Category: Fashion

Innovative Elegance & The Moncler Genius Project

The name of the winter style game this season is urban street style meets classic cozy chic with Moncler’s newest outerwear collection, featuring designer Craig Green. The newest launch to join the Moncler Genius Project, this wildly colorful line will bring you back to the lazy days of summer when wearing festive colors was not only acceptable but righteously applicable. And between an ultra lightweight emerald green oversized parka and a cotton royal blue poplin short jacket, this English designer is presenting anything but minimalistic designs for the gentleman who’s looking for a snowy January look that’s overblown, sculptural, and the center of attention.

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But cubic elements and nylon aren’t the only components that Green integrated into his one a kind collaboration, but a seemingly look back into the 80’s with two parts innovation and a step outside the ordinary. And by entering the Moncler Genius Project, which aims to create distinctive collections lead by some of the world’s most extraordinary designers, it’s easy to see how Green fit Moncler’s mold of showcasing reinventions of their classic menswear structure. Other notable fashion designers chosen were Pierpaolo Piccioli, Simone Rocha, Kei Ninomiya, Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Palm Angels. And in addition to the Moncler Genius Project, Moncler jumpstarted two additional lines deemed the Moncler 1952, celebrating the brands date of inception, and the Moncler Grenoble line lending homage to the French Alps where this state of the art Italian lifestyle brand was born. Moncler shoppers can expect to see skiwear that’s out of the box, with mix and match fabrics, filled with vibrant colors such as cherry red and icy shades of blue.

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So if you’re looking for next level gear that’s fashion forward, effortlessly elegant, and will help you survive the worst of those cold winter days, we recommend indulging on Moncler’s newest outerwear line, for a snow covered treat that is sure to raise up the heat.

Highlights from the Spring 2019 Paris Haute Couture Shows

Photo courtesy of Zuhair Murad.

From the gorgeous settings of Grand Palais to Musée Rodin, sensational, dreamy looks flowed on the runways at the Spring-Summer 2019 Paris Haute Couture shows.

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Beyond the runway, the Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture shows featured a star-studded guest list including Pharrell, Kristen Stewart and Marion Cotillard at the Chanel Haute Couture show, and Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas and Rachel Brosnahan at the Dior Haute Couture show.

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Incredible couture in the City of Lights!

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Fashion In The Snow

When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than an extra cute, ultra-luxe outfit to wear in the snow and post on Instagram. And even though subzero degrees may seem like a fashion disaster – with the multitude of layers you’re forced to bundle up in – with these four winter accessories you’ll be cozy, wind and sleet ready, and glitz and glam with a few ounces of chic. Here’s the scoop:

  • The Puffer Coat
Courtesy photo by modesens.com and .revolve.com

 

Nothing says that it’s time to embrace snow men, snow ball fights, and hot chocolate more than a puffer jacket that’s big enough to mimic a sleeping bag. But when chosen right, these largely insulated and often boxy, coats are socially acceptable to wear outside. So to assist you in playing up your winter cool style, we’re listing the best of the best ski jackets that are hotter than hot on the inside and out. Between the Theory Asymmetric Striped Puffer Jacket, the Splendid Dakota Puffer Coat, and the Nanushka Hide Faux Leather Puffer Jacket, you’ll be screaming let it snow! All year round.

 

  • The Chic Beanie

A messy blow out is equivalent to a nightmare. But when it’s due to negative degrees, frost and ice crystals, a fur covered, cashmere knitted beanie proves that fresh curls and hair spray are underrated. So for the holiday season, we’re suggesting to splurge on an accessory that’s couture approved and snow flurry ready. We suggest indulging in the shannon cashmere beanie hat by Eugenia Kim, the cashmere beanie hat lined with a fur mohawk by Charlotte Simone, and the Berretto Knit Beanie Hat with a feminine fur pompom by Moncler.

  • Cashmere Gloves

There are some trends that never go out of style. And a pair of cashmere gloves is one of them. A snug winter accessory must have, these cozy mittens will keep your hands from cooling over and stop the arctic wind from scratching a recently polished manicure. Ideal as a gift for Christmas, Hanukkah, or the New Year, cashmere gloves are a timeless fit for your winter wardrobe changeover and are just as luxurious year after year no matter when you bought them. We suggest wrapping your hands in one of these precious pairs: black cashmere gloves with fur cuffs by Sofia Cashmere, cashmere crochet gloves by Loro Piana, or wool and cashmere FF knit gloves by Fendi.

