Miu Miu’s genderless philosophy introduced by Prada. This amusing collection has something for everyone’s next wish list.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

“Freedom, Pleasure, Experimentation, Play”: Diesel FW23

The post-apocalyptic and sex-positive FW23 collection showcases the brand’s core values moving forward. “Freedom, pleasure, experimentation, play”, these four concepts imbue the collection with a youth-like acceptance and embrace of the erotic. The Italian fashion house successfully explores new creative territories whilst initiating valuable discourse, embellished with a preview of its forthcoming capsule collection with Durex, which drops in April 2023.

The importance of individual freedom and the value of safe sex is sewn into the commentary of the showcase as well as the garments such as jersey T-shirts featuring the Durex logo with the D of Diesel. “We have to remind everyone that safe sex is still important, we cannot forget,” says Glenn Martens, the Creative Director of Diesel.

The models strut on the dynamic runway built around the grandiose sculpture of 200,000 Durex condom boxes completed with captivating electronic music with a pornographic audio break. Aside from the valuable social commentary, this collection once again highlights the brand’s mastery over denim. The garments allude to the movement of the past, and future. Heavy distressing and intentional fragility can be seen on almost every garment - leather jackets made to look cracked, jeans that appear to be falling apart, and dresses and gowns only supported by metal detailing featuring the emblematic D logo. However, it’s important to note that the fragility that lines the garments is expertly coupled with practical and utilitarian elements. This dichotomy between the use of materials does not diminish the urge to display the body. All garments possess a specific temporality - whether they conceal, display, or protect the body: the dynamic use of fabric and material saturates the collection with the feeling that the garments are meant to be taken off.

The Diesel FW23 collection commits to exploring a territory too often deemed taboo in high art and does it with intense artistry and creativity.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

PFW - FW23 - Alexander McQueen: Anatomy

What lies beneath - Alexander McQueen’s FW23 collection Anatomy is a divine exploration of the anatomy of the human body, clothing, and flowers. Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen’s Creative Director delicately communicated the brand’s dramatic and romantic essence through an extensive study into tailoring and its implications. Women and men’s garments shared similar values of smooth lines, structured silhouettes, and a display of intricate sensuality, further emphasized by the displays of the flower of love, the orchid. The garments asserted a confidence associated with an intimate relationship to the proportions, lines, and composition of the human body- seemingly displaying and playing with it. Suits with dramatic shoulders, narrow waists, and trousers that go past the nipples - McQueen displays a desire to subvert classic expectations of the mysterious aesthetic. The collection grows more experimental, knitwear hugs and forms the body akin to parts of the body, the orchid takes a central role, and leather is used to create garments that imbue the idea of a wild second skin. The role of leather in the collection is best observed in the stand-out look of the beautiful dark purple belted trench coat, accessorized with monochromatic leather gloves and a black leather tie. Apart from the energy imbued into the collection through exquisite tailoring, the intentional use of the orchid print and motif reinforces the dark, sultry, and romantic aura of Anatomy. The orchid, much like Anatomy personified, is the embodiment of individuality, beauty, and power. Sarah Burton successfully continues the legacy of Lee Alexander McQueen by breaking traditional conventions of tailoring and experimenting with the vast possibilities.

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

PFW - Saint Laurent FW23

A collection highlighting the dichotomy between masculine and feminine, opulence and simplicity, seduction and power- the Saint Laurent Women’s Winter 23 collection exhibits a masterful expression of play. The Italian fashion designer and the current Creative Director of the brand infused the familiar aesthetic of the tailleur-jupe with the ethos of the classic Saint Laurent style and his own codes of creative expression. The outcome is a collection that provides women with aesthetic agency.

The collection comprises garments that embed elements found traditionally in masculine tailoring juxtaposed with a traditionally feminine silhouette. The color scheme is heavily focused on neutrals such as brown and black and supplements the play between the masculine and feminine. The subdued color, harsh cuts, and exuberant shoulder pads allow the models to shine. As suggested by the seductive garments underlining the oversized garments of outerwear, the women are given agency. The collection orbits around the desires of the feminine- fostering the temporal modes and roles of women, the garments break conventional boundaries of tailoring and mix practicality with elegance and feminine power.

Playing with the relationship between opulence and simplicity, the venue pays homage to the ballroom of the Intercontinental hotel where the brand showcased its Haute Couture collections for over 25 years. With an eye for detail, Vaccarello makes it clear that the Saint Laurent woman is above the values of tradition.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

H&M and Mugler announce their Spring 2023 Collection

Last week, the Swedish brand H&M announced its upcoming collaboration on a Spring 2023 Collection with the fashion house Mugler. H&M has a star-studded history of designer collaborations- Karl Lagerfeld, Maison Martin Margiela, and most recently Balmain. Through these creative collaborative relationships, H&M has made high fashion more accessible for the majority of consumers worldwide. This collection, infused with the atelier’s unique essence, will be designed under the Mugler Creative Director, Casey Cadwaller.

The exciting H&M and Mugler Spring 2023 Collection will be made available online and in selected stores.

www.hm.com

Fashion

MFW - FENDI FW23 - A Timeless Wardrobe for a Contemporary Woman

Over the years, Tod’s has established itself as an icon of Italian design. At its very core is the realization of a lifestyle – one that, according to the brand, merges “elegance, creativity and savoir-faire with supreme artisanal quality”. A way of life that is once again put into the limelight in Tod’s women’s FW23 collection, designed by Creative Director Walter Chiapponi and presented at Pirelli HangarBicocca – home to a non-profit organization in Milan. The collection resonates with the demands of the modern-day woman. The central idea? A refined and contemporary elegance combined with a strong sense of identity. This winter wardrobe reveals classic and timeless pieces featuring clean lines and a monochromatic color palette – a combination of soft caramels, browns and creams with black and white pinstripes. Natural fabrics and precious leather add a dash of softness and sensuality. Knit dresses hug the body while polos star in countless looks. Masculine features transform into sophisticated femininity. A slight playfulness with proportions, and iconic details together with functional elements make up elegant silhouettes with a hint of practicality. Shoulders stick out while the waist is accentuated. Hourglass leather dresses walk down the runway, skirts come in all types of lengths and pockets become a refreshing feature. Not failing to carry on the Tod’s legacy of traditional Italian craftsmanship are the collection’s accessories. The iconic Di Bag can be taken apart while the T Case is soft to the touch. In Tod’s world: functionality, structure, style and elegance are not mutually exclusive.

www.tods.com

Fashion

MFW - Emporio Armani FW23

Emporio Armani brought an air of humor to the FW23 fashion show in Milan. The backdrop of the catwalk was a throwback photo of model Noemi Ditzler, setting the stage for the timeless collection. Models carried looks inspired by old Elizabethan theater, with dazzling smiles that put a subtly ironic twist on Armani’s classical elegance. The collection draws a joyful inspiration from stage costumes, met with everyday wearability that can carry one from day to evening. This was represented in the clothing from asymmetrical jackets, pin-tucked trousers and breeches, to accessories such as miniature hats, shirt collars as necklaces, and grosgrain straps. The characteristic fluidity between masculine and feminine seen in Armani’s designs did not fall short. The styling brought together precise and sophisticated silhouettes featuring tailored jackets accentuating sharp shoulders and bodice belts to define waistlines, with youthful short hems and flowing trousers. Black, white, and gray dominated the runway, but dramatic and playful flares of magenta and graphic patterns provided radiance. Layers of texture and volume brought the drama of the theater to the runway. Embossed velvet, mohair and faux fur effortlessly met with silk, canvas, and sequins. Armani consistently suggests clothes that bring out the person, bridging the attitude of the catwalk with the drama of the theater to introduce an unusual and ironic take on classicism.

www.armani.com

Fashion

NEW YORK - Michael Kors Collection FW23

Fashion has the ability to capture the current zeitgeist, maybe better than any other creative discipline. Despite being able to spark desires in the here and now, the fashion industry has never failed to pay homage to those who came before. And each decade has its own icons, whether it is certain places, ground-breaking designers, or tastemakers, whose impact still reverberates decades after. With the new FW23 collection presented in New York’s Greenwich Village, Michael Kors celebrates these forever icons, whom he calls his influencers, who have left a lasting impression on his work, highlighting timeless glamor whilst at the same time paying homage to the rule-breaking spirit which has defined Greenwich Village for decades. To put it in Michael Kors’ own words, “I was really thinking about the things that influenced me when I was coming of age in the 70s, the women who influenced me, the neighborhood that influenced me, and the combination of big city glamor and bohemia that I found in Greenwich Village at the time.” Throughout the collection, we can see Kors play with proportions, interlacing sweeping coats and dramatic capes with leggy dresses, skirts and shorts whilst also using clever slashes and slits to frame the body. With this collection, Michael Kors plays to its own strengths with the designs, defined by clean lines, having a familiar feel whilst keeping us on edge with modernizations in terms of detailing and materials.

www.michaelkors.com

Fashion

White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence

Over the past decades, the sneaker has undoubtedly become a must-have item in all our wardrobes to the point where a brand like Louis Vuitton would feel incomplete without sneakers in their collections. With this in mind, the former Artistic Director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, designed the ultimate luxury sneaker. The LV Trainer, first unveiled for SS19 and an instant icon in the sneaker community, is fusing the authentic codes of basketball shoes with the iconography and savoir-faire of the Maison with each pair requiring no less than seven hours of manufacturing. Now, this special sneaker is becoming the foundation for Louis Vuitton’s newest project, the White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence exhibition. The idea for this exhibition goes back to the late Virgil Abloh who saw the LV Trainer as a perfect canvas for artistic collaborations. For the first instalment of this recurring artistic exchange program, the French Maison is partnering up with three artists shaped by the 80s New York underground scene, Lady Pink, Lee Quiñones and the Estate of Rammellzee, who each put forward their own unique spin on the iconic LV Trainer. It’s an embodiment of Louis Vuitton’s ongoing fostering of free expression and creative conversations bridging the gap between diverse domains of knowledge and genres. Lady Pink was born in Ecuador and was a leading figure in the rise of graffiti-based art which made her a cult figure in the hip-hop community. Lee Quiñones was born in Puerto Rico and was pivotal in bringing street art above ground and Rammellzee rose to fame through the rich expression of his artworks across multiple disciplines. Exhibited in Garage Traversi in Milan, the centerpiece of the exhibition will be the three original hand-painted sneaker adaptations. But Louis Vuitton created an overall experience which allows the visitors to immerse themselves within the context of the works through multimedia installations charting the collaborations. Aside from being a display of the works, the exhibition will also act as an exclusive point of sale for commercialized versions of each collaboration made available in limited quantities.

The Louis Vuitton White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence exhibition will be open to the public from February 24th until March 16th at Garage Traversi in Milan.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Art of Genius

Every industry has its own calendar, its own rhythms which determine the course of the year. Fashion is by no means an exception and functions by its two-season model with luxury houses presenting their new collections twice a year. But more and more are moving away from this traditional modus operandi. In this spirit, Moncler launched Moncler Genius in 2018 as a continuous flow of newness. Another core principle behind Moncler Genius was the power of collaboration. Over the past five years, Moncler has relentlessly amplified the concept, engaging in collaboration with some of the world’s greatest creative minds in the industry providing innovative ways of curating, communicating and sharing creativity with the world, tapping into the cultural zeitgeist and continuous evolution embedded in its DNA. This platform is now taking the next step forward, going beyond fashion and exploring the boundaries of creation at the intersections of art, design, entertainment, music, sport and culture. To introduce this year’s roster of co-creators, Moncler presents The Art of Genius. This event, a live show on a grand scale, features some of the world’s premier creators from various industries who present their creative visions bridging different formats and disciplines.

The Art of Genius will take place on February 20th and will allow visitors to immerse themselves in a world of creativity with all its beauty and emotional power.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

COS x YEBOAH

COS was founded with the concept of offering its customers a more minimalist, uncomplicated wardrobe, less trend-oriented, modern pieces taking inspiration from the effortless and nonchalant Nordic lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities. With the launch of its newest global collaboration entitled Metamorphosis, COS signals first hints towards a new direction. For this newest 40-piece collection, COS partners up with London-based brand Yeboah, founded by Reece Yeboah and presents a blend of elevated wardrobe staples and street-luxe garments with an interchanging color palette of dark tones accentuated with eye-catching yellow. It is a coming together of two brand’s creative languages, a masterful blend of functionality and style enriching COS with new creative impulses. Unveiled in an experiential presentation in a unique London venue. There the guests were immersed in a striking light presentation, kaleidoscopic patterns taking guests on a journey of metamorphosis inspired by butterflies. Additionally, it was James Messiah who created a bespoke soundscape for the presentation whilst also performing a live spoken word pieces reflective of the overall narrative for the evening.

The new COS x YEBOAH collection will be available from February, 1st, 2023.

www.cos.com
www.yeboahonline.com

Fashion

Hublot BIG BANG ZERMATT

A shared sense of “Swissness” is something that has united the watchmaker Hublot with the Alpine resort Zermatt since their first collaboration in 2017. Located just at the foot of the Matterhorn, a behemoth of nature, the village of Zermatt has drawn in visitors since the mid 19th century, for its proximity to the iconic Swiss site, as well as its uniquely Alpine charm – winding alleys and old-fashioned brown chalets.

A Swiss brand at heart, Hublot has long cherished its connection to the region and its unique ability to draw ties with the culture and landscape. Setting up one of its most traditional boutiques at the center of the resort, Hublot took care to design its flagship such that it complemented the surrounding traditional architecture of the town.

The new BIG BANG ZERMATT is another ode to the bond between the brand and the resort town, combining integral elements of Swiss tradition with modern watchmaking. The timepiece also derives inspiration from the Matterhorn itself, playing with materials and light in order to mimic the changing faces of the vast mountain. The watch comes in two editions: the men’s model and the women’s model, both supplied in a steel case and with unique detailing. Both are powered by a self-winding chronograph. The colors, slate gray and snow white, imitate the surrounding environment of the namesake village of Zermatt. HZ

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Paul Smith at Paris Fashion Week

Debuting in Paris, inside the American Cathedral, Paul Smith’s FW23 Collection is a true testament to the designer’s past. As ever, designer Paul Smith has stayed unfalteringly loyal to the integrity of his craft, with each new collection a reflection of a high caliber of tailoring and fabrics.

This season, Smith took a new approach to the art of tailoring. A contemporary take, including more modern items such as the puffer jacket, a crew neck vest in place of a waistcoat, or simply oversized everything, gave the collection a distinctly 2023 feel. A looser narrative structure defined Smith’s vision for this collection, leaving more space to explore different avenues. One such avenue of inspiration was the modernist movement, from which evolved many of the collection’s silhouettes, defined by sharp, geometric lines.

Paul Smith carried some of his signature motifs into this new line. His penchant for bold and saturated color, evident in the vibrant cobalt blue and bright candy pink, plays out against a backdrop of more somber autumnal colors – the whites, beiges, browns and blacks that form the basis of the collection. Smith’s vivid graphics ripple across the clothing as well, for example in the Big Floral or the Signature Stripe, a fun and youthful juxtaposition to the tweed, houndstooth and bouclés of the collection. HZ

www.paulsmith.com

Fashion

Celestial Bodies

Long, thin, elegant shadows swept anti-clockwise around the circular room in the grand finale to the Saint Laurent Men’s FW23 show. Accompanied by a tense musical score emanating from a grand piano, the entire experience created an air of intrigue and mystery, not least owing to the inordinately elegant looks being presented, but also to the room itself. On the eve of Tuesday, the 17th of January 2023, Saint Laurent laid claim to the rotunda room of the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection. Reimagined by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando in a project spanning three years, the architectural elements he introduced to the centuries-old building were envisioned to act as a dialogue between the old and the new. Such was especially the vision behind the rotunda room, whose modern-concrete-cylinder lower half meets together with a magnificent fresco cupola.

Somewhere between the past and the present, Saint Laurent joined this dialogue with a statement of timelessness of its own. The collection, elegant to a fault, represented Saint Laurent’s progressive vision of genderless clothing. “I really want them to be almost one person,” said Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello. “So women could be the men, and the men could be the women. No difference. I want more and more to put them at the same level. No distinction.” In this spirit, the FW23 “menswear” collection seemed to cater much more to entities than genders, through uniformly long and svelte silhouettes. As they cascaded along the runway, the models of Saint Laurent seemed to be floating more so than walking; blending in rather more with the angelic figures on the celestial ceiling above them than the mere mortals watching from below. HZ

www.ysl.com

Fashion

FENDI FOR THE FALL

FENDI unveiled its newest, and perhaps coolest, collection to date. The surrounding setting complemented the free-spirited ethos of the collection, the interior taking on the form of a giant roller disco pinball machine. Elements of nostalgia permeated the collection and show, with a distinct nod to archetypal 1970s disco styles. Especially the one-shouldered neckline was a motif that ran throughout, apparently inspired by Silvia Venturini Fendi’s enthusiasm for one-shoulder styles while partying at Studio 54 in the 1980s. The detailing served as a touch of thrill in a collection that otherwise emphasized comfort and luxury. Shades of dove grey, oatmeal, burnt umber, mocha, mauve, lavender, deep navy and black create a feeling of understated elegance. Swaddled in cashmere, engineered leathers or jacquard silks, the models of FENDI exuded sophistication above all. Accessories added to this effect, infusing the rest of the more sober-colored collection with a touch of playful glamor. Bags stood out as a particular highlight amongst the accessories collection – the Peekaboo, the Baguette and the new hobo satchel were particular stand-outs. Suave, sexy, cool. The new FENDI Men’s FW23 Collection designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi is a testament to the simultaneity of elegance and opulence that emanates from each new FENDI collection. HZ

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Finding Balance

“Balance of life”, Brioni’s FW23 Collection, is a testament to the ethos of the brand – the creation of stylish, timeless, high-quality pieces. As the name suggests, the collection and accompanying campaign does exude an acute sense of serenity. One contributing factor in this most definitely the color palette of muted brown, grey and cream tones. Especially accented throughout the collection are the shades of turquoise and tobacco. An emphasis is placed on the guiding principles of subtlety and intimacy, as is by now a deeply entrenched philosophy at the Maison of Brioni. A stark contrast to the brash loudness to much of the outside world and fashion industry, the brand stands like a quiet and steady sanctuary, like a place of solace and subtlety. Not just the men are lucky enough to be graced with new looks this season however, the women’s capsule collection “La Donna” has also been extended to include eight more full looks. Like the men’s collection, the women’s looks are distinguished by an exquisite attention to tailoring and fabrics. Brioni brings balance through its personal process of taking the time and care to bring a piece to life, using only the finest handcraft to allow the elements of the clothing to shine through. In this process, it also allows the wearer to shine through, more so than the item they are wearing. The soft material and tailoring of the garments allows for more fluid movement in the wearer, creating ease of movement and thereby a balance between the inner and the outer. HZ

www.brioni.com

Fashion

Golden Sunshine

“My wine overbrims a whole summer;
My bowl is the sky,
And I drink at my eye,
Till I feel in the brain
A Delphian pain -
Then follow, my Caius! then follow:
On the green of the hill
We will drink our fill
Of golden sunshine,
Till our brains intertwine
With the glory and grace of Apollo!”
                       - John Keats (1818)

Written shortly before his death, Keats wrote this poem as an appeal to Apollo, the Sun God. Drinking up the golden sunshine – the glory of Apollo – with his eyes, he remains, until the pain becomes un-withstandable.

If only Keats had had the adaptable pantoscopic lenses, anti-fog technology and sleek metal accents, all offered within the LV 4MOTION sunglasses! A Maison-favorite, the model equips its wearer to drink in the sunshine while looking chic and sporty. With their universal fit, the shades are expected to be an essential statement accessory on the runway for the Spring/Summer 2023 "Rainbow Playground" men's wear collection. The LV 4MOTION sunglasses will be available in store starting February 2023. HZ

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Memories of Beauty

Prada’s “Memories of Beauty” campaign for the Lunar New Year 2023 features some of the most familiar faces of Chinese youth pop culture today. Singer, songwriter and rapper Cai Xukun (better known as KUN) graces the campaign, alongside actress Li Chunxia, actor Bai Yufan and model and actress Du Juan. The campaign is shot by Nick Yang, the Shanghai-native emerging photographer with a special eye for intimate images. His work is often characterized as sensitive, perceptive; a poetic take on the fashion industry. His images, playing on deep shadows and tight framing, take on a cinematic quality that echo the sensual and surreal aspects of everyday life.

The campaign looks not only to the stars themselves, but also to the everyday objects that bear witness to specific moments from their respective pasts. These tangible items – a vinyl player, a telephone, a flower pot, a camera – pay tribute to the individual’s story. The collection of images thus takes care to balance past, present and future, looking to tokens of the past while preparing for the year ahead. The campaign is extended onto a social media project that invites WeChat users to create their own personal time capsule. The new ready-to-wear collection is available from January 2023 online and in selected Prada stores. HZ

www.prada.com

Fashion

Rudolph on the Rondelle

What is Christmas? To some, it’s going home for the holidays, hugging family, meeting old school friends over a piping hot cup of mulled wine. To some, it’s big sweaters, fuzzy socks, Christmas baking, snuggling up in front of a fire (if you’re lucky enough to have one – the rest of us just pull up a convincing YouTube clip of a fire on the TV). Dinner parties, Christmas gifts lining the trees, arguing with relatives over the dinner table. To some, it’s just another Christian holiday. For those who celebrate it however, Christmas is undeniably an exceptional time of year. To mark the occasion of Christmas, the jewelry brand Dodo announces a remake of its Rondelle bracelet, in a new version made up of 9 karat rose gold, which can be personalized with the edition of an adorable Rudolph pendant, or individual letter pendants that together matter-of-factly spell out ‘XMAS’. It’s a chance to prolong the special occasion, to treasure the homely and cheerful memories of Christmas time.

www.dodo.it

Fashion

Welcome to The Party

“People were not invited – they went there… Sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all, came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission.”

With the onset of the holiday season, Valentino introduces its new “The Party Collection 2022”. The collection of ready-to-wear garments and Valentino Garavani accessories are an explosion of light and color. Vibrant emeralds, purples and yellows lay the foundation of the collection, with bold gold, rhinestone and sequins acting as splashy details on an all-around splashy selection.

The campaign emulates the kind of house party most can only dream of attending at some point in their life. Glamorous, Gatsby-esque figures draped in beautiful sparkling attire indulge in the joy of the moment and the company of friends. The collection, dedicated entirely to the art of merrymaking, comes at a historical time at which people all over the world have real cause to celebrate: the first holiday season after nearly two years inside.

A series of six short films shows a group of friends gearing up for the big festivities; blowing up balloons, unveiling the cake, singing karaoke and so on. A sense of joy, extravagance and coming together is what defines this collection – an invitation to party like Gatsby, swathed in the latest and greatest of Valentino.

The Party Collection 2022 will be available in Valentino’s boutiques, as well as on Valentino.com, until the close of the holiday season. HZ

www.valentino.com

Fashion

C.P. Company x Palace Skateboards

Palace Skateboards was born in 2009 out of London’s South Bank, an area known for its vibrant skate and art culture. By now a seasoned collaborator, the brand has often been applauded for breathing fresh wind into the oftentimes stiff and serious world of high fashion. With its wit and youthful energy, it reflects the zeitgeist of modern skate culture and the South Bank that it hails from.

C.P. Company, “the Original Italian Sportswear Brand,” has, since 1971, been an industry leader in the creation of functional menswear. Like Palace, C.P. Company’s founder, Massimo Osti, took subtly non-conformist approaches to the business of fashion. Among the first to develop the technique of garment dyeing, C.P. Company is a pioneer in fabric innovation.

For the first time, C.P. Company and Palace have joined forces to create an exclusive collaboration, remixing the former’s technical expertise and sportswear legacy with the latter’s youthful, tongue-in-cheek attitude. The result is a collection that brings together staples of both brands, such as the C.P. company’s revered duffle coat and Palace’s bomber jackets and sweatpants, saturated in colorful palettes and playful overtones.

The collection will be available online on C.P. Company and Palace official websites and official flagship stores worldwide from December 16th, 2022. HZ

www.palaceskateboards.com

Fashion

BOSS X KHABY

Khabane “Khaby” Lame, aged 22, has done the unthinkable: in an era where near-everything revolves around social media, and all social media tries to be Tiktok, Lame has conquered the behemoth. The clips that created his enormous fame (with over a proud 150 million followers on Tiktok) were refreshingly simple, a sarcastic answer to overly complicated DIY-hack videos that dominate certain corners of the platform. His worldwide appeal lies, ironically, in his silence. Relying on facial expressions, body language and pure comedic timing, he is able to resonate with audiences across the world using the one universal language in everybody’s arsenal.

As the by now most-followed person on Tiktok, Khaby has certainly received his fair share of attention, both from everyday people and brands. The new BOSS x Khaby collection is dedicated to his worldwide community of fans, a limited edition time-capsule infused with Khaby’s own personal brand of fun and playfulness. BOSS’ signature B-monogram pattern in black is placed, alongside the collection’s logo of Khaby’s likeness, against a colorful ombre background for this new collection, appearing on a versatile range of pieces including a tracksuit, hoodie, belt bag, and phone case. The new BOSS of Tiktok thus lends his inimitable wit and personality to the BOSS brand. HZ

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Breitling x Deus Ex Machina unveil new Top Time in Limited Edition

Dating back to 1884, the Swiss brand Breitling SA has long championed the art of watchmaking. A favorite of anyone from Jerry Seinfeld (who wore either a Breitling Navitimer or Chronomat in nearly every episode of Seinfeld) to Sean Connery as James Bond (who is given a Breitling Top Time with a geiger counter in Thunderball to track down two stolen nuclear warheads), the Breitling watch is a timeless favorite.

The Breitling “Top Time” watch was first developed in 1965, designed to offer a more dynamic and contemporary feel to the chronographs that had been at the center of the brand’s watchmaking. In a second collaboration with the Australian motorbike and surf apparel brand, the Top Time is reinvented as a watch designed for the modern adventurer. “Deus Ex Machina” derives from Latin, meaning literally “god from the machine,” and is used to denote persons or things that bring order out of chaos. Casual, robust, and stylish, like its wearer, the Top Time does just that, bringing order into the open-road adventure it was designed for. The color scheme is new, yet the underlying details are the same. Limited to only 2000 pieces, each Top Time Deus is delivered together with a travel bag produced out of fine linen. The Breitling x Deus collaboration extends on to an entire clothing and accessories line, to be found in six of Breitling’s flagship stores worldwide. HZ

www.breitling.com

Fashion

Cartier opens new Amsterdam Boutique

For almost 45 years, Cartier has been charming all the residents and visitors of Amsterdam connecting to the city through its incredible designs and savoir-faire in an unforgettable manner. Since 1994, the Maison’s main boutique has been located in the Dutch capital's most prestigious shopping street, the P.C. Hooftstraat. After all these years, Cartier was proud to announce the opening of their new boutique, remaining on the same street just a few doors down at P.C. Hooftstraat 129. As Valérie Ahner-Boudier, Managing Director of Cartier Benelux & Nordics, puts it, “The new boutique will be an open window to timeless design, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship. A perfect reflection of Cartier’s distinctive blend of tradition and innovation.” It marks a new chapter for Cartier in Amsterdam. The design of the new store was headed by Studio Parisien and inspired and supported by local Dutch talents. Throughout the store, one can find hints reminiscent of the rich Dutch heritage, its world-renowned painters the Dutch Masters, the innovative design language such as De Stijl and the various local characteristics that define the city. A perfect embodiment of this is the playful and welcoming ceramic façade designed by Amsterdam-based artist Eva Crebolder who took inspiration from the imperfections of Amsterdam’s canal houses. In addition to this, all the ceramic pieces were created in the world’s oldest operating tile factory, the Koninklijke Tichelaar Makkum. Stretching over multiple floors, the new boutique offers clients a complete offering of the Maison in an environment that isn’t solely aesthetic but also meets the highest ecological standards as directed by the globally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

The new Cartier Boutique is located at P.C. Hooftstraat 129 in Amsterdam.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

A quiet retreat

December, 2022. FENDI unveils its new store in Düsseldorf, located in the Königsallee. The two-storey boutique stretches out over 460 square meters, creating a spacious and airy interior feeling. Wide windows, marble floors, and FENDI’s characteristic arched LED lights tie in to this feeling of space and quiet comfort, with plush seating and lush plants forming elegant centerpieces to the rooms. The store is imbued throughout with a soft color palette and smooth materials – ivories and pinks, champagne metal shelves and silky green backdrops – that adds to the serenity of the space. FENDI handbags, clothes, and shoes line the smooth metal shelves.

The entire upstairs area is dedicated to FENDI’s ready-to-wear collections, and is a visual continuation of the airy elegance of the ground floor, using alternating elements of Arabescato Vagli marble and gold to complete the picture. The highlight of the store design resides on the first floor – a floating mirrored glass walkway that connects the glass elevator with the rest of the first floor. The intimate VIP area is a quiet retreat: with azul metal walls, a light blue marble floor and ivory velvet curtains, it brings the customer into an even deeper state of peace and meditativeness.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Dior's Winter Wonderland

Enter into a dream at the Dior Exhibition at Harrods this winter. A display of childlike wonder awaits visitors. The miniature dollhouses are not only tiny reproductions of iconic Dior sites, such as via 30 Montaigne or the Château de La Colle Noire, but are also made entirely from gingerbread and biscuit. An incredible eye for detail accompanies the entire exhibition, with golden lights and arabesques carved into the surface of the confectionery walls, adding to the fairytale scenography.

Walking through the exhibition takes you on a dreamlike sequence through the history of Dior. Tiny silhouettes of iconic Dior designs peek out within and alongside gingerbread replicas of Dior’s most loved houses, and gingerbread men feature as tiny employees hard at work in the Dior ateliers. White lights made to look like falling snowflakes dance on the surface of the little houses. A gingerbread Christian Dior sits at his desk smiling over his designs. Faces on flowers, as if in a scene from the Nutcracker, skate around in the gardens of La Colle Noire.

The Fabulous World of Dior is a fairytale escapade from beginning to end that calls out to the inner child, whilst taking one on a journey through the heritage and inspirations of the House of Dior. HZ

www.thefabulousworldofdior.com

Fashion

LOUIS VUITTON WATCH PRIZE FOR INDEPENDENT CREATIVES

A watch is a moving construction, the coming together of a puzzle of hundreds of small parts to form a whole. The watchmaker is a true craftsman, a creative who dares to build and deconstruct this puzzle time and again paying utmost attention to every little detail. It is a time-honored craft, but as Jean Arnault, Director of Watches at Louis Vuitton, puts it, “watchmaking is not a dormant industry, it is not inaccessible. Young generations of watch enthusiasts are passionate and want to see new innovations on the market.” For this reason, La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton is pleased to announce the establishment of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, to be awarded on a biennial basis. This initiative is a celebration of the creative talent, savoir-faire and audacity of the independent watchmaking industry, supporting and recognizing the bold visions and independent thinking of all those who are challenging the present and defying the boundaries of time. Open to all, watchmakers, designers, entrepreneurs, recent graduates and creatives from all around the world can submit their projects from the beginning of 2023 through the end of 2023. The same year, a commission of international and independent experts will short-list 20 semi-finalists before narrowing it down further to five finalists based on the criteria of design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship and technical complexity. Out of these five finalists, the emerging winner will receive a grant, as well as a one-year mentorship by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton tailored to the needs of their creative project. As part of this programme, the winner will be supported in multiple aspects, ranging from corporate legal aspects to communication and marketing.

www.louisvuittonwatchprize.com

Fashion

Italian hospitality

In time for the new year, Valentino unveils its plans for a new store concept. With an interior design that brings together elements of 1930s Art Deco with a bold 1970s aesthetic, the resulting atmosphere strikes a refined yet eclectic balance. Marble floors with geometric motifs and elements of onyx and wood create an air of refinement throughout the store. Textile walls in muted tones pay tribute to the tailoring busts used in haute couture. In order to produce unique objects to ornament the spaces, the Maison brought in specialist craftsmen – the result: an array of handmade ceramic door handles, decorative geometric compositions in brass, delicate chandeliers, Camaleonda sofas, and more.

The new design story places the central focus on the client and the customer journey. In line with its Italian heritage, the brand sets out to create a feeling of welcoming and hospitality throughout its line of stores. Each store is subtly enhanced with details connected to the local culture. The space is designed to create a sense of intimacy with the customer, to aid Valentino in its increasingly “human-centric” approach to business. The Maison has begun the redesign of its global locations in November 2022, with a few flagship stores such as in Jeddah, Madrid, Venice and Shanghai. It plans to roll out its new boutique designs in New York and Paris by springtime of next year. HZ

www.valentino.com

Fashion

A timeless timepiece

A collaboration between MR PORTER and IWC Schaffhausen has resulted in the Big Pilot’s Watch 32 MR PORTER EDITION 1. This special edition watch features a reduced 43mm bronze case, titanium case back, and black dial with gold-plated hands. The idea of the Big Pilot Watch 43 model is to mimic the style of an easily readable cock-pit instrument. It was specially chosen as the limited-edition timepiece for its simplistic yet sophisticated dial design, which creates “an amazing presence on the wrist with excellent wearing comfort.” The limited edition model – with only 500 pieces globally – is made further unique by the bronze case and crown. Through the process of oxidization, each individual piece develops its own patina over time – a green or brown film that arises on the surface of bronze materials. This bronze material also contains aluminum and iron, thus making the alloy used for the watch about 50% harder than standard bronze. The watch furthermore features IWC-manufactured 82100 caliber to automate the movement of the hands, a highly efficient self-winding system developed in the 1950s by IWC’s then technical director Albert Pellaton. “A unique take on an iconic collection,” the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 MR PORTER EDITION 1 is available from now until February 2023 exclusively on the MR PORTER website. Afterward, it will also be available for purchase in IWC Schaffhausen boutiques.

www.iwc.com

Fashion

A partnership of perfectionism

A new partnership between Italian fashion house Herno and Catalan sports behemoth FC Barcelona marks the beginning of a new era for both companies. For the first time in its history, the women’s and men’s football and basketball teams of FC Barcelona will all be attired by the same design house. Despite coming from very different industries, the two houses have one key commonality - the aspiration to excellence in their respective fields.
Founded on the banks of the Lago Maggiore over seventy years ago, the brand Herno has distinguished itself as a fashion house par excellence in creating high-quality, innovative designs while staying true to its long-standing Italian sartorial traditions. In the context of this new collaboration, Herno has commented that it looks forward to the challenge of “dressing players of very different physicalities,” in pursuit of making everyone “feel comfortable and well dressed” in their off-field appearances. Aided by its investments in research and design innovation, the Italian heritage label seeks to pioneer the industry in unifying style, functionality and technology. In this sense, the brand represents a good fit to one of the most beloved sports clubs in the world. Boasting over 140,000 members and hundreds of millions of fans worldwide, the club known as “more than a club” holds the eyes of the world. Coming January and through the next three seasons of 2024/25, so too will FC Barcelona’s official partner Herno. HZ

www.herno.com 

Fashion

DIOR Maison Cruise 2023

Vibrant greens, reds and yellows in intricate ornamental patterns adorn the new Andalusian-inspired dinnerware collection by Dior Maison, designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s first ever female creative director. Much like the women’s fashion line of the same name, the earthenware collection brings to mind the vitality of the southern Spanish peninsula. The attention to ceramic craftsmanship, bold colors and ornate motifs all closely mirror their significance in the Andalusian culture of pottery and ceramics. The Dior Cruise 2023 show, presented in Seville, heavily drew inspiration from flamenco and was especially an ode to Carmen Amaya, or ‘La Capitana’, the revered Spanish flamenco dancer. Aside from the design choices that serves as direct nods to cuts and fashions from the region, the venue, production and line itself also featured heavy elements of the rich and diverse blend of different cultures characteristic of the region, where Muslim, Gypsy, Christian and Jewish cultures met. This blended heritage is beautifully reflected in both collections. The strikingly rich colors of the ornaments evoke the intensity and passion of flamenco, while the intricacy and detailing of the patterns recall Arabic influences, as seen on the vaulted ceilings of the Alhambra or in the palaces of Seville. A “festive ode” (in Dior’s own words) to the art of entertaining, the Cruise 2023 line brings more than just dinnerware, but also the energy and spirit of Andalusia, to the table. HZ

www.dior.com

Fashion

Dior Maison: La Colle Noire Collection

At the Château de la Colle Noire the French couturier Christian Dior found a place to enjoy a sunny and peaceful interlude, symbolizing French art de Vivre. The tranquil Provencal haven in Montauroux surrounded him with a mesmerizing and inspiring atmosphere evoked by century-old trees and the subtle fragrance of rare flowers.
Now, Dior Maison introduces a vibrantly hued collection, which revolves around the Maison’s founder’s love and passion for nature and botany, thus picking up the name of the magical château. The flowers of the extraordinary garden, including lilacs, lilies, roses, carnations, tulips, and papavers are referenced in delicate and beautiful sketches which adorn dinner and dessert plates, mouth-blown glass decanters, hand-painted glasses as well as napkins and embroidered placemats. The glasses are labeled with the plant’s names in romantical cursive handwriting and feature, depending on the flower, a colorful edge. This color scheme is continued on the napkins, which show an embroidery of a flower in its respective color. Beyond these exceptional items, colored glass candle holders round off this botanical collection. Crafted in Italy thanks to virtuoso savoir-faire, they offer an enchanting and surprising finishing touch. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

ARTYCAPUCINES CHAPTER 4

It has long been established that fashion and the fine arts are intrinsically linked and connected. Fine arts are not only an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the various luxury houses’ designers, but through collaboration, fashion’s creations can also become a blank canvas for artists to bring their visions to life within a three-dimensional object. In this spirit, the French Maison Louis Vuitton has started Artycapucines, bringing together the stunning creativity of chosen artists with the unparalleled savoir-faire of its masterful artisans. The starting point is Louis Vuitton’s timeless and feminine classic, the Capucines bag, named after the Rue Neuves-des-Capucines, where the Maison’s founder Louis Vuitton opened his first store in 1854. For the fourth chapter of this special collaboration, Louis Vuitton partnered up with six global artists, Daniel Buren, Kennedy Yanko, Park Seo-Bo, Amélie Bertrand, Peter Marino and Ugo Rondinone, who have all brought their unique visions to the bag. Daniel Buren’s Capucines features a trompe-l’oeil design with his trademark stripes in white and black; Kennedy Yanko’s interpretation of the bag is constructed of 3D-printed leather defined by its hand-applied metallic patina and Park Seo-Bo recreates one of his signature Écritures paintings on the textured and embellished calfskin. Amélie Bertrand in turn hand-sprayed her vision resulting in a bag in shifting colors and phosphorescence, whereas Peter Marino’s variation is a powerful all-black and studded creation featuring an exclusive clasp. The last of the six artists, Udo Rondinone created a harlequin-style bag, delightfully playful and colorful due to its over 14,000 hand-stitched beads. The resulting bags are creating veritable contemporary artworks, as diverse as the artists themselves. Highly limited to 200 per artist, the bags will be presented in their own specially designed gift boxes. Artycapucines bears witness to Louis Vuitton’s desire to put its innovative spirit and artisanal expertise to the service of artists and their creativity.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

A-COLD-WALL* x Eastpak

A-COLD-WALL* and Eastpak teamed up for the first time to create a new collaborative collection. United by their vision of freedom of movement, they are releasing three pieces in iconic Eastpak shapes reimagined with A-COLD-WALL*’s signature look. They thus combine complex materials with an unmistakably crafted feel. Beyond that, bold colors and experimental techniques define the designs. Reflected elements embellish the unique pieces, which thus fit perfectly to the urban adventurer.
Part of the collection is the ACW Padded, distinguished by the shape of the iconic Padded Pak’r. Clashing materials, colors, and prints, it is composed of dual front zippered panels, contrasting trims, and co-branded logos.
Another piece included in the collection is the ACW Orbit, shaped as the classic compact daypack. The look is reminiscent of A-COLD-WALL*’s unique take on British streetwear as it juxtaposes the organic shape with asymmetrical forms, extra-long coated zipper pullers, and functional jacquard webbing. Furthermore, the collection features the ACW One, a mini shoulder bag that incorporates the same contrasting jacquard webbing, elongated zipper pullers, and reflective components as the above-mentioned model. Zippered front stash pockets round off the design, which is available in black and gray.
Designed to get you through the challenges of city life, these items connect style with functionality. JW

www.eastpak.com
www.a-cold-wall.com

Fashion

Colmar presents pink skiwear

Colmar heralds the ski season with an astonishing Fall Winter 2022/ 2023 collection, revolving around the motto Pretty in Pink. Skiwear has a long tradition within the renowned fashion and lifestyle brand, which provides Winter athletes with wonderful skiwear since the 1930s.
This season Colmar introduces an outstanding ski suit in a light pink color. The quilted jacket is made out of ripstop fabric and is distinguished by its water-resistant materials. Thus, it can withstand any weather conditions and brings you dryly to the end of the ski slopes even in snow and rain. A special touch is given by the logo details on the jacket’s sleeves, significant to Colmar. The beautifully crafted jacket can be worn combined with matching pants, which mirrors its soft color and water resistance. Together, the light-colored set brings joy to the mountains and defies any winter weather, no matter how gray.
Both of the products, the jackets as well as the pants, are part of the Colmar Green Path Projects, which focuses on sustainable production for an environmentally conscious future. Thus, the brand takes an important step, while offering an elegant, unique and functional ski suit. JW

www.colmar.com

Fashion

Loro Piana participates in Les Journées Particulières

Just a couple of weeks after Milan Fashion Week, Loro Piana draws once again attention to the fashionable city as it will participate in the fifth edition of Les Journées Particulières. The event is an initiative of the LVMH Group, which thus offers a rare opportunity to look into the outstanding artisanal heritage that characterizes the LVMH Group design houses. First introduced in 2011, Les Journées Particulières provide a unique experience, giving visitors a better understanding of the brand’s exceptional savoir-faire.
96 locations in 15 countries will be participating in the event this year, including museums, wineries, private residences, shops, and studios. Among them is also the Palazzo Cortile della Seta in Milan, where Loro Piana’s new headquarters are located. It is hence one of 19 locations in Italy, which will be involved in Les Journées Particulières. Putting an installation in the shape of an hourglass on display, Loro Piana will give visitors an extraordinary and comprehensive insight into the brand’s history. Photos, videos, archive documents as well as famous garments, exquisite fabrics, and fascinating source materials will take them on a unique journey behind the scenes of the LVMH Group and Loro Piana.
Les Journées Particulières will be open to the public from October 15th to 16th, 2022 at Palazzo Cortile della Seta. JW

www.lvmh.com
www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Hermès opens new flagship store in NYC

Parisian elegance meets New York dynamism at Hermès’ new flagship store at 706 Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side. Testifying to the Maison’s love for New York City, this new address exudes its lively and creative spirit. In order to provide a spaciously sized and unique store, the Parisian architecture agency RDAI connected three existing buildings, one former bank building adjacent to townhouses. The interior of the several distinctive salons that form the store is inspired by New York’s Art Deco past, thus pure yet decidedly anti-minimal, linking angular geometry with curved manifestations. The now fully renovated premises stand out due to their carefully chosen materials and neutral color palette as some aspects, including a coffered ceiling, recall the history of the buildings. The highlight is an arresting stone staircase running all the way to the fourth floor, which is adorned with an astonishing artwork collection on its supporting wall.
On the floor ground, one can find fashion jewelry, the silk universe, perfume, and beauty as well as men’s silk, leather goods, and equestrian collections. The second-floor houses the men’s universe in a warm atmosphere which transitions into the comfortable aura of the women’s universe on the third floor. A moment to rest is offered by the bars on the third and fourth floor, which also lead to the enticing roof garden, a rare treasure in New York.
Various iconic Hermès designs have been revamped for this special occasion, including the American Quilt, celebrating this exciting opening. JW

www.hermès.com

Art

The Conservatorium Hotel and Van-Gogh-Museum create a culinary homage inspired by Gustav Klimt

To celebrate the upcoming exhibition Golden Boy Gustav Klimt of the Van-Gogh-Museum in Amsterdam, the museum partners up with the renowned Conservatorium Hotel. Amid the museum district of the Dutch capital, the hotel fits perfectly within the exhibition’s context of exploring Klimt’s life and body of work, including his inspirations. For this reason, Taiko Cuisine & Bar is going to serve a special three part culinary homage, dedicated to the famed artist and the exhibition. To honor Gustav Klimt through the culinary experience, bar chef Marios Ragkavis created a wonderful Gin-Cocktail with a tincture of gold, a color significant to Klimt’s art. Translated by toasted almond, passion fruit, bergamot, lime, and grapefruit, the Golden Treasure cocktail is a revelation of taste. This is followed by the main course, created by Hugo Engels, Executive Sous Chef of the Taiko. It consists of a black taiko-style bao bun painted with copper and gold tones, which is filled with umeboshi plum, duck, and sansho pepper, combined with a gold-trimmed Sichuan tree of life cookie and fresh edible flowers. The inspiration for this exceptional dish was offered by Klimt’s The Tree of Life. His painting Judith is referenced in pastry chef Maikel Vet’s dessert, as it mirrors the shapes and patterns, underlined by the elegant taste of almonds and chocolate, rounding off the menu. JW

www.vangoghmuseum.com
www.conservatoriumhotel.com

Fashion

Stella McCartney presents SS23 at the Centre Pompidou

During Paris Fashion Week, Stella McCartney presented the Spring Summer 2023 collection at the Centre Pompidou piazza in a democratic demonstration outdoors, a brand first. Mirroring the facade of the renowned museum, the catwalk was composed of colored paths which created a link between art and fashion. Art was furthermore incorporated into the collection, as it featured the work of the Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, who inspired the collection as a whole with his slogan “CHANGE THE HISTORY”. His illustrations of big-eyed girls, sinister children in animal costumes, and activist slogans can be found on various iconic pieces such as stretchy crinkle knit dresses, t-shirts, and bias-cut dresses. These unique items already give a taste of the upcoming unisex capsule of Stella McCartney in collaboration with Yoshitomo Nara.
In its minimalism and sensuality, the garments are characteristic of Stella McCartney, clashing the casual with the formal. Furthermore, it underlines the sustainable approach of the brand in using conscious materials and vegan alternatives to leather, protecting animal rights dear to Stella McCartney. Another highlight is the evening garments, including cut-out dresses, fluid tops, and asymmetric skirts, glamorous due to their crystal embellishments. These can also be found on the iconic Falabella clutch as well as on S-Wave party bags, which among other accessories round off the outstanding collection. JW

www.stellamccartney.com

Fashion

Dior SS23 revisits history

The French Maison Dior unveiled its new spring-summer 2023 ready-to-wear collection, designed by the creative director of Dior women’s lines Maria Grazia Chiuri, at Paris Fashion Week. To gather inspiration for the garments, the Italian fashion designer turned to the Dior archives, from which she took an image of a map of Paris featured on a scarf from the 1950s.
The designer was also influenced by Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman who came to France in 1533. As she portrays the early relationship between women and power, Maria Garzia Chiuri was mesmerized by her political intelligence. Pioneering innovations in fashion such as heeled shoes and the corset, Catherine de Medici influenced the designs and silhouettes of Dior skirts. Beyond that, the collection also incorporates raffia coats, characterized by nature motifs. Set in a scenography designed by the artist Eva Jospin that reinvents Baroque grottos, the dancing and choreographic duo Irme and Marne van Opstal offered an astonishing performance. Striking a stunning balance between the beautiful and the disconcerting, they complemented the Dior fashion show and enhanced the presentation of the elegant garments of the spring-summer 2023 ready-to-wear collection. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

Zinédine Zidane is the new face of Montblanc

Montblanc announced Zinédine Zidane as the new Mark Maker as well as the new face of the Montblanc Legend perfume, starting September 2022. As a world-renowned soccer player and coach Zidane has always done what appealed to him, thus being consonant with Monblanc’s philosophy of What Moves You Makes You. With the national team, the French player won the European championship and the World Cup. Beyond that, he also celebrated great successes with the clubs Juventus Turin and Real Madrid, not to mention his success as a coach.
He explains how he himself identifies with the brand and its values: “Montblanc is a house of culture and quality that emphasizes the importance of sharing ideas and thoughts through writing. A belief I share as someone who inherited the values and culture of my father and family, which I also try to pass on. Personally, I write in my notebook every day... I don't just hand out autographs!" Making Zidane the face of Montblanc Legend is the brand’s way to honor his achievements as a footballer and coach which rightfully earned him the title of legend. With his strong passion, his exceptional skills, and his strong determination he reflects the mindset of those who strive to write their personal legend by their own effort. JW

www.montblanc.com

Fashion

The Furla METROPOLIS REMIX dives into music

In the course of the Milan Fashion Week 2022, Furla launched the new METROPOLIS REMIX. This special bag is representing the newly established connection between the Italian brand and the world of music. It thereby also takes the position against the gender gap in music and fosters a more equitable opportunity for women in the music scene. To gain more attention for this current and relevant topic, Furla partnered up with She Is The Music, a non-profit organization founded by Alicia Keys in 2018, which pursues the goal to increase the number of women working in music, thus developing the next generation of women in music. For the organization to continue its educational programs, Furla has come up with a special donation campaign. During the Milan Fashion Week, customers directly supported She Is The Music by purchasing the METROPOLIS REMIX, as Furla has decided to donate the proceeds to the non-profit. Furthermore, the bag and the project was presented in a short fashion film, called Music of the Metropolis, featuring Kim Turnbull who talked about her career as a female DJ.
The design of the crossbody clutch made in Italy is defined by the soft calf leather and a bow shape, reminiscent of the Furla Metropolis. JW

www.furla.com

Fashion

Jimmy Choo extends its Varenne family

Jimmy Choo introduces the Varenne Avenue Collection for the coming season of Autumn 2022 as an extension of the beloved Varenne family. This new series of exceptional handbags exudes the spirit of the Jimmy Choo muse’s glamorous world and of the cosmopolitan cities in which they live as it embodies a dynamic lifestyle. The design is distinguished by the new matelassé pattern and adorned with statement gold hardware as well as the iconic JC monogram. Modern yet timeless in its sensory feel, the collection stands out due to its playful colors of pink, gold, burgundy, and black. Each of the pieces of the Varenne family is made in Italy, ensuring high quality and dedication to craftsmanship, significant to Jimmy Choo.
The collection includes a square quad, shoulder, and clutch with gold and leather chain strap as well as the pouch clutch and small leather goods. Sandra Choi, creative director of Jimmy Choo concludes: “Our new Avenue quilting pattern lends a graphic depth and richness that animates our signature Varenne’s personality. The linear pattern draws inspiration from our urban habitat, the avenues we navigate daily dreaming with every step of arriving somewhere full of wonder.” JW

www.jimmychoo.com

Fashion

Eastpak x Denham

In an astonishing collaboration, Eastpak and Denham revamp Eastpak’s most iconic silhouettes, releasing them in contemporary denim style. The Amsterdam brand links its unique take on jeans with the function-first approach of the bag manufacturer, thus combining the pioneering spirits of both brands. A two-part collection emerged, stylish and intelligent, adapting to the wearer’s needs.
The first model is titled Padded Denham and depicts Denham’s version of the classic Eastpak Padded Pak’r backpack. It is distinguished by a modern patchwork of contrasting denim fabrics, adorned with traditional Sashiko embroidery, Japanese knotted zipper pullers, and other signature design elements. While the design undergoes an enhancement, the functionality remains as the backpack is equipped with multiple accessory pockets, a number of detachable pouches, and a detachable bottle holder. The Padded Kerr is based on the shape of the iconic Eastpak shopper and resembles the model mentioned above in its multifunctional aesthetic and Eastern-inspired design, implemented in the same denim patchwork. Both of these pieces, the Padded Denham and the Padded Kerr, are characterized by Denham’s unique style, reinforcing the functionality significant to Eastpak. JW

www.eastpak.com
www.denham.com

Fashion

The new JEANY icon bag by LIEBESKIND BERLIN

Continuing the exclusive “THE EDIT” collection, LIEBESKIND BERLIN introduces its new “JEANY” icon bag. Manufactured in a Tuscan factory and made of the finest Italian leather, the bag stands for high quality and craftsmanship. As the limited edition comes out twice a year, the brand decided to reinterpret one of its classics, which echoes the progression of the brand over the last 19 years, as Gina Condé, Creative Director of LIEBESKIND BERLIN explains.
The bag is available in two sizes, ranging from small to large, which come in different leathers. They are either fabricated in fine nubuck, modern crinkled patent leather, or natural Nappa leather. With great attention to detail, special touches have been added to the handmade bag, including the bonded leather lining in contrasting colors inside the bags, alternating between classic and bold colors. Furthermore, the different versions of the JEANY are embellished with a hand-turned leather handle and brass accessories, which define the overall look of the leather goods as it gives them a modern note. Combining Italian artisanry and the Berlin atmosphere in the brand’s spirit, the bag is a unique piece, distinguished by its luxurious and timeless design. JW

www.liebeskind-berlin.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton and Mory Sacko unveil restaurant

Louis Vuitton ventures into the world of culinary as it joins forces with the Michelin-starred chef Mory Sacko. In June the renowned French Maison unveiled the “Mory Sacko at Louis Vuitton”, a seasonal restaurant at the White 1921 Hotel in the heart of Saint-Tropez, taking Louis Vuitton’s art of travel to the next level. Located at the central yet calm Place des Lices, Mory Sacko creates a unique and sophisticated gastronomic experience, distinguished by his travel-inspired menu. For the dishes he offers in the restaurant, Sacko fuses local foods with inspirations from all over the world, creating true explosions of flavor. An exemplary but comprehensive impression of the culinary skills of the young chef is given by the tapas on the dinner menu, ranging from vegetarian aubergine tacos to a selection of grilled amberjack to mango salad to much more.
For the design of the venue, Louis Vuitton and Mory Sacko worked closely together. An ethereal and artistic Moongate welcomes the guests into the restaurant, whose interior is defined by the materials of travertine, wood, rope, and ratan. Monogram flowers, significant to the Maison, can be found all over the restaurant as well as redesigned Objets Nomades. The surrounding creates a tranquil yet fresh atmosphere, maximized by the savoir-faire of the Maison and the culinary expertise of chef Mory Sacko. JW

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Miu Miu presents a short-film by Carla Simón

Carta A Mi Madre Para Mi Hijo (Letter To My Mother For My Son) is a short film directed by Spanish film director Carla Simón. As the 24th commission to Miu Miu’s acclaimed short-film series, Women’s Tales, it premiered at the Venice Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori 2022. Women’s Tales features films by female directors, in which they explore vanity and femininity in today’s world.
At the beginning of her short film, Carla is shown pregnant and naked, reflecting photos of her mother when she was pregnant with Carla herself. After this sequence, a family of grandparents, uncles, aunts, fathers, and great-grandparents is depicted in a series of Super 8 shots. The film then proceeds to follow the journey of a young woman, growing from the 60s to the present day, who in the end meets the pregnant Carla in the idyllic atmosphere of the Catalan coast.
In this work, which the Spanish Director dedicates to her son, Carla Simón wants to create a family history, as it is something that she never had. When she was only six years old, Carla lost both her parents to AIDS. She explains that “Cinema has the power to repair what is missing”, leading her to make this short film composed of real and fictional memories, echoing the lifelong process of understanding who we really are. JW

www.miumiu.com

Art

Espace Louis Vuitton München presents From South Africa

As part of the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s “Hors-les-murs” programme, Espace Louis Vuitton München is presenting the exhibition From South Africa, featuring photographic artworks by the two African artists Zanele Muholi and David Goldblatt. The gallery showcases a powerful series of colorful landscape photographs shot by Goldblatt. In these images, the artist portrays the complex relationship between South African people and their land, while he also explores the true meaning of architecture in the post-Apartheid era. Zanele Muholi presents the series Faces and Phases which consists of portraits of Black members of the LGBTQIA+ community from South Africa. Alongside those works, the exhibition also includes Muholi’s series Somnyama Ngonyama which shows the artist in autoportraits, evoking stereotypes of African women.
The two artists met in the Market Photo Workshop, which was initiated by Goldblatt. Muholi became the mentee of Goldblatt and got inspired by his political stances far beyond his death. Their activist aim of challenging their country’s past and present history regarding the human rights of black people and members of the queer community became significant to their body of work.
The exhibition From South Africa by Zanele Muholi and David Goldblatt will be open to the public from the 9th of September, 2022 to the 8th of January, 2023. JW

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Saucony’s take on Saucony

Fusing innovation, style, and culture, the performance running brand Saucony is releasing an addition to the Saucony x Saucony collection. Using premium materials and treatments, which are usually exclusive to collaborations, the line depicts Saucony’s take on Saucony. For the design of the collection’s latest Sneaker, the Shadow 6000, Saucony drew huge inspiration from the Japanese art form and ancient tradition Kintsugi. It involves fixing broken pottery by filling the cracks with liquid gold, leaving strings of gold on the reassembled object. Translating this technique onto the sneaker, the Shadow 600 is characterized by metallic gold embroidery stitching together the individual parts of the shoes, creating little imperfections as an exciting element. It refers to the core idea of Kintsugi which revolves around embracing one’s flaws and imperfections in order to heal and grow stronger than before.
Testifying to Saucony’s expertise in shoemaking, the sneaker is distinguished by a perforated nubuck base, specked midsole, and an embossed tongue. The overlays are crafted in premium suede, as the design focuses on a weathered and worn-looking leather, unique in its raw-edge contrasts. The Saucony x Saucony collection joins the brand’s previous creations in the tradition of only using the highest quality material, ensuring comfortable and durable sneakers. JW

www.saucony.com

Fashion

202030 - The Berlin Fashion Summit talks sustainability

202030 - The Berlin Fashion Summit returned this season during Berlin Fashion Week for its 4th edition. Located at the Colosseum Theater in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg, the sustainability conference dealt with the overall topic “Fashion for positive Impact: Regenerative Transformation”. The summit welcomed more than 50 speakers of various fields to discuss the urgent topics of the industry and possible solutions in 34 sessions in the course of three days. Directed to thought leaders and progressive minds, various exhibitions and side events accompanied the sustainability conference in the fashion forward German capital. With the goal of creating a positive impact in mind, the participants explored our dependance on the planet as well as the possibilities of building connections to the biosphere, technosphere and metasphere. The event was divided into six thematic blocks. During the first day, the participants focused on the protection of the environment while the second day was all about new and innovative technologies. Finally, the speakers discussed the world of virtual fashion, including NFT’s and digital designs on the third and last day of the conference. In doing so, 202030 - The Berlin Fashion Summit created a new perspective on how to sustainably approach fashion, rewriting the current definition of sustainability. JW
Photo credit: Roland Justynowicz

www.202030summit.com

Fashion

SUSUMU AI at Berlin Fashion Week

On the occasion of Berlin Fashion Week SUSUMU AI has shown its new Spring Summer 2023 collection in the Samurai Museum Berlin. The garments of the Berlin-based fashion label were presented by professional Taiko performers. Taiko is a special drum style which originated in Japan and revolves around an exchange of energy: While the drum remains just a tool, the players themselves become the instrument.
Japan plays an important role within the brand as it sources its high-quality fabrics from the Eastasian country as well as draws huge inspiration from it. It therefore seems obvious that SUSUMU AI has chosen the Samurai Museum in Berlin as the event location since Samurai are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Surrounded by collections of historical objects and multimedia installations, the brand set the stage to present its new collection of clothing. Founder and Art Director Alisa Menkhaus explains that traditional craftsmanship is the core of SUSUMU AI, which blends perfectly with the scenery of the Museum. After she and Keiho Menkhaus greeted the guests with a short introductory speech, the performance of the drum playing models began and Japanese culture was spread across the room, enchanting the audience. JW

www.susumuai.com

Fashion

WILLIAM FAN launches SS 23 during Berlin Fashion Week

WILLIAM FAN launched its new collection ETERNITY, which the brand presented during Berlin Fashion Week. For the Spring/ Summer 2023 season, the fashion designer was inspired by the nightlife as it gives you the feeling of letting go together. It creates a moment of weightlessness, in which posed evening encounters become unfiltered. The clothing items of the collection are defined by sharp tailoring and astute patterns which are combined with fresh, asymmetrical silhouettes and experimental draping. The crafting of the garments reinforces the effect of their movement as a hand pleated fusion of skirt and trousers is reminiscent of a skirt slipping down the hip while dancing. For ETERNITY, the fashion designer revamped the “Wyona” jacket by embellishing it with a metallic zipper as an athletic element, which is characteristic to the collection. To further add a special touch to the clothing items, various pleats and open cut edges were incorporated. The color palette of the collection is defined by shades of black, gray and brown as well as hints of gold and silver, while shimmering sequins in green and blue accentuate coats. For the first time WILLIAM FAN included his chinese sign in some of the garments. Echoing the energy of going out, the styling of the collection re-explores the familiar, trying out new things. JW

www.williamfan.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Louisa Gagliardi at Rodolphe Janssen

Rodolphe Janssen is presenting the third solo show of Swiss artist Louisa Gagliardi, Around the Clock, in the course of Brussels Gallery Weekend.
As a base for her artworks presented in this exhibition, Gagliardi approached the method of loci, often referred to as the ‘memory palace’. The method serves to train the recollective memory by creating a familiar structure, in which new information can be easily navigated. The artworks by Gagliardi construct a world that seems familiar yet ambivalent to our presence. The artist leaves it open, who actually looks at whom and if the viewers are actually welcome to look at the scenery. Nevertheless, we become equal actors as our view is led in a triangular way through the artwork, freezing the moment.
The Zurich-based artist creates digital-based paintings made in Photoshop and printed on PVC banners. At this point of the production, Gagliardi makes adjustments by hand, using gel medium or nail polish to add accents. This process results in the depiction of a dreamlike world filled with avatars and conveyors, folding together nostalgia and memory.
The exhibition Around the Clock by Louisa Gagliardi will be open to the public from September 8th to October 22th, 2022 at Rodolphe Janssen in Brussels. JW

LOUISA GAGLIARDI
Tête-à-Tête, 2022
Gel medium, ink on PVC, 370 x 1100 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Rodolphe Janssen, Brussels

www.rodolphejanssen.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - TR Ericsson at Harlan Levey Projects

On Brussels Gallery Weekend, Tom and Sue, an exhibition by TR Ericsson, opens at Harlan Levey Projects. At its center are two extensive artworks: The portraits of Tom and Sue. Besides them, Ericsson’s first painting since 2002 is displayed in the exhibition.
Sue, the mother of the artist Tom (TR Ericsson) is portrayed in a seven-volume book collection of letters written by herself to her son, called All My Love Always No Matter What. The artwork creates the image of a lively and humorous woman, despite the hurdles that life had in store for her. More than 20 years of collecting, organizing, and arranging letters, audio recordings, and video messages eventually led to an artwork, purely narrated by the mother. Ericsson pursues the goal of spreading his mother’s life story through his art, as he perceives his works as a symbol of her love, devotion, and selflessness. The portrait of Tom, the artist himself, consists of 107 oil paintings, created between 1992 and 2002 during an eventful and emotional phase of his life and after which he quit painting for some time. As a kind of self-portrait, the artwork depicts a young man who is searching for himself and his voice. The title Sad Young Man on a Train refers to a cubist painting by Marcel Duchamp from 1911/12, showing a fragmented figure on a moving train.
Exhibited together, the two artworks complement each other, portraying the love between a mother and her child. They tell the stories of two people, directly and inevitably connected to one another; stories of ups and downs, of grief and joy.
The exhibition Tom and Sue by TR Ericsson will be open to the public from September 8th to December 17th, 2022 at Harlan Levey Projects in Brussels. JW

TR ERICSSON
Family Picnic (Sad Young Man on a Train #076), 1992-2002
Oil on linen, 61 x 71,1 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Harlan Levey Projects, Brussels

www.hl-projects.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Jean Katambayi Mukendi at Waldburger Wouters

Opening during Brussels Gallery Weekend, Waldburger Wouters is presenting the exhibition f’low by Congolese artist Jean Katambayi Mukendi.
Born in 1974 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and based in Lubumbashi, the capital of the Haut-Katanga region and second biggest city in Congo, his artworks often revolve around Congolese society. From an early age, Jean Katambayi Mukendi developed a passion for the fields of technology, mechanics, geometry, and electricity, which later led him to graduate as an electrician and study mathematics at university. The impressions he gathered from these experiences as well as aspects of his daily life now inspire and define his work as a visual artist. For this exhibition, opening on Brussels Gallery Weekend, Jean Katambayi Mukendi created art installations, fragile and complex at the same time, which are driven by sophisticated electrical mechanisms.
The exhibition f’low by Jean Katambayi Mukendi will be open to the public from September 8th to October 22nd, 2022 at the gallery Waldburger Wouters in Brussels. JW

JEAN KATAMBAYI MUKENDI
Concentrateur
Photo credit: Koen Vrancken
Courtesy of the artist and Waldburger Wouters, Brussels

www.waldburgerwouters.com

Fashion

Alexander McQUEEN AW 22 collection

Alexander McQUEEN presents its fascinating new imagery for the Autumn/ Winter 2022 collection, featuring Awar, Lucia, Florence, Celina, and Achenrin. Shot by Paolo Roversi, the series is defined by a striking, yet classical visual language, characteristic to the Italian photographer.
The collection includes garments, handbags, and shoes that are mostly held in black with a hint of red, green and yellow. Furthermore, it features various pieces of silver jewelry. A range of beautifully crafted dresses depict the highlight of the collection. One of them is the exploded pleated bustier dress in black. It is composed of a wrap skirt and a bustier top with slashed detailing and a back zip fastening. Fabricated in black beetled poly faille, a recycled polyester yarn, the strapless dress constitutes a modern and edgy look. Extraordinary in terms of design is a black, single-breasted jacket, distinguished by the once again exploded neckline, which forms an impressive silhouette. The jacket is made of certified wool and mohair, ensuring high quality of the production process and the material. Leather garments are also part of the collection, such as the leather twisted biker jacket in black. Deviating from a classic biker jacket, this design is defined by an open neckline as well as a buckled waist belt, accentuating the figure.
These unique pieces are imposingly staged in the brand’s campaign, which enhances their cool character and the elaborate crafting. JW

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

Exquisite by Gucci

Inspired by the wondrous world of cinematography, Gucci presents its new imagery Exquisite, set in motion by the brand’s creative director Alessandro Michele. The Italian fashion designer has long been fascinated by the cinema’s visionary power to tell stories. For this reason, he always imagined his “collections as films able to convey a cinematography of the present”. Exquisite honors the work of Stanley Kubrick, a philosophic filmmaker and a great master in his field. Admiring his experimental approach to creating films that do not belong to a specific genre but blur their boundaries with exceeding significance, Michele draws great inspiration from him. Taking his liberty of decomposing, altering, and reassembling, the designer produced a film and images which depict various of Gucci’s creations from the last decades in captivating sceneries. The Adidas gown is presented as a Victorian costume, followed by a dress designed by Laura Whitcomb, popularized by Madonna in the 90s, and a dreamy evening dress, fabricated in tulle. Furthermore, a philosophical approach is incorporated in Exquisite, as it arises questions about meaning in life.
In the film and the pictures, the “clothes get closer to bare life”, telling the story of the human, shattering and enchanting at the same time, explains Alessandro Michele. JW

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles presents cozy outerwear

Tough but cozy. For its Fall Winter 2022 collection, the Canadian outerwear and ready-to-wear brand Moose Knuckles creates new versions of its bestselling “Bunny” hoodie and new sherpa jackets in fresh silhouettes and colors.
The imagery for the collection is shot by renowned photographer Luis Alberto Rodriguez and styled by Carlos Nazario, Artistic Director of i-D Magazine. In the course of Moose Knuckles’ “Heatmakers” initiative, it draws attention to rising talents, such as R & B singer Kaash Paige, skateboarder Lil Dre, and model Jaychelle, who are shown in a ‘90s-inspired fantasy of what cozy means for creatives on the street. The unisex “State XL Bunny” is one of the highlights of the collection, as it creates a generously oversized silhouette and can be worn over everything. It is the first piece that is entirely fabricated in the brand’s sumptuous faux fur on the exterior rather than on the inside of the garment. As the hoodie version of the “Debbie Bomber”, the “Bergen Bunny Bomber”, made for the city woman stands out from the collection as it features the shearling hood ruff, pom poms, and J-seam detailing. Revamped with a monochrome, dark sapphire look, and faux fur, the “Classic Bunny 3” stands out for men, suitable for layering in the unpredictable autumn time.
The oversized and plushy garments allow a free range of movement in a highly comfortable way, breaking the rules of “tough exterior”. JW

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

The Dior Jardin Capsule Collection for Men

Recently Dior launched its new Dior Jardin Capsule Collection for Men. In remembrances of the Maison’s founder Christian Dior, the designs of Kim Jones allude to the Monsieur’s love of nature, by incorporating a studded rose, the “Queen of Flowers”, in various pieces. Throughout the collection, it can be found in each of the Dior emblems, which it artfully entwines.
The magnificent blooming single rose is emblazoned especially large on the back of the polo shirts and hoodies, striking in its pink color on white cotton piqué or in green shades on black fabric. In another variation, which adorns among others an overshirt and slim-fit jeans, it is shown in an all-over tonal jacquard pattern, that highlights the individual rose petals and places them together in a dense structure. In an ensemble, including comfortable fitted Bermuda shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, made of silk twill, the rose represents itself in a pattern of multiple single roses. These models are also available in the two color combinations of white-pink and black-green. Furthermore, the collection features a variety of accessories, such as a tie, socks, bandanas, a backpack, and bags as well as sneakers and derby shoes.
Honoring Christian Dior, British fashion designer Kim Jones created a collection that radiates joie de vivre. The motif of the rose adds a touch of romance and a refreshing splash of color to the elegant everyday wear. JW

www.dior.com

Art

Irina Ionesco passes away at 91

To our great dismay, on July 25, 2022, photographer Irina Ionesco passed away at the age of 91 in her hometown of Paris. Throughout her lifetime, Ionesco had made a name for herself with her images of seductive and sensual women, displayed in dark and theatrical settings. The artist was born the daughter of a violinist and a trapeze artist in Paris in 1930. Neglected by her parents, she moved to her grandparents in Romania when she was only four years old. It was not until 1951 that she returned to the French capital, where she first started working in the cabaret. She took up photography, when Guillaume Corneille, with whom she was in a relationship at the time, gave her a first camera. In 1974, her first exhibition was presented at the Nikon Gallery. The black-and-white photographs on display often showed single, half-naked women adorned with lace, fur, and flowers. Their faces were covered with striking makeup and their bodies were graced with jewelry and pearls. Their surroundings conveyed a surrealistic feeling, evoked by its gothic and fetishistic decor, in which the women appeared like a role in a film. Ionesco had been captured and enraptured by Orientalism from an early age. She spent her childhood with her grandmother who raised her in the Turkish quarter in Constantinople. From a young age, she experienced the city’s strong diversity in culture, counting the many mosques and Byzantine Churches, with their Saints dressed in gold and covered with gems nurtured by virgin Icons. The buildings oftentimes are not only decorated in splendor on the outside but have unique inside atmospheres, the air sated in the murmur of prayers and the scent of incense. All these experiences inspired and shaped her later body of work. Among the many subjects, she has captured you will find models such as Sylvia Kristel, but also nude Yakuza, the notorious Japanese gangsters, who bared their full-body tattoos to Ionesco, sitting stoically in public bathhouses. Through her imagery and her work, Ionesco left her mark on Western photographers working today in fashion, art and music. From the 2000s onwards, the artist devoted herself to fashion photography and created works for Givenchy and Vogue Japan, among others. In 2014, Reflex Amsterdam showed some of her photographs in an exclusive exhibition. Irina Ionesco has and will continue to be an inspiration, and through her work, she has left a mark and strong influence on many Western photographers in fashion, music, and art.

