Prada To Host Virtual Fashion Show
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Milan fashion week is upon us and fashion crowd is eager to see first Prada collection designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. Here is the scoop. According to Fashion Network bother designers agreed to host a virtual fashion show for women’s wear collection Spring/Summer 2021. It will be streamlined at 2pm (CET) on September 24th. If you are a Prada fan tune in for the show on the prada.com website.
Paris Fashion Week - Who Will Be Participating
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88 events are listed for Paris Fashion Week on the official scheduled on The Federation de la Haute Couture. The nine day event will debut on September 28 and show Spring Summer 2021 women’s ready-to-wear collections. A lot of details are yet to be finalized. According to the schedule 22 houses plan presentation at showrooms. Major fashion houses however, like Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton still plan a proper runway, but with a significantly smaller audience. Notable fashion houses like Saint Laurent and Comme De Garcon chose to sit this one out due to Covid cases rising in Paris, in the last few weeks.
The Federation accepted 10 new participants this year, including Situationist from Georgia and Wales Boner. Among other new participants are Gabriela Hearst and Mossi. The season will finish with Chanel, Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton.
H&M X Giuliva Heritage Collaboration
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H&M announces collaboration with Giuliva Heritage, the collection to hit stores September 3rd. Giuliva Heritage is a family owned tailoring specialist known for its men’s silhouettes. The Founders are passionate about long-lasting fashion in great fabrics.
The collection will feature materials from more sustainable sources which is in line’ with H&M’s love for circularity and recycled fabrics.
UNIQLO x Jil Sander! We're Excited!
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Jil Sander takes on a design role at UNIQLO.
+J is the collection that will debut in Autumn as UNIQLO announces collaboration with Jil Sander. Sander, whose nickname in fashion Queen of Less gives a few hints in an interview with Uniqlo’s in-house magazine on what the collection will include
“Uniqlo has a lot of experience and great knowledge of manufacturing. The production possibilities are endless and inspiring. This includes the well-oiled logistics, the infusion with Japanese culture and true mastership of detail,” said Sander.
The 76-year-old designer mentioned that +J collection will be strictly minimalistic, pure silhouettes and quality fabric.
“I don’t draw, I design on the body and do many fittings. Thus, I am always conscious of all angles and the three-dimensional form. The fitting process leads to new forms and proportions. My eye is my strongest tool, I can see what is wrong or dated, but also, where the energy comes in and when a design starts to look fresh. I also keep the customers and their diverse needs in mind. Figures, heights and complexions vary, so I try to interpret the collection with a regard to different combinations and a maximum of variability in mind,” she explained.
The Latest News From Fashion Industry
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Estee Lauder is showing 32% decline in sales and announced this week that it will cut 1,500 to 2,000 jobs or about 3% of its workforce.
Target on the other hand reports its best quarterly sales growth and tripled online revenue. U.S shoppers are using their stimulus checks to shop for beauty products.
Walmart shoppers are using their stimulus money on clothes and shoes and the company is reporting biggest ever growth in online sales, according to Fashion Network.
While losses continue for Farfetch its Q2 Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Digital Platform GMV growth rates are faster than ever, according to Fashion Network.
Ralph Lauren, as part of the investment will help scale New York Fashion Week’s process and develop performance apparel from natural, sustainable materials.
Eco brand Allbirds, known for logo-free sneakers, announces expansion in Korea.
Maurice Marciano, Chief Creative Officer and Director of Guess is stepping down after a bike accident. Paul Marciano shared with fashion network: “After careful medical review, my brother Maurice will be in rehabilitation and therapy for an extended period of time and, therefore, will no longer continue to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board.”
Rihanna To Release Cookbook: Caribbean Recipes Included
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Rihanna is working on a cookbook. It will include recipes of Caribbean cuisine, including national dishes of Barbados, where the singer herself comes from. British newspaper The Sun suggests that Rihanna will also launch her own line of kitchen products: "As a well-selling musician, she is also a successful businesswoman."
Rihanna's trademark for the book and kitchenware also includes "science fiction, adventure, mystery, story, action, drama, documentary content, comedy, horror, melodrama, music, children's entertainment and thrillers." This says the singer will most likely not limit herself to a classic recipe book.
Earlier, Rihanna announced that she is working on a new album and will release it when she is completely confident in it.
Black Is King: Best Beyonce Looks From The New Film
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85 minute film by Beyonce was recently presented on Disney+. The singer chose song Already in the trailer of the upcoming album Black Is King. In the video Beyonce shows more than 20 looks, including Valentino, young New York based brand Area and covid inspired designer Marin Serre who debuted futurewear at PFW, collection exploring form, function and protection. Dazed reported what Beyonce wore in her video:
Beyonce wears printed bodysuit by Marine Serre
Pink dress by London designer Molly Goddard.
Sequined dress by Area. This New York brand is known for their work with metal and crystals, as well as bags in the shape of chairs.
Dress and leggings from Mugler collection Spring/Summer 2020
Blue Ivy wears the same print.
Top and bottom with cow print by Riccardo Tisci. This suit was first presented at his debut collection for Burberry.
