Fashion News Alert: Valentino’s New Tabletop Book, Peter Nygard in Court Again, and H&M Studio’s Holiday Collection

November 24, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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Peter Nygard, the Canadian fashion mogul, is in court yet again. However, this time he is being sued for alleged sex trafficking.

Alleged sex trafficking victims are suing Nygard and high-level employees at his company for sex trafficking and aiding and abetting Nygard for the alleged sex crimes. Even Nygard’s daughter is named in the lawsuit that was filed this week in Manhattan federal court by Jane Doe victims.

“Recruiters were taught by Nygard and by employees of the Nygard companies to inform targeted young female victims that Nygard possessed extraordinary wealth, power, resources, and influence,” the victims allege, as reported in fashionnetwork.com, “that he was a fashion designer who could help fulfill female victims’ dreams. This often was an offer to become a model but was modified based on the specific victims’ hopes and dreams.”

Nygard, now 82, has agreed to be extradited for said allegations. Nygard was convicted by a jury on November 12 in a Toronto court on four counts of sexual assault.

According to the complaint filed in the Manhattan federal court, high-level employees of Nygard’s companies maintained a corporate database including photographs that allowed Nygard to peruse, rate, and contact potential victims. “The database contains ratings or grades, information, and pictures of over 7,500 underage girls and women dating back to 1987,” the plaintiffs allege, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. Employees of Nygard’s companies were expected to keep cash at his various properties so he could pay victims for sex, the complaint further states.

Nygard’s fashion brand was once one of the largest manufacturers and makers of women’s clothing in Canada. Nygard’s companies filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Nygard filed for bankruptcy one month after he was arrested in the US for sexual assault.

Image courtesy of H&M

H&M holiday cheer

The holiday spirit is in the air. Proof of this yuletide cheeriness is H&M Studio’s 2023 holiday capsule collection.

This holiday capsule collection was inspired by the clever construction of antique undergarments and the raw structures of the Brutalist architectural style. This collection has an interesting take on day-to-night silhouettes that contain sensual silk and lace, and a soft-focus color palette.

“Timeless dressing and an enduring sense of sophistication defines the H&M Studio Holiday capsule. We wanted to play around with corsetry, but also revitalize favorite styles like the bias-cut slip dress and the sculptural blazer, all in enduring fabrics that age beautifully and will delight and excite for years to come,” said Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of design womenswear and creative advisor at H&M, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

The H&M Studio’s 2023 holiday capsule collection did focus on sustainability in this outing. The majority of the premium-quality fabrics were made of sustainable products which included organic silk, recycled wool, Lenzing EcoVero viscose, and sequins made from recycled polyester.

H&M Studio’s 2023 holiday capsule collection will be available on December 7 in H&M stores and online.

Image courtesy of amazon.com

Holiday reading

Continuing in the holiday vein, Givenchy has produced a new tabletop book in time for the holiday season. Entitled Givenchy Catwalk, this tabletop book is an homage to 180 fashion collections of the iconic French fashion house.

Givenchy Catwalk chronicles the many collections of the brand from its inception by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952 to the current collections by Givenchy creative director Matthew M. Williams. Notable collections include the collection that include the famous ‘little black dress,’ worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffanys,” as well as collections by John Galliano when he served as creative director from 1995 to 1997. Additionally, there are images of garments by Alexander McQueen when McQueen served as creative director from 1996 to 2001.

The 1200-page book comes to life with fashion commentary by fashion commentator and historian Alexandre Samson and Anders Christian Madsen of British Vogue. Samson detailed, “finding and assembling the photos of the most emblematic looks, those that really speak to a grander public. The idea was to conceive a book in the same way that I curate an exhibition at the Palais Galliera, meaning to find the right elements to amaze and transmit the love of the subject to everyone, from a well-acquainted journalist to a student to someone who’s been in the industry for over sixty years.”

