Fashion

Paul & Shark X Bixio Braghier - SS24 Capsule Collection

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

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

Fashion

Cynematic Wrist

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

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

Fashion

Coastal Season

Louis Vuitton's latest Nautical Capsule, available from March 22, 2024, is a fusion of travel-inspired elegance and effortless style. Featuring women's ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, and fashion jewelry, the collection exudes a relaxed yet refined vibe. Classic sailor motifs are given a youthful twist, with a timeless focus on white and navy hues and stripes adorning T-shirt dresses, shirts, and knits.
The collection includes standout pieces like the Coussin BB and Noé BB bags in vibrant red leather, as well as the GO-14 bag featuring intricate mignons embroidery. Novelty items such as the Capucines Mini covered in striped sequins and a miniature lighthouse-shaped bag add playful charm.

Nautical-themed silks, like the LV Cordage design, incorporate the Monogram pattern, while the Sailor Bandana features vibrant hues like vermillion and sky blue. Fashion jewelry, inspired by sailing ropes, complements the collection with delicate Monogram flower earrings and navy cuffs adorned with the LV signature.
Designed for a coastal summer, the Louis Vuitton Nautical Capsule offers a sophisticated take on feminine sportswear, perfect for both city and coastal dressing, with versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched for endless marine-inspired looks.
www.louisvuitton.com

Art

Philip Gay’s ‘Rewind’: A Photo Exhibition in Paris

Renowned photographer and long-time collaborator of ZOO Magazine, Philip Gay, is set to unveil his latest photo exhibition titled "Rewind" at Ellia Gallery in Paris, opening on the 21st of March. This exhibition showcases his elegant and sophisticated photography aesthetic, encapsulating his retrospective stories within the early 2000s fashion landscape.

His exhibition will feature a captivating array of Polaroid selections from his fashion shoots and portraits spanning from 2001 to 2011. These works were previously featured in various esteemed fashion magazines, including photo editorials with ZOO Magazine that aptly present his profound artistic vision. Notable among his legendary works are captivating shots featuring Hannelore Knuts, Olga Sherer, Eliza Cummings, Angela Lindvall, Pascal Greggory, Irina Lazareanu, and Sean Lennon. At the center of his artistic prowess, these photos will be presented in the exhibition. Moreover, the exhibition will offer an exclusive glimpse into Gay's creative process, featuring old contract sheets from that era alongside several larger prints of his more recent and daring fashion stories. These prints include erotic images that showcase the evolution of his artistry over the past few years.

Philip Gay’s ‘Rewind’ promises a mesmerizing journey through the lens of a visionary artist, opening at Ellia Art Gallery, 18 Rue de Turenne, on the 21st of March in Paris.
www.linktr.ee/PhilipGay
www.ellia-artgallery.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – Y/Project

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

Fashion

HUGO launched the event in Berlin on March 6th, unveiling its latest collection of denim-centric line, HUGO BLUE. With denim and self-expression at its heart, the event invited approximately 1,000 guests to step into the world of HUGO BLUE and explore its first collection.

What made the event special was the full immersion experience that offered captivating product installations with the multiverses of entertainment and gaming as well as a purely blue space with blue LED panels that echoed the brand’s signature color. As guests arrived at Wilhelm Hallen, they were greeted by a striking blue tunnel, ushering them into the vibrant universe of HUGO BLUE. The event venue featured bold brand logo details in blue, a photo-ready backdrop, customization zones, a DJ performance, and multiple screens.

In tune with the social media generation, HUGO tapped into the power of creativity as a form of self-expression, sharing the launch event with its online community. This enabled the brand to connect with the youthful culture, showcasing HUGO BLUE's distinctive brand encounter, which blends virtual and real-life realms through a fusion of gaming, style, music, and art.

This convergence of digital and physical experiences underscores HUGO's commitment to innovation and engagement within the ever-evolving landscape of fashion and culture. This innovative launch event not only showcased HUGO's commitment to pushing boundaries in fashion but also provided attendees with a unique, sensual, interactive experience to immerse themselves in its spirit.
www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – LOUIS VUITTON

Nicolas Ghesquière celebrated his 10th anniversary as the Creative Director of Women’s collections for the House of Louis Vuitton.
He thus presented a Fall-Winter 2024/25 collection resulting from a coherent blend of new silhouettes and reinterpretations of his former creations.

It was a collection celebrating fashion and imagination, with many references to science fiction and travel, two of Ghesquière's main inspirations.
Even the venue was a nod to the past decade, indeed the show took place at the Cour Carrée of the Louvre, the place, where, ten years ago, in 2014, Nicolas Ghesquière presented his first collection for Louis Vuitton. The cuts were precise and well thought-out, as we're used to from Vuitton. The House's legendary expertise in leather is also part of the collection, reflected in soft leathers and vibrant colors, presented in jackets, skirts, and tops. Embroidery, gilding, furs: the looks were dazzling and playful, as a living celebration of fashion.
As a throwback to his first decade at Louis Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière presents a retrospective collection. Without being nostalgic, he reminds us of his past creations and shows how he sees his future within the House.
www.louisvuitton.com 

Fashion

PARIS 2024/FW – VALENTINO

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

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

Fashion

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 - PRADA

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

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

Fashion

MILAN 2024/FW - ARMANI

Giorgio Armani has presented the show of his eponymous brand in an ode to the cycles of nature and the cycles of life.
The catwalk was opened by Gina di Bernardo, the timeless face of the brand during the 80s and the 90s, giving a powerful message about the ageless beauty of women.
The show was constructed in a way that represented the blooming of flowers during winter in an elegant and timeless collection, imbued with the designer's signature codes. Thus the collection displayed a palette of blues, blacks, and dark greens matched with brighter, joyful colors representing the blooming of the Winter Flowers in a harmonious and poetic ensemble.

Loyal to his codes, for his Fall/Winter collection, Giorgio Armani worked with shiny, delicate materials such as velvet and silk, bringing light to dark seasons. The use of sumptuous embroidery and bouclé wool finish off this collection's light, timeless look, sublimating women at every stage of their lives.
The daytime silhouette is composed of flared sleeves jackets and long coats to face the cold with elegance, while in the evening, the Giorgio Armani woman is attired in long dresses that poetically sweep over her ankles. The Giorgio Armani woman is a flower that blossoms, even in the middle of winter, regardless of the time that goes by.
www.armani.com

Fashion

Montblanc Leather Collections for a functional and elegant Spring/Summer 2024

Montblanc presents its new leather collections, through a new story inspired by the harmony of nature.
Luxury Maison's journey in leather goods takes a new turn as it unveils chic new designs infused with soft pastel hues, capturing the essence of nature with four new leather collections.

Montblanc's Extreme 3.0 Collection is dedicated to adventurous lifestyles, combining durability with sleek style. With new design codes, Montblanc unveils a highly functional and tailored to modern lifestyles line.
Sartorial line celebrates handwriting’s beauty with warm tones and dusty blue accents, starring the Double Bag in black and mastic, and the Small Double Bag, this collection offers versatility and sophistication.
With new shapes like the Montblanc 142 Bag and Mini Messenger, the 4810 Collection brilliantly combines elegance and functionality by providing smart organization solutions and hues like pale green and pewter. Finally, by unveiling the #MY4810 Trolley, Montblanc delivers practical features such as 360° wheels, an adjustable handlebar, and organized interiors, making it an essential companion for any journey.

Offering modern and innovative designs, the Spring-Summer 2024 collections brilliantly combine boldness with functionality. Made from high-quality leather, Montblanc products are made to last and to enjoy everyday use, whether in the city or on the roads.
Montblanc Spring/Summer 2024 Leather Collections are now available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide and online.
www.montblanc.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton launches YouTube series retracing Nicolas Ghesquière’s career within the House

Louis Vuitton is launching a YouTube series in which Nicolas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, will retrace the story of his career while inviting a host of friends and collaborators.

Named “Nicolas Ghesquière: Shaping Fashion”, this exclusive YouTube series is an in-depth format, bringing together Nicolas Ghesquièreand some of the figures who have influenced his career to discover what goes on behind the scenes of his creative journey.
Tracing the designer's decade and counting at Louis Vuitton, this series of videos will give an insight into Nicolas Ghesquière’s life and career within the House. Through meaningful conversations about cinema, music, and fashion, the designer will give us an insight into his inspirations and projects, with a touch of personal anecdotes.
Among the guests who will interact with the designer, the first invitees to take part are none other than the House Ambassadors Emma Stone and Jennifer Connelly. Counting 10 minutes per episode, the series will be animated by journalists Lynn Hirschberg and Sylvia Jorif to capture the essence of the Artistic Director’s work.

The first episode featuring Nicolas Ghesquière and Emma Stone is already available on Louis Vuitton digital channels.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The grand inauguration of TOD’S boutique on Madison Avenue

TOD’S celebrated on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, the opening of its new boutique on Madison Avenue.

Hosted by Diego Della Valle, President and CEO, and Andrea Della Valle, Vice President, alongside actress Uma Thurman, the reception gathered guests from the worlds of fashion, music, film, philanthropy, art, and business.

The event started with a cocktail reception in the new open-concept store, showcasing TOD’S latest spring collections in ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, and leather accessories. The guests were then able to join in a demonstration of the brand’s Italian craftsmanship, spotlighting the Di bag and the Gommino loafer, two of TOD'S iconic models, before enjoying an intimate dinner at the renowned “The Mark Restaurant”.

The Tod's Madison Avenue boutique displays the men's and women's collections, including iconic pieces, as well as the new T Timeless collection. The boutique also features an exclusive personalization service, My Di Bag and My Gommino, which allows customers to customize their items with special colors, sizes, and inscriptions, illustrating Tod's commitment to the hand-crafted experience and creativity.
www.tods.com

Fashion

Take a Seat at the Desk

Montblanc invited guests to a luxurious breakfast at La Galerie Bourbon on a frosty morning of Paris Fashion Week Men’s. Greeted first by a coffee cart and grand installation celebrating 100 years of Meisterstück in the courtyard, guests were then welcomed into the historical gallery where Montblanc’s latest leather creations were showcased. The event introduced and centred around Montblanc’s inspiration for the year ahead, “The Desk”. The theme infuses the Maison’s rich heritage and Artistic Director Marco Tomasetta’s remarkable, bold designs with delightful intimacy. As the place where pen first touches paper and thoughts are brought to life, the theme reminds us where creative magic and self-expression begin. www.montblanc.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

Prada's Menswear FW24 Collection

On January 14th, Prada presented its newest menswear collection, which revolves all around examining man's adaptation to contrasting environments. The code, conceived by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, is conformist officewear meets functional outerwear. The show took place inside Depositio at Fondazione Prada transformed into a landscape showcasing the opposing forces of contrasting environments: Foresty lawns hide under glass tiles, shielding the audience from nature into a human-made synthetic space. This dichotomy sets the plot for the story told about Prada’s Man of Fall Winter 2024: On one side, by wearing suits and ties, he conforms to the classic conservative chique dress code of an office environment. On the other side, he is shielded from nature's forces through protective garments such as nubbed swimming caps. The former, sartorial side of him is manifested in form-hugging shirts with white contrast collars and cuffs under boxy suits from tweed that reminds of the previous season. Accessories include large nylon totes and leather bags that are roomy enough to carry any businessman's laptop, as well as white belts and bag chains made up of chains of triangular shapes. Other looks include corduroy police-style hats with peaks in black PVC. Belts buckled on the side, as well as asymmetrically buttoned jackets, add a playful touch to the conformist allure. While some of the footwear features formal patent leather oxfords, the more playful persona of Prada’s estranged businessman also wears Romanesque sandals, that almost exude a sense of longing for being grounded on grass. Both alienated from nature by conforming to office codes, yet prepared and willing to take on its forces, Prada's menswear line defines a novel approach to timeless contemporary elegance.
www.prada.com

Fashion

Bulgari X Save The Children: With Me, with You.

The Italian jewelry maison Bulgari is celebrating its successful 15 year partnership with the launch of a new necklace and their “With Me, With You” campaign. In line with this philosophy Bulgari is partnering up with me, with you and with everyone who wants to support humanitarian aid through their collaboration with the organization Save The Children. By donating a portion of the sale profits of their refined jewelry pieces, Bulgari has been able to donate a total of 105 Million dollars to Save The Children, a sum that has already enabled 2 Million children in 37 countries in accessing high quality education, youth support, emergency help and which has supported the fight against poverty globally. Step by step, these donations have allowed the development of multiple enduring aid projects. Nevertheless, in the face of hundreds of million children, that still suffer from living in conflict zones acute hunger or the lack of education, Bulgari and Save The Children are aware of their social responsibility and enduringly committed to help those in need, which is why the new campaign puts forward a brand new ring and two more iconic pendant necklaces as symbols for change. With the purchase of each piece, 95 Euros will be donated directly to Save The Children. The new pieces are available online since January 2 and will be available in selected Bulgari stores from January 14.
www.bulgari.com / wwww.savethechildren.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent New Store In Champs-Élysées

Paris, the fashion capital of the world, welcomes a new Saint Laurent flagship store on the illustrious Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Inspired by the visionary Yves Saint Laurent himself, Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello brings to life a long-cherished dream of seeing the iconic brand's name illuminated in fiery letters along this legendary boulevard. Housed in a meticulously restored Haussmannian building, the boutique is a harmonious blend of historical charm and avant-garde design. Vaccarello's novel concept invites patrons to embark on a journey of discovery, exploring the carefully curated spaces that seamlessly intertwine rough textures with precise details. Marble displays elevate the brand's collection to the status of precious artefacts, enticing clients to immerse themselves in the world of Saint Laurent. The double-height foyer, adorned with a mesmerizing neon light sculpture by renowned artist Cerith Wyn Evans, captures the essence of modern luxury. Sensuous surfaces, curving staircases in black-lacquered wood, and a tranquil private garden add layers to the shopping experience. Saint Laurent's complete repertoire, spanning men's and women's ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, accessories, and fine jewellery, awaits discerning clients at this opulent destination. The boutique, located at 123 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, officially opens its doors on December 9th.
www.saintlaurent.com 

Fashion

Ten C and Diemme Collaborate on Urban Hiking Boot

Italian brands Ten c and Diemme have joined forces to create a truly unique urban hiking boot, introducing the Antermoia to the world. The fusion of Ten C's innovative Original Japanese Jersey (OJJ) fabric and Diemme's iconic Roccia Vet model results in a limited series of 350 pairs, available from Saturday, October 7. The Antermoia, named after one of the highest lakes in the Dolomites, pays homage to the brand's Italian heritage. The collaboration seamlessly blends the strengths of both companies, emphasizing quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. For the first time, Ten C's OJJ fabric, known for its use in the brand's outerwear, is applied to personalize Diemme's Roccia Vet hiking boot. The result is a harmonious marriage of materials and colourways, featuring a tone-on-tone palette ranging from chalk and black to military green. The water-repellent boots are designed to conquer both city sidewalks and mountain terrain, making them a versatile and stylish addition to any wardrobe. The Antermoia stands as a testament to the passion for quality and innovation shared by Ten c and Diemme, offering consumers a rare opportunity to own a piece of this exclusive collaboration.
www.tenc.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 

Fashion

GANT's SS24 – Ivy League-Vibes

GANT, the renowned American sportswear brand, is set to captivate fashion enthusiasts with its SS24 collection, seamlessly blending the nostalgic vibes of 90s Ivy League with a chic Mediterranean flair. Drawing inspiration from New York's Mulberry Street, the collection reinvents timeless fashion with a contemporary silhouette. In the early season, a balanced colour palette merges classic blues and navy tones with beige, grey, cream, and white, accentuated by pops of reds, yellows, and indigo blue. Maritime patterns, Ivy League stripes, and Madras prints pay homage to college fashion, while women's pieces feature monograms and floral motifs for added elegance. As the season progresses, GANT takes a Mediterranean detour, introducing figure-hugging yet casual pieces like linen tops, pleated skirts, and chino shorts. The colour palette shifts to earthy tones, with playful accents in sunflower yellow, papaya orange, and pastel shades, embodying the spirit of summer. In Drop 1, titled "Spring & Mulberry Street," GANT brings a vintage touch with soft, worn-in designs where sneakers share the spotlight with loafers and ballerinas. Drop 2, titled "The Grand Tour," takes a Mediterranean turn, introducing elegant sandals, espadrilles, and updated textile shoes for a summer look with an elegant lifestyle. GANT's SS24 captures the essence of Ivy League charm and Mediterranean sophistication.
www.gant.com

Fashion

Stüssy & Levi’s Infused Capsule

In a nostalgic nod to their Californian roots, Stüssy and Levi’s have collaborated once again, blending Stüssy's distinctive design ethos with Levi’s classic garments. The result? A captivating capsule collection featuring trucker jackets and jeans in three striking colourways: black, brown, and pink. Crafted from jacquard fabric and adorned with two-tone garment dyes, each piece exudes a one-of-a-kind charm, reminiscent of washed vintage aesthetics. The Stüssy & Levi’s collection drops on Friday, November 10th available for purchase on both stores and websites. Levi’s has been an emblem of timeless American style and continues to evolve with a relentless commitment to innovation. Stüssy, born from the Southern California surf scene in the late '80s, reshaped casual wear with a unique ideology. As Stüssy resonated with an international network of creatives—musicians, skaters, DJs, and artists—the brand's ethos spread globally. These brands merge seamlessly resulting in an innovative collection with trendy pieces.
www.levis.com 

Travel

Taiko Cuisine 9th Anniversary

Taiko Cuisine, the culinary gem nestled within the Amsterdam Conservatorium Hotel and crowned 'Best Asian Restaurant 2023' by Gault&Millau, is ringing in its ninth anniversary with an ode to the kitchen's heartbeat: RICE, RICE, RICE. Chef Schilo van Coevorden, known for his masterful fusion of East and West, unveiled the chosen ingredient on October 30, ushering in a year-long celebration of this culinary staple. Taiko Cuisine annually hosts a grand 'Taiko New Year' celebration, inviting guests on a gastronomic adventure. This year, the spotlight is on rice, a grain deeply rooted in East Asian culture and now a global culinary sensation. Chef Schilo's inventive menu for the upcoming year will feature rice in all its glory, following the footsteps of previously celebrated ingredients like Red King Crab, Hida Wagyu beef, and Wasabi. The rice-infused journey promises explosive flavours and a unique dining experience for every guest. Not stopping at the plate, Taiko Bar, an offspring of the kitchen's flirtation with the bar, has evolved into a nightlife phenomenon. Offering unbeatable bites, a curated drink menu reminiscent of Roppongi's speakeasies, and the expertise of Amsterdam's finest bartenders, Taiko Bar transports the high-end nightlife of Asian metropolises to the cosy corners of an Amsterdam pub. In celebrating nine years of culinary excellence, Taiko Cuisine invites you to savour the essence of rice and embark on a journey that transcends cultural boundaries, promising an unforgettable dining experience.
www.conservatoriumhotel.com

Travel

HOTEL ZOO BERLIN Celebrates The Scariest Night of The Year

On October 31st, to celebrate the spookiest night of the year, The HOTEL ZOO BERLIN was transformed into an eerie setting. The Hotel was transformed into an atmospheric Halloween world by the set decorators, Sabine Schaaf and Daniela Lohschelder. The two designers are already known to the public for their works for Babylon Berlin, The Queen's Gambit, and Hunger Games, among others. These two creative minds gave life to a unique ambiance. At the entrance, the guests were greeted by costumed, creepy stilt walkers and zombie dolls and passed through the eerie, foggy cemetery backdrop into the lobby and the spider corridor, into the GRACE Bar, and on to the GRACE Restaurant. Also, the GRACE kitchen created a Halloween-themed dinner menu. As starters, Spicy Nicoise Salad, Pumpkin Gyozas, and Chinese Cucumber have delighted the guests. Then, Korean White Halibut or Crispy Tofu was served as the main course. Snake dancers, a thriller flash mob, and music have entertained the evening until late.
www.hotelzoo.de

Fashion

David Chipperfield Cave & Ten c FW23/24

Luxury outerwear brand Ten c goes on a quest to unearth the hidden gems of the Italian landscape, under the FGF Industry group, and presents its FW23/24 campaign against the stunning backdrop of Cava Arcari in Vicenza. This exceptional location, a masterpiece by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield, mirrors the brand's dedication to discovering and showcasing the beauty that lies off the beaten path. The FW23/24 collection, inspired by the rich hues of semi-precious stones, seamlessly integrates with the enchanting surroundings of the Arcari Quarries. The architectural inspiration drawn from ancient Roman theatres brings forth three distinct colour tones—ivory representing Vicenza stone, military green mirroring moss and algae deposits, and black encapsulating the mysterious labyrinths within the quarries. Each colour tone unfolds a chromatic chapter in the campaign's short story, captured through striking shots and a mood video. The ethereal and contemplative ambience of the quarry mirrors the collection's essence, creating a harmonious interplay of light and shadow within the environment. Ten c's FW23/24 campaign is more than a showcase of luxurious outerwear; it is a testament to the brand's commitment to revealing the unseen and promoting the marriage of art and nature. With the promise of constant innovation in technologies and fabrics, Ten c continues to lead the way in creating contemporary and groundbreaking fashion.
www.tenc.com

Fashion

Dior Men Launches the B57 Sneakers

In their mission to elegantly dress every man combining style with practicality and performance, Dior launches the B57 Sneakers. This new piece of footwear represents the most important push in Dior’s sneakers history, as it presents something innovative and high-end at the same time. The sneakers are a natural addition to the Spring 2024 collection, perfectly pairing with and complementing every outfit with their bold lines. The retro allure that distinguishes these shoes makes them an object of desire that seamlessly combines elegance with sportswear, blending materials that offer both flexibility and comfort. The sneakers are embellished by the Maison’s iconic logo: the “CD” initials are revealed in Dior Oblique Jacquard, emphasizing once again Dior’s commitment to details and high quality, unique pieces. The sneakers are available in several color variations in bewitching tones such as blue, red, beige, and cream. The Dior B57 sneakers bring an air of both elegance and casualness to every look, effortlessly matching different styles. Innovation and artisanship are brought together in this sneaker model. The sneakers will be available from October 19th, 2023 in boutiques and on the Dior website.
www.dior.com

Art

Maison Valentino | Triennale Milano – Italian Painting Today

Maison Valentino extends its commitment to the arts through a strategic partnership with Triennale Milano. Set to coincide with Triennale Milano’s centennial anniversary exhibition, "Pittura Italiana Oggi” (Italian Painting Today), curated by Damiano Gullì opens on October 25th, 2023. It will showcase the works of 120 influential Italian artists from the 1960s to 2000, creating a cultural panorama that reflects the diversity of Italian painting. Notably, five of the featured artists—Benni Bosetto, Guglielmo Castelli, Francis Offman, Andrea Respino, and Sofia Silvia—have previously collaborated with Maison Valentino as part of the Valentino Des Ateliers collection. This haute couture experiment serves as a unique intersection where fashion and art intertwine, expressing unity and community spirit. Valentino's history of collaboration with the arts is extensive, Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli emphasizes the symbiotic relationship rather than merging the two disciplines, he envisions them as separate entities that can engage in a meaningful dialogue. This philosophy is evident in Valentino Des Ateliers, where fine art is translated into exquisite fashion creations. "Pittura Italiana Oggi" will be offering the public an immersive experience in contemporary Italian painting until February 11th, 2024. Maison Valentino's collaboration with Triennale Milano generates a sense of belonging that goes beyond the realm of fashion.
triennale.org/eventi/pittura-italiana
www.valentino.com

Fashion

Paul&Shark – A Father and Son Tale FW23

In a captivating blend of Italian elegance and familial warmth, Paul&Shark unveils its FW23 AD Campaign, "A Father and Son Tale," featuring the dynamic duo of actor Pierce Brosnan and his son, Paris. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Tuscan hills and a charming village, this campaign is more than a showcase of high-end fashion; it's a celebration of the profound bond between father and son. The narrative unfolds in a series of moments—strolls through narrow streets, card games on a picnic blanket, and shared embraces—capturing the essence of genuine connection. Pierce Brosnan, the epitome of timeless style, was a natural choice for Paul&Shark. As a world-renowned actor and fashion icon, he effortlessly embodies the sophistication of the FW23 collection, featuring water-resistant cashmere outerwear, fine wool knitwear, and soft cotton shirts. The creative vision of Giampaolo Sgura and styling by Anna Dello Russo elevate this campaign to an artistic expression of familial ties. Paris Brosnan brings a casual, urban flair to the collection, with wide rib-knit oversized shirts and the iconic wool beanie hat seamlessly blending with his father's refined aesthetic. The duo effortlessly showcases the versatility of Paul&Shark's garments, emphasizing a style that transcends generations. Scheduled for a global release on September 12, 2023, this campaign marks a pivotal moment. It not only unveils the latest collection but also tells a story of style, connection, and the timeless elegance that Paul&Shark represents.
www.paulandshark.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week - Hermès

In the world of luxury fashion, Hermès has always been known for its leather elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship. Nadège Vanhee, the maison’s creative director, showcased the essence of "quiet luxury" in the Spring Collection, where every detail whispered sophistication and exclusivity. The monochrome color palette of burgundy transitioning through putty, black, red, and brown, revealed a subtle secret— in fact, these hues were inspired by the iconic leather goods of Hermès. Each shade, such as Rouge H and Étoupe grey, carry a distinct link to the brand, adding a layer of exclusivity to the collection. The runway was set amidst wild flowers and sand dunes, setting the scene of a fresh meadow turning spring into summer, reflecting the theme of connection between women and their clothes. Vanhee's trademark precision in design was evident in the tailored coats achieving mobility through fluid, saddle-shaped pattern cutting. The initially apparent simple clothes contain excellent product workmanship making it possible for the leather designs to adapt to movement like a second skin. Even the seemingly delicate zig-zag lace-like details on cotton summery dresses were revealed to be leather. The contemporary silhouettes slip through tall grasses, revealing transparencies, backs and décolletés, the knitwear featuring asymmetric cropped tops, bras and pencil skirts that accentuate the contours of the body. The show's highlight was not only the dialogue between fabric and shades, but the signature attention to accessories. Half-moon bags, oversized buckets, greek-style sandals crafted in ribbon and woven calfskin, and even the soles had Hermès treads showcasing their commitment to detail and brand identity. In essence, the collection aimed to present a wardrobe for a play with perceptions between bodies and clothes with a testament to Hermès' enduring legacy and its consistent pursuit of timeless style.
www.hermes.com

Fashion

H&M Studio’s New Paris Pop-up Store

H&M Studio reaches new heights and looks at the future with the opening of a new pop-up store in the Marais district for the Paris Fashion Week. The pop-up store was also the location for the launch of H&M Studio’s AW23 collection. The opening of the pop-up space was celebrated on September 25th with an exclusive party during Paris Fashion Week. The event was hosted by Ann-Sophie Johannson, Head of Design Womenswear and H&M’s creative advisor, and by Linda Wikell, H&M Studio’s concept designer. The space was developed with the renowned design agency Crosby Studio and will remain open from September 26th to September 30th at Galerie du Temple, while the H&M Studio Collection AW23 will launch worldwide on September 28th. The pop-up store was designed keeping in mind the concept of a “living exhibition”, presenting the brand’s new collection alongside a unique red art installation, consisting of an archive room with pull-out boxes displaying and illustrating 10 years of H&M Studio collections, also including a café. In celebration of the first night of PFW, H&M hosted an intimate rooftop dinner inviting creatives to style the garments and accessories of the latest studio collection. Under the stars and against the backdrop of the Parisian skyline, the collection represents a perfect and timeless balance between the chic and the party girl with statement pieces that offer endless possibilities. The capsule features a classic black and white colour palette, with room to play through exaggerated shoulder and collar tailoring, lace-trim details, a bold tear-drop print, plenty of velvet and faux leather textures, and the dazzle of diamante-studded denim. Altogether, the collection marks 10 years of H&M studios while ushering in a brand new era of limited-edition designs.
www.hm.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Herno

With its SS24 collection, Herno suggests living the summer season moment by moment, savoring each one and effortlessly moving between the essential and the superfluous. The weight of every fabric is a reminder of the everchanging spirit of fashion, which, like the wind, flows and mutates. The Italian brand’s 75-year-long history is honored in this collection, which is nonetheless enhanced by the current times, embracing new fashion trends while maintaining the elegant and classic style that distinguishes Herno. Outerwear keeps being the focus of the brand, along with skirts, pants, and dresses. The style of the garments is declined in feminine and contemporary silhouettes through fabrics that enhance sartorial cuts. The different nylons that make up the collection go from ultralight to super mat, while cotton is employed in its most classic version, dedicated to pieces meant for rainy weather as well as more “girlish” versions. The collection’s most prestigious garments are made of linen, silk, wool, and double cashmere, exalting the high quality of Herno’s craftsmanship. The protagonists of the color palette are pastel tones, such as yellow, light blue, and aquamarine, while neutral, feminine colors such as neutral hues remain staples in this refined, yet modern collection.
www.herno.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week - Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli’s Spring Summer 2024 Women’s collection Natural Aequilibrium was presented on September 20th at the Milan Fashion Week. The collection is all about equilibrium, a balance of opposing forces that balance each other: addition and subtraction, minimal and ornate, aesthetics and functionality. Brunello Cucinelli’s collection stays true to the brand’s classic, elegant aesthetic while looking into the future and honoring the needs of our time. The new contemporary luxury gives way to a dynamic equilibrium that results in a “rebalanced” wardrobe where two different souls coexist. On the one hand, pure, simple garments make for everyday staple pieces, while on the other there are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. The whole collection exudes the attraction to a timeless style, which is ultimately at the core of Brunello Cucinelli. Unique impeccable sartorial taste offers a fundamental reference point for contemporary balance, expressed through apparent simplicity and refined effortlessness. Each garment expresses balance and authenticity, renewing the Maison’s desire to dress with taste and to forego excess. The color palette is neutral, in line with the shapes and the proportions of the garments. With this collection, the brand showcases its ability to renew itself according to the stimuli of the moment, while naturally preserving the elements that make it unique.
www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

SKIMS Launches at KaDeWe

On September 18 2023 SKIMS announced its first ever multi-brand shopping experience at KaDeWe in Berlin. The partnership with the iconic luxury store is another stepping stone for the American brand, which is now expanding worldwide in international markets. The opening follows the SKIMS Swim pop-up experience at Selfridges in London in June and the openings of shop-in-shop at multi-brand retailers across the world. To celebrate the launch, KaDeWe unveils a SKIMS takeover on its iconic window front, featuring SKIMS’ iconic logo and an artful campaign with models wearing the brand’s famous shapewear. Throughout the opening weekend, SKIMS invites customers to a special shopping experience serving sweet treats. KaDeWe will host the SKIMS shopping experience on the third floor of the store, which will allow customers to pick among the brand’s best-selling collections and products, such as the Seamless Sculpt line and the Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress. SKIMS fits perfectly in KaDeWe’s multi-brand shopping experience, bringing the brand’s conceptual design of retail spaces to life thanks to SKIMS signature shapewear wall, rounded edge surfaces, and custom fixtures, designed in partnership with Willo Perron, SKIMS long time collaborator. KaDeWe’s fame for bringing artful, conceptual shopping experiences to its customers is once again confirmed by the SKIMS collaboration, which merges two brands whose visions and values are aligned.
www.skims.com
www.kadewe.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Presents Fantastical Jewels by Francesca Amfitheatrof

Louis Vuitton is constantly expanding its jewelry repertoire with a new collection designed by the creative director of Louis Vuitton Jewelry Francesca Amfitheatrof. Through a book offering an enthralling glimpse into four extraordinary jewelry collections, the designer brings a fresh, innovative perspective to the ancient art of jewelry design, telling about the creation of revolutionary collections for the Maison. Each of the collections, masterfully designed and conceived in the heart of Paris, is approached by Amfitheatrof through conceptual themes that ultimately tie them together. In the same way that a writer approaches the plot of a novel, Louis Vuitton Jewelry's creative director develops collections that tell a story about the history and the origins of the craft of jewelry. The pieces of the collection are made of the most ancient materials on our planet, gemstones that have been on Earth for as long as time, such as diamonds, colored stones, and gold. The book recounts the most minute and intricate details of the alchemic journey that brings to the creation of precious pieces of jewelry. It is written in a journal-like style and is embellished by exclusive sketches, collages, and personal photographs of Francesca Amfitheatrof, who, together with art director Fabien Baron, has created a personal volume that goes to the core of jewelry artistry.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Woolrich FW Campaign

Woolrich, the Original American Outdoor Brand is pleased to reveal the latest Fall/Winter 2023 advertising campaign featuring multiple young talents. The campaign, titled ORIGIN STORIES, embodies Woolrich’s significant bond with American culture and honors the original stories. The campaign captured American Dreams experienced from different perspectives, viewed through the lens of the new Americana, while the stylish footage was artfully blended with Woolrich's iconic clothing, establishing itself as an essential part of the country's cultural heritage. In particular, the campaign pays tribute to two fundamental pillars of American culture—the timeless Game of Checkers and the iconic American Diner. Game of Checker has been at the center of American culture, fostering companionship and treasured experiences for people of all ages. On the other hand, American diners symbolize not only culinary landmarks but also a representation of genuine American culture. Hence, the American Diner resonated with the nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic train carriages, and diners that portray the real picture of American scenes, encapsulating Woolrich's enduring legacy of significance. Elsewhere, shot by Los Angeles-based director and photographer Hunter Lyon, their intimate perspective adeptly portrayed the brand’s essence and history. Also, Stylist Julie Ragolia curated the looks and created mesmerizing visuals where stylish ensembles perfectly complement the brand's representation.
www.woolrich.com

Fashion

A Bag for Everyday: the Louis Vuitton GO-14

Since its launch in 2014, the Louis Vuitton GO-14 Bag has been an everyday staple in many women's wardrobe. Its shape, material, and simplicity make it versatile while at the same time keeping it a trendy accessory that can be brought effortlessly from day to night. The GO-14 is now being revamped and reimagined with new textures, materials, and shades. One of its latest editions is in brown malletage lambskin leather, featuring the quilted pattern distinctive of the brand’s iconic trunks. The leather that makes up the bag is sustainably sourced and produced according to the highest environmental standards. The gleaming golden twist lock displays the Maison's logo, rendering this accessory a unique everyday staple for every woman's wardrobe. The versatile aspect of the GO-14 is accentuated by its top handle, which can be converted into a leather pad on the chain, allowing the bag to be carried comfortably across the body. The brown lambskin leather employs the same iconic material of the original GO-14 while giving the bag a classic and modern twist through the variety of brown shades and gold detailing. The inside of the bag comes with both a large pocket and a smaller patch pocket, allowing to take advantage of the bag’s space. From day to night, the new look of Louis Vuitton’s GO-14 bag makes it an essential accessory
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Future’s not Ours - Jodee Knowles’ Newest Exhibition

The internationally celebrated Australian artist from Perth is returning to her hometown with an exhibition titled The Future’s not Ours, which marks the artist’s first solo exhibition at Kamile Gallery. The showing features 15 pieces, each offering a different take on the human experience. The exhibition, true to the artist’s signature thought-provoking style that focuses on the human condition and emotions, explores profound themes connected to spirituality, identity, and life experience. Societal norms and perceptions are continuously challenged throughout the works in the exhibition, which delve into the otherworldly realm. Through Knowles’ unique perspective on deep societal topics, viewers are invited to question their perception of themselves and others in search of acceptance in the multidimensional reality brought to life by the artist’s works. Our lifelong quest for identity in today’s world is at the core of the artworks, explored through different dimensions that lead the viewer to contemplate their own life journey. One element brought up throughout the exhibition is the concept of masks, both visual and metaphorical, that we wear every day to appear in society. The Future’s not Ours represents another achievement in Jodee Knowles’ artistic and philosophical journey. Jodee’s exhibition will be inaugurated at 6PM on August 25th at Kamile Gallery in Perth.
www.jodeeknowels.tumblr.com

Fashion

City Rhythm: by-bar’s FW23 Collection

Remaining faithful to its mission to create clothing suitable for all seasons, by-bar, the Amsterdam-born, and based brand, has created a new stylish and versatile collection for FW23, titled City Rhythm. Drawing from its founder Barbara Brenninkmeijer’s ideology that every person has a beautiful, unique soul and personality, by-bar’s FW23 collection is inspired by how the city’s rhythm changes every season and by how people adapt their lifestyle to it. The idea behind the collection is that our wardrobe and needs adapt to the season and that every mood and weather calls for easy, chic, and casual styles. By-bar’s FW23 collection is all about vintage looks, featuring diverse patterns, wide-legged pants, and soft-knitted sweaters. Each piece is adorned with elegant and subtle accents, such as pearl buttons or puffed sleeves. The hues of the collection inspire comfort and warmth. The palette goes from rustic brown to pine forest, leaving at the same time space for some colorful accents such as poppy red and king blue. The materials are soft and perfect for layering, thus allowing for versatility in all weather and climates. Like all by-bar collections, City Rhythm also features high-quality, durable materials and handcrafted pieces in Italy, Portugal, and India.
www.by-bar.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week - ODEEH

During Berlin Fashion Week, the duo designers Otto Drögsler and Jörg Ehrlich unveiled ODEEH SS24, titled ‘The Next Chapter' exploring Surrealism and unique androgynous style for women. The designers played with elegantly soft layering with men’s shirts and various bold tropical prints that reflect Surrealism and the DADA movement. Inspired by the silhouette of Hawaiian shirts, the men’s shirt appears in a wide range of variations in color and patterns. The brand reinterprets that with exaggerated new proportions as well as offers unique insights into androgynous style, paired with calf-length sequin skirts and bold-colored midi dresses. The looks are mainly focusing on sophisticated, glamorous styling with the oversized silhouette while exuding femineity with an accented strap on the waist. Also, the unexpected fabric combinations create a polished, refined look throughout the collection such as running thread, fringe details, sequins, and mesh fabrics, adding fun and playful elements of styling to emphasize the joyful atmosphere. The collection begins with an array of all-white looks defined by clean and easy silhouettes. As it adds more vibrant and diverse colors, the color palette includes different shades of blue, sandy beiges, faded smoky pastels, and various tropical hues. Moreover, various colored prints add a touch of surrealism to the collection ranging from graphic smoky tapestry to blurred flower patterns to surreal, Dadaistic prints. In addition, raw and open cut, and precise shoulder paddings contrast the easiness and softness of the general look. 
www.odeeh.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week – LITKOVSKA

LITKOVSKA, the Ukrainian label captured an avant-grade chic during Berlin Fashion Week. Titled On Air, the collection highlights its raw and touching form that defines contemporary silhouettes. Also, daring cutouts of the outfits create dynamic looks enhanced by neutral tones and distinctive color contrast. The designer focuses on volume and detail in the garments. The delicately layered and draped garments are both chic and modern, designed to be timeless pieces. Overall, the collection features effortless versatile pieces which can be everyday luxury wear such as oversized high-neck dresses, structured shirts, and trousers with draped details. Also, there are a series of gorgeous matching sets in various materials like denim two-pieces, oversized suits as well as sweatshirts, and matching pants. Its color palettes include ivory, pastel pink, and red, as well as brown, white, and black, setting an elegant tone for the overall look. Sophisticated prints appear on both the oversized dress and blouse in red, giving a contemporary contrast, while intricate striped patterns feature an array of pieces such as shirts, trousers, and blazers, which make the looks classy, chic, and flattering. In addition to the garments, the collection features unique accessories and jewelry in horse shape, reminding of shepherds of the Carpathian Mountains while nodding to Ukrainian tradition and history which crafts little horses out of cheese for children as a special gift as well as talisman. While symbolizing their community, craftsmanship, and protection through the collection, the brand intends to share such blessings with the audience, wearers, and the fashion industry.
www.litkovska.com

Fashion

“In Conversation with a Flower” - Prada’s FW23 Campaign

The flower is the symbol at the center of Prada’s FW23 men's and women’s campaigns. Through the metaphor of the flower, symbolizing tenderness and affection, Prada explores timeless values such as humanity and emotions. Those human-sized flowers represent both everyday and extraordinary beauty, and they are vehicles through which the intangible is expressed. The size of the plants gives them the role of protagonists and active participants in the scenes. In the campaign, flowers interact with five global stars, among whom are Benedict Cumberbatch and Hunter Schafer. Those cinematic figures reflect Prada’s relationship with the world of cinema as a way to express cultural ideals and evoke strong feelings. A dialogue composed of surreal conversations that are both literal and visual develops between the flowers and these figures. The imagery for the campaign was captured by Willy Vanderperre, who masterfully captured the intangible dialogue between the flowers and the characters in conversation with them. The campaign also features a short film, which sees the cast engage in actual conversation with the improbable character of flowers, which are, in this instance, almost anthropomorphized. The script of the short film is the work of Michael Cunningham, the Pulitzer Prize author who wrote The Hours (1998). The flowers represent a dichotomy in these paradoxical conversations, juxtaposing different aspects of their nature that is both strong and fragile, eternal and yet ephemeral. Prada uses flowers as a metaphor to represent and embody the human experience in these seemingly unreal images.
www.prada.com

Fashion

Aquatic Architecture and Bionic Innovations in Iris van Herpen’s FW23/24 Collection

“ARCHITECTONICS,” the new collection by Iris van Herpen presented on July 3rd at Paris Haute Couture, draws inspiration from futuristic architecture featuring floating elements and bionic designs. In the future portrayed through this collection, the land becomes one with water, creating an environment where humans harmoniously coexist with the ocean. Inspiring van Herpen in this collection is the aquatic urbanism movement, specifically the work of the French architect and oceanographer Jaques Rougerie and Bjarke Ingels’ “Oceanix,” a floating city currently being built in South Korea, which also has a strong focus on recycling and sustainability. The designer has successfully merged fashion and floating architecture through clothing created using high-tech techniques such as “Sensorama,” which creates different layers. The harmonious silhouettes of the clothing are interspersed with geometric cutouts, which imbue the pieces with a sense of movement. The color palette contrasts whites and blacks with gold, silver, and metal detailing. The looks are finished with the “Bionic” boots, digitally designed and 3D-printed, once again highlighting the high-tech aspect of this collection. ARCHITECTONICS imagines humanity’s next frontier, harmonizing waterborne urbanism and aquatic ecosystems. The collection raises awareness about growing environmental issues and draws attention to Oceanix, the world’s first floating city.
www.irisvanherpen.com

Fashion

Maserati’s Short Film by Ferzan Ozpetek, “Companions on a Journey”

Maserati has just released the teaser for its short film directed by the famous movie director Ferzan Ozpetek. “Companions on a Journey” is a short feature that deals with the themes of family ties and passion for automobiles. The scene is set in the beautiful landscape of Italy, where three siblings set off on a journey across the country to reunite with their father, an acclaimed orchestra conductor. The narrative, recounting the emotional journey of the family, develops through the physical journey through Italy. The cars accompanying the family members on their journey are the MC20 Cielo, the Gran Turismo, and the SUV Grecale. Each car reflects the personality of a family member and guides them through their adventure. Ozpetek’s movie celebrates the unique connection between the family's relatives through the elements that connect them: automobiles, art, and love for each other. Ultimately, the short motion picture captures the importance that the Maserati brand places on family ties, beauty, art, and travel. At the same time, “Companions on a Journey” celebrates Maserati’s Italian heritage and the luxury and technology of their cars. The short movie will soon be released to the public.
www.maserati.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week – Hermès Men’s SS24

A serene, calm, soft, and joyful summer is probably what everyone is wishing for and exactly what the Hermès SS24 menswear collection embodies. Inspired by architectural elements, a summer paradise is constructed through clothing. Daylight becomes weightless and fresh garments, landscapes make up the color palette, and adventures become fabric and texture choices. Silhouettes are brought to life with the pieces we live through.

Shorts, jackets, and short trench coats allow bodily movement for a man’s free-spirited lifestyle. Technical fabrics such as cashmere, silks, and cotton are found on tunics and beach blazers with parasol stripes. Rolled-up trousers, breezy knits, and suit jackets allow for a relaxed and breathable fit for the hottest of summer days. Desert hues, icy shades, sage greens, and steamy grays point to a mineral-inspired color palette: colors that reflect and react to one another, hinting at a certain playfulness with light and patterns. We find reversible leathers, layering possibilities, and contrast in fabrics. Accompanying the Hermès summer breeze looks are a variety of bags, such as the Cordage tote bag and the iconic Haut à courroies bag, and footwear, such as sole leather sandals in black, brown, and cream. Hermès conveys a certain quiet luxury feel with subtle and ready-to-wear aesthetics.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

CHANEL at the Biarritz International Film Festival

The House of CHANEL has strong ties with the city of Biarritz, to which it has even dedicated a fragrance. This year, the brand is supporting the first edition of the Biarritz International Film Festival, Nouvelles Vagues, by hosting a dinner at the Hôtel du Palais on the opening day of the festival. The festival will last five days, from the 28th of June to the 2nd of July. The leitmotiv of the festival is youth, to which the screenings, concerts, and exhibitions are dedicated. The films participating in the festival explore the place of young people in our society or recount stories of youth. Among the jury, composed of young multidisciplinary artists under 35 and film students, is actress and CHANEL ambassador Lyna Khoudri. The trophy of the festival also emphasizes the partnership with CHANEL. Students from the École Boulle designed it for the Paurier Desrues, the first House to join the Fashion Métiers d'Art in 1985. Established by CHANEL, the Fashion Métiers d'Art is a prominent organization that recognizes the skillful work of Maison's partner artisans. The festival will be an unprecedented cultural event, an occasion to bring together guests from a wide arrange of cinematic backgrounds in the beautiful backdrop of the city of Biarritz.
www.chanel.com

Fashion

New Jewelry by Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton presents its newest and most extensive high jewelry collection, Deep Time, which intends to celebrate our planet’s natural features and the fragility of life. The Maison’s classical jewelry themes and designs revolve around playing with the logo, and in this collection, this takes a step further. The timelessness of gemstones inspires the title and the feel of the collection, and each piece captures the interconnectedness between past and present. Deep Time has been designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, Louis Vuitton’s artistic director for Watches and Jewelry. The pieces are grouped into 16 themes spanning two acts: Geology and Life. In Geology, the jewelry captures our planet’s evolution through Maison's signature style and logo, and the items aim to embody a natural feature through the evocative colors of the gemstones and the design of the piece. Geology features precious gemstones such as the Colombian emerald, which represents the Earth’s formation. Life focuses on the life force driving creation. The jewelry belonging to this act captures the history of evolution, with themes ranging from Fossils to Flowers. The themes of Life all bring forward a juxtaposition of different textures, making each piece unique. Life’s pieces are incredibly versatile and are meant to be worn in multiple ways; this aspect is at the core of Amfitheatrof’s creative directory, which strives toward transformability.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Zegna

A driving force of change: clothing that moves from creation to new perspectives to the actualization of transformed worldviews. The new ways Zegna pursues begin with the materiality of fashion-making: starting with the fibers and fabrics, continuing with shapes, and climaxing with the multitude of uses such shapes entice. All this comes to live at the Oasi Zegna, which represents a quest for excellence, beauty, and responsible commitment. For Zegna’s presentation of L’Oasi di Lino, its Summer 2024 menswear collection, 192 bales of raw linen were placed at the square in the center of Milano – in line with Zegna’s commitment to certifying Oasi Lino fibres as 100% traceable by 2024. For Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori, linen becomes central to his sartorial pursuit – one apt for diversity, crossing different demographics. Throughout the collection, volumes are fluid, categories are liquid, textures add substance and surface tension, and undulating stripes draw textural motifs and jacquards. Bombers flow into shirts, round-neck tops replace jackets, shorts and jumpsuits add a pragmatic feel, and handbags are soft yet geometric. The color palette is an amalgamation of neutral hues, worked in scales of similar tones and irregular monochromes. The collection spotlights Zegna’s state of mind: one of lightness in living and behaving.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Men's Milan Fashion Week - Giorgio Armani

The Giorgio Armani Men's SS24 leitmotif is found in threads, knots, and weaves that evoke the tranquil energy of summer. At the heart of the collection, there is a willingness to embrace lightweight fabrics and to replicate soft and elongated shapes. The elegance of the collection stems from the earthy, white, and blue tones, which, together with the lithe aspect of the fabrics, contribute to imbuing this collection with a sense of timeless charm.

The brand's focus for this season is on the fluidity of the items of clothing; the purpose of Giorgio Armani's SS24 menswear pieces is to capture the feeling and the energy of summer through geometric patterns reminding of the theme of the thread and shapes such as knots. The juxtaposition of earthy tones and blue hues also fits in with the breezy atmosphere of Giorgio Armani's SS24 summer clothing, which does not expose the body directly but aims to appear airy and fresh. Overall, through earthy colors and intertwining shapes, the collection interprets present men's fashion with a classic, elegant, and timeless taste.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Men’s Milan Fashion Week – Brunello Cucinelli

A quest for elegance is placed at the heart of Brunello Cucinelli’s SS24 menswear collection. An expressive instrument for the distinctive characteristics of the modern man, the collection’s scope and harmony allow the male personality to shine through with intensity. Inspired by the French Riviera, soothing combinations of colors, shapes, materials, and patterns culminate in a versatile spectrum of sophistication – all at the service of the individual. Fresh and summery colors are enhanced with natural textures, and paired with timeless neutrals to create a freshly intense balance of harmony. Soft volumes enter the collection to ensure contemporary appeal, providing relaxed yet polished looks not only in the domain of trousers but also in the T-shirt and knitwear realms. The comfort of the summer knitwear is further elevated by the careful mixture of prestigious natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk. To accentuate every nuance and silhouette, lightness and comfort are also in mind while searching for fabrics and leather, while patterns take central stage on shirts, T-shirts, blazers, and suits. For the accessory line, quality of materials and craftsmanship are this season’s vocabulary. Even with the simplest of combinations, the man and his choices are the essential point of reference for Brunello Cucinelli.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Art

Your Literary Wonderland

The French Maison, Louis Vuitton, is celebrating its role in the literary world– just as impactful as their role in the fashion industry. Following the success and significance of similar pop-ups around the globe, Louis Vuitton’s addition to the Art Basel art fair is a momentous occasion to explore and critically engage with the brand’s diverse array of works from the brand’s Editions catalog.

The Maison has explored several different concepts, areas, and disciplines within their publications, including the City Guide, Travel Books, and Fashion Eye collections, providing outlets for travel, design, art, and fashion alongside their future-oriented designs and meticulous craftsmanship. The publications and this pop-up celebrate the power and impact of freelance journalists, authors, and cultural savants that eloquently capture the essence of a subject looked through the peephole of the aesthetic gaze. The pop-up is open to visitors for the duration of the Art Basel, and the painter and illustrator, Yann Kebbi will be honoring the pop-up with an exclusive signing of his latest work for the Maison, the Travel Book Las Vegas. Gracing us with their presence, Kebbi is set to be on-site from four pm to five pm on the 13th and 14th of June – furthermore, Kebbi’s publication will also be available in the exclusive “Artist Edition”. Louis Vuitton invites clients and visitors on a journey across Maison’s literary works, from far-off destinations to wide-ranging themes, all soon to be discovered in the heart of Art Basel.

www.artbasel.com
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Unparalleled Comfort with a Stylish Touch

As one of the world’s leading producers of luxury outerwear, sportswear, and accessories, it should come as no surprise that Moose Knuckles not only presented new Bunny styles and the new Air Down category for its SS23 collection, but also launched new sportswear styles and accessories.

For this season, the brand’s signature sportswear is intended to become a must-have for the absolute summer wardrobe, owing to its design which favors a high performance and style blend. Among the ready-to-wear offer, the matching sets available for both men and women are the go-to garments to face rising temperatures without losing that stylish touch. Whether chosen with shorts or jogger, including neoprene parts for women, these effortless looks embody the possibilities of combining freshness and comfort for all occasions: be it for a daily walking routine in the city, summer-break travels, or simply looking to wear practical and cozy clothing. Among the new accessories, we find logo-adorned belts, socks, pool slides, and bucket hats. Not to mention the Utility bag – a belt bag that can be worn crossbody or at the hip – or the Rope Sack bag for your busy, on the move, days. Introduced in a brand-new bandana print and in metallic silver, the versatile unisex pullover – crafted with cotton French terry and the iconic Moose Knuckles logo on the chest – becomes a staple piece that ought not to escape our attention. After all, who would want to miss out on unparalleled comfort without compromising their look?

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

How much D can you handle?

There is something magnetic about Diesel’s “D.” The power with which it seals style into a uniform of self-expression and sartorial irony. The way it rebels against the established luxury market with a call for individualism. The way it plays on the cult of fashion, weaving values of freedom, individualism, and fun to create an anti-conformist code. In the end, everyone deserves a really good D.

This is the vision of Diesel’s Prefall 2023 campaign, Dieseltopia. Creative Director Glenn Martens, Art Director Chris Simmonds, and photographer Marili Andre fashion a safe, communal space for the Diesel tribe to express themselves through an irreverent take on logomania. The campaign stars Estonian rapper and singer TOMM¥ €A$H as a guru who exalts the House’s values of freedom of expression, humor, and rebellion.

Diesel’s Oval D insignia is an invitation to part of their family. The D logo, surrounded by an oval, is a seal of allegiance, making its way from the best-selling 1DR bag and array of accessories to a full collection of ready-to-wear, underwear, beachwear, and more. The collection expands the treatments and applications of the Oval D logo, blowing it up, miniaturizing it, and rendering it in hardware or contrast colors. Oval D hoodies, Oval D caps, Oval D belts, Oval D underwear, Oval D bikinis, and of course the 1DR bag - Dieseltopia doesn’t make it hard to worship the D.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Cartier’s Journey Begins Anew

“A journey back to the heart of Cartier creation, an uninterrupted story being told over time”, those are the words of Jacqueline Karachi, the Director of High Jewelry creation at Cartier, for the launch of the Maison’s High Jewelry collection: Le Voyage Recommencé. Cartier craftsmen and designers approach creation with a perpetual momentum, allowing them to journey into the heart of Cartier style trough a new, unexpected prism. Including over 90 never-before-seen pieces, the collection expands the possibilities of lines and the abstract, reinvents the palette of chromatic harmonies, and celebrates life as well as the world’s horizons.

For Cartier, light matters. Focusing on the purity of lines, the balance of shapes and volumes, and the final harmony, Cartier creates pieces that play with structures of light – such as the Ondule ring. Part of the Maison’s characteristic style, geometry and contrast remain predominant elements, as seen in the transformable Claustra necklace. Reflected in the Girih necklace is Cartier’s passion for the world and its cultures – a taste for curiosity which makes up the legacy of a long lineage that is more contemporary than ever. In addition to the unique pieces, a collection consisting of two sets of jewelry – the Unda and Voltea set – has been created from this Voyage Recommencé. In Karachi’s words: “This collection is a great opportunity to delve into the essential themes of the Cartier style. To explore them in greater depth, take a fresh look at them, nurtured by the spirit of time."

www.cartier.com

Fashion

Paul&Shark’s Whisper in the Waters of Italy

A key idea in the philosophy of Paul&Shark is that Italy, and the planet for that matter, needs to be safeguarded and taken care of. Although summer style can be chic, lighthearted, and fun, there is an increasing importance for it to be conscious and constructive. This is the “message in a bottle” that Paul&Shark aims to spread in their latest experiential partnership. Along the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Tigullio is Tigu Beach, an elegant beach club that will be dressed by the brand for the approaching summer of 2023.

The concept of Tigu Beach began with Edoardo Santanna and Mattia Ferrari, bringing together the driving forces of entrepreneurship and creativity. Fully designed by Paul&Shark, the Beach Club takes on a 1940s French apartment-style atmosphere, complete with seats and tables evoking Parisian bistros and tea and forest shades of flooring and furniture that recall historic patisseries. The welcoming stripes of 54 standard sunbeds and 10 VIP beds await under vintage umbrellas, offering picturesque views of the Mediterranean Sea that needs our protection.

The area was chosen by Paul&Shark for its rich jewel sites of biodiversity, which guests are invited to explore through the brand’s program of activities throughout the season accompanied by marine biology researchers who protect the gulf’s priceless nature and Sealife. The finishing touch of Tigu Beach’s offerings is the fantastic variety of food to tickle the tastebuds: from a Mediterranean restaurant that experiments with local cuisine, to a Japanese style restaurant curated by expert sushi chefs.

www.paulandshark.com

Art

We Kidnapped the Bridge

The conceptual artist JAŠA’s newest site-specific installation and performance, We Kidnapped the Bridge at Kühlhaus Berlin, will take place on the 27th of May. JAŠA has constantly been exploring and confronting the limits of the creation of art. Through his approaching performance, his aim is to explore the relationships between different mediums and how the performing body is in a dialogue with the space. We Kidnapped the Bridge is the 8th Chapter of The Monuments Opus. Each chapter of The Monuments consists of various narrative parallel and contrasting threads that contemplate closeness, urgency, and self-realization through reaction and presence. Supported by a magnificent performance group– the performance is set to generate and shape reality.

Urgency and survival are powerfully reflected through an element of urgency present in the performance art– the protagonists are observed trying to build ways to survive and thrive in any conditions. The possibilities with live artwork are immense– a consent commentary on the current sociopolitical developments and more is made possible in the face of malleable and transformative art. The creation of something ephemeral and intangible can be commented on as futile. Still, on the contrary, the unique and fleeting characteristics of the performance create art that asserts its own attitude, rather than following, obeying, or reflecting on one.

The one-time-only site-specific installation and performance will take place on Saturday the 27th of May from 4 pm - 11 pm at Kühlhaus Berlin.

www.jasha.org
www.kuehlhaus-berlin.com

Fashion

Electronic Fantasia

H&M and Mugler’s event is set to introduce and immerse the star-studded guest list in the two brands’ collaborative iconic world. H&M’s collections with designer brands are coveted in the elusive fashion world– and this year’s capsule collection in collaboration with Mugler – available from the 11th of May, 2023 – has been globally anticipated since its announcement. The event celebrates a collection that explores Mugler’s core values of transformation, body positivity, gender fluidity, and breaking fashion rules. This exploration opens the doors of the Mugler fantasy, welcoming a grandiose audience into a magical and invigorating realm of design.

The soundtrack to this momentous night is curated with the same meticulous care that goes into designing the garments. The transformative, genre-bending, and rule-breaking line-up for the night is as follows: Tommy Cash, VTSS, Zebra Katz, Chippy Nonstop, and Toccororo. The signature sounds of these acclaimed DJs all share a desire to explore the corners of electronic music and transform it to make it their own with grace. The glamorous night, turned into an early morning of ethereal electronic music ought to imbue the already mysterious and captivating upcoming H&M and Mugler capsule collection with a mystic essence of exploration and transcendence.

www.hm.com
www.mugler.com

Fashion

Longchamp in Hamburg

RISE– the new concept of the newly renovated Longchamp Hamburg boutique. The reopening of the brand’s second store in Neuer Wall 18, following the Munich store, was celebrated yesterday evening with genuine happiness and pleasure with esteemed customers and friends of the house.

The new Longchamp store envelops whoever walks in with the warmth, elegance, and aesthetics of a Parisian apartment. The new concept explored through the renovation of the Hamburg store expertly reflects the company's heritage and savoir-faire, energy, and optimism. Paying homage to the birth of Longchamp in 1948 Paris– the store’s decor is imbued with the Parisian creative curiosity and cosmopolitan attitude that distinguishes Longchamp and its clients from others. Traditional dark green asserts the value of tradition and authenticity while a contrasting rich light green presents energy and modernity.

On the 27th of April, 2023, the opening of the Hamburg Longchamp store was honored with the creation of a relaxed atmosphere that the respected guests and clients of Longchamp would appreciate. The ambiance was perfected with eclectic drinks, delicious food, and a brilliant set by DJane. The guests in attendance roamed calmly through the store, a glint of curiosity present in their eyes, exploring and soaking in the final production of the store. The highlight and entertainment of the glamorous and exciting evening was the raffle for a box-trot bag towards the end of the opening.

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

Cartier Libre: An Exploration of All Possibilities of Creation

With total creative freedom, the ability to push boundaries and challenge conventions, as well as question form and design, the Cartier creation studios are taking jewelry in an avant-garde direction. Bold and radical, limited edition pieces embody a spirit of powerful curiosity and a constant pursuit of innovation as they take on lines, volumes, contrasts, and mobility with a unique creative mindset.

The Tressage Jewelry collection, the latest addition to the Cartier Libre collection, embraces three aesthetics that reinterpret the work of gold, volume and the interplay of contrasts. These stylistic signatures spring from the influence of Cartier’s first female Creative Director since 1993, Jeanne Toussaint. Toussaint, aka the Panther, is not one to shy away from defying limits – a creative freedom expressed with this collection. The first aesthetic is ‘gold bead chains and precious rollers’. The challenge was to create the illusion of a continuous chain that would twist on itself to create volume, which was ultimately achieved through a multitude of strands of moving gold beads. The second aesthetic is ‘materials in tension’, which includes three Tressage rings and bracelets and centers on the jewelers’ remarkable talent to transform hard materials like gold and stone to give the illusion of supple, animated forms. ‘Twisted coral, braided diamonds and gold’, the third aesthetic, honors Toussaint’s chromatic heritage. The ring and bracelet’s band, a powerful trompe-l’oeil, required the meticulous assembly of a succession of metal elements to compose the pattern. The Tressage Jewelry collection epitomizes the endless possibilities of creation.

www.cartier.com

Art

Loro Piana Interiors & Cristián Mohaded: Apacheta

Loro Piana Interiors presents its new project, Apacheta, with Argentinian designer and artist Cristián Mohaded. As piles of stones that outline paths and passes in the Andes, the Apachetas are the direct link to the Andean tradition that has always accompanied travelers. In fact, it was the courageous travelers who walked great distances carrying a stone in honor of Pachamama’s spirit (Mother Earth). As time passed, stones accumulated, and travelers came and went, the Apachetas became massive towers of irregular rocks. “Apacheta is a message to our Pachamama, it is history, it is culture, it is honesty and respect”, comments Mohaded, who takes them as an inspirational starting point for his collaboration with the Maison.

Inside Loro Piana’s Milanese headquarters, the Cortile della Seta is molded into a dreamlike landscape for the installation. Covered with fabrics from Loro Piana’s old collections, 12, eight-meter high towers rise from the ground – indulging one to consider the possibility of reusing discarded materials. Stone-like sofas, stools, a bench and courtesy tables take on a certain softness using wood, fabric, and ceramic – Loro Piana Interiors’ tactile materials. “Cristian has not only put all his magic into the materials, but has infused the design with all the values we share”, explains Francesco Pergamo, Director of Loro Piana Interiors Division. Juxtaposing materials and textures, the installation recreates the original contrasts of Catamarca’s landscape, transforming each visitor into a traveler.

The installation is open to the public during the Milan Design Week, and Apacheta pieces are available upon order only.

www.loropiana.com

Cinema

ANSELM at Cannes

The annual and invitation-only, elusive Cannes Film Festival will be the birthing grounds for Wim Wender’s new documentary “ANSELM”. The historical film festival will be held in Palais des Festivals et des Congrès as always, and a bubbling creative essence will be intertwined with the gentle French air once again.

"ANSELM", with Wim Wenders as the Director, Karsten Brünig as the Producer, and Franx Lustig as the Director of Photography is an exploration of Anselm Kiefer’s fascination with myth and history. The film delves deep into Kiefer’s work– showcasing his journey through life, inspirations, and creative process.

Taking advantage of the endless world of mixed media- the documentary posits a play between film and painting as well as past and present– the film experience created by Wenders breaks boundaries and transcends traditional notions of creative expression. "ANSELM", completed with meticulous attention in 3D over the course of two years will be screened at the 76th Edition of the Cannes Film Festival alongside other projects under the festival’s Special Screenings Category.

www.wim-wenders.com

Cinema

Saint Laurent on the Big Screen

Saint Laurent has now become the first-ever luxury brand to include full-fledged production of movies in the brand’s list of expertise. The debut of Saint Laurent Productions echoes the cinematic essence so often seen in the collections of the brand. This expansion, envisioned by Anthony Vaccarello, is intertwined with the narrative that the Creative Director has in mind for the future of the grandiose brand. Vaccarello expertly stated his aim and desire for the growth of Saint Laurent Productions, “I want to work with and provide a space for all the great film talents who have inspired me over the years,” showcasing a genuine interest in the elusive industry.

Further immersing itself in the life of cinema, Saint Laurent Productions will participate in the 76th Cannes Festival (16-27 May 2023), premiering “Strange Way of Life” by Pedro Almodóvar, starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal. Committing to this new step forward, Saint Laurent Productions are already set to work with authors David Cronenberg and Paolo Sorrentino on future projects.

Pairing the alluring world of motion pictures with fashion, all of the company’s films feature costumes by Vaccarello for Saint Laurent, making this a unanimous step forward for the entire brand.

www.saintlaurent.com

Fashion

Woolrich’s Swan Song

The fourth Season of The Woolrich Woman designed by Daniëlle Cathari, explores and quantifies the essence of an existence intertwined with nature. The Amsterdam-based designer works to create pieces that intentionally deconstruct fashion and explore the borders of design, consciously coloring outside the lines of traditional tailoring practices. Cathari found inspiration in the serenity of water and everything it encapsulates, specifically mimicking the shape of the graceful swan through direct influences of art-nouveau and line dispositions in garments outlining this SS23 collection.

Tube tops, maxi skirts, scarves, and bomber jackets, the culmination of the garments and their artistic stance allude to the curved and grandiose but elegant physicality of the snow-white bird. Combining the black tube top and the buttery white maxi skirt creates a reconstructed silhouette of the swan– highlighting the lines and curves of the female body - Cathari imbues the collection with the feminine strength and beauty of The Woolrich Woman. Colors play on aspects of the swan’s dance with water additionally featuring the supporting cast of water lilies and the bubbles that line the edges of the moving tides.

The use of soft and delicate materials, such as linen and bouclé yarns, in the production of the garments, further submerges this season’s Woolrich Woman into the comfort and soft femininity of water and nature. Daniëlle Cathari rethinks femininity with a natural lens – playfully implementing the quiet power and the loud soul of the world around us into the seams of traditionally acclaimed silhouettes and designs.

www.woolrich.com 

Fashion

The Key to Our Hearts’

Archival designs and an homage to the aesthetic notion of the past have been a significant part of the fashion industry, pairing familiar change with the changing weather of the blossoming spring. The new Dior Key Bag only supports this observation more. Inspired by the Dior Archives, the Key Bag is snugly situated at the crossroads of timeless style and ultra-contemporary audacity imbued with a retro aura.

Small, elegant, and curvy, the artisanally crafted Key Bag, available in sizes small and medium, is dressed in either soft black or beige leather – allowing for a versatile use of the exceptional handbag. The Key Bag speaks to modern desire, luxurious, rich, and full– and its production, completely hand-sewn– enhances the subtle element of prestige closely related to the luxury bag. The refined finishes highlight the iconic Dior details so dear and close to the heart of the brand, including its key-shaped clasp, embellished with the “CD” signature in golden letters. Ultimately, through a combination of softer, natural lines and industrial elements, the Key Bag represents modern feminine desire. Independently a woman’s own, bold, classic, elegant, and sexy, Dior’s Key Bag showcases a reimagined narrative for the city woman. It is a reimagination lined by traditionally male tailoring and design styles but colored outside those lines by feminine desire and Dior’s future-oriented gaze.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Plan C SS23: A New Italian Luxury Wardrobe

Plan C Creative Director Carolina Castiglioni, the daughter of Marni’s founder Consuelo Castiglioni, brings in her passion for design and her own personal tastes for the Italian label’s SS23 collection. Inspired by mid-century design’s contrast of refined functionality and saturated color, Carolina’s ready-to-wear-line offers the perfect balance between feminine and masculine elements, as well as fresh styles ideal for the start of the hotter seasons. Experimentation, combination and playfulness seem to be Plan C’s vocabulary for this season as pieces intrigue us with striking colors, diverse materials such as organza and twill, and bold, abstract prints and patterns – all while staying true to the brand’s indubitable quality. For a more feminine touch, midi skirts, a classic spring choice, and flowy long dresses come in a variety of different colors, prints and textures to keep every woman’s wardrobe unpredictable. Unconventional pairings with a touch of sophisticated utility lie at the heart of Carolina’s creative vision: sporty style details and subtle color blocking make up the perfect everyday bag, whereas inventive outerwear pieces such as parkas and trench coats are curiously paired with turtlenecks or a sequined pencil skirt. The classic loafer is reinvented in a contemporary form with a heavy-duty lugged sole and an unusual colorway. To transition from day to night with minimal effort, a sequin dress is layered over a crisp poplin shirt. Plan C crafts a new Italian luxury wardrobe, full of garments designed to become the uniforms of real, powerful and determined women.

www.plan-c.com

Fashion

W&W: An Immersion into Gucci's Universe

For its special event at Watches and Wonders 2023 in Geneva, Gucci presented its newest releases at the Gucci Greenhouse. The new innovative updates to core collections pay tribute to Gucci’s iconic codes and High Watchmaking expertise as the house takes on a new endeavor: a dreamlike, horological spaceflight into the Gucci universe.

Four new designs enter the G-Timeless Planetarium collection. 12 Ethiopian opals, and a pastel melange of topaz, peridot, amethyst and Ethiopian opals embellish two new lunar themed creations. Another design, inspired by an otherworldly sunset, is characterized by contrasting reds, while the brightest addition is an all-around, star-themed creation. Additions to the G-Timeless Dancing Bees collection continue to celebrate the bee motif on another tourbillion. In honor of Mother Earth’s singular beauty, two new designs feature exceptional stone dials: a turquoise dial resembles the oceans, and a vibrant pistachio green opal dial captures lush, verdant lands. Technological precision describes the new, made-to-order G-Timeless Moonlight creations, which uniquely incorporate a client’s specific place, time and date of birth into the watch. Inspired by the forms of contemporary architecture, the Gucci 25H collection welcomes a wide array of new additions. Made for extreme comfort, the new Gucci 25H with the perpetual calendar complication comes in three models with gold and steel finishes, and is powered by the GG7S7.25.PC caliber. For a more sustainable approach, the Gucci Dive collection features bio-based materials and an automatic movement with 300m water resistance. The novelties showcase Gucci’s exceptional heritage alongside its contemporary savoir-faire.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Dive into the BOSS Metaverse

BOSS took a bold step into this year’s Metaverse Fashion Week in late March offering a fully immersive, interactive experience centered around their SS23 collection.

Fans worldwide are welcomed into a virtual BOSS showroom created with artificial intelligence for a gamified digital buying experience. The visual identity of the space is a deep dive into the physical event’s liquid theme, contrasting ethereal open air and tranquil pools of water with brutalist architecture. The SS23 BOSS collection, already introduced in the BOSS Miami Fashion Show, awaits discovery, exemplifying BOSS’s aim to lead the fashion industry in the use of digital innovation.

The BOSS Metaverse features menswear and womenswear separates that epitomize the brands timeless design codes of the German company and draw in the details and colors introduced on the Miami runway. Users guide an avatar to find five looks linked to product pages on the BOSS online store. Collecting prizes throughout the space rewards them with a digital blue BOSS suit fresh from the Miami runway which can be worn in the muti-game avatar platform Ready Player Me.

BOSS immersive showroom is an exciting leap into the future of fashion made possible by Spatial. As one of the co-hosts of the 2023 Metaverse Fashion Week, it offers a platform for virtual events that bridge the gap between physical and digital fashion realities. Furthermore, the showroom is the result of a collaboration with the Web3 agency Exclusible and Polycount, its studio for Metaverse experiences.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Dior Pre-Fall 2023: A Celebration of Indian Savoir-Faire

For the first time, Dior presented its Pre-Fall 23 collection in India, more accurately at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The house has long held Indian culture in high esteem. In fact, this dialogue between France and India began with Marc Bohan, who in April 1962 traveled with Dior models to Mumbai and Delhi for shows. The resulting pictures from these travels served as an inspiration for Dior’s Creative Director, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Beyond this, Chiuri’s work relations and friendships have also connected her to India for many years now. Most remarkable, however, is her relationship with Karishma Swali, the director of the Chanakya School of Craft – a place that explores different types of savoir-faire and where incorporating women into the fashion industry is a central goal.

Through the collection, Chiuri continues to pay tribute to her and Dior’s long-lasting engagement with India. She incorporates materials and color palettes that speak to her shared key influences with Swali. Timeless clothing shapes that have remained largely unchanged throughout time afford Chiuri the capacity to redesign her favorite models. Embroidery carries a special meaning as it represents the multiple landscapes of India as well as honors diverse techniques, which become a woman’s instruments of empowerment and inventiveness. As a homage to Marc Bohan, silks in shades of green, yellow, pink and purple set apart sari-inspired straight skirts, while traditional Indian cuts characterize trousers, boleros, jackets and tops. Dior’s celebration of Indian craft and creation produced a wardrobe of endless possibilities.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Big Dreams, From New York City to the Whole World

Alicia Keys dares us to dream with her new collaborative collection with Moncler. The collaboration fulfills her childhood dreams in a way she never imagined. She takes us back to the New York winters of her youth, where Moncler spotted the streets, a vision of excellence that always seemed out of reach. And now, her collection transports us to the place where her dreams were made, to her vision of New York City, the intersection of hard work and aspiration.

The Alicia Keys x Moncler collection brings the energy and hopeful optimism of New York to the world. Baggy ‘90s silhouettes shape an effortlessly gender-neutral collection reminiscent of the unforgettable pre-millennial aesthetic. From oversized tracksuits to cropped and shrunken tops, the collection radiates youthful confidence. Ebullient greens, reds, and Alicia’s signature purple piece together with silver metallics and crystals in designs that epitomize swagger and street style.

The accompanying campaign imagery tells the story of the collection in two perspectives. The first, shot by Ibrahem Hasan, stars Keys with a cast of New York’s up-and-coming talents swinging above a backdrop of the city’s skyline – a visual metaphor for striving, reaching, and then surpassing your dreams. The second is a series of candid portraits reflecting the character and personality of Keys, shot by Laura Jane Coulson.

The collection was unveiled during London Fashion Week of 2023 at Moncler’s The Art of Genius event, first worn on stage in a live performance by Little Simz and Cleo Sol. It launched online and in Moncler boutiques in late March 2023.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

Borbonese Studios Starring The SS23 Collection

Out of the darkness, the stillness, the American desert; a warm ebullient glow, and sharp dazzling vision. Dorian Tarantini and Matteo Mena take Borbonese to a new land, familiar yet pure fantasy. In the desert night, a distinctive vision of sharp glamor radiates and captivates. Borbonese Studios presents not only a seductive and rich SS23 collection but creates a captivating story with their latest campaign.

We watch the scene unfold from the director’s chair, suedes in the dense colors of a Cadillac roll out and high-heeled wooden clogs set the rhythm. The collection is inherently responsible, with each piece made of archive materials. Suede and silk handkerchiefs and chokers are wrapped as accessories, protecting from the day’s beating sun. The silhouette is vertical and voluptuous. Leather fringe and folds put on a sensuous show, a magnetizing dance. Archive silk with a spunky domino-print and dresses edged with crystals; archetypal garments like the blouson, the pleated skirt, shorts, and jeans, become sensual characters of their own.

Undeniably taking the lead is the cast of seductive and vivacious bags. The absolute protagonist is 110, with its rounded shape crafted from seasonal colors. A special version is presented, adorned with Swarovski crystals® in two variants: a ‘crystal texture’ like the glassy, crisp sparkle of sand, and a ‘crystal transfer’ with large stone embellishments. The hobo style of Domino, with brass dice on the knotted shoulder strap, brings soft volume and buoyant character. The short handle and rounded enveloping shell-like shape of Oyster makes it compact yet mighty. And Horseback’s strong silhouette brings a rigorous structure.

www.borbonese.com

Fashion

Premiata at KaDeWe

The Italian brand Premiata celebrated the long-awaited opening of its new store in February of 2023. Located on the first floor of KaDeWe in West Berlin, the space spans 20sqm, offering a wide range of the brand's products. Premiata specializes in high-quality jackets, backpacks, and a variety of shoes that are expertly crafted with Italian style and sophistication. The illuminated Premiata logo invites customers into the concept ‘Corner Store’, reduced to the essentials while offering Premiata’s latest designs. The selection of materials creates a space that reflects the purity and elegance of Premiata and its products. The design elements in the space coexist in a way that emphasizes the products on display, such as the current sneaker collections. The new store is reminiscent of the other Premiata location, with glossy black surfaces that harmonize with accents of brass and plexiglass. The store and the products unite in a common language: light and minimalist, yet technical and modern. A small area of the store is furnished with a carpet and velvet stools to provide seating so customers can find their perfect fit. With the opening of the Premiata Corner Store opening at KaDeWe, Berlin, Premiata invites its customers into the world of Italian style and high-quality craftsmanship. www.premiata.eu

Fashion

Everyone’s Favorite Puffer

MM6 Maison Margiela and CHENPENG’s collaborative FW23 collection combines the new fresh and cool attitude of MM6 and the iconic puffer silhouette of the Chinese label. The mutual wit, character, and abilities of the brands work together to produce the quintessential puffer jacket.

The silhouettes are imbued with lines that provide structure to the jackets and tie in an experimental architectural element to the independent posture of the jackets. The collaboration features three classic puffer jacket silhouettes – reimagined and reinvented to showcase the MM6 charm and the exceptional CHENPENG mastery. The three different puffer styles: a nylon textured parka-length coat with an in-built padded scarf detail; a cropped jacket with contrast faux leather sleeves and a faux leather gilet featuring similar contrast paneling with contrasting high shine nylon provide versatility and comfort for any situation and climate.

The puffers, integrate innovative design and aspects to ensure comfort, and each piece embodies the practical yet style-minded perspective that MM6 is known for. The capsule, exuding comfort, style, and mystery is the perfect high-quality integration to an everyday outfit. The collection is now available at MM6 retail locations and e-commerce site – including selections in some multi-brand stores as well.

www.maisonmargiela.com

Fashion

A New Chapter

In late February, the luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton unveiled the South Korean rapper, dancer, and songwriter J-Hope as the brand’s newest House Ambassador. As a member of the beloved k-pop group BTS, J-Hope rose to international stardom and is now a global fashion, art, and music icon. BTS has gone down in history as one of the most influential music groups of all time – broken several Billboard records, has been listed in Times Magazine’s 100 most influential people, and more.

