Charles Jeffrey takes over the V&A, while Mowalola mints thousands of NFTs
No need to Pitti (haha) Grace Wales Bonner this week because she was just announced as the next special guest at Florence’s menswear showcase in June. Following in the footsteps of Y/Project, Thebe Magugu, Telfar, and a slew of other leading designers, Bonner will present her SS23 collection at the Fortezza da Basso at some point during the fair’s 102nd edition, which takes place across the 14 -17 June. Also on the line-up is Ann Demeulemeester, whose plans to show last January were thwarted by rising COVID cases. While details surrounding Bonner’s show remain scant, Demeulemeester will take over Stazione Leopolda, a former railway plant, and will be a celebration of the label’s 40 years in the biz.
In other fashion news, Instagram’s IDeserveCouture has started a social media campaign, encouraging Vogue to honour Andre Leon Talley at next month’s Met Gala by leaving an empty chair at the top of the museum’s staircase – a symbolic reminder of his inimitable role as foghorn commentator. In a lifetime of aristocratic declarations perhaps the most endearing was his statement on sitting down, which he believed to be “the most wonderful thing”. Elsewhere this week, Virgil Abloh’s Coming of Age exhibition relaunched in Paris, while the 9th edition of Fashion Revolution Week kicked off, and Julia Fox starred in Supreme’s SS22 lookbook. For everything else that may have passed you by, click through the gallery below.
LIAM GALLAGHER HAS A SPEZIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
According to TikTok, where everything is trending at once, something called #blokecore is having a moment, forcing American teens to dress up in football tops and board shorts. I don’t think they’ve ever seen a bloke before but perhaps the trend is right on time – after all, Brit Pop, and all their parkas and Clarks shoes, were major precursors to the whole Indie Sleaze thing. Liam Gallagher and adidas are even collaborating on a spezial trainer, which they are launching with an intimate gig at King George’s Hall in Blackburn on April 27.
J’ADIOR DIAMONDS
Designed by Marc Bohan for Dior in 1974, the Christian Dior Diamond toille has been blasted across a bevy of bags, sneakers, and clothing. Available in grey, black, and coffee, the motif formed part of Kim Jones’ SS22 menswear offering, first hand-sketched and then presented in an all-over pattern – via a silk-screening technique – upon a cotton toile. A select number of pieces are now shoppable online and in store.
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
This week, Matthieu Blazy debuted his first ever Bottega Veneta campaign during the Venice Biennale, with a mammoth billboard along the city’s canal system. In Dubai, meanwhile, the label hosted a “series of cultural exchanges” including a film screening, musical performances, storytelling, poetry, and food. Led by Dazed cover star Mustafa the Poet, Carl Gerges, and Shaima Al Tamimi, The Square will be hosted next in Tokyo, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Sao Paulo.
APOC TRANSFORMS TRASH INTO TREASURE
As part of its Earth Day celebrations, APOC Store is launching a slew of repurposed pieces, designed by 20 members of its creative community. There are sagging, bulbous two pieces made by Gabe Gordon, Melted Potato’s glass-blown scraps of trash, and Ella Boucht’s “Daddy is a Dyke” ties. Head over to APOC to see more.
CHARLES JEFFREY TAKES OVER THE V&A
Charles Jeffrey is set to co-curate the next Tay Late at the Victoria & Albert’s Dundee outpost. As part of its exhibition on choreographer Michael Clark, Jeffrey will host an after-hours, one-night-only event, showcasing the work of emerging and contemporary designers, DJs, artists, and dancers. Head here to get your hands on some tickets.
STINE GOYA’S CHECKED MATE
Stine Goya is relaunching its ubiquitous Adonis jumper, beloved by Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. First released in a blue and green chequerboard print, the brand is expanding on its popularity with a new cardigan and matching skirt set. Check out Stine Goya’s latest offering here.
BUFFALO’S GOT PINK EYE
Fashion’s favourite anti-fashion fashion magazine has just launched its spring 2022 edition, a McBling-style ode to Paris Hilton pink, featuring Chloe Cherry, Loewe, and the Balenciaga mini bag as its cover stars. Pink, according to Buffalo Zine, is “an issue that reflects on the normalisation of our culture’s infantile tendencies, the shift in traditional gender roles and the crisis of an outdated version of manhood.” Click here to purchase a copy.
MOWALOLA’S MINTED
Fashion retailer Terminal 27 announced the launch an NFT collection with Mowalola, minting 1000 tokens on Terminal27.com. Having carried the brand in its LA store for years, the ongoing collaboration has now birthed a phalanx of digital, anime-style robots, which goes live next month.