Givenchy Catwalk by Editions de la Martinière is available both at selected bookstores and online and sells for 59 euros. A great holiday gift for that special fashionista!!

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Swarovski x SKIMS, Edward Enninful Signs with WME, and Goodbye David Renne

November 13, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of people.com

SKIMS continues to expand and develop new audiences. Its latest expansion includes a collaboration with Swarovski.

This latest SKIMS collaboration includes a new collection of body jewelry, intimates, and ready-to-wear. ​”It’s been a dream since I joined Swarovski to create a first- ever collaboration with Skims that furthers the art of self-expression,” said Giovanna Engelbert, creative director of Swarovski, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Our collection is a celebration of the body, and of strong, independent women who value their individuality and embrace life with confidence and style.”

The jewelry pieces that are a part of this collection are bedazzled pieces that can be layered over or under clothing. The SKIMS undergarments are styled with jewelry pieces which includes chokers, necklaces, and bracelets.

“For this collaboration, we really wanted to celebrate individual creativity and bring more glamour into getting dressed every day,” said Kim Kardashian. “The pieces are so dreamy, and we loved integrating the iconic crystal cuts into my favorite Skims pieces. We can’t wait for everyone to love Swarovski x SKIMS as much as I do.’’

The Swarovski x SKIMS collection launched globally earlier this week at the new Swarovski Flagship Store on Fifth Avenue and online via Skims e-commerce store.

Image courtesy of thetimes.com

Enninful looks beyond fashion

Departing British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME). Enninful served as editor-in-chief at British Vogue for six years and was the first black person to serve as editor-in-chief at any of the Vogue magazines.

Enninful will continue to work for Conde Nast in the capacity of editorial advisor at British Vogue and content and cultural advisor at Vogue. Enninful’s memoir A Visible Man was published in 2022.

WME will work to bring Enninful’s creative visions to life. The agency will also handle the film/TV rights for A Visible Man.

Image courtesy of people.com

Ciao, David

David Renne, creative director of Moschino, has passed away. Renne has just begun his post at Moschino on November 1.

“There are no words to describe the pain we are experiencing at this dramatic time. Davide joined us only a few days ago, when a sudden illness took him from us too soon. We still can’t believe what happened,” chairman Massimo Ferretti said in a statement, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com. Ferretti added that Renne was “loved and respected,” and lamented that he had just started with the house filled with ambition, enthusiasm, and optimism for the future.

For 20 years, Renne has worked as a dedicated member of the Gucci creative team, working as the head of womenswear during Alessandro Michele tenure at Gucci. Rennie was due to show his inaugural collection at Moschino in February 2024.

On his appointment as creative director of Moschino, Massimo Ferretti said, “We are confident that he will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Moschino, a global house with an Italian heart.” Rennie would have been the fourth creative director of Moschino.

David Rennie died of a heart attack. He was 46 years old.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Dior’s New Brand Ambassador, the Rolling Stones and Paul Smith, and Goodbye Gail O’Neill

October 12, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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As famous athletes continue to be influential in the fashion industry, Dior has looked to the world of artistic gymnastics for their next brand ambassador. LVMH is one of the premium partners of the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2024 Paralympic Games, so it only makes sense that Olympic French gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos has been chosen as the brand ambassador for Dior who is owned by LVMH.

Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos is a four-time European champion. She was also a member of 2016 and 2020 French Olympic teams and a member of the bronze-winning 2023 World Gymnastic Championship team.

“Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos has won over the public and succeeded in her discipline through her talent, determination and resilience,” said LVMH in a press release. LVMH announced its brand partnership with the Paris 2024 Olympics after releasing its financials for 2023, which so far has been a 30% rise in net income, up from 8.5 billion euros to 42.2 billion euros.

Image courtesy of hypebeast.com

The Rolling Stones roll on

The Rolling Stones seem to be constant when it comes to news about icon brands. A constant since the 1960s, the Rolling Stones are in the news again with their collaboration with iconic menswear brand Paul Smith.

