Fashion News Alert: Alexandra Ocasio Cortez’s Met Gala Gown, Nicki Minaj Opted out of the 2021 Met Gala Due to Vaccination Requirements, Sotheby’s Black Jewelry Designer Exhibit, and Dapper Dan Collaborates with Pepsi

September 16, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Contrary to the fashion rumor mill, the 2021 Met Gala turned out to be an overwhelming success. Many wagging tongues assumed that many celebrities would not be in attendance to due to COVID-19 Delta variant scares. That was not the case, this year’s Met Gala red carpet was not packed to the brim with some of our favorite celebrities, there was a strong contingent of Tokyo Olympic medalists on the red carpet as well.

That said, Nicki Minaj was one celeb who opted out of attending this year’s Met Gala. Minaj was outraged that there was a strict COVID-19 vaccination requirement for attending this year’s Met Gala. And her outrage caused her to post several incendiary rants on social media.

In one Twitter post Minaj said, “They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime, my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one.”

In other social media rants, Minaj stated that she would rather be home with her child and that her friend Drake got COVID, even though he was vaccinated.  It appears that Minaj is not an anti-vaccine, but that she is still doing research. Minaj has not appeared in public for over a year.

Hmm, more research, really?

Image courtesy of cnnstyle.com

The cost of political controversy

There were lots of bold, dramatic, eye-catching garments at the 2021 Met Gala, but, no other celebrity or public official caused more controversy than New York Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s white wool gown that was emblazoned with a “Tax the Rich” in red on the back of the gown.

This was Ocasio-Cortez’s first appearance at the Met Gala. Though she was invited in 2019, she chose not to attend, And, in 2020, the Met Gala was cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many praised Ocasio-Cortez for her brave political statement, a statement that was carefully planned as Democrats struggle to get President Biden’s Infrastructure passed. (Biden’s infrastructure bill comes with a $4.5 billion costs and raises taxes on wealthy individuals.)Still,  there were many critics, including conservatives and some liberals, who thought that Ocasio-Cortez’s political statement was out of place at the 2021 Met Gala. 

The conservative critics are the usual cast of characters such as Donald Trump, Jr., who called Ocasio-Cortez a fraud for calling for taxing the rich “while she’s hanging out with a bunch of wealthy leftwing elites.” Still there were some progressive critics like Briahna Gray, the former national press secretary for Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign and the co-host of the “Bad Faith” podcast who said that Ocasio-Cortez is “held to a unique standard exactly because people expect more of her.”

According to The New York Times, other progressives like John Ganz, a columnist for Gawker.com, who described himself as a supporter who at other times has viewed Ms. Ocasio-Cortez as a “beacon of hope,” felt that “The Met Gala is an event best shunned by sincere socialists.”  Other progressives, like former New York City mayoral candidate Mara Wiley, supported Ocasio-Cortez decision to attend the Met Gala.

“We turn everything into a purity contest,” Ms. Wiley said, as reported in The New York Times. “Politics shouldn’t be about purity. She did the right thing by not avoiding it, by saying this is part of who we are, and let’s have a conversation that includes the Met Gala.”

Coincidentally, Ocasio-Cortez was seated at Anna Wintour’s table. Other politicians who attended included Mayor Bill de Blasio, Scott Stringer, and Carolyn Maloney.

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Sotheby embraces Black jewelry designers

This Friday, Sotheby hosted its first exhibit of exclusively black jewelry designers. The exhibit, Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance, will feature 21 black jewelry designers and will open to the public on September 26, followed by a sale that runs in person and online until Oct. 10.

The exhibit will feature 63 works with jewelry designs by Art Smith, Harwell Godfrey, Shola Branson, Winifred Mason Chenet, Lorraine West, Marei New York, Mateo New York, Lola Fenhirst, Jariet Oloyé, Maggi Simpkins, and Shola Branson, and others. The exhibit will showcase a variety of styles with prices ranging up to a $1 million dollars.

The initiative was pioneered by Black jewelry author, editor, and stylist Melanie Grant, following the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. She had a goal to spotlight talented Black designers with a focus on one-of-a-kind pieces.

Image courtesy of wwd.com

Dapper Dan collaborates with Pepsi

Dapper Dan continues to evolve his brand by collaborating with Pepsi on Pepsi’s “Made for Football Watching” NFL campaign. Dapper Dan partners with Pepsi to create the capsule collection, Pepsi x Dapper Dan Capsule Collection which was made available to consumers during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) on September 9.

“I’ve been bringing luxury fashion to Harlem for 35 years and let me tell you, you don’t always see a true authentic collaboration come to life the way it did here with Pepsi, and right in time for the football season and New York Fashion Week at that,” said Dapper Dan, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.  “This capsule collection is equally inspired by the Pepsi brand, football fans, and my one-of-a-kind looks. Fashion and football have never come together like this before.”

