ON THE ROAD: While speculation swirls around the updated relationship status of Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny, who made their tie up official in a viral Gucci Valigeria campaign last September, the Florentine fashion house has released new images dedicated to its travel line.
Reprising the same concept and ’90s-inspired jet set image style, this time the campaign is fronted by Gucci’s global brand ambassador and actress Ni Ni and Taiwanese actor Chang Chen, marking a reunion of the two protagonists of the Chinese television series “Love and Destiny.”
Envisioned by the brand’s creative director Sabato De Sarno, these images were also photographed by Anthony Seklaoui to mimic paparazzi shots taken in an airport. According to a statement released by the company on Thursday, the campaign is intended to stand “as a celebration of love and the broader concept of family” and to highlight “the special kind of familiar beauty that travel brings, especially when you find yourself beside a friend that is like family.”
The two stars were already seen side by side while attending the “Gucci Ancora” fashion show, which marked De Sabato’s debut at the house during Milan Fashion Week in September. Yet Ni Ni’s ties with Gucci trace back to 2017, when she was first named ambassador for eyewear in Asia, before extending her role to other categories globally.
In addition to portraying “Ling Xi” in the 2019 fantasy romance drama “Love and Destiny,” the actress is best known for her leading role as “Yu Mo” in the 2011 film “The Flowers of War,” which marked her debut and kickstarted her rise to fame.
Best known for his work in auteur Hsiao-hsien Hou’s “The Assassin” and “Three Times,” most recently Chang Chen played “Dr. Wellington Yueh” in Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 science fiction “Dune.” The same year, he won the Best Leading Actor award at the 58th Golden Horse Awards for his performance in the movie “The Soul,” after being nominated for the award three times.
For the Gucci campaign, the two actors also feature in a short video directed by Jeremy Z. Qin, in which they take each other’s luggage by mistake. These include duffel bags from the Gucci Savoy collection that restates the brand’s heritage via the signature GG monogram and Web stripe. Trolleys and other travel items featuring the same elements are also spotlighted in the campaign, as well as new designs in flashy monochrome tones or with neon leather details that make for De Sarno’s new take on the brand’s travel collection.
The Savoy line is available at a selection of Gucci stores worldwide and e-commerce, while the new neon styles will drop later this year.
Overall, the travel range holds a special status for the Florentine company as trunks, suitcases and hatboxes were the first items that founder Guccio Gucci offered after opening his store in Florence in 1921. As reported, in 2022 Gucci opened its first stand-alone store dedicated to the Valigeria line on tony Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. — SANDRA SALIBIAN
SAVE THE DATE: Dior has penciled in March 23 as the date for its men’s pre-fall runway show in Hong Kong, breaking with its tradition of unveiling the collection in December.
While the brand did not give a reason for the switch, late March is traditionally a busy period for events in China. The Dior show will coincide with the first edition of ComplexCon Hong Kong, due to take place from March 22 to 24, marking the first foreign edition of the festival to be held outside of North America.
Shanghai Fashion Week is set to kick off on March 25, while the Art Basel Hong Kong fair is scheduled from March 28 to 30. The Dior collection is due to arrive in stores from May.
Kim Jones, artistic director of menswear at Dior, unveiled the pre-fall line in Miami in 2019 ahead of Art Basel Miami Beach, and is known for his close connection to contemporary artists, collaborating with the likes of Kenny Scharf, Peter Doig, Kaws and Daniel Arsham. Last year, he presented the collection in front of the pyramids of Giza.
Coming on the heels of the Louis Vuitton men’s pre-fall show in Hong Kong last November, the planned Dior event signals parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s confidence in the growth outlook for the historic luxury hub. Dior has yet to announce the show location.
It will mark the French luxury house’s return to Hong Kong after a women’s haute couture show in 2014 and a men’s display in 2016. Present in Hong Kong since 1980, Dior has 11 boutiques there, of which six carry its menswear line.
