The Stone Island research and development path in the world of footwear takes the subcultural strands of the brand as a reference, investigating some of these cultural icons.

In this journey, the brand takes as its reference a football-inspired icon, and pays homage to the UK’s Rock and Grime music scene with three different models of sneakers.

77FWS0101: classic low-cut mixture of 70‘s retro sneaker. The lace tips are referring to Stone Island’s iconic black metal trims.

77FWS0202: sneaker inspired by evergreen football styles, celebrating Stone Island’s philosophy of monochromatic colour and materials blends.

77FWS0303: sneaker that takes inspiration from silhouettes celebrated by UK’s Grime culture. With Stone Island archival cues, like the molded rubber tongue and the artisanal stitched nylon fabric.

AlphaTauri opened its first mono-brand store in the UK early November with a big bash. Celebrities from the world of fashion, sport and music were part of the guestlist in the new flagship store positioned in Knightsbridge a minute a way from the prestigious Harrods department store. Singer Raye performed for the audience and DJ Lou Hayter and Nabhaan Rizwan looked after the right tunes.
Formula 1 legend and Red Bull veteran David Coulthard guided everyone through the evening and pointed out the current drivers of the F1-team Scuderia AlphaTauri Pierre Gasly und Yuki Tsunoda who clearly couldn’t stay away from the festivities. The new flagship store is conceived on 326 m2 in London’s Brompton Road. AlphaTauri CEO Ahmet Mercan points out: “It is a pleasure to see so many of the brand’s friends tonight to celebrate this milestone. I am very thankful for the support. With the opening of this flagship-store we are taking a big step to further internationalise the brand.”
AlphaTauri further hired a prestigious team for its UK operations headed by a sales veteran who worked amongst others with brands like Stone Island and led his own agency successfully over years.

The 326m2 store on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, designed by the Berlin, Vienna and LA-based Studio Riebenbauer, immerses the visitor in the AlphaTauri world and showcases the latest collections for men and women on two floors.

With a slick monochrome interior made of brushed aluminum – interspersed with natural materials and specially designed lights, the store aesthetic is an authentic homage to the design language of AlphaTauri. The combination of technical and natural elements combined with the interaction of digital, innovative and interactive elements creates a unique shopping experience and delivers an outstanding concept that focuses on the customer.

A two-storey, 6m high LED wall with immersive sound and content changes according to the time of day, allowing customers to immerse themselves in the AlphaTauri experience as soon as they enter the store.

In addition to the current product highlights for men and women, there are various elements in the Experience Area on the ground floor that invite visitors to explore the world of the brand. The two core competencies of the brand are reflected in a knit and a parka installation.

The knit installation, which extends over two floors, constructed from a myriad of threads, takes inspiration from AlphaTauri’s 3D knit products, which are made entirely in one piece. The parka installation, on the other hand, consists of individual technical parts attached to the wall, exhibiting the iconic AlphaTauri KOOV parka in an arresting manner. The in-store experience is rounded off with product installations specially developed for AlphaTauri and various digital screens arranged individually or as a collage, which can be used to display the latest content on the collection.

Held in Sugarcity Amsterdam October 19-20, Kingpins showed that its core strength is to bring together a denim community that is motivated in fostering and driving the industry.

The location, first presented for its April show in 2022, was better received after changes were done in terms of exhibitor location. Thereby visitors were distributed throughout the show. On three floors Kingpins presented yet again the denim industry’s finest. Bossa, Artistic Milliners, Kassim, Orta, and Calik presented their latest fabric collections alongside supply chain companies such as LAB102, the new denim focussed subsidiary of CHT, SOKO, DyStar, Wiser Wash, Sei Laser, etc. Of course, ingredient brands such as YKK were also present as well as Ribbontex or Lycra. Noteworthy was the attention to also smaller artisanal mills from Japan and other Asian countries such as Rainbow Textiles, Nien Hsing Textile, Kurabo Industries, and Japan Blue Collect.
On the top floor, multiple seminars took place with special attention on industry-relevant topics and trends. Underlining the show’s efforts to be a trend-setting destination.
Mills took extra care to present alternate fibers and tried to offer as many sustainability options as possible.
Mostly, however, it was visible that the attendance was higher than expected and that this event served as a community get-together, a trend service and a supporter of the entire industry.

Want to know more about Denim? Get all the latest information in our WeAr Denim supplement. 

For its 40th anniversary Stone Island has partnered with OMA/AMO to revolutionize its stores’ ID to create points of references, hubs for its communities, spaces transcending transactional activities designed to experience the wealth of the brand research and experimentation on design and product manipulation, to share experiences and interact with its fans.

The new store concept by OMA/AMO features altar-like spaces highlighting Stone Island’s devotion to technology and development, shared by its followers. Niches for archival pieces and prototypes – results of years of experimentation in Stone Island’s lab in their Ravarino headquarters – showcase past thinking and future ambitions about product design.

Beyond shop opening hours, the space will host public presentations, salons, workshops, and private events. The stores form a base for current and new customers, complementing the brand’s online presence. Stone Island’s approach in transforming materials from typical into unique inspires and informs the new stores’ architecture by OMA/AMO.

International footwear show MICAM Milano, international leather goods and fashion accessories show MIPEL, and TheOneMilano, an international showcase of outerwear and hauteà-porter fashion, will once again be held all together in a four-day trade fair.

The shows will be open February 19 through 22, 2023 at Fiera Milano, from 9:30 to 18:30 on the first three days and from 9:30 to 16:00 on 22 February.

The emphasis will be on Italian fashions, though there will also be plenty of interesting international designers skilfully combining different cultures.
The event will also overlap with the dates of HOMI Fashion&Jewels, confirmed for February 17 through 20, and Lineapelle, scheduled for February 21 through 23, offering dealers yet another opportunity to discover the latest new designs and trends.

WeAr global magazine’s Editorial Director asks Binita Bhuta, Vice President Marketing & Sustainability at CovationBio about its product Sorona®, the group’s future and their sustainability efforts.

