Gucci 'An Ode to Love' Campaign with Wen Qi and Daniel Zhou Shot by Leslie Zhang

Gucci 'An Ode to Love' Campaign with Wen Qi and Daniel Zhou Shot by Leslie Zhang

There’s an A-team on this new summer 2023 campaign including art directors Kevin Tekinel and Charles Levai, director Tin Seoi and photographer Leslie Zhang [IG], whose photography we love. Taiwanese actor Wen Qi and Chinese singer Daniel Zhou star are the lovebirds.

AOC disagrees with more than one fashion writer who has seen this new Gucci ‘An Ode to Love’ campaign and responded with words of praise that storytelling is back at Gucci. Whew!

This new campaign is pure and innocent — which is not how Alessandro Michele served it up. He took you into the setting to experience the imagery yourself, not as an observer.

In my case, he sometimes admonished me [metaphorically], because I wasn’t in the mood to be part of the joke. Yet I chuckled when he grabbed me by the arm, saying “Would you take a damn break, Anne, and let your imagination run wild. Come and play with us.”

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New GAP CEO, Mattel's Prez & COO Richard Dickson Is a Superlative Hire

New GAP CEO, Mattel's Prez & COO Richard Dickson Is a Superlative Hire

Mattel golden boy Richard Dickson is the new CEO of Gap, ending a year-long search for a visionary leader to take the helm of the struggling mothership brand. Dickson is widely credited with reviving Barbie for the 21st century.

President and COO at Mattel

Mattel announced Dickson’s departure as President and Chief Operating Officer to staff early Wednesday, as many were still celebrating Barbie’s humongous box office success. In his role, Mr. Dickson leads Mattel's portfolio of global brands, overseeing innovation strategy, design and development, and brand marketing.

Dickson joined the retailer’s board in November 2022 and is responsible for a new partnership in which Gap sells merchandise themed around Mattel’s properties. First up is Barbie, where Gap began selling T-shirts, hoodies, jeans and other gear inspired by Barbie and Ken in May. 

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Sporty & Rich Founder Emily Oberg In the Streetwear Passing Lane With Soho Store

Sporty & Rich Founder Emily Oberg In the Streetwear Passing Lane With Soho Store

“I do consider Sporty & Rich streetwear, but I also consider it a lifestyle and wellness brand,” Oberg is quoted by Vogue. “I’m trying to get out of the ‘streetwear’ lane because I feel it is very limiting—even Supreme’s business isn’t as strong as it once was because people are just shopping differently. The demand for logo-driven items is decreasing, so I want to expand and broaden the range.” 

The spa facilities are very much “if you know, you know” and Oberg has no intention of putting a sign in the window. “Health is Wealth” is a core brand plank for Sporty & Rich — and very deeply embedded in in Emily Oberg’s personal DNA.

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Daniel Lee Rolls On As Burberry Resort 2024 Meets London New Bond Street Store Renovation

Daniel Lee Rolls On As Burberry Resort 2024 Meets London New Bond Street Store Renovation

On June 29, 2023 creative director Daniel Lee’s evolution of the Burberry brand continued with the opening of the renovated New Bond Street store in London.

The 22,000 sq m space stretching over three floors, has been transformed into a minimal, modern space with an with open-plan design.

It’s safe to say that in the area of store design, Burberry has met the 21st century, and there is nothing uniquely British about the interior environment.

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SKIMS Now Valued at $4 Billion as Kardashian - Grede Lockdown $270M Series C Funding

SKIMS Now Valued at $4 Billion as Kardashian - Grede Lockdown $270M Series C Funding

Skims co-founders Kim Kardashian and CEO Jens Grede have confirmed a new $4 billion valuation for the company, after raising $270 million in a new Series C funding round.

Skims was previously valued at $3.2 million.

The new capital investment was led by Wellington Management and also includes funds from Greenoaks Capital Partners and existing partners D1 Capital Partners and Imaginary Ventures.

Mr. Grede has confirmed that Skims anticipates sales of about $750 million in 2023, up from $500 million in 2022. About 15 percent of its online customers come from outside the United States.

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Prorsum Knight Is Wilding in Scotland and Ireland in Burberry Fall 2023 Campaign

Prorsum Knight Is Wilding in Scotland and Ireland in Burberry Fall 2023 Campaign

Burberry’s [IG] Winter 2023 campaign is out, lensed by Tyrone Lebon [IG] in Scotland’s Isle of Skye and Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway.

About the cow . . .