With the release of their first album in 18 years, The Rolling Stones is collaborating with Paul Smith—a long-time friend of Mick Jagger. The Rolling Stones x Paul Smith collaboration will feature exclusive vinyl design references the album’s title (a nod to East End slang for broken glass) with a photoprint rendering of smashed glass. There will also be cotton tees that will have the vinyl print as well as a version with a print of the reinterpreted signature stripe tongue logo front and center.

“As a brand, we’ve always had a close relationship with the music business, and I count The Rolling Stones as one of my all-time musical heroes. As well as being a fan, I’m also lucky enough to be able to call the band friends. It goes without saying that Hackney Diamonds is a phenomenal album, with a fearless spirit. For this launch, I wanted to create something that stayed true to the vision that the band set out—with a few subtle Paul Smith ‘twists’, as we call them,” detailed Paul Smith.

Image courtesy of thegrio.com

Goodbye Gail

Top fashion model Gail O’Neill has passed away. O’Neil was a member of the tribe of black fashion models in the mid-80s that began to dominate the runways in Europe and the US.

The daughter of Jamaican immigrants, O’Neill began her career as a fashion model in the mid-1980s. O’Neill appeared on the covers of Elle, Essence, Vogue, Mademoiselle, and Sports Illustrated magazines. She worked for such esteemed designers as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Perry Ellis, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors. Additionally, O’Neill secured ad campaigns for Coca Cola, Avon, and Revlon. O’Neill was known for her stance against smoking and would not appear in ad campaigns that promoted cigarettes or for companies that would not divest investments from South Africa.

After her modeling career O’Neill worked as a journalist, becoming one of the original correspondents of CBS’s “The Morning Show.” O’Neill quietly battled a terminal illness before dying at the age of 61.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Fashion News Alert: The 10th Annual Media Awards Honorees, John Varvatos Adds Another Notch to His Fashion Belt, and Khloe Kardashian’s New Gig

September 6, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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Under Armour recently announced that John Varvatos will come on board as the brand’s creative design officer. Varvatos will start his new position on September 11.

“I am so excited to join Under Armour, an iconic American brand,” said Varvatos, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “The innovation, design and mission of the brand has never been more relevant as consumers demand clothes that function for both sport and everyday activities.  I cannot wait to unveil that next chapter in Under Armour’s incredible story.”

We are thrilled to welcome John into the Under Armour family” said Stephanie Linnartz, Under Armour president and chief executive officer. “His track record and thirty-year career speaks for itself. John will work in partnership with our product team to bring apparel, footwear and accessories from concept to commercialization, blending performance and style.”

Varvatos has an incredible resume of accomplishments in the fashion industry. He has manned his eponymous brand for almost three decades, as well as having worked for Calvin Klein, Converse, and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Under Armour is betting that Varvatos can bring a fresh approach to the brand with retail sales waning in the past few years. In the past recent quarter, revenue fell 2.4% to $1.32 billion.

Image courtesy of pinterest.com

Another one for Khloe

Khloe Kardashian has a new gig. Fabletics announced on Wednesday that Khloe Kardashian will partner with the brand for the Fabletics x Khloe collection.

The collection will launch on September 8 and will feature nine bold pieces inspired by the desert. The color palette which is rooted in tones from a desert landscape will include warm tones like St. Tropez Coral, Palm Leaf, and Terracotta.

“Staying active, working out and taking care of my health is a priority—it’s what keeps me strong and persistent,” said Kardashian, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Fabletics shares these values and empowered me to put my personal touch into this collection. Each piece is designed for high performance, regardless of how you choose to move. Strong in the gym and strong enough to take on any challenge that life hands you.”