What are Sorona®’s plans going forward after the acquisition?
Let me give you a brief intro of CovationBio and how Sorona® is part of newly launched CovationBio. Sorona® is part of CovationBio, a newly launched biomaterials company focused on making high-performance sustainable biomaterials accessible to all. CovationBio builds on Sorona®’s 20-years of experience delivering a successful, commercial business at a global scale.
As CovationBio continues to expand and diversify our business to displace fossil-based materials, we are finding ways to improve our environmental benefits while offering quality, value, and performance to our customers.

In addition to Sorona®, CovationBio has other biobased solutions to offer into the fashion industry such as Susterra®, and we continue to evaluate other scalable solutions to bring to market.

Scalability is fundamental to bringing a sustainable business model to our customers making a significant impact on the world. We are already operating at scale. Our success in scaling up the production of Sorona® is due to our close collaboration throughout the value chain.

Traceability and transparency are also fundamental to the work we do. We are working closely with our value chain partners to drive traceability through both our Common Thread Fabric Certification program and our Preferred Mill Network for Sorona®.

We recognize that moving the materials industry toward a more sustainable or circular production model is going to require a combination of bio-sourced and post-consumer recycled feedstocks as raw materials. Therefore, we do not limit ourselves to working in the bio-derived space only. For example, we are evaluating the state of technology and partners for recycled/ biobased and lower footprint options for our conventional raw materials.

Most recently, our focus has been on establishing our Common Thread certified fabrics—Sorona® Agile, Aura, Luxe, Profile, and Revive—and the global Preferred Mill Network. The Sorona® Common Thread Fabric Certification program enhances the transparency and traceability in the textile value chain and ensures quality products that customers deserve. The Preferred Mill Network is a global catalog of mills certified to offer the full collection of sustainable Sorona® subbranded fabrics.

In just our first year, we saw more than 43 million garments with Sorona® hangtags worldwide and more than 500 mills participated with Sorona® certified fabric to date. There is still more work to do and our team is expanding its reach into more regions and having conversations with apparel brands every day. We are excited for what is next as more brands integrate bio-based materials like Sorona® into their collections.

You mentioned lessening the impact on the environment. How is sustainability a core part of Sorona®? How does Sorona® in the future treat the topic of Sustainability?

As a biomaterials company, sustainability and product stewardship are core to who we are. Our Global Sustainability Leader Lauren Johnson ensures our program is science-based and focuses on the most relevant opportunities that will “move the needle” in advancing the materials industry toward a more sustainable state. CovationBio’s priorities are driven by data from life cycle assessments (LCAs) for our products, and our commitments naturally align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the following four: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, Circular Economy, and Life on Land.

Sorona® is 37% bio-based, derived from annually renewable crops. Using renewable bio-based feedstocks is important because bio-based products contribute to the defossilization of the global supply chain—decoupling materials production from fossil fuel extraction and reducing global reliance on fossil resources.

I am excited to share about our recent membership in an agriculture program called Truterra designed to provide visibility into the environmental impact data on 100% of the acres supplying this corn. The participating farms use cutting-edge technology to improve soil health, protect biodiversity, and potentially sequester carbon. Through this program, farmers receive insights into their crop yields and resource consumption and output including greenhouse gas emissions, soil health indicators, wind and water erosion rates, and more.

Our participation in Truterra actively promotes transparency about our supply chain and educates farmers using a science-based and data-driven approach to improving farming practices. Improvements in farming will lead to reduced footprints for the farm, our raw materials, and ultimately the apparel that is made using bio-based resources.

Are there any new product groups that will become relevant for Sorona®?

We have a rich pipeline of products that we are hoping to commercialize in the next couple of years. Our strength is providing a quality, sustainable alternative to traditional materials and we will continue to find creative ways to do this in apparel.

One segment where we are seeing success and growth is with footwear. The launch with Puma for a football (soccer) shoe made with a Sorona® upper along with Susterra® was our first entry into athletic footwear. Other brands like EcoAlf use Sorona® in footwear as well as apparel.

Because Sorona® offers many exciting performance attributes, we see it used across many different applications.

Within apparel, we have a broad range of growth opportunities. Brands like Stella McCartney and Maison Atia value the bio-based faux fur Sorona® made with Ecopel. Blauer USA uses Sorona for insulation, Lilly Pulitzer has incorporated Sorona® into tops for the soft handfeel and shape retention, and LIVE! in Brazil launched a capsule collection called LiveBIO! that’s entirely made with Sorona® Agile fabric. We look forward to strengthening these relationships, establishing new ones, and developing in areas where we can make an impact at scale.

We are focused on and committed to delivering on our promise for a sustainable alternative to traditional fibers like spandex and nylon. As you may know, Sorona® is proven to keep garments looking new for longer and can be used for spandex replacement. It offers outstanding comfort stretch, an ultra-soft hand feel, and dimensional stability. These qualities are meaningful for designers as they look to strengthen the sustainability standards of their collections, and we look forward to supporting them in their journey.

How will Sorona® continue to help educate the industry about general trends and also its own products?

It all starts with our team. We are transparent, honest communicators who understand what drives profits for our customers and genuinely care about our impact in the industry and on the world. This knowledge and openness allow us to be nimble and bold when we are innovating or addressing a challenge.

It is in our CovationBio culture to ask ourselves and others tough questions. We recognize that the topic of sustainability is a complex area and advances in one impact could have unintended consequences elsewhere. We make the time to be engaged and have exchanges with leaders and drivers in the textile and fashion industry via organizations such as Textile Exchange and Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI).

We believe education is central to driving innovation and creativity. With that in mind, we are continuing our support of the Central Saint Martins’ first year students. We donate two types of fabrics made with Sorona® to create original pieces for their annual White Show. The results are breathtaking. It is the perfect place to start a conversation about source materials, quality, sustainability, and performance.

It is also so refreshing to meet up in-person again! We have enjoyed reuniting with our friends and colleagues at shows around the world this year. We will continue to have a presence both virtually and in-person at events including trade shows and speaking engagements.

We are committed to working through the value chain and offering our team as a resource for questions. We welcome questions about performance, sustainability, and distribution to better support your goals.

I believe with the momentum we are building for biobased materials through CovationBio brands— Sorona®, Susterra®, and Zemea® and our pipeline products —will be a catalyst for global change.

