GenZ

Articles

#Editorial
4 mins read

Prada Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Campaign

Yesterday Prada released their ad campaign for Spring/Summer 2024 with a selection of over 40 portraits showcasing individuality and taking inspiration from cinematography. This wouldn't be a fashion campaign without a few familiar names featured across the ad - HARRIS DICKINSON, KELVIN HARRISON JR. , TROYE SIVAN. The press release stated - In an era dominated by contrived narratives and curated lifestyles, the Prada Spring/Summer 2024 campaign emerges as a reaffirmation of timeless values. It signals a return to the essence of fashion – clothing woven into the fabric of life, encapsulated in the living procession of the fashion show. This campaign extends the narrative of that fleeting runway moment, transforming it into a season-long exploration. Leveraging Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons' September runway presentation as a catalyst, the campaign delves into the ecosystem of the fashion show, a complex tapestry that simultaneously expresses individuality and community, the ephemeral and the everlasting. The medium itself becomes the message, part of an ongoing quest to answer fundamental questions about the role of fashion in our daily lives. Renowned photographer Willy Vanderperre captures a sequence of honest and pure portraits, delicately poised between spontaneous intimacy and elegant formalism. These portraits, featuring all 40 models from the show – a mix of familiar faces and new talents, focus on each woman individually. Prada emphasizes the significance of each model, highlighting her presence and agency through singular portraits that address ever-evolving notions of femininity. These images amplify a dichotomy between the singular and the collective, portraying both individuality and a connection to a broader narrative. They mirror the procession of the fashion show itself while engaging in a broader conversation about fashion as both a symbol of belonging and a reflection of personality. Prada serves as a reminder that the fashion profession is a collective endeavor. Likewise, cinema embodies both collective collaboration and individual expression, with actors valued for their unique abilities. Continuing the tradition of Hollywood actors embodying the Prada man, the campaign features three internationally acclaimed actors and creatives: Harris Dickinson, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Troye Sivan. Celebrating their personal characters, the campaign showcases these individuals as protagonists of their own narratives, framed alongside each other to highlight the intersection of their distinctive personas. HARRIS DICKINSON Commencing his career with Eliza Hitman’s acclaimed Sundance film Beach Rats (2017), British actor Harris Dickinson received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award in the categories of ‘Best Male Lead’ and ‘Breakthrough Actor’ at The Gotham Awards. His diverse filmography includes notable works such as County Lines (2021), The King's Man (2021), The Souvenir: Part II (2021), and the Palme D’or winning and Academy Award-nominated film Triangle of Sadness (2022). Presently, he graces the screen in the FX miniseries A Murder at the End of the World (2023) and stars in Sean Dirkin's latest film, The Iron Claw (2023). In 2022, Harris received a BAFTA Rising Star award nomination. KELVIN HARRISON JR. Embarking on his acting journey in 2013, American actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. gained recognition with his role as Travis in A24’s 2017 horror film It Comes at Night. He continued to make waves with lead roles in Luce and Waves (2019), and the 2023 film Chevalier. Upcoming projects include portraying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Genius: MLK/X and taking on the role of Scar in Disney’s live-action Lion King prequel Mufasa, both scheduled for release in 2024. Kelvin has been honored with a Screen Actors Guild Award and received nominations for a British Academy Film Award, Gotham Award, and Independent Spirit Award. TROYE SIVAN Grammy-nominated Australian singer-songwriter and actor Troye Sivan achieved global acclaim with his third album, Something to Give Each Other, named one of the Best Albums of 2023 by over thirty esteemed media outlets. Sivan's acting career kicked off with the portrayal of the younger Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and the lead role in the Spud film trilogy (2010–2014). His filmography also includes Three Months (2022), the MAX series The Idol (2023), and Boy Erased (2019), where he not only acted but also wrote and performed an original song nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

January 4th, 2024
#Lifestyle
2 mins read

The Best And The Worst Trends of 2023

With a plethora of fashion brands and new up and coming designers, we are fortunate to live through hundreds of inventions and design ideas every season. But with that being said, there are always trends that we wish to relive, and others we'd much rather forget ever existed. Lucky for us, social media has made it easier than ever for a product to become trendy, as well as be forgotten in the span of 24 hours. The past year was packed with pop culture redefining moments, insane fashion choices on red carpets, as well as many, and I repeat - many shoe designs. MSCHF red inflated boots Adidas Samba Barbiecore Maison Margiela's Tabi Boots Return of Denim Sheer everything No-pants trend Friendship bracelets Quiet Luxury This must be amongst my most hated trend, there is nothing like influencer channels hashtagging their outfits with quiet luxury. The whole point of this trend is to be quiet, not to shout out of the rooftops in all caps that you are wearing a Loro Piana look. The worst of them all are those TikTok channels convincing people to buy cheap white t-shirts, tuck them in their trousers and call it quiet luxury. Don't get me wrong, I love the more classic look, with a lack of branding and logos slapped all over the clothing, but what I do not like is people putting the branded vs non-branded clothes against one another, completely disregarding the talent and sometimes creativity that has gone into designing what those people are wearing.