The collection will contain two signature items, the Seamless Bra and Leggings. Both items are built with breathable, graduated compression material, and the Motion365+ Onesie in Black that pairs with the Cozy Fleece Cropped Hoodie in Terracotta. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Khloé,” added Ginger Ressler, co-founder of Fabletics. “We’ve long admired her commitment to speaking out about physical and mental health and her dedication to designing products for everybody. This collection is bold and powerful – every detail is a perfect reflection of her vision, resilience, and strength.”

Image courtesy of dailyfrontrow.com

The Fashion Media Awards honorees

With New York Fashion Week (NYFW) only a few days away, the industry is getting primed for the 10th Annual Fashion Media Awards. The event will take place at New York City’s Rainbow Room, hosted by Alan Cummings.

The 2023 honorees are:

Style Icon: Pamela Anderson

Fashion Visionary: Jeremy Scott

Shoe Brand of the Year: Sarah Jessica Parker, SJP Collection

Model of the Year: Grace Elizabeth

Breakthrough Model of the Year: Lila Moss

Creatives of the Year: Inez & Vinoodh

Breakthrough Photographer of the Year: Elizaveta Porodina

Cover star of the Year: Martha Stewart for Sports lllustrated Swimsuit Issue 

Magazine of the Year: Nina Garcia, Elle

Best Podcast: Emily Ratajkowski, The High Low with EmRata

Fashion Innovator: Jane Siskin, Cinq à Sept

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Supermodels Grace Vogue’s September Issue, H&M Looks into Worker Abuse in Myanmar Factory, and RIP John Barrett

August 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of people.com

The 90s supermodels are back!! But not in a music video or documentary.

Naomi, Cindy, Linda, and Christy are gracing the covers of Vogue’s and British Vogue’s upcoming September issues.  Styled by the iconic Edward Enniful and photographed by Rafael Pavarotti in New York City, these runway legends, who are all in their 50s, look incredible. Naomi is 53, Linda Evangelista is 58, Cindy Crawford is 57, and Christy Turlington is 54,

The cover for the September issue was shared on Instagram. And there were several comments about 90s supermodel Claudia Schiffer missing from the lineup. There were also comments about the supermodels’ images perhaps looking too retouched.

The Vogue September issue Instagram issue was accompanied by a quote. “In the late ’80s to mid-’90s, high fashion went from a niche aspirational hobby to a pillar of mainstream entertainment—and at the center of this transformation were Christy, Naomi, Cindy, and Linda, whose rare combination of extraordinarily photogenic features, born-with-it confidence, quick wit, intuitive style, intense curiosity, and utterly bananas work ethic flipped the switch for the industry,” the caption reads. “And the lights have never gone off.”

The editorial images are accompanied by a must-read article by Sally Singer. The article details the 90s supermodels’ rise to fame, adjusting to changes in the fashion industry and how they have stayed relevant for over 30 years.

REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

Trouble at H&M

According to Reuters, Global megastore H&M has plans to investigate worker abuses in Myanmar factory as 20 alleged wage theft allegations continue to mount. These allegations come to the fore as mega retailer Zara in phasing out purchases from Myanmar.

 According to a report by the NGO, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), wage theft and wage reductions appear to be the frequently reported abuses, followed by forced overtime work, inhumane work rates, and unfair work dismissals.

“All the cases raised in the report by BHRRC are being followed-up and where needed remediated through our local team on the ground and in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders,” H&M said in a statement, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “We are deeply concerned by the latest developments in Myanmar, and we see increased challenges to conduct our operations according to our standards and requirements,” the Swedish retailer said.

BHRRC has been tracking labor abuses at factories in Myanmar since the military junta took power in Myanmar. BHRRC has tracked over 124 cases of abuse in factories in Myanmar.

Celebrity hairdresser to the stars John Barrett has passed away. Barrett was a hairdresser to everyone from Princess Diana, Hilary Clinton, the Olsen twins to Candace Bergen, Reese Witherspoon, and Martha Stewart.

