In the 80s and 90s, the Italian music scene birthed a punk rock band called "CCCP - Fedeli alla linea", which, at that time was considered to be amongst the most influentials of the scenario. The band came from the "left-winged" Italian region Emilia Romagna, famous for their joyful and rebel-like attitude. To be precise, they were from Emilia, the...

“Fashion has become the most popular and representative artistic medium of the 21st century,” fashion curator Maria Luisa Frisa stated boldly, during the press conference introducing Museo Poldi Pezzoli’s latest exhibition on Italian fashion.Yet, if fashion is the most popular and representative medium of our time, how can we give garments the right amount of importance for them to carry a...

Backed by parent company Farfetch, New Guards Group began the new decade with a shopping spree. First by acquiring a majority stake in Japanese brand AMBUSH, swiftly followed by the intellectual and trademark property of American cult label Opening Ceremony. The two new acquisitions are just the latest to an already existing portfolio of 8 luxury-streetwear brands (like Heron Preston, Palm...

It has been less than a week since the UK exited the European Union. However, the rocky relationship between the two started nearly half a century ago. In 1973, the United Kingdom made it into the ECC (European Economic Community) but, only a few years later, the nation held a referendum with the question: “Do you think the UK should stay in the European Community (Common Market)?”At the time,...

America’s luxury fashion retailer Macy’s is reportedly about to open a new retail concept store in Southlake Texas, which has been ranked as one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. As consumers’ behaviours are changing, Macy’s immersive shopping experience aims at celebrating discovery, community and convenience by offering distinctive products curated with an editorial approach....

The way in which brands reach audiences – particularly Gen Z and Millennials – has rapidly evolved. A decade ago, companies could have anticipated and strategised changes but, in today’s landscape, they mostly react and adapt to them. To further synchronise with consumers, brands understand they need to go to where the consumer is and, for the young generation, that is TikTok. The Chinese-owned...

For fashion brands, Chinese New Year can be a lucrative period; it is considered a lucky time for the Chinese to buy new clothing. The likes of Burberry and Marni regularly release capsules celebrating the new cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Red coloured fashions and accessories (the colour beckons luck) are everywhere in luxury stores and street markets, as are cute animations of the animal we’re...

France’s upcoming Hyères International Fashion, Photography and Accessories Festival  (April 23-27) turns thirty-five this year. Like the stylish world it celebrates, the finalists are making their mark with diversity, original materials, artisanal expertise and personal vision. Half of the shortlisted designers, five out of ten, are from France, which shows a marked increase. The rest,...

In 1986, a then young Jean-Pierre Blanc imagined the Hyères Festival while studying. Thirty-five editions later, the fashion design and photography event which traditionally takes place on the French Riviera can be considered one of the fashion industry's leading events for the discovery of up-and-coming talents. This year, the Festival will take place from April 23rd to 27th. Jonathan Anderson...

The reputed French historian has gained in freedom of expression since he no longer runs the Galliera Museum, and is also not resting on his laurels and multiplying projects. During Pitti Uomo in Florence, he spoke at the 75th anniversary of Brioni, and later this year, he will publish a book about the Italian menswear brand. We caught up with Olivier...

In a highly competitive retail terrain and amid an environmentally conscious era of “less is more,” retailers and luxury goods are taking cues from tech and captivating young consumers with services that make them feel included.From live shopping to product insurance to circular solutions like second-hand appraisals, brands old and new, are forging partnerships and buying up startups to...

In a day and age where the number of independent retailers, both online and brick-mortar, are increasingly emerging, how can one stand out today?Italians, have of late, been struggling to outmatch their foreign counterparts, whom over the years, have picked up a few tricks up their sleeve turning into true masters of the independent trade. Take, for example, Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s boutique in...

There’s no doubt that social media has changed the way we communicate and conduct business. In fact, in today's world, it can skyrocket one's career, and/or make or break a business. Julia Haart, who was appointed World Group chief executive of Elite World in March, is very much aware of this and is planning to expand Elite’s reach by venturing into media and content production.According to...

For centuries, fashion has been used to symbolically convey or challenge power. Whether signifying social class, economic status, and moral standards, or simply communicating meanings from pop culture trite to seriously political, fashion has played a key role in forming, questioning, and reinforcing the power of social dynamics. From baroquely decorated garments worn by 17th Century European...

With the Prada Group as one of its main sponsors, Startupbootcamp, the leading European network of corporate-backed accelerators, pinpointed 10 startups  as the next “disruptors” of the industry as we know it, the organization said Friday.Startupbootcamp has selected the ten international teams aspiring to disrupt the fashion industry: Aoiship, Bigthinx, Gfaive, Namek, Obsess, Renoon, SKMMP,...