Fashion

H&M& Berlin – the Pre-Loved-Archive Collection

H&M celebrated two decades full of their much cherished collaborations with iconic designers from all over the world with their Pre-Loved-Archive collection.

H&M aims to offer a new generation the chance to own and reinterpret fashion history – opening up the gates to their iconic fashion library and re-releasing iconic and pre-loved fashion pieces from the most sought-after collaborations with renowned designers of the last two decades. The Pre-Loved-Archive is an inspired fusion of nostalgia and sustainability – extending the life of these beloved designs through their ongoing and creative recombination in styling the aesthetic-minded self.

The grand occasion took place on October the 30th of October in Berlin’s legendary Kraftwerk – featuring live performances of Troye Sivan, Caroline Polachek, Arca and JADA. A revitalizing combination of music, fashion and style. Guests A multitude of guests attended in their favorite archive looks from the twenty year long history of guest designer collections. As part of a global series of events, the celebration showcased H&M's new energy, emphasizing a circular approach to fashion.

Several of the curated pieces from the Pre-Loved-Archive collection made their debut yesterday at the Berliner Mitte Garten Store. Additional pieces are now available on hm.com.

Fashion

Giorgio Armani Women’s Fashion Show for Spring/Summer 2025 - In Viaggio

Paying homage to the city of New York – Giorgio Armani’s Women’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. New York as the city embodying the collective dream. Scenery to a seemingly endless sea of creative narratives – cinematic stories, life-changing encounters. In Viaggio, On a Journey – a “profoundly Armani” collection.

A grand station, an elegant woman, a porter carrying her suitcase. This is the image opening up the journey through an era, full of visions and memories. Long, soft silhouettes reminiscent of the 1930s. A blend of influences from the East, with touches of desert winds and noir – coming together into an exciting vision of effortless, but truly pure elegance.

The collection, with colors transitioning from urban grays to cosmetic hues of beige, bronze, blush and powder blue. Silk pantsuits and leather trench coats with effortless elegance. For once the darkness has enveloped the evening – boudoir inspired suits and flowing, soft dresses in mesmerizing satin, complemented by mini boleros as the perfect finishing touch.

Ever present throughout is a profound sensitivity. An understanding of the artistry involved in narrating a new story with each look. A Masculine hat – oversized to veil the eyes – and sandals combined with billowing skirts. Together, beckoning us to come along, to embark on an enchanting journey through the realms of our imagination.

www.armani.com

Art

A Technicolor Daydream Between the Birth and Death of the Universe – Double Feature at Fotografiska

Fotografiska Berlin presents Marco Brambilla’s exhibition Double Feature, a dazzling spectacle of the cult of glamor in Hollywood limboing between satire and celebration.

Two maximalist video collages work to recontextualize popular images, considering our obsession with the promises they seem to hold. The title of the exhibition creates a nostalgia for the past of motion pictures: the double feature. Seeing how two works form a unique interplay instead of standing alone without a contrast and taking the time to go see them as a conscious choice instead of being bombarded with more than one could view in a lifetime.

The two works exhibited are part of Brambilla’s Megaplex series and present an especially intriguing interplay, as Heaven’s Gate is the latest of this series created in 2022, and Civilization stands at its beginning in 2008. Heaven’s Gate is a journey through the seven levels of purgatory – each a fantastical looping landscape from Golden Age movies. Civilization offers a psychedelic journey from hell to heaven formed by a collage of iconic moments of cinematic history. A hyper realistic realm that is both eden and a burning abyss as a backdrop for the frenzy of media production and consumption with no end in sight.

Both works craft a targeted visual overload, demonstrating the state of media today as a machine constantly regurgitating what it has been fed, turning art into mere mechanical reproduction. It questions the sheer essence of art today and the future it may or may not have. A specifically fascinating aspect is that both artworks are incredibly timely today and speak to the same fear, frustration and wish for escapism despite more than a decade standing between them. Now looking at Civilization can almost turn into a nostalgic experience, as what was overwhelming in 2008 seems almost quaint in comparison to modern struggles with AI and the seemingly unstoppable speed of information.

What is art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction? A question Walter Benjamin asked close to a century ago and one that we will continue to grapple with until the machine comes to a halt.

Marco Brambilla’s Double Feature, on view at Fotografiska Berlin October 11th, 2024 – March 2nd, 2025.

www.berlin.fotografiska.com

Fashion

Reimagining the Gucci Horsebit Loafer 1953

Gucci has recently launched a campaign with Italian actor and screenwriter Pietro Castellitto as the new brand ambassador, shining new light on their, seemingly everlastingly so, iconic design, the 1953 Horsebit Loafer. A piece in Gucci’s collection, emblematic of the brand’s heritage like barely any other, invincible, transcending time and trends, since its first debut in 1953, the year Gucci started launching footwear.

Gucci’s classic, the Horsebit Loafer exudes the house’s exemplary vision of contemporary masculinity, centering around personality, originality and elegance. A perfect fusion of sporty, casual and sensual.The double ring and bar, inspired by the equestrian world, eliciting ideas of timeless style and refined class in our collective mind, meticulously crafted through Gucci’s ongoing creative endeavor, has been a constant motif in the house’s inspiring collection’s for over seven decades already, since the house’s founding in Florence, Italy, in 1921.

The campaign emphasizes the special place the Horsebit Loafer 1953 is given in creative director Sabato De Sarno’s menswear wardrobe. In line with Pietro Castellito’s relaxed character, captured through a series of striking portraits of different looks, ranging from the casual to the refined, balanced through the grounding presence of Gucci Horsebit Loafer 1953’s transformative, but simultaneously, ever so adapting, design.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2024 Campaign

Over the past 9 years, actor Patrick Schwarzenegger and supermodel Abby Champion have shared a beautiful relationship, soon to become a marriage. To celebrate their love and this milestone, Tommy Hilfiger announces the newly engaged pair as the faces of the Fall 2024 campaign. In a series of portraits shot by Alasdair McLellan, the two prove that they fit the “one of Hollywood’s most fashionable young couples” label.

Set in New York City, the epitome of American fashion, the campaign puts forth two love stories: one between Abby and Patrick, and one between the couple and couture. With sophistication and charisma as key players of the scene, the Fall 2024 collection comes to life in the City That Never Sleeps: a modernized camel wool coat, an oversized puffer in plaids, polished pea coats, and bomber jackets give the collection a warm feel, perfect for protecting us from the cold breeze of fall mornings. Versatile and effortless, the line introduces some layering pieces – soft sweaters, Oxford shirts, and tailored blazers – accompanied by two pairs of shoes, known as fall essentials: Chelsea boots and loafers.

"This campaign felt like an intimate and genuine reflection of our relationship so far," said Patrick Schwarzenegger, the upcoming White Lotus star. Reflecting the timeless energy of Tommy Hilfiger, as well as American tradition and heritage, the couple becomes synonymous with the optimistic spirit of the city and of the brand. The Fall 2024 collection will be available throughout the season in Tommy Hilfiger stores and partner boutiques worldwide.

www.tommyhilfiger.com

Fashion

Christian Louboutin PFW Spring Summer 2025 - A Fashionable Dive

Inspired by the past, envisioned for the future. These are the vibes that the Christian Louboutin Paris Fashion Week show brings to the audience. In a collaboration with artistic director David LaChapelle and choreographer Blanca Li, the designer makes history with the creativity and authenticity he and his team present. Seemingly unusual at first glance, the visitors walked into Paris’ Piscine Molitor, where the French Olympic artistic swimming team was waiting to put on an unforgettable show.

Once a pool, the piscine turned into a catwalk the night of September 27th. Artistic swimmers parading on the sides of it in the new Miss Z pumps, playfully jumping into the bright colored water, and performing dance routines captivated the audience as the famous heels remained perfectly fixed on their feet. In a setting full of projections, lights, and aquatic ballet grace, one element was unmistakable: the red bottoms. After flowing down the giant pair of Christian Louboutin shoes turned into a slide and dancing around the centerpiece of the pool - a fountain meant to guide the performers in their act - the swimmers mysteriously disappear into the deepness of the water, leaving their Miss Z's floating as testimony of the brand's timelessness. Talking about the accumulation of factors that brought the "runway" to life, Christian Louboutin confesses “Something the three of us clearly have in common is our love for dance. Blanca made it her world, David some of his major art works, and me, I also started by designing shoes for dancers".

Dancing to the rhythm of LP's mix of pop, rock, indie and folk, the Olympic team wore metallic pumps that matched the bathing suits designed by Fifi Chachnil. Unapologetically bold and vibrant, the Spring Summer 2025 collection was introduced in this extraordinary moment that breaks the boundaries of fashion shows, celebrating the everlasting creativity of the French luxury brand.

www.christianlouboutin.com

Fashion

Rick Owens PFW Spring Summer 2025 - Hollywood takes Paris

Taking Paris Fashion Week to Palais de Tokyo – one of his preferred locations for a show – Rick Owens transforms the runway into his own playground. Instead of keeping it intimate, like he did for his previous shows, Owens goes all out and puts on an extravagant show that pays tribute to Hollywood, a place of reference for the designer, as it is the place he ran to and met some of the most important people of his artistic journey.

In what he called his “white satin army of love”, the designer introduced his previous menswear collection and asked all fashion schools in Paris to send students and faculty that would walk in the show as a testimony of unity. With his concept, he aims to demonstrate how impactful and important it is to stand by each other. For his most recent show, Owens presented the Women's line named after the boulevard of vice. At first sight, the collection seemed to respect a monochromatic palette of black, as the one back in June did – except with white. However, the creative director added a splash of absinthe-green to some of the looks, as well as some shades of gray, some of which were decorated with shimmering details that added a playful touch. As such, models walked around Palais de Tokyo parading in larger groups, each group wearing similar outfits that turned the venue into a theatrical performance.

Among the pieces in the collection we find flowing capes, transposable zipper jackets and coats, and knit gowns, all made from materials that allow recycling. Using certified organic silk, cupro – a biodegradable and plant based fiber – and recycled polyester, Rick Owens proves that he places sustainability at the frontline of his design process.

The new womenswear collection "Hollywood" stays in opposition to the last menswear line "Porterville", Rick Owens proving his artistic genius to his guests once again in a spectacular catwalk.

www.rickowens.com

Fashion

One Way or Another, London is Calling – Gucci 2025 Cruise Collection

Sabato de Sarno’s new Gucci 2025 Cruise Collection celebrates a captivating exploration of dualities. The House continues its ongoing dialogue between past and future and reimagines Gucci’s legacy for contemporary audiences. The heart-piece of the collection is the Blondie bag, a staple originally introduced in the 1970s, renowned for its round logo featuring the inverted two Gs to pay tribute to Guccio Gucci. The Blondie equally embodies elegance and practicality as the perfect staple for the modern woman. The 2025 Cruise collection is explored in "We Will Always Have London," a campaign shot by Nan Goldin and starring Debbie Harry – cultural icon and frontwoman of Blondie – alongside Kelsey Lu – one of today's most esteemed cellists and composers. The images perfectly encapsulate the elegance and spontaneity of the 2025 collection, due to their captivating sceneries at iconic London locations and Goldin’s documentary-style approach. The campaign tells a narrative that transcends the runway into a world of the free-spirited sophistication the subjects personify. The choice of London is a deliberate reference to Gucci’s origin, as Guccio Gucci’s time working as a bellboy at the Savoy Hotel in London sparked his love for luxury and inspired him in the foundation of his brand. Just like Gucci, London has undergone various transformations through the decades, but the spirit of creativity and a love for the finer things has remained prominent in both. The collection threads the dualities of modern life through an effortless juxtaposition of precision cut outerwear and delicate laces and embellishments.

www.gucci.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

Prada Womenswear MFW Spring Summer 2025 – To Infinity and Beyond

We exist in the age of constant content on a globalized scale. Additionally, predictive algorithms and artificial intelligence use logic to calculate what might happen, but still the future feels as uncertain as ever, maybe more so. In a time of infinite possibilities that all coexist at our fingertips we have heightened awareness of all we do not know and all the paths we could take.

Where do all these somewhat bleak ideas land us?

At the Prada Spring Summer 2025 MFW show entitled “Infinite Present.”

It is a simultaneous celebration of human creativity throughout time and space but also distinctly centered in the present. The looks span eras of Prada and coexist in a way to question the chronology of time. Some of them are reminiscent of the past with knee length skirts and muted florals while others are futuristic in their nature walking the line between utopia and dystopia. But regardless, all of them are uniquely contemporary.

The fact that there is no clear obvious throughline is the connection in itself – while physically present together we are also infinitely present through the global network of connections that exist concurrently.

We are more connected than ever but also much lonelier in our day-to-day lives, many of the models are wearing coverings over their eyes shutting them off from the world around them.

Additionally, the lack of one clear theme reflects the contemporary trend cycle that has sped up to the point of self-destruction. And while this is somewhat frightening, it is also an opportunity to highlight freedom and personal style, which the collection expertly explores through their MFW runway.

Every look, every model feels like a study of an individual. With a rich backstory full of plot twists, failures and successes, creativity and an innate humanity, the presentation leaves a lasting impression for current and future times.

www.prada.com

Fashion

BOSS Spring Summer 2025 MFW – 5 to 9 Finds Against the 9 to 5 Grind

BOSS, usually the essence of tailored business wear, has made a turn towards the comfortable, daring to ask the question: What possibly happens after work?

While fashion week is a stressful time and definitely not the time to value comfort over style, BOSS is inviting us to take a breath. The Spring Summer 2025 show at Milan fashion week was a clear pivot from earlier demonstrations of hyper-tailored garments with intense powerful silhouettes and embraced concepts of leisure and comfort for the wearer into the garments. The theme is “Out of Office” giving in to the longing for freedom from the daily grind and the increased value young people today see in their time off.

This collection makes use of BOSS expert skill of traditional men’s formal tailoring and uses these tools to create structure in new and exciting ways such as tailoring darts on the sleeves of bomber jackets and well fitted silhouettes utilizing wrap dresses and tops that can be adjusted to the wearer's comfort. Blending style and interesting silhouettes in a truly wearable way. While the traditional power suit continues to have a strong allure and is a staple to own, wearing one on a daily basis is an exhausting feat especially in those precious hours after work.

The new BOSS approach bridges the gap between formal and casual through the introduction of sleepwear and sporty elements – modeled among others by fantastic contemporary athletes – and results in looks that are so wearable and understated that I would not be surprised to see them at after work drinks coming spring. With their “Out of Office” collection the German House has created looks that are the perfect fit for contemporary elegance in every situation.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Art Silk Squares

Continuing a tradition of almost 40 years, Louis Vuitton announces a new silk square collection that celebrates the work of five international contemporary artists. Adding to the heritage of the French luxury brand, the visionaries encapsulate their understanding of the Louis Vuitton essence by reinterpreting the four-petal flower that accompanies the LV Monogram.

Designed in Como, Italy, the silk carrés – French for ‘squares’ – capture the fine craftsmanship of Italian artisans. Following the transfer of the artists’ artwork on pieces of white silk, the square-shaped textiles are washed and dried, before the professionals add a finishing touch of roulottage: the classic practice of hand-sewing edges for a more refined look. Lastly, the craft masters add lively, bright colors to the soft pieces that pay tribute to Louis Vuitton’s everlasting vulnerability for exceptional savoir-faire.

Blending together different artistic styles, the collection uncovers five designs: Maze of Precious, Malles Monde, Iris Spring, Parfums de Méditerranée, and Urban Flowers. Where Italian illustrator Lorenzo Mattotti brings forward the iconic iris found at the Vuitton family home as the central motif of the carré, Nicolas de Crécy takes us to an olfactory paradise in Provence using the Monogram pattern as inspiration, reflecting the House’s birth place in Grasse. eBoy – German pixel-art collective, Icinori – the design duo that blends traditional with modern, and Swiss artist Thomas Ott also exhibit their unique perspectives on the initially blank canvases that celebrate Maison’s emblematic codes.

Making their debut in 1987, all the silk squares collections can be found in LV Dream, the exhibition at Maison’s headquarters in Paris.

www.louisvuitton.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

Stone Wash: Reinventing Denim with Air

First previewed at Pitti Immagine Uomo 105 in January 2024, GUESS Jeans has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in stone washing technology, created through a sustainable lens. Originally shown at Pitti, their exhibition The Next 40 Years of Denim has relocated to Amsterdam, where it is showcasing the revolutionary GUESS AIRWASH™ technology that largely replaces the water used in traditional stone washing with air and bubbles. This state-of-the-art sustainable alternative eliminates the use of pumice stones, leading to less consumption of both water and energy.

Above all, the hero behind the GUESS AIRWASH™ technology is creative director Nicolai Marciano, along with the brand’s long-time partner, Jeanologia. Their ambitious, daring, and uncompromising approach to sustainable denim production has led to the creation of a laser and nebulization process, resulting in an entirely digital method. The process achieves the same effect while saving 80% of water as well as a significant amount of time compared to previous techniques. Moreover, the AIRWASH™ technique preserves the fabric's resistance and protects it from possible damage.

The future of denim, as envisioned by GUESS, is not just about the look and feel of the fabric, but also about how it is produced with less resources, and waste, ensuring that fashion can be both fashionable and eco-friendly. The first GUESS AIRWASH™ collection debuted in the Pre-Fall 2024 lineup.

www.guess.com

Fashion

The First Chypre Hermes

Determined to create a feminine scent that would follow in the steps of Jean-Claude Ellena’s Terre d’Hermès – world famous masculine perfume that tells a story of a man’s relationship with the earth – Christine Nagel launches The First Chypre. What drove the Creative Director of Hermès Perfumes most were her neverending curiosity and personal desire of adding Chypre notes to the House’s fragrance collection.

Barénia, the newest creation, captures hours of continuous work and dedication. Its main notes combine butterfly lily with miracle berry, leaving the wearer with the intensity of patchouli and the warmth of oakwood. Nagel based her work on inspiring women that trust their instincts, defining them as “the Hermès woman”: "The Hermès woman is driven by curiosity. Guided by her instincts, her side steps are never missteps”. Tapping into feminine energy, the perfumer wishes for Barénia to become as timeless and representative for Hermès as other items like the Birkin or the Kelly bag.

A passion project of Christine Nagel, Barénia took 10 years to complete and is named after the same exceptional calf leather that Hermès uses to craft its leather goods with. The floral and woody fantasy of Barénia is encapsulated in a round transparent bottle with a silver cap that has Maison’s logo. The First Chypre will be available starting this September.

www.hermes.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

MAC VIVA Glam

Here is the story of MAC's VIVA Glam, spanning over 30 years. Back in 1994, the leading beauty brand MAC Cosmetics conceived a meaningful idea: to launch an annual lipstick collection to support HIV/AIDS charities. Named Viva Glam, this campaign aimed to both fund and raise awareness for HIV/AIDS programs.

Continuing its ongoing mission this year, MAC Cosmetics has introduced the M·A·Cximal Silky Matte VIVA GLAM Lipsticks, marking the 30th anniversary of this milestone. Expanding on the existing three shades in the VIVA GLAM series, these shades have been renamed and a new color has been added: VIVA Equality, to celebrate all kinds of beauty in the world.

Each color promotes equality for all – all genders, all races, and all ages. By remaining committed to supporting HIV/AIDS charities, MAC's inclusive ethos empowers LGBTQIA+ youth through the collection.

www.maccosmetics.com

Fashion

Diesel FW 2024 Campaign

Global denim brand Diesel has unveiled a new campaign for Fall Winter 2024, titled "Til D do us part." The creative narrative invites Diesel fans to Diesel's one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony, infusing an ironic twist on a traditional wedding. The bride appears expressive and sexy, wearing an entirely denim gown with a feminine silhouette, highlighting the cinched waist and deep neckline. The gown features stone-washed denim fabric with fabulous floral trims that add a touch of glamor to the wedding dress. The rose motif denim embellishment adorns the bride's dress from the shoulder to the chest and along the puff sleeves. The wedding photographer is Nick Waplington and he captured stunning and captivating visuals chronicling the special event with irony and ecstasy—the wedding prep, the ceremony, and the afterparty.

Diesel's bride is not blushing. She is portrayed by Christine Quinn, an author, model, actress, and former star of Netflix's global hit reality show "Selling Sunset." The dress code for the unique wedding ceremony is head-to-toe Diesel denim from Diesel’s Fall Winter 2024 collection. All guests celebrate the wedding with stylish denim ensembles in various denim hues and details. The attendees' looks feature Diesel Library denim and new Peel Off Denim, defined by minimalistic, utility-driven silhouettes. The denim pieces include bonded or laser panels, adding a modern twist to classic denim styles in jackets, skirts, jeans, and vests. In a nutshell, Diesel’s wedding is a denim feast.
www.diesel.com

Fashion

MANDARINA DUCK Gallery Project in Berlin

The Italian brand MANDARINA DUCK hosted MANDARINA DUCK Gallery Project in Berlin to celebrate its connection with the city. The event presented not only the new ECO COATED line but also the fascinating history of the brand at Club Prince Charles. This unique venue, a former employee swimming pool of the Bechstein piano factory, served as the perfect stage for a retrospective journey into the history and avant-garde designs of the brand.

Through an artistic installation in partnership with the Italian artist Cento Canesio, the brand envisions the future with positivity, concreteness, irony, intelligence, and enthusiasm. The brand identity remains true despite the individual transformations of each product and style, while continuing to combine dynamism and functionality endlessly.

The new ECO COATED line is part of Mandarina Duck's Sustainable Journey. It’s the brand's first 100% GREEN collection, made from recycled polyester obtained from plastic bottles (PET). The collection includes city backpacks, duffle bags, and small crossbody bags featuring multifunctional designs that highlight practical and stylish solutions for environmentally conscious consumers. The MD ECO COATED line is an innovative solution that fashion and sustainability can coexist.
www.mandarinaduck.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Escale Watch

The latest emblematic Louis Vuitton watch collection, Escale, unveils three watchpieces crafted with watchmaking expertise by La Fabrique du Temps. Continuing Maison’s quest for artisanal craftsmanship with iconic heritage, La Fabrique du Temps draws on creative audacity and an innovative approach to create the new Escale timepieces.

Above all, these three choices are the first new models in a decade for the Louis Vuitton Escale line. They offer an array of color and material variations infused with historic trunk-making design codes. Originally, the Escale line was known as “The Escale Cabinet of Wonders,” a trilogy of métiers d’art timepieces inspired by the iconic collections of Gaston-Louis Vuitton, third-generation patriarch of the Maison’s founding family. Now, for the 2024 collection, the Escale embarks on a new journey of savoir-faire, exploring the panorama of timekeeping while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Escale at Louis Vuitton.

The latest Escale is characterized by distinctively textured and tactile surfaces, an elevated approach to case design, and sophisticated finishes. Its movement comes from the rich terrain of traditional Swiss horlogerie, La Fabrique du Temps.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

LONGCHAMP Commits to Longevity

The epitome of French elegance, LONGCHAMP’s take on longevity is uncompromising. Committing to responsible practices in all phases of production, the sustainable approach includes careful selection of raw materials and repairing service, reflecting the brand's desire to reduce environmental impact. Most of all, the exceptional quality of leather is the DNA of the brand, sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group. In particular, in 2023, 79% of leather items in LONGCHAMP received the “Gold” award, the highest level of certification, guaranteeing environmental and social standards.

Moreover, the brand focuses on using recycled materials. Since 2019, the brand has introduced diverse product ranges made from recycled materials. The iconic Le Pliage bag was redesigned with a canvas woven from recycled fibers, reducing everyone’s CO2 footprint by almost 20%. Additionally, its environmentally conscious approach is evident in the latest FW24 collection, which features recycled Ready-to-wear items like a recycled polyester kimono jacket and a set of sneakers made entirely from recycled materials.

Beyond production, the brand continues its commitment to sustainability through its repair service, ensuring that every product can be repaired to extend its lifespan. This service includes almost 60,000 products annually and embodies LONGCHAMP's dedication to durability and responsible take on fashion.
www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Hublot Opens in Hamburg

The iconic Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot welcomed guests in Hamburg with the grand opening of its new boutique on Neuer Wall, known as the most exclusive shopping street in Hamburg. The boutique, which opened on May 8th, celebrated its inauguration almost two months later, July 4th, just days before the UEFA EURO 2024 final. At this exclusive event, Hublot invited Sami Khedira, a German football legend, along with numerous other guests. The memorable occasion brought football fever to the boutique’s opening, celebrating the brand’s milestone.

This new location marks Hublot's fourth boutique in Germany, following Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. The choice of Hamburg for the new boutique pays homage to the city’s rich maritime history as a major port city, while resonating deeply with Hublot’s marine heritage. Back in 1980, the design of Hublot's first iconic watch was inspired by the look of a porthole, symbolizing the round window of ships. This iconic feature continues to influence Hublot's designs until today. Hublot's exceptional ability to blend tradition with innovation underscores its status as a high-end watchmaker, highlighting the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless design.
www.hublot.com

Fashion

LEVI’S X MCLAREN RACING

A classic American denim style has entered the thrilling world of motor racing. Levi’s latest collaboration partner is the McLaren Racing team, known for its Formula 1 world championships. Staying true to Levi’s denim heritage, the new Levi’s® x McLaren Racing Collection represents the best of heritage and innovation. Bringing together the two icons for the first time, this collection unveils iconic pieces inspired by a racing theme: a Racing Jacket, Racing Suit, Racing Gloves, Heritage Trucker, Heritage 501® Jeans, T-shirts, and a Racing Bandana.

Above all, the Racing Jacket is the standout piece that embraces the spirit of McLaren Racing’s vintage era, appearing in a light wash denim with cropped and boxy silhouettes, accentuated by a chain stitch embroidery logo on the back and taping details at both the cuffs and hem. Also, the meticulous details elevate the jacket into a one-of-a-kind piece, including an elegant satin liner and a co-branded leather patch. Elsewhere, the racing suit, made from the same denim, features eclectic patches on the top and a wide print down the right leg, reminiscent of a Formula 1 racer. In particular, the Racing Gloves feature the iconic color palette of McLaren and the McLaren logo in Italian leather. Meanwhile, Leiv’s signature items, the Heritage Trucker denim jacket and Heritage 501® Jeans feature vintage-inspired patches and a red co-branded back patch in classic medium wash blue. In this Levi’s® x McLaren Racing Collection, all garments and accessories honor the McLaren Racing heritage and the classic allure of Levi’s, drawing inspiration from an 80s-era McLaren race car.
www.levi.com

Fashion

G-STAR x Walter Van Beirendonck PFW

In collaboration with G-STAR, Walter Van Beirendonck brings back his specific unconventionality to the runway in a 19 piece limited-edition collection named Denim with Balls. The designer uses his unique perspective to create a bold line of clothing that makes a statement in the fashion world, explained by Van Beirendonck himself: “reimagine traditional methods”.

He leads this creative process by challenging the norms of fabrics construction and design: the designer reimagines an ordinary closet into something extraordinary. His avant-garde spirit and craftsmanship guides Van Beirendonck to predominantly use atypical techniques which include glueing and taping pieces of denim together. With this show, the icon of innovative fashion surprises his audience in the heart of Paris, the capital of the couture world.

Metaphorically, the title Denim with Balls inherently implies a daring show, yet literally the public can find decorative dots and other exaggerated details on every model that parades down the catwalk. With G-STAR’s complete freedom, the Belgian designer introduces a unisex capsule line which exhibits distinctive silhouettes and styles, such as the Square, Wader, or Embossed Pamflet Jeans, the Future Proof Jacket, 3-D knitted tops and sweaters.

Known for its denim culture, G-STAR’s artistic vision led to collaborating with “one of the most important fashion designers of our times”, as the company’s CMO Gwenda Van Vliet states. Walter Van Beirendonck’s work is often described as playful, vibrant, and most of all eccentric. The SS25 collection will be available in selected stores from February 2025.

www.g-star.com
www.waltervanbeirendonck.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana’s recent Menswear Milan Spring Summer 2025 show was captivated by unique Italian beauty. Not to mention its exquisite craftsmanship and tailoring in fashion, Italian rich historical and cultural heritage were truly embodied in the brand’s Milan SS 25 collection. Each outfit encapsulated the pure aesthetic of Italian beauty, all enhanced by handcrafted skills.

The SS 25 Men’s collection was inspired by 1950’s pure Italian aesthetics in the golden period of Italy, which is referenced by the famous Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni in cinematography. Italian men’s classic sophisticated style was elevated with the “Handmade label” highlighting its high craftsmanship while paying homage to Mastroianni’s heritage and timeless elegance of iconic Italian men’s style, evoking the sophistication of a summer holiday.

Well-dressed models strutted down the catwalk showcasing refined Italian elegance perfect for a summer holiday. They appeared in tailored jackets, amphora trousers, linen shirts, stripes, polo shirts, sweaters, raffia, and leather woven pieces by the skillful hands of craftsmen for shoes, overcoats, and jackets, appealing to a pure Italian-ness.

Moreover, the choice of elegant hues enhanced the collection to stay true to the authentic aesthetics of the 1950s, featuring white, sand, brown, burgundy, green, and Sicily black. The collection was also jazzed up with unique details: classic stripe patterns and delicate bead embellishments, along with extraordinary weaving detail on knitwear, adding a modern twist to the classic Italian essence of Dolce & Gabbana.
www.dolcegabbana.com

Fashion

Paul & Shark Milan Fashion Week

Born in Varese, Italy in 1976, Paul & Shark is a life-style brand that encapsulates elegance and modernity. After being referred to as “the sailing man’s sailing gear” by GQ in 2017, the luxury brand secured a valuable position among other esteemed Italian houses.

On June 15th, Terazza Duomo – the emblematic terrace with the best view of Milan and the venue for Paul & Shark’s show – was designed with elegance specific to the brand and powerful colors, textures, and symbols specific to Capri.

The new collection, Riviera Hello Capri, is an ode to one of the most popular islands in the Mediterranean and its beloved landscapes. As such, Paul & Shark bring Capri to Milan, where the Fashion Week show takes the audience through a journey of sunny, golden beaches, bittersweet scented lemon trees, and shades of blue that almost echo the sound of crashing waves on the coast of the island. Built to embody the beautiful chaos of the Mediterranean shore, the campaign is a reflection of the Italian dolce vita, and exhibits the sweetness of summer through the combination of colors and materials. The new spring/summer line features chic pieces. Linen shirts and shorts that grant simplicity, silk polo-shirts, cashmere jumpers, and swim shorts with playful patterns add to the ideal attire for a day by the seaside.

The Riviera collection represents a tribute to Italy through its yearly shift of focus on different coastal locations of the Mediterranean that the team at Paul & Shark draw inspiration from.

www.paulandshark.com

Fashion

H&M Studio Mini Summer Capsule Collection

Relax, it’s summer! This is what we imagine the slogan of the new Mini Summer Capsule Collection is. Embodying laid-back beachwear, the craftsmanship behind the collection brings an idyllic feeling of delicateness to the looks.

Inspired by the nostalgic feeling of summertime, the launch of the Mini Summer Capsule collection focuses on combining fashion with responsibility. H&M unveils the absolute summer wardrobe, while meeting the standard for ecological responsibility. Driven by the desire to design a timeless set of pieces that clients could mix and match every year, the Studio team used Regenerative Organic Certified Cotton. To obtain this distinctive textile, a particular type of agriculture that ensures the welfare of animals, the restoration of soil, and the improvement of the quality of life of farmers is used.

The collection features dreamy kaftan dresses, a set with a matching top and skirt, and a bralette with a matching skirt, yet the spotlight is definitely on the two maxi dresses. The first maxi piece, enriched by its sunset colors, which blend perfectly with the floral applications, makes the ideal dress for a beach day, a night out at dinner, or drinks with friends. Through its dramatic effect, another piece that stands out in the collection is the maxi black dress. The open back, the halterneck, the spaghetti straps all add to the boldness of the silhouette. Together, the pieces make up a blissful, versatile wardrobe that takes customers on walks on a sunny beach, with sizzling hot sand, and radiant sunshine.

The H&M Studio Mini Summer Capsule collection will be available online and in selected local stores from the 4th of July.

www.hm.com

Fashion

Once Upon a Time...

In a faraway kingdom filled with forests, castles, and rivers, lived a Queen: Mary Stuart. This emblematic figure of Scottish heritage steps out from the pages of a tale and into the real world. The next chapter in Dior's never-ending tale, the cruise 2025 collection, features an imaginative journey through Scotland and its Highlands. Dreamed up by Maria Grazia Chiuri, this story unfolds through the gardens of Drummond Castle, echoing the motifs of this land and paying homage to Mary Stuart — also known as Mary, Queen of Scots. "Divergent" is the word to characterize this show, which ranges from historic to punk vibes, embracing a multitude of styles.

The main character of the show is the emblematic tartan, which adorns kilts in numerous colors. This prominent motif embodies different personalities—from tradition to reinterpretation to transgression—the tartan is a single word with several meanings. Battles for power and contrasting textures stand their ground gloriously. For instance, velvet and lace engage in a sharp dialogue, reflecting the leitmotif of power dynamics that the show explores.

Different forms of needlework weave their swords, all the while maintaining a chic look, effortlessly on the mood. Wool dresses come in various lengths, side by side with jackets and coats in iconic fabrics and rigorous cuts, evoking the men's tailoring aesthetic.

A passionate tale of times long gone is brought to the present-day fields and gardens of Scotland. The Dior Cruise 2025 collection stands as a book of time, from a preface alluding to the past and an epilogue of the future, and the middle: a fascinating odyssey of present times and glories.

www.dior.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

Art

Paris, Texas

Pursuing on its long-standing support for the arts, CHANEL is this time focusing on the 7th Art by supporting the restoration of "Paris, Texas."
Directed by Wim Wenders, this filmographic masterpiece won the Palme d'Or in 1984.

This initiative reflects the House’s commitment to supporting artists across all artistic disciplines. The restored version of "Paris, Texas" premiered in the Cannes Classics category at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Palme d'Or win.

“Paris, Texas” is a moving drama directed by Wim Wenders in 1984. The film tells the story of Travis Henderson, a taciturn man found wandering in the desert after four years missing. Reunited with his brother Walt, Travis tries to rebuild his life and reconnect with his young son Hunter. Together, they embark on a journey to find Jane, Hunter's mother and Travis's former wife.
The film explores themes of redemption, family and identity through striking American landscapes while capturing the essence of the American dream and fractured human relationships.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

C.P. Company x Junya Watanabe MAN

C.P. Company, a pioneering sportswear brand, has unveiled an innovative collaboration with the avant-garde Japanese label Junya Watanabe MAN. This groundbreaking collection consists of two fishtail parkas featuring reflective prints on the back and a loose fit.

The two jackets are made of highly functional fabric. They are made of 3-layer laminated cotton denim and 3-layer nylon canvas respectively, featuring Explorer hoods, which is one of the signature features of C.P. company. While retaining the classic design of fishtail parkas, these jackets incorporate several symbolic technical elements typical of functional garments such as concealed zippers and press studs, a drawstring waist, and adjustable cuffs with buttons. The result is a unique fusion that blends Junya Watanabe's unstructured modernism with C.P. Company's technical innovation.

Emphasizing durability and functionality, the jackets embody exceptional technical performance. Moreover, the modern touch of minimal graphics on the back enhances their visual appeal. Altogether, these jackets effortlessly merge durability with style as well as meticulous attention to detail.
www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Dressing Icons

Dior unveils the remarkable Icons Capsule, imagined by Kim Jones, and redefining a highly modern wardrobe for men. The collection blends excellence with timeless pieces such as wide-leg pants and structured coats, crafting sophisticated ensembles.
Each item, from knitwear to denim, showcases pure lines and subtle embellishments, in the emblematic Dior’s style.
Once again, the traditional craftsmanship is enhanced by innovative techniques and luxurious materials: cashmere elevates sumptuous sweaters, Sea Island cotton enriches desaturated T-shirts, and silk blends enhance Harrington jackets.
The allure is urban yet elegant, everyday wear, but with an inherent chic. The iconic backpacks and weekender bags feature the new Dior Gravity Leather in black, beige, or khaki, adorned with an oversized Dior Oblique motif.

The timeless Dior Icons Capsule Collection reflects a renewed simplicity and ultimate elegance, encapsulating the fusion of tradition and innovation.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Ten c X AWAKE NY - Limited Edition Capsule

The luxury and Italian DNA of Ten c meets the streetwear culture of Awake NY, made a unique collaboration on 26 April 2024 in Milan. As a limited collection, the partnership has encapsulated the best of both brands’ DNA.

AWAKE NY boasts a strong street aesthetic, featuring iconic patterns and graphics. The label’s cool aesthetic enabled the collaboration to be perfectly mixed with all Italian elegance and craftmanship with the vibrant spirit of streetwear. Each brand is seemingly distant, however, the collaborated collection summed up the best of the brand. It’s both eclectic and dynamic, resulting in bold, urban-inspired lines, characterized by tailoring details with the highest quality fabrics.

Consisting of three iconic Ten c pieces, they come in two different colors - acid green and military green. The jacket and trousers feature a unique print that reproduces the rocky substrate map of Manhattan's neighborhoods, creating an original and truly unique camouflage print. Moreover, the materials used are nylon crinkle combined with OJJ, Original Japanese Jersey, the signature material of Ten c. In particular, the outwear features both logos of the brands. On the inside, the classic OJJ label bears both the Ten c and Awake NY logos. On the outside, on the other hand, the puller and hood feature only the Awake NY logo, which respects the codes of both brands: Ten c has always been no logo and Awake NY has made its brand an important communication tool.

This limited edition was launched on 26 April and is available in online stores and some selected stores.
www.tenc.com
www.awakenyclothing.com

Art

Kaldewei- Milan Design Week 2024

Kaldewei, a luxury bathroom design brand recently showcased a new collection collaborated with e15, a Frankfurt-based interior label, known for its use of natural solid wood. The “e15-KALDEWEI collection encompassed a wide range of furniture and accessories and embodied progressive bathroom settings. To unite these two premium brands, there was Stefan Diez, one of Germany's most sought-after designers combined the shared values and progressive design with the luxurious material. His aesthetic, surely, transformed glazed bath objects into true works of art. Especially, during the Milan Design Week, Kaldewei presented the installation “Bath[o]phili” – inspired by the German philosopher Erich Fromm and his life-affirming concept of “biophilia”. This term combined the ancient Greek words "Bios" for life and "Philia" for love. Fromm's "passionate love for life and all living things" was translated into the neologism "Bathophilia" – the bath as a retreat for lively moments full of harmony, devotion, and aesthetic enjoyment. With "Bath[o]philia" at the Design Week, Kaldewei is meant to be an intimate sanctuary, an oasis of calm amidst the pulsating center of Milan. Moreover, Kaldewei merged visionary design with sustainability and meditative aspects. As a result, it combined modern luxury with sustainable thinking, pursuing the concept of Luxstainability, coined by Kaldewei itself. Kaldewei's design, thus, followed the motto, of being sustainable yet luxurious, which is reflected in its noble material, KALDEWEI steel enamel. With a unique, sustainable approach, the brand has offered design solutions for bathtubs, showers, and washbasins that give every bathroom sophisticated features.
www.kaldewei.com

Fashion

Mandarina Duck Gallery Project

On 15, April 2024, Mandarina Duck, a historic Italian fashion brand, specializing in leather goods and travel items, arrived in the heart of Verona and inaugurated the "MANDARINA DUCK Gallery" project. The project unveils its historical archives but also offers a retrospective of its items as well as the most iconic campaigns that featured in the brand's history while encouraging the viewers to rediscover the creativity and avant-garde objects that have been produced till today.

With the opening of the Verona flagship store last March, the Mandarina Duck archive exhibition took place at the boutique, Via Mazzini 24/b, Verona, Italy to celebrate and underline the special bond with the city of Verona. Within a dynamic and harmonious dialogue with the space created by ARTEP Italia atelier, the Mandarina Duck Gallery offers a comprehensive journey between past and future where its core values lay and will continue, in between innovation and creativity as well as freedom from formal schemes and creative research. As always, Mandarina Duck's approach has been driven by a strong feeling of curiosity towards the contemporary world and future, leading it to produce functional items that equip utility, style, and distinctive colors. From leisure or work bags to suitcases and leather accessories, the archive exhibition thoroughly summed up the brand’s recognizable essence, original identity, and functional aesthetic.
www.mandarinaduck.com

Fashion

Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle

Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle Acne Studios comes with an exceptional collaboration in the era of perfumery and art, introducing the new fragrance, named Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle, with Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, known for its Avant-Garde of perfume. In the intersection of fashion, perfumery, and art, the new creation is a symbol that represents the new chapter of both houses, Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle showcased their shared ambition to create a radically new aesthetic with their essence from photography, architecture, culture, and design.

Drawing on the abundant aesthetic of Acne Studios, Frédéric Malle, the founder of the brand hoped to capture its spirit and reveal its olfactory mirror. In keeping with the spirit, the creator has imagined a neoclassical perfume, both vibrant and comforting, magnetic and radical. Frédéric Malle asked the olfactory prodigy Suzy Le Helley to compose this powerful manifesto: a perfume that would be at the crossroads of the great classics of yesterday and tomorrow. Like a garment cut from a rough material and transformed into a work of art thanks to its technical treatment and design, Frédéric Malle and Suzy Le Helley, faithful to the daring irreverence of Acne Studios, have combined functional and rich materials to achieve the exceptional. To make this unique collaboration happen, Frédéric Malle and Jonny Johansson, founder and creative director of Acne Studios, have always chosen to explore alternative paths, with a multidisciplinary vision of their art, and a steadfast commitment to the principle of absolute creative freedom.
www.acnestudios.com

Fashion

The Golden Ribbon Road

From the world to Palazzo Orsini, Armani unveils its latest Casa collection: Echoes from the World (Echi dal mondo). Inspired by cultures dear to Giorgio Armani, this collection seamlessly blends fashion with design. A captivating voyage across continents and cultures, this collection guides the spectatus through rooms adorned with motifs from Europe, Japan, China, Arabia, and Morocco.

The journey begins by tracing a golden ribbon on the floor, ascending the grand staircases to reach the first floor. Here, the fine decor and 18th-century frescoes of the Palazzo Orsini serve as a prelude, hinting at the impeccable taste and craftsmanship awaiting discovery.

The first stop is the Europe section, where the TROCADERO table and the SOFIA chairs, as well as the new edition of the RIESLING bar cabinet, stand as statements of elegance. Paying homage to Japan, the Samurai armor can be found in the Virtù cabinet, crafted with a katana-inspired handle and tatami-effect interiors. As one arrives in the hall of mirrors, delicate shades of gold and bamboo stalks predominate, reminiscent of China. The VIVACE table, the VENUS console, and the VIRGOLA bookcase are some of the masterpieces showcased in this section. An echo of "Arabian Nights", the CLUB bar cabinet and the VERVE decorative cushions transport us to a new land. Finally, influences from Berber culture inspire the MORFEO bed, the ESAGONO coffee tables and the MIRO multifunctional cabinet.

From the world to Palazzo Orsini, and also to the display windows of the Armani/Casa boutique in Corso Venezia 14, cultural echoes inspire this one-of-a-kind collection. A dialogue between fashion and design, Echoes from the World leaves an indelible mark on the world of luxury.

www.armani.com

Fashion

"Born in Oasi": An ode to nature's beauty

On the occasion of Milan Desing Week, Zegna reveals what had never been told before in an insight into the brand’s original seed.
"Born in Oasi Zegna: The Book" unveils an untold legend, captivating readers of all ages and backgrounds. It transcends time and space, offering immediate connection and entertainment through the timeless medium of a book. This hefty tome indulges the senses with its tactile pages and vibrant visuals, serving as a conduit for legacy and inspiration.
At its core, "Born in Oasi Zegna" embodies the essence of Zegna's ethos, rooted in community, environment, and wellbeing. It traces back to Ermenegildo Zegna's visionary reforestation efforts in the Biella Alps, which birthed Oasi Zegna—a testament to social and environmental stewardship. Indeed, Zegna is involved in a reforestation program imagined to create cohesion and harmony between humans, industry, and nature.
Oasi is a model of social and environmental awareness, dear to the brand that continues the heritage of Ermenegildo Zegna. Thus, Oasi Zegna's influence extends globally, starting with donating green spaces in Milan. This initiative underscores the importance of urban nature in fostering biodiversity and social responsibility.

As the book comes to life during Milan Design Week, it invites exploration and reflection, echoing the cyclical nature of Oasi Zegna itself. Available worldwide, it is a tangible and beautiful embodiment of Zegna's commitment to authenticity and sustainability.
www.zegna.com

Fashion

Prada Galleria 2024 Campaign

Scarlett Johansson is the face of the new campaign of Prada Galleria, introducing fresh interpretations of an icon. Just as actors reinvent themselves to embody new characters in films, fashion also undergoes constant transformation. Since they embody the myriad of characters they can become, their constantly evolving characteristics have connected the cinema to Prada.

In this campaign, Scarlett Johansson draws on her exceptional acting talent to establish connections with characters, personalities, and the dynamic shifts in identity that emblematize both film and fashion. To unveil the Prada Galleria handbag, Prada continues its partnership with world-renowned actor Scarlett Johansson, in an exploration of the depth of the craft and performance and celebrates the dynamic and emotional perspective of acting techniques, an ode to the mechanism of acting, as the true motor of both cinema and the talent of the actor. Shot in New York City by director Jonathan Glazer, the still and motion images of the campaign captured the diverse moments of acting of Johansson as an actor, honing her art. Johansson demonstrated the infinite self-transformation that defines an actor's skill, embodying various feelings and meanings through repeated phrases. Depicted as abstract and unreal in her acting scenes, on the other hand, in her reality, she becomes her true self, showing the scene where she leaps from the screen to the street in New York City. As a representation of cinema verité, her short film captured the boundary between the unreal and the real.
www.prada.com

Fashion

United We Stand

The renowned luxury outerwear label Ten c, recently paired with the fashion retailer Antonia. Together, they designed an exclusive collaboration featuring two of the brand's iconic pieces: the Anorak and the Tempest Anorak.

Under the creative direction of Ten c's designer, Alessandro Pungetti, the classic garments have been rethinked using the exquisite OJJ (Original Japanese Jersey) in a versatile monochromatic white. This distinctive fabric is complemented by subtle details such as tone-on-tone buttons, reflective hood strings, and special zippers, elevating the capsule collection to new heights of sophistication.
To add a personalized touch, the jackets feature a reflective print on the back, which includes the coordinates of Antonia's flagship stores in Milan, adding a creative wink to the line.
This partnership between two typically Italian companies has resulted in the creation of exclusive, high-end garments, designed for wearers looking for unique pieces synonymous with Antonia's ethos.

Seamlessly blending Ten c and Antonia’s DNAs, this “Made in Italy” collaboration combines tradition and innovation. Available exclusively at Antonia's Milan stores, and on Antonia and Ten c’s official websites, this limited-edition release promises an interesting fusion of craftsmanship and exclusivity.
www.tenc.com & www.antonia.it

Fashion

MILAN 2024/FW – Ferragamo

MILAN 2024/FW – Ferragamo Since taking on the role of Creative Director at Ferragamo in early 2022, Maximilian Davis has been at the forefront of leading the brand, infusing each collection with anticipation and fresh energy, through his youthful vision that revitalizes the luxury house.

For the Fall/Winter 2024 collection, Davis returned with a captivating show delving into the 1920s theme, emerging as a liberating era that symbolizes self-expression and freedom, bridging a century-old gap with modern flair. From his interpretation, the 1920s represent a celebration of freedom, and his focused exploration of this theme has led him to reimagine Ferragamo's heritage and icons. Revisiting the visual code of the era, he reworked raised hems, fluid fabrics, dropped waists, and relaxed cuts, and transformed the elements into the latest Ferragamo runway that reflects the self-expression of the twenties – on both sides of the century.

Embracing the spirit of androgyny, he has crafted a new wardrobe for women who boldly embrace masculine silhouettes. This reflection is seen in broad shoulders, heavy wool, and supple leathers that add depth to the collection. Sharp, sculptural lapels connote a surrealist spirit, while the distorted proportions further enhance the artistic narrative.

Drawing inspiration from the period of uniforms and utilitarian workwear, such as fishermen's gear like thigh-high waders and leather outerwear, he creates a counterpoint to fluid drapery, softening their forms through fabrications like wool mixed with cashmere for luxurious ease and unlined leathers for a relaxed finesse, ultimately imbuing the collection with fetishistic desirability.
www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

H&M Studio S/S 2024 in Berlin

H&M Studio S/S 2024 H&M has brought forward the latest H&M Studio collection with a captivating exhibition in Berlin, running until March 14th. The launch of the H&M Studio S/S 2024 collection was held at the H&M Mitte Garten store where the brand transformed the space into an immersive environment, reimagining a chic Parisian apartment for Berlin. Tilted "La Maison," this exhibition seamlessly merges a showroom with an archival display, all within an innovative setting at the store. Commencing with an exclusive event on March 11th, Norwegian saxophonist Bendik Giske graced the occasion with a mesmerizing performance, welcoming esteemed guests such as Caro Schäffler, Sabrina Lan, Noah Levi, Sissi Pohle, and Pat Scherzer in Berlin. The immersive exhibition was sophisticatedly crafted with visually captivating settings, emphasizing H&M Studio's avant-garde aesthetic. Infused with H&M's iconic red hue, the venue fostered an electrifying atmosphere across themed rooms decorated with artistic installations that represent both past and current H&M Studio collections. These intense and sensuous installations encouraged visitors to delve deep into the brand's daring narrative. Collaborating with the creative agency Ray Atelier, H&M partnered to conceptualize the exhibition, with the implementation by Reference Studios in Berlin.
The H&M Studio exhibition, La Maison, welcomes the public from March 12th to March 14th at Neue Schönhauser Straße 13, 10178 Berlin. Furthermore, the H&M Studio S/S 2024 collection will be available from March 12th in select stores and online stores.
www.hm.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 – ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Seàn McGirr has presented his first collection for Alexander McQueen in a cinematographic and gloomy décor, setting the tone of his influences.

The first silhouette, a woman camisoled under a shiny black jersey dress, was inspired by the Spring 1995 collection of Lee McQueen, named “The Birds”. McGirr decided that this constrained shape would be the anchor of the entire collection, exploring oppression with different fabrics and accessories, covering mouths and eyes in an atmosphere as cinematic as it is oppressive.
Newly arrived at Alexander McQueen, McGirr said that he did not have time to explore the archives of the brand, which might be the reason why the collection lacked some expected codes from McQueen.
The looks were less performative than what we're used to from McQueen, but at the same time, more street-wise, which is ultimately the essence of ready-to-wear and what could distinguish McGirr's work for the brand in the future.

However, the brand's dissonant, punk heritage was very much in evidence: models disappearing beneath huge knit or fur collars, oversized and plastic dresses, and the silhouettes were cleverly designed. Sean McGirr said that he is forever inspired by marginal individuals, those who don't fit into the mold and are labeled in an attempt to understand them. This is something that the designer has aimed to represent, also, he aimed to create a merely brutal collection, using the emblematic embroidery work of the House differently, notably by smashing crystals to give them a broken, wounded look, reinterpreting McQueen’s codes in a personal way.
The Alexander McQueen Fall-Winter collection speaks of our time, its flaws, and incoherence with the touch of extravagance -assagie but present- for which the brand is renowned.
www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – SAINT LAURENT

Anthony Vaccarello presented an unexpected and stunning Fall-Winter 2024/25 Ready-to-Wear collection for Saint Laurent. The tones were warm and oriental, ranging from caramel and olive to brown, ochre, and black, like a reference to the House's heritage and the inspiration that Marrakech represented for Yves Saint Laurent.

Blouses with wise collars, pencil skirts, and fabrics that fall below the knees; it might have seemed like an ultra-classic collection if the outfits hadn't been almost all sheer and the model’s breast, exposed. The collection also featured several monochrome suit silhouettes with exaggerated shoulders and a sumptuous black leather coat.
Earrings and bracelets were oversized as if to compensate for the minimal amount of fabric in the silhouettes, and headbands made of the same transparent material covered the heads.
Furs completed some looks but were often neglectfully worn on the models' arms as an accessory. An amused wink at the thinness of the fabrics used in a collection supposedly designed for the cold season.

Almost entirely built on transparent silhouettes, made from pantyhose-like fabric, this collection is as technical as it is sublime, both in the way it looks and in the message it conveys.
An ephemeral collection, almost impossible to market due to the fragility of the material used. Nevertheless, it's worth noting the technical prowess achieved by Saint Laurent artisans to create this collection. According to the designer, his job “isn’t always to do something that’s real or realistic.”
Then ready-to-wear that’s not wearable? That's the whole point. It was a risky gamble, but in the end, a successful one.
www.ysl.com

Fashion

MILAN 2024/FW – VERSACE

Versace has presented its Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection, once again designed by Donatella Versace.
With spiked hair and heavy eyeliner, the makeover was calling for a punk collection but the looks were not thought of in this way, creating a really interesting contrast. The collection covered Womenswear and Menswear, harmoniously articulated around warm colors and black hues. Pairing dark, exaggerated make-up with wise tweed and drapery, the collection then evolves into darker-toned silhouettes, reaching a deep black.

White collars and tweeds - wise, almost classic - contrasted with fitted silhouettes and sheer fabrics. Mixed with more discreet elements, we noted the brand's emblematic codes: a dress with a slit reaching almost to the waist, bare shoulders, or a décolleté encrusted with crystals, the Versace silhouette is consistently sexy and highly polished. The men's looks feature long coats in brown tones, luxurious leather, and transparency. Silhouettes are fitted and accessorized with short gloves. The use of transparency and drapery is as technical as it is sexy, sublimating all genders in a way that only Versace knows how to do it.
Anne Hathaway, present in the audience, wore a magnificent red leather dress, corseted and sublimely tailored. This hourglass silhouette was one of the catwalk's stars, interpreted through dresses, skirts, and corsets: infinitely Versace.
www.versace.com

Fashion

New Balance x Miu Miu 2024 Campaign

New Balance and Miu Miu are back together for a new collaboration, reinterpreting the iconic design of the New Balance 530 running shoe.
Launched in 1992, the New Balance 530 was originally designed for performance, with a sleek design and luxurious materials like suede, leather, and mesh that quickly made it the go-to shoe for sneaker lovers. Blending this sporty spirit with Miu Miu’s fashionably playful, the collaboration has led to the creation of a new model, called 530 SL, as a reference to the Super Light sole that composes it. The original model was entirely rethought to design a deconstructed yet comfortable shoe.

The 530 SL is available in two versions. The first one, made from distressed suede, features warm and natural hues while the second model is made in black and white from suede and mesh. Thus, the collaboration reveals vintage influences, made modern by designing a stylish shoe that suits every lifestyle.
The faces of the campaign, Peris Adolwi, Julie Hoomans and Florine Wildeboer, embody the freshness of this collaboration, placed under the sign of comfort and style, merging the spirits of Miu Miu and New Balance.
The Collection is now available online and in Miu Miu stores.
www.miumiu.com
www.newbalance.com

Fashion

MILAN 2024/FW - DIESEL

Diesel has just revealed its Fall-Winter 2024 collection, showing both a splendid show and the backgrounds, a part of the story often hushed up by fashion brands. As Glenn Martens, creative director, said: “Diesel is a fashion democracy, it is natural for us to reveal what is usually hidden”.
An interesting idea that was a big hit, indeed by giving access to behind-the-scenes parts of the show 72 hours before it, Diesel gave the public a glimpse of the brand’s secrets.
But the idea reached new heights at the show, indeed the set was a live video call with a thousand people from around the world. A daring concept that shakes up fashion for the better by turning the people behind their screens from spectators into spectacle. But Glenn Martens pushes the vice even further, going as far as to show a model wearing a screen-dress with dozens of faces of strangers printed on it: a fashion statement that's both committed and wildly fashionable.

The Diesel Fall-Winter 2024 Collection features innovative garments and accessories, with burn effects, trompe-l'oeil prints, and overlays.
This collection was impregnated with Diesel heritage, from double-breasted coats and quilted faux-fur jackets to feline-patterned bags. Accessories such as vintage-inspired sunglasses, the new D-sruptor watch, and women's and men's shoes with metallic details completed the collection.
And because a Diesel show wouldn't have the same flavor without it, denim is everywhere, worn on black or leather-like coats and cracked pants.
With Diesel's Fall-Winter 2024 collection, Glenn Martens presented a runway show that was at once conceptual, original, and consistent with the brand's emblematic codes.
www.diesel.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

Hèrmes Men's Winter 2024 Collection

Hèrmes presents a Men’s Winter 2024 Collection centered all around versatility. The classic equestrian roots of the brand see an evolution to an all-new contemporary elegance for the modern man. As an elegant take on dandy-chic, the collection features tweeds and wool mixed together, almost echoing English country-chique, as well as reworked classics such as the trench coat or raincoats with subtle accents, mostly through leather additions. Both classy and edgy, the looks on the runway combine cool leather jackets, belted trenchcoats or bombers with argyle patterns. Sweaters and cardigans of this collection are adorned with picturesque prints on fuzzy wools. As seen in various other shows of this season, the suit silhouettes feature slim, form-fitting tailoring. The color palette remains reserved and elegant with dusty greys, classic brown and black, which are accentuated by earthy greens and pale purples. As a highlight, leather belts and boots shine in a daring crocodile leather. Accessories, such as cashmere beanies and canvas bucket hats reiterate the focus on versatility in style, while iconic Haut à courroies bags reemphasize it practically, truly emblematic of Hèrmes enduring savior-faire in fashion, as well as in craftsmanship of leather goods.
www.hermes.com

Fashion

ZEGNA Menswear FW24 Collection: Reshaping Matter, Remattering Shape

Transformation. It is the right word to describe the new Menswear FW24 Collection of Zegna. From matter to color, everything changes and evolves. Shapes unfold from existing ones, are superimposed, grow generous and practical pockets, loose sleeves or collars, gain tabs, closures, and drawstrings. The collection shows coats with enveloping volumes, sonic welded duvets, blousons, and vests. Double-collared blazers, collarless anoraks, the new “Il Conte” jacket, and generous trousers. All these elements can be layered and combined in many ways, allowing the individual attitude of the wearer to come through in the form of personal styling. In all of this, the cashmere remains the real star. It is a fiber that belongs to the winter season and that, thanks to its proclivity, can be turned into a wide array of textures and surfaces. An ever-changing material. With this collection, Zegna offers a reshaping of matter and a re-mattering of shapes, allowing for an organic evolution that grows and morphs season after season. www.zegna.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent's new boutique in Courchevel

Saint Laurent has opened the doors of a new boutique in Courchevel, France. Nestled amidst the snow-capped peaks of the alps, this exclusive store adds a touch of glamour to the ski resort. The boutique’s design mirrors the sophistication and modernity synonymous with Saint Laurent as well as the alpine atmosphere of its environments with unique vintage furniture and mountain items such as snowboards and skis, creating a unique shopping experience for fashion enthusiasts visiting this glamorous mountain resort. Stone facades encounter chalet-styles constructions, emblematic of the codes of Saint Laurent’s new design concept. The vision was architected by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello, resulting in a marriage of modern elegance and rustic charm. As a refuge from the cold weather of the Courchevel’s Winter Wonderland, the boutique is infused with comforting warmth through large curtains in the shades of beige and grey. From now the boutique invite’s alpine adventurers to immerse themselves in avant–garde women’s ready to wear and iconic accessory collection. The Saint Laurent boutique in Courchevel, envisioned by Anthony Vaccarello, emerges as a beacon of style in the heart of this exclusive winter haven, where fashion and alpine allure converge.
www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

Dior x Otani Workshop Capsule

Dior reveals its latest exclusive capsule collection Dior & Otani Workshop. The house’s creative director Kim Jones and the Japanese sculptor Otani converged on their passion for creating unique art pieces, resulting in a truly avant-garde menswear collection. Onami, one of the leading figures in Japanese contemporary art, gave birth to a joyful green monster of the name Tanilla, who shall grace this collection's pieces with its cheeky grin. Tanilla finds a new home in the smart-casual allure of Dior’s refined pieces, whether in an oversized version on sweaters or by boldly peeking out of the breast pocket of short-sleeved t-shirts, the monster adds a young and playful spirit to Dior’s tasteful garments. The motif also appears on sporty bombers, as well as on bold denim overshirts. Emblematic of this fruitful collaboration, Tamilla is emblazoned on a stylized scribbled adaption of the “Dior” lettering, which adorns both hooded sweatshirts and pouches with functional shoulder straps. Otani’s Tanilla adds on to Dior’s characteristic signifiers, including the Dior Oblique Toile, which manifests in vibrant burgundy and pink shades. The garments feature a palette dominated by reds, a color close to couturier Dior’s heart, who coined it the “color of life” in his petit dictionnaire de la mode. Otani is widely praised for his off-kilter playful ceramic works and admirable mastery of traditional techniques, which he has fused into this one of a kind collaboration with Dior. The collection is on display in Dior boutiques since January 4th, 2024.
www.dior.com

Fashion

A Miu Miu Holiday

In a celebration of intimacy, elegance, and charm, Miu Miu unveils its Holiday Gifting Collection, a manifestation of beauty reconsidered for the multifaceted lives of today. The star-studded campaign featuring actor Emma Corrin invites us into a private space, the filmic environment, draped in soft carpet and adorned with precious antiques. It sets the stage for a wardrobe that is both layered and meaningful. Miu Miu's Holiday collection introduces fluid black cady, shearling, and tactile tweeds, evoking archetypically sophisticated dress codes with renewed significance. Glossed leathers, soft cashmere, and jersey fabrics offer freedom of movement and effortless allure. The collaboration with Marshall brings forth an iconic line of products, while the partnership with Polaroid introduces cameras complete with branded web camera straps. For the festive season, Miu Miu Holiday Gifting offers a range of ready-to-wear and accessories designed to cater to all occasions. Signature skirt suits, glossed leather pieces, and cashmere cardigans are adorned with instantly recognizable elasticated Miu Miu branding, creating a perfect blend of glamour and sportswear-inspired trims. This Holiday Collection not only celebrates the glamour and elegance of the past but also embraces a contemporary and highly individual spirit.
www.miumiu.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

Fashion

Dior Cruise Pop-Up Kitzbühel

In a fusion of fashion and nature, Dior unveiled its Cruise 2024 collection in an enchanting pop-up store nestled in the heart of Kitzbühel, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Alps. The store, open until the end of February 2024, transports visitors into a realm of sophistication and charm. The design of the pop-up store mirrors the naturalness of wood and the purity of white, paying homage to the Alpine landscape. Golden butterflies, symbolizing the art of metamorphosis, dance gracefully across the walls and floor, creating a poetic atmosphere that perfectly complements the exquisite Dior Cruise 2024 collection. The collection itself is a celebration of dreams, featuring long skirts, refined knitwear, silk blouses, and elegant carrés. The unique Dior Book Tote and the new Miss Dior bags add an element of magic to the fashion experience, inviting patrons to immerse themselves in the allure of high-end design. Dior Pop-Up in Kitzbühel, located at Hinterstadt 15, welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This limited-time experience signifies a significant focus for Dior, emphasizing the brand's commitment to creating memorable and immersive encounters with its iconic collections.
www.dior.com 

Fashion

The DiorAlps Capsule

As winter approaches, Dior unveils a breathtaking capsule to the enchanting allure of the mountains with its latest DiorAlps line, curated by the visionary Maria Grazia Chiuri. This exceptional collection, inspired by the House's recent shows, seamlessly marries couture-style creations with high technicity, presenting a unique fusion of fashion and function for the snowy slopes. The DiorAlps line features an array of winter essentials, from puffers and jackets to après-ski boots and the iconic Dior Book Tote, all adorned with the mesmerizing Plan de Paris print. Crafted by the Creative Director herself, this print intricately maps the City of Light, creating a hypnotic interplay of shadows and perspectives. Ski goggles with a bold "Christian Dior" strap and the iconic Dior Oblique further elevate the collection's aesthetic appeal. The pants, available in creamy neutrals or classic black, include knee reinforcements for optimal comfort in all circumstances. The Diorunion capsule's signature coat of arms is embellished with the powerful motto "L’union fait la force." This capsule promises a winter wardrobe that transcends traditional boundaries, offering a daring yet refined look for those who seek style, excellence, and innovation in every winter adventure.
www.dior.com 

Art

GRAU unveils Salt: A lamp designed for well-being

The light-design studio GRAU unveils its latest creation, Salt. The sculptural luminaire Salt captured the broad light spectrum of a sunset and is ready to bring its soothing rays into just about every home. Salt stands as the first mobile lamp that is exclusively designed for mental and physical well-being. As a reimagination of its predecessor Salt & Pepper, the luminaire features a novel holistic design and simulates the full spectrum of a romantic sunset from bright afternoon light (2700K) to the glowy atmosphere of a late summer evening (1300K), replicating a sunset’s warm and soothing embrace to naturally stimulate the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Apart from the options of choosing between hues from reaching from a warm sunset orange light, a golden light, to a versatile neutral light, the relaxing glow can be dimmed and brightened to the user’s liking through the magic button on Salt’s underside. To harness the whole magic of the lamp's ability to stimulate melatonin production, Salt also features the active sleep program Sunset Sleep. Simulating the serene experience of slowly wandering off to sleep under a fiery sunset sky, the luminous sculpture gradually dims its light in the span of 30 minutes - completely automatically. In a sleek yet holistic design, the smart mobile light features an aluminum body with an ultra-touch sensitive head and a lampshade in a matte finish, creating sun rays that reach even into the furthest corners of the ceiling. Finished off with a powder-skin surface, GRAU’s Salt is not just a mobile well-being lamp but also an alluring sculpture that can accompany you just about anywhere. www.grau.art

Fashion

Gucci & Billie Eilish Collaboration

In a groundbreaking collaboration between fashion powerhouse Gucci and iconic singer Billie Eilish, the luxury brand unveils a revolutionary iteration of its heritage Horsebit 1955 bag. The bag, known for its timeless design, takes on a futuristic and asymmetrical aesthetic, representing a bold step towards ethical and sustainable fashion. The key innovation lies in the material—Demetra—an animal-free alternative that seamlessly blends quality, softness, and durability. This marks a significant shift in Gucci's traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the brand's commitment to a more ethical fashion future. Notably, the Horsebit 1955 in Demetra is the first Gucci bag ever to be crafted in this innovative material. Demetra is a result of two years of meticulous research and development by Gucci's technicians and artisans. Comprising 75% plant-derived raw materials, the material is a testament to Gucci's dedication to reducing its environmental impact. Produced in Italy since 2021 at a Gucci factory, Demetra aligns with the brand's ongoing efforts to create a sustainable and responsible supply chain. Billie Eilish, renowned for her bold advocacy and authentic voice, becomes the face of this collaboration. Set to her song "What Was I Made For?" the videos showcase the bag in various cinematic scenes, celebrating the harmonious blend of music, fashion, and ethical innovation. The Horsebit 1955 in Demetra is not just a bag; it's a symbol of a forward-looking approach to fashion that values ethics, creativity, and the planet.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

Montblanc StarWalker SpaceBlue Collection

Embark on a cosmic journey with Montblanc's latest masterpiece, the StarWalker SpaceBlue Collection, where the allure of the universe converges with the art of fine writing. This collection pays homage to the marvels of space, drawing inspiration from the mesmerizing beauty of galaxies and the enigmatic Widmanstätten structure found in iron meteorites. The central design element of the SpaceBlue Collection, the Widmanstätten structure, is a testament to Montblanc's commitment to innovation. Whether recreated through an injection moulding technique in precious resin or etched in metal, the structure's tactile feel and midnight blue hue echo the mysteries of the night sky. Comprising three distinct editions, including one in matte blue textured precious resin with dark ruthenium-coated fittings, a Doué edition blending textured resin with a metal cap, and a metal-only edition, each instrument in the collection promises a unique and immersive writing experience. To complement the writing instruments, Montblanc introduces a lined notebook in blue leather with the special Widmanstätten pattern, alongside matching dark blue ink. The collection is perfected with steel and lacquer cufflinks featuring the characteristic translucent StarWalker dome design. It is available at Montblanc boutiques worldwide and online, inviting enthusiasts to discover the celestial allure of fine writing. As galaxies remain uncharted territories, this collection invites you to explore the mysteries of the cosmos and pen captivating stories with its modern aesthetics and innovative technology.
www.montblanc.com

Art

Kaldewei X Bethan Laura Wood

Kaldewei unveils the captivating "Avocado Dreams" collection by renowned British designer Bethan Laura Wood, in a bold fusion of design and functionality. Transforming four iconic pieces from Kaldewei's repertoire, Wood infuses her distinctive style into the Meisterstück Oyo Duo bathtub, Meisterstück Centro Duo Oval freestanding bathtub, Superplan Zero floor-level shower surface, and Miena washbasin bowl. Wood draws inspiration from the organic contours of the Meisterstück Oyo Duo, creating three mesmerising patterns and colour variations: "Avocado Swirl" in green tones, "Avocado Sea" in blue/purple tones, and the expressive "Avocado Disco." Each piece retains the characteristic lines of Kaldewei's bathroom objects while taking on a psychedelic and dramatic metamorphosis. The Oyo Duo bathtub, with its double-walled construction inspired by Japanese porcelain, stands as a sustainable masterpiece in the collection. The Meisterstück Centro Duo Oval, born from Kaldewei's collaboration with Ettore Sottsass, receives a fresh burst of "Avocado Swirl," adding another layer of artistic depth. Wood's creative touch extends to the Miena washbasin bowls, where purist design meets a filigree touch, adorned with the extraordinary patterns of "Avocado Dreams." The Superplan Zero floor-level shower surface, characterised by elegant lines, takes on the lively "Avocado Sea" interpretation, promising an exhilarating shower experience. Beyond their artistic allure, these Kaldewei products share a commitment to sustainability—they are plastic-free and made of 100 percent recyclable steel enamel, fitting seamlessly into Kaldewei's Lustainability® world. The "Avocado Dreams" collection is a testament to the marriage of art, luxury, and environmental consciousness in the realm of bathroom design.
www.kaldewei.com

Fashion

Hublot’s New Classic Fusion High Jewellery

Hublot’s iconic design and highest-quality craftsmanship combine in the Classic Fusion High Jewellery, a unique stunning piece. The Swiss manufacturer is proud to launch its latest creation, embezzled with diamonds on its case, bezel, dial and clasp. The dazzling watch, made of 431 baguette-cut diamonds, is the latest attrition to Hublot’s High Jewellery collection of watches. The watch features a 42mm dial in white gold, and offers a power reserve of more than 50 hours. This new addition to the Hublot family, effortlessly joins all the other watches of the High Jewellery collection, and takes its own place alongside other precious models such as the Big Bang, the Spirit of Big Bang and the Square Bang Unico. What distinguishes and renders unique the Classic Fusion High Jewellery are its embellishments: sleek lines og white gold that make this new piece a true Hublot icon. The Classic Fusion High Jewellry stands as proof that sophistication lies in simplicity, in the high quality of the craftsmanship, and in the refined details that highlight the beauty of this watch, which is created taking as inspiration the original 1980s shape. The final result represents the highest expression of fine jewelry, and accentuates the elegant, timeless purity of the classic Hublot Fusion model.
www.hublot.com

Fashion

FENDI Presents its Golf Capsule Collection

FENDI presents its Golf Capsule 2023, strengthening the brand’s ties with the world of sports and golf. FENDI incorporates its unparalleled attention to functionality and high-quality materials and pairs them with its distinctive elegant style, resulting in a ready-to-wear capsule collection that highlights the comfort and sophistication of the pieces. The color palette is refined, pairing beige with navy blue in classic golf garments. The Maison's iconic FF logo is displayed on various elements, such as on the collar of a short-sleeved polo shirt and on the front of a knitted gilet, while the FENDI Roma logo is shown in different color variants such as yellow and white. This collection, specifically designed keeping the game of golf in mind, also features a golf bag in black Cuoio Roma leather or in classic tobacco-coloured FF logo fabric. To coronate this capsule collection, a set of FENDI-branded golf balls matches a set of golf club covers available in three different sizes to match the needs of each golfer. In classic FENDI style, some fun elements are added to the collection thanks to an FF cashmere golf club cover in the shape of a teddy bear. The capsule collection was pre-launched on September 28th, 2023 at the FENDI Roma Palazzo boutique, celebrating the Ryder Cup international competition which took place in Rome over the course of the days following the collection’s pre-launch.
www.fendi.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week - Louis Vuitton

The Louis Vuitton Women’s SS24 show, which was being teased on Instagram through voice notes from house ambassadors like Sophie Turner and Jaden Smith, was finally unveiled on Monday, October 2nd. The show took place in the ethereal ambience of 103 Avenue Des Champs-Élysées, Paris, a setting that seamlessly blended nostalgia with contemporary daring. Nicolas Ghesquière, the creative force behind Louis Vuitton for over a decade, orchestrated a vibrant journey through time and style in the venue draped in vibrant orange plastic, which transported guests into a reimagined hot air balloon basking in the warm summer light. The Creative Director skillfully merged familiar silhouettes with modern details, evoking the Maison's spirit of voyage. Travel-ready bags with references to Rubik’s cubes and digital cameras paired effortlessly with versatile sunglasses embodying the collection’s thematic essence. The designer expressed his clean-cut visual language, playing with layered volumes, ethereal movements, and mismatched graphics, paying homage to French elegance by fusing classic Parisian fashion with vintage codes. Leather bomber jackets found unexpected companionship with ruffled skirts, Y2K-inspired chunky belts, and monogrammed leather. Linear patterns wove through the collection on layered bottoms and buttonless shirts while textured corsets and volumed tops found equilibrium with solid tones. The collection transitioned into double-breasted outerwear in diverse glossy textiles and ended in a reworked houndstooth with layered bedazzled necklaces. The pointy-toe shoe dominated, alongside a daring open-toe style, exposing only the thumb. This season was a fresh journey through retro flair, fluid silhouettes, and oversized proportions with structured accessories, adding a striking dimension and marking a significant chapter in the Maison’s legacy.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week - Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent presented its SS24 collection at Paris Fashion Week on September 26th, 2023. The collection, designed under the creative direction of Anthony Vaccarello, was showcased in a gigantic architectural construct built for the occasion, with a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower. For this season, the unexpected move of Vaccarello was to strip everything back. He declared that his goal was to bring everything back to its simplistic form, without overcomplicated pieces or exaggerated silhouettes. Indeed, this clean canvas marks a new chapter in the history of Saint Laurent. Cotton as a material dominated the Maison’s runway in every way possible, from shirts to evening dresses. The main inspiration behind the collection is the “Saharien” jacket, a concept that Yves Saint Laurent brought back from his North African upbringing and with which he revolutionized Parisian fashion in 1967. Despite its simplicity, the collection is definitely not humble: every piece radiates the fierce, put-together Parisian glamour which in the years has come to represent the brand. Every outfit was completed by 80s-inspired maquillage, voluminous hair, and gold jewelry. The whole collection brings back the idea of a simple, stripped-back elegance that exalts the wearer and captivates.
www.ysl.com

Fashion

Hermès Reopens its Vienna Store

On September 22nd, 2023, Hermès announced the reopening of its newly expanded Vienna store, where the House’s sixteen métiers are represented by historical elements of the city subtly blended with modernity. The store, located at 22 Graben, is the symbol of the brand’s commitment to the Austrian capital, contributing to the country’s dynamism. It has been renovated by Parisian architects RDAI, and it has been expanded in depth and with the inclusion of one additional floor, thus doubling its original surface. The Hermès experience now extends over three floors, dedicated to accessories, beauty, women and menswear, and jewelry. On the last floor, a VIP area has been built to offer an exclusive shopping experience. Each space affirms its own identity, all the while remaining faithful to the brand’s elegant aesthetics. The space features a sculptural staircase in natural oak which seamlessly unites the three floors. The architecture of the building is inspired by the Vienna Secession art movement, featuring a subtle combination of colors, materials, and patterns. The store’s lighting emphasizes the precious mosaic floor, which also displays the House’s ex-libris. This store marks the beginning of a new chapter for Hermès in Vienna. It perfectly showcases the brand’s history and commitment to innovation through a beautiful display of architectural and decorative elements.
www.hermes.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Loro Piana

For its SS24 collection, Loro Piana celebrates its affinity with Japan with a clothing line that profoundly reflects the brand’s founding values. The affinity with Japanese culture is celebrated as a powerful force in its richness of high-quality craftsmanship and closeness to Loro Piana’s values. The collection reflects a balance with nature and an idea of harmony with the world we inhabit. The non-ostentatious and powerful humbleness that distinguish the brand become the main forces driving this season’s collection. The vibrant simplicity and flowing harmony of Japanese clothing pervade the collection, and it is evident in the cashmere or silk coats with petite stand-up collars, in the kimono-style jackets, and in the rounded pants. The tailoring is elongated, reflecting the slender lines and simple garments typical of Japanese traditional clothing. The knitwear defines the silhouette, while delicate shirts privilege the use of light and airy materials. The collection’s journey moves from the muted hues of bamboo to the beauty of handwork and the new texture of outerwear reinterpreted in shades of earthy tones. The colors move along with the textures, in this collection that is an ode to delicacy and elegance, and yet manages to be striking in its simplicity.
www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Diesel

The Diesel fashion show, held on September 20th at the Milan Fashion Week presenting the brand’s SS24 collection, was an ode to the brand’s creative spirit. The brand’s newest collection takes as its main inspiration partying and letting loose. One’s truly authentic self and the beauty of freedom are reflected in the garments of the collection and in the attention and care that went into the fashion show. The main pillars of the collection are impact, experimentation, play, and pleasure. Diesel hits the nail on all these characteristics, presenting a unique collection that showcases once again the creative spirit and ability of the brand’s creative director, Glenn Martens. The brand’s love for denim, pop, and artisanal craftsmanship is pushed to the limits with unique distressing effects on every garment, devoré denim, and floral prints. Utility pieces feature zip-up denim and cargo pockets held together by straps, adding an edgier side to the pieces. Through this collection, the House of Diesel once again confirms its ability to surprise, engage, and innovate. Every garment and outfit is a pop culture statement, staying true to the brand’s pillars and yet always innovative. The feel of the collection is that of a fading film poster, nostalgic yet always relevant and reflective of pop culture.
www.diesel.com

Fashion

Valentino Black Tie Campaign

The Italian maison Valentino presents its new Black Tie advertising campaign. The brand’s concept is centered around the description and the codification of a style, not simply a dress code. The face of the campaign is American actress and top model Kaia Gerber, who with her effortless beauty and impeccable style perfectly embodies the character and personality of Valentino’s Black Tie campaign, which represents the universal language of fashion. The campaign was shot by Steven Meisel at Oheka Castle in New York, a place that symbolizes the Maison’s attention towards timeless fashion and style that is perennially elegant. Through Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, the black tie is reclaimed as a symbol of self-expression, which, from its traditional association with formal menswear, becomes a versatile and outspoken piece. In Valentino’s campaign, the black tie stands for individual representation and the breaking of solidified boundaries that are reclaimed, and thus hold a different, stronger power. The reinterpretation of the black tie as an element and as a symbol represents a shift towards inclusivity and diversity, imbuing this classic symbol with new meanings. The campaign perfectly represents the shift between past and future, maintaining elegance while at the same time gracefully embracing what is to come.
www.valentino.com

Fashion

C.P. Company’s FW23 Campaign

C.P. Company once again develops the project started for its 50th anniversary in 2021 featuring a history of Italian sportswear. For its FW23 campaign, the brand renowned for its outerwear features four people photographed by Neil Bedford. C.P. Company’s campaign features Hee Choi, vice president of GF Fashion in Seul, Milo Cuki, a London-based model, Cheb Moha, an artist from Dubai, and finally a special guest, Sergio Pizzorno, a London-based young musician and leader of the British band Kasabian who shot for the campaign alongside his father. The people featured in the campaign come from different cultural backgrounds and have had different experiences throughout their lives; they are from different ages, genders, and interests. At the same time, they are brought together by wearing, buying, and selling C.P. Company, and for having intersected it with experiences of cultural interest. The four talents interpret C.P. Company's seasonal looks through the lens of their style, representing the brand’s unique ability to use the materiality of clothing as a form of expression, intertwining their personal story with the company’s vision. With this campaign, C.P. Company unveils the versatility of its materials and the possibility of self-expression that it offers, perfectly representing the brand’s commitment to uniqueness and innovation.
www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Oris X Bracenet

Oris, the Swiss watchmaker, has revealed an exciting collaboration with Bracenet. It is a social enterprise through upcycled creation, transforming discarded ghost fishing nets into accessories. This innovative venture led to the creation of stunning watch dials, a special-edition version of the Aquis Date diver’s watch. Their revolutionary partnership commenced with a recognition of the ecological concerns stemming from abandoned ghost nets in the oceans. The outcome, according to ocean experts, unveiled an annual influx of approximately one million tons of fishing nets into the seas. Therefore, the ghost nets continue to trap and endanger marine life as they linger in the water. As a result, their ongoing efforts led to the stunning collaboration to create a new Oribis watch that features a spectacular dial made of recycled ghosts and end-of-life nets. Crafted in these vibrant kaleidoscopic dials, it has a remarkable color accent where the pure green gently blends with blue and white as they fuse into the raw material. Moreover, every dial has a unique look due to its unique production process. Alongside its sophisticated look, the material is entirely devoid of additives, fillers, or adhesives. All in all, every delicate detail collectively represents a cool, unique appearance, making a perfect statement. Available in two stainless steel versions, there is one with a 43.50 mm case and the other with a 36.50 mm case. Both models have automatic mechanical movements and uni-directional rotating bezels and are water-resistant to 30 bar (300 meters).www.oris.ch bracenet.net

Fashion

H&M Studio Collection AW23

Dark glamour and sculptural silhouettes are what characterize H&M’s AW23 Studio Collection. H&M Studio is the most progressive and trend-setting collection of the brand, designed to represent the fashion and the personality of our times. The theme of this year’s collection, “back to black”, conveys a simple, feminine, and elegant attitude. The collection is inspired by the somber elegance of the heroines of noir and horror films, featuring angular cuts, precisely formed silhouettes and linear accessories. The AW23 H&M Studio Collection pieces are both pragmatic and poetic, allowing the owner to wear them in the years to come because of their high-quality design and materials. Sleek tailoring on every item makes each garment extremely versatile and striking at the same time: each piece is a statement designed to be noticed thanks to its simple details and design. Some of the most iconic pieces in the collection are a floor-length black coat and a black A-line mini dress with a white collar. The accessories are also a vital part of the collection, thanks to the glamour feeling of pieces such as Nappa leather boots and eye-catching jewelry. The materials are sustainable, thanks to the high-quality fabrics employed in making the garments. The collection will be available starting from September 28th, 2023.
www.hm.com

Fashion

New PHANTOM Perfume by Rabanne

Following the creation in 2021 of PHANTOM Eau de Toilette, Rabanne now releases a more intense version: PHANTOM Eau de Perfume. The original PHANTOM represented a new era in the history of men’s luxury perfumes, characterized by its masculinity and encouraging men to be the boldest version of themselves. The PHANTOM perfume represents a new chapter in this narrative, aiming to inspire the new generation. It is a dark fragrance, meant to reveal all mysterious aspects of masculinity and exalt them, and this is exactly what makes it such a seductive scent. This fragrance is inspired by a night out in the captivating city of Paris, by its dark scenery and exhilarating scene. The PHANTOM man follows his instincts and lets himself be guided by his emotions, leading to a seductive mysteriousness. Actor and musician Charlie Heaton is the embodiment of PHANTOM’s spirit through his compelling personality and mysterious and attractive aura. Charlie Heaton has thus become Rabanne’s global ambassador for PHANTOM’s campaign, perfectly representing the essence of the perfume. The fragrance is crafted from prestigious and ethically sourced ingredients, created by the world-renowned perfumers Juliette Karagueuzoglou, Anne Flipo, and Dominique Ropion. To its core, Rabanne’s PHANTOM Eau de Perfume is an ode to modern masculinity and its mysteriousness, boosting an irresistible aura around whoever wears it.
www.rabanne.com

Fashion

FENDI’s 2023 Chinese Valentine’s Day Capsule Collection

FENDI celebrates love with a romantic color palette with pastel hues in its 2023 Chinese Valentine’s Day Capsule Collection. The limited edition collection comprises joyful, fun, and romantic attire with ready-to-wear pieces such as bags, shoes, and accessories. The women’s collection conveys a playful attitude through a reinterpretation of the multicolor iconic FF logo, which made its first appearance on a baguette bag in the SS09 collection. In this women’s collection, the logo appears in different formats on multiple items, such as a doodle version of the FENDI mirror logo printed on a cropped shirt and a matching asymmetrical skirt. The juxtaposition of different tones also contributes to the fun and playful feeling of the collection. Since the brand owes its iconicity to its bags, this collection features a multicolor pattern on a selection of bags in embroidered canvas or printed leather, as well as on matching accessories such as foulards and headbands. For menswear, the pattern is reinterpreted in tones such as lilac, pink, orange, yellow, and navy blue. Geometric patterns can be found on the iconic Astuccio bag and on T-shirts, which also feature graphic designs. Overall, both the men’s and the women’s collection has a playful yet sophisticated energy that perfectly captures FENDI’s elegant feeling through colorful tones.
www.fendi.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week - Sia Arnika

Sia Arnika employs traditional and modern textiles in her SS24 collection presented at Berlin Fashion Week 2023. The collection is conceptualized as a reflection on the designer’s Nordic roots and explores the meaning of memory and heritage. Time is at the heart of Sia Arnika’s collections. When asked about where she draws inspiration from, her answer is simple: “From the past, the present, and the future.” The artist works with the concept of nostalgia: the inspiration for her garments is a woman “who was born in the past but lives in the future.” Recalling her Nordic heritage, her clothing tells a saga, born in the Danish countryside and developed in the streets of Berlin. The designer views Berlin as the city that has shaped her style the most by observing its people and fantasizing about their lifestyle and stories. Indeed, some of these stories make it to the catwalk into her collections. Sia Arnika was drawn to Berlin because she longed for an escape, having grown up on a remote island in Denmark. Maybe, that is one of the reasons why she finds Berlin so attractive, with its buzzing atmosphere and air of freedom. In Berlin, she studied and worked and subsequently she founded her label. Creativity and a longing for connection are what inspire her the most.
www.siaarnika.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week - Richert Beil

The concept of gender is challenged in Richert Beil’s new collection, presented at the Berlin Fashion Week 2023. The setting of the fashion show was an old supermarket, where designers were allowed to set up their scenery. Beil’s new collection, titled “Vater, Unser,” defies the traditional societal norm that sees men as the preferred gender. This collection indeed aims to deconstruct men’s wardrobes, thus challenging classical notions of beauty and elegance. Through their collections, the two designers and founders of the brand, Jale Richert and Michele Beil, aim to challenge gender stereotypes and aesthetics. Richert Beil draws inspiration from multiple sources, such as the craft itself or the materials used in their collection. Its primary source of inspiration, though, comes from traditional German textiles, sewings, and finishing techniques, thus paying homage to the heritage of the two designers. Another influence on the brand comes from the interviews that the designers regularly conduct with people from their diverse community to get a better grasp on what is generally expected from today’s fashion and to integrate different emotions and aspirations into their creations. Finally, with its diversity of backgrounds, the city of Berlin constitutes the perfect hub for Richert Beil’s brand to grow and develop. The designers are mainly interested in the city's history of activism, its thriving cultural and artistic scene, and the openness and acceptance that characterizes it.
www.richertbeil.com

Fashion

Table du Sud’s New Capsule Collection in Collaboration with Clairz Interior Design

Table du Sud’s new capsule collection, launched in collaboration with Clairz Interior Design, consists of six pieces of furniture featuring natural materials, clean lines, and round shapes. Table du Sud is a Dutch design company that handcrafts its products in Tweede, Netherlands. Started from scratch by two young brothers, the company has grown to be known for its custom tables while also offering an expanding range of home furniture. The pillars of the brand are user-friendliness and sustainability. Clairz’s trendy designs and Table du Sud’s quality are merged in this collection, which mixes the latest trends in terms of interior design with classical shapes and sustainable materials. The coffee and dining tables are all designed with a C-shape and are made of oak. The tables are customizable to fit anybody’s preferences and necessities: it is possible for the client to choose the type of oak, the color, and the edge finish. The tables come in three different sizes and twelve colors the customer can choose from. Dining tables are priced starting from €3,250, while the coffee tables start from €1,360. The collection is available online and in Table du Sud showrooms from June 29, 2023.
www.tabledusud.nl

Fashion

EBEL Launches the Sport Classic Luscious Red

The functional retro design of the Ebel Sport Classic is now made into two new editions in luscious red. The new models have launched in April 2023, of which one is a limited edition. The Ebel Sport Classic is a versatile model that can be worn both elegantly and sportily and perfectly embodies the brand’s passion for innovation and excellence in watch design. With these new models, the brand reiterates its connection with tennis, which first took place in the 1980s through a collaboration with great tennis players of the time. The new classic editions feature a luscious red dial in EBEL’s iconic hexagonal shape with rhodium-plated Roman numerals. Attention to detail is a defining feature of the brand, and it is noticeable in the Sport Classic model in the retro touches added to its design, such as the brushed and polished stainless steel detailing. The limited edition also displays a net motif on the dial and is only available in 50 pieces. The bracelet is comfortable, with the brand’s signature curved wave links and folding clasp. EBEL’s Sport Classic Lady Tennis models are the perfect balance between elegance and comfort, targeted toward women leading active lives. EBEL is also an official partner of the Ladies Open Lausanne, the Bad Homburg Open, the ELLE Spirit Open Montreux, and the Hamburg European Open 2023.
www.ebel.com

Fashion

“Get Ready for Cozy Season” with OCCHIO’s New Lighting

At the heart of OCCHIO’s brand is the “joy of use” of its innovative products and a desire to instill a new culture of light. The company, born in 1999 thanks to Axel Meise, aims to design living spaces through lighting, making it possible to adapt rooms to every situation. The German brand has been a leader in the luxury lifestyle sector for more than 20 years, and it has now come out with a collection of lighting products tailored for the colder season. With the weather getting colder, it is natural to want to feel more comfortable in one’s home. OCCHIO’s lighting aims to deliver that cozy feeling and feel-good atmosphere through lights that can be adjusted to different moods and situations. The collection creates cozy light zones for reading, eating, or relaxing during the colder months. The Gioia lighting series, which has received this year's IF Design Award, is versatile and adaptable to every situation. It can be combined with the Gioia Lettura for a comfortable and enhanced reading experience, with the possibility of adjusting the direction and light intensity. The unique flexibility of the Gioia allows it to turn 360°. OCCHIO’s classic reading lighting, the Sento Lettura, allows for coziness and concentration while reading through an adaptable arm available in two lengths.
www.occhio.com

Fashion

The Gentlemen’s Crystals are Blood Red

Fashion, at its core, is a waltz choreographed by the different essences established by Maison’s different aesthetic codes and principles. This waltz, with a diverse range of silhouettes, energies, and colors characterizes the DNA of the Haute Couture House Dior. The Creative Director of Dior Men’s, Kim Jones, draws inspiration and pays homage to beloved iconographic elements in the grand world of Haute Couture, from the silhouettes of Yves Saint Laurent to the embroideries of Gianfranco Ferré; the cabochons of Monsieur Dior to the textures of Marc Bohan.

Garments are imbued with playful femininity, slim-fitting suits adorned with ephemeral crystals resembling a transitory rainbow, patterns that accentuate the personality of the individual wearing the garments, and accessories that deconstructed preconceived notions of the divine masculine.

Kim Jones orchestrates a flirtatious pairing between the expected practicality of male tailoring and pop excess; producing an infusion of a sense of crisp, playful modernity, practicality, and ease. A key look that stands out includes a silhouette constructed by the combination of an embellished baby pink button-down and an egg-white jacket paired with dynamic Bermuda shorts that imbues the look with luxurious androgyny. The neon yellow handbag that accompanies the look contrasts the atmosphere curated– the artistic vision of Jones oozes from the holes of the garments, the pores of the models, and the fingers of the artists who have threaded the art on display into a whole.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Etro’s Allegories

While visiting his hometown in the city of Messina, Etro’s Creative Director Marco de Vincenzo wandered into an old bookstore and stumbled upon a copy of Cesare Ripa’s Iconology: a seventeenth-century repertoire filled with allegorical images depicting virtues, values, and vices. Upon a superficial glance, the allegories appear as relics of another time, yet deeper consideration reveals strong ties and communicative powers in relation to the present moment. Allegories use figuration to express concepts, messages, and stories without the bounds of one language. Aren’t our memes, GIFs, and TikTok simply a modern form of allowing images to say something else, and communicating in non-verbal ways?

The SS24 Etro collection was born from this intuitive, deliberately non-scientific idea: isn’t the act of putting together an outfit, also, an allegorical deed with the power to express and communicate through making an image? Allegoric images of Augurio Buono, Bellezza, Eternità, Lussuria, and Tenacità pop up in prints or jacquards along with playful glittery touches. Rhythmic patterns that can be mixed and matched move in a life of their own in flowing silhouettes that barely touch the body. Blazers, bermudas, jumpsuits, fuzzy jumpers, football tops, long cardigans, and thick blankets that turn into coats allow for ease of inspiration in telling a story through styling. The SS24 runway also featured the debut of Etro’s latest eyewear collection in partnership with Safilo, portraying the charm of the ancient Pegaso. Ultimately, fashion is symbolism, a metaphorical expression of our human experience through the guise of clothing, accessorizing, and styling. Fashion is ultimately, day by day, an allegory.

www.etro.com

Fashion

Santoni Souvenir

The earth has many shades, each landscape with its own deep essence and story to be discovered. Santoni hones in on the story of the Marche region, rich in the rural countryside and expanses of wheat fields lined with limestone cliffs and sandy coves. Their SS24 collection is a journey, a story that guides sophisticated, traditional craftsmanship into a contemporary perspective where materials, shapes, and colors exist in a perfect alchemy.

The collection begins with its workmanship, creatively rooted in ancient manual traditions that grant fluid forms and unexpected details. Santoni’s formal shoe lines are predominantly guided by original classicism and technical virtuosity, with iconic special lacing, perfectly pure lines, and poetic ton-sur-ton engravings. The new Figaro model, classic loafers, and the Andrea moccasin are proposed each in a selection of material and color treatments for every occasion. Clean shapes with unique details form the timeless casual and sneakers lines. The DBS Olympic takes a slightly retro shape and flavor with contrasting colors, the Sneak-Air variants are offered in new colors, while the Double Buckle Sneaker is dressed in classic calfskin.

Shoes throughout the collection, as well as the extensive collection of accessories and leather goods, are imprinted with a deep connection to the Marche region. Cantalupo, Vela, and Centofinestre are three sophisticated graphics that capture the memories of every step of the journey through the landscape. Nature-inspired hues tie into this fil rouge, rounding off a true homage to the Satoni Souvenir of the season.

www.santonishoes.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Ten c

The Italian brand Ten c focuses its attention on technical fabrics. Its unique and iconic fabric, the OJJ – Original Japanese Jersey is for the first time created in lighter tones such as light blue and pink in the Men’s SS24 collection.The inspiration for the shades of the year-round sweatshirts and jerseys is taken from the reflection of the light over the Berici Hills of Vicenza, where the photoshoot of the collection was filmed.

The Laminated RIP-Stop and the ultralight sanded nylon with a cotton hand are among SS24’s novelty in Ten c’s menswear collection. The pieces take inspiration from the British navy and army, and have been designed with the purpose of creating a total look. The OJJ is mixed in the clothing of the new collection with the new material, thus maintaining it as the iconic material of Ten c; at the same time, it becomes a visual symbol of the brand through external hot-stamping applications. The OJJ remains the focal point of the collection, with sweatshirts dyed in the light hues that characterize the collection and a new Japanese model reminiscent of American varsity sweatshirts. In the men’s SS24 collection, Ten c maintains its technical style proposing it in different, lighter tones.  

www.tenc.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week– Prada

Prada’s SS24 menswear show during Milan Fashion Week unveiled Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons’ new collection, Fluid Form. At the very core of the collection is an exploration of fluid architecture and the human body: a realization of bodily liberation and awareness through the silhouette and materiality of garments. Simplicity and fluidity permeate throughout. The structure and details of a shirt are borrowed to transform and reconstruct staple menswear pieces; leather bags take on a striking softness; headbands and eyewear are crafted to appear as if capturing fragments of motion. Purpose and function are reimagined as well, transitioning from expansion to elaboration. Utilitarian pockets leave behind their conventional use to become decorative devices, while the floral print is animated through applications of corsages and fringe. Silhouettes are intended to surprise us: while borrowing their lines from masculine suiting, their structure carries an intrinsic flexibility. The showspace, the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada, adds another layer to the concept of fluidity with abstract walls that form an ever-shifting enfilade. Prada’s SS24 menswear collection speaks to humanity’s underlying qualities of life, to its natural state. A state characterized by its inherent dynamic movement and constant transformation: fluidity.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Keepall and Keep Dancing

J-Hope is much more than a triple threat, he is the South Korean rapper-singer-songwriter and music producer as well as the lead dancer of the world-renowned K-Pop band BTS. In February of 2023, Louis Vuitton was pleased to announce this 21-st century icon as a House Ambassador.

J-Hope now becomes the face of the latest Louis Vuitton campaign, a series of stills featuring the iconic Louis Vuitton Keepall, an extremely coveted item from their leather goods range since the 1930s. J-Hopes charm and suaveness radiate in the images, where he is caught mid-action in dynamic, dance-like movements that reference his strengths in choreography that are adored worldwide. He is dressed in monochrome, tailored looks, with the Keepall in hand like an extension of his body.

The Keepall is a versatile, elegant travel bag; the perfect cabin-size companion for carrying all travel essentials for anywhere from romantic weekend getaways to far-flung adventures. Its hard, roomy, rounded shape is crafted with Louis Vuitton excellence and built to last. It has received a wide array of material and color treatments, including several exclusive artistic collaborations through the years from Yayoi Kusama, and Takashi Murakami to Supreme and Stephen Sprouse. The Keepall is woven into the Louis Vuitton DNA and delivers endless future possibilities of both style and adventure. The Keepall campaign featuring J-Hope will run on Louis Vuitton digital and social channels from the 14th of June.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Gateway from Paris to India

Dior’s Fall 2023 collection, dreamed up by Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri, was a poetic marriage of Dior’s fundamentally Parisian elegance with the dazzling splendors and savior-faire of India. In an unprecedented new documentary, an exclusive take on the behind-the-scenes story of the collection reveals every stage of the collection’s genesis. Through the collection and the documentary, Chiuri wished to highlight her inspiring collaboration and relationship with experts and artisans from India, and in general, the integral role that India has in the system of fashion. Over many years she has forged an unwavering friendship with Karishma Swali, the head of the Chanakya Ateliers and the Chanakya School of Craft, which champions the inclusion of women into the competitive and traditionally male domain of fashion creation. The documentary reveals an intimate perspective from Dior’s cross-cultural inspirations and history to captivating dialogues with artisanal masters of silk and embroidery, right up to the debut of the collection last March on the runway in Mumbai. The resulting pieces, including shantung silk saris and tunics and the Christian Dior “bar” jacket reimagined with a Nehru collar, were elevated to a level that could only be achieved through the collaboration and deep respect between Indian artisans and the French house. From their practical wearability down to the most intricate details in the design, the collection reflects outstanding expertise and a fascinating imagination, which can now be discovered on YouTube.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Journey into the Unknown of LV

Louis Vuitton is embarking on a new voyage of creation with Web.3, where the physical and digital are seamlessly woven into one material for the Maison to create, dream and craft the exceptional. A material designed to unlock a new form of travel and a renewed sense of wonder for the brand and its clients.

The voyage will begin with a key, dropped several weeks after the Digital Trunk itself, unlocking digital collectibles. An ongoing series of digital keys available to owners of the trunk will follow, each with its own digital collectible that will pair with exclusive access to physical counterparts. The result is a never-before-seen shopping journey inviting the most loyal clients of the Maison to wonder and wander a step deeper into the universe of Louis Vuitton. From dissecting clues of what’s to come; to creating new connections with like-minded innovators, expanding their horizons, and sharing collectibles with their own communities, the world of VIA will renew the bounds of shopping as we know them. Louis Vuitton’s first digital trunk, the VIA Treasure Trunk, is available from the 8th of June in the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Australia on Maison’s website.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Your New Milano and Tokio

The latest venture of the high fashion brand Dior is a brand-new Beach Capsule made in collaboration with the legendary footwear pioneer Birkenstock. Kim Jones, Artist Director of Dior Men, and Birkenstock together are a force to be reckoned with, this second collaboration revolves around the reinvention of two iconic models from the famous footwear brand.

Embodying function and quality, the German brand creates unique shoes – both in form and practicality – to support walking as nature intended, drawing from a heritage that can be traced back to 1774. The journey of the brand, however, can be traced back to Konrad Birkenstock’s orthopedically designed footwear journey in 1897.

The Milano launched in 1965, was designed as an outdoor sandal for active people and nature lovers, whereas the Tokio appeared in 1987 as a protective accessory for walking and professions requiring a lot of standing. Both of the collaboration’s suede models are dressed in the season’s hues, namely pastel shades of yellow, khaki, and green. The models combine summery elegance and practicality with ease, providing irrefutable comfort and support embellished by rubber details and industrial buckles– meant to reflect the bright rays of the sweltering summer sun. The aesthetic product is a love child between the aesthetic codes of both brands: Birkenstock’s anatomically shaped orthopedic cork footbed is lined with smooth leather, while the outsole combines the Dior Oblique pattern with the German brand’s signature Bones graphic.

www.dior.com
www.birkenstock.com

Fashion

A Solid Footing

The leading brand in performance-supporting shoes, Adidas has come together with the luxury brand Prada to create their first-ever Joint Football Boot Collection. This iconic beginning of a new story recodes iconic Adidas silos through Prada’s Linea Rossa. The power of the Football for Prada collection rests on the individual mastery of both of the brands, the high-performance football technologies unique to Adidas, and the elegant aesthetic vision of Prada’s Linea Rossa.

The collection reimagines the three leading Adidas products - the Predator Accuracy, the Copa Pure, and the X Crazyfast. Creating design cohesion across the pack, all footwear has a lining and upper expertly crafted with the finest leather - using the material in fresh ways for Adidas in football - the bold red iconography of Linea Rossa, and a clean mono-color base of black, white and silver. The sleek silhouette of the boots extends the limbs of the athletes, providing immense support for maximizing performance whilst imbuing the athlete in the light of aesthetic mastery and understanding.

All of the reimagined boots share the triangle spikes that increase traction during a game and represent the Prada codes embedded into the brand’s DNA. Merging art and sport, high-performance with elegance and luxury, the Football for Prada collection will be available in limited numbers via the Adidas CONFIRMED App from the 22nd – 25th May 2023, as well as prada.com and selected Prada stores from the 25th of May, 2023.

www.adidas.com
www.prada.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

Longchamp’s Fantastical Cultivation

The legendary French leather goods brand, Longchamp, has reopened the doors of its Cologne boutique, Domkloster 2. Joining the rest of the brand’s stores around Germany, the Cologne boutique highlights the genius of the RISE concept. The interior of the boutique is as meticulously thought out as everything else the brand creates. Every room spanning the two floors of the boutique is embellished uniquely to cultivate a special ambiance. As you step in, your eyes are immediately pulled toward the standing desk situated in the reception area – modeled after the authentic workshop table – and the most important pieces that are showcased on the bookshelf. The latest pieces are paired with their transcendent aesthetic companions such as books, pictures, and decorative items. Every detail is thought out and the entire layout is pulled smoothly by the aesthetic values of the house, present in every small corner of the boutique.

The reopening of this stylish and elegant boutique was celebrated on the 10th of May by customers and friends of the house. As the doors of the store opened to allow guests to experience the RISE concept in close proximity, the Parisian atmosphere transported the guests into the heart of Longchamp set in limbo between the present and the future. Good food and DJane were the puzzle pieces that perfected the night of celebration. The highlight of the evening was the raffle for a box-trot bag towards the end of the event.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Channels Squid-Games in South Korea

Submerged in the watery illusions of blue and orange light, Louis Vuitton took over the Jamsugyo Bridge in Maison’s first Prefall show in South Korea. The living monument atop the Hangang river is the perfect allegory for Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière’s vision of the Prefall 23 collection. The Director of “Squid Game” Hwang Dong-hyuk helped build the scenography for the show, based on the symbolism and cultural significance of the bridge.

The Prefall 23 collection is a tale of to and fro, communicating the never-ending evolution of Louis Vuitton: from Gangnam to Gangbuk, from the West to the East, from K Maison’s origins to its modern philosophies. Louis Vuitton essentials take on new features in a diplomatic journey as they are transformed from one shore of imagination to the other.

As the audience huddled together in the stormy weather, the models walked through the night's rain unbothered with windswept hair. HoYeon Jung, the “Squid Game” star and Louis Vuitton brand ambassador was first on the catwalk in a bright blue windbreaker and studded leather A-line skirt. The looks, highlighting the brand's most recognizable silhouettes and elements from recent collections, celebrated French style with a sci-fi twist. Windbreakers and halter neck jumpsuits in bright primary colors reminiscent of the K-thriller were paired with chunky boots, oversized outerwear and belts with supersized buckles. The final looks took a Bohemian turn with maxi skirts and floor length dresses featuring stripes and floral prints.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Ruinart & Eva Jospin’s Special Night

On April 26th, 2023, the Amtsalon in Berlin was the special setting for the opening of a spectacular pop-up. Every year Ruinart chooses an artist to collaborate with, and, this year, French artist Eva Jospin was given carte blanche. 150 guests celebrated the opening of the Ruinart Maison 1729 in Berlin-Charlottenburg, transporting Reims, the home of Ruinart, to Berlin. During the event, all eyes were on Eva Jospin. The sculptor created a unique installation for Ruinart, titled Promenade(s) en Champagne. Stimulated by the richness and history of the Maison and the Champagne terroir, the exhibition displayed Jospin’s intricate mineral and vegetal landscapes, including a collection of drawings, sculptures, and embroideries. In addition to the Art Gallery, a multi-sensory journey through the Maison 1729 amused the guests. Award-wining Chef of Cuisine Sophia Rudolph of the Lovis Restaurant in Berlin provided culinary highlights with her exquisite Food for Art delicacies, inspired by Jospin’s artwork for Ruinart. The Peruvian Berliner-by-choice DJane Alessandra Denegri provided musical entertainment. The guests of the opening night – including, among others, Christiane Paul, Caro Cult, Ruby O. Fee, Marie von den Benken, and Melissa Khalaj – were left in awe of Jospin’s remarkable creativity and skill. The event and collaboration are a testament to Ruinart’s ability to craft a refined and sophisticated ambiance.

From April 27th to May 2nd, 2023, visitors can immerse themselves in the magical world of the champagne house. Enjoyment of art, culinary delights, and champagne are guaranteed.

www.ruinart.com

Fashion

C.P. Company SEED

Intense fabric research and innovation are not new to C.P. Company, which has pioneered garment dyeing techniques and the hybridization of functionality with connoisseur textile production. In SS23, the Italian brand takes this one step further with SEED, an ongoing program with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of garment making. A laboratory of trials focuses on how new clothes can be produced and designed with the goal of shortening the production chain, eliminating waste and circular manufacturing. The project's goals are embodied in its crossed man symbol, a reminder that progress can only be achieved through trial and error.

C.P. Company is proud to introduce the two SEED capsule collections, offering a selection of iconic designs such as the Eco-Chrome Goggle Jacket and the Tela Ortica Overshirt reimagined and crafted out of their latest experimentations.

SEED 1 explores the use of local natural fibers coming from plants that grow almost uncontrollably, making them a renewable and reliable resource. Nettle, hemp, and other ancient natural fibers are spun into yarn and woven into a strong and stiff fabric reminiscent of linen. The yarns blend smoothly with other fibers such as premium cotton, softening and increasing longevity as desired.

SEED 2 gives a new life to wasteful and polluting materials. In experimentation with Eco-Chrome, an improved version of the fabric that uses Econyl regenerated nylon, C.P. Company offers a capsule created by upcycling fishing nets and mixing recycled fleece with organic cotton.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Valentino Vintage 2023: Archival Fashion as a Tool for Future Creativity

Valentino Vintage, the Maison’s unique second-hand initiative first launched in 2021, returns once again with its alternative shopping experience, placing value onto a more circular fashion model as it expands its universe through many historical layers of the past. The project indulges the global community to bring to selected vintage stores their preloved Valentino garments and exchange the items with the option to buy new Valentino designs.

Starting on April 18th, 2023, the seven vintage stores (Milan, Paris, London, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul, and Tokyo) will experience a shared temporality with a Valentino take over. Each boutique – carefully chosen for its distinctive identity and curated collection, representative of the respective city’s local culture – fully takes on the Maison’s DNA with a unique Valentino Vintage display. Madame Pauline in Milan evokes the feeling of sitting in a mid-20th C apartment, while the timeless and tasteful Janemarch Maison in Seoul is curated by Creative Director Jung Jae Ok as a French-style boutique. This year, Valentino also established an international creative partnership with 1 Granary, a London-based education and incubator platform that invited their student community and seven fashion, design and art schools to join the initiative in all selected cities. This one-of-a-kind project invites the next generation of creative talent into Valentino Vintage’s multidimensional world by fostering engagement initiatives and connections with professionals, and offering resources to empower their talent and creative vision. Marking a new direction, the initiative grants the preservation and transmission of Valentino heritage, know-how, extraordinary handmade workmanship and mastery.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Mullberry and Axel Arigato’s Capsule Collaboration

Axel Arigato and Mulberry have joined forces to create a limited-edition, wear-forever capsule collection. The unisex garments, bags, footwear, and accessories exemplify a harmony between the brands' respective values of Scandinavian minimalism and the timeless British aesthetic. The starting point of the collection was an exploration into the Mulberry archives, giving rise to 35 pieces that celebrate iconic moments in pop culture over the last 50 years, particularly in Britain.

Three archive Mulberry bag designs are reintroduced in a selection of colorways including Axel Arigato’s signature emerald green and azure blue, as well as a classic, elegant black. Axel Arigato’s Area Sneaker, inspired by vintage baseball references, are offered in the same green and blue colorways, adorned with Mulberry’s iconic Postman’s lock and a custom strap. In addition, a white and gum edition of the sneaker is decorated with Mulberry’s tree emblem.

A split-color spin using refined and sophisticated neutral tones is seen on trench coats, embroidered varsity jackets and baseball caps. On some items, the brands’ individual logos are seen beside each other while on others, Mulberry’s tree emblem and Axel Arigato’s insignia are married into a crest.

The collection reflects the collaborative and communal spirit between the brands, adhering to their environmentally conscious production values. All the bags are produced with environmentally accredited leather at Mulberry’s own carbon neutral factories in the UK, and the footwear is made in Portugal with polyester crafter from recycled PET bottles. Furthermore, all the cotton throughout the collection is Global Organic Textile certified.

www.mulberry.com
www.axelarigato.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Voyager Skeleton: A Journey Beyond Time

Described as a journey beyond time, the Louis Vuitton Voyager Skeleton is not simply a watch but a powerful storytelling tool. Encased in the watch is a tale about Louis Vuitton itself: a house with a profound commitment to craftsmanship, the finest quality, and a smooth mixture of style and innovation – all culminating in unique designs.

We begin by entering the miniature world of the mechanical watch movement. The self-winding mechanical skeleton manufacture movement is meant to showcase the watch’s design and mechanics. Louis Vuitton moves away from mere functional mechanics and, instead, moves towards structural components that embody the house’s essence by transforming stationary elements into engineered forms of dynamic beauty. The LV60 caliber, designed and developed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, is the horological equivalent of contemporary architecture. The caliber is equipped with a tungsten micro-rotor, positioned off-center to maximize visibility and decorated with a white gold rhodium plated plate. The barrel ratchet wheel has been open-worked to spell “Louis Vuitton”. The watch’s case, with satin-finished sides and a polished top, sapphire glass, is crafted from platinum, a rare, dense and valuable alloy. It is therefore most remarkable that the case’s front combines sweeping curves and contrasting surface finishes, a challenge for those working with platinum. The watch also comes with two strap options, a navy blue, alligator leather strap or a taurillon leather strap. The Voyager Skeleton is available in an exclusive edition, limited to 150 pieces that carry on Louis Vuitton’s technical expertise and attention to detail.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Loewe’s Reality Glitch

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, this is Loewe’s SS23 pixelated capsule collection. Loewe reimagined casual staples in their women’s ready to wear and accessories, making them into a real-world glitch.

First debuting on the Paris SS23 runway, the capsule includes everything in pixel form, from a technical knit hoodie and T-shirt to Duchesse silk satin trousers and denim staples. The 2-D look of the technical hoodie and T-shirt is achieved with polypropylene, cut with a sharply jagged edge around a black outline. The hoodie has a functional kangaroo pocket on its front. The other garments feature a textured block print that complements the natural shadows of the human form. The denim pieces - jeans, a jacket, and a miniskirt - round off the collection.

The Puzzle Bag, which was the first bag designed for the brand by its creative director Jonathan Anderson, joins the collection with its own pixelated makeover. The bag is usually offered in a single shade, but now its supple calfskin leather is decorated with a black, grey, blue, and white pixel design that complements its geometric shape. All the pieces will be packaged in limited designed bags and boxes that fit the theme seamlessly.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

This is You in Tiffany

The essence of Tiffany jewelry is about the way one chooses to wear it. The “This is Tiffany” campaign is a celebration of this message, an homage to individual style and the power of expressing one’s true self. In their latest campaign, Tiffany & Co. elevates the Tiffany T and the Tiffany HardWear collections by allowing their ambassadors Zoë Kravitz, Jimin, and Gal Gadot to fit the pieces to their personal styles.

Both collections are defined by the fine craftsmanship of the luxury jeweler with hand-polished finishes, sleek silhouettes, and striking pave diamonds. The Tiffany T collection is a classic and simple tribute to the strength of the Tiffany name, instantly recognizable, just like the House’s logo. The Tiffany HardWear collection is inspired by the energy and architecture of the House’s birthplace, New York City, crafted with gauge links that have allowed the collection to triumph as one of Tiffany’s signature collections. This year, a new watch design joins the collection, with a cushion shaped case and Sapphire top glass resembling a full-cut diamond.

Both collections exemplify Tiffany’s commitment to superlative quality, elegance, and sophistication. The 2023 “This is Tiffany” campaign offers a full range from subtle to subversive jewelry that provides an option fit for anyone to express their unapologetic personal style.

www.tiffany.com

Fashion

W&W Rolex: Icons in the Making

A perfect combination of style and functionality, and a perpetual pursuit of excellence set apart Rolex’s new watches unveiled during this year’s Watches & Wonders. From questioning and perfecting every detail, method and component to its capacity to reinvent while preserving a sense of continuity and tradition, Rolex’s creative vision is one of meticulous attention to detail.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytone is an icon defying time. Rolex’s new adjustments, such as a new balance for the dial graphics and the renewed caliber 4131, ensure the continuation of this legendary watch. A true epitome of Rolex’s commitment to excellence, the Perpetual 1908 is elegant, classic and contemporary with a harmonious interplay between scintillation and reflection. Ideal for the sportsperson is the light and robust Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, whose case and bracelet are crafted using RLX titanium. With its two time zones and its annual Saros calendar, the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller is one for the travelers seeking comfort. The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is now available in two new versions and an entirely new color combination, while the Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40 is expanded on with the introduction of a new, 40 mm model. The Oyster Perpetual’s new lacquered dial in 31 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm is an explosion of color and liveliness. A variety of Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 watches now come with dials decorated with stones in shimmering tones that evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. Truly, Rolex’s novelties are bound to become icons.

www.rolex.com

Fashion

30 Years of the Royal Oak Offshore

The Royal Oak Offshore model was first launched in 1993, causing an even greater sensation than the launch of the original Royal Oak 20 years prior. The watch’s virile aesthetics, complete with oversized proportions and an enlarged rubber seal, earned it the nickname “The Beast”.

In a stand-alone collection, the Royal Oak Offshore represents the pioneering design and technical innovation of Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet. Inspired by offshore racing and the unapologetic creativity of the 1980’s, the Royal Oak Offshore was designed by Emmanuel Gueit. The model was quick to be embraced by the young and adventurous, as well as various communities of extreme sports. Exuding powerful and dominant energy, thanks to its 42mm diameter and sturdy design, the chronograph became an icon of the millennium.

Marking its 30th anniversary, the Royal Oak Offshore is relaunched, master-crafted from black ceramic and punctuated with yellow details with an ultra-contemporary design and innovations in ergonomics and materials. It pays tribute to the Royal Oak Offshore “End of Days” limited-edition collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1999, which ushered in a succession of limited-edition designs with numerous multidisciplinary celebrities. Only 500 pieces of the “End of Days” model were manufactured, and there will only be 500 pieces of the new Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Chronograph.

www.audemarspiguet.com

Art

The Revival of French Modernism

As a contribution to the PAD Paris 2023 design fair, Saint Laurent’s Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello partnered with several prestigious Parisian galleries to curate a tasteful selection of vintage furniture. The French Modernists Exhibition is dedicated to French Art Deco & Modernist design– centered around the work of Jean-Michel Frank, although designed almost a century ago the exhibition assuredly exhibits the modern and contemporary nature of Frank’s creations. Additionally, Vaccarello also included pieces by Jacques Adnet and Jean Després, expanding the realm of modernist artists appreciated.

The furniture expert Jean-Michel Frank basked in pre-war glory and spent his time decorating the homes of the intellectual and artistic elite. The minimalism highlighted by his designs gives them an edge- a transcendental quality concocted by the stripping of forms. His genius fell through the cracks of wartime, however, dealers, historians, and collectors from the ‘60s outlined his rediscovery as a masterful designer and artist. Yves Saint Laurent was a huge contributor to Frank’s rediscovery – the 2009 historical estate sale of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé transparently exhibits the passion for the works of Jean-Michel Frank, now one of the most expensive and sought-after artists.

The exhibition is riddled with the nuances of French modernism, tied together with the silk rope of minimalism. The materials used highlight the lines of the pieces- natural lines are highlighted with natural materials. Details resembling minuscule portions of our elusive world. This breathtaking exhibition will be on view from March 28th to April 24th at Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles.

www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

W&W CHANEL: Into The Cosmos

For the 2023 edition of Watches & Wonders, CHANEL debuted its new timepieces created in its laboratory in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Inspired by science fiction, space and time travel, we accompany CHANEL on an intergalactic journey, traveling throughout the cosmos. Dreamed up by CHANEL’s Watch Creation Studio, the new Interstellar Capsule collection presents seven exclusive watches – including reinterpretations of some of the French Maison’s beloved designs.

The J12 watch is continuously reinvented without sacrificing its singularity. The new J12 Interstellar and J12 Cybernetic watch are no exception. The former carries an aventurine effect black glittery lacquered dial, while the latter is a graphic interpretation of the J12 watch that produces contrast, apparent in the black-lacquered dial with a matte white-varnished pixel motif. The designs align with the Maison’s stellar odyssey: the Première Lucy Star watch comes with a steel comet-shaped charm set with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds, whereas the J12 Cosmic watch comes polished with rhodium-plated space-inspired stickers. Similarly, a black-lacquered dial with a rhodium-plated printed circuit motif set distinguishes the Boy·friend Cyberdata watch. In line with the collection’s theme, an 18K yellow gold, black ceramic and titanium robot-shaped case adorns the Première Robot watch. Lastly, the Code Coco Cybergold watch is fashioned with a golden quilted calfskin strap with black trim and black calfskin lining. As an ode to Gabrielle Chanel’s astrological sign, Leo, four new pieces, such as the Lion Astroclock and the lion-sculpted cuffs, launched alongside the new collection. The creations are now available in CHANEL boutiques around the globe.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Bulgari’s Latest Gem

Bulgari has announced the newest precious gem added to their family, Yifei Liu joins the Roman jewelry Maison as a Global Brand Ambassador.

Bulgari’s Chief Executive Officer Jean-Christophe Babin has put into words the excitement on the side of the Maison. They have found a talented and strong personality, who represents the values at Bulgari’s core. Yifei Liu’s extraordinary performances in film and TV drama have been well-acclaimed since the beginning of her career and have gained international recognition of the years. Notably, her numerous nominations for Best Actress in Disney's live-action film "Mulan” and for the Chinese TV series “Dream of Splendor” in recent years, the latter of which she won. She continuously exerts her talents in new domains and innovative professional challenges, refusing to stop at the astounding achievements she has made thus far.

Her glamorous style and strong, magnetic personality are perfectly in line with Bulgari’s audacious spirit, making this collaboration a brilliant fit. This was exemplified during the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Bulgari Serpenti, where she adorned jewelry from the Serpenti collection. In the campaign, she radiates with the same allure of the ancient sinuous serpent motif that wraps around her neck, and the power of the bright sapphire that centers her necklace, ring, and earrings. She has expressed her fondness of Bulgari’s design language, and its capability to express and empower the multi-faceted and audacious spirit of women. She looks forward to being a part of Bulgari’s future and their constant pursuit of excellence.

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Carlos Nazario to Carve A New Direction for Moose Knuckles

Effective immediately, Carlos Nazario has been announced as the new Global Artistic Director for Moose Knuckles, the Canadian sports- and outerwear brand. Moose Knuckles is devoted to creating luxurious clothing with ethically sourced materials and impeccable tailoring that can keep one warm from the city to the wildest voyages in the tundra.

A native to Queens, New York, Nazario is hailed as a key shaper of the modern fashion industry. He has left his mark, a provocative and creative force, on numerous magazine covers and luxury brands and has broken boundaries in his work with various world-famous talents. He is currently the Global Fashion Director at i-D.

From March 21st, 2023, Nazario joins the Moose Knuckles community, taking over the collection design, image content, brick and mortar presentation, and marketing/communication expressions across all channels. He has served as a stylist and guest creative consultant in their recent campaigns and is excited to reinvigorate the strong foundation of the brand. He has a clear vision, to introduce a new chapter that broadens and widens the scope of Moose Knuckles with innovations in product design and communication. Moose Knuckles and Nazario are ready to carve out new directions for the evolution of the brand, while staying true to its uncompromising craftsmanship, its highest quality creations, and its unequivocally irreverent nature.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

W&W Bulgari: A Night to Remember

On March 27th 2023, during the Watches & Wonders 2023 week, the shores of Lake Geneva set the scene for a thrilling celebration of Bulgari’s latest collection, Octo Roma. The event transported over 150 guests, friends, celebrities and journalists into a world of watchmaking excellence: an exciting peek into Bulgari’s aspirations to enrich this world. The Italian Maison’s CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin, and the Managing Director, Antoine Pin, unveiled the new models at the heart of the location, altered to direct all focus to Bulgari’s iconic octagonal design. “First presented in 2012, the Octo symbolically opened a new decade last night, a new chapter in its history,” said the CEO. The collection’s celebration engendered a sense of marking time with style, partially on account of the presence of actors Alessandro Gassmann and Lucien Laviscount, “both proud to be among the first to wear the Octo Roma watch”. The event concluded with a performance – exclusively organized by Béjart Ballet Lausanne’s Artistic Director Gil Roman – to convey the versatility and status of the Octo Roma as a classic yet non-classic timepiece. Leaving the spectators in awe, three dancers moved with intensity during the eight-minute choreography, which included the watches themselves and showcased their eight-faceted case. Marking a radical breakthrough in the watch making community, the Octo has the ability to renew and strengthen its aesthetic signature, and includes a wide range of expressions. In a short period of time, this versatile and sophisticated status piece has become an epitome of a profoundly innovative and powerful Italian design.

www.bulgari.com 

Fashion

Woolrich Takes the Next Step for Environmentally Conscious Outwear with Brewed Protein™ Fiber

Woolrich is the oldest American outdoor clothing company, committed to creating products for any weather that last a lifetime, since its founding in 1830. In FW23, they take this oath to global environmental conservation to the next level with the latest innovations in material creation and technology. Woolrich has announced the new Woolrich Arctic Parka in collaboration with Japanese sport apparel manufacturer GOLDWIN will be made with Brewed Protein™ fibers.

Brewed Protein™ fiber is a structural protein material with an inspiring potential for alternative fabrics that are free from petroleum and animal products. The material gets its name from the way it is produced, a microbial fermentation that uses plant-derived sugars that is similar to the brewing of alcohol. Spiber Inc., the Japanese biotechnology venture company that jointly-developed Brewed Protein™ fibers with GOLDWIN thus provide a solution to reduce the microplastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the fashion industry.

In line with their shared goals of reducing the environmental burden of fashion and developing a more sustainable society, Woolrich and GOLDWIN offer the new Woolrich Arctic Parka. The garment has become an iconic staple winter jacket around the world since it was first created to serve the Alaskan Pipeline workers in 1972. In FW23, it will be available in physical and online stores in the US, EU, and Japan.

www.woolrich.com

Music

Depeche Mode and Hublot are back!

After five years, the legendary band return to the stage with The Memento Mori World Tour. Alongside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted band will be their official charity partner Hublot, supporting the sustainability of the tour and raising funds for The Conservation Collective, a global environmental charity.

Hublot and Depeche Mode first joined forces for the first time in 2010 based on their common philosophy: “be first, be different and be unique”. They find that their partnership has always felt natural, and they have collaborated numerous times for a range of different deeply important causes. Now, their shared goal focuses on sustainability, reducing waste and cleaning our environment. By supporting The Conservation Collective, they empower a network of local foundations and grass-roots initiatives who work tirelessly to protect and restore biodiversity and the environment.

Hublot’s CEO Ricardo Guadalupe describes how special the atmosphere is created by Depeche Mode in their live events, and how excited they are to transform their sound into a positive environmental change. Dave Gahan and Martine Gore of Depeche Mode devote a sincere thanks to Hublot for giving them the power to raise funds for The Conservation Collective and Live Nation’s Green Nation team who focus on sustainability-related initiatives on tour and at tour venues.

Depeche Mode released their 15th studio album, ‘Memento Mori’, on March 24th, 2023. Following, they began their tour in North America, and are set to continue to Europe in the summer, and back to North America in the Fall.

www.hublot.com
www.depechemode.com

Fashion

Bally SS23 Campaign: Villaseñor's Take on Modern Luxury

After welcoming Rhuigi Villaseñor as its new Creative Director in January 2022, Bally’s SS23 campaign is a tribute to his debut collection and future ambitions for the house. Villaseñor builds onto the Swiss brand’s 172-year rich heritage of craftsmanship and its longstanding relationship with art, architecture and the environment with his creative vision: an evocative and fresh play that conveys his interpretation of modern luxury. “I wanted to introduce a new visual language to Bally campaigns,” he explains, “a mix of bold sophistication and sensuality”.

Under Villaseñor’s direction, the SS23 campaign honors the power of nature that has always been at the heart of Bally. Photographed by Harley Weir and styled by Emmanuelle Alt, the models – including Vivienne Rohner, Kayako Higuchi, Nyakong Chan, Yeray Allgayer, Hong Seong Jun and Feranmi Ajetomobi – are captured in natural elements overlooking a windswept, rocky coastline. The ingenious use of the landscape produces a captivating outcome. An innate sense of confidence pervades, while a dichotomy arises. Sophisticated silhouettes with rich materials, such as velvet and snake-printed leather, lie in contrast with the rugged terrain. The vision is taken further as the light and shade of the water and saturated blue skies are used to amplify metallic leathers, golden-toned Bally emblem hardware, washed denim and cutaway forms. In continuation of Bally’s craftsmanship legacy, Villaseñor introduces a new category: jewelry geared to suit an energetic lifestyle.

The Creative Director elucidates his intentions to remodel Bally, and, under his direction, we impatiently wait to see what is next on his agenda.

www.bally.com

Fashion

Unboxing Valentino Around the World

Valentino’s SS23 collection, titled Unboxing, unfolds globally, celebrating the limitless diversity and complexity of fashion. Nine brilliant stylists with their own window displays infuse the collection with the stories of the city they create in. Supported by precision tailoring and fine differences in drapery and design, minimalistic and monochromatic clothes serve the true individuality of any wearer.

In New York, Law Roach connects to Valentino’s history with a deep totalizing red and the Valentino Toile Iconographe pattern. In London, Rebecca Corbin-Murray’s contrasts all-black with vibrant yellow blooming flowers to signify the unboxing of nature. Clement Lomellini takes Paris in a literal direction, creating a desire to tear off the wrapping paper behind which Valentino awaits. Lorenzo Posocco reflects the authentic fashion of the streets of Milan with a video installation. A paradox plays out in Dubai, where Anna Dello Russo color-blocks and accessories Mannequins in a profusion of Valentino Garavani feathers and fluff to create a fantasy world. Mix Wei in Shanghai infuses traditional Chinese culture into the collection’s quest for purity, honoring the essentials that make up the worlds of art. In Seoul, Geum Nam Hwang invites viewers into the puzzle of the Soma Cube, to search for and unbox their personal essence. In Tokyo, Masataka Hattori spreads the wings of earth-toned looks in an enclave that pays homage to the natural environment. The final window, styled by the duo Grandquist, transcends location with a digital display suspending mannequins in a world of intense red that epitomizes Valentino.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Prada’s Tenth Exclusive Timecapsule NFT Collection

On March 2nd 2023, Prada dropped its tenth limited-edition Timecapsule collection paired with a corresponding gifted NFT – titled INTERFERENZA OTTICA ART PRINT BY ENZO RAGAZZINI, 1969. Last year in June, the NFT initiative was put in place to expand on the Prada Timecapsule project, launched back in December 2019. Currently, Prada’s Timecapsule NFT is an online event that takes place on the first Thursday of every month. For 24 hours, a limited amount of 50 items are made available for purchase.

This month, the Timecapsule collection concludes Italian photographer Enzo Ragazzini’s print trilogy from his 1960s and 1970s archives. This edition’s shirt carries the final print of the three-part series – a print that was originally designed in 1969 for the Enzo Ragazzini exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (ICA). The design was made with the optical interference technique, using mechanical devices of Enzo’s own invention. The “rotating plane” and the “rotating drum” – digitized in 2017 – are used for the shirt’s circular and horizontal patterns respectively. The shirt also features the Prada enameled triangle logo with “MARCH” transferred on the back of the item. Each shirt comes with its own gifted NFT – an invitation to join Prada’s exclusive Crypted NFT community. As each NFT series includes a serial number for the drop and another for the item, Timecapsule collection holders can match their physical product to the virtual one. As such, Prada continues to expand on its Web3 community with artistic ingenuity.

www.prada.com 

Fashion

MFW - Bottega Veneta FW23 - Unfolding Endless Possibilities

Taking over as Creative Director, Matthieu Blazy has brought his ‘Italia’ trilogy of shows to an end with Bottega Veneta FW23. Showcasing his future ambitions for the house, Blazy continues to honor Italy’s history with craft in motion. An artistic vision expressed in the show’s theme: a parade. “The alchemy of the street is in the difference”, Blazy explains, “it is the surprise of the encounter that has importance”. Looking “at what makes people gather together in a place without hierarchy, where everyone is invited”, he debuts a versatile and relatable yet also elevated collection.

Past techniques, motifs, characters and creatures voyage through space and time to materialize in the present and future. Roman bronze runners and a Boccioni statue decorate the runway. The mythology of antiquity and Futuristic influences heavily inform the designs. Blazy’s parade is a place of joy, entertainment and endless possibilities – a place of priests and playboys, sleepwalkers and streetwalkers. Craft is reconfigured as innovation: cuts, fabrics and proportions take center stage. Shaved leather appears weightless, intricate silk hand embroideries are recreated and rearranged, cascading scales and ostrich-feathers decorate leather pieces and a fringed coat was woven in one piece rather than embroidered. Tailoring divides the figure: wide shoulders and pinched waists become a trend, while cuffs and collar create dimension. Transformed through cut, fantastic and chimerical creatures emerge as skirts allude to a mermaid’s fishtail. Representing a sheer variety of occasions across the 81 looks, Bottega Veneta’s all-inclusive collection has something for everyone.

www.bottegaveneta.com 

Fashion

PFW - RICK OWNENS FW23 - Goth Goddesses

The Egyptian city of Luxor granted Rick Owens a creative stimulus for its FW23 women’s collection. This eye-catching and evocative ready-to-wear-line draws on the monumentalism, mystery and exoticism that permeates throughout the breathtaking ancient ruins, pyramids and deities of the city. Taking place at the Palais de Tokyo, the show encapsulates the spirit of goth goddesses and punk pharaohs as fog machines lead the way for models to start walking down the runway. Black stripes cover faces and black lenses cover eyes. Muted tones of lime green, art deco pink and bordeaux catch our attention in contrast to the predominant use of black. The human figure is almost unrecognizable: sleeves are prolonged down to the leg and voluminously inflated garments covered in matte black and pink sequins encircle the body. Ribbed knits made from GRS-certified recycled cashmere and indigo denim from Japan, which had been treated with mineral was and shredded by lasers produce amusing outcomes. Coats appear to be decomposing. Skirts, on one side, show the hip bone, while, on the other side, cloth trails behind them – conveying the impression of a mummy. Armor-like features are apparent in platform boots that rise over the knee and flowy capes. Sculpturesque jackets appear as if something was about to break free from their protruding shoulders. The designs sway from fantasy to reality, protection to vulnerability, to reveal an aesthetic yet realistic approach that recognizes both the beauty and harshness of the world. This is an all-around Rick Owens spectacle.

www.rickowens.com

Art

Traveling Affairs

This winter, NOMAD – a one-of-a-kind art and collectible design fair – begins an exhilarating journey with a multifaceted curatorial project, Artists in Flux, powered by Gucci. In accordance with NOMAD’s ambition to devise a unique platform where art, design and architecture can dialogue world-wide, this project explores travel culture through ideas of mobility and encounter.

Three internationally praised artists traveled with their Gucci luggage to hotel Grace la Margna in St. Moritz, where they presented their work from February 23rd - February 26th 2023 for the project’s first chapter. Concentrating on their artistic experiences and approaches, they also participated in a round table conversation organized by Monocle radio. The works of American artist Lola Montes Schnabel and Swiss artist Yves Scherer were displayed in parallel in the exhibitions organized by Nilafur and Golsa, while Nepalese artist Tsherin Sherpa collaborated with Mt. Refuge, a design studio at the front of Himalayan heritage. Schnabel’s recent work centers on tile paintings made from volcanic ash and clay from Mountain Etna in Sicily. Fluid lines and limpid forms allow her work to sway between figuration and abstraction. Scherer creates enveloping environments – narratives combined with fanfic and celebrity culture offer a romantic lens that transforms the viewer’s perception of the self, relationships and the everyday. Sherpa reconceives and reappropriates identities, symbols, colors and gestures in order to transcend their chronological and cultural limitations. His work is a scene of tension and continuous negotiation between tradition/modernity, sacred/secular and settlement/movement.

The collaboration’s resulting material will be available on NOMAD and Gucci networks.

www.nomad-circle.com
www.gucci.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani’s 10 Corso Como Collection

A deep exploration of one element synthesized by established details- Giorgio Armani’s 10 Corso Como Collection renovates the essence of the old west through slim and androgynous silhouettes. This second collaboration with 10 Corso Como showcases the “new Giorgio Armani” - pushing the limits of the possibility that coherence provides.

The entire collection is made of denim - the elusive intimacy that the intense blue of the unwashed denim tailored into thin, elongated forms and coupled with cognac-colored elements transforms the garments into an avante-garde expression of passion and persistence. The brand’s dedication to coherence is admirable - an established loyalty to the coarseness of denim opens the door for elegant details such as subtly formidable boots or belts to shine. A relationship between traditionally masculine and feminine tailoring allows the brand to play with harsh lines, denim ties, and structured garments to accentuate the feminine confidence and sexuality of the models.

The experience that Giorgio Armani curated includes Flavio Favelli’s Mobilia Essay- a 20-square-meter installation that entails luminous hangers and grand armchairs upholstered in rubber. Differing armchairs will be exhibited in Giorgio Armani’s boutique stores around the world. The 10 Corso Como Collection is an avante-garde praise of denim as a lucrative medium of creative expression.

www.armani.com

Fashion

MFW - Genetics: the legacy of house Gucci - FW23

Taking on the concept of genetics, Gucci highlights its intention to foreground the house’s legacy for its women’s FW23 collection. Describing itself as an “ecosystem of designers and artisans whose shared understanding of the house has passed down and evolved from creative to creative for over a century”, Gucci evokes a dialogue between past, present and future to honor the contribution of the visionaries that propelled the house and paved its future. In line with this vision, the house of Gucci is the focal point throughout the show: from cast and sound to scene and collection. In the Gucci Hub, elevators move the collection from building to runway – mirroring the creative process that traces its starting point, the archives, all the way to its final destination, the runway. A nostalgic attitude pervades the silhouettes, drawing on Gucci’s early 1990s and 2000s erotic form language and the 2010s energetic color palette. Voluminous shoulders and dropped necklines outline oversized wool or leather suits. Evening wear, such as the drop-waist skirt of a double-duchesse bustier dress, takes on the shape of a heart – a Gucci symbol. Colored visor sunglasses, which allude to a classic Gucci flacon, convert vision through Rush-tinted glasses. In honor of an iconic archival piece, the Jackie bag is softened in its composition and adapted in two-tone colors while keeping its original shape. The veneration of the old and a devotion to the new pays tribute to the creative culture and community found at the heart of Gucci’s legacy.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Fendi Women’s FW23

For Fendi’s womenswear FW23 collection, Kim Jones takes Delfina Delettrez Fendi as an inspirational starting point. Drawing on her instinctively chic and pervasive form of individual expression through her Fendi archive wardrobe, this Creative Director presents a collection marked by a nonchalance illusion and a lens of subtle subversion that explores classicism and elegance, and entertains with binary constructions. An admiration for DIY and a critical attention to deconstruction elevated the designs into luxurious pieces, capable of being worn in all manner of ways. Feminine sophistication is disrupted through the interpolation of gender stereotypes: masculine tailoring and fabrics are deviated from their traditional purpose to now compose feminine forms. A touch of sensual femininity is visible in intimate apparel occasionally peeking through, thigh-high lace-up boots and layered lace. A perfected and more chic punk style is apparent throughout the collection along with influences from Karl Lagerfeld’s 1981 sketches. Knitwear is cleanly slashed or carefully wrapped, ribbed knitted pieces are left unbuttoned or worn asymmetrically. Glances into the history and innate features of house Fendi are omnipresent. Jones draws on graphic motifs from the FW 1996 Fendi archives. The brand’s multipurpose sensibility is shown with Silvia Venturini Fendi’s introduction of the Fendi Origami. By design, this new handbag is two things in one – it transforms between two distinctive silhouettes. Silvia’s daughter, Delfina, shows off Fendi’s appreciation for duality with her jewelry designs – directly in line with the collection’s essence. Fendi’s ability to transform complexity into simplicity, purity and sophistication hints at the collection’s success.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

An Ode to Connectedness

On February 22nd of 2023, Tiffany & Co. hosted an exclusive dinner party in Berlin with the newly appointed ambassadors of the house, Ruby O. Fee and Matthias Schweighöfer, to celebrate the LOCK collection. Staying true to the brand’s desire to prioritize diversity and inclusion as well as positively impact the communities with which it works, this unisex collection follows the motto: “No rules. All are welcome.” The iconic jewelry pieces point to the power and importance of personal connections in our close environment, as they constitute who we are as individuals. LOCK resonates with Berlin, a diverse and busy city characterized by sharp contrasts, and a united metropolis where creativity and art flourish in ever new forms. Who better than one of Germany’s power couples to represent this collection? The event transpired during the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, where many friends of the house and beloved couple – including figures from the film, music and art industries – walked the carpet wearing Tiffany & Co.’s designs. Matthias combined a dark blue velvet suit with the Tiffany Lock Pendant in rose and white gold with diamonds and displayed various Tiffany Lock Bangle styles along with his girlfriend Ruby. The event commenced with an exclusive dinner at the iconic Schinkel Pavillon. Soon after, Anna Liset of Women of Style entertained the attendees – among which we find Yusra Mardini, Lea van Acken, Riccardo Simonetti and Jerry Hoffmann – with a DJ performance. Honoring the collection, the event embodied the celebration of friendship and of Tiffany’s innovative designs.

www.tiffany.com

Fashion

TUDOR becomes official Timekeeper of the Giro d'Italia

The world of competitive sports today has become more competitive than ever before. Through research, developments and optimization of training methods, the athletes’ performances are brought to a peak. Races are no longer decided by seconds, sometimes it’s merely fractions of a second which decide about winning or losing. The world of pro cycling is by no means an exception. One of the biggest happenings in the yearly cycling calendar is the Giro d’Italia which is considered to be one of the most prestigious and gruelling races in the world. In its 106th edition this year, riders from all across the world are once again chasing the maglia rosa, the Pink Jersey, handed to the overall winner of the tour. For the first time, TUDOR will now be the official timekeepers of the Giro d’Italia. But the Swiss watchmaker will not only be the timekeeper of the Giro d’Italia, but for all the RCS races which include classics such as Milan-San Remo or Il Lombardia. TUDOR and pro cycling have longstanding ties, as both are connected through the shared values of courage and team spirit as well as a constant striving for perfection. This is also embodied by the TUDOR Pro Cycling Team competing in races and tours all across the world. The Giro d’Italia will take place between May 6th, 2023 and May 28, 2023.

www.tudorwatch.com

Fashion

Rebirth of an Icon: The Lady 95.22

Building upon an immensely rich history, there is a special aura surrounding a Maison like Dior. Not only did the ateliers perfect their craft throughout the decades, but some of the leading creative minds of their respective eras were able to leave their imprint on the Maison, resulting in an archive which becomes a perpetual source of inspiration and an embodiment of the Maison’s DNA shaped over time. To honor this DNA, this unique heritage, Dior has now revisited one of its iconic bags, the Lady Dior, giving it a modern makeover and hence bridging the past and present. First introduced in 1995 and revived in 2022, both moments in time are reflected in the bag’s new name, The Lady 95.22. First introduced at the DIOR FW22/23 ready-to-wear show, the new icon is defined by its ultra-contemporary silhouette, with its architectural shape being enhanced by the emblematic macrocannage in combination with the new graphic maxicannage pattern. After this first unveiling on the runway, Chinese actress and Dior ambassador Dilraba Dilmurat is now shot with the iconic black leather bag. The resulting imagery isn't solely a prefect metamorphosis between the wearer and her bag, but an expression of the pure essence of Dior style, audacious yet elegant, an eternal source of inspiration and self-affirmation.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Instilling Womens' confidence

Since the beginning, women stood at the core of the Tory Burch empire, named after its founder. Tory Burch recognised a gap in the market, the overlooked, yet successful women seeking affordable quality with the timelessness of good taste. From the very beginning, her pieces resonated with these mid-career women who helped transform the brand into what it is today. The newest collection remains in line with the brand’s underlying philosophy and is a celebration of the strength of women, the power of femininity, motherhood and family. According to Tory herself the collection’s purpose is to empower women and to instil confidence. To put it in her own words, ‘Women don’t want to feel restricted, and they aren’t interested in rules. They want to dress for themselves and express their individuality.’ This is perfectly captured in the seasonal imagery starring Emily Ratajkowski and her son alongside Vittoria Ceretti and Ugbad Abdi set in the expansive, sun-drenched horizons of the Hollywood Hills. Styled by Brian Molloy and photographed by Jamie Hawkesworth. Throughout the captivating imagery, the three muses wear a selection of looks off the runway, showcasing the range and diversity within the collection. They also highlight the new standout accessories of the season, such as shoes, eyewear and watches, as well as the newest iterations of signature Tory Burch handbags.

The Spring 2023 collection is available in Tory Burch stores and selected retailers as well as online.

www.toryburch.com

Fashion

HUBLOT Ambassador Novak Djokovic wins Record-Breaking 10th Australian Open

What similarities do Swiss watchmaking company Hublot and living tennis legend Novak Djokovic share? Not only is the Serbian professional a Hublot brand ambassador, but both also share many values such as their relentless pursuit of excellence and performance. Whether it is on the tennis pitch or within Hublot’s fine watchmaking ateliers, each step needs to be perfect with each movement having been refined over and over again. During the past weekend, Djokovic confirmed his status as the most successful player in men’s tennis history with a record 10th Australian open and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam win. To congratulate its ambassador Novak Djokovic, also known as Nole, Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, stated, “There’s no one like Nole! First, unique, different – and the most successful tennis player in men’s tennis history. What a player! On behalf of all your friends at Hublot, I want to congratulate Djokovic on an incredible tournament, on extending your record and on your 22nd Grand Slam. Wow! You are truly a unique athlete and we admire your dedication, generosity and will to win so much. You are an inspiration, and we are proud to call you not just a Hublot ambassador, but a friend. Good luck with the rest of the season!”

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Josephine Baker Lives On

Since her emergence on the stages of Paris in the early 1920s, Josephine Baker has been a cultural icon – a symbol concurrently of the glitz and glam, as well as the struggles that defined her time. Born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri, Baker eventually renounced her American citizenship after reaching instant success in a France that did not have the same degree of racial segregation as her home country at the time.

Baker was a showgirl, a siren; lauded for her sexuality, style and magnetism (one needs only see a photo of her in the iconic banana skirt to find this claim justified). At the same time and more importantly however, Baker was also an activist, a proud African-American woman and member of the NAACP, and even a part of the French Resistance during WWII, helping to smuggle information on the locations of Nazi soldiers via her music sheets.

For all her courage and style, and her fascinating story, it is no wonder that Maria Grazia Chiuri took Josephine Baker as the muse for her latest collection for the Dior Maison. Conflating fashion and politics is a feat the Creative Director has received much attention and praise for in her decade-long tenure at the Maison.

Paris is an apt location to premiere a collection devoted to the woman who lived and breathed Paris in the Jazz Age. The line designed by Chiuri is filled with references to the great Josephine Baker and the historic times in which she lived – Art Deco inspired headbands, flapper dresses, velvet dressing gown coats. The artwork featured prominently as the set of the show tells the story of other important African-American female figures of the 20th century, celebrating their accomplishments in their respective fields and their trailblazing contributions to society. HZ

www.dior.com

Fashion

The Passage of Time

The changing of the seasons, the passing of time. The cycle of life moves through the motions – like a river; always moving, never still. Stillness in movement, in change. The passage of time, of life and death, of renewal and mutability, have been themes that have absorbed artists and philosophers alike for centuries. Such was the inspiration behind Kim Jones’ latest collection for DIOR Men Winter 2023-2024.

In a release to the press, DIOR explains the river as a symbol of inspiration to the designer; ever-changing, a parallel to the constant flow of movement that is fashion. Jones has often been praised for his unique ability to pay tribute to the history of the iconic Maison whilst bringing in novel elements such as streetwear, striking a careful balance between the codes of the past and the ways of the present and future.

In this collection, Jones especially pays tribute to one of his predecessors, Yves Saint Laurent, who was the immediate and chosen successor to the father of the Maison, Christian Dior. The Spring/Summer Collection of 1958 is mainly drawn upon for inspiration, yet Jones brings in elements of himself and the time in which he lives to provide freshness and relevance. Mixing male and female elements, as well as a sense of modernity in the ease and practicality of the garments, Jones abides faithfully by the Maison’s mission to reinvent its codes in ways that fit to the lifestyle and agency of the modern wearer. HZ

www.dior.com

Fashion

Missonism

Missoni, the Italian family-owned fashion brand, boasts an over 60-year history of producing apparel that has become recognizable the world over. Known partly for its colorful zigzag patterns, partly for its cheeky sheer designs, and partly for a honed craftsmanship in high-quality knits, the brand grew from a small-town shop owned and run by the married couple, Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, to an international mega-brand.

Abiding by the qualities that propelled it to its world-famous status, the latest Missoni Men’s FW23 collection is a true exercise in ‘Missonism’ (as the brand calls it), intersecting shapes, patterns, colors, and ease of wear. Above all, the collection seeks to be transversal: to be worn in multiple different contexts. This is epitomized in the cardigan – a staple in the Missoni catalog – universally wearable, a quality that extends over the entire collection, in the form of windbreakers, coats and shirt-jackets. Loose silhouettes, designed to free the body and the wearer, are emboldened in the classic Missoni manner – through colorful patterning and creative textures. Effortless, cool, fun, comfortable: this is Missoni in its truest form.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

PRADA FW23 Menswear Collection

The Deposito of the Fondazione Prada is a sobering space, once the site of a gin distillery within a former industrial complex on the southern edge of Milan. Here, set against a cold stone scenery and towering columns, was where Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons presented their newest collection. The location is usually a site for art exhibitions, however doubled as a runway space in Prada’s most recent show for its Men’s FW23 collection. The barren background of the scene fit well to the concept of the new line: a crosscut between modernism – reductionist and sparing in its design – and comfort, bringing baggy and exaggerated silhouettes to an otherwise subtle and minimalist design style.
The “LET’S TALK ABOUT CLOTHES” collection is a testament to both designers’ personal tastes – Miuccia Prada’s penchant for subtle luxury meeting Raf Simons’ darker flair. Their past collaborations have similarly been marked by elements of futurism and modernism. The skeleton of this collection was a look to archetypal masculine silhouettes, rethought with notes of reductionism and comfort. Muted tones and colors added to this effect. The collection continuously reflected a sound awareness of contemporary styles and trends, with items such as the bomber jacket and the tote bag revisited and reformed in the codes of the Maison. HZ

www.prada.com

Fashion

Lady 95.22

The Dior Lady 95.22 is revisiting the iconic Lady bag, first released by the Maison of Dior in 1995; its name a reflection of its decade-long history. As the new replaces the old, the Lady 95.22 reinvents the original Lady with new lines and silhouettes. Its rounded silhouette and bold black design makes it a statement piece that nonetheless blends seamlessly into any outfit. Like its predecessor, the Lady 95.22 retains its signature pattern and textures in the form of the maxicannage pattern, an instant identifier. The two handles are dressed in leather and metal and embellished with Dior lucky charms. Leading the charge of the new Dior staple are three industry-leading women. World-renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is by now widely regarded as one of the most influential novelists and public speakers of this generation. For her work she has been distinguished with a MacArthur Fellowship, a National Book Critics Circle Award, and perhaps most importantly, the faithful following of a generation of young readers. Appearing next to Adichie in the current campaign are Anya-Taylor Joy, the award-winning young actress who found international recognition especially through her role as a chess grandmaster in the hit show ‘The Queen’s Gambit’, and Beatrice Borromeo, long-time Dior ambassador and political journalist. With such an impressive roster of representatives, the new Lady 95.22 embodies a pluralistic vision of femininity, painting a picture of grace, empowerment and style. HZ

www.dior.com

Fashion

Jackie, meet Dakota

A mainstay within Gucci, the Jackie handbag has been a popular favorite since its inception in 1961 among celebrities and civilians alike. Named after one of its biggest subscribers, Jackie Kennedy herself (archives within Gucci show the first lady clutching the bag on many, many occasions), the bag has since found its way onto the arms of many familiar faces over the years.

Most recently, actress Dakota Johnson has joined its ranks. The Jackie 1961 campaign is shot like a series of paparazzi portraits of the young actress moving through her daily life in L.A. This videographic style is not new to the Jackie bag’s legacy in the media. In fact, it is said that its renaming (priorly named the Fifties Constance) came about upon the Gucci family seeing a paparazzi shot of Jackie Kennedy with the bag.

Each outing in the campaign is paired with a different model of the inherently versatile Jackie bag, each version emblematic of a certain time and style. The bag maintains its characteristic silhouette in each iteration, with variations on everything from color to texture to patterning, lending the bag its adaptable personality. As far as designer ‘It’ bags go, the Gucci Jackie bag is unique in its long held position as a timeless favorite. HZ

www.gucci.com

Fashion

The Year of the Rabbit 2023

January 22nd, 2023 marks the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit in the lunar calendar. Traditionally, the sign of the Rabbit is associated with longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. Starring Chinese actors such as Qi Xi and Shi Pengyuan, as well as athlete Zhao Lina, Burberry has unveiled a new campaign to celebrate the Year of the Water Rabbit 2023. The capsule collection features well-known, traditional Burberry motifs redesigned with playful elements to celebrate the Rabbit, such as the Thomas Burberry monogram with rabbit ears. These iterations abound throughout the collection on womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, leaping off the paper onto clothes, and from bags to silk scarves and other accessories. The campaign video (aptly named “Take A Leap”) is directed by Zika Liu and Sky, and shows each individual on a journey through open spaces, finding inspiration and energy from their surroundings. Burberry encourages the viewer to use the new year to a similar end, with the message “Dream Further. Take a Leap.” HZ

www.burberry.com

Fashion

radio.cubo 50°

Brionvega is a name that is synonymous with quality engineering and elegant design. Masters of such cult-design objects as the radiocubo or the radiofonografo, the Italian design house has recently shifted its focus toward revisiting and reinventing these timeless bestsellers. In time for Milan Design Week, the brand is unveiling the remake of the legendary radio.cubo TS502 designed by Richard Sapper and Marko Zanuso in the early 1960s.

The two designers, the German Sapper and the Italian Zanuso, were two true pioneers in the world of industrial and technological design. A masterpiece of the ‘Made in Italy’ label, the radio.cubo stands out as “the radio that changed the radio.” In its time, the radio.cubo was a fresh and fun take on a heretofore rather dull piece of technology. Since the 1960s it has become an icon of this design period, being exhibited in major museums such as various branches of the MoMa.

Like a cube sliced through the middle, the radio unfolds into two shells. Light, portable and playful, the radio.cubo was a rebel to the old-fashioned static radios that prioritized function over style. Now, Brionvega revisits the design icon of the 1960s with the radio.cubo 50°, with the latest generation Bluetooth technologies, in high definition, allowing you to stream your playlists directly. It is available in Orange and Yellow Sun, White Snow, Black Night and Red. As part of the rebirth of the radio.cubo, Brionvega also unveils a collaboration with Supreme, emblazoning the famous cube with Supreme’s iconic logo and red and white colors. HZ

www.brionvega.it

Fashion

Andiamo, Bottega Veneta!

"Andiamo!" The cry is familiar to anyone that has spent a bit of time in Bella Italia. "Let’s go!" "Come on!" An appeal, a cheer, a mobilization, the four-syllable word is wrought with energy; less spoken than it is sung, like all Italian.

Born in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy, to parents Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro, the brand Bottega Veneta has since its inception retained a sharp focus on artisanal design and craftsmanship, focusing on the production of beautiful high-quality leather goods. 2001 marked a turn in the tide following a more unsuccessful chapter in the company’s history, with the acquisition by the Gucci Group and the crowning of new Creative Director Tomas Maier. Maier codified the essence of the brand as we know it today: refined and elegant, discreet yet recognizable. For Maier, a German Creative Director in a deeply Italian fashion house, sophisticated designs trumped the trends that were taking other major labels by storm in those days.  

Since the beginning, Bottega Veneta has abided by a ‘non-branded philosophy’, refusing to take part in the logo craze that swept over the fashion industry in the 1990s and 2000s. Rather, the company focuses on artful design and leather craftsmanship, such as the brand’s famed “Intrecciato weave”. Today, Creative Director Matthieu Blazy has been commended for his ability to respect and evolve the codes of the house with a focus on strong tailoring and bold accessories.

The Andiamo Bag, designed by Matthieu Blazy for the Bottega Veneta Summer 23 Collection, is a strong example of the brand’s DNA. Wearable by all genders, the bag comes in three sizes and several colors and features the classic Intrecciato design, and an intricate golden knot detail on the woven straps. HZ

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Hublot's Carbon Rainbow

Aided by the newest innovations in digital and watch technology, Hublot is able to push to the borders of creativity and innovation. This is shown most recently in the newest and most colorful product on the market: the Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis 5-Day Power Reserve in Rainbow 3D Carbon. It is the splashy sequel to the original MP-09 Model, released in 2017, but upgraded to be encased by a rainbow-themed 3D carbon case. The technology underlying the MP-09 is no less astonishing than its saturated exterior – the carbon case is assembled by threading countless thin bars of carbon into a woven pattern. It is milimeter work. What meets the eye as a seamless rainbow is more like an optical illusion, when one looks to the actual technology beneath. An impressive piece of craftsmanship, creativity and engineering.

It lies in the very DNA of the brand Hublot to explore uncharted territory in the art and craftsmanship of watchmaking. The “Art of Fusion” is how the brand itself conceptualizes it, a melding together of tradition, craftsmanship and innovation.

The Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis 5-Day Power Reserve in Rainbow 3D Carbon will be exhibited exclusively at the Hublot Loves Art event in Miami.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Canadian Winter Meets New York Street Style

“Not for you – for everyone” is a philosophy that lies at the heart of TELFAR, the New York based unisex fashion brand. Telfar Clements is the mastermind behind the brand, a queer Liberian-American designer, who became a success story during a pandemic that wreaked havoc on large swathes of the fashion industry. In the world of high fashion, Telfar has made a lasting impression with his emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. The relative accessibility of prices distinguishes the brand from large segments of the fashion industry, which explains in part its far-reaching popularity. Its cult-favorite, the TELFAR shopping bag, became somewhat of an “It bag”, coveted for its sleek design and rather egalitarian accessibility. Telfar applies himself to the subversion of traditional fashion expectations, from classism to gender binaries and beyond.

Moose Knuckles, Canadian luxury outerwear brand, has made a name for itself as an industry leader in producing high-quality, resilient garments. A 24-piece ready-to-wear collection marks the second collaboration between the two brands, “where Canadian technical innovation merges with unapologetic New York style designed for all.” The collection includes the classic weather-resistant Bomber jacket with a matching pair of pants, both trimmed in either fox fur or lamb shearling. Additional pieces all feature TELFAR quilted monogram and embroidery. Building upon the mania surrounding the TELFAR shopping bag, the collaboration also unveils a new shopping bag range. Moose Knuckles will also be engineering and manufacturing the debut TELFAR outerwear collection dropping this fall. HZ

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

LOEWE opens in Amsterdam

The brand LOEWE has found new ground in the Dutch capital. With a new location on the picturesque P.C. Hooftstraat, a shopping district that runs up to the city’s cultural center, Museumsplein (“Museum Square”) and is home to a vast number of high-end retailers. “Artisanal detailing with modern flourish” is the overarching concept of the new flagship’s interior design – featuring vibrant colors and patterns, maple wood shelves and glazed ceramics.

The new store’s modest and carefully selected art collection reveals the brand LOEWE’s commitment to art and craftsmanship. It features works such as American sculptor Ron Nagle’s unmistakeable ceramics and design classics like Jos Devriendt’s “Night & Day 383” lamp. The store also includes one unmissable piece: Tomonari Hashimoto’s “Untitled” (2021), a piece from a series of sculpted works of clay that are repeatedly fired and carbonized to bring out an incredible outer layer of metal oxides, that create the look of a unique rainbow of metal oxides. The piece’s display in the store also comes following Hashimoto being distinguished as a LOEWE Craft Prize finalist in 2019.

The store is an anthology of visual expression, featuring not only sculptures but painted works as well, both contemporary and earlier. The walls are adorned with Cian-Yu Bai’s “Spring with an Angel” (2022) painting, as well as a still life by 17th-century painter Jan van Kessel. Artisanal furniture pieces such as by Gerrit Rietveld and George Nakashima carry on this first-rate collection of pieces.

The Amsterdam store is open as of December, 2022, and is located at LOEWE P.C. Hooftstraat, Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat 97, 1071 BR Amsterdam. HZ

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Walking through a dream

Beginning December 12th, 2022, Louis Vuitton invites guests to LV DREAM, an expansive exhibition within the building of the former La Belle Jardinière department store. The exhibition is a look back at the Maison’s partnerships and creative exchanges throughout the years. Historic and contemporary pieces offer an immersive journey through the brand’s creative past, a temporal display of artistic undertakings. The exhibition is interactive as much as it is visual: a room dedicated to Rei Kawakubo, artistic director of Comme des Garçons, plays with scales and encourages visitors to step into the bag, like an Alice-in-Wonderland-type alternate reality.

Nine rooms make up the LV DREAM-scape. Diverse takes by various artists in the room Louis Vuitton: As Seen By offers multiple unique artistic perspectives on the brand. Chinese painter Yan Pei Ming, American tattoo artist Mister Cartoon, American artist Alex Katz and Turkish-American new media artist Refik Anadol, are just a few impressive names on LV DREAM’s roster of credits. The artistic collaboration continues in the Origins room, which features Kenta Cobayashi’s characteristically vivid photography as a backdrop to iconic Louis Vuitton designs. The Leather Goods in Fashion part of the installation dedicates itself to the work of two important artists in Louis Vuitton’s history – Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama – who were responsible for remixing the brand’s identity with youthful Pop Art playfulness. The room Art Meets Fashion throws the spotlight on collaborations throughout the years between artists and Artistic Directors at Louis Vuitton, such as Daniel Buren and Marc Jacobs, Christopher Nemeth and Kim Jones or Atelier Fornasetti and Nicholas Ghesquiere.

As the cherry on top, Louis Vuitton hosts Chef Pâtissier Maxime Frédéric in its dedicated café and chocolate shop (la chocolaterie). A mutual love of craftsmanship and the finer things especially forms the heart of this partnership. HZ

The LV DREAM exhibition is open from December 12th, 2022 at 2 rue du Pont Neuf in Paris, Monday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

FENDI for the Home

Luxury houses like FENDI don’t solely make clothes for their customers, they provide them with a complete vision, a specific lifestyle that extends beyond the confines of their body into other facets of their lives. Especially FENDI has always shown great awareness for this, having been the first luxury house to launch a home collection. In this spirit, FENDI is delighted to announce that its FENDI casa world, through which the Roman house has been bringing the unique FENDI vision into our homes, is now expanded with the first Home Décor & Lifestyle Accessories Collection. Created under the creative direction of Silvia Venturini Fendi, this new collection picks up on the FENDI codes, mirroring the house’s aesthetics not only in terms of color, as for examples the iconic FENDI yellow, or in terms of logos such as the O’Lock, FENDI Roma and Pequin, but also in terms of the Maison’s known commitment to excellence and the highest craftsmanship. The O’Lock and the FENDI Roma act as fil rouge throughout the collection having been reshaped into decorative patterns that adorn porcelain sets, boxes, trays, candle holders in a graphic reinterpretation of the Maison’s DNA. As to be expected, each piece is crafted only from the finest materials and with an incredible attention to detail, with each piece honoring the Maison and its codes.

The FENDI Home Décor & Lifestyle Accessories Collection will be available in FENDI and in FENDI Casa Boutiques worldwide, as well as online, starting from December 2022.

www.fendi.com

Art

Come Stai?

Gaetano Pesce, an Italian architect, artist and designer, is regaled as one of the leading design minds of the 20th century. His designs have often been characterized by a witty modern style, bringing vibrant colors to everyday utilitarian objects. His style is fundamentally experimental; using unconventional modes of color, shape, and especially material in his designs. Today, his works are on permanent exhibition in some of the most important art and design museums in the world, such as the MoMa of New York and San Francisco, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musee des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

In September 2021, Bottega Veneta Creative Director Matthieu Blazy commissioned the design mastermind to create a temporary artwork to act as the show space for Bottega Veneta’s Summer 23 fashion show in Milan. Since the mid-1990s, Pesce has been pioneering the use of resin as a design material. Bringing this distinctive technique to the collaboration, Pesce created a saturated space of sprawling resin, including a sculptural resin floor that acted as the runway as well as 4000 resin chairs. Each chair was created to be “alike in material but unique in color and form” – a tribute, according to Pesce, to the uniqueness and originality of human beings.

A book by the name Come Stai? commissioned by Bottega Veneta with Pesce and Blazy explores the ideation, approach and process of the collaboration. A selection of the chairs from Pesce’s Come Stai? Series will be featured in the Bottega Veneta exhibition at Design Miami/ from 30 November – 4 December. A book signing with Gaetano Pesce will take place at the exhibition space on 30 November. HZ

www.miamidesigndistrict.net

Fashion

Goodbyes at Gucci

Alessandro Michele is bidding “Arrivederci” to the House of Gucci. In announcing Michele’s departure, François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, stated, “I am grateful to Alessandro for bringing so much of himself in this adventure. His passion, his imagination, his ingenuity and his culture put Gucci center stage, where its place is.” Alessandro Michele has certainly left his mark on the House during his tenure. Gucci’s vast successes in recent years have often been attributed to Michele’s visionary character, whose fresh and unorthodox ideas breathed new life into the company. His experimentation with such things as gender-fluid styles, digital exploration, and environmental conservation brought Gucci back into the focus of younger audiences. Creative collaborations with the likes of Harry Styles, Måneskin, and Jared Leto furthered this cause. His inauguration as Creative Director back in 2015 followed on from predecessor Frida Giannini’s reign, one which painted a rather rigid image of Gucci: exclusive, sophisticated, jet-setter lifestyle – a few words often used in association with Giannini’s Gucci. Michele’s Gucci, by contrast, favored a looser, romantic, more contemporary approach. His inventiveness spelled reinvention for the House. Gucci has yet to announce the new creative lead, as it bids goodbye to the era of Michele. HZ

www.kering.com

Fashion

Prada's Crypto Christmas

Prada’s newest announcement of its seventh Timecapsule Collection drop marks the latest development in the House’s digital saga. The Timecapsule collection is a futuristic take from an over 100-year-old business. The House of Prada, along with some of its other peers in the industry, has taken a bold step toward expanding its area of function and creative presence into Web3. The Timecampsule NFT collection embodies this progression into the digital realm, as each new monthly drop is linked to both a gender-neutral physical product as well as a gifted NFT. The drop takes place in the form of an online event: on the first Thursday of every month, a limited quantity of the Timecapsule Collection products are made available for 24 hours. Limited-edition Timecapsule items are linked to a unique serial number, and buyers are granted Prada NFTs in the second stage. NFT owners are also offered exclusive benefits and experiences, including invitations to Prada Extends or Prada Mode. The latest installment celebrates the festive season with the revisit to a familiar favorite – the holiday sweater. Made of Merino wool and using a special Norwegian jacquard knitting technique, the sweater forms one half of the Prada package, weaving in knitted traditional festive glory with Aura blockchain technology. HZ

www.prada.com 

Fashion

The sun, the moon and the stars of Berlin

The Italian jewelry maker DoDo recently presented its new Moon & Sun Collection at its grand opening in Berlin. The new collection revolves especially around the use of semi-precious stones like smoky quartz and moonstone. Inspired in large part by the sun and the moon, the new collection weaves in these fundamental elements conceptually and physically throughout the collection. The sun, representing warmth, light, vitality, and passion, is symbolically packaged into jewelry pieces through the use of brown diamond pavé on burnished gold, creating a rose gold background. The moon, representing sensuality, mystery and cyclicality, also takes center stage in the jewelry line. The collection mimics the moon’s waning phase on the rose gold background, as a pavé of white diamonds on rhodium-plated gold. The sun and moon motifs are elegantly embodied in the rings of rose gold. The bracelets bring together moonstone or smoky quartz beads between small tubular sections of rose gold. Moon pendants of white diamond and sun pendants made up of brown diamonds bring the cosmic motif to the foreground again.

