Levi Strauss & Co has announced it is to buy US-based premium athletic and lifestyle apparel brand Beyond Yoga for an undisclosed sum as it steps into the high-growth activewear segment.

The US denim giant said the move will help diversify its business and will “provide substantial net revenue opportunity over time through channel, geographic, gender and category expansion”.

Today, Daniel Grieder, previous CEO Tommy Hilfiger and PVH Europe and now CEO at Hugo Boss, presented his strategy for the future of Hugo Boss, making Olympic references and claims back the brand’s lead at the top of the fashion pyramid. His battle quote being: “We love fashion and we will change fashion!”.

Grieder plans to revamp the company’s branding, its digital strategy and have a strong focus on the product with sustainability at its core.

With his new strategy he targets to reach 4 billion euros by 2025, doubling the company’s sales with a clear focus on increasing the brand’s perception with the young generation: GenZ, Millenials and Gen Alpha.

The new strategy focusses on the main brands: HUGO and BOSS. The latter will continue focussing on quality suits in the affordable luxury category, with fantastic fits and sustainable materials whereas HUGO will target a younger generation with streetwear, designs fitting to the influencer generation and colorful designs. 

Overall however, the brand will position itself more inclusive and aware of current topics: creating a better world, diversity and inclusion will be at its centre. Including even a unisex suit as part of the BOSS line. In terms of colorways the brand will adapt to black, camel and white colors. The BOSS camel collection will be a high-end made-to-measure collection.

Grieder also remarked that the brand could venture into new segments: make-up, homeware and even drinks in the future to complement its lifestyle image.

In terms of branding Grieder will move into Hugo Boss’ future with clear messages: “HUGO for glory” or “A BOSS meets a boss” – focussing on celebrity and lifestyle partnerships.

He particularly also highlighted the importance of the womenswear business and that it needs a boost. As such he wants to increase womenswear visibility across all consumer touchpoint starting with its own stores and wholesale parters. As such it seems as if Grieder will have a strong focus on wholesale and wants to increase Hugo Boss’ wholesale distribution which was traditionally strong but decreased in recent years.

Of course, as a master for digital strategy this will not be left out. As such he highlighted that experience is in the middle of the new strategy, given that Millennials will value experiences over owning material things. As such he will creative a new store design that will be ‘cool’ and professional but most of all data-driven in order to provide optimal and unique customer service. “The power of data is that it is more precise, quicker and smarter.”. Grieder wants to create a premium tech-driven fashion platform worldwide with Hugo Boss and be amongst the top 100 global brands by 2025.

Following the success of its digital semi-final, LVMH has announced that the final of the 8th edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers will take place on Tuesday, 7th September 2021 at the Louis Vuitton Foundation.

Last year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the final of the 7th edition of the LVMH Prize was cancelled and the €300,000 award was divided equally among the eight finalists of the 2020 edition.

On 7th September, the Jury will decide between the nine finalists and award the 2021 LVMH Prize, as well as the Karl Lagerfeld/Special Jury Prize, a tribute to the great designer and former member of the Jury who passed away in February 2019.

The owners of iconic British department store Selfridges have reportedly put the business up for sale.

The Weston family has kicked off a formal auction of Selfridges and has called in advisers from investment bank Credit Suisse who will “imminently” send out information memoranda to prospective buyers.

Two or three suitors have already expressed interest, but no formal bid had been made, sources told The Times.

At THE SKY in the Dreischeibenhaus, fashion pioneer and sustainability mastermind Heiko Wunder was presented with the Fashion Business Award on Sunday evening, July 25. For the Düsseldorf native, the state capital is not only the center of his life, but also the think tank and nucleus of his national success concept: his fashion brand “wunderwerk”. His commitment and enthusiasm for a fully sustainable lifestyle and the combination of trend-conscious and at the same time environmentally neutral fashion, which is celebrating great successes nationally, are the decisive factors for honoring him with the award. Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller welcomed 100 guests from the fashion industry to the award ceremony, which is the seventh time that the state capital of Düsseldorf has honored trendsetters in the fashion business.

The presentation of the Fashion Business Award took place this summer for the first time as part of the Düsseldorf Fashion Days – Festival Edition, which presented order and trade events as well as shopping events and fashion shows throughout the city from July 21 to 28, 2021.

Canadian premium outerwear brand Nobis celebrates its 15th Anniversary and presents its AW21 collection, design debut by the new designated Design Director, Michael Kerr.

With the AW21, collection Michael Kerr improved his experience combinig traditional tailoring and premium functionality. Kerr worked in the design team of different companies, both Canadian and international, such as Roots, Nike, Canada Goose and The North Face.

“This idea of innovation –– of making things that are crafted, not just mass-produced –– it’s crucial” he says. “Our strategy for upcoming designs? Sleek, expertly tailored pieces created for a customer that values quality over quantity and sustainability over fast fashion. I think we’re all very excited about this new generation. They want the best in class but are also minimalist. Instead of 20 mediocre jackets crowding the closet, you acquire three that work for everything”, says Michael.

“When designing outerwear, you’re making something that has to work with the person who will wear it. The goal is a jacket that allows you to go about your day in comfort, never thinking beyond ‘wow, this looks and feels great on me,’ but maybe this jacket has a membrane that allows it to breathe or perhaps it’s water repellent. The jacket might have a gusset that opens and closes to increase comfort. What we’re crafting is technical outerwear, meaning each piece works like a machine designed to increase its wearability, even without any mechanical parts.”

The game is a quest to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Louis. The gamer, in a shape of a Vivienne lives a quest. He/she encounters along the way enigmas (the anecdotes) and collects points. Points collected enable skin changes and unlock other digital goodies.

This art-forwarded adventure platform game created by French fashion house and luxury brand Louis Vuitton features the distinct monogrammed flower character Vivienne.

Join Vivienne on her travels as she journeys to seven vibrant locations across the globe in search of 200 collectible candles to celebrate Louis Vuitton’s 200th birthday. Each candle unlocks fascinating stories about the history and brand of Louis Vuitton

Take your time and explore the iconic fashion and art integrated into this stunning game. Moving through worlds inspired by Paris, London, Beijing, Tokyo, New York, and more as you compete against your friends on a global leaderboard to see who can collect all 200 stories in celebration of the momentous occasion.

Our hero, Vivienne, was born just a few years ago and still has a lot to learn about the world. Since this year in Louis Vuitton’s 200th birthday, it’s time for Vivienne to pick up her roots and go on an adventure. On the road ahead, the House’s origib story will be discovered and each anecdote experienced will award Vivienne a gift to take on the adventure. All the gifts collected will be presented at the end on the game for a special celebration of the 200th birthday.

In light of a further strong business recovery, HUGO BOSS recorded significant top- and bottom-line improvements in the second quarter of 2021, thereby exceeding overall market expectations. On a preliminary basis, currency-adjusted Group sales increased 133% as compared to the prior-year period. Also in Group currency, sales more than doubled, up 129% to EUR 629 million in the three-month period (Q2 2020: EUR 275 million). Compared to the second quarter of 2019, the decline in Group sales was therefore limited to 4% only, currency-adjusted.

Business recovery was clearly noticeable across all regions. While currency-adjusted sales more than doubled in Europe (+130%) and more than quintupled in the Americas (+416%), currency-adjusted revenues in Asia/Pacific were up by 51%, as compared to the prior-year period. Consequently, on a two-year stack basis, currency-adjusted sales in Europe and the Americas remained 4% and 5% below 2019 levels, respectively. In Asia/Pacific, currency-adjusted sales were down 3% as against the second quarter of 2019, with currency-adjusted sales in mainland China up 28% against the prior-year period and 33% on a two-year-stack basis, respectively.

From a channel perspective, HUGO BOSS more than doubled currency-adjusted sales in both own retail (+124%) and wholesale (+170%) as against the prior-year quarter. While own retail sales remained 5% below 2019 levels in the three-month period, wholesale revenues were down 2% on a two-year-stack basis, both currency- adjusted. Within own retail, the Company’s own online business recorded currency- adjusted sales growth of 27% in the second quarter, implying growth of 122% on a two-year stack.

Assocalzaturifici held its Annual Meeting the past few days in Bologna.

At the meeting, Chair Siro Badon emphasised the impact of Covid-19 on the footwear industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors of production, along with other components of the Italian Textiles, Fashion and Accessories sector.

In 2020 the sector lost about 1/4 of its total turnover (with the final balance being 10.72 billion euro, -25.2% compared to 2019) and national production. There were sharp reductions in both foreign trade and domestic consumption. After the collapse in levels of business during the first part of the year, as a result of the lockdown, there was just some respite in the severity of the decline in the next two quarters (although this still remained in double-digit territory), as opposed to a V-shaped recovery.
At this time of crisis, Assocalzaturifici has come up with plenty of challenging new projects for its members.

“Sustainability is definitely one of our top priorities,” explains Badon. “We have come up with a project supporting our members and other companies in the process of accreditation and commercial positioning of their businesses as sustainable and therefore highly competitive companies on Italian and international markets”. Assocalzaturifici has registered its own Sustainability trademark (VCS – Verified & Certified Steps), which may be granted to companies capable of achieving a quality standard based on certain requirements. The project will begin with a self-assessment which companies can conduct independently; we will then have reference benchmarks that tell us what the minimum criteria are to be considered a sustainable enterprise. Companies ranking above the bar will then be eligible for certification by the institute we appoint. Companies that do not meet the minimum requirements will be able to rely on the professional assistance of CIMAC, the Assocalzaturifici laboratory that has been conducting testing and certification to guarantee the quality and safety of fashion products for more than 30 years. CIMAC can help businesses begin, continue or improve internal processes aimed at meeting the requirements for sustainability certification.

Another important agreement was signed with one of the world’s most prominent startup accelerators: Startup Boot Camp Fashion Tech. As Badon explains, “With them, the Association will be able to count on an international organisation that helps us select, incubate and accelerate two start-ups a year which technologically promote and facilitate sustainability in our own specific industry and help MICAM through the long process of digitalisation”.

In addition, the Association looks toward the future with three innovative projects for Assocalzaturifici’s 550 or more member companies: one for creating a digital match between global demand for Italian know-how and industries and artisans capable of offering the immense added value of this unique know-how; one for building a true marketplace for consumers open to companies ideally representing the excellence of Italian manufacturing; and one using blockchain technology to ensure product traceability, on which the Association is working with a leading Italian consortium that has already completed a number of projects for the luxury sector.

Last, but by no means least in importance, is the study commissioned of Università Ca Foscari in Venice in partnership with M&C Saatchi. “Recognition of the prestigious label ‘Made in Italy’ is of critical importance for our economy,” notes Badon.

On 30 June and 1 July, Première Vision launched FASHION RENDEZ-VOUS, the first physical event for the upstream fashion industry since the Covid-19 crisis, in an exceptional location – the Grand Palais Ephémère in Paris – a new temporary event site ideally located across from the Eiffel Tower in the heart of the world’s fashion capital. 

After more than a year of not being able to meet in person, the players of the fashion industry were eager to get together. Surpassing the organizers’ expectations, more than 2,800 visitors and nearly 200 exhibitors gathered during these two days, attesting to the importance of re-launching business and networking in order to support the recovery of the industry and build the fashion of tomorrow.

MICAM, the leading international footwear show promoted by Assocalzaturifici, is scheduled for September 19 through 21, 2021 at Fiera Milano Rho. The event will be held in person once again, on the basis of a new formula concentrating visits to the stands over three days rather than four, presenting a preview of the Spring/Summer 2022 collections and the latest trends in footwear. Progress on vaccination campaigns suggests that large numbers of Italian and international dealers will be able to attend the event in perfect safety, under health and safety protocols implemented in partnership with Fiera Milano, to see the new products presented by the world’s top footwear brands for themselves and touch them with their own hands. 

