New Balance and Stone Island are joining forces to kick off a long term relationship. Collaborative product releases will be available later this year.

Known as cultural drivers, both brands share similar values of research and functionality in their respective areas of expertise, and take an analytical approach to innovative data-driven design. Initial talks were based on the common vision of developing a footwear collaboration that will roll out in several different waves over the next few years. By transcending current trends, New Balance and Stone Island will together bring their shared values to life in new and creative ways.

“Our collaboration with Stone Island is not only rooted in performance innovation, but elevating our mutual values of premium craftsmanship and superior product quality,” said Chris Davis, Chief Marketing Officer at New Balance. “Both New Balance and Stone Island are independently minded brands with strong aptitudes for calculated risk taking. We both pride ourselves on having our fingers on the pulse of culture, elevating our rich heritage and creating authentic brand experiences for our global consumers. We look forward to pushing the boundaries and experimenting with design.”

Each brand has strong family roots and a robust heritage, and will open their respective doors to deeper research and experimentation with the aim of collaborating on exciting product innovations.

Issey Miyake has announced the launch of a new menswear label. With this, the designer will be rebranding its store in Tokyo’s Aoyama district to be the physical retailer for the launch. The new line named IM Men, will debut at the dedicated Aoyama store this week, and will rollout to other stores later this month.

The Woolmark Company has announced the winners of its annual Performance Challenge, which aims to find product solutions for the sports and performance market, using merino wool.

This year, the company teamed up with technical outdoor brand Helly Hansen for the challenge, which invited participants to create apparel for ocean racing and the harsh and demanding landscape in which it is often performed.

From 352 entries, three winners were announced: Carly Conduff, from the University of Oregon, the US, was awarded a three-month paid internship with Helly Hansen. Conduff created a system of apparel under the athlete’s dry suit specifically tailored to the female body, providing superior support, strategic insulation, and light protection using 100 percent Merino wool.

Machine-A, the London-based concept store and the Institute of Digital Fashion are using augmented reality to recreate a store environment to emphasise the in-store experience which has been lost amid the pandemic over the last year.

The virtual reality store will promote London Fashion Week designers and will allow visitors to experience the collections at a social distance. The virtual store also features unfinished works and personal messages from each designer explaining the inspiration behind each product.

“The concept was built from the core values of IoDF; we wanted to elevate the work using new digital technologies to present future fashions in IRL and URL. Using AR, we have simulated a fashion environment to showcase the designers work. We are democratising the fashion landscape whilst supporting London-based talent in the wake of Brexit and COVID-19.” – Catty Tay, IoDF Co-Founder

The PItti Group has announced the dates of its 2021 Summer Fairs. They are as follows:

——–

Pitti Immagine Uomo 15 – 17 June 2021

Pitti Immagine Bimbo 23 – 25 June 2021

Taste 27 – 29 June 2021

Pitti Immagine Filati 30 June – 2 July 2021

Fragranze 17 – 19 September 2021

Super 23 – 26 September 2021

——–

“While work continues with excellent results on the Connect digital platform which will remain online with the winter collections and special events, until the first week of April, we are opening registrations for the next summer cycle, in order to give companies some clear reference points for scheduling their activities, in the full awareness that, between now and the summer, we will all have to carefully follow the evolution of the health situation.  We will act promptly whatever the circumstances.” -Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine

Peek & Cloppenburg has launched “Click & Meet” appointment shopping in its stores. After almost three months in lockdown. Peek & Cloppenburg KG, Düsseldorf has examined and implemented the decision for its stores and is able to reopen 63 of 64 P&C stores in Germany.

ANSON’S, the men’s outfitter belonging to the group also welcomes its customers in all 18 stores, in all stores with appointments.

“Our sales staff have been waiting a long time for the day when they can do their job again, advise our customers personally and see colleagues again,” said Dr. Stephan Fanderl, member of the management board responsible for sales.

The appointment process at P&C and ANSON’S begins immediately. In the online shops of the fashion companies, customers can book an appointment for 45 minutes of shopping in their favourite sales outlet with just a few clicks. With the written confirmation of your appointment, you arrive at the shop at the desired time. Employees at the entrances check the appointment and the long-lost browsing through the fashionable variety can begin. Not only new trends from the spring collections await customers, but also attractive offers of winter merchandise. P&C and ANSON’S have also created a solution for spontaneous decision-makers. By scanning the QR codes on the shop windows or entrance doors, the customer is taken directly to the appointment booking page of the respective store and can spontaneously sign up for a free slot. Booking by telephone is also possible.

From yesterday up to the 8th of May, MICAM Milano Digital Show will provide viewers from all over the world with a comprehensive and solid platform on which to do business.

MICAM Milano Digital Show brings the new products for Autumn/Winter 21/22 and the best of the in-season Spring/Summer 2021 collections to the market with more than 100 brands meeting the thousands of buyers who registered on the platform.