An impressive roster of guests filled the halls of the brand’s new boutique at 32 Rosenthaler Strasse at Hackescher Markt, the famous square in the middle of the illustrious Mitte district in Berlin, to celebrate the launching of the new collection. The festivities at the boutique were followed by an afterparty at the Weekend Club Berlin. “A sky over Berlin studded with gems and diamonds” served to complete the image, reflecting back the light from the beautiful jewelry on display below. HZ

www.dodo.it

Fashion

THE POWER A SMILE HOLDS

For over 50 years, the SmileyWorld brand has been gatekeeper to the iconic smiley – a simple yellow circle holding no more than two dots for the eyes and an arc for the mouth, which has nonetheless become a symbol of positivity and light to generations since. What began as a venture to bring light to daily news by highlighting positive news bits with a smiling face, has since become a thriving business model. Having the foresight to license the trademark, the father of the smiley, French journalist Franklin Loufrani, has created something of a smiley empire. As a symbol of the free love/counterculture movement in France in the early 70s, and later on a ubiquitous staple with the rise of the internet, the smiling yellow face has stood the test of time. In its FW22/23 collection, A|X Armani Exchange is now breathing fresh life into the long journey of the famous smile, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SmileyWorld brand. Two new designs are at the forefront of the collection, giving a new face to the familiar logo – the first replacing SmileyWorld’s eyes with the A|X logo, the other paying homage to founder Giorgio Armani by distinguishing it with his recognizable glasses and smile. These are applied across the collection; on bombers, t-shirts, backpacks, and more. True to form, the famous smiley radiates positivity, and reflects its characteristic rebelliousness across the entire collection. HZ

www.armani.com

Travel

Abadia Retuerta Hotel: Experiences in a historic Setting

Excellent Wine, Spanish sun and Spa experiences in a historic setting Abadìa Retuerta welcomes its guest in a former monastery from the 12th century

In the heart of Spain, two hours north of Madrid, the lavender still smells in autumn, a hawk soars and the sun has enough warmth for you to enjoy the pool. Around Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine – a 5* hotel and winery – gentle hills rise with vines, olive trees and pines. The history of this special hotel is present everywhere, it makes you slow down, pause, relax: Located in a 12th century monastery the Santa María de Retuerta Abbey was founded by monks in 1146 and was later declared a Site of Cultural Interest by UNESCO in 1931. Much can be discovered in the old walls that protect you from the Spanish sun: an exclusive wine bar is hidden behind a door, and the oldest part of the property, the chapel, extends behind the cloister, where unique works of art find their ideal setting. Art – be it works from the Renaissance and Baroque – can be found throughout the luxury hotel, on the large historic walls of the corridors and restaurants as well as in the rooms and suites. And it is wondrous, the halls and gardens are so spacious that one feels like a single guest on the property, only at breakfast, dinner or at the fireplace in the evening other guests are suddenly around, enriching the pleasant atmosphere. Two Michelin stars have been awarded to the upscale gastronomy at the Refectorio restaurant under the direction of chef Marc Segarra, including a Green Star for the sustainable cuisine. In the impressive historic rooms, the former dining hall of the monks, local and seasonal products are served under the imposing vaulted ceiling alongside fresh vegetables from the restaurant's own organic garden. Visible from all windows in all directions is the essence that is the soul of Abadìa Retuerta: the more than 700 hectares of land where delicious grapes thrive and are treated by the Spanish sun. On the huge Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine vineyard, which extends in the valley of the Douro River, where the earth is particularly aromatic, various vines grow, awarded the "Winery for Climate Protection" seal. A guided tour of the wine cellar and the wine production facilities is recommended, and of course includes a tasting of the wonderful wines. Those who prefer spa and wellness will love the Abadìa Retuerta. Either enjoy the sun by the spacious outdoor pool or head to the underground spa, which is like an oasis of calm. A spa sommelier combines the healing properties of aromatherapy with wine and oils in the treatments. Whether in the spa, during dining, in the chapel or on a walk in the vineyards - the hotel is a place of deceleration, of retreat, of finding oneself. Just as the monks in the monastery celebrated already centuries ago. BK

www.abadia-retuerta.com

Art

TC Stool by Kokke House: Revamping a Classic

Ruud-Jan Kokke is a Dutch designer working in line with the tradition of Gerrit Rietveld, who rose to fame in the mid-80s due to his inventive objects and furniture pieces. He might be best known for his TC Stool, which was awarded several prizes and has also been included in the permanent collections of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, as well as the MoMa in New York. The story behind this iconic piece is simple. Gallery Owner and museum guide Trees Coenders approached Kokke in 1989 with a request to create a chair that was suitable for museum tours. Up until then, they had used folding chairs, which were not only relatively heavy but which also proved to be quite impractical due to their angular shape. The new chair needed to be light, practical and easily movable during the museum tours. Kokke immediately caught on to the question and began the work which led to one of his most famous creations the TC Stool. The design is simple and pure yet well-thought-out, a defining characteristic of Kokke’s work. He is not distracted by fuss but aims to create a balance of form and use, drawing upon his extensive knowledge of materials and techniques. The chosen material for the TC Stool was aircraft plywood which is very strong, yet flexible. Kokke, a pioneer working with this material, bent the material into a cone shape and milled a handle into the seat. But this first prototype was initially rejected, as according to the client it looked too massive. To give it a light appearance, he added horizontal slots in the hull, resulting in the playful and light-footed design we came to know today. The TC Stool became an immediate success. 32 years later, the TC Stool is now making its return onto the market. Kokke House, an initiative by Romy Kokke and her husband Daniel Beasley, is now bringing back the iconic design of Ruud-Jan Kokke. Starting with the TC Stool, they will also bring back other designs in limited editions collaborating with artists such as Klaas Gubbels and Petra Hartman. With Kokke House being a family business, it will now bring back the spotlight to this highly acclaimed piece of Dutch design history.

www.kokkehouse.com

Fashion

Rolex Boutique Berlin

Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm belongs to the country’s most famous streets, and has become the German capital’s premier address for luxury. After extensive renovations and remodeling, Swiss watch manufacturer Rolex and Wempe are re-opening their joint-boutique in the historic building situated at Kurfürstendamm 184. Having initially been opened as the first Rolex Boutique in Germany back in 2009, the boutique’s new interior is an embodiment of the famed Rolex aesthetic and all the values of excellence, precision and love for detail for which they have become known over the years. Carefully selected colors and patterns radiate an ambience of comfort whilst providing an insight into the world of Rolex. The focal point of the new store are the impressive oval sales tables crafted in walnutwood with golden paneling, exclusively designed to showcase the Rolex selection in the store as well as an intimate VIP area and lounge. The partnership between Rolex and Wempe dates back as early as the 1950s, when the first Rolex watches were sold by Wempe in Germany and has continued throughout the decades. As Rémi Corpataux, Managing Director of Rolex Germany puts it, “We are happy to, in collaboration with our longstanding partner Jeweler Wempe, reopen our Berlin Boutique after extensive renovation and remodeling.”

www.rolex.com

Fashion

Fendi releases Peekaboo Capsule Collection

Reimagining the legendary leather accessory, FENDI is releasing the new Autumn/Winter 2022 Peekaboo Capsule collection.
The Peekaboo is one of FENDI’s timeless icons which now comes out in a reinterpreted version underlining its innovative and sophisticated character. It first started as an essential bag for women but was soon able to convince men as well, thanks to practical macro sizes and briefcase-like shapes.
The capsule also points out FENDI’s excellent leather craftsmanship by incorporating the Selleria macro stitches, which create a contrasting effect on the black, white and mint green leather. Exotic and ornamental handles round off the design. Another version is fabricated in full suede and stands out due to its elegant camel color. A matching Micro Peekaboo as well as python small leather goods offer exciting touches.
The Men’s version come in asphalt and camel colored Cuoio Romano leather with adjustable shoulder straps. Honoring the model in various sizes, the capsule features FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU Medium, Small and Mini.
Additionally, FENDI also releases a selection of knitted cashmere accessories in pastel tones of gray, mint green and beige. Included are hats, scarves and earmuffs, defined by an all-over FF logo. Cashmere maxi shopper, pouches as well as plaids and pillows add the finishing touches. JW
www.fendi.com

Fashion

Dion Lee launches Dion Lee Code

Dion Lee introduces Dion Lee Code as it launches the Façade Digital NFT collection in collaboration with MA+CREATIVE. As the official launch into web 3, the collection is dropping today, including five digital garments and two full looks. The looks are distinguished by a semi-sheer lace as lace serves as a window into the character’s identities. Beyond that, the first look consists of a silicone wave lace frock coat, contour corset, and, contour lace trousers, while the second look features a visceral lace hooded tank and blueprint denim.
The designs stem from Dion himself while the universal format in 3D files was created by the NFT artist Sam Walker. Entitled Façade, the collection investigates, how far we use constructed identities to build up a facade. The designer thus enters another dimension, where we can choose our characteristics, no matter the societal circumstances and external controls. Sevdaliza’s track System was chosen to accompany the collection as it was inspired by Sevda’s experience as a woman in the music industry who does not identify in any way with industry standards.
Dion Lee has announced, to donate part of the proceeds to the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistant Project, which offers comprehensive support for women to have a safe, legal abortion or emergency contraceptives. JW

www.dionlee.com

Fashion

HUGO launches NFT collection

HUGO is taking a big step toward the future by launching its first-ever NFT collection in collaboration with the renowned Web 3.0 company, Imaginary Ones. The exclusive collection consists of 1001 3D animations, entitled Embrace Your Emotions (EYE). In this respect, the collection revolves around emotional freedom as it encourages everyone to stand by their feelings in order to take care of one’s mental health. Six characters of the 1001 NFTs will stand out by containing special attributes. Five of them represent one of our everyday emotions, including joy, sadness, fear, anger, and love, which are all brought together in the sixth character. This special character will be auctioned and the proceeds will be fully donated to the evidence-based mental health program Youth Aware of Mental Health. Thus, it continues to educate young people on mental health and invites them to explore this brought and complex topic. An allowlist of 1000 spots will provide access to the collection, and enable purchase to those who purchase the exclusive phygital T-shirt, who hold the Imaginary Ones’ genesis NFT collection, or who take part in its social media activities. The holders of the NFTs will then receive a 10% discount in the HUGO online store and access to Imaginary Ones’ staking ecosystem. The collection “(...) enables us not only to further explore this virtual world, but also to share a message of self-acceptance and being true to yourself (...)” affirms Miah Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Brand Communications at HUGO BOSS. JW

www.hugo.com

Fashion

My INNER HEALTH Club launches revolutionary streaming service

As humankind becomes more and more health aware while at the same time everyday life becomes more hectic and fast these days, engaging with comprehensive and profound information surrounding the broad topic of mental and physical well-being is more significant than ever. With the aim of reviving and introducing traditional knowledge into daily life, the Berlin-based startup My INNER HEALTH Club was founded.
The young company launched as Europe’s first streaming service in the health sector and offers new original content every week revolving around the diverse and broad aspects of health. The personalized information gathered from world-leading experts can be accessed based on monthly or yearly subscriptions, depicting a revolutionary step in shaping our relationship with health. On the platform, customers can visit multimedia online classes which provide holistic solutions to issues of our modern life, including among other things stress, digestive disorders, or low energy. Taking into consideration that information about health can be abstract and inaccessible, My INNER HEALTH Club unravels complex issues and presents simple and individual approaches to preserving health. Beyond that, the startup introduced the My INNER HEALTH Club Traditional Health Practice Report 2022 in Western Europe as part of the launch. JW

www.myinnerhealthclub.com

Fashion

Zegna officially partners up with Real Madrid

The Italian luxury brand Zegna and the famed football club Real Madrid have officially teamed up as Zegna becomes Real Madrid’s Official Luxury Travelwear Partner. Together, they form a partnership of superlatives, built on shared values and shaped by a relentless desire to make a positive difference on Earth. First seen during the inaugural Champions League game of the 2022/2023 season, the items of the exclusive collaboration will increase in variation over the upcoming seasons. Its core consists of the signature overshirt, the chore jacket, and matching jogger bottoms or narrow trousers as well as crewneck underpinnings and signature triple stitch shoes. The jackets carry Zegna’s new brand sign, amplified through Real Madrid around the world. Characterized by a double-stripe graphic, it honors the 232 Road that crosses through Oasi Zegna, which was created as a result of the founder’s early commitment to sustainability.
“I am outstandingly thrilled about our newly announced partnership with the Real Madrid, one of the most recognizable brands in the world with a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase. The importance of values is what attracted Zegna and Real Madrid. We are both convinced that what is visible, either an item of clothing or winning a football match, only matters if there is an ethical stance behind it”, affirms Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna Group. JW

www.zegna.com
www.realmadrid.com

Fashion

Dior launches J’adore Parfum d’eau at an exclusive event

Dior recently released J’adore Parfum d’eau as the latest variation of the Maison’s beloved J’adore fragrance. While the elegance and femininity remain, the new version only consists of highly concentrated perfume water, which is not based on alcohol, thus reinforcing the flowery aroma. To celebrate this new experience, Dior organized an exclusive launch party in Berlin. Extravagant as the French Maison itself, the dress code was “A Hint of White and Gold”, which even applied to the Gin drinks, which were topped off with golden flakes.
Among the guests were the offspring of German celebrities, all united by the enthusiasm for the J’adore Parfum d’eau. Leni Klum for instance always carries the exceptional fragrance with her in her purse. Alongside the upcoming model and daughter of Heidi Klum, Talia Graf also attended the event. Resuming her model career after the corona pandemic, the niece of tennis icon Steffi Graf just recently moved to Milan. Another lover of the new Dior perfume is Lilly Krug, the daughter of German actress Veronica Ferres. She is currently working on her acting career in the glamorous city of Los Angeles, determined to make it on her own. Thus, the event gathered a range of young, elegant, and up-and-coming talents, for whom J’adore Parfum d’eau stands. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

Seeing double at the Gucci SS23 fashion show

During Milan Fashion Week Gucci presented the new Spring/ Summer collection 2023, designed by the Maison’s creative director Alessandro Michele. Titled Twinsburg, this collection pays homage to two extraordinary women of the creative director’s life, his mother and her twin sister. Having experienced their deep connection, secret intimacy, and ancestral alliance while growing up, Michele developed a fascination for the double. He explains: “Every single time I catch an aura of beauty in such specular multiplication. It’s so familiar, so powerful.”
For this reason, 68 pairs of identical twins walked the Gucci runway to present the garments of the new Spring/ Summer collection, yet portraying the impossibility of the perfectly identical. From this, the designer derives the tension of the relationship between original and copy, which determines the collection. It shows how the same garments create different effects on seemingly identical bodies and how fashion after all reinforces the act of individualization. That is, the collection describes twinship as a relationship between identity and otherness. Though sharing a confusable appearance, twins are not limited in their being. Nevertheless, they portray the sense of co-belonging and sisterhood, which is an indispensable part of our every life. JW

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli SS 23 dresses the “female explorer”

With a special focus on high-quality and artisanal workmanship, Brunello Cucinelli created the new Spring Summer 2023 collection which revolves around the idea of a “female explorer”. The collection stands for an elegant, luxurious, and discreet style, reinforced through the beige colors, significant to the brand. Earth tones and delicate pastel tones round off the palette and, in the context of the “explorer”, portray impressions gathered on the journey. Centered on the idea of “fluid tailoring”, the garments were crafted in a versatile and easy-going manner, balancing out the orderly elegance and masculine tailoring. As the core of the brand, knitwear becomes a feminine and contemporary element within the new collection. Textured embroidery and crochet stitches show once again the brand’s high expertise in craftsmanship. A highlight of the collection is the new Twin Wear category which consists of matching sets as a feminine alternative to dresses, jumpsuits, and suits, allowing versatile combinations.
The accessories of the Spring Summer 2023 collection seem contemporary and timeless at the same time. Taking on the neutral colors of the garments, these accessories can be described as minimalistic and pure. Knitting techniques used for the clothes can also be seen on everyday accessories, whose material gets enhanced by special textures, such as nappa leathers with broderie anglaise-style embroidery. JW

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Sportmax shows SS23 at Milan Fashion Week

Sportmax presented its new Spring/ Summer 2023 collection at Milan Fashion Week. The collection is based on the relationship between speech sounds and visual shapes and objects. As the human brain attaches shapes to abstract meanings, such as “bouba” and “kiki”, the title of the collection, Sportmax addresses the duality of elements in its own experiment. That is, the brand created a collage of elements, which discover their own balance while removing themselves from any logic. Hence, the collection celebrates dualisms and brazen creativity, disrupting social norms.
With a playful approach, Sportmax constructed a collection around minimal but contrasting looks and hypnotic, luminescent patterns. Techno-couture skirts matched with ultra-cropped tops. Streetwear gets linked to evening wear in a vivid palette of acid tones, pastels, deep colors, and black and white. Not only combine the garments different aesthetics but also different time eras. For instance, A-lines and large flare silhouettes of the 1950s are seen next to futuristic space age styles of the 60s and counterculture looks of the 90s. Regarding the accessories, Sportmax designed pneumatic bags as well as exceptional footwear such as second-skin boots. JW

www.sportmax.com

Fashion

Diesel SS 23 showcases democratic fashion

For its fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Diesel broke a world record. In front of 5000 spectators, the Italian brand presented the world’s largest ever inflatable sculpture, creating a unique and energetic atmosphere for the runway. Glenn Martens, creative director of Diesel explains: “I wanted to open Diesel up to the public, for people who may never have been to a fashion show before. They deserve a spectacle so we’ve broken the record (...).” For this reason, the new collection revolves around democratic fashion as it is titled the Diesel Democracy, characterized by denim, utility, pop, and play.
In the spirit of the brand, Martens experimented a lot with denim. To create denim devoré he weaved denim onto a transparent base, which then was fabricated into the devoré corset. Some of the denim incorporated into the garments has been bonded with a layer of cotton and then acid washed, revealing the denim once more. The collection also includes bonded leather jackets that are cut with raw edges. Alongside many other designs, Diesel also presents a new Eyewear collection in collaboration with Essilor Luxottica. Defined by color edging and metallic temples finishing on a perfect D, the styles complete the collection with a special accent. JW

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Dior presents La D de Dior Black Ultramatte

According to Christian Dior’s Little Dictionary of Fashion, published in 1954, the color black can be worn at any time, at any age, and on any occasion. Correspondingly, Victoire de Castellane, the Artistic Director of Dior Joaillerie, now launches La D de Dior watch in an all-black ensemble. Referring to Christian Dior’s dedication to the color, which is deeply rooted in the French Maison’s history, the watch is mysterious and familiar at the same time. It is simple as well, as there are no numbers on the dial, only the Dior lettering and three small dark stones divide it into four sections. However, this does not detract from its luxurious and high-quality appearance but seems to rather emphasize it. As such La D de Dior Black Ultramatte offers the possibility to reflect one’s personality, adapting to its wearer. The stainless steel Milanese mesh bracelet is characterized by a “Satine” pattern and rounds off the design as a whole.
The unique and chic watch model is also available with a black diamond-set bezel, which creates an astonishing light-dark radiance, thus evoking a sense of elegance and preciousness. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

MYKITA & Bernhard Willhelm

Since 2009, MYKITA and the Paris and LA-based fashion designer Bernhard Willhelm have collaborated, creating extraordinary shades in various colors and shapes. For his designs, Bernhard Willhelm draws massive inspiration from today’s Pop culture, in which he also incorporates elements of sports and streetwear. Hence, his garments radiate a sense of irony and absurdity. Together with MYKITA, he shares a deep interest in innovation. The modern manufactory is always striving for innovation and new technologies as it combines them with precise and high-quality craftsmanship.
A highlight of the collaboration is DAISUKE. The lenses form a shield over the eyes and nose, which is defined by a mirrored effect. Beyond the extraordinary design, the shades are characterized by their high quality. DAISUKE is made out of the material Mylon and crafted according to a patented screwless joint concept. Handcrafted in Berlin, DAISUKE joins further models of the collection in being extremely lightweight, providing a comfortable wearing sensation. The shield that protects half the face, is a tinted polyamide sunscreen shield with 100% UV protection and anti-reflection coating on the reverse side. By combining the craftsmanship of MYKITA with the creativity of Bernhard Willhelm, united in their innovative approach, true statement pieces, and stylish shades emerge. JW

www.mykita.com
www.bernhard-willhelm.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton opens Men’s pop-up in Amsterdam de Bijenkorf

For the first time, the French Maison Louis Vuitton welcomes customers to a unique pop-up in Amsterdam, dedicated to the new Fall in Love collection. Located in the center of de Bijenkorf’s ground floor, it can not be missed thanks to its impressive architectural structure in an eye-catching orange. The open space is decorated with modular furniture and has patterned walls in Damier, a signature motif of Louis Vuitton. In combination with the displayed musical instruments and the Louis Vuitton on Air neon lights, the pop-up resembles a recording studio. The construction follows the New York and ’70s vibe of the clothing of the Maison’s collection, which is distinguished by its special color palette and graphic designs. Since the garments are casual and sophisticated at the same time, they reflect the style of a modern man. Enhancing classic pieces by adding a modern twist is the basic concept of the clothing line. As the collection is composed of ready-to-wear and leather goods pieces, it combines Louis Vuitton’s savoir-faire with exciting contrasts. Highlights are the Taurillon Denim and the Record Monogram leather goods line, as they reinforce the retro touch of Fall in Love. JW

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Billie Eilish stars in Gucci Eyewear imagery

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish makes her debut as the face of the new Gucci eyewear imagery, featuring designs of the second release of Gucci’s 2022 eyewear collection. Known and loved for embracing authenticity and self-expression, Billie Eilish reflects the core values of the iconic Italian brand. Inspired by the film noir genre, the series follows the talented musician on a dreamlike car ride, which takes her and the viewer on a journey through a range of striking portraits echoing Billie Eilish’s unique style. An intriguing plot attracts the viewer, who gets ready to unravel the mystery. The images are based on unbalanced compositions and use a rich color palette, as well as contrasted lighting effects, creating a suspenseful atmosphere. Portraying the cars as a symbolic extension of their driver in the imagery, they reflect their intentions, motivations, and personalities. The imagery as a whole is composed of retro allure and modern sophistication which recurs in the eyewear designs. In one of the images, Billie Eilish wears caravan sunglasses distinguished by black acetate and gold-toned Gucci script logos. Another one shows the American singer with an 80’s-inspired cat eye design in pink, echoing the alluring and cinematic vibe of the images. JW

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Diesel releases Larger-Than-Life imagery

Diesel started the month of September by releasing the new imagery for the brand’s Fall Winter collection 2022, titled Larger-Than-Life. Set in a metropolitan area, the images reveal a world of giants fully dressed in Diesel’s latest collection. Depicted as billboard cutouts, the models and garments merge with the background of an urban skyline. Shot by Johnny Dufort and directed by Chris Simmonds and Glenn Martens, the image series puts the models in proportion to the jutting skyscrapers, exemplifying the international lifestyle company’s core attitude of optimism, rebellion, sexy, and playful irreverence with confidence.
Based on the principles of experimentation, rebellion, and play, Creative Director Glenn Martin created a collection of unique and modern garments, portraying his version of the Diesel World. Composed of responsibly sourced wool knits and reversible puffers adorned with Diesel’s signage as well as metallic dresses and cut-out tops, the collection has a modern and metropolitan feeling to it. Diesel’s huge passion for denim fabrics is translated into a fluid Trompe l’ oeil denim print in skirts, bags, trousers, and shirts. Some of the collection’s pieces combine denim with upcycled jersey, creating a “peel-off”-effect, representing the creative DNA of the iconic brand. JW

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak turns 50

To celebrate the 50th birthday of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, the Swiss Haute-Horlogerie manufacturer launches a special book in collaboration with the luxury publishing house Assouline. Written by award-winning cultural journalist Bill Prince, the book tells the story of the iconic watch model from a culturally relevant point of view. It includes exclusive information found in Audemars Piguet’s archives and frames the text with pictures and annotations of longstanding friends of the watchmaker.
When the Royal Oak was first released in 1972, it caused a great sensation due to its ultra-flat automatic movement, which has never been seen before. In the following years of cultural and industrial change, the watch not only kept up with time but was even ahead of it. Marking a new era of Haute Horlogerie distinguished by sportiness and finesse, it embodied an active yet serene lifestyle. Combining technological innovation and high-quality craftsmanship the Royal Oak is not just a watch but a cultural asset that goes beyond the momentariness of our being. The “Generation Royal Oak”, including celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Mark Ronson, and Serena Williams, are featured in the book as they talk about their inspirations rooted in the cultural movement since the Royal Oak was first released. JW

www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

LML Studio presents Sensible Ensemble

Known for his hand-painted and re-tailored garments, fashion designer and founder of LML Studio Lucas Meyer-Leclèrc showed his latest collection, titled Sensible Ensemble, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in the old Telegraphenamt. The new collection revolved around the theme “remake, reuse, reassemble”. Thus, Lucas Meyer-Leclèrc incorporated many reworked and repurposed vintage pieces into the collection, some of which derived from the 1930s. A significant part of Sensible Ensemble was composed of hand-knitted, crocheted, painted and embroidered pants and shorts as well as coats, tops and accessories. The designs and the fashion show, which was divided into three parts, were inspired by the beautiful feeling of togetherness as well as diversity and the freedom of love and life. A highlight of the runway show was the Berlin Ensemble, who performed an a cappella version of German icon Marlene Dietrich’s and Peter Seegers’ song “Tell me where the flowers are.” Musician PZUDEMO also performed during the show and sang his song GRIND. He was dressed in retailored cotton gabardine trousers, a leather vest and a jacket, which was composed of several evening suits from the 1930s, both hand-painted. A hand crocheted tie completed the look. JW

www.MBFW.berlin

Fashion

Kilian Kerner and LIEBESKIND BERLIN collaborate for Berlin Fashion Week

For the first time, German bag brand LIEBESKIND BERLIN joins forces with the Berlin fashion designer Kilian Kerner for his show at Berlin Fashion Week. In the course of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin, Kerner presented his new collection which carries the name IKONEN, German for icons. The title references the inspiration which defined the designs as Kilian Kerner was heavily influenced by his own personal icons of various fields. In the building of the old Berlin telegraph office, which spreads a unique atmosphere, the event welcomed high-profile guests, like actress Jella Haase, Model Franziska Knuppe and influencer Klaudia Giez.
Kilian Kerner’s garments were perfectly complemented by the clean yet idiosyncratic design of the high quality bags of LIEBESKIND BERLIN, such as the Paper Bag or the Chelsea. The collection of clothing is as well defined by clean cuts and striking designs. Furthermore the two labels are interconnected as they both are soaked with the extraordinary spirit of Berlin and draw huge inspiration from the German capital. Having similar perceptions of charm and creativity, both brands create timeless and remarkable pieces, which they combined at Berlin Fashion Week. JW

www.liebeskind-berlin.com
www.kilian-kerner.de

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Bernadette Chéné at Galerie La Forest Divonne

Starting on Brussels Gallery Weekend, the Galerie La Forest Divonne presents the exhibition L’Un et l’autre by French artist Bernadette Chéné.
The core of this exhibition are sculptures made out of raw and strong materials such as cut metal plates and erected trunks. The creations radiate a timeless beauty as they are displayed under the glass roof, significant to the architecture of the gallery. The sculptures reveal Bernadette Chéné’s abilities as a transmitter of emotion and as a visionary. For her artworks she takes familiar and simple materials, which at first glance do not seem special at all. However, she manages to detect what is extraordinary and beautiful about the material and makes it visible to the visitors. Hence, she evokes a surprising and unexpected effect. Nonetheless, the sculptures seem subtle and discreet. The exhibition L’un et l’autre by Bernadette Chéné will be open to the public from September 8th to October 29th, 2022 at Galerie La Forest Divonne in Brussels. JW

BERNADETTE CHÉNÉ
L’Un et l’autre, exhibition views in Galerie La Forest Divonne
©ECrooÿ
Courtesy of the artist and Galerie La Forest Divonne, Brussels 

www.galerielaforestdivonne.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Fabrice Monteiro at Didier Claes

Didier Claes returns to Brussels Gallery Weekend this year with a solo exhibition, showing photographs of Belgian/Beninese artist Fabrice Monteiro. The 8 Mile Wall shows a series of portraits as the artist’s favorite form of expression. His works deal with the stereotypes of black people that date back to the time of slavery and colonialism.
When Monteiro was still a child, he had a conversation with his father, which made him realize the subconscious effect of aesthetic details, such as clothing, on how we perceive each other. Many years later this conversation led him to create this series, trying to deconstruct this way of thinking. The title of the series, The 8 Mile Wall, refers to a wall of the same name in Detroit, which runs from 8 Mile Road to Pembroke Avenue for 0.8 kilometers. Built in 1941, the wall was supposed to separate black and white homeowners as black people were not welcome on the other side of it, epitomizing racial discrimination. As his photographs portray his complex heritage, they also illustrate the difficult and ambivalent relationship between Europe and Africa, one of curiosity and rejection. His works aim to break down the hurtful and widely used stereotypes by countering the clichés and presenting black people with dignity as a symbol of mental oppression.
The exhibition The 8 Mile Wall will be open to the public from September 8th to November 11th, 2022 at Didier Claes in Brussels. JW

FABRICE MONTEIRO
Pitit Noir, 2017
Digital art print, 120 x 120 cm
Courtesy of the artists and Didier Claes, Brussels

www.didierclaes.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Seulgi Lee at Mendes Wood

In the event of the Brussels Gallery Weekend, Mendes Wood is presenting the first solo exhibition of Korean-born artist Seulgi Lee, called Slow Water. The works displayed by the gallery were made especially for this occasion.
The sculptures and installations of Seulgi Lee are characterized by bright and cheerful colors as well as simple but elegant forms. Exploring ordinary objects, everyday language, and natural forms, her works follow a formal aesthetic. The creation of her art is based on a utilitarian approach, linked to the nature of the body, presenting her work as usable and handy tools. Furthermore, Lee appreciates and draws her inspiration from folk crafts. For this reason, she has already collaborated with Korean quilters from Tongyeong and traditional basket makers from Mexico. In the creation process, the artist does not decide between a formal, polished sculptural practice and a more popular aesthetic but combines them both in her artworks. Thus, her art bears a unique signature, which is expressed in form, color, and gesture.
The exhibition Slow Water by Seulgi Lee will be open to the public from September 8th to October 8th, 2022 at the gallery Mendes Wood in Brussels. JW

SEULGI LEE
BAGATELLE, 2022
Wood, metal balls
Courtesy of the artist, Jousse Entreprise and MENDES WOOD DM, Sao Paulo, Brussels
New York

www.mendeswooddm.com

Music

CRO introduces his new Album “11:11”

For more than a decade, CRO has enthused and inspired his fans with his permanent energy and artistic attitude, which has not faded over the years but has grown even bigger. Permanently evolving himself and his music, CRO keeps creating songs that speak to a range of emotions, always uplifting and enthralling.
His latest album “11:11” is all about love. Not only does Cro rap about what love can do to one in his texts, but transports the feeling in the sound of each song: how it makes you forget everything, and how you stagger and dance because of it. One of the songs on the album is called “FACETIME LUV”, a smooth slow jam that talks about trying to create closeness through a phone screen despite being separated by thousands of kilometers. Nonetheless, social media and its possibilites to connect seem to be an illusion, resulting in doubting and questioning the feeling. Another one is “FREIHEIT” which asks about what it truly means to be free. "I've heard there's an infinite number of paths you can take, but I'm only taking mine," sings CRO, torn between big, wild dreams and the desire for love and closeness, the ultimate theme of “11:11”. JW

www.cromusik.de

Art

The 15th edition of Brussels Gallery Weekend

The annual Brussels Gallery Weekend is returning at the beginning of September, thus presenting the 15th edition of the festival. In the course of the event, 47 art galleries will open their doors to professionals and other art lovers from all around the world, presenting contemporary art in the heart of Europe’s capital. In no previous year have so many galleries participated, showing impressive exhibitions, performances, and installations around the city. For the 15th edition, Brussels Gallery Weekend has chosen to have a main venue as a focal point, which will be located in the former printing plant of the National Bank of Belgium. The unique building will host, amongst other events, the “Sculpture Factory” exhibition and the “Generation Brussels” exhibition, introducing emerging artists from Brussels. Alongside the festival, the traditional “off” programme will be held as well as different talks and other surprises.
“Thanks to its central location and the vitality of the local scene, Brussels plays a prominent role in the contemporary art world, and we seek to further the city’s influence with a spirit of sharing,” explains Sybille du Roy de Blicquy, director of the Brussels Gallery Weekend.

Brussels Gallery Weekend will take place on the weekend of September 8th to September 11th, 2022 in Brussels. JW

image credits: StockkStudio, David Baatzsch

www.brusselsgalleryweekend.com

Fashion

Loro Piana presents Denim Cashmere

In its Fall-Winter collection 2022/ 23, the Italian brand Loro Piana presents its new and innovative fabric Denim Cashmere. Distinguished by its unique feel, the fabric was created in collaboration between the crafts team of Loro Piana and Japanese denim experts of the Bingo region. The manufacturers from Bingo are outstanding in their experience and therefore enjoy great popularity around the world. United in their perfectionist approach to creating high-quality garments, the two crafted a mixed material of 60% denim and 40% cashmere, defined by its warm and comfortable wearing sensation. The production requires ancient and rare weaving looms, which can only be used by a few experienced professionals. During a slow process, the two yarns, the indigo denim, and the natural cashmere fiber are woven together. Thus, within one day 50 meters of the precious fabric are produced. In the end, the material was incorporated into one look of this season’s collection, including pants and a jacket. The simple yet elegant garments are the result of a unique collaboration, which combines the know-how of the Japanese denim experts with the Italian spirit of Loro Piana. They symbolize the merging of two cultures, topped off with a luxurious touch, significant to the Italian brand. JW

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

The Power For The People by Steve Davies

After spending his whole life in London, Steve Davies decided to found his own brand “The Power For The People” in 2020, which is heavily inspired by his journey, which led him through London’s neighborhoods Shoreditch, Soho, and Savile Row. For this reason, he also attaches great importance to closely working together with British fabric mills and manufacturers for the production of his collections, ensuring high quality for his clothing. Furthermore, the designs of the handmade garments refer to the British capital in their street energy, as the city surprises the founder and creative director of the brand again and again, despite having lived there for so long. For Autumn/ Winter 2022, only the second season for “The Power For The People”, the label of Steve Davies reflects his first season in tailored and military styles. The collection is crafted in traditional British manufacturing techniques and references the 80s and 90s London club scene with bondage pants, mixed with classic men’s tailoring fabrics.
Based on Davies’ passion and love for the city of London, an all-inclusive structured line of garments emerges, defined by its unconventional style and dedication to its fine production. JW

www.thepowerforthepeople.com

Fashion

Iris van Herpen and Aubade create a botanical seduction

“Sensory Illusion” is the title of the collaboration between Parisian lingerie manufacturer Aubade and Dutch couturier Iris van Herpen. Inspired by nature, its fragility, and vibrant vitality, Iris van Herpen created undergarments with leaf embroidery and mystic ornaments, diving into a magical and botanical world. For the creation process of the pieces, the talented designer explored the archives of the French lingerie pioneer during which she came across Aubade’s iconic and ethereal gradations. As a new interpretation, she constructed straight lines, contrasting with the organic, embroidered motives. A seductive see-through effect is created, which continues at the back of the bra in a refined embroidery. Available in the colors “Golden Leaves”, a mix of bronze and black, and “Silk Rose”, different shades of pink, the collection offers two different variants of sensuality.
The capsule includes ten pieces, three of which are different kinds of bras. Each of them has matching panties, which range from tanga to Italian slip to shorty made of Saint-Tropez-lace. A body, a nightgown, and a high-waist suspender belt complete “Sensory Illusion”. Reminiscent of nature’s diversity, a u-shaped, golden piece of jewelry distinguishes the triangle-bralette, the body, and the nightgown in between the cups. Bringing together two masters of their craft who value luxurious materials, the exclusive Capsule collection merges seduction and savoir-faire. The exceptional craftsmanship of Iris van Herpen and the decades of experience values of Aubade, result in an alluring and unique collection of high-quality lingerie. JW

www.aubade.com
www.irisvanherpen.com

Fashion

The Tommy Factory

For its Fall 2022 imagery, Tommy Hilfiger introduces the “Tommy Factory”, a creative space inspired by Andy Warhol’s celebrated New York Studio. Portraying an epicenter of self-expression and artistic freedom, it deeply fascinated fashion Designer Tommy Hilfiger. As did the Pop-Art artist himself, whose approach and nose for relevant topics led Hilfiger to the concept of his own creative playground, though it is not a physical place but a “state of mind”.
Linking the classic and the new, the experimental factory unites a diverse cast of cross-generational Future makers, including mother-daughter duo Kate and Lila Moss, drummer Travis Barker, actor Anthony Ramos, musician Jon Batiste, street pop artist Mr. Brainwash, drag queen Lady Bunny and last but not least tattoo artist Steve Wiebe. Shot by Craig McDean in the Bronx and styled by Katie Grand, the images convey the spirit of the city and its cutting-edge communities. At Hilfiger’s fashion show in September during New York Fashion Week, the “Tommy Factory” will continue to unfold in a unique experience. To highlight and reinforce the power of the individual, the show will be accompanied by installations, again inspired by Warhol and his “15 minutes of fame spirit”. Reimagining and evoking the famed Factory by Andy Warhol, Tommy Hilfiger presents its fashion, honoring the iconic artist. JW

www.tommy.com

Fashion

Jewelry by Louis Vuitton - Empreinte Collection

The 2004 Empreinte collection shines in new splendor as Francesca Amfitheatrof, Artistic Director of Jewelry and Watches for Louis Vuitton, presents its unmistakable designs in a refreshing and bold way.

The collection includes 18-karat yellow, white and pink gold pieces adorned by the distinctive LV initials and Monogram Flowers. The Monogram flower appears in particular on a medallion which resembles a modern talisman as well as on the cords of bracelets. While Empreinte portrays strength and adventure, the interlaced bracelets give a warm feeling by symbolizing loving relationships. They also refer to an iconic piece of the company’s history as they are inspired by the leather strap that fastens the Louis Vuitton luggage. A long necklace that can be worn stacked or as a bracelet gives the collection an individual touch. Hoop earrings and diamond-studded ear cuffs complete the clear and contemporary ensemble.
With Empreinte Louis Vuitton and Francesca Amfitheatrof represent the “Art of Travel” in the tradition of the company. While remaining true to Louis Vuitton’s values, history, and quality standards the designer did not miss to meet modern requirements concerning the design and also the production of the collection. The company attaches great value to producing its goods in an ethical way and is therefore certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council since 2012. JW

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Comme des Garçons x Air Max Sunder

Comme des Garçons has undoubtedly become a household name within the luxury fashion industry. The Japanese brand, under the creative lead of Rei Kawakubo, has continuously evolved, establishing a visual identity which is unrecognizably Comme des Garçons. Throughout the year, the Japanese brand has also worked together with Nike to create a series of collaborative sneakers. Now, they are pleased to announce the newest collaboration, the Comme des Garçons x Air Max Sunder, which first debuted in Tokyo during the Comme des Garçons Homme Plus SS22 show. The original model was first introduced in the late 90s and has remained unchanged ever since. Comme des Garçons is the first to update the design since its inception. The exterior shroud is customized by featuring premium neoprene and nubuck. Available in three colourways, the new and modern redesign is simplified, yet maintains the original fit of the sneaker with its unique combination of zipper and lace-up.

The Comme des Garçons x Air Max Sunder will be available at all the CDG and Dover Street Market stores globally, as well as the DSM E-Shops.

www.comme-des-garcons.com
www.nike.com

Fashion

DIESEL opens new Stores at two Prestigious Locations

When Glenn Martens was announced as the new Diesel Creative Director, it was clear that a lot of new and exciting things were to follow. With his first collections, the young Belgian designer has already started to leave his mark on the innovative Italian lifestyle brand and will continue to do so in the years to come. His influence is by no means just limited to the garments, but he has also designed the brand’s new retail concept. Now, Diesel opens new stores in Forte dei Marmi, Italy, and Puerto Baùs, Spain, two prime holiday destinations in Europe. They mark the start of a new chapter under the creative lead of Glenn Martens, whose new retail concepts are defined by both curated shopping elements and experiential immersions. Throughout the store, one can see functional and innovative design details which exhibit the concept's key characteristics of renewal, disruption and transformation. The interior of the store is additionally also reflecting the Diesel DNA, for example through the bone-white and signature red walls, recalling the iconic Diesel logo. Additionally, sculptural elements are interspersed throughout the space, providing a certain depth, textures and timeless appeal to the space. These two will not be the only new stores opening under this new retail concept. Other 2022 rollouts will include new flagship stores in Tokyo Ginza, Shanghai Grand Gateway and Paris Saint Honoré.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

CD Diamond Glasses

Sunglasses are not only for the sunny seasons. They have become an intricate part of most people’s wardrobes and an absolute essential that one should always have on hand. Like many other luxury houses, DIOR has long recognized the appeal and popularity of sunglasses, but now the French Maison takes this a step further by applying their exquisite savoir-faire. The CD DiamondGlasses are a combination of advanced technology and highly refined DIOR craftsmanship and ultimate expertise. Assembled by hand, these virtuoso creations exalt the house’s fundamentals. This special accessory is defined by the infinite precision and attention to detail throughout every stage of the production. This is instantly recognizable in the lenses which have the Christian Dior Signature laser engraved or the diamond motif and iconic CD Diamond Logo applied with the most meticulous care. This Diamond pattern was first unveiled in 1974 and this original emblem and hypnotic design are now celebrated by Kim Jones.

www.dior.com

Fashion

LOIS Jeans SS23: Porto di Como

In the context of its 60th Anniversary, Spanish jeans brand Lois Jeans unveiled its new SS23 collection ‘Porto di Como’ with its first-ever fashion show in Italy. Taking place at the historical location of Acqua di Bianchi in the picturesque village of Taceno, close to Lago di Como, the collection and show were a homage to Italy, its music and its heritage. The unexpected scenery is a direct reference to the inspiration behind the 16th collection, the enchanting ambience of the natural oasis captured through the striking designs and exceptional elegance of the collection. The natural surroundings of Lago di Como expressed through a harmonious color scheme of clean whites, deep blues, soft yellow tones adorned with orange details, floral artworks and elegant shapes is contrasted with Lois Jeans’ iconic characteristics which have catapulted the brand to global prominence. Iconic jeans sets, elevated 60s styles and low-waisted 90s fits are reinvented as visual highlights throughout the collection and bear witness to the essence of the brand’s heritage. Naturally, ABBA, who Lois is known for sponsoring shortly before their Eurovision Song Contest success in 1974, was present through their iconic song ‘Take A Chance on Me’, which was the musical backdrop of the show’s finale. Among the models of the shows were the Lois muses of the past years, such as Dutch icons Rianne ten Haken and Ton Heukels, as well as Lois campaign stars Nour Lwasi, Jena Goldsack and Robin Hölzken. The incredible evening was finished off by an authentic Italian dinner in the serene setting natural setting of Taceno, a perfect setting to celebrate the 60th Anniversary and the 16th Lois collection.

www.loisjeanstore.com

Art

Wir Überleben das Licht

Johan Tahon was captured by sculpture at the early age of 15 and this fascination has not stopped since. Since his beginnings and most importantly independently from all various trends and streams which at one point dominated the art world, Johan Tahon has continued to uphold craftsmanship, personal expression and spirituality as guiding principles in his works. In 1996, Jan Hoet discovered the Belgian artist and started to promote Tahon’s monumental sculptures. Under his sponsorship, Johan Tahon developed into an artist of international stature, heralded as a part of a group of artists who heralded the comeback of figuration and craft in the arts. Tahon’s deeply rooted topics of human psychology and spirituality also caught the attention of writers, most notably Till Lindemann, frontman of the German band Rammstein, who collaborated, under the initiative of ZOO Magazine, with the Belgian artist by writing a number of poems inspired by his sculptures. The resulting exhibition, Wir Überleben das Licht, conceived in collaboration with ZOO Magazine is now on display at the Cultuurcentrum de Steiger in Menen, Tahon’s hometown of which he is also an honorary citizen. The display encompasses the sculptures of Johan Tahon, the poetry of Till Lindemann and the photography of Sandor Lubbe. Aside from Wir Überleben das Licht, the Cultuurcentrum also opened up the DEPOT TAHON, a permanent display of countless sculptures by Johan Tahon, allowing visitors to dive deep into Tahon’s artistic world.

The exhibition Wir Überleben das Licht will be on display at the Cultuurcentrum de Steiger Menen until August 31st.

www.johantahon.com
www.ccdesteiger.be

Fashion

Christian Louboutin Men SS23 in collaboration with Highsnobiety

Within the Parisian cultural hub for contemporary art, the iconic Le Centre Georges Pompidou, Christian Louboutin, and Highsnobiety will host a presentation at Georges. At the top of the building, the two brands will celebrate the launch of the Men’s SS23 collection, previewing the newest line titled “Dune”. Highlighting the creative universes, the runway featured a futuristic outdoor corridor compromised of red plinths in different heights inspired by the graphic red and black notches soles of the Dune line. Here, a selection of dazzling evening shoes, new styles from the inclusive capsule Our Angels, and leather goods from Techno CL perforated leather pattern are displayed. Inside the space is a central scenography made of four aluminum panels arranged in a circular shape to form a futuristic cocoon that showcases the new hero shoe: the Dune lug sole. With inspiration taken from the Maison’s signature niche displays, the Christian Louboutin and Highsnobiety design panels serve to highlight eight variations of the newest addition to the collection. Once it becomes dark, that afterparty took place with an array of musical performances.

www.christianlouboutin.com
www.highsnobiety.com

Fashion

DIOR Men Summer 23

Kim Jones created a gardener’s dream in Dior men’s SS23 show. The pieces pay tribute to Christian Dior’s passion for nature by reimagining the designer’s childhood home in Granville, Normandy. Placed in front of a bright blue backdrop with grass-like features, the models wear pieces dominated by pastel colors that seamlessly blend into their natural surroundings. There is a clear nod towards practicality, with an array of outdoor clothing such as reflective gilets and practical backpacks. Also featured are gardener’s hats designed by Stephen Jones Millinery, some of which are made using a 3D printer. Some elements of Bloomsbury set painter, Duncan Grant’s work was placed on fleece sweaters and embroidered on sheer tops for playful effects. The post-impressionist vibrant colors stood out well against the vivid backdrop. In a practical yet rebellious tone, the pieces evoke an effortless contemporary existence. Reclaimed cashmere, double-breasted tailored coats were teamed with tailored shorts in thirties fabrications. Semi-transparent silk organza revealed the strict, traditional masculine construction of the garments underneath.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Gianni Versace at the Groninger Museum

Gianni Versace is one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, with his prominence very much being carried on through today. Versace brought together classical and pop art imagery and found inspiration in figures from ancient Greece as well as subjects like bondage and SM. The designer worked with artists like Andy Warhol, Jim Dine, and Julian Schnabel, raising the profile of the marriage between the old and new like never before. As a pioneer in the fashion world, Versace regularly challenged traditional images of masculinity and femininity, designing clothing for both sexes and referencing sexuality and power in his collections. The colorful, daring, and emotional Gianni Versace Retrospective exhibition will take visitors through the journey inside the eccentric fashion designer’s world of extravagant clothing and lavish catwalk shows in which clothing, pop music, and design come spectacularly together. The exhibition displays men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, fabrics, drawings, interior designs, and footage of legendary shows derived from the Italian designer’s glory days between 1989 and 1997. Gianni Versace brought the arts together like no one ever before, leading the way in the transformation of fashion shows and advertising campaigns into works of art. Each item presented is an original piece, all of which are sourced from international private collections. GH

The Gianni Versace Retrospective will take place at the Groninger Museum from December 2 2022 to May 7 2023

www.groningermuseum.nl
www.versace.com

Fashion

La Martina SS23 Collection

Held at Garden Senato, a classy, unconventional, and unique location, the La Martina SS23 show stands for creativity, multiculturalism, and integration. The brand has unveiled a new collection inspired by a journey that follows the polo players from Argentina to London to attend tournaments and social events. But like everyone, also La Martina’s polo players deserve a holiday. The SS23 Collection is structured around 4 four macro themes: Argentina, England, Holiday, and Essential. From sporty to casual, from streetwear to a more elegant cut, the new garments are made for any adventure, especially during summer vacations. Then, as a fil rouge to connect the many looks are, as always, colors and materials such as nylon, linen, and jersey. La Martina fashion show was presented during the Milan Fashion Week in the shape of a big live event followed by an exclusive party with a DJ set by Graziano della Nebbia, a well-known name on the Milanese music scene. To attend the event were prominent personalities such as Italian and international journalists, K.O.L., VIPs, ambassadors, and friends of the brand. VB

www.lamartina.com

Fashion

Born in Oasi Zegna

Innovation is paramount for Zegna and starts from the Oasi. Created by Ermenegildo Zegna, Oasi Zegna is an ecosystem born long before this word was even known. It is not only a unique model of societal and environmental consciousness but also a set of principles that foster consistency and promote harmony. From here starts the journey made by Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori while designing the SS23 Menswear Collection. Going back to the roots and keeping in mind two of Zegna’s hallmarks - craftsmanship and tailoring - the brand has presented a new series of garments that feature new shapes and textures, giving life to a new language. The idea was to keep the finesse, the attention to detail, and the respect for materials while experimenting with lighter silhouettes and fabrics, as well as finishes with different technicalities, to create a new style for men. The result is a collection that brings the lightness and the freedom of the Oasi Zegna as an environment into the city: kimono-cut jackets, impalpable coats, shirts, and tops, are characterized by loose and unstructured shapes, Bermuda shorts further free movement, while tailored blazers are freed from the necessity of having a collar. Also, materials and colors evoke this feeling of extreme lightness. Throughout the collection, engineered knitwear, technical silk, meshes, rubberized nylons, wools, terry, rubberized leather, and lacquered nappa were combined with a color palette that ranges from earthy tones, powder white, and dusty rose to charcoal, sulfur, and black. VB

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Prada Choices

Fashion can be defined as a manner, a way of dressing, or a method of presenting oneself. Based on this reflection, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have created a new collection titled “Prada Choices,” an invitation to rethink what style is. The Prada SS23 Menswear Collection plays on the juxtaposition of many elements. Garments are here combined in an unusual way generating a different impact and identity according to the dialogue of each piece with the others. The designers have combined the brand's sophisticated aesthetic with Raf Simons’ youthful aura. Suits, overcoats, sweaters, shirts, denim, and leather are among Prada classics. Despite their simplicity, the silhouettes of these pieces have been reinterpreted through context. Leather shorts are coupled with patterned cotton shirts, and knee-length four-button coats come in leather, gingham, and off-white. Simplicity is the reading key but what makes this collection iconic is the mix of rawness and sophistication, classicism and spontaneity. It is the choice of pairing colors, fabrics, patterns, and shapes to elevate the whole show. VB

www.prada.com

Fashion

Karl Lagerfeld x Alled-Martinez

“This collection is a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld himself, to fashion, and to iconic fashion moments from the early ‘00s that left a mark on me while growing up”, says Archie M. Alled-Martinez when discussing the Karl Lagerfeld x Alled-Martinez capsule collection. The genderless styles reinterpret Karl Lagerfeld’s vision through a queer lens, with details that celebrate fearlessness and self-expression. The capsule features ready-to-wear and accessories that embrace Karl Lagerfeld’s original vision of effortless sophistication combined with Alled-Martinez’s signature aesthetic of being playful, camp-chic, and unapologetic. The ready-to-wear essentials include tailored knitted suits, a lurex-jersey suit with a unique finish that resembles denim, and sparkling sequin pieces. Key accessories range from statement rings to bowling bags, tote bags, and driving gloves that evoke Karl Lagerfeld’s own iconic look. When describing the merging of the two brand’s identities, Archie M. Alled-Martinez said “I brought some daringness to Karl’s rigor and style. At its core is the belief that fashion needs to be real. There’s no right or wrong – it’s about knowing and celebrating who you are". The collection is available globally from June 16th 2022. GH

www.karl.com

Fashion

Herno Resort FW22/23 Collection

Precious details and soft, warm fabrics are the key features that give life to Herno Resort Collection. Thought for leisure time, the collection is designed for the wearer, who can enjoy the refinement of materials, the fluidity of the shapes, and relaxing colors in a perfect Herno style. Knitwear and outerwear are merged thanks to the recent creation of an in-house department in the headquarters on Lake Maggiore, offering a wide range of garments divided into two categories. Travel & Leisure features casual wear dedicated to all travelers who need clothes ready to go. Wool sweaters with zipping, hood, or round necks and sweatshirts are e embellished with sophisticated decorations and pastel colors. Jackets in unlined boiled wool, with knitted cuffs and adjustable drawstrings, give a romantic touch with their hues that range from lilac and teal to blue and butter. It is the perfect starter pack for every adventurer. Luxury Dream, instead, represents the destination of this journey. It is a mix of elegance and luxury. Herno women's collection includes a cape in pure soft wool, a sweatshirt made of 3 materials - cotton for the body, nylon for the hood, knit for the sleeves and edges - and an over sweater and cardigan that combine nylon and knit. For men, the great protagonist of the new collection is the iconic bomber jacket, translated into a college-style model. VB

www.herno.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton releases Pégase in collaboration with Marc Newson

Louis Vuitton the Rolling Series is a collection made up of elevated statements through designs that are built to last. Recently, Pégase has been introduced as an advancement to the series, newly reimagined by Marc Newson. This is Newson’s third collaboration with the brand, having previously released Horizon followed by the Horizon Soft duffle in 2016. The objective for all three of these collections was to “have a consistent vocabulary between them and to share the same innovations”, according to the designer. For Pégase, Newson applied his expertise in materials and engineering to produce an unparalleled slimness to the luggage. Topped with an ergonomic handle, this trolley system excels in strength and maneuverability. True to the visual language of the house, the Pégase is offered in timeless Monogram, Monogram Eclipse, Damier Graphite, and Taiga Leather. Underneath, the shell ensures that Pégase is lightweight and ultra-resistant. In this way, travelers will appreciate that Newson has given equal consideration to the exterior and interior of the piece. Pégase is truly the ideal addition to the Rolling Luggage series, combining emblematic Louis Vuitton features with super functionality. GH

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

LOEWE Celebrates The Paula’s Ibiza Collection

Last weekend, the Spanish brand LOEWE flew to Ibiza to host a special event to celebrate the launch of Paula’s Ibiza collection. Born from the hedonistic vision of Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, the SS22 Collection features sequins, bright colors, and creative cutouts perfect for the thrilling nightlife of the Spanish island. Ibiza is a world-class party destination whose energy and vibrancy reflect LOEWE’s ethos and spirit of freedom. There, the brand organized an exclusive weekend festival that started with a personalized Mercadillo and party at Las Dalias, followed by lunch at beachfront restaurant Cala Bonita the next day, and ended with an evening cocktail dinner at the newly opened Beach Caves at Six Senses. It was an ode to escapism. Among the guest who attended the event were: Stéphane Bak, Amina Muaddi, Jahleel Weaver, Jeanne Cadieu, Blanca Miró, and Ziwe. VB

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Dior presents the CD Diamond Accessories

The CD Diamond is the epitome of modernity and a classic symbol of Dior spirit. Originally designed by Marc Bohan, the iconic motif has been seen across Dior designs since the Miss Dior ready-to-wear collection of 1974. Today, Kim Jones has reinterpreted the design that was originally featured on blouses, scarves, and skirts, as a canvas for his Dior SS22 men’s collection. Revisited in the manner of a refined diamond, this new approach to the “CD”, with its unique relief, enlivens the season’s creations in Dior Gray, evoking the Granville sky as an ode to the founding couturier. The canvas is also featured in black, ono the B23 sneakers, for a casual and sportswear style. The design has also been extended to the Lingot line of bags, in a slim pouch, messenger, and briefcase version. These mesmerizing designs are the perfect continuation of the exemplary print that is maintaining its way of being an emblematic fundamental. GH

www.dior.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Unveils Colorful Lineup on Monogram Macassar and Taurillon Monogram

Louis Vuitton has introduced a fresh and cool lineup on Monogram Macassar and Taurillon Monogram for Summer 2022. To pay homage to Virgil Abloh, the French Maison designed a leather goods collection featuring a distinctive seasonal color palette of orange, purple, and mint green that evokes the late Creative Director's rainbow and energizing universe. The new accessories are practical and colorful, all crafted in LV Taurillon Monogram leather. The briefcase is a sophisticated yet spacious item able to contain tech and essential documents thanks to a padded laptop sleeve and pockets. Its closure features the iconic Virgil Abloh-designed S-Lock Signature, while a top handle and a wide woven shoulder strap make it functional and comfortable. The new wearable wallet is roomy, with a vertical silhouette, and characterized by a flap with a magnetic finishing inspired by Louis Vuitton's original, unbreakable lock from 1886. Then, two other unique Louis Vuitton cult favorites have been redesigned: the Keepall 25 in a city bag size and the Christopher backpack in a smaller version. To complete the collection are the Monogram Macassar canvas bags in the same seasonal colors embellished with signature matte black metallic finishes. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

STONE ISLAND PROTOTYPE RESEARCH_SERIES 06

Since 2016, Stone Island has created limited editions of garments that, given their complexity of experimentation, are not yet industrializable. The project is called the “Prototype Series,” which focuses on the research of innovative technologies, new fabrics, and treatments. This year for the Milan Design Week, the brand presented the PROTOTYPE RESEARCH_SERIES 06 in collaboration with the Kevlar® consumer brand R&D team. Kevlar® is a synthetic fiber with exceptional strength, hardness, and thermal stability that, when combined with "stretch broken" technology, produces an incredibly fine yarn that can be covered with cotton. For this project, the cotton yarn has been disintegrated using the dévoré printing technique, obtaining an all-over pattern that reveals the characteristically yellow color of the original fiber. The unveiled yarns create a sort of light technical lace. The outcome is innovative, water-repellent items. The installation created by Stone Island features four concentric circles that originate a tunnel that leads the gaze from the macro to the micro, in a distorting lens that allows visitors to discover the hidden of the prototypes. The exhibition will be on view until June 12th, 2022, at Stone Island's showroom in Milan. VB

www.stoneisland.com

Art

Loro Piana Interiors Presents New Furniture by Raphael Navot

A new installation by Loro Piana Interiors can be discovered at Cortile della Seta, in Via della Moscova 33. During Milan Design Week, the Italian brand has unveiled exclusive furniture designed by Raphael Navot in the name of craftsmanship, softness, intimacy, and togetherness. The non-industrial designer, who had already worked in partnership with Loro Piana, has set up an exhibition where the objects are hidden and revealed simultaneously through a landscape of soft, undulating dunes. In 2021, Raphael Navot launched The Palm Duet Chaise Longue in Cashfur fabric by Loro Piana Interiors. It was an ode to intimacy and pleasure. Today, distinctive elements of The Palm Duet recur in the new objects characterized by the same soft lines and contemporary aesthetic. A sofa, méridienne, armchair, stools, a side, a coffee table, and an ottoman have been created with a futuristic approach, but without indulging in the cold hyper-technological vision of the future. The new furniture, made of the noblest fibers, can be either used alone, with their elegant personality or grouped in joyful interactions dedicated to conviviality; thus the name “Palm” as in the palm of a hand with fingers slightly closed to welcome, protect, repair. It is all a game of interactions. The Loro Piana Interiors installation will be open to visitors from June 9th, 2022. VB

www.loropiana.com

Art

The Miss Dior Chair by Philippe Starck

The Medaillon chair, an object so dear to Christian Dior and an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the Maison, makes its comeback thanks to the French industrial architect Philippe Starck during the Salone del Mobile 2022. The one between the designer and Dior Maison is an unprecedented collaboration that reinterprets an iconic piece of furniture, a quintessential symbol of French Art de Vivre and Louis XVI style. Philippe Starck has created timelessly elegant pieces with clean lines and marked by modernity exalted by the lightness of aluminum. Named “Miss Dior,” the new chairs are true works of art that can be discovered at Palazzo Citterio, a sumptuous 18th-century building located in the heart of Milan. The installation is a one-of-a-kind experience. The design items are presented in a monochrome decor of a deep, matte black that gives the exhibit a theatrical allure and highlights the materials used to make the chairs. In addition, an interplay of light, punctuated by a musical composition created for Dior by Soundwalk Collective, originates a scenographic choreography. The Miss Dior Chair imagined by Philippe Starck will be on view from June 7 to 12, 2022. VB

www.dior.com

Fashion

LOEWE Presents WEAVE, RESTORE, RENEW At Salone del Mobile In Milan

LOEWE has finally announced a new unique project made for this year's edition of Salone del Mobile in Milan. After two years of full stop, the Spanish brand makes its comeback at the annual furniture fair, celebrating the regenerative power of handwork and collaborating with artisans of unique flair, inventiveness, and technical ability. Titled “WEAVE, RESTORE, RENEW,” the installation aims to give new life to things that could be forgotten or discarded and turn them into exclusive pieces by repairing and reviving them through artisanal interventions. The project shows LOEWE’s commitment to the environment and crafts. Turning ages-old techniques into something unexpected, LOEWE WEAVE, RESTORE, RENEW explores leather weaving, the Galician straw-weaving tradition known as Coroza, and the Korean paper weaving technique known as Jiseung. Different artisans such as Idoia Cuesta, Belén Martìnez, Santiago Basteiro, and Juan Manuel Marcilla worked on the restoration of 240 existing baskets using leather strings to create a new playful, and surprising version of those. Then, LOEWE designed sculptural bags and basket bags by using the ancient technique of the Coroza. In addition, together with Young Soon Lee, the brand created a series of jars made out of paper, as well as sturdy totes. VB

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet x Carolina Bucci: A Subtle And Unexpected Aesthetic

Audemars Piguet in collaboration with Carolina Bucci has presented a new limited edition 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramic. To mark the Royal Oak’s fiftieth anniversary, the Italian jewelry designer decided to team up with the Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer to create a new timepiece that features a unique dial endowed with a multi-colored mirror effect, a tribute to the iconic Tapisserie design. Their partnership started in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the women’s Royal Oak. In 2018, Carolina Bucci signed a limited edition of 300 pieces for Audemars Piguet, entirely crafted in frosted yellow gold with an exclusive dial. Then, two years later, she realized the iconic K.I.S.S. collection of gold bracelets linking the Haute Joaillerie with the Haute Horlogerie. Today, the designer worked on a limited edition of watches with singular characteristics. The new 34 mm Royal Oak in all-black ceramic, in fact, reveals a surprising dial whose color changes according to the light. To reach this result, Carolina Bucci used a sapphire plate adorned with little squares, subsequently placed on top of the brass dial plate to create a rich rainbow-colored effect. Each design is even more unique thanks to the variation of the iridescent color pattern. The limited-edition comes in a presentation box also designed by Carolina Bucci and is available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques and AP Houses. VB

www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger x NBA: The Essence of Basketball

Tommy Hilfiger, one of the world’s most recognized premium lifestyle brands, has unveiled a new project in collaboration with the NBA. Symbol of the American style, since the 1990s, Tommy Hilfiger has been associated with basketball and street culture, capturing the attention of A-list celebrities and influencers, many of whom had ties to the NBA and sports community. Since then, the sport has always remained a key component of Hilfiger’s brand vision. Today, to celebrate its roots and streetwear fashion, the American brand has launched the new TOMMY JEANS capsule collection by partnering with the National Basketball Association. Inspired by the energy at the heart of basketball, a sport that helped to shape local street culture and diverse communities, the new collection features hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts, denim pants, and shorts combined with NBA team logos. These garments represent streetwear fashion at its finest. The TOMMY JEANS and NBA capsule collection is available on Tommy Hilfiger’s website and at TOMMY JEANS stores across Europe, North America, Latin America, and select stores in Asia. VB

www.tommyhilfiger.com

Fashion

"Victory travels in Louis Vuitton"

For the second time, the unprecedented Trophy Travel Case for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco is being presented by Louis Vuitton and the Automobile Club de Monaco. The bespoke case in the colors of the Principality is a celebration of both exceptional French savoir-faire and passion for a legendary sporting event. The Trophy Travel Case epitomizes the Maison’s and Automobile Club’s shared values of tradition, transmission, and excellence. Hand-crafted in Louis Vuitton’s historic Asnières workshop, the trunk showcases the brand’s savoir-faire with its one-of-a-kind red Monogram pattern on a tarmac-black background, drawing inspiration from the heritage of the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco. The Monogram canvas is adorned with the red shade of the Monaco flag, while the red lines, tracing “V” for “Victory”, are rimmed with a white strip, reminiscent of the unique urban route of the track, and the colors of the Monaco flag. Inside its Louis Vuitton case, the trophy is the perfect replica of the 3,337 km circuit with its famous 19 bends, where overtaking is close to impossible. GH

www.louisvuitton.com
www.acm.mc

Christian Louboutin presents L’Exhibition Chapter II

Christian Louboutin, L’Exhibition[niste] is returning in a new form this summer and will be presented by the Grimaldi Forum Monaco from July 9th to August 28th 2022. Chapter II will be devoted to the work and imagination of Christian Louboutin, the shoe designer and key figure in the world of fashion who has drawn much inspiration from the Principality. Redesigned by Oliver Gabet, and showcased across a spectacular 2000 square meter set, the exhibition will unveil previously unsees pieces related to the designer’s Monegasque inspirations, as well as new collaborations. The “Musée Imaginaire” will be in a 300 square meter room, where objects from Christian Louboutin’s personal collection will be displayed in conjunction with heritage and artistic works from public and private collections of Monaco’s museums. It will explore themes in the designer’s work such as his love of dance and the legacy of the Ballets Russes, his passion for African art and Asia, the pop influence of Warhol, and his fascination with oceanography. Far from a traditional retrospective, the exhibition has been designed as a joyful odyssey across three decades of overflowing creativity. Indeed, it is imbued with a curiosity for all arts and cultures. GH

www.christianlouboutin.com
www.grimaldiforum.com

Fashion

Bolia: Neutra Modular Storage System

Neutra is a flexible, minimalist shelving solution named after Richard Neutra’s functional architecture. Designed in robust, modular combinations, Neutra allows the user to create a piece of furniture that precisely meets its wishes and needs while fitting perfectly into the interior. The storage system blends into a private or professional setting with elegance, letting the displayed items take center stage. The storage system does not take light away from beautiful vases, books, and works of art that can be displayed, and fades away thanks to its minimalist lines of great finesse. Neutra is available in a wide variety of modules, sizes, and materials to bring a personalized touch to any space. Its boards are made of white pigmented oak, or gray lacquered MDF. Its support is available in black or gray lacquered steel. The lightness and sensuality refer to Scandinavian nature and its spring season is synonymous with blossoming. Neutra creates a calm and optimistic atmosphere with its durable and environmentally friendly materials and soft colors that reflect the changing seasons. GH

www.bolia.com

Fashion

Gucci Blondie

First debuted within the Love Parade fashion show in Los Angeles, The Gucci Blondie is the new bag designed by Alessandro Michele and inspired by the brand’s archive. This accessory represents an ever-evolving narrative and the ability of the Creative Director to effortlessly bridge eras through his creations. It is a stylistic progression of the original model but with a contemporary twist and striking details. The Gucci Blondie is a versatile and timeless piece offering span sizes and silhouettes. The messenger model, thanks to the Web or leather straps, can be worn on the shoulder or across the body, the smaller day-to-night style with chain straps can be transformed into a clutch, while the miniature version with interchangeable and adjustable straps completes the selection. Each model is available in leather, suede, and GG canvas, with a varied color palette. The Gucci Blondie is presented through a new campaign, conceived as a love letter to New York. The images, shot in a reportage style, evoke a time gone, dynamically converging past, present, and future, just like the new line of handbags does. VB

www.gucci.com

Fashion

G-Star RAW Calls Out To Wear Denim Longer

G-Star has worked rigorously to improve this past year, from social and environmental points of view to transparency and circularity innovations. The Dutch brand has launched a new global campaign to encourage consumers to invest in quality, as well as eight new responsible initiatives as part of their RAW Responsibility strategy. The “Wear your denim till the End” Campaign shows the beauty of the aging process in both people and denim. For G-Star, raw denim is the beating core of the company; jeans are meant to last a lifetime, and they believe denim gets more distinctive and unique at each stage of life. The film's message is simple: take care of your clothes so you may wear them longer. Simultaneously with the campaign, the brand has also launched a raw denim capsule collection with a warranty. Then, in addition to these new initiatives, G-Star has revealed an eight-point sustainable program. To begin with, they provide free repairs to extend the life of jeans, as well as a program that converts worn jeans into brand-new pairs of shorts and a recycling project called "Return Your Denim." Furthermore, G-Star launched a new art platform where international design talents are challenged to work with denim waste and deadstock. VB

www.g-star.com

Art

Three Outstanding Artists at Art Rotterdam 2022

For the 23rd edition of Art Rotterdam, the iconic Van Nelle factory is hosting the booths of over a hundred leading galleries from the Netherlands and abroad. But among the artist presented, three of them stand out for their excellent works. The first one is Otobong Nkanga, with his art piece titled “Tied to the Other Side,” a gigantic tapestry realized in the innovative textile lab of the Textile Museum in Tilburg. In her practice, she uses raw materials such as mica, nickel, malachite, and copper, addressing one major issue: the exploitation of African countries to obtain these substances. Then another name to keep an eye on is that of South African artist Buhlebezwe Siwani. In her video “Eziko,” She speaks out against the legacy of centuries of colonization by the Dutch and the British. In the end, represented by EENWERK is American artist Sheila Hicks. Known for her innovative, woven sculptures, for which she has always pushed the boundaries of what is possible with fibers and yarns, she exhibits her latest masterpiece “Beacon". VB

www.artrotterdam.com

Fashion

New Hermès window display on PC Hooftstraat

The summer window display at the Hermès store on PC Hooftstraat in Amsterdam has been designed by Dutch studio WM. Unveiled on May 17th, the installation named “Vivid Shadows” by Wendy Legro and Maarten Collignon celebrates Hermès’ 2022 theme of “Lighthearted” and takes us deeper into the world of the brand, one in which shadows play with light. Their concept uses projection to showcase two different scarves through a beam in a deep indigo blue, like a blueprint. In Minuit au Faubourg by Dimitri Rybaltchenko, a masked horse wearing a cape flies out of the print alongside a man swinging on a Hermès Twilly from an apartment window as he tries to grab a pot of gold. On the floor above, a Hermès bracelet overlooks a sleeping city. Here, a horse leaps forward, radiating the spirit of the theme with bright and vivid colors. Whirling around this figure is a belt, a bag, and a pair of leather sandals. Created exclusively from layers of paper, the installation is hand-painted and carefully carved to build volume and perspective, showcasing the fragile yet enchanting nature of paper. This window display overall creates a strong connection between the urban landscape and interior space. GH

www.hermes.com

Art

Art Rotterdam 2022: Outdoor Artworks

From 19-22 May, Art Rotterdam comes back to Van Nelle Fabriek, the building icon of 20th-century industrial architecture and a Unesco World Heritage Site. This fair is the ultimate opportunity to discover new galleries as well as new artists. As the most renowned contemporary art fair in the Netherlands, Art Rotterdam offers a unique perspective and a platform for the latest developments in the visual arts. The 23rd edition will display, through the 10,000m2 space, the creations of emerging and established artists, alongside a record number of seventeen large-scale installations in the outdoor area. Since spring has finally come in the Dutch city, the art fair has set a series of socially engaged outdoor presentations that refers to the world around us, addressing important issues such as climate, pandemics, and populism. The first artist to welcome the public is Onno Poiesz with his work “De blauwen,” an allusion to the war and pandemic that dominated the beginning of 2022. Then, Tim Wes unveils his installation “Trauma Triggers Triumph” about the concept of the uomo universale. And in the end, among many other projects, stands that of Thierry Oussou. His “Equilibrium Wind” flag is a reference to the cotton plantations located in the district of Panouignan in Benin and the significant impact they have on the country's economic growth. Placed on top of Van Nelle Fabriek, this flag is a symbolic representation of all those people working in the shadows. The outdoor artworks at Art Rotterdam 2022 are ready to be discovered. VB

www.artrotterdam.com

Art

Art, inside and out, Rotterdam 2022

Rotterdam Art is the most renowned fair for contemporary art in the Netherlands. Each year, Art Rotterdam offers a stage for the latest developments in the visual arts. With a sharp focus on young talent, varying different topics, and the connection with the city of Rotterdam make Art Rotterdam a unique experience. This year, a special spring edition of Art Rotterdam will take place in Van Nelle Fabriek, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, there will be works and installations both outside and inside. Outside, there will be a record number of seventeen large-scale works and installations in the outdoor area, many of which are specifically designed for the occasion. Indoors, there is a floor area of 10,000 m2, where more than a hundred leading national and international galleries will show the work of upcoming and established talent. Two new valuable innovations will be introduced in this 23rd exhibition: firstly, the projections video section will be given a completely new format; also, a major expansion is being planned for Prospects, the Mondriaan Fund’s exhibition. Each year Art Rotterdam becomes more of an attractive alternative for art lovers within the international field of fairs. The special spring edition will take place from May 19th-22nd 2022. GH

www.artrotterdam.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton & Nike "Air Force 1" by Viril Abloh

Louis Vuitton is an iconic Maison, which looks back on immense heritage and history. Virgil Abloh was an iconic creative, who has shifted the fashion industry as a whole. The Nike “Air Force 1” is arguably one of the most iconic sneakers having been sold millions of times all across the world. This May, all three will come together, as Louis Vuitton is launching 9 editions of the iconic sneaker reimagined by Virgil Abloh. First presented to the world as part of the SS22 Men’s collection, the new creations are set to launch with various cultural happenings surrounding it, such as the exhibition Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh, which will take place at the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in New York City. This special showing brings together all the 47 editions of the Air Force 1 which Virgil Abloh has created through his inimitable lens. Each is an embodiment of Abloh’s deeper design philosophy aiming to erase the borders between “high and low”, celebrating the historical influence of Black subcultures on mainstream fashion, a true expression of humanity and unity. The exhibition offers its guests the opportunity to immerse themselves into Abloh’s mindset, perfectly captured by the intricate setup, with each piece bearing witness to Abloh’s philosophy. Additionally, the exhibition will extend itself through the whole city of New York with five installations, graphic globe sculptures, being placed throughout the city. FM

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023 Women’s Fashion Show Collection

This season, Louis Vuitton is exploring the nomadic aesthetic in the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, by architect Louis Kahn in San Diego. This is a brutalist building from 1965 designed as a serene concrete monastery for enlightened souls. Here, during times when the sun is blazing, it is perfectly framed by the building within the precise axis of the central foundation. The combination of sun rays and shimmering water creates prisms across the silhouettes, while a myriad of natural materials gives the illusion of a metallic palette. This introduces the show’s perfect guest of honor for the Cruise 2023 collection, the sun. This plays an active part in the evolution of this wardrobe where temperature changes set a stylistic tempo. The collection consists of linen, jacquard, silk, leather, and tweed, with metallic embellishments that reflected the setting sun. Other pieces lifted design details from water sports; the airbrushed colors of half tops and boxy short skirts that came from jet skis. Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, the show encapsulated superheroine goddesses, with the opening dresses cut from robust jacquards, which were inspired by molten lava. A trio of jackets with enormous, sculpted collars as shiny as armor perched above tinsel sleeves finished off the show, the perfect ending to capture the otherworldly imagination of Ghesquière. GH

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Zoë Kravitz partners with OMEGA

Actress, director, and model Zoë Kravitz is the latest to have joined OMEGA’s impressive line-up of women proud to wear the Swiss brand. A standout performer in the world of entertainment, Zoë Kravitz captivates audiences in a diverse group of acclaimed major motion picture films and notable independent releases. Her individualistic youthful, confident style is the perfect fit for Omega’s willingness to take risks with its designs. Kravitz has consistently stood out in blockbuster big-screen franchises, with roles in The Batman, Mad Max, and Fantastic Beasts, and later this year will make her directorial debut in the original motion picture film, Pussy Island. Omega President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann has expressed the brand’s excitement about making Kravitz the latest member of the Omega family, describing her as “an extremely talented young woman with an admirable drive and determination to succeed on her own terms” and the new partnership as “the next exciting move in our commitment to reach an emerging generation who are reinventing the idea of luxury”. GH

www.omegawatches.com

Fashion

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou by Maison Sarah Lavoine

Interior Architecture Studio Maison Sarah Lavoine has unveiled a new project: the renovation of the prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, an estate located on the eponymous winery. A historic place that features tapestry and architectural details of the 18th century, with an area of 400m2 and 105 hectares of vineyards. Maison Sarah Lavoine, who since 2012 has offered an Art of Living, a lifestyle, which combines sophistication and a modern touch, has used its core values to face this challenge. The designer’s idea was to take into account the history of the site, magnify it, and respect the wishes of the owner Bruno-Eugène Borie, a great art collector. She wanted to sublimate the classic soul of an exceptional estate. Therefore, the Architecture Studio, working on reviving the private areas and reception rooms, has opted for a mixture of periods and styles, combining classical details with contemporary lines. In the entrance, Laurel walls and Charcoal colored woodwork echo a pre-existing graphic marble floor, in the living room, the walls and ceilings are painted in a warm Midnight blue, a signature color of the Maison, and in the dining room, an old tapestry has been discovered, redesigned, and highlighted with a deep China Tea color. This hue also takes up residence in the kitchen, with brass grill panels, Bordeaux stone, and walnut. This harmonious quartet creates a cozy atmosphere. Lastly, the bedroom, painted in Sarah Blue, follows the principle of Feng Shui. VB

www.maisonsarahlavoine.com

Fashion

Miu Wander: A New Perspective

The new Miu Wander handbag is a re-discovery and re-exploration of Miu Miu's identity from a fresh perspective. Designed by Miuccia Prada, this one-of-a-kind accessory is made of Matelassé leather, a playful yet sophisticated fabric that has become a Miu Miu signature. The bag is soft and feminine with its curved lines and pillowy surface, while the handle makes it a functional item, merging pragmatism with decoration. The Miu Wander appears, also in a campaign that reflects the same spirit and aesthetic of its design. Photographed by Tyrone Lebon, the images portray the actress Sydney Sweeney, the star of the acclaimed TV Series Euphoria, in a sublime atmosphere that recalls classic film stills, encouraging the viewer’s mind to wander. She perfectly embodies the Miu Miu ethos: a youthful energy and rebellious attitude. VB

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Suicoke Launches The MOK Injection Sandal

Suicoke has presented the new MOK injection sandal, the latest addition to its ever-growing injection sandal family. The MOK is a more versatile, lightweight, and eco-friendly model that pushes the brand's visual identity even further with its avant-garde design. Suicoke aims to craft a unique product that shows its attitude towards premium quality design. Light as air, comfortable like clouds, the sandal is produced using recycled waste materials. It is the result of a complex process of experimentation and trials with poor shape, inconsistency of colors, and even explosions. The MOK injection sandal, a new milestone in footwear production, is part of a long journey through creativity and innovative technology undertaken by the Japanese brand. Made in Italy and with a slip-on construction, as well as holes for breathability and a Suicoke-branded strap, the new item is available on the Suicoke website and in selected retailers worldwide. VB

www.suicoke.com

Fashion

Furla Futura: Love for Nature

With the intention of reinforcing its constant innovation, Furla has launched a new iconic bag shape that links the concepts of sustainability to art, launching with a creative yet experimental touch. The Furla Linea Futura features materials created through new eco-friendly processes, such as the upcycling of leftover leathers and the use of metal-free suede. The metal-free is a tanning process that does not resort to heavy metals, thus preventing the pollution of wastewaters. The Design of Furla Linea Futura is a futuristic interpretation of the shape of a bird’s nest. This style is bold and eye-catching and can be worn crossbody in a way that blends against the body in perfect harmony. Two sizes are offered which are available in 11 bright shades like a rainbow, staying true to the brand’s artistic DNA. What truly separates this bag from others is the focus on upcycling: precious recycled leathers are reworked with Global Recycled Standard certification and are reintroduced in this new, original form. GH

www.furla.com

Fashion

TAG Heuer F1 Edition

Tag Heuer has unleashed its newest timepiece inspired by the dominant style of race legend Ayrton Senna, an admired and adored legend for motor racing, as well as Formula 1 fans all over the world. The collaboration between TAG Heuer and Ayrton Senna has been ongoing since 1988, Senna was redefining the word “drive” by breaking many records. Continuing to pay tribute to the driver’s legacy, TAG Heuer continues its quest to create the perfect Formula 1 watch, the one the legendary driver would have loved to wear on his wrist. The bold design and original red color nod to Ayrton’s original watch. The TAG Heuer Senna Special Edition is a very elegant mix of red, anthracite, and black, in line with the design codes of the brand. SENNA’s iconic S. The timepiece also features an ultra-resistant black ceramic bezel, with the number 400 engraved as a reference to the symbolic 400km/h that has never been reached in Formula 1. The famous S/EL bracelet is inspired by the first TAG Heuer chronograph watch worn by Ayrton Senna. Highly shock-resistant, it has a folding clasp with a driver extension to fit over the sleeve of a racing suit. The timepiece is equipped with the automatic Calibre 16, protected by a stainless-steel screw-down case back engraved with the Brazilian driver’s iconic helmet on the back, alongside a special engraving of “SENNA SPECIAL EDITION”. GH

www.tagheuer.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet Celebrates the Royal Oak’s 50th Anniversary

To celebrate the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, Audemars Piguet will host a series of events in key cities around the world. From Dubai to Shanghai, passing through Zurich and New York, the Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer will offer immersive sensory experiences with the setup of in-situ installations and edutainment platforms that will guide people into the Royal Oak’s multifaceted world. The Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta for Audemars Piguet, was officially launched on April 15, 1972, at the Basel Fair. This timepiece combines sportiness with ancestral craftsmanship and technological advances, setting new standards for watchmaking. Since then, over 500 Royal Oak models have been created, featuring different sizes, materials, styles, and movements. Today, the brand has decided to pay homage to this iconic watch and its 5-decade history, creating surprising and immersive edutainment content that will dive deep into the Royal Oak’s cultural universe. Starting in Dubai, from 15 – 24 April 2022, these installations will lead visitors on a journey to discover the multiple characteristics of this remarkable timepiece. In addition, visitors will be able to test their knowledge of the Royal Oak and the brand as a whole through a digital challenge. The public will be able to join in these immersive experiences in Zurich from May 6 to 12, New York City from May 19 to 25, and Shanghai in July. VB

www.audemarspiguet.com

Art

Louis Vuitton: “Coming of Age”

In loving memory and honor of Virgil Abloh, “Coming of Age” was unveiled at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France, on April 8th. This is an extension of the group exhibition curated by Virgil Abloh in 2019 in Los Angeles, titled “Coming of Age”. Traveling to Paris, Beijing, Milan, New York, Munich, Tokyo, and Seoul, the exhibition centered around the concept, diversities, and complexities of male youth and boyhood. Central themes in this are traversing class, race, social economics, subcultures, isolation, and camaraderie. As a physical embodiment and homage to Virgil Abloh’s world, “Coming of Age” in Paris regroups, reimagines, and expands this original exhibition and its narrative story. It encourages activities and transforms visitors into participants, alongside artists, photographers, musicians, directors, and animators. This serves as an illustration of Virgil Abloh’s mission and achievement to democratize the dream, rendering it a domain open to the aspirations of all ages, genders, and races, from all walks of life. The extension of the global exhibition will play out over two weeks from April 13th, at the Frank Gehry-designed space. GH

www.foundationlouisvuitton.fr

Fashion

Bottega Veneta & NTS announce Bottega Radio

Global music platform and radio station NTS has joined forces with Bottega Veneta for a new cultural partnership and monthly radio series, celebrating the craft behind music by collaborating with emerging and established musicians. The radio will be ongoing throughout this year, opening new conversations between NTS residents and guest stars through a series of collaboratively produced musical soundscapes, airing under the new title of Bottega Radio. For an insight into what is to come, the first episode features autotune enthusiast Tim Zha, otherwise known as Organ Tapes, working together with L.A’s Jazmin, an expert in Latin music and resident host for NTS show Como La Flor. Launched on April 7th the series took off with a party at Stone Nest in London’s West End, featuring DJ sets and live performances from PLZ Make It Ruins boss and Frank Ocean collaborator Vegyn, experimental hip-hop auteur Slauson Malone, producer-rapper John Glacier, collaborative duo Sky and Mika Oki and the ever-elusive Dean Blunt. The first episode of Bottega Radio aired on NTS 2 at 09:00 am on April 8th and can be listened back via the Bottega Veneta App. GH

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

The Game of Opposites: Ferragamo Cage Bag SS22

Colorful and versatile is what characterizes the unique expression of Ferragamo savoir-faire, producing the newest icon set to steal the limelight for SS22, the Ferragamo Cage Bag. The house is no stranger to innovation, and this piece is no exception. By merging the forces of a sleek woven leather bucket bag structure with an interchangeable pouch, a special two bags in one is created. The inside drawstring bag can be taken right out and, interchangeable, it comes in leather, in the same or a contrasting variety of color choices, in natural fabric, or silk with a scarf print from the archives, reworked for the summer season. Crafted to be lightweight with a convenient crossbody style option, the bag emphasizes the brand’s exceptional leatherwork, while evolving for today’s less-is-more philosophy. A digital campaign for the bag has been created with the game of opposites in mind, determining the very essence of contemporary luxury. Mariacarla Boscono’s explosive personality is the muse that embodies the contemporary vision of the House through its Cage Bag. The film has a theatrical deal to it that keeps the focus firmly on the product and the double soul of the bag, becoming a physical extension of the woman carrying it. The Ferragamo Cage Bag campaign is an intimate portrait of the ability to embrace multiple souls in one. GH

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Calvin Klein x Palace: Anything But Ordinary

Calvin Klein teamed with Palace to celebrate individuality and inclusion from New York and London to the world. The new collection CK1 PALACE unites Calvin Klein's iconic minimalism with Palace’s irreverent and modern style, presenting signature garments of the American brand layered with a playful, graphic aesthetic by Palace. Underwear, shirts, and hoodies in classic colors like black, grey, white, and wheat feature custom logos that combine Palace's signature Tri-Ferg with Calvin Klein's regular trademark. Basketball jerseys and baggy shorts push the boundaries of conventional sportswear, and the denim collection presents loose-fitting shorts and full-length pants in a faded wash to give a modern twist to the looks. In addition, since the heritage of both Palace and Calvin has roots in skate culture, the brand addressed Vans to create a limited run of “Calvans.” Dropping via a star-studded campaign, directed by long-time Palace photographer Alasdair McLellan and styled by Max Pearmain, the two brands have gone all out, even remixing the classic CK One fragrance into a unisex, playful scent. CK1 PALACE will be available on April 8th at Palace stores in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, as well as on the website of both brands. VB

www.calvinklein.com
www.palaceskateboards.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet Unveils The New Royal OAK RD#3

To pay a fine tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has unveiled the new Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin. This unique timepiece remains true to the aesthetic codes of the iconic “Jumbo” models but features the Manufacture’s new self-winding ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 296. It is a mechanism that was developed over five years by Audemars Piguet’s engineers and watchmakers to accommodate the extra-thin nature of the OAK RD#3. With a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of 8.1 mm, the watch reveals a new movement architecture that, for the first time, combines the tourbillon cage in titanium with a peripheral drive, making the distribution of energy to the tourbillon more fluid while lightening the regulating organ. A huge accomplishment that needed to be recognized and, most all, displayed. Audemars Piguet, in fact, redesigned the model’s geometry by placing the flying tourbillon at the dial level for a greater visual experience, making the watch’s beating heart even more perceptible. In addition, the sapphire case-back reveals the hand decoration of the movement components that merge the dynamism and classicism of V-angles with the modernity of traits tirés. The new OAK RD#3, crafted in stainless steel and graced with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 Petite Tapisserie dial, which pays tribute to the original model, continues to evolve, showcasing Audemars Piguet’s expertise and techniques. VB

www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

Out of Time Watches & Wonders Cartier

Cartier reinvents Maison’s stylistic codes, launching new iconic watches during the Watches & Wonders tradeshow. Thanks to the extraordinary expertise of Cartier’s watchmakers, the Cartier watches are precious objects that constantly renew and explore our way of understanding time and how to make the most of it! Each singular creation establishes its own identity while maintaining its link with Cartier heritage. These horological creations are evolving and establish themselves across different periods, perpetually relevant due to is purity of design and outstanding craftsmanship. This year the brand has presented different models that combine extravagant style and illusory shapes with more classic designs. The famous Louis Cartier watch reveals a playful aesthetic combining monochrome colors such as red, the Maison’s signature shade, and anthracite gray. The Pasha de Cartier watch, overlaid with a geometric grille, displays a vibrant elegance, while the Crash Metiers d’Art revolutionizes the aesthetic codes of watchmaking with its asymmetrical dial. Following the same playful style, the Masse Mystérieuse turns out to be a spectacular watch, an innovative movement, created by the Fine Watchmaking Manufacture. Looking back on over a century of heritage, the Cartier pieces are made to delight through a freedom of possibility, of taste of identity. VB

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Armani Hotels and DGDA Announce Plans for New Armani Hotel in Diriyah

Armani Hotels & Resorts has announced the realization of a new signature hotel in the city of Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This plan is made in collaboration with Diriyah Gate Development Authority, a program that aims to preserve Diriyah’s history, celebrate its community, and develop the historic UNESCO site. This 300-year-old city, located just 15 minutes from Riyadh, and the capital of the First Saudi State, is part of a pedestrian-centric project designed to preserve the rich history and culture of Saudi Arabia. Diriyah will soon become an extraordinary international cultural and lifestyle destination, and the Armani Hotel will be one of the new hotel units in the city. That is the third Armani property globally and represents a new interpretation of Armani hospitality and lifestyle. The hotel, realized by Mr. Giorgio Armani and his in-house interior design team and architects, embraces Saudi Arabia’s culture and heritage. The structure, including 70 luxuriously designed rooms, two restaurants, and a high-end spa, is characterized by essential lines that enhance the precious materials utilized. Here, volumes, light, and shadow are blended with the unique architecture and landscape of the site, giving life to a building that fits organically into the rich urban and cultural fabric of Saudi Arabia. VB

www.armani.com

Fashion

Acqua di Parma Presents COLLAB - The Colonia Laboratory

In collaboration with IED - Instituto Europeo di Design, one of Italy's most significant fashion, design, and communication schools, Acqua di Parma has launched a new initiative. COLLAB is an open laboratory that connects customers and emerging artists through art and scent in an interactive co-creation process. The Italian brand collaborated with six emerging Italian talents that have translated their creative vision in a collection of 300 unique 180ml pieces from the Colonia Collection. Departing from their personal style, each artist developed a design inspired by the Italian culture, from the horoscope tradition and card games to the reinterpretation of the gladiator imagery from ancient Rome. Different techniques, visions, and colors blended in dynamic visual communication. In addition, since the COLLAB project is a co-creation laboratory, the clients can customize their very own personal fragrance bottle based on what the artists have previously crafted. A Roman number or a horoscope symbol, among other themes, can be added to the final product giving life to a true collector's item. To take part in this experience, people can book their one-on-one appointment on the Acqua di Parma website to meet the artists at the Maison's Boutique in Milan, starting their creative path together. Then, to offer the same service to those clients across Italy and Europe, the brand provides online appointments through a customized platform. COLLAB reflects Acqua di Parma values in preserving culture, art, and design while supporting future generations. VB

www.acquadiparma.com

Art

Tim Van Laere Gallery Presents Self Portraits and Nudes (Gesamtkunstwerk) by Jonathan Meese

Tim Van Laere Gallery presents SELF PORTRAITS AND NUDES (GESAMTKUNSTWERK), the fifth solo exhibition by Jonathan Meese at the gallery. Known for his multifaceted work, which includes paintings, installations, performances, and a body of sculpture in numerous mediums, Jonathan Meese is a German artist that plays with a sense of humor, a combination of both the grotesque and a powerful, original creative will. His paintings allow us to enter an alternative universe. Especially in this exhibition, Meese showcases a new series of works that captures the interplay of inner and outer worlds, merging imagination and reality. "SELF PORTRAITS AND NUDES," as the title predicts, deals with self-portraits and nudes. According to the artist, all self-portraits are nude, and all nudes are self-portraits. In addition, the art pieces want to celebrate the birth of the Gesamtkunstwerk, paying homage to evolution, nature, love, power, collage, abstraction, animalism, and art itself. SELF PORTRAITS AND NUDES (GESAMTKUNSTWERK) by Jonathan Meese will be on display at Tim Van Laere Gallery from April 7th to May 14th, 2022. VB

www.timvanlaeregallery.com

Fashion

Summer Feeling

Summer is around the corner, bringing with it the anticipation of sunbathing and lunching on the patio. To celebrate this season, Maison Sarah Lavoine has crafted a selection of outdoor and tableware pieces in cheerful colors. Since 2012, Maison Sarah Lavoine has always conveyed its values and bold design through its architectural projects and creations. Its furniture, decoration, and ready-to-wear collections are elegant and relaxed: timeless but original, simple but with constant attention to detail, always colorful, and with a resolutely ethical manufacturing process. This season the Maison has presented a collection with Saffron and Pistachio shades that perfectly match with the geometric design of the new Soleil plates. The linen and cotton napkins are embroidered with a shell motif for a summer twist, while the Slave, Diane, and Castiglione candleholders make the good times last longer. The Esquisse collection is an invitation to color and sunshine, enjoying a picnic at the beach or on the grass happily seated down on the bright loungers and stools. VB

www.maisonsarahlavoine.com

Fashion

BYBORRE explores the power of simplicity for the introduction of its 10th Edition

Edition10 by textile design company BYBORRE showcases its advanced knitted textiles and garments in collaboration with the illustrations of Dutch icon Dick Bruna, best known for creating Miffy. By taking Bruna’s simplistic yet iconic designs, the textiles play around with the scale of the artwork and apply a limited palette of colors, giving their spin on the illustrator’s classic line work. The range of textiles celebrates Bruna’s recognizable line work while highlighting how BYBORRE’s techniques enable the power of artwork to be transformed into a textile. Staying true to Bruna’s signature illustrations, there was a strong focus on precision and simplicity in the process of designing and developing the featured garments. Featured in the imagery are key pieces from previous Editions such as the Open Back Vest, Layer Shirt, and A-Type Jacket. There is a continuation to the evolution of staples such as the Suit Jacket, Pants, and Button Tee. These features are all executed in the latest iterations of BYBORRE Textiles. Additional focus has been put into the development of accessories, resulting in the introduction of a versatile everyday bag. The collection truly captivates the simplicity of Bruna’s while going perfectly in hand with BYBORRE’S signature knitted textiles. GH

www.byborre.com

Fashion

Emmanuel Gintzburger Is The New CEO of Versace

Capri Holdings Limited, the global fashion luxury group, has announced Emmanuel Gintzburger as the new Chief Executive Officer of Versace. Mr. Gintzburger joined Versace after six years spent as CEO of Alexander McQueen. Prior he was Worldwide Retail and Wholesale Director for Saint Laurent from 2011 to 2016, having joined the Parisian fashion house in 2009 as the Europe Retail Director. From 2007 to 2009, he served as International Retail Director at Lanvin, and before that, he held regional retail and marketing leadership roles at Sephora. Emmanuel Gintzburger also spent six years at Louis Vuitton in Hong Kong. Both John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings, and Donatella Versace were enthusiasts to welcome Emmanuel as the new CEO of the Italian brand. They agreed that Mr. Gintzburger, thanks to his background in luxury, is the perfect partner to take Versace to even greater heights. Emmanuel’s leadership and vision will help the brand further accelerate its growth and strengthen its strategic initiatives. “I am thrilled to be joining Versace as Chief Executive Officer. I have long admired the unparalleled style and fearless narrative of the house. I look forward to having the opportunity to partner with Donatella and the talented Versace management team to accelerate growth and strengthen the position of Versace as a leading fashion luxury house.” - Emmanuel Gintzburger. VB

www.versace.com

Fashion

Icons Unite: Mercedes-Benz x AWGE

Mercedes-Benz has launched a collaboration with multi-hyphenated artist A$AP Rocky. The well-known luxury car company has presented an exclusive capsule collection including a range of fashion and lifestyle merchandise characterized by iconic trademarks of Mercedes-Benz AG. Mercedes-Benz x AWGE is not the first creative partnership made by the two, but it follows the 2017 “Glow-Up” campaign fronted by the American rapper highlighting the Mercedes-Benz compact-car family focussing on people caught between the coolness of adolescence and the squareness of adulthood. This year the brand and AWGE tight up to realize a line of clothes spanning from t-shirts, pullovers, hoodies, and jackets, to trousers, baseball caps, and bags. Inspired by the 90s pop culture, “Icons Unite” is the new co-operation that sits at the intersection of cars, music, and streetwear, bringing together A$AP Rocky’s distinctive aesthetic and Mercedes-Benz iconic design in a unique offering of merchandise. Mercedes-Benz x AWGE capsule collection is available for purchase via select third-party channels, including the online shop of A$AP Rocky’s agency AWGE and PacSun’s website. VB

www.mercedes-benz.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles SS22 Campaign: Summer Solstice

Spring is a time of transition when the sun seems to stand still in the sky, and in the natural and beautiful scenic state of this season, Moose Knuckles Canada revealed the SS22 Campaign. Moose Knuckles has always crafted resilient garments for the most unforgiving conditions, from the tundra to the city. The brand has become globally known for its relentless commitment to product design and technical expertise alongside its irreverent spirit and energy. This season the Canadian brand has transported the SS22 Collection to the beach. Shot by renowned risktaker Kenneth Cappello, the images portray Moneybagg Yo and Justine Mae Biticon in a picturesque Malibu shoreside sunset, capturing the feeling of mellow tones of a summer solstice through their warm and undeniable chemistry. These photos highlight Moose Knuckles’ SS22 Collection which, with a reinvention of classic styles, offers a range of premium sportswear and outerwear crafted with water and wind repellent nylon, and windproof tech fabrications, to be suitable to face the unpredictable transitional Spring season. The collection is available in Moose Knuckles stores, luxury outer and sportswear retailers worldwide, as well as on the brand’s website. VB

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

A Souvenir Snow Globe

In a not-so-distant future, what was once considered ubiquitous is now rarefied, often only experienceable via simulation. In line with this concept, Balenciaga presented its FW22 Collection on an infinite white field, encapsulated with a protective glass screen. The weather became digitally rendered and the term “winter” took on a new meaning. The show was a real-life 3-D live stream with a 360° view showing the idea of a season as we once knew it. Just as a souvenir snow globe. The collection, surrounded by this atmosphere, featured classic looks pared down and redrawn, letting bold silhouettes stand out. Hybrid stretch dresses and bodysuits fitted and fell in new ways by combining gloves, shoes, pants, trains, or leggings. Staples, such as turtlenecks, pants, and jersey hoodies, were partially destroyed or oversized. Then, through graphic prints, Balenciaga introduced XXXL fits or messages like “Be Different,” while logos were blocked out with black tape. The accessories were exaggerated, emphasizing reuse and alternative materials like the Trash Pouch, inspired by a garbage bag, and purses made from pairs of Cagole or Rodeo boots. For Creative Director Demna Gvasalia, research and innovation are key during the predictably unpredictable time ahead. In addition, following recent events in Ukraine, Demna Gvasalia decided to dedicate the Balenciaga fashion show to fearlessness, resistance, and the victory of love and peace. VB

www.balenciaga.com

Fashion

VEJA X MARNI

VEJA and MARNI have introduced a new collaboration that offers an original interpretation to contemporary footwear, revisiting a slightly nostalgic design with a colorful, DIY-inspired look. Marni, the luxury brand recognized for its unorthodox take on fashion, has joined VEJA to launch a new pair of shoes that combine its playful approach with VEJA’s environmental and social commitment. VEJA is a footwear brand that creates long-lasting sneakers focusing on design and social responsibility, for them, sneakers are, for them, a symbol of our generation and era, but also a product that crystallizes the issue of globalization. VEJA’s V-10 and the newly introduced high-top V-15 welcome MARNI’s free-spirited aesthetic expressed through a colorful scribbled motif covering the upper shoe. Each pair has been assembled by hand, with the right foot different from the left to underline the originality and creative vein of the Italian brand. While, in line with VEJA’s philosophy, all the materials involved in the production are sustainable. The shoes’ laces are made of 100% recycled polyester, the leather is sourced in Uruguayan farms and tanned in Brazil, at a Gold-certified tannery by the Leather Working Group, and the soles are composed of 31% Amazonian rubber, 22% rice waste, and 12% recycled rubber. Made in Brazil, the first release presents two colorways: the V-15 in Black and the V-10 in Marsala. VEJA X MARNI collaboration is already available in selected retailers worldwide, as well as in VEJA and Marni flagship stores. VB

www.marni.com
www.veja.com

Fashion

Bas Koster at De Grote Kunstshow

Artist and Fashion designer Bas Kosters’ work will be displayed in The Great Show from March 11th until May 1st, 2022. The show will be presented by Lucas De Man presents the special show with light, music, monologues, interviews, and lots of fashion. De Man will involve the audience in the show and stimulate them with his unexpected thoughts. Embedded in the show are Koster’s fascinations with gender identity, ideals of beauty, overconsumption, vulnerability, and eroticism will be ideal ingredients for an exciting Great Art Show next spring, in which his multidisciplinary work will come to life theatrically. After the presentation by Lucas De Man, the public will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the presented fashion and art objects on stage. Kosters considers fashion to be one of his ‘languages’, alongside illustrations, paintings, dolls, wall hangings, and other graphic work. De Grote Kunstshow has been displaying visual art and design in the spotlight in a theatrical way since 2013. Initially intended as a one-off event, it grew into a popular and successful format. Koster is The Netherland’s most outspoken fashion designer, therefore deserving of his own edition in the show. GH

www.kunstshow.nl
www.baskosters.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Women’s FW22

For FW22, Louis Vuitton wanted to recommence with the special moments in the formative years of one’s life cycle that forge a character. The garments are linked to the timeframe of young adulthood. Channeling the sense of youthful experimentation he remembers, Ghesquière topped evening dresses with sporty rugby shirts or chunky sweaters wrapped around waists. This grouping in the show is to evoke how a teenage girl may co-opt her boyfriend’s clothes. The imagery also plays with androgynous tailoring, often in oversized shapes. Pannier and bustle shapes were remixed in soft embroidered knit and tweed, making the looks more every day. The message behind the collection is around the freedom and romanticism around hope among youth. The collection displays the aura of having the world at your feet, embracing everything, and approaching taste as a personal construct. This is illustrated in the randomness of the mix and matching of garments, tailored to the individual who may wear them. GH

www.eu.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Women’s Winter ‘22

Saint Laurent’s FW22 womenswear show paid tribute to the art deco style that was deeply appreciated by Yves Saint Laurent himself. Possibly the most memorable show of Anthony Vaccarello’s career, it was presented under the Eiffel Tower at Paris fashion week. Writer and political activist Nancy Cunard served as a template for the collection, with designs showcased across models from different age groups. Known for her wild elegance, Cunard dressed audaciously ahead of her time, wearing African bangles during a period that would deem it barbaric. Multiple looks such as minimalist gowns worn with heavy bangles, evoke her bold attitude. The looks take us back to the ‘90s, with long, narrow, and languid silhouettes with covered arms and subtle use of color, but the range does not stop there. Also featured are fake fur coats and bombers; overcoats with big shoulders; narrow leather coats; elegantly nonchalant cocoon-back profiles. The flute-like dresses brought the perfect balance of masculine and feminine energy. Looks throughout were embellished with chunky accessories, contributing to the essence of the brand. The show made the audience feel like times are truly changing within fashion, all in the right direction. GH

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Trussardi FW22: A New Narrative

Trussardi, one of the oldest fashion houses to show during Milan Fashion Week, presented its FW22 Collection designed by Creative Directors Benjamin A. Huseby and Serhat Isik. Held at the ground floor of Palazzo Trussardi, the setting reflected the idea of excavation of the house and a return to origins. Benjamin A. Huseby and Serhat Isik wanted to give life to a new Trussardi narrative using their methodology of uncovering the layers to get to the foundation. They looked at the past to reshape the present and think about the future. From a sleeping beauty, Trussardi is awakened, showing a collection that combined fantasy and reality, the historical and the present. It is a mixture of fantastical fairy tales and the genuine codes of how people dress on the streets of Milan. The two Creative Directors studied the Milanese and noticed how almost everyone was wearing 100-gram Piumino jackets, the typical and essential lightweight down jacket, and created a more beautiful and improved version of the item. Benjamin A. Huseby and Serhat Isik's idea of fashion lies in the magic of clothes that gives visibility to who is wearing them, like a magic cloak. For the FW22 show, they aimed to give this power to everyone, inviting people back into the building because the Trussardi spirit has always been to look at fashion democratically. In addition, they redesigned the house motif, an ouroboros depicting the iconic Italian greyhound eating its tail. For Benjamin A. Huseby and Serhat Isik, time is not linear but a loop, and there is no hierarchy in dressing for a world that exists as much in the past as it does in the present. VB

www.trussardi.com

Fashion

Modernist Magic

This season Max Mara paid homage to creative polymath Sophie Taeuber-Arp. Architect, dancer, textile designer, painter, and sculptor, she was a modernist who invested even the most everyday object with a sense of magic and mystery. Sophie Taeuber-Arp was the artist, with Wassily Kandinsky, Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, and many others to give rise to the Dada aesthetic. But what inspired Max Mara FW22 Collection were Taeuber-Arp’s hastily improvised costumes and marionettes designed for her work “King Stag”. Full of joy, energy, and theatrical panache, they were formed fairytale characters that the Italian brand reinterpreted with strong and surprising silhouettes. The collection explored playful contrasts of mini and maxi, micro and macro, skinny and outsize, presenting a wide range of garments: from Max Mara’s crepe-soled knitted cuissardes, part boot, and part leggings to bell-shaped and full-length skirts and voluminous trousers. And a pale matte gold zipper was the new talisman of the season. As well as Sophie Taeuber-Arp used to elevate prosaic hardware to poetic heights, Max Mara clothes and accessories assumed a Dada dimension. To complete the collection, Teddy Bear coats and oversized puffas, layered one on top of the other, became dream items. Max Mara presented a sleek, modern dressing, with a dash of Cabaret Voltaire’s whirlwind creativity and a sprinkle of magic dust. VB

www.maxmara.com

Art

ZONA MACO 18th Edition

To celebrate its 18th edition, ZONA MACO featured, in a singular event, international exhibitors from more than 25 countries bringing together its four fairs simultaneously. Held at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City, ZONA MACO MÉXICO ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO, which combines leading and emerging national and international art galleries in four specialized sections, presented the most representative contemporary artists in the global scene. ZONA MACO DISEÑO, curated by Cecilia León de la Barra, promoted furniture, jewelry, textiles, and decorative objects, as well as limited editions and historical pieces. ZONA MACO SALÓN showcases exclusive antiques welcomed for this special occasion, the new curator Alfonso Miranda. As well as Sara Hermann, who curated ZONA MACO FOTO: a fair focused on galleries and artists working in the photographic and video fields. ZONA MACO, as every year, also announced its Conversations Program, which featured national and international guests to discuss current issues affecting the art world, and the extensive Parallel Activities Program. In addition, ZONA MACO Libros presented publishing projects specialized in art and photography. The 2022 edition has been a unique event that marks the return of the art fair platform to its traditional format, adding to an already tested formula something new and revolutionary. VB

www.zsonamaco.com

Fashion

Erdem FW22 Show

Erdem’s FW22 show in London Fashion Week showcased an exquisite assortment that captivates the feeling of entering a European club in the ‘30s. The collection imagined the nightlife of a group of iconic women who pioneered Berlin’s progressive cultural spirit in the ‘30s, a particular vein of avant-garde expression. These artists explored the notions of gender, sexuality, identity, and expression long before terms such as “fluid” and “non-binary” had been added to our vocabularies. The collection explores and juxtaposes the intertwining of daywear and eveningwear, womenswear and menswear, and formal and casual clothing. Each look is characterized by its distinctive sense of degenerated glamour; mixed and matched together are jacquard and ivory dresses, lavish black beading, and tailored grey-skirt suits. There are embellishments of lace, pearls, studs, and black sequins, perfectly encapsulating the heady spirit of freedom. There is a feeling of isolation from the outside world, a bittersweet edge as the club created is a place of safe space and expression, unlike the world beyond the club. The brand depicts the collection to have created electricity in the air, febrile energy of abandon that comes in the calm before the storm. GH

www.erdem.com

Fashion

Fratelli Rossetti in Fiumara d'Arte

Fratelli Rossetti has shot her SS22 campaign in Sicily, among the monumental works of Fiumara d’Arte, one of the largest open-air sculpture museums in Europe, designed by patron Antonio Presti. The colossal works create an evocative and poetic setting for a collection whose every detail evokes the art of craftsmanship. Presti describes the imagery as “a combination of art and fashion that reflects current environmental, social, and cultural concerns. It helps raise the profile of the extraordinary area of Sicily and its ancient villages”. The forms are captured by skilled fashion photographer Federico Sorrentino, who pays great attention to contours, geometry, and perspective. Human subjects merge with their environment and create a sense of harmony between the shapes and colors. The collection maintains Fratelli Rossetti's signature elegance while being extensively innovative and bright. The brand continues to bring about small and big revolutions in the fashion world as it has done over the past 70 years, remaining as an international ambassador for “Made in Italy” and Italian style. GH

www.fratellirossetti.com

Fashion

The Savoir-Faire of the Dior Tribales Earrings

The Dior Tribales are a timeless design that is modern yet iconic. The style is composed of two asymmetrical resin pearls that are emblematic of the line. The small resin pearl sits on the front while the larger resin pearl appears at the back of the lobe. This season, Dior has reinvented the pieces in see-through shades of blue, orange, yellow, or pink. These are the perfect additions to already available models in fun matte colors, set stones, and pearlized finishes. The fruit of unique craftsmanship, these creations are fashioned from a transparent resin made in Florence, Italy. The bold yet elegant accessories are punctuated with the initials “CD”, in the form of a delicate extruded signature, or as a precious pendant. The pieces can be mixed and matched, worn alone, or in pairs, adding the perfect elevation to any look while creating whole new customizable combinations. GH

www.dior.com

Fashion

LOEWE Valentine's Day: Love is in the Air

LOEWE truly embrace the over the top essence of Valentine’s Day with its new Valentine’s collection. Within the collection are the ultimate tokens of affection - a special edition collection of bags, accessories, and small leather goods featuring the brand’s signature Anagram jacquard canvas in bold, heart stopping red. The 22 piece collection inspired by love, pairs the vibrant red Anagram Jacquard print with classic calf leather trims. The bags come in nano and 28cm sizes, as well as the iconic Flamenco, Balloon, Cubi and Gate. For the first time, the timeless Goya is available in Anagram Jacquard, adding a warm tactility to its clean lines. Joining the bags in this love affair, is a selection of small leather goods, including wallets, cardholders, and pouches, all with the same print. A bucket hat, sunglasses, and a logo strop complete the line in co-ordinating Valentine’s hues. The campaign for the capsule collection is a declaration of excess where too much is never enough. Pairing pieces from the collection with a tongue-in-cheek flurry of hearts, bows, and teddy bears pay homage to the most romantic time of the year. GH

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Gentle Monster x Coperni "5G" Collection

Gentle Monster and Coperni are two modern brands with an innovative and digital DNA. They used these similarities to create a range of sunglasses named “5G”, with the promise of taking us on a futuristic voyage. Inspired by the connection and speed produced by 5G, the sunglasses display five pure and radical lines on the temple that reflect a similar movement. The collaboration consists of six different version of two models: the “5G BOLD” and the “5G”. Echoed by their names, the “5G BOLD” is inspired by the 90s aesthetics of “RoboCop” or “Back to the Future”, whereas the “5G” model displays a more minimal variation of this. The campaign for the collection is shot in an urban, avant-garde landscape by Parisian film director Alexandre Silberstein. The campaign is inspired by the infamous movie “The Matrix”. Transporting us into the two brands technological universes, the campaign features a newly inspired trinity composed of singer Le Diouck, and models Louise Roberts and Jeanne Zheng. The collaboration collection was launched on February 11th, but has already been seen during Paris Fashion Week last September, and worn by celebrities like Zendaya. GH

www.gentlemonster.com
www.coperniparis.com

Fashion

Loro Piana Baseball Cap: A Modern Icon

Loro Piana presented the baseball cap, an iconic item capable of connecting the most diverse people worldwide. The baseball cap is a sports accessory that was discovered by fashion in the 60s and has since become an essential piece that not only protects the head and eyes but also serves as a decorative eye-catcher. This item, which creates a sense of mystery by hiding and revealing the face at the same time, made its first appearance in Loro Piana collection in 2005, where it was worn, quite classically, in combination with the Horsey jacket. Today, instead, Loro Piana introduces a six-piece baseball cap with an innovative style able to transcend trends and generations. The new garment, made from Maison's fine and distinctive fabrics such as Microfiber Wind, Cashmere, Vicuña, and Velvet Cashmere, all treated with the Storm System® process, shows off the brand know-how without letting the item lose its aesthetic appeal. Refined then with a wool-cashmere flannel lining, and seamless front, the baseball cap is transformed into a sporty and contemporary accessory that should be part of any wardrobe.

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Balenciaga SS22

The second installment of Balenciaga’s ongoing campaign was captured by photographer Stef Mitchell. Several phases of the campaign are being released throughout the season, capturing friends of the brand either in their homes or their place of work. These friends include the likes of Kim Kardashian, Isabelle Huppert, and Tommy Blue shot in their homes, as well as Justin Bieber and Marie-Agnès Diene in their respective studios. The models are all dressed in Balenciaga’s signature silhouettes and pieces, including the iconic Hourglass bag styles, sportswear-inflicted outerwear, and figure hugging bodysuits. As well as having a strong focus on products that continue from season to season, new classics are also introduced such as newer versions of the Tote bags; stretch knee pants; and sunglasses. The imagery of the campaign celebrates and perfectly captures the brand’s unique vision of futuristic streetwear that is becoming timeless. The collection is featured at large scale on famous façades worldwide, beginning at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris.

www.balenciaga.com

Fashion

Giuseppe Zanotti's Sustainable Make-Over

For the SS22 season, Italian luxury footwear brand Giuseppe Zanotti launched a new eco-friendly version of its signature Blabber sneaker. Taking a step towards sustainability, the designer presented the Ecoblabber, which realized with eco-conscious materials, keeps the iconic design untouched and clearly alludes to its inspiration, the first original skater styles. This particular pair of sneakers are crafted with a polyurethane and polyester blend obtained from recycled plastic bottles, utilizing a production process that reduces CO2 emissions. Each of them is then assembled with water-based glues to avoid any component that might be dangerous to the environment, and refined with bio-based soles and organic cotton laces. The Ecolabber, realized in a restrained color palette of black and white, with gold and silver nuances, turns out to be a truly green product certified by leading company CIMAC, the Italian top partner of those footwear firms seeking to achieve the highest levels of sustainability.

www.giuseppezanotti.com

Fashion

Versace Men’s 2.0

On the second day of the second month in 2022, Versace presented the FW22 Collection, introducing Versace Men’s 2.0. The collection, which does not focus on the singular but on multiplicity, progression, and diversity looks at the Versace Man, showing garments designed to proudly reach out to a diverse range of men in celebration of who they are. Clean forms, fluid lines, and adaptable designs define a contemporary approach that shows a refreshed masculinity inspired by the new generation. In this collection, Versace synthetized its brand codes presenting unstructured finishes which allow freedom of movement and create a smooth silhouette. While, the brand's heritage ornate prints are polished, portrayed as stenciled bicolors like the new Barocco Silhouette, and bright, optimistic hues like cerise, pink, and orange are worn as solid blocks of color. La Greca motif remains as the brand monogram, interplayed through cable knit sweaters and vivid lurex cardigans. In addition, Versace crafted new accessories and shoe designs like wide totes and belt bags in soft-grained leather and the Odissea sneaker that acts as a confident exclamation point at the foot of an outfit.

www.versace.com

Fashion

The Eternity of Rome, the Spirituality of Rome, the Celestial Rome

The Fendi Haute Couture collection was an ode to the brand’s home, the city of Rome, its past, present, and imagined future. Conceived by Kim Jones, the collection is an embodiment of the eternal city, to put it in his own words, “When you walk down the street in Rome, you are constantly moving back and forth in time. Where we work feels very modern, but you pass monuments on the way there. There’s a total timelessness to the city: a historic vein which runs through it, but also a movement that is projecting forwards.” This harmony between past and present, the historic codes of the city explored through a celestial lens, set the tone for the whole collection. The pieces themselves draw upon time-honoured techniques alongside modern craftsmanship, which is also reflected in the interplay of materials. The lavish embroidery and craftsmanship are paired with sci-fi silhouettes, making the model appear like an army of empresses descending from the heavens. Fluid pieces are draped atop shimmering bodies, beading is illuminated and hand-embroidered tights act as a second skin. It’s a celebration of the celestial Rome, its past being referenced throughout, but more importantly, it’s the essence of Jones’ vision for the Roman House, celebrating the power of women.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Stray Rats & Carhartt WIP SS22

Carhartt WIP has partnered with Stray Rats for their SS22 collection. Stray Rats is a brand that spans from punk and hardcore nostalgia to strands of underground American counterculture, which paired with Carhartt’s authentic adaptations of American workwear has instigated a strong collaboration. The collaboration features nine products, including reworked iterations of the original Active Jacket, Western Jacket, and Smith Pant. The items are all in either canvas or denim, and have an “aged” effect while also bearing a hand-drawn allover print. Each of these garments is accented with classic brass detailing and trims and is in either duck blue or tobacco brown. As a staple to the Stray Rats collection, there are also some cotton jersey items, including a sweatshirt and sweatpants with graphic prints similar to the hand-drawn prints on the canvas and denim items.

www.carhartt-wip.com
www.strayrats.com

Fashion

Dunhill FW22

When discussing his FW22 collection, creative director of Dunhill, Mark Weston describes the exploration and focus on “tailoring, sophistication and rigour”. The roots of British tailoring traditions are reflected on the strict format paired with a gentle subversion of stereotypes that is displayed across 31 looks that convey the power of finely tailored menswear. Weston depicts the collection as an adaptation of the “conventional uniform that makes it so unconventional”. The collection aims to show how rebellious it can appear for younger men to embrace the power of the strict suit, shirt and tie. The meanings and silhouettes behind these signature styles transform stereotypes and specificities of masculine dressing through a new kind of conservatism. Amongst the styles are the classic wrapped jacket and split hem trousers that are pressed with military precision, embracing a more rigorous tone with high breaks and strong shoulders. A less conventional version of the traditional camel overcoat is shown in wool-cashmere that is bonded with neoprene. An oversized raincoat made with coated paper cotton is created to be layered over a leather suit jacket. The depicted undertones of the transformation “from city boy to soldier” is established through different codes intertwining the trends, such as lively buttons and regimental ties, and dark, neutral tones. Each garment expresses the tradition of draping and yet coddling the frame. The collection is an embodiment of Dunhill’s signature way that pulls us in two directions, of fixed tradition merged with superbly modern looks.

www.dunhill.com

Fashion

DIOR Haute Couture SS22

Ateliers are a space of experimentation, where magical creations come to life, constantly renewing the incredible and scientific language that is haute couture. The Dior SS22 Haute Couture Collection revolves around this concept: the atelier as a synonym of excellence, and embroidery as sophisticated and skillful procedure. Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Creative Director of the Maison, decided to honor and utilize the skill of craftsmen and artisans all throughout the collection, not just as a decorative detail but to give structure to the garments. The result is an elegant and refined collection with simple lines but adorned with jewels, stones, and embellishment. These embroidered patterns are applied all over a variety of garments, from ecru skirts to sheer silk organza shirts and thighs that become a signature piece of the collection. Presented surrounded by unique artworks made by Indian artists Madhvi and Manu Parekh in collaboration with the Chanakya Atelier and the Chanakya School of Craft, the decor exalts virtuoso skills and a stylistic exercise, showcasing the language of embroidery being expressed through the hands of skilled artisans. The Dior SS22 Haute Couture Collection is an inspiring creative dialogue between the French Atelier and different artists, with embroidery being transformed into a collaborative mode of expression, at the crossroads of art and craft.

www.dior.com

Fashion

AMI FW22: The Essence of Paris

AMI is back in the spotlight presenting the FW22 Collection at Palais Brongniart. It is a collection that embodies the quintessential essence of the Parisian style. Paris is, once again, a steady source of inspiration for Alexandre Mattiussi, founder and Creative Director of the Maison. For this collection, his focus shifted from the streets to metro stations, a public space where everyone comes together, mixes and blends, without any discrimination. Influenced by the people who inhabit those places, he decided to reflect this reality on the catwalk by recreating metro tunnels in a mythical monument. The FW22 has been a statement collection that celebrates AMI’s DNA, presenting a free-spirited color palette, prints and motifs next to rich textures and eccentric fabrics. In addition, the collection encompasses a variety of silhouettes, strong unisex pieces, alongside tailored masculine shapes and more delicate feminine forms. These garments are then combined with unique accessories created in collaboration with jeweler Alan Crocetti and with a new it-bag named “Le Voulez-Vous”. In terms of his casting for the show, Alexandre Mattiussi has gone beyond the common standards presenting one of the most inclusive casts ever. On the runway, iconic models such as Mariacarla Boscono, Kirsten Owen and Paloma Elsesser walked, side by side, with street-casted models and new faces. A true representation of the French capital, Ami’s collection embodies the city’s chic flair, fun and diversity.

www.amiparis.com

Fashion

LOEWE FW22: What Is Real Today?

For the FW22 Men's Collection, Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of LOEWE, defined an altered world, challenging the concept of reality and the current canons of perfection. Anderson decided not to employ a singular seasonal style anecdote but to incorporate a fusion of style notes. In this collection nothing is as it seems, it is a series of playful tricks, where archetypes of men’s dressing are presented in a new light with a twist. Coats, denim jackets, mohair pullovers: everything is elevated to another and seemingly illogical dimension where the body is the main subject. It is the point of arrival and departure, around which the entire collection is built. Faces and body features are presented printed on garments in trompe l'oeil style, while hoops and wires become artificial extensions of arms and bust. Combined then with flashes and LEDs, these clothes glow and the body that fills them seems projected outward. In addition, a highlight of the collection is the selection of outerwear pieces and accessories that include translucent overcoats in electric colors, styled with the famous Flamenco clutch embellished with shells and reimagined as a soft pair of boots.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Maluma is the New Face of Versace SS22 Men’s Campaign

Versace has announced the new face of the SS22 Men’s collection, the global superstar Maluma. Already part of the Versace Family, having previously created memorable moments such as Maluma wearing custom-made garments for his performances and red carpet looks, the Colombian singer has now been appointed by Donatella Versace herself as the new icon of the latest collection. The long-lasting relationship between the two has been love at first sight. Maluma has always been a fashion enthusiast and in the brand, he found the right features for an exceptional collaboration. Donatella Versace herself has always been intrigued by Maluma’s energy and engaging personality; to put it in her own words “He’s the kind of man that makes a difference and makes the world a better place”. The images, released globally on January 19th and shot by photographic duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, portray the singer wearing a varsity jacket finished with a range of brand motif patches and “Donatella” embroidered across the heart. In addition, for the first time, Maluma is not pictured alone but with his dog Buda. With these enticing images, the Italian fashion house and the Colombian megastar are creating new memories together as a fashion family.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Rick Owens FW22

Rick Owens presents a glamourous extravaganza for FW22. Drella coats can be belted around the hips or, with the unbuttoning of a back slit, overthrown as a poncho or cape. A versatility that continues with this season’s parkas featuring goat hair trim in various colors. Coats and jackets continue Rick Owens signature exaggerated shoulder, which he started incorporating as a parody of masculinity, but ended up becoming a design classic. With the environment, traceability and social responsibility in mind, the patchworked shearlings come from a family-owned, second-generation tannery in Tuscany. Inspired by Egyptian temples and tombs, artisanal craftsmanship and his own archives, Rick Owens joins the conversation the fashion world is having about responsibility. Believing in creative expression as the rawest and sincere state, Rick Owens cherished the power of fashion this season.

ww.rickowens.eu

Fashion

Miu Miu Tigers T-shirt Collection

In honor of the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac, Miu Miu launches an exclusive collection of t-shirts featuring the tiger motif from different animation productions. Ranging from playful to heroic and majestic, the spirit of the collection is ubiquitous and unexpected. Tiger Mask originally appeared in a manga comic book written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Naoki Tsuji, later adapted into an animation series by Toei Animatio. The character is a powerful wrestler and loyal companion to orphans, whose true identity always remains obscured. Created by Tiger Key, the Tiger Girl character featured in the t-shirt collection is a crime-fighting tiger battling evil. The last iconic animated tiger figures are Disney’s Tillie Tiger - dating back to 1936 when she first appeared on screen – and the anthropomorphic Tigger from the tales of Winnie the Pooh. The Miu Miu’s Tigers t-shirt collection evokes nostalgic images of iconic stories of animation history, in celebration of Chinese zodiac tradition. The Tigers collection of t-shirts is available starting from mid January 2022 at selected Miu Miu stores and online.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

New Bally Creative Director Rhuigi Villaseñor

Swiss luxury brand Bally, owned by JAB Holding Company, appoints Rhuigi Villaseñor as its new Creative Director. In this position, Villaseñor will be responsible for the artistic direction across the brand. His first collection debut for Bally will launch for SS23. The Manila-born allrounder is Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of the brand Rhude since 2015. As his mother was a tailor and his father an architect, Villaseñor grew up with a passion for design and an understanding of garment construction. As a Filipino and American national, raised in several continents before emigrating to the U.S., he started his career in Los Angeles. His work takes inspiration from American iconography with nostalgic reflections recalling his childhood observations of U.S. culture through a foreign lens. In his form language, the visionary designer combines luxury techniques with streetwear elements, offering a new narrative of the modern wardrobe. Nicolas Girotto, CEO of Bally, said: “Having acutely followed Rhuigi’s ascent I am excited by how his natural creativity and energetic spirit have made him one of the industry’s greatest idea generators and community builders. Rhuigi’s deep understanding of Bally’s history coupled with a distinct appreciation of the Swiss lifestyle will be instrumental in ushering the brand into the future.”

www.bally.eu

Fashion

Philipp Plein FW22: THE TURNAROUND YEAR - The Evolution of creativity

PHILIPP PLEIN shares its new vision with the fashion world at Milan Fashion Week. New horizons are opening up for the empire with an impressive line-up of new openings in exclusive shopping districts and upscale locations. In particular, Barcelona Mandarin Oriental, London Old Bond Street, Warsaw, Poznan, Kuala Lumpur, Las Vegas Forum, St. Petersburg, Dailan Olympia 66 Xigang. Launching a new store concept, PHILIPP PLEIN is bringing to life a contemporary and luxurious sphere, in which the customer is immersed upon entry. PHILIPP PLEIN also announces an expansion of its universe beyond fashion. In addition to his plans to delve into the hospitality and entertainment industry with the PHILIPP PLEIN Hotel and Club in Milan, Philipp Plein announces the launch of a range of art pieces (“Unique Pieces”) displayed in the new PHILIPP PLEIN showroom in Via Burlamacchi in Milan. The garments of the season are inspired by the creativity and stamina behind the brand’s growth: contemporary art and fashion meet in the capsule collection with playful sophistication where the “Lil Monsters” created by Plein appear printed or sewn by hand. A key feature of this season’s presentation is also the total black casting. Only black models have been selected for the catwalk, as a token of the longstanding commitment of Mr. Plein and of the PHILIPP PLEIN Group to inclusivity and to the celebration of black culture.

www.plein.com

Fashion

1017 ALYX 9SM FW22

Models walking fiercely to a slow, powerful rhythm by F1lthy, who created a sound based on images of a majestic church venue on the edge of Milan named Saint Victor and the Forty Martyrs – forces collided at the Alyx FW22 show at Milan Fashion Week. The decadently adorned building served as a vast, yet astonishingly intimate space for the first show by Matthew William’s brand 1017 Alyx 9SM in Italy. The appearance at Milan Fashion Week was like a homecoming for the label founded in 2015 by Williams in Ferrara with a design studio located in Milan. The collection intrigues by showcasing contrasts between masculine and feminine shapes. The menswear looks are characterized by heavy multi-layered and voluminous silhouettes, while the womenswear counterpart features hip-skimming, full-length and fitted looks. Expressing his passion and sense for garments Williams describes his approach to creation: “So maybe it sounds selfish or narcissistic, but I’m just making things that I like, and hopefully other people will like them too. That’s just how I move.”

www.alyxstudio.com

Fashion

Canali FW22

Looking back at the art déco style of the 1930’s – the precursor of a new era of growth and recovery - the Canali FW22 collection strives for a tasteful, elegant and refined look. The collection reimagines what it meant to be a gentlemen in pursuit of discovering the self and the world during the historic era. Style was an essential element to express attitudes and standing and became visible through the sober and exclusive lines of the period - adapting military-inspired silhouettes and colors to a new, elegant context, and celebrating it with its trademark sartorial expertise, care and focus on detail. The Canali FW22 collection both honors and reinvents this image by presenting a look to adorn the modern gentleman. A man prepared at any moment of the day with a versatile look with various shirts and tie options. Elegant pin-stripe, typical of the 1930s, is the signature pattern of the collection, embodying the timelessness of its inspiration. More contemporary styles blend in where sleeves are finished off with rubber press-stud buttons, and trousers are designed in a more athletic look. The Canali FW22 menswear collection is a perfect match of lines and impressively unifies old-era elegance with contemporary design, resulting in an expression of the dynamic of the life of a modern man.

www.canali.com

Fashion

C.P. Company CINQUANTA

C.P. Company CINQUANTA For Milan Fashion Week, C.P. Company presents a throwback on 50 years of sportswear design with "CINQUANTA: A retrospective on 50 years of sportswear innovation by C.P. Company”. At the end of their anniversary celebrations, which lasted all throughout the past year, an exhibition, freely accessible to the public, is open from January 15th to January 17th, 2022 in Milan. Created in collaboration with Random Studio, a creative agency from Amsterdam, “CINQUANTA” is a series dedicated to five decades of Italian sports and casual wear. It includes more than 70 pieces from the C.P. Company archives, alongside original sketches and special projects that have marked and shaped the brand legacy. The retrospective also includes a special area dedicated to the 50th anniversary presenting the collaborations next to various objects and memorabilia. As Lorenzo Osti, President of C.P. Company put it himself, "This exhibition is designed to facilitate the understanding of the essence of the brand through its most iconic items: the ability of C.P. Company to model and create objects that resonate with contemporary society. This way, through our garments, you will find the evocations of cities, landscapes and adventures that have most involved and fascinated us in the last 50 years."

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Fashion

Heart to Heart

Miu Miu reveals its latest campaign in honor of the Lunar New Year starring ambassadors Lexie Liu and Qiu Tian in an edit of contemporary classics. The campaign cinematically tells a story of two minds colliding. Two personalities with different life paths meet on the eve of a new year. Conveying a sense of déjà vu and familiarity. They stop to wonder, each delving into their memories before separating again. The two protagonists form a connection through sound and space by reciting their lines and humming tunes. Miu Miu colors illuminate the scene: the pastel pop of Miu Wander bag, the retro tone of a varsity cardigan, gold hair clips that oscillate with light. The short clip is a celebration of the joy of unplanned interpersonal connection. Miu Miu salutes the intangible nature of the order of things.

 www.miumiu.com

Art

The Genius Immersive Experience

The Genius Immersive Experience guides the visitor through a creative, multi-sensory journey. The show presents an interactive experience through the eyes of Leonardo Da Vinci and pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling. Its multi-media concept brings the exhibition and show to an astonishing new level. Just as the Italian painter, craftsman, sculptor, architect, and engineer was ahead of his time in creating works, which embody true Renaissance humanist ideals, the show innovatively merges past, present and future. What's it like inside one of the brightest minds that ever existed? How can you touch, play, hear and live iconic works of art? The Genius Immersive Experience provides a space to not only receive but experience the answers to these questions and more. Science, art and intuition were at the core of Da Vinci’s approach to creation and exploration of the world. The master himself famously said: "All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions". Perceptions that are brought to life by The Genius Immersive Experience creators through revisiting Leonardo’s inventions and ideas within a modern framework using cutting-edge audiovisual technology. Almost 80 million real pixels, 50km of cabling and more than 350,000 projected lumens come together to create a sensory explosion. In the revision of Leonardo’s work, the Genius Immersive Experience explores what his vision might have been making use of the resources that are available in the realm of art today. Providing a new lens on ecology, nature, science, space exploration and modern art the show investigates the present through the past, exemplifying methods and possibilities of the future.

 www.geniusdavinci.com

Fashion

Radical Urbanism: "The Power For The People x"

 “The Power For The People x” founded by Steve Davies of Steve Davies Studios London presents its new collection. Davies has been working closely for many years with acclaimed Fashion Photographer and ZOO contributor Roger Rich. The pair have collaborated together for the latest venture “The Power For The People x”: a collection based on love for concrete and fashion. Driven by the Davies’s strong connection to London with a passion for city living, modernism, brutalism, style in art and architecture, the coming SS22 season embodies the urban human experience. The line is created in London and inspired by its development throughout the decades featuring Savile Row mixed with a nod to early Punk from the late 80s early 90s London club scene at the WAG and the MUD club. Working very closely with friends and family Davies produced the finest quality of handmade garments using traditional skills and techniques in an unconventional manner. Tailored trousers meet military jackets and pants worn casually with brand logo shirts and sweats. The collection’s reference to Punk becomes visible through bondage pants combined with artist smocks paired with hats and reversible bags made from military ripstop fabrics in black, navy and olive. The garments are an expression of powerful idealisms to explore the emphasis on materials, textures and shapes in buildings and clothing fabrication creating a dialogue between infrastructure and the voice of society and culture.

www.thepowerforthepeople.com 

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli Menswear SS23

For the men’s SS23 collection, Brunello Cucinelli finds the perfect refined yet relaxed balance between sophistication and verve. Feeding on the knowledge of tradition, this skillful nonchalance offers a new interpretation of style: fresh, innovative, and capable of conveying harmony and versatility for any occasion. The prestige behind the origins of the brand is transferred to a more relaxed, effortless style. The modern suit is a feature of the collection, which can be used for daily, leisure, and summer dressing alongside business elegance. A blazer and trousers can be worn separately to adapt to the evolving needs throughout the day. Also included are an array of knitwear, t-shirts, and shirts that boost the sense of ease and comfort of contemporary suits and casual styles alike. The colors highlight the essence of summer in a rich variety of tones. Patterns are captivated by the variety of textures, where structures and color-enriching effects confer three-dimensionally and unique characteristics to elements across the collection. A generous collection of accessories has been made as the perfect embellishments to the looks. A variety of footwear has also been designed to fit styles of any occasion, varying from formal to more lightweight designs. These are characterized by the utmost attention to lightness, comfort, and flexibility. GH

www.bruellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Versace Pre-Fall 22: Reimagining History

The Italian luxury house Versace unveils its Pre-Fall 2022 collection, which encapsulates the quintessence of creativity. Versace was established by Gianni Versace in 1978 in Milan, emerged into a leading international fashion house during the 80s, and is now creatively led by his sister Donatella Versace. One of the most distinctive recognition features of the luxury fashion brand is the Baroque print. Donatella Versace states the leading mantra of the Pre-Fall 22 collection as “[…] I see creativity as an opportunity and a way of looking at things you have known all of your life in a different way, from another perspective and transform them into something new that, like a scent reminds you of emotions past, but are now connected to something completely rooted in the present moment.” For the Pre-Fall 22 collection, the infamous Baroque print is reimagined in a black and white version on garments, ranging from fitted suits to loose silhouettes. The collection features dresses, sensually hugging the silhouette of the models and silk wide-leg pajama pants with matching shirts as well as bold colored and heavily printed garments, deeply anchored in the Versace vocabulary. The Pre-Fall 22 collection embraces the so-called Versace woman, a strong independent woman who is confident in continuously reinventing herself through clothes.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Dior Welcomes Kylian Mbappé

Dior has announced Kylian Mbappé as an official ambassador of the French Maison the soccer prodigy will prospectively lend his image to the design creations of Kim Jones, Artistic Director for Dior’s men’s collections, as well as the iconic Sauvage perfume. The globally recognized soccer player is part of the Parisian Saint-Germain club and further one of the major players of the French National Football team with whom he won the world championship in 2018. In the same year, Kylian Mbappé was awarded the title of the Best Young Player by FIFA in the same year as well as the Kopa trophy celebrating the best player aged under 21. Propelling his professional career with a steady advancement, he has also been the player to break the record of scoring a quartet of goals, which had last been achieved in 1958, during a match that qualified the French National Team for the 2022 Worldcup. Kylian Mbappé makes a point in supporting charities, in particular the Premiers de Cordée association, which organizes sports initiatives for hospitalized children. Through this collaboration, the young soccer star aims to be an active part in using athletic aspirations to create purpose and perspectives. Pushing his charitable endeavors further, Kylian Mbappé has launched his own association, named Inspired by KM. With the mutual values of generosity and breaking standards, Dior and Kylian Mbappé are a match that promises exciting collaborations.

www.dior.com

Art

Who the Bær’s Search For Identity

British artist Simon Fujiwara is announcing his second solo exhibition to be shown in Berlin at the beginning of 2022. The exhibition, titled Once Upon a Who? Revolves around the character of Who the Bær – a fictive figure Simon Fujiwara has brought to life with a series of cartoons. The bear appears as a quirky companion, wearing a pair of denim trousers with a heart made of gold – in a literal way, as it is visible on his upper body- as well as an uncontrollably long tongue that – as the observer suspects – leads him into trouble as it spills secrets and witty statements. Purposely, Who the Bær has no determined gender, race or sexuality and even his design is distinguished by a prototype-like understatement. Simon Fujiwara created a narrative for the bear that centers around a search for identity. In a seemingly endless manner, Who roams a fictional world, appropriating characters, identities and aesthetics during a selfish search of a “self”. Who's journey can be followed on a namesake Instagram account. On the occasion of the exhibition, Simon Fujiwara and Esther Schipper gallery have curated a little shop, named “Whotique”, devoted to the merchandise of Who the Bær, including apparel, homeware and posters, enabling the visitors to take home an anecdote of the “Whouniverse”. The boutique has been initiated by Highsnobiety, after collaborating for Art Basel Miami Beach. Once Upon a Who? By Simon Fujiwara is on show at Esther Schipper gallery, Berlin, from January 15th until February 26th.

www.estherschipper.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2022

To Virgil Abloh, pre-collections had a special element to them. As passionate as he was about the sensation of the regular runway shows, he found contentment in immersing himself into the as he defined “normalcy” of the pre-collections that celebrates the idea of commercialism behind fashion, rather than looking upon it. Catering to the terms “trendless” and “lifewear”, his pre-collection frequently delivered looks that stood for contemporality while remaining timeless. His first pre-collection introduced the now widely recognized idea of ‘boyhood ideology’, a perspective with which Virgil Abloh nodded to the influence of upbringing, education and evolvement in the early years of life. The pre-fall 2022 collection seized on this initiation, effortlessly fusing the ideas of formalwear, workwear and streetwear into one fluid wardrobe devoid of conventional dress codes. The collection touches upon the traditional idea of suiting yet adjusts the classical three-piece with a wrap skirt replacing the waistcoat. The seriousness of tapered trousers is replaced with flares and blazers traded for utility jackets. A small selection of looks focuses on elevating sportswear elements with tracksuits appearing in tailoring fabrics. Bringing graphics into formal dressing, the designer played with the Louis Vuitton Damier pattern, reintroducing grid patterns with embroidery work and incorporating landscape motifs into denim pieces. The show exemplified Virgil’s persuasion of questioning definitions and labels, taking visual elements out of context and reviving them by exploring opposites. The shows indicate, in an all-encompassing way, how Virgil Abloh’s designs have shaped the idea of modern menswear and how he continued to pursue the unusual and unexpected while keeping wearability and commerciality in mind.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Dior Men SS22: Paying Homage to Those Who Shaped Our World

For the SS22 Menswear collection, Dior pays homage to one of the most revolutionary writers of the last century—Jack Kerouac. Christian Dior reimagined the pre-war silhouettes with a refreshing approach, influenced by his journeys, where the couturier acquired knowledge and new sources of inspiration in numerous countries and cultures. The influence and importance of author and poet Jack Kerouac are synonymous with Dior. Kerouac shaped his generation with an avant-garde approach to literature art and gained worldwide recognition with his novel On the Road, published in 1957. Kerouac is considered to be part of the Beat generation, which was a rebellious literary movement, emerged out of the desire to break down the established structures and traditional writing conventions in the 60s. Also known as the Beat poets, they influenced culture and politics with their celebration of experimentation and spontaneous creativity. The SS22 collection celebrates the power of imagination and fuses Dior’s heritage, characterized by intricate embroideries or the soft pastel color palette with futuristic technological qualities in materials, such as technical silks and recycled nylon. Fair Isle knits embroidered with sequins are worn with bias-cut soft collegiate jackets and complemented with an original silk Foulard from the 60s. Dior perpetuated Kerouac's legacy by hand-painting and printing extracts of his novel onto leather and silk. “But you can go on thinking and imagining forever further and stop at no decisions to pick up a bag for the thinkings. Turn your thinking into your work, your thoughts into a book, in sieges,’’ as perfectly encapsulated by Jack Keruoac himself, Dior aims to encourage confidence in imagination with its SS22 Menswear collection.

www.dior.com

Fashion

New Chapters at Premiata

Originally known for their expertise in shoe-making, the Italian label Premiata is now introducing their first apparel line with a FW22 Menswear collection. Induced by the fifth generation of the family-led business, the siblings Vincenzo and Carlotta, the line presents itself with a genderless soul and the typical ‘made in Italy’ that is the essence of Premiata. Vincenzo summarizes the key points of the collection as follow: “I thought about the wardrobe of a person who I would call a metropolitan warrior, who needs multifunctional, structured and versatile garments, for an all-day-long use. All the outerwear, from the jacket to the parka, are garments conceived in a genderless key.” The FW22 collection persuades with a combination of technical approaches, such as water repellent materials and finishes, while considering the factor of comfort with soft-touch fabrics and the use of elastics. Timeless, athletic puffer jackets with an urban style, stonewashed parkas and lightweight rain overcoats deliver a selection of outerwear. In addition, the apparel is complemented by accessories such as bags and backpacks, which further reinforce the idea of metropolitan practicality paired with Italian design vocabulary. The entire collection is designed and produced in Italy, in partnership with the renowned manufacturer La Rocca, who is widely recognized in the premium and luxury textile segment. The collection is to be presented with a pop-up during the upcoming Pitti Filati in February.

www.premiata.it

Fashion

Versace Jeans Couture’s Journey Home

“Home is a state of mind. It’s liberation, it’s acceptance, it’s freedom.” With these words in mind, London-based director Sarah Jones has created the cinematic short film The Journey Home for Versace Jeans Couture. The film narrates the return of a young woman to her home after spending a night out. During her commute, she experiences a reflective conversation with a cab driver, which leads to an epiphany about her identity and her innermost feelings. Depicted in a dream-like, surreal sequence, the clip embodies Versace’s values of youthfulness, nostalgia and unleashed emotion. The raw, documentary-style artistic direction with the surreal touch reflects the vulnerability and search of the young woman as she attempts to let go of personal and societal expectations to fully embrace herself. Sarah Jones perfectly captures the emptiness mixed with a sense of falling out of place that is attached to the search for identity. The plot takes the viewer on a journey of overcoming this void through a nightlife experience in a true Versace Jeans Couture manner. In a pensive and intense way, the protagonist of the stories reminisces upon her experiences and thoughts, as she lives through a night full of possibilities before eventually returning home. The eclectic colors and effects of the short film exemplify Versace’s specialty of meeting an avant-gardist Zeitgeist while making use of rhetorical stylistic choices and hidden layers.

www.versace.com

Art

Marséll Exhibition: The Edge Effect

Marséll hosts a new exhibition named The Edge Effect, curated by Chiara Bardelli Nonino, visual editor at Vogue Italia, and Jordan Anderson, editor-at-large of NSS magazine. Marséll was founded in 2001 as a shoe manufacturer, distinguishing itself from other shoe brands by using innovative techniques as well as traditional methods in a nonindustrial manner, resulting in original handcrafted shoes. Later on, the brand developed a concept to support young artists, a multidisciplinary exhibition space called Marséllaria. The performances and exhibitions at Marséllaria serve as a platform for like-minded young visionaries to meet for cultural exchanges. The Edge Effect exhibition revolves around ecotone, which describes a transitional area where two different ecosystems meet, and through mutual influence, intensify and enlarge in density and uniqueness. This phenomenon is an ideal metaphor for our contemporary society, where our identity and the concept of belonging are constantly changing. Each participating artist prepared variations on contemporary Italian identity with a biographical approach through visual dialogues or experimentation in fashion or digital art. The Edge Effect aims to articulate the Italian identity of the future with different approaches, resulting in a personal exhibition that gives exclusive insights into the family history and everyday life of the artists.

www.marsell.com

Fashion

Made To Order, Created to Last

Carnations London – which recently celebrated its first birthday after being founded in 2021 – has made it its mission to produce beautiful and cheerful designs with high quality. Determined to disrupt the shortcomings of the fashion industry, Carnations London has committed to the made-to-order business model – one of the most promising solutions for grappling with wasteful overproduction and a powerful tool to counteract the mindless consumption propelled by fast fashion and throw-away cultures. Each item is made by hand in a small studio – a direct reflection of founder Sarah Bartlett’s vision, in which fashion revolves not only around aesthetics but more so about social responsibility. As such, Carnation London’s design exude the brand values with their visual language: tie-dye patterns in pastel colors and embroidered scribbles make for a charming character, that reminds the wearer to return to the simple and joy sparking items that are uncomplicated and comfortable to wear. Combining the creative forces of various artists is an endeavor the British label pursues with great integrity - after collaborating with artist Joy Yamusangie, who created a lively illustration for a bucket hat, Carnations has partnered up with Stockholm-based print designer KJP, resulting in multifunctional checker-board bandanna and shirt in a vibrant blue color – which has yet to be revealed to Carnation’s followers. Now, during the festive month of December, Carnations returns to the item that marked their debut over a year ago: the classic cotton T-Shirt. With its muted sunset colors, melting together in the iconic tie-dye design (needless to say, achieved with non-toxic dyestuff), the shirt ensures to lift the spirits – and evokes the satisfying conscience of a responsibly sourced product. Besides the B-Day t-shirt, Carnations has included a selection of their best-selling items into the temporary “Festive Shop” collection, offering gift ideas with reasonable origins that make valuable stocking fillers. 

www.carnationslondon.com

Fashion

Gucci Aria Campaign KAI: A Fairytale Trip Down Memory Lane

Gucci unveils its special campaign, starring the global brand ambassador KAI and the exceptional looks of the Aria collection. The Aria collection presents the most spectacular highlight of the brand’s centennial anniversary. The collection featured the most recognizable and well-known looks of the luxury fashion brand since its founding in 1921. It includes the iconic red velvet suit, designed by former creative director Tom Ford and the red and green stripe logo design, which reflects Gucci’s equestrian heritage. The history of Gucci begins in 1921 with Guccio Gucci, who founded a leather goods shop, which eventually became one of the most recognized and sought-after luxury brands. The campaign is set in a surreal and frosted winter landscape, which transports the viewer in a fairytale-like environment. KAI the brand ambassador and protagonist of the campaign is a South Korean singer and dancer who became world-known as a part of the boy group EXO-K. The singer wears the signature looks of the Aria collection, including a velvet, tailored suit, cozy knitwear, and monogram-adorned trousers, worn with equestrian helmets and boots. Director Woogie Kim captures KAI, gracefully dancing and sensually moving, while music composed by Nicolas Fleury is playing in the background.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Rive Droite: The Ride

Collaborations have proven to be a successful way to introduce a brand into a new, unfamiliar universe and Anthony Vaccarello pursues doing so with Saint Laurent, joining forces with numerous prominent companies for his latest project, named The Ride. Anthony Vaccarello took upon the task to continue Hedi Slimane’s success as creative director at Saint Laurent in 2016. Ever since Vacarello has successfully teased his artistic vision for the luxury Maison— in which his idea of an accessible and experimental space, where art, music, and fashion meet and mind-broadening conversations and discussions are opened unfolds. For the Ride, Vaccarello designed a motorcycle in collaboration with SUPER73-S2, resulting in a perfect fusion between impeccable design and innovative function. SUPER73-S2 was founded in 2016 in Southern California on the concept of continuous striving to inspire and create a community around adventures, which corresponds to Vaccarello‘s vision. The release of the motorcycle is accompanied by a unisex edition of the K-Way bomber jacket with a tiger print, designed with the help of K-Way, a French staple outerwear brand. In addition to that, Vaccarello joined forces with the luxury motorcycle helmet company Hedon to create an elegant and bold helmet in total black.

www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

DIOR: Elegant & Icy

DIOR creates a unique interpretation of the Christmas holidays in its own words, defined by an enormous amount of style and elegance. The French luxury house is known for its elegant couture garments and, in particular, for its founder Christian Dior, who introduced new shapes and silhouettes into the fashion industry. In 2018, designer Kim Jones took over the creative direction of the men’s collections and refreshed the image of the house with a sportif, contemporary and youthful approach to the clothes and accessories. For the Christmas collection, Jones thoroughly selected a range of different leather goods, shoes, and jewelry to be parts of it, such as the iconic SADDLE bag alongside its backpack version and the Dior LINGOT line of bags. The B23 and B27 sneakers of the selection have become a signature feature of the men’s collections and reflect Kim Jones’ design vocabulary and influence on the house. Each item bears a sign of distinctive recognition value for Dior, either in form of the Dior oblique motif or the CD initials. The official launch of the pieces is staged by an equally compelling video as the items themselves are, and acknowledges the beautiful and magical aspect of the cold and festive season. The short video sequence showcases a playful transformation of the snow-covered, icy pieces, revealing the actual selection in full splendor as the video moves on.

www.dior.com

Fashion

MB&F x BVLGARI: Reading the Future

Initially showing mutual admiration and professional respect from afar, BVLGARI and MB&F decided to join forces to create FLYING T ALLEGRA, an exceptional timepiece that fuses both luxury brands’ signature skills. Maximilian Büsser founded MB&F in 2005 in Geneva, Switzerland on the concept of revolutionizing the conceptual norm within the world of luxury watches with an unconventional creative approach. For the special collaboration, BVLGARI combines its exquisite feminine graphic aesthetic with the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s complex mechanical know-how, resulting in a series of wearable pieces of art. The timepieces are characterized through their three-dimensional vertical architecture and luxurious case, ranging between white and rose gold and adorned with a high domed sapphire crystal on top. The heart of the watch is the diamond-set flying tourbillon— a technical organ that goes beyond the borders of a traditional dial-plate, anchored only at its base, and set in a 50-degree angle, precisely aligned towards the wearer of the timepiece. BVLGARI replenishes MB&F´s cold and massive construction by a softly sensory experience, with perfectly cut and colored gems. With the FLYING T ALLEGRA series, BVLGARI and MB&F have created historic timepieces with complex micromechanical construction and induced with a futuristic and feminine twist.

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

“The Art of Performance”—A Spectacular Additon to Swarovski‘s Kristallwelten

Swarovski proudly introduces a new chamber to its museum “Kristallwelten” under the leitmotif “The Art of Performance.” Kristallwelten was established to celebrate Swarovski‘s centennial anniversary in 1998. The exhibition takes the visitor on a visual journey through the history of Swarovski, the glamorous designs for red carpet events, and the most flamboyant film and stage outfits made out of the precious Swarovski crystals. The museum-like display embraces and emphasizes Swarovski‘s versatility, uniqueness, and elegance. The exhibition is curated by fashion designer Michael Schmidt and the setting is thoughtfully prepared by set designer Derek McLane. It includes Katy Perry‘s iconic chandelier dress, made by Moschino, and the seductive “Happy Birthday” dress seen on Marilyn Monroe as she enchants a whole nation, including the American president at Madison Square Garden in New York as well as outfits worn by Marlene Dietrich, Lady Gaga, Cher, or Beyonce. Swarovski is defined by its founder’s mastery in crystal cutting and a strong sense of innovative and contemporary designs. Daniel Swarovski pioneered the world of jewelry, creating what is now referred to as conscious luxury, affordable yet high-quality glass gemstones and crystals. “The Art of Performance” offers a unique insight into the brand‘s most valuable creations and helps to understand the important role of Swarovski crystals in a worldwide context.

www.kristallwelten.swarovski.com

Fashion

Diesel: Reshaping the Fashion World

The Italian clothing brand Diesel launches its new PROTOTYPE sneaker through a digital campaign. Renzo Rosso chose the name “Diesel” for the brand in 1978, which is meant to be an expression for “alternative energy,” a node to Rosso’s enduring passion for an original and innovative approach to fashion. The release of the sneaker is accompanied by an original NFT created by the digital fashion house The Fabricant, a company that strives and prospers in developing 3D narratives and digital couture. By doing so, The Fabricant creates an intersection of fashion and technology. By collaborating with this progressive fashion brand, Diesel is significantly involved in paving the way towards a new, digitalized, and in particular less harmful fashion world. Creative Director Glenn Martens designed the new PROTOTYPE sneaker with an innovative approach in terms of aesthetic footwear design. The unisex sneaker is available in a bold and distinctive blue, red, and white colorway. It is adorned with recurring rubber straps and asymmetric lacing and features an industrial outsole tread pattern. With the PROTOTYPE sneaker, Diesel creates a visual reflection of a new digitalized era and introduces a new form of sneaker releases, resulting in digital pieces of art.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Sabotaging Conventions of Jewelry Design

Free from confines; tethered to self. Unbound. Unchained. This is how the newly launched jewelry label Saboteur defines the essence of its brand identity. Founded by Thomas Sabo, Saboteur relies on the 35 years of design experience of the jewelry titan, while catering for a new generation of customers who seek unconventionality and individuality. Santiago Sabo, son of Thomas Sabo, herein represents the young generations to whom cultural inclusion, open-mindedness and unapologetic expression of the self are values reflected in their consumption choices. Saboteur is designed to break through the sophisticated worlds of jewelry by making use of mystical and metaphorical elements – portraying a spiritual cosmos while being balanced through geometry. The first two collections, called Elemental and Sacral, exhibited under the mantra “Unchain My World”, show elements of industrial engineering that create charms representing solar systems and mysterious relics of extraterrestrial realms. Skulls and hieroglyphic symbols recur on the rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches of the Elemental collection, while the Sacral pieces present visual anecdotes to the North Star, compass silhouettes and studded spikes. Many of the pieces feature an interplay of axles, turning the charms into tiny wondrous objects that can be turned and tilted to the liking of its wearer. Combing the signature 925 Sterling silver of Sabo’s design vocabulary with 18k golden elements, the jewelry line exhausts the possibilities of mixed metals, creating an allegory to their conventionality-defying vision.

www.saboteurworld.com

Fashion

Missoni x Supreme: A Gathering of Innovators

For the Fall21 collection, Missoni, a house rich in tradition, united its strengths with streetwear company Supreme. The history of Missoni begins as the founders, Ottavio Missoni and Rosita Jelmini meet. Ottavio Missoni gained his first experience in design by creating athletes’ tracksuits for the 1948 Olympics in London, and Jelmini specialized in shawls and embroidery. Combining their prior garment experience and knowledge with the proficiency of knitwear construction and machinery of Rosita Jelmini’s family, the couple founded a small knitwear studio in the north of Milan and started producing innovative lightweight knits that would become an unmistakable recognition value for Missoni. The jackets and sweaters of the collaboration are imprinted with an undoubtedly Missoni-esque-inspired pattern. Ottavio Missoni drew inspiration mainly from Guatemalan, Aztec and Incan textiles and was especially known and admired for his bold approach to color, creating a chromatic harmony by adding a third color to two clashing ones. The Missoni patterns are elevated in this collection, developed by implementing them on a new range of clothes. Supreme supplements the strong Missoni identity with its signature casual and sporty streetwear shapes and designs for the garments, such as hooded sweatshirts, crusher, and polo shirts, perfectly in tune with our zeitgeist.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Cartier: Love is All: About Compassion and Love

To celebrate and honor the feeling that unites humanity the most, the haute jewelry Maison Cartier decided to capture the spirit of love in a two-minute-long campaign video. The luxury conglomerate is known and admired for its highly crafted and thoughtfully designed jewelry pieces that are meant to elevate the individuality of the wearer rather than forcing an identity on them. The campaign is directed by British photographer Charlotte Wales, known for her light-hearted and thorough approach to filmmaking and therefore is the perfect choice to translate Cartier’s core values into a film. The extraordinary campaign film puts unique and world-renowned personalities, such as Monica Belluci, Lilly Collins, Willow Smith, or Troye Sivan into the limelight. The artists, each masters of their own creative profession are visual carriers of the message that cultural and artistic diversity is essential for personal development. The storyline is accompanied by the particular pop song “Love is All”, composed in the 70s by Roger Glover and Ronnie James Dio, which emphasizes the film as an ode to love. Cartier’s Love is All is a perfectly and sensually composed love letter to compassion, coming together with family, friends, and loved ones which is the most important message behind the upcoming joyful holiday season.

www.cartier.com

Art

Cartier Fondation pour l’art contemporain

The Fondation Cartier unveils a particular film by Artavazd Pelechian at the 34th international documentary festival in Amsterdam. The foundation was established in 1984 by the luxury jewelry conglomerate on the concept of supporting artists and artistic creation through temporary exhibitions, live performances, and lectures. For the festival, Cartier decided to showcase the film Nature by Armenian film director Artavazd Pelechian. Nature marks a milestone for the director—it is Pelechian´s first published film after 30 years. The 64-minute film offers an exceptional cinematic experience, displaying found footage of natural disasters and Pelechian´s signature theme— humanity’s relationship with nature. The director also created a new and sensual visual language through slowing, reframing, and inverting the archive footage used in the film. “I am convinced that cinema can convey certain things that no language in the world can translate. For me, it goes back to the Tower of Babel, to before the division into different languages,” The exceptional film is the result of 15 years of hard work, thorough editing and relentless pursuit for perfection. The French luxury Maison proves once again its unparalleled intuition for unique potential, not only in jewelry designs but just as well in artistic productions.

www.fondationcartier.com

Fashion

Furla Cruise collection SS22: Sharing Joy in Italian

For the cruise collection SS22, the Italian leather goods company Furla celebrates its roots and embraces the cheerful spirit associated with Italy. Aldo Furlanetto founded the unique brand in 1927 while traveling across Europe as a trader in accessories and spreading the spirit. Henceforth, Furla reinterprets the Italian spirit with its leather goods, shoes, and accessories in a contemporary context of fashion. The use of high-quality materials and eclectic elegance are deeply-anchored in the success vocabulary of Furla. The cruise collection SS22 has a distinctive theme: “Joy is a group effort, Fun is for everyone, Sharing is everything” and a clear intention of sharing the uplifting atmosphere with the public. Furla presents the iconic Hobo bag, rounded with its gold monogram, padded handbags in silver, shiny nuances, made out of Nappa leather, and bright, neon-colored crossbody bags that guarantee to turn heads. The selection also showcases a range of small accessories, such as keyrings and card cases which upon closer inspection reveal themselves as depictions of bears and hedgehogs. The cruise collection SS22 is accompanied by the release of a campaign video that captures and diffuses the cheerful and careless spirit of the clothes. The recordings showcase a group of cheerful women dancing in broad daylight, surrounded by beautiful Italian scenery, which perfectly displays the core values Furla has been founded on.

www.furla.com

Fashion

MCM Cubic: Reinterpreting History

Monogram— the artistically interwoven initials have been adorning garments for decades now and have become a distinctive and firmly established part of pop culture. Many high-end brands, among them MCM understand the crucial role eye-catching logos play in times where consumers are continuously confronted with pictures and impressions, not least due to the void of accessible information online. MCM— which stands for Modern Creation Munich is best known and admired for its luxury luggage and finding enthusiasts in world stars like Diana Ross or underground artists such as Peggy Gou, ever since being founded in 1976. The 45th anniversary of the iconic brand prompted MCM to revive and reimagine its most prominent recognition value— the monogram. For the first time in the history of MCM, the brand presents three exclusive interpretations of the unique Visetos monogram. Previously this year, the Vintage Jacquard monogram was released. Through a highly-specialized weaving technique inspired by methods used in the world-renowned textile school of Bauhaus, the original logo receives a refreshing new design. The second interpretation is called CUBRIC monogram and stands apart from previous logos with a clean, straight-line pattern. The minimalistic approach resonates with the Bauhaus spirit, which is an integral part of German modernism. The compelling reinterpretations are incorporated in a range of signature styles, such as a casual tracksuit and complemented with a bucket hat.

www.mcmworldwide.com

Fashion

Saucony Highlights Fall/Winter 2021: Reimagines the Shadow 6000

This year marks a milestone for Saucony- the 30th anniversary of the iconic Shadow 6000. To celebrate the duration of the sneaker, Saucony decided to reimagine the shoe with five different themes- Destination, Food Fight, Pearl, Shadow 6000 OG, Sweet Street. Saucony was founded near a river in Pennsylvania in 1898. The brand name refers back to the city name “Saucon”, which is the native inhabitant’s meaning for fast-flowing river. The name of Saucony immediately resonates with a commitment to design and innovation. The Shadow 6000 was developed in 1991 with a new innovative sole, which achieves the perfect balance between heel steadiness, flexibility, and forefoot cushioning and results in the perfect essential for every professional runner. On the occasion of the anniversary re-interpretations, each limited edition of the Saucony classic takes the wearer on a different journey, through a land of sweets with delicious colorways or inspired by the act of marriage implemented in an elegant white design. The Shadow 6000 OG is a historic and significant version since it equals the original design from 1991 with blue, grey, and navy blue accents. Saucony’s anniversary collection perfectly highlights the timelessness of the company’s designs and passion for creative innovation.

www.saucony.com

Fashion

Bulgari Celebrated B.Zero1 Rock Chain in Berlin

On the occasion of the new B.Zero1 Rock Chain collection, Bulgari celebrated its iconic jewelry line with an extraordinary cocktail party in Berlin. In addition to the two brand ambassadors Princess Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Stephan Luca, VIP guests such as Palina Rojinski, Viktoria von Faber-Castell, Veronika Heilbrunner, Gizem Emre, Sonja Gerhardt, Stephanie Giesinger and Langston Uibel celebrated the launch of the fierce collection. Inspired by the rigorous architecture of Rome’s iconic Colosseum, the collection presents itself with an unconventional approach to jewelry design that celebrated the inspiring power of Bulgari’s bold visions. B.zero1 Rock Chain stands for the uncompromising breaking of rules, a liberating expression of independence and strength, and a pioneering spirit - all of which are closely linked to the DNA of the Roman jewelry house. Thus, the new collection makes all lovers of exceptional jewelry pieces that underline their personality shine. In the spirit of the new collection, the Alhambra location on Kurfürstendamm was bathed in a sea of lights of white, yellow and rose gold, perfectly reflecting the Bulgari brand through a combination of precious materials and timeless design elements. The rapper UFO361 performed an extravagant live show under an oversized Bulgari B.Zero1 ring. The exuberant mood was reinforced by DJ Alexander “Ali” Schwarzer from Tiefschwarz, whose music set the tone for the unforgettable evening that celebrated the sparkling confidence of the B.Zero1 Rock Chain collection.

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Valentino: A Tribute to Creativity

The Maison Valentino releases a sequel of the extraordinary first art book VLogo, curated by Pierpaolo Piccioli. For the second edition of the artbook, the creative director draws inspiration from 1968’s spirit, a time defined by the desire for radical individualism and liberation from traditional values. Piccioli picks up the theme by visualizing the bold statement of this generation-“Power to the imagination.” Paying tribute to unlimited creativity, Piccioli called upon the industry’s most important players, such as 032c, AnOther Magazine, or Nylon China, just as well as the Valentino style offices to contribute to the project. The edition is filled with unique and different interpretations of the renowned Valentino Logo, created by various independent international publications. Furthermore, the book includes extraordinary images, texts as well as photographs, and drawings of specific moments in the recent past. The contributors reimagined the aesthetic core identity of the Maison, resulting in a broad, interesting spectrum of VLogo interpretations. The intention was to create this book as a canvas of possibilities rather than just a precious coffee table book. Piccioli’s work perfectly visualizes and embraces the idea of creative freedom and contributes to a more diverse world.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten SS22: A Firework For The Senses

For the SS22 collection, the design team around Dries Van Noten draws inspiration from the Holi festival in India, renowned for its visible celebration of love and colors through colored powder clouds. The clothes embody the explosion of bold colors and euphoric emotions. Dries Van Noten is one of the most successful members of the Antwerp Six and is best known and admired for his creative integrity for his design process as well as the extraordinary aesthetic of his clothes. The collection showcases sculptural silhouettes, that perfectly mimic the festival explosions with heavily draped amounts of fabric on blouses as well as dresses. The garments also include shapes, that emphasize the body, such as caftans, matching suits, and jackets, cinched in the waist and finished with a flounce. Van Noten is picking up the theme of the Holi festival with the print and embellishments on his clothes. Replicate stains on garments give the impression of being doused with pigment and blurred photo prints of flowers and explosive fireworks on silk resemble a festival experiment. The color palette ranges from strongly saturated shades, such as orange, green, and pink as well as soft blues, purple, and mint to stripes in black. The special collection has been launched with a campaign video, directed by Albert Moya. The director perfectly captures the quintessence of Dries Van Noten´s latest collection- a celebration of love and joy, communicated through beautifully constructed clothes.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo: Joyous Anticipation of the Holiday Season

Salvatore Ferragamo´s festive holiday 2021 collection shows exquisite clothes that create a feeling of anticipation giving the viewer a glimpse of the upcoming days full of joy, nostalgia, and generosity. The collection consists of classical garments, effectuated with Ferragamo´s high aspirations of bespoke tailoring. A shiny black tux version, wool sweaters, and neatly cut skirts are accompanied and enriched by beautifully extravagant accessories. As such the collection include mules and boots, adorned with the letter F for Ferragamo and covered in glitter, a revived and extended version of the Viva Bow bag through new shapes as well as a soft penny loafer with a new Gancini detail. The special collections been launched with a campaign video, coming along as a short-film like story, putting the new house ambassadors Jelly Lin and SEULGI into the limelight as protagonists of a real-life Christmas carol. The storyline shows the two actors embracing the Christmas spirit, letting the festive ambiance into their hearts and leaving the daily life behind in a very literal way. The scenes accompany their shift from work attire into their festive outfits. The holiday 2021 campaign perfectly captures the brand´s deepest values and translates them into a joyous and cozy portrayal of Christmas, a holiday that celebrates friendship, family, and kindness- values that coincide with Salvatore Ferragamo´s vision.

www.salvatoreferragamo.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Ski Mask: Innovation Meets Style

Right on time for the ski season-opening, Louis Vuitton launches a new Ski mask, that fusions fashion and function once again. Ever since its founding, the brand which has been initially known for its high quality and exquisite luggage pieces, expanded their assortment steadily, incorporating ready-to-wear, fragrances and an elaborate range of accessories- among others face and ski masks. This year, the winter vacation essential comes along with additional functions and aesthetic details, ensuring a golden mean between performance and style. The mask has a UV coating to protect the eye from harmful ultraviolet radiation and had to undergo a special post-production treatment, which results in an anti-fog effect as well as scratch resistance. The lenses are adorned with the famous LV monogram and available in exquisite colors such as black, blue, and orange. Louis Vuitton´s products are innovative and perfectly tailored to the needs of a customer, who plans on traveling into the mountains to ski. To ensure maximum visibility, the ski mask with darker lenses included a lighter version as well, meant to be worn on days when visibility is poor. The orange, pink and blue tinted lenses enable to notices and condition changes on the slopes in time.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Dior Men B30 Sneaker: The Athletic Versatility of Dior´s Men B30 Sneaker

In an interview, Kim Jones once revealed that he owns more than 500 sneakers. His experience and passion for athletic footwear made him an expert in creating the new Dior B30. The Paris-based designer was appointed as the creative director of the traditional Maison Dior two years ago. Ever since he has combined elegant elements, typical for Dior with his modern streetwear affinity, resulting in refreshingly casual and perfectly balanced collections. The B30 Sneaker was shown in the SS22 collection to complementing each presented look with a tribute to the world of running and the streetwear credibility. What strikes most about the sneaker are the extraordinary materials used, such as mesh and microfiber, which enhance the flexibility and lightness of the shoe. The sneaker is adorned with the renowned CD logo on each side of the shoe in a reflective graphic element. Available in five colors, from classic black and white to a refreshing lime, the color palette delivers options for the Dior customer. The versatility of the sneaker perfectly adapts to the complex needs of a customer in today’s fast-moving world and therefore is a striking example for Kim Jones´ understanding of our zeitgeist.

www.dior.com

Fashion

PB 0110: Versatile Favorites

PB 0110’s signature styles are the protagonists of the FW21 collection this year. The brand revived and reinterpreted their exceptional range of unique and elegant signature bags for this season. PB 0110 was founded by Philipp Bree with an emphasis on high craftsmanship, devoting enough time for the production of unique bags and accessories in a few selected reputable European manufacturers. He is an advocate of cherishing the longevity of an accessory. With his designs, he aims to nurture the idea of an essential accessory becoming a crucial companion, instead of a replaceable item. The designer initiated a collaboration with the designer and artist Ayzit Bostan, to pursue the idea of a revived version of the traditional Japanese “Sacoche’' bag. The so called AB112 is only 145 gr light, made out of a vegetable-tanned leather and accentuated with a silver zipper. In addition the shoulder strap can be adjusted individually by a knot on each side of the bag. The production factory is a Belgian tannery that first opened its doors 170 years ago and has been awarded with the Bronze Standard Certification - a factory that coincides with PB0110's high quality standards. The revived Sacoche bag is an elegant solution to the complexity of daily life - subtle enough to remain discrete, yet sturdy and sizable enough to fit the essentials.

www.pb0110.com

Fashion

Kaldewei’s “Superplan Zero’’ Shot by Bryan Adams

Kaldewei and Bryan Adams have collaborated to create a series of images for the brand´s latest product, fusing their values of aesthetic originality and detail-oriented perfection. Consciousness and high quality products are the core identity of the German-based company Kaldewei. The brand’s “Superplan Zero’’ is a shower surface, which resonates this. To pursue the idea of luxurious sustainability, Kaldewei’s “Superplan Zero’’ combines an impressive glass design developed by outstanding Berlin-based product designer Werner Aisslinger and 100% circularity achieved by using eco-friendly enamel steel. The versatile shower surface is available in a range of different colors and dimensions. The product campaign features six images of the famous choreographer Eric Gauthier as well as dancers Arielle Martin, Tatiana Martinez and Federico Spallitta and is photographed by Bryan Adams. The Canadian rock musician has long established himself as a brilliant photographer and has previously collaborated with Kaldewei for the Ming and Miena washbasin bowls. He perfectly captures the quintessence of “Superplan Zero’’ by staging ballet dancers, who are renowned and admired for their effortless perfection. The dancer’s defined legs are displayed in a highly aesthetic way in front of a devouring deep black background, while droplets of water create depth and dimension. Each picture alludes to the sensual side of a shower moment. Bryan Adams combines his creative and unique ideas with Kaldewei’s design expertise, turning the exquisite shower surface into an even greater object of desire.

www.kaldewei.com

Fashion

Marcell von Berlin FW21: Fashion Remains

No matter where in time we find ourselves, the past, the present or the future: fashion is always a representation of the Zeitgeist that collectively expresses the ideas and thoughts of indivduals. The Berlin and Los Angeles-based brand Marcell von Berlin creates charming clothes, worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, aiming to encourage this individual self-expression that eventually turns into a sign of the times. The FW21 women’s collection features rock n´ roll inspired clothing, reinvented in a modern version and bold colors that give every wearer the necessary optimism for the future. Eye-catching neon pink, flared trousers with matching blazers, red sequin dresses and gigantic hats represent a spirit that is never out of style, no matter the decade's fashions : joy. In the FW21 collection, particular attention is given to Marcell von Berlin's siganture handbag; the MM. In order to pursue the idea of timeless, adaptable fashion, a bag needs to function as an allrounder, suitable for every occasion whether day or night. The new MM Bags are unique handbags, available in captivating colors such as neon-pink, yellow or green and in a range of different sizes. The theme of joy was also picked up for the men’s collection with shark motifs on shorts and shirts as well as bright colored suits. Marcell von Berlin and their brilliant designs as well as exceptional craftsmanship are perfectly in tune with the current times, in which authenticity is the most desirable thing to wear for men just as well as for women.

www.marcellvonberlin.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent SS22

Here we are, ascending the white stairs at Place Varsovie, surrounded by the atmosphere of the French capital striving for normality. Here, at this specific place, stands tall one of its iconic symbols, the Tour Eiffel, shining enchantingly with its usual timed light show. As we arrive at the designated seating we see what at first glance looked like a mirrored floor only later to be discovered as the effect of water on the pavement. Little we knew what was going to unfold before us minutes later. As the sun starts to go slowly down the first look make its appearance. It’s a long, sharp yet fluid dress with oversized shoulders, and bold jewels. Austere, yet revealing. Suits transform in overalls, and accessories transform into statement elements. It’s the statement of a woman beyond genres and norms. The woman Yves Saint Laurent found as one of his dearest muses, the charismatic Paloma Picasso, whom the couturier met in the 60s and became a great inspiration for the so-called “collection scandale” presented in January 1971 “For a long time, I wanted to transpose this meeting between Paloma Picasso and Yves Saint Laurent, whose importance few realize in the designer’s creative journey. It is a moment to which I am sensitive as a designer because for me it is the defining moment when Saint Laurent’s fashion creativity became a style.” Anthony Vaccarello speaks about the crucial moment when the couturier Yves met the socialite Paloma. Not many have been aware of its intrinsic importance. A moment that opened up free new artistic paths for Yves Saint Laurent, abolishing the solemn borders of haute couture and preconceived codes. Anthony Vaccarello likes to call it the “couture jacket”. The superbly constructed tailored jacket, declined through radical cuts, dissolving genres and the definition itself of sensuality. As the last looks walk, a cascade of water starts to pour down the catwalk, the models, we the guests. We feel like baptized. Reborn, after these tragic times that took away many who will be always remembered. As will this fantastic show.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Prada SS22: Seduction Explained

The duality of the Prada SS22 show, staged simultaneously in Milan and Shanghai-connected via live stream, is a perfect portrayal of the two featured influences, the unconventional beauty chic founder Miuccia Prada and elegant streetwear representative Raf Simons working together. Creating the clothes for the SS22 collection, Prada and Simons have reached the bare structural essentials of the clothing, the ultimate climax of a path of seduction, like the curves of a brassiere, framework of a corset or opened buttons at the back of an elegant silk dress. It featured also draped nude dresses, resembling a bone like structure and silk mini skirts in combination with slightly used-looking leather jackets in different silhouettes, a formal and casual blend, a sophisticated contrast which also mimics Prada and Simons´ partnership. The process of stripping down aims for much more than showing of skin- instead the clothes emphasize the sensual game between bare skin and the soft layers of fabric. Prada and Simons created a new form of sensual sexuality, a more hidden one, giving our mind enough space to create own fantasies.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Sportmax SS22 Shows How Harmonic Contrasts Can Be

“Every something is an echo of nothing.”
For this season’s show the artist John Cage serves as main source of inspiration for the brand. The avant-garde composer is known best for his unorthodox ideas and especially the song 4’33’’, presented in a complete absence of any sound and which profoundly changed the perception of music.The contrast between noise and silence, John Cage became famous for, is being transformed by the brand in a fashion context. Light backgrounds stand in contrast to dark as well as vibrant colors used in Sportmax’ creations. The models wearing intricately, heavily draped amounts of fabric appear out of nowhere between clean walls that can not be distinguished from the white floor on the runway, like an echo caused by the reflection of a sound coming out of nothing. Sportmax’ SS22 looks include jumpsuits with big, puff details on the sleeves as well as boxy cut blazers and second skin bodysuits, in a color palette covering natural shades in contrast with bold colors like lilac and fuchsia. The brand also presented charming contrasts between corsetry details and long flowing dresses in soft earthy tones. The journey through the different kind of contrasts inside and outside of the clothing, Sportmax invites us to this season is a perfect addition to Cages silent music studies.

www.sportmax.com

Fashion

Marsèll x RRose 2021: Last Comes First

Marsèll x RRose 2021: Last Comes First In 2016, the Italian brand Marsèll has established Marsèll Paradise, a platform for generating a dialogue between the brand's creations and other art forms. This autumn, Marsèll Paradise initiated a collaboration with RRose, the alter ego of musician Seth Horvitz. The California-based musician, who is celebrated for his sensual techno DJ sets, repeatedly collaborates with fashion houses. Under the wings of Marsèll Paradise, RRose has created the media installation “Last Comes First” which thematizes the limits of perception: “I am fascinated with the fuzzy boundaries between things – the moments that rupture the mind’s ability to distinguish between independent entities. Illusions reveal the limits of a fixed reality.“ RRose embodies Marsèll Paradise’ vision of cherishing personalities on the pulse of time, who aren’t afraid to look beneath the surface of what is commonly accepted and perceived as the norm. By choosing RRose as a featured artist, the platform draws attention to gender perception in particular. The exhibition includes six images, which are transformed into a series of endless video loops, pursuing the idea of an intimate visual investigation. In addition to the exhibited images and videos, RRose has given Marsèll exclusive access to “Sporophyte”, one of the songs on her upcoming album.

Last Comes First is exhibited at Marsèll Paradise, Milan, from September 24th - October 3rd 2021.

www.marsell.it

Fashion

Giorgio Armani SS22: Back to the Roots

The Armani SS22 collection is a trip down memory lane to the beginnings of one of the most iconic global fashion brands. For this season’s women’s collection, the designer chose a special venue-the birth house of the brand, a place where some of the most memorable shows were staged: the Via Borgonuovo 21. The SS22 collection is an invitation for all of those, who were old enough to catch the beginnings of Armani to relive it as well as for younger generations, to get a glimpse of the brands roots. The designer makes playful yet unmistakable use of the deeply anchored Armani vocabulary, with classical light summer suits and elegant, cinched waist dresses that serve as perfect attire for a weekend in the Hamptons. The collection also includes a range of pastel colored, flowing blouses, trousers, widely cut and resembling the shape of skirts as well as prominent, colourful jewelry. The collection gives us also a deeper into Giorgio Armani’s heritage, which isn’t Italian, as widely believed. His parents originally came from Armenia and fled to Italy during the genocide in 1915. Pieces like wooden bead tops and caps as well as crocheted shoulder bags leave us deeply wanting to join Giorgio Armani as he explores his roots. The sensual, soft materials and colors in combination with the azzurro blue background give the viewer a glimpse of the luxurious present world of Giorgio Armani.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Tod’s SS22: Freedom of Craftsmanship

Tod’s SS22 collection revolves around the notion of freedom. Paying tribute to the brand’s closeness to crafts and material quality, Tod’s has worked with and sponsored artists who make use of the same medium in the past. For the SS22 collection, Tod’s collaborated with Spanish artist Carlota Guerrero, who combines photography, film-making and art directions in her work. Guerrero produced a campaign shoot and video, in which seven women come together in an atelier-like setting where they encounter material sculptures. Through this work, Guerrero tells her own journey with craftsmanship and nods to Tod’s expertise in this field. The looks of SS22 refer to urban use, encapsulating relaxation and good taste simultaneously. Short trench coats, windbreakers and parkas refer to the experience of open-air events, while knit items and tailored elements evoke the sophisticated touch of Tod’s. The collection achieves an equilibrated balance between utilitarian, masculine looks with lavish, dedicated detailing and high-quality materials. Herein, the collection takes up the iconic indispensable color palette of Tod’s of muted tones such as ecru, beige, brown and black – making the craftsmanship of the items stand out from their neutral canvas. Tod’s “T Timeless” project, an undertaking that pursues the recognition of the brand even in future years, shows in the accessories of the collection; showcasing prominent memorability through classical footwear and handbags.

www.tods.com

Fashion

Armani SS22, the Soft Spot in Fashion

Emporio Armani celebrates 40 years in business with an extensive collection for men and women, that fills your warderobe for every imaginable occasion for SS22 from holiday sightseeing, going to work to elegant night outs in the city. It is an hommage to Armani’s deep rooted essence in enjoying fashion without any strict, imposed rules. The show takes us into different worlds, from an imaginary desert to a dreamy heaven of pastel colors. The runway is filled with Armani’s signature lightness and fluidity of the cuts, some genderless pieces and a softness of colors. Pastell pink, green, blue and dusky lilac mac blend together in fluid trousers, blouses and blazers, easily confused with something light as a summer shirt but also holiday ready-to-wear pieces like semi transparent jumpsuits, shorts in an emerald green and turquoise as well as flowing dresses with layers of see-through fabrics and cinched waists, to empathize a little bit of feminity. The men’s clothes are ranging between loose-fitted jackets and trousers crafted from linen, jersey, silk and wool as well as more experimental pieces like a light mullet shaped vest with a hood. The accessoires ranging from scarves to cord belts also empathize the lightness, that stands for the brand. Armani is all about showing a strong confidence without losing any harmony or softness in garments.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle: Synthetic Jungle

Anne Flipo, who has been appointed as “Master of Parfum” by the IFF New York in 2019, has created an opulent and unique fragrance for Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. Her olfactory style is defined as modern, precise and powerful and is perfectly represented in her recent creation Synthetic Jungle for Frédéric Malle. The resulting fragrance is a tribute to its very own name – richly evocative, green, vegetal and flowery. The perfume is an olfactory embodiment of a jungle, relocating the wearer into the setting of abundant greenery, exotic plants and floral freshness. Since the millennial turn, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle has given master perfumers from all over the world complete freedom, guiding them to the pinnacle of theirs art and providing them with exceptional material. Without time, budget or marketing constraints, Frédéric Malle champions the artistry behind the world of perfumes. Anne Flipo herself describes the development of Synthetic Jungle as “the joy of composing with no time constraints” and as a creative outlet “where everything is possible.” The approach cultivates an eclectic range of perfumes representing the unique diverse personalities and art of their creators. As such, synthetic jungle is an ode to Anne Flipo’s preference for floral and green palettes.

www.fredericmalle.com

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: Offset

Coinciding with the Gallery Weekend *Discoveries, LA-based artist Kate Mosher Hall is showcasing her first solo exhibition at Tanya Leighton. Kate Mosher’s artworks are individuated by her unique style. The painting displayed in Offset revolve around a play of black, white and grey-scale; capturing walls, facades, windows and doors hid beneath shadows, partially illuminated by faint light beams. By depicting close up details of larger imaginary architecture and blurring the surroundings into silhouettes and hushed projections, Kate Mosher Hall draws in the attention towards a specific segment. The paintings exude simmering darkness, letting the mind of the observer pause with an uncertain premonition, following the pathway of the light beams. The imagery carries a melancholic heaviness, enforced by the low-resolution style of painting. The grainy overlay amplifies a feeling of secrecy and indeterminacy. While looking at the surfaces the pictures seem to question realities, portraying an intimate yet secluded emotion that trailblazes a feeling of foreshadowings. The mind begins to wander, curious to see through the glass of the windows, through the blinds and curtains, through the keyholes of a door – only to reveal nothing but what the observer's inner eye fathoms to imagine. The light beams search with a faint luminosity, seemingly escaping the two dimensions of the paintings, just a moment in time away from unveiling what lies behind the blurred surfaces.