“While Pepsi has always had deep roots in pop culture and football, we have never brought it all together like we have with The Pepsi x Dapper Dan Football Watching Capsule Collection,” said Todd Kaplan, VP of marketing at Pepsi.

“Dapper Dan’s unique style of merging luxury fashion and streetwear is so bold and unapologetic—just like the Pepsi brand—so we thought he was the perfect partner to blend his visionary taste in streetwear with football fandom in the unique way only he can do.”

The collection features fashion-forward football-watching pieces including a lounger, hoodie, bucket hat, and custom-patterned Pepsi cans to ensure fans are fitted and geared up for every touchdown, sack and fumble. Visit madeforfootballwatching.com/dapperdan to view the full collection.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Naomi Osaka Has a New Job, Beyonce and Jay Z Help Reinvent Tiffany’s, and Bill Cunningham’s Exhibition Launch

August 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Despite the COVID-19 economic downturn Tiffany & Co. is back in the black. And now that it is under the auspices of LVMH, Tiffany’s seeks to appeal to a wider demographic with a reinvention.

Interestingly, entertainment power couple Jay Z and Beyoncé are a part of the reinvention. On Monday, Tiffany & Co. announced their new campaign featuring Jay Z and Beyoncé. The “About Love” campaign is “a close collaboration and a shared vision” between the couple and Tiffany & Co.

“Beyoncé and Jay-Z are the epitome of the modern love story. As a brand that has always stood for love, strength, and self-expression, we could not think of a more iconic couple that better represents Tiffany’s values. We are honored to have the Carters as a part of the Tiffany family,” detailed Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of Product & Communications, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

Beyoncé and Jay Z’s love story is “illuminated by the iconic Tiffany Diamond and set against the backdrop of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Equals Pi (1982)”. This is also significant because, as part of a private collection from its creation until now, this marks the work of art’s first public appearance, “propelling Tiffany’s long-standing tradition of working with New York creatives forward.”

This groundbreaking campaign is unique in several ways. This is the first time this mega-entertainment couple has been featured together in a campaign. Additionally, the Tiffany Diamond is worn by Beyoncé. This is the first time the Tiffany Diamond, which was unearthed by in 1877 and bought by Charles Tiffany as a rough diamond in 1878, has been worn in a Tiffany’s campaign. And lastly, Jay Z will be wearing some house icons, notably the Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock brooch, reconstructed as a pair of one-of-a-kind cufflinks.

With this reinvention, Tiffany & Co. is reaching out to underrepresented communities, making a $2 million commitment towards scholarship and internship programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The campaign launches globally in print on September 2 and the film will launch on Tiffany.com on September 15 alongside global media activations.

Image courtesy of forbes.com

Celebrate NYFW with Bill Cunningham

During New York Fashion Week (NYFW), a new exhibit highlighting the work of famed street and fashion photographer Bill Cunningham will launch at the Seaport. The exhibit will launch on September 12, 2021, the last day of NYFW.

Entitled “Experience the Times of Bill Cunningham,” this expansive and immersive exhibit will a show the range of Cunningham’s work and will be presented in a two-story display with six distinct spaces. According to fashionnetwork.com, the exhibit will include experiences like a grand staircase where guests’ outfits will be digitally transformed, as well as an ever-changing gallery that reveals the surprising links between the sartorial trends captured by Cunningham and today’s latest street styles. 

The exhibit is designed to capture the energy, passion, and variety of Bill Cunningham’s photography and life which made Cunningham one of the most influential historians, documentarians, and culture-makers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Cunningham was known for photographing everyday New Yorkers, as well as iconic fashion industry professionals, fashion shows, and fashion events. And he did this for more than six decades.

The exhibition will run for eight weeks through October 30, at 26 Fulton Street, New York. Admission is $30.

Image courtesy of people.com

Another fashion collection for Naomi

Grand Slam tennis pro Naomi Osaka has a new job. Osaka is launching a limited-edition womenswear denim collection with Levi’s.

The collection, which launched this past Tuesday, pays homage to Osaka’s Japanese heritage, as well as utilizing upcycled and vintage denim. The collection comes in four styles which includes a kimono with matching denim obi belt and two styles of shorts: a vintage 501 jean short finished with crystal fringe, and a long short with lace-up detailing. The collection is complete with a denim bustier made from reworked Levi’s Trucker jackets.

For the collection, Osaka can be found modeling some of garments from the collection along with her sister Mari Osaka, who is also a professional tennis player. “When we were little, me and my little sister would take car rides and drive for hours and hours on end and we would have little fashion design battles and have my dad pick the winner. So, it’s always been a thing for us growing up,” Osaka said in the promotional video for the collection. 

