Every now and then, the fashion landscape sees a flurry of happenings—be it huge overhauls in terms of the creative direction for the key maisons or groundbreaking collaborations that attract enthusiasts from every corner of culture. Some of these, undoubtedly causing a palpable shift in the sartorial world. After all, changes at the executive level for the various fashion houses might not only bring about the end of an era with certain iconic designers, but also set in motion a season of change as to who might be next to take up the mantle. One only needs to recall the legacy of Tom Ford’s Gucci or the vision which Karl Lagerfeld had left behind for Chanel; both departures despite being inevitable, were undeniable rupture points for the fashion world.
And at other times, the industry welcomed moments of genius; creative collaborations that cross into the realms of art, film and music turn into the talk of the town, such as Louis Vuitton’s memorable collections with Japanese artists Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama or the many joint moves with widely popular artist KAWS.
Amidst the recent fall/winter 2023 season, it’s inevitable that you might have missed out on some significant drops and announcements over the past few weeks. Not to fret however, for with Vogue Singapore’s bi-weekly round-up, you can consider yourself all caught up. Celebrity-led collaborations and ambassadorships led the way this week, with Versace appointing Anne Hathaway to front their Versace Icons collection. A highly-awaited drop is in the mix, as the Kwondo 1 ‘Panda’—the shoe birthed out of Nike’s ongoing collaboration with G-Dragon’s Peaceminusone—is set for release this April. Other buzzy news includes the opening of the ’India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination’ exhibition in Mumbai and the announcement of the soon-to-be-held AI Fashion Week in New York.
Catch up on all the fashion news to know, below.
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The first AI Fashion Week will be held in New York
The first ever AI Fashion Week is almost here. Held from 20 to 21 April, the event will see a range of emerging designers—all of which who have been actively making a case for working with AI tools in fashion design—showcase their collections at Soho’s Spring Studios in New York. Elected in a competition format, aspiring participants will have up till 15 April to submit their collections, consisting of 15 to 30 looks, that will undergo online and in-person voting before proceeding to a second round in May. In order to bridge the physical and digital fashion worlds, a key requirement of AIFW is that the garments must be able to be produced physically. With the support of e-commerce group Revolve, the winner will then be able to produce their collections, before being sold on the retailer’s sites. Cyril Foiret, the founder of digital publication Trendland and AI creative studio Maison Meta who is behind the production of AIFW comments: “The idea is to come back to the real world.”
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Anne Hathaway is officially a Versace girl
Channeling the poise and confidence of Versace is none other than Anne Hathaway—who marks her initiation into the luxury house’s family with a bold campaign shot for the all-new Versace Icons collection. This comes after the actor’s front row appearance at the recent fall/winter 2023 show in Los Angeles, where she stylishly wore a reflective LBD and towering platform heels. For Versace Icons—which is touted as a very personal collection for Donatella Versace who drew inspiration from her own wardrobe—the star was hand-picked by the designer herself. Much of the collection features timeless, well-fitted separates, which Versace believes Hathaway will understand because she “loves and understands great clothes”. Donatella Versace herself welcomes the star with high praise: “You see what a talent she is and how she brings the collection to life. Versace has a long history of collaborating with some of the biggest stars in the world and, for me, the star makes the dress, but the dress also makes the star.”
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The ‘India in Fashion’ exhibition opens in Mumbai
The opening events of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai last week made quite the splash, to say the least. Attended by some of the biggest names in fashion—most prominently Zendaya and her fashion partner-in-crime Law Roach—the space opened its doors with a thought-provoking exhibition, the ‘India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination’. As per the title, the exhibit encompasses an overview of the incredible impact India’s artisans and designers have had in the realm of fashion. “India’s impact on Western fashion has been a complicated and layered history of admiration, appropriation, exploitation, and celebration,” were the encapsulating words by Vogue‘s global editor-at-large and author Hamish Bowles—who is also the curator behind the exhibit. From Europe’s early obsessions with Indian themes to present-day designs by couture designer Rahul Mishra, the exhibit is a visual cacophony of art, textures, fabric and design, all combined in a perspective of culture and craft.
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G-Dragon's Peaceminusone x Nike Kwondo 1 'Panda' will drop this April
Come April 11, the Kwondo 1 ‘Panda’ will drop. The lovechild of yet another collaboration between Nike and G-Dragon’s fashion label Peaceminusone, the highly-anticipated pair of kicks that was first teased last year finally has a designated release date—alongside a tech-focused capsule of wardrobe staples. The Kwondo 1 ‘Panda’ itself is not merely a visual melding between the brogue and the sneaker but also one that considers the design language of both shoe shapes; classic punch holes in its upper, and an oversized tongue that lies over the lacing system. As for the accompanying capsule collection, sweatshirts, utility pants, tech vests and a taekwondo-style jacket all take its cues from the black-and-white combination of the ‘Panda’, but not without leaving out the signature daisy motif of the artist.