Offset by Kate Mosher Hall is exhibited at Tanya Leighton, Berlin, from September 17th to October 23rd 2021.

www.tanyaleighton.com
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Art

Gallery Weekend Discoveries: Tobias Pils and Joey Bradley

On the occasion of the Gallery Weekend Discoveries, befriended artists Tobias Pils and Joey Bradley have come together for their first namesake exhibition at the Capitain Petzel gallery. Although the two artists express their creativity in opposing practices; Pils in grey-scale suggestively figurative scenes and Bradley in explosive and coloful abstract paintings, a closer examination of their works showcases surprising parallels. Their contrasting yet complementary ways of practice unveil an intriguing synergy that emphasizes their individuality and uniqueness while intertwining their artworks into one entity. The common ground of the artworks is the use of figuration and distinctive shapes. While Bradley relies on figurative, expansive shapes determined by their colors, Pils uses more stylized, abstract imagery. The resulting expressive sceneries seem to portray a moment in time from which an entire narrative embarks that unfolds itself with the observes imagination. “I’m not so interested in storytelling in my own work. In painting, beginning, middle and end are present on the surface and available all at once,” reflects Bradley’s view on narrating through his paintings. Similarly, Pils defines his paintings as being “about travelling – without a beginning, a middle, nor an end.”

The artwork of Tobias Pils and Joey Bradley is exhibited at Capitain Petzel, Berlin, from September 15th to October 23rd 2021.

www.capitainpetzel.de
www.tobiaspils.com
www.josephbradleystudio.com
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: Compliance

The pursuit of self-optimization has gained tangible significance over the past decades. Self-fulfilling aspirations such as academic success, professional advancement, character development and altering one’s appearance occupy the human mind. The physique of the body stands in the limelight of this optimization fever. The desire to look one’s best is majorly impacted by the constant state of comparison that the individual is confronted with, whether in mirrors, social media or the real world. While optimizing oneself and striving for the best version is an immanent human trait driving forward evolution, the idea of constantly evolving into a better, stronger and faster version of oneself, cultures a toxic mindset. In this mindset, thoughts turn into a torrent that allures with positively labeled attributes like discipline, routine and dedication. Somewhere along the lines of gym sessions, workout videos and fitness gear, determination turns into compulsion. Megan Marrin, known for installations with medieval and torture elements, expresses this mind game in her exhibition Compliance. A series of paintings show athletic devices – ballet barrés and gym machines, in a minimalistic manner, exposing them in all their cold, neutral object-ness. With elements of modernist architecture, Marrin’s work sketches how purposeful spaces turn humans into objects that fall victim to hyper-optimization. The exhibition captures the turning point between free will and societal constraint. Marrin unifies the notions of aesthetics and function not only in the artworks but in the exhibition location itself, where the space functions as a medium to display the art – similar to how athletic activities showcase the fit body. Marrin's exhibition evokes both the discomfort and the desire for the visibility of bodies and, in an abstract form, the social pressure to conform to ideals postmarked on individuals by a collective effort to preserve the body in its finest state.

Compliance is exhibited at Efredemis, Berlin, from September 4th - October 7th 2021.

www.efremidisgallery.com
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Fashion

Longchamp FW21: Seasonal Reinterpretations

For the FW 21 collection, Longchamp explored a seasonal reinterpretation of two of their star pieces – the Brioche bag, named after the delectable French pastry and the Roseau bag with its signature bamboo toggle. Inspired by the evergreen charm of the Parisienne, the French Maison revisited the two iconic bags with the suave wink French women are known for, expressed in the campaigns through a humorous take on ordinary situations of daily life. The Brioche is presented in a sleek, compact design with a versatile metal chain and it's signature neat flap that allows for a surprisingly spacious interior. A leather-covered, metal-rimmed clasp nods to the leather expertise Longchamp is known for. This season, the Brioche’s color palette is replenished with a pastel powder pink and a neutral dove grey. To counteract the soft nuances, a shiny snakeskin-effect leather version as well as indigo denim style one cater for a more outspoken look. Another new version of the Brioche features a sporty 60s vibe with graphic stripe elements. Lastly, the reinterpretation spawned an ivory-colored Brioche with a shearling-effect canvas and a natural calfskin clasp. The Roseau bag has been revisited with a smooth leather body in natural ecru and red color, accessorized with a chunky toggle and chain giving a vintage look, as well as more contrasting material choices such as crocodile-print leather and velvety suedes.

www.longchamp.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: Four Months, Four Million Light Years

On February 8th, 2021 the Dutch government has officially put an end to transnational adoptions, hoping to prevent the systematic trafficking and fraud that these processes often inherit. Korean/ Dutch artist Sara Sejin Chang set herself to raise awareness of these past malpractices by dedicating an exhibition to the matter. With Four months, four million light years she captures the colonial past of interracial adoptions. Named after a decree of the Korean government, which stipulated four months as the minimum time frame for children to stay in one orphanage before adoption, the exhibition calls out the transnational and transracial adoption industry. The adoption industry leaves a trail of individual fates confronted with deracination and an ever-lasting question of cultural belonging. The artifacts and anecdotes displayed are an homage to these persons who have been separated from their families, ancestors and inevitably cultural heritage. A composition of textiles, paper text banners and drawings accompany a video projection of a colonial print that marks the entry point of the exhibition. The print serves as a memorial for the beginning of a long history of racialized and infantilizing descriptions of Asian cultures and the violent eradiation of shamanistic cultures by Western missionaries. Drawing from her own experience and those of other adoptees, Sara travels through time in her works, from early colonial descriptions to contemporary adoption society. Sara honors the healing power of the shamanic figures and ancient traditions throughout the exhibition, emphasizing how a reconnection to cultural roots and spirituality is a sacrosanct pillar for adopted persons.

Four months, four million light years is exhibited at Argos, Brussels, from October 9th - December 12th 2021.

www.argosarts.org
www.sarasejinchang.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: Soap Opera

For the third time, Takahiro Kudo exhibits his most recent works at the Archiraar gallery. Kudo’s creativity often revolves around the idea of restriction, he defines the physical presence of humans as a state of being trapped. Since the body is the vessel for human’s mental activity, Kudo pursues the idea that restriction itself is the matrix of human purpose. Given the development of the past month and the succession of a global pandemic, Kudo investigated the term of restriction in a new light. In times where turning inwards, metaphorically and literally, was not a choice but a given, the notion of restriction has changed. Various practices and concepts of social life have been put on hold. Resulting from the forced collective social sabbatical, society has newly defined what it means to be connected or secluded. In his most recent works, Kudo channeled his own development during social distancing in recent times. Reflecting on his personal experiences with separation and connection, he discovered a new meaning of the term that applies to the fluctuating intimacies of private lives. Aligned with the close to real-life concept of his work, Kudo experimented with soap and acrylic glass, both materials that symbolize self-care and separation. By depicting private yet common narratives, the exhibition of Kudo’s work illustrates the dynamics behind distancing oneself in social engagement, the commodification of happiness and its consumption.

Soap Opera is exhibited at Archiraar Gallery, Brussels, from September 9th - November 6th 2021.

www.archiraar.com
www.takahirokudo.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: Around the Figure

The exhibition Around the Figure touches upon the reconfiguration of the human body since the post-war years. After a time of austerity, the following years marked a liberating shift concerning the vision of the body. This shift in perception brought along artistic practices which explore the transformative states of human physicality. The exhibition addresses the question of whether the corporeal body truly belongs to the human. A compound of sculptures, photography and paintings from various artist shine a light on bodily perception in abstract and figurative ways. The works center around the predicament between the human desire to reveal the true self and the impulse to remain inscrutable to the outside world. This constant dynamic between exposing and concealing, propelled by second-wave feminism and the sexual liberation movement, exemplifies how the body is harnessed and liberated simultaneously. Control versus powerlessness plays a significant role in many of the exhibited artworks. As such, Cindy Sherman’s self-portraits delineate the male gaze on the female body, proving how the self-control over the own body is limited. Gerhard Richter challenges the mind’s eye in a portrait that depicts the temporary, unreliable character of distant memories, indicating how they are replenished by vague remembrances. Blurring the lines between the individual artists' visions, the exhibition opens a discourse on the individual and inevitably societal perception of the human figure, painting a holistic notion of the mutability of the body of the past seventy years.

Around the Figure is exhibited at Vedovi Gallery, Brussels, from September 10th - November 13th 2021.

www.vedovigallery.com

Fashion

Loewe FW21: Aligned with Nature

The earth is the home of humanity. In times of uncertainty and dismay, it becomes more important than ever to cherish this home not only as the base of our existence but just as much as an organism that lives, breathes and feels. An organism to be respected by humanity, where the relationship between inhabitants and surroundings is not fuelled by exploitation but by respect. It is this mind game that lead LOEWE to introduce their FW21 collection called Eye/LOEWE/Nature. The essence and backdrop of this special collection is the outdoors, the realm where the elements of nature and the instinct of the human meet on a par with each other. The core Eye/LOEWE/Nature FW21 reflects a vibrant playfulness that brings ideas of patchwork and upcycling to the extreme, exploring ways to create surfaces as well as entire garments. Outdoor, vintage and military details are hybridised into garments that make for progressive dressing. Following the overall tendency to loose-cut clothing, the collection features generous shapes, unexpected volume and items that are versatile in their purpose. Tailored tweed jackets are fused with sportswear details, tents are turned into long coats and flannel and knit sweaters are combined with fleece styles. The sartorial range of the collection is replenished by accessories such as coloful hiking boots, technical bags, protecting gear such as hats and small upcycled items including charms and belts.

The Eye/LOEWE/Nature collection is available online and in LOEWE shops.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Kolor SS22: New Minimalism

For the SS22 season, Japanese brand Kolor pursues a new take on minimalism. The majority of the presented looks remain in a simple aesthetic, whereas profound design ideas and detailing is limited to just a fraction of the collection’s pieces. By this approach, Kolor’s SS22 collection carries the uniqueness and complexity the brand is known for, and presents itself with a patchwork-like, mixed and matched aesthetic in which the minimalist singular pieces are elevated through the whole of the look. As seen in previous collections, Kolor incorporated the element of “broken-then-fixed”, yet introduces a twist by using transparent, clear fabrics to emphasizes the seemingly “repaired” parts. The see through fabrics reveal the structures of the garment, bearing the tapes, staples and seams which are usually hidden. By intentionally showing these messy and raw parts of the garments, Kolor puts them into the limelight as the aesthetic essence, creating lightness and an analogue feeling. The color palette of the SS22 collections is composed of cool tones, such as blues and greens, paired with conservative beiges, grey and brown tones. To create accentuation in this otherwise muted scheme, Kolor worked with hints of with bright purples, red and oranges. The collection conveys the loose and light feeling of 60s and 70s wear, with inanimate and avant garde touches through rubber coatings and silvery, reflective fabrics.

www.kolor.jp

Fashion

Amsterdam Fashion Week: Wandler FW21

Without light, there is no color. With this mantra in mind, the FW21 collection of the Amsterdam-based accessories label presents itself in a bright, apple green color palette. Being the vanguard of the Amsterdam Fashion Week 21, Wandler orchestrated an art show that put the collection’s items in the limelight– in a literal way, creating a homage to colorful expression and celebrating the significant role of colors in Wandler’s creativity and collections. Introduced by a light installation and narrated prose that touches upon the empowerment of color, Wandler showcased the collection at an abandoned gas station in Amsterdam Noord. The graphic elements of the light installation represented the striking shapes and unexpected nature that Wandler’s designs are known for. Following the installation, the items were presented in a lab-like manner, drenched in green neon lights, radiating a sophisticated and confident atmosphere. The choice of apple green reflects on past times and simultaneously embodies hope, growth, joy and happiness, pointing towards a bright future – in general, as well as for the Amsterdam label itself. The collection features the classic Wandler pieces such as the Rosa boots and loafers, as well as the Penelope and Louis bags. For the FW21 collection, the brand’s most iconic piece, the Hortensia bag, parades its rounded, trapeze shape in the fresh emerald color, too.

www.wandler.com

Fashion

Cartier The Clash [Un]Limited with Lily Collins

Free-spirited, energetic and authentic are the attributes that make for Lily Collin’s alluring charm. With a unique and committed attitude, Lily belongs to the generation of artists who embrace and celebrate their different sides, the classic and the elegant, the creative and the extravagant ones. She embodies a woman, who does not limit nor label herself. Lily has been a muse and friend of Cartier for a long time, her individualist and multifaceted nature makes her the perfect fit for Cartier’s The Clash [Un]Limited jewelry collection and the Double C Cartier Bag. „For me, being part of the Cartier family means joining a community of unique nonconformists who show great strength of character. Cartier is Paris, it's this certain idea of elegance and French refinement, which the Clash [Un]limited jewelry and the Double C bag embody with classic extravagance,“ is how Lily describes her campaign collaboration with the renowned French Maison. Lily is internationally known for her diverse range of acting, including movies like OKJA, The Last Tycoon and more recently, the immensely popular Emily in Paris series, for which Lily was nominated for a second Golden Globe. Aside from an astonishing career sparked with one-of-a-kind movies, the actress shows commitment to charitable projects, being involved with several nonprofit organizations, collecting funds for vulnerable, deprived children.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

HUBLOT x NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Joining the ranks of top-tier athletes like Pelé, Usain Bolt, Dustin Johnson and Kylian Mbappé; Hublot has selected their latest ambassador, Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic. In anticipation of the US Open, the world’s number one tennis player has aligned his pursuit of greatness with luxury watch-maker Hublot, in becoming an ambassador and part of the Hublot family.

Djokovic’s mastery of the sport is evidenced in his life’s work, having 85 singles titles on the ATP circuit, 20 Grand Slams, 5 Masters games and 36 Masters 1000 games and an Olympic medal. In addition to his many accolades Djokovic is the only player in the Open era to have won at least two Grand Slam tournaments. Ricardo Guadalupe, Founder of Hublot, the opulent Swiss Watch company which created the Big Bang in 2005, spoke fondly of the star tennis player, saying “we are particularly honored to have the great Novak Djokovic join our beautiful Hublot family. He is a player who makes tennis history by being unique, first and different, which is exactly our motto. It’s a great day for Hublot!”

To excel beyond that which is widely seen as expected or attainable, to reach further than your imagination can comprehend; to truly be the best at your craft is a conquest that is shared by Hublot and Novak Djokovic.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Remastered Archives at C.P Company

In 1971 C.P Company, then still called Chester Perry, was called to live by Massimo Osti. Osti, who had a background in graphic design, was soon earned the reputation of a “godfather of urban sportswear”. Ever since, C.P. Company has been known for its hybrid style that combines elements of vintage military and sportswear. For their 50th anniversary, the revolutionary streetwear brand has launched a series of celebratory chapters, of which the latest, chapter six, is the collection Remastered Archives. With Remastered Archives, the Italian brand cherishes the past of its legacy by reinterpreting pivotal designs of their creative history. The most emblematic item of the brand, the classical t-shirt, has been used as a canvas to portray the retakes on these nostalgic designs. The design of the shirts relies on the graphic design roots of the brand, featuring a variety of type fonts that bestow a bold yet simple message. Iconic moments of the brand, such as the British Sailor motif, the Flatiron Building – which represents the site of the very first C.P Company store –, the Rainforest Foundation moment and the original MilleMiglia race mark celebrate the half-century anniversary with all its landmarks. The appearance and feel of the t-shirts are also a nod to both historical designs and current aesthetics, using heavyweight cotton, a relaxed fit, and a higher neckline.

The Remastered Archive collection is available at all C.P Company flagship stores in Milan, Amsterdam London and Riccione, as well as online.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Responsible Living: DIESEL Library

The next chapter in eco-friendly denim production from high quality denim brand, Diesel. ‘Diesel Library’, which will be presented for the brand’s Spring / Summer 2022 collection, incorporates a genderless design aesthetic and extends the brand’s commitment to innovation and production technologies that consistently make durable and desirable denim garments. The removal of the 5-pocket demarcation between women and men offers a new perspective on the most democratic material, denim, and to usher in a new era of essential pieces at Diesel.

All fabrics consist of resource-saving materials, including B. organic and recycled fibers The techniques implemented in making the Diesel Library significantly reduce the use of water and chemicals. 50% of the Diesel Library will be “made-to-stay,” meaning that they will have a permanent home on the shelves in the future of the brand. Leather patches are tanned free of chrome, the metal buttons found in the Diesel Library are treated without zinc, even the labels found on each piece are made from recycled materials. Tags and patches are also made from FSC certified materials. This reinforces the brand’s dedication to sustainability, a “total look” will anchor the wide range of eco-friendly garments in the evergreens collection; intended to outlast trends and withstand the test of time.

A first look of the Diesel Library collection premiered at a show hosted by Creative Director, Glenn Martens in June of this year. The garments will be available from November 2021 online and in select Diesel stores globally.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

FW 21 Suicoke x Daniel Arsham

For their FW 21 collection, Japanese label Suicoke collaborated with Daniel Arsham. The New York based artist contributed to Suicoke with a textile design applied to one of their most iconic shoe styles, the Zavo. Inviting comfort and items that create a certain atmosphere are central attributes that determine the design process of Suicoke. The Zavo style embodies these characteristics with a a closed toe cap and a flat sole with a raised foot bed – resembling a pantofle. Arsham overhauled a Porsche 911 from 1986 in late 2020. For the shoe collaboration, he lent the canvas design of this automotive work to Suicoke. Thus, the FW 21 Zavo version features a sturdy, heavyweight stonewash textile material. The cap is finished of with a horizontal strap showcasing the Arsham Studio logo, along with a branding emblem on the inside sole. Fur ultimate comfort, the Zavo variant is lined with mouton fur, which increases heat retention and premium comfort and is available in navy and beige.

The Suicoke x Daniel Arsham collaboration footwear will be available online and at selected global retailers from August 20th 2021.

www.suicoke.com

Fashion

CHANEL Watchmaking: Monsieur. Superleggera Edition

“With its powerful engine, dream coachwork and unique finishing, the Monsieur. Superleggera Edition watch opens new roads that lie ahead” is how CHANEL presents the launch of a unique watch that compromises the most distinctive elements of two renowned chronograph lines – the Superleggera and the Monsieur. Resulting from this rendez-vous, a unique blend of high-tech and elegance emerges. The Superleggera line, consisting of unisex chronographs that appeal to both women and men, features an athletic, masculine look manufactured from high-tech aluminum. The J12 Superleggera proclaims a passion for performance and a love of sports. On the contrary, the Monsieur, characterized by old-school classic elements, is a timeless, scaled-back watch that charms with elegance and grace. With its understated leather bracelet and detail-oriented clock face, the Monsieur watches do justice to their name. The Monsieur. Superleggera Edition stands for a contemporary interpretation of fine watchmaking for men at CHANEL. The new interpretation is inspired by racecar speedometers and has been designed to stand out from the crowd. With a matte black ceramic 42mm-diameter case and a matte black dial with a small detail of red calfskin the Monsieur. Superleggera Edition persuades with a discrete force.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Karl Lagerfeld x Aubade

Aubade Paris has been manufacturing premium lingerie for over 60 years. Over the decades, the French brand has acquired incomparable expertise in corsetry that delivers the perfect fit and cut to their loyal customers. Bringing confidence through empowerment to women is the philosophy behind Aubade. Relying on experience and craftsmanship, Aubade modifies its undergarment collections to current trends and styles. The quality values and aspiration to go with the Zeitgeist show in their latest collaboration for an F/W 2021 capsule with Karl Lagerfeld. The collection consists of four underwear sets, available in an elegant black version and as well a bolder variant of bright red. Karl Lagerfeld’s signature rock-chic design and tuxedo inspirations shine through in selected details and are completed by a clip-on collar and waist corset. From simple to daring, the capsule offers a range of styles that celebrates the body in true classical French fashion. The pieces are crafted from premium quality fabrics and haberdashery, including satin-covered buttons, guipure embroidery and mesh embellishments. The development of the collection centered around the mutual Parisian heritage of the two brands, merging together Karl Lagerfeld’s design creativity and Aubade’s proficiency in manufacturing.

www.karl.com
www.aubade.eu

Fashion

Hugo F/W 2021: Breaking the Box

“There is no right way to wear your clothes, only your way”, is how Bart de Backer, Senior Head of Design at Hugo Menswear, phrased the framework of Hugo’s F/W 2021 campaign, which is built on the concept of nonconformity. Since the act of eluding conventional creeds and practices is majorly motivated by very personal reasons, the campaign features close-up video portraits of four inspiring talents – painter Atusa Jafari, dancer Ahmad Kontar, model Christina Mamantzi and artist Patrick Mason. Going beyond the notion of style, each of the quartet gives insight into their motivations of going against the grain and how their unique stories have shaped them into the persons they are today. Voice overs in their native languages leading through different locations and situations, almost like vlogs, capture how their stories have one thing in common: finding their own individual ways in a society that relies on stereotypical dogmas and snap judgment. Topics like societal pressure, body image, inclusivity and acceptance weave like a red thread through the clips, eventually revealing how creativity and art serves as a pillar of strength and guidance. While the four campaign videos portray very individual journeys, they carry the same message across: to break the box is to be free.

The F/W 2021 collection is globally available from now on in Hugo stores and online. 

www.hugoboss.com

Travel

Curious Encounters

Alpacadroom is an environmentally friendly alpaca farm founded by Greet and Wilko, located in the Dutch province Gelderland. Inspired by their trips to Bolivia and Peru where they first encountered these special animals, they embarked on a project of creating a guesthouse combined with an alpaca farm surrounded by nature. With the Spleuderbos, the oldest forest of the Netherlands and the heaths of Houtdorperveld, a vast width of nature awaits the guests. Since 2019, Greet and Wilko transformed the barns and stables into a welcoming home with rustic elements and the comfort of a modern interior. The shared living room invites the guests to chat and enjoy each other’s company, all while relishing the view of the pasturing alpacas in front of the adjacent forest. Preparing extensive meals in the spacious kitchen contributes to the familial atmospheres too – alpacas peeking through the windows included. Bodil and Gaia, the first alpacas on the farm have extended their family to a herd of 13 of the calm yet curious spirits. Greet and Wilko have created an idyll of a guesthouse that enables transients to connect not only with themselves but just as much with nature and the animals.

www.alpacadroom.nl

Fashion

aeyde Pre-Fall 21

The pace of our everyday lives is becoming faster and faster. News and images circle the globe almost instantly and we are at all times connected to almost everything that is happening in the world, bombarded with a constant flux of outside stimulus. Then, Covid-19 happened and the world for once stood completely still. People were confined to their homes, events were cancelled, streets were empty, and suddenly we found ourselves alone with our thoughts almost without any distractions. This wasn’t just the case for individuals. Also, companies suddenly found themselves in a period of intense introspection, as the minds behind aeyde put it, during which the immensity within was allowed to swell to the surface. All the changes and challenges of the past five years were finally able to sink, sparking the creation of a renewed inner space to contemplate the journey which has brought aeyde to where the brand is now. This is also reflected in the new Pre-Fall collection, which was launched this July. The ongoing reflection is presented throughout the styles, old as well as new, revealing the brand’s past, its identity, but also what’s to come. In line with its typical signature aesthetic, the two highlights of the collection are the new razor-sharp pointy-toe shoes in monochrome and the sleek square-toe styles in classic colors and luxe snake prints.

The aeyde Pre-Fall collection is available in select stores and online now.

www.aeyde.com

Fashion

Valentino Des Ateliers

Valentino’s Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli makes it clear that fashion is not art. Art has no purpose outside itself, art for art, whereas fashion due to its very nature features functionality, a practical scope directly linked to our body. Nevertheless, these two creative differences aren’t opposed. On the contrary, when taking the time to learn about these differences they offer a great source of inspiration and opportunity to broaden our horizons. All that's required is to be curious and to take the time to listen. This is the foundation for the Valentino Des Atelier project, meaningful dialogue between the disciplines. Driven by the urge to build a community of makers around Maison Valentino, convinced that painting is to contemporary art what Haute Couture is to fashion, Piccioli brings together a group of painters of different ages, backgrounds and aesthetic inclinations, translating the two-dimensionality of their works into three-dimensional garments, a truly metamorphic process that transforms the paintings which are contemplated as something still into an animated and draped garments moving with the body. Color layering, signs, backgrounds, the full and empty portions are translated by Piccioli into lines, cuts, compositional gestures, involving each artist in a conversation on the dress itself. Each dress is the result of the confrontation of two creatives, the coming together of two distinct languages into a single dress. Valentino Des Ateliers is not just about creating a dialogue, but about listening to each other before pronouncing yourself.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Montblanc: The Pink Dial Project

The world of luxury watches indeed operates on its own terms. It’s a very unique industry, which different to other luxury sectors, such as luxury fashion, has upheld its time-honored traditions and modus operandi and moves comparatively at a much slower pace. But when the world is changing, the watch sector will follow. Across all different market segments, customers and their mindsets have changed and the luxury watch clientele is by no means different. The notion of luxury is changing, it isn’t merely about showcasing wealth, but it now includes a new awareness regarding ethics, sustainability and humanitarianism. Luxury watch manufacturers have recognized their corporate responsibility and have incorporated this into who they are. For this reason, Wei Koh, founder of the Rake Magazine, has initiated the Pink Dial Project. The color pink might already indicate to most what this project is about. It’s a charity project supporting the fight against breast cancer. Montblanc is proud to partake in this initiative by donating the 1858 Geosphere Pink Dial Unique Piece, an addition to Montblanc’s eponymous key line. The watches’ stunning fuchsia pink dial is contrasted with a deep black titanium case. The dial is lacquered with a sunray finish making the timepiece stand out even more. It is powered by the renowned Manufacture Worldtime complication and movement which features two turning domed hemisphere globes that make a full rotation in 24 hours. They are surrounded by a scale with 24 time zones, along with a day/night indication for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. To give it the necessary female touch, it is noteworthy that Montblanc’s female watchmakers have assembled this unique piece. This very special watch will be up for auction in October 2021, the worldwide Break Cancer Awareness Month, with all the proceeds going to selected breast cancer charities all across the world. To put it in Wei Koh’s words, “Together we can rock 2021 from a horological but also ethical perspective.”

www.montblanc.com

Fashion

CHANEL Haute Couture FW2021/22

“There are dresses embroidered with water lilies, a jacket in a black tweed crafted from feathers with red and pink flowers. I was also thinking about English gardens. I like to mix a touch of England with a very French style. It’s like blending the masculine and the feminine, which is what I’ve done with this collection too. That twist is very much part of who I am.” This was what Chanel’s Creative Director Virginie Viard had to say about her latest Haute Couture FW2021/22 collection. The natural inspiration is reflected throughout the collection with is countless colorful hues, radiating a warmth perfect to brighten up the cold and grey winter days. Nevertheless, the collection reflects the house’s roots, more precisely its larger than life founder Gabrielle Chanel, which Viard had seen in old photographs dressed in throwback 19th century bustles and crinolines for some society balls in the 1930s. But the collections doesn’t just pick up on the natural and on Chanel herself, most prominently, the collection merges the worlds of fashion and art, acclaimed Impressionist Berthe Morisot and Cubist Marie Laurencin, whose influences can be felt throughout the collection. They are reflected in the lightness of touch and the masterful work of the great embroidery houses of Paris, the likes of Lesage, Cécile Henri, Atelier Emmanuelle Vernoux and Lemaire. The results are nothing short of magnificent, yet weightless, a dream made from embroidered tulle and chiffon. To bring it full circle, the show’s location the Palais Galliera fashion museum is currently hosting a remarkable exhibition Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto, creating a direct dialogue between Chanel’s originals and Viard’s new reinterpretations of the house’s codes.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Dunhill SS22

‘Identities’, the new Dunhill SS22 collection for Paris Fashion Week is s collision of style and identity, utility and extravagance feature throughout. Archetypal characters and clothing, cross-fertilised and collaged, show a sense of ease with elegant imperfection, all realised in precious-made-practical fabrics.“In this collection i wanted to look at certain identities. These are clothing archetypes, but also identities of britishness, of masculinity, of uniforms, as well as those of dunhill past and the new era archetypes that we have sought to establish here. It’s really about how character and clothing work together; the idiosyncratic combinations of personal style and identity in britain and dunhill, as well as a redefinition of them for the house.”, so Mark Weston, Creative Director of the house. From deco dandies to hi-vis handy men, encompassing traditional male archetypes in conventional uniforms to the purposely provocative effeminacy of ‘80s casuals along the way, British masculine identities are playfully reworked, as are elements of dunhill history, past and present. The abstract work of photographic artist Ellen Carey features as a print collaboration this season. Most frequently appearing on double bonded duchesse satin, this most haute couture of fabrics takes the place of a technical shell in canoe tops, jackets and hats. Carey’s prints also feature on leather goods, such as the new era Lock bag in a variety of forms this season.

www.dunhill.com

Fashion

Jil Sander SS22

For Jil Sander’s SS22 collection the attitude is freedom, the keywords autonomy, lightness and clarity. This is a sharp urban collection about the right, and duty, to individuality and imagination. About multicultural cities that lead us to appreciate and absorb diversity; to combine different things, different facets of ourselves, in ways that are unprecedented and effortless at the same time. We turn labor into play, blend day and night - and the other way around; we wear suits for leisure and utility garments to shine. Lucie and Luke Meier always find new forms to balance opposites. The relationships between materials, colours, shapes and volumes are flawless. Lines, movement, and touch are equalized. Every look is unique. Japanese wool jackets, shirt-jackets and coats are straight and voluminous. Overdyed cotton and linen flight suits, with removable sleeves, and comfortable utility trousers are worn under one-and-a-half breasted tailored overcoats.Strong colours, large pockets, contrasting copper zippers, a cheetah print on a brushed wool pullover, scarves in fleecy pure silk, and jewels - silver necklaces, brooches, ear cuffs, and earrings - give all looks - and us - extra personality and an edge.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Mens SS22

The Louis Vuitton SS22 Men’s Collection by Virgil Abloh, filmed by Amen Break, features GZA, Goldie, and Saul Williams alongside a wide cast of talent. Directed by Mahfuz Sultan, the film explores ideas of transmission: the act of passing something from one person to another, activating waves of change across generations, and impacting the lives of others. The story told in the show is an abstract interpretation of Lupe Fiasco, the American fine artist and rapper who grew up on the Southside of Chicago amid the gang turbulence of the 1970s and ‘80s. The story is about a father and son united by an unnamed loss, crossing a dream world to deliver a message to the other side. Along the way, adversaries conspire against the child, heroes emerge to guide him, and great sacrifices are made to get him across the divide. The collection introduces new headwear, the modern version of cylinder hats rounding off most of the looks. Accessories also take the forefront in the collection: bags, earmuffs, and gloves prepare the viewer for the cold season. The color range includes monochrome green and navy blue to black looks and color gradients from neon yellow to navy blue.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Jean Paul Gaultier Instagram

The official JPG Instagram account name has changed from jpgaultierofficial to jeanpaulgaultier.

www.instagram.com/jeanpaulgaultier/

Fashion

Fashion

Tod's Mens SS22

Tod’s Men’s SS22 collection is presented in the video “Tod’s Under The Italian Sun”, which was shot at Cantina Petra, Suvereto, a building designed by Architect Mario Botta. The collection embodies nonchalance and modern craftsmanship. Te items are inspired by a combination of the adventurous imagery of Peter Beard with the idea of the urban safari, imagining a wardrobe focused on leisure. The volumes are soft, even in tailoring harmonize well with sandy Mediterranean colors. This wardrobe is made of classics reinterpreted in material, detail, and proportion, such as the Jack Biker jacket made of canvas. The windbreaker is a combination of different materials, and the hoodie is made of suede. The idea of uniform recurs and matching top and trousers, whether they are knitted or lightweight safari jackets. The trousers are practical in parachute canvas, with drawstrings details at the ankle. The knitwear is chunky yet lightweight.

www.tods.com

Fashion

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA: ROME AND FORTE DEI MARMI STORES

Ermenegildo Zegna enhances its retail network in Italy with the opening of a new flagship store in Rome and a seasonal resort boutique in Forte dei Marmi. Zegna’s evolution from Tailoring to Luxury Leisurewear represents a leap forward for the brand and a new era in store design, too. The new flagship store in Rome, relocated within the historical Palazzo Maruscelli Lepri, launches a new retail design course, to reflect the brand zeitgeist. The new design features a sophisticated atmosphere, customised around the classical architectural references of the venue, framed by natural woods and serpentine marble inserts: a bold check pattern running along the entire ground floor. The coffered ceiling of the Made to Measure room, on the first floor, maintains the original decoration to provide a unique atmosphere where customers can personalise their wardrobe entirely. A modern library in rose gold finishing and an iconic sofa complete the furniture setting to conveying a luxurious home feeling with a bar area to welcome visitors as well as two video screens to convey the brand seasonal highlights. Transformed into a luxury retail space that occupies over 250 square meters and two floors, the new flagship store naturally blends history with modernity.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Dior x Sacai

Dior collaborates with Sacai on a men’s capsule in which Kim Jones, Artistic Director of the house’s men’s lines, engages in a dialogue with Chitose Abe, founder of the Japanese label. The reinterpretation of the emblematic “Dior” signature embodies this creative exchange: the name Sacai figures within the ‘i’ in the Dior signature. The DNA of Sacai is hybrid: an idea that permeates a collection punctuated by a color palette primarily in black and white. Looks combine Dior tailoring and savoir-faire with the Japanese brand’s sportswear style and technicality. Denim enhances pieces fusing workwear cuts with functional details, finished with a refined couture touch. Dior symbols, such as supple berets designed by Stephen Jones, are revisited while iconic bags from the saddle universe are reinvented in vibrant shades of olive and orange, echoing Sacai’s essential bomber jacket. This capsule, called Dior and Sacai, illustrates a vision in motion, a captivating meeting of two artists. This new perspective on the two houses, framed by Dior heritage, may be discovered from November 2021.

www.sacai.jp www.doir.com

Fashion

MIU MIU Spirit bag

Unveiled as part of the Miu Maritime collection, the Miu Spirit bag adapts to myriad locations, seasons and, of course, individual personal styles. Fun, feminine, light and light-hearted, the Miu Spirit bag perfectly balances fashion and function, classicism and innovation, innocence and experience - all apparently contradictory qualities central to the Miu Miu name. A soft construction, made predominantly in fabric trimmed with leather, this versatile design features bold stripes, Vichy checks and polka dots dancing across faille. In quilted ciré in ultra-bright hues, the Miu Spirit is more sporty; in soft French terry cloth in icecream shades it becomes the ultimate summer carry all. It is – as its name suggests – as freespirited as the woman it was created for.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

“ISSUE 02”: BOTTEGA VENETA’S QUARTERLY DIGITAL JOURNAL

Bottega Veneta swapped social media for a quarterly digital journal called Issue, of which it just released its Issue 002. The reveal of their journal explains why the Italian brand mysteriously vanished from all social platforms earlier this year. While other brands were launching Clubhouse accounts and joining platforms as TikTok, Bottega Veneta, one of the most popular labels of 2020, was making itself impossible to find. Daniel Lee, Bottega Veneta’s Creative Director, chose to get off the platform because it oversimplifies the creative process and believes it’s a homogenization of culture. The content that lives on the digital journal is a mixture of creative campaigns and features people like Travis Scott and Naomi Cambell. Content like that is supposed to make the audience sit with it as you would watch a movie. The mix of serious and playful content proves that Bottega Veneta is the perfect mixture of sophisticated and whimsical.

www.issuedbybottega.com

Fashion

SLIM D’HERMÈS - La Source de Pégase

A Pegasus with glowing wings emerges from the Slim d’Hermès watch, highlighted by the arts of miniature painting, straw marquetry and engraving. Created in 2015, the Slim d’Hermès watch is all about essentials: a simplicity mingling rigorous discipline with aesthetic balanced. The distinctive yet understated lines of its round case with angular lugs frame a transfigured dial. Graced with a combination of several miniature techniques, the Slim d’Hermès La Source de Pégase watch features a winged horse in brilliant colours, born of the virtuoso skills of the enamelling and engraving artists. This mythologically inspired symbol, reinterpreted through the use of artistic crafts, is drawn from the La Source de Pégase silk scarf designed by French artist Pierre Marie. The illustrator depicts the winged horse striking a rock with its hoof to create the Hippocrene spring on Mount Helicon. His narrative and decorative style composes a radiant Pegasus in a joyful fantasy universe. Transposed onto the slim dial of the Slim d’Hermès watch, the legendary creature expresses a new creative dimension.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger: Moving Forward Together

Tommy Hilfiger certainly belongs to one of those brands whose influence spans across the whole globe, with its countless stores and retail venues. In the German capital, along one of the city’s most famous and prestigious shopping avenues, Tommy Hilfiger now reopens a new and improved flagship store and a cafe called Tommy’s coffee. For this special occasion, the brand created the local “Moving Forward Together” campaign, especially created for Germany, featuring local Berlin talents from the world of film and music. The campaign was captured by photographer Alex de Brabant and videographer Viktor Sloth. In two iconic cultural Berlin locations, the Kino International and Columbia Halle, they capture the likeness of actor Kida Khodr Ramadan and Berlin-based DJ duo Lucia Luciano and Gizem Adiyaman, all three of them being deeply interconnected with the local communities and perfect embodiments of the campaign’s overarching message of inclusivity and togetherness. Luciano and Adiyaman are behind the community space Hoe_mies centred around women, non-binary and trans people. From May to June, Tommy Hilfiger offers its Club members the possibility to enter a raffle in order to win whether a movie night hosted by Ramadan or a private workshop around music production with Hoe_mies. Both events will be hosted once COVID-19 regulations permit. The new flagship store is set to open its doors to the public on July 1, 2021.

#MovingForwardTogether

www.tommy.com

Fashion

MIU MIU MARITIME

Miuccia Prada toys with characteristics of a nautical atmosphere -colours, insignias, attitudes - to create a Miu Miu Maritime collection, refracting these archetypal and classic sartorial gestures into unexpected new forms. Silhouetted against twin expanses of blue like the sky and the sea - the Miu Miu crew of feminine sailors are captured by Johnny Dufort, poised on the concrete ramparts of the Plage de Bon-Secours at Saint Malo, a bathing pool jutting into the sea. As ever, these Miu Miu women are part of a collective, a group - here, they are a fleet, an admiralty, their clothing unifying them, signifying their bond.The clothes are fresh, spirited, evocative of mariner attireyet exaggerated by the lens of fashion. Traditionally masculine gestures - the flap collar, wide shoulders, an air of utility - are abstracted to be fused with the inherently feminine, with softly rounded sleeves, lace detailing, ruffles, bows. The coastline is not the end of the land, but rather marks the start of something new.

www.miumiu.com

Creative direction by M/M (Paris), featuring Shin Hyeon Yi, Shade, Nina Pronk, Elisa Löhr and Topsy. Photographed by Johnny Dufort. Styling by Lotta Volkova.

Fashion

Longchamp Eyewear: Plant based Resin Capsule Collection

Plant-Based Resin is made from castor bean oil, a cleaner alternative to standard petroleum-based plastics; now used in the Longchamp capsule collection, featuring two sunglasses and two optical styles made from 40% Plant-Based Resin. With this collection, Longchamp eyewear draws inspiration from the brand’s iconic Voyageuse handbag, bringing a trendy and sophisticated interpretation of the brand’s signature pattern to the eyewear offering. All four styles are designed using Plant-Based Resin without sacrificing the quality and premium feel the brand is known for. The four styles feature vintage-inspired frame-fronts designed in modern and contemporary shapes, while the new LGP temple design has a tone-on-tone effect to the iconic monogram of the brand. All styles are offered in Black, Brown, Blue and Wine.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Bally Presents “My Craft, My Legacy”

Swiss luxury brand Bally honors its 170 - year shoemaking history as architects of leather with a new digital campaign, “My Craft, My Legacy,” featuring the company’s expert artisans. Based in the company’s state -of-the-art Shoe Factory in Caslano, Bally’s artisans undergo three years of rigorous training before utilizing a dedicated and proprietary approach to handcrafting iconic styles “Made in Switzerland,” including the men’s Scribe formal shoe, which was first designed in 1951 on the occasion of Bally’s centennial, and requires 240 artisanal techniques to complete. “My Craft, My Legacy” pays tribute to Bally’s team of 100 artisans whose passion and skill have continued the company’s heritage of craftsmanship and design for generations. They are celebrated through a series of intimate photographs by photographer Jackson Frederik, who captured their personal portraits alongside the instruments of their craft. These remarkable individuals champion the spirit of Bally and its founding, representing the ingenuity of the brand as well as its future, as standard bearers of quality and excellence since 1851. A spirit of community has always been an integral part of Bally, dating back to the company’s founding by Carl Franz Bally, who pioneered an employee benefit system such as an onsite canteen, children’s daycare and community park. This tradition lives on, demonstrated by the longstanding tenure of Bally’s craftspeople, many of whom have over 30 years of service to the brand. Today, Bally artisans craft between 150,000 - 200,000 pairs of shoes each year at the Caslano Shoe Factory, mastering a diverse range of roles including polisher, leather cutter, stitcher, finisher and shoemaker.

www.bally.com

Fashion

FENDI SS21 Capsule collection & FF Vertigo

Dominated by yellow and light blue tones, the Summer 2021 capsule, spans from sophisticated and eye-catching bags and accessories to compelling ready-to-wear for women, men and children. Seventies’ references and Nineties’ vibes fuse in a charming line-up, where FENDI’s outstanding craftsmanship and innovative, forward-thinking approach shine bright. As part of its Summer 2021 capsule, after the official launch at Design Miami, FENDI reiterates its collaboration with New York-based visual artist Sarah Coleman, known for her disruptive manipulation of designers’ materials that she employees to rethink and repurpose everyday objects with an ironic filter. Within the colorful and irresistible Summer 2021 Capsule Collection featuring ‘70s references and ‘90s vibes, FENDI presents a special collaboration with the iconic Polaroid brand, inventor of the first instant camera designed to capture community and individuality. Born from the idea to personalize the classic Vintage Polaroid OneStep Close-Up 600 camera with the FENDI DNA, this Polaroid camera combines the design of this renowned instant camera from the ‘90s with the multicolour FF Vertigo. The FF Vertigo motif—a new magnetic motif offering a twisted, turned version of the classic FF logo—and FF Fisheye motif—where the signature FF logo appears wavy and fluid, as it is seen through a fish-eye lens—are the results of the new collaboration between FENDI and the New York based artist Sarah Coleman who is known for her disruptive manipulation of designer’s materials that she employs to rethink and repurpose everyday objects with an ironic filter. FENDI collaborated with her in the Design Miami/ 2020 edition where she was commissioned to reinterpret the Miami Design District FENDI Boutique and create a series of one-of-a-kind design pieces. The FENDI and Vintage Polaroid OneStep Close-Up 600 instant camera will be available in FENDI Boutiques worldwide starting May 2021.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

All Things Loose

For the SS21 collection, Levi’s® puts a spin on the brand’s emblematic Levi’s® Red classics from the 90s – the last great era of the loose fit. Following the motto of ‘all things loose’, the collection draws on the exaggerated fits, wide hems and drop shoulders of the Levi’s® Red collections, first launched in the late 90s. The contemporary interpretation of the Levi’s® Red collection re-imagines the denim pieces following a sustainable and innovative approach. Men’s jeans include a looser fit version of the 502™ Taper, and a new 505™ Utility, both of which have irregular bartack stitching and a bigger and exaggerated double-stitch on the back pockets. For women, the Low Loose Workpant with a loose balloon leg and a super low rise is the centerpiece of the new collection. The loose silhouette-focus is re-emphasized in the line of denim jackets. Wide drop shoulder fits with mid-length hems and bold pocket and lining designs are their signature features. For fabrics, – in addition to the organic cotton in men’s pants – cottonized hemp is frequently used in select styles of the Levi’s® Red designs. The innovative fabric drives the brand's commitment to sustainability. It resembles cotton in look and feel, and is made with hemp which has been manufactured in a process, which requires less water and fewer chemicals than growing cotton does. The Levi’s® Red collection therefore simultaneously embodies a daring outlook into the future, as well as a nostalgic throwback with a range of unique pieces based on sustainable fabrics, modern shapes and the retro, signature Levi’s® style.

www.levis.com

Fashion

RIMOWA x Chaos

RIMOWA announces its debut collaboration with Chaos, the London based brand renowned for its coveted accessories - two brands for which both individualization and personalization play a big role. United by their common appreciation for luxurious design and innovative solutions, RIMOWA and Chaos have partnered on a limited-edition line of suitcases and tavel accessories. The special design, the striking color scheme, the colorful stickers, as well as the characteristic embroidered tags in three new shapes give the suitcases an instant recognition value. It's impossible to miss these suitcases when you're traveling with them. RIMOWA x CHAOS approach was to design products with excellent function and style, full of energy and high aspirations to improve daily life.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Alice Anderson at König Galerie

Alice Anderson - SPIRITUAL MACHINES SERIES, TOTEM 12

Alice Anderson at König Galerie Anglo-French artist Alice Anderson is to showcase her work “Hyperlinks – a solo exhibition – at KÖNIG GALERIE. Her works include sculptures, paintings and drawings generated through dance-performances, each with ritual at their essence. For this exhibition, Alice Anderson presents performative works created through repetitive gestures, some coupled with rapid breathing (the technique of hyperventilation), which gives her access to a state of modified consciousness. This pairing puts forward the body as a vehicle of humanity within the contemporary world propelling towards a technological-wholeness; and the ancestral culture of the Kogi people from Sierra Nevada in Colombia, who exist in cosmic harmony with their environment. Kogi concepts, rituals and ecologi-cal combats have framed Alice Anderson’s reflections upon this change in civilization. The challenge is not to decry these complex technologies but to continue to question the relation-ships between humans, the environment and the machine. One of my answers ‘goes’ through spirituality that expresses another definition of things and redefines a certain balance of what escapes us. In this sense, my performed rituals take on all their importance because they are a physical re-appropriation of what has been dematerialized” says Anderson.

www.koeniggalerie.com

ALICE ANDERSON - Random Chromatics Pixels N.64, 2021

Fashion

Summer Ease

For Furla’s SS21 collection following the motto #FUNFURLA, the brand celebrates optimism and lightness of spirit. Furla enhances its distinctly Italian DNA and communicates a cheerful lifestyle message. The campaign comprises images and a film, which represent a new chapter in terms of creativity and lust for life. The aesthetic of the collection channels this spirit, featuring loose and airy fits in a broad range of colors that embody the vibrancy of the season. Set against a dreamy, Mediterranean backdrop, the open sky and sparkling sea become #FUNFURLA’s setting. The visuals are an interplay of shadows and silhouettes, which is displayed mainly from the back and through body language of the models displaying the clothing. The soft color scheme of the clothing, shown in the photos with chromatic monochrome effects, further enhances the feeling of carefreeness. The joyous atmosphere of spring and summer, as well as Furla’s core values of heritage and beautiful Italian craftsmanship are conveyed through every image. The Furla SS21 collection invites the wearer to enter a summer daydream.

www.furla.com

Fashion

Abstract Femininity

After taking a maternity leave of absence, LARA KRUDE is back with her Spring Summer 2021 collection. The “Designer of Tomorrow” Award-winning designer worked closely with Stella McCartney for several years before launching her eponymous Slow Fashion Brand in 2017. Her latest collection is based on bold silhouettes and traditional craftsmanship while leaving space for the body and the natural fabrics. Androgynous silhouettes, natural colors, such as forest green and navy blue, combined with plaid and striped patterns reinvent the distinct LARA KRUDE look for the warm season. All of Krude’s collections are produced exclusively in Germany and Poland by small family-run manufacturers to guarantee the highest quality and protect the environment. LARA KRUDE stands for effortless elegance and abstract femininity, with the timeless pieces empowering women to feel their utmost best; strong, independent, and always curious.

www.larakrude.com

Fashion

Blurring Boundaries

The Korean artist and designer Lee Sanghyeok’s creative vision is rooted in his interest in the manifestation of rational ideas of immateriality. His interior design projects reflect and analyze objects in space and open up a dialogue about the conventional meaning of material space through this re-contextualization approach. Harmonious, conventional forms are redefined and endowed with new meaning and room for interpretation. Lee emphasizes a new way of understanding the technology in production by making it part of the creative process and visual aesthetic. Most of the Berlin-based designer’s pieces are inspired by architecture, built environment and urban space, which serve as reoccurring metaphors in his work. Creating a dynamic dialogue between objects and their environment, Lee artistically blurs the lines between the exterior and the interior space, between the public and the private sphere. The project titles Domestic Architecture brings this multifaceted approach to spatiality into practice. Including items that appear to be every day - like chairs mirrors, tables and shelves – a new interpretive layer is added to their conventionality. Lee Sanghyeok envisions his project Domestic Architecture as a reflection of the processes that constitute our living spaces. It focuses on and studies human behaviors and attitudes toward objects and creates an intriguing dialogue between intangible body and rational practice. Marble, as a fundamental substance in architecture, is the central material used, which expresses Lee’s validation of workmanship, minimalist design and harmony between forms and function that comes to light in Domestic Architecture.

www.leesanghyeok.com

Fashion

CHANEL Cruise Collection 21/22

It was under the sign of Jean Cocteau that Creative Director Virginie Viard began to imagine the look of the CHANEL Cruise 2021/22 collection, she explains "Because Gabrielle Chanel was close to Cocteau, and I love the film Testament of Orpheus. In particular this magnificent scene: a man with a black horse's head descends into the Carrières de Lumières, his silhouette cut out against the very white walls". Destination: the Carrières de Lumières, in Les Baux-de-Provence, for a highly graphic show, "because the simplicity, the precision and the poetry of Cocteau's film made me want to create a very clean collection, with a very distinct two-tone, made up of bright white and deep black". Both influences for this show, Cocteau and Chanel, are embodies in the cruise collection by the strong yet faded contrast from radiant white and deep black. The combination of those colors manifest in pieces such as long white shirt-dresses, black macramé capes, and a white tweed jacket embroidered with lucky charms to a black dress in velvet and leather. "Echoing the extreme modernity of Cocteau's film, I wanted something quite rock. Lots of fringes, in leather, beads and sequins, t-shirts bearing the face of the model Lola Nicon like a rock star, worn with tweed suits trimmed with wide braids, and pointed silver Mary-Janes. A look that recalls as much the modernity of the sixties as that of punk...". so Virginie Viard.

www.chanel.com

Art

Gallery Weekend Berlin: Rebecca Horn at Thomas Schulte Galerie

Rebecca Horn presents the first solo exhibition at the Thomas Schulte Galerie since its inauguration in 1991. Horn and the gallery have collaborated many times during the past 30 years. Thomas Schulte Galerie featured the artist in the opening exhibition. On the 30th anniversary, Thomas Schulte Galerie is celebrating with a collection of one of Germany’s most important living female artists. Alongside Horn’s recent works, the gallery will be showing two of the artist’s seminal kinetic installations from the 1990s: Bee’s Planetary Map (1998) and Der Turm der Namenlosen (1994). The piece Bee’s Planetary Map (1998) captures the transformative power of bees: converting and repurposing natural materials to construct their habitats. Conceived in 1997, even before the flows of forcibly displaced millions from the Balkans, Bee’s Planetary Map captures themes of dislocation, uprootedness, and fractured movement. Empty beehives fill the space with the haunting buzz of a wandering swarm of bees. Honey-yellow light streams from the suspended baskets, reflecting circular rotating mirrors and projected across walls and ceilings. At regular intervals of two and a half minutes, a stone attached to a mechanical hoist falls from the ceiling and shatters one of the mirrors. Spinning splinters of mirror chase panicked scraps of light across the room. Struggling towards the center, searching for protection and security, fearing for freedom and belonging – these are the central human themes in Rebecca Horn’s work. Themes of flight and (up)rootedness are further visible in Der Turm der Namenlosen (1994). Rebecca Horn dedicated this piece to the thousands of Bosnian refugees who arrived in Vienna in the early-to-mid 1990s. Most arrived without passports and knowledge of the dominant language. Many would use the musical instruments they brought with them to express and perform their trauma.

Rebecca Horn’s work is exhibited at Thomas Schulte Galerie, Berlin, from 28 April - 26 June 2021.

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Rebecca Horn, Bees Planetary Map, 1998. Installation view, Centre Pompidou-Metz, 2019, Photo: Jacqueline Trichard. © Rebecca Horn, VG Bildkunst, Bonn, 2021 Courtesy die Künstlerin und Galerie Thomas Schulte

Rebecca Horn, Die Neuerscheinung, 2019. Courtesy the artist and the gallery.

Fashion

Maserati Special Edition F Tributo

With motorsport in its genes and inspired by countless successes, Maserati celebrates its racing past with the new Special Edition F Tributo. Exactly 95 years ago, on April 25, 1926, the brand made its racing debut: on that day, the Maserati Tipo26, the first car to have the trident on its hood, won the 1,500 cc class of the legendary Targa Florio in Sicily. Driving was Alfieri Maserati himself. 28 years later, on January 17, 1954, the Maserati 250F made its racing debut - a car that wrote motorsport history. This time it was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, who won the Formula 1 five times, making him world champion. His last title came in 1957 on the same 250F. Maserati is now taking this motorsport era as an opportunity to present the special F Tributo edition. The F stands for Fangio, who shaped this phase of international racing like no other driver and was closely associated with Maserati. Red is the color of Italian motorsport. In contrast, the bright and lively Azzurro Tributo is a reminder that blue (along with yellow) is the color of the city of Modena, the historic home of the brand. Other references to Fangio's 250F are the yellow brake calipers and wheels with yellow rims. This is because the racing car of yesteryear also had decorative elements in yellow. To complete the exterior, the Levante F Tributo is fitted with 21-inch Anteo wheels in black and the Ghibli F Tributo with 21-inch Titano wheels in gloss black. The front fender also features an edition ensemble in gloss black, while the trident logo on the C-pillar is deliberately in body color. The exterior accents are also reflected in the interior: the black full-grain leather from Pieno Fiore features decorative stitching in red or yellow.

www.maserati.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger - One Planet

The Tommy Hilfiger One Planet capsule collection was created in honor of and to celebrate Earth Day. It is an embodiment of Tommy Hilfiger’s sustainability objectives, featuring a range of relaxed and effortless pieces made of organic and recycled materials. The planet-positive message of the capsule is emphasized with the goal to inspire more sustainable decision making on this Earth Day and beyond. The range of soft everyday loungewear embraces laidback comfort and displays three unique Earth Day graphics. The recycled-material sweatsuits showcase the planet surrounded by a united community and the message, ‘The Future is Bright, Together We Succeed’. For the One Planet capsule collections, Hilfiger reimagines its red, white and blue ‘Spreading Love’ logo in pastel colorways, creating a harmonious visual impression.

 www.tommy.com

Fashion

DIOR FW 21

For Maria Grazia Chiuri, the presentation of the FW21 collection at the Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai represented an extraordinary opportunity to infuse her creations with the visual power of movement and a new energy to celebrate the house's creativity and world cultures.Bright hues play with transparency and shiny looks celebrate the pop aesthetic. Embroideries are embellished with oversized sequins reminiscent of disco balls. The leopard print that graces the runway combines esprit and elegance, appearing on a range of creations and accessories, including the iconic bar jacket. A series of five others exclusive models, each in a different neon hue – as well as red, “the color of life” as Monsieur Dior noted – with tributes to the House’s archives also enriching the collection. Presented to the rhythm of a musical composition by Giorgio Moroder – punctuated by the voice of Maripol – these creations are designed for facing the current context with the high energy, hyper-sophistication, and profound lightness of the Pop spirit.As a final surprise, singer Joey Yung – wearing a dress specially conceived by Maria Grazia Chiuri – and the Chinese rock band Black Panther give an exceptional live performance.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Canada Goose x Angel Chen

Following their highly acclaimed collaboration for SS21, Canada Goose unveils its second collection with guest designer Angel Chen during Shanghai Fashion Week FW21. Angel Chen is widely known for participating in Netflix’s “Next In Fashion” design competition show. She is also a Woolmark prize finalist and the first-ever Chinese designer to collaborate with H&M. For FW21; she was inspired by the traditional Snow Mantra Parka, combining her unique aesthetic with Canada Goose’s functional know-how. This season comes to life with new silhouettes and feminine details like peplums and belts. New bold colors and remarkable Chinese hand embroidery create a diverse visual effect. Angel Chen’s experimental approach to design and color, coupled with a fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics, has enticed the brand to work with her as their very first guest designer. The designer used Canada Goose’s heritage pieces to co-create a capsule collection based on an innovative design direction. Her experimental approach to color and proportion has not only made her a designer to watch, but a coveted person to collaborate with also. With a vision as unique as the clothes she conceives, she doesn’t just push a proverbial envelope open; she lights the whole thing on fire.

www.canadagoose.com

Art

Friedemann Vogel appointed Ambassador of International Dance Day

The International Theatre Institute (ITI) annually proclaims International Dance Day on April 29th. First established on the occasion of the great dance reformer Jean-George Noverre’s birthday by the ITI’s Dance Committee in 1982, the International Dance Day is a celebration of dance as a universal language of human expression in all its forms. Every year, an important personality from the dance world is chosen to compose a message for the occasion. This year, the renowned international ballet star, Principal Dancer and, “Kammertänzer” of the Stuttgarter Ballett Friedemann Vogel has been selected as Ambassador and Message Authore for International Dance Day. The Stuttgarter Ballet is proud to have a dance from its own ranks filling in this honorable position. In the face of the ongoing lockdown and closure of cultural institutions, it is especially important for artists to able to express themselves and uphold their passion for the arts. The International Dance Day provides a special platform for this. Thomas Detrich, Artistic Director of the Stuttgarter Ballett says in this regard: “I cannot imagine a better Message Author for International Dance Day than Friedemann Vogel. An exceptional dancer and artist who always wants to explore and expand his own boundaries, as well as those of his art form and is open to dance in all its facets.”

 www.stuttgarter-ballett.de

Fashion

Acqua di Parma presents Colonia Futura

Acqua di Parma’s universe welcomes Colonia Futura, the newest addition to the colonie family and a genuine emblem of the historical Italian brand’s sustainability manifesto. For the brand, sustainability means preserving traditions, respecting and renewing them in a dynamic and vibrant transition between past, present, and future, protecting and sharing authentic Italian style, alive and intact, to future generations. For over a century, Acqua di Parma’s values have been lying in the necessity to safeguard and pass on the Art of Italian Living, aware of the importance of protecting Italy’s cultural, artistic, and natural heritage. The newest product of the brand embodies this commitment. The fragrance is rooted in the Maison’s heart to its original universe - the planet of the colonie.

Colonia Futura follows the tradition of Colonia, an iconic fragrance of the Maison, in the olfactory signature and the quality of its Frutti d’Oro, but projects it into the future, in the knowledge that sustainability is the necessary condition for evolution. The new Eau de Cologne composition contains 99% natural origin ingredients in line with the ISO16128 standard. The bright, sparkling tones of P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) Bergamot from Calabria, the roundness of Clary Sage, and the freshness of Lavender are the key essences of Colonia Futura. These olfactory notes are skillfully blended and dosed in a composition highlighting the bright richness of Italian sun-filled landscapes, trademark for Colonia.

www.acquadiparma.com

Fashion

FENDI presents “Wild Untamed Naomi”

FENDI releases the #FendiPeekaboo video starring Noami Watts, the award winning actress presented in celebration of the opening of the new FENDI Queen’s Club flagship boutique in Sydney. The video is called ‘Wild Untamed Naomi’ and presents a private moment in Naomi Watt’s day within her apartment in New York, documenting her hidden and surprising side, accompanied by the FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU bag. What starts as an average and restless day slowly unveils Naomi’s untamed side as she escapes into her own world and discovers the joy of releasing stress and anxiety through a cathartic release of movement. Using the FENDI Peekaboo ISeeU bags, Naomi chanells the extraordinary in the ordinary. The video is a journey to self-love that plays with the FENDI values of creativity, craftsmanship and playful spirit, whilst celebrating the eternal narrative of the FENDI Peekaboo bag – the hidden beauty within. The iconic bags feature an accordion-frame shape, to open in a deep ‘smile’ featuring inside pockets which can be interchangeable in smooth leather or precious skins and personalised with one’s initials.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Diesel x Diesel: FAKE SMILES

Diesel x Diesel is a concept created by the founder of the brand Renzo Rosso’s desire to reintroduce Diesel’s past icons in a modern context. The capsule collection has a distinctly North American aesthetic with a look back at old archives of the many trips Renzo and his multicultural design team did back in the late 80s. The collection is mainly inspired by college apparel, Route 66, and the essential Diesel identifier of workwear. This results in pieces such as varsity jackets that have been reimagined in extra-distressed leather with a new Diesel typeface in patches across the shoulder blades. Further in terms of outerwear, the collection also includes reimagination of a mixed-material coat of shearling, cotton, leather, and jacquard wool which was initially inspired by a late 1980’s research trip to the South of the U.S. A treated leather vest from the tail end of the 1980s has patches that recall an American road trip. For each piece, the underlying idea is the bridging of separated entities, whether governmentally (land borders) or temporally (the then-and-now). With their slouchy shape and the oddness of the pseudo-trompe-l’oeil chaps, there’s something casually appropriate about them for 2021. There are four other denim trousers models, each from the 1980s, on which contrasting waistbands have been added for differentiation. Rounding out Diesel x Diesel, there are reissued hoodies, mini-skirts, and shirts.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

COLMAR A.G.E. X Morteza Vaseghi

Colmar’s innovation-focused label A.G.E. (Advanced Garment Exploration) was initiated by the Italian outerwear brand three years ago with the experimental goal to collaborate with international artists and designers. A.G.E. stands for modern, contemporary design and reinvention of Colmar’s designs, which are historically rooted in ski-wear. For the third collection of A.G.E., which is an essential part of the FW21/22 collection, Colmar works with the internationally renowned designer Morteza Vaseghi. Mostly known as the co-founder of the magazines Recens Paper and Wallet along with Elis Olsen, Vaseghi transfers his fascination for printed pages in magazines to the design of clothing for the human body. As the Creative Director for Colmar’s newest A.G.E. collection Vaseghi introduces organic, futuristic forms that express his progressive ideas of unifying human beings with nature, reconnecting the idea of modernity with the natural environment in the context of fashion.

 www.colmar.com

Fashion

Miu Miu FW 21: Brave Hearts

Miuccia Prada draws together a diverse group of women for the Miu Miu FW21 fashion show. The result is a voyage through the mountains - a fashion show in the snow. For the show, models explore the landscape of Cortina d’Ampezzo as part of the ‘Miu Miu Mountain Club’ in the heart of Dolomites Alps-, captured on film in a brave and challenging undertaking. The concept is all about dreaming of escape and making this fantasy a reality. In the video, the Miu Miu women explore the landscape dressed for extreme weather conditions. Outfits combine different intentions, different dreams, and realities to create different characters. Inside and outside, protective and seductive, just like women, the outfits contain multitudes.

Forming a collective experience on the mountainside, the models form a graspable alliance as they walk together. Sportswear and fashion fuse within the collection using the vernacular of mountaineering clothing. Miu Miu uses teddy bear faux fur, padded layers, and knitted ski helmets, and ski masks to keep warm and safe while upgrading the necessary means of protection for the mountainside. Silk satin dresses and lace stand convey delicacy and intimacy. Outerwear, inner lives. The juxtaposition speaks volumes and creates a dreamlike state of romanticized practicality through exaggeration - when the fragile can be reinvented to become brave. The utilitarian can become beautiful and pleasurable; the decorative can suddenly have a reason, a new purpose. Padded sportswear borrows its satin and pastel colors from lingerie fantasies; slip dresses are executed in heavy wools, studded with metal-like imaginary armor - warrior lingerie: strength and fragility, courage and aggression.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Versace SS21 Campaign: Summer Daze

For its SS21 campaign, Versace Jeans Couture embraces the memories of a simple outing with a group of friends on a fun summer night for a collection that celebrates escapism and fantasy and is directly inspired by the irreverent style and attitude of the 18th century French Court. The collection’s theatrical and exuberant designs are displayed in a contemporary take on French aristocracy in the form of street edge and youthful style. The fantasy mood is set with a pastel palette, Rococo-infused prints, and tongue-in-cheek graphics that add a pop of color to the dull everyday. For the Women’s collection, the brand has taken inspiration from its iconic archive and youth subcultures - skirts with sumptuous, voluminous silhouettes are paired with jean shirts and jackets - and channels romanticism. The Men’s collection, on the other hand, declassifies a sober military aesthetic by pairing classic camo patterns with bold and colorful logo accents. Tailoring winks to streetwear are found in cropped trousers or loose shorts worn with boxy, structured blazers. The campaign’s concept is based on a group of young friends who searches for thrills during a night out in an empty city during a hot summer night. Due to travel restrictions, they can view their city Milan in a new light by exploring secret gems such as the famous Villa Necchi, the Teatro Manzoni, to the Piscina Cozzi. With a touch of voyeurism, the stills were shot through a fisheye lens in a highly stylized way.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Maserati honors Maria Teresa de Filippis

In honor of International Women’s Day, Maserati celebrates Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix – driving a Maserati 250F. Five years after de Filippis death, Maserati releases a special video on the automobile brand’s social media that is dedicated to her groundbreaking career, driven by passion and courage. The female race driver managed to assert herself in an environment that had previously been exclusively male. She earned the respect and esteem of her rivals and brought values to the race-track that still guide Maserati today: Excellence, elegance and power. She won the ten-kilometer road race from Salerno to Cava de' Tirreni, which ignited her dedication to motorsport and led to several victorious competitions in the years following. The key year of her career was 1958: Maria Teresa de Filippis made her debut at the wheel of a Maserati 250F at the Syracuse Grand Prix and then took part in her first Formula 1 World Championship race in Belgium. Maserati and Maria Teresa de Filippis became a winning combination, driven by perseverance and audacity. The story embodies the desire and determination to face technical, physical and personal challenges and turn them into opportunities.

 www.maserati.com

Fashion

LOEWE FW21 - A Show In The News

LOEWE presents the FW21 women’s runway collection as a walkthrough with creative director Jonathan Anderson on its digital platforms as part of Paris Fashion Week. Embracing the reality of the physical show being canceled, due to the current Lockdown regulations, Anderson has created a printed newspaper to showcase the collection. Thus, he transcends the currently popular medium of digital presentation. LOEWE and Jonathan Anderson publish a newspaper supplement with attached articles and images of the collection, released globally in a selection of different broadsheet versions. Drawing on the naming convention established last summer with LOEWE’s ‘Show In A Box’, the paper-based evocation of this year’s canceled runway show is titled ‘A Show In The News’. Alongside the images, the newspaper makes reference to literary traditions by featuring an extract of the newest publication of the prolific writer Danielle Steele, whose book copies have been sold over 800 million times. The idea behind the newspaper concept is also to reach beyond a fashion audience and create a lasting impression, giving the fantasy of fashion a physical presence in the non-digital realm.

The FW21 women’s collection is a full-frontal, visually saturated statement in shape and color, that breaks with the LOEWE formula and escapes its boundaries to create new ones. The vibrant, bright color palette includes acrylic hues and is juxtaposed in graphic compositions and mapped into abstract, draping silhouettes. Geometric shapes are a fundamental tool in the aesthetic form language of cuts and surface treatment. Sinuous lines alternate with straight ones, angles with curves, fluidity with firmness, while quilting, prints and jacquards emphasize the electric glare of the whole. The quilted coats, long tailored jackets and cropped trousers meet strict suede suits, long dresses and draped skirts, mixing angles with curves and fluidity with firmness. For accessories, the collection features color-block lug-soled boots, the Flamenco clutch in a bright, XL version and the new Goya bag as a statement piece. Moreover, the quintessential Amazona bag, first launched in 1975 captures the spirit of the season in nappa-calfskin and Anagram jacquard variations.

 www.loewe.com

Fashion

MSGM FW21 - MANIFESTO

Massimo Giorgetti presents MANIFESTO for MSGM, an ode to the nightlife scene in the city of Milano. It is a new manifesto on the hypnotic rhythm of a song written and interpreted by GeaPoliti, publisher of Flash Art, in collaboration with Club Domani, and is based on Sergio Tavelli's record idea and Andrea Ratti, of which the song "Manifesto" is part. The film was directed by Francesco Coppola, one of the most interesting young directors of the Italian scene. The film is shot in the historic Teatro Manzoni, which has re-opened as a place of cultural production in the heart of Milan. Fifteen performers, including dancers, actresses, and models, all very different from each other, have something in common: all have chosen to live in Milan.

The silhouettes of the collection are sharp with a nocturnal attitude. Belted trenches and suits in caramel brown or teal blue crinkled eco-leather are styled with python-printed satin shirts or net-embroidered tops. The fabrics are shiny: glossy latex and patent leather for outerwear, for short dresses worn with a platform boot, pants with statement MSGM ruffles. The color palette is strong: touches of cyclamen, "screen green," dark amethyst, deep red, broken up with deep black and soft white. Milan's two ambiguous characters are shown: on one side, classic and bourgeois, and on the other side, young and underground. The message transmitted through the collection is clear; Milan is the city of the culture, the city of the future, and we will do everything to rekindle its every light.

www.msgm.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo FW21 – Future Positive

Salvatore Ferragamo’s FW21 collection ‘Future Positive’ as seen online on Milan Fashion Week lives through its title. The show presenting the eccentric collection is inspired by futuristic, metropolitan imaginations of urban utopia, shaping a fearless outlook into what is to come. Creative director Paul Andrew projects the limitless conceptual freedom of science fiction and the house’s heritage of technical innovation onto the future of craft, suggesting an alternative reality and visionary prospect. Driven by a strong ‘the future is now’ sentiment, the collection conveys youthful optimism, creative innovation and rising hope, disrupting and upgrading all that is uniform and old-fashioned. Taking up the pace of the advent of the future, Ferragamo’s Ready-to-wear collection blends diverse ideas of militaria, moto, athletics, scuba and beyond. Shirting, mohair knits, footwear and accessories for men and women are complementary and connected, linked by monochrome shades that are contrasted by bursts of color. Seasonal advances include capes, coats and parkas in elaborate heat-processed leathers and wools, fine gauge technical knitwear, knit bodysuits and dresses patterned in an abstract futuristic take on camouflage. Fringed yarn adds surprising irregularity to the utility parkas and casual tailoring, dresses and outerwear.

Playing on the idea of sci-fi visual story-telling, a constellation of draped jersey dresses and statements in chainmail star and shine silver-line the lineup. The clothing is underlined by the key footwear being space-biker boots, scuba sock sneakers, clogs in rubberised nappa, and a sleek reinterpretation of Ferragamo’s iconic F-heel adorned with rhinestones and a galvanised finish. The Salvatore Ferragamo FW21 collection brings to live the vision that creative director Paul Andrew himself summarizes as the following: ‘“In fashion, the past exerts a gravity - we are always drawn to it. For this season I wanted to invert that physics. The objective was to engineer a collection that sees the present through a prism of the future – unleashing a multitude of fresh perspectives.’

www.salvatoreferragamo.com

Fashion

Aesop x RÆBURN

Aesop and RÆBURN, the pioneer of responsible fashion, have collaborated and developed a sustainable bag for hand care on the go. Whether commuting, traveling, or simply on the go, the Adventurer Roll Up bag makes it easy to carry everything you need. As part of this partnership aimed to be sustainable by using recycled materials, both brands committed to the ethos of the RÆMADEInitiative, which is leading the way in recycling waste materials into responsible designs. The Adventurer Roll Up bag is a 300 piece limited edition item made from 1960s aeronautical navigation charts.

These silk pieces were selected for their motifs, each of which depicts a part of the world that has been particularly damaged by environmental degradation, such as Borneo or the Aral Sea. The manufacturing avoids material waste by making four bags from one card. Each of these Roll Ups also comes with its own serial number and a certificate. To mark the product launch, Aesop has partnered with Hypebeast, the leading online destination for fashion and streetwear, for the sale of 300 limited edition RÆMADE Adventurer Roll Ups. The bags will be available on selected online stores from March 1st, 2021.

www.aesop.com

Fashion

FENDI FW21-22

With the FW21 collection, Kim Jones ushers in a new chapter at FENDI, presented through a homage to the key codes and women who have shaped the house into what it is today. The collection is a celebration of the extraordinary Italian elegance, which has long associated with the house. Nobody embodies the spirit of the house more than the five Fendi sisters, whose wardrobes become the underlying inspiration for the collection. As put so fittingly by Kim Jones himself, ‘The Fendi family are women of intellect who work hard – and that's what I wanted to celebrate, a powerful dynasty. I’m taking the amazing, strong women who I both know and work with, and listening to their needs. There’s a usefulness to the collection, explored in a chic, timeless way.’ No piece of the collection represents this more than a utilitarian shirt jacket which is directly inspired by Silvia Venturini Fendi’s own uniform, reinterpreted and elevated luxuriously as shearling iteration with a boned mink interior. Another legacy which cannot be ignored when looking at the Roman house Fendi is Karl Lagerfeld. His legacy is omnipresent, whether it be the Karligraphy monogram or the FENDI First shoe’s architectural heel, but updated for a new era.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles SS21

Moose Knuckles, a Canadian luxury sportswear brand, presents their ARISE collection for Spring Summer 2021. The collection is inspired by the difficult year the world has lived through and seeing the light at the end of it. The Spring-Summer season represents taking a hiatus from tragedies, the last moment to relax before the world starts to revolve in full swing again. It’s the return of good weather, social distant social events, and a good mood.

The campaign images were shot by Hugo Comte, who was able to capture individuality without undermining the group. Every photograph reminds us of the balance between the collective human experience and the variety of humankind. The collection features a variety of comfortable sports and transition wear, made to resists the natural elements. Additionally featured in this season is ‘Pack Your Moose,’ a collection of rainwear designed to adapt to the unpredictable spring weather. Non-lined, recycled nylon shells promise the characteristic moose knuckles protection; all coats are easily packable and rain protected.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Prada: Linea Rossa Eyewear

Prada presents the second chapter of the Prada Linea Rossa Eyewear campaign in collaboration with the Prada Cup winner, the sailors of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. In the campaign images, the sailors’ subject viewpoint leads the spectator to the most ambitious goal, the conquest of the America’s Cup. Blending a contemporary aesthetic with technological excellence, the new glasses from the Linea Rossa Impavid collection take inspiration from the world of sailing.

They are engineered to offer functionality and high performance in any weather conditions. The Prada collection includes two new sunglasses (SPS03X, SPS02X) and an optical frame (VPS04N). The sunglasses set themselves apart with their dynamic wraparound design, which features the signature red detail on the front bar and the rubber inserted inside the temples on the frame. This feature guarantees adherence to the face in a comfortable manner. The optical frame speaks of modernity and technical innovation with its clean design featuring sharp profiles and rubber details, combined with perforated temples.

www.prada.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend presents ‘Candle Up!’

In collaboration with Quintessence Lab the Brussels Gallery Weekend presents the candle collection ‘Candle Up!’. All benefits go entirely to the non-profit organization Feed The Culture. The cultural initiative Feed The Culture gathers a group of volunteers that weekly get together to hand out free food parcels to people working in the cultural sector. Facing the Covid Crisis several actors, dancers and other creatives established Feed The Culture during the first lockdown with the objective to support their colleagues from the art world that had found themselves in precarious situations, due to the cultural sector being shut down entirely. The Brussels Gallery Weekend as a cultural organization that was still partially able to operate and plan events digitally corporates with Quintessence Lab to contribute to initiatives within the creative industry that, like Feed The Culture are in need. Together with artists Lionel Esteve, Sanam Khatibi and Pieter Vermeersch Quintessence Lab produced a collection of candles that are launched via Brussels Art Weekend. ‘Candle Up!’ is a sophisticated, creative line of candles with a story, designed from the creative professionals for professionals.

 wwww.brusselsgalleryweekend.com

Fashion

Jimmy Choo x Marine Serre SS21

Jimmy Choo and Marine Serre have collaborated to create a capsule collection fusing their values of comfort and iconic designs. The capsule collection helps delineate the narrative of Marine Serre’s Spring Summer 2021 collection and accompanying film, created in collaboration with directors Sacha Barbin and Ryan Doubiago. The six key styles of the collection each allude to a different character- a distinct identity, a new facet of a wearer, underscoring each total look they are designed to be an integral part. Inspired by the pivotal moment in 2019 when Jimmy Choo’s Creative Director Sandra Cho first met Marine Serre and the latter was wearing vintage Jimmy Choo’s, the designers searched deep in Jimmy Choo’s archives from Autumn/Winter 2000.

The ease of sportswear was also a significant influence on the collection. Marine Serre reinvented the traditional Kung- Fu shoe into the MOON BOXING KATO SNEAKER. Functionality meets vintage in the capsule collection, which is most clearly visible in the reinterpretation of the classic Mary Jane shoe into the SWIRL RUBBER MOON KITTEN HEEL PUMP. The collection combines the iconic prints of Marine Serre, as well as the contour cut of Jimmy Choo. All styles feature Marine Serre’s leitmotif crescent logo on recycled jersey. Inherently feminine, the styles are also dynamic, designed to be practical for today’s fast paced modern life.

www.jimmychoo.com

 Images Courtesy of Jimmy Choo shot by Quentin Jones

Fashion

Louis Vuitton SS21 Campaign

Louis Vuitton presents its Spring Summer 2021 campaign creatively directed and shot by Nicolas Ghesquière. Ghesquièr, the House’s Artistic Director, embraces his role as a photographer once again to showcase the latest Louis Vuitton collection on the brands’ ambassadors and friends. For this endeavor, the Artistic Director handpicked athletes, models, actors, and musicians for their personality and uniqueness to represent the new generation of Louis Vuitton. The talent includes Grammy Award-nominated singing duo Halle and Chloé Bailey, Oscar-winning actresses Jennifer Connelly and Emma Stone, tennis champion Naomi Osaka, and Sophie Turner, Cody Fern, Laura Harrier, Carolyn Murphy, and Jaden Smith, to name a few. Stars of the campaign are leather bags “the Coussin” and “the Rendez-vous”, to which the idols pay tribute. Both bags can be worn in various ways and challenge both the bounds of style and gender. Icons of the Louis Vuitton’s leather world, the Capucines, and the Twist are also featured by actress Liu Yifei and the model Carolyn Murphy.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The new Breitling Chronomat for Women

Inspired by female confidence, determination and style the new Breitling Chronomat 36 und 32 series for women embodies versatility and attractiveness. The effortless, modern watch has a retro-touch, making reference to the rich Breitling design tradition and signature models. High quality manufacturing and functionality meets everyday casualness and luxurious elegance in the creation of the new Chronomat models for women. The watch is available in different sizes and materials, from cool stainless steel and double-toned all-rounders to luxurious 18-carat red gold. Breitling underlines the collections dedication to confident, ambitious females in the #SQUADONAMISSION campaign, featuring dance Misty Copeland, actresses Charlize Theron and TV actress Yao Chen. As the CEO of Breitling, Georges Kern, describes the women: ‘Three trend-setting stars who are known for their passion and who are setting new standards.’

The images showcasing the new Breitling Chronomat Collection were taken in corporation with the German model, actress and socialite Cleo zu Oettingen-Spielberg in Oettingen Castle, her home located in the Munich region.

www.breitling.com

Fashion

TAG Heuer x Porsche: Carrera Chronograph Collection

TAG Heuer joined forces with Porsche to set a new standard of brand collaboration. The Swiss luxury watchmaker and the German sportscar manufacturer have created the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph watch collection, a love child of the two companies’ rich and successful history in the racing sport. The name Carerra came as a natural choice for its first innovative product collaboration since it has been associated with TAG Heuer and Porsche for generations. In 1963, Edouard Heuer’s great-grandson Jack had created the first Heuer Carrera chronograph, designed to let race track drivers tell the time at a glance in the heat of action. Porsche’s history with the name comes from a class win in the Carrera Panamericana race of 1954, in honor of which Porsche started calling its most powerful engine ‘Carrera’. The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph collection unites the brands in the spirit of the ‘Carrera’ (or ‘race’), which embodies ambition, speed, and technical excellence. The collection’s watches either come on a soft strap in calf leather with stitching that echoes the Porsche interior or on an interlocking bracelet. They feature the iconic Porsche logo and come in bespoke packaging, padded with the red Porsche interior lining.

www.tagheuer.com

Fashion

AGL:SOIREE Couture Sandal

AGL’s latest Spring Summer ‘21 collection features 26 unique designs of plateau sandals, heels, flats, open-toed summer shoes, and leather bags. From summer sandals to cocktail heels to festival boots, this collection offers everything for what the summer of 2021 allows.

The Giusti Sisters, owners, and the brand’s managers always create their collections together: Sara and Vera through research and conceptual ideas, Marianna through her drawings and technical knowledge. Together they represent the third generation after Piero Giusti, who founded AGL in 1958, to lead the family business from Marche in Italy, the shoemaking capital. Steeped in the 60 yearlong expertise of shoe craftsmanship, tradition, and creativity, the sisters’ newest collection promises to deliver trendy summer shoes of the highest quality.

The SOIREE sandal represents the sartorial crown jewel of the collection. Its invisible leather structures and volumes of pleated tulle play with the viewer’s visual lightness while optimizing the wearing experience. The couture sandal is available in both black and white. White is contextually used to represent purity. The black version represents feminine sensuality because of the tulle’s “now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t” effect. The SOIREE is truly an emblem of the artisanal savoir-faire of the sister trio.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Carolina Herrera: 'Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum'

Carolina Herrera’s Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum is inspired by modern femininity, creating a luscious, surprising scent, that adds onto the existing Good Girl line. In awe of the multifaceted nature of the contemporary female, which eradicates binary oppositions of identity in pursuit of true self-expression, the new fragrance creates an olfactory adventure. The fruity, floral Eau de Parfum develops the Good Girl line’s fragrance composition a step further and conquers new territory based on the strength and unique scent of the rose. Aromas of exotic lychee and tangy currant invigorate the reinterpretation of the classic rose scent. As a final component is a veil of vetiver, pure and refined, with a woody scent that harmonically contrasts the floral base scent, highlights the Very Good Girl perfume’s surprising character. The result is a multifaceted fragrance, that embraces the natural beauty of its ingredients and represents the unapologetic women it is made for.

www.carolinaherrera.com

Fashion

Saucony Originals: Happy Birthday, Jazz!

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Saucony Originals collection’s most iconic shoes, the Jazz O’ trainers, the brand launches two new models – Jazz 81 and Jazz Court - in tribute to its origins. Released in 1981, the historic Jazz O’ model embodied the brand’s ambition to create a unique, technologically advanced running shoe focused on aerodynamic profile, lightweight materials and ergonomic fit for ultimate athletic comfort.

The Jazz O’ trainer has become the best-selling Saucony shoe of all time and until today continues to be the cornerstone of the collection and a staple in the world of running, having been awarded five stars by Runner’s World, a bible for runners all around the globe. The anniversary releases represent a faithful reinterpretation of the original model, while enhancing comfort and fit by choosing premium materials and other special details. The keywords “see, touch, feel” express the innovative upgrades in design, material and fit.

www.saucony.com

Art

Foscarini: 'Bump'

Exploring the relationship between light and its interaction with various surfaces, Italian lighting design company, previewed its new suspension lamp during Milano Design Week last September. Designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, who have been longtime collaborators with Foscarini, the suspension lamp began with blown glass before expanding into other materials, surfaces and finishes during the research stage and eventually became the irregular and captivating visual presence of the suspension lamp known simply as ‘Bump’.

The informal personality of ‘Bump’ plays with light, its character changing in relation to the chosen color. The range of colors include gold and petroleum hues as well as a ‘frost’ model with a transparent dome and a satin finish, each with the distinctive shape which resembles a dented surface.

An atmospheric effect is created by the ‘frost’ version of ‘Bump’ due to the translucent dome, whereas the gold and petroleum iterations feature a white interior color to focus light primarily downwards for use in settings such as a study, parlour or bar.

www.foscarini.com

Fashion

Marcell von Berlin SS21

Marcell von Berlin, the brand by Designer Marcell Pustul, with flagship stores in both Los Angeles and Berlin, has released its SS21 collection. The collection is built on the idea of celebrating the cosmopolitan woman who is filled with a yearning and desire to follow her inner path through life with sensuality, joy and fulfilment.

This same feeling is expressed with extravagant prints, flame printed sweatshirts, minimalistic denim jumpsuits, clean lines and noteworthy inspiration from the 70s. In this SS21 collection a range of new handbags are premiered. Made with impeccable craftsmanship, the ‘BERLIN’ bag are made from imitation crocodile leather, the ‘M-R1’ bag and the ‘MM Cargo’ are also versatile accompaniments to each daring and colorful look in this new collection. A hand-painted abstract flame design was scanned and then printed onto the fabrics of this collection, prints that speak to the core DNA of the brand.

The 70s play a pivotal role in the Marcell von Berlin SS21 collection due to that particular decade’s history of women’s empowerment and liberation movements. “While working on this collection I was constantly visualizing women that inspire me,” says Pustul, “women that have that fire and inner drive inside, women who are brave enough to not hide their emotions and live their lives to the fullest. These women are passionate, independent and play by their own rules, therefore the flame seemed like the best representation for them”, declares Pustul.

As Marcell Pustul puts it “times are changing; therefore, the brand needs to evolve and adjust to the new climate in the fashion industry.”

The collection will be available at the flagship stores in Berlin and Los Angeles as well as wholesale partners across Europe and the US from January 2021 onwards.

www.marcellvonberlin.com

Fashion

DIOR Haute Couture SS21

With the presentation of the Dior SS21 Haute Couture Collection, the onlooker finds themselves transported into a magical realm to which Tarot cards are the key. Maria Grazia Chiuri immediately felt a connection with the imaginary worlds that they contain and their power to entice us to explore the unknown while fearlessly looking deep inside ourselves. Grazia Chiuri uses the cards’ visual language, the rich symbolic lexicon as well as the complex and fascinating characters and translates it into a series of extraordinary evening gowns, a testimony to Dior’s excellence in craftsmanship and garment construction. Matteo Garrone, one of Italy’s most high-profile directors, is responsible for the presentation of the haute couture creations. He also draws inspiration from Tarot cards, more precisely drawing on the visual force of the Visconti-Sforza tarot, a collection commissioned by the Duke of Milan in the 15th century. This deck is defined by its splendid and luxuriously decorated cards and their impressive yet enigmatic presence.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Hermès Men's FW21

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the physical fashion show has disappeared. Due to ongoing restrictions and social distancing measures, fashion houses have been forced to switch to the digital realm. For this Hermès menswear show, Veronique Nichanian in collaboration with Cyril Teste decided to re-create the closest possible thing to a real physical show. The viewers were able to follow the show through a seven-section split screen format, recreating the eye’s freedom to roam during a real show, revealing different details and angles. For the FW21 collection, Hermès beautifully blends casual and elegant. The world is changing and this is reflected in our clothing. Véronique Nichanian, in charge of the menswear collection since 1988, recognised this, 'Our approach to clothing is currently undergoing a transformation, and my job is to come up with propositions.' The collection brings together luxury, ease and excellent craftsmanship, bringing together the natural, baby lambskin, with the engineered technical canvas. The divisions between work and home were softened through the loose-panted suiting complementing elevated workwear-inspired pieces. Zesty colored sneakers were a great visual juxtaposition to the muted and earthy color palette of lambskin of pants and cardigans.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto POUR HOMME FW21/22

On January 21st, Yohji Yamamoto unveiled his Menswear FW21 collection. For this, Yohji Yamamoto has teamed up a second time with Japanese photographer TAKAY to create a video collaboration that captures the dark and punk atmosphere of Yohji’s vision of the world today. The collection itself follows Yamamoto’s DNA and design language prominently featuring deconstructed and oversized shapes and different layers from several fabrics, such as cotton, silk, linen, wool gabardine and synthetic fabrics, a nod reminiscent of the Yamamoto’s 90s design.

A keen observer of what is happening in the world, Yohji-san processes all in this collection, whether it be global warming that will unquestionably change how we dress or the ongoing regulations caused by a global pandemic. The masks were a definite indicator of the latter. Included in the collection, they are a representation of Yamamoto’s reflection on how people are wearing masks nowadays, some people do, others don’t and some wear them in a very personal way. This is not to cast judgment, rather an observation of what is happening in the streets. To underline his statement about today’s world, the garments wear messages, personal feelings and anger expressed in a poetic way and once more eluding to the different themes that gave inspiration, human rights, social movements, sanitary emergencies and animal protection.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Art

ULAY: From Berlin to Paris

A new online exhibition curated by Hana Ostan Ožbolt for Saltoun Gallery focuses on the work of the late performance artist Ulay (1943-2020). The exhibition is titled ‘Ulay: From Berlin to Paris’ as part of the gallery’s series ‘Soultan Online’.

Two of the artist’s important works, ‘Relation in Movement’ (1977) and ‘Irritation - There is a Criminal Touch to Art’ (1976). The latter is regarded as one of the most outlandish art displayed in a public space in art history, in which the artist staged the ‘art theft’ of Carl Spitzweg’s painting ‘The Poor Poet’ from its home at the Neue Nationalgalerie and navigated its relocation to the living room of a family of immigrants.

‘Relation in Movement’ (1977), like other works in the ‘Relation’ series by Ulay and collaborator, Marina Abramovic, challenges the physical limits perceived by the mind and the body. These two iconic works of art by Ulay will be shown alongside exclusive video clips that translate how these radical actions still resonate and can be likened in a direct dialogue with current societal issues.

This exhibition by Saltoun Online is held in conjunction with Ulay’s critically acclaimed and largest-ever retrospective ‘ULAY WAS HERE’ at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

The exhibition can be viewed online at the gallery’s website.

www.richardsaltoun.com

LES HOMMES FW21: 'FEMME'

Designers Tom Notte and Bart Vandebosch have created a FW21 collection for Les Hommes that reflects the brand’s core DNA. The collection consists of unique pieces built with a fusion of classic tailoring methods and sportswear sensibilities. The unification of opposites is the key to this collection, hybrid pieces bring together two seemingly opposite worlds. Signature leather, knitwear and nylon inserts fused with classic tailoring and sportswear makes for an elegant yet powerful silhouette. Hand-knitted knitwear is a key feature of the Les Hommes world. As such there is a big emphasis on creative and unique knitwear. The new essentials for the Les Hommes man are filled with energy and a bold sense of creativity.

Contemporary elegance, the lifeblood of Les Hommes, plays a vital role in the FW21 collection. The Les Hommes ‘Femme’ collection is just that; a fusion of considered, impeccable tailoring and ultra femenine party wear. The unique collision of these two worlds makes for a collection with glamour, femininity and a touch of masculine influence. Strength and confidence are the voices that speak to Les Hommes ‘Femme’. The color pallet is exclusively black, with the exception of cobalt and camel details. The variety rests in the collection’s materials, which bring a subtle yet noticeable depth to the clothing. The indulgent use of velvet, sequins, leather and patent leather unify to create an architectural silhouette. The shape of strong shoulders, couture inspired sleeves and more masculine elements contrast with ultra feminine shapes and champagne colored hardware to create the Les Hommes ‘Femme’ silhouette.

www.leshommes.com

Fashion

Etro Men's FW21/22

Etro has released their FW21 collection, an unconventional and personable message of hope and faith for a life-affirming collection of Menswear. The Creative Director behind the collection, Kean Etro, embraces an upbeat mood for his FW21/22 collection, marking the beginning of a new chapter at the family-managed Italian fashion house. Juxtaposing casual and elegant, the playful and ironic, blazers with cadet details and robe coats rich in fabrication are layers on color-blocked anoraks decorated with paisley patterns. In a time when a sense of freedom is so coveted, Etro is blurring boundaries and breaking established rules to bring joy into otherwise ordinary materials. Denim utility pants splashed with cashmere motifs are balanced out by sartorial elements, the sophistication of camel coats and double-breasted suits which feature deconstructed fluid silhouettes.

A sense of street-savvy interplays with pyjama inspired piping which details the shirts. Quilted jackets made from vintage upholstery textiles. The Pegaso logo appears enlarged on bomber jackets and oversized hoodies, to layer with maxi sweaters made from recycled wool and shirt collars made from an archival silk lining. Contrasts define the selection of footwear in this FW2122 collection, patchwork sneakers with neon laces, paisley and mandala patterns display a knowledge of classic and contemporary on a range of highly functional backpacks, pouches and cross-body bags. The collection also features special genderless vests made from a blend of wool and mohair, see now-buy now capsule collection putting the beauty of the androgynous in full focus.

www.etro.com

Fashion

Prada Men's FW21

With the first collection co-created by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons focused in on the human body, its freedom and the increasing wish for contact, the need to feel. The collection was defined by its tactility, a veritable panoply of different surface textures and textiles. Jacquard knits and leather find themselves combined with re-nylon and wool suiting in both traditional and unanticipated colors. Apart from the rich colors and textures, the garments were defined by a reduced and minimalized structure. The collection was presented in a space created by Rem Koolhaas. The models navigated through the varying spaces of different interplaying materials and textures, mirroring the rich tactile nature of the collection itself, a space inviting and seductive, hard and soft, warm and cold, simultaneously both and neither. The garments were a feast for the senses. Color and patterns excite the eyes whereas the rich materials and surfaces entice touch. After the show, both Creative Directors answered questions from students from all around the world. This exchange once again highlight the though behind the collection, the human need to exchange and relate to others. During their exchanges, they shared how they work together, the importance and meaning of situational design, the challenges arising for fashion with the increasing digitalization and the importance of fashion and clothes as tools for self-expression.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Acqua di Parma: Barbiere

Embracing every morning, the routine and the time that we take in the early hours of each day is important. Keeping the skin hydrated and healthy all year round is something that many men struggle with, Acqua di Parma has released two new formulas specially for men’s skin. A delicate sensory texture and vivacious fragrance of Colonia establish the character of these new products in the Barbiere universe. For shaving, after-shave, beard trimming, hair care, styling and facial care, the multi-action face cream hydrates and smooths; replenishing the skin and protecting against harmful blue light which can age the skin prematurely.

Strange and harsh weather conditions coupled with pollution and toxicities in the air demand the implementation of the new Acqua di Parma Revitalizing Face Cream. When met with water the face cream transforms into a foam and continues to cleanse and remove toxins from the pores of skin without drying it out. Tailored to a modern man’s needs, a luxurious Italian-style ritual that Acqua di Parma is so known for presents a morning of pleasantries and a level of care that gives the skin a renewed buoyancy against the elements.

In alignment with Acqua di Parma Futura, the company’s sustainability manifesto, all packaging is environmentally friendly.

The Multi-Action Face Cream and Revitalizing Face Cream will be available from February 15.

www.acquadiparma.com

Burro Studio x Moose Knuckles Gives a Fu*k

Moose Knuckles, the international luxury outwear brand founded in Canada by Noah Stern in 2009, has released a capsule collection with Milan-based Burro Studio. Known for innovative practices in Graphic Design, Burro Studio has also developed a reputation for being a champion of inclusion and diversity to foster ideals of community with their designs for some time now. Having worked with Miu Miu, Nike and Leica, Burro Studio has a contemporary vision and streetwear sensibility.

‘Burro Studio x Moose Knuckles Gives a Fu*k’ intends to reach and care for at-risk communities. For every item sold Moose Knuckles will donate one jacket to charity organization Diakonie Hamburg, supporting its local community. The capsule collection features a range of unisex hoodies, long sleeves and T-shirts each made from high-grade organic and ethically sourced cotton produced with as little impact to the environment as possible. Burro Studio have laced each garment with graphics executed using screen printing and CAD-CUT ® Premium Plus heat transfer for a lightweight feel, the look taking cues from graffiti culture.

The capsule collection, ‘Burro Studio x Moose Knuckles Gives a Fu*k’, is the next stage in an ongoing charity effort from Moose Knuckles which began in May of last year. To offer vulnerable people access to quality clothing. The capsule’s appearance takes cues from cities all across the European continent, including Amsterdam, Stockholm, London, Dusseldorf and Hamburg. This appreciation for global cities continues Moose Knuckles’ ‘Milano Addosso’ capsule, which was dedicated to the city of Milan, inspired by the architectural sophistication of Barona, Paolo Sarpo, Porta Venezia and Soupra districts.

The capsule collection is currently available exclusively at braun-hamburg.com and at a Moose Knuckles Pop-up store in Hamburg arriving in the city this month.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

FENDI: Women's and Men's SS21

Perceiving the world outside from the indoors, the world outside calls back with an unmistakable Italian charm and cadence; Rome, the home of Fendi. In the new Women’s and Men’s SS21 campaign a digital window is projected onto the wall, through the window is a view of the globally renowned maison’s headquarters in Rome; Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana.

The campaign is shot by acclaimed British photographer, Nick Knight, in his London studio. The set is dressed with curtains that fill with a Summer’s breeze and float as if there is a hidden mysticism in the air. Modelling the Women’s SS21 collection Mariacarla Boscono, Estelle Chen and Jill Kortleve are styled by Chaos Fashion, while Chun Soot and Henry Kitcher are styled for the Men’s collection by Julian Ganio.

Designed by Silvia Fenturini Fendi, the Women’s and Men’s SS21 collection are color coordinated with the sparsely furnished set to reflect the different tones and shades of both collections. A palette of naturally occurring colors including honey, milk and wheat are accentuated by carefully placed notes of cardinal red and sky blue to complete the overall look. To complement the looks, iconic Fendi bags PeekabooISeeU augmented by the modern Fendi x Chaos tech accessories. Featured alongside the iconic Baguette bag for women and the Peekaboo Essential for men, new shapes and designs such as the Moonlight satchel bag and a new Fendi Eyewear collection are introduced.

Shadows visually stretch across the room to signify the ease and relaxation of Summer peaking its rosey fingers through the curtains. Familiar domestic touches like a bed or a wooden chair give the impression that the relationship between indoors and outdoors is at its most casual, seamless and enjoyable in Summer.

www.fendi.com

Étoile Filante by Louis Vuitton

Étoile Filante by Louis Vuitton Inspired by the striking imagery and boundless inspiration caused by a shooting star of comet glimpsed in the night sky, Maître Parfumeur Louis Vuitton Jacques Cavaller Belletrud, created the new fragrance ‘Étoile Filante’ or ‘Shooting Star’.

In his father’s laboratory in Grasse, an eleven year old Jacques discovered osmanthus absolute. “It immediately fascinated me”, he recalled, years later on the master perfumer’s journey through China he would happen upon a combination of exquisite magnolia and osmanthus dancing on the cool night air at the flower market, swooning him into a heady dream. Adding a touch of Jasmine from Grasse obtained using CO2 extraction, a technique exclusive to Louis Vuitton, the floral harmonies of the scent combined with light notes of sun-ripened strawberry are amplified.

On the olfactory composition of Étoile Filante, Belletrud calls it “A perfect illustration of floral freshness that is vibrant and rich in contrast, with marvellous tenacity”, speaking openly about jasmine’s effect on the fragrance, he says simply “it’s an ingredient that makes you smile” says Belletrud. Stars dancing in the sky, racing unthinkably fast to wherever their journey takes them, if only to remind us there is an energetic and restless light out there in the dark.

This latest fragrance from Parfums Louis Vuitton, is an ode to the pure and simple joys that remind us our natural world and place in the cosmos can still reignite an undeniable sense of wonder and hope to pierce through the fog of uncertainty and doubt.

As of January 28, 2021, Étoile Filante will be available at select Louis Vuitton stores and online.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Foscarini Sun-Light of Love

No identifiable beginning or end, an ever changing shape refusing to be defined by the human eye; the sun is a muse for Foscarini in their new Sun-Light of Love spherical lamp. Made up of 390 metal rays that have been grafted to the central body, the lamp is suspended in midair much like the sun is suspended in space, as opposed to a more conventional lamp being fixed into a wall or bound to a supporting beam. The Sun-Light of Love directs its light softly diffused upward as well as a stronger and more direct beam of light downward in order to create ambiance for a table setting as well as more focussed lighting for reading or inspecting objects.

Foscarini has made the lamp available in two finishes, one in gold which brings its proud and regal star-light quality to the room and another finish in white for more minimalist settings that require statement pieces that also play to a room with innate subtlety. Its charm and vivacious personality are well purposed to neutral spaces that otherwise lack an edge; reception areas, hotel entrances or retail facilities. Dutch designer, Tord Boontje, showcased in MoMA, New York, is renowned for implementing a sense of romanticism and whimsy in his work. Sun-Light of Love is his first design for Foscarini. This highly decorative, impactful sphere of hundreds and hundreds of metal spokes conjures to mind that which is felt more than defined. Like the welcome heat and bright light of our Earth’s sun is felt, while staring directly into the sun will only add to its enigma.  

 www.foscarini.com

Fashion

Fendi 'The Baguette Dance'

Iconic Roman fashion house, Fendi, continues their ‘Baguette Friends Forever’ series with a stirring emotional performance by a troupe of five skilled gymnasts from The Paris Centre. The Fendi Baguette is invigorated for The Baguette Dance, wearing the renowned FF logo embossed in a hypersoft leather that appears in five colors including black, pink, bright blue, yellow and red. The dancers grace a ballet ballroom with poise, vigour and an unparalleled energy spurred on by an uptempo synth pop beat. The Baguette changes hands between each dancer in tandem with the flow of their highly coordinated routine. The same playful spirit of ‘Baguette Friends Forever’ is enhanced and the first time the Baguette finds its soul and denotes friendship that is youthful and exists outside of the limitations of time in this quintet of ‘FFriends!’ from Fendi. 

Dedicated to the joy that dancers evoke and the same feeling that strong friendships create; the fearlessness and energy of dancers deeply in their element follow a similar path to the curves, edges and accents essential to the DNA of the Fendi Baguette. The Baguette Dance not only pays homage to the overall beauty of the bag’s design but it presents the world in which this bag was created; one of unrelenting joy and comradery. The exceptional dancers at The Paris Centre translate in movement a feeling which cannot be expressed in words.

Conceptualized by the minds at Fendi, the Baguette Dance is not simply an homage to the Baguette design, it represents the Baguette in its purest form. 

www.fendi.com 

Fashion

Prada honoured with Creativity Fashion Awards 2020

Prada is the new recipient of the 2020 Fashion Awards, presented by the esteemed British Fashion Council under the creativity category of this annual event. The Creativity category was set up to provide recognition to individuals and brands that have realized global impact through creativity in design, campaigns and collaborations, in addition to the massive task of shaping global fashion through innovation. Prada has and continues to fuse creativity and social responsibility making the house a worthy winner of such a monumental award. With the Prada Linea Rossa FW20 campaign, their substantial support of Italy in the Covid crisis, the Tools of Memory campaign in partnership with Sotheby's that donated its proceeds to Unesco, educational projects just to name a few, Prada has done a huge amount of good in such a bleak and uncertain time. Co-Creative Directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons were selected for the positive change they made this year within the fashion industry, a testament to the power of creativity.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Support Our Future

With the bold hashtag “Support Our Future”, Aqua di Parma proudly presents their new charity campaign. From December all UK profits from their Colonia Futura will be donated to The Prince’s Trust, to help support young people, who are facing an increasingly bleak and unpredictable future. In keeping with it #StayAtHome solidarity campaign in reaction to the Covid crisis in Italy earlier this year, Acqua di Parma continues in its global support of those in need. The Prince's Trust remains the Uk’s leasing youth charity, first set up by the Prince of Wales in 1976. With this stoic history behind it the charity continues to make huge strides to bring positive change to many young people’s lives. Acqua di Parma’s new campaign is a strong reflection of a brand dedicated to using their influence and platform for good.

www.acquadiparma.com

Fashion

Zegna X Leica

The indomitable pairing of fashion and photography are realized brilliantly in an exciting new collaboration between Zegna and Leica Camera. Both legends in their own field, it feels a long awaited union, the iconic German camera manufacturer moving into the world of fashion with a distinctive collection of high-end camera accessories. First seen in the January on the runway, the modern photographer is gifted with an array of accessories all made extra special by their handmade craftsmanship. Consisting of PELLETESSUTATM camera holsters for Leica Q2 and Leica M cameras; PELLETESSUTATM protectors for Leica Q2 and Leica M cameras; functional crossbody bags called Insta-Pack and the Leica CL with the 18mm ‘pancake’ Leica lens; carrying and wrist straps; Leica keyrings and round wallets (both for coins or the Leica Q2 lens cap) this collaboration caters to every photographer’s need. Zegna’s Artistic Director, Alessandro Sartori is himself a photography enthusiast not to mention a Leica lover, and this unrivalled passion is clear in the collaboration that is a celebration of both photography and fashion alike.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Star Service

Orveda announces Orveda concierge, an amazing new service, allowing clients to get tailor-made advice for their skin. Investing in the right skin care requires both industry knowledge as well as an acute understanding of one’s own personal makeup. This 5 day a week, 5 star concierge amalgamates the two, providing a bespoke “Chat with our Healer” live service. With a detailed plan of the right products and Orveda regimen for your skin, customers are treated to a truly personal service that centers the client and equips them with the knowledge they need to make their skin the very best. At a time when self care has never been more important, Orveda delivers, entrusting their clients in the hands of their team of expert advisors, ready to tackle the ominous landscape of skincare.

www.orveda.com

Fashion

Night Mode

Louis Vuitton presents perhaps its most daring watch to date, the new Tambour Damier Graphite Race, fusing energy and creativity together in an exciting bold design. This time piece combines sporty-chic with a sleek sophisticated aesthetic, creating a wearable and versatile accessory. The accents of fluorescent green against the dark gray of the graphite PVD coated steel case exudes a real sense of daring and adventure whilst also fitting into an urban aesthetic. Subtly incorporates the V for Vuitton into the design, the Maison erects an architectural dial in the shape of this significant letter, a truly patriotic detail. Despite its modern feel, age old craftsmanship forms the very essence of the Tambour Damier Graphite Race, its smoked-grey sapphire glass caseback cleverly revealing a traditional mechanism. Available in two versions, customers can choose from the 41.5mm diameter automatic model and the extreme 46 mm diameter chronograph. Both designs have the capacity to have an interchangeable strap, black or fluorescent green depending on the wearer’s mood, outfit or preference. Louis Vuitton crafts utter magic with this watch, a striking graphic design that makes a statement.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Architects of Air

Designed by Alan Parkinson, the luminarium changes the way we interact with light and space, curating a sense of the sublime through an immersive experience. Influenced by the awe inspiring structures created in the Islamic and Gothic architectural tradition, Parkinson engages a contemporary aesthetic, creating for his audiences a unique and spectacular interplay of light and space. Light in fact, is simply a product of the daylight which seeps through the luminarium’s fabric, employing a wonderful symbiosis with the natural world and connecting each experience to a specific locational context. Shown in a diverse range of contexts, from corporate events to festivals, the luminaria are accessible in their instinctive appeal and versatility. Since there creation more than 3 million people in over 40 countries have been able to experience their transformative and arresting effects. On arrival visitors are asked to take off their shoes before passing through an airlock. Inside visitors are given a map to freely explore the installation comprising multi-colored pods, labyrinth tunnels and domes, as such each experience is defined by the audience who are as much a part of the luminarium as the structure itself.

www.architects-of-air.com

Travel

Parkhotel de Wiemsel

The Kunstgalerie Parkhotel de Wiemsel is simply every art lover’s dream, offering its guests a diverse collection of art, all within the realms of a delightful residence. Deceiving in its historic facade, the quaint country house is home to an extraordinary array of contemporary pieces, covering paintings, graphics and sculpture. Stemming from its owner Henning J. Classen’s 40 years of experience collecting art, which includes the Galerie im Alten Kaufhaus which he founded in his home town Lüneburg 10 years ago, Classen now opens up his collection, inviting his hotel guests to share in his enjoyment over his most treasured pieces in the uniquely private atmosphere of the hotel. A wonderful mix of emerging and established artists, the collection is home to works by the likes of internationally acclaimed artists, such as Ackermann, Christo Giacometti and even Warhol. The gallery holds exclusive hours and on entrance, welcomes the hotel guests with a glass of champagne and other tantalizing nibbles. The luxury does not end here, as the hotel also boasts a decadent spa and heated pools (both inside and out), perfect for a relaxing retreat. Great food and wine are the finishing touches to a truly perfect experience, treating its customers to a truly well-rounded stay. Close to the German Dutch border, food lovers, art connoisseurs and those in need of utter peace and harmony can come together in a hotel that caters to the very best life has to offer.

www.parkhotel-dewiemsel.com

Fashion

The Joys of Gifting

Gifting is imbued with real love and consideration in Cartier’s new collection of objects, that bring moments of joy to everyday life. With everything from music boxes to writing papers, Cartier continues its long established tradition of adding sparkle and intrigue to the most mundane aspects of day to day life. Since 1880 the Maison has been invested in small objects, such as powder compacts, inkwells and other quaint pieces of stationery, and this long fascination is injected with real contemporary flair. Curating 4 collections of objects, all connected to one another by their emblematic codes: the panther, Double C and the menagerie, Cartier show the small unsuspecting power of gifting. From stationery to small silver cups, each object is a show of affection and thought, Cartier preparing for a holiday season like no other.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

10SOUL

The Seoul Design Foundation set up the 10Soul Project in order to champion Korean design on an international platform. Selecting these designers at Seoul Fashion week, 10 emerging talents were chosen to take part in a pop-up installation at Berlin’s iconic Voo Store. Amongst this creative group was Yoon Seok-Woon with his brand SEOKWOONYOON. Seok-Woon takes many of his references from modern art, and is particularly drawn to Trompe l'oeil, creating sculptural illusory elements on his garments. Moving from ready-to-wear to more conceptual looks, Seok-Woon is definitely one to watch. Another 2 members of the Soul project, Lee Moo-Yeol and Kim Min-Hee with their brand YOUSER, have since had their looks shown at Milan’s 2020 runway. Clever sartorial design meets sports luxe, meets uniform in YOUSER, where unique layering gives way to exciting and surprising garments and looks. Voo store proudly showcases these designs amongst many others in an installation that fuses art and fashion.

www.vooberlin.com

Fashion

Story Time

Rooting their Holiday 2020 campaign in the literary imagination of best-selling author Candice Carty-Williams, Prada’s accessories, jewelry and leather goods tell a mysterious and captivating tale. With Steven Meisel as photographer, Williams’ story is given visceral depth, the aesthetic of a film noir providing a cinematic edge to the author’s words. Multiple perspectives, angles and cuts revolve around 5 characters, familiar faces in the Prada’s universe - Freja Beha Maty Fall, Mai Xiaoxing, Rudolfs Valbergs and Merlijne Schorren. Situated in the Villa Gnutti, an isolated residence in rural Italy well known through its association to Helmut Newton’s 1981 shoot, Meisel’s black and white photography recalls vintage cinema, the idyllic mediterranean backdrop creating a beautiful mise en scene. The photograph stills taken from the campaign act as portals into a glamorous world, framing with acute attention the new Prada Cleo Handbag, which debuted in the Multiple Views spring summer 2021 show. The Cleo is a wonderful hybrid, a synthesis of Prada’s archives with futuristic ambition. Alongside the Cleo, the Prada triangle is reinterpreted, the iconic emblem appearing as an array of necklaces, lariats and chandelier earrings. Luxury and decadence run throughout the holiday 2020 campaign, where emotion, intrigue and desire run rife.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Vessels of Light

Aesop channels other worldly wonderment, in its new set of Aromatique Candles created with seasoned collaborator, Barnabé Fillion. Each of the three candles in the collection are named after an ancient astronomer: Aganice, Callippus and Ptolemy, referencing the early pioneers of discovery. The night sky framed as an infinite source of inspiration. Detailing the concept behind the collection, Dr Kate Forbes, Aesop’s Director of Innovation simply put the new collection as “candles as stars”, a warming indictment of the brand’s notion of vision. With exquisitely subtle, nuanced scents, the candles are a welcomed addition to any cosy interior setting, designed to ease the stresses of everyday life through calming fragrances. The Aganise Aromatique Candle is rich with Cardamom, Clove, Mimosa and slight notes of Tobacco, the Callippus Aromatique Candle offers Frankincense, Guaiacwood and shiso and the Ptolemy Aromatique Candle is light with a smokiness of cedar, Cypress and notes of Vetiver. Fillion delights in this collaboration, where candles centre the home as a place of serenity and sanctuary, basking its inhabitants in the soft glow of a beautifully scented candle.

www.aesop.com

Fashion

Adrian Ghenie

Presenting the fifth solo exhibition of Adrian Ghenie, the Tim Van Laere Gallery are proud to present nine new paintings and three new charcoal drawings by the Romanian born artist. Born in 1977 in the city of Baia Mare, Ghenie graduated from the Art and Design University of Cluj-Napoca and now works between Berlin and Cluj. Engaging with a unique and illusionistic spatial arrangement, Ghenie’s work is characterized by distinct pictorial motifs that are at once hedonistic and radical. Transposing his extensive knowledge of history on to his eclectic and diverse subjects, Nazi Germany and Greek Mythology appear in narrative form in many of his works. Referencing the genre of history painting, classic techniques such ad chiaroscuro, reveal a real and genuine connection with traditional practices. Known for his emotional investment in his practice, feelings of vulnerability and frustration come to the surface, challenging the viewer’s own collective memory through the stories he presents. Adrian Ghenie will be exhibiting at the Tim Van Laere Gallery from 15 October until 28 November 2020.

www.timvanlaeregallery.com

Fashion

Echoes of The Unseen

Gerhard Hofland announces its international group exhibition, “Echoes of the Unseen”. Moving beyond the realms of tangible and visual experience, through a narrative of figurative and abstracted forms, artists: Johan Tahon (Belgium, 1965), Janine Van Oene (The Netherlands, 1998), Damien Cadio (France, 1975) and Robert Seidel (Germany 1983) come together to showcase meaningful reflections on these uncharted spaces. Gestures and marks are enlivened by the discovery of a space neglected by the subconscious, landscapes shaped by subjective others. With a distinctly haunting offering, Johan Tahon curates an emotional display, his timeless works guided by a quiet wisdom. Rooted in the artworks of ancient mythology, Tahon’s works are composed of a series of thoughtful and meticulous interventions, all alluding to a higher truth. In Janine Van Oene’s presentation, she challenges the very possibilities of abstraction, her vocabulary spirited by an affinity with color-mixing and and calligraphic strokes, Motionless forms are given a new lease of life, channeling the nostalgic paradox of plastic flowers and vernacular curtain patterns. Damien Cadio, re-articulates the canvas in his contribution, gathering exciting momentum from the parameters of his pieces. In curating disorienting encounters with his subjects, Cadio produces works that toes the line between the physical and historical, a tension, unnerving in its capacity to affect the viewer. With this state of flux in Mind, German artist Robert Seidel is an artist whose practice is underpinned by the notion of perpetual reconstruction. Magnetized by the present, the past is a skin that is continually shed, the infinite role of transformation, tantalizing in the constant promise of unpredictable change. Immersing us in this cycle, Seidel’s thorough interrogation of architecture and scenery, uses observation as a means to engage the viewer in their own locality, their own sense of being.

image credits:Johan Tahon, Glacier Monk, 2019, 185 x 38 x 65 cm, Stoneware

www.gerhardhofland.com

Fashion

LOEWE Spring Summer 2021

Loewe Spring Summer 2021 “Show-on-the-Wall derived from this idea that this entire collection was done remotely. I was looking back I think like a lot of people were doing in this moment of kind of rethinking of models of fashion and how we approach things”. For Loewe Spring Summer 2021 Jonathan Anderson created Show-on -the-Wall exploring the possibilities of a paper show at a 1:1 scale, fully embracing the idea of actively involving the viewer in an experience that is radically different from the traditional fashion show. Coming in the form of an oversized artist’s portfolio, it holds sixteen bus-stand size folded posters, each one depicting a different character wearing a look from the collection, and one poster featuring a still life arrangement of accessories silkscreen printed with fluorescent, phosphorescent and metallic inks. The portfolio is accompanied by a number of tools including a roll of wallpaper borders depicting all the looks from the collection, wallpaper glue, a brush, scissors, a ceramic disc infused with Beetroot scent and a catalogue raisonné, and a unique roll of wallpaper designed by Anthea Hamilton, “When we worked with the artist Anthea Hmilton for the Duveens at the Tate Britain, for me it was a very seminal work. Just before the Summer I was thinking how we can contextualize fashion in this moment and I thought it was nice to work with her again on the wallpaper” . Jonathan Anderson speaks about the wish to create a place where the viewers are put into the position they are forced to be creative, to interact. The images feature a vast cross section of ages, gender and body types: Adam Bainbridge, Alice, , Elise, Hilary Lloyd, Holly, Jadé Fadojutimi, Jewel, Kristina de Coninck, Laurence Kleinknecht, Louis, Mona, Rinke, Rosie, Sunny Suits, Vittoria and the artist Anthea Hamilton herself, “When we were working on how we were going to put this collection together I liked this idea that we would really delve into exploring the art of fashion. This collection glorifies the hand embroidered, hand woven, hand made”. Spiraling flaps. Balloon sleeves, balloon skirts. Crinolines. Neckerchief hems. Hoops. Tulle as an encasing outer layer. Giant knots made of sequins on knitted fabrics catching and releasing the movement. Curves, folds, flaps. Ballerina hints. Festoons. Jonathan Anderson embraces escapism in his own way, using historical research as an experimental tool: how boning can be taken out of context and can be used to create an unexpected structured fluidity. The collection plays between fantasy and reality, taking the wearer to another place, to a different dimension, where to escape in these difficult times.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

CHANEL Spring Summer 2021

On the occasion of the Chanel Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear photographers duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin shot a series of videos and images for the ritual press kit accompanying the show – previously shot by the late Karl Lagerfeld himself. Four recurring cinematic situations, four settings, four different worlds. They speak about the special relationship this iconic French house nurtured with actresses over the years. Here Rianne Van Rompaey, Mica Argañaraz and Louise de Chevigny play different declinations of the quintessential Chanel‘s woman, her cool seductive elegance, each in their own dimension. As Inez & Vinoodh described – “together [they] represent what we feel is Chanel’s way of fitting into the lives of every woman with a cool and easy allure." Launched just before the show, Inez & Vinoodh also created a captivating video teaser where extracts from films by legendary French cineastes – Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Deray, Louis Malle – revived celebrated scenes: Romy Schneider’s swim in ‘La Piscine’ (1969), Anna Karina’s scissors close up in ‘Pierrot le Fou’ (1965) , Jeanne Moreau’s walk in the streets of Paris in ‘Ascenseur pour l'échafaud’ (1958) . Woven with archival footage of a young Jean-Luc Godard behind the camera, a bird view of the Hollywood hills where “CHANEL” has replaced the iconic letters. A magic cinematic world where everything is possible Imagined by Virginie Viard, the Chanel Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection is a tribute to these muses, the great actresses that are part of its historical heritage, but also all the ones that have been dressed since the beginning by the Maison. Gabrielle Chanel, beckoned to Hollywood in 1931 by Sam Goldwyn, dressing Gloria Swanson in ‘Tonight or Never’, and Joan Blondell in ‘The Greeks Had a Word for Them’ a year after. Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, were among the other Hollywood stars who became admirers or Mademoiselle Chanel. A legacy continued throughout Karl Lagerfeld’s tenure, both on screen and on the red-carpet. “I was thinking about actresses at the photocall, on the red carpet, that moment when they’re being called to by the photographers: their faces a little distracted, their attitude a little out of sync with the outfits they’re wearing. And then there are the fans waiting for them behind the barriers, this very lively side to cinema that happens beyond cinema, that’s what I like”. Virginie Viard merged the Maison’s signature black and white palette with a splash of vibrant hues: jeans in fluorescent colors, fluid dresses and t-shirts printed with the letters of CHANEL like neon-lights, pale pink capri pants, embroidered looks with sequins, vibrant three pieces bermuda suits. A declination of micro-bags in several colors, worn as belt, charms, jewelry confer the collection an fresh joyful allure, far from any vintage citation.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Balenciaga Spring Summer 2021

The pandemic has given each of us a chance to reflect, and clearly something has happened to Demna Gvasalia. After his apocalyptic show last season and in face of a slightly different dystopia at the moment, Gvasalia returns with an almost optimistic attitude. With the ongoing pandemic, Gvasalia abandons the classic runway show, as many others have done, and reimagines the collection presentation as a music video. The models are strutting in a purposeful step through an abandoned Paris at night to the 80s track Sunglasses At Night, because, to put it in Gvalsalia’s words, “Is there anything more absurdly fashion than that?” His tribe of night time people embodies a sense of modern glamour, representing the type of people who turn heads after dark. In his typical fashion, Gvasalia continues to fuse couture with comfort, applying the Balenciaga DNA to everyday pieces. The standout of the collection was not a single piece, rather the story behind. 93.5% of the plain materials used are either certified sustainable or upcycled. Conscious about the environmental impact that the industry has, Gvasalia show commitment to change, “It became very obvious to try to do garments that are unisex, uni-size, uni-everything—or whatever we want to call it. It drastically reduced the number of cuts and fits we had to make. Also, I like the fact that according to who wears it, the silhouette changes, but whoever wears it, it looks good.”

www.balenciaga.com

Fashion

"Spend More Time With The Great Outdoors"

RSF has released an original buffalo check overshirt in an exclusive purple colorway, the brand’s signature color as part of a second collaboration with Woolrich. Building upon an initial summer drop, where Woolrich and RSF released a collection of sunglasses, the two brands have teamed up once again, this time using the vast beauty of the outdoors as their inspiration. Creating a mini documentary, Milan-based creative Massimilliano Bomba, has created a pure set of visuals, inviting the viewer to venture out of the home and connect with the natural world. The mission statement “Spend More Time With The Great Outdoors” is boldly presented in yellow across the back of the shirt, a graphic and striking addition to the purple and black buffalo check pattern. The Buffalo Overshirt is now available through both Retrosuperfurture and Woolrich channels and at selected retailers worldwide. 

www.retrosuperfuture.com
www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Chloé Spring Summer 2021

A soft wind brushing between the hair. Taking pictures of the Seine. Strolling on a quiet day in the city, then stopping for a moment to contemplate the serenity of everydaylife, of a simple gesture, of a day like any other. Chloé Spring Summer 2021 collection was presented through a set of cameras following models, merged together, overlapping. Natacha Ramsay-Levi has built her Chloé by exploring the female gaze, its strength, its fragility, and that unconventional emotional and intimate gesture. Over the years Ramsay-Levi has reached out to great female artists and activists, bringing their work into Chloé, creating a debate over these exceptional visionaries. This season the collection feature a selection of print created by American artist Corita Kent also known as Sister Mary Corita. Born in 1918 at the age of 18 years old she became a sister under the Immaculate Heart order in Los Angeles known for being very progressive and nurturing artistic sensibility. She developed a great interest in art and after obtaining her master degree in Art History at University of Southern California, Corita became the head of the art department at Immaculate Heart College in 1964. Her teaching method was so revolutionary that great artists like Charles and Ray Eames, Alfred Hitchcock, Buckminster Fuller were invited as guest speakers. Corita often mentioned how Charles Eames played an important role in her artistic vision. A self–taught serigrapher, she became interested in the potentials of the medium creating several hundreds different works, that over the years became increasingly political. When in 1968 she was accused of blasphemy for her continuous activism against war and female discrimination, Corita returned to secular life and became a prolific artist and openly civil rights activist, until her death in 1986. For Chloé Spring Summer 2021 collection, Natacha Ramsay-Levi featured several of Corita’s artworks: ‘hope’ (1965), ‘give the gang our best’ (1966), ‘i can handle it’ (1966), ‘for emergency use soft shoulder’ (1966), and ‘viva’ (1967). It’s interesting how the apparent delicacy of text and words related to Christian fait actually disclose the incredible strength of the artist’s activism. Celebrating Corita’s work, the house of Chloé, will also donate part of proceeds from the Spring Summer 2021 collaboration to the Corita Art Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving her legacy.

www.chloe.com

Fashion

Kenzo Spring Summer 2021

“How can one draw conclusions from a situation that is far from ending and in which the consequences are impossible to grasp? The world is ill, the world is bleeding, but it is still alive. And, as long as there is life there is hope.[…] Going p laces… a mirage of dreams, hope, excitement and discovery. We will not give that up. Clothes that transform themselves to adapt to all situations. The fully covered and protected becomes fragile and naked, daring danger and rules”. Felipe Oliveira Baptista’s words speaks about his reflection and reaction to today’s challenge. Baptista’s first collection for the iconic brand was shown just few days before the World declared state of emergency. The Portuguese designer has always experimented around the idea of versatility, a youthful and contemporary silhouettes around what he often called ‘post-sportswear’ Last year in a press release marking Baptista’s appointment, Kenzo’s CEO, Sylvie Colin, said: “His innovative and modern creative vision and well-rounded artistic approach will enable Kenzo to reach its full potential while respecting its unique heritage.” For Spring Summer 2021 Baptista created a raw youthful and daring sensibility. Clothes for nomads, to explore and create a new world, were contrasting elements recall the dichotomies of our current life, the paradox of our times. Flowers, bees, nature. Archival Kenzo poppies and hortensias were given a digital crying effect. From flowers the primal feeling of protection and cocooning came an ode to the bees, one of the most important insect for the survival of human species. Recently populations of bumblebees have steeply declined in many places, largely because of insecticide and global warming. Some species are now even listed as endangered species. If all of the world's bees died, there would be a major rippling effect throughout the ecosystem, and although it would not likely lead to famine, it would dramatically alter human food systems. But for Baptista bees and the beekeepers with their mesmerizing clothing and hats also strongly echo “the fragility and distance imposed and needed today”. The collection features a series of sheer beekeepers hats a ttimes elongated along the body and worn over. Deconstructed, draped, twisted, cut out garments: floating and grounded, transparent and solid, romantic and utilitarian. Felipe Oliveira Baptista’s vision for Kenzo is whispered through his small handwritten note printed inside the pamphlet that served as invitation to the show, and voicing this celebration of life: “There are no norms. All people are exceptions to a rule that doesn’t exist."

www.kenzo.com

Fashion

Stone Island x Persol

Both Persol as well as Stone Island are two brands looking back on a rich heritage having contributed to the rich Italian design language as well as continuing to do so with their devotion to craftsmanship and the new technologies. For the first time, both companies now come together to combine their visions in a new pair of sunglasses. The inspiration for the Pilot Frame comes out of Persol’s archive, more precisely the 1970s, evoking the exclusive style so connected with the brand. Produced with the same machines as back in the days, the new frame has been made with special attention to details, showcasing the full technical and stylistic capabilities of both brands. The classic shape of the classes is accentuated with technical details, visible screws, hand brushed metal providing a matt finish which constitute the visual counterpart of the shiny glasses. With a commitment to innovation and unafraid to engage in experimentation, without losing that distinct elegance, Stone Island and Persol show us what ‘Made in Italy’ can and should be in the 21st century.

www.stoneisland.com
www.persol.com

Fashion

Marni Spring Summer 2021

In keeping with this surreal time, Marni’s SS21 collection rejects the runway entirely, its collection of models formed by everyday city dwellers inhabiting day to day life. In a climate where normality has slipped between our fingers, Marni embraces the vernacular habits and intricacies of our lives, the trip to the shops, the comings and goings of traffic, playing with pets and other mundane yet entirely profound highlights, anchoring its collection in the remnants of familiar life. Marni creates a video archive, documenting beautifully the simple pleasures of life that for many were inaccessible for the last few months, chronicling the clothes and their wearers as they move through the city, the home, singing, dancing, cycling. In the spontaneity that animates each shot, the clothes are brought to life by each person, seamlessly fitting into specific contexts, matching and playing off the personalities of its eclectic subjects. Togetherness is depicted conversely through isolated lenses, a true and honest depiction of a time, where the screen has been perhaps one of our only opportunities for human connection. Cropped coats, graphic stripes and tank top hybrids, make a nod to Basquiat in their eccentric urban character. Cotton, leather, gauze and flowers add wonderful textures and layers to the looks, reflective of the bricolage that is city life. Marni defies all expectations with this offering, showing incredible versatility in the face of such a spectacular unknown.

www.marni.com

Fashion

ETRO Spring Summer 2021

Over the last months we have rediscovered the joy that simple gestures, like traveling, reuniting with your loved ones. For many, the places that were once familiar became distant, inaccessible. We became overwhelmed with longing for our native territories, like Ulysses for his Ithaca. For Spring Summer 2021 Veronica Etro, creative director of ETRO Womenswear, explored the enchanting Italian summer landscape, the flora and motives found in Italian Riviera: marine chains, anchors, seashells, nautical rope, summer stripes, sailboats, green foliage, together with the brand’s signature Paisley now proposed in monochrome color ways. The collection also presented archival foulard prints - Bandiere da Parata (1992), Albero delle Meraviglie (1993), Trionfi e Soffitti (1994) and Palais Jamais (1995), reminiscent of sumptuous frescos of Italian palazzos. Playful and uncomplicated with shirt knotted at the waist, knotted scarf’s worn under blazers as tops, denim and micro shorts paired with fluid tunics, bustier long dresses worn with rope lace-up flat sandals. Straw basket bags, chokers in gold rope, high-heeled sandals with silk ties wrapping around the ankles. It’s a collection celebrating the outstanding beauty of Italian life and ETRO’s roots. With its rich prints and summer color palette in Sicilian lemon yellow, lavender, mint, orange, turquoise, and lavish silk, floating as the models walked to the beat of 90s music hits.

www.etro.com

Fashion

Re-writing the Space

Putting on an optimistic front, Furla commits itself to enhancing its retail experience, announcing significant investment into this area of the brand. Targeting its key stores worldwide, the Italian accessories brand has united with renowned firm David Chipperfield Architects Milan, to introduce a new concept to its most popular locations, transforming their customers’ experience in the process. Making its debut in Milan’s flagship store, located on Piazza Duomo, this revamp will be fittingly taking place during Milan Fashion Week, the two storey space enlivened through fluid and artistic design. A sculptural staircase will now connect the two floors, a new adjacent space added to accommodate special events and pop-up displays. Classic arched doorways frame the space sumptuously, always bringing the focus back to the core elements of the space, the accessories. A natural palette and tactile textures also guide the customer’s gaze back to the products, a subtle and effective backdrop to Furla’s iconic accessories. Speaking about the collaboration David Chipperfield reflects fondly and proudly, “together we have sought to interpret its heritage while developing a story around the core product – the bag –within a new built space.”

www.furla.com

Fashion

Prada Spring Summer 2021

The most awaited fashion moment just took place: Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons first collection as Prada’s co-creative directors. Presented through a digital event followed by a conversation where the two venerated designers answered questions submitted by Prada-devotees. What is the meaning of “New”, of “Prada-ness”, of “Uniform”? A dialogue, emblematic of the modus operandi of two of the most intelligent fashion designers. “I have been always interested in the metaphor of “uniform”. The show was very much about that. Muccia’s uniforms, how Miuccia dresses, her own uniforms were an instant and important inspiration for the collection”, Raf Simons spoke about his take on uniforms and how it radically inspired the show “It is interesting if you know you can find clothing that you feel good in, and you know you can express what you want to express through them, without being too much about a very specific fashion item. A uniform needs to express something timeless rather than a specific seasonal piece. It’s almost a base”. Prada Spring Summer 2021 touches on a multitude of interpretations around this notion of uniform, - a visual representation of identity, of shared and embraced values, a way of thinking. Garments are pared-back, refined, focused: shell tops, straight pants, overcoats in industrial re-nylon, constructed using couture techniques, suits executed in fleece. “New is the nightmare of every single designer. But I think that “New” for the sake of the “new” probably it is not relevant anymore - Miuccia Prada has always stressed how in her vision fashion is a deep understanding of reality, of people’s lives at an exact historical moment. “For us is very important reacting to reality, to what is happening now. I always thought that fashion is part of creating people ‘s change, it is part of what is happening in the world. A fashion designer is not an abstract job. The people with my clothes need to feel better, clothes need help define your personality, they are an instrument for people’s life” The collection is both reflection of and reaction to our current time, where the mediation between technology and humanity has become vital and the inevitable restrictions we are all facing. Miuccia Prada’s very own longstanding research on the question of technology, and its now indispensable presence in our daily life has led to a fundamental examination in the collection. Artworks created by Raf Simons’ long-term collaborator and friend Peter de Potter, are used to interrupt and disrupt the surfaces - as graphic tools of contrast, sometimes laid over archival Prada print, emblematic of worlds and aesthetic discourses coming together, exploring ideas of thoughts, processes, dialogues, exchanging ideas. Different fabrications are presented throughout the entire collection: t-shirt jersey, fleece, re-nylon, embroidered duchesse satin, taffeta, connected to simple gestures - garments are drawn around the body and held steadily by the hand - quintessential of both designers’ signature, a shared language. Miuccia Prada has always worked with the juxtapositions of historical references, of elements, approaches, at times in apparent dichotomy, but paradoxically harmonious. Lastly what is the essence of Prada, the Prada-ness? In Raf Simons words: “For many years I have always seen it as a community that has a very specific attitude and aesthetic. You cannot really define it but it clearly IS. For me this is very important. And that “-ness “ is exactly what a brand needs to have for me to love it”.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Herno Spring Summer 2021: Fifties Fun

Herno dives into its archives for its Milan Fashion Week 2020 Presentation, bringing the carefree spirit of the ‘50s strikingly into the contemporary moment. Returning to its roots, stock footage is spliced with visuals of their SS21 collection, showing the brand’s integrity and history to be an essential part of their creative DNA. Beginning with the Iconic Herno Monogram collection, the wonderfully recognizable canvas with the emblematic H pattern, is reworked as an essential accessory. To be worn in the hair, tied as a top and cynching in the waist of their cotton raincoats. The laughter, fun and freedom of a girls trip is recreated, as they drive down italian vistas, culminating in a trip to the factory, where we are reminded once more of Herno’s prestigious craftsmanship. In this italian extravaganza, silk scarves blow in the breeze, inducing each outfit with a joyous sense of drama and excitement. The H pattern adorns the timeless outerwear, cotton raincoats and down jackets made of ultralight nylon. In taking a trip down memory lane, Herno remembers its history with pride, its SS21 collection made even more special, elevated by this charming sentiment of nostalgia.

www.herno.com

Fashion

Musc Ravageur

Maurice Roucel’s perfume Musc Ravageur has attracted global acclaim, after receiving the prestigious Fragrance of the Year Hall of Fame Award. Released in 2000, Musc Ravageur sent waves through the perfumer industry celebrated as a pinnacle of the Amber Oriental tradition. Heralded as an unapologetically sensuous perfume, the scent enhances natural musk, with amber, vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood. Reflecting on the award, Frédéric Malle “could not have dreamed of anything better to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Editions de Parfums”. Roucel, who started his career as a chemist in 1973 then transitioned into becoming a self-taught perfumer, characterized most commonly by his creation of opulent and distinctly sexy scents. Musc Ravageur’s wide reaching appeal shows Roucel to have monopoly over the perfume industry in his ability to curate timeless scents that transcend trends.

www.fredericmalle.com

Fashion

Seen in Venice

Choosing the glitz and glamor of Venice’s International Film Festival as the venue for its big reveal, Etro used the seasoned cultural event to announce its GIANVITO ROSSI for ETRO capsule collection. American supermodel Taylor Hill premiered the Gianvito pumps on the red carpet, a huge statement for the brand. Using a distinctly ETRO lens to reinterpret GIANVITO ROSSI’s most beloved shoes, ballerina flats, pumps and boots comprise a modest yet bold collection- the pumps coming in either 8.5cm or 10 cm heels. All 4 models are characterized by red and blue paisley prints also used for ETRO’s Fall Winter 2021 trench coats. The GIANVITO ROSS for ETRO COLLECTION will be available for purchase at both ETRO and GIANVITO ROSSI boutiques, as well as on their respective e-stores and in selected international retailers.

www.etro.com
www.gianvitorossi.com

Fashion

Roll the Dice

20 years since its launch the J12 returns as the J12 Paradoxe, uniting its previous black and white models in a sleek and bold design. Originally heralded as the first watch icon of the 21st century, CHANEL sustains its prominence, creating a completely new and fresh aesthetic. Appealing to both day and night, the J12 Paradoxe feels one of CHANEL’s most versatile watches to date. Crafted from scratch-resistant ceramic and manufactured in Switzerland, the watch is a masterclass in elegance and detail, fusing the two colours together to showcase creative and rebellious spirit. Two-tone elements also detail the dial and the bezel, ensuring this opposition created by the combination of black and white runs cohesively throughout the watch creating unrivalled harmony. J12 Paradoxe is a dynamic accessory, building upon the success of both the black and white J12s that came before it. www.chanel.com

Fashion

To Travel

Louis Vuitton has long celebrated the luxury and freedom of travel, its suitcases an iconic part of the House since its establishment in 1854. As part of this appreciation the House will be adding 2 new photography books to its series Fashion Eye. Greece by François Halard and Ukraine by Synchrodogs. Each work portrays a country, region, city or a destination through the unique gaze of a fashion photographer. For the Greece edition the French Photographer captures his own personal journey and experiences whereas the Ukraine edition is taken by a photographic duo that intersects land art with nude photography. Fashion Eye is a tailor-made series whose intimate editorial process creates books that are akin to art, artisanal in their craftsmanship. Large-format photographs sit alongside biographical information and critical essays are interchangeable with interviews from the relevant photographer. Each book uses an intertextual lens to curate a picture of a place that is reflective and thoughtful, giving way to an understanding of the photographer also.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Golden Age

L’età dell’oro translated as “The Golden Age”, is the title of Fabrizio Plessi’s new exhibition sponsored by the House of Dior. A pioneering name in Video art, the Italian artist has reached global acclaim, exhibiting internationally across the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries. Scheduled to open just before the Venice Film Festival, whose date has now moved due to current circumstances, his exhibition will continue. The exhibition will be held on the façade of the Correr Museum, a historic site in the city’s iconic Piazza San Marco. Plessi’s exhibition defiantly intersects nature and artifice, the traditional and futuristic and primitive and technological, making him somewhat of an alchemist in his melding together of unexpected and contradictory elements. Golden sculptures also pay tribute to Serenissima, a beloved city of the artist. In its support of the exhibition, Dior continues its commitment to culture, supporting iconic talent such as the likes of Plessi and his new and exciting exhibition.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Peekaboo I See You

Fendi honors its iconic bag, the Peekaboo, in its first ever global video and image campaign. Starring Zoey Deutch, the actress and producer is shot embracing her Peekaboo in an intimate gesture communicative of the beloved status of the bag, as well as granting us a rare insight into the celebrity’s authentic innerself. Deutch’s personality is revealed, as she struts confidently across a street, performs in front of paparazzi and twirls around uninhibited in her own dreamscape to the soundtrack I See You by The Horrors. As seen in February in the FENDI Fall Winter 2020-21 Collection, the new Peekaboo has an accordion-frame shape, featuring inside pockets which can be made out of smooth leather or precious skins and even personalized with the wearer’s initials. The Peekaboo is a constantly evolving motif of the Maison, subjected to limitless change through the House’s creative depth and flair.

www.fendi.com

Art

Sensitive Euro Man, Friedrich Kunath

Returning to Germany after eight years, Friedrich Kunath’s solo show, ‘Sensitive Euro Man’ will be featured at KÖNIG GALERIE in the NAVE of St. Agnes. Opening on 15 August 2020, Kunath will be showing a collection of previously unseen works; spanning painting and sculpture with a notably large sculptural work to centre the exhibition.
Kunath aptly references German romanticism in this collection, in an abstracted ode to his homeland, but not as one might expect. A sense of the sublime and the awe-inspiring presence of nature, though tangible is undone by Kunath, reimagined through a Californian rear-view mirror. Interweaving his life in LA with this prolific genre, sarcasm, bar humour and beloved lyrics intersperse his works, subverting a genre well known for its earnest sincerity. This exhibition showcases Kunath’s unmatched sensitivity as an artist, where balance and timing come together perfectly to produce works that feel organic, if not refreshing in their charismatic lightness. Kunath teases the viewer in this set of works enticing them in with colour to be met with a sharp tongue. This is Kunath at his best.

www.koeniggalerie.com

Fashion

THE DIOR MAISON SUMMER COLLECTIONS

THE DIOR MAISON SUMMER COLLECTIONS distills the essence of summer into a new exquisite line of objects, thoughtfully designed by Cordelia de Castellane. The pineapple becomes muse in this new collection, its texture and colour sensitively curated in Italian blown glass, showing off the extraordinary craftsmanship of the House and its infinite creative talent. Subtle reliefs add another dimension to the transparent objects, giving them an added sense of intrigue, in their ability to create moments of dynamism in such fragile and delicate forms. Carafes, vases and decorative bubbles are an ode to a tropical summer uniquely told in glass. Christian Dior would seat guests on elegant Napoleon III-style chairs with seats decorated in canework, a graphic code that has become an iconic House emblem. As with the pineapple, the canework pattern has become imaginatively reinterpreted by Cordelia de Castellane, portrayed in new and expressive dimensions and proportions. Entertaining guests is imbued with a sense of real celebration, with DIOR taking centre stage. 

www.dior.com

Fashion

dunhill Fall Winter 2020, The New Wave

The multiplicity of the modern man is celebrated in Dunhill’s Fall Winter 2020 Campaign, through its nostalgic revival of the prolific Blitz Club and the colourful characters who frequented it. Stating his complete fascination with the scene, Mark Weston, Dunhill’s Creative director, references Homer Syke’s photography of the unique space, where young people partied against a bleak political landscape of economic turmoil. Amongst this youthful audaciousness ‘The New Wave’ announces the House’s continued evolution, interrogating cultural niches and moments that have been formative to our understanding of contemporary masculinity. Embracing both the old guard and the avant-garde, luxurious leather outerwear gives way to rigorous and sensuous tailoring, pegged trousers providing yet another historical reference, this time to the New Romantic Scene. Dominating the campaign are the House’s newest additions to footwear and leather goods, the Axis Runner and the Lock Bag, both symbolic of the House’s impeccable balance of heritage and contemporary elegance. ‘The New Wave’ champions the man who is. “a cross between … the establishment and the anti-establishment”.

www.dunhill.com

Fashion

Miu Miu Wonder Woman 2020

Miu Miu serves us retro empowerment in its new capsule celebrating the legendary superhero, Wonder Woman. Said to have been crafted in clay by her mother Queen Hippolyta and endowed with magical powers by the Greek gods, Wonder woman, known to loyal fans as Princess Diana of Themyscira, is a pioneering figure of female strength and adversity.
Her timeless appeal animates three t-shirts for the collection, each treated with a vintage effect, giving the designs an irresistible sentiment of nostalgia. Illustrated in classic athletic poses, Wonder Woman assumes an air of defiance whilst also referencing the much loved pin up girl. These t-shirts are the perfect throw on for a casual look, or can even be dressed up for an evening out.
The Miu Miu Wonder Woman t-shirts capsule is available now online and in stores.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Dior Cruise 2021

Set in Lecce, a city imbued with heritage and craftsmanship in the Puglia region, Dior Cruise 2021 collection highlights the excellence of these priceless skills, and many creative dialogues between the House of Dior and Lecce that began long before the health crisis and the confinement. Paying homage to Nature and the region’s unique landscapes, as a land that has always been close to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s heart. “During this period, I sought to give collective efforts a new dimension. Despite the disadvantages of distance, bringing a different perspective to our daily lives has given us strength and imagination”, Maria Grazia Chiuri supports and showcases the virtuosity of these artisans and artists: from the architectures of the Luminarie, dazzling light structures that have been illuminating local streets and palaces for the feast of the patron saints, to the essential role of dance performed by the dancers of Notte Della Taranta Foundation, a foundation promoting local culture, and reinventing traditional Italian music and dance. For Dior Cruise 2021 show in Lecce, choreographer Sharon Eyal created a timeless choreographic performance that re-engages anew with the profound meaning and symbols of these powerful Puglian rituals around the Pizzica, the iconic folkloristic dance from the region. The dancers performed on the music created and directed by Paolo Buonvino. Buonvino: an exclusive composition especially for this show, a captivating reinterpretation of traditional Puglian melodies. The beauty of the gestures, emotion and poetry of the performance resonate in the exquisite craftsmanship celebrated in the collection: delicate weaves of Le Constantine Foundation displayed on various pieces, with the atelier’s motto «Amando e Cantando» embroidered on a series of skirts; the Tombolo, an extremely delicate style of lace, born in Italy in the 15th century and spread throughout Europe during the 16th century, is created for the collection in collaboration with Marilena Sparasci, one of the last remaining embroiderers to practice and teach this technique; the waving of Tessitura Calabrese, a family business located in the heart of Italy’s Puglia region, perpetuating traditional weaving techniques of fine threads intertwining craftsmanship and technology. “We rise by lifting others”; “On peut souvent créer des révolutions sans les avoir cherchées”; “La differenza per le donne sono millenni di assenza dalla storia”; “A wish is revolutionary because it seeks what cannot be seen”. Phrases chosen by the artist and activist Marinella Senatore, interwoven with her scenography of Luminarie for the show, are an ode to women’s empowerment and to local communities, reaffirming Maria Grazia Chuiri’s ongoing celebration of women and the role of heritage.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo Pre-Spring 2021

Certain events undoubtedly leave a mark for the better or for the worse. The current global pandemic is certainly one of them as it brings with it a set of challenges for each individual and every business. The fashion industry is by no means an exception, neither is the Italian house of Salvatore Ferragamo. As the house’s Creative Director has put it himself, ‘This collection was made in exceptional times, under exceptional conditions, through which we were all obliged to adapt and innovate.’ Despite all the challenges, Ferragamo’s Pre-Spring 2021 collection can be presented with pride. A distillation of necessity and passionate craftsmanship, the garments combine natural shapes with design structure. The clean and minimal lines and softly tailored silhouettes are contrasted with the print of the season, a hybrid of giraffe and leopard patterns. The print itself derives from Andrew’s deep dive into the archives, more precisely a scarf first seen in 1970. In continuation of the house’s ongoing initiative to increase environmental mindfulness, materials and fabrics are largely sourced responsibly. Various fabrics, cashmere and leather were upcycled, nylons were recycled and the cottons were produced organically. Inspired by functionalism and nature, the collection features minimal construction and only very few ornaments, representing Andrew and Ferragamo’s successful attempt to turn the limitations of the period into positives by focusing on what is most essential.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Prada Men’s and Women’s Spring Summer 2021

The show that never happened. With her signature witty approach, Miuccia Prada orchestrated a series of multiple views on Prada Spring Summer 2021 collection for both Men and Women. Terence Nance, Joanna Piotrowska, Martine Syms, Juergen Teller and Willy Vanderperre, Five different artists, five different takes on Miuccia Prada’s vision through videos, a medium the Italian designer has explored and supported over the years. They tell the story of a house beyond the collection. These are stories within a story. Multiple facets of Prada’s own curiosity. The collection dives back to the origins of the house in the 90s, when the minimal and innovative approach created the renowned Prada aesthetic, speaking a language that continuously evolved through the years, and became imbued of that idiosyncratic approach to fashion codes we have known Prada for. Both Men and Women for Spring Summer 2021 explore technologically innovative fabrications of Prada nylon and stretch materials juxtaposed with traditional suiting: if for Men silhouettes are sharp and fitted, for women they transform into couture volumes and treatments. Taffeta, cotton, nylon. Lingerie, sportswear, couture. Voicing fragility, gender fluidity, and nowness. History and futurism coexist in Prada’s quintessential paradox

www.prada.com

Fashion

Hermès Men’s Spring Summer 2021

The house of Hermès, with its savoir-faire and distinctive history, has always explored boundaries beyond fashion, actively cultivating authenticity and diversity through Fondation d’entreprise Hermès. Paying particularly close attention to works on stage at the crossroads of performing and visual art, the New Settings program was created in 2011 and has supported since a great number of artists experimenting the boundaries of dance, performance, theatre. The Fondation’s long-term commitment to artists supported through the years reflects Hermès’s integrity. The singular work of director Cyril Teste has found voice at Fondation d’entreprise Hermès since the very beginning. Hermès’ Menswear Creative director Véronique Nichanian’ collaboration with Teste for the Spring Summer 2021 collection takes the shape of a live performance. A dialogue between moving bodies and the process of creation, where multiple character – film crew, stylist, assistants, models – and real-life motion explore the boundaries of perceptions. Off-camera becomes the center of attention, spontaneity and improvisation play with the definition of performing arts language. Far from a “making of”. As Véronique Nichanian’ pointed out: “I feel like the current situation is one from which we can all extract new wisdom, and a new momentum”. The collection dives into form, material, and color in Nichanian’s signature carefree expression and simplicity. Striped shirts gain linings, panels and double closure and transform into the lines of a blouson. Mediterranean blue, storm blue, almond green and fluorescent yellow are among the colors inhabiting the collection where leather – deerskin, metis goatskin and technical calfskin – reveal all their sensuality and timeless casualness.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Celebrating Twenty Years of Editions de Parfums

Frédéric Malle was always destined to enter the world of perfume, grandson to the renowned founder of Parfums Christian Dior, Malle’s affinity and connoisseurship feels intuitive of a descendent to perfume royalty. Establishing Editions de Parfums in 2000, Malle was fuelled by a desire to transform the way perfume was seen. Malle gives his perfume intellectual status, tantamount to a classic novel or a vintage bottle of wine, all whilst paying homage to the essence of its craft: its creators, its ingredients and above all the creative process.

Using his platform as one of the greatest perfumers in the world, Malle has created something of an open brief, entrusting an unparalleled amount of freedom to his chosen perfumers. Bereft of any marketing brief, specified products and perhaps most remarkably time schedule, Malle is the epitome of blue sky thinking.

In an ode to the Parisian culture that has been so formative to Malle’s identity as a perfumer, the finished perfumes will be encased in a neutral bottle, its packaging referencing the iconic book covers of the admired French publishing House, Gallimard. Each scent sold in his boutiques are ‘published’, emphasizing the quality and standard at which he works. Embellishing upon his literary semantics, each perfume will be accompanied by elaborate titles, continuing the theatre of Malle’s unique creative process. ‘Portrait of a Lady bath Foam’, is one of Malle’s newest examples of this theme. A luxuriously scented bath foam whose decadence is matched in name alone.

There is an intimacy to Malle’s brand that feels counterintuitive to its position as a world renowned perfume house. Despite its loyal and vast customer base, personalization and authenticity still remain at the heart of the business, and are undoubtedly what has claimed its success over the last two decades. Each store places the customer at the centre of the experience, staffing each boutique with a team of Perfume Experts ready to perform Malle’s personalized consultations committed to finding the perfect scent for each and every one of his customers. It is these encounters that birthed the hybrid concept behind each boutique, a seamless blend of laboratory and Parisian interior.

2020 is a prolific year for the house, marking twenty years of audacious and rule-breaking creativity. To mark this anniversary Malle will be embarking on a series of international events to commemorate and share his passion for perfumer worldwide.

www.fredericmalle.com

Fashion

LOEWE Munich Flagship

Under the guidance of Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, LOEWE has reinvented themselves as a house focused on craft and culture, shown clearly in their intellectual yet playful approach to fashion and lifestyle. Taking after Casa Loewe HQ in Madrid, the Spanish brand has just opened a new flagship store in Munich that harmonizes all aspects of the brand’s repertoire.
Inside the two-storey standalone store on Munich’s Maximilianstraße, Anderson has re-orientated the retail space into a dynamic space that showcases the highlight talents in art and design, core constituents of the maison’s craft-centered identity. LOEWE products are interspersed with art and design objects curated by Anderson himself. Furthering their relationship with the arts, LOEWE features work from artists linked to the brand. This includes Japanese ceramist Takuro Kuwata whose work is shown alongside an impressive basket by Irish weaver Joe Hogan. The space is also inhabited by contemporary furniture including recliners by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld and a stone table by Axel Vervoordt. The classical interior is left intact, but elevated with quality materials such as Campaspero limestone and smooth concrete which can be seen on the walls, floors and structural furniture of the store.


www.loewe.com

Fashion

Boden FW20

Unlike many of their counterparts, British retailer Boden welcomes Fall with a refreshing collection that steps away from the typical muted, autumnal colors that have populated FW selections this year. Rather than neutral colors often associated with the season, Boden has issued a Fall collection that revels in bright contrasts, eccentric patterns and color blocking. The usual tan, walnut, or hickory coats and cardigans are all replaced with spirited fuschia trousers, coral pullovers and olympic blue trench coats. The preview features wildflower printed dresses and pumps, contrasted with the vibrant 60’s inspired patterns that litter blouses and skirts. Although the collection isn’t only pop-colors and quirky patterns, true to Boden’s nature the brand supplies options for the everyday, including a wide range of neutrals, essential for any wardrobe. Making up for a Summer spent indoors, Boden’s FW20 collection is optimistic for the upcoming season.

www.boden.eu

Fashion

An Extended Summer

As many countries are easing out of lockdown and restrictions seem to be relaxed with every day that passes, some of us may be finding it difficult to grapple with the realities of the new normal. The anxiety of re-joining society after a challenging few months can be hard to deal with, and many of us are already planning a much-needed vacation. The new Herno Resort collection for FW20 is designed with this sensibility in mind, an inter-season selection inspired by the dream of travel, designed for those with summer and leisure still fresh in their minds. The collection is dedicated to free time, proclaiming it as the true luxury left in this world. Both men and women are featured in the range, with core silhouettes of a man’s wardrobe reinterpreted with a leisurely accent. Peacoats, blazers and duffels are matched with a selection of parkas, bombers and sweatshirt styles. While women’s silhouettes are enveloping, intended for those not ready to leave the lightness of summer behind, yet the designs are still full of comfort and warmth. The collection is enhanced with a sense of lightness and is completed with Herno’s usual attention to detail and high-quality materials. Wool highlights in the menswear includes a sophisticated herringbone pattern as well as the lingering cashmere, luxurious corded cotton velvet is edged in a bi-colour knit, whilst suede treated with water-resistant tools rounds off the selection of luxury styles. Fabrics in the womenswear suggest a sense of relaxed softness, seeing ultralight nylon with a silky effect matched with tone-on-tone velvet and combined with soft knitwear in a mix of wool, alpaca and viscose to further extend the soft and delicate sense of the diverse selection.

www.herno.it

Fashion

Cartier Women's Initiative

When Cartier launched the Cartier Women’s Initiative in 2006, they made a commitment to helping 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 names of the 7 laureates of the Cartier Women’s Initiative were announced virtually this week after being selected by an international jury committee. This year’s laureates include Adriana Luna Diaz, Stephanie Benedetto, Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Nadia Gamal El Din, Chunguang (Charlotte) Wang and Joanne Howarth. They will each receive $100,000 in grant, while runner-ups will receive $30,000. The 7 laureates and 14 finalists will all receive support on strategic financial thinking, one-on-one strategy mentoring, media visibility and international networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to join an education programme on scaling social impact. Now, with the addition of a new award, the programme is expanding. starting from the 2021 edition. Three more women impact entrepreneurs will be recognized thanks to the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, to support women impact entrepreneurs at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. Applications for the 2021 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative are now open until July 31.

www.cartierwomensinitiative.com

Fashion

Chanel Cruise Collection

Take a trip around the Mediterranean with Chanel’s latest collection. Refined simplicity and rich in fluidity, the collection was conceived for those who travel light. Consisting of several easy to wear, multipurpose items that work perfectly mixed and matched for an ideal and stress-free holiday wardrobe. “Initially I had Capri in mind, where the show was supposed to take place, but didn’t happen in the end because of lockdown,” says Virginie Viard, “So we had to adapt: not only did we decide to use fabrics that we already had, but the collection, more generally, evolved towards a trip around the Mediterranean… The islands, the scent of the eucalyptus, the pink shades of the bougainvillea.” And a free, laid-back allure inspired by the legendary actresses of the 1960s when they would holiday on the Italian and the French Riviera. Discover the ‘Balade en Méditerranée on chanel.com.

#CHANELCruise
www.chanel.com

Fashion

Acta Non Verba

 Peter Do launched his eponymous New York-based brand in 2018 to much acclaim. Since then, the designer has proved consistent yet surprising, making more than just a uniform for the modern woman. It all started with a flurry of sketches during his high school years in Philadelphia. These days, since he was granted the LVMH Graduate Award, Do has taken the temperature of women’s desire and and locked it into each of his designs. After returning from Paris, where he studied under the expertise of Phoebe Philo at Celine, Do amassed relationships with nine stockists, designing out of his friend’s apartment, where he showed his SS19 collection . Philo herself once said, “there is absolutely a gap in the market for 30-something women and, the more I look at it, the more I feel there needs to be a sense of ease and choice.” Do clearly didn’t take that lightly. With Do’s SS20 collection, color trumps all. Textures with an enigmatic opacity do a lot to display the relationship between shape and tone, evoking the modern masters that made America their home: Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still and Ellsworth Kelly. It can be said that Rothko explored the spectrum of single shades like no other, and the designer deftly conjures this fascination for SS20. The restraint and care taken by Do in his latest collection builds on the wardrobe of a contemporary metropolis, while serving the sensitive demands of the modern woman from New York to the world over.

www.peterdo.net

Fashion

Selling Sunset

After spending months in isolation, for many of us lucky people, this time has been spent dreaming of where we would go once things got back to what we know as ‘normal’. The desire to travel is embedded in many of us, and even more so in our instagram-saturated world that lets us peek into the furthest corners of the world from our own home. This glimpse of different places is enough to spark the drive to explore in the physical world. Louis Vuittons Jacques Cavallier Belletrud has embodied such desire and created a scent that captures a place, triggering memories or creating desire or even triggering an emotion to whomever has the pleasure of breathing it in. Part of an enchanting tryptic, California Dream portrays the enchantment of a sunset, a moment that prolongs the happiness of a summer’s day. The new Cologne Perfume is light and citrusy, cloaking the skin with all the emotion of a beautiful sunset. “My starting point was to create warmth that envelops coolness,” explains Jacques Cavallier Belletrud as he does so using notes of citrus, mandarin, musk and floral aspects the master perfumer creates a blend that embodies the warmth, earthy and fresh sense that comes with a sunset.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Savoir Faire

Meaning to possess the ability to act appropriately, to be able to adapt and knowing what to do in any situation, Savoir Faire is an appropriate phrase to use when referring to Fendi’s iconic Peekaboo bag. The Italian house has just released a new video that exalts the adaptable nature of the bag, showing three different takes on the accessory. The male and female universes collide in this fendi-scape which presents the Peekaboo X-Lite for Men with laser-cut workmanship, the Peekaboo for men where Selleria stitching is combined with the intarsio fur and the Women’s Peekaboo, in different sizes, with leather interlacing. The fil rouge of the video is the Roman maison’s trademark yellow, while the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana shows impressive architectural perspectives rounding together the video’s purpose of highlighting the Italian houses creativity and unparalleled craft.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Equine excellence

In a celebration of the classic Arceau watch designed by Henri d’Origny in 1978, Hermès presents a new expression of the French maisons’ creativity and expertise. Imagined by artist Gianpaolo Pagni, the “Cheval Cosmique” composition combines graphic undulations with the silhouette of a horse from Émile Hermès’ private collection. Produced in two limited series of 24 each, the watch is powered by a mechanical self-winding movement which, like the dial, case and bracelet, is developed in the Hermès Horloger workshops. Renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship, Hermès dazzles on the dial of the Arceau Cheval Cosmique, adorned with a sculpted equine silhouette and waves in engraved gold, highlighted with a dash of black lacquer, set against an aventurine or mother-of pearl and enamel background beautifully paired with an abyss blue or Chantilly alligator strap.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Big Bang One Click Marc Ferrero

The work of French artist Marc Ferrero has been a source of inspiration for many, being one of the most distinguished representatives of Storytelling Art. Swiss watch brand Hublot has once again been inspired by Ferrero’s emblematic work, ‘Lipstick’ for their second collaboration that pays homage to 21st-century women. This time, the artist known for his typically colourful palette tells a story in black and white, in the form of two limited-edition numbered models in a run of 100 pieces. “I love the power of black and white. Shade and light. Yin and Yang. One is profound, unclassifiable, eternal. The other is subtle, ethereal, timeless. They symbolise antitheses and complementarity. Choosing black and white means getting straight to the point without an excess of tonalities. The black and white make ‘Lipstick’ even more graphic and its red lipstick—more magnetic” - Marc Ferrero

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Inside Chanel

In light of the sudden surge in traffic amongst the online sphere, people are searching for new content to keep us entertained in this strange time. Chanel has launched its new series to remedy such want, Inside Chanel. The microsite aims to educate viewers about the maison’s exciting history and heritage through a series of short film and media content. The latest chapter of the series delves into fashion and film, exploring the French designer’s impact on screen, in a time when fashion and film were both finding their footing in the 20th century. As newcomers to the artistic sphere of the 20th century, the paths of cinema and Gabrielle Chanel's extraordinary career crossed in a continuous creative dialogue and is reflected in this condensed picture. The short films have so far reflected on the brand’s history and its founder’s legacy, with testimonies and quotes from icons such as the late Karl Lagerfeld.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: BOSS

Fashion sales, like much of the world, is right now at a standstill. As we wait for things to return to normality, private sector companies are stepping into the fight in whatever way they can through manufacturing life-saving masks and gowns, funding or raising awareness. Boss is among those helping out as shortages in equipment increase. Manufacturing 180,000 masks, converting its clothing production site in Metzingen and repurposing conference rooms into workshops, the brand also began making protective clothing and hand sanitizers. All items produced will be donated to public facilities where it’s needed most.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: Fendi

In support for their country and it’s healthcare system, Italian maison Fendi has donated €250,000 to the organizations in the Regione Lombardia and donated masks to health professionals in Regione Toscana. The Carla Fendi Foundation, established in 2007 to aid the preservation of cultural heritage, also made a €100,000 donation to support the intensive care unit at the Presidio Sanitario Columbus in Rome. In a recent post on instagram Fendi expressed a message of positivity and hope, “Aware of the difficult moments that the world is going through, we are committed to designing the best way to start again, stronger than ever, supporting Fendi’s production ecosystem and its values.”

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Virtual Arts #Rijksmuseum

In light of museum closures, the national museum of the Netherlands has launched ten ways to experience the museum and its works from the comfort of your own home. Presenting online tours, educational videos and research information, the gallery successfully utilises the online sphere to educate its patrons in this time of crisis. Launched in 2012, the Rijksstudio has been a great resource since its inception, allowing users to create their own collection with over 700,000 high resolution artworks available. While the Gallery of Honor has reopened via an online platform, Rijksmuseum Masterpieces Up Close, showing an adjacent look at classics such as Vermeer’s Milkmaid or Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. On top of all this the Rijksmuseum hosts Rijkstube and Rijkscreative, as well as bundles of social media content for education and entertainment.

www.rijksmuseum.nl

Fashion

Rimowa #NewHorizons Project

These are exceptional times, the hustle and bustle of 21st-century life has been paused and for now we are grounded, waiting for the future to unfold before us. “Right now, as we stand in solidarity with everyone from the confines of our homes, we can't help but imagine all the places we've once explored and the new horizons we long to discover. With our movement so unnaturally restricted, many of us have entered a suspended state of longing, hoping, and dreaming.” says Emilie de Vitis CMO Rimowa. For now, we’re reflecting on where we’ve been, dreaming of where we’ll someday go, and who we’ll share it with when we get there. Rimowa’s #NewHorizons series joins forces with talented photographers from across the globe, reflecting the destinations of past travels and those closer to home that have inspired and captured our imaginations. We dream of sunny holidays and live vicariously through Austin Leis dreamlike imagery in sun-drenched Spain whilst Marie Dehe takes us on a tour of southern England in her pastel- filled images. Each week Rimowa will unveil a selection of intimate travel diaries to remind us of the world beyond our everyday. Evocative and immersive, the visually rich series aims to transform our present moment in the way that exceptional art always has.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Prada Possible Conversations

Now, in the digital age people have never been more connected. Thanks to the internet we have a constant resource for communication and entertainment. Yet during this time of isolation we are reminded that we are a global community, one that is economically, socially, and politically interdependent. As we stay in isolation we note the benefits of the internet and how lucky we are to be able to stay connected even when we must stay apart. Prada now debuts Prada Possible Conversations, a series of live dialogues between thinkers, cultural arbiters and fashion figures from across the globe in an effort to bring people together during this surreal time.

The talks will start off on 14 April at 6pm CET with author and curator Pamela Golbin and Alexander Fury, features director and critic. The two will discuss the topic ‘Fashion in Times of Crises’, and their dialogue will be broadcasted via Prada’s instagram, allowing the audience to pose questions to the speakers. For each conversation Prada will donate to UNESCO, whose work during the COVID-19 pandemic focuses on the importance of culture, creativity, and education for over 1.5 billion students affected by the crisis.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Z Zegna presents TECHMERINOTM and TECHMERINOTM WASH&GO for SS20

Zegna: A Conscious Lifestyle Zegna has been at the forefront in developing reforestation and environment preservation for over eighty years with successful results on the outstanding Oasi Zegna in Biella, Valdilana Region. Therefore it’s no surprise that Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori utilised the concept of desertification for the SS20 collection. A theme that embraces an ethical and conscious lifestyle, the collection features a new generation of technical garments with innovative fabrics and functional construction. Loose outwear styles such as windbreakers, anoraks and bombers feature mix and matching textures that are paired with pants cut in slim, cargos and carrots. While the crease-free merino natural wool shines with tactile effects, the striking colors are reminiscent of a desert at sunset. Nocturnal indigo is refreshed with off-white and orange shades, while desert and khaki neutrals are paired with the neon boldness of lime green and pink red for added modernity.

Driving the choice of materials and techniques, the range is derived from up-cycled and recycled fibers using water-friendly treatments and washing processes, as well as fiber blends.The deconstructed silhouettes, ultra-lightness, high-performance and unquestionable style of the collection are synonymous of the esteemed Italian label.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

#PomellatoForWomen

Although most of us may be struggling with the new reality with work and events cancelled and in reality, life seems to be on hold. In reality, we are blessed that we get to stay safe indoors, doing our part by flattening the curve. Not everyone has the luxury of feeling safe in their own home, for victims of domestic violence, most commonly women, their reality has been warped far worse than most. Suddenly victims are isolating with their abuser, with very little options to seek help. In a measure to battle against this crisis, brands are scrambling to help in whatever way they can, Italian jewelry brand Pometallo is no different. Founded in Milan during a revolutionary time for women’s emancipation, Pomellato jewelry was created with independent women in mind and in 2017 they launched the #PomellatoForWomen campaign for Pometallo’s 50th anniversary. Building on this, Pomellato along with sister brand Dodo have now launched an awareness campaign and crowdfunding initiative to support women victims of domestic violence. Sabina Belli, Pomellato Group CEO has said, “We were alarmed to learn of the resurgence of domestic and sexual abuse against women, directly related to the restraints and pressures of confinement. Pomellato will always act decisively to support womenkind, and we want women victims to know they are not alone.”