“We can finally get started again in our traditional form,” explains Assocalzaturifici and MICAM chair Siro Badon. “Our member companies need to meet with buyers in person again and re-establish their relationships. We have been working tirelessly to provide all the tools necessary to re-launch business opportunities, negotiate orders, and help Italian companies penetrate international markets. This is the only way to revive an industry that makes an essential contribution to the Italian economy. Synergies between the physical and virtual events will be reinforced. The Covid emergency and the resulting travel restrictions have taught us the importance of speeding up digitalisation to reach and fulfil the needs of people who are unable to attend the event in person”. 

For this reason, the MICAM Milano Digital Show platform will be offered in addition to the physical event, between September 15 and November 15 2021, allowing brands to schedule visits and meetings with buyers before, during and after the trade fair. 

The textiles and fashion sector is currently undergoing a fundamental revolution – driven by sustainable and technological innovations, new value creation models are reaching the mass market. It is precisely these topics that will be at the focus of Fashionsustain, the international and multidisciplinary conference format of Neonyt, which is taking place from 6 to 8 July 2021 and, for the first time, during the digital FFW STUDIO of Frankfurt Fashion Week. In the form of panel discussions, talks, keynotes and interactive formats, it will present fascinating, in-depth insights into the ongoing transformation process of the industry. Represented are, amongst others the Grüner Knopf, Oeko-Tex and PwC. 

3 days, more than 20 individual formats, a multitude of insights: the varied and multidisciplinary line-up of Fashionsustain will cover the State of the Industry, Innovating the Industry and State of Retail as its central topics. The focus of the content will be on Fashion Design & Circularity, Values & Diversity, Digitisation, Textile Certifications and Cotton & Denim. In various talks, discussions and presentations, the community will become aware of the challenges currently facing the sustainable fashion sector, of how the stakeholders involved are pushing ahead with their visions and how they can be applied to bring about real change within the industry. 

ALBERTO’s 2022 summer collection integrates technology at every level: from the high-tech icon Hybrid Sports Pants to digital prints that stretch all aesthetic boundaries in a resource-saving way to the Red Selvedge, which is produced on narrow looms in the old Japanese tradition.

‘In 2022, we’ll be celebrating 100 years of Alberto, an emotional event. Instead of an anniversary collection, we prefer to keep doing what has made our company successful for 100 years: giving tradition a new face by modelling the future with innovative products.’-Marco Lanowy, Alberto

A quick word with Marco Lanowy:

 Mr Lanowy, what’s the ALBERTO ‘idea’?
It’s the common thread that runs through everything we do. We work up close to real life, observing emerging trends – by no means just in fashion – but also how people’s everyday lives are taking shape and what social and societal movements are emerging. Obviously, this is reflected in the development of our products. For us, the focus is on finding out what people need a pair of pants for, and we use this as a starting point to develop the necessary innovations for the product in terms of details and benefits.

In the process, ALBERTO is visibly merging the various styles of pants.
Right. Nowadays, a pair of pants should ideally be an all-rounder and not just look good when you’re switching from the job to the couch, from the couch to the bike and from the bike to the golf course, but also function well. This is a transformation process that began with the development of our first golf collection.

It’s a theme that has led to the development of the Hybrid Sports Pants, after all.
Cyclists, golfers and hikers appreciate the Hybrid Sports Pants mainly because of their features, but at the same time more and more customers are turning to the styles for purely fashion reasons. For me, the new ‘Pack’, which can be rolled up and packed into the zipper back pocket, is a real highlight of the collection. I’m curious to see what kind of feedback we get here.

ALBERTO is successively working on producing the collections more sustainably …
Yes, we already work very intensively with organic cotton and recycled yarns on the basis of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label, but it’s always an ongoing process. I find it very exciting how much is currently happening in the area of sustainable materials and finishes. This gives us the opportunity to close our gaps in sustainability bit by bit. We think it’s important to develop a long-lasting, unique product in an ecological, humanly respectful and fair way. For us, these are self-evident facts. We don’t really want to emphasise them any more, not least because we don’t deal with the issue of sustainability for marketing reasons, but because we consider it our duty to do our best in this area.

A closing word about digital prints …
… aren’t just the visual highlights that we also base our colour concepts on, but also open up more creative freedom and even more individual production for us. We really enjoy that!

Always key players, the combinations and pairings of cottons, jersey and lyocell for even more optimal performance, reveal a Richard J. Brown man and woman that is sophisticated and tough, elegant and impeccable. Combinations of cashmere, silk and linen, light and refined, complete traditional outfits with the most sophisticated outerwear. For him, traditional jeans jackets in form but different and innovative in the search for materials and the quality of the trim, offered in a new summer version. For her, refined kimonos in cotton and denim.

For S/S 22, the colour palette of the garment-dyed pieces is entirely inspired by nature and the art of riding, recalling evocative and enchanting scenarios. From sage green to military green, from beige to maize and ice, from red clay to chestnut, from blue in all its variations to lilac and petrol green. The naturally derived mineral dyes are new, which emphasize and highlight respect for an increasingly sustainable and environmentally conscious management.

The accessories, more and more lively and personalized are systematically exclusive and identifying. New colours have been added to the more traditional suede labels with copper or silver plating for an even richer and more varied range. For those who are daring, the new fabric labels made with a thermo-application technique and launched in the previous winter collection offer an intriguing choice.

Quality, passion, love for nature and animals. Available in the showroom, or through the network of agents and through the online platform, the new RJB collection is ready to be discovered like a pleasant outing on horseback.

“Isabel Marant is launching a vintage website fo add to the luxury fashion good industry’s growing circular economy. Donators of used clothing from the label will receive vouchers; proceeds will go to an endowment fund supporting artisan craftsmanship.

