July 6, 2023 |
TEN CRAVES IS OUR ONLINE SERIES THAT ROUNDS UP ALL THE BEST PRODUCT LAUNCHES AND MUST-KNOW FASHION HAPPENINGS WEEK IN, WEEK OUT.
JOHN ALEXANDER SKELTON CELEBRATES HORTICULTURE FOR SS24
John Alexander Skelton, the London-based label helmed by CSM grad John Skelton, has just released its garden-inspired SS24 collection – and it’s bloomin’ lovely. Announced via a series of sun-lit images shot in London’s Herne Hill by regular collaborator William Waterworth, the offering fuses the Skelton’s British heritage with a horticultural edge.
The seed for the collection was planted when Skelton read an article about Mike Feingold, a Bristolian who saved an expanse of allotments from being bulldozed by proving their community benefit – a backstory that shows itself throughout the garments. Embroidery references 15th century plant illustrations and fabrics are dyed with natural ingredients. Silhouettes are classic with a modern spin, featuring sleeveless cardigans, collarless shirts and lightweight workwear, perfectly poised for a sunny afternoon in the garden. An assortment of playful patterns combined with functional fastenings give the collection a whimsical energy whilst maintaining practicality.
Highlighting the purpose of the collection, Skelton noted that the techniques used were “an attempt to reinvigorate and refresh one’s perspective about what can be worn in the garden even by pairing with something more unexpected.”
Take a look at the full collection here.
GUCCI GIVES ITS SAINT-TROPEZ STORE A FRENCH LUXURY UPDATE
Gucci has just given its Saint-Tropez store a facelift, and the doors are now open for your summer shopping pleasures. The boutique – which is located between the port and the historic Place des Lices square – spans across two floors, amounting to 200-square-meters all in. Showcasing items from the house’s luxury travel collection – Gucci Valigeria – as well as signature handbags such as the Jackie 1961 and Bamboo 1947, the store pays homage to the Italian label’s heritage and aptitude for timeless design. Staying true to its commitment to eco-friendly endeavors – after instituting a 10-year sustainability plan in 2015 – the establishment was has been designed to promote and monitor efficient energy use.
Effortlessly blending into its glamorous surroundings, the store is situated in a house archetypal of the French Riviera, complete with green shutters and a private garden. Complimented by the interior – which utilises light-toned hues and local materials to emulate the beauty of the Cote D’Azur – mosaic floors and natural oak paneling are intended to evoke an air of comfort for visiting shoppers. The summery palette is reflected in softer details like carpets and curtains, and – to top it all off – guests are able to reserve a private room with special tailored services (obviously, darling).
Continuing its relationship with the high-end holiday destination, Gucci has also collaborated with Saint-Tropez staple Loulou Ramatuelle Beach Club to transform the renowned hot-spot into a Gucci-fied experience from June 1 through to September.
GIORGIO ARMANI SERVES TENNIS CHIC AT HURLINGHAM CLUB
Game, set, Armani! Getting into the full swing of summer, Giorgio Armani recently released the second edition of The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic which took place at London’s Hurlingham Club between June 27 and July 1. Some of the world’s top tennis players were in attendance – with Murray, Djokovic and Rune all taking a spin on the court – and a one-off fashion show was presented in front of a crowd of 1400. There was also a pop-up displaying the full collection, as well as the label’s summer linen offering, seasonal accessories and its timeless La Prima handbag.
Not only did the week-long event showcase the Italian brand’s sumptuous interpretation of the sport, but it also unveiled a tennis-inspired capsule collection. Serving a series of oversized shorts, blazers and knits, pieces were modelled throughout the week by umpires and ball kids, bringing a touch of Italian flair to the club’s historic British setting. Drawing on a navy, white and cream colour palette very familiar with tennis, pieces were emblazoned with a specially developed logo to commemorate the event.