#YOUARENOTALONE

www.pomellato.com

Fashion

Longchamp Roseau Bag

Back in September, Longchamp’s Sophie Delafontaine had guests refreshed and excited as she presented a line for SS20 that stepped away from the brands preceding rock chick aesthetic and cruised in a new direction. A sporty, feminine revamp. Athleisure has become a part of fashion as brands shift and adapt to the needs of the modern woman. Longchamp is no different. The line featured a selection of bags that caught eyes as well as the house’s long-time favorite Roseau bag, but with a new look. In keeping with the sportswear trend, Longchamp has also created a new version of the Roseau in luxuriously soft lambskin leather. The bag itself stays true to the ever-so-loved design with a bamboo-shaped closure that in this version slides onto a leather cord. Bamboo inspired toggle and handles are enlarged, while a more graphic look is gifted from the clean-cut leather edges. This chic minimalist line is available in four sizes and three timeless colors.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

AGL Mystery Collection

Nothing says femininity more than a high heel. The unwelded power that some extra height can give is unmatched. Confidence and sensuality go hand in hand with a little lift. As we know, fashion and comfort don’t always coexist, though they have begun to shake hands with the outbreak and rise of athleisure, streetwear and non-gendered clothing. The person who wears heels today is different than those of the past, they do it with agency, not because society says they can or cannot. Now the high heel has become a tool for liberation and like all fashion and footwear, an expression of personality. The new MYSTERY series by Italian brand AGL employs sensual details and high quality craftsmanship to create lace-up ankle boots and décolleté characterized by a play of transparencies using micro mesh, combined with a patent leather finish that offers a touch of glamor. Reminiscent of victorian-style boots the series is available in two color options of nude and black diversifying the range for the most casual outfit to one for grand soirées.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Prada Linea Rossa SS20

Back in 1997 Miuccia Prada struck gold in 1995 where, alongside Neil Barrett they debuted Prads’s first menswear collection solidifying the minimalist yet high-tech aesthetic that became the backbone of Prada Linea Rossa when it launched two years later in 1997. The sports-infused aesthetic was so influential that it had become an emblem that diversified the image of the brand itself. After relaunching the familiar red rubber strip in 2018, Prada now presents a new digital campaign coinciding with the reintroduction of Linea Rossa. Taking inspiration from morse code, the Italian maison translates the hyper technical code into an entirely new alphabet for the everyday. The collection itself draws inspiration from uniforms, yet avoids uniformity and presents timeless designs that are genderless, created with innovative fabrics. The classic sahariana jacket is reimagined with new finishes and modern proportions The sporty line takes inspiration from sports such as skiing and dashes of urban streetwear as well as the abstract notion of exploration. Ingrained into the language of fashion, the word athleisure is long-favoured for its gender-neutral and easy-going approach to dressing which is becoming increasingly relevant in today’s society.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Miu Miu SS20 Campaign 'Casa Corberó'

The late artist Xavier Corberó has been considered by many to be the most significant Catalan artist since Gaudí and is best known for his monumental public sculptures that can right now be seen in galleries all over the world. Back in 1967 Corberó acquired a plot of land on the outskirts of Barcelona where he began devoting his time into developing the estate until his death in 2017. The property now stands as a labyrinthine cabinet of curiosities concealed by a heavy medieval stone fence. The surrealist style of Corberó’s friend, Salvador Dali is seen throughout the nine buildings largely devoted to hosting artists-in-residence and exhibition spaces that hold a number of Corbeó’s own sculptures. Now, the estate takes a new identity as it becomes the scene of the Spring-Summer 2020 Miu Miu campaign as ‘Casa Sublim’ part stage set, part installation, part gallery, part home. The campaign envisions an all-female artist colony where creative freedom and expression – at times spattered and hand-painted, with mismatched buttons and ‘collaged’ ruffles is contrasted with the discipline of form, silhouette and utility found in workwear and uniform. Utilising multiple, contrasting viewpoints and styles, still and moving imagery, black and white and vivid colour the campaign ultimately contrasts female and male gazes as well as challenging notions of subject and object as well as the real and surreal.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

The New Chanel 19 Handbag

A new era for Chanel has begun and as strange and unfamiliar as it seems, the fashion house is finally finding its footing in the post-Lagerfeld era. In homage to the 2.55 bag designed by Coco Chanel herself in 1955, Chanel’s Artistic Director Virginie Viard has brought us the 19 bag, a wonderful nod to the brand’s memorable past. The campaign, imagined by Sofia Coppola in collaboration with Virginie Viard features a trio of muses with actors Margaret Qualley, Taylor Russel and Marine Vacth each as distinct as the last. The playful campaign leans on the women’s individual personalities representing the diverse nature of the bag. “I wanted to show how Chanel is so classic it can work with many personalities, and is great to show on different women,” says Coppola. Embodying the spirit of the brand the 19 bag is swathed in large diamond quilting and embellished with an oversized CC clasp. Available in a number of variations the accessory allows each individual to express themselves in their own way, with the Chanel mark exuding a sensual and timeless sense of beauty.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles SS20 Campaign

On a voyage of discovery Captain George Vancouver met with King Kamehameha I and soon confirmed their friendship by saluting each other with a touch of their noses, as is Hawaiian custom. As a parting gift, Vancouver gave five long horned cattle to King Kamehameha who then made it kapu (off-limits) to harm or possess the cattle. Decades later the people of Hawaii discovered that these animals had to be tamed and so the hawaiian cowboy tradition was born. Canadian outerwear brand Moose Knuckles embodies this relationship and shared culture and beliefs in their new SS20 campaign titled, Surf Rodeo. Since 2013 the brand has been embodying a message of family, and community using honest materials and premium hardware that highlight the Moose Knuckles values. Designed and directed by the Hawaiian creative, Taylor Okata, the storyline of the campaign video embodies the Hawaiian way of life, portraying a group of friends on an adventure that leads them to a beautiful horse ranch and ending the day with a sunset surf session. Combining modern silhouettes with traditional western aesthetics, the collection consists of lightweight, padded jackets, parkas, fitted down jackets and high-end, country-inspired pieces - all in a color palette inspired by the grasslands of the Canadian Prairies. Featuring graphic prints, fringe silhouettes and custom python and kangaroo cowboy boots made by the Alberta Boot Company the western sensibility is celebrated throughout the collection. Shot on the North Shore of Hawaii by photographer Alana Spencer, the video combined cowboy vibes with more metropolitan influences for the Spring / Summer 2020 collection and featured siblings Evan and Alika Mock resulting in an authentic and warm sense of Ohana or ‘family feeling’.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week Women's - Recap

MONCLER

Not one for staying in one lane Moncler presented its third edition of the spectacle that is Moncler Genius in Milan last week. Inside a warehouse it displayed 12 installations each with their own vision with the newest addition being JW Anderson who presented an “inflatable archive” of his signature looks reimagined in down material. Going even further past the boundaries of fashion the event also showcased two surprising new members of collective, luggage brand RIMOWA and electric vehicle brand MATE.BIKE furthermore pushing Moncler to new heights for creative innovation.

www.moncler.com

FURLA

Full of glamour, fantasy and palpable sense of excitement a night at the theatre is always one to remember. Furla launched their Fall/Winter 2020 it-bag with this theme in mind as they invited guests to Milan’s Teatro Gerolamo where they were met with mirrors, neon lights, holograms and a kaleidoscope of colors. Guests strolled through the rooms discovering the rest of the color variations and materials for the bag. The psychedelic setup was in celebration of the Italian brands foundation and presented the Furla 1927.

www.furla.com

HERNO

Italy has been the epicentre of design excellence and manufacturing since the industrial revolution known for their unrivalled innovation and attention to detail. Today that innovative mindset is pushed further as sustainability becomes the main topic of conversation. Presented in Milan, Herno introduced their six projects for their AW 2020 ‘Green focus’ collection under the name Herno Globe. From biodegradable bombers to recycled parkas, the ethical label has redefined functionality in clothing. Not only does it have to look good but it also must in a way do some good.

www.herno.it

Fashion

Together for Change

Cartier joins forces with The Lion’s Share Fund, an award-winning initiative that tackles the climate crisis through a fresh new approach. Uniting brands, conservationists and consumers, The Lion’s Fund cites change as a shared effort, breaking down the usual boundaries that exist between these three groups, in a plight to create shared and achievable goals. With the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a coalition of Businesses and UN Partners as leaders, the fund has its sights set on $100 million per year within the next five years in oder to halt biodiversity loss and ensure habitats are protected. As part of this target brand are asked to contribute 0.5% of their media spend every time an animal is featured in their advertisements. Speaking on this important new move for Cartier, the luxury Maision’s president and Chief Executive Officer Cyrille Vigneron said “The beauty of the natural world has always been a source of inspiration and creativity for Cartier’s timeless pieces” in bringing about real and tangible change from this unique symbiosis, Cartier commits itself to a more positive and hopeful future.

www.cartier.com
www.thelionssharefund.com

Fashion

News from the Top

It was last spring that the Swiss house Bally set a clear sign to its continued commitment to environmental protection, more precisely the protection of the mountains, so intertwined with its Swiss origins and mountaineering heritage. After a more than successful first-ever Mount Everest cleaning expedition, Bally now proactively establishes long-term commitment, in the form of the Bally Peak Outlook Foundation, to the protection of these extreme environments, threatened by increasing numbers of tourists and the garbage they leave behind. With the help of the local communities, Bally’s future efforts will by no means focus solely on Mount Everest. The Himalaya features a multitude of peaks towering far over 8000m, which all will become subjects of the Bally cleaning expeditions. Besides a second Mount Everest expedition this year, Bally has confirmed efforts on four further peaks in 2020 as well as more plans for the upcoming year 2021. As put by Nicolas Girotto, Bally CEO, ‘This is a long-term mission and it is only the beginning.’

www.bally.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week 2020 - Yohji Yamamoto Men's Fall/Winter

 Yohji Yamamoto is a master of humor. “Naughty Yohji” “100 ways to forget Yohji” are all sentences marking the back of coats for his Fall Winter 2020/21, shown at the historical headquarters in rue Saint Martin few steps away from Centre Pompidou. A bitter-sweet humor. Yohji-san played with his usual high craftsmanship - at times whispered gestures that only a close look can return the appreciation they deserves – together with his irony towards the meaning of death, of disappearance and resistance. See the coats with multiple chains or the hand painted heavy knitted sweaters with a ripped, raw edge placed on top of coats. Like an armor ripped by a battle. It’s an homage to the French resistance during World War II. To the women partisans who are often forgotten. We see the portrait of one of them in the show invite. She is a very young woman, standing proud with a basque and the typical armband partisans used to wear. She is the embodiment of hope and of unconditional strength against oppression. Yohji Yamamoto has been always working around the meaning of freedom with great coherence and poetry while delivering an exquisite men’s collection true to his aesthetic.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week 2020 - Ermenegildo Zegna Men's Fall/Winter

Against the backdrop of shivering ribbons of fabrics, all sourced from the surplus of the 6 previous collections, Alessandro Sartori presents his newest collection at Ermenegildo Zegna. Conceived by American Ann Patterson, it visualizes the huge waste of materials at a house like Zegna and sets a signal of the house’s pledge to improve the efficacy of their ways of production. Entitled ‘Art for Earth’, the intentions behind the collection become clear in an instant, reminding us that in Sartori’s own word, ‘art should always respect the earth. That’s our mission, as humans and fashion-makers.’ Once again, Sartori proves to be the ideal person to showcase all of Zegna’s craftsmanship and mastery of tailoring. Breaking down boundaries, he takes Italian tradition into new hybrid directions in a constant morphing of evolving shapes, such as blazer-parka hybrids, voluminous coats with deep black pleats and shirts that double as short-sleeved blousons. In collaboration with German camera manufacturer Leica, the collection features a series of camera bags, straps and holders, as part of a broader dialogue between the two brands.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Whitney

In 2015, the Whitney Museum of Modern Art found a new home in the futuristic Renzo Piano designed building in New York. For the special occasion of this reopening, Max Mara teamed up with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop to create the now iconic Whitney bag, with its design being inspired by the architecture of the new museum building itself. For the fifth anniversary of its original unveiling, Max Mara revives the bag in a special edition, dedicated to American painter Florine Stettheimer, whose avant-garde paintings represent a major part of the Whitney Museum's collection. Her acclaimed work 'Sun', dating back to 1931, becomes the main inspiration for the bag's five new colorways and the floral design of the inside lining. Indeed a anniversary issue, or better yet five, each variation of the Whitney bag is to be desired and collected like a piece art.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

Art of Gardening

There are some months passing between a collection being first revealed on the catwalk and it actually becoming available in store. During this time, the world of fashion does not stop, but continues to move forward with new projects or capsule collections being presented one after another. For this reason, it becomes even more important to follow up the strong first impressions from the initial shows with advertising campaigns that revive the spirit of the collection. Shot en plein air in a natural and classic Italian scenery, the FENDI campaign reflects the gardening and bucolic aspects of the collection with the locations flawlessly merging with the earthy and muted color palette of beige, green and brown. The collection, from sartorial workwear pieces, including overalls, to shirts and suits, is completed with matching accessories in a further nod to the art of gardening, with the house's classic pieces appearing in new variations with carefully selected and combined materials. As with the collection, Silvia Venturini Fendi invited Italian movie director Luca Guadagnino to help her realize her vision of the relationship between man and nature. The resulting visuals will break in worldwide magazines in January 2020.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

SUICOKE: a unique approach to innovation

We have been looking at SUICOKE's bold creative approach for a while: challenging creative development and utilizing only the highest quality materials. Founded in 2006 Suicoke introduced its original Sandal equipped with SUICOKE ORIGINAL EVA Footbed in 2012, adding and unique comfort to footwear. These are shoes made for walking. In 2014 SUICOKE went a step further when they found great unification with the likeminded Vibram® - known for being the best sole producer in the world - working together a sandal equipped with an original Vibram® sole. The two brands went on to create one of the greatest products on the market – the Vibram® Morflex. An industry first, its function and high quality of design gained quickly global recognition. SUICOKE is continuously in motion developing footwear that showcases the brand's relevance within the fashion world.

www.suicoke.com

Fashion

Acqua di Parma: Signatures of the Sun

For more than a century Acqua di Parma has been capturing a sense of lively and inspiring fragrances, bottling them in small yet artful glass bottles and distributing them far and wide. Now, with the help of Italian instant-visual artist Maurizio Galimberti, to evoke an adventurous collection of ten perfumes. ‘Signatures of the Sun’ favors more delicate olfactory elements like the sparkling citric notes of mandarin, flowering notes of neroli or osmanthus, a special flower that blooms commonly in the sunlight of south-east asia.

Their perfume, ‘Sakura’, is a flower of rebirth that comes from Japanese cherry blossoms. The floweing of the sakura is celebrated every year all over Japan, it is a symbol of new energy. With a long-lasting spice and a counterpart of sambac jasmine rest on a sophistocated musk base note. Each of these fragrances embodies the retainance of newfound energy, like dawn’s first light opens one’s eyes the sensations evoked in Acqua di Parma’s latest collection are just as subtle and sweet. Galimberti’s kaleidescopic works bring to mind the many ways in which sunlight is reflected and enhanced, each fragrance’s glasswork also captures this joyous and ephemeral beauty.

www.acquadiparma.com

Fashion

Miu Miu SS20

The freedom of dressing, of moving in your own personality, “Something raw, simple, naive, not a big deal: I am suggesting a way of dressing to people where they are free to do their own thing” Miuccia Prada told to the group of journalist who gathered around her to warmly congratulate after the show. The collection was intelligent and naturally appealing, simple and playful, as only Miuccia Prada is capable of. When a fellow journalist asked why of the relevant difference with Prada Spring Summer 2020 collection, the nonchalant Mrs Prada underlined how when designing Miu Miu there is “more spirit, more lightness and lot of enthusiasm”. And there it was, the lightness: canvasses created from artist’s toile freely painted or adorned with knotted gestures.

In contrast silk duchesse pleated pinafores paired with mohair boiled-wool-like cropped cardigans worn underneath. With the generously long crimped hair it reminisced of Romy Schneider’s look portraying Empress Elisabeth in Sissi trilogy and later in the ambitious and beautiful Luchino Visconti’s “Ludwig”. The structured and austere elements coupled with the light-hearted and youthful: ruffled fabric just directly collaged on the garments. Flowers and oversized buttons as if in a DIY gesture, to underline that simplicity and spontaneous attitude Mrs Prada mentioned backstage: “reflected in the wood, the set, like theatres where people used to improvise.”

AMO’s set design played with the austerity of the magnificent Auguste Perret’s reinforced concrete Palais d’Iena and its monumental Salle Hypostyle. AMO’s space-inside-the-space in OCB wood resulted in a strong juxtaposition with Perret’s original design: its mono-materiality and bas relief created almost a fictional space as out of a computer drawing, a pure simplicity, a “un-palace”.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Woolrich x N.Hoolywood

In collaboration with N.Hoolywood, Woolrich has allied with a contemporary counterpart. With salvaged vintage apparel being one of Obana’s career staples, N.Hoolywood’s creative director utilizes camouflage patterns to mix a sleek urbanity with Woolrich’s tried and true materials. With Woolrich transitioning from the more traditional side of clothing to a more contemporary aesthetic it is safe to say this collaboration has been mutually beneficial. Both brands went into this project with the same intention, to create garments that retained their style and comfort over a substantial period of time.

Their collection comprizes of four unique styles that juxtapose Woolrich’s signature check pattern with camouflage print, resulting in an all-over motif in shades of forrest green and steel grey. An oversized bomber jacket is a sure highlight from their fruitful collaboration, with deep pockets and neon mesh detail the look is as bold as its functionality. Classic Woolrich style is also readily apparent in a wool shirt reminiscent of their famous ‘Chief Petty Officer’ shirt worn by the US Navy, straying from conservatism for a new generation this iteration arrives in a multi-color palette. Complete with water-repellent down-vest, parka and nylon track pants; there is little left to be desired in weather-ready street-style.

Of the collection, released today, Obana was pleased with the outcome, saying “it was an experiment to see what happens if you combine the strength of weak points, the result was a beautiful pattern that I had never seen before.”

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Celine SS20

A constellation of lights. The humongous installation designed by Hedi Slimane himself moved slowly with his monstrous arms covered in millions of lights.

Slimane continued his poetic staying true to his vision for Celine Spring Summer 2020. Denim trousers, skirts and a-line culottes, paired with silk shirts, fedoras hats and cropped jackets.

This season Slimane explored the powerful allure of the early 70s. These girls love to wear floating silk dresses with an attitude. Printed with floral or with geometric motives, pleated at the skirt and at times richly embroidered, worn with suede high-knee boots and cropped sleeveless shearling jacket – almost as gilet. The color hues stayed naturals exploring earthy tomes: cream, hazel, taupe, grey, caramel.

The accessories as always played a big role: new variations of the Triomphe and Triomphe chain bags. The latter beautifully declined in wicker, python and in suede with fringes. The original soundtrack “Calling it” by Automatic permeated in the space at Place Vauban creating a positive energy . The band’s guitar-less experimentations and minimal sound provided a perfect setting for the collection, where model literally stormed in.

Arriving backstage to congratulate Hedi Slimane, we felt a air of ease and joy. This iconic French maison is treating the designer with outmost respect and we cannot wait to see the future of this collaboration.

www.celine.com

Fashion

10 Years of Kaviar Gauche

In celebration of ten years since launching their bridal line, and fifteen years in the industry, Kaviar Gauche proved beyond doubt that modern German glamour is alive and well. When Kaviar Gauche first stepped on the scene in 2004 they were hosting a guerrilla fashion show on the doorstep of high-end Parisian department store, Colette. In those days the German design duo were finishing up their studies at Esmond University for Art and Fashion in Berlin. Since then Alexandra Roehler and Johanna Kühl, have caused a stir and paved the way for dreamy bridal wear and graceful ready to wear dresses.

Since its inception Kaviar Gauche has designed with great care and attention to detail. Icon, Heidi Klum turned heads in Kaviar Gauche as she walked the isle of her own wedding earlier this year. Their Paris Fashion Week Runway ’10 Years of Bridal Couture’ displays their effervescent signature, a downplayed glamour with tasteful hints of German design intuition and couture influence. With 24 looks, the show was a spectacle of German design prowess keeping their affinity for fine materials with delicate and uplifting tailoring in full focus. With metallic floral embroidery, silk organza and crystal fabrics every look spoke to the Gauche history and foreshadowed a bright future.

www.kaviargauche.com

Fashion

Alex Thomson’s new Yacht by BOSS

British sailor, Alex Thomson, is the face of modern greatness in sailing. Thomson is the youngest sailor in history to claim first place in circumnavigation. In doing so Thomson shattered three world recor¬¬ds and reinforced his reputation by placing second in the 2016/17 Vendée Globe. For next year’s Vendée Globe Thomson will race in a yacht built by BOSS. BOSS, along with friends, international guests and acclaimed celebrities baptised their new yacht on London’s historic Thames river. The ship was in development for two years, worked on tirelessly by Karim Rashid, known for his use of bright colors, painted the boat a neon pink. The yacht will be the first boat of its kind to feature neon pink accents, approved by the IMOCA or ‘International Monohull Open Class Association’. The yacht will be entered into the Vendé Globe in November 2020, helmed by Alex Thomson for his team ‘Alex Thomson Racing’. Poppy Delvingne would be the lucky one to break a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow, thus christening the racing yacht.

The race is both physically and mentally exhaustive and requires the upmost endurance. It is a test of courage and technical prowess in boating, the Vendée Globe is a single-handed non-stop yacht race around the world without any assistance. Thomson’s ‘BOSS’ yacht features solar panels that charge the ship’s battery, as well as its communication and navigation tools. With savvy engineering the panels will also remain functional in the Southern Ocean where direct sunlight is scarce. The ‘BOSS’ logo plays a structurally important role on the yacht’s light carbon fiber body, the foils on the yacht are also redesigned in a first for single-handed off-shore sailing. The wings on the exterior of the yacht’s bilge create the effect of flying or gliding over the ocean for maximum speed. With an immolating desire to reach his absolute potential and the right yacht to claim his victory with there isn’t much in this world that can stop Alex Thomson now.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Olivier Theyskens Pop-Up in Verso Antwerp

Verso, a restored 16th century mansion in Antwerp is where Olivier Theyskens (CFDA 2016 winner, formerly designer at Rochas, Nina Ricci and Theory) has chosen to open a pop-up for his FW19 collection. A dark cloud filled with rolling thunder, a rogue that strays far from the conventional herd, Theyskens’ women’s collection is as decadent as it is bold. Haute Couture is plunged into a future full of cascading butterfly lace dresses and ice pink satin offset by gothic jewellery and moiré linen. Theyskens’ own lambskin leather jackets and pleated trousers are soft to the touch yet visceral to the eye.

It comes as no surprise Theyskens has a fondness for Antwerp after the fashion museum, MoMu, unveiled a comprehensive retrospective of his career in 2017. Later, in early 2018 a monograph spanning Theyskens’ 20 year career was penned by MoMu’s head conservator Wim Mertens in collaboration with a range of experts including the New York Times’ chief fashion critic, Vanessa Friedman and two curators from Antwerp’s ModeMuseum. The book, published through Rizzoli was titled ‘Olivier Theyskens: She Walks in Beauty’. There is a home for world-class style, and as the old adage goes, home is where the heart is. Theyskens’ heart rests not in Paris, not in Milan but in the fashion mecca of Belgium, Verso.

The Pop Up embraces Antwerp just as it has embraced him, the FW19 release party will be held on Wednesday the 18th of September.

www.oliviertheyskens.com

Fashion

NYFW: Michael Kors Spring 2020

At 10am on September the 11th spirits were high at Brooklyn’s sun drenched Duggal Greenhouse. All-American optimism was the theme that Michael Kors sought to evoke with his Spring 2020 collection. Is there anything more reassuring of a bright future than the voices of children singing? With performances from the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, which aims to bring music into children’s lives no matter their circumstances, the theme of a typically unified New York could not have been stronger. Of the show Kors said “I am a native New Yorker and I wanted this show to highlight the strength and optimism and can-do attitude of our city – it is a celebration of the diversity of American style and beauty”. Guests were able to have their photo taken at a highly decorative showpiece picnic set before catching the show.

Collisions like preppy versus punk, luxury meeting relaxed nonchalance, all with precise tailoring so that nothing looks out of place. A midnight blue cotton pinstripe blazer effortlessly conveys a sense of formality while the white pick-stitches indicate fashion conscious craftsmanship to diffuse the stiffness of the conventional suit for a more relaxed demeanour. The women’s Spring 2020 collection shined, in particular a crimson crepe sablé dress glistened with silver star sequin embroidery, a taut waist seam and straight shoulder line postured the dress to be as elegant as it is commanding. An elusive and ineffable sense of hope for the future found a place to grow in that Brooklyn greenhouse

www.michaelkors.com

Fashion

NYFW: Longchamp SS20

Only a handful of days ago creative director of Longchamp, Sophie Delafontaine, envisioned and presented a sunburst of retro elegance with her SS20 Runway during New York Fashion Week. An artist adored by Los Angeles, Judy Chicago, is the easel this art rests on. The colors brought out in this collection encourage the same freedoms that entice on late Summer afternoons when the sun has not yet fallen on a hot day. Sky blues and dreamy yellows that reminds you of the first small flower to push through the grass, the truest colors of Summer can be found in Delafontaine’s collection. New York was privelleged to host some fine Paris tailoring and Longchamp delivered.

The classic Roseau bag returns in new contortions, the Le Pliage bag, originally designed by Philippe Cassegrain in ’93, is dramatically downsized, appearing in ‘mini’ and ‘nano’ variations. Putting the right foot forward, Longchamp takes on footwear from contemporary boots to classic laced designs. Lots of rosey faces were in attendance including Kate Moss, Victoria Swarovski, Flaviana Matata, Kendall Jenner and Julianne Moore. All looks appear unquestionably complete as they burned up the runway. Along with nylon crop tops with transparent skirts, floral appliqués and high-cut shorts, this show was for the women that make the very most of Summer. A plateau of different colors and fabrics flowed as the models walked for New York, each step seemingly bringing Summer closer and closer until you could practically hear crickets singing from their warm blanket of Earth beneath the runway.

www.longchamp.com

Art

Osservatorio Fondazione Prada: “Training Humans”

Fondazione Prada will host the first major photography exhibition dedicated to bettering our understanding of the images gathered and used to train A.I. technologies. Artificial Intelligence is talked about frequently and superstitions surrounding new tech are mounting. Two highly contemplative and knowledgeable scholars will host “Training Humans”, held at Galleria Vittorio II in Milan. Kate Crawford, distinguished New York University professor and widely published A.I. researcher, along with artist, futurist, and researcher Trevor Paglen who has been exhibited from the Smithsonian to the Guggenheim. Their exhibition is an interrogation of the training practices used to categorically define the human race through the eyes of artificial intelligence.

When the CIA first conducted facial recognition experiments, in 1963, they compiled a total of 14,126 images with which to set a benchmark for machine learning. “Training Humans” explores two issues fundamental to humanity and its freedoms. The photography on display will expose to human eyes how humans are represented, interpreted and how technological systems harvest, label and use this material. The intention of “Training Humans” is not to imagine some not-too-distant dystopia; it is to specify to a concerned public exactly which images are chosen to teach A.I. Because of the Internet and the integration of social media into our every day the AI researchers moved from using government-owned collections, such as FBI mug shots of dead criminals, to sourcing photos from anywhere they chose to.

In our infinite complexities, authorities seem desperate to teach machines how to understand us in simple terms. The moral quandary of this is how far they will go to put humanity in a box, to remove the unpredictable, the wild, the life we share that machines cannot yet understand.

“Training Humans” is open to the public from September 12th to the 24th of February 2020

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

MARNI FW19: ‘Banana’ Sneakers

In a nod to Warhol’s pop art banana, Marni has crafted summer sneakers without complicating the design process, allowing playful and contemporary shape to guide them. Marni’s Fall/Winter 2019 riffs on the chunky sole shoe, adding a lightweight upper in polyester making the fit less restrictive. The Italian brand founded in ’94, showing no sign of slowing down, has opened up flagship stores this year in Tokyo and Munich to further align themselves with the styles of both cities.

Marni has contributed to emergent trends in a light-hearted way sure to catch passing eyes amid Fall/Winter festivities. The ‘Banana’ sneaker has plenty to like, putting a fresh twist on a familiar favourite with its thick rubber sole, pull-tab and minimalist features. Classic contrast and sparse amounts of color allow for this shoe to be worn with shorts, trousers, jeans or suit pants effortlessly. Marni continues its love affair with the world of the avant-garde while standing its ground in the realm of luxury.

The words quirky and elegant rarely find themselves next to one another, as odd as it sounds “quirky” and “elegant” fit the description of their ‘Banana’ shoe. Under the creative direction of Francesco Risso, Marni has not let its imagination outweigh its sensibilities. Their ‘Banana’ shoe makes for a valiant attempt to capture the essence of the unattainable, that which surprises at a glance time and time again. This shoe treads the line between standing out and fitting in to suit demand for smart-casual sneakers.

www.marni.com

Art

Lovingly Renovated: The Cranford Collection

The Cranford Collection is the most prized collection of art in Europe; nearly 700 works of fine art live in a residential building in Regent’s Park, London. The collection rotates every 18 months under the expert curatorship of Anne Pontégnie, who has been the guiding force behind the collection since 2011. The Cranford Collection exemplifies how art might be seen with fresh eyes in an intimate setting undistracted by any impinging tones set by the impossibly high glass ceilings and large slabs of bedrock found in most other museums. Architecture has a profound effect on the way art is viewed; The Cranford Collection explores the notion that all artworks are at the mercy of the placid walls they adorn.

The Cranford Collection is home to masterpieces by Bruce Nauman, Louis Bourgeois, Alice Neel and many others. The residential location at Gloucester Gate is fresh off the heels of its recent renovation by London based architect, David Chipperfield. The original building was designed by John Nash, one of Great Britain’s foremost architects responsible for the lasting neo-classical elements of England’s Regency and Georgian eras. The essential style of the building has been retained while the space itself has expanded to suit the needs of artists in pursuit of bettering their work. MFA students can now attend talks and discussions, school groups can tour by appointment and the esteemed residential gallery will host film screenings. The Cranford Collection’s collaboration with the Camden Arts Centre ensures artists can apply for residency or publishing of art books. The private gallery has been lovingly expanded to make up and coming artists feel right at home.

The museum will reopen its doors November 2019.

www.cranfordarts.org

Fashion

Messika: Precious Wanderlust

A campfire under the starry night sky surrounded by nothing but the vastness of the desert plains. A red carpet event with thousands of photographers and fans screaming for your attention. The Wild West and fine jewelry really are worlds apart. Nonetheless, Valérie Messika finds inspiration in North America’s endless desert landscapes and injects her newfound desire for escape and a sense of wanderlust into the Haute Joaillerie collection.

Named after the famous 1969 song “Born to Be Wild,” the collection is a tribute to the iconic Route 66 and the love of adventure as celebrated in the film Easy Rider. Carefree American attitude meets French glamour and sophistication in a dazzling display of diamonds and Maison Messika’s excellent craftsmanship.

Suited for queens of the desert, Messika second opus of Born to Be Wild presents its vision of modern jewelry: ultra-feminine and elegant, yet organic and natural in shape, drawing inspiration from Wild West motifs such as cactus flowers, lassos or shooting stars.

Even in Haute Joaillerie, taste never stands still as new generations of customers demand novelty objects and new creations. For the first time, Valérie Messika introduces more unconventional pieces into her collection, such as the mask entirely set in diamonds, each stone in the Maison’s signature feather setting, or the two-in-one nose- and single earring.

Born to Be Wild represents the perfect synergy of French luxury and vast American wilderness, celebrating and combining the glamour of Haute Joaillerie with the Wild West’s longing for freedom and adventure.

www.messika.com

Fashion

Missoni: Casual Finesse

If there is one trend that stands out and has dominated fashion over the last few seasons, it has to be streetwear. Streetwear staples, such as hoodies and sneakers, have become absolute must-have items and they have been elevated, at one point or the other, into the realm of luxury ready-to-wear at every fashion houses. The trend pendulum keeps swinging ceaselessly, so even last seasons’ streetwear aesthetic will be replaced eventually. Maybe sooner than we think.

Missoni’s new Menswear FW19 collection might be the first precursor, as it perfectly illustrates a new sense of formality this season. Reminiscent of ‘70s glamour, the Italian brand dives into the realm of evening wear, reconstructing classic pieces with the signature Missoni finesse. The collection is defined by the narrow and elongated silhouette of smartly tailored pieces: high-waisted, tapered trousers are paired with blazers or caban coats – belted double-breasted or reversible, which softly envelop the body.

In signature Missoni fashion, the collection demonstrates the house’s long-established expertise and heritage in knit and weaving. Using a variety of finely knitted materials for their garment construction, some of the standouts are definitely the tuxedos in woven or lamé flecked loom-knit fabrics, alongside the house’s luxuriously soft basic knitwear staples in cashmere, mohair and fleecy wool.

The color palette of the FW19 collection features soft and refined gradients of earthy tones and radiant hues, inspired by the tonal dégradés of the Swedish-Chilean artist Anton Alvarez’s work. Textural, abstract and boldly colored, Alvarez’s work has resonated with Angela Missoni and inspired this season’s collaboration. The resulting pieces, two distinctive cable knits, play on different patterns and textures, perfectly merging the artist’s eclecticism with Missoni heritage.

This season’s style for the Missoni man is more soigné, proving that informality does not have to come at the expense of elegance.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

BOSS x MEISSEN

With their joint capsule collection, two of Germany’s most prestigious brands come together. HUGO BOSS is a global player in the luxury fashion scene, whereas MEISSEN has enjoyed a premier status amongst the world’s porcelain manufacturers. Both houses have, since their foundations, unceasingly stood as embodiment of the German values of quality and innovative design and exported them all around the globe.

These shared core values have laid the foundation for the collaboration. The starting point for the unique capsule collection were MEISSEN’s Big Five figurines. Inspired by the angular style of traditional wooden African sculptures, they depict the continent’s rich wildlife in form of the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo

These majestic creatures appear as motifs in embroidered, jacquard and printed form on BOSS’ casual and formal pieces. The monochrome palette of black and white, heavily reminiscent of the porcelain aesthetic, is a direct visual reference to MEISSEN and its rich heritage, fused with HUGO BOSS’ signature craftsmanship and experience in garment construction.

Alongside the garments, the collection features a series of five limited-edition porcelain mugs featuring the same aesthetic. In recognition of the underlying theme, HUGO BOSS pledges a donation to Elephants for Africa, a charity focussing on the conservation of the iconic species.

The capsule collection of BOSS Mens and Womenswear will be available in BOSS and MEISSEN stores around the globe.

www.boss.com
www.meissen.com

Fashion

CARRIE and IVA: Maison Héroïne for Work and Play

Since 2016 Maison Héroïne has created bags for all settings, bridging the gaps between work and play, fashion and function. Working with the finest Italian leathers the Milanese designer, Marta Vitali, has created the new norm for professional women the world over. Maison Héroïne has a polished simplicity and elegance about their design that can be viewed as a statement piece or a means of convenient organization poised for greatness in a workplace setting.

The forms and shapes of Maison Héroïne’s designs keep tablets and notebooks in mind, the modern woman carries both and should not have to compromise her elegance for either. The sleek design and care that IVA encapsulates throws the focus back on the wearer, if less is more then IVA does the most, in Italian brick red suede or sleek black leather, even an expressive gold it does what other bags cannot and does it with spectacular ease. CARRIE, on the other hand is sure to be everywhere in offices from New York to Paris just in time for Summer. Worn as a cross-body, belt-bag or clutch, coloured in ‘deep berry prugna’ among others, CARRIE is at the cutting edge of women’s workwear.

www.maisonheroine.com

Fashion

Panthère de Cartier

The days of the wristwatch as functional items are over. Wearing a watch is not about being able to tell the time, it is a statement, an essential part of your accessories, especially if it comes from the Parisian house Cartier.

The French house keeps redefining and reinventing its products, iconic models are instilled with new energy through creativity and innovative design in an ever-evolving stream of ideas. Ultra-feminine in spirit, the two new interpretations of the Panthère de Cartier celebrate the essence of Cartier, a daring and triumphant elegance.

Inspired by the original, both the styles are a play on proportion, combining signature features, such as the Roman numerals or the iconic soft square shape with a new and contemporary housing. The Manchette accentuates the flowing bracelet of the watch. The dial is set slightly off-centered in a bracelet-styled, open-worked chain to create a casual yet stylish piece. As the name suggests, the Mini Watch is kept very close to the original. Smaller in size, the watch keeps the original’s elegant appearance, making it a well-suited pairing for several bracelets.

The new Panthère de Cartier models will be available from September.

www.cartier.com

Travel

Mindspace's Office Revolution

With the progression of time, it is natural that certain things are bound to change. Letters, typewriters and CDs are just a few examples of objects that have all fallen victim to the changing times and the traditional office space might be the next on the list to disappear.

Flexibility is key in all the facets of today’s work environment. Staff is moving around the office space freely changing between different teams and projects, freelancers and outside contributors come and go and different yet congenial businesses are working alongside each other to enhance each other’s expertise and network. The traditional lease model for office space just does not seems to suitable to fit these new requirements.

Mindspace has become the leading ‘office-as-service’ provider in the world, with almost thirty locations in major global cities. They revolutionized the modern office, creating high-end, yet affordable and flexible shared workspaces, comfortable lounges and efficient conference rooms, enabling creative businesses to work alongside each other and thrive from within the same building. Mindspace’s commitment to a new and vibrant workspace extends beyond the premises, offering its tenants a range of in house wellness-, lifestyle- and professional programs for an efficient yet pleasant work environment.

By opening more locations worldwide and with 8 different locations within the Netherlands, Mindspace continues to support businesses so they can continue to grow and thrive within their industries.

www.mindspace.me

Fashion

New DIOR Boutique on the Champs-Elysées

For a brand of DIOR’s magnitude, it is a question of prestige to have a presence in certain select locations worldwide. This becomes even more important if said location happens to be the birthplace of the house. With the majestic display of its new boutique on the world’s most beautiful avenue, the Champs Elysées, the house of DIOR pays homage to the French capital and its special bond city.

The three-story space is a reflection of core DIOR values, a testament to the house’s savoir-faire and a journey to the heart of the House’s modernity and heritage. In a tribute to the DIOR’s iconic address, the façade of 30 Avenue Montaigne is reprised on an immense, entirely handmade drape at the heart of the Champs-Elysées.

Inside the store, a staircase unfurls like a ribbon in an ode to the curves so loved by its founder, whilst pristine white toiles usually locked away in the DIOR ateliers compose a poetic fresco.

The new boutique adorned with symbols of Christian Dior offers a timeless and contemporary atmosphere for its customers to discover the houses Men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, as well as jewelry and footwear, fragrances and Dior Maison designs. Additionally, the store features an in-store workshop offering a broad range of new personalization services, completed on the spot within an hour. Animated with new launches and pop-ups, DIOR presents an immersive and innovative concept of luxury.

For the opening of its new boutique, DIOR presents an exclusive preview of the Check’N’Dior collection with two exclusive variations of the DiorCamp and a silk scarf in tropical toile de Jouy specially designed for the Paris address.

www.dior.com

Art

Implicit Tensions: Mapplethrope Now

Robert Mapplethrope counts amongst the most critically acclaimed artists of the late twentieth century. Most notably, Mapplethrope is known for his black-and-white portrait photography and his documentation of New York’s S&M scene in the late 70s. His provocative images were never created with the purpose to shock, but out of a curiosity to explore and showcase the unknown. For the 30th anniversary of his passing, the Guggenheim Museum dedicates a yearlong, two-part exhibition to Mapplethorpe’s groundbreaking work, which deliberately kept challenging the social norms of the time.

Whereas the first phase of Explicit Tensions showcased the Guggenheim’s large collection of Mapplethrope’s work, the second part is focussed on the artist’s lasting legacy. In the ensuing decades, Mapplethorpe’s treatment of under-represented communities and homoerotic desire have raised questions about the agency of the photographic subject and initiated complex conversations about the fine line separating representation and objectification.

To honor Mapplethorpe’s critical contributions, the Guggenheim showcases the work of six artists, that engage various approaches of exploring identity through the medium of photography. The six chosen artists were Lyle Ashton Harris, Glenn Ligon, Zanele Muholi, Catherine Opie and Paul Mpagi Sepuya.

The second part of Implicit Tensions: Mapplethrope Now will be open to the public from July 24, 2019 until January 5, 2020.

www.guggenheim.org

Fashion

SCHUELLER DE WAAL Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019

Dutch Design studio SCHUELLER DE WAAL continues to unfold their story of ‘Fashion Therapy’ and opts once again for a different kind of presentation during Paris Haute Couture 2019/2020. In collaboration with Pik Pik Environnement, they present the first Collaborative Cleaning Initiative named ‘Litter’.

Rather than changing a location to be able to accommodate a fashion show, SDW Studio created an initiative that has a positive effect on the location itself. Dressed in an eclectic range of cleaning uniforms, a group of 50 models, cool kids and volunteers started picking up trash in the public square in front of the town-hall in an upbeat cleansing fashion performance.

The workwear inspired overalls pick up on the concept of re-purposing. They are made from patchworks of leftover fabrics and past collection pieces in an effort to avoid the unnecessary waste of resources. The collection is a clashing combination of couture and workwear, recontextualizing past pieces whilst supplementing the insufficient samples and leftovers of luxurious fabrics with re-creations made from office-and household materials.

Most of the cleaning uniforms were finished off by safety shoes by the Dutch brand EMMA Safety Footwear, chosen for its Corporate Social Responsibility mission.

www.schuellerdewaal.com

Fashion

Thom Browne Spring/Summer 2020

Thom Browne is a master in creating a dream-like surreal mise en scène. For Spring/Summer 2020 he imagined a garden as out of Marie Antoinette’s summer residence. At our arrival at the spectacular Ècole des Beaux-Arts we saw what looked like full-scale statues standing on small podiums, at its center a adorable cherub fountain jetting seersucker gush instead of water. The statues, wearing 2D visualization of garments — that we will later discover — we’re no other than part of the collection looks soon to be unveiled. Coming to a closer look to discern the intricacy of the composition, we all realized they were actually real models. Part of the fantasy — one of the principal of the American Ballet Theater — is James Whiteside, dancing magnificently as the models walked in.

The signature Thom Browne fabric, seersucker, is declined in pastel colors: light blue, aqua, pink, yellow, but also in navy and red. At times flower embroideries blossomed, recalling the summer garden we were merged in.

The silhouettes at time reinventing the XVIII century gowns: dilated hips, achieved by panniers, the corseted waist well below the natural waistline, the deep décolletage, the drapery-parted opening of the skirt to reveal underskirts, petticoats, or a dress. Elements that Oriole Cullen - Furniture, Textiles and Fashion Department, Victoria and Albert Muse address as a measure of eighteenth-century theatricality and sensuality.

In Thom Browne Spring/Summer 2020 all these elements are transformed and reinvented: the décolletage is turned in a graphic representation of blazers lapels, the underskirt in exaggerated culottes, the petticoat is rendered only by its naked structure. In classic Thom Browne fashion, he has always loved to merge couture elements in his work.

A whimsical collection as a refreshing dive into a dream-like world, like the breathtaking James Whiteside’s grand jeté.

www.thombrowne.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto Men's Spring Summer 2020

Yohji Yamamoto has the power to fill us all with emotions no matter what. The languid sound of voice and guitar accompanying the slow pace walk of the models. I actually dreamed of an even slower motion walk, just to capture better the passionate handwritten notes, verses, all over the collection. At times I could reach one - if lucky few - words. They felt like notes of protest, a reminder to take action. Visceral and poetic.

Sometimes I would spot ghostly figures by artist Suzume Uchida. With whom Yamamoto collaborated already for Men’s Spring Summer 2018.

Powerful brush stokes by Yohji himself all over, hand painted faces at the back of coats and jackets. And images of what it looked like a sunset. Or was it a hellish landscape?

The artwork is by Yuuka Asakura who has collaborated with Yohji Yamamoto since 2016.

Don’t ask Yohji the reason why he used these elements, he might answer: “just because”. He doesn’t like the overly explained commentaries of what he creates, the fashion journalism that is obsessed to ask “why” without feeling his clothes. He might let you believe it was just an aesthetic gesture on a whim.

The truth is that Yohji Yamamoto has been reflecting on the meaning of our existence and on the future of our planet since a while. Breaking the boundaries of gender already since decades. He is one of the greatest poets of our time. Although he will tell you he is just a dressmaker.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Berluti Spring Summer 2020

The iconic Alessandro shoes have been a source of inspiration since the beginning for Kris Van Assche at Berluti. The headquarters marble table in Ferrara where the shoes receive the special patina, and its coloured stains were rendered on suits already for the Fall Winter 2019 debut collection at the house. For Berluti Spring Summer 2020 Kris Van Assche intensifies the same colour palette with more brilliant hues channelling the rebellious spirit we are acquainted with: intense violet, cobalt blue, fluo orange, yellow.

During last season’s debut collection Van Assche talked about carefully finding the new codes for Berluti in beautiful excellent crafted clothes but with a new energy and seductive allure.

For Spring Summer 2020 Van Assche adds little by little new elements together with confirming what already proposed, building up a language made of details, where heritage meets modernity, also declined in Women’s looks. Like the zip at the bottom of tailored pants to underline the presence of the shoes Alessandro in the version Diamond already available for Fall and the new design with a sneaker sole - Alessandro Edge. Or the house’s legendary scritto motif – a 19th century old manuscript from Berluti’s archive – printed on jacquard suits, shirts and leather pieces.

Kris Van Assche also expands Berluti silhouettes: suits jackets are often sleeveless or paired with bermuda. If we see motocross pants added to Berluti’s vocabulary - further driving in the direction of Van Assche love for New Wave rock - the women’s suits counterpart are declined with ostrich feathers, channelling a delicate femininity, a game of contrasts.

We applaud to the brave spirit of Van Assche and we are already looking forward to next season’s new staples.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Miu Miu Jockey Club

Each year, Europe’s luxury houses travel in style to a chosen destination for the presentation of their Resort collection. Whereas Prada invited its guests to New York earlier this year, the selection for the sister label Miu Miu fell on the picturesque Hippodrome d’Auteuil race track on the outskirt of Paris.

Fitting to the chosen venue, Miuccia Prada unveils an upbeat collection reminiscent of a day at the races. Aware of the current political situation, Prada confronts conservatism in her designs and presents her personal and playful take of ‘conservative’ occasion wear.

Throughout the collection, fairly straight shapes are shown alongside Forties and Seventies references in form of recurring Chelsea collars, crystal-embroidered pouf-sleeves and high-waisted shorts. Despite many conservative staples, the retro-looking collection gets a distinctly youthful and sporty flair through its accessories. The silhouettes are finished off with clunky platform sneakers and a variety of layered hats, combining classic styles, such as cloches and wide-brimmed sunhats with modern baseball caps.

Fitting for the venue and to underline racing’s tradition as a social occasion, the runway show was completed with a horse race and an exclusive party.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Fifty Years Proud

Most of the world’s heritage fashion houses share a special bond to the city they are located in. Having remained within its confines for generations, their stories began to intertwine and the brands have become an intricate part of the fabric that set is apart. They become a visual embodiment of the city’s spirit, taking its aesthetic and lifestyle into the world.

Coach shares a special bond with the city of New York. For almost 80 years, they have witnessed some crucial social movements that started in the city and later changed the whole world. With Fifty Years Proud, Coach celebrates the LGBTQ+ community; its history, culture and determined pursuit of recognition and acceptance.

In honor of WorldPrideNYC and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, Coach releases a film project dedicated to the five decades of the struggle endured by the LGBTQ+ community. Through a combination of dance, archival footage of past Pride celebrations and interviews with key figures from each decade of the movement, Coach promotes inclusion and freedom of self-expression, two of New York’s trademark features. To create the film, Coach collaborated with a diverse team of internationally recognized artists, including the director Kevin Calero, choreographer Tanisha Scott, stylist Chris Campbell, makeup artists Jace Bowman and Tiffany The Artist and hairstylist Yusef Williams.

The struggle against sexual discrimination has come a long way but is far from being done. With Fifty Years Proud, Coach expresses its continued active support for the LGBTQ+ community and fortifies its multi-year commitment in support of the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

www.coach.com

Fashion

Karl For Ever

On June 20th, the houses of Chanel, Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld came together to pay homage to an extraordinary career and the man behind it. As much as Karl Lagerfeld lived in the moment and refused to look back into the past, nobody could possibly begrudge the industry for taking a moment to dwell on the lasting memory Lagerfeld left behind.

In the Grand Palais in Paris, over 2500 guests came together to witness a spectacle staged by Robert Carsen in Lagerfeld’s honor. Countless celebrities from film, fashion and music alike took the time out of their busy schedules to take part in this event.

Through testimonials and compelling videos, shot throughout his life, and portraits, from some of the most famous photographers, we get a last impression of this multi-faceted man, who refused to be defined by anyone. Alongside performances by world-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang and American artist Pharrell Williams, the actresses and close personal friends Tilda Swinton, Fanny Ardant, Cara Delavingne and Helen Miren recited and read excerpts from his favorite authors, Virginia Woolf, Stéphane Mallarmé and Edith Sitwell.

In an exceptional moment, the industry says its last farewell to a man of incredible talent, who has undeniably left a lasting mark in an inherently fast-paced and ephemeral industry.

Fashion

Marcelo Burlon County of Milan Spring/Summer 2020

Italian fashion has a certain inherently elegant quality that has been established by its grand houses and their rich tradition. Marcelo Burlon does not fit this mold of Italian fashion. Traditional Italian elegance is replaced with a gritty urban aesthetic, closer to streetwear than couture. Marcelo Burlon takes a techno-approach for his new season, starting with his choice of materials. Modern fibers, such as iridescent coated nylon and paper-like resin tech cotton are crafted into garments suited for the hyper-accelerated needs of a contemporary lifestyle.

Throughout his collection, sometimes evoking references to ‘90s acid culture, Marcelo Burton continues to refuse the pre-set rules and lets extremes collide, showcasing them side-by-side. Technical cycling garments, do not just inject an element of body consciousness, but also infuse traditional tailoring techniques for an eclectic hyper-modern look. To underline his techno-approach, Edoardo Tresoldi build a modern and impressive wire mesh cathedral as a runway for the show.

Additionally, Marcelo Burlon used his platform to denounce Italy’s increasingly xenophobic political climate. In an effort to give back to the community and in support of tolerance, Marcelo Burlon sets a sign by casting a considerable number of first-generation Italians of African descent and inviting 300 local kids to the show.

www.marceloburlon.eu

Fashion

ETRO x Star Wars Capsule Collection & Spring/Summer 2020

Italian brand ETRO does not only showcase one, but two collections at their Spring 2020 Menswear presentation. Throughout the show, the SS20 collection was complemented by ETRO’s upcoming capsule collection based on the hugely successful movie franchise Star Wars.

As long term fan of the movies, it was Kean Etro’s wish to produce this unisex collection, including a range of urban staples, such as hoodies, sweatshirts and T-shirts, all carrying a variety of Star Wars prints. The images of all the famous characters are sourced from the original movies, released in the late ‘70s and ‘80s.

Human decorative traditions are in the focus of the main SS20 collection. Kean Etro celebrates the brand’s adventurous and traveling spirit, by presenting an eclectic collection, imbued with references to artisanal craft from cultures all over the globe.

Italian sartorial tradition is revisited and freshly interpreted, resulting in a line-up, defined by light construction and relaxed, sometimes even generous silhouettes. Combined with tribal motifs and quintessential nomadic staples, such as the poncho, they create a nomadic vibe reinterpreted in a modern urban context.

The ETRO x Star Wars capsule collection will be available online and in ETRO international stores from July 1st.

www.etro.com

Fashion

NET SUSTAIN: An Edit of Considered Fashion

The mentality of the modern consumer has undeniably changed over the last few years. Whereas a few years ago the main incentive was to blindly satisfy the desire for luxury and consumption, the focus has shifted towards a more informed way of shopping. Important notions of environmental protection and sustainability never before had such a strong impact on our ways of consumption.

By launching NET SUSTAIN, NET-A-PORTER creates a platform dedicated to brands and designers that meet the business’ criteria for sustainability. Hailed as an important milestone in the business’ sustainability journey, this new section will allow the customers to make informed choices while at the same time highlighting brands that are truly making positive changes.

Initially launching with 26 brands, the 500 qualified products all meet one or more of the five key attributes set by NET-A-PORTER. Each attribute takes a different aspect into consideration, covering everything from waste reduction to human, animal and environmental welfare, whilst also aligning with internationally recognized best practices in the fashion and beauty industries. Over time, they hope to include more and more brands, including the addition of beauty within the next year.

NET-A-PORTER sets out on a mission to inspire positive change by showcasing that sustainability and designer fashion can go hand-in-hand. The changes also extend onto the conglomerate itself, which implements a reduction of travel and a strict no-plastics policy into its shoot programming.

NET SUSTAIN will launch on June 18th.

www.net-a-porter.com

Fashion

Christian Louboutin: The Exhibition

On a global level, fashion exhibitions have gained immense popularity over the last decade. As the exhibitions’ curation becomes more and more elaborate, the visitor numbers reach record-breaking levels. Following the major success of two exhibitions, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” and “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams”, solely focussing on just one designer’s work and vision, iconic shoe designer Christian Louboutin is the next in line whose work is celebrated with a major exhibition.

Under the curation of Olivier Gabet, the Palais de la Porte Dorée dedicates a whole exhibition to the Parisian’s rich creativity and varying sources of inspiration. The designer’s vision and creative processes are explored in every facet through a selection of his most precious works from his personal collections and loans from public collections.

This exhibition presents one of the most complete collections of shoes, showcasing previously unseen historic and artistic pieces alongside a number of exclusive collaborations, which pay tribute to Louboutin’s admiration for craftsmanship and know-how.

For the first time, we are offered a full insight into one of fashion’s most outstanding minds and we will be able to follow what shaped the Parisian’s designs throughout his stellar career. The Palais de la Porte Dorée from which the French designer was fascinated and borrowed a whole repertoire of forms and motifs for his first designs, unquestionably underlines the exhibition’s personal touch and immersion into Louboutin’s creative spirit.

The exhibition will be open to the public from February 25th 2020 to July 28th 2020 in the Musée de la Porte Dorée in Paris.

www.christianlouboutin.com
www.palais-portedoree.fr

Fashion

CELINE: New Paris Boutique

When Hedi Slimane took over Parisian brand CELINE, he succeeded the likes of Phoebe Philo, whose tenure at the house lasted for the whole previous decade. This change at the top of the house brought in a fresh breeze. This new direction would unquestionably trickle down to affect CELINE in its entirety. After announcing a makeover of the house’s logo in September 2018, Hedi Slimane continues to leave his mark by re-envisioning the brand’s retail space.

The new Paris CELINE store opens its doors in the First District of Paris. The creative director’s architectural vision offers the perfect mise-en-scène to present CELINE’s Men’s and Women’s collections. The new boutique’s concept is rounded out with the help of five perfectly integrated artworks by renowned, international artists Deyson Gilbert, Rochelle Goldberg, Katinka Bock, Hu Xiao and Georgia Dickie.

The new CELINE store is located at 4, rue Duphot in the First District of Paris.

www.celine.com

Fashion

Max Mara Resort 2020

Over the last thirty years, ever since the fall of the Berlin wall, the German capital has experienced a period of renaissance. Countless creatives and visionaries have left their mark upon the city to shape it as one of Europe’s true hubs for art, architecture and design. All the recent contributions to contemporary culture revive the avant-garde spirit established a century ago by the radically modern Bauhaus movement. No other city seems more adequate to mark a new beginning.

His fascination with the German capital has influenced creative director Ian Griffiths’ selection of Berlin as the Max Mara Resort 2020 destination. Both of his Berlin idols, Marlene Dietrich and David Bowie are everpresent throughout the show. They become eponymous with Max Mara’s new brand spirit, defying imposed conventions, being classic not conservative. Max Mara presents itself edgy and refreshed by employing hand-made looking fabrics and using the idea of frayed selvages as fringes.

The Neue Museum Berlin, with its priceless artifacts, offered the perfect scenery for this tribute to Berlin, as it syncs with the collection’s sandy and earthy color palette and gave inspiration for the first Max Mara jewelry collection designed by Reema Pachachi. Expertly crafted pieces, such as the pure white Berlin coat, a tribute to Meissen porcelain, were rounded out with a selection of sculpted bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

With the selection of this historical location and the Marlene Dietrich-inspired performance of German singer Ute Lemper, Max Mara pays homage to the past. The collection itself acts as a springboard into the future and modernity, redefining Max Mara’s effortless chic for a new generation.

www.maxmara.com

Art

Holland Festival

Art is an essential and indispensable part of life. The value of art oftentimes exceeds creative expression and broadens our horizons by influencing and enriching our world view. Artists take a central role in today's society, crossing borders, collaborating worldwide across many disciplines and never shying away from sensitive subjects or deep messages.

The 72nd edition of the Holland Festival transforms the city of Amsterdam into an international cultural hub, celebrating the diversity of artists and their work all around the city. Perhaps more than before, a platform is provided to the artists, coming from Chile, Colombia, Germany and the United States among others, to bring pleasure to a broad audience, just as diverse as themselves. For the first time, this year a special focus is on associate artists, South African artist William Kentridge and Congolese Faustin Linyekula. Throughout the festival special prominence is given to their new works, exploring the inspiration, themes and ambitions.

The program includes a number of disciplines from the visual arts to theater and opera.

The Holland Festival, taking place all across Amsterdam, starts today and will last until June 23th.

www.hollandfestival.nl/

Fashion

The New Essential

Certain occasions require more than just a simple party. In honor of their 120th anniversary, German luggage manufacturer overworks its visual identity and embarks on a whole year of celebrations. The aim is to remind people of who they are and what they stand for.

The reimagination of their staple RIMOWA Essential is just a first step of this transformation. RIMOWA recognizes the traveler’s needs to make a statement even when traveling and revives the Essential in four distinct hues. As expected from RIMOWA, the colors were not chosen at random, but are reminiscent of the journey, often forgotten behind the focus on the destination. Each color is inspired by the fleeting impressions of the places in between, often only to be seen from the ariel view. The new colorways of the freshly monochrome Essential include Coral, Slate, Sage and Saffron yellow.

The RIMOWA Essential will be available in three sizes starting June 6th at RIMOWA stores and online.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Furla Flagship Munich

Family-owned Italian accessory label Furla opens a brand-new flagship store in the centre of Munich. With their new boutique in Theaterlinienstraße 33, designed in a modern and elegant fashion, Furla brings a piece of the comemporary Italian lifestyle into the centre of Munich.

This newly minimal and elegant interior, dominated by clear lines, offers the ideal background setting for the brand’s men’s and women’s lines. Some of their more colourful bags become a visual focal point in the otherwise creme and champagne-coloured interior.

Furla embraces the opportunity to offer its customers an improved shopping experience as upscale as its expertly crafted leather goods and accessories. The remodelled store radiates an ambience fit for a 92-year old house, looking back on a tradition of expert craftsmanship, quality and innovative design.

The two-storey store opened on Theaterstraße 33 in Munich.

www.furla.com

Art

About Future: Architecture, Cities, Environment. Models and Visions

With the creation of Armani/Silos, Giorgio Armani has continuously supported young creatives to realise their visions and ideas. After initiatives in the fields of fashion, cinema and photography, the focus has shifted towards architecture, deemed to be a crucial discipline in our reflections tackling pressing questions of sustainability and social equality in a rapidly changing world. In the run-up to Milano Arch Week 2019, the ‘About Future’ project is launched in collaboration with the School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Milan. This exhibition features the work, in form of drawings and models, of around 50 of its brightest students, working on new ways and innovative visions to redefine the balance between the artificial and natural. The presented projects are a mixture of proposed modifications or extensions of existing features or the creation of

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection 2020

Nicolas Ghesquière once more stunned with his 2020 Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection. Quite suitable to a house, which started as a trunk manufacturer, this year’s theme was the joy of discovery. This does not only include the physical departure to new places, but also the comprised spark of personal growth. TWA Flight Centre at John F. Kennedy International airport offered the perfect scenery for this collection, with is architecture reminiscent of the Jet Age, a time where the world started to become as never before, and the invited guests resembling the waiting crowds at an airport’s terminal.

No other city in the world quite captures this spirit than the chosen destination, New York. This cultural melting pot is ever-changing, due the thousands of people arriving and leaving the city everyday. Everybody enriches the canvas that is New York City, leaves a part of oneself behind, but in return receives much back.

The collection captures the spirit of the city, the legendary buildings transposed as sophisticated prints, the bright colour accents in homage of the city’s bright lights and the suave brocade and embroideries, reminiscent of the city’s glam.

Just like the city of New York, Louis Vuitton blends cultures, the French tradition and the American spirit, to form a sartorial expression, enriched by one another.

www.louisvuittion.com

Fashion

Carhartt Urban Book Release

When thinking about the expressions of urban youth cultures, cities standing at the forefront of seismic cultural shift, such as New York or London, pop in most people’s heads. Amsterdam is often overlooked, despite being at the forefront of one of the street’s most visible artistic embodiments, graffiti culture. Before the influences from across the Atlantic reached and popularised this visual urban language across Europe, Amsterdam had its own home-grown graffiti culture. Punks, hooligans and other rebellious movements alike, spread their message on the city’s walls. Their styles were as varied as their messages, creating graffiti unlike any others.

In collaboration with Carhartt WIP, FRESHCOTTON releases Amsterdam On Tour by grafiti artist Again, to investigate the early roots of this phenomenon. They focus on the city’s original scene starting from the 70s, lasting until 1985. 30 different artists offer a glimpse into this insane scene, dominated by the fully tagged tunnels, benches and trams, in an unique collection of words and images.

In addition to this publication, Carhartt x FRESHCOTTON also releases a limited edition capsule collection, perfectly capturing the spirit of the scene, available only at selected Carhartt stores and freshcotton.com

Art

ES Exhibition - JOHAN TAHON, TILL LINDEMANN, SANDOR LUBBE

‘The collective unconscious consists of the sum of the instincts and their correlates, the archetypes. Just as everybody possesses instincts, so he also possesses a stock of archetypal images.’
- CARL GUSTAV JUNG

Following on from the mighty success of the 2018 retrospective exhibition at the Bonnefanten Museum in the Netherlands ‘Wir uberleben das Licht’, which documented Belgium visual artist Johan Tahon’s career exploring the physical and the philosophical through the art form of sculpting, New York now hosts ES.

From 29th March through to the 18th May 2019, a unique opportunity to experience the work of Johan Tahon and his collaborations presents itself to the public. Sculpture, poetry and photography all coalesce to form an immersive, united exhibition.

Sharing the same sensibilities and sentiments as Johan Tahon, German frontman Till Lindermann of Rammstein has specifically written poems to accompany the exhibition. Our editor-in-chief Sandor Lubbe’s photography also plays a part alongside Tahon’s pieces, the culmination from which ES has developed.

Wednesday to Saturday 18:00-20:00 at 87 Rivington Street, New York, the exhibition at 'Empirical Nonsense' runs from 29th – 18th May 2019.

www.johantahon.com

Music

NAO At Paradiso

The effect of NAO’s sound, songwriting and stage presence can be firstly be described as physically impactful. Soul-splitting, heart-wrenching lyrics paired with a vocal ability on par with the R&B greats leave an unexpected bodily impression that hits you direct in the gut. Bold and boundless, NAO taps into all shades of the human experience in a honest, exposing way that escapes any risks of pretension or disingenuinity.

NAO very much takes the reigns of the show at Paradiso, Amsterdam, ensuring that the experience is truly a shared one, not merely a screen projected for the audience to neutrally detach from. Riffing with the crowd, she guides them through a full orbit of emotions, through every peak and trough, celebrating all the experiences symptomatic of the human condition. ‘A Life Like This’ and ‘Another Lifetime’ are particularly striking, stop you in your tracks and capture your heart.

This intensity would most certainly be too overwhelming if it were not for the dam-like burst of unrelenting joy in ‘Get To Know Ya’, ‘If You Ever’ and ‘Inhale/Exhale’ as NAO joyously bounces around the stage, actively engaging the audience to the point where you catch your unwitting grin begin to ache. ‘Drive and Disconnect’ is just effortlessly cool. This ability as a performer is only supported by an exemplary sense of musicality, phrasing and rhythm. Her vocal acrobatics are nothing short of impressive, particularly in the melismatic stretching from the piercingly high then dipping into a resounding, hearty register.

There is no sense of censorship or false cultivation. NAO genuinely feels like a passion artist, writing and singing for the sheer love of and need for it, relishing in the live experience and exhibiting a colorful, refreshing force of unshackled expression as she does so.

NAO is a English musician from East-London currently touring her second studio album around Europe, ‘Saturn’, the follow up to her debut ‘For All We Know’. Her style is self-described as ‘wonky funk’ fusing the electronic with the soulful. Having performed with the likes of Bon Iver, Lauryn Hill and Nile Rodgers to date, she has very early on established herself as a promising musician to look out for.


www.thisnao.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall 2019/2020

Not many knows that when in 1977 the iconic Centre Pompidou opened its doors the Parisians were so shocked that the museum had to arrange clowns and jugglers playing in front of its doors to loosen up the mood and invite more visitors in. The citizen didn’t like the radical architecture designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers – at the time partners – featuring a stile later defined “Bowellism”, where the cable and pipe systems usually kept inside a building were infact exposed.

When entering the Louvre’s Pyramid, slowly approaching Louis Vuitton’s show venue Cour Carrée, we saw a humongous blue pipe running across the courtyard. Little we knew that inside the temporary structure built for the show we would find all the elements and colors of Centre Pompidou’s façade, more pipes, hundreds of them, as set for the show. A Museum in the Museum.

Nicolas Ghesquiere mentioned the beauty of controversy as his inspiration, the need to address colliding elements and the famous Pompidou colors came back in the clothes: the yellow, blue, red, all together.

The collection had a strong 80s references, with its graphic ruffled shoulders and dresses, the ankles boots worn with tights, the silver and glitters, the high-waist carrot shaped trousers and frill skirts. The iconic damier motif was presented in skirts and leather caps.

A bit 80s disco, a bit punk, a bit 80s power feminism. Ghesquiere presented the modern thirst for diversity and an eclectic look far from a put-together one.

The accessories presented some interesting novelties hinting to architectural references and a classic attire: like the flat large bag appearing in look 9 in grey and declined in brown in look 16, apparently Ghesquiere’s favourite bag of the season.

It was a daring collection and we are looking forward to see Louis Vuitton’s client picking and mixing elements.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

CELINE Fall/Winter 2019

At the Winter 2019 show in Paris, Hedi Slimane premieres his winter collection for Celine. Whilst distancing himself from his predecessor, Slimane still manages to meet the brand’s iconic style somewhere aptly in the middle. A solid and stable collection displays a wearable collection of blazers, jeans, sweaters and skirts with a consistent thread of colour and fabric throughout.

It would be hard to miss the references to the 70s. The palette is unmistakably so, camels outer-layers are naturally paired with browns. Creams and denims all tie together with thick knee-high boots. Scrunchy leather boots, wide lapel blazers and aviators play up to this feel also.

Although Slimane’s typical staple is largely subverted by virtue of not having included his characteristic tight and short style, his touch is palpable and present. Leather jackets, the occasional dash of sequins and soft trimmings are identifiable and for a first collection, it is harmonious and marks a strong, clear foundation for evolution in the brand.

www.celine.com

Fashion

Boggi ’s Conscientious Collection for the Casual and Sophisticated

Boggi’s SS19 collection firmly repudiates a common misconception that elegance is a necessary sacrifice in favour of practicality. The collection asserts that sophistication can be achieved in one’s leisure time, featuring lightweight pieces with crease-proof properties. Promoting versatility, breathability and comfort, two strong marks of the brand’s identity – simplicity and class – are neatly woven throughout the collection with vintage designs in wool, linen, soft knitwear and silk.

An exciting aspect of the collection demanding mention is the eco-sustainable fabrics. Garment dyed jackets and flowing long-sleeved shirts are exceptionally made from biodegradable fibers extracted from eucalyptus trees targeting the environmentally conscious Boggi Milano man and offering a newfangled language and approach to fashion.

In the formal-casual line, the completely unlined pinstripe suit is made from bouclé fabric, interweaving red and navy blue yarn. Other suits come in sienna red earth and ice grey. The highly popular bestseller polo-shirt is available in an updated range of colours and fibers. Another highlight is the reversible raincoat: one side, high-tech water-repellent and windproof fabric and the other wool. This use of hybrid elements is replicated in the exceptionally lightweight Aria jacket-shirt. Textured printed jerseys atop jackets add a third dimension to the piece, and monochromatic, warm, earthy colours are split up with detailed, decorative patterns.

Designed with a sense of practicality and understated class, the collection is ideal for Spring weekends of outdoor exploration and urban travel.

www.boggi.com

Fashion

Illuminated Forms

“It was the night /A giant saved me / Changed me into a love machine / I can’t take this hell, i a not your prisoner / i was a love machine /soft and hard” SebastiAN’s original track created for Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent Fall 2019 channels the spirit of the collection: the 80s nightlife, the enchanting Betty Catroux, Bianca Jagger (monsieur Yves Saint Laurent’s own muses), the time when the clubs were the place where designers, artists, socialites and most of the creative crowd would meet.

Anthony Vaccarello presented a strong vision for Saint Laurent gradually evolved season after season into an enchanting identity celebrating the Maison’s historical codes and imbued of Vaccarello’s own signature. The first looks already set the mood: long wool coats, dazzling tuxedo blazer with boxy sculptural shoulders, beautifully tailored. Anthony Vaccarello calls it the “couture blazer”. And it channels that famous masculine look Monsieur Yves himself merged in the Woman’s wardrobe.

But the collection also featured the vertiginously short minidresses Vaccarello is known for in the last looks that stormed in the catwalk as a totally different happening hinting the most deepest night ahead: fluorescents with matching shoes. Looking at their silhouette you can see a reinterpretation of some lines from the iconic 1971 collection by Yves Saint Laurent, clearly addressed by Vaccarello who has been constantly researching the archives. The light installation inside the venue between Matrix and the Tour Eiffel light spectacle – the latter usually accompanying the show during summer time – was a magnificent set for a magnificent collection.

 www.ysl.com

Fashion

A Final Inheritance of Karl Lagerfeld

The Fendi Women's Fall / Winter 2019-2020 collection contains Karl Lagerfeld's last creations. Karl started his career as a design consultant for Fendi in 1965. He developed a special bond with the brand, which is characterized through unprecedented perseverance. Karl gave everything to his collections, whether it was Balmain, Valentino, Chloe, Stella McCartney, Chanel, Fendi or his own brand Karl Lagerfeld. For Lagerfeld, fashion was an endless thought about the expression of wealth and beauty, thoughts that will always live with Fendi, according to creative director Silvia Venturini Fendi.

The collection embodies the extremely creative, romantic track that Karl was always on. His work was a form of personal expression. In his career, Karl was always deeply engaged with the simplicity of the silhouette. Trompe l'oeil - a lasting signature – one he defined in this collection with dreamy and luxuriant scenes in contrast with the sharp geometric forms that were irresistibly illuminated. A beautiful game is played with neutral tones that are highlighted by counterparts such as light ivory tulle, warm cognac patent and terracotta calfskin, alternated with sublime shades such as sea green, mandarin and azure.

Cloque, organza and satin are leading. To compensate for these soft textures, large buttons, double zippers and extra large floating snare straps are added. Karl's own signature is also subtly processed; the collar of the pointy shirt is high and combined with fully pleated trousers, jacket pockets and asymmetrical revers. The geometry contains playful shifting lines that refer to sharp diamond shapes.

A nice detail is Karl's curling 'Karligraphy' FF logo monogram, which Karl designed in 1981 and is depicted on the cabochon buttons. The accompanying accessory collection is a wonderful addition. The classic baguette is available in pillow patent, topstitched vegetal leather with a multi-strap utility harness. There is also a spacious metal frame tote executed in shiny calf. Shoes include flat heels or pointed heels with high heels and contrast soles in shiny neoprene.

A collection that is almost a true blueprint of Karl's artistic heritage.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Crystallized Flamboyance

The magical, pure rays of the Northern Lights are an intrinsic source of inspiration for Byblos's creative director Manuel Facchini. The pristine polar areas that have hardly been affected by humanity are an example of dedication to a more sustainable life. The colors that come together through the interaction of light, ice and temperature on the Aurora Borealis create a natural, flamboyant atmosphere.

Facchini’s aim in this Fall Winter collection is a more sustainable luxury life; plastic recycled bottles are reused by being turned into magical eco-friendly pearls that pursue the same aesthetics of the durable ice crystals and mountain diamonds. By imitating luxurious flamboyance in recycled plastic, Facchini shows that this graceful lifestyle does not only have exist at the expense of our fragile living environment.

Byblos's signature is characterized by all sorts of sports. Elegance and sportiness come effortlessly together in ergonomic constructions from cozy buffers to tight streamlined dresses, all embellished with classic 3D sport protection. Structured silhouettes alternate origami-styled suits with molecular ice structures that seem to melt slowly. Coconbomber jackets, hoodies and crystallized parkas are lined with beautiful graphic and geometric motifs, all are inspired by our own natural, nothern atemporal cosmos. The forms of the prints in this collection are copied from the effects of the Aurora borealis; collisions between electrically charged particles produced by the sun that slowly penetrate the earth's atmosphere. Footwear is characterized by sturdy, cool "cocoon" sneakers, eco-furry booties and hockey-inspired over-the-knee boots.

This new collection is a kaleidoscopic range of practical natural wonders with an inventive, sustainable, extravagant flair. By re-using materials and resemble terrestrial sources, a new challenge arises to save this planet and still live in luxury.

www.byblos.it

Fashion

Infinite Creativity

Hugo Boss, NY Fashion week Fall/Winter 2019

New York is the city where all sorts of cultural influences come together; art, design, architecture, and fashion. Disciplines fuse here faster than anywhere else. This visionary New York culture has been the starting point for Hugo Boss's new women and men’s collection.

The collection was presented in the gallery district of Chelsea, the heart of the Manhattan art scene. Boss’ decent and modest spirit aims to pursue formality, which has evolved in this collection into a more sporty identity that wants to stand out.

Long, custom made coats and voluptuous capes are made out of luxurious alpaca wool and double-faced cashmere. Edited patchworks are interspersed with graphic stripe constructions and sturdy quilts. Him and her are in contrast with the combination of extremely elegant flowing dresses and slouchy knitwear sweaters.

Traditional craftsmanship has been incorporated in this collection in high-end fabrics to refine the noble identity in a refined, creative way. The volumes of the designs have also been given unexpected proportions with raw-edge finishes and stitch details. Boss is nodding here to the great variety of architectural influences that New York richly possesses.

The basic colors have remained true to the roots. Subdued colors camel, mélange gray, biscuit and winter white are connected to extremes like cool yellow, bright blue and dark pink.

The diverse artistic references reflected in the details make the collection individual and quirky. The new designs from Boss invite you to watch twice - and then again; the unexpected is combined with the expected.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Flooded in News

Jeremy Scott, NY Fashion week Fall/Winter 2019

Jeremy Scott thinks that we are guided by the order of the day: the news cycle. Sensational and earth-shaking headlines keep us in their grips, a trap that is hard to escape. Scott wants to make people aware of this issue and designed this collection together with artist Aleksandra Mir, who does not hesitate about mapping the present in a confrontational way.

The endless news cycle does not only make us spectators but also witnesses, victims and perpetrators of an event, something that does not only affect our view on politics, but also pop-culture. Scott’s Autumn / Winter collection 2019 forms therefore a declaration on this tendency.

Mir brought the New York Post and the New York Daily news to life by enlarging the blown-up headlines into large graphic expressions, which are displayed large on the clothing. The collective obsession with salubrious headlines, false scenarios and click-bait drama causes unnecessary tension and divides societies into different groups, something that according to Scott is an unnecessary pattern and must be broken. His designs reflect the latest news that penetrates our lives so uninvitedly. Only black and white have been used to emphasize the contrast and to get into the graphic atmosphere.

Fabrics such as soft and liquid vinyl printed with blazing headlines formed in geometric dresses with a full zoom give the headlines a new context. Denim and leather also dominate and are embellished with a precious counterpart: Swarovski crystals.

Preformed bustiers are interspersed with layered feather-light tulle skirts - again transparency and layering play an important role. Today's catastrophes are covered in chiffon, the scandals of tomorrow in sequins, silk and tulle to express the horror and displeasure of this time.

By placing the powerful images in a different context, another meaning is created and that is exactly what Scott wants to give us.

www.jeremyscott.com

Art

Hate Speech

Aggression and Intimacy

Hate Speech is a collaborated art project with artists: Thomas Baumann, Candice Breitz, Elena Aya Bundurakis, Tony Cokes, Petra Cortright, Folkert de Jong, Verena Dengler, Ryan Gander, Yuri Pattison, Signe Pierce, Jim Shaw, Gunther Skreiner, Markus Sworcik, Amalia Ulman, Martha Wilson, Joseph Zehrer. Presented until 18 April 2019 in the Künstlerhaus, Halle für Kunst & Medien (KM-) in Graz, Austria. The exhibition addresses the function of the institution as a place for societal, free debate and democratic discussion.

Free speech and freedom of public expression are an ever returning and essential element in human life. In order to live alongside each other, it is always necessary to keep searching for a way to live next to each other. Interacting means developing. By “picking” interactions as a human being, you choose to connect, which means blending yourself with the public and private.

This artwork was developed in response to current relationships between politics and multi-media. Communication contains so many layers today, layers within which humanity needs to wonder whether there is still real freedom of speech within the use and especially abuse of media.

The individual partakes in the interaction process, subconsciously searching for individual meaning and with that, the possible connotations of their own personal intimacy. Interaction arises from people responding to the social and political happenings around them, becoming more sensitive and their psyche becoming more aware.

The way people are connected to online social channels today and how they interact to one another is a tendency that determines a whole new order in communication. Users develop an extraordinary urge for connection, which often seems to be in conflict with their personal boundaries. Questions about identity arise and create an inner intimate crisis. The media has been a dominant middleman for a long time, and has become even more powerful due to the rise of social media platforms. These channels do not only report and interpret the news. Interaction is unfiltered and not viewed in light of context. This creates a solid breeding ground for fake-news and the manipulation of public opinion resulting in an overly sensitive personal psyche.

Online communication results in a contrasting combat between dedication and discarding, visibility and anonymity. The collective reaction to this has resulted in people challenging each other in a hostile manner. Users dare not express their real desires in this uncertain, undetermined environment where only roles are adopted, instead of real personalities. “Intimacy” is central in this collection; it conveys a need for demarcation from outside space and ‘The Other’, for retreat and silence, so as to be able to recognize and describe one’s own personal self.

www.km-k.at

Fashion

TECHMERINO™ Wash&Go by Z Zegna starring Alexander Zverev

Today Z Zegna introduces the new TECHMERINO™ Wash&Go collection tested and presented by the youngest tennis winner of the ATP Finals and face of Z Zegna, Alexander Zverev. During playing, Zverev can fully count on high quality performance-capable material, encompassing lightweight comfort and sustained flexibility.

Zegna has an unprecedented passion for tennis and designed the TECHMERINO™ Wash&Go wardrobe with this obsession in mind. This assemblage includes suits, jackets, bombers, t-shirts, and pants, all with a fast-drying wool fabric for optimal comfort and performance. This collection contains best of both worlds; elegance and ultimate convenience. This can be seen in the variety of fabrics: maxi meshes playing with transparency executed in an inspiring spring color palette. This apparel shows how the limits of active wear can be re-interpreted with innovative techniques that lead into a sophisticated look.

TECHMERINO™ Wash&Go breathes well by offering a continuing thermo regulation that keeps the body on a constant temperature in both heat and cold. All the pieces are made out of the natural fabric; pure Merino wool treated with special finishing techniques so that it will be easy to wash and maintains its rich quality.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Sacai Fall 2019 Menswear / Pre-Sacai Fall 2019 Menswear

When the morning of the yellow vest protests we all tried to arrive on time for Sacai held at the Grand Palais, Paris seemed a ghost city, lost in space and time. With the Grand Palais in the middle of the restricted area and dozens of police’s special forces at every single corner surrounding the area it was surreal. In 2 hours the people fighting for their future would march those streets.

Feeling blessed to have succeeded to arrive on time at the show after several attempt to enter the area, as we saw this beautiful collection full of all Sacai’s signature traits playing with the construction of silhouettes and juxtaposition of materials: the deconstructed pleated asymmetrical skirts, performance fabrics hybridizing formal garments, coats where the liner becomes a pumped up outer layer, a sweater traditionally worn under a jacket instead becomes its outer shell.

Chitose Abe mentioned a “cultural melting pot”, in her show notes and the importance of feeling “the freedom to be different, to be an individual”. Symbolized by the iconic London’s Bar Italia collaboration for t-shits and hoodies, where Abe spent time as student.

www.sacai.jp

Fashion

Hermès Fall 2019 Men

French pioneer of modern architecture Auguste Perret and his spectacular reinforced concrete aesthetic welcomed us at the Hermès show last Saturday, after a difficult day for France with the Yellow Vest protest that fired across the city.

When arriving at the venue, housing the Mobilier National - the French national supplier of furniture to the royal family first and every official building – the guests were thrown into an ecstatic moment of appreciation: the show was set in the storeroom where all the magnificent armchair and sofas from Art Deco to Louis XIV were laid one after the other.

This landscape of emotion created the perfect setting for Véronique Nichanian’s collection. As magnificently as the upholstery in the background, Nichanian created a modern and extremely sharp Menswear both in the silhouettes and in the intentions.

It is rare today to see a Fashion house not to be tempted to create pieces draw from the current need for the extreme. Admirably Véronique Nichanian stays true to her aesthetic creating a collection made of refined gestures that doesn’t renounce to address a smart and young audience.

Take the beautiful leather carrot pants declined in all colours, from blue to caramel. Combined with knitwear or with leather bomber jackets with geometric contrasting elements. Or the oversized shearling and leather trench in a splendid burgundy tone.

Suits appeared sharp and worn with them with a roll-neck or zip-neck jumper in iridescent colourful hues underneath, giving a smart take on suiting.

It was fun to see a dragon silhouette on bags reminiscent of the Chinese Zodiac

The alluring power of heritage once again flame in this iconic Frech maison

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto Fall 2019 Mens

When not long ago Yohji Yamamoto himself held a live concert in Tokyo playing his beloved guitar we couldn’t help but be extremely excited. The reserved - at times almost introvert – Japanese maestro performing his music on a real stage!

For us who love his poetic and admire him unconditionally it was a natural gesture. We all wanted to be there. And when the sound of his soft voice pervaded the show venue for his Fall 2019 Menswear a soft melancholy, recalling that iconic moment surfaced embracing the whole collection.

The same soft melancholy of the silk thread on blazers and coats, the layered volumes signature of Yamamoto’s poetic: fluid large pants tucked in laced boots, coats on jackets approaching and slowly – in the Yamamoto’s signature models pace – as out of a majestic army.

It is not a stretch to feel the pathos recalling the uniform of the late Hijikata Toshiz? in Shinsengumi’s final battle in 1868.

Backstage Yamamoto playfully stated to some journalists the reason of the floating treads was due to having forgotten to cut them away, but we know his extreme humble nature drives miles away from the fashion circus where every gesture needs to be overly hyped.

Once again Yohji Yamamoto stays true to his integrity.

www.yohjiyamamoto.com

Fashion

Off-White Fall 2019 Mens / Pre-fall 2019 Womens

Spontaneous vegetation growing in hostile conditions, around abandoned industrial landscapes, resurfacing lacerated concrete, fading away from one place to blossom in another corner meters further. It’s the interstitial landscape in Gilles Clément’s “Manifeste du Tiers-Paysage” where plants serve as aid to observe the space with all its social, political, urban connotations.

Virgil Abloh’s setting for Off White is imbued with this rich fragmentary landscape, suspended, in constant evolution and change. Like Abloh’s creative ambition and know-how.

Moving into this residual landscape - constructed as a huge green-screen noddig to the 80’s and 90s “Pubblic Television” - Off-White new collection for Fall 2019 stormed in , with all its codes where the formal clothing and the attention to tailoring surfaced amongst Off-White’s repertoire confirmed Virgil Abloh’s voice and personal baggage starting his adventure at Louis Vuitton.

www.off---white.com

Fashion

Colmar to Protect Against the Elements

Colmar shows off their carefully cultivated experience and expertise that have been trialed and tested over the course of almost a century, catering clothing for the most challenging of open air sports. The Spring/Summer 2019 collection showcases exceedingly technical pieces, conscious of the multifarious challenges and restrictions that are thrust upon the active sport enthusiast facing disparate and at times harsh climates and conditions. The pieces are fit for function and ensure reliable elemental protection and safety, proving the garments up to the task presented by even the most demanding of sports.

Colmar consistently demonstrates its close connection to and understanding of the needs facing athletes and enthusiasts through regular, self-reflective frugal research and development. No more is this evident in this collection than in the slim, compressible jackets occupying only minimal space, ideal for seamless slipping into your backpack. All stretch pieces are created using anti-bacterial and anti-odour fabrics allowing for uninhibited and carefree movement. Other additional details include hoods, breathing inserts and glowing, reflective prints heightening visibility in the darkness. Polartec Alpha technology allows for thermo-regulation in one piece, managing the body heat produced alongside the circulation of air it comes into contact with. Wadding-filled sleeve and sleeveless outerwear have high absorption capacities combating wind, water and cold. All these essential functions are paired with a look that is simultaneously bright, bold and vibrant; so you can look, feel and be the part. The women’s jacket line is decorated with punctilious woven shoulder strap details and prints and the collection is cleanly rounded off with a wide selection of men’s swimwear.

Colmar’s Spring/Summer collection is skilfully crafted and harmoniously structured offering colour combinations that can be playfully layered together. The balance of the functional properties demonstrates Colmar’s sheer commitment to change in the pursuit of high quality, accommodating for both the athlete and the part-time sport enthusiast.

www.colmar.it

Fashion

Mr Porter Collaborates with Off-White

In a partnership with Off-White and under the direction of founder Mr Virgil Abloh, Mr Porter premieres an exclusively available 44-piece capsule collection ‘Modern Office.’ As indicated by the title, the collection revises traditional sportswear dress codes, synthesises them with the game-changing luxury Italian streetwear of Off-White, all the while underpinned by a refreshing exploration of modernity inspired by an upcoming generation of workers and their environments.

Bold and intrepid yet comfortable and minimalist. The skate sub-culture is retained through the individualistic, personalized style items and that sense of independent-minded, carefree disregard subsequently permeates the collection. Flux is revealed through the utilisation of a synergy of wool, felt, heavy canvas and cotton highlighted by muted, tonal colors and graphic visuals.

Mr Porter will debut the collection ‘Modern Office’ on 21st January 2019 as part of a thrilling collaboration available only at Mr Porter.

www.mrporter.com

www.off---white.com

Fashion

Pop-Up Store In Berlin

Another Berlin-based label, Nobi Talai, took the opportunity to launch it's pop-up store at KadeWe during Berlin Fashion Week. The store will be open to the public until February 16th. Designer Nobieh Talaei - inspired by the aesthetics of the Danish designer Finn Juhl - found inspiration in his famous designs such as the Circle Rug or the Pelican Chair for her S/S 19 collection that is being sold at the pop-up. As with all her designs she is forging a link between tradition and modernity, creating a collection for the urban explorers of today.

www.nobitalai.com

Fashion

Roman Nonchalance

Brioni showed in Milan its Fall/Winter 2019 collection presenting a masculine wardrobe repertoire with a tailoring formality. On the other hand they simultaneously exhibit a sense of informality making the collection one open to personal interpretation. Brioni’s authentic tailoring and precision is shaped again in a niche way, in an item called the primo suit. This slim-fit silhouette expresses a confident and exceptional, social spirited character.

An identity that embodies the idea of Roman nonchalance; an attitude that is characterized by pieces that move smoothly and lightly over the body made out of precious, refined materials with interesting details. This philosophy is central due to the representation of a man who instinctively follows his whims. An elegant gent with a well considered wardrobe, which obeys a special repertoire of style codes.

The collection indicates a mix of traditional and trending items: From trench coats to blousons, from morning suits to tailored or military pants. The items are released in materials such as cashmere, camel, wool, silk, leather, crocodile leather, velvet and knits with a fused color palette of neutral tones, whites, greys with touches of light blue and accents of rusted notes.

www.brioni.com

Art

Ulay's Exhibition at Richard Saltoun, London

The very nature of Ulay’s art inadvertently resists all attempts at classification and defies categorisation. A self-proclaimed anarchist, Ulay’s work spans multiple platforms and offers a stark exploration of the dichotomy between the masculine and the feminine, exploring the fluidity of the self and the constant potential for transformation and experimentation with new identities. Ulay is one of our long-time favourite artists with whom we have previously had the incredible honour to work with on two separate projects.

From an early affection for the fleeting, transient and instantaneous process of the Polaroid to a traceable crossover in utilising the physical form through performance and body art, it is strikingly evident that the single common thread of Ulay’s work is awareness — in the obvious performative, physical sense of course but also in his social commentary.

Ulay’s unyielding lifetime commitment to dismantling and subverting the roots of complex themes of identity, particularly gender, by tackling the harmful human conflicts that arise from externally enforced notions of identity through his unprecedented format, are what have comfortably established his status as a true icon of polaroid photography and as the father of performance art.

From 11th January – 23 February 2019, the Richard Saltoun Gallery in London will host its first solo exhibition of Ulay’s work dating back to the 1970s and progressing right through to new works exhibited in public for the first time.

www.richardsaltoun.com

 

Fashion

FENDI: ART & CULTURE

“My work is dealing with volumes shaped by lights and shadows, highlighting the forms with light, creating visual relations between projection and the use of lights and stroboscopes. The light is something smooth, untouchable, soft”.

Laslzo Bordos, the internationally renowned Hungarian artist, considered a pioneer of digital arts and architectural mapping, created “Lux Formae”, a visual installation supported by FENDI and produced by Solid Light Festival within Videocittà series of Events in the city of Rome. Using Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana - home of the roman maison FENDI- as its canvas he created a spectacular 3d projection on the building triggering new perceptions and symbolism of this iconic Italian architecture: “The building is a massive, heavy construction. I would like to create the illusion of the lights "holding" the building, bringing a contradictory situation where the lights become solid and the concrete becomes a floating element, supported by lights”- Bordos explained.

Having its deep roots already in the work of legendary artists like Laszlo Moholy-Nagy or George Kepes, Light Art had incredibly developed in the last decades, taking shape into the new forms of Light Projection on building using 3D mapping, where the urban and architectural environment is completely reproduced virtually in 3D to create an extremely precise and three-dimensional installation. When the projection is performed in situ on the building, its visual power derails the viewers customary schemes of perception and observation, creating a new reality, where the boundary of what is real and what is seen become blurry.
With the support of Fendi and its cutting edge approach to art, the video mapping projection by Laslzo Bordos took shape and brought a new meaning to Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, one of the most fascinating contemporary architectures in Roma.

Fashion

Dries van Noten Spring Summer 2018

Dries Van Noten has been synonymous of effortless since the beginning, more than 25 years ago. We have tasted surely during his 100th show where pieces of all past collection where carefully selected and carefully re-arranged together. The Spring Summer 2019, the first Womenswear show after the news of the recent majority acquisition by Spanish conglomerate Puig, was set at Palais the Tokyo and its clean environment. Many saw it as a symbol of a new start, a new beginning.  

But the collection proved that Dries van Noten aesthetic is as strong as ever.

That relaxed attitude, that playful side to mix prints and certainly the ability to wear masculine oversized cotton suits in white or black with anything borrowed from eveningwear like sheer knits and maxi sequins in aqua green, yellow and Yves Klein’s blue, one of Dries favorite references. The blue splashed a great part of the collection also adorning a couple of models’ head in form of feathers swim caps.

As the collection developed into evening dresses we all felt the mastery of Dries’ cut and ability to create couture-like dresses without feeling too Haute.

The workwear jumpsuit with the upper part pulled down at the waist and work as a decorative bow belt felt the quintessential Dries van Noten: infinitively savoir-faire.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles AW18 Collection features a Horror movie

In slang, Moose Knuckles defines the splitting of one’s bean bag as a result of pants that are hiked too high. In the realm of outerwear, Moose Knuckles sounds alarms as the benchmark of style for those who live in the cold.

To mark the release of their Fall Winter 2018 campaign, the moose tribe created a short, campy horror movie – Shady Maple Motel. Toronto’s own four-time MTV video award nominee, Kid. Studio directed the short, taking inspiration from the hyper-real sexually charged photography of Steven Klein. With previous high-profile clients Big Sean and the Weekend to his name Kid, employed the cream of Toronto’s crop for the stylish, sarcastic and gory short.

The leanest, toughest and most luxurious outerwear brand consciously pounds the path less travelled. Playing it safe has never been in Moose Knuckles DNA, and never will be. The contemporary Canadian counter-culture prefers to be known for its grit, dexterity and heritage. Creative Director Steph Hoff prides the brand on an instinctive, organic ethos.

‘If I wasn’t making a campy horror trailer with my friends for Moose Knuckles, I would probably be making campy horror movies with my friends for fun. Like everything we do at Moose Knuckles, it was completely natural to create a campaign around my lifelong love of cheesy drive-in movies, in my home town.’

Fall Winter 2018 includes an array of shearling jackets, transitional coats; combat pieces and over-the-top colorful fur-trimmed parkas, sweatshirts, oversized knits and draped football scarves. To really put the knife in, the collection increases the seminal core of Moose Knuckles with new Army Green, Redwood and Driftwood colorways. Canada to its core Moose Knuckles lives to innovate - to lead.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Highlights from Milan Fashion Week

Jil Sander Spring 2019

Was the outside inside or inside outside? Who knows? What is for sure is that Lucie and Luke Meier made another lasting impression with the Spring 2019 collection for Jil Sander.

Enter centre stage: the former beloved Milanese Panettone factory. Traditional white tiles adorn the now forlorn walls; operational buttons and levers exist as relics of the past. This was a setting that conveyed function, sense and a certain pragmatism that epitomizes Jil Sander.

Chiseled, sharp, asymmetric two-pieces began the carousel. As time transpired the looks grew in their femininity - sharp minimalism developed an asymmetric funk before evolving angelically into loose, airy ensembles. Rich greens and deep milk chocolate brown rose to crisp innocent white and luxurious caramel tones.

A common trend for Spring 2019 will undoubtedly be the ever-trusty pocket, which infiltrated another runway here in Northern Milan.

www.jilsander.com

Byblos Spring 2019

The regeneration of Byblos is here. Manuel Facchini made a welcome return to the Fashion week circuit in Milan this week with an incredible collection that twisted space atmosphere into something sporty.

Self-expression community experiment Burning Man influenced the Byblos Spring 2019 collection - the annual gathering in north-west Nevada’s, Black Rock Desert dedicates itself to anti-consumerism, communal effort, radical inclusion and leaving no trace.

These influences have birthed a special utilitarian collection that creates a sexy survival atmosphere by translating the colorful Nevada horizons into a playful and ironic space hippie typical of the desert melting pot.

Bonus points for the speculation of an active-wear collaboration.

www.byblos.it

Fashion

Breathing Change: Highlights from NYFW

The Row Spring 2019

Calm, free, fresh, angelic. The Row. In 2019 so much attention is fostered toward creating originality in fashion. So much so that this very idea often breeds stale, unoriginal, regenerated mush. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the antithesis of this very process. Allowing their serene collection to speak for itself as guests interact solely with their collection directly, quietly and intimately.

www.therow.com

Eckhaus Latta Spring 2019

Eckhaus Latta push new limits. Together Mike and Zoe fuse cool with raw. Spring 2019 combines digital prints, fluttery plaid dresses with dip dyed and tie dyed pastels on gimmick free, real, authentic models that live the brand. Eckhaus Latta is growing up.

www.eckhauslatta.com

Sies Marjan Spring 2019

Sander Lak’s sixth Sies Marjan collection is his most mature to date (at least according to his stepdad). Cargo elements and nautical stripes pay homage to memories of his father with a bold variety of textures that echo Sander’s journeyman child hood. The intense emotional occasion reached a crescendo as Sanders’ mother took to the runway with a smile.

www.siesmarjan.com

Coach 1941 Spring 2019

Leather goods may be Coach 1941’s main bag but that hasn’t stopped Stuart Vevers’ from using spring 2019 to playfully modernize their practical approach. Iron Dinosaurs, gritty ground, and Disney motifs New York 2018 was not a typical Coach runway show.

www.coach.com

Fashion

Prada opens a new boutique at Via della Spiga, Milan

Italian fashion house Prada is pleased to announce its opening of the new clothing boutique at Via della Spiga in Milan. The new 400 sq m corner store, designed according to Prada’s aesthetics, showcases a large, beautiful and fresh interior with large windows, inserted in the stone frame of the building. All display elements are made exclusively for Prada by Osvaldo Borsani and Giò Ponti.

While the first floor is dedicated to leather goods, accessories and footwear collections, the second floor will stock the clothing collections. To celebrate the opening of the Via della Spiga store, from the 10th of September on, the Italian fashion brand will offer the Prada Sidonie bag — from the Prada Resort 2019 collection — in two styles, made of city calf leather in a different range of colors.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Joey Fung and her mother Kam in new Fendi campaign

Joey Yung is one of the most popular singers and actressas in Asia at this moment. She became one of the most best selling Asian female singers of the 21st Century after she released her debut IEP in 1999. Joey Fung won numerous music awards and released almost 40 albums. In 2013 she proudly performed at the Royal Albert hall in London, becoming the first Chinese singer to perform on that stage. Joey Fung was ranked 63rd on the 2014 Forbes China Celebrity 100, making her the most influential Hong Kong-based female singer that year.

She participated in the Hong Kong Peekaboo Project and customized the Peekaboo, which pays homage to her mother Kam Fung. Kam Fung is not a public figure and did not appear on TV shows or TVC, but made an exception for this special Fendi project.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Back to the 80's

In the new Fall/Winter 2018 Advertising Campaign Italian fashion House Miu Miu presented a series of pictures with British fashion model Adwoa Aboah, Georgia May Jagger, Kesewa Aboah, Ariel Nicholson, Zoe Thaets — all of them shot by British photographer Alasdair McLellan.

The starlets company was joined by Hollywood’s renegade spirit Raffey Cassidy, Rowan Blanchard and Elle Fanning. All of them posing in iconic clothes from the season: denim total-look, drape coats, polka dot dresses and shoes with socks.

The reference comes from the 80’s and hairstyles of famous singer Cindy Lauper and Bonnie Tyler. In the movie "Steel Magnolia" Dolly Parton explains: ‘The higher the hair, the closer to God’. But what if she was wrong? There is something devilish about the exploration of the contemporary beehive. What if bad girls want to wear high hair too?

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Suitcase with the secret: Off-White&Rimowa Collaboration

The king of collaboration Virgil Abloh — founder of the Off-White brand and Creative Director of the men's line of French fashion house Louis Vuitton — continues his cooperation with German brand Rimowa.

After the Off-White fashion show for Men's Spring/Summer 2019 at Paris Fashion Week, the two companies officially launched their partnership. Virgil Abloh presented a new transparent case with a ribbed surface, calling it a new level of design. " It’s like 3.0 of personalisation.

It’s not just putting your initials on it but allowing another layer to come in play.’’ — said Virgin. From July 2nd everyone has the opportunity to buy the limited-edition case online and at selected RIMOWA and OFF-WHITE stores in the US and Asia.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Breathing Change: Highlights from PFW

Creativity, newness and powerful vibes of change. This is the fresh air anyone could breath if looking from the Tour Eiffel during the Paris Fashion Week, which has celebrated masculine elegance as well as the debut of several designers at the lead of iconic brands.

Maintaining a structured and industrial look that runs over wide denim trousers and T-shirts, Virgil Abloh’s personal brand Off-White brings flashes of American pop and underground culture. Particularly, the use of graphics ornamentations pays homage to graffiti of iconic artist Dondi as well as The Simpsons prints underline the statement of a subversive yet relaxed contemporary appeal.

New Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director makes a great debut, defining a precise and sophisticated new vocabulary for the brand. A bright (off-)white palette spreads into an extended prism of colours, prints and graphics.
From red poppy flowers taking over anoraks to the renovation of zoot-suit monochromatic looks, Virgil Abloh presents a collection that clearly speaks the language of Millennials, without compromising the distinctive notion of masculine elegance.

On the other way around, Belgian designer Walter van Beirendonck irradiating collection playfully works on structures and subversive imaginaries. On the one hand sparkling primary colours, graphics and patterns run over oversized sweaters and outerwear staples, underlining the label’s eclectic identity. On the other hand, a fetish-like abundance of leather marks the rebellious outlines of blue electric jackets and black pants.

A free dialogue of lines, shapes and drawings introduces to the fluid collection presented by Hermes for Fall 2018. Working on textiles such as cotton poplin or technical calfskin and a colour palette that includes monochromatic staples in pop orange, english green and greyish tones, the proposals define a sober yet self confident masculinity.

Inspired by Hawaii, travelling and island living, Yoon Ahn’s label Ambush creates a collection focusing on natural materials, such as cotton, wool and linen. Moreover, the jewellery range unveils literal pearls of wisdom on earrings, bracelets and rings, keeping in mind the ebb and flow of waves that mirror the motions of life experience.

Another promising beginning has been signed by Dior’s runway. With Kim Jones interpreting the codes of Monsieur Dior himself, the collection is a dual tribute to fantasy and Dior’s creativity. Both urban and soft, finding a balance between floral motifs, embroideries, delicate colours and streetwear structures, Jones spaces between the House iconic past, Dior’s personal life and celebrate the birth of a new out-look.

Fashion

Diesel's Red Tag Project by Glenn Martens

On the 16th June 2018, Diesel presented its second instalment of the Red Tag Project by designer Glenn Martens of the label Y/Project.

This platform aims to host international designers that will create exclusive capsule collections, then distributed by selected retailers. According to Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel: “Glenn comes from Belgian training, so he has this practical-yet-surreal, Margiela-like sense.

But then he’s young and modern, and knows how to appeal to a global, educated consumer, while simultaneously being able to experiment with denim”. Showcased on a stairway at Milan’s Fabbrica del Vapore, the Red Tag Project collection will be distributed and curated by Tomorrow Ltd.

Fashion

Automotive masterpieces with Idris Elba

This September, Grand Basel, the show for automotive masterpieces that presents vehicles in combination with art, design and architecture, is starting a global tour. Therefor, actor Idris Elba is looking for answers about what gives cars their soul in a new film he’s starring in made for Grand Basel.

The new film features four of the event’s exhibitions that reflect the past, present and future. Exceptional automobiles will be presented in extraordinary settings during the contemporary exhibition concept where sophisticated culture, aesthetics and technology engage with international audiences.

The Grand Basel show will be from 6 to 9 September 2018 in Basel, Switzerland. After that the show will be in Miami Beach from 22 to 24 February and Hong Kong 2019.

www.grandbasel.com

Fashion

Karl Lagerfeld first flagship store opening in New York City

Sited at 420 W. Broadway in New York in the heart of SoHo shopping district, KARL LAGERFELD celebrates the opening of their new flagship store, the first one in the United States.

The open feel of the boutique is best intensified by its 3230 square feet, where the overall interior design takes inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld’s private home and studio. Marble finishes, velvet chairs and vintage mirrors create a unique atmosphere, while others elements, such as the red border around the carpet’s edges, tell little stories about the wide imagery of the iconic designer.

The New York boutique will include KARL LAGERFELD and KARL LAGERFELD PARIS ready-to-wear collections for both men and women, as well as accessories and footwear.

In addition to that, Karl Ikonik, the playful collection featuring Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette graphics is also presented. Yet besides clothing, the boutique will also introduce a collection of cosmetics, realised in collaboration with Australian Beauty brand ModelCo.

Keeping the eye focused on future initiatives, the house will surprise customers with the launch of the special collection KARL LAGERFELD x Kaia, which will be available from September 2018.

As Paolo Righi, CEO of the brand, declared: “Opening the first KARL LAGERFELD store in the United States is an exciting milestone in our brand’s continued growth. […] New York is an international fashion capital with a modern spirit and energy that make it ideal setting for our new flagship.”

Innovative, timeless, contemporary. The World of Karl is an open invitation to observe how the future of high-end retail experience looks like.

Fashion

FEIT for TOOGOOD // TOOGOOD for FEIT Collection 02

FEIT founder Tull Price and British design duo Faye and Erica Toogood team up for the second time to launch the unisex Suede Artist Shoe and Suede Artist Boot, as a pure tribute to craftmanship.

The two versions readapt the design from an original desert boot and are made by hand from one-piece upper, which is consequently sewn by hand to the midsole.

With their innovative approach to sustainable solutions, the two models feature a biodegradable and non-irritant vegetable-tanned suede, which allows them to get better with age. As well, the water-based glue used to cement the midsole and the outsole and the shoes can be resoled thanks to the Goodyear construction process.

When looking at the clean design and solid structure of these two clever proposals, it is clear that this project is not only a challenge to the industrial way of thinking, rather it is a consistent demonstration of how the future of fashion is already present.

The Suede Artist Shoe and Suede Artist Boot will be available online and at FEIT New York and Toogood London stores from 21st March 2018.

Fashion

Cartier: The Exhibition

On the 30th March at National Gallery of Australia, Cranberra, historic jewelry brand Cartier will inhaugurate an exclusive exhibition, featuring more than 300 hundreds masterpieces samples from Cartier Collection, private owners and institutions.

Designed by renowned scenographer Nathalie Criniere, the exhibition has been co-curated by Margaret Young-Sanchez, Denver Art Museum and NGA and will dispaly a selection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewels, including the Queen’s Halo tiara.

As well, several items belonged to European monarchs such as the 10.48-carat diamond engangement ring of Her Sirene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco will be showcased alongside famous clients’ private belongings, including the Duchess of Windsor, Mexican film star Maria Felix and Elizabeth Taylor among many others. In addition to that, a variety of the brand’s iconic watches will be showcased for the occasion.

As Gerard Vaughan, NGA Director stated: ‘Jewels of spectacular calibre and size, amongst the most important in the world, magnificently set by Cartier’s renowned craftsmen will be exhibited only in Canberra. It is a collection of immeasurable quality and value, the likes of which have never been seen in this country before, and may never be again. Years of research and gentle persuasion will deliver an unforgettable experience.’

Dedicating this project to Australian people and of course, Cartier lovers, the event that will last from the 30th March until the 22nd July 2018 represents a unique occasion to explore and be overwhelmed by the incredible production of an extraordinary company leading the way of diamonds design for over a century.

Fashion

Givenchy launches their new platform to main European markets

Now closer to their customers than ever before, on the 5th March 2018 historical Fashion House Givenchy has launched their new omni-channel platform to its five main European markets: the UK, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and Spain. The new platform, which has been designed in collaboration with the London-based agency R/GA and curated by artistic director Clare Waight Keller, is characterized by a very fluid layout and clean structure blending real-time access to fashion shows, in-depth features and a mix of news.

Coinciding with product availability in-store, the platform will satisfy consumers desire to purchase several pieces from the designer Spring Summer 2018 collection, including front-of line access to monthly-product drops and online-only capsule pieces. Presenting all products in high resolution, Givenchy’s new strategy (covering also online media, e-mail and social media) celebrates a future-oriented approach to shopping and unique ability to combine very distinctivr web design aesthetics with the increasing improvement of user experiences.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

The future starts now - Moncler Genius

Creativity is our energy, multiplicity is our strength. Truthfulness is our credo. Change is what drives us forward. Moncler is continuing to explore the surrounding spirit of its uniqueness. The future starts now.”

On the 20th of February and with a powerful manifesto, new forms of expression for iconic duvet brand have been announced. Conceived by Remo Ruffini, Moncler Genius is the result of a consistent work of research culminating in different languages that narrate only one identity.

Using the jacket as a starting point, fragmentation becomes the main concept and guideline. Eight projects turn the product in an object and communication mean, strongly oriented to functionality and newness.

The new Moncler building hosts several areas identified by a number, each of them dedicated to a single project (which will be realised monthly) interrelating with others and interpreting the singularity of Moncler consumers.

Starting from 1 Moncler Pierpaolo Piccioli that focuses on purity of forms, Moncler 1952 instead pays tribute to the brand’s year of birth, adopting a curatorial approach.

The journey into the exhibtion-like space continues with Monocle Grenoble focusing on prints and fabrics, Moncler Simone Rocha on deconstruction, Moncler Craig Green on the dialogue between clothing and the body, Noir Kei Nimomiya on wereable geometries, Fragment Hiroshi Fujiwara on reinforcing the duvet cult-status and eventually Palm Angels working on logos and slogans.

With Moncler Genius, a new and really clever direction for the company has been set up, extraordinarily combining those diverse medium that celebrate imagination and uniqueness.

Travel

Casacau: A Homelike Stay In the Eternal City of Rome

In a 17th century Roman residential building near the Fontana di Trevi, the six unique and luxurious apartments of Casacau have been integrated. Situated in the heart of the eternal city, the historical charm of the house intertwines perfectly with contemporary design. This getaway offers all comforts and services one might expect in the most exclusive hotels in Rome, but with the added touch of a home-like-feeling and more privacy. Each apartement has a different aesthetic atmosphere mixed with its own personality. Vintage-furnishings from the 50s, 60s and 70s blend in with modern comfort and convenience. Some of the rooms are equipped with a Turkish bathroom and one even offers a sauna for that added wellness value. All rooms come complete with a dining space and an open supplied kitchen. Two rooms also feature a balcony, with a view either on the street or the patio.

The hotel is part of the TakeMeRome project by Pino Cau, who has been working in hospitality for thirty years. Aiming to offer guests a carefree stay in Rome, TakeMeRome takes care of all details of their stay. Following this philosophy, Casacau offers its guests the possibility to order fresh groceries if they’re feeling up to the task of cooking. If not, the restaurants Stazione di Posta and EIT can deliver to all rooms upon request. What’s more, at Casacau, there will always be someone available to fullfil guests’ special wishes. The philosphy behind Casacau is to provide a hideaway that makes it easy to discover Rome’s hidden gems while making one feel like staying at a friend’s place, because human relations are seen as the real luxury.

casacau.com

Fashion

Berlin goes Kiez

From the 15th of February to the 23rd on the occasion of the renowned Film Festival, Berlinale Goes Kiez is bringing the event to independent cinema's across the city.

With a selection of films and events, the programme is aimed to create a dialogue between the audience and the filmmakers, who will answer the public’s questions immediately after the screenings and Anne Lakeberg, head of City Kino Wedding, will moderate the discussions on the behalf of Berlinale.

This initiative is also honouring the work of art-house theatres that kept cinema culture active and vital overtime as well as it is consolidating a charismatic engagement with the annual appointment.

www.berlinale.de

Fashion

Highlights from NYCFW

Playing with American culture and inspired by everyday heroes, Raf Simons for Calvin Klein presents a layered collection, sporting long skirts, overcoats, balaclavas, knits. From Sofia Coppola’s 2017 The Beguiled to Nasa’s aesthetics, Simons’ references emboss a rich symbolism on Calvin Klein's minimalistic style, interlacing elements from workwear: cropped jackets, prairie dressed and looks reminiscent of an industrial milieu.

Mentioning baseball without including New York would be an oxymoron. With its ‘Sports Tailoring’, Hugo Boss celebrates the American's favourite sport and translates it to high tailoring. There is a focus on making extra sizes and volumes for cashmere coats, puffer jackets and raincoats. Baseball graphics along with Hugo Boss initials adorn shirts and jackets, while flashes of neon yellow are added to classic wool pieces in brown and grey, which elaborate a new imagery for American elegance.

Aligning fashion with art and architecture is likely one of the diktats of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who presented their collection at their showroom in Manhattan’s West Village. For the occasion, the studio has been transformed into an exhibition space where 13 sculptures from artist Isamu Noguchi were displayed to enhance The Row’s vision. Monochromatic and earthy-toned, the collection unveiled relaxed knitwear dedicated to non-conformist women of the 20th century.

Bondage-style straps and neon orange iconic bob wigs. The reference to Luc Besson’s cult movie The Fifth Element is immediate. Over 20 years since the release, Jeremy Scott pays homage to heroine Leelo (marvellous Milla Jovovic) delivering a bright collection with sharp lines saturated by kaleidoscopic prints and tight moon boots. Make-up by Kabuki and hair-styles by Eugene Souleiman was the perfect backdrop.

For Zadig & Voltaire, Art Director Cecilia Bonstrom focuses on sensual femininity, with white T-shirts and tight vinyls. The collection features both men and women’s looks in oversized soft sweaters in red and creamy hues, as well as leather jackets interpreted in new different cuts. To complete the outfits, relaxed blousons are worn under sculptural trenches, while jackets add a touch of balanced androgyny to the full range.

Fashion

Lanvin Fall Menswear 2018

A landscape of lights. A cityscape and its never-sleeping crowd.

Lanvin Fall 2018 collection epitomises Lucas Ossendrijver’s extraordinary know-how in constructing a garment and inventing totally new codes.

We have seen the seminal elements in his Summer Spring 2018 presented last June: combined fabrics, double inlays that revealed a duality.

This season we see the apotheosis of this idea: deconstructed and layered garments play together where everything is masterfully balanced blurring the borders of the garment’s identity itself.

It’s that strong sense of the unexpected invading the entire collection. Sports pieces in fabrics borrowed from the tailoring world: see the puffer gilet delivered in grey pinstriped wool worn over a classic coat.

It was mesmerizing trying to capture all the annexed elements, the attached from the layered, the inserts pieces where the subversion of the traditional idea of a suit is the main theme.

“I focused on the most classic, almost passé item, drawn directly from the legacy and origin of the Lanvin man: the suit. What is a suit? Two pieces, a jacket and trousers, cut from the same fabric. I wanted to deconstruct this idea, using layering”. Ossendrijver’s approach on tailoring delivers a modernity merged with sartorial tradition.

The use of sleeveless parkas is striking: layered on tailored pieces or part of a articulated garment: a part-technical, part-suit parka jacket – in an updated Price of Wales check – sported an asymmetric zip around the collar to reveal a shirt and another suit jacket beneath.

“For me, these combinations make a modern suit. I wanted to create a smokescreen”.

www.lanvin.com

Fashion

Hermès Menswear Fall 2018

The power of senses. The power of what a particular scent can evoke. The smell of winter, of nature, of an alluring simple life.

As we walked in the Hotel de l’Artillerie, a beautiful monastery built at the end of the 17th century in the 7th arrondissement, the magical vision of eight tall narrow bonfires sat at the centre of the cloister. The smell of wood and the dramatically increasing height of the flame, triggered by the sudden wind arose in the evening, gave a extraordinary romantic feeling of warmth and cosiness increased by the woollen blankets waiting at each seat.

We only later discovered that the models were to walk in between those flames and the then dangerously sparkling wood.

It is a fact that the set design by Villa Eugenie gave the perfect background to the collection.

Véronique Nichanian created once again a timeless collection for Hermes Menswear imbued with classic staples pieces. Beautiful sweaters at times slightly slouchy, leathers outwear with a delicate youthful charm like the glossy leather matelassé jackets.

At Hermès the leatherwork Hermes is always outstanding. The butter-soft intarsia leather sweatshirts are only one of the several pieces that caught our eyes. If the evening pieces played around slim silhouettes with lustre finish, oversized and cloudy woollen coats balanced the final look. Nichanian delivered a new spirit in this iconic maison. We are excited to see the developing traits of these sparks.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Junya Watanabe Menswear Fall 2018

Junya Watanabe has always been researching on workwear for his Menswear collection.

It’s a fuss-free, genuine utilitarian take on clothes that are impressed on our everydaylife, from heavy duty to white-collars. This season was the turn of the fireman, the waste collector, the delivery boy, the office worker, the college student, the hiking guide.

Some carrying totes and backpacks that transformed into a jacket, ready for any weather sudden changes. A reflective band run through the entire collection, also adorning the more tailored jackets, sweaters and coats. A hint to our modern times where office hours often extends into late night.

As the colour palette was imbued with black, dark blue, grey, orange, red, the materials spaced from technical materials to heavy wool and relaxed knit pieces.

Watanabe has been a pioneer in brands collaborations before it became the new cool in the industry.

Also this season Junya Watanabe collaborations featured Carhartt, North Face, Levi’s, Canada Goose, New Balance conferring that high-tech know-how and durability to staple pieces which will undoubtedly never go out of fashion.

Fashion

Woolrich's New Store Experience

Woolrich hosted a private cocktail in its first Milan flagship store located on Corso Venezia 3. Taking place on the opening day of Milan Men’s Fashion Week, the event featured a live DJ set by François Pochez. The boutique, spanning 700 square meters, was designed by Japanese studio Wonderwall under the guidance of Masamichi Katayama. The store’s interactive concept comprises a lounge area, a dedicated space for customization, a green area curated by Green Fingers and an Extreme Weather Experience Room, all of which offer an innovative and fully engaging in-store experience.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Celebrating Diversity

“Everyone has a different story… and everyone wears Emporio Armani”. For the launch of its Spring/Summer 2018 campaign, Emporio Armani decided to feature men and women of different ages and coming from all over the world, all selected trough street casting.

Shot in Milan by Photographers Ben Weller, Mark Peckmezian and Pawel Pysz, the campaign comes with a serie of pictures portraying the lucky ones, who bring a personal and original interpretation to Emporio Armani’s exclusive style, as the merging outcome of individual attitude and group’s identity.

With their charismatic attitude and ironic descriptions, the shots intensify the spontaneous freshness of the brand’s spirit and put emphasis on the authentic diversity that makes people unique.

www.armani.com

Fashion

The Paris Polo

In line with its precise identity and redefining the modern codes of urban elegance, Lacoste launches their R-T-W brand new polo shirt.

Characterised by a slim concealed button placket and a collar band, the shirt is proposed with shorter length and a straight fit that highlight the silhouette. The use of light materials like the stretch cotton mini piqué allows a comfortable and practical wear, while a tone-on-tone embroidered logo remarks the clean essentiality of the label, aiming to create a timeless look easy to combine with different styles.

Available in 15 shades, the Paris Polo will be available online and in all Lacoste stores from February 2018.

wwww.lacoste.com

Fashion

Dior Lady Art Bag #2

Last year Dior invited a handful of British and American artists to reimagine the classic Lady Dior Bag for a limited edition. As the project was a great success, it is back now, featuring another ten artists from all over the world of different ages and origins.

Giving “carte blanche” to the artists, they could freely transfer their creativity into Dior’s leatherworking language. Everything, from the fabric, to the charms, size, color, jewelry, handles and stitching could be adjusted by them.

The artists Friedrich Kunath, Namsa Leuba, Spencer Sweeney and Lee Bul created the new versions of the Lady Dior Art Bag. On Dior’s website, one can watch a series of videos highlighting their individual artistic identities and inspirations.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Moon Boot x Moncler

Two brands that are somehow synonymous with winter in fashion, just announced a collaboration with each other. The French outerwear brand Moncler, that connects the extreme demands of nature with those of city life, breathes life into a collection with Moon Boot, the iconic brand for aprés ski shoes. A capsule collection that fuses the stylistic elements of both brands, creating minimal to opulent boot models.

They are playing with colors, but a brillant black, that blends the classical with the traditional, is always prevalent. The collection is featuring boots in complete black, characterised by the typical Moon Boot tone-on-tone graphics, in sand, kaki, with shearling wool or a greige canvas effect. Various typical designs have been revisited concernig content, proportions and height.

The softness and exclusivity of silvery fox fur transforms the pieces in something even more desirable and timeless. With this collaboration a simple winter and sports shoe has become an iconic object and must-have of modern times offering cosy wintertime chic.

www.moncler.com

Travel

A Special Hideaway In the Historic Heart of Rome

In the middle of baroque Roman buildings, emanating the extraordinary presence of history, the exquisite private residence and boutique hotel Le Quattro Dame is located in a traditional palazzo between Piazza Venezia and Largo di Torre Argentina. The name of the residence and its philosophical inspiration comes from the four famous profile paintings, Portrait of a Woman, by Florentine renaissance artist Piero del Pollaiuolo, displayed throughout a few of the rooms. Entering the builiding, one has the choice to either walk up an impressive marble staircase that leads to the second floor, or enter a nostalgic elevator that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Muted earthy tones at the reception area have a soothing effect on the visitor, and lounge sofas serving an inviting space to sit and unwind. A gallery of renaissance artworks by selected artists such as Bronzino, Raffaello and Lorenzo Lotto adorn the walls, instilling the space with an independent and authentic vibe. Classical features such as high ceilings, wooden floors and wide windows are fused with modern but timeless interior design.

Only minutes from the Pantheon, Le Quattro Dame houses six different styles of rooms: three deluxe rooms, two junior suites, and a more secluded apartment. All of them are eclectically furnished and decorated in a chic, sophisticated Italian style. From the Sand Suite’s balcony, one can see the spot where Julius Caesar likely passed away. Viabuzzuno and Kartel lamps light up the rooms, Dedar and Sahco provide wooden flooring and curtains for a homey feel, while cosy Meridiani and Flou beds tempt you to lie in for longer. The bathrooms are furnished with glass doors, resin floors and steel accessories by Agape and Gessi. As Le Quattro Dame provides more of a self-contained apartment stay than a traditional hotel, all rooms are equipped with a kitchenette, Nespresso machine, kettle, minibar, glassware and Villeroy & Boch china.

 During the stay, the manager Dori is reachable by phone, and mulitilingual staff members are available daily from 8.30 am to 6.30pm for inquiries about sightseeing, museum visits, tansfers, car hires, table reservations and everything else. Walking in and out of this typical Italian residence, feeling as if it were your own home, makes one blend in with the locals immediately. Le Quattro Dame is the ideal choice when looking for a high quality luxury hideaway with a romantic and stylish twist in the centre of beautiful Rome.

www.lequattrodame.com

Fashion

Versace Reopens Boutique in Frankfurt

When entering the newly designed and reopened Versace boutique in Frankfurt, one is greeted by a blend of traditional Italian architectural values and the incomparable dynamism and energy of Versace. Fior di bosco marble, onyx and brass elements create an ambience with a contemporary twist and emphasise the mood of supreme luxury. The boutique is a meeting point between the past and the future. The store is a unique and exclusive area of 345 square meters, which is perfect to present the Versace prêt-à-porter collections and accessories for men and women. According to Donnatella Versace, the interior design pays tribute to Italy’s cultural heritage and represents the spirit of the brand.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Paris By Night

With its new capsule collection, Highlight, the french brand Sandro presents an evening wardrobe with Parisian flair just in time for the party season. The 15 pieces are inspired by different decades of party wardrobe, offering the ideal outfit for each taste and occasion. Shades of black, silver and white, geometric shapes and volumes meet asymmetries. Pleats and frills bring twists to a feminine silhouette. The looks are formal but have the typical oh-so Parisian casual edge to them. The lustrous moiré of a draped bustier is combined with a full-circle skirt, silvery sequins can be found on a shawl-collar smoking jacket, worn over a short skirt in draped lurex and a white top with gigot sleeves contrasts with the deep black of a skirt enhanced with an asymmetric frill. Details of lace and brocade capture the final glow of Paris at dusk. The Sandro Highlight collection knows how to play with the dreams and desires of a starry night and channel chic femininity.

www.sandro-paris.com

Fashion

Hogan Christmas Special Edition: Glam It Up!

To accompany the upcoming festive and joyous mood before and after Christmas with style and grace, Italian shoe brand Hogan releases a special collection. The 2017 Christmas Edition can’t be beaten in glamour and festiveness. The brand’s maxiplatform H222 signature sneakers have been revisited and are proposed in two bright versions. The first one is a black patent leather edition with allover golden motifs and a laminated sole and the second comes in black suede with silver decorations and a metallic platform. A bright-touch clutch bag completes the Hogan XMAS Capsule Collection making it a perfect match for the shoes. These pieces are a secure entry on this year’s wish list!

www.hogan.com

Fashion

Camper x Eckhaus Latta

In the name of their Camper Together model, the shoe brand collaborates with leading international designers from the worlds of art, fashion and architecture. The aim is to create singular products and fuse their signature style with Camper’s unique DNA. Now, Camper partners up with fashion label Eckhaus Latta for a third collaboration. The couple and design duo behind the American brand is known for its avant-garde aesthetic, which they combine succesfully with Camper’s offbeat approach to footwear. Eckhaus Latta designed their own version of the Thelma model, which is a vintage-inspired heeled shoe, playing with flared volumes and refined heights. While the deconstructed design features uppers that combine rich leather with inverted jacquard fabric, the outside is inspired by the cloth upholstery typical of public transportation. All these attributes give the shoe an edgy tongue-in-cheek, anti-fashion vibe. The new Thelma will be available as both a slip-on moccasin and a zip ankle boot from the 31st October at CamperLab stores in New York, London and Paris, selected Camper stores and online.

www.camper.com

Fashion

The Handmade Derby by Sandro Homme

The french brand Sandro combines a focus on the future with the exploration of its past heritage. For the Sandro Homme shoes winter collection 2017, Ilan Cherite has revisited the iconic laced derby and added some character and class. These quirky shoes are a product of traditional savoir-faire, entirely hand made in England. To make it durable, they are constructed with Goodyear stitching. The first seam binds the upper, the inner sole and the welt. A second seam binds the welt to the outer sole, which makes it easily to replace. The inner sole out of natural cork fits to the shape of the foot and provides comfort like a tailor-made model. The timeless derby comes in box-calf black leather, which enhances the classic. This classy english shoe style is convincing with its versatility and can be worn with a city suit or less formal attire. In each pair Sandro expresses its aspirations and values, which are elegance, quality, discreet luxury and refinement. These high-end shoes are also intentionally affordable, which makes it easier to achieve that desireable dandy look.

www.sandro-paris.com

Fashion

Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2018

A laugh, a constant chuffed female loud laugh. It’s Michele Lamy’s voice in her latest album, accompanying Rick Owens Spring Summer 2018 show staged at the ornamental pond on Palais de Tokyo’s esplanade.

Rick Owens’ parade of draped, layered, adjunct looks felt - more than the recent Menswear Spring Summer’18 - like a continuation of the previous Womenswear Fall Winter ’17, with its spectacular volumes and emblematic head pieces of what looked like a sacred procession. At the time Owens declared how it was a propitious gesture in name of humanity and a positive new beginning as opposite to his historical cult of darkness.

On the same wavelength, this Spring Summer ‘18 collection is a rejection of any dark climate our time is undoubtedly imbued with. The show started with off-white silhouettes carefully draped with oversized bags placed at the waste, to create volumes recalling wombs.

The collection was rich in variations: sequined looks with knitted threads over them in brown, grey, and black; embellishment details in forms of slim linear beads placed in the shape of striped architectural structures over tops and dresses, occasionally recalling a moebius form.

But it were the final looks that undoubtedly stole the scene. A series of cocoon-like forms made of carefully shaped transparent jersey revealing intricate origami forms beneath, covering models heads’ and elongating them as to create a new being, a new existence. Rick Owens’ ode to joy, light and what’s still to come was staged in a water spectacle where beamers vertically sprayed water ten meters high. As the models walked in an impetuous fresh mist invaded the entire space. The PR’s urging us to wear the plastic rain ponchos placed on every seat pre-show, finally made sense. With Rick Owens signature’s logo written on its back we all looked as part of a congregation, reunited for some propitious ritual in the name or rebirth. A cleansing from this tired society.

www.rickowens.eu

Art

FENDI announces partnership with Galleria Borghese

The Italian fashion house Fendi has always had a strong connection to Rome and the fine arts. It all started, amongst others, with the restauration of the Trevi Fountain in 2015, followed by the opening of the first floor of Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana to the public, where Fendi’s headquarters are now. The brand recently announced a three-year-partnership with the prestigious Galleria Borghese in Rome, which is guarding the most relevant and best preserved paintings by Italian painter Caravaggio. Hence Fendi will be supporting the Caravaggio Research Institute, which sees the constitution at Galleria Borghese as a center of studies, diagnostics and artistic-historical research aiming to become a primary reference. To spread the word about the project, Fendi and the Galleria Borghese created an exhibition on the artist which will be taking place all over the world at the most high-end-venues. However, the first exhibiton that Fendi will be supporting is the “solo one”, which is dedicated to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the most representative artist of the Baroque period in Rome. The exhibition will be inaugurated on the 31st of October and will be open to the public from November 1st 2017 to February 4th 2018.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Lacoste Spring/Summer 2018

Lacoste celebrates its 85th anniversary with a collection full of humour and new declinations of their iconic polo shirt. Creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista draws inspiration from classic French cinema from the mid 90s with two particular titles : the controversial Kassovits’s “La Haine” and Eric Rohmer’s “Conte d’été” exploring their portrayals of youth and the clashing realities between these two very different movies. 

Oliveira Baptista questions the themes of formal and informal, of classic and sportswear in a play between contradiction elements and codes. If for women the polo shirt becomes an off the shoulder mini dress that wraps around the body, for men it appears oversized worn over denim.

The 90s reappear in the windbreakers, pea jackets and tracksuits reminiscent of the youth of that time, now released in high-tech versions. This is a collection where the beauty is in the cuts and its new sensuality and where the sportswear pieces made from openwork mesh nylon create a new sensuality. A celebration of the heritage of the brand, the iconic colours red 240, navy 166, white 001 and green 132 reissued together with pastels of the 80s, with the crocodile logo inhabiting the buttons of a piped cardigan or “climbing” over the shoulders of a dress.

A playful approach full of Lacoste’s history and its contemporary innovation.

www.lacoste.com

Art

Museo del Novecento and Fondazione Furla present Simone Forti: To Play the Flute

Museo del Novecento and Fondazione Furla present Simone Forti: To Play the Flute – a selection of performances by this Italian-born American artist, choreographer and dancer that will fill the Museo del Novecento’s Sala Fontana with sound and movement for three days.

This marks the first event of the Furla Series #01 – Time after Time, Space after Space, a performance- centred program that will feature five events from five different artists with varying backgrounds, influences and approaches to this form of expression.

Simone Forti, has been a leading figure in postmodern dance for over fifty years and has helped shaped the landscape of contemporary dance with performances that range from minimalist movement to improvisations that also featured spoken word. To Play the Flute is a reenactment of four seminal performance moments in Forti’s career that highlights her approach to the interplay of actions and objects, and they key role assigned to sound.

Forti’s famous Dance Constructions – now part of New York’s MoMa permanent collection – served as the foundation of her solid reputation in the 60’s art world thanks to her innovative ways of experimenting with the language of movement. The performances rethink the relationship between body and object, movement and sculpture, rules and improvisation and are based on everyday movements or interactions with objects. Personal expression and improvisation always appear to be hampered by the effort required to carry out a given physical task or follow certain rules.

The first Time after Time, Space after Space event will take place on the 21st to the 23rd of September in the Sala Fontana of Milan’s Novecento Museum. The program for Time after Time, Space after Space will include four more events featuring artists from around the world, at bimonthly intervals: Alexandra Bachzetsis (November 2017), Adelita Husni-Bey (January 2018), Paulina Olowska (March 2018) and Christian Marclay (April 2018)

www.museodelnovecento.org
www.fondazionefurla.org

Fashion

Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2018

Jeremy Scott is celebrating his birthday. Not the birthday of Jeremy Scott, the 42-year-old designer from Kansas City; rather Jeremy Scott, the distinctive namesake brand. But really, what is the difference? Scott is a designer who's personality is so transparent in his designs - his collections time and again let us peek into the mind of the fun-loving, eclectic American who 20 years ago staged his first show off-schedule in Paris.

For the anniversary show, Scott strived to refresh his distinct style while remaining true to what attracts his loyal following (basically, streetwear on acid). "It was a challenging process," Scott admitted. Not to undermine his word, but the show felt as challenging to process as a favorite guilty pleasure chick-flick. And why should fashion be any more complicated than that, anyway?

Neon phantom trousers overlaid bedazzled fishnet bodysuits, comic book printed body-con dresses were styled with over-the-knee python boots, fun bathing suits worn with chunky leather jackets: as per usual, Scott is hailing every contrast, clash and fashion faux-pas in the book. Perhaps the biggest contrast of all was Ms. Jourdan Dunn, one of the most commercially successful models, strutted down in a one-piece which read "VIVA AVANT GARDE." Oxymoronic, indeed.

www.jeremyscott.com

Fashion

Camper’s Techno Odyssey

Camper’s latest campaign is spearheaded by Romain Kremer, who has created a techno odyssey made up of surreal set pieces and vivid imagery. Six new alien-like personalities bring to life the A/W 2017 campaign, enlarging the Camper universe and telling a new part of its story: dreamlike characters are pictures with avant-garde designs, infused with the drama of over-saturated monochrome tones and colour-blocked, graphic shapes. Photographer Daniel Sannwald and makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench are the ones responsible for creating the high-impact, memorable images which were shot in London.

Avatars Thelma and Serena lead the march for women, Rex and Brutus for men, and unisex favourites Dub and Drift for the androgynous crowd. Viewers can step into Camper alluring new world on many different platforms, all around the globe: in-store, in print, on digital platforms, and their website.

www.camper.com

Art

POWERMASK: Walter van Beirendonk at the Wereldmuseum

From the 1st of September 2017 until the 7th of January 2018, the ethnographic Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam will host POWERMASK, an exhibition curated by Antwerp fashion designer Walter van Beirendonck. The exhibition is a journey through the deeply symbolic, totemic and patrimonial world of masks, an often underrated accessory in contemporary fashion. Van Beirendonck has incorporated masks into his fashion collections since the 1990s, sourcing inspiration from André Breton, Pablo Picasso and Pieter Bruegel’s caricatural portraits.

The exhibition will examine links between Western art and African masks, the supernatural rituals surrounding masks, masks in fashion, masks as fetishes, and numerous other aspects. Van Beirendonck has styled the 125 masks, unpacked from the Wereldmuseum’s archive, with colorful costumes and fashion silhouettes. The backdrop of the exhibition is a delightful patchwork of wall installations by contemporary artists such as Brian Kenny, Coco Fronsac and Charles Fréger, macabre paintings of James Ensor, playful illustrations by Keith Haring, and designs by haute couture heavyweights Viktor & Rolf and Jean Paul Gaultier.

www.wereldmuseum.nl

Fashion

Kenzo Spring/Summer 2018

Asian models, only. Humberto Leon and Carol Lim celebrated two icons of Japan where Kenzo as brand finds its deep roots back to founder Kenzo Takada.

The collection explores the personalities of master musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and topmodel Sayoko Yamaguchi for Spring Summer 2018 menswear and Womenswear respectively. A beautiful look at their world, their time, their influences to Kenzo.

It’s as we were allowed to jump back into the past where Ryuichi Sakamoto was playing with its pioneer electronic group “Yellow Magic Orchestra” in the late 70s, and during the solo years composing the spectacular soundtracks for Bernardo Bertolucci’s “The Last Emperor” in the late 80s first and “The little Buddha” in the early 90s.

His individualism hinting to classic English tailoring mixed with Japanese 50s baseball culture is the main inspiration for Leon and Lim. It is a beautiful collection, eclectic in its preppy style and avant-garde attitude.

The extremely high-waisted trousers are matched with graphic tees printed with original images by Sakamoto himself. It’s the late 70s, the 80s, but more than a specific decade it’s the unique creative persona of Sakamoto.

For the Womenswear collection Leon and Lim channelled Sayoko Yamaguchi personality in the clashing of stripes, prints, coloured and bold sequined look: a love letter to the iconic top model and Kenzo Takada’s muse. Frills, feminine pieces next to more graphic ones.

The accessories are a striking element. Reminiscent of traditional Japanese accessories, they are reworked with pop colour, neon materials or stripes. The bags recall the beautiful satin pouches carried by Japanese women dressed up in kimonos during summer festivals with all that vintage allure.

All framed in a spectacular live performance by singer Lafawndah and aerial dancers on the façade’s courtyard of the show venue. An inspiring ending of this fashion week.

www.kenzo.com

Fashion

Lanvin Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

Workwear versus tailoring. Literally. Lucas Ossendrijver's virtuoso for Lanvin Men's Spring Summer 2018 exploded in a spectacular intricate composition where a dualism of silhouettes and materials merged as the model stormed in a situationist walk.

The factory worker jumpsuits, the tailored pants, the tech sporty anorak but in a checked classic English fabric, beautiful asymmetric knitwear and a strong vision that has graced Lanvin Menswear for more than 10 years.

The multitude of elements in this collection it’s as overwhelming as carefully balanced.

Reworked coats graced with graphic motives or with contrasting neon lining sometimes made into a reversible look. Trousers constructed with double sides where checked classic fabric at the front is mixed with a tech sporty finish at his back beautifully seamed together with a visible stitch. The check again – as in last Fall Winter collection – is one of the protagonists.

It’s a fascination for the classic menswear codes and its challenge to enrich it and enhance it with new elements and unexpected mix matching.

That play of the unexpected that Lucas Ossendrijver's delivers also in the accessory collection for Lanvin for Spring Summer 2018. A retro vintage camera leather pocket case, a massive squared bag as out of a messenger bike utility case with an engraved “L”, a necklace made out of an hand-hammered sculpture in metal covered with leather representing an incredibly detailed hand almost as out of an anatomical specimen collection.

It is an incredible collection of several influences, ideas, many genres, whispering one message: be yourself no matter what.

www.lanvin.com

Fashion

Hermès Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

A specific red hue named "H", a deep, intense red spacing between burgundy and brick colour. Splashed on Hermes Spring Summer 2018, together with taupe, navy, royal blue. It's a collection full of playful graphics, sporty and smart.

Veronique Nichanian’s normcore for Hermes Menswear has been balanced on relaxed silhouettes, cotton suits, leather sandals, paper-thin knitwear in caramel on top of emerald green chinos, a white shirt with a cardigan, a spectacular crocodile bomber in black.

Nichanian’s Hermes is that power dressing far from being loud, that discreet approach with a French attitude. Wear a pair of casual trousers, a beautiful fresh pullover, a sporty anorak on top and you are ready to be off duty in a breezy summer night. And yes, with sneakers. It is the quintessential vision of Hermes, its discreet approach and the meticulous leather work.

As the versatile big tote bag and the lambskin bomber jackets with contrasting stitching hint to baseball references it gives a different angle to this historical Maison and its equestrian heritage.

www.hermes.com

Art

Michaël Borremans Dances at Zeno X

Michael Borremans has launched his sixth solo exhibition at Zeno X, a Mecca of contemporary painting in the heart of Antwerp, Belgium. Sixteen Dances, the title of the show, is primarily a reference to the changing and multi-faceted nature of painting, and how the medium has the ability to forever adapt to the contemporary zeitgeist.

The paintings are structured into three series: this is a typical way of working for Borremans, who has a necessity to always dig deeper and discover new meaning through multiple variations of the same theme. The paintings function almost as vignettes, which give the exhibition a cinematic feel: a clear continuum is interrupted by random stills which confuse any possible narrative structure. This gives an ambiguous and dark atmosphere, encapsulating the morbid and grotesque scenes present in the paintings, such as babies dancing covered in blood and figures in straight jackets. Borremans undoubtedly takes references from Bosch, Bruegel and Goya in this series of works, which questions the morality of human nature and exploits its subconscious savagery and cannibalism. While absorbing these haunted tableaux, viewers are left feeling dread and disorientation: a feeling that permeates in our current age and society.

The exhibition will run until October 14th 2017.

Fashion

MSGM Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

This season marks a new chapter for Massimo Giorgetti’s MSGM after his departure from Emilio Pucci earlier this year. The move has been a catalyst for him to dedicate himself fully to his own brand MSGM, that’s been making street wear waves for quite some times now and shows no sign of slowing down.

Giorgetti’s MSGM Spring/summer 2018 Menswear collection was a well-travelled one. Drawing inspiration from modern street culture has been a constant for the designer who, this time, travelled to sunny California picking up on the inimitable vibes the west coast has to offer. From skaters and latter-day hippies to Burning Man festival-goers, Giorgetti’s references are as current as they are multi-faceted.

This season is all about workwear-inspired apparel in the form of madras parkas reworked into oversized volumes, paired with extra large backpacks. But colour is never far from the designer’s mind who offered his sports-alluding shapes an extra pop by pairing army green with bubblegum pink or turquoise while elsewhere graffiti and watercolour flower motifs elevated nylon ponchos and a chino pantsuit. Thick, cosy knitwear pieces embroidered with boisterous lettering were paired with short shorts and blousons were seen layered over boxy t-shirts.

The MSGM man’s sartorial identity may seem hard to pin down, but that’s exactly where the beauty is: as he floats between identities, influences and moods he picks his battles of rebellion carefully while remaining in the now.

www.msgm.it

Fashion

Missoni Spring/Summer 2018

Even though it wasn’t made explicitly clear, all elements point to a collection dedicated to an urban gardener, quite possibly Angela Missoni’s father whom her mother fondly referred to as ‘her gardener’. With a long-standing love for gardening that spans across generations of Missoni offsprings, this appears to be a well-founded claim.

Missoni’s style has always been characterised by an ease and effortlessness that many brands have tried to emulate throughout the years. Tried being the operative word here as this is exactly the element that should be missing from such an equation.

Lavender, periwinkle, indigo, cherry, blossom, apricot, shadow blue, mint, bamboo and red birch fabrics were dyed, blended and then washed to achieve that faded, almost blurred effect that screams Missoni from miles away.

The silhouettes were relaxed in a way that oozes stylish comfort, accentuated by fabrics that enhance that same aesthetic: slouchy utility pants with a lived-in feel in linen, for example or lightweight wools and cotton crepes. Denim was also given its time to shine in Missoni’s Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear collection – it was washed an appeared to have accompanied the man wearing it on many a relaxed adventures.

A bright and summery mood without trends or frills, bells or whistles, a calm joyfulness that exudes happiness much like a well-tended garden under the summer sun.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Marni Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

“Lost and Found” – the tile of Marni’s Spring Summer 2018 collection that leaves so much to be imagined and so much more to be discovered. Convoluted as the meaning of that phrase may be, for Marni it acted as the catalyst for a collection that preaches the enjoyment of life through self-discovery.

In his second collection as creative director for Marni, Francesco Risso offered a collection of wearable clothes with a non-conformist touch. An air of randomness characterises the collection of roomy trousers and shirts that appear to have been de- and then re-constructed, sometimes held together with the fabric swatches for a DIY allure.

Sailboat prints and Hawaiian motifs make an appearance alongside garments of a more bookish, almost nerdy, nature that stay true to the brand’s retro tones. As Risso himself put it, this season’s pieces ‘surf the typography of a city’. This is office wear on holiday, where a tie on the beach is just as relevant as sailboats on a suit and Jamaican accents paired with a dash of the 20s. Knits appear shrunken and unfinished with their misaligned stripes.

Rules appear to have been thrown out the window here as the Marni man dresses himself freely, as if he were a collector of moments who may intentionally leave items behind only to retrieve them later. Perhaps even finding himself along the way.

www.marni.com

Fashion

Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

Thom Browne brought his signature hand-made tailoring sensibility to Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring Summer 2018 Menswear collection. Thus was born a perfect conflation between Browne’s flair and the brand’s expertise in active sportswear and outerwear for a collection that highlights an ease in seasonal transitions.

Down-filled looks made with over-sized plastic zippers and worn over identical looks without the down-filling epitomise the concept of smooth change. The collection was split into three colour-coded subcategories: grey and grey and white, red, white and blue and formal.

Trademark Thom Browne tailored pieces were present in traditional suit material iterations as well as more technical versions that incorporated highly functional fabrics such as technical wool and cashmere, nylon, ripstop, mesh and rainproof slicker.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

HUGO Spring/Summer 2018 Fashion Show

Presenting its mens- and womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 collection, HUGO transformed a factory in Florence into a candle-lit fashion show.

As a tribute to the spirit of the artist, the collection and the space itself illustrated all kinds of sketches and paint strokes that symbolises art and expression. An artist's unconventional perspective upon things, living according to his own rules with an sensitive yet careless attitude, just like the brand characteristics of HUGO, served as inspiration for the collection.

Many of the styles are in collaboration with the Designer Charles Jeffrey, with cut and shape inspired from the first HUGO collection from the year 1993, alongside completely redefined tailoring. The collection also presented oversize jackets and jumpsuits to create a unisex look with a color palette inspired from the artist's studio, reaching from neutral tones to shades of blue, yellow and of course the classic HUGO red.

For HUGO, this Spring/Summer collection is also all about the accessories. From oversized men’s bags, sneakers with chunky soles, to long earrings or pearl chains, they all contributed to a playful look.

Amongst M.I.A, Anwar Hadid and many others, present at the show was also ZOO Magazine’s current cover star, Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis, all wearing head-to-toe HUGO.

hugoboss.com

Art

The Beats and The Vanities, Larry Fink Exhibition at Armani/SIlos

A collection of exquisite black and white photographs from Larry Fink’s The Beats and The Vanities books will comprise the latest exhibition at Armani/Silos. The exhibition presents a unique opportunity for the legendary photographer’s work and idiosyncratic vision to be experienced as one as they have never before been shown together before.

Giorgio Armani himself is a great fan of Larry Fink’s work, finding his ability to capture form and line in such a fluid way something he can relate to as well as a designer. “Fink is a jazz fan, and you can almost view these images in terms of musical composition – people in flow, surprising us, possessing an unconscious sensuality”, he adds.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in a progressive and politically active family, Fink cut his teeth as a photographer as part of the late beat generation, when he hooked up with a group of beats at the age of 17. Political activism, protests and marches formed the photographers worldview who documented the times through his medium-format camera.

His pictures serve as a time capsule and a candid look into his world, perfectly capturing the sense of romance and rebellion that characterised the underground jazz-fuelled youth movement of the time. A regular editorial contributor for prestigious titles such as The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, it was the latter that recognised his ability to bring them something different if let loose to create.

His visual record of the famous and their surrounding courtiers is not concerned with who’s who – rather it focuses on what’s happening. As Fink himself describes it, he tries to embrace the souls of all people, regardless of their conditions.

The Beats and The Vanities, Photographs by Larry Fink will be on show at the Armani/Silos until the end of July 2017.

www.armanisilos.com

Fashion

Dior Fall/Winter 2017

Taking the reins of a legendary fashion house is always a challenge. Maria Grazia Chiuri is not new to the job. She, together with Pier Paolo Piccioli, took the helm of Valentino one year after Sir Garavani’s retirement, keeping high the stakes of the house, bringing it back to international acclaim.

At her second collection for Dior, Chiuri’s wish to bring a revolution and play with the house’s codes is even more clear. She is a woman, and as every Italian woman, she is naturally engaged in elevating women’s power and society’s perception of the female stance. If you were expecting a Valentino’s modus operandi you were mistaken.

Maria Grazia Chiuri is not easily affected by predictions. She has a vision and she is certainly not playing the safe card. Dior Fall Winter 2017 was entirely declined in shades of blue, a blue that Chiuri found in the archives of Dior – particularly on a taffeta silk dress designed in ’54 - and quickly got fascinated by. It’s the blue of uniforms, of elegant evening dresses and certainly of denim. It’s a young contemporary collection. Chiuri wishes to picture the contemporary woman emerging the tense political climate of our time.

Last season’s motto “We should be all feminists” left the place to a more consistent and strong statement where the clothes speak by themselves. The basques created by Stephen Jones give a further accent in this sense. It almost as we see a troupe of suffragettes, marching one after the other advocating women’s freedom to dress however they find fit.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Loewe Fall/Winter 2017

Loewe’s creative director J.W. Anderson is transforming this luxury Spanish leather brand into an impressive fashion house where cultural references, design, architecture, and the beautiful leather craftsmanship coexist.

Like for his eponymous label, Anderson is able to create a dialogue between the arts, where fashion is at its centre, without any stretch. The romantic and enchanting feeling reminiscent of Gone with the Wind’s Rossella O’Hara ball gowns together with a playful splash of Commedia Dell’Arte’s Pierrot and Harlequin, where the polka dots and the western hat felt perfectly parts of the same image. But also the signature handkerchief hem dresses and a parade of countless accessories declined in new colours like the polka dot iconic puzzle bag.

As in every season we see experimentations with butter lamb leather in exceptional peplum waist-cinching tops, dresses, suits, outwear in a variety of colours: lipstick red, moss green, and the forever favourite almond and black. There are so many fascinations Anderson took into account for Loewe Fall Winter 2017 and it just feel fresh and captivating.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Nicholas Kirkwood Fall/Winter 2017

“The Dark Matters”, for Fall/Winter 2017 Nicholas Kirkwood created a series of monochromatic shoes with a strong 80s aesthetic.

Geometric and graphic lines adorn the heels and boots for this strong and architectural collection. The English designer - inspired by artists like Daniel Buren - used a sculptural approach and the forever-favourite feminine/masculine dichotomy references.

The austerity of black in contrast with lurex and silver mirror smooth leather uppers, plexi-heels, pearls inlaid into a metal frame sole and luxurious black suede, adorn the collection in a play of contrasts. The name of the collection also refers to a new fabric created by Kirkwood: a black glittering stretchy textile used for a new sock-boot and a slip-on mule. It’s a rich and sophisticated collection with new silhouettes and the omnipresent irreverent mood of Kirkwood’s work

www.nicholaskirkwood.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2017 Ready-to-Wear

We have come to a point in fashion when history has been elevated without precedent. There is a lot of the 80s Monsieur Yves we know in the new Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. For Saint Laurent Fall Winter 2017 there is again a respectful reference to the history but also a lot of the Vaccarello DNA that we have seen in his eponymous label for many years.

That sexiness, that daring and fierce attitude the Italo-Belgian designer infused in his own shows season after season before becoming the new creative director of the historical Maison. And then there is the show vibe. Anthony Vaccarello presented his second collection for Saint Laurent in a surreal, and provoking atmosphere inside the under-construction site of the new brand’s head quarters in rue Bellechasse at the Left Bank of the Seine. The rain pouring down, the scaffolding as backdrop, the loud pulsing music as in any squat party, was the perfect set as to declare a new beginning, the shaping of the new identity of Saint Laurent in fieri.

Bold short dresses in velvet, caramel and black leather matched with long up-to-the-neck gloves as to create a tromp l’oeil effect for maxi shoulders. Thigh-high boots in patent leather and rhinestones with ruches - sure to become the obsession of next season. But also strong day looks with an invasive sense of masculinity: denim with mohair sweaters, shearling jackets, or a simple tee. It’s that subversive soul that Yves Saint Laurent himself was known for. It’s that unexpected atmosphere that everyone is waiting with anticipation at this fashion house. As his predecessor, Vaccarello will make everyone want to wear his clothes. With no exceptions.

www.ysl.com

Travel

Burlesque for the Senses

Few cities come close to Berlin’s notoriety — renowned for its progressive art scene and home to internationally-famed nightclubs, the city seems to constantly reel in artists, free thinkers and hipsters from all over the world, creating a buzzing, infectious atmosphere that gives way to a thriving art scene. But something unique and glamorous lies behind the doors of the Berlin Provocateur, the latest gem in hospitality that opened its doors to the public in March 2017.

An other-timely experience that is patiently waiting to be discovered channels the exuberance of Parisian 1920s style, and places creativity and joie de vivre at the forefront. Think of enigmatic songstress édith Piaf and the dandy gentleman that was Oscar Wilde. Where would these legends choose to sojourn, relax and recline should they have been transported to modern day Berlin through some inexplicable twist of fate? With that very concept in mind, Micky Rosen and Alex Urseanu, the Frankfurt visionaries and hoteliers behind Gekko Group, brought to life an oh-so Parisian oasis in the heart of the German capital. Describing the immersive experience that greets guests upon arrival, but also permeates the Provocateur’s modus operandi in its entirety, is no easy feat. Rarely are you able to truly feel transported to an iconic city, let alone a seminal era for the arts and culture.

But the Provocateur and its fifty-eight stunning rooms, bar and restaurant beg to differ — and rightly so, as they give ‘hospitality with a passion’, Gekko Group’s motto,an entirely new meaning. Amsterdam-based designer Saar Zafrir is the creative mastermind behind the hotel’s modern burlesque character. Sensual yet intricate details coupled with warm colours and intriguing textures comprise a beautifully serene ambiance. The journey begins at the lobby, where an elevator from 1912 fulfils its prescribed function, while simultaneously acting as a portal to French je ne sais quoi. What’s more, the guest rooms hold further surprises: at the simple push of a button, guests are given the opportunity to delve further into the reverie of the Parisian past, guided by music and images that are projected on the walls. Unapologetic in its Frenchness, yet somehow contemporary as ever, the Provocateur’s interiors feature luxurious, plush furnishings in warm hues and details that accentuate its glamorous influences. Duc Ngo, one of the most influential figures on Berlin’s flourishing restaurant scene, is responsible for the Golden Phoenix restaurant, where he brings to life his personal vision of fusion cuisine. At the Provocateur bar, arguably the establishment’s beating heart, guests are invited to taste a menu that boasts several creations with clear Franco-Chinese influences and a tastefully provocative burlesque attitude. With its hotel, restaurant, bar and event room, the Provocateur offers all that matters for a stay in Berlin. No sense is left unsatisfied — and that is without even leaving the premises. A case of ‘stay up all night and sleep all day’.

www.provocateur-hotel.com

Fashion

Make Love Not Walls

Through photographic material and a series of global actions, Diesels breaks down all barriers in communication with its #makelovenotwalls movement and tears down the mental and physical walls that separate us. In a time where hate, walls and fear seem to prevail, the brand urges us all to unite for the greater good.

“At Diesel we have a strong position against hate and more than ever we want the worlds to know that. Love and togetherness is crucial in creating a society we all want to live in, and the future we all deserve” explains Diesel Artistic Director Nicola Formichetti.

For this campaign, Formichetti collaborates with legendary artist and photographer David LaChapelle using the Wall as a symbol of separation and breaking it down to create strong stories through a simple yet powerful narrative: walls are built and the heart-shaped Diesel love tank tears them down. As a symbol of separation is reinterpreted into a symbol of unison and flowers fills the space, a celebration of freedom and love is born. Diesel is known for pushing the boundaries creatively.

From its 1995 LaChapelle campaign with two kissing sailors, to this year's anti-wall ads, it encourages us to let fear aside and focus on what brings us all together rather than what divides us. If You've got walls, Diesel's got wrecking balls!

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Mode Suisse Edition 11

February 8th 2017 marked the showcase of Mode Suisse Edition 11 at the Migros Museum fur Gegenwartskunst in Zurich. Once again, a wealth of design talent was represented. Among them high-flying label Julia Seeman, Garnison's post-dandy menswear, LYN Lingerie's luxury handmande collection, Julian Zigerli's second appearance of womenswear and gender-fluid menswear that have made him a household name as well as Berlin-based experimentalist womenswear label studiowinkler. Additionally WUETHRICHFUERST made their much-anticipated debut.

The evening's highlights included the showcase of Masters' students Jeremy Gaillard, Flore Girard de Langlade and Vanessa Schindler, who is the winner of the Prix d'Excellene Hans Wildorf. Additonally Zurich favourites enSoie had the audience craving for its nonchalant style while Vivienne Rohner strutted the catwalk laid with previously unseen carpets by Schonstaub. Special guest designerDorothee Vogel's desirable duvet coats and floaty dresses ended the show.

Edition 12 of Mode Suisse will take place in Zurich in September 2017.

www.modesuisse.com

Fashion

Loewe Fall/Winter 2017

A small trumpet as an earring, a shopper completely covered in off-white cable knit wool, a thin leather belt with an ominous brass nose on its centre. The collection of objets trouvés that populated Loewe Menswear Fall/Winter 2017 is not a new element for the quirky mind of creative director Jonathan Anderson.

The mix of fun, classic, and urban elements is something we have seen season after season where individuality has been the key. Beautiful leatherwork as rooted in the brand's Spanish heritage, but also Anderson’s favourite hints to fishermen and sailors’ daily-life. Presented in the Parisian showroom the collection is the image of a further complexity and playful daring attitude from the English designer now in his fourth year at the helm of Loewe.

It was certainly the beautiful shearling one of the spotlight of the collection. In deep cobalt blue with black leather details, in denim, or in a striped rainbow coloured version, to pump up our gloomy mood in rainy, cold Paris.

Mixed and matched tartans and handbags with imaginary propaganda newspaper titles gave a further energising accent to a splendid collection full of craftsmanship and a romantic post-industrial atmosphere.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Y/PROJECT Fall/Winter 2017

A mobius of forms, shaped in the seam lines, leading to dramatic volumes. Beautifully balanced but also true to his roots, Glenn Martens created a collection where Y/Project's identity is declined to a new sphere, all played through Martens’ all-time favourite ironic approach to dualities.

The low and the high, the elites and the masses, deconstructed garments and slouchy fits. Between historical reinvention and street culture, Y/Project's Menswear collection for Fall/Winter 2017 continues to master that relaxed and youthful attitude that has characterized Martens’ work from the start.

Doubled silk shirts, deconstructed faux fur, reinvented corduroy suits, slouchy oversized track suits straight from a rapper's videoclip, followed by the impressive sweatsuits with wired piping in a blobbing volume, reminiscent of that mantle draping we have seen on 1808 Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’s portrait of Napoleon.

As Napoleon and consort printed on scarves in football merch fashion - part of Martens' playful reference along with other royal couples such as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette - steal the scene and we cannot choose. We can only root for this talented Belgian designer.

www.yproject.fr

Fashion

NEW TENDENCY x Meiré und Meiré

New Tendency showed its 2017 product innovations at the Meiré und Meiré Factory.

The Bauhaus tradition has influenced the development process of everyday contemporary objects for New Tendency. Their furnishings serve to compose an ideal setting for modern working environments. With the emergence of co-working spaces, New Tendency have picked up on the need of flexible and functional configurations and strive to inspire those who are surrounded by their creations in their daily lives and their professional environments.

Showcasing their work in one of the leading creative agencies in Germany was therefore a natural progression.

Among other objects, New Tendency presented its December Edition at the Meiré und Meiré factory, a line that was the result of a fruitful collaboration with the agency, furthering their devotion to creative partnerships. The Artist's Edition of the lamp served as the inspirational springboard for the creation of New Tendency's premium line, Black Label that will soon be expanded to include more exclusive pieces with clear geometrical components.

Raw structures, industrial materials and natural elements formed the perfect hybrid framework for New Tendency's minimalist yet progressive designs. The presentation at the Meiré und Meiré factory didn't treat New Tendency's furnishings as conventional exhibits; they were instead integrated in the agency's daily goings-on serving as both a working space and a meeting point.

For New Tendency's exhibition at the Meiré und Meiré Factory, Mike Meire grouped the December edition pieces with side tables from the META line to create an island in the middle of the space. The installation was staged on raw concrete and stone slabs between dry plants, paint buckets and cardboard boxes. Fluorescent lights floated above it, different colours and textures of plastic foil sheets hanging over the top. The industrial ensemble was characterised by deliberately rudimentary fragmented elements that served as a beautiful contrast to the high-end claim of the products on display.

In the age of digitalisation, where products are becoming increasingly perfect Mike Meiré  felt the need to infuse the products with textural and tactile elements proposing 'Brutalism x Redefining Nature' and paying tribute to Le Corbusier's New Brutalism.

www.newtendency.com
www.meireundmeire.com

Fashion

Vivienne Westwood summer trip to the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean has always served as a source of inspiration for poets and artists. A symbol of eternal beauty, of endless summers. A beauty that many have attempted to explain with words but that is better left to feelings and emotions.

Andreas Kronthaler's Spring/Summer 2017 'Europa' collection for Vivienne Westwood is a case in point. The collection is an ode to the Mediterranean's laid-back summer vibes and evokes images of sandy beaches, sunsets by the sea and days spent in nothing more than a bikini. But much like everything that bear's Vivienne Westwood's signature, there's a political statement to be read between the lines: 'Europa' is a continent in crisis, struggling to come to grips with the humanitarian crisis of mass migration, an issue that stains its reputation but somehow doesn't distract from its charm.

Legendary photographer Juergen Teller shot the campaign in Greece, with the picturesque white houses and blue waters serving as the perfect backdrop. Showcasing the garments as well as the scenery beautifully, Teller also managed to highlight the Mediterranean's grotesque facade with a mixture of sophistication and grunge very synonymous with the Vivienne Westwood brand.

Former sex-symbol Pamela Anderson features in the campaign providing a contrast that also links to the power of Mother Nature. The result is simple and delicious, just like a plate of spaghetti.

www.viviennewestwood.com

Fashion

BILLIONAIRE Fall/Winter 2017: Texas under spotlights

Once upon a time, soap opera characters served as primary sources of style inspiration and this season Billionnaire by Philipp Plein travelled back in time to pick up the trend. Remember Dallas?

Set in Texas, the show reached cult phenomenon status and was Philipp Plein's moodboard for Fall/Winter 2017. The Billionnaire man is a wealthy and stylish globetrotter: skiing in Aspen and gambling in Monte Carlo. The collection reflects the attitude of a character that isn't shy about showing off his personality.

Snakeskin jackets, chinchilla bombers and full-length overcoats feature alongside astrakhan and crocodile skins as the ultimate statements of elegance whether on the slopes or in the city. Trousers are high-waisted and denim takes centre stage in trousers and double-breasted jackets.

From knitwear to eveningwear the attention to detail is meticulous, fully conveying Plein's references: classic Texan hat included!

www.philipp-plein.com

Fashion

A dandy poem by Alexander McQueen

A dandy spirit that explores the deepest sides of Oscar Wilde's soul during an esoteric trip that Germans call Wanderlust. A contemporary gentleman traveling from London's Tite Street to Paris Saint Germain seeking inspiration from the world that surrounds him.

Alexander McQueen documents this journey through his latest menswear collection, paying homage to the man who has become synonymous with the term 'esthete'. British tailoring plays a central role in a collection that encapsulates and celebrates the house's trademark codes. Precise and elongated cuts in suits with peaked shoulders and legged or flare trouser silhouettes – worn cropped above the ankle and sometimes with a satin or velvet band on the sides, offer their elegance to coats and jackets alongside jacquards with peacock feathers for the most daring dandies. The collection also explores and plays with proportions, combining classic and more of-the-moment oversized fits to give birth to a new hybrid of men's shirt-dresses. A worn-in feel is brought forward by mohair knits, frayed at the edges and laddered with holes. For the evening, Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2017 features tuxedos, smoking jackets and robes with satin quilted reveres, embroidered velvet and jacquard to give an incredible taste of elegance to a collection that is worth of an old-fashioned gentleman.

McQueen's latest collection is a true ode to Oscar Wilde, done in incomparable style and honing in on elements that have granted the brand the status it holds today. No doubt it will be at the receiving end of countless praises this season.

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

Rocking it with Dior Homme

A utopian sense of refined grunge has always characterized Kris Van Assche's creative direction at Dior. For Dior Homme Summer 2017, Van Assche's dynamic energy is reflected through a new generation of four inspired characters: A$AP ROCKY, Boy George, Rami Malek and Ernst Klimko.

A 'do it Yourself' attitude runs through the brand's creative direction this season, a path that the four diverse Dior Homme personalities will follow, eventually converging to personify the house's vision of Homme. The campaign's four faces may embody different disciplines of modern art but through Van Assche's direction, they provide an all-encompassing, cohesive undertone for the French house's men's collection.

Interestingly, hip-hop is made elegant in this line giving birth to intriguing pieces such as the dark floral garments designed by Japanese artist Toru Kamei.

Shot through the streets of Paris and in studio by photographer Willy Vanderperre, the campaign pairs heritage and an innovative rock, raw-edge mood that will undoubtedly make it a key player in Dior's already impressive campaign portfolio.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Schiaparelli’s Haute Couture moment has come

Schiaparelli Maison, Chanel's historical rival is definitely back on the scene after a long hiatus. This January marks a milestone for the celebrated maison as the French Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture decided to enlist Schiaparelli among the 15 fashion haute couture brands existing in the world.

Ravaged by the aftermath of the war, Elsa Schiaparelli closed her iconic Paris "Schiap Shop" in 1954, the very same year that saw the release of her autobiography "Shocking Life". It was only three years ago that Italian businessman Diego Della Valle decided to revive Schiaparelli, believing in the power of its indomitable style and unparalleled innovative techniques.

Alongside stores of long-established brands in the field such as Chanel, Givenchy and Dior to name a few, Elsa's shop in Paris' Place Vendome is opening its doors again to pick up where it left of, starting a new chapter in haute couture history.

www.schiaparelli.com

Fashion

LOUIS VUITTON CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN BERLIN

France and Germany join in for the celebration of 30 years of Louis Vuitton, the brand synonymous in everyone's mind and many hearts with élégance française.

Louis Vuitton celebrated its birthday with the opening of its latest concept store in Berlin's Kurfürstendamm. Celebrities and influencers from the world of fashion were present to mark the joyous occasion. A combination of craftsmanship, savoir-faire, continuous innovation and heritage - all keywords for the long established brand as well as the city that played host to its celebrations.

Berlin incomparably contemporary dynamism and Parisian haute couture give birth to 'amour toujours'.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

The world through Henk Schiffmacher’s “camereyes”

When Texas, Henk Schffmacher's daughter discovered her father's old 35mm negatives in a dusty drawer, she knew they had to be exposed for the world to see.

Dutch tattoo artist, Henk Schiffmacher has become known for his energetic and observational photographic work that is now being collected and exhibited for the first time ever. Highlighting the best and worst facets of modern society, this eclectic ensemble of pictures is a real representation of the world we live in through Schiffmacher's camera.

Taken between 1970 and 1985 these pictures give us a raw insight into the world of youths, bikers and tattoo fetishists from all around the globe – from Las Vegas, L.A., Amsterdam, and Tokyo to Mumbai, Manila, San Francisco and Kuala Lumpur.

This makes for an interesting juxtaposition: a wild mix of cultures, nationalities and excess against the backdrop of vintage cityscapes and timeless scenarios. Schiffmacher's photography offers a unique and brilliant view of the world as it was four decades ago.

Pure, direct and unprecedented just like photography should be.

www.schiffmachershoots.com

Fashion

PIRELLI CALENDAR 2017: An Unfiltered Emotion

“In a time when women are represented in the media and everywhere else, as ambassadors of perfection and youth, I thought it was important to remind everyone that there is a different beauty”

‘Emotional’, the title chosen by Peter Lindbergh for the 2017 edition of the iconic Pirelli Calendar. No other word could strike such a chord in women’s hearts that, nowadays, find themselves fighting against unrealistic beauty standards imposed by society. Fighting to fit in a world in which all things beauty are accompanied by a certain degree of fakery.

Pirelli Calendars have always been seen as conveyors of a specific message of perfection that could be hardly afforded by us, mere mortals. Following Annie Leibovitz’s thread of last year, Lindbergh decided to let beloved actresses shine through their nakedness. Not a nakedness imposed by the lack of garments but by the absence of filters.

The choice of abstaining from Photoshop editing is indeed the leading theme of the 2017 Calendar, which includes actresses like Uma Thurman, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet and Julianne Moore in all their natural feminine splendor. The beauty that speaks about the courage of being yourself in your own sensibility.

Lindbergh’s message wants to reach all women who feel worthless, despicable, and inadequate in a way that only an artist of his caliber could achieve.

www.pirelli.com

Travel

Mandarina Duck is going Rome at the Tennis&Friends Event

During the Tennis&Friends event 2024, Mandarina Duck took over the city of Rome, with its “Yellow Wave”. A perfect fusion of health, wellness, and sports.

The vibrant color yellow acts as a unifying theme. It is both – leitmotif of Tennis & Friends and Mandarina Duck’s iconic color. Yellow stands strong, as a symbol for positivity and energy, but also for the dynamic spirit of health and eco-friendly innovation. What connects Mandarina Duck and Tennis & Friends, is a shared focus on sustainability – in terms of environmental consciousness, but also in terms of personal health. The heart of the event took place on October 11th, with Mandarina Duck’s presentation of their visually stunning installation featuring tennis balls at Circolo Foro Italico. Guests had been warmly invited for drinks in the courtyard, with a live DJ set by Dorian. Tennis & Friends offered free medical check-ups to all participants during the event – emphasizing their passion for reinforcing the importance of health prevention and well-being. A mission which Mandarina Duck proudly supports.

Mandarina Duck’s eco-coated line started from the FW24 season onwards. Sustainable backpacks from this 100% green collection had been given to players during the event, as a symbol of the brand’s commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, but also towards protecting our environment.

www.mandarinaduck.com
www.tennisandfriends.it

Fashion

Trashy Clothing’s ’Arsenal of Democracy’

Trashy clothing – the emerging Palestinian “anti-luxury luxury fashion label” based in East Jerusalem has recently presented their SS25 collection – featuring a collaboration with Barragán – in Milan, after their successful collaboration with Salvatore Vignola in the past year.

Mixing elements of satire and kitsch, with an ever-present element of wit, Trashy Clothing’s vision is one to engage into the context of contemporary political circumstances – through their sharp design statements. Trashy Clothing is a narrative-driven brand, telling stories against the backdrop of history. The label successfully weaponizes joy through fashionable humor, with the aim of actively inducing a rupture in the thread woven through established beliefs and ideas about the world we inhabit. Under the leading hands of Omar Braika and Shukri Lawrence’s co-creative direction, the label scrutinizes power dynamics and Western geographies, as well as the aesthetic norms that have been ruling the fashion industry for far too long.

The label’s collections with a focus on the Middle East, often inspired by Arab popular culture and music icons, seamlessly blend references to workwear, clubwear and eveningwear. They address matters of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and race through the medium of fashion – transcending national borders. Staple items as the “Tourist Wrap Skirt”, expose issues like artwashing and cultural appropriation, with the collections lookbooks and campaigns acting as an aesthetic anchor for consumers and viewers alike, to deepen the understanding of the political consciousness as the brand’s driving force – to open their eyes to the historical, political and social relevance of their work.

The pieces from the collection and collaboration with Barragán will be available for pre-order in October.

trashyclothing.shop

Fashion

Louis Vuitton X Frank Gehry at Art Basel Paris 2024 – Scaling Up

The long running collaboration between Louis Vuitton and architect, artist and designer Frank Gehry has reached new heights at Art Basel Paris.
A monumental hanging white fish floating at the top of the grand staircase of the Grand Palais serves as a testament and continuation of the artist's awe inspiring work. Both simplistic and deeply ornamental the sculpture combines strength and suppleness and stands in line with Gehry’s aerodynamic works of design and architecture. In addition to the large display, which is on view from October 18th to 20th the Maison has also unveiled a collection of bags revisiting Louis Vuitton’s iconic models while also reflecting the aesthetic principles of the architect’s work.

Louis Vuitton’s devotion to arts has a long history, beginning with window display designs, moving on to advertisements and objects and signature capsule collections. Additionally, this is the third consecutive year Louis Vuitton is an associate partner of Art Basel Paris. The Maison has also shown its wish to continue this dialogue within a set physical space through the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Designed by Frank Gehry it demonstrates a complex understanding of transparency and light as materials to sculpt and to shift perspectives, both functioning as a work of art in itself but also as a perfect environment for the pieces exhibited.

This play of transparency and botanical shapes that can be seen throughout Gehry’s designs is also found in the Louis Vuitton by Frank Gehry Collection. His catalog of work is transformed into wearable miniature sculptures that frequently feature elements such as scales, or delicate fish embroidery nodding at the exhibition’s key display and equally breath-taking hanging atop the grand staircase as they are as tiny technical marvels.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 Special Edition - An Homage to Jean-Michel Basquiat

Paying tribute to one of the most relevant artists of our time, Don Pérignon presents the limited special edition of it's Vintage 2015, in homage to Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Dom Pérignon’s self assigned creative mission has always been one of achieving harmony as a source of emotion, through their devotion to aesthetic and sensory values of precision, intensity, tactile sensation, minerality, complexity, completeness and an exceptionally distinctive way of sustaining notes. The brand’s vision is one of staying true to heritage, while adapting to the change of tides in the surrounding world. Basquiat, having been a lover of French unique excellence, has always managed to stay true to his conviction, that any form of artistic creation should be understood as an invitation for playful, albeit passionate, engagement with constraints.

Two legends, separated by time and space, yet, each of them, embodying the cultural spirit of their respective eras, coming together in perfect fusion in this most suitable collaboration. An alchemy between creativity and innovation, continuing the red thread of Don Pérignon’s nearly three decade long history of collaborating with inspiring artists and creators.

The series includes three different bottles, with each of the bottles exhibiting a part of Basquiat’s painting ‘In Italian’ (1983). The sensitive design is in line with the principle of assemblage, dear to both Dom Pérignon and Basquiat. The label on the bottles, in three color variants, depicts the hybrid emblem of the three-branched crown, Basquiat’s statement and signature, superimposed on the shield. A powerful seal to this tribute.

domperignon.com/de

Fashion

Stella McCartney x Adidas PFW – Fashionably fast

After multiple successful collaborations over the past two decades, Stella McCartney and adidas come together again for launching what seems to be the next wardrobe essential: the Rasant. While rushing through the short days of Paris Fashion Week and trying to see every show, the new style is the ideal trainer to ensure a comfortable and relaxing watch of the runways.

Translating from German to “rapid”, the new sneaker features a high-top silhouette, vegan leather, and layered lace, bringing fashion into the sports world. A tribute to the old Monza sneaker – worn on the Spring Summer 2002 Stella McCartney runway – the Rasant mirrors McCartney’s desire for playfulness, the excitement that unexpected pairings bring. In a world full of elegance and couture, the female designer dives deep into sports culture and embraces the functionality part of it, while bringing the savoir faire of high fashion to the athletic realm. Striving to support all athletes, Stella McCartney and adidas design an unisex shoe, made to push the limits of innovation and modernize the catwalk. With Monza’s legendary past – worn by race drivers in the 80s and 90s, models, and athletes – that stretches over the past 50 years, the Rasant is designed to live up to the expectations of its predecessor.

Constructed from vegan leather that imitates nubuck leather, the silhouette comes in a natural color palette, with shades of white, black, and gray that wrap the shoe’s slim shape, giving it a light, soft look. The Rasant trainer will be available for pre-order in October 2024 and will arrive in stores in January 2025.

www.stellamccartney.com
www.adidas.com

Fashion

Rabanne Spring Summer 2025 PFW – Relative Radicality

The Rabanne Spring Summer 2025 collection blurs the lines between exquisite and every day in a way that is quintessentially Rabanne.

Couture techniques applied to casual garments, classic pieces of preppy wear transformed into industrial inspired futuristic looks, and the iconic 1969 assemblage bags reimagined as three dresses giving the whole show an essence of a transformative fairytale. The twisted fairytale vision is equally present in the makeup of the show, all from Rabanne Make-Up. Simplistic but still strong and fierce while using traditionally soft colors is not an easy feat, but one that Beauty Creative Director Diane Kendal managed expertly. Not only are the looks ready to wear but ready to inspire as well.

The show begins with short, layered looks that resemble industrial packaging as well as futuristic ideas, but in candy-ish colors. Later looks transition into plays with silhouettes, garments made from intricate geometric piecing create intriguing shapes as well as reveal parts of the body beneath. The 1969 assemblage bag is not just reimagined as a dress but also is rereleased as Artisan Editions. three different collaborations with masters in medal making, ceramics and glass blowing.

Creative Director Julien Dossena makes use of the history and heritage of Rabanne to continue the existing story, but instead of falling into the traps of simply returning to past standards that were groundbreaking at the time, he questions the notion of radicality itself. Radicality is relative – it depends on the circumstances it exists in and rebels against. This is why this collection is exciting, it is unique to our time as well as exists in conversation with Rabanne's heritage.

www.fashion.rabanne.com

Fashion

The Gucci Blondie – Tantalizingly Timeless

The Gucci Blondie bag took center stage at the Gucci Cruise 2025 show in London. The perfect staple for the modern woman who values both elegance and practicality is rightfully so in everyone’s field of view. The origin of the name Gucci Blondie is not in the bag but in the logo. In the early 1970s Gucci introduced a new design with two interlocking Gs inverted and facing each other to form a circle. This tribute to the house's founder Guccio Gucci is the Gucci Blondie. It was a perfect representation of the liberated spirit of the 70s.

In 2023 during the contemporary rise of 70s fashion and ideals the Gucci Blondie had a return beyond the logo as it was used for a handbag collection that combines the retro with the modern like two Gs interlocking. In its new front and center position the Gucci Blondie bag is available in a multitude of refined materials, with the leather options spotlighting the artistry of Tuscan leather craftsmanship. In addition it is also available in canvas which gives the bag a very contemporary and légere feel, as well as the suede option paying homage to the first bag carrying the logo.

The Blondie is available in mini, small, medium and maxi sizes and comes in a variety of materials and colors, including the signature Gucci Rosso Ancora shade. It comes with a detachable shoulder strap for maximum styling options for any occasion.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Dior Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2025 – On Arrows and Amazons

In the Dior Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection, Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri is reconsidering the relationship between the garments and those who wear them. The collection is pushing back the boundaries between model and designs to create an artistic process full of intention, functionality and mutual respect of body and dress. This is an exciting return to a time before the industrial complex of fashion week, to rekindle a stronger relationship with the models and treat them with power and agency.

The notion is further affirmed through the recentering of the Amazone dress from the Dior archives designed by Christian Dior himself. The figure of the Amazon is a symbol for autonomous and courageous femininity which perfectly describes this collection. The power of the Amazon is taken on through the inclusion of sport into the show and its looks. Utilitarian cuts in black and white with athletics inspired cuts are blended with entrancing fringe bodysuits in neutral tones – demonstrating the power in feminine strength.

A highlight of the show is SAGG Napoli, an artist who uses archery in her work, who is the emblem of a modern Amazone and high fashion warrior. She opens the runway with her bow and shoots an arrow down into the bullseye at the end of a long glass corridor.
The runway show immediately entrances you and is an exciting spectacle of a positive future for fashion and femininity as a true powerhouse.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Ferrari MFW Spring Summer 2025 – An Ode to Power and Sensuality

The Spring Summer 2025 Ferrari collection at Milan Fashion week is quintessentially Ferrari in its playful elegance and embrace of the brand’s origin in the automobile industry.
Padded leather with hand painted brush strokes evoke 1970s steering wheels and workwear denim is enriched in exciting ways that elevate this tried-and-true staple. A highlight of the collection is the handbag inspired by toolboxes of factory workers of the past and outfitted with fringes made from repurposed leather offcuts. It was shown in seven different colors and materials to celebrate the brand’s seventh collection.

