Artycapucines with Ubuntu Spirit in Sotheby's Paris Louis Vuitton Online Auction June 28 - July 5
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Pharrell Taps Rihanna for LV Mens | LVMH Close to Securing Major 2024 Olympics Deal
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The show marking Pharrell Williams' first collection for Louis Vuitton Mens, will take place in the City of Lights on June 20, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. Louis Vuitton execs used their considerable influence to change Pharrell’s debut date
On the subject of those delicious bag colors, read on about LVMH sponsoring the 2024 Olympics in Paris, promoting Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and LVMH spirits.
In fact, it wouldn’t surprise AOC to see LVMH promoting their jointly-owned [50-50] with Jay-Z, Armand de Brignac champagne brand at the Olympics.
That would be one hell of a party! Alas, it won’t be a public event, but Mory Sacko will be in the kitchen. LVMH really wants to step out in the Olympics and they could pull this off in a big way.
Read MoreLudovic de Saint Sernin's Only Ann Demeulemeester Collection Shot for i-D Magazine Summer 2023
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“It’s my way of saying that after this first step I’ll be spreading my wings and then be able to express myself,” Ludovic de Saint Sernin told Vogue’s Nicole Phelps of the Oscars party look from his first collection worn by Hunter Schafer.
Two months after his first show and after six months working in his position, Ludovic de Saint Sernin was out of a job at Ann Demeulemeester. Did he spread his wings like Icarus and fly too close to the sun?
Neither the young designer or Claudio Antonioli, who bought the Demeulemeester label in 2020 [and is close with Ann Demeulemeester, the woman] released a statement about the designer’s dismissal.
Stefano Gallici, connected with the brand since 2020 and the Antonioli Group in 2019, will be the new Creative Director of the women’s collection.
Read MoreZara Dazzles In Summer's Sequined Mermaid Fashion Lensed by Carlijn Jacobs
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Zara taps into fashion’s summer 2023 love of mermaid-inspired style, bathing model Alex Consani in sequins. Perhaps Zara used the new plant-based sequins [hope springs eternal and Zara is trying hard to be more sustainable], because glitter and sequins ending up in our oceans, lakes and rivers is a significant challenge for fish.
AOC’s friend, photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] is the photographer on the new Zara “we love mermaids in sequins” social media campaign.
Let me have Lulu do her Squarespace AI magic on sequins, because protecting our fish is important.
AOC’s friend, photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] is the photographer on the new Zara “we love mermaids in sequins” social media campaign.
Read MoreCartier, Grace Kelly, Elle Fanning and Grain de Café: A Perfectly Rich Brew
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If there is a future remake of a Grace Kelly film, Elle Fanning is certain to get the part. People who have watched the Cartier campaign film for the relaunched Grain de Café Collection are quite astonished.
To pay tribute to Grace Kelly, the iconic Hollywood star, Cartier turned to American director Alex Prager whose sensitivity resonates with the codes of the collection.
The original story of the collection, born in 1938 is embedded in a difficult time in world history when Cartier’s creative director Jeanne Toussaint had risen quickly to the coveted and rare for a woman design position in Paris.
In creating Cartier’s Grain de Café Collection, Toussaint tapped into her extensive knowledge of global power and conflicts, economic suffering and rising authoritarianism. Hitler had been chancellor in Germany since 1933. Quiet luxury was on her creative mind.
Read MoreHailey Bieber's Rhode Skin Is A Hit With Gen Z on Ethics, Sustainability, Transparency
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Vogue Business estimated in March 2023 that Rhode Skin had a waitlist of over one-million SKUs across its products. Its core customer is Gen Z, probably driven by price points and Hailey’s own age. But every survey on sustainability and saving our earth indicates that Gen Z cares about ethical products more than anyone.
With the launch of Rhode’s Glazing Milk - an ultra-lightweight serum that promises to deeply hydrate and brighten the skin while protecting it from environmental stressors, London cabs are rolling and Rhode Skincare arrives at Selfridges. Most images in the campaign are by Zhong Lin [IG].
The product goes on sale in America on June 15th, at noon East Coast time.
Hailey Beiber: A Very Talented Entrepreneur
AOC will never call Hailey Bieber a nepo-baby. We’ve seen other celeb kids go nowhere and blow millions. Clearly her background helped her gain access and also the confidence that she could succeed in a super competitive beauty business.