The creative, bubbly, and unique energy J-Hope possesses has only intensified his momentum as a solo artist. He is adored by fans worldwide for his masterful choreography, charismatic attitude, and creative musical direction. The rapper’s positive on-and-off-stage aura outlines his genuine nature and passion to push artistic boundaries while inspiring international audiences. J-Hope’s new and exciting charm will outline a new chapter for the Maison, combining artistic passion with exquisite design and craftsmanship.

www.louisvuitton.com 

Fashion

A Reinterpretation of Dior's Iconic CD Diamond Pattern

The archival Dior pattern – the CD Diamond toile – flourishes anew as it is reinterpreted for Dior’s SS23 men’s collection, dreamed up by Kim Jones in an attempt to pay tribute to the brand’s heritage through innovation. Originally designed by Marc Bohan in 1974, the CD Diamond toile is an iconic signature of the house. The pattern is revisited as a diamond with pared-down lines. Like the outline of a clean-cut diamond, the CD initials compose a hypnotic motif – a mesmerizing design that honors the legacy of house Dior. Jones’ selection of designs for the collection, adorned by the iconic pattern, combine the elegance of tailoring with the functionality of outdoor wear to make up bold silhouettes. The CD Diamond short-sleeved shirt, made from silk twill in a seductive shade of gray, is put on display with the matching CD Diamond Bermuda shorts. The emblematic Saddle Bag is deliberately paired with the Gardener’s jacket, crafted in pink thick cotton canvas with a CD motif sleeve lining, to enhance the silhouette. Other accessories, such as the Dior Hit The Road mini bag, the B27 High-Top sneaker and the Safari bag with strap, are also embellished by the delicate graphics. The bold reinterpretation of the iconic pattern is not only an ode to the house’s legacy and history but also a reframing process – striking a balance of heritage and innovation with a modern and adventurous approach.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Experiencing Louis Vuitton in Vienna

Louis Vuitton opened the doors to its latest store on Graben in Vienna on March 10th, 2023. The beautiful historic building, dated 1898-99, grants four floors in the heart of the city center. The latest realization of Peter Marino’s design concept is among the largest in Europe.

Upon entry, one walks atop pale and marbled reddish stone distinctive to the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Vienna Secession respectively. An exceptional stone spiral staircase complements curving walls and open sightlines, allowing one to float through the fantastic world of Louis Vuitton. A statement wall contrasts this airy effect, with eight vibrant, graphic paintings by Austrian artist Erwin Wurm.

The displays of women’s leather goods, watches and jewelry, perfume, and travel accessories are immediately enthralling on the ground floor, amidst one-of-a-kind modern furniture and striking artworks. The women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, and high-end leather goods are housed in the warmth of the mezzanine, finished with classic parquet, textured walls, and accents of soft color. On the first floor, the White Box offers an exhibition space, an extension to private VIC salons overlooking Graben, and the exciting potential of future projects. The lower level is a man’s world, complete with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, curving cabinetry and bold visuals.

Louis Vuitton’s new location in Vienna transcends the definition of a store. From hand-painted trunks as if by the Austrian painters of the Vienna Secession themselves, to contemporary daybeds, modular sofas and whimsical light pieces, the space takes shape as a unique and inspiring experience.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Bringing Back the Unica Furla with Biodegradable Leather

Unica Furla is an icon unique in its expression, unique in its style, and now reinterpreted to be unique in its fabrication. The Unica Furla Earth Limited Edition is the first ‘Made in Italy’ bag crafted from biodegradable leather. Unveiled in February 2023 in Milan, the circular model for its production was made possible in collaboration with Cyclica. The unveiling campaign typified its contemporary elegance with the storytelling of photographer Koto Bolofo and international top model Irina Shayk.

The one-of-a-kind crossbody pays homage to the essentials. The shape of the bag holds true to Furla’s architectonic DNA. Available in a maxi and medium size, its bold structure is softened with soft curves and a stylized arch logo. Drawing inspiration from historical women in cult cinema and TV, it carries the creative, inclusive, and elegant philosophy of the brand.

Furla was able to achieve its first biodegradable bag thanks to Oleum®, Cyclica’s own leather brand. By-products of the food industry from traceable European farms are vegetable tanned. Thus, the material is metal-free and environmentally non-toxic. The bag is available in a vibrant array of colors in addition to black and white, all achieved with organic dyes from components such as corn, spirulina, logwood bark and fern. The innovations in leather manufacturing techniques are finished with natural elements such as beeswax and salts. True to its Italian style and craftsmanship, the Unica Furla Earth Limited Edition does not compromise on quality and performance.

www.furla.com

Fashion

PFW - FW23 - Balenciaga's Return to the Runway

After its campaign controversies in 2022, Balenciaga has returned to the runway with its FW23 collection. Following the scandal, Balenciaga issued several official apologies and, soon after, the brand stated its plans to reinvent the house with an internal reform and a three-year partnership with the National Children’s Alliance. For this collection, fashion as entertainment – Balenciaga’s characteristic performative element – is left behind. Instead, Creative Director Demna stripped back to the fundamentals of design by mixing Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy with his own. This time, tourists and show-goers rather than big-time celebrities attended the show, which took place in a whitewashed box room inside the Carrousel du Louvre – an underground shopping center in Paris. The oversized structured tailoring looks that opened the show convey Demna’s intention to redirect focus to shapes, silhouettes and tailoring. The suits are crafted using reverse-tailored trousers, as well as other garments – coats and jackets – with pant-loops, pockets and inverted waists placed at the hems. Trousers are doubled to appear as if walking on four legs, creating fluid motion. Typical Balenciaga motifs are also present. Long floral archival dresses, bicker jackets, high-neck nightgowns embellished with crystal sequins, and alien sportswear paired with wide eye sunglasses walk down the runway. Garments and accessories no longer rely on the Balenciaga logo, rather, they showcase Demna’s “ode to the artistic quality of creation”. While many argue that the show was a step in the right direction, others are still uncertain about its success. So, the question remains: will Balenciaga be able to redeem itself?

www.balenciaga.com 

Fashion

The Sound of Brunello Cucinelli’s Women’s FW23 Collection

Brunello Cucinelli explores the sound of style in the Women’s FW23 Collection. The collection is based on musical and artistic harmony in redefining the feminine. The brand showcases an attachment to simplicity and order, clean lines, alternating shapes, and a color schema inspired by the essence of the countryside to build the foundation of harmony for the Italian brand - luxury and serenity.

The softness that the knitwear made from mohair, alpaca yak fibers, and soft shearlings evoke is counteracted with elements influenced by “academic charm”. Comfortable shearling-lined outerwear garments are paired with mini- and midi skirts and thin heels paired with neutral socks or practical boots.

The collection, inspired by “the clean and essential look of the ‘90s”, displays the authenticity that the modern feminine yearns for. The visuality of garments is constructed with different experiences in mind, and a masterful understanding of how environments influence silhouettes and garment construction. One can find solace in the comfort of casual silhouettes during the day and explore the intimacy of their femininity with evening garments inspired by “jazz club atmospheres”.The collection resembles the workings of an orchestra, and the looks feature elements of varying environments and attitudes, but the collection as a whole creates an outlet for the divine feminine which is not limited to the traditional boundaries of simplicity and minimalism.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

PFW - Louis Vuitton FW23

By asking the question, “What is French style?”, the Louis Vuitton FW23 was an innovative and cosmopolitan take on classic and timeless Parisian silhouettes. The collection debuted with a return to the ballroom of Musée d’Orsay, anchoring the new pieces in the conventions of French fashion culture. Artist Philippe Parreno and production designer James Chinlund, met with sound illusions by Nicolas Becker, set the scene of the catwalk in a busy cobblestone Parisian Street. The show began in muted, neutral colors with belted blazers layered over floral dresses. This evolved into bold, oversized garments and the vibrant French tricolore appearing in bags, leather motocross gloves and the patterns of the garments themselves with accents of burgundy and yellow. Traditional fabrics like tweed and wool were transformed into contemporary silhouettes such as oversized outerwear and trousers slashed at knee length. The pieces were expertly tailored, with thick knits in bold angular shapes and sculpturally pleated blazers and trousers. Leather was manipulated with details such as on coats embossed and printed with a wool-like texture, and on pants painted with pinstripes. Dresses featured white collars and cuffs were reminiscent of the traditional café uniform, paying homage to the French service industry. The show concluded by featuring international prints and textures, tying in Louis Vuitton’s traveling spirit, and the trailblazing style of the French to which the world is magnetized.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

ZEGNA x The Elder Statesman

The collaboration of ZEGNA and The Elder Statesman represents a commitment to masterful craftsmanship, the world’s finest raw materials, and new possibilities in environmentally conscious fashion. ZEGNA is a global leader in luxury menswear faithful to its heritage style of Piedmont Italy. Their Oasi Cashmere reflects a deep, technical appreciation of a traditional material manipulated with the ambition for innovation. Their designs have effortless synchrony with nature, aspiring towards using waste-free, fully traceable fibers without compromising beauty. ZEGNA’s ethos is shared by The Elder Statesman, a luxury lifestyle company comprising a team of artisans in Los Angeles that hand spins, knits, dyes, and embroiders their designs. Their ongoing partnership was announced by teasing a shirt and carried overcoat in the ZEGNA FW23 fashion show in Milan. Their dialogue represents a harmonious “recognition of quality, craft, and a deep mutual respect”, as said by Greg Chait, the Founder and CEO of The Elder Statesman. ZEGNA’s Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori describes it as a “cross-pollination” merging the Italian textile mastery with Californian levity and spontaneity. The ZEGNA x The Elder Statesman collection will deliver a rich and vibrant balance of colors like lilac, bacca red, and aurora yellow and elevate nostalgic patterns referencing worn-in plaids and corduroys. From cashmere button-down shirts, long shorts, and slip-ons, to felt bucket hats and baseball caps, the pieces embody a soft, comfortable masculinity.

The collection will be available from September 2023 in key ZEGNA stores, The Elder Statesman retail channels and selected wholesale partners.

www.zegna.com
www.elder-statesman.com

Fashion

A Journey of Colors and Textures

Seldom before have colors, textures and fibers transported us through time and space as with Loro Piana’s FW23 collection. Clothes become allies in an extraordinary life, convenient for mentally active personalities with an appreciation for stylish playfulness.

We begin an imaginary journey in Peru, advancing towards New Zealand and Australia to arrive at our final destination, Mongolia – all homelands to the key fibers that lie at the heart of Loro Piana’s expertise. Muted yet deep tones denote Peru, where linens are mixed with cashmere and CashDenim, and light dresses flow smoothly over the body. Natural tones and dimensional outwear in rich wools and leather indicate our arrival in New Zealand. A practical yet nonchalant attitude and oversized jerseys teamed up with tartans are found in Australia – in contrast to shearlings and chunky knits in natural fleece tones which mark the stark winter feel of the Mongolian steppe. The journey’s characteristic spirits and moods are mirrored in the collection, guiding the flow of silhouettes and colors as fluid, feminine shapes mingle with sharp, masculine lines. We may transition from elegant to rugged, ultralight to cocooned, city to weekend. Horse-riding nods illustrate Loro Piana’s artisanal mastery with superlative fibers, the new trousers’ shape has a fuller volume that becomes dramatically narrow at the bottom. The soft and versatile Bale is offered in L and Micro size for different uses. This house of sensations cultivates experiences for all, empowering one to move with excellence and ease through a magnitude of landscapes.

www.loropiana.com 

Fashion

MFW - Ferragamo’s New Hollywood - FW23

Hollywood with its cosmic history, omnipresent attitude, and aura is threaded into the seams of Ferragamo’s Pre-Fall23 collection. The collection is inspired by the oppositional elements in the narrative of Hollywood and the cinematic endeavor that is the cowboy boots Salvatore Ferragamo created for The Covered Wagon in 1923. The brand is not reductionist in regard to what Hollywood aesthetically offers, on the contrary, it adopts a panoramic view of the Californian landscape to highlight the intimate dance of the snowy mountains and the desiccated desert. The seductive dichotomies between hot and cold and, refined and raw create the subtext of the showcase. The brand is deeply intertwined with the history and the aesthetic of Hollywood, past and present, and although Salvatore has been dropped from the Ferragamo name Maximilian Davis - the Creative Director of the brand- regards Hollywood as the shoe-making prophecy once did - an opportunity for creative expansion and improvement. The silhouettes and the garments efficiently marry the aesthetic of the Western wardrobe with the essence of today- monochromatic garments influenced by the West that create seductive, reserved, and powerful images paired with accessories that are loud, bold, and attention-grabbing. The cohesion achieved with an elaborate baby blue suit, featuring a light and dynamic monochromatic trench coat, is contrasted with a bright red tote bag. Leather, colorful gloves, denim, and elements that highlight natural lines found in nature create a collection that can embellish the Hollywood red carpet or the everyday.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

MFW - FW23 - Rethinking History

Ian Griffiths employed his creative protocol of highlighting a female figure from a historical period to explore his artistic thesis. Max Mara’s FW23 collection expands on the ingenuity of the French mathematician and philosopher Émilie du Châtelet to re-envision the eighteenth century. Châtelet- an immensely intelligent and astute thinker who set the tone for rational thinking during the period of Enlightenment wrote that “to be happy, one must rid oneself of prejudice”. Her doctrine is visible in her attempts to dissect the sociopolitical role of women, the afterlife, and human happiness. Châtelet and her lover, Voltaire spent 10 years together- saturating their life with scientific experimentation and intellectual debate. The fashion of the Age of Reason was nebulously tinted with the sediments of a darker time. Châtelet was not concerned about necromancy - her empirical gaze is the foundation for Max Mara’s indulgence in reimagining a play between the empirical and the occult of the 18th century to create a collection for the now. Garments display the androgyny that the thinker sought to enter predominantly male spaces: oversized silhouettes underlined with form-fitting tops of varying fabrics that highlight feminine energy. An adaptation of 18th-century menswear and womenswear is seen in the extensive layering of garments and the imposing teddy and trench coats that play into the narrative of the femme fatale. The dark empirical feminine is highlighted in evening garments utilizing sheer fabrics and elements of practicality and utility accessorized with corset belts. In its FW23 collection, Max Mara intertwines creativity with historical exploration to capture the essence of the 18th century whilst empowering Max Mara women.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

NEW YORK - TORY BURCH FW23

About her newest collection, Tory Burch had to say the following, “for the FW23, we wanted to challenge perceptions of beauty and femininity. [...] This collection is about the confidence that comes from being unapologetically yourself. Women aren’t interested in rules, and every piece is designed to be endlessly mixed, layered and individualized.” The new FW23 collection does indeed break away from the traditional wardrobe and rebuild it with a new undone attitude. It is this attitude which emphasizes the beauty of imperfections which can be found as a fil rouge throughout the collection, whether it is through the raw-cut and weather luxurious materials or broken heels. Overall, the garments are defined by their simplicity of form with a dichotomy of silhouettes and shapes varying between relaxed and cure-hugging. It’s an eclectic collection which shows that there are no rules, and no boundaries when it comes to how anything should be worn. No details of the collection might embody this philosophy more than the safety pin brooches and other interior details that are prominently shown throughout instilling the right edge and off-hand attitude to the collection. Each look is then only complete with the right selection of accessories. For this collection, Tory Burch revisited its archives and brought back some of its favorite silhouettes and details, most notably in the Jessica chain hardware, which was reinterpreted and stripped down before becoming a leading motif throughout this season’s accessory selection.

www.toryburch.com

Fashion

Pharrell Williams appointed as the new Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director

In late November 2021, news about the passing of Louis Vuitton Men’s Artistic Director Virigil Abloh, after having been battling cancer privately for several years, shocked the world. Undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in fashion, he was largely credited as one of the pioneers who bridged the gap between streetwear and luxury fashion, bringing a new flair to the historic house of Louis Vuitton. Having set a very high standard for any successor, the French Maison found itself without a permanent creative or artistic director for the entirety of 2022 with the presented collections having been designed by the remaining menswear design team and guest creative directors such as Kid Super founder Colm Dillane for the FW23 collection. On February 14, 2023, Louis Vuitton announced that, effective immediately, Pharrell Williams will be taking over the creative reigns as new Men’s Creative Director. Over the past two decades, Williams has established himself as a cultural and global icon with his creative universe encompassing music, art and fashion. His courage to break the boundaries of the various worlds he explores, aligns him perfectly with Louis Vuitton’s status as a Cultural Maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit and entrepreneurship. Building upon a long legacy of working with luxury companies, Williams does not only look back on creative collaborations, but has always been known as a taste-maker whilst also being deeply engaged in social causes. Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman and CEO, declared, “I am glad to welcome Pharrell back home, after our collaborations in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton, as our new Men’s Creative Director. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”

Pharrell Williams’ first collection for Louis Vuitton will be revealed in June 2023 during the Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

A Dash of Parisian Nonchalance

Paris is one of fashion’s epicentres with some of the most influential fashion houses in the world calling the French capital their home. And the city’s residents themselves also have a reputation for being especially fashionable with the notion of Parisian Chic being world-renowned. But as the world is changing, our understanding of Parisian Chic does as well. Living up to this notion, Givenchy is presenting its newest bag, the Voyou. To put it in Givenchy Creative Director Matthew Williams’ own words, “I wanted to revisit fashion archetypes with a kind of new language and playful attitude. With the Voyou, you know at a glance that it’s Parisian, but it’s at home wherever it goes, and it makes an everyday style statement that has true staying power.” Named for the slang term that means “bad boy” in French, the Voyou is blending the language of a lady’s handbag with an easy-going demeanour, resulting in this elegant, yet casual bag. Crafted in tumbled, subtly grained calfskin, the bag features zippered compartments for everyday essentials and luxurious turned edges fusing the Givenchy polish with the convenience and lightness of a hobo. Yet it receives a jewel-like allure through its distinctive hardware embellishments. Combined the visual features of the bag provide every look with a dash of Parisian nonchalance, by day or by night.

www.givenchy.com

Art

Aneta Bartos - Monotropa Terrain

Born in Poland, Aneta Bartos came to the United States in order to get her degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Ever since graduating, she has made a name for herself through her striking imagery that blurs physical and imagined worlds, capturing the surreal space between memory and fiction whilst reimagining how both figures and desire are represented. Her newest exhibition Monotropa Terrain, a two-folded exploration of the deeper and darker nature of the human mind and the functioning of its memory keeps in line with Bartos’ overall work philosophy and approach. The exhibition brings together a large, projected Super8 film with five black and white videos, testimonies of a woman describing her mysterious encounters that question the nature of our accepted reality, raising questions about the supernatural and the ideas of duality. Set in the dark world of the Monotropa, a plant known as ‘ghost pipe’ due to its white, ghostly appearance, the main projection depicts amphibious characters who seem to be in an embryonic process of taking form, merging and splitting, their symbiotic movements reminding the viewer of the sensual and mysterious ballets often seen in early documentaries observing the micro-cosmos of the cell and plant world, immersing the viewers into this otherworldly world.

Monotropa Terrain by Aneta Bartos will be open to the public until February 25, 2023.

www.postmastersart.com

Fashion

Touch of Crude

The SS23 Prada campaign accompanying the new men’s and women’s collections by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons is a testament to the artistic virtuosity of the house. Not only does one see a true appreciation for the art of clothes and tailoring in the design and execution of the new collection; the short film and campaign reveal a true sensibility toward art as a medium for communicating stories and messages.

The film ‘Touch of Crude’, written and directed by filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, is a collaboration between the director and Prada – a short-format feature film is a surrealist take on fluid femininity. Vibrantly colorful, unsettling and creepy, the short feature film plays out like a dream sequence, replete with strange dialogue and nonsequiturs. A floating black box, a peephole to other realities, and three women (Sungirl, Moongirl and Superstar) all outfitted in Prada are all central elements in this short yet dense storyline (or rather, lack thereof).

The seemingly unrelated lives of the three main characters, Sungirl, Moongirl and Superstar (or “The True Fairy of Punk”, as she calls herself) respectively, are connected solely by the enigmatic black box, as well as the clothes they wear. The symbolism of the clothes represents the longstanding tradition of the House of Prada: the way clothes are passed down from generation to generation of women. As items travel along the passage of time, they represent a kind of continuity from the past; echoing realities, accompanying stories, figures and settings.

Photography figures into this campaign as well, with actors Vincent Cassel, Jaehyun Jeong, Louis Partridge, Hunter Schafer, Letitia Wright, as well as models Guinevere van Seenus and Rachel Williams starring in the campaign by David Sims. Each photograph tells its own story of Prada characters, a plurality of stories and stars in their own rights. Through this complexity, a Touch of Crude contradicts, in its inherent directness and purity. This is reflected in the style of photography; minimalist, stark, and real, putting the people of Prada in the foreground. HZ

www.prada.com

Fashion

Space for Art, Space for Fashion

Reductionism lies at the heart of the FW23 Men’s Collection by LOEWE. The collection strips everything down to its core; embellishments, colors, even the models themselves, are stripped down to give central focus to the silhouette of the clothing.

Shape is everything in this collection. The way it is molded, blended, frozen, tailored. The way a line is drawn, the contours of the clothing. The expression brought about through precise geometry; the power held within the measuring tape of the tailor.

In the context of mass media, mass consumerism and gargantuan productions, one can often feel caught within a whirlwind of (over)stimulation. LOEWE’s collection and show provide a quiet sanctuary in this storm (especially the storm that is Paris Fashion Week – a veritable monsoon of colossal productions and media campaigns), where one can stop and take a breath, and appreciate just what is really at the heart of all this madness… the clothes themselves. Fashion and art are given space and spotlight again.

This unostentatious, minimalist mentality is similarly reflected in the show space, a single white square-shaped room, with the showgoers watching from the perimeters. The only enhancement to the space, the giant original artworks by Julien Nguyen, depicting the House’s model and muse Nikos in Nguyen’s characteristically surrealist style. HZ

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Growing Up

The Louis Vuitton FW23 Men’s ‘Growing Up’ collection and show tell (predictably) the story of growing up, from birth to childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood. The show was preceded by a short film, directed by the French filmmaker-sibling duo Michel and Olivier Gondry, documenting the rites of passage of a young boy’s life. The set, a vivid and very literal interpretation of the subject, comprised a series of rooms through which the models passed, like a dream sequence. Familiar scenes of childhood and adolescence played out throughout the show, taking the viewer on an emotional journey through the earlier stages of life.

The collection is a tribute to the inner child, manifested in the vividness of colors, the at times fantastical designs and a boyish sense of defiance present throughout. The late Virgil Abloh, previous Creative Director of the House, often nurtured the idea of the inner child as a symbol of hope. Following in his footsteps, the Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme introduce a collection that is invariably imaginative – a true testament to the child within. Messages of hope and confusion are splayed across the collection (“FANTASTIC IMAGINATION?..”, “FANTASTIC FUTURE?...”, “blurry vision of a bright future”), creating a sense of the emotional turmoil, uncertainty and relentless optimism of growing up. HZ

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Unity of Nature

Human-to-human and human-to-nature are among the most important aspects of our existence on Earth. Dries Van Noten pays tribute to both of these themes in its latest FW23 men’s collection. An overlapping of nature motifs, together with a more unexpected inspiration in raver culture, forms the basis of the line. Both themes, nature and raver, simultaneously advocate a sense of freedom and self-expression, a constant theme throughout the range of designs.

The nature symbolism in the collection is largely inspired by the groundbreaking work of German naturalist and geographer Alexander von Humboldt. Informed by his decades of exploration and travel and an insatiable curiosity of the natural world, Humboldt’s “unity of nature” theory advanced the idea of the interconnectedness of all living things on Earth. It seems that the concept of the “harmoniously ordered whole” likewise percolated into the artistic headquarters of Dries Van Noten, where individuals were inspired by drawings housed in the Meise Botanic Garden to create the vivid renderings of tiger lilies, snakes and eagles present throughout the collection.

Other elements work to create a strong sense of the outside world – earthy, muted tones; the rawness of fabrics such as jute and alpaca, next to materials and fabrications that have been weathered by the elements. To complete this picture of interconnectedness and the energy of the elements, design choices are informed by classic raver styles. HZ

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

GUCCI REBELS

The debut of the Gucci FW23 Men’s Collection at the Men’s Fashion Week in Milan, two weeks into the start of the calendar year, marked yet another historic moment in the company’s history – its first collection since the departure of Alessando Michele, former Creative Director of the House. To the tense musical accompaniment of Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog, the Gucci models strutted their stuff on the circular runway, many of them donning beanies and oversized silhouettes. Apparently inspired by acts of improvisation, the collection riffed on a core premise of oversized everything in the beginning and elements of indie sleaze especially in the latter part of the collection. Leg warmers featured prominently, as did variations on conventional male designs such as the blazer and chinos. Touches of glitter and pastel also emanated throughout, giving a colorful spin to the looks. As the models moved as if in a gravitational orbit around the energetic trio in the middle of the circular stage, the mood was undeniably… sexy. And moody. The collection reflected something of a rebellious take on traditional and less-traditional styles – fitting to the grunge-y chords and drum beats emanating from the core of the show. The finale, with the models revolving in single file around the periphery of the stage, had to be the highlight; as the models left the stage, Marc Ribot let out one final cry and the band played an epic drum-filled outro – an explosive and electrifying moment to mark the end of the show. As the first composition of Gucci’s post-Michele era, the show and collection sets an exciting new course for the House and its loyal followers. HZ

www.gucci.com

Fashion

BOSS x Perfect Moment

Hitting the slopes this year: BOSS’ annual ski capsule collection, this time with a special treat – a collaboration with skiwear brand Perfect Moment – a collaboration sure to accompany many a perfect moment this winter. Designs inspired by a crossover of both brands’ archives create a blend of respective expertises, with BOSS’ casual athleisure aesthetic meeting Perfect Moment’s technical knowledge of creating high-performing activewear. From the cable car to the flight downhill to the après-ski, the collection offers no shortage of gear for every occasion. Ski jackets, pants, overalls, knit and accessories comprise the line in a distinctive color palette of five colors: the black, white and camel associated with BOSS, the bright tomato red of Perfect Moment and a shade of white cream that perfectly matches the winter season. The partnership is also manifested in the combination of logos: BOSS’ familiar B-monogram appears alongside Perfect Moment’s northern star.

Jane Gottschalk, Creative Director at Perfect Moment explains the vision behind the line: “This collection is for "Moment Makers" - everyone who is looking for unique, authentic experiences on the slopes and in their lives and who wants to look good doing it.”

The BOSS x Perfect Moment capsule collection will be available in select BOSS stores worldwide, on boss.com and on perfectmoment.com. HZ

www.boss.com
www.perfectmoment.com

Fashion

Dior Men x ERL Spring 23

Dior’s Spring 23 Men’s Collection is unveiled just in time to ring in the new year. Designed by Creative Director Kim Jones and guest designer Eli Russell Linnetz (ERL), the collection celebrates freedom especially in its motifs of ocean waves. Between its birthplace in Paris and its newer home in Los Angeles, exchanges within the House have produced the reinvention of some of its classic symbols, such as a quilted version of the Cannage pattern.

The collection is submerged throughout in deep and vibrant hues, the campaign calling to life a monochromatic retro feeling. This is no accident, as the collection was designed with the theme of “California Couture” in mind, a pastiche of the golden era of L.A. and Venice Beach.

A Venice Beach native himself, Lennitz draws especially on feelings of nostalgia and American influences in his personal design style. Through his unique ability to balance staying true to the DNA of the House, whilst keeping it relevant through reinvention and collaborations, Kim Jones has similarly drawn respect and praise from across the industry. This collaboration between Jones and Linnetz represents just such a balancing act, a look back into the treasure trove of Dior’s archives and a reimagining of signature house codes. Beyond high-fashion hoodies, the collection represents above all a free-spirited melding of the creative minds of Jones and ERL, each an artist and businessman in his own right. HZ

www.dior.com

Fashion

Premiata New Style: CROSS

Offering comfort, luxury and style, Premiata’s shoes are a prime example of how the sneaker has revolutionized the footwear industry. The brand was founded in Italy in 1885, and has had nearly 150 years experience in handcrafting the highest quality Italian shoes. Graziano Mazza, heir to the family business, took over and registered the brand in the early 1990s. With his creative vision, he turned the company on its head, turning the focus on sneakers at a time in which these were reserved for gym floors and after-school sports. Following Graziano’s character, the brand focuses on innovation, both in style and functionality. It has succeeded in striking a careful balance between respecting the traditions of the shoemaking craft, while using each new collection as a bold experiment. The new CROSS sneaker collection is no exception to this rule. The sneaker comes in an astonishingly versatile range of designs, colors and fabrics. Animal prints, fur trimming, bold colors adorn the entire collection. For the more minimalistically minded, there is also the option of the mono-colored sneakers. Taking on a modern silhouette, it centers around a blend of fine materials as well as the characteristic details exclusive to the Premiata brand.

www.premiata.eu

Fashion

Re-Enchanting Villa Medici

In its latest collaboration, FENDI has worked together with the French Academy in Rome and the Mobilier National by refurbishing and redesigning six Salons in the Villa Medici, a 16th-century villa in the heart of Rome which has been the French institution’s base since 1803. Under the creative direction of Kim Jones, FENDI’s Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear, and Silvia Venturini Fendi, Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear, the villa finds itself transformed, becoming a place that perpetuates exceptional know-how, a union between contemporary design and history, actively shaping the heritage of tomorrow. Following in the footsteps of the many creative minds, such as Balthus and Richard Peduzzi, who have created the villa’s unique architectural and decorative identity, color became the central element for the entire project. For the new interpretations of the new Salons, the creative duo supported by the FENDI Architecture department, combines interior fittings and conversation-restoration, with the tones of the different room’s original wall paintings becoming the starting point for choosing the new color palettes reflected in particular in three custom-designed, hand-knotted carpets with graduated shading and entirely crafted from recycled French wool. But the fil rouge of this project was the spirit of collaboration, of creating a dialogue between existing heritage and contemporary design aspects and designers. Whether it is the furniture pieces by contemporary designers such as Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec or Chiara Andreatti or the artworks of artists such as Sheila Hicks or Patrick Corillon, one can experience a remarkable introduction of contemporary design into the historic Salons of the Villa Medici, where the new enters a dialogue with the historical. Through this project, FENDI endorses its commitment towards the preservation of the artistic patrimony, fuelling its ever-lasting connection to its hometown, the Eternal City of Rome.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Introducing Gianfranco D'Attis, Prada's new CEO

Prada. The name rings with familiarity, a giant and icon in the world of fashion. Since 1913, when Mario Prada opened the first Prada leather goods shop in Milan, Italy, and becoming the Official Supplier of the Italian Royal House in 1919, Prada has been a symbol of sophistication and luxury. Miuccia Prada, heir apparent and creative designer, represents the third generation of the Prada family business. Along with her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, Miuccia has been at the head of the business since the mid-1970s.

Effective January 2nd, 2023, the Prada brand welcomes a new CEO into its leadership team. Gianfranco D’Attis, who more recently held the role of president of Christian Dior Americas, has had ample experience in strategic development, the luxury sector and retail. The company is confident that “his proven experience in the luxury sector, with a specific focus on retail, will help Prada to increase its growth potential in all geographies.” The role has, in fact, been especially created, as management for the Prada brand was latterly overseen by the president of the Prada Group, Miuccia Prada herself.

The announcement comes amid a restructuring of the top layer of the vast organization, as the Prada-Bertelli couple that has been at the helm of Prada for decades prepares its succession. As the Prada Group’s main line of business, the new leader for the Prada brand represents a significant step forward in the long and illustrious history of the House. HZ

www.prada.com

Fashion

"BEYOND PERFORMANCE"

Moncler, the luxury outerwear producer, has made a name for itself over recent years as one of the foremost producers of fashionable and functional winter styles. Its name hails from its birthplace, Monestier-de-Clermont, a little alpine skiing village 30 km from the town of Grenoble, situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. What began as a mountaineering company dedicated to the production of tents, sleeping bags and other mountaineering equipment is now the world’s foremost producer of luxury down jackets.

Moncler Grenoble represented a return to the roots for Moncler, a collection dedicated exclusively to skiwear, and helping individuals look stylish on the slopes. “Where High Style collides with High Performance” is an apt description for Moncler Grenoble’s latest collection. The launch of the new collection is accompanied by a short film debuting Moncler Grenoble brand ambassador, Richard Permin. Permin is a French free-skiier and these days, ardent skiing filmmaker. The film, directed by Jonas Lindstroem, shows Permin doing the unthinkable, speeding down an almost 90 degree slope, inches ahead of an oncoming avalanche. The clip looks more like a scene from the climax of a Bond film than the promotional video for a new ready-to-wear collection, especially given its location: the film is shot on the Quetrupillán, a stratovolcano in Chile. Like 007, Permin looks undeniably stylish, clad in Moncler Grenoble. The debut film and collection are a true testament to Moncler Grenoble’s mantra “Beyond Performance,” pushing human ability to the borders of possibility. HZ

www.moncler.com

Fashion

The Maison’s Newest Member

Vanessa Kirby, English stage, TV, and film actress, is to become one of the new faces of Cartier. The London-born actress has an impressive resume of on-stage and on-screen appearances under her belt, from most notably her supporting role as Princess Margaret in British drama series “The Crown” to action films such as “Mission Impossible – Fallout”, to starring roles such as in “Pieces of a Woman” and “The World to Come”. With over twenty nominations as “Best Actress” for her role in “Pieces of a Woman,” Kirby has distinguished herself as a “tour-de-force”, a “wonder” or an “amazing talent”, to quote just a few raving reviewers.

Thanks to these very qualities, her talent, sensuality and determination, Cartier has chosen the talented young actress as the face of its celebrated “La Panthère” perfume campaign. With a “natural elegance that feels both authentic and free,” Kirby is the perfect fit for the fragrance that is created to exude freedom, to represent a woman that is independent, graceful, and rebellious.

Kirby joins the likes of Rami Malek, Maisie Williams, Lily Collins and Jackson Wang as the newest addition to Cartier’s impressive and versatile roster of brand ambassadors. Each ambassador brings their own brand of non-conformity and talent to the brand’s image, bringing a fresh touch of modernity and culture to the Maison. HZ

www.cartier.com

Music

Lana's Return

“Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,” Lana del Rey’s latest release, is another testimony to her unparalleled repute as songstress, woman, writer and human. In many ways, this lush and dreamlike ballad is characteristically Lana – the West Coast imagery, the candid and at times vulgar lyrics, the pervading poignance of her words and tone. However, the song also reveals some elements of Lana’s songwriting and production that show her evolution as an artist and break away from the confines of the ‘pop’ music label that she is generally associated with.

Layered over sweeping strings and a slow, melancholic piano backing, the song plays out like a dreamscape. Musical touches certainly contribute to this pensive atmosphere: the quick, high sequences played out gently on the piano over Verse 2, the lush harmonies and orchestration over Verse 3, however it is in large part the words themselves – disjoint and enigmatic, they offer an intimate glimpse into Lana’s consciousness. It is a telltale feature of Lana’s songwriting: the unwavering vulnerability of her lyrics, something that has time and time again painted her out for her ability to write and sing her reality just as it appears in her mind.

The song release is a promising foretoken of Lana’s ninth studio album of the same name. Featuring artists such as Jon Batiste, Tommy Genesis, SYML and more, "Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd" will be released March 10, 2023 and is available for pre-order on CD, cassette and in various exclusive vinyl formats from select retailers. HZ

www.lanadelrey.com

Fashion

Dior at KaDeWe

Situated in Berlin’s famous Ku’Damm district, a historical center for shopping and indulgence, sits the Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe for short. The KaDeWe is more than just a momentous building that looks like it's been plucked from a Wes Anderson set, but by now also a historical heritage site. Erected in 1907 and witness to two World Wars, the KaDeWe became a symbol of West Germany’s Wirtschaftswunder – the economic prosperity in the postwar era. Since then, it has retained its status as a symbol of glamor and affluence, on par with Galerie Lafayette in Paris or Harrod’s in London.

For the 2023/4 winter season, the House of Dior is setting up shop in the KaDeWe and lending a peek at its intricate scenographies to the outside world through the window displays of the KaDeWe. Placing the Dior cruise 2023 collection at center stage in both the window displays and the Dior pop-up shop inside, the House invites the visitors of KaDeWe to ponder over Maria Grazia Chiuri’s most recent designs and inspirations. Conceptualized as a “voyage of discovery, imagination and reflection, a combination of heritage and inventiveness,” the Cruise collection drew inspiration heavily from Spanish and especially Andalusian influences, from the art of the flamenco dance to the equestrian traditions. The looks from the Dior Cruise Collection 2023 will be presented in KaDeWe windows until January 7th, 2023. The pop-up will remain until January 28th, 2023. HZ

www.dior.com

Fashion

Memento Mori

The “Nocturnal Angels” collection represents a new chapter for the label Palm Angels, as it ventures into uncharted waters in its first-ever High Jewelry collection. Working in close collaboration with the designer and jeweler Duffy, Francesco Ragazzi – designer, photographer, Palm Angels founder – brought his own brand of daring to the endeavor, bringing the jeweler into his specific world of shapes and colors.

The collection comprises only four pieces: the Oxymoron bracelet, the Pleasuredome necklace, the Antithesis bracelet, and the Allegoria pendant. Each individual piece is handcrafted and brought to life out of varying components of gold, sterling silver, precious stones such as amethyst, sapphire, diamonds, and more. Each piece is also uniquely adorned with motifs that call to mind the theme. According to Ragazzi, “Memento Mori” was a central concept in this collection – an artistic and religious trope that was thought to remind the viewer of their mortality and the inevitability of death. In this vein, the two designers played especially with the motifs of bones, insects, snakes, skulls, and leaves – common motifs in art history used to evoke this theme – to point to the “transience of life”. Another case in point for Palm Angels’ ongoing mission to use clothing and design as “cultural signifiers”.

The Palm Angels High Jewelry collection will be exclusively available at the brand pop-up boutique in Los Angeles, 8818 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, California 90069. HZ

www.palmangels.com

Fashion

RE-ESSENTIEL

The fashion industry was long known to be one of the most polluting industries in the world. But as the environmental challenges of our times have become more pressing and more visible than ever, the fashion industry itself also recognized the need for change, the need to change its own practices in order to reduce its environmental impact. One of the most impactful implementations has been the introduction of a more circular model in fashion which put a special focus on the longevity and life cycle of our wardrobes. In this spirit, Essentiel Antwerp is also reconsidering and rethinking the way its customers can shop through the introduction of a platform where everybody is able to buy and sell their pre-loved Essentiel Antwerp collectibles to fellow brand enthusiasts, hence extending their life cycles. As the first Belgian brand to introduce such an initiative as part of its permanent activities, it does not only showcase an awareness for the challenges of our times, it also underlines the quality of the products which were produced to last. The process is very easy and convenient, as the brand itself takes over the selling process. After selecting and sending in the items, users will receive a voucher valid in the brand’s stores and online stores. Regarding the initiative, Inge Onsea, Co-founder and Creative Director of the brands, says, “I always find inspiration in vintage and thrifting and my closet is filled with pre-loved items. Our clothes are designed to last. I’m thrilled that Essentiel Antwerp pieces will have a chance to revive and that we’re offering this service to our clients. It really makes designing twice as fun.”

www.essentiel-antwerp.com
www.re-ssentiel.com

Cinema

Lilli Reinhart honored as Face of the Future

The Women in Film, Los Angeles (WIF) are an organization founded in 1973 that advocates and works for the advancement of the careers of all women in the film and screen industries. Since 1977, this group has hosted an annual award show, “The WIF HONORS”, to honor outstanding women in the field for their groundbreaking accomplishments. A formidable list of former recipients includes figures such as Jane Fonda, Viola Davis, Shonda Rhimes, Meryl Streep, and many more exceptional women. For 19 years, Max Mara has supported this event as a Presenting Sponsor, using its platform to celebrate women it deems exceptional through its “Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award”. The award is granted to actresses for their contributions to film as well as to greater society. This year the company has chosen to honor Lilli Reinhart. In celebration of its newest honoree, Max Mara hosted a cocktail party in Los Angeles in late October.

The young actress has rapidly risen as a figure in the public eye over the last few years especially through her role in the cult-TV show Riverdale, however her quickly expanding repertoire now boasts a whole range of films, such as Wanuri Kahiu’s coming-of-age “Look Both Ways,” and Lorene Scafaria’s feature film “Hustlers”. At just 26, Reinhart has even assumed the title of Executive Producer on the former film. Next to an impressive list of awards and accolades, the actress is also hailed as a force for good in the online community, especially using her platform to raise awareness on issues of mental health and body image. Through her candor and vulnerability online, Reinhart has opened the conversation on many occasions to address the media industry’s harmful effects on body image and beauty standards – shedding light on an issue that has permeated women’s lives everywhere. Reinhart is also leveraging her new role as producer to campaign for greater diversity and inclusivity. HZ

www.womeninfilm.org
www.maxmara.com

Fashion

A Family Affair

Five generations of the Mazza family business have culminated in this: a new apparel collection by PREMIATA in time for Fashion Week 2022. The entire line is conceived as to be genderless, designed and constructed only for “a person who needs multifunctional clothes every day.” Functionality is at the heart of this new collection – the clothes are designed to be “structured and versatile to use them all day long.” Heavy jackets to parkas, field jackets and winter coats comprise the new line. The ad campaign is unmistakingly urban: with the neon-lit background and sullen-looking youngsters, it appeals to the image of a wintry cityscape. Shot by Leandro Emede and styled by Nick Cerioni, the set is designed to recall a dystopian Blade Runner-esque backdrop, “between neon and rain”.

The thermo and design technology behind the new collection is impressive. Among the used materials are nylon and organic cotton, treated so as to become water repellent and soft to the touch. A fundamentally Italian family brand, PREMIATA holds its “Made in Italy” label with pride. Traditionally a high-end footwear brand (the Mazza family began shoe production as early as 1885), the announcement of a new apparel line concurrent with the new generation of the Mazza family, siblings Vincenzo and Carlotta, represents a turning page in the company’s history. HZ

www.premiata.eu 

Fashion

What makes an icon?

The launching of this year’s new Icons in Icons campaign by Canadian luxury outerwear label Moose Knuckles was accompanied by a similarly exciting news piece – the announcement of the brand’s collaboration with two matter-of-fact modern icons. Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan and Natasha Lyonne from “Orange is the New Black” and “Russian Doll” have joined forces with the esteemed brand to create a campaign showcasing the new collection. To Moose Knuckles, both individuals embody the concept of ‘cultural icon,’ in their own unique ways. The campaign was shot by acclaimed photographer Luis Alberto and styled by fashion editor and stylist Carlos Nazario. Pushing the bounds of creativity and their respective crafts, the venerated artists both on- and off-camera do well to demonstrate the titular theme. In the words of Method Man, “Icon: when you do something well and it keeps going after you’re not here, that’s when it becomes iconic.”
Moose Knuckles is a leading force in the production of luxury outerwear, sportswear and accessories designed to endure any conditions. From the Canadian tundra to the cosmopolitan city of Montreal, its homebase, the brand seeks to create styles to be worn in any context. The new collection is a testament to its theme – revisiting classic signature styles such as the 3Q jacket and Stirling Parka in new and adventurous ways, thus extending the legacy of the brand’s very own icons. HZ 

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

New concept store The Square opens in Berlin

Right at the heart of Berlin, between Gendarmenmarkt and Unter den Linden, Emmanuel De Bayser and Josef Voelk are opening their new 700-square-meter flagship store, The Square. Once known as The Corner Berlin, this new space creates an extended aesthetic experience induced by the interior designs of the Paris-based studio Pierre Augustin Rose. Reflecting on the classicist spirit of Berlin’s lively historic quarter, the vast and sun-illuminated store constitutes a present-day Arcadia, distinguished by wooden panels, white columns, and high arches as well as a light and soft colorway. Amid the elegant interiors, a carefully curated selection of fashion, beauty, interior design, and art is displayed, inviting customers to a unique and holistic aesthetic experience. Besides furniture and home objects by among others Ann Demeulemeester and Chiarastella Catrani, as well as sculptures by Nicolas Lefebvre and Thomas Junghans, the Square provides high luxury in the fashion department, featuring brands like Balenciaga, Dries van Noten, Dior, and Jacquemus. The impressive reopening of The Square oriented to history as well as modernity thus becomes part of a general renaissance, which is currently taking place in Berlin Mitte. JW

The Square Berlin

Fashion

The Concerto Bag

The French fashion brand Lanvin is presenting the Concerto bag, paying tribute to the daughter of its founder Jeanne Lanvin. Marie-Blanche de Polignac was the only child of the renowned fashion designer and later pursued a career in the music industry.
The Concerto bag is defined by a minimalistic aesthetic and provides true luxury à la française. The exceptional accessory can be worn during the day or in the evening as it is designed for women with an equally active and elegant lifestyle. Its versatility consists of the slip-on strap which can be changed in three different ways, that is over the shoulder, across the chess, and carried. Furthermore, it is reflected in the variety of materials incorporated in the leather goods, including metallic leather, pony-effect calfskin, and matt calfskin. The sophisticated details adorning the crisp design are reminiscent of the Concerto dress designed by Jeanne Lanvin in 1934. This can be seen in the bag’s precious clasp with a diamond texture which translates the collar decoration from the beautiful dress. Hence, the bag carries on the legacy of the Maison while at the same time adding a new timeless yet modern piece to the Lanvin world. JW

www.lanvin.com

Art

Mercedes Benz presents: Entergalactic with Kid Cudi in Paris

Mercedes Benz has long been recognized as one of the world’s premier car manufacturers, which finds constant inspiration in its core values of technology and innovation. But throughout the years, the German car manufacturer has also extended its expertise into the cultural sector having not only supported various Fashion Weeks all over the world but also through its collaborations with various artists from different artistic and creative industries. With its different projects, Mercedes Benz brings together the most relevant names from different disciplines and hence creates a platform for the meeting and collaboration of creative pioneers. This October, Mercedes Benz was proud to present its newest collaboration with world-class creative Kid Cudi and renowned artist KAWS. Revealed and celebrated in the gardens of the Musée Rodin in Paris, this collaboration illustrates both artists’ excellence in their field through the lens of human-centric innovation whilst also mirroring Mercedes Benz’s core belief in responsible design and creativity. This unique and exclusive launch was in line with the world premiere of the EQE SUV from Mercedes-EQ and Mercedes-AMG, a presentation of the Mercedes Benz art collection and the immersive 360-degree installation specially created for the “Magical Garage” campaign. Amongst the many guests were the likes of Roger & Mirka Federer, Heron Preston, Amina Muaddi & Fary Lopes who all joined Mercedes Benz for this special night at Musée Rodin in Paris.

www.mercedes-benz.com

Art

A Journey Through Ulay’s Life

SPURS Gallery is currently presenting the exhibition The Great Journey, putting works of the iconic artist Ulay on display. Divided into three different periods, the exhibition takes visitors through Ulay’s life and his body of work, starting with his artistic activity in the early 1970s, continuing with his collaboration with Marina Abramovic, and ultimately finishing with his work as a solo artist in the late 90s.
During this first period, Ulay took up a practice, which he called Auto-polaroid, which describes taking Polaroids as a performative act. Within the intimate performances, Ulay was exploring his own body and identity in terms of gender and illusory. The second period sheds light on the pioneering performance art that he created in partnership with Marina Abramovic. Investigating emotional discomfort and physical endurance, their performances revolved around states of consciousness, psychic energy, and nonverbal communication. During the last period, Ulay focused again on the medium of Polaroid, creating performative auto-portraits and capturing recurring motifs from his oeuvre.
As the exhibition follows Ulay’s search for his own identity, it takes visitors on a journey of different cultures, spiritual explorations, and physical travels, showcasing unique works made by Ulay along the way.
The exhibition will be open to the public for two more weeks, ending October 30th at SPURS Gallery in Beijing. JW

installation view of "Ulay: The Great Journey," SPURS Gallery, Beijing, 2022

www.spursgallery.com

Fashion

The comeback of Cartier’s pebble-shaped watch

An icon returns, as Cartier releases the pebble-shaped watch which has been firmly rooted at the core of the Maison’s watchmaking heritage for 50 years. Distinguished by its rarity and singularity, the watch and its unprecedented design recall the feeling of excitement in London at the beginning of the 1970s. During this time, a creative upswing within the English capital and Cartier became noticeable and led to the designs of the Crash in 1967 and the Maxi Oval in 1969. Meanwhile, the pebble-shaped watch was released in 1972 and was only produced in a very limited number. The thus highly sought-after watch model returns today with a surprising and singular aesthetic, paying homage to the original design which unites roundness with a square dial beneath an elegant exterior.
Cartier launches 150 individually-numbered pieces of the reinvented model, subtly deviating from the original in their proportions. Beyond that, it houses one of Cartier’s flattest hand-wound movements, the Manufacture 430 MC movement. Emphasizing the creative mind significant to Cartier, the watch consists of an 18-carat gold case, which combines pure lines with harmonious proportions. The Roman numerals and blued sword-shaped hands stand out on the eggshell-colored dial, showing great attention to detail. To complete the sophisticated design, a light brown calf leather strap with a gold pin buckle adds a vintage touch to the otherwise timeless design. JW

www.cartier.com

Art

ADE promises a groundbreaking spectacle

Amsterdam Dance Event returns to Nxt Museum in a groundbreaking art and sound spectacle, connecting art, music, technology, and ideology. The unique event brings together local and international talents who create an intimate, multidimensional atmosphere, distinguished by diversity and surprising performances.
In collaboration with Transmoderna and powered by Grover, the event presents the ADE programme, showcasing the art of tomorrow in combination with today’s exceptional sounds. DJs, digital artists, designers, VJs as well as technologists, and sound designers come together in an extraordinary lineup of multimedia performance installations. Among the artists is Berlin-based DJ Dixon who plays his sets alongside Transmoderna’s artwork Xenopunk, composed of impressive visuals which form a crossover between the real and virtual world. Juliana Huxtable who made a name for herself as an artistic allrounder at the top of the New York dance scene is also part of the event: she will present her mesmerizing sets as well, which link electronic sounds with techno elements. Besides them and other professionals, the Artist in Residence programme will offer emerging talents the chance to present specially commissioned digital artworks alongside DJ performances.
The ADE programme at Nxt Museum in Amsterdam will be open to the public from October 19th to 21st, 2022. JW

www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl
www.nxtmuseum.com

Fashion

Sander Lak publishes coffee table book about his former label Sies Marjan

In 2016 the Dutch fashion designer Sander Lak founded his highly influential and now cult fashion label Sies Marjan. Despite closing down in 2020, the garments stood out due to the evocative use of colors, proportion as well as subversive fabrication, leaving a lasting mark on the world of fashion. Offering an impressive retrospective on the work of the beloved creative director, Sander Lak launches an excellent coffee table book, titled The Colors of Sies Marjan. The pages of the decorative book introduce the readers to the luxuriously constructed pieces, distinguished by shining, jewel-toned hues and a uniquely cool appeal. It brings them to the buzzing streets of New York City, where the brand was based during its four-year-long existence and where its beautiful pastel coats can still be seen regularly walking down the avenues. Tracing the label’s history path, the richly illustrated volume is organized by color. It includes various expressive images, ranging from unpublished drawings to ad campaigns and found objects of inspiration. Alongside the pictures, a number of interviews and reactions from, among others, Donna Tartt, Isabella Rossellini, and Hanya Yanagihara give an insight into Sies Marjan’s glorious journey. JW

www.rizzoliusa.com

Fashion

Chanel SS23 - A magnificent collage

In the course of Paris Fashion Week, Chanel presented the Spring-Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear collection in a mesmerizing fashion show. Virginie Viard took inspiration for the collection from the artistically revolutionary film Last Year in Marienbad (1961) directed by Alain Resnais. The costumes of Delphine Seyrings were designed by Gabrielle Chanel herself, adding a sophisticated allure to the film stemming from Chanel’s central idea of freedom of movement. Imbued by the feathers, sequins, and heels, Viard found pleasure in mixing up things. She thus composed the Spring-Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear collection of individual pieces, beautiful in themselves, to form an extensive, magnificent collage, an imaginary world, confronted with itself. A white jacket with sequins, deconstructed prints, and pastel tweets are found alogside velvet panne, lace, and light chiffon. Each of the pieces that walk down the runway is an allure in its own way, failthfully incarnated in Kristen Stewart. “(...) of the people around me, she is the closest to Gabrielle Chanel, at least to my idea of her. She understands CHANEL, its clothes. And with her, it becomes even more modern. This collection, it’s also her.” explains Viard. JW

www.chanel.com

Art

Brutus Rotterdam shows impressive installations by Tommy Malekoff and Akeem Smith

Nothing is infinite. The environment surrounding us, our lives as humans, and history are destined to change, even collapse. The constant threat of brutality and impermanence contends with the world we know. The thus created tension is explored in the works of the artists Akeem Smith and Tommy Malekoff. In the exhibition BUILT, on view in Brutus Rotterdam, they present impressive and immersive installations, connecting film and architecture, time and space. Curated by New Canon’s Maxwell Wolf, the exhibition features Queens Street (2020) by Akeem Smith, for which he drew inspiration from archival materials and architectural remnants of his hometown in Kingston Jamaica. The video installation hence juxtaposes past artifacts with the own memory of the artist, creating awareness of beguiling oblivion affecting our memories.
Beyond that, Forever and Forever (2022), an imposing multi-channel video by Malekoff, will be on display at BUILT. It portrays how human intervention has impacted the American landscape up until now. To create this artwork, the artist traveled to the Everglades region of southern Florida, where a raw and primordial wilderness can be found, yet showing clear traces of human life. During his two-year-long journey, he captured footage, which fluctuates between extreme beauty and decimation.
The exhibition BUILT will be open to the public from October 7th to November 20th at Brutus Rotterdam. JW

www.brutus.nl

Fashion

Dries Van Noten SS23 goes from Darkness into light

During Paris Fashion Week Dries Van Noten showed the women’s spring/summer 23 collection, which revolved around the theme of Darkness into light. Thus the collection was divided into three parts: the purity of black, the suggestion of color faded pastels, and novel flower prints. Investigating the contrast between these elements, the development from dark shades to cheerful patterns celebrates and embraces optimism.
The first part of the collection, distinguished by its black color, is inspired by the radicality of Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square. As it consists of structured pieces, this part includes jackets with oversized shoulders and dresses with sculptural waists. Continuing with the pastels, which can be found on crushed pleats, the fringing of cargo pants, and a layered dress, the soft shades embody the lingering memory of color. For the flower prints, significant to Dries Van Noten, earlier designs got revamped. Varying between oversized and micro-prints, the patterns and textures collide in powerful silhouettes. As the collection plays with the contrast between transparency, lightness, and precision, masculine jackets are combined with mousseline skirts.
The accessories, including glass jewelry and heeled shoes, are fragile and robust at the same time, paying homage to intimate moments within the whole collection. JW

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton unveils the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 capsule collection

In the event of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Louis Vuitton designed an exclusive capsule collection capturing the excitement of football. Distinguished by sophisticated shapes, sporty treatments, and subtle elegant details, this collection is part of the 12-year-long collaboration between the FIFA World Cup and the French Maison: Since 2010, Louis Vuitton has provided the travel trunk for the legendary FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Five collectible items, fabricated in black Taurillon leather, compose the capsule collection. Regarding the design, Louis Vuitton is bringing back one of its most emblematic signatures, the Damier motif, which in its pattern is reminiscent of the movement of the net as a goal is scored. Embossed on Louis Vuitton icons, such as the Keepall 50 bag, the City Keepall bag, and the Discovery backpack, these pieces are the perfect travel companions. Referencing the sporting event once more, the leather tag is shaped like a soccer league badge and protective bottom studs on the Keepall 50 recall football cleats. The collection also includes small leather goods, such as a dopp kit with contrasting piping as well as a handy pocket organizer with five inner pockets. JW

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Tod’s SS23 brings Italian Flair to MFW

Italian Flair is the name of Tod’s’ new Spring/ Summer collection 2023, which testifies to the brand’s origin and was presented during the Milan Fashion Week. In the spirit of the brand, which is characterized by its Italian soul, Tod’s’ creative director Walter Chiapponi particularly focused on the material and craft aspect during the creation of the garments. Dedicated to providing high quality, the collection is classic yet unpredictable as it evokes confidence and a certain attitude in its wearers. Following the younger generation’s line, it thus allows you to dress with freedom and add personal touches to the clothes, expressing your own identity. In its color palette of pale shades, different beiges, and hints of red and yellow, the garments reference the Italian hearth during summer. As if made for extraordinary combinations is the sartorial dress with a structured jacket with oversized shoulders and wide, high-waisted trousers. Another highlight of the collection is the Bubble ballerina with its giant pebble sole in contrasting colors. The iconic Tod's moccasin is defined by a curled seam, depicting an artisanal detail. Regarding accessories, Tod's presented amongst others a new variation of the Di Bag, for the first time made in mosaic of different leathers. JW

www.tods.com

Fashion

BOSS reveals its FW 2022 collection

Hugo Boss presented its new Fall/Winter 2022 collection during Milan Fashion Week, exploring the deeper meaning of the brand’s Be Your Own BOSS motto. The inspiration came from BOSS’s own rich sporting heritage as the brand reinvented iconic pieces from its archives. Revamped for a younger and more global generation, BOSS unveiled the collection at Milans’ Velodromo Vigorelli in front of more than 1000 guests.
The world of the power sport of motorcycling influenced the show concept heavily. As the backdrop of the fashion show, bikers dressed in BOSS outfits gave a gravity-defying and astonishing performance. The cast of models was star-studded: Among others, Naomi Campbell, Future, Khaby Lame, Alica Schmidt, and Ashley Graham walked the runway. Regarding the designs, the collection’s underlying concept was the power suit as it offers various interpretations of its original, ranging from the slouchy to the more sculptural. Built around soft shades of charcoal, cream, brown, and the BOSS colors of black, white, and camel, the collection furthermore shows a reinvented BOSS logo.
Thus, BOSS investigates the different facets of power and showcases that it can also arise from softness. JW

www.boss.com

Fashion

CHANEL introduces tweed for the eyes

Since its founding, CHANEL has been known for using tweed. Now, the material so significant to the French Maison gets to be the main inspiration for their new four-color eyeshadow palettes. Not only is the surface of each shade embossed with a tweed pattern, but they also resemble the intertwined fibers as they can be beautifully blended, varying in their intensity. Both distinguished by an elegant effortlessness, the special eyeshadow collection pairs the compacts with tweed pouches. The latter are made by Maison Lesage, part of CHANEL’s Métiers d’art since 2002.
Available in four different harmonies, the palettes stand out due to their versatility which can create simple as well as sophisticated looks. The first one is titled Tweed Fauve and includes radiant warm colors, ranging from an intense aubergine to an amber gold. Tweed Cuivré is distinguished by a gold shimmer, that evokes richness and brilliance in the precious metals dear to Coco Chanel. The third, Tweed Pourpre links softness with audacity as it combines pinks and mauves with a satin and iridescent finish. Natural brown and beige shades are finally offered in Tweed Brun et Rose.
To round off the collection, CHANEL also introduces two new shades of STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF, the illuminating Cuivre Doré and the intense Bois Noir. JW

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Stone Island presents Ghost Pieces for FW 22/23

For the season of Fall/ Winter 2022/2023 Stone Island introduces monochromatic Ghost Pieces, based on the concept of camouflage. Even the Stone Island badge, significant to the Milan-based brand, was converted into a new monochromatic version to blend with the clothing items, embellishing the left sleeve. Field jackets, military smocks, overshirts, Bermuda shorts as well as trousers are fabricated in an organic and long-lasting cotton fabric, called O-VENTILE®. They are a great fit for every weather thanks to the special weaving of the fibers offering protection against wind and rain while remaining breathable. To further weatherproof the outwear pieces, thermo-taped seams are incorporated into the timeless designs. As it is a completely natural fabric developed in the U.K., it provides a comfortable feel as well as a high quality. Knits completing the collection are made of cashmere and adorned with military details while heavy cotton was used to create warm fleeces. The color palette of the collection ranges from black and dark gray to lighter gray and off-white, creating garments that are easy to combine, enhancing every outfit. JW

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Longchamp introduces Le Pliage Munich

The French Maison Longchamp launches a new design for its beloved Le Pliage, which has been the brand’s staple piece for three decades. The Le Pliage Munich is dedicated to the Bavarian capital as it depicts something very close and dear to the culture of the south of Germany. An image of a delicious German Pretzel covers the front of the bright blue bag, whose color is reminiscent of the Bavarian emblem. Timeless and chic, this bag invites its wearers to take a walk through the lovely city of Munich, passing the green oasis of the Englischer Garten, the vivid Marienplatz, and the Theater Schauburg. The lighthearted design makes the bag an ultimate eye-catcher, while it remains practical in its sporty elegance. Made of nylon fabric, significant to this Longchamp model, it appears casual and chic at the same time. Thus, Le Pliage Munich is a companion not only for calm strolls through the city but also for weekend trips or busy work days. In its uniqueness, the bag evokes a longing for a trip to Munich and of course for tasty Bavarian Pretzel. JW

www.longchamp.com

Fashion

TELFAR and Eastpak launch their second collaboration

TELFAR and Eastpak collaborate once again after their successful debut in Spring. Together the two iconic brands created a four-piece lineup, both fashionable and technical. For this collaboration, the high quality packs and luggage brand Eastpak reworked signature models of TELFAR, putting emphasis on utility. Defined by their bold yellow color, significant to TELFAR, the pieces are crafted in special molded and embossed fabrics. Each style is equipped with its own drawstring wrapper bag, as the lineup combines new designs with TELFAR’s bestsellers. Available in three sizes, the TELFAR Shopper depicts a bold and compact statement piece. The Large and the Medium can also be worn as a backpack, a first for TELFAR. Distinguished by ergonomic shoulder straps, a laptop sleeve and inner and outer mesh pockets as well as a bottle holder, the functional piece is the perfect fit for weekend getaways. The Small stands out due to its water-resistant shell, zippered main compartments and the detachable shoulder strap. With its dual outer stach pouches, the small version is a wonderful and extraordinary companion for any party. Completing the collection, the TELFAR Circle reveals an exclusive new design. It’s unique form bears an embroidered Eastpak logo alongside the embossed T of TELFAR. JW

www.eastpak.com
www.telfar.net

Fashion

The Dior B101 Sneakers

As part of Dior’s Winter 2022-2023 men’s show, the French Maison presents the B101 Sneakers. Defined by a contemporary design of fine lines, the sneaker combines premium materials of smooth calfskin and suede. Available in a range of luminous colors, from black to gray to cream white, the B101 Sneakers speak to the codes of the British fashion designer Kim Jones. The model comes in six different low-top variations, united as they respectively connect formality and serenity in one model. With great potential to become one of Dior’s classics, the comfortable and elegant shoe goes well with both suit pants and jeans. In the fashion show, Dior combined them with oversized, patterned coats and straight pants, creating a modern and cool outfit from head to toe. Ensuring high-quality and a comfortable wearing sensation, the B101 Sneakers completed and enhanced the silhouette of the Dior Winter 2022-2023 collection.
As the art of detail is significant to the spirit of the French Maison, the CD Diamond Signature adorns the sole as well as the tongue and heel of the high-quality piece. Thus, it creates an ultimate urban look and true objects of desire. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton celebrates its watchmaking - anniversary

20 years ago, Louis Vuitton released its first-ever watch, the Tambour, which embodied the French Maison’s new passion for watchmaking. Two decades have passed since then, during which the Tambour has become an integral part of the luxury brand’s watch collection. While taking on different versions, it always remained in Louis Vuitton’s spirit as it combines the Art of Travel with bold creativity in the fields of technology and craftsmanship. 2009 marked an innovative year in the Maison’s history of watchmaking, as the then-launched Tambour Spin Time replaced clock hands and indexes with rotating cubes. This innovation was followed by the strong and masculine Tambour Evolution in 2014 and the sleek Tambour Slim in 2016. After the launch of further variations of the elegant watch model, the Tambour Carpe Diem was honored by receiving the Audacity Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2021, while the Tambour Street won the Diver’s Watch Prize. Now, in 2022, Louis Vuitton has revealed the third generation of its Tambour Horizon Light Up model, testifying to the Maison’s dedication to technological innovation. The French Maison now celebrates its two decades of watchmaking with the Tambour Twenty, available in a limited edition of 200 pieces. Honoring the original Tambour, this model is defined by its deep, flared shape and a brown sun-brushed dial as well as the chronograph’s long yellow hand glides. JW

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

DER BERLINER SALON presents 31 German fashion designers

On the fifth of September, during the course of Berlin Fashion Week, DER BERLINER SALON opened up to showcase the collections of 31 German designers, including amongst others Odeeh, Fassbender, Alexandra Biron of Curland, and Danny Reinke. Beyond that, the presentation platform also welcomed a special and international guest to the event, Ukrainian fashion designer Jean Gritsfeldt who showed various looks from his current collection. Known and famed for his ready-to-wear designs since 2012, Jean Gritsfield likes to experiment with patterns, fabrics, and textures, creating unexpected combinations in bizarre colors. This season, DER BERLINER SALON presented for the first time an Alumni Installation consisting of 24 designers and manufacturers who were featured in previous exhibitions of DER BERLINER SALON. The group exhibition, which is one of the most important presentations of German design in the fields of fashion, jewelry, and accessories, was curated by German fashion journalist Christiane Arp. Arp has been the editor-in-Chief of Vogue Germany for almost two decades before she left the renowned magazine in 2020. Together with the managing director of Nowadays Berlin, Marcus Kurz, she initiated DER BERLINER SALON in 2015, which is now an established and integral part of Berlin Fashion Week. JW

www.fashionweek.berlin

Fashion

Estethica x Berlin Fashion Week

This season Estethica is finally relaunching its program at Berlin Fashion Week after eight years of absence. The highly acclaimed showcase presents ten designers in the group exhibition What Lies Ahead at 202030 - The Berlin Fashion Summit, featuring talks and discussions. Participating in Estethica’s mentoring and business program, these designers focus on a sustainable approach to fashion, revolving around circularity and innovation. Estethica also offers a live upcycling lab with the Berliner Stadtmission and Haus der Materialisierung, reflecting the ethos of the new generations of designers which is defined by craft and commitment.
It was furthermore an important concern to the organizers to promote and support Ukrainian talents, continuing to show solidarity with Ukraine which is still suffering from war against Russia. Therefore four Ukrainian designers have been chosen to participate in the program In Solidarity, receiving financial and business support. The brands which have been selected are Gunia project, Hempful, Ksenia Schnaider and Xomehko.
One of the founders of Estethica, fashion designer Orsola de Castro, reports enthusiastically: “I couldn’t be more excited to relaunch the mythical Estethica in Berlin in the context of Berlin Fashion Week. Estethica has my whole heart, always has, and Berlin contains what I believe can be the future of the sustainable fashion industry. Combining the two will be a purposeful riot of substance and style, the birth of a program dedicated to vision and kindness.” JW

www.estethica.com

Fashion

Bobkova at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin

Bobkova presents its latest collection in the course of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin in the old Berlin telegraph office. The collection is not only part of Berlin Fashion Week, but also of Ukrainian Fashion Week International. Since Ukraine is still suffering from the brutal war against Russia, the initiative “Support Ukrainian Fashion” has requested fashion weeks around the world to present Ukrainian fashion designers, so that they will not lose this season. Bobkova is characterized by its own interpretation of casual clothing. Founded by Ukrainian fashion designer Kristina Bobkova in the year of 2000, the brand creates timeless pieces for stylish yet practical women who love to travel. Distinguished by Japanese cut discipline, the garments stand for strength and femininity while also rethinking gender stereotypes. Paying attention to unusual finishes and technological fabrics, the new collection includes oversized suits and flowy dresses. The color palette ranges from black to soft and light shades of pink and yellow, dedicated to Kiev's floral symbol. A highlight of the collection are the bags, which were created in a collaboration with the sustainable bag brand Chris Bader from the south of Germany. Together, the two brands designed everyday bags with an austere silhouette, defined by a sophisticated look and the long-standing expertise of Chris Bader. JW

www.bobkova.com.ua

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Ritsue Mishima at Pierre Marie Giraud

Starting on Brussels Gallery Weekend, Dream of Fire, an exhibition by Ritsue Mishima will be presented at Pierre Marie Giraud. In this exhibition, the Japanese artist Mishima shows a new series of glass artworks to the public.
Inspired by the manufacturing of the glass itself, she creates organic, irregular, yet clear, and luminous forms. Even though glass is characterized by its transparency, her artworks are far from being colorless. In fact, the transparency allows the material to capture and shine in a wide variety of colors. Fascinated by the artistic approach of the artisans of Venice, where she had moved in 1989, Ritsue Mishima sets herself apart from their richly-tinted glass works: Using different and innovative techniques, the artist makes objects which due to their clarity, seem to melt into their surroundings. During her creative processes, Mishima variously explores and tests the limits of the material all the time. In doing so, she succeeds in adding new dimensions to the ancient and traditional craft. Her artworks, as she explains, intend to express “pure consciousness”, as “a place of no answers, only the process of keeping passion alive and acting upon feelings.”
The exhibition Dream of Fire by Ritsue Mishima will be open to the public from September 8th to October 1st, 2022, at Pierre Marie Giraud in Brussels. JW

RITSUE MISHIMA
Medusa, 2021
Blown glass, 39,5 x 44 x 44 cm
Unique
Courtesy of the artist and Pierre Marie Giraud, Brussels

www.pierremariegiraud.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Sophie Kuijken at Galerie Nathalie Obadia

As a participant in the Brussels Gallery Weekend, the Galerie Nathalie Obadia presents the sixth solo exhibition of Belgian artist Sophie Kuijken.
For almost 20 years, the works of Sophia Kuijken remained undiscovered until they were first shown in a museum exhibition in 2011. This exhibition however displays the latest works of the painter, which seem like an interplay of different art eras: Her portraits combine figures in the manner of Flemish Primitives with mannerist stretched bodies and powerful lighting reminiscent of Caravaggio. Impressionist lighting effects recur in a few works as well. Despite the classical influence, she breaks away from the conventional approach of painting a lifelike model. In fact, her portraits are composed of various carefully selected photographs from the Internet. The result is an individual, cobbled together from different identities, characterized by a hidden vulnerability and vivid emotion. The depicted person appears strange and familiar at the same time, leaving the viewer caught between comfort and uneasiness. This creates a mystery and an elusive quality, although the portraits are technically flawlessly painted. 
The contradictions within the subject of the portrait and the linking of epochal features and different genres blur the certainties of representation. What is depicted eludes temporal and spatial classification, yet the portrayed subjects seem present and catch the viewer's humanity in their deep gaze. The ambiguity is amplified in every aspect of the images, confusing and yet also touching the viewer. The exhibition by Sophie Kuijken will be open to the public from September 8th to October 15th, 2022 at Galerie Nathalie Obadia in Brussels. JW

SOPHIE KUIJKEN
O.O.P., 2022
Acrylic and oil in chipboard panel, 150 x 90 x 1,8 cm
Photo credit: Sophie Kuijken
Courtesy of the artist and the Galerie Nathalie Obadia Paris-Brussels

www.galerie-obadia.com

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend - Joe Bradley at Xavier Hufkens

During this year’s Brussels Gallery Weekend, Xavier Hufkens presents the exhibition New Paltz by American Artist Joe Bradley.His paintings, drawings, and sculptures are characterized by his visual style, composed of an art historical canon, popular culture, and his own experiences. In spite of being influenced by art history, Bradley’s style remains autonomous and individual.
New Paltz puts a large number of recent paintings and works on paper on display. As the New York-based artist created these large paintings on the floor, he thereby documents the decay of the art studio and challenges the legacy of Abstract Expressionism. The beaming and layered paintings offer a great many associations. For his drawings, Bradley uses pencils, pens, or markers. As a result, the spontaneous compositions resemble the framing logic of a comic, although any kind of narrative is negated. Figures, text, and abstractions coming from his imaginary collection of jokes and riddles are to be found in these drawings.
The exhibition New Paltz by Joe Bradley will be open to the public from September 9th to October 15th, 2022, at Xavier Hufkens in Brussels. JW

JOE BRADLEY
Savant, 2020-2021
Photo credit: HV-studio
Courtesy of the artist and Xavier Hufkens, Brussels

www.xavierhufkens.com

Fashion

Calvin Klein gathers a cast of culture shapers

Presenting Calvin Klein’s latest collection of everyday jeans and underwear, the brand launches imagery featuring an extraordinary cast of cross-generational culture shapers. The series of stills and videos was shot and directed by British photographer Alasdair McLellan, who staged the talents in a modern, minimal, and sensual setting. Thus, he remains in the brand’s spirit as Calvin Klein is known for stripped-back images, letting the members of the cast speak for themselves. To showcase the elevated yet original essentials Calvin Klein brought together artists from various fields, including amongst others actor and director Chloë Sevigny, musician and actor Dominic Fike, and producer and actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
The underwear and loungewear presented in the imagery are distinguished by the Embossed Icon, the signature logo of Calvin Klein in an embossed repeating design. Furthermore, the collection includes the Bonded Flex, a wire-free thus comfortable bra, offering support in a seamless knit. New shades, cuts, and silhouettes are available in new Modern Cotton and Modern Cotton Naturals. As Calvin Klein approached this collection environment-friendly, a lot of the above-mentioned garments were fabricated in recycled materials and sustainably-sourced fibers.
The jeans evoke a youthful feeling, reminiscent of the 90s, as they combine utility details and a dynamic texture in updated proportions, depicting the core of the American brand. JW

www.calvinklein.com

Fashion

Audemars Piguet opens new AP House in Munich

Across from the Bavarian State Opera in the heart of Munich, Audemars Piguet opens its new AP House. The concept presents an experiential and innovative approach to retailing. Four times bigger than the previous location in the Maximiliansstraße, the new space offers new and intimate possibilities to linger in its unique atmosphere, enhancing the shopping experience. The interior design was created by the architect Rafael Martinez, who combined oak parquet, concrete walls, and plastered surfaces to echo the brand’s elegant spirit. More than a store, the AP House features a bar and seating areas of comfortable sofas as relaxing retreats. An absolute highlight is the back Steinway & Sons Spirio grand piano. Two more separate areas provide an intimate ambiance, as one of them is decorated with an open fireplace and a comfortable sofa, and the other one presents a chic cigar lounge. Beyond that, the outstanding creations of the Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer are of course displayed in the spatialities, including a selection of the Royal Oak 50 Years Anniversary models. The House will furthermore display a changing exhibition of contemporary artwork in cooperation with local galleries and the Audemars Piguet Contemporary, the art program of the renowned horologist. Thus, the house in its entirety depicts an exclusive place of encounter for friends and customers of the brand. It represents the spirit of Audemars Piguet, composed in an exceptional space. JW

www.audemarspiguet.com

Fashion

The Sesia Happy Day bag by Loro Piana

Loro Piana launched its new Sesia Happy Day within its Fall/ Winter collection 2022-2023. As a variation of the “Sesia” bag, the model is just as elaborate yet casual as the Loro Piana classic itself. Ranging from neutral colors to dark green, the bag comes in different styles and sizes of M, L, and XL, offering enough space for the tasks of everyday life. Especially outstanding is the new Sesia Happy Day Micro, which features the exact details of the M-model as it is in its compact construction especially geared to the safe keeping of any valuable items. The design appears functional and playful, defined by the curved line on the front and back, reminiscent of a smile to which the bag’s name refers. In its materiality, the accessory corresponds to Loro Piana’s high standards of quality and craftsmanship. For some of the models, the well-tried ‘Supple Suede” gets reinterpreted, as it is inverted, thus creating a soft outside of velour leather and a smooth inside. Another version is made of “Tender Calf” which is characterized by the delicate, natural grain, suitable for everyday use. The shape, size, and material of the Sesia Happy Day make the bag a great companion for everyday life and an exceptional addition to every outfit. JW

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

The new Dior Saddle Bag combines Dior’s past and present

In 2000, the Dior Saddle Bag was launched for the first time under the direction of John Galliano. 18 years later, it came back into the spotlight of the fashion world. Since then, Dior’s great classic appeared in a wide range of variations.
This season, British designer Kim Jones reinterprets the iconic accessory by referencing the Christian Dior 1947 Capsule. Made out of grained leather the bag is defined by the color Dior-Gray. It was the favorite shade of the Maison’s founder Christian Dior as it was reminiscent of the skies of Granville, the town, where he spent his childhood and which he forever cherished. The model is adorned with the carefully embroidered signature of Christian Dior and the year 1947, which is when the first Dior fashion show took place. A magnetic envelope flap with a concealed zipper pocket completes the high-quality bag.
This reinterpretation of the Dior Saddle Bag testifies to the fact that the founder and his legacy are still honored today. The tradition and history of the House of Dior remain upheld while Kim Jones also explores contemporary and innovative designs. The result is a dialogue between the present and the past, leading to exceptional and unique creations. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

Sam Baron designs outdoor furniture for Dior

In collaboration with the French designer Sam Baron, the luxury Maison Dior expands its product range with a collection of exclusive outdoor furniture. The curated assortment includes a chair and an armchair as well as round and square tables made of green metal, fitting beautifully in any outdoor area. The design of the chairs completely adheres to the tradition of the house, as it uses both, the openwork cannage typical of Dior and the oval shape of its previous chair designs. Thus, it truly becomes a new icon of the renowned house. Manufactured in France, the ensemble of garden furniture evokes a true feeling of French art de vivre. Splendidly, the pieces of furniture are staged in the well-known Pâtisserie Dior at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris and in Dior cafés all around the world, where they unfold their full effect of atmospheric savoir-vivre.
Sam Beron's designs are true objects of desire, fully living up to Dior's standards of excellence and elegance. In their classic and elegant appearance, they bring France to the terraces and gardens of this world. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

The Dior Grand Bal de Printemps

Opulent, festive, and enchanting: Christian Dior himself had been fascinated by the sparkling world of convivial dance balls. As an homage to the founder and namesake of the renowned luxury goods manufacturer, this inspiration is now also implemented in a series of watches: The Dior Grand Bal de Printemps recreates the swirling movement of a pleated gown, adorned by a hundred precious and colorful stones. As a technical prerequisite, the “Dior Inversé”-caliber enables the dynamics of the gown by moving the watch’s flywheel. The models vary in the design of their dials. While some of them have a velvet finish, others are embellished with guilloche, a pattern defined by its arrangement of interlacing lines, creating intriguing light and depth effects. Set in a diamond-studded frame, the watches emulate the glamor of the ballroom festivities. Their color scheme embraces Monsieur Dior’s favorite soft, pastel shades of spring. Especially the back of the watch honors him as it has one of its sketches of a ballgown, including his signature, engraved.
The Dior Grand Bal de Printemps is an expression of the technical and aesthetical know-how of Dior. The watches combine magnificent couture with the high art of watchmaking, recalling the talent and elegance of Christian Dior himself. JW

www.dior.com

Fashion

C.P. Company: The Brotherhood

The Chester Perry brand was founded in 1971 by a young graphic designer from Bologna. The brand quickly gained prominence for its screen-printed t-shirts. Later on, in 1978, its founder Massimo Osti, who would go on to be recognized as the “godfather for urban streetwear”, then changed the company’s name to C.P. Company. What followed was one of the most explosive and influential bursts of creativity in the history of sportswear. Throughout the years, C.P. Company developed into a global brand. As the brand always remained true to its original DNA, laid out by its founder, a lot of its early followers remained true to the brand throughout the ensuing decades. Today, C.P. Company is launching its loyalty program called “The Brotherhood”, to reward the loyalty of its customers. The goal is to create and strengthen the trusting, quality relationship between the brand and its clients. In a digital experience, customers are able to earn points for every purchase and the brand, in turn, offers them a slew of rewards, and personalized offers including special discounts for birthdays, early access to special shopping events, free shipping on purchases and much more. With “The Brotherhood”, C.P. Company adds a more personal dimension to the brand, whilst recognizing the need for personalization for the building of new and strengthening of already existing relationships.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

DoDo opens in Berlin

After renovating its existing space in Düsseldorf, and incorporating prominent testimonials, the Italian jewellery brand DoDo is now opening its second location in Germany. This marks an important step for DoDo as Germany is becoming an increasingly important market. The new store will open its doors at Rosenthaler Straße 32. This location has not been chosen at random. Located at Hackescher Markt, a cosy neighbourhood with a strong identity in Berlin Mitte, already famous for its nightlife and cool shopping stores. Surrounded by a variety of historical buildings and landmarks, Art Nouveau courtyards, contemporary art galleries and indie clubs, the new boutique is immersed in this distinct atmosphere that only the German capital has to offer. The face of the brand in Germany is currently Ann-Kathrin Götze, following actress Gina Stiebitz, as she embodies all the values, inclusivity, sharing, equality and empowerment, important to DoDo. With the new boutique, the Italian brand now brings these values reflected in their jewellery collections to the German capital.

www.dodo.it

Art

Work from Soho Days by Paul Schrader

Paul Schrader first worked as a lawyer before giving up on this profession in order to pursue his passion for art. Ever since then, the German artist and his works defined by their strong colors and dynamic composition have been gaining popularity within Germany. In 2022, the young German artist was showing for the first time outside of Europe, at the Volta Art Fair in New York. Rather than sending his artworks to the fair, Paul Schrader opted instead to rent a studio in New York to create new artwork to be shown at the fair. Immersing himself in a new environment away from his comfort zone in Germany, he used his surroundings full of new impulses as a source of inspiration for his new works. The artworks from this fruitful and productive period will now also be shown in Germany. Entitled “Work from Soho Days”, this exhibition by Paul Schrader will open its doors in Munich. Open for only two days, the exhibition will be open to the public from the morning until late. The morning and early afternoons will be very calm, allowing visitors to take in the colorful works, before the bar opens and the sounds take off in the evening, transforming the exhibition into an immersive and fun experience.

