Happy Friday our chic cherubs! This week’s fashion news comes to you from across the globe, jetsetting between countries more than a popstar on tour. There’s the new Marc Jacobs store in New York and Comme des Garçons store in Paris that are a must to check out. There’s a Coach party in London’s hot new venue you should have checked out. And there’s an uber-stylish hotel in Hong Kong that you should check in to, too! Elsewhere, we have exciting new drops from Mejuri, Glenfiddich, Nike and Louis Vuitton, a Gucci-approved track from Mark Ronson, the 411 on this year’s Hyères Prize and CFDA Awards, and a campaign from Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Choo and Jean Paul Gaultier that will make your heart go padam! Here’s what’s in fashion.
Marc Jacobs opens a new New York store
New Yorkers, Marc Jacobs has returned home! In 1997 the designer had his beloved spot in the heart of Soho on Prince Street and now he makes his return to the same location with a new, even sexier store. With sleek chrome finishings and a vibrant taxi yellow Marc Jacobs monogram, the new store plays home to your favourite pieces from the brand – the Tote Bag, the polka-dot garms, those daring platform heels, it’s all there! And how do you celebrate the opening of New York’s hottest new boutique? By throwing a just as hot party, of course. Only Marc Jacobs could get rock superstar Debbie Harry and experimental pop girl Shygirl on the same stage as they took over The Mercer Hotel’s also newly opened Submercer space, just a stone’s throw away from Marc’s new store. It’s 26 years on from that first store and Marc is still very much defining the NYC culture of the moment. TG
Comme des Garçons opens a new Paris flagship
Ah, Paris, the home of all things chic – and now, yet another exquisitely designed Comme Des Garçons store. Rei Kawakubo sure knows how to treat us. Joining a slew of other CDG outposts in the City of Lights, plus the recent 2021-launched Dover Street Market Paris, the new location is neighbours with its previous address in the 8th arrondissement. Literally, two doors down. Replete with stark white interiors and hulking conical walls, not to mention a heavy dose of red lacquer and poured concrete flooring, it’s everything you’d expect of the shop-cum-exhibtion approach that defines CDG. Clearly, Rei gets what a digitally force-fed generation wants. “I’m not convinced that people really are satisfied with shopping on the internet,” she said in a release. “I think the pleasure of shopping is finding things yourself.” With four floors of almost every diffusion and label under her brand’s roster, the space is every fashion avant-gardist’s spot-in-waiting, perfect for perusing Junya Watanabe, Comme Des Garçons Shirt, Noir Kei Ninoimiya and even the Rei-designed furniture collection – exclusively available there. Know a spot? Now you do. Parisiennes with a penchant for fashion-homeware crossovers, put 56 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in your Citymapper pronto. JB
Nike taps Parris Goebel for a fresh new collab
It’s official: your favourite popstar’s favourite choreographer, Parris Goebel, is finally unleashing the Nike sneaker every hot-stepping girlie needs. About time, too. Ever since she teased the trainer at her high-energy danceathon, “Goddess Awakened”, in July, we’ve been pining for the drop. No doubt, the hype-beastesses keen to up their drip will be first to the post when the kick goes live on 24 October, so get your details prepped in autofill stat. What can you expect? The classic Dunk silhouette that’s been undergoing quite the resurgence these days, a padded insole and killer details. We’re talking diamantéd tongue jewels, debossed heel tabs and even a hidden label that reads, “5, 6, 7, 8”. As for the palette, it screams diva: baby pink, high-shine sea green and mustard. Of course, it’s only right that Rihanna and Bieber’s go-to choreo-gal has a shoe to fit their stature. “I want every dancer to feel like they can own the floor when wearing the shoe,” said Parris in a press release.” And that that they shall. JB
A major Helmut Newton show is set to open in Spain
It goes without saying that there are few image-makers who have shaped the course of the history of photography quite like Helmut Newton. On November 18th, a major new exhibition in Northern Spain will pay testament to that, showcasing an expansive range of his works at the Marta Ortega Pérez Foundation in A Coruña, and running until May 2024. Offering unparalleled insight into the life and work of the German-Australian visual artist, Helmut Newton – Fact & Fiction will span personal images offering glimpses at Newton’s childhood, props and memorabilia amassed from across his careers, as well as the expected images from his iconic ‘Big Nudes’ series, and emblematic portraits of figures including David Bowie, Charlotte Rampling, Naomi Campbell and Karl Lagerfeld. Offering an intriguing counterpoint to his renowned style imagery will be a selection of Newton’s lesser-known photographs of landscapes, comprising evocative images of locations that were of deep personal significance to him: Paris, Los Angeles, Monte Carlo and Berlin among them. “Helmut Newton is one of that celestial band of photographers whose images are instantly recognisable as their own,” Marta Ortega Pérez says. “His photographs were not only of his time but far ahead of his time – he spectacularly set the scene for those photographers who followed him.” MS
We can’t get Kylie for Jimmy Choo x JPG out of our head
Who do you get to front the glamorous and extremely desirable new shoe collection from Jimmy Choo and Jean Paul Gaultier? The queen of the gays Kylie Minogue, of course. The pop star has a long history with both brands, with Sandra Choi crafting custom Choo’s for her since the 90s, at the same time as Kylie was parading bejewelled bodices and corset dresses by JPG on stage. Now, the holy trinity comes together in a campaign shot by French photographer and filmmaker Valentin Herfay, as Kylie embodies the bold, playful and elegant energy of the new collection, from the jean boot heels and the lace-up and chain-embellished mules to a pair of suave pumps raised off the ground by a glass heel etched with the Eiffel tower. Camp! Check out the full collection on the Jimmy Choo website. To quote Kylie herself, I know you want to take these home. Padam! TG