“The pandemic has greatly accelerated the process of digitalisation that was already underway and that we have been working on for years – says Siro Badon, Chair of MICAM and Assocalzaturifici. Through the MICAM Milano Digital Show, we want to give the footwear sector our support in the digital transition process and help companies move towards a new way of doing business – one that is particularly useful at present, seeing as current travel restrictions make international sales campaigns impossible. Integration between e-commerce and physical stores is increasingly strategic, not just for our own sector but for the whole of ‘made-in-Italy’. Digital platforms have proved necessary for the disposal of stock, and we’ve also had to change the way we do training by activating webinars on specific subjects, since at the present moment our companies need technical expertise as well as a cultural evolution. First and foremost, within the company itself: getting to grips rapidly with these innovations is a vital strategic lever if we are to avoid being overwhelmed by the new market dynamics. We have achieved a universally- recognised level of excellence as regards our know-how and craftsmanship, and now we have to reach the same level as far as the technological aspect is concerned”.

The Italian fashion group, OTB is the parent company of many brands including Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni and Viktor&Rolf and has agreed to acquire Jil Sander from Japanese company, Onward Holding.

Financial details regarding the purchase have yet to be revealed.

The Design Museum in London is launching its new exhibition focusing on sneakers this May, featuring designs by Nike, Adidas, Puma, Converse, Balenciaga, Comme des Garcons and Y3, Kanye West and more…

From trainers originally designed for specific athletic activities like the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, the Puma Disc, and Nike Alpha fly Next%, discover how sneakers such as the Reebok Instapump Fury, the Vans Half Cab and the Asics Gel Lyte III have become cultural symbols of our times.

Take a journey through the design process behind some of the most technically inventive shoes of today with the Adidas FutureCraft.Strung shoe-making robot designed by Kram/Weisshaar, Satoshi, a brand using blockchain certification and the world’s first biologically active shoes developed by MIT Design Lab and Biorealize for Puma.

Then delve into the lucrative resale market that is currently valued at $6 billion in data visualisations from Stock X, before reliving the streetwear staple’s high-fashion reinvention including sneakers by Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons and Y3 and runway looks from A-COLD-WALL* and Craig Green.

Uncover the icons and collaborations that have shaped the sneaker scene over the years from Michael Jordan and Run-DMC to Kanye West, experience visuals and graphic work from Jamel Shabazz, Grace Ladoja, Simon Wheatley and Reuben Dangoor, and meet the designers working to make the industry more sustainable, Stella McCartney, Helen Kirkumand Alex Taylor.

Ca’da Mosto, the company based in Scorzè in the province of Venice, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, which represents a milestone for the family.

Pierpaolo Tegon, CEO of Ca’Da Mosto, with Francesca Tegon, Creative Director, and Giovanna Tegon, Business Relations Manager, work alongside Sergio Tegon, the Founder, who is still an all- encompassing and inexhaustible part of the company, to manage and develop the business. 2020 was a year in which the company never stopped and continued to plan for its business: it was the year that saw the launch of the Seventy Venezia e-commerce website. This was a move that spoke of the buoyancy and performance of a company that has blazed a trail over the last half a century since it was founded and that knows how to find the right answers to this new challenging era of doing business.

This rebirth for Seventy Venice coincided with ceaseless and continuous planning. The company believes in an omnichannel approach, in the mixing & matching of on & offline channels as an inseparable part of the need to experience the purchasing process, which should be experiential, emotional and sensory. Thus with the deep interaction between these two levels, the company wishes to share its mission and the content of its creations with its increasingly broad clientele in order to maintain and elevate the offline experience in its brick and mortar stores, which are not – and will be less and less so in the future – mere containers for its products, but rather places for having experiences. The changes that took place in 2020 have accelerated the development and use of digital channels. It was in this context that the modernisation of our business processes took shape, leading to Seventy Venezia’s new website and e-commerce store. Our partner in this project was Filo Blu SpA, a Veneto-based company with solid expertise and an aptitude for “bespoke” projects in the digital sphere, with widespread and established international reach and offices in Venice, Milan, New York, Prague, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

“Despite this unusual period, we have continued to operate by taking full advantage of the digital channels and the great potential offered by these channels, also thanks to the overwhelming passion that drives us as entrepreneurs, to our staff and to the wonderful work that we do. We have undeniably entered a new and different phase in terms of the concept of doing business and this unforeseeable health emergency has led to the extraordinary acceleration of many of the processes that were already in the pipeline”, said Francesca Tegon, Ca’ Da Mosto Creative Director, who, along with Sergio Tegon, Founder, Pierpaolo Tegon, CEO, and Giovanna, Business Relations Manager, sits at the helm of the historic Veneto company.

Adidas has launched, alongside new activewear collections, a new long-term initiative, ‘Watch Us Move’, focused on supporting and celebrating women from all walks of life.

Formotion is the first of these new product collections to be released and is their most supportive activewear to-date. Created by an all-female design and development team, the collection was designed based off of three key insights: feedback from our global athletic community highlighting the need for a feeling of support, comfort and confidence; data conducted from body mapping and motion research; and technologies used in shapewear industry.

The activewear collection uses engineered knit technology, anchored around new graded zonal compression. Crafted to the female body, the smart, strategic placement of compression zones of varying intensities around the waist and hips helps to sculpt and support, whilst high-stretch knit used in other places enables freedom to move without restriction in high-impact conditions.