The exhibition “Work from Soho Days” by Paul Schrader will be open to the public on July 16h and July 17, 2022, from 10 am at the Goldberg Studios, Müllerstrasse 46, Munich.

www.thankpaul.de

Fashion

Givenchy opens its first NYC downtown boutique in SoHo

The House of Givenchy has announced the opening of its Soho Store, the first downtown location for the brand, opening in the heart of Soho. Only the sixth store in the Americas, this opening signals the importance of the US market for the French House. As Givenchy CEO Renaud de Lequen puts it: ‘A key destination for luxury, SoHo’s vibrant retail neighborhood will give us the opportunity to serve our ever-growing client base. This opening represents a new chapter for Givenchy as we continue to scale our business in the United States and internationally.’ The store itself will be the first US location to feature the brand’s latest retail concept, defined by its design leveraging contrasting tones and materials, industrial and natural, matte and rough as well as sharp and soft. Stretching over two floors, the boutique will offer the full breadth of Givenchy’s Women’s and Men’s Ready-to-Wear collections as well as all the accessory collections. Additionally, it will debut exclusive capsule collections and a special made-to-order programme. Another visual highlight of the store, with its interior of a stone-gray palette, will be the sculptures exclusively conceived in collaboration with British artists Ewan McFarlane. Positioned as freestanding artworks throughout the store, these mannequins will surprise the visitors with their unusual poses and positions. This new conceptual approach to retail underlines the brand’s ongoing desire to merge the storytelling between art and fashion.

The Givenchy Soho Store is located at 94 Greene Street in New York City.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Valentino: The Beginning

Since its foundations, Maison Valentino has rejected the idea that beauty stems from aesthetic impositions, that to achieve beauty one has to follow a set of rigid canons or fixed rules. The Italian Maison has always upheld one of its guiding principles and beliefs, beauty is a manner. The new Couture collection depicts Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s idea of beauty, which now puts what was once peripheral into the centre, hence broadening the spectrum of beauty. Everything has changed, yet at the same time, some things never will. Everything starts where everything has always begun, in Rome, in the Valentino Ateliers where the skilful hands of incredible craftspeople bring creations and inventions to life, leaving an imprint of their character on the cloth through manual work. Their manner hasn’t changed and neither has the atelier’s address. The collection itself is the materialization of a dialogue, an ideal conversation between Pierpaolo Piccioli and the house’s lexicon. Now at the helm of Valentino for 23 years, Piccioli describes the collection as deeply personal, the closing of a circle, a more conscious way to consider the history of Valentino. On a more personal level, it is also, in Piccioli’s own words, an investigation to ‘understand how much of myself is in today’s Valentino, and how much of Valentino there is in my identity.’ The collection was defined by its supreme sophistication, bringing some of Valentino Garavani’s favourite themes, such as the black and white or the famous Fiesta dress, into the modern age through Piccioli’s interpretation and sense of time.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

DIOR Haute Couture FW2022-2023

Haute Couture in its definition is the perfect vehicle for bringing together the world of art and craft, as an artistic vision is being brought to life by the skilful hands of the craftspeople working in the ateliers. For the FW2022-2023 haute couture collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri builds upon the expressive powers of couture, conveying her imagination through the virtuoso savoir-faire of the DIOR ateliers. The inspiration behind the collection is the tree of life, a symbol of the connection between cultures, mythologies and all creation permeating various different cultures all across the world. This emblem of universal reach was reinterpreted by Ukrainian artist Olesia Trofymenko as a mesmerizing backdrop for the collection, underlining once more the power of couture to start a dialogue between arts and crafts. The collection itself is composed of a series of pieces which resonate with the imagination of different customs inspiring all cultures in an open dialogue. The pieces are adorned by sumptuous embroideries and patchworks of braids composed of bronze, black lace and guipure on the cotton fabrics, wool crepe, silk and cashmere, showcasing the craft excellence of the French Maison. The colour scheme for the collection mirrors the image of the tree of life, as various beige nuances are only sometimes punctured by touches of black and blue. Overall, the collection is a reflection of what it means to be human today, a series of gestures passed on, learned over time, yet permeated by the social realities of the world today. The tree of life itself becomes a call, a warning, to make traditions and gestures shine through, allowing us to recover a balance, if only momentarily.

www.dior.com

Fashion

LOEWE Men SS23

Loewe SS23 Men’s Runway For its SS23 runway, Loewe has merged nature with technology to form a bright, mind-expanding environment. The collection fuses the organic and the fabricated with modern color blocked looks, creating a tone that is essentially Loewe. In a space that is glaringly white, various shapes are reduced, standardized, inflated, or perhaps shrunken. Staples include the bomber, hoodie, sweatshirt, polo, shirt, trackpants, waxed jacket, and parka. Each piece is made with padded nappa, or ozone-treated cotton that makes them look as though they’ve been buried underground. In collaboration with designer Paula Ulargui Escalona, chia plants and cat’s wort, living greenery, were made to sprout from trainers, track pants, and various other pieces. Pieces were embellished with iterations of Loewe Puzzle bags, utilitarian cross-body and basket totes, dangling on logo ribbons. These features highlight the desirability of the pieces for the house. Jonathan Anderson cleverly manipulated tech and his set to make the physical show appear a non-real, computer generated entry when viewed via his livestreamed video and look book. The use of plants and technology overall convey the importance of circularity.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten SS23 Menswear Collection: Unusual Elegance.

The Dries Van Noten SS23 Menswear Collection is a mix of contrasts. A sense of loucheness and sensuality is combined with the classic structure of sartorialism. Two worlds collide: on one side, refined, precious, and intimate aesthetic, while on the other, hard and robust outer layers act as armor. The collection is inspired by the Zazou subculture of Paris during WWII when the youth used to take refuge in the Pam Pam Cafe, dancing their troubles away to swing jazz. The garments presented during the Paris Fashion Week also referred to the Buffalo-style movement that mixed masculine and feminine elements with joyous revelry. On the runway, we can admire silk vests with spaghetti straps worn with pleated trousers, as well as silk smoking shirts paired with unstructured striped pajama pants, all garments that convey a new sense of intimacy emphasizing men’s lingerie. To follow, sequined embroidery on cycling shorts shows a glorious preciousness alongside technicality, while Western-style shirting, boots, and shoes give masculine cowboy vibes. Lastly, couture expressions are balanced with suiting; the huge plume on a rolled shoulder, the dramatic shape on a parka, and flowing patchwork shirt capes. VB

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

A Childlike Fantasy

Louis Vuitton continues to carry on Virgil Abloh’s legacy by bringing on stage the SS23 Menswear Collection, an imaginary trip combining creatorship, craftsmanship, and showmanship. Designed in synergy with the creative minds working at Louis Vuitton, the same ones who welcomed Virgil Abloh to the Maison in 2018 and followed his artistic direction for the eighth season to come, the new collection is the result of a cathartic process. It is a proposal created in the spirit of all the human minds that shape Louis Vuitton. Held at the Carré du Louvre, the Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme fashion show has been conceived as a magnified playground. For the French Maison, toys are tools for the imagination helping kids to shape their dreams and aspirations. The same toys that inspired Louis Vuitton to present a collection that elevates these symbols of childhood through its signature savoir-faire. Silhouettes feature swoopy lines that play with shrunken and oversized dimensions founded on the idea of a wardrobe grown-into or outgrown, combined with the 1990s dress code of the skater community. Then, childlike elements such as origami paper planes, cartoon prints, and sandbox tools embellish the garments evoking a fantasy land. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

C.P. Company FW22

C.P Company’s FW22 collection involves the profound exploration of its signature color card, refined through expert garment dyeing techniques across a hybridized range of materials. This approach, alongside the development of up to 12 subtly different tones per garment style and obsessive research into the details of even the simplest garments, consciously echoes the atmosphere of the brand’s all-encompassing mid-'80s collections. Neutral fabrics are taking center stage, subject to various techniques of resistance during the dyeing process, enhancing the chromatic experience of the brand’s already unique color card. Forms and functions of garments reference the brand’s traditions, with icons of outdoor and military design history while at the same time integrating proprietary C.P Company pocket systems and details. The Metropolis Series allows for the technical characteristics of the performance fabrics employed to generate the garment system. Deep and natural fabrics and tones are aggressively contrasted and cut through with a careful selection of high-performance and technical synthetic fabrics, in particular Gore-Tex G-type. GH

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

FENDI Men’s SS23 Collection

The FENDI men’s universe revolves around three key concepts: the balance of decoration, simplicity, and the freedom to play. The new Fendi SS23 Menswear Collection is proof of this. For this season, Silvia Venturini Fendi has built a collection that investigates the other side of normality, where the classic men’s wardrobe becomes a source of inspiration to analyze, deconstruct, and elevate through novelty and craftsmanship. The garments have been designed for any holiday destination, near and far, revealing colors, patterns, and motifs that give life to bohemian wanderlust looks. The color palette includes hues that reflect the earth, sea and sky, from melon and indigo to ochre, putty, cornflower blue, and silver grey. The swirling weather patterns of planet Earth zoom in and out, while bucolic cowhide motifs appear as psychedelic FEND-ikat linen or blown out in tonal cotton knits. Then, the reality and fantasy of denim intertwine across the collection, alongside crisp poplin, technical cotton, and ripstop cut in boxy point-collar shirts, anorak, and raincoat shapes. The silhouettes are soft and light, characterized by side vents that liberate traditional suiting and shirt shapes to create flyaway volumes. Lastly, the accessories complete the défilé. Cowhide skate sneakers with terry lacing, lug-sole giant O’Lock buckle loafers, and fringed denim or suede moccasins are added to the shoe section, while the new FENDI Roma bucket bag and duffel styles in toile and leather are the latest addition to the iconic collection of Fendi handbags. VB

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Dior Cruise 2023 Show

Another collection, another show, a new journey exploring different territories. For this season, Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri has chosen Seville: the Spanish city becomes the backdrop of the Dior Cruise 2023 défilé. Inspired by this magical place, the collection revolves around a true icon known as La Capitana, the name given to Carmen Amaya. She represents the essence of Flamenco. Carmen Amaya was an artist with singular and revolutionary movements, as well as the first dancer in her field to dress in men’s clothing, combining power and fragility through her art. She was the pure expression of the soul of Spain and the embodiment of conscious and plural femininity. Then, the collection comes to life, combining many references that recall both the history of the French Maison and Andalusian traditions: from the SS 1956 haute couture, Bal à Séville dress designed by Christian Dior to looks that evoke the Duchess of Alba and colors such as red and black. The Dior collection is a melting pot of emotions and intentions, conveying an idea of fashion that is both of the everyday and the extraordinary. To complete the whole is the emblematic Manila shawl together with men’s pinstripe suits, pants worn with suspenders, silk-lined waistcoats, trimmed boleros, and the Bar jacket reinvented in black velvet embroidered with various gold threads. VB

www.dior.com

Art

Cartier Presents “Here we are! Women in Design 1900 - Today”

Cartier presents “Here we are! Women in Design 1900 - Today,” an exclusive exhibition featuring a comprehensive overview that tells the story of women designers from the past 120 years who fought against the rules of a male-dominated society. The new installation features the work of a hundred female designers who have made valued contributions to the development of modern and contemporary design, ranging from female Bauhaus pioneers to famous design masterpieces and women who are actively redefining their profession with sustainable inventions. Among the artists on display are the names of Eileen Gray, Charlotte Perriand, Lilly Reich, and Clara Porset, business leaders like Florence Knoll and Armi Ratia, but also lesser-known figures like the social reformer Jane Addams. The French Maison itself brings significant proof about this topic. Jeanne Toussaint, a pioneer and style icon of the 20th century, was at the helm of Cartier's jewelry collection for decades as its artistic director. Her creations were a symbol of fierce independence that led her to be one of the first women to hold such a prominent position in the industry, a role model for the changing status of women. Precisely for this reason, Jeanne Toussaint’s luxury accessories also appear in the overview as a unique testimony. “Here we are! Women in Design 1900 - Today” will be on view from June 18th to October 30th, 2022. VB

www.cartier.com

Art

Divided Layers by Daniel Arsham and Kohler

Kohler, the global lifestyle brand and leader in kitchen and bath products, returned to Milan on the occasion of Design Week 2022. Held at Palazzo del Senato, the new installation is a large-scale immersive art experience realized in collaboration with artist-designer Daniel Arsham. Titled “Divided Layers,” the structure features a series of stacked, white panels that create a walkable tunnel. Reminiscent of the artist's previous work, Rock.01 - a 3D printed sink - and inspired by Kohler’s advanced technologies, the installation offers visitors the possibility to move through it as if they were immersed in the clay object. Then, to give even more volume to the construction, a pond acts as a mirrored surface to double and reflect the entrance. The result is a futuristic portal in contrast with the Baroque architecture of the venue that highlights Arsham’s study of space and volumes. In addition, in parallel to the design installation, Kohler has donated to Water Mission's WASH programs in Indonesia, helping to bring safe water and sanitation to the population. VB

www.kohler.com

Cinema

Fondazione Prada presents the Italian Premiere of “Small Axe”

From June 12th until June 26th, Fondazione Prada will premiere Steve McQueen’s complete television series “Small Axe” to Italian audiences at its Cinema in Milan. This anthology series comprises five original films by McQueen. Set from the late ‘60s until the mid-'80s, each film tells a different story involving London’s West Indian community, whose lives have been shaped by their force of will, despite rampant racism and discrimination. McQueen has described the anthology as “a love letter to Black resilience, triumph, hope, music, joy, and love as well as friendship and family”. The Small Axe collection includes “Mangrove”, “Lovers Rock”, “Red, White, and Blue”, “Alex Wheatle”, and “Education”. Each of these films has the potential to be a stand-alone piece, but also work seamlessly as a collective. Despite all being set between the late ‘60s and mid-'80s, the issues being addressed are just as prevalent today, working as a commentary on where we were, where we are, and where we want to go. GH

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

O’Neill and ØLÅF join forces

Community, culture, and innovation are all shared values of O’Neill and ØLÅF, drawing the perfect merging of the brands with new materials and silhouettes. This capsule collection’s inspiration is derived from the surf culture and contemporary design, creating the ideal look for summer, with outspoken color palettes and aesthetic designs. The collection is equally inspired by the design language of ØLÅF and O’Neill’s historical ability to manufacture clothing styles of cultural depth. As well as recycled fibers and organic cotton, the brands have integrated a heat-reactive technology on t-shirts and jackets. Using thermochromic pigments, those special pieces can change color when the body temperature of the wearer rises. The collection offers a wide range of apparel and accessories for men and women that are available online. GH

www.olafhussein.com
www.oneill.com

Fashion

Diesel FW22 Fashion Show Replica in Tokyo

On June 9th, Diesel landed in Tokyo with a new fashion show. Held at the Tokyo Big Sight – International Exhibition Center, the event was a recreation of the FW22 show by Glenn Martens. The collection, composed of four chapters, Denim, Utility, Pop, and Artisanal, was a combination of workwear belts, the sexiness of hook-and-eye closures, the playfulness of trompe-l’oeil features, and the energy of asymmetries. To these pre-existing elements, six looks were added in a head-to-toe Diesel red color palette. The new pieces have been designed exclusively for the show replica to celebrate the strong connection between the brand and the Japanese market, as well as to enhance the label's DNA, reminding viewers that Diesel stands for sexiness, fluidity, and fun. The capsule will be available from mid-September on the brand’s website, selected mono-brand stores in Japan, and retail partner SSENSE. In addition, to attend the show was Renzo Rosso, Founder of Diesel and President of OTB Group, together with local and international stars such as rapper AWICTH, dancer and actor Alan Shirahama, musicians from Korea GEMINI and Lee Hwi-Min, dancer ELLY from JSB3, and model AMIAYA. VB

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Unveils a Restaurant With Michelin-starred Chef Mory Sacko

In the city of Saint-Tropez, the first Louis Vuitton restaurant has opened its doors, led by Michelin-starred chef Mory Sacko. Head of the restaurant MoSuke in Paris, Mory Sacko is one of the new stars of French cuisine. For Louis Vuitton, he created a unique experience, a modern restaurant that combines the art of Travel, dear to the brand, and the savoir-faire of the French Riviera. The menu offers a mix of flavors: African and Japanese influences meet the local cuisine, taking the guests on a culinary journey to faraway places. For lunch, the chef proposes a creative take on Ekiben presented on a custom-made wooden tray adorned with flowers and foliage. For dinner, vegetarian aubergine tacos, a selection of grilled amberjack, crayfish, and prime rib, served with fennel and a mango salad, are presented in ceramic dishes. It is a plant-based cuisine that blends authenticity with simplicity. Located inside the White 1921 Hotel on the iconic Place des Lices, the Louis Vuitton restaurant is an oasis of calm. The decor features travertine, wood, rope, and rattan adorned with the Monogram flowers and specially redesigned Objets Nomades. The architecture, designed by Mory Sacko, recalls a holiday on the Mediterranean coast surrounded by tranquillity, fresh air, and light. The Louis Vuitton restaurant is the next summer destination. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

ROD by Diesel Living with Lodes

The Diesel Living with Lodes line has been extended to include ROD, a portable and rechargeable table lamp. In keeping with Diesel’s industrial aesthetic, ROD’s concept stems from the form of a construction rod, typically used to hold blocks of cement together. This slender stem connects two imaginary blocks of cement, rising from the base and supporting the shade, hosting the LED light source. The lamp is portable and rechargeable via a C-type-USB port, protected by a rubber cap, making ROD a perfect choice for use within hospitality venues as well as residential settings. The lamp has an eight-hour battery life at maximum power and up to 180 hours on minimum, making ROD functional and practical without compromising on aesthetic design. Versatile for a variety of settings, the table lamp is available in Moss Gray, Soft Pink, Ivory, and Dark Asphalt, making a suitable color for each mood. ROD is the newest addition alongside a wider range of Diesel with Lodes lighting products, allowing users to complete every part of their home. GH

www.lodes.com
www.diesel.com

Art

Missoni Tableware: The Art of the Table

Italian fashion brand Missoni has unveiled the new Missoni Tableware Collection produced and distributed by manufacturers Arnolfo di Cambio – Compagnia Italiana del Cristallo S.r.l., the historic Italian company that has produced tableware collections since 1963. Presented during the Design Week in Milan, the new pieces embody the art of table decoration with typical Missoni-style colors and patterns. Known for its colorful knitwear designs, Missoni has launched a collection of teacups, mugs, and dinner services that perfectly reflect the house’s codes. The new products are made of high-quality materials and Made in Italy. Coffee and Mug sets, Vases, and Knick-knack containers in golden, brilliant stripes, or classic zig-zag designs, alongside stylish Dinner Services in total white, tones of light blue and cobalt blue, or vibrant orange, violet, and fuchsia, are made of Fine Bone China. An explosion of colors invites customers to mix and match the various items to create new combinations. Instead, the Mouth-blown glass gave birth to elegant glasses in Transparent, Amber, and Shaded Charcoal Grey also adorned with zig-zag patterns. Then, the Silver Stainless Steel was used to craft essential design Cutlery characterized by an opaque silver-plating and Missoni motif on the handle. The Tableware Collection will be displayed at the Arnolfo di Cambio stand at the Salone del Mobile. VB

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Prada Frames: A Symposium Curated by Formafantasma

Prada Frames, a multidisciplinary symposium curated by Formafantasma, brings together scientists, architects, artists, and activists to delve into the complex relationship between the natural environment and design. In parallel to the Salone del Mobile in Milan, this initiative aims to educate and inform people about design’s historical, political, and social implications in a collective reflection. The symposium's inaugural edition begins with a discussion of the forest ecology and the current logics that govern the wood sector, then moves on to the role of design and science as agents of change. Prada Frames will be held at the National Braidense Library in Milan from June 6th to 8th, and it will be divided into two sessions per day that include readings, debates, conversations, and video projections. To participate as guests are, among others, Amitav Ghosh, Eyal Weizman, Anna Tsing and the Feral Atlas, Paola Antonelli, Alice Rawsthorn, Paulo Tavares, Andrés Jaque, and Valerie Trouet. The event is free, and people can already register themself on Prada’s website to attend the symposium. VB

www.prada.com

Fashion

Toogood x Carhartt WIP New Unisex Collection

Carhartt WIP has unveiled a new unisex capsule collection that combines the brand’s iconic styles and unique sculptural volumes realized by contemporary British brand Toogood. Sharing the same utilitarian aesthetic, the two brands teamed up to create a collection that merges elements from both brands’ work. On the one hand, Carhartt WIP’s construction skills, and on the other, Toogood’s cutting-edge design and artistic freedom, giving life to accessible, durable, and exclusive products. Jackets, a shirt, a trouser, an overall, and a t-shirt, made in Carhartt WIP’s trademark organic cotton Dearborn Canvas and the lighter Utah Canvas, are finished with co-branded labeling and buttons. The color palette ranges from white and black to Hamilton brown, emphasizing the sense of everyday uniform. In addition, to demonstrate the cutting intervention on Carhartt WIP’s shapes, Toogood has made a series of one-off pieces, described as “hacks," and three giant sculptural puppets wearing oversized versions of the collaboration garments. The installation will be on display at Spazio Maiocchi in Milan from June 6th to June 12th, 2022, during Salone del Mobile. Instead, the collection will be available starting June 7th at Toogood and Carhartt WIP’s websites, as well as at select Carhartt WIP stores. The new products will also be sold by select retailers worldwide, including Mr. Porter, Selfridges, and Dover Street Market London, Ginza, and Singapore. VB

www.carharttwip.com
www.toogood.com

Fashion

Gucci Town: The House’s New Gathering Place On Roblox

Carrying on its journey in the metaverse, Gucci has unveiled Gucci town, a virtual piazza in the landscape of Roblox. Following the launch of Gucci Vault, this new project aims to build meaningful experiences, giving the community members the possibility to interact with the codes of the House, discover the kaleidoscopic vision of Alessandro Michele, express their individuality, and connect with worldwide, like-minded individuals. The digital space is divided into different areas characterized by dedicated activities. Walking from the central piazza to Mini Game Heights, visitors will come across a portal that will take them to an arena of Gucci-inspired competitions. Then, moving on to the Creative Corner, they will be able to create art pieces experimenting with patterns, colors, and shapes and will later be joined by visiting artists showcasing their works. At the virtual Vault Plaza, the users can explore the exhibition space, while, not far from there, they can find the Gucci Shop, where to purchase digital Gucci items to collect or outfit Roblox avatars. Finally, community members can take a break and connect with others at the Power-up Place, a virtual café. To complete the experience are GG Gems, the in-experience currency, that will be given to the visitors as a reward. Gucci Town has been developed hand-in-hand with independent content creators from the Roblox community, such as Rook Vanguard, Bunnexh, and Lirn, to create an immersive space that translates Alessandro Michele’s vision. VB

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Loro Piana Women’s FW22

The Loro Piana women’s collection for FW22/23 conveys a sense of journey, channeling a feminine character who explores the act of dressing as a way of being. Masculine and feminine silhouettes are consistently interplayed throughout, ranging from loose double-breasted suits, roomy coats, and cropped peacoats and shirts worn either with denim or flowing trousers. Also included are other asymmetric ribbed knit jumpers and skirts, satin tunics, and slip dresses cut on the bias. The dialogue of opposites continues in the face-off of utilitarian puffers, quilted jackets and denim shirt jackets worn with sturdy boots, and silk shirts with a pleated bib worn with matching trousers and velvet slippers. Pieces throughout are embellished with shoes and bags that are rendered in materials such as napped suede, calfskin, melton cashmere, and Cashfur. These all illustrate a clear display of Loro Piana’s signature effortless look, involving all the senses in one single, natural flow. The color palette is neutral and warm, modulated in an interplay of soft and solid textures of cashmere. Spontaneous and elegant, a new exploration of possibilities within the Loro Piana code unfolds. GH

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Maserati MC20 Cielo: So close to heaven

Maserati has opened new horizons to the all-new supercar, the MC20 Cielo. The spirit of the car has taken on a new form, inspired by the wind tunnel, where the clean lines open and become one with the clouds and stars, without sacrificing the performance concept of the coupe version. This offers a completely new driving experience thanks to its electrochromic roof. With the simple push of a button, the car transforms and opens its roof in just twelve seconds. Alternatively, with the ultra-modern Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Technology (PDLC), one can enjoy the enveloping atmosphere of the interior by transforming the roof from opaque to clear. This holistic car has been released in the exclusive color Aquamarina, part of the Maserati Fuoriserie customization program. The driving experience is rounded off by the uncompromising performance of the Nettuno motor. The heart of the MC20 Cielo is the Maserati-patented V6 Biturbo engine with Formula 1 technology. Very similar to the MC20, the cars are twins with two different soles. The MC20 and MC20 Cielo are two models, both unique and yet united by the racing spirit, the audacity, and performance of real sports cars. GH

www.maserati.com

Art

illycaffè presents the new illy Art Collection

Inspired by the theme of the 59th International Art Exhibition “The Milk of Dreams”, illycafè present the new illy Art Collection dedicated to Biennale Arte 2022. Selected by the curator of Biennale Arte 2022 Cecilia Alemani are six artists whose styles and geographical origins are profoundly different. These include Cecilia Vicuña, Felipe Baeza, Giulia Cenci, Precious Okoyomon, Alexandra Pirici, and Aki Sasamoto. By infusing each cup with their creative genius, the six artists designed a unique collection that brings together diverse approaches that encompass sculpture, painting, poetry, photography, and choreography. The iconic cup was created in 1991 by Matteo Thun, who envisioned the cup as not only a vessel for drinking but as a vehicle for information, conscious and subconscious. Therefore, this simple and harmonious cup with a purposeful shape and round handle quickly became a medium for Artists’ expression and one of the largest contemporary collections of obtainable art. The new collection dedicated to the 59th International Art Exhibition marks the important milestone of these iconic cups turning 30. Celebrating this, the Royal Gardens in Venice is hosting an exhibition re-tracing the most salient events in the 30-year history of the illy Art Collection. The exhibition reveals 109 collections and 459 different interpretations of the historic white espresso cup, representing one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the world. GH

www.illy.com

Fashion

Frédéric Malle: “Vetiver Extraordinaire”

Creative freedom has consistently been an integral factor in Frédéric Malle’s products, with “Vetiver Extraordinaire” being no exception. The brand has regularly collaborated with admirable artists and some of the greatest perfumers in the world. The scent of Vetiver Extraordinaire began in the mid-1980s, with its woody base originally intended for women’s perfume. Frédéric would wear and road test its base layer; a bouquet of cedar, sandalwood, and a synthetic molecule called cashmeran, all woods and no top notes. 15 years later, Dominique Ropion was sent a vial of a molecular distillation of Haitian vetiver, and the pair found themselves returning to the unforgettable formula. This new vetiver was the perfect missing element to the enigmatic woody base. As the very first men’s perfume to be published by Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, Vetiver Extraordinaire is born from the desire to create the ultimate perfume for a man. The fragrance line is complemented by an ideal skincare ritual: Body Wash, Shaving Cream, and After Shave Balm. This grooming base is the perfect combination of the two worlds of an exceptional base composed in a Swiss laboratory, scented with the iconic and universal Vetiver Extraordinaire perfume. GH

www.fredericmalle.com

Fashion

Etro Announces Marco De Vincenzo As New Creative Director

Etro, the Italian luxury fashion house founded by Gerolamo Etro, has appointed Marco De Vincenzo as the new Creative Director of the women’s, men’s, and home collections. Starting June 1st, he will take the lead of the brand, debuting with his first collection next September during Milan Fashion Week. Graduated from the European Institute of Design in Rome, he started his career in 2000, carrying on a long collaboration with Fendi before launching his eponymous brand, thanks to which he won the first prize in the new talents competition “Who is on Next?.” Marco de Vincenzo is considered one of the most innovative designers of the new generation. Also, Fabrizio Cardinali, Etro’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed his enthusiasm about the new entry into the Etro family - “As part of the brand’s new course, we welcome with enthusiasm the arrival of Marco De Vincenzo. Through his sensitivity for colors, prints, and fabrics, we are sure that Marco will be able to translate at best Etro’s extraordinary heritage into new interpretations for the different brand’s collections and also giving a new drive to the world of accessories”. VB

www.etro.com

Fashion

Miu Miu Day/Night

The Miu Miu Day/Night collection portrays a group of rebellious youth in elegantly subversive clothing. This is a clear continuation of Miuccia Prada rediscovering the Miu Miu identity, drawing on the past to build a future on familiar, new, and personal yet universal codes. The imagery recreates the evening wardrobe, merging those of daywear, particularly uniform, in many facades. Each figure reinvents a look to fit themselves, both time and place are indistinguishable. Typical to the brand, skirts are pleated, and shirts and jackets are radically cropped. The quintessentially bourgeois tailleur is embellished with oversized crystals and merged with a sportswear silhouette. Sinuous satin tea dresses are sensual and finished with naïve puff sleeves. These timeless pieces make the collection fitting for anyone for any occasion. Made with the intention of keeping a sense of individuality, the items are an extension of the self, which is expressive of a free spirit. Miu Miu Day/Night celebrates a community of like-minded beings who identify with each other through a celebration of individuality and style. GH

www.miumiu.com

Art

NN Art Award 2022 for Vytautas Kumža

On 18 May, the NN Art Award was presented for the sixth time at Art Rotterdam. As a supporter of talent and all art explorers, NN Group has always invested in culture, giving artists the opportunity and a platform to inspire others. This year, The four nominated artists were: Inez de Brauw (Brinkman & Bergsma), Vytautas Kumža (Galerie Martin van Zomeren), Thierry Ousso (Lumen Travo Galerie), and Jennifer Tee (Galerie Fons Welters). Their works are on display in the NN Art Award stand. But the prize has been assigned to the Lithuanian-born, Amsterdam-based visual artist Vytautas Kumža. Represented by gallery Martin van Zomeren, he is a contemporary art talent with an authentic visual language and innovative approach. In his works, Vytautas Kumža combines sculptural elements and presentation displays to create embodied experiences for the audience. Visual illusions, spatial constructs, inverted colors, and exaggerated scales are found in his practice. The NN Art Award aims to promote young talents but also to put the spotlight on the exceptional quality of art education in the Netherlands. Artists from all over the world know where to find the Dutch academies. VB

www.artrotterdam.com

Fashion

BEAUDE STUDIO for CDLP

BEAUDE STUDIO launched today for CDLP, a Paris-based floral print, and design studio, to design custom prints for SS22 Pool and Swim collection. This capsule launched exclusively at Boys Don’t Cry, Paris – an interdisciplinary space specializing in men’s style, design, books, and art. The collection is made up of vintage scarves, mosaics, and architectural details from the brand’s Stockholm atelier, in vivid tones fitting to the season as well as abstract insertion and overlapping, creating the prints La Fleur, La Fête, and Le Tigre. Describing the project as organic, exploratory, spontaneous, and led by collaborative intuition, Ashley Boer’s vision easily merged with CDLP design director and friend Ingrid Guttorsmen. BEAUDE STUDIO works with select clients to create prints and floral installations for galleries, showrooms, boutiques, and events, each design and composition is created to translate an expression within the dynamic of the studio. CDLP is a design house of luxury essentials within the categories of underwear, t-shirts, socks, swim, home, and sports. The brand’s design philosophy is driven by purpose and effortless style, with a focus on innovation and responsibility. GH

www.beaudestudio.com
www.bdc-paris.com
www.cdlp.com

Fashion

O’Neill SS22: “Liquid Backyards”

O’Neill has revolutionized and massively popularized the surfing sport since the early ‘50s. throughout the years, the brand has continuously produced the world’s number one supply of wetsuits and swimwear. This season, O’Neill invites everyone to splash in style with a new wide range of off-shore-ready bikinis and shorts. Each piece is designed for a comfy ride and perfect fit for any occasion. Made for preparation in any situation, the brand introduces three kinds of swim shorts. One for swimming, one for boarding, and one hybrid short built for the parallel lives in and out of the water. O’Neill is all about stretching the boundaries of what innovative gear can do for the active outdoor. This is clearly shown throughout this collection. Not only are the pieces versatile for many occasions, but the brand also pays close attention to ensuring hyper functionality as well as a sustainable product design. All swimwear is made with at least 50% of all garments coming from recycled or upcycled sources. GH

www.oneill.com

Fashion

Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross

Creative Director Samuel Ross became an ambassador for Hublot in 2020, after being awarded the Hublot Design prize in 2019 with his REFORM sculpture. This was a creation of Ross’ own fusion, by merging past and present, combining granite with steel in a production process that incorporated both handwork and state-of-the-art machining. This year, Hublot is incorporating Samuel Ross’ unique graphic language into watchmaking. Here, Ross’ signature color scheme and penchant for strict geometry and urban design combined with the innovation and precision that govern the work of both Ross and Hublot. The distinctive, stylized hexagon of the Big Bang case is reflected in the honeycomb titanium meshwork of the sapphire dial, case, case back, and bracelet. This robust and efficient shape, repeatable without gaps or overlaps, has become the standard for modern construction and design thanks to each element's seamless fit. Only 50 examples of this piece will be made – each a work of art that brings a new perspective and imagination to watchmaking. Celebrating this launch, Ross’ signature colors will grace Hublot boutique on 5th Avenue in New York City. GH

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Gucci Cosmogonie

Against the backdrop of the historic Castel del Monte in Andria, Italy, Alessandro Michele debuted his latest collection for the House. A series of constellations illuminated the runway, progressing a narrative that traverses centuries, geographies, and languages. Taking inspiration from the stars, Gucci’s Creative Director created a proper narrative that retrieved the story of the suicidal philosopher Walter Benjamin and Hanna Arendt. The two shared a destiny of exile. They were Jews fleeing from Germany when they met in Paris, for the first time, in the 1930s, and since then, they carried out an intense intellectual exchange now woven in their biographies. But unfortunately, their epilogue is well known: Anna reached New York, while Walter Benjamin took his life at the Franco-Spanish border. As a collector of quotations, trapped by the Gestapo, he lost the power to build his thoughts, realizing that it was better to disappear forever. Benjamin was a paradigmatic figure thinking in constellations. For him, the constellation is what comes out of the capacity to draw conjunction between fragments of worlds that would otherwise be dispersed: a feverish dust of quotations that burns in the possibility of a contact. From this philosophy, Gucci Cosmogonie was born. The SS23 pre-collection was a surreal carousel in which visions of fantastical creatures appeared. VB

www.gucci.com

Fashion

La Dolce Vita by Loro Piana

Loro Piana has enhanced its wardrobe with elements for people who want to treat themselves to carefree moments this summer, enjoying la Dolce Vita. The collection evokes the brand's essence with the nautical theme, and the colors are an ode to nature, which dons its brightest tones in summer. Inspired by the Sicilian archipelago is the new Eolian Basket, destined to be a must for the season. Like the silhouette of the classic ‘70s straw bucket bag, the item is a perfect synthesis of Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability. The piece is handwoven using the ancient technique of braid stitching originally used in the production of straw hats. This delicate movement of weaving the braids one by one in a circular pattern makes every model unique and distinctive. Available in two sizes, worn as a shoulder bag or handbag, the Eolian Basket expresses all its charm and versatility. Another debut is the women’s swimwear collection, made with the finest exclusive yarns to guarantee comfort, resilience, and long wear. Marine is designed for those who love to practice water sports, while the aquatic jersey is the basis for bikinis and a one-piece swimsuit with a retro silhouette that’s comfortable enough to wear beyond the beach. These pieces are embellished with the brand’s distinctive touch of the nautical-themed charms that lend allure not only to the swimwear but also to new versions of the iconic White Sole shoes. With new color combinations, exclusive yarns in original blends, and new, soft, relaxed silhouettes, Loro Piana explores the world of summer in a new light, evoking an iconic Mediterranean atmosphere brimming with charm and style. GH

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

adidas x Gucci Collection

Gucci has unveiled the new lookbook of the adidas x Gucci collaboration that will launch on June 7th, 2022, across select Gucci stores, dedicated Pop-Ups, the website, and on the adidas CONFIRMED app. The adidas x Gucci Collection, built on the sartorial streetwear creations that debuted in the Exquisite Gucci fashion show, is expanded with a spectrum of sport-inspired pieces, distinguished by the same kaleidoscopic aesthetics. Designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele, the garments are the perfect combination of the signature codes of both brands. They feature adidas’ iconic trio of lines, athletic silhouette, and the GG monogram in synergy with the adidas Trefoil. Formal pieces like leather heels, suede loafers, and silk scarves have been reinvented in a more relaxed style, while Gucci’s retro aesthetics has become intrinsically contemporary. In addition, the collection comprises several items produced using future-conscious material fabrications such as polyester, cotton, and viscose, reflecting their shared commitment to innovation, progress, and sustainability goals. Adidas x Gucci is presented through a series of images shot by photographer Carlijn Jacobs and inspired by archival catalogs, in which a cast of characters strike dynamic poses against brightly colored backdrops alongside sporty props. VB

www.gucci.com
www.adidas.com

Fashion

Michael Kors x ellesse: An Iconic Pairing of Two Powerhouse Brands

Celebrating the athletic styles of the 1970s, Michael Kors and ellesse teamed up to launch an exclusive collection that rethinks the world of sportswear. The new line offers a luxurious and modern take on retro athleisure featuring a bold visual aesthetic and a vintage look. The Michael Kors x ellesse capsule, composed of 24-pieces, includes vivid track jackets and pants, vintage-style swimsuits, chunky sneakers, and Kors’ must-have Hudson backpack and Bradshaw shoulder bag. Each item is characterized by one-of-a-kind insignia that fuses Michael Kors' iconic logo with ellesse's tennis-and-ski-inspired one, as well as the Italian brand's unique color palette of fiery oranges and reds juxtaposed with classic shades of navy blue and crisp white. The collaboration, launching in May, has been captured by the lens of renowned fashion photographer Lachlan Bailey and styled by Mel Ottenberg, editor-in-chief of cult pop magazine Interview. The images portray model Emily Ratajkowski, Brooklyn-based rap musician Jay Critch, and many other talents in a sun-soaked Miami. The campaign is a tribute to the Michael Kors and ellesse brands' stylish, confident, cheerful, and dynamic DNAs. In addition, a series of pop-up installations and activations will be held across the world to promote the Michael Kors x ellesse capsule collection. #DOUBLES #MKxELLESSE VB

www.michaelkors.com
www.ellesse.com

Fashion

Prada Linea Rossa SS22 Collection

Prada Linea Rossa explores progressive styles and materials to create metropolitan clothing engineered for tomorrow. For the SS22 Collection, the brand deeply analyzes the relationship between garments and the body, focusing on pioneering fabrics such as bio-ceramic polyester piquet, which allow the individual to maintain a constant temperature, and bio-based nylon that helps control the production of bacteria. Multi-function is key. The garments are resistant and lightweight, engineered to adapt to the environment and activity. These clothes are portrayed in a series of dynamic images set in a futuristic land. The SS22 Campaign, shot by Johnny Dufort, is inspired by the energy and motion of sports. In his imagery and the short film directed by Albert Moya, four figures are caught in the middle of a visionary table tennis match, where physical experience and digital effect, humanity and technology, are merged. In addition, this season, the brand relaunched the legendary Prada America's Cup sneaker. For 2022, a new dimension is offered: customization. VB

www.prada.com

Fashion

Marsèll Announces Second Release With Suicoke

To underline the design and quality alongside the strategic and commercial running of the brand, Marsèll has announced a new collaboration with the Japanese footwear brand Suicoke. The partnership started in 2021 when they created a collection that blended Japanese culture and Italian craftsmanship, with a genderless style pushing the boundaries of contemporary aesthetics. This year, following the idea behind the SS21 project, Marsèll and Suicoke have released new handmade pieces made out of a careful selection of raw materials, mixing innovative technologies with more traditional methods. The results are unique, original items that are anything but industrial. The key model of the 2022 collaboration is Moto, the Japanese brand’s undisputed bestseller. Moto is a sandal, reimagined by the Italian brand, entirely made of leather with a recycled rubber sole in an oversize style and wraparound straps. Together with this new design, Marsèll has also included in the collection the iconic Depa shoe, which debuted last season, in five more colors. The collaboration will be distributed in 10 Corso Como, Nordstrom, Browns, and GR8, while a limited edition of the Moto sandal will be accessible only at the most prestigious retailers. VB

www.marsell.it
www.suicoke.com

Art

Kaldewei x Vogue Germany presents #mustsee “Bathscape” by Cristina Celestino

At the Fuorisalone from June 7th till the 12th, the German premium bathroom manufacturer will collaborate with the legendary fashion magazine in presenting the installation “Bathscape” – designed by the Milanese star designer Cristina Celestino. Cristina Celestino founded her studio in Milan in 2013. Since then, she has worked on multiple projects ranging from the areas of living and hotel industry to creative direction and product design. Kaldewei is a German family company that has been creating bathroom solutions combining modern luxury with sustainable thinking, management, and action for over 100 years, now in its fourth generation. The collaboration is already highlighted in the upcoming Milan Furniture Fair #mustsee, taking visitors on a spectacular and highly aesthetic journey through bathroom culture. For Celestino, the project is sculptural research into all aspects of creating and using bathroom furnishings. This investigates what qualities of the modern bathroom transform it into the oasis that we use to recharge our batteries and relax, as well as the importance of ecological and social aspects. This creates a highly topical dialogue as well as showing exciting approaches to a contemporary, luxurious bathroom design. The installation will take place in the vibrant Brera District throughout the duration of the Milan Furniture Fair. GH  

www.kaldewei.com

Fashion

The Bubblegram Collection

Louis Vuitton has presented a new joyful and bright collection of bags, the Bubblegram, designed for a generation on the move. In a burst of colors, the new bag is available in four models featuring round, bubble-like curves and the iconic LV Monogram that gives it an original quilted look. The Over The Moon, Papillon, Alma, and Wallet on Strap styles, born of exceptional savoir-faire, showcase the skills of Louis Vuitton artisans who hand-finished each model and ensured maximum precision in seam positioning using new design techniques. The Bubblegram bags, made of shining calfskin leather, also feature distinctive new details such as a nylon shoulder strap with unique typography and a woven lining with a matching Monogram Nano pattern. Thanks to their colorways, suppleness, and volume effects, these new items give customers the possibility to play and have fun with them. The Bubblegram collection, already available for purchase, will also be expanded to include new inviting colors. VB

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

The Armani Group Opens The First A|X Armani Exchange Store in Amsterdam

The A|X Armani Exchange store has landed in the Dutch capital. Following the recent inauguration in Milan, the Armani Group decided to open a large store in Amsterdam, in a strategic location in front of Dam square and on the corner of Kalverstraat: a lively spot with a constant flow of tourists. The store, housed within a historical building, was designed by Giorgio Armani and his team of architects along the false lines of the one recently opened in Milan, featuring a minimal selection of colors, elements, and materials combined with LED strips that display graphic information and logos. At the entrance, illuminated letters, A and X attract the attention of passers-by that, entering the store, can walk through the women’s collection displayed on the ground floor and the menswear section located on the first floor. The whole project, including the materials, finishes, coatings, and lighting, was designed to have the least environmental impact possible. In addition, avant-garde systems and technology make the shopping experience even more unique. VB

www.armani.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Idylle Blossom

From the range of voluptuous and full curves to the more tapered and slender, the Idylle Blossom flowers are true embodiments of Louis Vuitton’s heritage and savoir-faire, as delicate blossoms meet brilliant stars. The Monogram Flower has been the Maison’s iconic signature since 1896. Therefore, for the tenth anniversary of the emblematic collection, the Idylle Blossom, both original designs and new interpretations are adorned with diamonds, yielding a contemporary yet refined elegance. Celebrating the beauty of imagination, the new everyday essentials can be stylistically repeated and layered or worn alone. This versatility makes them suited to be worn for any mood or occasion. One or more necklaces draped from the neck could enhance the skin with dazzling radiance. Coupled with a pair of hoop earrings, adorned with Monogram Flowers, could perfectly frame the face. These can also be embellished with ear cuffs, rings, or reversible studs that display the Maison’s motifs with Louis Vuitton’s initials on one side and the Monogram Flower on the other. Each of the Monogram Flowers complements a shade of rose, yellow or white gold, accentuating brilliant-cut diamonds, and rendering these creations undeniably feminine and sensual. The versatility of each piece hides multiple styles within each design, allowing the wearer to change their look without changing jewelry. The signature of the collection is the Idylle Blossom ring, taking on a refined aesthetic of the season, this truly embodies the contemporary, dazzling, and free style within the collection. GH

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

FENDI: Peekaboo ISeeU Petite and Micro

The Peekaboo ISeeU bag has continued its tradition of expressing the true essence of what it means to be Fendi, expanding the family by welcoming the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite and Peekaboo ISeeU Micro. Clean and minimal, geometric and curvilinear all at once, the Peekaboo is a bag conceived with both beauty and playful functionality at its core. The architectural silhouette features a soft, supple interior revealed by the bag’s expertly designed twist-lock construction. The new models are created with distinctive, smaller proportions yet maintain all the signature details of Fendi’s iconic bag. Contemporary attitude, young flair compact shape, the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite is the new must-have of the season. The cute proportions and perfect capacity give the bag an irresistible appeal for an array of occasions. Doubling the fun, the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite is available in a rainbow of 12 bright roses of nappa leather, such as baby blue, Violetta lilac, dark honey, and mimosa yellow. Made to be worn crossbody, the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite will never go unnoticed. The precious designs in exotic leathers such as natural python, croco, and lizard add exclusive variations to the family. Just as impactful, the Peekaboo ISeeU Micro is available in 10 vibrant declinations in the softest and smoothest leather, making it the perfect touch of color. The piece features a detachable metal handle for bag charm use, together with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, and a cardholder on the inside. GH

www.fendi.com

Fashion

X-Technology's New Management Team

X-Technology enters the future with new leadership. X-Technology Swiss research & development AG, based in Wollerau, has announced the set-up of a new management team, bringing on board a highly entrepreneurial, innovative, and strongly digitally-minded group of employees. For more than 20 years, this company has been the innovation leader in the sporting goods industry, becoming one of the leading suppliers of textile performance technologies thanks to its X-Bionic and X-Socks brands. In particular, X-Bionic received the Plus X Award, the world's largest innovation prize for technology, sports, and lifestyle, 13 times in a row as the most innovative brand of the year. X-Technology Swiss research & development AG has a long history of developing effective solutions to complex design problems, having submitted over 800 international patent applications and winning over 600 prizes and 1,200 medals at international competitions and the Olympics. Therefore, to further strengthen and expand the company's position in the market, X-Technology CEO Maximilian Lenk will take over the leadership to realign the sales organization and implement the digitization of the brand. VB

www.x-technology.com

Art

TEFAF Maastricht Announces the Exhibitors of the 35th Edition

TEFAF Maastricht, the renowned international exhibit, has announced its return in June 2022. Every year, the premier fair for fine art, antiques, and design brings together 242 of the best dealers and galleries from around the world, displaying works of unrivaled quality and historical significance to a global audience of private collectors, museum curators, and art market professionals. For the 35th edition, TEFAF Maastricht, that for the first time will open its doors from the 25th to 30th of June instead of taking place in March, will make Europe a summer destination of choice for global collectors and lovers of art. The 2022 lineup comprises 242 dealers from 20 countries, with 218 returning dealers and 18 newcomers. In addition, TEFAF Showcase will introduce six new galleries to the TEFAF community, Bartha Contemporary in the UK, and the Galerie Nicolas Bourriaud, Imperial Art, Galerie Mendes, Galerie Pauline Pavec, Royal Provenance in France. Chairman Hidde van Seggelen speaking about TEFAF Maastricht, said - I speak for our whole dealer community when I express how thrilling it is to be returning for the 35th edition of TEFAF Maastricht. The wealth of history and expertise presented by our exhibitors has always been extraordinary and this year will be no exception. VB

www.tefaf.com

Fashion

PRADA TROPICO at KaDeWe in Berlin

Extremely pop, Prada has set up an exclusive in-store installation and shop windows at KaDeWe in Berlin, presenting multiple combinations of colored stripes and light effects, giving rise to a hypnotic space. The brand’s spot inside the department store features backlit surfaces in bright and contrasting hues paired with a neon sign that provides a fresh, iconic interpretation of the Prada triangle logo, mixing urban references with elements from a transfigured natural setting. The windows create graphic effects that evoke the building’s facade thanks to geometric patterns and the juxtaposition of vertical and horizontal lines in green, white, black, blue, red, yellow, and orange. Then, in the background, a video animated with a stylized tropical forest shows hundreds of Prada hats in an immersive experience in wild scenery. The whole is made even more mesmerizing looking at the Prada collection displayed. Colored stripes garments and accessories, such as mini, calf-length and full skirts, silk blouses, raffia and nylon hats, and the iconic Prada Triangle bag, give a burst of energy to the entire setting. VB

www.prada.com

Fashion

The Novelties of the Watches Wonders 2022

Today, March 30th TAG Heuer is presenting five main novelties of the Watches & Wonders 2022:
First in the collection is the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, a timepiece made with exceptional quality and performance, bringing new meaning to “made for outdoors”. This is particularly special for the brand, as it is the first timepiece that utilizes calibre TH50-00, produced by La Joux-Perret. Named Solagraph, due to the use of the sun as a limitless energy source. The movement needs only two minutes in full sunlight to keep the watch running for a whole day. Once Power Save mode is activated, the autonomy of the watch can be extended to 3.5 years, perfect for those who are on the go, and at one with nature. In addition to this, in the Aquaracer Professional 300 core collection is the Orange Diver, with a new vibrant look that is inspired by the orange diver reference 844. The vivid orange is used as a symbol of safety and security at sea, as well as speed, security, and records, the tone captivates the message behind the watch perfectly. Last in the Aquaracer capsule is the Professional 1000 Superdiver - the ultimate luxury diver watch. The new calibre used, TH30-00 is manufactured exclusively for TAG Heuer, beginning an important chapter for the history of the brand, predicting significant improvements in terms of reliability and durability. Made for the deep, the watch is extremely robust and sports a bold, but elegant, look and a thickness of just 15.75mm.
Never before has there been a partnership between a car manufacturer and a watchmaker. After a highly successful first year of collaboration, Porsche and TAG Heuer have returned with the new TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche, a model with a strong sporty feel, proposed as a limited edition. The watch is enhanced by Porsche’s aesthetic appeal, with a yellow color incorporated in various elements of the creation, inspired by Porsches racing yellow PANTONE, reserved by the manufacturer for the sportiest of vehicles.
Last but by no means least, the brand has relaunched one of the most awaited TAG Heuer watches, the Monaco Gulf with a newly refined version, including the in-house movement Heuer 02. The design continues to be based on the three iconic colors of Gulf, but with more contemporary combinations, making it all the more unique. On the back, is a personalized version of the oscillating mass and column wheel, with a special engraving colored to match the Gulf orange pantone. GH

www.tagheuer.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton: Steel Escale Spin Time

A contemporary yet elegant design, Louis Vuitton has presented two new steel versions of the Escale Spin Time watch, a continuation of the exceptional meteorite dial highlighted with pink gold. Rather than the traditional central hand, the passing of time is depicted by twelve cubes around the rim of the dial revolving in place. Eleven of these cubes display iconic motifs inspired by the customization of Louis Vuitton trunks, while the twelfth stands out, displaying the time on a digital face. The brand’s heritage as a trunk maker and packer is also shown in other details, such as the instantly recognizable case that reinterprets the horns, inspired by the metal reinforcements of the iconic luggage. The Escale Spin Time takes on a new identity in a 41mm diameter case. The model boasts an original mixed media design, as well as pairing the modernity of steel with the depth of black PVD. This unique, innovative concept is as playful as it is technical, with an exceptional mechanism driven by automatic movement: The LV 77 calibre. Available in two variations, Steel Escale features more discrete elements in grey hues or a Rainbow Escale that has more of a colorful treatment against a black, sun-brushed dial. Each of these models displays a unique expression, and both assert the Maison’s unparalleled ability to blend creativity, heritage, and savoir-faire with a twist of modernity. GH

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Chanel Launches A New Podcast

Chanel has unveiled the first two episodes of a new podcast entitled Les Rencontres. This new format follows the Rendez-vous littéraires rue Cambon that was established in 2021 by Creative Director Virginie Viard, together with CHANEL ambassador and spokesperson Charlotte Casiraghi. This podcast, which releases a new episode each month in French and English, turns the spotlight on contemporary female authors who have recently published their first novel. For the first episode of the French version, writer Pauline Gonthier discusses her novel “Les oiselles sauvages,” published by Julliard in 2021. The French author talks about the genesis of her writing, her decisive meeting with Annie Ernaux, and reveals her ambition to write books that will make people want to read more. While, American writer Lisa Taddeo, whose first novel Animal was published last year by Simon & Schuster, takes part in the English version of the podcast. The guest addresses different topics: from her aptitude for fiction and her desire to question what society expects of women to the importance of self-criticism within the creative process. The conversations are introduced by Charlotte Casiraghi and moderated by journalist Lauren Bastide in French and by writer and literary critic Erica Wagner in English. The first two episodes of Les Rencontres are available on Chanel’s website and in the CHANEL 3.55 Podcast on Apple Podcasts. VB

www.chanel.com

Art

Safari by Arsham Studio with Stone Island

Daniel Arsham and Stone Island have collaborated to customize a Porsche 930 and a Unimog 404 for all-terrain purposes, using reimagined heritage Stone Island fabrics. The safari car was built with the purpose of being for off-road use, using many original pieces from the ’70s, and ‘80s. It has been modified to proper rally-car specs. The Safari car was made for vintage-lovers, reconstructed with added bumpers, skid-plates, lights, and heightened suspension, ready for any environment under any condition. Also designed is a reimagined Unimog 404 to go alongside the Safari as a recovery vehicle, following the traditions behind typical rallying. The Unimog is embellished by similar Stone Island details throughout the exterior and interior as the Porsche, with a custom dab green finish. The seat fabric in both vehicles has been reimagined using specially-crafted moleskin from Stone Island, prioritizing functionality. This enhances the seat grip for the driver on the off-road terrain. Visualizing this collaboration is a short documentary film by Jeremy Elkin, narrated by Daniel Arsham. The film captures the process of the vehicles coming to life from the careful fitting of the vehicles in New York and Atlanta to the breathless vistas in the California desert. GH

www.stoneisland.com
www.danielarsham.com

Fashion

Bulgari unveils the Octo Finissimo Ultra

On March 21st, 2022, in Rome, Bulgari unveiled the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, the Octo Finissimo Ultra, a spectacular eighth world record for the collection. The revolutionary piece is a minuscule 1.80 millimeters, made using an approach devoid of any prior knowledge or preconceptions, combined with the quintessence of Italian design. Cleverly, Creative Director Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani transformed a classic 3D design of a watch into a two-dimensional object. The design challenges the laws of physics, therefore Bulgari teams truly started from scratch, reinventing everything to find innovative solutions. This piece plays on the perception of the visible and invisible. The front reveals volumes and invites immersion in the depth of the mechanism. The record-holding watch symbolizes a mindset, an ability to innovate and push limits. The date of the unveiling is also particularly historical, as it not only honored the beauty of the Pantheon and the city of Rome but also marked the 10th anniversary of the brand’s Octo collection. The slimness of the watch is barely thicker than a piece of paper, making the record unlikely to ever be beaten, and triggering a peerless physical and emotional sensation when worn. GH

www.bulgari.com

Fashion

In The Name Of Love

Once again, Maison Valentino delves into the literary world, strengthening its commitment to fostering Arts and Culture. Launching the new campaign "Valentino the Narratives II," the Italian brand redefines the way of communicating, removing images and product placement to make way for authentic, text-only stories. Born from the creative mind and vision of Pierpaolo Piccioli, the second chapter of this advertising campaign features 17 renowned international authors that have written individual and impactful narratives about love celebrated in all its form and meanings. Love is the fil-rouge of the campaign that brings together writers and poets such as Alok Vaid-Menon, Amia Srinivasan, Emily Ratajkowski, Fatima Farheen Mirza, Brit Bennett, David Sedaris, and many others, in a colored layout and freedom of genre. Valentino The Narratives II is a polyphonic conversation that carries on the values of authenticity and individuality, trying to build a multi-vocal community. In addition, thanks to this initiative, Maison Valentino continues to sustain selected independent bookstores and renews the collaboration with Belletrist bookclub promoting cultural happenings. VB

www.valentino.com

Fashion

The Luna Bag

LOEWE presents the “Luna” Bag. Debuted on the SS22 runway in Paris, the new shoulder bag is the latest addition to LOEWE’s wide range of products. The Spanish fashion house specialized in leather goods, clothing, perfumes, and other fashion accessories is known for its bold visual identity, spontaneity, and playfulness, characteristics that, for this season, are translated with the Luna bag. Taking its name from the Spanish word for “moon,” LOEWE’s new design is derived from the shape of a crescent moon. The Luna is a fresh take on a classic hobo bag, an everyday carry-all that sits comfortably on the shoulder and is suited to day or night. This unique accessory comes in black, pecan, avocado green, ash grey satin calfskin, LOEWE jacquard strap, as well as in the iconic Anagram jacquard incorporating the same colors. In addition, metallic sliding eyelets allow the personalization of the LOEWE Luna bag with an extra shoulder strap and charms. VB

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Where Nature Meets The City

For SS22, British footwear brand Clarks Originals and C.P. Company has launched a new collaboration to celebrate the point where nature meets the city. Composed of two jackets and two shoe styles, the collection is equally inspired by the design language of Clark's cult Desert Trek and C.P. Company's historical ability to manufacture clothing textures of cultural depth. Having always been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, Clarks tight up with C.P. Company to create a range of products that mix natural materials and heritage craftsmanship, with a modern technology suitable to the demands of 21st-century outdoor performance. The outerwear pieces are an exploration of movement between city and countryside, artificial and natural, protective and porous. The iconic Clarks' Desert Trek is reimagined in two styles: the original, enriched by rubber details, and the re-mastered, which features a Vibram outsole. The color palette evokes and reminds of the rich, fertile, and varied landscape of the British coastline as the ultimate escape from the metropolitan area. Lens by the British photographer Will Grundy, the collection conveys a sense of freedom from the routine. The images feature contemporary nomad traders wandering in this uniquely, ever-evolving landscape, which matches and contrasts the tones of the collection. The C.P. Company x Clarks collaboration is available on the website and flagship stores of C.P. Company, in selected global retailers, and exclusively at Clarks Originals Berwick street in London. VB

www.cpcompany.com
www.clarks.com

Fashion

Gucci presents The North Face x Vault

After two chapters of The North Face x Gucci, the collaboration has expanded to Vault, Gucci’s experimental online space envisioned by Creative Director Alessandro Michele. With both bands embodying the spirit of exploration, the collaboration presents a limited run of 150 brightly colored base camp duffel bags available exclusively on Vault’s website. Since 2021, Vault has continuously ventured into unchartered territories in luxury through unexpected collaborations with brands that speak to its forward-thinking ethos. The North Face is known for its durable, ergonomic, and high-performance designs, its apparel and equipment have become the choice of athletes and explorers from the metropolis to the mountaintop. Since being founded in 1966, the brand has united travelers and adventurers across the globe. Within Vault, The North Face’s base camp duffel bag is reimagined with a playful pattern inspired by Vault for the collaboration. Made from a sustainable and weather-resistant material, the bag features adjustable shoulder straps and padded side handles that can be carried or worn as a backpack. This creation is the perfect merging of Vault and The North Face’s creative codes, a truly unique find. GH

vault.gucci.com

Fashion

Chanel FW22: A Tribute To Tweed

Devoting the FW22 collection to tweed, Creative Director Virginie Viard paid homage to Gabrielle Chanel. Recalling her walks along the River Tweed in the Scottish countryside, the clothes presented were a tribute to the psychedelic shades of autumn. Chanel FW22 show, held at Grand Palais Éphémère, opened the final day of Paris Fashion Week with an explosion of tweed. The iconic fabric was everywhere and worn by everyone: from the collection to the setup of the location and celebrities like Lisa Vicari and Emily Atef, who attended the show. The FW22 collection featured jackets in bold colors with a masculine or slightly oversize silhouette, trousers in black panne velvet, pointed pumps with a mini stiletto heel in patent leather, as well as boots and thigh-high boots in black or beige rubber. It was a total celebration of tweed, an eternal code for the French Maison that allows for infinite combinations of colors and materials. “I love working with it so much, I couldn't live without it at CHANEL”. - Virginie Viard. In addition, Chanel released teasers shot by the duo Inez & Vinoodh that portrayed a succession of panoramic views of the river and the Scottish moors, like so many images known by Gabrielle Chanel. VB

www.chanel.com

Art

Prada presents the exhibition “Role Play” at Prada Aoyama Tokyo

“Role Play” by Prada is an exhibition project organized with the support of Fondazione Prada, at Prada Aoyama Tokyo from March 11th til June 20th, 2022. The fifth floor of the iconic building designed by Herzog and de Meuron hosts a second version of the show on display at Osservatorio Fondazione Prada in Milan from February 19th til June 27th, 2022. Curated by Melissa Harris, the project explores notions of the search projection and invention of possible alternative and idealized identities. Strategies investigated within this are role-playing, the creation of alter-egos, and the proliferation of the self. These strategies are captured by photographic, visual, and audio works labeled as the ideal language for representing the idea of otherness and exploiting its objective nature and thus the sense of authenticity. London-based photographer Juno Calypso will present her photographic series What To Do With a Million Years, capturing a mansion entirely decorated with pink elements, owned by a mysterious group attempting to achieve immortality and eternal youth. Beatrice Marchi will present the audio work Never Be My Friend, focussing on one of her alter-egos, Katie. Also featured are satirical portraits by Haruka Sakaguchi and Griselda, a photographic series by Tomoko Sawada, and a two-screen video by Bogosi Sehukhuni. All of these capture the essence of otherness in many different ways, hopefully reaching the feelings of empathy in some way from the observers. GH

www.prada.com

Fashion

Dior reopens 30 Montaigne

Maison Dior has announced the reopening of 30 Montaigne – the original address of the brand’s first-ever boutique. The renovation has been ongoing for more than two years in collaboration with architect Peter Marino. It has been said that the legendary space will house the women’s and menswear collections, a haute couture salon, haute couture atelier, fine jewelry atelier, the Dior Café, as well as a restaurant helmed by Jean Imbert – the winner of the 2012 French edition of Top Chef. The legendary venue has seen the house’s collections come to life for 75 years, becoming the emblem of Parisian elegance and French haute couture. The flagship will also include a gallery that highlights Christian Dior’s creations as well as the work of his successors: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and the house’s current creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri. The unique space like no other is due to reopen on March 6th, 2022. GH

www.dior.com

Fashion

The next chapter about sustainable denim at DIESEL

For SS22, Diesel has taken a genderless design approach in its next chapter of prioritizing a sustainability initiative. Diesel library will offer a wide range of evergreen and longer-lasting denim items that include trousers, jackets, tops, skirts, and more. Half of the overall denim collection has a permanent shelf life, sustaining the purpose of the items being “classics”. The intention behind the library is to refresh the base of every category at diesel. Diesel library reinforces its commitment to innovation and the exploration of new production techniques to create desirable, durable, and quality denim items. The essential pieces are made using fibers, washes, and treatments that have been selected based on efficient and responsible resource uses. Each garment is also equipped with a digital passport that guarantees customers access to a dedicated web page where they can learn more about all the responsible attributes of each specific item. This next chapter for the brand is a great shift towards establishing its new personality and branding attributes. GH

www.global.diesel.com

Fashion

The Kenny Bag

Givenchy has launched a new iconic bag that reflects the aesthetic of Matthew M. Williams. Known for his ability to transform a simple detail into an authentic object, the Creative Director designed a new accessory that takes the shape of a supple bourse-style handbag. Named Kenny, this unique item references the early 2000s evening bags but is anchored in the here and now thanks to Matthew M. Williams's vision and characteristic flair for hardware. Crafted in soft calf leather, the Kenny has a very intricate, rounded construction with distinctive hand-draped folds interspersed with G-Cube elements. Its graceful, feminine allure finds a masculine counterpoint in double G-Cube chain straps as well as Givenchy's now-iconic padlock. As an emblem of Paris and reference to the missing padlocks of the Pont des Arts, the Lover's Lock reflects commitment and emotion and is tied to bags like a clasp or a delicate ornament. Then, luxurious yet practical details include a shoulder piece in soft calf leather, a tonal lining, and a discrete yet secure magnetic closure that fastens with a crisp, satisfying clack. The Kenny bag is also realized in two different versions: in organza, as revealed on the Givenchy SS22 runway, and fully embroidered with mother-of-pearl, which appears in the current campaign. This new product is already available in selected Givenchy boutiques and online. VB

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Quiet Power

The Bottega Veneta FW22 Collection, presented during Milan Fashion Week, marked a return to a fundamental brand questioning: a building on the past to realize the present and evoke the future. The Italian brand specialized in leather goods has always based its core on the idea of craft in motion. For Bottega Veneta and its Creative Director Matthieu Blazy, everything is about movement, going somewhere, and this is its quiet power. For this season, Bottega Veneta presented a story of clothing and characters, exploring the relation between maker and wearer, an exchange that involves a sense of motion and emotion. It is a collection that escapes from pure spectacle but that, in line with the brand philosophy of “quiet power”, gets closer to a more private pleasure: something felt rather than seen. Here extravagance and utility are combined, and iconic pieces, such as the Kalimero bag, the intreccio thigh-high boots, and photo-real denim, were realized through the traditional craft of the artisans in the Italian ateliers. Then men and women in supposedly stripped down suiting, revealing a more radical and recurring silhouette inspired by Umberto Boccioni’s 1913 sculpture, “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space”, showed how the aesthetic of the Italian Futurist movement translated through volumes realized in pattern cutting. In addition, wool flannels, color flecked herringbones, thrice printed textural pieces built around the body, new interpretations of Leavers lace, synthetic jersey, and idiosyncratic knitwear completed this collection made of garments that acquire meaning when someone wears them. For Bottega Veneta, the individual decides how to move and live in this clothing, telling its own story. Bottega Veneta truly stands for an emotional investment in objects for life. VB

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Ferrari FW22: The Beauty of Speed

“We affirm that the world’s magnificence has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed.” - Manifesto of Futurism. Ferrari, the luxury automotive company, presented its FW22 Collection with a co-ed Women and Men runway as part of the Milan Fashion Week calendar. As well as Futurism exalted the dynamism and speed of the modern world, the Italian brand launched a collection inspired by these elements, enhancing the brand codes of innovation and speed. In a fast-evolving society, Creative Director Rocco Iannone crafted a range of garments and accessories that turned the personalities and passions of leading women and men in today's changing aesthetics and culture into everyday attitudes of daywear and evening wear. Ferrari presented slim yet not minimal silhouettes, tailored and natural materials made with the latest technology, and designs that transcend the boundaries of masculine and feminine. Coats and jackets had contoured shoulders defined by stitching and flat-felled seams, skirts had pencil shapes, often with adjustable metal-zippered slits, and the little black dress came in new materials, such as leather treated with finishes that affect shapes and some volumes that increase towards the hem. Also, new graphics have been added to the Ferrari archive: a camo print obtained by breaking down the silhouette of the Prancing Horse, an abstract motif produced from a hologram of the logo with an enlarged photo of technical filaments, and other patterns derived from thermal scanner grids. In addition, a color palette of blacks, yellow, red, shades of green, and hints of beige and grey combined with sustainable materials such as organic cotton, GRS-certified recycled nylon, as well as Eco down padding completed the Ferrari FW22 Collection. VB

www.ferrari.com

Fashion

Gucci "Love Parade" 2022

In its “Love Parade”, Gucci took over Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Boulevard for an exhibition that epitomized Old Hollywood glamour. Inspired by tales of glamour and glory, the exhibition celebrates color and life. Garments included tailored, double-breasted blazers paired with ruffled blouses and low-cut waistcoats, houndstooth tailoring, satin suits in multiple colors, velvet suits, stoking gowns, tropical-inspired matching sets, and so much more. The collection is an ode to the colorful personalities throughout Hollywood. The over 100 look-collection also featured a broad celebrity presence, including Jared Leto, Steve Lacy, Jeremy Pope, St. Vincent, Jodie Turner-Smith, Miranda July, and Macauly Culkin. Creative Director Alessandro Michele described the collection to have stemmed from the brand’s roots in cinema, as opposed to other brands that have “roots in aristocracy and bourgeoisie”. This is an appropriate reflection of Michele’s tendencies of having a maximalist approach that enables people to communicate their true essence that can continually change with the seasons as time goes on. Michele credits his mother, an assistant in a production company, for encouraging his love for Hollywood. Equally, the collection is about contemporary Los Angeles. GH

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Additional Assets for Fendi Women's Ready To Wear SS22

Kim Jones’ first Fendi collection was a modern take on disco-age glamor and a spotlight on the diverse and powerful femininity that underscores the Fendi name. His source of inspiration were the hand-sketched drawings by visionary fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez. His forward-thinking and inclusive designs translate figurative drawings into intarsia leathers and silk shirting. Shapes and styles from Fendi pop up in the collection with new, fresh twists. The iconic Fendi bags were canvases for his work, reworking the classic neutral tones into a rainbow pattern. In terms of color, there is something suitable for everyone, ranging from white to black and everything in between. There are features of tailored suits and exaggerated lapels paired with wide-leg trousers, as well as brighter toned satin suits with fur coats and matching bra tops. Adapted from Lopez’s illustrative motifs, lilies are transformed into enamel hair accessories; Plexiglass hoops offer an additional tropical touch. The iconic Fendi First heel is given a seventies spin with resin encrusting, shiny leathers, and daring stripes. Similarly, the Fendi First bag embodies a bold attitude, in shimmering leathers and saturated stripes. Jones describes the collection as “all we need right now”, as now is the time to let loose. The collection introduces high-octane energy and a new dimension, into Kim Jones’ continued celebration of female confidence. The versatility within the collection makes it suitable for anyone who wants to feel good about themselves. Reflecting the fun tonalities around the collection are some new and exclusive imagery, shot by Craig McDean. The images perfectly capture the striking garments in front of block-colored backdrops, embodying the versatility of the brand. GH

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Summer Feelings

This season, Loro Piana focuses on naturally triggered mindset perceptions created by multi-sensory experiences showing how thanks to craftsmanship, color, and texture may be felt and heard in an act of transduction. Lens by Mario Sorrenti, this mentality is transformed into emotional images that tickle all the senses, revealing the handcrafted and tactile treasures of the Loro Piana world. The photos, portraying models Rianne Van Rompaey, Anok Yai, and Leon Dame, with the Spanish sea as a backdrop, have a summery flavor. They evolve over a day, changing landscapes, colors, and lights, revealing the joy of spirit, the life on the move, and a lighthearted flow that drives multiple experiences. The images, where different textures are combined into one under natural light, represent the summer season according to Loro Piana's vision. The SS22 images evoke a synergy of senses that culminate in a feeling of peace in the summer breeze, and Loro Piana's sense of casual elegance is infused with a light-filled spontaneity. VB

www.loropiana.com

Fashion

Thom Browne Tartan

Thom Browne is globally recognized for challenging and modernizing today’s uniform, his new portfolio of images does not disappoint. The signature tartan design displayed throughout the images has been an integral part of the brand’s heritage since first appearing in his Fall 2006 menswear collection, also presented during New York Fashion Week. The grey and navy tartan designs present us with timeless pieces, indicating a traditional yet quirky take on American prep ideology. The images introduce tartan into the realm of childrenswear. Showcasing the complete family of tartan, the collection is seen inside an 18th century American-inspired “meet the family” style frame. The staple Thom Browne Tartan is listed on the Tartan Registry of Scotland, first produced by Lochcarron of Scotland, a tartan house dating back to the 1800s. Since then, the print has been reproduced in a variety of technical fabrics, always utilized to realize the brand’s classic suits. Keeping the signature Mr. and Mrs. Thom and Hector styles in the custom grey and navy check reflects the brand’s continuing interest in working with traditional fabrications to create new timeless silhouettes and collections. GH

www.thombrowne.com

Fashion

CHANEL partners with François Ozon

CHANEL has partnered with internationally renowned filmmaker François Ozon in presenting his adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassinber’s play and film, ‘The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant’ (1972) in Berlin. Costume designer Pascaline Chavanne declared that “the character of Sidonie, played by Isabelle Adjani, to be sophisticated, elegant, and original. That’s why we naturally thought of CHANEL”. Adjani is dressed in a black and gold embroiled silk jumpsuit, with the addition of a cape inspired by the 19/20 Métiers d’art collection. The ideal finishing highlight is the brooch in white gold, cultural pearls, and diamonds by CHANEL Jewelry. Chavanne described the jumpsuit as “extremely modern, daring and above all sparkling like the star she is and embodies”. The reinterpretation of the film explores the themes of passion, love, and loneliness of the artist by questioning the domination and fascination that underlie the relationship between muse and Pygmalion. It overall aims to generate conversation that crosses the years and spectators by revisiting the work of a master of the new German cinema movement of the 60s/70s to whom it pays an immediate and aesthetic tribute. GH

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Back To The 80s

This season MARCELL VON BERLIN decided to go bold and colorful, presenting a collection inspired by the 80s: a decade that gave us Madonna, Sade, Tina Turner, Cher, and that has marked the fashion world with eclectic designs. The MARCELL VON BERLIN SS22 Collection captures the 80s loud expressiveness with oversized silhouettes, emphasis on the shoulders, and cloud-like sleeves, giving birth to a new age of unprecedented optimism. The designer Marcell Pustul, already known for his unconventional and progressive looks, featured in the collection a wide range of products from sequin skirts and power suits to punk-pop references like leather jackets, trench coats, and high-waisted denim pieces. These garments with bright colors and zany prints reflect the post-pandemic desire for fashion to be fun, carefree, and full of energy, in addition, to being a contemporary revival of power dresses that used style as a vehicle of empowerment and self-expression.

www.marcellvonberlin.com

Fashion

Jimmy Choo x Mugler Creative Collaboration

Jimmy Choo and Mugler announced a creative partnership that fuses the heritage of both brands. The two Maisons that set their roots in the 1990s, and are synonyms of power, sensuality, and glamour, decided to team up to create a capsule collection of shoes and boots co-designed by the houses’ respective Creative Director’s Sandra Choi and Casey Cadwallader. Reflecting the parallel ideologies of both Jimmy Choo and Mugler, the collaboration takes as its leitmotif the ideas of the extreme and of empowerment. The collection, which transgresses boundaries and challenges conventions merging techniques and materials of footwear, jewelry, and clothing, is dedicated to strong and confident women that are at the heart of both brands. The result is a product with a timeless silhouette with a 100mm heel, carved, architectural design, and a striking, sharply squared base. Windows are also open onto the skin, framing the body with seams, chains, leather straps, and panels of mesh, while the color palette is focused on black and nude with hints of gold, silver, and neon yellow. The final piece is a celebration of powerful femininity in all its forms.

www.row.jimmychoo.com

Fashion

Riders Republic® X Prada: a virtual sports world

Prada launched a one-of-a-kind project in partnership with Ubisoft, a leader in the gaming sector, to integrate Prada Linea Rossa into the outdoor sports playground of Riders Republic®. In a continuous exploration of new and evolving cultural languages, the Italian brand decided to approach the virtual world creating outfits for Riders Republic® players. The videogame, which invites users to enjoy a variety of exciting activities like bicycling, skiing, and snowboarding, provided a new platform for Prada Linea Rossa, where the world of technical sportswear has been combined with streamlined silhouettes to redefine the concept of modern luxury. Through this playground, each player can customize their character by choosing Prada Linea Rossa outfits that feature iconic prints revisited with a street attitude, and graphics for a strong visual impact. The Flame print, brightly colored, recalls a sporty atmosphere, the Wild Stripes take back the animalier realm, while the Camouflage Rock, made of geometric shapes, gives dynamism to the look. In addition, players can immerse themselves in a new experience thanks to some areas, created on the Riders Republic®'s social hub, bedecked with Prada Linea Rossa colors. As well as having the possibility to obtain some exclusive outfits by competing in the Shackdaddy Bandits weekly challenges or taking part in the “Prada Beyond The Line” permanent event.

