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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

 

Fashion News Alert: Edward Enninful to Leave British Vogue, Moschino Celebrates 40 Years, and Is Gabriela Hearst Leaving Chloe?

June 8, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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Lots of folks were excited when Edward Enninful took over the helm of British Vogue, especially people of color. As the first black to serve as editor-in-chief at a British fashion magazine, Enninful had many accomplishments since taking over British Vogue in 2017.

As a high-profile advocate of diversity and inclusion, Enniful put first mixed-race model on the cover of British Vogue. He also allowed the first man, Timothée Chalamet, to grace the cover of British Vogue in 2022, and he also placed the first climate activist, Greta Thunberg, on the cover.

Enninful will stay within the Conde Nast family, assuming the position of Vogue‘s global creative and cultural advisor. He will continue as association with British Vogue as an editorial advisor.

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Bye, bye Gabriela?

Wagging fashion tongues are projecting that Gabriela Hearst is creating her last collection for iconic French brand Chloe. This collection will debut at Paris Fashion Week in September.

Since assuming the creative directorship of Chloe three years ago, Hearst accomplished a lot. During her watch, Chloe’s sales rose close to the billion-dollar mark. And Chloe became the first luxury brand to receive a B-Corp certification.

Though Chloe representatives have confirmed Hearst’s departure, it is believed that Hearst wants to leave and concentrate on her eponymous brand which has been funded by LVMH over the past few years. What has been confirmed is the partnership between Hearst and Angelina Jolie on a capsule collection for Chloe of evening wear and ready-to-wear inspired by Jolie’s glamorous style. The capsule collection will be made from low-impact materials.

Image courtesy of tomandlorenzo.com

Happy 40th Moschino

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Moschino, the iconic Italian fashion brand is staging a special show on September 21 during Milan’s Women’s Fashion Week. Since Moschino has not named a creative director since Jeremy Scott exited the brand, four fashion luminaries—Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, Katie Grand, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, and Lucia Liu—will create 10 garments a piece for the special show. All the garments will be inspired by Moschino founder and creative director Franco Moschino.

Franco Moschino died in 1994 and was spearheaded by Rosella Jardini for many years after Franco Moschino’s death. With Jeremy Scott at the helm of Moschino, the brand became the Aeffe Group’s most profitable brand, bringing in 273.3 million dollars in sales in 2022.

—William S. Gooch

 

Calvin Klein Celebrates LGBTQIA+, Target Removes LGBTQ Merchandise, and Ryan Gosling Graces GQ Cover

May 31, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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Calvin Klein has a new campaign celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. This past Tuesday the brand launched its dubbed ‘Let It Out,’ the campaign, shot by Karim Sadli, starring actors Amandla Stenberg and Brandon Flynn. The campaign celebrates individuality and authenticity.

The campaign highlights the “This Is Love” collection which includes underwear styles featuring rainbow color palettes and bold color-blocking. The campaign also features new mesh fabrications from its Modern Cotton Underwear line, as well as apparel including versatile pieces designed to be mixed and matched, with bold graphics displaying ‘This Is Love.’

Calvin Klein has long been a supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. To date, the iconic brand has committed over $220,000 to NGOs including PFLAG National, ILGA World, Transgender Law Center, and more.

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Ryan and Ken

Martha Stewart made a lot of heads turn by recently gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimwear edition. Well, Ryan Gosling is also making heads turn as he graces the cover of GQ’s 2023 summer edition.

Ryan Gosling’s GQ cover is the perfect lead-in for the new “Barbie” movie which hits movie theaters July 21. Interviewed by GQ staff writer Zach Baron, Gosling talks his controversial casting as Ken in “Barbie.” I would say, you know, if people don’t want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with,” he tells GQ. “It is funny … this kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken. Like you ever thought about Ken before this? … But suddenly, it’s like, ‘No, we’ve cared about Ken this whole time.’ No, you didn’t. You never did. You never cared. Barbie never f***ed with Ken. That’s the point. If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So, your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told,” stated Gosling, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com.

In this very rugged, cowbo-inspired GQ cover and editorial, Gosling is styled by George Cortina and photographed by Gregory Harris.

Photo/Seth Wenig)

A pride-less Target

Customer backlash is causing Target to remove some its LGBTQ Pride merchandise. Target exhibited its Pride Collection in the beginning of May. Target’s Pride Collection included more than 2,000 products which included books, clothing, music, and home products.