Hong Kong is emerging from a challenging period, with antigovernment protests in 2019 followed by protracted border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, strangling tourism flows.
Hong Kong’s retail sales rose 17.1 percent between January and November 2023 compared with the same period the previous year, according to figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Thursday.
It quoted a government spokesman as saying that the value of total retail sales increased visibly in November amid a revival of inbound tourism. — JOELLE DIDERICH
LUNAR LOEWE: To celebrate Lunar New Year, which lands on Feb. 10, Loewe has tapped three Chinese master jade carvers to create a pendant series that highlights the rare craft of jade sculpting.
Xiaojin Yin, a carver specializing in flora and fauna, created a pendant in emerald green that depicts a cricket perched atop a cabbage, or bok choy, a symbol of wealth and abundance.
Carver Qijing Qiu created an eggplant-shaped pendant in light mauve, which resembles a “hat-wearing high-ranking official,” symbolizing status and success.
Lei Cheng, one of the few female carvers working in the space, created a spring jade pendant featuring a tiny snail atop a pea pod, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and luck.
“I believe that jade itself is a quintessential part of our nation. Its constant presence throughout our history and cultural journey makes it not just a companion, but also a spiritual anchor for our people,” said Cheng in the behind-the-scenes video.
The unique pendants, which are said to be priced at around 100,000 renminbi, or $14,061, per piece, will be available at Casa Loewe concept stores in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu.
The limited-edition pendants are part of the 2024 Lunar New Year’s Jade Collection, which also includes the Flamenco Purse Mini in six shades of jade-like hues, including Emerald Green, Dark Brick, Spring Jade, Sugar Yellow, Dark Khaki and Light Mauve, all of which sampled iconic pieces from The Palace Museum, better known as The Forbidden City. Each bag comes with a small keepsake of a jade ring fastened by a leather drawstring.
To complete the collection, keychains that loop in legendary creatures in Chinese mythology — including the frog, the pig, the elephant and the dragon, all of which signify good fortune — amplify the power of cute. The keychain retails for 2,900 renminbi, or $407, each.
The Jade Collection launched online and in stores on Thursday.
A campaign lensed by David Sims and fronted by Chinese actress Yang Mi, Loewe’s newly appointed global brand ambassador, was unveiled simultaneously.
To offer a closer read of the collection, the label plans to host a three-part Casa Conversation series in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu. Key figures from the project, including the three master carvers, artists, historians and cultural influencers, will engage in conversation about jade culture.
Loewe first began its exploration of Chinese craftsmanship with its spring 2023 handbag collection inspired by Chinese monochrome ceramics. — DENNI HU
IN STEWART’S SHOES: Flat shoes may be having a major fashion moment (with sales up 20 percent in 2023 over 2022, according to Net-a-porter), but on the red carpet, heels still rule.
They don’t have to be uncomfortable, however — at least not according to stylist Elizabeth Stewart, who has launched a collection of evening shoes with U.K.-based Sole Bliss just in time for awards season.
“It’s just a fact, the height and the way heels make you stand looks better for the red carpet,” said Stewart, who is dressing nominee Elizabeth Olsen and presenter Amanda Seyfried for the Golden Globes on Sunday.
Handmade in Italy and Spain, Sole Bliss was launched in 2017 by self-proclaimed “bunion sufferer” Lisa Kay, a 30-year veteran of the luxury shoe industry, with a patent-pending triple-layer cushioning system and a hidden stretch panel to accommodate bunions and wide feet without altering the shoe silhouette. The brand has been worn by Stewart’s clients Julia Roberts, Viola Davis and Rebel Wilson, as well as dozens of other celebs and British royals Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Queen Camilla.
“It was super organic, I found them online searching for a lot of clients. I have those who are willing to suffer for beauty but a lot who want to be comfortable. So I use their shoes,” said Stewart of how the relationship started. “We decided to do a collab so I could make them a little more red carpet, and they are really comfortable, it’s significant.”
