Plus Loewe has us excited for summer.
It’s barely spring but this week felt a bit like everyone was on a summer holiday. Maybe it was because the entire country had eclipse fever, taking a break on Monday to watch the sun get covered up by the moon. Whatever the cause may be, it’s perfect timing to start thinking about your warm weather wardrobe. You can get that sorted with Loewe’s latest iteration of their Paula’s Ibiza collection featuring the likes of Yebba, Alison Oliver, Taeyong, and more. Or if you’re looking for sandals, Gianvito Rossi’s iconic Portofino sandal happens to turn 10 this month, with new colorways inspired by Portofino, another ultimate holiday destination. And speaking of destinations — expect your feed to fill with plenty of Milan Design Week happenings like Moncler’s train station takeover and Saint Laurent’s tableware exhibit.
Learn more about those exhibits and catch up on what else you might have missed below.
Gianvito Rossi’s Famous Portofino Sandal Turns 10
A decade ago Gianvito Rossi introduced a pair of modern yet minimal sandals. Rossi, inspired by a weekend in Portofino, wanted a design that felt timeless resulting in a simple creation that consisted of a singular ankle strap and another across the toes. And so the Portofino was born, a style that has become a classic over the years. To celebrate this anniversary, the brand is offering a limited edition collection — ten years with ten colors to match. In an array of metallic-effect leather hues inspired by the colors seen in the resort town. Available in both an 85mm and 105mm heel, the new shades are sure to be the ideal vacation shoe, whether you find yourself in Italy or not. Shop it here.
Danielle Frankel Releases Collection IX
While designer Danielle Frankel is best known for her modern spin on bridal dressing, her collections are better described as a reflection of her artistic approach to occasion dressing. For her latest, titled IX, the designer turned to studying textures, fabrications, and floral details to create pieces that were reminiscent of Impressionist paintings. With painterly brushstrokes and the use of silk jersey, the pieces are ethereal while being just imperfect enough to give it interest. Standouts include the pieces adorned with lifelike blooms. Made by artisans from the Ukraine and South Africa, they appear to be constructed with lighter than air fabrics but upon closer examination, they’re actually sculpted from clay. In a color palette that includes alabaster white, rust, hibiscus, and citrus, Frankel’s designs are made for the bride who wants a dreamy red carpet moment.
Moncler is Taking Over Milano Centrale
For most of us, train stations are nothing but a necessary means to an end — a momentary stop on the way to your final destination. But for Moncler it turns into a realm of possibilities, namely a public art gallery that invites passersby to reconsider their commutes. Called An Invitation to Dream, the brand is taking over Milano Centrale just in time for Salone del Mobile. Running from April 15th through the 21st, the immersive exhibit made in conjunction with Jefferson Hack and Jack Davison highlights some of the most visionary minds shaping culture today. Featuring the likes of Daniel Arsham, Isamaya Ffrench, Laila Gohar, Jeremy O. Harris, and Rina Sawayama among others, the series of portraits and quotes create a dreamscape of sorts, asking the viewer to consider their own desires. To accompany this sensory experience, a series of handprinted lithographic prints by Davison will also be featured for those who want a more tactile moment.
Saint Laurent Rive Droite Will Show a Gio Ponti Exhibit During Milan Design Week
Speaking of Design Week happenings, Saint Laurent is also hosting an exhibit that’s open to the public. The brand is collaborating with the Gio Ponti Archives as well as the Fundación Anala y Armando Planchart to showcase a plate collection at the Chiostri di San Simpliciano. But these are more than your common everyday dishes. The back story goes like this: in 1953 Ponti designed a villa for the Plancharts, high in the hills over Caracas. The avant-garde modernist abode was created to be, in Ponti’s words, “as light and graceful as a butterfly posed on a hill.” The result was a space that included plenty of bright colors, orchid collections, as well as an impressive array of porcelain tableware from Ginori 1735, where the architect was previously employed as artistic director. Most notable was a set of tableware that included motifs of the space — a sun, crescent moon, polar star, and iterations of the letter A, as a tribute to the couple who owned it. Now, in partnership with Saint Laurent, the original plates have been reissued and are available for purchase online and in select Saint Laurent boutiques. Rather browse and learn more about the history? You can get tickets to see the exhibit here.