In addition to vintage items, deadstock clothing, shoes, and accessories from prior collections will be sold on the vintage platform. As brands work on finding ways to become more sustainable, they are betting big on the circular economy. Last year, Gucci launched a circular economy partnership with The Real Real.

“The two trade shows, MAN/WOMAN and Revolver, have had a strong, personal and respectful friendship for many years and the upcoming season requires innovative solutions in order to offer our exhibitors the best possible sales and presentation platform”  says Antoine Floch Founder and CEO MAN/WOMAN as he continues:

“Revolver and Copenhagen Fashion Week is scheduled in August, which is a great window to wrap up the menswear season and at the same time kickoff the womenswear season, especially because Denmark and Copenhagen is in a very safe and positive situation taken the pandemic into consideration,- meaning, the decision to go to Revolver and Copenhagen was not an hard one to make”.

Simultaneously with the Revolver trade show, Copenhagen Fashion Week will be hosting more than 30 physical shows this season.

Revolver Copenhagen Int. Fashion Trade Show will take place from Wednesday, August 11 – Friday, August 13.

MAN/WOMAN expects to execute as normal in Paris for the FW 22 season in October 2021. 

Louis Vuitton is expanding its pop-up network and is partnering with Lake Como, Italian retailer Tessabit for a summer pop-up shop.

The temporary store will be housed in Villa d’Este, a historic hotel that has been used as a celebrity and loyalty resort. Among the pop-up’s offering, the “Summer by the pool” capsule includes garments and accessories where the brand’s signature monogram and damier motifs are rendered in a vibrant color palette, while men will be able to buy the sporty collection that Louis Vuitton developed in collaboration with the NBA.

NuORDER is joining Lightspeed, the one-stop commerce platform for merchants around the world to simplify, scale and create exceptional customer experiences. This unlocks NuORDER’s vision to connect brands and buyers around the world with a single, integrated solution for commerce and discovery. 

This partnership unlocks…nur

• Single B2B2C Platform: A single platform will connect brands to retailers to consumers.

• Data-driven B2B: Make more informed buying decisions with access to sell-through data within NuORDER. Tap into real-time data and insights to determine what products to buy, trigger automatic reorders, swap out underperforming styles on the network, and identify new products and/or brands that fit demand.

• Global Marketplace: With NuORDER and Lightspeed’s combined global reach, you will be able to discover and connect with brands across a global marketplace. You will be able to search by product/part, trend (e.g. sustainable), or brand category to find the right products for customers.

• Financing Solutions: Through NuORDER and Lightspeed’s centralized financing solution, brands will be able to get paid efficiently on invoice while retailers will get the time they need to sell products to support the invoice payment. 

JOOR has announced the opening of its office in Shanghai, China. This announcement builds on JOOR’s strong global footprint and is the company’s third office in Asia-Pacific, following JOOR’s expansion in Melbourne and Tokyo. With more than 12,500 brands and over 325,000 retailers from around the world using the platform today, JOOR is the world’s premier wholesale management platform and the first to establish a presence in China.

JOOR has seen a significant increase in wholesale transactions being placed on its platform from the APAC region and has opened an office to fuel this continued growth and provide a high level of customer service to its client base. In 2021, wholesale volume ordered by APAC-based retailers is +139% YoY and wholesale volume for APAC-based brands is +419% YoY.

“As the leading global player in our space, we realize the importance of a strong presence in Asia-Pacific, notably in greater China,” explained Kristin Savilia, CEO of JOOR. “The establishment of JOOR Shanghai will allow us to provide frictionless wholesale management to the range of fine brands and retailers across the country. It builds on our existing leadership position in North America and Europe, and we expect continued expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.”

With Pitti Uomo 100, the Fortezza da Basso becomes once again the platform for presenting new collections and new trends in international menswear. At this edition it will also be the main location of the program of events and special projects, that will take place live, within its spaces, from 30 June to 2 July, and that will be amplified digitally by Pitti Connect on the same days.

South African designer These Magugu, winner of the 2019 LVMH Prize, will be the Special Guest of this edition and will present a special menswear collection of the brand that bears his name with a special event in a dedicated space inside the Fortezza da Basso.

“Thebe Magugu won us over immediately, ever since we began following his career, as a result of the freshness of his multicultural and multidisciplinary creativity. Thebe creates a fashion that is continually suspended between art and craftsmanship, education and ancestral practices. We felt that his work was perfect for extending an invitation, in an unconventional way, to a new beginning that is rich in young, energetic awareness” – Lapo Cianchi, Pitti Immagine’s Communication & Special Events Director

#LesMarins Ready-to-Wear collection by Jean Paul Gaultier is a collaborative project between the House and 5 talented designers.

“Pitti 100” is the title-theme of the summer editions of the Pitti Immagine trade shows. The idea was first conceived and developed thinking about the 100th edition of Pitti Uomo and then extended to Pitti Filati and Pitti Bimbo, with the “100% Filati” and “100% Bambino” formats.

A multifaceted graphic sign by designer Francesco Dondina – author of important fashion, design, and art and culture projects – will characterize the ad campaign and color the Fortezza da Basso, involving the fashion community in a creative experience. A milestone and a new beginning, together in a single message.

“100 is a strong, important, round, and promising number. It is undoubtedly an end, but – if it is read backwards, 001 – it becomes the symbol of a new beginning. Right from the start, it appeared to us as a great opportunity for expressing the mood with which we design and organize our summer shows, which have now finally returned to a physical format” –Agostino Poletto, General Manager of Pitti Immagine

Kingpins is making a visit to Australia on June 23rd and 24th at 2pm Sydney time. Each day will contain two hours of denim stories, conversations and seminars celebrating the Aussie industry and supply chain which contains segments from farming to retail. “Australia being a diamond in the Asia Pacific region, we will also touch on the important influence of Asia for Australian businesses – providing insight into production opportunities through to the digital marketing frontier in the region”

More details on the event will be revealed soon.