Fashion

#HUGOYourWay

In the brand’s spirit of encouraging and empowering its audience, HUGO now consolidates this message in its digital-led Fall/ Winter 2022 imagery. For this matter, HUGO formed a trio of inspiring artists, including Korean American rapper Big Matthew and Guyanese American rapper SAINt JHN as well as the American model and singer Selah Marley. The two rappers have been named brand ambassadors for the previous season and return now, keeping up the energy from the branding refresh. Each one of the ambassadors set an example of doing one’s own thing, staying true to one’s self and thus, creating their own look.
In order to connect with youthful fans and to spread their message and values even further, HUGO expanded on Tiktok, posting videos made by some of the platform’s most cherished and creative content creators. Always using the hashtag #HUGOYourWay, customers get to discover the world of HUGO on various social media apps. In its posts, HUGO is teasing its new collection for FW22, in which the brand focuses more on its denim products as well as the brand’s colors of red, white, and black. A highlight of the collection is the introduction of the new HUGO monogram, which will be spread as an all-over graphic on various styles, such as sweatshirts and footwear. JW

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

PRADA EXTENDS TOKYO

Prada Extends is a series of live events focused on and designed for creatives in different hubs around the world. This concept with the aim of creating a connection between like-minded figures, encapsulating the identity of each locale and its creative community. First launched in London in November 2021, Prada Extends now travelled to Tokyo for its newest edition. For the first time, the underlying idea was extended resulting in a duo of events: a conversation and a celebration. For this edition, a part of the “The Sound of Prada” experience, the emphasis was on music as a means of bringing people together. Plastikman aka Richie Hawtin came on board to create this special concept. The first part, an intimate discussion between Richie Hawtin and Naohiro Ukawa, took place at the Prada Miyashita Park store, followed by an event at Terrada, a center for art and music, featuring music and visual performances curated by Hawtin, including his own performance. It was a celebration of Japanese culture, to which Hawtin shares a deep bond, music and its creative communities which were connected to the whole world.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Alexander McQueen Sprint Runner

Regardless of one’s age, sneakers have become an intricate part of all of our wardrobes. From fast fashion retailers to luxury houses, everybody has recognized its popularity and has included a selection of sneakers in their selection. Formerly considered as footwear suitable only for casual dressing or athletic activities, the sneaker has now overcome this limitation and can be worn at ease with either casual or formal attire. Nothing might exemplify this development more than the new Alexander McQueen film, directed by award-winning director and visual artist Sophie Muller. The focal point of this film is the Sprint Runner sneakers work by singer, songwriter and renowned dancer, Mettenarrative. The Sprint Runner is a modern and streamlined variation of a classic running sneaker. First unveiled to the world at the women’s SS23 show, the shoes with their sleek design prove to be versatile and suitable for any situation. Sophie Muller’s film finds its inspiration in Mette’s fiercely beautiful physicality and is an ode to the ultimate expression of empowerment through clothing. The dresses Mettenarrative is wearing, corset dresses with oversized hook-and-eye detailing and asymmetrical dresses, which beautifully accentuate the body and its movements are matched with the Sprint Runner in classic white, the perfect shoe granting ultimate freedom of movement.

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

New Version of the LV Trainer

Louis Vuitton is presenting a new version of its iconic LV trainer that pushes the concept of sustainability even further, without compromising on the French Maison’s superb standards of quality or creativity. The shoe is a perfect blend of creativity, sustainability and eco-design, a perfect embodiment of Louis Vuitton’s innovative spirit. This new icon is breaking new records, with the utterly graphic silhouette being produced from 90% recycled and bio-sourced materials. Boasting the Maison’s signature Sustainable Development logo, designed by Virgil Abloh, it is a visual example of Louis Vuitton’s upcycling philosophy. The conscious sourcing of the materials is not limited to the shoe itself, also the box is made entirely out of recycled and recyclable cardboard and due to an ingenious handle, turns into a bag - a strategy saving as much as 70% of materials to ensure the lowest environmental impact in terms of transportation and storage. This new sneaker with all its sustainable innovation is part of Louis Vuitton’s sustainable development plan in line with the LIFE360 program. Through this program, Louis Vuitton and LVMH take six lines of action in order to preserve natural resources and impact society in a positive way.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Stella McCartney and the Frayme Mylo

Stella McCartney has long been known to push sustainable practices and was a pioneer in proving that sourcing responsibly and consciously does not oppose the concept of luxury. On the contrary, sustainability has since become one of the key topics in luxury fashion. Despite most brands now steering toward a more sustainable future, Stella McCartney remains a pioneer for conscious luxury continuously pushing the boundaries. It should therefore come as nobody’s surprise that the British brand is the first to introduce the first-ever luxury bag crafted from Mycelium to be sold at a commercial level. This launch marks a milestone in the implementation of vegan leather, counteracting the leather industry and its huge environmental impact as one of the most polluting industries in the world. The Frayme Mylo showcases the capabilities of Mycelium, the next-generation materials produced from the root-like structure of fungi. The bag itself is handcrafted in Italy by craftspeople especially trained to work with this new alternative to leather. The Frayme is a new Stella McCartney icon, re-energizing classic brand codes and showcasing the versatility of the new material.

The Frayme Mylo will become available exclusively in Stella McCartney Boutiques.

www.stellamccartney.com

Fashion

FENDI Couture FW22

Fendi was founded in Rome in 1925 and ever since that moment the luxury house has proven its continued commitment and dedication to its hometown, the Eternal City. Rome is in Fendi’s DNA and vice-versa, yet Kim Jones, Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear recognized the need to, as he puts it himself, ‘place Rome in a global context. In this collection, we are looking at fragments of different cities, Kyoto, Paris and Rome. The fragmentary nature of things is echoed throughout the collection, like snatches of memory or the impression of things past, present and future.’ The starting point for the collection is the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto and its sartorial history, the historic kimono traditions and the intricate crafts behind it, notably Kata Yuzen, a century-old, painstaking hand printing and painting technique, which is utilized in the Fendi creations. The collection itself highlights various contrast, East and West, masculine and feminine, the natural and the man-made, traditional and the modern, yet it creates a sense that contrasts do not equal opposites, in the case of the Fendi FW Couture collection, they are equally important parts of a greater whole. In this sense, the Kata Yuzen dresses are echoed with their continental counterparts, sinuous and glittering dresses, reflecting the spirit of Paris in their construction and fabrication or with nods to masculine codes of tailoring with a more Italian take on the tailleur. The collection bears witness to the supreme skills of the Fendi atelier, a fundamental pillar of safeguarding couture traditions.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

TOMBOGO x Saucony Butterfly

Saucony belongs to those brands that have a long heritage attached to it. Despite all the tradition and history, the brand has long recognized that one can not solely rest on its laurels, but there is a constant need for novelty and innovation in order to ensure continued success. As part of this year’s Paris Men’s Week, Saucony unveiled its collaboration with TOMBOGO, combining the creative forces and impulses of both brands in order to create a brand new silhouette, the Butterfly. This shoe strikes the perfect balance of the three elements which define both brands, functionality, form and performance. The shoe was unveiled in the House of Originals, where friends of the brand were able to get a sneak peek of the collaboration between Saucony’s performance know-how and TOMBOGO’s innovative design language, expressed through the modular nature of the shoe, and interchangeable color system, allowing every wearer to make the shoe their own.

The TOMBOGO x Saucony Butterfly will become available in selected markets over the course of the year.

www.saucony.com

Fashion

Paul Smith Reinterprets Traditional Menswear Codes for SS23

For its SS23 men’s presentation in Paris, Paul Smith revisits the ’80s art scene to offer a redefined take on classic menswear silhouettes. Silhouettes throughout the collection reinterpret the norms of formal menswear and translate them into a casual spirit in multiple combinations, including a waistcoat-inspired vest, oversized shorts, belted jacket, and car coat. Traditional shirting stripes are subverted, mixed and matched, and used across sportswear and technical styles. These include an oversized pullover windbreaker, work jacket, collarless shirt, and knitted vests. Paired with these pieces, are footwear that reinforces the contrast between traditional elegance and sporty modernity, with high-shine cut-out leather loafers set atop a lightweight sole and classic crossover sandals on hiking-inspired commando soles. Prints throughout refer to ’80s artistic techniques and media. Within the collection is a “Hot Summer” floral, seen across shirting and outerwear, and the “Glow Polka” print, taking its cue from contemporary light installations and features across shirting and neon knitwear. Another key theme is the painterly finish in the “Untitled” stripe print, created using an innovative combination of hand-painting, spray-painting, and screen-printing. Also highlighted, is the interplay of texture and print. Innovative techniques are employed to showcase patterns that emphasize the contrast between formal and casual, blending traditional shirting poplin and worsted suiting materials with lightweight silks and technical nylons. Presented in Paris at a former post office, an industrial backdrop reinforces the collection’s artistic inspiration. This, in hand with an eclectic mix curated by renowned British DJ Gilles Peterson, reflects the season's vibrancy and the ’80s club scene. GH

www.paulsmith.com

Art

“Torso Reloaded” - Homage to Andy Warhol

On October 1st 2022, the solo exhibition “Torso Reloaded” by Nadine Dinter will open at Haze Gallery in Berlin. 10 years ago, Dinter developed the concept while working alongside a long-term companion of Warhol, Christopher Makos. Here, the artists traveled with former erotic model and tattoo artist Benjamin Godfre, who is a passionate Warhol fan. Using this, Dinter and Godfre spontaneously decided to photographically recreate Warhol’s legendary Torso series from 1977. Now, Nadine Dinter has recreated the series using the different body types of the current generations of men, with Warhol’s spirit as the continued inspiration. Alongside Benjamin Godfre, six representative men are presented: from a model, influencer, wrestler, computer scientist, and photographer. Shifting away from Warhol’s initial project of capturing the front and back of the models in a tight, close up shot, Dinter’s wider framing gives them more space, adding impact to individual characteristics such as tattoos, scars, and musculature. As a result, the bodies seem close enough to touch without being overtly sexualized. The exhibition also addresses the female gaze on the male body, while documenting the exploration of the body cult in contemporary society. These contemplative body shots were taken using only natural lighting between January and April this year. Each image captures its own story, transforming the bare image into a unique photographic profile. GH

Image: Nadine Dinter; Traegi, Cologne 2022 © Nadine Dinter courtesy HAZEGALLERY

www.haze.gallery

Fashion

Palm Angels Set Up House in Milan

Palm Angels has opened its first European store in Milan, in the heart of the city’s “Quadrilatero della moda.” The brand founded by Francesco Ragazzi has a new place to call home. The space presents a unique concept that combines the brutalist aesthetic typical of buildings in Los Angeles and the more classical and traditional Italian style. Designed by the Francesco Ragazzi and the renowned Parisian firm Gilles&Boissier, the store plays on the harmony of contrasts. The ground floor’s decor features geometric lines, shiny surfaces, and a color palette of cool tones, camouflaging itself with the clothes on display. Then, a staircase leads to the lower floor, where customers can immerse themselves in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Californian landscape. Connecting the two levels is a large glass window with a fuschia frame that disrupts the minimalism of the interiors with a blast of contemporary pop attitude. Instead, reflecting Palm Angels’ chaotic and creative style is the eclectic structure. The Milanese flagship store also displays the first drop from the home collection designed by Francesco Ragazzi: cushions, bedspreads, notebooks, candles, and other objects that lend a touch of Palm’s “art de vivre” to the home. VB

www.palmangels.com

Fashion

Alessandro Michele and Harry Styles Presents GUCCI HA HA HA

A friendship and contamination of collective ideas are the elements that have given life to Gucci HA HA HA, a collection designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele together with British singer-songwriter and actor Harry Styles. HA HA HA is a title made up of the first letters of their names that also reflects the onomatopeic sound of the written essence of an emoji, the "laughing face," representing their complicity. Met a few years ago when Alessandro Michele made his debut at Gucci and Styles released his first album; they immediately started a mutual exchange of creative thoughts. It is a friendship based on a sincere revelation and dedication of oneself towards the other, without duplicity and displays of power. From this dialog between the two, a playful collection was designed, crafted with liberating codes that eliminate the ritual complexities of fashion collections. Jackets, coats, pants, shirts, and accessories evoke a new masculine elegance focused on the materials, forms, and volumes. Gucci HA HA HA also merges many elements that characterize the creative paths and peculiarities of both artists, for example, English tailoring garments that come reinterpreted with romantic accents through the eccentric use of Prince of Wales checks to create double-breasted coats. In addition, to complete the collection are sartorial suits, treated denim jackets, and velvet suits in irregular hues, paired with unexpected printed pajamas and bowling shirts. VB

www.gucci.com

Fashion

A Basketful of Summer

The Emporio Armani Men's SS23 Collection evokes the summer season with a distinct feeling of lightness. Clothes and accessories have been designed to bring the holiday spirit, characteristic of this period, to the city and give any holiday the appropriate fresh and composed sensation. The brand, created by Giorgio Armani, is an original container of possibility that, on this occasion, has presented a collection in which shirts take center stage combined with soft trousers cut from the same fabric. Jackets and tunics complete the look. New deconstructed blazers in jacquards reaffirm a cornerstone of the Armani style. Everything has been thought of in detail: slits, vertical openings, and cuts reveal the skin giving the clothes a vibrant sensuality, while the new silhouettes are soft and graceful. The garments barely touch the body, allowing it to breathe vital energy. Lastly, the color palette includes different shades of blue, natural tones, as well as the black of the night. Emporio Armani has created a show that fully recalls the magic of summer, its beauty, joy, and serenity. VB

www.armani.com

Fashion

Missoni Women’s Main Spring’23

Missoni’s women’s spring SS23 collection speaks to the masses, with a fluid range of garments that acknowledge age as only a mindset. The collection involves an essential and extensible system of garments such as cardigans, shirts, tops, pencil skirts, trousers, and slip dresses. The colors range on a vibrant light spectrum with yellow, magenta, and cyan tones, as well as the primary colors and their endless permutations. Graphic black and white additions are added to the pieces to bring further lightness and structure to them. The wardrobe is designed to be worn every day in an effortless yet elegant way. Prints include seductive monochromes, maximizing color in a single note on a range of textures. A variety of patterns are also included, the founding motifs of Missonism: fiammato, zig-zag, patchwork, and rachel are blown up, combined, and morphed. Applied crystals and shimmers create new dimensions of height, drawing patterns and refracting glimmer. The collection overall creates the perfect blend of timely and timeless pieces that speak to all. GH

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Alexander McQueen FW22 Pre-Collection: The Bow Bag

For the FW22 Pre-Collection, Alexander McQueen has presented a new iconic accessory, the Bow Bag. Inspired by the bows seen in Alexander McQueen's ready-to-wear collections, which have become a symbol of femininity and decoration for the brand, this item is an emblem of empowering femininity, as well as a functional object. The instantly recognizable silhouette is given by the precious leather, sliced and folded to create a bow shape that confers to the handbag a bold and straightforward look. Then, the splicing of materials such as leather, raffia, and denim echoes the unlikely fabric juxtapositions and patchworking that are an Alexander McQueen signature. The new Bow Bag comes in classic colors and bright and muted seasonal variations and can be carried in hand, leaning on the shoulder, or across the body thanks to a longer strap. VB

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Art

Carl Hansen & Son Presents the VLA26 Vega Chair by Vilhelm Lauritzen

Carl Hansen & Son has introduced the iconic VLA26 Vega Chair by internationally renowned architect Vilhelm Lauritzen to its collection of design classics. Pioneer of Danish functionalism, Vilhelm Lauritzen is known for his creations, from buildings to furniture to doorknobs, thoroughly down to the smallest detail. In 1956, he worked on the construction of Vega, a building conceived as a universal meeting place for the labor movement that 40 years later has been turned into a concert venue to promote the cultural life of Copenhagen. For this building, the architect also designed chairs, tables, wood panels, friezes, and chandeliers, and it is indeed among these works that the VLA26 Vega Chair can be found. The VLA26 Vega Chair is a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture made combining steel, wood, textile, or leather, all materials that give it a slender and refined look. Instead, the dynamic curve of the back of the chair confers a distinctive character to the object, while the legs elegantly finished with wooden feet bring out exceptional craftsman-like detail. Today, the VLA26 Vega Chair becomes part of the Carl Hansen & Son Collection, and it will be produced in collaboration with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, who celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2022. VB

www.carlhansen.com

Fashion

Looking For Lightness

Hermès launched a new collection of objects for the home during Milan Design Week 2022. In a quest for lightness, the French Maison built a colorful set inspired by brutalist water towers, whose forms were replicated with voluminous wooden structures covered in translucent paper. Each construction was conceived as a cocoon concealing the latest furniture and accessories. The focus of this year's exhibition is home textiles. The objects are made in cashmere, a delicate natural fiber that combines a taut hand with bright colors, reworked with different manufacturing techniques. Plaids are manufactured with strips of cashmere crafted in a patchwork motif or geometric shapes using a relinking method that evokes stained-glass windows. A bed cover features remarkable hexagons gained mixing patchwork and the precision of quilting, crafts well-known by American artist Carson Converse. Then other objects, such as porcelain tableware recalling the color of the sun and a delicate canework seat in the shape of a chair, complete the collection. The final result is a magnificent play of lights that brings out the delicacy and poetic allure of every single piece. VB

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Paul Smith x Mini – Recharged

Paul Smith and Mini have once again joined forces to convert a classic Mini from the 1998 MINI Paul Smith Edition and install an electric engine in a project that marries heritage and tradition with innovation and modernity. The vibrant blue body was first exhibited at Salone Del Mobile, Milan’s premier design festival, the blue reflects a swatch taken from one of Paul’s favorite shirts. The lime green accents and battery box reflect the 1990s color sensibilities. The car has been restored and redesigned, branded as MINI RECHARGED, and engineered by a specialist team at “Recharge Heritage Limited”, who are responsible for implementing the MINI RECHARGED project. When discussing the recharge, Paul Smith has said: “Three things describe this car perfectly: quality, sustainability, and functionality […] we have made a 1990s car totally relevant for today”. The project follows the success of last year’s MINI STRIP, a radically reduced sustainable concept car that “stripped away” extraneous design details and pushed the limits of automotive design. Both models will be exhibited at Paul Smith’s showroom, which has been redesigned to mirror the aesthetic of MINI RECHARGED as part of Salone Del Mobile. GH

www.paulsmith.com
www.mini.com

Fashion

Cartier Introduces New Ambassadors

Cartier has unveiled the new ambassadors of the Maison: Paul Mescal, JISOO, and Austin Butler. First is BAFTA TV Award winner and Emmy nominated actor Paul Mescal, who made a red carpet debut at the 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival wearing the Pasha de Cartier Grille watch. Known for playing the lead role of Connell in the adaptation of the Sally Rooney novel "Normal People" directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the actor showed up at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès with two upcoming films in competition, "God’s Creatures" and "Aftersun." Then, the Korean artist and singer of the BLACKPINK JISOO is the newest member of the Panthère community. With her elegance and innate charm, she has been able to captivate an entire generation becoming the perfect embodiment of the magnetic aura of the panther. Last but not least, Austin Butler, the actor who played Elvis Presley in the much-anticipated Baz Luhrmann-directed movie, Elvis. Austin, recognizable for his chic and classic approach to fashion, also attended the Cannes Film Festival wearing Cartier creations. VB

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Bulgari unveils Eden the Garden of Wonders

“Eden the Garden of Wonders” was recently presented in Paris, unveiling a collection of 140 breathtaking jewelry pieces, each representing the wonders of the Garden of Eden. For the first time in the brand’s history, more than 30 creations are included dedicated to the magnificent emerald. The Flower of Eden necklace displays blossoms of flowers made of mother of pearl inlay and buff top emeralds, perfectly capturing the richness of the collection. An oval Colombian emerald surrounded by exquisite emeralds and diamonds evokes the slender silhouette of the iconic Eiffel Tower. The Mediterranean Reverie Necklace is one of the most precious creations ever created by the Roman jewelry house. Boasting a timeless elegance, the sophisticated chain combines platinum, baguette-cut sapphires, and a host of other diamonds in various cuts. The collection became available on June 6th and will be on display for the coming days at Bulgari’s boutique in Place Vendome. Also on display in this showroom will be the brand’s first NFT jewel, “Beyond Wonder”. GH

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Alexander McQueen AW22 Women’s Pre-Collection

British fashion label Alexander McQueen has unveiled a new creative project that involves a group of twelve artists to highlight the brand’s AW22 women’s pre-collection. Titled “Process,” this special art collaboration illustrates the fact that creativity emerges from countless perspectives. Sarah Burton, Creative Director of the brand, expressed her willingness to give these artists the freedom to reinterpret the garments she created for this season. Each of them had the possibility to choose a look from the collection and work on that through their preferred medium, engaging in a creative dialogue with the house. Among the collaborators can be found the names of Ann Cathrin November Høibo, Beverly Semmes, Bingyi, Cristina de Middel, Guinevere van Seenus, Hope Gangloff, and many others who realized exclusive artworks according to their points of view. The artists’ projects have been displayed alongside the McQueen pieces they relate to in a temporary installation. In addition, Alexander McQueen has created a detailed zine to tell each artist’s personal story and journey about how they engaged with Sarah’s work. VB

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Art

Colnago x Tod’s: Riding The Italian Lifestyle

Tod’s has presented a new special project during Salone del Mobile 2022. First, the Italian brand has unveiled the second edition of its iconic products: the Tod’s Tabs sneaker and the two-tone windbreaker. The shoes, recognizable by the use of rubber pebbles on the heel, come in a combination of white monochrome leather and inserts of leather and suede to obtain well-defined contrasts. The jacket is made of technical nylon materials in blue, tobacco, and khaki and embellished with the iconic T-Lion pocket. Then, in partnership with Italian bike maker Colnago, Tod's produced a high-tech bicycle. The Colnago x Tod’s T Bike in carbon fiber features a color palette of greens to oranges. The collaboration, representing the true Made in Italy, celebrates the active spirit and energetic lifestyle of the new generation with a focus on eco-mobility. The limited-edition series of 70 unique T Bikes, and the apparel items, will be available from June 13th on Tod’s website and in select flagship stores worldwide. In addition, the brand boutique in Via Montenapoleone in Milan will also accept Bitcoin cryptocurrency transactions. VB

www.tods.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton x NBA New Collection

Louis Vuitton and the National Basketball Association (NBA) are back with a new collaboration inspired by travel. This year’s edition continues to celebrate the values of basketball, a legendary sport that emanates uplifting energy, so much appreciated by Virgil Abloh and reflected in all the pieces he created for the Maison. Dedicated to luggage, the new Louis Vuitton x NBA Collection features The Christopher backpack, iconic Keepall 55, Dopp Kit, and Pocket Organize, together with two exceptional pieces: a case that can store eight watches and the signature Malle Courrier. Every piece presents different exclusive motifs as an oversized LV signature in the shape of a basketball that boasts the NBA logo colors, a basketball net combined with gold chains and metal details, and the iconic NBA colors. These unique items, made of Monogram-embossed electric blue Taurillon leather, represent the perfect mix of Louis Vuitton and NBA’s aesthetic codes and spirits. In addition, the French House, which invented the “Art of Travel,” has created an exceptional new Official Travel Trunk for the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy, the pinnacle of basketball achievement. The new trunk is a reinterpretation of the original model that the Maison has been producing for over 160 years. This version features an exterior covered in emblematic Monogram canvas with heavyweight brass closures and fittings and an interior lined with soft microfibre and sporting the NBA’s 75th Anniversary logo. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

CHANEL 1932

Ninety years ago, Gabrielle Chanel created "Bijoux de Diamants," the first High Jewelry collection, with only one purpose: giving women's bodies freedom and adorning them at the same time. Today, the French House, taking inspiration from the legendary original collection, has created a modern version that retains the same theme of the heavenly bodies, the purity of the lines, and the freedom of the body. The "1932" High Jewelry Collection, designed by Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, is a journey out of time. The new jewels are ethereal as if belonging to a dreamy dimension, suspended in a timeless space between planets and stars. The Comet line, with twisting spirals and shooting stars, is like a charm that watches over the destiny of the woman who wears it. The Moon, made of 18 pieces, pays homage to the most mysterious heavenly body in the solar system, the only one that does not emit light but reflects it. To end the collection is The Sun, a series of 24 exceptional pieces crafted in white and yellow gold and white and yellow diamonds to resemble the brilliance of the Solar System's central star. In addition, in line with Chanel’s philosophy about the freedom of the body, the "1932" High Jewelry Collection includes 13 transformable creations able to wrap around the human figure and follow its movements. VB

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Paul Smith Presents a Cinematic AW22 Men’s Collection

Inspired by the world of arthouse cinema, Paul Smith has presented the AW22 Menswear Collection, a combination of otherworldly photo prints, lavish textures, and a cinematic palette. The new collection is a one-of-a-kind revival of the distinctively visual techniques of film's greatest auteurs, from the 1930s monochromatic films to the 1960s and the emergence of technicolor. Padded down jackets, checked duffle coats, cropped bombers, as well as jumpers, and shirts are adorned with psychedelic Zig Zag prints, Shadow Floral prints, and other bold graphic elements in an homage to avant-garde directors such as David Lynch and Wong Kar-wai. Instead, photo prints, a long-time signature of Paul Smith, resemble vintage movie posters and old cinema interiors, while the heady Starlet print is a reference to the studio headshots of silver screen stars. In terms of fabrics, the collection offers a wide range of materials: from tweeds and wool for both tailoring and sportswear to matte satin, rich shearling, mohair, and jewel-toned leather to portray Hollywood Golden Age and a return to dressing up. Surrealism and opulence are mixed, giving life to a unique fashion show held at the spectacular Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in Paris. VB

www.paulsmith.com

Fashion

Prada Linea Rossa: “Water on the Moon”

Prada Linea Rossa and Red Bull have an ongoing partnership that aims to promote events and special initiatives focused on sport and innovation, by working alongside athletes and supporting their talents, improving their skills, and helping them achieve the ambitious goals that they set themselves. Watersports rider Nikolas Plytas is the newest member to be supported by this collaboration. Since he was a teenager, Plytas has been a huge talent on the Greek waterski scene, positioning himself to smash records, push his limits, and take on the best in the world. Within the collaboration, the goal and vision of the Greek champion was to create a video that would portray his strong connection with the sea. For this, having the perfect technical gear was important, making the custom board from Prada Linea Rossa and the Luna Rossa Team valuable. The board was a mix of wakeboard and waterski, fast, with sharp edges, and directional for great stability at high speeds. Prada Linea Rossa items, focused on technical detailing and made of pioneering textiles, provided Nikolas with the perfect match for comfort, high-performance, and style-consciousness for his challenge. GH

www.prada.com

Fashion

Dioriviera Capsule Collection

Celebrating luxurious summer living, Dior has launched a brand-new capsule collection including ready-to-wear fundamentals and beach day living essentials. The Dioriviera summer capsule collection is an invitation for us to get away and holiday. Continually reinvented, the collection plays with the house’s fundamentals; ready-to-wear, leather goods and shoes are illuminated with florescent shades of blue, orange, and pink – a palette inspired by the Fall ’22 collection. The toile de Jouy is a timeless symbol for those in the know. Instantly recognizable, the motif is identified by its ink-like vignettes of the French pastoral scape. Throughout this capsule, this emblematic symbol is revisited and featured on skirts, dresses, shorts, swimwear, and the house’s iconic accessories. Also adorned with this classic pattern, are the Lady D-Lite, Dior Book Tote, and Diorcamp bags, as well as the Dior Travel clutch. Complementing this sunny wardrobe, the Dior Maison essential Is envisioned for summertime are also being unveiled, including a surfboard emblazoned with the “Christian Dior” signature, a skateboard, a pool mattress, a parasol, beach games, and fans. A series of decorative objects, stationary cushions, and placemats prolong this celebration of art de vivre. GH

www.dior.com

Fashion

Think Positive and Green: DoDo & Tenaka Together Again

DoDo and Tenaka are back together, launching a new collaboration to support environmental protection. This year, the iconic pendant and jewelry brand, which has always been active in projects to protect the planet, has joined forces with French social enterprise Tenaka to support the Coral Reef Restoration project in Tioman, Malaysia. Their partnership began in 2020 with the restoration of a thousand square meters of the world's most resilient and biodiverse coral reef, followed by a one-of-a-kind project to save a mangrove forest in the state of Sabah in 2021, to finally get to the current collaboration to expand Malaysia's coral reef with 300 new corals planted. For this project, DoDo realized a bracelet and necklace made of silver and recycled plastic inspired by the colors of the ocean to symbolize the new commitment. It is a call to all to respect and protect the sea. VB

www.dodo.com

Fashion

Palm Angels x Vilebrequin New Capsule Collection

Palm Angels, the brand founded by Art Director and Photographer Francesco Ragazzi, has announced the release of a new project in partnership with VILEBREQUIN. After the first collaboration launched in 2021, the new Palm Angels x Vilebrequin capsule collection represents the second drop of the coolest swimwear for Summer 2022. Both brands stand for durable tailoring and sartorial construction combined with a playful and joyful design. The new beachwear pieces, in line with their stylistic codes, introduce five new different prints: camouflage and animal prints, an art-deco inspired motif with the Palm Angels logo, a bold tropical sunset as viewed from a pristine Hawaiian coast, and, lastly, the classic teddy bear with ultra-trendy paisley motifs. The color palette ranges from bright yellows, blues, and classic black to perfectly embody the summer season. These clothes will be available starting May 31st on VILEBREQUIN and Palm Angels’ websites and select stores. VB

www.palmangels.com
www.vilebrequin.com

Fashion

Dior: Archi Dior

Since 2014, Victoire de Castellane has paid tribute to Dior’s origins through her Archi Dior collection. This year, the Archi Dior jewelry collection is enriched with eight new pieces, three of which are inspired by the famous Bar suit. First presented in 1947 in the very first collection by the House of Dior, with a pleated skirt cut from four meters of black wool and a natural shantung jacket with soft curves and a peplum emphasizing a wasp waist, the sculptural design became emblematic of the Dior look. Its new jewelry incarnation, Bar en corolle, features a white gold ruffle and diamond belt, appearing as a luminous bracelet and necklace. Completing this, are fan-shaped earrings, set with a pear-cut diamond that may also be worn as a simple stud. Also celebrated from 1947, is the short-sleeved Aladin dress, which was decorated with bows and caused a sensation. This is celebrated with the ultra-contemporary Diorama earring. Designed specifically for either the left or right ear, the jewel is placed high on the ear and allows a glittering ribbon to unfurl, illuminating the silhouette. This year, the line also gives rise to three new Archi Dior Milieu du siècle creations in the form of a necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings. GH

www.dior.com

Art

Art Rotterdam 2022: Artist From All Over The World

During Art Rotterdam, people will have the possibility to dive into the creations of hundreds of artists from all over the world. From France, UN-SPACED Gallery presents the new work of Lilah Fowler on show in the New Art Section. The British-Japanese artist is famous for her complex and layered installations that represent the geopolitical layers of our globalized virtual and analog landscapes, as well as how these parallel worlds occasionally overlap. Her woven works, photography, sculpture, and video art explore the effects and consequences of technology on contemporary society. The Belgian booth curated by Galerie Felix Frachon, instead, showcases the art pieces by Brazilian artist Mano Penalva. His works are based on everyday objects collected during his many trips to major world cities, especially at popular street markets. These items are, for him, examples of material culture and globalization. What fascinates him is the new, poetic values that these objects gain once they are taken out from their original context. Then, representing the Netherland, one of the galleries that take part at the fair is STEVENSON, presenting the new masterpiece by Viviane Sassen. Her creations are characterized by sculptural representations of bodies, often surreal and anonymous. VB

www.artrotterdam.com

Art

OBJECT Rotterdam: Jubilee Edition From May 20 till May 22

OBJECT Rotterdam opens its doors to the public from May 20 till May 22, presenting the artworks of over 150 designers, of which more than 50 recently graduated. Held at the modernist HAKA building, this design fair is an incubator for creative talent: a place where to discover new trends and meet upcoming artists. Inspiration and innovation are the keywords of the event. This year’s edition will offer a mix of products, furniture, fashion, lighting, and graphic design, in addition to giving free access to all visitors to the Euromast, a pop-up platform where various designers from Rotterdam present their works. OBJECT Rotterdam is also famous for its well-balanced combination of commercial and conceptual designs that are not just on view but also sale, giving the possibility to the creators to connect with consumers, collectors, agents, gallery owners, and curators. Among the artworks and artists, people can discover the colorful textiles by Lola van Praag, new furniture by the Italian Lisa Brustolin, and poetic sculptures by German artist Cengiz Hartmann. Next to these names, also many young designers get a head start at OBJECT. These newcomers, selected by Anne van der Zwaag, owner and director of the design fair, represent the most interesting 2021 graduates from KABK, HKU, Rietveld Academie, ArtEZ, the Design Academy, MAFAD, and the Rotterdam based WDKA. VB

www.objectrotterdam.com

Fashion

MM6 Maison Margiela SS23: “Avant-Premiere”

MM6 Maison Margiela celebrates the arrival of summer’s freedom and long, balmy nights in its “Avant-Premiere” SS23 lookbook. Shot in the queue outside La Java, one of the most loved nightclubs in Paris, it portrays an eclectic group of revellers who are drawn together by the common purpose of relishing nightlife. The imagery depicts the unexpected beauty discovered in the process of their making. A forest green wool blazer features appliquéd circular elbow patches, being a playful geometric adjustment of the traditional oval shape as well as a nod to the status that the circle has acquired as an MM6 Maison Margiela “non-logo”. Tapered tailored trousers are given a five-pocket treatment typical of workwear pants, and easy-wearing ribbed tanks and striped cotton jersey t-shirts are vertically spliced with stepped crew necks; in some experimental iterations, they are reimagined as sarong-like trails with multiple armholes that drape around the body, offering the wearer a sense of creative autonomy. Curious experimentation is also presented in knit abound, with lightweight argyle vests in scarlet and black reversed, making an unexpected spectacle of the typically concealed side of the fabric. The eccentricity exhibited does not stop there, with broderie anglaise-trimmed pillowcases fashioned into cropped tops, circular-flat pattern viscose dresses printed with imagery shot in the reflection of this season’s polished spherical jewelry, sandals that give the impression that the foot is sinking in the shoe’s bright molten sole, and an innovative collar system found across cotton shirt dresses, denim jackets, and zip-up cardigans. Depictions of the house’s Parisian headquarters feature across the knit sweaters and shorts, and a printed version of the Japanese bag features scans of MM6 Maison Margiela’s most emblematic pieces. GH

www.maisonmargiela.com

Fashion

Omega teams up with Athletic Legend Allyson Felix

Omega has been the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, therefore, it seems fitting that legend of athletics Allyson Felix joins the Swiss brand. One year after gaining her first professional contract at the age of 18, Felix earned her first Olympic Games medal, winning silver in the 200m event at Athens 2004. Since then, she has won an overall 11 Olympic Games medals, 7 of which are gold, along with 18 World Championship titles and 5 Diamond League titles. When discussing joining the Omega family, Allyson Felix has said “It’s been an honor to rely on their precision for some of my fastest ever moments and I’m thrilled to wear their watches as a symbol of the brand’s quality”. The brand has a fast-growing family of sporting ambassadors, including other Olympic Games stars such as Michael Phelps, Shaun White, Noah Lyles, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, Dalilah Muhammed, Yulimar Rojas, and Ma Long. Each with the values of precision, accuracy, consistency, and strength – all key assets to a watchmaking brand that prides itself on excellence. GH

www.omegawatches.com

Fashion

Debut of luxury label Maeden

Luxury label Maeden has made its debut with the launching of a designer bag to be worn and enjoyed for generations to come. The brand has been launched as a homage to Dutch design, local craftsmanship, and true luxury at its essence. Founder and Creative Director Christian Heikoop launched the brand with the intention of fulfilling the potential of leather ateliers and tanneries in the Netherlands, pairing designers and craftsmanship. According to Heikoop, “by pairing the two you can reach true innovation by challenging and learning from one another”. Whilst offering a solidly made, sustainable product that goes against fast fashion, the brand labels itself in between high street and traditional luxury, being more visible to those who position themselves between the two. With its first collection of bags emerging from experts in the fields of jewelry, fashion, product design, and textiles, the pieces offer a fresh and much welcomed take on shape, material, crafts, and innovation. Possibly looking simple at first glance, the bag designs are technically complex and incredibly detailed. Summarized in one word: pure, the pieces are therewith in line with Maeden’s definition of genuine luxury. GH

www.maeden.nl

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Unveils The New Collaboration With Yayoi Kusama

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has nurtured strong ties with the art world, coming together with a series of artists, and rewriting the rules of creative collaborations between luxury brands and artists. Today, the French Maison presents chapter two of its partnership with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. In 2012, the two teamed up for the first time to create exhibitions, one-of-a-kind window installations, and a startlingly lifelike mannequin modeled by the artist. Yayoi Kusama, famous for combining different techniques in his artworks, from sculpture, painting, and installation, to filmmaking and photography, is considered a precursor to Pop and Minimal art, even if her diverse art practices resist any singular classification. She is a cutting-edge artist that takes inspiration from the hallucinations she has experienced since her childhood to express her inner self and investigate the mysteries of life. The new collaboration celebrates their long-lasting relationship, unveiling a handful of leather goods created by Nicolas Ghesquière for the Cruise 2023 fashion show and reinterpreted by Yayoi Kusama’s obsessive dots. The new products will hit stores worldwide in January 2023. VB

www.louisvutton.com

Fashion

The Big Bang Unico UEFA

The meeting of the biggest clubs and players at the UEFA Champions League is measured in Hublot time. This partnership is a shared passion for bringing people together and consequently giving them lasting memories. According to Richard Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, “Hublot measures the moments that people remember long after the game”, a true depiction of the brand’s importance to the UEFA Champion’s League, the decisive factor in the competition. To celebrate seven years of collaboration and great football, Hublot is now presenting an exclusive edition, the Big Bang Unico. Limited to 100 copies, the piece is made of glass bead blasted ceramic crafted and clad in iconic UEFA Champions League blue. The crucial moments on the Speifeld are measured with the Hublot manufacture chronograph movement Unico 2, a highly complex and advanced movement that ensures impeccable reliability. Today, the UEFA Champions League is the most-watched annual sporting competition in the world, and the most popular among players, clubs, and fans. Hublot’s dedication to football makes this the perfect partnership, capturing the moments that make history. GH

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Stone Island x Supreme SS22

The seventh collaboration between Stone Island and Supreme is dropping on May 12th, with yet another expansive collection that focuses on both outerwear pieces and classic wardrobe staples. The exclusive pieces begin with water-resistant resin-coated nylon Reversible Faux Fur Parkas, as well as heat-sensitive pigment printed Reactive Ice Camo Ripstop Jacket. The Reversible Faux Fur Parka has one side that is made in Formula Steel, a nylon oxford with a PFC-free anti-drop treatment, and the other made of thick faux fur. The back of the faux fur side is woven in darker-color faux fur hair from a large Wind Rose motif. Many of the pieces were designed in a versatile way that is fitting to multiple weather conditions. For this collaboration, the two brands have gone above and beyond, creating everything from reversible faux fur coats with the Stone Island compass logo imprinted on the back, to hoodies and t-shirts with the Mona Lisa printed atop, tracksuits, and unique accessories. GH

www.stoneisland.com
www.supremenewyork.com

Fashion

Bulgari And Save The Children Campaign: “My Wish For You”

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Bulgari has teamed up with Save The Children in a unique campaign titled "My wish for you." Their partnership started 13 years ago, and since the beginning, Bulgari has donated more than $100 million to the charity organization helping 2 million unprivileged children worldwide through four different areas of intervention: education, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and emergency response. This time, the fine jewelry brand, thanks to this new initiative, not only portrays Mother’s Day in a beautiful way but also contributes to funding programs to support children in difficult humanitarian situations, giving Save The Children €75 for each piece they will sell. Bulgari wants to offer everyone a life full of love, where children feel supported in their own choices and decisions, where they can pursue their ambitions and achieve their goals. VB

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Premiata Presents The Second Release of John Low Sneakers

Premiata has teamed up with Sciarada, a historical manufacturing company, to create a second release of the John Low model in the name of Circular economy. Sciarada, based in the largest leather-producing district of Tuscany, is specialized in suede production. For this collaboration, the tanning company has developed a new, extremely innovative material called Evolo. It is a type of suede produced respecting the environment, able to eliminate six out of sixteen passages compared to the standard production process. Evolo saves 66% of water and 36% of chemical products while lowering CO2 emissions by 50%. It is a one-of-a-kind eco-friendly material. Furthermore, Premiata realized the new shoes using the LIMONTA upper in regenerated nylon with ECONYL® yarn produced with pre-post-consumer waste and natural and recycled fabrics for the bottom part. The new shoes will be available in shades of white for women and classic colors such as grey, navy, powder blue, and pink for men. VB

www.premiata.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton SS22 Eyewear Campaign

Louis Vuitton has unveiled the SS22 Eyewear campaign featuring British 18-year-old, Emmy-nominated, SAG Award-winning actress and UNICEF Ambassador, Millie Bobby Brown. The new house ambassador is portrayed wearing Louis Vuitton sunglasses in a series of images shot by the photographer Steven Meisel in her first-ever campaign for luxury fashion accessories. "I met Nicolas Ghesquière 6 years ago and have been a fan of his work with Louis Vuitton ever since. Today, I am proud and honored to be joining the Louis Vuitton family. Truly a pinch me, full-circle moment!" says Millie Bobby Brown. Together with her, model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss and the Congolese-Belgian singer and model Lous and the Yakuza appear in the photos, with styling by Joe McKenna, hair by Jimmy Paul, and makeup by Pat McGrath. They are framed against gradient backgrounds of blue, dusty rose, and terracotta that suggest the enthralling way the sunlight changes from dawn to nightfall. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

C.P. Company SS22 Mille Jacket

For the SS22 Collection, C.P. Company has reimagined one of its iconic designs: the Mille Jacket. A true challenge for the brand that has chosen to make the new product out of the KAN-D, a C.P. Company proprietary technology fabric similar to the original cellophane candy wrappers. It is an extreme, transparent material that requires meticulous construction and sewing techniques since every seam is visible. Also, the KAN-D, which stands for “Klear Achronic Nylon Dyed,” can only be utilized in the imbalance shrinkage dyeing process and garment dying form. In addition, C.P Company has also presented a contemporary version of the Cinquecento Jacket, a timeless outerwear piece designed by Alessandro Pungetti in the early 2000s and inspired by the Mille Jacket. This season’s edition features the same pockets’ structure as the original look but designed with a regular fit, and made in LCM and Gore-Tex Infinium, two waterproof and breathable textiles. VB

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Chanel at The Venice Biennale 2022

The CHANEL Next Prize is the brand's latest initiative to support the arts and contemporary culture, reflecting its founder's aim to be a part of the "ce qui va arriver" – "what happens next” prize. The French house has celebrated the ten winners of the new biennial award at the pre-opening of the 59th edition of the Venice Biennale, awarding them €100,000 each. Jung Jae-il, Keiken, Lual Mayen, Marlene Monteiro Freitas, Rungano Nyoni, Marie Schleef, Botis Seva, Wang Bing, Eduardo William, and Precious Okoyomon represent 11 countries and diverse art forms, from theatre, film, dance, gaming, the visual and performing arts. As winners, they also had the opportunity to test ideas, strengthen artistic networks, and find inspiration for future projects by participating in different activities such as joining the preview of this year’s exhibition “The Milk of Dreams,” and a celebratory dinner in their honor. Jurors Tilda Swinton and Sir David Adjaye, as well as creative thought leaders and partners from the CHANEL Culture Fund, took part in the events. VB

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Indomptables de Cartier

For their newest jewellery and watchmaking collection, Cartier is presenting unexpected encounters between animals, capturing the wild and untamed spirit through the image of the tiger, giraffe, crocodile and zebra. With this collection, Cartier dares to create jewellery hybrids characterized by the strong, graphic pieces featuring powerful volumes. The design of the pieces is clean and precise with an emphasis to every detail, resulting in the ultra-realistic designs. While the animal’s heads stay true to their natural image, the bodies are transformed; the scales of the crocodile adorn the zebra, while its stripes are passed on to the panther. Each animal of the collection are characteristic of Cartier’s menagerie, which is ruled over by the Maison’s ultimate emblem the panther. As Pierre Rainero, Director of Image, Style and Heritage puts it so eloquently, ‘With their shapes, colors, forms and effects of volume and stylization, the tête-à-tête bracelets of the collection reveal an unprecedented dimension of Cartier’s menagerie and its symbolic power. Animal jewellery has the ability to reflect the personality of its wearer, as well as their mood, attitudes and character traits. It’s an opportunity to deliver a message.’

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Colmar SS22: New Optimistic World

Lightness and freedom of movement characterize Colmar’s SS22 collection, perfect for the changing of the season. Colmar is renowned for observing the present, looking to the future inspired by the surroundings: technology, art communication, style, material, and thoughts. Each innovative collection is divided into four themes according to fit and occasion, the first being fitting to spring. This makes everything perfectly adaptable to the user’s own needs in everyday life. Being eco-friendly is a focus of the collection, representing a more conscious approach to the garments, as they are made from recyclable fabrics that always respect the environmental conditions. The second theme is biodegradable, each garment is made from biodegradable nylon fibers in collaboration with Amni Soul Eco. This allows for the garments to be degraded within five years, providing they are placed in the designated disposal areas. Thirdly, the collection presents a range of garments for spring’s changeable weather. This includes woman’s and men’s jackets are made of a three-layer fabric, created by processing elastic stretch material and soft jersey. The fourth theme, daylight saving time, consists of light garments, colorful designs, graphics, and personalization for a stylish summer look. A special addition to the imagery named “Matchy Matchy” divides into two different designs, themed father and son. The first plays with reflective logotypes and rainbow effects, while the second represents the connection between Colmar, the mountain, and skiing. GH

www.colmar.com

Fashion

HOGAN: A Story to Tell

How do you define iconic, a true classic? In some cases it’s possible that it is a story yet to unfold and to be told, which has begun but not quite ended. A narrative that creates a sense of anticipation in the way books, movies, or art pieces can. Drawing on this idea, Hogan has a long tradition of presenting its iconic shoe models as a medium for storytelling. Marking the beginning of its legacy in the late 80s, Hogan and sneakers have long been an inseparable dyad. In 1986, the label took its first steps toward a groundbreaking idea: the conceptualization of a luxury sneaker. The Hogan Traditional was the first, future- shifting luxury sneaker introduced by a lifestyle brand and now defines Hogan’s signature style. Since then, it has remained a popular staple piece. At the time, sneakers were primarily considered as a part of sportswear. By introducing the sneaker in the luxury fashion context, Hogan redefined the boundaries of activewear and paved the way for luxury athleisure – casual, and comfortable yet chic clothing designed to be suitable for everyday wear. Disregarding every existing stereotype and reversing the cliche?, Hogan set new rules with the Hogan Traditional. With the launch of the iconic model, a new category in footwear was born. Now as then, Hogan encapsulates the pioneering idea of casual luxury that suits every possible occasion featuring contemporary and dynamic, yet laid-back and elegant lifestyle pieces. Taking inspiration from this tradition, Hogan is never losing sight of any opportunities to reinvent itself and paving its way forward into the future. Developing the vision of what is considered classic, ever perfecting the balance between tradition and modernity, Hogan’s future lies in its established roots. 35 years after the introduction of its industry-changing Hogan Traditional, Hogan introduces a new classic to the market: a re-edition of the original model, with sustainability at its core. As part of the Hogan-3R project the new edition is a confluence of genderless, cutting-edge pieces inspired by the world of cricket. Subtle, yet unconventionally elegant, it is destined to become timelessly iconic. The three “R’s” in the project title stand for the concepts Hogan applies to its sustainability philosophy: recycle, reuse and reduce. Other keywords like rethink, respect, or revolutionize can also be read into the idea. Hogan aims to centralize sensible use of available resources, reducing waste and bringing unique, valuable and durable pieces to life. The footwear is an expression of sober, yet unconventional elegance, an embodiment and expression of its sustainability commitments. The sneakers are manufactured from low environmental-impact materials, which becomes visible in the ultra- lightweight outer sole of the pieces. The 3D design of the sole is made of materials including leftover, unused industrial materials, which contributes to the label’s waste-reduction and sustainability goals. The 3R edition also includes essential, yet multi-faceted pieces of clothing and accessories that draw inspiration from the dynamism and skylines of the world, the technologically innovative smart cities. Born out of a dedication to the environment and all beings inhabiting it, the project puts the earth at the center, as our home and host, highlighting its vulnerability and campaigning for its protection. Hogan-3R embodies the values that are at its core: from responsible innovation and conscious use of resources to waste reduction. As a label with Italian roots and a strong international outlook, Hogan is known to fuse tradition and design innovation with the finest quality materials, celebrating that “our future is a canvas we will paint together.” Thinking forward and in awe of heritage, Hogan continues its story, referencing the past and narrating the future by encouraging the new generation to write a new chapter. A love story – a declaration of devotion for storytelling and nature through creation.

www.hogan.com

Fashion

Gucci Bamboo 1947

Creative Director Alessandro Michele has presented the Gucci Bamboo 1947, a reinterpretation through a contemporary lens of the design of the iconic Bamboo bag. Part of the signature Gucci Beloved lines, the new Gucci Bamboo 1947 act as a bridge between past, present, and future. This iconic item was designed for the first time by Guccio Gucci during Italy’s post-war era. This period, in which traditional raw materials were difficult to find, gave him the possibility to experiment with new goods, giving rise to a unique bag with a handle crafted with lightweight and durable bamboo. The Bamboo bag became an instant emblem worn by Hollywood’s leading ladies and the international jet set. Today, the Gucci Bamboo 1947 comes with interchangeable leather and Web straps that are detachable and adjustable, making the bag a highly versatile accessory suitable for different occasions. With a vibrant color palette and a sophisticated silhouette, the bag features exceptional levels of craftsmanship, featuring pieces of bamboo that are hand-picked according to the Gucci design specifications. The Gucci Bamboo 1947 is a worldwide icon that the Creative Director also decided to celebrate by involving in the launch of the new line 9 international creators that produced various digital projects, each of which presented a personal take on the revisited bag. VB

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Prada Linea Rossa SS22

Prada sub-label Prada Linea Rossa fits right in wherever there’s a sport, founded with the remit of exploring progressive styles, evolving materials, and moving to the future. For SS22, the brand is worn by models playing a futuristic form of table tennis, demonstrating the inherent versatility of Prada Linea Rossa’s garments. Photographed by Johnny Dufort, the clothes are captured in fast-paced, dynamic, ceaseless action. The trim, lightweight SS22 garments allow for entirely unhindered mobility, enhancing the capabilities of the everyday seasonal uniform. The base layers are cut from a bio-ceramic polyester piquet that balances the body’s internal temperature irrespective of the environment. Also introduced is new nylon woven from threads made of castor plant seeds. The result of this is simultaneously lightweight, wear-resistant, and antibacterial, requiring none of the care demanded of its organic peers. The iconic Prada America’s Cup sneaker is exhibiting a relaunch with a new dimension offered: customization. Through this, the user can personalize their own taste to the styles, choosing from leather to laces, with a spread of colors and even the possibility of embossed initials. The collection truly embodies the brand’s tendency of producing metropolitan clothing, engineered for tomorrow. GH

www.prada.com

Fashion

PB 0110 x ___hagenkoetter

Rethinking the development process of a collection and upcycling century-old fabrics, PB 0110 and ___hagenkoetter teamed up to present new collaborative products. Past and present woven together. On one side, PB 0110, the label by Philipp Bree, known for fine bags of natural leather and linen, and on the other ___hagenkoetter, which works with traders who specialize in sourcing antique fabrics crafted by hand on small looms in the 19th century and kept carefully preserved. Both of them involve local manufacturers preferring traditional production methods to machine production. The collection presented features one-of-a-kind models realized with different fabrics, each of which, has its own story. The result of this collaboration is a classic tote bag in two versions: the HB 01 consisting of a soft, light divan previously used as a cover on beds or upholstered furniture, and the HB 02, a bag made of light linen fabric, almost 100 years old, utilized for tablecloths, workwear, bed covers and more. Both are complete with the PB 0110 vegetable tanned leather from the tannery in Belgium. PB 0110 x Hagenkoetter products are available exclusively at PB 0110, SSENSE, Online, and CIBONE, Japan. VB

www.pb0110.com

Fashion

Palm Angels New Iconic Bag

Expression of uniqueness, strong personality, and free mindset, Palm Angels has presented the new Palm Beach bag, designed to become the brand's new iconic bag. Francesco Ragazzi, the founder of the brand, has created an object of desire reminiscent of the feminine spirit of the House. Made for Palm Angels girls, the new bag is an accessory that allows our imagination to travel, even in metaphorical places. It is a unique combination of non-conformism, passion, and research for details. The Palm Beach bag, crafted with calfskin leather, is offered in the small version as a crossbody bag, while it features an adjustable shoulder strap in the medium and large versions. But the true protagonist of the bag is the palm tree, a closure in shiny gold and faceted 3D metal. This element, which revokes both the freedom of beach life and a metropolitan attitude, is the symbol of the relaxed and unconstructed lifestyle that the brand wants to convey. Then, to create an even more dreamy atmosphere, the new bag has been realized in a color palette that reminds of the shades of a sunset by the sea: bright yellow, faded pink, and light blue combined with more classic colors such as black and brown. VB

www.palmangels.com

Fashion

Quatre Novelties

Boucheron has unveiled the new SS22 jewelry in a reinterpretation of the Quatre Collection. The new pieces feature four bands, the Grosgrain, the line of diamonds, the Clou de Paris, and the Double Godron, that reflect the signature codes of the Maison. Each band, in its singularity, gives the jewelry a timeless spirit so that everyone can wear them in any combination. The collection presents a variety of products, from pendants and bracelets to necklaces and earrings crafted in yellow or rose gold, silver, and with the addition of magnificent diamonds. The collection created is a celebration, a pure delight, poised to embrace Spring with style. The season of renewal, expression of optimism and excitement, is enhanced by Boucheron in its Spring Colors campaign. Featuring ambassadors Alexa Chung, Nour Arida, Hannah Quinlivan, and Youn-Jung Go, the images are an invitation to enjoy the pleasure of the moment. Here, the women have fun playing with the XXL pieces of the Quatre Collection, while other photos portray them on a monochrome background that reflects their true essence. VB

www.boucheron.com

Fashion

Miu Miu Women's Tales #23: House Comes with a Bird

Miu Miu has presented "House Comes With A Bird,” the 23rd installment of the short film series Women’s Tales. The program, launched in 2011, aims to bring together today’s most profound and original female directors to investigate vanity and femininity in the 21st century. This year Miu Miu teamed up with American film director, producer, and screenwriter Janicza Bravo to realize a new movie that features singer and cellist Kelsey Lu and actress Natasha Lyonne. Known for her films Zola, Lemon, and Gregory Go Boom, Bravo has expressed her love for short films and described her latest work, House Comes With A Bird, as a marriage of text and beautiful clothing. The short movie portrays a series of clipped social encounters, each of which denotes dynamics of power in gender, race, and class. The whole surrounded by an airy, languid mood that is the quintessence of the late afternoon Californian sun. Janicza Bravo’s new episode for Women’s Tales made its debut in Los Angeles, and now it is available on Miu Miu digital channels and MUBI globally. VB

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Colmar SS22: New Optimistic World

