Fashion trends can seem downright crazy these days. Thank goodness for these “palate cleansers”.
Now that everything from the classical (formal tailoring) to the crazy (gigantic sneakers, huge-shouldered jackets) can be in vogue all at the same time, tracking style currents can feel overwhelming. If you’re ready to hit the reset button, you’re not alone. This season, two fashion houses bring the focus back to basics, at least for a moment – but in an elevated way, of course.
Having drenched his Spring offerings in neon hues and iridescent oil-slick finishes, Louis Vuitton’s Virgil Abloh now masterminds a collection at the opposite end of the spectrum. The “Staples Edition by Louis Vuitton” collection comprises quietly luxurious takes on every man’s style essentials – ranging from the T-shirt and the jumper, to low-top sneakers and aviator shades. Made from materials such as quality cotton and cashmere, the items also bear distinguishing details, such as a button sewn on with thread forming the LV logo (pictured), or a leather label featuring instructions on how to fold said garment (how charmingly Marie Kondo-ish).
At Bottega Veneta, recently appointed creative director Daniel Lee also kept things simple for his first advertising campaign for the house (top). Shot on a Neapolitan island, the campaign is intended to be “a palate cleanser” for the brand, featuring a series of edgy, pared-down styles centred on the house speciality, leather. Think, for instance, the most supplelooking nappa leather shorts, paired with a relaxed white tee. And not – thank goodness – a chunky sneaker in sight.
02 ON THE MOVE
Home to insider-favourite brands such as Lemaire and APC, edgy multi-label store Manifesto recently moved from Capitol Piazza to Mandarin Gallery. In a shift away from its previous stark monochromatic interiors, the new space is inspired by the Saharan landscape and founder Walid Zaazaa’s French-Algerian heritage. Newly stocked brands making their debut at Manifesto V2.0 include Swedish sneaker label Axel Arigato, Maison Martin Margiela’s diffusion line MM6 and Korean jewellery line Holzpuppe. #02-17 Mandarin Gallery.
03 FLASH PARADE
04 TAKE TO THE SKIES
Suitcase-maker Rimowa just keeps getting cooler. Having recently launched several sold-out collaborations with the likes of streetwear brands Supreme and Off -White, the German-based company recently unveiled its latest colourful co-creations with American multimedia artist Alex Israel. Showcased at the inaugural Frieze art fair held in Los Angeles, the collection is inspired by the city’s sky and features two distinct gradated colour palettes melding blue and pink, and each case has matching wheels, linings and luggage tags.
