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!

Pitti Immagine begins to reveal the events and special projects for the next edition of Pitti Uomo, which will physically be held at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence from 21-23 February 2021. Until then, the fair will kick off  – in a digital format – from 12 to 14 January on Pitti Connect, the platform launched by Pitti Immagine this past summer to support exhibiting companies in the presentation of their collections and in the generation of business contacts with international buyers.

A special “opening” will officially inagurate the digital fair. On January 12, Brunello Cucinelli, one of the brands and firms of reference at Pitti Uomo, will be featured in a live streaming from Solomeo to present the brand’s new fall-winter 2021 collection in a preview before its participation in the physical edition of the fair in February.

Raf Simons has launched a new e-commerce platform called History Of My World after his tenth anniversary collection from 2005. The new online retail platform will stock clothing, homeware, and literature products curated by Simons.

The new platform is separate from Simons’ own eponymous label, and has officially launched this week. The site debut features one-of-a-kind blankets made at the Raf Simons studio. For all products featured on the website, customers can request a special inscription handwritten by Raf Simons himself.

“Funky vibes” is the mood of the new SUN68 Summer 2021 Beach collection, which chooses California inspired imagery of the 70s as inspiration for its swimwear, T-shirts and sweatshirts. Swimpants feature bright colors, while hoodies, T-shirts and polo-shirts revisit the tie dye technique, featuring shades such as raspberry purple, aquamarine blue as well as fluorescent orange and yellow colors.

In addition to the Seventies focus, the wide range of bathing suits includes basics in a single color or with stripes, micro-patterns, Hawaiian-inspired florals in fluo versions, geometric textures, and “ethnic” swimpants, with an ironic interpretation of aztec and oriental symbols.

The Beach collection is completed with the classic beach accessories: beach towels, slippers, bags and caps.

The SUN68 Beach collection will be available on sun68.com from the end of February 2021, and in a selected network of stores throughout Italy.

APROPOS THE CONCEPT STORE ends the year 2020 with an exciting new opening of its 6th branch, in the Bavarian town of Gmund am Tegernsee, around 60 km outside Munich.

The new store concept developed by APROPOS impressively combines Bavarian tradition with modern forms and was executed together with the architectural office, Unzen.

The shop space covers around 420 square metres and reflects the well-known APROPOS DNA: a curated selection of high-end fashion for men and women, beauty products and key home highlights.

At the launch, the assortment includes the S/S 21 collections of internationally renowned designers such as Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Celine, Christian Louboutin, Zimmermann and Moncler.

Klaus Ritzenhöfer and Daniel Riedo, Founder of Apropos with stores in Cologne, Munich and more, deliberately chose Tegernsee as the new location.

“We spend a lot of time in the Tegernsee Valley throughout the year and especially in the last few years the number of new projects in the luxury segment has increased very strongly. For us as a concept store, we see a new and exciting opportunity here.”

DuPont Sorona and the Portuguese spinning mill Tearfil have announced a collaboration to develop sustainable and high-performing staple yarns for the apparel industry. Tearfil is committed to creating smarter, cleaner and more sustainable yarns, and choosing Sorona was a natural solution for the spinning mill. 

“We believe collaboration is the key ingredient to creating the best products. We recognize that our magic is only possible thanks to our trusted fiber and technology partners. Sustainability or performance: why not have it all? Through working with the Sorona team, we prove how future-oriented high-performance textiles can also be eco-friendly and eco-conscious,” said Maria de Belém Machado, CEO at Tearfil. 

Sorona is made up of 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients. Offering a sustainable alternative to traditionally non-recyclable materials, the eco-efficient fiber is the choice of many renowned brands, such as The North Face, Helly Hansen and Stella McCartney. Sorona features many performance attributes, including softness, stretch, shape recovery, flexibility, ease-of-care and stain-resistance without the need for topical treatments. From flexible yoga wear to denim to everything in-between, Sorona can make any textile look good, feel good and do good. 

The Sorona fiber turns a formerly chemically-based process into a biological one, using 30 percent less energy and releasing 63 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than Nylon 6. Sorona is also a member of the Textile Exchange, The Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the Ellen McArthur Foundation. It is a USDA certified bio-based product and received OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification.

For the first time in its 50-year history ISPO Munich, the world’s leading trade fair for sports, will take place in a purely digital format from February 1 to 5, 2021. With nearly seven weeks to go before the start of the event, many international brands have already registered to present themselves and their products in the Expo Area. In addition, participants can also expect a comprehensive conference program. This is dedicated to a different key topic each day: from innovations and creativity to digitalization and health to sustainability.

UK trade show organiser Hyve Group has announced that its trade shows Scoop and Pure London will collaborate for a September 2021 concept show.

Scoop X Pure will take place on 12th till 14th September 2021 at London’s Saatchi Gallery.

Designed to offer a “department store” atmosphere, Scoop X Pure will not only showcase both emerging and established UK and international designers but will also feature a selected edit of home and lifestyle products. Following the cancellation of Jacket Required’s July edition, Scoop X Pure will also feature a selected menswear edit, with a view to showcasing labels with both a men’s and womenswear offering.

Berlin Fashion Week: Berlin becomes the European Capital of Creative Industries for a Sustainable Future. With a cross-disciplinary concept, Berlin focuses on its DNA as the European Capital of Creative Industries and continues to focus on a more sustainable future. The state of Berlin is supporting the realignment of Fashion Week with 3.5 million euros in 2021 alone. Berlin Fashion Week is repositioning itself and entering 2021 stronger than ever: with the next Fashion Week (January 18-24, 2021), the German capital is positioning itself as the European Capital of Creative Industries.

With a forward-looking interplay of cross-disciplinary formats, the creators of Berlin Fashion Week create a visionary and globally relevant concept that focuses above all on innovation, sustainability and digitalization.