ALL THE BUZZ IN FASHION.
A BEAUTIFUL REBELLION
When Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri launched the pre-fall 2019 womenswear collection for Dior, it was in some sense a demonstration of her quiet defiance in the face of the growing shift toward quicker, easier fashion, even in the ranks of luxury. Citing Sonia Delaunay, an artist and fashion designer of the early 20th century known for her avant-garde approach of creative expression through experimental technique, it is no surprise the collection Chiuri unveiled was one filled with exquisite craftsmanship and extraordinary attention to detail. A whole plethora of painstaking techniques were on display—traditional weaving, crochet and pleating on silk, hand-beading on ethereal tulle dresses, intricate embroidery on delicate lace sheaths, hand application of colour on beautifully cut coats and jackets, and even embossing on leather boots. Also notable were throwbacks to a different era: Folkloric prints, floaty boho dresses, needlepoint bibs and ribbed turtlenecks in autumnal shades conjured up a strong ’70s slant. By crafting heirloom pieces in an increasingly throwaway society, Chiuri’s cultural messaging of non-conformism is clear: Clothes are not just meant to last, but to be passed down to the next generation.
Unfinished edges and ripped, distressed fabrics convey a sense of incompleteness and grief in Christian DADA’s Araki-inspired spring/summer 2019 collection.
LOVE IMMORTALISED
Masanori Morikawa, founder and designer of Japanese label Christian DADA has never shied away from drawing inspiration from art; even the name of his brand is partly derived from his fascination with Dadaism, the early 20th century art movement rooted in challenging preconceived notions of beauty. It makes sense then that Morikawa himself has a keen eye for finding beauty in imperfection. For spring/summer 2019, he showed a collection that was heavily influenced by a two-volume photography book called Laments Skyscapes/Laments From Close-Range by renowned Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. Since the book was a poignant tribute to Araki’s late wife, Morikawa translated the themes of melancholy into his clothes through his use of faded prints, shredded hems and embroidery, referencing some of Araki’s most memorable pictures. The result is a stunning collection full of sentiment and nostalgia.
The Lace42 sneaker strikes the right balance between sturdiness and refinement.
FRESH KICKS
Pedder on Scotts is nothing short of a fantasy wonderland for luxury shoe lovers—even more so now that it has launched an in-store pop-up featuring the footwear and accessories of luxury brand Ports 1961. At the heart of the new collection is the Lace42 sneaker, a fresh take on the chunky sneakers that were seen on countless runways this season. The Lace42, as its name suggests, experiments with shoelaces, with a staggering number of laces braided down the middle of each shoe. The result is striking footwear that is sure to give any outfit a unique edge.
Prices for the Longchamp LGP collection will range from $125 to $1,690
MONOGRAM MANIA
French leather house Longchamp has refreshed their classic soft leather and nylon bag lines with the eye-popping LGP monogram that it debuted in New York for this year’s fall/winter season. The Bauhaus-style graphic print draws inspiration from Manhattan’s famous street grid, and was splashed over everything from puffer jackets and street-style friendly sneakers, to totes, bag packs and pouches. Aside from usual suspects like the nylon hold-alls being reworked with the striking monogram, the Le Plaige LGP line now also includes Instagram-friendly bum bags, while a new vertical tote was added to the Le Plaige Cuir line, which comes in an exclusive-to-Asia baby pink, black and white colourway.
FOREST NYMPH
For Spring 2019, PANDORA embraced the lush beauty of nature with its Garden collection, featuring symbols like four-leaf clovers, butterflies, ladybugs, and of course, an abundance of flowers. Each piece is delicately crafted with brightly coloured crystals, sterling silver and rose gold. As jewellery can often be much more than simply decorative, the collection leaves room for plenty of personalisation, whether you pick one distinct item that holds special meaning for you, or choose to weave your own story by mixing and matching the dainty rings, necklaces and bracelet charms.
Unique instalments and design features mean stores on this floor look like works of art. Paragon Level 3 has a free-flowing open concept
NEW BEGINNINGS
With brands like Gucci, Prada, Moschino, and more, Paragon has established a reputation as a one-stop destination for luxury shopping. Now, the fashion hub has officially launched a revamped, open marketplace-style third floor that houses curated fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands that flow seamlessly from one section to the next, with none of the doors and walls traditionally used to separate them. Featuring extravagant installations and runway-inspired flooring, the luxuriously renovated retail space offers brands like French womenswear label Anne Fontaine, Indonesian contemporary design collective D2-i, and Norwegian beauty brand Makeup Store. Need a lunch break? Picturesque café Halcyon and Crane serves up Western-meets-Sichuan fare on the same floor..
From left: The Mystic Bag retails for $4990; The bag comes in eight different colours
NOW YOU SEE IT...
Givenchy’s new Mystic bag draws its name from the nature of its clasp—when the bag is closed, the large gold plate logo of the brandd is half-concealed, only to be fully revealed when the catch is unfastened. This kind of restrained elegance best exemplifies Creative Director Claire Waight Keller’s reign at Givenchy to date, and her quest to restore the original House codes of aristocracy and dignified sophistication. Made with soft calfskin the bag features semi-structured shoulders, topped by a curved, hand-stitched handle and a long, detachable strap.
This season’s collection features classic silhouettes in neutrals for work, as well as strappy sandals in brighter hues for play
LIGHT AS AIR
It's amazing what the right colour, perfectly positioned straps and a well-shaped heel can do to slim and elongate the legs. The key to fi nding the right pair for yourself is to have options and plenty of them. With this in mind, footwear brand Stuart Weitzman centred its spring/summer 2019 collection around shades of nude and blush, punctuated with trendy bursts of neon and metallic leather. Look out for their red-carpet pumps, stilettos and sandals, updated with glitzy, crystal-encrusted vamp straps and eye-catching pearl-studded block heels—the perfect touch for any party, cocktail or romantic dinner out.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHOWBIT
