• Is Sabato de Sarno Reshaping GUCCI?

    Over the past year, the Gucci runway has stolen the spotlight of Milan fashion week stirring conversations and mixed opinions. The spring/summer 2024 collection unveiled a new era at Gucci with the arrival of Sabato De Sarno. By closing the doors of Alessandro Michele’s maximalist approach, the new designer brings a fresh sophisticated touch to the brand by replacing Michele’s eclectic signature with more minimalist designs. Given that De Sarno changed the brand’s image, some critics mention that he is compromising the brand’s identity. Some would even say that Gucci is losing its edge. With that being said, can we talk about a reinvention of Gucci or is it actually…

  • Wilderness in Fashion: The Evolution of Leopard Print

    No other print has embodied so many contradictory meanings as leopard print, which has been at the same time a symbol of status and luxury for some, and of being tacky for others. The sophisticated symbolism behind it has made it an inseparable part of fashion. Its popularity may rise and decline, but leopard print has a significant cultural resilience. To follow its traces, we go back in time to the early civilizations. Long ago, our ancestors used the pelts of the animals they killed as clothing. Gods of different civilizations such as Seshat, the Egyptian goddess of wisdom, and Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and hedonism, were often…

  • Ralph Lauren – The American Moment

    Series: In Vogue: The 90s Season 1 Episode 06: The American moment           “In the 90s in New York, everywhere you went you were bombarded with all these huge billboards. Sort of selling the dream, the American Dream.”  American designers at the moment understood that fashion was becoming much more democratic and accessible. Ralph Lauren being one of those designers, really understood the assignment, furthermore the power of communication as well as blanketing the world with advertisement. Even by being a preppy fashion house, diversity was delivered in every aspect. But let’s start from the American Dream “Everyone has a little bit of a dream, they want to be that guy…

  • Spring/Summer 2025: An Overview

    NEW YORK FASHION WEEK New York Fashion Week (NYFW), ran from September 6th to September 11th this year, although Ralph Lauren shook things up with a surprise relocation to the Hamptons to kick off the week, which he described as “my refuge”. Guests enjoyed the warm weather and seaside setting that matched the coastal-coded pieces that Ralph Lauren sent down the runway. The collection was well-liked by the fashion industry. Although there was nothing particularly adventurous, it was a classic contribution to Lauren’s portfolio that evoked equestrian-influenced all-American aspirational style he’s best known for. Resplendent with a star-studded crowd, the Hamptons runway was a clever move that honed in on…

  • Homage VS Imitation: Dolce & Gabbana SS25 Walks a Fine Line

    Dolce & Gabbana’s SS25 runway felt like a walk down memory lane, with models flaunting blonde wigs, cone bras, and corsets – straight out of a Madonna playbook. While the looks were undeniably a bold expression of femininity, it felt all too familiar. If you couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu as well, it is because we have already seen this – courtesy of Jean Paul Gaulthier. It is no secret that Gaulthier was known for his unconventionality and outlandish designs. Inspired by the bullet bra of the 1950s, he debuted his first inspired interpretation down the runway for his F/W 1984 collection. Gaulthier took his cone bra to…

  • Couture and Culture: A friendship between Chanel and the French National Opera

    On Tuesday October 1st 2024, the curtains of the Opera Garnier opened for its annual Fundraiser Gala. As dancers stepped on stage dressed in Chanel costumes, the House took on, once again, its role as Grand Patron of the French National Opera.  A Historical Connection Performance arts have always been a part of Chanel’s core, starting with the beloved Coco Chanel. As a young seamstress, Coco Chanel took dance lessons with famous artists such as Caryathis and Isadora Duncan. She grew as a fashion designer,  and so did her appreciation for dance. In Paris, she discovered the Ballets Russes, an itinerant ballet company which began in the french capital and…

  • STELLA MCCARTNEY: THE HONOR AND BURDEN OF SUSTAINABILITY

    Relying on her British take on modern femininity and tailoring to found an internationally acclaimed 23-year-old brand, Stella McCartney is arguably one of the fashion industry’s leading female designers. Born in 1971, McCartney’s life has always been frantic and eccentric. Daughter of the music royalty couple composed by the Beatle Paul McCartney and the photographer Linda Eastman, the stylist spent her early life bouncing from the idle rural life of their Scottish farm, to the recklessness of the Wings’ (her parents’ band) road tour. Both extrema profoundly inspired the perceptive spirit of the young Stella, who identifies the “glittery boots and glamour” seen on stage as an early spark to…

  • BS4F Beyond Trends – The 2024 Adidas cult: the power of knowing your customer base

    Recent fashion history has undoubtedly demonstrated how streetwear is not only able to influence fashion trends, but also serves as a major design inspiration for some luxury houses. Amidst the unstoppable rise of streetwear, we can recognize sneakers as the unsubstitutable queens of fashion in the 2010s, but their status as fashion trend indicators is far from being overthrown in 2024.  If you, too, were a teenager or a pre-teen in the 2010s, chances are you have already witnessed a sneaker trend taking center stage and becoming the symbols of whole styles and aesthetics. The iconic checkered Vans monopoly on Tumblr is a perfect example of how a simple pair…

  • Kering Group’s Troubling Start to 2024: A Closer Look at Declining Sales

    After the company’s negative earnings update last month, it is not surprising that Kering Group results of the first quarter of 2024 are worrisome.  The reported revenue comprises of €4,504 million, which is a decline of 11% as reported and 10% on a comparable basis. Overall, the Group has experienced an 11% and 7% decrease in the revenue from the directly operated retail network and wholesale respectively. Further, the Group has reported that it anticipates a decline of 40 to 45 percent in first-half recurring operating income compared with the same period in 2023. “Kering’s performance worsened considerably in the first quarter,” François-Henri Pinault, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of…

  • The Fusion of Fashion and Design: Exploring Salone Del Mobile 2024

    Fashion and design intersected in a remarkable display of creativity and innovation at Salone Del Mobile 2024. As Milan Design Week unfolded, renowned brands such as Hermès, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, and Prada captivated audiences with their visionary approaches to blending fashion and homeware. From immersive exhibitions to thought-provoking symposiums, each brand brought its unique perspective to the forefront, reshaping the landscape of design and luxury. Hermès Gallops Ahead: A Commitment to Craftsmanship Hermès reaffirmed its position as a pioneer in the realm of homeware and furniture with a stunning showcase at Salone Del Mobile. Since its debut in 2011, Hermès has continuously pushed the boundaries of interdisciplinary design, seamlessly…