Naia is celebrating its 5th anniversary, starting this milestone celebration with a happy birthday singalong in many languages from their team around the world!

Made with sustainably sourced wood, Eastman Naia cellulosic fiber brings the richness of nature to comfortable and effortlessly luxurious fabrics. The Eastman Naia filament yarn transforms into luxurious, soft, and easy-to-care-for fabrics, while their staple fiber creates eco-conscious blends that are supremely soft and quick drying and consistently reduce pilling, giving designers more choice.

Most recently, Eastman, maker of Naia Renew sustainable fibers and yarns, has announced that it has collaborated with Patagonia to offer a limited run of T-shirts made with Naia Renew ES — Eastman’s latest fiber offering made with increased recycled content — for the outdoor apparel retailer’s Workwear line.Named for its enhanced sustainability, Naia Renew ES is made with 60% recycled content. Unlike other cellulose-based yarns and fibers, this option requires fewer virgin materials to make an environmentally friendly product. Naia Renew ES is made from a combination of molecularly recycled waste material (40%), recycled cellulose (20%) and renewable wood pulp (40%).

WeAr x JOOR BeFAB Award

For the first time, leading global fashion trade magazine WeAr global magazine together with the world’s premiere wholesale ecosystem JOOR gave the BeFAB Award – Best Fashion, Art and Brands and celebrates the runner-ups and winners on multiple pages in this special issue filled with the best the industry has to offer coupled with outstanding arts.

In issue 72 you can also find reports about sustainability, store design, the latest trends, designers and best stores. Get your copy in print or digital here

AlphaTauri has opened the brand’s first pop-up store in Japan on the ground floor of ISETAN MEN’S in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district this month. The pop-up was open from 5 October to 18 October 2022. On the opening day of the pop-up store, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, drivers of Scuderia AlphaTauri, a Formula 1 team of which the brand is the main sponsor, did not miss out on the opportunity to visit the exclusive pop-up. They were both wearing the latest AlphaTauri Autumn/Winter 2022 Collection.

The AlphaTauri pop-up store invites its visitors to explore the unique combination of functionality and design by presenting AlphaTauri’s advanced fabric technologies and signature smart designs. The Autumn/Winter 2022 collection combines progressive innovations and fashionable design while placing a high emphasis on comfort. For the duration of the pop-up store at ISETAN MEN’S, all AlphaTauri Fall/ Winter 2022 collection items will also be available on ISETAN’s online store. The pop-up store will then move to ISETAN’s Haneda Stores in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from 26 October to 6 December.

Timberland announces its first-ever collaboration with Los Angeles-based, Danish-born creative Veneda Carter, featuring new spins on the brand’s Original Yellow Boot for a new generation of fashion-forward enthusiasts.

One of the world’s most in-demand stylists, Carter has a unique aesthetic that blends Scandi minimalism with ’90s cultural references. As a longtime fan of the brand, she has collected a massive collection of vintage Timberland® boots and hikers over the years, and fondly recalls growing up with the original 6” yellow boot as an icon of hip-hop style. Her innovative mindset and personal style unmistakably influence the collection.

“Growing up in the ‘90s and 2000s, I was super fascinated by hip hop culture and how Timbs were styled and worn by some of my favorite artists,” said Carter. “To have the opportunity to work with Timberland to create my own personal spins on their icon has been such a cool experience. This is a brand I’ve loved for years – they really created boot culture and I’m excited to be part of it.”

The Veneda Carter x Timberland collection features two lace-up silhouettes inspired by the icon: the Women’s Tall Lace Boot with stiletto heel, and the 6” Patent Leather Boot. Each style comes in the brand’s signature wheat color and includes a co-branded metal ID tag in place of the traditional leather “badoink.” In line with Timberland’s obsession with leather craftsmanship, the tall boot is made using the same premium, buttery nubuck leather uppers as the original.

Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), the nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing climate action in fashion, today announced that The PVH Foundation is joining the catalytic $250M Fashion Climate Fund as a lead funder. This advances the Fund’s aim to drive industry-wide convergence to modernize the fashion industry supply chain and meet the industry’s ambition to halve carbon emissions by 2030.

The PVH Foundation, which leads the global philanthropic efforts of PVH Corp. (NYSE: PVH), is the newest addition to the Fashion Climate Fund. PVH Corp., which owns iconic brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, joins Lululemon, H&M Group, H&M Foundation, and The Schmidt Family Foundation as a lead funder, with each committing $10M. This investment underscores PVH Corp.’s enduring trust and belief in Aii as a critical partner and intellectual clearinghouse that will help reach the fashion industry’s 2030 climate goals.

The first-of-its-kind Fashion Climate Fund is strategically designed to leverage industry treasury and philanthropic funds to execute foundational supply chain improvements; these include transitioning to renewable electricity, improving energy efficiency, eliminating coal in manufacturing, scaling sustainable materials and practices, and accelerating next-generation materials. In doing this work, the Fashion Climate Fund will also derisk investment opportunities, allowing the industry to engage larger financial institutions to unlock an estimated $2B in additional asset classes, including debt and equity. 

“The leadership shown by PVH Corp., a long-time partner to Aii, represents a big step forward in our work to tackle fashion’s supply chain emissions,” says Lewis Perkins, Aii President. “The PVH Foundation is helping to fuel the Fashion Climate Fund’s unique grantmaking engine to accelerate proven programs, solutions, and innovations into the supply chain to lower carbon emissions. 

“Our company purpose, to power brands that drive fashion forward for good, is at the core of our multiyear growth plan and has guided us for many years,” says Stefan Larsson, PVH Corp. CEO. “We know that collaboration and funding are critical to driving solutions that address the fashion industry’s contributions to climate change and are proud to be supporting the Fashion Climate Fund in this work.”

In the coming months, Aii will continue to deploy funding into supplier carbon target-setting and prioritization projects, Clean By Design efficiency programs, and renewable energy pilots, and build the “use of funds” strategy for 2023, while it convenes more partners into this Fund and grows strategic relationships with investment capital, both commercial lending and private equity, looking toward the $2B capital unlock.