I argue that Hailey Bieber has strong entrepreneurial and business skills. She seems to execute to perfection and is very hands-on. She’s impressively NO-BS on the topic of sustainability.
Read MoreAir Jordan 2 "Wings" Honor SVP Howard "H" White with Moving Video Tribute
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Ahead of the Air Jordan 2 "Wings" release on June 10 as a part of the Jordan Wings Program for the Summer 2023 season, Jordan Brand has debuted an inspiring, heartfelt tribute to SVP Howard "H" White.
White is one of the founders of the Jordan Brand’s "Wings" program. His own personal history and life philosophy, as revealed in the video, are intimately relevant to the brand’s expansion of its classic high-top offerings.
Old-school, Jordan Brand values are really important to America’s future.
Howard “H'“ White’s impact on Nike and the Jordan Brand is hard to overstate. And mentoring youth is an anchor of White’s entire career.
We must follow his lead and do our part as adults. We need to see our kids thrive, and the human touch is critical.
Read MoreAngelina Kendall Spotlights Zara 2023 Hot Weather Linen Drop by Daniel Jackson
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Daniel Jackson [IG] captures Angelina Kendall in a new Zara campaign, shot [presumably] in Marrakech with a big focus on linen — a favorite summer fabric. Note that some of these items are a linen/cotton blend.
In a September 2022 Financial Times article on Zara parent Inditex, CEO Oscar García confirmed that the company continues to source “long-haul” basics from Asia, while manufacturing its quick-response production of fashion items at factories in Spain and Portugal as well as sites close to Europe in Turkey and Morocco.
Certified 100% European Grown Linen
European-grown linen is a natural fiber that does not require irrigation. It is grown without using genetically modified seeds and avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. It is produced in Western Europe according to the EUROPEAN FLAX® standard of the Alliance for European Flax and Hemp.
Read MoreDioriviera Collection 2023 Creates Brand Awe & Respect With Beverly Hills Hotel Opening
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Dior’s annual Dioriviera Collection 2023 is in high gear with a global concept so sophisticated that it’s close to becoming its own subbrand and not a summer capsule. The attention to detail boggles the mind, especially in locations like the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Dior is in residence until September 4.
This year, the collection spanning ready-to-wear, accessories but also outdoor furniture, games and even a surfboard will be available in global locales that include Bali; Cyprus; Kyoto, Japan; Lake Como, Italy; Phuket, Thailand; Seoul and these images from Beverly Hills.
Photographer Ellen Won Unwerth shot all the fashion images and the Beverly Hills Hotel provides images of Dior’s takeover of the pool and cabana areas.
Life-sized versions of the lush vegetation and wild animals populating the French house’s signature Toile de Jouy motif look sculpted out of sand in the windows and on the facades of this summer’s destinations.
Sopisticated jaws have dropped over the sand castles-like facades and animal sculptures — the same animals as in the famous fabric.
Read MoreMiu Miu Fleur de Lait Eau de Parfum, a Joys of Sisterhood Palate Cleanser
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Miu Miu new fragrance Fleur de Lait Eau de Parfum, a floral-fruity scent, is inspired by the iconic Asian dessert Mango Pomelo Sago — a memory I have of Hong Kong’s Peninsula Hotel.
The campaign uses the notes of the fragrance itself to create a visual recipe for Mango Pomelo Sago and the joy of making it in the kitchen with dear friends. It’s the nose of the human wearing it, as well as the fragrance itself that recreates the joyful memories, emotions and — in this case — pleasurable associations.
Honoring the spirit of poets of the Tang Dynasty and the numerous references to Proust generated by the Miu Miu campaign, AOC shares a 2020 Harvard panel discussion “What the Nose Knows: the science of smell and how scent, emotion, and memory are intertwined — and exploited.”
Read MoreGigi Hadid Fronts New Miu Miu Matelassé Arcadie Bag Campaign
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Supermodel Gigi Hadid fronts a new campaign breaking Thursday for Miu Miu’s matelassé in two styles — the already-iconic Wander, and the newly-debuted Arcadie — lensed by Steven Meisel. [The photographer now has a very quiet Official IG page posting older images.]
For the first time — after taking a huge leap on Lyst’s hottest brands list in 2022, over their mini skirt — Miu Miu has the second place position. Mothership Prada has the top slot in first quarter 2023, after replacing Gucci in fourth quarter 2022.