www.prada.com

Fashion

Cartier announces the 2022 Impact Awardees

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, the French luxury Maison has announced the 2022 Impact Awardees. The Cartier Women’s Initiative launched in 2006, is an annual international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. In the past years until today, the brand has recognized and supported 262 women, covering 62 countries and reaching different sectors from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. This year for the Impact Awards nine former fellows, three for each category that has been chosen based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, have been selected according to the extraordinary impact that their businesses have achieved. These entrepreneurs used their skills to safeguard the environment, improve lives in their communities, and pave the way for a brighter future. Among the awardees stand out big names as Joanne Howarth nominated in the “Preserving the planet” category for having founded the Planet Protector Packaging company that manufactures environmentally responsible insulated packaging made from sheep waste wool. Rasha Rady that with her GPS-enabled pharmacy benefits platform Chefaa is running in the “Improving lives” category, and Carmina Bayombong, a candidate in the “Creating opportunities” category, for creating InvestED, a no-profit organization that empowers under-resourced youth in their journey from education to adulthood. The winners of first, second, and third place will be announced at the Impact Awards Ceremony in Dubai on March 6th, 2022.

www.cartier.com

Fashion

La Martina SS22: Between Heritage and Innovation

La Martina continues to focus on great stylistic research, reviving the brand’s heritage whilst reflecting the colorful and dynamic rhythms of modern life. The SS22 collection takes inspiration from the brand’s manifesto, according to which true luxury consists in taking time for yourself, sharing it with people you care about, contemplating and caring for nature. This, in combination with the Polo world, and the universal value of integrity results in a complete and coherent line of clothing, with the main collection blending more traditional codes with a youthful flair, and different capsule collections featuring reinterpretations of traditional British style with a sportswear soul. The Summer Polo range is a tour through the most popular resorts, represented by staple items in summer patterns and fresh materials. The British and Anglo-Saxon worlds, instead, take shape through the distinctive Guards line and the Varsity Match capsule. The Quebrada de Humahuaca and the Hornocal mountain, a reference to the brand’s Argentinian roots, become the inspiration for a capsule collection of travel wear made of k-way and sleeveless reversible down jackets in strong colors, camouflage motifs, and denim materials. In addition, La Martina SS22 Collection is completed by four more lines that evolve basic and top models with more refined materials combined with new and fluo colors.

www.lamartina.com

Fashion

Hublot and the Magic of Ink

The Hublot X Sang Bleu collaboration continues with the realization of three new iterations of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II. This time, to celebrate the collaboration’s 7th anniversary, tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Buchi chose to apply his ink to two iconic materials central to Hublot's art of fusion: Magic Gold and Ceramic. Two scratch-resistant materials that now bear the indelible signature of the famous tattoo artist in three limited editions. The new trio comes in a 45 mm diameter case made from Magic Gold or Ceramic, featuring the master’s design that overlaps the case and bezel, giving to the mechanism-disk-hands the form of a geometric tattoo that extends to the rubber strap. Maxime Plescia-Buchi employed three-dimensional geometry in order to realize the Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II, incorporating expert use of relief and depth effects that complement the polished, and satin-finished materials. This collaboration allows Hublot to experiment and to transpose its vision and expertise, pushing its creations to new limits. While the art of Sang Bleu is pure perfection, balance, and precision; the tattoos are indelible symbols of self-expression and impart important messages. This is exactly the spirit Hublot tries to embody with its pieces, the Hublot watches as a reflection of your true essence.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

FURLA SS22

FURLA has launched its SS22 collection that embraces the cheerfulness of Italian warmth, embodying a perfect summer’s day. The campaign encourages the joy of connecting with others in order for the most intimate emotions to come into full bloom. The bags are designed to accompany women throughout the seasons, depicted as holding their hopes, dreams, and secrets. The mysterious yet joyful tone of the campaign is pictured in various scenes such as the hills of Pietrasanta, between the alps and the Mediterranean, and the magical light of Renaissance paintings. The collection is meant to trigger limitless smiles of an endless summer, conveying FURLA’s timeless message of glowing in the joys of discovery, art, and communal experience.

www.furla.com

Fashion

NATAN Couture SS22

The NATAN SS22 couture collection revolves around sensuality and lightness, fitting across generations and occasions. Vibrant tones on noble materials that contrast with the delicate white background, prompt the longing for summer parties. Soft flowing meshes in dynamic hues give a youthful energy boost to the long and elegant garments, while the short styles draws us to dance. The retro and naive 3D patterns, giant butterflies and daises on oversized smock capes depict the fun and stylish spectrum in the collection, characterizing a newer take on luxury. Pixelated lights in neon yellows and purples photographed onto satin-trimmed materials, adding touches of transparency, play and converge to create new and sophisticated contours. The lights are reflected on a variety of attires, from extra wide balloon sleeves, tops with padded shoulders, cultivating asymmetrical effects to create a balanced wardrobe. The changing horizons depicted by the pixelated lights are also reflected on cocktail dresses, created from large taffeta bows. These looks can all be sublimated with daytime or evening accessories, resembling the endless versatility of the collection. The pixels, asymmetric panoramic patterns and flowing materials are a depiction if the overall enjoyable movement within the NATAN collection, ideal for discovering the world and pleasure of shared movements with changing horizons.

www.natan.be

Fashion

Hermès FW22

Hermès FW22 Collection exudes an air of optimism and lightness, focusing on the vitality of a world regained. A new form of elegance is presented, sophisticated and elaborate, a combination of different techniques and materials with dandyish flair. Chevron patterns, a golden-brown gloss, and a touch of velvet feature bright colors such as pop orange, lettuce green blended with earth tones, and darker hues. This formula gives the looks fluidity and restored energy, that spread within the walls of Réserve Perret of the Mobilier National. The location has been chosen by the Creative Director Véronique Nichanian and Director Cyril Teste, and has been injected with new life. The tapestries conserved in that space have been transformed and placed on moving screens where they rhythmically change as forward-moving models, becoming part of the landscape in which the collection’s energy unfurls. The Hermès FW22 Collection merges with the decor and gives life to a lively fresco made of heritage but also avant-garde.

www.hermes.com

Fashion

JUUN.JSET

Titled “JUUN.JSET”, the FW22 collection by Juun.J expresses the wishful thinking of free-travelling during the pandemic. The theme is inspired by photographs of 60s-70s jet setters’ at the airport, filled with a confident attitude, as well as pop-star styles that represent a young, fresh spirit. Quilting is used to enhance the voluminous, rich silhouette, applied not only to outdoor pieces but also over maxi dresses, skirts, MA-1, jackets, and hoodies. Juun.J presents a whole new range of items for this season. Reinterpreting and applying the elements of CWU-8/P military parka into various items, the collection is styled with youthfulness and cool. This season’s Juun.J’s color palette contains black, brown, and deep green, using over-dyeing and blue denim as point colors. Shot at Incheon International Airport in South Korea, powered by Air Seoul, the looks of the season are completed with a Montblanc suitcase sponsorship.

www.juunj.com

Fashion

Schiesser x Noah Becker

Schiesser presents a project with true authenticity, sustainability and zeitgeist at its core. With contributions by Noah Becker, the collection is a confluence of contemporary art and established design tradition. The design collaboration pays homage to the lightness of life in moments of joy. Schiesser is known for its deeply embedded core values such as originality and authenticity since 1875. Noah Becker is an artist, musician and designer who is known to have always remained true to himself. His reduced art stands for creative freedom. Expressive, abstract, and large-scale paintings are his trademark, creating the message that everyone is born an artist. The SS22 collection with Schiesser titled LET THE SUN SHINE features suns, flowers, smiling faces created by Noah. His prints represent a tribute to the lightness of being, pure joy of life ,and a carefree exchange with each other after the pandemic - a longing that unites humanity as rarely before. The mostly gender-neutral pieces are made of organic cotton dynamically entwine around the body of their wearers. The starting point for the pieces is the color white, a lighthearted, simple reference point from which life unfolds in all its colors and enters into dialogue with others.

www.schiesser.com

Fashion

The ABCDior Collection

The new ABC Dior line uncovered by Dior Maison is based on the emblematic Mitzah scarf collection. Originally designed by Grazia Chiuri onto a series of plates and valet trays, as well as candles and stationery, the imagery of the collection makes a new appearance. In honor of the iconic toile de Jouy – the signature emblem used to decorate Monsieur Dior’s first boutique ever called “Colifichets”, opened in 1947 – each piece features an enchanting message in the form of an alphabet book that poetically pays homage to heritage, passion, desire, and dreams. Dior invites to celebrate the art of giving to the other and oneself and the beauty of invention and exploration while remembering the Maison’s dear founding couturier.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Aubade x Camille Lacourt

French swimwear label Camille Lacourt joins the world of runway to create an exclusive Aubade Homme collection for SS22. The new collaboration is Aubade’s first swimwear line for men. The capsule collection is made completely of recycled materials in pursuit of both labels' commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion. Offering maximum comfort in and outside the water, the pieces are designed in a boardshorts shape in a style drawn from the world of surfing. The reoccurring carp motif featured on the shorts is inspired by the marine world and is available in red and blue. Honoring oceanic environments, the pieces are made of elastane cotton that has been GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified in recognition of the brand's ethical and eco-conscious production process. Diving into the creative languages of Aubade and Camille Lacourt’s respective worlds, the collaborative line is an expression of lust for life, representing the interplay between seduction, comfort, creativity, and simplicity.

www.aubade.eu

Fashion

Lemaire FW22: An Ode to Movement

Lemaire FW22 collection focuses on the concept of movement, on how the body acts in space and time, sweeping along the fabric, while the garment itself merges with it, prolonging the momentum. The show, set up by the stage director Philippe Quesne, is inspired by a chronophotographic series of Etienne-Jules Marey. An expansive theater décor made out of 30 meters of painted canvas is bathed in the humid, autumnal light of the sun soaking up the sky after the rain. A poetic scene where clothes flow, ties slide, ribbons float and every single piece mixes in the air. While drawstring bags fasten around the back or waist transform the human body in a certain kind of heavenly figure with a quiver-knapsack with a flexible form. Here men’s, women’s, and unisex silhouettes turn into ephemeral life-form, valiant and fleeting. They create a collective of souls who leave an irregular trail in which everyone advances at their own pace, but is united in heart. Lemaire collection is a tribute to lightness and peacefulness, where the whirlwind of clothes carries us into a parallel imaginary. 

www.lemaire.fr

Fashion

Etro FW22

The Etro FW22/23 show at Milan Fashion Week presented a journey through this season’s menswear collection: sidereal and Nordic, crystalline and vibrant, undertaken by a platoon of young men in the making, who face the adventure of life with a book in their pocket. The adventure of life and the pursuit of knowledge are at the core of Etro’s creations. A new mental order can be felt, as crisp as the new beginnings arising in the January light. The journey, whether it is knowledge or adventure, requires a map and a map requires direction, which is not about being strictly bound to it, but about being lucid. It is about being curious. The collection is clear in the overlapping and accumulation of different signs: north stars and anchors, winter sea and mountains, wolves and roses. A small library of symbols that signify the will and vision of its creator, Kean Etro. Geometric dimension meets clarity in the rhythm of shapes colors and themes. The soft silhouettes of the season appear in a variety of full colors arranges in monochrome compositions. Materials are dense and tactile, presented through the typically Etro lens: coats, gardening overcoats, pullovers meant as outerwear, caftans, duvets, jackets, printed shirts, and sweaters. Overall, a collection that embodies a face-off of youth and adulthood. The journey of knowledge and the adventure of life has just begun.

www.etro.com

Fashion

Fendi FW22

Milan, 15th January 2022 – Designed and directed by the Italian artist Nico Vascellari, the FENDI Men’s FW22/23 runway show took place on a brushed steel elevated runway ramp in a mirrored FF configuration at the FENDI headquarter in Milan. An exclusive live soundtrack made by Alessandro Cortini became the captivating sound of this season’s show. The Men’s FW22/23 collection designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi emerges as a treasure of the future. Old-world elegance meets the New Roaring Twenties in the reimagined gentlemen’s wardrobe, presenting a neo-dandy take on archetypal classics. Experimenting with the traditional FENDI figurative language, formality is disrupted by playful gestures that break boundaries. Shades of black and cream, burgundy, raspberry, mocha, taupe and white form a rich, understated palette and create a tonal variety that highlights the texture and bold graphic statements. Traditional fabrics and weaves like Vichy check tweeds and hound’s tooth suiting, satin tuxedo trims, and striped silk jacquards are scaled up and down in dialogue with ribbed sleeves, cable knit ensembles, and the O’Lock chain motif as a new monogram. The strict lining embedded in FENDI tailoring is reinvented in a new softness by adding suiting, knitwear, and leather. As the ultimate expression of FENDI’s Roman elegance, extravagant evening wear silhouettes celebrate the art in the act of dressing up.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

MSGM FW22: The Sound of Time

According to the physicist Carlo Rovelli, time speeds up and slows down, looms and pulses, oscillates and makes a sound. It doesn’t run from the past to the future, it is still and yet dynamic. Never forging a direction, always following its own rhythm. Time is confining power, yet an elusive concept that is difficult to grasp for humans. And it is this world of intriguing chaos without strict boundaries that MSGM is speaking about with a collection that mixes hints of heritage and contemporary impulses. And once again it is Milan, as always: the past and future come together in the melancholic setting of an Italian apartment, which serves as a hangout for the MSGM generation. The psychedelic voyage commences amongst the sound waves of distant music. An everlasting classic of MSGM - the magic mushroom - makes a comeback in mesmerizing prints on poplin shirts and boxer shorts, viscose suits, and large inlays on sweaters. Butterfly and acid marble prints appearing like lava join the confluence of visuals. The MSGM Men’s FW22 collection embodies a fluid, fantasy-laden approach to reality and is a play on perception. With trekking boots, techno accessories, slippers, and pool slides in association with ACUPUNCTURE, the attitude is distinctly 90s, while always looking to the future. Taking inspiration from the architect Gaetano Pesce, MSGM’s creative choices for this season seem free and wild, a kaleidoscopic dream, celebrating life and the sound of time.

www.roe.shop-msgm.com

Fashion

Kiton FW22: Aesthetic Evolution

Over the last two years, some of our habits have transformed. Our daily life had to adapt to certain challenges, technology evolved into an integral part of our lives, speeded up our lives, shortened distances but at the same time pushed people further apart. Mostly there weren’t any consequential changes in our habits, but their importance in relation to one another and our daily lives have been recalibrated. It’s by no surprise that this development translated onto the clothing that we are wearing. Elegance, luxury and comfort remain the watchwords, but now realigned anew, led to the coming together of two previously divided concepts of menswear, formal and leisurewear. Key men’s styles are updated in terms of silhouette, propositions and materials. The monochromatic collection presents sophisticated, yet unexpected ensembles shining in a precise color palette and featuring diverse textures of skillfully mixed materials. The Neapolitan sartorial traditions are injected with a new sense of innovation, safeguarding its principles of excellence in a new interpretation fit for a new generation of customers.

www.kiton.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli FW22

For the FW22 men's collection, Brunello Cucinelli draws inspiration from the urban world and its transformative nature. Different styles clash and influence this season’s look that combines tradition with modernity. Effortless silhouettes and soft materials form the basis of the collection and create a balance of elegance and effortlessness. Long coats and down coats offer new shapes and cuts and convey a sense of laissez-faire. Voluminous, modern pants with an athletic touch complement the season’s laid-back chic. Newly included knitwear concepts like Chiné- und Vanisé-techniques, jacquard inlays, embroidery and innovative mesh combinations create variation in texture and feel. Alongside timeless neutrals such as elegant beige, gray and blue, new colors come into focus, adding a surprising freshness. Carrot orange, pomegranate red, green tones of lime and eucalyptus, as well as light blue tones refine the textures and patterns and are accentuated by sophisticated knitting techniques.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

The North Face x Gucci: Chapter 2

Gucci launches the second Chapter of its partnership with The North Face. Following up on the previous collaboration, the unique product selection resulting from the two brands working together stays true to its original objective: honoring the spirit of exploration in all its forms. The collection examines various spheres of discovery, from literal adventures to more metaphorical or mental journeys. To give the second phase of this collaboration its individual character, Alessandro Michele has created a campaign shot by the French twins Jalan and Jibril Durimel set in Iceland. Stills and videos introduce the viewer to the spectacular landscape and its almost metaphysical spirit. Into this ruff, but yet harmonic environment come Gucci’s explorers hiking across Nordic Island to showcase the collaborative collection. The special cross-category collection for men and women comprises ready-to-wear, soft accessories, luggage and shoes, including many pieces as hiking boots, multi-pocketed backpacks and warm, insulated jackets that powerfully reference the outdoor world of The North Face.

 www.gucci.com

 www.thenorthface.nl

Fashion

MARCELL VON BERLIN COFFEE LOUNGE

 MARCELL VON BERLIN opens his first COFFEE LOUNGE in West Hollywood: an innovative experience where the progressive city of Berlin meets the quiet, luxurious lifestyle of Los Angeles, all in the center of trendy West Hollywood. The lounge is connected to the flagship store and nestles on a beautifully landscaped patio as a new cultural hub and networking hotspot. The lounge offers a range of organic coffee beans roasted specifically for the brand, meeting the highest USDA-certified standards. Guests can choose from medium and dark roasts and other custom blends - including CBD and mushroom infusions. Delicious baked goods and handcrafted creations are available alongside seasonal tea and coffee blends, chosen by culinary experts. The menu is a selection inspired by the season and the local environment and therefore changes frequently. The aesthetic of the new coffee house is a homage to MARCELL VON BERLIN’s founding city: the German capital Berlin. The metropolis’ modern-minimalist and industrial elements are taken up in the interior design and are accentuated by a sophisticated color palette of black and gray contrasted by lavish velvet seating areas. Los Angeles as the location and inspiration of the COFFEE LOUNGE can be seen and felt inside and out the café. A hidden green oasis is complemented by wooden rattan chairs next to a large outdoor seating area, while the indoor lounge offers more private spaces for small groups. MARCELL VON BERLIN's COFFEE LOUNGE provides a space that is intimate and welcoming while embodying the liveliness and excitement of urban life at its core. A true hideaway spot in West Hollywood, which celebrates cityness, design and culinary excellence. 

www.marcellvonberlin.com

Travel

Greetings from the Great Wall

In celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, Bottega Veneta has the honor of taking over part of the Great Wall. “Happy Chinese New Year” reads the colorful festive message displayed impressively along with the historic monument. A vast digital screen broadcasts the writing in shades of Bottega green and tangerine. The vibrant orange color is chosen for the screening to reference the tangerine as a symbol of luck in Mandarin. According to the Chinese New Year symbols, celebration and tradition, oranges and tangerines are auspicious and symbolize abundance, happiness and prosperity. Through this installation, Bottega Veneta has pledged to support the renovation and maintenance of the Shanhai Pass, which is the starting point of the eastern end of the Great Wall. Historically known as the “First Pass under Heaven” its legacy is unmatched and an important landmark in the context of the Great Wall’s past and present. A legacy the Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta aims to contribute to through the initiative.

www.bottegaveneta.com 

Fashion

Eternal Summer - Ferragamo SS22

 Through a short film produced by artist and director Amalia Ulman and a portfolio of images shot by Hugo Comte, Salvatore Ferragamo's Spring-Summer 2022 campaign portrays a journey through a Mediterranean universe. Expressing a fascination for the visual sensuality of clothing, the campaign showcases the new accessories and ready-to-wear collection of the house from different perspectives. A sense of effortless freedom flows throughout the campaign's storyline featuring a renowned cast, including Amalia Ulman herself and American Emmy-winning actor and musician Jharrel Jerome accompanied by models Greta Hofer, Nyaueth Riam and Xu Meen. It is an expression of the bliss of a summer adventure in the setting of an idyllic resort. The Ferragamo SS22 garments and accessories are the co-stars of this campaign: the iconic Vara and Varina designs, the Gancini buckle clogs, the woven upper mules and the Tramezza moccasin for men are the main pieces of the ready-to-wear looks. Vibrant colors accentuate the garments in knitwear and jersey that give a sense of esprit to every individual look characterized by three-dimensional, textured processing combining cotton and silk, wool and linen and hemp yarn. The timeless narrative presented by Ulman’s cinematographic techniques ties in with a the SS22 collection’s inspiration: the emotional intensity and liveliness of a summer to remember.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent Spring 22: Provocateur at Heart

Saint Laurent unveils a new campaign photo series for the luxury Maison´s Spring 22 collection. The name of founder Yves Saint Laurent is immediately associated with one of the most important design developments, as he was responsible for a confident and provocative approach to clothes and modernity in fashion. The couturier established the brand in 1961 and revolutionized the fashion industry by introducing le smoking—a tuxedo for women. The SS22 campaign shoot is photographed by David Sims and creatively directed by Anthony Vaccarello. The photo series features an elegant black and white aesthetic infused with a rock n roll edge. Masculine attributes such as short hair and impressive silver buckle belts are counterbalanced by feminine embroidered blouses with puffed sleeves. Black blazers with emphasized shoulders are worn loosely with a flattering column effect and sensually reveal the décolleté of the model, resulting in a blurred vision of distinctive gender roles and thus embracing the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent. The rock ´n roll core aesthetic perfectly coincides with Saint Laurent’s revolutionary and provocative take on fashion and especially obscures the distinct differences made between garments for men and women.

www.ysl.com

Art

Prada Mode Moscow: Turning into a Pharmacy For The Sixth Iteration

This year’s destination of the Prada Mode event is the Levenson Mansion in Moscow, featuring a special metamorphosis of the location by Damien Hirst into an iconic pharmacy experience. Prada Mode is a traveling social club event, lasting several days and including art installations, musical acts, dinners, and providing a space for like-minded people to meet and connect. The inaugural iteration of the concept was initiated by the luxury fashion house Prada in 2018 as a part of the art fair Art Basel in Miami. The Prada Mode Moscow is set in the Levenson Mansion, the charming private residence designed for the official purveyor of his majesty Emperor Nicholas and which has been bestowed with the clinical atmosphere of a pharmacy by Damien Hirst. Among the series of memorable works of his, is the recreation of a pharmacy, shown for the first time in the 90s in a London restaurant. Longtime friend Miuccia Prada designed the original uniforms for the restaurant, resulting in an ideal match for joining forces on Prada Mode Moscow. The installation features typical pharmacy elements, such as floor-to-ceiling medicine cabinets, embedded pills into floors and banquettes as well as wallpaper, imprinted with a design that has been taken out of a catalog for prescription medicines. The interactive art installation at Prada Mode Moscow is a captivating experience without any side effects, summarized by Damien Hirst as “I’ve always thought great restaurants can be art, and Pharmacy is a living breathing artwork, best filled with people and art as one.’’

www.prada.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent’s Arcade

Saint Laurent’s Rive Droite space, a destination for all sorts of creative and cultural undertakings, is once again shape-shifting under Anthony Vaccarello’s vision. For the holiday season, both locations in Paris and Los Angeles are re-imagined with arcade-themed installations – with machines that have been specially created for the occasion, Anthony Vaccarello relocates the visitors of the retail space into a second reality, projecting them into a fair where they can try their chances at soda tossing, solving Rubix cubes and operating robots with which they can gamble for goodies including lighters, USB sticks, masks, jewelry items and more. Exclusively limited to one machine, the new Saint Laurent Jamie pouches can be won through tactics– and a little bit of luck -. In addition, for the first time, the store location debuts collections for children with the brands Baghera & Eo, resulting in the design of a miniature Baghera car as well as a down-sized design chair, both presented in bright pink with a zebra and a tiger print. Previous successful collaborations with New Era, Baccara, JL Coquet and Cotodama will be prolonged throughout the holiday season. All of the items are exclusively available at the Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Marni’s Glassware Collection: Nature’s Shapes and Colors

For the holiday season of 2021, Marni has unveiled a new collection of glassware. The collection includes a range of bottles, glasses and carafes, as well as candle holders and vases. The Italian brand belonging to the OTB Group has introduced its continuous glassware line in 2019 during the annual Salone del Mobile in Milan. With the latest collection, Marni revisits the aesthetics of the 70s, exploring turquoise and greenish shades, combined with light camel colors and contrasting dark browns. The colors of the collection are further a nod to nature, imitating the color codes that can be found in the surroundings aside from urban settings. The inspiration from natural wonders reappears in the forms of the items, exhibiting a combination of globular and conical shapes, whereas each individual item features the signature imperfect detailing of handcrafted material that makes for the charming, understated character of glassware. All of the included creations are one-of-a-kind unica, crafted by the skillful artisans of Colombian communities that Marni has been closely working with for years. With the idea of responsibility in mind, Marni’s glassware collections consist of recycled glass, offering another parallel to the inspiration of nature, whose endless cycle repurposes its resources in fascinating ways. The glassware collection is exclusively available in Marni boutiques worldwide, starting in December 2021.

www.marni.com

Art

Ce Qui Va Arriver - CHANEL'S Next Prize

With the inauguration of the Next PriZe, Chanel has established an award that catalyzes innovation across the interfacing areas of art and culture. Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts and Culture at Chanel explains: “Through the creation of the Next Prize, we extend Chanel’s deep history of cultural commitment – empowering big ideas and creating opportunities for an emerging generation of artists to imagine the next.” The name of the price alludes to the French proverb “ce qui va arriver” – a literal tribute to “what happens next”, and points back to Gabrielle Chanel’s support of avant-garde artists of her time and her desire to shape the future with her creations. The price has been specially developed to provide financial support to emerging creatives, who are taking risks and venturing out into the unknown with their practices. In this sense, the prize enables unconventional artists to actualize visionary ideas, testing new forms of creative expression and calling to life enriching collaborations across disciplines. In addition to the impressive prize sum of 100.000€ each, the ten winners are bestowed with close mentorships and networking opportunities through the French Maison. The ten winners of 2021’s Next Price are Jung-Jae il, Keiken, Lual Mayen, Marlene Monteiro, Rungano Nyoni, Precious Okoyomon, Marie Schleef, Botis Seva, Wang Bing and Eduardo Williams. Their art ranges from design and film to performing and visual arts, showing diversity not only in terms of their creative mediums but just as much with their origins: Seoul, London, Aswa in South Sudan, Cape Verde, Zambia, Buenos Aires, as well as Goettingen in Germany and Xi’an in China represent their homes. The jury of the 2021 price united Tilda Swinton, Cao Fei and Sir David Adjaye. The Next Prize will be awarded bi-annually, in which the recipients are chosen by an advisory board of 25 international arts and cultural leaders.

www.chanel.com

Art

Louis Vuitton Exhibtion:200 Trunks, 200 Visionaires

Louis Vuitton unveils its 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries exhibition at the Louis Vuitton family house in Asnieres. Louis Vuitton pioneered the “Art of Luggage’’ by introducing flat-topped trunks in 1854, transforming suitcases into a new, practical format with revoluzionizing features such as airtightness and minimum weight with maximum sturdiness. Ever since, the French Maison continues to be faithful to the principles it was founded on, with a strong commitment to high craftsmanship and fine-quality of materials. To celebrate Louis Vuitton’s bicentennial birthday, the luxury Maison asked 200 visionaries to interpret the iconic Trunk in their own terms and to reimagine it with a personal approach, infusing the iconic suitcases with the artists dreams and desires. The exhibition will be displayed in numerous cities around the globe, beginning its journey in the Vuitton House in Asnières-sur-Seine and having its finale in London, with an auction by Sotheby’s in December 2022. All proceeds will be directly invested in a scholarship program developed by Louis Vuitton. The Maison masterfully manages to counterbalance the intersection between physical and digital formats within the exhibition, presenting screen-paneled Magic Boxes alongside the original art pieces. 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries celebrates the greatness and innovation of the original Louis Vuitton trunk, as well as Louis Vuitton himself while allowing the participating artists to be a part of the present Louis Vuitton legacy.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

DR. Martens and the Neighboorhood Creating Art Together

Dr. Martens joins forces with the Neighborhood to add a special take on its signature silhouettes. The streetwear brand Neighborhood was founded by Shinsuke Takizawa in 1994 out of the strong desire for well-designed technical motorcycle clothing and ever since evolved into one of the most important pioneers in the global streetwear scene. Takizawa is known for his rebellious and youthful approach with an emphasis on London’s punk culture and New York’s scene. Due to its rough and robust aesthetic, Dr.Marten’s iconic shoes quickly gained popularity among the emerging underground punk scene in the 60s. As one of the most distinctive symbols of punk culture, Dr.Martens and Neighborhood are an ideal match to work together on a collection. The collection features the 2976 Neighborhood and the 1461 Neighborhood shoe, made out of smooth leather and fusing both brand’s signature elements, such as Dr.Marten’s yellow contrast stitching, which has been reimagined in a new color to match with the streetwear brand’s white paint effect artwork on the shoes. In addition to that, the shoes are complemented with a reflective heel strip, which contributes to the unique aesthetic of the designs.

www.drmartens.com

Fashion

Kaldewei’s Classic Duo Oval at the Villa della Quercia

With its sustainable products made of recyclable steel enamel, Kaldewei has been setting high standards concerning materiality and design – not least in the hotellerie business. The latest project of Milan-based design and architecture specialists Reveria Studio has made use of the one-of-a-kind characteristics of Kaldewei’s design, as they chose the German pioneer’s bathtubs to be the center pieces of the bathrooms of the Villa della Quercia, one of the luxurious buildings of Mandarin Oriental hotel, located directly at Lake Como. Opting for a free-standing bathtub from the Meisterstück Classic Duo Oval series, Reveria Studio has accredited the bathtub with the features needed for combining aesthetic design with practicality and longevity. With the selection, the architectural firm aimed to transfer the magic of nature of the scenic Lake Como into the interior of the hotel, combining a refined Italian style with the purity of clean shapes. The classic design of the Meisterstück Classic Duo Oval and the freestanding corpus fuse timeless elegance with contemporary design. Further, the steel enamel of Kaldewei is extremely suitable for the hotel industry, as the astonishing material is not only pleasant to the eyes and to touch but just as well durable and easy to maintain clean and hygienic. Kaldewei’s designs offer the possibility of a special easy-care surface coating that meets the demands of hotel standards.

www.kaldewei.com

Art

Hublot Loves Art Marking its 10th Anniversary

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the cultural project Hublot loves Art, Hublot invites us to a unique exhibition in Miami. Hublot was founded by Italian entrepreneur Carlo Crocco, a son of a family of watchmakers, who is best-known and admired for his revolutionary approach to horological elegance by combining elements that were previously deemed unsuitable and complementing the gold timepieces with a natural rubber strap. The luxury watch manufacturer proves not only a strong commitment to its high standards in craftsmanship but also to art and design by supporting and collaborating with various artists. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Hublot's continuous homage to art. The festivities include a party at Faena Forum Miami Beach and a large unique exhibition, congregating important artists in the fields of art and design. Hublot presents a light and sound show featuring collaborative works, such as the timepieces designed with American artist Shephard Fairey, tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi or visual artist Richard Orlinski to display the art of fusion of different master disciplines. The guestlist included brand ambassadors such as fashion designer and founder of A-Cold-Wall* Samuel Ross, who perfectly captured the influence and importance of Hublot, stating: “[…]Together with Hublot, we fuse materials that have a history with ones that will become the future. I love when my creativity crosses all disciplines and that is exactly what we are building here with Hublot. I’m happy to be a part of the Hublot Art Family.’’

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Mara Hoffmann in the Midst of New York

Just towards the end of the year of 2022, Mara Hoffmann has opened the very first eponymous store in Soho, New York City. Mara Hoffmann herself, who founded her namesake label in 2000 after graduating from Parsons School of Design, has made a conscious decision in 2015 to incorporate more sustainable and responsible practices into their creations and their production. Known for her colorful collection that is inspired by the celebration of womanhood. Mara Hoffmann makes a point in fostering mindful consumption and constantly reevaluates the relationship society has with fashion. As such, the space in Soho represents much more than a point of sale. Translating the brands’ practices and serving as a platform for creatives and makers. This vision has already been put to practice during the design of the store itself – in collaboration with Kari Elwell of Mingo, landscape designer at Mingo design, the store has been built around the notions of plants and natural textures. With ceramics, woods, leather and woven carpets, the store exudes a warm and inviting ambiance, in which Mara Hoffmann’s collection seamlessly fit in. Further, in collaboration with Studio Archive Project, the space exhibits rotating art of numerous forms – beginning with New York-based sculptor Elisa Soliven. In the future, the space aims to be lend to not only the works of artists but the artists themselves, propelling social gatherings where social matters are discussed.

www.marahoffmann.com

Art

Fendi at Design Miami 2021

On the occasion of the art fair Design Week in Miami 2021, Fendi decided to collaborate with the African-rooted furniture brand Mabeo. Peter Mabeo founded the brand in 1997 and expanded to the international market in 2006, following numerous local commercial projects in his home country Botswana, Africa. Mabeo set his goals high and made it his mission to embrace and raise awareness about African artisans, characterized through a minimalistic approach with emphasis on purity and conscious use of natural materials. For the special project, named Kompa, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Delfina-Delettrez as well as creative director Kim Jones worked closely together with Peter Mabeo to ensure the highest quality and a highly recognizable aesthetic. Kompa can be translated into something complete, which resurfaces in works like the Gabinyana Table Lamp, based on the silhouette of the Gabi-Gabi sculpture, the biggest piece of the collection. Woodworkers and experienced artisans in ancient methods of pottery-making join forces to create one of the most prominent furniture pieces of the collection—the Lana Stool. The furniture piece is a multi-functional work that aesthetically revolves around the letter F and that can be used either as storage containers, stools, or assembled as a side table. The exceptional furniture pieces are the result of individual artists fusing their crafts to create a perfect symbiosis between structure, functionality, and natural materials.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Hublot is Welcoming a New Family Member

The luxury watchmaker Hublot introduces three-star chef Anne Sophie Pic as the new brand ambassador. The art of fine dining is in Anne Sophie Pic’s blood, a distinctive part of her identity since her great-grandmother opened her restaurant in 1889, which led to a tradition for three generations of restaurant pioneers. The family’s distinctive cuisine style of cooking is characterized by original flavor combinations. Anne Sophie Pic masterfully manages to embrace her heritage in fine food and intuitively brings out flavors and aromas, resulting in an explosion for the senses. The exceptional cook is honored with three Michelin stars, which is more than any other female chef has acquired in Europe. Pic’s tireless search for potential in every ingredient, followed by infinite experiments and combinations to explore the full range of possibilities and strive for perfection, coincides perfectly with the philosophy of luxury watchmaker Hublot. Visible and invisible qualities or flavors are revealed, transformed, or enhanced through precise and unique watches from Hublot or, in the culinary counterpart of Anne Sophie Pic’s craft. The culinary talent is guided through an enduring passion for innovation, sensitivity, and finding perfection in small details of flavors and aromas, which makes her the ideal candidate to convey the core message of Hublot.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Herno: Christmas in Their Own Words

For the FW21 collection, the classic Italian brand Herno translates the quintessence of Christmas holidays with all its traditions, games of lights, mirrors, and a sense of elation as well as happiness into clothes. Established by Guiseppe Marenzi and his wife Alessandra in 1948, the brand was the answer to the demand for raincoats in its birth town Lake Maggiore, Italy. Later on, they expanded the assortment towards the demand for coats of customers worldwide, including their infamous detachable and reversible down jackets. Ever since its founding Herno has been a family-run company and synonymous with continuous evolution and innovation. Herno puts an emphasis on one of the most important Christmas values—tradition, which coincides with the brand's core principles. The FW21collection is composed of Herno’s signature capes with varying sleeve length options, accentuated by the iconic gold zip fastening and made out of a shiny lurex velvet. A new cocoon jacket is introduced in this collection, made out of sophisticated cashmere and silk and adorned with knitted details on the collar and hood edge. For men, the brand created timeless and Herno typically streamlined blazers in soft cashmere and silk with a detachable bib that transforms the light garment into a real winter jacket, padded with goose down.

www.herno.com

Fashion

Maserati: Producing History

To memorialize the official introduction of Maserati’s latest car model, the Grecale, the Italian luxury automotive manufacturer Maserati gathered 80 prototypes of the new car outside the historic Maserati plant on Viale Ciro Menotti in Modena for a historic recording. The photo series showcases the cars forming the signature trident, resembling Maserati’s logo. Maserati is an automobile manufacturer with a rich tradition, founded in 1914 by the brothers Alferi, Ettore, and Ernesto Maserati. After the Second World War Maserati expanded its product line to include sports cars as well as gran touring cars, which eventually became a distinctive signature staple of the luxury carmaker. The Grecale, which translates into ‘‘lightning’’ is a unique compact SUV developed with the specific tuning of the suspension, steering, brakes, and control electronics. In keeping with Maserati tradition, the name is derived from a Mediterranean wind. Maserati cars can be equated with an excellent taste and continuous strive for perfection, from their style to the approach to innovative technology, which is reflected in the new Grecale. Over two hundred prototypes of the car model are currently undergoing a period of intensive road, circuit, and off-road tests in the Arab Emirates, USA, Japan, China, Finland, and Italy. The Grecale is a perfect addition to its electric predecessors, the Levante and Ghibli, which give us a glimpse of future car experiences.

www.maserati.com

Fashion

Jennifer Meyer x Moose Knuckles

Once again, the Canadian outerwear brand Moose Knuckles has launched a collaboration. This time, Los-Angeles based fine jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer has lends her expertise in jewelry design to an exclusive Moose Knuckles collection. Instead of fusing the jewelry elements with the jackets and coats of Moose Knuckles, her designs were turned into print motifs, turning jewelry into one-dimensional textile patterns. In addition, the hardware details of the looks are inspired by Jennifer Meyer’s jewelry designs. The resulting collection consists of 18 pieces and marks the first ready-to-wear line Jennifer Meyer has worked with. Taking an upbeat approach, the effortlessly edgy collection features ready-to-wear pieces fusing Meyer’s belief that jewelry can be more than an accessory with Moose Knuckles’ luxury heritage style. The capsule focuses on light pieces that can be layered and exhibit Moose Knuckle’s typical shapes: a cropped puffer and sporty sweater, a shearling trucker jacket and a velour tracksuit. A portion of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to the nonprofit organization Baby2Baby, which provides counteracts child poverty by providing support in various ways. “It’s been incredible working with Jennifer! We’re both family-run operations and the moment we met our synergies aligned perfectly. We set out to inspire authentic self-expression creating unique pieces for our West Coast friends to fall in love with. We’re excited for our community to see this collaboration come to life and to be working alongside Baby2Baby - an organization that is close to Jennifer’s heart,” is how Dominique Lagleva, Vice President for Global Marketing at Moose Knuckles comments.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

PB0110: A Helping Hand

“We believe in the relevance of beloved objects. In things which develop an individuality through daily use and become essential companions over time,” is how Philipp Bree, founder of PB0110, introduces the new collection of his brand. Titled A Helping Hand, the collection presents manifold variations of small items, which are of indispensable convenience in the daily mill of life. A Helping Hand is composed of little items and gadgets which hold space for the daily utilities of life – keys, phones, cards and all the other things we carry with us. As such, the collection presents key chains and coin purses, mobile cases with integrated cardholders but just as much as etuis and shoppers. Each of these items has been carefully though-out, to make the life of those easier whose plans change frequently, yet are only made possible by the tiny daily constants that make the plans run smoothly. As always, PB0110 withdraws from the idea of transient design and substitutable trends, by pursuing timeless accessory-making, centering around the notions of practicality and quality. The A Helping Hand collection is not only a new take on pragmatism and convenience, it serves also as a guiding inspiration for choosing gifts that have value and even more so a purpose. Next to the joy that the quality and aesthetic each of the pieces bring, the quotidian usage of them ensures the presentee’s appreciation for the item each day a new.

www.pb0110.de

Fashion

Bold Choices from Tylko

Digital-first furniture company Tylko specializes in producing premium, bespoke modern storage, with the aim of encouraging harmony in people’s homes. Now they are adding a new, contemporary color palette to their most experimental line of shelving, the Type02. Launched in 2019, the line stands out for a bold and playful approach to storage furniture, available in a fresh range of colors with sleek, wrapped edges. When designing the Type02, Tylko’s goal was to encourage self-expression, by offering the necessary online tools and a well-curated range of style variations. Using the brand’s easy online configurator, customers are free to personalize the size and style of their furniture, resulting in an original piece that perfectly matches their character and needs. Playing up the experimental appeal, the brand is introducing three new contemporary colors that will bring interesting, original energy to the current palette. The new hues are Burgundy Red, Sky Blue, and Cotton Beige — an eclectic combination that conveys confidence and ease. Tylko invites their audience to see their home as a blank canvas, where they can truly explore their creativity through interior design. And they have fostered creativity from day one: The brand sought to support unique, artistic talent by connecting with creatives who share their passion for bold, forward-thinking ideas and a love for great design. Past collaborations include renowned 3D artists like Andres Reisinger, Chris Labrooy, and Alexis Christodoulou, illustrators such as Martina Paukova, Maria-Ines Gul, Ana Popescu, as well as creative director Charlotte Taylor.

www.tylko.com

Fashion

Fendi Denim Capsule: Setting a New Tone for Sartorial Clothing

Kim Jones, Creative Director of Fendi, decided to focus on Denim with a new capsule collection, that is part of the Winter 2021 collection. With this capsule collection, the Italian house reinvents traditional, sartorial conventions by using the unorthodox material of Denim. Ever since its founding in Rome in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, the brand has emerged as a global player in the fashion industry, a symbol of high craftsmanship, innovative designs, and a particularly keen eye for future trends. With the new and innovative take on sartorial garments, Fendi ushers in a new era of style after a past decade, which was dominated and defined by casual streetwear. The Denim looks are presented in the common shapes of formal tailoring. As such, a single-breasted coat, and a blazer are given a new look and feel through dark blue denim with a subtle green touch. The collection also includes a denim bomber jacket adorned with two front flap pockets. Combined with a sporty cap, the look exhibits the utilitarian origin of Denim fabric. Both garments are enhanced with the distinctive Fendi Roma signature jacquard patch. The upper garments of the collection are complemented with a multitude of differently shaped denim trousers, including cropped and tapered fits with a special turn-up at the hem as well as standard trousers with a relaxed shape and a slightly lower waist.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Dior x Sacai Capsule Collection: Fusing Tradition with Innovation

For this season, Dior’s creative director Kim Jones and Sacai founder Chitose Abe decided to join forces on a capsule collection. Sacai was established by former Rei Kawakubo protégé Chitose Abe over 20 years ago. Ever since the label has built up a reputation as a modern fashion staple, masterfully managing the dichotomy between formal and streetwear fashion. The brand previously collaborated with namesake brands, such as Nike on numerous occasions, refining the iconic sneakers with the signature elevated hybrid optic of Sacai. The capsule collection mirrors the deeply-anchored brand DNA of Sacai in the color palette of the clothes, varying mainly between a devouring black and pearly white. A new, reimagined Dior lettering serves as a visual sign for the creative dialogue that has been started between the two brands. The collection combines Dior’s traditional and unparalleled tailoring with Sacai’s technological innovation, infused with a streetwear aesthetic. Workwear cut denim jackets and trousers are supplemented with functional details and rounded off with a couture finish. The infamous beret, a signature symbol for Dior is presented in a new, reimagined way alongside the clothes. The capsule collection is an ideal fusion of the DNA between two global players of the industry, aligning traditional with contemporary elements, which results in a unique collection of clothes.

www.dior.com

Fashion

First Eau de Parfum by Retterspitz: Pure Juniper Completion

Heal, care and well-being are the core identity of the tradition-rich manufacturer of natural remedies Retterspitz. The origins of the company lie in the keen eye of Margarete Riegel, who saw potential and variety of application possibilities in medicinal water, passed on to her by Riegel´s first husband. Out of this formula, following generations of the Riegel family managed masterfully to build a small empire around it. During the 1960s, the family expanded its business activities to include the new area of cosmetics and now the German company convinced the unparalleled perfumer Geza Schön to translate these core values into its first scent— Juniper. The juniper scent is derived from the eponymous fragrance line ‘‘1902’’ which included scented candles and a room scent. Retterspitz sought out a strong note of tree resin, musk, jasmine, rounded with juniper and basil and providing an invigorating yet calming effect. Freesia is also introduced, a scent that not only complements the fragrance but is equated with the restoration of balance and strength. Conjuring up a profound sense of the 120-year-old tradition, the scent is meant to evoke a healing effect.

www.retterspitz.com

Fashion

Bally SS22 – The Art of Utility

The art of utility. Bally’s namesake SS22 collection is dedicated to the post-pandemic future. Inspired by sportswear and workwear elements, the collection celebrates elegant looks with a utilitarian touch. Comfort, lightness and versatility represent the main attributes of the looks and are translated into voluminous proportions, layered styling and a combination of high-quality knit and leather materials. For the SS22 collection, the Swiss house continues its heritage of craftsmanship, which is reflected in refined techniques and intricate details. Leather-woven patterns, hand-trimmed studs and lavish topstitching recur in the looks of the collection, paying tribute to the literal art of utility. The footwear collection presents a cut-out lace-up boot with a clog-like sole, as well as a unisex sneaker with the signature Bally wing emblem. The newly introduced B-monogram and alpine floral motifs are reminiscent of Bally’s pillars of art, nature and design. In recent years, sustainability has become a significant part of Bally’s design approach and resulted in the implementation of environmentally friendlier solutions over the past seasons. For the SS22 collection, deadstock fabrics, as well as recycled cotton material and regenerated leather.

www.bally.com

Fashion

Luxury House Bottega Veneta and Daniel Lee End their Collaboration

After three years of successfully bringing new energy to the luxury fashion house, Creative Director Daniel Lee and Bottega Veneta owner Kering made a joint decision to end the partnership. Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Italy, selling leather goods, defined by a distinctive new leather weaving design, called Intrecciato. Daniel Lee refreshed and revived Bottega Veneta’s heritage, giving it a contemporary veneer and perpetuating its current momentum for the future. The creative director created the most prominent signature pieces of Bottega, such as the padded leather bags, thoughtfully woven with the Intrecciato method or sleek rubber trimmed boots in a bright, neon green, which goes down in history as the Bottega Green. Daniel Lee previously worked for great names of the industry, such as Maison Margiela, Balenciaga or helped develop Celine under the creative direction of Phoebe Philo, before accepting the challenge at Bottega Veneta. As for the new creative leadership of the luxury brand, Kering left only a few hints, leaving us curious to observe what the future holds for Bottega Veneta as well as Daniel Lee.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

WoTo: Experiencing Textile in Amsterdam

A place that serves as a platform for conversations, sharing experiences, and activating change—Windows of Textile Opportunities opens its first store in Amsterdam. WoTO is part of the collective brand ByBorre and is devoted to democratized innovations, supply chain accessibility as well as material transparency. With its core values the brand is enthusiastically aiming at generating real change in the industry towards responsibility and innovation. WoTO is a versatile store experience, exhibiting the work from ByBorre’s partners, such as the Woolmark Company and Parley for the Oceans but also offering a platform and a space for like-minded people to meet and exchange ideas. The brand organizes events, such as masterclasses, allowing attendees to explore the intriguing world of materials and access to tools, enabling them to design textiles from the yarn up. Furthermore, WoTO hosts symposia for a free interchange of ideas between creative minds on reducing impacts and the latest developments on climate-friendly solutions. WoTO has formed partnerships with great universities all around the world and encouraged them to participate in the program, resulting in another success indicator. With the WoTO project, ByBorre and its partners have started a responsibility movement and continuously challenge the industry to follow in their footsteps.

www.byborre.com

Fashion

Versace Holiday Season: A Glamorous Take on Winter Sports

To celebrate the official start of the cold season for winter sports, Versace launches a special holiday collection. Versace lives up to its reputation, showcasing bold-colored, leather two-pieces and elegant evening dresses with a Barocco partywear feel to it. Together with a team of innovative designers, Donatella Versace reimagined the traditional La Greca print as well as the iconic Medusa bag, ranging in a color palette from fiery reds to electrical blues. The special collection is launched with a campaign film, which celebrates winter sport and Italian excellence. The storyline begins in a location and atmosphere that resembles the exciting and chaotic minutes backstage before a runway show. But as the story goes on and the curtains part, the viewer witnesses an unusual presentation of the collection. Professional ice skater Rebeca Ghilardi is put into the limelight as the protagonist of the campaign film, presenting extraordinary, energetic spins and pirouettes while wearing Versace´s festive holiday attire. Ghilardi shares the spotlight with her fellow Versace teammates Stella Maxwell and Malika Louback. With this year's holiday campaign, Versace brings together two seemingly opposite things- the glamorous fashion with the strenuous winter sport of ice skating.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Hand In Hand: Fendi’s Ode to Artisans

Honoring the longstanding appreciation of artisan crafts at FENDI, the Italian brand has launched an exhibition that celebrated their Hand in Hand initiative. Called to life in 2020 and showcasing constant evolution since the project highlights the local craftsmanship behind the iconic Baguette bag. First designed in 1977, the bag has been reinterpreted in many shapes and sizes by FENDI creatives. The Hand in Hand initiative has invited a diverse group of ateliers and artisans to apply their local and familial craft heritage to the classic piece, turning the bag into an art object that exhibits the spirits of Italian craftsmanship at its finest. Hand in Hand established a strong network of human relationships, on personal and professional levels, and marks a crucial step in preserving and transmitting rare crafts, creativity in theoretical and practical for and – in particular – the savoir-faire of the local artisans. The opulent and diverse outcome of this encompassing project is now exhibited in Rome in a namesake exhibition that pays tribute to the interpretations of the Baguette bag. Ranging from extravagant and precious metals and stones to the intricacy of mosaic, the purity of cotton embroidery and the beauty of perfectly moulded leather, the exhibited Baguettes represent no less than 21 regions and their signature resources and artisan styles. In contrast to the hand-made, traditional making-off of the bags, the exhibition wows with a digital approach, that highlights the bags in a laboratory atmosphere, spotlighting the art pieces in LED lights. Next to the Baguettes themselves, the exhibition shines a light on the entire process behind the finished project – sketches, prob materials, techniques and tools support the visitor's journey through the ancestral art process.

Hand In Hand by Fendi is on show at the Palazzo de la Civiltà Italiana, Rome from October 30th to November 28th 2021.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Dior East-West Bags: Going in Different Directions

It has been 26 years since Dior´s iconic Chouchou bag made its first red-carpet appearance on the arm of Lady Diana. Originally called ``Chouchou´´ , which means ´´the favorite´´ in French, the bag lived up to its name and quickly became an indispensable gem for many women. The bag was soon renamed Lady Di as an homage to the sophisticated style and taste of the Princess of Wales. For the Cruise collection, SS22 cruise collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri reimagined the Lady Di as well as the Bobby bag by stretching its length further towards East and West and therefore giving new life through new proportions. The new version of the Lady Di appears in exceptionally beautiful and contemporary colors and styles, with beige raffia, macro-tanning, or pearl-embroidery. The Lady Di re-visit comes along with the Cannage pattern, which mirrors the pattern of the original couture show chairs of the Maison and is revived in refreshing colors, such as black, latte and rose. The retake on the Dior essentials exhibits a modern and effortless character, that stays true to the unmistakable elegance of Lady Diana and Christian Dior at once.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Hublot Design Prize 2021: Illustrations of Representation

No less than 7 years ago, Hublot debuted the Hublot Design price. In 2021, almost a decade later, the prize has become a noteworthy token in the creative industries, opening the gates for the nominated artists to reach another level of recognition. The prize is a catalyst that enables the artists to showcase their work to a broader audience, entailing opportunities to network and connect. The Hublot Design Prize considers any kind of artists working with innovative design methods, whether experimental or pathbreaking, making use of new techniques and materials, incorporating technology or advocating ecological and social endeavors. Alongside the eight nominees, Ben Ganz, Christoph John, Eva Feldkamp, Frederica Fragapane, Thebe Magugu, Theresa Bastek and Archibald Godts and Irakli Sabeka, this year’s winner is Mohammed Iman Fayaz. The Brooklyn-based illustrator cherishes independence and cultural diversity in his work, focusing on the depiction of people of color, advocating a realistic representation of the social challenge they face in particular. The New-York born artist channels his creative energy and cultural vision into vivid illustrations, computer-animated graphics and short films that resemble cartoons. In his illustrations, Fayaz thematizes contrasting topics like joy, pain, intimacy and longing, hitting the zeitgeist of younger generations and those who see life through an open mind and a keen eye. By staying close to real-life situations and depicting them through realistic personas, Fayaz touches upon current matters and the course of societal change. After exhibiting in the Brooklyn Museum in New York, and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, his art has recently been incorporated into the MoMa collection.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Bally Hike by Robert Rabensteiner: An Homage to Alpine Roots

The name of Bally Is immediately associated with snow covered peaks and the unspoiled scenery of Zurich or Geneva. The origins of the brand date back to 1851, when it was founded by Carl Franz Bally in Switzerland. The brand is best known for its brilliant fusion between traditional high craftsmanship and a contemporary aesthetic. For the unisex capsule collection, Bally decided to pay tribute to its alpine roots and hence to collaborate with stylist and editor Robert Rabensteiner, whose origins lie in mountain sceneries as well-the dolomites. Robert Rabensteiner is currently editor-at-large at Vogue L`Uomo Italy and is best-known and admired for his brilliant consulting for various fashion houses such as Moncler or Roberto Cavalli. The collection features an exceptional range of versatile footwear as well as high qualitative sweatwear. The hiking shoes are traditionally handmade by Bally and available in a brightly colored design, inspired by technical elements. Bally fuses its experience as an expert in shoemaking with Robert Rabensteiner´s unique and modern aesthetic to create the perfect attire for the urban explorer. The pieces are an ideal compromise between fashion and function and can be worn in the city as well as in the beautiful mountains in Switzerland.

www.bally.com

Art

Martin Eder x London Heni Gallery: “The spirit is weak, but the flesh is willing”

German artist Martin Eder is best known and admired for taking realistic motifs out of context and immersing them into a surrealistic environment, creating a captivating atmosphere for the viewer. For the “The spirit is weak, but the flesh is willing” exhibition, Eder examines the borders between the beautiful and the ugly in his artworks. The artist also draws inspiration from Dante’s Inferno. With his new series of paintings, Eder takes the viewer on a journey through the deeper levels of human subconsciousness as well as a dreamy hell. Martin Eder challenges the viewer with a selection of motifs in his paintings, that range from wide-eyed puppies to still life compositions of the remains of a wild party night. His work also features confident nudes and unreal accountings such as goats in front of rushing waves. Perfectly in tune with our zeitgeist, defined by ironic messages and so-called memes, Eder’s paintings are a refreshingly grotesque questioning of the principles of life. With every look, one discovers a new hidden message, meaning, or story in Eder’s impressive and overloaded artworks. The contemporary figurative paintings are melancholic yet ironically amusing. The “The spirit is weak, but the flesh is willing” exhibition is a prime example of the creative genius to be found in Martin Eder’s devouring paintings.

“The spirit is weak, but the flesh is willing” is exhibited at Heni Gallery, London, from October 6th-November 11th

www.newportstreetgallery.com

Fashion

Dior x Technogym: Where Engineering meets Design

After launching the Dior Vibe line for the 2022 Cruise collection, which unites sportswear with Dior’s impeccable elegance, the French Maison has partnered up with Technogym. Technogym is a global trailblazer for at-home gym equipment, focusing on innovative engineering and high-quality production. Technogym has made a name for themselves as ‘The Wellness Company’, bringing fitness and self-care to their customers through their products. Collaborating with Dior marks the first fashion partnership for the Italian brand. The collaboration cherishes the energy of the Dior Vibe line, aiming for an all-around brand experience by not only providing the customer with sportswear but the necessary equipment simultaneously. The unusual dialogue between the two brands has yielded high-end, luxurious sports equipment, including a treadmill, a multifunctional weight bench including matching dumbbells and a gym ball to support flexibility and balance for the future Dior at-home athlete. The equipment comes with crisp white frames and neutral black fittings, adorned by the Dior star motif and the name of the Maison between five horizontal stripes – the emblematic signature of Dior. The collection will be available from January 2022 onwards.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Matthew Williams x Ewan Macfarlane: Sculptural Poetry

Collaborations have not only proven to be the best way for a brand to connect with a new audience but just as well to develop the brand´s DNA. Accompanying the arrival of Givenchy´s FW21 collection in a few selected stores, Matthew Williams initiated a ravishing collaboration with multimedia artist Ewan Macfarlane. The artist is best known for his impressive and poetic work dedicated to self-discovery. For a few selected retail stores, Macfarlane created captivating human-like sculptures, which are crouching, climbing, reaching or leaning or include disassociated limbs, all dressed in Givenchy. ´´What someone wears should always portray who they are inside. I feel like the beauty of Ewan´s work helps me convey that in a powerful& poetic way´´ explains Williams. The creative director is renowned and admired for perfectly combining the contrast of utility and luxury in his creations for Givenchy. By displaying these impressive mannequins, Macfarlane and Williams open a conversation on self-expression, meaning and evolution as well as craft, opulence and celebrating life. Refreshingly grotesque yet sculptural poetry. Macfarlane´s work perfectly emphasizes Williams quintessence thought for Givenchy, which is to take a look beneath the beautiful and luxurious clothes because, searching for the insides that really count.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Bottega Veneta’s Issued 03: Boycotting Primitiveness

Issued 03 is the third edition of Bottega Veneta’s groundbreaking digital zine. Issued 03 is presented as an audiovisual zine, intermixing and blurring lines between the mediums of fashion photography, animated video and music. With a neon color palette, flashing lights and distorted elements, the reader is being tested and tricked by the web interface which’s trippy aesthetics imitate casino gaming machines, compelling semiotic elements and an overdose of flashing that keeps the observer's eye busy. In a way, the digital magazine challenges typical UX design, positioning itself far from the known algorithms, pushing the observer to explore and figure out the pages himself. In the past, Daniel Lee, creative director at Bottega Veneta, has uttered his despair about the omnipresent oversimplification propelled by social media. “Social media represents the homogenization of culture, everyone sees the same content,” is what the 35-year old creative told The Guardian back in March on the occasion of zine's launch. After taking a hiatus from social media altogether at the beginning of the year, Bottega Veneta made waves in the fashion spheres when they published the first issue of their digital quarterly – relying on the almost ‘old-school’ medium of a web interface. By now, the Milanese brand has successfully launched the third issue, continuing to collaborate with numerous renowned avant-garde artists. For 03, top tier talents have been integrated into the making. To name a few, Joshua Gordon photographed portraits of young queer persons dressed in the latest Bottega Veneta season; composer Midori Takada was captured by Japanese photographer Takashi Homma; and artist Erika Vogt created sculptures parading Bottega Veneta footwear. With the digital zine, Lee has set the bar for a post-social media world, in which the observer is asked to engage with the materials instead of consuming pre-fabricated content.

www.issuedbybottegaveneta.com
www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Borbonese SS22: Urban Flanerie

For the SS22 collection, Dorian Tarantin and Matteo Mena, art directors of Borbonese, aimed to create looks and items that reflect a multiplicity of uses, destinations and audiences. Herein, the collection is centred around acknowledging the pulsing complexity and fast lifestyles of today’s world. The garments are not only tailored towards an aesthetic but also towards practicality. The presented looks, which were presented in plein air, reveal the light spirit, nodding towards the wardrobe aspirations of a metropolitan summer followed by a Mediterranean cruise. The most prominent element of the collection is a sturdy, pleated weave made from logo-embossed straps. Taken from the archive of Borbonese, the use of these straps celebrates the regenerative power of creativity and is applied onto trench coats, double-breasted blazers, long shirt dresses and capri pants. The weaved strap recurs throughout the various bag shape of the collection, from shoppers to more delicate, rounded shapes. Next to ready-to-wear pieces, the collection includes accessories that elevate urban flanerie, such as a metal bottle that comes with a pleated bag and a shoulder strap. The bottle has been created together with 24Bottles, a sustainable brand from Bologna entirely focused on stipulating functionality with design. The design path of Borbonese’s SS22 considered women who evolve in their styles, adapting their choices to their personalities and surroundings.

www.borbonese.com

Fashion

Bally SS22: Easing into Life after the Pandemic

For the SS22 collection, Bally has embraced naturalness as a theme. While the looks are mainly focusing on casual comfort, each garment is elaborately processed. The signature pieces of this collection are focusing on traditional craftmanship, put into practice on intricately quilted coats with whipstitching and double-studded details. The layered garments range from large knits, red leather coats to very wide trousers. which are multifunctional, comfortable and practical as well as suitable for formal wear. The collection is a manual on how to dress while slowly getting back to work and normal everyday life. Therefore, the collection showcases a lot of garments, inspired from workwear such as utilitarian jackets and the ‘‘outline runners’’, a multifunctional, typical outdoor work shoe. The traditional leather artistry of the brands core identity becomes visible in a variety of different bags, from sizable, pleated ones to smaller cross body bags. For the men’s collection the theme of naturalness is taken up by using deadstock fabrics, recycled cotton and plastic bottles. The brand is perfectly on tune with our Zeitgeist, proving that fashion can be sustainable, by finding new ways to dye garments, such as using botanical dyes extracted from wood. The Swedish tradtitional house is a prime example for excellent craftmanship and high quality production as well as final garments.

www.bally.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo SS22: An Hommage

Real, authentic Italian craftsmanship is Salvatore Ferragamo’s core identity and the reason for an unmistakable brand identity. For this season's show the Ferragamo team decided to honour the brands founder, by drawing inspiration from the depths of the Ferragamo Archives. For this season’s prints, the brand dug out Julien Colombier’s floral foulard motif from the 70s, that was embroidered, utilizing an ancient Italian needlework tradition. The looks include 60s flared, wide as well as body hugging silhouettes inspired from Luis Buñuel’s 1977 movie “That Obscure Object of Desire’’. The brand even takes the signature tiger print and recontextualizes it on a range of different garments. Always following the motto “sensually soignée literation’’ the fabrics are made out of cotton, wool, silk, linen as well as hemp and reflect a soft and casual coziness. The iconic accessories such as the “Vara’’ and the “Varina’' are brought back to life in new colors and materials. Especially noticeable and matching the 70s inspiration is the red thread that runs through all the looks: a black silk scarf worn in different combinations, as a headband or lightly curved around the shoulder. The show is a perfect reimagined and revived portrayal of Salvatore Ferragamo’s core identity.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Chapter 7: C.P. Company x Barbour

The celebrations around C.P. Company’s 50th anniversary continue. For the seventh chapter, the Italian house partners up with the leading heritage and lifestyle brand Barbour. It’s a seamless collaboration between two houses, especially since one of the inspirations for C.P. Company’s iconic Mille jacket, more commonly known as the “Goggle jacket” was Barbour’s 1960s Solway jacket. So it only seemed fitting that the collaboration features the coming together of the Mille with the Solway in two new innovative iterations, a combination of the best of both styles. Apart from the jackets, all featuring the C.P. Company signature militarian and utilitarian feel and the “Goggle hood”, the collection also encompasses a black hoodie, with a print especially conceived by the Italian brand, as well as a selection of accessories such as sports and trapper hats, available in matching olive and charcoal hues. The connection between the two brands grows deeper than their focus on quality outerwear, especially since Paul Harvey, the C.P. Company designer originated from the north of England, “Working with Barbour was so simple and so, so special, both from a personal and a professional point of view. The pieces literally designed themselves, so close was the bond between early Italian Sportswear and what Barbour were doing at that time. I think both sides knew almost automatically what the pieces would look like and that original idea simply never changes. A symbiosis “perfetto”. To celebrate the launch of the jacket, C.P. Company raffled off 24 exclusives jackets, with all the proceeds going to the World Land Trust. C.P. Company x Barbour is a very special collaboration and a must-have for all fashion aficionados.

www.cpcompany.com
www.barbour.com

Fashion

Fendi x Versace: Freedom, Fun and Virtuosity

Versace by Fendi and Fendi by Versace – this is how Donatella Versace and Kim Jones baptized the collections born from their creative dialogue and true friendship. The project celebrates the coming together of the two iconic Italian houses and in particular, Donatella and Kim Jones who stand for the houses as their designers. Celebrating Italian fashion and a rebellious disruption of what fashion is supposed to be, the “Fendace” brainchild expresses the interpretative visions of Donatella and Kim Jones of the opposite houses, loosened from the codes of their respective family houses. Opening the archive doors fully to each other, the two immersed themselves into the design legacy of the opponent – resulting in a unique hybrid design language composed of distinctive elements reinterpreted in an unapologetic way. Versace by Fendi channels a 90s theme, melting together the Fendi Monogram with the Versace Greek Key motif. Reversible garments achieved through the tailoring craftsmanship of Fendi, accredit the Versace look a second, hidden layer. Fendi by Versace introduces punk and rock details to Fendi’s look, emphasizing the daring outlook of Versace by showering Fendi signs and symbols with crystals and branded safety pins. Through the means of respect and trust, Donatella’s and Kim Jone’s “Fendace” sets an example of sincerity instead of strategy in fashion.

www.fendi.com
www.versace.com

Fashion

Fendi SS22: High Octane Female Confidence

For his Ready To Wear debut at Fendi, Kim Jones merged the cheerful irreverence of the Italian house with his own empowered, eased view on the future. By exploring a contemporary take on disco glamour, Jones re-interpreted the powerful, fierce and diverse femininity that Fendi is known for. Searching for inspiration for the SS22 collection, Jones turned towards Fendi’s archives, seeking out details of the design legacy that reflect upon former designer Karl Lagerfeld personal relations with the brand’s collaborators, in particular with fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez. Drawing inspiration from a hand-sketched logo of the liberal artist and close friend of Karl, the idea of bringing past times to life again erupted. Lopez work has been revived in the SS22 collection, displaying his illustrations in elegant abstract versions on kaftans and silk shirts, imprinting his figurative drawings into leather items and weaving them into lace and jacquard pieces. Rainbow elements, plexiglass hoop earrings and enamel hair accessories make for a tropical decadence paired with disco chic. The silhouettes of the coats, trousers, blazers and tailored shirts of the SS22 nod to the power dressing movement of the 80s, while the modernist take on the artworks serves a certain friskiness, summing up Jone’s view of the Fendi and Lopez woman: “She is empowered; she’s someone of her own making.”

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Max Mara SS22 : Hedonist Summer Daydreams

The inspiration behind Max Mara’s SS22 collection is rich in storytelling and emphasizes romanticized daydreams coming to life through literature. The muse behind the collection is Françoise Quoirez, better known under her nom de plume Françoise Sagan, a keen French writer born in 1935. Derived from her international literature masterpiece Bonjour Tristesse, the collection pays tribute to a story romance, intrigue, moral conundrum and elegant ennui all in the scenery of discrete villas, secluded beaches, old school cars, classical yachts and the nightlife sophistication of expensive restaurants and exquisite casinos. Bonjour Tristesse is a novel born from longing and imagination -forced to stay at home to retake final exams for school, Sagan went on a splendid summer holiday all in her head. In an autobiographical manner, the protagonist of the story, Céclie, lives through a hedonistic summer full of glamour, carefreeness and dolce vita. For the SS22 collection, Max Mara has imagined the wardrobe of Cécile, dressing her in refined prêt-à-porter made from crisp gabardines and poplins, top-stitched denim and elevated workwear classics. The collection features tank tops and boyish sandals paired with chiffons and knits with breezy, flowing shapes and clean silhouettes, all exuding an existentialist aura. The color palette reflects Max Mara’s signature shades – ecru and camel, sand and tan, black and navy accentuated by orange and yellow tones.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

Replay x Breuninger: United to Inspire

Stuttgart’s most prestigious department store Breuninger and denim brand Replay have celebrated their long-lasting partnership with an event that explicitly cherished inspiration and revolved around the power of dance as an artform. Organized on the occasion of the Berlin Art Week, the event featured numerous guests from diverse creative fields who came together to celebrate the fountains of creativity. The evening was kicked off by an art performance by Eike von Stuckenbrock, Yoann Bourgeois and Frieder Weiss, staging an impressive light show with projections, sound effects and music that set the mood for the following evening. Besides paying tribute to creativity, dance and inspiration as such, the event marked the presentation of the recent Replay x Breuninger campaign, called “Dance for What Matters”. Next to its dedication to performance in general, the collection focuses on circular economy and pushed forward Replay’s endeavors towards a more sustainable future of fashion. The collection was presented by five self-shot videos of cross-cultural and international dance talents, each parading a re-used pair of jeans, unfolding their creativity in their unique ways while putting the garment into focus. The re-used jeans of the campaign were sourced entirely emission-free and mark a milestone in the denim brand label’s undertaking of producing ecologically friendly.

www.breuninger.com

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: Bait

Emerging artist Daniel Hölzl explores cycles of transience through his work. With his site-specific, performative installations, he captures how moments in time and states of being are underlying a constant, ever-lasting process of change. This cyclical clockwork is represented through technological or natural processes executed through programmed technological influences and unpredictable elements such as air and water. Focusing on contrasting and recycled materials such as carbon fiber, flowing fabrics, plastic materials and industrial packaging, the installations induce critical questions towards system structure and the relations between the individual elements of this structure. For the Gallery Weekend *Discoveries, the Austrian artist created an installation displayed on the façade and entrance of the Dittrich & Schlechtriem gallery. Exhibited under the title Bait, the installation touches upon the dynamics between the art object, the exhibition spaces and the interaction of the visitors. The installations consist of parachute silk constructs that mirror architectural elements of the building and carbon fiber frameworks distorting the surface of the façade. The installations of Bait feature Hözl's signature use of constant movement, as the constructs are moved by arbitrary airstreams from the outside and technology, portraying a meditative, autonomous spectacle that exemplifies how the single elements contribute to the entity of the art work. 

Bait by Daniel Hölzl is exhibited at Dittrich & Schlechtriem, Berlin, from September 15th - September 19th 2021.

www.dittrich-schlechtriem.com
www.hoelzldaniel.com
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Art

Gallery Weekend *Discoveries: Fictions

A canvas covered in dense paint strokes, winding curves, blurred layers of emerald green and greyish billows of smoke. The painting reminds of a deep forest, dense undergrowth blends into shadow shapes. A portrait of a girl, hiding beneath a surface of paint. Diverging saturations of color tease the eye of the observer, the dimensions between the girl and the surface are impossible to gauge. Artworks like these, where mystical sceneries and fantastical creatures become alive in the observer's eye are the signature pieces of Brook Hsu. Hsu, who is known for interweaving autobiographical and imaginative elements, includes a combination of painting, textiles, sculptures and texts into her body of work. Her paintings titillate the imagination of the observer, inviting into mythological realms embedded in art historical narratives. Hsu creates depth by playing with shapes, contours and layers. Nuances of black and varying shades of green are an integral component of her work. Not least the color choice contributes to the narrow ridge between a menacing and calming message that her paintings convey. The piercing, at times feverish imagery addresses the psyche of the viewer, reflecting matters that revolve around fear, sadness, uncertainty and curiosity. Pre-Christian myths, historical occurrences, modern literature, films and personal stories are Hsu’s sources of inspiration. Derived from these sources, her paintings convey a realm where the ethereal and factual, the fantastical and real and the historical and personal meet. The psychedelic yet tranquil character of the paintings opens the gate for a mind game in which the observer loses touch with reality while being firmly grounded by autobiographical interpretations.

Fictions by Brook Hsu is exhibited at Kraupa Tuskany Zeidler, Berlin, from September 15th - September 19th 2021.

www.k-t-z.com
www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Fashion

DIESEL SS22 AVANT-PREMIERE

Last June, a new era started at Diesel, under the creative direction of Belgian designer Glenn Martens. He brings with him all the experimentalism, conceptualisation and high-concept approach, which we came to love at Y/Project, and applies it to the Diesel DNA, combining it with the brand’s strengths, its indisputable protagonist denim. Designed for the SS22 season, the collection is now featured in an exclusive avant-premiere available in selected stores worldwide and on their website. This selection comprises six looks of the collection, representing all of the collection’s pillars, whether it be the usage of novelty techniques such as laser printing, trompe l’oeil effects, artisanal crafts or various iconic styles from the archives which have been reinterpreted and revitalised. Standout pieces of this avant-premier are without a doubt the 5pockets denim pants with incorporated boots for women as well as the grey washed denim trench coat.

The Diesel SS22 avant-premiere will launch on September 15th in selected stores worldwide as well as in the Diesel online store.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Kaldewei: Supersalone 2021

After a forced break of over a year, the world of interiors was able to gather again in early September for the first time in Milan for a special edition of the Salone del Mobile, the Supersalone. At last, brands, journalists and design enthusiasts were able to meet in person, experience real encounters, direct contact and exciting conversations without the need of a screen. Kaldewei was of course not to miss Milan. During the Supersalone, the German brand presented its SUPERPLAN ZERO, a new shower surface made from recycled steel enamel and conceived by Werner Aisslinger. In a perfect mise-en-scène, the campaign images shot by Bryan Adams were seamlessly combined with the products, the Kaldewei novelty attracted specialists and regular visitors alike, whose visits at the stand were characterized by strong interest, curious looks and overwhelmingly positive feedback. As Yvonne Piu, Global Marketing Director at Kaldewei has put it, “the Supersalone, which Stefano Boeri and his team have curated in an outstanding way, is a Perfect match setting for us. In addition, we have the unique opportunity to present Bryan Adams’ photographic interpretations of the SUPERPLAN ZERO to an international specialist audience shortly before the launch of the global campaign.”

www.kaldewei.de

Art

Brussels Gallery Weekend: Thinking Two Heads

Thinking: Two Heads is a collaboration between artist Ana Mazzei and Fabian Peake. The exhibition at Galeria Jacqueline Martins unites their visions, despite their diverging backgrounds and generation. Mazzei (1980) displays floor installations of human and non-human shapes and abstract objects made from wood and metal. These studies of space are replenished by vivid paintings and sculptures by Fabian Peake (1942). Hoping to encourage an experimental development process for the exhibition, Mazzei and Peake cultivated an extensive letter correspondence in advance of the show. In these writings, they expounded common ideas, symmetries and equivalences that manifest in both of their artworks. This exchange of ideas and views, which largely contributed to the dynamic between the singular art pieces, is part of the exhibition. The pivot point of their artworks is the concept of staging individual elements into a composition. Peake’s distinctive shapes and color contrasts seem to be positioned independently while being inextricably intertwined into the motif as a totality. Convergent with the staged paintings and sculptures, Mazzei’s installations are constructed in a calculated manner. With the fragments of the pieces wide apart or narrowly arranged, the composition of the installations makes them appear as an inherent part of the room. The placement of the installations guides the visitors through the gallery space, leaving in the open where art ends and open space begins. Although the duo exhibition displays two diverging aesthetics from artists relying on opposing mediums, the exhibition exemplifies that next to visual harmony, the intention, execution and interpretation of art determines a holistic collaboration.

Thinking: Two Heads is exhibited at Galeria Jacqueline Martins, Brussels from September 9th - 30th October 2021.

www.galeriajaquelinemartins.com
www.anamazzei.com
www.fabianpeake.co.uk

Fashion

202030 – The Berlin Fashion Summit

Berlin Fashion Week is in full swing and with the ever-present significance of sustainable solutions, a new term belonging to the eco 101 has reached its peak: circularity. The second edition of 202030 The Berlin Fashion Summit revolves around this all-encompassing approach of responsible design and production and continues the successful launch of the project during the Berlin Fashion Week back in January. Interdisciplinary experts are participating in digital discussions about the current shortcomings of the industry and the releasing potential ecosystems and circularity portray in these scenarios. The 202030 Summit is divided into three main topics, each of which is dedicated an entire day. Firstly, the event invites to a conversation on circular systems in general, questioning how to think and design for a positive cause. Secondly, the summit dives deeper into the actualization of circularity – how can positive impacts be organized and fostered? Lastly, the project touches upon valuation systems, exploring options of defining the notion of “quality” and how to measure it. The 202030 Summit aims to close the gap between sustainability innovation and the industry’s need for pragmatic guidelines. Represented labels and experts include Orsola de Castro, founder of the international Fashion Revolution campaign and circularity-precursor label ArmedAngels.

www.202030summit.com

Fashion

Stone Island: The Prototype Research Series

In the wake of Milan Design Week, Stone Island has given insight into what happens behind the scenes of the Italian fashion brand. Within “The Prototype Research Series”, Stone Island unveils the unfiltered story behind one of their research projects. Originally curated for the Milan Design Week in 2020, Stone Island experimented with copper nanotechnologies. By applying a nanometric copper layer to non-woven fabric, the process of natural oxidation can be observed. The purpose behind this project was to investigate the transformation that happens during oxidation and how environmental conditions, such as humidity and carbon dioxide concentration in the air influence this process. With the cancellation of the Milan Design Week in 2020, the project took an unforeseeable turn – and delivered an unforeseeable outcome. “When the garments were returned to us in spring 2021, their oxidized appearance was magnificent but the adhesive between the non-woven fabric and the cotton satin was unpredictably 'gone', 'eaten' by oxidation. The result did not reach the target of resistance and solidity we aimed for. I often tell of the 'mistakes' that come up when daring to go beyond the known, the tested, the conventional. This is the unfiltered story of an unfinished research process, an enrichment of the company's experience and culture. Each step has taught us important things which will be important for the future, regardless of the goal achieved," is how Carlo Rivetti, Creative Director, summed up the decision to show the research nonetheless.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Berlin Fashion Week: Der Berliner Salon 2021

On September 6th, Der Berliner Salon took place at the Kraftwerk in Berlin. The exhibition featured design creations of 35 German labels; stretching over the categories of fashion, jewelry and accessories. Under the premise of “Committed to Responsibility”, the event put brands into the spotlight that focus on holistic, responsible production and make choices with the future in mind. Initiated by Christiane Arp, former editor in chief at Vogue Germany, and Marcus Kunz, CEO of the sustainably orientated Menswear label Nowadays, the Berliner Salon event is supported by the Berlin senate for economy, energy and business. Increasingly urgent topics such as circularity and consumer transparency were the overarching focus of this season's renowned group exhibition. With the integration of manufactories and artisan métiers, the 2021 edition of the Berlin Salon marked a significant step towards the acknowledgement of transparent production processes in the creation of collections and products. The exhibition, which is part of the Berlin Fashion Week, also curated a series of panel talks that discuss experiences, inspirations and thoughts of fashion experts and business representatives. The Berlin Salon event aims to pave a way for a more supportive, circular design industry as a whole and featured renowned German labels such as Lala Berlin, PB0110 and Kaviar Gauche.

www.mbfw.berlin.com

Fashion

Dior’s Medallion Chair Reinterpreted

The legacy of the Dior Medallion Chair reaches far back – all the way to the founding of the French Maison in 1946. Whereas the debut of the chair was of rather practical nature – Christian Dior designed it for the purpose of seating guest’s at fashion shows in a “sober, simple and above all classic and Parisian” way – the Louis XVI style of the chaise médaillon soon became a major code of Dior, then located in Avenue Montaigne, the beating heart of Dior. In the wake of the most recent interpretation, Dior Maison has invited a selection of artists to reimagine the iconic piece. The Medallion Chair has been reconceived with boundless creativity by the manifold international artists, from Japan to Italy, Korea, Lebanon and France. The resulting interpretations of the chair are as diverse and nuanced as their creators – as such, Joy de Rohan Chabot created a delicate version of the chair in which a clean and reduced frame is adorned with dainty golden leaves, twining across the surface where one would expect upholstery. Linda Freya Tangelder took a contrasting approach, reinventing the chair as a taboret version in grey steel, replacing the backrest with a sturdy handle. Nacho Caarbonel made use of rustic materials such as wood and metal to bring a medieval version of the classic chair to life. With this unprecedented and pluralistic collaboration, Dior reflects the Maison’s timeless modernity that continuously revives the Dior dream in a contemporary way.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Vitra Circle Store

The Swiss design pioneer Vitra opens its first store in the Netherlands. With circularity and sustainability in mind, the name of the store – Vitra Circle Store – already gives away the idea behind the concept. The Circle Store sells used items from the numerous exhibitions, trade fairs and showrooms representing Vitra all over the world. Next to the classic pieces, the assortment range includes products designed exclusively for Vitra by contemporary designers. The pieces available for purchase offer a broad choice to the customer – whether it is sofas, chairs or interior accessories. By opening this well thought out store concept, Vitra aims to increase awareness of conscious consumption, considered production and the importance of original, timeless design. The Circle Store is located in the monumental building in the Hembrugterrein in Zaandam. To provide maximum quality, the objects sold at the Circle Store are restored and cleaned before they enter their second life cycle. The refurbished objects are sold with a two-year guarantee and persuade with fair prices, which are made on-site, depending on the condition of the design pieces.