Wolford has announced its collaboration with Mugler to launch a new skinwear capsule collection. The exclusive collection of 12 styles consists of bodysuits, dresses, gloves, leggings, cycling shorts with special shape lift construction, alongside enhanced tailoring features in special flocked patterns in high-quality sheer and innovative knitwear technology.

Mugler’s signature shaping hosiery is also available in a new range of colours. Wolford and Mugler have a history of collaborating with each other. The brands have previously worked in the 80s to launch an exclusive two-set collection at the time with the late Manfred Thierry Mugler.

Now, under the vision of Mugler’s Creative Director Casey Cadwallader, the new skinwear capsule collection aims to celebrate the body and excels in wearability by bringing together Mugler’s bold designs with Wolford’s innovative techniques.

“Casey’s unique sensitivity and personal vision have revitalised Mugler’s artistic and experimental heritage”, confides Silvia Azzali, CCO Wolford, “his talent honours the painstaking master craftsmanship required for such couture-level fabrication and together we will set Wolford’s avantgarde leadership bar in skinwear ever higher, valorising as always exceptional and exclusive collaborations”. 

On the occasion of Milano Moda Donna Spring/Summer 2023, the launch event of the first pop up store of Enterprise Japan, an Italian sneakers and streetwear clothing brand founded in 2021 by Eli Group, took place at 10 Corso Como, with the special presence of Blanco.

For the occasion, the pop up has been transformed into a real underground club thanks to the presence of Blanco, artist of the moment, fresh from a national tour.

During the event, the Enterprise Japan x 10 Corso Como pop-up store was stormed by Blanco fans to grab a sneaky photo with the artist, who for the occasion wore a preview of the Spring/Summer 2023 collection by Enterprise Japan.

The S/S 2023 collection opens with a big news for the brand, the introduction of cargo pants with maxi pockets combined with oversized jackets, also with maxi pockets, in faded cotton that are added to sweatshirts and t-shirts with colors tie dye.

Enterprise Japan, together with 10 Corso Como, has also developed a super limited edition capsule collection consisting of 20 pairs of sneakers with two models: a total white model with the 10 Corso Como logo printed with an airbrush and the other made with a special contrasting tag on the tongue, available only in the Milanese concept store.

International footwear show MICAM Milano and international leather goods and fashion accessories showcase Mipel joined forces with TheOneMilano, featuring Haute-à-Porter (part of the Confindustria Moda galaxy) and HOMI Fashion&Jewels Exhibition, an event focusing on quality jewellery and accessories, all held on overlapping dates to attract top-level buyers from all over the world, making all the events a great success. 35,470 professional dealers attended the fashion trade fairs held this month at fieramilano – Rho (+20% more than in March 2022).

Plenty of space was dedicated to the quality Italian footwear that is so popular abroad, sustainability projects for an increasingly responsible industry, initiatives aimed at showcasing young talents, and strong representation of international brands at the fashion trade fairs, which abounded in creativity and new trends with a pinch of glamour, anticipating the styles of the future. A packed programme of workshops and events ensured that the trade fairs offered not only concrete opportunities for buyers to conclude deals but a chance to assess new developments on the market and learn more about issues of current relevance to the fashion industry. These trade fairs represent only a part of the #finallytogether project, designed to boost the fashion industry by working together on joint promotional initiatives.

In addition to the events that have just concluded, last week saw the close of DaTe – Shaping Avantgarde in Florence, an event focusing on cutting-edge eyewear, attracting 1500 professional visitors. The final events of the season organised by the #finallytogether group open today at fieramilano: Lineapelle, an international trade fair for leather, accessories and footwear components, leather goods, clothing, and furnishings, began with a dynamic atmosphere and plenty of high expectations.

Also held recently are Simac Tanning Tech, an international showcase of machinery and technologies for the footwear, leather goods and tanning industries, and Mipel lab, an innovative trade fair format created by Assopellettieri to bring together supply and demand for the Italian leather goods.

The coming edition of MICAM Milano will be opening soo under the slogan #finallytogether, 1,012 brands, 54% from Italy and 46% from abroad (+23% over March 2022), will meet with buyers from all over the world at fieramilano (Rho) between 18 and 20 September, confirming the importance of MICAM Milano not only as the biggest footwear show but the biggest post-pandemic fashion show in the world. The Italian footwear industry continues to recover, recording further growth in sales (+14.5%) and in domestic consumption (+ 18.2% by value) in the first half of the year, following upon a total growth rate of +18.7% in 2021. But there are a number of unknowns looming on the horizon.

According to Assocalzaturifici Chair Giovanna Ceolini: “The industry as a whole has recovered significantly, but high energy costs, raw materials costs and the consequences of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine (with the value of exports to the two markets down -30%, a total drop of – 46% since the start of the war) are putting short-term growth at risk. Our member companies are satisfied with sales to North America and the main EU markets, though spring lockdowns slowed sales in China. While designer brands are performing very well, half our member companies have not yet returned to pre-Covid sales figures. We hope that MICAM will, as usual, offer a chance to take advantage of business opportunities and discover new trends and opportunities on world markets”.

MICAM will showcase S/S 2023 collections with numerous styles for men, women and children for all occasions, from the best-known international names to Italian-made excellence.

Moreover, to help buyers in the choice of the season’s bestselling footwear, MICAM has come up with the first data-driven SS23 Trends Guide: a digital guide visitors will be able to download for convenient consultation on their smartphones to discover next season’s trends and optimise their purchases, made possible by a partnership with Livetrend.

MICAMX is back (pav. 1 stand H09), a meeting and convention area focusing on innovation, featuring numerous presentations in four main concept areas: trends & materials, sustainability, art fashion heritage & future and the future of retail. MICAMX will, as always, represent the common thread running through all MICAM content, produced with the help of internationally prominent guests, best practice and prestigious testimonials from all over the world. The issue of sustainability will also be the focus of the MICAM Sustainability Lab, an area powered by VCS (pav. 3 stand K11), the first sustainability certification mark for the footwear industry, focusing on an important project launched in March: VCS verified & certified steps. This mark is granted to enterprises that undertake a process of assessment, measurement and, above all, improvement of their performance in key areas of corporate sustainability on the basis of internationally recognised standards.