At the end of May 2021, the Danish department stores’ chain Magasin du Nord will become part of the Peek & Cloppenburg Group. The group operates around 140 P&C and Anson’s stores in 15 countries as well as various international online shops through its subsidiary Fashion ID. With the acquisition of Magasin du Nord, Peek & Cloppenburg strengthens its position as one of Europe’s leading multi-brand omnichannel fashion retailers and adds a successful Scandinavian retailer to its portfolio.

“Magasin du Nord, like Peek & Cloppenburg, is a retail company with a long tradition,” said the management of Peek & Cloppenburg KG. “Due to the current market dynamics, the opportunity has arisen to bring Magasin du Nord under our umbrella and we are convinced that both companies will benefit from this new partnership. With the acquisition, we are entering a new European market where we see great potential, and we look forward to the future together with Magasin du Nord.”

Peter King, part of the management of Magasin du Nord: “We are pleased to have found a trustworthy and long-term partner in the family-owned company Peek & Cloppenburg, which sees the potential of Magasin du Nord and appreciates its entrepreneurial roots. Our two companies have many things in common and have around 275 years of combined experience as multi-brand retailers. We look forward to shaping the future of retail together and delighting our customers.”

Calvin Klein’s latest campaign is a celebration of defining moments in the queer and trans journey. A continuation of the #proudinmycalvins movement, the campaign revisits the transformative events that shaped the lives of talent from different parts of the world at different moments in time. 

Six photographers captured eight cast members in pared-back, intimate settings. The short films document the cast’s relatable stories and experiences with a range of emotions. 

While each of the cast stands out for their highly individual background and rare talent, they are all united in their shared passion for – and impact on – the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The campaign takes an authentic approach to styling, featuring key pieces from Calvin Klein’s Pride 2021 capsule paired with denim and underwear essentials that showcases each talent’s own style. This year’s Pride collection features classic silhouettes including the Modern Cotton bralette and boxer briefs with the Brand’s logo waistband in a limited-edition palette. Cropped t-shirts and crewneck sweatshirts are also featured in the campaign, as are denim bottoms, truckers, and the iconic white tee. 

The global campaign will launch on May 26th with an anthem video that brings together a montage of stories and footage from the campaign. A series of short films that feature each cast member’s individual story will rollout throughout the year on Calvin Klein channels alongside extended #proudinmycalvins content. 

Calvin Klein partners with multiple non-profit organizations in support of LGBTQIA+ advocacy, equality, and safety. This year, Calvin Klein has announced a two-year partnership with The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people. Through the partnership, Calvin Klein will use its platform to increase the knowledge of Trevor’s essential 24/7 crisis services and other mental health resources to help promote inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Tom Ford and 52HZ are offering $1.2 million to the innovators who create the best replacement for thin-film plastic: one that can be used in everything from polybags to single-use etc. The Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize is a two-year competition, followed by three years of support for competition finalists designed to incentivise the development and adoption of these alternatives to thin-film plastic. 

The prize will catalyse the use of scalable, biologically degradable thin-plastic alternatives through an open innovation process, rigorous scientific and technical analysis, and in-depth partnership and facilitation activities.

The first round of the competition involves an initial submission where teams will be required to complete a detailed Submission Template outlining their innovation and describing how it aligns with the competition criteria. Up to 10 competitors will be selected as finalists and share in a milestone prize award of $200,000 to encourage the development of their technologies. Finalists will participate in the final round of the competition by providing samples of their materials for third-party lab testing. Prize winners will be selected based on a review of these results plus supporting materials. Three prize winners will share in a prize pool of $1 Million in investment capital and then move into the Accelerator phase of the competition.

From 30th June until 2nd July at the Fortezza da Basso, Pitti Uomo’s 100th edition will take place.

The events calendar, the guests, and the special projects are being finalised currently, but it has been confirmed that the setting will be very different from the usual: a new concept of distances, movements, interactions, and the enhancement of the Pitti 100 sign. And as always, the center of attention will be the best international brands that at each edition choose Pitti Uomo to express their vision of today’s and tomorrow’s fashion.

The collections will be organized into three macro areas, three special itineraries dedicated to the different souls of menswear: Fantastic Classic (the evolution most innovative and contemporary versions of the evolution of classic style), Dynamic Attitude (where a passion for the outdoors meets sportswear and streetwear), Superstyling (a focus on the new stylistic codes that anticipate trends). In addition, the fair will present independent exhibition spaces where brands can express themselves and show their collections.

To inspire real change in the world of fashion, Pitti Uomo 100 will present the third edition of Sustainable Style, a special project that has attracted the attention of the press and key buyers since its launch. Giorgia Cantarini, fashion journalist and curator of the project, will present a new selection of innovative brands that create and produce according to eco-responsible criteria. Sustainable Style is one of the projects supported by the collaboration between Pitti Immagine and UniCredit, focusing on sustainability and innovation.

Pitti Studios, an entirely new project will launch at the summer editions of the Pitti Immagine trade shows. Pitti Studios is a content production service (photos, videos, and storytelling) designed to enhance the brands’ proposals in a cross-channel perspective social and digital media on Pitti Connect and the exhibitors’ platforms.

Avery Dennison, a global leader in innovation and materials science, branding, and manufacturing, has announced its partnership with Ambercycle, a Los Angeles-based, post-consumer garment recycler. The collaboration demonstrates Avery Dennison’s complete digital care label solution. This sees intelligent care labels being attached to Ambercycle’s garments. The labels feature a QR code that links to an app offering a digital experience that details how that specific garment was produced and how it should be looked after. The app is powered by Avery Dennison’s powerful data platform.

Legally, all garments sold must have a physical care and content label to communicate product information, such as washing instructions and material composition. This information is not just helpful for consumers, it is also vital for recyclers and resellers as it allows them to easily identify what the garment is made of after the original owner has disposed of it. 