RAPHA GETS A FEMININE MAKEOVER IN NEW SHRIMPS COLLAB
Rapha, the global brand known for its contemporary cycling gear, has just announced the release of a collaboration with London-based womenswear label, Shrimps. Combining Rapha’s focus on high-performance activewear with Shrimps’ feminine aesthetic, the nine-piece capsule offers customers a delightful blend of sporty-chic pieces. Emphasizing both style and functionality, the collection includes items such as a checkered wind jacket with cinchable strings and tank tops adorned with charmingly frilled bottoms. An assortment of first-of-their-kind designs, the unexpected offering aims to encourage more women to discover the joy of cycling.
The collection will be available from rapha.cc and shrimps.com from July 6.
NICHOLAS DALEY DROPS REGGAE-INSPIRED SS24 COLLECTION
Nicholas Daley – the British designer known for his heritage-inspired approach – has just dropped his SS24 collection entitled Reggae Klub. Exploring the impact of roots reggae on the UK’s Afro-Caribbean community, the new release is a clear continuation of the menswear maestro’s AW23 offering, Roots to Rebel, which highlighted the impact of the Black music scene in the Midlands during the 70s and 80s.
This season, Birmingham-based reggae band Steel Pulse and their song “Handsworth Revolutionary” – were Daley’s main muse. Speaking to the impact of the band’s advocation for collective action, class consciousness and black-empowerment, the collection encapsulates the spirit of their influence, repositioning it at the heart of a contemporary, cross-generational dialogue. The work of legendary music photographer Adrian Boot – who shot the band in the late 70s – underpins the collection, with the LVMH-recognised designer using Boot’s imagery as visual cues throughout.
The collection’s use of high-quality materials reaffirms Daley’s commitment to utility and craftsmanship. Deploying his regular use of tartan – this time in seasonal shades of mustard, beige and sienna – to develop a matching cardigan and cargo pant set and a wrap kilt, Daley pays homage to his Dundee roots. Knitted polos and crochet vests mix traditional techniques with more modern silhouettes and garments laced with water-repellent fabric highlight the label’s retained focus on functional design.
View the whole collection via the Nicholas Daley website, here.
PHOTOGRAPHER SPYROS RENNT SHOWCASES QUEER CULTURE IN NEW BOOK
Berlin-based photographer Spyros Rennt has just released his third publication – a collection of raw and perceptive images accumulated in a hardback book entitled Corporeal. Exploring the themes of identity and desire, the Greek creative published and designed the book himself, partnering with multi-disciplinary artist Marwan Kaabour to create the sensual cover.
Featuring a foreword by Dutch curator Maia Kenney, the book highlights the photographer’s experiences within the queer community and underground club scene, both as a member and observer. His personal connection to the subject matter means the images are intimate, tender and, at times, even humorous. Predominantly recording those closest to him, interpersonal relationships are captured through a photojournalistic lens, dancing between both private and public spaces.
Speaking on the release, Rennt noted “My work celebrates queer visibility. I create with the desire to contribute to current emancipatory struggles while remaining relevant and still resonating to future generations. Vulnerable expressions, vivid colours, random gestures are some of the elements I look for when I produce an image.”
The 160-page work is now available for purchase on Spyros’ website. Get your copy here.
AXEL ARIGATO HITS THE ROAD WITH NEW MUSIC TRUCK TOUR
Providing the soundtrack to your summer, Axel Arigato’s 2023 Music Truck Tour is officially underway. Staying true to its ethos of disrupting the industry and bringing people together, the four-week itinerary – which kicked off in Paris on June 21 – will see the custom-built music truck platform a variety of free concerts for a whole slew of audiences around Europe, stopping off in Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam and London.
Committed to showcasing upcoming musical talent from a range of genres, the truck – which is covered head to toe in the London-based brand’s signature light yellow pigment – will stage concerts from the likes of Unknown T, Jarreau Vandal and a curated line-up from Berlin’s bathroom-based radio station, HÖR.
Speaking on the project, creative director Max Svärdh stated, “Music has been pivotal to bringing our communities together – which is why we’ve continually championed the notion that it should be accessible to all. The Axel Arigato Music Truck Tour allows us to continue these ambitions on a truly global scale – linking some of our key audiences together and encouraging them to come together via this medium.”