MICAM STARTUP: THE FUTURE IS HERE MICAM never stops looking forward to the future, and this edition features a Start Up area (pav. 1 stand H12) showcasing emerging new excellence: young Italian footwear makers with an optimistic outlook who express their revolutionary ideas through footwear and fashion.

Under a partnership with Italian Artisan (pav. 1 stand F11), the B2B platform connecting quality Italian manufacturers with international brands and retailers, “Italian Artisan Heroes – the ultimate manufacturing tradition” is back to underline the true essence of Italian craftsmanship. “We’re proud to continue working with Assocalzaturifici and MICAM,” says Italian Artisan founder David Clementoni. “This year, we are really putting ourselves on the line with an innovative stand in which technological evolution amplifies spaces and opportunities for our producers, who continue to be the focus of our corporate mission.”

The Emerging Designers area (pav. 1 stand F09 G10) will feature 12 up-and-coming designers from all over the world. The new designers’ talent is clearly visible in the styles they propose, which range from a return to ancient traditions to cutting-edge experimentation with forms and materials, in an original style, with a focus on sustainability abounding in inspiration from cultures all over the world.

From Paris, via Berlin, to Frankfurt and now worldwide. Over the last two decades since its launch, Neonyt has developed into the most important B2B community platform for fashion, sustainability and innovation. The international fashion business is big, as is the responsibility of the event as an order platform and trend spotter in the sustainability sector, and the interest in the brand around the world. Messe Frankfurt has recognised the potential of Neonyt as a beacon and pioneer, and plans to roll out the event internationally. The next German edition of this B2B event will be held in Düsseldorf from 28 to 30 January 2023.

Neonyt will take place as a B2B event in Düsseldorf from January 2023. Additional satellite events around the world are also in planning. Messe Frankfurt is taking the first step in Germany in cooperation with Igedo Company, which means: Igedo has assumed immediate responsibility for the operative planning and implementation of Neonyt in Düsseldorf. Since being founded in 1949, Igedo has gathered an extraordinary degree of expertise in the fashion sector and, with its events in Düsseldorf, plays a firmly established role on the international order scene at least twice a year.

In future, Neonyt will be held as a licence event concurrently with the FASHN ROOMS in the fashion metropolis of Düsseldorf, thus making Neonyt part of a successful international combination of some 600 international brands. The strictly sustainable spectrum to be seen at Neonyt will be held alongside the Agencies & Premium Brands (Showroom Concept), Avantgarde, Design & Contemporary and Accessories & Shoes segments of Fashn Rooms. This will benefit not only exhibitors and trade visitors because Fashn Rooms in Düsseldorf is also renowned for its content-creator segment, which is in line with the community DNA of Neonyt and offers significant potential as a multiplier.

“We are delighted that the Igedo Company is joining forces with us”, says Olaf Schmidt. “Neonyt and its cross-sector community are in very good company in Düsseldorf, which will be of great benefit to the trade-fair landscape and the sustainable textile and fashion scene – this is where expertise and professionalism meet innovative spirit and stability.”

The success of ‘Neonyt Lab’, the first direct-to-consumer (D2C event), which attracted visitors from 22 countries in June 2022, has encouraged Messe Frankfurt to hold more events of this kind in Frankfurt. The internationalisation of the brand and the decision to hold Neonyt as a B2B event in Düsseldorf in the future will by no means result in a lack of commitment to Frankfurt.

Mulberry chair, Godfrey Davis is stepping down at the end of September 2022.

Davis first joined the label in 1987 as finance director before moving his way up the ranks to become joint chief executive officer and chair in 2002.

“It has been a privilege to hold the position of chairman of this iconic British luxury brand,” Davis said in a release. “Over the past decade Mulberry has continued to innovate and thrive, resonating with a growing global consumer base that desires sustainable, quality craftsmanship.”

Andrew Christopher Roberts, currently a non-executive director at Mulberry, will take up the position of non-executive chairman from September 30, at which point he will resign from the audit and nominations and remuneration committees of the board.

Supreme Women&Men Munich, which closed its doors earlier this month, can be described as one of the most successful editions. Retailers were open to new collections and, above all, the majority was optimistic. For the majority of retailers, the platform represents the end of the season’s orders, but this edition was characterized by strong business with new customers.

A new generation of retailers is growing up. These are not necessarily located in the big cities, but mainly in smaller towns and cities and place a strong emphasis on individuality and personal interaction. Without doubt, the topic Made in Europe, which is practiced by the majority of the exhibitors, plays a very important role for the traders. individual retailers. Sustainability and quality are set as selection criteria for the product ranges.

Aline Müller-Schade, Managing Director of The Supreme Group: “The change in the retail landscape is clearly noticeable. It is not working the way it used to. The new generation of retailers is positioning themselves quite differently. We are pleased that so many new retailers have found their way to Munich.”

Stone Island Stellina: A series of garments branded with the small star embroidery, a recurring feature in past collections, now typifying a range of products with clean lines and urban performance.

The outerwear pieces are made in O-COTTON/R-NYLON TELA WITH PRIMALOFT INSULATION TECHNOLOGY: a lightweight canvas weave fabric with a matte appearance. Padded with an inner layer of PrimaLoft Gold P.U.R.E™, an exclusive 100% post-consumer recycled blend.

The embroidery can also be found in other product categories: sweatshirts, polo shirts, pants and wool beanies.

A provisional schedule for this year’s London Fashion Week in September 2022 has been released and announced that Raf Simons will be making his LFW debut with his Spring/Summer 2023 collection.

Through a new four-part video series, Burberry and global esports organisation Gen.G have come together to champion women and the importance of inclusivity in the gaming industry as part of Gen.G’s NetWork: Inspire programme.

In Episode 1: ‘My platform is my power’, Gamer, content creator and host Emily Mei is joined by esports entrepreneur and founder of Enlight Eunice Chen, streamer and cosplayer Krystalogy and Burberry’s Vice President of Brand Protection Melissa Roth Mendez.

From being a force for change – big or small – to dealing with toxic online environments, our panel unpacks the idea that platforms have unmatched power in creating real change for the future, all the while posing the question: who are the women championing change in the industry, and more importantly – could it already be you?

