1 March 2024 |
Plus Louis Vuitton heads to Barcelona and Burberry’s new Paris boutique.
While last week might have been on the quiet side, fashion news-wise, it seems like things are ramping up again for all of the luxury heavyweight brands. Of note, Cartier and Boucheron are both celebrating major anniversaries for two of their iconic jewelry lines while Louis Vuitton announced that they’re heading to Barcelona for their cruise show. Burberry, who has had a busy past few weeks with their London fashion week show and Harrod’s takeover, announced a new boutique in Paris. Also going down this week, Simone Rocha is releasing her first monograph and Gentle Monster is releasing a second collaboration with Maison Margiela that’s definitely going to sell out.
Catch up on all of this plus more of what you might have missed this week.
Jennie from Blackpink is Now a Chanel Watch Muse
While the world waits for Blackpink’s comeback (hopefully?), the four members have been quite busy with their fashion jobs. Lisa has a Bulgari watch, Jisoo and Rosé just made Paris fashion week appearances at Dior and Saint Laurent respectively, and now Chanel has named Jennie as their latest watch muse. Alongside Lily-Rose Depp, her castmate from The Idol, the two are the faces of the Première Édition Originale watch. This is in addition to her role as house ambassador and muse of the Coco Crush jewelry collection. To announce Jennie’s appointment Inez and Vinoodh shot the singer lounging in a Parisian hotel room — perhaps a nod to the fact that we’ll likely see her back in the city for the Chanel show on Tuesday.
Tommy Hilfiger is Partnering Up With F1 Academy
Fans of Drive to Survive or just F1 in general know that the top 20 seats belong to male drivers but women are steadily joining the sport. F1 Academy, an initiative that’s designed to develop young female drivers, is hoping to change that and Tommy Hilfiger is getting involved. The brand’s involvement in elite racing isn’t new — they’ve worked with teams since the 90s and are a partner in an upcoming movie starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. But this partnership shows they’re also betting on a new generation of female racers, including sponsoring Spain’s Nerea Marti. Marti made her debut last week during a pre-season race in Saudi Arabia driving a branded car as well as clad in a race suit. Tommy Hilfiger will also be supplying the staff uniform at F1 Academy. Considering that the brand has worked with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, it looks like Marti is in great company.
Gentle Monster and Maison Margiela Are Back With a New Collab
No brand does a better viral PR package sendout than Gentle Monster. You couldn’t escape seeing countless unboxings of their Gentle Jelly collection, with the larger than life packages that look like gummy candy bags. The next drop that’s destined for social media fame? Their follow up collaboration with Maison Margiela, dropping on March 7th. The collection consists of a series of leather wrapped frames that have Margiela’s signature four white stitches. To go along with the release there will be five experiential spaces in Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, and New York. Expect to see plenty of selfies from there all over your Instagram and Tiktok in the upcoming weeks.
Simone Rocha is Releasing Her First Monograph
Fans of Simone Rocha mark your calendars! The beloved designer is launching her first monograph with Rizzoli this September 2024, which will be a comprehensive overview of her work. Contributors like Cindy Sherman, Petra Collins, Tim Blanks, and more will offer imagery and musings into her world, especially how the works of Louise Bourgeois inspire her designs. With its mix of runway images, moody editorials, and backstage photos, the book highlights Rocha’s darkly romantic vision over the years. If you can’t wait to get it in person, pre-order it here.
Guido Palau Creates an Everyday Basics Line With Zara
With decades of experience, Guido Palau is one of the most creative minds in the beauty world and the genius behind some of your favorite runway looks. Whether it’s the bouffants for Alexander McQueen’s final show or most recently the modern space buns at Prada’s fall 2024, Palau makes magic. And now a bit of his magic can be yours. The stylist just launched a line of hair products with Zara. Called Everyday Basics, the six products include a hair spray, dry texturizing spray, volumizing mousse, hair balm, curl activator, and blow dry spray. It’s not the first time Palau worked with the Spanish retailer. Not only has he been a longtime collaborator, creating styles you probably have seen in Zara’s ads, the two also released a holiday capsule last December called Glitter in Gold. While that kit was definitely more festive, these products are meant to be used daily. Interested? Shop it here on March 4th.
