Regatta Great Outdoors collaborates with Christian Lacroix

 

UK outdoor brand Regatta Great Outdoors has collaborated with French fashion house, Christian Lacroix as the collection is previewed in March 2023 during Paris Fashion Week 

Come the autumn/winter 2023, the British brand will feature jackets, coats and accessories in the new collection which will be available to consumers from October 2023. 

The range consists of 27 elevated ready-to-wear styles across clothing, footwear and accessories for men and women; and also includes outerwear silhouettes such as long-line puffer coats, boxy baffle jackets and oversized gilets alongside complimenting footwear such as lace-up boots, classic hikers, wellies and trainers. 

Combining the characteristics of both brands, each outerwear piece is created to combine waterproof and breathable qualities with premium fabrics and recycled insulation which are interspersed with chevron accents, statement linings, hardware and the signature use of the Christian Lacroix branding on the outer of the garment.

Design Shenzhen - 27th February - 2 March 2023, at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center

Design Shanghai, billed as Asia’s largest design fair, will this year present a new addition to its event portfolio: Design Shenzhen, set to host some 200 curated brands tailored to architects, interior designers, property developers and the design-savvy public. 

The event will take place from the 27th February - 2 March 2023, at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (SZCEC), an architectural landmark of Shenzhen in the heart of the city. 

Above: Yum Ziya, the Chief Experience Officer of Design Shenzhen 2023,
is the first Virtual Human that was released by the designer toy brand Underverse. 

Organisers believe Shenzhen, just across the border with Hong Kong, will become the third city to host Asia's leading design exhibition and will be the largest curated event of its kind ever seen in the city. 

Home to the biggest architecture and design, cultural and creative communities in China, Shenzhen is a hub of cutting edge and future-focused innovation. Dubbed the ‘Silicon Valley of China’, Shenzhen is home to leading tech company HQs, alongside vibrant art, culture and design businesses and institutions. 

Shenzhen

The city, once a fishing town in South China’s Guangdong province, is one of China’s best known economic miracles of the past 40 years. Design Shenzhen will bring new perspectives to design in China, creating a focal point for brands and designers within China’s most successful and fast expanding commercial and geographic region. The show will provide a journey into the future, spotlighting cutting-edge design and technology through global product launches, immersive installations, feature areas and a talks programme that will be led by minds shaping the future of design. 

Zhuo Tan, Managing Director of Clarion Events Shanghai Limited, says "Design Shenzhen will join Design Shanghai and Design China Beijing to create Asia’s largest network of annual design shows. The combined events will create a continuous and comprehensive design platform and promote the vigorous development of China's design industry!”

Raymond Wang, Show Director of Design Shenzhen, says “Our aim for Design Shenzhen is to launch an exhibition in the Greater Bay Area that has an impact within Asia and on the international stage. As China's first 'City of Design' designated by UNESCO, Shenzhen is undoubtedly the best place to host the cutting-edge design event. The first 'Design Shenzhen' will continue the professionalism of our series of exhibitions. As a brand-new exhibition, we invite industry pioneers in the fields of design, culture, creativity, etc., and look forward to bringing the vitality of design to Shenzhen this December.”

Design Shenzhen’s Features strive to partner with leading design and creative studios, luxury fashion brands and influential media titles to create unique and thought provoking experiences. Expect trend forecasts, one-off installations, stand-out projects and collaborations, that will encourage people to engage and question their understanding of design and the possibilities within this field.

The Design Shanghai Forum Programme has carved a reputation as the leading global platform for design thought leadership, hosting presentations from world-renowned designers, such as Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Paola Navone, Tom Dixon and Chi Wing Lo. Design Shenzhen will build on this platform to shine a light on the unique environment of Shenzhen, focusing on more forward-thinking design topics and the adoption of technologies in the design industry. Sponsored by PPG and Duravit, the 2023 Design Shenzhen Forum invites over 40 prestigious architects, designers and tastemakers to share their insights around the forum theme "Regenerative Design – Design for Wellbeing: Humanity, Sustainability, Technology". 