January 3rd, 2024
#Lifestyle
1 mins read

The 10 most iconic red carpet looks of 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we revisit some of the most memorable looks on the red carpet this year. This year the red carpet was dominated by cat cosplay outfits which made waves online. Starting off with the videos of Kim Kardashian trying to befriend Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette, to the iconic Doja Cat red carpet turnup and interview where she just continuously mewed to the camera; and the unforgetable Jared Leto costume show off. Margot Robbie in Vivienne Westwood Rihanna in Valentino Harry Styles in Egonlab Anne Hathaway in vintage Valentino Jared Leto at the Met Gala Elsa Hosk in Viktor & Rolf Sienna Miller in Schiaparelli Cardi B in Gaurav Gupta Fan Bingbing in Christopher Bu Rihanna in Schiaparelli

December 24th, 2023
#Fashion
2 mins read

Gosha Rubchinskiy to join Yeezy as Head of Design in another controversial move by Kanye West

It’s now been a year since Adidas ended their partnership with Kanye West, also known as Ye. A nearly decade long collaboration which helped the brand get back on the fashion stage was marked with consistent growth, and they took their decision to end this deal very seriously; in fact, many of us thought they would never commit to it because of how quiet they kept while Kanye West spurred antisemitism online. Now the infamous character - Ye; is back with another - to - be - controversial - move, naming Gosha Rubchinskiy, a Russian designer from 2015s, head of design at Yeezy. In case any of our readers have forgotten, a few years ago Rubchinskiy made headlines across the globe with multiple minors coming forward to report suspicious behavior, where the designer himself was asking them for nudes. He later tried to defend his actions by saying that his brand used Instagram to hire models for their shows since they preferred the street male look and they wanted more natural people rather than runway models, but amongst the screenshotted DMs, you could see the models stating their age, only for the designer to disregard and continue requesting for naked photos of them. The news quickly caught fire, and the Gosha Rubchinskiy brand died literally overnight. Playing devils advocate, using the information that we have, we could support either side - on one side, Russia’s age of consent is 16 so practically it is perfectly legal, although morally messed up; but on the other hand, the designer did specifically ask if parents were around, and asking one of the minors to go to the bathroom, so he is alone. Which is severely messed up. Some Ye supporters are now trying to defend Gosha, by stating the legal age along with how designers should be given a second chance. From my point of view, and from fashion history, giving designers a second chance never ends in a different result, due to ego, selfishness and politics within the industry.

December 18th, 2023
#Lifestyle
1 mins read

The Most Stylish Winter Jumpers To Carry Us Through The Cold Festive Season

With Christmas only a fortnight away, I must confess that I'm in a festive mood, and I hope you are too. So, why not embrace the holiday spirit by snagging a Christmas sweater and filling your favorite mug with hot chocolate? In this brief guide, we'll explore our top Christmas knit picks for the year, ranging from classic to novelty and standout styles – ensuring you're all set to dive into the holiday cheer.