Avery Dennison’s new digital care label solution is a significant innovation as it allows for traceability and transparency across the supply chain. In addition, new digital revenue streams become possible for the brand as additional products can be marketed to the consumer via this new direct-to-consumer touchpoint.

Ambercycle, Avery Dennison’s first partner for its digital care label, converts end-of-life textile ‘waste’ into new yarns for apparel brands and manufacturers. Its garments are created from polyester textiles that were destined for landfill, but are instead broken down to a molecular level, turned into pellets, and then spun into Cycora yarns which can be processed by garment manufacturers in the same way as virgin yarns.

This partnership is the first in a series of innovation-based collaborations that underscore Avery Dennison’s commitment to a circular apparel supply chain and support its 2030 sustainability goals.

LVMH has for the first time published a consolidated report on its social and environmental commitments and initiatives. Opening with an editorial by Bernard Arnault, the report details the many initiatives that embody LVMH’s strong commitment to responsible growth against the backdrop of the global health crisis. This consolidated approach provides a clear overview of the Group’s actions and facilitates engagement with stakeholders.

The social and environmental responsibility report concludes with a section called “In Finer Detail” dedicated to the Group’s social and environmental responsibility governance, social and environmental indicators, responsible sourcing policy and other significant metrics.

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that the next edition of London Fashion Week will take place from Saturday 12^th to Monday 14^th June 2021. London Fashion Week will combine menswear and womenswear collections and run as a digital-first event on www.londonfashionweek.co.uk with a number of Covid-secure physical activations in line with Government guidelines.

London Fashion Week September 2021 will run from Friday 17^th to Tuesday 21^st September, with a combination of physical and digital activations, marking a long-awaited cultural reopening of London.

Taking place after the Institute of Positive Fashion Forum (IPF Forum), a thought leadership event bringing together key voices from the fashion industry and beyond on June 10^th, London Fashion Week will emphasize the three IPF pillars: Environment, People and Community & Craftsmanship.

Due to the ongoing global pandemic situation, Frankfurt Fashion Week will be taking place digitally from July, 5-9 and will launch FFW STUDIO – a digital streaming platform that offers curated and unique insights into trade shows, conferences, experiences as well as arts & entertainment. Always highlighting their key motifs of sustainability and digitisation while inspiring and stimulating new discussions.

“Now it’s time to look ahead. We set out to make Frankfurt Fashion Week and its ecosystem the driving force of the fashion and textile industry and to add relevant future issues to the industry’s agenda. And we still have our sights set on achieving this. For example, the new Frankfurt Fashion SDG Summit presented by Conscious Fashion Campaign in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships and “The New European Bauhaus – Workshop of the Future” conference inspired by the European Union’s “New European Bauhaus” initiative, organised by the Fashion Council Germany in cooperation with Frankfurt Fashion Week, promise a high-profile digital offer. This means that, even under these challenging circumstances, we will live up to our intention of completely reinterpreting a Fashion Week in Frankfurt and providing new momentum for transforming the future of the fashion industry,” says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “It breaks my heart to have to cancel our tradeshows, conferences and events, as well as the planned collection presentations and shows, for the third time in a row. Let’s make no mistake here: the repercussions for the fashion industry are dramatic. But we are left with no other choice but to face up to the facts, take the necessary actions and plan the physical elements of a Frankfurt Fashion Week – which we are all looking forward to so much – for January 2022. For July we will now pool all our strengths to fulfil our responsibility to the sector digitally and without a get-together in person: in the FFW STUDIO, we will offer inspiration, while highlighting and discussing the topics of sustainability and digitisation at the highest level in corresponding formats. It’s about creating a kind of pre-season taster of our vision of a new Frankfurt Fashion Week, despite COVID,” says Anita Tillmann, Managing Director of the Premium Group. “Now more than ever!”

“The government’s recent announcement of a date for starting physical trade fair events again makes us cautiously optimistic about the future,” says Assocalzaturifici and MICAM Chair Siro Badon. “Starting up this virtuous system again, at the service of enterprises and the exports that result from trade fairs, means relaunching the whole industry on world markets,” explains Badon. “We’re working on an edition concentrated in a new three-day formula rather than the usual four days, guaranteeing perfect safety under protocols developed with Fiera Milano. MICAM is the first business opportunity of decisive importance for our member companies, a privileged venue for negotiating orders and opening up opportunities for growth and penetration of new markets. It is essential for relaunching a crucial sector of Italian industry and our economy, a sector of production that suffered great difficulty in 2020 as a result of the pandemic”. 

While awaiting the resumption of physical trade fairs, MICAM has reinforced its digital event. MICAM Milano Digital Show was held from 8 March to 8 May 2021 with the participation of more than 90 brands; over 5,000 buyers from all over the world visited the platform and used it to conduct business. This digital tool will continue to be an essential part of an advanced strategy for adaptation to the changes on the market requiring planning, organisation and an ability to continue restocking and renewing the product assortment more frequently, rapidly presenting new products to customers at various times throughout the year. 

“We’re happy with the second edition of MICAM Milano Digital Show,” comments MICAM CEO Tommaso Cancellara. “We implemented communication initiatives focusing buyers’ attention on the brands in the platform. More than 5000 buyers registered, visiting over 35,000 pages and generating almost 2,000 requests to connect with brands; traffic was 60% higher than in the previous edition. We noted a lot of interest in winter footwear, particularly boots and ankle boots, but also on comfortable shoes and sports footwear, demonstrating that the pandemic has truly changed the way we work and live our lives. In addition, the range of goods on offer was flanked by top-quality virtual content thanks to MICAMX, MICAM’s laboratory for innovation in footwear. Over the eight weeks we broadcast more than 50 presentations based on the 4 pillars of MICAMX: sustainability, trends and materials, the future of retail, and art, fashion heritage & future. MICAM Milano Digital Show will continue in the seasons to come, alongside the physical trade fairs that are so important to our industry”. 