Images from Design Shanghai/Design Shenzhen.

All that Glitters is "GOLD by Yves Saint Laurent" in Paris - on show until May 14, 2023

On show in the centre of Paris the world's fashion capital, on avenue Marceau in the 16th arrondisement, just a stone's throw from the river Seine, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent celebrates the 60th anniversary of the designer’s first eponymous collection with an exhibition 

entitled “Gold by Yves Saint Laurent”, running until May 14, 2023.  

2022 also marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of the museum.

Focusing on gold, faithful followers of YSL and fashionistas alike can immerge themselves in a curated world of the designer's much admired work, from his iconic haute-couture and ready-to-wear fashion to accessories, bold jewellery and luxurious formal pieces and rich designs, and examine the role that gold played in the couturier's work.

“It is today’s black. I always enliven black with gold, through buttons, belts and chains”, Yves Saint Laurent.

The "gold" themed exhibition highlights the designer’s work, from the first buttons on his pea coats to his fluidly golden dresses and Saint Laurent's special mastery touch handling the dazzling radiance of gold in a wide array of materials, including brocade, laces, lamé, sequins, leathers, embroidery… The Yves Saint Laurent’s gold touch extended even to his perfume.

While charting the couturier illustrious career that took off at the House of Dior following the death of Christian Dior his mentor, the exhibition gives insight into his celebrated collections, referencing the many landmark works such as Le Smoking and Les Transparences, as well as his work with glossy magazine photographers such as David Bailey, and his glamorous clients including Zizi Jeanmaire and Catherine Deneuve, and such personalities as Loulou de La Falaise and Paloma Picasso.  

By popularizing gold and modern femininity as imagined by Saint Laurent, women were free to be individuals.

The golden era of Saint Laurent's success was marked between the end of the 60s and the beginning of the 1980s when he was a frequent patron of Paris' trendy nightclubs and lavish parties, and the lure of seductive Hollywood stars, the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich, who inspired the iconic couturier with a certain energy, elegance and glamour.

Towards the top of the stairs at 5 avenue Marceau was Saint Laurent's studio, the epicentre and heart of the couture house for nearly 30 years, preserved as it was when the haute couture house closed in 2002.

In this light and inspirational room, one can imagine the days when the designer worked endlessly with his colleagues and fitting models, with sketches and fabric swatches spread out on the desks, as well as a mannequin with a fitted jacket with gold embroidery in place, trays of buttons and trimmings, and rolls of fabrics in one corner.  

One wall of cabinets is filled with files, reference books and documents of the designer's work, while a large mirror dominates an entire wall reflecting back the amazing spectacle of the designer atelier.

In all, there were some 40 Haute-Couture and Ready-to-Wear dresses, as well a selection of jewellery, perfumes, and accessories.

The golden touch of Yves Saint Laurent lives on.

All photos by Lucia Carpio

Première Vision Paris reports successful February edition. Next show to be in July 2023.

The prestigious Première Vision Paris, the leading textiles industry trade fair and platform for global fashion business and communication professionals, was held successfully from February 7th to 9th 2023 at the Parc d'Expositions in Villepinte, North Paris to present the collections for Spring Summer 2024.

Organisers reportedly welcomed 34,500 trade visitors from around the world to visit and view  some of the latest developments from 1,244 international participating exhibitors, covering the full spectrum of the fashion and textiles industry, from yarns and fibers, to fabrics, leather, accessories and components, decorative designs, fashion-manufacturing solutions. 

While the February edition of Première Vision Paris closed its doors last week, sourcing for Spring-Summer 24 now continues online at the Première Vision Marketplace thanks to two new virtual forums to visit online as if you were actually there.

This season, one can  join the Leather forum to discover the best developments in leather and skins, of more than 380 products, and take a virtual stroll through a part of the Essentials forum featuring a selection of 140 creative and innovative fabric samples selected by the Première Vision fashion team.