Naomi Osaka has collaborated on collections with Nike, and Adeam, and was featured in Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer ads. The Levi’s x Naomi Osaka collaboration will be available in select Levi’s stores and on the brand’s app. The collection will retail for $150 to $380.

—William S. Gooch

 

Fashion News Alert: Adidas Sells Reebok, Frank Ocean Delves into Fashion, and Tommy Hilfiger x Romeo Hunter Capsule Collection

August 13, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Are you ready for one of the fashion surprises of the year? Well, here it is. Adidas is selling Reebok to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) for 2.5 billion dollars (2.1 billion euros). Adidas has decided to concentrate on its namesake brand due to Reebok not delivering financially as expected.

Adidas purchased Reebok for 3.8 billion in 2006 as the German sporting goods company sought to outpace its major competitor Nike. Though this purchase of Reebok was substantial, investors repeatedly called for Adidas to abandon Reebok due to lagging sales.

According to Reuters, Reebok will retain its headquarters in Boston and continue operations in North and Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Russia.

“We’ve had our sights set on Reebok for many years, and we’re excited to finally bring this iconic brand into the fold,” Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of ABG, said. “We are committed to preserving Reebok’s integrity, innovation, and values—including its presence in bricks and mortar,” Salter added.

Over the past 11 years, ABG has acquired more than 30 labels sold in some 6,000 stores. Its brands include apparel chains Aéropostale and Forever21, as well as and Sports Illustrated magazine. Despite the global health pandemic, ABG has had strong earnings in 2020 and recently filed for a US initial public offering.

Image courtesy of wwd.com

Two unlikely brands find common ground

When fashion collaborations come to mind one doesn’t necessarily think of Tommy Hilfiger and Romeo Hunte in the same thought capsule. Still, in this time of uncertainty, anything is possible.

That said, these two seeming disparate brands have come together in a unique capsule collection, TommyxRomeo. This capsule collection seeks to fuse Hilfiger’s Manhattan Prep style with Hunte’s Brooklyn street style. The capsule features classic Hilfiger pieces like puffer jackets, trench coats, jeans, shorts, and sweatshirts, as well as accessories, but remixed via Hunte’s signature deconstructed design, creating fresh looks meant to appeal to a new generation of shoppers.

These two brands collaboration is due to Tommy Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program, an initiative started by Hilfiger which finds and nurtures young talent from underrepresented BIPOC communities.  The capsule collection is available now at romeohunte.com.

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Frank Ocean dips into the jewelry and accessories pool

OK, OK it’s another celebrity fashion launch. Nothing new about that. Well, not quite true.

Unlike many celebrities who try to get a foothold in the fashion and beauty industries by launching a clothing brand or a beauty brand, recording artist Frank Ocean has opted to launch a jewelry and accessories brand.

Inspired by his childhood, these retro-style items are made in Italy and designed in New York City.  According to fashionnetwork.com, “the pieces feature bright colors and characters with a manga edge. The jewelry is made from 18k gold, recycled sterling silver, hand-painted enamel, and lab-grown diamonds.”

The jewelry collection is rather pricey with pendants starting at $435 and $1,695 for “double sphere” earrings, $16,515 for a gold bracelet, and $471,900 for a gold necklace set with a multitude of diamonds of different colors. Silk scarves are priced between $230 and $460.

Entitled ‘Homer,’ the collection can only be purchased at the brand’s only New York store, located in lower Manhattan. Appointments are made online in 15-minute booking slot options.

Frank Ocean is the son of 80s pop superstar Billy Ocean. Frank Ocean’s hit songs include “Thinkin Bout You,” “Slide,” “White Ferrari,” “Chanel,” and “Nights.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Trans Model Graces the Cover of Vogue’s September Issue, NYFW Will Require Vaccination Proof, and Kendall Jenner Sued

August 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Everyone is excited about New York Fashion Week (NYFW) returning; however, things will be quite different for the spring 2022 season. But that should come as no surprise. COVID-19 has caused a lot of things to change.

In addition to a new venue on Fifth Avenue, NYFW spring 2022 season will now require all attendees at CFDA and IMG venues to show proof of vaccination. This is in accordance to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent announcement that starting September 13, 2020 that New York City gyms, retail stores and indoor venues will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination of a 72-hour COVID-19 negative tests.

“In accordance with the City of New York’s [COVID]-19 vaccination mandate announced this morning, it is the CFDA’s directive that all New York Fashion Week events require proof of vaccination for any guests, staff members or individuals on-site.