Fancy yourself a free party? Stay tuned into to Axel Arigato’s various digital channels, as the specific location of each event will be dropped just a few days prior to the event.
ISAMAYA IS DROPPING INDUSTRIAL 2.0
Julia Fox in cyberpunk silver and Richie Shazam in celestial red! Who better to become the faces of Isamaya’s Industrial 2.0 campaign? Out July 11, the updated ranges brings a fresh iteration of the Industrial Pigment Palette to the makeup table with seven new eyeshadow formulas for you to play with. Two adaptations of the Liplacq Lip Serum are on offer too – Rust and Metal – both of which are finished with a shimmering chrome veneer.
To mark a year since the birth of Isamaya French’s eponymous brand, the industry disruptor has announced that alongside the launch, it will be supporting The Outside Project – a shelter and refuge for members of the LGBTIQ+ community who have been victims of domestic abuse. The aid, which will manifest in the form of a monetary donation and a community event, refocuses Isamaya’s attention on bringing attention to issues related to worldwide human displacement, a topic that is close to home for many of its customers. The Outside Project, whose centre is in South London, was set up in response to members of the LGBTIQ+ community who are left endangered, alienated and homeless due to historical and contemporary prejudice in society and in their homes.
PETER DO AND KIKO KOSTADINOV AMONG THOSE BEHIND NEW AT. KOLLECTIVE COLLECTION
At. Kollective – the platform launched by Danish shoemaker Ecco to connect forward-thinking creatives with leather innovation – has just dropped its third collection. Created by a crack team of guest collaborators including Helmut Lang head honcho Peter Do, menswear expert Kiko Kostadinov, architect Anne Holtrop and the brains behind those deflated balloon pumps, Loewe’s Nina Christen, the process kicks off with a visit to Ecco’s leather studios, encouraging each contributor to create something in their own distinct vision.
Do, who rose to prominence at the helm of his namesake label with a keen eye for elevated staples, contributed a series of genderless garments adaptable to a busy life living in New York, as well as his first ever sneaker entitled ‘The Hybrid’. Speaking on his involvement, the Vietnamese designer said, “I was able to be super creative and it made a nice change for me to just be a designer again, 100 percent creative.”
Kostadinov’s travel-heavy life meant his offering came in the form of elevated travel bags. Christen reimagined a series of classic footwear silhouettes (including a “ballerina pump with the attitude of a sneaker”) and Holtrop’s donation came in the form of a leather table presented as an installation at Paris Fashion Week.
Priced between €195 and €4900, the pieces will be available online and in selected international stores. Click here to discover more.
MAXIME RELEASES NEW MENSWEAR COLLECTION AT PARIS FASHION WEEK
French-born designer Maxime Fruit – who’s namesake label merges the world of interior design with a contemporary take on menswear – just partnered with multi-label showroom Other/Wise to present ‘Edition 6: A man and His Objects’, his latest collection, in Paris. Inspired by the objects that checker a man’s life, the line up infuses simple silhouettes with a variety of textures, prints and details to present a whimsical yet elevated aesthetic.
Blending delicate materials like crochet, satin-textured nylon and lace with softer colour palettes, pieces evoke an air of romance, with signature garments like the car coat undergoing a delicate transformation using a straw-like fabric. Wide-leg trousers, loose-fitting shirts and snug sweater vests bring an element of comfort to offering, and patterned pieces based off of antique pottery and shells nod to the eclectic energy of one’s personal knickknacks. Relaxed messenger bags and Italian leather shoes complement the element of practicality that’s woven throughout.
Encouraging onlookers to slow down and appreciate the things they already have around them, the London-based brand presents garments which exude longevity and timelessness. Check out the range on Maxime’s Instagram, here.
DSQUARED2 AND PAC-MAN JOIN FORCES
Pac-Man – the iconic 80s video game featuring a pixelated ghost with an untameable appetite – has just chomped its way into a collaboration with Italian label Dsquared2. Offering a diverse range of products for men, women and children, the capsule pulls on classic Pac-Man and Dsquared iconography to create a youthful take on the vintage game.