Image courtesy of usweekly.com

So long, John

Born in Limerick, Ireland, Barrett honed his hairdressing skills in the 1970s in London, moving to New York City in 1990s. He set up shop in New York City in the penthouse salon space of Bergdorf Goodman, a salon he maintained for 23 years.

“His superhuman talent was his ability to make anyone who sat in his chair feel like the most beautiful person in the world,” detailed his team at the John Barrett Salon. Barrett had been suffering from blood cancer. John Barrett was 66 years of age.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Zimmerman May Be Sold, Design Competition Comes Back to NYFW, and Breakthrough in Polyester Recycling

August 5, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of zimmerman.com

Zimmerman, the very popular Australian women’s brand, is about to be sold once again. Or so fashion wagging tongues are claiming!!

After being acquired by Italian investment firm, Style Capital three years ago, it appears that Zimmerman is to be sold for 1 billion euros, as reported by Milanese business daily, MF Fashion. According to MF Fashion, in 2022 Zimmerman’s revenue was reported at 270 million euros, and revenue for 2023 is expected to exceed 336 million euros. The brand obtained international visibility by showing consistently at New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. MF Fashion did not comment on who the potential buyer might be.

Founded in 1991 by Australian fashion designer Nicole Zimmerman and her sister Simone, the brand started as a quirky swimwear brand and later evolved to a sexy bohemian brand that was know for its floral prints and stylish dresses.

Getty Images for Supima Design Competition)

Supima is back

The 16th Supima Design Competition comes back to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) on September 7, 2023. The competition will be hosted by Jeremy Scott. The competition will bring together eight next-generation fashion designers for a $10,000 prize and industry mentorship.

“I’ve been happy to be a small part of helping bring new talents to the larger public’s awareness on the past two seasons of Amazon Original’s “Making the Cut.” So, it was a great honor to be asked to host the Supima Design Competition’s Sweet 16. How could I say no? I look forward to seeing all the finalists’ work, detailed Jeremy Scott.

The finalists Amber Kuia (Academy of Art University), Carla Pierini, (Drexel University), Alexander Ziemba (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), Hee Jin Hwang (Fashion Institute of Technology), Wendy Weng (Kent State University), Tianze Wu (Parsons School of Design, The New School), Sahara Clemons (Rhode Island School of Design), and Mariana Espinos (School of the Art Institute of Chicago to a panel of judges and industry professionals. The 16th Supima Design Competition will take place at 3pm on September 7.

Image courtesy of kobenhavnsuniversitet.eu

Polyester breakdown

For sustainability advocates, the fabric polyester has been anathema to the recycling and sustainability movement. The challenge has been separating cotton from plastic, the two main combinations that make the blended polyester fabric.

Well, young chemists at the University of Copenhagen have come up with a breakthrough solution that can make polyester recyclable. “The textile industry urgently requires a better solution to handle blended fabrics like polyester/cotton. Currently, there are very few practical methods capable of recycling both cotton and plastic—it’s typically an either-or scenario. However, with our newly discovered technique, we can depolymerise polyester into its monomers while simultaneously recovering cotton on a scale of hundreds of grammes, using an incredibly straightforward and environmentally friendly approach,” explained the young chemist from the University of Copenhagen.

“We can take a polyester dress, cut it up into small pieces and place it in a container. Then, add a bit of mild solvent, and thereafter hartshorn salt, which many people know as a leavening agent in baked goods. We then heat it all up to 160°C and leave it for 24 hours. The result is a liquid in which the plastic and cotton fibres settle into distinct layers. It’s a simple and cost-effective process,” said Shriaya Sharma, a doctoral student of the Jiwoong Lee group at the department of chemistry and study co-author.

