In the realm of streetwear and social media celebrity followings, the Adidas Samba has undeniably emerged as the most coveted shoe of the year. Countless collaborations with prominent labels like Kith, JJJound, and Sporty & Rich, almost every relevant streetwear label dared to release a pair of Sambas with their logo on it. However, one collaboration and designer got specific attention, and is now fetching prices north of $1000 in re-sale avenues: Grace Wales Bonner. I have to shamingly admit it was her collaboration with Adidas and their Samba shoe in Summer 2022, that first drew my attention to her and her designs. I only say shamingly, as it most…
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‘Girl Math’ is pushing consumers to justify luxury purchases
“Suppose I buy this Prada bag and I wear it 600 times. That would be around 5$ a wear, which is essentially free!” This is the main logic behind “Girl Math”, the latest trend originated from TikTok which is currently reframing the narrative around luxury indulgences. In the magical world of girl math cash is not actual currency, sale purchases equate to savings, and cosmetic procedures are an “investment in your future self”. The same way attending a concert is essentially cost-free, since you bought the tickets so far in advance, and returning an item means you are receiving free money. But behind of all this humor and flawed calculations,…
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BS4F Beyond Trends: We Are Claiming Back Reality with Flat Shoes
Fashion week season has officially come to an end and while we place our bets on what will be the trends for next year, one particular trend can answer some questions about what our lives, as well as our wardrobes, will look like in 2024. In this season’s fashion weeks all over the world, one shoe trend has represented a dramatic change in the norm: flat shoes. Dissecting history according to the trends adopted in certain periods of time, shoes are almost always understated, relegated as a mere accessory to the rest of the iconic outfits setting different fashion eras apart. Shoes, however, are one of the most accurate indicators…
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What is happening in the House of Gucci?
Amidst the transition from Alessandro Michele to Sabato de Sarno at the creative direction of Italian powerhouse Gucci, interrogations have been raised about the future of the brand and the success of this shift. Will this new collection be the salvation of Gucci? Can Gucci stand out in this new landscape? On November 23rd 2022, Gucci announced the departure of Michele after 7 years of loyal service. The creative director who created commotion around the brand with his extravagant and ground-breaking ideas left the House, sharing very little details about the specifics reasons for his departure. The French Luxury Group Kering who owns Gucci also stayed silent. Although Gucci showcased…
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A glance in the future: Chanel’s strategy for the following years
At the beginning of the month Chanel (@chanelofficial) inaugurated its Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection, projecting us into the modernist villa Noailles in Hyères. The show was a picture of an easy-living French vacation, where all the main codes of the fashion house came back in the runway, with particular attention to marinières, present in every shape. Despite being criticized for not evolving Chanel’s legacy and just following Lagerfeld’s imaginary of the brand, Virginie’s Viard collections seem to be quite profitable. Talking to @voguebusiness, Chanel global CEO Leena Nair, who joined the company in January 2022, underlines how Chanel’s revenues reached $17.2 billion in 2022, up 17 per cent versus 2021,…
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Walking the Runway: Birkenstock’s Unconventional Fashion Success
In the world of fashion, trends often come and go like passing fads. However, some iconic brands have managed to transcend time and become enduring symbols of style. Birkenstock, originally renowned for its comfortable but decidedly unfashionable sandals, is one such brand that has undergone a remarkable transformation. The Birth of Birkenstock The Birkenstock story began over two centuries ago, in 1774, when Johann Adam Birkenstock registered himself as a shoemaker in the small German village of Langen-Bergheim. The brand’s defining moment came in 1964 when Karl Birkenstock, a descendant of the founder, developed the legendary Birkenstock footbed. This contoured cork and latex insole provided unparalleled comfort and support, revolutionizing…
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The rise, the fall, and the comeback of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
It’s been a while since we last saw the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. However, on March 4th, the brand’s CFO announced that the show will make its comeback at the end of 2023 after a four-year absence. After this unexpected news it’s quite natural to wonder why the show has been suspended for so many years, given the relevance that it once had. In order to give a proper answer, it’s necessary to chronologically retrace some moments in the lingerie brand’s history. The company was founded in 1977 by an American businessman named Roy Raymond, who wanted to create a women’s underwear shop that was targeted at men, with the…
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BS4F Beyond Trends: Why see-through garments in 2023 tell a story of ownership
From Lady Gaga’s Versace gown, to Ciara’s daring “naked dress”, sheer fabrics seem to have taken control over the most recent red (champagne?) carpets and mundane events, as well as fashion week runways and shop windows, making see-through garments one of this year’s most popular trends. What does this tell us about our sensitivity as a society and what are the historical connotations of sheer fabrics? Historically, we can distinguish between different purposes of see-through fabrics in fashion, but we can generally find the origin of the spread of this trend between the 18th and the 19th century. In the Neoclassical culture, which arose after the French revolution and gained popularity during…
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EU Commission publishes long-awaited “green claims directive”: a proposal to wipe out greenwashing
In the fashion industry, the practice of using misleading labels as part of a larger marketing strategy known as “greenwashing” is pervasive. Terms such as “organic,” “green”, and “sustainable” are frequently used to create the impression that products are more environmentally friendly than they really are. This practice aims to capitalize on consumers’ growing concerns about the environment and sustainability. How can consumers make better choices if they are not adequately informed about the environmental implications of their purchases? According to the EU Commission, they can’t: even consumers who are willing to make sustainable choices can be misled, as companies use greenwashing to misrepresent their environmental impacts or benefits.In 2020,…
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Fashion and Automobile Companies joining forces
Collaborations between fashion and automotive brands have become increasingly common in recent years, as both industries seek to expand their reach and appeal to new audiences. When considering collaborations in the fashion industry, it’s common to think of partnerships with other designers. Collaborations between fashion brands have been memorable, from Fendi’s partnership with Skims to Gucci and Balenciaga’s collaboration. However, it’s not as common to see fashion brands working with car companies. For years, fashion houses have been teaming up with some of the world’s leading car companies to create customized cars. Lamborghini and Tod’s Automobili Lamborghini and Tod’s have signed partnerships to produce luxury leather goods, footwear, clothing and…