The next physical edition of Première Vision Paris will take place 

July 4 - 6 at Parc d'Expositions, Villepinte, Paris.

All photos by Lucia Carpio.

London Fashion Week February 2023 February 17 - 21 2023

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has released the official final schedule for London Fashion Week (LFW) February 2023, taking place from Friday 17th to Tuesday 21st February 2023, as a digital-physical hybrid.

The schedule currently involves over 116 confirmed participating designers and 48 catwalk shows, 22 presentations and appointments, 34 events and 42 digital activations available on the Official Digital Hub.

Michael Halpern of Halpern Studio AW 2022
London Fashion Week photo

Highlights include iconic British luxury brand Burberry on Monday the 20th under the new creative direction of Daniel Lee, as well as Christopher Kane, Erdem, JW Anderson, Molly Goddard, Roksanda and Simone Rocha. 

Returning to the schedule this season are Natasha Zinko and Tata Naka, and emerging designers include Dilara Findikoglu, KWK by KAY KWOK, Sinead Gorey and Talia Byre. 

Explore the full list of designers here.

This year, the BFC will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its internationally celebrated BFC NEWGEN showcasing initiative, spotlighting London’s unique position as a global leader in nurturing creative talent. 

The BFC NEWGEN Show Space, where the current cohort will showcase their collections, returns to The Old Selfridges Hotel thanks to the ongoing and generous support of Selfridges who share the BFC’s commitment to supporting emerging designers. 

Participating NEWGEN designers on schedule this season are: Ahluwalia, ANCUȚA SARCA, ASAI, Chet Lo, Conner Ives, DI PETSA, EFTYCHIA, FEBEN, HARRI, HELEN KIRKUM, LABRUM London, Leo Carlton, Nensi Dojaka, Paolo Carzana, ROBYN LYNCH, ROKER, S.S.DALEY, SAUL NASH, Sinéad O'Dwyer, and yuhan wang.

Returning this season is City Wide Celebration, an programme of events and activations open to the public over LFW. The full City-Wide Celebration programme will be announced, with the event running from Friday 17th to Tuesday 21st February alongside the LFW show schedule.

Première Vision Paris shines a spotlight on sustainability; launching of a new Smart Tech Zone

Première Vision Paris, the leading textiles industry trade fair and platform for global fashion business and communication professionals, is gearing up momentum for its next edition slated for February 7 - 9 2023, at the Paris Nord Villepinte Parc d’Expositions, bringing some of the latest developments from 1,244 international participating exhibitors, covering the full spectrum of the fashion and textiles industry, from yarns and fibers, to fabrics, leather, accessories and components, decorative designs, fashion-manufacturing solutions. 

Images from Première Vision Paris July 2022

Organisers reiterates that Première Vision Paris prides itself of its unique advantage of being in contact with the entire supply chain, thus it is a fundamental link between suppliers and buyers.  

Being fully engaged in its forward-driving role for the fashion industry, the show is consolidating its engagements and strengthening its offer and services to support the industry in its transition to new business models that are more sustainable, ethical and transparent.  It is also assisting the sector in its digital transition, for more efficient creative and production methods that respect both the environment and people.

Images from Première Vision Paris July 2022

In this new edition, the fair is shining a spotlight on sustainability with the launch of a new Smart Tech Zone, within the Smart Creation space dedicated to sustainable innovations, focusing on tech innovations, new developments to alternative materials, cutting-edge technical and technological innovations, custom advice and services - the solutions to help the creative fashion industry make a sustainable transition.  

Organisers said the zone will feature 20 companies, among the most advanced in their field, who will present their tech innovations (artificial intelligence, algorithms, traceability, blockchain among others), both logistical (inventory and flow management) and analytical (optimization of costs, overproduction issues), to support the sector in its digital and ecological transformation with optimized design and production processes, serving a more responsible and traceable industry: Trend data and online listening, market analysis and labeling.