Following IMG’s announcement of a vaccination requirement at NYFW: The Shows, we encourage the broader industry to follow suit as it is imperative to place the safety of guests and those working events in the highest priority.

We will be closely following updates and recommendations from the CDC, New York State and City, and will be releasing further detailed guidelines in mid-August,” announced the CFDA on its Instagram account.

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A first for Vogue

Vogue’s September issue is here and for the first time in the history of the publication, a trans model graces the cover of the hallowed September issue. In accordance to where American fashion is heading—embracing diversity, inclusion, and social issues—American Vogue uses it’s September issue to demonstrate that the publication is in step with the new face of American fashion.

Trans model Ariel Nicholson joins of bevy of models—Anok Yai, Bella Hadid, Lola Leon, Sherry Shi, Yumi Nu, Kaia Gerber, and Precious Lee—for this historic September issue. “I feel like fashion has gotten the message that casting models from diverse backgrounds is the absolute bare minimum. But what people are starting to wrap their heads around now is that ‘diversity’ isn’t the point—the point is respect; the point is dignity,” designer Becca McCharen-Tran of innovative and inclusive label Chromat is quoted as saying, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com.

The September issue is all about new beginnings and that is reflected not only in the diverse models used on the cover and inside the pages of the September issue, but also in the wide range of designers used. The diverse group of fashion designers employed in the September issue include Christopher John Rogers, Fe Noel, Brandon Maxwell, and Kerby Jean-Raymond, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Rick Owens, Proenza Schouler, Thom Brown, Carolina Herrera, and many more.

This effort is the work of Vogue editors and photographers Maya Singer, Ethan James Green, and with Tonne Goodman and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. Vogue’s September issue is now available at vogue.com and hits newsstands on August 17.

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Hey Jenner, where is my money?

Supermodel Kendall Jenner is being sued by Italian fashion brand Liu Jo for allegedly breaching her model contract. Liu Jo has filed a legal complaint against Kendall Jenner for not completing two required photo shoots for the brand. According to the legal compliant, Liu Jo is looking for 1.8 million dollars in damages.

Jenner signed a 2019 contract with the Italian fashion brand and only completed one photoshoot. Liu Jo contends that they attempted to reschedule the second photoshoot with Jenner but received no response. Liu Jo has asked for a refund from Jenner, but, yet again, received no response. Kendall Jenner has not responded to said allegations.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Athleta Supports Simone Biles, Boohoo Boots DaBaby, and the NYFW Spring 2022 Calendar Is Here

August 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Earlier in the week, US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics’ gymnastic all-around competition, as well as three of the event finals—Biles qualified for all four event finals. After botching on the vault during the Team event on Sunday, Biles pulled out of most of competition, citing mental health challenges.

Biles has continued to train in the hopes that she would be able to compete and get pass the “twisties,” a body/mind challenge where the gymnast cannot discern their placement in the air when doing very difficult airborne acrobatics. While battling this mind/body challenge, Biles has continued to be very supportive of her team members by being in the stands and routing for them during their competitions.

Biles has also received a ton of support from fans and loved ones while receiving harsh criticism from others on social media. Sportswear brand Athleta, which has been in partnership with Biles since April of this year, has also joined the chorus of supporters.

“We stand by Simone and support her well-being both in and out of competition,” an Athleta spokesperson said in a statement, as reported in cbsnews.com. “Being the best also means knowing how to take care of yourself. We are inspired by her leadership today and are behind her every step of the way.”

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The official NYFW spring 2022 season

The official New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is here!! The CFDA in partnership with IMG has released the official NYFW calendar for the spring 2022 season which includes 90-plus shows and presentations. NYFW week will be from September 7-12.

The first official show of the season will be Ulla Johnson on September 8. Others showing will be Rodarte, Gabriela Hearst, Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, Sergio Hudson, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Proenza Schouler, Coach, Michael Kors, Brandon Maxwell, Zero Maria Cornejo, Markarian, Telfar, Khaite, Staud, Jason Wu, Kevan Hall, Victor Glemaud, and Rebecca Minkoff.

Tom Ford is making a return to NYFW with Rachel Comey, Carolina Herrera, and Wes Gordon presenting anniversary collections for the spring 2022 season. Altuzarra and Thom Browne are also returning with Peter Dundas of DUNDAS presenting at NYFW for the first time. Moschino is also showing which promises to be one of the hottest tickets of the season.

“New York Fashion Week is back with a diverse lineup representative of the future of American fashion,” CFDA CEO Kolb said, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com. “Our fashion industry has come together as we continue to emerge from the pandemic, and a collaborative spirit is paramount to the success of our creative talents.”