Together, she and Kay designed two heels available in 10 colorways. The Royalty ($399) is a sexier version of the brand’s bestselling platform sandal, a silhouette loved by Roberts. The Premiere ($349) is a stiletto with a 4-inch heel available in neutral hues and on-trend red. The Elizabeth Stewart x Sole Bliss collection is available now on the brand’s website.
“I love Elizabeth’s style and the way she knows how to make her clients feel confident and comfortable in what they’re wearing. We’re very aligned in that respect,” said Kay. “I think special occasions do call for high heels. Heels can make you feel confident, powerful, more glamorous. But only when you feel comfortable wearing them.” — BOOTH MOORE
NEW AT VALENTINO: Valentino has promoted Matteo Di Pasquale to chief human resources officer.
Di Pasquale joined the Roman couture house in 2021 in the role of compensation and benefits director and was promoted to the interim acting chief human resources officer role last July, replacing Rosa Santamaria Maurizio, who exited the company.
Di Pasquale’s C-suite position became permanent on Jan. 1 and he reports to Jacopo Venturini, Valentino’s chief executive officer.
A graduate of the LUISS Guido Carli University with a young leaders program’s degree from ESTM Berlin, the European School of Management and Technology, Di Pasquale had built a strong track record in HR departments at international companies, from Accenture and Hay Group to Mercedes-Benz and AbbVie prior to joining Valentino three years ago.
In his role, Di Pasquale will serve as an ambassador for Valentino’s colleague-centric vision, the company said in statement, characterizing his appointment as a sign of continuity.
The appointment comes on the heels of an executive reshuffle at the house last July, when chief brand officer Alessio Vannetti exited, returning to Gucci in a similar role. He followed Valentino alum Sabato De Sarno, the current creative director of the maker of horsebit loafers and Jackie handbags.
As reported, in the wake of Vannetti’s exit, Valentino named Laurent Bergamo chief commercial officer, Andrea Cappi chief e-commerce and omnichannel officer in a newly established dedicated business unit, and promoted Yigit Turhan, previously director of brand strategy, to the chief marketing officer role. — MARTINO CARRERA
SECOND CAPSULE: German luxury fashion house MCM is again partnering with Japanese streetwear company A Bathing Ape (Bape) for a capsule for spring 2024. Building on their debut collaboration in 2019, the new capsule will celebrate the Year of the Dragon for Lunar New Year for the first time.
The first collaboration in October 2019 was a broad range of ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories. This second collaboration consists of unisex items, including a Bape hoodie and accessories.
The latest MCM x Bape Lunar New York Edition capsule is characterized by a play on pattern and graphics and the fusion of Bape’s shark motif with MCM’s signature Visetos. The Bape STA logo is a focal point of the collection and is enveloped with a golden dragon, symbolizing confidence and irreverent style in the new year.
The Shark Hoodie, which is offered in XS to XL and in two colorways, is designed in black and cognac Visetos and has the collaboration logo emblazoned over the monogram as well as the Bape shark motif, woven over the hood’s exterior.
MCM’s most popular silhouettes — the backpack, the belt bag, the crossbody, the Boston, the Weekender, the North-South tote and the handheld pouch, undergo a graphic transformation for the first time, featuring a transparent rendition of Bape’s camo pattern, debossed in gold over the Visetos in cognac and black.
Each piece has gunmetal hardware and oversize graphics.
“We are pleased to recombine MCM’s rich heritage of artisanship and mobility with the dynamic creativity of Bape for this next drop. Both brands complement one another as they achieved prominence through the natural proximity with the global streetwear movement — MCM finding a renaissance in the New York hip-hop community in the 80s, and Bape coming of age during the explosion of Tokyo’s Harajuku scene in the ’90s. It is a true celebration of luxury streetwear that captures the essence of the zeitgeist,” said Sabine Brunner, president and brand and commercial officer of MCM.