Additional performance innovations include our Aeroready fabric which helps keep the body dry and comfortable, as well as PRIMEGREEN, the series of high-performance recycled materials developed as part of our ambition to end plastic waste. Garments made with PRIMEGREEN use a minimum of 40% recycled content.

Richard J. Brown S/S 2021 collection focused on a desire for nature. A desire for simplicity and virtuous pleasure. The scent of grass, the contact with the warm and vital soil, the coolness of a green shelter. Short trips, day outings riding in a fast convertible with the wind in your hair. A wicker basket, the harmony of a table filled with joy and games among friends. Freely outside and inside every strong emotion. In the heart of the beauty of those places embraced by the warmth of our beautiful country…

“No compromise and the maximum attention to our people and our production chain. With confidence we continue to be flexible and close to our Customers.” For Christian Rossi, owner, and creative director of About srl, commitment and responsibility are the primary focus behind the RJB development. “High quality of the denim product, precision and originality of the services, customised projects and new generation tools continue to be the cornerstones of what will be a more and more international future”.

The art of making and tailoring intersect the exploration of the lightest and softest fabrics with shades that evoke the pleasure of living a better life in close contact with nature and the places we cherish. Memories, images and dreams come alive again in cotton and silk denim for a pleasant sensation of freedom, and in the most performing bi-stretch cotton, ideal for the most demanding adventures or even just to move around in maximum comfort. Among the cornerstones like bull denim, cotton and linen or cotton and silk fabrics, and lyocell, the great revelation of the SS20 collection, available in truly unique shades, the new solaro effect gabardine stands out, amazing outside, but even more so inside, thanks to the pleasant effect of shades and lights.

The International Denim Trade Fair BLUEZONE provides a new digital home for the denim community: www.bluezone.show. With the launch of the progressive BLUEZONE Living Page, the team offers a completely new experience through an interactive and dynamic approach featuring exclusive denim insights.

In addition to offering information about the key event BLUEZONE itself, the new BLUEZONE Living Page engages denim lovers to discover the latest novelties and developments of the blue community: with inspiring denim trends, behind the scene shots, material news and fashion collections. Everyone with a heart for denim – from manufacturers to fabric buyers and textile futurists – gets the chance to dive deeper into the blue world and the personalities who are shaping this industry.

LVMH’s attachment to innovation and entrepreneurship dates back to its foundation. This is why, for the 5th consecutive year, the Group is challenging innovative startups across the world to join its 75 Maisons in building the Future of Customer Experience. Startups are invited to do so by applying to the LVMH Innovation Award before March 12, 2021.

Entrepreneurship is a key pillar to the Group’s long-standing success. LVMH and its 75 Maisons continuously foster innovation and out-of-the box thinking, and the LVMH Innovation Award – an annual celebration of innovation, creativity and excellence – plays an integral part in this endeavor. Over the years, the Award has been a major accelerator for startups as well as Maisons, leading to iconic digitization projects all along the customer journey.

Despite the difficult circumstances it entailed, the Covid-19 pandemic has been a deep driver for digitalization. LVMH strongly believes this crisis can be turned into a stimulating environment, fostering change across different industries.

With the 2021 LVMH Innovation Award, the Group is eager to continue discovering game-changing solutions in omnichannel & retail, media & brand awareness, data & IA, operations & excellence manufacturing, employee experience and sustainability, to build remarkable experiences along all touchpoints of the customer journey.

Kim Jones made his haute couture debut for Fendi on January 27th at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. Named Artistic Director of Women’s collections of the Roman house last September, the British designer is also head of Dior Men. Inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf and timeless Italian codes, Kim Jones proposes a romantic vision of the Fendi woman.

For his first haute couture show, Kim Jones surrounded himself with longtime friends including Demi Moore, Kate Moss and her daughter Lila, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Cara Delevingne. They took to the runway alongside androgynous models with carmine lips wearing long flowing capes to the sound of Max Richter’s soundtrack. In addition to literature, Kim Jones also found inspiration in the murals painted by Virginia Woolf’s sister Vanessa Bell at Charlheston Farmhouse, the regular meeting place of the Bloomsbury group to which they belonged. Her decorative motifs are embroidered on gowns. Another key theme of the collection is marble, mirrored on an imperial gown worn by Naomi Campbell. The marble palette is a tribute to the Galleria Borghese in Italy, a country adored by the Bloomsbury group, and above all the native land of the Fendi family.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day in style, MICAM, the International Footwear Exhibition has decided to step in and give those looking for a Valentine’s gift some tips on which shoes are best suited to his or her personality, and that best express the couple’s feelings for each other.

At the same time, by taking inspiration from the trends for next season, we can get ahead of ourselves and discover some of the winning ideas right now, ideas for gifts that are sure to be appreciated.

FOR HER
-Elegant, minimal shoes to celebrate a relationship that is sincere, but with no
frills. Low heels, pastel-patterned lightweight textures, recycled or recyclable materials are the concrete representation of a light, sustainable sentiment, such as that of a love that transforms every moment into an instant to be remembered forever. The heel gets higher and the shoe more eye-catching if there is passion and a touch of folly in the relationship. Colours become bolder, and materials solid and indestructible. If ‘She’ is someone who is used to asserting her personality with fun and flair, then this advice will prove invaluable to the person who wants her by their side.