The color palette is defined by a love for red – yet again a nod to Ferrari’s signature passionate hue – with which the collection begins but the beautiful cascade of shades is not ending there. Vibrant red transitions into burgundy, ivory and icy blues then into electric sparks of lemony yellow, which then again become more muted with terracotta, tobacco and olive green. This gradient creates a beautiful story of tradition and innovation and through its consistent silhouettes of bomber jackets, blazers and pencil skirts all the pieces and looks gain a sense of interconnection. However, due to their difference in materials and shade, their meaning to the audience changes drastically.

This collection embodies power and sensuality and is demonstrating a commitment to Ferrari’s heritage without fear of evolving from it.

www.ferrari.com

Fashion

Ferragamo Spring-Summer 2025 MFW – Silk Ribbons and Raw Denim

The Ferragamo Spring Summer 2025 collection at Milan Fashion Week is a masterful blend of personal story and brand heritage. Creative Director Maximilian Davis combines Ferragamo’s history with ballet with his own Caribbean heritage to create a contemporary fusion with lots of subtle nods to its roots.

Ferragamo has a long history with ballet, including Rudolf Nureyev – one of the greatest ballet dancers to ever exist – wearing custom-made Ferragamo ballet shoes in the 1980s. And Davis has long been using historic eras as a source of inspiration in his works, and in this collection the ballet spirit of disparate decades is united into one narrative using the language of Ferragamo. Classic ballet uniforms are seen alongside mid-century glamor as well as oversized tailoring. All of these are equally representative of the spirit of ballet and the reality of dancers in different times and places, which makes this take on the ballet fashion aesthetic more than a one-dimensional portrayal. Due to the longstanding relationship between the house and ballet the respect and connection can be felt in every stitch.
The Caribbean spirit can be found in stonewashed denim and raw finishes that provide an invigorating contrast to the pristine look commonly associated with a ballet aesthetic. The shoes are an equally eclectic mix of jelly moccasins and pointed heels as well as a blend between the two inspirations in the form of a graphic heeled sandal with ankle ribbons.

What could have seemed random is turned into a heartfelt tribute to two cultures with long history, that is also quintessentially Ferragamo, showing fashion as a gorgeous narrative device across time and space.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

La Double J at Milan Fashion Week – The Sisterhood of the Travelling Sound

Fashion has the potential to be a spiritual experience, and I am not talking about feeling blessed by the last piece in your size in a sample sale. The things we wear and the stuff we surround ourselves with have a tremendous impact on ourselves and our inner life.

So, La DoubleJ is inviting audiences at Milan Fashion Week to take a real step back from the chaos and take part in a spiritual journey unlike anything else. The Milan-based brands Spring collection is centered in an enormous sacred geometry installation created with local artist JoAnn Tan, at the stunning Centro Filologico in Milan. Yellow lines from floor to ceiling create a connection and make it feel like you step inside this place of wonder. The clothes are presented on mannequins as well as chicly hung on clothing racks and are in and of themselves a reason to smile. Colorful prints in understated, wearable cuts that seem like a joy to wear.

Unlike a traditional fashion show though, the fashion presented was merely an element of a five-hour sound energy bath guided by different practitioners. Audiences were invited to take part and become part of this community. And community is the key word, as this event also launched the new “the Sisterhood” program which offers members access to vibration raising digital practices and in-person experiences. The Sisterhood is led by eight big sisters, the inner circle of spiritual advisors, who function as energy-raising ambassadors and offer exclusive events to raise one’s vibration.

www.ladoublej.com

Cinema

BAFTA Elevate x dunhill

Marking the fifth edition of BAFTA Elevate, the art’s charity has partnered with British luxury menswear House dunhill to support up to 20 creative talents working in documentary and specialist factual media over the next two years.

This specifically aims to support mid-senior development producers, producers, directors and producer-directors from underrepresented groups. Especially people from minority ethnic, low socioeconomic and disabled groups are encouraged to apply. Additionally, they have pledged that at least 50 percent of the selected cohort will be women, truly highlighting the intersectional nature of underrepresentation in media.

This program is especially important in the documentary genre as the stories told are so heavily impacted by the creative lives and experiences and their resulting understanding of their environment. Documentaries can have tremendous social impact, but to achieve this they have to be made. Over the past 18 months BAFTA held over 40 consultations, roundtables and masterclasses to grasp where the genre is headed and what needs to be done to progress in an inclusive direction. This year’s BAFTA Elevate is the result of it, as it focuses on supporting selected talent over a two-year time frame including networking and career development guidance to give emerging talent a fair shot at a sustainable career in the industry.

Dunhill is a perfect partner for this endeavor as the brand has long been a fixture in the film industry, exuding the glamor of old movies and hosting the annual dunhill Pre-BAFTA dinner and party. Joining forces on Elevate demonstrates dunhill’s love and commitment not only to the film industry of the past and present but also of its future as a place for everyone to create wondrous works.

The program is championed by award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, as well as presenter, actor and director Reggie Yates and the advocacy organization, We Are Doc Women. Applications are open now and run until Friday October 18th, 2024.

www.bafta.org

Fashion

Stone Island Autumn Winter 24

Founded in Italy in 1982, Stone Island is a leading luxury fashion house specialized in product design and garment innovation. As such, the new release of the Autumn Winter 24-25 collection lives up to the standards of unparalleled originality and creativity, featuring advanced fabric treatments, dyeing techniques, and designs that push the boundaries of contemporary fashion.

For its Ghost collection, the avant-garde brand places wool in the center. Made with Melton wool, the peacoat and single-breasted jacket become staples of the season. Stone Island captures an authentic theme that makes the pieces stand out: camouflage. As one would think, the pieces are completely monochromatic, blending the softness of the textile into neutral, characteristic colors for the Fall Winter time. Shifting the focus from aesthetic appeal to functionality, the creative team designed a special mono-color version of the Stone Island badge. To achieve the smooth look of the garments, innovative techniques are introduced. For the first piece – the 002F9 HOODED SUEDE JACKET SHEEPSKIN – the suede sheepskin is treated with a PFC free anti-drop agent that offers a flowing feel to the textile. Similarly, the cashmere of the 455F5 HEAVY MELTON jacket balances the rough touch of the Melton wool. The ivory and khaki shades of the outerwear pieces provide versatility, while the construction featuring pockets and buttons enhances functionality and style. The thoughtful design ensures that it not only complements a variety of outfits but also offers practicality for everyday use.

An ode to the artistic direction of Ferdinando Verderi, the Fall Winter campaign features actor and curator Russell Tovey, captured by David Sims with behind-the-scenes shots by Heikki Kaski.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Mediterranean Romance

“For a designer, the greatest thing is to find partners who can bring your ideas to life, which is what Italy’s artisans have done for us for 35 years,” says designer Michael Kors. Even though summer is over, in New York it has just begun. On September 10th, the afternoon brought familiar faces to The Shed for an exclusive runway show presenting the Spring/Summer 2025 collection for Michael Kors.

This collection brings “Mediterranean romance”: a blend of the 1950s romance and the sleek simplicity of the 1990s. Whether it was lace or satin, the defined-waist silhouettes set the collection apart, giving it a vintage feel. Adding to it were the soft details – floral fabric embroideries, texture play and bare tailoring – complemented by the timeless shapes of the garments – slim, long-line dresses, relaxed trousers, and dramatic necklines. Unexpected for a summer collection, shades of black, brown, and earthy tones paraded down the catwalk.

As they walked to a custom-made soundtrack, models like Anok Yai, Paloma Elsesser, and Irina Shayk, along with others, showcased the trends set to define next summer's fashion. Paired with hand-woven leather market and bucket bags with braided handles, the sculptural heels completed every outfit, defining exquisite craftsmanship and creativity.

The star-studded front row included Olivia Wilde, Mary J. Blige, Lindsay Lohan, Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, Nina Dobrev, Shailene Woodley, and JC-T, making the event a spectacle not just on the runway but also off it. The live show experience reached global audiences through the brand’s social and digital platforms, with MichaelKors-Collection.com serving as the central hub for all exclusive content. Fashion lovers worldwide tuned in via YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and Threads, while the brand also catered to its international fanbase through WeChat, Weibo, LINE, and Kakao.

www.michaelkors.com

Fashion

The Beauty Booster

Foundation is like a canvas – the base of the make-up look. On this canvas, a highlighter might be a sheer, gleaming veil that enhances the face’s contours and beauty. As the final glowing touch, it captures the reflection of light on the skin with a multi-dimensional effect. It can be sensationally glamorous, natural-looking, or even evoke a subtle ethereal effect. Either way, to achieve all the possibilities of the beautifully luminous look, Armani Beauty recently introduced a new highlighter: Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter – the latest addition to their skin-enhancing Luminous Silk collection.

This highlighter brings a new level of glow with micro pearls. It is buildable from a natural to a glamorous finish, owing to its liquid blendable formula, which includes a blend of exclusive white micro-pearl and skin-boosting ingredients such as niacinamide, caffeine and glycerin. The water-like texture melts onto the skin, then stretches into a seamless film of shimmer, without moving the underlying make-up. Its pure translucency comes with a pearly glow effect and a silky, dewy finish.

Particularly, tinted or pure white pearls can be used for a variety of purposes. Shade 1, Halo, creates a perfect highlighting tone, ideally on the top of cheekbones, while the depth of shade 5, Sunset, creates a natural contouring effect. For additional use, shade 3, Dawn, can be blended with the Armani Beauty eye tints to infuse a soft metallic tone into your eyes.

www.armanibeauty.com

Fashion

New Face of Dior J'Adore - Rihanna

 Amidst the golden hues of Versailles, she stands as a queen exuding remarkable femininity.

The new muse for Dior J'Adore is - Rihanna, without any explanation needed. As a fusion of a pop idol and a legendary perfume, J’adore and Rihanna have entered a new era of golden dreams in Dior. The timeless golden appeal of J’adore has been offered to women for 25 years, and now, it takes on a new level of Diorness.

The new Dior J'Adore campaign envisions a dream perfume, enhanced by stunning visuals of Rihanna. The sublime beauty in the iconic reinvented necklace is radiant, while the embroidered golden gown with pale sequins is ethereal, all completes the gracious golden dream, both created by Dior Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri. Being truly herself, the celebration of the Dior dream is an expression of her original celebration of life. The new commercial of J'Adore will be displayed from September 1st.
www.dior.com

Travel

Postcards from Hawaii – NIO Cocktails New Drinkable Destination

NIO Cocktails’ new collection created by mixologist Patrick Pistolesi pays tribute to the beauty of Hawaii and provides a tropical flavor journey shipped right to your home.

This collection of four cocktails features new takes on classic drinks such as a tropical Negroni, a hot Mai Tai, and a spicy Mango Margarita, as well as a brand-new exotic signature cocktail inspired by the Celestial Ocean.

Carefully handcrafted in Italy using only high-quality spirits this tasting set is the perfect summer getaway in a glass.

www.niococktails.com

Art

DIESEL X TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION

The celebration of Pride unites people across the globe, transcending boundaries in art, social norms, and culture. This provocative, inclusive mission is the core of the collaborative exhibition project of Diesel and the Tom of Finland Foundation.

Denim brand Diesel is partnering with the Tom of Finland Foundation to exhibit a special collaborative display in Tokyo in honor of the Foundation's 40th anniversary. Titled "Forty Years Of Pride," the exhibition will be hosted at the Diesel Art Gallery in the Diesel store in Shibuya from July 12 to Wednesday, August 14, 2024. This multi-faceted project is a highlight of their commitment to LGBTQ+ art advocacy, speaking to diversity and unity. This event not only celebrates four decades of preserving and promoting the iconic legacy of Tom of Finland but also offers a unique opportunity to reflect on Tom of Finland's impact on contemporary art, social consciousness, and its resonance with diverse audiences. Notably, the exhibition will feature "TOM House: The VR Experience," a groundbreaking virtual reality installation that provides an immersive, aural journey into Tom’s world.

With this global project, Diesel aims to support the artist community by providing a unique venue for openness, freedom, and love, underscoring the tremendous social and cultural impact of Tom of Finland’s work.
www.diesel.com
www.tomoffinland.org

Fashion

Doucal's MAN SS24

Luxury Italian shoe brand Doucal's reaffirms the classic Italian aesthetic in the men’s loafer for its Spring Summer 2024 collection. The collection features two iconic styles, the Mario Loafer and the Full Penny Loafer, both highlighting lightness and enhanced comfort with exceptional elasticity and flexibility. The Mario Loafer is a signature item dedicated to the brand's founder, while the Full Penny Loafer offers an alluring take on a timeless classic. Both models are versatile, embodying hand-crafted excellence with traditional references in Italian shoes. Doucal's long-standing footwear craftsmanship is at the core of the brand, producing vibrant and one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Each shoe boasts its own color, shading, and luster. Even small imperfections contribute to their unique character.

The SS24 collection is designed to suit various customer lifestyles, distinguished by three lines: Gentlemen, Sporty Leisure, and Academy. The Gentlemen line, dreamed up by Creative Director Gianni Giannin, features versatile leather-sole styles that cover the entire spectrum of menswear, from everyday to formal wear. These loafers, when paired with any outfit, epitomize timeless elegance. Each pair features a memory foam insole, adding a layer of comfort and innovation that ensures a soft feel and constant breathability. On the other hand, the Sporty Leisure line features a rubber sole, designed for more casual, leisure occasions, yet they remain strictly hand-crafted with unmistakable style. In the Academy line, the Roger sneaker features a lace-up Strobel construction that guarantees lightness and torsion.
www.doucals.com

Fashion

Fendi FW 24/25 Campaign

In Fendi’s latest collection, Artistic Director Kim Jones explores the ease of dressing, revolving around subtle contrasting conceptions. The gowns are relaxed, utilitarian yet extravagant. The simple yet theatrical ideas infinitely expand to salon and street, town and country. This uncommon blend is a fusion of tradition and subversion, combining blasé British style with Roman elegance in Fall Winter 2024-2025.

In his creative narrative, London nonchalance meets Roman freedom. Luxury exudes sumptuous comfort, while the magical confidence the clothing and accessories bestow allows the wearer to express themselves with boundless freedom. Above all, a very Fendi quality grounds the collection with hints of practicality and playfulness, while highlighting a sense of duality.

Meanwhile, the bags by Silvia Venturini Fendi, Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, showcase a more refined style, deconstructed from past designs. Featuring soft and reconfigured shapes, the bags boast the sumptuous appeal of luxurious leathers. The rich, natural hues slip into the new versions of signature bags: Peekaboo, Baguette, and By The Way. The standout piece is the new Simply FENDI, inspired by an archival style from the late 1990s. It can be worn in multiple ways, symbolizing a sumptuously utilitarian aesthetic.
www.fendi.com

Travel

Dolce&Gabbana Resort 2024

To celebrate summer, Dolce&Gabbana will partner up again with the iconic San Domenico Palace in Taormina. After taking over fabulous destinations such as Capri, Marbella, Taormina, and Saint Tropez in 2023, Dolce&Gabbana revisits the beauty of Sicily and brightens up the former monastery, transformed into a luxurious hotel.

A symbol of the wonder of Taormina, the San Domenico Palace became a Four Seasons Hotel in 2021, yet its story dates back to the beginning of 1896 – a time when the palace was part of the Grand Tour, a traditional trip taken by upper-class European men, later becoming an essential travel stop for celebrities. Today, San Domenico is a hotspot for travelers who enjoy a posh lifestyle.

Dolce&Gabbana will set up a pop-up boutique decorated in gleaming gold that reflects the exclusivity of the Italian brand, where Four Seasons guests will have access to fashion and jewelry pieces specially curated for this location. Complementing the rich gold is the white and blue of the Blu Mediterraneo, wrapping the sunbeds, the infinity pool, and the terrace of the hotel. The combination of the white and blue adds to the Italian heritage of the House by pointing to ancient Italian traditions that highlight the values of “Fatto a Mano” (Italian for “handmade”).

A token of love and appreciation for the summer and the Ionian Sea, Dolce&Gabbana Resort 2024 explores Italian delicacy and fine craftsmanship, while revealing the beauty of Sicily.

www.dolcegabbana.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani SS 2025

After 92 spectacular looks from the SS25 Menswear collection that reminisced upon early 1970s pieces from Armani, the brand is expected to launch its Women’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection on October 17th.

Giorgio Armani plans to honor the inauguration of his new building on Madison Avenue by hosting his Women’s fashion show, followed by an iconic party. Known for his amazing celebratory nights in New York recognized even by the former mayor Michael Bloomberg, Armani will come back to the Big Apple after 11 years of presenting shows in Milan, for his SS25 Women’s show.

“I am delighted to return to New York to celebrate this very important project. My time in this city has always been significant and has marked key moments in my career,” said the designer in a statement. “The opening of Madison Avenue is an important personal milestone because it crystallizes my vision of style in the city that was perhaps the first to truly embrace it.”

After presenting his newest collection, he will prepare for Milan Fashion Week in February 2025, where he will introduce the Women’s Fall/Winter 2025/26 line.

www.giorgioarmani.com

Fashion

GIORGIO ARMANI BOUTIQUE IN VIENNA

On July 5, 2024, the Armani Group announced the opening of a new Giorgio Armani Boutique at Tuchlauben 7A, 1010 Vienna. The new boutique is nestled in the historical city center of Vienna, the Austrian capital. Boasting a spacious area spread over three levels, the boutique features an impressive spiral staircase with a green marble effect and platinum-colored railings.

Designed by Mr. Armani and his team of architects, the boutique embodies a refined, sophisticated atmosphere centered around the Armani aesthetic. In particular, the marble floors with an onyx look complement the silk wallpaper from the Armani/Casa collection. Inside the boutique, the color palette shifts subtly across different areas. Moreover, the furnishings are equally noteworthy, featuring a luxurious blend of platinum and metallic wood. This choice of materials and colors reflects Armani’s high-end aesthetics, at the same time, it exudes a contemporary, elegant vibe in the luxurious boutique. Indeed, the architectural design of the boutique is striking, highlighted by a large, continuous façade. This façade, with its bold black frames, creates a sense of grand enclosure that extends over two levels. Above all, the ground floor's design is particularly eye-catching, with a row of windows framed in platinum-colored metal and adorned with luminous Giorgio Armani logos. Altogether, this Vienna boutique ultimately encapsulates Giorgio Armani’s ethos—where Italian style meets cosmopolitan vision and culture. Now, Giorgio Armani invites guests in Vienna into the brand’s exclusive universe. www.armani.com

Fashion

CHANEL Couture FW25

At the place of creative freedom for Chanel, Palais Garnier is the inspiration and the venue for the CHANEL Couture FW25 Show. The collection unfolded Maison’s discipline of beauty, patience, and excellence, fused with theatrical elements from the historic opera house, Palais Garnier in Paris.

The show opened with an opera-inspired, long, elegant cape featuring a distinctive ruffled collar, paired with an embellished bride top and matching knickers, elevated with a romantic hair bow. The dramatic, romantic look set the tone for the entire couture show. Following this, Chanel's signature tweed suits made their way down the runway with glittery and glitzy accents: Some pieces were adorned with feather trimming and tassels on collars or sleeves, while others featured embroidered flowers, sequins, braids, and precious gems across the garments. Overall, matte, glossy, and lacquered textures showcased how light reigns supreme.

Along with the splendid and sumptuous tweed pieces, costume-inspired outfits stood out, including corsets, tutus, puffed sleeves, and evening dresses, which appeared toward the end of the show. Moreover, the gleaming palette exuded elegance and grace in the splendid couture mood featuring black, gold, silver, ivory, fuchsia, and pale pink.

Dreamed up by the French director Christophe Honoré, the show transformed the Palais Garnier into a gilded theatre catwalk where performance and elegance mingle at every glance, gaze, and artful display, creating a true stage for dance. The collection imbued the House codes with a romantic twist through voluminous capes and luxurious gowns, evoking a modernized stage tradition and taking us to a glorious era in the opera house. In short, romantic dreams intertwined with elegance and exuberance on the theater stage.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

Ten c Milan Fashion Week

With their new SS25 collection, Ten c is yet another luxury brand that proves that the focus of this season is on functionality. Combining military with urban style, designer Alessandro Pungetti continues to surprise his audience with his attention to detail by bringing an unparalleled understanding of the brand’s identity through this new line.

As the name of the label suggests – “The Emperor’s New Clothes” – the outerwear series is inspired from the military world and uniforms, and is best represented by the reinterpretation of the Aviator Flight Suit, which is redesigned in a way that allows everyday wear and aligns with current trends. With the mixing of materials and exquisite focus on artistic processes, Ten c launches a fresh and contemporary series of remarkable summer outfits. The innovative technique of “trompe l’oeil” gives the illusion of three-dimensions on some of the pieces from the collection, including T-shirts, bottom ups and sweatshirts, completing the Ten c look, while displaying the house’s distinctive personality. Resin-coated linen, nylon gabardine, tactel nylon, and heat-sealed cotton are all part of the futuristic vision of Alessandro Pungetti. The fabrics grant easy movement and integrate the items of the campaign in everyone’s closet.

Initially recognized for its no logo policy, Ten c now establishes itself among other major Italian couture houses by its dazzling craftsmanship, timeless designs, and durability of its clothes.

www.tenc.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta MFW – “Portraits of fatherhood” with A$AP Rocky

In time for Father’s Day, Bottega Veneta pays tribute to all fathers out there by taking a closer look at what it means to be a dad through the eyes of A$AP Rocky. In a set of black and white portraits, photographer Carrie Mae Weems captures the love and protection that we seem to rarely find in lyrics of rap songs. This shoot illustrates the duality of A$AP and expresses the balance that becoming a parent requires.

“When you think about A$AP Rocky, you think about a playboy, pretty boy, bras being thrown on stage. This is about me as a one-woman man, as a family man. It is about what completes my life now: being present as a partner and a parent.”, said Rocky about his self growth and the important role he has taken on in recent years.

Yet, this collection of photos does not only celebrate fathers, it also plays a significant part in changing the distorted view formed around the African American family and especially against Black men. The six pictures shared by Bottega Veneta share the touching story of intimacy between a father and his children. This is what Creative Director Matthieu Blazy hoped for when he asked Carrie Mae Weems to collaborate on this project.

Different from the usual campaigns of the luxury Italian brand, with “Portrait of fatherhood” we see a picture of vulnerability – Rocky surrounded by his two sources of happiness, RZA (2 y.o) and Riot Rose (10 mo.), blinded by true love and devotion to them.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Fendi

For the Spring Summer 2025 collection, the iconic Italian fashion house FENDI epitomized luxury timeless menswear for gentlemen heading to summertime. Through the lens of modern luxury, the show infused soft expressions of contemporary masculinity in Italian essence. Overall, Italian craftsmanship grounded the collection, exuding classic Italian charm while paying homage to the Maison’s signature codes, revisiting the first menswear collection in 1990.

Taking the menswear code from an international elite, the concept of work uniforms was ultimately transformed and jazzed up with soft powdery hues: a mineral palette of sherbet, mist, ivory, caramel, and buttermilk seamlessly blended with soft blues, natural indigo, black, and forest green. The outfits, blending elements of sports and office wear, invited the audience into Fendi Club – a luxurious gathering of well-dressed gentlemen.

Meanwhile, the venue was special for this season. Set against the minimalist open studio known as the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) event venue in the EU, models showcased stunning elegant outfits under natural daylight, framed by a series of mirrored columns and mobile monoliths that created infinite corridors and reflections in the show. Alongside the sophisticated setting, a customized electronic soundtrack by Vascellari in collaboration with Rocco Rampino featured an oscillating, romantic beat that echoed the airy, modern atmosphere.
www.fendi.com

Fashion

Gucci F/W 2024 Men's Collection

Inspired by the beauty of human expression, Gucci's Creative Director Sabato De Sarno celebrates his first men's campaign for the House by shifting the focus from fashion to a captivating set of models that combine familiarity with modernity. Iconic faces like Clément Chabernaud and George Barnett embody the new creations of De Sarno, bridging the gap between the early 2000s and the Creative Director’s modern vision.

Simple, yet fabulous, the collection is an ode to life, to humanity, and introduces some wardrobe staples, while redefining luxury. The emphasis is on the art of living, the ability that each of us has – to give a unique story and a personal touch to the looks. In this campaign, shot by David Sims, Sabato De Sarno blurs the lines between past, present, and future and redefines the purpose of couture: to tell stories through passion, happiness, and originality.

With his first runway show for Maison in September 2023, in Milan, De Sarno’s focus is on making Gucci feel more contemporary, chic, and Italian. In the Fall Winter 2024 collection, central to him is to enrich everyday life through his pieces and to share each of their stories, which can only be done by sharing the story of life. The Creative Director invites everyone to embrace freedom and authenticity while sharing the joy of being united by human thoughts of memories, fears, and friendship.

Starting July, the Italian brand will make its Fall Winter 2024 Men’s collection available in stores all around the world.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

At the Crossroads

Where art, design, and decoration converge, Sheila Hicks’ oeuvre stands as a testament to the seamless blending of diverse artistic practices. An American artist known for her innovative approach, Hicks brings together modernism, abstraction, and extra-western traditions, creating an artistic dialogue that adapts to its surroundings. At the crossroads of mediums and expressions, her work transcends conventional boundaries, inviting viewers into an interactive experience at the Espace Louis Vuitton in Seoul.

Deconstructing the boundaries between fine arts and applied arts, Sheila Hicks' textile works range from her early Minimes (1956) – tiny abstract weavings – to larger installations. Pushing the limits of her craft, these initial Minimes served as testing grounds for the expansive and intricate works that would define her career. Wool, nylon, silk, linen, and cotton are the main materials in her practice, rendering monumental pieces that are intimate in texture and detail. Sometimes merged with everyday items like clothing, these materials result in pieces that engage with the architecture of their exhibition spaces. Hanging vertically, bending horizontally, and tilting up and down, these pieces' final purpose is to adapt to the environment’s contours.

Functional and inviting, the sculptures and environments encourage visitors to wander through, lie down, and lounge on the installations. Whether presenting stacks of large fiber bales, cascades of colorful creepers, columns of pigmented threads, or wool-wrapped flexible tubes, Hicks' works celebrate the materials themselves, allowing their natural properties to dictate form and structure.

Gravity plays a significant role in her creations, with pieces that hang and bend according to their weight, transforming spaces with a spectrum of colors and textures. Hicks' refusal to impose a fixed form on her works reflects a spirit of free experimentation. Her approach prefigures the Anti-Form and Post-Minimalist movements, which similarly embraced the fluidity and versatility of materials.

Part of Louis Vuitton's Hors-les-murs program, the Espace Louis Vuitton Seoul presents an exhibition dedicated to Sheila Hicks’ oeuvre. From the French, Hors-les-murs translates to ‘outside the walls,’ alluding to the foundation's mission to reach broader audiences through international artistic initiatives. With Espaces in cities around the globe, including Tokyo, Munich, Venice, Beijing, and Osaka, Louis Vuittion unveils Hicks’ transformative art in Seoul’s Espace. For the first time in Korea, her works "Atterrissage" (2014) and "Another Break in the Wall" (2016) are on display.

Sheila Hicks stands at the crossroads of artistic expression, where the intersection of art, design, and environment invites viewers to experience the world through a rich tapestry of textures, colors, and forms. Challenging perceptions and encouraging a deeper connection with the spaces we inhabit, Hicks’ work is a contemporary signpost, pointing in all directions while firmly standing its ground.

www.press.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Lino Caro

Zegna, the iconic luxury menswear label, launches its Spring-Summer 2024 collection, incarnated by actor and brand ambassador Mads Mikkelsen.
The campaign, called “Zegna in Summer”, focuses on linen, the central element of the summer collection, Oasi Lino.
Unveiled in Milan and designed by Alessandro Sartori, the collection reveals relaxed silhouettes in natural colors, the perfect uniform for the season of cicadas.

Oasi Lino fabrics, made from the finest Normandy linen fibers, are then processed in Italy. Zegna is committed to certifying the traceability of these fibers, reinforcing its “Road to Traceability”, an initiative in line with the environmental values promoted by Oasi Zegna, natural reserve located in the Italian Alps.
Mads Mikkelsen pursue his collaboration with Zegna, a brand renowned for its quality and commitment to sustainability; embodying this season a collection thought of as an ode to nature and elegance.
www.zegna.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton - Resort 2025

Sculptural cuts and thoughtful drapery were the motto of the Louis Vuitton Resort 2025 show, imagined by Nicolas Ghesquière.
The collection featured elegant, tailored outfits with equestrian touches and 1980s influences, transitioning to flowing silk pieces inspired by Spanish masters. Innovative elements, like boiled silk and wool dresses, were once again proof of the creativity and craftsmanship of Louis Vuitton’s ateliers artisans.
For the past decade, Louis Vuitton has showcased Nicolas Ghesquière’s collections in stunning architectural marvels. This year, the designer selected the Hypostyle Room in Antoni Gaudi’s Park Güell, a hall renowned for its mosaic ceilings—a hallmark of Gaudi’s style. The show was then beautifully enhanced by its set-up, internationally renowned for the genius of its architect.
Along the same spirit, the designer said to have been inspired by the Spanish greatest artists, from Velazquez to Goya and Zurburan, as well as by the work of the talented filmmakers Luis Bunuel and Rodrigo Sorogoyen.

The collection and the show were then thought of as an homage, paying tribute to those who have contributed to the renown of Spanish art. The garments were adorned with interesting, modern cuts, questioning Louis Vuitton's identity by bringing a touch of fun elegance to more classic colors. Grays, blacks, and beiges followed one another, sometimes brightened up with a polka-dot motif, a nod to flamenco fashion. Then more diversified patterns appear, with mixtures of textures and colors providing the offbeat touch that we were waiting for. Finally, strict cuts are loosened, giving way to puffy, almost dramatic skirts and dresses, bringing an eye-catching finale to this architectural and well-exectuted Resort 2025 collection.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Gucci Cruise 2025

London is the backdrop of the new Gucci Cruise Collection 2025. Framed through the eyes of Gucci Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, the collection reflects his own experiences, as well as the profound ties to the city he inherited from Gucci's family. The Tate Modern - a unique location synonymous with unexpected juxtapositions and unanticipated rendezvous - opens the doors and hosts a singular event. This distinctive and diverse arena echoed in the collection itself. Rigor and extravagance, strength in delicacy, and Englishness with an Italian accent are the key points of the Gucci Cruise 2025. Short coats tailored in technical gabardine have a sharp precision juxtaposed with wild chamomile flora motifs, a softness against the body. To continue, chiffons, frills, and lace contrast with a feeling of protection and preciousness in outerwear, presenting an evening meeting every day. It is a game of contradictions and opposites. But it is already known that opposites attract. In this case, the sartorial fuses with workwear, street with salon, the fragile can become tough. Meanwhile, symbols of British style - tartans, tailoring - and emblems of Gucci are reconsidered, and re-energized for a new generation. Here, craft, and fashion can unify, crossing culture, time, and places.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

Prada X RedBull - Ryoyu Kobayashi

Prada Linea Rossa, Prada’s sportwear-inspired line supports the Japanese Olympic champion ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi.

As a Red Bull athlete, Japanese ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi is the Olympic and World Cup champion and three-time Four Hills winner who achieved a remarkable result. Kobayashi set a new ski jumping world record, breaking the previous record by 37.5 meters and setting a considerable new world record.

To support Kobayashi’s extreme challenge, Prada Linea Rossa offered its functional clothing and accessories for him and his core team members to achieve his goal. Prada Linea Rossa line features advanced technical fabric that combines comfort and high-performance function, suitable for professional athletes and outdoor sports. This support is the latest event in the partnership between Prada Linea Rossa and Red Bull which aims to promote unique sporting initiatives and the talent of athletes by helping them to reach their outstanding goals. Prada Linea Rossa brings together Prada’s modern luxury with functional items, elevating the outdoor look with design excellence and technical prowess. Tied intrinsically to the core identity of Prada, each item is hyper-functional, devised with cutting-edge methodology.
www.prada.com

Art

AAS:object:project by Marsèll X Gonzalez Haase – Milan Design Week 2024

AAS:object:project by Marsèll X Gonzalez Haase – Milan Design Week 2024 Marsèll, a Luxury footwear brand presented an exhibition in Milano by Gonzalez Haase – AAS, a Berlin-based studio with principal practices in architecture, scenography, and lighting. Renowned for the unique interplay between light and architecture at the forefront of their designs, AAS has gained a noted reputation for their spatial concepts. Their work includes major artwork installations, luxury retail interiors, residential extensions as well as conversions for industrial and art-related spaces. For the Design Week 2024 installation, AAS made an exceptional collaboration with Marsèll, which was entitled AAS:object:project. Within the project, the design action becomes performative, involving visitors to the point of transforming them into artists themselves. The key to the project is a reaction to multiple elements - a given space, light, proportion, or movement. All the objects were beautifully designed while each is critical in the unique settings where scenography and architecture made a perfect fusion; Benches that extend to the extreme in modular sequences, urbanized plants sprouting from a series of aluminum towers, a special re-edition of the emblematic LOLA light and an infinity of light paper confetti kept in motion by large fans. The exhibition will be held from 14 April 2024 to 10 May 2024 at Marsèll, Via Paullo 12/A, Milano.
www.marsell.com
www.gonzalezhaase.com

Art

GRAU - Milan Design Week 2024

Not only does the lamp boast a unique appearance, but its name is also one of a kind: Fire. Designed by GRAU, a lighting design project, the Fire features both an iconic soft visual and great functionality with fast charging. “Fire is the biggest milestone of our work so far. We are launching a new kind of lighting experience and are convinced that Fire marks the start of a new era of lighting - the era of living light.” Timon and Melchior Grau, GRAU’s Creative Directors. Fire was designed to offer an uncompromising lighting experience that reinvents the design and user experience of a classic ambient table lamp. Beyond its design, what sets it apart is its special feature of healthy light, free from blue light. The designers ensured that Fire offers warm light free from blue light, which enhances the production of the relaxation hormone melatonin and has a health-promoting effect. Moreover, the lamp features fast charging, fully charging in 2 hours via USB-C Power Delivery. A smart LED indicates the remaining battery life and can provide up to 50 hours of portable light. Obviously, the Fire is a unique piece that you can find during Milan Design Week. The Fire was presented by GRAU during Milan Design Week from April 14th to 17th in an exhibition alongside Bonfire at Via Meravigli 4.
www.grau.art

Fashion

TOD’S – VENICE LIMITED EDITION

Tod’s recently has launched a limited-edition collection dedicated to Venice, consisting of the iconic Gommino driving shoes and the T Timeless shopping bag, which was introduced during the pre-opening days of the Biennale Arte 2024. This exceptional collection is an example of handcrafted excellence, made from the finest calf leather as well as finished with a special treatment that preserves its natural appearance, enhancing its transparency. The limited edition includes hand-stitched Gommino in both Men's and Women's versions and the T Timeless shopping bag, constructed with overlapping panels of plush leather, lined in suede calf, and closed with double handles. These epitomized luxury handcrafted masterpieces, boasting a strong, refined, and modern style in aligned with the brand’s elegant and classic Italian style. As a tribute to the city of Venice, two new colors have been selected for both models: Tiziano red and deep blue which evoke the colors of the lagoon.

The limited collection will be available for sale from April 19, 2024, exclusively at the new Venice boutique on Calle XXII Marzo and online store.
www.tods.com

Fashion

Stone Island Prototype Research 8

An innovative global brand, Stone Island unveiled a new limited edition, Stone Island Prototype Research Series, including specially designed t-shirts and tote bags. In celebration of Prototype Series 08, the exhibition will be held during Milan Design Week 2024. The exhibition features a wide range of garments in fabrics and treatments born from research and experimentation processes that have not yet been industrialized.

Due to the advanced industrial techniques, the Series 08 fabric, especially, aims to create rigid shells for the automotive, boating, and sports sectors, starting from flexible and multiaxial components. This innovative fabric is born from a collaboration between Stone Island and three industrial partners that has allowed the modification of some technical treatments to obtain a flexible, translucent, and water-resistant experimental material, usable in the field of clothing. The process involves the creation of a multiaxial linen textile base as a natural reinforcement material, subsequent needle-cohesion to a non-woven fabric veil, state-of-the-art inkjet printing with pigments, and double lamination of aliphatic polyurethane film. Encompassing 100 print artworks, each created for the garment was recomposed into a large fresco, a dreamlike organic landscape reminiscent of a primordial world. Notably, the cape style is inspired by the very first Stone Island collection in 1982 – a functional reference to a military garment that could evolve into a tent.

Afterward, they will be on sale at selected Stone Island stores on May 28th, including Milan, London, Paris, Munich, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai AIPM.
www.stoneisland.com

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

GANT Archive in Berlin- A Shirt with History

GANT, the iconic American sportswear brand, presents its digital archive, the GANT Archive, in partnership with Highsnobiety, a global fashion and lifestyle media brand. Under the name of "A Shirt With History," this innovative project delves into GANT's mesmerizing 75-year journey. The archive will be unveiled on April 11, 2024, opening at 7 PM at the Highsnobiety Store in Berlin.

In celebration of this milestone, the brand has curated an interactive space within the Highsnobiety Store, offering visitors a comprehensive look at GANT's evolution over the past seven decades. In the opening day of the event in the Highsnobiety store, numerous distinguished panels will feature the insightful discussion including, Creative Director Christopher Bastin, VP Creative & Buying at Highsnobiety Herbert Hofmann as well as Model Sadiq Desh, and the session will be hosted by Founder and Editor-in-Chief of INDIE magazine Kira Aurelie. Along with the discussion, the guest can enjoy the drinks and music with Temry.

For the last seven decades, GANT’s shirts have been synonymous with timeless elegance and comfort, grounding the concept of preppy fashion. From the iconic Oxford Button Down shirt to innovative pieces like the Woolster and the Popover, the garments reflect the brand’s longstanding commitment to craftsmanship as well as exceptional style evolution. The GANT archive vividly illustrates the brand's deep-rooted collegiate connections.
www.gant.com
www.highsnobiety.com

Fashion

Dior Men’s B57 low sneakers

First introduced in the Dior Spring 2024 collection, the B57 sneakers revealed its new fresh look in the Fall 2024 collection featuring the low-top silhouette. As a must-have piece of the Dior Fall 2024 collection, the B57 low sneakers grounded Dior’s runway completing the various stylish ensembles with accented bold lines and signature logo play.

Designed by Creative Director Kim Jones, the B57 low sneakers boast their retro charm and combine incomparable elegance with sportiness and fresh lightness. The captivating retro allure symbolized the objects of desire that fused elegance with sportswear, reflecting the virtuoso Savoir-faire of the French house. Crafted in luxurious smooth calfskin, this sneaker boasts several design elements that imbue it with a retro athletic style - including a perforated toe box, a rubber insert, intricate topstitching details as well as the brand's logo jacquard embellishment, featuring the iconic CD emblem that symbolizes the house’s rich heritage. Alongside the striking design, these luxe sneakers embraced suppleness and comfort in their materials. The breathable mesh lining and a cushioned ankle not only enhance comfort but also ensure essential qualities as well as prove itself to be a versatile and stylish choice for everyday wear. Available in several soft color variations– gray, black, beige, pale blue, and midnight blue, the color added a light charming contrast on both its laces and body.

The Dior men’s B57 low sneakers are available in the boutiques and online stores of Dior from March 28, 2024.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Gucci Horsebit 1953 Loafer Campaign

One of Gucci's iconic shoes, the Horsebit 1953 loafer, introduces a new chapter, launching the campaign featuring British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir. The brand’s new story unfolds through a minimalist setting, with relaxed portraits narrating the enduring legacy of the timeless style of shoes. Captured by talented fashion photographer Heji Shin, the campaign is infused with stylish fashion portraits that delve into the loafer's evolution, encompassing symbolic values of sporty, casual, and sensual elegance, while weaving together the past and present of the brand’s story.

The Horsebit loafer, since its inception in 1953, has aptly embodied the essence of sophistication, while the double ring and bar, a signature detail of the loafer, was first introduced in the late 1940s. Till today, this beloved equestrian-inspired design remains emblematic of Gucci’s DNA.The latest rendition of the Horsebit loafer was created under the vision of Sabato De Sarno, Creative Director of Gucci, and designed to breathe fresh vitality into the classic design. Embodying its ongoing influence in redefining everyday style, the Horsebit 1953 loafer emerges as a testament to Gucci's commitment to reimagining elegance for the modern era. Its casual yet seductive and iconic design appeals to individuals looking to interpret everyday life through a lens of sophistication. Epitomizing classic elegance, Gucci’s Horsebit 1953 loafer serves as both an anchor to the brand’s heritage and a source of inspiration through its endless and inspiring variations, remaining a timeless piece across generations.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

C.P. Company x ASICS: GEL-QUANTUM 360TM VIII

The two innovative sportswear brands delivered exciting news. C.P. Company and ASICS SportStyle teamed up and introduced the new GEL-QUANTUM 360TM VIII model that signified a remarkable fusion of the expertise and style of both brands.

Drawing inspiration from C.P. Company's Urban Agility concept within The Metropolis Series, the GEL-QUANTUM 360TM VIII embodies a contemporary vision that encapsulates the essence of modern urban environments. The Metropolis Series, established in 1999, is characterized by its tone-on-tone branding, functional pocket systems, and utilization of high-performance fabrics such as HyST, A.A.C., and GORE-TEX INFINIUMTM, combined with advanced manufacturing techniques. Previously, this exceptional collaboration was exclusively unveiled in a multifunctional space during Menswear Paris Fashion Week. The showcase place reflects the metropolitan surroundings, capturing various elements in the city, like noises, the wind, streetlights, sounds, building bricks, and architectural motifs, all serving as inspirational cues for the design ethos behind the GEL-QUANTUM 360TM VIII.

This latest iteration of the GEL-QUANTUM 360TM VIII draws inspiration from natural shapes and interlocking structures, reflected in its reimagined upper construction featuring intricate 5D print details that resemble ergonomic shapes. Moreover, incorporating advanced TRUSSTICTM technology and an external back counter enhances stability and lends a dynamic aesthetic to the shoe. Noteworthy advancements extend to the midsole, redesigned with DIVISION SPACETM technology, offering superior cushioning without compromising on weight. The GEL-QUANTUM 360TM VIII is available from 22nd February at online stores and worldwide selected stores from C.P. Company and Asics.
www.cpcompany.com

www.asics.com

Fashion

The first Loro Piana boutique in Berlin

Loro Piana unveiled its inaugural Berlin boutique on March 5th. Located in Kurfürstendamm Strasse 188-189, in the heart of the city's main luxury district. Embodying the essence of the Maison with a timeless and contemporary design, the store pays homage to Sergio Loro Piana's legacy.
Drawing inspiration from natural elements, the boutique exudes warmth with its signature oak wood and Carabottino details, fostering a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort reminiscent of a 'home away from home'. Textured finishes and sumptuous fabrics evoke the sensory allure of Loro Piana, while earthy tones and soft lighting enhance the inviting ambiance.

The boutique, spanning a single floor, showcases the latest Women’s and Men’s collections. An exclusive area offering personalized attention similar to a private wardrobe, with a display of exclusive products inspired by the Wunderkammer, has also been created to perfect the experience. Custom-designed displays showcase each product category, meticulously crafted from natural materials such as oak wood and adorned with Loro Piana Interiors fabrics, including cashmere, renowned for its luxurious texture and softness.
Beyond offering timeless elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship, the Berlin boutique encapsulates the Maison's dedication to delivering an extraordinary shopping journey, narrating the story of Italian luxury par excellence.
www.loropiana.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – CHANEL

For her Fall-Winter 2024/25 for Chanel, Virginie Viard was inspired by fashion from the ’20s and ’70s, creating a collection unexpected but in a good way.
Immense summer-inspired straw sun hats turned inside out so as not to hide the models' faces combined with tweed looks and long woolly coats, the mix of influences was surprising, thus interesting.

Ample but belted ensembles offer an active, modern silhouette. Wearing high-knee boots, airy dresses, prints, and soft leathers, the Chanel woman is active and needs a chic wardrobe everywhere she goes. Black cardigans with pastel details recalled the Spring 2021 collection while giving the cardigan a new lease on life, vintage yet perfectly in sync with the times.
Models wore immense sun hats, accumulations of golden necklaces or berets, and hand-carried nonchalantly their bags: giving the collection the effortlessly Parisian-chic appearance dear to Chanel.
This collection was the best one since Viard’s debuts inside the House, using subtle references to the House's archives. The Chanel Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection is a lovely ode to Gabrielle Chanel's heritage, reinterpreting yesterday's codes to dress today's women with the timeless elegance that characterizes the House of Chanel.
www.chanel.com

Art

Salvatore Vignola’s “You Must Live” immersive experience

During Milan Fashion Week FW 2024/2025, designer Salvatore Vignola showcased his collection as a tribute to Palestine, presenting "You Must Live," an immersive experience inspired by Refaat Alareer's poem 'If I Must Die.'
The collection features a reinterpretation of the traditional Keffiyeh, using fabrics donated by readymade textiles, a studio focused on sustainable practices and material recycling and enhanced by prints designed by Trashy Clothing. The artwork was created to support a charitable cause, thus all profits from the sale of the collection were given to the NGO Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Salvatore Vignola also designed an exclusive T-shirt capsule, created alongside the Palestinian duo Trashy Clothing. The capsule is available for on-site purchase, to further support the fundraising efforts.

The experience was orchestrated by the Milanpyramid agency to pay tribute to Palestinian heritage through artworks by artist Amira Suboh, photographer Jasmine Barri and a live performance by artist Mohammed el Hajoui. For the occasion, El Hajoui also created a rug symbolizing hospitality through the ancestral gesture of sifting, adding depth to the exhibition. A projection of images accompanied by traditional Palestinian ballads choreographed by Daniele Vitale completed the ambiance.
More than a fashion show, “You Must Live” was a moving tribute to Palestine, merging artwork from different artists united for the same cause.
www.salvatorevignola.com

Fashion

University life with a Longchamp touch

Longchamp celebrated its Spring-Summer 2024 collection, inspired by university life, alongside friends of the brand on February 29, 2024.
Among other guests close to the brand, Lea van Acken, Peri Baumeister, Elias Becker & Yasmine Dahlberg were present.

For the occasion, Munich's Künstlerhaus became a university for a night, equipped with its library, canteen, and amphitheater in a fun, modern decor, reflecting the brand's identity. Between a live performance by DJs Palina Rojinski and Almedina and a choreography danced by the “Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance”, the evening was lively and vibrant, in the spirit of the student years.
A colorful party, in the image of the Longchamp Spring-Summer 2024 collection.
www.longchamp.com

Fashion

MILAN 2024/FW - TOD’S

Matteo Tamburini has presented his first collection Tod’s since taking the creative direction of the brand last December. The show took place at Milan’s largest tram depot, an urban and unusual decor that sets the tone for the collection’s inspirations.
The creative director has taken over Tod’s Italian luxury heritage with vintage accessories inspired by Alfa Romeo as well as driving shoes made from gommino soles and inherent to the brand’s codes.
This collection, both stylish and comfortable to suit all lifestyles, featured yokes and bangs crafted in Italian leather to sublimate shoes and scarves, while more conventional garments were reinterpreted. Thus, bags were worn large and tote, pants were hyper-breasted, while double-collared shirts drew attention for looks that were both fun and qualitative. By creating twinsets in layered wool and silk, coats with distinctive cuts and original materials, notably embodied by an uncommon overcoat in patched goatskin, Matteo Tamburini brought a touch of extravagance to his first collection for Tod's.

Tod’s new credo calls for a fashion that can be worn both at the top offices and on public transportation, showing that fashion can be addressed to a wider audience without neglecting quality and style. For Tod’s Fall-Winter 2024/25, Matteo Tamburini has affirmed its style and position with a collection that brilliantly reinterprets the brand's emblematic codes with flair and a personal touch.
www.tods.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

“Etro Act”: an ode to adventure and skin couture

Etro presents "Etro Act" its first co-created fashion show, under the artistic direction of Marco De Vincenzo. Presenting menswear and womenswear FW24/25 collections simultaneously, the show was set among a backdrop of oversized masks, like an invitation to travel and adventure.

Inspired by ancient theater and Homer's Odyssey, the show featured a collection that favored the use of antique fabrics and playful jewelry, conceived by Marco De Vincenzo in a quest for diversity and renewal.
Fluid, wave-like silhouettes contrasted with straight, confident coats. Many models were adorned with colorful prints such as the emblematic Persian-inspired paisley motif, magnifying fabrics such as felt and leather.
The show also featured pieces resulting from Etro's collaboration with Wolford, a union between Etro's heritage and Wolford's skin couture expertise. The collaboration is incarnated in three unique pattern designs exclusively created by Etro, featuring Paisley motifs on Wolford's iconic fabrics in a collection of bas jacquards, bodysuits, dresses, and more.

The capsule collection, debuting during the Etro Fall/Winter 2024 Fashion Show, will be available in Etro and Wolford boutiques, online, and at selected retailers worldwide from September 2024.
www.etro.com

Art

La Grande Dame 2015 Rosé through the eyes of Paola Paronetto

Veuve Clicquot unveils La Grande Dame Rosé 2015 as an homage to Madame Clicquot's pioneering spirit.

In 1818, she redefined the norm by blending the red wine of "Clos Colin" with white, thus innovating the first blended rosé champagne. This blend harmoniously combines the sunny essence of the 2015 vintage with the depth of pinot noir. Spicy notes of pepper, nutmeg and clove mingle with delicate aromas of red fruit and flowers. To enhance this exceptional product, Veuve Clicquot has entrusted the design of the La Grande Dame Rosé box to a renowned italian artist, Paola Paronetto, for the first time.

As part of the collection of boxes she created for La Grande Dame 2015 en 2023, the artist chose the color "Pesca Chiaro" to sublimate this exceptional rosé champagne. Paola Paronetto's signature color, from her palette of 97 tones, was chosen to express both the depth and vitality of the cuvée.
La Grande Dame 2015 Rosé x Paola Paronetto is available from Clos19.com and in the usual retail stores.
www.veuveclicquot.com

Fashion

CHANEL opens its first boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York, devoted exclusively to watches and fine jewelry

CHANEL made its debut on New York's famous Fifth Avenue on February 9, 2024.
In a magnificent two-storey store designed by the architect Peter Marino, this boutique devoted entirely to watches and haute jewelry is the first of its kind in the United States.

Inspired by CHANEL's heritage at 18 Place Vendôme in Paris, where the high jewelry atelier and design studios are located, the boutique on Fifth Avenue is a moving tribute to Gabrielle Chanel, representing the designer’s love for art and design through a thoughtful decoration.

Sublimated by the gilded architecture of the historic Crown Builiding, the boutique's façade, adorned with black granite and gold bronze, recalls the emblematic building of 31 rue Cambon. The interior of the boutique is also imbued with this style, with gold and black enhanced by subtle touches of rock. A collection of contemporary art objects, antiques, and custom-made furniture complete the boutique's unique atmosphere.
A spectacular staircase leads to the mezzanine, where artworks by renowned artists such as Louise Nevelson and Anna-Eva Bergman are displayed alongside pieces of high and fine jewelry.

Finally, the collections displayed in the boutique embody the essence of CHANEL, with iconic pieces such as Coco Crush and N°5 Fine Jewelry, as well as watches from the J12 collection. Exclusive creations, such as the Eternal N°5 collection, created in honor of the Fifth Avenue boutique's inauguration, and the breathtaking 55.55 necklace, will also be available to celebrate the boutique's opening.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

From the Levi’s Archive

Levi’s invited their Paris Fashion Week Men’s guests to celebrate their freshly released limited-edition collaboration with the Japanese label BEAMS. The capsule collection takes inspiration from the archival SUPER WIDE style while achieving a bold, modern conception through exclusively developed Orange Tick selvage denim. Guests were able to add personal touches to the jackets and jeans at an embroidery station during the event. Showcased on the walls were several iconic Levi’s garments pulled from their archive dating back as early as 1980. From the Levi’s of a farmer to those of Steve Jobs, the presentation served as the perfect reminder of the vital role Levi’s plays in contemporary life and that we should all be excited for what’s to come from the brand in 2024. www.levis.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton's FW24 Collection

Louis Vuitton’s Pharrell Williams is bringing American cowboy cool to French luxury in the latest FW24 Collection. With travel at the heart of Louis Vuitton’s genetics, the theme LVERS, as a bridge between Virginia and Paris, stands as the leitmotif of this iconic collection. Elegant suit silhouettes, symbolic of Louis Vuitton’s enduring legacy of fashion-forwardness, encounter country and western motifs, such as cacti and horseshoes, which exude the bold spirits of the Wild West. Emblematic of this marriage, a heavy wool coat finds its bottom edges adorned with a fringe, making cowboy aesthetics runway-ready. The brand’s exquisite craftsmanship is applied to embroidery techniques for key iconography of American Western wardrobe: the iconic country-cool ornamentation and beading manifests on workwear and suit silhouettes alike. Typical for cowboy aesthetics, we see a lot of leathers, whether it is on an edgy fringed biker jacket or on cowboy boots, a piece which could not have been left out in a collection of this kind, Louis Vuitton’s dedication to excellent craftsmanship shines once again. Staying true and authentic to the theme of American Western theme, Williams has also teamed up with artists from indigenous Dakota and Lakota nations across accessories and even for the show’s staging and soundtrack. In collaboration with Creative Director Dee Jay Two Bears, native to the Rock Sioux Tribe, Williams dreamed up an avant-garde Speedy bag, messenger bag and travel tote, all embroidered with Dakota Flower symbolism. Merging true authentic Americana of the Wild West with French savoir-faire, William’s has created a collection that stands as a true marker in the history of fashion.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Paul&Shark: CLUB RIVIERA

During Milan Fashion Week, Paul & Shark unveiled the FW 2024 Club Riviera collection, which transformed Casa Cipriani's elite private members club into its own Club Riviera. A one-of-a-kind site that dates back to the 1930s with the inauguration of Harry's Bar in Venice and exudes Italian elegance to its full potential. The collection transitions from summer to fall, with a color range of beiges and foliage tones paired with traditional white and iconic Paul & Shark blue. Silk coats, hefty linen shirts, and polished cotton T-shirts take the spotlight. The brand's tale revolves around an elite club with fall sea feels, an emotional journey, and a sweater at sunset, all of which evoke memorable memories. The occasion was meticulously planned to provide the international press with access to the FW24 looks worn by models, who are highly recognized club members. Then, the evening proceeded with a cocktail party and DJ set that welcomed worldwide talents and influencers. The result is a private club-like relaxing environment, where, among the timeless board games, guests may stop and observe the autumn sun setting through the window as winter gently knocks on the door. www.paulandshark.com

Fashion

GUESS JEANS new AIRWASH technology

With a presentation at this year's Pitti Immagine Uomo, GUESS JEANS is unveiling their brand-new denim wash technology, “GUESS AIRWASH”, which will pave the way for a more sustainable future of denim. Following in the footsteps of his father, GUESS co-founder Paul Marciano, who popularized denim stone-washing in 1981, the brand’s current Creative Director Nicolai Marciano, is paying tribute to the brand’s legacy of pioneering denim styles and washing processes through a lens of contemporary values. The all-new AIRWASH technique swaps the water used in stone washing for air and bubbles. Through this technique the use of pumice stones becomes obsolete, resulting in a significant decrease in water and energy consumption. The AIRWASH technology was developed by GUESS’ long-time partner Jeanologia and is manifested on eight airwashes across denim shirts, denim jackets, and denim trousers that appear in three fits for women, ranging from skinny to mom to midrise straight, and four for men, ranging from skinny, slim, straight, to relaxed. All pieces are fabricated from organic and recycled materials, putting an sustainability at the forefront of GUESS’ philosophy. But not just the dedication to (re-)inventing denim culture stands as a tribute to the brand's DNA, but also the designs of the new collection draw inspiration from GUESS archive pieces spanning from the 80s to 90s, presenting us with a reinterpretation of innovation and iconic denim styles at the same time. GUESS JEANS, as a new brand, opens the doors for the rollout of a number of new denim-focused boutiques. The GUESS JEANS collection will be available in June 2024, at selected wholesale stores and retailers worldwide and online.
www.guess.com

Fashion

Loro Piana Pop-Up Store in Zermatt

In a celebration of winter living and alpine sophistication, Loro Piana opens its first Pop-Up store in the heart of Zermatt, a destination embracing the epitome of the Maison's vision for outdoor living during the winter season. Running from December 15, 2023, to March 15, 2024, this temporary haven is a blend of contemporary and traditional design. Drawing inspiration from the nomadic Gher dwellings of Mongolia, the Pop-Up store embodies Loro Piana's commitment to sourcing the finest cashmere globally. Nestled in the town centre, the space exudes a minimalist yet lively atmosphere, resonating with the serene surroundings of Zermatt. The interiors, bathed in natural light and adorned with Loro Piana Interiors' outdoor textiles, showcase a palette of whites and beiges, mirroring the tranquillity of the alpine landscape. At the heart of the installation is the Gher, a vibrant tribute to nomadic culture featuring a flower tapestry bloom print—a nod to the Holiday 2023 Collection. This collection features versatile and contemporary garments crafted from iconic yarns like Cashmere Coarsehair®, Shearling, Cashfur, and Baby Cashmere, adorned with handcrafted embroideries. The Ski Capsule Collection, designed for the discerning skier, adds a touch of luxury to winter sports. Beyond the immersive shopping experience, the journey extends to the open-air lounge, where visitors can envelop themselves in warmth with Loro Piana blankets. This Zermatt Pop-Up store is not just a retail space; it's an invitation to share moments of peace and serenity during the festive season.
www.loropiana.com

Art

RH Opens in Munich

The doors have swung open to welcome true luxury and sophistication as RH, the renowned high-end interior brand, makes its mark in Munich. With a legacy spanning over 30 years, RH has consistently stood as one of the most successful retailers in the realm of interior and furniture within the US market. Following its successful ventures in the UK, RH has chosen Düsseldorf and Munich as the latest European cities to host its exquisite stores. The Munich "Gallery," as RH eloquently names its stores, is a testament to the brand's commitment to offering not just furniture but an immersive experience of elegance and refinement. Adorned with stunning interiors they transform spaces into works of art. RH Munich, originally designed in 1905 by German architect Max Littmann, graces the heart of the Old Town on Sendlinger Strasse, within walking distance from Sendlinger Tor, a surviving city gate dating back to the 14th century. For those who appreciate the finer things in life, the arrival of RH in Munich is a momentous occasion. It not only signifies the expansion of a prestigious brand but also offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts of luxury living to immerse themselves in the world of RH's curated elegance.
www.rh.com

Fashion

Heringa/Van Kalsbeek Creates Hermès Winter Windows

In a captivating celebration of creativity and the holiday spirit, Hermès transforms its Amsterdam store on P.C. Hooftstraat into a winter wonderland with the mesmerizing installation "Dazzling On Stage" by artist duo Heringa/Van Kalsbeek. Invited by Hermès for the holiday season, the artists bring a touch of magic to the iconic luxury brand's windows. Inspired by the theme "Astonishing Hermès!" and the enchanting freedom of Hermès' creativity, Heringa/Van Kalsbeek take viewers on a journey through a painterly dreamscape. The installation unfolds across three unique windows, each telling a story of wintery scenes infused with childlike playfulness. The scenes come alive with subtle shades of tranquillity, from rain and snow flurries to vibrant greenery, birds, and trees. Two large installations feature a constellation of ice flowers and an enchanting pine forest, while a smaller window houses a delightful wren. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century paper toy theatre dioramas, the spatial layers create a multidimensional experience, transcending single dimensions. Heringa/Van Kalsbeek, known for their fascination with spatial forms of theatre, architecture, and visual languages, have seamlessly blended painting and sculpture since 1998. As a house dedicated to craftsmanship, innovation, and aesthetic functionality since 1837, Hermès continues to enchant its audience with collaborations that transcend mere products, inviting viewers to experience the artistry behind the brand.
www.hermes.com 

Art

Art Rotterdam 2024 Anniversary

Art Rotterdam, the acclaimed fair for contemporary art in the Netherlands, is set to bid farewell to its iconic venue, the Van Nelle Factory, with a spectacular 25th-anniversary edition from February 1 to February 4, 2024. The milestone event promises a culmination of innovation, talent, and outdoor art installations, marking the end of an era at the historical location. The 12th edition of Prospects, a showcase for 86 budding artists supported by the Mondriaan Fonds, headlines the celebration. This exhibition spans diverse mediums, from traditional paintings to cutting-edge sculptures and videos. Curated by Johan Gustavsson and Louise Bjeldbak Henriksen, it offers a captivating snapshot of contemporary Dutch art, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and our connection with nature. The outdoor exhibition complements the farewell festivities, featuring monumental works such as Tentendorp-Herzien by Studio Dré Wapenaar, RADIATE ||&||| (EVIAN CHRIST) by Joeri Woudstra, and the colossal Vulture by Atelier Van Lieshout. These installations redefine the art experience, engaging viewers in a dynamic and immersive manner. As Art Rotterdam bids adieu to the Van Nelle Factory, the stage is set for a grand finale, a celebration of art, innovation, and the vibrant spirit that has defined the event over its illustrious 25-year journey. The upcoming edition marks not just an end but a transition to new horizons, with Art Rotterdam poised to make Rotterdam Ahoy its home from 2025 onwards.
www.artrotterdam.com 

Fashion

Mary Komasa Wears Chanel FW23/24

On the eventful night of November 15th, in Berlin, Polish singer Mary Komasa graced the stage of her ‘SISTER’ release performance wearing nothing but Chanel. Capturing the spotlight not only for her musical talents but also for her impeccable sense of style. The singer adorned herself in a breathtaking creation from Chanel's FW23/24 ready-to-wear collection, showcasing the perfect blend of sophistication and glamour. The black iridescent fantasy silk crepe dress, featuring chiffon flounces, delicate camellias in organza and tulle, and intricate beadwork, stood out as a true masterpiece. The ensemble, marked as Look 59 from Chanel's latest collection, epitomized the brand's commitment to timeless elegance and innovation. Adding a touch of luxury to her ensemble, Mary Komasa complemented her attire with 18k white gold Coco Crush fine jewelry, adorned with diamonds, accentuating her radiant presence on stage. Chanel, truly emblematic for female elegance and empowerment, ties perfectly into the story told in Mary's new album SISTER as it explores the theme of sisterhood - both as a commitment to be made consciously and as a social construct, ought to be challenged. The performance's beautiful soundscape was augmented visually, not just by her choice of dress, but also by the simulation of a journey between sunset and sunrise, ending the show and releasing the audience in the warm embrace of a sunset's glow. Mary Komasa's choice to don Chanel at the SISTER release performance not only showcased her affinity for high fashion but also celebrated the harmonious marriage of music and style.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Flight Mode Collection

In a captivating homage to its rich legacy of trunk-making, Louis Vuitton unveils the “Flight Mode” capsule collection -- a celebration of the Maison's enduring spirit of travel through timeless designs. Crafted to be the perfect companions for this season's adventures, the collection features a range of enveloping pieces that showcase sumptuous, cosy materials. In the hands of Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton's timeless designs take flight, epitomizing a stylish journey to distant destinations. The collection captures the essence of escape as refined women embrace the travel narrative, transitioning from the hustle of the city to serene winter landscapes. Cropped monogram puffer jackets, pinstriped silk shirting, and slouchy pyjama pants form the perfect travel uniform, complemented by models adorned in scarf-encrusted coats and practical reversible outerwear. The addition of two-toned Medallion blankets and handbags in beige leather with gradient logos further accentuates the collection's commitment to luxury and functionality. As Louis Vuitton once again redefines the boundaries of fashion, the "Flight Mode" capsule collection stands as a testament to the Maison's enduring legacy.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Diesel Opens in Antwerp

In a move that exemplifies its commitment to pushing boundaries, Diesel has announced the grand opening of a stunning new store in Antwerp, Belgium. Situated on the historic street, Schuttershofstratt 5, is this latest addition to Diesel's global retail portfolio as a testament to the brand's relentless pursuit of bold identity, individualism, freedom, and irreverence. Under the visionary Creative Direction of Glenn Martens, a Belgian native and graduate of Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Diesel's Antwerp store is more than just a fashion destination—it's a visual feast. The store's design concept, recently launched across Europe, features iconic Diesel red accents and industrial metal billboards. A standout piece is the distressed freestanding billboard, reminiscent of the ones lining the legendary Route 66. The interior is an artistic blend of industrial edge and refined craftsmanship. Walls and floors adorned with artisanal, handmade resin posters provide a unique backdrop to Diesel's collections. The Red Room, a monochromatic chamber dedicated to the denim collection, pays homage to the brand's roots while incorporating modern design elements. Notably, the store introduces an exclusive capsule collection crafted in distressed denim with a silver foil coating. From denim jackets and jeans to long-sleeve T-shirts and metallic denim cuissard boots, Diesel's Antwerp store offers a head-to-toe denim experience. Diesel, founded by Renzo Rosso in 1978, continues to evolve beyond denim mastery, positioning itself as a leader in premium fashion. The Antwerp store marks another milestone in Diesel's journey.
www.diesel.com

Fashion

The New Montblanc Only Watch 2023

On the occasion of its fourth participation in the Only Watch Auction, Montblanc has created the Montblanc Only Watch 2023, a unique 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen model. What makes this watch stand out is the unique way in which it was created, as it features for the first time an innovative middle housing material with captured CO2. Great technological details and environmental care are put into this element, whose CO2 comes from biogas production and mineral waste, and is then combined with ultra-light and durable mixed carbon fibers. Ice is at the center of the watch’s aesthetic concept, exalted by the oxygen-free capsule made of breakable safety glass in which the watch is enclosed, which is reminiscent of a block of ice and needs to be first broken with an ice pick in order to remove the watch. This also allows the owner not to break the safety glass, thus preserving the watch as if in a time capsule, emphasizing once again the great attention and detail that Montblanc puts into its customer journey. The case features a reproduction of Mount Everest, which can be admired by the wearer and changes according to different types of light. The Montblanc Only Watch 2023 is the latest addition to the brand’s Zero Oxygen line, and is a perfect example of technology and beauty.
www.montblanc.com

Fashion

Casio and G-SHOCK Launch the New MR-G

Casio releases in Tokyo the MR-G, a new watch whose design is inspired by the iconic Kabuto Helmet, specially crafted for G-SHOCK 40th anniversary. The G-SHOCK limited edition of the watch is available with only 700 pieces worldwide, and is a new addition to Casio’s MR-G series. The design of the watch is a tribute to the traditional Japanese combat band Ito Odoshi, exactly because of the white band, while the bezel is engraved with a tiger design, which evokes the strong determination of samurai warriors that stay true to their own convictions. The concept and idea behind the watch, is to deliver the ultimate technology and art in toughness-driven watches: indeed, the new MR-G elevates itself as the pinnacle of the G-SHOCK brand, crafted down to the smallest detail and incorporating the newest technologies in terms of watch resistance and metalworking techniques. In addition, Casio superimposed the kabuto helmet in the design of the watch, symbolizing both strength and functional beauty, while the shock-resistant construction of the watch embodies bold determination thanks to the white band featuring a bezel engraved by a master metalsmith, also showcasing a tiger design. Overall, Casio’s new MR-G watch in collaboration with G-SHOCK symbolizes passion and success, resulting in a beautiful commemorative timepiece.
www.casio.com
www.gshock.com

Fashion

CLEO’S MIDNIGHT TALES

"Cleo's Midnight Tales," a collaboration between Breitling and Princess Cleopatra zu Oettingen-Spielberg, took place in Berlin for its second edition. Departing from its inaugural event at Oettingen-Spielberg Castle near Munich, this soirée hosted around 100 distinguished guests at Berlin's Telegraphenamt. The event embodied Breitling's #SquadOnAMission philosophy, uniting creative individuals committed to effecting change and aiming to inspire the brand's growing female clientele. The guest list included notable figures like actresses Janina Uhse and Gizem Emre, musician Elif, models Veronika Heilbrunner and Ronja Furrer, jewelry designer Begüm Khan, and TV presenter Stephanie Brungs. DJ Kungs provided the musical backdrop, and attendees had the opportunity to admire the Breitling "Navitimer 32" from the latest collection. The night continued in the stylish bar within the Telegraphenamt, well-regarded for its award-winning design and its proximity to Museum Island in Berlin-Mitte. DJs Alyssa Cordes and Giannina Haupt ensured the party's energetic atmosphere extended into the late hours. "Cleo's Midnight Tales" underscored Breitling's dedication to celebrating influential female figures and proved to be a resounding success. www.breitling.com

Fashion

H&M x Rabanne Collaboration

On October 2nd, H&M and Rabanne celebrated their upcoming collaboration with a prominent guest list at the legendary Parisian nightclub Silencio. For nearly a decade as Creative Director, Julien Dossena effortlessly channels the brand’s iconic spirit always paying his respects to Paco Rabanne's legacy. The event served as a sneak peek into the Rabanne H&M collection, spanning Womenswear, Menswear, Accessories, and Home Accessories. Set to hit selected stores and HM e-commerce on November 9, 2023, the collection promises a fusion of Rabanne's timeless allure and H&M's accessible style. The evening kicked off with an intimate performance by Swedish pop sensation Robyn, setting the stage for a night of extravagance. Renowned South Korean DJ and producer Peggy Gou kept the energy alive, while the glamorous presence of American singer and actress Cher added star power to the celebration. The ongoing start guest list, including Elle Fanning, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, and Jared Leto, showcased the Rabanne H&M collection in all its glory. Julien Dossena's goal is to make people feel liberated in their clothing and as Ann-Sofie Johansson (Head of Design Womenswear and Creative Advisor at H&M) stated “Where better … than in an iconic nightclub?” The Rabanne H&M collaboration promises to bring the hedonistic spirit of the brands, ensuring unforgettable moments and a liberated sense of style.
www.hm.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week - Chanel

Villa Noailles unfolds as the enchanting muse behind Chanel’s SS24 Ready-to-Wear collection. Bathed in the sun's glow near the French Sea, nestled in the hills of Hyères, this architectural gem designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens in 1923 exudes an art de vivre complete with terraced gardens, tiled floors, and serene structures. The essence of Villa Noailles' checkerboard hedges, sunken flower beds, vibrant colours, and geometric patterns gracefully interwine the collection, offering an idyllic sense of freedom. Inspired by the surroundings, these details elegantly make their mark in the clothing through checkerboard embroidery and coral pink and blue tones. Echoing the vibrancy of light and colour, the interplay of contrasting asymmetries, patchworks, and stripes injects a rhythmic energy into the collection, defining its unique concept of elegance and insouciance. Creative Director Virginie Viard paints a picture of an easy-living French vacation—a summer stroll through a Chanel wardrobe that seamlessly blends sophistication with informality, whose expression unfolds in multicoloured tweed dressing gowns, striped terrycloth jackets, neoprene suits, lace-adorned dresses, and trousers enriched with floral motifs. From the start, the collection exudes a relaxed look with loose-fitting co-ords, bathing suits paired with caped beach-blanket cover-ups, and an unexpected twist—flip flops. Layered accessories complement the looks, including sunglasses, strands of pearls worn as necklaces or belts, and gold chains. Balancing freedom and femininity with worldly sophistication, the collection presents a dynamic range of pieces showcasing prints and textures effortlessly mixed and matched. In a nod to the season's tendencies, small yet impactful sheer black elements feature long organza skirts and dresses, inviting endless layering. Chanel's SS24 collection is more than just garments; it is a sun-kissed journey through the gardens of freedom, where elegance meets insouciance in the freshest way possible.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Gucci

At Milan Fashion Week, Gucci presented its SS24 collection titled Ancora, which also marked the debut of the Maison’s new creative director Sabato De Sarno. To celebrate the collection, the brand created and placed installations in major cities all around the world. In Milan, the Ancora collection can be seen on billboards, posters, and even on trams around the Italian city. As the name Ancora, meaning again, suggests, this collection marks Gucci’s return to its origins; the brand, its character, and its history have come full circle, and this collection celebrates Gucci’s origins and its commitment to the future, always maintaining its visionary and distinctive spirit. As a whole, the show, the garments, and the concept behind the collection were an ode to the city of Milan as a place of beauty and carnality. As Creative Director Sabato De Sarno has said, the colors in the collection represent the passion that has always driven the brand, but more than that, they represent the history and the people who have contributed to making Gucci what it is today. It is a history of inclusivity, freedom, euphoria, and fascination with beauty. Gucci’s Ancora collection embodies all these characteristics, and it pays homage to the brand’s past and to its future.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Armani

Armani’s SS24 Women’s collection pays homage to summer as a condition of the spirit. The lightness of thought and echoes of an otherworldly essence imbue the garments and the outfits of the collection. The spirit behind Armani’s clothing for SS24 is playful, feminine, and ethereal. It is a thought picked up along the journey and caught in the air, which materializes in items made with light and breezy materials. A radiance and an all-pervasive breeze are what make this collection unique, through weightless fabrics that are discreetly illuminated by touches of iridescent elements, lightly embroidered and interwoven to create an impalpable sensation. The body and its shapes take center stage, thanks to flowing jackets modeled to the bust, and shirts and crop tops that reveal hints of skin. The trousers flow with the silhouette, and the skirts are long and ample, meant to emphasize each step. These outfits are accompanied by flat shoes and breezy foulards; the bags are in stark contrast with the clothing, minimal yet capacious. The color palette reflects the etherealness of the whole collection with warm beiges, deep blacks, and cool hues that match together perfectly to create a collection that is an ode to feminine etherealness.
www.armani.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Prada

Behind the inspiration for Prada’s SS24 collection presented on September 21st at Milan Fashion Week is a reinterpretation of a handbag design originally conceived by Mario Prada, Miuccia Prada’s grandfather and co-founder of the brand. The whole collection exudes the spirit of Mario Prada, a traveler at heart with a deep intellectual curiosity. Indeed, the brand was developed based on inspiration that he collected while traveling around the world and learning about different cultures; Prada’s garments and accessories are precious items meant to enrich everyday life. In Milan, Mario Prada worked with skilled artisans and craftsmen to develop the products and the designs that would make the Maison famous for years to come. For the September 2023 fashion show, Mario Prada’s handbag design is reinterpreted and reimagined in a collection that reflects the contemporary enthusiasm for Eastern artistic aesthetics. The bag to which the collection owes its inspiration is an evening bag featuring a hand-carved fastening depicting a mythological figure. In the SS24 collection, this style is replicated in nappa leather and re-nylon. Overall, the collection embodies and reflects Prada’s 110-year long history, and is a testament to the Maison’s commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and design.
www.prada.com

Fashion

Gucci Inaugurates a New Boutique in Munich

Gucci expands its presence in Germany by inaugurating a new boutique in Munich’s Maximilianstrasse 11-15. The space covers over 590 square meters and is built on two floors. The store carries a large selection of men's and women's ready-to-wear collections, including handbags, luggage, shoes, jewelry, beauty and watches. The facade of the store maintains its original heritage looks, while the interior of the store is kept simple and refined. The use of clean linens and a color palette that reflects both the iconic colors of the brand and fits in with the existing environment enhances a subtle charm. The wooden floors in antique oak feature decorative details with a motif that references details from Gucci collections, while the lighter wood boiserie inserts offer a delicate accent to the walls. The store is designed to make customers feel at home, framed with built-in displays reminiscent of a walk-in closet; velvet armchairs and sofas adorn the store, ensuring a comfortable customer experience. Newly designed racks enriched by classic designs accommodate diverse product categories, rendering the store conceptually unique and able to cater to the diverse needs of multiple customers. Overall, Gucci’s new Munich boutique perfectly adapts to the surrounding city, while maintaining the brand’s iconic style.
www.gucci.com

Fashion

G-Star RAW x Sven Marquardt Opens Berlin Art Week

The Dutch denim brand G-Star RAW opens the Berlin Art Week by partnering with photographer and Berlin nightlife icon Sven Marquardt. The exhibition, named “11+1” is composed of 12 portraits representative of Berlin’s iconic nightlife scene. They represent the city’s vibrant club culture, which is perfectly captured thanks to G-Star RAW’s denim, specially leveraged for this project to capture the essence of Berlin’s character. Sven Marquardt’s unique view of Berlin’s zeitgeist is evident in every portrait of the exhibition. The photographer has carefully selected 12 talents that embody the essence of the city through different personalities and fashion styles, really capturing one of the characteristics that make Berlin unique: its endless possibilities for self-expression. To make this project come to life, G-Star RAW has taken inspiration from the individual outfits of each personality that participated in the shooting. Each piece in the collection, which comprises 26 different styles, embodies the brand’s expertise in working with denim and showcases the skills of the G-Star team in crafting denim pieces. The looks in the photo collection have different styles, from avant-garde leather looks to casual ensembles. Overall, Sven Marquardt’s partnership in creating a photo collection with G-Star RAW perfectly captures the unicity of the city of Berlin, establishing itself as an iconic collaboration.
www.g-star.com

Fashion

Zegna x The Elder Statesman Collection

After an exclusive event held in February in Paris, Zegna unveils their new collection in collaboration with the LA-founded luxury lifestyle brand The Elder Statesman, with Spanish-German actor Daniel Brühl as the face of the collection. The launch of the collection was celebrated on September 6th at Maxfield in Los Angeles. The partnership between the two high-end brands is centered around Zegna’s Oasi Cashmere, inaugurating a platform to encounter progressive and responsible cultures and visions, which reiterates Zegna’s commitment to sustainably sourcing Oasi Cashmere fibers, certifying them as 100% traceable by 2024. The two brands share a devotion to craft and material excellence, resulting in a collection that aims to expand horizons to take a new stylistic path forward. Zegna's designs are reimagined in the vibrant colors and patterns that characterize The Elder Statesman. The campaign featuring Daniel Brühl has been filmed at Zegna’s historic Wool Mill, located at the heart of the Oasi Zegna natural territory in the Italian Alps, which fully embodies the brand’s values and commitment to impeccable craftsmanship. This unique partnership enhances the essence of Zegna’s Oasi Cashmere, catering to a new audience and representing an evolution of the Maison’s founding philosophies, centered around sophisticated craftsmanship and uncompromising luxury. The collection is available September 2023 in key Zegna stores globally, in The Elder Statesman’s retail channels, and in selected wholesale partners.
www.zegna.com
www.elder-statesman.com

Fashion

CARTIER MINI BAGS

The artistic vision of Cartier has continuously amazed us through timeless charm for modern women for a long history. Ranging from watches and jewelry to accessories and fragrances, the creative territory of the French Maison Cartier is infinite. Introducing a new micro bag collection, Cartier suggests new proportions for the classic handbag line through a minimalistic and elegant touch. The Cartier mini bags are another form of exceptional artistic expression as well as the core message that speaks to all women. The brand’s iconic identity was distinctively expressed on the three micro bags that come in one hand, featuring the metal logo punctuated with enamel or the resurfaced metal logo C with a panther’s head of Panthère de Cartier collection, perfect for making a statement as well as serving a piece of jewelry. Along with the jeweled clasps, the bag collection features a simple rectangular shape, a curved-edged flip, and an elegant chain strap that lifts the look to be timeless and chic. Also, the strap is available with either a leather or metal chain, giving the wearer multiple ways of styles - either worn on one shoulder or cinched around the waist. As tiny as it can be in Cartier’s collection, these small bags are both portable and casual, giving them a touch of lightness. Additionally, the fabric comes in either soft or hard-grained leather, depending on the model whose color ranges from black, cherry-red, or pale pink. Three different designs of the mini bags are all unique yet faithful to Maison’s emblematic codes. www.cartier.com

Fashion

Hublot Sponsors the Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad.

Gstaad hosts the Polo Gold Cup from the 17th to the 20th of August, 2023. Hublot has been collaborating with the city of Gstaad to organize this event since 2006, making this partnership fruitful and everlasting. This partnership emphasizes Hublot’s friendship with Pierre Genecand, the director of Gstaad Polo and the Gold Cup. Hublot’s history of precision and synchronicity pairs perfectly with the values of polo and those of the city of Gstaad. For four days, the Saanen Airfield, featuring a breathtaking panorama, was transformed into a polo field for the most important tournament of the summer. The Hublot Team, composed of highly skilled players, has also participated in the competition. The beautiful location of Gstaad is distinctive because of its panoramic views and mountain scenery, making it the perfect spot to represent the unique character of Hublot. The collaboration between Hublot and the Gstaad Polo Cup was made possible by partnerships and ambassadors representing the brand’s commitment to bringing watchmaking to the highest possible quality. Hublot was the official timekeeper of the Gstaad Polo Gold Cup, an iconic collaboration between the watchmaking brand and the prestigious sporting event.
www.hublot.com

Fashion

100 Years of Colmar

Colmar, the Italian outerwear brand from Monza, celebrates its 100th anniversary with the FW23/24 Colmar Originals collection. Colmar, which has kept true to its brand identity throughout its history, for this collection, showcases an evolution in fabrics and colors, experimenting with new textures and palettes. The brand has always been a pioneer in the employment of high-tech materials and, since 1950, has been collaborating with professional athletes to enhance its research. The new fabrics offer the possibility to meet the functional needs of every customer, always ensuring the best quality of the garment. Because the concept of seasonality plays such an essential role within Colmar, the FW23/24 collection is structured into three main themes: Entry Season, Cold Season and Frozen Season. The color chart is modern and adapted to the current fashion with brighter hues like red and yellow without disregarding the more classic, basic shades such as cream, white and beige. The color palette has an important place in this collection, as each seasonal concept is expressed in a specific color that distinguishes it from the others, thus adding an extra layer of meaning to the collection. The brand has evolved with the times, and sustainability has come to play a central role in Colmar’s ethics. The brand crafts its garments with sustainable materials that are recycled and biodegradable, thus reducing the impact on the environment.
www.colmar.com

Fashion

Skincare brand MUTI celebrates National Simplicity Day

Embracing the beauty of simplicity, the German minimalistic skincare brand MUTI celebrates the day of simplicity with great joy, which falls on July 12. National Simplicity Day serves as a gentle reminder to take a step back from the muddled world of contemporary life and adopt a minimalistic attitude. As the brand says, the day is also MUTI’s birthday because it reflects its core philosophy, skincare minimalism, suggesting minimal beauty essential for those who love simplicity. MUTI was founded in 2014 in Munich based on its simplicity philosophy. Modern. Unique. True. Intelligent. Those are what MUTI stands for and aims to achieve. The brand focuses its products on the essentials, simplifying the day-to-day skincare routine without making any compromises. The brand pursues the skincare minimalism that differentiates itself through its products, ingredients, application, and design. The brand provides a few essential products that are so well thought out, and perfectly complementary to each other. Its beauty essentials are available regardless of gender, skin type, and skin need. Its Ingredients are few yet effective and high-quality, while its design is sophisticatedly timeless. All these elements are designed to simplify your skincare routine that reflects its philosophy "True Beauty. Made Simple." In particular, MUTI’s products are clean, vegan, and fragrance-free and do not contain harmful ingredients such as silicones, mineral oils, parabens, paraffin, PEGs, microplastics, essential oils, and drying alcohols. The minimalist product range includes the CLEAN, FACE, and ADD lines, with a range of highly effective serums as well as a Line of sun protection products, SUN.
www.muti.de

Fashion

A New Diesel Store Opens its Doors in Paris

Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world, is the location of the new Diesel store, which opened its doors at number 223 on July 13th, 2023. The store has been conceptually designed to fit into the context of the French fashion capital, integrating it with the ethos that distinguishes Diesel as a brand based on boldness, individualism, and freedom. The space was designed under the audacious supervision of Glenn Martens, Diesel’s Creative Director. Red and industrial metal billboards aesthetically define the store, representing a powerful interpretation of Diesel’s recently launched retail design concept. The billboards placed all around the store recall the brand’s vintage advertisements through an aesthetic that reminds of the iconic Route 66. The road concept is also present in the walls covered in riveted raw steel panels. The store offers the visitor an immersive experience by dedicating an entire room to the exposition of the 1DR bags and capsules, where peel-off billboards create an atmosphere of nostalgia. Diesel’s Denim Collection, the signature feature of the brand, also has a room dedicated to it, with red-lacquered walls and a staircase that leads to a second floor with an exposed ceiling designed to evoke the atmosphere of a studio exposing men and women ready-to-wear collections. The new Diesel Paris store is the ultimate frontier in the brand’s conceptual design, made to capture the visitor through powerful visual language.
www.diesel.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Resort Store x Kampen

Louis Vuitton Resort Store x Kampen Maison Louis Vuitton opens a resort pop-up on the North Sea island of Sylt, Kampen in Germany. Launched on July 1st, the pop-up store showcases the Maison Louis Vuitton women’s Summer Capsule collection, “LV By The Pool”, which consists of ready-to-wear, accessories, bags, and shoes, inspired by the beauty of the island known for long beaches, the old Frisian architecture with its thatched roof houses in Sylt. Enhanced with North German serenity, this collection offers summer vacation essentials that are both casual and luxurious, featuring a wide range of accessories such as silk scarves, sunglasses, and jewelry as well as summer dresses, beachwear, and swimwear. The color palette mainly adopts ocean blue, white, and beige which invites you to dive into the summer vibe and travel to the peaceful island of Kampen. Visitors not only can experience a unique ambiance at the store but also see the exclusive Neverfull handbag specially designed for the collection, featuring the signature Monogram of the brand in various colors as well as the imprint of Sylt in the center of the bag. In addition to the ready-to-wear, the collection provides towels and cushions that feature multiple patterns and graphic designs that embody the brand's aesthetics. The new Louis Vuitton Resort Store on Sylt will be available until September 2, 2023.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Dior Launches its SPA at Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina

The partnership between Dior and Belmond Hotels culminates in the opening of the “Le Jardin des Rêves Dior” Spa at the Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, Sicily, to celebrate the 150 anniversary of the property. The hotel has hosted countless literary and artistic figures over the years in this splendid location with views of Mount Etna. The collaboration between Dior and the luxury hospitality brand unveils a new wellness experience thanks to the two Dior treehouse treatment cabins offering guests exclusive skincare treatments. The garden of Timeo, designed by an English gardener and wildlife conservator Florence Trevelyan at the end of the XIX century, is the perfect majestic location for fostering a spirit of inspiration and relaxation. The entrance to the treehouse cabins is adorned with curtains with the Maison's iconic Toile de Jouy; the same pattern is replicated on the wallpaper inside the cabins. The interior design is intimate and refined, blending seamlessly with the surrounding gardens. The cabins have been designed by Thirtyone Design + Management to offer the guests privacy and serenity during their treatments. The signature treatments are created drawing from the expertise of Dior skincare, targeted towards the blossoming of senses during the summer. Beauty-enhancing treatments using the Dior Prestige product line are also available, targeted at regenerating aging skin. The pop-up spa will remain open between June and October 2023.
www.dior.com

Fashion

Kaldewei wins the Best Award for the Key Piece Meisterstück Oyo Duo

The German brand’s Luxstainability® concept combines design and sustainability in bathroom architecture, resulting in innovative luxury products. Because of this concept, the brand has been awarded various international recognitions. The egg shape design of the Meisterstück Oyo Duo freestanding bathtub designed by Stefan Diez has been awarded the prestigious German Design Award of 2023 and, shortly after its launch, has become one of the brand’s best-selling products. The Oyo Duo is a double-walled bathtub that guarantees durability and displays 100 percent circularity. The bathtub has now been recognized internationally as well, winning the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Award. The iF International Forum Design, the world’s oldest independent design institution, has said about the Oyo Duo that “There is no comparable product made from this material.” The Meisterstück is inspired by Japanese porcelain manufacture and is made of fully recyclable steel enamel. The designer has combined the two main elements at the core of Kaldewei, sustainability and resource conservation, in a sculpture that integrates harmoniously with the bathroom. This piece again confirms Kaldewei’s leading position in the international design sphere. The use of recycled materials and the central place of sustainability in creating this design bathtub make the piece more impressive.
www.kaldewei.com

Fashion

The New Maserati Tridente Membership Programme

On June 28, 2023, in its hometown of Modena, Maserati presents Tridente, its new exclusive membership program, which takes inspiration from the brand’s signature style based on Italian luxury. The program will be launched first in Italy and the rest of the world in the second half of 2023. Tridente is the first membership program by Maserati, and it aims to provide all brand fans with a tailored experience focused on exclusive content; indeed, the only condition to access the program is to be a loyal fan of the sportscar brand. The Tridente app is at the core of the membership program, combining five main elements: editorial storytelling, Maserati exclusives, cultural encounters, curated driving experiences, and international events. There are three tiers to the program. Blue, Platinum, and Diamond. The Blu tier is for all fans of the brand and grants access to previews of new collections. The Platinum tier is for those owning a Maserati car, and it comes with perks such as exclusive cultural experiences and personalized gadgets. Finally, the exclusive Diamond tier is accessible only to those possessing the Supercar Project24 or a GT2 race car; Diamond members gain access to an array of luxury experiences, for instance, a private consultation to customize their sportscar. Maserati’s aim through Tridente is to continue its legacy of luxury and exclusivity, as well as offer its customers an immersive experience in the history and personality of the brand.
www.maserati.com

Fashion

Chase The Thrill

The mysterious creative Pharrell Williams’s first campaign for the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton elegantly debuted with a collaboration with the beloved singer and actress Rihanna. Williams combines his contemporary vision for the future of the Maison with the new Speedy: an adaptation of the emblematic Speedy bag. The campaign represents the union of two everyday icons: a luxury bag founded in codes of reality, embodied by an artist of universal human appeal.

The Speedy Bag, the first bag Williams owned, is met with the cosmopolitan nucleus that inspired Pharrell Williams’ early education in luxury: New York City and everything that saturates every borough of the lively city with a particular essence and aura that permeates the luxury fashion world. the new Speedy conjures through the inimitable savoir-faire of the Maison a visual language evocative of the codes and stylistic attitude of Canal Street. It is an everyday icon conceived for every walk of life.

Williams’s construction of the campaign, including the imagery that accompanies it was planned to the tiniest details. Shining the spotlight on a pregnant Rihanna, the campaign comments on the passing of time, creation, and re-imagination. The temporal cycle of birth, life, and death finds solid footing in the transformed silhouette of the new Speedy– imbued with the singular energy of the old Speedy that drew Williams in the first place.

Created by Gaston-Louis Vuitton in 1930, the classic Speedy leather travel bag – originally known as the Express – was borne out of the era’s infatuation with speed and cars. The design catapulted it into icon status. For nearly a century, the Speedy has been the subject of numerous artistic interpretations and remains an emblem of Louis Vuitton, now with a baby sister that is even more ambitious.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week - Ralph Lauren

During Milan Fashion Week, Ralph Lauren presented its SS24 Purple Label collection. The event held at The Bar Ralph Lauren, and made in collaboration with Esquire, was an intimate dinner for close friends of the brand, such as Chris Pine and Damson Idris. The collection presented has as its central focus the Purple Label’s European craftsmanship mixed with American design. But this time, the clothes are inspired by the Mediterranean summer and the romance that comes with it. Indeed, Purple Label’s collections are titled Ralph’s Dolce Vita to recall the timeless elegance and glamour of old villas. The clothes honor Maison’s iconic high artisanship while at the same time presenting fresh colors and fabrics. The lightweight fabrics such as linen are combined with lush textures to ensure comfort and wearability; the eveningwear is characterized by sleek silhouettes, which, once again, are reminiscent of the brand’s enduring items and classic style. The color palette is quite varied, from classic linen shirts to colorful swimwear that presents a tropical pattern. The SS24 collection is a continuation of the Purple Label’s classic American style while being inspired by the Mediterranean summer.
www.ralphlauren.com

Fashion

Welcome Back to The Savoy

For Gucci, the luggage has always represented more than just a carrier of personal belongings. The luggage is the creative spark that started it all. Back at the turn of the century, the fine leather suitcases accompanying the international jet set were the inspiration for Guccio Gucci, at the time a porter at The Savoy Hotel in London. He had but a simple vision to connect the suitcases he encountered there with the incomparable leather craftsmanship from his home in Florence. Over 100 years later, Gucci luggage is constantly being reimagined from design and structure to color and material treatments. Today the Gucci Valigeria, the House’s iconic, extensive travel collection, includes an array of trolleys, hard and soft suitcases, duffle bags, trunks, hat boxes, and beauty cases.

In the Summer of 2023, the Gucci Valigeria campaign grants us the opportunity to time travel back to where it all began. The second chapter of the campaign stars Gucci’s Global Brand Ambassador, Jungjae Lee, with emblematic designs in hand, venturing through the historic hotel from the House’s origin story. The imagery features backdrops in The Savoy’s marquee and their flagship Royal Suite by Gucci, decorated especially with pieces from the Gucci Décor collection, and showcases the heritage-infused Savoy line and the new Gucci Porter selection in collaboration with FPM Milano. The campaign presents the consistent narrative between Gucci’s innovative and forward-thinking present and its groundbreaking, unforgettable past.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Collaboration launch between Marsèll and Diomene by Damir Doma

The Italian brand Marsèll has footwear as the focal point in its pursuit of defying the boundaries of tradition while simultaneously using traditional high-quality Italian manufacturers for their production. Operating with a similar framework, the younger clothing brand by Damir Doma has as its core eliminating the superfluous, producing timeless pieces of clothing with their signature element of floral embroidery. This powerful detail works well in distinguishing the brand.

Through a deconstructive process, the item that emerges from this collaboration is a malleable piece in the hands of the user, which is placed at the heart of the creative process. By marrying Marsèll's focus on materials and innovative techniques and the simplicity of Diomene's clothing, the result is a timeless collection adaptable to human emotions, the element at the collection's core. Two of Marsèll's shoe models are coupled with Diomene's signature floral embroidery. The footwear resulting from this collaboration now accessorizes Damir Doma's third collection, once again reiterating the connection between Marséll's timeless footwear and Diomene's simple clothing items, putting the individual user's experience of the footwear and clothing at the heart of the experience.

www.marsell.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Gucci

On the occasion of its SS24 men’s collection during Milan Fashion Week, Gucci took the opportunity to celebrate 70 years of the iconic Gucci Horsebit loafer with a multi-faceted, expansive showcase at Spazio Maiocchi. First conceived by Aldo Gucci in 1953, the Horsebit – a miniature of the metal clamp of a horse’s bridle – has become a signifier of the community embodied by Gucci. The casual but elegant Horsebit loafer came to signalize a transitional period on the way to a more liberal mentality toward conventional dress codes, as the loafer was adopted by a great variety of individuals over time.

Titled Gucci Horsebeat Society, the celebratory exhibition was shaped by Spazio Maiocchi’s Creative Director and curator Alessio Ascari into a multi-disciplinary experience: enabling a full immersion into the iconography of the Horsebit Loafer through transformative reinterpretations that featured ten international artists, designers, and creatives. Inspired by the equestrian roots of the Horsebit, the Gucci Horsebeat Society re-imagines the tradition of the country club in a contemporary space fused with the spirit of artistic counterculture – a concept which materializes in a multi-dimensional ‘house’.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

L'Art de la Table

Mealtime is about more than just the food. It is complete with memories with friends and family around the table, an appreciation for the love and time devoted during preparation, and time to relax and reenergize from the day’s activities. All of this centered around the table setting. This is the focus of Loro Piana’s latest décor collection. The “L'Art de la Table” collection celebrates the every day, quintessentially Italian table. In the perfect balance between elegance and functionality, tradition and creativity, the collection achieves simultaneous tastefulness and timelessness.

Cups, plates, and bowls of varying sizes are handmade in Italy in the prized bone porcelain – each piece takes three days to make. The finest and sturdiest materials, like cotton, linen, and polypropylene make the fabric accessories such as placemats, napkins, and runners suitable for outdoor locations. All the products creatively complement each other, sharing the distinctive Loro Piana multicolored stripe in caraway and blue on a white or beige background inspired by Maison’s “The Suitcase Stripe” from the 1970s to 1990s.

The vases and glasses for water, wine, and cocktails are an exemplary display of handcraftsmanship guaranteed by six generations of artisanal know-how. Crafted from hand-blown and beveled Murano glass, their simple, impossibly fine parallel lines and opaline reflections have the appearance and feel of velvety needlecord fabric.

With a touch of Loro Piana’s refined style and savoir-faire and the Italian traditions of exquisite artistry and craftsmanship, L’Art de la Table complements the art of conviviality. The exclusive tableware collection is available in select Loro Piana boutiques, pop-ups, and the Loro Piana e-commerce website.

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Sailing into Summer

Inspired by the wide and endless world of seafaring, Etro’s Vela Bag is an elegant and refined handbag. The first bag designed by Etro’s new Creative Director Marco De Vincenzo, it is crafted from luxurious and smooth calfskin leather. Taking the sharp silhouette of a sail its dynamic contours mould into a strong, rounded body as if by the winds of the sea themselves. The bag now sees a line extension with the Mini Vela Bag. The new, smaller version launched on the 7th of June, just in time for the turn of the season.

The Mini Vela’s bold, minimalist design follows the success of the original Vela. The innovative flexible V-shaped closure is finished with the iconic intricate chain detail and a medallion engraved with the Etro logo and Pegaso. The new bag is launched with a maximalist twist, released in an array of candy pop colors such as playful shades of pink, orange, sky blue, and lime green for an energizing, the 90s, and Kidcore culture-inspired addition sure to brighten up the summer wardrobe. An adaptable strap makes the bag perfect to be worn as a shoulder or crossbody bag.

The Mini Vela Bag is available on the Etro website, in Etro stores, and selected retailers worldwide.

www.etro.com

Fashion

The Perfect Companions for your Adventures

Inspired by a fearless creature, the Canadian luxury outerwear brand Moose Knuckles manifests an irreverent spirit and energy, alongside an unabating commitment to product design and technical expertise. Within the brand lies the story of its Canadians founders, whose family heritage traces back 100 years in the tailored and parka manufacturing business. For its SS23 collection, Moose Knuckles introduces new Bunny styles and the Air Down category: new pieces that are destined to become our essential companions during the transitional weather periods. Moose Knuckles’ bestseller hoodie, as well as the combination of a water-resistant jacket and a silky-soft faux fur hoodie guarantee coziness and protection with style. The new Bunny styles are some of the most versatile products ever created by the Canadian luxury brand, apparent in the fully reversible styles and the eye-catching color palette made of bold metallics and natural hues. The brand keeps up with its goal to craft resilient garments for the most unforgiving conditions with the new Air Down products, engineered to feel weightless for ultimate comfort. Crafted with the latest technology in lightweight layering, a recycled shell that repeals wind and moisture, and a RDS-certified 800 fill power for warmth and comfort. Tested to express their highest potential during every outdoor adventure, the new Bunny and Air Down garments are available in new colorways and with the brand’s signature monogram pattern for women, men, and kids.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

For the Young Ones

C.P. Company and Atlanta Group have come together to collaborate and create a high-fashion collection exclusive to youth under 16. The C.P. Company Undersixteen line reimagines what fashion means to a younger generation, and allows for young individuals to express themselves as freely as their older counterparts in the world around them. The product will be the result of Altana Group's experience in managing kids and baby lines, combined with the know-how of the original Italian sportswear brand which since 1971 has perfectly combined tradition, innovation, and performance. The garments are imbued with a youthful energy that is observed through the funky detailing such as the zip-ups with a full zipper connecting the body and the hood to create a playful silhouette and the accompanying built-in goggles, integrating a futuristic essence to the swag of the young ones.

Lorenzo Osti, President of C.P. Company relays appreciation and satisfaction in the press release announcing the collection: “It is a real honor and privilege to start this journey with the Altana Group, of which I was able to admire the exceptional product quality, production capacity, and ethical and responsible corporate footprint. I'm sure they will be excellent partners for spreading the brand to our younger customers".

Pioneering the role of youth in the dynamic world of fashion, this collaboration subjects a generally forgotten demographic and does it with exquisite care, style, and eternal funk.

www.cpcompany.com
www.atlantagroup.com

Fashion

Finché c’è Fiato, c’è Vita

The soft wind blew heads of hair to the rhythm of the flowing water of Lake Maggiore. The island of Isola Bella has harbored the legends of the Borromeo family for centuries– a story adorned with the gift of time and life. The Louis Vuitton 2024 Cruise Collection visits and reimagines the scenery of the island adorned with a glamorous palace covered by mysterious gardens imbued with omnipresent infinity.

Resembling an artistic botanical Cruise, the garments allude to several different elements present in their surroundings. Interpretations of tight tops made from wetsuit material paired with flowy capes with adornments that resemble the fins of an extraterrestrial fish. Elegance and glamour are threaded into the collection with a celebrated notion of play. Uncommon garment pairings and surprising silhouettes come together as a grand eclectic botanical garden.

The end of the Cruise is marked by the key looks of the collection. Dresses that transform their wearer into a mermaid, a swan– the contrast between the light and heavy materials used to construct the dresses provide the juxtaposed balance of facticity and transcendence that marks life but specifically the natural life. A sage green dress, resembling the motion and attitude of algae moves as though it speaks its own language with the world around it. The details embellishing the thin and elegant silhouette transform it from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Air flows and moves within the garment, whispering along to the rhythmic lullabies of the Isola Bella.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Feminine Wears the Pants

Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Creative Director of Dior, found inspiration in the beautiful landscape and culture of Mexico whilst designing the Dior Cruise 2024 collection. This “Place of the soul”, will forever be haunted by the iconic energy and essence of Frida Kahlo, the legendary and figuratively forever immortal Mexican artist. Now remembered, Kahlo is a woman who transcended her form and physicality through her clothes, which became representation, proclamation, protest, and affirmation.

The garments showcased in the collection reflect the androgynous energy of Kahlo and pay homage to her clothing choices, all imbued with deep meaning regarding to the place of women in the patriarchal societal power regime. Suits thus pay tribute to her style while, in counterpoint, echoing the Tehuana custom, full skirts are worn with a traditional tunic: the huipil. A pink dress reminiscent of the one worn by Frida Kahlo in one of her self-portraits is featured. However, through heavy use of the binary colors black and white, the details of the garments shine, and the looks become a personality that the models embody and pay their respects to. The craftsmanship pays respect to the local artisans, their expertise shines with original embroideries, and co-creations crafted with their ateliers, notably adorning dresses, and shirts.

Chiuri completely immersed herself and her mind in the culture and beauty of Mexico and dedicated her talents to creating a collection that purely reflects a vital feminine experience in history closely intertwined with the oscillations of nature.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Color Me Bright

Revolutionizing leather craftsmanship since 1927– the high-fashion Italian brand Furla unveils a new multi-media advertising campaign exhibiting the elusive and highly awaited Pre-Fall 23 collection. “Furla Colors”, starring the sophisticated and elegant world-famous supermodel Irina Shayk, encapsulates the entire essence and heart of Furla. Shayk is seen situated between the transcendent shots of Koto Bolofo and Paolo Zambaldi strengthened by the liveliness of the colors compromising the collection and the minimalist and almost-surreal set decorated with blocks and plain surroundings to reflect Furla’s timeless dedication to design and architecture.

Color and its full essence are at the forefront of this collection. Iconic and widely-loved signature Furla bags have been reimagined- featuring new hues, new shapes, and new materials. Now, Furla’s Opportunity, Metropolis, and Unica are available with changes that bring a different breath of air to the classic and timeless silhouettes of the bags. Most importantly, the collection is deeply imbued with the brand’s DNA– the use of monogram canvas and precious leathers, an oscillation between squared profiles, and rounded lines. Furla, women’s most loyal companion, and confidante, continues to reinvent and reimagine the role and character of luxury leather goods in the lives of women for every and any occasion.

www.furla.com

Fashion

Florence Pugh is Valentino’s Latest DI.VA.

Florence Pugh is “known for her authenticity, vulnerability and fearless self-expression, both on-camera and off”, making her the perfect new Valentino DI.VA.

Florence is a talented actress and activist with an eclectic personality. She carries the value of authenticity into all her work, including Valentino's latest advertising campaign directed by Steven Meisel.

She is unafraid of being unapologetically herself, embracing non-conformity and revealing herself in a fierce and carefree fashion. Florence enters the Valentino world and brings their one-of-a-kind creations to life with the full range of emotions. She fully embodies the DI.fferent VA.lues code, having already worn Valentino on the red carpet numerous times.

She expresses the uniquely Florence Pugh "encyclopedia of feelings", with an exciting, and unexpected facial expression for each shot paired with the Rockstud handbag, heels and ballerinas. The campaign celebrates the creation of its latest edition, the Rockstud23, adorned with pyramid-shaped studs in vibrant pink and mirror silver.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

The Ultimate Denim Experience with Wrangler & Lee

Lee® and Wrangler® Jeans joined forces to launch their new, dual-branded denim store in Amsterdam, offering consumers the ultimate denim experience. “Europe continues to be a key market for expansion for the Lee and Wrangler brands. The new Lee and Wrangler dual-branded stores will create a powerful platform for our iconic denim brands to excite and engage our growing European consumer base,” said Chris Waldeck – Lee’s EVP, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and Global Brand President. The underlying concept is an immersive experience: not only with both brands’ products showcased in the curated retail environment, highlighting the brands’ unique characteristics and iconic heritages, but also with the brands’ commitment to creating an unmatched denim destination. On April 20th, 2023, Wrangler and Lee kicked off the Amsterdam store opening with a house party. At the store, the consumer’s journey begins in the space’s main area – where jeans from both brands are merchandized by gender and fit categories – and continues towards a specialized denim room – with a wide variety of denim on a seven-shelf stack. To underline the brands’ distinct personalities, heritage materials and imagery are displayed throughout the store: featuring a capsule area for the premium Lee 101 range, as well as red and indigo blues in the visuals to evoke the spirit of Wrangler. “In the coming months,” Waldeck remarks, “you can expect to see additional Lee and Wrangler stores in top retail destinations across Europe as we continue to introduce our brands’ iconic designs and unrivaled denim heritage to new audiences.”

www.wrangler.com
www.lee.com

Fashion

Summer Months with Moncler

At the heart of Moncler is the dedication to sharing warmth through combined style and constant technological research. For the brand's SS23 collection, the brand's unique yet timeless DNA is effortlessly reimagined for warmer days. Their global summer campaign celebrates the brand's exceptional craftsmanship of year-round protection and performance.

Thierry Le Goués shot the latest campaign, taking an unexpected aesthetic direction that casts a refined yet dramatic statement true to the essence of the brand. His stylized shots feature the SS23 collection with stark angles in a mostly monochrome chiaroscuro. He captures the dynamic actuality of the summer, exemplifying Moncler’s exceptional performance even in the unexpected twists of weather.

Not every summer is easy breezy, but Moncler’s lightweight puffers and transitional layers are the antidote to even the most extreme demands of nature and city life alike. The designs offer a play between silken and matt textures, in jackets and tactile knitwear alongside warm-weather must-haves like swimwear and accessories. Offering an elegant solution for every day, the collection spans a selection of sleek black jackets as well as styles in brighter and lighter colors to welcome the sunnier days. Moncler’s latest collection is available in select boutiques and on the brand’s website.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

Prada Frames 2023: Materials in Flux

Following the success of On Forest for Prada Frames 2022, this year’s multidisciplinary symposium returns to Milan with a new theme, Materials in Flux. The event took place at Teatro Filodrammatici, one of Milan’s oldest theaters. The set-up was complemented by a selection of furnishings and lamps by the Italian brand Azucena – designed by architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni starting from the late 1940s. Prada seeks to stimulate a reflection that has nourished the brand’s practice for some time now: how the use of innovative recycled materials bestows opportunities for low-impact production and original creativity. Curated by Formafantasma, Materials in Flux explores the concept of waste, and analyzes as well as breaks down the intricate relationship between materials and ecosystems. The symposium departs from British anthropologist Tim Ingold’s research, who initiated the first session of the event, transpiring on April 17th from 11am to 12:30pm. Ingold introduces the notion of waste as matter in constant transformation: he views materials as interconnected, as having a relational process through which they become engaged with a perpetually changing web of life. His introduction is followed up by speakers Anna Anguissola, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Eduardo Kohn. On the same day, from 15:00pm to 16:30pm, speakers Justin McGuirk, Patrick O’Hare, Josh Lepawsky, Elizabeth Povinelli, and Elvira Dyangani Ose investigate the dynamics that regulate waste infrastructure and their value systems during the second session. Together, they create a new, multidisciplinary reality. On April 18th, 2023, the complete recordings of both sessions will be available on Prada’s website.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta and Gaetano Pesce’s "Vieni a Vedere"

"Vieni a Vedere", meaning Come and See, is an invitation into the design world of the future, commissioned and presented by Bottega Veneta. The brand’s Montenapoleone store was transformed by Humanist architect-designer-artist Gaetano Pesce into ‘a grotto’, an extension of his artwork that constituted the show space for Bottega Veneta’s SS23 fashion show. Upon entering, visitors are immersed in a resin and fabric installation, and are set on a unique path of discovery. Within the installation await the exclusive artist editions of two Bottega Veneta handbags – "My Dear Mountains" and "My Dear Prairies".

Pesce is a true multidisciplinarian with numerous public and private works realized globally spanning the fields of architecture, town-planning, interior design, industrial design, and exhibition design. At the core of all his works is an unapologetic commitment to experimentation and refusal of repetition. He designed his first bag with an optimistic, figurative, and personal approach, telling the story of his upbringing near the mountains of Este, Italy, and his life now in the prairies of America.

The expert handcrafting of Bottega Veneta’s leather workers and artisans breathed life into Pesce's vision. The brand’s signature Intrecciato is redefined according to his vibrant and joyful sketches. To resemble Pesce’s watercolor renderings of the mountains, the Nappa leather of each "My Dear Mountains" bag is individually painted with an airbrush technique. A meticulous crochet technique combining seven shades of the green calf and lamb leathers fabricates thick, whirling grass on the "My Dear Prairies" bag.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Art

Fondazione Prada's Tribute to Dara Birnbaum

Fondazione Prada honors the work of American artist Dara Birnbaum with its new, extensive survey exhibition, curated by Barbara London with Valentino Catricalà and Eva Fabbris. The exhibition will be on display at the Osservatorio, Fondazione Prada’s center of artistic experimentation and research that strongly resonates with the artist, who constantly challenges the percepts of art and mass media. The exhibition offers multiple angles from which to understand Birnbaum’s career: an insight into the artist’s wide range of media languages and her artistic exploration of diverse themes, which shape the exposition into a space of deep reflection. In Milan, one of Birnbaum’s best-known works, Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman (1978-79), provides a first glance into her examination of gender biases across different media platforms. This video work highlights how, in an industry dominated by men, women’s representations alternate between being heroic or trivializing. Also included is Quiet Disaster (1999), three enlarged anime images portraying characters’ diverse facial expressions as a reaction to danger, staged on circular Plexiglas discs using Duratrans prints. Single-channel videos, such as Chaired Anxieties: Abandoned (1975), Pop-Pop Video (Kojak/Wang) (1980) and Fire! Hendrix (1982), are coupled together and comprised within the exhibition, as well as sound works, photographs and multichannel installations, such as Operations: December 16-17-18 (1998) and Journey: Shadow of the American Dream (2022).

Resulting from a partnership with the School of Digital Arts in Manchester, Dara Birnbaum will be on display from April 13th to September 25th, 2023 at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

Louis Vuitton’s Fashion Eye: Seoul and Texas

At the heart and soul of Louis Vuitton is a passion for travel, exemplified in the Maison’s series of photography books titled “Fashion Eye”. Each book represents an exploration of a country, region, city, or place through the unique lens of an emerging or a legendary fashion photographer. This spring, Louis Vuitton sets off on a new adventure, exploring Seoul and Texas in two new titles added to the series.

Dutch photographer Sarah van Rij captures the intimacy and mystery in even the most mundane scenes of everyday life in Seoul. The delicacies of every moment, from reflections to shadows, faces, silhouettes, and gestures, are all transformed by her sensitive gaze. Her visual language accentuates depth and perspective, with a signature poetic use of chiaroscuro and saturated hues that capture the vitality of life in the city.

Sean Thomas, an American Photographer, brings together the iconic, the legendary, and the less familiar scenes of life in Texas. His pages are filled with vibrant scenes and stories from across the state. With his glimpse into the way of life on the American frontier, you can almost hear the country music and the march of cowboy boots.

“Fashion Eye” is a tailor-made series, with the editorial process behind each book uniquely suited to the work of the photographer so the images are shared in their optimal form. The large format photographs are paired with written works that are personal to the photographer, such as biographical information, an interview, or a critical essay.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Palm Angels Sets Foot in Seoul

The Italian brand Palm Angels accelerates its global expansion with the opening of the brand’s first boutique in Seoul, opened in partnership with Forward Global Fashion Co., Ltd. a leading company in the fashion industry.

The classic taste of Milan touches down on the lively streets of Seoul adorned with the brutalist aesthetic of various buildings in Los Angeles, where the soul of Palm Angels resides. The new store, located at 18-2, Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, a well-known luxury shopping destination of the Korean capital, celebrates Palm Angel’s essence– characterized by a bold and youthful desire to express and surprise. A full-height window playfully displays the store’s pink concrete walls, light-whitened cedar wood central counter, and grid ceiling beams– an outside glance, quick and sly, is enough to be entranced by the aesthetic dance between the industrial and the chic.

The boutique design is characterized by geometric lines set in a warm atmosphere where the displays are outlined to highlight the brand collections. The minimal and powerful essence of the shop, narrated by the quiet harmonies of metal and marble, is disrupted by the animated liveliness of baby pink color. Francesco Ragazzi, the brand Founder and Creative Director, affirms that the “store tells the whole Palm Angels story as it perfectly embodies the emotions, inspirations, and values of the brand”. Developed by the Palm Angels internal architects’ team in close collaboration with Ragazzi, the new Palm Angels store is a penultimate representation of the high-fashion streetwear brand.

www.palmangels.com

Fashion

W&W: Celebrating Montblanc's Heritage

This year, as every year, Montblanc celebrates its 165 years of watch-making heritage at the Watches & Wonders fair. Upholding its connection to mountains, Montblanc presented its 2023 novelties in an enchanting booth inspired by the Swiss Alps’ great glaciers – a booth that combines the Maison’s rich expertise and Marie De La Ville Baugé’s artworks.

Montblanc’s new 8000 Capsule collection places the world’s 14 highest peaks in the spotlight alongside the brave individuals who challenged themselves to climb them. Four models join Montblanc’s Zero Oxygen timepieces. The 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 oxygen The 8000 Limited Edition 290 is perfect for harsh conditions as the zero oxygen inside the 44 mm titanium case prevents fogging and oxidization. The 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date editions are not mere watches but diving instruments that present a new gray glacier pattern dial, interchangeable and adjustable straps, and a water resistance of 300m. The 1858 Iced Sea Limited Edition Coffret collection includes last year’s green and blue watch editions and this year’s gray edition presented in a curated chest that resembles the rock of the Mont Blanc mountain. The limited-edition Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph, with a white gold fluted bezel, comes in a distressed steel finish achieved by treating the 43 mm stainless steel case with a black coating. Lastly, the Unveiled Timekeeper Minerva puzzles us with its bezel-activated chronograph function that celebrates Montblanc’s 100th anniversary since its first wristwatch chronograph movement.

Since April 1st, 2023, the novelties are available in Montblanc boutiques and online.

www.montblanc.com

Fashion

The World of Ralph Lauren Arrives in Miami

In April of 2023, Ralph Lauren welcomes consumers around the globe to its newest luxury concept store in Miami’s iconic Design District. The store is an immersive shopping destination that integrates the brand’s signature vision of timeless luxury with it's goal of implementing digital innovations and interactive experiences.

An assortment of the Men’s Purple Label and Women’s Collection apparel and accessories, alongside one-of-a-kind handbags, and accessories exclusive to the Design District location will be available in the store. Additionally, interactive digital screens throughout the store unlock access to all the Ralph Lauren products available across North America and personalize the shopping experience with options to book styling appointments and more. This will be the first of Ralph Lauren’s locations to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Polygon (MATIC), thanks to a partnership with BitPay.

Drawing inspiration from the contemporary yachts and elegant waterfront residencies outside its doors, the store features a sleek, crisp, and modern design. From warm teakwood to blond mahogany and black ebonized detailing, the space embodies the brand's devotion to effortless sophistication. Furniture from the Ralph Lauren Home Collection and carefully curated artworks fill the space, inviting local and touristic shoppers alike.

In late April, the world of Ralph Lauren comes to life to celebrate the stores opening. Guests are invited to a three-day exclusive and fully immersive experience at a water-front private estate in North Miami.

www.ralphlauren.com

Fashion

The New Horsebit Story

Gucci’s new The Horsebit 1955 campaign, shot by Mert&Marcus, features Halle Bailey, Hanni, and Julia Garner – three exceptional women who expertly create meaningful spaces within the realms of their respective crafts.

The campaign, characterized by a dashing use of primary colors and simple angles, is formed around the essence of the three powerful women featured. The artists, singer-songwriter actress Halle Bailey, NewJeans member and Global Brand Ambassador Hanni, and critically-acclaimed award-winning actress Julia Garner, exude a powerful adjacent to the one The Horsebit 1955 is imbued with. The Horsebit 1955 shines next to the strong and distinctive silhouettes of the artists who make the bag their own. Through smooth clips and meticulous attention to detail, the campaign masterfully highlights the archival-inspired bag.

Gucci’s Horsebit 1955 Bag pays homage to an archival design- recreating the lines and forms introduced over six decades ago. The accessory is adorned with iconic details reconceived with a modern perspective and especially highlights a part of Gucci’s genetic code: the Horsebit. The double ring and bar design- borrowed from the elusive equestrian world is considered to be one of the most distinctive elements among the House symbols. The classic silhouette of the flap shoulder bag is elevated by the ephemeral feeling of textured black leather and the support of a fashionably adjustable shoulder strap. The Horsebit 1955 gives each person the agency to exude the House’s unique spirit in any way they desire.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

W&W Hublot: Taking Risks and Pushing Boundaries

One thing is certain with Hublot’s latest creations: the brand knows exactly what it is doing and who it is doing it for. Described as a continuation of Hublot’s 2022 creative vision, the new releases call attention to the fact that taking risks and pushing boundaries will never cease to be a part of the brand’s DNA. Hublot’s newest collection of masterpieces signifies a turning point in the history of MP. The MP-13, with a 4-day-long power reserve and a 44 mm case, presents, for the first time, a rare combination in a single watch: the double-axis tourbillion is paired with the double retrograde display. Showing off its expertise in using state-of-the-art technology, Hublot’s new Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon watch is seemingly both lightweight and robust at once. Following last year’s success of its new square design, Hublot debuted three new variations, in sapphire and ceramic, of the Square Bang Unico watch at Watches & Wonders 2023. Continuing to celebrate the unique square design, eight new models are now also available in white gold, titanium and king gold, with diamond settings in four variants. Mixing Richard Orlinski’s sculpturing and Hublot’s watchmaking skills, the Classic Fusion Chronograph Orlinski Titanium is one for the art and extreme precision lovers. In collaboration with Takashi Murakami, 12 unique watches, arranged in a perfect color gradient, can be purchased alongside their corresponding NFTs. This combination of digital art and haute horlogerie is just one more example of Hublot’s capacity to innovate.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

W&W Cartier: Unlimited Time, Infinite Creativity

Cartier’s unconventional chronoception: time is cyclical, rather than linear. Cartier’s new watch collections, presented at Watches & Wonders 2023, continue to uphold the Maison’s paradigmatic trademark: its engagement in an endless process of transformation and reinvention. This time, transformation materializes through the prism of creativity, as the watches – full of form and character – are revisited for the new collections.

This year, like every year, a new watch enters the Cartier Privé collection. The Tank Normale is revealed in honor of one of Cartier’s most remarkable creations, the very first Tank watch created in 1917. The new Tank Américaine watch – with a finer, more acrobatic line and an adjustable strap – borrows its purity and curved case from the Tank Cintrée watch. The iconic Santos-Dumont watch is elevated to carry on the legacy of Cartier, maintaining the elegance of the original model while featuring a gold or steel case, visible screws, a beaded crown and blue cabochon. Following a pattern of continuity, a rather exceptional capacity to only resemble itself characterizes the new Baignoire watch. This version is not merely a watch but also a piece of jewelry. A feature also found in the Clash [Un]limited watch, whose geometry is constant and true to the Maison’s style. Cartier’s iconic panther magnetizes the company’s latest jewelry watch. Equipped with an ingenious system and no visible hinges, the model perfectly hugs the wearer’s wrist. Cartier’s today looks to tomorrow: watches that make their mark in the present and in the perpetually evolving future.

www.cartier.com 

Fashion

Plaster Parkas and Pants

Ten C presents a collection SS23 inspired by plaster. From its opaque, dusty colors and cracking prints with a blurred pixelated effect, this range exemplifies the brand's values for well-crafted clothing that can last a lifetime.

The SS23 collection takes various shades of gray as a starting point, using a unique dyeing technique that infuses color while allowing the garments to maintain a dusty, light patina. This way, grayish-teal blends with all its lighter nuances and deep burgundy fades into chalky mauve, and dusty or peachy pinks. The fabrics are printed to imitate cracks on plaster walls, reimagined with a modern graphic twist with a blurred pixel effect. The unique color effects are broken up by details in total black.

Ten C continues its tradition of hybridization of materials, highlighting the textures of different fabrics such as its staple Original Japanese Jersey. Classic pieces meet new styles, such as the Freezer, the Marine Anorak, and the Rider Parka in a 9oz range of OJJ. The Ten C philosophy of crafting high-performance, hard-wearing clothing is taken to new heights, updating materials such as the Crinkle Rip-Stop Nylon and introducing the new remarkable shine of Silver Laminated Nylon and peach skin Cotton/Nylon in bottoms that span the range of lengths.

Within the collection is a mini capsule that teases the FW23 collection: two transformable down jackets with detachable sleeves with a selection of colors.

www.tenc.com

Fashion

A New Step in Fur

Devohome is an Ukranian-based company that produces healthy and natural hemp textiles without the use of pesticides. Hemp fur – the brand’s plant-based fur that can be substituted for animal and synthetic fur is now being celebrated worldwide.

The brand’s Hemp Fur Coat won the Green Product Award 2023 in the Category of Fashion. Since 2013, the international Green Product Award has been celebrating products displaying a future-oriented design, innovation, and sustainability. The Hemp Fur Coat is evidence of the unnecessary nature of animal farming for textiles.

Devehome’s hemp fur was created in 2018 and was patented in 2021, a pioneer in sustainable design in high fashion. The appearance is as charming as animal or synthetic fur, and the ethical advantages imbue the fur with a charm that cannot be imitated. The Hemp Fur Coat, large and welcoming is lined with the brand’s Hemp Fur, ensuring warmth and comfort, and additionally, the external black fabric of the coat traps more heat and adds a chic touch to any outfit worn to bear the cold weather.

The biodegradable hemp fur is 100% natural and biodegradable, vegan, antibacterial, and antifungal, warms up to 30 degrees, and absorbs moisture. These incredible qualities intensely enhance the masterful design and craftsmanship of Devohome. The industrial production of hemp fur is growing, and Devohome is persistently integrating its sustainable substitute into the textile industry to help make permanent changes and start a new wave of garment production that protects our environment.

www.devohome.com

Fashion

A Tease of H&M and Mugler’s Capsule Collection

After a long wait and much anticipation, H&M has announced that its next capsule collection collaboration will be with none other than the House of Mugler.

Mugler has always pioneered as a breaker of fashion’s rules. Since its founding by the late Manfred Thierry Mugler in 1973, their glamorous and daring designs have always centered around themes of body positivity, gender fluidity, transformation, and self-awareness. Casey Cadwallader and Ann-Sophie Johansson, the Creative Directors of Mugler and H&M respectively, design the next chapter in the House’s story, welcoming a greater audience into the Mugler fantasy.

Cadwallader pays tribute to the history of the house, with bodysuits and finished denims that represent their most iconic pieces. Designs with broad shoulders and narrow waists are an ode to the natural curves and shapes of the body, as Mugler’s silhouettes have always been. This ties in with his own contemporary pieces, such as his signature second skin and transparent catsuits. In addition, a special limited-edition range of recreations from Mugler’s 80’s and 90’s archives awaits within the collection, allowing the global fanbase to own pieces of the brand’s heritage.

Teasing the groundbreaking collection, H&M and Mugler have released a music video directed by Torso featuring a group of rising stars with their own rendition of Stardust's 1998 dance hit 'Music Sounds Better With You'. The full collection is yet to be revealed but be sure to save the date as it is bound to fly off the shelves. Menswear, womenswear, and accessories will be available in select stores and online from May 11, 2023.

www.hm.com
www.mugler.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent's New Kate Chain Bag

The Kate bag was first introduced by Saint Laurent in 2010 and has since become one of their most iconic accessories. Equally elegant and it is easy-to-wear, the bag is a practical and distinguished addition to any day or evening look. Its timeless rectangular form is finished with a flap structure that closes securely by means of a magnetic snap. One of its most distinctive elements is the jewel chain that allows for a crossbody style, a short shoulder porté, or can be tucked away to transform the bag into a glamorous clutch. Front and center, the bag is embellished with the signature YSL logo designed in 1961 by graphic designer Adolphe Mouron Cassandre’s.

Saint Laurent’s SS23 Collection welcomes a new edition of the Small Kate Chain Bag.

In its latest interpretation, the bag is given a two tone, two material treatment. A glossy spazzolato leather makes up the outer frame in a luxurious “black veau brilliant”. The center of the bag is crafted from a contrasting lambskin in “off white nappa”. The design is adorned with the Cassandre logo in a light bronze-toned metal finish that matches its chain strap. The new edition of the Small Kate Chain Bag embodies Saint Laurent’s commitment to bringing together quality and practicality with a timeless and sensual aesthetic.

www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

A Bold Step Forward

Inspired by climbing and the demands of nature that thread into expeditions in nature, HUGO’s new sneaker HU-GO1ST demands attention. Since the incorporation of footwear into the HUGO BOSS Group productions in 2004, HUGO has continually pushed the boundaries of modern footwear.

The HU-GO1ST, the brand’s freshest shoe silhouette to date, is designed for individuals who strive to take bold steps forward. The curved and chunky but sleek sneaker creatively embellish the feet and provide practicality and support. A lacing system inspired by hiking gear with reflective accents and triangular eyelets for easy adjustment allows for the sneaker to slip on and off of feet in a simple breath. The essence of hiking is further observed in the outsoles of the HU-GO1ST, the incorporation of a pattern of raised triangular shapes in different sizes significantly increase the grip of each step taken. Elements inspired by hiking and the breathable materials elevate the HU-GO1ST – this sneaker doesn’t only look good, it’s a dependable shoe made to be worn anytime from a morning stroll to an evening boogie.

The essence of HUGO and the brand’s continuous advocacy of self-expression pierces through the sneaker’s expert craftsmanship and design, as well as the bold and fun colorways. The launch of the HU-GO1ST will be accompanied by an online sneaker hunt, encouraging fans to integrate the sneaker into the digital sphere. A Snapchat filter will allow for people to virtually try on the shoe and feel its undeniable swag.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Bulgari’s Serpent Morphs through the Kaleidoscope of FW2023

Bulgari’s FW23 Leather Goods and Accessories collection is an invitation into an entrancing world of color and light. Layers of richness and shining reflections are ready to be uncovered in KALEIDOSCOPIA. Iconic designs and exciting details epitomize the Maison’s eclectic spirit and joyful creativity.

Adorned with the exalting force of Bulgari’s vibrant gemstones, Serpenti is unleashed with three deliveries of Leather Goods. "Joyful Spring" comes in March of 2023, with the optimism and power of bright colors and new material treatments. The legendary icon features proudly in the new Serpenti Forever Bay and the 75th Anniversary edition of the Serpenti Forever Top Handle bag. A wider array of Bulgari’s snake family is awakened in May 2023 with "Vibrant Summer". From the Serpentine Vertical Tote to the Serpentine Pouch and the Serpentine Forever East-West, shimmering silver reflects an illuminating modern gleam on the Roman Jeweler’s DNA. Coiled Torchon and Patch Denim come into play, elevating causal textures to an effortless and joyful elegance. In August 2023, the second delivery will be available. "Eclectic Fall" unleashes the snake in ultraluxe Python and Karung Skins and a crystal cascade.

The “little jewels” of the collection are Bulgari’s textiles, uniting gem-colors and a modern aesthetic to the integral themes of the Maison’s philosophy. Bulgari’s eclectic and future-oriented spirit is seen in the new styles of FW23 Eyewear. Details inspired by the aesthetic codes of jewelry bring a captivating and contemporary charm to the shapes of familiar and brand-new frames.

www.bulgari.com

Art

Rwandan Daughters – A call for hope by Olaf Heine

According to photographer Olaf Heine: "Our future should not be dictated by our past." Nevertheless, he felt compelled to shed light on a historical tragedy whose repercussions continue to reverberate: the Rwandan Genocide.

In the harrowing span of 100 days in 1994, approximately one million lives were lost, with around 250,000 women enduring the horrors of rape, trauma, and subsequent marginalization.

As it is so difficult to stand out after a trauma, their daughters strive each day to aid in their recovery and amplify their voices. With remarkable courage and optimism, they endeavor to dismantle the stigma surrounding their mothers, aunts, and sisters.

Rwandan Daughters stands as a poignant tribute to these resilient women and the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters united in the fight against injustice. Many of these daughters are reminders of their mothers' trauma, yet they stand together in pursuit of peace and remembrance. Their bravery is a beacon of inspiration, and their struggle demands acknowledgment.

 

Between 2017 and 2019, Olaf Heine captured the essence of these women and their ongoing battle, crafting a tribute that honors Rwandan mothers and daughters—a poignant narrative of a tragedy that has scarred a nation and its subsequent generations.

This project encapsulates themes of memory, respect, love, and sorrow, but above all, it serves as a testament to hope. By showcasing the magnitude of the tragedy and the resilience of those who strive for peace and the restoration of their lives, Olaf Heine sends a powerful message of hope: that even in the darkest of times, those who champion a just cause will be heard and will effect change.

After the publication of his book, "Rwandan Daughters," Olaf Heine unveils an exhibition of his project at the Kunsthalle Rostock Museum, running from March 17th to May 20th, 2024.

www.olaheine.com & www.kunsthallerostock.de

Fashion

Inspiring Future Generations of Women

A reflexive perspective, an attention to history, a rebellious femininity and powerful icons – all this can be found in Maria Grazia Chiuri’s reinterpretation of the 1950s for Dior’s FW 23/24 ready-to-wear-line. This Creative Director treats each and every collection as a site of opportunity and further reflection – the meaning and possibilities of clothing, in its relationship to fashion and the body, are not assumed.

An intricate awareness of the brand’s history and a homage to three extraordinary women directs the creation of deeply emotional pieces. The three icons in question – Catherine Dior, Edith Piaf and Juliette Gréco – contradicted the dominant mindset during the post-war. They shared an unconventional spirit to resist feminine stereotypes – a spirit that heavily influenced their choices and lifestyle. Following the path of these nonconforming figures, this Dior collection is the very signature of noncomplying femininity. Primary colors, such as ruby, emerald, topaz yellow and blue, are in the spotlight. Detailing the pieces is a touch of light introduced through embroidery. The floral motifs chosen by Monsieur Dior have been re-examined: an abstract effect is obtained as mottled fabric is interwoven with a metallic thread – the fabric seems to come to life, contours disappear. Delicately nuanced tartan fabrics set apart coats, jackets and straight skirts. Poplin also shimmers with metallic thread. This collection is not only an inspiration for future generations of women but also an embodiment of ways of being, living, and approaching this world. A symbol of change and growth. A combination of past, present and future.

www.dior.com 

Fashion

PFW - CHANEL FW23/24

CHANEL’s camellias brought love and adoration to Paris Fashion Week. Virginie Viard - Karl Lagerfeld’s former first assistant and successor - stayed true to the femininity and decorativeness at the core of CHANEL’s aesthetic whilst adding her creative charm to the garments. The camellia is historically significant for the luxury brand. In 1923, Coco Chanel pinned one of the winter flowers to a dress for the first time. As desired by Viard, the collection is tastefully elegant and dynamic. The camellia motif is the central thread that ties in this creative dance between the traditional elegance of CHANEL and Viard’s eccentric touches. The brand’s FW23/24 collection highlights the artist in women and breaks convention whilst doing so. Floral coats, peak lapels, and jackets traditionally tailored for men - the CHANEL artist is a woman who does not conform. The brand’s rebellion against conventions of traditional tailoring is embedded into the collection. CHANEL’s subtle rebellion is accompanied by authentic materials, comfortable silhouettes, and an indisputable English essence. The showcase, constructed around two grandiose camellia sculptures, is as dynamic as the winter flower. With slight touches from the ‘60s and ‘70s - asymmetrical cuts, light materials, and open backs pervade the collection with an essence of movement observed in nature. Motifs of the winter flower are seen in almost every garment- prints, sculptural elements, and accessories. The repeated display of the motif fabricates an elegant cohesivity that only strengthens the impact of individual garments.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

PFW - Paul Smith FW23 - Abstract Prints, Tactile Fabrics and Elegant Silhouettes

Presenting its FW23 women’s collection in Paris, Paul Smith is once again recognized for its creativity, curiosity and playful touch. Inspired by modernist architecture and design, an interplay between prints and fabrics as well as a reinvention of traditional tailoring and eveningwear become the blueprint for this collection. Black, gray and white serve as a base on which glimpses of cobalt blue and powder pink along with warmer burgundy and mauve tones can stand out. The center of attention, however, is on abstract prints, textile fabrics and an elegant silhouette. Antique interior and upholstery textiles guide the composition of the design’s prints. The ‘Big Flower’ is superimposed on traditional overcoats and suiting, whereas a floor-length dress carries the ‘Botanical Collage’. Denim, satin, shearling and suede – among others – showcase the use of new and richer fabrics. Other unexpected elements, button detailing and an extra-long scarf, and a revision of gender dressing standards also enter the stage. Traditional menswear codes, as for instance shirting stripes and classic tailoring, are subverted and juxtaposed with a feminine sensibility and silhouette. The tuxedo, a garment commonly associated with masculinity, is taken apart into a cropped tuxedo jacket and skirt. Nipped waists, high-waisted asymmetric trousers and a new hourglass-shaped jacket with strong shoulders embrace the female form. The FW23 Mulberry x Paul Smith bag collection is also included. Mulberry’s classic messenger bag, the Anthony, is reworked using Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe webbing straps. This collection clearly follows Paul Smith’s guiding principle: “you can find inspiration in everything”.

www.paulsmith.com

Art

EX POST FACTO

The new exhibition ALICE SPRINGS. RETROSPECTIVE will open on June 2nd 2023 at the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin. In celebration of June Newton’s, aka Alice Springs, 100th Birthday, over 200 photographs will be displayed. This is hardly the first time we encounter her work. However, for the first time, this exhibition will introduce her never-before-seen work as vintage or exhibition prints, resulting from in-depth research into the foundation’s archives and following the acquisition of new holdings from Newton’s apartment in Monaco.

In 1970, due to her husband’s illness, June Newton found impromptu success after taking over an advertisement shoot for the French cigarette brand Gitanes. Known for her all-embracing portraiture, June’s talent to depict idiosyncrasy adds a multidimensional element to her subjects – including fellow photographers and celebrities, such as Nicole Kidman, Richard Avedon, and Vivienne Westwood. Blending curiosity and compassion, she produces intimate, cliché free portraits which reveal her subject’s essence, as they look into her 35 mm lens with proud poses, natural self-confidence and shy glances. Shots were usually carried out in public spaces or at the protagonists’ houses, making natural light a dominant feature of her work. In addition, this rare exhibition incorporates some of Helmut Newton’s pictures of his wife and select self-portraits, as well as a curated excerpt from the couple’s legendary collaborative project.

The exhibition highlights the continuous intersection of the couple’s work, as they now meet again in Berlin. ALICE SPRINGS. RETROSPECTIVE will be on display from June 3rd until November 19th of 2023.

helmut-newton-foundation.org

Fashion

MFW - Dolce & Gabbana’s Sensuale - FW23

Sensuality, a concept far removed from sex appeal- is intimately connected to a woman’s ephemeral nature and feminine charisma. Dolce & Gabbana’s FW23 collection titled Sensuale explores the depths of feminine sensuality and aims to aesthetically display a new dimension of it. The collection highlights the ever-changing and dynamic nature of women through the extensive use of tulle, lace, and chiffon. From garments that are tailored and cut to display lace, garments that are entirely made of tulle, to garments that entirely hide the model’s physique- Dolce & Gabbana marries Italian glamor and meticulous craftsmanship to highlight the natural, inherent feminine charisma. The cohesive and bold color schema grants attention to the tailoring of garments, and accessories. The contrasts between the use of fluid and structured material, and form-fitting and oversized silhouettes signify the diversity of the sensuality. Dolce & Gabbana’s FW23 Sensuale collection explores the corners of feminine sensuality to tell the world that “beauty is not enough to be sensual, but charisma is essential”.

www.dolcegabbana.com

Fashion

MFW - PRADA FW23 - The Beauty of the Forgotten Everyday

Debuting during Milan Fashion Week, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons presented their ready-to-wear-line, Taking Care, for Prada’s women’s FW23 collection. This season, the Italian luxury house celebrates the ceaseless yet remarkable everyday life. The collection is a reflection on fashion’s role within a broader cultural sense – an elicitation to rediscover and reconceptualize reality and the ideas of beauty within it. Considering the state of affairs over the past few years, including the devastating war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic, the chosen theme points to the world’s necessity for care and kindness. Individuals who exercise care on a daily basis are at the heart of the collection. Garments with representational power become symbols of that care: nurse-inspired uniforms honor the hard work and determination needed for healing practices. An emphasis on protection materializes on different levels. Skirts with down padding protect and keep the body warm, and leather is transformed into protective armor. An interplay between the ordinary and extraordinary showcases Prada’s mastery to design pieces for any and every occasion. Wedding dresses, strong romantic symbols, become the new quotidian dress as they are taken apart into skirts and sweaters. The notion of transformation further expands into the space of the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada. The moving ceiling amplifies the room – as darkness gradually disappears, it unveils pillars decorated with aromatic flowers. It is rather exceptional how care is simultaneously the underlying ingredient of the pieces’ composition as well as what they inspire to give rise to.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Burberry FW23

The British fashion designer Daniel Lee presented his first collection for Burberry in London. Prior to the showcase of the charismatic collection, the brand presented a redesign and introduced the 120-year-old Equestrian Knight Design motif completed with the Latin phrase “Prorsum” - translated as forwards. This redesign was disclosed as Lee’s first creative expression under the brand - efficiently establishing his position as Creative Director and stepping away from the previous direction of Lee’s predecessor Riccardo Tisci.

The collection reinforces the brand’s historical connection with outdoor exploration through garments that hide the models - but accentuates their form and aura through deep elementary colors features in monochromatic sets and experimental silhouettes.

Several elements such as the argyle and Aran patterns, Equestrian Knight Design, and the English Rose were highlighted through the garments. As seen in the 51st look - deep colors that are sewn into the narrative of the colder months such as dark purple, supplemented by its complementary partner yellow, are utilized to create a medium for the respective pattern of the garment to produce a high-fashion camouflage adjacent visuality. The use of purple continues through the silhouette - an extravagantly large lavender ushanka, plum rubber rain boots, and a violet satchel that balances the optics of the silhouette with a cross-body handle.

Burberry once again successfully blends practicality with elegant aesthetics producing an eye-catching collection schematized using color in a space designed by Lee that fosters the protective nature of the brand’s garments against the harsh elements of the cold.

www.burberry.com

Fashion

Insight into the Future

When historic Florentine house Ferragamo tapped Maximilian Davis as its new Creative Director and successor of Paul Andrews in March 2022, the house’s CEO Marco Gobetti said, “[Davis] will write a new, exciting chapter for this house built on a heritage of creativity, craftsmanship, sophistication, and outstanding human values.” Despite his young age, Davis is by no means unknown having risen to fame as part of the renowned fashion incubator Fashion East. It became evident that one could expect a new Ferragamo with the most exciting, new talents taking over the creative reigns. Having made his highly-anticipated debut with the SS23 collection, Ferragamo has now released its first campaign under Davis shot by Rafael Pavarotti. It is a boldly sensual reflection of Davis’ vision featuring a diverse cast of personalities, each with its own distinct confidence. In their diversity, they become the perfect reflection of the Ferragamo attitude and independence. Against a dramatic backdrop in the vibrant signature Ferragamo red, the collection with all its details stands in sharp focus. Its elegant and contemporary character is perfectly mirrored in the imagery visually standing out against the monochrome background. The imagery is a crystallization of the new dawn for the house, rooted in its rich Italian history, yet with a direct vision for the future.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Positive Changemaker

Over the past years, we were able to observe a big shift in consumer behavior, especially when it comes to how consumers are engaging and buying fashion products. It’s no longer just about the product, consumers are looking for more depth, they are showing an increased awareness about all the different aspects of the brand. Of course, brands have recognized this trend and have started to take responsibility in regard to their environmental and social impact, becoming positive changemakers. In this regard, Ralph Lauren has always been a pioneer, having been a leader for over two decades in the fight against cancer most notably through their Pink Pony Initiative, a global and year-long philanthropic program which was founded in 2000. A cornerstone program of the company, it is deeply rooted in Ralph Lauren’s DNA, raising awareness and generating attention whilst also aiming to reduce disparities in cancer care and prevention. Through this initiative, Ralph Lauren has partnered up with some of the leading research institutions such as the German Cancer Research Center. Within this context, Ralph Lauren is therefore launching a new special edition of its Wellington Bag. With the bag being a modern reflection of Ralph Lauren’s equestrian heritage, this special edition is completely crafted in pink suede in reference to the Pink Pony Initiative. With each sale of this new special edition pink suede Wellington Bag Ralph Lauren is donating parts of the proceeds in order to support research, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, education and patient navigation.

www.ralphlauren.com

Fashion

Sabato De Sarno Appointed as GUCCI's New Creative Director

End of November, Kering announced that the house of Gucci and Alessandro Michele, the Creative Director at its helm, would part ways after an extraordinary seven-year run which has seen the Italian house return to its rightful place as one of the most iconic and influential luxury houses in the limelight of international attention. Ending months of speculation about who would take over, Gucci has now announced that Sabato De Sarno will assume the role of Creative Director with his debut collection expected at the Milan Women’s Fashion Week in September later this year. Following the announcement, De Sarno expressed that he was “touched and excited to contribute my creative vision for the brand.” Born and raised in Naples, De Sarno himself was relatively unknown to the wider fashion world prior to this announcement having worked primarily behind the scenes. His own journey in fashion started in 2005 with Prada, before moving to Dolce & Gabbana, followed by a 13-year tenure at Valentino. Throughout the years, he held positions of increasing responsibility, helping the brand to evolve into one of the most influential houses of today. It’s this vast and valuable experience that will help Gucci open an exciting, new chapter whilst bringing a singular and contemporary perspective to modern luxury.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

CHANEL's Circus

One watching the CHANEL SS23 Couture Show might be forgiven for thinking that they had accidentally stumbled upon a high-fashion live edition of The Greatest Showman. Striking a rather playful tone amid the oft more serious, thought-provoking shows that make up Paris Couture Fashion Week, CHANEL creative director Virginie Viard took things in a different direction. A set comprising a wooden menagerie of zoo animals formed the backdrop to the debut of Viard’s latest work for the House, a parade of youthful and refreshing looks.

Like any good ringmaster, the models of CHANEL came out in top hats and bow ties (many of them, at least), as well as white leather gloves or white cross-laced boots bearing CHANEL’s signature black-tip toes. The circus imagery did not just stop at sets and accessories, however, finding its way even into the dove-detail embroidery in the final look, or the tiny embossed animals down the front of the second look.

Much of the collection was classic CHANEL – think tweeds, day suits and coat dresses. Some silhouettes drew inspiration directly from the theme, such as the majorette-style miniskirts. Viard is a self–proclaimed ‘modern wardrobe for real women’ kind of designer, so despite creating a couture line with a circus-fantasy theme, Viard has succeeded in a line that is simultaneously original, yet also undeniably wearable. HZ

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Color and comfort

Utility meets euphoria – this is what springs to mind when looking at the new collaboration collection between Carhartt WIP and Marni for Spring/Summer 2023. Carhartt WIP’s legacy as a workwear-turned-global-sensation is well-known and well-documented. With a uniquely utilitarian appeal, the brand has captivated young and old alike and gained significant attention in the fashion industry, despite its humble beginnings producing overalls for railroad workers in the early 20th century.

Carhartt’s latest partner, Marni, tracks a similar success story as a relative outlier in the fashion world. Hailing from Milan, the brand presents somewhat of an antithesis to the splashy and extravagant or, on the other end of the spectrum, more classic sartorial styles that are often associated with Italian fashion houses. A look through the brand’s archives reveals a penchant for slouchier silhouettes, and more importantly, a prolific use of playful patterning.

Bringing together the light-hearted and colorful palettes of Marni and the utilitarian silhouettes most associated with Carhartt, the Marni x Carhartt WIP Spring/Summer Collection 2023 will bring a refreshing splash of color and style to any wardrobe. HZ

www.marni.com

Fashion

Tod's Chinese New Year Limited Edition

Tod's, the esteemed Italian luxury brand, welcomes the Chinese New Year 2024 with an exclusive limited-edition collection, drawing inspiration from the Chinese zodiac element of the dragon. The assortment celebrates the spirit of the annual festivities, offering unique accessories that seamlessly blend tradition with modern style. At the core of this collection are three distinct shoe styles: the iconic Gommino Bubble, the latest sneaker, and rubber sole loafers. Each pair is adorned with a captivating double dragon pattern and Tod's logo on the inner soles, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and design. The limited edition collection extends beyond footwear to accessories like a leather and fabric shopping bag, where the double dragon motif continues to make a statement on an internal leather pouch. Tod's limited-edition collection beautifully captures the essence of the Chinese New Year, fusing traditional symbolism with contemporary Italian elegance. This release is an exquisite celebration of the dragon, providing a stylish pathway into the promise of renewal and rejuvenation that accompanies the advent of the changing seasons.
www.tods.com

Fashion

In The Skies

Circling above Milan at an unknown altitude, the models of Emporio Armani’s Milan Fashion Week show glided gracefully over the runway like the brand’s characteristic eagle. In fact, the models and looks they were donning were no more elevated than the rest of Milan, yet the optical illusion provided by the floor of the showroom – a military style birds-eye map of Milan – together with the old-fashioned pilot accessories, worked together to vividly simulate the theme of aviation that spanned the entire collection and show.

In keeping with the nostalgia for the early days of flight, the entire collection acted as a tribute to the revered figure of the 1930s aviator (an assuredly widespread male fantasy). Sophisticated and adventurous, an explorer by nature; the gentleman in the skies requires (at least as much so as the gentleman on the ground) a suitable attire, that is at once as sophisticated as he himself, yet also accommodating in his sportive ventures. In this pursuit, the Emporio Armani FW23 collection presents the perfect wardrobe companion for such a man. Soft, high-impact materials, designed in the classic sartorial gentlemen’s styles such as Houndstooth and Prince of Wales checks, take shape in varied silhouettes – trench coats, double-breasted pea coats, cropped trousers, and more. Accessories help to enhance this effect: combat boots, aviator shades, vintage-style bomber jackets, to name just a few. Adding extra points in the categories of both Timelessness and Elegance is the color palette, made up of beiges, grays and caramels in the former part of the collection, with occasional splashes of color in the latter half. HZ

www.armani.com

Fashion

ZEGNA’S OASI

THE OASI OF CASHMERE, ZEGNA’s new winter collection 2023, showcases a thorough dedication to the central fabric distinguishing this collection from those prior. “Matter matters” – a central tenet to the collection – encapsulates ZEGNA’s belief that innovation in clothes making begins with fibers, and the treatment thereof throughout the design and production process. From the inception, to the weaving, to the handling, ZEGNA’s sartorial codes of conduct show a great dedication to the art of textiles. Named partially after the Oasi Zegna, the historic home of the brand, the collection reflects the values that have accompanied its makers for many years. The Oasi Zegna is a nature park in the heart of the Piedmont region of Italy, which has garnered much praise for its part in preserving the nature of the area, and even won the prestigious Biodiversity Conservation Award at the Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022. The brand remains faithful to its sustainability principles, with the new Oasi Cashmere collection acting as a central component in ZEGNA’s Road to Traceability, its commitment to certify all the fibers used as fully traceable by 2024. HZ

www.zegna.com

Fashion

LOIS // OSLO

“Casual chic” is perhaps the best way you could describe the new FW23 collection by Lois Jeans, inspired by 1980s New Yorker street style. Sub-themes of Groovy Chic and Preppy Chic also ran throughout the collection, lending the collection a certain versatility.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Oslo Opera House, the unveiling of the collection was accompanied by dramatic live music and ballet dancing, creating a formidable experience for the guests in attendance. The Opera House is an architectural marvel; designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, it unfolds neatly into the cityscape thanks to its low-slung form. Music played a central role in the event as well: the full show was accompanied by an orchestra of 22 Norwegian music students, to the tune of the celebrated Boléro by Maurice Ravel. Due to its grand yet sleekly elegant interior, the opera house was the perfect venue for the convergence between fashion, dance and music that took form through the Lois Jeans FW23 show.

In the words of Creative Director Arthur van Rongen: “In this show, everything for me came together; my favorite classical piece of music in one of the most beautiful buildings of the world, my favorite ballerina in the world in one of the most beautiful countries of the world. For this show. I’ve really listened to my dreams, and together with my team we made it happen and with our audience it felt for 30 minutes we were all together in a bubble of love. This is what fashion should be like for me.” HZ

www.loisjeanstore.com

Fashion

LV & Ski

Ski, slopes and sun. What better way is there to spend a winter season? For those lucky enough to make it to the mountains this year, Louis Vuitton’s new LV Ski Collection comes like a belated Christmas present. Sporting everything from snowsuits to furry hats to ski boots, the collection has an item for every occasion, whether that be racing down the slopes or having the odd drink or two at the après ski. Puffer jackets made of genuine goose down padding and recycled nylon fabric will keep you warm in the cooler climates; technical nylon and waterproof stretch gabardine will allow for optimal movement while bracing you against the cold. Louis Vuitton also commemorates the winter season with a remixed version of the famous LV logo, giving rise to a reworked version of the Snowflake motif alongside the LV Flocon logo.

In a nod to traditional nomadic architecture, Louis Vuitton has also opened a new pop-up in the famous Alpine town of St. Moritz in the shape of a yurt. The structure is emblazoned on the outside walls and throughout the interior with the familiar LV logos and patterns, and houses a cozy yet sophisticated vibe, complete with plush sofas and a fireplace in the middle.

The Louis Vuitton Yurt Pop-Up is open from December 16th until April 10th on Via Maistra in St. Moritz. HZ

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Simplicity, clarity and logic

Going back three generations, the family-run Carl Hansen & Søn has been committed to passionate craftsmanship. With the aim of preserving Danish design classics as well as representing influential contemporary designers, the company seeks to gather the best and most iconic modern furniture designs under one roof. The brand’s partnerships with designers are premised on a shared respect for thoughtful design and production, holding at the core the Danish Modern principles of simplicity, functionality and craftsmanship.

These values continue to guide designers of the brand today, as for example in the most recent AH Outdoor Series, designed and developed by the late Alfred Homann. Born in 1948, Homann was an esteemed architect and designer, having won multiple awards for his work before his death in 2022. The founding of his own studio in 1978 in Copenhagen at just 30 years old saw Homann develop his own personal style, with a particular taste for simplicity, clarity and logic. The Outdoor Series, released in time for the new year, reflects Homann’s personal style and pays homage to his keen eye for detail and sense of soft shapes that pervade the collection. Eleven pieces carved out of untreated teak comprise the series, each meticulously polished by hand by the seasoned craftsmen at Carl Hansen & Søn. HZ

www.carlhansen.com

Fashion

Stone Island SS023

The brand Stone Island cherishes a culture of research, experimentation and usability. With its sharp focus on textile research and design innovation it continues to push the bounds of fashion production. It is a project based on fashion beyond mere aesthetics, taking as its observatory the study of workwear for the sake of understanding the functionality and evolution of clothes. The DNA of the brand lies in scientific innovation and investigation, as it seeks to transform and reinvent the make-up of fibres and fabrics, as well as of dyeing processes.

The Stone Island Spring Summer ‘023 collection is yet another stitch in this pattern, representing state-of-the-art fabric and garment dyeing technology, in terms that will set the average layperson’s head spinning. In terms of styling, the collection explores the world of 1980s youth subcultures, with a vibrant palette of colors – magenta, yellow, orange, sienna, green – that ensure a visual blast to the past. Despite the technological innovation and fashion focus of this new line, the brand remains true to its essence: keeping functionality at the very heart of the collection. HZ

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

ETRO Christmas Capsule Collection

ETRO – Milanese fashion house, family business, and connoisseur of textiles – celebrates the oncoming festival season with Marco De Vincenzo’s latest SS23 Collection, “Step into the Holidays.” De Vincenzo, a veteran of the Milan fashion scene, was named Creative Director of ETRO, the over 50-year-old brand, a mere few months ago.

Presented in Milan during Fashion Week this last September, the ready-to-wear selection includes bags, shoes, accessories and jewelry, and features two of the brand’s most characteristic visual codes: the arnica motif and the colored stripes. ETRO’s visual brand identity is strongly associated with the paisley design, popularized in the early 1970s, but representing an ancient decorative symbol born in Mesopotamia.

The campaign images look like the scene from a retro-futuristic dream, shimmering and surrealistic against the night sky. Appealing to the imagination, the campaign reintroduces us to some of ETRO’s more iconic designs, as well as introducing us to some newer and more eclectic designs, including the new Love Trotter shopping bag with 3D Pegasus embroidery, a gold metal apple jewel bag and Aladdin’s clogs.

The Step into the Holidays preview will be available exclusively from November 28th on NET-A- PORTER, etro.com and in a selection of Etro boutiques worldwide. HZ

www.etro.com

Fashion

Armani in the Alps

St. Moritz – luxury ski resort town and host to not one, but two, historic Winter Olympics – played host yesterday to another major event, the Giorgio Armani Neve Autumn/Winter 2022/23 show. Held against the backdrop of the Olympia Stadium one one side, and a 360 degree panorama of the glorious Swiss Alps, the Giorgio Armani Neve event drew a throng of over 300 gracious guests.

“Neve”, Italian for snow, is the name of Armani’s elusive skiwear collection, launched only a few years ago, in response to a growing demand for high-fashion skiwear. Armani is certainly not alone in answering to this call – by now, droves of fashion brands are ambling into the style-meets-ski arena – however “what makes Neve different is the balance of performance and style, and the span of the offer, which is dedicated both to skiing and après ski,” according to the namesake founder/designer Giorgio Armani himself.

Armani is leading by example as a major fashion label. Together with the Swiss Tourist Board, the Armani Group worked to organize a show with minimal environmental impact throughout the entire affair, avoiding single-use plastic and food waste, as well as ensuring the reuse and recycling of materials. The brand is also committed to offset all event-related emissions through nature-based solutions, including making a sizable donation to “MortAlive,” a Swiss organization working to protect glaciers all over the world. HZ

www.armani.com

Fashion

Eastpak x Super Mario

It’s-a-me, Mario! Nintendo’s poster boy, one of the most well-known and loved characters on video game screens, is coming back to schools and offices. Since the early 1980s, Mario has been delighting people all over the world in his quest to save Princess Toad and the Kingdom from Bowser and the Koopa Troopa, the clan of evil turtles known for their black magic.

Out of his familiar native Mushroom Kingdom, Mario now comes riding back in on what is surely another familiar household name, the Eastpak. The brand is well known for its functional, stylish and timeless luggage, accompanying millions to school and work every day. “Built to resist”, Eastpak products come with a thirty-year warranty as another guarantee of the durability and robustness of the product, thus reducing waste and promoting more sustainable patterns of purchasing.

Across multiple products, from Padded Pak’r backpacks to Eastpak’s Springer bum bags, pencil cases, suitcases and lunchboxes, a sense of childhood is woven into the exteriors, with familiar Super Mario motifs embossed and embroidered in. The collaboration is rife with imagination and nostalgia, bringing a little bit of that early 90s feel to everyday life. HZ

www.eastpak.com

Fashion

CHANEL IN DAKAR

Dakar, the Senegalese capital and westernmost city on the African mainland, was host this season to the CHANEL 2022/23 Métiers D’Art Show. It represented a significant moment in fashion, as the first fashion show by a European luxury brand in sub-Saharan Africa. The show took place a week after Dakar had hosted the 20th edition of Dakar Fashion Week, Africa’s longest-running fashion event. Preceded by “real dialogues, nourished over the long term,” the show was intended as a celebration of the vibrant local culture. The collection and show come as the results of multiple creative encounters with artists, choreographers, directors, musicians and writers from the local scene. This collaboration was evident in the show itself, featuring performances by special guests such as local singer Obree Daman and dancers from the local École des Sables dance school.

During the creative process, CHANEL Creative Director Virginie Viard drew heavy inspiration from the 1970s – a time of freedom, revolution and enormous energy – with heavy tweeds, warm color palettes, flared trousers and platform shoes forming integral elements of the collection. The collection also emulates this iconic chapter in fashion history with precise details, such as plant motifs, sequins, sparkling pendants and geometric motifs.

A four-part short-film series published on the Chanel website and directed by the students of the Kourtrajmé film schools, tracks the story behind the 2022/23 Métiers d’art CHANEL – DAKAR collection and show. HZ

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Dior in the Dunes

Emerging from a desert landscape, the formidable silhouettes of the pyramids crowning the background, the models of Dior take to the stage. Set against the Great Pyramid of Giza, a relic of over four millennia of human history, the Dior Men’s Fall Show 2023 was a nod to the past as well as a look to the future, a symbolic gesture to the House’s 75th birthday. The contrast between the ancient site and the retro-futurism of the designs bore witness to this unification of past and future.

Aptly titled “Guided by the Stars”, the collection draws on a fascination with technology and sci-fi themes. Artistic director Kim Jones conceived a lineup that played with patent astronomical references, even collaborating with NASA on some designs that used telescope images for print galaxies. Complementing the background, desert hues such as white, gray and sand stood out in particular, with occasional splashes of yellow and orange. Accessories like stormtrooper helmets and racer-style sunglasses completed the theme, creating looks reminiscent of David Lynch’s 1987 adaption of “Dune.” A fusion of elegant tailoring and futuristic design permeates the collection, with kilt-like overlays often hung to one side over sharp tailored trousers. Thick neck scarves, sheer fabrics and capes helped to complete the Dune-like aesthetic.

Using a range of techniques, Kim Jones managed to create a collection that was at once futuristic and utilitarian, explorative and celestial. With 75 looks to commemorate 75 years of Dior, the new Men’s collection celebrates past, present and future. HZ

www.dior.com 

Art

At the Intersection of Champagne and Art

Ruinart’s relationship with art is inscribed in its history. The historic link was forged in the late 19th century when the French Maison showed audacity and modernity with its first advertisement created by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. Ever since then, Ruinart has maintained these close ties to the world of art and the artists, who have reinterpreted its universe time and time again. In line with this continued commitment to not only creating excellent champagne but also artistic expression, Ruinart has partnered up with German-Dutch artist BD Graft for PAN Amsterdam. For this collaboration, the artist created 20 limited edition magnums which were not only exhibited but also auctioned off with all the proceeds having gone to the World Wildlife Fund. As Ruinart stated, “Nature loss and climate change affect all life on earth. To stop this, we need more nature. WWF will use the proceeds to secure forests worldwide. This fits in perfectly with the sustainability objectives that Maison Ruinart has set itself.” For each of the limited edition bottles, the 100% biodegradable “second skin” featured unique designs, numbering and a signature of this special artist. BD Graft has found success through his simple, yet recognizable visual language with nature and the human condition being central aspects of his work. Displayed at the Ruinart Lounge, in the middle of the art fair, each of the bottles was the embodiment of the iconic Maison, combining the art of champagne making with the artistic expression of a chosen artist.

www.ruinart.com

Fashion

Furla Cruise 2023 Collection

Founded in 1927 by Aldo Furlanetto in Bologna, the brand Furla has long been hailed as an industry leader in its craft. Drawing on its long-standing expertise, the Italian brand strives to create pieces made from a sense of beauty and quality, reaching at the same time for new heights in design innovation and creativity. With its atelier based in Tuscany, the brand stays true to its DNA of producing goods of traditional Italian craftsmanship. Furla stands for optimism, bringing a sense of colorful and cheerful creativity into each creation.

True to form, colors and youthful playfulness make up Furla’s Cruise collection 2023. Furla paints the picture of a woman – “curious, enthusiastic, creative: a woman who is not afraid to experiment.” Its newest collection of handbags is designed to equip this modern woman. Available in both bold and vibrant as well as neutral and classic colors, the Furla handbags are readily wearable for any occasion. Soft and geometric shapes can be found throughout, creating a visually versatile range of purses and bags.

www.furla.com

Art

The Swingin' Sixties

The Italian design brand Brionvega is announcing the release of PRIMO, a faithful reproduction of the original RR126 Radio, 55 years on from the release of the original model. The radio-phonograph was designed by brothers Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and Achille Castiglioni in 1964 and eventually became an iconic example of 1960s design movements – examples of it are today on exhibition at places like the MoMA in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Milan Triennale. Coveted by design and vintage lovers alike, the time-honored piece has come to represent a relic of the past, embodying a nostalgia for Italian industrial design and the age of the 1960s. The PRIMO radio-phonograph (product code rr-226 NOCE CANALETTO) brings this past treasure into the modern age. It stays true to its predecessor in many ways, from design and materials to production and manufacturing. Wooden panels sanded with sandpaper, the handcrafted frame made by sand casting, hand-painted frame holes, silk skin print – all elements that, then as now, reflect a high degree of mastery and craftsmanship. The rebirth of the cult object comes in only 100 pieces of the PRIMO radio-phonograph, available in-store in limited edition. HZ

www.brionvega.it

Fashion

A Lesson in Victory

A single photograph, a chessboard, and the two reigning football champions of our generation. A photograph taken by legend Annie Leibovitz has rocked the world in the new Louis Vuitton brand campaign featuring none other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The campaign, entitled “Victory is a State of Mind” shows the two football legends consumed in a game of chess improvised out of and played on top of a Louis Vuitton Damier attaché case. It follows on from an earlier campaign, shot also by Annie Leibovitz for Louis Vuitton that similarly featured the football hall of fame greats Pele, Maradona and Zinedine Zidane, poring over a game of foosball in a dusty bar in Madrid, LV baggage sitting idly by in a corner or draped over a chair. “Three exceptional journeys. One historic game.” – the name of the former campaign.

Louis Vuitton once again shows an exceptional feat of marketing, capturing the hearts and minds of football fans across the world with its image of these two icons enthralled in a game that is, like football, as old as time. The game in fact mimics an iconic match between Chess Grandmasters Magnus Charlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, played at Norway Chess in 2017. Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022, it is certain that the eyes of the world will be locked upon these two stars, as they enter into what it is to become both of their final World Cups. An historic moment for the world of sports and popular culture, for which Louis Vuitton has secured itself a place amongst these two victors. HZ

www.louisvuitton.com 

Fashion

Cool in the Cold

The FW collection 22/23 represents a second collaboration between Canadian luxury outwear brand Moose Knuckles and American fashion label ECKHAUS LATTA. The collection brings Moose Knuckles’ specialization in innovating and engineering to create high-quality outerwear together with Eckhaus Latta’s cutting-edge design. “Fearless yet functional fashion” is the purpose behind this collaboration, according to Moose Knuckles’ Chief Marketing Officer Ayal Twik. As one of the world’s leading producers of luxury outerwear, Moose Knuckles has garnered over 100 years of experience in the business of creating “resilient garments for the most unforgiving conditions”. The brand specializes in product design and technical expertise, invoking special knowledge of fabrics and fashion engineering in order to produce the highest quality outerwear.

ECKHAUS LATTA is an American fashion label established in 2011; the brainchild of Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta, who met during their studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. At the time, the two founders were studying Sculpture and Textile Design respectively. This intersection between art, design, and fashion remains a core tenet of the brand even today, which regularly participates in art installations and exhibitions with projects, videos, and collections – exhibiting for example at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2018. The designs, at times grunge and edgy, sometimes colorful, are unfailingly inventive. A partnership of “artistic and technical exploration” has resulted in a revisiting of some of Moose Knuckles’ core styles, reinterpreted by ECKHAUS LATTA to offer a more contemporary look using oversized, exaggerated proportions. Moose Knuckles’ technological mastery is most evident in the puffers – filled with RDS-certified down but designed in hyper-light form for better mobility. The accompanying campaign was shot by Mary Manning and styled by Matt Holmes, under the artistic direction of Eric Wrenn. HZ

www.mooseknucklescanada.com 

Fashion

Belvedere: New Global Campaign

Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka, is a Polish rye vodka, which receives its name from the Belweder, the Polish presidential palace in Warsaw. Representing 600 years of Polish vodka-making tradition, the production processes adhere to the traditional regulations, using only Polska rye, purified water, and a distillation process by fire, without any additional additives. For its newest campaign brings together a stellar community of creatives inspired by pure emotion captured by a moment of feeling gloriously free. In this spirit, Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, photographer Juergen Teller and choreographer JaQuel Knight create exciting visuals, a perfect mise-en-scene for the campaign’s face, Daniel Craig. Through Waititi’s unique lens, we get to follow Daniel Craig in picturesque Paris, making his way through the luxurious Cheval Blanc Paris arriving at a spectacular suite, and dancing his way to the Belvedere bar, where he takes an ice-cold sip before we hear the director yelling cut and giving instructions to take it from the top. It’s a unique take that brings together the choreographed mise-en-scene as well as snapshots of how life might look like when the cameras are not rolling. This coming together of an inventive and gifted group of provocateurs, each with a taste for the unconventional results in the captivating yet unique campaign, a nod to Belvedere’s longstanding beliefs of self-expression, authenticity, and style.

www.belvederevodka.com

Fashion

Tommy Jeans x Martine Rose

Tommy Hilfiger is teaming up with British designer Martine Rose to launch the gender-inclusive capsule collection “Tommy Jeans x Martine Rose”. Fusing the DNA of brands, the 35-piece collection takes archival icons from Tommy Hilfiger and reinterprets them through Martine Rose’s unique lens, highlighting the British designer’s trademark out-of-the-box and experimental approach. The collection itself is defined by an elevated streetwear aesthetic with ironic touches expressed through powerful play of color and graphics which can be seen on garments characterized by exaggerated proportions in a typical Martine Rose style. A fan of the brand herself, Rose comments that, “Tommy Hilfiger has always been a brand that I’ve drawn inspiration from, so this partnership was such a natural and organic marriage.” The collection’s imagery was shot in Miami by renowned photographer Buck Ellison attempting to redefine traditional Americana by showing a diverse couple in a classic setting. Martine Rose’s aesthetic is mirrored in the campaign’s imagery which brings the spirit of Americana into the 21st century, highlighting the beautifully diverse spirit of modern America.

The collection will be available on November 7th, 2022 at select Tommy Jeans stores and online.

www.tommy.com

Art

Ninth Edition of the Max Mara Art Prize For Women

In 2005, Max Mara and Whitechapel Gallery brought the Max Mara Art Prize for Women into being. This biannual award, aiming to promote and support artists, identifying as women, hence enabling them to develop their potential with the gift of time and space, is the only one of its kind and awards its winner a six-month Italian residency tailored to fit the artist’s needs to realize her winning proposal. During this residency, organized by Collezione Maramotti, the winning artist will have the opportunity to realize an ambitious new project which will then be presented in a major solo exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in London and at Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, which will then acquire it. As Bina von Stauffenberg, chair of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women jury, states, “It could not be more urgent or relevant to ensure that women artists are championed, and heard on the world stage. For more than a decade, this unique prize has successfully enabled women-identifying artists at different stages of their careers to develop their potential in extraordinary ways.” In late October, the eighth edition’s winner Emma Talbot’s exhibition The Age/L’Età was presented in Reggio Emilia after having been revealed earlier this summer at Whitechapel Gallery in London. On this special occasion the five shortlisted finalists, Rebecca Bellantoni, Bhajan Hunjan, Onyeka Igwe, Zinzi Minott and Dominique White, for the ninth edition have also been announced. Rebecca Bellantoni is an artist who currently engages in research looking at the city and its multiple worlds in relation to the psyche, soul and body of the city dweller. She realizes this through her wide-ranging practice encompassing moving image, installation, performance, photography, textiles, printmaking, sculpture, sound-text and ceramics. Bhajan Hunjan is a trained painter and printmaker closely associated with the Black British Art Movement. Through her practice defined by a very individual visual language of free-floating lines, symbolic colors and shapes, repetition and script motifs, she is encouraging the viewers to reflect on social, spiritual and emotional environments. Onyeka Igwe is an artist and researcher who engages with the question “how do we live together?” in her practice. Particular interest is given to how spatial, sensorial and non-canonical ways of knowing can provide answers to these questions, resulting in “figure-of-eights” drawing upon archives, narration and text to expose a multiplicity of narratives. Zinzi Minott’s practice is focused on the relationship between dance, bodies and politics and how dance can be perceived through the prisms of race, queer culture, gender and class. She is especially interested in the Black female body and Caribbean stories, such as the Atlantic Slave Trade and the migration of the Windrush Generation. Dominique White’s practice is weaving together the theories of Black Subjectivity, Afro-pessimism and Hydrachy with the nautical myths of Black Diaspora into a term she defines as the Shipwreck(ed) in relation to “a Black future that hasn’t yet happened but must.”

www.maxmara.it
www.collezionemaramotti.org
www.whitechapelgallery.org

Art

Saint Laurent Rive Droite invites artist Elladj Lincy Deloumeaux

Marking Art Basel Paris +, the Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles present a series of specially commissioned artworks created by the artist Elladj Lincy Deloumeaux. The Paris-based artist investigates the relationship between people and ideas, which he addresses in an open and vibrant way in his artworks. With a particular focus on Afro-Caribbean images, he emphasizes aspects of everyday life, mythologies, iconography, beliefs, and religious heritage. His art evokes a dual identity by incorporating found or familiar objects into still life and painting series.
The exhibition was organized in partnership with the Cécile Fakhoury gallery, which has been based in Abidjan since 2012 and in Dakar and Paris since 2018. In order to achieve the goal of promoting contemporary art across the African continent, Cécile Fakhoury is developing a perennial infrastructure thus creating and establishing awareness, creativity, and diversity. The gallery unites artists whose artworks use barrier-breaking language while rejecting geographic stigmatization.
The exhibition includes about thirty artworks, which will be displayed in Paris, and two large artworks in Los Angeles: Antan Lontan and Au bord du ruisseau. JW

www.cecilefakhoury.com
www.ysl.com

Fashion

The Palace Gucci Collection

Italian luxury and London streetwear melt together as Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele invites Palace Skateboards to an astonishing collaboration. Although the two brands appear to be opposites at first glance, the Palace Gucci Collection discovers their common ground of approaches, obsessions, and meanings. The designs focus on modern street culture as they unite the creative universes of both Palace and Gucci, captured in surreal imagery accompanying the collection. The film by Max Siedentopf connects the two different realities, thus encouraging viewers to discover their own anomalous affinities.
The collection includes accessories and clothing for all genders, that is Palace presents for the first time women’s ready-to-wear designs. Alongside Gucci icons, such as the Horsebit loafer, Palace’s staples are represented as well, meaning soccer tees, denims, and tracksuits. Within the collection, Gucci’s heritage gets revamped, as for instance, the legendary monogram canvas incorporates a Palace ‘P’ while duffles appear reshaped in a pyramidal form. The fusion of the diverse aesthetics culminates in the logo, which merges Gucci’s double-G with Palace’s Tri-Ferg.
The result is an inspiring collection of high-end streetwear, which bears the signature of two modern and acclaimed brands that have discovered new sides of themselves together. JW

www.gucci.com
www.palaceskateboards.com

Fashion

Alexander McQueen presents SS23

During an exceptional fashion show amid the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Alexander McQueen introduced its Spring Summer collection 2023. Within the collection, Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton explored the search for humanity as well as human connection. “The eye is a symbol of that humanity, a register of emotion, an expression of uniqueness.”, she says. The clothing items in the collection are designated to have an empowering effect on their wearers, which is why the designs focus on cut, drape, and bold silhouettes. In order to create the magnificent pieces, Sarah Burton gathered inspiration from the Dutch Painter Hieronymus Bosch, whose works are attached to the late Gothic as well as the Renaissance. The creative director was deeply fascinated by the dark yet beautiful paintings, from which she took on some elements for the collection.
High-profile models such as Naomi Campbell walked the circular runway, presenting black leather pieces, white mesh bodysuits, trenchcoats, cropped tailored jackets, and many more extraordinary garments in a rich color palette. In front of internationally renowned celebrities, including Janet Jackson, Sheila Atim, and Christopher Kane, they put together a magical show, perfectly staging the elegant clothing items. JW

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

Hublot and Shepard Fairey present a harmonious watch design

Cooperated for the first time in 2018, Hublot and Shepard Fairey now return with a fascinating collaboration, exclusively available in North America. As the internationally renowned street art artist aligns with Hublot’s spirit of crossing boundaries and setting new limits, the collaboration came naturally to both of them. In various fields, the artistic all-round talent and founder of the fashion brand OBEY Clothing was able to achieve success. He gained particular notoriety for his poster Obama Hope from 2008 or the large-scale installation Earth Crisis from 2015, the first-ever installation to be seen on the Eiffeltower.
To follow up on the last collaboration between Shepard Fairey and the Swiss luxury watch brand from 2020, they choose again a model from the Classic Fusion-Collection. This time, Shepard embellishes it with a mandala, to which the watch’s elements are attached. Distinguished by its all-black design, it consists of a chronograph movement, a ceramic case, and Hublot's classic black rubber strap as well as sapphire glass that covers the bottom of the case. The mandala, the core of the outstanding design and significant to Fairey’s work, exudes harmony, as it connects the artistic skills of the two exceptional cooperation partners. JW

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Gucci presents Valigeria imagery with Ryan Gosling

For the Gucci Savoy collection, creative director Alessandro Michele and photographer Glen Luchford created an imagery which takes us into a reality-adjacent dream of a present built on the possibilities of the imagination and of an encounter. Featuring actor, screenwriter, director and musician Ryan Gosling, the collection’s images and video follow him and the exceptional Gucci suitcases on a journey to surprising places and fantastical worlds, which are first and foremost mental places, as Michele explains.
The narrative depicted is not unfamiliar to the maison’s history: At the beginning of the 20th century Gucci’s founder Guccio Gucci left Italy when he was seventeen years old and started working at The Savoy hotel in London. Getting a taste of the magical world of travel, which back then was synonymous with discovery, discussion and cultural exchange, the young Florentine transferred this experience of the unexpected into his work, that is his first suitcases. Honoring this first part of Gucci’s rich history, the trolleys, hard and soft suitcases, duffle bags, trunks, hat boxes and beauty cases of the Savoy collection get to tell the a story of possibilities in the Gucci Valigeria imagery, as they are more than containers, but repositories of dreams. JW

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Stone Island launches exclusive pieces for its 40th anniversary

This year marks a special anniversary for the Italian fashion brand Stone Island. 40 years ago, the international and avant-gardistic label was founded, presenting streetwear, fashion, and luxury in a unique mix from the beginning. First worn and acclaimed by the Milanese paninari, a subculture of the 80s, Stone Island soon found its way to fashion lovers all around the world. To celebrate this significant anniversary, the brand launched a series of garments within the Autumn Winter 2022 2023 collection. For the core of this special collection, the brand chose to revamp the iconic 982 Tela Stella Cape. Distinguished by a new choice of fabric, it is composed of two materials. The outer one references a fabric from the Stone Island archives and is called MICROFELT WITH RIPSTOP COVER. Protecting the outside due to a translucent polyurethane cover with a ripstop motif, it consists of a very light non-woven fabric made out of compact nylon fibers, creating a paper-like effect. The fabric that lies underneath is crafted in woolen cloth. An additional anorak is fabricated in the same materials as it further incorporates the PrimaLoft Silver padding, which is an exclusive 100% recycled blend. The exceptional materials used for these garments mirror Stone Island’s demand for itself to provide high-quality, which it consistently followed for the past 40 years. JW

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles teams up with Post Malone

Over one year ago, Canadian luxury outerwear label Moose Knuckles and Global superstar Post Malone started working on an exciting collaboration behind closed curtains. Now, the 10-piece gender-neutral capsule collection is finally out. As someone experimental who expresses himself through his inventive style, Post Malone seems to fit perfectly with the rebellious spirit of Moose Knuckles. He explains: “This partnership with Moose Knuckles felt super organic from the beginning. The collection is about celebrating and doing things your own way based on your natural instincts.” Composed of iconic Moose Knuckles silhouettes, the collection includes amongst others the 3Q jacket reworked in Realtree camouflage print in black and customized golden yellow. Furthermore, the collection is characterized by further customized design details such as all-black metal hardware, zippers, and a special edition logo on the above-mentioned 3Q jacket. Beyond that, the insulating “Bunny” hoodie in black sherpa, equipped with a detachable lamb shearling hood is featured in the collection alongside a matching sherpa jacket and jogger. In terms of accessories, the collaboration offers a sherpa baseball cap adorned with a new logo patch. For the first time in a collaboration, Moose Knuckles will also include the 3Q for children, providing the whole family with the eye-catching collection. JW

www.mooseknuckles.com

Fashion

ICEBERG presents its Fall Winter 22-23 collection Back in Black!

