The “First Monday In May” is gone. This year the Met Gala 2016 theme was “Manus X Machina”, an exploration of Fashion in the era of Technology: metallic garments, technological textures, avantgarde latex and precious reflections creating a new harmony between innovation and handicraft. I’ve selected the Best and Worst looks from the Red Carpet. Take a look! BEST Dakota Johnson in Gucci This dress is so perfect that it needs just SIMPLICITY: pale skin and straight hair. Beyoncé Knowles in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci The answer is in Formation lyrics: “I’m so RECKLESS when I rock my Givenchy dress”. Lea Seydoux in Louis Vuitton She’s the new LV Fashion…
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Prince: The Rules Of The Man With No Rules
No necessity to say what happened: you don’t need to be Prince Rogers Nelson’s biggest fan to be aware that we all lost a legend. On Thursday all the newsfeeds exploded with condolences, shock and grief. So we think there’s enough of it: instead of drowning in tears let’s show respect and gratitude to this iconic singer, who changed not only the world of music, but also the world of fashion. These days some “almost famous” bend over backwards to differ and make a statement; sometimes it really seems like originality is artificially exaggerated. However, back in the 70’s what Prince did what a game-changer. He craved for more and…
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Fashion goes to Design Week’16
Lately we’ve been too sore missing the precious moments of the Fashion Week, and apparently someone up there heard our prayers. Milan is again immersed in a week full of miscellaneous events and aesthetic wonders. However, this one is different: a celebration of new ideas and creations in Design. Is there any chance for fashion to squeeze in? Let’s see. At the beginning of the week we received an invitation to attend the Milan Design Week event of the brand Anteprima. Missing all the presentations’ rush, we jumped at the chance to go. However, on the day of the cocktail reception we inevitably wondered: while during the Fashion Week the…
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From Yves to Hedi
Only a week ago I was discussing the fate of creative directors that nowadays don’t seem to keep their positions for long. Yesterday we saw the news about Hedi Slimane, and his departure from Saint Laurent is no April Fools. While Hedi’s four-year work is widely appreciated as revamping the iconic brand, looking at Yves Saint Laurent’s sketches I couldn’t help noticing similarities. Dropping the “Yves” from the brand’s name, the French designer still managed to keep the spirit, and today I suggest taking time to appreciate this. When I was writing about creative directors in fashion industry, I mentioned Hedi Slimane in connection with the buzz about him parting…
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The Luxury Market Spectator: LVMH
(DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article is merely to illustrate the performance of a luxury company that I care about. I’m not a market guru, manage your money wisely.) When I buy a bag, I try to expiate my sins (and to forget the negative balance on my bank account) by convincing myself that I’ve made a good investment which is going to last. But you know what? Why don’t’ you make a real fashionable investment buying a stock – of a luxury company, of course? The company I’m analyzing today is LVMH. Decrypting the acronym, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. The company, given its fame, doesn’t even need an introduction, but…
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Creative Directors: What’s Ahead?
Two days ago we were hit by the fresh news: Massimiliano Giornetti to exit Salvatore Ferragamo. Could have been striking, but with all the recent shifts in fashion houses’ creative reigns we just close the article tab thinking “agaaaaaaain”. Seems like in the world of fashion there’s just some kind of agreement to drive the observers crazy.. What’s going on? Alexander Wang, Stefano Pilati.. In between the whole buzz about Raf Simons. Shock and regret to wave goodbye to Alber Elbaz leaving Lanvin, speculation, rumors and guesses about the future of Hedi Slimane. While in case of the first events we reacted strongly, discussing, wondering and questioning, now it feels…
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Is The Luxury Market In Trouble?
The luxury industry has continually experienced growth in the last 5 years, and has rightfully gained its nickname as the “recession-proof” industry with the major consumers located in America, Europe and Asia. The largest one, Asia, accounts for 40% of global luxury sales in 2015. Recently, however, the luxury market has been put to the test. In the last few years, China has played an increasing role in the growth of the luxury market. Chinese natives are now players in international tourism, and this has given a huge boost to luxury brands worldwide, especially in Paris, Milan and New York. Every name brand has since opened stores in China, and…
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American Apparel: The Story Behind The Bankruptcy.
American Apparel started out as an idea Dov Charney, the founder and long-time CEO, had in his Tufts University dorm room in 1989. The company started out as a wholesale retailer of high-quality cotton T-shirts. This proved to be extremely successful and the company quickly expanded to selling its manufactured goods in 260 shops in 19 countries. In 2005 it was listed among the fastest growing US Companies with a 440% three-year growth and revenues of over $ 211 million. The clothes manufacturer is known for its “Made in America” policy, which shuns the sweatshops of Asia to support US manufacturing. It is a vertically integrated company: all storefronts are…
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Chords of Trussardi.
The past weekend here wasn’t a piece of cake: Milan was rainy, grey and thus depressing. When weather turns to its dark side, there’s only one reason to leave home on Sunday, and every fashion addicted knows what it is. In spite of the raindrops attempting to ruin our hair, makeup and outfits, at 5PM we were running through the puddles in the direction of Palazzo Serbelloni to see Trussardi.
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Beauty at MFW: Ermanno Scervino
Over the weekend the BS4F team and I were busy running (literally) around the city attending presentations and shows in order to share what’s to come for FW16/17 with all of you! I have to say that I was particularly impressed with the Ermanno Scervino show, not only because logistically it was well organized, but because we actually got a seat close enough to truly enjoy the beauty of his pieces. Before I had ever been to my first fashion show, I thought everything worked smoothly and people walked calmly to their seats in a timely manner before the show started…obviously I hadn’t taken “The Devil Wears Prada” movie…