Currently, the breakthrough solution has only been used in the lab, but there is a lot of potential for applications outside of a laboratory environment. The young chemists have already been in contact with businesses that explore the possibilities of taking the solution to the industrial level.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Lindsay Lohan’s New Gig, Kendall Jenner and L’Oreal, and Layoffs at Hearst

July 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of yahoo.com

In case you haven’t noticed, Lindsay Lohan is on the comeback trail. The new mom is continuing here return to the entertainment industry by being selected as the face of MCM’s new distinctive footwear campaign.

The recently unveiled limited-edition MCM X Crocs Mega Crush Clog campaign comes on the heels of MCM revamping its artistic team with a new design team. And for the MCM X Crocs Mega Crush Clog campaign Lohan is photographed in Dubai, Lohan’s current home location. In the campaign Lohan models the MCM crocs with MCM luggage in the forefront.

As reported in the dailyfrontrow.com, the crocs are crafted with an oversize heel for exaggerated elevation (all the better to keep up with those skyscrapers), an electrolyzed mirror detail on the platform, and a detachable zip pouch as well as silver-tone metal charms. The MCM X Crocs Mega Crush Clog is now available.

Image courtesy of of wikiwant.com

Layoffs at Hearst

As temperatures continue to rise this summer and we struggle with trying to stay cool, so is Hearst struggling to keep employees. It appears that Hearst Corporation has cut 41 employees from its publications as of Thursday. These layoffs add to employee layoffs at National Geographic, ESPN and Grazia magazine.

Hearst’s 41 employee layoffs come mostly across Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and Elle magazines. A Forbes magazine spokesman said that the layoffs were the result of “making strategic decisions that position the business for long-term growth.”

The company restructuring translates into the layoff of Seventeen editor-in-chief Kristin Koch, who will leave her post in September. According to the Hearst Magazines Media Union wrote on Twitter: “Due to ‘company restructuring,’ we are losing talented people whose creativity and institutional knowledge is immeasurable […] We are disappointed and angry that Hearst unilaterally chose to lay off our members instead of coming to the table to explore alternative options.”

Image courtesy of hypebae.com

Kendall and L’Oréal

Can you believe Kendall Jenner is 26 years old. I remember seeing Kendall Jenner walk in her first fashion show when she was 15 years old.

Well, at the ripe old model age of 27 years old, Kendall has been named the new global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. Starting in September, Kendall will lead L’Oréal Paris’ makeup campaigns. Additionally, L’Oréal Paris will put a special push behind Kendall’s favorite brand products, OG Telescopic Mascara, Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation, and the newly unveiled Infallible Matte Resistance liquid lippie.

“Kendall is a powerful, successful, and talented young woman who continues to captivate audiences around her,” said L’Oréal Paris in a news release. “A constant figure in the fashion industry, an entrepreneur, and a media icon, Kendall Jenner has become a role model for her generation, and the brand is thrilled to welcome her to the L’Oréal Paris family.”

Jenner added in the same announcement: “I’m honored to be part of a new sisterhood of strong, powerful women and to be able to say those iconic words, I’m worth it. Joining the L’Oréal Paris family and having the opportunity to embody everything the brand stands for feels like a true full-circle moment.”

—William S. Gooch

 

Fashion News Alert: “Super Model” Documentary Air Date, Heaven by Marc Jacobs and Blumarine Collaborate, and Naomi Campbell’s New Venture

July 12, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of today.com

In case you didn’t know, there is a Supermodel documentary that speaks to the lives of the Supermodel Era of the 1990s. The “Super Models” documentary features runway icons Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington.

Though we’ve known about this documentary for some time, there was no release date. The Daily Front Row recently revealed the release date of “Super Models.”

Directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams and Larissa Bills, the four-part series, “Super Models” will air on Apple+ on September 20. The four-part docuseries will feature the lives of the Naomi, Christy, Cyndy, and Linda, from the start of their careers to their proliferation of the fashion and entertainment industries.

This quartet of supermodels can continue to be prominent names in fashion and in the worlds of activism and entrepreneurship. Campbell, Evangelista, Crawford, and Turlington are executive producers of “Super Models,” as well Hollywood bigwig directors Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.

