A few days ago we witnessed the birth of a new very unexpected collaboration - this of Dolce & Gabbana and Kim Kardashian. A collaboration no one in the world ever thought we needed to see or wish existed, yet now it does and I just had to sit down and write about it the moment I was done torturing myself watching the catwalk. I would like to say I was shocked to see Kim work with the designers considering their misogynistic, racist and homophobic patterns (I mean she is a lawyer), but without Kanye to guide her in the right direction when it comes to fashion, I guess this is only the beginning. In today’s article unlike any other before I just quickly wanted to remind everyone of all the times D&G did wrong. Strap yourself in and get ready for this emotional rollercoaster featuring defamation suits, tax evasion, racism, misogyny, internalised homophobia and online bullying. It is insane seeing major fashion outlets minutes after the show titled 'Ciao Kim' publishing articles describing the show as ‘’epic’’, ‘’spectacular’’, ‘’the next level’’ to just quote a few from Elle and Vogue. We are all in when it comes to brands learning and improving but the below will prove quite the opposite for the brand as it completely missed the marks for about 15 hours and cancel culture clearly did not do its job the right way as we are still here talking about it. A brief history It is an Italian luxury fashion brand established in 1985, with a first official runway show titled Real Women - if this is not a sign of a disastrous future that would follow about 25 years later, I don’t know. Although having said that since it happened back in the 80s trans rights weren’t really a thing so most likely this was not a reference to a secret allyship with J. K. Rowling, but simple ignorance. According to Wikipedia, the brand didn’t see much success until the early nineties with their 1940s inspired campaign and later in 1996 winning an award for best men’s fragrance. In the early 2000s the brand had climbed to fame with a turnover of more than 500 million euro, working with celebrities like Madonna, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé, and Mary J. Blige. The brand pretty much shaped the decade and this is the first time we started witnessing some of the red flags. In 2007 they launched a campaign which showed a woman being pinned down by the wrist by a man, Italian unions unionised and called for a boycott, and Amnesty international asked for the campaign to be withdrawn saying it risked “excusing violence against women”. Both Spain and Italy banned the ad before it even aired. In 2010 the D&G were indicted for alleged tax fraud and convicted by two separate Italian courts. And after being sentenced to 20 months in prison, they appealed and as it usually happens with overly rich people - all charges were overturned by the Italian high court. In 2012 they presented their Blackamoor earrings inspired by… colonialism. As the Guardian beautifully put it “There’s nothing cute about two white men selling minstrel earrings to a majority non-black audience. There wasn’t a single black model in Dolce & Gabbana’s show, and it’s hard not to be appalled by the transparent exoticism in sending the only black faces down the runway in the form of earrings.” In 2015 they made comments about gay parenting (“The only family is the traditional one”) and IVF (“children of chemistry”) which received massive backlash fuelled additionally by personalities such as Elton John voicing their opinion on the matter. In 2016 their website revealed an exclusive pair of sandals titled ‘’slave sandals’’, their name was swiftly changed and business continued as usual. In 2017 when Melania became first lady and all American designers refused to dress her, D&G stepped in. When literal protests were being carried out across the US, the designers put the slogan on a t-shirt and sold it mocking free speech. Later called out by a rapper called Raury as he walked their catwalk. He only found out about the entire boycott the night before the show but still managed to come up with his own plan to show support. (Hence why it is important to keep celebrities and media accountable). In 2017 they thought it was cute to promote body dysmorphia by releasing sneakers that read ‘’I’m thin & gorgeous’’. The response the designers gave was less than satisfactory with “Darling you prefer to be fat and full of cholesterol ??? I think u have a problem.” In 2018 they had one of their biggest years to date when they somehow managed to offend an entire nation. Many of you might have come across this one featuring a Chinese model attempting to eat Italian cuisine with chopsticks, while a male narrator asks “is it too huge for you?”. Stefano Gabbana, the blessed outspoken soul he is, allegedly made multiple racist and extremely offensive remarks about Asian people in DM’s that were shared across multiple screenshots on social media and by the popular social media account Diet Prada. Instead of apologising (which would have probably achieved nothing considering the level at which he played it) he just said that someone hacked his account. In 2018 Stefano told Reuters that “I don't want a Japanese designer to design for Dolce & Gabbana" regarding succession plans which promptly raised accusations of alleged racism, very surprising. In 2018 the designer duo felt appropriate to file a defamation suit against Diet Prada seeking approximately $800 million for loss of business which clearly the designers are too blind to see is caused by their own doing or the lack there of. In 2018 he made sure that everyone knew he was not a Selenator by commenting under a Selena Gomez’s photo calling her ‘’ugly’’. The same year he also wrote under a Kate Moss’s photo just to say ‘’No’’ And to end it on a high and make everyone think for a second, they literally called the Kardashians “most cheap people in the world,” to now literally try and cash grab from their millions of fans. With all the above, a few questions come to mind: Why is Kim Kardashian collaborating with them now, or how much is she getting paid to do it? Why are major media outlets not limiting the exposure of this brand to their audiences? And why are consumers still buying into a racist, homophobic, misogynistic brand? From the wall of shame to the wall of forgiveness: It is important to note that after a push from their audience both Antoni Porowski and Tan France dissociated themselves from the brand. So if you were one of those sat at home thinking there was not much you could do, you are wrong, not only does your wallet speak but so does your social media presence. Look out for the celebrities you support, always keep them accountable. Go ask Kim what’s good and let us know what you think below.