The Colmar SS22 contemporary designs radiate an energy of inspiration, emerging from technology, art, communication, style, materials, and thoughts. A wide variety of cuts were designed to adapt to the four themes that are in each collection, perfectly adapting to a person’s individualistic needs in everyday life. The first theme is derived from welcoming spring, expressed by lightness and freedom, the pieces reinterpret well-known classics for better functionality. Within this theme is a versatile array of garments in both men's and women’s collections. The men’s collection includes a range of various types of jackets, suitable for the season and give a sporty look, three of these are water-repellent and made of polyester microfiber. Nine feminine garments are in the women’s collection, ranging from pastel shades and bright colors to classic, neutral tones. These are embellished with accessories with a silver finish that makes the jacket more radiant. For the second season in a row, Colmar Originals is focusing the collection on environmental friendliness, using the mottos “Recycled” and “Biodegradable” making these the second theme. The brand has put great efforts into ensuring that the men’s and womenswear are made of durable materials that are as eco-friendly as possible. The third theme of the campaign, mid-season, presents a range of garments for spring’s interchangeable weather. Unlined jackets can be paired with sweatshirts, polo shirts, or t-shirts, while there are all jackets made of a three-layer fabric, which is created by processing elastic stretch material and soft jerseys. The fourth theme consists of light garments: colorful designs, graphics, and personalization for a stylish summer look. Available for men are a wide range of polyester-cotton sweatshirts, swim trunks, and more. For women, similar but more pastel feminine designs are available to be paired with palazzo trousers and shorts. An additional special campaign was introduced as part of this, the first themed father and son, while the second represents the mountains and skiing, a true connection to the brand. GH

www.colmar.it

Art

Reflex Amsterdam: Daido Moriyama ’71 New York

Reflex Amsterdam has announced that it will premier the first exhibition featuring a large selection from Daido Moriyama’s Another Country in New York. The photographs featured are all in the artist’s signature style: rough, out of focus, and grainy. This represents the photographer’s belief that the art of photography should not be used as a sharp tool, but instead to capture reality in its essence; exciting and chaotic. The collection displays Moriyama’s first trip to New York in ’71. The miscellaneous frames, dynamic digital compositions, and flashing lights capture the overwhelming sense of the urban landscape. After being printed 20 years ago, the photographs have never been shown in completion and have been hidden in the archive, making the exhibition so much more special for lovers of vintage photography. The title of the series is based on the book by James Baldwin, Another Country. Reflected in the photograph series, the book illustrates the urban buzz within New York City. The blurriness of the works displayed are not to be mistaken as an attempt to solve the urban mystery but are simply there to capture its essence. This sense of mystery is reflected in the double prints, where two images are paired that reveal stark oppositions or overwhelming impressions of the city. Born in ’38, Daido Moriyama became an independent photographer in ‘64, publishing his first books Nippon Gekijo Shashincho in ’68 and Shashin yo Sayounara in ’72, both depicting the darker sides of urban life and the city of Tokyo. The exhibition is due to open on March 26th alongside some solo exhibitions at Reflex, Amsterdam. GH

www.reflexamsterdam.com

Fashion

Alan Roura Is The New Hublot Ambassador

With less than 1000 days to go before the start of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, Swiss watch manufacture Hublot has appointed skipper Alan Roura as the new brand ambassador. The Genevan skipper, who has spent 27 of his 29 years on water, can count on this long-term collaboration and top-tier partner to reach his ambitious goal: to win the 2024 edition of the "Everest of the seas" – the world's most challenging sailing race. Since the brand's inception in 1980, Hublot has had historical links to sailing. Nearly 25 years later, the watchmaker has chosen Alan Roura as the figurehead for its return to racing. Following its "First, Unique, Different" philosophy and its commitment to promoting 100% Swiss Made products, Hublot will support him in this unique human adventure and magnificent sporting challenge. Alan Roura will skipper the IMOCA 60 HUBLOT in every race on the calendar for the next three seasons before embarking on another round the world voyage in 2024. The IMOCA 60 HUBLOT is a 60-foot monohull used for the Vendée Globe. These yachts, made from composite materials, are designed to be both lightweight and fast while retaining the necessary strength to withstand conditions on the high seas. They are unique prototypes and a fusion of state-of-the-art technology. Especially, this new ultra-high-performance craft in black, yellow, and white livery will propel Alan Roura into a whole new dimension, offering him the opportunity to reset his sporting ambitions. “Now I have the resources I need to succeed, three years to prepare, and a real rocket to take me there. It's down to myself and to my partners to push it to its absolute limits. When you want something, you have to be relentless. Which is fortunate, because neither Hublot nor myself are the relenting types!" - Alan Roura. VB

www.hublot.com

Fashion

It Is Electrifying

Maserati is the first Italian luxury automotive manufacturer to produce fully electric vehicles, announcing the launch of the Folgore model. Through the evolution of its designs, Maserati has always led the way in automotive fashion, with unique cars, elegant yet sporty, always with highly personal, distinctive lines. In 2021, the Italian brand experienced a robust year-on-year sales growth of 41%, with 24,269 vehicles sold to customers worldwide. So, strengthened by these outstanding results, Maserati has decided to introduce on the market a new all-electric, two-door sports car. The new GranTurismo is the first vehicle in Maserati's history to use 100% electric solutions combined with cutting-edge technology from Formula E, outstanding performance, comfort, and elegance. Manufactured at the Mirafiori production center, the car will launch in 2023. In addition, next year brand new SUV Grecale will also be available in an electric version, and by 2025, all Maserati models will be available in a fully electric version: the MC20 supercar, the new Quattroporte sports sedan, and the future Levante luxury SUV will complete the Maserati Folgore range. Maserati's plans are part of Stellantis' "Dare Forward 2030" strategy. The new Maserati models will be 100% designed, engineered, and produced in Italy, using electric powertrains to deliver innovation and high performance, typical of Maserati's DNA. VB

www.maserati.com

Fashion

Missoni’s New Creative Direction

Missoni takes on a new creative direction. The Italian brand appointed Filippo Grazioli, a young designer with 18 years of solid experience in prestigious fashion companies, to head up the Men and Women’s Collections. The new Creative Director has joined Missoni’s team to improve the brand’s image in the luxury market and further strengthen the modernization process already initiated. Filippo has immediately made public his excitement for the new position at Missoni, a brand that he considers to be a leader in the history of Italian style and design with its remarkable integrity over almost seven decades. He is ready to bring his vision but maintaining the joyfulness, freshness, sense of color and positivity that are the core qualities of Missoni. Filippo Grazioli took over his role from Alberto Caliri, a long-serving member of the company, right-hand man of Angela Missoni, and successful designer of the last two collections, that from now on will develop Missoni Home Collection and Missoni Sport. Alberto Caliri will have the possibility to continue to fully express his passion for architecture, art, and design, as well as having the opportunity to work closely with Rosita Missoni. Thanks to these two new appointments, the company aims to strengthen its foundations for the future, pursuing its goal to enhance the “total Living” concept of the brand. VB

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo appoints Maximillian Davis as Creative Director

Manchester-born Maximillian Davis has been appointed as Creative Director for Salvatore Ferragamo, effective from March 16th, 2022. Chief Executive Officer for the brand, Marco Gobbetti, has expressed his thrill with this change, proclaiming that “through his [Davis’] lens of contemporary sensibility, he will write a new, exciting chapter for this house built on a heritage of creativity, craftsmanship, sophistication, and outstanding human values”. Maximillian Davis graduated from London College of Fashion, and founded his eponymous brand in 2020 at Fashion East with his first collection in SS21, immediately attracting international recognition. His Trinidadian-Jamaican origins are essential to his identity and a strong inspiration for his work. The designer’s confidence, sharp elegance, innate sophistication, sense of color, and culturally hybrid point of view have been translated into garments seen on Rihanna, ASAP Rocky, and Dua Lipa. Davis has announced, “I am deeply honored to be joining Ferragamo and grateful for the opportunity to build on the rich and profound heritage of the house”. GH

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Cartier x sacai for Fashion Week 2022/2023

 Trinity for Chitose Abe of sacai is first and foremost an encounter between the designer and founder of sacai, Chitose Abe, and the Maison’s creative studios. Six modular reconstructions of the Trinity ring have been made to achieve a new balance. These completely reinvent the wearer’s style without ever compromising on elegance. The collaboration consists of two rings, a bracelet, a choker, an earring, and a versatile piece that is both an earring and a ring. Truly present throughout this is the famous chromatic trilogy of white, yellow, and rose gold rings. However, the distortion of the rings changes in regards to their position on the skin and their function. The capsule was seen for the first time at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris during the sacai FW22/23 fashion show, inspired by Cartier red. This exclusive, limited-edition collection will be released initially in Japan in summer, then in Paris, London, New York, and Seoul in FW22. GH

 

www.cartier.com 

www.sacai.jp 

Fashion

Clarence Ruth Is The Winner of The New Legacy Challenge

Tommy Hilfiger has announced Clarence Ruth as the winner of the New Legacy Challenge, a design competition developed through a partnership between Tommy Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program and Harlem’s Fashion Row. Launched in 2020, the People’s Place Program draws inspiration from Tommy Hilfiger’s first store of the same name opened in 1969 in his hometown of Elmira. This program was created to amplify the company’s efforts to increase opportunities and visibility for underrepresented communities within the global fashion and apparel industries. And, it is following the brand mission that the New Legacy Challenge has been born. This event aims to support emerging Black talent on a global scale giving them the possibility to bring their unique designs to life. Held at The EDITION Times Square Hotel, the latest edition of the New Legacy Challenge, saw the three finalists Megan Smith, Johnathan Hayden, and Clarence Ruth presenting their inspirations, concepts, and collections in front of a jury. Mr. Tommy Hilfiger, Grammy-winning, Golden Globe and Emmy nominated performer Anthony Ramos and HFR executives, then awarded Clarence Ruth, the founder of the brand Cotte D’Armes which explores denim from a vantage point, with the first prize, giving him the opportunity to co-design a capsule collection alongside the Tommy Hilfiger design team. VB

www.tommyhilfiger.com

Fashion

Hermès FW22

“It’s really about how do you translate classicism and sophistication and chic into the idea of a woman really assuming her femininity? The fact that sex is ok-it’s not something to be ashamed of”, said Hermes Creative Director Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski when describing the message behind the brand’s FW22 ready-to-wear collection. Showcased during Paris Fashion week, the imagery presents us with the female-gaze point of view on the subject of skin exposure that is emerging from a rising generation of female designers across the United States, Europe, and China. An example of the presentation is body-mapped shorts, in abbreviated, engineered shapes of knitted onesies and form-hugging leather. Another is the manipulation of opaque-sheer techniques in narrow stripe formation, this shadow-play geometry is seen on sweaters and flared skirts with its vertical stripes of leather interlinked with semitransparent lacy panels. Despite exploring the body-con trend and other features of modernity in a wonderful way, the collection sticks to the brand’s well-known features that maintain the label’s attraction. This attraction is in its signature coats, whether they be formal, country, or to be worn in the city. The minimal, easy-to-style coats in a variety of black, white, and brown shades maintain the signature of Hermès outerwear being built to carry on its super-luxe heritage. GH

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton for UNICEF

Aside from bringing unique designs to the world, Louis Vuitton has had a partnership with UNICEF since 2016 to help bring vulnerable children life-saving humanitarian support all over the world. This includes UNICEF’s emergency programs, responding swiftly to catastrophes worldwide. In response to the tragic situation unfolding in Ukraine, existing funds within Louis Vuitton for UNICEF’s partnership are being made available as quickly as possible, as well as an additional one million euros that will be donated immediately to UNICEF to help children and families touched by the conflict. This will contribute to providing children and families in Ukraine with humanitarian aid including access to clean water, healthcare and education supplies, child protection services and psychosocial care. In addition, Louis Vuitton invites you to support and donate to UNICEF through the link below. GH

https://help.unicef.org/ukraine-emergency/louis-vuitton

Fashion

Intelligent Informal

Titled “Intelligent Informal,” the FW22 Collection presented by Salvatore Ferragamo has shown how casual clothing can be made, selected, and worn with the same care, craftsmanship and detail as an evening dress or coat. The 20s of this millennium increased a global shift toward the concept of casualization, and together with recent events and the values of new generations, habits have changed and fueled the decline of sartorial style and formal eveningwear in favor of a more informal attitude. The FW22 Collection highlighted this change featuring deconstructed and revisited clothes through a more fluid approach. Knit, leather, shearling, and sustainable nylon were combined to give origin to maxi-rouches garments, dresses, jumpsuits worn under mini skirts, and trench coats with shawls for multiple uses. In addition, maxi cuts out, and juxtaposition replaced a formal style with irony and informal intelligence. The result is a final look that gives off a contemporary personality. Salvatore Ferragamo with FW22 Collection exhibited in the neoclassical Sale delle Cariatidi of Palazzo Reale, in Piazza Duomo, in an immersive atmosphere, has demonstrated how casualwear became the new glamour. VB

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Diesel FW22

Diesel presented the FW22 Collection, a disruptive, sexy, fluid yet fun catwalk show realized by Creative Director Glenn Martens. For his debut, Glenn Martens unveiled clothing celebrating Diesel world: experimentation, rebellion, play, and the inevitable denim are the star for this season. The FW22 Collection, divided into four chapters, is a constant research that combines denim, utility, pop, and artisanal. Design themes run throughout, like the raw attitude of utilitarian belts, the sexuality of hook-and-eye, the play of trompe l’oeil, the energy of asymmetry, and the denim cuts from Diesel Library, the brand’s core range of more responsible denim. Materials clash and contrast, textures are pumped up, and every look has freedom and control. In addition, the collection includes the first-ever pieces created from fully recycled denim, cotton, elastane, and indigo-dyed without water. It is an important step forward for Diesel that gives life to an innovative, positive new line: Diesel Rehab Denim, in partnership with fabric sustainability specialists Tejidos Royo. VB

www.diesel.com

Fashion

MSGM And The Magic of The Stars

For this season MSGM addressed the stars. The FW22 Collection took inspiration from these celestial bodies, and in detail, from the feeling known as Astrophilia: the love for the stars. The stars, constant features in everyone’s lives, visible by all corners of the globe, are travel companions and a compass not to lose the way. They are the light in the dark or the twinkle in the night, they are bright and beautiful, and it is from these characteristics that Creative Director Massimo Giorgetti developed the Astrophilia® Collection. He presented night-time atmospheres expressed by a dark palette broken up by shimmering tones and shiny, precious materials while introducing, paving new and unexpected territory, minimal clothing in black and silver and embellished with outline embroidery, beads, and sequins. Then the stars appeared everywhere and multiplied on the garments in infinite graphic variations: on lycra turtleneck tops, wide jacquard dresses, and oversize poplin shirts worn with embroidered bras. Mini dresses and long skirts are crafted with reflective plexiglass stars, denim is finished with inlaid stars, and necklaces and accessories take the shapes of glittery stars. It is a physical and metaphorical trip to the infinity of Space. Because, in a period of challenges, tensions, and new conflicts, Space seems to be a horizon of escape and hope, a suspended horizon, a page yet to be written that opens up a thousand possible ways of living yet to be experienced. VB

www.msgm.com

Art

Saint Laurent Rive Droite, Robert Mapplethorpe

Creative Director of Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello has paid tribute to the works of Robert Mapplethorpe through an exhibition of original works displayed in the Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles. This is in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, whose goal is to continue the artist’s legacy of promoting photography as an art form and supporting HIV/AIDS medical research. Mapplethorpe mastered the light, shadows, and shapes through compositions of still lifes, both male and female nudes and portraits. These were to challenge the standards of classical aesthetics. His widely known work contributed to a new perception of photographic art, and at the same time elevated fine art photography to the level of respect and attention given to sculpture and painting. His vast, provocative, and powerful works have established him as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Saint Laurent Rive Droite Paris and Los Angeles will host an exclusive selection of original artwork by Robert Mapplethorpe. The exhibitions will include silver gelatine photographs and Polaroids of still lifes, portraits, and nudes, courtesy of Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in Paris and Morán Morán Gallery in Los Angeles. In connection with this, Vaccarello has designed a unique lifestyle collection in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. This limited edition includes bags, leather goods, clothing, porcelain, and pillows available to purchase in both stores. GH

www.ysl.com
www.mapplethorpe.org

Fashion

Prada Mode, Los Angeles

From February 16th-18th, Prada presented the seventh iteration of Prada Mode at Genghis Cohen, featuring an immersive installation by L.A based artist Martine Syms, coinciding with Frieze Los Angeles. Prada Mode is a traveling social club that focuses on contemporary culture, featuring fashion, art, music, conversation, and food, offering its guests a unique experience across diverse locations worldwide. Prada Mode in Los Angeles took place in the iconic restaurant and music venue Genghis Cohen, located on the historic Fairfax Avenue. Martine Syms’ interactive installation title “HelLA World”, transformed the location into one of her signature works that feature a perfect mix of conceptual grit, humor, and social commentary. The work shown was a text and video installation, equal parts live performance, narrative exposition, and casual conversation with a stranger. The installation consisted of monitors that make exchanges contributed by the guests public, revealing the possibility of the collective unconscious writ large. With the possibility of being scripted or spontaneous, the backdrop of texts suggested the banality and frisson of texting with a stranger. Members could join the experience at any time over the course of the two-day event to view the site-specific installation, attend talks, performances, and culinary revelations. GH

www.pradagroup.com

Fashion

Armani Exchange SS22 Collection

Armani Exchange has launched their SS22 collection entitled “Everything from A to X”. Taking inspiration from a 1992 advertising campaign, the project redevelops and emphasizes the same idea through a sustainable lens. The collection is characterized by sustainable materials, as well as displaying versatility through making essential items easy to use, mix, and personalize. The concise selection of simplistic black and white pieces can be combined from head to toe for any occasion that might present itself in modern city life. Pieces in the collection include organic cotton T-shirts and sweatshirts, windbreakers, parkas, chinos, shorts and wool blazers as well as white box sneakers and a nylon backpack. This system of elements can be freely mixed and matched without the need to add anything else. The collection is upholding the brand’s reputation of being accessible to most. The simplicity of the elements makes the items so authentic as anyone who wears them can mix and match freely, expressing their personality whilst also showcasing their individual taste. GH

www.armaniexchange.com

Fashion

Valentino Is The Sponsor of The Italian Pavilion at the 59th Biennale di Venezia

Creative Director of Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli, and Chief Executive Officer Jacopo Venturini will support the curator Eugenio Viola and artist Gian Maria Tosatti for the Italian Pavilion at the 59th International Art Exhibition of Biennale di Venezia. The luxury Italian house continues its commitment to promoting and sustaining culture with projects that aim to a cultural comeback and reciprocity. For the first time, the international exhibition will feature one sole artist’s work to represent Italy, titled “History of Night and Destiny of Comets”. This is a large environmental installation, with an optimistic perspective that offers a striking vision of the current state of society and its prospects. The 59th Biennale, “The Milk of Dreams”, will be curated by Cecilia Alemani. Le Gaggiandre of the Arsenale, where the Italian Pavillion will be hosted, is also the location where Pierpaolo Piccioli presented his Couture show in July 2021, “Valentino Des Ateliers”. Once again, the Creative Director wants to pay a homage to the city of Venice and to its cultural panorama, Piccioli views it as the natural perceptive scenario for a conversation between art and fashion, where a creative mind can envision its creations. Work featured by Gian Maria Tosatti is constructed as an intermediate that merges a plurality of languages, from literary references to visual arts, theater, music, and performance with the intent of creating new awareness, poised between dreams and errors. The 59th International Art Exhibition will be open to the public from April 23rd until November 27th, 2022. GH

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Etro launches "Love Hats" for Valentines Day

Expressing love through the joy of colors and positivity, Italian house Etro celebrate Valentine’s Day with the new “Love Hats” capsule collection, featuring a selection of unisex bucket hats. The hats feature the brand’s iconic paisley pattern in two different color schemes that both include the famous pegasus logo, creating a style statement to fall in love with. The hats are a true reflection of the brand’s tendencies of transmitting features that display curiosity, art, innovation, and community. Etro has defined Italian style globally since 1968. The acclaimed paisley prints styling luxury clothing since 1981 has become the Milanese fashion house’s signature design. Starring in a digital campaign shot in the streets of Paris, the hats are decorated with rubberised details and contrasting embroidered messages that speak of love, a perfect accessory for the holiday of love. The “Love Hats” are available from January 28th online and in Etro boutiques. GH

www.etro.com

Fashion

The Glamour of Pomellato Jewels

This year Pomellato becomes more glamourous than ever, adding new pieces to the NUDO and ICONICA collections. Synonymous with creativity and color, the Italian fine jewelry House is known for its eye-catching gems that, through innovative stone cutting and setting techniques, define the unmistakable and unique style of Pomellato. The ICONICA collection, with an unequivocally Milanese understated style, presents a new set of rings and earrings with a simple but meaningful design. Combined with bright sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds, the earrings have a double loop structure, while the rings feature two round gold spirals joined by a flat, transverse link that creates a greater whole. These shapes express the power of the union of two elements in a typical Pomellato approach. For the NUDO collection, Pomellato introduces NUDO RIVIÈRE: four flowings semi-flexible necklaces that combine the purity of the Nudo style with the sophistication of the Clessidra cut. In addition, double-row earrings and a NUDO pendant, both realized with white, blue topaz, and rose quartz, give a radiant elegance to the Pomellato line.

www.pomellato.com

Fashion

Paul Smith + PORTER Released a Bold New Bag Collection

For the SS22 season, the British company Paul Smith has teamed up with top Japanese luggage brand PORTER to offer a new line of bags and accessories. The main qualities of both brands are highlighted in this collaboration, which combines Porter's iconic shapes with Paul Smith's signature code of color and stripe. The collection includes traditional Porter pieces like the helmet bag, duffel shoulder bag, and wallets, all of which are made of the brand distinctive nylon twill, a lightweight and durable fabric. These items are then reimagined via Paul Smith's unique perspective. The designer incorporated his graphic stripe montage, which combines a variety of lines of different sizes and hues in an eye-catching style. In addition, the collection celebrates the great outdoors and a return to nature thanks to a color palette with organic tones blended with white and red that recall hues seen in the sky at sunrise. The Paul Smith + PORTER collection will be on sale online and in selected Paul Smith and Porter’s shops from February 16th.

www.paulsmith.com

Art

Rinus Van de Velde: Inner Travel

BOZAR will exhibit the start of the second part of the “Europalia Trains & Tracks festival” with the flagship exhibition, Rinus Van de Velde: Inner Travels. The exhibition entails a diverse media ranging from drawings to sculptures, installations, and films, Van de Vedle creates a mirror universe where elements from reality and imagination coalesce into a unique kind of visual storytelling. Europalia trains and tracks celebrates the forms of travel that are depicted by the train as an everyday journey of the commuter to mythical and imaginary journeys. The work presented is born out of the inner journeys that the artist undertakes each day, that take place in the strict privacy of his studio. During these journeys. Van de Velde meets multiple other artists through which trigger episodes of his fictional autobiography, forming a common running thread through his work. The exhibition is further enriched by a series of talks and performance programme in which Dolares and Charlotte Bouckaert, Monster Chetwynd, Rita Hoofwijk, Gaëtan Rusquet and Damien Petitot being a wider outlook to the theme of travel and encounters. The exhibition is being shown at BOZAR from February 18th until the May 15th 2022.

www.europalia.eu

Fashion

44 Label Group Presents the FW22 Collection Screwed UP

"Screwed up", the FW22 Collection by 44 Label Group, has been presented during Milan Fashion Week, marking the brand's debut on the calendar. The brand founded by German techno artist and producer Max Kobosil is the result of his hard journey. The DJ, who was born and raised in Neukölln, has amassed a loyal worldwide following among nightlife people and the underground; people who identify with his music. And it is this sense of belonging that distinguishes his brand 44 Label Group. Started as a merchandise line with t-shirts at its core, today it includes a wide range of products. The “Screwed up” collection introduces a new level of cutting-edge fashion that embodies the uniform of Kobosil’s neighborhood. Puffer jackets, pants, and denim, with the collection’s screw print, evoke 90s gym wear, while other looks reference German festivals in rainy summers. This collection represents Kobosil’s background and vision, from his failure to his successes to prove that talent leaps over formal education at times.

www.44labelgroup.com

Fashion

LV VOLT

The LV Volt collection designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director for Jewellery and Watches, opens a new chapter. A Reinvigoration of the iconic aesthetic, the L and V initials, so representative of the French House, come to life radiating vibrant energy. Simple, yet cheerful, the pieces showcase a contemporary design language, whilst reflecting all of Louis Vuitton’s expert savor-faire in a rich variety of textures and patterns, a perfect blend of subtlety and sophistication. Symbols of casual elegance, the pieces, such as the new bracelets, feature an interchangeable band, available in different hues, perfectly complementing the two iconic letters in yellow gold. Suited to a modern customer, each piece represents a graphic representation of joy and the architectural metaphor of an electrifying pulse.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Viktor&Rolf Haute Couture SS22

For their first runway show in over two years, Viktor&Rolf launched an iconic collection that plays on fear, inspired by the figure of the vampire itself. Constructed on corsets worn under each look, the designers achieved an effect similar to the allure of Dracula in old Hollywood movies, creating a “surreal shoulder”. It is not unlike Viktor&Rolf’s iconic Hyeres collection from 1993 that featured exaggerated, high shoulder lines that created distorted, elegant silhouettes. A source of inspiration paired with the overpowering sensation of fear created their haute couture collection. The garments appear as if the human figure is stretched to a maximum, glorifying the head and face while protecting the neck. This play with proportions is typical for Viktor&Rolf’s stylistic vocabulary. Using the symbolism behind Dracula, the fear of societal change, as a theme for the collection is genius as a reflection of today’s uncertainties. The notion of fear is amplified in the show with additions of horror music and ghoulish makeup. Most of the outfits are stark and monochromatic, with a “gothic” feel similar to that of Dracula’s tuxedo with its cape. Furthermore, a wide variety of dresses is shown, ranging from billowy sheaths to sculptural ballgowns, as well as trench coats, tuxedo jackets, and shirts. Fabrics are either crisp or gauzy, yet always compact to support the architectural shapes. The colors play on the contrasts between dark and light, all muted, with some delicate pastels, chalk white, and the occasional pop of cerise red. The collection is complemented with the third season of Melissa / Viktor&Rolf vegan shoes.

www.viktor-rolf.com

Fashion

Miu Wander: a Step Towards Sustainability

Miu Wander is the new bag presented by Miu Miu for the SS22 season. A shoulder bag with a classic hobo design characterized by the iconic matelassé motif associated with Miu Miu’s best-loved leather goods. Embellished with a tonal metal lettering logo, the accessory comes with a removable mini pouch. The Miu Wander bag is crafted in lightweight Econyl, regenerated nylon produced from recycled and purified plastic materials collected in the ocean, fishing nets, and textile waste fibers. This material shows the brand’s increased commitment to sustainability. The Italian brand is no stranger to such initiatives, as evidenced by the upcycled collections it has produced in recent years. Miu Miu tries to reduce the usage of land, energy, and waste by switching to eco-packages and implementing sustainable and reusable nylon projects, such as this one. The Miu Wander is built on a juxtaposition of opposites following the Miu Miu codes, where the utilitarian nature of the nylon meets the intricacy of the process involved to achieve the depth and plumpness of the matelassé surface.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Jude Law and Raff Law Are The New Ambassadors of Brioni SS22 Campaign

Brioni, the Italian luxury menswear house, has announced Jude Law and Raff Law as new brand ambassadors, with the SS22 campaign marking their official debut. Jude Law is one of the most enigmatically compelling actors working today, having held roles in highly acclaimed movies and TV Series. One perfect example is “The Young Pope”, thanks to which he also formed a special connection with the city of Rome where the brand is also based. He is an actor of unparalleled versatility, a great master of his art, and his son, following in his steps, is considered a rising talent in the same universe. Both have a strong personal style and natural complicity, to put it in the words of Raff Law, even though they have different tastes and perspectives, they share the same love for Brioni, its craftsmanship, and quality, both key features of the brand. The Laws naturally embody elegance and class, making them the perfect pairing to reflect Brioni’s modern vision of menswear, in which distinctions of age are blurred by a shared passion for genuine craftmanship.

www.brioni.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten FW22

The Dries Van Noten FW22 Collection hits the screen bringing along a dreamy atmosphere, diving into the past, evoking a life that we lost. It is all about having fun again, touching and kissing people, living carefree. Shot by Casper Sejersen, an interplay of decadence and rebel glam, reminiscent of artists like Bowie and Kurt Cobain, the collection has seemingly no boundaries. Ease and freedom are the keywords of this spectacular show. Pajamas, sportswear and suiting are mixed without adherence to the traditional rules of menswear. Both feminine and masculine shapes are evoked through wide, sharp, cigarette shoulders and soft padded tailoring, alongside skirts and slip dresses. Realized with a variety of materials such as nylon, velvet, recycled cashmere, raw denim and satin, the collection is the result of a combination of glamourous and technical pieces. The presented garments have vivid tones that contrast the base of black and white and are adorned with an abundance of prints and embellishments that challenge traditional themes: flower prints, sequins and jewels. The Dries Van Noten FW22 collection also features various accessories and footwear that span from traditional shoe styles to wedge boots resulting in very interesting contrasts on the runway. The collection is a tribute to life and light-heartedness.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Fashion

A BATHING APE® × Woolrich

The new year has brought with it a new and unique collaboration between BAPE® and Woolrich, a representation of American heritage design with a streetwear feel. Woolrich, America's oldest outdoor brand with a history of over 190 years, is pairing up with A BATHING APE®, one of Japan's leading streetwear brands. Together, they are launching a collaborative collection consisting of three main pieces embodying the essence of both brands: Woolrich's Arctic Parka, the Blankets, and Ape Head Cushions. They are all presented in a light, with a modern twist, while maintaining their high degree of functionality. The three items integrate BAPE®'s distinctive graphics into Woolrich's traditional red and black buffalo check pattern. While the Blanket has a maxi collaboration logo in jacquard, and the collaboration label embroidered on the front, the Arctic Parka is presented with a double-sided collar with Woolrich and BAPE® logo badges. The BAPE® × Woolrich Collection, the first collaboration between both brands, will be presented on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The pieces will become available in all A BATHING APE® authorized stores, Woolrich Flagship Stores, as well as on their websites.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Isabel Marant Homme FW22

A grungy spirit comes to life in the Isabel Marant Homme FW22 collection. Crafted from unexpected blends of prints, color, and fabrics, the silhouettes of the garments exude a casual chic. Looking back to the 90s as an ode to the legacy of Kurt Cobain, cuts are baggy, check shirts are tied around the waist and washed denim meets versatile stripes. Convinced that layering is key, pieces and shapes are overlapping for an urban look. For an eye-catching streetwear look, the Isabel Marant man wears a pair of Bumkeeh, the reinvented men’s version of the iconic wedge sneaker Balskee – one of the house’s most known pieces. With adventure at heart, a love for the great outdoors becomes evident in boxy parkas, patchworks of shearling, and oversized windbreakers combined with warm knitwear pieces. Perfect for cold winter weather, the steppe-colored pieces are contrasted by the introduction of color block activewear pieces where royal blue, bright yellow, mint green, and fiery red clash.

www.isabelmarant.com

Fashion

Y/PROJECT FW22: Pourquoi ne pas s’amuser?

Glenn Martens, Creative Director of Y/PROJECT, presented his FW22 collection: a continuation of his play with contemporary silhouettes but with a fun twist. In fact, rather than imposing a uniform, he proposes a set of “cartes blanches”; which incorporate some of the highlights of the Y/Project wardrobe alongside suits, shirts, dresses and more that show Gaultier’s signature style. This as a result of a collaboration between Y/Project and the ready-to-wear line of the French designer. Glenn Martens has specially tapped into the designer's spirit of mockery: nude bodies printed on denim pants and jackets, sweaters, adorned with the likeness of female breasts, with a masculine shape. And following this creative process he introduced also a new form of pants with a rounded cut called the “Banana”. With this collection the Belgian designer could have fun both in shapes and colors, using brilliant hues and deconstructive techniques resulting in "Peel Off" pieces with layers that can be removed and silhouettes that can be transformed. So the collaboration between Y/PROJECT and Jean Paul Gaultier turned out to be a logical and well done union. This relationship between the two designers began when Glenn Martens started his career under the direction of Gaultier and is carried forward with Gaultier welcoming Martens as Creative Director for a single season.

www.yproject.fr

Fashion

Missoni Men's FW22

Art has always been at the center of Missoni’s sense of creation. This season, the world of art deeply influences the house's FW22 menswear collection. Precisely, the informal abstract art movement which developed in Italy during the 1940s forms the point of departure for the distinctive graphics and harmonic color palette that characterize the collection. The style is openly informal, featuring effortless versatile pieces that emanate a sense of spontaneity. The textile excellence is highlighted by the neutral and timeless shades of gray and blue, combined with vibrant touches of bright tones, such as red, yellow, orange, and green. The collection offers a realistic wardrobe designed for men with a dynamic lifestyle, willing to embrace elegance and comfort. In line with the brand’s tradition, knitwear is the star of the collection. Timeless icons, such as the zigzag and the rashel, find space next to new jacquards featuring abstract motifs with an impactful graphic appeal. Patchwork, one of the techniques rooted in the brand's tradition, pops out with a denim jacket enriched with knitted inserts. The collection exudes timelessness while keeping its gaze towards the future through the language of innovation.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Dolce & Gabbana Menswear FW22

In the spirit of the Dolce and Gabbana FW22 menswear show at Milan Fashion Week, Gabbana says: “We’re challenging ourselves. We’re questioning everything we’ve been used to. Things are changing, and we welcome that change; we want to experience the new, which makes us evolve and move forward”. To express this gusto for innovation, Dolce and Gabbana reiterates its excitement for high-style pyrotechnics and spectacular entertainment. Deeply inspired by the lightweight freedom radiated by the young generation, the FW22 menswear collection embraces the idea of deviating from all conventions. Based on the conviction the concept of a coherent, monotonous wardrobe is outdated Dolce and Gabbana showcases a diverse selection of garments. This season, the house proves that opposites indeed attract. The show’s dynamic rhythm and ecstatic visual storytelling is an ode to the fierce style created by Gen Z’s hunger for individuality and self-representation. A movement that is fearless, striving to make an echoing statement. Accentuated by a performance by Machine Gun Kelly, the rhythm of the show was undeniably captivating. The extremism of the season is brought to the next level through the exaggerated proportions of the garments, creating a majestic, almost galactic look.

www.dolcegabbana.com

Fashion

Spyder FW22

For this season, Spyder Korea portrays its understanding of New Normality. The label perceives our present times as a state in which different forces and inspirations coexist, creating a new order. The collection is an expression of the quest to find balance in a world ruled by uncertainty while sending out a message of hope and positivity. Spyder Korea imagines the wardrobe of a dynamic, eclectic individual tackling the challenges of daily life with a sense of effortless style. Titled “Coexistance”, the garment collection is an ode to diversity and a multifaced fashion proposal. Reimagining the emblematic codes of its sportswear, Spyder investigates the intersection between athletic wear and leisurewear. The most advanced technologies are combined with an elaborate sense of contemporary style. For the presentation of the FW22 collection, Spyder Korea unveils on the catwalk a joyful, young, and fresh lineup, celebrating the sense of freedom rooted in an active, energetic lifestyle. “Coexistance” puts into practice how athletic clothing can have it all – quotidian and extraordinary, casual and chic.

www.spyder.co.kr

Fashion

Eleventy FW22

For Milan Fashion Week, Eleventy presents its FW22/23 menswear collection, honoring the sartorial heritage of the brand’s legacy. While saluting tradition, the collection embodies the pursuit of innovation and creativity. A fusion of past and future emerges, featuring a mix of materials, styles and colors which meet in a winter collection with a strong contemporary flair. This season’s outdoor wear made with wool or cashmere includes versatile, reversible features. Having undergone an extensive manufacturing process the pieces are soft and unique garments characterized by an “extra fine” look and feel. Jackets and suits rigorously undergo hand-made processes and are the rendering of a new formal elegance. The carefully made knitwear is contemporary and refined, thanks to elaborate finishing techniques and special treatments. Knits are inflated by reeling, then softened with special washings and smoothened with double or triple raising steps. Enveloping light and modern yet war, Eleventy’s FW22/23 menswear collection is a range of timeless additions to everyone’s wardrobe.

www.eleventymilano.it

Fashion

TOMMY JEANS x AAPE BY *A BATHING APE® Capsule

Introducing a collection of outerwear, cold-weather accessories and collectible skateboards, AAPE adds a streetwear tone to TOMMY JEANS’ iconic street prep. For an eye-catching prep-pop look, APPE’s classic camo print is reinvented in red, white and blue – the classic TOMMY JEANS colors. The TOMMY JEANS plaid makes an appearance in deep green for an unexpected twist in the color palette. Key styles include the camp flag puffer jacket, the 2-in-1 plaids sherpa fleece windbreaker, the classic TOMMY JEANS flag denim jacket and the reversible camo vest jacket. Merging the established high-quality tailoring of TOMMY JEANS and the boundary-breaking street-inspired style of AAPE BY *A BATHING APE® the new collaborative capsule is an expression of fashion-forwardness. The documentary-style campaign to the collection follows four NYC skaters through the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn.

www.tommy.com
www.bape.com

Fashion

G-Star: The Rhythm of Denim

Tap dance emerged in the early 19th century, quickly developing into a dance style that was seen as a form of communication. With a powerful part to play in the Roaring Twenties, the dynamic art form grew so popular, it was frequently featured in Broadway shows in New York. Fast forward to 2022 and tap is making a modern revival across the globe in a new street dance variation of classic tap. The new G-Star denim campaign tells a story narrated through an immersive dance performance. Titled The Rhythm of Denim, the new campaign is inspired by the urban tap movement that is taking over the world by storm. Showcasing the motto “tapping into the new year”, the denim collection in combination with the dance campaign expresses this season’s longing for novelty and reimagination. An artistic encounter between two world-class tap dancers - World Tap Champion, Kamira Samuel and successful Broadway performer, Lee Howard – is captured in The Rhythm of Denim. The two extraordinary dancers communicate and express themselves solely using the language of dance. G-Star gives a stage to what becomes a spectacular dance performance using the mode of interacting through body movement only. Dance becomes a dialogue and the denim pieces their uniform. With The Rhythm of Denim, G-Star emphasizes and explores its artistic side to present the collection. Creating a bold, immersive experience for the viewer, the campaign is a strong celebration of different modes of human expression, foregrounding the beauty of dance and the abilities of the body. Choreographer Jack Evans describes the production saying: “The simple premise of two characters in separate locations communicating transcendently through rhythm gives a contemporary lens for us to view tap dance in its rawest, most authentic form.”

 www.g-star.com

Fashion

The Year of the Tiger

 Celebrating the lunar year of the tiger, Versace presents an exquisite capsule collection comprising a compilation of new styles and reinvented signature looks. The tiger motif adorns a selection of ready-to-wear pieces in the form of prints on jersey sweats and t-shirts, as well as elegant embroidery details on sportswear-inspired jackets alongside a button-up knit sweater. The tiger as the spirit animal of the collection is represented by a vibrant new year red color that runs throughout the designs. The classic La Greca print is featured in the same shade and plays out across a selection of women’s and men’s styles. Golden Medusa buttons reiterate Versace’s eternal muse and are applied to selected pieces. They become an additional red thread to the emblematic capsule collection. Limited-edition accessories are typically playful and luxurious, with exclusive variations of La Medusa bag and phone case in red with gold-tone metal hardware for women, and a men’s coated canvas backpack and multi-functional pouch, both finished in La Greca print accentuated by tiger stripes. A glamorous campaign presents the capsule collection, with an acrobatic performance telling the story of retro and expressive Versace new year celebration.

 www.versace.com

Fashion

Lay Zhang appointed Hublot Brand Ambassador

 With the objective to fuse style and art, Hublot is proud to present Chinese pop star Lay Zhang as part of the Hublot family. Bringing his unique approach to the world of music and performance the new Hublot Brand Ambassador is an individual whose strong ambition is a constant pursuit of excellence. Often called a non-stoppable allrounder, Lay Zhang is an award-winning Chinese singer and songwriter, dancer, music producer and actor with a successful career in music, as well as acting. As an artist with a distinct vision he pushes the boundaries of performance and creates a novel style that is unique and groundbreaking. He expresses various facets of his multicultural identity as a performer, dancer, singer, and actor, while also showcasing the Chinese culture of music and performance. The result is a revolutionary fusion of seemingly different modes of artistry: Chinese traditional culture and Streetdance Building on his extraordinary musical talent, Lay Zhang combines classical elements of Chinese music with modern music styles and carries Chinese music to the world. Within a time frame of only a few years Zhang has become one of the most important persons in the Asian music scene. Lay has been a collector of Hublot watches for years. His personal attitude - be “First, Unique and Different” - has now led him to join the ranks of the Hublot family.

 www.hublot.com

Fashion

Schiesser Revival

Schiesser was founded in 1875 and has since become a staple in many people’s wardrobes all across the world. For the FW21 season, 70 years after its initial release, the German house, rich in tradition, re-launching the original double-rip, an absolute cult classic. This revival revamps this legend with the zeitgeist of today. It is also an expression of the house’s growing sense of responsibility and commitment when it comes to sustainability, the classic double-rip now being crafted from 100% organic cotton. This commitment is not solely restricted to Schiesser’s double-rip, other bestsellers like the Karl-Heinz now also appearing in a new more sustainable fashion. The pieces of the collection shine in a myriad of colors, deep purple, red, rust, brown, olive and blue, complemented with rich textures, floral prints and subtle details. With the established retro athletic look being updated for a new generation of customers, each piece’s design bears witness to Schiesser’s home town, as well as the house’s longstanding commitment to premium quality.

www.schiesser.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta: Bottega for Bottegas

Bottega Veneta unveils its newest project, an initiative to support and promote Italian creativity. The name Bottega Veneta translates into “Venetian Workshop” as the name indicates. Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro, who produced leather goods with a strong emphasis on precise craftsmanship. The pandemic has shattered artistic industries, forcing smaller brands, art collectives, and independent artists to deal with the threat of closure and insolvency. To counteract the repercussions of the pandemic, the luxury fashion house initiated a project that aims to help, support, and foster artisans in Italy. For the special initiative, Bottega offers Italian artisans advertising spaces, websites, newsletters, and store windows to provide a display space for the unique works of Italian artisans, which are as versatile as Bottega Veneta itself and ranging from mosaic artistry to distilleries of well-researched gin. Among the many impressive artisans is the Amatruda family, known for their passion for papermaking for almost 750 years now and which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organization, dedicated to encourage responsible management of the world’s forests. The initiative supports and perpetuates the work and establishments of artists that represent Italian creativity and excellent craftsmanship, which coincide with the values Bottega Veneta was founded on.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Parisian Prestige for AGL

Paris, Boulevard Hausmann 64. Since 1865, the iconic French department store Printemps has been located on this prestigious street that runs through Paris parallel to the curve of the Seine. Exhibiting the latest collection of the top-tier high-end brands, Printemps Hausmann is known for not only the luxurious assortment but just as much for its impressive architecture. With high ceilings and a dome adorned in blue glass mosaics, the department store offers a backdrop that is aligned with the decadence of the brand it represents. The floors are organized in plots, some of which are reserved for temporary stores – ensuring an ever-changing and engaging layout that offers customers to explore new spheres. Throughout December until the beginning of March, the Italian shoe manufacturer AGL is represented on one of these plots. Plexiglass walls separate the different collections of AGL shoes, whereas straight and curved lines intertwine in the design of the interior. The shoes are enthroned upon industrial cement blocks, creating a minimalistic contrast to the seating furniture which is held in soft, warm colors and dusty pink tones. The effortless and contemporary design of the temporary AGL store reflects the modernity and dynamic approach of the brand - currently in the third generation and led by the three Giusti Sisters, AGL persuades with exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design – a result of traditional origins paired with an evolving vision.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani's New Beginnings at Königsallee

After a thorough renovation, the Giorgio Armani boutique on the Düsseldorfer Königsallee has reopened its doors to its customers just in time before Christmas. Located in the prominent luxury shopping district of the city, the Giorgio Armani store exhibits Italian tailoring on three sizeable floors. The façade of the building already prepares the customer for the ambiance inside – with green granite surfaces and platinum-colored finishing, the impressive windows allow a glance into the luxurious retail space. Going with the times, the retail experience has been enhanced by an interactive digital wall on the ground floor, showcasing the women’s accessories collections and Armani beauty. The first floor is reserved for women’s evening wear and the Giorgio Armani fine jewelry collection, whereas the second floor presents the men’s collections and Made to Measure services. Just as the sartorial lines, the space consists of substantial, sophisticated elements: satin-finish furniture with metal detailing, silken wall panels that reflect the marble effect of the floors and armchairs from the current Armani Casa collections. Special dedication has been devoted to the lighting arrangement, making the most of the natural light that pours into the space through the windows, softened and re-directed by delicate gold-mesh metal screens. The Giorgio Armani boutique appears refined and fluid, exuding elegance and warmth in a classical Armani manner.

www.giorgioarmani.com

Fashion

A Monk’s Habit

G-Star replenishes their collaboration with an unusual project: together with the brothers of the brewery La Trappe, the denim brand has created a monk habit. What might seem to be a surprising collaboration at first glance, soon turns out to be a unique joining of forces – with the values of sustainability and circularity at the core of both the Dutch denim pioneer’s manifesto, as well as the ethos of the long-standing brewery, the collaboration between the two brought forward an intriguing example of how interdisciplinary companionship can introduce new ways. The design process of G-Star for the monk’s habits led back to a sketch, perpetuated in a hand sketch in an over 80-year-old book, the La Trappe monks had in their archive. The sketch turned out to be surprisingly modern – with a cut that enables minimum waste production, a solution to reduce the impact of textile production that G-Star pursues in their design process as well. The monk’s habit shows strong proportions, alluding to the Bossche Schule, a traditional movement of Dutch architecture. Entirely composed with Cradle-to-Cradle Gold Certified Denim, the habit stands for G-Star and La Trappe’s commitment to thinking further than the present. The denim material is made from 100% organic cotton and colored without any chemical dyestuff. During the production process, special attention was paid to reducing water usage to an absolute minimum – nodding to La Trappe’s mission of carefully considering the resource of water during their brewery process.

www.g-star.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta: Opens New Store in SoHo

To celebrate Bottega Veneta’s new store at 101 Greene Street in SoHo, New York, the luxury brand invited notable guests, such as rapper ASAP Ferg and Lil Kim, as well as actresses Tommy Dorfmann and Tracee Ellis Ross and initiated an intimate dinner at Saint Theo’s. Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy, and has been transformed and regenerated by Daniel Lee in 2018 - into one of the most important global players in the fashion industry, perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist. Lee expanded Bottega Veneta’s assortment, introducing ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, accessories, and jewelry to the range. The most distinctive recognition feature of the Italian luxury brand is a particular weaving technique called “intrecciato”. This technique allows the designer to weave thin leather into thicker, more durable products and resulted in Bottega Veneta being synonymous with fine craftsmanship. The new SoHo store features furniture, crafted from folded aluminum and designed by Vanderbke Andreu, specially made resin and stone floors and marks the second permanent Bottega Veneta store in Manhattan. The new store concept perfectly matches the contemporary and experimental aesthetic of Bottega Veneta’s displayed ready-to-wear clothes and continues to prove an unparalleled sense for highly recognizable and elevated aesthetics, now under the wings of the newly appointed creative director Matthieu Blazy.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Art

Heliotropo 37 – Fondation Cartier

Fondation Cartier announced the exhibition named Heliotrop 37, by Graciela Iturbide, who carries the W. Eugene Smith and the Hasselblad price – two of the most distinguished photography prices to exist - and has been practicing the métier of photography for over 50 years. This exhibition in Paris marks the debut of the Mexican photographer in France and shows collected works from, captured between the 1970s and today. Heliotropo 37 – which is an acronym that alludes to the address of Graciela Iturbide’s studio in Mexico City, presents over 200 images, from iconic works to more recent, unshown ones. Graciela Iturbide, whose photography is determined by a black-and-white color scheme, has further implemented a unique, entirely unedited color series into Heliotropo 37. Her works sound out the depth of human mysticism, leveling off somewhere between a raw, documentative style and poetic depiction of the obscurities of life. The artist herself describes her profession as a ritual, where picking up the camera is inevitably followed by the search for symbolism. “I look for the surprising in the ordinary, which I couldn’t have found anywhere else in the world,” is how Graciela Iturbide defines the driving force between this search. With the striking character of her photos, the exhibition promises to leave a lasting impression on the viewer, inciting a dialogue that revolves around the strange beauties of humanity, the animal kingdom, seemingly ordinary objects and the bond of nature.

Heliotropo 37 by Graciela Iturbide is on show from February 12th to May 29th 2022 at Fondation Cartier Pour L’Art Contemporain Paris.

www.fondationcartier.com

Fashion

Fashion

Emporio Armani x C.P. Company: A Celebration

Emporio Armani and C.P. Company fuse their exceptional brand DNA to celebrate their 40th and 50th anniversary respectively. C.P. Company was founded by Massimo Osti in 1971 and today his son Lorenzo Osti continues to embrace the principles the brand was founded on, the experimental approach, practical design, and innovation in terms of materials and dyes. Both brands are synonymous with innovation and a unique instinct for the complex needs of customers in contemporary society. The collaborative anniversary collection transports the common vision of innovation and fuses the distinctive elements of the brands, such as C.P. Company’s iconic goggle parkas, blousons, and anoraks, often inspired by military shapes and Emporio Armani’s signature bomber, raincoat, and stand-up collar jacket in a straight-lined, simple aesthetic. The color palette ranges from deep blues to a pale white, and the garments are made out of WOOL GUM waterproof wool, A.A.C. laser-cut microfiber, and DYSHELL bi-elastic nylon knit, which alludes to both brands’ strive for innovative materials. The clothes presented by Emporio Armani and C.P. Company are visual embodiments of both brands’ DNA and in combination offer a new vision for the future of fashion. The collection will be available from Saturday, 4th of December at the C.P. Company and Armani stores in Milan and from the 10th of December as well online.

www.armani.com

Fashion

CHANEL Metiers d’Art: An Homage to Craft

CHANEL presents the Metier d’Art collection and pays homage to all the ateliers d’art that have enriched the Parisian Maison with their high craftsmanship and knowledge. The French luxury house was established by Gabrielle Chanel in 1910 and is today creatively led by Virginie Viard, who is known for her youthful approach with an emphasis on soft femineity with a rock n’ roll edge. For the SS22 collection, CHANEL chose a special venue, imagined and designed by the Maison itself together with architect Rudy Ricotto - Le19M. The digit 19 stands for one of the emblematic numbers of Gabrielle Chanel and represents the 19th arrondissement of Paris where all the arts and crafts ateliers, such as the embroiders Lesage, the goldsmith Goossens, the hatter Maison Michel and the shoemaker Massaro, the feather worker Lemarie and the pleater Lognon congregate. Le19M is a large, open architectural space with a façade enhanced in white concrete and with large galleries, which open up the possibility to hold exhibitions and invite like-minded people for cultural exchanges. The collection features signature styles that are deeply anchored in the CHANEL vocabulary, induced with a contemporary twist, such as tweed jackets with sweatshirt sleeves, sequin embellished CHANEL logos on cardigans as well as beige and black Mary-Janes with heels adorned with pearls. The looks of the collection take up the structure and elegance of the building itself and are, as Virginie Viard herself stated: “very metropolitan yet sophisticated.’’

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Dior Cruise 2022: Dior Vibe Sneaker

Back in July 2021, when Maria Grazia Chiuri unveiled the Dior Cruise 2022 Cruise show, the collection featured a new shoe creation - the Dior Vibe Sneaker. The athletic shoe resembles the shape of a running shoe, exuding truly sportive aesthetics while remaining true to the elegance that the French Maison is known for. With a distinctive play of transparent materials and fabric inserts, the sneaker exhibits an intriguing mix of textures. The flexible rubber sole delivers functional performance, while the delicate details balance the dynamic character of the shoe. Dior’s iconic star emblem, the magical code dear to the founding couturier, decorates the sneaker. Finished with a “Christian Dior” signature, the Vibe sneaker combines the world of sportswear and true Dior styles. The sneaker is available in a crisp white with warm golden details, as well as a snow-white version with cooler silver elements. The Vibe sneaker bestowed the collection with a sportive touch, building a contrast to the refined and graceful looks and served as a breach of style bringing a casual and laid-back touch with urban flair.

The Vibe sneaker is available from now on in Dior boutiques, as well as online.

www.dior.com

Fashion

PB0110: Coming Back, Carrying an Important Message

For the upcoming weekend, PB0110 announces a special action to improve the brand’s ecological footprint, setting an example for the rest of the fashion industry and in particular the harmful impulse buying tradition of the Black Friday Week. PB0110 was founded by Philipp Bree in 2012 on the concept of producing leather goods in Europe with a great emphasis on sustainability, transparency, and high craftsmanship. PB0110’s differently shaped and sized bags and backpacks are made out of naturally tanned leather or signature linen and brass. Now, Bree has made it his goal to take a step further towards a sustainable planet with his brand by presenting a new plan of action. PB0110 offers CO2 neutral shipping from now on and is planning to plant four trees with every purchase placed during the Black Friday weekend, in an undertaking of counteraction the environmental impact the sales period has. In addition to that, each customer receives a complimentary CM39 along with their pick-up. The CM39 is a small coin case with a unique opening design, in which overlapping leather parts keep the coins securely inside instead of making a traditional zipper. Besides cherishing the importance of longevity for his leather goods, Bree significantly contributes to a more sustainable and less harmful fashion industry, by ecological relief.

www.pb0110.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet “Beyond the Limits”

Once again, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet takes its experience and knowledge in precision and innovation to action. This time, not to develop an exceptional watch but to curate an exhibition under the wings of the Dubai Watch Week, named “Beyond the Limits.” The exhibition takes the visitor on a journey through the luxury watchmaker’s tireless strive for innovation in terms of design and materials. It showcases the creative process of the Royal Oak Offshore watch, which was launched in 1993. The watch broke the conventional boundaries of horological aesthetics and went down in history as the predecessor of sizeable timepieces, inspired by different lifestyles and extreme sports. The exhibition gives a unique insight into the history and research process of Audemars Piguet, from its inspirations, drawn from air- and space travel and the automobile industry, material experiments with ceramics and gold to the turnaround of technological and horological improvements in the 80s, that led to one of the world‘s most historic watch, ergonomic and exceptional timepieces. The Royal Oak Offshore, presented in the exhibition, visually reflects the core principles of mastery, innovation, and independence Audemars Piguet was founded on.

www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

MCM Revived Classics

With a constant eye on innovation, MCM is reinterpreting one of the most prominent classics in the world of leather goods—the Tote bag. MCM—which stands for “Modern Creation Munich” was founded by Michael Cromer during the creative renaissance of Munich, as the name suggests, in 1975. The luxury leather goods company is best known for its leather bags and backpacks, designed with an emphasis on functional innovation and contemporary music, art, and travel. The most distinctive recognition features of the brand, which resurface on the reimagined Tote bag as well, are the caramel-brown color and the monogram bearing the initials of MCM. The Tote bag comes with an additional small pouch bag, and is defined by its versatility. It is large enough to fit in everyday essentials as well as optional extras, and through the detachable shoulder belt, the Tote can be transformed into a crossbody bag and therefore liberates the wearer to be able to move with free hands. The square-shaped bag is available in the signature caramel-brown and a fresh cognac white and is characterized by an elegant, clean and streamlined silhouette. Due to its versatility, the Tote bag is perfectly in tune with the complex needs of customers around the world.

www.mcmworldwide.com

Fashion

Breitling: Sky is The Limit

To honor and celebrate the history of aviation, in which Breitling was significantly involved as a pioneer for flight instruments, the horology pioneer released a new series of precise and handcrafted watches named Super AVI. The Swiss luxury watchmaker was founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1884 and designed the world’s first high-end Swiss luxury watches and quickly became very popular amongst aviation pilots. Breitling equipped the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War with innovative precision cockpit clocks and Astronaut Scott Carpenter wore a Breitling Navitimer Timepiece during his orbital flight in 1962. In the 50s, the luxury watchmaker elevated and developed their flight instrument design into a smaller, wearable version, the Co-Pilot Ref. 765 AVI. Known for its emphasis on precision, reliability, and durability, the luxury watchmaker has become a pioneer and a trusted choice amongst pilots by equipping its watches with chronometer-certified movements. The Super Avi collection is inspired by the bespoke watch, Co-Pilot» Ref. 765 AVI and by four legendary air crafts, such as combat-, naval aircrafts, the so-called “Wooden Wonder”, the fastest plane between 1940 and 1950 as well as the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, a master of agility. The distinctive and robust aesthetic of the watches and the calfskin bracelet with decorative stitching are visually reminiscent of leather aviator gear of the cited era. With the Super AVI collection, Breitling embraces its rich heritage in aviation and visualizes it in form of a new, exceptional aesthetic and highly crafted clockwork.

www.breitling.com

Fashion

Max Mara 101801 Light: Sartorial Timelessness

For the SS22 Resort collection, Max Mara decided to dive deep into its archives and created a special garment based on the iconic 101801 coat, narrating a rich history that dates back to the early 80s. Max Mara is a visual archetype of the luxurious and sophisticated spirit of Italian fashion. Max Mara was brought to life by Achille Maramotti in 1951 and has continuously developed classical shapes and designs, reinventing them in a contemporary context context ever since. The emblematic 101801 coat has been revived, reimagined, and conformed to the fashions of every new decade for almost 40 years but is still defined and recognized by the same quality attributes. The coat is characterized by an oversized fit, soft deconstructed sleeves, a distinctive notched lapel, and a double-breasted closure. The successor of the coat, the 101801 Light is made out of a techno-luxe jersey and available in soft dreamy pastels, ranging from a fresh minty green over cotton candy blue to a warm lemon yellow. The 101801 Light is largely defined by its versatility. The coat is light enough for layering, while the material distinguishes itself through the ample protection that defies any weather condition.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

Armani Exchange in the Heart of Cologne

Armani Exchange, which has been launched in 1991, was initiated to address a younger audience. Rewriting urban codes for two decades, the offshoot of the Italian high-end brand is opening a new store in one of Germany’s up-and-coming cities: Cologne. On November 25th, the doors of the new Armani Exchange store will open to the public – accompanied by an outdoor media campaign around the new store and the connecting streets. The new retail location, which counts 200 square meters of space, is a point of sale for the men’s fashion and women’s fashion collections, as well as for accessory lines. Combining urban elements with an industrial backdrop, the store impeccably represents the contemporary spirit of Armani Exchange. Concrete floors serve as a base for delicate and minimalist shelving, whereas lighting elements are used to highlight special attractions. On the occasion of the launch, the two sizeable front windows are decorated with neon light installations of the typical “A” and “X” letters of the brand, leaving a lasting impression on the numerous passerby’s. Located at Cologne’s well-visited Schildergasse, the store finds itself amid one of the most vivid pedestrian shopping promenades of the German town. The Schildergasse, which is the second oldest street of Cologne, is one of the most frequented shopping streets in Germany. With the opening of the Armani Exchange store, the saunterers are offered to explore the accessible, versatile clothing of Armani Exchange, which cater to a wide audience regardless of age, gender and background, all while replacing conventions with individual expression in true Armani signature style.

The new Armani Exchange store is located at the Schildergasse 72-76, Cologne, Germany from November 25th onwards.

www.armaniexchange.com

Fashion

Tiffany & Co.: Seasonal Display at KaDeWe

On November 16th American jeweler Tiffany & Co. brought their renowned holiday window display from their Fifth Avenue flagship store (NYC) to Germany and celebrated the unveiling of the Christmas window installation at the iconic department store KaDeWe in Berlin and at Oberpollinger in Munich. All ten façade windows of KaDeWe in Berlin are decorated in this year's Tiffany & Co. Christmas campaign. Inspired by the creations of Tiffany designer Jean Schlumberger, this year’s festive windows enchant with dreamy opulence and modern lightness. Schlumberger’s legendary "Bird on a Rock" design from 1956 comes to life as the main protagonist of this year’s theme and embarks on a fantastic journey from New York City across the Atlantic Ocean to Berlin, landing at the Brandenburg Gate. This is brilliantly featured in the window scenery. Architectural icons and design codes from both cities merge in this magical world and storytelling. Visitors are transported into a dreamlike fantasy world, evoking associations of a theatrical "Nutcracker" suite. In addition to the "Bird on a Rock,” the windows feature Schlumberger’s iconic "fish" brooch design and many of his other animal motifs which decorate each portal and are painted by hand. Colorful gemstones adorning the “Bird on a Rock”, from yellow diamonds to deep blue tanzanites to pink kunzites, result in a festive backdrop for Tiffany’s High Jewelry creations. Iconic collections including Tiffany T and Tiffany City HardWear are showcased in these magical window vignettes set off with glittering chandeliers and brought to life with the help of digital animation. The occasion also marked the reopening of the brand’s store within the luxury boulevard of KaDeWe. Numerous artists and creatives from the film, fashion, and music industries heeded the call and were treated to a private concert by international artist Alice Merton following the unveiling.

www.tiffany.com

Fashion

YUSE Fall 2021: Re:Yuse: In Sync with Nature

The FW21 collection is a prime example of the refreshing, contemporary, and sustainable approach of the design of Korean brand YUSE. The brand was founded on the principles of finding a better solution for a successful interaction between human society and the environment. YUSE identifies itself with a new generation of fashion brands, defined by consciousness, intelligence and a focus on finding solutions. The brand puts an emphasis on sustainable and transparent production, which is indicated in the name of the latest collection—Re:Yuse, a pun alluding to the term “re-use”. Finding inspiration and unorthodox materials in the exceptional sides of nature, the brand designed tube tops, imprinted with its signature nature-inspired pattern and made out of PET bottles. The pattern showcases a vision of the seaside, glimmers of natural light and mystic forests. YUSE’s clothing production results in a transformation of former plastic waste that pollutes the Earth into extraordinary garments that can be worn with a clean conscience. The showcased dresses, blouses, and various knitwear pieces are created with an asymmetrical shape and are available in different earthy shades of brown as well as an azzurro blue and pomegranate red. YUSE’s design approach creates no boundaries between minimalism and boldness but rather highlights the individuality of a person through clothing.

www.yuse-shop.com

Fashion

Chanel Resort 2022: Irreverence and Refinement

The Resort collection of Chanel took place in May at the Carrières de Lumiéres in the midst of the French Provence. The according campaign has been captured in front of a backdrop of long stretches of sand, complete with murmuring waves, the collection imagines a trip to the beach in the Mediterranean part of France. Chanel defines the spirit of the collection with “In the art of contrast, irreverence meets refinement” – the collection combines expressive black and white looks with a strong aura with delicate organza flowers, silk crêpe fabrics and macramé elements. Mixing velvet, suede, satin and patent leather with the emblematic use of Chanel tweed, the collection exudes the effortless French style that Chanel has been known for since its founding. The collection exhibits a new free-spiritedness and sense for experimentation, incorporating elements such as chokers and Mary-Jane shoes. The playful side of the collections is balanced out with punk rock influences, coming to terms with alterations of band t-shirts and little black dresses, feather timed and adorned with silver chains. The Resort collection also showcases embellishment as a recurring detail, expressing the finesse and attention to detail that Virginie Viard has continuously carries forward in all the Chanel shows.

The Chanel Cruise collection is available in boutiques from November 9th 2021.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Aiguille D’Or for Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo

2021s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève has awarded Bulgair with the “Aiguille d’Or” price. The “Aiguille d'Or” is the most prestigious category of watch-honoring awards and has been dedicated to the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar, one of the four watches which Bulgari has entered into the contest. The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar consists of no less than 408 components each aligned and coordinated into one entity that masters the art of time with extreme finesse. The sleek, thin watch case marks the thinnest in the world, setting a world record for the seventh time in a row. Created in 2014 in the wake of a complete overhaul of fine watch-making by Bulgari, the Octo Finissimo has redefined the limits of contemporary horlogerie. Concentrating on thinness, the Finissimo line radically renewed the genre of valuable watches, leading several Haute Horlogerie brands to follow suit. To acquire the flat watch case, the engineers of Bulgari had to explore new solutions, sounding out the ideal ways of using each minuscule space between the components while considering the dimensions the mechanical clockwork requires. Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bulgari Group, comments: “This prestigious award rewards the in-depth work initiated by Bulgari to redefine the fundamentals of Haute Horlogerie in terms of Art of Miniaturization. It rewards finally Bulgari’s spirit: boldness, disruptive and innovative.”