AOC needs to make one small point. We are thrilled with the cow, and the speed with which Burberry delivered it. It was only Monday in writing about Daniel Lee’s second Resort 2024 collection, that we brought up cows for Burberry. Voila! We have a cow.

It’s great but . . .. . . it was cows in relation to the Burberry dandelion print revised to a daffodil. Because we are promoting a great climate change study with cows and daffodils.

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Sporty & Rich X Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc and the New French-American-AOC Alliance

Sporty & Rich X Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc and the New French-American-AOC Alliance

Embracing her faux French roots without behaving like an imposter, it’s perfectly natural — even logical — that Sporty & Rich finds itself in an exciting collaboration with one of the world’s most important destinations — Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc Antibes.

Sporty & Rich is not just a fashion brand; it represents a lifestyle that seamlessly blends athleticism, wellness and luxury. At its core, the brand embraces the belief that being active and maintaining physical fitness should not compromise one's sense of style or desire for clothes with an attitude of luxury.

Canadian-born, New York-based founder Emily Oberg has a sixth-sense for brand DNA and pedigree, and she plays her hand expertly — choosing a name like Sporty & Rich for her brand, but not falling down the rabbit hole of vapid pretentiousness.

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Celine Fall 2023: Kaia Gerber Ads, Harrods London Parfumerie, Celine in Shenzhen, China

Celine Fall 2023: Kaia Gerber Ads, Harrods London Parfumerie, Celine in Shenzhen, China

Kaia Gerber returns to Celine’s new 2023 campaign in a collection named “Age of Indieness”, with its big reveal last December 2022 at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

The Chasseur jacket, the Newspaper Triomphe bag, and bold sunglasses worn 24/7 express the Celine vibe in the new campaign.

Slimane’s images of Gerber channel the rebellious spirit of the mid-2000s. Kaia wears all the sleek and structured silhouettes we’ve come to expect from Hedi Slimane, who has refashioned the LVMH brand in his own image.

As Phoebe Philo is ready to return with her own eponymous collection, with a beloved following, LVMH financing and her Celine old mailing list, it’s important to note the great success that Celine has enjoyed under Hedi Slimane’s tenure as creative director.

Reality is that LVMH has achieved staggering results with the expansions of Louis Vuitton and also Dior. I would never second guess their goals on what is achievable with Celine.

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Basquiat Graffiti Will Remain at Atelier Jolie's NYC Home at 57 Great Jones Street

Basquiat Graffiti Will Remain at Atelier Jolie's NYC Home at 57 Great Jones Street

Angelina Jolie’s new purpose-driven collective has its first location at 57 Great Jones Street in New York City. In the IG video showing off the new headquarters, Jolie’s children, Shiloh, 17, and Pax, 19, are also visible spray painting the collective’s logo onto the building.

This has got to be an exciting time for Angelina Jolie and her children as they enter a space where Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat lived and worked for several years.

The interior features 6,600 square feet of space across three floors. The exterior of the building is adorned in street art, and Jolie will keep it that way as a public tribute to Basquiat. who started his career as one half of the graffiti art duo SAMO.

More Basquiat News

In Los Angeles, the show “JEAN-MICHEL-BASQUIAT: KING PLEASURE©” has been extended through October 15, 2023. Location is 100 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, Ca 90012. Self Parking is located between W. 2nd Street and W. 1st Street on S. Olive Street.

At the same time, in Paris the Jean-Michel Basquiat x Andy Warhol exhibit, organized by the Louis Vuitton Foundation, runs through August 28, 2023.

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Prada's Caffe Principe: Where Excellence Meets Timelessness in Forte dei Marmi

Prada's Caffe Principe: Where Excellence Meets Timelessness in Forte dei Marmi

Nestled in the enchanting Italian coastal town of Forte dei Marmi, Caffè Principe stands as a true testament to the la dolce vita marriage of excellence and timelessness.

Since its establishment in 1959, this iconic establishment has been a haven for discerning coffee lovers, gastronomes, and art enthusiasts alike. The cafe reopened today, July 9, 2023, with its legacy intact.

In fact, Caffe Principe has been restored to honor the legacy of the hotspot, keeping its original name. Caffè Principe is managed operationally by Marchesi 1824, which makes perfect sense.

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LVMH Launches Bold Focus on Preserving and Teaching Craftsmanship Across France

LVMH Launches Bold Focus on Preserving and Teaching Craftsmanship Across France

The Rencontres Economiques des Metiers d'Art Forum, organized by leading partner LVMH, is an exciting new platform celebrating the convergence of art, artisanship and commerce in the luxury sector.