The American collections will return at New York Fashion Week with Proenza Schouler kicking it off on Friday, September 9, and Tom Ford closing the week on the evening of Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

The preliminary schedule features over 110 confirmed designers, including returning brands Altuzarra, Batsheva, Brandon Maxwell, Carolina Herrera, Christian Siriano, Coach, Dion Lee, Eckhaus Latta, Gabriela Hearst, Jason Wu, Jonathan Simkhai,KHAITE, LaQuan Smith, LUAR, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Michael Kors, PatBO, Peter Do, Prabal Gurung, Sergio Hudson, Theophilio, Tory Burch, Victor Glemaud and Willy Chavarria.

Tommy Hilfiger, AREA and PUMA return to NYFW after a hiatus.

First-time additions to the schedule’s in-person activations include AnOnlyChild, ASHLYN, Foo and Foo, Midnight Studios, ONE/OF by Patricia Voto, and Tia Adeola.

The CFDA is also welcoming international brands Fendi, Marni and COS to the week.

This year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists Fe Noel, Sukeina, No Sesso, Elena Velez, Judy Turner, Wiederhoeft and BlackBoyKnits also join the week with collection showcases.

“This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the CFDA, and as the organizer of the official NYFW schedule, we are incredibly proud to release a lineup that reflects our founding principle: to promote American fashion on a global scale,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb. “We celebrate the collective excellence, diversity and resilience of our industry and look forward to a strong American collections season alongside our esteemed international guests.”

This year’s LOEWE FONDATION Craft Prize has been awarded to Korean artist Dahye Jeong for her work A Time of Sincerity (2021). Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of LOEWE, and a jury of leading figures from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism and museum curatorship, selected the winner and two special mentions from among 30 finalists.

The finalists for the LOEWE Fondation Craft Prize were shortlisted in January 2022 by a panel of experts who chose from among more than 3,000 submissions from around the world. Representing 15 different regions in the world, the 30 finalists work in diverse mediums including ceramics, woodwork, textiles, leather, basketry, glass, metalwork, jewelry and lacquer. Winner Dahye Jeong crafted a piece in the form of a basket from horsehair, using a 500-year-old hat-making technique thought to be a lost skill in Korea. In addition to the delicate lightness of her sculpture A Time of Sincerity, the jury praised her for reviving the age-old tradition.

The annual LOEWE FONDATION Craft Prize was launched in 2016 by Jonathan Anderson to recognize excellence, artistic merit and innovation in modern craftsmanship, and as a tribute to Loewe’s beginnings as a collective craft workshop in 1846. “Craft is the essence of LOEWE. As a house, we are about craft in the purest sense of the word. That is where our modernity lies, and it will always be relevant,” said  Jonathan Anderson.

From 21 – 25 July, Areal Böhler is all about fashion and focus on fashion, talks and inspiration. Forming the origin and heart of the Düsseldorf fashion scene is be FASHN ROOMS with integrated showroom concept. “Here it’s all about experiencing, discovering and coordinating. The size of the store does not matter – because here especially small and medium-sized retailers find the products that make up a good mix and thus the store of the future,” says Igedo CEO Ulrike Kähler. 

Along the lines of a modern concept store, the newly created GREEN ROOM platform opened its doors too: with a diverse range of sustainable, fair fashion – perfectly integrated into the FASHN ROOMS space. 

Interest in fairly produced fashion continues to grow and good design and sustainable values are by no means mutually exclusive – on the contrary: fairness and environmental friendliness are reflected in daily lifestyle as well as in favourite looks. “Sustainability is becoming a matter of course,” Ulrike Kähler is convinced. GREEN ROOM is the answer to this trend. “It is still a small plant, but it is growing steadily,” Ulrike Kähler describes the long-term project. As a mixture of sustainable fashion, creative store design and inspiring panel talks, GREEN ROOM builds a bridge between conventional fashion retail and sustainability. GREEN ROOM offers retailers a great opportunity to extend their ranges to include sustainable, fair fashion. On top of this, many hands-on tips on how to present sustainable products attractively in the store will be shared. “The mix is perfect. We bring together what belongs together and all of this in a single, very inspiring place,” says Ulrike Kähler explaining the innovative, sales-expanding concept. The cooperation with selected, competent service partners and inspiring lectures will provide the concept with additional energy. “We regard the new FASHN ROOMS as a blueprint for concept stores – retailers should take advantage of this special opportunity for inspiration,” Ulrike Kähler appeals to retailers. 

Furthermore, by introducing ADDITIONALS, FASHN ROOMS also open up a space for beauty and lifestyle products, including skincare and decorative cosmetics, oils, fragrances, wellness articles as well as stationery, candles etc. The core products of FASHN ROOMS, i.e. hats, accessories and bags, are also given a perfect stage there. Beyond the product, it is also about an appealing, purchase-inspiring presentation in the shop. “With attractive products that encourage impulse buying, we open up new possibilities for retailers to surprise and sustainably inspire their shoppers and generate more sales,” says Ulrike Kähler. 

Agenzia ICE and Zalando collaborate together for the first time by activating “Made in Italy” Gallery: an exclusive partnership that aims to promote the style and tradition of Italian fashion and cosmetics, as well as helping a selection of 40 Italian brands to expand abroad through an investment of over 1 million euros. This project involves the offer of Zalando Partner Program platform services that will allow brands to connect to beyond 49 million potential customers in Europe. In addition, a dedicated virtual gallery in Zalando will be launched to celebrate the best of Made in Italy, involving both new brands and Italian brands that are already partners by Zalando.

“We want to keep the world’s attention on fashion and cosmetics, two sectors among them most significant ambassadors of Made in Italy “says Carlo Ferro, President of the ICE Agency.

“The partnership with such an important player as Zalando in Germany, a proximity market which together with the other European countries represents a point of reference for our companies, it goes seen in this perspective, and is part of our broader support plan which includes 33 agreements with the main international e-commerce platforms. With the aim of accompanying them on the markets in a global context where e-commerce plays an increasingly central role, especially in the current one geopolitical and post-pandemic situation. I send my best wishes for this new business project and to the whole Zalando team ”.