MICAM Milano’s physical edition will take place from 19 to 21 September 2021 at Fiera Milano Rho.

Fashion Takes Action is a non-profit established in 2007, with a mission to advance sustainability in the fashion industry through education, awareness, research and collaboration. Since 2014, their World Ethical Apparel Roundtable, or WEAR conference and webinar series, has brought together the entire fashion system to learn, network and collaborate. Each month, they address the barriers to sustainability through their WEAR webinar series.

On May 19th, 2021 at 12 PM – 1 PM (EST) WeAr Magazine’s Shamin Vogel will moderate the discussion session around Luxury and Innovation: The benefits of bio-based fur.

Browns has relaunched Browns Focus, the once physical home to new talent within the Browns family. This new initiative will celebrate Browns’ legacy of supporting new talent and the ongoing commitment to nurture innovative designers and creatives.

Released as a series of concepts driven by Browns’ design community, to celebrate both their individuality and creativity, Series One will launch as a program of digital creative experiences and exclusive capsules produced in collaboration. The line-up includes womenswear designers Commission, Conner Ives, MAXIMILIAN and Mariah Esa alongside menswear designers Bianca Saunders, Labrum, LUEDER, Saul Nash and TSAU.

Drawing on the idea of future icons, Browns looked not just to ‘icons’ in the world of fashion, but to designers who are icons in their communities. Joe Brunner, Menswear Buyer Next Generation said, “what was arguably just as important if not more important, was that they needed to have a voice on topics such anti-racism, social inequality and mental health. These conversations are incredibly important to Browns and we wanted to be a vehicle to drive these narratives forward through our community.”

With the recent opening of the new flagship Browns Brook Street, the relaunch of Browns Focus highlights the continued endeavours to champion the community celebrating the collaborations that go beyond product, bringing both local and global talent to new and established customers – pinpointing each designer’s unique story as well as overarching message of creativity.

Upcycled by Miu Miu continues to pursue a sustainable ideology, now giving new life to pre-loved denim in collaboration with Levi’s. A selection of classic denim pieces is re-fashioned by Miu Miu, seen through the brand’s maverick and determinedly playful eye and worn by Miu Miu muses, the actor Emma Corrin and models Lila Moss and Georgia Palmer, all portrayed by Johnny Dufort. 

A celebration of iconic garments, this project includes vintage MADE IN USA men’s 501 jeans and Trucker Jackets from the 1980s and 1990s. Born out of American workwear and, from the mid-1950s onwards, a symbol of youthful rebellion, these iconic pieces have been customised and personalised by Miu Miu, in a play between masculinity and femininity, and aimed squarely at an equally free-spirited Miu Miu woman. The vintage denim is hand-embellished with instantly recognisable Miu Miu crystal, pearl, floral and all-over diamanté embroideries, puffed sleeves and bold leather patches featuring Art Deco-inspired intarsia motifs. Jeans are cut off to the thigh or finished with ivory silk duchesse turn-ups while the Trucker Jackets are adorned with oversized white lace collars. 

The iconic Levi’s backpatch is re-invented in Miu Miu pink and carries the brand’s logo alongside. The finishing touch is a specially commissioned Miu Miu carrier bag stamped with the Levi’s logo in return. 

Upcyled by Miu Miu in collaboration with Levi’s will be unveiled in London Selfridges and Shanghai IAPM mid-May. Afterwards, the collection will also be available online at miumiu.com, 18 select Miu Miu stores worldwide and Dover Street Market Los Angeles. 

Frankfurt Fashion Week, organised by Messe Frankfurt and Premium Exhibitions, moved its physical launch to 2022. It was meant to take place early July 2021 but has not been granted permission by the German authorities to go ahead due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.

As such the organisers have decided to delay its physical launch to January 2022.

“The consequences of the ongoing pandemic spread of the coronavirus continue to govern our personal and professional lives. It is with a heavy heart that we must cancel the physical events in July, since these are not allowed to take place given the current legal constraints. Due to the lack of certainty for planning and new monthly evaluation we need to fulfil our obligations as event organiser and avoid unforeseeable risks for partners and clients.” Anita Tillmann, Managing Partner of the PREMIUM Group.

The event was meant to include different formats that include the visitors on- and offline. Amongst new formats such as “The Ground”, existing, successful formats like Premium and Neonyt were scheduled to take place. This came amid a move from Berlin to Frankfurt. Frankfurt Fashion Week had been announced almost exactly a year ago and was set to make Frankfurt a new fashion ‘hot spot’.

“A spectacular event like Frankfurt Fashion Week deserves an equally spectacular kick-off,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. “Sadly, this won’t be possible for summer 2021 – but the team behind Frankfurt Fashion Week refuses to be beaten. We are working full steam ahead on digital components to convey the Fashion Week vibe to the community wherever they happen to be. Live and on demand: despite contact restrictions, the new FFW Studio enables the international fashion scene to come together in one place and gives us the chance to stream our community’s textile expertise to the whole world.”

Instead the Frankfurt Fashion Week Studio will become a digital meeting place for all fashion professionals. It will go live on the event’s website (www.frankfurt.fashion) in July and through live stream from 5th – 9th of July 2021 the international fashion community will be able to gather input from various channels all on the overarching themes: sustainability and digitalisation.

“Just imagine it’s Fashion Week and no one turns up – I heard these words at the end of 2020, the second time we had to cancel a physical edition of Neonyt,” says Thimo Schwenzfeier, Show Director of Neonyt. “At the time, they were probably meant as words of encouragement in light of yet another cancellation, but they take on an even greater meaning today. After a good one and a half years of no events and a forced break, we – the team and especially our cross-sector community – were all more than ready to kick things off in Frankfurt am Main. And the high numbers of registrations from our brands for summer 2021 proved that. But obviously everyone’s health comes first, which is why we are looking forward to the digital edition of Frankfurt Fashion Week, FFW Studio, and to creating a line-up of sustainability content that showcases the expertise of our brands and speakers.”