-Careful attention to materials and product storytelling may be the premise for an
unforgettable gift. Many shoes are, in fact, none other than family portraits,
transformed into accessories with a long and rich history behind them. If the love you are building together is based on solid, traditional values, then a pair of shoes made by one of the leading Italian brands may make all the difference.

-The colour red is inevitably present, since it symbolises Valentine’s Day; and in
fashion it has always been used as a synonym for seduction. So how about a pair of provocative, feminine red shoes to brighten up a simple outfit or simply to add a touch of colour to your look? Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion!

FOR HIM
-When technology colours our lives with Apps and icons, even our aesthetic taste changes. For a man who is always absorbed in his smartphone, we suggest eclectic shoes in unusual colours and hypermodern materials. Sneakers are the most obvious choice, even though classic shoe models that have a touch of flair can make even the most critical haters shout “LIKE it!”.
-For the city-dweller who dreams of setting off to explore unknown lands, shoes
inspired by nature, its colours and textures, may be the first step on the path towards a change of life. Or else they may simply provide him with the opportunity to take an off-road trip, with the right accessories. A wide range of choice – some with a more markedly sporty look than others– offers these dreamers an ally they can rely on as they venture down paths and through clearings, even in urban settings.

The 35th CPM – Collection Premiere Moscow exhibition will be held from 22 to 25 February 2021 at Expocentre Fairgrounds in Moscow. Russian and international producers of fashionable clothes and accessories will showcase a collection of a season Autumn-Winter 2021/22. Categories include Women’s wear, men’s wear, kids wear, young fashion, knitwear, leisure wear, leather and fur, evening fashion, underwear, beachwear, fabrics for lingerie and swimwear, shoes and accessories. 

The International Fashion Trade Show and order event is organized by Messe Duesseldorf Moscow and the Co-Organizer Igedo Company. CPM presents international fashion trends in the Russian metropolis Moscow at Expocentre fairgrounds. 34th season of CPM was visited by more than 22,000 trade visitors from 50 countries to know more about approx. 1,375 collections from international exhibitors.

CORDURA brand and Artistic Milliners have collaborated in the evolution of a new choice of workpants from USA women’s workwear specialist Dovetail. This marks the debut of the Noir “No Fade Black” CORDURA denim, part of the Artistic Milliners Supercharged CORDURA Denim collection.

With the development of Noir denim from Artistic Milliners, the denim company of the future; CORDURA brand were able to help Dovetail deliver a tough, sustainable workpant – just like the women who wear them.

“We build radical pieces out of need. Women tell us what they want and we go from there. Our latest Maven and Britt style pants with ‘No Fade Black’ CORDURA Denim came from a request from our most hardcore customers, who asked for the toughest possible pant.

Cindy McNaull, Business Development Director at CORDURA added: “At CORDURA our belief is that: Sustainability Begins With Products That Last™. Quite simply, the longer something lasts the less need to throw it away and consume yet more resources.  What an incredible experience it was for me personally to be working with such a talented team – and in particular, to help develop a solution that was specifically addressing women’s workwear needs.

Premiere Classe is moving to Saint-Germain-des-Prés from Friday March 5th to Monday March 8th.

“To hold a moment of meet and greet in Paris, in the awaiting of our usual events as you know them, Premiere Classe is moving exceptionally its next edition in the WSN offices, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Près, in an extremely selective and physical format of a showroom.”

ISPO Munich Online 2021 proved to be a popular industry meeting for the international sports and outdoor sector: a total of 31.574 participants from 110 countries visited the digital platforms of the world’s leading trade fair for sports from February 1-5 with the motto “Sport is stronger.” In addition to product and company presentations by 545 exhibitors in the Expo Area, the conference line-up on the social megatrends of sustainability, health, digitalization and creativity was also extremely popular.

545 exhibitors from 110 countries presented their products and innovations at ISPO Munich Online 2021. 31.574 trade visitors took advantage of the two-part event with the digital Expo Area and complimentary conference program with more than 150 lectures, discussion sessions and workshops. The top user countries after Germany were (in this order): Italy, Great Britain, Austria, Japan, and China. The “Public Streams” for end consumers, offered for the first time, were joint by a total of 22.000 people.

The Expo Area represented the entire spectrum of the sports and outdoor industry: Industry leaders such as adidas Terrex, Gore, Mammut, Icebreaker, along with textile suppliers and innovative start-ups. They all presented themselves and their products in digital brand rooms and offered a comprehensive market overview.

“After weeks of tug-of-war, nerve-wracking time and redesign of the hygiene concepts, we have lost the battle against the authorities today. The authorities of the city of Munich forbid the realization of the planned order platform.

Covid-19 is omnipresent and does not stop at the gates of the wholesale trade of the textile industry. After long deliberations and many phone calls with the authorities in Munich, we have to cancel from the side of the authorities the event Supreme Women&Men this season at the location Munich. The authorities justified their decision by stating that the new virus variant B.1.1.7. is also spreading in the Munich city area and that it can be assumed that this is associated with increased case mortality and a significantly increased risk of transmission. In view of the international nature of this event, which presupposes a high level of travel, the event is therefore not permitted.