Target has been celebrating Pride Month for over a decade. Up until the monthof May there had been very few complaints about the LGBTQ merchandise in stores. “The criticism has been widespread,” Target spokesperson Kayla Castaneda told Reuters, calling the withdrawal of some products “adjustments.”

“Folks are reaching out with feedback … and while some are sharing it with constructive criticism, they disagree with product decisions that we made,” she said, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Given these volatile circumstances, we are removing merchandise that is the target of (customer) ire,” Castaneda said regarding the scrutiny for its association with British designer Eric Carnell.

This year there have been several confrontations in Target stores over the Pride Collection with some customers complaining, even pulling merchandise off the shelves, and throwing Pride Collection merchandise on the floor. The products that seemed to cause the most uproar is merchandise that had a transgender overtone.

William S. Gooch

 

 

Fashion News Alert: Martha Stewart Graces Sports Illustrated Swimwear Cover, Peter Do’s New Gig, and Timothée Chalamet and Chanel

May 12, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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New York City wagging fashion tongues are really wagging as it was recently announced that Peter Do will be the new creative director at Helmut Lang. The Vietnamese designer new gig is effective next Monday.

Peter Do will remain at his eponymous brand while assuming his post at Helmut Lang. His first collection for Helmut Lang, fall 2024, will be seen at New York Fashion Week in September.

 “Last year, when I was thinking about the next move in my career, one thing remained consistent even when everything else felt uncertain. I needed to continue doing my part in helping the city I love most regain its stature as the center of gravity for everyone who cares about radical thinking in fashion,” he wrote, as reported in dailyfrontrow.com.

“During the most formative days of my own fashion education, no one embodied this spirit more definitively than Helmut Lang. As such, it is my deep honor to be entrusted with ushering in the next chapter of Helmut Lang’s legacy. I am thrilled to learn from the foundations this house stands on and to continue creating new, energetic clothes that inspire people to challenge their understanding of what is possible when it comes to expressing their individuality,” Peter Do continued.

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Sexy Martha

Who says nothing exciting happens to anyone in fashion who is over the age of 60? Well, Martha Stewart has proven that a life in fashion can extend even past 80. Stewart, aged 81, has landed the cover of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimwear Issue.

“When I heard that I was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated [Swimwear], I thought, ‘Oh, that’s pretty good, I’m going to be the oldest person I think ever on a cover of Sports Illustrated,’” Stewart said, adding, “And I don’t think about age very much, but I thought that this is kind of historic.”

Martha posed for the 2023 swimsuit issue in the Dominican Republic. The 2023 swimsuit issue showcases Stewart in a total of ten looks.

Martha Stewart started her professional modeling career at age 15. Later, her lifestyle company became an international media sensation. Stewart’s modeling career in terms of longevity now ranks with Carmen dellO’refice, and Maye Musk.

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Timothée Chalamet’s new job

Chanel continues to employ new brand ambassadors. And actor Timothée Chalamet has become one of the new faces of Chanel.

The brand has chosen Chalamet as the new face of men’s fragrance, Bleu de Chanel. Chalamet will film a commercial for the Bleu de Chanel fragrance in New York City. The commercial will be directed by Martin Scorsese.

Though Chalamet has never had any affiliation or connection to Chanel, he has been a red-carpet favorite for many fashion brands. “With a dynamic energy as raw as it is refined, the 27-year-old actor has gained a distinguished worldwide reputation, while still at the dawn of his career. Apart from his audacious style and unapologetic charm, Timothée Chalamet personifies the visionary and edgy spirit of the next chapter of Bleu de Chanel: a man who does not limit himself to the ordinary boundaries life sets and looks beyond what is visible,” explained the brand in a statement, relating to the brand’s reasons for choosing Chalamet, as detailed in a fashionnetwork.com article.

Chalamet rose to fame after his 2017 Oscar-nominated performance in Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 coming of age film “Call Me by Your Name.”

William S. Gooch 

Fashion News Alert: Versace Teams Up with Duo Lipa, Investors Sue Adidas for Ousting Kanye West, and Karl Lagerfeld Documentary Gets Five-Star Rating

May 5, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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Because of a sharp drop in profits, some American investors have sued Adidas over the brand’s split with hip hop icon Kanye West. Investors claim that Adidas knew about Kanye West’s erratic behavior for years and put no precautionary measures in place to deal with West’s bad behavior.