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Rive Droite Exhibition Honoring the Work of Jeanloup Sieff

To celebrate Paris Photo 2021, Anthony Vaccarello, the creative director of Saint Laurent, decided to host a unique exhibition, including the work of artist Jeanloup Sieff at the luxury brand’s Rive Droite store. Jeanlouf Sieff was a French photographer, best known and still admired for his unique talent of capturing well-known personalities and politicians as well as iconic black and white landscape images. Sieff thoroughly studied the body in dance, resulting in a very erotic signature appearance on his photographs. The photographer is deeply connected with the brand since he shot the most legendary picture of the couturier and founder of the brand, Yves Saint Laurent— a nude portrait. Sieff's poetic approach on nudes, women, and the infinite interpretations of space and nature, grasping a relationship between fashion and storytelling is alluring. It perfectly matches the quintessence of the concept on which Rive Droite was established— an accessible, playful, and ironic equivalent to Rive Gauche. The cultural nod to Rive Gauche is not only a store with a versatile assortment but a platform for like-minded people to meet at performances, exhibitions, and events for cultural exchanges. The exhibition will be displayed at Saint Laurent Rive Droite, Paris, from November 4th until December 7th 2021.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Gucci Parade SS 2022: An Imaginative Escape

“People dress how they feel, not just for fashion but for representation of ego, and personality…it's about human beings,” Alessandro Michele´s latest declaration of love applies to all the different glamorous sides of Hollywood. The creative director of the globally renowned and admired brand Gucci is known for translating his wishes, dreams, and beliefs into bold, magnifying clothes with a poetic approach. For the Gucci Love Parade show, Michele draws inspiration from iconic personalities and moments of Hollywood that have been an imaginary escape from the grey and dreary reality since his childhood. For the Love Parade collection, Alessandro Michele lives up to his reputation of being a provocateur, designing special jewelry pieces, which upon closer inspection reveal themselves as sex toys. Star-studded nightgowns finished with furry volant details are complemented with cowboy hats, resembling the confident and eccentric charisma of a Marilyn Monroe or Veronica Lake. Lingerie-inspired dresses and skirts matched with blouses are adorned with Michele´s captivating signature patterns and dipped in bold colors. A reimagined, glittery version of Tom Ford’s legendary velvet suit is worn by unorthodox models, such as Macauley Culkin or Jared Leto. With the show, Alessandro Michele creates a wonderful world where neither the past nor future are of substance, only the power of imagination.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

PB0110- CO2 NEUTRAL LEATHER: With Small Steps Into a Climate Neutral Future

The urgency for eco-friendly alternatives and climate neutrality is ubiquitous and concerns every occupational group. PB0110 meets today’s ecological standard by working closely with a certified tannery in Germany. The family-run tannery was founded in 1899 and ever since lives up to their aspirations of continuous improvement, producing high-quality leather, that stems from by-products of the meat- and milk production. The tannery is tested by ECO2L, a German labeling system that controls the energy and emission variables during the tanning process, and certified with the gold standard of the Leather Working Group, a highly recognized brand, representing responsible leather sourcing to the industry and consumers. By investing in CO2 certificates, ECO2L also supports a wind project in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and therefore contributes worldwide to reduce the risks of global warming. PB0110 Neutral Leather collection features shoulder bags in different sizes and shapes, ranging from sack- to square-shaped bags as well as shoppers accompanied by a long shoulder strap. The color palette ranges from bright blues and reds to earthy nuances, such as brown, black and dark green. The Neutral Leather collection represents a small step for the leather industry to reduce its CO2 emission and foster climate-neutral production as an immanent part of the fashion supply chain.

www.pb0110.com

Fashion

Levi’s x The Woolmark Company: Unifying Strengths

Levi’s and the Woolmark Company are united by sustainability and performance, which are deeply anchored in the success vocabulary of the two global conglomerates. The Woolmark logo is one of the world’s most recognized and respected symbols for natural fibers, assuring the highest quality for the international textile and fashion industries. The company is a subsidiary of the Australian Wool Innovation, owned by more than 24.000 woolgrowers, who invest in the development and research of Australian Wool. The renowned brand Levi’s decided to collaborate with the company, combining forces and creating a new silhouette, the Torsten Quilted boot. The casual boot guarantees high quality from the moisture-managed sole through the upper constructed, breathable leather to the recycled lacing. The inner lining of the shoe is made out of Australian merino wool. The Woolmark certified merino Wool equates to a large extent with a renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable fiber. The utilitarian-inspired design is combined with an eco-Cordura quilted effect and is available in an autumnal color palette, ranging from mustard to black. The Torsten Quilted boot perfectly highlights the versatility of the natural fiber and sustainably conscious produced options.

www.levi.com

Fashion

Cartier: A Unique Experience

A place where exceptional savoir-faire and remarkable creativity meet- the first Pop-Up boutique in De Bijenkorf, the Netherlands of world-renowned luxury Maison Cartier. By choosing Amsterdam as a location for its Pop-Up boutique, Cartier found the perfect location that coincides with the brand´s deeply anchored values- an unparalleled sense of adventurism and eclecticism. The elegant white interior design is adorned with gold accents and perfectly matches with the iconic gold jewelry pieces, that are showcased in the store, resulting in an ideal union of form and design. The boutique´s assortment includes the most memorable and innovative designs of the luxury conglomerate. Cartier showcases its iconic watches as well as extraordinary rings, bracelets and necklaces, that were designed and crafted at the beginning of the 20th century but due to their timelessness are still popular today. Another notable aspect and proof for Cartier´s deep-rooted originality is an area in the boutique, referred to as Touch&Try, which revolves around a thorough study of the quintessence as well as the origins of Cartier´s iconic jewelry. A visit to the debut Pop-Up boutique of Cartier in Amsterdam is an unparalleled experience, where one encounters a fusion of timeless elegance and precision in jewelry as well as interior design.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta: Salon 03 Detroit

Inspired by the golden age of intimate couture shows, Bottega Veneta presented its latest collection through Salon 03, a format called to life in October 2020, that presents the ready-to-wear collections of the house with an exclusive take. Each season, the Salon takes place in a new city, intertwining the shown looks with the urban spirit of the according town. The third edition of Salon was presented in Detroit. Inspired by the city’s appreciation of technical and creative design, Daniel Lee, creative director of Bottega Veneta, encapsulated Detroit’s pioneering role in pushing forward American retail, techno music, automotive innovations and the architectural modernism movement. Celebrating the ingenuity of the city, the collection revolves around the notions of progress and joyful futures. Interpreting sports- and workwear with a modern, high-performance daywear lens, the looks exude individualism and freedom. Referring to the industrial innovations of Detroit, the collection’s looks come with a technical glamour that does not compromise in function. Metal yarns, rubber elements and an overarching theme of manipulated, voluminous silhouettes bestow the looks with a avant-gardist nature. The collection was simultaneously presented at their newly opened Detroit Firehouse, which represents a space where local creatives come together, exhibiting diverse art works an design projects. The architecture of the old fire station, which is still true to its original composition, offers a minimal and vast backdrop for the multidisciplinary projects, including for example a pop-up record shop by Detroit’s Underground Music Academy and a library dedicated to the publishing history of Detroit, curated by Asmaa Walton. Alongside the creative outlet, the space doubles as a retail point for the commissioned projects.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Valentino Re-Signify Part II

Valentino takes pride in its legacy by reviving significant memories and moments time and time again. As an homage to the profound identity and legacy of the house, creative director Pierpaolo Picciolo has opened the doors of SKP South’s T-10 exhibition space in Beijing, to showcase the second edition of Valentino: Re-Signify. Th exhibition, described by Valentino as a “liquid reading”, immerses the audience into a universe of interpretative takes on classic Valentino codes. 17 artists spanning different mediums and disciplines have lend their creative vision, whereas each of the artists’ works have been paired with Valentino’s designs, either separately exhibited in a complimentary way, or incorporated directly into the art works. This time, the exhibition features artists such as Cao Fei, who merged together the themes of Valentino Haute Couture and cosplay and Gioele Amaro, a digital artist who created physical artefacts that play with the limits of eye sight in synergy with six Valentino Couture dresses. Cheng Ran curated a multi-video installation that levels off somewhere between documentary and fiction, depicting four prêt-à-porter looks from Valentino’s Act Collection. As the name of the exhibition hints, Valentino Re-Signify Part II is a revived memory, a revisited archive of the house’s history, given a new signification through the synergy created by the artists. The re-contextualization of these Valentino anecdotes is exhibited in a perceptible and readable way for the viewer.

The exhibition Valentino: Re-Signify Part II is on show from October 16th to November 7th 2021 at the T-10 space of SKP South in Beijing.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Adidas x C.P. Company: Cinquanta

Functionality and intense fabric research, as well as innovation, are deeply anchored in the success vocabulary of the Italian sportswear brand. This year marks a milestone for C.P. Company, the 50th anniversary in business. For a long time, football and fashion lovers combined pieces of the iconic Italian brand with their German equivalent Adidas. In honor to celebrate C.P. Company’s anniversary, the two pioneers finally decided to officially fuse their DNA in an exceptional range of garments. Chester Perry, later renamed as C.P.Company, was founded in 1971 by Massimo Osti, a man who would later go down in history as the “godfather of urban sportswear”. Sports played a significant role in the implementation of C.P. Company´s experimental streetwear pieces into the mainstream. Both brands are closely connected to football. The limited collection, launched under the name Cinquanta, features signature styles and pieces of Adidas such as the Haslingden jacket, infused with C.P. Company’s core identity. The Adidas icon is revived in a 1970s Italian camouflage print and made out of C.P. Company’s signature fabric 50 Fili. Aside from that, a special team was assigned to the task of revisiting the archives of both brands, resulting in the Adidas Italia SPZL, a white full-grain leather sneaker, adorned with green and red details. Another noteworthy aspect is that the collaborative sneaker comes with an additional pair of outsoles, to provide an extended lifetime of the Adidas Italia SPZL. C.P Company and Adidas are a striking example of a successful collaboration between pioneers, blending their strong identities harmoniously together.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Arte Gia “The Divine Feminine”: A Love Letter

ArteGia is an Amsterdam-based brand who identifies uncompromisingly with feminine energy and inclusion. The family-run brand is founded by Gianita Brinkman, her daughter Kimberly Tarifa and her son Baqua Jody. ArteGia’s core identity, the idea it was founded on is the power of the woman. The family's Indonesian heritage is the greatest source of inspiration for their latest collection “Mamuli”. ArteGia’s idea was to create a love letter, an homage to the Grandmother Marianne, which is transformed into an exceptional range of hand-made jewelry pieces. The collection includes remarkable pieces, earrings and necklaces, made out of sterling silver with an 18-carat gold layer. The pieces of the collection showcase the Mamuli symbol, which unites all the virtues Arte Gia stands for - inclusivity and compassion for every human being no matter their identity, gender or social situation. The symbol has its roots on the Indonesian island of Sumba and represents fertility, creation, healing as well as growth. The most important value of ArteGia is their authentic belief system, which is not only reflected in their jewelry but also in their dedication and support in Bali. The family has made it their mission to especially help the creative and LGBTQ+ communities, by providing basic needs such as rice and food packages. Through their Indonesian heritage, the ravishing Mamuli collection is to be seen as more than just beautiful pieces of jewelry but spiritual reminders of compassion, love and devotion.

www.arte-gia.com

Fashion

Royal Folklore at Etro

Few historic remnants carry as much symbolic value as a crown. Signifying responsibility, majesty and decisiveness, the crown embodies an epitome of fortitude. While royal sovereignty as a form of government and the idea of sole reigns are passé, the figurative symbolism around royalty still marks a significant tool of empowerment. Etro found inspiration in this empowerment for the Crown Me line and interpreted majesty in a modern manner for their customers. Etro launches the collection as a metaphor and shared invitation to love and appreciate, representing the idea of a more powerful, daring and valiant every day feel for its wearers. The Crown Me line consists of a collection of bags, small leather items and accessories like belts, jewels and headbands, featuring classic styles including a hobo-bag, a bucket bag and a tote. The key element of the collection is are rustic embellishments of square studs that achieve a three-dimensional touch. The crown-like assemblage of the studs is featured in two color options, an antique tinted silver galvanic with turquoise cabochon and brass galvanic with black cabochon. The combination of the stud decorations, Etro’s signature paisley print fabric and high quality leather marks the meeting between heritage and contemporary creativity and evokes a folklore feel.

Crown Me is available in Etro Boutiques, online and at selected international retailers from now on.

www.etro.com

Fashion

Messika by Kate Moss: A Sensual Homage to Femininity

Following a previous collaboration, Messika created another series of jewelry, working together with the one and only supermodel legend Kate Moss. The jewelry designer Valérie Messika is known and admired for her beautiful jewelry pieces, enhancing female beauty and a blend of the timeless with a modern twist. This collaboration marks a milestone for Messika’s and Moss’ partnership because for the first time it is presented as a real, ravishing runway show, staged in an equally glamorous environment as the jewelry collection itself, the Hotel Ritz. The guests included Cardi B, Toni Garrn and Tina Kunakey. The collection features an exceptional range of extravagant necklaces, unique earrings in precious colored gold, refined with colorful gems, malachites, turquoises as well as diamonds. The pieces can be worn traditionally around the neck and on the ears as well as on the forehead as a modern version of a crown. “The emotion appears when the imaginary becomes real’’ is a mantra of the brand Messika, perfectly capturing the creative process behind their collaboration. Kate Moss drew inspiration from elements of bohemian chic that sensually enhance femininity. This idea was transformed in versatile jewellery pieces, which represent perfect elevating additions to an everyday look.

www.messika.com

Fashion

Arthur Arbesser FW 21: Fashionable Art

In the FW21 presentation the Milan-based designer Arthur Arbesser, best known for his personal and design language, proves that one can draw inspiration from everything, even a painter’s palette and a harlequin doll found on a flea market. Something that sets Arthur Arbesser’s FW21 collection apart from others are the prints, which act as a mirror of the designer’s personality and give us a very private glimpse of his soul. Striking prints with symbolic, geometric motifs resemble the works of British artist Joe Tilson, heavily appreciated by Arbesser. Tilson is famous for his designs referencing ancient cultures, reinterpreted in a pop-art aesthetic. Another noteworthy aspect surrounding the prints, presented in this collection is sustainability. The brush-stroked printing from the SS19 collection is revived, previously used fake-fur is dyed and made into impressive hats and silk as well as cotton are rematched in new garments. Further pieces of the FW21 collection also include silk pyjama sets, mohair jacquard skirts, sweaters and pleated skirts in a beautifully composed styling. Bold colored and radiant yet soft and easy to wear. The collection is photographed in an artistic environment- a painter’s studio with lots of canvases stacked in the background, which perfectly resonates the clothes. It seems that the art on the canvases is come to life by the captivating and colorful prints on the clothes. The collection does not only feature beautifully put together garments, but with every piece of clothing, a bit of the designer Arthur Arbesser himself.

www.arthurarbesser.com

Fashion

VERSACE SS22: Celebrating Comebacks

This season is all about revisiting iconic archival Versace trends, while having the first live fashion show since the pandemic has started. Donatella makes strong use of the typical Versace vocabulary, the vibrant colors, sleek latex dresses and what comes first to mind when thinking about Versace, the brands multifunctional signature piece: the foulard. Aside from the fact that the runway location is wrapped with the silk scarf, it appears on a range of different garments such as flowing dresses, pajama sets, Bikini tops and for the men’s collection in form of the infamous silk shirt. The SS22 collection is youthful and playful, strongly oriented to the needs of the Generation Z for ´90s revival trends. It includes the short, bold colored party dresses as well as the iconic safety pins, which serve two purposes, decorative embellishment and functional fastening of the pieces. The collection also features the iconic pinned black pencil dress, worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1994. The colorful mix of colors and ornamentation details is intriguing to look at and at the same time acts as a teaching lesson for anyone who wonders how the mind of the Gen Z generation processes impression rich social media such as Tik Tok.

www.versace.com

Fashion

MM6 Margiela SS22 to Bring Back the Fun in Fashion

The brand is rediscovering the playful side of fashion, in a literal way with a lot of chess patterns on a range of different garments. True to the brands core identity, you can find a lot of playful contradictions in this collection. The most expressive pieces on this runway are faux fur wheeled luggage items in collaboration with Eastpak, silk evening dresses and long chess patterned skirts paired with rubber gloves, one would usually associate with cleaning dishes. Sleeves and gloves are the main focus this season, taken out of context and displaced on ecru colored blazers or wrapped around bold colored leather jackets. Another interesting detail is the fabric manipulation in form of boiled cotton, that gives off the impression of leather. This process could be compared to Trompe l’oeil, a technique popular among surrealists, as it gives an optical illusion of something, that isn’t there. All these rebellious aspects give us a hint on the main inspiration behind the new collection, the female surreal artists, among them Claude Cahun, Leonora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning, whose influence is especially noticeable in accessoires like the broken pearl earring. A perfect balance between casual and avant-garde pieces, the MM6 SS22 collection is an ideal example of the free-spirited play with clothing, ignoring any rules, that is deep-rooted in Margiela’s DNA.

www.maisonmargiela.com

Fashion

Boucheron: Animaux de Collection Wladimir

Boucheron’s history of incorporating animals into their collections dates back to the 1860s. With their collection Bestiary Tale, Boucheron brought to life a series of minuscule animal figurines, perpetuated in the finest jewelry. The French brand has revived its inspiration from the animal kingdom with its Animaux de Collections in the past years. Through this collection, each animal - among others a leopard, a hedgehog and a parrot - Boucheron has created personal talismans that represent the unique character of their wearer. The fauna of the planet earth has always been deeply connected with us humans. Domesticating animals, pet ownership and the anthropomorphising of animal characters show the incomparable bond between humans and animals. Now, the collection is replenished by a new character – Wladimir, the cat with vivid gemstone eyes and diamond-studded fur. The inspiration for Wladimir comes from Boucheron’s urban mythos tale of a cat watching over the Boucheron boutique in Paris. Available in two different ring forms, a simple pendant necklace as well a sturdy collar necklace, Wladimir represents a feline lucky charm, making for a perfect gift that is enriched by the wearers personal association. The according campaign features Alexa Chung, whose carefree and playful elegance embodies the blueprint identity of Boucheron’s customer – and Wladimir’s human guardian.

www.boucheron.com

Fashion

Stone Island x New Balance

Collaborations have proven to be very effective ways for a brand to not only connect with a new audience but also offers a possibility to reflect on the essence of the brand itself. Faced with a different brand’s heritage, its different approach and aesthetic, one is forced to reflect on one’s essence and how it can be combined to create a new and innovative product truly representing the best of what both partners have to offer. This becomes especially true if the partnership isn’t just for one season, or one specific drop, but rather over a longer period of time. The Italian house of Stone Island and the footwear company New Balance are about to embark on such a journey. The first chapter of this long-term partnership is a reinterpretation of the RC elite racing and training shoe. The resulting shoe is the combination of New Balance’s expertise as shoemakers, whereas Stone Island brings a new stylistic direction, as well as all their accumulated material knowledge. Perfectly adjusted to the needs of runners, it features the updated FuelCell technology and the upper is produced in a 3D knit, lightweight, thin and breathable. The most visible reminder of this partnership is the strategically placed logos, the New Balance graphics on the right foot and the iconic Stone Island Compass on the left.

www.stoneisland.com
www.newbalance.com

Fashion

Furla’s Re-Candy Bag

In the wake of Milan Fashion Week 2021, Furla celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the signature Candy tote handbag by re-inventing with a forward-thinking, conscious vision while remaining true to the brand’s authentic traditions. The Candy bag, distinguishable by its reduced and contemporary design, has been elevated into a sustainable version. To ensure maximum expertise, Furla has turned to the professional knowledge of Italian companies who are trailblazers of sustainable solutions, such as Nativa, a regenerative design business. Circularity has been a centerpoint in Furla’s undertaking towards an ecological Candy, which is why the Re-Candy is made from recycled plastic and produced in a factory powered exclusively by electrical energy from renewable sources. In an endeavor to encompassing sustainability, the Re-Candy name and logo have been embossed onto the bag instead of using dyes. Although the Re-Candy has been designed to last a lifetime, the bag is fully recyclable once it is disposed of. The Re-Candy comes in vibrant colors, from vibrant pink, saturated purple, bright orange to lime green and embodies a lifestyle balancing urban dynamic with the serenity of being at ease with the environment. The Re-Candy was presented in the midst of multicolored inflatable flowers, with the event serving as a propeller of conversation and change.

www.furla.com

Fashion

BOSS x Russell Athletic Pre-Spring 22: Game Day Energy

BOSS x Russell Athletic Pre-Spring 22: Game Day Energy On the occasion of their second collaboration, Boss and Russell Athletics presented their looks in a classic American manner on the lively baseball field of the Kennedy Sports Center in Milan. The show was opened by Gigi Hadid, sporting an emblematic blouson jacket, uniting the tailoring experience from BOSS with the casual designs of Russell Athletic. Gigi’s opening set the bar for a plethora of celebrities featured in the show, such as Irina Shayk and Joan Smalls, who presented the 60 looks of the collection. In an encompassing way, the show reproduced compelling game-day energy with a marching band, cheerleading teams and a jubilant crowd, including personalities like Chiara Ferragni and Tik-Tok star Younes Zarou. The SS22 collection champions team spirit and companionship with matching looks, featuring classical sportswear elements such as varsity jackets, crewnecks, hoodies and jerseys. Tapping into the design potential of team merchandise elements with pithy logos and slogans, dynamic stripes and oversized silhouettes, the collaboration extrudes the legacy of casual streetwear. The neutral color palette ranging from camel, black, white and navy as the basis of the collection delivered the perfect playground for color coding with orange, red and teal accentuations, resulting in visual unity yet immediate affiliation to imaginary sports teams - creating a replica of the fashion seen in stadium stands.

www.boss.com
www.russellatheletic.com

Fashion

David LaChapelle for Moose Knuckles

With the production of the latest Moose Knuckles FW21 campaign, David LaChapelle has once again captured a surreal and phantasmagoric setting bursting with vibrant colors. Utilizing his distinctive exaggerated and expressive photography DNA, LaChapelle enacted a winter wonderland of the unusual kind. The icy location conveys a bubbly kitsch with a subtle computer-generated imagery atmosphere in which the campaign faces Emily Ratajkowski, Pete Davidson and Adwoa Aboah seem like comic figures. Artificial ice waves in life-size, iced versions of motorcycles and other surreal gadgets juxtapose the extreme and abstract with the familiar. Directly depicted in the snowy landscape and put to practice in the action-loaden shots, the looks style by Kyle Luu exemplify what Moose Knuckle’s expertise stands for: impeccable function with style. Focusing on puffer jackets and vests, Moose Knuckles FW21 collection offers bold color options such as lime colored check patterns and neon palettes. The development of the collection concentrated on minimizing weight and permeability, while increasing warmth, mobility and personality.

The FW21 collection from Moose Knuckles is available for purchase online as well as selected luxury retailers worldwide.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: The Rise of Butterflies

María Magdalena Campos-Pons is one of the most renowned artists from the post-revolution era in Cuba in the 1980s. Her powerful and poetic voice is known countrywide and is now displayed in Europe within her exhibition The Rise of Butterflies at Galerie Barbara Thumm in the wake of the Gallery Weekend *Discoveries. The central pieces of her art revolve around race, religion and class, taking into account the individual and collective stories touching upon mythology, traditions and symbols of the African diaspora. Campos-Pons makes use of a multidisciplinary expression, creating from a multitude of mediums such as paintings, videos and photography, sculptures, installations as well as performances. In The Rise of Butterflies, the Cuban-based artist translates the situations of life that stem from hybrid cultural upbringing. Separation, memory and fragmentation play a major part in her work in which she also incorporates personal narratives of her youth in Cuba and the following relocation to the United States. “My work speaks to an ancestral knowledge and tradition to give a voice to the darkest narratives with grace and aesthetic elegance. Fragility, ephemerality, and a transient quality of a time and place are visible components in my vocabulary” is how Campos-Pons defines her artistic mission. The exhibition centres around the topic of metamorphosis – the bringing down of the evil, the budding and blossoming of the new beginnings and the hope that springs from this rebirth. Floral symbolism, culturally rich semiotics and colour explosions are the golden thread in her work. 

The Rise of Butterflies by María Magdalena Campos-Pons is exhibited at Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, from September 18th until December 31th 2021.

www.bthumm.de
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: Senorita Latifa Sharifah

Sculptural collages made from peculiar objects are the centerpieces of Jasmin Werner’s first solo exhibition at Guido W. Baudach Gallery. The exhibition consists of two of Jasmin Werner’s latest series, Wholly Family and Schloss der Republik Burj Khalifa OFW. The common ground of the two series that together make the exhibition Senorita Latifa Sharifah is the display of peculiar and arbitrary objects, puzzled together into assemblage-like sculptures which exude cryptical and allusive allegories. As such, the exhibition features sculptures in which combine construction mesh prints with light installations. Many of the assemblages feature quirky objects such as children toys like chopping cart that are turned into extension cords that power the light work or miniature ladders, inducing a change of perspective and size distortions. The Cologne-based German-Filipino artists used mostly recycled materials from former works at Städtische Galerie Bärenzwinger in Berlin. Through the new interpretation, in which she dissects the former scaffolding sculptures and images of buildings, she connects the locations of the Palast der Republik, the Berlin Stadtschloss and the skyscraper Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Senorita Latifa Sharifah by Jasmin Werner is exhibited at Guido W. Baudach Gallery, Berlin, from September 11th to October 16th 2021.

www.guidowbaudach.com
www.jasmin-werner.de
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: Starter Kit

Cudelice Brazelton IV is a Frankfurt-based artist who channels subcultural happenings into hybrid art installations. Sculptures and paintings are his preferred vehicle of artistic expression. Through the combination of sculptures and paintings as well as sound accentuation, Brazelton creates unusual installations that induce the experience of tactile, auditory and visual stimuli. By engaging multiple senses, Brazelton creates a performative context that points towards a specific source of inspiration. Through his installations, Brazelton refers to black, punk and queer culture. For the artist, these cultures represent the driving force behind his profession, which is why he ensures to represent current events, controversies and critical discourse through his artistic outputs. DIY elements and the idea of clubs as a meeting point play a significant role in the actualization of the sculptures. Brazelton’s installations showcase a spectrum of industrial, abstract, delicate and crafty elements. Canvas, electronic supplies, chains, pipework – the materials used are diverse, yet Brazelton’s installations feature distinctive handwriting. Alongside more rustic materials, Brazelton incorporates photographs and paintings into his sculptures, often featuring a human face or body part. The hybrid nature of humanity, technology and objects that is reflected in his sculptures evokes an absurd aftertaste that poses questions of identity and belonging, which directs back to the inspirational essence from which subculture emerges.

Starter Kit by Cudelice Brazelton IV is exhibited at Barbara Weiss, Berlin, from September 4th - October 7th 2021.

www.galeriebarbaraweiss.de
www.cudelicebrazelton.com
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Fashion

Armani Casa: The Home as the Horizon

With the recent happenings that implied a turn towards the own four walls as the site of daily life, the meaning and significance of the notion “home” has shifted. Our living space turned into an ever-changing cosmos, representing our dispositions, feelings and situations – or as Armani puts it the home has become the horizon of everyday life. Giorgio Armani himself has attempted to find answers during this shift of perspective, contemplating the blurred lines between day-to-day activities and the home as a safe haven for relaxation. Eventually, bowing to a strong wish to reconnect with the sparks of the outdoors instead of the indoors, Giorgio found his inspiration in nature: “We live on this planet, and we need to be in touch with the earth. Natural elements give us calm and serenity and provide the background against which we can express ourselves.” Lightness and light play a major role in the design outcomes, with a focus on function, quality and elegance. Decorative details support the definition of visual continuity between the different areas of the home, creating compartments that define yet merge the areas of the home. The collection features items including slender desks, bar cabinets, sitting accommodations. Many of the pieces simultaneously serve as room dividing furniture.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Cartier's Santos Collection

For their latest eyewear launch, Cartier once again took inspiration from their design legacy. This time the origins of the new eyewear line date back to 1904 – which is when Cartier crafted one of the first wristwatches for famous Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont. The wristwatch’s design was aligned with the typical aviator hints, such as exposed screws and geometric shapes. With its gender-neutral popularity, the watch rapidly ranked as a classic defying the hands of time. Cartier has extended the aviator watch into the Santos collection, a series of eyewear items that pay tribute to Santos and the design cues of his profession. The frames of the Santos collection is characterized by confident metal shapes, luxuriously finished with signature screw details and geometrical temple tips taken, directly adapted from the original Santos watch. The men’s collection features a contemporary take on the idea of aviator leather jackets with soft leather blinders. For the first time, the Santos launches a women’s collection too, showing lightweight profiles with delicate frames with beautifully nuanced lenses with gradient glasses, taking on a modern interpretation of highly recognizable and sophisticated design through delicacy and subtleness.

www.cartier.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: Rosa Rosa Rosae Rosae

The exhibition rosa rosa rosae rosae features the knowledge, transmission and history of language as a subject of discussion. With twenty contributing artists of multiple origins the exhibition achieves a diverse representation of how language shapes world views and creates barriers and clarification at the same time. The exhibition has taken inspiration from Jan Vercruysse’s photograph Rosa/Rota ll, in which the Belgian poet plays with the modification and purposeful interpretation of the Latin language. The photograph depicts two panels, one with the declension of the Latin word rosa (rose) and one with the Latin word rota (destiny). Getrude Stein’s infamous poetry verse “rose is a rose is a rose is a rose” reinforces contemplations around the literal meaning of words by emphasizing rhyme, rhythm and the fluidity of poetry. Derived from these references, rosa rosa rosae rosae revolves around the deceptive power of language. Since language is immanent to passing on knowledge, words inherit the ability to influence depending on personal language bias. The exhibition visualizes the reflection of a world with permeable borders where language unconsciously intermingles with discussion values, individual viewpoints and expression habits. This language bias is summarized in rosa rosa rosae rosae as a matrix that clarifies and confuses as it surrenders to interpretation.

Rosa rosa rosae rosae is exhibited at La Maison Pelgrims, Brussels, from October 10th - October 23rd 2021.

www.brusselsgalleryweekend.com

Art

Art for Days: Brussels Gallery Weekend 2021

From renowned museums to exquisite galleries, small artist’ ateliers and café exhibitions – Brussel’s cultural repertoire is of an impressive spectrum in which the traditional and old-school aligns with the urban contemporality. Since 2008, each year in September the art hubs of the city become the showplaces of the Brussels Gallery Weekend, an undertaking that highlights this diverse art scene and its spectators. A dynamic program of exhibitions, panel talks and gallery tours enables the visitors to immerse themselves into the local art scene. A special exhibition named Generation Brussels supports young talents by providing them with an opportunity to show their art. With 46 participating galleries and 14 guest venues, the weekend promises a plethora of exhibitions. Free spirits create their own routes and roam through the galleries as they please, yet for those who enjoy some guidance, seven routes of an hour and a half accompanied by an expert are offered. In addition to the exhibitions, the Brussels Gallery Weekend includes special occasions such as book launches, exclusive visits, performances and more. 

The Brussel Gallery Weekend takes place from September 9th until September 12th 2021. The opening hours are 11am to 7pm, with an exception to the opening day on which art enthusiasts can visit the galleries until 9pm.

www.brusselsgalleryweekend.com

Fashion

Hermès Hippomobile Tea Service

During the Milan Design Week, Hermès has presented their latest home collection creation Hippomobile– a joyful and playful tea service inspired by the iconic equestrian notes the French brand is known for. The tea service is composed of a teapot, various plates varying in size, several types of cups and saucers, a creamer, a sugar bowl, as well as a cake and a tart platter. The colorful designs of the items allow for mixing and combining on the whim - no matter the occasion, the porcelain adds a cheerful touch to breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon tea or any other time of the day that could use a touch of playfulness. Gianpaolo Pagni, the artist behind the distinctive designs, drew his inspiration from jockey silks. Pagni’s inspiration unfolded in an unexpected way as he interpreted his vision with round, contrasting shapes taken from the cartoon world. “I envisioned a horse with an elongated back that could hold several riders. A kind of limousine horse”, is how the Italian artist explains the idea behind the horse motif that stretches over the items and gives an illusion of the items belonging together while being interchangeable at the same time. The horses are covered in graphic friezes that abstractly remind of jockey outfits. Together with the vivid, almost 3D like backdrops painted onto the items, the design catches the eye of the observer and induces a geniality that lets imagination run free. For the graphic elements on the horses, Pagni crafted stamps that would imprint the motifs onto the porcelain – a technique that is known for creating a slight quiver in the pigment distribution and thus creates a unique look for each piece.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Gina Stiebitz for DoDo Charming Jewelery

Gina Stiebitz, a German actress known for the internationally successful Netflix series Dark is the new face of DoDo’s latest campaigns. The young actress has made a name for herself within the German film industry especially, with an expressive charm and memorable confidence. With the new campaigns, newly opened boutiques and new jewelry collections, DoDo pursues its values of sustainability and inclusiveness by spreading heartfelt messages of love, friendship and freedom through its famous charm items. The collaboration between Gina and the Italian jewelry brand is a match made in heaven – as for both the values of inclusivity, empathy, unity and empowerment are of indispensable significance in all of their undertakings. The young spirit of DoDo, which launched in 1994 aligns with Gina’s age and together they aspire to convey the open-mindedness their generation is known for. In 2021, DoDo has planned and launched three collections – Bollicine, Stellina and Holiday – each of which features a campaign with Gina. Bollicine concentrates on versatility and daily wearability with a focus on layering, stacking and the currently on-trend mixing and matching of minimalistic pieces. Stellina presents itself in a true DoDo manner, in which star shapes shine away with precious gemstones and diamonds, making for a modern, evolved style for young women especially. Lastly, Holiday is a special collection for the festive season, presenting the iconic DoDo charms such as the heart, moon, clover and stars with a sparkly and celebratory twist.

www.dodo.it

Fashion

Montblanc Meisterstück x Pirelli Limited Edition

When two pioneers of traditional European craftsmanship unite their uncompromising skill and aspiration of quality, the result is guaranteed to be a masterpiece. For their latest writing instrument, Montblanc has paired up with Pirelli, bringing together the art of writing with the art of making tyres. Whereas the collaboration seems unexpected at first glance, these two brands share a strong bond that reaches back to their very beginnings, namely the material that defined their origins: rubber. Back in the day, Pirelli manufactured rubber products of various kinds, while Montblanc crafted their first writing instrument from ebonite, a special kind of rubber received from vulcanizing natural rubber. With a subtle anecdote to Montblanc’s signature Rouge et Noir fountain pen and Pirelli’s choice of red as a brand color, this Meisterstück edition presents itself in a classic color combination with unconventional graphic design. Inspired by these origins, the deep, saturated black of the ebonite rubber and the accentuating bright red, the Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli Limited Edition 1872 reflects the legacy of Montblanc and Pirelli at once. The special edition features an engraved pattern on the cap and on the barrel that pays tribute to the historic graphic pattern of the Pirelli logo from 1966 and resembles the surface of tyres. A stylised running tyre with the Montblanc emblem at its centre further expresses the proud collaboration of the incumbent manufacturers, that both carry the virtue of craftsmanship, precision and quality at their core.

The Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli Limited Edition 1872 is available from September 2021 at Montblanc boutiques worldwide.

www.montblanc.com

Fashion

Dior Talks with Felicity Jones

Dior invites the curious listener to experience the contemporary mind of the French Maison. At Dior Talks, persons who directly shape the creative direction of Dior meet with those whose artistic, cultural or intellectual views inspire the narrative of it. Hosted by journalist Justine Picardie, the sixth season of this podcast series revolves around feminism and features strong female characters from different professional backgrounds. Following talks with poet and author Robin Morgan, international ballet start Eleonora Abbagnato and artist Eva Jospin; the latest episode features actress Felicity Jones. Jones, who has been a part of the movie industry for over 25 years, touches upon acting, gender roles and her opinion towards all-male environments, specifically in regards to the recent shifts and developments in the acting world, which have been unfolding since the #MeToo happenings in October 2017. Picardie and Jones get to the bottom of the shortcomings and pitfalls of the male-dominated film industry and discuss the importance of women-led projects – in front of and behind the camera. Jones has admired Maria Grazia Chiuri designs at Dior for their ability to empower women, and for the Maison’s modus operandi of tying together unapologetic femineity, freedom and feminism all in one.

www.podcasts.dior.com

Fashion

Max Mara: FW21

Italian Heritage brand, Max Mara, unveils its FW21 ‘Camesole’ - highly technical fabrics depicted on two strong incredible women, in a series of shorts directed by Tracy Doyle. With cinematography by Cecile Zhang, themes of hope are explored, the idea of the impossible or improbable dissipating with the presence of hope. In these videos which were produced, directed and starring women, ‘Portraits of Women’ focuses on two subjects from two different parts of the world. The camel hair is finely interwoven with recycled polyester made in Italy, the result is a resilient padding to protect against the harshest elements. The FW21 collection is made up of 10 pieces which include five styles of coats, one jacket, two hoodies and a short and long vest.

The Senior Director of Talent for Vogue and Condé Nast, Helena Suric, is filmed by Dagmar Weaver-Madsen starting her day at eight in the morning. The ritual of dressing is the focal point, a brief moment of vulnerability displayed as one studies themselves in the mirror before taking off into a cold world or inner city night. The video’s nighttime subject is CEO of Nova Universal, Jasmine Xie, shot in Chengdu, China at eight in the evening, filmed with the help of cinematographer Cecile Zhang. Both subjects, armed with CameLuxe from the Cube, embraces all possibilities and opportunities offered up by both night and day this fall season.

The application of camel hair on its coats is a process at the heart of Max Mara, cameluxe, an ultra-fine material. The Cube, Max Mara’s modular outerwear collection arrives in colors of caramel, rock salt, black, coal, dark and dark blue. All materials used are certified by the Textile Exchange to meet the Global Recycling Standard.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

Hublot’s Rainbow Watch

With a passion for pop art and bright tones, Hublot’s latest creation is abundant of color. A vibrant gradient adorns the Big Bang Tourbillion Rainbow - no Pantone color is unattainable - not even the rainbow color palette. Since 2017, Hublot has incorporated all the rainbow colors in different ways in the watches, but until the Big Bang Tourbillion, the seven colors of the rainbow have not been set together in one watch. This August, the watchmaker presents these two exceptional high jewelry pieces, which radiate cheerful decadence from the bezel to the watch case to the bracelet. The Big Bang Tourbillon model is available in two versions, one in king gold and one in white gold, which reveal the fascinating movement of the automatic winding under sapphire glass. Nearly 36 carats, 484 invisibly set baguette-cut stones, and seven different types of stones reflect the seven visible colors of the rainbow spectrum: bright red rubies, fuchsia sapphires, ultraviolet amethysts, Yves Klein blue topaz, lush green tsavorites, lemon yellow sapphires, and bright orange sapphires. The smooth transition between the seven types of stone emphasizes the artistic character of the timepiece. 1,200 hours of work were required to select the stones themselves and their color nuances, to cut and set them according to the color gradient plan, and ultimately to imitate the perfection of nature. Once again, Hublot combines innovation and know-how, high horology and high jewelry in a superlative watch.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Carhartt WIP x Civilist

For the SS 21 collection, Carhartt has collaborated with the iconic Berlin skate brand Civilist. The capsule collection consists of nine pieces. From cotton jersey hoodies to short-sleeved shirts, as well as skating decks and a neck pouch, the collaboration represents a holistic strategy to street style credibility. The approach of Civilist brings a playful side to the renowned streetwear and skateboard brand, by emblazoning the Carhartt styles with graphic smiley faces, whose facial features are derivations of the Carhartt logo and the Civilist logotype. The smiley reappears as a warped 3D iteration on a kaleidoscopic background throughout the nine pieces. Civilist, which was founded in 2009 in Berlin-Mitte evolved from a skate shop to an apparel retailer. Despite the gentrification of the area, the Civilist shop remains a cultural hub and meeting point for the city’s skaters, not least because of their steadfastly and reassuring authenticity. Civilist has collaborated with renowned brands in the past, including Nike, Vans, Converse and Stussy.

Carhartt WIP x Civilist is available from now in selected Carhartt WIP stores, selected skate shops and online.

www.carhartt-wip.com
www.civilistberlin.com

Fashion

Electric Horology at CHANEL

For their latest take on watchmaking, CHANEL seeks inspiration from the mantras of electro subcultures. Referring back to the roots of a music genre that cherished being different and original, the capsule collection CHANEL Electro borrows the graphic codes of vibrant night scenes and the rebellious atmospheres, going against the grain of classics and traditions. Given the all-encompassing, sensory, auditory and visual experience of electronic music, the electro era marked a turning point for performance which gave rise to an authentic culture with distinctive aesthetics. As an honor to this fully-fledged artistic genre, CHANEL immersed into the visual effects of electronic music to find impulses for color combinations. “White is illuminated by color, color is intensified by the depths of black” is the essence of the flickering that accompanies the clubbing scene. Arnaud Chastaingt, the director of the CHANEL watchmaking studio, applied these visual performance programs onto four classic watches, the J12, the Première, the Code Coco and the Boyfriend. Using elements of black ceramic and black steel in combination with vibrant color accentuations CHANEL steps out of the conventional way of design. The Code Coco and Boyfriend styles feature bright diamonds and neon pink leather straps, while the J12 exhibits accents of bold colors in its numerals. The Première comes with a chain bracelet that has an interwoven multicolored leather detailing. The campaign is accompanied by the exclusive launch of seven electro-music pieces, all true to style on a vinyl record, as well as Spotify, specially composed for CHANEL by French DJ Pedro “Busy P” Winter.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo: Holiday Collection

In the 2021 Holiday collection Salvatore Ferragamo serves up an unexpected array of festive garments. Sidelining the typical santa reds, pine greens and gold tones, the Italian brand presents a new take on holiday colors. Turning upside down the conventional Holiday dress code, Salvatore Ferragamo includes a range of items that offer choices aside from the obvious – all while revering the most iconic elements of the brand. The women’s items are categorized into four themes: pretty in pink, sparkle is the girl’s best friend, mini is the new black and mint is a state of mind. The F heel, the Gancini symbol and the Viva bow are represented in metallic-glitter versions, bubblegum pinks and minty pastels and even with integrated mirrors. The men’s collection is significantly less unusual, opting for classic footwear pieces including a pair of loafers, a classic lace-up low shoe and a pair of sneakers. Travel goods cater the driving-home-for-Christmas look and persuade with various size options. Despite the scaled down character of the men’s collection, the attention to detail that shows in the women’s items, steals the spotlight of the gentlemen too. The Gancini buckle adorns the belt options in gold and silver versions, with geometric cuts and relief work. And for the last minutes Christmas gifts, Salvatore Ferragamo included a gift box with a duo of interchangeable buckles inside.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Stone Island FW2021: Shadow Project

Research, experimentation, function and use are the four matrices that define Stone Island’s brand identity. The Italian brand revolutionizes contemporary menswear by focusing on design and practicality at once, without compromising in terms of style. For the F/W 21 collection, Stone Island curated Shadow Project, a product line that focuses on serving the wearer. Utilizing attentive research into the behavioural pattern of wearers, Stone Island manufactured the individual pieces in a way where true functionality shows in the daily usage. Herein, the process of wearing the garment plays a significant role, the pieces of Shadow Project By reducing typical functional details, relying on internal storage solutions and tailoring with a generous fit, the garments provide freedom and comfort to the wearer. The collection is split up into two chapters and engineered to meet the alternating weather conditions of two seasons and their transition time. Shadow Project is a response to futuristic and current world scenarios, in which contemporary menswear evolves to a fusion of performing aspects, material innovation and style.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Alpine Capsule: Skiing with Dior

As an ode to the Alps’ winter wonderlands, Maria Grazia Chiuri designed a capsule collection that fusions Dior’s elegance with sporty skiing attires. Concentrating on looks that combine style and high-tech functionality, the designs are not only suited for going down the slopes but for après ski occasions as well. The capsules’ color palette consists mostly of white and black alpine looks accentuated with red and navy details. Voluminous puffers, trousers and the classic book tote are available in leopard print for an extra dash of glamour that creates an unusual contrast to the snowy landscapes of the mountains. Knitted sweaters with patterns that distantly remind of traditional alpine garbs complement the aim of the collection to meet athletic as well as leisure purposes. The brand’s signature logo pattern - the Dior Oblique, as well as the infamous camouflage and the Dior lucky star motive, are featured throughout the designs as well. For the maximum coordinated look, accessories like an ultra-matte ski mask and logo-emblazoned sunglasses are part of the Dior Alps collection too.

The Dior Alps capsule collection will be available in-store starting mid-September. 

www.dior.com

Fashion

Technical Skill & Creative Flair: Berluti’s Fly Sneaker

Berluti has replenished its FW 2021 sneaker collection with a new version of the classical Graphic sneaker. Fly unites the 70s elements of the original sneaker with the sporty details of bicolor soles and a geometric heel. The combination of leather and rubber creates a clash between modernity and retro vibes, making the sneaker stand out with a bolder style than expected from Berluti’s designs. The combination of rich leather, vibrant tones and dynamic details taken from Berluti’s DNA and reinterpreted with an effortless and lightweight approach result in a bootmaker-inspired final outcome. The Fly sneaker comes in three characteristic designs. Two of them are made from leather, featuring a version with black and white stripes that parade a red outsole detail and a white-silver version with a grey outsole detail. Both of these feature the house’s signature zig-zag stitching and perforated details. The third version is a derivation of the Venezia accessory collection crafted from calf leather with a special patina, presenting a more toned-down color palette with a saturated brown and black detailing. The Fly sneaker embodies the dedicated craftsmanship and the unique combination of technical skill and creative flair that Berluti stands for.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo & Wim Wenders present: A Future Together

For the FW21 collection, the Italian house Salvatore Ferragamo is partnering up with legendary filmmaker and three-time Academy Award-nominated Wim Wenders to create the fashion film “A Future Together”. It’s a post-modern, multidimensional and layered reflection upon the exciting potential futures – a myriad of positive possibilities – that await us all. The short film was shot in Milan and the storyline follows a stylish young film director, brought to life by Gaia Girace, who is working on a sci-fi adventure with a powerful cast and costumes, the Ferragamo FW21 collection, which itself offers a fresh perspective through its technologically advanced and futuristic concept. Onset, she meets a handsome sound engineer, played by Felix Sandman, marking the beginning of a personal story full of adventure. Through their story, Wenders created an optimistic and exhilarating campaign, which is light yet deeply profound, compellingly optimistic and perfectly highlights the luxurious and proactive nature of the collection produced by Ferragamo’s expert artisans. Wenders himself had the following to say: “Developing a positively energetic story inside the framework of a futuristic setting is a challenge at a time when the future is generally regarded as bleak and dystopian. But sometimes, when the cards are stacked up against you and you have to fight many obstacles, the result can achieve an extra aura of beauty. This was definitely the case at our Ferragamo shoot. Not only did the sun break through the grey sky of Milan, so that the futuristic sites could show their best potential, but also our two young stars were luminous and enchanted. Most of all the collection, when it was finally revealed and worn by the actors, turned out more radiant and spectacular than in our wildest dreams. All we had to do as a film team was to capture that sudden explosion of glorious beauty in front of us.” The collection looks towards the future, trying to appeal to all of those who are determined to shape the new and positive fashion, whilst also embodying Ferragamo’s progressive heritage, the combination of technological and aesthetic innovation which is reflected in designs capturing the now whilst revealing their timelessness in the future.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Dressing for the Summer

When the summer is coming around and the temperatures are rising, we abandon our coats and jackets and opt for clothing that is light and gives our bodies the chance to breathe and to be touched by the sunrays. What emerges from under the many layers of fabrics are real jewels, literally. Now that the clothing has been reduced to a minimum to stay cool, jewelry takes center stage and becomes a very prominent part of the perfect summer look. For this reason, NET-A-PORTER presents its yearly High Summer Fine Jewelry, the perfect selection to capture the essence of summer and the free-spirited aesthetic of the season. As Charlie Boyd, NET-A-PORTER’s Fine Jewelry and Watches Editor explains, the standout trend this season is layering, whether it be a striking stack of bracelets made to be mixed and matched or necklaces with unique pendants or earrings defined by their shapes and colorful gems. Their selection is extensive, featuring not only universally beloved staples but also newly launched brands like gigi CLOZEAU or Marie Lichtenberg. The NET-A-PORTER High Summer Fine Jewelry selection offers each of us a myriad of possibilities and the perfect pieces to give every summer look your personal touch.

www.net-a-porter.com

Art

Gmunden.Photo

When you visit Gmunden today, you will find 29 shipping containers placed on the shores of the local lake. Shipping containers are the perfect metaphor for the global interconnectivity, as they are at the base of international trade, with thousands being shipped all across the globe on a daily basis. With the ongoing pandemic, we are not able to travel the world, making them the perfect reminder that we are part of a global community, which despite unfortunate circumstances and physical separation continues to exchange and grow together. In this case, the containers’ content is photographs taken by 23 different photographers, young and upcoming talents and internationally established stars alike. The containers currently house an exciting exhibition curated by the Swiss Beda Achermann, putting the Austrian photography scene into an international context. It bears witness to the role of the relatively new medium within the contemporary art scene and the constant innovation to be found within. Photography as a medium is changing; it’s becoming more and more of a hybrid, which finds itself paired with painting, sculpture and other forms of digital art, fortifying its place as a living and diverse artistic medium. The exhibition covers a large variety of different photographic styles, classics such as documentary and portrait photography, but also their new iterations by new generations of artists. It also witnesses its contemporary relevance, as we often perceive the present solely through images, whether it is the environmental destruction or the seduction of an aspirational life on the Internet. The exhibition features photographers from 8 different countries, not only showcasing their work but also displaying the power of images as a universal language to be understood and appreciated by people all across the world.

Gmunden.Photo will be open to the public until August 15th at the Seeviertel in Gmunden, Austria.

www.gmunden.photo

Credits:
Roe Ethridge – Untitles (Alexis Bittar)
Simon Lehner – Balance study with boy

Fashion

Armani Privé Haute Couture FW2021/22

As for many fashion houses, the guests were also allowed to return to Giorgio Armani’s Prive Haute Couture show yesterday, which was hosted for the second time in the Italian Embassy in Paris. For a seasoned designer like Mr. Armani himself, heading an established house like his, the pandemic might not have been as cataclysmic as for smaller and less established houses, but by no means can one say that this 16-month halt did not leave a mark nevertheless. With a certain post-pandemic awareness, Mr. Armani states that, “I do not feel more emotional about my work after the pandemic, but now I want my work to show emotions in a clearer way. I think that, during this period, we have discovered a feeling of something true, something powerful, something enriching, something energizing, and I want all this to come true, also through my work.” His newest haute couture collection definitely bears witness to this. Fittingly entitled Shine, the collection is luminous. It focuses on the brilliance of fabrics that almost seem liquid, the sheen of satin interwoven with ultra fine metallic thread paired with Armani’s signature filtrage, the layering of transparent fabrics, which created as Mr. Armani put it himself, “halos around the body”. The garments radiate light and levity, celebrating the excellence of the materials. In a nod to the timelessness of his creations, Mr. Armani, whose clothes are never made for just one season, also filtered into the collection 15 garments from the audience-less show in January, because he wished for people to see them up close.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger store Berlin

Tommy Hilfiger opened the doors to its new Berlin flagship store, located in one of the German capital’s most prestigious streets, the Kurfürstendamm. The store itself has been expanded and redesigned in order to reflect the contemporary Tommy Hilfiger and to create the necessary space to showcase all the Tommy Hilfiger collections, menswear, womenswear and accessories. It is a fusion of the brand’s DNA and heritage with clean lines, modern finishes and a bright airy aesthetic. the concept takes inspiration from the nautical lifestyle, one of Tommy Hilfiger’s long-time sources of inspiration. In addition to this, the location now includes Tommy’s Coffee, a 40-seat movie theater space and café area. Not all the changes in the store will be visible at first sight. In line with the brand’s efforts to reduce energy consumption and have all its locations being powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2025, the store utilizes LED lighting both in its shop front wall and in-store paneling. The new Tommy Hilfiger Berlin flagship store, located at Kurfürstendamm 217, will be open to the public from July 1st, 2021. The opening happens in accordance with local Covid-19 guidelines, strict precautionary measures and services will be implemented throughout the store to protect the health and safety of staff and consumers.

www.tommy.com
#TommyHilfiger

Fashion

Thom Browne SS22

Premiering as part of Mens’ SS22 Paris Fashion Week is the show by Thom Browne in the theme of “Looking Forward to Tomorrow”. The film depicts the comfortable loneliness of a marathon runner intraining. His comfort in being alone is truly inspirational. Set in the expansive flatlands of northern New Mexico, the film follows our runner as he prepares to compete against the current world record-holder. He wakes at dawn and trains until dusk, day after day. As he trains on the open roads and rests each night in his open-frame house, the runner is alone but never lonely. When event day arrives, his world becomes a new adventure. He and his fellow competitors celebrate the event day and compete as animated versions of Thom Browne’s drawings. In his signature colors, the runner moves through the city and finally into the stadium.

www.thombrowne.com

Fashion

Dior Men's SS22

Even in 1947, Christian Dior understood that one had to look beyond the confines of then war-torn Europe. He understood that across the Atlantic Ocean lays a land that does not only represent a potential market for his garments, but is also full of inspiration. When he travel to America to celebrate his debut collection, the country and especially the state of Texas left a lasting impression, with, to quote his words, “the zest for life and self-confidence” which radiate from the American spirit and ethos, marking the beginning of a special connection between the couturier and Texas. For the SS22 Men’s collection, current Creative Director Kim Jones draws inspiration from this link and pairs up with Texas-born rapper, songwriter and record producer Travis Scott to create Cactus Jack Dior, drawing its name from Scott’s record label. The collection itself is a conversation between two friend and two cultures, exploring at once the identities of a heritage Parisian couture house and a modern musician. This dynamic is represented in the show’s set, a recreation of Christian Dior’s rose garden which evolves into a cactus garden representative of Scott’s native Houston. In typical fashion, the collection’s pieces bear witness to the incredible savoir-faire of the French house giving a modern take of Dior’s 1956 Arrow line finished with through hand-painting and embroideries and a reimagined logotype by Travis Scott. This also marks the first time that Kim Jones collaborates with Dior Joaillerie Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane on a high-jewelry piece, a cactus necklace, blooming with precious gems. The color palette of the collection is inspired by Texas’ natural landscape, the grand canyons and dusty deserts, featuring sun-bleached tones of mauve, café, pistachio and pale blues. As with previous collections, Kim Jones once again works with a celebrated artist, this time George Condo. These works created especially for the show will be auctioned off with the proceeds being used to support future generations of creative talent through scholarships.

www.dior.com

Fashion

UNDERCOVER SS22

The SS22 Men’s Collection “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” by Undercover is inspired by the translation of an idiom known by the Japanese tea master “Sen no Rikyu”. For this collection, Jun Takahashi, Creative Director worked in a great environment which is a brand new studio located in a mountain where he could walk down to the beach and learned to cherish the ordinary. The collection reflects his wish to create designs that are not excessively decorative but deeply rooted in everyday life.The style of music and graphic designs created by the Japanese rock band “OGRE YOU ASSHOLE”, one of the collaborators of this season, embodies his feelings. The collection reflects visually that even on an ordinary day, any moment in life cannot be repeated. Treasure every single day of your life is the theme for this collection interpreted in monochrome looks with intricate prints and construction, yet simple in form.

www.undercoverism.com

Fashion

MSGM Mens SS22

MSGM’s Men’s SS22 collection named Canon Infinito - like a musical composition that unfolds in circular melodies.The title of the song by Lorenzo Senni, the project’s soundtrack, encapsulates the atmosphere of the entire collection, of a story that follows the moments of a long day, on a desert beach, composed in an intense joint effort by Massimo Giorgetti with Francesco Nazardo, the No Text Azienda and Senni. Canone infinito, like the dazzling light of the sun that hour after hour becomes gentler before giving way to night and returning in the morning, repeating its dance in a stubborn perpetual motion. Infinite like the horizon where the sea melts into thesky. Artisanal washes and the watercolour prints are reminiscent of liquid patterns of water reflected on rippling water; solarised dyes, almost a new tie dye, created surprising effects on the clothes as if they have been left to fade under the heat of the sun. Like chromatic clouds, melange items in woven cotton webbing recreate organic, rough and three-dimensional textures. Wet clothes stick to the skin, along with the scent of salt. Elements embodying an underwater imaginary world appear everywhere. www.msgm.com

Fashion

Prada Mens SS22

The Prada Men's SS22 show should feel, in co-creative director Miuccia Prada's own words, like "A sense of the utopian, the ideal, of hope, positivity. To expose yourself to nature, to go to the beach—it's freedom. It is utopian. That is a primary need—an intellectual need, too." This concept translated beautifully in a collection of skin-heavy pieces, reminding of a moment of rebirth for the brand after the pandemic. The show started inside a long, blood-red tunnel, which the models had to escape to emerge into the world ahead. Short romper suits with nautical motifs such as octopi, mermaids, anchors, and fish reminded of 1960s tattoos and were styled with functional bucket hats with slits at the front to allow sunglasses to be slipped in them. In the setting of the beach in Sardinia, the presentation changed from classic runway to something freer, "The primary feeling is one of joy. It's almost like that memory of a child, the joy of a child going to the beach. The simplest and most honest of pleasures. In all its simpleness, it's also something very meaningful and timeless.", so Raf Simmons. The collection included terry hoodies, skorts with matching tank-tops, bucket bags, and even a biker jacket in bright yellow or red and double-waisted pants.

www.prada.com

Fashion

BRIONI

Brioni introduces the F/W21 advertising campaign featuring House ambassador Brad Pitt. Shot by photographer Mikael Jansson on the terrace of Suite 64 at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, the images show Pitt’s relaxed confidence and style. The campaign features garments which reflect the House’s sartorial heritage combined with a contemporary twist. Looks in tonal colors, including eveningwear crafted from RWS sustainable wool and ultra soft knitwear, are inspired by Brioni’s traditional tailoring but also embrace new and more relaxed styles.The Roman nonchalance, integral to the ethos of House, is inherent in the fabric and construction of the garments.

www.brioni.com

Fashion

FENDI Men’s FW 21/22

The FENDI Men’s FW 21 advertising campaign is directed by the Italian artist Nico Vascellari. The video is a cinematically surprising slideshow that portrays the collection designed by the Artistic Director of FENDI Accessories and Menswear Silvia Venturini Fendi as an optimistic adventure framed within a game of illusions. The color palette stays vibrant and includes saffron, orange, fuchsia, cobalt and periwinkle color-blocked against black, camel and charcoal, as linings, inlays and slashed seams flash with contrasting textures and shades. The campaign was filmed in a metaphysical set, and plays with the signature looks of the collection, a broad spectrum of menswear classics twisted with FENDI playfulness; resulting in a vivid celebration of color and light, emerging from darkness into full Technicolor. Throughout the collection, multifunctionality and form unite in reversible workwear and relaxed outerwear silhouettes. Diagonal quilting inflates all manner of silk jacquard separates from a shawl collar lounge coat to pullovers, shirt jackets and bermuda shorts in a luxuriant expression of cocooning comfort. The season’s cosmic spirit is further emphasized by a series of psychedelic and multicolour artworks realized in collaboration with the multidisciplinary artist and performer Noel Fielding, including an abstract version of the FENDI logo in his signature stream-of-consciousness scribble art.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Kaldewei x WWF

In honor of World Oceans Day 2021 on June 8th Kaldewei fights with WWF against plastic in our oceans. The brand is not only ensuring that the use of sustainable, 100% recyclable steel enamel for minimizing plastic in a minimization of plastic in sustainable bathrooms. The Ahlen-based family-owned company has also been a partner of the WWF since 2017. This is because one of the focal points of the cooperation is the support of the WWF's Marine Conservation Program, which focuses on the fight against plastic waste in the world's the world's oceans. Ocean's Day is an initiative of the United Nations. The "World Day of the Oceans" has its origins in the 1992 Earth Summit and has been celebrated since 2009. The aim of the day is to raise global awareness of current challenges related to the oceans. in connection with the oceans. Kaldewei would like to use its underline the importance of the oceans for global food security and the environment. global food security and the climate. As a sponsor of the WWF marine conservation program, Kaldewei is supporting a model project in the Mekong Delta (Vietnam) to combat the causes of plastic waste in the world's oceans. The aim of the project is to reduce the entry of plastic waste management system to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the sea. With the help of Kaldewei sponsorship, it was possible, among other things, to carry out a feasibility study on separate recyclable and waste fractions was carried out. Based on this, a system for the collection and separation of waste at the household level has been established. By improving waste management in the Mekong delta, the recycling rate of recyclable materials is significantly increased and less plastic enters the sea, which also protects vital ecosystems.

www.wwf.com

www.kaldewei.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton: Capucines bag

As a timeless feminine icon, the Capucines symbolises the quintessence of Louis Vuitton, its quest for excellence, creativity and craftsmanship. Named after Louis Vuitton’s very first store, which opened in 1854 on rue Neuve-des-Capucines in Paris, the Capucines has established itself as one of the Maison’s most iconic models. The Capucines is both versatile and an everyday companion. This summer, it will be available in three sizes, Mini, BB and MM, embracing the various styles, desires and moments of the day.The black and arizona Capucines with its textile strap featuring embroidered Monogram flowers is a casual chic bag, perfect for every day. It portrays an authentic allure in natural raffia and caramel calf leather, or a more mysterious character in playing with textures featuring intertwined embroidery and silkscreen-printed patterns that echo the 1854 Jacquard canvas.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Colmar's A.G.E.

The italian outerwear brand Colmar presents its third collection of Colmar Advanced Garment Exploration (A.G.E.), a hyper modern fashion label focused on experiementation and product innovation. Created three years ago, Colmar A.G.E. has hosted international artists such as Shayne Oliver and White Mountaineering to reinterpret the brand archives. For the project’s third collection, Colmar appoints Iranian designer Morteza Vaseghi as the Creative Director. The internationally acclaimed designer is most known for his publishing porjects Recens Paper and Wallet that he co-founded with cultural entrepreneur Elise By Olsen. Translating his fascination with conceptual thinking from paper of the printed pages Vaseghi applies a laboratory approach to his fashion practices. Under Vaseghi’s creative direction, Colmar A.G.E. introduces futuristic organic forms that could translate an advanced vision of the holistic coexistence between humankind and nature.

www.age.colmar.it

Fashion

LOEWE Foundation – Craft Prize 2021

The LOEWE Foundation presents their 2021 Craft Prize in a new manner – in the form of a digital exhibition. In this fully immersive presentation, the viewer is able to virtually walk around 3D model of the Great Hall of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and see the finalists’ works. TThe winner of this year’s Craft Prize is Fanglu Lin, selected for its breathtaking skill and monumental scale. Special mentions are awarded to sculptor David Corvalán of Chile and ceramist Takayuki Sakiyama of Japan.

The LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize exhibition will be online from 24 May - 30 September 2021.

www.craftprize.loewe.com

Fashion

Carhartt WIP x Clay Arlington

Carhartt WIP has worked with artist and designer Clay Arlington for ist SS21 campaign, creating a series of images that reference the artist’s past body of work, as well as the brand’s own cultural rooting. Fire extinguishers, floral motifs, and basketballs – in this case, one created by Spalding for Carhartt WIP S/S21 collection – all draw from Arlington’s signature aesthetic, and are combined with text- based works that offer a knowing interpretation of the brand’s DNA. One image features artist and model Ivy Johnson, her back turned to the camera while wearing a white hoodie, with the words “it’s just work” scrawled on tape across the bottom. These works, created by Arlington, have appeared on billboards in cities such as London, New York and Los Angeles. On the 13th of May, Carhartt WIP will release two t-shirts featuring them, combined with other text-based components. Each t-shirt will also come with a limited edition posterzine.

www.carhartt-wip.com

Fashion

Berluti SS21

Berluti is introducing a new line with eye-catching braided leather details, displaying a new kind of savoir-faire and craftsmanship for SS21. Inspired by the Maison’s ongoing collaboration with Brian Rochefort and by Rochefort’s trademark texture play in his sculptures, Berluti’s braided leather technique is featured on a selection of bags, small leather goods and sneakers. Using the iconic Signature canvas as a base -with its grained texture and its motif merging Berluti’s logo-, new bags from the Summer 2021 collection include a large white logo crest printed on the front side of each piece, outlined by a braided calf leather stripe. Available in a black, white and yellow or a black, white and blue colour combination, the tricolor stripe is braided following a perforation pattern on the canvas, thus obtaining an exceptional visual and textural play through an innovative, luxurious technique imbued in Berluti’s DNA. Berluti’s braided leather pieces will be available both at Berluti stores and e-shop from May 2021.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Fondazione Prada: Stop Painting

Fondazione Prada presents to the press the exhibition “Stop Painting” conceived by Peter Fischli, on view at the historic building of Ca’ Corner della Regina. “Stop Painting” brings together a selection of 110 works by more than 80 artists and explores a series of specific ruptures within the history of painting in the last 150 years, intertwined with the emergence of new social factors and cultural values. The artist conceived this project divided in 10 sections as a plurality of different narratives told by himself in the first person. The show begins on the ground floor of Ca’ Corner della Regina with a new site-specific artwork by Fischli that consists of a scaled-down model of the entire project, defined by the artist as “a sculpture of a painting exhibition”. The exhibition unfolds on the first floor following not a chronological order, but a personal and idiosyncratic approach. At the beginning of the process leading to the conception of his exhibition the artist identified 5 radical ruptures in art history that correspond to moments of rejection and reinvention of painting: the diffusion of photography, the invention of the readymade and the collage, “the death of the author”, the devaluation of painting as a commodity and the crisis of criticism in the late capitalist society.

Fondazione Prada presents «Stop Painting” at Ca’ Corner della Regina, Venice from May 22 - November 21 2021.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Alain JacquetLe déjeuner sur l'herbe, 1964Serigraphy on paper mounted on canvas 175 x 100 cm
Collection Mamac, Nice, inv: 988.16.1Photo Muriel Anssens © Adagp, Paris, 2021 © Alain Jacquet, by SIAE 2021

Marcel DuchampApolinère Enameled, 1916-1917 (1964 edition)Tin plate on cardboard, 24 x 34 cmCollezione Attilio Codognato, Venezia © 2021. White Images/Scala, Firenze © Foto Scala Firenze© Association Marcel Duchamp © Marcel Duchamp, by SIAE 2021

Fashion

Acqua di Parma: Per papà

For Father’s Day Acqua di Parma has prepared the most beautiful surprise for gift artfully designed for a special. This sophisticated toiletry bag created by the Maison for Father’s Day stands out for its essential design, the sunny tones of Parma yellow and the hand-embroidered Acqua di Parma logo. Made with a practical and durable Italian fabric produced by recycling plastic, it is perfect for a sustainability-conscious man. This functional and refined accessory contains the ideal set for any trip, with products in travelling formats: Cologne in the 100ml Art Deco bottle and the Cologne Shower Gel in the 75ml tube. The final touch is the outer box, decorated with a refined striped pattern, sober and masculine. This is a gift designed for a father and characterised by Acqua di Parma’s trademark attention to details. A true art that becomes an exciting ritual, to be experienced in all the Maison’s Boutiques and in the most exclusive stores. Along with the toiletry bag, you can also choose your father’s favourite Eau de Cologne in a very special package, the one that best reflects his personality and his natural elegance: Colonia, Colonia Futura, Colonia Pura, Colonia Essenza, Colonia Intensa and Colonia Club in the 100 or 180ml formats.

www.acquadiparma.com

Fashion

Studio Yen

Studio Yen is an independent design studio with a unique variety of handmade and vintage interior pieces. The treasures included in Studio Yen’s selection range from vases, sculptures and lamps to rugs, stools and side-tables, which are sourced from and produced all over the world. Driven by a true passion for special interior pieces, the design studio’s team carefully selects and collects the objects by travelling and visiting antique markets and auctions and working together with artists in various international locations. While most collaborators are based in European cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam or Barcelona, certain pieces are partially produced in and imported from South American countries. Studio Yen’s aesthetics and stylistic outlook is informed by this South American influence, which becomes visible in pieces like the Maninkari Rug. The rug, which is made of 100% hand-spun sheep wool was designed in Belgium and then spun, dyed and and handwoven by Mayan weavers in Guatemala. A mortar made in Nepal, wooden stones from the Philippines, hand stools from Burkina Faso, as well as a patchwork carpet handmade in Iceland were part of Studio Yen’s recent selection. Natural, organic forms and shades combined with pure materials and textures are characteristic for Studio Yen’s pieces. Maintaining a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach Studio Yen only offers a limited amount of products, most of which are unique hand-made or made on request.

www.studio-yen.com

Fashion

Les Parfums Louis Vuitton : Imagination

Les Parfums Louis Vuitton opens a new chapter in its history of perfumery with the launch of a seventh fragrance dedicated to men. Imagination, an exceptional composition by the House’s Master Perfumer, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, created in the heart of his atelier at Les Fontaines Parfumées, in Grasse. Inscribed within the heart of Louis Vuitton’s DNA, imagination and creativity have always guided Jacques Cavallier Belletrud in his work, prompting him to constantly push the limits of his art. “For five years, I’d been dreaming of revealing the beauty of ambergris and expressing the quintessence of its amber note in a way that’s of-the-moment and devoid of nostalgia,” explains the Master Perfumer. To give it contemporary resonance, he chose to use Ambrox, a veritable white gold of perfumery, a molecule present in its natural state in ambergris. Imagination takes flight across one’s skin in an extraordinary encounter that ignites senses and spirit to give rise to an irrepressible, universal attraction. Available from June 3rd.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

VALENTINO COLLEZIONE MILANO - PAINTER CAMPAIGN

The art world enters the Maison Valentino universe for the newest chapter of its Advertising Campaign. For this reason Maison Valentino has worked with five international painters, giving them complete freedom to create a work of their choosing, which includes a Valentino Garavani accessory from the collection. Each of the painters is an emerging talent in their area and on the global art scene and each work a testament to the freedom, voice and creativity of each artist. Louise Giovanelli, from the UK, created a hyper realistic painting of the Valentino Garavani Roman Stud Top Handle, while Alexis Ralaivao, from France, painted a cropped-in portrait of the same bag in a striking pink hue. Chinese painter Zhang Zihao opted to paint two subjects wearing the Valentino Garavani Crochet sneakers, while Korean artist Nahum Kim envisioned a surreal and otherworldly work featuring the Valentino Garavani Roman Stud Top Handle. Finally, Iori Nagashima, from Japan, created a work using the Valentino Garavani Roman Stud Crochet bag on a subject under rainfall. In all, each work is a testament to the freedom, voice and creativity of each artist.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Thonet S 5000 Retreat

From the 1930s to New Work: Thonet and Studio Irvine introduce a contemporary update to conventional work interior design. Office and work environments constantly develop and are an immediate response to societal conceptions of work life and everyday routine. The question how human’s will behave in the work sphere in present and future is therefore omnipresent and requires constant evaluation. In the middle of the development phase of the new Thonet S 5000 Retreat program, the Covid 19 pandemic hit and significantly accelerated and changed the adaptation of working environments. Responding to social distancing and separation guidelines, the S 5000’s design is a flexible, space providing solution for the office space. The basic module of the S 5000 is a day-bed like cushion available as one, two or three seater on a tubular steel base without back and side parts. When English designer James Irvine reinterpreted the sofa type of the daybed with the S 5000 almost 15 years ago, he did so for the present, with a futuristic outlook in mind. Daybeds with tubular steel frames were already an integral part of the Thonet program in the 1930s, but Irvine developed a flexible sofa system from them. Now Studio Irvine under the direction of the architect and wife of the late designer, Marialaura Rosiello-Irvine, has taken the idea of the changeable minimalist S 5000 program with its base of curved, bent tubular steel. The result is a modular system of sofas and seating elements with partitions. Variably complementary elements such as tables, cushions or sockets allow a particularly versatile use in the new-work context, as well as in the private home-office sphere. For example, the new S 5000 Retreat variant provides noise and privacy protection and and allows - in an aesthetically convincing way - working at a distance.

www.thonet.com

Fashion

On Moon Time

OMEGA is releasing its latest edition of the Speedmaster Moonwatch collection, an updated version of the much-loved timepiece, which includes a powerful Master Chronometer certified anti-magnetic movement. The Swiss watchmaker has taken inspiration from the 4th generation Moonwatch style, commonly referenced as the ST 105.012, and worn by Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969. The new Moonwatch includes tributes to the space-era such as the classical asymmetrical case, the step dial, the double bevel case back, the famous dot over 90 (DON), and a dot diagonal to 70 on the anodized aluminum bezel ring. These small details beautifully tell the origin story of the Speedmaster. The most critical update comes with the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, which ensures that the Moonwatch will be unaffected by even the most extreme magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss. Also, it ensures that the entire watch is certified as a Master Chronometer – the highest standard of precision, performance, and magnetic-resistance in the Swiss watch industry. Even the dial with the Calibre 3861’s frequency shows updated attention-to-detail, as the the minute track is now split by three divisions instead of the five divisions on previous models. The Moonwatch comes in eight special editions, including versions in stainless steel, 18K Sedna™ gold, or 18K Canopus gold™. All come with OMEGA’s full 5-year warranty.

www.omegawatches.com

Fashion

Trash to Treasure

FADE OUT LABEL is a Berlin-based brand co-founded in 2015 by Andrea Bonfini, an Italian fashion designer together with his friend Nicola. The brand focuses on creating new from old by utilizing patchwork techniques to handcraft their pieces. FADE OUT collection’s uniqueness stems from their oversized pieces, crafted from vintage denim. The label does not work with traditional seasons but rather designs garments adaptable to various occasions and different personalities. Additionally, it features permanent collections that change every so slightly each season. With sustainability in mind, each piece is upcycled, using denim bought at charity shops, deconstructed, washed, sanitized, ironed, and reassembled – making each piece unique. FADE OUT’s latest project, White Trash, is a capsule collection inspired by Berlin – the faded graffiti on the remaining Berlin Wall and Berlin’s famous clubbing scene paused at the moment by the pandemic. Each piece is unique and unisex, continuing with the brand’s aesthetic and underlying philosophy: urban wear, upcycling, patchwork, and zero waste. The items are handmade in a Berlin atelier using waste materials such as vintage white jeans, silver deadstock fabrics, antique parachutes as well as used pharmaceutical vials and metal elements.

www.fadeoutlabel.com

Fashion

FENDI Peekaboo Campaign

Presented for the FENDI Fall/Winter 2020-21 Collection last February, the new Peekaboo features a new accordion-frame shape, to open in a deep ‘smile’ featuring inside pockets which can be interchangeable in smooth leather or precious skins. Since it’s first arrival in S/S 09, Silvia Venturini Fendi has enmeshed the Maison’s savoir faire and original creativity with the research for high-quality materials and details, giving life to infinite versions of the Peekaboo that – each one with its standout and distinctive features – all flawlessly embody the versatile and timeless aspect of this bag that has been and will continue to be elevated, reinterpreted and declined season after season, collection after collection.

www.fendi.com

Art

Gallery Weekend Berlin: Susan Philipsz at Konrad Fischer Galerie

Konrad Fischer Galerie is pleased presents Susan Philipsz’ first solo exhibition in Berlin. Susan Philipsz is a Scottish artist based in Berlin who works with spaces, narrative and sounds. In 2010 she won the Turner Prize which was the first time a sound work was nominated. She uses recordings of her own singing voice and to project this sound a space. Her voice is untrained and she leaves in breaths and imperfections to create a sense of intimacy. She has reworked songs varying from traditional folk music and sixteenth century ballads to songs by Nirvana and David Bowie. The themes she explores can trigger memory and emotions. While each piece is unique, she explores familiar themes of loss, longing, hope and return.“Whenever I enter a space that I am considering working with I call into the space to measure its acoustics. By projecting my voice into a space, I measure that space; through the resonance and echo I can ascertain the volume, scale and depth of that space. The gallery has a particularly resonant acoustic with lots of echoes and reverberations. The sounds from one level are audible on the other”, so Philipsz about the origins of her works Separated Silos (2021), and Slow Fresh Fount (2021) which lends its title to the exhibition.

Susan Philipsz’ work is exhibited at Konrad Fischer Galerie, Berlin, from 1 May – 17 July 2021.

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Susan Philipsz, Slow Fresh Fount, 2021. Courtesy the artist and Konrad Fischer Galerie. Photo: Roman März

Fashion

ROLEX AND THE OSCARS

The history of Rolex and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are united in their pursuit of excellence and mission to promote and honor the creation of something extraordinary - a masterpiece. Like a great filmmaker, a watchmaker cares about creating a unique work of art that never loses its relevance and lasts over time. The many directors, actors, technicians and engineers honored here set new standards in a discipline that seamlessly blends art and science, just like a precision Rolex watch. Each plays a crucial role in a complex mechanism to bring a visionary idea to life. Through the symbolic power of its revolutionary products, the brand is inextricably linked to the world of cinema: When Marlon Brando played the role of Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, he wore a Rolex. A Rolex was also on Paul Newman's wrist when he reprised his role as pool player "Fast" Eddie Felson in The Color of Money. And Bill Paxton, as treasure hunter Brock Lovett was equipped with a Rolex in Titanic when he explored the famous wreck in a submersible. Every Rolex tells a story, and cinematic stories are a particular concern for the watch brand, which has a great story to tell, full of innovations dating back over a hundred years. In 1926, Rolex introduced the Oyster, the world's first water-resistant wristwatch, an undisputed masterpiece that changed history. For the first time, a wristwatch was robust, accurate and reliable, and could be worn in sterile environments such as high mountains. Rolex's almost unbelievable capacity for innovation, as evidenced by its more than 500 patents, owes much to its pursuit of continued excellence. This pursuit is part of Rolex's self-image, which goes back to Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the manufacture. It is the driving force behind all the brand's activities - from the production of delicate chronometers to promoting excellence in sports and the arts, including film, television, and television.

www.rolex.com

Fashion

DoDo x Tenaka

Environmental awareness is an important priority for the jewelry brand DoDo. With the Blue Forest campaign, DoDo is now becoming a part of another environmental project: Together with the non-profit organization Tenaka, DoDo is planting 3000 mangrove trees on two hectares of land on the coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah. With the support of twenty biologists and local organizers, residents and students of the region are also involved in the endeavor to raise awareness of the importance and preservation of this ecosystem. DoDo Blue Forest is a jewelry project with Tenaka, a social enterprise founded by Anne-Sophie Roux. DoDo and Tenaka are aware of the importance of renaturation measures, which aim to maintain the balance of nature through the reforestation and protection of mangrove forests, which are of fundamental importance to biodiversity. The symbol of the brand's environmental commitment is the Granelli bangle DoDo designed for Tenaka. It is made of plastic materials taken from the Mediterranean Sea by REVET, a company based in Pisa, Italy. The bracelet is transformed and dyed in shades of green to resemble the beauty of mangroves. The latest unique piece of jewelry is the emblem of DoDo's sustainability efforts and most recent Mangrove project.

 www.dodo.it

Fashion

Giuseppe Zanotti FW21

Giuseppe Zanotti, an Italian luxury footwear and fashion designer, brought a certain sense of boldness to its FW21 footwear collection for both men and women. The women’s collection radiates confidence while including a pair of hot pink leather loafers, thigh-high glossy boots with chunky, futuristic soles, and strappy sandal in electric blue with a statement platform. The men’s collection pieces were updeated through new color and new material, such as the classic Chealsea boot in gold and a set of slide sandals in tan fur. Additionally, Guiseppe Zanotti debuted a futuristic unisex sneaker style, which includes a pair of oil slick material and a black style suede with thick white soles and gold detailing.

www.giuseppezanotti.com

Fashion

C.P. Company Cinquenta - THE BRITISH SAILOR

Massimo Osti founded the brand Chester Perry, which would later be renamed C.P. Company in 1971 in Bologna. Famous for its screen printed t-shirts and its sportswear, the brand has continued to pioneer a connoisseurial hybrid style that combines the functionality of vintage military, work, and sportswear with intense fabric research and innovation, heightened by using garment-dyeing ever since. Forging a new path for functional menswear meeting Italian fabric innovation is its origin and the base for everything it does today. From the very beginning, Massimo Osti's idea on the creation of a brand started with the desire to create a product with a strong identity, utterly different from anything else available on the market. Convinced of the strength of his idea, he even personally designed the logo, a lifebuoy. Later on, the logo shifted to a British sailor symbol with arms crossed - smiling, dependable, and informal. The inspiration came from one of the books about military uniforms, which Massimo Osti collected for his studio's library. Since 1975 this has been the primary brand logo, and it represents the link between tradition and innovation. On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary, or Cinquanta, C.P. Company has created an exclusive porcelain sailor statue handcrafted in Italy by Tuscan artisans. Only 150 pieces of this exclusive figurine are made -, the sailor represents its great story's memorabilia and pays homage to Italian artisanal tradition. The British Mariner will be available, from April 14th, on 50.cpcompany.com and in all C.P. Company flagship stores in Milan, Amsterdam, London, Seoul, and Tokyo.

50.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Marina Raphael SS21

For the warm time of the year, Marina Raphael, founder of the luxury handbag brand - inspired by the modern-day traveler who lives for the thrill of adventure - sets off to create a collection that celebrates the raw beauty found in the uncharted. The SS21 collection exhumes escapism and emphasizes collecting unique accessories that serve as mementos of precious memories and experiences. The “Chasing The Sun” collection works with rich napa leather, with which she aspires to evoke the transitional essence of this season through her visual language. Flawless prints, geometrically structured weaved raffia, striped canvas, and crystal panels embody the collection’s playful tone of voice. Impeccable craftsmanship in working with denim finishes the visual story the designer wants to tell by speaking a more urban language. The color for summer is warm, neutral tones, such as caramel and cream with a hint of natural green. Denim fabric brings in blue hues, which mirror Greek waters and set the mood. Swarowski crystals and the slight use of tortoiseshell plexiglass round off the details of the collection. Marina Raphael reinvents classic shapes and introduces new ones in a harmonious symbiosis of modernity and sophistication. Forms range from the signature Riviera and Porter shapes to novel cylindrical concepts and envelope statement pieces.

www.marinaraphael.com

Fashion

FENDI Limited Edition Couture Capsule

Drawing from the themes presented during Kim Jones’ SS21 Couture debut for the house, FENDI presents a Capsule Collection that translates the season’s sensibility into ready-to-wear—adopting the collection’s motifs of fluid androgyny and exquisite romance and presenting them through translations of critical silhouettes. The pieces will be available solely for two weeks in limited quantities at select boutiques across the world from mid-April. The FENDI Couture Collection explored the liberated British sensibility of the 1920s as well as historic Roman grandeur. Jones has drawn inspiration from the Bloomsbury set and Virginia Woolf’s seminal binary-blurring novel Orlando. He expressed this notion in the collection through cady and wool-silk tailoring and crisp cotton shirting, alongside elegantly draped satin dresses and gowns; the conventional codes of masculinity and femininity are united in monochromatic harmony. Included are ballerina slippers embossed with Karligraphy beaded monograms or knee-high satin boots. These are evolved from the styles presented at Couture, while a new collection of baroque pearl jewelry, frozen in resin and embossed with rhinestones. Exclusive variations of the iconic Baguette and Peekaboo bags, trimmed with pearls or covered in prints inspired by the Bloomsbury Group’s Sussex home of Charleston House. This reflects the timeless elegance introduced at Couture: a contemporary homage to British creativity and Italian glamour.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

MARNI presents FUSSBETT SABOT

For the women’s and men’s SS21 collection Marni gave the iconic Fussbett sandals a makeover, presenting a bolder version of the versatile version under MARNI FUSSBETT SABOT. Founded in Milan in 1994 by Swiss designer Consuelo Castiglioni, Marni has become internationally renowned for its experimental collections characterized by innovative prints and colors. Mixing practicality and sophistication, the SABOTS offer comfort and a dash of effortless glamour while working from home. They maintain the same approach in the streets, standing out for their contemporary, casual style, which creatively matches each outfit. The SABOTS are unisex and available in two textures: in grainy calf leather—in black and white tones—and bold, entirely covered in calf hair leather—in black and fuchsia colors. The calfskin version is enriched by the MARNI logo, which discreetly appears on the side. They will be available for spring 2021 on marni.com, in Marni boutiques, and selected multi-brand stores worldwide.

www.marni.com

Fashion

Versace Home Textiles & Accessories

The new Versace Home Textiles & Accessories collection takes the brand’s most recognizable designs and reinterprets them as a range of luxury bedroom, bathroom and living room accessories. The mythical Medusa logo is feature throughout the new collection. The house’s eternal muse amplifies the Made in Italy bed sheets, comforters, and iconic terrycloth robes. As seen on the AW21 runway, the new signature Versace La Greca print is also incorporated into the interiors. The graphic Greek Key pattern adorns an array of interior pieces and home accessories. Staying at home is made more exciting with a nod to the coveted La Medusa handbag line – the references are seen on colorful coasters and realistic puzzles. Out of home, the recognizable Versace Home aesthetic is transferred onto luxury-to-go items.

 www.versace.com

Art

Luisa Catucci : TRA COLOR CHE SONO SOSPESI

Aqua Aura and Lidó Rico present their work at the TRA COLOR CHE SONO SOSPESI (Engl. : Among those who are in suspense) exhibition at Luisa Catucci Gallery in Berlin. The exhibition's title is an homage to the unusual situation the whole world faced over the past year, which left most people to experience an unsettling feeling of suspense. The sequence of Lockdowns and isolation left us feeling fragile. For many, the difficulties or even impossibilities to work properly made us feel closer to Virgil and the other souls Dante Alighieri suspended in Limbo. In this after-death place, he left the great but not catholic minds hanging to an eternal wait. Simultaneously the suspension reawakened the attention on existential issues and pushed humanity to reargue the "Übermensch" attitude we developed as a society.

This is a theme both the Spanish artist Lidó Rico and the Italian artist Aqua Aura have investigated through different media. Additionally, 2021 is the 700th anniversary of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri's death, whose description of Limbo fits the feelings induced by the repetition of Lockdowns, so dedicating this exhibition to him seems fitting. In TRA COLOR CHE SONO SOSPESI presents a dialog between the works of the meta-photographer Aqua Aura and his dystopic views of a post-nature post-humanity future. Together with Lidó Rico's work referring to the fear of the void created by the lack of survival of the knowledge acquired in life, the exhibition fits the world's current state. TRA COLOR CHE SONO SOSPESI will be exhibited at Luisa Catucci Gallery, Berlin from the 3rd of April until the 28th of May 2021.

www.luisacatucci.com

Fashion

Jil Sander FW 21

The Jil Sander FW21 collection is an ode to individuality, freedom and change. It is a mirror of the sense of self-reflection and intimacy we are enjoying, even if it forced upon us, and the desire we have for the company of others. In this collection ornamentation, prints, patterns and colours are present and strong. The color palette is natural and exceptionally light for winter: butter, cream, powder, mauve, lilac, raspberry, cardamon, burnt sienna, black, different shades of yellow and blue. With the pieces, Lucie and Luke Meier – the husband and wife duo behind Jil Sander - remind us that playing with clothes, recombining them, is uplifting. Playfullness can be light-hearted and meaningful at the same time. To them the touch is vital, and they achieve it through craftsmanship and the meticulous choice of materials and techniques. The feeling aspect is noticeable in the enlarged hand-enamelled chain necklaces; the rouching of fine leather gloves; the knitted shaping found from shoe to dress to lingerie. Footwear is powerfully included, with the presence of an over the knee boot, in black, white, cream, vegetable tanned nappa, grey, and metallic finishes, silver and copper. Some are ornamented with large carved crystals, encased in metal, attached by hand. Heels are bold and sculptural. Sandal uppers are thin straps, or round and inflated, perched upon a bulbous plexi shaped heel in candy colors.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

CHANEL FW21

The latest collection is inspired by the légère intimacy and simplicity of Chanel shows of the past – models would dress themselves and do their own make-up - which predecessor Karl Lagerfeld told current Creative Director Virginie Viard about. “I don’t know if this is because of the times we live in, but I wanted something warm, lively. I imagined the models doing a show for themselves, going from room to room, crossing each other in staircases, piling their coats up in the cloakroom, and going up to the next floor to get changed.” The FW21 show was filmed at Castel, a legendary club on Rue Princesse in Paris.

Walking on the streets outside Castel, in the dark and mysterious salons or down the spiral staircases, the models exhume an exquisite air of Parisian chic. Staged by the duo Inez & Vinoodh, the show has a distinct sensual touch and contrasts between volumes, materials, and spirit. A long tweed coat with a chevron motif reveals bare legs wearing voluminous boots in black curly faux fur; a trouser suit in black tweed with small checks in blue lurex is adorned with thin braces in pearls and layers of sautoir necklaces. A white coat in patent sheepskin and lined with faux fur is coupled with “down jacket” style two-tone boots, with unzippable legs giving way to a pair of silver heeled booties to go dancing in. The salopettes-ski suits in white quilting embroidered with red and blue motifs, or in fuchsia tweed, are worn with strappy sandals embellished with chains, and little black bows or pumps adorned with a camellia, while delicate blouses in chiffon or crêpe de Chine are combined with pieces inspired by winter sportswear. For FW21, Virginie Viard was inspired by Chanel’s DNA of cool Parisian chic and the ambiance of ski holidays.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Hermès FW 21 – A presentation in three acts

Image by Hua Dong

The visual presentation of the Hermès women's FW21 collection introduced during Paris Fashion Week transcends all conceptions of both the conventional live-audience catwalk fashion show and online-streaming shows that represent the new norm. The women’s FW21 collection is brought to life through a film by director and screenwriter Sébastien Lifshitz. Drawing on the collaborative art form of theatre, the film entitled Triptych consists of three sequences set in New York, Paris and Shanghai. The film not only merges various art forms being a living performance of both dance and catwalk, but also unites cultural lenses through the choice of locations and choreographers. Hermès and Sébastien Lifshitz cooperate with the American choreographer Madeline Hollander, who created the choreography for the prologue set in New York, and the Chinese artist Gu Jiani, who choreographed the piece taking place in Shanghai in Act III. Both choreographies, as well as the catwalk presentation in Paris in Act II were filmed and broadcast live. Triptych is a radical, expressive study of movement and space, that brings the clothing to life by capturing the energy of the three different locations through dance and art. It ubiquitously creates a sentiment of connection in current times of disconnection, while reappropriating and reinventing the narrative of self-determined, contemporary female sensuality. Three acts, the common thread of which is the symbolic Hermès orange box, tell the story of how a collection comes into being and is turned into performance through the dialogue of different cultures and forms of art.

Image by Sasha Arutyunova

“I wanted this three-act performance to be our way of keeping a record of these extraordinary times where the situation demands more of us than a simple runway show. I wanted a film directed by an artist with a feel for the crossover of genres and disciplines. Not a film about fashion, nor about dance, but a film about us all and all the ways we can and must continue to reinvent ourselves.”
- Nadège Vanhée-Cybulski, Artistic Director of women’s ready-to-wear

www.hermes.com 

Fashion

ISSEY MIYAKE FW21/22

‘As the Way It Comes to Be’ is the title of ISSEY MIYAKE’s FW21/22 collection that premiered online as a collection video in the context of Paris Fashion Week. The collection examines the essential colors and shapes found in nature in its range of forward-thinking designs, that embody organic beauty and strength. Subtly set in both natural environments and built infrastructure the video directed by Mikiya Takimoto foregrounds the simplicity of the designs and the delicacy of the textures. The quiet mood that dominates Takimoto’s piece underlines the sense of untouched, untamed beauty of nature that is taken up in this season’s ISSEY MIYAKE designs. The collection features seven thematic series that are based on different garment techniques, textural treatments and color schemes. The STONE series for instance is inspired by stones that are made by craftspeople in Kyoto using a traditional technique named suminagashi. The ethereal, marble-like patterns are created by dropping dyes on the water surface to allow them to expand freely against each other, which are then soaked up by a clean fabric. The finalized five different styles of the STONE series consist of patterned shirts and dresses, that loosely drape over the body and emphasize the craftsmanship of the fabrics and patterns. The additional series of the collection follow a similar concept and form language, by drawing pleated, silky, three-dimensional and geometrical fabric variations. All series included in the ISSEY MIYAKE FW21/22 collection unify in the goal of artistically reflecting nature through fashion design, using elaborate, qualitative garment manufacturing methods.

 www.isseymiyake.com

Fashion

Emporio Armani FW21

In the mood for pop – Emporio Armani’s eclectic outlook is vividly expressed in the visuals shown in the online presentation and looks of the FW21/22 fashion show. The collection makes reference to Armani’s vocabulary of the 80s, while subtly updating the aesthetics of the iconic decade. Harmonic shapes and relaxed elegance are interpreted in a snappy, metropolitan way and highlighted with bright, vibrant colors. Armani invites to step into Armani/Teatro to watch the Emporio Armani FW21/22 men’s and women’s fashion show, that immerses the viewer in a mystical, energetic light show.

The collection creates a mirroring dialogue between male and female silhouettes. The feminine designs exhibit elongated, slender shapes with a high waist. Embedded in the Athletic-wear attitude are touches of graphic prints and surface embroiders, that lead to a military-like pragmatism in a glamorous light. Unexpected patchwork prints on velvet materials, alternating with knit wear provide movement and sophistication to the color palette in which bright notes of purple and pink stand out against a black base. For men, the interpretation of softness is translated into new shapes and functions. Following a flowing, deconstructed silhouette, the jackets are wide with drop shoulders and accentuated with hairy linings, in order to replace coats. The coats themselves are crafted from knitted or woven fabrics, adding stable, heavy pieces to the collection. The men’s counterpart of the collection also draws on athletic styles and military looks, making the mens and womenswear a harmonic whole.

 www.armani.com

Fashion

Alessandro Dell’Acqua FW21 x Elena MirÒ

Beyond clichés and against stereotypes. To compose an imagery in the name of this sentiment, Alessandro Dell’Acqua collaborates with Elena Mirò to narrate natural physicality in awe of femininity for his FW21/22 collection. The Capsule Collection proposes a fashion that renews its own language, to tell the story of women as they are and not as an expression of preconceptions. Dell’Acqua and Mirò refrain from defining static sizes and dimensions or conditioning the form: The silhouettes and proportions draw a figure that traces and follows the free and naturally curvilinear shape of the female body, from the waistline to the décolleté. In its deliberate versatility, the Alessandro Dell'Acqua X Elena Mirò Capsule Collection aligns variable solutions: dresses and skirts composed with ‘boiserie’ technique featuring lace and organza panels in shades of black and beige, that create an architectural effect.

Tweed – that is typical in men’s tailoring – reoccurs in the women’s jackets, skirts. Knitted slip dresses and a range of maxi and small cardigans are combined with accentuating pencil skirts. The nude sheath dress covered in black guipure lace is the key look of the collection and embodies the strong essence of female elegance underlying the aesthetics of the designs. Sudden shades of red and pink blending in with the base colors grey, black and crème and ergonomic shapes detailed with belts tightened and sinched at the waist add vibrancy and motion to the form language of the collection. The complimentary campaign featuring Dutch model and actress Lara Stone further interprets the physicality and personality of the woman who imagines the Alessandro Dell’Acquq x Elena Mirò Capsule Collection. The campaign reflects the attitudes and behaviors of the contemporary woman, who freely encompasses and radiates self-awareness and authentic personality.

www.alessandrodellacqua.com

Fashion

Tod’s FW21 – In a Moment

Tod’s introduces their FW21 collection in a modernist space over marble floor inlays. The four women in the show represent four different characters, or perhaps different personalities of the same woman caught in a single moment. Gestures, movements, and colors tell the fluid story of the collection. Creative Director Walter Chiapponi offers other points of view on Tod’s vocabulary. Through manual skills, excellent craftsmanship, and an endless quest for enhancement, he created a new repertoire of classic garments in which archetypes blend. For FW21, Tod’s made a world where sportswear meets couture’s voluptuous femininity without sacrificing function and utility.

The garments receive new volumes and surprising yet chic details for all functions and occasions by combining the two. The collection pieces consist of leather-trimmed trench coats, which have ruffles at the neck and create shoulder-like capes. Shirts with long pussy bows and quilted leather duvet jackets are combined with knee-length dresses and coats, which draw a sinuous silhouette. Out-of-scale hats complete the looks, reminding of a past era. The sunglasses are framed with leather; bags are exaggeratedly large with a raw cut profile. All bags, as well as the Oboe, are made of shiny sheepskin leather. Decorative flat chains are adorned on the Kate bag’s flap and are also used to replace the shoulder straps. Chunky-heeled loafers with the iconic Tod’s T mark are also heavily featured. The T mark is also on belts and bags. The FW21 collection combines modernity with Italian elegance ever so effortlessly.

www.tods.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli Womenswear FW21

Brunello Cucinelli digitally presents his FW21 women’s collection as part of Milan Fashion Week 2021. For his video contribution to this year’s online event, the Italian designer chose a very personal location: a pavilion in a vast park in his hometown Solomeo in Umbria, where the fashion empire has its origins. Backed with elegant music he briefly presents the fashion, letting the visuals of the models displaying his clothing speak for themselves. The women dressed in his FW21 collection are positioned on the elevated garden pavilion, illuminated by the sun and blending in with the natural surrounding. Cucinelli then personally holds a speech explaining the shift in focus he has taken up in the face of the current reconceptualization of the daily rhythm of life and its effect on human needs, values and wellbeing. Furthermore, he pleads for the re-evaluation of the relationship between humans and nature. Cucinelli envisions the expansion of the concept of the social contract to all beings of the universe in pursuit of establishing a world in equilibrium and aims to contribute to it with his business approach and designs.

The FW21 women’s collection reflects Cucinelli’s vision of harmony, comprising informal and relaxed outerwear, knitwear, trousers, shirts and accessories. The designs blur the line between living in the public and the private sphere by unifying form language of timeless elegance and effortless comfort. Unique manufacturing processes, loose silhouettes and soft volumes, following a neutral, organic color scheme represent the cardinal elements of fluid and well-proportioned cozy wear.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Swarowski Wonderlab

The world’s largest crystal manufacturer, Swarowski, is revealing its new brand identity. The first-ever global creative director, Giovanna Engelbert, also reimagined the iconic Swarowski Swan symbol for the “bold vision that celebrates crystal in all its form.” The revamped Swarovski will also introduce 28 new brick-and-mortar concept stores to bring to life the Swarovski Wonderlab. 28 ‘Instant Wonder’ stores are to be unveiled around the globe.

According to Engelbert: “The Wonderlab is where science and magic meet, where extra and elegance collide, it is a feeling of wonder that everyone should experience as we invite them into our new world at Swarovski.” The Swarovski symbol, the swan, has been turned to face the customer, signifying its new direction. It’s “head on, poised to take flight”. The swan has been given a streamlined form, with an elongated neck and placed in an octagon to symbolize, ”a faceted crystal, evoking the unrivaled craftsmanship of Swarovski’s master cutters”. Swarowski is opening “Instant Wonder” stores in key global markets around the world that will be a “feast for the senses”. The first redesign opened February 23 in Milan, followed by a further 27 across North America, Europe, and APAC, including new Paris and New York locations.

www.swarowski.com

Fashion

RIMOWA SS21

RIMOWA releases its SS 21 eyewear collection. Following last year’s launch of the brand’s first-ever eyewear line, RIMOWA is excited to unveil a new collection of iconic sunglasses. The new collection updates classic shapes like the aviator, square, and pantos with traditional or colored reflective lenses.

The frame is inspired by early aviation and pilot essentials combined with the brand’s own iconic aluminum grooves first inspired by aircraft fuselage. The eyewear collection is color-matched with selected RIMOWA luggage for a coordinated look. With this, the brand aims to enhance new ways to improve and cater to the wearer’s travel experience. The latest eyewear collection, which is presented as unisex, will introduce three updated versions of the RIMOWA eyewear looks and four new designs. The pieces featured in the SS 21 collection pays homage to the brand’s iconic aluminum luggage.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Montblanc appoints new Creative Director

Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc appoints Marco Tomasetta as the new Creative Director of the house. Tomasetta, who will officially take office on March 1st 2021, is a graduate of the Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan and has elaborate expertise within the leather goods and accessories department. With experience in renowned fashion houses such as Prada, Chloé and Louis Vuitton the former Creative Design Director of women’s and men’s leather goods at Givenchy now takes on a new leadership position, bringing perspectives for innovation and modern refinement to the German manufacturing company of jewelry, watches and writing implements, among a range of other luxury goods. In anticipation of this new challenge Tomasetta himself states: ‘As a designer, writing and drawing are the starting points of any design process, which is why I was immediately drawn to Montblanc - fusing tradition with pioneering design’.

 wwww.montblanc.com

Fashion

Boogaloo Oman Collection

Boogaloo swimwear presents new styles inspired by the beauty of Oman. Boogaloo is a swimwear brand that encourages self-expression by using travel photography from all around the world to create prints. Oman is a country that not only boasts warm hospitality, rich culture, and awe-inspiring scenery but is where Boogaloo’s creator, Melina Giolva, re-discovered the power of owning her own journey. The new collection features seventeen pieces in five new shapes, which feature Melina’s own photography from her trip to Oman. The photography prints of natural landscapes are of vibrant color like royal blue, vibrant pinks, turquoise, sunny yellow, vivid mint, and searing reds reflect the warmth of the place they were captured. The collection celebrates the Omani landscapes such as palm trees, desert, mountains, the sea, and ancient architecture by reintegrating them into wearable art. Boogaloo pieces are manufactured ethically by a family-operated business in Athens, Greece.

www.boogalooswimwear.com

Fashion

Colmar SS21

For the Spring Summer 2021 collection, Colmar has used its most iconic pieces as a starting point for the new collection, which aligns perfectly with the typical Colmer DNA: technical, dynamic, functional, and summery. The designs are versatile and can be worn in different summer climates and on multiple occasions. The ambiguity of the collection aims to inspire the wearer to live their summer to the fullest. Clean and simple lines yet precise attention to detail is what makes the new collection stand out. At the core of the collection stand functionality and comfort. To create their multifunctional jackets, Colmar used recycled polyamide from industrial waste, which is regenerated and reprocessed. Double layered polyester is sewn with a membrane that supports a 5000 mm water column to make for the resistant material. Both the Women's and Men's collections feature from best-sellers like the 1246 Colmar, biker jackets, and field jackets to gilets. Iridescent graphics and blurred prints complete the summer mood of the Spring Summer 2021 collection.

www.colmar.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo: Chinese New Year & Valentine’s Day

Salvatore Ferragamo has collaborated with five young international creatives to develop a series of special projects during 2021, the first two chapters of which are called “Chinese New Year” and “Valentine’s Day.” For the Chinese New Year (February 12th), Ferragamo has collaborated with London-based illustrator Charlotte Mei in a digital project that celebrates the year of the Ox (pronounced “Niu” in Chinese). The digital campaign is called “What makes you Niu” and consists of a series of photographic collages and illustrations. With celebratory aesthetics of the year of the Ox, the campaign conveys the NIU! message with a series of big-impact editorial images and artwork that highlights the exclusive selection of CNY products. For Valentine’s Day (February 14th), Ferragamo has called on artists Davide Ronco, Charlotte Mei, Johanna Goodman, the Mert Keskin, and Ruth van Beek to create a series of multimedia artworks that will feature in the “Patchwork of Love” campaign. “The Patchwork of Love” campaign highlights itself with contrasting colors and the concept of creating a new whole from crashing elements. All collages, animation, illustrations, photos, videos, and sculptures are featuring Ferragamo elements such as the Gancini logo and articles from the Ferragamo selection for Valentine’s Day.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

The Piaget Polo goes Skeleton

Piaget launches a fully skeletonized version of its celebrated Piaget Polo, the groundbreaking luxury sports watch created by Piaget in 1979. The newest interpretation of the historical Piaget Polo merges the ultra-thinness and transparency of the Polo Skeleton with the elegance of its iconic Piaget Polo look. The Piaget Polo Skeleton models are made of stainless steel and 30% thinner than Piaget’s conventional models, which leads to the unique, slim lightness of the watch. The movement of the model, available as Piaget Blue and Titanium Grey, is completely visible and integrated into the design. In combination with the brushed surface, this creates a visual play with light that emphasizes the thin, dynamic aesthetics of the watch. With the Polo Skeleton Piaget adds on to its tradition of innovation, creating an everyday bracelet watch in the service of exclusivity and luxury while upholding the sport-chic spirit.

www.piaget.com 

Fashion

DIOR MEN SS21: Amoako Boafo

Kim Jones muse for the latest DIOR Men’s campaign is Ghanaian painter Amoako Boafo, whose big-scale portraits of Black subjects using a finger-painting technique have skyrocketed in popularity the past year. The collaboration marks the first African artist to develop a line with the French Maison to date. According to DIOR’s Artistic Director Kim Jones, the fashion line celebrates Boafo’s intricate and vibrant portraiture, reflecting in the collection’s powerful energy. Inspired by Boafo’s expression, which entails flat color portraits complemented by vibrant backgrounds, the campaign incorporated his portraits into the collection and added textures, prints, and colors inspired by his paintings. Through careful styling and close collaboration with the artist, the fashion house was able to bring the images back to life by incorporating DIOR essentials such as the Oblique Motif, Dior Atlas sandals, Maxi saddlebag, and the artists’ dynamic color palette ranging from pink to fluorescent yellow. The pieces are quintessentially vibrant and celebrate freedom, diversity, and the many facets of the contemporary man.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta Salon 01 Campaign

The Bottega Veneta Salon 01 Campaign photographed by Tyrone Lebon brings the brand’s SS21 collection to life. Featuring German artist Rosemarie Trockel and Uganda-born British actress, composer and playwright Sheila Atim, the campaign is centered around two charismatic, accomplished personas. Inspired by the nostalgia of books, videos and records Creative Director Daniel Lee gives way to the idea of domestic comfort fits combined with glamorous silhouettes of the 60’s. This concept translates to the thick, mostly knitted fabrics and is accentuated by the expressive color palette of green, yellow, black, violet and browns. Lee himself summarizes his vision behind the new campaign saying: ‘I’m always interested in this idea, of how you can feel done up and elegant at the same time as feeling comfortable. That’s really my kind of mission for Bottega.’ Lee’s designs capture the Zeitgeist by translating contemporary reconceptualization of daily routine and home comfort in the face of a global pandemic to the context of luxury fashion.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

DIESEL x Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year celebration falls on February 12th 2021, inaugurating the Year of The Ox. In honor of the transition into the Year of the Ox, DIESEL launches a genderless and athletic-inspired capsule collection. DIESEL’s collection includes a series of varsity jackets, hoodies, tees, and sweat dresses as well as various accessories including backpacks, baseball caps and jewelry inspired by and depicting the Ox Zodiac symbol.

Boldly printed, vibrantly colored pieces informed by basketball style and techno music graphically illustrate the oxen applications on the designs. The Zodiac print icon appears in the form of chalked outlines, patch-applications, abstract chrome cyberpunk graphics or bold dynamic letterings expressing the phrase ‘BRAVE CNY 2021’. With denim at the heart, DIESEL also reiterates its signature fabric throughout the capsule collection with an emphasis on the brand’s sustainable denim treatment technologies that reduce the use of chemicals and the overall environmental impact of the production process.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

#MAKEAPROMISE

Louis Vuitton has partnered up with UNICEF through the #MAKEAPROMISE campaign in order to support the world’s most vulnerable children in the world, proving that the values of the luxury market have shifted compared to just a few years ago. Luxury is no longer just about exclusive and masterfully crafted objects, but it is also defined by its broader impact in the world, whether it be a social or environmental. As part of the effort, Louis Vuitton presents four new Silver Lockit bracelets, inspired by the tumbler lock invented by Georges Vuitton in 1890 to guarantee the protection of his client’s most prized possessions. Available in pastel blue, pink, celadon green and black, the bracelets were crafted incorporating recycled silver and organic cotton for the first tine. Aside from Silver Lockit bracelet, Louis Vuitton presents the Doudou Louis, a teddy bear in a Monogram printed textile. By purchasing either item, clients will support UNICEF’s continuous work on providing access to water, sanitation, nutrition, education, health and protection services to the most vulnerable children on the planet as well as the Covid-19 emergency response efforts to reimagine a world fit for every child.

Since the launch of the partnership, nearly 13 millions dollars have been raised for UNICEF. The Silver Lockit bracelets and the Doudou Louis will be available from January 19th online and in selected Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.

#MAKEAPROMISE

www.louisvuitton.com
www.unicef.com

Fashion

Furla SS21

In the spirit of joy and optimism, Furla is welcoming all to enjoy the moment with its SS21 collection. Diving deeper into its roots as an Italian family-owned brand, the core DNA is expressed in the film by Lorenzo Gironi with the Creative Direction of Macsiotti. The motto of freedom, a joy in elegance and close friendships fuels this collection. A dreamy Mediterranean meeting of sky and sea reflects the simple pleasures evident in nature, simple pleasures people can share, evoke the core values of Furla for its SS21 collection. With a soundtrack by Cyril Giroux, photos by Dario Catellani and styling by Vittoria Cerciello, the seasons of joy conjure up feelings of long Summer days that in turn become warm, carefree and unforgettable Summer nights.

Italy’s coastline was the chosen setting, a panoramic and incredibly beautiful way of telling the next chapter of the Furla brand story. A soft palette of products, shown with chromatic ton-sur-ton effects contrasts against one another, carefree, wild. A balancing of volumes both in color and in shape are tailored with signature Furla details, an institutional manifesto of sorts, marking a new chapter.

#FUNFURLA

www.furla.com

Fashion

VETEMENTS FW21/22

VETEMENTS, French design collective, has premiered its FW21/22 Men’s and Women’s collection in a runway that combines both during Paris Fashion Week. An anti-conformism collection that hits many contemporary talking points with sophistication and its signature tongue-in-cheek sense of humour. A trench-coat brandishes bold labels like ‘Race: Human’. ‘Birthplace: Earth’, ‘Politics: Freedom’ and ‘Religion: Love’. The collection, both Men’s and Women’s, ignites a thought-provoking dialogue on authoritarianism, power and how much freedom and control people have in the 21st century.

The campaign shot by Gio Staiano displays the wide range of elegant dresses in dark colors, the focussed tailoring evidenced in the Men’s collection of the VETEMENTS FW21/22. In addition to Men’s and Women’s clothing there are unisex T-shirts with graphic slogans printed on them, including quips such as “I love long walks and sex before marriage.” There is also an over-the-knee boot decorated with flags from many nations across the world, possibly a comment on the intersection of globalization, fashion and consumerism.

While the pentagram and more gothic visuals combine with the humorous wordplay to pair a nihilistic worldview, complete with balaclavas in lieu of pandemic-style face masks, the imaginative shapes and forms which are tailored into both Men’s and Women’s FW21/22 collections shine through.

While the pentagram and more gothic visuals combine with the humorous wordplay to pair a nihilistic worldview, complete with balaclavas in lieu of pandemic-style face masks, the imaginative shapes and forms which are tailored into both Men’s and Women’s FW21/22 collections shine through.

www.vetementswebsite.com

Fashion

C.P. Company: ‘Cinquanta’ 50 Year Anniversary

C.P. Company, the acclaimed Italian fashion brand founded in 1971, celebrates 50 years of fashion innovation and design with an ode to the origins of sportswear. With a program of authentic collaborations, activities created to involve the community and tasteful homages to five decades of human advancement. The C.P. Company ‘Cinquanta’ will run throughout 2021 with the release of a special item every month. Each of these items represent a fraction of the brand’s core DNA and a stage in the development of Italian sportswear over the years, the pioneering of a genre of clothing that led to founder, Massimo Osti, being recognized as the godfather of urban sportswear.

Iconic fabrics and an intimately furnished wardrobe employs the use of memories, mementos, toys, books and posters to structure the narrative of C.P. Company’s 50th anniversary: Cinquanata. To symbolize this celebration, the brand has designed a flag made from a mix of fabrics and garments dyed as a unique piece of cloth. The flag represents the pillars of C.P. Company, expertise in the technical research of fabrics and the development of dyeing techniques for which the brand first pioneered in the mid-seventies.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

DIOR MEN FW21/22

Christian Dior translated dreams into reality and today, Kim Jones, Dior Men’s Artistic Director, does exactly the same. His collection for FW21 is a living embodiment of the worlds created by Scottish-born, Trinidad-based artist Peter Doig, reminding us also about fashion’s incredible power to create dialogue with other creative disciplines. The garments themselves were heavily inspired by the extravagance of ceremonial attire, uniforms, creating a visual link to one sartorial tradition which is still dynamic and alive today. Throughout the collection we find hints to uniforms, such as collars, but never did the collection seem rigid or overly formal, as the uniforms were softened through embroidery and embellishment. In a masculine interpretation of couture, decorations and motifs from the Dior Archives were reinvented, most notably the gilded embroidery of Rosella, a haute couture evening gown from the 60s. For this collection, Kim Jones and Peter Doig worked together very closely. The artist was not only devising motifs, but was involved hands-on during the creation process of the collection, hand-painting designs on a selection of wool felt hats by Stephen Jones. Especially for this collection, Doig created two animalistic emblems, inspired by his own work as well as his knowledge and relation to the House of Dior. The first was a likeness of Dior’s dog Bobby and the second a lion, referenced so often in his own works. The collection brings to live some of Doig’s most iconic works, referenced through an exact color palette, soft muted blues, navy, dusky mauve and Dior grey alongside hues of yellow, blood-orange and green. The looks are then elevated even more through the jewellery and belts adorned with an especially created Lion sculpture by Doig.

www.dior.com

Fashion

TAAKK FW21

Japanese Menswear brand, TAAKK, founded in 2013 by award winning designer Takuya Morikawa, has released a short film for Paris Fashion Week to debut its FW21 collection. The film is an ode to the idle and intangible nature of reminiscing. To venture forth requires a glance into the past, lingering on a thought like a daydream.

The protagonist muses on what it’s like to exist in the present moment when so often people are called back to the past; whether via a reminder, an invitation or a familiar voice. Mirokawa has continued to reshape the perception of menswear design since TAAKK’s founding, combining extensive material research and imaginative fabric treatments into each creation with the help from expert technicians to make each idea possible.

This season a herringbone wool jacket transitions seamlessly into tuckable cotton shirting, a jacket tailored in wool fades into a nylon MA-1 bomber, and polyester twill dissolves into sheer organdy to reveal layers beneath. To blur the line between dreams and reality, the short film produced by Nagisa Kodama for the TAAKK FW21 collection captures the yearning and boundless possibilities of being in a dream, suspended in time between departure and arrival.

The TAAKK FW21 collection will debut virtually February 2021 and will be available in select stores worldwide starting July 2021.

www.taakk.jp

Marni SS21: Fussbett Sabots

For the women’s and men’s SS21 collection, Marni has reignited their Fussbett sandals, a unisex item that presents a versatile and bold slipper version of the original. The more practical and sophisticated elements of the Fussbett are elevated and enhanced, the new Marni ‘Fussbett Sabots’ offer comfort and decadence to wear while working from home. Maintaining the same approach in the street, the Fussbett Sabots announce themselves loudly with a contemporary and casual style that aligns with many outfits and Marni looks.

The new slipper sandal by the luxury Italian brand is made to be worn in any relaxed setting, arriving in two versions: an understated grainy calf leather in black and white tones and a version covered entirely in calf hair leather in black and fuchsia colors. The calfskin iteration brandishes the Marni logo discreetly on its side. Made to transition between indoor and outdoor, night and day, the Fussbett Sabots exude nonchalance with a hint of glamour that is never too much.

The unisex Marni Fussbett Sabots will be available for spring 2021 online and in Marni boutiques and select multi-brand stores worldwide.

www.marni.com

Fashion

Tod's Men's FW21/22

Villa Ronchi, Vigevano, designed by Giuseppe De Finetti in 1936, is the setting for the new film ‘#sevenT’ from Italian luxury shoe designer, Tod’s. The title of the film denotes seven days in the week, and ‘T’ for Tod’s and time. The story that takes place at VIlla Ronchi, is the story of Tod’s place in nature, the story of relaxed tailoring and a reinterpretation of classics to define the sort of lifestyle synonymous with the brand.

Wools and sturdy cottons in colors that camouflage with the nature found in the Italian countryside take classic wardrobe garments and contradict formal details with more unexpected combinations. The trench coat, the shirt-jacket, the hunting jacket and the field jacket; pillars of a man’s wardrobe. Creative Director, Walter Chiapponi, defines the artisanal nature of each product to conjure up a portrait of the Italian gentleman, cosmopolitan and free-roaming.

The Tod’s FW21/22 Men’s collection also finds strength in its accessories, robust lace-ups with Norwegian stitching, ankle boots with a texan heel, sneakers with a multitude of materials and desert boots with enlarged gommini. The recurring ‘T’ made of metal appears on buckles and loafers, covered in leather on spacious and supple bags which were painstakingly made with as few cuts as possible on geometric briefcases with two straps intended for umbrellas or bottles.

‘#sevenT’ for Tod’s FW21/22 is an exploration into classic menswear and a rediscovery of comfortable formalwear.

www.tods.com

Fashion

FENDI Men's FW21

During the ongoing pandemic, society has shifted, most notably in the way we dress. Having been confined to our homes, we seek comfort in the clothes we wear, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside clothing. With the latest FENDI Men’s collection, Silvia Venturini Fendi takes us on an optimistic and comfortable adventure in a world full of illusions, a glimpse of how comfort is done at FENDI. A maze of neon doorways was suspended in a mirrored tunnel, infinitely multiplying the models whilst in reality entirely alone. Throughout the collection, we experienced the menswear classics in a new light having been injected with the FENDI playfulness. This did not just express itself through the bright colors, emerald, vermillion, orange and fuchsia just to name a few but also through contrasting textures and materials. Outerwear was defined by more relaxed silhouettes and reversible work wear inspired pieces unite multi-functionality and form. Another visual highlight of the show was the collaboration with British artist and performer Noel Fielding, another addition to Fendi’s playful selection of artistic collaborators. His signature style, multicolored, stream-of-consciousness scribble art, fits right in with the show’s backdrop and underlines once more Fendi’s optimistic and less formal view of the new reality.

www.fendi.com

Diesel Living with Lodes

DIESEL has partnered with Italian decorative lighting company, Lodes after the signing of an exclusive global licensing agreement last year. The international lifestyle brand DIESEL, owned by the OTB group, has launched a lighting collection dubbed ‘Diesel Living with Lodes’. The collection, which includes three new exclusive designs (Flask, Vinyl, Urban Concrete) and five renovated best sellers (Cage, Fork, Gask, Glass Drop, Pipe), displaying versatility and a bold design language inspired by contrasting opposites and themes of reality and perception.

Taking cues from the bollards found in the urban landscape, ‘Urban Concrete’ are lights designed to hang at lengths of either 12, 50, 60 or 80 centimetres. Clean lines and solid surfaces are juxtaposed to create the illusion of very heavy metal domes hanging on a thread, when in reality the light fixtures are very lightweight. ‘Flask’, also playing with perception, is inspired by the unique shapes of glass bottles one might find in a scientist’s lab, featuring a matte metallic surface that reveals the lamp’s glass appearance only when lit.

Technical innovation that is capable of capturing the imagination is central to the shared goals between the minds at DIESEL and Lodes. Of the licensing agreement, which will run for five years, Massimiliano Tosetto, General Manager at Lodes says “the launch of the ‘Diesel Living with Lodes’ products an the partnership with one of the world’s most renowned lifestyle brands is a further testament of our commitment to championing design excellence and creativity.”

The collaborative effort follows the success of other well received DIESEL collaborations, such as Scavolini (kitchens and bathrooms) or Mirabello Carrara (home textiles).

The Diesel Living with Lodes line will be available in select stores worldwide as of January 2021.

www.diesel.com
www.lodes.com

LEICHT: Light-Bathed Living

A three-storey house with floor to ceiling windows, rooms bathed with natural light and an awe-inspiring view of the Austrian countryside from almost anywhere in the house. These impressive architectural results from Austrian design firm, LEICHT, speak to the company’s dedication to clear lines, shapes and of course light as fundamentals in an exceptionally livable space by LEICHT and architect Zoran Bodrožic.

‘Architecture + Kitchen IV’, the fourth edition of kitchen and living settings. The house boasts a distinguished ensemble of individualism, comfort and opulence. The presence of light in the home and as an essential part of life takes precedence in the home’s design. The transparent home in Klosterneuburg features a completely handleless kitchen in a rectilinear design connecting the kitchen to the living room, making the flow of the house accommodating and incredibly scenic. Founded in 1928 as a carpenter‘s workshop by brothers Alois and Josef Leicht, the company has evolved into a globally recognized brand that excels in kitchen and living settings.

A trifecta of concrete, wood and stone make up the ceiling, floor and walls of the lounge room; a visual feast of elements both natural and refined. In this rejoicement of light bathed living an artistically detailed room divider creates an interplay between the kitchen and the living room so that one can feel they are not sacrificing the joys of one room in favor of another. Two preparation and cooking areas sit parallel to one another, the kitchen layout is an amiable setting for entertaining, relaxing or making a delicious meal in a gorgeous panoramic country setting.

Synonymous with prestigious, open kitchens with a homely aesthetic, LEICHT offers kitchens in all price ranges offering outstanding value for money. In recent years they have turned their attention to designing the dining and living rooms with dividers to improve the relationship between both rooms within the 21st century idea of a home.

www.leicht.com

AGL SS21: 'Sallie'

The over the knee boot has been around since the 60s, origins dating back to the 17th century, adopted by Balenciaga with the release of their knee high boot for their Fall 1962 collection and Yves Saint Laurent with the release of Roger Viver’s thigh high alligator skin boots; the design has been a favorite at many houses. The family owned and operated Italian shoemaker, AGL, has released their answer to this boot with ‘Sallie: The Art-Couture creation’. AGL, short for Attilio Giusti Leombruni, has made many fine shoes of shapes and varieties since being founded in 1958. In this adventure into art-couture, ‘Sallie’ features a laser-cut pattern of geometric shapes and laces to be tied at the back of the boots. The boots are visually dramatic, while also lucid and intentional, to be worn with confidence and swagger.

The imaginative designs arrive in three kinds of leather, made entirely in Italy, each boot has its own individual finish; lizard skin, snakeskin and a muted pink calfskin. Sara, Vera and Marianna, granddaughters of AGL founder, Piero Giusti, as the third generation in the family brand the sisters pave their own path boldly to pursue a wild reinvention of a classic with their ‘Sallie’ boot. Their conceptual and technical knowledge supplemented with an evident sensitivity for Womenswear allows this boot to act as a bridge between old and new, amplified and joyfully contemporary.

AGL will be releasing the ‘Sallie’ boot as a highlight of their SS21 collection.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Coco Beach de Chanel 2021

Sun-kissed bodies lazing on a beach or frolicking in the ocean, waiting for the perfect wave; an ideal of freedom. The daydreams of a carefree and perfect day at the beach, what might this daydream look like? Coco Beach De Chanel 2021 collection will arrive midway through this year to answer this question. Asymmetric swimsuits and bikinis embellished with a bow on the shoulder or breast, timeless color pairings of purple and black, black and white and ivory prints feature on a casual range of luxury swimwear and beach accessories.

In the collection are a plethora of styles and materials. The looks include Loose fitting blouses made of Oxford cotton, bermuda shorts, a bag and beach towel in purple and black cotton, a lightweight white tunic in poplin styled over a black swimsuit in stretch jersey; a fusion of traditional and contemporary. With the signature double C motif seamlessly appearing in each pattern. In the past Chanel has released cruise collections, resort collections, even a swimwear line debuted in 1995.

Much has changed in the world and at Chanel since, with this collection the fact remains that style created for joy remains resilient muse at Chanel. The Coco Beach De Chanel 2021 collection will be available in Chanel boutiques from April.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Fjallraven SS21

The Swedish brand, Fjallraven, founded by Åke Nordin in 1960 and known for their passion for the great outdoors, are releasing their new High Coast Hydratic series for SS21. Featuring a waterproof and breathable 2.5 layer construction, their 100% recycled polyamide hydratic jacket has a specially designed printed lining by Swedish artist, Erik Olovsson. The jacket is similar to its more technical predecessor, the Keb Eco-Shell jacket, in that it is made without fluorocarbons which can damage the environment and the Earth’s ozone by warming the lower atmosphere. These fluorocarbons are also common in refrigerators and air-conditioning units. 

Versatility sets the High Coast Hydratic Jacket apart. It is breathable, packable, features an adjustable hood and has hi-vis elements for busy urban landscapes such as the journey to and from work. The jacket also has unique ventilation zips in its sides in order to let out any excess heat that builds up in the jacket from wear. For the mountains, the Summer hiking trails or the fierce high seas; the High Coast Hydratic Jacket by Fjallraven is an adventurer’s companion and an asset against all elements. Continuing its belief that no weather is ‘bad weather’, this eco-friendly SS21 jacket is as integral to the outdoors as the elements themselves.

 www.fjallraven.com

Art

Rome De Bellegarde x Ettinger

French luxury cognac maker, Rome De Bellegarde, and the British heritage brand, Ettinger, have partnered to create a limited run of 50 gift boxes. These opulent gift boxes include a 100ml bottle of Rome de Bellegarde’s rare limited edition X.O. cognac as well as a four ounce Ettinger hip flask augmented with a butter soft leather brandishing the logo of these two esteemed brands marking their collaboration. Rome de Bellegarde dates back to France’s King Henry III and is survived by the new generation of the Bellegarde family who resurrected their ancestor’s savoir-faire in exquisite cognac.

Ettinger, founded in 1934, is proud to jointly release a vessel to hold one of the finest cognacs in the world today. Rome De Bellgarde’s signature orange color was the inspiration for the tan of leather that wraps around the flask, making it warmer to the touch, a welcome reprieve from the cool breath of Winter. CEO of Ettinger, Robert Ettinger, has said of the collaboration, “it is always a pleasure to work with another craftsmanship brand and hope our flasks continue to be enjoyed long after the X.O. cognac is finished!” 

Of the esteemed partnership and collaboration, Rome De Bellegarde’s owner David Romuald-Bellegarde Smeralda, has doted on Ettinger with similar praise, stating “we are truly honored to share this collaboration with a great craftsmanship brand such as Ettinger, who in many ways share a similar story to the Bellegarde family and display great resilience. This limited edition box was designed with our customers in mind making sure they get the very best from us.” 