December 12th, 2023
#Lifestyle
3 mins read

The Best Private Members' Clubs In London

London is a cosmopolitan city that carries tradition and carefully blends it in with the contemporary, and as such it hosts a plethora of members clubs scattered across the central area. In this article we will explore the best clubs, but also figure out the ones that might most suit your personality and interests. You should remember - a members club isn’t made up of the facilities or perks it offers but rather by the people who visit it. Annabel's Guided by the design prowess of Martin Brudnizki, an omnipresent figure in crafting the aesthetics of some of London's most elite establishments, Annabel’s has become a playground tailored for the affluent and famous. Boasting multiple restaurants, bars, and its notorious nightclub, Annabel’s re-entered the bustling members' club market with an offering that impresses on multiple fronts. WHERE: 46 BERKELEY SQUARE, MAYFAIR, W1J 5AT WEBSITE: WWW.ANNABELS.CO.UK Home House WHERE: 20 PORTMAN SQUARE, LONDON W1H 6LW WEBSITE: WWW.HOMEHOUSE.CO.UK AllBright Mayfair WHERE: 24-26 MADDOX STREET, MAYFAIR, W1S 1PP WEBSITE: WWW.ALLBRIGHTCOLLECTIVE.COM Ned’s Club Ned's Club is located inside an old 1920's bank, the rooftop features a heated pool and a restaurant, and the basement offers a club with live music. It is kitted with a spa and a gym, and since it's under the umbrella of the hotel under the same name, as a member you receive preferential rates for room bookings, and access to a roaster of exclusive members only events. WHERE: 27 POULTRY, EC2R 8AJ WEBSITE: WWW.THENED.COM Apollo's Muse Crafted by Mayfair's billionaire club mogul, Richard Caring, the remarkable Greco-Italian space takes inspiration from the impressive influences of Martin Brudnizki and Damien Hirst evident in Bacchanalia. Going toe-to-toe with some of the world's premier museums and galleries, visitors can bask in the splendour of a collection of priceless antiquities, including a Roman marble Venus (circa 1st/2nd century AD), a Greek funerary Lekythos (circa 4th century AD), and, naturally, the club's eponymous centrepiece: Apollo’s Muse (2nd century AD). The room's opulent grandeur is further accentuated by mirrored tables, velvet-clad bar stools, custom Murano wine glasses, and napkin rings inspired by gold leaf. WHERE: 1 MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR WEBSITE: WWW.APOLLOS-MUSE.CO.UK The Ivy While The Club exudes a theatrical essence, influenced by its prime location, its membership spans across diverse realms such as film, music, art, media, and advertising. Noteworthy events, including the judging of the Booker Prize and hosting NME Awards after-parties, have added to its illustrious history. The allure of The Ivy Club lies in its unmatched class and style, a standard many aspire to achieve but few manage to equal. WHERE: 9 WEST STREET, COVENT GARDEN, WC2H 9NE WEBSITE: WWW.THE-IVYCLUB.CO.UK

December 12th, 2023
#Lifestyle
3 mins read

Just to Land in Tokyo - A New York Love Story

Half book, half work of art, Just to Land in Tokyo is a charming New York love story about German photographer Hans and Japanese Jazz singer and bass player Yuma, whom he met while she was performing in The Blue Note Jazz Club. This is the beginning of a scenario that may or may not be true. The story of Hans's overheated imagination about a girl who may be completely made up. The book's format comes close to a monologue involving events that may never have happened – in the end, we’re not sure whether Hans ever existed at all. Just to Land in Tokyo tells a beautiful love story that could easily have happened in New York. The authors, multimedia artists Kuzma Vostrikov and Ajuan Song, work together to create a photographic collaboration imbued with fashionable surrealism. The visual images complementing the narrative show feelings and loneliness through the use of masks, faces, isolation and reincarnation. The book came about as the duo wanted to create a novel about New York and its loneliness, with improvisational visual content. Kuzma – filmmaker, artist and writer – is Ajuan’s mannequin who was used as the main character of the photographs. As active participants in the artistic process, throughout Just to Land in Tokyo , Kuzma and Ajuan explore how one overcomes distance to settle in a new, unknown place and the challenges of running away from their loneliness. Having both moved separately to New York, they have both experienced their share of discomfort and finding where they belong. Ajuan and Kuzma’s aim is to remind people that love exists, one just has to learn how to fly properly, that you can still become a superhero and the big city is a true monster, but you can be a winner. The book launches on the 7th of December and is available here . About the Authors Kuzma Vostrikov Description automatically generatedFilm maker and visual artist Kuzma Vostrikov’s practice reflects diverse interests including the role of technology in contemporary society, psychology, and history. The artist’s work is found in international collections including the CICA Museum, Korea, The Yokyung Art Museum, Korea and The Museum of Russian Art, New Jersey. Ajuan Song Ajuan Song’s artistic practice includes analog, digital photography and multimedia works. In addition to a classical Chinese education, Song’s time in Africa has informed her aesthetic as has an interest in Confucianism. Song holds her BS, Physics from the Anqing University, China and studied fine art and photography at the International Center of Photography and Pratt, New York.