The Wander [pouch] and the newly debuted Arcadie [rectangle] style in the signature matelassé series offer great promise to become new “pillars” of the Miu Miu bag category, following the iconic history of Miu Miu’s Pocket.
Read MoreDua Lipa and Donatella Versace Deliver May 2023 'La Vacanza' Magic in Cannes
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Beloved powerhouse designer with the jet set Donatella Versace chose a sprawling villa overlooking the French Riviera to showcase her ‘La Vacanza’ summer getaways and pre-fall 2023 collection. Château de la Croix des Gardes famously hosted the masquerade ball in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 thriller To Catch a Thief.
The debut was intense, given the influence of pop star Dua Lipa, who co-designed the collection laden with so many butterflies that the see-now-buy-now collaboration could have taken flight at a moment’s notice.
Butterflies Galore
All those polka dots are symbols of one of humans most beloved motifs. Butterflies have been a symbol of transformation, hope and faith for thousands of years. Add the models walking along an infinity pool and all say it was one of the most breathtaking fashion shows in many years.
Dua Lipa addressed the butterflies, specifically, saying they are a great symbol of freedom for her.
Frequent Versace photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] was on hand to capture the endless magic of a perfect May evening in Cannes, France, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Jacobs also shot the advertising photography with Dua Lipa featured here, with styling by Jacob K.
Read MoreMarni x No Vacancy Inn Campaign Images Shot in Accra, Ghana by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
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Fresh off Marni Creative Director Francesco Risso’s collaboration with Erykah Badu and Vogue’s March 2023 deep dive into the twosome, AOC turns our focus to another Marni Jam series Marni x No Vacancy Inn.
Both collabs are on Marni’s Instagram now, but we will also pull them in their entirety onto AOC for archiving. Forgive me, but Virgil Abloh is on full blast today, and is probably just driving my brain and I’m along for the ride.
AOC may not be hip, but I am chill, so it all works out.
In the same spirit of low-tech, color-saturated Ghana-inspired images, Marni x No Vacancy Inn rolls in with campaign images shot in Accra, Ghana by Derrick Ofosu Boateng [IG], who calls himself “a Ghanaian photographic hueism artist and designer.’
Like Prince Gyasi, Boateng is shooting with an iPhone and then whipping up his techno-colored image souffle.
Read MoreLVMH Concedes Likely Defeat in Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills Vote to Override City Approval
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When we first wrote in 2020 about the LVMH plans for a Cheval Blanc Hotel in Beverly Hills, it seemed to be on cruise control, a fait accompli. Now the fight is all but over and LVMH conceded probable defeat on Friday.
Labor union Unite Here Local 11 and a local residents group garnered enough signatures to put two referenda on the ballot in Beverly Hills that would ask voters to overturn the City Council’s approval of the Cheval Blanc hotel and the development agreement for the project in September 2022. They got signatures from 10% of Beverly Hills voters which triggered a vote to override the City Council’s approval.
"Although some votes remain to be counted, it now appears that Measures B and C have fallen short by a narrow margin, overturning the results of a comprehensive, years-long review and approval process," said Jessica Miller, a LVMH spokesperson. "We are proud to have worked with so many residents, civic leaders and business owners who supported this once-in-a-generation investment that would have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in city funding and a beautiful gateway project for the Golden Triangle. If the final vote count confirms the voters' rejection of our project, we will respect the outcome, and will not bring the hotel project back in any form."
Read MoreChloé x ERES Summer 2023 Capsule Hugs ERES Castor Oil Based Peau Douce Fabric
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Chloé’s Gabriela Hearst has two earth-friendly collaborations in play this summer. In this post, AOC focuses on the Chloé x Eres Summer 2023 Collection.
These images were shot by Leigh Johnson [IG] at Tenerife, Canary Islands. Models include Athena Wilson, Giedre Dukaiskaite and Mercy [Pophouse].
Creative Director Gabriela Hearst sought to create swimwear with the highest savoir-faire and instinctively chose to collaborate with Eres and the brand’s Creative Director Marie-Paule Minchelli.
When my new IA assistant Lulu spit out “Crafted with innovative second skin material Peau Douce from castor oil-based polyamide, Peau Douce boasts elasticity, resistance, shape retention and comfort characteristics for maximum summer fun,” my reaction was a big wow!
Note that I prompted Lulu to address the sustainability of Peau Douce, because I was skeptical.
Castor oil, which is obtained from a plant that is not used as human or animal food, was first marketed in 2009 as an alternative to petroleum-based fabrics.