The gift boxes retail for £499 and represent the best that both houses have to offer. The flasks can be customized with the recipient’s initials for enhanced personalization and richness of character.

www.ettinger.co.uk
www.romedebellegarde.com  

Fashion

Lamborghini x Roger Dubuis

Horology is invigorated with the roar of Lamborghini’s supercars in the Excalibur Huracán STO. Designed by the legendary Roger Dubuis, this new piece is an unbelievable encapsulation of the powerhouse car brand, elegantly concealed within a stand out accessory. Rules are thrown out of the window with this watch, where a strong futuristic sentiment gives the bold blues, oranges and blacks real excitement and vigor. The watch’s clear similarities to its namesake don't end at its title, the exhilarating power of the super sports Huracán STO captured in the watch’s automatic RD630 calibre with a honeycomb motif and a 12° angled balance wheel combined with a 360° oscillating weight. Roger Dubuis ijets adrenaline and excitement into every detail of this timepiece, a car and watch lover’s delight in each respect.

www.lamborghini.com

Fashion

Eternal Beauty

Lois creates a distinctly intimate exhibition in their Amsterdam Galeria, celebrating the pioneering supermodels who changed the industry with their iconic and eternal beauty. Featuring Helena Christensen and Elle Macpherson and photographed by Kat Irlin this wonderful shoot is a celebration too of Lois, a brand that has long been committed to the eternal beauty of diverse models. Christensen was shot in her home in New York and Macpherson at the Faena hotel in Miami. These photographs are a small and delightfully unassuming insight into the world of these two legendary models.

www.loisjeanstore.com

Fashion

Step Up

Church’s excites with their new Urban Crossover Collection, a wonderful array of styles and looks, designed for the colder months. Both men’s and women’s are complete with innovative design, contemporary uppers with hyper-light weight vulcanized rubber soles lending themselves to easy practical wear. Church’s also appeals to a sense of classicism and nostalgia, their classic lace-ups, loafers and boot uppers retaining a place of prominence, uniquely married with a specially defined lightweight St. Morritz sole. In applying these details, Church’s delivers on brand footwear that has a distinctly contemporary edge. This is seen in the women’s collection where an updated iteration of the iconic 1970’s Shannon is rearticulated with vigor and intention. The new Shannon T is bold, its thick yet lightweight tread sole contrasting beautifully against its smooth rois calfskin upper. Urban Cross Over is a delightful and intrepid step into the unknown, whilst still championing the identity of some of Church’s most beloved shoes.

www.church-footwear.com

Fashion

Teaser

Soon after being appointed the Maison’s Creative Director in October, Matthew M williams released his debut collection for Givenchy. Following the success of the Spring Summer 2021 collection, the fashion house has now dropped an edited selection from this line, a playful grungy expression of leather, denim, chains and classic white shirts. Statement outerwear composed of crocodile print and decadent leathers give way to relaxed silhouettes paired with horned baseball caps and distinctive hardware, a unique and urban aesthetic. Amidst denim co-ords and leather sliders, there is a wonderful sense of youthfulness and freedom, a new iteration of the beloved Antigona woven into this exciting rebellious narrative. The Teaser capsule collection premiers today, (1 December 2020) exclusively in seven Givenchy stores across Europe, Asia and the US, as well as on their online store. This collection is a testament to the magnetic power of great design and creativity.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Set in Paris

Longchamp returns to the city of love for its new film campaign. Set in Paris, fantasy meets reality as the infamously romantic city becomes cinematic backdrop to this eccentric yet subtle production. With the dynamism of a music video, Longchamp have selected emerging actresses to play a lively cast of Parisian women with the “joie de vivre” of the city. In this wonderful typically french take, two Longchamp bags become accidentally exchanged, and it is in this quaint storyline that Longchamp’s iconic accessory is showcased in an understated but undeniably present and engaging way. Describing her vision, the brand’s Artistic Director explained, “I wanted to depict an active, spontaneous and open-minded woman, one who grabs hold of life with elegance and independent spirit.” For a fashion house so inextricably tied to the city of Paris this film is a visually stunning tribute to such a nostalgic and meaningful location.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles, Hamburg

Following the success of their opening in Düsseldorf, Moose Knuckles is set to move to its next German location: Hamburg, with an exciting new pop up store. Located at the center of this thriving cultural city, the new pop-up store will occupy one of the most famous department stores in Germany, Braun Hamburg. Reflecting on this strategy for the Canadian outerwear brand, GM and Executive VP Marco D’Avanzo said “we recognized the change in shopping behavior and launched this experience-based concept to meet our community in their local area. The foundation of our brand is built on local, authentic and emotional ties with our customers worldwide”. Developing the store concept, experts from the Parisian design office Bureau Betak have crafted a unique experience which centres the customers, and of course the pioneering jackets and coats Moose Knuckles are internationally renowned for.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Shaded Dreams

Emboldened by a kitsch retro glamor, Gucci’s Matelassé eyewear collection is a perfect embodiment of a House dedicated to striking and iconic design. Chunky frames, adorned by the House’s recognizable logo of the interlinked G’s are a fun and playful statement piece able to dress up any look. Covered in leather, the sunglasses exude a decadent charm, recalling Gucci’s beloved Marmont bag pattern, with the matelassé decoration that runs over the entire frame and temples. These wonderful accessories coming in burgundy red, black, white and snakeskin are beautifully textured, a surprising but welcomed detail to this timeless accessory. Perfect for bright crisp winter days these sunglasses beg to be worn with a thick knitted jumper, and winter coat, or for a warm weather retreat by a poolside. Gucci delivers yet another stunning collection of sunglasses, beautifully authentic in their use of leather.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Season Greetings

FENDI gets into the holiday spirit with their new collection, unapologetic in its dedication to the most jubilant time of the year. Versatile in essence, the collection is both functional and aesthetic in its championing of chunky knits and sporty tracksuits. With their menswear featuring urban puffers and their womenswear articulating the feminine form beautifully in a new set of skirts, FENDI has everything covered. Taking the season in full fling, the collection showcases an exciting new collaboration with K-Way®, offering their customers practical wear for months of cold and wet weather. Any union with K-Way®, would not be complete without their legendary windbreakers, FENDI creating a dark blue color way for men and black and fold for women. An exclusive style is also offered, the FF logo printed on mink fur in brown. Continuing the tone of luxury brilliance, gold metallic accents sparkle in the Golden Capsule Collection, another nod to the holiday season. In this collection, silhouettes become fluid, Lurex jersey frocks, draped collars and sculptural plunging necklines transforming their wearer into the life of the party.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Mirror Image

“A mirror image is not the same as a reflection” reasons Maite Denolf, graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven. Rather the mirror produces a reflection with a shifted perspective, a distinction that is explored in Denolf’s graduation project, the “Reflective Compass”. Composed of rotating tubes with black vinyl forms, a transparent reflective glass which overlays these moving parts produces changing reflections coming in and out of focus. In its illusionistic sense of play, the designer/architects hopes “the Reflective Compass can cause people to stand still from time to time and take a moment to interact with themselves”.

www.maitedenolf.com

Fashion

By My Side

RIMOWA announces a brand new collection of personal cases this autumn. Crafted in the latest polycarbonates Essential collection colors, the launch is a timely celebration of the brand’s 20th anniversary of their pioneering polycarbonate suitcase in 2000. RIMOWA pushes the boundaries of travel, encompassing lifestyle in this new collection which was unveiled at Dior’s summer 2020 show, available as part of a capsule collection in collaboration with kim Jones. This latest collection made in Germany, has practicality and easy travel at its core, made in ultra-lightweight, dent-resistant grooved polycarbonate, perfect for keeping your staple travel items safe and protected. Coming in 4 glossy colorways, the monochromatic classics black and white are joined by 2 seasonal hues, Desert Rose and Cactus, in keeping with the most recent RIMOWA Essential collection rooted in the mojave desert.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Larger Than Life

Hublot delights with its new version of the MECA-10, an oversized version of their beloved January 2016 model. The table clock extends Hublot’s rich repertoire moving from wearable craftsmanship to innovative interior design; in the process treating its host of loyal watch enthusiasts to a domestic centrepiece. In collaboration with the Jura-based L’Epée manufacturer, the MECA-10 has been enlarged by four times, realizing its full potential, impressively retaining its original specifications, most importantly its 10-day power reserve. Reimagining the manual movement in a uniquely technical light, the manual mechanism’s seamless performance is delivered by its Meccano construction system. The world-renowned clock-making expertise of the L’Epée manufacturer, flourishes in this new venture, its 19.60 by 18.10cm case housing the meticulous system, coming in two versions. The first model showcases Meccano-inspired angles and a ring in polished satin-finished steel and transparent composite; the second version is covered with PVD consolidated by supporting brushes coated in black. Hublot makes an impact with this bold design of limited edition pieces, presenting a table watch larger than life.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Michaël Borremans

Michaël Borremans appears in an exciting new solo exhibition, entitled ‘Coloured Cones,’ at the Zeno X Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium. Borremans presents a new series of paintings, a wonderfully colorful addition to his illustrious oeuvre. Cone-shaped objects covered in satin become the artist’s focus, appearing in various different constellations in the foreground of his canvases. These objects become succinctly figurative in Borremans’ human-like compositions, lending themselves to an anthropomorphic reading. The artist’s painterly gestures revitalize the canvas, adding surprising dynamism to his inanimate subjects, his sincere approach engaging with the cones as one would a group of figures. Zeno X Gallery curates a beautiful show, spotlighting the art of their national Belgian talent.

www.zeno-x.com

Fashion

The Triple Stitch

The fall winter season is welcomed with innovation and style by Ermenegildo Zegna, their presentation of the Triple Stitch, keeping at bay the winter blues. This versatile slip-on sneaker has pleasure and ease at its core, promising elevated comfort in a wonderfully light weight shoe. A luxury essential for the modern man’s wardrobe, the Triple Stitch evades dress code in its sheer versatility. Its flexible construction is realised by a sole made in an extra light rubber, matching the pace of day to day life. Clever in its allusion to Zegna’s rich and iconic history, the enduring triple elastic which allows it to be slipped on and off also recalls the three hand stitches on the brand’s suit lapels. In its crafty design, Zegna makes a trainer that can be worn across the seasons, particularly in its range across a spectrum of colors. Featuring beige, dark vicuna and red leather, a contemporary combination of grained calfskin and suede dyed grey, blue or chocolate brown is also offered. For an even sorter finish, a supple deerskin version is also available, the perfect remedy for the biting cold of crisp winter days.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

The Finer Things

NET-A-PORTER launches its first ever exclusive pop-up with iconic jewelry brand Jessica McCormack. The U.K based jewelry company has solidified its place as a household name, having been worn by everyone from Victoria Beckham to Meghan Markle. In their striking commitment to heirloom-inspired designs, Georgian-era characteristics are integrated stunningly with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic. A pioneering light in the world of wearable jewelry, Jessic McCormack has proved that its customized, layered designs are as personal and intimate as they are luxurious and classic. For the pop-up NET-A-PORTER will showcase key collections: Signature, Ball n Chain, Tattoo, Chi Chi, Gypsets, Hex and Wings of Desire, all making a welcomed appearance. In their effortless aesthetic each piece in each collection exudes contemporary cool, a perfect and fitting addition to a globally-acclaimed site renowned for its dedication to innovate and wonderful design. Speaking excitedly about this collaboration, Jessica McCormack’s CEO, Colleen Caslin said “NET-A-PORTER’s approach to client satisfaction, upheld by their exceptional team of personal shoppers, dovetails with Jessica McCormack’s – where anything is possible and service is unparalleled.’’ With craftsmanship at the essence of Jessica McCormack, high quality products, this union between itself and NET-A PORTER is an exciting prospect for both companies’ future.

www.net-a-porter.com
www.jessicamccormack.com

Fashion

Hermès Spring Summer 2021

The sun, or is it the moon? A super moon perhaps, hovering on the horizon, above the sea. It’s the sea we look at just after winter, still in motion, not completely calm but not rough either. It’s Frédéric Sanchez’s visual artwork, always interwoven with his music. Then the wind raises, it tousles the hair of a woman, she is standing still, thinking. Or was she daydreaming? In fact she is made of terracotta. She is one of Camille Vivier’s women, always between sensuality and strangeness. Few pages before the vibrant strokes of German Artist Carsten Fock. They form landscapes of colors, of energy. To accompany Hermès Spring Summer 2021 collection Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski put together a limited edition scrapbook, collecting a number of artists who inspired Hermès over the years, and recalling the scrapbook she used to create during her years at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Amongst these artists also Claudia Wieser whose artwork as well informed the vast scenography built inside the Tennis Club de Paris. Here a series of the Wieser’s signature images interpreting ancient artifacts excavated from the ruins of a Roman temple build in third century AD, are installed as wallpaper on vertical elements, columns, volumes, emerging as a forest of ancient ruins, of visual moments, and interlacing with the collection. “A dialogue between fashion and art, a free interpretation of patterns, incarnations and digressions around the themes of the new collection’s silhouettes … with just one spirit: a found freedom.” Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski created a collection where apparent sobriety reveals daring cut outs, and a rush of freedom. A graceful, confident silhouette, a sensitive second skin that expresses strength and fragility. Reconnecting with the outside and rediscovering sensuality. The hip-skimming, sleeveless, backless bodysuits celebrates the body. It also frees the body. Matched with the leather skirt as magnificently simple as the leather aprons of stable hands, but with a female allure. As always at Hermès the details are a reference to their iconic bags like the key-shaped clasps of this skirt, also a subtle nod to Crébillon’s La nuit et le moment. Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski combined every day armour with fantasy where Masculine/Feminine, genders fluid, each one nurtures the other. Hermès Spring Summer 2021 also features Les Roues de phaéton print, a digitally reworked black and white homage to mid-nineteenth century carriages: “The obsession with this print, this carriage, this moment, recurs in this modern summer outfit. Passing through a crossroads of times, influences and currents, without coming to a standstill”. Amongst the most architectural looks a mesh dress, in horn and fine chestnut brown lambskin, layered over a micro dress, in Poros white stretch silk knit: “Leather and horn mesh over silk knit, Chestnut over Poros white. Free to layer outfits the way the avant-gardists structured their colors”. Art once again informs the collection: inspired by Lucio Fontana, a supple coat’s neckline, in kilim brown glossy lambskin, plunges to reveal bare skin. The closing look, A backless bodysuit, in stretch silk knit, in terracotta brown underlines Hermès’ statement on simplicity: “Knowledge has never been so turbulent. It plays itself out in details”.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Wearable Art

Vans and MoMA collaborate in an artistic explosion that produces special edition footwear and apparel, consecrating the museum’s most iconic works and renowned artists. As a longstanding advocate for creative expression, Vans is a perfect candidate for one of the world’s most pioneering cultural institutions. Featuring the art of Salvador Dalí, Vasily Kandinsky, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Jackson Pollock, Lybov Popova and Faith Ringgold, this collaboration is a testament to the diversity of Moma’s leading collection. In translating motifs and images from these artists onto a series of footwear and apparel, Vans and MoMA create wearable art, their iconic shoe models transformed by bid use of color and shape. Drawstring bags, jumpers and hats are also enlivened by this unique collaboration, which extends also to a children’s and toddlers range. Surrealism flows into abstraction, in a collection that is every art lover’s dream.

www.vans.eu/moma

Fashion

Born a Star

French-Georgian pianist, Khatia Buniatishvili is the latest ambassador to join Cartier’s impressive and eclectic group of inspiring personalities. Making her debut as pianist, unbelievably at the of 3, Khatia has shown herself to be an extraordinary talent, her virtuosity, open-mindedness and striking intellect recently lending itself to a range of humanitarian commitments. Reflecting on their new addition to the board of ambassadors, Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International said, “Khatia expresses the essence of who we are. Pure simplicity and expressive romanticism. Delicate exuberance. Unique and universal. Plural singularity. Body and soul, with measure and unbridled energy Khatia embarks us into the dizzying exploration of human emotions and passion”. Khatia has performed internationally at some of the world’s largest stages: London, Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and Shanghai to mention just a few. Social causes now supported by the acclaimed pianist include refugee aid, climate just and child development. In her passion and dedication to all that she does Khatia is a welcomed addition to Cartier’s esteemed collective of ambassadors.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2021

Dance, Dance, Dance. One of the most fun moments during Womenswear season in Paris has been always the after party following Isabel Marant show. It was a moment to connect with colleagues you hardly have time to talk with, but also a time for spontaneity, for pure freedom, for self expression. We all wonder when we will be able to freely enjoy again those moments, that seem now very far on the horizon. For Spring Summer 2021 collection Isabel Marant revived that quest of vitality and exaltation. Held at the extended premises of the brand’s signature show location, the Jardin of Palais Royal, a bacchanal of bodies stormed around the models, in waves, dancing. The (LA)HORDE collective’s original performance expressed a powerful transformation of energies, triggering movement, heat and light. Isabel Marant also collaborated with Los Angeles-based artist Amber Goldhammer. She designed a print for the collection: a profusion of multicolored graffiti hearts, blossoming out of a short-sleeved jumpsuit. This burning desire to go out and escape is reflected in the entire collection through Isabel Marant’s signature silhouettes and fabrics: short skirts and mini shorts, lamé dazzling pieces, strapless dresses and asymmetrical designs. Everything calls for festivity, day or night. This is a woman who loves Debbie Harry, Donna Summer and the beat of 80s music.

www.isabelmarant.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten Spring Summer 2021

Pure sheer joy, psychedelic colors, dance. For Spring Summer 2021 Dries Van Noten draws a direct inspiration from pioneer artist Len Lye and his films created between the late 20s and 40s. Like 1938 ‘A Colour Box’. The film constructed without the use of any camera, moves in mysterious ways. It’s a continuous stream of fabulously kinetic energy, where a series of abstract artworks directly painted on the film strips celluloid sways before your eyes. Len Lye was one of the most exhilarating artists from the 20th century, known for his kinetic sculptures and experimental direct animations. Born in New Zeeland in 1901 he moved first to Australia and then to a remote Samoan island before taking the place of a deserting sailor in a ship to London in 1926. He successfully established himself as artist associated with the Seven and Five Society, but eventually moved to New York in 1944 Over the years Len Lye remarkably shifted from one medium to another, reinventing new forms of visual art, fascinated with sculpture, painting, motion, writing. Some critics regard his 1958 ‘Free radicals’ as one of his greatest film. He reduced the film medium to its most basic elements by scratching on black film using a variety of tools: dental tools, ancient Native American arrow-head. Growing up in the South Pacific region gave Lye a peculiar set of interests, very different from Western modern artists. In the early years of his career he studied Maori and Aboriginal art including the Pacific tapa design. It’s this mysterious and intriguing use of colors, forms, references that has always fascinated Dries Van Noten’ vision. Over the years his inspirations looked at art, exceptional characters, cinema. Always infusing craftsmanship and history. This season the narratives of folklore are evoked with traditional embroidery techniques and a series of printed motifs derived from Len Lye’s painting work on films in collaboration with Len Lye’s Foundation Archives Presented through a video directed by Vivian Sassen, the collection is a new take on print and embroidery, a graphic play with light and shadow where Dries Van Noten’s signature silhouettes and textiles merges with the psychedelic color sunbursts and the crisp comforting simplicity of Dries Van Noten vivid elegance.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Locked Up

Matthew M Williams, Givenchy’s new Creative Director, channels the beauty of his new life in Paris, in his first advertising campaign for the house. Collaborating with longtime friend and photographer Nick Knight, Williams pushes a fresh, modern attitude for Givenchy. Returning to a picture he took of the iconic “love locks” that adorn the bridges of Paris, Williams elevates this emblem with a distinctly urban aesthetic. The hardware symbols are to be a part of both the women’s and men's collection, classic chains formed of flat and angular links, stylized into a “g” shape, a subtle tribute to the house. These unisex accessories sit against ombre pastel backgrounds, a striking contrast between washed out hues and metallic tones. Gold-finish “Givenchy” locks recall the U-lock design or come with a spare, narrow body and elongated shackle that closes with a textured screw. Williams also showcases a padlock in the collection, embossed with an exotic skin motif with two asymmetrical piercings at its base so that its sibling locks have the opportunity to hook up or not. The campaign is also present on digital platforms, where a video features vocals by Willaims’ close friend, rapper and songwriter Playboi Carti.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani Spring Summer 2021

1980, a young, almost unknown, Richard Gere acts as Julian, a high-priced male escort in American Gigolo, directed by Paul Schrader after gaining recognition as screenwriter for many celebrated movies including Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. Schrader at his second feature film as director asked the young Giorgio Armani – who started his fashion adventure in Menswear only 5 years before - to create the entire wardrobe for Gere. In one of the most iconic scenes, Gere gets ready in the morning, choosing what to wear: he lays down a number of suits on top of his bed, with matching shirts, ties, carefully handpicking each one. The blazers are fluid, with only a soft silk lining, almost impalpable. They move and feel like a shirt. It was a revolutionary image, suits were now as sensual as light. Since the very beginning Giorgio Armani wanted to create fashion to dress real people. For Giorgio Armani clothes have been always an extension of the persona and never the opposite. Backstage before his Fall Winter 1984 show speaking to the models he said: “We need to create a show that is nothing like a show, rather than models you need to feel like ordinary guys, taking a stroll, walking down the street with your girlfriend, stopping by to watch a move. Nothing has to feel forced. I would like you to be as natural as possible “ Like narrated in the documentary “Timeless Thoughts” – broadcasted in the occasion of Giorgio Armani Men’s and Women’s Spring/Summer 2021 show – Armani spoke to all the men who no longer identified themselves in the classic suit striving for individuality, and to the women who longed to step outside and start their own career freely. Giorgio Armani Spring Summer 2021 collection highlighted all these essential traits of Armani’s soft revolution over the decades, not only through the stripped down/reinvented suits for men, but also through the versatile silhouettes for women contaminated by that freedom borrowed from man’s wardrobe, still as feminine as each woman wished for. Soft oversized long blazers, short jackets paired with fluid pants, long suit jackets in neutral colors. Beige, pastel green, white and declinations of Armani quintessential color: that very specific grey hue, synonymous of rigor and sensuality. The show ended with a series sumptuous evening looks as dazzling as ethereal. Intricate beading works, geometrical graphic elements and the signature oriental fascinations reiterated the calm elegance Giorgio Armani has been gifting women for more than four decades.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Emporio Armani Spring Summer 2021

Giorgio Armani’s interpretation of architectural and urban themes has been a constant in his career. Culminated in 2015 opening of Armani/Silos, the building housing various exhibitions but also Armani’s very own philosophy: “setting up Armani/Silos, deciding what to exhibit and how, focusing on the themes that best represent a way of thinking and a style – all this helped me look back on my 40-year career in a passionate but balanced way. Because fashion, which seems to want to live in an eternal present, needs to reflect on itself and its own roots in order to face the future. Through this process of reflection, we see how fashion accompanies and often anticipates important social changes. Remembering what we were like in the past can help us understand what we might be in the future “. Giorgio Armani words could not be more pertinent to our time. The future we long will be built from a reflection on our past. Emporio Armani Spring Summer 2021 was presented through a video where the urban dynamism of Armani/Silos dissolved into a contemporary lightness: here a cluster of people walk, dance, live, as frenetically as orderly. They strive to achieve immateriality and turn into light. The regular geometric shapes of this monumental building are the resonates Armani’s aesthetic seeking simplicity. The cinematographic motion set colors, graphic images, roads, suspended bridges, fragments of a city becoming animated by movement. In this fictional world the idea of ethereal, unpredictable elegance merge with feather-light materials, almost impalpable. The interplay of textured and tactile surfaces enhances the barely-there colors through materials: a neutral palette ranges from beige, grey and almond finding their purest expression in shades of white and light blue, and ultimately illuminating black hues. For menswear the suits and overcoats are fluid, textured with laser-work and architectural dévoré effects, iridescent at night. The soundtrack and original visuals by Frédéric Sanchez, the respected French music artist and producer - mark the rhythm, capturing the atmosphere of a world yet to come. His work always starts from images, visual representations of a moment, a feeling.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Aesop Gift Kits

Aesop presents a beautiful monochromatic animation, following a seagull at sea in the dead of night. Using interactive technology we are invited to step into this virtual world and discover the inspiration behind Aesop’s new fiction inspired campaign, gifts to inspire imaginary flights. Noting the importance of escapism in our current time, Aesop’s 2020 gift offerings are imbued with the power of storytelling, transporting us to other worlds through beautifully crafted product boxes accompanied by a free audio and e-book of a selected work of literature. This literature comprises works by an international cast of talented writers and authors: Modernist master Katherine Mansfield, writer Lafcadio Hearn, author Rabindranath Tagore, author Isabelle Eberhardt and Machado de Assis. With the packaging for these inspired gift kits made out of 100% recycled and biodegradable materials, the brand stays committed to ethical and sustainable production whilst providing tantalizing treats for loved ones at an incredibly deserving time.

www.aesop.com

Fashion

Fendi Spring Summer 2021

Through the looking glass, Silvia Venturini lovingly pieces together memories, nostalgia becoming a means to celebrate time spent with family and quiet more subtle observations gleaned during the surreal climate. We get the sense we are at once inside looking out and outside looking in, a hybrid space where reflections merge organically with real life as models meander down a white carpeted Milan runway. Within this myriad of stories, domestic life is made beautiful, the simplistic allure of linen and cotton elevated with sleek design. FENDI boldly strips itself bare in this collection, allowing minimalistic layering and soft silhouettes to speak for themselves. Formal shaping and structures are softened, tailored details becoming more relaxed through unbuttoned shirt sleeves, embroidered tulle and apron dresses, curating a sense of weightlessness. Neutral creams and whites sit amidst splashes of pale blue, reds and deep pink accents, giving way to more sombre office greys and blacks. Spring and Summer is imbued with a delicacy, a beautifully minimalist approach to the warmer seasons. Diaphanous dresses contrast excitingly with soft quilted jackets in a show that recreates the feeling of a warm summer breeze.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

AGL Presentation, Milan Fashion Week 2021

Through a distorted lens, models and a sea of entangled legs gently pulsate. Tulle silhouettes flow into heels that accentuate the feminine figure from the floor upwards. It feels as though one is coming in and out of consciousness, a rebirth somewhat, where AGL’s shoes are presented as the only true constant. Some heels snake around the foot, some appear as denim sock boots, others cream leather. Moving up the legs, thigh high shoes present something of a Herculean athlete, metallic lattice fabrics, curating bold and mythological statement pieces. More paired back styles also have a classical Greek feel, studded straps connected along the back of the calf by thin red leather straps. AGL creates real magic, a collection which speaks to the contemporary moment, shoes built to empower their wearer to stand tall.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Stepping Back

Maison Berluti celebrates its 125 anniversary in style, with an exciting collaboration with the Monnaie de Paris. Under the guidance of Creative Director Kris Van Assche, this union becomes a part of a myriad of successful collaborations, which have flourished since his appointment to the role in 2018. Marking this iconic year for the brand, their classic Andy shoe is reimagined as a penny loafer, an ode to the legacy of Alessandro Berluti, the Italian-born shoemaker who designed the brand’s first lace-up shoe. The Andy, which was designed in 1962, for the infamous Andy Warhol, takes on the prep school aesthetic, an innovative twist on its initial form. In the early 20th century, the penny loafer’s name was coined by a college demographic who would cleverly keep a penny in the half moon cut out of the shoe’s upper leather strip for the pay phones. Paying homage to this history the Monnaie de Paris has crafted an ornamental penny, beautifully stamped with Berluti’s crest. A limited-edition model, the shoe comes in four different color ways, all wonderful quality in their hand patinated full grain, uncoated, soft Venezia leather. Maison Berluti, returns to their roots, the references used, a wonderful nod to the fascinating evolution of fashion.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

20 Years of Perfume Wonder

Frédéric Malle turns back time for their 20th anniversary, celebrating each and everyone of the 32 perfumes of Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. Revisiting the year of each fragrance’s creation, the brand offers a set of limited editions, reviving past scents with new vigor and the buzz of this monumental landmark in the brand’s identity. In true patriotic fashion, Frédéric Malle uses the brand’s signature color red, on the bakelite cap of their 100ml bottles. Seven of Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle’s most popular perfumes are brought to the fore; Bigarade Concentrée, Vétiver Extraordinaire, French Lover, L’Eau d’Hiver, Musc Ravageur, Carnal Flower et Portrait of a Lady, made available for this very special occasion. Running through the packaging and bottles’ design is a frieze designed by the Creative Director of The New York Times, Patrick Yi, consecrating 20 years of exciting and pioneering talent and creativity. This same imagery also decorates two travel sets which feature a selection of three perfumes for him or her. Completing the 20 year spectacle will be a limited edition discovery coffret, gifting a fortunate perfume lover with 12 emblematic scents from the collection. Twenty years of perfume connoisseurship.

www.fredericmalle.com

Fashion

Inner City Magic

Virgil Abloh curates an eclectic whimsical Tokyo show for Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Spring Summer 2021 collection. Re-imagining the typical runway, models roam through an abandoned packing district, somewhat scattered as they meander through a dark and smoke filled landscape; sometimes in groups, sometimes as individuals. Huge inflatable balloons suspended over the show are held by men in branded Louis Vuitton boiler suits and bandannas, inflatable characters are also strapped on to models, whose outfits casually blend into large and imposing figurines. Virgil Abloh is inspired by Afrofuturism and surrealism, rethinking the black imagination, in his interweaving of black culture through flags, music (ska and two-tone), spoken word and dolls inspired by his own Ghanaian heritage. These dolls appear in various forms, wrapped around shirt collars, hanging from suited shoulders, peeking out of pockets and hand held by selected models. Abloh creates something of a quasi futuristic dream scape, models wearing asymmetric and uni-banded sunglasses in glittery balaclavas and khaki trench coats; forming a unique and captivating vision that feels as much an ode to childhood as it does the dystopian contemporary narrative. Shipping containers, onto which are projected dancers’ silhouettes and musicians, form the backdrop of the show, defiantly resisting the typically “beautiful” norms of fashion runway shows. Interspersed with the live show are aerial scenes of Tokyo, archival film, live footage of the band and cartoon sketches of Louis Vuitton’s animated characters; intertextuality is skeletal to the show and of course Abloh’s thinking adding depth to the show that only elevates his bold an eccentric garments and looks.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

An Italian Affair

With her fresh and timeless aesthetic, Greta Ferro effortlessly fills the role of protagonist in Furla’s Autumn Winter campaign. Formed around the concept of a love story, the campaign’s idyllic tale of a young woman in the midst of a postcard exchange with her lover, adds a gripping narrative to the House’s set of advertising stills. Shot by photographer Giampaolo Sgura under the creative direction of Magnus Berger, Furla encapsulates the simple pleasure of a good cup of coffee at one’s favourite spot. The city bar at which Ferro appears so naturally, is buzzing with life, laughter, flirtatious exchanges and light music, almost audible through Sgura’s lens. The collection features some of Furla's most iconic creations, made excitingly unfamiliar against new and revised looks. Clean lines married with high craftsmanship and the value of tradition all propulate this picture perfect Italian scene, Ferro’s ease and elegance blending seamlessly with the House’s identity.

www.furla.com

Fashion

The Seventh Art

CHANEL will be partnering with the Deauville American Film Festival for its second time. This year the Festival will be celebrating its 46th event, running from September 4 to September 13, 2020. Presenting a vast range, the festival will be showing films from the Cannes and Annecy film festival as well as from its own selection. The president of the jury this year will be artist Vanessa Paradis and of the Revelation jury, Rebecca Zlotowski. What makes this partnership so special is Deauville’s unique place in CHANEL’S history, a formative location for one of Gabrielle Chanel’s greatest discoveries. It was here that Gabrielle Chanel opened a hat shop in 1912 during which she appropriated the “poor” jersey fabric worn by fishermen as a stretchy alternative for her modern feminine silhouettes. A century later Karl Lagerfeld consecrated this time in Gabrielle Chanel’s career, making a short film entitled “Once upon a time” in which Keira Knightley played the young couturière and in 2018 CHANEL produced the fragrance Paris-Deauville for the LES EAUX DE CHANEL collection a further ode to the Normandy region. In addition to CHANEL’s long relationship with Deauville, they also have a sustained and rich history with cinema and film, existing under Gabriel Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard’s leadership. Gabrielle Chanel herself was invited to Hollywood by esteemed American producer Samuel Goldwyn and Karl Lagerfeld was a true film enthusiast. In partnering with the Deauville American Film Festival CHANEL continues its sustained affinity with cinema and of course Deauville.

http://www.festival-deauville.com/

Travel

"Take the Best that Exists and Make it Better"

Rolls Royce has long established itself as the pinnacle of car manufacturing with every vehicle being crafted to perfection. Where does a brand with the magnitude of Rolls Royce go in future? According to founder Sir Henry Royce’s philosophy the direction is clear, ‘Take the Best that Exists and Make it Better.’ This might sound like a difficult task, but the British house is determined to transform the quintessential symbol of British sophistication from the creator of the ‘Best Car in the World’ to the world’s leading House of Luxury. Having changed at a quicker rate than ever before in its storied past, the iconic double ‘R’, a timeless expression of true luxury has received a makeover to fit the new chapter of the house. The modernization of the brand to adapt to a new generation of customers has happened in collaboration with Pentagram, the revered multi-discipline design studio. Pentagram embarked upon a deep exploration of the brand to understand the essence and unique relationship the marque maintains with its clients to ensure that the new visual language remains true to the heritage. The new logo is just the tip of the fascinating journey to a modernized visual identity, which will, according to Chief Executive Torsten Müller-Ötvös, ‘echo the changes seen in our portfolio, our client demographic, their lifestyle and the luxury world that surrounds them.’

www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Fashion

Digital Escapism

As part of the exhibition series THE ARTIST IS ONLINE, curated by Anika Meier and Johann König, Thomas Webb launched his solo digital show EXERCISE IN HOPELESS NOSTALGIA -WORLD WIDE WEBB on 14 August 2020. In the artist’s digitally rendered world, visitors were asked to enter through their browsers or smart phones, recreating the spontaneity of a post covid time where freedom of movement was exercised to the fullest. Grappling with the internet in this multiplayer simulation, Webb offers thought provoking reflections on the hypocrisy and inconsistencies that prop up this global digital realm. Speaking on the Koenig Galerie’s instagram live, Thomas Webb will be in conversation with Johann König on Thursday, 20 August, 4pm CET to discuss this work and further thoughts on our digital age.

www.koeniggalerie.com

Fashion

Chanel Fall Couture

Chanel’s Creative Director Virginie Viard describes her thought process for her Fall Couture Collection, “I was thinking about a punk princess coming out of ‘Le Palace’ at dawn,” which somehow managed to translate perfectly. Presented yesterday online, adding to the slew of virtual fashion shows and product drops happening this week, Chanel released an edited collection of 30 looks that embody a sense of muted opulence. In a new, byzantine and eighties inspired selection, this year’s couture is a swift turn from the rigor of the Spring couture that was inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s schoolgirl uniforms at the Aubazine convent, “I like working like this, going in the opposite direction of what I did last time. I wanted complexity, sophistication.” says Viaird. The collection, shot by Mikael Janson is filled with 80s extravagance, dropped waistlines, prom-inspired gowns and of course, where would Chanel be without tweed? Viard returns to the maison’s favored material and reimagines it in a new, compelling makeover. Short frothy taffeta dresses and faille ball skirts are accentuated with punk mohawk bangs and lace-up court shoes. Taking inspiration from her late predecessor, Virginie reflects, “This collection is more inspired by Karl Lagerfeld than Gabrielle Chanel. Karl would go to ‘Le Palace’, he would accompany these very sophisticated and very dressed up women, who were very eccentric too.”

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Tie & DIOR

The art of tie dye finds itself seamlessly transposed onto rings, earrings, necklaces and more for the new Tie & Dior fine jewelry collection. Designed by Victoire de Castellane, over one hundred pieces of jewellery expand upon the beloved Gem Dior and Dior et Moi lines, using the flow and blend of tie dye to inspire a delicately chromatic set of jewelry. Just as the subtle flow from one colour to another illuminates textiles, colour takes on a dynamic sense of movement in this collection as round, oval, pear and marquise cuts achieve a distinctly ombre like brilliance. There is a tangible sense of freedom in this collection, a light hearted curation of texture, colour and jewels, where true harmony is achieved by the playful approach of Dior’s Jewellery Ateliers.

www.dior.com

Fashion

STONE ISLAND/PORTER® CO-LAB REFLECTIVE WEAVE RIPSTOP-TC

The collaboration between Stone Island and Porter continues with a trio of new bags. Pouch bag, backpack and tote bag, equip the urban explorer with an accessory for every adventure. Porter, renowned as a heritage Japanese bags and accessories brand, brings their expertise to this partnership, the fabric used across all three bags prioritizing wearability, endurance and individuality. Using a REFLECTIVE WEAVE RIPSTOP-TC, a twisted cotton nylon ripstop woven with a thin highly reflective tape, the bags are carefully dyed in order to retain their reflective surface. Coming in blue and black, each model is donned with the Stone Island Compass logo and Porter patch logo, celebrating both of the revered brands in their own right. This collection is available now from Stone Island online and in stores

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

FENDI and MR. DOODLE CAPSULE COLLECTION

Building upon their hugely successful collaboration in 2019, FENDI and Sam Cox, aka Mr. Doodle, a talented London artist and illustrator, will be launching a special Capsule collection this summer. Renowned for his Keith Haring-esque like doodles, Cox brought an energizing aesthetic to the brand last year when he took over FENDI’s headquarter rooftop at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. Covering the space with his infectious black and white squiggles, their relationship was fortified when Cox cleverly incorporated FENDI yellow into the design, demonstrating the electrifying union between brand and artist.

‘Doodling across categories and genders’, Cox’s canvas will comprise Women’s and Men’s leather goods, Ready to Wear as well as shoes, for the upcoming Capsule Collection. Set to be available in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Shenyang, Hong Kong and Taipei together with Singapore, Sydney, Bangkok, Costa Mesa and Vancouver, its pre-release date at the end of July will preempt its official launch on August 25th. The final date, coinciding with Chinese Valentine's day on the 7th day of the 7th Chinese lunar month.

Mr Doodle’s bold use of line will embrace typography in this new collection, interweaving the FENDI and FF logos within his labyrinth of intricate line work. As worked previously, FENDI’s accent yellow will appear, this time accompanied by vibrant red hearts, adding splashes of colour amidst the wider design.

The capsule is as much an ode to the traditional as it is to the new, Mr Doodle’s prints breathing new life into iconic brand favourites. Nothing is off limits, Fendi’s new capsule collection is liberated by the hand of the artist.

A pre-launch of the Capsule Collection will be available from the 24th July 2020 on fendi.cn and followingly it will be available from end July in the FENDI boutiques mentioned above.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Versace’s Flash Collection

As most of Europe’s fashion houses are diving into technology to solve the riddle of how to stage a fashion show during the time of a global pandemic and social distancing, Versace reveals that the ideal format is to be found not in the future, but in the past, a music video as seen on MTV in the late 90s and early 2000s. In collaboration with British musician AJ Tracey, the resulting format was a celebration of music, recalling the long-standing relationship between Versace and young musical talents and the inspiration they provide to house’s creative mind Donatella Versace. It was not about huge production or fuss, the artist and models and, of course the garments, were center-stage. The collection itself evoked nostalgia for the times of MTV, but the thought behind it hinted at the fashion industry’s future. Donatella Versace comes up with answers to central problems of the industry today, overproduction and waste and the disadvantages of the disharmony between the seasons and the fashion cycle. A flash collection, compared to their predecessors, allow the house to present more frequently and by reducing production times, they can be delivered to stores faster and closer to their actual intended season. Excesses like in the 2000s might belong to the past, but Versace’s glamour surely is not going anywhere.

www.versace.com

Fashion

MSGM Men’s Spring Summer 2021 and Women’s Resort 2021

Massimo Giorgetti, Creative Director of MSGM, joined forces with film director Luca Finotti to inspire positivity, solidarity and rebirth, through a delicate, emotional and poignant short film featuring a group of passionate and free-spirited young people, their enthusiasm, their longing. Against hardship, and a latent suffering. It’s the suffering of the current young generation, their quest to diversity, to freedom of expression. Celebrating life, their love stories, their friendship with overwhelming intensity and an early summer in Milan as their backdrop. “After lockdown I found myself reimagining the collection, and reconsidering who we were aiming at, how we were doing it and what kind of message we were giving. I tried to go for what is essential, with a strong and compact collection, I have questioned myself on the meaning of simplicity, what it means to me and to MSGM. It’s not about clean colors, prints or patterns, which instead remain vivid, kaleidoscopic and explosive, true to the optimist message I felt was my duty to leave now. Simplicity is rather total immediacy. The immediacy of fresh, desirable clothes, easy to wear. Clothes that bring joy”- explain Giorgetti - “I wanted the collection to convey, both visually and aesthetically, the idea of a joyous rebirth, the yearning for a renewal that I myself was experiencing after the challenging period during the first months of the year” Romantic ruffles, silk satin pajamas, boxer shorts, technical, fabrics, tie-die prints, paisley, Monstera leaves with a tropical flavor.. The colors are either muted or brilliant, but always playful. It’s a powerful and very genuine approach, true to the Italian brand and the aesthetic of the Italian new wave of cinema blossomed in the last years. Giorgetti successfully brought a message of respect and hope we were all longing for. “May a hundred flowers bloom”

www.msgm.it

Art

Cindy Sherman at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

The Fondation Louis Vuitton’s long awaited reopening has been scheduled for September 23rd, with a new, unprecedented exhibition, spotlighting the legendary career of Cindy Sherman. Reaching global acclaim through her iconic self-portraits, Sherman last held a solo show in 2006, making this exhibition all the more anticipated. Spanning her career from 1975 to 2020, the show is to include over 300 images selected from some of her most infamous series, such as Untitled film stills, Rear Screen Projections, Fashion, History Portraits, Disasters, Headshots, Clowns, Society Portraits, Murals, and Flappers. Sitting alongside these renowned works will be new images, set to characterize male figures and couples, venturing away from Sherman’s iconic presentation of the lone woman. The show is both a celebration and reflection of the sheer uniqueness of Sherman’s craft and her journey to becoming a household name both in and outside the art world. Complementary to the retrospective will be an exhibition entitled Crossing Views, a specially curated body of works carefully chosen with the input of the artist. Relating to Sherman’s extensive work around the portrait, two floors will be dedicated to an array of international artists, who working across various disciplines also work with portraits to excitingly different conclusions and effects. This close collaboration between Sherman and the Fondation promises to produce one of the most thorough presentations of Cindy Sherman’s work in Europe over the last decade.

www.fondationlouisvuitton.com

Image: Untitled #584 (2018) Courtesy of the Artist and Metro Pictures, New York © 2019 Cindy Sherman

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto Men’s Spring Summer 2021

Global warming, social movements, health emergencies and the inexorable advent of consumerism. Yohji Yamamoto has always reflected on the current world through a poetic and idiosyncratic language. Expressing feelings and thoughts with words embroidered, hand painted, patched, knitted on the garments has been a signature of the Japanese maestro through the years. For Men’s Spring Summer 2021 he collaborated with Japanese photographer Takay to create a video imbued of that melancholy and poignant feelings we have been touched with season after season. Men’s Spring Summer explores the brands’ codes, such as deconstructed and oversized lines, hand painted elements, the mix of sensual and tailored, where multiple layers of fabrics – linen, wool gabardine, denim – build a collection true to Yohji’s vision for Menswear. Uniforms for Yohji’s army fighting the current crises, in a journey accompanied by Yohji’s own voice and lyrics. As the video ends, we capture a glimpse of the maestro himself, as we would if we were present at the physical show venue. He wears his signature hat and a coat. At its back lays - embroidered in English - a word he has never been afraid to mention: “fragile”. Thank you Yohji-san for the unwavering intellectual honesty.

www.theshopyohjiyamamoto.com

Fashion

Balmain Sur Seine

With the ongoing pandemic and in times of social distancing rules, the question for most fashion houses in the world is the same: how to stage a fashion show? The shift to digital seems like the most convenient solution. Certainly this alternative brings with it its own set of drawbacks, most prominently the lack of flair of the traditional fashion show. At Balmain, having models walk down the catwalk without an audience was not an option. In contrary, the French house took the garments to the people, to the Parisian public on the banks of the Seine.
On a boat heading down the river and completed with a musical performance by French singer Yseult and a surprise dance performance, the project titled ‘Balmain sur Seine’, honoring the house’s 75th anniversary, showcased pieces from current Creative Director Olivier Rousteing alongside works of his predecessors, such as Oscar de la Renta and Pierre Balmain himself. With only a very limited number of journalists present, in order to respect social distancing rules, amongst the viewing public, this event presents itself far more democratic than the traditional show and acts as a beacon of optimism in these difficult times. As put by Olivier Rousteing himnself, ‘ After this period I wanted to bring back this optimism that this brand has been known for.’

www.balmain.com

Fashion

Pasha Community

The story of Cartier’s Pasha watch is one of fashion’s more interesting origin stories. There are many fairy tales about its origin, one such being that the Pasha of Marrakech approached Louis Cartier to create a waterproof watch that was fit for a king. Whether this story is credible or not, we know that the Pasha has been an iconic waterproof timepiece in history since its official release in 1885. Now with the release of its new Pasha watch, Cartier has brought together a community of unique and creative celebrities to celebrate the new model. Rami Malek, Troye Sivan, Willow Smith, Maisie Williams and Jackson Wang were all captured as new ambassador’s of the watch by the photographer Craig McDean.

“Since its creation in the 1980s, the Pasha watch has embodied a certain idea of success directly linked to its extroverted design, power and graphic nonconformism. It is as edgy as ever and in tune with today's new generation of creators. These new Pasha ambassadors owe their success to their differences, creativity, connection, multidisciplinary talents and generosity.”
Arnaud Carrez, Int. Marketing & Communications Director, Cartier International.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Fendi Renaissance - Anima Mundi

This week, on June 20, a unique live streaming event took place presented by Fendi alongside the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. The wonderful performance took place at the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also the Fendi headquarters, where the orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and star violinista Anna Tifu, dressed in three of the maison’s impressive couture looks, performed “Summer” from Antonio Vivaldi's “The Four Seasons”. In a wonderful collaboration of music and fashion, this project brought together two institutions that are deeply connected to the city of Rome.
Expressing their excellence and creativity through classical melodies that are only accentuated by the impressive garments and breathtaking surroundings.
The concept of the project stemmed from the longing to express an uplifting message of rebirth through the play and intersection of art, fashion and music after the recent months of isolation and to share this sense of joy and positivity with people all over the world. Interestingly the event coincided with the summer solstice, a happenstance that symbolized the desire for a new, positive start together as one, global community.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

So Long, Daddy

Last year, Zoo reporter Catherine Somzé caught up with the former squatter turned star-artist last year to discuss his work, love, and his interest in contradictions and impurity. Richter’s work is characterized by his fantastical landscapes and his prescient depictions of socio-political events as well as the Greek and latin influences that are seen throughout his most recent large-scale paintings. “I’m not so much into style, I’m much more into method. At one point, certain formal decisions will lead you to abandon your old style because they no longer fit with what you wanted to express.” The former Zoo coverstar Daniel Richter’s new solo exhibition ‘So Long, Daddy’ is currently on view at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in their Salzburg Villa Kast gallery until July 18 both online and in the gallery space.

www.ropac.net

Fashion

East & West

When two very different brands come together to collaborate creatively, it can be difficult to achieve an ideal fusion and balance between the two. Yet when two like-minded bodies with similar values and goals come together to create something while honouring their differences the resulting synthesis can be quite sublime, a dash of color to a previously monochromatic aesthetic. A perfect example of this is Danish design firm Hay and cult Japanese footwear company Suicoke’s latest collaboration, combining both eastern and western design influences the two design houses have teamed up to create a limited reiteration of Suicoke’s Depa sandals. Lending its Scandinavian aesthetic, Hay takes a quick side-step from its usual home goods creations to take its design identity to the realm of fashionable footwear. With a passion for contemporary forms and an ethos rooted in functionality, Hay leans towards partners with the same attitude, as Mette Hay, HAY Co-founder and Creative Director of HAY Accessories confirms, ‘In all of our collaborations, we strive to partner with brands whose values and aesthetics are in sync with our own, and Suicoke is the go-to brand for this type of sandal.” Shrouded in mystery on the eastern side of the world, Japanese footwear company Suicoke has earned international praise in recent years for its clever collaborations, it’s laid-back functionality and its ever-evolving style profile. As sandals bask in their long-overdue moment in western society, Suicoke collaborates with brands that match their values of utility, comfort and of course, impeccable design. Their fresh, geometrically-inspired sandals project a sense of creative freedom that manages to dodge the usual fashion constraints. Each version features an adjustable-Velcro front strap in a distinctive hue, a flexible, foam-rubber sole, and an open toe for added comfort. Balancing their cultural influences, these two labels one in furniture and one in footwear, have become inextricably linked through their passion for three things — design, functionality and unparalleled quality.

www.suicoke.com
www.hay.dk

Fashion

Nostalgic About the Future

Distant memories of characters in sci-fi novels, films and TV shows are used as inspiration for Keenkee’s SS20 collection. As the season commences, Korean-born designer Kee Kim celebrates the start of the future with a mixture of fabrics and textures. The virtually-produced abstract prints run a gradient motif, adding a certain aura to the perfectly crafted paneled shirts and pleated shorts. Bright hues are softened by contrasting subdued shades, and glossy fabrics are paired with lighter materials to create a sense of balance. Loose-fitting mauve trousers are designed with a coordinating cropped blazer jacket, proposing silhouettes that stretch gender rules. Paired underneath is a violet-colored jacket, which elongates the entire outfit and contributes to the contrast of purple tones.

www.keenkee.net

Fashion

Healing

The art industry has endured a huge loss this year leaving artists, gallerists and curators scrambling to adapt to the new world changes. Thankfully the past couple of months have seen cultural industries reopening, first, in China and more recently galleries and museums have begun to reopen all across Europe. The pandemic has meant that museums have had to rely more on their online presence, showing virtual exhibitions and online gallery tours. Brussels-based collector Alain Servais has said, “Art is not made to be seen online—except, for the art that is designed to be seen online.” The work of Johan Tahon is rich with emotion, the physical space occupied by his work exudes a powerful presence, one that is difficult to even describe let alone experience through a screen, one must be able to witness the physicality of his work in order to experience it fully. Following the cancellation and postponement of several shows, Tahon has announced a slew of upcoming exhibition dates scross Europe and further east. In collaboration with Belgian consulate in Guangzhou, Tahon's upcoming solo exhibit, Mercury Orb will be presented in Y Space Gallery, Guangzhou (CHN) June 5 - July 15. Exhibiting in Amsterdam, Brussels, Solothurn and Otegem over the next year, enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunity to witness Johan Tahon’s artwork in a number of different settings.

www.johantahon.com

Fashion

The Standard Project

As fashion has come to a virtual halt, designers and brands are claiming excitement at this production reduction and cancelled-collections, happy to rethink the way the industry is. In truth, the nature of the fashion industry causes unimaginable damage to the environment, and the current method as we know now is completely unsustainable. Since 2019, the Standard Project has offered an alternative to the fast fashion system. They believe that good design has a place in everyday life. Stripping designs down to their essence and reviving them with pure looks and materials, The Standard Project identifies essentials and reinterprets them according to the idea of having a permanent collection of items. Creating basic, unisex t-shirts and beanies, their collection goes past the basics of fashion. Tailoring to everyday needs with products like a titanium pure design bike, filter coffee light roasted from Guatemala and a soft woollen blanket with monochrome black stitching. Employing the ‘slow fashion’ process, all of their products are ethically-produced with sustainability and good design at the heart of its identity.

www.standard-project.com

Fashion

Prada Timecapsule no. 5

Last week we saw the fifth edition of Prada’s Timecapsule, an initiative that drops a new item on the first Thursday of every month as an online exclusive for just 24 hours. A unique logo created by OMA together with a serial number and sophisticated dedicated packaging makes each drop unique. For this release, Prada presented a crisp white cotton poplin shirt in a limited edition, decorated with an all-over print clearly inspired by auto-racing. The "May" print of the month on the back is a unique touch for this shirt that is also accented with mother-of-pearl buttons suitable. Launched for the first time on December 5, 2019 in Europe, and for the first time in Japan, the exclusive product drop will potentially reach other markets over the course of 2020. Stay tuned.

www.prada.com

Fashion

The Dior Maison Collection - New Lily of The Valley

Throughout his extensive career Christian Dior redefined dressage, taking inspiration from floral forms and creating beautiful gowns and garments worthy of a place in the finest museums. Floral aspects have since been synonymous with the maison as we look back to the Muguet Dress, made in the late 1950’s, entirely embroidered with bell-shaped blooms. Or we are reminded of the Diorissimo perfume, a delicious scent that skillfully evoked this springtime bouquet. Now, the lily of the valley adorns this season’s new Dior Maison collection by Cordelia de Castellane, a symbol of purity and joy that announces the arrival of warmer days. Porcelain plates, decorative baubles, glasses and decanters are covered or playfully sprinkled with its precious sprigs, capturing art de vivre through a sweet celebration of nature’s beauty.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Fendi Outdoor Collection

Summertime is the season for relaxation, for travel and for a little luxury if all things permit. With so much uncertainty in the current moment about what both our near and far future holds for us, it’s difficult to plan for the future. Stuck in this waiting state, we turn to ourselves and our homes for entertainment and luxury. Fendi casa has always provided luxury for the home presenting pieces that embody the Italian maison’s fine heritage of craft and opulence. The new Thea chair combines a romantic design with the iconic leather braiding on the backrest, with all-over FF logo pattern inlaid in the set. While the new Versilia chaise longue presents a solid Iroko wood frame. Offering a selection of seating options including the sofa, loveseat, armchair and chair that further completes the range, ideal for summer lounging and luxury from home.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Formale Eccezionale

Even the most unfashionable of men, those without a conscious thought to their wardrobe, even these men understand the power of a good suit. Like most excellent fashion compositions, a well-made suit has the power to shift not only the world's view of a person but how they view themselves. Yet self-expression is a key player in putting one's best foot forward and expressing one's personality and individualism. Etro’s capsule collection presents four suits, characterized by formal construction and enriched by unexpected interpretations, colored details and special prints of paisley or jacquard. Combining traditional elegance with eccentricity, the Italian brand stays true to the maison’s identity as it puts forward a new apparent antithesis of the eclectic Etro male wardrobe. With four different designs in the capsule collection, Etro reinforces its attention to detail and dedication to fabric research and tailoring processes, since 1968. The formale eccezionale is launching in June 2020 both online and (hopefully) in-stores.

www.etro.com

Fashion

PRADA Pre-Fall 2020

At a moment where our experience of society and culture is defined by the picture plane, as we spend our days focusing more on virtual interactions rather than physical Prada’s new pre-fall campaign takes inspiration from the nature of human interaction as well as the imperfection of handcraft. Photographed in London by David Sims and painted in New York, and engineered to react to a changed world, Prada color recalibrates classic garments to give outfits a new even surreal actuality. The silhouettes of the clothes become ‘paint by numbers’ frames for explorations of color – with shades of Celeste blue, pink, yellow, orange, and green. Vibrant colors are pushed center stage, highlighting their disarming simplicity and reflecting a fusion of the human hand and eye with technology. Blurring lines between the photographic and the painterly, between technology and humanity, it is a subconscious echo of the current moment. The joy of color with the joy of technology - both a means of communicating an immediate message. Ultimately, that message is of positivity - a fantasy, painted in Prada colors.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: Tristate International

Among those in the private sector re-working their business to aid the front-line is parent firm to Italian sportswear brand, C.P Company. Tristate International SA lends a hand during the crisis by donating sanitary equipment to the much-affected Lombardy state in Italy, providing over 19,000 sanitary masks. As well as working with Italian companies and universities to develop reusable masks that could help in lowering the environmental impact of the coronavirus. With plans to do more as the situation continues, Tristate and C.P Company have joined the front-line in aiding those who need it most.

Fashion

Cartier Watchmaking Encounters

With the closure and cancellation of events and conferences companies are doing their best to dream up new ways to host in the online sphere. In the absence of a major watchmaking fair this year, Cartier is launching an international website dedicated to this year’s watchmaking novelties. “In the current context, we believe it is important to preserve our interactions with all our clients around the world through various touch points, and thus be able to offer them an experience entirely dedicated to our Maison’s watchmaking creations. ”, says Arnaud Carrez, Marketing and Communication Director at Cartier International. Visitors will be able to first discover Pasha, the brands cult watch featured in a whole new interpretation. A design highlight of Cartier, Pasha will be this year’s watchmaking statement for the Maison, starting with a launch in China this summer, followed by a worldwide activation early September. The platform will be live starting April 25, and will be available in French, English and Chinese.

www.cartierwatchmakingencounters.com
www.cartier.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles Gives a F**k

The last few months have been heart-rendering to say the least, but these poignant times have also showcased incredible acts of solidarity. We have witnessed countless examples of generosity from businesses of all sizes in support for the fight against COVID-19. Brands are using their influence to do some good, and canadian brand Moose Knuckles is no different. Firstly the outerwear brand held a ten-day sale in support of overburdened medical professionals, then launched a collaboration to commission creatives in New York City and Paris to reimagine the brands Lead Jacket into art. The unique creations will then be available to purchase via the brands website. To alleviate the effects of the indefinite isolation of the masses, Moose Knuckles has also transformed it’s Instagram account into a source of inspiration, engagement, and entertainment. By employing teams of local businesses and freelance creatives, the initiative supports industries that are severely affected by the pandemic. “This crisis is bigger than business and profits. We can think about that later. At the moment, our main focus should be on looking after each other.” - Ayal Twik, CEO.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Les Parfums Louis Vuitton x Heures d'Absence

In 1927, at the height of the Roaring Twenties in all their creative effervescence, Louis Vuitton launched its first perfume, Heures d'Absence. Named after the country home the Vuitton family acquired in the Seine-et-Marne region in the 1920s, the perfumes recipe has been lost and no living person knows what the original perfume smelled like. However, we know that it was a perfume that reflected the time of its creation, celebrating the new modes of transport that were then emerging, a scent to inspire you to shake off the blues and seize the day.

Now, in an attempt to not recreate but reinterpret the classic perfume the maison creates a perfume with a profusion of fresh flowers, an ode to nature and allegorical figures of joy. "Everything is done in service of the flowers, there’s no element to rein them in or disturb their message," the Master Perfumer explains. Warm vanilla notes of Peruvian balm amplify the sophistication of the fragrance while a floral apotheosis with a hint of Sri Lankan sandalwood gives a rich juxtaposition. These elements along with sambac jasmine and may rose compose a melody that feels never-ending.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Bally AW20 Purity of Form

On the back of seasons of brightly colored fashion pieces and statement-makers, Bally has made the move towards a more organic aesthetic with a collection entitled ‘Purity of Form’ for Fall 2020. The reflection of the theme is not only seen throughout the minimalistic designs but also in the ethos, Bally is emphasising the quality of materials and emphasizing a deep respect for the environment with this collection. Through the use of clean lines, neutral tones and sculptural silhouettes the range highlights the Swiss brand’s heritage while giving it a modern twist. Soft shapes are understated whilst luxurious layering exudes an elegant and simplistic look. Abstract prints inspired by European modernist art marry archival Swiss textile patterns in an unexpected yet effortless mélange. Soft knit cashmere cardigans and roll necks meet the sharp tailored silhouettes of heritage-printed silk shirts and split-seam pants. A favorite of ours is the graphic chevron patchwork coat with hand-cut segments. Presenting artful accessories, such as the new signature 1851 hardware across the versatile Vestige collection of quilted leather totes, chain handle shoulder bags and subtle mini bags. Calling themselves ‘architects of leather’, Bally’s passion and talent for leatherwork is highlighted with oversized leather shirts and high-waisted leather skirts that land beautifully amongst the textured materials and fluid lines of the collection.

www.bally.eu

Fashion

Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle - New Dawn

Mystic daybreak, a song before sunrise. As night dissipates we are blessed in those precious moments before the morning sun brings first light. Diffused yet powerful, the second perfume by Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle is an allegory for the serenity and solitude of the day’s first moments. Inspired by travels through the Middle East, the aromatic and complex scent is luxuriant and bold, yet layered with nuance. Deceptively simple, its magnificent texture is faceted by a host of supporting characters: a refreshing opening of rose and lively pink pepper. Referencing the region’s unique culture and language of scent the laudanum and vibrant frankincense bring extra warmth as oak moss provides a dark focal point. Widely considered to be America’s greatest living perfumer, Carlos Benaïm’s extensive career and Moroccan heritage inform an esoteric take on the traditions of Middle Eastern perfumery. The rich notes of the perfume begs us to take pause and enrich moments by allowing the aroma to take hold, like a moment of prayer.

www.fredericmalle.com

Fashion

Cartier Women’s Initiative

Back in 2006 Cartier launched the Cartier Women’s Initiative, an action that made a commitment to women in reaching their full potential. Open to women-run and women-owned businesses that aim to have a strong and sustainable social and environmental impact, the initiative has accompanied 240 promising female entrepreneurs from 56 different countries and has awarded over 3 million USD to support their businesses. Announcing the 21 finalists of the 2020 edition, we see for the first time ever countries such as Australia, Benin, Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden represented in the program. By providing them with the necessary financial, social and human capital support to grow their businesses and build their leadership skills Cartier shines a light on the achievements of these women. Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO “At Cartier, we believe it is crucial to support young businesses and start-ups through to a more stable period. And this is what we intend to keep doing, fully aware that these women are making a concrete and durable impact, therefore paving the way for a better future.”

www.cartier.com
www.cartierwomensinitiative.com

Fashion

Camper Together with Pop Trading Co.