December 7th, 2023
#Fashion
2 mins read

Balenciaga Fall 2024

Hollywood - a utopian world plastered in advertisements and picture perfect models following their dreams of becoming the next big thing. Strap in for a nearly 20-minute-long runway show which comes with a mind-blowing concept but poor execution of clothes we’ve already seen before. A love letter to LA, referencing pop culture, with the iconic palm trees surrounding the catwalk - a well manicured stretch of Windsor Boulevard with the famous Hollywood sign in the distance; is the perfect destination for such gesture. Commencing with activewear, the collection introduces essentials like shorts, bra tops, leggings, and sweatshirts. A subsequent jersey section pays homage to the velour tracksuit trend of the aughts, featuring low-slung trousers, cropped hooded jackets, and knee-high Alaska boots. The narrative takes a neo-grunge turn with oversized, layered garments, including cut-up asymmetric trousers, hand-embroidered leopard-motif coats, outdoor hotel slippers, and nylon-lined leather bags. Upscaled daywear, marked by outsize proportions and precise tailoring, strikes a balance between informality and glamor. Noteworthy pieces include hooded jackets with integrated scarves for paparazzi deterrence. Eveningwear concludes the showcase, showcasing highly defined shapes and silhouettes that blend past and present Balenciaga designs. Angular, plush wrapped coat-dresses and softer, tailored one-shoulder gowns are highlighted. The show concludes with a monumental white gown in heavy satin, featuring a structured face shield for an incognito effect. Accessories abound, including the croc-embossed Rodeo bag, paying homage to Balenciaga's L.A. flagships. Essential carriers like the knitted 24/7 tote and Monaco tote accompany evolved eyewear shapes and the 10XL Sneaker, known for its exaggerated proportions and exclusive colourways.

December 7th, 2023
#Fashion
3 mins read

Published By - An Accessory Brand Worn By Celebrities Like Beyonce And Ellie Goulding

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Published By on a press day in London. The brand was established back in 2019, and has since been worn by celebrities like Beyonce, SZA, Ellie Goulding, and many others. What grabbed my attention was not just the unusual shape and look of their bags, but their unique design and manufacturing which I was told by the brand was actually done by car manufacturers. This creates an interesting clash of artificial and organic, since the actual shape of the bag represents rocks and natural elements found in nature, but those are now produced using programs borrowed from the automotive industry. Further the brand tells us that they use a digital-first approach which allows them to be more sustainable and inclusive, while pushing the boundaries of traditional accessory design. Published By explained - every design is born in a digital environment using state of the art high-end CAD-manufacturing programs borrowed from the automotive industry. The products are then brought to life virtually, using advanced CGI technologies more commonly found in Hollywood to create hyper-realistic renders. Using a demand-based, democratic model, buyers and consumers are shown a range of products during the design phase and only the most sought-after products are produced - cutting down on both wasted samples and overproduction. Using recycled car parts to create the core of the bags, we then work with several institutes to blend new materials to create unique surfaces. During Paris Fashion Week, the brand unveiled their Spring/Summer electrifying collection inspired by the rave culture of the early 2000s. The collection pays homage to the roots of electronic music and draws inspiration from a personal connection to the era. It includes the x-ray bag crafted from cutting-edge heat reactive materials. When I visited, their team pulled out an interesting black metallic piece, and held it over a candle, within seconds the bag started changing colour into white. Christoph's Bio: Christoph started his career training formally and working as a carpenter, where he developed his deep appreciation for craftsmanship. After switching to the fashion sector, Christoph had the opportunity to work in the design departments of H&M and Alexander McQueen – learning about both ends of the design spectrum. Christoph’s connections to the Automotive Sector started to drive a sense of curiosity to rethink the way fashion products are designed and produced. On a trip to Greece to reconnect with his roots Here, Christoph was deeply inspired by the landscape and organic shapes, which ended up being the final catalyst to channel his background, curiosity and aesthetics into Published By. Ruby's Bio: After starting her career in finance, Ruby worked in strategy and production consulting in the Automotive Industry, for clients such as Jaguar Land Rover. Following this, Ruby worked as a Senior Innovation Consultant advising top-tier international corporates such as Airbus on their innovation strategies. Ruby joined Published By to bring her background in innovation and production optimization to the fashion sector through her role as Commercial Director.

