Chloe Cherry is christened a Versace girl, while Paloma Elsesser purrs in Miaou
In Blue Nights, Joan Didion describes what the French call l’heure bleue – that time of day when the night sky begins to brew into black, otherwise known as the gloaming. “The very word ‘gloaming’ reverberates, echoes,” she wrote, “the gloaming, the glimmer, the glitter, the glisten, the glamour – carrying in its consonants the images of houses shuttering, gardens darkening, grass-lined rivers slipping through the shadows.”
As the sun sank into the maw of the Pacific behind the Salk Institute in La Jala, Nicolas Ghesquière evoked that same stomach-soaring sensation for his cruise collection at Louis Vuitton. Some kind of stately, intergalactic monarchy emerged from Louis Kahn’s brutalist structure, decked in Grecian swathes of linen, gilded jacquard, and high-shine leather, all of which had been fashioned into overblown silhouettes that recontextualised the opulence of the Regency era within a science fiction future.
In other fashion news this week, Hannibal Lecter turned Loewe muse, Gucci announced its plans to help its US employees access abortions, and new zine Red3licte launched. For everything else that may have passed you by, click through the gallery below.
RAY-BAN IS HERALDING THE SUMMER SEASON
Alongside its new colourblock collection – which sees the label transform its wayfarer sunglasses in lilac, blue, emerald, and red acetate – Ray-Ban is kicking off the summer season with a trifecta of club sessions. Presenting three shows in collaboration with All Points East, the Colour Factory in Hackney Wick, Koko in Camden, and Earth in Dalston will all play host to Sherelle, Kenny Beats, and Self-Esteem, respectively. Tickets for Ray-Ban x APE The Summer Sessions go on sale on May 11 here.
SIGNOR VALENTINO TURNS 90 WITH A BIRTHDAY EXHIBITION
This week saw Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani turn 90 years old. As such, the designer and Valentino founder was honoured by Pierpaolo Piccioli with a limited-edition hoodie, emblazoned with his “I love beauty, it's not my fault” quote, the sales from which will be funnelled into the Fondazione Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. Elsewhere, an exhibition of Garavani’s work will take place at the Teatro Sociale in Voghera in Italy from May 11 through to June 5.
GUCCIDAS UNVEILS A CATALOGUE CAMPAIGN
First emerging on Alessandro Michele’s runway back in February, Gucci’s capsule collection with adidas has now been given a June 7 drop date, along with a 70s-inspired campaign shot by Carlijn Jacobs. With interlocked logos and stripes blasted across joggers, zippered sweats, shorts, bell bottoms, and pencil skirts, the collaboration’s zenith was embodied by the show's final look: a corseted bodysuit complete with train and veil. Head here to see more.
CHLOE CHERRY IS NOW A VERSACE GIRL
The break-out star of this season’s Euphoria, Chloe Cherry has been reified as the ultimate Versace in the label’s SS22 campaign, launched in partnership with SSENSE. Shot by Noah Dillon and Robert Kerian, the actor tussles with enormous robotic arms before seeing herself split into a million clones in baby pink Medusa platforms. Click here to see more.
IRINA SHAYK GETS A SELF-PORTRAIT
No rest for Carlijn Jacobs this week, who was tasked with shooting self-portrait’s AW22 campaign, starring Irina Shayk. “I wanted to shift our campaign into something that felt strong, powerful, and clean to represent the joy and confidence associated with our brand,” founder Han Chong said, having somehow convinced Shayk to slip out of her beloved Burberry and return as the face of his own label.
PALOMA ELSESSER PURRS IN MIAOU
Perhaps the hardest-working model in the biz, this week Paloma Elsesser unveiled a collaborative collection with Miaou. Having known each other since 10th grade the label’s founder Alexia Elkaim and Elsesser would often work on one-off looks, with the model noting in Vogue that “[her] size was provided, but the community I represent was not.” Cut to the brand’s first plus-size offering, a 54-piece capsule offering cult-favourite corsets and gauzy skirts spanning an XS to a 4X. Head here to see more.