This comes as a blow to the European fashion industry amid trade shows such as Pitti Uomo, White and Who’s Next announcing their summer dates and seemingly are going ahead. WeAr will continue to report on this issue.

This September, Scoop and Pure London will unite for an exciting buying experience, hosted in the Old Truman Brewery. Designed to offer an exclusive and safe buying experience, Scoop X Pure will now take place on 7^th – 9^th September 2021, at the Old Truman Brewery in East London. Pure Origin will also co-locate with Scoop X Pure, to unite the entire fashion supply chain under one roof.

Curated by Scoop founder and MD, Karen Radley, Scoop X Pure will showcase the “best in show”, highlighting the most exciting collections and labels across the Scoop and Pure London rosters. Designed to offer a “department store” atmosphere, Scoop X Pure will not only showcase both emerging and established UK and international fashion designers across men’s and womenswear but will also feature a selected edit of home and lifestyle products.

Additionally, the change in date reflects the wider market, allowing those exhibitors who exhibit at international trade shows, including Who’s Next in Paris, to join the Scoop X Pure line up.

Joor, the world’s leading digital wholesale platform has announced a partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to present ‘Showcase Japan’, a virtual fashion event featuring over 30 of the most directional and contemporary Japanese fashion brands globally.

‘Showcase Japan’ is being hosted on the JOOR Passport platform, providing the participating brands and designers with exposure to a vast network of international buyers from around the world. Retail buyers will be able to shop across a broad range of categories, such as sustainability, diversity, Japanese craftsmanship, and more. Featured brands include alpha showroom, EVOLG, Vlas Blomme, ne Quittez pas and COOHEM.

“Over the past year, virtual shows have gone from being relatively unheard of to the new normal,” explained Kristin Savilia, CEO of JOOR. “We’re thrilled to further expand our footprint in Japan through this partnership with JETRO, and look forward to connecting global buyers to the elite group of brands participating in ‘Showcase Japan’.”

CORDURA, a registered trademark of INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of polymers, intermediates and fibres, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, USA, celebrates the first decade of “Denim Durability” and launches CORDURA hemp innovations.

2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the introduction of CORDURA durable denim technology to the technical denim sector. Over the past decade, the denim world has been researched, developed, created and challenged to “enhance performance” and to “expect more from denim garments”. CORDURA denim is proven to be at least 4 times more durable than traditional 100% cotton equivalents and has found its fan base as a comfortable, rugged option for skateboarders, climbers, workers and motorcyclists. Always durable and long-lasting, CORDURA Denim offers an authentic denim look and feel with enhanced protective performance. 

Cindy McNaull explains, “We think working with hemp is especially valuable in our knitwear and denim apparel collection. Hemp offers benefits for increased abrasion, tensile and tear resistance – three properties that align with the CORDURA brand’s long-lasting performance platform. We look forward to exploring the aesthetic benefits and eco-efficient properties that hemp can bring to CORDURA technology developments.”

In response to consumer demand for comfortable, sustainable clothing, Eastman launched its Naia Renew cellulosic staple fiber in the growing women’s casual wear and loungewear market. Sourced from 60% wood pulp and 40% recycled waste plastics, it can be produced at scale to deliver sustainability without compromise to the fashion world. Naia Renew staple fiber has inherent softness, is quick drying and reduces garment pilling.

Naia™ is a sustainable fiber made from wood pulp harvested from responsibly managed forests and plantations. This biobased fiber is sustainable from its origin to end of life. For more information, visit us as naia.eastman.com.

After an Italian government announcement setting a date for possible trade shows, Pitti will hold its physical shows in July, with the exact dates yet to be confirmed.

Pitti Uomo, originally to be held mid-June was scheduled to be amongst the first fashion trade shows to hold a physical event after 2 seasons of digital-only events. As a leading menswear trade show, it was meant to be a meet-and-greet for the industry after the international lockdowns.

Kingpins Show goes digital with Kingpins24, featuring a variety of On-Demand and Live-Streamed content: Product Updates, Trend Info, Factory Tours, Live Conversations and Panels exploring New Technology, Innovations and much more.

We’re excited to be presenting WeAr Magazine’s *Past, Present & Future of Denim* on the The Kingpins Show KINGPINS24 Platform today (Tuesday, 20th of April at 1:40pm (EU) time).

Registert to tune in!

Adidas has unveiled its newest addition to its vegan shoe range: Stan Smith sneakers made in collaboration with US-based biotechnology company Bolt Threads, responsible for developing the mycelium material.

Mylo is a material created using the underground roots of mushrooms (mycelium), which has the look and feel of traditional animal-based leather. It is as soft and supple, yet a much more renewable alternative. Mycelium is a renewable fungal network that grows underground which looks and feels like soft leather.

The new mushroom-based Stan Smith includes a Mylo outer upper, perforated 3 stripes, heel tab overlay and premium branding, while the midsole of the shoe is made with natural rubber.

Incotex and Giada S.p.A. have entered into a partnership for the launch of a new denim line: INCOTEX BLUE DIVISION.

With this partnership, the two companies intend to merge their respective skills to give life to a new vision and create new aesthetic codes for the high-end Denim universe. The agreement was designed to combine the resources of the two companies and unite their respective strengths. On the one hand, the expertise of Incotex, already a manufacturer of the best trousers in the world; on the other, Giada S.p.A., with its supreme technical expertise and manufacturing capacity in denim and five-pocket product.

Manufacturing capacity, quality and design are all values that perfectly embody the two companies and form a solid common foundation on which they will develop their partnership. As is already the case for all Incotex trousers, the ambition is to become the market reference also in the denim world.

The first collection will be for Spring-Summer 2022, and it will be offered to the B2B market starting in June 2021.