Top International Fashion News of the Week | 11.06.17

 

From Stella McCartney’s collaboration with Sea Shepherd to Google’s digital contribution to fashion history, this is the top international fashion news of the week.

 

Lee Alexander McQueen’s Nephew Launches Tribute Scarf Collection 

Growing up with Lee Alexander McQueen as an uncle, Gary James McQueen saw into the talented, but tormented designer’s private world. With talents of his own, Gary worked as Alexander McQueen’s head textile designer from 2005-2010. This week, he has officially launched a scarf collection in honour of his late uncle. The exclusive, made-to-order silk scarves each pay tribute to Lee’s Alexander McQueen’s legacy.

 

The collection features three distinct stories, each represented by something that Gary recounts his uncle “loved or feared”. The three silk scarfs are thus titled, ‘Life’, ‘Death’ and ‘Rebirth’. Life is a Japanese blend of modernism and fantasy and features birds, which Lee loved. The second, death, looks at the Ivory trade of the Victorian Era, and the high price paid by endangered animals for people to possess something ‘beautiful’. Finally, ‘Rebirth’ explores the cycle of creative energy, channelling femininity, dark matter, and other worldly entities.

 

 

Stella McCartney Embarks on a Mission to Save World’s Oceans

If the world’s animals could choose a favourite fashion designer, it’s highly likely they would pick Stella McCartney. A lifelong vegetarian, PETA supporter and animal rights activist, Stella refuses to use any leather or fur in her designs. Now, she’s turned her attention to the oceans, joining forces with Sea Shepherd and Parley for the Oceans. On Tuesday night, Stella hosted a unique fashion event at the penthouse of Manhattan’s Greenwich Hotel. The intimate party hosted a panel of fascinating speakers including a marine biologist, space physicist, marine conservation activist, and a co-founder of Greenpeace. The night consequently featured stories of space, pirates, and ultimately, preservation.

 

“Fashion has to be about innovation,” Stella emphasised. “It can’t just be about what’s the new silhouette, what’s the new colour palette. It’s not important enough. I don’t sit in a room with other fashion designers. I am working alongside scientists, environmentalists, game-changers, story-tellers. This is a different way of approaching the fashion industry, and I am honoured to be doing it in this way.” Additionally, Stella has collaborated with Parley for the Oceans and Sea Shepherd to create a limited edition backpack. The resulting ‘Falabella GO’ backpack is therefore made from recycled ocean plastics. 100% of the proceeds will go towards Sea Shepherd in support of their mission to protect all marine wildlife and end the destruction of oceans. The backpack is now available here for pre-order.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVGJoxSlJRa/?taken-by=stellamccartney

 

Google Brings Fashion History To The Digital Age 

If you’re dying to see that new fashion exhibition over in Tokyo but just blew your last paycheck, Google has you covered. This week, Google launched the ‘We Wear Culture’ project, which digitises the world’s fashion archives. In 2010, Google engineer, Amit Sood, created the Google Art Project. His work ultimately sought to bring together the old world and the new digital world. This was achieved by cataloguing the world’s cultural artefacts and showcasing them online. The online platform, ‘Google Arts and Culture’, has since partnered with over 1300 museums and foundations across the globe. Now, they’ve turned their attention to fashion.

 

Over 180 institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, have partnered with Google in its quest to bring 3000 years of fashion into the digital age. The platform, launched this week, displays thousands of garments from across the world. By promoting the cultural side of fashion, the site seeks to present the stories behind what we wear. It features curated exhibitions and harnesses Google’s Street View technology to take users on a high-definition virtual tour through the museum collections. Visitors to the platform can also read histories on the world’s iconic fashion muses, pieces, and designers.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFry-cg1vF/?taken-by=metmuseum&hl=en

 

Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger Releases Premiere Collection for Judith Leiber

At the start of 2017, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger signed on as the new co-owner, global brand ambassador and creative director of Judith Leiber. Now, Tommy’s talented designer wife has released her first collection for the couture label. The Holiday 2017 collection celebrates all things Americana, with crystal encrusted clutches in the shapes of hamburgers, fries and spaceships. Some of the clutches even playfully feature comic book phrases such as ‘Boom!’ and ‘Pow!’. 

 

As the new creative director, Dee will not only be using her creativity to design the coveted jewelled clutches. The designer, who won the 2012 ‘Rising Star Award’ from Fashion Group International, also plans to lead the brand’s expansion into apparel, jewellery and beauty lines. With a collaboration with Alexander Wang set to take place later this year, the luxury brand is set to reach new heights with Mrs Hilfiger at its helm.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU-XKCrFWe3/?taken-by=judithleiberny

 

Manhattan Hosts 2017 CFDA Awards 

Each year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) hosts their prestigious Fashion Awards in honour of the countries leading fashion talents. Founded in 1981, the awards recognise contributors from design, journalism, style and creativity. This week, the red carpet rolled out once again, with Nicole Kidman, the Hadids and Heidi Klum capturing photographer’s attention. Hosted at Manhattan Centre’s Hammerstein Ballroom, the evening saw the Council practice what they preach, as they created an entirely sustainable dinner. From the Swarovski crystal table lamps to the Carlos Aponte napkins, everything, including the wine, was sourced from sustainable environments.

 

Raf Simons took out the awards for Men’s and Womenswear Designer of the year, while Laura Kim, Fernando Garcia, and Monse received the Swarovski Awards for Emerging Talent. A highlight of the night, Anna Wintour made a touching speech in honour of the late Franca Sozzani, who the CFDA commemorated with the Fashion Icon Award.

 

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Zadig & Voltaire’s New Parisian Flagship Doubles as Art Gallery

French fashion label Zadig & Voltaire has celebrated their 20-year anniversary by opening a new Parisian flagship that doubles as an art gallery. The half fashion boutique, half contemporary gallery was opened this week at 2 Rue Cambon, Paris. The brand’s founder, Thierry Giller, is an avid art collector. Artwork fills his own home and inspires his designs. Now, the art has found its way back to the fashion it inspired. The gallery space exhibits works from creative, young designers that complement the brand’s aesthetic. Consequently, each unique piece has been chosen to reinforce Zadig & Voltaire’s modern rock chic style.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFLF_ZhO-m/?taken-by=zadigetvoltaire&hl=en