Image courtesy of crfashionbook.com

Another fashion collab

Collaborations will never go out of style in fashion, so here is another one!! Heaven by Marc Jacobs has teamed up with Blumarine for an 11-piece special capsule collection.

This special capsule collection is inspired by the Y2K ultra-feminine aesthetic. The collection features the best-selling items from both brands, including pink camo print pieces, embroidered denim tops, and jackets and skirts that can be mixed and matched. 

“In my teen and college years, I fell in love with the Blumarine brand and aesthetic—it was the ultimate in feminine, aspirational fashion to me. I remember lusting after Blumarine advertisements. There was something very powerful about the way the brand depicted women, and I felt instantly moved by these images. There are so many parallels between Blumarine and Marc Jacobs, then and now, and I think this collection makes total sense for both of us,” said Ava Nirui, Heaven by Marc Jacobs creative director, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. 

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on this project and had a lot of fun creating this special collection that merges Blumarine and Heaven by Marc Jacobs identities. Each piece of the capsule is a gem and truly reflects today’s spirit, balancing ease and coolness in the most feminine and lighthearted way,” said Nicola Brognano, Blumarine creative director.

Image courtesy of yahoofinance.com

Naomi back in the news

Naomi Campbell continues to be in the news. This time her newsworthy story is not about her family but details her partnership with the Boohoo Group-owned fashion label, PrettyLittleThing (PLT).

Campbell has had a long-standing relationship with former PLT CEO Umar Kamani. Kamani stepped down from his position at PLT earlier this year but was crucial in acquiring Campbell for her partnership with PLT.

PrettyLittleThing by Naomi Campbell will “intertwine the essence of PLT with Naomi’s unique style, promising a fashion experience like no other,” as stated in fashionnetwork.com. So far, this is the biggest collaboration for PLT.

While Campbell usually affiliates herself with brands that have a much bigger price point, PLT does align with Campbell’s many charitable efforts. PTL recently launched a swimwear line with a cancer charity and has launched a campaign that addresses sexual assault on women.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion News Alert: Naomi Campbell’s New Bundle of Joy, Georgina Rodriquez’s New Job, and H&M Further Strike in Spain Averted

June 29, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of today.com

Naomi Campbell has another bundle of joy. The supermodel recently revealed on Instagram that she is now the mother of another child, with her newborn son dressed in a white Dolce & Gabbana onsie.

The Instagram photo also included Campbell’s two-year old daughter with the caption, “It’s never too late to become a mother.” Campbell also posted on Instagram, “My little darling, know that you are cherished beyond measure and surrounded by love from the moment you graced us with your presence. A True Gift from God – blessed!”

Campbell has given birth to two children much later in life than most women. Her first child was born in 2021 when Campbell was 51 and her second child came into the world a few days ago with Campbell being 53 years of age. There is no mention of who the father is of either child.

Image courtesy of thesun.com

Another va va voom for Guess

Georgina Rodriquez, Argentine actress/model/ influencer has a new job. Georgina Rodriquez is the face of Guess and Marciano worldwide advertising campaigns for fall 2023.

“We’re delighted to welcome Georgina on our new campaign with Guess and Marciano. Georgina is a strong, confident, and determined woman,” said Marciano, as reported in a recent fashionnetwork.com article. “This campaign and location fully reflect not only her natural beauty but also her sensuality, dynamism, and inner strength, perfectly interpreting the brands’ vision and style.”

“I am truly honored to have been invited to work on this new campaign for Guess and Marciano,” said Rodríguez. “I love the brand and the values it represents. I love wearing the collections because they make me feel empowered yet sexy. They have a distinct feminine character while expressing a timeless essence.”

The fall 2023 collection will feature empowered suits, hourglass dresses, knitwear, and coordinated sets in glossy and velvety textures and figure-flattering cuts. The fall 2023 campaign was art directed by Paul Marciano, shot inside the historic 19th century Santo Mauro Hotel in Madrid by Nima Benati.