RAY CHU is a Disruptive, Sexy, A-gender RTW brand established in 2016. A unique combination of refined quality, innovative craftsmanship and the use of carefully placed cut- outs emboldens the brands core, genderless identity. Chu’s silhouettes and cuts are created to empower confidence. Sustainable by nature, RAY CHU works with dead stock fabric, organic cotton, vegan leather and only produces clothing to order. The Spring Summer 23 Collection sees RAY CHU presenting 25 complete genderless looks with a unique, distinctive and contemporary aesthetic, the KISS ME collection pays homage to sensuality with an experimental implementation. This season features bold silhouettes with a subtle dreamy colour palette, paired alongside intricate additions suchas the lace embroidery and hand sewn details. Turquoise Blue, Bone Ivory and Powder Violet are three key colours of the CHAPTER V KISS ME collection, the vivid colour palette is used as a visual expression of the passionate personal desires that inspire the Spring Summer 23 collection. RAY CHU’s recognisable metallic logo and motifshave also made their way into the collection being applied across simple crop tops to balance the statement sequinpieces and strong tailoring seen throughout Spring Summer 23. Being a positively conscious and sustainable label, CHU collaborated with the Taiwanese LAB 808 to create anew vegan leather using recycled plastics, tea leaves and pineapple fibres to build the key fabrics for this collection. RAY CHU in collaboration with extraordinary Japanese artist, Tomomi Mizukoshi, co-created the “Kiss Me” motiffrom which the collection takes the name - represented with two eggplants French kissing each other. CHU and Mizukoshi also worked together to create RAY CHU’s first featured print that takes inspiration from the romantic Thailand sunset. Tomomi Mizukoshi’s works are inspired by daily life, through her humorous, formal, andconstitutive artistic expression, she redefines the world and creates a crazy and wonderful two-dimensional space. This powerful sense of control over every element provides the viewer with an unusual aesthetic of neatness andorder, making Tomomi Mizukoshi's illustrations surreal and the perfect fit for RAY CHU’s Spring Summer 23collection. In addition to his Spring Summer collection Ray Chu has been working alongside MISS 21 to introduce a brand newcapsule of footwear that will also be launched October of this year. This season’s showcase has a general focus on fluidity and holds an emphasis on the journey to LOVE, whatever form that may take for an individual. The presentation highlights the intimate moments to finding ones inner peace.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week took place approximately two weeks ago, and we have curated a collection of our favourite looks from the most recognisable faces in the front rows. This photo speaks volumes without any introduction. The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" holds true here. With iconic figures in the fashion world such as Kim Kardashian and Anna Wintour gracing the occasion, the celebration of designer Olivier Rousteing's brand takeover becomes all the more significant. Notably, Rousteing shares a close bond with the Kardashian/Jenner family. It's undeniable that these captivating ensembles will create ripples both online and in the streets in the months to come. The Colombian superstar J Balvin has taken over the European fashion scene by storm. Over the past few seasons he has become a fashion icon attending some of the most prestigious shows and even collaborating with Nike’s Air Jordan 2 in May.