Glenfiddich drops a hi-top alongside a rare Japanese-inspired scotch whisky
To celebrate the launch of their incredibly limited edition, incredibly exquisite Japanese-inspired scotch Grand Yozakura – a malt scotch whisky distilled for 29 years in barrels that once held Japan’s oldest alcoholic spirit – Glenfiddich have partnered with one of fashion’s favourite custom sneaker artists to design an incredibly limited edition, incredibly exquisite sneaker. The Melbourne-based Chase Shiel has designed a pair of hi-top trainers that recreate across the body of the shoe the moment of ‘Yozakura’, a Japanese word to describe the ephemeral, ethereal beauty of cherry blossom flowers illuminated by the moonlight. Australian precious metal brand ABC Bullion then provided 58 grams of incredibly fine, pure local gold to embellish each set with the Glenfiddich stag and 29 stars to mark each year the whisky was aged. But just as rare as the malt itself, and the rare sightings of Yozakura, only five pairs of these trainers will ever be made, with just three then becoming available to buy in Australia. If you want to be in for a chance to buy one of the few solid oak box sets that includes the custom sneakers with three sets of laces, a hand-sewn silk shoe bag and a 700ml bottle of the whisky (which all comes to $15,999) you can enter the ballot here. TG
Mejuri’s Pyra collection celebrates the duality of women
Within the last decade, Mejuri has crafted a reputation for highly desirable, high-quality jewellery and for their new collection, they continue to play with shape, scale and the signatures of women’s accessories to explore the multi-faceted woman. The timeless Pyra collection celebrates the bold and the standout with statement triangle shapes and then softens them with delicate rounded edges across rings, large hoops and linked necklaces. Made from 14k recycled gold or responsibly sourced sterling silver, these are pieces made to last forever without discolouration or oxidisation, meaning they can be passed down from generation to generation, a celebration of womanhood in all its forms then and now. TG
Coach throws a party with Boiler Room
Taking over London’s hot new spot The Cause, NY fashion house Coach brought their campaign slogan of “wear your shine” directly to the British capital’s nightlife scene with a party hosted alongside Boiler Room. The renowned music platform and cultural curators have been shining a light on the most exciting underground cultures of the past decade and brought with them to the decks some of the best talents on the UK electronic scene right now including DESIREE (RSA), fka.m4a, Laelo Black and Jay Jay Revlon. Meanwhile, the dancefloor was seized by dancers Amani and Bambi, leading the club energy of the night and reminding all to embrace what makes them shine. TG
Gucci releases its Mark Ronson-remixed show soundtrack
Everyone who tuned into Gucci creative director Sabato de Sarno’s debut show has been riddled with a welcome earworm. Yep, the sensuous canzone d’amore, “Ancora, Ancora, Ancora”, first released in 1978 by Italian icon Mina, got a welcome remix (and revival) when indie-sleaze maverick Mark Ronson gave it a souped-up, Italo-disco treatment for the SS24 collection. Of course, back in Milan, editors and buyers clamoured to Shazam the bop in question, but no dice. They could only find the original. Until now, that is. Spotify, Apple Music, the radio – you name it, every platform across the analogue-digital spectrum is spinning the newly aired hit, answering every fash-packer’s prayers. The new jam features the same, steamy artwork depicting Mina herself, except coloured in “Gucci Rosso”, the casa’s latest shade of red. Much like the reimagined Jackie bag Sabato softened for the SS24 season, it’s another blast from the past, freshened up for the urban elite. Currently, the original track has TikTokers in a chokehold. When they hear this, they’ll freak all over Ancora. JB
Melissa Baumeister bags the top prize at the CFDA Awards
Girlies, please join us in raising a glass to German-born, New York-based designer Melitta Baumeister! Why? Well, the sheer fact of how fab her deliciously distorted garments should be enough, but today, we’re toasting the fact that she just took home a whopping $300k prize on account of her winning the incredibly prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund! Generally regarded as the most significant prize in the American fashion industry, Melitta – who you can read more about here in a profile we ran back in 2021 – was presented with the gong by none other than Linda Evangelista. What’s more, along with runners-up Rachel Scott of Diotima and Henry Zankov of Zankov – who were each awarded a $100k cash award – Melitta will also receive business mentorship from some of the best in the biz. Congratulations again to all three winners, and here’s to seeing what the prize’s well-deserved boost brings! MS
The full lowdown on this year’s Hyères Prize
Thought fashion’s travelling circus had packed up for the season? Wrong! Granted, the global fash pack’s latest trip was hardly a slog, with a coterie of industry bigwigs heading down to the sunny south of France for the 38th edition of the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories, held at the Villa Noailles in Hyères. Presided over by a jury that included photographer Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Marni creative director Francesco Risso, and i-D’s very own fashion director Carlos Nazario, the latest iteration of the festival hosted three distinct competitions – one for each of its titular categories – creating a stage for some of the most promising talents in the fields of fashion & accessories design and photography to demonstrate their potential to some of the most distinguished creatives working today.