Image courtesy of sanantonioexpress-news.com

Strikers unite

Further strikes in Spain against mega retailer H&M has been halted due to a pay rise agreement between H&M and workers. H&M will not only pay an increased wage of 1,000 euros ($1,091 dollars) to shop assistants in Spain over the next 14 months but will also give additional monthly bonuses linked to sales performance until 2025.

Spanish H&M workers has been striking H&M for better wages on June 20, 24 and 26 with continued strikes scheduled on July 1 and July 8. Workers had been demanding higher wages from H&M for months with no concession. Workers claimed that H&M paid lower wages than similar retailers.

H&M stores in Spain will also hire more workers to reduce the overall workload of its employees in 91 stores. H&M workers in Spain work mostly part-time and make around 1,000 euros a month.

—William S. Gooch

 

Fashion News Alert: Jenna Lyons New Gig, Wes Gordon to Design for New York City Ballet, and Rolling Stone and Skechers Collaboration

June 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of oberongrove.com

The New York City Ballet is moving into its 75th season. On the heels of this historic event, Wes Gordon, creative director of Carolina Herrera, has been slated to design costumes for the George Balanchine iconic ballet, “Who Cares,” based on the music of George Gershwin. Wes Gordon has designed costumes for American Ballet Theatre.

New York City Ballet’s fall gala, which will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the New York City Ballet, will take place on October 5. Sarah Jessica Parker will continue to co-chair the gala alongside Laverne Cox, Andy Cohen, Georgina Bloomberg, Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy, Jill Kargman, Diane Kruger, Mazdack, Zanna Rassi, Jordon Roth, and Lizzie Tisch. Sarah Jessica Parker conceived the annual fashion-centric celebration in 2012.

Images courtesy of beautypie.com

Out with the old

If you have been noticing the commercials about the new season of “The Real Housewives of New York City” (RHONY) that have been airing on Bravo recently, you will notice some interesting things. First, the entire cast has been updated. Gone are Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Eboni K. Williams, Sonja Morgan, and Leah McSweeney.

The old cast has been replaced by Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Dana Lichy, Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield, and Jenna Lyons. Now though this new cast was announced in late 2022, the commercials around the revamped RHONY started appearing this week.

Interestingly, Jenna Lyons, former creative director of J. Crew, was an unusual addition to this revamp. Lyons left her position has J. Crew in 2017 and since then she divorced her husband and came out as a lesbian. Lyons will be the first openly gay castmate of the “Real Housewives” franchise.

Lyons admitted in a Page Six interview that after leaving J. Crew, her phone was not ringing with fashion offers. “And then all of the sudden I didn’t have anything on my agenda, and no one was calling, and no one was getting me lunch, and no one was inviting me anywhere, and I was like, ‘Whoa,’” she told Page Six. “Now I can look back and say…I was really struggling. I was just exhausted.”

Lyons admitted on the “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon about being cast on “RHONY,” “[It’s] not the most, like, natural career change, I know.” The new season of the revamped “RHONY” premiers on July 16 on Bravo.

Images courtesy of japantoday.com

Footwear heaven

Collaborations in fashion are still the order of the day. The most recent fashion collaboration is kind of two unlikely bedfellows; however, what is likely these days?

Footwear giant Skechers and rock icon band The Rolling Stones produced in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company are collaborating on a range of trainers and slip-on shoes. According to fashionnetwork.com, the pieces feature the band’s trademark tongue logo (in single or repeat designs) on a collection for women and men. One shoe also features song lyrics on its laces.

“For six decades, the Stones have endured like no other—rebelling, conquering and being listened to by billions. Nearly every adult on this planet knows their iconic logo,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. The shoes will be available in stores in the US and the UK on June 22, as well as the Skechers website.

—William S. Gooch

 

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