On October 12th, the fashion world woke up to huge news: Gucci announced they are going fur-free. The chief executive’s own words were “It’s not modern, it’s a little outdated”. So how did Gucci take this huge U-turn and decided to leave their infamous fur-lined loafers behind? The fur discussion in the fashion world has been present for years. Gucci is not the first to sign up to Fur Free Alliance; Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Armani are all fur free brands. However there is no doubt that Gucci’s surprising action will have some effects on their sales regarding the fact that their best selling models all contain fur. The topic…
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Be Fashionable, Be Green
Over the years, the fashion industry has become more and more sensitive about themes involving the environment. Eco fashion, also known as “sustainable fashion”, is a philosophy embraced by fashion to create items that unite environmental awareness and creativity. Statistics show fashion industry to be the second most pollutant industry and numerous maisons are now trying to reduce their environmental footprint and show more care towards our planet. Stella McCartney was one of the first designers in the fashion business to embrace a sustainable attitude. In 2014, the brand has pledged to ensure that all its cellulose fibers meet “strict sustainability standards” by 2017. This project started from production stages and has now transferred…
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Marcelo Burlon: Crowded County of Milan
At the 2017 Fall Fashion Show of Marcelo Burlon County of Milan we took our places in front of the runway and there, in the County, in the crowd and were stunned by the strength of the collection. The runway was held at The Mall, a multi-functional space in Porta Nuova. For the occasion they had placed a rhombus-shaped catwalk, surrounded by walls that switched from red to white, inside the hall while an orchestra played wonderful classic music. It was in this unusual atmosphere, full of contrasts between modern and classic, that this powerful, aggressive and stylish collection was shown. Black, red, white and hunter green. Jackets, parkas, sweaters,…
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A Guardian of Human Dignity: the Story of Brunello Cucinelli
October 18 is indeed a significant day for us at Bocconi Students for Fashion: a guest lecture will be held with the one-of-a-kind Italian fashion magnate Brunello Cucinelli. Having started his business with cashmere sweaters in 1978, in almost 40 years he grew it to a multinational empire with impressive financials, which are just one among his numerous achievements. Today’s article will go through the history of the iconic luxury house, tell a story of a truly humanistic approach, and explain why ethics and dignity are not contradictory to that primary business goal we all got used to. Brunello Cucinelli launched his first garments in 1978, focusing on craftsmanship and…
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Kering: When Sustainability Marries With Luxury
Sustainability and fashion – two words full of meaning that seem to collide, but where the social power of this mesmerizing industry strikes again, creating synergies between an apparent dichotomy. Environmental impact has been a hot issue in the recent years, and the fashion industry has often been placed on the other side of the spectrum, and classified as one of the most polluting industries in the planet. Last week, Kering published an ambitious sustainability report marking an important step towards a more sustainable luxury. Let’s see what its implications are. Kering has been the first luxury giant to share publicly the environmental impact of its operations. Last weesk’s report…