Amancio Ortega – The Customer is Always Right

In his simple uniform of white shirt, blue blazer and grey trousers, the octogenarian Amancio Ortega Gaona still goes to work and still eats at the cafeteria of his billion-dollar fashion industry headquarters. The wealthiest retailer in the world’s philosophy is as simple as his wardrobe. “Satisfy the needs of our customers with the latest in fashion,” states the billionaire.

It has earned him a net worth of over $70 billion, according to the 2018 figures published by Forbes. Ortega is the co-founder of Inditex, with over 7,500 stores, and worldwide availability online. Inditex is known for the Zara fashion chain with home to popular brand names, including Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear.

Ortega started off selling quilted bathrobes made by sewing cooperatives. It was the commencement of a global fashion industry mogul that no one could have predicted. His hands-on approach is a cerebral coordination of resources, both human and material, that obtain optimum production.

He tends to keep out of the spotlight, content to oversee his business dealings. He invests primarily in real estate, in Madrid, Barcelona, London, Chicago, Miami, and New York, while maintaining his main residence in A Coruña, Spain.

Ortega rewards his staff with employee profit-sharing and is a generous benefactor to many charities, including donating literally hundreds of millions of dollars for improving cancer detection and treatment, to Spain’s hospitals.

“Innovation and commitment towards our customers define our corporate culture” – Amancio Ortega

 

 

Brunello Cucinelli

The Emperor of Cashmere Clothing

Brunello Cucinelli, Italian born founder, chief executive and designer of billion-dollar global lifestyle brand is raising fashion heights for women’s colored knitwear.

Courtesy photo by frankgallucci

Today, with this ultra-luxe brand, he’s retelling his story of how it all began. From growing up with no running water to becoming the expert of style, Cucinelli is taking the industry by storm with all things soft, elegant, and knitted.

40 years ago, as an eager young man to change the waves of the fashion industry, he visited a dye shop, looking for clues of how to achieve something never done before.

His initial thought? To dye a sweater. Turning round next and v-neck sweaters tangerine orange. Selling 400 units in three months and later 200,000 sweaters a year, it was a hit, operating only out of a small mono-brand store near Solomeo, Italy.

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Come 2018, Cucinelli now dons a world-renowned brand with locations spanning across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

But Cucinelli didn’t do it alone. He owes his rapid success to his team.

Growing up hearing stories of how his father and brothers worked in decrepit conditions that were aesthetically difficult, he was determined to create a safe workplace that could generate creativity. Building a backdrop that was filled with light was of upmost priority. To create a peaceful environment where innovation could flow. To have human sustainability.

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And it doesn’t end there. When buying fabrics, Cucinelli too researches how the product was made, who made it, and if they earned the correct income making it.

The beauty of clothing is the one who makes it.

Basing the backbone of his line on the value of life and care of the community, Cucinelli is uniquely recognized for the quality of his products – environmentally and humanely sustainable.

And if you’re looking to taste some of Cucinelli’s designs, we suggest splurging on a new fall wardrobe, made especially for you by Cucinelli himself in collaboration with luxury online menswear line, Mr Porter.

Courtesy by Diary of a Clotheshorse

This new ultra-understated and relaxed collection is complete with ready-to-wear, footwear and accessories.

 

Behind the Scenes – Louis Vuitton’s Menswear Pop-Up in London

Louis Vuitton opened a colorful Menswear Pop-up on Bruton Street, London, to celebrate the SS19 collection of Virgil Abloh.

A yellow brick road, a field of red poppies, an emerald green forest… The colorful World of Oz that inspired the Men’s Spring-Summer 2019 Collection was brought to life in a London townhouse.

Presented this past summer on a rainbow runway at the Palais Royal in Paris, the collection was Virgil Abloh’s first as Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Artistic Director. For one week only, visitors were invited to discover the new collection of ready-to-wear, accessories, and leather goods through a distinctly prismatic lens.

Celebrity guests included Frank Ocean, Rami Malek, Idris Elba, Rita Ora, Adwoa Aboah, and Lash.

Photos Courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

Mezlan

Did you ever wonder, where old world shoe cobblers learned the artisan craft of the shoe sole? Here’s the scoop.