This look by designer Michaela Stark. “I am so beyond grateful to have my outfit included in such a powerful film with such an important message” designer shared on her Instagram.
Suit by Valentino specially designed for Beyonce. Glasses by A-Morir
Dress by Israeli desinger Alan Nivle
Flower print dress by Erdem from Fall/Winter 2019 collection
Black suit by D Bleu Dazzled.
Gucci Winter 2017
Designer Loza Maleombho created this geometric jacket and body.
Earrings by Dynasty and Soull Ogun
Growing List of Fashion Names Struggling from Pandemic
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From small labels to recognized ones, all are fighting the survival of pandemic. Not a day goes by when another fashion company announce bankruptcy. According to Fashion Network:
Los Angeles label Denim of Virtue announced the closure
True Religion filed for bankruptcy, so did John Varvatos
Nike reports loss of $790 million
Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein experience losses totaling $1.1 billion
Centric Brands filed for bankruptcy
Guess is closing 100 stores in the next 18 month
Victoria’s Secret is experiencing difficulties
Diane von Furstenberg closed down 18 of its 19 stores
Marc Jacobs let go nearly 60 employees
Brook Brothers is close to bankruptcy
Sies Marjan closed down
Opening Ceremony out of business
The pandemic is killing the economy . As for the recovery it could be longer and tougher than predicted.
China's young spenders are full speed with circular fashion.
With the current hit of job losses, salary cuts caused by pandemic, consumer economy began to spin in reverse. People are no longer buying, but selling. Many are offloading their possessions by following the new motto and that is Less is More!
The adrenaline rush that once came with binge-shopping is gone, shared a shopaholic from China, Tang Yue with Fashion Network. She bought everything from Chanel lipsticks to Apple’s latest iPad in the past three years.
“The coronavirus outbreak was a wake-up call,” she said. “When I saw the collapse of so many industries, I realized I had no financial buffer should something unfortunate happen to me.”
And with so much time spent at home these days, people sort through things they don’t feel they need. And the lockdown allowed consumers a lot of time and reasons to reflect and consider what is important right now.
Posts with #ditchyourstuff hashtag is at the top among Chinese users of social media. Bargain hunting online has become a new habit.
According to Alibaba who shared the news with Reuters, China’s biggest online site Fish hit a record daily transaction volume in March. Some predict that the new pattern may be the permanent change for some people who will not return to their old ways of spending.
Giambattista Valli Appoints New Chief Executive Officer
Charlotte Werner is named new Chief Executive Officer by the orders of house’s new inverstor Artemis, in hopes to boost the management of the house. Werner is the first CEO for the brand.
“With her long experience and deep expertise in luxury, in particular in accessories and leather goods, Charlotte Werner will be responsible for implementing the next growth phase of the Maison,” Valli and Artémis said.
Even Zara Is In Trouble
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Zara is set to be closing 1000 to 1200 stores worldwide due to lower performance in 2020 and plans to focus on online selling, according to Fashion Network. The company is preparing to invest close to $1 billion dollars into its online shopping. Currently, the company operates 7,400 stores and its sales are down 44%.
Guess is closing 140 stores in USA.
The Children’s place will close 300 out of 920 stores.
Victoria’s Secret, JC Penney are also set to close their companies.
Forever 21 is set to close as many as 178 stores.
More closures are expected according to Fast Company. And with stores closing, the malls will struggle, which will result in mall closures in the near future.
by Sarah Brooks
H&M NOW RENTS
Swedish fast fashion giant H&M now entering the rental market. Yes, the new concept is that selected bridal dresses, exotic tops, and collection of 50 frocks can now be rented from H&M Stockholm store as part of customer loyalty membership program for 35 Swedish kroner.
“We started our circularity project three years ago. Now we want to explore rental. We believe in rental, for exclusive and occasional pieces. We chose these pieces precisely because these are quite expensive items that were often worn only once,” explained Pascal Brun, H&M’s French-born head of sustainability.
Members are allowed to rent up three pieces per week. Service comes with personal stylist. Rental items come from sustainable materials and come from H&M’s conscious exclusive collections from 2012 to 2019.
$100 Million investment for Lebron James to Build Media Emipire.
Together with business partner Maverick Carter, Lebron James announces the formation of media company SpringHill, Co and $100 million investment. How will this media company differ from others? According to company’s Instagram post, it will have an unapologetic agenda.
”Big news‼️ Announcing the next chapter as THE SPRINGHILL COMPANY: a media company with an unapologetic agenda - a maker and distributor of all kinds of content that will give a voice to creators and consumers who’ve been pandered to, ignored, or underserved. “
“When we talk about storytelling, we want to be able to hit home, to hit lots of homes where they feel like they can be part of that story,” James told Bloomberg. The company already signed deals with Walt Disney and Netflix and working on a new basketball drama starring Adam Sandler according to Bloomberg.
Remembering Maya Angelou - Poet, Storyteller, Activist
Maya Angelou before a Calypso performance at the Village Vanguard in New York City. | Photo by G. Marshall Wilson, via Art.com.