The Vitra Circle store is open to the public on Fridays from 9am to 5pm from the 10th September 2021, and from the 1st October 2021 additionally on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

www.vitra.com

Travel

Cuba in the Heart of Paris

In the centre of Paris’ 5th arrondissement, the Monte Cristo is transformed to revive the Cuban spirit at Hotel Eminente. Upon entering the hotel the aroma of fresh sugarcane, the market stalls of Cuba and Eminente rum are at once noticeable. The four-star hotel will, for a limited time, feature interior design by Pauline d’Hoop and all the rooms in the hotel are touched with the authentic Cuban charm, chef and sustainable farmer Annabelle Cantarero, is making a special trip to curate the perfect tasting menu while of course boasting a modest assortment of cocktails, by Monte Cristo’s bartender Adrian Nino, that make use of the top tier Eminente Reserva and Eminente Ámbar Clara rums. Co-founded by Camille de Dominicis and César Martí, the youngest Rum-Master in history, the drink itself is of unparalleled complexity with a full body taste inspired by 19th-century Cuban sugarcane Eaux-de-vie. True to Cuba in all ways, Eminente joined with Clandestina, an independent Cuban design label, for the creation of the Resolver Bag, made from raw materials collected locally in Old Town of Havana. All profits from the limited and bespoke Resolver Bag will go directly to a conservation and circular economy project; the Cienaga de Zapata biosphere in Cuba. The Monte Cristo will remain open to its usual clientele and continue taking reservations for its bar and restaurant. Included in the “staycation” package is one night for two, breakfast, a Cuban dinner, one Eminente cocktail and one Eminente masterclass as well as use of the pool for one hour. The Hotel will be open to guests from September 30th to December 12th with a 24-hour stay or “Una Noche Cubana”.

www.eminente.com

Fashion

Byredo x Our Legacy: Byproduct 27

The revival of a cool and familiar style, creative up-cycled fabrics and a tasteful homage to 90s style and youth culture is the latest collaboration from Byredo.

Swedish luxury brand, Byredo, founded by Ben Gorham in Stockholm in 2006 with the mission of translating and evoking emotions and memories, unveils its collaboration with Our Legacy. The latter was also founded in Stockholm just one year prior to the inception of Byredo. Jockum Hallin, Christopher Nying and Richardos Klarén, co-founders of Our Legacy, continuing their ethos of merging the familiar and the irregular have found a dream collaboration in Byredo.

Byproduct is the intuitive and creative arm of Byredo which extends beyond beauty with the finest quality materials to facilitate life’s spontaneous, wild and beautiful expeditions. The Byproduct logo is embroidered on caps which arrive in three shades of blue, the words “Work Shop” appear on the caps beside the Yin Yang logo and quote.

Classic blues are overdyed and adorned with bold prints, blue wash denim jeans for men are wide cut and straight fit. A light blue wash women’s denim skirt is fitted with a 5-pocket design, an A-line silhouette that sits comfortably above the waist-line and sports a Work Shop x Byproduct Yin Yang logo which has been screen printed by hand to complete the look. In addition to the denim items, the Byredo x Our Legacy collaboration features a boxy fit hoodie with brass eyelets, raglan sleeves and an overdyed finish that appears washed out and youthful.

The Byproduct 27 collection will be available exclusively online at the Byredo website and the Our Legacy website as well as select Our Legacy Flagship boutiques from August 26th, 2021.

www.byredo.com
www.ourlegacyworkshop.se

Fashion

Louis Vuitton: Vivienne Travellers

Continuing their ethos of freedom and travel, maker of the finest leather goods and historic fashion house, Louis Vuitton, unveils its new jewelry collection centred around the beloved contemporary mascot: Vivienne. The Vivienne design arrived at Louis Vuitton in 2018 and the family of jewelry has now been expanded into a collection of 11 unprecedented creations.

Vivienne Celebration features both white and yellow gold and is embellished with no fewer than 36 diamonds colored stones and 124 diamonds to evoke the true nature of festivity and joy. This same evocative presence is displayed in the Vivienne Rainbow, true to its name it radiates hope and a fervent emotion thanks to its exquisite pavé gradation of 154 multicolored gemstones. In a poetic homage to Paris’ Place Vendôme, the worldwide mecca of jewelry and home to one of the most decadent Louis Vuitton stores, the Vivienne Royal wears a crown of yellow gold and diamonds, draped in a blue lacquer robe punctuated with fleur-de-lys.

Mischievous and fun, Vivienne arrives in many different forms and is hiding a secret, the pendant can be converted to a brooch. The design shows a respect for cultures that are dear to the globe-trotting maison, proving to be adaptable and versatile in any context, environment or occasion. Bursting with life and color; these fetish figures are housed in a specially designed treasure chest with mirrors, stages and individual compartments for each of the 11 pieces; exhibiting a mastery of The Art of Travel by Louis Vuitton.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Paco Rabanne presents Pacollection

Pacollection describes the encounter of diverging characters, all united by the idea of personality. The nine scents named Strong Me, Genius Me, Erotic Me, Fabulous Me, Crazy Me, Dangerous Me, Major Me, Blossom Me and Dandy Me carry across the message of the most revolutionary projects of Paco Rabanne, inter alia by picking up on olfactory anecdotes that exemplify the outspoken, extravagant and innovative heritage of the label. The range of fragrances varies from sweet, seductive notes to refreshing and herby, featuring noteworthy aromas like incense, wasabi, leather and black current. Under the notion of moral engagement, Julien Dossena, designer of Paco Rabanne, has created this special collection of perfumes under the premise of portraying a spectrum of identities and expressions, all with a fluid gender approach. Each perfume received a personality, confident and unique on its own, but empowered by the discourse and exchange that emerges from the differences and similarities of each individual. The flacon is made from a metallic emulsion with a surprising trait – a soft, flexible surface that creates an unusual sensory experience unexpected from a perfume bottle. Each flacon is designed with a specific color that expresses the personality that is carried by the scent. The fragrances come in chrome-coloured cartridges that deliver a save solution to store the special bottles.

www.pacorabanne.com

Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger x Romeo Hunte

This FW 2021 capsule collection newly defines the American apparel pioneer’s signature preppy style with the means of deconstructing and remixing that Romeo Hunte is known for. The collection exemplifies how a close mentorship and collaboration between two designers allows for refreshing takes on classics - Manhattan prep merges with Brooklyn street style, resulting in a collection that focuses on gender-fluid outerwear with multiple purposes. Hunte, who describes reinvention as an inherent part of his design formulas, created garments that blur the lines between edgy and sophisticated, effortlessly intertwining clashing elements. As such, the iconic Hilfiger trench coat has been transformed into a versatile version with detachable sleeves, reinterpreted color blocking and ironic slogans. The capsule collection builds upon Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program that advocates diverse representation in fashion and beyond. In this sense, challenging the status quo happens not only through the design of the collection - seven one-off upcycled polo shirts will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Fashion Minority Alliances, a non-profit organization that aims to foster inclusivity in the fashion industry by achieving long-term equity and advancement for BIPOC and historically marginalized creative talents.

www.tommy.com
www.romeohunte.com

Fashion

Dior FW2021: Silk Scarves & Craftsmanship

Dior’s FW 2021 collection parades a dozen of silk scarves that radiate Dior’s elegance paired with a dash of nonchalance. For these special items, Dior collaborated with Italian artist Petro Ruffo, who created designs specifically for this collection. The majority of scarves are graced with landscape motifs and exotic animals. An ecru-berry colored version parades a palm tree and a selection of three scarves are imprinted with the Dior Oblique pattern. During the design process, Ruffo applied his sketches onto the silk fabric by pen engraving, a method carried out by hand. Later on in the process, the methods of silkscreen and inkjet printing are used to transfer the dreamy motifs onto the scarves. After hand cutting the design into their scarf shapes, the seams are frayed or rolled depending on the design. With the extensive amount of detail orientation and needlework, the scarves exemplify the virtue of craftsmanship. An augmented reality filter offers a virtual try-on experience. Whether worn as a headband, a neck scarf or a turban, the styling options featured on the filter nudge towards creativity to explore the endless potential of the silky squares.

The collection of scarves is available in Dior online stores from now on.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Fendi x Rimowa

The collaboration between Italian house Fendi and German luxury luggage brand RIMOWA is back once more. For a third time, both houses join forces to combine the best of their respective know-how and flair. Crafted in RIMOWA’s signature aluminium, the new Classic Cabin comes equipped with a new and innovative multi-wheel system, which promises smooth and effortless travel even with a full suitcase. It’s a perfect blend of German industrial know-how and luxurious Italian craftsmanship. The aluminium body features a brushed effect that depending on the light reveals the Italian house’s emblematic FF logo, whilst being completed with Fendi details, such as Cuoio Romano leather handles on the top and side. Additionally, you have the opportunity to hot stamp your initials on a Cuoio Romano leather nametag, as is customary with all Fendi bags.

Available in selected Fendi stores and online from September 2021, the RIMOWA x FENDI suitcases will be pre-launched in August 2021.

www.fendi.com
www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Freedom Now x Versace Jeans Couture

Freedom is a volatile notion, it takes on different forms for each individual identity and is both universal and personal at the same time. In a quest to find an answer to the contemporary meaning of freedom, Versace Jeans Couture has brought the collaboration Freedom Now to being. This series of content is curated by three artists: Savana Ogburn, Vincent Catel and Naguel Rivero. Resulting from their individual artistic interpretation of freedom, three unique concepts arose. “Freedom means being able to inhabit a variety of selves throughout our lives” is the idea behind Ogburn’s concept that touches upon the versatile facets of femineity. With a campy, colorful and textural lens, Ogburn opted for a series of kitsch and pop collages portraying the model as a spirited garden gnome, a pastel alien and a vampiress. Catel chose the medium of videography to capture a story of freedom. In Catel’s short film, two motorcyclists fall in love while exploring a dream-like landscape. Cliché imagery orchestrates a shy playfulness with a touch of irony that sets the archetypal characters free. Rivero focused on freedom in a post-pandemic world by taking portraits of determined young people who resonate with tolerance, empathy and acceptance.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Beneath the Coat: Moose Knuckles Sportswear Collection

Canada is a country that is famous for its cold and harsh winters from which its citizens need adequate protection. It should therefore not come to anybody’s surprise that Canadian brand Moose Knuckles is most famous for its outerwear and has, according to Retail Insider Magazine, “been ranked as the top parka brand in terms of having the highest thermal insulation value.” That said, everybody knows that fortunately, the cold seasons don’t last all year and that we also need other garments besides warm jackets and coats. Moose Knuckles is happy to provide. Considering themselves as a luxury sportswear brand, their selection also naturally includes a sportswear collection consisting of hoodies, shirts, pants and shorts, more suitable for the warmer seasons. Made entirely of 100% Cotton French Terry, a low maintenance fibre, the garments have a light and comfortable feel, ideal for athleisure wear. The collection offers the wearer a myriad of possibilities to combine not only the colours, Surplus Green, White Yellow Brit Blue, Charcoal Melange and Black, but also the pieces and their different fits to their heart’s content. The pieces get their final touch with the iconic Moose Knuckles metal logo. The clothes are made to flatter the shape of the body, but for everybody who likes the oversized look, there is always the possibility to size up.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

New Fendi Store New York City

Even before Covid-19 hyper-accelerated the ongoing digitalization, the retail sector was already undergoing fundamental changes as more and more people opted to do their shopping online rather than visiting a physical store. In the luxury fashion segment, for houses like Fendi, boutiques or flagship stores were never just mere points of sale, they are a direct extension of the brand’s vision. An environment that allows the visitors to truly immerse themselves in the Fendi universe. The new New York flagship store is located on the corner of 57th Street in Manhattan’s Fuller Building. The space was transformed by a one-of-a-kind concept, which brings the luxurious Fendi touch to New York City. The interior reflects the Roman house’s traditions and codes with references to its rich history being found all across the new interior as for example the images of its historic headquarters, the Palazzo della Civilità Italiana, spanning vertically over six see-through led curtains on three levels. The store itself represents the essence of Italian luxury and picks up on Fendi’s codes and tradition of dualism, especially in the choice of materials. Industrial cement columns are juxtaposed with high-end materials such as marble, hues of gold and exquisite Italian designed pieces of furniture. The visual highlight of the store is undoubtedly the glass sphere suspended at the center of a double-height void emphasized with a modular ceiling combination of round lamps. It’s a unique experience for the clients, accessible through a floating mirrored walkway on the store’s second floor which displays a Fendi First bag sculpture made entirely in marble and uniquely signed by the two creative minds behind the brand, Silvia Venturini Fendi and Kim Jones.

The new Fendi flagship store is located on the corner of 57th Street in Manhattan’s Fuller Building and is now open to the public.
In addition to this, the new interior can be experienced as a 360 virtual store on Fendi’s website launching on July 21, 2021.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

C.P. Company x Sebago

What makes a look or an item iconic? It’s not only the visionary design, but it also requires a visionary customer who is able to embrace it. For a short, but intense period in the 1980s, C.P. Company and Sebago made their claim to this special status, as the young Italian fashion cognoscenti picked up these brands and started the first streetwear movement in Italian history, rendering these brands into future icons. C.P. Company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year through a number of collaborations happening all throughout the year. So it should come to nobody’s surprise that C.P. Company also paired up with Sebago for this special occasion. The capsule collection pays homage to those aesthetic references of this very important moment and the subculture that marked it. They dove into their archives and the new M.t.T.N windbreaker jacket, available in three colors, is an updated replica of an 1980s original, which coincidentally started C.P. Company’s experimentation in dyeing a garment in nylon and cotton. To complete the homage, Sebago’s most iconic model, the Docksides, which since its release in 1970 has been a universal symbol for sun, saltwater and adventure, appears in a limited edition. This edition finds itself manually overdyed in the same hues as the windbreakers.

The C.P. Company x Sebago capsule collection will be available from July 15h, 2021.

www.50.cpcompany.com
www.sebago.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton FW21 Seoul Spin-Off

In 2020, Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton Men’s Artistic Director, initiated ‘The Voyage’ format, wherein his collections and shows travel to different destinations to meet the global Louis Vuitton community closer to their homes. This does not only create a closer bond with the community, but also offers the opportunity to engage with different cultures and national identities, whilst also counteracting the industry’s old-fashioned and seasonal modus operandi. This time the chosen destination was Seoul, the Korean capital and coincidentally the epicentre of the worldwide K-Pop phenomenon that’s currently gripping the world. The Fall-Winter spin-off collection presented there included 34 new looks completed with 7 looks from the originally presented collection in January. It’s no mere coincidence that exactly 7 looks from the original collection round out the presentation in Seoul, a number equal to the members of BTS, without a doubt South Korea’s biggest pop-cultural export of recent years and also recently appointed Louis Vuitton brand ambassadors. The film was directed by Korean director Jeon Go-Woon, who created a conversation between space, movement and global connectivity whilst exploring the city of Seoul through the lens of diversity. The collection is a visual continuation of the collection in January. The theme of voyage, so fitting for a house that started a luggage manufacturer, manifests itself in various details, whether it be the buttons of a blazer in the shape of aeroplanes, leather bags with patches stating ‘Tourist’ or more subtly a look heavily reminiscent of Korea’s traditional dress Hanbok, creating a direct link between the collection and the destination.

www.louisvuitton.com

Art

In Full Bloom - Cherry Blossoms by Damien Hirst

The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain is proud to unveil Cherry Blossoms, a remarkable new series of painting by British artist Damien Hirst, also marking the artist’s first museum exhibition in France. The series comprises of 107 paintings, a reinterpretation of the traditional landscape painting with a touch of playful irony. Cherry Blossoms have an universal appeal. Whenever they come into bloom, whether in Europe or Asia, it marks the beginning of a new season, the rebirth of nature. Quite a fitting metaphor that Damien Hirst’s Cherry Blossoms are unveiled now, as the world is starting to be recover from an almost 16 month break due to Covid-19. Hirst’s canvases are monumental in appearance, entirely covered in dense bright colors enveloping the viewer into a vast floral landscape. It took the British artist three years to complete the series. As Hirst puts it himself, “The Cherry Blossoms are about the beauty and life and death. They’re extreme – there’s something almost tacky about them. Like Jackson Pollock twisted by love. They’re decorative but taken from nature. They’re about desire and how we process the things around us and what we turn them into, but also about the insane visual transience of beauty – a tree in full crazy blossom against a clear sky. It’s been so good to make them, to be completely lost in color and in paint in my studio.” To commemorate this special opening, the Fondation Cartier has also produced a documentary film in which the artist reveals how he conceived of and create the paintings. The film will be available on the foundations website starting July 6th.

Cherry Blossoms by Damien Hirst will be open to the public from July 6th until January 2nd, 2022 at Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Paris.

www.fondationcartier.com

Images:
Damien Hirst in his studio, 2020 © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2021. Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates.

View from Damien Hirst’s studio © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2021. Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates.

Fashion

Y/PROJECT x FILA

Following its footwear team-up with Melissa last season, Glenn Martens has returned with a fresh collaboration with FILA for Y/PROJECT SS22 menswear show. To celebrate the occasion of FILA’s 110th anniversary, the innovative brand created an unexpected collaboration with Y/PROJECT. Since the appointment of Glenn Martens as Creative Director in 2013, the Paris based label Y/PROJECT has been carving a niche of its own, combining a conceptual drive with intricate constructions and inventive, playful detailing. Martens’ silhouettes are as thought provoking as they are grounded in real life, with quite an emphasis on individuality and independence. Having won the renowned ANDAM Grand Prize twice in 2017 and 2020, Y/PROJECT keeps growing as one of the most original voices in contemporary fashion, focusing on an unmistakable identity in which unisex styles share space with the hyper masculine and the hyper feminine, and insouciant historical references. The collaboration with FILA is the marriage of two identities, resulting in a unique collection that fuses the design aesthetic of both brands. Glenn Martens gave a warped Y/PROJECT twist to FILA staples such as the t-shirt, the hoodie, the polo neck dress, and the windbreaker, as well as caps, sneakers, weekend, and tennis bags.

www.yproject.fr

Fashion

Loewe Men's SS22

For the SS22 Men’s collection, Loewe’s Creative Director draws inspiration from the works of New York-based German artist Florian Krewer, one of the most exciting, upcoming voices in contemporary painting. Krewer’s works are populated with the conflicts and desires consumed in public spaces of cities with all its free and chaotic characters. His paintings, characterized by their color palette of night-dark blacks, artificially-sweetened pinks, unclean whites and purples and blues, always have their starting point in a photograph, which is either found of personally taken by the artist. The collection radiates a certain sexual energy and is charged with the electrifying promise of intimacy and the feel of human touch. Glimpses of the body are revealed through clever draping and strategically place cutouts. Tripping out translates into an idea of distortion, with coats spouting metal plaques on the back or tops dematerializing into multiple transparent layers. The collection’s swinging and energetic tone is determined by the juxtaposition of the pragmatic and the plain bonkers. It’s an explosion of colors and saturated hues, which bright accessories, which add another feisty, touch. Overall the collection expresses one thing: joy and freedom coming to the fore.

www.loewe.com

Fashion

Dries van Noten SS22

The Dries van Noten SS22 collection is an emotionally charged and intimate homage to a life of carefree fun and freedom in the city. An insistence on a return to revelry, lazy summer vibes, decadence, and freedom. A visceral outburst of energy, an expression of and response to the frustration and limitations of being stuck in Antwerp. A future life grasped and brought into the present, a life that can be sensual and carefree. The collection is chill yet intense, bold yet intimate and personal, audacious yet discreet. A main focus is The key of a Man’s wardrobe, from the Parka to the traditional trench to suiting is reinterpreted in softer forms with a twist. Extra elongated sleeves and trouser legs underpin nonchalance. Garments in camouflage are laser cut. Aprons are superimposed on classic and 3/4 leg pants as Cargo pant aprons. The backs of some garments are high to give a scooped out look.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani Mens SS22

For Giorgio Armani’s SS22 collection, the brand goes back to where it all began, in Via Borgonuovo. The motion that clothing can free oneself instead of constricting, of carefree thoughts instead of carelessness, of classic as proof of progress. For this season, Giorgio Armani is allowing for the motion of moving away from formality and decisively embracing the informality of sportswear to take over. However, Giorgio Armani never gives up his sense of pertinence, which is an idea of dignity, of disdain for any excess — even when he reaches the height of nonchalance, even in the liberating gesture of legs uncovered by Bermuda shorts. The suit is revamped in its shapes, proposing the idea of coordinated top and bottom: an evening shirt with a stand-up collar or a denim jacket-like cut combined with trousers with darts made in the same pinstripe wool, or a gilet-jacket with Bermuda shorts.

www.giorgioarmani.com

Fashion

Etro Mens SS22

The ETRO Men's SS22 collection “Travelling in a Joyful State of Grace” wants to be a tribute to Franco Battiato, a man, a musician, an artist and a thinker that deeply influenced the vision and the life of Kean Etro. For SS22, ETRO mens creative director Kean Etro explores one of the most iconic signatures of the brand, its nomadic spirit. Travelling also becomes a state of the mind and of the heart. Meditation brings to unexplored territories. In a joyful state of grace. In the footsteps of Bruce Chatwin and of Dame Agatha Christie, ETRO’s nomadic journey tinges with reminiscences of archeological explorations in sun-drenched lands, where reality and dream merge. To the tone of Franco Battiato’s masterpiece ‘L’Era del Cinghiale Bianco’, ETRO’s soul travelers take the catwalk, - set in the surreal, suspended atmosphere of the Scalo Farini area in Milan, where nature unexpectedly makes its way through the concrete, - wearing languid, slightly sensual styles, designed to feel good.

www.etro.com

Fashion

Zegna SS22: The (New) Set

Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori explores the possibilities of both thoughtful tailoring and innovative fabric-making in the latest Zegna show. Filmed in both Milan and Turin, the fashion show invited the viewer to transcend into the unknown and magical realms of warm tones architecture, a labyrinth into the water of a stream which hosts a group of people who cheers to new beginnings. Zegna has been actively aiming to reset categorial designing in their collections, cleaning the slate for a restart that now takes the form of a New Set. Its fluid code enters the world by keeping the connotations of tailoring in both methodology and construction while redefining silhouette in new fabrications, adjusted to the needs of today. Fluid volumes and streamlined shapes allow for a new dialogue between clothing, body, and gestures. The precision of tailoring is used in a gently non-formal look that features unpredictable use of colors and textures. The collection is presented in the form of a film that plays off an energizing juxtaposition of freedom and restraint. The New Set silhouette includes collarless kimono shapes, utilitarian chore coats, long dusters, oversized overshirts, and a new generation of knitwear. This is the New Set. A tailored possibility for the modern world.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Women’s Cruise 2022 Show

This season’s cruise collection, filmed on the Axe Majeur, a architectural masterpiece near Paris, transforms a promenade into fantastical reveries. The sculpture reminds of a beautiful utopia, created by the late artist Dani Karavan, whose compassionate, peaceful works are scattered around around the world. It is an architecture of reconciliation, where water, light, wind, sand, concrete, stone, and steel create a felicitous relationship between nature, space, and time. The collection convinces the viewer with bold reds and blacks as well as mixed prints combined with vibrant boots. Puffy shapes and thick material add unknown dimensions to this collection. The Cruise collection proves once again, one needs nothing more than the most beautiful of passports: creation. As ever, it is unlimited and free.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

HUGO Louder

“HUGO Louder,” a new and exclusive music platform by HUGO that gives a voice to inspiring artists around the world, does more than share great music. Its mission is to amplify the voices of inspiring artists and young talents who want to change the world. HUGO’s brand ethos is closely linked to popular culture – especially music. In 2012, the brand launched “HUGO Tracks,” which showcased bands and acts from the electronic music scene. In more recent years, it has developed a strong partnership with singer-songwriter Liam Payne. Sparked by her enthusiasm, this edition runs under the slogan “Be your authentic Self". Launching on Friday, 4th June, Amelie will release a brand new track on HUGO Louder. Additionally, Amelie will play a live set at 6pm CET via IG live.


www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

BOSS Pride

Pride Month starts at BOSS with a capsule collection in support of ILGA World and a new campaign. BOSS is celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, underlining the message that love is for all and that everyone should have the freedom to be themselves. To mark this, BOSS has created a capsule collection, created in support of ILGA World – a worldwide federation of more than 1,700 organizations from over 160 countries and territories campaigning for equal rights for LGBTQIA+ people. The new capsule features Pride flag colors and slogans, such as “Love for all” on unisex style essentials, from classic T-shirts to hoodies to bodywear. The dedicated Pride campaign features actor, writer, director, photographer, and activist, Tommy Dorfman, and Peter Zurkuhlen, who is Chief of Staff of Get Help and programming board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of StartOut which champions LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. Wearing the new capsule collection, Tommy and Peter are captured together to share their stories and speak about pride, freedom, and hope.

www.boss.com

Fashion

Sergei Polunin in Depeche Mode's "In Your Room" music video

Sergei Polunin in exclusive music video performance to Depeche Mode’s ‘In Your Room’, directed by Anton Corbijn In a new music video released today directed by Anton Corbijn, renowned ballet dancer Sergei Polunin performs a stunning contemporary dance to Depeche Mode’s 1993 hit song In Your Room directed by Anton Corbijn The powerful performance, choreographed by ROSS FREDDIE RAY, is filmed on vast, windswept sand dunes in TERSCHELLING, HOLLAND and evokes Polunin’s well-documented struggles within the confines of the ballet world and in his personal life, following his infamous rejection of the ballet establishment while at the height of his powers. It is a striking vision of a tempestuous figure who has so frequently courted controversy exorcising his demons alone against a harsh and unforgiving backdrop, providing the viewer an intimate glimpse inside this mercurial talent’s conflicted world. This video performance, produced by award-winning production company Merman, is an exclusive extract from the forthcoming feature documentary DANCER II, the recently announced sequel to the critically-acclaimed 2016 film Dancer, which charts Polunin’s meteoric rise to become the Royal Ballet’s youngest-ever principal dancer, and his self-inflicted fall from grace. DANCER II, directed by Corbijn and produced by Gabrielle Tana, will pick up from where Dancer left off, exploring Polunin’s return to ballet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrMwdQesnn4

Fashion

aeyde SS21 Campaign

The SS21 collection reinterprets into last season’s most popular styles, unveiling new shapes and color palettes to keep things cool as temperatures continue to rise. With peak summer upon us, WILMA and RENEE are the simple and sophisticated square-toe sandals to make the most of longer days and the warmth of the sun on your skin. DELIA and KELLY are reinterpretations of our bestselling ballerinas KIRSTEN. Designed with a rounded toe, the new flat slide and low-heel leather pump with an almond neckline are perfect for all of your warm weather occasions. Just in time to level up your summer looks, our top-selling styles also get a reboot with our brand new muted palette of snake-print tones and stone nappa leather.

www.aeyde.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani returning to live shows

The Giorgio Armani SS22 Men's Collection and the Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture shows will again be presented in front of a live audience, respectively on Monday 21 June and Tuesday 6 July.The Giorgio Armani fashion show will take place inthe courtyard of Via Borgonuovo 21, the venue that historically hosted the brand's fashion shows. The Giorgio Armani Privé fashion show will be held in Paris during the Haute Couture fashion week, at the headquarters of the Italian Embassy, a symbolic location that brings Italy to the fore in the capital of Haute Couture.The return to live attendance has been decided following the current general improvement in public health with relation to the pandemic. The organisation of the shows will comply with the distance and safety rules required by law and the actual holding of the events, in any case, will be conditional to the evolution of the pandemic.

www.giorgioarmani.com

Fashion

SAINT LAURENT: RIVE DROITE

Anthony Vaccarello has chosen to collaborate with the Italian design and architecture group Memphis as part of the Saint Laurent Rive Droite project. Enchanted by the timeless creations which have became object of his inspiration – Anthony Vaccarello will celebrate the collection hosting an exhibition of pieces part of the success of Memphis and its designers, such as the RING bed designed by Masanori Umeda, the CARLTON room divider by Ettore Sottsass, and RIVIERA chairs designed by MicheleDe Lucchi in 1981. Inspired by the magic of the ultra-graphic and very identifiable, playful and colored universe of its furnitures – Anthony Vaccarello has created for Saint Laurent an exclusive capsule of two multicolored checkerboard hoodies, two dresses, one shirt and two pairs of sneakers. These unique pieces combine classic models from Saint Laurent with the electric spirit of Memphis. A selection of rare books representing the history and works of Memphis will also be present in stores. The exhibition will take place from 19 May to 23 June, in both Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles.

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Versace La Vacanza

Allow Versace to transport you to the crystal-clear watersand blue skies of Liguria with the brand’s latest mini campaign. “With this shoot I wanted to create something fun that captures the spirit of a vacation. We all miss travel. We miss the excitement of being somewhere different, of meeting with friends and sharing experiences. These images are about enjoying life and feeling free, they encapsulate that summertime feeling of endless possibilities.” So Donatella Versace. A sequence of imagery and filmcapture candid moments of a very Versace vacation. Think sun-kissed models, glamourous seaside locations and iconic summer fashion. The brand’s Greca motif is ever-present throughout the series, ensuring the Versace DNA appears front and center. Shot by Camille Summers-Valli, the images highlight an offering of beach essentials, from swimsuits and silk shirts to travel bags and pool towels. A tongue-in-cheek video diary sees the models recalling how they spent their summer, but flashbacks reveal they’re notquite telling the truth. Playful and optimistic, the series hopes to spread a little Versace glamour this vacation season.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Anna Bella Geiger at S.M.A.K.

The first retrospective dedicated to the work of Anna Bella Geiger (b. 1933, Rio de Janeiro) opens in S.M.A.K. at the end of May. The exhibition includes over 170 works and spans a period of more than fifty years. Key series from the artist’s oeuvre will be shown alongside historical installations and Geiger’s works for the Venice and São Paolo Biennales (1980 and 1981, respectively). Anna Bella Geiger belongs to the first generation of conceptual artists in South America and is one of the most important contemporary artists in Brazil. Her unique visual language, which has been evolving since the 1950s, combines a critical examination of Brazilian history and identity with the development of experimental techniques. A pioneer of Brazilian video art, the artist has developed a radical art pedagogy and created innovative printing processes. Geiger’s quest for artistic autonomy is strongly related to the political and social reality of Brazil. During the repressive dictatorship (1964-1985), she used alienating body parts and world maps to comment on the shifting power relations in a poetic way. Through these visual tropes, she investigated the complex relationship between body, territory, image and power, without making an explicit political statement. As initial explorations of anthropomorphic and geographical space, they also constitute her approach to cartography as an ideological tool; a representation of reality that informs but also controls. The artist subverts the inherent claim to truth of these representations through the fluidity of language, printing and editing techniques and materials such as wax and yarn. In her discussions of this cartographic visual language, Geiger also includes reflections on the political and cultural hegemony of the West and the ensuing exclusions and stereotypes. She has also devoted series to the Brazilian art scene and the enduring dominance of modern art. Sporadically, she also makes self-portraits and incorporates more personal information into her work. In the process, we catch a glimpse of her own ‘peripheral’ position as an artist, as a member of a migrant family, bound to the domestic sphere, on the fringes of Western modernity.

Anna Bella Geiger’s work «Native Brasil / Alien Brasil» will be exhibited at at S.M.A.K. in Gent, from 29 May - 7 November 2021.

www.smak.be

Fashion

Gallery Weekend Berlin: Anna Uddenberg at Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler

In Big Baby, Anna Uddenberg takes the cartoon hyper masculine images drawn by gay manga artist Jiraiya and Czech nouveau baroque furniture designer Bo?ek Šípek as points of departure to create a new body of work. In the illustrations, Uddenberg views the butch bearish men as big, cute babies making masculinity equally submitted to dependency fed by consumer-culture as per her previous hyper gendered female figures. Formally, and removed of the human subject’s presence, the works, with their rustic wicker details could “pass” as Šípek’s postmodern furniture, or evoke the childhood comfort of the Swedish imaginary of “mys.” The gendered performativity of social use value in the tech aesthetics are sardonically questioned by the artist. It is worth remembering that, as per Victorian repression, puritanical tech companies today filter out sex, censoring nudity on social platforms, perhaps as part of a continuing project to keep the subject in a constant state of infantilization. In the 1973 Ted Post film The Baby, an adult male is held captive by a family who keep him in a state of infantilization. Baby is never permitted to speak, walk, or do things for himself and is forced to both wear and use diapers. He receives negative reinforcement in the form of beatings, restraints or shocks with a cattle prod whenever he attempts to try to break out of the baby role. Baby is forced to remain in his state of perpetual dependency and infantilism since his actual infancy. A female social worker tries to rescue him from his “prison” and is herself hunted.

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Courtesy of Anna Uddenberg; Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler, Berlin

Fashion

Volume and Elaborate Capacity

The Beak Bag is an integral part of the Bottega Veneta SS21 Salon 01 collection. It is a unisex belt bag, launched in various colors. The folded look of the Beak Bag creates a personal and padded effect for Salon 01. A tubular leather drawstring adapts the shape of the bag and emphasizes its volume and elaborate capacity. The design of the belt that wraps around the hips is made of a webbing strap and has a metal closure piece was inspired by the classic airplane seatbelt. This contrasts the soft, voluptuous look of the belt bag’s center piece and immediately directs the eye to the creative statement piece. The bag that comes in various leather shades from petrol to cream is also available as a full-on denim version. BOTTEGA VENETA’s creative director Daniel Lee’s Salon 01 collection gives way to the idea of domestic comfort fits combined with glamorous silhouettes of the 60s. He was inspired by the nostalgia of books, videos and records in the creative process of making the collection. This concept translates to the thick, bold, mostly knitted fabrics and is accentuated by the expressive color palette of green, yellow, black, violet and browns. The Beak Bag’s casual, effortless look and versatile color palette ties in perfectly with this philosophy. Lee himself summarizes his vision behind the new campaign saying: “I’m always interested in this idea, of how you can feel done up and elegant at the same time as feeling comfortable. That’s really my kind of mission for BOTTEGA.”

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Acqua di Parma x FILA

Two classic brands with Italian heritage join forces - ACQUA DI PARMA and FILA come together to celebrates FILA's 110th anniversary with a numbered limited edition set. With a heritage almost as long-standing as FILA, ACQUA DI PARMA has been a symbol of Italian excellence, craftsmanship and style since 1916 when Carlo Magnani created Colonia, a personal fragrance destined for timeless success. Synonymous with the most sophisticated Italian style, ACQUA DI PARMA today is a leading player in the international luxury landscape, a Maison that draws on tradition to reinterpret it, while innovating and evolving, exactly like FILA. FILA and ACQUA DI PARMA, meet under the Mediterranean sun to celebrate over a century of vibrant life.Available in 1.100 pieces, the kit includes the «Arancia di Capri» fragrance part of the well-known Blue Mediterraneo collection and a Fila terry-lined Tyvek windbreaker, a replica of the brand’s 1976 Aqua style.

www.acquadiparma.com
www.fila.com

Fashion

Independent Femininity

Following her guiding principles of holistic sustainability and respect for people, the environment and nature, Julia Leifert creates sustainable luxury wear for women. Her casually elegant, timeless designs stand for modern, independent and individual femininity in urban diversity and are made to empower. As an official member of UN Women Germany, part of the United Nations entity that works on gender equality and the empowerment of women, Julia Leifert’s message is strongly dedicated to social justice. The production process is focused on environmental sustainability, waste reduction and the idea of circularity. All materials used are organic and natural, as well as carefully sourced within Europe and made as durable and recyclable as possible. In line with the objective to reduce air pollution caused by transportation, the production takes place within a radius of 150 km in and around the city of Berlin under fair and transparent conditions. Julia Leifert sets a high value on closely monitoring the entirety of the manufacturing process to ensure the maintenance of the company’s standards of just working conditions and environmental compatibility. To avoid overproduction and waste of resources, there are no short-lived seasonal products, but products available as limited editions and can be pre-ordered and customized.

www.julialeifert.com

Fashion

Holographic Quest

For SS21 the German fashion house, MCM, continues its way into a virtual future by presenting their latest collection entitled Techno House. Inspired by the merging between natural and digital realms, the newest collection celebrates the brand’s visual inspirations and its unique design codes through a stylized nature-couture lens. MCM becomes the complete embodiment of utopian safaris in which reality and fantasy coexist, from lush arcadian landscapes to cyber-infused tundras. The collection presents a conceptual expedition through MCM’s DNA by reimagining its iconic design through solid geometric patterns and abstract motifs. The color palette is inspired by African landscapes, from sand dunes and quarries to tropical rainforests and seafront oases, the earthy tones juxtaposed with firefly red and holographic blues. The collection features clean-cut tailoring, deconstructed sportswear and function-driven silhouettes; each design tells a story of MCM’s heritage in a craft where form follows function and culture follows creativity. The latest collection introduces new silhouettes which explore gender-normative tensions in design through an epicene approach. The Tech Flower line is rejuvenating, a new rite of Spring, created by with holographic tendrils of intermingling florals and classic Visteos motifs, resulting in a wonderful contradiction of serenity and discord.

www.mcmworldwide.com

Fashion

Gallery Weekend Berlin: Adrian Ghenie at Juerg Judin Gallery

Adrian Ghenie, Rest During the Flight Into Egypt, 2016, (Detail).Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles. Generously gifted by the Abrishamchi Family Collection, M.2017.76

With his newest exhibition of paintings, Adrian Ghenie and the Juerg Judin Gallery conclude 15 years of collaboration, which began in 2006 with the group exhibition “The Cluj Connection”, which was followed by a solo exhibiton within a year. This marked Ghenie’s first appearance on the international scene. Since, he has established himself as one of the most successful painters of his generation – the internet generation. Ghenie’s response to this unprecedented flood of information, images and the technical “anything goes” was (and remains), his focus on the traditional, almost reactionary medium of painting. He can distinguish himself from other figurative painters by his profound understanding and utilization of art history, that he never exhausts of citation and an increasing virtuoso pay with different stages of recognizability. Now, in the ten paintings of the exhibition We Had Everything Before Us, all completed in the spring of 2021, Ghenie for the first time turns to his friends, neighbors and the buoyant pre-pandemic scenes of his home, Berlin. As the exhibition title suggests, the focus lies on the coming of age and the ensuing “lack of history”. It is about the moment when life is thought of exclusively in the present and future tense and the past tense seems a long way off.

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Adrian Ghenie, The Three Graces, 2021. © The artist. Courtesy Galerie Judin, Berlin

Fashion

Cartier: Tank Cintrée’s 100th birthday

The iconic Tank Cintrée watch turns 100 – to celebrate this Cartier will present a new limited edition model limited to 150 numbered pieces. Every single one of them has already been sold before the official launch. This creation exemplifies the successful reissues of legendary Cartier watch designs. The new Tank Cintrée draws heavily from the original model, venturing into the 21st century. Its sleek curved design, vertically oriented case, and the elegance of its "eggshell" dial make it perfect for lovers of stylish aesthetics. The watch gives the original Tank a more elongated shape and a curved case. The watch owes its name to the curvaceous shape for comfortable wearing. Thus, the watch gently nestles around the wrist. Even though the case height now measures 6.40 mm, it has lost none of its unmistakable features: rail decor, Roman numerals, apple-shaped hands, pearlized winding crown with sapphire cabochon and bracelet with pin buckle. This is the aesthetic signature of a great classic in the art of watchmaking, which has not changed since its introduction in 1921 and is now equipped with a manufacture hand-wound movement, caliber 9780 MC.

www.cartier.com

Art

Gallery Weekend Berlin: Ashley Hans Scheirl at Crone Berlin

Installation view, Ashley Hans Scheirl, Currencies of De*Capital Delirium, Galerien Crone Berlin, 2021

As part of this year’s Gallery Weekend, Crone Berlin is presenting a solo exhibition by the artist Ashley Hans Scheirl, who, together with her/his partner Jakob Lena Knebl, will be exhibiting in the Austrian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2022. Paintings, sculptures, and drawings merge in the gallery spaces to form a room-filling installation. They lead the visitor into an exuberant, seemingly insane dream world. Consumption and the search for meaning, restriction and freedom, greed and renunciation, excess and isolation, rebellion and resignation, identity and transformation, gender and hierarchy, individual lifestyles and the global economy of rejection collide here and culminate in a digital-anarchist-neutralized big bang, or at least in a new world currency that gives the exhibition its title: Currencies of De*Capital Delirium. Angela, Angela Scheirl, Angela Hans, Angel Hans, Zeze Hans, Ah, A A A A, Hans Scheirl, Hans, Hansi, Hansda, Hans von S/hit, Scheirl, Ashley Hans Scheirl was born in Salzburg (Austria), in 1956. She/He lives in Vienna. The work she did in the 1990s as part of London’s underground dyke scene contributed to the development of a conceptual practice that was constantly exchanging with the Viennese scene via the techniques of experimental cinema, painting, object art, actions in public space, performance and music, with all genres treated as equal. Indeed, in this artist’s practice, these “disciplinary techniques” are brought together to function on the model of a lesbian, queer sexuality. This transitioning of one fine arts category toward another was accompanied during these years when the artist was moving between London, Vienna, and New York by a metamorphosis of her/his own body, helped by the injection of testosterone. Her/his mutating name reflects this constant becoming which is never really static. Her/his recent self-expression in the use of painting, after multiple experiments with Super 8 and video cameras, encouraged Angela— now Hans—to transform her/his masculine look by a new phase of emancipation and to become Ashley, a painter who carefully cultivates her/his androgynous appearance.

www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de

Jakob Lena Knebl & Ashley Hans Scheirl Seasonal Greetings. Kunsthaus Bregenz, Oesterreich, 2020/2021, Installation view, Ashley Hans Scheirl Das Labor, Operationssaal, 2020. Photo: Markus Tretter, Lindau

Fashion

Givenchy: 4G Bag

Givenchy introduces the «4G» bag. The latest design of the Maison was created by Matthew M Williams and is a sleek and graphic update on a classic shape. The rectangular 4G bag design comes to life in two versions: a flap bag and a chain bag. The two formats are conceived to adapt to multiple styles of wear. The 4G flap bag features a removable strap with Givenchy metal brackets that adjusts for over-the-shoulder or crossbody wear. The 4G chain bag version features the House’s new signature G-link chain in silver- or gold-finished metal, slips through metallic hoops to adapt to shoulder or crossbody wear. Both shapes are available in full-grain box-calf leather and feature various colors from neutral black to ivory, cappuccino beige, to seasonal shades of avocado green. More vibrant variations include baby pink, red and dark khaki. Special finishes showcase an all-over 4G monogram. This is achieved through high-frequency debossing on the calf leather for a three-dimensional effect and comes in ivory, pink or black. Additionally, patent leather versions in black or sky blue have a crinkled finish. www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Saint Laurent FW21 – Where the silver wind blows

Against the backdrop of hostile yet beautiful natural grounds, the FW21 collection by Anthony Vaccarello shakes up Saint Laurent’s bourgeois codes. Walking on black cliffs, black beaches, and endless fields of green. The collection is demonstrated in an ethereal way, swaying between fantasy and reality. Colors clash against the black scene - unshapely metal bodies come together with sixties tweed suits and fur hems, claiming their effortless nature. Nineties cult-musician Peaches inspired the glitzy imperfections taken from her wardrobe – embodied by the blur between cheesy and luxurious. Sharp metallic jersey bodysuits echo the gleaming cascades of fantasy jewelry, disguised as precious. The unnecessary is a featured performer, becoming necessary to revive the past. As designer Antony Vaccarello puts it, “Serious matters push you to take other things less seriously; finding the balance while staying on edge is a sophisticated aptitude.”

www.ysl.com

Fashion

Michael Kors 40th Anniversary FW21

For the 40th anniversary FW21 collection Michael Kors’ digital fashion show immersed the guests in this season’s inspiration: stepping out once the world opens up again. Opening night was the theme of the stream set in the heart of Broadway and at a musical performance of the singer, songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright. Beginning with a greeting from designer Michael Kors in New York’s Times Square, the collection debuted through a multi-faceted, digital experience, accessible on the brand’s digital channels. The brand’s short film was created by actor, director and producer Erich Bergen and features well-known celebrities and Broadway A-listers including Billy Porter, Bette Midler and more. The broadcast’s highlight: a full runway show, designed and produced by Bureau Betak, that was previously recorded on location throughout the theater district. Musically accompanied by Wainwright’s “City Lights”, “New York State of Mind” and “There’s No Business like Show Business” the runway film set an optimistic, festive tone. The collection is an expression of timeless glamour and urban luxury featuring neutrals of black, ivory, charcoal and smoky tones with splashes of metallic silver, bold scarlet and shimmering gunmetal. Impressive head-to-toe monochromatic dressing paired with tailored coats, as well as oversized coats paired with graphic animal prints make up the signature looks of the FW21 anniversary collection.

 www.michaelkors.com

Fashion

HUBLOT x Sang Bleu

Hublot and London-based tattoo studio Sang Bleu reveal their collaboration consisting of three limited-edition Big Bang watches that explore new territories of color. Hublot and Sang Bleu are engaging again to produce a colorful new trio. The new Big Bang Sang Bleu II Ceramic watch will now be available in blue, grey, and white. Adding to their technical achievement of successfully creating perfectly and evenly colored ceramic, Hublot unveils a watch architecture that continues to defy tradition. With its sharp angles, its sculptural case, its multiple facets as if cut in diamond, the Big Bang Sang Bleu II designed by Maxime Plescia-Buchi and Hublot can amaze and astound. The designs combine the creativity of the tattoo artist with the technical expertise of the Nyon-based manufacture. The piece displays a radical, complex design that demands a closer look to appreciate its multidimensional appearance fully. The case, bezel, case middle, strap, and dial have been constructed with their own geometry, and, at the same time, they come together with seamless fluidity. The clue ceramic version is an embodiment of the name of the tattoo studio Sang Bleu (Engl. Blue blood), a term used in historical literature to describe the high status of a family. Each version of Big Bang Sang Bleu II will be available as a limited edition of 200 pieces.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

CELINE 10 - PARADE

In cooperation with Creative Director Hedi Slimane, CELINE created a visual fairytale fantasy to present the FW21 womenswear collection. The virtual catwalk shown in CELINE’s newest short film titled PARADE is set in the André le Nôtre Gardens at the Chateau de Vaux-Le-Vicomte. Slimane takes the viewer on what he defines as a utopian journey expressing a melancholic daydream of interrupted, yet eternal youth. The collection ties in with the narrative of medieval fairytale by drawing on contemporary elegance and Parisian chic, but also contrasts it through its modern streetstyle nonchalance. Hence, this season Celine presents a truly ready-to-wear runway collection, in celebration of vibrant youth and effortlessness. Utilitarian everyday wear is merged with high fashion luxury through a variety of unconventional combinations. Looks that layer metallic skirts and trousers with black hoodies, denim jacket or oversized plaid coats bring the spirit of Celine’s FW21 collection to life. Youthful elements like sequins and baseball caps are paired with more formal elements like tweed and structured hoop skirts that embody elegance with slight extravagance.

 www.celine.com

Fashion

BP Signature by Brioni

Brioni presents BP Signature, an exclusive capsule collection created in collaboration with House ambassador Brad Pitt. The Hollywood actor’s way of wearing clothes, whether formal, casual or black tie reflects his personality, rather than distracting from it. He embodies the relaxed elegance of a modern man with intrinsic ease and graceful confidence. The same idea guides BP signature. The collection expresses a simplicity that finds strength in sophisticated materials. In choosing Brioni to outfit him since 2019, Pitt selected muted colors for an understated wardrobe and soft fabrics that add texture to his looks. When it comes to formal wear, his preferred cut is a relaxed, laid-back one. Pitt’s personal style, combined with Brioni’s unmatched craftmanship drove the creation of BP Signature, forming a well-rounded wardrobe and an interesting interplay of textures. Referencing Brad Pitt’s impactful career, the evening pieces are modeled after the outfit he wore during the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony when he won an Academy Award for acting in Quentin Tarantino’s much-lauded film, Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood.

 www.brioni.com

Fashion

BOTTEGA VENETA presents ISSUE

image by Elaine Constantine

Bottega Veneta swapped social media for a quarterly digital journal called Issue, of which it just released its Issue 001. 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 a newly commissioned music video for Missy Elliott’s 1999 classic Hot Boyz. Content like that is supposed to make the audience sit with it as you would watch a movie. For the journal’s first Issue, Missy Elliott created a new record and posed for photographs by Tyrone Lebon; Biba’s Barbara Hulanicki made sketches; Rottingdean Bazaar styled a photoshoot. The journal also contains more capricious hues such as balloon art, jello handbags, and shoe hedges. The mix of serious and playful content proves that Bottega Veneta is the perfect mixture of sophisticated and whimsical.

www.issuedbybottega.com

image by Bindi Steel

Fashion

Prada Timecapsule

Prada unveils the fourth drop of the Timecapsule New Series, dedicated to knitwear. Prada Timecapsule is an exclusive product drop of 50 items, occurring once a month, each first Thursday. The newest drop presents a modernist sweater, combining jacquard patterns from the Prada Archive with a sportswear-inspired maxi triangle inlay. The Prada logo is reinterpreted on the front of the item. The triangle that stands out on the back includes the drop date. 

The Prada Timecapsule drop will be available from April 1st, 2021 at 3pm CET for 24 hours only, exclusively on prada.com.

 www.prada.com

Fashion

Stone Island x New Balance

Global athletic leader New Balance and Stone Island co are joining forces to kick off a long-term relationship. The brands will unveil collaborative product releases later this year. Both brands share similar research and functionality values in their respective areas of expertise and take an analytical approach to innovative data-driven design. Now they realize their shared vision of developing a footwear collaboration that will roll out in several different waves over the next few years.

By transcending current trends, New Balance and Stone Island will bring their shared values to life in new and creative ways. “Our collaboration with Stone Island is not only rooted in performance innovation but elevating our mutual values of premium craftsmanship and superior product quality,” said Chris Davis, Chief Marketing Officer at New Balance. “Both New Balance and Stone Island are independently minded brands with solid aptitudes for calculated risk-taking. Each brand has strong family roots and a robust heritage and will open its respective doors to more profound research and experimentation to collaborate on exciting product innovations. “There are only a limited number of brands that can be referred to as iconic,“ said Carlo Rivetti, President and Creative Director at Stone Island. “They are so because of the consistency throughout their history, their strong vision and endless passion put into product making, always intending to serve the end-users. While this collaboration highlights how New Balance and Stone Island innovate, it exemplifies a more significant story from the brands that continue to tap creative partners with a unique approach.

www.stoneisland.com
www.newbalance.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton FW21

For this year’s Louis Vuitton FW21 collection, traveling is essential, not in space but in time. To feel the perks of traveling, it’s enough to reach back to the Golden Age, an era that forged the essence of our civilization. Everything is expressed so purely in Greco-Roman antiquity, the acme of an aesthetic whose primacy is uncontested. More than a journey, Louis Vuitton embarks on an odyssey with a FW21 collection that incorporates fabulous drawings by Fornasetti, the delicate, fanciful engravings of an enduring era. His imaginative strokes explore, illustrate and impart style. The story of humankind is also a story of the conquest of the body, heart, and mind. In the center stands humanity, with all its functional elegance, intellectual dominance, and earthly seduction. The astonishment of age-old principles endures and continues to guide us. One of them is contrapposto, which first appeared in the 6th century BC and lent statues a dynamic allure. Countless couture poses have been reprised since and still denote a certain stylistic tension in fashion.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Rick Owens FW21

Rick Owens presents its FW21 show in a very personal space, in front of his home on Venice’s lido. To the brand, the garden where the show is held signifies the Gethsemane, the garden Jesus prayed in the night before the crucifixion. It was a place of uneasy repose and disquiet before a final reckoning, a biblical drama relatable to the intensity and uncertainty of the past years. Just a 2-hour drive from his factory in Concordia, this year’s show offers a pared-down, no audience, home-based mood that feels suitable for the present moment. During the show, which showed the behind-the-scenes and different angles overlooking the show, smoke vails the models and mystifies the scene.

Holding the show with no audience and close to home turned it from a big spectacle into a private ceremony, which allowed the brand to reconnect to its roots after 15 years of Paris Fashion Shows. Skin-tight leather bodysuits underpin most looks, some with the top pulled down to hang off the hips, some are solidly sequined. Rick Owens has featured bodysuits for many seasons, initially to impose stiff volumes but gradually reducing to their current incarnation; self-contained and sealed body coverings. The bodysuits are topped by power shoulder capes that turn the body into architectural bulldozers or power shoulder bombers mocking male aggression and conservatism careening. These shoulders are a response to fear and anxiety, defiance in the face of threat. The masks shown with the shows during the pandemic were not because of protection but because they are a vote for responsibility and consideration and an acknowledgment of humanity’s immediate collective experience. Tailored jackets are made from recycled plastic waste and cropped with the sleeves ripped off and replaced with jumbo duvet snap-on sleeves. In the bible, the rending of one’s garments is an act of grief or rage — to violently tear the clothes one is wearing apart. This is the significance of the slashed black denim pieces in the collection, mirrored in the slashed graphics rendered in by-product shearlings and cowhides patchworked into coats and jackets.

www.rickowens.com

Photocredit OWENSCORP

Fashion

DIOR FW21

Fashion should be a form of escapism, a distraction from our everyday life where the time-space dimension is erased. For this reason, Maria Grazia Chiuri is taking the onlooker of the FW21 collection into the realm of fairytales with its intricate network of symbolism. A fairytale is never just a beautiful story, it is a direct social commentary, it serves to challenge and revisit stereotypes and archetypes, a narrative, which projects itself into the future. References to this fantastical world are to be found all throughout the collection. The toy soldier’s uniform is transformed into a series of blue cashmere coats embellished with touches of red and white, as if through magic, rich fabrics using gold and silver threads appear weightless as if they were floating and evening gowns in layered tulles seemingly evaporating in a froth of marvelous colors would be fit for any princess. Maria Grazia Chiuri herself is extremely fond of the original tale of Beauty and the Beast. An archival rose motif, based on an original drawing by Andrée Brossin de Méré, to whom the collection also pays tribute, permeates tartans evoking Grazia Chiuri’s favorite. The collection opens a subtle path towards new awareness, with a feminine sensibility that is able to merge memories of the past and maturity, as if by magic.

www.dior.com

Fashion

VERSACE FW21

‘Models are like actors, they bring the designs to life, just like when a performer portrays a character. During the filming of this show I saw how important it is to give the models time to “feel” the clothes they wear on the runway’. This quote by Donatella Versace expresses her inspiration for the Versace FW21 collection. She envisions deceleration for the fashion industry, in pursuit of true connection with the designs and the people in this fast pace era. Creatively, the collection features a reinvention of the iconic Greca motif in the form of a dynamic and immersive 3D maze, that feels like you can step into it. The new Versace La Greca code illustrates the Greek Key along with the Versace logo in various sizes and color combinations. Power and self-confidence are entrenched in the geometric pattern with sharp angles and clean lines. The womenswear line comprises shapes reduced in volume with rounded shoulders, cinched waists and A-line skirts. The trousers are cropped simply cut, foregrounding the upgraded La Greca print. The new pattern decorates modern daywear, signature metal mesh dresses, sensual eveningwear, bold sheepskin outerwear and is embroidered on denim. Harnesses that cross the chest like armor and add sharp detail through embellishment and contrasting shades accentuate the fierceness of the collection. Menswear cuts are slim and refined with a twist. The tailoring emphasizes the body with sensual intimacy. La Greca reoccurs in different ways from all-over jacquard-suits, to small rubber patches on the chest like soccer badges. The finishes include shiny vinyl, as well as matte wool. The FW21 collection also introduces a graffiti Medusa smiley that plays with the brand’s sense of humor and rebellious, subversive tendencies. Considered a symbol of celebration, freedom and dancefloor communities, it is framed by La Greca patterned border and appears on foulards, men’s outerwear and women’s shirts.

 www.versace.com

Fashion

Dries van Noten FW21

Dries van Noten’s FW21 collection is a call to passion. A troupe of 47 performers from the world-renowned contemporary dance companies Rosas and Ultima Vez, and a few from the Opéra National de Paris, presented the latest collection by dancing between purity and passion, masculine and feminine, genders fused and embraced. Most participants are women, dancers with a few models, though a few men dancers complete the group. Dancers became models,’ and models became dancers. Dressing a dancer’s human form required the designer to rethink styling choices, whose gestures range from meek to vaudevillian. The tailoring has gravitas yet is juxtaposed with the exuberance and glamour of the fluffy, shiny, and whimsical. Easy, elongated long shirt dresses, which are belted, wrapped, structured, and lose fit tailoring stand out in the collection.

The pieces vary in cut from couture to sportswear and are accessorized with roses as bags. Red lips and roses, pearls, sequins, and marabou are iconic representations of glamour. Embellished with Swarovski crystals and fancy trim in contrasted vivid tule and georgette redefine the outline of garments. The collection marks the return to essence and Dries Van Noten’s design roots by updating his take on a long white shirt dress for his first collection in 1981 as a fashion student. Caspar Sejersen shot the photography and film at ‘The Red Room’ of the Single Theatre in Antwerp. The models dance to the song “Angel” by the English trip-hop group Massive Attack.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

SPORTMAX FW21

The SPORTMAX FW21 collection and digital Milan Fashion Week runway show embody a retro-futuristic ode to fierce womanhood in anticipation of ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’. Driven by interpretations of Greek mythology and female imaginaries across historical epochs, the collection frames an artistic play on time and space. Narratives invigorating female figures such as a Greek or a Botticellian, Renaissance goddess, a femme fatale from the 1940s, a 1960s psychedelic spiritualist, an activist of the 1970s or a 90s techno lover emerge and intertwine on the SPORTMAX runway.

The collection is an ode to unapologetic womanhood and female emancipation, fiercely brought forward by females that embraced the unconventional and transcended norms and stereotypes throughout history. Moreover, the designs make reference to the uncertain, yet hopeful atmosphere that defined the era of the 1920s, seeing part of it reflected in today’s Zeitgeist of stagnation and collective yearning for the future – awaiting the parties of tomorrow. The aesthetic form language of the SPORTMAX FW 21 collection juxtaposes maximalism and minimalism, femininity and masculinity and past and future. Inspired by Claude Cahun, the 20th century writer, performer and artist who trailblazed the gender-fluid and non-binary values that still endure today, the collection is characterized by a touch of androgyny clashing with glamour and austerity, as well as modesty and sensuality. Cahun’s spirit endures in the flowing contours of the Roaring Twenties played out in silhouettes that transform the body into a human art form. Dominant shoulder shapes and slimming drapery that accentuate the bust meet skirts and trousers with extended hems and unexpected parachute shapes. Materials borrowed form the masculine world, such as leather, flannel and pinstripe wool collide with raw textures and edges, amped up by fringe and studied tie die techniques that express innovative, bold femininity. Transparent interpretations of knitwear achieved through soft mohair threads reoccur throughout the collection, suggesting an intriguing contrast of lightness. The largely monochrome color palette is electrified by vibrant shades of yellow, reds, fuchsia and blues. Sac-shapes bags, boots with biker detailing, statement jewelry, sleek gloves and contoured eyewear inject the collection with a sense of bravado.

www.sportmax.com

Fashion

MÜNN FW21

The MÜNN FW21 Co-ed Collection focuses on the concept “CUT OUT”, which was intended to play and contrate on cutting off cutting out and cutting down unfamiliar parts of garments while concentrating on traditional sewing techniques. The show is set in a hall featuring a seemingly floating marble stage with spotlight features that the models walk around. The collection’s juxtaposed casual yet clean-cut and chic shapes are emphasized using keys and dog tags as jewelry, fascinator hats combined with pink hairstreaks. Jacquard fabrics are combined with leather jackets, and the colors used range from traditional black and white to more playful colors such as lavender and beige.

The collection is mainly based on using and exposing entire selvages in the designs, cutting out the neckline of a ‘classic’ blazer in the form of a crew neck line or giving the look of a clear raw-cut frontline. Fort hat the fashion house, used mainly Harris Tweed Wool and recycled Polyester. Inspired by vintage jacquard carpets, MÜNN created customized woven Floral Jacquard fabrics for the FW21 collection to bring the designs to life.

www.munnseoul.kr

Fashion

Furla FW 21: #Furlaillusions

Furla releases its third chapter of #Furlaillusions, an interactive digital platform for the Milan Fashion Week. The interactive platform unveils a selection of the most impressive pieces of Furla’s FW21 collection. This unique online experience allows the viewer to dive into the elegant and dreamlike Furla universe in a virtual space. Furla presents their new pieces in an endless and sky-like virtual room surrounded by soft floating clouds.

The brand’s creativity unfolds encircled by natural elements within the limitless space and glittering waters accentuated by colorful butterflies. The event #Furlaillusions spreads a romantic atmosphere and embodies the same mood of freedom and joyous elegance as #Funfurla, the recently launched institutional manifesto of Furla. Viewers are invited to join in on this experience on the platform through an animated video presenting this new creative space and highlighting Furla’s Fall-Winter 2021 hero bag – the Furla Portagioia.

In a See-Now-Buy-Now activation, the bags will be available in limited edition as a preview, and exclusively at Milan’s recently re-designed Duomo flagship store, as well as globally on e-commerce. The Furla Villa and Furla Vertigine lines are also featured on the website. Additional to the playful discovery of the new collection via the platform, the story of FW21 is told via surrealistic and poetic social media filters.

www.furla.com

Fashion

GANNI x Levi's

In collaboration with the Danish sustainable brand GANNI Levi’s presents a collection of Jeans, jackets, dresses and tops made of robust hemp-based cotton. Following their first conjoined upcycling collection in 2020, the two brands new line of clothing further elaborates their objective to bring innovatively designed sustainable and conscious fashion onto the market. Cottonized hemp as a substitute for conventional cotton avoids pesticides and fundamentally reduces water use in the production of the pieces. The hemp stems from rainfed agriculture and the fibers are then softened using an innovative biotechnical method that transforms the plant-based material into cotton-like fabric. Levi’s Chief Product Offices Karyn Hillmann expresses her enthusiasm for the collection and work with GANNI saying: ‘We are big fans of GANNI. In our collaboration, we combine the casual femininity of their designs with Levi's iconic denim looks and new sustainable materials like cottonized hemp’.

 www.levis.com

Fashion

MIU MIU presents: SHANGRI-LA by Isabel Sandoval

SHANGRI-LA, directed, written and edited by Isabel Sandoval, is the 21st commission from Miu Miu Women’s Tales. The acclaimed short-film series invites today’s most profound and original female directors to investigate vanity and femininity in the 21st century. Isabel Sandoval (she/her) is a Philippino director, writer, editor, producer, and actress who works from and lives in New York City. In 2019 she made history by being the first trans woman of color director to screen at the Venice International Film Festival’s Giornate Degli Autori’ section. The film called ‘Lingua Franca’ additionally has been nominated for the 2021 Film Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award. Isabel Sandoval’s directorial debut was the film Señorita, which earned her the Emerging Director Award at the Asian American International Film Festival. For Miu Miu Women’s Tales, the director herself plays the protagonist in SHANGRI-LA and is co-starred by Matthew Fifer (he/him), an actor-director whose film ‘Cicada’ premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in September 2020.

SHANGRI-LA is set in California during the Great Depression. The story follows a woman who confides her most intimate thoughts in a church confessional, who listens silently. The confession turns out to be no ordinary religious ritual seeking salvation as the protagonist, a second-generation Filipino farmhand, is coming clean about her love for a white American man during a historical period in which such interracial relationships were prohibited by law. Her confession box transforms into a time machine, with which she travels into several alternate futures in which she no longer lives in fear of the state but can love freely. SHANGRI-LA, inspired by the fictional place described in the 1933 novel ‘Lost Horizon’ by British author James Hilton, is the idea of earthly paradise, isolated from the world. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many immigrants who came to America imagined it to be a paradise of freedom and possibility found it quite the opposite. Isabel Sandoval explores the heavenly possibility of utopia and liberation, the America that could have been, through her unique perspective as a trans woman of color.

SHANGRI-LA digitally premieres on miumiu.com and Miu Miu social channels on February 23rd, 2021.

www.miumiu.com

Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe

Fashion

Marcell von Berlin FW21/22 at NYFW

Marcell von Berlin’s NYFW debut show presenting the FW21/22 collection aesthetically visualizes a play on the imagined liminal sphere between abstraction and reality, between the existing world and anticipated future. The German brand’s designer Marcell Pustull collaborates with Celebrity Stylist and Creative Directive Director Nicola Formichetti for his new FW21/22 collection. The collection expresses optimism for the ‘new normal’, embracing the unforeseeable instability of the current times and bringing across the persisting value of fashion and design. Marcell Pustull’s objective is to convey the message of hope and enthusiasm, while simultaneously expressing the current stagnating, insecure reality society is facing in the state of lockdown and recovery. This is also reflected in the different styles that meet in the collection: Rock and Roll Chic, Color Blocking and a touch of Disco. Power silhouettes in leather & denim, glamorous sequin and feather dresses and tailored suits in loud, bright colors, spell out the inner voice longing for change and euphoria for the new prevails. The choice of the Eric Lloyd Wright Residence in Malibu as the set-location for the NYFW show further embodies the symbolic value of the show, visualizing the Zeitgeist and message of Marcell von Berlin’s FW21/22 collection. The ruined building on the rugged cliffs of Malibu evokes standstill, while also capturing the wide view over the local landscape, reiterating the metaphor of hope and freedom.

 www.marcellvonberlin.com

Fashion

North Sails for 36th America’s Cup by Prada

North Sails has been selected as the official clothing partner for the 36th Prada America’s cup, the world’s oldest sporting trophy with a history dating back 168 years. The regatta maintains its status as a sporting event par excellence, and North Sails is proud to once again confirm its presence at one of the major international sailing competitions. North Sails’ has a rich history in the sailing sport and strives to “Go Beyond” with exploration and innovation as cornerstones of the brand. The brand is again partnering with this event and releasing an exclusive capsule collection centered around innovation and sustainability. Thus, the collection is made from recycled materials and designed for technical performance to the details.

All three styles of the capsule collection are crafted from recycled polyester with a water-repellent coating while features a stand collar printed on the inside with the America’s Cup logo lettering. America’s Cup heritage inspires the New York vest features a soft-shell back in recycled polyester, and high-performance Repreve padding obtained from recycled plastic bottles and is perfect for layering. The Hauraki half-zip jacket boasts a high-performance modular construction and a stand collar with a packable hood. The design features heat-taped seams for superior protection. The third piece is the Perth jacket, which is a reinterpretation of the iconic sailor jacket. The North Sails for the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada Capsule Collection is available at all North Sails mono-brand stores, the main chains in Europe, and the brand’s online store.

www.northsails.com

Fashion

KARA: 'YOU BE YOU' Campaign

KARA, a designer handbag and leather purse brand founded by Sarah Law, has collaborated with stylist Monica Kim for a glamour shoot. The brand, whose name is inspired by the word Karaoke (meaning empty orchestra in Japanese), strives to express personality and creativity. The shoot features untraditional individualistic people from Korea such as a female LGBQT+ advocate. For the content collaboration, KARA shines a light on non-traditional families, relationships, and identities in Korean communities. The partnership celebrates individuality and features various artists tattoo Artist, a stylist, a fashion merchandiser, a model, and a metal and leatherwork artisan, cofounders of the brand Teeth and a cat. The photo series includes futuristic disco elements that capture the modernistic designs of KARA, often including thick chains, neon colors, and crystal mesh. www.karastore.com

Fashion

DIESEL – ‘WHEN TOGETHER’

A portrait of desire, with absence fueling the fire. DIESEL presents ‘When Together’, a short film featuring eight real-life couples physically and emotionally reconnecting in bliss following periods of absence from each other’s lives. The leitmotif of the film directed by documentary film-maker Cheryl Dunn is isolation. The couples are portrayed in separation by walls, streets, borders or seas, before being able to engage in the ecstasy of reunion. ‘When Together’ is the first campaign formulated under DIESEL Creative Director Glenn Martens and embodies an authentic tribute to the intensity of love and passion. The DIESEL campaign draws on contemporary fears of remaining in collective isolation and times of unforeseeable crisis by looking forward to a world in which true, unrestrained connection may occur once again. It emphasizes the importance of human connection after being deprived of it. ‘When together’ is yet another of DIESEL's powerful campaigns known to be boundary-pushing advertising sought to challenge the status quo by normalizing taboos, highlighting social or environmental injustices, or commenting on the absurdities of society and/or politics.

www.diesel.com 

Fashion

Prada presents: “China Cabinet” by Theaster Gates

Prada exhibits the “China Cabinet,” a project by Chicagoan artist Theaster Gates. Gates, who is not only a visual artist but also a performer, a professor, an urban planner, and a community activist, has reimagined the spaces of Prada Rong Zhai in Shanghai with his ceramics. For “China Cabinet”, Gates built a three-chapter visual story on the building’s first floor. The Prada Rong Zhai is a historic residence built in 1918 and restored with the support of Fundazione Prada before being reopened in October 2017.

In three chapters, the artist presents the underlying themes of reusing materials and architectural construction techniques. He references craftsmanship, spirituality, stereotypical imagery imposed on the African-American community, and symbols from the civil rights movement. The stationary objects’ staging tells a story, the first part of which is a delicate display as if they were in an antique Chinese porcelain cabinet. The second part is a reconstruction of Gate’s private potters’ workshop and lastly, he displays the pieces as if they were in his private home, therefore, transforming the artist from a guest to a ghost to a host of the Prada Rong Zhai.

China Cabinet is on show at Prada Rong Zhai, Shanghai, from March 11th – May 23rd, 2021.

www.prada.com

Fashion

FENDI: Moonlight Bag

FENDI is extending their FENDI Sunshine family with the cross-body Moonlight bag, launched as part of the Spring/Summer collection. As the name suggests, the satchel bag receives its name after its half-moon shape.

Following the iconic Sunshine Shopper bag's footsteps, the Moonlight bag features its distinctive details, such as the signature tortoiseshell effect acrylic glass as featured on the sunshine bag's handles. It also features a golden guilloche metal buckle with the iconic FF motif, which adds a luxurious feel. As one opens its flap, the hot-pressed FENDI Roma scripture reveals itself.

The carefully handmade tone-in-tone Selleria stitch, traditional to the fashion house, gives the bag a high-quality finishing. Made from 100% calf leather and exclusively produced in Italy, the Moonlight bag is available in black, brown, grey, green, yellow, and orange. It is a versatile bag that the owner can adjust to function as a shoulder or cross-body, which goes day to night seamlessly.

www.fendi.com

Music

Kaldewei: SOUND WAVE

Kaldewei is confronting plastic pollution, starting in the most intimate room of all, the bathroom. According to the Heinze Bathroom Panel, 12,000 tons of plastic are installed in German bathrooms in acrylic bathtubs and shower trays. That's why Kaldewei uses superior steel enamel that is fully recyclable. Now Kaldewei is revolutionizing the at-home spa experience with their sustainably produced SOUND WAVE audio system, which turns Kaldewei bathtubs into a resonating body.

SOUND WAVE is the acoustic innovation for every bathroom and compatible with all Kaldewei bathtub models. Six acoustic panels and two body sound transducers are attached to the tub's inside and remain invisible to create an exceptional sound experience. SOUND WAVE plays back any audio file via Bluetooth from a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or PC. Not only spa lovers are convinced of the SOUND WAVE, which revolutionizes the bath experience, even music professionals such as sound engineer Bryan Gallant from The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada, has already installed the SOUND WAVE in the studio so musicians can experience a new way of listening to their own music after a session. The Warehouse Studio has hosted many of Rock's greatest such as REM, Nickelback, Billy Joel, Muse, Metallica, AC/DC, and Bryan Adams.

www.kaldewei.de

Fashion

CHANEL – The Haute Couture Salons

In collaboration with the Parisian interior designer Jacques Grange CHANEL open its new Haute Couture Salons at an emblematic address in Paris, the birth city of CHANEL Haute Couture. 31 Rue Chambon is home to the CHANEL boutique, the Haute Couture Salons, Gabrielle Chanel's private apartment, the Creation studio as well as various atelier spaces, and represents CHANEL’s prestigious legacy as the oldest Parisian Haute Couture House.

The new interior design of The Haute Couture Salons is inspired by the photographic archives entrusted to the decorator by the House and created in dedication to Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard. Unifying the past and the present, Grange incorporates characteristic elements of the space from Gabrielle Chanel’s times, like the play on reflection through the installment of mirrors and glass elements. Centered around the House’s iconic Art Deco staircase, the rooms have been restored in a very feminine and Parisian spirit. The color scheme based on shades of black, grey and white with touches of gold is selected carefully in accordance with the signature artistic vocabulary of the House. Overall, Grange brought a sophisticated and personal interpretation into being, enriching the aesthetic codes of CHANEL with his own conception of the décor.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

STONE ISLAND SS21

In pursuit of the expression of confidence, latitude and comfort the STONE ISLAND SS21 collection is driven by the interplay between sophistication and exploration, aesthetically combining elevated workwear and elements of ‘off-duty’ menswear. The creation of pieces that convey a state of mind of laid-back unconventionality is the central blueprint of the collection’s philosophy. Its neo-luxury framework is conceptually reflected in the innovative tones, materials and finishes. The seasonal color palette creates a dialogue between desaturated subtle to vibrant tones and a variety of neo-pastels. Desaturation in color compliments the visual and material lightness of menswear pieces created through semi-transparency, reflective nylon elements playing on light and external and internal resin finishes. Shapes guided by the form and functionality of military silhouettes are explored in transitional garments, such as shoulder pieces and overshirts. The application and translation of military patterns into the ‘perspective grid pattern’ emphasizes the SS21 collection’s contemporary, re-invented take on camouflage inspired design. It reoccurs throughout the collection and can also be found in accessories, footwear and graphic tees. Drawing on STONE ISLAND’s knitwear legacy, the collection also includes several knit interpretations based on the seasonal orientation.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

COMME des GARCONS Parfums: 'Rouge'

The new fragrance from COMME des GARCONS Parfums, ‘Rouge’, expresses a disruptive and rapturous blend of olfactive ingredients associated with the color rouge. Crushed clusters of spicy sweet pink peppercorns countered with the intense aroma Indonesian ginger, a certain heat often visually represented by rouge. A sensual blend of aromatic cistus and the woody scent of sticky incense, Egyptian geranium and vegetal roots provide a foundation for the scent that is both transcendent and grounded.

Shot by talented photographer Jordan Hemingway, ‘Rouge’ is a portal into the surreal, an open window through which one can escape into the endless. With deliberate and particular overdoses, this orchestration of that which is Earthly and that which is other inspires an exhilarating and seductive perfume.

COMME des GARCON ‘Rouge’ is available as of October 2020

www.comme-des-garcons.com

Fashion

Jil Sander Men's FW21/22

To integrate a softer approach to menswear with the desire for formality worn in both outdoor and indoor settings, German designer Jil Sander debuts its FW21 collection with an immersive and rhythmic video by Stephen Kidd. With bejewelled long-neck collared sweaters, a reminder to love oneself, no matter the shifting of circumstances, our lives, we are all worth celebrating. With Art Direction by Heiko Keinath, under the Creative Direction of Luce and Luke Meier, with music by Frédéric Sanchez, the film by Stephen Kidd shows an extraverted yet understated form of the modern man.

The look is intimate, layered, utilitarian and the spirit is for all men unafraid of being, expressing and showing a depth of emotion. Handmade and technical elements meet seamlessly with pristine suits of dry wool, with straight elongated jackets and cropped trousers to be worn with pullovers instead of shirts. Uniform-inspired trenches in Tuscan double-faced wool or in coated, waterproof cotton adds to a cohesive collection of rich knit structures and contrasting intarsia with cashmere and silver necklaces with the hand-written word ‘Mother’ to denote the importance of kinship and preserving close ties with that which should be held closest in uncertain times.

The FW21 collection by Jil Sander, presented at Saint-Martin-Du-Tertre, France, has a lot to offer. The individuality, the idea of a man built for solitude and trying to open up, the idea that treasure is worth looking for, a multitude of lightweight coats and trousers expresses what words could never. Gold on the neck, worn on a varied background of ash grey turtleneck sweaters and knits, black and white, with soft fabric in camel colors and pastel tones.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

LVMH Watch Week 2021: Hublot

“Today, more than ever, we need to adapt to stay connected to each other, in a new, different and especially digital way. Innovation is key and the launch of our Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire is the perfect example: new material, new caliber, a perfect expression of Hublot's fusion art.” ”Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot LVMH Watch Week, renowned as a week during which to exhibit a variety of novelties within the heritage and core values of brands. Opulence in horology and watchmaking. Following the success of the inaugural LVMH Watch Weekin Dubai last year, Bvlgari, Hublot and Zenity, all subsidiaries of LVMH share their latest creative developments with clientele globally with a message of positivity to ring in the new year, 2021. Combining creative digital meetings using state-of-the-art tools that can show dependence in a world so fragile and chaotic, LVMH has partnered with Hublot, Bvlgari and Zenith. The watches unveiled during LVMH Watch Week truly reflect the creativity and array of expertise of each brand. Hublot has been manufacturing and processing sapphire glass for watch cases since 2015, their perseverance and philosophy of “always leading the way and being unique and different” still rings true.