ICE will mainly provide support to brands through an investment to develop marketing campaigns dedicated to maximizing the visibility of the offer through Zalando Marketing Services (ZMS).

“I am particularly proud of our collaboration with ICE Agency and to announce the beginning of a new opportunity for companies of Italian excellence to grow in the world of digital with Zalando. Made in Italy represents an added value, not only in our country, but especially abroad. Italian brands have always stood out as a synonym of quality, of craftsmanship and creativity, and today more than ever, this aspect is a competitive value where we want invest “- concludes Riccardo Vola, General Manager Italy and Spain Zalando.

Pitti Uomo 102 took place from 14 to 17 June 2022 at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence. The number of participating brands (682, of which 41% from abroad), but above all that of visitors (over 16,000) and buyers (over 10,600, of which 40% from abroad) documented an event that, despite the current difficulties at an international level and the consequences of the pandemic, was able to reaffirm its centrality within the international fashion system.

The performances on Pitti Connect were also very satisfactory, with over 840,000 page views from 11 May to 5 July and over 6,600 buyers logging in. The 682 brands on the platform with their page will remain online until 2 September.

Over the four days, the show was visited by the most influential and representative buyers (their number more than doubled compared to the 2021 summer edition). The new collections and previews attracted media operators from all over the world.

Furthermore Pitti Uomo 102 kicked off online, on Pitti Connect, on 11 May. The brand pages featuring the new collections will remain live until 2 September. During this time, which extends companies’ participation in the Fortezza show, the brands will stay in the spotlight, with collection material available for buyers and specialized media. On Pitti Connect, the summer edition of Pitti Uomo features an in-depth editorial activity that serves to create new and interesting content for the entire community. Brands are showcased through interviews and special projects, all published on The Billboard.

Having clothing and textiles produced in Germany is back in fashion. The topic of sustainability plays a central role here. With German production, the short delivery routes to the end customer already have a significant impact on the environment. In addition, there are the latest technical developments and digital technologies “made in Germany”, which make Germany more attractive as a production location again.

Anyone who leads a sustainable life takes care to conserve resources such as raw materials and natural resources – both when acquiring new things and when using existing items. The conscious use of clothing is one of many examples. Without a doubt, the most environmentally friendly way is to treat clothing with care and wear it for as long as possible. Anyone who needs something new can fall back on sustainable labels whose textile products have been produced under socially fair and ecologically sustainable conditions. Because the production of clothing in particular contributes significantly to climate change. For example, a new pair of jeans consumes several thousand liters of water due to the cotton cultivation, dyeing and finishing process. In the conventional finishing process, many chemicals, some of which are toxic, are used, which, among other things, give the jeans the popular used look. After processing, these chemicals have to be carefully washed out again using an enormous amount of water. In addition, there is the social aspect of sustainability in jeans production, as the majority of this garment is still produced in emerging countries – sometimes under questionable conditions

Due to the public awareness of sustainability and the increasingly strict regulatory requirements such as the European Green New Deal, the pressure on textile production and industry is increasing. It is an industry that is subject to change and therefore thirsts for innovative and sustainable solutions.

With the CHT Group, a medium-sized global player for specialty chemicals with a focus on sustainable chemical products and process solutions headquartered in Tübingen, the start-up has a strong partner at its side. In addition to the supply of tools for jeans finishings, the young start-up benefits from the valuable experience in the field of sustainable denim finishing from almost 70 years of company history from the CHT Group. In the meantime, the international group of companies with production and sales locations is represented by 26 companies worldwide and achieved group sales of 630 million euros with 2,400 employees in the 2021 financial year.

The two companies see themselves as sparring partners, exchanging views on tried-and-tested processes, as well as on existing and the latest processes and new technologies. In this way, one learns from the other – and vice versa.

by Klaus Vogel

Premium Exhibitions held it’s first event after the pandemic July 7th – 9th on the International Congress Centrum in Berlin.
After moving from Berlin to Frankfurt and back the organizers around Anita Tillmann and Jörg Arntz changed not only the location but the concept.
With an area called “The Ground”, end consumers were invited to join the fair for the first time, able to amuse, party, and shop cool vintage clothing alongside selected items. TikTok, Netflix, and others presented themselves to the public, while professional exhibitors and buyers have been separated in various halls to do business.
As always interesting summits and an industry party have been held.

Throughout a total of 13 areas, Premium Exhibitions presented the FashionTech Conference, the new format The Ground, Premium Exhibition: HIGH, ICON and VOLUME as well as SEEK. The latter displayed brands like Puma, Wrangler, Copenhagen Studios, Ecoalf and Drykorn, in a very fitting set-up.

Fortunately for the area, which was plagued by fires lately, but unfortunately for the show which had planned various outside events at the trade show area, it was raining at the time of the initial exhibitor party so it was moved inside, loosing a bit from the coolness it would have had if celebrated outside in the evening sun.

Premium Exhibitions deserves praise to organize such a necessary event for the entire fashion industry under difficult circumstances and thankfully, there have been enough bold brands taking the risk to support a new format instead of following the timid “wait and see” approach.  Buyers have not only been flown in but also came in significant numbers and found a mix of interesting collections of all types of fashion.  All in all the event was rated as a  positive new start.

Of course, it wouldn’t reflect the typical German attitude, if people were 100% happy and there is indeed room for improvement in various fields. However, we like to congratulate the organizers.
Industry players, buyers and consumers should attend the next event and more brands should participate.

The groundwork is done. Let’s move forward and act as one to create an international place to meet, party, inspire, do business and celebrate fashion.

For the new AVANT TOI Fall/Winter collection, the brand was inspired by the shapes and explosive colors of nature, transferring this innate force on their garments. The aim with this collection was to introduce new and innovative techniques, lines, and colors on the world’s most refined materials: cashmere, silk, merinos, alpaca, velvet….

The intent was also to transport the shapes and tones of an entire ecosystem on the pieces: gauzed garments that recall the soft embrace of moss and the hues of lichens, ribbed dresses which evoke the gills of psychedelic mushrooms and the pigmentation of flowers such as orchids and camelias, textures similar to the coats of jungle animals such as snakes and tigers, mimetic silks disguised in vegetation, molten gold and bronze laminations, hand painted colorations on knitwear that illustrate flowery motifs or the Aurora Borealis. Innovative treatments which are at the basis of a new resounding line of sweaters, ponchos, fleeces, skirts, pants, scarves, foulards, hats, and t-shirts, all waiting to be discovered.