Since there is no reliable time statement on when relaxations will be decided in Bavaria, planning on our part is currently not possible and, above all, not reliable. We regret not being able to hold this event, which is very close to our hearts, after the immense amount of work put in by the entire team.

Due to the lack of planning and the seasonal offer, we are also not in a position to name alternative dates. We very much hope that further developments will allow us to open our doors again as usual in the summer season.

It hits us very hard that while wholesale is allowed in Bavaria (even if with certain restrictions), we are being put in the way by the government with our showroom concept, which has worked very well in Düsseldorf. We can really say that we tried everything. We fought until the end and continue to fight.

We regret the short notice of the cancellation of our ‘showroom concept’ and are powerless against such a decision of the Free State of Bavaria.”

The physical edition of Tranoï in March 2021 has been cancelled. Instead from March 5 – 7, 2021 the event will be held digitally as Tranoï Link: a digital platform that encourages relationships between buyers and brands.

Tranoï link is first and foremost a curated space, with a selection of the most creative and relevant ready-to-wear and accessories brands. The lineup includes emerging designers and international brands as well as designers with strong growth. The platform has registered main concept stores and department stores from all over the world.

The main functionalities are :

-Connect with buyers 24/7 : networking isn’t limited by distance or time.

-Be part of the unique tranoï selection of designers and connect with qualified retailers around the world.

-Build and deep valuable relationships with international buyers all year long.

-Use your own, efficient online showcase to promote your collections and share your brand universe.

-Get coached by leading experts on your sales strategy.

Taking place from January 19th until February 22nd, 2021, Project Digital is a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of men’s and select women’s apparel, accessories, and curated footwear. Featuring everything from streetwear and athleisure to classic sportswear and tailoring, visitors can explore it all on one centralized, digital marketplace.

From established brands to emerging talent, access custom content made to enhance and facilitate digital discovery. Effectively locate items already on your hit-list by browsing our trend roundups, shoppable editorials, look books, and beyond.

Fashion’s tech-driven future is now our present. For brands, connecting to buyers using digital showrooms is crucial in the upcoming season as buyers may not be able to visit you in person. High-touch and sophisticated platforms such as WeAr DigiShows give buyers a look at collections, highlighting garment details while simulating a physical showroom visit. Investing in a digital showroom keeps brands connected to buyers, press and influencers. The same can be done for stores who want to virtually sell to their regular customers in a professional manner.

For retailers, implementing a video clienteling service allows customers to see collections and buy in real time. In Paris, Galeries Lafayette launched ‘Shopping à Distance’ which allows customers to use video calling to contract a personal shopper or brand representative for Alexander McQueen, Off-White, Loewe and Prada, among others.

Offering a ‘Click and Collect’ service should form part of your online strategy. According to Michael Burke, Director of Branded Apparel and Durables at Google, online data shows a three thousand percent increase in organic searches for ‘curtsied pickup’ in the last 12 months. Customers expect to be able to shop your entire assortment online, then visit your physical location in person to pick up their items. As shoppers stay close to home, adapting your existing physical retail space to accommodate and e-commerce fulfilment area will help you better serve online customers and avoid additional operational costs. An up-to-date inventory with detailed photos on your website will help customers understand the look and feel of your assortmement when they cannot browse in person. 

Increasingly, consumers use their mobile devices to shop. Sales transactions may end on your website, but customers could have discovered you on other platforms before making their purchase decisions. Enhance your presence on Instagram by using the Shopping feature to highlight a smaller range of products. When using other digital platforms, ensure a strong and consistent brand identity across platforms, as Burberry did when collaborating with Tencent on its interactive shop in Shenzhen, China, that allowed customers to explore the store using WeChat.

It’s important to know which of your customers are most likely to make a purchase in the near future so you know where to invest your time. E-commrce agencies like Paris-based The Other Store are specialised at working with mid-sized multi brand retailers to develop personalised online strategies for customer relationships management. By analysing your existing customer data, you can predict future shopping behaviour and plan your assortment. By analysing your data, you can develop the right strategy to maximise profitability from e-commerce.

This article is part of WeAr Magazine Issue 65.

Stone Island has opened its first store in Singapore within the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.

The suggestive resort is located in the Downtown Core district of Singapore where it stands out with the three towers and floating SkyPark.

The sales area covers a 115 sqm surface, with one wide window and two spacious changing rooms. Both Stone Island collection and Stone Island Shadow Project are available at this store.

The store floor and walls are made with selected brushed bush-hammered stones and the central back wall is coated with MDF paste that showcases an engraved compass logo. The ceiling and changing rooms are wholly painted with Caparol and the latter are completed with Kvadrat woolen fabric curtains. All furniture is tailor made by Italian artisans and designed by Marc Buhre, amongst the main used materials there are natural durmast, carbon fiber, metal pieces and elements used in sailing.

The Milan fashion shows, which have joined forces in the #strongertogether
exhibition project, have decided to cancel the physical trade fairs planned for
March 20 through 24, 2021 at the Fieramilano Rho exhibition centre.