According to fashionnetwork.com, The class action lawsuit was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court in Oregon. The Herzogenaurach-based company as well as its former CEO Kasper Rorsted and CFO Harm Ohlmeyer are named as defendants, while an investment fund from the U.S. state of Virginia is named as the lead plaintiff. Adidas has countered back by saying that, “[they] outright reject these unfounded claims and will take all necessary measures to defend ourselves vigorously against them.”

Adidas severed ties with Kanye West in October 22 after West continued making anti-Semitic remarks. West’s Yeezy products had been a major cash cow for Adidas. And now that Kanye West is no longer with the company, Adidas is expecting a 1.2 billion loss in profits in 2023.

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The mystery of Lagerfeld

In case you haven’t heard, right now in fashion, it is Karl Lagerfeld, Karl Lagerfeld, Karl Lagerfeld. On the heels of the Met Gala Karl Lagerfeld-themed red carpet and exhibition, On May 2, the Karl Lagerfeld documentary “The Mysterious Mr. Lagerfeld” aired on the BBC to a five-star rating.

“The Mysterious Mr. Lagerfeld” gives viewers a bird’s eye look into the world of high fashion seen through the lens of Karl Lagerfeld’s work at Chanel and through his many various relationships, business partnerships, and allegiances. If you are looking learn more about Lagerfeld’s work at Chloe or Fendi, this documentary is not about that.

In the “Mysterious Mr. Lagerfeld” you will learn a little about the romantic life of Karl Lagerfeld, you will hear first-hand accounts of Lagerfeld from the models he worked with, you will also hear testimony from Carine Roitfeld (also a Lagerfeld collaborator) and Colombe Pringle; plus his muse Amanda Harlech; and assorted others such as a Paris neighbor, a former friend, his lawyer, and his doctor. And of course you will learn about his pet cat, Choupette.

More importantly you will get a more total picture of who Lagerfeld was beyond his fashion sensibilities and enormous success in fashion. And like most good biographical documentaries, this documentary leaves you wishing Lagerfeld had lived just a little bit longer.

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The summer of Lipa and Versace

Dua Lipa and Donatella Versace have teamed up to create a luxury vacation fashion line which will be presented during the Cannes Film Festival on May 23. The new collaboration, La Vacanza, is a part of the Versace High Summer fashion line.

Dua Lipa’s affiliation with Versace goes back further than this collaboration. The Albanian pop singer walked in Versace’s spring 2022 fashion show.

Dua Lipa is not only connected to the house of Versace; she has worked and collaborated with several fashion brands. Lipa is the face of one of Yves Saint Laurent’s fragrances. She created a collection for Pepe Jeans in 2021. And she was one of the hosts of the 2023 Met Gala.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Fashion News Alert: Tom Ford Leaves His Namesake, Boss Collabs with NFL Players, The Woolmark Prize Inspired by Performance Art

April 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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We are all aware that since Estee Lauder acquired the Tom Ford brand for 2.3 billion dollars, Ford is stepping down as creative director of his eponymous brand. For his final collection Tom Ford looked to his 13 collections for inspiration.

Looks for Ford’s final collection included sequin football jerseys, a velvet suit, lots of leopard prints, the Zendaya-approved molten breast plate, and the type of slinky body-hugging gowns we have all come to love. And of course, the final collection was modeled by Ford’s bevy of model beauties—Joan Smalls, Amber Valetta, Karlie Kloss, Karen Elson, Caroline Trentini, and many more.

Peter Hawkings will be the new creative director of Tom Ford. Hawkings previously serving as Senior Vice President of Tom Ford’s menswear division. Hawkings worked with Tom Ford for over twenty-five years.

“In Peter Hawkings the brand has found the perfect Creative Director,” Tom Ford said in a statement. “Peter began working with me 25 years ago as a menswear design assistant at Gucci and rapidly worked his way up to become the senior men’s designer at the company when he left to join me at the Tom Ford brand.” Ford continued, saying “Since the creation of Tom Ford menswear, Peter has been instrumental in the success of the brand. He is an incredibly talented leader with tremendous industry experience, and his appointment gives me confidence that my commitment to creating fashion products with the highest level of design and quality will continue.”

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Boss partners with the NFL

Boss, once called Hugo Boss, is launching a sportswear brand by collaborating with NFL players. Partnering with the National Football League this season and next season until the 2024 Superbowl, Boss has developed a capsule collection that will include hoodies, sweatshirts, tee shirts, polo shirts and tracksuits in black, white, and blue. 