Off the coast of Spain in between the high central plateau of La Mancha and the Mediterranean Sea, sits a small town – donning a 14th century castle – coined Almansa. There, this medieval look alike land, where once slept princes and princesses, holds the key to the oldest reservoir in Europe. Recirculating creativity and inspiration since its 1584 inception, this archaic square is home to strong, local families of master shoemakers who have ensured its rightful place for pioneers in the footwear industry.

And here, was where the birthplace of Mezlan – a men’s footwear brand – took place. A luxury, hand crafted shoe emporium, Mezlan takes the ordinary leather sole and reworks it, to consume upmost traditional authority and creative innovation, bringing eager consumers a make that’s ideal for an afternoon rendezvous over the stone Ponte Vecchio and perfect for a black tie affair out. But, what makes this shoe line so uniquely special, is that according to founder and Almansa local, Antonio Sanchez, no less than 100 pairs of hands touch each pair of shoes throughout production. In fact, Sanchez notes, that it may even be more than that!

A new meaning to slow – cooking with no shortcuts.

But in a fast paced and often saturated market, where ready to wear is mass produced and mass customized, it’s rare to see the same levels of skillfully crafted footwear as we would have seen in the old world. So with Sanchez’s strong passion for his hometown roots in Spain, it’s easy to see why this premiere line that boasts European charm is a global hit – found in department stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom as well as brick and mortar shoe boutiques.

This season, we recommend slipping into their newest exclusive Sagrada – a classic handstitched moccasin – or their perfect for fall Espada.

How To Make A Difference – The Michael Kors Way

The ever-growing demand to build a value-conscious organization has shaped brands to align their core values and beliefs around philanthropic initiatives. A notable example is the multinational luxury fashion company Michael Kors, which has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme in its anti-hunger initiative since 2012.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Kors

The goal of this initiative is to help the UN eradicate hunger by 2030. To meet this goal, the U.S fashion label has released a variety of products ranging from the Watch Hunger Stop jewelry pieces to the Watch Hunger Stop clothing items including signature T-shirts. These meticulously created products not only raise awareness from those suffering from hunger and undernourishment, but additionally for each item purchased 100 meals are donated to the WFP’s school meals project. In fact, to date more than 18 million meals have been provided to children across 60 countries!

Photos Courtesy of Michael Kors

To further boost consciousness of this issue, actresses Hailee Steinfeld and Kate Hudson have contributed their talents in supporting this valuable cause. Hailee Steinfeld states, “It was an honor to team up with Michael Kors again, this time for such an important, worthy cause . . . all children deserve to have their basic needs met in order to fulfill their greatest potential. If we band together, we can end hunger for good.”

An inspiration to many, the American fashion designer is well underway with his crusade to combat hunger in New York and around the world, and as he does so, he is making a difference every step of the way.

For more information and to donate to the cause please visit: http://www.watchhungerstop.com

Gabriela Hearst’s “Honest Luxury” Style

From blush tailored pant suits to leather bags with rose gold hardware, Uruguayan native, Gabriela Hearst, is painting New York runways with elegant colors of soft lavenders and silver greys with her new to the fashion world “honest luxury” style line.

And this autumn, cashmere sweaters and reversible trench coats weren’t the only items that Hearst was serving fashion week onlookers – a taste of her homeland plated with empanadas and grilled vegetables opened her 34 – look red hot show.

But it you’re wondering, how this South American local made it big in the big apple so quickly, we have the answer in three words. Made with care.

Growing up on her family’s ranch, Hearst spent her childhood surrounded by grazing farm animals on the backdrop of radiant amber woods, taking care of horses, cattle, and sheep. It was here that she learned the importance of patience, that with attention to detail, you’ll find the right result. And with these values, Hearst decided to embark on a journey to develop a brand that honored her hometown heritage. Where instead of manufacturing on trend pieces that fit the seasonal fashion forecast, Hearst would produce items with purpose behind design.

So after more than a decade studying design in the concrete jungle of Manhattan, Hearst launched her first collection in 2015 – honoring her heritage. But that’s not all she took over. Hearst too took over the operations of her father’s ranch in Uruguay gaining inspiration from the strong ethics she grew up with as a young girl. One key value that was mentioned is that Hearst focuses on finding out where materials come from and who makes them.

Or as Gabriela Hearst puts it, “luxury with a conscience.”