Out of respect for the participating companies, visitors, buyers and media
representatives, MICAM Milano (the international footwear trade show),
MIPEL (the international event for leather goods and accessories), TheONE
Milano (the women’s haut-à-porter show), LINEAPELLE (the showcase of
innovative leathers, fabrics, accessories and components) and HOMI
Fashion&Jewels Exhibition (featuring bijoux and fashion accessories) have
come to this decision despite all the organisers’ best efforts and
determination.

“For this reason, the organisers will be channelling all their efforts and investments into digital initiatives over the coming weeks; though virtual events cannot fully replace physical ones, this will offer exhibitors an opportunity to digitally present their collections and the results of their undeniable creativity.”

Kadib is not only a store for selected Persian designs, it lives and breathes through the founder and creative mind Kamelia Adib who is the heart and the soul of the company.

“The inspiration for Kadib was sparked by my travels. I would randomly get stopped by people asking me about my outfits which were unique pieces, designed and produced by Persian designers. I instantly felt the need to show the world how extremely gifted they allare. I decided to give these incredible talents a voice outside of Persia and to use my expertise and experience to represent them in Europe.”

Intrigued by the fusion of current fashion trends and the centuries-old Persian culture and heritage, Adib brought together over fifty Persian designers and artists, living and working in different parts of the world including Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. These young designers exert their vast potential by creating unique works of art, mixing modern designs with oriental influences and materials. Many hours of work are invested by every designer and the tailors for every single handmade piece. The designs consist of a mix made of fashion’s up-to-date knowledge and an originality coming from the Persian culture and heritage. The offer ranges from women’s and men’s wear fashion, shoes, bags and accessories to interior design pieces and homeware. The products are not only unique and one of a kind, they are also sustainable due to carefully selected materials, hand-craftsmanship and upcycling.

“One of the things we will be strongly focusing on in the future is adding even moreauthentic techniques and methods in our collections by working with women from Persianvillages and suburbs. These techniques include needlework, embroidery, and craftsmanshipthat are specific to their regions. By incorporating these, we create jobs for these women,and –at the same time –keep traditions and techniques alive for the rest of the world to seeand admire them.”Kamelia Adib

From February 1 until 5, 2021, ISPO Munich Online will be the place to be for the sports and outdoor sector. Under the heading “Sport is stronger”, the trade fair will be a leading international platform for new products, market trends and networking. Participants will also have an opportunity to discuss key social questions for the future from a sporting perspective. ISPO Munich Online will be opened by the long jump world champion Malaika Mihambo.

“For the first time ever, the largest trade fair in the sports business will take place in digital form” said Dr. Jeanette Friedrich, Global Head of ISPO Group. “We’re very keen to reach the entire sports community from retailers and manufacturers to sports enthusiasts.” The event is therefore divided into three parts:

1) Market Overview of innovations and new products in the Expo Area: 

The Expo Area will serve as a virtual exhibition area for more than 500 international exhibitors from all areas of sport. It is primarily aimed at specialist retailers who are looking for a product overview as well as inspiration for planning product ranges. All companies and their products will be presented in digital brand rooms.

2) Conference with interdisciplinary discussion on megatrends

With more than 80 presentations and podium discussions and over 100 workshops on socially relevant topics such as digitalization and creativity, health and sustainability, the conference program is sure to inspire all sector members. The interdisciplinary line-up of speakers will bring together industry representatives and sportspeople along with participants predominantly from industries outside the sector, education and politics. 

3) Attractive activities for sport and outdoor fans around the world

For the first time ever, end consumers will have exclusive access to selected content from the conference program: During the Free to Air Sessions the daily openings (from 10:00 a.m. CET each day) will be streamed live with the subsequent keynote speeches and the interactive live pitch for the title of the ISPO Brandnew “Overall Winners” and the ISPO Award ceremonies in the various categories. With the Public Choice Award, an additional prize will be awarded by end consumers. Until Thursday, February 4, all members of the ISPO Award entries.

This week Neonyt on Air has kicked off its digital week with a brief welcome and introduction by the Neonyt team, Andrea Sibylle Ebinger, CEO of Hessnatur, who addressed the community with a personal keynote. For Hessnatur, it is primarily the opportunities offered by the crisis year of 2020 that are paving the way for a better tomorrow: including the delayed Earth Overshoot Day and the related temporary reduction of the world’s ecological footprint, as well as the industry’s increasing need for collaboration and the solidarity shown within it.

Tuesday, 19 January: In the morning, Oeko-Tex held a panel discussion entitled “Transparency in the textile supply chain” about the supply chain law currently being discussed in Germany – holding companies accountable, producing under fair conditions and responsible consumption all go hand in hand with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Input was provided by Annika Sauerhoefer, Product Manager for “Made in Green” at Oeko-Tex, Mirjam Smend, founder of Greenstyle Munich and Andreas Bothe, Head of CSR & Sustainability at Bay City & Chiemsee. And in the afternoon, on the topic of “Due Diligence – due tomorrow?” Anosha Wahidi, Head of the Sustainable Supply Chains Unit at the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Max Gilgenmann, Content Director of Neonyt, spoke about the BMZ’s sustainable initiatives: the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, the state-run certification mark Grüner Knopf (Green Button), the German government’s assessment platform for sustainable labels siegelklarheit.de and the German Due Diligence Law, which is currently being discussed not only in the media, but also behind closed doors.