ICEBERG’s new Fall Winter 2022-2023 collection for men and women welcomes the cold seasons of the year in its unprecedented black aesthetic. Designed by the brand’s creative director James Long, the collection embodies his vision of “traveling without moving and being present and visible without being physically there”. Portraying the Italian chill, a lot of the garments link traditional dress codes with outerwear thus making them more suitable for fall and winter.
The collection stands out with unique clothing items, such as heavy leather jackets and elegant jumpsuits, combining exciting cut variations in their catchy appearance. One of the highlights of the ICEBERG Fall Winter 2022-2023 collection is the eco-leather embellished jacket for women, which features a lurex entwined furry collar alongside crystals, rounded studs, and Iceberg logo engraved buttons. Exuding to the spirit of the brand, its name ICEBERG is spelt out on both sleeves with rounded gunmetal studs. Also in terms of accessories, James Long delights with his new creations. The Black Square Base Heeled Boots are particularly striking and essential to every woman’s wardrobe. Defined by clean and elegant lines, these pointed-toe boots have an exceptional stiletto heel with a square base. JW

www.iceberg.com

Fashion

Bulgari presents the SS23 Leather Goods & Accessories collection at MFW

Bulgari presented its new Spring Summer 2023 Leather Goods & Accessories collection during Milan Fashion Week. In its Milanese home, the enchanting Bulgari Hotel the renowned jeweler set up a showroom and furthermore hosted an evening event there. Under the title “Shades of Wonder”, Bulgari showcased a world of vibrant nuances, testifying to the brand’s captivating creativity and unrivaled mastery. More than 400 members of the international press joined the showroom to explore the new Spring Summer 2023 collection which is defined by intense colors inspired by the most precious gems.
These colors and gems were mirrored by the garden of the Bulgari Hotel at sunset, which lit up thanks to the light installation “PRECIOUS SHADES” by Studio Mandalaki. The special optical bodies of the Halo Edition lights appeared just like the rare stones incorporated in Bulgari’s fine jewelry, creating a unique and magical atmosphere in the midst of the buzzing city of Milan. It thus evoked a both visual and sensory experience which is liked to the concepts of the new collection. JW

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

Prada’s SS23 shifts between realities

Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons showcased a sequence of realities for the Prada Spring/Summer 2023 womenswear collection, titled Touch Of Crude, and presented during Milan Fashion Week. The collection investigates the contrast between delicacy and roughness, shifting between different visions and alternate realities. Some of the garments mirror the show space, a black panopticon, as they are made of a paper-based fabric, torn against the body. Intentional rifts, twists, creases, and folds define and shape many of the collection’s pieces as they depict traces of human life and memories of beauty. It is this rawness that evokes fragility, reflecting humanity as reality.
Day and evening clothes alternate and blur the lines between distinct realities, fusing opera coats with leather jackets and intimate loungewear with outwear. Continuing with accessories, Prada presents reinterpretations of classic Prada handbag silhouettes in an antique nappa and with patinated, pressed, and wrinkled surfaces.
For the fashion show Film director, Nicolas Winding Refn presented fragments of his short films through raw apertures punched through the décor, giving the audience the opportunity to look into a different reality, remaining in the context of the Touch of Crude collection. JW

www.prada.com

Fashion

FENDI SS 23 goes back to the 2000’s

For Fendi’s Spring/ Summer 2023 collection, presented during Milan Fashion Week, Kim Jones dived into the brand’s prestigious history. That is, he freshly approached previous collections and gathered inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld’s work for Fendi. He explains: “It’s about continuity. I am interested in looking at things that Karl has done, and seeing, how we can develop them - both visually and technically.” In the course of this, the designer reimagined a floral print of the Fendi archives as well as a logo from the year 2000.
The garments are reminiscent of the time around the turn of the millennium as they link minimalist ease with pop-infused eclecticism. Both effortless and refined are the floating layers of technical organza as well as the nylon jersey adorned with lacquered embroidery. While the collection is kept in neutral tones, Jones added bold pops of colors in vibrant pink, blue and green. Furthermore, the fabrics which include cashmere, fur, and leather appear lighter than ever before, layered with technical fabrics. In terms of accessories, Fendi presents a Peekaboo in a revamped variation. Sliced in half, revealing the mechanisms of the bag, it becomes the key accessory of the new season. JW

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Stone Island presents the Shadow Project

For the cold seasons of the year, Stone Island presents the Shadow Project Fall Winter ‘022 ‘023. Adapting to the needs of winter, the collection focuses its features on a more functional aspect. As the designs are divided into two chapters, the Shadow Project celebrates the traditional value of truthfulness. In this sense, the collection also testifies to the fact that Stone Island is eager to innovate and venture into unfamiliar territories while remaining truthful to the brand’s core.
The garments are distinguished by their choice of material, which reflects the thought process and the honest idea behind the project. As Stone Island decided on seasonal fabrics, which can be described as rough, unpretentious, and industrial, it paid extra attention to the functionality, warmth, and comfort of the clothing items. The color palette is distinguished by neutral shades which emphasize the special feel of the materials. The two chapters mentioned above differentiate in their color spaces. Hence, chapter two presents clothing characterized by a spectrum of reds, from rustic orange to warm berry. All in all, this results in a coherent overall picture of appealing and high-quality pieces that fit perfectly into the upcoming season. JW

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Uncut Gem

Raw sex appeal and lingering subtlety. The cologne which Frédéric Malle created in collaboration with the perfume legend Maurice Roucel exudes a unique and warm charm. Uncut Gem is the name of the beautiful and irresistible scent, which reinvents the idea of a masculine perfume. It took Frédéric Malle five years to persuade Maurice Roucel to work with him on this chic scent, which revolves around the renowned perfumer himself. Echoing his uncompromising, bold character as well as his technical brilliance, Uncut Gem depicts a very personal, even autobiographical cologne. “He seems rough around the edges at first glance,” says Malle, “but it’s a deliberate choice! He’s a force: incredibly refined intellectually and filled with humor and love of people. I’m not the only one who thought that he smelled good, but I am the only one he’d work with to evolve the scent from a rough sketch into something refined” As one of his first collaborations, Frédéric Malle offered total creative freedom to Roucel while remaining an overarching sensibility.
Notes of ginger, bergamot, mandarin, angelica root, and nutmeg top off the core of the perfume, which is composed of a leathery accord, vetiver, frankincense as well as amber, resulting in a straightforward and enigmatic perfume. JW

www.fredericmalle.com

Art

Unseen celebrates its 10th edition

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the international photography fair Unseen is returning to Amsterdam. For this special occasion, 70 galleries, 65 publishers, and 12 special projects gather on the Westergasterrein in the Dutch capital. Creating an epicenter of the international world of photography, the event is defined by its intimate atmosphere and its high quality. The group of participants is composed of long-standing Dutch galleries such as Galerie Ron Mandos which presents photographs of Erwin Olaf and newcomers like Bitforms Gallery which specializes in digital art. International contributions are also made by the Indian gallery Nature Morte and the Robert Morat Galerie from Berlin. This year, Unseen presents for the first time NFTs, as it explores the innovative offering of the digital art world. Investigating the boundaries of the photographic medium, the prestigious fair also shows works of various artists in the exhibition UNBOUND. The Book Market showcases photography and art books of independent and international publishers, featuring a new Book Award in collaboration with GOST Books. Director Roderick van der Lee explains: "This year we have worked closely with several galleries to present this 10th edition of Unseen, making another global reflection of the latest developments in art photography, which has worked out very well. With 70 galleries from 16 countries, including the US, Mexico, Morocco, India, Iran, and South Africa, this edition (presents) an inspiring picture of the direction in which the art form is moving.”
The photography fair Unseen will take place from the 15th to the 18th of September, 2022 at Westergas in Amsterdam. JW

ERWIN OLAF
Kleines Requiem VI, 2022
Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Ron Mandos

www.unseenamsterdam.com

Cinema

Cartier returns as the official partner of the Venice Film Festival

For the second year in a row, the French Maison Cartier returned as the official partner for the 79th Venice Film Festival “Biennale Cinema 2022”. This partnership, which started in the year 2021, manifests Cartier’s deep passion for art, in particular film. As part of its initiative, Cartier presented the “Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award”, which went to film director, writer, and producer Walter Hill. His new movie Dead For A Dollar, starring Christoph Waltz, Willem Dafoe, Rachel Brosnahan, and Benjamin Bratt premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Furthermore, Cartier is hosting the “Cartier Art Dialogues”, two master classes that highlight the interaction between film and music. Promoting art and culture is deeply rooted in the French Maison's history as Cartier pieces are featured in a variety of world-famous films and can be seen on red carpets around the world, worn by icons such as Grace Kelly and Josette Day. For this reason, Cartier decided to organize an exhibition, showcasing jewels from the Cartier Collection, during the Biennale. Beyond the borders of the Festival, Cartier also engages in other projects in Venice to not only preserve the cultural heritage of the glorious city but also to support the ongoing development of its cultural life. Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Arnaud Carrez explains: "Dialogues with the art world have always been a source of creative inspiration for the Maison. (...) Our collaboration with the Mostra is a new opportunity to bridge between all the artistic disciplines that are close to our hearts". JW

www.labiennale.org
www.cartier.com

Fashion

Neo.Fashion. promotes young designers at Berlin Fashion Week

Neo.Fashion. returned to Berlin Fashion Week this season for its 6th edition, promoting aspiring talents and fashion designers. As a hybrid event, Neo. Fashion. presented shows as well as a showroom at Reinbeckhallen in Berlin. In the course of the event, graduate shows took place, in which ten universities presented designs of their most promising students. In this context, over 80 graduates got the chance to show their garments to a larger audience. This also included the digital Graduate Show, which introduced 12 graduates of the National University of Technology and Design Kiev, showing ongoing support for Ukrainian fashion designers while the country remains at war with Russia. Once again the Neo.Fashion. Awards have been given to the best German fashion design graduates as part of the Best Graduates Show. One of the lucky winners is Nanyi Li, who won in the category Best Sustainability Concept. For this edition, Neo. Fashion. is also launching its new format, titled Aspiring Designers to further support young creatives. The new format includes collective fashion shows, panel talks, and workshops, helping aspiring talents to find an entry into the industry. Stephan Schwarz, Senator of Economic Affairs, Energy and Operation says: “I am very pleased that Neo. Fashion. focuses on young fashion designers and promotes them sustainably. Neo.Fashion. has become an important format at Berlin Fashion Week. We want to use it to support the international visibility of graduates and up-an-coming designers and also underline how important the development of the creative scene in Berlin is to us.” JW

www.neofashion.de

Fashion

MARTAN recycles Hotel textiles

The sustainable brand MARTAN opened Amsterdam Fashion Week in the Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam. The hotel not only served as a location for the event but also as a major inspiration and as the fabric supplier for the collection. MARTAN is known for using luxury hotel textiles, which it transforms into colorful garments.
Built 107 years ago and known as “Het Scheepvaarthuis”, the hotel’s architecture and history are referenced in the collection. For instance, the iconic railing of the hotel inspired a print and the tiling of the floor influenced the design of the earrings. Another pattern is distinguished by the motif of wavy lines which can also be found in the silhouettes of the clothing items, imitating the flow of the oceans. The trenchcoats are a highlight of the collection, defined by their shiny coating. Ranging from soft shades of pink, blue, and camel to bold colors of Green and Fuchsia, the color palette provides an exciting and refreshing contrast. It is almost impossible to tell that these garments are fabricated in old hotel linen. For Fashion Week director Char Li Chung created a story of people traveling to different destinations. Worn by models and actors such as Susan Visser and Joes Brauers, the collection and the fashion show represents the history of the Amrâth, the event's core. JW

www.martan-official.com

Art

Prada exhibits Who the Bær by Simon Fujiwara

First shown at Fondazione Prada’s Milan venue in 2021, the Italian brand now presents the exhibition Who the Bær by Simon Fujiwara at the Prada Aoyama Tokyo. At the center of the exhibition is the cartoon bear Who, a completely undefined personality, who takes on the chaotic journey through a “Whoniverse” of images in order to find and shape their identity. Simon Fujiwara created this character as a mirror of our society, which is obsessed with finding one’s true self. Thus, Fujiwara and Who explore a variety of current topics, ranging from climate change to plastic surgery.
Inspired by fantasy literature, the artist lets Who’s story begin with the question “Who is Who?”, depicted on a collage in the form of a book cover. He continues with a stop frame animation titled “Hello Who?” posing philosophical, authenticity questions to the cartoon bear. The exhibition also includes childlike drawings which show how Who is able to change his identity at any given moment, referring to today’s logic of social media. In this manner, the bear continues his journey of self discovery.
The artwork reveals a paradox of our society as we strive for fantasy and authenticity all at the same time. Reflecting the real world by leading the audience through his fantastical and sometimes disturbing universe is significant to Fujiwara’s body of work.
The exhibition Who The Bær by Simon Fujiwara will be open to the public from October 15th, 2022 to January 30th, 2023 at Prada Aoyama Tokyo. JW

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

SF1OG presents UNTITLED

During Berlin Fashion Week the young label SF1OG presented its latest collection called UNTITLED. In a world of increasing disconnection and artificial realities, fashion designer and founder Rosa M. Dahl wanted to create something that revolves around craftsmanship, referring to material, tools and method. The collection is based on a personal experience from Dahl’s childhood, which inspired the way she approached the collection: When she was growing up, Rosa M. Dahl used to create sculptures together with her father in his studio. Made out of material remnants and found objects, these joint projects taught her the importance of craft, timeinvestement and concept. Within UNTITLED, materiality plays an important role, as it is the source of inspiration and attaches imperfect yet exciting notes to the designs. To complete the outfits presented, SF1OG partnered up with Converse and Sides Step. They supplied the Berlin-based label with various converse styles, such as the Chuck Taylor All Star Terrain.
The fashion show took place at the Feuerle Collection, which used to be a telecommunications bunker during the Second World War. Later it was renovated by British architect John Pawson. The space exhibits contemporary art pieces alongside ancient Asian works, creating a dialogue between different eras and cultures as well as a unique energy. The artworks presented blend in with the fashion collection’s themes of material and contemporary witness. JW

www.sf1og.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Sofia Pashaei at Ballon Rouge

On the occasion of Brussels Gallery Weekend Ballon Rouge is presenting Sofia Pashaei’s first solo exhibition Meaning in the off hours.
The exhibition is showing paintings, which revolve around relationships individuals have with themselves and other people. An important component in the settings portrayed is time. It is depicted in the change of architecture and objects decorating the scene, creating a narrative which then again takes time to fully grasp. Seamlessly and smoothly, the Swedish artist paints interiors and pieces of furniture transitioning in one another, thus a couch can become a bathtub and so on. In these sceneries Pashaei refers to human identities, which can be similarly structured as many dissonant, but woven rooms. Hence, the architecture depicts splitted identities, common for families of immigrants. Nevertheless, a room or a house holds and reveals all parts of the identity of the person living there. In many cases the painter uses the same symbolism in her works, such as a toy-like bird silhouette which represents childhood. Another popular one is the lemon, referring to the saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. Depicted in various ways, the meanings differ from one to the other, for example a halved lemon symbolizes a secret gladly revealed. Touching the heel of a foot or the mouth, the lemon shows the supporting yet inhibiting effect of the changing form of one’s identity.
The exhibition Meaning in the off hours by Sofia Pashaei will be open to the public from September 8th to October 23rd, 2022 at Ballon Rouge in Brussels. JW

SOFIA PASHAEI
The Blue Room, 2022
Oil on linen, 80 x 60 cm
Photo credit: Seppe Lewaut
Courtesy of the artist and Ballon Rouge, Brussels

www.ballonrougecollective.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Xavier Mary at Baronian

As one of the longstanding participants of the Brussels Gallery Weekend, Baronian once again opens an exhibition of contemporary art in the course of the event. This year the gallery shows the works of Belgian artist Xavier Mary (1982). In his solo show Black Hole Sun, the artist investigates the discrepancy between spiritual dimensions and modern society in a conceptual and poetic manner.
His works combine mythological and technological elements, making them seem to be located in the past, the present, and the future at the same time. Reflecting on modern civilization, humankind, and consumer culture, the artist takes a critical stance toward our industrialized world. The inspiration for his exhibits originated from his travels through Southeast Asia, where he experienced both spirituality and highly innovative technology. The ancient architecture and mechanics of the sculptors, as well as the contrast between the vibrant cities and the untouched nature of the jungles, fascinated him deeply. Xavier Mary combined these impressions in his post-industrial sculpture and post-apocalyptic, mythical realism, creating art of absurd cleverness and technological motorized skills.
The exhibition Black Hole Sun by Xavier Mary will be open to the public from September 8th to October 8th, 2022 at Baronian in Brussels. JW

XAVIER MARY
3x Bouddha
Courtesy of the artist and Baronian Brussels

www.baronian.eu

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Andrea Büttner at Jan Mot

In the course of Brussels Gallery Weekend, Andrea Büttner is showing the second part of her exhibition Painted Ceiling and Floor at Jan Mot.
The German artist had previously shown the first part of this exhibition in an art gallery in London in the year of 2019. This time however, the artwork, a painted ceiling, rather resembles a painted grid. Büttner had already shown such a grid in another gallery the previous year. The artist's main focus is to show ceiling painting as the connecting element between architecture and painting. Furthermore, her works are reminiscent of Romanesque chapels, where the ceiling paintings have a special significance for the viewer's experience. Besides the ceiling, the floor of the gallery also becomes a work of art, as it is also painted by Büttner. In doing so the artist wants to entice a change of view from top to bottom since she is particularly interested in this kind of movement as a social and economic condition as well as one part of doing labor.
The exhibition Painted Ceiling and Floor by Andrea Büttner will be open to the public from September 8th to October 29th, 2022 at the gallery Jan Mot in Brussels. JW

ANDREA BÜTTNER
Painted Ceiling and Floor
Vue d’installation Jan Mot in Brussels (detail), 2022 
Photo credit: Philippe De Gobert
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Mot, Brussels

www.janmot.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta shows craft in motion

Exchange and teamwork are at the core of the imagery for Bottega Veneta’s Winter 22 collection. Gaining new perspectives on the brand and the collection from one another, creative director Matthieu Blazy brought together a cross-generational cast, composed of different fields, such as photography, cinematography, and modeling. In doing so, the creation of the imagery reflects the tradition and history of the luxury brand, as Blazy puts it himself: “Bottega Veneta was created by a collective of artisans. This is the history and this is how we approached (the project) (...), with many different ways of seeing.” The series consists of 41 still and moving images mainly shot on film. Since the imagery was produced over several weeks, the participating talents were able to form deeper connections, leading to an exciting exchange which then again enriched the outcome of the project. Some of them have never worked in fashion before, others have a long history in it, hence the images link fresh and more experienced approaches to presenting the collection. Exploring the intimate, yet carefully constructed space between the creation and the capture of a moment, the images are distinguished by Blazy’s notion of craft. They portray the true character of the brand, composed of movement and pragmatism as well as high quality and luxury. JW

www.bottegaveneta.com

Art

Johan Tahon exhibits sculptures from another dimension

During his upcoming exhibition RAY, the Belgian artist Johan Tahon offers new insights into his work, which he displays in the gallery Gerhard Hofland. To create his art, Tahon draws inspiration from his own life and environment as well as his subconsciousness. His sculptures seem like creatures from another, superordinate world who have been instructed to deliver messages and truths, while also posing fundamental questions to humanity. An ancient atmosphere builds up around them, making them seem intense and kinetic but also strange as if they do not belong here. Fragile and yet tremendous, the sculptures are defined by their uneven surface, covered in hand-mixed glazes of a glowing palette of blue, white, and silver. Tahon explores the boundaries between the subconscious, our empirical world, and the beyond, resulting in timeless artifacts, distinguished by their deep gravity and vigorous materiality. In his work, he moves closer and closer to a universal essence echoing the human urge to create a larger meaning. The artworks by Johan Tahon involve the audience in a special aura, inviting it to reflect, contemplate and understand or even discover one’s own person.
The exhibition RAY will be open to the public from September 2nd to October 8th, 2022 at the gallery Gerhard Hofland in Amsterdam. JW

www.gerhardhofland.com

Fashion

Borbonese opens boutique in Porto Cervo

After having a pop-up tour in Germany, the Italian bag and accessory brand Borbonese now opens up a new boutique in Porto Cervo for the summer months. In the enchanting town of the Italian island of Sardinia, where the high society of Europe likes to enjoy its vacation, the brand unfolds a new concept, which will later be adopted for further openings. The concept consists of combining elements of a boutique with elements of an art gallery, thus creating a unique retail experience and content conveyor. For this matter, the brand has furnished the selling room with sustainable furniture, which can later be changed in position and composition to display the bags in different ways. As LED videos and neon elements round off the appearance of the store, a real and at the same time virtual experience emerges.
The boutique will present new models from the Fall Winter 2022 collection, including the Epoque and 011, as well as the Strapcycle line of last season, made of a special and completely recycled polyester canvas by using Italian techniques of fishing and weaving. Alessandro Pescara, CEO of Borbonese explains that the brand chose Porto Cervo as the location, as it represents the brand’s most important values, “creativity, digital innovation, sustainability without neglecting the historical heritage of the brand.” JW

www.borbonese.com

Fashion

UNDERCOVER meets Eastpak

For its latest collection, US bag brand Eastpak collaborated with Japanese designer and founder of UNDERCOVER Jun Takahashi. To capture the unique spirit, heritage, and outlook of both brands, the Tokyo-based designer created packs that combine military utility with urban subculture in three highly functional styles. Made from recycled materials in various, bold monochromes and emblazoned with the words “Chaos/ Balance”, the collection gives a unique overall picture.
The UC Padded Doubl’r stands out not only for its striking colors but also due to its high functionality as it is equipped with a padded laptop sleeve, inner and outer zippered pockets, and other smart details. For this piece, Takahashi chose to also create a version in UC Black Denim that deviates from the usual monochromes, used for this collection. The UC Crossbody, which can also be worn around the waist, is characterized by its zippered main compartment, inside stash pocket, and detachable shoulder/ waist strap. Finally, the UC Stand+ makes a great travel companion. It is fabricated from recycled lining, binding, and webbing and comes with a padded laptop sleeve and removable shoulder strap, thus joining the whole collection in its functionality and cool effortlessness. JW

www.eastpak.com
www.undercoverism.com

Fashion

MCM launches new Travia Bags

German luxury brand MCM just launched its new Travia Bag in different designs and colors. Made out of high-quality lamb leather, the bag meets the brand’s high standards of craftsmanship and materiality. Its different models are suitable for everyday life, thus bringing timeless elegance into one’s daily routine. Adorned by the brand’s architecturally inspired logo, depicting the three capital letters MCM in 24 karat gold edged in a ring, the Travia Bag exudes true class.
The series shoulder bag takes the center stage of the launch, alongside its little sister, the Travia crossbody bag, which appears just as noble, whether with a gold chain or a leather strap. The latter version includes a little leather pouch in the same color as the bag. As a complementary accessory, it can carry Airpods or similar-sized valuable items. Furthermore, there are two sizes to choose from, ranging from mini to small.
Each design of the chic leather goods is available in bold pink, classic black, or neutral beige. While setting varying accents, the differently colored and shaped models are united in evoking “Old Hollywood Glam”. Thus, the elegant designs have real potential to become true It-bags. JW

www.mcm.com

Art

"Come Home Again" by Es Devlin highlights London's endangered wildlife

British artist Es Devlin has teamed up with Cartier and the London Wildlife Trust to present a large-scale public artwork in the Tate Modern Garden in central London. “Come home again” draws attention to the 243 most endangered species of London’s Wildlife, including insects, birds, and plants. The illuminated sculpture depicts a sliced open-scale model of the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedrale, swarmed with Devlin’s pencil drawing of each of the living creatures. The visitors are invited to participate in the artwork, as QR-Codes within the choral tiers will guide them to more information about London’s wildlife. Thus, the artist aims to motivate the visitors to further engage with the issue presented. Furthermore, London-based Choral groups will accompany the artwork each evening at sunset with an interpretation of Choral Evensong, a kind of sung evening prayer. Devlin combines the singing with the voices and sounds of the species, illustrating London as the interconnected web of species and cultures that it is. In doing so, Devlin wants to build a connection between London’s residents and the non-human inhabitants of the British capital.
Cyrille Vigneron, CEO of Cartier, explains that “Art and creativity are important in order to talk about today’s world in a human and touching way. Coming Home Again represents how we can be inspired by the beauty of the world wherever it may be”.
The exhibition will be open to the public from the 16th to the 25th of September 2022. JW

www.wildlondon.org.uk
www.cartier.com

Fashion

The New Gucci Décor Collection

Over the past years, the world has become aware of the importance of the home, as a space of peace, which should radiate a sense of peace. Not just a place to rest, but a place of comfort in line with one's own taste. In this sense, the new Gucci Décor Collection is providing an eclectic selection of decorative homeware which will offer customers the opportunity to dress their living space with the compelling visual narrative of Gucci’s contemporary romanticism. By introducing new forms of archival floral print and animal totems, this new collection brings the physical and spiritual beauty of nature to the home. Romantic and whimsical, each piece is a unique objet d’art perfect to accentuate one’s living space according to one’s individual taste, keeping in line with the House’s spirit of self-expression. It is a surprising and joyous juxtaposition of hues, patterns and designs, which forge new connections between previous opposites. The campaign envisioned by Alessandro Michele and realized with photographer Max Siedentopf perfectly encapsulates the Gucci Décor items' natural iconography through a mise-en-scène in the pristine setting of a topiary garden. The lighthearted landscape with its lush greens provides the ideal poetic setting from which the natural curiosities seen throughout the collection can faithfully emerge.

The Gucci Décor Collection will be released gradually in select Gucci boutiques across the globe and online.

www.gucci.com

Art

"The Age / L'Età" by Emma Talbot, Winner of the 8th Edition of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women

Since 2005, Max Mara and Whitechapel Gallery have partnered up to award the Max Mara Art Prize for Women. This is a biannual award supporting UK-based female artists who previously have not had a major solo exhibition, with the goal of promoting female artists and providing them with a platform. As part of the prize, each winning artist is awarded a six-month bespoke residency in Italy organized by Collezione Maramotti in order to create new works and evolve as an artist. Emma Talbot was the winner of the 8th edition of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women. Following her win, Talbot spent her six-month residency in Italy researching textile craftsmanship, permaculture, classical mythology and exploring the countless historic sites and institutions. The resulting body of works of this time is entitled “The Age / L’Età”, which is now on display at the Whitechapel Gallery in London. This new body of work explores the topics of representation and ageing, power and governance, and attitudes towards nature. It is a mixture of different mediums and materials, combining animation, free-hanging painted silk panels, three-dimensional work and drawings. Talbot taught herself animation during the lockdown and the resulting 12-chapter animation is a central part of her exhibition. Inspired by the Twelve Labors of Hercules, her protagonist also has to overcome a series of trials. But different to Hercules, who employed methods of destruction, theft, deceit and murder to overcome his obstacles, her protagonist finds solutions inspired by the 12 principles of permaculture, a practice of living sustainably and ethically with the land.

The exhibition “The Age/L’Età” by Emma Talbot was curated by Laura Smith in collaboration with Wells Fray-Smith and Bina von Stauffenberg and is on display at the Whitechapel Gallery in London until September 4th, 2022. Afterwards, the exhibition will travel to Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia from October 23rd 2022 until February 19th, 2023.

www.collezionemaramotti.org

Fashion

HUBLOT LOVES SUMMER

The summer has finally started. With the rising temperatures, many of us are flocking to Europe’s favourite beach resorts to spend a relaxed summer holiday or in search of new summer adventures. Either way, one should never come unprepared without the perfect accessory in the form of a timeless Hublot timepiece. Inspired by three legendary summer destinations, St. Tropez, Capri and Ibiza, to which Hublot also sails with its pop-up boutiques, the Swiss watchmaker now presents three limited editions, made from Hublot ceramic, the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Capri Boutique, the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Blue Ibiza Boutique and the Big Bang Unico St-Tropez Boutique. Each of these three editions dives into the blues, each shining in a distinct shade of this truly essential and endless versatile colour. Each of these distinct shades of blue reflects the destinations by which these limited edition timepieces were inspired. The Big Bang Unico St-Tropez Boutique, limited to 30 pieces, mirrors the turquoise blue seas and the sky of this seaside citadel echoing the colours of Tahiti and Pampelonne beach. The Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Blue Ibiza Boutique, limited to 50 pieces, shines in colours that echo the island’s white walls and the deep blue of the horizon from Cala Conta, the contrasting shades underneath the boats moored at Cala Saladeta and the seabed at Cala Xarraca. The last of the three, the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Capri Boutique, also limited to 50 pieces, reflect the magic of the turquoise waters of the Grotta Azzurra contrasted with the dark grey of the grotto. Each of these three timepieces evokes the essence of the places which have inspired them, and they represent Hublot’s invitation to rest your feet on dry land, whilst fully admiring the sea.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Cartier announced new Amsterdam Boutique

Cartier is synonymous with luxury with each of its pieces symbolizing the convergence between exceptional craftsmanship and timeless signature. Open-minded and ever curious, its creations reveal beauty wherever it may be found. This philosophy has been realized by the supreme craftsmen and artisans who translate each design into immaculate examples of jewelry, high jewelry or watchmaking. For 45 years, these resulting pieces have charmed residents and visitors of Amsterdam with its first boutique in the famous P.C. Hoofstraat opening in 1994. This winter, Cartier is opening its new boutique at P.C. Hoofstraat 129, an open window to a world of style and timeless design. The design of the boutique is not solely inspired by Cartier’s heritage, but also by the unique atmosphere of the Dutch capital. About this special occasion, Valérie Ahner Boudier, Managing Director Cartier Benelux & Nordics, states, “When the iconic red box arrived in the Netherlands, it created a ripple effect between the people and the unique savoir-faire of the Maison that still echoes through the city today. Cartier’s designs connect people in an unforgettable manner. The new boutique will be an open window to timeless design, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship. A perfect reflection of Cartier’s distinctive blend of traditions and innovation.”

The new Cartier boutique will open this winter at P.C. Hoofstraat 129 in Amsterdam. Until the opening of the new store, the current Cartier boutique will remain open.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Stone Island Prototype Research_Series 06_Dévoré with Kevlar Core

Stone Island has long been amongst the most innovative and forward-thinking brands when it comes to textile research. From its beginnings, the brand has positioned itself as a symbol of extreme research of fibres and textiles utilized in innovative designs, gaining a loyal following throughout the decades. With the Prototype Research Series, Stone Island now offers the opportunity to acquire pieces that feature fabrics or treatments born from research and experimentation processes that have not yet been industrialized. Only available in very limited numbers, this series represents and embodies the cutting-edge research for which Stone Island has gained prominence. For the sixth edition of the Prototype Research Series, the brand now offers its Short Fishtail Parka in Dévoré With Kevlar Core, a fabric resulting from the close collaboration between R&D and the Stone Island research and experimentation department. For this piece, a fine Kevlar yarn is covered in cotton, which is, in turn, disintegrated through the dévoré printing technique, revealing an all-over pattern in a Kevlar characteristic yellow color, resembling a technical lace. These are then treated with resin to add texture and strengthen the fibres.

The Series 06_Dévoré with Kevlar Core will be exclusively available on their website starting June 12th, 2022.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

CHANEL Haute Couture FW2022/23

For Virginie Viard, the FW 2022/23 Haute Couture collection was a continuation of the previous show, a fact underlined by artist Xavier Veilhan returning to collaborate with the French Maison for the second time in a row. This time, he is also joined by Sébastien Tellier and Charlotte Casiraghi. Throughout the show, one could see the instantly recognizable and familiar CHANEL elements such as the tweed or the suiting, and one could feel the influence of her two predecessors. Yet, Viard achieved to make the collection her own, taking references and inspiration from the works of Mademoiselle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld as a starting point to transform the pieces through her own vision. By working together closely with extraordinary makers and textile designers, this collection is defined by its interplay of textures, the masterful use of different materials and the gentle flow of perfect pleats which move just beautifully as they are elegant. Each piece bears witness and is an ode to the extraordinary savoir-faire of the CHANEL ateliers, the skilful hands of the craftspeople who mastered their craft, as well as the fournisseurs who supply the French Maison with the textiles, accessories and embellishments of unparalleled quality.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton announces newest House Ambassador: Cate Blanchett

Louis Vuitton already has an impressive roster of brand ambassadors from all over the world, covering all different fields, ranging from the worlds of sports to cinema and entertainment. Now, yet another big name is announced as the French Maison’s newest house ambassador, iconic actress Cate Blanchette. For this reason, the Australian actress is captured by Sølve Sundsbø, featuring Louis Vuitton’s latest High Jewellery collection, Spirit, in an expressive and enchanting series of portraits. Cate Blanchette, synonymous with elegance and charm, is not only a perfect match for Francesca Amfitheatrof’s creations, as she is an effortless embodiment of the collection’s themes of liberty, fantasy, grace, radiance and destiny, but she is also a personification of the timeless and modern Louis Vuitton woman. As Blanchett puts it herself, “I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to collaborate with Louis Vuitton - a truly iconic House with an enormous cultural reach. To wear the magnificent pieces created by Francesca Amfitheatrof is a bedazzling pleasure, and Nicolas Ghesquiere, as ever, amazes and inspires me.”

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Versace Resort 2023 Collection

Versace Resort 2023 Collection exudes fresh young energy. Designed to address the new generation, it combines a rebellious spirit with clubby acid florals. In a game of contrasts, hard and soft, masculine and feminine, formal and playful, the collection shows Versace’s true essence. The Italian brand has presented a series of new outfits where clothes are paired in unusual ways. Floral chiffon dresses with 3D flower embroidery and jersey tops in Versace logo print are juxtaposed under biker-inspired dresses and jackets, as well as ultra-square shouldered tailoring is layered over sportswear pieces. Then, the collection continues featuring pinstripe cargo pants and studded washed-denim jeans in a wide-leg cut, evening dresses in nocturnal neon colors, and knitwear and leggings with cutaways in a diamond motif. For accessories, Versace introduced new sunglasses, pumps, sling-backs, and kitten heels studded in metal, together with La Medusa bags made punk in all-over tonal point finishes. Studs, metallic neon iteration with 3D floral embroidery, and pop colors embellished the whole Resort 2023 Collection. VB

www.versace.com

Fashion

Cartier: Beautés du Monde

Celebrating Cartier’s new High Jewelry collection Beautés du Monde, an exceptional reception took place in Madrid at the prestigious Palacio de Liria. Its added rich history and splendor make this the perfect location for the various interpretations of beauty created for the new collection. The unforgettable event was attended by many friends of the Maison. Following a visit to the property, the guests attended the Haute Couture show of the Maison Alvarno, created by the designers Arnaud Maillard and Alvaro Castejon. The Beautés du Monde collection captures the essence of an aquatic flower. Each piece is articulated to form a bright architecture like the back of a stained-glass window. The “Recif” necklace has a distinctive chromatic contrast, enhanced by a twisting movement given to emerald and coral beads. The “Water Aspis” depicts a hypnotic snake whose beauty and incredible flexibility have been enhanced through this new interpretation. Also featured, is the “Rituel”, paying tribute to the beauty of embellishments, and more precisely to the traditions behind Mesoamerican jewelry. Overall, each piece contributes to a captivation of beauty through a spectrum of colors, shapes, and evocative materials, inspiring and transporting us into a new dimension. GH

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Brioni SS23

The Brioni SS23 collection reflects the aura of the nonchalance of Rome, captured in uncontrived shapes, in the softness of tailoring that suggests a relaxed way with formality. The soft and light materials are perfect for summer, in painterly colors. With a suit, trench coat, small-collared blouson, and field jacket, each piece is sartorially made, with an effortless finish. Garments are made to fit an array of occasions, from spontaneous to leisure, always with an urban, dignified feel, embellished with round-toe loafers and leather sandals. A seersucker is worn with a matching shirt and no necktie. The materials consist of washed silk, seersucker, extremely light wools, and linen, light knit for the underpinnings, and textured knitwear meant as outerwear. The colors depict the image of Rome, with rich and muted tones, dense and bright, inspired by the city’s artistic and natural heritage. There is an array of cognac brown, earth, yellow, blue, grey, black, and white along with accents of pink, orange, and baby blue in the suits defined throughout the collection. Eveningwear in the collection is inspired by the Brioni archives, with creativity expressed through couture fabrics and unexpected colors. Overall, each garment is made to accompany life, in the long run, seeking eternal beauty. GH

www.brioni.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani Men’s SS23 Fashion Show

Lightweight fabrics, easy silhouettes, and a carefree mood define Armani SS23 Menswear Collection. An ode to summer timeless elegance. Held at the intimate Via Borgonuovo basement space under his HQ and alongside his own house, Giorgio Armani revealed a fashion show that brought us on a journey through the desert dunes. Images of sand ridged by the wind, projected on the background, have accompanied the models who walked down the runway in pajama-like suits and shirts with extra long tails. The pale colors, white, sand, and dabs of black, as well as subtle textures, were outstanding. Then, watery blues and navy followed in the collection, exalted in seersucker, linen, and washed and necktie silks. In the end, derby sandals with cut-out uppers, velcro-fastened espadrilles, and loafers completed the looks, replacing the classical sneakers with a renowned touch of lightness and boldness. VB

www.armani.com

Fashion

Polo Ralph Lauren Unveils New Uniforms for Wimbledon 2022

Polo Ralph Lauren has unveiled the new 2022 uniforms for all Wimbledon on-court officials, including chair umpires, line umpires, ball boys, and girls. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Centre Court in its current location on Church Road, Wimbledon, the brand designed a collection that combines the heritage of Polo Ralph Lauren with modern fabrications and silhouettes, focusing on the use of more sustainable materials. Inspired by the elevated sense of style that spectators bring to The Championships, Polo Ralph Lauren designed a belted back sportscoat lined with a commemorative Ralph Lauren-designed signature Wimbledon print and paired with a wide Bengal stripe shirt, trouser, or white skirt with pearl button closure, specifically for umpires. Line umpire uniforms, instead, are refreshed with navy cardigans featuring a white and Wimbledon green striped cuff. Then, for ball boys and girls, the brand presented the iconic Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt reinterpreted in a navy blue and white wide stripe in recycled material. The result is exclusive garments that emphasize comfort, breathability, moisture management, and ever-present craftsmanship, alongside contributing to have to positive social and environmental impact. VB

www.ralphlauren.com

Fashion

CD 1947 Capsule Collection

Dior has unveiled the CD 1947 Capsule Collection, a dialogue between Kim Jones and the legacy of Christian Dior. The line features a new “Christian Dior” signature connected with “1947,” the year of the first Dior défilé. It presents some iconic classics of the Maison as the Dior Saddle Bag in typical Dior Grey grained leather, introducing, at the same time, a great novelty: an exclusive collaboration with Birkenstock. Dior’s Creative Director has chosen to reinterpret two signature silhouettes of the German shoe manufacturer, the Tokio Mule and Milano Sandal, taking inspiration from Christian Dior’s love of gardening. Celebrating this influence, the two silhouettes mix functionality, and elegance in tribute to the couturier. The mule and sandal also arrive in a variety of finishes, including black nubuck calfskin, grey felted wool, and, for the Tokio Mule, a “Greige” nubuck calfskin. The CD 1947 Capsule Collection is available on Dior’s website. VB

www.dior.com

Fashion

adidas x Gucci Pop-Ups

Gucci has announced the arrival of a brand new series of Gucci Pop-Ups, with the initiative of connecting and engaging with clients across the world and their surrounding communities. The pop-ups will showcase a variety of products in an immersive, dedicated environment which reflects Gucci’s unconventional approach to luxury fashion. Another exciting factor is the pop-up debuts in Alsterhaus in Hamburg. adidas x Gucci merges the emblems of each house to create iconic tailored streetwear creations. Expanding from the initial adidas x Gucci lookbook, the collection involves a spectrum of sport-inspired pieces, distinguished by the same retro aesthetics of the show. With the heritage of both brands encoded in a trio of lines, a fixation of stripes plays out across ready-to-wear and accessories including Gucci’s own take on the famous adidas Gazelle sneaker. The kaleidoscope aesthetics of the collection are reflected in the creativity of the Pop-Ups dedicated to it. The space is defined by a perimeter of illuminated pointed arches complemented with vintage-inspired furniture. Elements featured are coated in the energetic retro print taken from the collection, combining the GG monogram with the sportswear brand Trefoil, amplifying the two legacies. GH

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Hortus Deliciarum: The New Gucci High Jewelry Collection

Creative Director Alessandro Michele has unveiled the third act of Hortus Deliciarum, the Gucci High Jewelry collection. A fantastical journey more than just a simple collection, it presents unique pieces that seem suspended in time and space. Inspired by an imaginary Grand Tour, the jewelry reflects an ethical and aesthetic value by bringing together different cultures and restoring the splendor of rarities existing side by side. Alessandro Michele himself becomes the traveler of this voyage, telling us a story through the new Gucci creation, a story that is divided into five chapters. The first theme develops the idea of the Grand Tour, a journey of indefinite duration undertaken by European nobles and intellectuals from the eighteenth century onwards. Rome was the ultimate destination and so the starting point of this third Gucci High Jewelry collection. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and gold pendants featuring red and pink spinel, blue topaz, and colored diamonds evoke the historicity of the typical Roman landscapes. From the Eternal City, the journey continues in the India of the Maharajah between the magnificence of the royal palaces and the lush nature of the gardens. Red is the color that characterizes this chapter: rubellite, imperial topaz, yellow beryl, tourmaline, and garnet adorn the jewels embodying the hypnotic quality of twilight. The third theme pays homage to the mythological origins and symbolism of the pearl, a gem born from the foam of the sea and solidified on Aphrodite’s skin. Alessandro Michele’s travel diary dedicated the last pages to the New World when Modernism abounded and skyscrapers soared into the sky. These necklaces and bracelets come in geometric shapes in chains with asymmetrical, flexible modules. To complete the collection are pieces in psychedelic colors evoking the pop culture, free self-expression, and the desire to discover foreign worlds typical of the 1970s. VB

www.gucci.com

Fashion

The Power of Love: Pomellato Speaks up for Pride Month

Pomellato has extended its support to the LGBTQIA+ community, with the inspiring “I Am Here” video. The black and white video features key celebrity members of the community and allies talking to the camera as they explore profound questions surrounding the nature of love, freedom, tolerance, the meaning of pride, and the need for change. In 2017, the Italian jeweler launched the Pomellato for Women program, advocating for gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity. Now extending its support to the wider community, Pomellato once again recognizes the importance of leveraging its visibility to bring meaningful conversations to the table. The lineup of individuals showing their support includes Italian actor Alessandro Gassmann, activists Lea T and Sibel K, and Kasia Smutniak, alongside many more members and allies. Pomellato’s CEO Sabina Belli and Creative Director Vincenzo Castaldo also appear on camera, adding their voices to this message joined by celebrities and activists that have opened their hearts. GH

www.pomellato.com

Fashion

Marni opens the doors of the new Milan flagship store

At the very heart of Milan’s shopping district, via Montenapoleone 26, Marni has opened its new store during Salone del Mobile. The vibrant and modern atmosphere of the new boutique engages visitors in a sensorial path that allows for discovery, pleasure, and culture. The store is the perfect merge of fashion design, interior design, and creativity, due to the collaboration between Creative Director Francesco Risso and the in-house architecture team. The all-over, blue-toned carpeted floors are juxtaposed with reflective walls clad in beveled silver mirror ceramic tiles, creating a contrast between solidity and refraction, and between the imposing presence of color and the elusive immateriality of a mirror. The mirrored effect creates an engaging system of visual multiplications that emphasize the interplay of clarity and boldness. The modular layout is truly a vessel for creativity. Accessible from the second of three floors, this incubator-like structure appears from the outside like a mobile home and will periodically be offered to different talents as a creative studio. This reaffirms Marni’s tendency of being a creative playground that holds a constant dialogue with art. GH

www.marni.com

Fashion

Christian Louboutin Introduces GREEKABA, A Modern-Day Odyssey

Christian Louboutin takes us on another adventure around the world. This year’s destination is the Mediterranean, in particular Greece, a land that boasts ancient history, myths, and legends. The new GREEKABA capsule collection, presented by the French Maison, represents this journey from Athens to the Cyclades, a modern-day Odyssey inspired by the countryside and the sea. Made in collaboration with multimedia artist Konstantin Kakanias, the pieces feature his illustrated alter ego, the stylish Miss Tependris, in the role of Christian Louboutin’s personal tour guide of the Greek islands. The new collaboration between the two combines their mutual love of travel with the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of Kakanias’ native Greece, along with the duo’s playful sense of humor, which the artist regards as an important means of expression. Each item is unique, depicting different scenes that tell a story: Christian offering his host, Miss Tependris pair of custom Christian Louboutin shoes, or they raising their glasses to toast Christian’s arrival. The sketches are designed on a smooth leather base with motifs that evoke the friezes of Antiquity in warm earthy tones. The GREEKABA bags, inspired by the land, are finished to the finest detail, from the lining inside the bag crafted with a new and vivid LOUBIEYE print which reimagines the traditional “blue eye,” to the handles made of satin and metal pearls that bring a sophisticated touch. Then, Maison’s signature Caraspikes in a matte white makeover, recalling the columns of Ancient Greek temples, embellish the final look. To complete the land theme, are the cabas also available in a smaller bucket style, a CARASKY version, and a new LOUBIPHORE silhouette. At this point, leaving the mainland towards the islands, the sea becomes the new protagonist. The color palette assumes blue and white tones typical of Greece, while the detailed embroideries on each panel take their inspiration from traditional Greek folk art. The sea GREEKABA bags also feature the one-of-a-kind LOUBI ODISSEY print, which depicts our two heroes, Christian and his friend Miss Tependris sailing through the Mediterranean Sea to discover its wonders. In addition, Christian Louboutin launched a capsule collection of men’s and women’s shoes and accessories to match the GREEKABA offer. As with all the previous cabas percentage of the proceeds will be donated. This year’s contribution will go to Together For Children, a Greek non-profit providing help and support to children and young adults with disabilities and their families in need. VB

www.christianlouboutin.com

Art

Versace Home Takes The Stage at Milan Design Week 2022

The opulence of the Versace world is embodied in a new installation held at Palazzo della Permanente during the Milan Design Week. For this occasion, Donatella Versace worked with architects and designers Roberto Palomba and Ludovica Serafini to give life to a dreamlike scenario where art and design merge together. In this space, Versace's comprehensive home collection and all-new outdoor line take center stage. Contemporary seduction is the key. The red color is spread all around: across fabrics, leathers, precious silks, jacquards, and throughout the display. The La Greca motif is extended into the interior decor with an almost architectural three-dimensionality. Then in terms of collections, Versace presented the La Medusa collection composed of a sofa, a Trono armchair, and an upholstered bed covered in an all-new vinyl material. These pieces mix a youthful design with beautifully detailed stitching. The Stiletto collection introduces new objects in white, beige, and brown, and the Stiletto Outdoor collection features a three-dimensional weave of fabric straps coordinated with large, cozy cushions. This line is exhibited in the Secret Garden of the palace. VB

www.versace.com

Art

Stella McCartney Launches The Second Installation of “Future of Fashion” at Salone del Mobile

Stella McCartney has announced the second edition of the “Future of Fashion: An innovation conversation with Stella McCartney” exhibition launching during the 60th annual Salone del Mobile. The installation will display from 7 to 12 June at the historic Porta Nuova in Milan. Future of Fashion aims to invite the world to discover the limitless possibilities of material innovation for creating a more nature-positive market. This year, to keep inspiring people to undertake future actions, Stella McCartney has presented an exhibition that combines cutting-edge fashion and design in partnership with Bank of America, as well as first-ever interiors collaborations with B&B Italia and heritage British wallpaper house Cole & Son. With the Italian furniture maker, the British luxury fashion house reimagined the iconic Le Bambole armchair, an iconic piece originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1972 and now produced by B&B Italia using sustainable techniques and circular composition. Instead, Stella McCartney x Cole & Son Wallpaper presents a revival of the Summer 2022 hand-drawn Fungi Forest toile de Jouy print. The graphic has been reworked as burgundy and navy wallpapers by Cole & Son with renewable fibers and introducing a manufacturing process that uses 30% fewer greenhouse gases. All display materials will be recycled for future events to limit environmental effects. In addition, Future of Fashion will offer its guests the possibility to explore curated items by Stella McCartney as the Frayme Mylo bag, the first-ever luxury bag crafted from mycelium created in partnership with Bolt Threads. VB

www.stellamccartney.com

Art

Armani Casa 2022 Collection

In the brutalist spaces of Armani Silos, Giorgio Armani has set up a unique installation to present the new Armani Casa 2022 Collection. The Italian brand has designed furniture and accessories that combine design research, material richness, subtle multiculturalism, and a distinct sense of rarefaction for the Salone del Mobile 2022. The exhibition is structured into eight themes that correspond to eight different environments. Each piece is set in context with the inspiration from which it originated in a way that visitors can feel and imagine the creative journey that leads from the starting point to the finished piece of furniture. Starting with the water: this section is characterized by a calm and peaceful ambiance, with natural references and 1930s and 1940s elegance that give life to the MORFEO bed and other unique objects. The space devoted to China presents a powerful contrast between red, the color of joy and good fortune, and non-color. Here, the JYLIA chairs in lacquered wood create a symbolic four-lobed figure within an environment entirely clad in black. Then, a third room dedicated to nature, travel, and discovery, exhibits the painting of a tiger, the feline that dominates the current year in the Chinese zodiac. In this space, the RENOIR sofa covered in the SAO PAULO fabric is the main protagonist. In the end, there is the sailing ship ensemble, which includes the PASCAL armchair and the SPACE table, both inspired by early twentieth-century ocean liners. In addition, accessories such as a wool blanket with matching cushion, thermos flask, and croquet mallets, among many others, complete the proposal. VB

www.armani.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton’s FW22 Spin-Off Show in Bangkok

Louis Vuitton’s FW22 Spin-Off Show has landed in Bangkok, Thailand, unveiling nine unseen looks from the original collection. In honor of Virgil Abloh’s legacy, the decision to showcase the collection in a second location is based on Abloh’s focus on circularity, a central theme in his practice, alongside other key topics such as the coming-of-age premise, the global perspective, and the cycle of creativity. Just like the first presentation in January, the Creative Director framed the show in childlike whimsy, a Louis Dreamhouse, displaying the wonder that exists within boyhood. Opening the show was a cinematic prelude by director Sivaroj Kongsakul portraying the Boyhood Ideology® key to the philosophy of Virgil Abloh. Based on the filmmaker’s childhood memories, the story follows the early experience of an 11-year-old boy in rural Thailand, illustrating Abloh’s belief in a global youth. “We might go to India or Kansas or Cuba, but wherever we go the focus is youth: the stage in your life before you’ve been taught or programmed to do, think, or wear certain things. And in that study, you realize that teenagers on opposite sides of the world are dealing with the same things. It reflects the fact that, fundamentally, we are all one.” VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

La Vacanza 2022 Campaign

Summer means freedom, sea, sun, and vacations, exactly what Versace portrays in the new La Vacanza 2022 Campaign. Starring model and actress Iris Law, the images depict a group beach holiday with unapologetic flair and energetic fun in the Very Versace style. Barocco print bikinis, silk shirts, and swimming trunks, together with silk scarves tied around the La Medusa basket bag, are bold, seductive, and joyful items that will make your summer days exciting and vibrant. Wide canvas tote bags featuring the Versace logo and Medusa plaque are the perfect styles for the beach, as well as the new colorful sandals made both for men and women. In addition, new leather footwear with light rubber soles and golden Medusa Biggie medallion hardware, along with the innovative Medusa Dimension sliders crafted from molded super-lightweight rubber with swirling Baroque flourishes, are added to Versace's repertoire. Captured by photographer Camille Summers-Valli, the campaign results in a series of searingly bright and fiery images celebrating the most anticipated season of the year. VB

www.versace.com

Fashion

Pomellato: Nudo Solitaire

Since 2001, the Nudo ring has been a pioneer in the jewelry industry. This simple yet game-changing silhouette of the Nudo was Pomellatto’s unique take on the omnipresent diamond engagement ring. Made to be stacked, women quickly fell in love with the Nudo, starting a twenty-year journey of continued success and a rainbow of color gemstone options. Now, twenty-one years on, the Nudo Solitaire has been born, unmistakably Nudo, but in a new sparkling white guise. This is Pomellato’s singular vision of the diamond ring. This piece could be an unconventional engagement ring or could be fitting as a glamorous right-hand ring. The ring features a 0.5-carat central diamond, surrounded by more than 60 diamonds for a dazzling effect maintaining the iconic shape of the Nudo gemstone cut. Seamlessly giving way to a glittering pavé, the diamonds are perfectly set into a smooth halo around the central diamond. The opulence of this new Nudo design is further highlighted by the shank being set with a row of diamonds that taper down the side of the ring. The ring is made in Fairmined white gold, a certified source of gold direct from artisanal mines in South America, and the diamonds are sourced from certified suppliers. The Nudo Solitaire overall confirms the enduring success of the original concept that continues to be Pomellato’s signature design. GH

www.pomellato.com

Fashion

Fendi announces the opening of its new Mykonos Boutique

As the peak of summer is fast approaching, Fendi has announced its opening of a new boutique on the sunny Greek island of Mykonos. Located inside the Nammos Village, the unit is the brand’s first store in Greece, making this upscale shopping destination the perfect location. Inspired by Mediterranean culture and local architecture, the 90 square meter store is installed in a two-level white building, with sunlight filtering inside through elongated windows. The boutique welcomes the entire FENDI universe, with all categories from the womenswear and menswear lines. The look and feel across the spaces are chic and elegant, combining natural elements such as oak wood flooring with light blue resin inserts. Raffia wallpaper and elements nodding to a marine theme define the fitting rooms, while the furniture includes bespoke pieces in travertine mixed with wood, rattan, and bamboo pieces. Two terraces are designed to give continuity to the indoor feel. A special rendition of the Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU medium bag will be offered as an exclusive for Europe in the Mykonos boutique. Available in white croco, with white leather lining featuring a shiny finishing together with a Pequin motif wooden handle and palladium accessories. GH

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Stone Island and C2C Festival Celebrate Indipendent Contemporary Music

As part of Stone Island Sound, a curatorial project that supports independent artistic production, the Italian clothing brand partnered with the C2C Festival to celebrate contemporary music. The project aims to create a global sound map of avant-garde and new pop. This year, STONE ISLAND PRESENTS event took place in Berlin at Wilhelm Hallen, the former Winkelhof iron foundry, now transformed into a vast post-industrial space famous among the local creative community. On May 19th, 2022, a lineup of artists performed on the stage: Bill Kouligas, the founder and artistic director of PAN, Beatrice Dillon, who was declared “the most thrilling new voice in British electronic music” by The Guardian, and the Canadian group, Pelada. Then, the duo composed of Chris Vargas and Tobias Rochman made its appearance, followed by the unique performance by Warp Records Italian experimental musician and visual artist Lorenzo Senni. To close the event were Skee Mask AKA Bryan Müller and Kenyan artist KMRU. The result was multicolored chaos of genres to promote cultural independence and quality productions. VB

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

The Navitimer Cosmonaute: The Original “First Wristwatch in Space”

60 years after its journey to space, the mythic Navitimer Cosmonaute is once again set to lift off in a new release that pays tribute to the historic mission. Marking the occasion, Breitling is offering the first-ever public viewing of the original Cosmonaute, revealing the watch’s incredible story. 362 pieces of the tribute piece are available, recognizing both the spacecraft’s circumnavigations of the Earth, and the year the mission made history, marking a crucial step in crewed spaceflight. At first glance, the new Cosmonaute is very similar in appearance to the original, made timeless with an all-black dial and black alligator strap or seven-row stainless-steel bracelet. This time, the elegantly proportioned 41mm watch is packed with new features, including a platinum bezel that makes the edition even more of a collector’s piece. Whilst honoring the aesthetics of the original Cosmonaute, subtle updates work almost imperceptibly to give it its modern retro appeal. As a final tribute, the case back is engraved with the date of Carpenter’s mission, “ONE OF 362”, and the phrase “First Swiss wristwatch in space”. GH

www.breitling.com

Fashion

Balenciaga Spring 23 Fashion Show

Taking place in New York, on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Balenciaga’s Fashion Show unlocks a new chapter in the brand’s history by presenting a collection that is a mix of ready-to-wear, eveningwear, and Balenciaga x adidas. The models walked down the runway covered in black fetish bodysuits as obscure identities. Over this latex layer, they wore Demna Gvasalia’s creations which spanned from suiting, separates, and outerwear featuring bold silhouettes and precise tailoring with minimalist construction techniques. The collection also presented extra-formal clothing such as bodycon gowns, reconstructed tuxedos, floor-length silk trenches with trains, and the collaboration between Balenciaga and adidas. This line included a wide range of products from garments, shoes, and bags to jewelry and accessories embroidered with the adidas’ trefoil motif and Balenciaga logo reinterpreting Balenciaga’s creative language. In addition, the Spring 23 Collection includes the oversized, padded XL Pump, thick steroid boots, and the Stage Shoe featuring a heel-less sock pump on a flat platform connected only to its toe. VB

www.balenciaga.com

Fashion

Dior Maison Presents The Aquarius Collection

Approaching the summer season, Dior Maison has unveiled a new tableware collection dedicated to the fascinating underwater world. Sea creatures of all colors and shapes are hand-embroidered on white linen napkins and painted as frescos on ceramic plates. A golden fish, made of glass, seems to float inside a carafe, while a bigger specimen in luminous shades of blue and green serves as a centerpiece. The Aquarius Collection, as the previous one realized by Pierre Yovanovitch and inspired by places dear to Christian Dior in the south of France, celebrates a special site loved by him. Designed by Art Director Cordelia de Castellane, the new pieces are a poetic reference to the river that flows past the mill at Monsieur Dior's country home in Milly-la-Forêt. A haven of peace where Christian Dior found refuge, far from the hustle and bustle of Paris. VB

www.dior.com

Art

Gerhard Hofland Presents New Work by Johan Tahon, Michael Kirkham and Ralf Kokke

On the occasion of Art Rotterdam 2022, Galerie Gerhard Hofland presents new works by Johan Tahon as well as those of Michael Kirkham and Ralf Kokke. The Belgian artist studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent and went undiscovered for several years until 1995, when Jan Hoet, the then-director of the SMAK, invited him to participate in the museum's new building's opening exhibition. Johan Tahon's works are a tangible and visual representation of his youth; his difficult situation at home forced him to reflect on the fundamental questions of life, bringing him to create masterpieces that border craft and invocation, hunger, and higher-calling. His sculptures combine different materials such as plaster, ceramics, and bronze. Their surface is turbulent, drenched in hand-mixed glazes of celestial blues, ancient whites, and more recently, silvers rendering the work both ethereal and aglow. In addition, fundamental parts of Johan Tahon’s art are collaborations, such as those with Lee Ronaldo of Sonic youth, Belgian Poet Peter Velhelst and Till Lindemann of Rammstein. The art fair will take place at Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam from May 19 to 22. VB

www.artrotterdam.com
www.gerhardhofland.com

Fashion

Dior Men Spring ‘23: “California Couture”

“California Couture” not only refers to Christian Dior’s time spent on the West Coast, and the influence America had on the growth of his business but also to the region’s rise in importance in today’s fashion landscape. This resort collection was presented on an ocean-blue runway with two cresting waves for set pieces. Here, a merging of art and life took place, of art and fashion’s role in the artistic direction of the not-so-everyday silhouettes emerge. Cleverly, the collection captured perfection and subversion, tempered with a sincere appreciation of everything. Guest designer Eli Russell Linnetz, described the collection as “a coming together of chaos and perfectionism”, seen through the everyday sensibility that belies the precision of tailoring and mastery of fabric in the atelier. There is inside-out tailoring in Christian Dior’s classic gray, which is also a nod to Kim Jones’ first collection for the house. Kim Jones discussed that when designing this, “it was both familiar and revelatory; reaffirming why we both dreamed about working in fashion in the first place”. The collection pays homage to both designer's biographies, as well as infusing the Maison’s classic motifs writ larger than life. Repeated throughout is a quilting made from satin and leather on skate sneakers and the unraveling of crystal-encrusted trousers. The Dior Saddle bag is rendered in tinsel as well as molded gold metal with a skater-boy chain handle, and the sunglasses are named after Linnetz’s dog Lucky. GH

www.dior.com

Art

The Mondriaan Fund Presents The Exhibition Prospects During Art Rotterdam

Lovers of contemporary art can once again discover the work of emerging and established artists at Art Rotterdam 2022. This year's exhibition features some unique novelties, from outdoor installations to new projections and the expansion of “Prospects,” the Mondriaan Fund's exhibition. It is the 10th consecutive year that the public fund for visual art and cultural heritage in the Netherlands presents this kind of exhibition showing the work of 88 artists from 19 to 22 May 2022, helping them to kick start their careers thanks to a financial contribution. This time, the exhibition, curated by Johan Gustavsson in collaboration with junior curator Gabija Seiliute, is also on display in the Expedition Building, directly opposite the entrance to Art Rotterdam. Among the work of hundreds of artists from all over the world, the one who particularly stands out is Tarona with her artwork “Pivot.” It is an 11 minutes video that takes a closer look at Black performances in white spaces. Conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the famous "Serpentine Dance" (1899) by the Lumière brothers, the artwork shows a Black performer who resists the expectations of a white audience while dancing expressively in a striking golden dress that almost becomes a character in its own right. The video was made in collaboration with Chanel Vyent, Qianwei Tong, Sam van Eenbergen, Ivan Hidayat, Imane Saksou, Gaea Studio, and de Makeover Factory en Captcha!. VB

www.artrotterdam.com

Fashion

Versace by Fendi, Fendi by Versace

Not just a collaboration, but described by Kim Jones as “a swap, […] done out of friendship”, the output of Donatella Versace, Silvia Venturini Fendi, and Kim Jones is arguably a pinnacle of fashion collaborations. Named Fendace, the collaboration pays homage to the return to the nightclub. This reimagines classic silhouettes from both houses. Featuring the Versace chain mail and a Medusa motif on a nano Fendi baguette bag, as well as slick Fendi dresses that are stitched together with Versace safety pins. The collection takes on a more is more approach, where print and color is loud and emotive, and fun logoism is embraced. Further enhancing the garments are embellishments that gleam across gem-studded accessories and jewelry that combine the two houses' iconic brand codes. A unique moment in fashion, where the Fendi FF logo meets Versace’s Medusa, the collaboration is a clear statement of the collection’s intent to create authentic designs with respect for each fashion house at its core. This collection launched on May 12th through a series of global pop-ups at events that encapsulate the decadence of the Fendace experience. GH

www.versace.com
www.fendi.com

Fashion

BE YOUR CHANGE

Brunello Cucinelli started the #BeYourChange project in order to use its voice to touch on important issues such as hope, courage and the future. By joining forces with various personalities, the house’s message of trust and reflection for the new generations on how change always starts with people, is echoed. For the fifth series of the project, Brunello Cucinelli teams up with Ramla Ali, the first female boxer representing Somalia at the Tokyo Olympics. Her path to success was not predestined, on the contrary Ali had to overcome multiple obstacles, such as fleeing the ongoing civil conflict in her home country. In this edition, Ali talks about her personal story and how boxing has helped her to find a voice, to grow as a person and to stand up to prejudice, fear and insecurity. A successful athlete and activist, Ali now shares the empowering lessons she took from boxing with other women. In 2018, she founded the Ramla Ali Sisters Club, a weekly, free boxing session for women in London aiming to provide a safe space without discrimination. Through the #BeYourChange project, Ramla Ali uses her voice inviting everybody who wants to listen to pursue your dreams with courage. FM

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Applications open for Cartier Women’s Initiative 2023

Cartier is once again seeking to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs through its Women’s Initiative program. This provides female changemakers with financial, social, and human capital support to grow their business and build their leadership skills. Launched in 2006, Cartier Women’s Initiative has supported 262 female entrepreneurs to support their businesses that are all driven to solve the most pressing global challenges. Since its 15th anniversary on International Women’s Day, the program has been looking for ways to extend opportunities to more entrepreneurs around the world and ensure the program evolves alongside new developments in its global ecosystem. Because of this, for its 2023 edition, the program is expanding with the creation of new Regional and Thematic Awards. The Regional Awards will be expanded to two new regional categories: Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. This is to increase the impact of the program and refine its support to different regions. Three fellows will be selected from each of the nine regions. In addition to the Science and Technology Pioneer award launched in 2021, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award will be created to encourage entrepreneurial solutions designed to close gaps in access, outcome, or opportunities that have been underrepresented or unserved. Based on being around inclusivity, this pilot award is open to all genders, three fellows will be selected for each of these two thematic awards. Impact entrepreneurs across the globe can apply from May 16th, 2022, until June 30th, 2022 for these awards. The top three applicants for each award will be announced in April 2023, and the awardees will be selected by the jury during the Cartier Women’s Initiative awards ceremony in May 2023. The first-place awardee will take home $100,000 in grants, while the second and third places will respectfully receive $60,000 and $30,000. Finally, the 33 awardees will all benefit from tailored mentoring and coaching, media visibility, networking opportunities, and the in-person INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Program and Executive Education program. GH

www.cartier.com
www.insead.edu

Fashion

La Grande Dame 2012 x Yayoi Kusama

Today, the destinies of Veuve Clicquot and Yayoi Kusama have converged in an unparalleled collaboration. The Champagne house based in Reims has unveiled the new La Grande Dame 2012 Edition, an artistically decorated magnum bottle supplemented by an exceptional object reminiscent of a flower created by the Japanese artist. Entitled "My Heart that Blooms in the Darkness of the Night," this unique and colorful work of art is a symbol of love and optimism. Yayoi Kusama is one of the most successful contemporary artists, becoming famous for her signature polka dots. A signature pattern that she reworked for this special occasion to symbolize the perlage of the champagne. This collaboration is not the first time they have met. It all started in 2006 when the artist created a portrait of Madame Clicquot covered in red polka dots for a charity auction in Tokyo. But this time, their partnership reaches a new sparkling, daring, and optimistic climax. L'Objet d'Art that wraps La Grande Dame 2012 Magnum, with happiness and vibrancy, celebrates the joie de vivre. In addition, Yayoi Kusama designed La Grande Dame 2012 Limited Edition (0.75l) which will be available from June. While the "My Heart that Blooms in the Darkness of the Night" artwork is available exclusively on request through Moët Hennessy Private Sales. VB

www.veuveclicquot.com

Fashion

So-Hee Han Joins OMEGA

So-Hee Han has joined the OMEGA universe of female talent, which already includes Cindy Crawford, Nicole Kidman, and Kaia Gerber, amongst many other celebrities. The South Korean actress, born in 1994, began her career as a supporting character in several TV series, “Money Flower” (2017) and “100 Days My Prince” (2018), to name a few. Then, she quickly took up leading roles in the JTBC series “The World of the Married” (2020), where she played a villainous yet charming character, and in the Netflix-produced feature “My Name” (2021). In the future, she will also appear in the drama “Gyeongseong Creature.” Today, So-Hee Han, with her charisma and captivating presence, has become a member of OMEGA’s ambassador family, stepping out in front of the camera wearing the most elegant watches. She is a rising star in the world of entertainment, and her talent and acting skills are inspiring, the reason why the Swiss watch manufacturer has chosen her to be the new face of the brand. So-Hee Han embodies many of the qualities and values that OMEGA stands for. VB

www.omega.com

Fashion

The Armani Group Opens The First A|X Armani Exchange Store in Berlin

Following the openings in Milan and Amsterdam, and to strengthen its presence in Europe, A|X Armani Exchange lands in Berlin at Kurfürstendamm 29, one of the most visited streets in the German capital. The new store is set inside a historical building from the 19th century. Here, past and present are merged in a unique architecture characterized by a wide, double-height central window displaying the large, illuminated letters A and X, the brand trademark. Extending over two floors, the A|X Armani Exchange store has been built according to the already existing design of the stores opened in the other European cities. Customers can visit the men's clothing, accessories, eyewear, and watches area on the ground floor, while the women's collection is on the first floor. The interiors are developed by Giorgio Armani in collaboration with his team of architects, in the name of sustainability. The materials involved are removable, reusable, and recyclable, the lighting system uses the latest generation LED technology to minimize waste, and the walls are made in natural oak slats to provide support systems and a minimal style that contrasts with the original structure that has been preserved. In addition, the shopping experience is even more unique thanks to videowalls, Smart Checkout, and POS mobility for smoother payment. VB

www.armaniexchange.com

Fashion

Luxury Essential

Moose Knuckles Canada has unveiled its new Luxury Essential styles from the SS22 Collection. The Canadian brand, known worldwide for crafting resilient garments for the most unforgiving conditions, from the tundra to the city, has designed new pieces exclusively for the summer season, addressing everyone's need to stay and look cool. The Luxury Essentials line presents familiar outerwear and sportswear morphed into more relaxed silhouettes to maximize airflow and minimize restriction to movements. In this way, Moose Knuckles offers a luxurious yet casual attire consisting of coordinated sets and matchable pieces made of french terry 360 sustainable cotton blend. For women, the brand created four different looks that include the Dunes Trucker Jacket, Bayside Hoodie, Malibu Pants, and Sonoma Shorts, while for men, it realized a range of products such as the Wabasso Pullover, Wabasso Jogger, Siesta Key Hoodie, Greyfield Pullover and many others, that express the same irreverent spirit and energy typical of the Canadian brand. VB

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

A Watch For Champions

Hublot, in partnership with UEFA Champions League has created a new, exclusive edition of the Big Bang Unico: a watch made to capture the greatest soccer moments. The Swiss watchmaker started its collaboration with the world's greatest club competition on the occasion of the UEFA EURO in 2008, and since then, it has been part of unforgettable moments. In 2015, the brand was appointed as the official timekeeper and watch brand of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, as well as the official supplier of referees' timepieces. Then, in 2018 Hublot became a partner of the UEFA Europa Conference League, and in 2019 joined the UEFA Women's Champions League. In football competitions, dynamism and time are key factors, and Hublot is the ideal partner for measuring time with extreme precision. This year, to celebrate seven years of collaboration, the Swiss brand has decided to present a new 100-piece limited edition Big Bang Unico made of glass-bead blasted ceramic, wrapped in the iconic UEFA Champions League blue. The new timepiece also features the Hublot Manufacture Unico 2 chronograph movement, a highly complicated, innovative movement that will measure the decisive moments on the pitch. VB

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Dior Fall 2022 in Seoul

Dior and Ewha Womans University in Seoul have joined hands to celebrate youth, education, and hope. Here, the Maison presented its FW22 collection that represented visual poetry, a dialogue between the history of Dior and the ever-changing constellation that is the contemporary world. The transmission of savoir-faire, education, and sisterhood have always been fundamental values at the heart of Dior culture. Thus, these shared values with Ewha Womans University make it the perfect setting for launching the collection surrounding the symbol of a new sisterhood, with the motto L’union fait la force (strength through unity). To add more celebration in Korea, Dior will also be hosting a one-of-a-kind concept store in Seongsu-dong, a former industrial zone that is now one of the trendiest and most innovative neighborhoods in Seoul. Maria Grazia Chiuri became interested in school outfits and, above all, in the way students dust off, revamp, and update the tropes of these garments, personalizing with distinctive details, verging on punk overtones, before venturing through urban landscapes in search of spaces of freedom. The collection is composed of pleated skirts, black and white, kilts; jackets that borrow from men’s wardrobe, rethinking the iconic Bar jacket; men’s long coats and ultra-short skirts; biker shorts matched with white blouses and black ties. Elsewhere, 3D embroidery reveals itself through knitwear, while a fantastic, pixelated zodiac is rendered in the style of a video game. By continuing to uphold its social responsibilities, Dior is also offering a supportive and comprehensive CSR program at Ewha Womans University, providing students with a scholarship, a Women@Dior Internship Program, Retail Management Training Program, and masterclasses from the Maison’s leaders, giving students a platform to express their personality and opinions openly and creatively. This reflects the show's presentation of looks that overall evoke the concepts of involvement, communication, and sharing. GH

www.dior.com

Fashion

Saul Nash Wins International Woolmark Prize 2022

The expert jury of the International Woolmark Prize 2022, including Ben Gorham, Carine Roitfeld, Edward Enninful OBE, Ibrahim Kamara, Naomi Campbell, Pieter Mulier, and many others, has announced Saul Nash as the winner of this year's edition. MMUSOMAXWELL received the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. The 2022 event, in partnership with the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, celebrated the art of play: the immersive final exhibition in London was inspired by Isamu Noguchi's sculptural playscapes, offering the possibility to physically and socially interact. The seven finalists, each of which presented a collection that explored textiles, design, and responsible business practices to drive change and innovation for a cleaner, brighter future, had the chance to showcase their creations surrounded by colorful and architectural displays. The winner, London-based designer Saul Nash, crafted a collection using deadstock, recycled membranes, and zero-waste technology to push the boundaries of sustainable design. The whole features a modern use of Merino wool, building a link between active solutions and more formal requirements. VB

www.woolmarkprize.com

Art

düsseldorf photo+ Biennale for Visual and Sonic Media

Over 50 exhibitions and events, participating institutions, galleries, and satellite venues of the Düsseldorf art scene will partake in the second exhibition of düsseldorf photo+ Biennale for Visual and Sonic Media. Taking place on May 13th, the exhibitions will shed light on current themes and challenges in the field of photography and time-based media. Within the exhibitions, not only are there works and installations by numerous national and international artists, but düsseldorf photo+ also invigorates the city’s own established art and photography scene. The main exhibition titled “Think We Must”, curated by Pola Sieverding and Asya Yaghumurian, forms the thematic focal point of the Biennale and will open on May 12th at the Akademie-Galerie. This group exhibition explores how thinking with photographic images can constitute and alter reality, history, and social discourse. Also featured, in the K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, will be the exhibition titled “Shifting Dialogues. Photography from the Walther Collection” with images from Africa and the African diaspora. Angelo Novi will present the symbiotic relationship between film and photography, viewed alongside Astrid Busch at Rupert Pfab. An extensive supporting program consisting of panels, lectures, talks, and workshops and a twelve-part podcast series for its entire duration. The exhibitions will be available from May 13th-June 19th across selected Düsseldorf galleries, fringe spaces, museums, and foundations. GH

www.duesseldorfphotoplus.de

Fashion

Paul Smith and Ahluwalia unite for a capsule collection

Supported by the Paul Smith Foundation, &PaulSmith has launched its inaugural collaboration and mentorship program, with an innovative capsule collection in partnership with the celebrated London-based menswear brand Ahluwalia, founded by Priya Ahluwalia. &PaulSmith tends to offer a fresh and authentic approach when creating partnerships to mentor and nurture the next generation of emerging and untapped talented designers. The 11-piece limited-edition Ahluwalia &PaulSmith collection is spurred by the designer’s shared passion for creativity, innovation, and sustainability. Paul Smith has said that “While our styles may appear different at first glance, we're coming at it from the same place: a real conviction that clothes should be a source of joy”. Distinctive codes and signatures from each designer are combined here, from Paul Smith’s check fabrics and Ahluwalia’s seaming and paneling techniques, creating a rich collage-like effect. Inspiration is drawn from a variety of instances, such as Priya’s personal archive of photographs taken in Nigeria and India, and Paul’s collection of cycling records. With the shared interest of sustainability in mind, the collection utilizes surplus Paul Smith fabrics found in the brand’s archives, as well as sustainable alternatives where new cloths were developed. Premium fabrics and finishes elevate the traditionally relaxed silhouettes and a purposeful meshing together of graphic influences, merging branding from both houses to one incorporated logo dedicated to the project, This collection is available on both brands’ websites, in selected Paul Smith shops, and exclusively at SSENSE. GH

paulsmith.com
ahluwalia.world

Fashion

LOUIS VUITTON for UNICEF: The New Silver Lockit Bracelets by Virgil Abloh

Louis Vuitton has launched a new collection of Silver Lockit bracelets designed by Virgil Abloh, carrying forward solid cooperation with UNICEF. This year the Creative Director of the French Maison, who passed away last November, created a collection including bracelets and pendants that recall his first Silver Lockit collaboration but with new colors and materials. The LOUIS VUITTON for UNICEF partnership started six years ago to help bring vulnerable children life-saving support in humanitarian situations, assisting the international organization in responding quickly to emergencies or disasters worldwide. Since 2016, to support this initiative, Louis Vuitton has annually presented new versions of the Silver Lockit bracelet to raise money to donate to UNICEF. Given the success of these sales, the brand let Virgil Abloh reinterpret these items with his stylistic signature bringing a breath of fresh air to the collection. The Men’s Artistic Director added a bold chain linked to a thicker cord, a silver padlock, and a Louis Vuitton charm that in the current collection come in natural and black titanium and are combined with neon yellow, rainbow, or black cord bracelets. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Virgil Abloh and Mercedes-Maybach Create The Ultimate Legacy Car

Mercedes–Maybach and Virgil Abloh have presented the ultimate legacy car. The project MAYBACH, born from the creative cooperation between the luxury car manufacturer and the late polymath artist, architect, creative director, and fashion designer Virgil Abloh, has come to an end, unveiling its last chapter. The new vehicle, which was finalized before Abloh's untimely passing in November, represents the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmanship, setting the new boundaries of luxury experiences. The Maybach by Virgil Abloh is a fully equipped Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680, a one-of-a-kind model from exterior to interior, designed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener. The vehicle exterior, presented in a two-tone color scheme developed for Project MAYBACH, features the upper half of the car lacquered in a glossy obsidian black and the lower section, side flanks, and custom forged rims painted in a sand hue. While not to be outdone, is the vehicle's interior crafted with an identical two-tone color scheme and a special Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo inscribed on the center console panel. In addition, the limited-edition S-Class features ultimate cutting-edge technologies such as a bespoke user interface. The result is a car that creates a truly exceptional customer experience, ensuring maximum comfort and safety. The launch of the limited-edition bespoke S-Class coincides with the release of a capsule collection designed by Virgil Abloh and in collaboration with Off-White, which includes sand-colored t-shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, and racing gloves refined with a black spray effect. VB

www.mercedes-benz.com

Art

MOLOCH: The New Solo Exhibition by Martin Eder

The artist organization Augsburg Die Ecke e.V. in collaboration with the Kunstsammlungen und Museen Augsburg present MOLOCH, a solo exhibition by Berlin-based artist Martin Eder. Held at H1 – Zentrum für Gegenwartskunst im Glaspalast Augsburg until June 12, 2022, the exhibition will display over 50 works, spanning over a decade of Eder's career. Since the beginning of his career, Martin Eder has always explored the illusory possibilities of painting and their meaning. His art does not want to answer questions but to provoke: the sentimental, the filthy, and the sublime are the core elements of his works that break the generally accepted notions of what fine art should be, undermining conventional hierarchies of images and subjects. Eder’s oil paintings reveal surreal encounters, cute kittens, and cuddly puppies juxtaposed with candid nudes in a combination of beauty and ugliness. The artist explores the uncanny, all that is strange and mysterious in this world. The exhibition, made possible by the support of various German and European art collectors, is paired with the release of a catalog on May 21, 2022, and the presentation of three motifs selected by the artist and produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces. VB

www.martineder.com
www.kunstsammlungen-museen.augsburg.de

Fashion

Alanui x Suicoke SS22

Tropical vibes through the vibrant colors of the Alanui island make us yearn for the summer season. This call has been answered, with the third chapter of the collaboration of Alanui with Japanese footwear brand Suicoke, an embodiment of what we need this season. The perfect blend of Alanui’s signature bandana graphics with the unisex Suicoke Moto Fringed slippers presents us with cool and eye-catching styles, perfect for the sun. The footwear is characterized by the iconic bandana pattern and embellished with multicolor fringes that feature recycled plastic beads. These come in a wide range of exciting colors: ocean turquoise, bright orange, yellow lime, and military green, fitting to the theme. The newest addition to the collaboration is a brand new laced-up sandal. This is an Alanui twist to the Suicoke GUT Sandal, presented in black, military green, and sugar brown. Timeless and emblematic, the silhouette features a chunky rubber sole and tassels, embellished with multicolor recycled plastic beads, seashells, and the iconic Saint Cristopher medal. The collection is available now online at Alanui, right on time for the alluring summer. GH

www.alanui.it

Fashion

Hublot: Art of Fusion

For the first time, Hublot is being represented at the Watches and Wonder fair in Geneva. Proudly presented, are the four novelties that underline the house’s masterful “Art of Fusion”:
The Hublot Big Bang Integral Ceramic is displayed in its integral element. Made integral by the monobloc architecture, with a bracelet integrated into the case, monomaterial made from ceramic, and four new monochrome colorways: blue indigo, sky blue, sand beige, and jungle green. Each model is available with a limited edition of 250 pieces. The piece is equipped with a slimmer design, new architecture, easier assembly, and enhanced legibility and functionality.
The Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire is a new frontier for the art of sapphire. This new, powerful, expressive, and precise shade of purple shows the subtle alchemy that has gone into extensive research and development. The complex design made from the disruptive sapphire material reaffirms the brand’s Motto: to be first, unique, and different. What truly separates this watch from the rest is that when wearings its Tourbillon next to the skin, there is a sensation of a completely translucent case that reveals every detail.
Five years of collaboration between Hublot and Orlinski has led to now, where they have unveiled the missing link of the shared collection: a series of watches adorned with a new metallic bracelet using the facets of the French artist’s famous sculptures. Suited to all wrists and all genders, four versions of the watch are cleverly made by fitting the Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet with a new integrated metallic bracelet. Like a jeweled piece of art, the architecture is beveled and faceted in titanium and composed of 83 parts.
Inspired by the brand’s iconic Big Bang, Hublot is introducing its own interpretation of the square watch, new geometry for the watchmaker. This adds a new pillar, “The Shaped Collection” to sit alongside the Spirit of the Big Bang. Unlike other brands, Hublot has taken the approach of hiding non of its movement. The chronograph has a column wheel visible at 6 o’clock, while its bicompax display dispenses with a dial, to reveal its secret inner workings. A collector’s edition of this model is also available in all black, limited to a minuscule 250 copies. This is a rare design for those who prefer to take the path less traveled. GH

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Opens in Seoul

The contemporary Italian restaurant Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura has landed in Seoul. The third venue outside Italy, after Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and Gucci Namiki in Ginza is located on the top floor of the Gucci Goak flagship store in the district of Itaewon and has already opened bookings on its website. Mixing creativity, elegance, playfulness, and sensuality with traditional Italian cuisine, Gucci Osteria Seoul offers a unique dining experience that incorporates the diversity and identity of its location. The menu, developed by internationally acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura, Karime Lopez, Davide Cardellini, and Seoul Executive Chef Hyungkyu Jun, is a fusion of Italian and Korean cultures, juxtaposing signature dishes such as Tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano Cream with new seasonal Korean-inspired creations. The restaurant is ready to welcome its guests and serve lunch, dinner, and Italian aperitivo. The experience is made even more exclusive thanks to the interior design inspired by the original Florence outpost, with references to the Italian Renaissance and the eclectic mix of aesthetics embraced by Gucci. The Gucci Osteria Seoul da Massimo Bottura evokes the atmosphere of a winter garden with a color palette composed of vibrant greens spread from the bar patio doors to the velvet chairs. VB

www.gucciosteria.com

Art

TEFAF Maastricht 2022

After two years of absence due to Covid-19, TEFAF The European Fine Art Foundation will return to Maastricht in June 2022, hosting the next installation of TEFAF Maastricht. Established in 1988, TEFAF Maastricht is known worldwide as the world's premier fair for fine art, antiques, and design. It exhibits modern and contemporary art, photography, jewelry, 20th-century design, and works on paper, along with the traditional categories of Old Master paintings and classical antiquities, covering over 7,000 years of art history. TEFAF Maastricht brings together 275 art dealers from more than 20 countries, checking the quality, authenticity, and condition of the works of art and following rigorous vetting standards to create an atmosphere in which exhibitors can sell and buyers can buy art pieces with confidence. This year TEFAF Maastricht will take place from 24th to 30th of June. Tickets will be available on the TEFAF website. VB

www.tefaf.com

Fashion

Dior Maison Presents The Midi Collection By Pierre Yovanovitch

Dior Maison has presented the MIDI Collection designed by Paris-based interior architect Pierre Yovanovitch: a set of fifteen objects that evokes the meeting point of two stories rooted in the south of France. On the one hand, the story of the Château de la Colle Noire, a property that Christian Dior acquired in the 50s in the village of Montauroux, and on the other hand, the Château de Fabrègues. Like Christian Dior, who often stayed in the Callian plain, Pierre Yovanovitch is a child of the south, born in Nice and attached to its territory. A deep bond that the designer has shown through the collection. Named MIDI, a term for the south of France, the collection is “simple, solid and noble,” in tune with the words of Christian Dior defining his residence at the Colle Noire. Pure and functional, MIDI highlights traditional woodwork techniques, assemblages of local and sustainable materials selected for their beauty and timelessness, and hand-blown glass. This project realized with Pierre Yovanovitch is part of a long tradition of collaborations between Dior Maison and the greatest names in contemporary design. VB

www.dior.com

Fashion

Hogan Enters The Metaverse

Hogan has teamed up with Exclusible and Boson Protocol for the first Metaverse Fashion Week in Decentraland. Exclusible, the fast-growing marketplace for luxury NFTs and Italian luxury House Hogan will debut the brand’s first NFT drop at a special “Hogan-X” afterparty on March 26th. The event will present the first-ever dance competition in the virtual world, with prizes consisting of POAPs, pre-sale NFT spots, and exclusive NFTs, and will be hosted by acclaimed Dj superstar Bob Sinclair. The “Hogan Untraditional NFT Collection” lets Hogan takes a stand from traditional to untraditional, from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0. It is an edgy and immersive collection that celebrates the re-edition of the brand’s first-ever sneaker. This item, conceived as a white canvas, is reinterpreted, without any creative limitations, by several artists such as Silvio Rondelli, Yoann De Geetere, Linear, Vincent Ghiotti, and Finn Berenbroek. It is an innovative approach that sets the standard in how the ethos of the Web 3.0 community should be celebrated, cherished, and communicated. After the “Hogan-X” afterparty premiere, the NFTs artists series will be available for sale to the public on April 3rd, 2022, on Exclusible’s website. In addition, a virtual pop-up store in partnership with Boson Protocol, a metaverse marketplace for buying luxury and exclusive physical products as NFTs, will be located in Decentraland. VB

www.hogan.com

Fashion

Hublot Campaign with Kylian Mbappé

Footballer Kylian Mbappé is the new face of Hublot’s latest campaign. He is the perfect fit for the brand based on his shared values with Creative Director Ezra Petronio of having long-standing respect for creativity, work, integrity, and the quest for perfection. Kylian Mbappé is considered one of the world’s best footballers, his sporting intelligence, spirit, and dedication are perfectly captured in the watch collection. He has stated that “I love simplicity and the beauty of lasting things that have a soul”. The brand has discussed that the intensity of his direct gaze and his openness that the internationally-acclaimed photographer chose to focus for the new campaign. Ezra Petronio has said, “what fascinates me about Kylian - apart from his creativity and the perfection of his art - is his passion, his intelligence, and the inner strength that drives him”. This aesthetic is captured well in the campaign images as well as Hublot’s tendencies of consistently being ahead of the curve with a highly visionary future. GH

 

www.hublot.com 

Fashion

Versace Jeans Couture SS22 Campaign

The Versace Jeans Couture SS22 Campaign reinterprets the coming-of-age story reflecting the new season collection’s mood of youthful experimentation and possibility. Versace Jeans Couture presented for the SS22 season a Women’s collection made of romantic and sensual silhouettes with a contemporary twist: printed jackets paired with matching skorts and skirts, twin sets and slip dresses reimagined with ruffled flounces; and chunky footwear to add a contrasting street edge to soft, pastel, and floral ensembles. While, for men, the Italian brand presented a range of clothing with a sportier attitude influenced by the American culture. The collections convey a young and carefree outlook that has been reinterpreted in a series of images by Finnish photographer Osma Harvilahti for the new Versace Jeans Couture campaign. Through his playful and colorful style, Harvilahti tells an optimistic story of youth, portraying the models full of joy and spontaneity as they fool around and reclaim their suburban environment. The images focus on the intensity, purity, and uncontrolled emotion of young adulthood echoing through the collection’s eruption of clashing prints and color, with looks that feel haphazardly put together reflecting the young cast’s embrace of life in its myriad forms. VB

www.versace.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger: “Make Your Move” Brand Campaign

“For me, fashion has always been about celebrating individuality and self-expression”, says Tommy Hilfiger when describing the brand’s new “Make Your Move” campaign. This features Grammy-winning, Golden Globe and Emmy nominated performer Antony Ramos. The campaign is a vibrant clash of modern prep styles from the Spring 2022 Tommy Hilfiger collection with Anthony’s world of music and pop culture, resulting in a fresh take on iconic pieces. The campaign has been launched online and in select Tommy Hilfiger flagship stores. Storefronts will feature a QR code that activates augmented reality mannequins on Instagram. These will showcase dance moves and encourage fans to take photos with them to share on social channels. Elevating this campaign to a different dimension, a #MoveWithTommy TikTok activation will take place in April. Here, users can give their interpretation of Modern Prep to the “Stand Up” soundtrack by Grammy-nominated American rapper Ludacris. This song will be featured on all video assets with sound throughout the Spring campaign, as well as on dedicated social activations and across the brand’s digital advertising platforms. Hilfiger has described this as the brand “embracing the best of modern technology to bring this message to our fans around the world, and I’m excited to invite them to Make Your Move”. Anthony Ramos showcases modern prep styles in new silhouettes, including the double pleated chino as well as fresh patterns as seen in the mixed striped icon sweater, all with an understated collegiate code. The campaign further features a diverse cast of talents and a select mix of dancers. The Spring 2022 Tommy Hilfiger collection celebrates stylistic self-expression with key pieces in both the men’s and women’s collections. Building on the brand’s mission to waste nothing and welcome all, the collection is made using more sustainable methods and materials, and is now available online and in Tommy Hilfiger stores worldwide. GH

www.tommy.com

Fashion

The Next Era

The Dior FW22 Collection is suspended between present and future, beating to the rhythm of simultaneity and synchronicity, in tune with the times. Surrounded by a gallery of paintings created by Italian artist Mariella Bettineschi, the show has brought on stage Maria Grazia Chiuri’s concept of (re)constructing a performative relationship between the body and the garment in a succession of operations associating forms, savoir-faire, materials, and futuristic technologies. Titled “The Next Era,” this art installation is composed of large-scale portraits of women from the history of painting from the 16th to the 19th Century, that with their cut-up, stacked eyes question the judgment that has conditioned women past and present. Dior’s Creative Director has presented a hybrid collection that opens up unsuspected creativity through the use of embroidery, which adorns technical knitwear, waterproof materials, nylon, and cashmere. In addition, Maria Grazia Chiuri revisited heritage to conceive the lines of tomorrow, reinterpreting the iconic Bar jacket. The original structure has turned into a system that manages the body humidity and warms it up using novel techniques created in the D-Air lab laboratories, while a bodysuit keeps the temperature constant. VB

www.dior.com

Fashion

Exclusives by G-Star RAW: Innovative designs meet elevated constructions

Exclusives by G-Star RAW encapsulates the limitless creativity of the brand. Inspired by the Dakar Rally, the designs are expressed without restraint whilst employing the G-Star DNA in its purest, most extrovert form. Rising Berlin-based talent, Langston Uibel is featured in the recent campaign shoot for the brand. Features within the garments mimic those of the hard-wearing “Enduro” equipment, developed solely for the demanding racing environment. Bold and complex, the garments each include surprising elements such as reversible features and unusual silhouettes, coinciding with an ease of wearability. The palette is inspired by desert tones, ready for the Spring season. Another inspiration from the collection is drawn from Japanese workwear, which originates from the Japanese military uniform. The design team experimented with denim-focused garments to create elevated and refined styles with a considered, conceptual twist. Aspects taken from these uncompromising and unique garments include a wider leg with an abruptly narrower fit at the calf. Superior construction techniques, premium fabrics, and hybrid design features aim to encapsulate the stories behind each piece in the collection. Each piece with slight inspiration from the G-star RAW archive, the collection consists of a high fashion trench coat, a 72H lifesuit, washed leather jacket, lifevest shirt, bomber jacket, and cropped jeans. The Exclusives by G-Star RAW became available in selected stores and online from February 17th, 2022. GH

www.g-star.com

Fashion

LOEWE x On

LOEWE has announced a collaboration with performance brand On with a limited-edition capsule collection of shoes and apparel designed for modern adventure. The designs reimagine long-established craft skills, combining a focus on sustainability with an emphasis on applying the handmade to technical pieces. In the collection are LOEWE editions of On’s iconic Cloudventure and Cloudrock performance shoes for both men and women. This outdoor footwear is available in five colorways with six ready to wear pieces for women, and seven for men, each built with a unique blend of performance properties and key On features - weather adaptable Running Pants, a moisture-wicking Waterproof Anorak, temperature regulating Performance-T t-shirts, and a unisex customizable insulation three-layer Parka. Each of the ready-to-wear pieces is available in two colorways for each gender: an organic palette of khaki, blue, and orange that takes inspiration from nature, applied, applied in gradient effects that suggest prolonged exposure to the elements en plein air. Alongside the Japanese sashiko-inspired needlework print that resembles a starry night, these effects are the result of a meticulous technical process to craft the perfect color and pattern. The finishing process is carried out by hand, ensuring that the printed gradients match across all components of each item. Similarly, the marble effect soles are processed individually and manually, making each shoe unique. There is extensive use of recycled polyester for production to be responsible. The collection launched on March 9th online and in selected LOEWE stores on March 10th. GH

www.loewe.com
www.on-running.com

Fashion

Valentino Pink PP

Creative Director for Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli has conceived the brand’s new collection following the experimental urge of a radical gesture. The entire collection is based around a single hue of vibrant pink, this maximizes the expressive possibilities in what would originally seem like a lack of possibilities. The distinctive shade by Piccioli is being collaborated with Pantone Color Institute to create a unique identity that is individual and unrepeatable in itself. A variety of bodies, attitudes, and physicalities are enhanced by the monochromatic palette, bringing the vision to life. The accumulation of pink elements is produced with the aim of eliminating the visual shock to bring out the unique character of the individuals. The signs that shape the figures into a silhouette, the textures give the garments consistency, and the decorations are part of the construction. Large volumes are sculpted on the body by geometric tucks that highlight the gesture of tightening, sensual s-shaped lines, very short hemlines, and cinched waists. Also featured throughout, are bows, ruffles, petals, lace, and embroideries. The shoes throughout, stand on massive platforms in the same shade of pink. The pink-out is an experimental yet deeply human gesture that enhances individuality, capturing values and feelings. GH

www.valentino.com

Fashion

032C WORKSHOP X SNIPES

SNIPES and 032c WORKSHOP just launched their exclusive capsule collection titled BREAKING BARRIERS. With it, both brands showcase their distinct take on streetwear, and influential creators and VIPs from the realms of fashion, street style, and arts flocked to 032c WORKSHOP’s pop-up shop in Berlin for a sneak peek. TJ TurnUp, rappers Ufo361, and ASAP Nast, as well as celebrity stylist Bloody Osiris, were among the illustrious crowd. In 2016, 032c WORKSHOP started out as the merchandise extension of the eponymous Berlin-based magazine and has since gained a cult following in its own right, with drops generally being sold out in a heartbeat. And this unisex streetwear collection goes to show how perfectly their creative approach vibes with SNIPES. Having been started in 1998 in Germany, SNIPES has since evolved into a true household name in the realms of streetwear and sneakers having expanded widely into different European markets and the United States. Together, they have also added graffiti icon MODE2 to the roster, who contributed graphic elements to the designs. The result of the creative hive mind? An intersection of high fashion and authentic style influences directly from the streets. BREAKING BARRIERS features understated, contemporary streetwear essentials from accessories such as laces, socks, and bags to track pants, shirts, and jackets with impeccable details. The muted color palette of greys and black with some pops of bright green provides the perfect canvas for logo prints and MODE2’s intricate artworks.

032c WORKSHOP x SNIPES limited BREAKING BARRIERS collection will drop on March 5, 2022, in 8 select SNIPES stores across Europe and online.

www.snipes.com

Fashion

Marni's Objects of Affection

For the FW22 Season, Marni presented a collection about courage, time, and feelings condensed into objects of affection that are kept, cherished, and mended. These objects are like an identity card for the show protagonists: talismans to which their courage is attached. Marni, the Italian luxury fashion house with a history of humanist values combined with an experimental approach to materials and colors, is a state of mind, a playful spirit more than a brand. It is an expression of quirky elegance with an avant-garde attitude that holds a constant dialogue with the world of art. With the FW22 collection, Marni wanted to tell a story where objects were part of the plot. Objects inspired by tradition, mended objects, objects that seemed stolen from a museum, all jumbled together. While models shared the same wardrobe, each one of them was wearing clothes in their way and mixing them with their items of affection. They walked down the runway in big coats, shredded dresses and trousers, shrunken jackets, and outsized jumpers with sleeves dangling to the floor. To complete the collection, sartorial suits completely handmade by Attolini captured the emotion of tradition in the touch of the hand, defying mechanical reproduction. Old things become new, assembled with courage and affection. VB

www.marni.com

Fashion

Walk of Fame

Missoni, the brand that stands for zigzags, presented its FW22 Collection during Milan Fashion Week: a unique show that portrayed an array of celebrities walking down the runway. Founded in 1953, the Italian brand is a synonym of impeccable knitwear, refined tones, and meticulous details that, for this season, are reinvented through clothes with imperfections and cuts, adding a patina of fondness as if telling a long story. The FW22 Collection pays homage to the inner strength that pushes someone out of their comfort zone. It features feminine and masculine shapes combined, while light, bright, opaque, soft, metallic, and shiny materials complete the whole. An unexpected lifestyle enters the wardrobe given by a unique mash-up. This new lifestyle is, then, interpreted by different women and bodies. Missoni wanted to represent a strong and sweet woman, assertive and private, alternating between melodic and rock in the rhythm of a heartbeat. Celebrities such as model and actress Elisa Sednaoui, wearing a zebra motif maxi cape and a cream utility leather jumpsuit, appeared on the catwalk. But also Italian actress Greta Ferro, with a black and white geometric pattern knit with ultra baggy alpaca work pants, American actress and producer Marsai Martin, and French surfer Victoria Vergara took part at the fashion show. Not to mention top model Eva Herzigova, who wore a multicolor skin-tight knitted dress with a metallic coating. In addition, leading names of the Italian and international scene appeared on Missoni’s guest list. Mia Regan, Maria Sole Pollio, Veronica Yoko, and Lorenzo Viotti, among many others, attended the FW22 Show. VB

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Blooms With Furla

During Milan Fashion Week, Furla launched the Bloom Bag, a new item that marks an important step towards a greener future. With a long craftsmanship tradition linked to a stylish design, Furla is a one-of-a-kind brand that has always preserved its traditional roots while keeping up with the times. In fact, for this season, the Italian House, according to current trends and to do a step towards the environment, decided to embrace new sustainable materials and technologies. Furla presented The Bloom Bag 1927 crafted with a unique paper whose main component is FSC® certified wood pulp. The result is a product made of organic substances, biodegradable under controlled composting conditions, and free of petroleum-derived elements. The Bloom Bag is a revolutionary accessory that recalls the ancient Japanese art of folding paper. It is flexible, supple, and light, just like an origami flower, and it expresses the beauty of craftsmanship and Italian style. Complex in its simplicity, beautiful and functional, the handbag becomes a precious product celebrating change, joy, and blooms. VB

www.furla.com

Fashion

Loro Piana Modern Icons: Seaside Walk and Summer Walk

For SS22, luxury Italian house Loro Piana has relaunched its iconic footwear in the modern evolution of classic espadrilles: Summer Walk and Seaside Walk. The shoes are designed for summers spent outdoors, sailing, at the seaside, or in town. They have a sporty, casual spirit while also excluding the natural sophistication that has always been synonymous with the brand. Summer Walk was inspired by the classic boat shoe, but over the years has become an emblem of a comfortable, dynamic, and versatile wardrobe. There is a space on the heel for engraving the wearer’s name, a practice originated for sailing enthusiasts to recognize the pair. The shoe has technical elements exclusive to the brand for better stability and traction, such as hand-stitched seams with the waxed thread of shoemaking tradition, and Loro Piana’s signature white sole. The Seaside Walk espadrille is perfect in its simplicity. Available in soft, lined suede or Wish® wool knit, it is made with superior materials, artisanal craftsmanship, and the innate class that makes the house so unique. Both the Summer Walk and Seaside Walk are available in an array of neutral and bright tones, perfect for the summer wardrobe. GH

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Lacoste SS22

Lacoste continues to be a pillar of French sportswear, with its SS22 campaign celebrating a modern shift towards the perception of classic sports references. The collection features new variations of the brand’s signature patchwork tennis shirt in their classic shades of green, dark blue, taupe, black, and optically white. This is reworked on knitwear, where close-fitting, striped rib dresses and matching ensembles are a new variation. The classic Lacoste polo is reimagined on a printed mesh. On top of this, there is a new color selection that emphasizes warm, bright tones such as scarlet, emerald, burgundy orange, and neon yellow. Breathable and ventilating clothing features logo mesh decals and ventilating inserts in cycling jerseys, track shorts, and basketball jerseys, while ergonomic perforations have been manually laser cut in neoprene baseball jackets. Soft parachute fabrics and glossy finishes accentuate the playful transparency along with the outerwear featuring rubber-embossed brand logos zip-and-drawstring anoraks that evoke the feeling of being indispensable and lusting after speed. Trendy accessories perfectly embellish the look, ranging from molded leaf slippers and Jacquard weaved knee socks to tinted sunglasses with neoprene cords, bottle holders, and cross-body messenger bags with buckles. The collection is a true reflection of Louise Trotter’s fascinations within the codes and culture surrounding sports, merging sportswear and everyday outfits closer together, these blur the lines between sports clichés and streetwear. GH

www.lacoste.com

Fashion

MiuMiu Workout

MiuMiu has introduced a capsule collection of sports accessories to facilitate a search for inner balance and outer strength. Born from the independent and unconventional spirit of Miuccia Prada, MiuMiu illustrates the most rebellious and seductive core of contemporary femininity. It is a youthful and playful brand that, this year, decided to embrace women’s sporting spirit launching a line of yoga mats and bricks, drawstring gym pouches, boxing gloves, and water bottles. Each item is adorned with the instantly recognizable MiuMiu logo and made functional thanks to adjustable webbed straps for cross-body or over-the-shoulder carrying. While the color palette of soft pink and classic black combined with white stripe detailing revokes MiuMiu’s naïf energy and iridescent subversion. The capsule collection is an emblem of empowered femininity and belonging to a community of like-minded, free-spirited souls. MiuMiu Workout is already available at selected Miu Miu stores worldwide and on the brand’s website. VB

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Dior SS22

Maison Dior have launched their SS22 campaign, inspired by the colorful questioning of the role of play in our lives, it is the perfect shift towards spring that we need. The technicolor versatility within the collection is an ode to the work of Anna Paparatti, designed by the house’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri. Set against a monochromatic zebra crossing-esque background, playfully infiltrated with bursts of color, the campaign’s color-block aesthetic is able to capture the eye with ease. Photographer Brigitte Niedermair brings the campaign to life in the same hyperkinetic chromatic spirit. In the collection, models are draped in cubic silhouettes and 3D embroidered cuts similar to the ready-to-wear collection shown in Paris in 2021. The campaign also revisits some of the brand’s celebrated accessories, including the miniature Lady Dior Bag and the classic MissDior sunglasses that complete these magnetic silhouettes with their 50s allure. The energising campaign video is illuminated by a flash of lazers in the same block color palette of the garments. The joyous undertones of the campaign makes Dior stand out yet again, continue to revolutionize the women’s fashion industry. GH

www.dior.com

Fashion

Armand Basi - Project 01: No Gender Tailoring

Armand Basi has been relaunched their eponymous label under the creative direction of Eva Basi, granddaughter of brand's founder. Armand Basi was one of the benchmarks of 80s Spanish designer fashion, parading on international catwalks with its first store in London. The revamp named “Project 01: No Gender Tailoring” has been designed by Joan Ros, a designer specialising in tailoring. Ros’ imaginary is shaped by his family origins, the countryside of tailoring, as well as the British aesthetic. The collection turns the concept of traditional tailoring on its head with British youth counter-culture styles as inspiration, eradicating gender and season. The rebellious tone throughout the collection is based on the diplomatic line representing tradition in clothing, but applied to the garments that come from counter culture. The collection features various visual games, such as silky-looking cottons, tailoring with zip-fastenings, and knitwear that looks destroyed but with an exquisite technique. Accessories with the capsule collection also presents us with somewhat an illusion; from a distance they seem to have come from an alternative setting, but close up we can see that they’re watch chains. The collection also advocates up-cycling, as most of the fabrics have been recovered from the surpluses of fashion companies.GH

www.armandbasi.com

Fashion

A Lock To Celebrate Love

DoDo celebrates San Valentine’s Day 2022 by launching a new bracelet and necklace embellished with a lock, a universal symbol representing any kind of attachment and bond. Known to offer high-end jewelry to a broader unisex audience combining playful aesthetics and expressing a personal message, DoDo, for this special occasion, decided to celebrate love in all its forms creating a new charm in the shape of a lock. It is a commonly used object that throughout its history has always been loaded with meanings that have transformed it into a powerful motif without labels. The new DoDo Lock, available in rose silver or silver, has been redesigned with soft volumes and rounded shapes by skilled master craftsmen. The result is a unique jewel with an enameled keyhole on the front, vertical engravings, and a screw-shaped decoration on the base, an appropriate gift for every type of relationship.

www.dodo.it

Fashion

Cole Sprouse x Versace 2022

Versace have launched their new 2022 capsule collection, with Cole Sprouse taking centre stage as the perfect embodiment of the Versace name, branded as the epitome of eloquent, expressive masculinity. Captured by internationally renowned photographer Steven Klein, the campaign imagery was taken through a hand-held camera to fully capture Sprouse’s movement, charisma, and innate star power. Featured in the collection are the VE2242 Medusa Focus sunglasses. The perfect symbol of Versace’s bold, striking aesthetic, the metal navigator frames feature multiple of the house’s iconic features, including the Greek Key and brand logo at the temples. The model is available with light grey lenses and a black mirror effect, completed with a small, embossed Medusa on the frame, a staple to the brand. Another feature are the VE2243 Medusa Mesmerize, glamorous sunglasses with a futuristic look, featuring a wrap-around metal mask frame and clip-on details along the profile of the lenses, adding a magnetic vibe to the model presented. Completing the collection with a more sophisticated profile, are the VE1279 Medusa Dream. This optical model epitomizes the urban chic cosmopolitan spirit. Repeated throughout the collection is the Versace logo engraved on the temples for a luxurious finish and contemporary appeal.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Push Your Limits

For 2022 The North Face presented the latest generation of the NSE collection. With iconic graphics, eye-catching colors, and wearable pieces, the brand created timeless garments designed to push the limits in any environment. The NSE line celebrates individuality with a fresh and culturally influenced design, combining the mountain roots of the brand with an urban style that stands out in both women's and men's collections. Realized in bold colors, both of them feature iconic pieces such as the Safety Green Phlego DryVent Jacket, the Polar Fleece, and the Graphic Tee for the male wardrobe, and The Phlego Synth Jacket in Brilliant Coral for women. This piece is the highlight of the NSE collection. A line that stays true to The North Face’s DNA, inspiring individuals to strive for something more, to wonder why, to be themselves, and to go their own way. The NSE collection will be available from February 8th, 2022 on the brand website and in selected The North Face stores.

www.thenorthface.nl

Fashion

Marsèll’s Uniform

Marsèll SS22 Collection renovates an iconic shoe design with a new ultra-light sole, while also launching a partnership with GRASSI 10000, a workwear brand that explores the concept of modern uniforms. For this season, Marsèll, an artisan business devoted to the study and exploration of forms, has chosen to transform the iconic style and trademark of the brand, the Gommello, into a shoe of extraordinary lightness thanks to new research on the rubber soles. Entitled Gommellone, this modern take comes in Chelsea and Derby styles and over ten different colors. The Gommellone then became the protagonist of the collaboration between Marsèll and Grassi 10000. The company restyled it with a made-in-Italy uniform consisting of a jacket, pants, coat, and Bermuda made of peached cotton in blue or green. The garments, shot by photographer Jonathan Frantini, are an extension of the workwear concept: essential lines and high-quality materials that give rise to a new formal urban style that fits into any daily environment.

www.marsell.it

Fashion

Gregoris Pyrpylis is the Creative Director for Hermès Beauty

Greek make-up artist Gregoris Pyrpylis has been appointed as the new creative director for Hermès Beauty. He is described by Agnès de Villers, President of Hermès Parfum & Beauté, as “an expert in colors, textures, and gestures that express and elevate beauty”. The make-up artist has embraced the aims of Hermès that “seek to provide its community with an experience, a journey, during which each personality can be expressed, each form of beauty revealed”. The Hermès Beauty métier launched in March 2020, starting with Rouge Hermès lipsticks, and has since been expanded with Rose Hermès blush line and Les Maines Hermès nail varnishes. Pyrpylis will be the driving force for the development of these collections. Pyrpylis has announced “it is a great joy to be able to create, spread, and share this common vision of beauty as creative director for Hermès Beauty”.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Valentino Anatomy of Couture

The Haute Couture SS22 Collection by Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli has been imaged as a quest for beauty that welcomes all of its manifestations, ending in a performance that transcends age, background, and shape. Haute Couture has always been a chase for perfection expressed through the body of the house model, on which everything is conceived and built. As the body of women and their beauty canons are changing over time, Pierpaolo Piccioli felt the urgency to adapt, to rethink the rituals and processes behind couture. The Valentino Anatomy of Couture collection has therefore not been imagined on an idealized body, but on a variety of women of different physiques and ages, a true reflection of the richness and diversity of the contemporary world promoting an idea of beauty that is not absolute, but embraces a more democratic spirit . The collection was built as a composite harmony of physical types and clothes that dress them. Studied through a long process, both scientific and poetic in a dialogue between who thinks the clothes, who makes them, and who wears them. The silhouettes follow the body or detach from it, while nudity glimmers from extremely short hems, peeping from deep necklines that reveal the torso.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

HUGO BOSS: New Start

HUGO BOSS launched two simultaneous star-studded global campaigns for its brands BOSS and HUGO. This release is the first visual representation of a true 360-degree rebrand. Both BOSS and HUGO now with a new, modern brand identity are focussing on a younger and global audience and a more playful and casual aesthetic. With the branding refresh, HUGO BOSS aims to become a top 100 worldwide brand without losing its original codes of dressing excellence. The new era of HUGO BOSS starts with the release of the BOSS #BEYOUROWNBOSS campaign, their first social campaign, shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Mikael Jannson. The campaign features an all-star cast, from Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber to international TikToker Khaby Lame with whom the brand established a strategic partnership. The launch will be then followed by an impressive digital activation of 200 talents that will post their personal BOSS stories on different social media channels as a concrete means to connect with a new audience. While BOSS is launching #BEYOUROWNBOSS, HUGO is launching the #HOWDOYOUHUGO campaign, activated across different channels. The campaign is covering various artistic fields and features an international cast of celebrities, most notably top model Adut Akech, rapper Big Matthew, SAINt JHN and American dancer Maddie Ziegler, who are act as the faces of the campaign.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

CHANEL Haute Couture SS22

For the Chanel SS22 Haute Couture Show, Creative Director Virginie Viard has invited French contemporary artist Xavier Veilhan to realize the set design of the show. It is the first time that Chanel entrusted a contemporary artist to imagine the staging of the show. Part landscape, part garden, and part open theatre stage, the project combines key topics close to both parties: from the equestrian paths to the principle of lightness and constructivist motifs. The show was opened by Chanel Ambassador Charlotte Casiraghi on horseback, dressed in a black tweed jacket with jeweled buttons, setting the tone for a collection in between the realms of fantasy and reality. The Chanel SS22 Collection expresses an ethereal lightness made of bright and joyful silhouettes set in sharp contrast to the geometric decor. Ethereal dresses float as if suspended while embroidered patterns such as constructivist camellias in black, white, and coral beads pay homage to Gabrielle Chanel in a conversation that crosses time. In addition, Chanel also released a series of short films that feature two personalities close to the French House: musician Sébastien Tellier, who can be seen in one of the graphic compositions, and Charlotte Casiraghi.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto FW22

Going back to the roots, Yohji Yamamoto’s FW22 fashion show took place in his Aoyoma flagship store in Tokyo rather than Paris due to COVID. Five well-known Japanese actors were included in the cast, which emphasized the local character of the show. The collection draws inspiration from Japanese calligraphy and artworks of the Polish painter Zdzislaw Beksinski, known for his distinct version of dystopian surrealism. Much of the collection was inspired by 19th-century menswear. Exposed seams with hanging threads meet tied ascots and waistcoats, resembling the work clothing of a chimney sweep. Yamamoto’s continued fascination for the cult of punk becomes visible in patches of leopards prints on black suits and coats. Romanticizing the image of Edward Scissorhands, the model’s powdered hair signified both ashes and age. Yamamoto’s FW22 collection brings innovation and consistency together. Setting an example of strength and integrity he provides a body of work that draws on wisdom, creativity and rebellion.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Dior Men's FW22

Artistic Director Kim Jones says about the inspiration behind the Dior FW22 menswear collection: “I wanted to look at the archive, at the purity of the beginnings of the house, at its original impulse. We looked at the initial collections and focused on the architecture, taking these elements and transforming them almost instinctively in a masculine way for today, always keeping the joie de vivre at the heart of Christian Dior’s clothing.” Presented in Paris on the Pont Alexandre III, the silhouettes emerge in motion reflecting the colors of the sky and the passage of time during the show for Paris Fashion Week. The looks reflect the movement of time and the continuum of designers who unify the past, present, and future of the House’s legacy. This season is an homage to heritage, a living history paving the way for the future. Fluctuating between masculinity and femininity, the garments blend gender-boundaries in a contemporary manner. During the show, the scent of lily of the valley fills the air, symbolically fusing nature and culture, a connection dear to Dior. For the 75th anniversary of the House, Kim Jones engages in the ultimate conversation and association with Christian Dior himself. Two men’s paths collide, forming a new legacy for Dior.

www.dior.com

Fashion

LOUIS VUITTON FW22 MEN’S COLLECTION BY VIRGIL ABLOH

Virgil Abloh was known to use fashion as a tool for definition and redefinition and to understand the world. For FW22, Louis Vuitton presents Collection 8: In the Grand Scheme of Things by Virgil Abloh. Supported by his seasonal vocabulary – “a liberal definition of terms and explanation of ideas” – the visionary’s eighth collection is rooted in the desire to challenge conventional ways of seeing. The collection’s premise lies in using fashion to decode the biases inherent in human appearance. Abloh’s goal was to change the way we look at each other and treat each other. Virgil Abloh’s creations are deeply rooted in imagination – the everlasting driver of his life's work. It’s what brought him to Louis Vuitton and what leads his legacy at the Maison. The recently deceased Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton embedded his view of fashion as a social, political and cultural signifier and mediator of change for FW22 like never before. Driven by this conviction, the Louis Dreamhouse™ created by Virgil Abloh serves to convey the themes and messages of the arc he created at Louis Vuitton. It’s an octology that plays out in the tradition of the hero’s journey: the age-old story of the underdog, who is tried and tested and becomes a sensation in the eyes of his spectators.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Paul Smith FW22

Paul Smith delves into the rich world of arthouse cinema for the Men's FW22 collection, highlighting the unique aesthetic techniques of the greatest filmmakers. With intricate textures, a cinematic color palette and otherworldly photographic prints, the collection culminates in a confident new look for the season. Inspirations for the color palettes from sepia and monochromatic films of the 1930s to the 1960s, to the rise of technicolour and the emergence of striking new cinematic techniques. Including icy neutrals, vibrant greens, blues and reds, the collection features a multi-faceted color adventure. Photo prints, a longtime Paul Smith signature, are intriguingly vibrant with an otherworldly quality reminiscent of vintage movie posters and old cinema interiors. The intoxicating Starlet print, inspired by studio headshots of screen stars during Hollywood's golden age, is rendered in three distinct tones meant to reflect the evolution of cinematic styles.

www.paulsmith.com

Fashion

DoDo celebrates the Chinese New Year

Introducing a new tiger pendant design, DoDo celebrates the Chinese New Year 2022. The jewellery piece is a precious miniature tiger that represents the fourth pendant of the Chinese zodiac. DoDo joins the celebrations of the festival with a fine jewellery addition, dedicating the design to another year under the sun in honor of the strong sign of the tiger. The wild cat embodies a powerful, courageous and unpredictable spirit. It loves challenges and adventures, lives to the fullest and evokes strong emotional connotations. Made of 18K gold, the DoDo tiger pendant has a fur to stroke with red lacquer-enamel stripes. The leitmotif of the special collection stands for luck, wealth and love. The artisans of DoDo have created the cat of prey delicately and added a charm that becomes a stylish touch to the emblematic look.

www.dodo.it

Fashion

CHANEL x 2022 César Revelations

For the fifth consecutive year, CHANEL is the Official Partner of the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma for the César Revelations project. This partnership is an opportunity for the House to support the young talents of today and tomorrow, while reaffirming its commitment to creation. It features thirty-two young actors designated by the Revelations, who are set to assist the members of the Academy in the voting process of the categories of Best Emerging Actress and Best Emerging Actor at the next César ceremony, which will take place on Friday 25 February 2022. This year, the César Revelations are brought together in a short film directed by the duo Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai, whose film “LOURDES” was nominated in 2020 for the César Award for Best Documentary Film. Parigot and Zbeida Belhajamor as well as actresses Ludivine Sagnier, Irène Jacob and Mélanie Thierry who are featured in the film were dressed and styled by CHANEL.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Prada FW22: Body of Work

The Prada FW22 Menswear Show at Milan Fashion Week examined the concept of work as a state of reality and an essential component of life in the twenty-first century. Reality disrupts the idyllic fantasy of the aesthetic of the show by utilizing theater and cinema as mirrors of truth. For this season’s breathtaking show by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada is reimagined by AMO as a stage for action, a representation of a heightened actuality. The cast of actors includes ten renowned actors: Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Asa Butterfield, Jeff Goldblum, Damson Idris, Kyle MacLachlan, Tom Mercier, Jaden Michael, Louis Partridge, Ashton Sanders, and Filippo Scotti. Recognized personas, which add a sense of reality. The show is an artistic attempt to valorize daily life by weaving elegance and sophistication into its patterns. An interplay that gives the uniform – conventionally associated with work-life – a new meaning, emphasizing the societal value and multi-faceted nature of work. Pragmatic clothing receives a reinvented dignity, creating uniforms of reality, rematerialized in precious leather and silk tech as a mark of respect and value. Pragmatism and elegance collide in the language of sartorial tailoring, a formality that conveys importance.

www.prada.com

Fashion

J.W. Anderson Menswear FW22

Fascinated by the endless possibilities of experiencing masculinity, the J.W. Anderson FW22 menswear show at Milan Fashion Week impresses through its enthusiasm for exploration. Anderson is deeply inspired by the transformative nature of garments and the discovery of their meaning in current times. Playing with the role that sounds play in the hyper-stimulating online media environment, Anderson created menswear tunics with rubber bands and sweaters featuring tube-shaped extensions along the hem, designed to generate a sound through movement. The designer intended to make a reference to the current ASMR and TikTok culture, in which sounds are at the core of expression. Anderson: “A lot of the materials have these odd sounds qualities that are kind of almost sexual… there’s a kind of tension.” A tension that paves the way for creative opportunity filtered through the label’s sense of luxury and beauty.

www.jwanderson.com

Fashion

Brioni FW22: The Allegory of Air

Ever in pursuit of its core purpose, the creation of clothing defined by its timeless beauty and comfort, the Italian house of Brioni has understood that the customer and their demands are changing and realized a need to reflect on the wider world around. A comfortable piece of clothing needs to adapt to a variety of different situations while offering the wearer a maximum amount of comfort, two previously strictly divided menswear universes come together - the formal and the casual. Norbert Strumpf, Brioni Design Director, explores this common ground applying progressive design to artisanal know-how, creating pieces of unmatched lightness conveying unparalleled ease and pleasure for a modern, dynamic wearer. To create substance, despite the minimal weight, textures become paramount. The vision, articulated through unmatched materials and fabrics such as Prince of Wales cashmere and ultrafine 180 wool, stresses the clothes luxurious feel and Brioni’s material expertise. Tailoring is hybridized, suiting is deconstructed, resulting in the workwear suit, an ultralight herringbone field jacket paired with matching trousers and the jogging suit, pairing a half-button rugby shirt and trousers. Our notion of sophistication is changing and our clothing needs to adapt. With this in mind, Brioni seeks to create menswear that empowers its wearer with timeless urban elegance while enjoying ease and comfort. For the first time in its history, the Italian house is expanding its vision to the realm of womenswear, presenting a capsule collection of six looks of pieces developed from the menswear and cut for the female form.

www.brioni.com

Fashion

Zegna FW22: Looking at the world through the Zegna lens

Zegna and their Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori have spent the last few seasons searching for the modern man by asking the very important question “What makes a man?” The modern man is complex, influenced by a myriad of factors and if one thing has become clear, he has outgrown the classic suit, an evolution that has become more and more apparent since 2008. With the FW22 collection, Alessandro Sartori updates the classic suit for a modern man, with this collection representing a bold and fresh new start without the categorical imperatives which have dictated menswear for so long. The collection itself is a perfect example of a new way of tailoring, its traditional codes updated and combined with elements of sportswear, utilitarian and streetwear, as well as new construction techniques utilizing new materials. Highlights of the collection were the deformalized jackets achieving a sharp silhouette without the need for padding, as well as a gabardine jacket featuring one of the most interesting and unusual notch lapel construction whilst also relinquishing the buttons at the split cuff. Overall, the collection was a perfect representation of this modern man, uncategorizable in regards to outdated standards, but an organic coming together of many influences all coming together as one.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

La Rose Dior

Victoire de Castellane was inspired by the different facets of the rose - Monsieur Dior's favorite flower - in La Rose Dior jewellery collection which launched in January 2022. The new Rose Dior Couture collection follows other emblematic collections such as Bois de Rose, Rose Dior Bagatelle or Rose Dior Pré Catalan, completing the universe dedicated to the unique flower. An expression of elegance, which lives on and never fails to impress. “Fortunately, there are flowers,” Monsieur Dior confided in his memoirs, which implies his deep belief in the sensual power and aesthetic of flowers. His fascination for the rose is foregrounded in the new La Rose Dior collection and reiterates his passion for the eternal source of inspiration. Artistic Director of Dior Joaillerie once again adds to the precious garden of collections he has cultivated in the name of the rose and creates a pluralistic story reflecting multi-faceted femininity.

 www.dior.com

Fashion

Hermès Rouge - SS22 Limited Edition

The new SS22 edition of Rouge Hermès comes across like a bouquet of light. Three shades inspired by an artist’s garden celebrate the harmony between the sky, sun the shimmer of reflecting water on an early spring morning. The trio of color vibrations depict a fresh, magical vibrancy, and a graphic fantasy modelled by light and inspired by vivid flowers. The colors of the tubes, designed by Pierre Hardy, creator of Hermès Beauty objects and creative director of Hermès shoes and jewellery, conclude the lipsticks and make them intriguing objects of desire. A palette that is vibrant, yet harmonic combines the neon radiance of orange, bright green, and red with the more subtle shades of an azure sky, a mirror of water, and a passing mist. The bright bands seem to be reflected in the softer colors, bringing the sense of rediscovered joy and playfulness to an elevated level. The sensory experience is advanced with a signature scent by Christine Nagel, director of creation and olfactory heritage at Hermès, who created a blend of arnica, sandalwood, and candied angelica.

 www.hermes.com

Fashion

In the Mood for Prada

The Prada womenswear SS22 campaign is an exploration of desire and sensuality. It showcases the SS22 collection and explores the relationship between a woman and her clothing. Reflecting the feeling of Prada, the creation by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons merges reality and fantasy through its storytelling. The cast is led by the actor Hunter Schafer and includes models Selena Forrest, Julia Nobis and Lina Zhang, who are captured in the acts of dressing and undressing. Striking details express a sense of closeness and intimacy, which undeniably draw the viewer in. Photographer David Sims creates an authentic, intriguing moment through his photographs which showcase the innate personal relationship people have to their garments – the women’s relationship to Prada wear. The imagery captures and celebrates everyday gestures and the multiply moods of life. A vivid embodiment of the SS22 collection emerges as the campaign evolves through a series of videos and photographic contributions devised by a series of emerging image-makers, each invited on set to interpret the collection, the campaign, and the mood of Prada.

 www.prada.com

Fashion

Pooch Knuckles

 Moose Knuckles introduces its latest collection for pets - Pooch Knuckles. The mini-me style jackets for dogs launched in December 2021during the holiday season. The collection features two dog-wear styles inspired by Moose Knuckles' iconic Stirling Parka. Pooch Knuckles’ functionality is designed to help pet owners to dress their dogs for outdoor activities in the cold winter months. Featuring an opening on the back for the leash, adjustable Velcro closures and J-seams with pockets for dog bags, the parka meets the needs of both the owner and the pet. The collection includes the Pooch Parka and Pooch Parka Gold Series coats, which showcase fur trim and Moose Knuckles' signature metal logo and studs and have a durable, water-resistant and windproof exterior. Available in three size options the Pooch Knuckles pieces are available for four-legged friends of various body shapes and heights. Offering the same high-quality weather-proof combination of style and materiality, Moose Knuckles translates its core design ideals into the world of dog wear. The collection is available at Mooseknucklescanada.com, as well as Moose Knuckles stores in SoHo (New York), Boston, London and Montreal.

 www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Travel

The Incantation

The vision of lush green landscapes, vintage American cars and cheerful people with good spirits, immediately resonates with the image of Cuba. César Martí, Maestro Ronero at Eminente, is an embodiment of the country’s values, its culture and history. Cuban energy and culture are ubiquitous in Martí’s world. Each one of his projects is unique but they all carry the same recognizable signature – a feeling of the joyous and welcoming Cuban atmosphere. Besides preserving the national identity of rum, César Martí’s passion lies in renewing the complexity of the spiritous beverage that is deeply-rooted in the cultural heritage of Cuba. Surrounded by sugar cane fields and influenced by his grandfather, who worked his whole life in the sugar cane industry, his upbringing already predicted his passion for aromas. He fell in love with the art of rum-making resulting in him becoming the youngest Maestro Ronero in the history of Cuba. César Martí can be uncompromisingly identified with a unique talent for masterfully managing to enhance the historical taste of ancient Cuban rum with modern techniques of mixing the complex aguardientes, often referred to as the “soul of Cuba”. His experience and passion made him an expert in creating the latest extraordinary version of rum, called Eminente. In his conversation with ZOO, César Martí talks about his life’s passion, Eminente, and how he wants to revive the image of Cuba beyond its borders.

Jesse Rintoul: Claiming to capture the best of all Cuban regions is a bold statement. Would the other nine Maestros Roneros agree with this or claim their own rums to be superior? Have you received any praise from your competitors at home?
César Martí: When I designed Eminente, I was inspired by the Cuban aguardientes of the late 19th century and took the specific cities that distinguish Cuban rum today in the different regions of the island, Occidental, Central and Oriental as a reference, combining these three styles in a style of its own. Central style conceives a different, intense, complex and full-bodied product with very specific characteristics, exhibiting in its two products a level of complexity and depth, superior for its type and showing in turn the delicacy and aesthetics of the traditional light rum. We, the Cuban rum masters, defend the Cuban rum culture above all else throughout the length and breadth of the island, of which Eminente is a faithful representative. Every design made by any Maestro seeks to satisfy the demands of a market and we all recognize the quality that distinguishes them for the purpose for which they are created. I have received many compliments from the rest of the Cuban rum masters, who recognize that Eminente is a faithful representative of our Cuban rum culture.

JR: The excellence related to being a Maestro Ronero is largely built on experiences and tradition. How did you experience the path to becoming a Maestro Ronero?
CM: Because of my background of chemist studies, my approach to rum is different. I categorize the liquid like an oenologist. And thanks to having grown up in a family that worked with sugar cane, I know the journey from the soil to the bottle like the back of my hand. Simultaneously, I have always liked the idea of being inspired by the Cuban rums of the 19th century, recreating their characteristics by using the modern yet modest methods of our distillery. My path to becoming a Maestro Ronero was different, because both my family background as well as my academics are critical components of my journey.

JR: Made with 70% aged aguardientes, which is the highest amount in all of the Cuban rums, even when the Cuban regulations only require 20%. What made you decide to put so much emphasis on the aguardientes?
CM: With Eminente Reserva 7 years old, new standards are set by being made with 70% of different types of aged aguardientes. With this design I wanted to bring a renewed complexity to Cuban rum, combining the art of natural ageing, the selection of barrels for ageing at each stage and finally, the exquisite selection and multiple blends of aged aguardientes that form part of the final recipe.

Read the full interview in the current ZOO December Issue 73!

www.eminente.com

Fashion

Valentine’s Charm

The high jeweler A.E. Koechert has been founded in 1814 by Emmanuel Pioté and Jacob Heinrich Köchert. Ever since then, the family-owned business has been creating unique jewelry creations in their Viennese parent location – at times for the Austrian emperor himself. Nowadays, the jeweler pursues to treat all his clients as if they were emperors themselves – bringing the felicity of considerate gifts to the customer. Taking the literal translation of the notion “joaillier” into account, which means “the bringer of joy”, A.E. Koechert wholeheartedly stands for creating joy with their designs. Creativity and individuality are an inherent part of their visual language, emphasizing the unconventional, the personal, the valuable and not least the eccentric. Thinking ahead, the jewelers of A.E. Koechert have created a line dedicated to Valentine’s Day – composed of three rings, a necklace and a pair of earrings, the collection exudes a playful charm, toying with the shape of hearts, different tones of pink and the incomparable glistening of gemstones. Made from white gold and with a prominent ruby heart and an infinity-style adornment of diamonds, one of the rings caters to the customer who seeks symbolisms, whereas the other two rings, crafted from gold and with a design that features two opposite facing hearts, offers a more subtle approach to Valentine’s Day’s semiotic interpretations. The necklace and the earrings show a complex style, in which fluid and solid parts of a diamond-studded gold chain intertwine, drawing attention to the circular-shaped rose-colored opals, bright pink rhodolite and vibrant pink sapphires it carries. 

www.koechert.com

Fashion

Giuseppe Zanotti’s Cobra Sneaker

During the Milan Fashion Week in September, Giuseppe Zanotti has revealed a new sneaker model – the COBRA. Now, after making its debut on the runway, the sneaker is being launched on a global retail level. Inspired by the snake symbol, which has been featured in Giuseppe Zanotti clothing collections before, the sneaker channels allegories of power and transformation. The body of the low-top sneaker appears to be writhed by a snake, twining in serpentines around the sole and the corpus of the shoe, its head stealthily sitting atop the toe cap. The same pattern – in a 2D version – finds itself on the rubber sole of the sneaker. The sculpted and delicately scaled head is enhanced by a set of crystal eyes, bestowing the COBRA with luxurious grandeur. Giuseppe Zanotti launched four tone-on-tone iterations of the COBRA sneaker, including black and white, as well as pink and red. Presented in a campaign with Atlanta-based rapper Young Thug, the launch of the sneaker nods to the hip-hop scene, placing Giuseppe Zanotti in the epicenter of streetwear culture. Captured by photographer Cam Kirk, the campaign reflects the expressive dynamic and the transformative powers behind hype movements. “Young Thug defies classifications and stereotypes,” says Giuseppe Zanotti, “he has always embraced the eccentric, the unapologetic – not only with his music but also with his fashions. He perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the COBRAS.” Reciprocating the appreciation for one another, Young Thug stated: “For me, Giuseppe is like a chameleon. He’s got the Italian style thing down but knows how to change it up and layer in the unexpected, the street. It’s fire.”

The COBRA sneaker will be available from December 17th 2021 onwards, in US Giuseppe Zanotti boutiques, selected luxury retailers, as well as on giuseppezanotti.com.

www.guiseppezanotti.com

Fashion

Strength through Unity: Dior Fall 2022

Maria Grazia Churri has revealed the looks of the Dior Fall 2022 collection in which she drew inspiration from the women of the Dior Maison, calling to life a collection that tributes empowerment. Overall, the collection expressed the idea of strength through unity, set into the context of fashion by a collection that appears as highly individual interpretations of the same uniform. Many of the looks featured layering, creating depth and personal style. Dungaree dresses layered over white shirts, black ties combined with quilted, fringed ponchos, and tulle skirts balanced with heavy boots reoccurred throughout the collection, making for an aesthetic that merged school attires with mature elements. The color palette exhibited black and white looks, complemented with dark neutral colors as well as recurring shades of yellow. Maria Grazia Churri experimented with pattern mixing, in particular with different kinds of plaids and diamond checks. Knee-length skirts and mid-length sleeves introduced new shapes into the current silhouettes. On a more feminine side, the looks were subtly enhanced with see-through blouses and lingerie tops, featuring sheer materials as a contrast to the strong lines and sharp tailoring. With great attention to detail, the looks show unexpected elements such as open hemlines and asymmetries. Accessory-wise, the collection showed leather woven belts, at times connected to the black ties, creating a harness-like shape, as well as black socks complementing the sturdy boots, given a twist with lacing detail at the top.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Heatwave Incoming

Appearing like a kaleidoscope of form and color, the AGR SS22 collection brings the post-lockdown spirit to life, giving it a vibrant look. The typical technicolor offering of the brand is a response to the collective yearning for freedom, adventure, and pure enjoyment. “London on heat” is how AGR founder Alicia Robinson describes the narrative of this season, which is an assemblage of different sources of inspiration. Drawing on British photographer Martin Parr’s hyper-saturated images of everyday life, the collection channels the spirit and style of the 90s rave culture, showcasing knitwear in imaginative forms and tailor-made psychedelic pieces. Further exploring the realm of bright pop color, the season’s intensive color palette takes inspiration from abstract painter Mark Rothko’s seminal color field paintings. AGR’s signature lime green is accompanied by neons, which are juxtaposed with natural, neutral tones and the use of space-dyed yarns. For textile and form, AGR created new jacquards in collaboration with the Netherlands-based knitwear manufacturer Knitwear Lab, which emulates the appearance of American spray-gun painter Roy Colmer’s spray- and stripe-work. Lastly, referencing Parr’s photography the AGR look book of the season portrays a summery scene, telling a tale of positivity, enthusiasm, and a taste for a bustling future.

www.agrknit.co.u

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Ventures Out Into the Alps

For the first time in its longstanding legacy, Louis Vuitton launches a capsule collection devoted to winter sports. The resulting collection features a complete wardrobe, that leaves no dressing desires unattended – from the slopes to the chalet, from the crisp mornings to the chilly evenings, offering apparel, accessories and shoes. The collection introduces a new LV emblem, namely a snowflake-shaped Flacon logo, that has been exclusively created for the occasion. Alpine landscapes are not only the backdrop where the collection is put to practice but serve as recurring motifs on the textiles themselves. Puffer jackets with feather linings come with matching leggings and pullovers, bringing a poetical, yet futuristic touch to the mountains with metallic finishes and sunset imagery. Sleeveless vests in puffer and fur versions ensure additional layers, whereas a selection of sweaters, shirts and dresses offers garments for the après-ski events. The looks are replenished by a variety of shoes – among the styles are rubber boots in different heights, as well as leather ankle boots for more sophisticated occasions. For the luxury-oriented winter athlete, Louis Vuitton further unveils a limited edition pair of skis, with an aluminium-covered wooden core, bringing the iconic LV monogram to the slopes. To ensure a head-to-toe look, the skis come with a pair of high-tech boots, developed in collaboration with Tecnica. High-performance results are stipulated with Louis Vuitton’s touch of decadency in this debut ski capsule.

The capsule collection is available as of right now in Louis Vuitton stores.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

2022 -The Year Of the Tiger at Piaget

It has been ten years since Piaget launched their first wristwatch dedicated to Chinese traditions. Ever since then, the French horology brand unveils each new anew a watch that pays tribute to the animal of the according year of the Chinese calendar. Beginning in February 2022, the tiger becomes the signum of the Chinese zodiac. Imprinted onto the dial of an Altiplano timepiece, the Tiger edition is limited to 38 pieces, which are meticulously handcrafted by master-enameller Anita Porchet. The tiger finds itself on, a mother-of-pearl colored enamel background that enhances the subtle details and colors of the tiger itself. Using a technique known as cloisonné, that is over 4000 years old, Porchet turned towards the craft of decorative art. The design is carefully transferred onto the surface of the dial, with golden ribbons that create the silhouette of the tiger. The resulting shapes – also called cloisons in French – are then enhanced with enamel pigments that breathe life and depth into the 2d design. The delicacy and strong colors express the majesty and agility of this extraordinary animal. The watchcase is crafted from 18 karat white-gold, set with 78 brilliant cut diamonds and is powered by an ultra-thin, manual-winding clockwork. The dial is complemented by minimalist horology details and reduced to the necessary – two pointers indicating the time – as to leave the limelight to the tiger. The Piaget logo appears to the right, aligned with the adjusting wheel.

www.piaget.com

Fashion

Gucci x The North Face: Opening a Second Chapter of Fashion History

Following the first collaboration in 2021, Gucci teams up once again with The North Face for a ready-to-wear collection. The North Face was founded in 1966 as an answer to the strong demand for proper outdoor clothes for athletes to defy any weather conditions. Today, The North Face belongs to one of the leading outerwear brands with a strong emphasis on function and minimalist key styles. The collaborative collection features variations on insulated bomber jackets and vests, complemented with multi-pocketed backpacks or baseball and bucket hats and worn with hiking boots. In addition to that, The North Face dived into its archives to revive some of the brand’s most iconic 90s designs, including the Nuptse Jacket. The selection takes up signature elements of Gucci, such as the GG monogram with a beige and green base and the colorful 70s inspired Gucci patterns while celebrating the spirit of experimentations through new shapes and pieces influenced by The North Face. As a leading mantra, Gucci and the North face decided on self-discovery and self-expression as the vision of the collection. This mantra resurfaces with various essentials, significantly reminiscent of hiking clothing, equipping the wearer with the perfect attire to set off for a trip to the deep ends of the soul.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Spell on You: The Quintessence of Affection

Louis Vuitton presents its new women’s fragrance Spell on You in a sensual campaign film, starring brand ambassador Lea Seydoux. Louis Vuitton revolutionized the art of traveling in 1854 with his innovative luggage designs, equally elegant and practical. Ever since the luxury Maison continues to embrace its heritage with a strong commitment to high craftsmanship while constantly developing and expanding Louis Vuitton’s assortment and influence. The campaign film puts brand ambassador Lea Seydoux into the limelight and is directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. The French fashion photographer and video director enjoys a distinctive recognition value through his revolutionary photographs and videos that transformed the rock, pop, and fashion industry. The short film showcases an amorous interaction between two people, perfectly portraying the intensity of affection and the sensual play with attraction through different camera angles, set in a romantic garden in soft broad daylight, which emphasizes the built-up impression of a dream. Mondino captures the feeling of an imaginary voyage and escape from reality, which reflects on the history of Louis Vuitton. The sensual and sophisticated feeling created through Lea Seydoux and Mondino perfectly embodies the spirit of Maison’s new fragrance. Louis Vuitton sought out a strong note of honeyed notes from the acacia flower, jasmine sambac, white musk, and peach and is rounded with enduring hints of rose, which profoundly enhances the hypnotic allure surrounding the fragrance.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Prada’s SS22 Show Exhibits Subtle Seduction

Simultaneously presented at the Fondazione Prada in Milan, as well as the Shanghai Bund One Art Museum, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have unveiled the first runway creation of their partnership with the SS22 collection. The looks featured Prada’s signature sharp lines and defined shapes, amplified by cutouts and tailored detailing. Despite the classical shapes, the collection presented itself with a wink, centering around the idea of “Seduction, Stripped Down”, as the collection has been named by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. The center pieces of the SS22 collection are 60’s Mini skirts alluding to the 2000s low waist cuts and provokingly short hemlines. Complemented with visible biker shorts underneath, the skirts illustrated the idea of showing body parts that are usually concealed. The 39 looks – which solely consisted of skirts and dresses – were defined by this meaning-laden piece of clothing that marked the turn of the Women’s rights movement in the second half of the 20th century, as it served as a symbol for women of taking power over the own body. The prominent focus on oversized tops of the last seasons expressed itself in the form of generously cut blazers, nodding to the power-dressing fashions of the 80’s – another crucial point in time of emancipation. Pointed shoes reinforced the confident spirit of the collection, appearing in flat as well as heeled versions. The color palette featured strong and bold shades, including electric purple and bright red, next to seductive black and was accentuated with vibrant green, orange and yellow shades. The luxurious shimmer of Satin weaves appeared throughout the entire collection and delivered an intriguing mix of materials in combination with roughened leather and smooth canvas bindings.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Hublot: Big Bang Unico Arturo Fuente Ceramic

Hublot and the cigar brand Arturo Fuente y Compania, both household names of rich tradition, fuse their exceptional DNA to pay homage to one of the greatest pioneers of the cigar industry— Carlos A. Fuente. Cigars determined Fuente’s life from a very early stage, making 50 cigars before homework as part of the household duties at the Casa Fuente and later on continuing to help his father with his small cigar business. In the late 50s, Carlos A. Fuente took over his family’s legacy, following numerous fires in his factories and misfortunes yet Fuente held tight to his beliefs, which eventually led to one of the most sought-after cigar brands. The Fuente family’s designer Manny Iriarte joined the Hublot team to help create and infuse the unique Big Bang timepiece with the core values of the Dominican cigar company. The timepiece is characterized by Hublot’s strong technical qualities, such as the 72hour batteries, its highly crafted 44mm diameter case, made out of black engraved ceramic, and adorned with a pattern visually reminiscent of a tobacco leaf. The Big Bang timepiece is finished with engraved writing on the back that reads: “Our Father, Our Friend, Our Hero” and sets a prime example for Hublot’s and Fuente’s strive to continuously reinvent the limits of perfection.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Piaget: Celebrating the Bond of Love

The luxury jeweler Piaget is a master in creating diamond-shaped visual symbols of love and is now releasing a series of new engagement rings to celebrate the epitome of love—the particular bond every relationship is aiming for, namely marriage. Georges Edouard Piaget founded the luxury manufacturer in 1874 and ever since the jeweler is synonymous with precision and sophistication, fusing the art of fine jewelry making with its profound watchmaking skills. In the late 50s, Piaget released its ultra-thin Altiplano collection that would later become one of the most distinctive recognition features of the luxury manufacturer. For this special collection, Piaget joined forces with creators, gemmologists, gem setters, and jewelers to combine their strengths and the savoir-faire of 150 years of crafting experience to create an exceptional range of engagement rings. Each ring of the collection is set with diamonds meeting the highest standards of fine jewelry in the world in terms of color, clarity, cut, and carats. As such, the Piaget Possession platinum ring is a playful answer to the traditional engagement ring. Circles set with small diamonds are placed around a big brilliant-cut diamond in the middle. The spinning elements of the ring are meant to be visually reminiscent of ‘‘how love makes your head spin,’’ as is stated by Piaget.

www.piaget.com

Fashion

BALR. X ISHU: Every Story has Two Sides

BALR.‘s joined forces with London-based fashion start-up ISHU to create a collaboration under the theme “Every Story has Two Sides.’’ The Amsterdam-based brand BALR. was founded in 2013 by professional football players with a focus on high-end lifestyle products and fashion. “We all have dreams of becoming a great and successful person. Greatness is not something that happens as a result of a careful selection process. It happens by taking action!’’ is their leading mantra. Demy de Zeeuw, Juul Manders, and Ralph de Geus, the founders of BALR. aim to inspire the youth to pursue their dreams and work tirelessly to turn them into reality. The latest collection is the brand’s answer to the downside of being a well-known public figure and constantly being observed and analyzed. The clothes are equipped with the ability to block out unwanted flashes of paparazzi cameras. The collection ranges from hoodies, capes, and down jackets with an emphasis on versatility and functionality, and worn with sneakers and complemented with differently shaped bags. BALR. used an innovative sunlight technology to distract and distort, and almost every item is imprinted with an eye-catching geometric print in black and white, which is a signature symbol of the fashion start-up ISHU.

www.balr.com

Fashion

AGL Virna Red Pump: Finding Power in Cohesion

AGL was founded by Piero Giusti in 1958. Now, three generations later, the Italian brand is still a family-run company, owned by the sisters Sara, Vera, and Marianna Giusti. Ever since taking over the brand, the trio works closely together on every project and are known for their artistic sensitivity and sophisticated designs “from women for women”. Their latest shoe creation, the VIRNA pump, conveys an important message, as it supports the international day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and spreads. AGL introduces the VIRNA as a pump in a bright red color with a thin elegant heel, made for fierce and confident women. Every shoe visually embodies the brand's deeply anchored identity, the sister's emphasis on craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and exceptional designs. Only this time, the shoe serves a greater purpose than ususal. The proceeds from the purchases of the pump will be donated to CISDA, the international committee in support of Afghan women. The Italian association CISDA was founded on the principles of sharing human values of each person, regardless of their religion, origin, culture, or nationality, and has been promoting solidary initiatives for Afghan women since 1999. The Giusti sisters aim to empower women and advocate for the importance of supporting each other and showing solidarity amongst women, which is visually translated through their collections and in particular the new VIRNA.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Dior Heralds Christmas

Slowly but surely the Christmas season is unfolding in Paris’ shopwindows. As such, Dior has revealed their annual window decorations – this year, the prestigious vitrines of the Avenue Montaigne flagship store are brought to life with scenes of Greek mythology. Paying ode to the eternal beauty of Greece, Dior’s windows recall the bright, flowing and crisp draperies that determined the ambiance of the Dior Cruise Show 2022, which was held at the heart of the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The white and ecru theme of the collections was highlighted with glistening golden accentuations – an iconic code of the French Maison. In front of the celestial backdrop of the window, a selection of Dior items is exhibited, providing the passerbys with gift inspirations for their loved ones. Herein, Dior’s most iconic bags make an appearance in the windows and according campaign, including the Book Tote, the Caro and the Vibe, in sparkling and festive shades. The star symbol, a recurring talisman in Dior’s designs, enhances many of the items and heralds the approach of the Christmas season. With jewelry being an indispensable item under the tree each year, Dior incorporated a selection of poetical pieces. Scarves adorned with Pietro Ruffo’s sketches, such as the Tarot Arcana and the infamous Around the World motif replenish the selection further. The vitrine and its selection represent a contemporary odyssey that cherishes the pastimes of Dior while making the viewer dream of the celebratory month of December.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Unwrapping the Holiday Season with BOSS

BOSS introduces a new festive campaign together with Chris Hemsworth. Under the name “Unwrapping the Holiday Season”, the campaign celebrates the joy of giving and the special moments inherited by the act of sharing gifts. The campaign shows the American actor unwrapping, unboxing and untying various presents – small ones, big ones, classics as well as unexpected ones. BOSS has translated the suspension and joy of opening presents into their Holiday collection, which looks sport logo-embossed, ribbon-like details. All-over logo patterns and sporty trims feature across many of the items, which are presented in sleek black and festive gold color palettes. The collection ranges from perfectly cut tuxedo and sequin dresses to tracksuits and sweaters, providing a broad variety of items and styles, suitable for the formal as well as the relaxed days of the Holiday season. The collection is further complemented with footwear and fragrances, as well as bodywear and accessories, such as bags and backpacks. The capsule invites the BOSS advocates to experience the Holiday collection through the virtue of giving and sharing joy.

www.boss.com

Fashion

Bulgari x Save The Children

Save the Children is the biggest independent children’s rights organization in the world. It has been established in 1919, with the mission to foster safe environments for children to grow up – in manifold ways. Ten years ago, Bulgari has joined a partnership with the changemaker, and ever since dedicates a collection to their good cause. The Save the Children jewelry collection consists of four pieces, two necklaces, one bracelet as well as a ring. Each of the pieces features the Save the Children signature logo with a black Onyx Stone and a red ruby detail that imitates the logo of Save the Children. The proceeds of the collection are primarily used to create quality educational opportunities for children in need, as well as youth empowerment, emergency responses and poverty prevention – so far, the collection has raised more than $100mio. On the occasion of World Children’s Day on November 20th, Bulgari has launched the campaign #MyWishForYou, which puts its support of Save the Children into the limelight. The campaign, which is presented as a communication initiative is published over Bulgari’s digital and social media channels, serving as a call to action to raise awareness with the namesake hashtag #MyWishForYou. At the center of the digital wave-making is a video that virtually connects children from all over the globe through universal wishes that diverse individuals and Bulgari brand ambassadors have proclaimed for them. Love, hope, support, education, adventure, experiences, strength and ambition are only a few of the wishes to name. With this campaign, Bulgari makes an example of how to combine a legacy as rich as theirs with good deeds and charitable undertakings.

www.bulgari.com

Art

Fondazione Prada, Venice: “Aura I Sul Toccare Le Cose”

“Aura I Sul Toccare Le Cose” which translates into “Aura I On Touching Things” is the title of Virgilio Sieni‘s choreographic project, conceived for Fondazione Prada and realized with Fondazione Archivio Luigi. Located in a former gin distillery dating from 1910 on the southern edge of Milan, the Fondazione Prada was founded to teach and educate about culture through exhibitions, film initiatives, and contemporary philosophy conferences. The “Aura I Sul Toccare Le Cose” project consists of eight choreographic performances, filled with the repetition of gestures, inspired by objects or works of art and executed by professional as well as non-professional dancers. Sieni transformed 13 objects of affection into new and different ways of touching. The performances visually describe the encounter and development of the relationship between cities, places, or villages as well as body and art, all united by the idea of raising awareness on care, observation, and connection. The experience is intensified by the accompanying music composed by Luigi Nono and Claudio Monteverdi. Sieni‘s intention behind the project was to establish a visible dialogue about the manipulative power of sensual and seductive body expressions and gestures. Fondazione Prada acknowledges the undeniable importance of culture and successfully manages to expand knowledge and enrich the process of learning.

www.fondazioneprada.com

Fashion

Molteni&C: Amabilia: Experiencing Milan

“Those who love and know how to appreciate overall beauty leave these dwellings with nostalgia and a desire to come back. Beauty is not absolute unless it creates an emotion,” is how Chiara Mordante, owner of the Palazzo Caminati, refers to the lifestyle project Amabilia, a one-of-a-kind stay experience in the heart of Milan. Molteni&C is an internationally acknowledged furnishing company, which is defined by a unique history, their collaborations with important designers, and the continuous emendation in technology and quality. Four suites have been created and equipped with a luxurious yet comfortable atmosphere for the Amabilia project and are named Montenapoleone, Triennale, Scala, and Aperitivo. Through the project, Molteni&C pays tribute and esteems fashion, design, culture, and the Milanese style. The furniture compositions are an embodiment of Milan, reflecting the traditional elegance of the city harmonizing with charming comfort. The suites give space for the iconic Molteni&C furniture collections, such as the D.153.1 and D.151.4 armchairs, designed by Gio Ponti, and small tables Panna Cotta by Ron Gilad as well as interior design concepts of one of the most important names in Italian design— Federico Peri. The luxurious suites are located on the last floor of the Palazzo Caminati, a magnifying building of the 19th century in the city’s heart. The contemporary lifestyle project Amabilia is a love letter to the capital of Lombardy— Milan, equated with sophisticated elegance and Italian craftsmanship excellence.

www.moltenigroup.com

Fashion

ETRO & Harris: Redefining Luxury Fashion

For the FW21 collection, classical ETRO and Harris Reed decided to join forces to create a unique capsule collection of genderless blouses. Designer Harris Reed is known for opening conversation about the power of clothes with his thought-provoking gender-fluid designs. The young designer places an emphasis on sustainability, using deadstock fabrics to reimagine the traditional blouse. ETRO perfectly matches the core identity of Harris Reed, offering a great selection of archival fabrics The capsule collection revolves around the theme of giving archival fabrics a second life. Reed designs his signature blouses, with a voluminous shape, long ties, a bow on the front and in the back, and small details on the sleeves with a Rockstar feel to them. The colorful fabrics used are imprinted with a paisley or floral print. The art of upcycling breaks down the established structures of the luxury industry and ensures a more thoughtful and less harmful way of producing clothes for our planet. Harris Reed and ETRO masterfully manage to fuse their brand DNA, complementing and supplementing each other, resulting in unique creations with a sustainable heart.

www.etro.com

Fashion

AGL SS22: Adele and Camille

Made by women for women – this is the leitmotif that inspires the three AGL sisters who are currently writing the design history of the Italian shoe brand. Together, the trio generates each season afresh collections with unmatched quality and unique styles. In their creative process, each of the women has a specific role, bringing to the table their individual point of view which propel the legacy of AGL. AGL’s collections present a golden thread of femineity and sophistication, incorporating the attributes of grace, strength and contemporality into their creations. The SS22 collection exhibits a joyous and outspoken spirit, with the recurring element of platform soles and chunky heels. The two centerpieces of the collections are two pairs of boots, named Adele and Camille, which have been inspired by the notion of a rose thorn. The designs of the Adele and Camille toy with a see-through effect by using a combination of mesh material and smooth leather. Mixing materials is one of the sisters’ favorites games and results in unusual and unique creations. Always relying on elegance and high-quality materials, bring timeless refinement to even gritty models like the Adele biker boot and the Camille cuissard sandal. Borrowing from the allegory of the rose thorn, the two styles express the opposing ideas of feminine and masculine and delicacy and strengths. The balance evoked by the interplay of delicate mesh and sturdy leather embodies the fascination with contrasts the AGL sisters stipulate in their designs.

www.agl.com

Fashion

O’Neill: With Technical Innovation Against the Cold

Perfectly in time for the seasonal change into cold weather, O’Neill releases a collection of technically innovated winter jackets. O’Neill’s brand logo symbolizes a breaking wave, which represents the origins of the brand in Californian surf wear. The brand was founded in 1952 by Jack O’Neill with the invention of the first wet suit. Ever since, the brand is deemed a pioneer, producing the world’s most high-tech and functional wetsuits up to date. O’Neill continues to push technical boundaries in sportswear with its expanded assortment of winter garments, that aim at minimizing the impact on the planet and improving hyper-functionality. O’Neill’s latest collection features the LM Supersuit Jacket, which embraces the brand’s heritage. The jacket is inspired by the original wetsuit made by Jack O’Neill, refined with a unique function to control the level of air-fill for insulation. Furthermore, the XTRM Mountain Jacket that unites a multitude of unique functions, such as water repellence, detachable snow gaiter, ergonomic paneling system, and recycled REPREVE insulation is introduced in the collection. With the innovative FW 2021 collection of jackets, O’Neill masterfully manages to fuse their heritage with new technical improvements, which allows the wearer to face outdoor environment outbreaks better and longer.

www.oneill.com

Fashion

Zenith: DEFY Extreme Desert

Inspired by the raw and wild beauty of the desert, the Swiss luxury watchmaker launches a special edition of its most triumphant design to date- the DEFY Extreme. For the special project, Zenith and acclaimed nature photographer Kourosh Keynejad join forces to create the release of the unique watch. Accompanying the release of the reimagined DEFY Extreme, the photographer showcases previously unpublished work inspired by the exceptional watch. Keyenjad is best known and admired for his breath-taking pictures, photographed during his travels across the globe and various extreme destinations. The original watch is a unification of precision and high-quality materials. The series of DEFY Extreme models, which are derived from the initial design are all inspired by extreme environments. The DEFY Extreme Desert marks one of the milestones of the DEFY series, as it is the debut watch of the variant models. The luxury brand picks up the theme of the desert in the protection components of the watch crafted from a blue-grey opaque macrocrystalline quartz gemstone, called the falcon’s eye. The falcon lives in the desert and embodies determination and endurance, perfectly matching the luxury watchmaker’s core identity. The main construct of the watch is complemented by a range of different watch straps, such as a sandy beige rubber strap and a titanium bracelet that can be changed easily. Zenith lives up to its high reputation of well-thought-out and excellent designs, resulting in a wearable piece of art.

www.zenith.com

Fashion

Gem Z: The Farthest from Earth We’ve Ever Been

What would an extraterrestrial species think about planet earth and its human population? Together with different innovative artists, Gem Z opens up a theoretical dialogue between humankind and the unknown in space in their current exhibition, called The farthest from earth we’ve ever been. Gem Z is a talent development program, founded by Current Obsession, a magazine and platform to encourage relationships between young artists and support them in terms of creativity and business development. The exhibition is inspired by the two spacecrafts that were sent into space in 1977, each with a copy of the Golden Record on board. The exhibition is inspired by the two spacecrafts, containing a copy of the Golden Record and sent into space in 1977. The Golden Record, an audio-visual disc carried various images and sounds of Earth, such as samples of human speech, musical tracks, and illustrations of the DNA structure. The specific samples were selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on earth. Four decades later the team around Gem Z has tried to develop an imaginery answer to the Golden Record in an installation, fusing design, digital art, and adornment. The mixed-media exhibition is an interesting portrayal of an imagined alien treasure trove crashing on earth and answering to our human kind.

www.current-obsession.com

The exhibition is presented at Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, from October 30th until November 30th 2021.

Fashion

Saint Laurent Rive Droite Halloween Special: A Playful Homage to the Spooky Season

To celebrate the world’s spookiest season, Anthony Vaccarello, the visionary creative director of Saint Laurent, decided to create a special Halloween capsule, available at the infamous Rive Droite retail location. The exceptional boutique Rive Droite is a nod to Rive Gauche, which opened in 1966 as the first ready-to-wear store in a Couturier’s own name. Saint Laurent Rive Droite distinguishes itself from other retail stores, not only because of its remarkable history but the airy interior, defined by the opposites of concrete and glass as well as black and white marble, creating a more accessible and eclectic atmosphere. Vacarello continues to live up to the reputation of the boutique, designing festive jewelry pieces with a playful and youthful approach to the dark side, the hallmark of Halloween. The special collection includes bracelets and necklaces, inspired by the shapes of skulls and crossbones as well as decorative figurines, created in collaboration with the toy company Nanoblock. To round the spooky Halloween experience, a spider projection in 3D by German artist Friedrich Van Schoor will be displayed in the Rive Droite boutique in Paris, as well as in the store in Los Angeles.

www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

Tommy x Timberland: Fusing Their Exceptional DNA

For a long time, the pieces of Tommy Hilfiger, a pioneer of the classic American collegiate style, have been combined with innovative outdoor specialist Timberland. Now the two brands finally decided to launch their first collaboration, which opens up a creative dialogue. The special collaboration embraces their heritage, drawing parallels between the two major brands in their distinctive role in forming the Zeitgeist of the 90s and discusses the future by fusing their individual brand DNA. Perfectly in time for the upcoming cold season, the collection showcases an original range of winter essentials from apparel, footwear to accessories, such as unisex sporty college jackets, detachable workwear-inspired trousers, and a reimagined version of the iconic Timberland construction boot. The color palette ranges from Hilfiger´s signature bright red and navy blue as well as Timberland´s earthy nuances. The clothes are adorned with a fused logo of the signature Tommy Hilfiger white and red flag as well as the unmistakable Timberland tree. The collection embodies the perfect dialogue between two industry staples, resulting in an exceptional range of deeply anchored Hilfiger classics, induced with a workwear twist by Timberland.

www.tommyhilfiger.com

Fashion

Heron Preston for Calvin Klein: Heron Preston´s Twist on Calvin Kleines Classics

Following a debut collaboration with Heron Preston as a creative consultant, Calvin Klein continues their work with the streetwear pioneer for a follow-up collection. The name of Heron Preston is immediately associated with a clever fusion between fashion and function. The designer has already collaborated with legends such as Kanye West or Virgil Abloh and has become a youth culture icon. The collaboration includes Calvin Klein´s signature pieces, such as long-sleeved crop tops, leggings, and bralettes, which gained a distinctive recognition value for the brand with the captivating and hypersexual Ad campaigns, featuring famous personalities like Kate Moss or Mark Wahlberg in the 90s and revolutionized men’s as well as women’s underwear. Preston brings an over-elaborate simplicity and his signature orange detailing into the collection, enriching Calvin Klein’s timeless classics with a modern twist. The collaboration provides the perfect essentials for the upcoming cold season. As such, the collection includes cozy crewneck sweaters, puffer jackets as well as a few denim pieces. Most notable about the range of clothes are the exquisite and innovative materials used by Preston, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and nylon as well as a waffle thermal fabric. The collection perfectly emphasizes the ability of Calvin Klein´s timeless designs to adapt to cultural changes and new forms of expression, resulting in an exceptional range of purposeful pieces induced with a modern twist by Heron Preston.

www.calvinklein.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Automatic: Diamonds in Soft Tones

Audemars Piguet’s legendary 15452 series has been extended with a white and a rose gold version, both coming along with a captivating interplay of diamonds and colored gemstones. The latest versions of the Royal Oak Automatic, with a diameter of 37mm, come with a subtle satin-finished calfskin strap that completes the watch’s elegant and original aesthetic. The guilloché dial comes in a soft beige and neutral gray. Each bezel is adorned with no less than 40 brilliant-cut stones which have been carefully selected by Audemars Piguet’s specialist to ensure a smooth and harmonious gradation. The stones exhibit exclusive luxury – individually cut and polished to achieve Audemars Piguet’s quality standard of the clearest and sharpest angles, the stones have been set on the bezel by hand. Perfectly aligned, they reflect the light that shines on them, creating visual effects that range from flirtatious red and orange hues for the rose gold version and mellow rose tones for the white gold one. The white and rose gold versions are both crafted from 18karat gold and showcase an impressive amount of 124 diamonds in total, covering the watchcase entirely. The dials exhibit a Grande Tapisserie pattern, which resembles the surface of a checkerboard with a subtle three-dimensional effect, reinforcing the glistening effect of the bedazzled watchcases. The watch hands and numbers on the dial are kept in clear lines and minimalistic design. With its discrete yet playful colors and sparkling stones, the new Royal Oak Automatic exudes femineity and gracefulness with a charming touch.

www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

Dior: An Homage to Alber Elbaz

“I like dresses for the night. I like the after-party more than the party. I like the mystery. I like the dream, like fantasy dresses. I think, also, that you make women dream.” That was exactly what Alber Elbaz did. The exceptional designer translated dreams into reality. Elbaz’s clothes will always be a living embodiment and a carrier of the message, to feel good and beautiful about ourselves. As a highlight of this year’s fashion month, the tribute show to honor Alber Elbaz was staged with an exceptional range of designers contributing, from Demna Gvasalia to Maria Grazia Chiuri. The show celebrates Elbaz’s unparalleled sense of innovation and design. The creative director of Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri presented an exclusively made, hand-embroidered evening gown, which references the deeply anchored vocabulary of the impressive designer. The dress was hand-painted with colorful and intriguing motifs, resembling the ones Elbaz was so known for. Throughout his career, Elbaz was appointed creative director of many great fashion houses such as Rive Gauche at Yves Saint Laurent and he was also in charge of the revival as well as the modernization of Lanvin. For the tribute show, people from all over the world came together to celebrate love, beauty, and hope, as Alber Elbaz would have wanted since, to quote the designer himself, “The nature of fashion is family”.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Dunhill Rethinks Longevity with the Compendium Parka

In time for the colder season, Dunhill is replenishing its outerwear assortment with the Compendium Parka. The concept around the new parka revolves around timeless design that endures several seasons. The Compendium Parka is inspired by a men’s compact found in the Dunhill’s archives – consisting of utilitarian tools such as a cigarette case, a pocket knife, a lighter and a watch. Drawing inspiration from the multifunctional, timeless spirit this compact exuded, Dunhill centered the Compendium Parka around the notions of versatility and adaptability, which is why the parkas can be worn adjusted to the wearer’s desire. The overcoat can be detached to transform the parka into a jacket, and the lining can be worn together with the parka or on its own. The compromise between the four components offers maximum comfort for the wearer no matter the season’s conditions and is made from fine material supposed to last a lifetime, including eco-conscious, regenerated nylon and a shearling-polyester base. With the creation of the Compendium Parka, Dunhill strives to actively contribute to longevity instead of disposability. Making use of luxurious, yet durable materials, Dunhill unites utility, function and elegance and embodies these notions in one, everlasting, yet constantly changing item.

www.dunhill.com

Fashion

A Story of Success: Louis Vuitton’s Essentials

Elegant leather goods are deeply anchored in the success vocabulary of the traditional fashion house. Since the invention of the Trunk 1854, Louis Vuitton and his successors have been reinventing the Trunks constantly. From a medical kit for Damien Hirst, a helpful essential for Ernest Hemingway to Virgil Abloh’s Mini Soft Trunk with a modern twist and - the trunk is a shapeshifter adaptable to any desired purpose. For the FW21 collection, the French brand re-interprets their everlasting Christopher and Soft Trunk designs. Louis Vuitton first unveiled the Christopher in the FW 2004 collection as a backpack and ever since revived it season for season in a wide range of different versions, always drawing inspiration from the iconic original. This season, the leather goods are available in in the recognizable Monogram pattern Taurillon Gommato and the chess pattern Damier, in black or white with shoulder straps and large opening to ensure easy access to the inside. The reinvented FW21 versions of the bags are centred around the acknowledgement of the need for a bag to serve a multiplicity of uses, for casual or formal occasions. The Christopher and the Soft Trunk are symbols of the traditional French Maison and carry an unmistakable recognition value. No matter which updated version of the trunk or backpack you prefer, it elevates every look and makes it unique as well as prepared for every possible change of plans and venues.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Watches and Wonders: A Look Behind the Scenes of Horology

Watches and Wonders, a collaboration between Mr Porter and Net-A-Porter celebrates the intersection between luxury watches, style and fashion. Launched in spring 2020, the digital platform represents a one-of-a-kind character: tailored directly towards industry instead of retail, the web destination has become a dynamic hub for leading retailers, journalists and VIP guests. With their new Watches and Wonders campaign, the two renowned online retail spaces Net-A-Porter and their men’s fashion counterpart Mr Porter, once again pay a special tribute to fine watchmaking. Globally orientated and coming along with a series of physical events and its own digital platform, the campaign is a hallmark of showcasing the art behind fine watchmaking, offering professional insiders as well as the public eye a glimpse behind the scenes. Currently, the platform features insight on the Salon 2022, which unites more than 40 horology houses in an extensive exhibition in Geneva. As one of the first digital destinations to provide unparalleled access to the newest novelties and iconic pieces of the watch industry, the new campaign showcases no less than 30 timepieces, including the top-tier watchmaking names Cartier, Hermès, H.Mose & Cie, IWC Schaffhausen as well as Piaget. Watches and Wonders fosters inspiration, education and marvels at the countless wonders behind the craft of horology.

www.watchesandwonders.com

Fashion

Dior SS22

“I have always thought that it’s pointless for artists to speak about their own work. It’s the artwork itself that must speak to people. Certainly, it’s the work that has spoken indeed. (…) It was a natural talent of mine, but it all remained primarily in the background. I always say I have painted a great deal, I exhibited very little and sold nothing [Laugh]” Anna Paparatti is of the most iconic and vivid figures of the 60s in Rome. She was at the centre of that atmosphere of freedom against any preconceived codes and dogmas surrounding the art world, using the theme of “game” and playfulness beyond reality, where art becomes life and vice versa. Conceived through her "absurdist" spirit reflecting the philosophy of her work, Paparatti designed the show space starting from bits of her paintings. here as a gigantic Game of Goose, models move at beat of Italian band “il Quadro di Troisi” live performance. On January 27th, 1961, L'Aurore wrote about Marc Bohan’s tenure as Creative Director of the House and his Slim Look: "It completely changes fashion, just as the New Look did in 1947." Maria Grazia Chiuri pays homage to the visionary spirit of Marc Bohan’s Slim Look collection and the richness of the 1960s. The silhouettes reveal cuts and graphic effects with color blocking, evoking the painting by Paparatti. The materials and various motifs recall the legendary Roman nightclub, the Piper Club, a unique place for expression at the crossroads of art and design. Sequins, vivid prints, transparencies: Maria Grazia Chiuri dives into women’s freedom once again, and into what means to be a woman today, where several facets of personal expression comes together through the intrinsic desire to be real.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Marni SS22: Connected

For the Marni SS22 collection, it was Francesco Risso’s mission to show us this season that we are all one team, sometimes disconnected but always reconnecting. To pursue this idea of connection, he invited all of the guests who were going to attend the fashion show for a personal fitting. The event fostered a collective trying on, asking for advice and selecting a look to wear to the show. Resulting from this collective fitting, the spectators blended in perfectly with the performers on the runway. The collection features sliced-up asymmetrical dresses in black and blue, oversized sweaters, bandeau tops and bell bottom trousers. Especially noticeable are the stripes, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, stretching over almost every garment and the flower applications, Daisies to be exact, cut out and reassembled into skirts, oversized tops and cotton, flowing pyjama sets made from crisp cotton. During the show a performer appeared on stage reading a poem, called ´´Wear we are´´ touching upon whether covered in layers of fabric or revealed in short skirts, each individual is ready to connect. Risso has once again shown in his own visionary way how fashion serves as a means of expression and communication.

www.marni.com

Fashion

ENG Concept Store: #StopAsianHate

Being one of the leading fashion retailers with a customer group of Gen-Z luxury consumers, the Shanghai concept store ENG bridges the gap between retail and entertainment. Through an experience-driven, highly conceptual shopping experience, the famous store attracts the fashion-forward crowd of the metropole. For their latest project, the label has made it their aim to raise awareness about the increase of hate crimes against Asians. Showing severe percentages already before the pandemics, hate crimes against Asians have almost doubled. The project is tailored towards the global #StopAsianHate campaign and came to life with international and Chinese brands creating t-shirts, whose full retail proceeds are donated to the Stop East and South-East Asian Hate Campaign. The campaign’s mission is to condemn hate by creating lasting social change, whereas the fund is used to support organizations uplifting and empowering Asian communities. ENG’s campaign is brought to the public eye with an extensive campaign, including a multitude of praised fashion industry personas, such as Leslie Zhang, one of China’s most prolific fashion photographers and several others, who all gave their passion, experience and time freely in order to support this urgent cause. The campaign is replenished by a trilogy of podcasts with Susie Lau and Asian creatives, in which matters of prejudice and bias are reflected upon. In particular, the episodes touch upon the barriers in the Western educational system, that young Asian creatives are confronted with.