And with 99% of her textiles sustainable and ecofriendly, Hearst’s constructions have hit a homerun at home – at the places she loves most – and all over the world.

The Nina Bag, a light pink rosy colored leather handbag that was most famously seen on the arms of royals like Meghan Markle has now sparked long online waiting lists. Originally, Hearst only manufactured 20 custom made bags – particularly for good friends and family. Little did she know that within no time the bag would form a cult like following.

So with using these noble like materials and leading the parade on organic apparel, Hearst has built an A – list fan base that’s celebrity driven – spawning buyers like Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, and Emma Stone – and eco – friendly motivated, landing her the 2017 – 2018 International Woolmark Prize.

So if your keen on indulging on long lasting garments that are just as alluring as they are sophisticated, we suggest you jet set to New York for the weekend and check out Hearst’s first ever standalone store at the Carlyle Hotel located on Madison Avenue.

 

NYFW Celebrates Ralph Lauren’s 50th Anniversary

On the second day of New York Fashion week, celebrities and fashion elite including David Lauren, Anne Hathaway, Blake Lively, Steven Spielberg, Kanye West and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to name a few, came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ralph Lauren.

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The American fashion house marked its half century by hosting a fashion show and gala dinner seamlessly integrated against the backdrop of the Bethesda Terrace fountain in Manhattan’s Central Park, a homage to Mr Lauren’s hometown of New York City.

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In keeping with the philanthropy of the brand, the event benefited the Central Park Conservancy – a private, nonprofit organisation that relies on donations to prevent the decline of the world-renowned park.

Mr Lauren initially launched his eponymous label in 1967 aged 28. The lifestyle brand began as a collection of men’s ties, before developing into the first ‘Polo’ menswear collection in 1968. Womenswear was introduced in the 1970s. Today, the designer still acts as chief creative officer at the brand.

 

 

New York Fashion Week 2018

Major Style Moments from 2018 New York Fashion Week

With the world’s top supermodels showcasing the season’s hottest couture on the runway, New York Fashion Week has kicked off with incredible glamour. From the street style to behind-the-scenes at the trendiest #ByInvitationOnly after parties, elevated style has exploded all over New York City.

New York Fashion Week has come alive with energy and excitement, featuring some of the world’s best designers. The lively shows offered a burst of ultra-romantic flair and whimsical, feminine silhouettes, must-haves for Spring-Summer 2019.

 

Florence’s Latest Treat: Gucci Osteria by Massimo Bottura

Gucci Osteria in Florence’s Gucci Garden

In the world we live in, eating isn’t just a necessity, it is a way of life. Designer companies are now blurring the lines between fashion and food, like Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Café or Chanel’s pop-up Coco Café. People who are into fine dining and luxury foods, they experience a heightened level of aroma, style, and luxury. That was the goal when Massimo Bottura opened Gucci Osteria in Florence, Italy. On the ground floor, the restaurant opened inside the newly opened, Gucci Garden Galleria.

In the building, Palazzo della Mercanzia, overlooks the most famous square in Florence, the Piazza della Signoria. While dining, guests will be treated not only to a sophisticated menu, but a gorgeous view.

Palazzo della Mercanzia, which was built in 1391, was chosen for its gorgeous and historic qualities, and we don’t blame them. In 2011, it opened its doors to Gucci Museo and now, this beautiful restaurant. This 50-seat restaurant with its green-tinged oasis, blending together the high-end eatery, a store, and a cinema room. Taking dinner and a show and twisting it to make it luxurious.

With an exchange in cultures, this is the perfect place for a three-Michelin starred chef to hone his craft. Influenced by a 15th-century carnival song called ‘Cazona de’ sette pianeti’, Gucci Osteria’s charming design has it written in gold on the walls, and its seating is upholstered in verdant velvet.

 If it’s a unique international twist to traditional Italian experience, this stylish restaurant is where you should go. Even though it has an interesting menu, it will still have to compete with the eclectic retail store, as it sells products designed exclusively for Gucci Garden. The menu includes Parmigiano Reggiano tortellini, Peruvian-inspired tostadas, pork belly buns, and a mushroom risotto.

The latest redevelopment venture from the renowned Italian fashion house, Florence’s Gucci Garden Galleria, is only the first of many more eclectic and exotic things to come in the near future. If you’re into eclectic and exotic experiences, stay tuned and watch what else they bring to life and open for the luxurious to experience.


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