Today, Wednesday, 20 January: The Fashion Editorial by Luxiders Magazine and a keynote from the Kering Group provided plenty of inspiration and input before the subject turns to fiscal facts at the panel discussion “The long financial thread of sustainability” in the afternoon. The three panellists Dr Sabine Schlorke, Global Head of Manufacturing at IFC World Bank, Christian Heller, CEO of Value Balancing Alliance e.V., and Hans-Jürgen Walter, Global Leader of Sustainable Finance at Deloitte and moderator Darius Nader Maleki, Project Manager at the Maleki Corporate Group, explained the concept of a circular economy from a financial perspective and explaining what kind of a role banks and investors can play, or are already playing, in the creation of a sustainable future.

Thursday, 21 January: The textile and fashion industry is one of the most closely interconnected and also most resource-intensive industries in the world – and the speakers on the penultimate day of Neonyt on Air will be focusing their attention on precisely that, while looking at the procurement and selection of raw materials, product certifications and net positivity. During a panel discussion entitled “Sustainable sourcing – at the beginning of the chain”, Johannes Fürst, Head of the Blue Lab of NGO Drip by Drip, Anurag Gupta, Managing Director of Usha Yarns and Gunnar Heller, Head of CSR at Foursource, will be covering topics such as the negative environmental influences of textile production and the resulting solutions for the better handling of natural resources. In the live interview “Product is Key – the Timberland 2030 vision for net positivity”, Elisabetta Baronio, Sustainability & Responsibility Manager at Timberland, will briefly explain the ideas behind the cult US brand’s sustainability approach: regenerative agriculture and circular design. To conclude the day’s proceedings, this will be followed by the panel discussion “Certification – transparency, credibility and trust” with Franziska Dormann, representative of the Global Organic Textile Standard, Rapha Breyer, spokesperson for Textile Policy & Partnerships at Fairtrade and Ingo Strube, spokesperson for sustainable consumption at Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Environment. The experts will be providing a constructively critical overview of the myriad certifications and standards and talking about the challenges in the certification business during the pandemic.

Friday, 22 January: “Textile Trust – driving transparency by using blockchain” – a panel discussion about the use of blockchain technology in the textile and fashion industry that will raise the question: what does IT have to do with fashion and sustainability? Answers will be provided by Christian Schultze-Wolters, Director of Blockchain Solutions at IBM, Stefan Rennicke, founder and CEO of Kaya&Kato and Michael Krake, Deputy Director General at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – three partners who have come together to develop a platform for the transparent documentation of the textile supply chain. To conclude, Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, will be giving a short farewell keynote and looking ahead to Frankfurt Fashion Week in summer 2021.

Neonyt on Air is taking place until 22nd January 2021 on Neonyt’s social media channels. No registration is required to participate

Italian fashion house Valentino has confirmed that it will showcase its Haute Couture collection, Code Temporal, digitally on January 26th at 3pm.

The collection will consist of a special presentation conceived by creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli in a dialogue with British artist, musician, singer and songwriter Robert Del Naja, from Massive Attack.

The presentation will be filmed in Rome, with Piccioli selecting Galleria Colonna, Sala Grande, in the Italian city to highlight the couture collection.

Valentino will also present a film made by Del Naja, exploring the Haute Couture process, using clips filmed and edited by machine learning algorithms created by Del Naja’s collaborative partner, neural artist Mario Klingemman.

Pitti Immagine Uomo, which was supposed to take place on February 21 until 23 in Florence, has cancelled its physical event due to the Italian government tightening coronavirus restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

The winter edition will now be held solely as digital formats on the Pitti Connect platform, which will remain online with the contents of the current fair season until the beginning of April.

“In the last few weeks, the probability of being able to hold the fairs in a physical format had clearly decreased” comments Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine “but we had decided to keep the option open until the suspension was officially confirmed, because we were aware of the strong desire of our exhibitors and buyers to physically meet in person, despite the many problems that this could entail.  This was not superficial optimism, nor a kind of stubbornness in the face of clear evidence, but rather a determination to leave no stone unturned and possibly also offering a useful message for the coming months. The advice given by trainers to volleyball players comes to mind: even when it seems almost certain that you have lost the set, score as many points as you can, keep standing, this will be a sign to your rivals that you will be giving them a battle again in the next set. So, we will be playing the next physical set in the summer, but we want to continue to score points in the meantime. It is for this reason that, in this period, we have worked so hard on the digital dimension on which we are now concentrating all our efforts. For Pitti Uomo, we can already count on the participation of around 250 companies, all who will be accompanying us in the future. The live-streamed events which took place this week were a great success, combined with the many collections already uploaded on Pitti Connect”.

We’re excited to announce that our latest issue of WeAr Magazine is now out & available in print and digital!

WeAr celebrates with its 65th issue the industry and additionally to its normal content, publishes Denim Legends Part II. A comprehensive guide to the best of denim the last 15 years produced. Have a look at the designs, the companies, some reports on the past and future of denim and the list of the 100 most influential people or the denim industry. Sponsored by Artistic Milliners and Denham.

Flip through a free preview of the new issue at the link below or visit our bookstore to get your digital or print copy!

