From Amazon’s latest fashion innovation to Versace’s star-studded streetwear collaboration, these are the top international fashion news stories of the week.
Amazon’s ‘Prime Wardrobe’ Threatens the Future of the Fitting Room
Since technology began its reign and online shopping grew increasingly popular across the globe, the classic brick and mortar fashion store has retained one edge over its online competitors. Namely, the ‘try before you buy’ concept. This notion comes hand in hand with in-store fitting rooms and is one guaranteed way to draw in customers. Now, Amazon has unveiled a new feature that pairs the ‘try before you buy’ philosophy with the ease of online shopping. The Amazon ‘Prime Wardrobe’ allows its customers to order between 3-15 items of clothing from Amazon Fashion at no upfront cost. Yes, you read correctly, ordering is free. These items will then be delivered in a box to the customer’s doorstep (for free). Finally, they will then have one leisurely week to decide whether to buy or return the clothes.
Although the Amazon service is currently in beta stages, following its announcement, shares in Macy’s, Nordstrom, Boohoo, and Asos fell. When technology entered the world, people feared that robots would one day rule. It appears, however, that Amazon will do so instead.
Vogue Japan’s Newest Cover Features a Record-Breaking 67 Models
Everyone knows that three is a crowd and that too many cooks spoil the broth. When it comes to magazine covers, however, it appears that the more models there are, the better. This week, Vogue Japan broke records as they shot their August 2017 cover featuring a staggering 67 models. The magazine recruited their fleet of models from Dolce and Gabbana’s Fall 2017 runway. As a result, the sea of striking faces included not only famous models but also global influencers and celebrity children. Sarah Snyder, Sofia Richie and Jude Law’s son, Rafferty, were thus amongst the crowd of models who scored their first Vogue cover.
Lining up like beautiful school children for a high fashion class photo, the models crowded onto ascending platforms. Although the cover sported the caption ‘Fashion Playtime’, there were no schoolyard bunny ears or silly faces spotted. For the couture class, Vogue Japan’s Anna Dello Russo and Saori Masuda styled the uniform. The issue itself will go on sale on the 28th June.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVlVdz5l8uY/?taken-by=voguejapan
Fashion Icon Carla Fendi Passes Away at Age 79
This Monday, the fashion world bid farewell to one of its icons, Carla Fendi, who passed away in Rome. Born in July 1937, Carla grew up playing on the floor of her parents’ small, Roman leather goods shop, Fendi. In 1946, she inherited the brand alongside her five sisters and transformed it into the luxury fashion dynasty that it is today. Her marketing and PR skills helped elevate Fendi’s position on a global scale, and she maintained a close relationship with the brand’s director, Karl Lagerfeld.
A patron of the arts, Carla was firmly committed to preserving Rome’s culture. Through her Carla Fendi Foundation, she helped to finance the restoration of one of Italy’s iconic landmarks, the Trevi Fountain. Additionally, she was the chief patron of the Two Worlds art festival in Spoleto. As a result, tributes have flowed in from the fashion and art world following her passing. The Fendi company, of which Carla was the honorary president, stated, “We honour our dear Carla, whose loss deeply affects us all. She has been a source of inspiration and an example of dedication, culture of work, and sensitivity to beauty for all of us”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVjzVxzFVei/?taken-by=fendi&hl=en
Anti-fur Protesters Take on Michael Kors Live on Stage at the Metropolitan Museum
On Wednesday night, fashion designer Michael Kors sat down for a discussion with Alina Cho at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to the audience members at the museum, over 250,000 people also watched the interview streamed live. With over a quarter of a million people watching, a crowd of animal activists suddenly emerged from the audience and stormed the stage. The protestors circled Michael Kors and Alina Cho, making animal sounds while taunting him for his use of fur. One of these activists reportedly accused the designer of being “responsible for the deaths of countless animals, taken for their fur or their skins in the name of fashion.”
This is not the first time Kors has been the subject of attack by anti-fur activists. As a wide range of designers strive to create ethical and sustainable clothing, many people are angry at those who refuse to follow suit. Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Tommy Hilfiger are among the high fashion designers who refuse to use fur in their designs. Michael Kors, however, appears to remain unfazed by protests against the use of fur. After security had ushered the protesters from the venue, Cho commented, “There’s never a dull moment”, to which, Kors replied, “It’s fashion.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVoPG-tndOc/?taken-by=thealinacho&hl=en
Versace Releases Collaboration with Singer Zayn Malik
This week, former One Direction member, Zayn Malik, released his collaboration with high-fashion house Versace. Far from your typical 1D merchandise, Versace has defined the capsule collection, Zayn x Versus, as “attitude of the street” and “a mix of sports and functionality.” After Zayn was introduced to Donatella Versace last year by his supermodel girlfriend Gigi Hadid, Versace saw potential in the singer’s style skills. As a result, the pair announced a collaboration in October 2016. The following March, Gigi played photographer for the Zayn x Versus collection, taking snaps of her superstar boyfriend alongside model Adwoa Aboah.
As the collection was finally released this week, another famous Hadid revealed herself as involved in the project. In the latest campaign releases, Bella Hadid and Zayn pose in an informal, grunge setting. The collection is now available here.
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