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Loose lips, sink ships

Popular online, affordable, youth-oriented brand Boohoo has severed ties with hip-hop artist Dababy.  Apparently, DaBaby made a homophobic remark on stage in Miami over the past weekend. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two, three weeks, then put your cellphone light up.”

DaBaby has a prolific relationship with BoohooMan, launching a large collection only a few weeks ago with DaBaby, as well as several marketing campaigns. However, DaBaby’s recent rant has caused the fast-fashion brand to pause their relationship.

“BoohooMan [condemns] the use of homophobic language and confirm we will no longer be working with DaBaby,” [the brand] said, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Diversity and inclusion are part of the Boohoo Groups DNA and we pride ourselves on representing the diverse customers we serve across the globe. We stand by and support the LGBTQ+ community, and do not tolerate any hate speech or discrimination in any form.”

DaBaby on Monday responded by referencing his gay fans and positive interactions with openly gay friends and celebrities.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Naomi Osaka’s and Megan Thee Stallion’s Sports Illustrated Swimwear Cover, Fashion Brands Distance from Kris Wu, and New York Men’s Day Is Back

July 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Naomi Osaka and Megan Thee Stallion grace multiple covers of the new Sports Illustrated Swimwear issue along with trans model Leyna Bloom. This three-cover issue is a precedent for Sports Illustrated Swimwear.

There are other precedents in this issue. Osaka is the first black athlete to grace the cover, Megan Thee Stallion is the first rapper to be on the cover, and Bloom is the first transgender model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimwear.

This diversity and inclusion in this groundbreaking issue was intentional. “If there’s one thing that our cover models have in common, it’s that they don’t have one thing in common,” she said. “They look different, have different upbringings, have different passions and inspirations. But each is a reminder that beauty comes in many forms,” explained Sports Illustrated editor-in-chief MJ Day, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com.

There are 25 other diverse models in the current issue of Sports Illustrated Swimwear. The issues hit newsstands on July 22.

Image courtesy of fashionreverie.com

NYMD returns

New York Men’s Day (NYMD) returns to New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Instead of it being an entity attached to the now defunct New York Fashion Week: Mens (NYFWM), NYMD is now attached to NYFW, presenting its menswear designers on the first day, September 8, of NYFW.

NYMD also has a new venue, Canoe Studios. NYMD will present two new emerging designers in addition to the other eight menswear designers on the roster. Menswear designers presenting include A.Potts (genderless) Carter Young (menswear), Chelsea Grays (menswear), KoH T (menswear & womenswear), ONYRMRK (menswear), Stan (genderless), Teddy Vonranson (menswear),  and the STOLEN GARMENT (gender neutral). William Frederick (genderless) and FRIED RICE (genderless) are presenting for the first time.

John Legend will present his footwear collaboration with Sperry during NYMD. Sperry is also one of the sponsors of NYMD along with Watchfinder & Co, the resource for pre-owned luxury watches.

“We are thrilled to be bringing NYMD back to in-person events this September during New York Fashion Week,” Erin Hawker of Agentry PR says, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com.  “It has been an interesting learning experience during the COVID-19 global pandemic, as we navigated digital showings for our designers. We are excited to incorporate what we have learned in the past and put forward an experience like no other in-person activation this season. Our mission remains the same, to provide a platform and voice for emerging new talent to be discovered. We could not have done this without the support of our existing and current sponsors, and partnerships that share our vision. Allowing us to showcase physical events locally and the ability to reach a global network digitally, NYMD continues to propel forward and evolve with time.” 

Image courtesy of koreaboo.com

Trouble for Kris Wu

More fashion brands have dropped Kris Wu or are suspending collaborations with the Chinese pop idol since allegations of sexual abuse have come out. Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, and Porsche have joined other fashion brands that are putting a distance between themselves and Wu. Lancome announced that their partnership with Wu expired in June.

On Sunday, Chinese news portal NetEase reported that 19-year old student Du Meizhu accused Wu of date-raping her. Du contends that Wu attempted to buy off her silence after the date rape by offering her 500,000 RMB ($77,100). Du Meizhu plans to go ahead with legal proceedings against Kris Wu. On social media Wu has denied the allegations.

Since Du Meizhu has come forward, other alleged victims have come forward. Wu, as well as his staff, have been accused of questionable actions, such as inviting young females to alcohol-induced karaoke parties with the Chinese pop star.

“I only met Miss Du once at a friend’s gathering, I didn’t ply her with alcohol … I have never ‘coerced women into sex’ or engaged in ‘date rape’,” the megastar also known as Wu Yifan, wrote on Monday.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: NYFW’s New Venue, “Making the Cut’s” Second Season, and Mugler Retrospective to Debut at the Louvre

July 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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New York Fashion Week (NYFW) has a new home. For the first time ever, NYFW will have fashion shows and presentations on Fifth Avenue.  The Fifth Avenue Association has provided a new three-story venue that will house several shows and presentations for the upcoming spring 2022 runway season.