The designed t-shirts as well as the podcast are accessible online at ENG. Donations for the GoFundMe campaign can be made through the link below.

www.engconcept.com
www.gofundme.com/f/support-esea-community

Fashion

MCM: Urban Luxury Commute

MCM’s current collaboration with Urwahn elevates ordinary city commutes to a luxurious cruise. Taking inspiration from the metropolitan dynamic of Munich in the 1970s, the two brands have created an E-bike that unites their expertise and design language in a future-oriented way. "We wanted to develop a collaboration that celebrates the essence of moving from the past into the future. URWAHN is a thoroughly German company known for its high-quality engineering, making it the perfect partner with which to celebrate our 45th anniversary," is how Dirk Schönberger, chief creative officer, describes MCM's initial vision behind the collaboration. Whereas this collaboration marked a step into unknown waters for MCM, the outcome sets a high for successfully combining urban mobility with a luxurious lifestyle. A 3D-printed frame, entirely coated in copper and adorned with the iconic Visetos Monogram - that is unmistakably associated with MCM - exudes an opulent aesthetic. Logo-embossed brass framings and reflective MCM emblems plastered over the rims make for an impressive, lasting brand impression. The E-bikes are hand-built in the German town Magdeburg at one of Urwahn’s factories and are the result of detail-oriented design and professional execution. The attention to detail goes beyond the bike itself. MCM also took the riders’ needs into consideration and conceived a special-edition Urban Bottle with 24Bottles. Only available with the MCM x URWAHN E-Bike, this lightweight water bottle sports the brand’s iconic logo and color and with its glamorous Chrome Finish reflecting the light, it isn’t just a great alternative to plastic bottles, but also adds a gorgeous touch.

From September 22nd onwards, 10 of the bikes will be presented in selected MCM stores worldwide.
The e-bike, limited to 40 pieces, will be available online from October 1st.

www.mcmworldwide.com
www.urwahnbikes.com
www.24bottles.com

Fashion

Jil Sander SS22: New Awakenings

“Far from perfect, we can always look forward, with as little filter as possible. We are plural, nocturnal, and luminous; feminine, masculine, vulnerable and strong; and we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. We are in motion.” This is the mantra from which Lucie and Luke Meier derived their creativity for the SS22 collection for Jil Sander. In the spirit of new awakenings, the collection invites to reopen one’s eyes to oneself and one’s surroundings. The collection’s looks excel at balancing sensitivity with power and are a paragon for looks that look strong yet feel light. The prominent silhouette of the SS22 collection is wide and flowy, yet structured; achieved by tailored garments made from delicate fabric. Oversized blazers are combined with clean palazzo trousers, voluminous straight-cut coats layered over slit skirts and long figure-flattering dresses balanced with loose overshirts. Designed with fabric combinations such as cotton, chenille, shimmery silks and matte wool, the looks offer an intriguing mix of material while remaining neutral and wearable through their muted color palette of discrete cream shades, classic earth tones, and pastels such as pale peach, light green and sky blue. The subtle color accentuations lend a soft-spoken touch to the rectilinear, sharp lines of the looks, expressing how subtlety and authority co-exist in Jil Sander’s designs.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

Doucal FW21/22: Urban Outdoors

With the recent eruption of outdoor interests, the world of womenswear has been opened to new spheres. With true Italian craftsmanship, Doucal has taken inspiration from this development, presenting their FW21/22 collection with ghillie lacing, fine textiles and material inserts on functional footwear shapes. Timeless styles and considerate details are prompts that attract the educated, selective customer of these days. Doucal translates these variables into their design, in particular with three of their shoe models. For the FW collection, Doucal has put a spin on their classic Chelsea boot from the previous collection by focusing on an aerodynamic shape, giving the well-established boot a more athletic touch. Shiny leather combined with a rubber sole creates a trans-seasonal mood that delivers durability. Similarly, the loafers of the Italian brand combine tradition with comfort through a rubber sole. Doucal’s sneaker models have been elevated with fabric elements, such as wool and feature neutral color blocking that makes them suitable for city looks. Additionally, the collection premieres an ankle boot with a flared heel that picks up the material mix of the collection. The men’s collection ventures out into a more athletic approach; presenting ultra-light soles, technical details and rubberized inserts. Previous models, such as the Kobe and Andrew, are reborn with new color palettes, nylon waterproof patches and wax treatments while offering a range from walking shoes, boots to monk shoes and loafers.

www.doucal.com

Art

ULAY Foundation Project Space: The Metamorphosis of the Body

The Ulay Foundation has opened its doors to a new exhibition launched under the name Body Ecstatic Body Eclectic Body Eccentric. The exhibition investigates the notion of the body through a variety of media such as moving images, photography as well as performance. The exhibitions features artistic positions concerning the body from the 1970s to recent days, which makes for an intriguing insight into the influence of the digital and post-digital realms that have shaped our perception of bodies immensely. Touching upon current topics with political value, Body Ecstatic Body Eclectic Body Eccentric thematizes traditional conceptions of gender and sexuality, self-presentation and the female narrative of the fight for social justice. In this sense, the exhibition proposes insight into what the body desires these days, how they metamorphose and adapt to societal pressure and consequently how the body can break free from the limitations that are postmarked upon them by certain standards. Particularly focusing on the woman’s body in these scenarios and considering the recent developments of the pandemic too, the exhibition unveils how economic, political and reproductive rights are under attack worldwide.

Body Ecstatic Body Eclectic Body Eccentric, curated by Hana Ostan Ozbolt, is on show at the ULAY Foundation Project Space in Ljubljana until October 29th 2021.

www.ulayfoundation.org

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger FW 21 Pass the Mic

Voices speak volumes and every voice has the power to affect and change the world. It is this positive affirmation that laid the ground stones of Tommy Hilfiger’s current FW 21 campaign called Pass the Mic. The campaign features international voices of the entertainment industry from the United States, Korea and Nigeria. Together with these ambassadors, Tommy Hilfiger aims to create a global interface of discussion, where consumers can express their visions and inspirations to create change. Yara Shahidi, Anthony Ramos, Jack Harlow, Wizkid, Kim Soo-Hyun and DJ Cassidy call their followers to action in five portrait videos, revolving around their personal mantras. Empowering phrases such as “I am the I in light. I am the reason the future is so bright”, “How many tried? And you still rise.” and “Pass the mic and share your light. Every person, every voice can change the world. So what do you have to say?” invoke the audience to engage and answer to the campaign videos on social media. This call to action accompanies the FW 21 collection, which propels Tommy Hilfiger’s mission towards diversity and sustainability. Collecting answers to questions on what inspires one to make a difference, what would one say if the world was listening and what drives one towards the future, the Pass the Mic aims to give the audience a platform where engaging conversation erupts.

www.tommyhilfiger.com

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: K60

In line with the Gallery Weekend *Discoveries purpose to represent a platform for upcoming artists, the event aims to foster connections between the participating galleries, curators and subsequently artists as well. This year, the second edition of the K60 exhibition brings together eight Berlin galleries – Alexander Ievy, ChertLüdde, HUA International Klemm’s, KOW, Kraua-Tuskany Zeidler, Plan B and PSM. The eight galleries present a plethora of artworks from various artists, including conventional mediums like sculptures and paintings, as well as more contemporary takes on art through videos, installations and photography. The exhibition stretches over two floors in the industrial setting of the Wilhelm Hallen, whose architectural characteristics make for an excellent exhibition space. The artworks are placed alongside the raw concrete walls, hung from the iron frameworks of the high ceilings and integrated into the pillars and braces of the former iron foundry. The vast space allows the individual art works to unfold on their own, honoring the research and creativity of each individual, while contributing to a unique undertaking that emphasizes the art scene as an entity and delivers a diverse and manifold art experience to the audience. The joined exhibition and the vast location invite to articulate a dialogue, not only between the artworks themselves but also between the visitors – highlighting the common threads that link the artworks and their audience together.

The K60 exhibition is open to public at Wilhelm Hallen, Berlin, until September 18th 2021. 

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Fashion

Montblanc UltraBlack: Style Meets Statement

It is the first time that Montblanc is launching a collection that extends across all the house’s selections, from pens and notebooks to watches and bags. As one can already conclude from the name, Montblanc UltraBlack, the collection is an ode to the ultimate colour. The colour black is not only the favourite of many designers, but it is also one of the only colours to never go out of style. All the pieces offered as part of this special collection are defined by their simplicity and the timeless elegance of their design, a perfect match for the subtle yet powerful nature of the colour black. To celebrate this special launch, the luxury Maison invited special guests and friends of the brand, amongst whom actor Kingsley Ben-Adir and DJ Peggy Gou, to the Feuerle Collection in Berlin. The minimalist gallery, located in an imposing concrete structure, opened its doors exclusively for the special mise-en-scene of the new collection. The VIP guests were first welcomed by Montblanc’s CEO Nicolas Baretzki, followed by a formal dinner during which they were able to enjoy a performance of Alessandro Ristori and the Portofinos. Expertly crafted and consciously curated, the UltraBlack collection fits the daily needs and mentality of all those, who are dedicated to setting an example that we all have our own individual paths to success.

The Montblanc UltraBlack collection will be available in the Montblanc boutiques as well as online from September 2021 onwards.

www.montblanc.com

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries in Berlin

Extending the annual event of Berlin Gallery Weekend, the melting pot capital is hosting a special offshoot of the art event that focuses in particular on up and coming talents of the art scene. For three days, the city turns into a hub of artistry, showcasing the work of young creatives in all their manifoldness. Named Gallery Weekend *Discoveries the event invites to explore the plethora of artworks, ranging from paintings to sculptures, to installations. The exhibitions feature a variety of topics revolving around current matters, personal views and the latest developments. Prior to the opening for the public four authors have visited the sites and derived and put to paper four tours that provide support for visitors who do not know their way around Berlin. The tours are divided into Berlin’s districts, from Mitte & Wedding, Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg to Schöneberg. The routes are accessible in written form on the Berlin Gallery Weekend website, where visitors can get a first glimpse on what awaits them during their time without giving away the details that can be discovered on the tours. Besides the individual and duo exhibitions, the Gallery Weekend *Discoveries have curated the group exhibition K60 with a combination of eight renowned galleries set up in the industrial location of the Wilhelm-Hallen.

The Gallery Weekend *Discoveries are open to public from September 16th to September 18th 2021.

www.galleryweekendberlin.de

Art

Audemars Piguet Contemporary: Aleksandra Domanovic

Following collaborations with Cao Fei and Ryoji Ikeda, Audemars Piguet Contemporary has brought to life a collaboration with Aleksandra Domanovic. The Berlin-based artist translates the history and latest innovation of technology into her ambiguous body of work while incorporating social and political commentary stemming from her upbringing in Yugoslavia. Re-evaluating and unravelling the role of women in science and specifically in technology, she touches upon current questions and shifts of society and the influence of technological advancement at large. The core of her work revolves around a unique understanding of the ever-present digitization happening in current times. Precisely this thematization of current and future-oriented matters is what Denis Pernet, Art Curator of Audemars Piguet Contemporary, mentions as their motivation to work with Aleksandra: “We are delighted to support her in the development of this new body of work that will contribute to the wider contemporary art discourse and raise questions about our future.” Aleksandra’s new body of work Becoming Another (2021) is a site-specific installation presented at the former print house of Der Tagesspiegel in Berlin. The installation exhausts the impressive dimensions of the site, portraying the tension between sight and perception through the intertwining of dynamic LED fan displays and the visuals they project onto the corporeal space.

Aleksandra Domanovic’s Becoming Another (2021) commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary, will be presented during the Gallery Weekend *Discoveries in Berlin at the former print house of Der Tagesspiegel at Potsdamer Straße and will be on display for the public from September 17th 2021 until October 10th 2021.

www.audemarspiguet.com/com/en/about/ audemars-piguet-contemporary.html
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: You Left Me My Lips, and They Shape Words, Even in Silence

How can one make visible what lies in the interstices of the dominant language? Brussel-based artist Hamza Halloubi cherishes the concept of silent discourse in his exhibition You left me my lips and they shape words, even in silence. This body of work showcases a trio of videos touching upon identities and stories of the Maghreb region. Halloubi, who himself was born in Morocco, hereby utilizes the Western gaze, portraying the protagonists and sceneries in a raw and authentic manner. The vivid camera work is a reference to the phenomenon of looking and being looked at in public spaces, whereas the absence of sound and dialogue amplifies the discourse that silence may create. The three videos adopt different interpretations of the power dynamics between the West and the Middle East. Writing Back, one of the videos on show introduces a Moroccan woman through the distorted, exotified lens that the Western world postmarks upon her. The video addresses shadow and silence as a deflection mechanism of the Orientalist gaze. Halloubi incorporates the element of cultural loss and the relation between meaning and origin in Messing Encounters, in which he establishes a wordless dialogue between an African immigrant and a Congolese statue expatriated to a Western museum. Lastly, Begaiements toys with the parallels of creative investment and revolt against oppression by intercutting images of Jason Pollock's paintings and the Arab spring. The videography is presented alongside abstract paintings that feature writings and video stills.

You left me my lips, and they shape words, even in silence is exhibited at Argos, Brussels, from October 9th - December 12th 2021.

www.argosarts.org
www.hamzahalloubi.com

Art

Brusssels Gallery Weekend: Metamorphosis

The duo exhibition Metamorphosis features sculptures of Benoît Huot and works on paper of Indian artist Rithika Merchant. The core of the show builds upon myth and magic in the animal kingdom. Animism, the belief that innumerable spiritual beings interfere with human affairs, plays a role in both of their works. While Huot expresses a darker side of this phenomenon with bedazzled animal heads and torsos, Merchant creates a light-hearted, enchanted version of mysticism in her drawings. Huot’s sculptures resemble bewitched creatures that remind of baroque trophies or voodoo dolls. To achieve this mysterious impression, the French artist adorns stuffed animals and furniture with textiles, gemstones, mirrors and embroidery. The association with voodoo dolls is not far and is further reinforced by the saturated color choices – flaming red, vivid orange as well as pulsing green and black reoccur on the animal corpora. In contrast to the bewitched attributes of Huot’s sculptures, Merchant’s drawings revolve around the serenity of nature. Organic shapes and earthy colors compliment the magical stories. With her work, merchant explores how myths, and legends shape cultures and religions. With watercolor and cut paperwork as her main medium, she leads the attention away from the drawings themselves and sends the observer off into a world determined by individual symbolism. Influenced by botanical prints and folk art from the 17th century, Merchant aims to convey the cultural legacy of storytelling and create a body of work that visually connects the observer to their collective pasts.

Metamorphosis is exhibited at Galerie DYS, Brussels from September 9th - October 10th 2021.

www.galeriedys.com
www.benoithuot.fr
www.rithikamerchant.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: Post-Truth and Meditative Textures

Nino Mier Gallery is making its debut at the Brussel Gallery Weekend with the LA-based artist Dashiell Manley. Manley’s works are characterized by a unique sculpting technique that creates a textured surface in which oil paint fans out in shell-like patterns, distantly reminding of psychedelic visions. The alternating surface of his paintings and the use of vibrant color palettes lend his works an unexpectedly soothing, harmonious character. The creation of these meditative works stems from the personal development of the artist. Prior to finding emotionality and tranquility in his works, Manley was known for the subtle language of satire. In his early years, he converted political print media, such as newspaper front pages or cartoons into abstract, distorted versions on canvas. Depicting the news as a blurry mess conveyed the decay of media outlets in times of careless and unquestioned news consumption. Commenting on the role of the media in a post-truth era through his art, were the leading steps of artistic transition for Manley. After the process of visualizing post-truth matters, in which emotion and personal beliefs rule over reliable sources and facts, Manley sought for an equilibrium that would combat the frustration and critique he had visualized for years. Hence, as an artistic reprieve, the artist switched to a more meditative practise, ruled by open gestures and movements. Despite the complete reversal of the motivation behind Manley’s pieces, they show a distinct visual language making use of pastel colors and large-scale patterns.

Dashiell Manley’s art is exhibited at Nino Mier Gallery, Brussels, from September 9th - October 9th 2021.

www.miergallery.com

Fashion

Swarovski Wonderlab Collection II

A world where magic and science meet, a world full of wonder – from muses of the Bohemian movement to design aesthetics taken from the Swarovski’s Austrian heritage, the second collection of Wonderlab enrichens the timeline of the jewelry brand by a modern twist. Each crystal item of the collection represents a microcosm of an individual world in which the magic of Swarovski jewelry unfolds in manifold ways. The collection exhibits an interplay of colors, textures and cuts that symbolize self-expression in all its various ways – classic, punk, sweet, striking and every nuance in between. Aligned with this expressive nature, the collection is launched with a campaign that represents the opposite of archetypes in all their authenticity. The Wonderlab Collection II cherishes the success of the preceding Collection I; paying tribute to the families of the original collection with evolved takes such as unisex approaches, new forms and colors. Besides, the Wonderlab Collection II presents a quartet of new design families: Abunda embodies technical marvel, exploring architectural elements, focusing on the prowess of craftsmanship. Dextera exemplifies geometric embellishment, parading crystals precisely composed around metal frames that radiate a “mathemagical” fusion. Imber replenishes the Wonderlab themes by a softly sensory experience, with crystals that create a cascading illusion, inspired by the classic Swarovski chains. Lastly, Stella features dark and dreamy star-shaped pieces that play with proportion and lets starlets and stargazers dream of alternate realms.

The Wonderlab Collection II is available from September 7th in-stores as well as online.

www.swarovski.com

Fashion

Galop d’Hermès: Equestrian Anecdotes

The Galop d'Hermès watch, created in 2019, exemplifies a thoughtful creative process. The watch revisits the Maison’s equestrian codes with its watchcases that is inspired by the shape of stirrups. The Galop d'Hermès was born from the detailed observation of Californian designer Ini Archibong, who immersed himself into the archives of Hermès creations. Bridoons, stirrups, bridles, harnesses - with his streamlined and balanced style, Archibong merges avant-garde interpretations of these design anecdotes with the beknown functional simplicity of Hermès objects. Now, Hermès relaunches the classic piece in a smaller format. Closely linked to the House's watchmaking repertoire, the Galop d'Hermès is a piece that combines the practicality of a watch with the delicacy of jewelry. The new “Petits Modèles” are available in rose gold, plain steel and in a steel bedazzled with no less than 134 diamonds. The case’s soft angles close around a wide-open dial, punctuated by Arabic numerals of different sizes. Enlarged on the lower part of the display, they convey movement and a shift in perspective. The progressive typography, finely highlighted in anthracite, stands out against a sandblasted background, while the hands hover over a smooth opalescent surface. A final nod to the world of horses, the number 8 forms an inverted stirrup. A calfskin or alligator strap, made in the Hermès Horloger workshops, extends the aerodynamic and futuristic lines of this creation.

www.hermès.com

Fashion

Hublot x Big Bang DJ Snake

DJ Snake’s career is of dazzling and multifaceted character. With over a billion streams on Spotify and numerous awards including Billboard and MTV ones, the French musician is a kind of its own. Celebrated by fans for his creations since 2013 with hits like “Lean on” with Major Lazer and “Let me love you” with Justin Bieber, DJ Snake is a factor to be reckoned with when it comes to electronic music all over the globe. Since 2018, the DJ is an ambassador for the Swiss horology pioneer Hublot. For their latest project, the DJ’s creative design ideas and Hublot’s technical know-how have joined forces. Resulting from the collaboration, the Big Band DJ Sake has been created, a watch that boldly expresses the musician's character while demonstrating how traditional craftsmanship can be turned into modern, avant-garde and outspoken watch-making. The DJ sums up the thought process behind the design: “ To be able to wear – and also offer my fans – a watch which reflects my personality is something that has been very important to me since the start of my partnership with Hublot. I am delighted to have been able to combine my inspiration with the expertise of the fantastic watchmakers and technicians at this Swiss brand.” The Big Bang DJ Snake watch features an iridescent shine emerging from countless light hues of electric blue and pulsing purple colors. Made possible by a special manufacturing process, the color accents change depending on light and angles. A distinctive detail of the Big Bang DJ Snake is the prominent notches on the side of the watchcase. Limited to 100 pieces, this special creation comes with a color coordinated as well as a black strap that offers an individual choice to its wearer.

www.hublot.com
www.djsnake.com

Fashion

Zegna FW21 Collection #WHATMAKESAMAN

In the recent years, the conventional term of masculinity has undergone a transformation. Masculinity slowly but surely breaks free from its iron cast. At Zegna, the notion of masculinity, and the derived question of what it means to be a man is at the heart of the design process. For the FW21 collection, Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori retailors the modern man: “The way that modern men dress, their needs and habits have been changing considerably over the past year. Customers are looking for a different style as they turn to more fluid silhouettes and multifunctional yet comfortable outfits. This is the perfect time to rethink what is possible, to reconsider what really matters and to rebalance style while we are called to answer to changing times. A new aesthetic is needed: fluid, ageless, adaptable, where comfort matches perfectly with style.” Thus, the collection presents The New Jacket, an alternative version to Zegna’s iconic overshirt, which can be worn as a blazer or a jacket – indoors, outdoors, casual and formal all in one. The #WHATMAKESAMAN campaign features diverse modern voices, including two models, a dancer, a fashion buyer and a photographer. Although all individual and in their own way, they collectively stand for the reconsideration of the limits of modern masculinity and the reaffirmation of values instead of internalised dogmas.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Guess F21: Originals and Kit Program

Just in time with the beginning of a new academic year, GUESS launches their F21 collection. The collection entails an Originals capsule and an Originals Kit Program. For the Originals capsule, GUESS took inspiration from the back-to-school season and created looks taking cues from classic campus attire. Authentic vintage pieces from the 90’s have been developed into revamped pieces featuring athletic silhouettes like cardigans, varsity jackets and jerseys. The campus sports elements are enhanced by classic collegiate graphics, such as regimental stripes, plaids and chenille/ varsity patches. The capsule parades modern prep vibes that take the wearer back to the 90s school spirits. The Originals Kit Program focuses on seasonal color ways, presenting refreshing takes on every-day pieces. As such, the program introduces light twill and woven pants and denim pieces next to chambray shirts and pocket tees. The women’s collection presents ribbed tanks, bodysuits and biker shorts, referring back to the athletic appearance of the Originals capsule.

The GUESS Originals capsule and the GUESS Originals Kit Program is available from now on in selected GUESS retail stores, as well as online.

www.guess.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles: Pre-Fall 2021

Celebrated luxury outerwear brand based out of Montreal, Moose Knuckles, has unleashed an expansion of its SS21 collection; with a focus on mobility, the “all-weather” Pre-Fall collection is versatile and made from technical fabrics to withstand even the harshest conditions. The coalescence of form and function are evidenced in the Active Flex line, with premium down fill and stretchy shell fabrics which accumulate and retain heat. The Softshell line in the Moose Knuckles Pre-Fall collection is made from a recycled, lightweight, high density nylon shell and fill which includes the Sheep Creek Vest, Outbank Jacket and the Kleskun Jacket.

The women’s rainwear is engineered for fashion and utilitarian purposes; the West River Parka and Toney Jacket feature heat sealed seams for a cozy and continuously dry fit. In addition to rainwear and the softshell line, the Moose Knuckles Pre-Fall collection also features sportswear. The sportswear line offers up a colorful and varied assortment which includes the Stereogram Zip-Up, Baril Lake Pants, Alice Creek Hoodie; and a whole range of men’s and women’s tracksuits, hoodies and tees. Whatever your plans are, Moose Knuckles ushers in this collection as a reassurance that the weather will never impede or impose on those plans.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Rive Droite: Salt and Sun

Saint Laurent Rive Droite, the creative retail concept and cultural destination of curated specialty items from Anthony Vaccarello, embraces the spirit of the summer with its ‘Salt and Sun’ collection of beach-ready apparel and accessories.

Rive Droite ‘Salt and Sun’ features a special collaboration with K-Way, founded in Paris in 1965 and the maker of superior waterproof jackets, to produce a limited edition jacket embellished with a mystic all-over sunset print. Leopard Fatboy pillows, Saint Laurent surfboards and extra lifestyle items in the collection will be added to the boutique stores in Paris and Los Angeles. Rive Droite continues to expand on the core DNA of Saint Laurent with amusing and chic items; its exclusive assortment of limited editions, vintage items, music, photography and art are now joined by the ‘Salt and Sun’ collection.

Salt and Sun items will be available exclusively in-store at Saint Laurent Rive Droite 213, rue saint Honoré 75001, Paris, and 469 Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Rotate SS22 x Marsèll

The pandemic, which has held a grip over this world for over a year and a half, is not yet over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We have largely worked from home, going to bars, restaurants and clubs was impossible and our wardrobes started to reflect this as we gladly exchanged jeans for sweatpants. Now that the world might be reopening, it is time to bring the focus back on statement dresses, to revive the everyday glamour. For this reason, ROTATE’s Creative Directors Thora Valdimarsdottir and Jeanette Madsen drew inspiration from the 90s sitcom style icon Frane Fine for SS22, a collection that makes us fall in love with the glam of the 90s, infused with a touch of 70s disco. The collection was presented during Copenhagen Fashion Week in a fast-paced show during which the models emerged from vintage sports cars parked on the runway. The delicately feminine garments were contrasted with the raw masculine energy of the cars, an embodiment of the brand’s signature high-octane cool. Short hemlines and sequins fused with masculine elements such as denim and sharp tailoring defined the collection with the looks being finished with Marsèll’s most iconic footwear creations. Whether it was the Micarro ankle boots the Carretta beatles or the Zuccone, the styles selected embodied the essence of the Italian footwear brands with their gender-neutral aesthetic, utilitarian edge and their penchant for oversized soles.

www.rotate.com
www.marsell.it

Fashion

Longchamp launches The Pliage Green

Longchamp introduces a recycled version of The Pliage and exemplifies the French brand’s commitment to sustainability. The iconic bag appeals to the loyalty of wearers with its longevity and sturdiness, which is why Longchamp pursued durability and quality as fundamental considerations in the development process of The Pliage Green. Offering the characteristics of the bag – waterproof, washable, foldable – and an almost identical look and feel has been the pivot point of the endeavor to go green. The signature nylon body remains as a fabric choice, with the distinctive difference that The Pliage Green’s material is made from recycled nylon gathered from various sources including fishing nets, nylon stockings and offcuts from the textile production process. The canvas woven from these materials meets the Global Recycled Standard certification. A PVC coating supports the canvas from the inside, to provide maximum duration. The leather detailing is made from by-product leather to ensure a minimal environmental impact. The Pliage Green is distinguishable from the classic version by subtle details, such as color-coordinated leather closures and green-tinted leather ears on the side of the zipper. The signature emblem of the house, a racehorse, is embroidered on the front of The Pliage Green. The eco-version of Longchamp’s most iconic bag is manufactured in four colors inspired by nature and available in an array of silhouettes.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Net-A-Porter expands Net Sustain Platform

Net Sustain, the British online shop’s segment focused on consciously crafted fashion, presents itself with an updated user experience. In the wake of the expansion, a series of new fashion brands have been adopted. With the values of consciousness and circularity in mind, the labels were carefully chosen by taking into account human, animal and environmental welfare within the label’s production and distribution chains. Each label has to excel in at least one of nine product attributes, namely considered materials, ingredients and overall process, waste reduction, local production craftsmanship and community, animal welfare, vegan and design for circularity. The latter is a newly added category that aims to actively contribute to a shift in throwaway culture and waste caused by textile disposal. Next to the increased number of labels, Net Sustain newest edit features an enhanced customer journey. This journey comes to terms in a dynamic shopping experience that offers post-purchase solutions. A personalized digital ID enables customers to track the life cycle of selected garments. Transparency is a key element of turning over the relation between fashion, industry, retail and customer experience which is why Net Sustain’s digital ID provides information on Care & Repair partners, promoting longevity and appreciation for purchased garments.

www.net-a-porter.com

Art

Louis Vuitton Travel Book Series: An Extraterrestrial Journey to Mars

Illustrated by François Schuiten and written by Sylvain Tesson, the latest volume of Louis Vuitton’s travel book series presents itself in a true Sci-Fi manner. Two protagonists, referred to as contemporary versions of Adam and Eve, embark on a journey to Mars to fathom the red planet’s suitability for the preservation of the human species. The panoramic format of the book enables the observer to experience a 180°-imagination of what life on Mars looks like. To grasp an accurate idea of the landscapes, Schuiten meticulously studied satellite imagery and photos taken by spaces probes. In his endeavor to accurately bring the structures and surfaces onto paper, he focused on geographical and geological nuances of canyons, mineral spikes, ice clouds and eddies of dust. To emphasize how settling on other planets lies in a not so distant future, Schuiten focused on making the illustrations as real as possible. Sfumato, a way of layering oil paint that creates blurry, soft lines is one of the techniques he relied on to create a serene yet eerie feel. During the process, Schuiten kept asking himself how the pristineness of Mars could be preserved “when the colonization of Mars had become the challenge of the century for space explorers”. Tesson, who transformed the illustrations into a readable story, captured this balancing act between utopia and dystopia that Schuiten had visualized in his drawings.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

24Bottles x DIOR

One of the biggest causes of global pollution is the amount of single-use plastics we use daily. Especially plastic packaging, like plastic bottles, contributes hugely to the massive plastic pollution of our oceans. For this reason, Giovanni Randazzo and Matteo Melotti came up with the concept behind 24bottles. The concept behind the brand is to offer a functional, convenient and elegant way to cover one of humanity’s fundamental needs, hydration. As they describe it themselves, “We think that good aesthetics can be a lever to convince people adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyles.” This summer, the Italian brand partners up with the DIOR to create a special design of their Clima Bottle for the Dior Beachwear Capsule collection. The functional and reusable bottle is made from stainless steel and insulated its content for 12-24 hours. Its functional nature is paired with Dior’s designs resulting in a bottle that is created by laser-engraving the French Maison’s monogrammed patterns. For the extra touch, this special edition bottle features a sleek, high-gloss, palladium-like mirror finish and comes with a matching Dior bottle holder. This allows the user to wear it crossbody just as easily as in a bag, making it a timeless and useful accessory for both men and women.

www.24bottles.com
www.dior.com

Fashion

TommyXIndya

Over the last years, it has become clear that our world finds itself once again at an important crossroads. On the one hand, the messages of tolerance and equality, as well as the support for minority groups, have seemingly never resonated with more people, but at the same time, we are facing a wave of right-wing populism and racism sweeping the globe. Tommy Hilfiger takes a conscious stance in support of equal representation through its People’s Place Program. It is a three-pillared platform with the mission of advancing representation and furthering inclusivity in all areas of fashion and beyond. As Tommy Hilfiger has put it himself, “Great style knows no boundaries, and this has always driven my dream to create fashion for all.” For this reason, the brand has partnered up with actor and activist Indya Moore with the resulting capsule collection TommyXIndya being a celebration of the beauty and diversity of the global community. It features a range of size-inclusive and non-gendered pieces, which seek to empower those who want to express themselves without any limitations. Every piece is a re-interpretation of a classic Tommy Hilfiger staple, adapted to fit and respect multiple gender expressions. The pieces are adaptable, aiming to fit everybody whilst encouraging continuous self-expression, fluidity and exploration. As Indya Morre has put it herself, “ It breaks a cycle and sets a new standard across the industry. Too many people are made to feel that something is wrong with them just for being themselves. It means everything to me to know that with our capsule, no one is made to feel wrong or different or broken. Everyone works perfectly for this collection, no matter who they are.” Tommy’s commitment to the cause goes beyond the collection itself but also seeks to promote creative talent from underrepresented BIPOC communities in front and behind the cameras. Myles Loftin lensed the campaign in Moore’s hometown and beside themselves, it features four groundbreaking activists, who all have stood up for LGBTQIA+ rights as well as equal representation for people of color.

The TommyXIndya capsule collection will be available online and in select Tommy Hilfiger retail locations across Europe, North America and Mexico from July 20th, 2021.

www.tommy.com

Fashion

The Heart of Fendi Revitalised anew

It was announced in September 2020, that designer Kim Jones would be joining Fendi. The British designer would be in charge of the Roman house’s couture and womenswear lines and therefore complete Fendi’s trifecta of Artistic Directors next to Silvia Venturini Fendi, who is responsible for accessories and menswear and Delfina Delettrez Fendi overseeing the jewelry. His debut collection was then unveiled to the world in February 2021. The starting point as expressed by Jones himself was to create “clothes that women want to buy” and he sees this as the key aspect of his work. With his collection, Jones delved deep into some of the stories most meaningful to the Roman house, paying homage to the many people who have previously shaped it, while at the same time starting the process of leaving his own mark on the narrative. It’s the historic and extraordinary Italian elegance from a fresh and new perspective. It’s the turning of a page at Fendi, the emergence of a new visual language, which looks toward the future without forgetting about its deeply rooted traditions. It’s the heart of Fendi revitalised anew. The campaign for the collection was photographed by Craig McDean against the backdrop of Fendi’s historic headquarter, the Palazzo della Civilita Italiana, and it visually mirrors the merging of classicism and modernity of the clothing conceived through Jones’ new vision.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Les Extraits

Louis Vuitton’s newest Les Extraits Collections is the coming together of two geniuses in their respective fields, Maître Parfumeur Jacques Cavallier Belletrud and architect Frank Gehry. It is the first time that Gehry conceived a perfume bottle. His design is defined by the harmony between line and curve, the tension that gives form to beauty. Each flacon comes topped with a 3-D, sculptural work in silver, which is reminiscent of the wind moving and swirling through silver fabric. The fragrances themselves, entitled Dancing Blossom, Cosmic Cloud, Rhapsody, Symphony and Stellar Times, reflect the spirit of travel that Louis Vuitton has celebrated since its foundation. Through this collection we are taken further, to new horizons, a garden of waves, a golden temple floating beyond time enveloped in a halo of olfactory sensations. The five compositions center on materiality and the perpetual metamorphosis of nature. These scents are liberated, embracing the breath of life by being condensed into an Extrait, allowing them to blossom freely, without any constraint. As Cavallier Belletrud puts it himself, “I wanted to venture where no one goes anymore. To reinvent the notion of an Extrait in a contemporary way. To bring in light, expand matter, and lighten things up. I wanted to deconstruct the very architecture of perfume. That’s how Les Extraits Collection was born: five perfumes with no top, heart or base notes, in order to reveal the quintessence of each olfactory family.”

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Dior Haute Couture FW2021/22

The world is re-awakening from a 16-month slumber. After months of ever-changing rules and regulations, the world finally seems to be reopening and for the first time in three seasons ,people were allowed to see the Dior Haute Couture collection in person. People stand at the heart of haute couture, not solely the people who came to be astonished by the garments, but all the skilled craftsmen and seamstresses, the whole unseen chain of people without whom the practice of haute couture could not exist. In this collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri focuses of daywear, top-to-toe silhouettes of grey tweeds, camel cashmere recalling long nature walks, which we have all become so familiar within the last year and a half, but the real meaning is woven into the garments themselves. Chiuri celebrates hand-loomed tweeds, the stitch-work carried out by embroiderers and silk manufacturers. Everybody is interconnected and Chiuri sees it as part of her responsibility to weave together the threats of social responsibility and to support all the hard-hit manufacturers and craftsmen who have become indispensable for haute couture. The collection’s backdrop was French artist Éva Jospin’s impressive Chambre de Soie, a continuous conceptual landscape mural, with every one of the minute stitches made by the Indian embroidery school that Chiuri encouraged Dior to support over the last few years. It is the responsibility of every single one of us to reveal what one does not see; especially now in a world that, re-emerging from a forced stop, will find itself undergoing profound change.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Hermès Mens SS22

The Hermès Men’s SS22 collection is about a sense of lightness, relaxation and freedom. It is a response to our need for wider perspectives, for the great outdoors. It is an invention and reinvention of a wardrobe in which different fabrics are interwoven, and where technical innovation finds inspiration in craftwork legacy. Depth and fantasy: a duality of spirit shaking up appearances. Paper becomes fabric, Toilbright and a cotton cover fuse together, leather is enlivened with bursts of colour and stitching graphics. Forms in trompe-l’œil: overshirts, double jacket-cardigans, coats and parkas in two materials.This hybrid approach ushers in a renewed elegance synonymous with energized and flexible shapes: the seemingly casual style belies a structured sophistication to the night as it fades in from the day. Innovation and precision, a dialogue with legacy patterns devoured, blurred, perforated and otherwise transformed by modern techniques.A harmonious play on contrasts accentuate the colours. Celadon-green, algae, chocolate, and carbon hues blend with the softness of faded rose, stone-grey and raw-silk. A bright, soft sweater, a daisy pattern and large Bermuda shorts embody this liberated relaxation.Suffused with optimism and energy, this creative collection is bursting with the vitality of a world reclaimed.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Rick Owens SS22

The Rick Owens show SS22 will be the fourth and last to happen at Venezia’s Lido Beach, where Owens himself lives half the year and where his team could join me from our factory a short drive away. He describes these live shows in front of the beach as a “retreat, not a defeat” as an intimate alternative to the usual shows. This year’s collection embraces hedonism in a soft, grateful way - reflecting this new period of contradictively trying to mix glam with responsibility and thoughtfulness. The shapes and fabrics he calls “white-magic-houses-of-the-holy-stairway-to-heaven” worn by hippies wear baggy, dragging flares over platforms, with eco-cotton disco bodysuit, under transparent shirts, or transparently tailored monster-shouldered blazers and coats. This time around, Owens aimed to expose the clothing technology and his pieces’ interior processes and structures since he is so comfortable with his expertise in tailoring crew. Therefore, he sliced into the coats and jackets, ripping off sleeves, deepening armholes, cutting away fronts and backs, and rendering everything in undyed cotton organdies and undyed silk chiffons that expose the complexity of the structural interlinings beneath. The brutalist chokers combined with the extravagant looks are from an ongoing jewelry collection produced by Goossens, the Maison that once created jewelry for Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Madame Grès in the 50s. The original Rick Owens feel and look takes on a lighter shade for the summer collection.

www.rickowens.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto Mens SS22

This season Yohji Yamamoto presents his SS22 collection in collaboration with Japanese photographer TAKAY, who poetically shows models, a documentary of Yohji’s vision. The 18 minutes video is a journey of 28 looks accompanied by Yohji’s voice and songs. The SS22 collection follows Yohji Yamamoto’s DNA by using deconstructed and oversized shapes, very light fabrics as linen, silk, and light cotton. Included in the collection are revisited trench coats, which suggest light and airy clothes, easy to wear for warm summer. He also looked back into his archives of the SS86 collection to create black and beige hybrid looks. Heavy sneakers, flower prints, and eye drawings are embellishing the collection. Through his collection Yohji Yamamoto wants to represent all human beings, mixing all social categories. The final costume silhouettes, printed with real newspapers from the latest months, are a testimony of the current world. Yohji Yamamoto’sYamamoto’s collection is an expression of his feelings and anger in a poetic way and shares his vision of people in the streets. It’s a statement about today’s world.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

DIESEL SS22

Creative Director Glenn Martens presents DIESEL’s SS22 collection, and the season marks a milestone for the company: Martens’ first collection for the brand. The SS22 collection was presented as a short film. The short film is a collaboration with artist and director Frank Lebon, with a soundtrack by British musician Leon Vynehall and takes a close look at four areas of DIESEL’s evolving brave new world, seen through the creative prism of Glenn Martens. We follow the protagonist through a familiar yet slightly offbeat environment. It starts in the living room at a party. Confused and dazed, she wants to leave the room and walks toward the elevator, where the DIESEL heritage and Martens’ aesthetic are tailor-made. The short trip ends in a strange room, bathed in deep red light. Martens made sure to reinterpret the brand’s history on blazers, shirts, and jeans: Laser prints depict layers of fabric and seams as a trompe l’oeil effect. Throughout the story, Martens’ focal points - denim, womenswear, menswear, and experimentalism - are showcased. Together they result in something new: electrifying, extraordinary, and individual. The Martens concept is a contemporary interpretation of DIESEL’s bold and ironic perspective. Defining themes include a cross-gender approach, a heritage component, and the newly introduced DIESEL LIBRARY.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

FENDI Mens SS22

Ponderings on “watching the world from above” have inspired the FENDI Men’s SS22 collection, which forms a rich interplay of lightness and ease with a sharp focus on the future of luxury. A soft yet juxtaposed palette echoes spring flora and the transient skies of lemon and lime, ice blue, lavender, pistachio, and peony against mineral shades of travertine, chalk, graphite, and slate. The show was held in a location vital to FENDI’s history, inside the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, at the FENDI headquarters. The view illuminates a 360° vista towards the seven hills of Rome, the Apennine mountains, and glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. Taken from the FENDI archives, an illustrated map of Rome becomes FENDI Land, a cartographic drawing of the city where the Palazzo Fendi springs up at its center, and the Tiber river flows through a labyrinth of buildings and streets adorned here and there with freehand FF logos. Distortion of scale plays a significant role in the collection, creating new tailoring volumes in the form of a summer suit, which is cropped at the torso, split with nylon organza, and peak lapel linen blazers are fitted with pen pockets and earpods compartments. The accessory collections additionally embody a playful escape from reality by reinterpreting everyday objects with high-end craftsmanship. From swimming goggles and caps in collaboration with ARENA, ping-pong racket bags to the Baguette bag, shrunk as a jewelry pouch on a fine waist chain, this collection sets a new precedent for the future luxury. An electronic composition by Alessandro Cortini accompanies the show.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Dior Cruise 22

A series of photographs of one of Monsieur Dior’s haute couture lines, taken near the iconic Parthenon in 1951, inspired Maria Grazia Chiuri to create the Dior Cruise 2022 collection. The show, set in the Stadium Panathinaiko in Athens, also drew inspiration from Giorgio De Chirico, a pioneer of surrealism who drew on poignant memories of Greece to paint magical places suspended in the silent contrast of light and shadow.  The looks, clearly reminiscent of marble and ancient statues, the tunic plays a central role in the collection. Combing ethereal looks with comfortable footwear such as sneakers or plateau boots, Chiuri seems to have reinvented the antique with the modern. The designer also paid homage to Marlene Dietrich’s white suit and Björk’s iconic swan dress. Ongoing travel difficulties meant that her show was primarily attended by local press and clients - treated to a heavenly performance by the Greek-American singer Ioanna Gika.

www.dior.com

Fashion

“NOT IN PARIS” LONGCHAMP x HIGHSNOBIETY

Digital media and cultural platform Highsnobiety is collaborating with Longchamp for the third edition of their “Not In Paris” exhibition series, coinciding with Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Highsnobiety first unveiled “Not In Paris” in June 2020 with the aim of distilling the experience of Fashion Week into a multimedia hub of online content showcasing art, fashion, music and design, and making it accessible to a culturally curious global community. The Longchamp-Highsnobiety collaboration features the iconic Le Pliage® travel bag in 100% recycled polyester canvas, which is principally made from recovered plastic bottles. “Paris” is emblazoned with a sublimation printing process in green college-style lettering on the white canvas, with “Not In” embroidered in black italic script on it. A fluorescent green zip pull and black Russian leather on the flap, handles and shoulder strap complete the exclusive design. The “Not In Paris” exhibition and collaborative products – exclusively available at Highsnobiety Shop - launch on 16 June 2021 on www.highsnobiety.com. For the first time, “Not In Paris” will also actually be present in the French capital via a pop-up souvenir shop at 198 rue de Rivoli, adjacent to the Louvre and Tuileries gardens. Open to the public from 19 to 26 June, it will present the full array of collaborative products along with a special programme of events. www.longchamp.com www.highsnobiety.com

Fashion

Marsèll x Suicoke

The Japanese cult brand Suicoke and Marsèll, the distinctive Italian brand specialising in the production of handmade leather accessories, have collaborated for the first time; releasing a a limited collection of 1,000 pieces that will be available from the 15th of June. The model will be genderless and it will be available in five different colourways. Founded in 2006, Suicoke had incongruous beginnings, producing small accessories and hand-painted Russian dolls prior to their transition into footwear. Marsèll was founded in 2001 as the expression of a new craft culture. Shoes are the focus of a line of research devoted to pushing the boundaries of tradition, within the counterculture deconstruction movement. Now the first Suicoke Made in Italy created by Marsèll rose to the challenge of developing its own version of the iconic sandal by Japanese brand Suicoke. The idea behind the project was to create a shoe that reflects the fusion between Japanese culture and Italian craftsmanship. The key concepts underpinning the creative process are respect, reuse, transform and enhance. The result is an entirely leather sandal mounted onto a serrated rubber sole with a square toe. The sole is made from recycled material. Marsèll and Suicoke are united in their drive to create everyday footwear for creative environments, with a focus on the style that has redefined the boundaries of the contemporary aesthetic statement in the last decade.


www.suicoke.com

Fashion

Dior Vespa

the Vespa 946 Christian Dior, an ode to freedom and elegance, is presented in images captured by Pamela Hanson in Mexico City. This new model, redesigned by Maria Grazia Chiuri, is distinguished by its steel monocoque architecture and subtle, graphic lines that pay homage to the heritage of both Houses. In the spirit of escape, this series is an invitation to dreams and savor the dolce vita. As an ultimate getaway new experience, a new lens available on Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram offer an opportunity to discover this exclusive scooter in three dimensions or to virtually try on the Dior Oblique-embellished helmet.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Cartier Women’s Initiative 2021: 8 laureates

For its 2021 edition, the Cartier Women’s Initiative program aims to explore how to create and sustain the ripple effect ignited by these women changemakers, thus paving the way for a better world for future generations. The names of the eight laureates of the Cartier Women’s Initiative were announced during a digital ceremony, which concluded three days of virtual gathering. Hosted by Cyrille Vigneron, Cartier President and CEO, the virtual gathering brought together a diverse group of global thinkers and doers ranging from prominent leaders such as entrepreneur and author Jacqueline Novogratz, award-winning journalist, author, and founder of Shriver Media and The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Maria Shriver or scholar Nassim Nicholas Talebto friends of Cartier such as actor, producer and change agent Yara Shahidi, to collectively discuss the challenges of our time and to shine a light on the opportunities they provide to foster anti fragility, build new alliances and uplift women impact entrepreneurs. The winners of the 2021 edition all share an unwavering commitment to generating positive change in the world by answering to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of promoting good health & well-being, reducing inequalities and encouraging climate actions as well as responsible consumption and production.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

RETRO ARTSY by Westwing Collection

Westwing’s latest collection, 'Retro Artsy by Westwing Collection' is made up of in-house designed collection pieces combined with timeless design and retro vibes. Cozy flair from the 1960s meets simple, elegant shapes."With our Retro Artsy collection, we want to create a home where you can easily relax and feel happy. Retro-inspired elements go hand in hand with simple abstract patterns and colorful objects to set highlights. There is a calm atmosphere - Modern art, splashes of color and a mix of materials bring joy to everyday life. " so Ale Tobler, creative director of the Westwing Collection. The collection is characterized by expressive pieces of furniture and artistically designed decorative accessories. Soft color schemes of cream-colored and natural stone gray in a mixture of terracotta tones and black meet different material optics such as trendy travertine and dark wood.

www.westwingnow.de

Fashion

Shared Passion - Dockers New Brand Ambassadors

Since its foundation, one of Docker’s fundamental pillars was sustainability. A part of its DNA, which has certainly played a role in its California Cool image. Within this strategy, there is a special importance put on the subject of water. The garment industry especially has been heavily criticized for countless production processes which not only exhaust massive amounts of water, but also contribute to the industry being one of the most polluting industries worldwide. At Dockers, they have reduced their water consumption for dyeing and production processes by 73% on their whole range. Additionally, since 2020, they partnered up with surfer and activist Jon Rose in order to help fight the global water crisis. The first brand ambassador, Dockers is now proud to present four new faces, ambassadors who share this environmental engagement, the passion and lifestyle. The first is Kepa Acero, a Basque surfer and world traveller, who is dedicated to exploring the oceans and looking for ways to protect the environment and the local communities which are so dependent on it. Together with Dockers, they have started #DockersW4W, a social media challenge through which the brand has pledged to donate water filters to provide access to clean water to communities all over the planet. The second new ambassador to join the Dockers family is Deniz Roprak, a surfer and entrepreneur. In 2018, he started Mellow Sri Lanka, an environmentally-friendly co-living, which has the goal to make people aware about the resources we receive from nature and the importance of protecting it in order to enjoy all its many gifts. Joan Duru is the third new ambassador. Having started surfing at the age of 7 and now considered one of the greatest surfers of his generation, he has seen with his own eyes in many places all over the world, how the pollution is damaging our oceans and the absolute need for action right now. Last but not least to join the Dockers family is Maud Le Car. Born on Saint Martin, she has always been in close proximity to the sea. In order to protect the oceans, she has founded Save La Mermaid, an organisation with the goal of finding viable alternatives to plastic, whilst organizing clean-ups and educating the public on the issue of plastic pollution in order to continue to be able to enjoy the beauty of the oceans.

www.dockers.com

Fashion

CHANEL in Saint Tropez

CHANEL is back at its seasonal boutique in Saint-Tropez in time for the summer. In the heart of the village, La Mistralée, has been given a new décor inspired by the House and the latest collections designed by Virginie Viard. All the elegance of a private property in the South of France is displayed from the hallway through to the veranda, from the salons out to the garden via the pool house. In each room of the boutique, reorganised to resemble a villa, the beige and white terrazzo floor is enhanced by a black marble frieze. The white walls are decorated with frames. Console tables and a bookcase furnish the hallway and present the sunglasses, as well as a selection of perfumes and beauty products. Clients will discover other silhouettes from the collection out in the veranda. In the middle of the space, a "bag bar" presents the season's newest creations, while showcases display a range of CHANEL Jewelry with the COCO CRUSH collection, and watch designs including the J12, BOY·FRIEND, CODE COCO and PREMIÈRE. The outside of the boutique offers an invitation to relax in the sun on loungers and armchairs by the swimming pool or on the terrace by the pool house. In a graphic décor, the latter will be home to the shoes of the season and the CHANEL COCO BEACH 2021 collection, a Ready-to-Wear line dedicated to the beach that focuses this year on floral motifs intertwined with camellias and the double C.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Eyewear Campaign

Louis Vuitton invited three international, independent, and contemporary talents to portray its new sunglasses collection and embody the many facets of the woman. Belgian-Congolese singer-songwriter Lous & the Yakuza wears both a square design with precise, strong angles, as well as a more classic offering, American actor Chloë Grace Moretz embraces a timeless chic model, while South Korean singer-songwriter Somi sports couture sunglasses with their finely crafted jewellery-style temples. Bright days are ahead with the new sunglasses collection from Louis Vuitton, blending design and savoir-faire, innovation and tradition. Boasting exceptional quality and contemporary lines to accent any look, the collection adorns any face, setting it off to perfection.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

CHANEL Eyewear FW21

The CHANEL Fall 2021 Eyewear collection tells three stories that combine modernity and refinement, technicality and savoir-faire, casual elegance and a couture spirit. For this new collection, CHANEL presents three minimalist pairs of sunglasses with a masculine/feminine spirit: a cat eye, an aviator and a round frame in gold, silver, ruthenium or matt black metal. The purity of these designs is enhanced by metal inserts integrated into the glass, emphasising the curve of the cat eye and aviator frames and drawing two double Cs on the round design. A technical innovation, imperceptible to the touch, which subtly enhances the brown, light grey and anthracite tinted lenses. Introduced with the Spring-Summer 2021 collection, CHANEL continues its sequin theme this fall on three sunglasses and two opticals. A very feminine, large hexagonal frame in black or tortoiseshell acetate with a double C is embellished with micro-sequins. This sophisticated, textured material, shimmering or matt depending on the version, is also used on the top and the temples of sunglasses with a round or an oversized square frame, both in metal. The sparkle of the sequins reflects in the grey, green, brown or amber lenses. Two optical designs complete this line. In harmony with the colours of the frames, micro-sequins adorn the temples of a hexagonal shape in gold, matt black or ruthenium metal, and a graphic square in black, grey tortoiseshell or brown acetate. Certain versions of these opticals come with UV and blue light blocking lenses. The CHANEL Fall 2021 Eyewear collection will be available in boutiques from June 2021.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Sensory Manipulation

Ben Storms is a Belgian designer and craftsman whose work challenges sensory manipulation in terms of materials. By using state-of-the-art techniques, he transforms his sculptures into captivating shapes that defy the viewers’ expectations. His talent comprises working with many different elements as he is equally a stonemason, sculptor, and woodworker. His practice connects traditional techniques with high-tech processes to create unique pieces of furniture with a sculptural character, noting that, “In my practice as a designer, I push materials to their boundaries, often questioning common notions. Does marble always have to look heavy? Can steel look soft? By creating shapes that verge on the impossible, I confuse the viewers, make them lose their balance briefly, and stimulate them to look at familiar materials with a fresh eye.” The result is pieces like the Ex Hale, a marble table that mimics the shape of a monumental cushion. Its counterpart, In Hale is an enormous coffee table consisting of a massive marble piece that floats on a metal cushion. The artist developed the idea for the table while looking at a piece of marble that was considered leftover. By inflating sheet metal, he creates a three-dimensional cushion for the precious marble, which feels like it defies gravity. The marble used for his designs is carefully selected in quarries all over Europe. The marble is mainly left alone to show its natural beauty, only polished in certain places but overall left rough and unpolished on the lower side of the piece. The In Hale Wallpiece, two metal sheets, blown up in a cushion shape and scanned in 3D, after which a CNC machine mills the same form from a block of marble, demonstrates the multilateral talent of Storms. Through his vision, hard becomes soft, and sturdy becomes delicate.

www.benstorms.be

Fashion

Where the Water Flows

The latest Jil Sander SS21 campaign is an expression of pure haze. The idea of flowing, natural water is almost tangible in its visuals. It gives every image a sense of endless place and a dreamy dimension. Set in Biarritz, France on the Atlantic coast by the ocean and in the ocean, the SS21 collection is presented in a natural, comfortable and calm atmosphere. The tactile lighting aesthetically blurs the imagery and merges the bodies, the water and the background. The imagery provides a contrast to dense city life and leaves the viewer appreciating the vastness and emptiness of the landscape captured from dawn to sunset. The photographs were taken by Tim Elkaïm, in aw of days and nights spent ruminating and relaxing by the sea. The JIL SANDER SS21 collection including swimsuits, a windbreaker, shorts, hoodies, knitwear and blankets is artfully accentuated by the storytelling of the campaign. A pure illustration of ease. Jil Sander+ seasonally adds to the world of Jil Sander a series of garments made for life in nature, for both men and women; often unisex. The Jil Sander creative direction duo Lucie and Luke Meier skillfully blends the sense of comfort and design of their Jil Sander with honest, authentic items.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

Levis x MIU MIU

Miu Miu is continuing it’s “Upcycled by Miu Miu” project with a collaboration with Levi’s. Using vintage iconic 501 trousers/short and trucker jacket, Miu Miu is going to exclusively customize 1000 pieces for a worldwide distribution, by adding special embroideries and patches. Putting an iconic twist on the classic jeans brand’s identity, Miu Miu creates a new visual language while adding their part to a sustainable future.

www.levis.com
www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Art-à-Porter

The Denim Culture capsule collection by Sportmax is a project entirely dedicated to jeanswear. The unique project is based on cooperation with various artists from the worlds of music, fashion and, art. In its fifth edition, Denim Culture by Sportmax reiterates its collaborative nature by working with the renowned Italian photographer Franco Fontana. The virtuous photographer transforms eight of his most impactful works into wearable photographs for the Denim Culture project. The images were reproduced and printed onto various denim garments and a series of t-shirts, creating the experience of observing a piece of art expertly positioned on clothing. The wearer thus has the pleasure of not only wearing this work of art but also becoming a living and moving canvas of art-à-porter, in the true spirit of Fontana, who said: “Creativity does not illustrate, it actually interprets life.” The SS21 Sportmax lineup was inspired by Fontana’s creative outlook and includes oversized, voluminous trousers, figure-embracing dresses, as well as tops and bustiers with necklines that enhance the simplicity of nude skin. Fontana’s images animate the collection, in an all-over print that adorns various Sportmax pieces. Shirts are also fashioned in a similar way roomy proportions and collars, decorated photographic prints. The color palette merges light blue tones and makes reference to the hues of Fontana’s signature works - famous for their swathes of red, sage, emerald green, turquoise and, yellow.

www.sportmax.com

Fashion

Limited Edition

Iris von Arnim presents the RE EDITION collection, made exclusively from waste fabrics and yarns. During the production process of the RE EDITION collection, the brand makes sure no thread is thrown away, with all leftovers being kept and recycled in order to ensure no new waste is created. Sustainability is at the very core of the 40-year-old company’s values and has been integrated thoroughly, with guaranteed fair production and short transport routes. Since 2019, the entire company has been actively practicing CO2-neutrality. RE EDITION is the logical continuation of the sustainable practice and marks the brand’s most environmentally friendly line to date. Iris van Armin’s bestsellers have been reissued with RE EDITION, made from leftover yarn in limited quantities and colors. The name RE EDITION is derived from the main elements of this line “Reuse, Reduce and Recycle,” and thus reflects the environmentally friendly production cycle. A limited number of pieces are available in every color, and style combination. The first launch consists of six models “Re-Nicolas,” “Re-Cayo,” “Re-Gemma,” “Re-Sara,” “Re-Sardinia,” and “Re-Surani,” which are available in neutral and timeless colors such as black, mud, pearl, and flannel, and bright colors such as pink, nile, and amber.

www.irisvonarnim.com

Fashion

Versace Greca Sneaker

Versace launches the Greca Sneaker for their SS21 Collection. The new signature item is inspired by the iconic and geometric Greca pattern and comes in a high top and low top version. The silhouette is clean and classic yet elevated by the outer sole, which features a continuous debossed Greca detail while having a hidden Medusa feature and tonal logo. High-top styles feature an appliquéd Medusa badge at the ankle, while the low tops version has a small logo accent at the heel counter and tongue. The upper is made from smooth leather or canvas and features color ranges from classic black and white to vibrant blue, red, purple, and pink. Versace’s iconic Barocco print is also an option. Seasonal styles include the sea-themed 'Trésor de la Mer' print and a Versace.com exclusive style in a colorful Medusa Amplified pattern.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Gallery Weekend Berlin: Dries van Noten at Andreas Murkudis

“A PERFECT MOMENT, Captured” is the name of the collaboration of Andreas Murkudis and Dries Van Noten for Berlin Gallery Weekend 2021. This collaboration comprises a photographic installation using the full height of the store’s 10-meter-high windows and a specially dedicated temporary space within the store that houses Dries Van Noten’s designs. The photographic installation faces out onto the courtyard, just off Potsdamer Strasse, to engage with visitors who may not enter the shop due to the current covid restrictions. ANDREAS MURKUDIS is pleased to invite you to experience the Dries Van Noten collection for Spring/ Summer 2021 at our ephemeral Store 81. An exceptional installation was created as a framework to portray all of the layers the collection holds this season. The 10-meter-high windows of the store’s old printing hall display large-scale photographs by Viviane Sassen for Dries Van Noten. These images capture garments of the collection shot within projections of the visionary films of New Zealand artist Len Lye – a pioneer who played an important role in harnessing motion in art. Filmed in the 1920s to 1940s, with colour painted and motives scratched onto the celluloid, the films were precursors of the psychedelia that would follow only forty years later. Motifs from his work are carried through to the prints for the designer’s SS21 collections for women and men. A temporary interior exhibition area is dedicated to the collaboration and provides an extraordinary aesthetic framework of assembled and layered images and fabrics. BOCCI, a bouquet of light created to react to and reflect the colors and reflections of this space, unfolds to mark the room.

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Fashion

24 Bottles

The sustainable design brand born in 2013, the leading Italian brand of the fashion hydration industry, 24Bottles shares its Mother’s Day Gift Guide to help people thanking their with a stylish option while being respectful to our Mother Earth. 24Bottles can be personalized – from color to pattern and can be even engraved to help create a unique Mother’s day gift that values sustainability. The 24Bottles are special for its original shape, quality and design as well as function. 24Bottles are designed with functionality in mind; the bottles are insulated, extra lightweight and some models can hold even coffee and tea. It was born from the search for the most comfortable and functional solution to satisfy the need to hydrate in a healthy, elegant and ecological way. Choosing 24Bottles means taking care of yourself, your well-being and that of the planet. The company is B Corp® certified and has also embarked on an ambitious program to achieve Carbon Neutrality. The aim is to completely offset its carbon footprint by supporting international reforestation projects,rural communities and green projects.

www.24bottles.com

Art

Gallery Weekend Berlin

Every year during springtime, around 50 galleries open their exhibitions by young and established artists and welcome numerous visitors from all over the world to Berlin. Gallery Weekend Berlin was founded in 2005 as a private initiative by Berlin galleries and soon became one of the highlights of the international art calendar. The weekend celebrates galleries and artists within this unique format providing high-caliber exhibitions and an unparalleled experience of Berlin. Gallery Weekend Live Tours guide you via Zoom through all participating galleries on May 1 and 2. Pre-registration is not required. The live Tours will be held mainly in German. Additionally, the participating galleries of Gallery Weekend will open their exhibitions next week on May 1st and 2nd. Currently, in-person gallery visits are possible via appointment booking and with a same-day Corona test. Visitors are required to wear a FFP2 mask when visiting the galleries. You can take advantage of our digital offerings. Films of all exhibitions will be viewable on Instagram from 1 May.

Opening Hours Gallery Weekend 2021
Saturday, 1 May | 12 noon – 7 pm
Sunday, 2 May | 12 noon – 7 pm

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Fashion

Cartier Women’s Initiative 2021

Cartier announces the 24 fellows for the 2021 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative. With the announcement of the 2021 Cartier Women’s Initiative fellows, Cartier is reaffirming its commitments to women impact entrepreneurs leveraging business as a force for good. Starting in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has supported endless women to reach their full potential by highlighting their achievements and providing them with financial, human, and social capital to support and grow their businesses. Since 06, the campaign has helped over 260 female entrepreneurs from 59 countries and has awarded over 4 million US dollars to support their businesses. This year, to further increase its impact and relevance, the program has launched the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. In addition to the seven existing Regional Awards, three more women impact entrepreneurs at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation will be recognized. Open to women entrepreneurs from any country and sector; this award will highlight disruptive solutions built around unique, protected, or hard-to-reproduce technological or scientific advances. Twenty-four fellows are selected amongst 876 applicants hailing from 142 countries. For the first time, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has recognized women impact entrepreneurs from Mali, Iraq, and Myanmar. These fellows represent the top 3 businesses for each of the 7 Regional Awards and for the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. In these unprecedented times, Cartier considers it its duty to protect its teams, partners, and program participants; this is why the eight laureates will be announced on May 26th, 2021, during a virtual ceremony, which will close a digital awards week on the theme of the Ripple Effect.


www.cartier.com

Fashion

Kaldewei receives iF Design Award 2021

The MING washbasin bowl made of Kaldewei steel-emaille material impresses with its slender silhouette and a flawlessly glazed surface. Kaldewei has now been awarded the prestigious iF Design Award 2021 for the MING basin’s trend-setting and high-quality design. The premium manufacturer was able to convince the jury of the design award with a distinctive product profile, which uniquely combines tradition and modernity with absolute material quality. Kaldewei's exquisite MING bowl captivates with elegant lines, extensive depth and a delicate rim. Its traditional contours are inspired by Chinese Ming vases and made of steel-emaille. This material is hundred percent recyclable and therefore particularly sustainable. Whether for a classically simple bathroom or experimental locations, the elegance of MING with its convex curved silhouette leaves room for visions that turn any space into a sensual retreat. Displaying an easy-to-clean finish, the Kaldewei Perl effect, is standard on all MING bowls.

 www.kaldewei.de

Fashion

RIMOWA x Masumi Ishiuda

On the occasion of the cherry blossom season, RIMOWA publishes wonderful mood images by photographer Masumi Ishiuda. The used RIMOWA products, the Personal Poly, the Hybrid Cabin or the small backpack visually fit with the colors of the spring season. RIMOWA is a global leader in premium luggage. Since 1898, it has placed quality and innovation at its core to create functional tools for a lifetime of movement. In 1937, RIMOWA introduced aviation-inspired aluminium into the manufacture of its suitcases, an idea that revolutionised the industry and resulted in their iconic grooved aluminium design. In 2000, it pioneered again with the debut of the world's first polycarbonate suitcase. In 2017, RIMOWA joined LVMH; three years later, it launched Never Still, a collection of bags for daily use that heralded its evolution into a cult mobility brand. Designed and engineered in Germany, RIMOWA combines a legacy of craftsmanship with the rigours of modern technology.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Rosa rosae rosae

by Manuela Martorelli

“There is an analogy of material between powder and silk. They offer the same delicacy, the same softness, the same radiance. This inspiration is further reflected on the surface of the powder, which is textured like the fine rib of silk twill.” Jérôme Touron, Creative Director of Hermès Beauty describes the intrinsic analogies between silk and the new addition to the Maison’s Beauty collection: a compact powder blush composed of key scent created by Hermès nose Christine Nagel in the same vein as Rouge Hermès that reveals notes of arnica and sandalwood and subtle hints of green tea. Rose Hermès Silky Blush unfolds in a swathe of light. From dawn dew chromatic hues to tones of warm sand: pink zephyr, a pink halo, the rose of freshly heart warmed cheeks, so candid and oh so French. Its velvety texture and formula with vitamin E providing antioxidant properties, and combining a perfect finish with buildable coverage, from the most natural to the most sophisticated. A beauty ritual, enhanced by the exceptional case designed by Pierre Hardy, Creative Director of Hermès shoes and jewelry: a disc of white and gold light in satin-finish perm brass, marked with the concave ex-libris created by Émile Hermès in 1923. Following Rouge Hermès, it’s a sustainable object, refilled by simply removing and replacing the powder pan in one gesture. “Design is where necessity meets fantasy. Objects must come to life through a creative approach that pushes them further, transcending their utility”, Pierre Hardy, explains how the very essence of Hermès, the air that it breathes, the Maison’s lifeblood is naturally embodied by Hermès Beauty, with a simple gesture, never loud but nevertheless full of personality.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

GLENN MARTENS DEBUT AT MILAN FASHION WEEK

Since his appointment as Creative Director for Paris-based label Y/Project, Glenn Martens’ creations have been a constant at Paris Fashion Week. This year, the Belgian Designer embarks on yet another creative journey, premiering his debut for DIESEL during Milan’s menswear programming. Coincidentally, this will also mark DIESEL’s debut on the Milan Fashion Week calendar. After having created a denim collection with the brand in 2018, we will now get a first look on how Martens has incorporated his vision across the brand’s entire range of product categories. The show is a major step of Martens’ role in overseeing the brand’s creative identity, design and communications.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Giuseppe Zanotti AMIRA

Giuseppe Zanotti, an Italian luxury footwear and fashion designer known for his sculptural, jeweled heels and fashion forward sneakers, presents AMIRA, a reinterpretation of the first iconic version first presented in 2005. The striking metallic sandal features an array of intricate chains composed of ornamental jewels, crystals and beadwork. Every tiny ornament of the Amira is applied by hand, rendering each pair one-of-a-kind. Amira once again proves that iconic style transcends time and place. To celebrate the launch of the Amira, the fashion House is collaborating with activist Laetitia Ky, who is known for her intricate hair sculptures. The artist will create a new piece around the jeweled sandal. The AMIRA sandals will be available beginning March 30 in Giuseppe Zanotti boutiques, on giuseppezanotti.com and in select luxury stores globally. A third Icons drop is slated for June 2021.

www.giuseppezanotti.com

Fashion

TOMMY x PATTA

Tommy Hilfiger comes together with Amsterdam-based streetwear brand Patta to release a PATTAxTOMMY capsule collection that captures the strength and influence of the African diaspora movement with the message “unity is strength, division is weakness.” The two brands share the value of openness and their commitment to fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and community. Collaborating for the first time, Patta and Tommy Hilfiger centered the PATTAxTOMMY capsule around the Pan-African Flag, Black unity, and community, channeling a sense of interconnected histories, present times, and the future that lies ahead. To celebrate this, the iconic white, red and blue TOMMY colors have been replaced by the traditional Pan-African colors of deep red, black, green, and yellow, putting African culture and community self-actualization front and center in this capsule. The video campaign was captured in Lagos, Nigeria, by Nigerian filmmaker Dafe Oboro through his short film, “Two Become One,” with campaign photography by Moroccan visual artist Hassan Hajjaj. To further underline the collection’s message, Patta has produced “Katibo Yeye,” a documentary directed by award-winning Dutch film director Frank Zichem.

The film follows Clarence Breeveld, a Suriname-born man living in the Netherlands, as he attempts to trace the shipping route from Ghana to Suriname traveled by his enslaved ancestors, visiting locations where slave trading took place. As part of this partnership, Tommy Hilfiger and Patta will donate to The Black Archives from Amsterdam, Sistah Space from London, and The Good Neighborhood Collective from Milan –each chosen for their dedication to celebrating Afro-descendants and uplifting their voices.

The PATTAxTOMMY range will be available via the Patta retail network globally beginning Friday, April 9, 2021, at 1 PM CEST, and via selected wholesale partners starting April 16, 2021.

www.pattaxtommy.com

Fashion

BOSS x Russel Athletics

BOSS teams up with Russel Athletic to create a new capsule collection, uniting expert tailoring with the American icon's sportswear know-how. The new collaboration presents bold, off-court classics that combine relaxed fits, sporty details, and a retro-inspired colour palette for the next generation of men and women. To encapture the meeting place of two legendary sportswear and tailoring brands, the new campaign was filmed by renowned photographer Joshua Kissi and created in partnership with agency and publisher Highsnobiety. The campaign, which was digitally launched on all social media channels of BOSS celebrates team spirit, individual talent, and the power in lifting each other up. Part of the campaign is an all-star cast including Bella Hadid, Ashley Graham, Keith Powers, Lucky B Smith, and Taylor Hill bringing their winning energy to the bold, new capsule collection. Capturing this meeting place of sportswear and tailoring, the new campaign was lensed by renowned photographer Joshua Kissi and created in partnership with agency and publisher Highsnobiety. Russell Athletic is a legedary sportswear brand, its invention of the sweatshirt being a breakthrough moment for them all the way back in 1926. Fast forward to today, and this collaboration reimagines the American icon’s styles through the ages, with a BOSS lens. Think new elevated materials, inventive mixes of athletic wear and tailoring, or the BOSS suit, taken in a sportier direction than ever before.

www.boss.com

Fashion

On The Beach - Louis Vuitton

Maison Louis Vuitton continues its emotional journey with the launch of the latest Cologne - a special symbiosis of the lightness of citrus notes and the magical richness of flowers. The new perfume On The Beach by Louis Vuitton interprets the infamous journey along the US West Coast in a summery scent dedicated to the warm and sunny season. It tells the story of the freshness and ease of the coast and the desire for freedom. On The Beach - the latest creation by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, Maître Parfumeur of Louis Vuitton - is an olfactory surprise consisting of emotions reminiscent of a day at the beach. It evokes memories of the warming rays of the sun, the sound of breaking waves and the feeling of sand on the skin. The elaborate composition is a mix of fresh lemon from Japan, orange blossom filled with sun, thyme, rosemary and pink pepper. The lively scent brings the ambience of the West Coast – a territory that is passionate and wildly creative – to life, while combining the spontaneity of the colognes with the sophistication of perfumes.

 www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Ninamounah FW21 – Seduce Me

Ninamounah presents her first Paris Fashion Week participation, an audiovisual piece in runway show format called "Seduce Me." The Amsterdam-based brand - named after its Creative Director Ninamounah Langstraat – received the inspiration for the show from the natural world, taking biology as the starting point for the conception of the ideas that help shape the pieces in the collection. "Seduce Me" explores hypnotizing mating rituals, stimulating the viewers' animalistic side and translating the aesthetics of these complex animal behaviors into garments with a various and rich range of silhouettes, textures, and movements. Even the models move slightly feral as they were filmed walking backward and reversing the content, leaving the viewer hypnotized and at unease at first sight. The collection feature exaggerated cuts and oversized tailoring, which takes inspiration from the sexual mimicry of the animal kingdom.

Contrasting the suppleness of velvet and the discomfort of vinyl tells the story of seduction: both romantic and aggressive. The velvety antlers of male deers are the perfect paradigm seen in nature. The deception of sensuality and violence in nature, as seen in snake trails (a sign of either mating or conflict), translates into the hypnotic, undulating seams in the recurring garments. The urgency of red punctuates the neutral palette as a semiotic conversation between the aggressiveness and seduction it represents in both nature and the human-made world. The neutral palette is a reflection of the unarmed state and the innocence of living beings before they are ruthlessly hunted down. For the collection, Ninamounah collaborates with artist Stef Van Looveren, with whom the brand has developed a revisited line of accessories starring their already signature bags depicting human male and female gonads in a wide range of colors, from bubblegum pink to metallic gold.

www.ninamounah.com

Fashion

Thom Browne FW21

For the FW 21 collection, Thom Browne continues his collaboration with director Carissa Gallo. In the short film, Lindsey Vonn - an American former World Cup alpine ski racer on the US Ski Team- introduces Thom Browne’s collection by walking through a snowy wonderland filled with an audience of animated stick figures watching her pass by - in the only colorful piece of the collection, a button back off-shoulder lapel dress with an oversized drape in gold lame over an oversized tailcoat gown with drawstrings and backpack straps in gold lame. The visual story unveils as Lindsey Vonn sees the stick figures off and boards a helicopter. From there, she skis along the models wearing the intricate design pieces, wearing lace-covered fencing masks. For FW 21, Thom Browne is crossing boundaries, creating menswear for women and womenswear for men. The silhouette is a juxtaposed mix between formal and sportswear. He continued to challenge and modernize today’s connotation of the suit.

www.thombrowne.com

Fashion

Isabel Marant FW21

The Isabel Marant FW21 collection is inspired by visions of the past, as well as projections into the future and translates this liminality into the silhouettes, colors and prints of the designs. The folk and libertarian spirit of the 60s, as expressed by Jimmy Hendrix or Janis Joplin, clashes with the techno impulse of the Gabber scene, a subculture that was arised in the 90s. Psychedelic multicolor floral patterns are combined with an electric blue iridescent vinyl fabric, while Texan boots are worn with oversized sportswear-inspired pieces. The collection tells the story of a journey across genres and eras that evokes memories and nostalgia through pieces like guipure tops and dresses, shearling boleros and embellished belts. The contrasting effect of the raw materials and precious details give the designs a versatile character - from day to night, masculine and feminine together at the same time. In the context of Paris Fashion week, a video shot in the outskirts of Paris along the bold volutes of an open-air building serves as an introduction to the Isabel Marant FW21 collection. The chosen soundtrack by Gabber Eleganza is an exploratory fusion of folk tones and techno rhythms, which sets the vibrant dynamic for the video. In symbiosis with the impressive concrete walls of the setting, the music is an ode to long-lost parties.

 www.isabelmarant.com

Fashion

Longchamp FW21

Longchamp creative director Sophie Delafontaine’s main inspiration for the Longchamp FW21 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week was the iconic Longchamp racehorse logo and the work of the French 20th-century interior designer Pierre Paulin. The designer is known to have revolutionized Parisian apartments at the time with his creative outlook. The galloping Longchamp racehorse was drawn by Turenne Chevallereau and is the emblematic expression of the label’s dynamism and art de vivre. This equestrian reference served as the basis for the choice of location for the show: Paris’ renowned Battesti riding hall, known for its imposing glass and iron roof, that was engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The Pierre Paulin influence becomes visible in the collection’s silhouettes, citing his innovative approach to line, function, color and material in combination with the creative spirit of Longchamp. Thus, many of the looks follow a sensual, enveloping form language, drawing on the curvaceous design of a Paulin sofa. Quilting and layering are prominent themes in the collection that features a variety of sleeveless, padded gilets in soft lambskin, cashmere crop tops layered with denim shirts, as well as 70s-style wool ribbed turtleneck sweaters worn underneath shirts, suits and dresses. Opened by Mica Arganaraz in a black safari jacket belted over a red skinny-rib sweater and short white shorts, the reoccurring themes for the collection became visible. Both the color palette and the proportions are at once equestrian and quintessentially Parisian. The warm feel of the collection extends to this season’s bags: The iconic Le Pilage bag is reinterpreted in padded, quilted lambskin, both in its classic shape and as a huggable drawstring backpack.

 www.longchamp.nl

Fashion

Valentino FW21 - ACT

For Valentino’s most recent collection, FW21 ready-to-wear, Pierpaolo Piccioli worked with the topic of punk in a more muted color palette of black and white with pops of gold. Having historically shown on the Paris show, Valentino presented their first co-ed FW21 collection at Milan Fashion Week. One year after the lockdown swept Italy, shuttering performing arts spaces and much of the cultural life in their wake, Pierpaolo Piccioli reopened Milan’s Piccolo Teatro for one night only to stage a 66-look-show by the name Valentino ACT. “The fact that we decided to have it reopened, albeit just temporarily, it was a sort of a punk act,” he said at a press conference held in the darkness of the auditorium.

“What we missed in the pandemic was above all the sense of sharing and of communality that culture gives us—not so much pasta and pizza.” A spotlight illuminated the models in the otherwise dark theater as Cosima sang live accompanied by a string quartet. Pleated A-line mini skirts, pointed collar white shirts, turtlenecks, and swingy cape coats, paired with sturdy boots covered in rubber petals and macro studs to bring the 60s back to life in modern times. A daywear assortment of beautifully cut short wool capes was the collection’s pivot, worn with bare legs and elegant stilettos “for sensuality,” as Piccioli underlined. “It’s the radical act of having the strength to be who you are; that’s what I mean by romanticism today. It’s a subjective, almost anarchic gesture, assertive of one’s own identity—exactly like punk.”, he concludes.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani FW21

Giorgio Armani’s FW21 collection portrays an analysis of the psychology of dressing. It displays and explores the natural nuances and passages of dress in an organic and simple, yet complex way. Engaging with the idea of complexity in simplicity, Armani presents a structured wardrobe, that simultaneously evokes images of leger everyday wear and glamorous evening wear, bounded together by an overall sophisticated form language. The collection is an assembly of clothing that can be individually combined and mixed and matched. It is made to inspire the wearer and augment uninhibited self-expression. A hint of eclecticism is conveyed through new volumes and applications: Jackets are soft and flowing like shirts, coats are versatile and enveloping, sweaters adhere to the body and are accentuated by geometric patterns. Deep blues and blacks and natural hues alongside flashes of leather, brightened by velvet make up the key colors of the garments. The geometric patchworks of velvet and wool enmeshed on the designs alternate with brightly colored floral patterns and make each piece unique. Armani once again expresses the aesthetic ease the house’s designs are known for, in a nonchalant, nocturnal and precise manner, drawing on a sense of linearity and focusing on enhancing the wearer’s personality.

www.giorgioarmani.com

Fashion

Missoni FW21

Missoni’s FW21 collection is Angela Missoni’s ode to today’s women, dynamic and with effortless attitude, bringing a breath of freshness into the Missoni world. The more relaxed attitude to dressing that has become so much more important over the last year is blended with sport accents creating a collection that leaves its wearer total freedom to express themselves. A versatile collection allowing the wearer to mix and match according to the different needs of the modern, urban lifestyle. Despite the more relaxed nature, the collection strikes the perfect balance between elegance, sophisticated style without any constrictions. Knitted coats and trenches embellished with jewel-like resin embellishments reveal the silhouettes, sweatshirts and ponchos juxtaposed with culottes or slightly flared pants. The versatility of the collection is also epitomized in the choice of materials with wool or cashmere caftans combining languid elegance and practicality. The color palette of the collection is dedicated to solid tones, enriched with textures and details. It ranges from soft tones of warm shades of terracotta, cognac and beige to cold hues of gray and teal juxtaposed with bright pops of pink, yellow, orange and turquoise, as well as elegant black and white combinations.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo F-Heel

The story of the F-shape heel is a very personal one for Salvatore Ferragamo. The idea for this counter-intuitive design stems from observing the curved stern of the ocean liner on which the founder steamed home to Italy from his days as shoemaker to Hollywood’s greatest stars in the US. The F-heel defies the eye’s perception of gravity, which leaves the foot seemingly suspended in space. Its uniqueness makes it one of Salvatore Ferragamo’s greatest inventions.

The 2021 F-heel is the modern sequel to Ferragamo’s timeless classic that adds new layers of sustainability and technical innovation to his original. The 2021 F-heel shoe shares the original’s curved heel shape that ingeniously appears to leave the wearer’s foot walking on air. It is crafted from leather, which takes its name after its origin, Napa California, in three vibrant colorways: Hedren green, Technicolor yellow, and black ornated with iridescent beads. Named after the classic ‘F’ in Ferragamo’s cursive signature, this 2021 update is also keeping up with Salvatore’s commitment to innovation. Each fabrication is entirely monotone, which is a first for the model; the upper, lining, and sole edge and the sole and rubber heel lift are presented in seamless nappa Technicolor hues or black.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

COLMAR A.G.E. x MORTEZA VASEGHI

Colmar’s innovation-focused label A.G.E. (Advanced Garment Exploration) was initiated by the Italian outerwear brand three years ago with the experimental goal to collaborate with international artists and designers. A.G.E. stands for modern, contemporary design and reinvention of Colmar’s designs, which are historically rooted in ski-wear. For the third collection of A.G.E., which is an essential part of the FW21/22 collection, Colmar works with the internationally renowned designer Morteza Vaseghi. Mostly known as the co-founder of the magazines Recens Paper and Wallet along with Elis Olsen, Vaseghi transfers his fascination for printed pages in magazines to the design of clothing for the human body. As the Creative Director for Colmar’s newest A.G.E. collection Vaseghi introduces organic, futuristic forms that express his progressive ideas of unifying human beings with nature, reconnecting the idea of modernity with the natural environment in the context of fashion.

 www.colmar.it

Fashion

Ferragamo reinvents the Gancini-monogram

Salvatore Ferragamo presents Gancini Iconic, the newest version of its characteristic Ferragamo Gancini-monogram. The pattern is featured in the design of shoes, bags, leather goods, silk and ready-made clothing of Ferragamo’s pre-spring 2021 season as a continuation of the legacy of the signature monogram. Salvatore Ferragamo was first inspired by the gancini, which resembles hooks used on doors, walls or equestrian saddles, back in the 70s, discovering them on the ironwork of gates of his headquarter at the Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence. Since then, the brand’s Creative Direction has made efforts to constantly reinvent and reemphasize the house monogram. Ferragamo reinterprets its classic brand identity with the introduction of the Gancini Iconic, highlighting the brand’s core values: quality, heritage, strength and togetherness.

 www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

VERSACE x La Medusa Bag

VERSACE introduces its latest accessoire line in the name of the brand’s ultimate muse: Medusa. The ancient Greek icon of beauty and desire as a historic example of unapologetic attitude and fearless self-belief continues to enduringly guide the spirit of VERSACE’s designs. Embracing this, each La Medusa handbag is adorned with the classic Medusa-head plaque, a replica of the plaque that was discovered on the doors of VERSACE’s first headquarters in Milan. These VERSACE trademarks are combined with a bold, bright color scheme exuding positivity and lightness with an emphasis on the shade DV Blue. Donatella Versace worked to create the perfect shade of blue, inspired by nature and designed to bring happiness to the wearer. ‘Blue is my favorite color because for me it represents freedom’, the Chief Creative Officer says and expresses through the new Medusa bag in DV Blue. Moreover, all handbags of the collection are made in Italy from premium leather, which is selected to create a slouchy and unstructured finish. The texture-color combination gives the Medusa Bag a modern and youthful feel, which makes an ideal accesoire for the contemporary woman.

 www.versace.com

Fashion

Dior Spring SS21 Campaign

Dior presents its Spring-Summer 2021 read-to-wear looks by Maria Grazia Chiuri, which are revealed in a series of striking photographs. The campaign celebrates creation in all its forms, from Virginia Woolf’s feminist essays to militant collages by Lucia Marcucci that enhanced the show’s staging. The collection is captured in a campaign reflecting the unique power of a painting. The photo series highlights silhouettes with an almost sacred aura of mystery as if they were subjects of paintings punctuated with shimmering shades of blue, red, and gold.

Eline Kechicheva captured the series, and the images reinvent the Dior visual language by combining precious embroideries with paisley motifs and floral designs that blossom on dresses and trousers, as well as the essential Dior BookTote. Light, fluid pieces take on the deep blue of denim. Simultaneously, the revisited men’s shirt is combined with the Dior Palto jacket, freeing movement with grace and elegance alongside the irresistible Dior Caro bag. The campaign reveals virtuoso compositions, an homage to the savior-faire of couture.

www.dior.com

Art

Beuys Bleibt / Beuys - A Close Up

Joseph Beuys (1921–1986), widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the second half of the 20th century, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on May 12th, 2021. In honor of his centenary German photographer Michael Ruetz has published the book “Beuys bleibt / Beuys – A Close Up” in January of 2021, which sheds new light on the many myths surrounding the late artist. Michale Ruetz started photographing Beuys in the late 70s after getting to know him through mutual friends.

Not initially intended for publication, the photographer’s detailed observation is more intimate and spontaneous. His goal was to “explore the actual person behind the all too familiar figure of Beuys.” Since Beuys has been photographed extensively in his time, the spontaneity of Ruetz has is a more detailed photographic tribute than ever existed before. Most prevalent in this tribute is the insight behind the artist’s professional façade and exploration of the fascinating inner life of Joseph Beuys.

“In Dialogue with Joseph Beuys” is on show at Galerie van der Grinten, Cologne, from January 23rd - March 23rd, 2021. “Beuys bleibt / Beuys – A Close Up” is out now and will be presented at Akademie der Künste, Berlin, on May 12th 2021.

Michael Ruetz Joseph Beuys Düsseldorf, Frühjahr 1971 © Michael Ruetz courtesy Michael Ruetz / Akademie der Künste, Berlin / Agentur FOCUS

Fashion

Michel Kors: The Eye Has to Travel SS21 Campaign

Michael Kors announces its latest campaign, "The Eye Has To Travel," starring Bella Hadid, Mayowa Nicholas, Heejung Parkand and Salomon Diazin; a short film by famed music video director Matty Peacock. The stills were shot by New York photographer Jason Kim. Borrowing the words from the legendary Diana Vreeland, the video-based campaign for MICHAEL Michael Kors and Michael Kors Mens focuses on the aspects experienced usually through travel like adventure, exploration, and perspective. During the campaign, the viewer rediscovers New Yorks's most well-known sights through the daydreams of jet setter Bella Hadid. The campaign aims to discover how we can experience travel perks without the travel aspect and imagine new possibilities to decompress. The eye has to travel means redirecting the perspective one has on their home base and find new inspiration in the known. The MICHAEL Michael Kors Spring 2021 looks are a blend of on-the-go cool with city polish. The Signature MK logo is featured, as well as fresh colorways of the iconic SOHO chain bag. The Michael Kors Men's collection offers the city-sleek polish look with sporty separates, striped Signature logo accessories, and luxe sunglasses.

www.michaelkors.com

Fashion

Prada Symbol Pop-Ups for SS21

Prada presents Prada Symbols, a series of pop up stores dedicated to the women’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection. The pop-up concept entails glass structures decorated with the iconic Prada triangle logo and adorned with white and gold checkered flooring. Transparent displays and mannequins are in line with the collection’s overall look, which also heavily featured the super-sized Prada Symbol triangle. This collection marks the first time Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons working together, which the industry welcomed with delight. It includes the Prada Cleo bag and prints by artist Peter De Potter. The new Prada collection entails long, narrow ’90s trousers styled tone in tone with long sleeveless shorts that feature the fashion houses’ iconic symbol, kitten heels in vibrant colors, and long skirts.

The Prada Symbol pop up stores are located at Macau Four Season, from January 22nd – March 31st Paris Galeries Lafayette, from January 26th – February 23rd Hong Kong IFC, from January 28th – March 14th Busan Shinsegae Centum, from January 29th – February 21st Beijing SKP, from February 3rd - February 23rd Tokyo Isetan Woman, from February 10th – February 23rd Tokyo Isetan Man, from February 17th – March 2nd

www.prada.com

Fashion

Roger Dubois x Pirelli: Excalibur Iconic Collection

Excess and extravagance are what Roger Dubois embodies. The luxurious watchmaker brand has collaborated with Pirelli, the expert on tires for the daring Excalibur Iconic collection, a limited-edition collection of just 88 watches each for the black or white Excalibur Spider models; and 28 for the Excalibur Spider Pirelli. Engineers and watchmakers of the highest expertise have collaborated to create unique timepieces featuring rubber inlays from certified Pirelli winning tires.

Manufactured in the heart of Geneva, the new collection fuses traditional watchmaking with state-of-the-art-technology. Color schemes range from rose gold with white accents to titanium total black to sporty red and black. All watches can be worn with interchangeable straps of either winning motorsport tire rubber or calf leather. The straps all entail the profile of a Pirelli Cinturato intermediate tire on the inside. Roger Dubois promises adrenaline and thrill by reinventing the Hyper Horology game to the exclusive tribe who look for off-the-radar experiences with the Excalibur Iconic collection. The exclusivity of the collection will allow only a lucky few to come in contact with the collaboration of a lifetime.

www.rogerdubuis.com

Fashion

MIU MIU - MIND MAPPING

Starring Allison Katz, Caren Jepkemei, Chloé, Emma Corrin, Kelsey Lu and Topsy the short film MIND MAPPING directed by Ben Northover brings the MIU MIU SS21 campaign to life. The film between documentary and fiction celebrates nonconformist and idiosyncratic female individuality through its cast and artistic language. Northover envisions the protagonists as ‘windows into the worlds of the multitude of MIU MIU women – maps of their minds.’ The extraordinary women, placed within an ordinary domestic setting embody eccentric characters confronting each other in a loose interpretation of the Game of Contraries, voicing trains of thought representative of their innate individuality. Spontaneous, intriguing word associations in combination with enigmatic styling and visual effects leave the viewer in humble engagement. MIU MIU’s new campaign creates a set of sequences simultaneously mirroring diversity and unity, literally mapping the protagonist’s thoughts through verbal and visual storytelling.

www.miumiu.com

Art

Jonathan Meese x TVLG_Chamber

Tim Van Laere Gallery inaugurates an additional exhibition space featuring a series of ceramic masks by Jonathan Meese. The artist combines elements of painting and sculpture, in line with the creative, grotesque expressiveness he is known for, in his new exhibition. The dynamic, performative aesthetics of the ceramic and bronze masks illustrate the antagonistic relationship between good and evil, inspired by ancient times, history, and contemporary popular culture in form and color. Meese’s artistic language represents the experimental outlook of the new TVLG_Chamber that is set to co-exist with the main exhibition area of the renowned Antwerp gallery. The exhibition, titled ERZCERAMICS DE LARGE (ABER BITTE MIT SAHNE), will be displayed from February 4th to March 6th, 2021 at Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp.

www.timvanlaeregallery.com

JONATHAN MEESE, ZARDOZ SCHREIT DICH!, 2020. Ceramic, 32,5 x 31 x 7 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp

Fashion

GmbH Men’s Fall 21: ‘Welt am Draht’

In the precarious reality of the modern age that many people find themselves in, the idea of all life as a simulation is an all too appropriate analogy for the Fall 21 collection by GmbH. The film, directed by Matt Lambert alongside director of photography Chris Aoun, with the Creative Directors Benjamin A. Huseby and Serhat Isik, displays a wide range of shapes and silhouettes for contemporary menswear.

As part of Reference Festival, Berlin Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, German brand GmbH has premiered its film for its Fall 21 collection on each respective online platform simultaneously. The collection’s name is owed to the Rainer Werner Fassbinder sci-fi epic, ‘Welt am Draht’ or ‘World on a Wire’ created originally as a German television series in 1973.

Of the collection, Benjamin A. Huseby remarks “we started by building a men’s collection with silhouettes and techniques that refer to mid-century couture. We wanted to create clothes of dreams, rather than the mundane pragmatism of our everyday lives. An escape from the banality of our realities.”

Supported by Reference Festival, Senate Berlin, Paris Fashion Week and recent GmbH collaborator, ASICS, the brand is informed by prophetic moments in history that boldly gazed into the future as its present-day looking glass for the GmbH Fall 21 collection.

www.gmbhgmbh.eu

Fashion

CHANEL Haute Couture SS21

Photographed by Dutch photographer and filmmaker, Anton Corbijn, at the Salons at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris, CHANEL debuted its Haute Couture SS21 collection. The covid-safe event closed to the public, hosted by Creative Director, Virginie Viard, the collection was wedding-themed with an abundance of white petals and flowers, fairy lights and a bride atop a white horse.

The collection is reminiscent of a wedding one might see in a small town where people remain close and dress with a more relaxed and personable sensibility. With silver embroidery and lace details, ivory satin along with a big veil. The Grand Palais was dressed with rustic arches adorned with flowers, to take the form of a modest chapel setting created by renowned decorator Jacques Grange.

Sincere and fond memories of the late Karl Lagerfeld were shared by ambassadors, models and celebrity guests including Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Lily-Rose Depp with her mother, Vanessa Paradis, Joana Preiss, Izia Higelin and Alma Jodorowsky. All guests were seated at a safe distance as well as being tested for the virus prior to entering. Documented by a drone and varied camera set-ups, Corbijn also put together a lovingly made photo-book as a keepsake.

During a time when an embrace or a gathering is a contentious and divisive issue, the SS21 Haute Couture theme echoed the better nature in mankind which many hope to return to. Gathering to celebrate that which is just and caring and good, like the union of two souls. A love that is felt deeply expressed through fashion, an alignment with CHANEL at its core with nods to Karl Lagerfeld, distinctive and life-affirming in Virginie Viard’s joyful creations.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

LOEWE Men's FW21/22

With his FW21 Menswear collection, LOEWE’s Creative Director Jonathan Anderson pays homage to artist Joe Brainard. As Anderson explains himself, ‘I have been drawn to Joe Brainard’s body of work, especially his collages and his ability to create from everyday things. As an artist, writer, illustrator and poet, he developed his ideas and actions outside of convention and category. His work possesses a lightness and immediacy that I find very much in keeping with the present, and indeed with any moment.’ The collection which he delivers is characterized by its light spirit, realised through clean silhouettes and precise cuts. Some of Brainard’s works are revived as prints, but most notably, Anderson makes use of one the artist’s favourite methods of working, collage. With his approach, Anderson revived iconic subcultures in an eclectic assemblage of iconic elements and tropes borrowed from subcultures ranging from mods to grunge. Artworks are printed bluntly onto the front and lapels of blazers. Leather bandage trousers, cardigans with culottes, extra baggy trousers, just to name a few, make each look a thoughtful and masterfully executed collage.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Isabel Marant Men's FW21

In the cloakroom of Isabel Marant, a rebellious and dynamic mob of larrikins debut vintage sportswear inspired pieces from the beloved French designer’s FW21 collection. With a video directed by Laure Atanasyan presents a mix of formal staples reinterpreted to prioritize comfort and ease of wear as an adaptation to the zeitgeist.

With a range of fabrics and technique, the striped knitted polo shirts, the polar fleece hoodie and a technical windbreaker jacket are examples of classic fall winter clothing. To further bridge the divide between inside and out, a wool suit jacket worn with sweatpants, conveying a message of comfort as its own form of luxury.

The colors, almost grunge in appearance, are made soft on the eye with the use of neutral fabrics. Shearling takes the form of a teddy with an initial lettering and a hooded jacket. The Isabel Marant Men’s FW21collection is an idea for the modern man; dynamic, comfortable and essential wardrobe items paired for today’s world, sporty and formal in appearance.

www.isabelmarant.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten Men’s FW21/22

To make new what is old and cherished, time-honored and treasured elements of the Dries Van Noten wardrobe are reinterpreted for Paris Fashion Week. Clothing designed to evoke purpose in the wearer, while also revealing a tenderness or emotional depth. In a blend of sportswear and formalwear, Belgian tailor, Dries Van Noten, after opening a new store in Los Angeles last year, debuts a new take on modern menswear for its FW21/22 Men’s collection.

An abstract purity about the line and shape of each garment rings true to Dries Van Noten’s brand DNA, finding joy in the unassuming by way of soft and sharp contrasts. Cropped and elongated elements, trousers ranging from drainpipe skinny to relaxed and loose-fitting, along with pleated high waist trousers paired with oversized car coats display a dedication to versatility and expression in modern menswear.

Colors from petrol to lemon display the spectrum of earthy and warm colors such as alkaline, dusty pink, coffee, ochre, anthracite and cement. Along with traditional tie motifs, zodiac signs and classic shirt stripes, the collection is filled with skilful embroidery, patterns and prints. The collection also features a range of accessories which include a monogrammed metal ring, leather pouches, bucket hats in padded nylon as well as high-tech moccasins and knit legwarmers.

The garments are designed with both formal and casual settings in mind, the blurring of the two in recent times and ‘dressing for our days’ is noted as a muse for Dries Van Noten Men’s FW21/22 collection.

 www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE FW21

HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE premiered its FW21 collection titled ‘Never Change, Ever Change’. A title which captures the essence of the collection perfectly. This collection embodies the brand’s intent to evolve, to capture the spirit of our times and to respond to our ever-changing lifestyles through design. At the same time, HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE stays true to its roots, from design language to production. Classic and conventional pieces are re-interpreted through a modern perspective and infused with original ideas and technology, building a selection of new basics of the brand. The collection itself was an interesting mixture of the classics pleats and subtle novelties, which sometimes remained hidden from the viewer’s eyes. It was the first collection, which featured a series produced 100% from recycled polyester fabric or a new fabric woven from yarn-dyed polyester threads, resulting in a materials that is warm like wool, but at the same time much lighter in weight and wrinkle-resistant. In their video presentation, the process of pleating the garments were central, offering an insight into the processes needed to create the very unique signature garments from HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE.

www.isseymiyake.com

Fashion

Iceberg FW21/22

With his new FW21/22 collection for Iceberg, Creative Director James Long channels a carefree eccentricity reminiscent of 90s Brit Pop, underground rap and acid rock scenes to create a new identity for both men and women alike. The collection re-interprets luxury sportswear and elevates it through details such as 3D quilting and jacquard as well as ironically placed zips. The more sporty aesthetic pays homage to the 90s raver silhouettes. Traditional codes of the ever-evolving athletic leisure wear is not rejected, but enhanced through more soft and feminine touches and the introduction of luxury knit. This is also reflected in the color palette of the collection. For the women’s collection, muted tones of primrose, egg-shell and grey are juxtaposed with acid pink, energizing the selection, whereas the men’s collection is amped up through utilitarian details and the contrast between tech and knit textures. In typical fashion, Iceberg once more showcases its affinity for incorporating pop icons, with Peanut cartoon characters Snoopy and Woodstock portrayed on some of the sweaters. The FW21/22 collection is the coming together of luxury sportswear and the innovative Italian knitwear, which Iceberg is so famous and celebrated for.

www.iceberg.com

Fashion

Church's Men's FW21

‘The Auction’, a short film that conveys the elegance and style of the new Church’s Men’s FW21 collection. The luxury English footwear company sets its new film in a British auction house decorated with antiques and fine art. Colors of rich mahogany and the craftsmanship commonly found in objet d’art that find their way to auction is mirrored by the level of care and quality that goes into the new FW21 collection from Church’s. The new ‘Gillingham’ shoe takes note of a growing trend of square toes while shoes like the iconic ‘Chelsea’ boot and the ‘Amberly’ shoe feature a rounder toe.

The British fondness for fine brushed leather and reliable, quality materials resonates with this collection. Church’s is famous for its British heritage, the same heritage present in the new military-inspired ‘Gray’ boot and the brand’s acclaimed ‘Ryder’ desert boot, which arrives this season in a polished binder leather. Classic styles are complimented with new sneakers, a more casual fit in lace-up and high-top shapes which feature chunky rubber soles and the Church’s logo screen-printed onto the counter of the sneaker.

The Church’s FW21 Men’s collection will be available in stores and online from July 2021.

www.church-footwear.com

Fashion

Ermenegildo Zegna XXX FW21

As expressed by Zegna’s Creative Director Alessandro Sartori himself, ‘We are all experiencing a new reality concerned with new needs, which lead us to previously unseen lifestyles and attitudes.’ Our world is constantly evolving and has changed even more drastically throughout the last year. Since taking the reigns at the Italian house, Sartori’s has moved Zegna away from the utter formality, redefining the style. For this season, Zegna has decided to (Re)set, to (Re)interpret their roots and to (Re)tailor the modern man. Its fluid shapes and the comfortable and adaptable nature of the garments define the collection. Comfort and formality, indoors and outdoors are blended; archetypal items get new functions in a switch of forms, weights and materials. The idea of formality is injected with notions of coziness and comfort, whether it be the easy of track pants or of the robe de chambre. Most notably we see the classic suit reimagined, not as a uniform, but as a garment that allows its wearer to be himself.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli: FW21/22

After years of research and development, Brunello Cucinelli has launched a collection of menswear for Fall Winter 21/22. The collection is the synthesis of yesterday and tomorrow. Finding a balance between the past and a prominent vision of tomorrow’s look, the collection keeps ideals of moderation and simplicity with neutral colors making the foundation on which to build. Mid and dark colors are diffused in the knitwear hydrangea violets, bonfire reds, bordeaux, blueberry and variants of green like sage and mint. Aside from classic coats, this FW21/22 by Brunello Cucinelli is made up of down jackets and outerwear in different lengths and weights to remain true to modern menswear in the colder months.

Knitwear rests at the forefront of comfort, items of reassuring clothing we all reach for in winter’s cold embrace; knitwear features prominently in this collection adding something unexpected and special to down jackets. Time honored textures of stockinette stitch and English rib are enriched by chiné and vanisé techniques, a proud pairing of workmanship and nuance.

Supple leathers and shearling complimented by discrete patterns displayed on the men’s outwear provide something beyond reproach during the rainy seasons. In addition to lightweight, handcrafted leather accessories, formal footwear displays the attention to detail and dedication to craftsmanship at Brunello Cucinelli. This same craftsmanship is applied to a range of sneakers made from lightweight and natural materials that add versatility to each look.

Somewhere between the sartorial approach and taking cues from new stimuli of modern fabrics elegance is given a presence in the everyday. Brunello Cucinelli designs for the present moment, newer than yesterday, classic enough for every tomorrow.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Marcel Dzama: 'The Moon is Following Me'

Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp, will host Canadian born and New York-based artist Marcel Dzama’s first solo show; a celebration of the post-Trump era. Expressive and bursting with color, the show is titled ‘The Moon is Following Me’ drawing from folk-tales, art-history and displays contemporary flourishes. Dzama’s artworks honor childhood fantasies and the strength and resolve of the imagination.

With ballet costumes by Francis Picabia or Oskar Schlemmer to invite viewers into this dream-like world as well as more direct nods to the work of Francisco Goya, Joseph Beuys and Marcel Duchamp. Of his art, Dzama says “I usually either do political drawing or I go for this kind of vacation feeling. Almost idyllic. A lot of them are based on photographs taken of my son and wife on vacation.”

The artist is known for responding to current events through his art. Dzama has painted the late United States Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, over a watercolor impression of Donald Trump swinging a golf club. The canvas used for this work was simply a front page of the New York Times, in keeping with the contemporary and newsworthy nature of his subjects. In addition to this Marcel Dzama’s drawing of a tiny owl found inside the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree will be included in his solo exhibition at Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Stating that “because the Trump years were so traumatizing” that the series of artworks had to have more hopeful themes, in an effort to rekindle a collective sense of whimsy.

‘The Moon is Following Me’ will run from January 21st to March 6th at Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp.

Quotes taken from an interview with Marcel Dzama by Manuela Martorelli, published in ZOO Magazine Issue #69.

www.timvanlaeregallery.com

DIOR: The Caro Bag

As part of its Cruise 2021 collection, DIOR will release a newly designed bag.The Caro bag takes its name after Christian Dior’s remarkable younger sister, Catherine Dior, who was fondly referred to by family and those that knew her well as ‘Caro’.

Passion, grace and unyielding courage in the face of atrocities, violence and cruelty; Catherine Dior lived a life of great service to France. As a highly decorated member of the French Resistance during World War II, Catherine endured a great deal of pain in her lifetime; she was made a political prisoner of war, she was deported, she was tortured for information that she never relinquished, surviving the Nazi gulag and the most horrific of circumstances.

Designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Dior Caro bag is available in sky blue, black, mint green and blue as well as smaller versions in raw denim, Tie & Dior and shearling. The bag is made with a precious chain that brandishes links detailed with the “CD” signature to echo the clasp. In addition to its chain, the precious soft leather bag proudly displays the house’s emblematic cannage motif.

The Caro bag is not simply an accessory to the Cruise 2021 collection, it is an example of the luxury French maison honoring its family heritage, a reminder to hold fast to your courage, hold fast to the belief of what is good in others, a reminder that against a tide of hate; love will overcome.

The Caro bag, a heartfelt expression of heritage Dior style, is now available online and in stores.

www.dior.com

Fashion

CDG3 x Better Gift Shop

In the third edition of the collaborative partnership between CDG3 and Better Gift Shop, Amanda Mescudi and Taj Williams roam the dusk-lit streets of Los Angeles with a lackadaisical and adventurous aura about them. The Gregory Shimanda collaboration features an exclusive hoodie and T-shirt, relaxed and youthful style with distinctive qualities of both Comme Des Garçon and Toronto-based retailer, Better Gift Shop. In previous years visual artist Gregory Shimanda has had joint exhibitions in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Oakland California and has been a rising creative of the San Francisco Bay Area. The collection, styled by Monica Rojas, features the artist Panda Sex and is photographed by Chandler Kennedy.

www.cdgcdgcdg.com
www.bettergiftshop.com

Fashion

Upcycled MiuMiu

Nearly thirty years and many great strides in fashion since Miu Miu was founded by Miuccia Prada, the iconic brand is debuting its ‘Upcycled by Miu Miu’ collection. A special collection of vintage dresses has been given new life, once loved and soon to be loved again as Miu Miu garments. Each piece is unique and entirely one-of-one, adorned with signature Miu Miu embroideries and embellishments. The limited run of 80 upcycled dresses will be available in nine cities at Miu Miu boutiques worldwide. These cities that the ‘Upcycled by Miu Miu’ line can be found in are Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo, Moscow, Hong Kong, Shanghai and St. Moritz. Each item has been carefully reworked and renewed by the designers at Miu Miu, a dress from the ‘Upcycled by Miu Miu’ collection that is found in one city will never be found in another city. For example, item 26/80 is a 1970s silver and gold knitted cocktail dress customised with all-over diamanté embellishment, a crystal neckline and rose peach silk gazar bow detail; available at Miu Miu Paris, while item 14/80 is a 1960s short belted dress in white silk crepe with one-sided pleats on the front, customised with white and emerald green crystal embroidery and all-over diamanté embellishment; available only at Miu Miu Tokyo. Each dress is lovingly restored by hand and re-imagined through the Miu Miu lens to ensure they are loved once more and maintain continuity with the brand’s oeuvre.

www.miumiu.com

Art

Thonet Barstool Collection

Thonet has built its name to be synonymous with a longstanding history of designing furniture that displays one foot in tradition and another striding boldly into the future; a design journey that was conceived at the hands of master carpenter, Michael Thonet, out of a small workshop in Boppard on the River Rhine in 1819; with Chair No. 14 or, as we know it today, the Vienna coffee house chair. The furniture maker continues its legacy with two new iterations of the barstool; the S 32 VH Barstool and the S 32 VHT low barstool. The S 32 tubular-steel cantilever chair made by Marcel Breuer in the ‘20s during the Bauhaus era offers an insight into the design cues for these comfortable and  new barstools. The distinctive Viennese canework and Thonet bentwood elements exist in stylistic contrast to the sleek tubular steel lines and lightweight nature of the furniture. The furnishings are visually very reduced and made to be subtle so as to suit a broader range of environments from reception areas to kitchen breakfast bars in the home or trendy metropolitain bars and restaurants. Easily adjustable and transported, the S 32 VH Barstool is designed in response to the growing trend of standing tables and counters both in workplaces and the home. The new barstools versatility and timeless style follows on from Thonet’s earlier adaptation of Marcel Breuer’s S 64 tubular steel cantilever chair, in which Thonet designed a height-adjustable swivel chair set on a pedestal base and castors that they dubbed the S 64 VDR swivel chair.

www.thonet.com

Fashion

DIOR Men Fall 2021

“I never considered myself a graffiti artist, although I do use spray paint and spray all over New York City. I grew up here in Southern California. When I moved to New York I learned about all the street culture. That to me was what was exciting. I understood the language, I understood the visuals of the airbrush. I wanted to be apart of it. I am always interpreting the world around me, be it the nature, be it the news. Whatever it is I’m taking it in and I am using that in my process”. American artist Kenny Scharf creates cartoon-inspired images, stories, works nodding to a near future, taken from any experience, from real world news to historical facts, to moments of dream, where clashing colors - blue, yellow, purple, transform opposites and tension into a captivating universe. Dior Homme’s Creative Director Kim Jones engaged Scharf’s oeuvre through Dior’s history, fusing tradition and digital innovation. Tailoring underscore a heightened mood of dressing up where the “tailleur oblique”, tailored coats and slender single-breasted jackets are eased around the body, relaxed, and belted at the waist in homage to the iconic bar jacket. Mirroring the evolution of a couture house, Dior’s ateliers translated Kenny Scharf’s works into prints and embroideries, with archival pieces appearing alongside a series of new commissions created specifically for Fall 2021: drawings recalling the Chinese Zodiac’s animal character. China, one of Monsieur Dior main inspirations over the years, merges into the collection through traditional Chinese techniques and materials translated into the idiom of a French couture house where Yoon Ahn’s modern jewelry adorns looks with jade and lapis, and the Maison Lemarié reinvents chrysanthemum blooms as boutonnieres. A dreamlike set recalling the luminous stellar explosion of a supernova - the transient event during the last stages of a massive star triggered by a nuclear fusion - where a crab nebula, hundreds of light-years in diameter, shows its full beauty.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Optical Precision. German Engineering.

Both Leica and Mykita belong to a group of industry leaders in their respective fields dedicated to the holding up of the high standards associates with the label ‘Made in Germany’. For this collaboration, both houses bring together their areas of expertise, pairing Mykita’s innovative product engineering with Leica’s unique design language and expertize in lenses and optics. The results of this partnership are a range of glasses, defined by their reduced and functional design and precision engineering. The debut collection of sunglasses features two design series, the first being a concept of stainless steel whereas the second combines the steel with MYLON, a material innovation made using 3D printing technology. Apart from the design, the lens technology is another standout of this partnership, having been manufactured using all of Leica’s expertize in this field and undergoing the rigorous quality control that all Leica optics are subjected to. The Leica optical collection features clean and timeless design, mirroring the established shapes of the sunglass line. The purposeful sleek design gives the glasses a timeless flair recalling the iconic design of the Leica cameras.

www.mykita.com
www.leica.com

Fashion

Stone Island Miami

Stone Island certainly one of these brands, which have become deeply interwoven with European cultural history, whether it be Milanese paninari, British football fan or anything in-between. A household name in Europe, the house has recently found increasing success in the United States, partially due to celebrities such as Drake of Travis Scott being seen in Stone Island. To expand its presence in North America, Stone Island is opening its fourth store in Miami after New York, Los Angeles and Toronto. Situated in Miami’s Design District, the store covers an area of over 3000 squared feet on two levels, hosting the Stone Island and Shadow Project collections. In typical fashion, the interior design follows the concept created by Marc Buhre, a German industrial designer and founder of the Zeichenweg TM architectural firm. Following the recent opening in Beijing and now Miami, Stone Island now counts 28 flagship stores worldwide exporting the brand’s philosophy of experimentation and innovative design into the world.

The Stone Island Miami Store is located at 123 NE 41st Street, #107/207, Miami Design District, 33137 Miami.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Freedom of Travel meets Craftsmanship

The freedom of travel meets the craftsmanship of watchmaking in Louis Vuitton’s new Trunk Table Clock. Elevating the classic accessory to a monumental timepiece, the Maison reproduces the Tambour Moon Dual Time concave dial in a new fresh design and concept. It also features a double time-zone, suited to the urban globetrotter and a vibrant dial of multicolored flags. The 80mm diameter hemispheric steel case suspended in its trunk is a wonderful historic reference to 18th century navy chronometers, these devices were used for long-distance navigators for them to calculate longitude. The trunk is an iconic aspect of Louis Vuitton, in bringing this element into the watch design, the brand cleverly interweaves its own heritage and identity into its new timepiece. With this in mind, Louis Vuitton pays homage to the extraordinary pioneers of early travel, conceptualizing it in a contemporary design that is distinctly connected to the Maison.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Hublot 40 Years

Hublot and its CEO Ricardo Guadalupe invite friends and ambassadors of the brand to take part in the digital celebration of the Swiss watch manufacturer’s 40th anniversary. In a 30-minute presentation, Guadalupe presented all the milestones that have shaped Hublot into what it is today. Despite its relatively short history, there surely is no shortage of memorable moments to look back on, from the diverse novelties and innovations to the groundbreaking partnerships with Fifa and Ferrari. And how would you retell Hublot’s history without mentioning two key figures, the company’s founder Carlo Crocco and Jean-Claude Biver, who emphasized the art of fusion between tradition and future. Throughout the presentation some of Hublot’s most well-know brand ambassadors were connected live. They were truly representative of the wide-ranging and diverse Hublot family, from footballers Kylian Mbappé and Ada Hegerberg, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, three-star chef Andreas Caminada to world-renowned pianist Lang Lang. To mark the occasion, Hublot has also introduced its ‘Classic Original 1980’ a watch which has been reinterpreted to reflect the Hublot of today and as put by Guadalupe himself presents ‘a brand-new contemporary version that celebrates Hublot’s innovative approach of the last 40 years.’

www.hublot.com

Travel

Into the Woods

Founded by Italian architects Massimo Gnocchi and Paolo Danesi, The Mountain Refuge was set up to realise the equilibrium of sustainability and design, to find a way of living in harmony with the world around us. Encouraging this greater understanding and appreciation of the outdoors a floor to ceiling glazed window allows for a true and uninterrupted view of nature. With their goal to deliver shelter and sanctuary globally, Gnocchi and Danesi conceptualized their own minimalist cabin, versatile and low maintenance, their design does not require foundations but can be adapted for locations that do with the use of a thin slab of concrete. Returning to the primal connection we as humans have with nature, the cabins recall the traditional mountain shelters of the Alps, wooden and cosy, but the Italian team have transformed these typically dark interiors through large windows. This prefabricated micro home, with its angled roofs is more than a design spectacle, but an alternative way of life, one which many are avidly seeking as the clamour of everyday life grows too much.

www.themountainrefuge.com

Fashion

Take-out Gala

Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens is set to organize an extravagant take-out gala in collaboration with internationally regarded artist Rikrit Tiravanija. The Belgian modern art museum has gotten creative in the absence of its annual garden party, designing a free group exhibition, selling a range of different art works, now through the expo site as a result of new measures. In light of these restrictions, the museum is organizing an exclusive take-put gala to gather funds for the museum’s upcoming year. Tiravanija and acclaimed chef Antto Melasniemi have created 3 original dim sum to be presented in a reusable take out box, designed especially with a monogram by the artist. With only 500 of these boxes available, each order grants access to an online gala, an ingenious idea that spotlights the thriving creativity at a time of such stasis and devastation.

www.museumdd.be

Fashion

Home Time

Latvian designer, Santa Kupca, presents her 3 part graduation project, the perfect antidote to the pandemic’s omnipresent sense of loneliness and isolation. Entitled “Hesistant to RSVP”, “Dolce far niente” and “Public Library”, the graduate of the Design Academy Eidenhoven, references beautifully these current anxieties through a conscious set of garments. Graduating from the Identity department, Kupca responds to the entrapment of the home and the pressure of online communication, with garments that comfort and swaddle, replicating the feeling of a tender embrace. Each of the three pieces engages with certain aspects of the home, curating a quiet sense of intimacy, made irresistible by their duvet-like quality. To be worn over underwear or simply nothing at all, Kupca caters to the human form at a time where connection and intimacy are under strict regulation and monitoring.

www.santakupca.com

Fashion

Surreal Times

Salvatore Ferragamo responds to this surreal time in their Pre-Spring 2021 collection, a tangible sense of pride and consciousness shaping each look down to every meticulous detail. Featuring upcycled leathers, cashmere, recycled nylons and organic cottons, the brand deftly navigates luxury design with ethical and sustainable choices, creating a collection that is both mindful and stylish in its embrace of a positive momentum in the fashion industry. Mens wear and womens wear both display an exciting sense of flux, moving between clean minimal lines and soft tailoring to wild animated animal prints. The hybrid of giraffe and leopard print takes center stage in the collection, inspired by their Creative Director, Paul Andrew’s extensive interrogation of the archive, dating back to the 1970s. Other innovative highlights include in a new almond-toed driving shoe, fitted with a never before seen double Gancini hardware. Reflecting on the collection Andrew commented “this collection was made in exceptional times, under exceptional conditions, through which we were all obliged to adapt and innovate… The result is a collection of which we are proud. We worked to turn the limitations of the period into positives by considering what is most essential”.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Creating an Icon

For Miu Miu’s Icons Holiday 2020 Advertising Campaign, the brand examines what it means to be an icon. Mapping the transition from icons dictated by religious representations into a secular age, Miu Miu goes on a hunt to demystify and encapsulate the aura of a contemporary icon in their new campaign. Selecting their own cast of women, the luxury brand curates their own community of multifaceted icons, drawing from the realms of cinema, fashion and music. Recognizable in the campaign are the likes of Kim Basinger, Chloë Sevigny, Du Juan and Raffey Cassidy amongst newcomers: actress Emma Corrin, the musician and actor Jordan Kristine Seamón and Storm Reid, an actor who also opened the Fall/Winter 2020 Miu Miu show. In showcasing this intergenerational talent Miu Miu is expansive in their definition of an icon, an empowering expression of modern femininity.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Game Up

Pikachu animates Longchamp’s iconic Le Pliage® for their new collection Longchamp x Pokémon. The adored Japanese character features across a range of bags as well as a scarf, inspiring a rare blend of French classicism and Japanese kawaii. The collection will be made available from October 13, 2020 in stores and online, but will be released exclusively in Japan from October 9, 2020 - paying homage to Pokémon’s roots. For Kenji Okubo, President of The Pokémon Company, the collaboration “upholds Longchamp’s tradition for quality and luxury but adds a fun and playful twist”. Pikachu appears in two exciting designs, the first evocative of a retro video game, his familiar yellow figure prominent against a bold black and white print which spells out Long champ in a distinctly maze-like design, the second more subtly showcasing his silhouette embossed onto red, cream and black bags. Longchamp shows the potential of collaboration in this collection, producing new and unexpected possibilities, Pokémon bringing a vibrant and iconic motif to the House’s colorful and diverse oeuvre.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

"Claudia Andujar, The Yanonami Struggle"

Over the next eight years, Triennale Milano and Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain will join forces to create a cultural partnership unprecedented in Europe. They share a common vision of what contemporary artistic creation should be, dedicated to contribute to the development of a truly multidisciplinary and international program which creates bridges between all different facets of creativity, whether it be art, architecture, design, fashion, cinema, science or philosophy. Cultural exchange between the many European institutions to provide artists the necessary stage and support system in order to bring their meaningful perspectives of the modern world to life. The partnership will be inaugurated with the exhibition “Claudia Andujar, The Yanomami Struggle” followed by “Les Citoyens, Guillermo Kuitca” the coming year. Claudia Andujar’s exhibition offers an insight into the struggle for recognition of the Yanomami, the largest isolated tribe in the Amazon forest. Curated by Thyago Nogueira, the exhibition showcases over three hundred photographs of the Yanonami, an in-depth photographic essay on their daily lives, which Andujar has been working on since the 70s. It showcases all of her prowess as a photographer and activist, whilst showcasing the Yanomami as complex and rich culture with its own intricate myths and rituals.

“Claudia Andujar, The Yanomami Struggle” will be open to the public from October 17 to February 7, 2021 at Triennale Milano.

www.fondationcartier.com
www.triennale.org

Fashion

Blue planet

Montblanc delves into the deep blue, telling the story of our blue planet in its new collection of pens, Montblanc Star Walker. Echoing NASA’s motto “follow the water”, this collection revolves around the marine hues of the ocean, paying homage to the huge expanse of seas and oceans that connect our planet. The pen itself is composed of blue precious resin, a wonderful ode to water, and this connection to our Earth is enhanced further by the transparent dome at the top of the pen. The spherical dome represents the rising Earth above the lunar horizon, as viewed from space, the platinum-plated cap a nod to NASA once again, in its abstraction of an astronaut and the angled clip, a shooting rocket. Montblanc delivers a captivating tale for this collection, channelling our focus to the water that makes up over 80% of the world’s oceans, not all of which have been mapped and explored. In wetting our appetite with a sense of purpose and adventure, we are compelled to write, bringing our own sense of discovery to the written page.

www.montblanc.com

Music

The Monster Inside

An Interview with Woodkid
by Lauren Gee

We spoke to Woodkid ahead of his album release S16. Speaking openly on the nuances and challenges that come with contemporary masculinity, vulnerability collides with cinematic brilliance in an album that is a bold announcement of Woodkid’s multiple creative talents. Conjuring up the sublime through his strong and unwavering voice, S16 is an insomniac tale of distress and redemption, the tangible catharsis of this body of work, undeniably magnetic.

Lauren Gee: What was the inspiration behind this album?

Woodkid: First of all I wanted to make an album that was somehow industrial, I’m not really sure what that meant at the time but I knew that it was triggering some visual and sonic ideas for me, and at the same time I needed to make an album that was a reflection of my mood at the time. That was centred around the idea of deconstruction, learning new things and doubt. Something that is a thread throughout the entire record, is this idea of doubting and asking for help at the same time. It is an album that talks a lot about the beauty that there is in resilience and in the act of asking for help. I actually started the record right after the Paris attacks in 2015. So very early 2016 I started working on the record and wrote the first songs.

LG:There is something very cinematic about this album, each song feels very climatic and emotional, I can imagine it as a soundtrack to a very intense film, is this a reference you were aware of?

WK: First of all I worked with an orchestra, I think it definitely gives no matter what you do a cinematic quality. And it's also in my DNA, it’s my job, I am a film director, I always have images in my head and I want music to serve these images somehow. So I think it is out of my control really, whatever I do I get moved by music that triggers images.

LG: You have such a strong connection with the moving image through the visuals you create, what role does cinema and the moving image have in the music you create?

WK: Alot! I always have big images in my head from the films I love, I always have feelings, textures and emotional textures from films in the back of my head. Actually I have more film references than I do music references, for example Jonathan Blazer, Akira Kurosawa, there’s always some images that are just floating around, even some 2001 A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of The Third Kind somewhere. There are always these big visions of other cinematographers in my head.

LG: This album for me really conjures up a sense of the sublime, the scale of the world against the individual human, how did you manage to construct this sense of vastness in your music? 

WK: I think by temporal contrast, which means the construction of moments of silence and massiveness, progression and breaks and always trying to write things as a very deconstructed and fragmented piece, which I think is very evocative of the collisions and the fragmentations of the world and the pressure of these massive forces that are around us. I think also singing love songs, because they are very intimate love songs, but always adding a layer visually but also sonically, almost like the world and the force of the world speak to the individual trajectories of humans. There is always a thread and a connection between the very intimate and the massive, that there is probably connections between doubt and fear of the future, and the blues of the world that we all have inside. There's also probably a connection between the environmental challenge and the massive crisis that we are facing, because I think there is a fractal resonance between us and the world and I think that's what I have really tried to do, you will see it in the next video too: I always talk about the intimate but put a narrative layer of infinity on top of it. 

LG: Your voice really feels like its guiding the listener in this album, were you conscious of taking on this role when you began writing 

WK: I definitely think I find more legitimacy in my voice being a leader vocally in my songs. With time I found more colors too and my palette has been widened since I toured and practiced more. Now I feel I have more tools to really tell a story, to use the right colors in my voice at the right time and try to be less systematic in the way I think. That allowed me to shut down the orchestra sometimes and turn the music down and just have the piano and vocals where my voice takes the lead and I just tell the story. 

Fashion

Stone Island: Storia

Since its foundation in 1982, Stone Island has unquestionably left its mark on the fashion landscape. From Milanese paninari to British football diehards, Stone Island resonates with a diverse audience. It is its distinct mix of elements of fashion, luxury and streetwear, which has kept the Italian house relevant throughout its almost 40-year existence. Not just relevant, but a veritable cultural cornerstone, a status enhanced by its celebrity following, but primarily thanks to its ardent fans all across the world. Central to the brand is its relentless pursuit of excellence, may it be in the design language or in their continuous efforts to bring innovation to the world of fabric treatment and dyeing. Stone Island: Storia captures the house’s illustrious story and ethos. Previously unseen images are combined with three major texts by Eugene Rabkin, Paul Gorman and Jian Deleon offering seasoned and new fans alike new insights into the world of Stone Island. A special edition with slipcase and a poster depicting the history of the house’s iconic branded badges has been produced exclusively. These special editions will be available exclusively in Stone Island stores and online starting from October 6, 2020.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2021

“Take over, Drive, Kick, Climb, Swap, Switch, Relay, Dream, Doubt, Splash, Reach, Stand, Sky Dive, Extend, Vote…” Words as mottos, slogans for actions, emblazoned on t-shirts and dresses and heard intone across the soundtrack for the show. Nicolas Ghesquière’s new Womenswear collections for Louis Vuitton explored the meaning of gender fluidity in fashion and it’s correlation to our time. “Vote”, “Dream”, “Kick”. These are words that call for a strong stand against inequality, against boundaries “Stepping into a territory that is still stylistically vague. A sensitive zone that erases gender and promises exponential creative possibilities. What does an in-between garment look like? What kind of cut can dissolve masculine and feminine? What wardrobe might s/he look good in?” This is Nicolas Ghesquière’s wish to begin an open reflection on a theme as crucial as sensitive. The in-between, the ground where shapes and silhouettes meet without constraints. Relaxed masculine classic trousers paired with t-shirts, at times worn as dresses under overcoats, sequins mixed with classic tailoring. There was a subtle reference to Ghesquière’s signature 80s reference through the bold lettering on prints. The French designer has always been fascinated by the 80s, its idiosyncrasies, and cultural experimentations. One of the most iconic artwork of that decade was actively present at the show live stream: 1987 Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire. His angels, their “voyeurism”, with the late Bruno Ganz looking at the world from above, looking at the people’s pain, the desire, the struggle. Through the green screen technique, the digital guests were able to see the movie fragments overlaid on floors and walls of the magnificent Art Deco architecture and Art Nouveau frescoes of the Samaritaine. Under the glass of La Rotonde, on the top floor of this historical monument - whose renovation has been 15 years in the making and is set to open in 2021 - the runway was intersected with large swaths of color green serving as chroma key. That same green used on accessories throughout the entire collection. The building situated just across Ghesquière’s office seemed the perfect choice when the increasing risk of the pandemic in France required a careful evaluation towards efficiency and sustainability: the crew was able to just walk to the location and the clothes didn’t have to be shipped. The great size of this empty building also gave Ghesquière the space to bring a step further the virtual experience of the show: all the guests affected by travel restrictions were given a personal link to a virtual seat: dozen of personal webcams were situated along the runway, with the possibility to be manipulated in 360 degrees. It translated to a never-seen-before experience, comforting all the guests who could not attend in person. It give a sense of reassurance and great consideration. One more reference to Ghesquière’s journey set to abolishing boundaries.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Issey Miyake Spring Summer 2021

“When things are rolled up neatly / when things are stacked on top of each other / Or when things in pieces are put together / It is a simple moment like this that we find pleasing / When things transform, our perspective changes too. / And with this change we feel the beginning of something new”. Satoshi Kondo – who debuted as Issey Miyake’s new Head designer last year after working for the brand for more than a decade – delivered a collection exploring creative and integrative ways to make garments extremely compact: tying, rolling, folding, stacking, and layering. In preparation for Fall Winter 2020 Kondo looked at the number of boxes ready to be shipped to Paris, and realized the sheer volume of clothes being transported. What if the clothes were instead easily foldable? What if the next collection would be as compact as possible? Beautiful complex garments, so compact that the entire collection could fit into just one box. Issey Miyake Spring Summer 2021 answered these questions inspired by the idea of delivering garments in compact forms to people all around the world Form Body, Out A Piece, To Go, Spongy, Temporary Room, five main themes, five different researches on textiles, materials, shapes, constructions: a new take on the relationship between body and clothing; garment that can be zipped together into a three-dimensional silhouette; the idea of integrating clothing and a bag where the wearer goes through the cycle of wearing, folding, and carrying away the garment; knitwear as stretchable as a sponge; the idea of wearing a artwork integrated into clothing as a whole. The digital presentation UNPACK THE COMPACT, filmed inside a warehouse in Paris, featured animated garments on display that moved and breathed. Upon entering the space, the models walked through this exhibition overlapping the runway show with the stop motion animation revealing the ingenious construction of each garment.

www.isseymiyake.com

Fashion

Marine Serre Spring Summer 2021

Set in a dystopian future, in the aftermath of the disaster we all have brought upon our fragile Earth, long enough humans have evolved into new species striving for survival. Here this new humanity, now gender fluid, lives between new dynamics and emotions. Marine Serre Spring Summer 2021 collection presented through the format of a short film is a poignant visual landscape evoking the current heath and environmental emergency, and calling to actively embrace life’s pleasures and adversities. Marine Serre has always given a revolutionary take to our post-apocalyptic future rather than despair. Realized in collaboration with directors duo Sacha Barbin and Ryan Doubiago, with music by composer Pierre Rousseau, Amor Fati is a window to our desires, to our fears, our not-so-far fate, when humanity will live on am extremely warm Planet, partly submerged. and where the last living scientists will resort to new preservative measures. Marine Serre is a visionary. During the pandemic outbreak in March we all dreamed to own the protective anti-pollution masks created by Marine in collaboration with French specialized brand R-Pur in February 2019. Once again Marine Serre created new additions to the series of futuristic pieces: shield visors, and the survival harness crinoline consciously delimiting the body space. The collection dives further into the urgent need for change embracing the challenge where clothes are an armoire but also a personal narrative. Serre’s signature sharp tailoring and research on fabrics are the file rouge through the entire collection: recycled moiré, regenerated carpets in terracotta hues, Serre’s classic regenerated denim updated with a laser engraving of the ‘moonfish skin’ pattern, biodegradable nylon. But also knitwear in kaleidoscopic sapphire and cobalt hues, and footwear designed in collaboration with Jimmy Choo. Sensual and intricate. Serre never ceases to create a powerful universe.

www.marineserre.com

Fashion

Born of A dream: A Man of the Future

Since the success of IWC’s “Born of a Dream: A Boy from San Mateo”, a short film starring the brand’s ambassador Tom Brady, the Swiss luxury manufacturer has embarked on yet another cinematic adventure. With its first film recounting Brady’s journey to becoming a champion quarterback, ICW embraces a story far closer to home, the story of its founder, Florentine Ariosto Jones. Born in Boston, Jones’ dream was to apply America’s advanced industrial technology to the established Swiss tradition of craftsmanship in the emblematic form of a pocket watch. American entrepreneurship meets Swiss heritage, a fusion that to this day sets ICW apart from its competitors. Titled “Born of a Dream: A Man of the Future'', the film sees actor James Marsden establish his pioneering watch company in Switzerland in 1868. Speaking on his role in the film Marsden stated, “I am thrilled to be part of this project and be up on the screen with Tom to recount how he – and F.A. Jones – achieved what they did. It’s about setting your goals high, overcoming adversity and the importance of determination and hard work. Even though their stories take place over a century apart, it’s a timeless journey”. IWC’s affinity with cinema and storytelling is a core essence of a brand with a strong and affirming heritage and history. This personal installment of its “Born of a Dream” promises to be its most exciting yet.

www.iwc.com

Fashion

MM6 Spring Summer 2021

For MM6 the Spring Summer 2021 collection is all about perspective. In a new reality in which we communicate mainly over the screen, the MM6 design team reinterprets the notion ‘business on top, party on the bottom’ with subversive ensembles optimized for the new 9-5. The collection is mix and match up and down, showing menswear with lingerie following the motto opposites attract. MM6 archetypes receive surprising twists through scale, surface and silhouette, chopped garments and contemporary formality. As we all, the MM6 design team focuses on the domestic, the familiar, we all had time to reacquaint ourselves with over the last months.The collective behind the collection revisits some of the house’s founder Martin Margiela’s best work while infusing it with the energy and feminine touch of current creative director John Galliano. The short film offered insights into the process of image creation with studio perspectives. We are able to observe staff and models closely interact with the garments in a smart, engaging, wry and super on-brand mise-en-scene.

www.maisonmargiela.com

Fashion

Versace Spring Summer 2021

The mise-en-scene of Versace’s SS21 runway, is taken from the depths of the sea. Depicting the sunken ruins of a baroque city, Corinthian pillars jut out of the floor, Versace’s iconic motif presented as a head stone, amidst broken statues of Greek gods and goddesses. Illuminated by theatrical lighting and beneath these watery reflections, models appear, transforming the sea floor into a unique runway. Glittery starfish appear as brooches on garments, a nod to the marine scenery, a fun and vibrant detail from a house renowned for its use of color and sparkle. Crop tops on men and women as well as bralets, appear in neoprene a further consolidation of this underwater dwelling, allowing the theme to run cohesively through the collection in their investment in materials. Colors appear bold and kitsch, garish patterns, also featuring the motif of the starfish, are paired with blacks and navy. A carnivalesque spirit grips the show as greens, orange, pinks, reds and blues build up a real sense of celebration to the background of fast paced techno. Versace curates a party underwater, skirts and dresses featuring exquisitely dramatic ruffles, adding a sense of autonomy and motion to each of the looks. After strutting down the runway, models join the statues in the background, consecrating each look in the graveyard of classical Greek ruins. Color and sparkle joins the shadows once more for an ending of a show that captivated and enthralled, presenting an alternative vision to a summer that has been undeniably dampened by the current crisis.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Sportsmax Spring Summer 2021

Sportmax’s offering for Milan Fashion Week is a masterclass in simplicity done well. Sumptuous maxi dresses in beige and black grace the runway, contrasting brilliantly against oversized blazers that are as much outwear as dresses themselves. Whilst some silhouettes hug the body, others form pleats and ruffles, adding accent and intrigue to flowing garments. To the background of a soothing strings ensemble, pops of vibrant orange bounce off more neutral creams, a rendering of spring summer which is as refined as it is quietly joyous. Boisterous boots are paired with dresses in a defiant gesture that resists traditional expectations of a summer shoe. Heels also surprise, the soles of the shoes exaggerated, adding a statement to sleek and sophisticated dresses. The music seems to gather in intensity, trance-like, as more voluminous silhouettes are added, lime greens and vibrant blues amidst more serious shades of grey. In dipping in and out of a neutral palette Sportmax creates a dynamic show, which feels meticulously balanced, an ode to a summer which has been anything but predictable.


www.sportmax.com

Fashion

FENDIFRENSIA PINK: The Sound of Fragrance

It is now almost a year since the Roman house Fendi and Maison Francis Kurkdjian have launched the FENDIFRENSIA Yellow Scented Baguette line. This project, which was born out of an artistic conversation between Silvia Venturini Fendi, Creative Director of Fendi, and Francis Kurkdjian, composer and co-founder of the eponymous perfume house. Natural materials, most noteworthy the Selleria Cuoio Romano leather, represent the tangible intersection of the world of perfumery and accessories. At this year’s Milan Fashion Week, Fendi presents the second edition of this ongoing collaboration with Maison Francis Kurkdjian. After the initial yellow, FENDIFRENSIA returns in pink, with the bags in rose hues being mirrored by the matching floral scent. Fendi classics, such as the Baguette bag or the Nano Baguette shine in the pink, whilst this special occasion also marks the launch of five Yellow Men’s Regular Baguette bags, with each bag coming with a 5ml bottle of the respective fragrance.

FENDIFRENSIA Yellow and Pink Scented Collection will be available online as well as in FENDI boutiques worldwide starting from September 25th.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto

The timeless essence of Yohji Yamamoto has been captured boldly in Hublot’s new watch, Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto. For 50 years the Japanese fashion designer has offered transcendent design and creative ingenuity, Hublot’s response is a tribute to the designer and a strong extension of their own connoisseurship. Responding to Yamamoto’s iconic use of textiles, the Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto comes in camouflage, a seminal pattern, fitting of Hublot’s new limited edition. Releasing 200 pieces, each watch is imbued with irresistible exclusivity adding to the aura surrounding the watches. The watches’ 45 mm case is cut from matte black ceramic, indicative of true sophistication and elegance A Sapphire dial features add exquisite detail to the watch, biomorphic patches a nod to Yamamoto’s camouflage motif, his signature also subtly featuring at 6 o’clock. Hublot once again proves itself as a pioneering force in its industry, using brand new technology to create its new watch. Its constituent shapes fused together using the vulcanisation process, its straps exhibiting beautifully the beauty of this newly discovered process. Hublot’s Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto is a powerful ode to its namesake, an object of creative defiance.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli Spring Summer 2021

Brunello Cucinelli seeks inspiration from the humble pleasures of life for their SS21 Men’s collection. The simple unadulterated joys of our day to day, the renewed sense of happiness that comes with the most delicate of moments is captured deftly by the brand. With this in mind, unique and distinctive elements construct the new collection, minimalism allowing for thoughtful reflections on casual elegance. This sense of effortlessness translates to the lightness of the fabrics too, where fine blends of natural fibers find new ways to articulate and shape shirts, t-shirts, polos and trousers. Beiges, greys and blues present a muted summer palette warm in its attention to summer hues, this sentiment translates across to the women’s collection. Here sage and moss greens denote a calming serenity against tones of pink, light blue and sun bleached limes tones, monochrome looks also feature blacks and charcoals. Similar to the sense of return felt in the men’s collection, the womenswear collection returns to nature and wellbeing. Calm, gracefulness and flow run through the looks, creating a fluid path that looks beyond the presentation to the world at large inspiring a welcomed sense of peace.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Three Stripes

Sportswear meets luxury-wear as Prada and adidas Originals come together to produce their second drop of the Prada Superstar. The iconic Superstar which has been heralded as a timeless classic, since its creation in 1969, is reimagined with the utmost respect in this collaboration. Prada retains a sense of true classicism, offering 3 minimalist color ways: monochrome black, white with black and chrome silver with white. This collaboration not only recognizes Prada’s affinity with sports but also its admiration of heritage, a key aspect of its own brand. The unisex design is translated into full-grain leather, a perfect blending of luxury high quality with sporting excellence. Paying homage to its origins, “Made in Italy” is heat stamped into the trainer’s side, accompanying the dual logos of Prada and Adidas Originals; all three markers of high quality design and craftsmanship. The fundamental character of the Superstar is kept intact, Prada’s influence bringing a new twist on the loved classic. The campaign is an ode to the craftsmanship that went into creating the trainer, reimagining the factory line through a distorted scale to create a futuristic and illusory aesthetic.

www,prada.com
www.adidas.com

Fashion

Coach: We Are family

Coach launches its global advertising campaign, “Coach Family”, for the House’s Fall 2020 collection. Strengthened by stories of community, bonds of togetherness and enduring love in the face of adversity, Coach seeks its inspiration from our turbulent present and its test of the most important relationships we have in our life. The campaign features ambassadors of the brand Kiko Mizhura and Jeremy Lin alongside longstanding Coach face Jennifer Lopez and other individuals regarded as the House’s extended family. Channelling the wholesome essence of family life, the campaign recalls home videos in its aesthetic of archive footage interspersed with unfiltered stills, optimism and inclusivity resonating throughout. New portraits will be released over the course of the season, creating a campaign that feels spontaneous in its reveal of new and established Coach faces. Creative director Stuart Vevers uses our current time to “re-examine our values” forming a campaign around the heart of the family.

www.coach.com

Art

The Tigress

Marina Abramovic realizes her lifelong study of Maria Callas, as a profound and stimulating world premiere, together with influential composer Marko Nikodijevic. Maria Callas also known as “The Tigress” was an American soprano of Greek heritage, born in the ‘20s in Manhattan. The singer captivated Abramovic’s imagination, inspiring her to create an opera project with Callas at its centre. 7 Deaths of Maria Callas, references some of Callas’ most famous scenes, Carmen, Tosca, Otello, Lucia di Lammermoor, Norma, Madame Butterfly and La traviata, reimagined with striking intensity by Abramovic. The tragic fates of Callas in the aforementioned performances are integrated fascinatingly with the singer’s real life character, moments from her personal life and also from her space in the limelight. Abramovic’s role is all encompassing, directing, stage designer and also appearing on stage in the second part of the evening’s performance, showcasing the multifaceted talent of an artist who is perhaps one of the most influential creatives of her time. The opera scenes are sung by a range of singers, namely Selene Zanetti, Adela Zaharia and Hera Hyesang Park, revitalized by Marko Nikodijevi?’s compositions. Abramovic’s obsession with the singer is longstanding, “for twenty five years, I have wanted to make a work dedicated to the life and art of Maria Callas”. Abramovic delivers a visual spectacle on stage, her passion for the life and career of Callas at its epicentre.

www.staatsoper.de

Fashion

Gold for the Win

As part of the FW20 collection, BOSS unveils an exclusive capsule collection in partnership with British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua. Presenting 10 easy-wear pieces, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jersey pants, knits and a hooded jacket, BOSS develops a sleek capsule in midnight navy with highlights of gold. The bold BOSS logo is captured in gold in each garment, a nod to the pedigree of Anthony Joshua and his winning mentality. Known for his motivational words and mottos, each piece includes quotes from the boxer: “Never let success get to your head, or failure to your heart”. These quotes also feature in the campaign film, where Joshuah is filmed uttering these sentences in a London location earlier this year. Sports royalty and fashion lux unite for this very special and personal collaboration, where strength and courage translate boldly to an easy wear collection.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Let's Dance

Let’s Dance “THE FENDI POWER” campaign is enlivened by the unadulterated freedom of self-expression, featuring model Alton Mason and his iconic Peekaboo bag. An alternative to past FENDI rooftop performances, the film is shot on the Museum Garage’s rooftop in Miami, the unbounded energy of Mason converting the space into a stage. Alton’s passion for dance produces a dynamic and energetic display which complements that of Chinese creative talent, Mia Kong also featured. The FENDI Pre-fall 2020 collection is an effortless blend between formalwear and laidback leisurewear, extending FENDI’S rich Italian heritage out to the world, embracing everything from graffiti to music in its high energy campaign.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

No Place Like Home

Lois journeys home in its new retail concept CASA LOIS, a true embodiment of the tranquility of rural Spain. Started in Valencia, Lois’ dream of going international was realized when it established itself in Amsterdam. However despite this duality becoming a critical part of a contemporary Lois, its Spanish roots and Mediterranean aesthetic still remain formative to the brand’s identity. At a time where the home has never been more important or gratefully acknowledged, Lois channels domestic comfort in its new approach to the retail experience. Customers are redefined as guests and Lois becomes host of its idyllic Finca, a traditional Spanish house in the countryside. Natural materials, organic shapes and earthy tones curate a charmingly authentic setting, treating retail as an immersive and cultural experience. Lois Galería boasts a wonderful interior, entirely custom-made, where built in seats and a strong sense of Spanish heritage transports their customer into sunny Spain. Lois Galería is at Gerard Doustraat 74, Amsterdam.

www.loisjeanstore.com

Fashion

Inspiring Italy

Staying true to its founder’s vision of “giving back”, Zegna now more than ever understands the importance of its scholarship program. In a world that has been blighted by economic uncertainty Zegna provides a beacon of light. For the 7th edition of Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s scholarship program, 42 students from 15 Italian universities will be awarded scholarships, supporting emergent talent to engage in education and experience that will help enrich Italy’s future. Committing to €25 million over 25 years, this donation aims to provide financial support to Italian students and researchers looking to learn and seek connections abroad. In keeping with past years, this year’s awardees have selected leading academic institutions across Europe and North America, including Oxford, Cambridge, University College London, Columbia, Harvard and NYU. The Digital Get-Together format used to bring awardees together this year speaks to the resilience of a community able to overcome anything.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

FENDI Fall Winter 2020-2021

Silvia Venturini Fendi produces a surprising and inventive collection for Fall Winter 2020-2021, deceptive in its one of a kind FENDI craftsmanship. Concealed pockets and reversible outerwear curate a wardrobe that is both intriguing and mystifying in its disruption of traditional garment wear. Retro-futurist undertones navigate a sea of melton wool, heavy twill, flannel, flocked denim and corduroy suede. Illusion underlines this collection, the application of trompe l’oeil fabrics and extraordinary proportions bringing a new perspective to a familiar take on utility wear. This collection unabashedly celebrates the House, with FENDI Roma taped seams, the FF logo as a chain link animalia pattern and of course the iconic Fendi yellow which runs so defiantly through the entire collection.
Also situated within the collection is the collaboration between Silvia Venturini Fendi with Japanese designer Anrealage. Birthing a selection of photochromic outerwear and accessories, four FENDI Men’s silhouettes represent the first photochromic Menswear on a European runway and include four light-sensitive transformations across sports-inspired outerwear, mittens, inside-out tailoring, bags and accessories. When exposed to UV sunlight a white tiger quilting shines a FENDI yellow and a white diamond quilting reveals a new FENDI Code in black. Fendi creates a Men’s collection that is pioneering, in its embrace of the future as well as the past.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Prada Timecapsule

Prada’s initiative, Timecapsule, is an exclusive drop where 50 items are released on the first Thursday of each month. As part of this bold launching strategy, Prada is proud to announce an exciting new drop on August 6 at 3pm CET for 24 hours only. Presenting a new unisex cotton popeline shirt, whose print’s motif includes a specific limited edition number 1/50, 2/50… Prada serves us retro sporting vibes in an eye catching graphic print of black, light blue and white. Biking culture, tour de france and ‘60s bowling culture collide, invigorating this new drop with a sense of sporting pride. Mother of pearl buttons grace this boxy silhouette with a succinctly Prada elegance, revealing a touch of luxury amongst its sporting aesthetic. Enabled by the new Prada e-commerce platform, this new section is now available solely in Europe, reaching other markets over the course of 2020 following the new prada.com layout-relaunching calendar. The Prada Timecapsule drop will be available on August 6th at 3pm CET.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2020

There's a fluidity and harmony to the Autumn-Winter 2020 campaign, demonstrative of one man’s vision from conception to finish. A freedom and honesty guide Nicholas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, achieving a distinctive sense of individuality which reminds us of the sheer joy in getting dressed up and expressing oneself through fashion.
We feel as though we too have been invited along to Ghesquière’s photography studio on the Quai Voltaire, alongside his host of impressive friends and kindred spirits, composed of models, artists and athletes alike.
There is an intimacy to the shoot that heightens our familiarity and adoration of Louis Vuitton’s iconic pieces, the Capucines, the Twist, the Pont 9 and the Dauphine all appearing as old friends next to a hoard of celebrities, who in their current successes we feel just as, if not more connected to.
Ghesquière himself notes his desire to “follow through to the end of the creative process and give the collection its final punctuation” and it is this personal flair that is so tangible in the collection, giving it a contemporary freshness that feels such an intrinsic part of the director and photographer’s vocabulary. Incorporated into the campaign is the new line, SINCE 1854, another opportunity to marvel at the talent possessed by Ghesquière, who was also the mastermind behind the new jacquard celebrating the house’s establishment in 1854.

The campaign will be unveiled in September 2020 publications worldwide.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Future is Female

Established in 2006, Cartier’s Women’s Initiative was set up. Its mission, ‘Driving change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs’. Acknowledging the repercussions of systemic gender inequality, Cartier has used its influence and platform to produce an annual international entrepreneurship programme, targeted specifically at women-run businesses.

Open to international applicants working across any sector, Cartier is dedicated in its commitment to sustainability, only accepting submissions that promise a strong and sustainable social or environmental impact.

With its deadline set for the 31st July, the initiative has launched a new award to sit alongside its longstanding seven regional awards. The exciting new launch of the Science & Technology Pioneer Award for its 2021 edition, is yet another step for the initiative, branching out into new terrain and providing more talent with the support and industry intel to bring their businesses to the next level.

Pictured below two of the seven 2020 laureates, Adriana luna (Mexico)and Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen (Denmark) 

www.cartierwomensinitiative.com

Fashion

Ermenegildo Zegna Summer 2021

2020 marks the 110th anniversary for Italian house Ermenegildo Zegna. Having started as a textile mill, the brand later encompassed clothing manufacturing laying the groundwork for the modern house we know and cherish today. On a big anniversary like Ermenegildo Zegna’s, it is not uncommon to look back, to reassess and to refocus on the core values. For Zegna, this means its connection since its foundation with nature, not just as source of raw materials, but as diverse and precious commodity overflowing with inspiration. The sense of fluidity paired with an immense precision that pervades the collection hints at the underlying inspiration: nature, the immense precision of modern machinery and what links both of them, humans. Throughout the collection, Alessandro Sartori continues his investigation into new sartorial hybrids, which define his vision for the Italian house. Pieces, like outerwear are produced in unusual fabrics, freeing the wearer and the pieces themselves from old conventions. With a sense of ease and nonchalant, this collection allows an unprecedented freedom of combination and interpretation alike. As the Artistic Director puts it himself, ‘Without man, everything would be soulless. This project reflects this union of sensibilities, which is also a balance of past and future, of inside and outside, in a cohesive yet multifaceted opus.’

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles Gives a F*ck One of a Kind Jackets

Moose Knuckles has emerged as a humanitarian power house during the current pandemic. From donating online profits to producing PPE for hospital staff, they have been a shining example of what social responsibility looks like for an international fashion brand.

As part of this effort Moose Knuckles has come up with a new fundraising initiative, “Moose Knuckles Gives a F*ck One of a Kind Jackets”, to generate profits for a selection of international hospitals. Renowned for its high quality outerwear, fittingly, the brand has centred its new project around its Lead Rider jacket. Treating its seasonally designed raincoat as a blank canvas, Moose Knuckles is collaborating with creatives across the world, granting each artist full creative reign to customise the piece of clothing as they see fit. Their only guideline, to inspire “positivity in the face of the pandemic.”

Beginning with NYC, Moose Knuckles have sold out of their first collection of one-of-a-kind pieces and are now endeavouring to do the same with a carefully selected group of artists from Paris and Milan. Using The YARD Agency for their Paris outreach and Acapulco for Milan, they have sourced the best local talent and will be replicating this process in California and Canada imminently.

“Knuckles is a family, a community, a tribe” and never has their motto been more visible than in their recent drive to help support the global community that has elevated them to the internationally respected brand they are today.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring Summer 2021

Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative director Virgil Abloh dove into boyhood since his very first collection, while exploring the Maison’s signature theme: travel. For Men’s Spring Summer 2021 Abloh created a short film with the use of animation, to serve as the first chapter of a story unfolding in the following months to gradually unveil the collection. Starting from Vuitton ancestral home in Asnières, it follow the adventures of a group of friends – going by the name of “Zoooom with friends” – hiding in Vuitton’s shipping containers, traveling along the river Seine. As they cross Paris leaving for Shanghai, they resurface to enjoy the city of lights one last time, playing music and dancing. On 6 August 2020, after crossing the oceans, the shipment will arrive in Shanghai and the runway show will fully unfold. No longer animated, ‘Zoooom with friends’ will come to life. Throughout its voyage the collection will transform in an evolving exchange across cultures and nations, unveiling its up-cycling nature: new looks made from recycled material, looks repeated from the Fall-Winter 2020 collection, looks freely created by the studio during the lockdown using recycled material, and new looks created from existing ideas. Transcending the traditional rules of fashion and seasonality.

Fashion

Furla Metropolis

In keeping with their distinct Italian heritage, Furla proves itself to be a brand that while staying true to its essence, still knows how to redefine and build on a classic. The label’s iconic Metropolis bag is back in a new guise yet still manages to respect and pay homage to its heritage style that has always been its greatest attribute. This renewed and updated line welcomes new volumes, re-designed silhouettes all available in a selection of bright colors like electric blue, energetic ruby or vibrant orange.
The designs are also available in more understated, neutral tones of black and white to match any ensemble. This cross-body bag is now reimagined as a new cute phonecase or small, rounded clutch handbag is now on its way to becoming the emblem of the iconic brand, founded over 90 years ago in Bologna.
Standing for quality, colorful creativity, joyfulness and of course a contemporary Italian lifestyle, Furla continues honoring its own righteous code of conduct in the world of fashion and accessories.

www.furla.com

Fashion

Wander and Dream

When Virgil Abloh presented his FW20 menswear collection back in January, guests were surprised first by the heavenly, cloud-covered decor and theme, and second by the designer's drastic shift from streetwear to a more classical and refined aesthetic. The latent star of the show for many were the dreamy accessories, a prime favorite being the Backpack Trunk, an ideal addition to the celestial aesthetic. Available in Monogram cloud or mirror, the trunk is the latest addition to Louis Vuitton’s travel collection. Wooden slats adorn the trunks’ lids, while original leather trimmings in blue or white calfskin enclose the exteriors. The interior of the trunk reveals discrete compartments and iconic cotton straps complete with an “LV” cloud for the Monogram Mirror variation. Combining innovation and tradition, these luggage containers are crafted in Asnières, Louis Vuitton’s first workshop in France. In homage to the maison’s passion for travel, the monogram mirror backpack trunk includes a complimentary two-person tent in the iconic monogram print. Pushing the boundary of a travel trunk’s utility and portability, Virgil Abloh presents a refined yet modern take on men’s accessories.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Woolly eyes

It is no surprise to us that Chanel’s Fall eyewear collection is inspired by the brand’s emblematic fabric — tweed. Now reinterpreted as a metallic weave or engraved on titanium, the collection is signed with the tweed motif displaying a play between feminine and masculine lines, between strength and fragility. For the iconic fabric to be so well translated onto eyewear is a mystery, but no surprise for the iconic maison. Just as it works for a Chanel suit, tweed also works just as well in accessories, working for every innovation. For the first time the metal structure that holds each temple melts into a weave of metallic threads, positioned between two acetate plaques, breathing a spirit of sophistication into the design. Tweed metal inserts highlight the angles of the cat eye styles in black, brown, green or tortoiseshell acetate. To round off the collection, a design inspired by the Fall-Winter 2020/21 Ready-to-Wear runway show shows volumes exaggerated in relief, with a lightweight nylon frame, these butterfly glasses adopt a sporty chic allure ideal for any season.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Intimate Ornaments

Each luxury brand has a trademark bag synonymous with the label itself, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Hermes are all easily identified by their most popular bags that set them apart from the rest. When dealing with accessories in the luxury price range, it transcends beyond simple accessorizing and becomes something as covetable as a sculpture or painting, it becomes living art. Miu Miu's iconic coffer bag first arrived on shelves nearly fifteen years ago and was regarded as one of the maison’s most iconic handbags. The original design hit all the right notes: a braided top handle, a matelassé leather body, two snap button pockets finished with precise hardware detailing. Released with the pre-fall collection, a new, long-awaited version with some modern variations. From the flash of the 00’s to the more understated style of the 20’s, the new form is refined, sculpted yet equally iconic. Combining sophisticated craftsmanship with innovation to create the highly distinctive leather that represents the marriage of form and function, personality and practicality. The unique artisanal finish of the Matelassé leather is rivalled only by the malleability of the skin that stretches. Nestling close to the body, the plump surface is as comfortable as it is aesthetically pleasing.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Berluti Buggy

In an elegant and fun filled tribute to the beachy culture of 1960’s California, Berluti has launched a brand new design object for this summer, the Buggy. Inspired by the recent Globe-Trotter luggage collaboration and the brand’s signature printed canvas designed by Kris Van Assche, Berluti’s new beach buggy reflects many of the brand's signature design elements including the leather interior alongside the emblematic Berluti logo, a canvas top in signature print and the B logo on the bonnet. The original Buggy was developed by Bruce F. Meyers in Newport Beach in 1964 for the purpose of roaming the dune landscape in search of a perfect surf spot. A rollover protection structure doubles as a surfboard stand, making it ideal for those looking to take it off-road in search of the best waves. Just like back then, today's buggy is based on a VW Beetle frame and engine and is available by special order. The stately body does not distract from the clear homage to the laid-back lifestyle of 1960’s California.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Celebrating Power

A woman who has leaped far further than ever expected, Rihanna started the 2000s as a fledgling popstar, and now walks into the new decade as a highly successful creative entrepreneur, having integrated inclusion and freedom into the world of luxury fashion. The lady herself has become more than just a brand, but a persona – an ethos. To some, Rihanna is a complete belief system – a way of life – and that way of life is Fenty. The brand’s first Ready-to-Wear release of the decade, 2-20, is all about bringing opulence and attitude to the everyday. Rihanna has become a symbol for diversity, with her countless renegade interactions with the media, preaching body positivity, and a general devil-may-care attitude. The new line is pleasing to the eye, and will indeed appeal to the masses. But as with everything the artist does, it is also rich with emblems of empowerment, managing to represent far more than good looks. Fenty’s trench-inspired parka plays on symbols of power, appealing to aspects of utility to put a fresh spin on a vintage design. The collection exudes femininity, freedom, and sexuality, each element playfully balanced and contrasted.
The utilitarian corset dress brings a new meaning to female power by blending the notorious shapewear garment with the desires of the modern woman: sensuality collides with comfort and elegance. The fusion of these aspects with function, together with the flavor of streetwear, plays out through a palette of lemon yellow and burnt paprika hues. The mix of materials and styles pencils an effortless image, commensurate with the complexities of being a woman. Every aspect of the brand celebrates the female spirit and its negotiation of contradictions, from the structure of silhouette itself to the representation of models, casting with an authentic appreciation of inclusion. With Fenty, we find freedom through comfort and utility – this latest drop a deeper dive into what it means to be a woman today: rich with self-awareness, dimensional and knowing.

www.fenty.com

Fashion

From Milan with Love

The new FW20 collection of the independent Milan-based design concept Jing Yu proposes new silhouettes with a contemporary classicism. Redefining traditional clothing as current and refreshing creations, Jing Yu’s latest collection is influenced by the photography of British surrealist painter Paul Nash’s Informal Beauty. Nash’s quiet intensity prospered an experimental vision that translates to Jing Yu’s contemporary interpretation. Clean-cut with attention to detail and made from the finest materials, Jing Yu plays with formality, deconstructs it, and steers it into a new direction. Wawa, Co-Founder of Jing Yu, explains the vision: “Our original idea [was] to explore our understanding of life in a new form and perspective with dialectic analysis to the philosophical eclecticism in [the] design and art field. In a way, it is more like an art project rather than a fashion label, and a dialogue and philosophical discussion between us and audience.”

www.jingyu.eu

Fashion

Monochrome Royalty

Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto is renowned worldwide for his dark, punk and japanese inspired clothing that has been victorious in the fashion world since his 1981 debut at Paris Fashion Week. The general vibe of Yamamoto’s work is one of deconstruction, whether in form or in idea, his clothing presents an antithesis of traditional Western dressmaking using harsh and impactful silhouettes with a monochromatic color scheme.
This crowned king of moncohrome represents his design values across any medium, and it seems only logical that his design for swiss watch brand Hublot is entitled ‘Big Bang GMT All Black Yohji Yamamoto’, made to celebrate the grand opening of its new flagship Boutique on Chuo-dori Street in Ginza, Tokyo. When Hublot launched a pioneering concept: "Invisible visibility", in 2006, the all-black design of this new limited edition expressed a philosophy symbolising the very essence of the brand which now seems to compliment Yohji Yamamoto’s own design character. The timepiece displays two different time zones, local time is read easily via the conventional main hand while the time at home is indicated using a second arrow-shaped hour hand. True to the All Black concept, tone on tone, the signature of Yohji Yamamoto can be discovered at six o'clock.
“This watch can easily display the time zones of the two cities where I'm based, Tokyo and Paris. Moreover, the hours are invisible. As a person who isn’t always forthcoming, I find that highly amusing.” reflects Yohji Yamamoto.  

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Comfortable Classics

Known for its classic and reliable products, Calvin Klein Jeans almost always hits the mark when it comes to giving the customers what they want. After months of isolation and quarantine, people, as is to be expected, are soothing their invisible wounds with a nice salve of retail therapy. As we prepare for a summer like no other, we are rethinking our habits and adjusting ourselves accordingly. The current situation has, if anything, given us a new lease of life, and a refreshed outlook on our impact on the collective world. Now it seems that sustainability and minimalism are again on-trend and Calvin Klein Jeans reflects that with a new collection of basic summer-wear with innovations on denim and sustainable style. Hoping to leave a message of positivity, the aspiration of this selection is to inspire positive change. Known for their unique details, design and material innovation, excellent fit and function this range of comfortable clothing ticks all the boxes. Vintage washes and cropped denim are reminiscent of 90s style, reminding us of a simpler time. Seasonal prints and minimal accessories further the ranges spirit of youth and style.

www.calvinkleinjeans.com

Fashion

Nine Colors, Nine Eyes and Nine Hearts

In these times of uncertainty, isolation and worry we search for something to take our mind from the harsh realities and transport us to another place, even if only for a moment. Is it not the job of the artist to bring our attention to something else, to make us think in a new way? Louis Vuitton commissioned artist LuckyLeftHand to decorate the façade of its Paris headquarters during the current lockdown. The fresco covers 280m2 and is made up of 14 colourful, sleek and playful paintings in the artist's minimalist, condensed style. Taking inspiration from 1960s and 70s aesthetics the artist aims to transport passerby-ers to the landscapes of Hossegor. “I wanted to create this wall painting to offer Parisians a colourful stroll past the 14 windows, evoking a summer holiday while still representing the temporary period we are going through. The hands placed a metre and a half apart is a nod to what we’re currently experiencing. I hope this wall painting’s bright, saturated colours and rainbows made of big, curved lines will bring the positive energy we all need right now,” said the artist in a statement.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

#MiuMe

Among the many social media campaigns that have been announced in recent weeks is Miu Miu’s #MiuMe campaign. The initiative invites a diverse cross-section of people from around the world to use their mobile phones to film themselves going through their wardrobes, wearing pieces by Miu Miu. Notable figures from the realms of sport, art, dance and fashion, as well as Miu Miu fans are free to present themselves in any manner, elevating the selfie to a statement about identity. From the participants' homes around the world, these FaceTime moving-image self portraits will be collated and curated for the first stage of the brand’s ongoing project that stands to produce bundles of noteworthy content.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta: Charitable Aspects

Since the spread of COVID-19, there has been a deluge of donations being piped into health services and scientific research as people bound together in an effort to ease the ongoing pandemic. Among those is Italian brand Bottega Venta, who have announced their support for scientific research in Italy following the spread of Coronavirus. Funding for two-year scholarships across Veneto, Lazio and Campania they will contribute to research and the support of Italian medical staff, from the current pandemic and beyond. “We recognise that supporting the medical professionals who are saving the lives of others must be our priority during this time, which includes those working tirelessly to tackle the devastating impact of Covid-19 and its enduring effects, through scientific research.” Daniel Lee, Bottega Veneta.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Gute Luft

Through this collective experience, we have come to a point that has caused us to stop, and reevaluate our lives and the way we live them. The lack of unnecessary movement and human activity has resulted in lowering of emissions and even some signs of nature ‘healing’ itself. In the wake of this, people are reexamining their values and rethinking our consumerist nature and asking what the future will be like post-pandemic?

‘Gute Luft’ is a campaign to playfully draw attention to these thoughts and raise awareness for how negligent society has treated nature, resources, animals and people. Through this, THINK INC. hopes to steer people towards a new, more ethical future. It encourages people to share their Gute Luft moment along with the text, ‘What we have learned now, we should not forget in good times. Show your attitude and take responsibility. Your ethical actions count - during and after corona’, in a hope to spread a hopeful message.

Fashion

Bottega Veneta Pre-Fall 2020

The Pouch bag, iconically associated with Bottega Veneta, is a perfect example of Italian craftsmanship and excellently formulated leather. For Pre Fall 2020 the recognized clutch is further evolved and presented alongside a slew of bold accessories. Elevated with a flat square silhouette and cascading leather fringe, the handbag can be folded over itself or worn over the shoulder with an adjustable strap. With Nappa being a major player in the new pre-fall selection, the Italian label presents the BV bold shoe, the Chain Cassette and the Chain Tote to match all in soft, full grain leather. “Straight-forward. Bold and confident. Subtlety elevated. Pre Fall 2020 celebrates Bottega’s heritage made relevant for today”, Daniel Lee.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: Prada

On top of donating funds and manufacturing masks and hospital gowns, Prada has announced its support for a new research project, Proteggimi. Financially supporting research with San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, the project will seek to explain the disparity in the impact of COVID-19 on men and women and to assemble data, broken down by sex.

Prof. Salonia, director of the San Raffaele Urological Research Institute and a lecturer at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, explained, “if we are to understand whether testosterone levels are linked to the severity of the illness, and to assess any long-term impacts on the overall health of men who have recovered from the virus. We hope this research will produce its first results in the next few weeks.”

www.pradagroup.com

Fashion

Woolrich Summer Jackets

As the weather starts to improve and our spirits along with it, we start to dream of places to go and people to see and above all, we dream of the outfits we will wear on such occasions. Although the weather is as unpredictable as, say, life itself, Woolrich’s SS20 collection boasts a colorful selection of durable garments ideal for mixing, matching and layering suitable for a range of climates. The sophisticated Peony Coat in Extra Light Ripstop is not only water repellent but also wind resistant – perfect for a casual commute. The use of micro and macro checks add an element of playfulness and much-needed variety to the collection. While the clever use of color-blocking boasts a vibrant personality and feminine touch. Summer models are available in many color variations such as red, green or the iconic pink check pattern, all perfectly suited for those long evening-stretches. The combination of playful color, durability and functional design employs the outerwear brands mantra: Woolrich Keeps you Warm, Dry and Protected.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Dior’s Delectable Books

Originally we looked to literature for faith or education but today we look to books for all kinds of reasons. In these extra long days spent in our homes we find ourselves on the hunt for some sort of escape to ease our anxieties and allow us even for a moment to forget about all that is going on in the world outside. Whether it’s to escape, to dream or to better ourselves books are a wonderful medium that allows the realms of art, imagination and reality to collide. So, it makes perfect sense for Dior to bring us a selection of ten books to take you on a timeless journey celebrating the magic of couture.

Featuring a selection of ten luxurious livres the books showcase the maison’s history and explores the spellbinding secrets of the iconic brand. Escape to 20th century Paris with the personal story of Monsieur Dior by delving into Dior by Dior or discover the vibrant, captivating work of Peter Lindbergh in Dior Images. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the Maison’s heritage, brought into focus by the greatest fashion photographers thanks to a wealth of reading material to inspire and lead you behind the scenes to a world of elegance and beauty, in the comfort of your home.

www.dior.com

Fashion

The passing of Leïla Menchari

We were devastated to hear of the passing of Leïla Menchari, longtime Hermes window-dresser, christened ‘The Queen of Enchantment’ by Michel Tournier. Born in 1927, Menchari was the first woman admitted to the Beaux arts school of fine arts in Tunisia, where she grew up. After studying at the Beaux-Arts school in Paris, she began her career in Hermès in 1961 as part of Anne Beaumel’s decoration team. Soon promoted to director of window displays Leïla also designed gloves, bags and clothing. An outstanding dreamer and storyteller, Menchari is well regarded for her work transforming the windows of the Hermès store to become glimpses into another, more luxurious and wonderful world. Passers-by would be gifted with a peek into a scene that even in a moment would always arouse curiosity, surprise and amazement. Her windows became so well-known that in 2017 they held an exhibition devoted to Menchari’s work in the Grand Palais in Paris, “Hermès Takes Flight: The Worlds of Leïla Menchari.”