The platform launched in the picturesque town of Tonnerre, Burgundy on June 30, 2023, designed to bring together renowned artisans, industry experts, art enthusiasts business leaders to explore the rich but intricate relationship between craftsmanship and economics.

With a focus on preserving traditional techniques while embracing innovation, the goal of the forum was and will be a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration among talented individuals from various artistic disciplines. It’s indisputable that the artisans themselves are at the center of this metaphorical wheel of French excellence.

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SKIMS Dials Up The Heat As 50 and Fabulous '90s Icons Sizzle in SKIMS Swim July

SKIMS Dials Up The Heat As 50 and Fabulous '90s Icons Sizzle in SKIMS Swim July

‘90s Playboy models Carmen Electra and Jenny McCarthy are 50 and fabulous, thank you very much, as Kim Kardashian rolls out another fantastic SKIMS swim July 2023 campaign.

Electra, 51, and McCarthy, 50, "capture the essence of a sizzling, hot summer," notes SKIMS in a release. "This fun campaign celebrates the impact these women had on pop culture and their timeless appeal, reminding the world that confidence and sexiness cannot be confined." 

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Flower Power Takes Charge in Prada AW 2023 Campaign by Willy Vanderperre

Flower Power Takes Charge in Prada AW 2023 Campaign by Willy Vanderperre

Prada’s FW23 ad campaign “In conversation with a flower” explores the dominant relationship that humans have with flowers and with nature generally. Ferdinando Verderi provides creative direction, with styling by Olivier Rizzo and photography by Willy Vanderperre.

These unique flowers interact with five actors - Benedict Cumberbatch, Hunter Schafer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Letitia Wright and Li Xian - “a roster of cinematic idols reflecting Prada’s long-standing relationship with cinema as an expression of cultural ideas and ideals.”

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Phoebe Philo's September Return Taps Top Model Alter Ego Daria Werbowy

Phoebe Philo's September Return Taps Top Model Alter Ego Daria Werbowy

As creative director of Celine before Hedi Slimane, Phoebe Philo and top model Canadian-Ukrainian, born in Poland Daria Werbowy became visual alter egos.

That visual and psychological synergy is set for a September 2023 reunion with the return of Phoebe Philo’s eponymous brand.

As creative director of Celine before Hedi Slimane, Phoebe Philo and top model Canadian-Ukrainian, born in Poland Daria Werbowy became visual alter egos.

That visual and psychological synergy is set for a September 2023 reunion with the return of Phoebe Philo’s eponymous brand.

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Montblanc Library Spirit 2023 Campaign: Unlocking the Power of Stories

Montblanc Library Spirit 2023 Campaign: Unlocking the Power of Stories

In an era dominated by technology and instant gratification, Montblanc invites you to embark on a journey to reconnect with the essence of literature through their captivating Library Spirit 2023 campaign.

It’s a wonderful campaign set against The London Library [IG], housing about a million books that have inspired writers and readers for over 180 years. This campaign series features supermodel Karen Elson and actor James Norton sharing their common interest in books, in images by Mariano Vivanco [IG].

Montblanc’s creative director Marco Tomasetta [IG] creatues a luxurious, intellectual ambiance for Montblanc’s evolving Soft Line collection. The multitentacled campaign is original, carefully-considered, beautifully- executed and serving a genuine purpose.

At the heart of the Library Spirit 2023 campaign lies the message that literature can unite us like nothing else. It fosters empathy, understanding, and compassion by allowing us to see the world through different lenses. Montblanc recognizes the importance of embracing diverse narratives and perspectives, unveiling a collection of limited-edition pens dedicated to literary giants whose words have shaped our understanding of humanity — the good, the bad, and the ugly.

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Rihanna Fronts New Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Campaign in Canal Street Colors

Rihanna Fronts New Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Campaign in Canal Street Colors

The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag is an iconic fashion statement that has withstood the test of time. Introduced in the 1930s, this elegant and practical handbag has become a symbol of luxury, sophistication, and timeless style.

Rihanna Fronts New LV Speedy Bag Campaign

In June 2023, fashion world adds Rihanna to the list of famous women who love a Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. Rihanna is an insider at LVMH, besides being a good friend of Pharrell Williams, the new creative director of Louis Vuitton Men who had a blowout opening night in Paris last week.