In this year’s fashion competition, a total of four awards were up for grabs, with a globe-spanning coterie of ten young designers in the running for them. Taking home the top gong – the Grand Prix du Jury Première Vision – and the Chanel-sponsored Prix Le19M des Métiers d’Art was Belgian designer Igor Dieryck, who presented a slick, rigorously constructed collection someone redolent of the work of fellow countrymen Kris Van Assche and Raf Simons. The Prix de la Collection Éco-Responsable Mercedes-Benz – an award that recognises talents paying particular attention to the environmental impact of their work – went to Swedish designer Petra Fagerstrom, who also took home the Prix l’Atelier des Matières, which recognises impressive material innovation.
On the photography front, Franco-Swiss image maker Thaddé Comar bagged the Grand Prix de la Photographie 7L, supported by the acclaimed Chanel-owned Parisian art and photography bookshop, while Senegalese photographer Souleymane Bachir Diaw was awarded the Prix de la Photographie American Vintage. As for the accessories competition, Swiss jeweller and maker Gabrielle Huguenot was recognised with the Grand Prix du Jury Accessoires, with German bag designer Christiane Schwambach receiving the Mention Speciale du Jury Accessoires. And last but by no means was the Prix Hermès des Accessories de Mode, sponsored by the über-luxe French house, which went to French designer Victor Salinier. As it should go without saying, keep these names on your radar – this certainly isn’t the last time you’ll be hearing them. MS
Louis Vuitton delivers a new bag series for avid art lovers
With art fair season well underway, we’re naturally seeing a number of fashion houses muscle in on the game, resulting in a seemingly endless number of collaborations and sponsored events. One of the big brands with the most extensive and long-lasting relationships with the art world is, of course, Louis Vuitton, as their partnerships with artists including Stephen Sprouse, Cindy Sherman and, most famous of all, Yayoi Kusama well attest. This week, the Parisian maison has launched a new series of its Capucines bag, which sees the iconic accessory reimagined by 5 leading contemporary artists. Inaugurated in 2019, the Artycapucines collection annually invites a select group of artists to translate their vision to the emblematic top-handle bag, aided by the unparalleled savoir-faire of Louis Vuitton’s artisans. For this year’s edition, Billie Zangewa, Ewa Juszkiewicz, Liza Lou, Tursic & Mille, and Ziping Wang were called upon by the house, with the resulting bags serving as novel canvases for some of the artists’ most celebrated works. As you could probably expect, these aren’t the sort of bags that’ll be produced in the same volumes as, say, Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram Canvas Speedy. Rather, each bag will produced in a limited run of 200, delivered in specially designed boxes. Keen to get your hands on one? Better hit up your local store’s SA, stat! MS
Hong Kong’s chicest hotel
As anyone who’s ever been to Hong Kong will know, the harbourside metropolis is a must-visit destination for anyone who likes to shop – which, if you’re here, is obvious. Walk blind in any direction on the city’s main island and you’re basically guaranteed to pass at least three Louis Vuitton flagships, and we’d gladly place a pretty sizeable bet that the city has one of the world’s healthiest Hermès handbag-to-inhabitant ratios. Of course, if you are going to make a pilgrimage to one of Asia’s foremost shopping cities, it is imperative that you lock in a suitable chic place to bring the spoils of your splurges back to. Trust us when we say that there are few places to stay in Hong Kong that are chicer than The Upper House, a lofty boutique hotel perched high above the plush malls and bijou cafés of Admiralty. Boasting the city’s largest accommodations – starting at 730 square feet, a very generous offer in a town infamous for claustrophobic living spaces – each of The Upper House’s ample rooms and suites offer ample space for unboxing a long day’s haul. Granted, it isn’t just the abundance of space that makes the property any fashion girlie’s dream; to call the rooms’ design – the result of the vision of esteemed interior architect André Fu – chic AF is a gross understatement. Featuring bamboo finishings, frosted Japanese glass window panels, and limestone floored bathtubs, each room conjures amounts to a quiet luxury cocoon fit for the Beckhams (literally – The Upper House is Posh Spice’s home away from home when she’s in town), complete with priceless views of Hong Kong’s world-famous skyline and harbour. It. Granted, all this comes at a relatively pretty penny, but if you’re here to splurge anyway, why not make a splash? Book your stay here. MS