This new edition of Première Vision Paris aims to offer a reinforced set of committed initiatives to help inform industry professionals, and provide concrete solutions in terms of sustainable sourcing and production, say the organisers.

Images from Première Vision Paris July 2022

There will also be an Eco-Innovation Forum; a new Upcycling itinerary where exhibitors may sell their deadstock; a series of talks, a fashion seminar focused on sustainable creation, specialized sourcing itineraries, and a range of content (articles, podcasts, white papers...) all to be available online.

In addition, a special area - DIGITAL FASHION x IFTH EXPERIENCE - organized in partnership with the IFTH (French Institute of Textiles and Clothing) will reconstruct the digitalization chain of a fashion item, from digitizing the material on through to finished product, including its virtual prototyping and digital simulation of an avatar of the product during its various construction stages.

There are guided tours made available of the Smart Tech zone to allow visitors to learn about the exhibitors. Tours will be conducted in English, French, Italian and German.

Première Vision Paris this season is featuring 1,245 exhibitors who are presenting their latest developments and creations to the international creative fashion industry.  They come together to discover inspiration, exchange ideas, and build their collections of ready-to-wear, accessories (fashion jewelry, leather goods) and footwear for the Spring-Summer 24 season. 

Full details and practical information are accessible on the Première Vision Paris website.

Texworld Evolution Paris - February 6 - 8 - welcomes international buyers

From 6 to 8 February 2023, Texworld Evolution Paris will once again take place at the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition center, playing host to a total of 750 exhibitors from some 20 countries.

The international fair is billed as one of the main sourcing fairs for the textiles and fashion industry will feature brands ranging from ready-to-wear to luxury textiles.

Organisers at Messe Frankfurt say they expect another successful show as the level of visitor pre-registrations have suggested a real enthusiasm for this edition.

In the Texworld Paris section, there will be 460 exhibitors.  Chinese participants return with 220 compaies, taking the lead again among the exhibitors. They are followed by Turkish manufacturers, with 122 companies, Koreans (43 companies) and Indians (45 companies), along with Japanese and Indonesian manufacturers.

In the Apparel Sourcing Paris section, which focuses on finished products, there are 270 companies, including 210 Chinese manufacturers whose participation is supported by the CCPIT TEX (Council for the Promotion of International Trade), a loyal partner of the Texworld Evolution Paris fair.

The African continent, which confirms its aim to strengthen its role in global sourcing, will also be represented with companies from Ethiopia and, for the first time, Ghana, with the support of the ITC (International Trade Center) and the German cooperation association GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).

Texworld Evolution Paris 2022.

Visitors from around the globe are treated to a programme of activities and pathways for orientation, with several round tables and conferences on offer. They will open the debates on current themes, such as the contributions of Web3 in the fashion and clothing industry, second-hand markets, or ways to make a company sustainable without compromising its competitiveness. 

Other highlights will punctuate the three-day show with topical issues raised by sustainable fashion and recyclability, with, in particular, presentations by PhDs from the Bali Chair. A conference on the sourcing offer in Ghana will allow visitors to discover the industrial potential of this country.

One new addition this February is the launch of The Red Thread, a pathway which provide a link to all the exhibition's points of attraction. It will guide buyers from the entrance of the show to the Trends Forum and the Elite Forum – these two spaces created by the show's Art Directors showcase a selection of samples to imagine the spring-summer 2024 collections – through the Denim Village (20 exhibitors) and its Denim Trends Forum, the national pavilions and the Agora where the conferences will take place. 

This February edition also includes a revisited sustainable sourcing itinerary. This will bring together a hundred companies that have implemented CSR initiatives in an operational manner. 

Organisers say the number of Apparel Sourcing Paris exhibitors included in this itinerary has increased significantly compared to previous editions. This itinerary will be accompanied by the two other traditional itineraries, the small quantity itinerary (for small brands and capsule collections), and the handmade itinerary (for the finest handicraft).