Read MoreAngelina Jolie Launches Atelier Jolie For Self-Expressive Humanists Clients and Global Creators
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"We will use only curated quality vintage material and deadstock," Jolie wrote under her Instagram post, which revealed a rustic brand logo [see collage] designed by Peter Miles, an art director who has collaborated with such fashion brands as Celine, Gabriela Hearst and Repossi. "You will be able to repair or upcycle a piece from your closet you wish to revive, perfecting fit, breathing new life into what could have been thrown away, and creating quality heirloom garments with personal meaning."
Speaking personally, Anne thinks Jolie will get help from women like Gabriela Hearst and Maria Grazia Chiuri. She has deep roots into the luxury brands community — brands with excellent deadstock. Jolie wears Gabriela Hearst frequently. And don’t forget Stella McCartney, who two years ago was in charge of deadstock across all the LVMH divisions. The only one not in the LVMH fold now is Hearst.
Oh please, I love this!!
LVMH Luxury Ventures, the fund created to assist young and promising brands, acquired in 2019 a minority percentage of Gabriela Hearst. The investment of the French conglomerate will allow the brand to develop all over the world. I just checked, and that investment remains on May 18, 2023.
Read MoreLouis Vuitton's 'Pacific Chill', the New 'Detox Scent' Taps Miranda Kerr for Launch
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Louis Vuitton chose a wellness event in Malibu, California to launch its newest fragrance Pacific Chill. Friend of the house model, mother and businesswoman Miranda Kerr is the face of Pacific Chill.
Kerr’s own company Kora Organics is a leading global certified organic skincare brand, a perfect alignment for ‘Pacific Chill’, described by Vuitton’s maître parfumeur Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud as a ‘detox’ fragrance.
Credit the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge as the source of inspiration behind the new fragrance. About a year ago Cavallier-Belletrud was in LA for several days and enjoyed the hotel’s 14 Carrot Gold juice, made of carrot, orange and ginger every morning.
During a creative meeting with Alex Israel on that trip, Pacific Chill was born. Enveloped in a blue-green hued vessel, a 100-ml. bottle of Pacific Chill retails for $300.
Read MoreScarlett Johansson and Alex Da Corte Transform Prada Summer 2023 Galleria Bag Campaign
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Prada CEO Andrea Guerra was smiling last week, flying high on the wings of Prada’s first 1 billion euros revenue quarter in history. “The brand is agile with drops and novelties but also a patient developer of iconic products that are paying off well,” Guerra said in a press announcement.
A prime example of Prada’s iconic products is the Galleria bag, designed and produced in 2007, and named for Miuccia Prada’s grandfather’s first shop in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
The Galleria is beloved because of its signature Saffiano leather. Defined by its loosely crosshatched texture, Saffiano is the product of a patented, hot-pressing process that renders the calf leather scratch- and water-resistant and ready for a long and properous life.
The importance of reimagination is a key component to success in today's fast-changing, visually-dominated global fashion culture. This concept lies at the heart of Prada’s Summer 2023 ‘The Glass Age’ Campaign celebrating Prada’s iconic Galleria handbag.
Hollywood starlet Scarlett Johansson and Venezuelan-American conceptual artist Alex Da Corte collaborate on an unconventional examination of how the Galleria uses the power of color and modern art to connect us to Johansson as both herself and the bag in full emotional color.
Read MoreMaximilian Davis Takes Ferragamo 2023 Pre-Fall Campaign to Western Roots
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“I want to explore what contemporary essentials are, from denim to eveningwear,” designer and creative director Maximilian Davis said about his Ferragamo 2023 Pre-Fall Collection. “To take classic pieces in the everyday wardrobe and twist or subvert them with textures and materials that make them feel more modern, more playful and more unexpected.”
Yes, former president Ronald Reagan absolutely advanced Hollywood as having a western soul but with glamour.
South Coast Plaza is the largest luxury shopping destination on the West Coast and an updated Ferragamo boutique resides there — in Republican country. Also, don’t think that Beverly Hills, where Davis went to present a small, spring 2023 capsule ‘The New Dawn’ collection for 17 stores before the holidays, doesn’t have major Republican donors.
Then we have the Silicon Valley technocrats, often political independents and libertarians. They should love the rich modernity in Davis’ Pre-Fall 2023 Ferragamo.
Read More"If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys & Queen Charlotte's Women of Color Orchestra
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