We remember her as being the person who took window dressing and turned it into an art form, collaborating with artists and creating an always imaginative concept whilst bringing her own personal touch to everything she did. “Thanks to Leïla, exoticism found a home, happily and permanently, in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré” says Axel Dumas, chief executive officer of Hermès.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Dior Maison

 In 1947, Christian Dior opened a boutique called “Colifichets”, at the same time as his better-known couture house at 30 Avenue Montaigne. A quick success, the boutique expanded soon presenting an array of home accessories. Consistently developing alongside fashion and beauty creations, the boutique collaborated with the likes of Maria Pergay and Gabriella Crespi to create original pieces. Revisiting the plant-filled atmosphere of the SS20 ready-to-wear show from Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Dior Gardens line, designed by Cordelia de Castellane, features new pieces that elevate table settings. The delicate motifs that adorn the different looks unfold with grace and refinement across earthenware plates. A highlight of Dior Maison’s is the Copacabana collection. Seaweed motifs adorn plates while vases and decorative glass balls transform into precious aquariums populated with fish and coral. In these extended hours spent at home, Dior invites you to bring a touch of magic into your home and add a little extra comfort to the simple pleasures of everyday life. As Christian Dior himself wrote, “Living in a house which doesn’t reflect who you are is a bit like wearing someone else’s clothes.”

www.dior.com

Fashion

Hermès ‘C’est la fête’

Founded in 1837, Hermès began as a bridle and harness company before making the switch to luxury handbags, a decision which led the company to become one of the most successful and iconic brands in the world. Apart from the Birkin bag, Hermès silk scarves have become the most coveted item in the maison’s repertoire, having been quickly adopted by the likes of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Now, the famed accessory takes off on a new adventure, that of double-sided printing. Designed by the illustrator Daisuke Nomura, the scarf features two versions of the same design, one on each side. Titled ‘C’est la fête’, the scarf offers two finishes, one classic and the other in outline. Soft and supple, the carré has been specially developed for contemporary menswear. Ideal for the contemporary man, ‘C’est la fête features a two-in-one design to match alternate moods and styles. One of the most meticulously-crafted accessories in the world, the double-sided carré denotes classical influences and modern techniques.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

H for Herno

Despite fashion being one of the most competitive and fast-moving industries in the world where trends come and go in the blink of an eye, monograms always seem to withstand the test of time. One thinks of Louis Vuitton, Guess or Burberry and their iconic lettering that have transcended time to become symbols of fashion excellence. Now, as the ‘F’ for Fendi or the ‘G’ for Guess, Herno has ‘H’, tagging onto the never-ending trend with their S/S20 collection. Inspired by the fashion and styling of the 1950’s, Herno brings the monogram to the here and now with a modern twist. Classic and oversize trenches, raincoats, bombers and parkas are either entirely monogrammed or feature simple details placed on discrete areas. A stylish note that aims to lead a narrative that tells a story of Italian know-how and excellence. Monogrammed areas include the back of the collar, on the belt, on tabs or on the inner thermo tapings. Rooted firmly in the past, Herno believes that a brand's success is kept by remembering their origins yet one must always search for new reimaginings and repurposings in spite of the future.

www.herno.it

Fashion

Acqua di Parma Home Collection

Through our senses we can be transported through time and space to a moment of the past. A pleasant memory or a moment of happiness brought to the fore with the taste, touch or smell of something reminiscent. There are certain sensations so powerful that for a moment, we can feel as though we are somewhere else. Indeed staying home is the best thing for us right now, but transporting oneself does not have to be physical. Acqua di Parma’s new home collection is designed for life’s every moment, to allow you to create the ideal space from the comfort of your own home. A collection of candles and diffusers full of stimulating compositions based on typical moments of Italian living. With Spring finally stepping in, transport yourself with the fine fragrances of the Italian brands candles and diffusers. Luce di Colonia, Buongiorno, La Casa sul Lago, Caffè in Piazza, Oh, L’amore, and now two new Acqua di Parma creations: Aperitivo in Terrazza and Profumi dell’Orto. Create a sensuous ambiance as refined aromas such as tomato leaves, verbena and a lively spicy scent of pepper spread through your home.

www.acquadiparma.com

Fashion

Service à Café en Marbre

Our morning routine becomes leaps and bounds more luxurious when we use a vessel that not only enhances the aesthetic but is forged by a brand name that by its very essence screams opulence. Back in October 2019, YSL’s Anthony Vaccarello launched his reimagined retail concept, the new Saint Laurent Rive Droite. A creative space with a selection of highly curated objects. Now with products available online, the creative retail space is designed with a youthful and revolutionary vision synonymous with the French Maison since the original Saint Laurent Rive Gauche boutique, opened in 1966. Featuring an abundance of items from sportsgear to decorative homewares to aesthetically pleasing paper-clips the store has grown to be a collection of stylish gadgets that appeal to all ages. Hand-cut from fine marble, this decorative coffee service consists of two saucers and two cups with an elegant, heart-shape that exudes a luxurious sensibility. Available in black and white the marble coffee service acts both as a decorative piece to be seen and not touched or it could become our new, albeit decadent morning ritual.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week Women's - Recap

CHANEL

Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Piaggi met in 1974. For a decade Karl Lagerfeld constantly drew her for years to record her aesthetic, her ability to mix vintage, costume, daily finds. Karl described her as “a great performer”, but also as “ the writer of the play”. There are many photographs, mostly in black and white, portraying the power duo. One in particular caught the eye of Virginie Viard: in the old photo Piaggi is wearing a skirt suit, the skirt at floor length paired with a jacket with pronounced shoulders and cinched waist. Lagerfeld’s instead sported a striped jacket and matching gilet together with jodhpurs pants and riding boots with contrasting flaps. Lagerfeld loved the reinterpretations of classic codes of costume history: the military uniform, the riding clothing vocabulary, with humor and a witty attitude. Virginie Viard celebrated this image in her latest collection for Chanel, one year after the passing away of her mentor. The reinterpretation of jodhpurs pants, with open sides at its bottom through a series of CC press-stud buttons. At times the split would be along the whole leg, transforming it into a flared trouser with jackets of Edwardian allure. There were variation to the theme: long tweed coat paired with bustiers and shorts, skirts with a deep split, cropped lace tops, dresses with balloon sleeves and jackets with ruffled collars reminiscent of the prevalent trend of Romanticism from the 1820s through the mid-1840s Viard is trying to achieve her own vision on womanhood, on what means today power dressing, with simple elements and great courage to bring in Chanel her very own point of view. “One is happy as a result of one's own efforts once one knows the necessary ingredients of happiness: simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self denial to a point, love of work, and above all, a clear conscience.” (George Sand, Letter to Charles Poney, 1866)

www.chanel.com

MIU MIU

Miuccia Prada knows how to nod at the 40s (one of her favorite decade) and create a collection modern, playful and jovial true to the spirit of the house. Miu Miu is the fun and experimental side of Prada Group. It tells a story of a woman far from traditional aesthetic values, subversive, emancipated and a true feminist. Rebellious and seductive. Set at Palais d’Iena designed by legendary architect Auguste Perret breaking the rules of the space and setting a new aesthetic, AMO, the counterpart of the iconic architectural office OMA directed by Rem Koolhaas and long time collaborator of Mrs. Prada, worked in antithesis to the nature of the building: metallic structures with LED lights around each concrete column, a velvet element at the base, cinema chairs together with wooden ones. Irreverent and playful, juxtaposed to the solemnity of the modernist Palais d’Iena are the set where Miuccia Prada created her Miu Miu Fall Winter 2020. Long crushed silk satin dresses in vibrant colors, yellow, blue, pink, paired with wool coats. Transparencies, paired with big furs, cinched at the waist creating a wasp like silhouette and beaded hairpieces. It’s the contradiction of that special decade, the wartime, the glamorous Hollywood - Joan Crawford to Bette Davis, Ava Gardner to Rita Hayworth - but also Italian Neorealism - Sofia Loren, Anna Magnani, Ingrid Bergman for Roberto Rossellini’s Stromboli - stars of the time, despite the imposing hardships post WWII. There is a certain austerity but also liberation, and positivity. Resonating today’s current dramatic world climate. There is no much difference between the fear of a war and the fear of an strong enemy without face. Miuccia Prada has always been a visionary in this sense: her wish for hope, for joy, fierce in these obscure times.

www.miumiu.com

HERMÉS

“She walk through a forest of vertical bars/ and she dashes / she needs to jump to move forward/ moving forward to play” The show notes welcoming us at our arrival at la Garde Républicaine, a museum dedicated to the traditions of the Garde Républicaine, the ceremonial unit of the French National Gendarmerie located in the 4th arrondissement created to presents its traditions from 1802 to the present day, including its infantry, cavalry, and military bands. What better venue for Hermès to breath its equestrian inspiration? A myriad of bars recalling jumping obstacles in equestrian competitions with their primary colored stripes and placed vertically to form a forest. Walking through to loose yourself. Yellow, red, green, blue, brilliant tones Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski brought to the classic palette of Hermès. Inspired by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, one of her modernist heroes, present at the show, Vanhee-Cybulski designed a collection of warm elegant timeless staple true to her signature for the Maison. With exquisite craftsmanship and a peculiar attention to details: the silk carrè and Kelly buckles placed at the neck line of pulls-bodes, horse-blanket coat with leather pockets, pleated skirts knitted and doubled with silk, leather pinafores with quilting. Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski ‘s vision, distant from seasonal trends, also introduced a strong feminine silhouette reminiscent of equestrian riding jackets. A “manifest of purity,” as she called it, with a strong graphic allure and minimal white cotton paired with boots and derbies. “What is useful must me beautiful/ A style is created to changes us/small gestures don’t exist/ At the end of this research/there will be equilibrium”.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week Women's - Recap

SAINT LAURENT

Cy Twombly, one of the most relevant contemporary artists of our time, who created mostly large-scale paintings with aggressively big gestures and his signature scrawling scribbles, he was anguished by the flood of people and his only desire was to paint. Yves Saint Laurent was not far from that. He repeatedly admitted additionally his benign shy. Nevertheless his work, like Twombly’s broke the rules of what was considered the norm. He developed a multitude of highly original approaches, including changing the way modern women dress, putting them into pants with his 1966 Le Smoking” collection, or into safari jackets. Both famously worn by Betty Catroux, his close friend, muse and almost “his double” for her uncanny resemblance as mentioned in one of the video accompanying the ongoing exhibition “ Betty Catroux, Yves Saint Laurent: Feminine Singular”, at Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris. Curated by Anthony Vaccarello it celebrates the the pair’s lifelong friendship and the donation of 180 items of clothing from Catroux to the foundation. “I am just giving back what was given to me“ Catroux remembers in the conversation with Vaccarello recorded for the exhibition. Her icy and androgynous look was perfect for Monsieur Saint Laurent’s creations and loved to gift her couture looks and often unproduced prototypes. He loved to see her wearing his clothes. But Yves Saint Laurent was ahead of time. His animalier prints collection in 1982, or constant inspiration from art: Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian. He often declared how he abhorred bourgeoisie, and its pedantic colorless lifestyle. He was a master of the unconventional and contradictions. He matched sheer dresses (a scandal at the time) with exquisite embroideries, or the bon-ton silk bow shirt with pants. Since his very beginning at the maison, Anthony Vaccarello expressed a strong respect for the legendary designer. His first collection was a strong homage to his work but also an interpretation through his own eyes. Now at his 4th year as Creative Director of Saint Laurent , Vaccarello embodies the desire of strong powerful sensuality for women. For Fall Winter 2020 Vaccarello revisits Monsieur Yves apparent strident contrasts. Everything is a matter of tension between discipline and pleasure. “I wanted to find the balance between control and abandonment, the tension between discipline and pleasure that defines the modernity of Saint Laurent”. For Fall Winter 2020 Vaccarello explored latex declined in pants, dresses, skirts. Combined with wool blazers – mostly in Monsieur Saint Laurent’s signature vibrant colors emerald, purple, blue - and bow shirts between nocturnal life and well-mannered girls. “For Saint Laurent, elegance is mandatory but it also goes with perversity; one without the other would only be plain bourgeoisie or vulgarity […] I was really stimulated by that tension this season, it made me want to break the codes that are too conventional. Saint Laurent is about danger”.

www.ysl.com

COMME DES GARÇONS

20 different looks. 20 different soundtracks: each created out of vinyls mixed live by sound artist Calx Vive. Calx Vive’s first collaboration with Rei Kawakubo dates back to 2014 when he was asked to create a sound installation for the freshly opened Dover Street Market retail space in New York featuring all CDG lines and the brands under its umbrella like Junya Watanabe , but also brands like Rick Owens, Saint Laurent, Thom Browne, among the rest, who have created site-specific work for the store. In 2014 Kawakubo declared how she lost interest in creating what looked like real clothes. When 2017 the Japanese designer was asked by the Met to be the protagonist of a new exhibition, Kawakubo designed it closely with curator Andrew Bolton, to mirror her poetic to the core. Divided into distinctly Comme themes rather than chronologically: Absence/Presence, High/Low, Fashion/Antifashion and Object/Subject. Comme des Garçons Fall Winter 2020 is non other than a beautiful vocabulary of Kawakubo own obsession to these themes. Her own dictionary rendered into 20 looks, revisiting her most iconic collections: 1997’s ‘Body Meets Dress-Dress Meets Body’, 2005’s ‘Broken Bride’ , 2012’s “White Drama”, 2015’s “Blood & Roses”, 2017’s “The Future of Silhouette,” and more. The bride veil suspended by a transparent structure , the lumps and bumps (the nickname of her 1997 collection), voluminous gown that combined clouds of foam with restrictive protuberances, and geodesic-like structures. On the show notes she questioned: “Is it not impossible to make something completely and utterly new, since we are all living in this world? “ She described her work as “a perpetual futurist”, working from “within the Comme des Garçons world.”. Visceral, and unforgiving.

www.comme-des-garcons.com

DIOR

Every Italian guest present at Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Fall Winter 2020 RTW show for Dior undoubtedly felt that nostalgia, that languid feeling when listening to Roisin Murphy’s cover of legendary Lucio Battisti’s “Ancora tu” written in 1976. The show continues the ode to feminism and to women’s world with a collection inspired by the seventies, when Maria Grazia Chiuri was a child blossoming into a teenager. These crucial coming of age years are the starting point of the collection: her mother’s haute couture atelier, the rebelling women in Italy using fashion, literature, science to assert themselves. Crucial figures like Carla Lonzi and her book “Autoritratto” published in 1969, a collection of conversation with relevant figures of the art world of the time in Rome. On the 23 of March a relevant retrospective celebrating Italian women artists and based on Lonzi’s manifesto and vision - will be held at Rome’s National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art supported by Dior. Lonzi’s work as feminist but also as art critic first serves as inspiration to the manifesto –like sentences build in the set design of Maria Grazia Chiuri show in the form of illuminated sign suspended from the ceiling. In collaboration with Claire Fontaine collective the setting highlights crucial moment of women’s emancipation but also underscore the contradictions in our society. Claire Fontaine collective uses the language and slogans of non-reformist feminism : “I say I”, Women raise the Upraising”, Women are the Moon that Moves the Tides”. While on the floor models walk on a new version of Fontaine’s work “Le Monde Pixèlisè” where pages of Le Monde are all glued together. Inspired by a photo portraying Henri Matisse By Robert Capa taken in 1949 is again a source of dialogue, of necessity to shed light on to questioning our world. It’s a succession of the frees spirit of women against their unrecognized role in the 70s: the small bandana on the head, the handcrafted silk fringes, long pliseé dresses and skirts paired with chuncky checked wool jacket , mantels, but also Chiuri’s signature sheer long dresses worn with flat combat boots, mary-janes and slippers. In the collection Chiuri pays homage to Monsieur Dior’s love for check but also to Marc Bohan who was at the helm of the maison in the 70s.

www.dior.com

YOHJI YAMAMOTO

The soundtrack played and sung by Yohji Yamamoto haunted us all. Its beautiful melancholy, gentleness, heartrending notes. Yohji-san has been reflecting on the passing of time, on the meaning of life itself for quite a while. The passing away of legends Azzedine Alaïa, Karl Lagerfeld – who both deeply respected Yamamoto - and the recent decision of Jean Paul Gautier to stop designing, had a huge impact on him. Losing his antagonists, his rivals, like he phrased. For Yohji Yamamoto history has always been an interesting point of investigation, a common ground with Alaïa. The two also shared a great friendship for decades. In 2005 an exhibition, ”Juste des Vetements” – and what a better title as Yamamoto has been describing himself as “just a dressmaker” - at the Musée Des Arts Décoratifs celebrated hiss inspiration and respect towards the iconic French Couturiers: Cristobal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, just to mention few. Rigorously innate to Yohji-san, that spirit of research and rebellion to the fashion establishment, to the homogenisation of the industry, has been constantly present in his work. Journalists have tried to phrase the delicacy, strength and purity of his deconstructed poetry where imperfection, laceration, distortion have always been a source of beauty rather than glamour. In Yamamoto’s eyes fashion shows resemble Noh, the Japanese musical theatre performed since the 14th century (and the oldest form of theatre in the world) where the actors walk to the centre of the stage slowly, without talking, and almost without acting. Since years now Yamamoto shows have been characterized by slow peace walking models. They wear each outfit solemnly and you cannot but feel the layers of work and emotions through each garment. In the latest show the Japanese designer experimented a complex succession of deconstructed garments with a look at the 19th century including the late 19th century riding-dress-inspired ensembles with their military simplicity. The declinations of references are immense as well as the new vocabulary created by Yamamoto for the collection: strings recalling the figure-framing style of severe corsetry, the crinoline here knitted or pleated, the low waistlines, woven sculptural dresses revealing graciously the skin and merging with a jacket, veiled overskirts, hand painted brush strokes on long coat created with a manipulation of fabric and drapery. The poignant feeling inside any Yohji Yamamoto’s show defies definition. The legendary designer, almost at his 50th anniversary in the industry, never ceases to evoke deep emotions through his work. The invite anticipated all: a soft wool fabric sample. To accomplish understanding you must feel.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week Women's - Recap

PRADA

Raised up and voyeuristic yet strangely detached we viewed Prada’s Fall/Winter womenswear collection that portrayed a surreal sense of glamour. The selection of pieces compared ideas of femininity against stereotypically masculine components. A boxy belted jacket is paired with a fringed skirt that seems to exude a sense of confidence, a sporty aesthetic is enriched with elongated basketball jerseys and sneaker-boot hybrids. The extreme colors, utility accessories and lingerie components further the collections nod to Miuccia Prada’s world where fashion equates power.

www.prada.com

MISSONI

Any designer worth their salt carefully conceptualises a collection and even better if they can back it up with some literature or text. The 1886 novella Flatland - A Romance of dimensions was the inspiration behind Missoni’s Fall collection ‘20 that was a visual love poem to geometry. A story of feminine strength, empowerment and self awareness presented beautifully with horizontal, diagonal and vertical stripes littering the runway with earthy burnt tones brightened by dashes of red and turquoise. Each aspect from colors to patterns to silhouettes shape the collection in the freewheeling Missoni spirit.

www.missoni.com

FENDI

The current approach in fashion seems to be attempts of redefining and challenging gender norms employing new meanings onto femininity and masculinity. Yet Fendi’s Fall collection seemed to embrace the double standards that accompany the male gaze whilst simultaneously exuding a sense of self gratification - dressing for oneself rather than for the world. A balanced selection of structure, softness, rigor and sensuality is reflected with accentuated waists, strict silhouettes and expansive shapes with corset detailing. The offbeat contrasts end elegant monochrome furthered the sense of soft power that embodies the whole collection.

www.fendi.com

BALLY

Exploring nature and realising our impact as humans seems to be a pertinent thought across designs for the coming seasons. Swedish luxury brand Bally presented their AW20 collection through a sensory art installation that showcased their understated ready-to-wear garments using subtle choreography, film and sound. Guests traversed the runway as a crowd moved in the opposite direction with models clad in earthy tones and luxurious layering. Titled ‘Purity of form’ the collection encompassed organic materials, soft shapes and sculpted silhouettes reflecting the brands passion for design innovation.

www.bally.eu

Fashion

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

Arriving at the majestic location of Opera Garnier we were welcomed by magnificent flowers, adorning the staircase, the rich, inebriating perfume merged the atmosphere into a symphony of colors true to Kris Van Assche’s Berluti. Blue, crimson red, purple, fuchsia, but also Prince of Wales checks rendered in green or yellow. Tailored silhouettes together with relaxed suits paired with sneakers. Kris Van Assche’s Berluti plays between past and future, classic and modern. An extreme savoir-faire especially shown in the full patina leather suits becoming the iconic element of the maison. Recent Berluti’s beautiful collaboration with Parisian based art gallery Laffanour, resulting in 17 vintage chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret - the legendary cousin of star architect Le Corbusier - added with the Berluti patina in jewel-tones, echoed in some of the looks for Fall/Winter 2020/21. Van Assche ability to plays with classic codes through a rebel soul.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Spirit of Departure

With the current state of affairs, one might get a bleak idea of the new decade ahead. Not for notorious Canadian outerwear brand Moose Knuckles. Borrowing from science and science-fiction, he translates his personal and optimistic vision of the future. Classic staples collide with futuristic influences resulting in new yet familiar silhouettes reflecting the past as well as the future.This nod to the future can not only be found on the surface, but is literally ingrained in the collection’s fabric. Cloud is a groundbreaking innovation reducing the overall weight of the Core parkas. This novelty material gets its chance to shine in one of the collection’s newest additions, the Cloud Trinity jacket, a ultra-lightweight parka, delivering intense warmth in a weightless package. As part part of the FW20 collection, the Canadian brand also unveils its Eco Soft-Shell Collection, an eco-conscious line fabricated from recycled and reused materials, showcasing Moose Knuckles continuous efforts to combat fashion’s adverse effects of over-consumption and pollution. 

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week 2020 - Dior Homme Fall/Winter

When approaching the white humongous squared temporary structure built on Place de la Concorde for Dior Homme latest show we felt a sense of thrilling vibe. Inside the space high up to the ceiling transparent boxes occupied almost fully the catwalk where smoke arranged in different colors, from orange to blue, floated intermittently at the rhythm of music as the show started. Kim Jones’s new collection for Dior is all this: the explosion of his favorite silhouettes, of his love for British culture, the ability to dive into archives of a French Maison like Dior, while paying homage to his dear friend, the late Judy Blame, the brilliant stylist and designer, punk icon in the 80s, who passed away just 2 years ago. Blame’s love for gloves, for paisley prints, for jewelry - designed as always by uber-talent Yoon Ahn for Dior Homme - and reminiscent of Blame’s DIY punk signature aesthetic with metal chains adorned with charm-like crystals, roses, tags. But also the British tailored savoir faire of layering blazers and overcoats. An exquisite long silk shirt at knees length with paisley print worn under a blazer and the closing look – a coat embroidered with sequins into a feather motif inspired by a couture dress by Marc Bohan from 1969 - were undoubtedly breathtaking. The latter requiring 1000 hours of work left speechless at closer look during the re-see. Kim Jones found his dimension at Dior and we are thrilled to see what’s next.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Sportmax Book Launch

The unwavering energy of SPORTMAX celebrated in a eponymous volume marking its 50 years anniversary and Italian savoir faire. Born from Achille Maramotti’s intuition in 1969 fascinated by the fresh dynamism found in the new age investing Europe at the end of the Sixties, and particularly in London with its youth-driven cultural revolution. Published by Assouline as part of its Legends collection and edited by historian and curator Olivier Saillard, the volume documents the history of the Italian brand from the Seventies till today with dedicated chapters for each decade. Peter Lindbergh, Sarah Moon, Albert Watson, David Sims to name a few of the many iconic international photographers who have interpreted SPORTMAX’s style. The book also includes previously unpublished material including backstage photos, drawings and a series of images lensed by Grègoire Alexandre. Capturing the brand’s DNA, from its iconic knitwear to the total look graphic colors, two SPORTMAX very own themes since its origin till today. And the uncompromising continuous research on excellence.

www.assouline.com

Fashion

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

With her new FW 2020 Menswear collection, Silvia Venturini Fendi lays out her personal vision of the modern man. Inspired by the classic notion of the gentleman, Fendi presents a collection that features classic men’s garments enhanced with modern twists, proving that even tradition is not always what it appears to be at first sight. To achieve this, FENDI teams up with Japanese designer ANREALAGE, combining Italian craftsmanship with the famed futuristic spirit of Japan’s fashion scene. The collection itself combines the retro with the futuristic resulting in an exciting wardrobe for the modern gentleman. Blazer as well as coats are turned inside out with visible contours of lining and inside pockets, which themselves were adapted to the modern times, with the cigar pocket being replaced by a compartment for credit cards or AirPods. Another highlight of the collection was the utilitarian nature of several of the garments. Through strategically placed zippers, the garments receive a shape-shifting ability, allowing the wearer to adapt the garments to his needs, whether as overcoat, jacket or bolero. The collection was rounded out with accessories in the typical FENDI yellow, with the oversized shopper reminiscent of the FENDI packaging being the stand-out piece amongst various new takes on the classics.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Revealing the Hidden

 Due to the quick progression of technology, there is a tangible disconnect between ourselves the items that surround us on a daily basis. Despite everybody being able to use the newest technology in our daily lives, only a very few actually grasp how they work. This creates a certain lack of trust, a feeling of discomfort. At the Swiss manufacturer, they are driven by their belief that people are once again longing for the time when they could understand how things work and they decided to look deeper into the essence of this idea. Their mechanical watches radiate a sense of honesty, which we can relate with in the most natural sense, as we can create a tangible connection to their inner workings. Inspired by the natural sincerity of the Waldenburg Valley, which has surrounded the village of Holstein, where Ortis has been bases since its foundation in 1904, the traditional Swiss house introduces the Big Crown ProPilot X Calibre 115. Without unnecessary decoration, no superfluous complication or flashy colors, this masterpiece is laying bare its inner workings. Nothing remains hidden, visually reconnecting the wearer to the aesthetic inner worlds otherwise hidden behind the dial. The watch itself follows a modern approach to luxury, no longer showy or indulgent, the focus is simply on the appreciation for excellent craftsmanship and quality. The Oris Big Crown ProPilot X Calibre 115 is presented to the public on November 18th at the Oris Watch Night hosted by the Swiss manufacturer in Munich.

www.oris.ch

Fashion

Woolrich x Aimé Leon Dore

Two brands born and made in America, one with a rich history rising to the challenge of dressing the U.S. naval officers in hardy garments, and the other serving a young and modern public. Aimé Leon Dore, founded just a handful of years ago, has had very fruitful collaborations in the past, they are gifted at seeking out contemporary classics and putting their own twist on them. Woolrich, a very well trusted brand in weather-proof materials, strong heritage and consistently proving it has a grasp on street-casual style. Far from the realm of novelty accessories or couture fashion, both brands have an overriding respect for creating timeless articles of clothing.

Their FW19 campaign takes place in a cozy New York diner, two friends munching away at their breakfast; neither of them willing to remove their coats and flannels. There is an element of comfort that people can sense, the sort of wear that never gets old each time you put it on. Woolrich has opened its archive for Aimé Leon Dore and reaped the rewards of a fresh perspective; the same vestige of quality down puffers and coats are resurrected for the street. Whether by fate or by entering one another’s periphery until they became impossible to ignore, the teachers have learned from disciples of a new generation and given city dwellers a collection too comfortable and unabashedly urban to be denied.

www.woolrich.com
www.aimeleondore.com

Art

Cartier: Crystallization of Time

Stare long enough at any rock, gemstone or mineral and you will see the beauty in natural formations once hidden beneath the Earth’s 4.6 billion year old crust. Since 1989 Cartier has held no less than thirty four exhibitions in world-renowned art museums but only now will they host an exhibition focused on contemporary pieces spanning from the 1970’s onwards. The purpose of the exhibition is to explore the perennial beauty of Cartier creations, a classic beauty retained and untarnished by the ravages of time. Aptly titled, ‘Crystallization of Time’ the legendary Jeweller will hold the exhibition at The National Art Center of Tokyo to explore the relationship between their creations over time. Up to 300 works, including contributions from private collections, act as mirrors that offer an astute insight into the eras and evolutions of Cartier. Beyond this exhibition of their past ‘Crystallization of Time’ will foreshadow Cartier’s vision for the future. The exhibition will be presented in three unique perspectives including, ‘Material Transformation and Colors’, ‘Forms and Designs’ and ‘Universal Curiosity’ along the axis of time. ‘Forms and Designs’ will explore the micro-architectural nature of their design ethos as well as their use of essential lines and spheres to create unique and iconic jewellery.

In large part refusing to conform or settle is what adds to their timeless qualities, the essence that there is nothing quite like Cartier on the market. As the second act on their timeline, ‘Forms and Designs’ will feature ‘Harmony of Chaos: Accident of Design / Accident of Nature’ which seeks to explore how life’s happenstance adds to our understanding of beauty. In 1967, when Cartier London released the Crash watch, they implored this design quality, the end product being a watch whose case had the appearance of being run over by a car. As gemstones are naturally formed there is an element of random natural occurrence that takes place as the rocks form, from this Cartier explored how to capture the unpredictable while still producing a fashionable product. The exhibition will also play host to a number of rare pieces from private collections, some pieces dating back as far as 1907. The scope of this exhibition can not be understated, from Nils Herrman’s Cartier collection Egyptian motifs resurface; a greater dialogue with our past is opened up through timeless designs, a Scarab brooch brandishing rubies, emeralds, platinum and antique blue faience alongside a Scarab necklace in yellow gold date back to 1925.

Cartier’s ‘Crystallization of Time’ is exactly what it claims to be, reinforced and hardened into something beyond reproach; displaying the opulence and dedication to lasting quality that Cartier is unabashedly known for. The exhibition will run from October 2nd – December 16 at The National Art Center, Tokyo.

www.cartier.com
www.nact.jp

Fashion

Louis Vuitton SS20

A VHS tape re-imagined as bag. The name of iconic movies morphed with a witty style placed on totes. Nicolas Ghesquière’s time machine brought us at the very origins of Louis Vuitton. La Belle Èpoque, or the golden age in France after the end of the Franco-Prussian war in 1871 till the Great War. A period of stability and optimism.

Leather and silk skirts reminiscent of the end of 19th century silhouettes with bell shapes flared smoothly over the hips from a small waist and gradually widened at the hemline. It is a time when the Victorian era crinoline disappeared and corsets were worn only in the evening and formal occasion. The change of dressing codes reflecting the woman emancipation at the time is a strong inspiration for Ghesquière.

We also saw beautiful painted motifs looking at Art Nouveau and using Marcel Proust beloved cattleya orchid – which metaphorically symbolized the sensual and erotic desire in “Swann’s Way” - pinned on lapels. The symbol of a new era, of a new spirit, of blossoming. The vibrant colours – blue, red, orange, yellow, to mention few – composed like fragments of bucolic Art Nouveau illustrations on several look.

Nicolas Ghesquière tribute to that fervid time in Europe is reflected in the atmosphere created by singer Sophie’s otherworldly performance in an extended version of “It’s Okay to Cry, specially made for Louis Vuitton and screened on a humongous backdrop at Cour Carrée inside the Louvre.

When exiting this magic show venue the light of Pei’s pyramid casted an enchanting atmosphere. Briefly after it started pouring rain just like the final moments of Sophie’s video performance.A moment of energy, beauty and the multitude of facets of Nicolas Ghesquière’s genius.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Valentino SS20

Crisp white cotton declined in evening gowns, shirt dress to be worn with shorts and lace bomber jackets. Pierpaolo Piccioli worked on the beauty of this color, undisputed symbol of Summer and that light hearted elegance the maison Valentino has been representing since the last years.

Piccioli knows how to conquer the crowd with his romanticism in a strong modern key: a tulle purple majestic gown, a sequined one, so light at touch you could hardly believe it is sequins, and the acid green, permeating the entire collection and bringing that fun and joy we have been savouring season after season at this iconic Italian maison. At a closer look , during our re-see; we saw all that Valentino atelier savoir faire in terms of craftsmanship.

Pierpaolo Piccioli has been working always on the evolution of the gown, on its lightness, on the absence of body constrictions. He has been always putting women at the centre: the women who wear his creations, the seamstress, the women who have been part of the Valentino family for so long. And the models who walk the show: Adut, Awuol, Tiziana, Tomiwa, Evie, Mathilde, all eighty carefully mentioned one by one.

As we enjoy looking at the details of each look at Valentino’s headquarters in Paris, Piccioli appears in front of us on his way to the office. We could not but warmly congratulate him in person. Grazie Pierpaolo for delivering once again a beautiful vision on womanhood.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Hermès SS20

We have been struck by the delicacy Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski infuses every season in her vision for Hermès. For Spring Summer 2020 she talks about powerful femininity ready for our times. For Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski a woman need to walk, move freely and go to work, without renouncing to beauty. But what is beauty? It was questioned in the show notes. Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski answers with a clear vision: beauty is not equal to perfection, but to the multitudes of all beauties out there.

A fresh minimalism is declined with several inspirations. One above all the apron - worn at the Hermès leather workshop in Pantin - here deconstructed and revisited on tops and jumpers creating sculptural elements and open back.

The safari atmosphere is visible in multiple pockets jackets - the classic saharienne - in Heritage calfskin, a cargo playsuit in washed cotton gabardine and cargo trousers. Vanhee-Cybulski’s and Hermès continuous research on leather is seen on buttersoft leather dresses together with patchwork details rendered in lambskin doubled with silk organza. A research found in the beautiful equestrian inspired looks like the harness-inspired trench coat in fine stripe cotton or the equestrian-inspired openwork coat, in double-face cashmere jacquard adorned with chestnut patches.

Hermès Spring Summer 2020 is a whispered elegance, delicate and nonchalant.

www.hermès.com

Fashion

BOSS SS20: 'BOSS Individuals'

Presenting their men’s and women’s collections for SS20, BOSS has held individualism in high regard. The sophistication and sleek presentation so synonymous with BOSS is renewed for the arriving decade. Dressing is an intensely personal ritual and relies heavily on the individual traits of the wearer. Realizing this, they travelled from their atelier in New York to the restless fashion mecca of Milan, where it held a runway show for its highly personable collection. Guests in attendance included G-Eazy, Chloe Bennet and Jason Lewis. The focus was on accented style and understated comforts, this collection remains true to the essential nature of BOSS while evoking an openness to Spring frivolities and calm Summer nights.

‘BOSS Individual’ suits are tailored into more relaxed shapes while their sportswear is precisely tailored and dressed up. The women’s SS20 line is filled with jackets nipped at the waist and wide-leg pants prioritizing comfort without sacrificing the signature BOSS styling. With fluid silk wrap skirts or maxi dresses there is a living sense of freedom as this collection breezes down the runway. With a flash-flood of seasonal colors interplayed with detailed craftsmanship and neatly tailored suits formal wear is elevated for the next decade and beyond. Whether it is the lightweight technical cloth on pants made for sport or the silk and cotton yarn open-knit sweaters, the SS20 collection delivers enough variety to truly encourage individualism on even the hottest days of Summer.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent SS20

A sudden storm moving forcefully, all of us under the glass roof over the seating, the light projected forming a sea of beams that played together with the Tour Ei¬¬ffel light spectacle. Saint Laurent always reserves a set design worth the rain and cold of an outdoor late summer show in Paris. As the model stormed in we saw the natural confidence of Vaccarello. Vertiginous shorts worn with blazers, at times declined in velvet or in black sequins rigorously matched with high knees boots or strappy sandals.

The looks converged increasingly towards an evening atmosphere - Vaccarelllo’s signature - in all its alluring connotations: second skin trousers paired with off-the-shoulder tops, long dresses lusciously embroidered, gold lamè, black, green or burgundy chiffon with gold motifs. Additionally the show displayed sharp tailoring, or as Anthony Vaccarello likes to call it “couture tailoring”, as he skilfully showed us season after season. The last suit, in black sequins, was worn graciously and fiercely by Naomi. Which icon could better embody this atmosphere? Thank you Anthony for always being true to your vision.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

NYFW: Sies Marjan Spring 2020

At the Hall of Records in Lower Manhattan during New York Fashion Week, Sies Marjan unveiled their Women’s collection for Spring 2020. They took their time and basked in their designs, the underlying theme of their show? A refined appreciation for taking one’s time in the knowledge that comfort and an excess of time are the only true luxuries. The collection’s color palette is inspired by nail polish and make-up, two applications that require patience and careful consideration. Creative Director of Sies Marjan, Sander Lak spoke on his collection, saying “it celebrates the beauty of having the time and freedom to create and consider your choices.”

Materials like untreated denim are tailored as if it were wool into the shape of fine suits whereas the dresses boast sophisticated fabrics. Double duchess satin, reptile-embossed silk and lacquered crocodile-embossed leathers evoke power and aesthetic prowess. Visually the dresses for Sies Marjan’s Spring ’20 collection are as effortlessly regal as they are tailored with precision. Vibrant colors won over the onlooking crowd, rich emeralds and devilishly alluring reds remind the eye of shimmering lip gloss. Walking the line between conservative and contemporary Lak’s vision for Spring 2020 is a vivid and amorous display of craftsmanship for those that take their time in life. Although it might seem pared down at times, this is a cornerstone of the collection. To surprise without outdoing oneself is not an easy task, Lak stated that he has “a desire for the beauty of wealth and time, but never in excess.”

www.siesmarjan.com

Fashion

NYFW: COACH SS20

Creative director of Coach, Stuart Ververs, presented his Spring 2020 men’s and women’s collections on the Spur and Coach Passage, the newest additions to New York’s High Line. A bright range of garments embellished with the pop art illustrations of Richard Bernstein brought to life notions of joy against all odds. A star studded audience including Kyrie Irving, Marina Testino, Miles Heizer, Megan Thee Stallion and Princess Nokia gazed at the joyful Spring 2020 collection.

Sandals and flats walked the runway in a laid back style rarely seen during such a high-class event. Multidisciplinary talent and the current face of Coach, Michael B. Jordan made a gesture to the next generation. He brought with him interns of his own initiative, ‘the Outlier Society Fellowship’ in order to reassert the boundless possibilities that young people from all walks of life can harness through Coach’s ‘Dream It Real’ initiative. Along with the eager young interns, Jordan also invited the fashion club from his hometown school in Jersey, Essex County Newark Tech High school.

Robert Hammond, co-founder of ‘Friends of the High Line’ as well as High Line’s inaugural artist, Simone Leigh came to see a myriad of colorful leathers, knits, flowing coats and dresses. Leigh received the first commission for High Line, she named it ‘Brick House’ and dedicated it to strong black female figureheads and indeed black beauty everywhere. Prominent models walking for Coach included brand ambassador, Kiko Mizuhara as well as Kaja Gerber, Julia Nobis, Adut Akech and Abby Champion. Coach’s Spring 2020 line embodies new beginnings, free spirited models walked the The High Line to evoke a raw authentic energy and the infinite possibilities ushered in by a new decade.

www.coach.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton: The Art of Travel

One of the foundational aspects of the house of Louis Vuitton, to travel freely and frequently where your heart truly takes you. It is this empassioned spirit that propels their latest collection, ‘The Art of Travel’. To dream is to escape the seemingly closed window that is reality, to escape is to truly live. Dreams and travel are intrinsically linked, as if there is more life to be lived in another place, in another way. There is no greater key to freedom than an immediate departure, gripping the present moment and doing away with instinctual hesitation.

Kit Butler, Rianne Van Rompaey and Fei Fei Sun are depicted in the farthest reaches of Vietnam’s moss green plains. Under the artistic direction of David James, photographer Angelo Pennetta captures the inimitable art of travel and the savy of those that flirt with the notion of where they feel most alive. The Petite Malle, the On The Go shopper as well as a large Steamer bag, of the finest materials display how distinctive yet subtle Louis Vuitton’s iconic motif really is. To never appear out of place is a valuable thing. Some prefer to move in a way that screams when most others whisper, this collection ebbs and flows as jauntily as the traveller. The gut feeling when a plane lifts off the runway and into clear skies, after this nothing but the destination matters. Well, that and your luggage of course.

www.louisvuitton.com

Travel

ALTES HAFENAMT: Hotel 25Hours

In contrast to the modern appearance of the surrounding Hafencity stands the Hotel 25Hours Altes Hafenamt, located in the oldest surviving building of the area. Inspired by the cozy style of a captain’s home, the hotel has a much more rustic and old-fashion flair. The Augsburg design team DREIMETA is responsible for the its new appearance, creating a harmonizing interplay of the old with the new. Historical details of the original building and nostalgic collectors pieces are used alongside new objects and exciting materials, allowing the building’s rich tradition to shine through in the most subtle manner.

The hotel Altes Hafenamt stands out amongst its hyper-modern surroundings. As the oldest and only remaining original building, it is a historical witness proudly showing its historic brick facade in dramatic contrast and exciting interplay of dimensions to the modern architecture of the 57-meter-high Cinnamon Tower, designed by Bolles & Willson.

The hotel’s offerings are completes with its restaurant NENI and the Boilerman Bar. Run by Haya Molcho, NENI is defined by its cosmopolitan soul food, drawing on the culinary traditions of the Arab world and Europe. NENI brings together tradition and the unexpected, marrying notions of heimant and wanderlust in a culinary experience, perfectly representative of Hamburg’s seafaring tradition and meeting point of different cultures. The Boilerman Bar is an unusual place with a defined casual character. Mainly focussing on rum, traditionally perceived as a typical seafarers’ drink, they offer fuss-free drinks of the highest quality, with Highballs being the house’s signature.

The 25Hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt offers an authentic and nostalgic experience of Hamburg, combining the contemporary needs of the urban nomad with a traditionally rustic character.

www.25hours-hotel.com

Art

Miron Zownir: 'City Landscapes'

In his upcoming solo exhibition ‘City landscapes’ Miron Zwonir, celebrated international documentary photographer, will put his usual focus into the background. Social outcasts, by choice or through disadvantage, are now only incidental subjects in the frying pan of a harsh metropolis bursting at the seams. The dark prince of noir photography will bring a cross section of over forty years of photography to Galerie Bene Taschen. The German-Ukrainian photographer lives in a world of contrast where repression and destruction guide the eye in a re-education of cities as a background for all change that people encounter within themselves. The strange creatures and tall shadows cast by streetlamps are products of their city, but ultimately never defined by them. Resilient and fervid throughout Zownir’s body of work are the fringe cultures set adrift in maddening urbanity.

Cities like Los Angeles, New York, Berlin or ones in Eastern Europe all beg similar questions. How does one exist in any of these environments and retain a strong sense of self? Zownir’s metropolises are on a merry-go-round of destruction, creation and somewhere in the chaos, transformation. Miron Zownir has been displayed in group and solo exhibitions at Bene Taschen before but never as cohesively as this. The gallery will display his most impactful photography including excerpts from his book ‘RIP NYC’ and scenes from his series ’Berlin Noir’. The very definition of normality and what it means to be you will be in question, leaving visitors with contrasting feelings on society at large as they depart. You can see more of this radical international photographer’s work in Cologne from September 7th until October 12th at Galerie Bene Taschen with an early reception on the 6th.

www.benetaschen.com

 www.mironzownir.com

Art

Duran Lantink: 'Old Stock'

The top floors of Utrecht’s Centraal Museum are taken over by Dutch fashion designer Duran Lantink, to recycle, repurpose and reimagine discarded designer fabrics. The 31-year-old designer, named after the Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán, calls his exhibition ‘Old Stock’. The solo exhibition follows Duran Lantink’s aesthetic journey along a path he paved for himself between fashion and art. Where does this path lead? It leads toward a world that wastes nothing and celebrates everything.

Praised as being one of fashion’s best up and coming talents at this year’s London Fashion Week, Lantink a variety of garments, all of which have his vigorous craftsmanship about them. The Centraal Museum is making sure Lantink has all the room to breathe he needs, allowing him to take over the top floors to better display his versatility and imagination.

‘Old Stock’ is divided into thirds, photography, an installation called ‘Straight From the Sales Bin’ and lastly ‘Dismantled’. “Sistaaz of the Castle”, the photo series, was started by Lantink three years ago with Jan Hoek and a transsexual workers organization known as ‘Sistaazhood’. They shadowed transsexual sex workers as they flaunted proudly around Cape Town. ‘Straight From the Sales Bin’ is Lantink’s way of distancing himself from the chain of destruction that sees unsold clothes burned, discarded or shredded.

As for ‘Dismantled’, Duran Lantink’s freedom of expression is a beacon to designers and artists the world over. Centraal Museum has horded designer clothing, dresses they chose not to display, that served no real purpose other than gathering dust until Lantink intervened, these stagnant garments are now reanimated and born again for the world to see. Regardless of the whether you perceive Duran as the Freddy Krueger of fashion or the edgy prodigal son that Dutch fashion sorely needed, one thing remains certain, this never resting creative mind has nowhere to go but up.

www.centraalmuseum.nl

Art

William Blake Reborn in New Tate Britain Exhibition

The largest exhibition of the artist William Blake, known foremost for his writing and then for his prophetic, dazzling and even terrifying works of art that were sorely overlooked during his lifetime, will now consume Tate Britain. The life of William Blake is one of fraught political angst, he offered the antithesis to the harsh rule of the church of England, paving a way forward for philosophers, artists, anyone that sought to explain in their own terms what it meant to be alive outside of religious definition. His vision was larger than his time allowed. 

This artist, poet and author, will claim his day in the sun in a manner never before seen in Great Britain. Some of his best-known paintings including ‘Newton’ (1795 - c. 1805) and ‘The Ancient of Days’ (1827) which later became a frontispiece for an edition of ‘Europe: A Prophecy”, the artists final painting. The quaint domestic room above his family’s hosiery shop, in which his art saw its only real exhibition in the year 1809, will be reconstructed in great detail to offer guests an authentic sense of how his art was displayed in his time. The exhibition hopes to provide a biographical framework with which to better understand Blake, even highlighting the vital influence of his wife Catherine, who offered practical assistance and even coloration for his illuminated books.

With over 300 original works including prints, watercolours and paintings, this is the largest showing of Blake’s work in the last two decades. Two of his works ‘The Spiritual Form of Nelson Guiding Leviathan’ (c. 1805-9) and ‘The Spiritual Form of Pitt Guiding Behemoth c. 1805) will be projected onto an enormous wall in the grand sense that Blake had imagined. Tate intends to reintroduce Blake to the public using modern techniques. From the 11th of September until February next year this wide range of the artist’s work will live at Tate Britain.

Tate.org.uk

Fashion

Bang & Olufsen x Saint Laurent

Where design meets functionality, Bang & Olufsen have never lacked or compromised. The audio giant, holding their design instincts close to their chest has landed a dream collaborator in Saint Laurent. The all black collection has subtle, luxurious twists that serve to remind Bang & Olufsen’s customers that they have sought out and found the most optimal quality.

The 3rd generation Beoplay A9 home speaker has room-filling sound and was originally designed to compliment tidy furnishings and simplistic décor. Without rocking the boat, Saint Laurent respects the under stated nature of the A9 home speaker while reminding the customer that they have invested in the very best. The legs that the larger home speaker, A9, stands on are transformed from wooden to aluminium with a finish in gold or in jet black anodized mirror.

Bang & Olufsen’s A1 Bluetooth speaker was designed to project sound on all sides for upmost ambiance. 360 degrees of sound emanate from its aluminium grill, the high gloss Saint Laurent logo printed in black. The A1 model says two things about the wearer; they have respect for timeless design and they have a love for music that demands the best sound quality wherever they go.

The only downside is how limited supplies are. The collection is only available at two physical locations. The speakers have been entrusted to Saint Laurent’s Paris store at Rive Droite and in Los Angeles, California at their Rodeo Drive store. This is an overdue example of Bang & Olufsen knowing and owning their true value with respect to both design and quality. While stocks last these rare speakers can also be ordered online.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Prada Play Matchmaker

Whether you fell in love with Prada’s banana bowling shirt or their action packed short sleeve button up’s make your head one thing remains true, we will be seeing a lot more Prada pairings. Their ‘Double Match’ personalization service opens in Germany next month offering customers the freedom to mix and match a variety of iconic Prada prints.

Playful and Prada is by no means synonymous, however, when you button up a shirt that has two very different styles on either side and it’s Prada, it is a completely undeniable statement of fun and fashion. Worn well by Jeff Goldblum and Pusha T, Prada asks their customers, what is life without a heavy splash of color? Is the sky not blue? Is the grass not green? For those among us who stick to wearing black, Prada encourages even more personality and customization. Don’t just buy off the rack, mix and match your Prada.

The Double Match personalization service will be available soon in select German stores.

www.prada.com

Fashion

To See The World Anew

From the early 80’s right up to the present day, Cartier has reaffirmed its place in the world of eyewear time and time again. This began with the breakout success of Lunettes CARTIER in 1983, one of fashion’s “must have’s” of the day, it symbolised the first true pair of luxury sunglasses. By 1989 they were producing bespoke reading glasses, a new version of Lunettes CARTIER for women, as well as a supplementary release of Lunettes Panthère to add to their highly popular range of Panthère products. The Lunettes lenses, awash with pale blue tints had an elegance rarely seen before in the larger world of eyewear.

Now, in their latest collection, Cartier approaches familiar motifs with new flare and a variety of Fall colors. Panthère de Cartier, a symbol of the fearless, elegant and everlasting returns with vigour to join the House’s Fall/Winter eyewear collection. The panther head is front-facing and embedded into the corner of each lens, it will simply not go unnoticed. Panthère’s masculine counterpart, Santos de Cartier has a purposeful and renewed look. Thick, dark shades screwed into a strong titanium frame, every bit as uncompromising and assertive as Santos de Cartier is known for being.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Doodling FENDI ROMA

The city has become a canvas with every wall offering a world of possibilities to leave a lasting mark. The times that art was meant for the canvas are long over and due to famous artists like Banksy, people start to recognize that street art is not to be dismissed.

F is for FENDI, but in this case, as Mr. Doodle says, F is for Fun. The 25-year old artist from London teams up with the luxury Italian house for ‘Doodling FENDI ROMA’, to inject the remarkable FENDI DNA with his iconic street art in a flawless act of creativity. With his signature doodles, his unique style of drawing, Sam Cox aka Mr. Doodle does not only cover the FENDI rooftop as initially planned, but the whole Palazzo Della Civilità Italiana. This collaboration reaffirms the Italian house’s bond to contemporary culture and graffiti art, as the Englishman is the fourth artist or collective to team up with FENDI.

Nonetheless, Mr. Doodle is the first artist to have the opportunity to take his pen to FENDI’s Peekaboo bag. Acting as his white canvas, the bag is covered in his signature doodles to create a fresh new look for a legendary bag.

www.fendi.com

Art

Mike Meiré: North-West

Mike Meiré found the inspiration for his newest solo exhibition NORTH-WEST in today’s North America. Always perceived as a place of freedom and endless opportunity, the continent today has become a place of contradictions caught between reality and idealism, departure and exclusion, progress and fatality. With his work, the German artist, designer and art director addresses the romanticised ideas surrounding the American Dream whilst at the same time confirming their very failure, making NORTH-WEST a metaphorical search for updated notions of freedom and identity.

Alongside ceramics, the show will present paintings from Meiré’s ongoing series CAR TIRE PAINTINGS. Central to this series is its performative component, the tyre hoovers over the canvas before it is slammed down by the artist and the few seconds between control and loss of control which define the unique outcome of each work. The conscious choice of the standardized tyre signals towards the achievements of modern life and the purposeful and functional design of the globalised consumer world.

NORTH-WEST will be open to the public by appointment only from July 28, 2019 until September 6, 2019 at Von Bartha in S-chanf.

www.vonbartha.com

Fashion

Stone Island x Nike Golf

Professional sports have become much more than the mere pursuit of athletic excellence. Athletic competitions have become grand spectacles, with the athletes being celebrated like celebrities by millions of people all over the globe. Constantly in the public eye, it is no longer just about winning, but winning in style with an increasing number of athletes, like Serena Williams and LeBron James, being equipped in personalized special collaborations or even bespoke athletic attire.

Italian brand Stone Island makes its first steps into the realm of athletic wear and teams up with Nike Golf. With the Nike x Stone Island golf collaboration, both brands combine Nike’s fundamental expertise in understanding the golfers’ needs and Stone Island’s expertise in fabric innovation to unveil true technical and performing pieces, able withstand even the most difficult weather conditions on the course. Adaptive fibres increase the garments’ breathability to maintain the athlete’s optimal temperature throughout play, whereas the water-resistant membrane provides adequate protection from the rain.

The two garments, a jacket and a crewneck available in multiple colorways, will debut during golf’s fourth and final major at Royal Portrush.

The Nike x Stone Island Golf collection will become available on July 25th.

www.nike.com
www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019

Black is a complex color that resonates with us. Even Christian Dior once wrote, ‘I could write a book about black’. For the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019-2020, Maria Grazia Chiuri presents a collection exclusively in black, only rarely punctured by color. Black demands perfection and it is this conscious choice that lets her true inspiration shine through. By erasing the color as a consideration, construction and silhouette, texture and detail come into focus. The monochrome color palette reveals the garments’ bone structure that holds them together and defines them.

Inspired by writer Bernard Rudolfksy, Maria Grazia Chirui engages in deep thoughts about the nature of clothes. She raised questions about the relation of modernity and sartorial customs, modernizing old techniques and outdated conventions, without losing Dior’s beautiful essence established by Christian Dior. Chiuri breaks with the belief that comfort always has to come at the expense of beauty and allure and adapts the essence of couture for a modern lifestyle.

The designer made her most daring statement by presenting her version of a Dior staple, the ball gown. The breathtaking garments, in all their grandeur and opulence, were defined by their lightness and a flair of modern ease, achieved through the use of lavish yet delicate materials. The lacquered organza, dégradé gauze jacquard and lace were adorned, here, with velvet scrolls, there, with thistles and wildflowers.

This collection was Maria Grazia Chirui’s most confident and exquisite couture collection. To answer the question raised at the start: ‘Are clothes modern?’ Yes, if beauty is considered modern, then so are these garments.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019

Pierpaolo Piccioli’s presentation of the Valentino Couture collection was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Paris Couture Week. A fact confirmed by the power trio of Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Campbell and Celine Dion takes place front row.

Piccioli recognized, that even in couture, the seduction through an abundance of elegance and craftsmanship is no longer sufficient. Instead, modern women are looking for a deeper message and buy into brands whose position is in line with their personal beliefs. In a period of increasing political isolationism, Piccioli sends out a message of individuality and inclusivity. It is only by embracing different women’s identities and cultures that couture can stay alive and well. A message reinforced by the diverse cast of models presenting his creations of irresistible beauty on the runway. To bring this idea into full expressiveness, Lauren Hutton, Cecilia Chancellor, Georgina Grenville and Hannelore Knuts, ranging in age between the early-40s and mid-70s, joined the lineup.

The collection was defined by its exceptionally buoyant colors, often in surprising combinations. But the dazzling display of colors is hardly the only characteristic that makes the collection stand out. The beautifully constructed dresses, adorned with elaborate embroidery and ornamentation, bear witness to the totality of expertise found inside Valentino. Painstakingly rendered by hand, the long dress with floral appliqués or the sleeveless gown made of rose squares attached one-by-one required hundreds of hours to be completed.

Pierpaolo rounded off his looks with a series of highly-elaborate ornamental heads and komondor wool fringes and set an example of a collection with a conscience.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Dunhill Spring Summer 2020

Mark Weston has been bringing fresh air in Dunhill’s heritage by maintaining the roots of this historical luxury English tailoring maison. This season saw a fluid sensuality barging in.

Together with the evolution and subversion in Dunhill’s tailoring Mark Weston continued his references to Japan, in particularly Japanese design from the 80s. Relaxed, wrapped tailoring with split helms reminiscent of Kimono-like cuts.

“I wanted elegance and austerity disrupted by sensuality and provocation, with a feeling of fluidity and ease running through it all. At the same time, rigour is all important; in tailoring particularly, nothing should just be for the sake of it.”. Mark Weston explained how Japanese elements were already crossing boundaries with Casual clothing culture in ‘80s Britain and how this collection is am ode to British tailoring on a broad sense.

Silky fluid pants with cropped jackets in dark blue, beautiful oversized ponchos in khaki, butter-soft leather tailored jackets, shiny silk acetate parkas, overwhelmingly beautiful and luscious white wool-silk fluid suit worn with flat leather hotel slippers. Weston built a collection between utility and elegance, rigour and distortion.

For Spring Summer 2020 Weston collaborated with Tokyo-based digital artist Kenta Cobayashi: “I had really been taken by Kenta’s work a couple of years ago and I was just waiting for the right time to ask him to work with me. In a sense, the whole digital field has become much more appealing – I love the idea of digital crafting.”

Weston handpicked four archive images of Cobayashi’s “Smudge” series – where he experiment with graphic distortion – to be reworked with Dunhill logo. Weston explained how the collaboration channelled classic campaign imagery from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Applied on outwear, bags and tailored pieces, Cobayashi’s glitched graphics channel the playful and sensual spirit for the new Dunhill.

www.dunhill.com

Art

John M Armleder CA.CA.

John M Armleder has never accepted the traditional boundaries of the different artistic disciplines. Regarded as one of the most influential concept, performance and object artists of the modern era, Armleder’s playful approach to artistic expression draws inspiration from a wide variety of sources, influential art movements, such as Modernism, Constructivism and Op-Art, as well as design, painting and pop culture.

Time after time, Armleder combines familiar tropes from art history with modern day items, commenting on our reality and the state of art itself. This juxtaposition of opposites runs like a red thread throughout his work, planning is faced by coincidence, profundity is shown alongside frivolity, exploring what art could and should be in an ever-changing cultural setting.

Both inside and outside the Schirn Kunsthalle, Armleder shows a number of specially created installations alongside some of his previous works. The freely accessible Rotunda is transformed into a life-sized installation by mounting twenty disco balls in different heights, capturing their reflections in the windows covered in mirror film.

John Armleder presents his seductive approach to Conceptual Art and stimulates the critical mind as well as the senses.

The exhibition will be open to the public until September 1st at the Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt.

www.schirn.de

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring Summer 2020

Imagine a mild summer day in Paris, walking on one of its characteristic little streets populated with cafés terraces, street musicians playing a classical piece, patrons sipping a glass of wine at the shadows of big parasols and the urban greenery that adorns most of the French capital’s urban spaces. Just across the street you can find benches where to read a book or enjoy the soft breeze, a mobile creperie vendor, maybe an artist painting your portrait.

Virgil Abloh’s third collection for Louis Vuitton channelled all the artistic influences of the American designer: a playful ode to boyhood, to the notion of free-minded spirit, crossing over gender boundaries.

Since the very first looks big flowers adorned the bodies and accessories together with straw hats reminiscent of a Provencal atmosphere. In the seasonal Virgil’s “Dictionary” – a collection of key words updated each time – you will see several new entries addressing this feelings: “flower”, “kite”, “lightness”, among the others, where the concept of flower is removed from the status “often relegated to the trivial or mundane” becoming instead a “naturally occurring metaphor for diversity, as beautiful on a micro level as they are on a macro level, a living creature that blooms from a simple seed, crosses borders”. 

The collection had a multidimensional and hybridised connotation: strings holding together the garment’s singular elements with a peek-a-boo effect, cut outs to create different volumes, but also caging, wrapping, gridding or netting, disrupting the conventional architecture of clothes.

Floating ponchos and raincoats in technical nylon taffeta, asymmetrical pleated skirts over wide-leg trousers, the last few looks presented sculptured attached on the shoulders and at time in forma of a kite.

Liliac, mauve, faded blue, sage, mist green, yellow, concrete grey, peony pink, fuchsia, neon orange, and the super white, or better called “blanc des blancs”, together with beautiful flower scarf patchwork. The colour palette enhanced this splendid Virgil Abloh’s ode to Nature and the ephemeral we all dreamed of.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Il Sarcofago di Spitzmaus e altri Tesori

Museums are places of knowledge. Each piece on display has been meticulously studied and analyzed before experts categorized it according to the right origins and time period. Just as the academic research on different civilizations is largely separated, each time period belongs to a separate collection within a museum.

With ‘Il Sarcofago di Spitzmaus e altri Tesori’, translating into ‘Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures’, the Fondazione Prada, in collaboration with the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, takes a less academic approach to the museum and its traditional methods of display. The task of curation is realized by film director Wes Anderson and illustrator, designer and writer Juman Malouf. Unconcerned with time periods and chronological accuracy, the two artists have access to 23 different collections belonging to two different museums, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna. Together, both artists selected 537 artworks and artefacts from over 5000 years of human history and showcase them alongside one another. Their interdisciplinary approach at times reveals unexpected parallels and resonances between the works and directly challenges traditional museum canons. The exhibition is titled after Coffin of a Spitzmaus, an Egyptian wooden box containing a mummified shrew from the 4th century BC.

After the display in Vienna, the exhibition moves to exhibition space of the Fondazione Prada in Milan. The Milan display is a second version with a larger display area and a greater number of exhibits. Alongside the exhibition, the Fondazione Prada publishes an artist’s book, which inspired by Duchamp’s Boîte-en-valise, elaborates the idea of the portable museum.

The exhibition ‘Il Sarcofago di Spitzmaus e altri Tesori’ is open to the public from the 20th of September 2019 until the 13th of January 2020 at the Fondazione Prada in Milan.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Art

In Conversation with... David LaChapelle

Reflex Gallery in Amsterdam created the series In Conversation With… in order to offer the showcased artists’ another platform to share their personal vision and background information on their work. In the fourth installment, the focus is on photographer David LaChapelle, who is currently exhibiting Act Of Nature at the gallery.

David LaChapelle rose to fame due to his unique vision and distinct aesthetic. Especially thanks to his celebrity portraits, David LaChapelle is considered one of the most important photographers of the century. His third exhibition at Reflex includes highlights from the past ten years alongside a selection of previously unseen work, on show for the first time in Amsterdam.

Throughout the interview, David LaChapelle offers an insight into his approach to photography and discusses how the challenges of a natural setting have influenced his way of working. In his work, LaChapelle tries to capture and share his imagination of paradise and the deep connection between humans and nature that sparked this idea. Alongside the exhibition, a publication of Act of Nature, containing an essay by author and art writer Katya Tylevich, will be available in Reflex Amsterdam.

Act of Nature is on view at Reflex Amsterdam until August 31st.

www.reflexamsterdam.com

Fashion

#UseTheExisting: Ermenegildo Zegna Spring/Summer 2020

Creative Director Alessandro Sartori realizes that his profession is not all about making beautiful garments. Yes, it is still a crucial part, but what is the price to pay? Fashion has found itself among the top three polluting industries in the world, trying to satisfy the insatiable desire for consumption without considering the environmental impact.

Sustainability is at the center of the Ermenegildo Zegna SS20 collection. With the project #UseTheExisting, Sartori proves that environmental protection and high fashion can go hand-in-hand. The incorporation of upcycled wools and technical fabrics form the house’s own textile division showcases that an alternative and sustainable way to produce refined materials out of discarded ones is indeed possible.

In his collection, Alessandro Sartori takes a new approach to tailoring, using traditional techniques in a new concept, such as the leather jacket that becomes a short-sleeved shirt. Overall the collection features wider silhouettes, making the fit just as pleasant as the good feeling one gets when putting on this sustainable and ecological garment.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli Spring/Summer 2020

With the Spring/Summer 2020 collection, Brunello Cucinelli sets a modern standard for dressing well. With the increased pace of modern life, style and comfort have to be perfectly balanced, posing a challenge to the often stiff formality of tailoring.

Brunello Cucinelli makes a conscious effort to move away from this stiffness, proving that dressing comfortably does not always equal dressing down. With softer fits, Cucinelli achieves a sophisticated yet casual feel, combining good taste with the sensation of comfort. The unstructured garments are defined by a refined contemporary zeitgeist, making them versatile companions for any occasion. The essence of the collection remains in tailoring, which alongside the knitwear in bright and fresh summer hues combines to the perfect look to face summer.

Regardless of the renewed aesthetic, Brunello Cucinelli keeps up the tradition of using the finest materials and excellent craftsmanship. As the overall trend is shifting towards casual dress and leisure, one can only consider Cucinelli’s creations fit for ennobled leisure.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Achilles Ion Gabriel joins CamperLab

From June 18th onwards, Achilles Ion Gabriel will become the new creative mind behind CamperLab. The Finnish designer will be in charge of the design team and define the brand’s creative strategy. By appointing the promising footwear designer, Camper hopes to implement his unique vision in a new era of further growth and development.

Before joining Camper, Achilles Ion Gabriel, currently based in Paris, was able to gather valuable experience industry with the likes of Marni and Courrèges, but also with his own brand ION.

Both designer and brand have found their ideal counterpart. Whereas Camper has expressed admiration for his previous work and will most definitetly benefit from the Finns’ talent, the designer gains insides of Camper’s unrivalled shoemaking heritage and an unparalleled opportunity for creative freedom and realization.

Achilles Ion Gabriel’s first collection at Camper will be presented in January as part of the Fall/Winter 2020 collection.

www.camper.com

Fashion

Cartier Magnitude

Not many brands have become as synonymous with elegance and luxury as Cartier. With its new high jewelry collection, the French manufacturer does not only celebrate its long tradition of excellent craftsmanship but also showcases a boldness for a new stylistic adventure and novelty in its designs.

Magnitude is an unexpected and bold encounter of materials that were never meant to meet. Side-by-side precious stones confront ornamental hard stones, complementing and highlighting each other in a display between opacity and transparency and pure colors and shimmering nuances.

To celebrate Magnitude, Cartier held an exclusive event in London. The iconic London building, 180 The Strand, was chosen to present the Maison’s newest collection, followed by an evening gala dinner hosted by Cyrille Vigneron, CEO & president of Cartier International. Alongside a performance by Beth Ditto, among the selected guests were notable friends of the house, as Claire Foy, Lily Collins, Bianco Brandolini as well as Ella Balinska, Iris Law and Diana Silvers.

The collection will be on show to the public at 180 The Strand London between June 27th and June 30th.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Gem Dior

Since its creation twenty years ago, Victoire de Castellane has continuously been the creative spirit behind Dior Joallerie. The new Dior High Jewellery Collection is therefore not only a celebration of the department's anniversary but also of de Castellane’s successful tenure at its helm.

The collection “Gem Dior”, a play on words between gem in English and j’aime meaning ‘I love…’ in French, is a declaration of love to stones and their infinite variety in hues and colors. These precious colored stones have long nourished de Castellane’s imagination and have been central to Dior’s poetic jewelry-making and whimsical story-telling.

The collection is a celebration of the gemstone as well as the exceptional know-how of its stone-cutters and polishers. Her compositions, harmonic in its color combinations and rhythmic in its shapes and mountings, express Victoire de Castellane’s entire narrative universe, with the realization that in the end what’s left is material and color.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Givenchy Pre-Spring 2020

With her Spring 2020 Pre-Collection, Givenchy’s Artistic Director Clare Waight Keller explores the notions of moving through the urban environment and today’s on-the-go, city-hopping lifestyle. Just like herself, constantly on the move between Paris, London and other various destinations, the modern person is always moving forward, whether along routes they have traveled countless times or across borders and time zones.

With the urban-chic collection, Clare Waight Keller takes couture to the streets, drawing inspiration from Paris and her own spring couture collection and London’s increasingly flamboyant and colorful streetwear scene. She merges traditional and technical, reviving classic pieces in saturated color and modern materials in order to achieve the practicality, formality and glamour she desires. The result is hybrid pieces that, according to the wearer’s needs, are easily dressed up or down.

In addition to this, Givenchy introduces its new line of women’s leather accessories. The four newly unveiled bags are intended to cover every facet of life for the modern woman on the go.

The Givenchy Spring 2020 Pre-Collection will arrive in store in July.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

F IS FOR..

With a faster-changing pace of the industry, certain brands have encountered issues relating to the new, digitally-active customer base. With the emergence of the internet and social media, the traditional brand-to-customer dynamic has drastically changed, leaving some alienated from this new generation of customers.

Rome-based brand FENDI has long recognized these concerns and proactively counteracted. F IS FOR is a campaign with youth culture at its core, aiming to translate the FENDI DNA for a younger customer. Similarly, FENDI also makes use of the online vernacular in form of the hashtag for its #MeandMyPeekaboo campaign.

For the first time, exclusively unveiled at ZOO Magazine, both campaigns merge to create the first-ever special #MeandMyPeekaboo episode featuring the Lin family. In familiar fashion, FENDI puts family intimacy at the center of the video, showcasing authentic interactions between identical twins John and James with their twins Elise and Pierre, older son Jude and Julia Lin. In and around their home in Miami, the iconic FENDI logo is ever present, with the Peekaboo Fit for Men and the Peekaboo XS never leaving their side.

F is for family, the FENDI family as well as John Lin’s own.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

LOEWE & the Elephants

LOEWE cares for natural preservation and the well-being of endangered species. Creative director Jonathan Anderson expressed his compassion by partnering with Knot On My Planet last year to support the Elephant Crisis Fund. The resulting elephant-shaped bag aimed to raise awareness and to set a clear sign condemning the demand and trafficking of ivory.

The elephant motif has remained with the house ever since, as just this year, Iconic Disney character Dumbo the Elephant gave inspiration for a limited edition capsule collection. The elephant-motif will now available hand-size in form of a phone case, as a continuation of the expertly crafted line of elephant-shaped bags. This case, adorned with an elephant’s head, is just the latest embodiment of LOEWE’s campaign fuelled by its love for elephants.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Cartier Santos-Dumont

French manufacurer Cartier pays homage to the rich history of its iconic Santos-Dumont model. First created in 1904, Louis Cartier designed a modern wristwatch, exclusively suited to the needs of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Ever since being unveiled to the public, the design, exuding simplicity, innovation and elegance, has always remained true to the original. The square-shape, reminiscent of the geometry popular in Paris at the time, is paired with an unadorned alligator leather strap. Practicality remains central to this classic. To achieve this, Cartier enchanced its performance with a high-efficiency quartz movement featuring an autonimity twice as long as traditional movements. The Santos-Dumont model is available in two different sizes and three shades in hues of rose gold and steel.

www.cartier.com

Art

Sumo and the three boys from Pasadena

The Helmut Newton Foundation unveils its new exhibition, combining the photographic work ''SUMO'' of Helmut Newton, his private collection, developed with his wife June Newtown and Three Boys From Pasadena by his three apprentices Mark Arbeit, George Holz and Just Loomis.

Newton’s masterpiece SUMO was created 20 years ago and first exhibited a decade later. Consisting of 400 iconic images, from the genres fashion, portraiture and nudes in black and white and colour, they include, to only mention a few, his famous portraits of artists like Salvadór Dalí and Andy Warhol as well as his work for various magazines, like Vogue or Vanity Fair.

His three apprentices augment their Three Boys From Pasadena, created ten years ago, with new works. The additions are a combination of life-sized photograms of models by Mark Areit, Hollywood portraits of legends by George Holz and intimate ‘Backstage’ works, showcasing the hidden, less glamorous facets of fashion, by Just Loomis.

Furthermore, we are offered an insight into the couple’s exquisite photo collection, featuring 50 valuable vintage prints in original frame of the 20th century’s most influential and important photographers.

The exhibition opens on the 6th of June at the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin.

Art

Anthropometry

One year after his passing, multifaceted artist Getulio Alviani, pioneer in the movement of kinetic art and Op-Art, was celebrated in the framework of the 58th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. In the spirit of Alviani’s vision, the Palazzo Barbaro on the Grand Canal is transformed into an interdisciplinary exhibition Anthropometry combining art, fashion, jewelry music and theatrical performance, perfectly staged during the opening vernissage featuring live performances of Brazilian actress Lìgia Cortez and famous eclectic virtuoso Olen Cesari.

The dress “Cerchio + Quadrato” worn during Cortez’s performance shows that Alviani’s collaborations in the field of fashion, springing from the research of avant-garde materials and technologies, with designer Germana Marucelli are one of the focal points. By applying his visual experimentations with light and optical illusions to sartorial endeavours, designer Marucelli constructs wearable pieces of art, transforming and evolving with movement and in relation to the body that wears them.

The exhibition is open to the public until the 30th of May in the Palazzo Barbaro in Venice.

Fashion

Everything is going to restart

When did we enter this state of war with each other? The feeling of defeat used to be rare, a symptom of testing the limits. Now, it feels more like the kind of dull ache you’d develop if you lived in a house with leaky pipes; a vague, tolerable heaviness that doesn’t go away. British designer Claire Barrow offers some hope that the end is in sight. The third installment of her Xtreme Sports mini-collections, Les Sports Extréme, pours thought on the theme of battles – both political and personal, socially and for the sake of the self. Her multidisciplinary entry point to art has fostered an illustrative capsule clothing line and short film, created by regular collaborator Daniel Swan, soundtracked by a self-authored song that jars lines from Les Misérables and new phrases that feel urgent to our time, fractured with the ad-libs and manic laughing of a characterful cast.

“You sometimes forget that the battle is still ongoing,” says Barrow, “things just seem hard now. There’s still hope, but I can’t help feel defeated by some of the evils. I wanted to embrace that despair in the collection a little.” The chaos that comes with losing control translates to the casual silhouettes of T-shirts, hoodies, silk wide-legs and scarves. Barrow breaks a dominant night blue base with innocent licks of baby pink, blue and yellow – sweet tones marred by distressing, patched with crying baby faces. Fantastical and historical figures form the intricate illustrations: dreamlike drawings of knights and teddy bears, pigeons and mermaids, clinging tightly to one another, hands held to harness the strength of a circle, while the rising figure of Lady Liberty, as immortalized by Eugène Delacroix, waves a flag into the new dawn. With their graffiti signatures, rips and ragged stitching, the Trash Barricade tees speak of resistance and division, imploring all around to declare their loyalties with the question, “What side are you on?” stamped at the back of the body.

“I was interested in how things are still left open, even after conflict,” Barrow says, “nothing is ever really resolved. Like the French Revolution: the people won, but we are still entrenched in the same discussion as we were then.” For once, someone is wrestling with the grey area, rather than falling by the fault lines of the black and white; with that, Barrow serves the solution of solidarity alongside the still-raw wounds of rivalry, hopefully a sign that peacetime will soon come.

www.clairebarrow.com

Art

Aneta Bartos: Family Portrait 2014-2018

With her first solo exhibition Family Portrait 2014-2018 at Tommy Simoens Gallery in Antwerpen, Polish-born photographer Aneta Bartos offered a first cohesive overview of her ongoing project, which has been four years in the making.

Daughter of a lifelong bodybuilder, the photographer offers an insight into her psyche formed by an unusually liberal upbringing, surrounded by nudeness in an otherwise stern Catholic environment. Each photograph features her own ageing father, caught in his obsession with the perfect physique, as well as herself, the daughter, now as a grown woman intensely aware of her own sexuality.

The exhibition highlights the complex dynamics of this very personal relationship, displaying a fa-ther and a daughter sometimes close, but also so far apart that they are seemingly invisible to each other.

The personal feel is not limited to the photographic work but is supported by the installation itself, which features bodybuilding equipment transported from the father’s gym in Poland.

The exhibition is extended until 18th of May at Tommy Simoens Gallery in Antwerpen.

www.tommysimoens.com

Art

Autonomous Intimacy

Every house is unique and has therefore its very own autonomous intimacy. It has an atmosphere that emerges out of a few characteristic factors; the place where it is situated, the people who live in that house, and their specific interests are aspects that create a certain interior. Rugstar decided to delve deeper into these autonomous spheres to find out more about the underlying influences of houses and how Rugstar’s carpets became part of their very own intimate interior.

Starting in Berlin, one of the most eccentric cities of Europe with a very autonomous identity.18 interiors styled by Rugstar were shot by Local photographer Michael Tewes. Each picture tells the home its intimate individual story. The setting appeals to your imagination about the people, their relationship and their lives that largely take place here. Berlin is a very open-minded city and also the people who live here have largely incorporated this thought into their personal environments. Styles are provocatively combined with each other and produce fascinating compositions that create a layered and profound story about what is going on inside these walls. Rugstar’s beautiful rugs are off course leading and add an individual element to each interior with themes like Adam & Eve, The Garden of Eden, and many more.

The second city is Portland, one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world with a very urban lifestyle. Photographer Laurie Black based in Portland took Rugstar to all the different kinds of homes in this very green metropolitan. Classic, authentic interiors are embellished with carpets containing graphic natural animal and plant prints executed in soft colors. These prints embody the Portland lifestyle wherein nature is fully coalesced with the urban city life. The inhabitants here have found a way to create an intimate urban design place that honors nature to the fullest.

The intimacy project is an expression of love for personal stories and through which inspirations they came about. In exchange for these, the Rugstar team will cook and share their vision about styling, designing and craftsmanship. Next stop: Beijing! Are you ready to share your autonomous story?

www.rugstar.com

Fashion

What Was I?

By Goshka Macuga and Fondazione Prada

Who am I, who do I want to become? Questions that we ask ourselves all the time. We always want to go forward and therefore we hardly ask ourselves whom we were. Through the years, our society changed by shifting into a fully technological civilization.

Polish installation artist Goshka Macuga created in collaboration with Fondazione Prada an intriguing exhibition that will be presented in the Prada Rong Zhai residence (1918) in Shanghai from 23 March to 2 June 2019.

Macuga created an imagination of a post-Anthropocene epoch that gives a sense of the world after the collapse of humankind due to the affects of technological overdevelopment. An android designed by Macuga and produced in Japan by A Lab (presented already in 2016 by Fondazione Prada in Milan) is taking you on an unexpected journey. The android proclaims in its repeating monologue that he is the depot of all human knowledge. This futuristic imaginative scenario no longer has a human perspective and reflects therefore on the dramatic question: “What was I?” The voice of this creature is the one of Frankenstein the protagonist from the gothic novel “Frankenstein” written by Mary Shelley in 1818, to add an extra post-apocalyptic sphere.

In this story, the Android occupies all the rooms of the Rong Zhai residence wherein he is revealing his very own art collection: 26 pieces from the Prada Collection including several Italian art masterpieces, from 1958 to 1993, as well as 3 recent paper collages by the artist, part of the series ‘Discrete Model.’

Many influences pass by; a selection of artists from the German Zero-group and the Italian and French Programmed and Kinetic Art movement with names as Jan Schoonhoven, Luis Tomasello, Grazia Varisco, and Nanda Vigo who all explore the complexity of computer-animated, geometric shapes that have their own autonomous alphabet of forms. The Android is enclosed by a constellation of artworks produced by Italian artists, Enrico Castellani and Piero Manzoni who composed a language without images. Lastly we see Alberto Burri, Lucio Fontana, Francesco Lo Savio, Salvatore Scarpitta, Turi Simeti and Giuseppe Uncini, presenting new experiments in order to overcome physical and symbolic boundaries in an unconventional way by integrating art more deeply into reality.

The artists and their work each contribute in their own way to a new sense of human consciousness about an intimate habitat that may start its own existence at any moment.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

Seriously Studious

In Paris this week, as a celebration of the tailored sensibilities in menswear, Thom Browne presents its studious, sturdy looks catered for women. Serious, scholarly looking models appear bespectacled, donning attire displaying rigorous couture craftsmanship.

A decade since Manhattan based Thom Browne first launched his vision in Europe, the seed of an idea that has ignited an ever-evolving and expanding brand, is resown and replicated for this Fall / Winter collection. Full wardrobes are strictly tailored, aptly reinvented for a modern climate where women adopt the roles traditionally dominated by men; socks, briefcases and brogues. Here the fashion follows, yet retains a strictness and playfulness full of charisma and character.

The clear base of the looks leaves ample room for experimental invention and creation and it is here that Thom Browne’s brand signature is full realised and used as a canvas for playful exploration with plenty of embellishments, grosgrain tape and duck motifs. All the outfits, from chesterfield coats and checked tweeds and wools, create a trompe l’oeil effect showing off details born from a real technical prowess.

www.thombrowne.com

Fashion

Restrained Classicism

In Paris this week, Hermes proves time again that conservative fashion rules this season, presenting garments that are subtly constructed to last for generations. Proving less is more, the collection is classically chic and brimming with Parisian style, restrained yet by no means dull. Classicism here is interpreted rather as a modern way of viewing life, resisting wastefulness, rejecting whims and crafting garments with longevity.

Bourgeois looks are stapled with simplicity and this is key to the entire collection. Leather skirts are textured, nipping in long sleeved printed silks at the waistline. Leather is utilised to the absolute maximum; a textile in its own singular right.

Outerwear is of course taken account for, calfskin dressings exhibit meticulous seamings that contour the silhouette in a breathtaking and striking manner. Camel-hair cocoon coats are adorned with polyhedron shaped buttons, this and exterior leathers concealing soft goose feather interiors that offer style and utility. Layers play an important role, contributing a sense of comfort and effortless attitude spearheaded by the wearer. Hermes at their best  champion well-made pieces and unyieldingly showcase their timeless values.

 www.hermes.com

Fashion

A Retrospective of Icons

KENZO La Collection Memento N ° 4 presents a selection from it’s stunning emblematic archive by putting the most creative printed prints on the map again. Both the fun and whimsical side of Kenzo Takada is clearly presented. His striking attitude towards fashion, his partiality for food and above all entertainment form a broad palette of inspiration.

Historical icons such as the tiger (coming from the men's collection spring-summer 1991), appears this season again in new expressions and embellishments. The tiger is KENZO's eternal dedication, a symbol of strength, something that must always be there to move on. Photorealistic airbrush tigers are made in two colors on T-shirts, sweaters or shirts of cotton poplin. The "running tiger motif" and the "spring tiger" (from the women's autumn-winter collection 1983) are extravagantly released in gold, burgundy and leopard prints, depicted on the "Jungle" bomber jackets, dresses and knitted tops and skirts.

Secondly, do you remember besides the tiger, the other iconic symbol? It is the hyper real painted tomato in either red or yellow. The tomatoes became big in KENZO’s Spring Summer men’s collection in 1992. The tomatoes are pictured on comfy cotton pieces, short sleeve archival smock dresses and mesh shirts.

Lastly this new edition of prints also introduces great line of bags – bumbags, backpacks, totes and the reversible “Knot” bag – also printed on caps and slip on trainers.

This innovative and exciting collection embodies KENZO's valuable design heritage, which can continuously adapt to the latest trends.

www.kenzo.com

Fashion

Apocalyptic fantasy

“When control is released, chaos is created that will lead to innovation and a new imaginative realism.”

With this thought, Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient designed the new futuristic collection for Ottolinger. The old wooden theater of the Lycee Jacques Decour turned into a perception-disturbing environment, where lights flashed and overwhelming metallic sounds filled the room. Chaos was clearly the key to a new sort of innovation in this collection.

The aesthetic codes are emphatically based on the unusual; for example psychedelic check knits are incorporated in denim and sportswear. Asymetric tops and trousers are executed in torn fabrics, body-outfits made of flannel. The creative duo focused on completely technical textile looks. Ski outfits shaped as spatial uniforms enhanced the female silhouette. They are tailor-made copies, easy to carry, creative but very elegant.

Ottolinger tells the story of a civilization that is led by unpredictable movements - another planetary system. The elaboration is based on speculative dreams that leave much to the imagination.

www.ottolinger.com

Fashion

It's All About Glamour

MaxMara makes crystal clear in their Fall / Winter line that women need not suppress their glamorous side in order to be taken seriously. The old age debate has been settled. Not only does glamour empower women but it is all about the clothes and how they make you feel that allows you to shine and ultimately triumph.

Defying all conventions of dress, the collection exhibits strong silhouettes at the shoulder that expand wider, boxier and leggier down the form. Artfully bound in leather, plush alpaca, camel and cashmere, all the fabrics sink into one another and are fabulously topped off with statement thigh high boots.

Skirts appear cut from men’s pants, hanging softly both above the knee and grazing the ankles and svelte polo sweaters put the power in power dressing.

For the working women, beautifully tailored utility vests, jackets and cargo shorts are adorned with multiple zips and pockets. Technicolour total looks bring a refreshing lightness and positivity to the line. MaxMara at their very best, designing and making clothes that put you in the mood to take on the workplace, the party, the world, even when you do not at first in the right state to do so. The collection presents the best and boldest of women's ability and potential in universally flattering tones and movable, soft fabrics.

www.maxmarafashiongroup.com

Fashion

Zegna Brings Italy To Manhattan

Down Manhattan’s 4 West 57th Street in the historic Crown Building, Zegna launches their three-story high global store. A world leader in luxury menswear, Zegna have enlisted renowned architect Peter Marino for this bold chapter in Zegna’s history.

Within this expansive retail space of 600 square maters, customers can begin their virtual journey through the Zegna world, following the ever-changing ephemeral installation all year round. Façade metallic strings overlay two stories of glass, illuminated by LED lights when the sun goes down. The effect is an emotional fil rouge shadowing the visitor right from the external window display to the very heart of the store.

The ground floor presents leather goods and shoes, all uplifted by neutral tones of cerused ashwood, mahogany and vals stone. An unusual wooden box structure envelops the entire space, creating an aesthetic thread that runs seamlessly between the three levels.

The third floor showcases Sartoria, Luxury Leisurewear, Couture and a specially designed personalised room: the open space hosted by a master tailor to assist meet all needs. A glance around reveals a fusion of modernist and vintage elements with matte teak and laquered wood. Extra details include a welcoming Italian bar, a Gardella lounge chair on a geometric patterned carpet and historical photos that surround the space.

An intimate environment showcasing bespoke clothing speaks right to the brand’s heritage; the very notebook Ermenegildo Zegna carried on his founding trip to NY in 1938 inspiring the collection. Now, a new generation of American men can uncover modern luxury rooted in quintessential Italian style.


www.zegna.us

Fashion

A Transatlantic Aura

Longchamp, NY Fashion week Fall/Winter 2019

Creative director Sophie Delafontaine led us through a beautiful independent journey of self-discovery that embodied the free-spirited aura of traveling women. Longchamp its Fall / Winter collection is characterized by an intrinsic rock 'n' roll attitude with influences derived from places located between Paris and New York. In order to emphasize the spirit of travel, the models parade across a carpet that is inspired by a traditional landing strip designed by Andrée Putman.

The 70-year-old Longchamp brand founded by Jean Cassegrain and still owned by the Cassegrain family, is the ultimate symbol of effortless Parisian femininity. Over the years, the brand continuously translated this characteristic into a contemporary version. The nomadic character is realized in silk dresses and pleated skirts made out of embroidered tulle or delicate woolen mesh. This dreamy bohemian look is interspersed with fresh, cool contrasting pieces that consist of black leather tops and architectural coats with graphic or Apaloosa prints that indirectly represent New York as vibrant, world metropolitan city. Details like grosgrian ribbons and hard silver studs give the elegance a sturdy rock edge. Delafontaine lets contrasts blend together by mixing textures, silhouettes and patterns and matching them with dynamic extremes. Several Bauhaus artists whom are central worldwide this season indirectly inspire this approach.

The sense of division and coolness is a prevailing feeling today in metropolitans. This feeling is clearly present, especially in Longchamp’s new handbag collection, La Voyageuse. A vivid compact silhouette executed in many colors and fabrics available in two sizes for both travelling short and long distances and is therefore a preferred travel companion.

This collection represents the idea of ultimate wanderlust and freedom. The attitude is owned by strong, independent women who effortlessly combine style and influences without any fear.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

An Intriguing Her-interpretation

Prada unveils its 2019 Spring/Summer collection in a very special manner; the campaigns give the impression of scenes coming from early film posters. The collection will be presented into two films conducted by directors Willy Vanderperre and Benoît Debie.

The settings are classical, re-contextualized, enigmatic film scenes, which have been an endless source of inspiration and fascination for these collections. Each short film is an attractive puzzle piece, part of a larger whole that refers to the classic Hollywood genre. The unique sound pieces arranged by composer Frédéric Sanchez emphasize deeply this esoteric atmosphere even more.

The film-inspired stills do not show what you would expect; these do not conform to what already exists. The films are little portraits each containing an intriguing underlying message. A duality between what is already there and what reality could have been. Every protagonist including Daan Duez, Freja Beha Erichsen and Liu Wen discovers their different personal characters through the versatile facets of this Spring/Summer collection. The short films are an artistic stylized biographical documentary in which the viewer is exposed to the many possibilities that our reality may contain.

These short films will be revealed gradually on Prada's social media channels.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Tambour Horizon

Louis Vuitton introduces the Tambour Horizon watch; this fully connected piece embodies the spirit of travel and authentic craftsmanship. In contrast to the previous designs, this model allows you to personalise the dial with your own chosen watch face. Very extraordinary is the watch face; the design aesthetic refers to a classical Louis Vuitton runway show.

Louis Vuitton as a brand has symbolized “the art of traveling” for a very long time already. This watch is subversive, since it is able to synchronize all your travel information together in one place together with your agenda. Because the world has become increasingly polluted, Louis Vuitton has integrated a "Pollution" function that continuously displays the current air quality index on the dial.

The Tambour Horizon has a unisex case with a unique shape and is available in polished white ceramics, polished steel, matte black and brown Pvd and white with gem-set horns. The Tambour Horizon is the ultimate combination of smart and refined craftsmanship and technical excellence. The brown Pvd is especially symbolic; this color has been an integral part of Louis Vuitton’s aesthetic since 1854, used most prominently in the emblematic Monogram design.

www.louisvuitton.com

Cinema

Soggettiva 4 - Expressway Milano

Fondazione Prada’s Cinema presents the fourth chapter of the series “Soggettiva” with the title Expressway Milano made by Danish director Nicolas Winding. This chapter is a “cinematic journey into the rare and unknown” screening 13 forgotten American 1960’s/1970’s films from the online archive by Nicolas Winding Refn.

The oeuvre contains several genres from drive-in movies to lost avant-garde cinema, horror and gothic fantasy films to musicals, "nudie cutie" movies to religious and propaganda cinema. All are divided into 4 volumes: Volume 1 “Regional Renegades” constitutes: The Nest of The Cuckoo Birds (1965) by Bert Williams, Hot Thrills and Warm Chills (1967) by Dale Berry and Shanty Tramp (1967) by Joseph P. Mawra.

Volume 2 “Missing Links” covers: Night Tide (1961) by Curtis Harrington, If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do? (1972) by Ron Ormond, The Burning Hell (1974) by Ron Ormond and Spring Night, Summer Night (1967) by Joseph L. Anderson.

Volume 3 called "Hillbillies, Hustlers, and Fallen Idols" composes: Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers (1967) by Larry E. Jackson, Wild Guitar (1962) by Ray Dennis Steckler and House on Bare Mountain (1962) by Lee Frost.

And lastly Volume 4 “Smell of Female” span Chained Girls (1965) by Joseph P. Mawra, Satan in High Heels (1962) by Jerald Intrator and Maidens of Fetish Street (1966) by Saul Resnick.

On Friday 22 February 2019 the Fondazione Prada’s Cinema stages “Soggetiva Nicolas Winding Refn” and holds a special conversation between Nicolas Winding, Jimmy McDonough (Managing editor), David Frost (director of BUREAU) and film critic Manlio Gomarasca about Nicolas Winding Refn’s new adventure known as ’NWR’. This revolutionary online archive in form of a platform was presented in 2018 and developed in collaboration with London-based agency BUREAU.

"What we've created is not a film, TV, fashion, photography, lifestyle or political site. It's an installation, an online museum inclusive of everything. There's a movie presented each month, but that film is merely the jumping off point. It's the seed to inspire creativity, provoke a state of mind. The result isn't easy to explain in a soundbite, you have to experience it. byNWR comes with a mystery attached".

All the public screenings of "Soggettiva Nicolas Winding Refn," are taking place at Fondazione Prada’s Cinema on Fridays from 1 March to 24 May 2019, and will be free, but are only accessible on reservation.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

Alyx Fall 2019 Mens / Pre-fall 2019 Womens

Since the very beginning Matthew Willams’s Alyx stood for experimenting new silhouettes and technologies, developing new processes and building a new aesthetic made of small details into a whole.

For his second show during Paris Fashion Week official schedule Williams created a collection with all the elements that have been the brand’s signature ever since: the asymmetric cut, the coulisse used in dresses and pants to create new volumes and of course the very well known buckle (that was also designed for Kim Jones’s Dior Homme). This season renewed in a new moulded nylon version, with high density but lightweight, expanding applications and functional variations: around the neck as jewel and almost everywhere else in the collection.

The collection also featured a beautiful camouflage print tie-dyed on the roll and with sponges, as well polar fleece bonded with a 3-layer taped Japanese mesh produced in collaboration with the Italian manufacturer specialist Majocchi.

Matthew Willams refined his vision into the future with sustainability in mind: fabric welding using high-frequency molecular friction allowing low energy consumption and no solvents.

www.alyxstudio.com

Fashion

Thom Browne Fall 2019 Mens

Thom Browne is a master in staging a theatrical spectacle with several acts and characters playing. Last Womenswear show was a tale of sea creatures. For Fall 2019 Menswear it is the Bubble Wrap Odyssey.

With a set composed by 36 bubble wrap stands along the runway the first 8 looks were completely composed by bubble wrap gloves and dresses. Thom Browne’ playful overture anticipated the main acts: a Menswear collection designed by researching the essence od Womenswear codes: corsets, jackets draped and juxtaposed to create trompe l’oeil dresses. Looks were declined in two perfectly identical version, pant and skirt matching different tartan coats, all wearing Mary Jane.

It was a beautiful show imbued with Thom Browne’s signature poetic and definitely a collection we would love to own, regardless of gender.

www.thombrowne.com

Fashion

Berluti Fall 2019

When Kris Van Assche was appointed new creative director at Berluti, the legendary Italian brand famous for its custom made shoes, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation for the new breeze this visionary designer would be able to bring.

We have been all following him in the developing of his codes along the years: the fascination to the New Wave music, the nod to a new modern tailoring with that sharp body-conscious blazer ushed further for the last collections at Dior Homme inspired by the Bar Suit.

Kris Van Assche knows how to take the elements of a brand’s heritage and bring them into his own aesthetic. For his Berluti first show he worked on emotional elements dear to the brand: the white marble table used by Berluti’s artisans since 1895 to polish the renowned shoes, photographed and used as print for shirt, coats, sweaters. You can see every mark left by the coloured shoe polish in the years, the craft, the spirit of the time.

The appeal of manipulated leather was used since the fist look: a brown leather suit with a patina finish (a technique known for the famous shoes of the Maison), a beautiful grey double breasted overcoat matched with a relaxed pinstripe suit marbled shirt + tie combo, smart bags.

The vibrancy of the colours found on the iconic Ferrara headquarters’ marble table were back in the suits and coats: ruby, brilliant green, blue, ochre, also carefully declined on few female models. The majestic show location of Garnier Opera resulted the perfect set for Van Assche’s new modernity, where backstage all his old and new supporters warmly welcomed this new course.

www.berluti.com

Art

New Flagship store Molteni&C | Dada in London

This month the Molteni group opened its third global brand showcase in contemporary number one design city; London. This high-end artistic design venue is applicably situated against the famous V&A design museum in the heart of Chelsea. Creative director Vincent Van Duysen has succeeded in creating a unique quiet moment in such a vibrant city. This new store represents a romantic life full of Italian flair, propagated in an "ordinary" looking house with two levels divided into many different zones.

To start with an impressive entrance, built on an inner door opens onto two floor-to-ceiling glass. Then you arrive at an iconic spiral staircase made out of walnut wooden and marble steps. Van Duysen made some sensational stylistic choices like the winter gardens brimming with all sorts of luxurious plants. This place is characterized by the theme of alternating perceptions that emerge in the surprising color and texture palette travertine marble and Korean walnut executed in various shades of gold and warm and bone greys.

This space is gracious, welcoming, dimensional and fluid thanks to the innovative distinctive details that will display the collections of designers such as Vincent van Duysen, Rodolfo Dordoni, Ron Gilad, Foster + Partners, Jean Nouvel and Patricia Urquiola and many others each in their own unique way.

To celebrate the opening, the new London Flagship Store will display a series of works by contemporary artists that develop The Collector’s House project, a concept presented at the 2018 Salone del Mobile and, subsequently, in the New York Flagship inaugurated last May. The Collector’s House, curated by art curator Caroline Corbetta, is an ideal collection that contributes to creating an ecosystem in which design and art enhance each other. Some designers that contribute are: Giuseppe Buzzotta (1983); Alessandro Dandini de Sylva (1981), Cleo Fariselli (1982), Emiliano Maggi (1977) Matteo Nasini (1976) and Vincenzo Schillaci (1984) are the six young Italian artists, represented by Rome’s Galleria Operativa.

www.molteni.it

Fashion

Paris meets Munich

Parisian Cartier opens a new pop-up Boutique in Münich this week. A traditional Cartier store divided into three different themes, all characterized by classical Parisian charm and designed by famous Parisian interior architect Laura Gonzalez.

First you enter the bar, which gives you the feeling of stepping into a typical bistro in Marais. The luxury velvet, marble and oak details underline the elegant and chic French aesthetics and give you the feeling that you never want to leave.

The second entry is into the salon; an area that breathes the so-called savoir-vivre feeling. The mirror wall in combination with an extraordinary monumental chandelier and dining table are the perfect combination between a typical French romantic Burgundian lifestyle and the Parisian metropolitan spirit. Artistic atmospheres and individual design furniture give this boutique an innovative touch and translate the classical French/Parisian concepts into a new experience.

Lastly you arrive at the boudoir in which two large chaise longues and dark green color scents immediately attract attention. Iconic Cartier images through time adorn the walls in a playful way and take you through the empire of Cartier as a jewellery maison.

The Paris apartment is located on the fourth floor of the current boutique's house at the Maximilianstrasse and will remain open until Fall 2019.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Playful Drama

Odeeh's Jörg Ehrlich and Otto Drögsler want to create some drama for FW19. They conceptualized strong, individual pieces that can stand on their own. Many of the pieces play with opposites and challenge our understanding of a classic. Instead Ehrlich and Drögsler play on emotions with playful silhouettes. We see a dress with a pleated skirt and denim contrasts, a voluminous pink dress with fringe that teeters like feathers. What could have been all over the place comes together quite nicely with a limited color palette and standalone prints which find just the right balance.

The starting point for this collection was a 1920s workwear shirt found on one of their vintage tours in London. Both immediately translated that into a shirt in a fairly similar cut, but made from gray cashmere with an added pink fake fur collar. Low-slung waists too reference the 20s and show off Odeeh's nonchalant approach to the gender binary.

www.odeeh.com

Fashion

"To The Moon"

Keeping with this theme, interdisciplinary fashion icon Esther Perbandt presented an installation of her new collection “To The Moon” during Berlin Fashion Week and introduced her limited partnership with Feminista - the first political perfume. The showcase also serves as a celebration of Perbandt's 15 years in the industry. With “To The Moon”, a tale as old as time re-imagined anew, she complements the almost stern and deconstructed collection with beautiful organic, harmonious shapes, made from manipulated and molded leather. Futuristic technology, such as 3D printing and CNC milling, meets traditional leather craft processes, resulting in shapes that are inspired by the feeling that one could indeed fly to the moon.

www.estherperbandt.com

Fashion

Walks of Life by Ermenegildo Zegna

For the Fall/Winter 2019 show of Milan fashion week, the hall of Milano Central turned into a metropolitan catwalk for Ermenegildo Zegna. The brand wanted to make a statement to the many borders throughout the world that are still narrowed. This metropolitan orientated collection expresses the awareness of the pursuit for an open and multicultural world.

Sections are mixed and hybridized: like shirts and jackets merged into functional one-pieces. The silhouette is central, personal, and must be easily wearable but formal. Outerwear is voluminous and expressive, while coats are longer and look more slender and geometric shaped. An interesting mix of patterns and fabrics portray the coalescence with weaves of cashmere, paper, and leather lead to interesting bold visual abstractions. The chosen color palette is characterized by white, Felt, Commissar and Warsaw grays, Beluga black, Notte blue, khaki, Syberian green, lit up by touches of Absinthe and Citrine quartz and amalgamated. These are all made out of exclusive modular solutions with the use of fusion and manipulation. More information can be found under the slogan #UseTheExisting.

All the looks can be completely customized and personalized all over the world with the iconic My Cesare.

www.zegna.us

Fashion

BREAKING: PRADA TEST SUBJECTS ESCAPE

Seven subjects have escaped Prada’s imaginary futuristic laboratory. An innocent journey of discovery has morphed into a riotous episode of harmless magic. Disco, Socks, Fiddle, Otto, Toto, Scuba, and Spot came into being as a team of researchers set out to study the extraordinary DNA of Italian fashion brand, PRADA. Their research became fantastical and a series of experiments involving the heart of Prada produced astonishing results.

Our seven protagonists (raised in solitary confinement) have mechanical triangular Prada hearts and checkerboard pattern brains. Born from the heart of the label each character exhibits central Prada themes: metal studs, polished wood, iconic prints, voluptuous lips, and classic Saffiano leather.

Having escaped Prada’s, top secret, non-existent test facility, New York design studio 2x4 (serial Prada collaborators) provided the innocent creations with refuge. 2x4 studied the creatures and designed each member of the family their own color-coded pouch, case and character booklet complete with personal biography and insight into their unique abilities, anatomy, and behavior.

With the fugitives contained, Disco, Socks, Fiddle, Otto, Toto, Scuba, and Spot can be found in Prada stores and online at Pradamalia.com in the form of keychain tricks, earring sets, and necklace charms.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Parisian Femininity

Femininity defies definition, every woman has her own femininity, and it comes from the charisma she exudes. In years past, lingerie was simply the ladies undergarment. Now it means far more – lingerie has become the language for women to appropriate their own femininity through shape and form.

Parisian Lingerie experts Aubade helped to free the women form allowing ladies to celebrate their independence. With this freedom lingerie’s requirements began to evolve. Physical support no longer dictated - glamour, sensuality, and seduction took the helm.

To honor sixty years of vigorous devotion Aubade has dedicated the year 2018 to love and creativity. Their autumn-winter collection encapsulates the range of emotions that flutter through the soul as romance ensues, from the frivolity of flirtation to the seduction, sensuality, and passion that follows.

Over the past sixty years, the Parisian brand tirelessly drew inspiration from the ladies of the day interpreting their desires in the world of emotion. Aubade champions the craft refining their skills throughout their evolution, now, luxurious embroidery, refined silks, and decadent lace epitomize the collection.

Autumn-Winter is a delightful collection for those who wear it and those who are lucky enough to see.

www.aubade.fr

Fashion

Saint Laurent Spring 2019

Fluorescent-like huge palm threes designed by artist Vincent Lamouroux looking at a glittering Tour Eiffel at dawn, where a stunning pink red light pervaded the whole Trocadero. And models walking on water. Anthony Vaccarello’s postcard from Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2019 never felt so charming. It evoked our desire of Summer, of far-away places like Yves beloved Morocco.

Vaccarello showed a collection true to his aesthetic, shorts in all declinations, mini dresses and several version of tailored tuxedo ensembles. But also Western America style looks and a series of sheer fluid dresses. The hats, the bow shirts, the knee boots: the 60s, the 70s and the 80s where all part of Vaccarello reference palette, inspired by Monsieur Yves’ archive, delivering a collection where the feeling of the “night” was a big protagonist.

As the last looks glided on the water with long fluid animal print chiffon dresses the reference built up strong. We felt the references to the iconic 1971 couture Spring Summer collection inspired by Yves’ longtime friend Paloma Picasso but also the overall references to Saint Laurent woman. Running late to her own wedding in a black fitted leather jacket and incorrigibly spraying her favourite fragrance in front of an astonished marriage officiant interrupted as he reads the vows, the 80s Rive Gauche perfume advertising could not be more on point: pas pour le femmes effacées. Definitely not for the modest woman.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Highlights from Milan Fashion Week

Prada Spring 2019

Defiant as ever  —  for Spring 2019 —  Prada continued the battle against tradition. An aura of a 60’s girls swept the Prada Fondazione space in Milan, an ode to the daywear of that time and captured the aggression of the era with a typical Prada ease.

At first glance, te collection seems otherworldly, almost alien. Soon after, the oxymoron reveals itself. Spring 2019 is a collection of conservatism, personality, and sheer beauty. The result is a highly wearable collection of plunging bodysuits with straps below the breasts, very typical Prada A-line silhouettes in the shape of coats, jackets, and dresses along with juxtaposing experimental tie-dye skirts and dress that are equally mesmerizing.

This was a very out-spoken Prada collection. During Prada’s pre-show press conference she mused about the fact that —  “Fashion shouldn’t follow excessive simplification, because the more you simplify, the more slogan you use, the less content there is”.

www.prada.com

Sportmax Spring 2019

The Sportmax runway approach is uniquely, unique. This is an essential collection, a sporty parade that has been revved to the max.

Surf references were rife throughout the Spring 2019 collection. Men’s tailoring may have accented the start of the show, but what was to follow was utter femininity. Bikini tops were casually paired with multifaceted jackets that boasted layers of intricacy. Barefoot outfits demonstrated the ease of the brand while dresses stole the show with their splendour; each garment took the show to a new level evolving the concept radically one step at a time. The sheer range of Sportmax’s Spring 2019 collection is quite astounding.

www.sportmax.com

Roberto Cavalli Spring 2019

Notorious for his exploits in the men’s business Paul Surridge demonstrated his precision tailoring for Roberto Cavalli’s Spring 2019 collection. Here, Surridge demonstrated the flexibility of the bike short, while showing off its sex appeal. Taking many forms the traditional formal wear paired with; plain blazers, printed blazers, loose shirts, blouses and dresses. Spring 2019 exhibited an authentic abundance, particularly in the choice of prints. This abundance carried through to the unique variety of dresses. Intentional or not, Surridge has inched the gap between male and female fashion even closer.

www.robertocavalli.com

Fashion

Sonos and Faberyayo partner up to celebrate Fall as the Comfy season

Is he serious? Is he joking? Is he highlighting faults in society or is he laughing for the fun of laughing? Pizza love songs, puppet shows and short novels about dwarfs, Dutch Rapper Faberyayo’s aesthetic is one of neon-normality. Faberyayo has carved a lane through the centre of Dutch hip-hop with his pioneering work ethic and an innate sense of originality. This Fall ‘Yayo has reinvented himself again as his own barmy galaxy collides with the luminous effervescent planet of Abel.

This weekend Faberyayo and Abel take over the Sonos Home in Amsterdam to celebrate the release of their album. The duo has fused their unique minds to produce a brainchild like no other, Comfy. Now that the light is faded, summer has decided it is time for fall, the leaves begin to glide to the ground, this is the season for Comfy.

''Comfy Season means the summer is finally over and everyone gets back inside. It’s the season of dressing in Comfy style, the season of takeaway latte macchiato’s, the season of online shopping and enjoying a bit of romance at home. Fall is more than a season, it’s a vibe! Dear Fans and Fanettes, come and get Comfy with me, it’s the season!’' — Faberyayo.

Sonos transformed their Amsterdam home completely to shoot the music video of the first track of the album called “Online Shoppen”. The result is everything you might expect when you let Faberyayo and Abel take over your home. An exciting experience bringing the world of Faberyayo and Abel to life visually and sonically. Fans will be the first to step in the world that’s called Comfy season and enjoy the experience and get an exclusive screening of the video in Sonos Home Amsterdam before it goes live.

Join ZOO at the Sonos Home Amsterdam on the 22nd and 23rd of September. Visit the experience in the Sonos Home Amsterdam and be the first to see and listen to the new music video, book a free time slot, receive your personal invite, bring a friend and immerse yourself in the world of Comfy Season. You can register here.

Fashion

Highlights from New York Fashion Week

CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC Spring 2019

Creative Director RAF Simons’ cinematic eye has transformed the landscape for Calvin Klein 205W39NYC since his arrival. On this occasion the often-polarizing original Hollywood blockbuster Jaws and the eerie yet sublime Dustin Hoffman classic The Graduate set the tone. Jaws Merch-tee’s will undoubtedly sweep the upper echelons of fashion while Mortarboards felt more necessary as mood setting props. Rubber Scuba gear that paid homage to both cinematic triumphs will be the talk of the town for months to come.

www.calvinklein.com

BOSS Spring 2019

Few expected a fine-knit dress and nylon trench to open Boss’ Spring 2019 at New York fashion week. Ingo Wilts delivered a light collection combining the men and women’s effort with relative ease. Perhaps Hugo Boss are better without their bread and butter.

www.hugoboss.com

Longchamp Spring 2019

To celebrate their 70th anniversary Longchamp continued their soiree into the world of ready-to-wear. Fall 2018 piled heavy emphasis on outerwear with seductive layering, delicate fringes and fabulous braids all set to inspire the spirit of playfulness often associated with the French leather brand.

www.longchamp.com

Proenza Schouler Spring 2019

Denim. Proenza Shouler pair Lazro Hernandez and Jack McCollough rejuvenated the eternally loved work wear textile in an attempt to reinstate reality. We want the clothes to be fashion, but also to be more real,” Hernandez said. “That’s what feels right in the world today. It’s kind of a cliché, but it’s gotta be real.”

www.proenzaschouler.com

Camper FW18 Campaign

Spanish footwear brand Camper has released its Fall/Winter 2018 collection with a new campaign. This time, creative director Romain Kremer stretches the imagination and blurs the line between the abstract and the absolute. Photographed by Daniel Sannwald, the brand demonstrates a real-life take on the virtual experience and questions the future of digital interaction — inviting spectators alongside otherworldly avatars raining from fantastical to post-apocalyptic.

Debuting with this collection, the popular footwear company presents nine new styles of advanced unisex shoes including newcomers Rolling and Pix, Helix and Brutus and chunky-heeled Thelma for woman.

www.camper.com

Fashion

Jessica and Krystal Jung celebrate anniversary of iconic Fendi Peekaboo Bag

Jessica Jung — an American singer, songwriter, actress, model, fashion designer, and businesswoman who was born and raised in California with Korean roots together with her little sister Krystal. In 2007 Jung debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation.

Her sister Krystal Jung is a singer and actress in South Korea. In 2002, Krystal began appearing in television commercials. In 2017, she starred in the comedy drama “Wise Prison Life” and received good reviews for her performance. She was also named 'Woman of the Year’ by GQ Korea in the same year. Jessica and Krystal are the most popular sisters in Korea. Together they’re staring in the new Fendi Peekaboo Bag campaign celebrating the 10th anniversary.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Roberto Cavalli opens first German store

Located in Berlin’s elegant shopping heart Charlottenburg, Roberto Cavalli is opening its first German store, welcoming customers to shop the brand’s modern and dynamic collection covered by their authentic Italian experience.

Balancing between space, sofas, gold lamps and armchairs the store represents a wide collection for men and women, offering ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, bags, watches, jewellery, eyewear, fragrances, home accessories and tableware.

The store embodies Roberto Cavalli’s international and cosmopolitan spirit inspired by Tuscany’s sophisticated color combinations. Precious marble floors and elegant vaulted ceilings mixed with freestanding furniture pieces and brushed brass tracks define the new direction and straightforward vision of the luxury brand.

www.robertocavalli.com

Fashion

It is so good to be bad

Sensuality and femininity strongly force together with hopeless romance and fearless independence for the new fragrance GOOD GIRL by Caroline Herrera.

The mid-night blue stiletto bottle with golden heel epitomises New York’s style, defining elegance and sophistication, reflecting the Herrera women who are confident and powerful by nature.

To capture the perfect scent for the sophisticated and complex woman of today, Caroline turned to a true master when it comes to perfumery: Louise Turner, creating The House’s new fragrance that captures and celebrates Caroline's high-spirited duality.

www.carolinaherrera.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2019

Free and mindful, loose and genteel. Giorgio Armani proposals for Summer 2019 effectively have the power of sewing a traditional, masculine elegance with a contemporary sense of ease.

Soft figures in light shades of chalk white, hemp grey and delicate flashes of blue and turquoise celebrate the spontaneous classicism of formal yet sporty jackets and blousons.

The double-breasted jacket confirms this idea playing with different fabrics and patterns, while the modern waistcoat enhances a fresh feel of versatility.

As well, a sandy filter underlines the naturalness of the collection that introduces refined variations on the definition of what Giorgio Armani means for a very sophisticated style.

www.giorgioarmani.com

Fashion

Here and Now – Roberto Cavalli SS19

Immediacy is the leading mood presented by Paul Surridge for Roberto Cavalli Spring Summer 2019 Menswear collection.

The astute combination of athletic tailoring and clean proportions determines the contemporary spirit of the outerwear, knitwear chinos, slouchy bermudas and shorts proposals.

Stretching from pure white to decisive black, the range explores the full chromatic scale and especially focuses on hybridized animal motifs, which enhance the sensation of a concrete jungle.

Functional rather than decorative, the artisanal feel is still evident, sophisticatedly recalled through precious intarsia and Macrame details on the knitwear.

On the occasion of Roberto Cavalli Menswear Show at the Pitti Immagine Uomo, the brand launches also the men's eyewear collection developed with Marcolin.

As well, all the accessories accentuate a juvenile, swagger attitude. Materials play a key role in the determination of this new urban vocabulary.

Eye-shelding visors and and polymath running shoes define the outlines of the ultimate luxury, which follows the speed of the concrete landscape, here and now.

Fashion

An eclectic journey

FENDI is always looking for exciting initiatives to present their Eyewear collection. This time the brand collaborated with model, actor and bandleader of Counterfeit, Jamie Campbell Bower, showing the in-depth voyage of his soul-searching journey, embodying the FENDI Man values.

Off-duty dressing rooms and phone calls while chilling out were captured by a privet camera as well as his creative on-stage rock performance, remaining true to his inner child, hidden behind FENDI’s SS18 sunglasses.

Watch the full series of videos on our social platforms.

www.facebook.com/zoomagazine
www.instagram.com/zoomagazine
www.fendi.com

Fashion

No matters where: Woolrich SS18 Footwear Collection

Calibrating the balance between urban outlines and high-performance features, the Spring 2018 footwear collection by Woolrich keeps strengthening the statement of contemporary functionality.

The shoes’ construction presents a solid sole made by Vibram, suitable for both journeys outdoor and urban walks thanks to a contemporary design.

Part of the menswear collection, the Trail Boot is available in high and low top versions, featuring minimalist outlines in contrast with fluorescent details. With a focus on confortability, the Air Mash model is characterised by a lined sole, while the overall collection of light snearkers, sleepers and slip-ons are enriched with colorful bands to best embrace the bright spirit of summer.

For the women, mountain boots with performance laces, trainers in nubuck and slip-ons unveiling a suede trim explore the coasts of the New World, balancing their technical structure with the use of natural materials.

Available in Woolrich flagship stores and distributed to the best multibrand stores in Europe, USA and Asia, the footwear collection can be purchased also trough their website.

 www.woolrich.eu

Fashion

Berluti new store opening in Munich

The immediate sensation is that of a quiet intimacy, as if one could slighlty hear the clock tickings spread over a place that has always been there.

The new Berluti flagship store in Munich is the second one to be opened in Germany, yet it is the first in Europe to launch a totally new concept for the interiors.

Located on prestigious Maximilianstrasse and in a Neo-Renaissance building, the design highlights the brand’s luxury heritage, yet respecting the typical Munich architecture.

On the one hand, the preference for a square, clean design suggests Berluti affinity with sobriety and composure, which is in turn calibrated with the presence of delicate textures that characterise the stone finished beige walls.

As well, the hand-polished bronze shelves and frames, the marble tables, the polished wood cabinet and the herringbone pattern over the matte wooden floor seem to complete each other.

More elements, such as a dramatic wall lined with symbolic tincture bottles, a wooden display cabinet and classic club armchair intensify the relaxed atmosphere, gently illuminated by pale lightings that unveil the precious details of Berluti collections.

The new Berluti boutique is the perfect place where contemporary gentlemen can talk about elegance in detail.

Fashion

Peuterey Icon

With two new proposals Peuterey continues working on their innovative Icon Project, which this season introduces two pieces for the outerwear. Bail for men and Corduroy for women are down jackets made of cotton poplin, featuring a water repellent surface and thermo-taped internal seams. A detachable hood with drawstring, wind protection and reflective details underline the urban design and feel for technology. On the other way around, Carve and Shaka are regular fitting parkas introducing a bond technology that allows for a reduced thickness. Light and versatile, Peuterey products are future-oriented, yet perfectly communicating that balance between contemporary style and the highest functionality.

Fashion

Highlights from Paris Fashion Week

When French painter Henri Rousseau realised renowned artwork “The Dream”, he recreated a jungle scenario only observing tropical plants and flowers at Paris Museum of Natural History. For Fall 2018, designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon bring the surreal painting into a dreamlike collection, melting the brand language with inspirational references taken from the past. Therefore, soft knit sweaters, parkas and skirts function as a canvas and accurately reproduce lotus flowers, jungle animals and natural landscape. By contrast, bright colors over striped knitwear pieces recall Kenzo graphic identity, remarking brand prowess in combining art and contemporary fashion.

Atavistic yet extraordinarily conceptual, Rick Owens is a master in transcending fashion discussion to the highest level. Hence, ancient myth of Sisyphus is reinterpreted with approach recalling the radical language of Arte Povera. Femininity turns abstracts and is deconstructed and layered trough a brown color palette unveiling pilled fabrics and padded swaddling. Mythology is recalled by bulky and extravagant panniers, yet balanced by a sporty feel that runs over the entire collection.

Oversized coats and over-the-knee cowboy boots introduces us to Isabel Marant’s imagery, which this time takes inspiration from old American westerns. Paisley motifs, fringed decorations, lace details over delicate blouses and a warm color palette alternate with pieces that recall 80s glamorous femininity trough ruffled mini-dresses and wide shoulders. For both men and women, the collection evokes a strong sense of sophisticated comfort, assuring a distinctive take on this modern reinterpretation of America.

Set in the Unesco building, Loewe show under creative director Jonathan Anderson unveils an intriguing collection, which seems to support the need for a comfortable wear. Although, the relaxed outlines face with a more contemporary approach to fashion aesthetics, as well as they reveal a strong focus on classic tailoring and enhancement of volumes. Flowing dresses and shirts are adorned with ruffled sleeves, leather collars external pockets and eventually silk bra attached in the front, offering women a very variegated range.

With his collection, Haider Ackermann deliberately points out the fragility of our times. Models are perceptibly androgynous, yet their silhouettes remark the presence of a sober, linear elegance. The bitter shines trough the color palette, including light olive green, pink, caramel and sky blue tones emphasizes the richness of fabrics, which in turn reveal interesting embroideries and ruffles over suits in jacquard and velvet dresses.

At Hermes Vanhee-Cybulski presents a women collection that is nothing but an attentive work on details and hourglass silhouettes. This is a collection that cover up the body to let the clothes speak for a classic elegance. The abundance of dark leather (alongside different proposals in light olive green, red and caramel) that would be conventionally associated with a subversive seductiveness, here is sophisticatedly transformed in a sober yet luxurious take on classic pencil midi-skirts and jackets in what seems to recall the compelling fascination of noir movies.

Fashion

Highlights from Milan Fashion Week

On the wave of intelligent feminism, Max Mara centres on how modern women perceive their freedom. If in the 80s structural elements from the male wardrobe would have symbolised the status of achieved empowerment, nowadays the feeling is different. Collaborating with French artist François Berthoud for sweaters and T-shirts, the range includes skinny pants and pencil skirts, while for the outerwear a teddy bear coat featuring a Western Fringe, leopard printed coats and the iconic camel coat featuring a classic cut that design the outlines of a spontaneous, comfortable self-expression.

On the other way around, Sportmax is a layered conjunction of technical materials and urban outlines, determined by bright colored puffers and and down vests. The skirts are embellished with zippers, while the dresses’ flowing shapes enhance the sporty feel the athletic silhouettes.

Inspired by the intriguing Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992), for Paul Surridge fashion is a matter of sensuality. Without abandoning Roberto Cavalli historical trademarks, the collection combines together womenswear and menswear, highlighting opulent looks featuring multicolor animalier prints, leather shirts, aviator jackets, flowing maxi dresses best enhanced by ochre, turquoise and amethyst colors.

Strong, loud, confident. The charming women of Versace bring back all the energetic enthusiasm of glamorous eighties. With a powerful visual impact and honouring the brand tradition as well as the mixing of different cultures and subcultures, the proposals feature total looks and bold logos, which are in turn underlined by architectural shoulders, multi-layered kilts in contrasting full yellow and blue, corsets and mini-skirts.

With Paul Andrew taking the reins of the women’s brand, Ferragamo presents nothing but a very a sophisticated collection focusing on classicism. Symmetrical cuts are in total harmony with fluid fabrics in monochromatic hues that softly intensify the feel of a sober elegance over foulard and long dresses. Moreover, suede trenches come in full green or red hues highlights the brand’s leather heritage in balance with the immediateness of contemporary fashion.

Working on the coexistence of different cultures, Giorgio Armani proposals are quite a number. Total looks in black velvet take central stages, mostly embellished with crystals, watercolor florals that do not compromise the brand’s smooth elegance, yet transform the precious fabrics in garments wearable any time of the day.

With a similar approach, Emporio Armani creates a strong alliance between the richness of their bright fabrics and the urban and sporty language of the label. Hereafter, everything seems a contemporarily wise update, which focuses on forms and proportions. Several shades of green and watery colors set the mood of the collection, revealing long dark coats, fur and structured tailored jackets.

Fashion

Inner Landscape by Prada Journal

In cooperation with Italian leading publishig house Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Editore and Eyewear brand Luxottica, Prada Journal unveils the winners name for the a competition which has seen 5 tesimonials, 75 contributors and 267 selected Prada Journalists sharing their own Inner Landscape.

The projects explores the theme of relationship between the personal sphere and the outside world, asking the participants to use texts and images (photographs, video or illustrations) to best suit the creation of a compelling digital content that translates what can be a personal perspective into a collective, sharable overview. The three winners Giorgia Ascolani (video), Isabella Giambitto (image) and Nadya Zakharova (gallery) have been selected by Davide Monteleone, Mimi Xu and Margaret Zhang, testimonials of the project.

In addition to the context, Prada Journal in collaboration with Luxottica have realised an elegant yet essential Eyewear collection, featuring metal frames, double bridges and acetate inserts, which enhance both brands affinity with high craftmanship and offer an exclusive tool with which observing the inner world and the outside reality.

www.prada.com/pradajournal

Fashion

Weather beating – The Pacific Jacket by Woolrich

For Woolrich, Spring 2018 is a full immersion in versatility.

The Pacific Jacket has been specifically studied to be the ideal high-perfomancewear for outdoor activities.

Made of breathable and water repellent technical fabrics, the jacket features an adjustable hood, waterproof zippers closing the pockets and ribbed cuffs over long sleeves that exhibit a printed logo on the arm.

Light and protective, this jacket has been conceived thinking of the diverse weather conditions as well as keeping strong the link between function and contemporary design.

www.woolrich.eu

Fashion

Highlights from NYCFW

A look back at the structured shapes of the eighties enhanced by black leather head-band accessories, Tom Ford delivered a roaring, eccentric spirit that highlights shimmering animalier prints over constructed suits and tight mini-dresses, reinforcing the idea of eccentric glamour.

With his extreme love for excess, Philipp Plein presented a space-odyssey runway, catapulting us in an ultra-artificial world dominated by robots, fake snow and floating spaceships. Skin-tight catsuits, sported by Irina Shayk, and bodysuits in latex or adorned with crystals strongly underlining the silhouettes, while logo straps appear on oversized puffers. The collection features metallic crop tops and plastic coats true to Plein's subversive spirit.

Victoria Beckham’s work has always been an aesthetic devoted to femininity. For ten years now, the vision is still the same, adding a modernist, utilitarian feel to the collection presented last Sunday at James Burden Maison in Manhattan. Dresses in felted wool with sculptural silhouettes feature full-length back zips. The collection includes also khaki trousers and structured coats that add a touch of rigorous military mood. By contrast, long skirts in earthy tones are enriched with silk pleats paired with oversized bags enhancing the feel of a relaxed high-end allure.

Inspired by Berlin's beats of Barghain and fascinated by the cult book-turned-movie Christiane F. – Wir Kinder vom Banhof Zoo, Raf Simons unveils a youthful and underground collection. With graphic prints on T-shirts featuring actors Thomas Haustein and Natja Brunkhorst (main characters of the movie), sleeveless hoodies controversially embellished with “DRUGS” caption (which actually refer to Cookie Mueller and Glenn O’Brian) and eventually latex gloves, Simons cleverly portrays the club scene, offering an exclusive high-end rave-wear.

Italian house Bottega Veneta unveils their opulent collection by German designer Tomas Maier, with a tender homage to New York City. Silk pyjamas, multi-chromatic dresses and geometric design tell us something about the architectural landscape of the City and its multicultural, immersive aesthetics.

Fashion

New Dior Boutique Opening in Berlin

Last 27th January, Dior has inaugurated a new boutique located in Kurfürstendamm 56, one of the most well known avenues in Berlin.

The store, which hosts both menswear and womenswear collections, jewelry and perfumes, has been decorated by designer Stefan Leo with furniture in recycled-metal that create a tromp-l’oeil effect. The LB bubble artwork by abstract artist Jan Kalab adds a contemporary tone to the gentle atmosphere, softly in balance with the Versailles Parquet floor, that instead recalls Christian Dior passion for 18th century aesthetics.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Dries van Noten Menswear Fall/Winter 2018

A warehouse in raw concrete, with all its stripped down connotations, once the distribution centre of the French Post. Like last’s season venue - the former Liberation offices - it gave a feeling of nostalgia, and a sense of austerity.

As the model walked in the space above the audience pit, on the notes of Underground’s Born Slippy in a 2008 remix by Get Well Soon, we felt that play between contrast Dries Van Noten has often chosen in his poetic.

The collection is as complex and intricate in mixing different styles and influences as it could be the individual course of a lifetime, with different patterns, mood swings, travels and ages.

There is an incredibly appealing modern take on tartans and Prince of Wales plaid with the warm tones of traditional suiting.

But also slightly oversized silhouettes next to slim and elongated ones; fringed embellishments reminiscent of a Western age; half kilts styled on top of matching pants; white cotton trousers with broderie anglaise; jackets hand embroidered next to boxy sporty trench coats; pongee silk for the most alluring pyjamas.

The show note mentions “the tension and spark of the habitually incongruent”.

Dries Van Noten has created a collection beautifully balanced with all the elements that have been classics staples in his oeuvre – modern English tailoring, sporty, lush prints, florals, dark colours next to a vibrant palette – while delivering a show that didn’t fail to deeply touch us in a crescendo peaked in the finale lineup: over 40 billowy raincoats declined in a rainbow of variations featuring hand painted marbling technique used traditionally on paper.

There was a sense of joy, of youthful atmosphere, of life.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Peuterey x Vespa @KaDeWe

In January 2018, Italian brands Peuterey and Vespa will partner with KaDeWe to present a new, innovative capsule collection. Playing with two different styles, the proposals for the outerwear, a windbreaker and a field jacket, come with goggles and a helmet. The jackets are made in lightweight and waterproof fabrics and released in diverse colours, smartly combining dynamic functionality with contemporary elegance.

Following the mood of a trans-seasonal adaptability, the pieces focus on versatile characteristics, such as the foldable hood and a detachable lining.

By contrast, both the helmet and the goggles feature a linear and clean design presenting beige stripes details over black tones and definitely point out the two iconic brands’ aesthetics.

From January 29th until the 18th of February, the collection will be exhibited on a special display. Two pop-up stores on the first and second floor will simultaneously showcase the men and women’s collection.

With Yvan Rovic taking over Peuterey's and KaDeWe's official Instagram accounts, customers will also have the opportunity to follow the trend-spotter in the discovery of Berlin as well as find out interesting details about the collaboration.

Last but not least, KaDeWe will invite two famous celebrities, whose names are still kept secret, and ask them to experience the collection. This interactive event will take place during a cocktail party inside the store and invites customers to engage with the duo adding a unique contribution to the project.

www.peuterey.com/bs/peuterey-vespa

Fashion

Marni Market

For five months, at 231 Rue Saint Honore, Marni Market settles in Paris. The firm’s playful universe is revealed through an exhibition where visitors can explore and interact within Marni's colorful world and purchase special items during three different periods.

In January 2018, Marni Visitor Market keeps the traditional Christmas charitable donation —addressing the profits to Piccolo Principe Association for helping children in difficulty within the province of Milan — with the sale of funny marionettes, half toy and half sculpture, made of painted wood and resin.

From the 1st of February until the 12th of April, Marni Playful Market will turn in an interactive space, where visitors can play freely within the elements showcased in the area.

The last period, from the 13th of April until the 18th of May, Marni House Market will be dedicated the exposition of Colombia hand-made items, celebrating creativity and workmanship.

www.marni.com

Fashion

Lana Mueller Launches Fall/Winter 2018-19 Collection

On the exclusive 1st floor of Restaurant Borchart, Lana Mueller unveils the traits of her woman: extremely feminine and pleasantly delicate.

A sober elegance is suggested by the color palette, which prefers pale blue, full green or light sorbet shades and even more highlighted by sophisticated fabrics, such as a classy lace combined with hand-painted velvet and light chiffon that celebrate the beauty of organic forms.

www.lanamueller.com

Fashion

Fendi Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear Collection

This is an incredible era of change. The extraordinary enhancements that tecnology is introducing in the job industry are simplifying the way we approach daily chanllenges and creating new exciting opportunities for a new generation of creative minds.

Being aware of this overwhelming revolution, Fendi Men's SS18 ad campaign establishes the features of the businessmen of today, who are costantly floating between high professionalism and flawless humour.

Shot in Rome’s brand headquarter and on the beach of Gaeta, a treasure of Lazio Region, the campaign stars a young Dylan Fender wearing a neutral palette made of casual yet classic outfits. The collection introduces us to the new vocabulary of menswear and combines refined tailoring with sportswear and streetwear.

The vibe of creative freshness and entrepeuneurial spirit is perfectly commmunicated by the new Mini Peekaboo Fit briefcase, vivaciously erniched by illustrations by guest artist Sue Tilley. “Be open minded and use creativity”. In Silvia Venturini Fendi’s statement lies the whole essence of the collection, and we ebrace her captivating enthusiasm towards 2018.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Karl Lagerfeld Jewelry Spring/Summer 2018 Collection

The icon Karl Lagerfeld is widely known for his cutting-edge approach to fashion. The KARL LAGERFELD fashion house, which is creative directed by the designer himself, has its roots in a DNA that stands for accessible luxury and coolness. For the SS18 jewelry collection, the brand combines elegant elements with a rock-chic style and playful embellishments. A palette of multi-colored pastel Swarovski crystals gives the pieces a timeless feel.

Divided into three groups, the collection covers every kind of style. Klassik Karl is inspired by the personality of Karl Lagerfeld himself. His world famous cat Choupette and his handwritten signature appear in pavé Swarovski crystal finishes. A collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings is featuring the letter “K” as a pendant, embellished with Lagerfeld’s silhouette.

The Ikonik-part of the collection is rooted in the brand’s cool creative aesthetic and characterized by celestial stars and hearts paired with sketchbooks and safety pins. The pieces are made out of rhodium, gunmetal, gold and rose gold plating with Swarovski crystals. Further, the range offers an interchangeable charm program allowing the wearer a customized look.

Exuding an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic, the third part of the jewelry collection, called Essentials, makes the day-to-night look an effortless transition. Centered around faceted pyramids and Swarovski crystals, these pieces provide dramatic looks that are modern, rocky and cool at the same time.

The necklaces, pendants, ear jackets, hoop earrings, bracelets and rings all come in a mix of geometric pyramid shapes. The KARL LAGERFELD Spring/Summer 2018 jewelry collection will be available from the end of January in stores and online.

www.karl.com

Fashion

G-Star RAW Research III BY Aitor Throup

In the G-Star RAW innovation lab, which is led by the British designer, artist and creative director Aitor Throup, denim is being deconstructed to its purest form. The third collection of the RAW Research for men and very first for women, presents new denim constructions, silhouettes and shapes.

The collection features ten pieces in undyed and unwashed calico denim and challenges the conventional perception of the popular fabric. The same collection goes through a process of hand dyeing, where the indigo is added to the raw garments, resulting in an organically irregular visual effect. The G-Star innovation lab separates, analyzes and utilizes the core elements of denim in experimental ways.

RAW Research is known for launching a new 3D denim construction each season. This time, it is the Spiraq jean. Crafted from a single piece of denim, that is wrapped around the leg, the model is carefully molded to provide the perfect fit.

The third RAW Research collection also represents Throup’s first ever work of womenswear. Reflecting the overall design pilosophy of RAW Research III, the pieces are blending minimalism and functionality without compromising femininity. For both the men’s and women’s collection the in-house laboratory of G-Star follows the same untreated approach, while pushing the boundaries of product design through an explorative process.

The G-Star RAW Research III collection wil be available in selected concept stores from the 15th of December.

www.g-star.com

Fashion

Moncler Collaborates With Lifestyle Brand Kith and Asics

It seems like the luxury outerwear brand Moncler can’t stop to make common cause with other great brands. After a collaboration with Junya watanabe, Balenciaga, Katrantzou, Sacai, Ami, Virgil Abloh and Craig Green, the brand now presents two more. For FW17/18 the brand has collaborated with New York-based lifestyle brand Kith.

The main collection includes a range of T-shirts, sweatshirts, graphic outerwear made from iconic lacquered nylon, trousers with thick-weave biker padding jackets and waistcoats of clean geometric lines. This is topped by accessories like gloves, backpacks and balaclavas, and, not to be missed when collaborating with Kith, footwear. The footwear comes in a variety of boots made of nubuk or calf leather with shearling lining.

The color palette represents the colors of the French flag, deployed in linear and geometric form for maximum style and renewed appeal. The collection is a match of names and symbols of both Moncler and Kith.

The second drop of the collection is the collaboration with Asics featuring exclusive sheepskin-lined suede trainers, named KITH x MONCLER x ASICS, blends different manufacturing techniques in unique pieces. Ranging in calf and suede leather, the shoes are available in navy red and off-white colors.

The launch of the main collection will take place on December the 2nd in Moncler and Kith stores as well as online. From December the 8th the second part of the collaboration with Asics will be available.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

Kenzo: To Keep And To Hold

Kenzo Takada’s impact on the fashion landscape is one that can still be felt far and wide. The designer’s ground-breaking success paved the way for many other foreign designers to venture towards the French capital, often times with nothing more than dreams in their suitcases and insatiable ambition fuelling their drive. Current creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have always strived to keep that feeling of openness alive since joining the brand in 2011.

By honing in on the boundless energy and creativity that characterised the maison’s founding father, the pair’s creations honour the house’s legacy, including its original spirit and visual language. La Collection Memento No 1 – rooted in pieces that were created during Takada’s journey – is a new series that echoes the now-established brand’s history, celebrating its rich archives with pieces that are Kenzo through and through. What’s more, this isn’t a one-off – it is merely the first chapter of a story that is bound to keep us coming back for more. It was Takada’s collaboration with image maker Hans Feurer on a ground-breaking advertising campaign that inspired the first instalment of this retrospective. Shot in Lanzarote and featuring modelling icons Sayoko and Iman, the campaign challenged the boundaries of fashion advertising and artistic imagery, ushering in a fresh take for Kenzo’s collections.

The floral prints of that very collection serve as the foundation for Lim and Leon’s modern interpretation, spurring them on to delve even deeper into the archives – a veritable treasure trove of references for any self-respecting fashion enthusiast. Knitwear and dresses from Fall 1981, and a wool beret from ten years before, inspired the tailoring evident in the women’s collection. High collars on ruffled smock dresses and floral prints are combined with iconic Kenzo detailing, like lion, elephant and wild animal prints paired with platform sandals and socks. For menswear, warm winter down coats are shown alongside cotton poplin printed pyjamas. Reversible coach jackets with eagle jacquard and varsity jackets walk alongside each other, and denim backpacks from the darkest corners of the archives are transformed with the addition of Kenzo’s floral prints from Fall 1983. In advance of the in-store arrival of La Collection Memento No.1, the American duo also announced the launch of their new unisex sneaker, the Kenzo Move. With the versatility of sneakers for everyday life, including their ability to stand their ground for all occasions, the Kenzo Move follows the same trajectory as the collection itself. An archival tiger motif adorns the sneakers whose simple, clean lines are the perfect pairing for the accompanying bright colourways. Bright red and flashy pink, cool mint, blue and black – these will be pounding pavement near you before you know it!

www.kenzo.com

Art

Fondazione Prada Presents “Slight Agitation 3/4: Gelitin”

“Slight Agitation” is a four part-project of newly commisioned, site-specific works hosted within the Cisterna of the Milan venue of Fondazione Prada. The third chapter of this exhibition project is an instalment by the Austrian collective Gelitin and called “Slight Agitation 3/4: Gelitin”. The project, titled POKALYPSEA-APOKALYPSE-OKALYPSEAP, features three large sculptures, which explicitly address classical architectural archetypes: the triumphal arch, the obelisk and the amphitheater. These rhetoric and monumental components are symbols as much as structures conceived for everyday inhabitation. The sculptures draw an arc from the insular and individual to the open-ended and collective, from the overtly erotic to the sublimated joy of togetherness. The central space of the Cisterna is occupied by Arc de Triomphe (2003/2017), which is a reproduction of an elephant-high male figure, bending over backwards, made of plasticine. 

The presence of a fully functioning water fountain transforms the exhibition space into a collective one, manifesting Gelitin’s liberating artistic approach. In the left side of the space, another gigantic sculpture, made up of polystyrene blocks, resembles a typical Inuit construction or a cigarette on top of a big table. The third sculpture, a wooden upward spiral, is reminiscent of an antique amphitheater. Visitors can enter the sculpture and are even invited to smoke a cigarette in the center of the installation. This banal act makes them instant protagonists of a short, ephemeral act that positions itself, according to Gelitin, somewhere between Samuel Beckett’s Theater of the Absurd and a karaoke performance. The exhibition will be open until the 26th of February 2018.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

The Piazza by Bottega Veneta

The ideal bag is often described as versatile, elegant and convertible. The newest bag Bottega Veneta created for their Cruise 2018 collection is combining all these attributes. It is a fresh take on the classical top-handle style. With The Piazza the Italian fashion house has transformed the traditional silhouette for today. Sleek, timeless lines and graceful design make the bag, crafted out of calf skin, an epitome of modern elegance. A soft construction, an internal compartment and a cross-body-strap, for some styles with an intruiging intrecciato detail, combine design and function successfully. A wide color palette of neutral tones as well as reds, greens and blues makes sure there is a The Piazza for every taste.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

The Plunge

At the poolside on a summer’s day, Bono and Jack Nicholson are having a casual conversation. Captured in black and white, it’s a spontaneous snap of a private moment, caught on camera by Jean Pigozzi. He brought them together at the villa, which was built for his father in Cap d’Antibes in 1953. There is a saying: Great minds think alike. Apparently, they also vacation alike. Pigozzi’s small format exhibition Pool Party brings genius musicians such as Mick Jagger and iconic models like Naomi Campbell together in portraiture, enjoying sunny days at his private pool parties in the south of France in the early 90s. It is currently being shown at the Museum of Photography and Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin, in June’s room. Helmut and June Newton frequented his summer parties as well – a secret getaway. While Pigozzi’s images let the viewer take a plunge into a summery setting to explore the life of the rich and the famous, this is only one aspect of the tripartite mix of exhibitions. Another friend and colleague of Newton shares the space, in the form of Mario Testino’s site-specific installation called Undressed. 

It’s a combination of a number of previously unpublished fashion and nude portraits, which analyses the physical notion of undressing. It blurs the boundaries between fashion and eroticism, between anatomy and art. The presentation of the images is especially a sight to behold. 50 larger-than-life images are affixed to the walls of three exhibition halls, reaching into the corners of the room and touching the ceiling, thereby creating a landscape of human bodies. Nudity becomes nature. Unseen rounds off the complementary selection of exhibitions with original prints of Newton’s own images, mainly focusing on photographs combining nudity and fashion in a subtle way. There are many never-before-seen images from the archives mixed with famous portraits of Jeremy Irons at the Ritz Hotel in London, or Michael Gross at a swimming pool in Dortmund, reuniting the returning themes of all exhibitions. The arrangement of images goes full circle. The exhibitions “Mario Testino. Undressed / Helmut Newton. Unseen / Jean Pigozzi. Pool Party” are on display until November 19, 2017. The Museum of Photography / Helmut Newton Foundation is located at Jebensstraße 2, 10623 Berlin, Germany.

www.smb.museum

Fashion

Hermès Women’s Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2018: A Playful Colour Story

For the Hermès Women’s Ready to Wear Collection SS18 Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski was inspired by the classic bourgeoisie codes of the French maison and the 1990s. Playful deconstruction and reconstruction were the leading motives for the designs. Well-known Hermès silk-prints reappear on blouses, pants and coats shaped into feminine and modern silhouettes. An equestrian touch is added by a saddle blanket, reinvented as a cape, and colourful tartan prints. Neutrals and earth tones add a modern feel to the collection. Elegant dresses are wrapped around the models in a special way and indicate femininity. The modern and artful pieces are honoring the savoir-faire of Hermès and the cheerful colours make us wait for the warmer season with anticipation.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

Chanel Spring/Summer 2018

This season we all encountered a surprise upon our arrival at the Grand Palais: an humongous waterfall along a three story high rock wall, with tropical plants and a wooden bridge that appeared to be taken out of a 90s adventure blockbuster movie.

This time, Karl Lagerfeld decided not to disclose the theme in the invitation card, adding to the build and usual anticipation that we all feel each season.

Water gently falling from the rocks of Etienne Russo’s Villa Eugenie, built in the last two weeks, welcomed the guests entering the venue. The models stormed in the water dramatically increasing its course, stridently taking over the scene.

Drops of water dancing in the space played with the shining textures and transparencies of this season’s offering. The collection was particularly fresh and fluid with PVC raincoats, hats, capes, and boots intrinsically matched and layered over fringed tweed often embellished with lurex threads.

Karl Lagerfeld delivered an extraordinarily varied collection where cropped tops, oversized jackets, miniskirts, over-the-knees boots and half gloves created a vortex of colours and textures. There were long floating dresses in printed chiffon in several shades of blue mimicking the water’s fluid course, striped denim skirts with PVC fringed underskirts, culottes pants made of patent leather shorts elongated in tweed. Just like in every Chanel show, the atmosphere was mesmerizing but this season the sun shining inside the Grand Palais over the water felt like a fairytale, one to be remembered.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Claudia Schiffer presenting book and new products in Paris

Claudia Schiffer has become a modern icon and her face is one of the most photographed of our times. On September 28th she arrived in Paris and headed straight to the exclusive signing of her book at the legendary boutique Colette, wearing Balmain Resort 2018. At the event she also unveiled her new limited edition make-up collection with ARTDECO. "Throughout my career, make-up has played a starring role,” Claudia Schiffer tells. The collection features the products she considers essential: starting with a natural mascara-only look, right through to a glamorous red carpet style. The collection was introduced together with a new invention: The Beauty Bot. The mechanical creation - inspired and co-created by Claudia - plays a robotic beautician in the movie “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”. Two beauty products, the Poppy Land red lipstick and the Kingsman red nail polish, are even inspired by the movie’s villain Poppy, acted by Julianne Moore. “Every woman needs a bold red lipstick and a glossy red nail polish in her make-up bag - and what could be sexier than one inspired by the Kingsman’s vibrant villain played by Julianne Moore?” said Schiffer. Following the launch at Colette, Claudia was sitting front-row at the Balmain SS18 show before hosting a cocktail party celebrating the launch of the Claudia Schiffer x Aquazzura collection at Hotel D'Evreux.

Fashion

Dior Spring/Summer 2018

“The question: Why have there been no great women artists? – is simply the top tenth o fan iceberg of misinterpretation and misconception: beneath lies a vast and its situational concomitants, about the nature of human abilities in general and of human excellence in particular, and the role that the social order plays in all of this”.

Linda Nochlin’s essay in 1971 is such a contemporary discourse now more than ever.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, at the reign of Dior for already one year takes the words of Nochlin as a source of inspiration continuing her feminism reference since the start. We found Nochlin’s essay in form of a small booklet on every seat at the show almost as a urge to reflect in such a fragile political moment. As we entered the spectacular venue of Musee Rodin, a humongous facade in shape of a milestone welcomed us.

Engraved with the enchanting words of Niki de Saint Phalle: ”If life is a game of cards. We are born without knowing the rules. Yet we must play our hand, throughout the ages people have liked playing tarot cards. Poets, philosophers, alchemists, artists, have devoted themselves to discovering their meaning”.

The female artist Niki de Saint Phalle - at the time friend of Marc Bohan – is one of Chiuri’s muse for the Spring Summer collection. Her androgynous style, but also her work with the colourful sculptures – the “Nanas”.

Chiuri dives into her world and into Dior’s archive, celebrating the work of Bohan with his mini dresses, the polka dots, the slim look and the pants, a wink to the first Dior Homme line created by Bohan himself in 1970.

The collection is an ode to the 70s but also the 60s with that irreverent sexiness emblematic of the changing of time. Short little dresses, worn with high laced boots. But also a series of soft bustier dresses - quickly become the signature of Chiuri’s at Dior - this season adorned with sequins in electric colours, reminiscent of the disco subculture of these years.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Amsterdam is Everywhere

Scotch & Soda take a trip to the world’s remotest Amsterdams for its latest campaign, paying tribute to its stubbornly curious spirit. The Dutch fashion brand journeyed by air, rail and sea to get to an Amsterdam untouched by Google Street View, the one in the Arctic, that is.

Amsterdam Island, located in the northwestern corner of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, is just one of twelve other places across the globe that share their name with the brand’s home city. And if you’re left wondering why the brand opted for the remotest Amsterdam there is, the answer is simple: that’s exactly what Amsterdam is really about; resisting simplicity and discarding practicality if it means realizing a seemingly impossible dream.

With frozen fjords and monochrome peaks as its backdrop, the explorer-themed short film and its enchanting voiceover speaks to the mind and soul of Amsterdammers the world over. Highlighting the city’s free-thinking spirit and its inclusivity, the film celebrates the Dutch capital’s allure, because Amsterdam is wherever you want it to be.

www.scotchandsoda.com

Fashion

Philipp Plein Spring/Summer 2018

The Philipp Plein show, held at the Hammerstein Ballroom, was one of the hottest tickets of New York Fashion Week. Crowds lined up around the corner on 34th street hoping for a spot to witness the VMAs-worthy spectacle.

The tone of the show was Alice in Wonderland goes BDSM goes streetwear - coincidentally, a mix of most of the trends we've seen in recent years. The over-sexualized collection, complete with leather garters, dark lipstick, whip-like hair, and forgotten pants, caters perfectly to millennial listeners of Fifth Harmony and present-day MTV: truly an Instagram-worthy show.

Despite lacking in the subtlety department, the show didn't disappoint on an entertainment level. Most likely costing in the seven figures, Philipp Plein brought dazzling star power: Nicki Minaj sat front row, Future provided the raw soundtrack, Teyana Taylor's swagger lit up the runway... Anywhere else, this would have felt dramatically out of place. But in New York, where one can see a Yeezy show before rushing off to Carolina Herrera, perhaps anything goes.

Fashion

Go With the Flaw!

Always eager to challenge conformity and outdated notions of flawlessness exacerbated by social media and endless filtering as a means to perfection, Diesel strikes again with a new campaign bursting at the seams with positivity.

It’s time to Go With the Flaw! You got that right, forget the flow, embrace the flaws and find the bravery to wear them with pride as an intrinsic part of your true self.

The campaign is focused around a film by François Rousselet, the French director behind collaborations with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Madonna and The Rolling Stones while print and billboard imagery was shot by photographer Tom Sloan.

Edith Piaf provocative and unapologetic ‘Je ne regrette rien’ provides the perfect soundtrack as the cast embrace the uncomfortable imperfections of everyday life and rise above it with smiles on their faces.

A carefully curated cast of people with interesting features front the brand’s latest campaign. Each and every one of them selected by Diesel’s Artistic Director Nicola Formichetti for one simple reason: “Being unique is much more beautiful than being perfect”.

The official launch of the 2017 Fall Winter campaign will take place in Beijing on Wednesday, September 6th and will be accompanied by a limited edition capsule collection with Chinese music idol, Chris Lee, that advocates a candid approach towards one’s ego and celebrating imperfection.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

SKEPTA x NIKE

Skepta’s collaboration with Nike is launching on September 2nd. The British grime artist worked with the sportswear giant on a fresh look for their classic Air Max 97 model, sourcing inspiration from his London council estate upbringing, his Nigerian heritage and from a recent trip to Marrakesh.

Talking about the Moroccan city, Skepta gushed over its pastel colors, geometric architecture, lively taxis, and the magical worlds hidden deep in the souqs. Local street style merged with traditional clothing was a huge influence in his design decisions as well: “The style reminded me of Nigeria — the way people wear such casual and practical clothing,” he said. “I wanted to introduce embroidery to the streets, a place where people don't feel entitled to certain things; I wanted to make us feel good, really.” He is referring to the braided embroidery detail on the tongue and on the back that, along with the playful print on the insole, harken back to these North African roots.

The dark burgundy and olive shiny finish is a throwback to another ‘90s Nike classic – the Air Tuned Max – which Skepta owned as a child. He recalls: “That was the first shoe I ever saved up money to buy, so I wanted to bring its magic to the 97 – the magic that made me first love Air Max when I saw it as a child.” A deeply personal and culturally rich project, Skepta’s Nike Air Max 97’s are likely to go down as one of the brand’s most successful collaborations.

www.nike.com

Fashion

Loewe Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

A sea of Mimosa flowers. This tiny yellow common Mediterranean flower welcomed us in the HQ of Loewe in Paris.

Stripes – multicoloured or bitonal – fresh cotton, canvas with the signature’s leather details. Loewe Menswear Spring Summer 2018 it has all that summery allure of Spanish Riviera.

Sometimes you would see “Loewe Beach Club” or “Summer Love Loewe” on tees, maxi totes with nautical references in cord or raffia.

Jonathan Anderson choose Salvador Dalì’s hose in Catalonia as place for the seasonal lookbook shooting, the surrealist and playful atmosphere.

It's a fresh and youthful collection with a relaxed feeling compared to the previous season but keeping Anderson's signature: the little objets trouvé as key chain and charms, tapestry details, the anchor motif and spectacular details.

As Loewe Menswear collection is evolving season after season finding its audience, its market and vision, we keep seeing that exquisite naiveté and a nostalgic sense of memoire retrieving that Anderson has been working on for a while now.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Junya Watanabe Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

Junya Watanabe’s aesthetic has always been played around the notion of classic menswear.

With his specific model casting and strong vision., also this season the Japanese designer collaborated with Carhartt, Levi’s, Karrimor and The North Face delivering garments played around the notion of heavy-duty clothing.

The jackets featuring the latter's backpack embedded at the back and cut-up all over with The North Face elements confirmed the subtle genius of this legendary designer.

There were beautiful oversized denim, Jackets that pointed at authenticity rather than a fashion exercise.

 Junya Watanabe created a youthful collection but shown once again with grownup next-door-guy and often bearded models, outside of the usual male casting. His “legit way to wear workwear” as the show note mentioned.

Or we could say, his poetic ode to the “real” and to the “ordinary” versus this over-constructed fashion system

It’s a vision Junya Watanabe has been building since a while now and the beautiful collection displayed pieces that will easily find their way to the wardrobe of many

www.junwatanabe.jp

Fashion

Sacai Spring/Summer Menswear & Women's Pre-Spring 2018

Chitose Abe's new collection for Sacai is a tribute to the duality of genders, the investigation in terms of Men/Women clothing. This season the show was featuring men’s Spring Summer together with Pre-Spring Womenswear.

As the models walked in squads, there was a strong sense of group, of subtle genderless interpretations.
Like the beautiful Menswear checked looks entering the spectacular venue of Cité de la Musique together with their female counterparts. Oversized sporty for him, layered - at a time short - dress for her.
Abe's playing with different elements between the formal and the sporty, the sculptural and the sleek almost in an ode to freedom at its core.

There was a lot of that deconstructed and cut-ups from Abe’s DNA. But also a new streetwear simplicity declined for both sexes. Oversized, sculptural jackets with fringes hinting to Western Americana with sculptural bell sleeves for her or a sporty silhouette for him. The beautiful declinations of checked looks, a signature pattern for Sacai’s vision, were the most outstanding in terms of layering and transparencies play. The collaboration with pioneer conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner and his typographic artwork was another take in terms of that freedom of expression Chitose Abe reaffirmed looks after look.

“STATIS AS ON VECTOR ALL IN DUE COURSE”, featured almost as graphical pattern on full looks in black over white and vice versa felt minimal but once again provocative.

www.sacai.jp

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

A nomadic traveller. A wanderlust of island-hopping. Scuba zips, Aloha shirts in contrast with relaxed tailoring and fluid outwear as the modern trekking expert would oblige.

Kim Jones delivers a fresh and relaxed collection where sportswear and suiting play a dual identity game in an archipelago of declinations.

Fabrics as lightweight as modern. A paper-thin lambskin leather bonded with neoprene scuba parka floating in the heat-wave of the Palais Royal’s Jardin on the notes of the exclusive soundtrack composed by Drake for the collection.

As the new colours of the signature Monogram are introduced in the shade of blue: Pacific, a cobalt shade of blue, and Reflect, with its reflective finish is naturally recalling high-impact sport.

The sportswear theme is crucial in Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2018. Kim Jones plays with these elements in terms of colours, texture, and shapes. It is a playful and relaxed spirit pervading the entire collection – the Hawaii inspired floral patterns on silk organza for a short sleeved shirt layered on top of a tee with a matching print, intarsia knits of exotic foliage. The island as inspiration but also as state of mind.

The island as inspiration but also as state of mind.

Earth colours contrasting neon shades, the discovering of nature and the adventure of pushing the limits. The clogs sandals mixed with hiking boots bring a further staple items in Louis Vuitton fresh and sophisticated collection

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Wood Wood Spring/Summer 2018

Wood Wood takes a trip to the Italian province of Campania for its Spring Summer 2018 collection. The Italian coastlines have provided many a designer with tons of inspiration in the past and continue to do so regularly: steep mountains rise from the Tyrrhenian Sea and rugged sceneries intermingle with country landscapes giving birth to this season’s colour palette.

While journeying through the picturesque island of Capri the designers were greeted by the incomparable carefree and comfortable way of local life. It wasn’t long before they were infatuated; could it have been the food, the wine or the late night dinners? It could have well been all of the above, elements that compose that general feeling of Mondanità that we so lack nowadays.

Vintage signs and powerful quotes from noted Italians such as Federico Fellini and Ettore Sottsass, manifest themselves in the print stories and graphics of the Spring Sumer 2018 collection that harken back to Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”.

For Wood Wood’s Mondano collection, Italian stlye and bright colours intermingle, creating a fresh and optimistic offering that stays loyal to the brand’s attitude. Streetwear is mixed with contemporary detailing and performance styling. Formal suiting is blended with contemporary sports and streetwear codes in a bright and optimistic colour palette dominated by bright reds, yellos, deep green, orange and grounded by the addition of beige and brown.

www.woodwood.com

Fashion

Prada Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

Remaining faithful to her eclectic style that has the ability to transform everything, from the most mundane to the most regal, into high fashion, Miuccia Prada turned her gaze to comic books for her Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear collection. You may be thinking of oversized capes a la Superman billowing in the wind but there was none of that!

“On one side there’s virtual reality and on the other the reality of the human part” said Miuccia Prada backstage justifying this season’s inspirations and how these shaped the sporty and streamlined collection presented in a space lined with oversize comic book graphics complete with a light beam-shooting Prada spaceship and speedy steam trains.

Even though comic books may deal at times with the realm of the fantastical, the sci-fi and the bizarre, for Miuccia Prada, it was a different quality they possess that propelled her to utilise them as the central theme of both her collection and runway décor. “They are hand-drawn, human, simple and real”, she said. Need we say more? Shirts with ample shoulders in red or black nylon and sleeves rolled up high, fanny packs and popped collars once reserved to the frat-boy look get the Prada seal of approval this season. Silhouettes were super cinched-in at the waist, a pattern visible throughout many ensembles.

Elsewhere, high technical knit socks were paired with short shorts in bright red or cool, steely grey as if harking back to something that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a 1970s baseball court. Steering away from such a literal interpretation, however, Prada paired the micro shorts with pointed oxfords – there was no Chuck Taylor All Star in sight. For those less keen on showing off their pins, enter the jumpsuit proposed by the iconic fashion house in navy or black, a clear continuation of the utilitarian dressing trend.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Palm Angels Spring/Summer 2018

The starting point for any creation, whether this refers to fashion, art or any other medium of expression, is a clear and defined point of view. The rest will inevitably follow suit. Palm Angels’ artistic director Francesco Ragazzi brought that to the table in abundance for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection.

LA's skater culture is reinterpreted through Ragazzi’s Italian frame of mind, highlighting its laissez faire attitude and the idea of a life lived according to ones individual rulebook. Palm Angels stems from that same appreciation for American cultures and subcultures as it merges an appreciation for sartorial codes and a penchant for clothes being utilised as identity tropes and zeitgeist signifiers.

The Spring/Summer 2018 collection is entitled Black Sun and it pays homage to yet another enduring American subculture: surfing. Bold silhouettes and pragmatic forms are visible in the offering of parkas, duster coats, field jackets and boxy shirts that walked the runway in Milan Fashion Week. Boarding shorts, miniskirts and scuba suits were not neglected either.

Presented with the addition of functional details such as drawstrings and dangling straps, the collection also featured hints of formality in the shape of a tailored blazer that veered off the beaten path to the office and ended up beachside.

In a palette of red, black, orange, sand and grey with sun-faded effects that afford it a disobedient tone, Palm Angels’ sporty physicality acts as the link between the men’s and women’s collection.

www.store.palmangels.com

Fashion

Versace Spring/Sumer 2018 Menswear

Passion for the craft of fashion is something that runs deeps at Versace. Hate it or love it, it’s a fact that the roots of the Maison’s values run deep and are intrinsically connected to family. As this year marks the 20th anniversary of Gianni Versace’s tragic death, it may come as no surprise that this collection was partly a homage to Gianni himself, a fresher take on the codes that cemented him as a household name in fashion.

Pinstripes are refreshed and remixed with stong-shouldered tailoring or shirts where pinstripes are made to contrast and clash with one another. Powerful prints were added to the mix this season: the utility of a tech blouson is contrasted with the romantic “Balletto” print while the “Angelo” print that appears on a sharp quilted bomber. Elsewhere, a classic Versace logo looks totally new, embroidered in white stitches on a baby blue or pale pink T-shirt, worn with matching straight leg jeans.

The menswear offering was accompanied by a special womenswear capsule collection designed and presented entirely to complement the men’s. Chock-full of pinstripes, cut-and-clashed prints and rich embroideries the models strutted down the catwalk with black headbands reminiscent of Gianni’s last couture show.

"This collection is like a homecoming. It's about the passions that define Versace, the complexity of men, the energy of today," said Donatella Versace.

www.versace.com

Art

Fendi pays homage to Rome with Giuseppe Penone's Foglie di Pietra

Following Giuseppe Penone’s Matrice exhibition hosted at Fendi’s headquarters in Rome’s Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, Fendi installs a new site specific artwork by the artist entitled Foglie di Pietra in Largo Goldoni. Thus, FENDI renews and highlights its undying bond with Rome by gifting the city and its people important artwork from one of the most celebrated contemporary sculptors.

Foglie di Petra (Leaves of Stone, 2016) is one of Penone’s most complex artworks: two tall bronze trees standing at 18 and 9 metres respectively, interlace their branches five metres above an 11-tonne sculpted marble rock. Archaeology and ruins, history and biology are intertwined with one another bringing attention to the permanent bond between nature and culture. A celebration of a deep synthesis between the flowing of natural and human time through a longing and romantic nostalgia for lost civilisations.

Through virtuous use of precious materials such as bronze and marble, Penone’s Foglie di Petra recalls the illusionism and marvel of Roman Baroque, while the fragments and the ruins inserted in the sculpture’s branches harken back to the Classic and Medieval era. What’s more, the artwork is the first oeuvre of a contemporary artist to be permanently installed in Rome’s public spaces and is bound to become a symbol of the identity of an ever-changing city that remains steadfastly linked to its historical roots.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Ermenegildo Zegna launches Bespoke Atelier

March 15th 2017, marks a pivotal stage for Ermenegildo Zegna, as it announces the opening of the first Bespoke Atelier. The space is dedicated to the label’s bespoke service and is locate at the top floor of the Zegna building in Milan’s renowned via Montenapoleone.

The stand-alone project revolves around the idea of intimate elegance with a distinctly Milanese feel and treats its bespoke services with a precise ritual. The experience begins right at the entrance where clients are welcomed by a valet and ushered in the Atelier which is conceived to comply with aesthetics and functionality of traditional tailoring ateliers: an apartment cum workshop with the public and working areas connected yet separable.

The large space is furnished with both vintage and new pieces as well as pieces that hark back to Zegna’s very own history. Warmth and charm intermingle with a domestic feel making this a truly unique tailoring experience that strengthens the dialogue between the Milanese brand and its customer base of men of discerning taste who aim to have their wardrobe made according tot heir own desires, demands and lifestyles.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2017

Describing Alexander McQueen Fall Winter 2017 as romantic and ethereal would certainly be an understatement.

Inspired by the fascinating tales of Celtic traditions like the Cloutie wells and the medieval tales of King Arthur, the collection recalls the beauty of the shores in Cornwall, its magic ancient rituals and enchanting stories.

Knit and washed leather dresses are pierced with trailing of coloured lacing in silk, resembling the tradition of fastening a strip of cloth on a tree as votive offering, the wishing tree.

This long and feminine silhouettes underlining the female body recall the English mediaeval soft dressing as found in 16th and 17th century art depicting the beautiful tragic stories of Lady of Shallot and Queen Guinevere.

Sarah Burton gives us a full vocabulary of spectacular fabrics, embroideries, finishes, enabling us to dream about the rich landscape of myths and cultures of Cornwall. It’s as we could see the wind blowing on its coast, the ribbons and the hypnotic vision of million of threads floating in name of life.

A tweed interlaced with bright coloured twisted yarns and chiffon stripes of fuchsia, crimson and green. The medieval-inspired needlework cross-stitching embroidered on the fluent dresses and finished with silk trailing threads, floating around as the body moves: wildlife, witches rituals, letters, and even the date of birth of Lee McQueen.

It is a touching collection, youthful and powerful. The last sequence of evening dresses in silk tulles with an overwhelming embroidery work, glass beads, stones, fringes, loose thread and the house favourite feathers, give the final emotional blow for this magic collection

www.alexandermcqueen.com

Fashion

Mugler Fall/Winter 2017

Natasha Poli storming the catwalk in a blue patent leather blazer with arched shoulders and slim pantsuit. The atmosphere was fierce and as the models powerfully marched in one after the other, the message that creative director David Koma surely had in mind was clear: effortless and daring, Mugler’s woman will not be unnoticed.

Don’t be mistaken: this is a powerful and confident woman who will embrace her body, in all the declinations, with no fear.

David Koma created a collection constellated mainly with evening looks. Vertiginous minidresses with cut-out star details at the bottom hemline or embroidered on the bodice, hourglass silhouettes with pleated lamé in acid green and electric blue, a long white gown with pleated contrast silver lamé. But also power suits with sharp sculptural shoulders in contrasting colours, pants-blazer combo in white, silver, black.

The last look, a dress deconstructing the idea of a smoking suit into an evening gown, said it all: Koma is in search of reinventing the house codes, keeping the identity of this iconic brand strong.

www.mugler.com 

Fashion

UNDERCOVER Fall/Winter 2017

The Faun, the nomads, the young rebels. But also the aristocracy and new gracious creatures. Jun Takahashi’s imaginary world for Undercover Fall Winter 2017 had the feeling of a long distant fairy tale fostering castles and princesses with gargantuan costumes and an ethereal atmosphere.

Like voices from afar, whispering a secret message, the sound of wind chimes as hung to push the spirits away, turning at the very end in a mesmerizing voice, singing on an incredible piano melody. Radiohead Thom Yorke’s fantasy, created ad oc for the show, was the perfect stage for Takahashi’s Utopia.

It was not just a spectacle. It was a beautiful collection where the clothes stood strong, masterly styled, layered and carefully balanced. Knitwear in long dresses, tunics and sculptural coats as out from Coppola’s brash “Marie Antoinette”. Fur trimmed puffa jackets and long velvet skirts. Sweatshirts with metal studs, embroidered with unicorns and insects. A beautiful crimson red, moss green, shades of cerulean blue and a bold yellow, painted this beautiful story. A story of humanity itself. The platform shoes and boots, reminiscent of the faun’s goat legs pushed this narrative image even further, in an enchanting atmosphere.

The Undercover show was a breeze of fresh air during a fashion week heavily politicised.

www.undercoverism.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2017: Forging Frontiers

Nicolas Ghesquière had one goal in mind for his Fall/Winter 2017 collection as head of Louis Vuitton – pushing boundaries like the legendary French fashion house has been doing since its 1854 beginnings. Frontiers are meant to be broken down and Louis Vuitton has been at the forefront of innovation, know-how, design and travel, all elements that set it apart from its counterparts are continue to characterise its offerings every season.

Ghesquière wanted to re-create that very sense of boundarylessness that doubled as more of a directional seasonal messages rather that an array of options for city living. This was an evocation of the nomadic, where the city blends with distant landscapes, the masculine blurs with the feminine and Louis Vuitton heritage meets a thirst for the future. A new play of stylistic lines emerges: great American sportswear classics and Slavic accents, inspirations from fashions of the past translated into the world of today, urban classics fused with the magnetic pull of folklore.

This may come as no surprise but beautifully-treated leather was central to this collection: super polished or crackled giving the impression of age and wear. What was perhaps more noteworthy is the attention that designer paid to fur this season. Short-sleeved, patch-worked jackets were paired with relaxed, cropped flares but could up the ante when thrown over an evening dress.

Ghesquière's evening wear offering moved away from last season's dramatic naked dresses. He opted instead for knee-length slip dresses with elaborate pleats, lace insets, sheer details and fabrics with clashing prints in an attempt to infuse the collection with an easy-going, laid-back attitude.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

UGG is REAL

A new global marketing Spring/Summer 2017 campaign has been launched by UGG to break down stereotypes.

Aptly titled “REAL” and bearer of a strong message, the campaign features a collective of authentic Californian artists, musicians, surfers, creatives and eccentrics that in their provocative, progressive and free spirited attitudes mirror the core values of the Californian fashion apparel.

Inspired by the beaches, mountains and iconic architecture of California, the stories of Tasya, the songs of Warm Brew, the trips of Colleen and many others will mix together to give birth to a whole contemporary romance where diversity is the main splendid character.

www.ugg.com

Fashion

Philipp Plein Autumn/Winter 2017

Brooklyn-born rap and hip hop artist Nas, opened Phillip Plein's Autumn/Winter 2017 fashion show in the iconic New York Public Library. The show was a personal love letter to the city's neighbourhoods and the diversity that characterises them, highlighting their ability to shape and define an identity. From the Bronx and Chelsea to Queens and the Upper East side, every area has something to offer.

“Neighbourhood Kings” was emblazoned across the collections' garments – it does not matter where you come from, for Philipp Plein, you are the king of your own hood. A diverse cast of personalities and models – including rappers Desiigner and Fetty Wap - strutted down the runway as The Kills performed an electrifying live set.

Music, style, gender and race all had their say in this collection that did not distinguish between men's and womenswear: the girls wear boy's T-shirts and oversized hoodies while the boy's were styles in women's jackets and dresses. Streetwear and couture are also fused together: an embroidered evening dress was paired with a bomber jacket, there was an intarsia mink coat worn with a hoodie and thigh-high sneakers marched alongside heeled boots. Catering to self-expression and their own personal sense of style, the collection's strength lies in its bid to highlight individuality.

But Plein's ode to the Big Apple did end there: the prints also tell a tale of New York. Symbols from dollar pill comprise the print of a hooded fur coat, the Statue of Liberty and FBI (“Fashion Beyond Imagination” patches decorate sweaters and bombers. Floor-length puffer coats and snakeskin jackets are transformed into urban armour thanks to metallic details and the addition of studs.

www.philipp-plein.com

Fashion

Woolrich Re-imagines Men's Outerwear

Woolrich continues its long-standing tradition in conceiving and manufacturing technical outerwear of exceptional quality, a tradition born in the late 70s that has continued to be well-received by avid mountaineers.

The brand is relaunching its Mountain Jacket, one of the first examples of technical outerwear that ushered in the expansion of men's outdoor clothing in order to cater to the requirements of outdoor activities such as backpacking, camping and cycling. Designed with functional elements that suit the requirements of such activities, Woolrich's latest edition of the Mountain Jacket strikes the perfect balance between style and function thus also catering to the more aesthetically driven consumer.

A more contemporary style is brought to the fore ensuring maximum freedom of movement, comfort and warmth with its form-fitting cut, adjustable cuffs and ergonomic style. Gore-tex®'s lightest fabric, the Paclite, guarantees the best performance. Despite the air of innovation that characterises the latest jackets, the brand loyally adheres to the design elements of the late 70s that proved so successful in the past.

With a perfectly breathable waterproof Gore-tex® layer beneath the traditional durable and water repellent outer layer, the Mountain Jacket has proved itself to be a perfect companion for adventures in nature.

www.woolrich.eu

Fashion

JUUN.J Fall/Winter 2017

As the models stormed inside Universite Rene Decartes’s suggestive neoclassic space, and the fluid body of Juun J’s work floated around, we caught the power of history. The history of this brand evolved within the last ten years into an acclaimed fashion forward entity. for this celebratory collection Juun J - in name of a decade spent imagining the future of his eponymous label - choose the emblematic subtitle: “Archive”.

Oversized long sweaters, heavy, massive, almost suffocating in all their fierce presence. The architectural outwear, the brand's signature trench coat and the MA1 bomber jacket. All the iconic pieces of Juun J’s past collections, in a splendid parade, as an ode to this Korean designer who has influenced the wardrobe of boys and girls in recent years. The girl who has been wearing Juun J forever and who got a special place in the future course: the new Juun J will have from now on feature a Womenswear collection.

And so the oversized cargo pants transformed into high waist long skirts with maxi pockets on the hips and slits on both sides which will be a hot piece for next season. Khaki, military green, black, white and pin-striped blue: the palette focused on the brand’s favoured colours. The large parachute hooded outwear with a myriad of swinging straps were certainly the protagonists, underlined in the closing act when all the possible declinations marched in, as if to suggest the impetuous movement and space of Juun J in the upcoming decade.

www.juunj.com

Fashion

Paul Smith Menswear Fall/Winter 2017

Paul Smith is one of the few brands that gives you the feeling of security, of home and the certainty of effortless style.

With its timeless tailoring, the classic yet fun twistS in textiles and cuts, for his Fall/Winter 2017 Sir Paul Smith presented Menswear and Womenswear together. It was a storm of several declinations of what it could be Paul Smith now, and how any person, especially young, could sport it. Lush checked classic English fabrics, for men and women, silk dresses both in solid colours and printed with hundreds of feathers as taken from a XIX century treatise on naturalia.

Paul Smith with his masterly style showed us how we can wear a shearling short jacket over a suit. Or how a woman can sport a deep blue velvet suit and look so sexy. Coral, blue, green, khaki, grey: a colourful palette true to the brand’s signature identity. We particularly loved the relaxed blazer suits – womens’ were long, below the hips - and the coats over them, for him and her, a full dive into that Smith heritage of effortless elegance.

www.paulsmith.co.uk

Fashion

Esther Perbandt's androgynous Fall/Winter 2017 collection

Perbandt's anti-cyclical collection for the colder seasons featured visionary garments that play with the slightest of contrast between black and white and gender. The designer is famous for touching upon human limitations delicately, forgetting about diversity and giving birth to a brand that strikes the perfect balance between androgyny and independence.

Esther Perbandt has been internationally recognised for her trademark stage productions. The Fall/Winter 2017 show only reinforced her status with a veritably unconventional yet sophisticated event that attracted celebrities from around the globe as well as personalities from the world of design, art and fashion; collectively they paid homage to a powerful production.

www.estherperbandt.com

Fashion

GmbH Fall/Winter 2017: When a thought becomes you

In a Society of Limitations where people are together yet alone, GmbH addresses the situation with an inclusive Fall/Winter 2017 collection dedicated to different shapes, gestures and manners.

The collection paired fashion with sustainability featuring bi-colour cropped GmbH biker jackets reworked from recycled, reversible Helly Hansen puffer coats, cropped jersey hoodies and fine knit athletic bodies of partially recycled fibres. A shot of glamour is given by tight lycra and velvet long-sleeved jumpers in a color palette inspired by artist Alexandra Bircken. Moreover traditional carpenter’s guild trousers and gold embroideries enrich the outfits for an even more personal touch.

As GmbH declared: “These are directives for care and wear, eine wahre Geschichte, eine Warengeschichte, a true story a history of wares.”

www.gmbhofficial.com

Fashion

Dior Homme Fall/Winter 2017

Thousands of little flags suspended from the Grand Palais ceiling, as one of those summer festivals when the night breeze brush them gently. The coloured lights illuminating the room mimicking the stage reflectors of any hard rock concert we have attended in our teens.

When the Depeche Mode lyrics started to play and the lights went up revealing the cardboard boxes and “HARDIOR” packing tape paving the regal space, it all came together.

Kris Van Assche channelled his childhood memories in 90s Antwerp clubs, the music, the parties, creating an electrifying collection that explored not only the new course of Dior Homme after 10 years at its reigns but also the possible declination of modern tailoring.

Van Assche designed the suit for the young man, a dialogue between the cool boy party animal and formal clothing. Close fit blazer revealing baste stitching matched with relaxed loose high waist trousers worn with trainers and white socks. Winking to street-wear.

A sweater with the clustered image of monsieur Christian Dior himself - whose birthday was surprisingly the day of the show - and the sentence written right below “They should just let us rave” turned quickly the attention to a more rebellious side of Van Assche: the gothic sweeping floor length capes and teddy bear chain trousers, the hand painted short fur bomber jackets, the aquamarine jumpers and the orange pony double breasted trench coat.

The Belgian designer picked the candy boys, the gabba, the new wave and the mosch pits at raves as his references. The latter, illustrated by the hand of American artist Dan Witz and printed in few closing looks - like the intricate reverse sequins suit - gave a poignant accent to the whole collection.

Dior Homme is beautifully evolving into a strong luxury fashion brand and as the light goes down we can’t help but be excited, like the post feeling of any great concert.

www.dior.com

Fashion

PORTS 1961 LOVERS ARMY

PORTS 1961 Fall/Winter 2017 collection is all about love and its universal meaning. A collection that is minimalist and gives off a younger appeal than past seasons, will definitely warm your wardrobe and your heart.

The Ports 1961 man is ready to face whatever the day has in store. From protective sports clothing inspired by urban workwear to construction suits. Materials are primarily sober, solid and thick, giving a touch of virility to a pretty chic sportswear collection. In the contrasting palette of black, grey, red and orange, reversible bombers, slit sleeves’ coats, studded blousons and piped trousers are just a bite of this collection that sees heart and love all over it.

Details are what bring this collection its tempo – camouflage prints adored by Milan Vukmirovic are reworked and the quintessential white shirt is embellished with a blood red embroidered heart.

www.ports1961.com

Fashion

FENDI Spring/Summer 2017: it it girls in a pink pink world

Sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid are undoubtedly a winning model duo in this day and age. For Fendi's Spring/Summer 2017 campaign the Hadid siblings join forces with Italian model Vittoria Ceretti to bring the brand's latest collection to life.

Set in a Parisian apartment, Karl Lagerfeld created a pastel-coloured world with floral wallpapers, infusing a fresh, young campaign with a delicate touch. Bella, Gigi and Vittoria reflect the brand's proposed shabby chic aesthetic while paying homage to Fendi's DNA in an ultra feminine way.

Fendi's Peeakaboo, Dotcom and Strap You bags are given candy-coloured makeovers, further enhancing their status as must-have accessories for the summer season. Fun fur details transform these into the perfect companions for these contemporary Marie Antoinettes.

The intimate, romantic and magical atmosphere created is made current with the addition of an edgy, sporty twist. Classic, yet current and so very Fendi.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Invictus and Olympéa Intense: Paco Rabanne’s divine fragrances

Radical, free, avant-garde. These codes are at the core of Paco Rabanne both in fashion and scents. Invictus and Olympéa Intense are the ultimate unconventional and open to fantasy scents representing two exceptional figures that together create an explosive encounter.

Invictus is man in all his force, robustly pure and athletic. It plays on the shock between blazing amber woods and a marine “salty skin” accord, in a woody-fresh wake. Green-aromatic laurel leaf and orange blossom electrified by notes of black pepper are added to give an intensified, sensual effect. The bottle, dark and sculptural, represents what the Invictus man is all about: an infallible hero who never gives in, a God on earth.

Olympéa empowers women by taking sensuality up a notch. Salty vanilla wrapped up in cashmere wood is at the base of the scent enriched by a duel in which opposites attract. On one side a floral pulse given by white pepper, orange flower and grapefruit blossom. On the other, the warmth of white amber and cedar wood. A glass circular bottle in metal colors represents the perfect construction between geometrical strength and curves, embodying the sacred female of Olympéa, the divine queen.

www.pacorabanne.com

Fashion

Nike Air Max 97: the Silver side of Italians

As the homeland of prêt-à-porter, Italy has always introduced new ways of fashion appreciation that we've all emulated at some point or another. Nike's 'La Silver' sneaker has been, and remains to this day, a strong example of this very concept.

When this sneaker made its first appearance in the fashion market in 1997, it failed to capture the hearts of fashion-forward Italians. It was snubbed, regarded as ugly, weird, otherworldly even. For others, those were La Silver's winning characteristics, making this model the star of 20th century footwear trends in Italy.

For a decade, its ostentatious shine and sleek lines made it a staple in many young Italians' Christmas wish lists. As a symbol of Italian gabber dancing culture and futurism, this sneaker was offered in colour variations that never went unnoticed. It wasn't long before La Silver had snuck its way into the hearts and wardrobes of both fashion addicts and proponents of a more 'chav chic' aesthetic.

Straight out of its homeland, “La Silver” by Nike is back on the market after 20 years. This makes us wonder: is this a new icon for this generation or a mere throwback for those who were there from the start?

www.nike.com

Fashion

DIESEL creates ALRITE: the timeless watch that takes art to the street

To do good and in an innovative way has always been considered one of Diesel's mottos. This winter and in collaboration with Fossil, the Italian brand has undoubtedly hit its target with its latest project: the Diesel ALRITE timepieces.

Cut out from 150 square meters of original artwork by Rostarr, who collaborated in the design of this accessory, ALRITE is literally a work of art that endures the passage of time while paying homage to both art and Diesel’s DNA.

The 555 pieces that make up this Limited edition collection are completely unique and each different from one another, making for one-of-a-kind watches. This feeling of exclusivity is exactly what this hand-wrapped genuine leathers watch brings to the wearer by intertwining the aspects of time and timelessness.

Moreover Diesel ALRITE teams up with Sotheby’s to reinforce the message of not only bringing art back, but also doing so for a good cause. Three pieces from this unique collection will be auctioned via e-bay for charity. Funds will be donated to the Only The Brave Foundation that has been working with Diesel for many years to fight against social inequality and working on sustainable development across the world.

“Create products that draw the line between pragmatic and fashion forward” this mission has been definitely brought to life.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

KENZO X EASTPAK…and CHARITY

Once again the iconic Padded Pak’r® backpack by Eastpak will serve as the “carte blanche” given to a selection of the world’s most influential designers to create a unique work of art.

When it comes to creativity and eccentricity, Kenzo, one of the brands participating in Eastpak’s Artist Studio competition along with Giambattista Valli and Vêtements, never disappoints giving birth to a “never-seen-before” piece. Humberto Leon and Carol Lim’s prints trimmed with a tiger claw key holder and a graphic Kenzo towel and hat, were assembled in a collage that not only twins Eastpak and Kenzo, but fashion and charity too.

The collection, comprised of one-off creations from each designer will drop on the 1st of December, World AIDS day. And for a good cause too: all proceeds go to the Designers Against AIDS organization to raise awareness, even among fashion victims, for HIV/AIDS.

www.kenzo.com