The new location is 608 Fifth Avenue, between 48th and 49th Streets, conveniently across the street from Saks Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. The venue will house a runway and presentation space, boasting state-of-the-art lighting, staging, and sound. 

“This September’s New York Fashion Week promises to amplify the immense creativity of the American fashion industry,” explained Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, as reported in the dailyfrontrow.com. “New York City is not only an evergreen inspiration to our talented designers but also the ideal setting for the week. CFDA welcomes Fifth Avenue, with its storied history of providing a home to so many iconic fashion brands, to NYFW.”

“We are thrilled to welcome New York Fashion Week to Fifth Avenue as we celebrate and support one of the largest revenue-generating events for the fashion industry—and what better place than on Fifth Avenue, the heart of global fashion and luxury shopping,”  said Jerome Barth, Fifth Avenue Association’s president, detailed in fashionnetwork.com. “We look forward to being home to emerging designers and top talent this year and beyond.”

NYFW: The Shows spring 2022 season will take place in New York City September 8 through September 12.

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“Making the Cut” is back

“Making the Cut” returns on Friday, July 16 for its second season on Amazon Prime hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Season 2 will have new judges, Winnie Harlow and Jeremy Scott.

Season 2 will include fashion designers from India, France, Poland, Colombia, the UK, Australia. and the US. The new season was shot in September of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with production concluded around the third week of October 2020. The season was filmed in Malibu, California.

Image courtesy of theuntitledmagazine.com

Thierry Mugler comes to the Louvre

Though Thierry Mugler actively retired from his brand in 2002, his brand MUGLER continues. It has been announced that the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) of the Louvre will host the Mugler exhibition, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, in September. The exhibition will highlight and examine Thierry Mugler’s multidisciplinary talents, and ideas that influenced fashion, photography, video music culture, perfumery, and gay rights. 

Thierry Mugler: Couturissime will be staged inside the newly renovated Christine and Stephen A. Schwarzman Fashion Galleries of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The exhibit was initiated, produced, and circulated by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) in 2019. 

Thierry Mugler: Couturissime will showcase ready-to-wear collections and haute couture silhouettes as well as stage costumes, photographs and unpublished archives dating from 1973 to 2014. The exhibit was curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot.

The exhibit will be displayed on two floors at the MAD of the Louvre and will be open from September 30, 2021 to April 24, 2022.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Christian Siriano to Debut First Solo Exhibition, A$AP Rocky’s New Gig, and the Karl Lagerfeld-Kenneth Ize Collaboration Launches

July 9, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Rapper A$AP Rocky has a new job. California-based, youth brand PacSun has hired A$AP Rocky as the brand’s first-ever creative director. A$AP Rocky will hold this position for 18 months.

A$AP Rocky’s duties will include overseeing designer collaborations, brand campaigns, and in-store activations that will support product launches at the PacSun locations in Downtown LA and Soho, New York. A$AP Rocky will also manage “several limited-edition collections that are both nostalgic and forward at the same time.”

 “Our community of customers is looking for something unexpected, that elevates their daily experience and lets them express their personal style. Nobody bridges the gap between high fashion and streetwear like A$AP Rocky,” said PacSun co-CEO Alfred Chang, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “We are proud to welcome him to the PacSun family and energized about making his ideas a reality that can be shared (and worn) by millions and lead a global style conversation,” added Chang.

PacSun collaborated with A$AP Rocky for the first time in 2015 on a tee shirt collaboration which a tee shirt with an American flag turned upside down. PacSun believes that A$AP Rocky will continue to keep PacSun on their upward climb in sales. In 2020 PacSun came to more to $700 million in revenue.

“It has been an inspiring creative process for our team to work alongside A$AP Rocky for the past 18 months,” commented PacSun president Brieane (Brie) Olson. “The design process working with Rocky has really allowed the PacSun brand, which has always been built on youth culture, to connect design innovation with what is happening from a cultural perspective and translate that into coveted unique product offerings and design collaborations for our consumer.”
 

Images courtesy of fashionuniteduk.co.uk

Karl Lagerfeld-Kenneth Ize capsule collaboration

On Wednesday, the Karl Lagerfeld-Kenneth Ize capsule collaboration launched with curation by Karine Roitfeld. This gender-neutral capsule collaboration draws inspiration from Nigerian and European styles with “eye-catching prints with smart silhouettes.”

