Plus Christopher Kane returns and Balenciaga hits Las Vegas for F1.
If the onslaught of promotions for the likes of Wicked and Gladiator II hasn’t made it obvious, prestige movie season is upon us. With all eyes on who will be a contender come award nominations, it’s coincidentally a week where brands are announcing celebrity ambassadors left and right. For Celine, the brand tapped two Korean idols as their faces, reinforcing the power of hallyu in pop culture at the moment. Over at Louis Vuitton, British actor Callum Turner is the latest to join their all-star roster of famous faces. And speaking of English talent, this week also marks the return of Christopher Kane as the beloved designer teamed up with Self-Portrait on a sexy capsule that’s made for holiday dressing.
Read on to learn more and catch up on what else you might have missed.
COS’ Photographic Capsule Collection
Dreaming of an escape in nature? While a trip may not be in the works, COS’s vibrant new capsule brings the outdoors to life. Inspired by the work of Californian nature photographer Chris Perani, whose photos capture the unseen beauty of organic textures like minerals and butterfly wings, the 24 piece collection is a stylish ode to the wonders of the natural word. Perani’s detailed images are transformed into digital prints and designs, from a beaded applique shirt to double-faced wool dresses, and jacquard-patterned denim sets. Perfect for lovers of bold prints and patterns, this collection turns wardrobe staples into wearable art. This limited edition capsule will be available online and in select COS stores this December.
Self Portrait Brings Back a London Favorite
When Christopher Kane announced the shuttering of his namesake label in 2023, many wondered what would be next for the designer. Well, it turns out fashion is still a big part of his world. As the first Self-Portrait Residency designer, Kane worked with the brand on a new collection. The program, conceived by Self-Portrait’s founder and Creative Director Han Chong, invites artists across disciplines to design from the brand’s London headquarters. Kane’s capsule brings back some favorites from past collections, albeit remixed. You’ll find archival references as well as references to his first collection from spring/summer 2007. Textures abound like crystal chainmail, lace ruffles, and satin bias cut dresses. Sexy and subversive there are lace cut-outs, minidresses, as well as crystal bolster necklaces and handbags with ruffled lace handles — all perfect for the upcoming season. To capture the pieces in all their glory, Kane asked longtime supporter Carine Roitfled to star in the campaign, with the first images dropping at the brand’s unveiling event in London last night. You can shop Self-Portrait Residency by Christopher Kane online as well at select retailers including Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, Luisa Via Roma, and Selfridges.
Barrie Launches The Denim Capsule
Purveyors of some of the most plush cashmere in the world, Barrie, is venturing into new territory: denim, albeit in their own way. The luxury label, who supplies to the likes of Chanel and is a part of its Métiers d ’Art, is combining comfort and style with their newly launched capsule. Centered around the denim jacket, each piece is carefully crafted in Hawick, the town where the brand was founded, and takes nine hours as well as nine processes to complete. Using a blend of cashmere and cotton thread, the line also includes flared pants, skirts, and matching shorts. As a nod to the shades you’d see in jeans, the pieces are available in shades from raw indigo to stonewashed to bleached. Adding a personal touch, Barrie also offers customizable suede-effect tags so you can truly make your clothes unique.
Balenciaga Hits F1 Las Vegas
As one of the more splashy and star-studded stops, F1 lands in Las Vegas this weekend and with it come all of the brand activations. One worth checking out is courtesy of Balenciaga, who created limited-edition artworks with Japanese artist Showichi Kaneda that will be featured at their Wynn Plaza location until November 24th. Kaneda’s work is a part of his Human’s Own series, and highlights the similarity between an F1 car and a hammerhead shark, as both are known for speed and survival. Coming in at nearly four feet, the creation was first rendered digitally and required Kaneda to refine each 3-D printed part by hand before casting the final silicon molds. The result, a polyester resin creation, is covered in Balenciaga logos as a nod to sportswear branding and utilizes the same paints and topcoat used on race cars. For those who prefer merch, head over to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and the Shops at Crystals, which will carry the new Balenciaga Racing Series. With pieces like the Unity Sports Icon Racer Jacket, a t-shirt, and a red or black hoodie with the Unity Sports Icon logo, it’s one way to commemorate an unforgettable weekend.
Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner
Exciting news for Callum Turner fans: Louis Vuitton announced the actor as their newest house ambassador. Known for his versatile performances in projects like The Capture and Fantastic Beasts, Turner embodies a combination of artistry and elegance, making him a natural fit for the brand. With his notable style and charisma, both on-screen and off, he joins a celeb-heavy roster that include the likes of Lisa, Gong Yoo, Carlos Alcaraz, Bradley Cooper, and more.
Astier de Villate x Grace Coddington Hits Stores
Grace Coddington has extended her love for cats to ceramics. The veteran Vogue editor launched her capsule homeware collection with Astier de Villatte complete with a celebration at New York’s John Derian’s. Coddington was first introduced to the brand after receiving a mug as a gift. From there, she fell in love with the artisanal craftsmanship of the brand and the two decided to partner up on a line that includes six mugs, two teapots and a saucer that comes in two sizes. “She’s been drawing cats for many years and we love pets”, said Ivan Pericoli, the co-founder of Astier de Villatte. The two cats that appear in this collection are named Jimi and Blanket and are seen reading newspapers, resting on a coach or playing with the flowers on the pieces. Pericoli’s favorite? The mug where Blanket stands on a chair with a mouse on the floor offering flowers showing affection. Shop it here.
Celine Announces Two New Ambassadors
The hallyu dominance continues as Celine announced two South Korean new ambassadors. After naming Danielle from New Jeans earlier in the year, the brand has followed up with the likes of actress Suzy Bae and TWS, a newly formed boy band. Bae began her career as a member of the girl group Miss A before turning her sights on acting, with her most recent credit being Netflix’s Doona!, where she plays an ex-idol who falls in love with a university student. As for TWS, the six member group consists of Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon, and Kyungmin. They debuted earlier this year and their sound is self-described as boyhood pop. Given Celine’s history of tapping talent at the verge of superstar global status, expect to see more from the likes of TWS and Bae.
McQueen Celebrates the Holidays
How do you celebrate the holidays at McQueen? With an array of gift ideas that lean heavy on practical drama courtesy of sculptural silhouettes, opulent embellishment, and a dash of the brand’s signature hardware. For those seeking an accessory to remember, the T-Bar evening bag took its inspiration from historic portraiture and features an array of gleaming crystals made to appear like a trompe l’oeil hand. If that’s too flashy, the T-Bar sling is now available in shimmering metallic leather while the mini T-Bar pouch offers a chic everyday option. Should shoes be more their speed, the Flexion sneakers in rich seasonal shades like warm burgundy, orange, and white are equal parts comfortable and stylish.
Extreme Cashmere Pops Up in New York City
The holidays call for cozy things and nothing is cozier than cashmere. With that in mind extreme cashmere is popping up temporarily in New York City. The Amsterdam label known for their feel-good approach to community and design opened up a space on 694 Madison Avenue. The boutique will carry best-selling core styles like the crew hop, the kid, and the bourgeois as well as exclusive pieces from the edition 30 collection, which are meant to be styles that work well for all seasons. While you might think of the brand as being neutral-heavy, for festive season the palette is equally as lively with bold stripes and shimmering sequins. Also available at this location is their in-store cashmere care station, which allows customers to bring pieces to be refreshed. Drop by for a visit between now and late December.
Comme Si Escapes to Positano
Fans of Comme Si know the brand for their brightly colored socks and loungewear but the label is branching out with an Italian-inspired capsule collection. Founder Jenni Lee, finding commonality with the family behind Le Sirenuse, the beloved Positano hotel, teamed up with the property on a series of shirting, boxers, and socks. Inspired by the custom mermaid pattern designed by Emporio Sirenuse, which is the hotel’s resort wear and lifestyle brand, the seven piece line is made with Italian silk twill designed to mimic the cascading coastline of the Amalfi coastline. Made for lounging by the pool, in bed, or worn for a night out, it’s Italian meets Korean meets American glamor at its finest.