Thomas Hui, chief operating officer of Bape, said the collaboration “merges the best of both worlds” and “will elevate the whole luxury streetwear vibe to the next level.”
The capsule will be available Friday online and in-store in selected MCM flagships and Bape stores across the U.S.
Featuring seven pieces in total, the collection retails from $550 to $1,290. — LISA LOCKWOOD
SWEATER ART: White + Warren, known for its luxury cashmere, has partnered with The Metropolitan Museum of Art to create a capsule featuring 10 cashmere styles, including sweaters and winter accessories.
Inspired by the artistry of tapestries on display at The Met (“Arms of Greder Family of Solothum, Switzerland”; “Fragment of a Tapestry or Wall Hanging”), the capsule pieces capture design and craftsmanship of the highest quality and unite notable works of art with White + Warren’s most classic cashmere silhouettes.
The 100 percent cashmere capsule also includes embroidered travel wraps and beanies featuring The Met’s vintage Renaissance M logo. The collaboration is an homage to White + Warren’s New York City heritage. — L.L.
WORDS NOT TO LIVE BY: Just like fashion, the lifespan of words can be finite. With that in mind, some well-worn words are already off-limits, even though the year just started. The 2024 “Banished Words List” published by Lake Superior State University includes a few that are popular with designers, influencers and advertisers alike — as in “iconic,” “cringe-worthy,” and “obsessed.” Those three adjectives ranked respectively sixth, seventh and eighth on the list of 10.
Topping the list was “hack,” which earned that first-place finish for being used everywhere beyond its tech roots. C-suite executives could take to mind the second-place “impact.” The university posed a worthwhile question — “Why use this word, when we have a perfectly good word that makes more sense: “affect”?
The third word to avoid at all costs is an expression and one that is being re-banished. “At the end of the day” is considered “overused and meaningless, often employed as a rhetorical device that attempts to encapsulate the complexities of a situation summarily, lacking nuance and depth.”
More than 2,000 nominations were submitted for the 2024 ranking. The bulk of those came from the U.S., but there were also suggestions ranging from Australia to Canada.
Despite all of the recent headlines about “rizz” being Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year, LSSU is ready to show that to the exit. This abbreviation for charisma is already “a familiar presence in the realm of social media discourse,” according to LSSU. “The ubiquity of this term prompts contemplation on whether it retains its relevance.” There might be something to that — a Google search for “rizz” Thursday afternoon generated 38.8 million possibilities.
And apparently “slay” no longer connotes the exceptionalism it once did — now being sprinkled everywhere and applying to everything “from wearing a stylish outfit to tackling the art of parallel parking.”
Rounding out the list as ninth and 10th are “side hustle” and “wait for it.” Contributors felt that the only hustle is the one needed to get to their second job. And “wait for it” is trying to be the hype master.
The 48-year-old annual list was first cooked up by LSSU’ s public relations director W.T. “Bill” Rabe to draw attention to the little-known school. — ROSEMARY FEITELBERG
LAND AND WATER: Lands’ End said Thursday that it has launched an exclusive women’s swim collection at Target. The collection consists of about 70 pieces, including tops, bottoms, skirts, cover-ups and bags.
Prices range from $36 to $70 and feature new Lands’ End fabrics, prints, patterns and colors. Sizes range from XS to 3X and 2-26W. The collection is available on Target.com and in select Target stores.
Featuring spring and summer items, the collection incorporates Lands’ End’s features such as sun protection rated UPF50+, slimming Slendertex fabric and built-in panties and shorts.
Among the looks are a blouson tummy-hiding tankini, a strapless bandeau tankini top, a wrap underwire tankini top, a chlorine-resistant-adjustable V-neck swimwear top, and a hooded full-zip long-sleeve rash guard UPF 50 sun protection cover-up.
“Target has a tremendous impact in the retailer space and by joining forces with them we are certain to make our quality products more accessible,” said Andrew McLean, chief executive officer of Lands’ End. — L.L.