Shopping in the men’s section means lots of denim, including a variety of jackets, shorts and jeans in a range of medium, light and black washes. For a more relaxed option, men can choose from jersey shorts or hoodies adorned with a specialised logo combining the emblems of both collaborators. High-waisted hot pants, zippered hoodies and denim pencil skirts populate the womenswear offering, and a swimwear series is available for both. Accessories include low rise sneakers with the mixed logo plastered on the tongue as well as baseball caps, beanies, sunglasses and belts. For kids, a range of unisex pieces including joggers, shorts and sweatshirts is on offer.
The collection is now available in all Dsquared2 shops, online and at selected retailers worldwide. Discover the full scope of what’s on offer here.
BURBERRY REOPENS FLAGSHIP STORE ON NEW BOND STREET
Burberry just reaffirmed its status as THE brand of Britain, reopening its flagship store on London’s iconic New Bond Street after several months of closure. Now offering an immersive experience, customers can shop womenswear, menswear, eyewear, shoes and accessories, with a new VIP area on offer to attendees looking for the utmost luxury.
With a relatively minimalist interior, white ceilings are installed with overhead lighting to mirror the brand’s staple checkered print and a sophisticated mix of furnishings add a touch of refined opulence.
Speaking on the opening, the label’s CEO Jonathan Akeroyd highlighted, “The store showcases our beautifully crafted products in a luxury setting that connects our customers with our brand and unique heritage”.
Located at 21-23 New Bond Street, the space perfectly aligns with creative director Daniel Lee’s contemporary vision for the heritage brand and is now open for customers to explore.
NIKE RELEASES NEW BREATHABLE TECHNOLOGY
Sportswear giant Nike has just released a first look at its new Aerogami technology – a cutting-edge development which encourages high performance by increasing a garment’s breathability. Installed in the new Nike Run Division Aerogami Jacket, a venting system incorporates the necessary air flow to best maintain the wearer’s athletic ability, with the advanced material autonomously opening and closing when sensing sweat. Tackling the age-old problem of managing a fluctuating body temperature when wearing a running jacket, the new release is an impressive feat of innovation.
A collaboration between the brand’s product development arm – the Nike Explore Team – and the scientists at the Nike Sport Research Lab, the advancement also accommodates for gender-based variations, including a vent situated where a sports bra would sit. The women’s version of the new jacket is set to drop in July 2023, and the men’s version later on in the fall. Til’ then, keep your eyes peeled for more updates on nike.com.
S.S. DALEY WANTS YOU TO HAVE A GREAT BRITISH SUMMER FOR SS24
S.S. Daley has just told quiet luxury to sod off. Dropping its SS24 collection entitled Merry Ment, head designer and founder Steven Stokey-Daley explores his subversion of British conformity through the lens of an artistic life. Examining an artist’s everyday uniform, as well as different modalities such as drawing, sculpting and painting, the collection is an eclectic expression of creative eccentricities.
Starting, quite understandably, with imagery depicting legends such as Lucien Freud and David Hockney in their everyday clobber, inspiration was also drawn from British school uniforms and the exploration of one’s sexuality – pricked by experiences of life drawing and formative relationships developed in youth.
The LVMH prize winner also presents garments with a distinctly European feel about them. Emblazoning free-form shirts with fruit and flowers reminiscent of Van Gogh or Cézanne, a newfound Italian partnership installs a tailoring angle that is both bold and sleek. Uniform-esque jackets are woven from a cotton twill and pockets inspired by the finishings of vintage British swimwear are scattered throughout.
An air of kitsch dances throughout, felt most in the knitted sweaters decorated with printed Dachshunds and the cardigans plastered with ducks on either peck – an S.S. Daley staple. A delicious patchwork speaking to the heritage of a classic British summer, discover the full collection for yourself here.
Top Image: photography courtesy of S.S. Daley.