December 6th, 2023
#Fashion
4 mins read

SAGABOI x ETAPE Bag Collaboration Launch

Made from leather, they are offered in vibrant shades of yellow, green, orange, along with a black option and a limited-edition Poinsettia red. The bags feature visuals of Sagaboi’s Village motif - a captivating blend of high-definition colours, layered island architectural motifs, lush Caribbean flora, rustic light poles, and the intricate charm of West Indian brickwork. These bags represent a meeting point of Caribbean and Ukrainian artistry (via London) with proceeds from sales going to supporting and sustaining the rebuilding efforts of the fashion and artist communities in Ukraine. The bags originally debuted on SAGABOI's SS24 LFW runway in June and were then presented at an intimate industry brunch during London Fashion Week in September, both to rave reviews - and constant queries since - as to when and where they would be available to buy. Geoff K. Cooper, Sagaboi’s Creative Director, drew inspiration for Sagaboi’s SS24 collection from research on the migration of people, and the imagined and real responses to cultures being introduced to new spaces. This was the starting point of the collaboration with Etape. Channelling the parallels of the Windrush generation, who, 75 years ago this year, arrived as immigrants invited to the UK to start a new life - and the forced migration of Ukrainian people to the UK due to the war - the collab was birthed. At the end of this November, an as-yet unseen new version in Poinsettia red will be released just in time for Christmas and the holidays. “We wanted to create something positive from the similarities between Windrush and what is happening with Ukraine today. This collab is literally a bright and positive memento celebrating migration while supporting artists and artisans in Ukraine. Due to people migrating to other shores to start anew, great contributions to the creativity and culture of the spaces where they end up occur and we want to highlight and support this through our bags.” says Cooper. The bags are available NOW for £320 on both ETAPE’s and SAGABOI’s websites: https://etape-maison.com/collections/sagaboi-village https://sagaboi.com/collections/bags ABOUT SAGABOI Sagaboi is a fashion label linked to the Caribbean subculture “saga boy” (a West Indian word meaning “a playboy” or someone who dresses in an extremely fashionable and stylish manner) which surfaced in the 1930s as a form of masculine rebellion through fashion. The brand is inspired by the Caribbean region’s culture, diaspora, history, lifestyle, people and practices, and draws energy from its interconnectedness with global happenings and pop-culture, both present and past. ABOUT ETAPE "Capturing simplicity" is the concept that inspires the designers of the ETAPE brand to create small masterpieces for their customers. Laconic and clean lines in each collection of shoes and bags emphasise the minimalist beauty of each model of the ètape brand. https://etape-maison.com/ ABOUT SAGABOI VILLAGE PRINT The Sagaboi Village print is an artistic masterpiece that beautifully captures the essence of the Caribbean. Designed to evoke the true spirit of the islands, the print showcases a delightful fusion of tropical references and iconic West Indian architecture and flora. The Sagaboi Village print is a captivating blend of high-definition colours, layered island architectural motifs, lush Caribbean flora, rustic light poles, and the intricate charm of West Indian brickwork –– all woven together in an enchanting pattern. Visages of Caribbean board houses, bars, and churches playfully dance alongside swaying coconut and banana trees, manifesting a unique design that transports one to the heart of the Caribbean's vibrant and rich culture.ABOUT SAGABOI Sagaboi is a fashion label linked to the Caribbean subculture “saga boy” (a West Indian word meaning “a playboy” or someone who dresses in an extremely fashionable and stylish manner) which surfaced in the 1930s as a form of masculine rebellion through fashion. The brand is inspired by the Caribbean region’s culture, diaspora, history, lifestyle, people and practices, and draws energy from its interconnectedness with global happenings and pop-culture, both present and past.

November 29th, 2023
#Events
2 mins read

Claridge’s, the slightly untraditional hotel Christmas tree tradition

Claridge’s unveiled this year’s Christmas tree - a sculpture made from Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunks that stands 17 feel tall in the hotel lobby. This year the hotel invited Louis Vuitton to design their vision of a Christmas tree, previous years, the hotel has seen designs by Jimmy Choo in 2022 resembling a diamond, or the 2021 Dior’s Kim Jones design titled ‘Celestial Snow Globe’. The sculpture this year is composed of 15 chrome, repurposed trunks that have been stacked to create the silhouette of a traditional Christmas tree, and styled to reflect the Art Deco aesthetic of the hotel. At the top of the tree is a model of Asnières, the Louis Vuitton family home and atelier in a northern suburb of Paris. Scattered across the silvery trunks and amid the snowy landscape of the tree there are 21 figurines, including one of Father Christmas. Both the hotel and the brand share a rich history. Established in 1854, they boast strong connections to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. Louis Vuitton served as the personal "layetier" to the Empress, responsible for crafting her array of luggage and expertly packing her bags. The French royal made Claridge’s her winter residence, and she received so many visits from Queen Victoria that the hotel came to be known as the “annex” to Buckingham Palace.

November 26th, 2023