For the 2021 edition of LVMH Watch Week, each of these Maisons have combined to provide a one-to-one physical presentation across 15 countries. Onlookers are promised a seamless and immersive experience to further discover the latest releases from each of the four luxury watch-makers. Hublot has launched a ‘Big Bang Integral Ceramic’. A monobloc architectural design, the watch itself fully self-winding, boasts technical and aesthetic qualities with a new tourbillon movement. Limited to just 50 pieces, the ‘Big Bang Tourbillion Automatic Orange Sapphire’ features a visible micro-rotor and three sapphire bridges in a new color for the range. The ‘Big Bang Integral’ is also being revamped in white, navy blue and grey. LVMH Watch Week 2021 will be taking place from January 25th to 29th digitally from the various manufactures.

www.hublot.com
www.louisvuitton.com
www.bvlgari.com

Fashion

Rick Owens Men's FW21

Suspended between the past and the future, rules are written and rewritten, we wait and watch for an ultimatum to make itself apparent. By the lone flame of a space-heater, models form a single file line at Rivera Santa Maria Elisabetta to debut the Rick Owens FW21 Collection during Paris Fashion Week. It is a disquiet, the muted rage inside man that exists within the Rick Owens FW21 collection. This season brings with it a palette of greys, browns, greens, blacks and whites arrive in different shapes and highly technical fabrics and a small assortment of accessories.

Heavy recycled cashmere sweaters contort around the body, whether peeled down to trail off the lower body or pulled up to double over itself for added warmth. Thigh high cowhide fur boots which feature a platform heel or a ballast sole are paired with tighty-whities with pentagram flys. These looks speak to the contradictions in the present day how this feeling can be expressed through contemporary menswear.

Dragging oversized jeans in 16oz warped black selvedge denim which has been custom woven specially for Rick Owens by Yamaashi Orimono on vintage sakamoto shuttle looms, adding to the ongoing DRKSHDW Capsule made in Japan. Diving deeper into the aesthetic of anger, the Paris Fashion Week show was soundtracked by an exclusive extended remix of ‘Hellrap’ by Ghostemane, which speaks to this suppressed male rage on every side of the moral divide.

www.rickowens.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Men's FW21

Presenting their FW21 collection, debuting a performance art piece starring musical guest Yasiin Bey and Saul Williams and Kai Isaiah Jamal, posing insightful questions at a time when innovative thought is pivotal to humanity's future, reigniting a dialogue on the importance of upcycling while referencing art and literature in an extensive menswear collection; with set design by Playlab and Styling by Ibrahim Kamara along with films by Wu Tsang, Louis Vuitton has made its mark at Paris Fashion Week.

Men’s Artistic Director, Virgil Abloh, poses the question faced by every child on the cusp of defining who they are, “what do you want to be when you grow up”? A question that holds the promise of freedom to shape our own identity. As he sees it, people’s dreams and aspirations are widely personified by archetypes; the Artist, the Salesman, the Architect, the Drifter. Defined by their uniforms, the dress codes of so many are intrinsic to the professions, lifestyles and knowledge amassed in a lifetime. Abloh looks deeply into his own heritage and who he became in relation to his childhood. He cites his father, Nee Abloh, who grew up in the city of Tema, Ghana and worked unloading shipping containers in the docks at Accra, before migrating to Rockford, Illinois in 1971, who taught him the importance of keeping his head down while working hard and remaining persistent.

The collection explores the idea of unconscious biases instilled in the collective psyche of mankind, the biases that impede and inhibit our understanding of one another. People are so often reduced to archetypes and fall into a culture of dressing in order to conjure up an identity that is easily understood and familiar to others upon first glance. Virgil Abloh wields fashion to rock those preconceptions, keeping the codes while changing the values. As Abloh puts it “It is what makes us unconsciously trust the silhouette of a suit and distrust the contour of a hooded sweatshirt. But these are man-made inventions: systemic illusions.” The collection is thoughtfully conceived of, citing Neitzche’s Ubermensch theory, Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Soul of Man Under Socialism’ among other references throughout literature on the ideas of individualism and the trappings of conformity.

Whether it is a black and red wool-pinstripe padded vest with an iris flower appliqué or a rust-orange monogram-embossed work jacket worn with double-front jeans and a sky blue sheer roll-neck jumper: preconceived notions are discarded, today’s man is anything but expected.

Informed by James Baldwin’s essay ‘Stranger in the Village’ from 1953, which weighs the author’s experiences as an African-American man in a Swiss village to his experiences in America. The show is set between locations in Switzerland and Paris, playfully reinterpreting the notion of an art heist and studying the ideas around art ownership. With the help of Conceptual Artist, Lawrence Weiner, a series of aphorisms-as-patterns is tied to the premises “You Can Tell a Book by its Cover”, “The Same Place at the Same Time” and “Somewhere Somehow.”

“Within my practice, I contribute to a Black canon of culture and art and its preservation. This is why, to preserve my own output, I record it at length.” - Virgil Abloh, A manifesto according to Virgil Abloh, 2020.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

FENDI: Selleria Man GMT

Luxury Italian fashion house, Fendi, presents a new timepiece. Horology is not new to Fendi, with all the brand’s watches thoughtfully designed by the minds at Fendi and executed by highly skilled craftsmen in Switzerland since 1988. The art of watchmaking and distinctive Italian style find common ground in the new ‘Selleria Man GMT’. This new watch, designed specially for men, features emblematic codes of the Selleria line while, in a first for the Selleria watch, is designed with its own bracelet and GMT function embellished with signature Fendi aesthetics.

The functionality of any decent watch is an essential feature, in a celebration of the brand’s DNA, the new watch is accented with touches of the iconic Fendi yellow on its dial, providing enhanced readability to track a second time zone. The ‘Selleria Man GMT’ also has a 24-hour scale on the outer ring of the dial while its GMT hand is decorated with an airplane indicator. In a three-dimensional visual effect the watch displays a date aperture and a map of the world. Made in black coated stainless steel with a see-through sapphire crystal case back, the Selleria Man displays its inner workings, its folding buckle engraved with the Fendi signature.

With a simple rotation of the case back one can easily substitute the watch’s bracelet with a strap, thanks to an interchangeable strap system.

The new Selleria Man GMT is a fusion of ideas, understated yet elegant, offering an original perspective on time yet with an unwavering functionality.

www.fendi.com

This Was Hollywood

The Golden Age of Hollywood, the captivating lives of larger than life actors that graced the silver screen. From leading men and leading ladies like Carey Grant, Lana Turner or Joan Crawford, who infamously feigned illness and accepted her Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Mildred Pierce’ while confined to her bed, strange stories rise to the surface in this new book. The Golden Age of Hollywood is a time in history like no other. Writing about this history, Carla Valderrama, author of ‘This Was Fashion’, in collaboration with Turner Classic Movies has published a new book entitled ‘This Was Hollywood: Forgotten Stars and Stories’.

In the hard-cover book are former screen legends who have faded into obscurity as well as newly surfaced revelations about Hollywood’s biggest names. From Clark Gable’s secret love child to the film that almost brought Paul Newman’s whole career to an end, this one-of-a-kind history book is an enthralling mirage of yesteryear.

‘This Was Hollywood’ is Carla Valderrama's first book and is filled with a visually stunning catalogue of the lost history of Golden Age hollywood.

www.thiswashollywood.com

Fashion

Eleventy Men’s FW21/22

A self awareness, an alertness, the modern man who seeks his own style above all else. This is the driving force behind the new Menswear collection from Eleventy. Founder and creative director of the Milan-based fashion brand, Marco Baldassari, says of the FW21/22 collection “it is an elegance designed for oneself; it is a new way of thinking and being in the world that changes and renews itself.” Jackets are layered with over-shirts as an alternative to formal jackets, professional yet downplayed and casual. Baldassari’s concept of reflective elegance echoes throughout the collection.

Lightweight materials align with ideals of simplicity, relaxation and comfort that are so prized in today’s world. To achieve this, Eleventy implemented “double” fabrics, extremely unlined fabrics that require no less than 14 hours of careful work of expert hand-craftswomen. A wool-cashmere blend has an unmistakable softness applied to braided sweaters and knitwear utilizing a “seamless” technique which conserves otherwise discarded yarn. The pleated pants feature denim that is made unassumingly soft. The ribbed zipper bomber jackets are also soft to the touch, gauzed and doubled internally with an incredibly fine knit to create more precious and treasured garments.

Attention to details to create thoughtful and fine clothing for the colder months, Eleventy walks the line between functional and casual. The ‘Mountain Resort’ Capsule boasts luxurious comfort that holds up against harsh winter conditions. Made from precious shearling, wool and cashmere sweaters, along with accompanying accessories, arrive in color iterations of saffron yellow, dusty geranium, cream, honey and ash grey.

The FW21/22 collection from Eleventy is filled with a variety of unexpected pleasures.

www.eleventymilano.it

Fashion

C.P. Company Opens New Milan Flagship Store

From January 2021, Italian sportswear brand C.P. Company, founded in 1978 by Massimo Osti, will open the doors of its new flagship store in Milan. This new store will replace the store at its previous Corso Garibaldi location. The new store will be situated at one of Milan’s most famous streets for shopping, Corso Matteotti.

This new locale is open to the public with the intention of creating a very immersive atmosphere for customers rather than a pastiche retail experience. Featuring a wall of shelves and cabinets built at a 30 degree incline as well as continuous fixed hook hangers that run all the way to the front facing store windows. The front of the store overlooks the city’s distinctive Corso Matteotti walkway.

As the old adage goes, “out with the old, in with the new.” This move marks a renewal of the brand’s dedication to its Italian roots as well as its dedication to staying fresh and creative in how it is perceived. With elemental materials used in the store’s construction like concrete, silver and for the store’s walls, iron. In contrast to these materials, portions of the store are awash with colors that recall the brand’s garment dyeing technique; the new C.P. Company location is a lightning rod for fashion-centric city-dwellers all over Milan.

The new C.P. Company flagship store is located at Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 7 and is open from January 2021.

www.cpcompany.com

FIAF: 'The Art of Perfume' with Frédéric Malle

The French Institute Alliance Francaise played host to a very special guest, Frédéric Malle, publisher and a leading authority in the world of perfume, for an online talk labeled ‘Rendezvous LIVE: The Art of Perfume with Frédéric Malle’. The talks took place at the FIAF headquarters in New York and was hosted by journalist Melissa Ceria.

Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, a line of fragrances created at the turn of the century, was so influential and significant that Rizzoli has dedicated a new book entitled ‘Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle: The First Twenty Years’. Exceptional raw materials and holding his perfumers to the highest standards, Malle imposes no time constraints, budget or marketing boundaries; seeking to bring out the best and encourage perfumers to seek out more unique and adventurous sensations in the pursuit of enlightened and surprising fragrances.

The minds that came together to create their masterpieces under Malle are a diverse team of perfumers from around the world and true masters of their shared craft. These creative and inventive individuals include Pierre Bourdon, Bruno Jovanovic, Olivia Giacobetti, Sophia Grojsman, Jean-Claude Ellena, Fanny Bal, Dominique Ropion, Carlos Benaim, Edmond Roudnitska, Edward Fléchier, Maurice Roucel and Ralf Schweiger.

The FIAF, one of the largest and most respected centers of French-American Activities in the U.S, proudly welcomed Frédéric Malle to find out more about the extensive process of creating this incredible collection of fragrances. Embracing every known style and olfactory family while striking out into bolder and more unexplored aromas was a shared mission among the perfumers. This rare event shed light on the art of perfume, lessons and stories on refining a craft and managing a team of exceptionally talented people working in the same field to great effect. French and American cultures met to celebrate a shared love of luxury perfumes and the magic that allows new and exciting fragrances to be brought into the world in this rare online talk.

www.fredericmalle.com
www.fiaf.org

Fashion

Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer

Louis Vuitton have tapped Swedish contemporary artist, Urs Fischer, for their latest all-encompassing collaboration. In addition to ready-to-wear the Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer collection will feature accessories, shoes and seven special-edition bags. Arriving in two colorways, the collaboration features reinterpreted versions of the signature monogram of flowers and the LV initials, these artist impressions are what Fischer calls ‘memory sketches’. The artist is known for a self-awareness and wry sense of humor.

Classic styles chosen for the collection include the Cabas, Keepall and Onthego, as well as two Neverfulls, Speedys and Pochettes Accessoires each covered in Fischer’s creative reinterpreting of the house’s motif. The tuffetage treatment applied to each bag creates a special texture and tactile relief on the velvet-like material, the end result is visibly unique to Fischer’s artistic intentions in collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Also from inside of the artist’s creative world, original characters emerge on a fine silk square flooded with a mirage of colors. Urs Fischer’s art, ever on the verge of what contemporary art can be, has been exhibited from Notre-Dame to Madison Avenue, Hong Kong to Paris, and now at Louis Vuitton.

The Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer Collaboration will be available at Louis Vuitton stores worldwide January 2021.

www.louisvuitton.com

C.P. Company SS21: 'Natural Mutation'

What is natural? What is unnatural? We all consider ourselves to be some kind of normal, the phenomenon of life as we know it is a helplessly natural occurrence. In that beauty we find one another in so many unique and intriguing ways, as the sirens wail in the distance we know that there are always stranger and more involved, complicated times ahead. For whatever mutation of what we consider normal, C.P. Company ushers in their SS21 collection; ‘Natural Mutation’.

From the company founded in 1978 by a young Massimo Osti from Bologna, Italy, this SS21 collection reminds us we are all human no matter what we consider natural; we are all one and the same. Continuing the themes from January of 2020 with C.P. Company’s large-scale presentation ‘The Next Landscape’, this year C.P. Company explores a mix of natural and synthetic fabrics to better understand its relation to natural and man-made environments in practice. The design team questioned whether synthetic fabric can assume the tactile versatility demanded by the terrain while staying true to its lightweight and hydrophilic qualities.

The urbanity so commonly encountered in contemporary life is a common mountain that we all climb, the common thread between each of us is the tunnel vision that we climb it with. Demanding environments call for fabrics and design techniques that answer the call for hardy and intense, durable, flexible, versatile needs; C.P. Company delivers on these needs.

After years of continued respect for its customers, the design language of C.P. Company is more thoughtful, more functional and more authentic for SS21.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

Even in the Dark: Trinity de Cartier

Historic jeweler, Cartier, have released a new version of their iconic Trinity ring. The Trinity de Cartier collection was designed by Louis-François Cartier in 1924 with three different interwoven bands; one in rose gold, one in yellow gold and another in white gold. It has become synonymous with that intangible passion that fuels and binds lovers to go to great lengths for one another; symbolic of the heart’s longing for another, a soul’s embrace that is beyond comparison or mortal description. 

The Trinity ring has a storied history, a conversation between Louis Cartier and his friend, French film director, Jean Cocteau, on the topic of Saturn’s rings inspired the design. Another legend muses that the three colors are three interpretations of love’s complex meaning. Yellow gold as a reminder of trust and fidelity, white gold to remind the wearer of friendship’s integral role between lovers and the rose colored ring representing the passion that inspires love. The ring was only given the name ‘Trinity’ in 1998 and has evolved into an entire collection of Trinity de Cartier since; with bracelets and necklaces reiterating the grand emotional meaning behind the interlocking ring.

Now, Cartier presents a new Trinity ring, substituting the rose gold band with a black ceramic ring in the signature interwoven design. A Trinity de Cartier for a modern world, the same love inspired by passion is a love that can appear from out of the chaos of a changing world; a love that faces any uncertainty with faith in one another, navigating dark times to define its own future.

This limited edition Cartier Trinity ring will be available from January 2021.

Fashion

YSL Women's SS21

Through hard times it can seem as though the more a search for meaning is carried out, the more elusive and distant answers become. Wandering and languishing in hopes of a sign appearing before us, even if that sign is a mirage. People stray far from their home, yearning for purpose and understanding in an enigmatic life so harsh and chaotic like the beating sun on rolling desert sands. In an ode to humanity’s shared search, Anthony Vaccarello has transported the Saint Laurent SS21 runway into the scorching heat of the desert. Runway looks that would usually be the jewel of Paris streets are wandering, as we all are, a difficult and trying year for finding any consolation or explanation after so many losses and so many questions. Small comforts are now our greatest treasures, taking comfort only in the clothes on our back. 

A collection dedicated to the freedom of movement, silk blouses, a vareuse with spacious pockets, a long jacket with neat shoulders like an extension of Le Smoking. The inside life is made all the more leisurely and comfortable with a fluid jumpsuit, a floral explosion of chiffon with fluffy marabout fringes; a sheer Liseuse emulates a purgatory between dreams and reality where the delicate fabrics contrast the coarse realities faced by many. Speaking on the Saint Laurent Women’s SS21 collection, Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello claims “the desert, to me, symbolizes that yearn for serenity, open space, a slower rhythm. The clothes are also softer, the spirit of the collection is more gentle, stripped back.” The collection features jewelry by Claude Lalanne that are luminescent against the muted colors of the garments. 

The YSL SS21 Women’s collection has a distinct laissez-faire: while the desert is a serene backdrop visually, it is known for being severely hot under the sun and terribly cold under the moon. The desert demands an endurance of spirit and true fortitude of the human soul, the gentle spirit of this collection reveals a shared vulnerability ever present in mankind.

 www.ysl.com 

Fashion

Bottega Veneta Salon 01 London

In a year that has forced many to reconsider personal space, showmanship comes with its own set of burdens. Bottega Veneta have carried out their Salon 01 show at Sadler’s Wells theatre in London with a select local audience who were privy to an intimate runway on the ninth of October, conceived by Daniel Lee. A film of Salon 01 was produced and as of right now the tasteful and calming visuals are streaming on the Bottega Veneta website. The focus of Lee’s intimate London showcase is an assorted collection of objects, namely three books and a vinyl that artfully detail the influences and process of the collection. Lee’s book of influences is followed by German conceptual artist, Rosemarie Trockel’s book, Vol. 2. This volume presents collages, short stories and photographs that study the creative process of creating the collection as well as this creativity’s relationship to the clothing. The third and final book in the collection of objects is filled with the photography of Tyron Lebone, who some might know for his work on the video for Frank Ocean’s song ‘Nikes’. In the realm of sonic artistry, the singer Neneh Cherry voices dulcet spoken words; Neneh Cherry is also to thank for the soundtrack of the show. The film created of the show can now be seen in full on the Bottega Veneta website.

www.bottegaveneta.com

Fashion

Adidas x Prada

Adidas and Prada come together for yet another explosive collaboration, this time launching the A+P LUNA ROSSA 21 silhouette for the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. Prada and adidas have long been inspired by athletic and performance wear and for this collaboration they move seamlessly to the sport of sailing, grappling with the innovation and technology required for such challenging and demanding sportswear. The designs are all based upon the new AC75 Luna Rossa boat, creating a wonderful unity between athletes and their mode of transportation and competition. With both brands defiant in their commitment to the environment, their new shoe has sustainability at ite fore, the shoe’s upper composed of PRIMEGREEN, a compilation of high performance recycled materials. Comfortability and practicality are also incredibly important, a hydrophobic E-TPU outer shell ensuring flexible and breathable support, Complimented by a futuristic campaign, the A+P LUNA ROSSA 21 silhouette shows beautifully the luminosity and weightlessness of such a meticulously designed new shoe.

www.prada.com
www.adidas.com

Fashion

CHANEL Métiers d'Art

Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection was first introduced in 2002. Presented annually in December, it is a showcase of the many Maisons d’art, which are, throughout the year, in dialogue with Creative Director Virginie Viard enhancing the creations of Chanel. From feathermakers Lemarié and embroiderers Lesage to goldsmiths Goossens and millners Maison Michel, there are 38 specialized workshops in total. Following the regulations of staying home, Chanel followed suit, revealing the collection from the Château de Chenonceau. Located in the Loire Valley, this Renaissance castle might have more in common with Chanel than one might think. What links the castle and Chanel is the figure of Catherine de Medici. Coco Chanel had nothing but admiration and sympathy for the French queen, having experienced similar obstacles in her early life resulting in both women embodying the same boundary-breaking spirit. This connection has also left its mark on the house, most notable in the interlocked double C, Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved symbol, which bears a striking resemblance to the Queen’s monogram to be found all over the castle. The collection itself centered around the work of the métiers d’art. Pearl-encrusted latticework was used on fitted velvet frocks and leather jackets. The silhouette of the château finds itself replicated in embroidery on tea skirts and mullet dresses and the accessories are playing with velvets and pearls. The garments themselves also picked up on the Renaissance, sumptuous velvet gowns, ornate neck ruffles, often in black and white, only this time reimagined by Viard with a Chanel twist.

www.chanel.com

Fashion

Lift Off

Launching Trigreca, Versace embraces the iconic brand codes that make the Italian brand so recognizable and loved, the Greca pattern, first seen in their Fall Winter 1988 collection. Applying these historical references to footwear, Versace takes a geometric pattern and motif long associated with ancient Greek temples and transforms it into a trainer design so wonderfully futuristic and contemporary in its appeal. In fusing new and old, Versace creates a trainer that is utterly timeless. The Greca pattern is featured on three parts of the trainer, the sole, the midsole and the decorative upper toe stripe. Moving beyond simply aesthetic, the trainer’s cork “Greca Cushioning System” also provides support and comfort as well as height and elevation for those looking for a little boost. The trainer comes in black, white, green, blue and red versions all providing an injection of vibrancy and color into any look, a great statement shoe.

www.versace.com

Fashion

For Champions

Dynamic, Modern, new, these are the words that have fuelled Prada’s, Linea Rossa Fall Winter 2020 campaign, that aptly features sporting legend, Gus Kenworthy amongst a pioneering cast of global talent. With the champion British-American freestyle skier at the fore, it is only right that this collection focuses on functionality and engineering, its garments achieving a streamlined high-tech aesthetic, long associated with Linea Rossa. This urban uniform, an exciting fusion between skiwear and mountainwear, presents sleek silhouettes built for extreme weather and wear, performance gear with undeniable sophistication. Defined by a black and Linea Ross red color palette, garments are bold and graphic in their appeal, a sporting combination of stretch jersey, nylon and tech-knit adding to their striking impact. With items designed to make their wearer excel, this new campaign channels the adversity and strength of their sporting muse Kenworthy, creating clothes that beg to be worn by winners.

www.prada.com

Art

Ulay Was Here

The Stedelijk Museum consecrates the life and works of the late Ulay, with the artist’s largest ever retrospective to date. Born Frank Uwe Laysiepen, Ulay spent much of his career based in Amsterdam, and therefore it feels a fitting location for such a monumental exhibition. Composed of around two hundred works, the late artist who for many is associated with his former partner Marina Abramovi?, was a pioneer in his own right, transforming Polaroid photography, performance and body art with his forward thinking approach. Four themes dissect this retrospective: performance and performative aspects of photography; his research into gender identity using his body as a medium; social and political issues and lastly his relationship with the city of Amsterdam where he lived and world for forty years. Ulay Was Here is a powerful image of an artist who gave so much to the world, the arts and to contemporary discourse as we know it.

www.stedelijk.nl

Fashion

A Touch of Color

Audemars Piguet is undoubtedly part of the select few houses which form the peak of the watchmaking business. The oldest fine watch manufacturer still in the hands of the founding families, the name Audemars Piguet has become synonymous with luxury and an incredible dedication to the perfection of the craft which has resulted in numerous masterpieces. This strive for perfection is deeply ingrained in the house’s DNA having continuously nurtured talented craftsmen who have pushed the limits to create rule-breaking trends. Unwilling to rest on its laurels, Audemars Piguet is constantly looking to improve their current selection. For this reason, the Code 11.59 receives a colorful twist, now shining in hues of burgundy, blue, purple and grey. The sunburst lacquered dials enhance the timepiece with a myriad of refined details, slight nuances in coloration depending on the angle from which the watch is seen. Each model is elegantly encased in an 18-carat white or pink gold case depending on the color and finished with an alligator strap in the color of the dial. Refined and contemporary these novelties will bring a touch of brightness to your wrist. The resulting watches are not only aesthetically appealing, but Audemars Piguet also equips them with their self-winding mechanism. Visible through the caseback, the wearer will be able to admire the intricate inner life, the beautiful micro-mechanics revealing the functions and components usually hidden from our sight.

www.audermarspiguet.com

Fashion

Architectural Knits

Iris von Arnim approaches each season with an assured sense of simplicity, creating looks that are beautifully refined in their return to staple silhouettes and effortless dressing. An earthy palette composed of rich terracotta and lighter tones of alabaster becomes an unsuspecting portal to the 1970s, where flower power and other like-minded trends and movements sought a return to the earth as a means of freedom and self-expression. Iris von Arnim does just this in her UOMO FW2020 collection, her signature stitch, the patent rib, forming sumptuous knits that beg to be worn in the brisk outdoors. Channeling the brand’s strong knitwear heritage, alpaca-wool sits alongside soft cashmeres and hand-knitting techniques, consolidating true craftsmanship and luxury quality as key aspects of her DNA. There is a real depth to the knitted pieces in the collection, something excitingly architectural about the sleek masculine silhouette of each jumper. The cable knit is a nod to a more traditional aesthetic that in the brand’s focus on minimalism, becomes surprisingly modern if not timeless. Iris von Arnim caters to the modern man, in a balanced collection that uses simplicity as a way to elevate subtly beautiful garments.

www.irisvonarnem.com

 

Fashion

Touch of Nature

“After millions of years of evolution, the nature that surrounds us holds the best designs”, with this in mind, Mathias Malm has tried to emulate the infinite creativity of nature with a new chair informed by his very own algorithm. The Norwegian born designer, graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven, cleverly utilizes computer generated technology in order to reflect the unpredictable status of natural forms, bridging the gap between the man-made and the natural world. Recalling the skeletal structure of coral, through its digital genome, his chair the “Specie” references the threat of extinction of the world’s complex and critical marine ecosystem, whilst accommodating functionally to the human anatomy.

mathiasmalm.com

Fashion

Small Truths

Masterminded as “a creation in reverse” Hermès creates new life with petit h, a project that seeks to make new objects out of waste materials. In using what is left over, objects take on a gloriously unpredictable dimension, their starting points always new in their reinvention of scraps, as pieces of unsuspecting value. Using materials handed down by Hermès, each new item retains something of the house’s charm and identity, repurposed to create new and interesting narratives. Requiring intuitive and flexible design and vision, the house pushes its creatives to think outside the box, to imagine the potential that sits innate within their beautiful offcuts as springboards for entirely new creations. Accessories appear alongside small and at times nostalgic objects and jewelry, all encouraging in their support of a sustainable and pioneering future for Hermès.

www.hermes.com

Photo by Jonathan Frantini

Fashion

Small Pleasures

Envisioned by Armenian born Kris Ter-Ghazaryan, OUVERTURE, is a dazzling accumulation of the designer’s passion for fashion and design. Noting the absence of attainable, high quality, fine jewelry Ter-Ghazaryan set out to create her own brand, one which filled this much-desired niche. Through her consumer-based outlook, OUVERTURE delivers a thoughtful brand and concept, with a tasteful collection of desirable items. Though the jewelry brand is based in Berlin, where the design process itself begins, the products are in fact handcrafted in a small workshop in Armenia. Building upon the country’s 2000 year history of jewelry making, the brand is an ode to the designer’s roots, embracing the rich traditions of her birthplace. Exclusively using 14K (585) gold and precious stones, each piece is a small encapsulation of utter luxury. Ethically made, the brand promises its consumers a transparent and organic making process, one which leads the way as a sustainable and viable company model. All collections are permanent, designs offered in 14K (585) yellow, white and rose gold.

www.ouvertureberlin.com

Images: Frank Hülsbömer / OUVERTURE

Fashion

Armani Casa

Armani/Casa turns 20, two whole decades having passed since its launch in 2000. Reflecting on these formative years, Girogio Armani said “I began to structure the project of a total lifestyle, extending my vision and aesthetics to interior decorating”. With this aim in mind, it is clear that Armani has achieved his goal, this branch of his world renowned brand, a now “established design force”. From its Logo Lamp of the 1980s, Armani/Casa continues to seek out new and innovative stories to tell, crafting pioneering and enviable lifestyles out of humble objects in the domestic realm. 1930’s-1940’s aesthetics are moulded in a wonderfully contemporary vision, nostalgia presented with a strikingly modern and fresh touch. In interplaying past and present references, Armani/Casa evades any sense of normality or familiarity in their design, curating unique furniture and home accessories, through an unmatched understanding of history and the archive. Italian craftsmanship sings for their 20th anniversary, from delicate Murano glass to straw Marquetry, no detail is left unattended.

www.armanicasa.com

Fashion

To Be Free

Centred around the notion of freedom, Kate Moss joins Valérie Messika to head up a new high jewelry collection, lending their spirited sense of self to a beautiful set of pieces. The union between the fashion icon and the diamond jewelry designer is a triumph of spontaneous refinement, one which “had to happen”, according to Valérie Messika. Both women draw from an instinctive pool of creativity, and this assured sense of style is translated seamlessly on to each product. Inspired by Kate Moss’ own jewelry box, there is an international, art deco feel, that is startling new to Messika jewelry but also one that makes complete sense. Stones are imbued with a real sense of fluidity, sleek lines and supple design forming a shared vocabulary of daring luxury items, wondrously tantalising in their showcasing of a variety of diamond cuts and eclectic aesthetic. Asymmetric designs meet innovative earring shapes that encircle the ear along with delicate anklets and cascading rings. Responding to the body in an organic yet wholly dramatic and feminine way, Moss and Messika come together to show the mind-blowing possibilities of a collaboration of this pedigree.

www.messika.com

Fashion

Natural Union

Bryan Adams joins forces with KALDEWEI for a collaboration that could not be more pertinent in our current time. KALDEWEI which is a German-run Steel Enamel business, showcases washbasins in its latest campaign, emphasizing the importance of washing hands in beautifully artistic visuals by the renowned Bryan Adams. Themes ‘Natural Union’, hands come together in a Sistine Chapel like motif over colourful basins. Through these photographs the notion of connectivity and hygiene are brought to the fore with striking intimacy and tenderness. Commenting on the collection Adams said “we are all naturally connected and have a responsibility to look after each other and the environment - everyday actions like washing your hands have never been more important”. With this in mind, KALDEWEI’s collection becomes a hybrid of social responsibility and art, the running water adding an element of sensuality amidst the sculptural forms of the basins and the hands.

www.kaldewei.nl

Music

WOODKID - S16

LG: How do you approach song writing? 

WK: In January 2016, we went to the studio for 2 months, I started thinking about reverse engineering the record, to start with production, sound and mix, even before we had songs we started to look at the spectrum of sounds, we made digital instruments, we made a lot of different sounds and collected keyboard sounds that I liked and percussion we went to different studios to try and find rare instruments and transformed the sound we really explored the sonic spectrum of the record even before I had the songs so that I could really get inspired by the beats almost like I was a rapper and i would ask for instrumentals and beats that I could rap over.

LG: How did it feel writing this album, it sounds as though it would have been very cathartic? 

WK: I like to say the album is like a night of insomnia, where you go through all the spaces of doubt and delirium that comes with my state of slumber and you end with the day rising and suddenly everything becomes clear but you have to go through that cathartic, therapeutic moment where you make a big discovery and conscious analysis of the things that are good and bad about you. I think it's a very contemporary concept especially the concept of masculinity, what it is to be a man today, when you realize a lot of things you have been taught are probably wrong or not aligned with the world anymore, and there's actually a beautiful strength in admitting your fragility and your vulnerability and that there's a beautiful strength in asking for help and not doing everything by yourself and the idea of responsibility is not exactly what you think it is. I think it's very contemporary and it goes with the gender revolution and i really like that this album talks about that 

LG: How has coronavirus and the lockdown impacted your creative process, has it made you more or less productive? 

WK: The album was already finished by the time the coronavirus had started so it didn't really impact it, but it does impact the way i talk about it. I had a bit of a fear before I started the record, I didn't want to reduce it to an album that was talking about environmental questions or political questions but it is an album about the intimate and the personal, more talking about the monster inside than the monster outside. But the coronavirus and the lockdown kind of things back into perspective, I could talk about both at the same time, I think there's something very peculiar about confinement, it's a moment where the hyper intimate but also the outside world, the collective and the individual were being brought together. I then realized maybe it was time for me to be a bit more verbal in the emergence of my social and political thoughts and that maybe it was coincidental that my album was colliding with this moment in time. Maybe the album talked way more about the world than i thought it did and less about me than i thought it did.

LG: During this period, I feel like we've been given the luxury of time to reflect on ourselves and our work, has it made you want to change anything about your sound or your process? 

WK: Not really about the sounds, but really more about my vision and how I treat my music and how I position the music in that world. It's a very ambiguous point of view because it is at the same time being more realistic about the non-importance of what I do. Because when I have been in the environment of talking about the promotion of your record, there is something much more big going on in the world, it puts everything into perspective but at the same time if as an artist i make the conscious choice to make a record today, it can't ignore the world, it has to have a wider concept. 

LG: What does this album represent for you in terms of where you are personally in life and in your career? 

WK: It talks about me a couple years ago, It doesn’t talk about me now, I don't think I would be able to handle that record today if I was in the same state. I needed to heal, I’m thinking about mental health here. If I was too fragile about this I wouldn't be strong enough to speak about it and to go on tour and share it. Really it is a record that talks about the beauty of support and the beauty there is in being helped. In the song Horizons Into battlegrounds i say: “why do I love you more when i’m wasted I only welcome care when I’m wounded”, there's always this idea of needing someone and i think thats something thats pretty new in my life, relying on other people. 

LG: What does this album represent for you in terms of where you are personally in life and in your career? 

WK: Yes! I think what has really inspired me more than making that record is the pain that I went through, I know I don't want to go through that again. It even comforts me that if I make more music and I want to make more music, that it will be even more on my own terms. I won’t take so much time anymore, I think that time was needed because I was going through a severe depression and I had to take care and deal with it. Politically this idea of taking time is also important. I’ve realised I want to work around this idea of temporality, make more ep’s and singles.

Woodkid's new album S16 will come out October 16, 2020.

www.woodkid.com

Images by Collier Schorr 
All Rights Reserved

Fashion

Through a Filter

Driving us to action, Moose Knuckles’ FW20 Campaign inspires their international buyers. Known for their high quality outerwear, the Canadian brand “Bring The Heat” in a campaign designed to bridge the gap between product and emotion. In reference to the latest campaign, the brand’s Global Marketing Director Dominique Lagleva said “we’re inspired by the fearless community of creators who’ve kept pursuing their passions despite the many barriers that stand in their way.” With this adversity in mind, dazzling colors achieve a thermographic map-like filter, creating a digitized aesthetic startlingly in real life. Young Thug and Kehlani firmly roots the campaign in pop culture, referencing the music scene that is so enmeshed with the brand’s identity. With the looks crafted by Kyle Luu and captured by Sandy Kim, Moose Knuckles produces a memorable campaign with an impressive and vibrant cast.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Fashion

Maison Margiela Spring Summer 2021

For Maison Margiela, our current time has been a catalyst to cravings of connectivity and togetherness, their Spring Summer 2021 ‘Co-ed’ Collection using dance as a medium to materialize a largely absent sense of intimacy. Through the vigor and vibrancy of the tango, chivalrous tailoring and dynamic drapery come alive, channeled through the impassioned movement of this paired choreography. Wet look effects heighten this sense of intensity, the ecstasy that comes from dancing in the rain, given a high end luxury sentiment by the historic Maison. Millefeuille jackets are layered with wadding, organza, butter muslin and tulle, given a sense of body through contrasting textures. Artisanal techniques also take on an alternative lens, industrialized and evolved through the House’s creative vision. Picking up on traditional colors of the tango, black, red, white and grey recall the classic gentleman’s wardrobe, the drama of this symbolic tradition, captured in the dark and foreboding hues of Argentina's most beloved dance. Building upon this visual reference, the collection’s accessories feature beautifully beaded evening bags, harking back to the 1960s, alongside raffias and straw bags. Maison Margiela out does itself, in a visual feast that imbues each look with a fresh and dynamic take on such a lauded and celebrated cultural phenomenon.

www.maisonmargiela.com

Fashion

Rick Owens Spring Summer 2021

In spite of being included as part of the Paris calendar, Rick Owens set his show in Venezia, Italy, just two hours away from his factory – with no audience, but the intimate cheers of Rick’s Italian design crew. The choice is one of the most sustainable and coherent, sharing that unconventional mindset Rick Owens has made clear over the years. The show was held just in front of the Casino at the Lido, a rationalist building from the 30s riming with Palais de Tokyo – the historical show venue for Rick Owens – built for the occasion of the ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne’ in 1937. “I spend my Summers on Venice’s Lido, the site of Thomas Mann’s novella ‘Death in Venice’. The main character, a writer ascetically devoted to his craft, develops an obsession with a youth and ends up dying on the beach from cholera during an epidemic with desperately age-defying hair dye running down his face in the hot sun. The word ‘quarantine’ originated from this area’s medieval response to the bubonic plague.” Rick Owens speaks of his time thinking about the show, about the meaning of his vision. Often working with the juxtaposition of elements and an idiosyncratic use of references, beyond fashion. Like Fall Winter 2017 with its coats, skirts, sleeveless jackets layered and twisted over the body recalling sacred costumes: to channel the need for a positive new beginning rooted in a sense of collectivity, of gathering together, of humanity in its social form. The idea of a procession in name of a better world in spite of the dark times, of ceremony-like ritual that bonds together societies, a theme Rick Owens explored since then. “My last fall runway shoulder-freak-out wasn’t about power, it was about defiance — defiance in the face of threat.” Likewise for Spring Summer 2021 the exaggerated shoulders “are an exaggerated middle finger to doom” That’s pure Rick Owens, and his declaration on intent is clear: in a moment of crisis you defy, you counter attack, opting for the bright rather than the dark. A dash of Bubblegum pink all over, red thigh high boots, “Neapolitan gelato” degrade stripe print on chiffon and crêpe, knits that double up, peel up and down “like a banana, covering or exposing at will”. And the “grim gaiety” of tulle geo-ruffles sprinkled with trailing gazar ribbons.

www.rickowens.com

Fashion

Christian Dior Spring Summer 2021

“To cut is to think, is to see […] Cutting structures language, but also clothing. It is an intervention into the traditional conceptions of representing and seeing a body or thing, and thereby produces a new sensation” The words of the late Germano Celant resonates in Maria Grazia Chiuri’s latest collection for Dior. The renowned Italian art critic - who sadly passed away this year due to novel coronavirus health complications – is only one of the many devastating deaths leaving a very big void in the art realm. His seminal essays have been the founding structure of some of the most relevant discourses on art and architecture, a constant reference and inspiration. In 1996 he was the appointed curator for the first edition of Florence Biennale of Art and Fashion, stressing the idea of art as a constant evolving practice strictly connected to the contemporary world, as the expression of a shared creativity. The work of Italian visual artist and poet Lucia Marcucci has also been a key inspiration for Maria Grazia Chiuri. In the short documentary by film director Alina Marazzi made to celebrate the artist on the occasion of the show, Marcucci dives into her early work made between the 60s and 70s: “In 1964 I was given the chance to go to a historical printing shop to work on collages, true technological manifestos that at the time I called “visual poetry”. I then also started to work on cinematographic poetry through collages of 16 mm films. Romantic movies, westerns, historical reports. […] Those were time of joy, of happiness, of playfulness. It was a time when artists believed deeply in what they were creating. It was both serious and playful. Subverting the status quo, in name of a completely different creation, tampering or rather exploring the languages used by mass media, these languages accessible to everyone, exploiting them, reassembling them, in order to surprise the viewer”. The artistic messages of Marcucci’s work, intertwined with the powerful image of a female artist operating during the time of extreme experimental ground in the Italian art milieu, were one of the starting points for Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Spring Summer 2021 collection for Dior. As For Maria Grazia Chiuri each season is a complex set of layers where research and experimentation continuously reflects and reinterpret Dior’s woman Romantic heroines, asser tive female leaders, resilient fighters, they are women who radically marked our history but paradoxically have been veiled by dominant male oriented culture, These are heroines emblematic of our time, now more than ever. The set design for the show also plays a poignant role: “Vetrata di poesia visiva”, conceived by Lucia Marcucci as an in-situ installation, transforms the show venue into a grandiose stage punctuated by immense light boxes, nodding to the sacred dimension of the stained-glass windows in Gothic cathedrals, and creating an powerful encounter with Lucia Ronchetti’s “Sangu di rosa” choral work with texts taken from the “Voceri” – the folkloric classical musical repertories associated with funereal ceremonies from mid 19th century Corsica.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Fear of God

Ermenegildo Zegna celebrates the official global launch of its new collection Fear of God with a series of simultaneous events worldwide. Hosted across continents, Chengdu, Milan and Los were all privy to specially curated events, each revolving around the exclusive collection. In Chengdu, China, Zegna opened its very own pop-up store, welcoming major celebrities and KOLs such as Dylan Wang, Sunnee, the beloved influencers Fil and Sam and DJ Maddox. The installation in Chengdu will be open until 7 October 2020. In Milan and Los Angeles events featured a live conversation in collaboration with Highsnobiety, with a futuristic twist as Zegna’s Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori guided guests digitally through the collection. Zegna’s Boutiques in Milan and Los Angeles also housed an exhibition, showcasing the collaboration until October 31 2020. Special guests included Michael B. Jordan, Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, Usher and Quincy Jones, with a live performance by DJ Samantha Ronson.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring Summer 2021

During the past few months, each of us has developed their own way of dealing with the lockdown and the social distancing measures. Some have taken the time to learn a new skill or to rediscover past hobbies. For Paul Andrew, Creative Director of Salvatore Ferragamo, this meant diving into classic Hitchcock movies. Watching these films in our current times was different than in the past, as the real world has seemingly become a strange and surreal place, not unlike the world depicted in Hitchcock’s films. Out of these worlds grew the inspiration behind the SS21 collections, with Hitchcock homages to be found throughout. Technical artisanship meets ravishing color with each look exuding resilience and beauty perfect for the heroines and heroes of the uncertain times ahead. Aside from the technically sophisticated details, such as embroidery and hand finishes, to complement the strong and vibrant colors, Andrew chooses light and generous cuts offering the wearer the freedom to move. To fully offer the guests and viewers online the real feel of the classic films, the show was opened with short film, produced by Luca Guadagnino. This short film offered us a glimpse of the collection in a Hitchcock-tinged evolution of suspense and anticipation set in Milan.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

C.P. Company Amsterdam

C.P. Company has come a long way since its founding in 1971, originally named Chester Perry by young graphic designer Massimo Osti. Initially renowned for its screen-printed t-shirts, the original Italian Sportswear brand is now well regarded for its entire range of clothing and accessories. As part of its journey, C.P. Company now celebrates its first flagship store in Amsterdam, an important marker in C.P. history. Located in Leidsestraat 23, the store is now resident on one of Amsterdam’s most famous shopping streets, a hub of the local fashion scene. Designed as an experimental retail platform, C.P. Company set out to create an immersive experience for its customers, an extension of the brand’s innovative approach to its clothing. The concept store features exposed brick work, 30 ° inclined shelving cabinets and a continuous hanger that runs futuristically through the store. Channeling an urban aesthetic, concrete and iron clad the walls, a grungy nod to contemporary streetwear culture. As C.P. Company’s first store in the Benelux Region, it promises to be an exciting new venture for the brand and its loyal customer base here in Amsterdam.

www.cpcompany.com

Fashion

BOSS Spring Summer 2021

BOSS plays with eyelets in their SS21 collection, subverting the traditional expectation of these practical fixtures as decorative details, which run through entire looks from head to toe. Sandals feature these oversized eyelets as well as the hems of dresses and other aspects of the menswear collection. Greyish blues are accented by the metallic hardware, adding another element to muted subtler looks. These colors then interplay with blacks and creams in shirts, jumpsuits also inviting this retro appeal. BOSS also introduces a graphic print, an illustrative depiction of spring summer, flowers animating a cream background. Single pieces and suits imagine this print in motion, its fluid looping lines building an exciting dynamism into each of the looks, the flowers an ode to blossoming nature. Deep pinks of maxi dresses and men’s suits are taken from the print, where select colours are integrated in the graphic design. BOSS presents Spring Summer, in a controlled yet wonderfully colorful display, the greens of nature, blues of water and a camel and beige neutral palette coming together in true artistry.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Max Mara Spring Summer 2021

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Max Mara Art Prize for Women, a biannual prize awarding female artists engaged in different visual and performative art forms, the time and resources to research in Italy and create a final artwork. Winner of the 2013-2015 edition, Corin Sworn investigated the theme of Commedia Dell’Arte, the seminal theatre form emerged in the 15th century Italy, and widely considered the very birth of modern theatre. Sworn visited Naples, Roma, Venice, three cities deeply steeped in the commedia dell’arte. A live oral art form performed with a set of archetype of figures engaging with everyday life. The early commedia dell’arte is placed in a historical moment, the Renaissance period, when the question of how people were socially read arises, when – in Sworn’s words - “the fixity of people’s lives under feudal system was opening up and shifting”. These are stories revolving around the meaning of “identity” itself. For Spring Summer 2021 Max Mara addresses this same crucial question during this complex historical time. The question of identity, of heroic rebirth, of renewal. Channeling elements of the Renaissance silhouettes and aesthetic, Max Mara creates volumes and gathered necklines scooped or straight across from shoulder to shoulder, like a 15th century portrait. Sleeves are slashed right through, suits are sharply tailored with palazzo trousers, parkas are constructed with utilitarian pockets, snap fasteners and drawstrings. The color palette blends earth tones, black and a dash of pasted blue and green hues. The signature’s Max Mara luxurious power dressing for modern women facing everyday life.

www.maxmara.com

Fashion

Missoni Spring Summer 2021: Viva l’Italia

Marking the beginning of Milan Fashion Week, Missoni presents breathtaking new visuals in the form of a short video. Presenting not only the clothes, but also the House’s broader project and mission. Shot by Oliver Hadlee Pearch under the creative direction of Angela Missoni, this video guides the viewer, explaining the vision behind the new campaign, told endearingly by the familiar voice of Angela Missoni herself. There is something incredibly familiar and personal about Angela Missoni's presence in the work, identifying the significant shift the brand has had to make in regard to its calendar presentations. In not presenting SS21 (which is in fact currently being sold to customers), but communicating a vision of FW21, Missoni’s evolution consolidates itself as a brand in keeping with the times, adaptable with a smart approach. Missoni speaks directly to its loyal buyer with a transparency that is as inviting as it is bold. This sense of intimacy is matched by the backdrop of the video, where Angela’s favorite locations are rendered in their full Italian glory: Varese and il Sacro Monte, imbuing each scene with a visceral sense of history and culture. An exchange between Angela and her beloved Italy, recalls the nostalgia of love letters, postcard visuals layered atop of location shots and marble statues. This campaign is an exciting glimpse of what will be a greater series, committed to redesigning the Grand Tour à la Missoni way. Italian patriotism runs through the campaign, the models starring in the film, Vittori Ceretti and Edoardo Sebastianelli themselves proud Italians; a portrait of a young hopeful generation. With the Italian saying, Viva l’Italia “straight from the heart” in mind, Missoni inspires a wonderfully emotional connection with their global audience- family is at the core of everything they do.

www.missoni.com

Fashion

Bauhaus Brilliance

Hanacha Studio is an international womenswear label headquartered in Korea. Hana Cha’s brand shot to new levels since graduating from London College of Fashion with an MA in Fashion, the same year she won “Collection of the Year 2012” at the V&A Museum. Celebrating the evolution of the brand, Hanacha Studio released their Archive Collection, highlighting the identity of the brand through a self-led exploration of the studio's unique theoretical background in art. Hanacha has developed a vast vocabulary, where research, art history and contemporary culture intermix to avant garde and eclectic effect. Bridging contrasts, oppositions and polarities, Hanacha unites “simplicity” and “complexity”, producing silhouettes and looks that are undefinable in their exchange of style, shape and color. The studio’s latest collection forms an academic and theoretical approach, an extension of Hana Cha’s dissertation “Simplification process in Bauhaus”, inspired also by “Assemblage”, a three-dimensional collage from Picasso’s sculptures. The Archive Collection pulls shape and color together, curating contemporary Bauhaus appeal, beautifully within a collection of clothes.

www.hanacha-studio.com

Fashion

MESSE IN ST.AGNES

Koenig Galerie presents MESSE IN ST. AGNES, its second edition following its first success in June this year where they welcomed over 4000 visitors in just 12 days. Taking place from September 12 till 20 September 2020, the former Church in Berlin Kreuzberg will be made accessible to the public for a second time, transformed into a spectacular gallery’s saleroom. MESSE IN ST. AGNES was initially set up as an experiment to compensate for this year’s cancellation of ART BASEL, but has since come into its own, becoming something of a niche event in the art world. Showing over 200 high ranked artworks from the primary and secondary market, pieces will be made available for sale. Works included are by internationally renowned artists, Rita Ackermann, Daniel Arsham, Georg Baselitz, Monica Bonvicini, Jonathan Lyndon Chase, Nicole Eisenman, Katharina Grosse, Subodh Gupta, Sarah Morris, Man Ray, Tomas Saraceno, Lee Ufan and Cosima von Bonin amongst many others. This event aims to curate a unique and unprecedented insight into the contemporary art market, often a mysterious and impenetrable world for the humble art lover. In displaying the price of all exhibited artworks, MESSE IN ST. AGNES enforces real and exciting transparency, a completely fresh and alternative approach to art fairs. The fair’s first edition sold around 80 pieces, totaling up to 2 million euros, comprising works by the likes of Damien Hirst, Gerhard Richter and Neo Rauch. A no photo policy adds to the aura of the event, imbuing the brutalist church with a tantalizing exclusivity. Tickets are available online and at the gallery with free entry for children under twelve.

www.koeniggalerie.com

Fashion

Time to Change

Cartier launches its new Pasha watch, backed by a fresh cast of extraordinary and creative ambassadors. Since its beginnings in the 1980s, the Pasha watch has always embraced success and innovation. Setting its sights on a new generation, Cartier has crafted a watch for its growing clientele that are in search of the best the brand has to offer. Channeling the exceptional talent of the likes of Jackson Wang, Willow Smith, Maisie Williams, Rami Malek, Troye Sivan Cartier announces its most ingenious design yet. Catering to a young and contemporary audience who are constantly on the go, the new Pasha watch has an interchangeable strap, coming in steel, gold and leather. The strap can be changed multiple times in the space of a day allowing for a versatile accessory perfect for any occasion. It is these details that have made the House a pioneering force in the industry, their ability to evolve and adapt with the times an important key to their success. It’s varied and striking team of ambassadors bring their own cult following, introducing a dynamic aspect to Pasha’s legacy.

www.cartier.com

Berlin Brilliance

Bartending is rendered as an art form by 7585 in their new capsule collection launch ‘Dream Baby Dream’. Fittingly taking place at their favorite Berlin bar, the bar top is turned into an avant garde impromptu runway as models strut brazenly to the sound of booming techno. Made intimate by the space’s capacity, the launch is also an homage to the unity of Berlin creatives who have come together at such a critical time. The collection which has been designed and produced locally is also modelled by unique Berlin artist personalities, designs which were made in collaboration with the aforementioned “Dream Baby Dream” bar. This collection is a celebration of ethical fashion, craftsmanship and honest materials. Embracing the forward thinking essence of Berlin, all garments are unisex, seasonles spieces designed to be timeless statements of creative integrity. 7585 X DBD is all about locality, the organic cotton coming from a local supplier and the high wash resistant flex print folia from a local manufacturer. The collection is made up of wearable pieces all in black, except for one white piece with a black star/sun, an ode to the Berlin techno music scene.

www.7585berlin.com

Fashion

The New ghost

Explaining the inspiration behind their most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce to date, Rolls-Royce's Chief Executive Officer has a new generation in his sights. Male and female clients looking for a “slightly smaller, less ostentatious means to own a Rolls Royce” are catered for by the new Rolls-Royce Ghost which “distils the pillars of [the] brand into a beautiful, minimalist, yet highly complex product”. In keeping with a “Post Opulent” design philosophy, superficial and traditional expressions of wealth are rejected in search of a new and refined aesthetic. Rolls-Royce uses a rigid aluminium spaceframe architecture, with all-wheel driving and steering to create a vehicle that exudes craftsmanship and quality. In addition to creating a visually pleasing car, the new Rolls-Royce Ghost also promises an effortless and reactive driving experience, the result of the world's first Planar suspension system. The car also fitted with hallmark 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 engine, delivering 571PS and 850 nm. With ease and accessibility a formative part of the car, doors now open electrically. In keeping with the minimalist aesthetic a down lit Pantheon grille subtly illuminates the Rolls-Royce iconography. The new Ghost is an engineering feat that has a new and budding generation of clients at its core.

www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Fashion

“lo dico io”

Dior’s Autumn Winter 2020-21 campaign is a tribute to versatile femininity and the Italian feminist art that it inspired. T-shirts are printed with the words “I say I”, translated from the Italian “lo dico io” and taken from the introduction of the 1971 manifesto “La presenza dell'uomo nel femminismo” by Italian feminist, Carla Lonzi. Photographed by Paola Mattioli, the models are captured in a series of natural and spirited portraits that feel incredibly personal and intimate in their portrayal of free and effortless dressing. The ready-to-wear collection features key elements from the runway, eye-catching patterns composed of polka dots and checks animating the iconic Bar silhouette. The Dior Book Tote and Lady D-Lite Bag undergo a velvet makeover appearing strikingly new next to the new Dior Bobby and the House’s emblematic scarves. Dior continues transforming old classics, as it revisits the Bar Jacket that consecrated Christian Dior’s success back in 1947. Maria Grazia Chiuri creates a new version, producing form-defying structure with its knit silhouette. Opening the Fall Winter 2020-21 show, the Bar Jacket presented a huge challenge to the House’s ateliers, relying on 4 prototypes in order to render such impressive volume and shape. In its return to such a statement piece, Dior blends comfort and elegance, building upon the House’s diverse heritage.

www.dior.com

Fashion

It's up to you

BOSS is reborn in its Fall/Winter 2020 campaign, its international cast of up-and-coming models, hailing the new generation as leading lights in this chaotic, upturned world. With Fabien Baron as director, optimism is narrated surprisingly through a monochromatic lens, investing our sense of hope in these young men and women. Yet despite this intensity there is a weightlessness to the models, who in the accompanying short film directed by Baron, stride deliberately across the word BOSS, first as individuals and then as a group. The campaign cleverly reflects the gradual building back up of our world, as communities come together and people leave their houses into an unknown future. The BOSS aesthetic is seamlessly integrated into this fresh and effortless attitude and confidence. Tailoring becomes infused with a sense of purposes and outerwear designs reflect a contemporary cool. As the world finds its new normal and sense of balance, BOSS is defiant that this decade will become something, fuelled by the new generation.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Salvatore Ferragamo Fall Winter 2020

A shifted perspective informs Creative Director, Paul Andrew’s vision for Salvatore Ferragamo’s Fall Winter Campaign 2020. Its season’s shoes, ready-to-wear and accessories taking on a less obvious position in the campaign, in a considered move which sees its models and accessories decentred in a plight to curate a different kind of story. As viewers we are encouraged to seek out Ferragamo’s autumnal pieces, amidst a scattering of brightly coloured, blurred shapes, dispersed through the depths of each photograph. In doing so Andrew draws us into the narrative, encouraging us to look for the stand out pieces we admire most. There is something ostensibly painterly about the campaign, recalling the works of Miro or even Picasso in their bold coloured palettes, with models taking on the role of muse in their art historical renderings. In revising what a campaign should make us feel, think and say Andrew “invites the viewer to appreciate the craft and beauty in individual pieces”, showcasing the House’s depth and creative ingenuity effortlessly. Art is sold as part of our vernacular, the dynamic between humans and clothes a visual interplay of colour, texture and light.

www.salvatoreferragamo.com

Fashion

NEW HAW- LIN SERVICES X PB 0110

Philipp Bree was inspired by a conversation early last year with creative duo HAW-LIN Services, that touched on his conceptual understanding of objects. Elevating them from minor aspects of our vernacular, Philipp sees personal and beloved items as sites of higher meaning. Philipp is now pleased to present the results of these explorations, HAW 7-11. Jacob Klein and Nathan Cowen, with whom Philipp has been working since the start of PB 0110 in 2012, have designed a range of models that can be worn very close to the body. Distinguished by their reflectivity, accessories are designed to be worn closely to the body, feeding into his narrative on the intimacy of our chosen items and the relationships we nurture with them. The collection will be available online and in selected multi brand stores world wide.

www.pb0110.com

Fashion

STONE ISLAND SOUND

Stone Island and C2C Festival are coming together to create an exciting new project, STONE ISLAND SOUND. Born in the early nineties, C2C has been a historic figure in the contemporary music and art scene since the very beginning and this upcoming collaboration pays homage to its rich musical roots. Curating playlists, record releases and soundtracks to be played across all Stone Island stores, this new initiative centres contemporary music production as a way to promote local scenes and communities. Reflecting the cultural nuances of avant-garde, new pop, irregular sounds and original music productions, Stone Island stores will act as a kind of abstracted map, spotlighting the colourful and chaotic world of genres that make up the contemporary music scene. After premiering in stores, the music will then land on Bandcamp, Buy Music Club, Spotify, Tidal and other platforms, extending the reach and accessibility of its various contributing artists across these music channels. STONE ISLAND SOUND creates a community that starts in its stores and has the power to connect across the world.

www.stoneisland.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Crafty 2020

Graffiti meets neo-expressionism in Louis Vuitton’s Crafty Collection 2020, its nod to a vibrant art history symbolic of the brand’s continued commitment to cultural monuments. Taking inspiration from the two artistic movements, Louis Vuitton travels back to the 1980s, immortalizing the transition of these urban underground trends into New York museums and galleries.

Ultra graphic prints have art deco appeal, the two colour schemes, cream and red and autumnal cream and caramel reviving the House’s most iconic pieces – Onthego, NéoNoé and Boite Chapeau Souple. The Archive holds instinctive appeal in this collection, its print also a blast from the past, paying tribute to the long and successful history of the brand and its synonymous print.

The Crafty Collection will be launched in Louis Vuitton stores at the end of July, spanning a full selection of trainers, accessories, ready-to-wear, travel and more.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

BIG BANG UNICO SKY BLUE

Formed between sea and sky, Big Bang Unico Sky Blue celebrates where two blues converge. Its own aquatic watch face an ethereal point of departure, instantly delving into a vocabulary of sun bleached hair, white sands and poolside drinks.

With its unmissable 45-mm diameter case, Big Bang Unico Sky Blue is a bold, sun-kissed statement, evocative of the tranquil blues of a Mykonos beach or a bay in St Tropez. Cut out of ceramic, Hublot maintains its trademark, its long affinity with the material consolidating its brand identity as strong and enduring. Ceramic also forms the deployant buckle clasp, tying the watch together adding welcome detail to its sporting velcro strap.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

Santoni Men’s Spring Summer 2021

Riviera del Conero, Marmitte dei Giganti, Sibillini Mountains, places narrating the love for their own origins, Santoni’s soul resides in the genius loci of Marche region, at the heart of Italy. Its waters, its green mountains, the breeze of summer days. Nerofumo, Lava, Notturno, Adriatico, Sirolo, Terra Bruciata, Morro, Quercia, Urbino, Fabriano, Arancio Santoni are some of the shades that create an emotional visual narration of Santoni’s own native landscape. Named “Origini”, the Spring Summer 2021 collection introduces TRAMA: a modern highlight of the house’s craftsmanship with intertwined motives created on calfskin to confer a sophisticated tridimensional effect. The video also reframes some of Santoni’s iconic styles, like the double boucle in hand distressed red leather: merged in the primordial settings where the house’s values were founded, its fields, its hills. The collection presents a refined elegance at times embracing sportswear, sleek silhouettes and a contemporary edge. And Santoni’s signature flair.

www.santonishoes.com

Fashion

Dior Men's spring Summer 2021

As young child Kim Jones lived in the African continent, following his father traveling for work as a Hydrologist. Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania and Ghana, the latter was one of the countries that most left a mark on the British designer’s memory. When in December 2019 Jones re-encountered the work of Ghanaian-born artist Amoako Boafo at then newly opened Rubell Museum during Art Basel Miami it was the staring point of a creative dialogue. A dialogue about origins. About the respective take on Africa and blackness, celebrating the story of a country rarely told, celebrating both artists' identities. Blossomed in the Dior Homme Spring Summer collection. Presented as a two-acts short film, edited and soundtracked by legendary video artist Chris Cunningham (Act 1) and directed by Jakie Nickerson with music by Max Richter (Act 2), it first and foremost tells the story of Boafo’s characters and his portraiture style, his finger-painting technique and the subtle atmosphere surrounding the celebrated “Black Diaspora“ artworks. One particular painting inspired Jones at the very beginning: a young man wearing an ivy shirt in all its flamboyant stillness, and mirroring Monsieur Dior’s very own obsession with gardens and foliage. It’s a genuine connection where the Boafo’s gestures are transposed – literally and metaphorically onto garments expressive of the maison’s Haute Couture techniques. Manière stripe, Dior oblique embroidery on tulle; embroideries executed by Atelier Vermont referencing the Archive piece; hats created by Stephen Jones; knitwear intarsia literally translating Boafo’s specific works; ribbed knits incorporating jacquard patterns recalling the rich structure of the canvas. As Kim Jones phrased: “We looked at the idea of focusing on his life, his subjects and his portraits, creating something that is very Dior but portraying an artist that I greatly admire” It’s an emotional journey enriched by the artistic direction of the camera work and soundtracks accompanying the tale of a synergy. The deem light, the sea waves, the colors, the brushwork, the voices.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Berluti Spring Summer 2021

During his two years at helm of Berluti, Kris Van Assche has been building his own aesthetic, expanding the Maison’s codes through an experimental and progressive approach. For Spring Summer 2021 Van Assche collaborated with ceramic artist Brian Rochefort embracing the desire for a dialogue on visual art and color research. As avid ceramic collector, Van Assche explored Rochefort’s vocabulary and oeuvre, where a natural set of shared values arose: Berluti’s color research and artisanal know-how on patina finds a common thread with Rochefort’s investigation on ceramic glazing. Inspired by volcanoes and exotic plants, the artist’s exuberant signature blends intuitively with the augmented natural texture and language exercised at the Maison established in Paris in 1895 and built by four generations of shoemakers. True to its conception a digital conversation between the designer’s home in Paris and Brian Rochefort’s studio in Los Angeles unveiling the behind-the-scenes of the collaboration served as a preview of the synergy between the two artists. Presenting the gestures of both Brian Rochefort’s modus operandi and Berluti’s artisans at work. The garments and accessories will be fully unveiled and launched in stores in January 2021

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Le Mythe Dior

Fashion houses this week are preparing to show the fruits of their labour, yet as the pandemic refuses to die down this ultimately begs the question, what does fashions future look like in a socially-distanced landscape? The past few months have seen houses moving to technological solutions, seen last month with the online debut of Chanel’s cruise collection. Today, in a more extravagant display, Dior presented an enchanting video in lieu of the usual fashion show extravaganza. The video titled ‘Le Mythe Dior’ was created especially for Dior by the Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone. The brief video was a clear effort to create atmosphere and infuse a sense of wonder without all the glamour of a fashion show. Viewers were transported into a fairytale forest complete with water nymphs, tree dwellers and even a handsome minotaur. With the creation of the 37 silhouettes, Grazia wanted to honor the work of five inspiring figures of surrealism, Lee Miller, Dora Maar, Dorothea Tanning, Leonora Carrington and Jacqueline Lamba. Shown in the extravagant details, the larger than life collection is dreamlike, existing between realities and timelines, to be appreciated like a fine artwork. “Surrealist images manage to make visible what is in itself invisible. I’m interested in mystery and magic, which are also a way of exorcising uncertainty about the future,” says Maria Grazia Chiuri.

www.dior.com

Fashion

A New Big Bang

Through their extraordinary design, the watches out of Hublot’s Big Bang series have become contemporary icons, with each representing the house’s commitment to tradition whilst fusing their outstanding craftsmanship with cutting edge materials and now, even the newest digital technology. Two years after first exploits into wearable technology, the Swiss manufacturer returns with the Big Bang E, a connected watch, a culmination of the latest technology and existing iconic codes. Following their ‘Art of Fusion’ philosophy, this latest model highlights the efforts to unite the innovation and technological sophistication of the digital smart watch with the time-honored Hublot aesthetic. The resulting piece perfectly fits with the Hublot watchmaking tradition with all the iconic codes being instantly recognizable by experts and enthusiasts alike. The first edition of the Big Bang E will be part of the #HublotLovesArt movement with a series of eight different dials stemming from the imagination of artist Marc Ferrero. Every three hours, the dial will change colors with each display being inspired by a specific color. Furthermore, every full hour is marked with the appearance of an animation, which lasts five seconds. For the first time in Hublot’s history, this watch will be available online aside from the traditional network.

www.hublot.com

Fashion

The Power of Writing

In a rather unconventional zoom conference this week, ZOO caught up with Montblanc and their panel of speakers for a discussion on “The Power of Writing”, followed by a brief calligraphy lesson by calligrapher Seb Lester. As we followed along, each of us experienced the subtle pleasure in gliding a above-par classic fountain pen across a smooth page. The discussion turned to the therapeutic qualities of handwriting, as well as how important it is to life today, even with all the technology at our fingertips. Creative Director of Montblanc Zaim Kamal spoke about his process, “I am what you call an old fashioned designer, when I think of an idea I have to just let it flow right onto the page rather than on a machine where the flow can be interrupted.” Furthermore, “There's nothing more satisfying than when you've gone through an idea and see the way you've gone from A-B.” Dylon Jones, Chief Editor GQ UK spoke about the visceral connection one feels when a handwritten note is exchanged and how in these past few months we’ve all spent time in isolation, longing for human contact in these strange times, and now more than ever a handwritten note can go an awful long way.

www.montblanc.com

Fashion

The Shade of It All

Christian Louboutin is a story of someone who literally built an empire with a pair of shoes. Not just an empire, but a legacy that we’re sure will surpass most other brands on the market. Louboutin has always shown himself to be a concept-driven artist of fine calibre. Therefore when he launched the nude collection back in 2013, it was apparent that this design was not about skin color, but about a concept, an artful representation designed to elongate the leg, blurring the line between the foot and the shoe. First launched with five shades and now growing to eight, the endlessly versatile Nudes have been reinvented repeatedly and show no signs of stopping now. The collection is and always has been an ode to inclusivity, regardless of skin color and now, of gender as for the first time the collection tailors to mens and unisex. Classics like the Louis Junior sneaker and Pool Stud slide appear in a selection of nude shades, however the highlight is the inclusion of the Loubilab pouch, a crossbody bag with a built-in wireless charger for both men and women. Iconic women’s accessories such as the Elisa have been given a new nude-y revamp. The collection sees a number of fine accessories suitable for anybody, regardless of gender, skin color or identity, Louboutin has cast themselves as being a brand that sees past boundaries and in turn catapults itself into the future, ahead of the game.

eu.christianlouboutin.com

Fashion

Berluti Fall 2020

Fashion is a handy tool used to further illustrate the image we wish to show the world on a given day. Berluti Creative Director Kris Van Assche has created a pre-collection for Fall 2020 that has this diverse nature in mind, mixing and matching styles for different moods. Using a range of materials, designs and production techniques the pre-fall collection presents a versatile wardrobe that plays on the contrast of formal and casual wear. As comfortable in classic heritage pieces as he is in trendy, innovative ones, the Berluti man proves modern timelessness is inseparable from true chic. Casual ready-to-wear pieces creatively embody the Italian houses identity. Asleek Alessandro suit takes on a vibrant cherry, while a new half-canvas construction travel jacket in naturally wrinkle-free virgin wool can be paired with jogging-inspired tapered trousers or trendy knee-length cargo trousers. The collection, rich in texture and utility elements is accompanied by a slew of accessories suitable for any occasion. A selection of formal shoes are released with statement makers, such as the new rock and roll inspired “Camden” creepers, worn alongside the “Odyssée”, a functional travel sailor bag with Venezia leather details. Featuring several bags this season, Berluti is unveiling its new signature canvas, a coated cotton material printed with a Scritto-inspired motif and a crest, from the “Explorer” backpack to a versatile tote, the accessories are perfect for business and casual moments.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Moment of Hesitation

 Like electrodes deep in the synapses of our brain, this is the site where stories are told and thoughts connect; like frozen memories that somehow never thaw out. The harmony and disharmony of events that playout on Earth serve as inspiration for Graff’s Threads collection. Designed and manufactured in the label’s London atelier, the collection includes a wristwatch embellished with diamonds, designed with the expertise of Graff’s Swiss watchmakers. The family-operated company houses the largest rough diamond discovered since 1905, and Lesedi La Rona is its exquisite uncut gem, allowing it to get away with its more extravagant pieces and playful petit jewelry, designed as sweet gestures of affection. An eclectic range of accessories includes pendants, rings, and a tiara, crafted of great comfort and quality, all brandishing a clear visual connection; poetic, like fates intersecting. “Connections are almost instantaneous. Our design perspective was to explore the meaning of all those crossing points, each of which is meaningful in our lives,” says Anne-Eva Geffroy, Design Director at Graff. In handling the highest quality of diamonds, discovering the inimitable beauty in each individual stone is of vital importance. Each millimeter of every stone has been cut with high precision, its layers of relief offering another dimension to the very medium of jewelry.

www.graff.com

Fashion

Clean Statements

Today, everyday life feels confrontational, with can’t-look-away culture wars kicking off in our pockets and clicktivism calling us all (usually rightly) to account. Copenhagen Fashion Week was littered with bold statements, dramatic silhouettes, and commanding textures in every color. Designers and attendees alike uttered two words with remarkable frequency: fashion and sustainability. The event itself announced a three-year action plan to address sustainability, and plans to demand brands meet certain targets in order to showcase their collections at Fashion Week. The idea that less is more was eminent. Less fabric means fewer chemicals, ergo less damage. Oslo-based brand Holzweiler has taken things one step further with the release of its SS20 collection. The family business presented a line-up that was as fresh as the faces of the models it dressed. With a delightful selection of gender-neutral offerings, the palette was muted, spanning mustard yellow through to mushroom and bark, complimented by hues of shamrock green and authoritative indigo. Clean lines commanded with Scandinavian style, as sun-kissed models flounced to abstract electronica – a compelling contrast to the lightness of clothing on show. Orbs sculpted from recycled plastic counterbalanced weightless textures. Executive Director, Susanne Holzweiler, explained the ethos behind their formation, “The material used in the sculptures is plastic we, ourselves, cleaned up at Akerselva in Oslo, just recently. We wanted to showcase the many possibilities of recycling, this time in [an] art format, through sculptures.” Embodying the simplicity that comes with summer, the line was filled with clean tailoring: windy-day-at-the-beach chic. The contrast of chunky hand-knitted crochets and relaxed tailoring showcased ensembles that could work for any age, gender, or size. The brand’s fourth runway show was, once again, a “no phone show” to encourage people to experience the beauty of being present. It may have not worked 100 percent of the time – it’s a tricky habit to break – but the message cut through clear as day, just like the clever philosophy of the clothing at play.

www.holzweiler.no

Fashion

LV PONT 9

Louis Vuitton has been synonymous with the city of Paris since its establishment on Rue Neuve des Capucines in 1854. Since its inception all those years ago the maison has been successful in selling an image of luxury and always succeeding in superlative quality and craftsmanship. The fashionable essence of the brand is one of timeless chic boasting a sense of parisian mystique. Now with the release of the LV Pont 9 shoulder bag the maison embodies a new, updated symbol of its longstanding commitment to exquisite craftsmanship. Channeling its heritage and home, the house’s new LV Pont 9 leather line takes its name from Paris’ Pont Neuf bridge, an old and celebrated bridge that sits opposite the Louis Vuitton headquarters in Paris. The bag’s refined, rounded design is brought to life in smooth, lightly padded calfskin and finishes with the 1930s archive logo reinterpreted by Nicolas Ghesquière, the House’s Artistic Director of Women’s Collections. The interior, in sleek and colourful leather, features a smart design with two compartments and two practical pockets. The new addition is available in a diverse range of striking colours such as an elegant noir and delicate crème, deep summer gold, feminine and rose dahlia and is available online now.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Diesel Upfreshing

Since almost the entire world has and is going through massive changes, we have begun to reevaluate our decisions, our routines and of course our shopping habits. A shift in thinking is underway in western society as we take a leaf from eastern cultures and start to consider a lean towards a more collective society, one that considers the needs of others rather than just our own immediate universes. Health, prevention and of course sustainability are the words buzzing around everyone’s brains right now and Diesel’s new technology is an ideal solution for these worries. Using technology, Diesel will take a limited amount of items from the Spring 2020 collection and give them a new life and finish with the innovative tech that provides a series of treatments that function as a wearable safeguard against bacteria and germs. Like most things, being fashionable today is equally about being responsible, Diesel ‘Upfreshing’ allows our clothes to be washed less, meaning less water and energy usage and of course less washes means an extended garment lifespan.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Mordechai

Texas trio Khruangbin challenges the outdated convention of musical genres. Their unique sound influences reflect their message of refusing to be pigeonholed into one particular genre or label. During this time we find ourselves searching for new content, looking for the perfect soundtrack to comfort in these times of isolation. The thai-funk band has recently announced the release of their new album, Mordechai, coming June 26. Known for blending global music influences, the band’s sound is a fusion of classic soul, dub and psychedelic. Fusing a range of sounds, the band's name symbolizes the international set of influences that shaped their formation. The genre of Khruangbin’s music is mostly instrumental, with their accent often described as soul, surf, psychedelic, and funk, providing soothing sounds and melodies.

www.khruangbin.com

Fashion

Galleries Return as Restrictions Ease

March 2020 saw the rapid closure of galleries and museums across the world as the spread of COVID-19 continued to accelerate, leaving such institutions battling for space in the online sphere in an effort to keep the art world afloat in these trying times. Now, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we are seeing rays of hope as galleries and cultural institutions plan to re-open. Italy, the hardest-hit country in Europe, is hoping to welcome museum visitors again on May 18, but will require social distancing in the galleries. While the Antwerp museum will open on May 19, as will the Old Masters Museum. Berlin has planned to reopen its museums on May 4, with precautions such as plexiglass dividers at ticket booths, self-scanning tickets, reduced visitor capacity, and more frequent cleanings. If these precautions are successful, other countries around the world will likely follow suit as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: AGL

Another brand doing their part to combat the ongoing pandemic is AGL shoes. In an effort to express gratitude to the dedicated healthcare workers, 30% of the proceeds made on agl.com for the month of April, will be donated to benefit Doctors of Marche Region - Province of Fermo, Italy - and provide them with personal protective equipment.

“We are very fortunate to be able to stay safe at home and we think It’s our responsibility to take care of our families and be grateful. Above all, It’s time to utilize our resources to help others, in particular the people who are running the risk of their own lives to protect ours”, the Giuti sisters.

www.agl.com

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: Louis Vuitton

March 2020 saw the rapid closure of galleries and museums across the world as the spread of COVID-19 continued to accelerate, leaving such institutions battling for space in the online sphere in an effort to keep the art world afloat in these trying times. Now, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we are seeing rays of hope as galleries and cultural institutions plan to re-open. Italy, the hardest-hit country in Europe, is hoping to welcome museum visitors again on May 18, but will require social distancing in the galleries. While the Antwerp museum will open on May 19, as will the Old Masters Museum.

Berlin has planned to reopen its museums on May 4, with precautions such as plexiglass dividers at ticket booths, self-scanning tickets, reduced visitor capacity, and more frequent cleanings. If these precautions are successful, other countries around the world will likely follow suit as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Brands Giving Back: Zegna

As Italy is under lockdown, companies are scrambling to aid those at the front line. Italian luxury menswear group Zegna has entered the battle with the ongoing pandemic, repurposing two of its factories in Switzerland and Italy to manufacture 280,000 hospital suits, as well as announcing a €3 million donation to Italy’s Civil Protection Agency. Aiming to help doctors, nurses, researchers, and volunteers operating on the front-line as well as donating to the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. “The pandemic we are all facing is a call for people around the world to take action. Each of us must do our part, in every way possible, to stop this global emergency,” says Gildo Zegna, CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Travel Books

It is not in our nature to be grounded in one space for so long, looking at the same scene every day can leave much to be desired as we feel unnaturally caged, like animals in a zoo. Yet we can escape, we can go wherever we want from our own homes with a good book, an exhilarating film or a beautiful painting. We are blessed to know that no matter where we are, we can still go anywhere. Louis Vuitton’s travel book series is an invitation to real and virtual voyages, enriched by intellectual stimulation and poignant moments. Launching in May 2020, the LV Travel Books embody a contemporary vision of travel and explore the cities and travel destinations through the eyes of artists who are less familiar with them. Featuring both renowned and up-and-coming artists covering some of most beautiful cities the world has to offer. French painter Marc Desgrandchamps shows us Barcelona while American artist Kelly Beeman portrays Saint Petersburg, “I drew inspiration from Hokusai’s prints and Warhol’s first pen-and-ink illustrations.” The books tell the stories through a range of modes including drawing, painting, collage, illustration, cartoons or manga.
www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Fendi Timeless Bags

Synonymous with taste and even fashion itself, Fendi is renowned for creating iconic style moments whether it be in the form of a bag(uette) or a simple pair of sunglasses. Now, the Roman brand has gathered together two of its most iconic products that have supplemented the brand 's prestigious reputation, the Peekaboo and Baguette. Under the creative direction of Silvia Venturini Fendi, the Roman maison shines a light on these iconic pieces in a contemporary manner alongside the Colibrì shoes and FF Boots. Now a timeless creation, the Baguette is a simple style and comfortable handbag to wear close to the body while the Peekaboo has been interpreted as a refined accessory which can be worn in different ways depending on the occasion. The two bags, symbol of FENDI, have been reinterpreted over the years in countless materials, sizes, colours and have been the protagonists of special projects such as #BaguetteFriendsForever and #MeAndMyPeekaboo. More than cult objects or mere accessories, these iconic attaché’s stand out as timeless symbols of creative sophistication and expression of the labels craftsmanship.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

BOSS ALIVE Capsule Collection

With the release of the BOSS Alive eau de parfum, a complex scent that invites you to live life to the fullest, BOSS Womenswear introduces an eight-piece capsule collection to match. Through contrasting notes of vanilla, citrusy apple, rich plum and jasmine scents that burst with positive energy. A play on this juxtaposition, the Alive capsule mirrors both masculine and feminine ideals throughout with both sharp tailoring and softer silhouettes, in a palette of white, black, and shades of pink.

A relaxed, double-breasted suit in white stretch cotton is a focal point of the capsule, paired with the “Feel ALIVE” slogan-print T-shirt. The collection also includes a number of joy-bringing numbers such as a soft merino wool sweater in blush pink, an essential addition to every woman’s wardrobe. With options that allow one to adapt to whatever the day might bring such as a flowing silk dress with a short-sleeved blouse in sheer black silk taking the collection from day into evening. Tailoring to a diverse range of women, the BOSS Alive capsule collection has options for everyone with versatile, timeless designs.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Ermenegildo Zegna Luxury Leisurewear

As the days are finally getting longer and we witness once again those wonderful sun-stretched evenings we breathe in a thankful breath - summer has finally arrived. A casual summer ahead for most of us no doubt, as we plan for a summer full of lounging and relaxation. We now look towards the brands offering casual yet stylish clothing, and above all, comfort is key.