Kenneth Ize is based in Nigeria and many pieces in the capsule collection use traditional Nigerian aso oke cloth with all the fabrics for the accessories in this collection sourced from Nigeria. The color palette of this capsule collection is Chanel’s signature color palette of black and white with pops of bold color.

The collection includes a range of tailored separates, knitted tops and pants, “flowing silhouettes and sharp, casual pieces that can easily be worn with more sophisticated looks,” as reported in fashionnetwork.com. Price points range from £85/€99 and rising to £600/€695, with the collection available in the Paris Saint Germain and Regent Street, London Karl Lagerfeld physical stores, as well as via the Lagerfeld webstore, plus Farfetch and the Browns online store.

Kenneth Ize explained that working on the collection “allowed [him] to play with the brand’s existing style codes and expand my own approach to design.” And Carine Roitfeld detailed that “there’s a freshness to Kenneth’s designs that is so very different, and it creates a nice contrast to the brand’s DNA. I’m certain that Karl would have loved the collection and its exploration of [color] and culture.”

Image courtesy of glamour.com

Siriano’s Debut Exhibition

In September Christian Siriano will debut his first solo exhibition in Savannah, Georgia at the SCAD Museum of Art. The exhibition will be open to the public from September 24 through January 30, 2022. Entitled ‘People Are People,” this debut exhibit will be a part of SCAD’s 10th anniversary celebration.

“It is such an unbelievable honor to follow in the footsteps of so many great designers who have exhibited their work at SCAD,” Siriano said, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “As a young designer it was always been my dream to create and inspire others especially a young generation and I truly hope this exhibit does that. This exhibition is a celebration of people and all their beauty.”

“It is an honor to dedicate an exhibition at SCAD MoA to Christian Siriano’s incredible body of work and highlight the undeniable impact he has had on the fashion industry,” said Rafael Gomes, director of fashion exhibitions at SCAD and curator for People Are People.  “His stunning creations are vibrant, whimsical, and combine beautiful craftsmanship with a unique point of view and upbeat positivity. We are proud to recognize Christian during this momentous year for SCAD’s museum.”

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Scarlett Johansson’s Beauty Brand, Skims Connects to US Olympic Team, and Kylie Cosmetics Relaunches

July 2, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of people.com

Kim Kardashian keeps expanding her empire.  Kardashian’s her undergarment/loungewear/shapewear brand Skims has been named the official undergarment and pajama brand for the US Olympic team and the US Paralympic team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

When Kim launched her Skims in 2018, few predicted that this brand would achieve the market saturation that has been achieved. Valued at 1.6 million dollars, Skims has become one of the go-to brands for consumers that are looking for undergarments that not only support the body but also has a shaping component.

For the US Olympic team, Skims has created an assortment of bralettes, tee shirts, briefs, tank tops, leggings, socks, and more—each of which flaunt a United States flag emblem and Olympic rings. And Kardashian has tapped current Olympians Alex Morgan, Scout Bassett, Haley Anderson, A’ja Wilson, and Dalilah Muhammad to model the Tokyo Olympic collections. This new collection is available for consumers at skims.com.

Image courtesy of newbeauty.com

Scarlett Johansson tips into the skincare pool

Scarlett Johansson is the latest celebrity to dip into the beauty brand pool.  Though there is no name for the beauty brand, the launch date is in early 2022. The skincare beauty brand will be backed by Najafi Companies—the same private investment beauty firm behind Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern—as well as Moon Oral Care, Johansson will chair the skincare line.

Johansson will be assisted in this endeavor by fashion executive Kate Foster, who has previously worked with Juicy Couture and Victoria’s Secret Beauty. With her co-founder Kate Foster and Najfi Companies, Johansson will operate independently, maintaining her creative input and vision.

Johansson has previously served as a brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris and Dolce & Gabbana. There is currently no information on the types of product that will be included in Johansson’s beauty brand.

Image courtesy of allure.com

Kylie Cosmetics goes vegan

Kylie Cosmetics is relaunching as a clean, vegan brand with new formulas. American beauty conglomerate Coty, Inc announced this change in direction for Kylie Cosmetics on this past Thursday. Coty, Inc bought a majority share in Kylie Cosmetics in November 2019.

“We are excited about the relaunch of Kylie Cosmetics with a reformulated range that is really at the forefront of everything Gen Z wants,” said Sue Y. Nabi, Coty’s CEO, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Kylie Cosmetics is followed by many millions of people across the world. Our new online platform, along with selected retailers, allows consumers to buy their whole beauty routine in one space, from the cleanser to the moisturizer, the highlighter, or the lip color.”