“We are delighted with this new partnership with the NFL and to be able to offer our customers a wide range of clothing featuring their [favorite] teams. This collection pays tribute to the players and the high level of training they put in season after season with a strong, all-encompassing message about what it means to commit and play like a boss,” said Marco Falcioni, head of creative direction at Hugo Boss in a statement, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

During the NFL draft, Boss opened a pop-up store in Kansas City from April 27 through April 29 that will house the capsule collection. There will also be an e-pop shop where consumers can purchase the product. Prices range from $98 to $198.

Image courtesy of The Woolmark Company

The Woolmark Prize combines, fashion, dance and performance art

If you are not familiar with the International Woolmark Prize, you should be. The International Woolmark Prize encourages designers to think beyond today, embrace wool as a naturally innovative and sustainable fiber and showcase its basis for new technologies and development to meet the discerning needs of tomorrow’s customer.

One finalist will be awarded the International Woolmark Prize by a prestigious panel of industry experts and receive AU$200,000 to invest in the development of their business. The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be awarded to another finalist, with the winner receiving AU$100,000. The Woolmark Supply Chain Award will also be presented, celebrating outstanding contributions from a trade partner to driving wool-supply chain  innovation. All finalists will have the opportunity to be stocked in some of the world’s leading stores, via the International Woolmark Prize Retailer Network.

For this 2023 International Woolmark Prize there is an intergenerational dialogue between iconic innovative performance artist Joan Jonas and leading design talent A. ROEGE HOVE, Bluemarble, Lagos Space Programme, MARCO RAMBALDI, MAXXIJ, Paolina Russo, RHUDE and Robyn Lynch. This dialogue is expressed in the film “DIALOGUE,” which is a restaging and reinterpretation of Joan Jonas’ 1972 performance piece, “Delay, Delay.”

“Years ago, I would not have participated in a project like this,” says Joan Jonas. “But I’ve since become very interested in how people interpret my work, how they might be influenced by it and how it might change the way they view their own work.” “Delay, Delay was performed outdoors in the Lower West Side of Manhattan in empty lots. Those places don’t exist anymore in New York, in that way. The fact that Woolmark found a site near Marseille in France to restage parts of it, and that the work would be transformed by younger people—I find very interesting.

Creative directed by Zak Kyes, the film brings together directors Partel Oliva and choreographer Josh Johnson. Special guest appearances include writer Naomi Shimada, muse Sonia Ichti, ballet dancer Samuel Pereira and Marseille-based creatives: Valentine Valero, Hanna-May Porlon, and Luka Isaac. An original score is composed by British electronic producer and musician Loraine James.

—William S. Gooch

  

Fashion News Alert: Gap Collabs with Mattel, Tommy Hilfiger Honors Andy Warhol, and Goodbye Mary Quant

April 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment

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Barbie is not just inspiring a new movie starring Margot Robbie, the iconic doll is also the reference for a new fashion collaboration with The Gap and Barbie’s parent company, Mattel. The collaboration launches on May 23 in select Gap stores and online at gap.com about two months from the opening of the new “Barbie” film.

“We are excited to partner with Gap to combine Mattel’s iconic brand portfolio with Gap’s signature products,” said Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer and global head of consumer products at Mattel, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “We look forward to working together to offer our fans fun, quality clothing for the entire family, plus a new way to embrace their favorite Mattel brands, franchises, characters and stories.”

“Gap’s partnership with Mattel represents two iconic brands collaborating on products that customers can wear as a family, pets included, and have fun,” added Christopher Goble, head of merchandising at Gap. “Each launch will celebrate our optimistic spirit of individuality and connection through creative expression and play. I can’t wait for people around the world to create memories with Gap x Mattel.”

This collaboration launches in contingent with the Gap x Barbie collection. The Gap x Barbie collection is an offering of tees, skirts, logo hoodies, denim, button-downs and accessories as well as pet apparel, all designed on Gap’s product icons featuring classic Barbie branding and Gap’s signature arch typeface.

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Tommy and Andy

Tommy Hilfiger and Andy Warhol appear to be compatible bedfellows. Once again, Hilfiger is paying homage to Warhol with a new capsule collection.

 This past fall, Hilfiger created the ‘Tommy Factory,’ a creative experimental workspace modeled on Warhol’s ‘The Factory’ from the 1960s.  Consumers experienced the creative of the ‘Tommy Factory,’ evidenced in Hilfiger fall 2022 campaign.

