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.
And with the number of new collaborations or announcements sprouting from the industry every other day, it’s inevitable that you might miss out on a standard few. Not to fret however, for with Vogue Singapore’s bi-weekly round-up, you can consider yourself all caught up. This week, we saw major collaborations across the board; some, more unexpected than others. Think Nike’s big move with Tiffany & Co. or the final collaboration between Loewe and Studio Ghibli. Bigger moments include Kering Group’s highly-awaited announcement as to who will be filling the spot of creative director at Gucci and the death of Spanish designer Paco Rabanne, an icon and visionary of his time.
Catch up on all the fashion news to know, below.
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Loewe x Howl's Moving Castle collection launches in-stores
Following a series of successful collaborations with Studio Ghibli, Loewe has returned with a third and final joint move with the Japanese animation powerhouse. Since debuting collections featuring some of Hayao Miyazaki’s most popular films such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, this capsule has taken the motifs of yet another Ghibli favourite: Howl’s Moving Castle. First teased over Instagram with an animated video captioned “The castle is coming”, many avid fans have eagerly awaited its release—which dropped exclusively on Selfridges London before its official release online and in Loewe stores on 2 February. The collection sees all the show’s loved characters—from Calcifer and Heen to Howl and Sophie—splashed across bags, scarves, shirts, jackets and other crafted leather goods, with the likes of newly-appointed Loewe ambassador Taylor Russell sporting the goods in the maison’s exclusive campaign.
Discover the Loewe x Howl’s Moving Castle collection here.
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Paco Rabanne dies at 88
Legendary designer Paco Rabanne has died at the age of 88 in his family home in Portsall, France. The Spanish fashion designer—behind the eponymous label Paco Rabanne—had been a visionary of his time with his radical approach to garment-making. When he first started the label in 1966, Rabanne chimed in with a boundary-breaking debut titled ‘12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials’, where his models were dressed in an unlikely array of materials—from metals to plastics. During his prime, he also ventured into fragrances—of which his name is most synonymous with now. In 1999 however, Rabanne retired from fashion, and had mostly kept himself out of the public eye since.
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Nike and Tiffany & Co. join hands for an Air Force 1 collaboration
Following the leak on the Internet, Nike has since revealed their latest collaborative venture—with none other than Tiffany & Co. In a bid to create a ‘legendary pair’, the two brands have put their heads together to see a re-envisioning of the iconic Air Force 1s. Where the sports house’s inimitable swoosh is done in the jeweller’s signature ‘Tiffany Blue’ atop an all-black sole unit. Apart from the coveted pair, there are also a selection of shoe-oriented accessories to go with, from a shoehorn and shoe rush to a dubrae and whistle. All done in sterling silver, of course. The highly-anticipated collaboration is set for release on 7 March.
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Lyst names Prada as the most sought-after luxury label in the world
According to Lyst’s quarterly index, Prada is officially the hottest brand in the world—with increase in searches of up to 37% in the fourth quarter of 2022. This marks a first for the fashion house, having overtaken Gucci, Valentino and Balenciaga in the rankings; the latter having fallen off the top ten charts to 11th place. Other major rises in the charts include Moncler, which now sits at third place, rising 14 spots from its ranking in Q3, and Loewe, now 7th, rising seven spots into the top ten.
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Gucci names Sabato de Sarno as its new creative director
Since last November, the stark vacancy at Gucci has left many wondering who will step up to assume the role Alessandro Michele had so abruptly left behind. To that, the Italian house chimed in with its answer: naming Sabato de Sarno as its new creative director. Prior to taking on the role, De Sarno carries with him a decorated resume—having begun his career at Prada, before moving to Dolce & Gabbana and finally, Valentino, where he has been at for the last 12 years. On the appointment, he expresses: “I am proud to join a house with such an extraordinary history and heritage, that over the years has been able to welcome and cherish values I believe in. I am touched and excited to contribute my creative vision for the brand.” De Sarno’s first collection for Gucci will be seen on the runway come September, at Milan Fashion Week.
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Gentle Monster teases collaboration with Maison Margiela
Gentle Monster has officially teased their next collaboration—sure to be a hit with the fashion crowd. Coming after a series of standout campaigns and partnerships with the likes of Blackpink’s Jennie, Moncler and South Korean soccer star Son Heung-Min, the new joint move will see the luxury eyewear brand team up with Maison Margiela. Released via Instagram, the teaser sees a thick yet seamless sunglass silhouette—akin to the goggle shape—whilst white stitches on each side seem to evoke the sensibilities of Margiela’s signature blank logo motif. The collaboration is slated for release come the end of the month, on 28 February.