It seems Zegna’s Luxury Leisurewear collection has arrived at precisely the right time. The collection consists of a versatile and casual wardrobe for a stylish contemporary man. Catering for both a cosy and exclusive look, the collection features a selection of semi-casual leisurewear that exude a luxurious sensibility. Featuring a brown micro-structured linen overshirt with flap pockets on the chest as well as stylish patches on the sleeves as well as a favorite being knitwear hoodies made from cotton, wool and cashmere for maximum comfort, functionality and style. The range is quite basic offering wardrobe staples like linen blazers and silk-blend polos, but is well rounded in the fact that it offers a contemporary and summery take on the usual ‘loungewear’.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Premiata SS20 Sizey Collection

With credit to the internet and to social media we are now living in the age of nostalgia. Looking back has always been part of fashion evolution, as new generations take snippets from the past and remake past-trends into modern fashion moments. From parent-style shoes to super-sporty high tops to soaring spice girl platforms, the 90s spawned a style evolution that only got bigger as the years went on. Now taking inspiration from 90s basketball sneakers, Italian footwear brand Premiata presents the Sizey collection, with international best selling sneakers Sharky and Drake. The styles are named after dragons and sharks, creatures that exist beyond the real or predate the world ultimately generating urban symbols of power. Constructed from fine Italian leathers and fabrics, Premiata shoes take sublimate features of the 90s basketball sneakers to devote a daring composition of the upper and a complex joints bottom on the mythical air system. Using sophisticated production techniques, premium fabrics, eclectic symbols and interesting color contrasts the styles take a trend and build on it to create something ultimately modern, contemporary and unique.

www.premiata.it

Fashion

Woolrich Hike and Seek SS20

Taking inspiration from earthly elements, the Woolrich SS20 sustainable collection is designed to embrace the privilege of the outdoors. Referencing the challenges of the Appalachian Mountain Trail, the campaign focuses on durability and utility. Inspired by iconic shapes such as the Hunting Jacket, and patterns like the Shadowbark camouflage from 1987, the pieces reflect the will to merge tradition with novelty. With an emphasis on layering, the garments in the collection are multi-purpose, an example being the quick dry merino wool that works as a super-stretch second skin. For their SS20 collection Woolrich have utilised sustainable technology and methods that minimize fabric wastage. Featuring materials such as Cordura, Pertex and Solotex the range boasts attributes like extreme durability, high air permeability, and a super-stretch essence that tie in to the theme, Hike and Seek. Where possible, they employed a focus on biodegradable composition of materials as well as a Green Cycle approach guided by a ripstop recyclable nylon. Already available online, the collection will be in selected retailers as soon as they reopen their doors.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

GUESS x J Balvin Colores

Iconic fashion brand teams up with international superstar to create an exclusive ‘GUESS x J Balvin Colores’ capsule collection. For their second collaboration Guess and Balvin have developed a collection inspired by the Colombian artists new album Colores. The campaign, directed by Nicolai Marciano showcases the vibrant clothing throughout the kaleidoscopic streets of Medellín, the city Balvin hails from. Incorporating red, yellow, green, blue and purple tones in each piece the robust collection for men, women and kids successfully blends J Balvin’s musical stylings with a colorful ready-to-wear collection. Styled by model and DJ Sita Abellan and shot by fashion photographer Tatiana Gerusova, the campaign shows Balvin accompanied by fans of all ages showcasing the beauty of Colombia as well as “the surging artistic vibes throughout the city and country.” www.guess.eu Following their first successful collaboration The Vibras collection, Colores has allowed the artist to further expand his role in the creative and design process. “It provided wonderful creative inspiration to envision a new album and corresponding new fashion collection together from the beginning – both connected to how I’ve been exploring new music through a lens of individual colors.”

www.guess.eu

Fashion

FF Earrings

From handbags to phone covers to sunglasses, the Fendi ‘F’ has become a distinctive emblem of elegance, craftsmanship, innovation and style synonymous with the Roman brand. Though the garments themselves usually scream feminine grandeur and dignity, Fendi accessories have branched out to become statement makers that complete the image: A Fendi woman exudes a unique confidence and exudes a luxe sensibility. We have witnessed the Fendi symbol worked into jewelry but now the Maison has taken it a step further presenting the FF Earrings, straight from the Women’s Spring/Summer 2020 catwalk. Paying homage to the Maison’s signature FF logo, these contemporary and feminine pieces combine Fendi’s sophisticated design with a new futuristic flair. Available online and in FENDI boutiques worldwide, The FF Earrings are realized in plexi with gold-finish metal ware and come in two sizes and four color combinations. The design allows the pair to be worn on both ears with a single F or on the same ear recreating the FF logo with hues of brown with a tortoiseshell-effect, as well as yellow, green and transparent plexi.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

DIOR Future Relics by Daniel Arsham

Opened October 1946 in a time of rationing and derivation following WWII, Christian Dior’s couture house was established with a hope to allow women to rediscover joy, elegance and beauty. Soon enough his name became synonymous with French luxury all over the world and still is to this day. The french maison has long been a household name that still resonates across women and menswear. This season's SS20 menswear featured the stand-out work of contemporary artist Daniel Ashram. An unforgettable runway, the set had been transformed into a sugary pink space adorned with monolithic sculptures that spelled the word DIOR. Now, Artistic Director Kim Jones and Ashram are collaborating once again. Together they are bringing life to some of the maison’s classics—the treasured inspirations and objects of Christian Dior himself. The range features a selection of objects given a timeless and contemporary twist, including Monsieur Dior’s 1951 book ‘Je Suis Couturier’ which has now taken shape as an eroded jewelry box studded with crystals. Transforming these objects into must-have editions to your personal art collections each Future Relic is housed in a custom art crate, delivered with a pair of white gloves, a certificate with numeration and a specially crafted sand timer all colored as per the menswear SS20 show’s decor. Every item is handmade in Ashram’s New York atelier and are only available in Dior boutiques.

www.dior.com

Fashion

FÉST Opens Flagship Store

Nowadays people look to invest in pieces that they will love today, tomorrow and for years to come. Buying a piece of furniture say, a sofa for example, is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and often the shopping experience proves to be more stressful than pleasurable. Whether it’s for a home, co-working area or commercial space, the purpose and function of the piece is just as important as the aesthetic. Dutch brand FEST have been rapidly expanding since its foundation in 2013 and have recently opened a flagship store in Amsterdam West. Built on the idea that well designed furniture can be affordable, the brand has been making waves worldwide with their collection sold in over 20 countries. Furthering the brand success, the Financial Times named it as one of Europe’s fastest growing businesses last year. On the back of this success the new store in Amsterdam West aims to revolutionise the interior shopping experience with their new ‘mini cinema’. Designed by SPACE Projects, customers have the option to book the cinema in advance and experience the furniture as they would at home. Pepin Smit SPACE projects spoke about designing the space with a focus on choices and interconnectedness, "This I try to translate into an interior where everything is interconnected - like the words in a poem. For me, the store kind spatial poem: ``Poetry of Space".

www.fest.amsterdam

Fashion

Borbonese’s Fall Collection 2020

Picture a timeline that showcases the evolution of women’s fashion over the last century, a combination of the key moments and trends that have shaped fashion today. Borbonese’s Fall collection stems from this concept, embracing iconic design details for the brand’s 110th year anniversary. Accessories such as the 110 bag and thick-framed sunglasses seal the message. Dorian Farantini and Matteo Mena have fashioned themselves a parallel dimension where time has f bundled together into one capsule collection that is reflected in solemn silhouettes, 70’s style patterns and 80s power-tailoring.

www.borbonese.com

Fashion

Liu Jo's New Spring/Summer Campaign for it's 25th Birthday

Back when Madonna and Whitney were topping the charts, social media was a distant dream and the DVD was only just announced, Italian brand Liu Jo made their debut to the fashion world. Known for offering contemporary styles that exude sensual power and gentleness the label has featured a slew of famous faces for their campaigns from Karlie Kloss to the iconic Kate Moss.

In celebration of their 25th anniversary Liu Jo has teamed up with Kendall Jenner as the face of their 2020 campaign with the hashtag #Bornin1995. The hashtag reflects the milestone that is this birthday (which Jenner shares with the brand) but also looks toward the future with a new beginning. Chosen for her global influence, Jenner’s face and personality will be at the heart of the project which plans to go beyond the usual campaign strategies, creating a new communication system that retains a message preaching empowerment and femininity. Kendall will act as the brands symbol and voice who’s language will resonate with the newer generations.

www.liujo.com

Fashion

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

Mark Weston spoke about a new view of deconstruction: “dismantling it and putting it together in a different way. It is also about how to build and engineer clothing. It is a mindset that is not lofty, but it is exciting in its technicality. His aesthetic for Dunhill has been building up an incredible new identity imbued with craftsmanship, English tailoring savoir-faire, elegance, classic staples. But also and foremost a sensual fluidity, a modern approach on colors and textures. The patent leather trousers declined in pitch black and lipstick red, blue, and paired with loafers, capes or tailored outwear. Silk satin for blazers and shirt conferred that flamboyant allure we have loved since the start in Weston’s Dunhill, but also his romanticism. Just listen to the poem by James Massiah performed for the show with music by Moses Boys: ”So here they are, present self’s, past self’s, we are in the passenger seats of your car Where you are gonna go, how far? How you are gonna pass the time?” www.dunhill.com

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week 2020 - Louis Vuitton Men's Fall/Winter

René Magritte loved to represents everydaylife objects, placing them in context to sparkle a different perspective on the world. Hidden messages allowing the viewer to reflect on the meaning of “reality” itself, and on the meaning of items, elements, outside of preconceived settings. Magritte loved to imagine and depict the mind mechanisms. For his fifth show at Louis Vuitton Virgil Abloh choose a Magritte sky to merge his models. Walking down the space built ad oc inside the Tuileries gardens, they moved around objects of everydaylife with exacerbated proportions. One among all a tailor’s scissor. What is the meaning of its job at Vuitton? And as designer in toto? These are the questions Virgil Abloh answers today. Abloh’s new perspective already turned toward a more tailored dress code since a while, but exploring the meaning of boyhood, of that childlike pure perspective on the world. The suit is now declined into a myriad of variations, engaging into that Magritte-like color palette with figurative freedom, distancing itself from the normcore of streetwear. With the superlative Louis Vuitton atelier’s craftsmanship Abloh delivers a collection through his updated vocabulary. “De-appropriation”, “Corporate”, “Cloudification”, among the others. And above all “Flouncification: a method which imbues the lifeless with life by way of flounces. The twisting of the familiar into something new”.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

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

Pierpaolo Piccioli never chase to delight with his Italian nonchalant savoir-faire on the classic dress codes for Menswear. Tailored and at the same time relaxed silhouettes for coats, blazers, technical outwear. These are classic staples you will want to find back in your wardrobe each time. Sartorial pieces that are a mirror of Piccioli flawless personal style. Romantic and definitely timeless. For this season Piccioli collaborated with photographers duo Inez and Vinoodh on flowers images patched throughout the whole collection. Delicate flowers that at a closer look disclose a powerful gesture: the carnation, the peony, the lily, the anemone, all symbols of strength, love, fragility. French artist Melanie Matranga work through words also castellated the collection: “NEED”, “BAD LOVER”. The mesmerizing voice of FKA Twigs dressed in a breathtaking white couture dress from the Beijing collection set the stage for the show by singing three pieces from her latest album. Sensitivity, delicacy in a spontaneous spirit.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

A Piece of Italy Abroad

In fashion, there are three cities in this world which stand head and shoulders above the rest, Paris, London and Milan. For a brand like Versace, it seems crucial to be present at all three locations. By opening two flagship stores, the Italian house sets the tracks for the future, without losing sight of its heritage and instantly recognizable design aesthetic. Located in the cities’ prime locations, Rue Saint Honoré and New Bond Street respectively, both stores will offer a full collection of men’s and women’s wear as well as accessories. Realized by renowned architect Gwenael Nicolas, both locations mirror the brand’s strong vision and offer tailored concepts for an immaculate display of the Versace products. As LEED Gold certified spaces, both were created with the highest sustainability standards, which do not just apply to the resources used. Both stores will open their doors to the public in Fall 2020.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Milan Fashion Week 2020 - Salvatore Ferragamo Men's Fall/Winter

Ferragamo starts out the new decade with a bang. Returning to the Milan Men's Fashion Week, Creative Director Paul Andrew takes us on a journey to explore the notion of masculinity at the dawn of a new decade. Through six archetypes of men and their uniforms, the businessman, biker, racing driver, soldier, surfer and sailor, Andrew showcases the increasingly fluid and non-conformist masculine attitudes, parting ways with the once-rigid assumptions they enforced. Clothes and especially uniforms can define us, but at the same time they give us the power to transform, to change the perception of us whenever we so choose. As Andrew has put it himself, 'A man today is not obliged to assume a single, set role: he can be a multitude, and he can change his worn identity any time he wishes. That's the freedom we want to explore in 2020.'

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Northwave: The reissue of iconic Espresso

In 1991 Northwave, previously known as the Italian company Calzaturificio Piva founded in 1972, created a new sneaker: Espresso. Combining a classic sneaker silhouette with the typical fat boy snowboard boot sole. A unique design bringing the feeling of the snowboard look to a wider audience. A celebration that Japanese brand's identity acquired in 1989 by the then Calzzaturificio Piva and that in the 80s took the snowboard industry by storm becoming #1 in the sector. After a relaunch in Japan in 2014 now Espresso will get again a reissue in two different materials – suede and leather, and 4 colour ways: black, off-white, red and royal blue.

www.northwavesnow.com

Art

NJG Studios: ‘Desire’

In the new book designed by NJG Studio the early lives and art of Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe are explored through the lucidly expressive and of-the-moment photography of Lloyd Ziff. ‘Desire’, depicts an era of impassioned cultural defiance in New York during 1968 and ’69. As the author Hunter S. Thompson put it, the end of the 60’s was the reluctant quelling of a bittersweet revolution, he mused that “you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark—that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back”. Now, with the release of ‘Desire’ this movement can be seen through the eyes of some of the icons of the time.

With over 65 unpublished works and many New York street photos over 128 pages in a hardback cover, ‘Desire’ comes fittingly housed in a hand-sewn paper bag. There will only be 600 copies of ‘Desire’ published with 100 of them being marked ‘Strictly Limited Edition’. Robert Mapplethorpe counts amongst the most critically acclaimed artists of the late twentieth century. Most notably, Mapplethorpe is known for his black-and-white portrait photography and his documentation of New York’s S&M scene in the late 70s. Artistic freedoms were alive in Smith and Mapplethorpe during the end of the 60’s, Ziff captures their knack for never quite fitting in or complying with authority and capitalism. Their natural disposition was to being outstanding, Ziff captures these dying embers as they burned their brightest.

www.njgstudio.com

Fashion

RRD Opens Showroom in Milan

Tuscan design company, Roberto Ricci Designs, have opened their first showroom in Via Tortona 31, at the heart of Milan’s fashion and design district. Of the new showroom, Ricci has said “it is a further step in the consolidation of the brand in Italy and its internationalisation”. The location speaks to the core values and soul of the designer, freedom of movement. The RRD project seeks “to offer clothing that is a hymn to the extreme freedom of movement of the body. The dynamic that follows the coordinates of daily life and is able to express energy.”

The Milan showroom will also be a meeting ground for international customers, buyers and journalists to better understand the philosophy of Roberto Ricci Design and explore their malleable Lycra creations. Ricci goes on to explain “it integrates all the elements of our inspiration, from the wave images of Australian photographer Ray Collins to the giant images of moving bodies in our Lycra. “We are in search of the true essence of things and have therefore sought the right synergies, combining driftwood with industrial metals, transparent and opaque glass”, RRD has found a home in Milan for its motifs of liberated movement and liberating design to be expressed and discovered.

www.robertoriccidesigns.com

Fashion

COMME des GARÇONS SS20

The meaning of gender identity, of transformations, of blossoming love, the sexual allure of crossing gender, but also a fantasy world, a otherworldly atmosphere.

Virgina Woolf’s “Orlando” is about all these themes: her peculiar mind has been one of the most prolific and admired as one of the most brilliant writers of the 20th century. But it’s her relationship with her friend Victoria that also deeply inspired her: the wish to love freely, to be far from social constrains. The hardship of living as woman in a timeframe when restrictions were of natural routine for women is indeed a recurring theme in Virginia Woolf’s Orlando.

It goes without saying that when, about 4 years ago, it was announced that acclaimed Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth and Rei Kawakubo were about to collaborate in a opera adaptation of Woolf’s Orlando, we all felt a gasp of excitement. Fascinated by the several facets of life, from politics to art, psychology, and diversity, Olga Neuwirth has been always working on complex Opera working with Nobel Prize Winner Eilfriede Jelinek and writer Barry Gifford.

“Transformation and liberation through time”, Rei Kawakubo’s work around the narratives in Woolf’s Orlando has been rendered in three acts: the first presented in June for Comme des Garçons Homme Plus and the second for Spring Summer 2020. The third will be on stage during the world premiere of Neuwirt’s Opera at the Wiener Staatsoper in December.

If the first act was channelled through the questioning around male wardrobe expressed from ungendered garments to ruffled petticoats matched with frock coats, Comme des Garçons Spring Summer 2020 was a pure blossoming. Flowers, abundance of colors in vibrant hues: red, pink, green, light blue, purple, yellow, white. A grandeur of embroideries, jacquards, knotted structures and cocoon-like silhouettes. Kawakubo’s power of imagination for Spring Summer 2020 travels through different period, from Elizabethan era to 19th century, till futuristic injections.

It was a collection celebrating the female gaze – see the gigantic skirt as dress/cocoon in one of the look or the flower-like bulb in full blossom in another. We are looking forward to seeing the final act in Vienna

www.comme-des-garcons.com

Fashion

Isabel Marant SS20

The streets of Rio’s Copacabana through the work of iconic landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, a key figure of Brazilian modern art and design. His lifetime call for the preservation of Brazilian endangered forests, and his aesthetic influenced by peculiar attention to nature but also cubism, and abstract themes.

Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2020 celebrates this very special figure together with another two key South American artists: Colombian sculptor, painter and graphic artist Omar Rayo and Salvadorian painter Gennaro De Carvalho

The collection is imbued with geometrical motives next floral prints. Big ponchos worn over relaxed denim, cropped crochet tops, shorts matched with fluid shirts, jumpsuits. The collection is playful and sensual reminiscent of Marant’s love for both travel and the daring 70s allure.

Jewels are adorned with ropes and feather, charm-like accents adding that playful motion signature of the brand.

www.isabelmarant.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto SS20

When exactly one year ago we interviewed Yohji Yamamoto in his Paris headquarters top floor – an apartment-like space filled with stunning Jean Prouvé furniture – he told us how, loosely paraphrasing his words, it is never about black or colours but about darkness and light.

The Spring Summer 2020 collection unfolded around all this with a crescendo of light as the models walked in look after look.

It was not only the succession from black to write looks. Looking closely the construction of each garment delineated carefully this vision: constructed in soft black cotton canvas, hand painted with big brush strokes creating a subtle see-through and adding a hardened structure.

When two looks of 30 meters hand knotted write silk crepe and hand painted in a multitude of colours – the colours Yamamoto addressed his entire career as “light”: a particular shade of yellow, purple, blue, red – entered the space at the Grand Palais we all felt deeply moved.

It was a poignant moment unfolding in a crescendo of intricately constructed looks that filled the room with awe: masterfully tailored long dresses with cut-outs elements at the waist depicting fallen pieces put back in an attempt to recompose what was broken.

The Japanese vision of seeing what is broken as beautiful through Kintsukuroi comes to mind.

Declined also in embroidered half cut-out flowers as if captured in the motion of falling, to find further Yohji Yamamoto’s reflection on Mother Nature’s fragile status. If his blazer as seen during his exit had No Future embroidered at its back, his peculiar ironic nature tells us that this is not a message but a question we must answer ourselves.

The last looks were an overwhelming surprise: white canvas long shirt dresses with their bottom structured as mimicking 18th century robe à la française, with intricate hand embroidered sequins motifs at its inner side and hand painted brush strokes from the outside to further “hide” the embroidery work.

Yohji Yamamoto worked on several layers. Transparencies surfaced with a dark and erotic atmosphere. This is a collection that touched us deeply. Thank you Yamamoto-san

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Musings on Fashion & Style: Kate Moss @ Saint Laurent Rive Droite

The Museo De La Moda has published a book of ‘Musings on Fashion & Style’. In the book, published by Rizzoli, documents pivotal moments in fashion history. As the book’s guest editor Moss introduces readers to a personally curated selection of her favorite couture and costume pieces from the museum. With a storied legacy in fashion and iconic looks from runways in all major cities, the mind of Kate Moss is a treasure trove of fashion knowledge. The book, a collaboration between Chile’s Museo De La Moda, Rizzoli and herself, features dresses owned by fashion greats like Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. The museum also boasts the largest privately owned collection of Marilyn Monroe dresses.

The museum houses dresses and garments that span all the way back to the baroque period. Museo De La Moda is dedicated to the restoration and conservation of fashion history. Home to more than 17,000 dresses, the museum also has collected sketches, accessories and decorative arts. As an institution it is focussed on offering an introduction to the history of costumes and the evolution of fashion. With the large collection left to him by his parents Jorge Yarur Banna and Raquel Bascuñán Cugnoni, Jorge Bascuñán has maintained the Museo De La Moda’s status as a home for historic moments in fashion. It was fitting that Saint Laurent Rive Droite, home to a plentiful intersection of art and fashion, should host a book signing. Kate Moss arrived at Saint Laurent Rive Droite where she graciously signed copies of ‘Musings on Fashion & Style’ for fans of herself and fans of fashion culture alike.

www.ysl.com
www.museodelamoda.com

Fashion

Max Mara SS20

Natasha Walter, writer of spy-thriller ‘A Quiet Life’ has observed a turning tide, “Fiction needs more female spies” for the simple reason that it would make sense. Women can be inconspicuous, manipulative, powerful and discreet; all highly regarded qualities in secret agents. Charlize Theron’s character in the film Atomic Blonde was one of the more recent female spy heroines yet it is only a beginning and a long awaited one at that. Adding to this the new Bond film will have its screenplay looked over by BBC America’s “Killing Eve” screenwriter, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Creative Designer, Ian Griffiths poses the question, how would these spies dress?

She wears shorts that graze the knee and multi-pocketed shirts in eau-de-nil, shell pink and powder blue. The look is sleek, ever graceful and infallibly professional in sweeping trench coats, sharp shouldered trouser-suits in ‘Sharkskin’ and ‘Prince-de-Galles’ colors. Tasteful discretion and precise tailoring provide a cunning visual feast in Max Mara’s SS20 collection. At the core of this design was the notion that spy thrillers and spy novellas are missing intuitive and highly trained female characters and by doing so, letting down an entire demographic. Max Mara have brought this idea to life, the jet-setting woman with her ear to the ground in any city, effortless style to match, is passionately evoked on the runway of Milan Fashion Week.

www.maxmara.com

Art

Montblanc de la Culture Patronage Award 2019

The Montblanc Cultural Foundation has been honoring patrons of art around the world since 1992. The Montblanc de la Culture Patronage Award is given to patrons of the art world that contribute greatly to an enlightened public. This year in Germany the award was bestowed to Dr. Michael Haerdter, founder of Künstlerhaus Bethanien and director until the turn of the century. His award was graciously accepted on his behalf by Christoph Tannert, one half of the Künstlerhaus Bethanien’s managing directors. Tannert cheerfully remarked “the fact that we have won the Montblanc de la Culture Patronage Award 2019 is a great honor for us and a very special tribute to our work.”

Dr. Haerdter has underlined the importance of artists communicating through a higher medium than just verbal discussion, he has forged a generous amount of space in which rising artists can express their unique world view.“We are really delighted to celebrate this year’s Montblanc de la Culture Patronage Awards at Ku?nstlerhaus Bethanien, such as extraordinary and international center of art,” says Elvir Johic, managing director of Montblanc Germany and Northern Europe.

After introductions and speeches from Elvir Johic, Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath the win was celebrated greatly in Berlin where Montblanc hosted a party for people to celebrate and dance long into the night in recognition of Dr. Haerdter’s pivotal cultural contribution. Montblanc’s theme for the party echoed the Bethanien’s current exhibition, "Milchstraßenverkehrsordnung", “Space is the Place”. More than 150 members of the German arts and culture scene were in attendance for the ceremony and festivities. Thanks to the Montblanc Cultural Foundation this particular exhibition was supported with accompanying prize money of €15,000.

Kreuzberg’s Künstlerhaus Bethanien hosts a diverse group of artists through its ‘Artist-in-Residence’ program with 25 studios in which artists can refine their craft and truly flourish. The facilities also include an enormous basement for exhibition facilities. The contemporary visual arts venue and workspaces pioneered by Dr. Haerdter are an exceptional home for art.

www.montblanc.com
www.bethanien.de

Fashion

2 Moncler 1952 + Valextra: NYFW in SOHO

To celebrate their 2 Moncler 1952 + Valextra collection being made available in all their boutiques around the world, the doors of their Soho, NY boutique swung open to greet fans of fashion week. Moncler hosted a cocktail party for the ages. In their collaboration Valextra provides Moncler with a healthy amount of traditionalism as the foundation on which Moncler can test the inventiveness of designers Veronica Leoni, in charge of the women’s collection and Sergio Zambon for the men’s. Their strong Milanese heritage and innovative craftsmanship met with Moncler’s restless search for the new results in the best of both worlds. The Moncler boutique in Soho provided the perfect venue for the 2 Moncler 1952 + Valextra festivities.

Like a dream that’s so real you could get lost in it, bouclé wools, fishnets and macro ginko prints add to padded tailoring and detachable linings for more customizable fits. One of Sergio Zambon's trademarks in his work with 2 Moncler 1952 is the collaboration between graphic artists and fine artists. For this collection he joined forces with Romon Yang aka ROSTARR, an abstract artist, calligraphist and director who lives and works in Brooklyn. Oversize, cross bodies and all the extraverted down shapes produced by Moncler are still very present and pronounced in this collection. To surround oneself with nature and the divine outdoors while also maintining a life in the heart of your city, this is the ethos of 2 Moncler 1952 + Valextra. With their collaboration now available world-wide, they could not have chosen a more electric city than New York to celebrate in. It was here they poured up a range of colorful drinks and showed their guests around to explore their vivid creations.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

Net-A-Porter: THE VANGUARD 2019

Introducing the Net-A-Porter VANGUARD class of 2019. In its second year and third season, four designers have been chosen to receive mentorship within THE VANGUARD program. For the first time the chosen brands were discovered through Instagram. Net-A-Porter, with its talent incubator for up and comers, seeks to provide a comprehensive education on every aspect of the business. For emerging designers, this means having privileged access for developing the practical business skills.

Who else could be so discerning in the quest for wave makers in such a vast industry? With their prestige and omniscient coordination over 170 countries, Net-A-Porter paves the way forward. THE VANGUARD ensures that Net-A-Porter can muster the very best from their newest recruits, four very talented designers. ‘BITE Studios’, ‘Le 17 Septembre’, ‘Natura Sacra’ and ‘The Sant’ are Net-A-Porter’s chosen few; we can expect great things from each of them in their own unique way. From elegant and eco-friendly to unique shapes and artistic craftsmanship, there is little to dispute among the talent at hand.

This year the challenge designers were faced with a quandary that every brand is faced with, lessening their environmental footprint. Four designers were selected for their innovative tailoring methods, eco-friendly design practices and not least for their aesthetic qualities. The mentorship program provides winners with a path on which to better forge their career. THE VANGUARD will be supported with a visual campaign highlighting the four new brands for Fall/Winter ‘19, alongside previous winners from Net-A-Porter’s last season. Previous alumnus that went took up the mantle of THE VANGUARD include Anne Manns, Peter Do and Ratio et Motus. The program is followed by an ‘accelerator scheme’ through which The Vanguards will meet with a team of Net-A-Porter’s best and brightest, a treasure trove of refined industry knowledge.

www.net-a-porter.com

Fashion

Bally Haus

For a brand like Bally it is crucial to be present in certain cities all around the world. Milan, the epicentre of Italian fashion, can definitely count itself among these prestigious locations. For this reason, the Swiss brand opens its first Bally Haus in the heart of the North Italian city.

As Bally CEO Nicolas Girotto explains, “Bally’s flagship in Milan is a celebration of our brand identity.” Indeed, the building is an embodiment of the house’s aesthetic codes and principles. Bally Haus was designed by Casper Mueller Kneer Architects with the aim of capturing all the qualities which Bally has continously stood for, in order to not onlt create a new retail location but a true home for the brand. Its tranquil state of permamence recalls the Swiss brand’s legacy and craftsmanship, incorporating Swiss pillarts of art, architecture and natural materials.

The internal tiled-ceramic façade reflects the tiles from founder Carl Franz Bally’s original home, whereas the large illuminated windows are patterned to pay homage to the historic storefronts seen in photograph’s from Bally’s archives.

Bally Haus brings Swiss excellence to Italy and infuses it with the identity of its new Milanese home. To celebrate the opening of the store and to position it as veritable flagship store in Italy’s fashion capital, Bally Haus merchandise will be availble exclusively from the store.

www.bally.com

Fashion

Frédéric Malle presents 'Rose & Cuir'

Frédéric Malle has called upon close collaborator and highly skilled perfumer, Jean-Claude Ellena, to concoct the latest fragrance in Malle’s “Editions de Parfumes” collection. They have named the fragrance, for the first time personably appearing under the name of the perfumer himself, Jean-Claude Ellena, ‘Rose & Cuir’.

A teasing of rose leads us to that smell of power withheld in fine leather, this is followed by custom extractions of timut pepper and geranium bourbon scents. Ellena maintains his signature minimalism, attained as a disciple of legendary perfumer Edmond Roudnitska , while brandishing less common and intricately selective aromas.

Notes of vetiver and cedar elevate an already present maturity in ‘Rose & Cuir’. The initial pleasantry of rose is almost an introductory formality; in order to cleanse your palette for Jean Claude’s more prized scents. ‘Rose & Cuir’ was inspired by the storied Mistral winds that grow faster and faster as they sweep through the south of France and up toward the Gulf of Lion.

In Grasse, France, the exact ingredients that Jean-Claude requested were then created by Frederique Remy, the owner of Floral Concept, the most advanced natural extraction laboratory in the world. The meeting of these minds and their shared intentions have brought to life a seductive, rich and curiously controlled crescendo that needs no musk or additives to finish. Ellena ensures that there is no singularly overbearing scent, in his own words “perfume is a soft caress, nothing must shock, nothing must shout”.

www.fredericmalle.com

Art

Rinus van de Velde Special Edition Stamp

It might have been a while since you last put a stamp on an actual letter before posting it. It is true that traditional mail has found itself largely replaced by e-mails and other means of electronic communication, making letters and stamps artifacts of the past.

Despite having lost most of their daily use, stamps remain a desired collector’s item, a prized artifact defined by its beauty and historical significance. Their illustrations are gateways to a different time, a snapshot of the period’s social and political realities, depicting an important event, institution or person that have become recognizable symbols of the issuing nation’s traditional heritage.

The Belgian Post pays homage to Rinus van de Velde, dedicating a special stamp to the Belgian artist. The stamp depicting a charcoal self-portrait is a recognition of his invaluable input to the Belgian art scene and his contributions to elevating it onto the global stage. It might seem insignificant at first, but these stamps will be a lasting witness of the national importance of van de Velde’s artistic endeavors, cherished by a nation and a global audience alike.

www.timvanlaeregallery.com

Fashion

CELINE Haute Parfumerie

In 2004, Hedi Slimane helmed a trio of scents at Maison Dior, the first new fragrances launched by the Parisian Maison since 1947. Now at CELINE, as new Creative Director, Slimane continues his olfactory project with the launch of the first Haute Parfumerie collection, the house’s first return to the world of scents since its 1964 Vent Fou for women.

The collection, comprised of 11 perfumes, draws upon the rich tradition of French perfumery reviving the tradition of the ‘couturier parfumeur’ at the French Maison. The newly created scents reflect the characteristics and stylistic codes, which have defined Slimane’s career. Deliberately avoiding the labels of masculine or feminine, the compositions are a harmonic blend of traditionally masculine and feminine notes, challenging outdated notions of identity and masculinity.

Based on the Slimane’s olfactory jounal, the collection has a very sentimental and emotional core with each perfume reminiscent of a distinct memory, emotion, place or encounter. The complex and sophisticated scents, harmonize natural and high-quality materials, capturing the Parisian Spirit and the elegance of its couture heritage.

The first nine perfumes from CELINE’s first Haute Parfumerie collection will become availabe in the Fall 2019, with the remaining two fragrances being launched in 2020.

www.celine.com

Fashion

Louis Vuitton's Art of Travel

The House of Louis Vuitton and the art of travel are deeply interconnected. Highly conscious about their heritage, the French Maison has not forgotten about its early origins as luggage manufacturer. After all, it was the lightweight, flat-topped trunks out of the Parisian house that would make travel as comfortable as never before.

With the addition of four new titles to its Fashion Eye series of photography books, the French house stirs up a restlessness, a wanderlust, which invites us to set off to discover new horizons. We receive the unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the worlds of four very distinct photographers visiting and documenting some of the planet’s most exciting places. Whether it is Baron Adolphe de Meyer’s travel across the mysterious Japan of the early 1900s, Slim Aaron’s carefree take on the fantastic glamour of the 1970s French Riviera, Osma Harvilathi’s documentation of everyday life in the legendary Mediterranean port Saint Tropez or Sarah Moon’s beautiful journey on the fabled Orient Express, each title has been created with the utmost attention to detail, from the selection of images, which capture an authentic feel, to the type of paper and methods of printing and binding used during the production process.

Through the diverse photography in each title, Louis Vuitton sets out to capture the true soul of travel. It is an homage to the inherent expressive nature of images and their inherent significance as archival treasures, invaluable references to past times and distant regions, as much in terms of their approach as their aesthetics.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

Tabitha Simmons and Stuart Ververs: Coach in Full Bloom

Coach, a brand praised for its synchronicity with New York style, and Tabitha Simmons, acclaimed designer, running her own forward thinking shoe brand since 2009, is a dream pairing. Simmons, once style editor for American Vogue and CFDA winner for her work with accessories, was met with open arms at Coach. Coach Director, Stuart Ververs, recalled bumping into her at a Greenwich hotel, “she happened to be wearing a floral print dress from the Spring 2016 collection. We knew it had to be the starting point for our collaboration".

The collection features Simmons’ very first handbag design, inspired by the shape and colors of Coach bags from the 1950’s. The Coach Floral print from 2016 appears in different imaginings, floral-printed velvet dramatically appears on the collection’s urban hiker books, complimentary of Simmons’ unwavering devotion to the confident, doubtless modern woman and Ververs’ tireless perfectionism for designing fine leather goods.

Simmons mused on their collaboration, "It has been incredible working with him to bring our collaboration to life in a way that honors both of our brand's aesthetics. I love the contrast between whimsical, feminine florals and a little bit of a punk and edginess, there is something for every woman in this collection”. With Tabitha’s new cross-body bag reimagined from Coach’s 1973 Suspender Pouch, Simmons and Ververs are quite simply in full bloom.

www.coach.com

Fashion

Berluti's Marble

There are certain parallels between the house Berluti and the iconic Italian marble, deeply rooted in Italian tradition, timeless and sophisticated, yet with a certain edge. With his FW19 collection, Berluti’s Creative Director visualizes this obvious connection.

Hidden in the Berluti manifattura in Ferrara, you will find old marble tables. For decades, these have been used by the craftsmen to hand-dye the patina of Berluti’s iconic shoes, a process that has left its marks on the creamy deep whiteness of the marble surface. The circles, stains and botches, left in all different hues and colors by year’s of applied polishes, merge with the stone’s natural marbling contrasting the noble and the rough.

Photographed and unedited, this dye-splattered marble becomes the fundament for Kris Van Assche’s collection. Interpreted as one of the collection’s signature prints, it finds use across the collection. The shirts, overcoats and range of accessories in this fresh print offer visual accents, whilst creating a subtle connection to the house’s rich heritage as shoe manufacturer.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Riders of the Knights

The female struggle for political rights is largely associated with the popular movement of the early 20th century, as it laid the foundation for the position of the modern woman in society. But, there have been strong women, whose struggle for self-determination and independence well predates the last century.

Inspired by medieval heroines, such as Eleanor of Aquitaine or Elizabeth of England, who boldly transcended social limitations in an attempt to shape their own destiny, Francesca Amfitheatrof creates Riders of the Knights, Louis Vuitton’s newest Haute Joaillerie collection. The collection is an homage to these women’s determination and independence, mirroring their inner radiance and noble intentions in a dazzling display of thousands of diamonds and precious gemstones in rich and deep colors.

Reflective of their noble status, the carefully crafted pieces evoke the magnificence of dynastic jewels and sovereign power, in a breathtaking presentation of exquisite craftsmanship and materials with The Royaume alone featuring about 1600 precious stones. The collection’s strong aesthetic is loaded with symbolism, drawing upon medieval architecture, codes of chivalry and heraldic crests, with each of the 50 pieces telling a story that speaks to the confident and successful Louis Vuitton woman of today.

Exceptional and imposing, Riders of the Knights is no a tale of boundless wealth and male power, but a celebration of female courage and strength that has changed the course of history.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

#MeAndMyPeekaboo - Majorie Yang & Dee Poon

Most of Europe’s luxury heritage houses share an identical story. Initially founded by a single person or family, they have developed over time into international businesses until the only remaining remnant of the distant beginning is the founding family name.

One of the exceptions is Roman house FENDI. Since its foundation in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, the Fendi family has remained central to the company over three generations with a family member, Silvia Venturini Fendi, taking over as Creative Director in 2019. With the #MeAndMyPeekaboo campaign, the FENDI honors the family values so closely associated with the history of the house. Throughout the campaign, ten of the world’s most iconic families have been captured in their most authentic and intimate moments accompanied by FENDI’s iconic Peekaboo bags. For the newest edition, FENDI focuses on the special bond between mother and daughter by the example of Majorie Yang and her daughter Dee Poon.

Remaining faithful to the narrative, the video portraits the strong relationship between the two highly successful women, captured during intimate moments in Hong Kong. Just like the special family values, the Peekaboo bag, defined through great form and design, never goes out of trend and is treasured by younger and older generations of independent women alike.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Griffin x Woolrich 'Second Life'

It was only a few decades ago that humans started to recognize their negative impact on the natural environment. Nevertheless, this uncomfortable truth has been repressed in our collective mind and life continued just as it did before.

Fast-forward to the year 2019. Protecting the environment has become a pressing global issue, with the effects becoming more visible day-by-day. No longer can this important issue be put off and the time has finally come to act. With the consumer’s growing awareness and the increasing demand for sustainability, the fashion industry started to modify its wasteful ways.

For the third time, Woolrich teams up with Griffin Studio to reveal the Fall/Winter 2019 collection, distinguished through its minimal environmental impact. Throughout the collection, Woolrich and Griffin present three methods of sustainable production, tackling fashion’s biggest sources of pollution. On the one hand, the Woolrich branded Eco Ramar Cloth, used for the Griffin Reversible Parka, is printed instead of dyed, cutting the water usage by 70%. The America T-Shape and Sleeping Bag Coat, on the other hand, are produced in an eco fabric, gained from recycled plastic garbage with over 40% harvested from the sea. Special attention is directed toward the four ‘Second Life’ styles. This highly limited capsule collection uses reappropriated surpluses of the high-end Italian fabrics, which would otherwise have been discarded for a variety of reasons. This highlights the idea of reusing and recycling, legitimizing it as modern way forward. Produced 100% in Italy, all components were sourced within 30km of the production site.

Woolrich and Griffin Studio combine their typical modern urban aesthetic and functionality with a sustainable way of production. By proving that recycling is still a great source of untapped potential for the fashion industry and that sustainability does not have to come at the expense of style, they hope to not only showcase its inherent value but also positively shape the customer’s ways of consumption.

The collection will become available in the winter of 2019.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019

Haute Couture represents the high point of fashion, the merging of the finest craftsmen and the finest materials, with its essence deeply rooted in time-honored traditions. In a bold and beautiful collection, Clare Waight Keller interweaves the threads of the gilded past into a radical future.

For the first time, the designer imbues her modern approach, instilled throughout her previous experience in prêt-à-porter, with a glamorous and elaborate aesthetic reminiscent of the chateaux, villas and stately homes, which stand at the origins of the grand tradition of Haute Couture. With Noblesse Radicale, Waight Keller inflects the traditions of Givenchy Haute Couture with new textures and volumes.

In line with haute couture’s traditions, the collection shivers in delightful embellishments. The exquisite materials, inspired by impressions of the past, from flowering wallpapers and rich upholstery to heraldic silverware, in combination with elaborate displays of precious beading and sequins, feathers and lace dissolve into the modern contrast of deconstructed evening wear. Old techniques and conventions meet modern materials and construction, accentuating a vibe of rebellious grandeur which defined the whole collection.

The looks are finished off in a daring retort to pomp and ceremony, with crested mohawks, pearl chandelier earrings and decadent palladium crowns blooming with curling 3D petals. This show connects the past and present and relates the elements of fantasy and indulgence that have made couture such a compelling practice with a hint of rebellion.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

HUGO x Liam Payne

The highly anticipated HUGO x Liam Payne capsule collection was finally launched at Berlin Fashion Week. Over 1.000 people, including Winnie Harlow, Stella Maxwell and Lena Gercke, attended the party that included a live performance by the man himself to get a first close-up look at the garments co-designed by Liam Payne.

The ten streetwear-inspired pieces reference the artist’s unique personal style and blur the lines between formalwear and athleisure. The capsule collection is defined by easy-to-wear silhouettes, fused with reflective tape trims and statement logo graphics for the desired urban-inspired vibe.

Apart from Liam Payne’s live performance, the guests enjoyed an exclusive preview of the HUGO Spring Summer 2020 collection which was inspired by Berlin itself. The evening concluded with DJ sets from object blue and Sebo K that took the party into the early morning hours.

The HUGO x Liam Payne capsule collection will be available on hugo.com and in selected stores around the globe from July 5th.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

Juun.J Spring Summer 2020

Juun.J returns to show at the beautiful Ècole de Medicine. It was a celebration of all the pieces and silhouettes we have loved this brand for.

Born more than 10 years ago, Juun.J has build a aesthetic imbued with beautiful modern tailoring: blazers with sharp oversized shoulders matched with leather shorts or leather overalls (black leather was definitely one of the key element), and suits with fluid palazzo pants declined in a beautiful grey English check, both for men and women. But also the brand’s signature oversized windbreakers styled as always by being placed on the head pushing further ¬- as the models storm in - that fluidity Juun.J is fond of.

Fluidity and breeziness we found as well in dresses played around transparency and asymmetrical layering, in beautiful lemon yellow or the signature metallic.

Juun.J’s love to reinterpret military clothing codes was also a focus: boxy pants, sleeveless jackets and overalls with multiple pockets at times generously oversized in green or with camouflage print.

www.juunj.com

Fashion

Dior Homme Spring Summer 2020

The notion of time, stretched and relative, where past and future are intertwined. It’s the idea of imagining our present in thousand of years, “the past of the future”.

Approaching the show venue of Dior Homme for Spring Summer 2020 we saw a clock eroded by time, almost crumbling as we speak, few steps further a desk, two chairs, some books as touched by decades, perhaps centuries. All in white, reminiscent of 1971 George Lucas’ “THX1138”: the same eerie white, looking at our far future where human might have almost completely disappeared.

For Dior Spring Summer 2020 Kim Jones worked together with artist Daniel Arsham to create the set and atmosphere surrounding the show. The American artist has been working around the concept of “fictional archaeology”, taking iconic objects of Dior heritage, including objects from Monsieur Christian Dior’s life as gallerist, his interest in art and his office being a central place, and imagining how they will be in 10000 years, replicating a geological transformation. Like the huge letters forming the word DIOR on the catwalk: they look like they are falling apart but if you look closer there are crystals growing in their fractures, perhaps leading to a new completion of the letters.

It’s an interesting coincidence how exactly around this period of the year, precisely the 30th of June, almost 115 years ago, Albert Einstein formulated his special relativity theory, reshaping the concept of time.

Kim Jones has always been fascinated by the concept of time channelling his imagination of future, technology and of travel he has created a strong impact on his poetic.

For Dior Homme 2020 Kim Jones explored transparency, feather-like garments but also combined with sculptural elements where the leather pieces are cut and sliced like it would be if they were cut by a frieze machine. Starting by printing from the inner side of the garment and then constructing the whole piece with layering the singular elements on the outside. It is like a modern way of sculpting and almost like contemporary embroidery.

Another wonderful couture technique is the different panels hand pleated silk crepe put together and applied on jackets and tops. Hand tacked into the organza base, pinned together to create different directions of curved surfaces, almost like geomagnetic field. The plissé panels were dyed by hand and then each applied on the singular garment to control each the sense of movement, almost feeling like a liquid surface.

Beautiful shades of grey, bubblegum pink, royal blue, neon orange, white: the entire colour palette felt modern and alluring. Alluring as the first collaboration with Rimowa presenting a capsule collection, including a champagne case, a backpack, a clutch and a cabin suitcase.

Kim Jones also continued the idea of draped volant sashes in jackets from Fall Winter 2019, now declined in beautiful floor swiping length marking the pink sand floor of the set.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Valentino Men’s Spring Summer 2020

Fantastic landscapes with graceful stones of otherworldly colours. Imaginary islands with beautiful creatures and a moody heavenly atmosphere. Artist Roger Dean - who designed album covers of the most progressive English rock bands in the 70s and 80s - channelled the Pierpaolo Piccioli’ s vision for Valentino Menswear Spring Summer 2020.

It’s a collection where different elements come together as in a long travel, at times as a free spirited meandering of human mind with all its colourful facets: the breezy capes, the flowing silk shirts paired with pant with sporty details and the updated version of the Rockrunner Plus sneakers.

At a closer look the couture embroideries and beading on shirts and outwear don’t fail to amaze us. The collection is an ode to the free-spirited Pier Paolo Piccioli’s own mind that we already had the pleasure to witness constantly during Womenswear.

The accessories carefully played around the idea of a camping mood are revealing beautiful mixes of textures: technical fabrics, suede, butter soft leather. One in particular caught our attention: the small squared boxy bag declined in different colours and prints. Reminiscent of a insulated lunch bag, it’s already the new it-bag.

www.valentino.com

Fashion

Max Mara Art Prize for Women: Helen Cammock

The Max Mara Art Prize for Women was established in 2005 in collaboration with the Whitechapel Gallery. The only visual art prize for women in the UK, its mission is to nurture and promote female artists with the gift of time and space in the form of a six-month Italian residency. During this time, the chosen artist to realize a new and ambitious project, which is then presented in the Whitechapel Gallery in London and the Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia.

The seventh winner of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women is Helen Cammock with her exhibition ‘Che si può fare’, translating into ‘What can be done’. In this exhibition, Helen Cammock explores the idea of lament in women’s lives across histories and geographies. Throughout her six-month Italian residency, the artist excavates the expression of lament of unheard, buried and hidden female voices in the archives opened by historians, musicians, artists and singer across all of Italy.

Cammock’s multimedia approach embraces text, photography, video, song, performance and printmaking in order to present a new body of work, challenging mainstream historical narratives around womanhood, poverty and vulnerability.

The exhibition will be open to the public from the 25th of June until the 1st of September in the Whitechapel Gallery in London and from the 13th of October 2019 until February 2020 at the Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia.

www.maxmara.com
www.whitechapelgallery.org
www.collezionemaramotti.org

Fashion

Tambour Slim Rainbow

Virgil Abloh is a disruptor in the fashion industry and nobody embodies the rise of streetwear quite as he does. As the streetwear trend was slowly taking off, it was designers such as Virgil Abloh that elevated it to the next level, bridging the gap between the established high-end fashion and the newly emerging luxury streetwear.

Streetwear arrived at Louis Vuitton with Abloh’s appointment as new Artistic Director in 2018. As expected, he immediately made his presence felt and injected the French heritage brand with an urban vibe through his different approach to design and references to street art. F

or the new Tambour Slim Rainbow, Abloh references back to leather accessories of the Fall/Winter 2019 collection, translating its aesthetic to the watch. With a fluorescent rainbow X, the dial’s motif perfectly captures the spirit of the leather goods and accessories, also defined by the contrast of bright and fluorescent colors on a black background.

The simple exterior might be deceptive, but this watch is yet another proof of Louis Vuitton’s expert craftsmanship and watchmaking expertise. In meticulous steps, the 42 layers forming the bright X-motif are hand-transferred color by color, a process so time-consuming that it requires the same number of hours than the rest of production.

www.louisvuitton.com

Fashion

FENDI Spring/Summer Menswear 2020

The inspiration behind the FENDI Spring/Summer 2020 Menswear becomes apparent at first sight. The location itself, the handsome gardens of the Villa Reale, acted as a first hint, reinforced by the show’s opening look, a workwear inspired overall rounded off with a clipping basket and gloves to achieve the desired gardening look.

Silvia Venturini Fendi is said to be a passionate gardener herself and she translates this passion as the starting point for her creative journey. Running through the collection like a red thread, the gardening references are not always as literal as in the opening look, but are instead infused with a certain lightness and the exquisite FENDI elegance. The natural materials, in a natural earthy color palette with soft greens, are combined with floral motifs to fit Silvia Venturini Fendi’s nature-inspired vision.

Luca Guadagnino, a long term friend of the designer comes aboard as guest artist. His help was invaluable in the design process. Not only did he provide sketches - that later acted as inspiration for some of the prints and introduced elements of the almost formal Japanese workwear - but his input was also invaluable in terms of art direction, show location and the soundtrack, which was composed by Japanese Ryuichi Sakamoto.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2020

Amongst all the seasons, summer has a special place, after all, it is the most liberating of all the seasons. Giorgio Armani tries to capture this summer spirit with his eponymous SS20 collection. For this occasion, the first time in nearly 20 years, Armani’s mainline menswear show returns to the decade long headquarter at Via Borgonuovo in Brera.

The SS20 collection was built around tailoring, through which Armani has achieved his legendary status. In line with the lightheartedness associated with the hottest season, we see a more relaxed and lighter interpretation of the tailored suits, balancing and harmonizing the world of formal attire with the more sporty one. Nonetheless, the label maintains its sartorial essence, limiting the more elaborate escapades into athleticism to the Emporio line.

The collection is defined by looser silhouettes, fitted around the shoulder but loose around the body. Armani seeks to replace the rigidity of the suit with freedom of movement and comfort, implementing light materials and looser fits. The chosen color scheme is unusually intense for the label, implementing a variety of bright hues in combination with the brand’s staples Armani blue, white and black.

www.armani.com

Fashion

M1992 Spring/Summer 2020

References to the world of celebrity cult and fame are found throughout Dorian Tarantini’s newest collection for M1992. Keeping with the fame theme, paparazzi, limousines, private jets and holiday destinations become photo prints repeating themselves on shirts across the whole collection.

In his work, the designer deliberately adds a dose of tackiness, as the allover Swarovski glitz, challenging the slim boundary between glamour and tackiness, so closely related to the world of fame. Adding to the overall fame theme, Tarantini’s work has a very apparent ‘50s and Sixties aesthetic. M1992 combines the sharp tailoring reminiscent of the ‘50s rebels with a ’60s-inspired silhouette, to create neat garments and faultlessly tailored suits evoking a genuinely rebellious vibe. This quality is underlined by the use of buckles and chains to outline the sharp silhouettes.

The necktie acts as the starting point for the designer’s creative journey. In collaboration with Neapolitan manufacturer Marinella, Tarantini presents his new take on the most corporate and conservative men’s accessory, revealing a surprisingly progressive quality in it. The collaborative aspect does not only limit itself to the ties, but also includes an adjustable case for a tablet. In collaboration with HP, this multi-functional bag will be limited to only 80 pieces available through an online contest.

www.m1992.eu

Fashion

A Ferragamo Homecoming

For his first men’s collection, Salvatore Ferragamo’s Creative Director Paul Andrew puts Florence center stage. The city, so synonymous with the house itself, sets the new aesthetic direction, the style code for a new era. Andrew’s vision for Ferragamo is inspired by Florence, at once gloriously ancient with rich traditions and at the same time stunningly modern and forward-looking.

In his new collection, traditional sartorial menswear codes are infused with more modern stylistic elements in order to articulate Andrew’s envisioned multigenerational concept. With a high-craft and high-tech approach, innovation and quality craftsmanship remain the beating heart of the house, in combination with unconventional and inventive ways of mixing materials and manufacturing.

With a mixture of skins, natural and synthetic fibers, the collection’s broad palette of earth tones and natural shades is contrasted with saturated incursions of candy pink, luminous mint green and deep night. Through his collection, Paul Andrew presents his personal vision of the modern Ferragamo man, who distances himself from inflexible gender norms and takes the freedom to redefine the classics for a new era.

www.ferragamo.com

Fashion

Berluti Shadow

Nowadays, everybody is wearing sneakers. Previously reserved for certain youth cultures and athletes, the sneaker has evolved into an absolute must-have item in every shoe closet. Following the likes of other global brands, Italian shoemaker Berluti presents its first ever sock sneaker, the Shadow.

The brand’s forward-thinking and innovative attitude takes shape in a sneaker, defined by its impeccable lightness and durability, deriving from the use of durable and light nylon knit. The Shadow collection is Berluti’s latest undertaking to present a sophisticated alternative to formal footwear. They merge Berluti’s outstanding know-how and craftsmanship with the contemporary athleisure aesthetic and a modern attitude.

Available in classic black, navy and minimalist white the sneaker suits a variety of tastes and urban styles, whilst guaranteeing core Berluti ‘Made in Italy’ values.

The shoes will be available in stores and online.

www.berluti.com

Art

David Zwirner at Art Basel

It is hard to imagine that any of the founding members knew what Art Basel would evolve into. Art Basel kept growing year-by-year, adding the new locations of Miami and Hong Kong, to eventually become the world-leading art fair. Their shows do not only connect collectors and galleries with established and emerging artists alike, but also offer the broad masses a glimpse into an otherwise opaque art world.

David Zwirner has witnessed Art Basel’s development as the gallery returns to Basel for the twenty-first consecutive year. For this year’s edition of Unlimited, the spotlight falls on Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ complete set of puzzles created between 1987 and 1992, Kerry James Marshall’s RYTHM MASTR Daily Strip (Runners), previously featured at the 2018 Carnegie International and Franz West’s interactive installation of sofas clad in colorful fabrics, on show for the first time since debuting in 1994.

Besides showcasing new works of a variety of artists, other highlights presented at the booth include new paintings by Njideka Akunyili Crosby, featured at Venice Biennale and Oscar Murillo, who was just nominated for the Turner Prize 2019.

In addition to this, David Zwirner announced the launch of Basel Online. Available from June 10th, this Online Viewing Room is David Zwirner’s digital exhibition space, offering visitors the possibility to explore new works by gallery artists as well as curated online-only exhibitions and special collaborations.

Art Basel will be open to the public from 13th to 16th of June at Messe Basel.

www.artbasel.com
www.davidzwirner.com

Fashion

Nothing But Pride In #MYCALVINS

We have come a long way concerning LGBTQ+ rights. Despite massive strides over the past decade, discrimination based on sexuality still prevails. CALVIN KLEIN, long a supporter of the LGBTQ+ movement even, reconfirms his beliefs with the CALVIN KLEIN Pride Capsule collection.

In celebration of Pride, the new limited edition capsule collection sees apparel, accessories and underwear shine in the symbolic ultra vivid rainbow colors associated with the LGBTQ+ movement. Various CALVIN KLEIN staples, such as the iconic underwear or the classic trucker jacket are reimagined adorned with rainbow color palette.

Despite recent backlash about a campaign this year, CALVIN KLEIN, still one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly brands, does not falter in his support of the LGBTQ+ community and pledges a donation to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

The collection is available in CALVIN KLEIN stores and online.

www.calvinklein.com

Art

Dirty Socks

The creative mind works differently sometimes. It manages to find extraordinary beauty in the most mundane objects and settings and transform them into artistic expression. Nordic duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, collaborating since 1995, have time after time investigated this sculptural dimension of the most quotidian objects.

In their latest exploit, titled Dirty Socks, they prove that even our dirty socks, detached of their utility and radically recontextualized, can evolve into an artistic sculpture. Showcased on only a gilded lower body, crossing its legs, the white socks become the visual focal point.

Dirty Socks will be on show with the König Galerie at Art Basel from June 13th to June 16th.

www.artbasel.com

Fashion

Royal Ballet Flanders x Ermenegildo Zegna XXX

After a successful world premier at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, French choreographer Benjamin Millepied brings the Bach Studies (Part 2) to Antwerpen. In his Belgium debut, Millepied collaborates with the famous Royal Ballet of Flanders and Ermenegildo Zegna XXX.

As long-time friends, Alessandro Satori finds inspiration for this special collection in Millepied’s bold yet delicate choreography. Both discover a similar characteristic in their respective work, the fusing of traditional craft and knowledge with modernity. Designed with an intention to capture the energy of the beautifully moving body, the ecclesiastic silk and jersey dresses, in a combination of tonal or combined black and off-white, complete the silhouettes like a fourth dimension, making the performers seemingly fly on stage.

The performance is open until the 26th of May in the Opera Antwerp.

www.operaballet.be

Fashion

Birkenstock x Hotel Il Pellicano - Il Dolce Far Niente Collection

At first sight, the collaboration between the German traditional sandal manufacturer Birkenstock and the iconic Italian Hotel Il Pellicano seems a bit peculiar. After all, they do not seem to share a lot of similarities besides their worldwide renown.

Marie-Louise Sciò, Creative Director of Pellicano Hotel Group and herself an avid lover of the cult shoe explains that the heart of both lies a passion for materials of the highest quality and a timeless aesthetic.

Setting out with the goal to capture the spirit and style of the Tuscan hotel, they create a unique collection perfectly encapsulating the Italian Dolce Vita. The resulting Arizona sandals perfectly mirror the hotel’s understated and simple elegance, by only combining high-quality materials and craftsmanship with an eye for the details.

Seven designs are set to be launched and are available at the Hotel Il Pellicano or MATCHESFASHION.COM. Pre-orders of the collection launch on May 15th on MATCHESFASHION.COM, with the worldwide release scheduled for June 15th.

www.1774.com

Fashion

Berluti x Thélios

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.

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 in Ferrara to polish the renowned shoes, photographed and used in the entire FW19 collection. You can see every mark left by the colored shoe polish over the years – the spirit of the time.

But also the appeal of manipulated leather with the legendary patina finish (a technique known for the iconic shoes of the Maison) used since the fists look from garments to accessories.

Introducing the very first Berluti and Thélios collaboration, the collection of sunglasses for FW19 presents several variations on Kris Van Assche’s main points of fascination at Berluti, in green, red, yellow and blue hues giving a new light to the maison’s heritage.

From aviator to acetate round shapes, Kris Van Assche designs merge timeless shapes with understated luxury details like the “B” logo discreetly placed over the hinges or nose pads. The sunglasses feature lenses crafted with a mirror treatment in blue and red. Available in stores from 1 July 2019.

www.berluti.com

Fashion

Double Birthday

To celebrate the ten year anniversary of its signature Peekaboo bag, the Italian luxury house FENDI continues its #MeAndMyPeekaboo campaign. With a series of videos in an intimate setting, featuring famous families, the Peekaboo bag is celebrated as if it had become an invaluable family member itself.

Following the likes of the Kardashians, the McGregor sisters or the pink-haired twins Ami and Aya, is the Italian businesswoman, entrepreneur and influencer Chiara Ferragni. It is for the occasion of her birthday, that FENDI has thrown the Italian an absolute dream of an luxury surprise party in its own Palazzo FENDI in Rome. The invited guests only counted the most inner circle of her family, the husband, rapper Fedez, her mother Marina di Guardo and the two sisters, Francesca and Valentina.

FENDI spares no cost, presenting her an imposing birthday cake, matching the breathtaking setting, which had been additionally decorated with a variety the brands exquisite leather bags.

With its campaign, FENDI celebrates family values. Just as you become part of the FENDI family, the Peekaboo bag will become a part of yours.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Travel Transformation

A transformation for one night into an adventures experience.

Montblanc introduced its new travel line. This time in Berlin, the energetic, electric and engaging city, which also happens to be a common destination for travelers. Due to this, it made the perfect fit for the launch of Montblanc’s new travel campaign.

The campaign is all about reconnecting. Reconnecting with the world to set the mark of the brand due to experience by giving guests the opportunity of visiting a cultural spot, which has been shut down for years. The guests were journeyed through a travel tunnel to arrive in the heart of the Metropol, surrounded by projections of a variety of urban destinations. Among the entire travel destination discoveries showed, a central wall sculpture of trolleys  was created by Marc Jung that reflected artworks on the Berlin wall, marking the 30 years since its fall.

Montblanc created a new generation of entrepreneurs, trailblazers and urban explorers travelling the world with new Montblanc Nightlight Silver Trolley and the reimagined Extreme 2.0 collection. Created as lifetime companion’s crafted through the skills and quality of the Maison.

To read more about the event and Montblanc's travel collection, go to www.montblanc.com

Art

Spotlight

Sawaru is the new project from Flos that does away with excess and focusses on simple, compact devices that provide a clean aesthetic and simple functionality. A LED light source cylinder 43cm in length and 13 cm in diameter, Sawaru is constructed from aluminum and is available in finishes from black and white to bright gold and blue gray.

Two independent cylinders restfully lean up against one another for support, intercepting at a perpendicular angle; one acting as the supportive base and the other as a light source shooting out a beaming spotlight. The angle can be modified to the individual’s taste in three different stages – 25, 40 and 60, simply by inserting a pin attached to the base. Once again, Flos proves its commitment to designs that are user intuitive and simple; minimal in appearance and minimal in hassle.

The dimmer pedal regulates the intensity of the light and the color temperature, warm and cold, and one’s ideal combinations can be set by keeping the pedal pressed down. The LED indicators on the pedal supply information about the status of the light source.

flos.com

Fashion

A Magical Place Where Devils are Good

The only connection that matters is the one with mother earth. In the middle of the Argentinian Andes, near the frontiers of the west, is a small town where everything is the opposite in order to re-define meaning. This place is called Uquía, which is located between Tilcsara en Humuaca and contains many different cultures and ethnical groups who already live together in harmony for ages. These people have one happening in common: Carnival! The northern Carnival connects everyone and is a festive whereon devils are good.

This magical place formed the ultimate podia to tell the story of the Premiata Spring / Summer 2019 collection. In this town can you find the impressive Iglesia San Francisco de Paula, a church that has two versions the other one is located in Havana, Cuba. The church is a magical place because it is on the Salinas Grandes, a large salty plateau located 3350 meters above sea level that emerged from a lake that dried up during the Holocene. This exact point is able to bring light, earth and sky all together in a magical way, so at night you can admire one of the most bright starry skies in the world.

Besides the great variety of cultures and ethnical groups, also a fusion originated through the years. One that is dominated by colorful devil costumes, adorned with mirrors to keep real evil spirits away. The Carnival is a ritual in which each individual and the community itself will re-connect with the purest joy in life. Premiata decided to support this very special celebration to maintain the survival of these authentic cultures.

www.premiata.it

Fashion

Silhouettes Reimagined

In Balanciaga’s Winter 2019 collection, cuts, volume and fabrics reflect the inventiveness and attitude of the typical city dweller. Shapes are suspended and allow for unexpected movement with shoulders being shifted upwards and sleeves to be raised above shoulders. Hooded coats and incognito collars feature, as do lengthly trench-coats and robes which conceal a form and creates a concealed sense of mystery and anonymity. In classic Parisian style, outer-layers can be opted for wrapping and allow silhouettes to flow freely.

The brand enlists a more modern, mode take on the cocoon shape made from fake shearling and soft outer-layers. Kick skirts follow this theme, constructed from embroidered tweed and fake leather. Almost horned at the shoulders, biker sleeves are reworked to create volume, as are the extended and cropped pants.

Angularity and fluidity mingle with one another in this Winter 2019 collection. Building atop of the existing Balanciaga vocabulary that defies convention, new logotypes interplay with old ones, creating a harmonious balance between practicality and tension.

www.balenciaga.com

Fashion

Rick Owen's Women's Fall 2019/20

It has been exactly 2 years, when backstage after his Fall 2017 show Rick Owens mentioned how he was tired of being a downer, wanting to be more optimistic celebrating humanity and life.

Rick Owens is certainly the real living high priest of fashion who true to his words continues to surprise us. For next Fall Owens led us to an incredible dose of sexiness and glam we have never seen before: alluring bodysuits and short dresses twisted and knotted with long floor-swiping trails nodding to Hollywood gala. Some featuring the famous Fortuny prints.

Matched with tailored blazers and coats with sculptural shoulders once again recalling – following Menswear 2019 – his hero, American designer Larry LeGaspi, who dressed the likes of Grace Jones, and the likes of legendary rock bands Kiss, Labelle, Divine in the 70s. Adolescent Rick Owens was deeply fascinated by the avant-garde gender-blurring LeGaspi’s work and later this year we will see a monograph about the designer authored by Owens.

But there is another source of inspiration in the collection, another legendary American designer who later that evening after the show was celebrated at Joyce Gallery at the Jardin du Palais Royal with a small exhibition and the launch of a book with preface of Rick Owens himself: Charles James.

James lived in the legendary Chelsea Hotel and was a master in building a sculptural shape for evening dresses but also was interested in developing new shapes. In one of the archive pictures shown at the gallery we see a young Pat Cleeveland wearing a pair of shorts he creates in 38 and decades later developed into leather.

A series of reversed blazers with silver cowhide or nylon puffer are certainly playing references between James and LeGaspi.

Owens staged a spectacular collection. And the alien-like make up by prodigy Instagram talent Salvia - an ode to body modification - was the perfect element to further take ours breath away.

 www.rickowens.eu

Fashion

LEE Jeans Campaign by Legend Jamel Shabazz

Steeped in 130 years of denim excellence, the Lee Jeans aesthetic is imbued with authentic hip hop stylings, its legacy sustained by the likes of LL Cool J, RUN DMC and Grandmaster Flash who all reference the heritage brand in their music, making Lee Jeans one of the most coveted pair of pants on the street and stapling its legacy and presence as a proud cultural icon.

Grounding the collection in its own rich history, Lee Jeans have sifted through their archives reimaging the old school attitude and iconic hip-hop aesthetic of the 1980s for their Spring/Summer 2019 line.

The generation-defining and legendary streetstyle photographer Jamel Shabazz who is responsible for having captured some of the most enduring imagery of the era has been enlisted for Lee’s Spring/Summer 2019 campaign. To mark the occasion, this collaboration between Shabazz and Lee Jeans will culminate in a limited-edition tribute book titled ‘Back in the Days’; a throw back to his original book of the same name containing the very best photographs from the SS19 campaign shoot in the original streets and neighbourhoods.

Straight-legged Lee Jeans double layered with Lee Rider Jackets are completed with tan, suede Wallabees and Adidas superstars in traditional urban street style finished with Kangol Bucket Hats and Cazal Sunglasses, savouring the spirit of the era for a new generation.

www.lee.com

Fashion

A Darker Side of Prada

This time at the grand hall of the Deposito, Prada unveiled to us its darker side. The Fall / Winter 2019 collection seems to take inspiration from the fantastical. Boxier forms and heavy tops feature, a look that combined with the plaited hair cannot help but remind us of the precocious Wednesday Addams. Crimson red makes its expected appearance throughout both in accessories and in the garments themselves.

Prada does however stay true to its roots with some staple pieces, the women's décolletage flattered in a wonderfully tasteful and feminine fashion, the dresses sensually slimming down the form, creating silhouettes that are ultra feminine. The former looks however, are a stark polar opposite - much preppier and defiant.

 www.prada.com

Fashion

A Chorus of Voices

One house hosting a conglomerate of different voices. A creative hub of concentrated genius channels multiple energies and pushes visions that speak to all generations of customers. Moncler has thrown out the rulebook, promoting access as the very highest form of inclusivity for contemporary customers in this digital era.

Unveiled on 20th February in Italy’s fashion capital, Milan, the Genius collections consists of works from the likes of Pierpaolo Piccioli, Simone Rocha, Craig Green and Hiroshi Fujiwara.

Moncler will open the Moncle Genius building to the general public on 24th February. Different rooms harbour different visions, each one operating singularly and isolated from one another, the sum of which manifesting as the Genius Moncler identity.

The classic human form is utterly redefined through the use of artful language and unique lenses from the designers. Swirling silhouettes swarm the space in the couture lines, the extravagance confirming the freedom philosophy of the brand, unshackled by conformity. International heritages from vintage to urban to military to tech are made full use of, showcasing an open roof of ambition and relishing in demolishing boundaries.

Manipulating fabrication with a keen awareness for space, Moncler joins the body with materials and with the space they inhabit in a incomparable, thrilling way: a multiplicity of identities melting into one.

 www.moncler.com

Art

The Visual Spheres of Günter Rössler

Günter Rössler is one of the early leading Eastern bloc photographers that exposed the everyday life of the DDR. At a time that was characterized by scarcity and limited access to cultural influences, in particular Western pop culture, Rössler developed his own autonomous signature. He represented the DDR with a typical aesthetic that not only told the story but also made it feel as though you are part of it.

Günter Rössler studied photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Leipzig. In 1951 he started his empire as a freelance fashion and journalistic photographer. His work intriguingly told the various stories about the DDR’s social life. After a number of years, Rössler started to focus on fashion photography and grew into a true pioneer. His authentic and spontaneous approach created exceptional photographs that told a personal story and at the same time expressed a certain aesthetic.

The work has been published for years in East Germany's leading fashion magazine, Sibylle. In 1981 Rössler was admitted to the Verband Bildender Künstler der DDR (Association of visual artists of the DDR). In 1996 he also became a member of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie (German Association for Photography). After his breakthrough as a fashion photographer, Rössler became one of the pioneers that introduced nude photography as a movement in modern art within the walls of the DDR. His first solo exhibition in 1979 presented in the Kunsthaus Grimma had a big impact. His nude models were exposed as strong natural women with a lot of self-confidence, which made them seem almost sculptural. Rössler's signature was in contrast with the standards of Western nude photography, which was less subtly produced. His work has depth and went beyond merely showing a naked woman. His work was therefore also noticed outside the walls of the DDR, magazines such as Fotographie, Fotokino-Magazin, Das Magazin, Modische Maschen, and even Playboy published it regularly.

After an impressive career as photographer and artist, Günter Rössler died in 2012. He left a memorable oeuvre behind that will always be remembered as one of the leading signatures in German photography. APITIS Studios / Berlin is therefore presenting ‘Akt und Mode’, an exhibition that covers his most important visual spheres through the years.

‘Akt und Mode’ is presented in APITIS Studios in Berlin from 15 February until 28 April 2019 and has free access.

www.capitis-studios.de

Fashion

Travel Essentials

A front leader in efficient and ergonomic clothing design, Roberto Ricci Design have synthesised clean, essential cuts with unexpected nuances for their Spring / Summer 2019 collection. The outerwear emanates warm tones of yellow that transcend into almost neon flourescence along with intense oranges, optical whites and classic blue denims. Silver and gold metal fibres also make an appearance.

The garments are simply ideal for the traveller in virtue of being extremely light and foldable, able to be fitted into travel luggage and smaller cases. The urban section features lightweight lycras that are highly breathable and suited for warm Spring temperatures. Classicism also infiltrates the entire collection with simple cut shirts and trousers from sartorial models. Soft to the touch fleeces are enriched with Oxford fabrics.

Fuss and excess are deliberately stripped away in the search for pure essentiality and necessity in designs. Technical glamour blends with colours, shapes and fabrics in perfect Italian style.

www.robertoriccidesigns.com

Fashion

The Saddlebag is back

True house icon, and ultimate symbol of Dior’s unique and long-established mastery in crafts. Creative director Kim Jones reinterpreted Dior its iconic saddlebag into a fantastic new modern version for the summer 2019 collection. The design came up for the first time almost 20 years ago in 2000 in the Women’s Spring-Summer 2000 ready-to-wear show. Its saddle-shaped form can be promptly recognised. Jones added a Jacquard strap featuring the inscription “Christian Dior”. The bag is finished with a raw industrial- inspired buckle specially developed for this occasion by designer Matthew Williams. This typical adornment is created in Florence, Italy and reflects the finesse of the house’s leather goods.

www.dior.com

Art

ELECTRIC CO - RE-Couture

Enchanted by clear pencil lines that tell more… Designer Conny Groenewegen captures her imagination into spatial drawings that make you almost part of it. The boundaries between 2D and 3D are a continuing signature in her art.

With a background in Art and Fashion, specifically knitting, she created a special relationship with interlocking loops coming from one continuous thread. When you make another manoeuvre, the pattern breaks. In conclusion: “you cannot impose or force anything without causing damage.” This theory turned into a philosophical approach for Groenewegen that resulted into the Fashion Machine-project; a suggestion to reconsider fixed archetypal forms. By changing forms, textures, materials and settings, new interesting insights appear and create another perspective to redefine the type.

The ELECTRIC CO artwork is a creation of a plastic monofilament that carries a rigid knitted structure in combination with softer, woollen yarns. The constructed 3D element emphasizes the upper body’s muscle contours and re-codes. At the same time the archetypal shapes of classical sweaters and bomber jackets accommodate ELECTRIC CO’s vibrant dynamics > electricco.co.

Photographer Anouk van Kalmthout photographed the artwork and created a mystifying universe. The picturesque, colorful and especially abstract landscapes give a dreamy feeling which impersonates this association of free interpretation. The lively use of light and shadow in fusion with the disorienting perspective gives this artwork a free sense to express. These photographs are an infinite vision full of the world’s fortuitous.

Credits:
Photography: Anouk van Kalmthout; model: Iheomy Nahr; make-up & hair: Yokaw; set assistant: Juliette Lizotte; production: Charlotte Corstanje; creative direction: Conny Groenewegen

 

www.connygroenewegen.nl

Fashion

The Sophisticated Unconformist

Unconformist, powerful and assertive, this Spring/Summer 2019 capsule from COS is catered for the sharp, sophisticated working professional seeking to build upon a staple wardrobe, channelling creativity and unapologetically making a statement in the process.

The sculptor’s hand is palpably discernible, the garments clearly envisioned with the wearer’s form in mind, regarding the body as the crucial central canvas to be built around. Conceived of in three dimensions, the pieces caressingly float and fit the shape of the wearer. We see this thematic pattern replicated in the absence of busy, fussy decorations, rendering the collection a stark, simplistic, modest and unostentatious slate, nonetheless creative and unconformist in attitude.

An understated, unaffected, minimal palette of clean whites, strong blacks and varying blues is realised to its fullest potential, a direct result of Anna’s propensity to resist high frequency turnover trends and to reject external logos, prints or patterns. Peter Saville contributes the only patterned item; a limited edition silk scarf incorporating graphic prints. In this manner, the collection is fit for studio work, formal meetings, after parties and can be maintained for a lifetime.

 www.cosstores.com

Fashion

Escaping Routine

In the AW 19/20 show, William Fan dived into the eclectic karaoke nightlife of Hong Kong. An environment in which everyday culture diminishes as soon as it becomes night, and the alter ego emerges. Fan, is fascinated by the diverse palette of personalities that this city and its karaoke bars by night posses: from formal suit wearers to colorfull adolescents. As soon as they show up under the neonlights, old memories emerge and they all come closer to their icons and idols.

This euphoric change is an immense inspiration for Fan. His collection forms a tribute to various personalities, individual songs and memories from back in the day. By using animal prints, variations of loud colors and textures, a playful effect arises in the light of the mirror pole that characterizes the mystique of the karaoke nightlife.

www.williamfan.com

Fashion

An ‘It’ Bag Revived

Fendi’s ‘Baguette,’ one of the original ‘it’ bags, is back for Spring/Summer 2019. And while the Men’s Fashion Week show in Milan showed that even the boys are loving it, there is no shaking the little bag’s status as a feminine classic. With three storylines to its name and a host of stylish starlets among its fans, this is definitely a bag to unbox for a night out with your girls. Fendi’s new #BaguetteFriendsForever project celebrates the revival with three friendship-themed shorts set in Shanghai, Hong Kong and New York.

The first episode — The Baguette is Back— is set in Shanghai and stars actresses Tan Zhuo and Qiao Xien, as well as fashion influencers Yu Wei and Yoyo. The Missing Baguette, the Hong Kong instalment, follows Taiwanese DJ Dizzy Dizzo, Japanese model Hikari Mori, Korean DJ Peggy Gould and ‘it’ girl Yoyo Can as they search the city for their objet du désir.

The One and Only Baguette, set in New York, sees influencers Caro Daur and Natasha Lau and models Ebonee Davis and Melissa Martinez, racing to buy a Baguette. 

All three films are scored with Groove Armada’s My Friend.

The accessory — designed by Silvia Venturi Fendi in 1997 and subsequently seen on anyone who was anyone in the Nineties — made a strong resurgence during the brand’s S/S19 womenswear show, embellished and embroidered, fashioned in brightly-coloured, ‘FF’ detailed leathers and befitting any socialite’s wardrobe. For the men’s show this month, the baguette was re-imagined in nylon and leather cross-body iterations, with the classic hand-held style appearing on the catwalk in shearling and faux fur.

www.fendi.com

Art

The Process of Existence

Art duo Vera Lehndorff and Holger Trülzsch have opposite backgrounds, but when they coalesce, an interesting socially critical manifesto emerges. Lehndorff, better known as “Veruschka” was a fashion model and developed through her career a critical view on the human body as a whole. Trülzsch started to look for social limits at the student movement in Munich during the sixties, where he mainly questioned art, music and politics.

Both were fascinated by the idea of "transformation", a concept that caused a lot of commotion in the 70s and 80s. Through bodypainting and photography, the duo challenged the media to mix traditional roles and question them instead of merely embodying and emphasizing them. Veruschka redefined the expectations of her as a regular model, she didn’t portray just one common version she transformed and hid herself beneath many.

Their work created a counter-reaction against the norms of capitalist society, especially the strict standards of beauty and presentation. The duo converted existing art methods into new symbolic expressional forms, with which they presented the complex stages of the human existence process in a new and less conventional way.

The sixties, seventies and eighties were times of change, and the work of Vera and Holger contributed with great success. They were criticized and rejected, but today their ideals are used as inspiration, that is why the SR Contemporary Art gallery in Berlin now officially display these leading controversial artworks.

www.srcontemporaryart.de

Fashion

Dior Homme Fall 2019

Inside the monolithic black temporary structure built at Plateau Joffre stands a 76 meter long moving walkway where models stood still. Kim Jones is sure to have a particular sense of spectacle: he created a wow-effect by a simple gesture where his new collection was carried monumentally, stripping back the stage and downsizing it compared to his previous Tokyo show.