Last week Justin Cassin showcased their most recent menswear collection as part of London Fashion Week SS23. Many celebrities and high profile models walked on the runway to add to the excitement of the designer’s first time on the London fashion scene, and we were lucky enough to be given backstage access where we were able to talk with Justin Cassin himself about his inspiration, theme and the future of his brand. We also got to speak with Ishod Wair - an American skateboard superstar who recently launched a collaboration with Nike’s SB to create skateboarding shoes. Everything about this show screamed youthful energy and excitement, from the upbeat music, the sunset making its way through the ceiling windows, to the location itself - Seymour Hal, an art deco grade II listed building from the 1930s. Backstage photos by Puja Bhatia @p.b_photography22 This season it was all about personality at the Justin Cassin show as the clothes complimented the wearer and vice versa. Jonah Marais from Why Don’t We, opened the show wearing an all black outfit - relaxed double breasted blazer, oversized trousers and leather shoes, accessorised with a pendant necklace and a ring. Ishod Wair - the American skateboard star from New Jersey, wore asymmetrical cropped, flowy black trousers matched with a white jumper with a V-neck and a black trim., brown leather sandals and a gold necklace helped finish off the look. Justin Cassin’s designs blur the lines between traditional and contemporary fashion and act as a commentary on the current trends magnified by fast fashion where everyone wears the same and ends up a clone of one another hence losing individuality and personality in the process. His message with this collection is that everyone is welcome to be on his runway, he wants to inspire people to be themselves and to be proud of their individuality. The show also featured Christian Arno and Jonathan Steinig. Christian Arno wore high waisted houndstooth patterned trousers styled with a tucked in hot orange jumper; and Jonathan Steinig wore a silky purple shirt with an oversized pussybow tie paired with wide cropped white trousers. The finale look also worn by Jonah Marais featured an oversized winter coat in white with black splatters of paint worn bare chested matched with flowy black trousers. The collection brought a refreshing twist to classic menswear, featuring innovative designs that captivated the audience. One standout piece was an asymmetrical white shirt with shirring on one side and flowing fabric on the other, paired with light white trousers, reimagining the traditional white shirt into a relaxed, comfortable outfit. This creative departure from formal wear highlighted Cassin's ability to infuse variety and interest into staple pieces. Another highlight was a black shirt with three horizontal rows of white buttons, creating a striking polka dot-like pattern and paired with black trousers. This design turned a simple look into a visually captivating ensemble. The collection also showcased unique fabrics that shimmered under the lights of Seymour Hall. A sheer shirt with starlight-like patterns and a belted jacket with metallic-looking material added a subtle sheen, demonstrating Cassin’s dedication to transforming ordinary menswear into extraordinary garments. Justin Cassin’s runway show was a delightful display of creativity and innovation, leaving the audience excited for the brand’s future collections. The SS23 collection proved that Cassin continues to push the boundaries of menswear with unconventional and captivating designs.

Multiple sources have claimed that allegedly the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress has been ripped and completely destroyed after Kim Kardashian wore it at the Met Gala last month, raising questions about conservation and the interest of Ripley’s in the matter. The Met Gala 2022 is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Celebrities collaborate with designers to show off their hottest looks of the season, and this time in usual fashion of the Kardashians, Kim was determined to not just show off but to become the talk of town - and more specifically the talk of the internet, press, media, TV news and… well, you get the idea. So what better way to accomplish that than to parade with your influence over all layers in society, I mean she freed people from prison, brought change to the juridical system in the US, so now she had laid eyes on the dress worn by Marilyn Monroe for the Happy Birthday Mr. President moment we are all familiar with. When she initially went in to try on the dress however, she was unable to fit into it, and Ripley’s were clear that no alterations were to be made to the dress with their statement: “great care was taken to preserve this piece of pop culture history. With input from garment conservationists, appraisers, and archivists, the garment’s condition was top priority … no alterations were to be made to the dress and Kim even changed into a replica after the red carpet!⁠” However, Kim’s determination meant that she would go on an extreme weight-loss regime to try and squeeze into the dress. It involved a vegetable-centric diet, lots of time on the treadmill and wearing a sauna suit twice a day. “It was such a challenge,” she said. “It was like a role, I was determined to fit it.” A month later however, images have appeared in a blog post suggesting damage to the dress, with tearing on the back where the zipper is, hanging off or missing altogether rhinestones and just all sorts of irreparable damage. Now don’t get me wrong this is not the pinnacle of fashion, at the end of the day it is literally a simple nude dress covered up in rhinestones but it marks an important historical moment, especially considering Monroe’s tragic death after becoming a global phenomenon. For comparison a photo of the dress from 2016 shows that no damage at the time was present on the dress, when it was auctioned and bought by Ripley’s.

Unexpectedly, Nike claimed the second spot, leaping from its previous position at number 11. This success is largely due to a reported 59% increase in digital sales. Additionally, the recent lawsuit scandal over the unauthorized "Satan Shoes" significantly boosted its visibility and sales. Dior secured the third spot, marking its debut on the platform. Previously, its traditional and strategic selling approach had kept its sales data off Lyst. However, rising demand for second-hand and vintage Dior pieces, along with external data, now brings it into consideration. Key factors contributing to Dior's successful quarter include their AW21 Versailles virtual runway show, the appointment of Blackpink's Kim Ji-soo as a global ambassador, and the innovative Snapchat lens for trying on sneakers in AR. Balenciaga closely follows in fourth place, with its success attributed to the brand's decision to go fur-free and the popularity of its glow-in-the-dark capsule collection.