“I’m so proud to relaunch Kylie Cosmetics with all new formulas that are clean and vegan,” said Kylie Jenner. “Innovation has come far in the past few years. When creating this line, it was so important to me to commit to using clean ingredients across the board, but to never sacrifice performance. My new lip kit has 8-hour wear and is so comfortable on the lips, and all my new formulas are amazing. I’m excited for everyone to try the new products.”

The updated formulas have been created without the use of animal oils, parabens, or gluten, along with a long list of over 1,600 other potentially harmful and irritating ingredients. There will also be a new packaging, as well as a new way to shop Kylie Cosmetics.

The relaunched Kylie Cosmetics will be available to consumers on July 15 through a new direct-to-consumer website, as well as such stores as Harrods and Selfridges in the UK, Douglas in Europe, and Mecca in Australia. The brand will be available in the US in Ulta Beauty stores in August 2021.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Victoria Beckham Combines Brands, Harlem Fashion Row announces “Close the Gap” winners, and Telfar Clemons Designs Olympic Opening Ceremony Uniforms for Liberia

June 25, 2021 by 1 Comment

Image courtesy of teenvogue.com

The Tokyo Olympics are less than a month away and already the fashion pundits are lining up to review Opening Ceremony uniforms. What most industry professionals have access to is previews of the Opening Ceremony uniforms. And to that respect Liberia’s Opening Ceremony uniforms is one of the first countries giving a sneak preview.

Telfar Clemons, who is designing the Liberian Opening Ceremony uniforms, released a preview of his designs via Instagram. The image on Instagram show a blue and white design referencing Telfar’s unisex one-shouldered tank. 

The partnership with Clemons came due to Liberian Olympic sprinter Emmanuel Matadi’s familiarity with Clemons due to his girlfriend being a fan of Clemons’ handbags. Matadi approached the Liberian attaché, Kouty Mawenh, about a possible collaboration.

When asked about his designs for the Liberian team, Clemons told the New York Times, “It’s all things you can’t find. They said, ‘Go crazy.’ So, I did.”

Though Clemons had never designed activewear before, he was excited about this opportunity. The uniforms are currently being tested and adjusted to meet performance requirements. Fans of the activewear will be able to purchase selections from the Opening Ceremony uniforms in September as a part of Telfar Clemons wider workout and sportswear line.

The Tokyo Olympics begin with Opening Ceremonies on July 23, 201.

Images courtesy of runwaymagazine.com

Victoria Beckham changes direction

When Victoria Beckham revealed her new pre-spring 2022 fashion collection, there was an obvious adjustment. Like many British fashion brands, Beckham has combined her two fashion brands—Victoria by Victoria Beckham and Victoria Beckham—into one signature brand. Additionally, Beckham has adjusted her brands’ price points.

Beckham seeks to return her brand to a positive financial position after being in the red for several seasons. Though celebrated for her sophisticated, fashion-forward collections, Beckham has struggled to turn the positive reviews about her collection into positive retail sales.

All that is looking to change with some restructuring. French luxury vehicle, NEO Investment Partner, is coming on board as an investment partner and their will be shift in direction with new CEO Marie Leblanc de Reynies and Chairman Ralph Toledano.

“We think of it as this as a rebirth. We are very excited about this collection as we have put Victoria by Victoria Beckham and Victoria Beckham into one cohesive collection, with a more accessible entry price point. To me this is a sweet spot,” explained Beckham, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

Instead of the eight fashion collections that Beckham produced early year, the brand will scale back to just four collections. Beckham will also reduce the cost on her signature collection, which will be midway between Victoria Beckham and Victoria by Victoria Beckham’s price points.

“Before I struggled to know where [I] would go for affordable luxury for designer clothe—so we see this as a sweet spot. Plus, people constantly compliment us on the execution of the garments, which is great,” Beckham concedes.

Image courtesy of fashionnetwork.com

Fashion scholarships for HBCUs

The Gap and Harlem Fashion Row announced the winners of its “Close the Gap” scholarships, which is awarded to historically black universities and colleges (HBCU). The pool of scholarships amounts to over $510,000 dollars this year, making it the largest fashion scholarship ever presented to an HBCU by a fashion retailer.

The aim of the “Close the Gap” scholarship is to give educational opportunities to the next generation of black fashion industry professionals. The award recipients include two scholarships of $100,000 to North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T; Five scholarships of $50,000 to Delaware State University, Howard University, Bowie State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Tennessee State University; and three scholarships of $20,000 to the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Clark Atlanta University and Norfolk State University.

“It is a great honor for us to partner with a global leader in the fashion world to kick off the inaugural awards ceremony that will turn into a yearly event,” said Brandice Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row. “We are coming together as one to not only address pipeline issues of diversity and inclusion in the industry but also to help give them tools and guidance the next generation needs to take the fashion industry to new heights.”

—William S. Gooch

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