Civil rights activist, award-winning author, poet, singer and actress, we remember Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou, known to her fans and followers as Maya Angelou. A poet and Nobel laureate won multitude of awards and honors. Maya was raised in rural Stamps, Arkansas by her grandmother and uncle during the depression. I Know Why the Cages Bird Sings is an 1969 memoir written by Maya Angelou which became the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. Maya took all her tragedies and turned it into one of the most widely read memoirs of the past few decades.
It’s quite extraordinary that Maya could overcome being abused as a young child and still manage to graduate school two years ahead of schedule at the highest academic level. Since then Maya was the first colored streetcar operator in San Francisco and later on the poet laureate that people recognize to this day.
Maya was never afraid to speak her mind. Angelou defended the rights of women, young people and the ignored. “She has much to teach this generation and generations unborn about what it means to be an authentic person, and the power of the genuine.” said the Rev Jesse Jackson.
Opran Winfrey, has called Angelou a mentor, says that “Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it’s how she did it all. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence, and a fiery, fierce grace and abounding love.”
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life.’ I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
FACE MASK IS THE FUTURE
It’s known that vaccines takes years , but we must function as a society and function safely. The pandemic gave a new meaning to facial masks. Once a theatrical aspect of fashion runways, now an every day necessity. It is important to remember that masks must be worn to protect another from being infected, thus cutting down the number of people getting infected.
People are already getting used to the idea of wearing a mask and are experimenting new styles, colors and patterns. And since fashion often reflects the world around it we predict the designers will soon present some luxe masks. Here are a few.
Demna Gvasalia Exits Vetements
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Fashion designer Demna Gvasalia is stepping down from the helm of Vetements, the luxury brand he founded with his brother in 2014. In a statement to WWD, the Georgian designer, who is best-known for his streetwear designs, revealed that he is stepping down from his position at Vetements “to pursue new ventures”.
Royal Tailor: Prince Charles Will Participate in the creation of an eco-friendly collection of nettle clothing
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Presentation of a collection of 10 things will be held as part of London Fashion Week.
Turns out Prince Charles, is quiet fashionista. The heir to the British throne always carefully watches his wardrobe, prefers to sew costumes to order from fabrics produced by small local workshops, and stores things very carefully (he still has shoes purchased in 1971, and a costume made in 1984 ) .
And in the spring of 2018, Charles met with the British eco-brand Vin + Omi, developing an innovative “green” textile, and discussed with designers the possibility of creating eco-friendly nettle fabric that grows in his family residence.
The prince is not the first to propose using nettles in the interests of light industry. Experts note that nettle textile fibers resemble flax, but they are much stronger, do not shrink after washing and practically do not rot (and do not burn the skin, of course!). Nettle textiles have existed for many years, and recently the H&M brand has come up with a similar initiative, which has developed a program to use grass growing in Kenya.
The founders of Vin + Omi call the experience of working with the Prince "surreal." “We have nothing to do with the establishment,” Omi notes. - Our style is Camden punk of the 80s. I mean, we're not even Gucci or something. ” To realize the idea, the designers invited students to collaborate who managed to collect about 3,000 nettle bushes, after which it was processed into fabric, which we quote “you can easily take for alpaca or very thin wool”.
“She's thin, airy,” Omi says, “you won't recognize nettles in her.”
This is the whole point - to create modern clothes from waste. ”
Valentina Sampaio- the first transgender Victoria's Secret model
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The latest move towards more diversity within Victoria’s Secret brand is the first transgender model cast. Valentina Sampaio, 22, revealed to Instagram on August 3 that she will be modeling for Victoria's Secret PINK line.
"Never stop dreaming." Valentina Sampaio's most recent Instagram video post says. Sampaio is a 22-year-old transgender model from Brazil who began her career walking in São Paulo Fashion Week.
She worked for ad campaign for the collaboration between L’Oréal Paris and Balmain in 2017 and appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris for the March 2017 issue.
Damian Hurley Paid Trubute To Mom, Elizabeth Hurley
Let’s dive back to 1994 premier of of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 at Leicester Square Theatre, where a young Liz Hurley caused quiet a stir. Accompanied by film star Hugh Grant, Liz Hurley showed up on the red carpet wearing the famous Versace dress with a plunging neckline, with a side slit held together by pins. That dress left a mark in fashion history.
Years later, the son of Liz Hurley and businessman Steve Bing, Damian Hurley, paid tribute to his mother during Pat McGrath’s product launch in Londn.
The young 17 -year-old actor wore a Versace suit with gold safety pins, as an ode to his mother's slit dress which she wore 25 years prior. This powerful tribute did not fail to create a buzz.
Archie Mountbatten-Windsor’s Christening
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Two new christening portraits of one of the most talked about Princes today, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (sorry Prince George) were released by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The christening ceremony occurred at Windsor Castle, with a small number of close family and friends.
Grandparents Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, Princess Diana’s sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle and aunt Prince William and Kate Middleton all joined the portrait taken by photographer Chris Allerton. Another portrait includes mother, father and Archie in a black and white shot.
In conversation with Garance Dore.