Loewe is Ready For Summer With the Latest Paula’s Ibiza Collection
It’s not really summer until Loewe launches their annual Paula’s Ibiza collection. Inspired by the iconic Spanish beach boutique, the line is full of pieces made from music festivals, holidays by the water, or summer in the city. For the latest iteration the brand tapped a diverse array of talent including Young Miko, Kevin Abstract, TAEYONG, Yebba Smith, 070 Shake, and Alison Oliver to showcase the looks. You’ll find archive scarf printed dresses and tops as well as plenty of crop tops worn with miniskirts on the womenswear side while menswear features slouchy oversized silhouettes. Artist Douglas Abraham, who is best known for his abstract dice, teddy bear, and planet prints can be seen on tees, shorts, sweatshirts, and swimwear. On the accessories side, of course there are bags that are made to be worn in the sand, namely raffia versions of the Puzzle and Puzzle Fold tote as well as their signature basket bag. Plus, for every basket bag sold the brand will make a donation to the communities that hand weave them.
Technogym’s Artsy Take On Exercise
Also happening this Milan Design Week, a celebration of 40 years of Technogym, the luxury workout brand. To commemorate the occasion they’ve asked 40 artists to create their own versions of a workout bench as a part of their Design to Move initiative. Featuring names like Patricia Urquiola, Kelly Hoppen, Piero Lissoni, among others the result is an eclectic mix that makes exercise look like a creative endeavor. Some, like Antonion Citterio, go the chic yet traditional route with a final product that features clean lines and luxurious leather. Others like Urquiola, offer a more aesthetic take, with a soothing color palette and extra padding on top for comfort. And still others like Rolf Sachs decide to venture into more whimsical designs, with the space under the bench serving as a catchall for an array of items ranging from Christian Louboutin heels to an hourglass filled with sand. Interested in owning one? A selection of 15 unique ones will be auctioned off in conjunction with Sotheby’s this fall while the other 25 will be available online, with all proceeds going towards Unicef. And if you happen to be in town and want to see them in person, you can check it out from April 16 through the 21st at their shop on Via Durini.
Gigi Hadid Stars in Miu Miu’s Latest Handbag Campaign
For their latest handbag ads, Miu Miu brought back Gigi Hadid in a series of photographs by Steven Meisel. Gracefully carrying both the Wander and Arcadie Bag, the images are a direct reference to English photographer Yevonde Middleton. Middleton, who was deemed a pioneer of color photography in portraiture in the 1930’s while also advocating for women’s rights, continues the legacy of strong female creatives championed by the brand. We see Hadid mimic the strong yet delicate emanation seen in the original photos albeit with a Miu Miu-ified twist. With her chic sleek side parted bob (a direct reference to one of the models Middleton uses) coupled with modern pieces like a strapless dress and polo shirt, it shows that what’s nearly a century old still feels extremely relevant today.
Mugler Launches the Fang Heel
Despite being at Mugler since 2018 Casey Cadwallader has never ventured into shoes — a shocker since his sexy designs beg for equally as sexy heels. That’s no longer the case this week with the launch of the Fang heel. As its name implies, it’s a pointy, sharp stiletto inspired by the brand’s signature corsetry. With two heel heights, 95mm and 55mm, you’ll see the shape in semi-transparent pumps, sandals as well as boots. Shop it here.
Louis Vuitton is Hosting an Exhibit Devoted to Craftsmanship in New York City
If you’ve ever wanted to see Louis Vuitton’s fine jewelry, exotic leather pieces, one-of-a-kind objects, watches, and more all in one place, you’re in luck — they’re hosting an exhibit devoted to savoir-faire this month in New York City. The brand is taking over a private residence on the Upper East Side from April 12th through May 5th. Called Crafting Dreams, the presentation features an array of bespoke creations across seven floors. Naturally the luxury house’s tradition of Malletage, the crisscrossed interior padded lining in trunks, will be present throughout the space as the distinct graphic X pattern will be seen in interior design features. Special pieces to note include the Millionaires Speedy 40 by Pharell Wiliams which features 18k gold hardware, a diamond-encrusted padlock, and a hand-painted monogram that took 65 to complete. Another standout is the mosaic mirrored Campana Disco Cocoon chair from the Objets Nomades collection while playful summer items like surfboards and tableware can also be seen.
In addition to exploring the array of pieces, there will also be activations. For the opening weekend, Louis Vuitton designers will offer one-on-one appointments to create bespoke trunks, Also during that week, a Malletage expert will demonstrate the technique. Interested in attending? You can make an appointment to view the exhibit with your local client advisor. Louis Vuitton Crafting Dreams is at 684 Park Avenue.
Brunello Cucinelli Serves Up Their Tennis Best
How do you make tennis even more of a luxury experience? Well, if you’re Brunello Cucinelli you make chic pieces that work on and off the court. The brand launched their tennis capsule collection this week, full of white polos, skirts, and shorts that would look equally at home at Wimbledon as it would your local courts. With pieces for men, women, and children, the designs feature badges, graphic logos, and contrasting details. Some are clearly made for getting sweaty in, with all the technical details you’d require for a match. As for others? Well, let’s say if you’re more into dressing for the vibes than swinging a racquet, they’ve got you covered as well.