The heritage of Dior together with the contemporary and experimental Jones’ attitude produced an elegant and smart collection with tailoring declined in couture techniques and materials.

A Mona Lisa reinterpretation and other pen work by American artists Raymond Pettibon infused across the collection giving a strong graphic spirit. Pettibon was always a strong influence since Kim Jones’s teenage years.

What strikes is the silk stole applied around a pinstripe suit or along a cashmere coat extending till the floor. It is so subtle but so showstopper.

Kim Jones created a new masculine attitude at Dior Homme taking also elements dear to Monsieur Dior like his 1947 panther print, reinvented in this collection alongside other animalier gestures that extend to scarves, jackets and sweaters. Kim Jones stays true to his own language: jackets have removable leather sleeves , hybrid garments, nylon mirroring silk and accessories composing a whole with the entire collection. The saddle bag is reinvented once again and worn cross body on the tailleur oblique. The high craftsmanship and elegance of Dior fuse with the techno fascinations of Kim Jones vision.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Multi-Influenced Antony Morato Collection Arrives

As the Spring/Summer 2019 season creeps up on us, Antony Morato introduces us to his new collection inspired by a myriad of vibrant themes, culminating in a maximalist style that reflects this array of artistic influences.

The first inspiration submerges us in the nautical world of deep blues and denims, sands and melange greys. This simplicity is embellished with cute, charming anchor stripes and rope prints.

British culture also seeps into this lively collection - a bold Rock&Go theme reminiscient of the UK hardcore punk scene with ever distinct red-black tartans and playful prints such as bulldogs, flowers, comic-style lips.

Organic, raw fabrics transport us to the animal kingdom with natural cotton and prints featuring leaves, flowers and animals, more apparent in the hybrid jacket with bomber sleeves and two colour yellow/khaki jacket.

A dusty darker palette of burgundys, mustards and muddy browns are accompanied by excessive print, patterns and embroidery characteristic of gipsy folk culture.

www.morato.it

Fashion

90's Nostalgia

Marina Hoermanseder is another designer who sparks joy with her creations and brings a sense of humor to her work. Here FW19 show took us back to the days of glorious sitcoms like ‘Married with Children’ and ‘The Nanny’ as well as iconic Tonya Harding costumes with just a hint of ‘The Dukes of Hazard’.

The designer lays the 90s elements on thick as evidenced by the collection's first look already: purple cycling shorts, a modification of her strap skirt and a neon-colored, short sweatshirt. Strong country influences counteract the over-the-top nostalgia: Western buckles can be found on the typical strap skirt, sheriff stars are there as emblems and cowboy boots and hats finish the look. All this is an empowering spectacle and nod to strong, at times grossly underestimated, female characters that have shaped todays Gen Z, Hoermanseder's loyal followers.

www.marinahoermanseder.com

Fashion

Brunello Cucinelli’s Fall Line Tailored for the Debonair Gentleman

The Brunello Cucinelli Fall 2019 menswear collection personifies the wardrobe of the dapper modern gentleman. Fusing together a look that marries plush comfort with simplistic elegance, a distinctive retro flavour can be detected with some statement items and most notably in the liberal use of corduroy, velvet and moleskin fabrics.

No more is the stress on comfort epitomised that in the loose fitting pants and jumpers, quintessentially evocative of cutting, crisp winter evenings. Hearty, earthy understated tones of camel, burgundy and smalt blue with splashes of grey, concoct a palette that suffuses class. The range features all the conventional pieces you would expect from Brunello Cucinelli, from cashmere turtlenecks to poplin shirts, from tweed jackets to padded gilets. However it is the strong, stiff suits accented with muted silk pocket squares and the uninhibited use of atypical materials that really sets this collection apart.

A sheer sense of balance and attention to finer details allows for a cool, crisp finish appealing to the suave, dignified debonair gentleman exuding elegance and sophistication.

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Fashion

Grand Hall Bulbs Light Up For Prada

The grand hall of the Deposito hosted the Prada Fall/Winter 2019 show this past weekend displaying the very latest in Men and Women’s wear. The setting, a cold industrial floor dimly lit by sparsed out singular lightbulbs. This performative landscape injected a sense of theatre and spectacle whilst cultivating an atmosphere of mystery and discovery, evoking the Tesla-Edison experiments of a bygone error and tropes of science fiction.

In the spotlight, layers of clean, simplistic lines in deep, warm hues are set against decorated accessories and dizzying, colorful, almost psychedelic patterns — echoing the futuristic motif of the show. As always, and in characteristic Prada style, the collection does not shy away from colour and embellishment, oozing looks that ring fresh whilst still retaining the sense of class and classicism so staple to the brand.

www.prada.com

Fashion

The Zegna Way to Play: Holiday Gifts, Iconic Leather

Italian luxury fashion house Zegra celebrates the magic of this holiday season. Ermenegildo Zegna created three new characters: Romeo, Enzo and Luigi. All of them are made from iconic fabrics, whose playfulness and sense of humor reflect the joy of the festive season.

For the stylish, the sporty, or the man about town, Zegna presents an exclusive gifts collection which is made from lightweight and versatile leather - pelletessuta. A story in fabric, this woven leather is made from placing extremely thin strips of nappa leather on special looms, thereby replicating the traditional way of weaving cloth. Holiday Gifts available in major Ermenegildo Zegna stores and also online.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Fendi Mania

Fendi-Mania - an extreme enthusiasm or desire; an obsession for Fendi. Every collection is a celebration for Fendi; pandemonium is in the air again with the Fendi-Mania capsule collection.

Fendi has the city of Rome coursing through its veins and deep into its DNA. There is an air of the city in Fendi and the city is awash with Fendi. But Fendi is bigger. Fendi is a universe filled with inspiration that has evolved into a glowing exchange of positive energy.

Enter center stage, Fendi-Mania. A capsule collection inspired by the streets, the millennials and the ironic soul of the brand. The FENDI/FILA logo popularised by Instagram creator @hey_reilly sets the tone for the collection drenched in sporty, musical references, dripping in some of the loudest colors on the spectrum in patterns that astonish as they dazzle.

Shot entirely on iPhone, with entirely millennial models Fendi-Mania feels free and fearless. Ready to wear, encompasses, men, women, and kids with accessories aplenty, available from October the 16th.

www.fendi.com

Fashion

Y/Project Spring 2019

It is rare to see designers who have the guts to challenge their comfort zone as much as Glenn Martens has constantly been doing. For Y/Project Spring 2019 the Belgian designer went one step further.

Deconstructed and juxtaposed pieces gave space to new sophisticated silhouettes: the pants merged with long skirts at its back, mimicking the motion of a fluid skirt in a frontal wind blowing motion when the fabric adheres to the legs. The imaginative power of Glenn Martens is superb and definitely this is one of his most ambitious collection showing us a deep knowledge not only in staying true to his poetic but also in cut and costume history.

Cable knit skirt with a deep V waist line, oversized sweatshirts with an incorporated bra, tulle overlaying garments like skirts, dresses and coats. But it’s in the surprising glamour of the finale that the audience was literally taken into awe: a fluid silk satin dress, a suit with its blazer cut on the shoulder line all adorned with contrasting feathers in tulle reminiscent of a dramatic '30s Marlene Dietrich boa.

www.yproject.fr

Fashion

Highlights from Milan Fashion Week

Max Mara Spring 2019

www.maxmara.com

Emporio Armani Spring 2019

This year Armani returned to its home again, Milan. And with that return they took over 170 looks with them to the airport where the show took place. It was a great mixture of textiles running from wide jeans to classic suits, and basically everything that comes in between. One thing is sure: Armani proves us his great variety of fabrics and styles for upcoming season.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Diesel x Mustafa Capsule Collection

Diesel have their tongue firmly lodged in their cheek for their new collaboration. A campaign that sees the Italian Denim Brand propose that the coolest brands are found in the coolest places. A proposition that has landed them in the diverse metropolis of Berlin to collaborate with “the only true artist in berlin”, Mustafa.

Mustafa’s Gemuse Kebap to be exact. Known quite simply as the best kebap in the world. With a minimum wait of 20 minutes Mustafa’s kebap has a collosal reputation one that quite literally busts the block. Diesel is not without their own reputation of course. Collaborating with a kebap stand despite its iconic stature in pop culture defies normality. This is the game.

Graphics combining the logo of both esteemed brands adorn the T-shirts, sweatshirts and caps that complete the 14-piece capsule collection availavle in Europe, China and the USA.

www.diesel.com

Fashion

Rimowa celebrates its 120th anniversary

Famous German company of premium luggage Rimowa celebrates their 120th anniversary with their first globally integrated campaign.

In honor of this milestone Rimowa invited a host of celebrities to New Yorks, 7 World Trade Centre. The famous faces included men’s Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton Virgil Abloh, Dior Men’s jewellery designer Yoon Ahn, model Adwoa Aboah, international chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa and Swiss professional tennis player Roger Federer. Rimowa gifted each guest with a personalized leather luggage tag, graffitied by American artist Curtis Kulig with his signature "Love Me" to mark the occasion. Guests also took time to share their personal interpretations of what travel has meant for their lives.

“What makes this campaign very different than any other is that these aren’t typical endorsements, these are people who have been traveling with Rimowa for many years,” says Muelas. “Their own suitcases are in the campaign.”

The campaign also marks the beginning of an exclusive partnership between Roger Federer and RIMOWA that will extend to various projects over the next two years.

www.rimowa.com

Fashion

Woolrich releases new capsule collection designed by Ms. Lauryn Hill

American brand Woolrich announces ‘Woolrich: American Soul since 1830’ Fall/Winter 2018 starring the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill in her first ever fashion campaign. This campaign marks the beginning of a new era for Woolrich rooted in authentic creators who define American innovation and reflect the creative magic in the soul of the brand. Ms. Lauryn Hill – American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actress designed and customized the new limited-edition capsule collection. It will launch in Woolrich stores worldwide and in collaboration with top retailers in North America and Europe.

“The opportunity to work with Ms. Lauryn Hill was the perfect start to our ongoing ‘American Soul’ project, highlighting Woolrich’s American heritage. We wanted Ms. Lauryn Hill to bring her unique artistic eye to the product and DNA of the brand so we invited her to put her own spin on these classic Woolrich styles, reflecting her interpretation of ‘American Soul.’” – explained Andrea Canè, Creative Director of Woolrich.

www.woolrich.com

Fashion

Aesop opened a new signature store in Nuremberg

Australian skin care brand owned by Brazilian company Natura opened a new elegant store of 40 square meters in Nuremberg. New shopping space situated on Fleschbrucke and designed in-house by Aesop, and executed by Munich-based design studio einszu33.

The space appears almost as a cinematic tableau. Screed concrete, velvet, visible from pavement outside that swathes a wall behind the display window and rusty iron — invite tactile exploration and realize a sense of refined domesticity. Clients can explore skin care products and also products for body and hair, distinguished by botanical and laboratory-generated ingredients of the highest quality.

www.aesop.com

Fashion

Wood Essence by BVLGARI

Italian luxury brand BVLGARI introduced a fragrance ‘’Wood Essence’’ with the energy of nature for the cosmopolitan man living in harmony with his environment.

The new perfume sensation is made by master perfumer Alberto Morillas who combines intense woody tones with bright citrus accents. This fragrance is an exciting addition to the BVLGARI Man collection.

BVLGARI Man Wood Essence included coriander extract and zest of Italian lemon, Cypress wood and Haitian vetiver extract, Benzoin from Siam cedar wood and amber chord. The result: a final touch of invigorating power. This eau de parfum proves that the perfect balance between city and nature is not only possible, but also necessary.

www.bvlgari.com

Fashion

Versace Menswear Spring Summer 2019

“Versace, Versace, Versace, Versace, Versace…” the campaign video featuring a noticeable selection of supermodel reciting the brand’s name infinitely in a sort of spell-like chant for the Spring Summer 2018 marked a new air in the house in celebration of this iconic Italian maison’s 40th anniversary.

For Men’s Spring Summer 2019 the powerful link between past and present, that attitude on life “so Versace”, defines once again the new collection.

In the show notes Donatella Versace mentioned how this collection takes into account the free spirit of Versace’s men. “These are men who do not care about the rules and that is exactly what it love: they have an opinion and make their own style choices”, hinting also to the various range of garments, inspired by many different kinds of masculinity.

Printed piton ensembles, powers suits in neon colours, relaxed knits, but also track suits with newspaper print where the season’s motto “It’s Versace not Versachee!” delivered a playful collection with contrasting elements through a contemporary take.

Also this season a Womenswear capsule collection joined the show at the stunning family palazzo in via Gesù, where a cascade of wisteria adorned the inner courtyard ceiling in a mesmerising backdrop.

www.versace.com

Fashion

Weightlessness - Ermenegildo Zegna SS19

Fusing performance and speed of sports, Alessandro Sartori’s Spring Summer 2019 collection for Zegna elaborates a clean and sophisticate sense of lightness and linear functionalism.

The airy silhouettes unveil hybrid forms, playing with experimental collars and double sleeves. Mantaining a sobrious yet contemporary language, a very pale color palette reinforces the outlines of Sartori’s metropolitan aesthetics. The collection includes bombers, parkas and anoraks, which are combined with tailored high-waisted double pleat trousers. Perforations, degrade checks and souvenir prints enhance the feel of immateriality.

"Creation for me always stems from a technical challenge. I am presenting shapes that are bold and voluminous, yet very light, in layers of meshes, wools, silks.” says Zegna artistic director Alessandro Sartori “I found the same challenge in the architecture of this space. It is the perfect place to unleash the Zegna crew of individuals who recognize themselves in the XXX logo, which runs from the clothes to the set-up, unifying the message: a symbol of couture craft that is also the most personal and unexpected expression of Zegna”.

Fashion

Prada's Cartesian Space

A psychedelic, futuristic atmosphere unveils the unreal set that Prada has chosen for the Spring Summer 2019 Fashion Show.

The normally rough architecture of the venue in Via Fogazzaro in Milan, is transformed into a a grid, reinforcing the idea of a serial design. Numbers and symbols allude to geographic coordinates of remote locations.

Like in a cyber punk movie, cold lights projected on the inflatable stools by Verner Panton, produced by Verpan for Prada, intensify the surreal sense of lightness and transparency, questioning the recent practice that sees show sets as explanatory efforts to contextualize collections.

www.prada.com

Art

Italian elegance in the big city

In the heart of Manhattan, at 160 Madison Avenue, a modern and unique store is opening its doors. This is the first Flagship Store of Moteni&C, Dada, and UniFor, joining forces to project the classic and elegant Italian style into New York City. A collaboration between aesthetic and cultural harmony mixed with personality and imagination.

Showcasing the concept of a modern art collector’s house, the store hosts a collection of works by contemporary artists. Discover monochrome sculptures by Santo Tolone and pop hieroglyphics by Stephen Felton alongside the works of young artists.

Designed by Vincent van Duysen, the store also creates a platform to support artists in the height of their creativity that will be presented at the Molteni Museum.

Music

News from another planet: King Krule performs live on the moon

Just stop for 30 minutes, wear your astronaut gear and let him overwhelm you with his warm voice and brazen sight.

As a matter of facts, Archy Marshall aka King Krule has relocated to the moon to record his latest music video, performing 8 tracks from the most recent album “The Ooz”. In a very short sequence, the video opens with the singer laying down on the bad looking at the moon, which is then mirrored in his blue eyes.

Afterwards, we find him wearing a space suit and the performance begins. Is it a dream or is it reality?

Over the years, the Londoner has been able to show the world an innate talent in experimenting with different music genres, which continuously float between punk, jazz, hip hop and loading them with an intensely dark sound.

Besides that, his fascination and approach to visual cultures expands the comprehension of his music, making its concept even more psychedelic and somehow referential. If Lizard’s state (2014) black and white video is an open tribute to Alfred Hitchcock, on the other way around, in “Dum Surfer”(2017) we are absorbed by a creepy scenario where both the band members and red curtains are reminiscent of David Lynch Twin Peaks’ character the Giant.

“Live on the moon” would perhaps recall another British dude who bring his music on another planet in 1969. Space oddity, anyone? There is a lot of material, though.

Yet originality lies in trasforming exhisting things in totally new ones, and Marshall is undoubetely trascending the more diverse languages to create his own style.

The turbulent soul will tour around USA starting from April, while for those like us who would love to see him live in Europe will have to wait because after all, he just started walking 6 feet beneath the moon.

The video can be watched on the webpage: oozdelalune.com

Fashion

Shine on: Christian Louboutin launches their new sparkling Lip Glosses

There is no need to say that Christian Louboutin knows exactly what glamorous women want: to shine as stars do.

For this summer and as a gift to fashion lovers, the iconic designer introduces a very sparkling collection of high-shine lip glosses.

Loubimirior is a glassy vinyl presenting a very slick finish. Enriched with Vitamin E and shea butter to improve idratation and reducing fine lines on lips, this glossy lacquer intensifies lips’ fullness and natural beauty, as well as it can be layered over any Lip Colour for a bold effect.

With its irresistible color-changing effect, the Loubilaque Lip Gloss is available in four different shades featuring a metallic finish on lips, which is highlighted by irridescent glitters and pigment pearls.

Yet Louboutin takes the gloss formulas to the highest level thanks to an attentive focus on the teardrop applicator’s precision and functionality for both the versions, which are additionally enriched with a delicate feminine scent.

As if they were jewels reminiscent of Art Deco movement, the lipstick cases’ design represents one-of-a-kind treasure to wear as a pendant. Indeed, the vial is carved with a marmaid tail pattern and enclosed with a turret-like crown, which is in turn threaded with a delicate silk ribbon.

Loubimirior and Lubilaque lip glosses set up the make-up rules for the upcoming season, irradiating summer days with their brightly feminine and super seducing features.

Fashion

LIFEWEAR: Uniqlo + Tomas Maier

Japanese brand Uniqlo has announced the launch of their very first resort collection, released in collaboration of iconic Tomas Maier. Thought as a versatile escape from everyday life, the new series for both men and women will combine the two houses’ aesthetics, with a key focus on confort and wide use of innovative and high quality materials, such as AIRism fabric, extra-fine cotton and 100% cashmere for the knitwear. The womenswear includes tops, dresses, a polo-shirt and a stylish swimwear piece that can be used as loungewear too. The mens’ proposals focus on jackets, t-shirts, polo shirts and shorts that function as swimming trunks, unveiling a color range of navy blue, black and khaki hues. Starting from Thursday the 17th of May the LifeWear series will be available online and in 19 stores worldwide, celebrating the flexible, relaxed freedom of modern elegance.

Fashion

Highlights from Paris Fashion Week

It’s now turn for Paris to showcase the most cutting-edge designers and their proposals for Fall 2018. In less than a day, the vibrant appointment with fashion has already turned into an inspiring cultural hub.

With a mood inspired by Morocco, Jacquemus unveils a very original interpretation of this warm land. The collection is an exploration sandy tones and primary full colors that highlights the depth of necklines. Sensual and extremely sophisticated, light knits dresses are worn like a second skin. In addition, cuts and layers alternate with flowing fabrics that uncover the body, yet inform a strong sense of modern elegance.

Mini-dresses and hyper-structured shoulders define the stylish attitude for the vertical silhouettes that Anthony Vaccarello selects for Saint Laurent. The imaginary brings back to the rock scene of the Eighties, as well as the richness of embroideries and transparencies underlines a youth spirit taking over the rebellious cuts. Although a dark palette drives the mood of the collection, materials and details such as velvet, studs and trimmings enrich jackets with a sophisticated touch of glamour.

When the attitude is revolutionary, then a reference to youth movements in 1968 is mandatory. With her collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri opens Dior show with a sweater featuring “C’est non non non! permeates the atmosphere with lot of vintage fashion magazine covers on the runway floor, unveiling a wearable chic students-wear that combines sporty tailored jackets, printed T-shirts and transparent shirts, long dresses and and skirts.

 Earthy colors, leaves prints and a giant tree setting the stage. This is how Lacoste presents their collection in Paris, and everything seems a gentle ode to the essentiality of nature. Both men and women take their walk in a relaxed allure, which combines street-style elements with a more sober elegance.

Casual sweaters enriched by natural drawings are paired with wide trousers, while maxi turtleneck ponchos comfortably flow over the body. For the women, dresses feature asymmetrical cuts and flaring sleeves. The menswear works on layers, unveiling casual combinations of hoodie sweaters under classic suits and interesting proposals for the outerwear.

Precise cuts, oval collars, tone-on-tones long asymmetrical duchess dresses in satin revealing plunging necklines are embellished by adjustable belt and precious details. Sober and linear, Lanvin collection is highlighted by luminous shades of orange, fucsia or emerald green. Leather midi pencil skirts in different shades are paired with tight turtleneck sweaters creating a modern look, while a fluid peachy shirt-dress achieves romantic elegance with a cascade of little treasures on the front. This is Olivier Lapidus' language and vision, which the digital couturier brings at the historical Maison.

Set in the marvellous Hotel de Ville, Dries van Noten presents an incredibly rich collection. Light blue, deep purple, warm orange and several green hues, from watery tones to distinctive neon shades set the base for something like a magnetic elegance. All the jackets are oversized embodying masculine cuts, while floral prints and the abundance of embroideries take over long, fluid dresses. Classic pencil or pleated skirts are infused with metallic panels and paired with soft sweaters and luminous wide blouses, which glorify the feel of powerful femininity and grace.

Fashion

Highlights from Milan Fashion Week

With over 64 fashion shows, Milan Fashion Week is likely the most outstanding event of the year. From the 20th to the 26th February, several brands have unveiled their energetic womenswear proposals for Fall 2018, once again consolidating designers’ ability to interrelate the world of fashion with art and topics of sociological relevance.

Radically political, Prada presents a neo-retro-futuristic collection narrating the Milan’s night cityscape and focusing on how women feel when walking alone during the night. Set in the newly constructed Tower by OMA, everything is intensified by the darkness of the floor, where models wear layered looks, featuring workwear elements combined with organza, tulle and tweed. Fluorescent digital prints as well as new Prada neon signs illuminate the atmosphere and work as signage over technical materials. With her collection, Miuccia Prada once again use the artistic mean to mark an important statement strongly standing up for women and their freedom.

Alessandro Michele loves reinterpreting past cultures. With his new collection set in a claustrophobic operational room, the designer invites us to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the creative process. With models carrying baby dragons, chameleons and severed heads, Gucci Cyborg is a complex imaginative ensemble of fine materials and vintage quotations. Showcasing knitted balaclava, lurex jackets, feathered sleeves, organza dresses combined with iconic american Paramount Logo or cult movies like “Faster, Pussycat! Kill, Kill!”.

Apparently, truth is out there. An extraterrestrial fantasy leads the mood of Moschino by Jeremy Scott, who gives form to a conspiracy theory according to which Jackie Kennedy was an alien. Therefore, face-painted models with vintage 60's looks in pop neon and pastel tones on skirts, pumps and pillbox hats playfully underlining the bright spirit of the brand.

One of the most recognizable aspects of cyber punk aesthetics is the one of imagining hyper technological future landscapes intersecting vintage design features. Skin and earthy tones in brown and pale olive green determine the romantic outlines of shouldered dresses and pleated skirts. With their collection presented in Milan, in a similar way Fendi re-elaborates different elements from the structured looks from the eighties and the vertical silhouettes of the Forties to underline and re-define a conscious and self-confident femininity.

Fashion

Peter Hujar's first full- scale retrospective exhibition at the Morgan Library & Museum

Vulnerable figures, dramatically portrayed in black and white over diagonal compositions, form the language of Peter Hujar, whose artistic production was recognised for the spontaneous yet touching immediacy of his ‘difficult subjects’.

Over a span of 30 years, since the beginning of the mid-fifties, Hujar’s production has faced and been influenced by shaking moments of cultural history, including the public unfolding of gay life between the Stonewall and the AIDS crisis, the emergence of punk performances in art and music and downtown subcultures during the Reagan Era, as well as the meeting with influential personalities, such as Susan Sontang (who contributed to Hujar’s 1976 monograph).

The interest for subcultural forms of expression and drag performance, led him to meet with Warhol Superstar Candy Darling, who asked Hujar to make her a portrait as “a farewell to the fans”. Set in a hospital room where Candy was admitted for lymphoma, what should have been resulted in an unpleasant image of death was actually transformed in an elegant atmosphere highly suggesting a calm serendipity.

On the one hand, the artistic authority that Hujar's work has achieved overtime collects an immersive and wide contemplation of human bodies and their shapes, investigating on the transient fugacity of life, highlighting both their corporeal presence and interiority. On the other hand, additional works (such as the shots taken at the Palermo catacombs in 1963) featuring still-life, landscapes and animals unveil his sophisticated and melancholic sensibility for existence as a whole.

Peter Hujar died of AIDS in 1987 and more than thirty years after his death, his photographies are gaining worldwide traction more than ever.

For the first time and at The Morgan Library & Museum until the 20th of May 2018, a full-scale retrospective presents 140 photographs of this great artist, displaying the prints how Hujar wanted his work to be exhibited: flirting with disorder to let the viewer dive in the deep storytelling of each single image.

Fashion

OFF-WHITE™ C/O Jimmy Choo pop-up at KaDeWe

On the 21st of February, the prestigious KaDaWe store in Berlin will inaugurate the launch of the OFF-WHITE ™ collaboration with Jimmy Choo collection, which will be showcased in an exclusive pop-up store for over two weeks.

For the first time, the luxurious brand Jimmy Choo collaborates with a ready-to-wear designer, unveiling a commercial collection that combines Virgil Abloh’s youthful exuberance in design with their high-end heritage.

Imbuing the princess heels with an intriguing, conceptual use of plastic tulles and hothouse florals, generate a fresh and appealing identity to the special collection.

The collection will be available from the 21st of February until Tuesday the 6th of March.

Fashion

The Buffalo-era: Astrid Andersen pays tribute to the iconic youth culture for her FW18

There have been so many youth cultures inspiring worldwide designers. Especially in the eighties, the Buffalo movement was about one of those radicalization of clothing daring society with cross-generational, cross-gender and cross-cultural aesthetics.

For the launch of her Fall Winter 2018, Astrid Andersen takes inspiration from this pioneering language that has greatly anticipated the contemporary scenario and celebrates diversity with an innovative tribute to their energetic and authentic London street-style. Far from rules, she set up an unlimited space for creativity. She designer plays with tweeds, tartans and glitter organza, as well as silk jacquards, technical puffers and custom-printed silks. The rich color palette floats between sparkling golden yellow and full primary colors, cross-exploring wide ranges of possibilities.

The eighties' imaginary spreads out trough the collection's spirit, from Georgia Hworth (daughter of Jeny Howorth) walking in the show to original shots by photographer Mark Lebon portraying Jeny Howorth styled by Caroline Baker, which take over sporty-chic hooden dresses.

The looks have been incorporated into the menswear show (and wholesales in Paris) as an underlined, positive declaration of genderless fashion, while the full womenswear range has been presented during Copenhagen Fashion Week on the 1st of February.

astridandersen.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto Menswear Fall 2018

There are many tales surrounding the legend of Shuten Doji, one of strongest demons in ancient Japan folklore, who kidnapped young noble women to devour them at night. It is narrated that at the end of the X century the legendary samurai Minamoto no Yorimitsu and his warriors successfully killed the demon on the Mount Ooe in Kyoto prefecture.

It is not by chance that the painting by Utagawa Yoshitsuya representing these events was imprinted on Yohji Yamamoto’s invite envelope where on its inside sat a small thin sheet of paper. In black colour.

The collection seemed a deep thought on our times, on the recurring human cruelty, on the lack of compassion and values.

There are always many interpretations to Yohji Yamamoto’s poetic and at times ironic view on themes. Even the tight seating felt a key element to read the collection. The urge to be on our toes, to feel the tension, while the models slowly walked in the space of Rue Saint Martin – headquarters of the brand – on the sound of Jiro Animoto’s voice and guitar.

Skirts, tunics, blazers and coats layered to create splendid slouchy ensembles recalling a samurai robe, tightened on the waist by leather belts. In few looks the overcoat was worn on one sleeve underling the flawless fluid tailoring of Yamamoto.

The collection continued with knitwear revealing stitching as a gesture of keeping together lacerated flesh during a battle. Again the poetic of the imperfect, of the ruined.

Shades of blue, grey and deep red looks for deconstructed coats. A photo of Yohji Yamamoto himself was featured on one of them with small glittery blue tear embroidered along one of his eyes. In the final series of monastic black silhouettes John Lennon ‘s “Imagine” pinned a crescendo of emotions in a collection beautifully true to the poetic of this unwavering Japanese master.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Dior Homme Fall/Winter 2018

Kris Van Assche has been inspired by music since his young age channelling the New Wave and the 90s into Dior Homme’s identity.

The set at the Grand Palais with 3 tall glass cases enclosing an installation of intermitting disco light and fog machines, set a rave mood on the sound of Alphaville’s “Forever Young”. But it’s the first looks which disclosed a broader perspective on Van Assche’s Fall Winter 2018 for Dior Homme: variations on suiting.

Sleek and extremely slim, with the blazers narrowing at the waist point.

It was an inspiration drawn from Monsieur Dior himself and his iconic Bar suit. With an horizontal seam on the wasp-waisted cut and the recurring stitched eyelet on blazers,

Van Assche delivered a beautiful perspective on suits with a distinctly modern elegance and cool emphasis.

A myriads of subtle but significant details constellate the several looks on the theme: crossed lapels with a buttoned edge, three-buttons or double breasted with diagonal overlapping conferring a geometrical shape, two buttons with the reinterpretation of tribal graphic images part of that 90s culture.

The collection featured also sporty and relaxed looks with puffer jackets, wool coats, high waist denim trousers, simple. The choice to leave all the shoe laces untied conferred a certain naïve feel, a youthful gesture, recalling the unconventional, the unplanned, the head in the air of a young self.

As ultimate gesture echoing the heritage of the house permeating equally the Mens department: enlarged label stitched on blazers’ sleeves featuring “Christian Dior Atelier”

www.dior.com

Fashion

THIS IS NOT A F*CKING STREET STYLE BOOK

The one about streetstyle being a hardened enemy of high fashion is such an old story. In the digital era and trough the empowerment of individual communication over everyday aesthetics, we witness continuous splices between collection proposals and catwalk attenders.

Thanks to the amazing works of photographers like Adam Katz Sinding aka Le 21eme, it has been shown how streetstyle has gradually evolved into trend empowering new emerging figures, especially in the fashion area.

In facts, the influencer and photographer has attended more than 20 Fashion shows around the globe, capturing with his camera the greatest designers, models, stylists and contemporary fashion icons.

With the publication of “This Is Not a F*cking Street Style Book” Sinding’s first monograph, fashion and photography lovers will have the chance to leafing trough a captivating documentary on paper, which gathers the best images taken on the street and behind the stages.

The book is also accompanied by a conversation about the streetwear phenomenon between Adam Katz Sinding, Virgil Abloh and MENDO. Made by MENDO, it is available for pre-order now and will be released by February 2018.

www.mendo.nl

Fashion

lala Berlin X König Souvenir

lala Berlin teams up with König Souvenir for the release of a collection of 10 limited edition pajama sets, featuring digitally printed silk made by artist Corinne Wasmuht.

The collaboration splices the experimental vision of the urban firm with the 2017 König Souvenir project, which aims to give artists the opportunity to transfer their work into other medium. The 3D artistic approach that characterizes Wasmuht’s work is therefore communicated by the prints and cut of pajamas, which intensify the multidimensionality of the perceived image.

Presented trough a dance performance by 13-year-old Hip-Hop Dancer Leonie Ozeana, the collection comes alive, creating a transition between reality and dreams, art and fashion. The limited edition collection will be available from the 20th of January at König Gallery.

www.lalaberlin.com
www.souvenir-editions.com

Fashion

Gucci Garden

When past, present and future are linked together, their linearity is transmuted in a circular movement and the magic of eternal return begins.

A giant neon eye artwork illuminating the façade of Palazzo della Mercanzia last 9th of January has celebrated the opening of Gucci Garden, a great project designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele and meant to completely regenerate the functions of the old archive.

Starting from the ground level two rooms, respectively Gucci Osteria and the Boutique, host a restaurant and the retail store.

The Osteria is the result of a creative collaboration with chef Massimo Bottura, who decided to propose a menu combining Italian cousine and the influences from his travels worldwide, as a reminder that “Florence has always been a centre of cultural exchange”.

With its floor of hand painted wooden boards with purple ribbons and vines on a pale green base, the bazaar-like store recreates the atmosphere of vintage florentine shops resulting from the enormous work of restoration of old furnitures (tables, sideboards and cabinets) and precious decorations in a range of florentine shades. The boutique will sell Gucci Garden’s exclusive products, including bags and shoes in special materials and the silk bomber jackets featuring the Gucci Garden gothic script.

With the help of Italian curator Maria Luisa Frisa and contribution of artists Jayde Fish, Trevor Andrew and Coco Capitan, the Gucci Museum has evolved from a more classic archive into a multifunctional space devoted to the creativity and celebration of art and fashion.

For this reason according to Frisa, in the gallery the displays follow purposefully no chronology. Rather, they create a fluid harmony suggested by items organised by themes and intensify the dialogue between old and contemporary pieces.

Gucci Garden Galleria’s six rooms on the first and second floor (Guccification, Paraphernalia, Cosmorama, Cinema da Camera, De Rerum Natura and Ephemera) tells not only the brand's history, but also homages the splendour of florentine architecture as much as its craftsmanship traditions. Each of them explore several aspects concerning the gradual transformation of the brand overtime, with a focus on the double G or the brand's historical icons evolutions.

Other rooms instead dedicate space to diverse projects, such as the red velvet cinema auditorium with a selection of experimental movies or De Rerum Natura showcasing the narrative behind the iconography of animals and gardens. Once again, Alessandro Michele’s astonishing project is the metaphorical (de)materialization of time and memory into an incredible structure, which definitely confirm the aesthetic and philosophic vision of the House.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Woolrich Teton Capsule Collection For The Brave Souls

Alaska is a land of extremes and ever-changing weather conditions, always challenging the people living in this mysterious and wild area of the United States. Woolrich is the oldest manufacturer of outdoor wear in the USA, drawing its inspiration from this magical no man’s land and its untamed nature in order to create the Teton Capsule Collection. Since 1967, Teton is Woolrich’s high performance label, inspired by the eponymous mountain range near the Yellowstone National Park in North America with peaks reaching 4,000 meters and a high popularity amongst top climbers. The creation of a high-performance collection as a support for brave souls was a forseeable outcome. The Teton Capsule Collection features high-end comfort, resistance and lightness to fight extreme conditions in every setting, while impressing with an emblematic and fashionable style.

The garments of the collection are transitional pieces, which can be worn both in the great outdoors and in the city, perfect to go for a hike in the mountains as well as a laid-back winter stroll. The Teton Capsule Collection features a complete family of products, including high-functional ones like the Rudder Jacket, warming and down-filled garments such as the Expedition Bomber and the Explorer Parka. Both are using the waterproof, windproof and breathable advantages of GORE-TEX®. A field jacket and a parka out of Teton Stretch are lightweight, breathable and suitable for every season, while a line of knitwear pieces completes the collection.

www.woolrich.com

Travel

A New BVLGARI Resort Opens In Dubai

A coral texture, filtering the sun, creating a decorative motive imbued of a Mediterranean style halfway in between the creation of a goldsmith and a sophisticated natural element. Designed by the Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the new Bulgari Resort Dubai is a play between the Italian heritage of the maison and the suggestive surrounding landscape.

Exclusively situated on the manmade seahorse shaped island of Jumeira Bay, connected by a 300m bridge to central Dubai, the 1.4 million-square-foot property is a first-of-its-kind development for Bulgari, both in terms of scale and magnitude. With its Mediterranean village charm, the complex features the Resort, joined by six residential buildings of 173 sea-facing apartments, 15 private mansions, a Beach Club, and Bulgari’s first-ever Marina and Yacht Club. The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas.

Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Bulgari wished to create a whole new hotel concept. Throughout the Bulgari portfolio this concept is seen in innovations such as the rooms’ square-shaped floor plan to allow windows of natural light; a niche alcove doorway and entry vestibule for privacy and soundproofing from the bedroom. A flow that renders the living experience something more akin to apartment living.

While the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection has evolved to include a new location, a Bulgari property is always born of the same Roman spirit. Throughout the property, a repeated use of the custom-design ‘Maglia Pantheon’mesh pattern recalls the ornamentation of the historic Roman Pantheon’s floor, as it is a part of the architectural tradition of Baroque Rome: an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Bulgari. The pattern features intricate bronze lattice-work, as well as Bulgari’s eight-pointed star motif which appeared first as an inlay in the vestibule of Bulgari’s flagship Via dei Condotti boutique.

Recalling a Mediterranean garden, La Limonaia, the hidden ‘lemon garden’ homes the resident array of birds and wildlife. Sculpted as a geometric Italian garden with a birch walkway, La Limonaia recalls an ancient Roman garden. Bulgari’s landscape designers also brought hundreds of trees onto the island, including Australian baobab trees, to establish a natural, verdant setting, a Mediterranean garden in the middle of the sea.

In every Bulgari property guests find a similar design philosophy: clean lines, peerless materials and furnishings, and a welcoming feeling of spaciousness. Iconic Bulgari photographs, often of vintage celebrities dating to the Dolce Vita, are framed above common areas with a nod to BVLGARI’S red-carpet connections. Original jewellery sketches from the Bulgari archives are placed within rooms or in hallways, recalling the 130-years of Roman jewellery design history.

www.bulgarihotels.com

Fashion

Storytelling Through Clothing

For several years now, the fast fashion trend has gripped the industry, but signs of a change heading into a more sustainable direction are being watched. The former fashion consultant and communications director, Lina Miccio, recently launched the label Speaking Garments. Focusing on creating less, but with more meaning, the brand is offering highly personal pieces that are meant to outlast seasonal trends.

The collections exist at the edge of fashion and fine arts, because the brand collaborates with international cross-disciplinary artists each season. The first collaboration is with Cologne-based artist Michail Prigelis, who highlights the beauty of disused airplane fragments, which are sourced from a discarded DC-10 aircraft and flown in from the Mojave Desert of California to his studio.

In the Speaking Garments production facilities, they are then repurposed as brooches onto a limited edition collection of sweatshirts. The garments are limited to 100 pieces, each hand sewn, outfitted with a detachable airplane part and sold with a certificate hand-signed by the artist. In addition to the sweatshirts,  T-shirts, depicting a black and white photograph of Spanish-French clown Charlie Rivel, which was once a Pan Am publicity, are concluding the collection. 

This is making each garment a desirable piece of art. Speaking Garments focuses on telling compelling, unusual stories. The label reinvents each garment as a canvas for artistic freedom rather than exploiting it.

www.speakinggarments.com

Fashion

Wim Wenders Shot Jil Sander’s Spring/Summer 18 Campaign

The German luxury brand Jil Sander has chosen the director Wim Wenders to shoot their SS 18 campaign starring the first collection by the new creative directors Lucie and Luke Meier.

The German director filmed a short movie of five episodes, which is called “Paused By” and setted in Berlin, marking his first collaboration with Jil Sander. The foregoing trailer already indicates the sense of expectation that spreads throughout the films as they are paused at intense moments, leaving the viewer captivated and curious to know what comes next.

Not missing the expressive style of Wim Wenders, the five different scenarios consist of mysterious shots which are, like the soulful collection itself, an ode to pure emotion and a delicate balance between innocence and sophistication.

The episodes will be released by the beginning of December 2017 and the frames of the movie will serve as the advertising campaign images.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

Moncler Celebrates Opening Of Hong Kong Flagship Store With Art-Installation

On November 16th the brand Moncler celebrated the opening of the renovated flagship store at Hong Kong’s Harbour City in Canton Road with a flash art-performance installation called Destination Hong Kong. This is the last chapter in Moncler’s history of collaborations that intertwine the language, imagination and inspration of creatives with the brand’s signature style and vision. The vital melting pot Hong Kong and its futuristic skyline make it the ideal setting for the artistic performance. 

A multitude of more than 10,000 Mr. Moncler 19-inch statues – the brand’s symbolic ambassador in, a humurous product of pop culture – has been positioned in several key locations in the city. With this project Moncler pays tribute to the residents of Hong Kong and celebrate the multicultural and universal message of art. The renowned street artist Craig Costello customized a limited number of 350 unique Mr. Moncler figures, that became an instant collectible gift for the people who were luckily present at the selected locations.

www.moncler.com

Fashion

Diesel Says No To Uncool Wool

The innovative denim and lifestyle brand Diesel has set up a new campaign this winter, fighting uncool Christmas sweaters with the help of a sheep in a creative and unconventional video starring creative director Nicola Formichetti. Leaning on their campaign “Go with the Flaw”, Diesel invites the audience to part with their Christmas sweaters, which have already lost their irony a long time ago. This Christmas season, a real professional will help out in the fight against bad taste knits: a sheep. Because, who else knows more about wool than this cosy animal. Framed by this campaign, Diesel has created a Christmas product-guide on the brand’s website.

www.diesel.com

Art

Mystical Symbolism: The Salon de la Rose + Croix in Paris

Mysterious, mythical and visionary themes, often drawn from literature, will be presented by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in an exhibition called “Magical Symbolism: The Salon de la Rose + Croix in Paris”. It’s the first museum exhibition showing the highlights of a series of Salons, which were annually held in Paris from 1892 to 1897. At these art gatherings, images of femmes fragiles and fatales, androgynous creatures, chimeras, incubi and sinuous lines, attenuated figures and anti-naturalistic forms were the norm. Including approximately forty works by a cross section of artists, the possibility to take a fresh look at the legacies of late nineteenth-century symbolist art is provided. The exhibition is taking place until January 7th 2018 at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.

www.guggenheim-venice.it

Fashion

Gucci Cruise Advertisng Campaign 2018: Roman Rhapsody

Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s Creative Director, chose his home town as the backdrop of the Italian brand’s latest cruise campaign, taking us on a journey to Roman apartments and neighborhood parks. Unfiltered portraits, taken by the British photographer Mick Rock present real people in real places. Rock’s experience in capturing legends such as David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Blondie, Talking Heads, the Ramones and the Sex Pistols on camera, stood him in good stead on this assignment for the Gucci cruise ‘18 collection. The title, ”Roman Rhapsody”, already implies the rock’n’roll atmosphere of the pictures. A wide portfolio of mainly Italian talents star in the vintage-inspired images, celebrating genuine non-conformists and eccentrics. The flamboyant portraits were created in the talents’ homes, local gardens and during intimate studio shoots. In addtion to the quirky fashion shots, still-life images of everyday objects are placed randomly throughout the campaign. A film component, shot by Chuck Grant, completes this unique project.

www.gucci.com

Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 2018

The sound of Yohji Yamamoto’s guitar and his slow chant of a few verses in French that sounded like a melancholic ode to the passing of time served as the backdrop of his show in the harsh concrete space of Cité de Mode et du Design along the river Seine. Walking at a slow, almost meditative pace, forty looks slowly approached the audience. It’s not the first time that Yohji Yamamoto staged a show far from the usual fashion speed where models storm in walking at a frantic tempo. It’s his own way of refusing the routine of the fashion system, the unbearable seasonal timing and the glossy world in toto.

For Spring Summer 2018, the Japanese master worked on one of his favourite elements: the button. Appearing in white, black and red it served as the focal element in order to form impressive deconstructed silhouettes in the designer’s signature black, with splashes of white, grey and red. Intricate forms were the absolute protagonists. Knotted, layered, attached, draped in outwear, jackets and dresses.

It felt like a return to the radical Yohji Yamamoto from the early years, the Yohji Yamamoto who, just last season, reflected on the passing of time, on death, on the future of his brand. Few dresses with organic transparencies and the floating scarves in skirts in other looks suggested the soft fragility of the feminine identity, its fluctuant form in constant motion. The final dresses with an unexpected open back on a pristine and composed front like that of a shirt and high collar dress, once again played with the idea of duality, of contradiction. Themes dear to this master whose vision is still as strong as ever.

www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

Fashion

Lover’s tryst at Givenchy Spring/Summer 2018

Former Chloé Creative director Claire Waight Keller opts for a cool Parisian allure and reinvents Givenchy for her debut at the Palais de Justice. The collection builds on the power of duality and romance. His becomes hers – it’s a transformation of seduction happening right under the eyes and ears of Hubert de Givenchy. The collection is influenced by his colour palette of black, white and navy touched up with vermillion red and mint. The garments fall in sharp line with bold shoulder cuts. Graphic clover prints inspired by the 1960s, animal motifs and velvet are combined with sportive breton knits. Polka dots and soft point d’esprit tulle add a touch of femininity, while satin bows and a caped back pay a modern homage. Vichy checks, brocade and moiré on skin indicate a luxurious club atmosphere. This collection certainly makes Claire Waight Keller a duly successor to Ricardo Tisci and one to watch for her upcoming seasons at the head of the iconic French brand.

www.givenchy.com

Fashion

Desert Winds: Dior Cruise Collection 2018

Artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri never fails in making her collections a feminist statement. For Dior’s cruise collection 2018 she took inspiration from the desert and the unique work of the American artist Georgia O’Keefe. Chiuri describes her as a modern shaman, who painted the sands of New Mexico with such a majestic and solemn look. Her paintings are illustrating the search for the inner self and diffuse a soft but strong feminine identity, which is strongly connected to nature. Maria Grazia Chiuri came across O’Keefe on her quest for inspiration, when she became interested in the desert. For the collection’s campaign, the actress and muse Jennifer Lawrence was phtographed by Brigitte Lacombe, an ongoing collaborator of the house. The series of images was created in a setting of organic outlines and a gentle atmosphere. A laid-back wanderlust mood and modern western spirit is transported through the photographs, which are embodieing the singular femininity of the Dior cruise collection 2018.

www.dior.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten Spring/Summer 2018

A little white silk scarf as the invitation. The dual meaning of its simplicity and its connotation as a blank canvas upon which to create anything possible.

The canvas of what Dries Van Noten declared to be one of his main inspiration for this season? Picasso’s Femmes à Leur Toilette, the artwork created in 1938 by using the technique of collage comprised mostly of found wallpapers scraps.

Within that same spirit Dries Van Noten’s Spring Summer 2018 is a collage of different prints, silhouettes, textiles, and decades, carefully and exceptionally matched together as only Dries Van Noten is able to create, with a splash of pink hues over the entire collection.

A joyful and positive message against the dark times we are facing daily, as the Belgian designer declared backstage

There were slip dresses in monochrome powder pink, followed by checked suits with 90s shoulders and a tulle veiling over it, beautiful scarf-dresses reminiscent of the 70s, and of course the kimonos, the sparkling jacquard , the bomber jacket, the oversized sweaters over silk scarf-skirts .

All the Dries Van Noten elements in a vortex of mismatched prints and colours. It is almost contradictory how the collection comprised of all these motifs resulted in an extreme elegance, whispered, confident. Dries Van Noten is one of the few designers who can work with such a broad palette of codes and emotions while staying true to his rhetoric.

As the collection was presented in the dazzling space of the Hotel de Ville - dazzling as the make up created by Peter Philips with crystals laid along the lower lip and around the eyes – it gave a sense of romantic nostalgia when the a cappella version of “Be my Baby” resonated as the first look walked in. And we can’t help but humming that tune.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Woolrich Present the New Footwear Line

Woolrich expands its already vast offering to include footwear with a project that echoes the brand’s values and focuses around iconic garments like the Arctic Parka.

The contemporary, urban and bustling landscapes of Berlin and London act as the backdrop for the latest collection styled and shot by Highsnobiety.

Here, the typical traits of hi-tech outdoor shoes meet contemporary design making for a succesfful crossover between sophistication and outdoor elements, hi-tech features and city styles.

The line features two soles created exclusively for Woolrich by Vibram, renowned for their mountaineering-friendly footwear. These guarantee maximum quality come rain or shine and for the most rugged of terrains, providing comfort and lightness. The first model is based on the legendary ‘carrarmato’ mountain sole while the other features a brand new sole incorporating the brand’s iconic check as a technical element.

High quality materials and construction techniques are paired with Italian design in the collection that is divided into two model categories. The classic Running Shoes available in different versions and the traditional mountain Boot are both revitalized classics, rejuvenated through the use of the most modern manufacturing techniques.

The collection’s stand-out piece, however, is the Hiker Boot: a fusion between a genuine walking boot and a sole that stands its ground in the city thanks to the special Vibram compound.

www.woolrich.eu

Fashion

Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2018

“American horror, American dreams” was the underlying theme in this year for Raf Simons’ vision for Calvin Klein. It was a combination of suburbia’s bouncy cheerleaders and Hollywood’s flashiest gore. Hitchcock inspired blonde beauties were decked out in rubber lab coats and latex surgeon's gloves, and pixie-haired damzels strode down in flimsy nightgowns à la Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby.

Once again, Simons has collaborated with artist Sterling Ruby, this time for the runway design: metal buckets, axes, and falling pompoms hung from the ceiling. Reminiscent of old blockbuster horror flicks, the show seemingly could have taken a sinister tone. Instead, it felt lighthearted and embracing of over-the-top carnage and theatrics; perhaps a playful hint of how the world perceives America as a whole?

www.calvinklein.com

Fashion

Moose Knuckles Fall/Winter 2017 Campaign

Moose Knuckles, founded in 2007, was established based on the goal of creating the leanest, toughest and most luxurious sportswear. And no one would be more adept at making indestructible outerwear than the Canadians: the Moose Knuckles’ design family is based in Montreal, its furs are sourced in Toronto and traditional factories are located in Winnipeg. Their first two iconic styles, the Stirling Parka and the Ballistic Bomber, became instant success stories, and have kept many Canadians, and snow bunnies worldwide, warm since then. Moose Knuckles have continuously delivered resistant and stylish waterproof coats, lightweight jackets, knitwear, shirting and accessories.

For their new campaign, Moose Knuckles took us many years into the post-apocalyptic, barren future of the year 6969. Capable of surviving even in that climate, thanks to their toasty outerwear, a group of four fearless women and men travel perpetually in search of food, supplies and, most importantly, joy. The pack venture into the great northern wilderness of Canada, braving harsh winds and snowstorms, and come upon a civilisation build on the love of music, company and celebration. A perfect companion in our dark times, Moose Knuckles snug apparel will most definitely get you wherever you want to go in the harshest of climates.

www.mooseknucklescanada.com

Travel

The Weinmeister: The Heart of Berlin Mitte

If you are planning a trip to Berlin, you won’t want to miss the raw, energetic street art that overran the Mitte district after the Wall came crumbling down in 1989. Right in the middle of this colorful cultural hub is the Weinmeister hotel, which welcomed the art style that made its neighborhood famous: signature rooms and staircases were “paint bombed” by outstanding graffiti artists such as René Turrek and The Paint Club collective, giving the hotel a chic, modern ambience.

Its proximity to Museum Island and contemporary galleries, such as the C/O Gallery or KW Institute, make it a popular destination for a young creative crowd angling for inspiration. Fashion hunters can flock to the nearby Herckescher Markt to discover the latest German designers, or get their high-end fix at the Friedrichstrasse. And you mustn’t worry about finding your way home once the sun goes down: the Weinmeister’s gleaming metal facade, which has earned it the nickname “the Golden Cage,” makes it impossible to miss.

A five minute walk from Alexanderplatz, the Weinmeister is in the perfect location to explore the best that Berlin has to offer, day or night. But if you are not up for being sucked into the hustle and bustle of the busy city, you can still breathe in the atmosphere while enjoying a glass of champagne on the private rooftop terrace overlooking Berlin’s iconic TV tower.

www.the-weinmeister.com

Fashion

Dries Van Noten Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

The fluidity of a soft blazer, a silk kimono wrapped over relaxed pants and a shirt. A confident look without being loud. A soft toned collection, with a hint to workwear and a beautiful relaxed tailoring.

This is Dries Van Noten at his core, the Dries Van Noten who voices the darkness of life and doesn't feel the urgency to talk always in bright coloured notes. The Dries van Noten from the early years.

It is always extremely overwhelming to experience a show of this celebrated master. The integrity and the strength of his poetic vision. For this season the show was held in the historical offices of the iconic left wing French newspaper Liberation.

As we climbed up to the venue at the top floors of the 8-storey building from its parking ramps, we were gradually feeling this atmosphere, the weight of history, of knowledge and of thoughts.

Mustard, khaki, or zabaione as the show notes pointed out, the colour palette led to an elegant but youthful menswear collection true to the brand's signature.  

Shorts with linen boxy shirts, oversized and slouchy sky blue blazer paired with a shirt in cerulean shade and classic pants, belted trench coats.

It’s that relaxed attitude in Menswear that several designers have been embarking on lately, that cool oversized look that Dries van Noten has created 25 years ago.

www.driesvannoten.com

Fashion

Juun.J Spring/Summer 2018

Continuing from last season Juun.J showed Men’s and Women’s collection together once again underlining the genderless aspect of his vision.

Declinations of crisp shirts, white, light blue, or with pin-stripes. Layered and gently floating. Juun.J delivered a beautiful collection in an informal setting where the models circled around a standing audience.

It's a collection that channels a sophisticated summer look where oversized long shirts are wrapped around the body together with the signature's bomber jackets and hoodies.

For her a blue pinstriped over the knee skirt would embrace the body layered over the swiping floor shirts. For him, oversized outwear or deconstructed hoodies would do the game. Sometimes it would be just as beautiful as hard to distinguish the male models amongst the female ones.

White, blue, black, military green interlacing with one beautiful red pleated maxi dress at the end

A series of pin-striped declinations of oversized suits for him an her were certainly the eye-catcher of this season. Long double breasted blazers matched fluid pants, a long split skirt or slim trousers.

Sometime emblematic sentences would resurface from shirts or t-shirts. Almost as an ode to the work of all the young designers who have been building painstakingly an identity like this Korean designer over the last 10 years.

“Life opportunities contracts or expands according to one’s courage” . We can’t but agree.

www.juunj.com

Fashion

Fendi's Fall/Winter 2017 Menswear campaign is here!

Fendi’s new advertising campaign for its Fall Winter 2017 Men’s collection is the perfect embodiment of the positive, energetic spirit of the brand’s latest menswear collection designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi. 

The Fendi Vocabulary serves as the collection’s main inspiration and is echoed in the array of simple, modern and desirable pieces that comprise a truly multifaceted collection rife with street style and formal elements; diametrically contrary but complementary nonetheless. From ready-to-wear and fur to bags, shoes and accessories, the entire range is permeated with an uplifting optimistic mood that is echoed on the garments themselves through the word of the Fendi Vocabulary.

When times are tough, optimism remains a shiny beacon of hope. Fundamental values of the past that have been instilled in us like trust, friendship, “LOVE” and “HOPE” carry an unmistakeable energy that urges us to face fears and challenges head-on.

Silvia Venturini Fendi was inspired by the immortal message of these little words and journeyed into a vademecum of Ernest Hemingway, picking up universal, key words like “LOVE”, “TRY”, “HOPE”, “LISTEN”; in their simplicity these short utterances convey an immortal message of positivity and optimism that can help us in difficult moments.

The campaign’s video, shot in the Canary Island of Lanzarote, highlights the bond between nature and city, humanity and nature, effortlessly bridging notions that may seem disconnected at first glance. C

Chosen for his contagious energy and positivity, model Nicolas Ripoll is seen running and jumping as if in a tribal dance of sorts through the incredible and awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes of the island promoting the brand’s idea of clear-headed optimism and joy in the sight of the future – no matter how rocky it may become.

Check out the preview video here 
https://youtu.be/jyJ3FB4LbIc  and head to www.fendi.com to discover more from July 14th! 

Art

Lunar Garden

"After spending many years traveling to Japan I became fascinated with the dry gardens in Kyoto, specifically the way in which the gardens are permanent yet completely ephemeral and remade every day,” said Daniel Arsham, an american artist who studied at the Cooper Union in New York. His new solo exhibition is on view at Visionaire in New York until the 5th of November.

The work, titled “Lunar Garden,” is a combination of architecture, sound, and an immersive environment that reinterprets the traditional Japanese rock garden: surreal and dreamlike, Arsham’s oasis uses a vibrant pink color scheme, features a moon-like orb spanning 3 meters, and peculiar patterns in the sand that the artist freshly rakes every day. Traditional greenery, such as the bonsai, has been replaced by a petrified tree and a lantern. For Arsham, the use of color is a new experiment. Previously, he has relied on a palette of black, white and gray tones. The reason for this shift is that Arsham is colorblind, but has recently been able to see vibrant colors thanks to special glasses: the radical change is his sense of sight and perception of color has prompted an important new visual language for the artist which can be witnessed for the first time in “Lunar Garden.”

Fashion

Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear

Japanese style is synonymous with clean lines and simple silhouettes, tailoring does the talking and superfluous intricacies are omitted for the sake of refinement. This clearly hit a nerve with Mr. Armani who, for his Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2018 menswear collection, looks to establish a dialogue between East and West that shuns the cliché of Japanesque folklore-based collections.

Elegant tuxedos and martial arts-inspired Kimonos walked the runway alongside urban and sleek suits that were Armani through and through, upholding years of tradition.

The Far East may have served as Mr. Armani’s main inspiration this season but it was incorporated in the pieces in a way that was far from ostentatious. Elements of Japanese iconography were discreetly present on sporty boxy jackets and parkas that were in turn layered on ankle-length culottes or breezy silk cargo pants.

Armani’s trademark colour, dark blue, helped tie the collection together, grounding it in modernity and rendering it classically elegant and simultaneously modern and inspired. To contrast the darkness flashes of lacquer red were added to the mix while silk, the collection’s main fabric appeared in floral jacquard, printed with cherry blossoms or graffiti and abstract calligraphic prints.

Familiar and Armani, yes. Ordinary, not so much.

www.armani.com

Fashion

Paul Smith Spring/Summer 2018

An air of positivity and optimism breezes through Paul Smith’s bright Spring/Summer 2018 collection for men and women. Inspired by Paul’s early visits to 70’s New York where he would source Hawaiian shirts from SoHo and his signature floral prints that these inspired later, this was a collection that professed its love to summertime.

Floral and aquatic motifs formed the core of the adornments for this season seen embroidered on tuxedo lapels or hand-painted on leather and appliqued onto tote bags. Technical outerwear developed with performance-wear in mind also play host to the marine print bringing modernity and functionality to the fore. Elsewhere a midnight beach scene on landscape jacquard appear on a bomber jacket for men and is reinterpreted in a blazer for women.

Patch-worked floral print dresses play with louche summer shirt collar shapes and Japanese carp dive across silk georgette slips. Patterned lining take on new life on a brushed cotton two-piece suit for women where tropical flowers are revere printed, giving the impression of sun-bleached fabric.

The tailored shapes for men and women are a nod to Paul Smith archive pieces from the 80’s given new life in a colour palette that spans from the soft pastel hues of cornflower blue and dusty pinks and takes us all the way to midnight tones and French navy, culminating in a crescendo of striking yellows and hot turquoise.

www.paulsmith.com

Fashion

Plein Sport Spring/Summer 2018

This season the vision for Plein Sport was a futuristic gladiatorial combat, in a world where survival of the fittest becomes a way of life. As pole dancers perform on stage, fighting cages are lowered into the arena and twenty pro wrestlers and boxers set the tone for what’s sure to be a fashion show that has Plein written all over it. Both literally and metaphorically.

As Plein Sport warriors take to the runway, one thing becomes apparent, functionality is of the utmost importance: sweatshirts, hoodies, leggings and vests are produced with technical, intelligent fabrics for a line that strives to be perceived as an innovative performance kit rather than a series of fashion statements in leisure wear.

Pieces are designed to move with the body, accompanying its every step with stretch materials and netting that stand the test of intense exercise and high temperatures whether you’re on the streets, the ski slopes of the treadmill of your gym. Motivational mantras complete the garments, emblazoned across sear pants while metallic fabrics pay tribute to the silver masks of El Santo, Mexico’s iconic wrestling hero.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger… Plein Sport shows no signs of slowing down just like a determined, disciplined athlete hungry for the win.

www.philipp-plein.com

Fashion

Ermenegildo Zegna Couture Summer 2018

For his debut Summer collection, Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori embarks upon an exploration of fantasies both conscious and sub-conscious while clashing innocence and sensual masculinity. In a futuristic garden outfitted with tangerine lawns in the historic courtyards of Milan’s Universita Statale, outdoor life crossed paths with the indoors for a collection permeated with fluid fabrics and delicate silhouettes uplifted by colors.

Sartori’s interplay of proportions sees classic shirts replaced by deconstructed tops in various volumes, double tank tops and scoop neck sweaters that play with active yet tailored trousers and joggers. The sporty allure of the collection is further enriched by oversized handmade pockets, hoods and the iconic Triple Stitch logos.

The collection appears almost weightless with the inclusion of fluid washed silks, Century Cashmere and pure mohair while giro inglese and mesh jacquards along with perforated and intarsia leather give hints of an ethereal substance.

Delicate and naturally-inclined the color palette features shades of walnut, deep cypress green and bleached aqua and optical white is afforded some much-welcomed color flashes.

This season’s offering remains quintessentially Zegna but looks to the future nonetheless. It’s a fresh take on the fashionable man’s wardrobe that allows for personality and individual style to seep through while remaining routed in Ermenegildo Zegna’s timeless allure.


www.zegna.com

Fashion

Amsterdam Trail: A Unique Art Route

From the 5th to the 7th of May 2017, the sixth edition of The Amsterdam Trail and its unique approach to art are coming to the Dutch capital. The trail combines ethnography with contemporary arts and this year’s edition will concentrate around the Spiegelgracht, Amstelveld and Jordaan areas. Unexpected combinations that explore time and origin arise as artworks dating back to 3000BC, Egyptian mummies and contemporary videos are visited.

Jaap Wagemaker’s artworks will be shown at the Borzo Gallery in conjunction with objects from Oceania inspired by his original ethnographic collection.

Gallery Lemaire will host an installation from artist Jan Hoek in which ‘The Pattaya Sex Bubble’, central image of the piece, is surrounded by images from Africa, Indonesia and New Guinea. Additionally sculptures, jewellery, images and even chairs designed by Wieki Somers who drew inspiration by the austere furniture still in use in China, will be shown.

As the lines between ethnography and contemporary art seem to fade into each other we are left to wonder what constitutes contemporary art and what is ethnography. Take Izaak Zwaartjes’ artworks that is very close to a fetish mask from Mali and will be exhibited at the Upstream Gallery.

www.amsterdamtrail.nl

Fashion

Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2017

Fluffy fur - fake fur - in a deep shade of lilac, literally covering the sits, walls, columns and the grand stairways of the spectacular concrete architecture of Palais d’Ièna designed by pioneer Auguste Perret for the Exposition Universelle held in 1937.

Miuccia Prada is not new to strong statements during dark times like the current political atmosphere. And she does it in the most dramatic and fun way we have known her for. For Fall Winter 2017 Miu Miu’s girl is covered with fake fur of all the possible sorbet colours: lemon, papaya, green apple, vanilla, tangerine. Mix-matched with sultry embellished silk gowns in soft powder pink and multicolour sporty striped knitwear.

A powerful woman who is not afraid to show off her girly femininity. Miuccia Prada knows how to energize a tired crowd at the end of an intense fashion week calendar. It was all about that: being positive, energetic, alive. Wrapping oversized fuzzy coats, at times embellished with bejewelled belts, but also matching furry caps, and obviously the spectacular portfolio of accessories to give the final blow. It’s pure glamour, a bit 40s, a bit 70s. It’s Miu Miu on the nth degree and we cannot but love it.

www.miumiu.com

Fashion

Céline Fall/Winter 2017

“The spectator is caught under a cloudy or a starry sky, surrounded by ocean waves or masses of people running towards him, while he is entranced by the dramatic actions of the central round arena. The division between acting and the audience no longer exists. Words, light and music no longer have a set place […] The director alters position and spatial forms and mercilessly subjects the audience to the dynamics of his imaginations”.

Walter Gropius’s words during 1934 Volta congress in Rome resonate strong in Phoebe Philo’s setting choice for her Celine Fall/Winter 2017 show. It’s not the first time that a fashion designer is fascinated by the visionary ideas of the Bauhaus pioneer for his Total Theater, where the audience was supposed to revolve during the performance, shifting the spectators and the stage area to alter the viewer's scale of values and forcing them to participate in the act.

We have known Phoebe Philo for her no-nonsense vision and relaxed, elegant silhouettes as the embodying of the powerful, confident working woman who has no time for superfluous fuss. The catwalk was populated by a tribe of women, with their different life, different tempo, like we would find in any busy street.

At first glance Celine Fall Winter 2017 is just all that. Exceptional tailoring and gimmick-free looks: the long trench coat, oversized tuxedo blazers, long tunics with matching fluent pants for the day and a modern version of emperor dresses for a more dress-up feel, a crisp white shirt.

But Philo’s masterly created a collection again beautifully lying in the details, revealing its stance dramatically at a closer look.

The collection featured beautiful origami-like seam lines as mimicking the movement of the body and its presence. Like when you bend your harm and a crisp fabric would inevitably crease. It’s real life that Philo delicately suggests. Real women who don’t need to scream.

www.celine.com

Fashion

Acne Studios Fall/Winter 2017

When everyone is playing urban street-wear, Jonny Johansson used a romantic and soft approach for his Acne Studios Fall/Winter 2017.

The creative director is transforming the Scandinavian brand known for years as a denim forward label with a minimalist approach. For a while now we have seen Acne Studios feeding a new direction, a new light in terms of the brand’s identity increasingly far from the street. Acne Fall Winter 2017 is a spontaneous and playful collection with a strong sense of individuality and easiness.

Soft oversized mohair knits with polka dots, gently alluding to a sense of naiveté. Floral prints combined on a big selection of fabrics, from cotton to silk plissé. Long coats, in beautiful classic textiles, pin striped or checked, evolving into tunic-like dresses turned back-to front.

Johansson plays with the notion of tailoring almost as an ironic gesture, to vouch for the idea of an uncomplicated way of living, a different way of feeling the notion of femininity itself.

The designer’s love for accessory research once again was expressed with the beautiful statement jewellery in metal and enamel, together with the large oversized bags with wide straps and graphic knots. The asymmetric shades matching the floral deconstructed dresses and creating a further contrast to the soft organic feel of the whole collection gave the perfect youthful accent. We see a confident woman, she is intuitive and optimistic. No matter what.

www.acnestudios.com

Fashion

Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2017

Sweatshirts and tees wrapped around the head, mimicking early ritual ceremonies. Coats, skirts, sleeveless jackets layered and twisted over the body recalling sacred costumes.

Rick Owens for Fall Winter 2017 designed a collection channelling the need for a positive new beginning rooted in the idea of collectivity, of gathering together, of human kind in its social form. It had a sense of austerity, of deep hope for a better future. As the model walked in the dry space of Palais de Tokyo, one following the other and randomly walking around the space it felt as a vortex of shapes, volumes and lengths was wrapping up the audience.

Deconstructed silhouettes of puffa jackets, blasers together with leather dresses pulled down and worn as captured in the second of taking them off. There was a strong sense of moving on, of change and positive transformation for a designer who has been building his reign on shades of darkness. Rick Owens chose a colour palette recalling his early work: olive green, khaki, black, shades of brown. It was as if the designer was looking for the initiation moment. The rebirth, the celebration of a future soon to come.

www.rickowens.eu

Fashion

Marina Abramovic - The Cleaners

Marina Abramovic, one of the most recognised artists of our time, has often utilised her body and the concept of presence as her primary artistic media. Her self-exposure as a means of artistic expression has garnered her criticism and praise in equal measure. Controversial as she may be, her work has earned her a place in the spotlight, a place that she continues to uphold to this day.

Abramovic's first major retrospective in Europe, entitled The Cleaner is being housed in Stockholm's Moderna Museet. It presents several of her best-known performances, including the Relation Works with German artist as well as former collaborator and partner, Ulay. The works take the form of live performances, films, installations and photographs dating back to the 70s and taking us all the way to the present day. Early paintings, and works on paper – some of them exhibited for the very first time – are also part of the exhibition.

A tumultuous childhood and an upbringing rife with religious and revolutionary undertones, shaped the Belgrade-born artist's worldview and played a pivotal, highly influential role in her career. Her work seeks to decipher and explore complex concepts such loss, memory, being and pain. Abramovic doesn't shy away from existential questions and interprets them in ways that may both provoke and move her audiences, delving deep into both the physical and the mental pain threshold in her own unique way. In The Lovers (1988) Abramovic and Ulay undertook a 90-day walk from opposite ends of the Great Wall of China. Their halfway meeting marked the end of their love affair and more than ten-year partnership.

A selection of the artist's performance works will be re-performed in the exhibition by specially-trained performance artists who will lend their talents to works such as Cleaning the Mirror (1995) where one person carefully scrubs clean a human skeleton in a confrontation with morality, Freeing Series (1975) where voice, memory and body are set free, and Art Must Be Beatiful, Artists Must be Beautiful (1975) where the same phrase and actions are repeated obsessively, almost like an incantation.

A new work by Abramovic, in collaboration with Lynsey Peisinger will also be performed at the Moderna Museet's Eric Ericson Hall from the 27th of February to the 5th of March.

The exhibition will run from the 18th of February to the 21st of May 2017.

www.modernamuseet.se

Fashion

Raf Simons presents his Fall 2017 collection for Calvin Klein

Raf Simons' debut collection for Calvin Klein was a hotly-anticipated event in this year's New York Fashion Week calendar.

Remaining true to his allegiances, Simons enlisted the help of friend and artist Sterling Ruby, giving him free reign to imagine artwork appropriate for the iconic brand's headquarters. Ruby imagine America.

Raf Simons and Calvin Klein Creative Director, Pieter Mulier created a collection that featured both women's and menswear for Fall 2017 and is in itself an homage to America. “It reflects the environment” said Mr. Simons. “All of these different people with different styles and dress codes. It's the future, the past, Art Deco, the city, the American West... all of these things and none of these things. Not one era, not one thing, not one look. It is the coming together of different characters and different individuals, just like America itself. It is the unique beauty of emotion in America.”

This was a collection in which each piece communicated with the rest; one material impacted another and one style impacted the upcoming ones even in the same silhouettes making for a collection that echoes the essence of diversity.

Marching band uniforms, plastic coated protection, power broker tailoring and antique handcrafted quilting, workwear and westernwear made for this unique parade. The collection finds equal merit in folk and function, food court and courtroom in a romantic and filmic outsider's view of the uniqueness of America.

www.calvinklein.com 

Fashion

Pal Zileri Spring/Summer 2017

British actor Matthew Goode fronts the new Pal Zileri Spring/Summer 2017 ad campaign perfectly embodying the mix of elegance and contemporary tradition that defines the brand's aesthetic.

Shot by German photographer Dylan Don outdoors in the ground-breaking Muralla Roja compound is Calpe, Spain, designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofil, Goode displays a unique and controlled attitude against the sun-soaked hues of the buildings.

Color, light and the graphic lines of both the location and the clothes play a key role in expressing the essence of the collection and its distinctive mismatch of 3D textures, volumes and shiny/matte effects, all awash in terracotta red, turquoise, plum, sky blue and burnt orange. The striking architecture of the Muralla Roja building, characterized by interlocking strairs, platforms and bridges, exalts a lifestyle appeal that Goode elevates with his effortless and dynamic sprit, melding time-honored savoir-faire with a fashion-forward twist.

www.palzileri.com

Fashion

Lala Berlin's Persian Punk revolution

Lala Berlin's Fall/Winter 2017 collection epitomises the metropolis of Berlin in an anarchic big-city chic way with a fresh attitude. Thus is born an ode to the unconventional yet elegant women that reinvented themselves as Persian punks.

Beautiful arts and crafts in architecture and textiles are the inspirations for a wardrobe that mixes punk and ethnic elements in such an authentic and modern way. A boheme and avant-garde style is conveyed in a variety of silhouettes from H-lines to flowy A-silhouettes and oversized asymmetric overlays. Feminine cuts, kimonos and tunic dresses give birth to the Lala’s punk-chic evening wear.

The color palette fades within dark chic colors like khaki, dark red, ink blue and black mixed with warm saffron yellow and cream interjected with vibrant and lush elements from middle eastern traditional art. Vibrant print ideas are reimagined in Berlin 80’s punk fused with Persian décor and floral elements are transformed into something new and fresh that reminds us of a mosaic print.

Frayed edges and star lace trimmings give a certain sense of poetic punk bohemia to dresses, skirts and shirting. Knits, iconic elements of Lala’s wardrobe that incorporate jacquards with frayed details are a sumptuous tapestry of textures.

The Persian punk girl gets out her Dr. Martens and leather accessories to inspire an anarchic revolution, to think about the future while redefining her style and inspiring change for the better.

www.lalaberlin.com

Fashion

The adventurous gentlemen of BOSS Fall/Winter 2017

Gentlemen who voyage across the world without ever losing their style, inspired Hugo Boss for its latest collection, dedicated to those ready to take on the world.

Adventurers and explorers’ outfits that combine performance and functionality with Boss’ key foundations: precise cuts and construction. The modern traveller wardrobe will be composed of wider 80s silhouettes mixed with slimmer, modern cuts and long and short designs. Love for details is never forgotten by the brand that for this collection added a touch of maritime influence in pea coats and duffels secured with buckled straps and chunky fastenings in the style of nautical equipment.

Fabric research is just an added value to a proposal that puts quality first. Boiled wool, bonded leather and cotton to provide protection and create incredibly à la mode oversized shapes. Fisherman-style knitwear is crafted in chunky constructions and zipped closed with ring pulls to be functional and masculine at the same time. The color palette varies from off-white to burgundy and olive green passing through navy shades.

Modern travellers can sleep soundly: their luggage will always be fashionable.

www.hugoboss.com

Fashion

SANKUANZ Fall/winter 2017: the chemistry collection

Standing for the reversal of an established system and breaking away from political correctness, that is what epitomises the Sankuanz Fall/Winter 2017 collection that explores space and chemistry.

Designer Shangguan Zhe's latest collection holds man's relationship with space and chemistry at its core, proposing garments that overlap with the idea of consuetude. Military uniforms with raw edges, primitive top-stitched suits and parkas, jumpsuits with industrial strap and bio-chemical protections, just a few examples of Zhe's research-based project. Zhe, indeed, created his own textiles mixing industrial materials and aramid fibers, usually used for spacesuits to give birth to his undoubtedly contemporary and updated vision.

Silhouettes are completed with accessories like visored bucket hats, pop military backpacks and high-top sock sneakers in a color palette that is everything but boring.

www.sankuanz.com

Fashion

Osservatorio Prada: the love story between cultural statements and fashion

An invisible thread silently connects fashion with art, a thread that only a few can pick up and follow. A feat that when achieved unlocks the secret behind timeless designers like Miuccia Prada.

Famous not only for creating garments and accessories that are considered pieces of art, Miuccia, has never hidden her devotion to art. Therefore, dedicating the famous Fondazione Prada based in Milan to art, seemed only natural. Collecting the most interesting exhibitions and pieces from contemporary and modern artists, Fondazione has become one of the most coveted destination for art-o-holics. Last December saw the opening of a new venue of Fondazione Prada that pays homage to photography and celebrates visual languages: Ossevatorio Prada.

Based in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the core of the Milanese fashion area, Osservatorio is a place of exploration and research of the latest tendencies and expressions of contemporary photography. Photography is, indeed, the contemporary epicenter of the global flux that digital communication is going through; that is why Osservatorio wants to unveil the cultural implications that it has on our society.

“Give Me Yesterday” by Francesco Zanot was the inaugural exhibition for Fondazione Prada's latest venue. A collection of more than fifty pieces of Italian and international artists that explores the usage of photography presented like a personal diary that travels from the 2000's to the present day.

Fondazione Prada’s contribution to the Italian art scene will leave an indelible mark, just like a photograph does.

www.fondazioneprada.org

Fashion

Kenzo Fall/Winter Menswear 2017

Imagine the backstage of a show brought on stage, in the spotlight, able to witness it at 360°, as in Walter Gropius’s Total Theatre: from the make-up to the models line-up, from the food banquet to the backstage photographers roaming around, from the seamstress fixing the last detail seconds before the start to the laughs between models.

Humberto Leon and Carol Lim created this unexpected backdrop for Kenzo Menswear and Womenswear Fall/Winter 2017 collection in the name of the environment, making clothes the real stars of the runway and leaving the backdrop in its neutrality in order to give funds to environment organizations instead of making a wonderful yet costly set.

A vision that was reflected all over this Arctic inspired collection. The triggering Arctic changes and the – unknown to many – Arctic surfing were, indeed, the paths followed by Leon and Lim who presented a multitude of over-layered looks in an impressive colour palette. It was overwhelming and, as Kenzo’s signature, fun and youthful.

The dip-dyed long knits in rainbow colours with matching ski masks worn under solid coloured puffa jackets and graphic digitally printed technical ski suits.

The Womenswear collection followed up in a more gentle and feminine declination. We saw easy urban long cable knit dresses, A –line coats, teddy handbags and delicate dresses with transversal side cuts, revealing floating strings, as a sort of intellectual reference to the increasingly undergoing destruction of our Mother Earth.

www.kenzo.com

Fashion

Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2017: Between High Fashion and Mother Nature

The uneven fight between humans against a powerful and merciless nature is the chore of Jil Sander's latest collection that brings us an incredible taste of glacial novelty for the upcoming Fall/Winter season.

Inspired by 'Independent People' by Nobel Prize winning author Halldor Laxness, the collection plays with the colors of Icelandic landscapes ranging from chalk grey to yellow. Shades of ice, brown and lava are chosen to give life to coats, parkas, heavy felts and comfortable shapes designed to face the harsh temperatures of Nordic winter in style. Military cotton and heat-sealed waterproof wool make coats and blousons, put together by big Velcro stripes.The collection's prints are a new take on glitch art that plays with disintegrated images.

“Rather keep your mind free and your path your own”said Laxness, and Jil Sander looks to have learned the lesson perfectly.

www.jilsander.com

Fashion

A sporty-chic Z ZEGNA at PITTI 2017

The latest Z Zegna collection takes you on a vintage ski trip for Pitti Uomo 2017, a sporty-chic mood that nobody expected but many welcomed.

It is no secret that the Florence fashion fair was created to bring innovation and prêt à porter all around the world and Zegna knows that well. For the first time the Italian brand presented a line that combines tailoring and performance evolution. For the slopes and the streets, the proposal is a Techmerino total look that takes a quintessential role in this season where layering is key. A foundation of matte black, optical woolen, asphalt grey mélange, light camel and pine leaf green in combination with sportswear graphics take us back to the late 70’s ski seasons in Sankt Moritz where sport never strays too far from fashion and elegance.

The brand decided to converge comfort and excellence in a savvy colour palette that pays tribute to the textile innovation Z Zegna is known for.

www.zegna.com

Fashion

Colette x UND