Balenciaga crashes into the Marvel universe while Burberry’s NFT steps into the metaverse
While fashion seems to be taking closer cues, quite specifically, from the year 2006 – all Hervé Léger bandage dresses, chunky belts, and even chunkier handbags (see our sin list for more on that) – the preceding Y2K aesthetic continues to barrel through our news feeds. And yes, it may seem like there is little left to harvest from the turn of the millennium, but itch the scab and yet more weeps out. Y2K is dead! Long live Y2K!
Marc Jacobs and former Dazed 100er Devon Lee Carlson are the latest duo to pledge their allegiance to itty bitty diamantes, anxious dogs, and hot pink accessories – with the launch of a brand new capsule collection to celebrate Carlson’s birthday. “Marc is a true fashion icon and inspiration to me,” Carlson said. “All of the pieces in this collaboration were designed to be worn in any setting, at home with slippers or out on the town with your most fun heels.” The influencer stars in the campaign, shot by Connor Cunningham, in lace-trimmed slips, skimpy tracksuits, and kitten heels. “Getting to design this collaboration has been such an honor. It’s a dream that I’m just waiting to wake up from!”
In other fashion link-ups, billionaire Rihanna recruited an all-Black biker gang into her Savage x Fenty crew, while Ariel Nicholson became the first trans woman to front the cover of Vogue, and just about every pop star stepped in front of the camera for Pirelli’s 2022 calendar. Elsewhere, fashion fans lost their heads at the idea of Carrie Bradshaw wearing fast fashion in the Sex and the City reboot, while, presumably, Kendall Jenner lost hers when the news broke that she is reportedly being sued for $1.8 million dollars.
Flick through the gallery below to see what else may have passed you by this week.
CALVIN KLEIN AND IoDF CAME OUT FOR QUEERS
Hi gay! Pride extends beyond the month of June. Sometimes, it even spills into the first week of July – but rarely after that. For Calvin Klein, Pride is an increasingly year-round affair, and together with the innovators at Institute of Digital Fashion, the label unveiled its latest Murals of Pride project featuring four queer creatives across Europe, including a large-scale mural by poet Tanaka Fuego emblazoned across a Shoreditch wall. “I am living proof the silence of those who came before me has not gone unheard,” the installation reads, an expression of Fuego’s current relationship with their queerness. The mural is pasted across 2A Chance Street, Shoreditch, London. Check out the Murals of Pride short films and images accessible through a QR code here.
BURBERRY LAUNCHES ITS FIRST NFT
Burberry took a tumble into the metaverse this week, announcing the release of their first NFT made in collaboration with Blankos Block Party, Mythical Games’ flagship title. The limited-edition avatar, a shark named Sharky B, can be purchased, upgraded, and sold within the Blankos Block Party marketplace. Burberry will also launch its own branded in-game NFT accessories, including a jetpack, armbands, and pool shoes.
HURR IS BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO DESIGNER CLOTHES ON DEPOP
Fashion rental platform Hurr has launched a shop on Depop featuring a collection of popular pre-rented items, among them pieces from Stine Goya, Rixo, and BY FAR. All styles on The Loop, as it’s been dubbed, will be available to purchase with up to 80 per cent off. “Both resale and rental have a role to play in reshaping fashion consumption and making the industry more circular,” says Justine Porterie, head of sustainability at Depop. This initiative, which is the first of its kind, hopes to keep clothes from landfill by extending the lifespan of previously rented items – powering the circular economy to promote a more mindful attitude surrounding fashion consumption. Check it out here.
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH SLOW FACTORY AND VESTIAIRE COLLECTIVE
The Slow Factory Foundation is coming together with designer resale platform Vestiaire Collective, on a series of seminars addressing the past, present, and future of fast fashion. The events kick off today with “The History of Fast Fashion: How did this system take over?” The Zoom summer camp will also tackle the culture of disposability and the history of the resale market. Register your interest here.
BALENCIAGA HAS RELEASED A COMICON-READY CAPSULE
Ru Paul, Rammstein, Gucci, and now Marvel. Balenciaga is beginning to rival Palace when it comes to its list of collaborators. Launching this week was a capsule of Hulk-emblazoned pieces, which saw Marvel’s burly green-eyed monster pasted across ruched-arm hoodies, half-and-half slip dresses, and silk scarves. Take a look at the collection here.
CHARLES JEFFREY IS GIVING YOU ACCESS ALL AREAS
Charles Jeffrey is taking us behind the scenes in a new documentary that follows the designer as he launches his AW21 Gloom collection. Released in four episodes across the month of August, the first video goes live today, and sees Charles and his motley crew of creatives backstage on his gloom campaign. Head over to YouTube to watch.
MARTINE ROSE LAUNCHES A FANZINE WITH GARY GILL
Martine Rose and renowned hair stylist Gary Gill are launching a fanzine indebted to their mutual love of club, punk, and DIY culture. Gill’s photographs of Martine Rose’s clownish SS20 collection have been transformed into a mini mag, as well as a limited edition line of t-shirts. Created using a vintage photocopier and analogue collaging, both items are available for purchase on Martine Rose’s website now.
A-COLD-WALL* AND RETROSUPERFUTURE REUNITE
Samuel Ross is back with a second collaboration between A-Cold-Wall* and sunglasses brand, Retrosuperfuture. First launched last year, this season’s collection pushes Ross’ utilitarian, post-industrial aesthetic with two particular models – a square style crafted from marble-like acetate, and a more traditional pair of wayfarers set in dusty, greyscale plastic. The collection went live this Monday (August 2) on A-Cold-Wall*’s site.
MR PORTER LAUNCHES A NEW STREETWEAR MARKET PLACE
Mr Porter is launching a brand new marketplace, Super Mart. Housed within the Mr Porter website, this curation pulls from casual, streetwear inflected menswear labels, offering 330 products from the likes of Aries, General Admission, Acne Studios, and Undercover. 54 of these pieces are exclusives from Undercover’s Madstore line, making the brand available to purchase for the first time outside of its Japan pop-up. From jewellery, to clothing, to objéts, take a look at what’s in store here.