Shot by Japanese photographer Keizō Kitajima and American artist Martine Syms shot the campaign images in which, Rihanna hustles around the city with her Speedys, a modern woman with a to-go coffee in hand and her pregnant belly bared.

To mimic the candy-colored designer dupes he used to find on Canal Street sidewalks, Pharrell employed a novel silkscreen monogramming process to induce “a blurry, artisanal and almost hand-painted effect” on the new Louis Vuitton Speedy bag colors — which also coincide with the Olympic rings colors.

After a raid on the Paris 2024 Olympics offices before Pharrell’s debut, the hoped for LVMH sponsorship remains unannounced.

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Kim Kardashian Rocks Scalding Skims FAUX LEATHER & SCUBA Swimwear Drop

Kim Kardashian Rocks Scalding Skims FAUX LEATHER & SCUBA Swimwear Drop

The Kardashian women are like an NBA team, and they are playing to win. What was the phrase that Kanye told Kim — that she will be nothing without him? Men tend to say those words to strong women, when they are totally fed up and eyeing the door.

In the last hour Kim Kardashian’s personal IG page has logged 899, 087 likes and the Skims IG page 14,332 in the new Steven Klein [IG] campaign of Skims FAUX LEATHER & SCUBA swimwear dropping June 27 at noon on the East Coast.

You can register to buy the Skims FAUX LEATHER & SCUBA collection online, when it drops Tuesday.

If Victoria’s Secret is stumbling like a drunken sailor with the message that the Victoria’s Secret brand is undefinableread my recent commentary — Kim Kardashian and her team are now valued at $3.2 billion.

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Blanca Padilla at Belmond Copacabana Palace Rio for Harper's Bazaar Spain

Blanca Padilla at Belmond Copacabana Palace Rio for Harper's Bazaar Spain

Model Blanca Padilla settles into old-world, Belmond hotel luxury far away from Mediterranean shores. Styled by Celia Cuervo with images by Vladimir Marti [IG], Padilla graces the pages of Harper’s Bazaar Spain’s [IG] July-August 2023 issue with a fashion story as much about glamour and fine living as it is wellness.

Today, Padilla experiences the storied past of the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, a timeless oasis amid the hustle and bustle of Brazil's most iconic city.

What truly sets the Spa at Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel apart is its attention to detail and personalized approach. They seamlessly blend ancient techniques with modern innovations, elevating your spa experience to new heights of relaxation.

The Amazon Rainforest Ritual, an immersive experience inspired by the rich natural heritage of Brazil, awaits you. This ritual combines indigenous ingredients like acai berries, Brazil nuts, and cocoa into a luxurious body treatment that will transport you to the depths of the exotic rainforest.

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Revisiting Aimé Leon Dore's Own Vision of Greek Style Cafe Society on Mulberry Street

Revisiting Aimé Leon Dore's Own Vision of Greek Style Cafe Society on Mulberry Street

Photographer Andrew Jacobs [IG] turned his lens to the Aimé Leon Dore [IG], Summer Uniform 2023 lookbook as the brand continues to elevate itself with a wow remodel at its New York City flagship store at 224 Mulberry St.

OMG! Speaking of Cafe Society! This newly done store is fabulous, including the Aimé Leon Dore and Porsche collaboration — an ultra-elegant 356, built by Porsche built between 1948 to 1965.

HighSnobiety calls it Club Culture. We like Cafe Society because that concept has an existing history already based on a multiracial exchange of status, money and artistic talent. We saw it out in full force Tuesday night with the unveiling of the Pharrell Williams debut for Louis Vuitton Mens.

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Louis Vuitton Mens Hip Elegance: A Smart Critic Asks "Can Good Taste Change the World?"

Louis Vuitton Mens Hip Elegance: A Smart Critic Asks "Can Good Taste Change the World?"

Power shifts are happening and not everybody has gotten the message. Clearly, significant numbers of people are not pleased with these new dynamics that are now obvious after the Pharrell Williams Louis Vuitton Men’s show on April 20.

That’s a shame, because the minute models hit the most spectacular runway in Paris — on the Pont Neuf overlooking the Seine my immediate response was about the elegant tailoring and then the accessories.

The ‘Liberty’ luggage truck also told me that EVERY detail was in order around this epic Pharrell Williams blast-off.

It was only on Monday Juneteenth, that I learned about the Statue of Liberty as a gift to America from France, honoring the official end of slavery in America.

This new day Paris Cafe Society is just getting started, but it is real.

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