Cartier Launches the Trinity Bag
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Cartier’s iconic Trinity line. Recognizable for its interlinked three rings made of yellow, white, and rose gold, the design has special meaning for the luxury brand. The number happens to also reflect the founding brothers (Louis, Jacques, and Pierre) and also nods to the historic boutiques located in Paris, London, and New York. Naturally there are jewelry pieces designed to commemorate the milestone but also launching are bags. And no surprise here that the number three comes into play. Not only is it the amount of gussets added to the handbags, you’ll also find a trio of rings in the same hues adorning each style. In shades like ruby red, quartz, and jade green, they’re a stylish complement for Trinity fans.
Boucheron Celebrates 20 Years of Quatre
Another jewelry brand commemorating a big anniversary? Boucheron, who is marking 20 years of their Quatre line. Conceived of in 2004, like its name implies the design consists of four distinct designs as inspired by the brand’s archives. The first is Double Gordon and dates back to the 1860s. With its raised bands, it’s reminiscent of fluting and draws its inspiration from architecture. Clou de Paris, the second tier, made its first appearance in 1911 and has facets that are reminiscent of Parisian cobblestones. It also nods to the brand’s location in Place Vendôme. For the third layer, a row of diamonds that epitomizes the savoir-faire of the jewelers while the last is a grosgrain motif that dates back to the 1860s as well. In combination, it’s equal parts history and modernity, hard and soft.
To commemorate the launch, Boucheron is creating special anniversary pieces. You’ll find the design in two necklaces, a belt, three bracelets, and a hair jewel as well as standouts like a collar necklace made up of fifty Quatre rings. Another noteworthy creation is a bracelet in the form of a spool and holds two cuffs and 10 bracelets and lets the wearer style as they wish. And to top it off, an ultra-precious edition of the Quatre Classique which includes the addition of spessartite garnets and yellow sapphires that took years to source. The ring, bracelet, and choker are sure to be among the most eye-catching of the bunch. Anya Rubik will serve as the face of the campaign while Boucheron plans to set up ephemeral boutiques in Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo to celebrate. If you happen to be there, pick up a nail art kit — hidden inside are four golden tickets to get your own Quatre ring.
Burberry Opens a New Boutique in Paris
The quintessentially English fashion house, Burberry, continues to make its mark across the English Channel, opening another store on Avenue Montaigne. Sticking true to its roots the brand incorporates its iconic horse and shield logo across the store from its window display to a beautifully embossed mosaic on the floor made from Verde Alpi marble. No detail was spared as even the store’s fixtures include handmade pieces inspired by 1960’s British abstract art and 1980’s creative salvage movement. Set across two floors, you’ll be able to shop the spring 2024 collections ready to wear and accessories here with an emphasis on the brand’s new Knight and Rocking Horse Bag. If you find yourself in Paris, definitely make a pit stop at 17-19 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris – it will be worth your while.
Louis Vuitton Announces Barcelona as Cruise 2025 Show Location
After jaunting off to Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore in Italy last year, Louis Vuitton announced that this time they’re heading to Barcelona. On May 23rd 2024 the brand will continue its ongoing love affair with the Catalan capital with their next cruise show. For context, Louis Vuitton’s relationship to the city dates back to 1929, having heavily participated in the Barcelona International Exhibition which was a melting pot of industry, art and innovation. It only seems fitting to continue this long standing love affair as well as Nicolas Ghesquière’s penchant to embrace the Art of Travel’ philosophy. And that’s not all! Louis Vuitton’s 37th America’s Cup Barcelona will also be taking place — an event where sailing meets haute couture. With a whirlwind of events, the brand is really able to capture the essence of its location.
H&M and Heron Preston Launch H2
Last fall H&M announced that New York designer Heron Preston was joining in what the two described as a long term partnership. And now we see what that looks like — a mix of collections as well as initiatives to support young talent as well as serving as a creative advisor. First up is the debut line, which releases on March 14, is a New York-inspired collection with utilitarian, urban pieces. You’ll see unisex pieces like reversible bomber jackets and long-sleeve racing style jerseys as well as women’s styles like a bodysuit, lace-up corset, catsuit, and more. In tandem to the launch comes H2 Exchange, a circular fashion program that will work with a new generation of designers focused on upcycling. They’re staging an open call for any New York-based creatives and from there, three will be chosen to work alongside Preston to create a collection using donated clothes. Interested in applying? Check it out here. And if you have clothes to donate between March 8 and 10, you can drop by 25 Howard Street. In exchange for offloading your unwanted items you’ll get personal tokens that give you access to events, opportunities to buy pieces from the EXCHANGE collection, and discounts on H2;