Although Gallery Düsseldorf the tradeshow has been cancelled, Düsseldorf Fashion Days (DFD) can take place as planned from 27 January to 3 February. During the order week at the turn of the month, trade visitors can place their orders in the more than 600 showrooms according to the appointment system and in strict compliance with all hygiene regulations.

Gallery Fashion & Shoes will be held exclusively as a digital format in January/February – with an extended runtime from 28 January to 15 February. Supreme Women&Men is still in the approval process with the city of Düsseldorf and will issue info on the implementation of the fair soon.

With the aim of being able to realise a physical event for the fashion industry in the Spring/Summer 22 season, the team of Munich Fabric Start Exhibitions GmbH worked flat out until the very end to organise the second edition of FABRIC DAYS. The organisers wanted to repeat what was proven in September 2020 with the sales-focused, concentrated business format: That efficient work is possible under the changed circumstances thanks to the highest hygiene and safety precautions.

Unfortunately, the situation in Germany and Europe has not changed fundamentally in recent weeks and thus the physical edition of Fabric Days has been cancelled.

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE has announced last week that it has completed the acquisition of Tiffany & Co. the global luxury jeweler. The acquisition of this iconic US jeweler will deeply transform LVMH’s Watches & Jewelry division and complement LVMH’s 75 distinguished Maisons.

Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LVMH, commented: “I am pleased to welcome Tiffany and all their talented employees in our Group. Tiffany is an iconic brand and a quintessential emblem of the global jewelry sector. We are committed to supporting Tiffany, a brand that is synonymous with love and whose Blue Box is revered around the world, with the same dedication and passion that we have applied to each of our prestigious Maisons over the years. We are optimistic about Tiffany’s ability to accelerate its growth, innovate and remain at the forefront of our discerning customers’ most cherished life achievements and memories. I would like to thank Alessandro Bogliolo and his team for their dedication to Tiffany and their work over the past three years, especially during this challenging period.”

The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode has confirmed that Paris Men’s Fashion Week and Haute Couture Week will go ahead without invited guests this season due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Fashion houses will still be able to organise live shows with models, “providing that their events take place behind closed doors”.

In addition, brands will be able to organise meetings and presentations, providing strict coronavirus guidelines are respected, with organisers adding that this is “subject to a limit on the number of people present at the same time in a given space”.

Tommy Hilfiger has announced the third edition of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, which is now open for applications until March 8, 2021. The global programme aims to support young start-up and scale-up stage businesses that promote inclusive and positive change in fashion. Since the Challenge’s inception in 2018, the THFFC has awarded more than €350,000 to entrepreneurs who stand up for what they believe in and are committed to driving change within their communities.

“The Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge spotlights those entrepreneurs who are enriching our industry with their positive influences,” says Tommy Hilfiger. “This year, we want to showcase an even more diverse range of perspectives, ideas and communities by supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs. We have a responsibility to drive change within the fashion industry, and I’m honoured to enable our commitment to inclusivity and equal representation through the upcoming Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge.”

Interested companies are invited to submit their project proposals that strive to create an inclusive value chain in the fashion industry. Applicants will be whittled down to six finalists who will then be invited to develop and elaborate their business plans virtually with the support of a dedicated team of Tommy Hilfiger and social enterprise experts. With appropriate training from an experienced pitch coach, the finalists will present their concept in front of a prestigious panel of judges and a select audience at the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge Finale in early 2022.

For the first time, Tommy Hilfiger has also opened the programme to its customers, who are now invited to join as judges and vote in deciding this year’s finalists. Customers will narrow down the 200 finalists to 50. Each participant will receive at least four applications, which can then be judged via a microsite. Applications to join the judging panel can be submitted to the following microsite until 8 February 2021

“Although the fashion industry has already taken some steps to become more inclusive and diverse, there is still much to be done,” says Martijn Hagman, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global. “With the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, we are furthering our commitment to equality and diversity and helping to drive the change we all want and need to see.”

The Danish government has extended existing regulations and increasing corona restrictions meaning that all Danish trade show activity have been suspended until 28 February.

Therefore, CIFF have made the decision to not to host their February edition. CIFF will be back with a strong Summer edition in Copenhagen August 2021.

With this, CIFF is launching CIFF Digital. An online platform designed to inform and connect fashion professionals across the globe.

 Offering fresh creative license, the new format provides a comprehensive virtual presentation of the fashion fair’s exhibitors together with new ways to connect online.

“The new digital showcase allows brands and designers to present their latest collections to buyers and journalists virtually when physical contact is limited”, says Christina Neustrup, Director of CIFF, on the new initiative and continues: 

 “The collaborative online portal is aimed to complement rather than co-opt the biannual fashion fair, fostering knowledge, connection and trade at a time when we need it most.”

To strengthen NOVA by DFO’s international fashion platform, DFO has joined forces with NOUND NOUND, a pioneering multi-label boutique chain, and one of the most prominent players in brand development in China, to establish a 360-degree strategic alliance for international designers in the Chinese market, covering nation-wide wholesale, direct retail, e-commerce, PR, and marketing.

Happy Holidays from the entire WeAr team! We look forward to seeing you in the new year with our January 2021 issue!