“Andy [Warhol]’s fascination with pop culture always captured the heart and spirit of the American society. His ability to connect with what was most relevant has never ceased to inspire me in everything I do,” said Tommy Hilfiger in a fashionnetwork.com article, about the launch of Tommy Factory, back in August. 

The 28-piece homage collection offers garments for both men and women, inspired by the ease and artistic energy of Montauk, Warhol’s famous seaside retreat. Product span tops and shorts, swimwear, footwear, and accessories like hats and bags. Pieces embrace a nautical theme with inspired prints and sunset hues and ocean blues. 

Image courtesy of thenationaldesk.com

Mary Quant transitions

British fashion designer Mary Quant, a key contributor to the British fashion invasion of the 1960s, has died. As a part of the Swinging Sixties and the women’s revolution in fashion, Mary Quant is best remembered as one of fashion designers that ushered in the minidress.

After studying fashion illustration at Goldsmiths University, with her husband and a friend Archie McNair, Quant opened the store, Bazaar, in London in 1955. The store Bazaar was an avant-garde store that housed fashion, art, music, and a bar. Quickly Bazaar became a meeting place for London’s artistic set and celebrities.

By the mid-1960s there were three stores and Quant began showing her designs in the stores. Early on the stores carried her overall minidress and red plastic mackintosh with a white collar. By the end of the 1960s, JC Penny was carrying Quant’s designs.

Later, Quant segued into the cosmetics market. Her cosmetic products were so popular in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, that it was unlikely that beauty mavens did not own a product from Quant’s makeup line. Quant’s cosmetic line was bought by a Japanese company in 2000 and is still manufactured.

Mary Quant was 93 years old at the time of her death.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Adriana Lima Is Back, Mugler and H&M Collab, and Michael Roberts Transitions

April 6, 2023 by Leave a Comment

As you may have heard, Victoria’s Secret is bringing back their iconic runway show. And supermodel Adriana Lima is returning to Victoria’s Secret as a brand ambassador and as the face of its new Heavenly Dream Angel Eau de Parfum campaign.

According to Victoria’s Secret, there is more to come from the 41-year-old supermodel and mother of three in 2023. “I’m so excited to be working with Victoria’s Secret again, the brand has always been like family to me,” Lima said in a release, as reported in the dailyfrontrow.com. “Being the face of this iconic campaign and fragrance is so special because it beautifully compliments a woman’s radiance, which is symbolic of Victoria’s Secret’s inspiring mission of celebrating every woman. It was amazing being on set again with everyone, and we had the best time bringing this message to life through this timeless fragrance.”

​”It is an honor to have a global icon return as the face of our new Heavenly eau de parfum campaign,” said Tracy Deleu, vice president of creative for Victoria’s Secret beauty and Pink, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

“Adriana is not only a beloved part of the Victoria’s Secret family, but she also encapsulates the essence that makes this fragrance a treasured favorite. As always, Adriana’s captivating energy on the set of this campaign brought the glamorous and luminous feel of this fragrance to the next level, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

The Heavenly Dream Angel Eau de Parfum contains notes of raspberry nectar, amber crystals, and prismatic musk. The campaign was shot by Sølve Sundsbø with Lima a flowing yellow gown.

Image courtesy of tom+Lorenzo.com

Mugler and H&M

H&M has released its lookbook for its collaboration with iconic French fashion house Mugler. The H&M/Mugler collab lookbook is “defined by Mugler’s irrepressible energy: playful, youthful, body-positive, and open to every individual’s identity.” Price points range from $49,99 to $749.

H&M’s Creative Advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson said that “Casey and the Mugler team have been incredibly generous in offering up, so many of the house’s classics and signatures, which shoppers will recognize from the runway and [red carpet].” Many of the garments in the collaboration reflect the Mugler design aesthetic with womenswear garments featuring cinched in waist and oversized shoulders, as well as spiral multi-seaming which appears on the baggy jeans, denim-bonded thong jeans, and jackets.

The menswear garments in this collaboration included jackets with padded shoulders, as well as see-through flocked star-print tops and corseted tanks. Additionally, there is an element of gender fluidity in the collection evidenced in sheer gloves, tights, bags, and scarves. The jewelry also includes silver and gold body chains, as well as earrings and necklaces, with teardrop motifs and the Mugler star.