Back in 2006 footwear brand Camper had the genius idea to develop an initiative to collaborate with leading designers and creative thinkers from the worlds of fashion, art and architecture to design and create exclusive products as well as unique stores. The concept, known as Camper Together has been hugely successful resulting in numerous fruitful collaborations with names like Kengo Kuma, Jonathan Olivares and Doshi Levien. The latest collaboration with Amsterdam-based brand Pop Trading Co aims to push the boundaries of contemporary design while staying true to the brands distinct heritage. Founded in 2013, Pop Trading Co initially began as a distribution company for the Benelux market but has since developed their own line that fuses menswear with the brands strong skateboard heritage. For S/S20 the Dutch brand presents two distinct styles, the first style taking inspiration from the Camper archives, revisiting the Camper Runner XL sneaker. While the second style has a more relaxed sensibility, updating the Chassis Chukka boot with a rubberised sole and crepe rubber foxing tape. The unisex styles are available in a choice of colors and will be available from April 3.

www.camper.com
www.poptradingcompany.com

Fashion

Max Mara Art Prize for Women

British artist Emma Talbot explores themes of human existence, environment and gender using flowing lines, decorative patterns and light materials that encapsulate the viewer into a dreamlike world of her creation. Often hand-drawn or painted onto silk her ideas come to realisation with a mixture of drawing, painting and sculpture. In her proposal to reimagine the work of Gustav Klimt for the 21st century, Talbot's work questions deeply rooted positions of power, governance, attitudes to nature as well as representations of women, through a slightly personal lens. The proposal takes its starting point from Gustav Klimt’s Three Ages of Woman (1905), a painting which features a naked elderly woman standing in apparent shame. Talbot’s reimagination involves animating the older woman as someone who overcomes a series of trials similar to The Twelve Labors of Hercules. Through her modern-day trials the artist plans to counter prevalent negative attitudes to ageing. Having been awarded the Max Mara Art Prize for Women, Talbot will hopefully spend six months in Italy on a residency planned for later this year to research and create a new body of work to be exhibited in 2021. Awarded in alternate years since 2005, the Max Mara Art Prize it is the only visual art prize of its kind in the United Kingdom. Chaired by a panel of art-world experts including gallerist Florence Ingleby, artist Chantal Joffe, collector Fatima Maleki and art critic Hettie Judah the ingenious initiative was created to support UK-based female artists who have not previously had a major solo exhibition.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

Longchamp Mini and Nano Bags SS20

Making waves since Jacquemus revived the trend in 2017 the nano-bag has caused designers to scramble to show their take on the mini model. However the tiny bag is nothing we haven’t seen before with the trend tracing back as early as 1900. Wealthy women once carried small purses or ‘reticules’ that doubled both as an accessory and status symbol. Founded in 1948 the French luxury brand Longchamp has stood the test of time by utilising its mid-way position between accessible and traditional luxury. Artistic director Sophie Delafontaine’s third collection at New York Fashion Week last September focused on the work of Judy Chicago, employing looks that follow a woman as she traverses the day, fit for any occasion. On top of a sun-bleached palette perfect for the season that’s in it, Spring / Summer 2020 Longchamp also presented their own take on the trend: a selection of pretty little mini bags. Taking inspiration from the brand’s iconic bags they presented a miniature version of the iconic Le Pliage bag. Inspired by origami the light, foldaway bag has established itself as a cult object worldwide. Now they give us the lines Roseau, Cavalcade delight, La Voyageuse and Le Cuir Pliage, miniature versions of the popular Longchamp favorites. The selection includes a drawstring bucket, an open tote, and a top-handle day bag and is available in a number of finishes or materials including nylon, patent leather, calfskin and printed snake.

www.longchamp.com

Aesop Sublime Replenishing Night Masque

The beauty industry has been developing its craft for centuries even the egyptians used creams and cosmetics to improve and protect their skin from the elements. However it is only in recent years that such effective technology and research methods are being utilised. The science of skin is ever-evolving with new, exciting developments constantly coming to the fore. Not only is the research increasingly accurate but there but the average person is more aware of their individual skincare needs. Aesop boasts a fiercely independent approach to product research and development as well as tailoring products to the needs expressed by their pool of customers. The new Sublime Replenishing Night Masque is Aesop’s first product developed explicitly for the night. Offering immediate and sustained hydration to balance skin and brighten its appearance. The light gel-cream has a warm, woody aroma that is rich in vitamins B,C,E and F. As we know, some of the best healing is done after dark. 'Night, When words fade and things come alive.' Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

www.aesop.com

Fashion

Calvin Klein's New Campaign 2020

The introduction of all-inclusive campaigns has meant that brands have to think twice about their advertising, in particular underwear and lingerie brands are under fire for their marketing methods. Embracing our diverse society is top priority as people want inclusion, they want openness and they want a brand message that they believe in. Clothing that not only looks good but makes them feel good. Riding the wave of the hyper-successful #mycalvins campaign Calvin Klein has announced their latest global operation that preaches self love while exuding confidence. The collection itself features Calvin Klein Jeans body stretch denim and Calvin Klein Underwear breathable and invisible range. The all-star cast were chosen for their willingness to bare themselves to the world. Iconic models such as Kendall Jenner and Hunter Schafer are featured alongside award-winning musicians SZA, Maluma, Lil Nas X, Lay Zhang and Justin Bieber. The campaign, shot by Mario Sorrenti is portrayed as an ode to self expression mixing raw emotion and fantasy with glistening images that say, I am who I am, Deal with it.

www.calvinklein.nl

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week Women's - Recap

SPORTMAX

Following Sportmax’s 50th anniversary year fashion director Grazia Malagoli led the brand into the future with a strangely optimistic perspective. Unlike the usual discourse surrounding our uncertain future the show titled, ‘A brighter future’ confronted the imminence of hyper-technological future. Boots that extended far beyond the knee, ultra scenographic eyewear and seductive 3D silhouettes kept with the structural mood and futuristic tone. The blend of materials and shapes brought a soft sensuality while the floral patterns and jacquard motifs brought a sense of levity to the structured collection.

www.sportmax.com

Salvatore Ferragamo

The nature of femininity in the current climate is becoming increasingly diverse and flexible. In contrast to the Jungian archetypes of women, Salvatore Ferragamo’s fall collection explores what it means to be a woman today. The moods range from soft and romantic utilising sheer and cashmere, to pragmatic and powerful with details like chain fringes and bold shearling personifying the diverse and flexible nature of female identity. A strong cultural depth along with up cycled leather accessories embody the ‘Metamodern woman’ in this futuristically fluid collection.

www.ferragamo.com

BOSS

Celebrating a new age with reworks and restyles of their seminal BOSS aesthetic the brand showcased a future-focused Fall collection in a show titled ‘Generations’. Following the current trend-wave of fringe, a warm selection of glossy fabrics, utility accessories and hand-woven leathers blended the mens and women's looks seamlessly. The fresh-faced models presented the collection with elevated outerwear and fluid jersey pieces in a lilac-colored show space accompanied by an energetic live orchestra. A new interpretation of their tailored history ‘Generations’ granted a fusion of iconic aesthetics with an avant-garde twist.

www.hugoboss.com

Bottega Veneta

Amongst a sea of fall colors and autumnal moods Bottega Veneta’s Daniel Lee presented a ready-to-wear collection that exuded confidence with rich waxy palettes punctuating black. The deep color pops of scarlet, kiwi and lollipop were played in controlled repetition. The show emphasised vitality and movement not only with color but with elongated silhouettes, knit dressing and jersey for both day and evening. Feeding into the current fringe ‘moment’ that reigned over Milan last week Bottega Veneta’s use of the ornament was by far the most audacious and indeed, memorable.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week 2020 - Balmain Men's Fall/Winter

Discovering your roots at a adult age is always a an emotional and powerful moment. Last year the documentary “Wonder Boy” portrayed Olivier Rousteing journey in search for his biological parents in Africa. The Men’s Fall Winter 2020 show was a joyful celebration of these roots. Set at Parc de la Villette, the beautiful and complex architectonic wonder designed by French architect Bernard Tschumi, the show unveiled a very new Balmain for Men’s: relaxed silhouettes declined in camel tones, wrapped tunics, mantels, silk slouchy suits, safari outwear. A wardrobe of a man traveling to Africa to discover a new world. Reminiscent of Bertolucci’s “The Sheltering Sky”, its melancholic desert breeze, the orison vastitude.

www.balmain.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week 2020 - Prada Men's Fall/Winter

The overarching theme of the Milan Men’s Fashion Week was to redefine masculinity and find an answer to the question what it means to be a man in the decades to come. For Prada, the modern man draws from tradition, but is equally transformed, leaving behind existing and clearly defined gender roles. A fantasy and fresh take on classic masculine heroism. His wardrobe should represent this new spirit. Inspired by classic pieces, the Italian house boldly combines traditional materials with the modern and technologically innovative fibres, creating a deceptive contrast. Pieces might look inherently traditional at first sight, but novelty methods of production allow Prada to create extreme and previously unachieved shapes and a series of varying silhouettes undermining and ultimately fracturing our lacklustre idea of male power and force. The collection was presented in a setup reminiscent of the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio di Chirico. The essence of the classic Italian piazza is transformed into an enigmatic porch with a equestrian statue at the centre. Purposely totally unheroic, fabricated from cardboard, it becomes an embodiment of the underlying thought. Appearing and disappearing through openings, the models seem to wander through the space, blurring the line between what is exposed and what is concealed.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week 2020 - Hermès Men’s Fall/Winter

An understated elegance can be a radical gesture. Véronique Nichanian’s aesthetic for Hermès has been always driven by the craftsmanship savoir faire of the Maison and a that classic yet innovative wardrobe we have seen season after season. Nichanian for Hermès Fall-Winter 2020 expressed this vision on a further level. Extremely minimalist, clean and casual silhouettes combined with beautifully tailored suits and outwear at times layered. The color palette also spoke the same language: charcoal, hazelnut, camel, ecru, ebony. The leather pieces have always been the quintessential element for the Maison: technical calfskin for sweatshirts, rubberized lambskin for parkas reversible in printed Toilovent, zipped windbreakers in deerskin, babylamb for blousons with high collar. The collection used rich psychedelic patterns for knitwear named Rêve Hypnothique, adorning beautiful turtle neck pullovers in 180’s wool Sensual but whispered, Nichanian’s latest collection is an ode to the deep core of Hermès where “the evening is surrounded by nuances of brown and black”.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Graphic By Nature

After having opened its doors last year, the spotlight falls once more on the new Bally flagship store in Milan. Situated in Via Napoleone, one of the centres for luxury retail in Milan itself, the store hosted the unveiling of the SS20 collection during Milan Men’s Fashion Week. Among the guests were notable friends of the brand, from Italian actress and model Elisa Sednaoui to a multitude of influences like Linda Tol, Ami and Aya Taiki and Noah Lee. The Bally House proved the perfect location to amplify the collection’s underlying philosophy ‘Graphic by Nature’, illustrating one of the Swiss brand’s pillar, the intricate interaction between design and the nature that surrounds it. For this special occasion, the brand teamed up with Stefan Beckman, who transformed the store into a digital Alpine forest, shimmering in Spring hues and adorned with the native flora. An immersive installation, the transformation was not solely visual, but an immersive experience featuring a soundtrack consisting of lyrics, beats and birdsongs.

www.bally.com

Fashion

American Dream

Michael Kors belongs to one of the most visible brands originating in the United States, and has developed into a household name all around the globe. As the expressed by Michael Kors himself, ‘my spring collection is a celebration of the best American style, a mix of ease and glamour that is inherently American.’ Photographed by the Dutch duo Inez van Lamsveerde and Vinoodh Matadin, the new campaign showcases the Kors’s take on timeless American style with all its layers of sophistication and romance shot in Beverly Hills, a location itself synonymous with luxury and the successful American Dream. Crisp tailoring is juxtaposed with soft and romantic dresses whilst small indicators, like stripes and stars provide a visual reminder of the brand’s American origins. The global ad campaign will launch in January and the images will appear not only in traditional print but also in numerous digital outlets.

www.michaelkors.eu

Fashion

Celine opens Haute Parfumerie Boutique in Paris

In the heart of Paris, at 390 rue Saint-Honoré, now arises the home of Celine’s new Haute Parfumerie Boutique. Following the unique Hedi Slimane’s architectural design concept for the maison’s stores launched in February 2019, the Haute Parfumerie Boutique juxtaposes natural materials and a strong sculptural connotation where Noir Grand Antique marble – a black marble quarried in France is at its centre, reconnecting with Celine’s French heritage while recalling a 21st century Brutalism. The multitude of mirrors together with an infinite amount of perfume bottles displayed as a floating large organ - a virtual modern cathedral designed by Hedi Slimane himself - confer a further mise-en-scène for the artworks (acquired or specifically commissioned for the store) of relevant contemporary artist such as Luisa Gardini, Rochelle Goldberg, Camilla Rayman, Søren Sejr. A stratification of materials, surfaces, images hosting all the maison’s perfume creations and the new Celine’s spirit.

www.celine.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles: Seven Deadly Sins

This past August, for their Fall/Winter collection, Moose Knuckles released a cinematic campaign entitled ‘Sacred Glacier’ starring Dennis Rodman. Now diving deeper into the themes introduced in ‘Sacred Glacier’, Moose Knuckles explores ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ through photographer Vijat M and multi-disciplinary entrepreneur Kristen Noel Crawley. For those that might not know, the seven deadly sins include pride, wrath, envy, indolence, gourmand, greed and lust. A variety of colors will evoke the cardinal vices or sins on modern designs, with the help of Crawley Moose Knuckles continues to reimagine an ancient list of evil temptations.

Their ‘Wrath’ collection draws inspiration from the wisdom of mystics, tarot cards are printed on tees and sweatshirts as well as on the lining of purple parkas and puffers. Exclusive events at Verso, Antwerp and Shoreditch, London will celebrate the collection’s release, the theme of course being ‘Seven Deadly Sins’. For each of these sins there is a corresponding garment, the capsule collections will be launched at select retailers over a period of four weeks from the 14th of October onwards. To be sheltered from the cold is a blessing, The first chapter in their collection being ‘Pride and Wrath’, with ‘Envy and Indolence’ and ‘Gourmand, Greed and Lust’ to follow.

With exceptional tailoring and a legacy of providing warmth, comfort and protection from the harshest elements the creative minds at work thrust us into a new and exciting chapter of Moose Knuckles.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Armani Art Exchange: #st_ART

In the fifth issue of #st_ART, dedicated to combining contemporary and street-art, Armani has released a capsule collection with young, international artists at its heart. Artists involved in the Art Exchange this year include Max Reed, Harry Hambley, Bunny Michael, Freddy Carrasco and Jacob Rochester. All distinctive and endearing in their own right as they sit on the precipice of wider acclaim in the art world, they have created designs just for Armani. Where street art meets contemporary art is a hard place to define, mostly because contemporary art often overlooks street artists who are quite literally creating art in the most contemporary sense. Whether in print, on a gallery wall, on social media or sprayed on a brick wall in a car park, art and artists live everywhere. Armani has acknowledged and commended this, giving six artists the opportunity to design for their latest capsule collection.

Whether it’s the humble beginnings of a senior high school student’s drawings or the quest for the point where home and heritage meets; these artists are ascending rapidly. Freddy Carrasco, born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Toronto journeyed to Rural Japan in order to find his inner creator, spreading murals around Japan while cultivating cabbage and cucumber as a form of creation in its own right. Harry Hambley was finishing up high school when he penned the character ‘Ketnipz’ to embody his own confusion and sense of misdirection. That character took off on Instagram and consequently led to Hambley working on designs with Snapchat and Instagram. Jacob Rochester, designer and illustrator based in Los Angeles will bring his blend of ephemeral style and obscure art references to #st_ART. Each one of these artists has a voice that cannot and will not be quieted; now amplified by Armani’s latest capsule collection.

www.armani.com

Fashion

CHANEL SS20

The breeze you feel on a Sunday morning drinking your coffee on your balcony looking at the Parisian roofs, the freedom you savour when breathing that crisp fresh air. Virginie Viard was inspired by the Nouvelle Vague’s actors Gabrielle Chanel used to dress, like Jean Seberg, famous for her iconic performance in Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless.

Chanel Spring Summer 2020 delved in a youthful atmosphere, nonchalant, playing between schoolgirl innocence and powerful masculine dressing codes: straight-cut tweed jacket is revisited, transformed into playsuits, jumpsuits or a little dress with a flared skirt, balloon skirts paired with ruffled tops and pleated blouses with balloon sleeves adorned with raffia and organza petals. Long coats come in tweed or wool crêpe while a striped top and a carelessly knotted shirt again play with the dual accent of masculine/feminine. It is about a timeless balance resonated with a modern no-nonsense. The looks are rendered through a minimal styling where the most precious Chanel element is at the centre: the tweed. Vibrant hues are merging the collection in a energetic mood: red, orange, pink, conferring a luminosity in balance with the heritage black and white of the maison.

Several looks feature a graphic version of Chanel letters interlaced with Parisian facades in a chromatic palette where dark and light blue play with the most soft pink creating a geometric-like motion. Easy going and flat heeled. The Chanel girl gang knows how to balance simplicity and romanticism.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Issey Miyake SS20

The 81 years old Issey Miyake has been always a researcher and pioneer in terms of technology and the construction of garments around the body. Many times during his long career he turned over the direction of his brand to his associate in order to dedicate himself fully to research.

Arriving at Centquatre - a cultural centre where dance, theatre, street art come together at the northeast edge of Paris in the 19th arrondissement – we a saw a place buzzing with excitement and creative spirit.

Satoshi Kondo, the newly appointed designer at Issey Miyake, already working for the brand for the last 13 years, delivered a spectacle we haven’t seen at the brand since a while. Several “chapters” disclosed through a beautiful dance performance that injected in the audience what Kondo addressed as the main theme of the collection: joy.

The opening skin tones colored looks, the prints depicting two embracing figures in a Yves Klein blue, but also parachute-like fabric rendered in coat on models on skateboards running across the space. The performance arrived at his best when pleated dresses came down from above through wires directly on the models and disclosing the beautiful hand pleating in circular patterns bouncing at the dancers’ moves.

www.isseymiyake.com

Fashion

Rick Owens SS20

It has been several seasons: Rick Owens has turned towards a positive and joyful position on fashion. This season he continued his beautiful homage to iconic American Designer Larry LeGaspi, one of the most underrated fashion designers who dressed the likes of band Kiss, Labelle, Grace Jones, George Clinton, with its neo-futuristic and visionary style. For anyone who still doesn’t know about LeGaspi the recent Owens’monograph “LeGaspi by Rick Owens” published by Rizzoli is a perfect reference.

We fund all that subversive sensibility and the crafts for volume at Rick Owens’ Spring Summer 2020 collection. Presented at Palais de Tokyo in a Myazaki-like setting with performers creating a sea of bubbles floating in the air as the models walked in. A fantasy embodying the imaginative power of Owens. Big volumes, swiping floor satin-like robes, peplums, sculptural shoulders, layers binding together embracing the body in Owens’ signature silhouettes. Reminiscent of that 80s LeGaspi glamour but also a very personal inspiration: Connie, his 87 years old Mexican immigrant mother

Pleated elements, geometric motives in sequins, inspired by fleeting memories like the china poblana patterns on a skirt his mother would wear on Sundays, or head pieces between Aztec influences, legendary Fritz Lang’s Metropolis futurist investigations, and Sphinx-like shapes, as Owens explained.

There was plenty of colour: gold-mustard, vivid red, pink, green, next to the signature’s black. An homage to Mexican pride: architect Luis Barragàn. The beautiful soundtrack was exclusively crafted by tecno Dj Gage featuring Maria Felix vocals in one of her iconic movies spelling : “Corazon tu diras los que hacemos” A beautiful collection from a designer who didn’t cease to research and surprise.

www.rickowens.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten & Christian Lacroix: SS20 Women's

Dries Van Noten wanted clothes to excite, inspire joy, from this initial thought he says “I quickly realized that all roads seemed to lead to the work and world – of Mr. Christian Lacroix”.

In conversation with Susannah Frankel, Dries Van Noten and Monsieur Christian Lacroix met on the Champs Elysées, a middle ground between Antwerp and Arles in Paris, the home of haute couture. It was here, in March, they discussed their work on a women’s SS20 collection. Expression that dares, clothes that derive life and feeling are at the heart of Dries Van Noten’s design ethic. Van Noten’s counter-part is the French couturier, Christian Lacroix. It is only natural that they meet and discuss their joys and aspirations, their sensibilities and their voice in the world of fashion. In the collection, jeans with an appliquéd feather or feather print on one leg embody their shared passion for expressive fashion that is street-ready. The SS20 women’s collection also features jacquards inspired by Kubrick’s 1975 film ‘Barry Lyndon’. The dreamy Lyon jacquards were woven on looms, true to the era in which ‘Barry Lyndon’ was set. Every detail has a story, every item in the collection is a shout and not a meek whisper, these two minds have brought their joy to the masses in a striking ready-to-wear women’s collection for SS20.

Dries speaks of Lacroix with excitement, noting how uninhibited their process was. “Knowing that Christian was there, the fact that we could have the help of Christian to make this collection was so inspiring for us, it gave us the creative freedom to think: okay let’s have big shapes, let’s have big colors, big prints, a little bigger, a little brighter? Why not? Why not?”. Lacroix was feeling a little alien upon arrival at the Dries Van Noten studio. This feeling quickly dissolved as their working relationship blossomed, Lacroix spoke openly saying “I don’t know Belgium very well but there is an elegance that is restrained but discreetly generous. He has that.” Van Noten goes on to say, “The idea is to bring fun ideas, nothing too serious, things that I think perhaps we have lost a little in fashion. We have lost maybe the joy of dressing up, of playing with fashion, combining many different things.”

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Hermès: The Arceau Astrologie Nouvelle

There is a distinct difference between destruction and deconstruction, one ruins and the other presents an opportunity to rebuild, reorder and reinvigorate. With their new Arceau Astrologie Nouvelle, complete with matte black alligator strap, Hermés has deconstructed their original Arceau watch. In 1978 the historically favored prestige watch-maker, Hermès, released The Arceau watch. Designed by Henri d’Origny, the watch was designed in the image of a horse stirrup. This year, after a handful of variations on The Arceau, including the Écuyère, the watch is reborn. Woodwork is not often associated with horology and yet Hermès has taken precious wood from a tree native to North America, the Yellow Tulip tree. This wood is then framed it in white gold and sapphire crystal glass with an anti-glare polish, in order to properly observe both artistry and the fluid continuity of time. Other varieties depict their horse head motif as well as a wolf howling at the moon to make the line between fashion and craft all the more indistinguishable.

The wood was chosen for its fine grain and similar shade to the original Arceau, the Astrologie Nouvelle model is self-winding and retains energy for up to fifty hours. Sometimes an artwork’s frame is every bit as gorgeous as the painting it houses, this watch’s creative technicality paired with the classicism of the original model achieves just that. Minuscule details attract curious eyes, the result of three weeks patience and dexterity in the Hermès atelier. Wooden intersections detailed with the Astrologie Nouvelle pattern allign like pieces find their unique place a jigsaw puzzle. The new timepiece proudly displays considerate and remarkable expertise at work. The Arceau Astrologie Nouvelle watch fragments and transposes the Hermès Astrologie Nouvelle scarf into a playful monotone dial. The watch is available in a limited edition release, only eight variations on the classic ’78 model will be released.

www.hermès.com

Travel

BMW: ‘Concept 4’

BMW, a household name in car manufacturing has brought us many thrills in the past. Now, long past the notion of reaching any discernible peak or glass ceiling, they intend to remind drivers to expect the unexpected. From the m3 to the m5 and their lustrous hybrid i8 model, BMW has displayed finesse in both environmentally conscious engineering and cars that can handle great speeds. The Concept 4 echoes the company’s core DNA at every turn. It’s safe to say their contributions to the automotive world are as fruitful as they are plentiful.

At their headquarters in Munich the tireless minds at BMW have introduced their concept for the future to its physical embodiment. The BMW Concept 4, a striking coupe in the same vein as the 328 or the 3.0CSi but with significantly more artful design sensibilities. Though this vehicle has all the design elements we’ve come to love from BMW, the look is exaggerated so as not to understate what is undeniably a great stride forward for the carmaker. Proportionally the bonnet it stretched and affixed with a reinterpreted vertical kidney grille reminiscent of the 328 Roadster 2.0 that facilitates advanced air intake. The car’s tail end curves into its streamlined roof, its stance evoking an unyielding brawn.

The Concept 4 was shaped and moulded with great care to become the new face of the 4 series, rigorously enhanced. Millimetre precise contours add to a voluminous build, the Concept 4 is like a low riding muscle with a long wheelbase and a shapely sophistication that ensures it is not soon forgotten. First unveiled at Frankfurt’s 68th IAA car show, BMW’s Concept 4 is a blood oath with their customer, to excite and to never settle for the assumed standard. This model foreshadows what is in store for their 4 series range.

www.bmw.com
www.bmwgroup.com

Art

Jorinde Voigt: ‘Immersion’

Open Studio Berlin, members from the publishing house, Hatje Cantz and dozens of art lovers will gather tonight at the König Gallery to celebrate the launch of Jorinde Voigt’s new art book, ‘Immersion’. The book is a study of how intuition provides the framework for immersion, her nuances of text in an image with so much complexity in shape guides the eye and results in a better understanding of the art itself. In her new cycle of works, Immersion, artist Jorinde Voigt invigorates her on-going study of perception. Lena Kiessler of Hatje Cantz will be moderating the book release to properly celebrate the start of the eighth Berlin Art Week.

The book launch will take place across a number of countries but it will be honored in its vitality by a select few fine art institutions. The launch of ‘Immersion’ spans from Berlin to Houston Texas, where another release party will occur at Menil Drawing Institute. After teaching the art of conceptual drawing at Munich’s Academy of Fine Arts since 2014, Voigt felt it was only right that she pass on her refined understanding of shape and intuition. By Repeatedly feeling out her own thematic strengths, revisiting themes that reoccured in her art Voigt details and seemingly annotates her work for our benefit. When art captures our attention, holds our gaze, we often wonder what it was that really had that effect, with the launch of ‘Immersion’ this is exactly what Jorinde Voigt brings us closer to understanding

www.koeniggalerie.com

Fashion

CAMPER FW19: 'RALLY'

Romain Kremer, Camper’s first ever creative director, has been inspired by the the discipline and agility of motorsport. “Rally” will mark Kremer’s final campaign for Camper, with this the intention is clear, to excite and motivate the wearer in their pursuit of performative excellence. Everyone has their own race, and with it an itching desire to navigate their race without hesitation, fault or failure. The shapely contours and eight different variations from Kremer’s collection challenge the wearer to find the shoe that helps drive their race. Camper allows a flash-flood of colors and future-centric design to throttle us into the rest of their Fall/Winter 2019 collection, available from today.

A driver’s rally car is built around the driver themselves, how do they move? How do they react under pressure? This collection answers these same questions, making it clear in no uncertain terms that the wearer is used to standing out, entirely self-assured and exist as a breakthrough force to be reckoned with. The spray of champagne once the race is won can hardly be felt through a rush of pins and needles coursing through the driver’s body, a restless and machine-like perfectionism about them. On track or off-track this feeling remains, so too this feeling lives in Camper’s new collection, aptly dubbed “Rally”.

www.camper.com

Music

TOOL: 'Fear Inoculum'

After fourteen long years, after legal battles and motorcycle crashes and cracked ribs, TOOL is back to remind us no one can do what they do. The LA rock group that formed in 1990, mythicized in Rock & Roll history with band members that happened to live above one another before being introduced by legendary guitarist Tom Morello, and over time even making a fan out of King Crimson’s guitarist, Robert Fripp, today delivers their fifth studio album under the title “Fear Inoculum”.

Fourteen years ago when they received awards and accolades for “10,000 Days” they were keen to write more music, even announcing that they’d begin writing for their fifth album “right away” on MTV. “10,000 Days” went platinum with songs like “The Pot” and “Vicarious”. They recorded instrumentation without Keenan, who planned to lay the vocals over their recordings once they were finished, as was their working method. In 2012 their website read that they were half way done with recording the album before vocals.

Then the worst happened, their drummer Danny Carey had broken multiple ribs in a motorcycle accident. Being that rhythm and varying time signatures were at the core of TOOL’s style, they had no choice but to give Carey as much time as he needed to recover fully. Adding to this unexpected hiatus in writing and recording they were mired in court battles since 2007 after an old acquaintance of the band that claimed he’d created the artwork for “10,000 Days”.

The distinctive rolling thunder of Justin Chancellor’s bass and twisted, theatrical machismo of Maynard Keenan’s vocals are not easily forgotten. Their fans never ever left. Not to mention their three-time Grammy winning guitarist Adam Jones. Their sound is rooted in technical perfectionism, being totally in sync within a totally insane song; some might refer to this as organized chaos. The writing process was everything to TOOL, after more than five thousand days they have delivered “Fear Inoculum”. After what feels like one of the longest waits in music history, TOOL reconnects with their fan base through this riveting seven-track project, hoping that their following will hear it with perked ears and little hairs standing upright on the back of their necks.

www.toolband.com

Music

'This World is Drunk': Raphael Saadiq

In this world of political unrest and earth’s seemingly hopeless decay, a voice cries out through the dark. The Oakland raised recording artist and multi instrumentalist, Raphael Saadiq has written songs for the brightest stars of R&B including Solange, D’Angelo, Whitney Houston and TLC. Even under the crushing weight of his three brothers and one sister passing, Saadiq embraced his passions, growing in maturity significantly since his introduction as part of the three-piece group ‘Tony! Toni! Toné!’. Saadiq grasped life in his hands and began shaping it with vigour and care until it mirrored his dream, we are now seeing the fruit Saadiq’s life force has bore, his first studio album release in eight years, 'Jimmy Lee'.

‘Jimmy Lee’ is a melancholic soundscape to the world’s incredibly dizzying turn, felt greatest by the world’s most vulnerable. In the same way as David Bowie used his music to observe and shape the world for better, Raphael Saadiq offers a spoonful of sugar to help digest the bitter medicine you might see on a newspaper headline or bearded face with creases running deep in sunburned skin of a homeless man holding a cardboard sign in downtown California that reads “dollar for a song”. There’s no greater tragedy than bad things happening to good people. If this is true then Saadiq is the best of us and his voice is a vital one to pay attention to in the 21st century.

On the song “This World is Drunk” Saadiq finds himself contemplating how lost, stretched out and estranged the life of an addict can be. The swimming chords drone in and out while high octave piano keys play out like the very heart strings they echo from. Music like this can get lost in the ocean of choices that streaming services offer up, there is a multitude of reasons not to miss this rare chance to better understand life and our world through music. “Jimmy Lee” throws the blame back on the endless rat race that corners good people to find their darkness and use it. Whether that darkness is a drug, a violence, lust, Raphael Saadiq reminds the listener bluntly “this world is drunk and the people are mad”.

www.raphaelsaadiqmusic.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles Canada FW19: 'Sacred Glacier'

Since its inception ten years ago the brand, Moose Knuckles Canada, offshoot of Moose Knuckles, has become a top of the line, weather-ready force to be reckoned with. Made of fine tailored, ethically sourced materials, their FW19 collection ensures that first step you take into the cold winter’s air will be one of confidence and excitement. Their new collection is accompanied by a clear message that life is not to be neglected and the time sensitive realities of our life-giving planet, not to be dismissed. They have also issued a vehement anti-fur statement explaining that they exclusively use faux fur.

With insulating fabrics and a growing legacy in outwear and exploratory gear, Moose Knuckles encourages wearers to throw themselves into life regardless of how great the challenge or how severe the weather. In a scenic and compelling video, made with Toronto’s acclaimed production house ‘Kid. Studio’, Dennis Rodman plays an Inuit with mystical powers. In the short fashion film he calls upon the human embodiments of seven deadly sins to enter his small fishing hut atop a slowly moving iceberg known as ‘the sacred glacier’ in the Nanavut territory. It is here the mystic Inuit performs a ritual that cleanses them of sin and sanctifies in them the true meaning of human existence.

The FW19 collection is a vehicle for Moose Knuckles Canada to remind viewers of the natural beauty in Earth’s eco-systems, and its vulnerability in today’s world. As the Amazon burns and giant glaciers in the artic melt, cooling our oceans, changing our weather patterns and making weather events more extreme and unpredictable, Moose Knuckles Canada urges us to involve ourselves more deeply in a reality freed from the mirth of apathetic tendencies technology can trap us in.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Onitsuka Tiger x Christian Dada

Even after 70 years, Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger has not lost a bit of appeal. Still a staple amongst streetwear enthusiasts and fashionistas alike, the iconic shoe combines the world of fashion and sports, its own heritage and innovation.

For the 70th anniversary, Onitsuka Tiger announced a series of special collaborations, with 7 distinct designers, one for every decade of its existence. For the third edition of this ongoing series, Christian Dada’s Masanori Morikawa gets the opportunity to leave his personal mark at the legendary Japanese brand.

The resulting piece, in Christian Dada’s signature color black, takes after Onitsuka Tiger’s iconic running shoe ‘Rebilac Runner’. In his signature fashion, Morikawa infuses his leather and mesh design with the references to Dadaism, such as the arrangement of the laces reminiscent of a crawling snake. Alongside the shoes, the collaboration also features a matching jacket and pants. In a culmination of functionality and design, Onitsuka Tiger’s distinct sporty vibe meets Christian Dada’s signature loose silhouette. In line with Dadaism, the jacket’s breast pocket and inner back pockets of the pants are adorned with rubber patches, carrying a statement.

The Onitsuka Tiger x Christian Dada collaboration will be available from August 26th in select shops and online.

www.onitsukatiger.com

Art

The World's True Protagonist

Cartier, world-renowned jeweler, is starting a dialogue with environmentally conscious speakers, artists, philosophers and academics in an exhibition dubbed "TREES". This exhibition offers a long awaited chance for the humanity of such an issue to be unfettered by political inaction. Artistic contributions from Latin America, Iran, the United States and European nations reinforce a shared goal and the global unity necessary to progress. Vital and intimately connected to the issue, "TREES" provides a platform for Indigenous representatives like the Nivaclé and Guarani of Gran Chaco (Paraguay) as well as the Yanomami Indians who live in the heart of the Amazonian forest. It is through Foundation Cartier's platform these voices can urge and advocate for the conservation and protection of the Amazon rainforest. Trees, the gentle giants so unassuming yet crucial to life on Earth, provide sanctity to humans and deserve sanctity from industrialism. The relationship between humans and trees will be thoroughly explored in a film by Raymond Depardon.

"TREES" will be curated by Hervé Chandès, Isabelle Gaudefroy and anthropologist, Bruce Albert, a long time companion of the foundation since Cartier's exhibition "Yanomami, Spirit of the Forest" (2003). Three narrative threads tie this exhibition together. Firstly, trees as we know them, then the aesthetic observation of trees and lastly, the devastation of trees as visualized through documentary film and pictorial testimony. The Brazilian artist, Luiz Zerbini, explores the blunt force with which urbanism defiles the world's natural environment. Stefano Mancuso will speak on the intelligence and awareness of plant life as it communicates and interacts with its surroundings. This exhibition of purposeful unity will remind change makers that trees are they are the lungs of our suffocating world and they are at risk of never breathing at full capacity again.

The event will run from July 12th to November 10th at 261, Boulevard Raspail, Paris, The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art.

www.foundationcartier.com

Fashion

She's Never Alone With her Longchamp: FW19

Longchamp’s creative director, Sophie Delafontaine, has envisioned a new travel companion with the vanity travel cases of previous eras at heart. The 'La Voyageuse' bag comes in three variations and a handful of adjustable styles for the modern woman that makes travel look like a breeze. 'La Voyageuse', French for ‘the traveller’, encourages you to take pride in the freedom of constant mobility, curiosity and forward motion.

'La Voyageuse' is paradoxically faced with the issue of the occasional lonesome and quiet nature of solo travel. For nights out in foreign cities there are two additional styles. A small cross-body bag with a detachable strap that doubles as a clutch and a second style that draws inspiration from vintage newspaper bags, minimalist and uncluttered, with removable handles for those into customization. Whether it’s the miniature ‘La Voyageuse’ or the ‘La Voyageuse’ LGP Jacquard intricately designed with wool canvas and black calf detail, whether it is for spontaneous weekend flights or longer, more adventurous trips, travellers will be very taken by the 2019 Fall / Winter collection.

The highlight of Longchamp’s Fall/Winter season ‘La Voyageuse’ will be in stores from 27th August.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Dream It Real

In fashion, every new season is a new beginning. The old collections disappear as they are replaced with the new looks. The turnaround can be quite drastic, so it is crucial for brands to showcase the new season’s aesthetic. Often the first point of contact between the brand and its customers, the campaign, enveloped in a thought-provoking narrative, sets the tone for the new season.

Inspired by the 21st-century dreamer, chasing infinite possibilities in the city of New York, Coach unveils its new look and feel for the house. Alongside Michael B. Jordan and Kiko Mizuhara, the Coach family is extended by Yara Shahidi, Jemima Kirke, Lolo Zouaï, Miles Heizer and new Coach ambassador Liu Wen.

The unique essence of this diverse cast is captured by famous photographer Juergen Teller, who once more proves his ability to reveal his subject’s authentic personality and humanity. Shot in iconic landscapes around New York City, the campaign accentuates the house’s heritage and connection to the city as well as the city’s unapologetic and free-spirited attitude.

www.coach.com

Fashion

Bally: Peak Outlook Initiative

Reaching the top of Mount Everest literally means arriving at the top of the world. Trekking this iconic peak, measuring 8,848m, remains a remarkable feat, which only a relatively small number of people have achieved. With the rise of outdoor activities and extreme sports, the number of adventurers attempting this endeavor has sharply risen over the last decades, over 1200 in 2019 alone, leaving behind a devastating footprint of trash and debris in the high altitude territories.

Bally’s relation to Mount Everest dates back to the earliest expeditions trying to conquer its peak. In 1947, the luxury brand provided the Swiss expedition with rubber-soled footwear, with the world-famous Bally reindeer boots being worn during the first-ever successful summit in 1953.

With this enduring bond to the mountains, deriving from the house’s deeply-rooted Swiss heritage, it should come to nobody’s surprise that Bally launched the Peak Outlook Initiative, a long term commitment, to preserve the mountain environment and the lifestyle of the communities that call it their home. With the first edition of the Bally-sponsored clean-up mission, the group of experienced climbers removed over 1 ton of waste from areas only reachable by humans. A second undertaking has already been initiated for the end of the season to discard the debris left by the numerous expedition teams.

To celebrate the launch of Bally Peak Outlook, the Swiss house introduces an exclusive capsule collection, pledging its net profits to benefit future expeditions. The first unveiled item is a t-shirt, adorned with the slogan ‘No Mountain High Enough’. Produced from GOTS-certified cotton, it underscores the house’s larger commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, not solely limited to the world’s most extreme mountain regions.

www.bally.com

Fashion

Boggi Milano: Italian Elegance

The suit is to men what the little black dress is to women. Highly versatile, whether in the classic three-piece ensemble or in a more casual combination, it can be adapted to almost any social setting and situation. With the life of modern men becoming more diverse and cosmopolitan, the suit had to adapt to a new set of challenges.

Milan is a global fashion city with a long and rich tradition in men’s wear. Considered as the capital of men’s fashion, it is the perfect setting for Boggi Milano to showcase its Fall/Winter 2019 collection. By allowing the city’s cultural, social and architectural fabric to shine through, Boggi pays homage to its birthplace and the notion of Italian elegance. In cinematographic pictures, which relate to the men’s daily emotions as fathers, husbands or boyfriends, Boggi presents a new image of the man, capable, cultivated and self-confident.

The collection itself is defined by precise tech-tailoring, layering and the use of premium fabrics. Apart from exquisitely tailored suits, the more relaxed wardrobe of versatile pieces, embracing masculine elegance and innovation, offers the modern man the perfect attire for both formal occasions as well as leisure time.

www.boggi.com

Travel

Celebrating 60 years of MINI and the MINI Electric

A very famous proverb tell us: ‘Do not change a winning formula.’ British car manufacturer MINI has taken this to heart, leaving the design of their signature car largely unchanged for decades. Instantly recognizable, the shape has been engrained deeply in our minds and has become synonymous with the brand MINI. Nevertheless, progress has not passed the British manufacturer by.

Recognizing the growing ecological awareness of a new generation of consumers, Mini unveils its first electronic MINI model. With the new Mini Electric, the British brand is making a huge step towards a new mode of urban mobility, combining the revolutionary design of the classic MINI with a clean electric engine.

In celebration of their 60th anniversary, MINI proves that progress does not have to come at the expense of tradition, by adjusting everything that distinguishes a MINI to modern needs.

The new MINI Electric will become available in 2020, but can be pre-ordered via the online reservation tool.

www.mini.com

Fashion

CHANEL Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019

Certain houses are defined by a single person; a person so impactful that their presence can still be felt long after their passing. In the case of CHANEL, it is not just one but two individuals whose legacies still loom over the house. Coco Chanel founded the eponymous house and it was Karl Lagerfeld, who remained at its helm for over 30 years. A hard act to follow.

When Virginie Viard was announced as Lagerfeld’s successor, her name burst into the main spotlight of the fashion industry. Despite this being her first CHANEL Couture show as Artistic Director, Viard’s relation with the house of CHANEL started over three decades ago, first as a member of the design studio and since 1997 overseeing the haute couture. A fact that became obvious in the created atmosphere of quiet savoir-faire.

With her first collection, Viard honors the exquisite craftsmanship found in the CHANEL Haute Couture studios and utilizes it to realize her own vision of the classic CHANEL woman, defined by a sense of nonchalant elegance. Nevertheless, one can feel the influences of Coco and Karl throughout the show. The mostly tall and narrow silhouettes, paired with 30’s inspired wide-styled trousers hinted at the house’s founder whereas the feathered ruffs, high white collars and sequined embroidery were reminiscent of Lagerfeld.

Viard’s first haute couture collection and the imposing transformation of the Grand Palais into a grand circular library prove that the designers might change, but CHANEL remains a giant of French culture and a blockbuster event of any Paris Fashion Week.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Paul Smith Spring/Summer 2020

Oversized suits in dusty colors from pink to sage. Beautiful double breasted elongated blazers worn just buttoned at the inner side, leaving the wide lapels on a fluid motion.

For his eponymous label’s Spring/Summer 2020, Paul Smith revisited the ‘70s in New York with its artistic vibrancy and young art scene. Having experienced first hand during his travels at the time, Paul Smith channelled all of that eclectic atmosphere, imbued of unconstrained creativity.

Tailored leather jackets worn with drawstring tracksuit trousers in sage nylon, double breasted blazers at times cropped on the waste and worn with high rise fluid pants both for men and women. The color palette is also filled with hues reminiscent of Pop Art chromatic scale: yellow, fluorescent orange and cobalt blue.

During his visit in the big apple, Paul Smith breathed the environment around iconic galleries, like Leo Castelli, definitely the most prominent art venue in the world during those years and one of the first in late 50s to showcase Pop Art when Jasper Johns joined the gallery.

The collection almost stripped of accessories presented few beautiful slouched big drawstring bag worn cross body over suits, both for men and women’s. A relaxed mood so appealing and modern we have loved every bit.

www.paulsmith.com

Fashion

Jil Sander Men's Spring Summer 2020

Upon the sand, upon the bay/"There is a quick and easy way" you say/Before you illustrate/I'd rather state:/"I'm not the man you think I am”. The sound of The Smiths permeated the whole room. There was a translucent wall as a backdrop. Just behind you could see the shadow of dozens of flowers, along its whole perimeter.

Are they the same flowers that will blossom when planting the few seeds received as show invite? I haven’t asked Lucie and Luke Meier, but I am pretty sure they are.

Season after season the couple has been building a strong coherent identity for Jil Sander. A modern minimalism with delicate features. Just think of Mario Sorrenti’s Spring Summer ‘19 campaign for the house: the poetry of the soft breeze walking on a summer day in Japan.

For Spring Summer 2020 Lucie and Luke Meier confirmed that fluid tailoring and relaxed silhouettes: linen shirt-jackets, Japanese cotton V-neck shirts, organic banana fibre trench coat, a sleeveless canvas knee-length overcoat. Particularly beautiful the cotton sweaters with long hand-crocheted fringing kissing the floor, paired with sharp oversized pants or precise tailoring. Botanical prints and floral jacquards make their entrance in the monochromatic palette dear to the brand – burgundy, off white, black, sand – with new colours like Klein blue.

The contrast between the beautifully fragile and the modern effortless rendered perfectly the vision of the Meier couple’s for Jil Sander.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

Hermès Men's Spring Summer 2020

The internal court of the iconic Mobilier National by legendary architect Auguste Perret. Several different chairs of different styles and times arranged at its sides. Hermès presented his Men’s Spring Summer 2020 in this suggestive location where all the monumental modern energy of the place served as the perfect stage.

Since the very first look it was already clear that Véronique Nichanian choose to play with a wonderful research on colours and layers: a large shirt with high collar in cotton poplin with mint and white stripes layered over a simple white shirt, matched with large khaki trousers and a fluid parka in waterproof technical celadon green toile.

The colour palette continued with soft bubblegum pink, lagoon, aqua, plum, desert, sand, tobacco, rust, beautifully woven together.

Already at her 31 year at the helm of Hermès Menswear, Véronique Nichanian knows how to channel the delicate savoir faire of the iconic French maison where every little detail, every stitch or cut is a mirror to that artisanal know-how and set of values we have known since almost two centuries: not laud, almost whispered aesthetic. But also strong ethic and love for every artisan involved as one big family.

This is Hermès and every step of this maison is imbued of this core values regardless is one of the art projects supported by Fondation Hermès, a fashion show or a store opening.

For Spring Summer 2020 Nichanian choose an easy elegance, a wearability with a touch of joy at times or minimal formalwear at others. This season’s code verged towards the idea of a youthful spirit where versatility and reversible garments are key words.

The choice for the collection of accessories added a strong touch: beautiful sandals with a thick sole and fanny packs also declined in aqua colour. T

he last looks with blouses in heritage silk scarf patchwork at times overdyed channelled further a lively and playful energy.

It felt very fluid, relaxed, nonchalant. And the soft summer breeze at the Mobilier served as the perfect amplifier.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Celine Men’s Spring Summer 2020

In a pitch black room just one spotlight is directed on one person only: Hedi Slimane, almost silently shaking hands to everyone who respectfully wanted to congratulate after his first Celine Menswear dedicated show. The surreal, almost religious atmosphere is the perfect mirror to the designer’s credo: a creative mind far from any compromises.

Hedi Slimane’s multifaceted imagination created also the set design, a mobile squared box covered with theatre-like red velvet curtain to reveal a structure made of metal and beaming lights. A stage-throne where the first model seated till the humongous mechanism approached slowly the centre of the catwalk.

The collection expressed one of Hedi Slimane’s favourite references: the 70s, the disco culture of the time. High waste flared denim, sequins jackets, short black leather perfecto, red or gold varsity jackets. But also tailored slim suits in dark brown, khaki, black and at time – see the first look - reminiscent of Savile Row.

It felt almost as if we just were walking out of a student protest of the time. The rebellious and nonconformist attitude in the air: sentences written by artist David Cramer and printed on t-shirts, bomber, bags added up: “I still don’t know if this is getting me anywhere” or “I have nostalgia for things I have probably never known”.

Kramer, an American artist working with words and building them together in form of slogans as part of his mostly figurative paintings and graphic drawings, collaborated for the first time with Slimane. There is a strong 70s research in Kramer’s work, with a confronting nostalgic humour.

Hedi Slimane’s rock and roll “i-don’t-care” looks marched at the rhythm of Bodega’s original track “Name Escape” composed for the show.

www.celine.com

Art

Cindy Sherman at the National Portrait Gallery

Without any doubt, Cindy Sherman is one of the most influential artists in contemporary art, with a career spanning from the mid-‘70s to the present. In her photographs, she explores artistic manipulation of self-appearance and photography’s complex relationship between façade and identity, which, in the world of social media, seems more relevant than ever.

In an eponymous exhibition, comprising around 180 of her images, the National Portrait Gallery presents a major retrospective on Cindy Sherman’s career. Central to the exhibition is the critically acclaimed series, Untitled Film Stills, which is shown to the UK public for the first time. This series, realized between 1977 and 1980, is Cindy Sherman’s first artistic work, commenced shortly after her move to New York. In 70 images, whose overall flair is heavily inspired by the staged aesthetic of ‘50s and ‘60s Hollywood, as well as film noir and European art-house film, Sherman captures fictional situation, inspired by the conventions of yesterday’s cinema. Cindy Sherman truly was an image creator. She did not only assume the role as photographer, but also model, set designer and hair and makeup artist.

Through sharp observation, her work scrutinizes contemporary life and exposes it as a world of pure appearance, denouncing all its facades and deceptions.

The exhibition Cindy Sherman will be open to the public from 27 June to 15 September at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

www.npg.org.uk

Art

Fondation Louis Vuitton: Charlotte Perriand

Charlotte Perriand was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century design. This truly visionary woman stands at the origins of a distinctly modern art de vivre, whilst at the same time helping to redefine the relationships between the arts themselves. Her work was a reaction to the shifting social and political climate of the time, embodying the transition from outdated traditions of the 19th century to the 20th century’s urban living.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of her passing, the Fondation Louis Vuitton dedicates a major exhibition to her forward-facing work. They explore her impact on modernity and her perception of a ‘synthesis of the arts’, a link between the different disciplines and the influences they share. The Foundation consecrates all of its ten galleries to invite its guests to a journey through the 20th century, in the company of a truly pioneering artist.

Each of the different galleries recognizes one aspect of her broad range of work, spanning from her contributions to design and architecture to her political engagement. This is a unique opportunity to engage with the roots of modernity thanks to meticulously researched and faith reconstitutions.

The exhibition is open to the public from October 2nd, 2019 to February 24th, 2020 at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.

www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr

Fashion

In-Store Presentation: Prada Spring/Summer 2020

For the first time, Italian house Prada decided to stage their SS20 Menswear runway show outside of Italy. Earlier this year, the collection was unveiled on Shanghai’s catwalk. As it is impossible for an Italian house of Prada’s magnitude to just skip Italy’s Fashion Week, they invited for an in-store presentation of the collection in Milan.

The collection itself once again proved Miuccia Prada’s exceptional creativity. Exploring the aesthetics of youth whilst remodelling it in a modern spirirt. Prada explores the meaning of clothing whilst intentionally distancing herself from the notions of garments as classics. Classical items were adorned with pockets and pouches, challenging familiar forms, whilst manipulated proportions and clever layering evoke a hint of rebellion against the norm. The remixed Prada logo, prints of casette tapes and video cameras and the characteristically vibrant color palette finish the retro-futuristic aesthetic and prove the ever-changing nature of the house.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2020

Armani’s influence on men’s style and suiting is as undeniable as it is legendary. After leading tailoring into a more relaxed direction in the 1980s, Mr. Armani once again proves his connection to the contemporary. With his Emporio SS20, Armani infuses traditional tailoring with the recent fluid attitude to dressing and a modern component of athleticism.

The result is a collection defined by the lightness of materials and a fluid, almost feminine silhouette. The almost weightless combination of crinkly materials and brightly colored, cellophane shiny materials is reminiscent of ‘90s athletic attire and underlines the internal dialogue between formal classic patterns and the world of sports.

The athletic spirit of the shows extends itself to the accessories that round of the presentation. Modern cross-body bags, backpacks and belt-wallet hybrids in punchy shades, as well as sneakers, are elevated as fitting finishes for the refined athletic looks envisioned by Armani. The finale of the show was Italian Olympic and Paralympic athletes celebrating Armani’s close relationship with Italian sports, as the official supplier of Team Italy for all Olympic competitions.

www.armani.com

Fashion

FENDI Resort 2020

In a way, the new Resort 2020 collection represented a turn of the page for the Roman house. After a tenure of almost half a decade, this was the first presentation of FENDI that was not designed under the guidance of Karl Lagerfeld.

Nevertheless FENDI is moving forward, staying true to the DNA that Lagerfeld has established for the house. Silvia Venturini Fendi, who has worked alongside Lagerfeld all her career, seamlessly continues the brand’s celebration of strong femininity. Inspired by the ‘80s thriller movie Gloria, Silvia Venturini Fendi presents beautifully constructed clothes, defined by softening shapes that radiate a hint of Seventies bourgeois refinement, alongside a hyper femininity highlighted through mannish details of tailoring.

As expected from a house like FENDI, throughout the collection, only exclusive materials are used alongside fine furs, in subtle combination with the houses signatures; the Pequin logo-no-logo stripes, Karligraphy and the traditional FF monogram. To round off their retro-elegant look, FENDI unveils new interpretations of the iconic Peekaboo and Baguette, alongside an archive-inspired tote design and structured chained bag.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Stone Island FW 19/20 Icon Imagery

After the opening of its new flagship store in Milan just last month, Stone Island and its Creative Director Carlo Rivetti are shifting the focus back on their garments by presenting the Fall/Winter 2019 Icon Imagery collection. Reminiscent of its predecessors, the assortment is all about color.

Many of the garments of the upcoming seasonal range are made in a variety of colors: from bright orange to neon green, from blue to grey and from black to white. A visual novelty and highlight is the use of a new special camo-styled fabric in Fall-friendly hues, rounding off the vast selection of outerwear garments of the Italian company. Behind the eye-catching vibrant aesthetic, Stone Island keeps up with signature detail of all its collections, the refinement and care in the materials.

Alongside the mainline and reflective pieces, such as new takes on the classic nylon metal jackets and a multi-colored parka, Stone Island allows us a sneak peek at the new monochromatic Ghost range, including a uniquely paneled bomber with an asymmetrical opening.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Anatomy of Romance

It is not unusual for a collection to take a year from being unveiled on the catwalk until being available to the customers in store. As the focus is already shifting towards next year’s seasons, brands capture our attention by reviving and readapting the spectacle of their catwalk shows in elaborate advertising campaigns.

Italian brand Prada captures the spirit of the Fall/Winter 2019 men’s and women’s collections by exploring the ideas and ideals of romance as human emotion and an artistic movement. Photographed by Willy Vanderperre, the campaign’s tender imagery, under the title Anatomy of Romance, evokes a romantic atmosphere through the surroundings and the figures within.

In a modern romantic metaphor, Prada investigates the complex co-existence of men and women as well as the wild natural and the urban industrial. The panoramas display different figures of the diverse and multifaceted cast, including new faces and established talents, in intriguing moments of intimacy, allowing endless interpretations of their entwined destinies. Anatomy of Romance is an extension of the designer’s aesthetic vision, created for a modern romance, for modern romantics.

www.prada.com

Fashion

COACH Pre-Spring 2020

No other city in the world has had the same cultural impact than New York City. Constantly evolving, the city has left a mark not only in its eight million inhabitants but every single person around the world. We have all seen countless movies and TV shows taking place in New York and share a certain familiarity with the city.

Creative director Stuart Vevers takes inspiration in cinema’s constructed representation of New York, which interweaves reality with fiction. Especially Whit Stillman’s 1990 Metropolitan has influenced the designer’s approach to design. His Coach Resort 2020 collection is refreshingly urban with a hint of toughness, combining preppy origins with a certain downtown attitude.

Vevers unveils his reimagined version of the Coach heritage. Reminiscent of the Nineties, with a Seventies-inspired earthy color palette, the collection shows his personal take on what a vintage piece of Coach might look like. The revisionist picture is merging modern tendencies with their archives, whilst reenergizing the horse-and-carriage emblem. The iconic logo evolves into a pattern, repeating itself throughout the whole collection. The created pattern feels fresh imbued with a distinct old-school feel, playing on notions of heritage and the contemporary craze for brands and logos.

www.coach.com

Fashion

New Outdoor Label by Woolrich

The phenomenon of Ametora, meaning American tradition, first landed on Japan's shores as early as the 1980s with the arrival of the East Coast Ivy League style. At first, only referring to Ivy, this phenomenon swept over the Japanese islands time and time again, always bringing along another American style, from California surfer to hip-hop style.

Historic American brand Woolrich writes the next chapter in this Japanese-American exchange with the unveiling of its New Outdoor Label. In cooperation with renowned Japanese outdoor brand Goldwin, Woolrich redefines and replaces their iconic American outdoor line. Inspired by a new notion of balance between humanity and nature, the design team unveils a subtle 80's and 90's throwback sports concept, defined by functionality and minimalism, comprising a number reimagined staples, among others parkas, jackets and vests. The principally neutral color palette, at times adorned with hues of sunrise and sunset, as well as water and sky-blue, blends perfectly with a variety of backdrops, from the peaceful nature of forest to the busy city life.

The collection will be available in Woolrich stores and online.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Jet-A-Porter

Summer starts early this year, as Italian retail group Net-A-Porter invites its guests for a getaway in the Greek sun. For three days, designers, models, influencers and friends of the brand alike come together at the Amanzone Resort Villas to celebrate the warmest season in all its facets.

Over three days, Net-A-Porter, in partnership with Zimmerman, Chopard and Sisley-Paris, offered their invitees extraordinary entertainment, tailored exclusively to highlight the spectacular Grecian landscape. In this breathtakingly beautiful setting, it was the guests that stole the show, bringing to life all the aspects of high summer fashion, from essentials for pool or beachside to cocktail attire and partywear.

To complete the looks, Chopard made available a selection of limited-edition jewels, which were worn by some of the guests throughout the week. In addition to this, the guests were invited to the Jet-A-Porter Vacation Shop villa. Here, an exclusive curated collection of high summer essentials, featuring brands such as Zimmerman, Aquazarra and Wandler awaited the guests. This summer,

Net-A-Porter unveils the Jet-A-Porter vacation shop, revealing a complete curated summer selection ideal for a summer city break or beach vacation.

In the meantime you can shop the pieces at www.net-a-porter.com

Art

Exhibition Brigitte Waldach

German artist Brigitte Waldach has gained national and international reputation over the last few years due to her large format drawings and installations. She creates pieces that exceed the two-dimensional canvas, combining bands and strings, drawings, sounds and text into a multi-sensual experience. The installation EXISTENZ, making use of the interplay of bands and strings, creates an interconnection between her works and elevates them to a new dimension.

Famous for her work on existential and sociopolitical subjects, the dynamic tangle of strings represent the relations between time and space, life and death as well as individuality and collective. Having found inspiration in the thinking and work of Felix Nussbaum, his presence and words become ever-present, at times through personal words or letters or through reference to key moments in his life, so closely tied with fate of the German Jewish community in the 20th century.

The exhibition showcases the artist’s combination of notions of the past and present with biographical components. The exhibition is open until the 10th of November in the Felix-Nussbaum-Haus in Osnarbrück.

Fashion

Dunhill Aquarium Limited Edition Capsule Collection

London-based house Dunhill looks back into its past and rediscovers a series of hand-painted illustrations first introduced with the Aquarium lighters in 1949. They received their name, due the material's optical reflection of the light, giving them the appearance of a large fish tank. These intricate nature-inspired motifs of fish and birds, were re-contexualised and reimagined as prints for a series of modern pieces, such as bombers, swim short or sneakers.

As expressed by Mark Weston, the whole collection expresses a certain tension in parts due to the old reinterpreted in new forms, the ageing motifs with a newfound relevance, so as the Art deco inspired motifs on hand-painted lighters become fabric prints for items such as belt bag.

Despite the new polished format of these prints, Dunhill keeps in touch with their origins. Aside the summery capsule collections of modern clothes, they also feature an exclusive revamp of the original lighter, using the same traditional methods and a exquisite palladium or gold plated finish. This very limited edition only consists of 15 lighters per colorway, each individually engraved and numbered.

www.dunhill.com

Art

The cure

Entitled THE CURE (HEAVENLY PIE(A)CES), the new Richard Yasmine collection is an assortment of unconventional, serene yet hypnotizing white on white blended set up. For Yasmine, the concept is always the focus. Conceived as an experimental installation, THE CURE reads as an interpretation of our inner spiritual substance with a deep therapeutic message associated with the notion of time and the philosophy of karma with its idea of renaissance after each failure moment creating an influential emotional charge reflecting forgiveness and self-reconciliation. Yasmine’s collection is made of white powder coated aluminum structures combined with other materials such as brass, neo-cement, suede, Carrara marble and couture handmade embroidery with beads pearls and silk. It includes an armchair, a pendulum clock and a wall mounted lighting fixture. Each piece has a special significance related to the theme, Yasmine explains: “The armchair’s back is in a Headstone silhouette with a message of destiny and regeneration. The pendulum clock corresponds to time and how to catch the moment before it’s too late, yet it shows there is always brightness and hope at the end of the darkness. Third element is a wall-mounted light represented by a halo or an aureole with rays of light in a circular shape symbolizing the majesty or prominence of the soul.”

www.richardyasmine.com

Fashion

#MYCALVINS

Calvin Klein launches their new #MYTRUTH campaign, creating an additional stage for some of the most influential voices to tell their story in their own words while inviting the world to do the same. A campaign that fits the brands’ provoke history and celebrates freedom and self-expression. The campaign is a call to action to speak your mind, creating a movement with artists like A$AP Rocky, Bella Hadid, Billie Eilish, Kendell Jenner, Shawn Mendes, Troye Sivan and many others. The campaign will be released worldwide in installments beginning on May 9th #MYTRUTH #MYCALVINS

Art

Exhibition ‘Into the Light’

SR CONTERMPORARY ART Gallery opens its new exhibition for the Gallery Weekend in Berlin. The exhibition features the work of portrait and fashion photographer Tom Jacobi, who travelled two years over seven continents to capture archaic landscapes that are dominated by brightness.

Into the Light symbolises the striving towards light from out the darkness, in search for the meaning of life, gazing up towards the sun that fills with the brightest of all colors: white. White occupies a particular position in the spectrum of colors and has an essential influence and meaning in the exhibition and how the color is interpreted in different societies and cultures.

The exhibition will run from the 11th of April to the 20th of May at SR CONTEMPORARY ART.

Niebuhrstraße 11A, 10629 Berlin, Deutschland

www.srcontemporaryart.de

Fashion

Summer Scents from Louis Vuitton

The maison of Louis Vuitton launches three new scents on April 4th 2019, just in the nick of time for the first burst of summer weather. With a triptych of pop colors and the scent of summer optimism, these eaux de parfums announce and prolong that spirit of summer that is so often tragically fleeting. Conjuring up sizzling patios scattered with cacti, beaches etched in foam and the one-of-a-kind California landscape, it unleashes a sense of freedom and passion notorious of the West Coast. Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud has concocted a formula bodied with airness that lingers on the skin, ensuring that permanence so yearned for on endless summer nights.

The inherent natural properties are brought to the fore, the perfumes consisting of the rarest and rawest of materials. Sun Song’s prominent note is Citron, sealing the following scents together. An olfactive melody of orange blossom, citron and musk evokes rays of sunlight reflected off of the sea surface. Cactus Garden is a frisson of emotion introducing more bitter notes of Calabrian bergamot combined with the traditional mate and lemongrass. This powerful aroma injects a certain energy associated with lounging on the patio, recovering sheltered from the heat. The final scent is Afternoon Swim, an explosion of juice. Rejuvenating and magnetic; the profound mandarin note emits a distinct freshness. The sprinkle of ginger allows it to set sail, then is pulled back again for savoring through the creamy ambergris and orange.

Los Angeles native artist Alex Israel designed the packaging for the respective scents, pairing emblematic artwork with the spirit of the fragrance to appropriately capture each scent.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Karl's Winter Wonderland

Snow capped peaks and cosy chalets welcome the CHANEL Fall-Winter Ready-to-Wear collection at the Grand Palais in Paris. This metamorphosis envisioned by the late Karl Lagerfeld with Virginie Viard makes for an romantic, emotional event, fondly and fittingly exhibiting everything about the brand that Karl so loved and fought for.

Radiating elegance and class, the collection is quintessentially CHANEL, silhouettes are accentuated with both the masculine and feminine cuts in a palette of clean winter whites, beige, navy blue and black, the perfect foundational coat for the flashes of emerald, purple, brick reds and fuchsia.

Tweed fedoras are dusted with snowflakes, paired with tartan, houndstooth and big check motifs. Tweed is certainly a core fabric this collection, both top stitched and quilted, asserting its masculinity with high-waisted wide-cut trousers and layered with great enveloping mini capes and overcoats that warmly wrap the silhouette in a blanket like fashion. All motifs and small touches evoke the theme and setting. Soft knit pullovers and sweaters are detailed with crystals and maxi pockets that create a trompe-l’oeil effect.

Although confident and crisp, there is a distinct softness to the collection. White pearl earrings and knitted scarves in embroidered chiffon are just some of the details that emanate an air of sophistication. The feminine of course is unavoidable with floaty maxi volumes in Claudine collars and delicate shirts. Snowball skirts and chiffon feathers bring in a sense of modernity and youth.

 www.chanel.com

Fashion

A New Intimate Approach in Femininity

Miu Miu’s Fall / Winter 2019 collection comprehends an interesting dialogue about the power of images produced through all sorts of new media. The show represents the dynamic creative work of New Zealand born artist, photographer and filmmaker Sharna Osborne. Her work is praised for the beautiful details that are often highlighted. Osborne created a physical space full of imagination and wonderment for this show. She used a personal selection of her work to create an innovative intimate approach to the contemporary standard of femininity.

The intriguing monumental hypostyle hall is filled with a jumbled array of giant prints, short video clips, old TV’s and LED-screens that produce a non linear visual overload of contrasting images and stories. Special and unique is that the installation is intrinsically connected with the collection itself. Both form a storytelling interaction by consisting an arrangement of frames, supports and structures that shape a chaotic and absorbing ensemble of divergent narratives.

The model path unfolds playfully through the hall and brings the installation with the models to life. The catwalk is a confrontational embodiment of images, opinion and language about fashion as an intimate extension to femininity.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Marine Serre Fall 2019-2020

It has been a very short time since her debut, but Marine Serre has already conquered the industry.

The cutting edge attitude and vision have come strong at the latest show during the second day of Paris Fashion Week.

If last season we witnessed the collection on a bridge in the 18th arrondissement, this season set was poles apart: a wine cellar in Paris’s outskirts that looked more like a bunker.

Marine Serre dives further into her fascinations about fashion challenged by the current global eco-war: up-cycling garments found anywhere has been one of her signature. This season she envisions a post apocalyptic time where humans strive to survive in an underworld made of infinite darkness, waiting for the right moment to resurface

Yumi Tamura’s “7 Seeds” series surely comes to mind: The earth will soon be devastated and we will all forced to live underground waiting centuries for the air to be breathable again.

Fluorescent catsuits with the signature crescent moon, flowing scarf–dresses (obviously up-cycled scarves) and coats with big furry collars, all reminiscent of night creatures. There were anti-pollution masks created in collaboration with French specialized brand R-Pur, but also beautifully Marie-Antoinette garments constructed with couture skills. The denim, the plaid checks up-cycled from picnic blankets.

Marine Serre is not just having a new vision but she is also a very skilled designer. She is creating a new credo and we are all already subscribing.

 marineserre.com

Fashion

Re interpreting Dior’s “New Look”

Each collection of Dior forms a new alchemy born of a confrontation between images, bodies, silhouettes and language. By reconnecting these elements over and over again, a new contemporary spirit emerges. It is a new gateway to reinventing the wealth and style codes that have made the Dior atelier so big.

Artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri went back to the 1950s and used the pioneering "New Look" as a new research object in combination with an feminine counterpoint: the Teddy Girls.

The teddy girls were brutal characters originated from Edwardian times and were at odds with everything that was the norm. The women were rebellious; they wore leather men's coats, velvet scarves, and large skirts. This counter reaction created a new female fashion perspective. Princess Margaret was at this time the leading icon of the trend by being one of the first who worn creations from Dior’s "New Look" line.

