Valentino returns to Rome, while Converse and John Boyega foster the future of Black filmmaking
None of Ibiza’s clubs have a Pacha on Paula’s. Founded by Armin Heinemann in the 70s and 80s, the boutique became an international hub for the hippie lifestyle – all tropical prints, blouson sleeves, and deep V-necks – and played host to the island’s most raucous happenings, transforming prudish city-slickers into free-wheeling bohemians. In 2016, Jonathan Anderson decided to revive Paula’s, embracing boho-hedonism as part of Loewe. And this week, the designer unveiled his most recent Paula’s capsule in a sweaty, saucy lookbook shot by Gray Sorrenti. Dresses come in all-over sequins, hacked at the navel, while skin-tight tops have been blasted in bolshy farm-to-table prints, and breezy trousers are fashioned from loose-knit crochets. “Hedonism has been on my mind a lot of late: fun, partying, moments spent together releasing good energies,” said Anderson in his notes to the press. “The collection is sexy and liberated, with the carefree attitude that is quintessentially Ibiza.” Click through the images above to see more of what’s in store.
In other fashion news this week, Netflix’s Top Boy teamed-up with LABRUM and Hackney Wick FC, before announcing the release of a tell-all documentary on the seedy demise of Abercrombie & Fitch. Everyone’s favourite boss bitch, Christine Quinn, released a line of dazzling shoes, while Dutch designer Esmay Wagemans unveiled a bevy of liquid armour breastplates. For everything else that may have passed you by, flick through the gallery below.
CONVERSE AND JOHN BOYEGA SUPPORT NEW TALENT
In October 2021, John Boyega joined Converse’s Next Film Project with the intention of fostering a new generation of Black filmmakers. And, over the past six months, five London directors (Ade Femzo, Kaylen Francis, Kemi Anna Adeeko, Lorraine Khamali, and Ibrahim Muhammad) have each written, directed, and produced their own five-minute short, which debuted this week at the Curzon Cinema. Head over here to watch the film.
BARBOUR GETS POETIC
This week, Barbour International launched its third and final film within its Journey of an Original series, starring poet, spoken word artist, and musician, James Massiah. Soundtracked to a bespoke piece of poetry, Massiah explores his personal journey and career thus far, megamixing times, places, encounters, and people. Watch Barbour’s video here.
VALENTINO RETURNS TO ROME
Following on from its fuchsia fashion show, Valentino has announced the next venue for its couture offering: Rome. On Friday July 8, Piazza Mignanelli and Trinità dei Monti will lay the scene for Pierpaolo Piccioli’s next retina-burning outing, as the label returns to its roots in the city. “Roma is the place where everything starts, the life, the people, our stories, and identities are here,” said Piccioli. “We belong to this place as much as this place belongs to the world and to Valentino.”
NICHOLAS DALEY AND FRED PERRY FIND THEIR SOUL
Nicholas Daley and Fred Perry debuted their latest collaboration this week, drawing inspiration from Isaac Hayes, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The collection reads like an homage to the British Southern Soul Boys of the 1970s, via vibration-raising, striped, camp-collared shirts, utilitarian bomber jackets, and antique overshirts. See more of the offering here.
LOUIS VUITTON TO HONOUR VIRGIL ABLOH
In 2019, Virgil Abloh staged a Coming of Age exhibition in LA, exploring the theme of boyhood through the works of artists like Ed Templeton and Sandy Kim. And this week, Louis Vuitton announced that it will present an expanded version of the same show at the label’s Frank Gehry-designed Fondation in Paris, which will run for two weeks and be free of charge.
FASHION GOES CRUISING
Jane McDonald may have retired her click-clack cruising heels but fashion is still in thrall to the mid-season machine. Maria Grazia Chiuri is shipping Dior off to Spain, presenting her 2023 cruise collection on 16 June at Plaza de España in Seville, while Kim Jones is headed to LA on May 19. Louis Vuitton has selected the Salk Institute in LA for its May 23 show, with Chanel presenting its collection in Monaco on May 5, while Balenciaga is hosting its first ever show outside of Paris in New York on May 21. That’s a lot of flights! Gucci, however, is staying put in Italy, having selected the Castel del Monte in Italy's Apulia region (though Gucci doesn’t technically adhere to the cruise calendar).