Interestingly, this H&M collaboration with Mugler includes iconic supermodel Jerry Hall, as well as Connie Fleming, Mariacarla Boscono, Anna Ewers, Arise Won, Sora Choi, Imaan Hammam, Selena Forrest, and more.

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So long, Michael

British fashion journalist/style director Michael Roberts has passed away. Though many Americans may not have known Roberts, Roberts was an important figure in British and European fashion.

Early in his career Roberts held an important role at Tatler magazine. After coming stateside to work with Tina Brown at Vanity Fair in 1984 as style and fashion director, Roberts created some iconic covers under Brown’s helm.

Later he worked with Tina Brown at the New Yorker as fashion director. He also held key positions at British Vogue, Boulevard magazine, and Vanity Fair (Paris).

Roberts published many illustrated books, including GingerNutz: The Jungle Memoir of a Model Orangutan, a book collaborated on with Grace Coddington. In 2017, he directed the 2017 documentary “Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards” about Manolo Blahnik. His photography was published by countless international Vogue editions, as well as The Sunday Times and the Independent on Sunday. Last year, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to fashion.

Michael Roberts died at his home in Sicily, Italy. He was 75 years old.

—William S. Gooch

 

Fashion News Alert: Beyoncé Collabs with Balmain, Veronica Beard Opens Stores in Seoul and Toronto, and Myriam Ullens Murdered

March 31, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of fashionista.com

Beyoncé’s new album, Renaissance, is fostering inspiration in and outside of the music industry. One of those unique places inspired the new album is iconic French fashion house, Balmain.

Balmain creative director, Olivier Rousteing, has created a 16-piece capsule collection with each item relating to a track on the Renaissance album. Obsessed with Beyoncé’s new album, her first in six years, Rousteing paid special attention to Beyoncé’s color preferences, fabrications, and accessories.

But that was not enough, Rousteing felt that the two of them should collaborate on something. “This time, I wasn’t just asking her to be my muse. Instead, I was really hoping that she would be willing to embark on something completely new: a genuine, authentic collaboration between two creators, both obsessed with pushing their art to the next level. I wanted us to be co-designers,” said Rousteing, who asked Beyoncé “to assume the role of partner in designing our Renaissance Couture collection,” as stated in a fashionnetwork.com.

The Renaissance Couture collaboration contains garments that are glamorous and futuristic that border on dark sculptural looks featuring precious details such as feathers, metal accents, lurex, and crystals.

Image courtesy of thebadassCEO.com

Veronica Beard expands

Veronica Beard is one of the fastest growing US brands. Launched in 2009 by two sisters-in-law, the brand now has 21 stores in the US and plan to open namesake stores in Toronto and Seoul, Korea.

“Opening in Seoul is a great gateway for us into the Asian market. We are excited to expand our global footprint in the region and build our presence, explained Veronica Beard, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

“All of our stores are designed with the specific market in mind; we want to ensure our stores are not only a place to shop but also a place to gather and be inspired. Our stores are an articulation of who we are—from the highly personalized services offered to the community events hosted and the inviting atmosphere created. We believe in community building and bringing women together, so we host many events in our stores—over 350 annually.”

Image courtesy of artforum.com

Au revoir Myriam

On Wednesday morning, March 20 Belgian fashion designer Myriam Ullens was found dead in her car from multiple gunshot wounds to her head. Her husband Guy was in the car next to her with apparent gunshot wounds to his leg. The suspect is Ullens’ son-in-law Nicolas Ullens de Schooten who turned himself into the police on Thursday. Currently, there is no motive for the murder.

“The suspect offered no resistance and explained that he had killed his mother-in-law. He was carrying a gun, which was seized. He was taken into custody,” the Walloon Brabant prosecutor’s office told the local press. An investigation, entrusted to the federal judicial police, is underway.

At the time of her death, Myriam Ullens had an estimated wealth of over 2 billion euros. The fashion designer founded the fashion brand Maison Ullens in 2009. Maison Ullens’ fashion DNA has included mouse-grey dinner jackets, slim-fitting trench coats in royal blue lambskin, casual ensembles in pleated unbleached viscose. Maison Ullens’ collections were inspired by Myriam Ullens’ sailing trips that promoted a nomadic, chic luxury lifestyle.

Maision Ullens is sold in Paris, New York City, and Aspen, Colorado, as well as luxury retailers in over 100 countries. Myriam Ullens was 70 years old.

—William S. Gooch

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