There is obviously a clear fascination with the mix of English classicism and subversion, elegance and rebellion that can also be seen in the exhibition Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams, now at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The concept of the "New Look" has now been applied to extremely elegant sportswear. The collection is a tribute to the heritage of Dior equipped in the codes of our time. The iconic silhouette of the Miss Dior dress has been re-released and radiates artistic strength and grace. Evening dresses are made out of bodysuits and skirts with embroidery and transparent sequins are decorated with flowers in relief.

The collection contains more odes and references, such as a pal tree print (Toile de Jouy) that refers to artist Mario Schifano. You also recognize the literary work of the American feminist poet Robin Morgan with elements from Sisterhood Is Forever (2003). The scenography of the show is based on ABCs representing a woman made by the Italian artist Tomaso Binga.

The collection transcends the idea of gender and promotes the reinterpretations around identity discovery; an idea that has been supported by Dior for a long time already.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Balmain opened at Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris

The Rue Saint-Honoré located in the first arrondissement of Paris, near the Jardin des Tuileries has a long history with many different names and associations.

The Saint-Honoré has undergone an incredible transformation in these last years; the authentic historic buildings have been beautifully renovated and are now inhabited by the most luxurious brands. Balmain is one of them. The Parisian brand Balmain headed by artistic director Olivier Rousteng in collaboration with the architects of Studio AMV created a true residence for the brand.

This classic historical building breathes Balmain’s modern identity and will serve as a true style guide to the future residences with which the brand will eventually conquer the world. The 'house' of Balmain is a very idiosyncratic expression rooted within classical Parisian residential architecture. It contains ten specific living spaces; a garden, a living room, a boudoir etc. Each is decorated according to Balmain’s classical signature style.

This boutique reflects the idea of 'classics, with a modern outlook.' Rousteng further elaborates on the Balmain heritage by translating it into defiant contemporary expressions. The designs are classic, elegant silhouettes derived from the most luxurious contemporary materials and prints: a signature originated in Paris. The boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré is a homecoming, says Rousteng, it is the perfect complement to Balmain's historic address: 44 François Premier, where founder Pierre Balmain first opened the Balmain atelier almost 75 years ago.

www.balmain.com

Fashion

The Exploration of Masculinity and Femininity

Contrasts between two feelings, embodiments and extremes: masculinity and femininity is what this collection expresses. Lucie and Luke Meier explore the relational meeting of two extremes in order to arrive at harmony in the Jil Sander Fall / Winter Women's 2019 collection.

The feminine silhouette is expressed in softy formed knits with crocheted corsets, bustier dresses, and light silk and satin jackets. The male contrast is added by pure, sharp sculptural 3D shapes and geometric dresses and coats of generous volumes that seem to float lightly. The constructions in this collection are the main part of the aesthetic and contain wavy, dimensional structures. The finishes are sensitive and contain splits and stratifications.

Coarse fabrics symbolize masculinity but give a feminine reaction through the subtle treatment. Traditional couture techniques turn into Japanese fitting finishes to emphasize fragile body shapes. Cotton voiles, paper-like leather and silk crepe emphasize raw elegance.

Prints are characterized by birds, herons and swallows printed on the front or back of woven shirts or suede jackets. There is a clear balance between slimness and volume. The comfort can be found in soft pathways. The search for the harmony between masculinity and femininity is interspersed with a color palette of black, white and soft natural colors against bright colors.

Accessories are smooth and emphasize the relational contrasts. Shapes are broken, stretched and folded into indefinable corners. Shoes are delicate and executed in soft and hard silhouettes. Special are the leather socks and thin soles that give the feeling of primitiveness.

 www.jilsander.com

Fashion

High Octane Chic

Michael Kors, NY Fashion week Fall/Winter 2019

Cipriani Wall Street transformed for a moment into an old-school ballroom complete with herringbone floors, velvet curtains, disco balls and chandeliers and to finish the ambiance, traditional Studio 54 capsule designs were added. This collection was a real-time romantic dream that celebrated glamorous individual style. With Barry Manilow singing live ‘Copacabana’, better called the successor to Frank Sinatra, the show was a real flashback to one of the most sophisticated era’s of all time.

“The city was edgy and gritty but underneath it all there was energy, imagination and a sense of total freedom. It’s when the rules disappeared and a new kind of glamour emerged.”

Michael Kors reflected back on his first arrival in New York in 1977. It was a time of unprecedented possibilities that he wanted to seize again in this collection. If you do that, there is only one option; collaborate with the most famous nightclub of the 70’s and 80’s: Studio 54! The logo, the glitters and the distinctive characters of that time have been translated by Kors into surprising contemporary items. Here, Kors experienced the mix of style, energy and glamour on an entirely different level, which influenced him forever.

His collection is an ode to this magical time. That is why the collection does not contain any fashion rules or dress codes. The collection is about expressing your inner own extraordinary personality. Iconic supermodel and old muse Patti Hansen closed the show and is the ultimate embodiment of this approach.

www.michaelkors.com

Fashion

Movement and Color

What was once familiar is now unrecognisable. Coach’s house signature has been playfully dismantled and reassembled, rendering the familiar now unfamiliar, all courtesy of Coach’s creative director Stuart Vevers who premiered his Fall 2019 Men and Women’s collection at the American Stock Exchange in New York City.

A joyful collection, handmade from artisanal fabrics and quilts that are juxtaposed with bold and enhanced outerwear, offers a heightened sense of color, nature and emotion. Painting with both light and dark colours and all psychedelic prints in between, a mash-up between freedom and defiance unravels.

Movement and distortion are also key, kaleidoscopic print dresses cascade down the form gently trailing behind. Kaffe Fassett’s floral work stamps the collection, as do oceanic shades that instills a vibe of prismatic optimism.

 www.coach.com

Music

Groove producer FKJ

A new generation of pioneering musicians is taking over! Contemporary artists like Tash Sultana, Jordan Rakei and FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) conquer the world as solo multi-talents with niche productions that often enclose multiple genres. They are a DJ, a producer and an artist all at once and continually explore their horizons by entering into surprising collaborations mostly based on improvisation.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, 27 year-old Vincent Venton (FKJ) from Tours, France gave two sold-out amazing one-man performances in Paradiso, Amsterdam. He can play almost every instrument both electric and acoustic with a focus on bass guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, saxophone, and he also has a modest jazzy voice. His oeuvre is influenced by electronic, rhythm and blues, soul, neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, and even house. He already gave concerts at music festivals including EUPHORIA, CRSSD and Coachella.

FKJ seems to be in a very relaxed vibe during his performance. He does not talk or sing much; he just plays in a very sincere way. But when he sang live, it was more like he was talking, telling short stories. His keyboard and saxophone solos sounded like naturally improvised sessions that just aroused on the spot. FKJ recently jammed with fellow musician and producer Tom Misch at the Red Bull Studios in Berlin where “Losing My Way” got born. Last summer FKJ collaborated with Jamaican “traphousejazz producer” Micah Davis, better known as Masego (which means blessing in Tswana). “Tadow”was created, a piece of music that emerged from an undeniable shared chemistry.

Despite FKJ being alone, he looped his riffs and solos to give the illusion of a fully performing band of at least five members. While doing this, he mixed-in these earlier collaborations, giving the impression of Misch and Masego really being there. You also clearly hear that FKJ is touched and inspired by previous soul and jazz icons for example American R&B and disco singer Thelma Houston.

Making music is acting from the soul for FKJ. Rhythms are relatively simple and there is a lot of repetition, but the way in which all the layers flow into one another is the music of FKJ. Sit down, do not think about it, and do what feels right.

www.frenchkiwijuice.com

Fashion

Anne Imhof's New Work Exhibited at The Tate Modern for Ten Days

Frankfurt-based dynamic choreographer and visual performance artist Anne Imhof is revered for her utilisation of hyper physicality and incorporation of sound into her performances, often using unsettling rhythmic repetitions and sinister choral chants pumping out over a bass of static dissonance. She is known for her works Faust, Angst and a fascinating piece exploring human nature and control through the joining together of music and boxing in the Frankfurt Red Light District.

Common features of her work juxtapose the use of technology with stripped back Kafkaesque animalistic physicality. The dramatic 2016 piece Angst consisted of a segement with a drone stalking possessed, lifeless looking subjects dressed in non-specific attire who appear almost under the spell of the drone, miming along to loud vocal sounds in a pagan-like manner. Her provocative pieces blur the line between the performance activating audiences and actual active participation initiated from the audience whereby the performers’ traditional spatial limitations are violated and encroached upon. In the way that a painting is able to use perspective, Anne invites this component to her physical performance work, effectively weaving in various levels, angles and perspectives for the audience to observe the work from. Anne cites the abstractive stationary work of artists like Francis Bacon as central influences inspiring the subsequent physical development of her performance pieces. This was most utilised in Faust in Venice for which she was bestowed the prestigious Golden Lion award.

The direct impact of Anne’s work on the perceiver inevitably lulls them into an intense, dreamlike space removed from familiar reality, forcing us outside of our comfort zones and thrusting us into an atmospheric trance-like state, both simultaneously unsettling and invigorating.

Anne Imhof will be occupying the full suites of The Tate Modern’s Tanks with her single project combining music, paintings and sculptures over the course of ten days. This new piece will explore themes of technology, anxiety, proximity and identity and will take place in London from 22 March - 31 March 2019.

www.thetate.org.uk

Art

Existenz

The Nussbaum Haus, built by architect Daniel Libeskind, dedicated to artist Felix Nussbaum in Osnabrück presents the spatial drawing “Existenz” of artist Brigitte Waldach. The installation gives the spirit of German-Jewish surrealist painter Felix Nussbaum an unexpected rebirth. His art gives an artistic insight into the life of one individual among the victims of the Holocaust. He was that individual itself who lived for a long time in fear of Nazi terror, a fear that has always characterized his work.

Waldach's spatial drawing embodies the center of existence in a distorted cube. With frightened excerpts and thoughts in the background coming from letters written by Felix Nussbaum.

The space expresses the "Raum für Gegenwart", which means the room of existence. Every wall illustrates a component of existence. On the wall of the "brain" the star of David is portrayed. This immediately recalls the gruesome persecutions, but for millennia this “star” has represented a spiritual unity. Waldach emphasizes this idea with white and black lines that merge and mirror the visible and invisible world of a fearful life. Through it weaves a red thread that reflects the lifeline of Nussbaum. A line that indicates how the fate of a young Jewish artist led to atrocious persecution.

This artwork is an ode to Nussbaum, but at the same time it is also an analysis of the life cycle. The individual circle of life is characterized by the endless creation and passing of different stages of activity. Between birth and death we experience situations of departure, separation, isolation, doubt and the constant presence of existential fear. The course of a life is a line of actions and reactions that an individual experiences.

The exhibition can be seen until November 10, 2019.

www.waldach.com

www.libeskind.com

Fashion

Jil Sander Fall 2019 Mens

Jil Sander’s creative directors Lucie and Luke Meier are building their own aesthetic for Jil Sander, gradually adding elements to their aesthetical structure every season.

Take for instance the new campaign by Mario Sorrenti for Spring/Summer 2019, that emotional and authentic aesthetic rendered through a slice of life, a moment, a collection of memories of a road trip to the Japanese coast. Delicate instants, small gestures.

Held at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, with its wonderful Salon D’Honeur’s ceiling décor from the XIV century featuring a heavenly sky with cherubim, Jil Sander Menswear for Fall 2019 add another element to the brand: the modern and minimal aesthetic made of boxy silhouettes, a classic color palette - featuring ice grey, off-white, camel, beautiful cream tones, navy, burgundy - and razor sharp cuts.

The collection emanated bits of the codes dear to the iconic identity of Mrs Jil Sander herself in the 90s: a cool elegance far from stiff formalwear. Functional, free-spirit.

A particular attention was given to outwear often paired with color matching trousers: the opening navy mackintosh, the calfskin pieces cut and treated like oversized shirts. But also to a certain dualism of materials and textures like the patchwork sweater worn over fluid silk shirt.

It was a smart and appealing collection we are definitely looking forward to see in store.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

Dunhill Fall 2019

 

Fashion

Dries Van Noten Fall 2019 Mens

The sound of cicadas, and summer breeze. A warm male voice starts talking in Italian: “According to Proust the only true paradise is a paradise lost. It is a famous quote. But I dare to add that there might exist paradises even more appealing than the lost ones: the ones we never lived, the places and the adventures we barely see afar, not at our back like the lost paradise filling us with nostalgia but in front of us, in a future that maybe as a dream coming true we can finally reach... Maybe the we really stop being young when we miss and love only the paradise lost”. It’s no other than Marcello Mastroianni’s voice in his “Mi ricordo, si io mi ricordo”, filmed in September 1996 in Portugal with a small troupe of close friends . A collection of memories, reflections around his life and the human nature itself.

For his Fall 2019 Menswear ‘s soundtrack Dries Van Noten choose these words together with fragments of other notable man who inspires him since the beginning: John Lennon, David Hockney, David Bowie, amongst the others.

As Mastroianni’s words are an ode to youth and a spur to life the fullest, Dries Van Noten addressed his elegant collection to a younger audience, striving to live free from stereotypes: beautifully floating boxy suits are styled with quilted scarves wrapped around them rendering them an appealing staple for the young client, far from streetwear. Oversized double-breasted blazers are presented next to hourglass silhouettes, belted jackets - at times in leather - suits. A splash of colourful tie-dye prints on coats, shirts and sweaters provided that nonchalant playful personality Dries is known for. David Bowie melancholy echoed in the finale “For we're creatures of the wind. And wild is the wind”

www.driesvannoten.be

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Fall 2019 Mens

When the day before the show we all found a white sparkly sequined glove as show invitation it was clear Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton second collection was going to recall his hero and inspiration through childhood: the iconic character who become a worldwide legend and still is after his sudden death 10 years ago, Michael Jackson.

When entering the show venue in the Tuileries gardens we saw a complete set as out from “Billie Jean” video: a New York sidewalk imbued with the atmosphere from those years when the King of Pop was at the peak of its growing fame. As the show started an original soundtrack, “You Know What’s Good” composed by Devonté Hynes aka BLOOD ORANGE was performed life along with his musicians. It was an intimate moment more than a loud one. It collected all Virgil’s sentiments: the unity for humanity he advocate, the extraordinary Michael Jackson coming of age sentiments, and all that Abloh’s own childhood inspirations as young boy.

Amidst this slice of life moment when the models walked artist Futura performed a live graffiti. Some of the guests were seated as if they were part of the stage, just on a sidewalk as if it was an ordinary evening.

And there it came, the Abloh of new modern clothing codes (carefully explained in his “Vocabulary” as show notes): suits layered in stone and pearl heather grey wool gradation with fluid wide trousers, the puffa over them, the camel outfits with padded details, the declination of flags in the last looks, the very gender neutral elements like the floor swiping plissé wrap skirt. But also of course more direct references to Jackson’ wardrobe: the sequined tour bomber, the gloves, the silk pyjama that model Alton Mason worn and turned into a performing costume for his continuous back-flips on the catwalk.

There are so many layers around Abloh aesthetic that we can’t wait to discover as part of the new Vuitton’s heritage for the years to come.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

90’s Maverick Individualism

The Parisian brand Givenchy chose this season to present a new vision characterized by contrasts and eclectic tones. This look finds its roots in 90's maverick; an attitude that is represented by personal color-blocked suits with special embellished pieces in embroidered leather.

Artistic director Clare Waight Keller introduced a new way of creating in this collection by playing with different volumes, and mixing lean lines with loose and oversized pieces. The mix of bright colors interspersed with formal shades gives a dynamic, surprising feeling to the classical Givenchy textures. Casual pieces have been given a luxurious couture finish with edgy materials such as pallets, down and móire, which will give the traditional Givenchy man a new spirit to his elegant appearance. Experimental forms such as three-headed monk shoes are alternated with mid-calf shoes. Also thick platform shoes from the Givenchy pre-fall collection, together with the higher biker boots, the talisman charms and the seal rings are still Givenchy's leading niche.

Style codes dualate on each other's borders but still express the elegant Parisian spirit. Givenchy chose to display the collection in the Palais Brongniart, The Paris Bourse Stock Market built on request by Napoleon. The allegorical statues and majestic peristyle give a playful edgy perspective against the maverick attitude of Givenchy’s collection.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Imaginative, Quirky Couture

Odély Teboul has moved on from her days as part of the design duo Augustin Teboul. During the FW19 showcases at Berlin Fashion Week she presented the designs of her own label, Lou de Bètoly. Following stints at Vogue Salon this was her first major showcase on her own. The label had already gained traction this past year with pop star SZA or it-girl Delilah Belle Hamlin wearing Odély Teboul's designs last year. Each one of her designs is handmade using couture techniques and features strange details that con only be produced by wild imagination. In a city that never really conforms or grows up, these quirky looks work.

This ethno-dada draws from her childhood in the 90s and seems deliberately narrated from a child's point of view paired with a bit naïvety. And everything is blurred. We see a shirt with balloons and crocheted cords that could've been stolen from her father's closet. Or a denim jacket, which is covered all over with small hand puppets. And those alluring 1920s that Odeeh found inspiration in, also played into the Lou de Bètoly A/W 19-20 collection with the understanding of the "decadence and nonchalance" of the decade. One great example of this are the extra-long gloves made of neon hair ties.

www.loudebetoly.com

Fashion

Fendi’s Fall/Winter Collection Captures Classic Italian Style with a Contemporary Twist

In Fendi’s Fall/Winter 2019 Menswear line, Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini pay homage to the classicism of Italian street style, drawing influences from more modish urbanwear and employing traditional tailoring in a contemporary fashion. The collection is a full demonstration of Lagerfeld’s hand and encyclopedic knowledge of menswear, seeping with clean and timeless style.

Fendi achieves the fine balance between venerating the distinctive staples of the brand whilst subverting the notion that tailoring is characterised by clean cut, stark symmetry. Beautifully fabricated sleek a-line jackets with sharp shoulder cuts, flared trousers softly secured around the waist, leathers and furs feature are all expected features however the bags and accessories are perhaps the most notable feature in the collection, creatively devised and expertly crafted.

The dynamism of featuring asymmetrical half-half jackets and overlayers reminds us that this formula is available for adaption. The integration of bold, intrepid urban staples such as oversized anoraks and quilted puffer jackets stitched with colourful inner linings excite the collection with a freshness that never oversteps into the core essence of Fendi.

The collection loyally adheres to palettes of sharp blacks, metallic sheens and classic neutrals focussing on rich chocolates, nutty browns and creamy whites. The occasional dash of bold reds, yellows and oranges seen in the sleek footwear trimmings is a clever, understated touch that adds a subtle flair of zest and contemporary edge to the collection.

www.fendi.com

Art

Posthumous Exhibition in London and Paris Celebrating the Life and Work of Franz West

Franz West is widely known and revered for his 40-year career that features notable highlights such as his series of Adaptives in the 1970s, his Lemur-Heads scattered around Vienna as well as his use of unconventional materials in building furniture and his famously colourful work with paper mache.

Franz’s work requires us to take his hand and accept his invitation to actively engage with the art. For Franz, the meaning is not some ungraspable, floating figment in the ether. Rather the meaning is what we decide to grant to it and is the various experiences that are evoked upon our direct, personal interaction with the given piece. It is precisely this mirroring of the external that makes Franz’s work so inclusionary and what absolves him from any dangerous accusations of elitism or pretention. We are the essential, necessary final piece of the puzzle. Our realisations, our relationship and our connection with the pieces are paramount and take priority focus – how we respond, what we evoke, what we discover.

Franz is renowned for his light-hearted, open, playful and at times humorous quality paired with an underlying deeply introspective and subtly philosophical approach, driven largely by an understanding and respect of the free man to enjoy leisure and not always be so as Franz himself put it ‘deadly earnest.’

Vivacious, vibrant and interactive, this exhibition invites us to celebrate the extraordinary life and lively work of Franz West – to touch, to wear, to handle and to open yourself up to a rare and inclusionary experience of art as you have never had before.

The multi-faceted Austrian artist Franz West’s life and work (1947-2012) is posthumously celebrated as part of a major exhibition taking place at The Tate Modern, London and the Centre Pompidou, Paris from the 20th February to the 2nd June 2019.

www.tate.org.uk

Fashion

Giorgio Armani x SANG WOO KIM

Artist first, model second, Sang Woo Kim has collaborated with Giorgio Armani on a special digital project — to creatively interpret FW18 from behind the scenes.

Born in Seoul, raised in London, Kim studied in and dropped out of London’s finest schools. Fine art is his first love, where his instinct began to drive his inspiration. Sang Woo translates literally to: each other, helping. While discovering his own identity through art Kim’s confidence sky-rocketed as his peers began to dress and shoot him for their personal projects — as a result of helping others, he found himself.

Through this collaboration, I wanted to capture and transmit with my photos this shared feeling of romance, masculine sensitivity, and elegance, and in a completely uncontrived way; thus staying true to the vision of Mr. Armani.

With the decadent, stark and supreme Armani/Teatro space as his stage, Kim gently opens the curtain on the wonderful world beyond. Marvelous boots, stunning mitts, and cheekbones galore Kim’s contemporary flair fills the pages with a human vulnerability so vivid and honest — successfully curating the theatre of Giorgio Armani with his artistry and vision.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Rick Owens Spring Summer 2019

A humongous burning pyre in the shape as a conic towers standing in the middle of miroir de l’eau of Palais de Tokyo. Rick Owens Spring Summer 2019 felt beautifully unsettling. It was inspired by the biblical Babel Tower and the architectural Tallin’s tower as mentioned in the show notes. Architectural as the clothes envisioned by the designer with intricate layered structures that at times seemed as out of Russian constructivism illustration.

Draped, twisted, tore. This is Rick Owens in its purest form. The intrinsically constructed cut-out leather dresses and capes together with more fluid signature’s pieces carefully composed the images of a procession in name of – as Owens addressed himself – a better world in spite of the dark times. Some of the models carried torches: high priestess, but also soldiers with a menacing armoire and fragile new adepts. It is the ceremony-like ritual that bonds together societies according his words during FW2017 show. Also this season it all felt into place. Owens’ dark vision nevertheless felt beautifully auspicious amongst the sea of current uninspiring fashion gestures.

www.rickowens.eu

Fashion

Stone Island launches Iridescent Tela Collection

Stone Island is a brand that lives to explore — their military logo symbolizes love for the sea and constant search, discovery is in their blood. This penchant for discovery has led Stone Island on a quest for innovation.

During the embryonic phase, before their inception into the fashion world, the company worked with a new fabric: ‘Tela Stella’ — a cloth with different colors on each side that was to be used to make tarpaulins for trucks. This heavy-duty material later took life as seven utilitarian coats, and became a benchmark for Stone Island’s creativity.

Now, the desire for continual experimentation has given life to the Iridescent Coating Tela collection. Iridescent nylon bonded to a golden pink polyurethane film fuses with Reflex Mat: a reflective nylon canvas with a matte coating made with thousands of glass microspheres to create six intergalactic garments. The collection is availble now.

Check out the preview here or on the brand’s website.

www.stoneisland.com

Travel

Introducing BMW's iNext

Touch entry, touch seating, touch steering, lights on lights, touch on touch, screens on screens. This is the automobile of the future. Your favorite place on wheels - BMW’s Vision iNext - is a dramatic, awe-inspiring SAV (Sports activity vehicle), synonymous with pioneering spirit built to deconstruct dogmas. The iNext is a divisive innovation that reaches further than expectations can begin to fathom.

To cast an eye upon BMW’s latest creation will only begin to scratch the surface. However, this is the best place to start. The meticulous exterior harmonizes precision design. Every single line is conscious and purposeful. The wheels look as though they have escaped from Area 51 at their own free will, while the interlinked double-kidney grille evokes authority through clearly sculpted form and surfaces. Even the paintwork traveled back in time, the Liquid Greyrose Copper exterior changes in shade and humidity injecting the vehicle with a charismatic flair.

A gentle swipe, where one would imagine a handle to exist, triggers a crisp opening. The world beyond beckons. Every object is designed as if it were a single piece of furniture, reminiscent of your living room. For BMW’s vision, the question was, how to gain time to live. The result is an utterly human car, released from everything. The evocative nude tones marry seamlessly with warm green turquoise micro-fiber, lined with purple jacquard, a traditional method that finds itself a place in the new world.

The grace and splendor of the iNext alone are astounding, yet there is more. Shy technology. Shy tech abolishes physical controls from the entire cabin and replaces them with a gesture control system that is both intuitive and natural. The simple task of outlining a music symbol on the fabric of the rear seat allows passengers to take control of the vehicles audio, yet another step toward an autonomous future.

The iNext will not be an entirely autonomous automobile and will instead promise two driving modes, Boost and Ease. Boost is the human interaction and Ease being the control of the vehicle itself. For now, the real-world driving experience is thin on the ground. Clearly, the truth that we can’t predict the future will not stop us from trying.

www.bmw.com

Fashion

Highlights from London Fashion Week

Victoria Beckham Spring 2019

Spring 2019 is a collection of growth to mark an iconic decade for Victoria Beckham. A decade in which Victoria has blossomed into an empowering stalwart of the fashion industy.

“What we did was celebrate being different. We showed it was okay to be who you are,”- Beckham said. “And that’s what this is about—empowering women through fashion. All women are different, and there’s something for everybody.”

www.victoriabeckham.com

JW Anderson Spring 2019

JW Andersons’ Spring 2019 collection blazed a trail of bohemian femininity displaying infinite craft. Anderson composed a fluid collection that recognizes the elaborate as refined.

“I wanted something a bit more bohemian. A celebration of fashion. Everything with fluidity to it, and patch-worked, somehow,”- explained Jonathan Anderson.

www.j-w-anderson.com

Simone Rocha Spring 2019

Simone Rocha exhibited a cultured and sophisticated collection featuring tang dynasty prints and hand drawn faces. A romantic tribute to religious rituals surrounding births, weddings and funerals which bring extended family together.

www.simonerocha.com

Fashion

Highlights from New York Fashion Week

Escada Spring 2019

The quiet presence of Escade erupted at the Park Avenue Armory. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the German women’s-wear brand, new creative director Niall Sloan looked to ignite the new corporate power women with loud jockey inspired color blocking.

www.escada.com

Tom Ford Spring 2019

Tom Ford used New York Fashion week to return to his classical past, a class that oozes sex appeal, sensuality and luxury. The Tom Ford Spring 2019 collection maintains a strict palette of black, white, gray and nudes drawing from the sensual warmth of humanity we so often crave.

www.tomford.com

Fashion

REFLECTIONS: dunhill FW18 Campaign

Life is made of details, those little gestures that day by day build up our personality. For dunhill, accessories function exactly to define a precise sense of uniqueness, which in turns comes out from a variety of multifaceted aspects that literally mirrors the brand's DNA. This is the philosophy unveiling the British tailoring label's Autumn Winter 2018 campaign —  the second season under new creative director Mark Weston —  centering around the visual metaphor of "reflections".

Elegantly shot by photographer Jack Webb in the streets and through the glass fronted buildings of Mayfair in London, the pictures present the firm beauty of model Clement Chabernaud. Layered outerwear pieces and traditional cashmere coats nonchalantly speak for British masculine elegance, while leather goods underline the always contemporary yet timeless language of the brand.

www.dunhill.com

Fashion

FAMILY PORTRAIT: Kim Kardashian with her mother and daughter in FENDI campaign

In the year of the 10th anniversary of the launch of the iconic Peekaboo bag, Italian fashion house FENDI invited American reality-star Kim Kardashian, her mother Chris Jenner and 5 years old North West to take part in new campaing. Shooting took place in sunny Los Angeles. The main theme of campaign — family values and women with a bright personality.

Following the first chapter, a video and image campaign featuring Silvia Venturini Fendi, FENDI Creative Director for Accessories, Menswear and Kidswear and her daughters Delfina Delettrez Fendi and Leonetta Luciano Fendi, this one now focuses on five international couples of women. This time Italian famous brand decided to show the family portrait of the Kardashian clan.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton x FIFA World Cup 2018 Collection

French multinational luxury brand Louis Vuitton announced about holding an auction on July 12 at charity gala dinner.

The event has been organized by Russian famous supermodel Natalia Vodianova and music producer Yana Rudkovskaya. It is a part of the Year of Culture Qatar-Russia 2018. It will be supported by Qatar Tourism Authority and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy 2022, in aid of Naked Heart Foundation, helping children with special needs.

Each of the 13 match balls inside this remarkable Louis Vuitton trunk, redited by adidas, will be singned by former FIFA World Cup winners of 1970 to 2018 editions.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

FENDI x RIMOWA

LVMH iconic brands Fendi and Rimowa renovate their partnership, introducing two new versions in blue and red for their one-of-a-kind cabin trolley.

Honouring the companies pioneering heritage as well as celebrating the completely new Rimowa visual identity, the very modern suitcase stands out for a sophisticated design and materials.

On the one hand the aluminum equipped with an innovative Multi-wheel system and the individually adjustable Flex-Divider system confirm the modern language of Rimowa, On the other hand, the use of Cuoio Romano leather and the elegant neoprene lining with a black-on-black embossed “FF” logo thoroughly glorify the timelessness of Fendi.

The cabin trolley is available in selected FENDI and RIMOWA stores, on fendi.com and rimowa.com as of June 18, 2018.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

A double soul – Fendi Summer 2019

The performing collection presented by Fendi for Summer 2019 is nothing but a provoking anagram. FENDI/FIEND.ROMA/AMOR.

Love and tiny demons reign over raincoats, blousons, anorak, tailored pants, shirts, sport shorts and knitted polo-shirts. Dualism is the tempting theme, better enhanced by graphics and contrasting chromatic codes.

Pequin taping on waterproof gear, FF-forked snakes, clawed frogs, horned demons cards and dice that multiply over the surfaces, interpreted by italian artist Nico Vascellari.

For the accessories, the iconic Peekaboo X-Lite bag, as well as bucket hats, crossbody puches and hi-tech running sandals follow and fluidly communicate a strong functionalism and confidence with Rome’s inner spirit.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

CamperLab's New Store in London

Established in the Shoreditch district of London’s East End, CamperLab has opened a brand new store. A true minimalistic, modern store with an urban vibe. Different from the traditional Camper stores worldwide, the store has a more contemporary, advanced and futuristic feel.

Collaborating with different designers such as Eckhaus Latta and Kiko Kostadinov, the shoes are taking bold steps forward in their urban designs, looking glamorous and raw at the same time, while staying true to its underground aesthetic.

The new store is located at 13a Boundary Street E27JE, London.

www.camper.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani to celebrate the opening of the new Giorgio Armani and Armani/Casa boutique in London with a private "Giorgio's" pop-up club at Tramp

A private Giorgio Armani trunk show hold at Giorgio Armani boutique in London inaugurates the opening of Giorgio Armani and Armani Casa boutiques in prestigious Sloane Street, London.

The renovated space of 1000 square meters that hosts the two adjacent boutiques features 5 display windows that introduce to a totally new concept, which was curated by Giorgio Armani and his team of architects.

Mirroring the refined sense of distinctive, minimal elegance characteristic of the Maison, the boutiques focus on the extensive use of space. As well, a light and clean distribution of lights and linear shapes meticulously highlights the balance between rigour and refined luxury.

To best celebrate the event, the trunk show has been followed by “Giorgio’s” pop-up club at Tramp Nightclub, which for the first time bring the private members night out of the Armani/Privet nightclub in Milan, including De La Soul’s live performances and DJ Harvey DJ set.

Music

The Smashing Pumpkins announce their "Shiny And Oh So Bright" Tour

Formed in Chicago 1988, The Smashing Pumpkins have marked a chapter for the history of alternative rock.

They released their debut album Gish in 1991, reaching mainstream success later on in 1993 and 1995 with respectively 4x multi-platinum Siamese Dream and 10x multi-platinum Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

Overtime, they gained worldwide attention as well as influenced several groups for a very distinctive sound, exploring the more diverse genres and music styles, such as heavy metal, progressive rock, psychedelic rock and more recently electronica.

After several changes in their line up and 30 years later, the band has announced their “Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour”, which will be the first in nearly 20 years to feature founding members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin and James Iha, including also guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

Produced by Live Nation, the tour will feature material from their debut trough 2000 and kick off in Glendale, AZ on July 12, 2018 and North American arenas throughout the season.

At ZOO we wished it was already “Tonight, Tonight “, yet we’ll make a count down because we can’t wait for seeing them live this summer!

Fashion

The B-Way: Berluti launches their new range of accessories

For Fall 2018, Berluti introduces their new series for bags and shoes.

Paying tribute to manuscripts and the calligraphy established by Olga Berluti, the B-way range features seven proposals, this time exposing the nylon traditionally used for the Venezia trolleys.

Featuring a water repellent finish, as well as the patinated Venezia leather and the iconic Scritto motif, Complice cross-body bag, Evasion sporty bag and Volume MM backpack stand out for their urban design and sporty characteritics.

With a great focus on versatility, some products feature a double function. For instance, Duo is an extra-large bag in technical fabric, nylon and calf leather, which can be worn as a tote or on the shoulders, while Esprit is a compact ouch thought to be used both as a clutch and bag organizer.

To complete the accessories range, the Croquis toiletry case includes a comfortable internal pocket, while the Fast Track shoes combine the sporty soul of a sneaker with the mountain style of Brunico and Greta Garbo boots.

Practical yet extremely devoted to a very classical and clean design, the new collection will be available in Berluti stores from April 2018.

Fashion

Highlights from Paris Fashion Week

Berlin 80s underground scene is the leading mood for Clare Weight Keller at Givenchy, whose collection takes inspiration from cult movies such as The Hunger and the documentary B Movie: Lost and Sound in West-Berlin, 1979-1989. Several faux furs, leather jackets and psychedelic prints dominate the collection, which unveils asymmetrical cuts and laboured fabrics elaborating an effectively sophisticated youth couture.

In Alexander McQueen’s show, models of various ages tell a new narrative for Sarah Burton. As when caterpillar become butterflies, similarly this collection speaks of a powerful metamorphosis. The designer’s tailoring heritage reaches the next level, presenting precious details such as insect and wing decorations on transparent dresses. Structured shoulders and bustiers are in balance with more rounded, almost romantic ruffles, as well as subtle silk fringing on a opulent evening dress enhance the idea of a fluid movement and distinctive femininity.

Literally overwhelmed by natural world, Karl Lagerfeld unveils a collection in-between Eighties moods and forest references. On the one hand multicolor or black and white leaves prints, oxidised gold leather details, iconic tweed looks and vintage outlines would suggest a classy yet totally wearable proposal. On the other hand there is an interesting presence of flowing billow-sleeves over ultra lean coats or on elegant evening dresses in lace, which adding romantic feel to the overall collection.

Regardless of the Sixties references of the collection, Miu Miu establish a “kind of alphabetical system, a language for expressing and defining oneself”. With Elle Flanning opening and closing the show, Miuccia Prada presents several versions of vintage oversized jackets and coats, mohair sweaters, mini-skirts, tweeds and iconic bobby socks, which recall the girlish brand’s youthful signature alternating flaming and playful pastel colors.

Women and their right are more and more at the centre of social debate. Therefore interpreting femininity is the main theme at Louis Vuitton for Fall 2018. With a collection that somehow renovate classic elements of 19th century military uniforms and turn them into skirt-suits, shearling jackets and peplum tops, Nicolas Ghesquiere’s contemporary approach to fashion unveils a very sophisticated notion of elegance.

Fashion

Highlights from Milan Fashion Week

Hogan Galaxy is nothing but an open invitation to take an interstellar journey on another planet. Presented in an (almost) parallel universe, the new luxury sneakers in a iridescent material are characterized by the Maxiplatform H222 motif, while rainbow platforms sign the structure of glossy metallic leathers. In addition to the chunks in purple or green, the H340 and Interactive models are realised with an innovative dipping technique enhancing the psychedelic spirit of the collection.

Travelling around the globe allows people to better incorporating a multicultural sense of community. Delving into Renzo Rosso personal archive, the youth memories and relics collected during his travels in the Eighties set the mood for both men and women collections of Diesel Black Gold. Tribal elements and embroideries recalling Mexican and Peruvian culture on sweaters and jackets accentuate a sense of adventure, although keeping minimal the overall aesthetics.

Angela Missoni loads the patterns of her collection with a nostalgic interpretation of the late Seventies. Trough multiple layers, strong color-contrasting patchworks and stripes, the range is is a rich, intense storytelling. From flowing coats, jackets and dresses narrate different cultures spacing between Italian, Jamaican and Scottish as well as they make reference to the historical brand archive to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Fashion House.

Jil Sander develop a collection that elaborates a human-oriented vision preferring simplicity to hyper technological communication. Authentically minimal, the proposals do not stiffen the body, instead they achieve a state of fluid elegance trough the delicateness of organza and wool that gently wrap the silhouette. White and more pleasantly white, the color palette includes also precious pieces in navy blue, soft grey and black. Some of the coats and skirts are enriched by floral motifs or softened by round curves, while ribbed knits highlight the dominant mood embracing beauty in the most genuine sense.

Dresses are tool that can change the body and the environment around us. Trough a thoughtful collection named Techno-Primitivism, Francesco Risso brings the individual and the collective to Marni's ethical considerations. Bright hues in blue and acid green take over belted coats, knitted tunics are presented with large trousers, dresses in a vintage 30’s look and eventually a felted coat made of recycled materials highlight the contemporary need for utilitarian and sustainable aesthetics.

AGL is a brand about women. With a presentation held in via della Spiga, Milan the proposals for Shoewear presented by the three sisters are truly devoted to light. Stand out of the collection, the Daylight are classic lace-up, which are reinterpreted trough the language of the brand and achieve a contemporary look with the decisive use of white over the minimalist shape. Luxurious materials and several colors introduce the Warm Light rain boots, while the extravagant Full Light/No Light speckled over-the-knee stiletto boots with a soft bootleg are dedicated to women with a powerful identity.

Fashion

Una Giacca – Armani/Silos

For the first edition of Armani/Laboratorio, a competition launched on the 31st August 2017, a short movie entitled Una Giacca (A Jacket) has been released by film students that took part of the project held in Milan from 27th November to 6th December last year.

Guided by several professionals including screenwriter and writer Francesca Marciano, Michele Placido, director of photography Luca Bigazzi, film editor Patrizio Marone, costume designers Gabriella Pescucci and Alessandro Lai, set designer Paki Meduri, make-up artist Maurizio Silvi and hair-stylist Aldo Signoretti, the students focused on the storytelling of Armani’s signature.

The short movie is a narration set in-between past and present. In a black and white square scenario, a job interview takes place and a girl is asked to describe a jacket. Afterwards, the examiner goes with the flow of colorful memories back on the day of her very first interview, centring on those little stereotypes and pure, innocent feel of uncertainty that marked the beginning of her professional life.

The jacket, which is a key element in Armani aesthetics, is here turned in a real challenge for the students and an occasion to support the next generation of young talents.

“I’m really proud of this project and of it’s outcome, and I hope it will be the first of a long series of works, because cinema has always been my passion” as Giorgio Armani stated, making a step forward in the progressive bond between fashion and cinema industry.

www.armanisilos.com

Fashion

L’Eau delà-Émoi – Longchamp's new store opening in New York

In anticipation of Spring 2018, the new Longchamp flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York inaugurates the building façade with an illustration from Paris-born artist Guillame Alby, also known as Remed.

The visual work, which has been named ‘L’Eau delà-Émoi’ (Water from there, Emotion), is part of the technique series and echoes an “ode to the present trough the worship of the line, for the love of a gesture that most resembles the essence of intention, or the state of awareness” as Remed declared. The result is a mathematical conjunction of lines and letters that hypnotically captures the viewers’ eyes trough simple curves and vivid primary colors, yet dramatically enhance their personification due to a creative process that involves the use of permanent tools, namely not allowing for anything to be erased.

Before, artists Ryan McGinnes and Franz Ackerman curated the first and second installations. Remed is the third one being commissioned by Longchamp trough their Artwalk Movement, successfully transforming retail sites into large-scale artworks available for the wide public.

Fashion

The lighthearted woman

Paris is a soft backdrop for Longchamp's Spring 2018 campaign, where a happy-go-lucky Freja Beha Erichsen explores the romantic city photographed by Angelo Pennetta.

Featuring different pieces from the ready-to-wear collection as the safari jacket coming in a variety of materials, from laser-cut leather to canvas, worn with shorts and fringed skirts.

The campaign foucsus on the iconic Mademoiselle Longchamp hobo bag in perforated calfskin, which this season will be proposed also in a mini size. The second pillar of the range is the structured Madeleine that stands out with an innovative three-tone graphic version. Longchamp introduce its new sunglass collection, including the butterfly model with an oversized frame that softly enhances the alluring mood of the season.

Launching the 20th of February worldwide, a film directed by Ujin Lin will be shared on the website and social media channels.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

KENZO Fall/Winter 2018

A young woman stands up in front of her best friend’s family gathering. That same day he shocked everyone when arriving with dyed blond hair. At the end of the evening she is having a letter in her hands, a handwritten note to herself.

With a soft and emotional voice she reads: “I know I felt like this before, But now I'm feeling it even more, because it came from you. Then I open up and see the person falling here is me, a different way to be. I want more, impossible to ignore. Impossible to ignore”

As the girl ends reading, they both walk under a shower of confetti, a metaphor of the shower of dreams we all somehow experienced in our youth. A girl and a boy. They have been friends forever. They are Carol and Humberto, or better known as Carol Lim and Humberto Leon.

In the past seasons Kenzo’s creative directors have been looking at the roots of the brand and his founder Kenzo Takada. See the Spring Summer 2018 with its references to musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and iconic model Sayoko Yamaguchi, both muses of Takada back in the days.

This season, Lim and Leon looked at their own story.

Arriving at the show’s venue we found a cinematographic set at the centre of the runway. Seconds before the lights went on too little we all knew that a live-shot movie was about to start, telling a story inspired by that time when Humberto Leon truly bleached his hair at his sister’s wedding in ‘98.

As the real-time shooting was ongoing the lineup of models stormed in.

The 90s subtly permeated through the entire collection. But also that atmosphere we find in the oeuvre of one of the most acclaimed Hong Kong director: Wong Kar Wai. Knitted vests, boxy silhouettes, and a clash of prints with checks and florals. But also high waist pants paired with lengthened bomber jackets: the menswear collection hinted at a myriad of classic references. The use of technical nylon with an iridescent finish together with leopard print faux fur coats delivered still a youthful approach.

For Womens there was a sense of romantic nostalgia, with floral velvet and silk satin cherry blossom dresses, the latter styled with knit twin set. Bustier dresses in heavy denim were matched with t-shirts where accessories reminiscent of a vintage dimension with clasp bags were declined in satin, leather or with crystals beading.

As those final words from actress Ayumi Roux impersonating young Carol were no other than the lyric of Cramberries’s Dream, also chosen as closing soundtrack of the show, we join in remembrance of the recent and unexpected passing away of its lead singer Dolores O’Rien.

www.kenzo.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall/Winter 2018

Just few days before the show it was announced that Kim Jones would present his last collection for Louis Vuitton Menswear.

For many reason it was certainly a surprise. Who more than Kim Jones delivered year after year beautiful collections true to one of the oldest French Maison’s identity while bringing it to hype amongst the younger crowd? Last year’s Louis Vuitton collaboration with Supreme is only one of the acts in this sense.

After 7 glorious years, first appointed as Menswear artistic director in 2011 by Marc Jacobs -at the time creative director of the brand - he developed a signature style with a travel allure, the latter being the main recurring elements in Louis Vuitton heritage.

For his last collection at the brand Kim Jones used once again his travels, this time in Kenya, where areal photographs are directly featured on prints. Their colour palette with warm dry tones - recalling natural rocks, lavas, and infinite landscapes - running throughout the collection. It delivered a classic and elegant style while using sportswear elements like leggings worn underneath shorts and zipped blousons.

Gloss materials from fabrics to a spectacular python coat and pants (that on a closer look during a visit at the showroom resulted incredibly butter soft) together with organza overlay on coats and shirts – tracing a fil rouge with previous’ season Hawaiian organza t-shirt – epitomise Louis Vuitton’s delicate and refined definition of luxury .

Kim Jones picked from many themes: the American rodeo, the Siberian temperatures with an intarsia mink, a safari attire and the world of hiking and climbing with hints of neon yellow and orange.

The show arrived at its peak when iconic top models - and friends of Jones - Naomi and Kate joined the runway, dressed in glazed monogrammed raincoat.

A beautiful finale as ode to a new beginning.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Alexander McQueen Menswear Fall 2018

An updated sleek suiting with an hourglass waist, prominent shoulders and cropped flare trousers.

Sarah Burton knows exactly what is one of the main strength at McQueen and never fail to update new elements season after season.

Fall Winter 2018 presented pinstripe and English check suits with overcoats in black cashmere and paisley embroidered camel. Floating kite-like trench coats were styled tightened around the waist. A dialogue between a modern take on traditional tailoring and a more street-like and utilitarian story.

It’s Alexander McQueen heritage to explore contrasting elements.

The collection continued with parkas and bombers in leather with what looked like a double inlay but at a closer glance revealed to be an embellishment on its zipped closure. The play of double progresses when a cashmere lined leather horse blanket as cape with shearling collar is paired with leather pants.

Austere precision is faced with opulent and romantic elements: beautiful hand painted English roses adorn silk suits and jet beading seen in the previous season embellish silk dressing gowns and evening blazers with matching track pants. All paired with white trainers with moulded soles.

Black, burgundy, silver, khaki and a splash of what the show notes called London fire engine red. Like the red lights at the show location, with all its English underground connotation set the mood for an increasingly powerful menswear identity at Alexander McQueen.

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

Damir Doma Fall/Winter 2018

Back to 1980s, German Männer Vogue style and energetically loaded by Dj’s duo Barker & Baumecker techno-beats echoing the vaulted rooms of Halle Am Berghain, Damir Doma returns back to Berlin to present the Fall/Winter 2018 collection.

Men’s and womenswear silhouettes spread the positive energy of the club scene, unveiling a radical juxtaposition of tailoring and drape. A ‘Super 110’s” wool selvedge outlines blazers and shift dresses. Asymmetric lines and bohemian allure reveal vented coats cut in wool felt, seersucker corduroy and grid-cotton, sculpted leather blousons and wool satin tunics.

By contrast, the modern landscape is enhanced by airbrushed rib jersey and ombre sweatshirts. Sprayed brogues, stretch cuissards and belt pouches are realised in collaboration with Officine Creative and highlights Berghain's spirit to keep late hours.

The collection continues exploring fabrics and patterns, such as vintage florals, silk paisley and carpet knit that drop a hint about the designer travel history across the major fashion capitals in Europe.

www.damirdoma.com

Fashion

Dior Denim by Kris van Assche

Perfectly in line with Kris Van Assche’s minimalistic aesthetic, Dior Denim Spring Summer 2018 collection gives space to the reinterpretation of the men suit.

The Dior’s proposal defines the outlines of a urban man, without compromising its timeless and smooth elegance.

Crisp shirts and silk neckties strengthen the Double Denim’s concept, which is firmly enhanced by bold graphics and sheepskin collars, as well as precise cuts and a silver-embossed logo tab. Despite the opulent of details, such as the season’s club kid slogans or the roses embroideries, the look stays balanced. Parts of the collections are also the straight leg 5-pocket jeans, denim shirts and jackets in an array of pale tones, varying from raw indigo to vintage black.

Moreover, exclusive pieces customised with London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Tokyo initials will be released with the collection and sold in 6 pop up stores around around the globe.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Moncler's Florence Boutique Opening

With three windows creating access to Via degli Strozzi and Piazza della Repubblica, Moncler has inaugurated the opening of its new boutique at the very heart of Florence's main shopping area.

The space, which dedicates 160 out of 328 square metres to the sales, stands out for the presence of decorative elements that contribute to highlight a pleasant and sophisticated atmospere. Grigio Carnico marble at the entrance welcomes you to the store, whilst chêne fume wood paneling and a herringbone white Calacatta marble floor creating a balanced contrast with the display areas, whereas metal, glass and mirror details are presented.

Hosting all the Moncler collections including Moncler Grenoble, Gamme Rouge and Gamme Blue lines, the boutique will work as a strategic point for the brand’s retail development plan, which confirms its strong presence as a milestone of the Italian fashion market.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

dunhill introduces the London ICON Racing Fragrance

The thrill of the open road and the picture of a man driving through the British landscape in an open-top sports car in racing green were the inspiration for the latest frangrance by dunhill. The racing green was the team color of the English racing drivers at the dawn of motor racing, which is associated with glorious victories and the cutting-edge machinery of Britain’s golden age of engineering. The dunhill London ICON Racing fragrance stands for speed, masculinity and freedom.

As dunhill has always been connected with the history of motoring, an engine turn finish was chosen to decorate the bottle, sporting the automotive engineering technique knurling, which creates a textured geometric pattern and was first used on dunhill metal lighters in 1924. Considered being effortlessly impeccable in manners and appearance, the ICON Racing man is stylish not fashionable.

This energy and masculine sophistication is distiled in every bottle of ICON Racing featuring Guaiac wood, vetiver and musk as warm base notes. Italian bergamot, grapefruit and cardamom note enhance the scent of black pepper and lavender making it the ideal aroma for men on the move.

www.dunhill.com

Fashion

Available Now: Roberto Cavalli’s Capsule Collection for Spring/Summer 2018

Since December 6th, the Roberto Cavalli SS18 Capsule Collection is available in the online store as well as at the flagship stores in Milan, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Curated by Creative Director Paul Surridge, the collection encapsulates the new codes of the brand’s identity. The collection has strong, bold and dynamic features, which perfectly give every garment a character of its own and so it does for the women who are destined to wear them.

The clear design language exudes Italian spirit, quality and femininity in a straight-forward and sensible way. The traditional Cavalli codes are being transformed highlighting a more urban and cosmopolitan identity of the maison. Concluding that, this collection represents a new concept of contemporary glamour, focusing on advanced interpretations of daywear.

www.robertocavalli.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Collaborates With Colette and Nobuyoshi Araki

The Parisian concept store colette is offering a unique collaboration with Saint Laurent featuring collectors pieces signed by Anthony Vaccarello. Amongst all the desirable items, you will find a hoodie with Patti Smith print, skateboard decks, a Leica camera, a Polaroid SX-70, speakers and headset by Bang & Olufsen, a red Baccarat crystal heart and Helmets by Ruby in a crystallized and fully black version.

In addition to that, the store presents a unique collaboration between world-renowned artist Nobuyoshi Araki, Saint Laurent and its designer Anthony Vaccarello. The unique series of 16 photographs capture model Anja Rubik and integrates photography and painting techniques.

The series is named “Saint Laurent Shiki-in”, which means “lust for color” in Japanese, and intertwines elements of the world of Saint Laurent with the traditional themes of Araki’s work. All of the pieces can be pre-ordered at colette through the Taka Ishii Gallery and then be sent from Tokyo along with Araki’s signature and certificate of authenticity.

The exhibition will be located on Colette’s Mezzanine, while the range of co-signed collector’s pieces will be displayed on the first floor until the 20th December.

www.ysl.com 
www.colette.fr

Art

Ballenesque — A Retrospective by Roger Ballen

With its probing, challenging images between painting, drawing, photography and installation, the work of American art photographer Roger Ballen is one of a kind. He was born in New York in 1950 but has lived and worked in South Africa for over 30 years and is often named as one of the world’s greatest art photographers. The term Ballenesque, which is already a firm part of the lexicon, is synonymous with his rich monochrome vision, psychological insights and constant reinvention.

His work is being displayed in the permanent collections of some of the best art institutions such as MoMa in New York, Tate Britain in London, Stedelijk Museum and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Reflex Gallery in Amsterdam is hosting a double-sided exhibition of Ballen’s art, comprising a mini retrospective of 30 works and a selection of 150 Polaroid images. These constitute the first display of color images by the artist during his entire career and offer the opportunity to own an original Roger Ballen image in the form of a Polaroid. The exhibition will be open from the 23rd November until the 30th December 2017.

www.reflexamsterdam.com

Fashion

Fendi Partners Up With Rimowa

The Italian fashion house Fendi has joined forces with the iconic luggage brand Rimowa from Germany and created a one-of-a-kind piece. Rimowa stands for design, durability and craftmanship and is popular amongst fashionable people and those working in the industry. The trolley combines Fendi’s savoir-faire and daring creativity with the modern design and high-tech attributes of Rimowa and successfully intertwines the DNA of both brands. The suitcase is made of aluminium and equipped with a Multiwheel system for smooth and effortless traveling. 

Featured in the Cuoio Romano leather, the key values and signature design of Rimowa are perfectly coupled with high-quality, unique details and craftmanship such as the sophisticated, emblematic double F logo with a brushed effect on the aluminium, which changes its perception depending on the light. The black leather handles, along with the web belt, that runs across the case in tones of yellow and a touch of black with the logo, gives the case a characteristic Fendi touch. This ultimate traveler’s piece comes with fun stickers and a name tag where you can add your personal details. Available in selected Fendi and Rimowa boutiques and on fendi.com as of December 2017, just in time for Christmas and all those who will be traveling around the world during the festive season.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

“Hermès à tire-d’aile. Le monde de Leïla Menchari” exhibition opens at Grand Palais

Imagine a Hermès bag completely covered in coral, placed at the centre of a theatric scene, surrounded by a universe in soft pink, pale orange, mother-pearl and a constellation of rose coloured marine flora. It’s just one of the enchanting worlds created for Hermès by Leïla Menchari, who for over 55 years has been delivering magical representations of the vision around Hermès, the heritage, the craftsmanship, all in a window. First in ’61 as assistant to Annie Beaumel – director of window displays at the Faubourg Saint-Honoré store, and then in ‘78 when she took over the position together with being appointed director of the silk colours committee for the Maison. Leïla Menchari, a beautiful enchanting woman born in Tunisia, who studied at the Écoles des Beaux-Arts in Paris, captured the imagination of Robert Dumas and his son Jean-Louis. A liaison built on respect and trust. Leila, with her fantasy, with her travels, and exotic vision. Hermès, with its craftsmanship, the know-how and discipline. If a Kelly bag would take generally 15 hours to be crafted, it would turn to 50 hours for the ones produced ad hoc for Leïla Menchari’s spectacular window displays.

“The workshops have never said no to me, always “we’ll see, Leïla, we’ll give it a go.” But it wasn’t easy to get them to fully understand my madness: you can’t explain a dream!” Leila Menchari explains how she was given total freedom both in creation and budget. A so-called carte blanche. For Leïla Menchari a window display is a like a small pièce de théâtre, but without the possibility of dialogues, movements or actors to explains the image. During the opening evening of the exhibition at Grand Palais she explained her vision and nature: “I am touched by grace, by the passion for nature and the “extraordinary” in life. Everything becomes extraordinary. This vision gave me a different way of looking at things, with a high degree of surrealism”. When asked if the exhibition was maybe driven by a dose of nostalgia, she gracefully answered: “Nostalgia is fundamental for memory” This is Leïla Menchari, the globetrotter, the dreamer, the collector, and – as nicknamed by her great friend, the French author Michel Tournier – the “reine mage”. The exhibition will be held till the 3rd of December 2017.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

The Lady Dior Art Bag

The iconic Lady Dior bag was born in Dior’s workshops in 1995 and made famous in 1996 when Princess Diana was showing her admiration for it on a visit to Paris. This instantly recognizable bag carries the house’s inimitable style but is also open to interpretation and artistic reinvention. Last year, the maison invited a handful of British and American artists to reimagine the accessory with a limited edition. After the big success of this project on the runway, Dior decided to make it even more diverse and creative by inviting ten artists from around the world, of different ages and backgrounds. The fashion house gave “carte blanche” to the artists to transfer their creativity into Dior’s leatherworking language. Everything, from the bag’s fabric, to its charms, size, color, jewellry, handles and stitching were all adjusted to the artist’s specifications. The outcome is a great collection of exceptional bags, which makes it hard to choose only one Lady Dior Art Bag.

www.dior.com

Art

Prada collaborates with Francesco Vezzoli for “Opera Pompidou”

The Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli is internationally well-known for mirroring the glamour of Hollywood in his unsaleable paintings. Now he partnered up with the fashion house Prada to produce the twelve costumes for the “Opera Pompidou” live performance, which was presented in the Centre Pompidou on the 19th October. The reason for this unique project was the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the museum for arts and culture in the heart of Paris. The Italian artist’s visionary world of elaborate references intertwines with the collection of the museumto create a series of special live art performances staged by Vezzoli. Each artist was wearing a costume made by Prada which references to the art work and brings it to life. In this totally emotional reinterpretation of the modern and contemporary collections of Centre Pompidou, the visitor finds himself in a new immersive experience.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Sacai Spring/Summer 2018

Chitose Abe returns to her DNA with transformable-layered silhouettes in a trompe l’oeil language. Tops and outwear were worn on the bust line with the sleeves tied as to create a seamless corset with a floating volume, held together by big sporty straps. The second look to storm in the catwalk already anticipated Abe’s vision for the season: a wind jacket in tech nylon tied over a silk light blue short dress. It’s a language Abe has been using since the start. Deconstructed skirts in denim or cotton lace patchwork-frayed paired with knits delivered a youthful look that felt confident and effortless.

Fluid floral tops with matching jackets knotted over them and long dresses in several tartan patterns patched with transparent chiffon, created a fresh ethereal and appealing atmosphere full of that cool but feminine attitude Abe’s vision is always set on. It is the intricate match of textiles and codes: camouflage cotton, trench textile, lightweight fabrics, all just in one singular dress in a play of hybrids where what seems to be a belt is in fact a soft blazer.

The colour palette was vivid: magenta, bright blue, green, yellow, all the colours that slowly became the signature of the brand. Chitose Abe, the famous protégé of Rei Kawakubo first and Junya Watanabe later, has been always mixing versatility and layered silhouettes. But this season felt extremely genuine and intuitive.

www.sacai.jp

Fashion

HUGO BOSS and VITRA mark the exhibition “An Eames Celebration”

On October 5th Hugo Boss and the Vitra Design Museum introduced the exhibition “An Eames Celebration” with a cocktail event held in Berlin. One part of the program was the presentation of the limited BOSS accessories collection, which was especially created for the exhibition project. It’s a limited unisex collection of 125 pieces including a tote bag, a portfolio bag, a clutch and a card case. The event took place at the historic pump station of the art collector Christian Boros at Hallesches Ufer. The guests in attendance included international and national film stars as well as socialites from Berlin’s culture and fashion scene. Hugo Boss is the lead sponsor of the retrospective Charles and Ray Eames’ oeuvre running at the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein from Septmeber the 30th to February the 25th 2018.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2018

What is more French than the Tour Eiffel? Anthony Vaccarello orchestrated a grand show in celebration of the French Maison and its historical patron Pierre Bergé who sadly passed away just three weeks ago.

He paid homage to Bergé, to Yves Saint Laurent, to their visceral love and to the revolutionary years in fashion that they both represented.

Bergé’s words to Vaccarello at the eve of his debut have already become legendary - ” You are not Yves Saint Laurent, don’t try to be Yves Saint Laurent” - the young designer could not be more Yves Saint Laurent in spirit than anyone else.

His style, irreverent, individualistic, and extremely sexy in a way that you literally wish to wear anything he designs regardless of your own style is without doubt so “Monsieur Saint Laurent”. The Monsieur Saint Laurent who managed to move – sometimes with unfavourable opinions - entire fashion crowds in the late 70s, in the 80s, and who was not afraid of fashion critique and consequently pushed boundaries.

We can find traces of Monsieur Saint Laurent’s DNA in Anthony Vaccarello’s Spring Summer 2018 collection: that gypsy shirt from the 70s, the 80s mono-shoulder dress, the feathers – but the collection remains very much about Vaccarello’s powerful identity.

As we were welcomed at the impressive location at the Fontaine de Trocadero, facing the Eiffel tower, the atmosphere culminated into an epic moment when the light spectacle of the tower served as backdrop halfway through the show.

"The Saint Laurent woman is a traveller who reaffirms her complex personality, full of a subtle tension. She is a dark angel with a sensual allure and drapes herself in black-sequined dresses, shining like the asphalt after the rain".

Vaccarello’s words are emblematic of the several elements that constellated the collection. As the designer’s summer travels took him from the Cote d’Azur to Capri, to LA we reencountered everything that fascinated him: the white Italian lace, the French flamboyant look, the West Coast leather looks.

A series of final sculptural dresses, with a scarlet red declination worn by the muse and face of the house Anja Rubik, left the audience speechless.

www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

Welcome to G-Star Mat

In the presence of esteemed guests from the realms of fashion, music and cinema, Pharrell Williams toasted the launch of the G-Star Elwood X25 at G-Star Mat, a space that embodies creativity and self-expression.

The classic G-Star Elwood was reimagined in 25 bright and beautiful prints that meld motifs from the natural world – from poison dart frogs and butterfly fish to leopards and whale sharks – with renderings that pay homage to cultural diversity and include ornate Indian paisley prints and Japanese kimono embroidery.

Like the prints, the space itself was also designed to champion creativity by way of transforming an otherwise ordinary space into a surprising, aesthetically pleasing environment. Sleek Laundromat machines, each containing different print iterations whirred with activity, allowing guests to see the inspiration behind each print and encouraging them to interact with the space itself and one another as if on a movie set.

www.g-star.com

Fashion

Zegna’s ‘Defining Moments’

For the second iteration of its ‘Defining Moments’ campaign, Ermenegildo Zegna has brought on Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and Benjamin Millepied, the French choreographer responsible for Natalie Portman’s dramatic dancing in Black Swan. The global advertising campaign will run starting August 22nd on a multitude of platforms. The ‘Defining Moments’ omni channel initiative was first introduced for the Spring/Summer 2017 season, and reflects the emotion and people-centered voice that Ermenegildo Zegna supports in its brand statement.

Both De Niro and Millepied come from different eras, countries and fields. But surprisingly, they have a lot in common: both share a love for New York, sophistication, elegance, and culture. Together with Alessandro Sartori, the Artistic Director for Ermenegildo Zegna, and film-maker Francesco Carrozzini, a dialogue is formed between De Niro and Millepied. Together they discuss their passions, values, and defining moments in their careers: an insightful and intimate conversation which covers their artistic expressions, and how it has framed their life choices.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

FENDI: F IS FOR…

Fearless.

This season, Fendi have partnered with Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson. In the campaign video, the young 25-year-old basketball prodigy, who was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, challenges his skills by shooting hoops at the top of the Palazzo Della Civilta? Italiana in Rome. “It’s important to be fearless on and off the court,” he says. “When you look good, play good, it gives you that sense of confidence. In basketball, it’s all about confidence. Show them who you are, before you get in the arena and express yourself. That’s what it all comes down to.”

The campaign was created and curated by Leonetta Luciano Fendi, the daughter of Silvia Venturini Fendi and the fourth generation of the famous fashion family, poised to take over the helm and bring the brand deep into the new millennium. Together with Ciristiana Monfardini, Leonetta Fendi is shaping fresh content which celebrates young talent, creativity, optimism and fearless confidence: values solidly ingrained in the core of FENDI.

www.instagram.com/fisforfendi
www.fendi.com/nl/fisfor

Fashion

UGG x Jeremy Scott

Jeremy Scott has made a name for himself thanks to his fun-filled approach to fashion, which shuns minimalism and opts instead for boisterous, eye-catching and attention-grabbing designs. You may love them or you may hate them but one thing is for sure: they are excellent conversation starters and some may even be your guilty pleasures.

This September, the outspoken American designer and creative director of Moschino partners up with Californian brand UGG®, putting his own spin on iconic styles. Inspired by and paying homage to cool Californian spirit and vibrant Los Angeles pop culture throughout the ages, the capsule collection is comprised of eight silhouettes featuring bold flame designs, jewelled hardware and Swarovski® crystals on the sheepskin footwear that is now recognised the world over. The limited edition collection includes UGG® footwear for men, women, kids and babies.

And if the designs themselves didn’t turn heads enough, the collab’s ad campaign is sure to do so: musician Lil Yachty and model Jasmine Sanders star in the campaign shot by Marcus Mam outside Los Angeles and are seen rocking not only Scott's designs for the footwear brand but also custom pieces created exclusively to complement featured styles.