Furthermore, the FLOWER LAKE capsule collection was conceived within the FW 22/23 collection. Inspired by the colors of a lake to create these items, painting on cashmere (exclusively by hand!) the tones of nature and flowers reflected in a body of water. All garments are one of a kind, but for this capsule each individual piece was also numbered, to make it an even more unique and inimitable work of art.

The first season of Digital Shanghai Fashion Week came to a close, being the the first fashion week to be held entirely digitally. The event took place on Tmall, the online marketplace of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. The Fashion Week merged catwalk shows with entertaining teleshopping, and demonstrated how Alibaba’s livestream-shopping works. The three-day event saw nearly 40 virtual catwalks held on short-video platform Douyin.

Looking ahead, Shanghai Fashion Week plans to create a hybrid of online and offline fashion week events in the coming years. 

Viva Technology – the startup and tech event in Europe, which brings together business leaders, startups and investors each year – took place for 4 days from June 15th. This year, LVMH had an augmented presence, with interconnected physical and digital spaces throughout the event. The Group’s focus was on 2 key issues for the industry – data transformation, Web3 and sustainability.

In the 600-sq.m. “LVMH Apartment” set up at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, the Group showcased innovations by 16 of its Maisons, solutions developed by the 21 startups shortlisted for the LVMH Innovation Award and collaborations with 5 startups from previous years. The “Open Kitchen” section of the LVMH stand hosted the DARE intrapreneurship program and La Maison des Startups.

A highlight of the four-day event, the LVMH Innovation Award Ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 16 on Viva Technology’s main stage. During this ceremony co‑hosted by Livi, the overall winner of the sixth LVMH Innovation Award was revealed.

Copenhagen Fashion Week announced the commencement of its emerging designer support scheme CPHFW NEWTALENT supported by Circulose that formalises its dedication to supporting visionary talent of the Nordics. The first brands to be supported in the scheme are A. Roege Hove, Latimmier and P.L.N.

The three brands within the CPHFW NEWTALENT support scheme will be enrolled for three consecutive seasons. Subsequently each brand will graduate on to the alumni scheme, that will continue supporting the graduates of the CPHFW NEWTALENT support scheme across showcasing, events, networking, business support, communication and sponsorship opportunities.

“We are proud to introduce CPHFW NEWTALENT as a formalised structure to how Copenhagen Fashion Week is investing in the next generation of exceptional talent. With responsibility an overarching and foundational focus of our organisation, this scheme will allow us to continue to grow our dedication to talent. It is a vital step we have taken to provide an encompassing program for the talents to build their brand on an international scale and to introduce them to our global audience.” – Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO Copenhagen Fashion Week

A comprehensive collection of garments inspired by the Stone Island Archive, made in a special edition for the 40th Anniversary. Only available as a kit.

Backpack in RASO GOMMATO COVER NERO BIO, made of 100% organic cotton coupled with polymers deriving from 52% biomass, hence components of biological origin. Garment dyed with the addition of an anti-drop agent without perfluorocarbons. Two outer pockets featuring the Archive iconic rubber patch with flap and snap fastening. The top closure flap, with strap and buckle, features a squared rubber patch with Stone Island lettering.

Inside the backpack:

– Long-sleeve crewneck T-Shirt in 24/1 raw cotton. Horizontal striped bust and Stone Island lettering on chest. Solid-colour sleeves with elbows featuring the rounded print taken from the iconic Archive rubber patch. Garment dyed.

– Swim trunks in cotton nylon canvas. All-over pigment print featuring vertical segmented striped motif and Stone Island lettering. Over dyed

– Joggers in 24/1 raw cotton. Rounded print taken from the iconic Archive rubber patch at knees. Pigment printed waistband, blue outside and pinstriped inside, with drawstring. Garment dyed.

– Short-sleeve polo sweatshirt in cotton terry. Terry face inside, horizontal segmented striped motif and Stone Island lettering outside. Two metal buttons at neck fastening. Garment dyed.

– Short-sleeve crewneck T-Shirt in 24/1 raw cotton. Small embroidered motif on the neckline, under the sleeve and sides. Stone Island Marina print on chest. Garment dyed.

In a combined space of more than 100m2 across the “Mobile Innovation Lab” – a flexible brand experience space – and the directly adjacent lounge, AlphaTauri presents the new Spring/Summer 2023 collection, enriched as usual with functional details and innovative features. Visitors to Florence’s Pitti Uomo can expect a sophisticated collection with many innovations. With a collection that is almost twice as large as SS22, AlphaTauri offers more styles, more possible combinations and more trans-seasonal styles. The total number of knit products has increased by 20% and there are more different qualities available in the 3D knit collection. In addition to the basic performance yarns, these include Cashmax, PrimaLoft and a Tencel- blended yarn. For the first time, apple leather is used for accessories. Apple leather is a vegan alternative to animal leather and is made from recycled materials in a saffiano structure. The Spring/Summer 2023 Collection will be delivered over two delivery windows. 

“Our collection development continues at pace and we receive a lot of positive feedback! We have founded our core competencies around innovative outerwear and 3D knit and presenting them in complete looks. These product groups are already very popular with our national and international trading partners. Of course we are very happy about this!” says Ahmet Mercan, AlphaTauri CEO. 

As well as being represented in German-speaking countries, since Autumn/Winter 2022 the brand has been distributed across many more European countries. For Spring/Summer 2023, the newly-added markets are to be consolidated, while the network is expanded both within and outside of Europe. The second half of 2022 will also see the opening of the company’s first flagship store in the London district of Knightsbridge. There is also a strong focus on the development of online trade, both through the company’s own website alphatauri.com and via key partners. 

Brand new issue 71 of WeAr Global Magazine is now out!

WeAr highlights in this special issue the opportunities for brands and retailers NFTs and the Metaverse (Web3) offers to the industry. How retailers, brands and designers can profit and which first steps to take. Additionally a special NFT give-away gives readers the opportunity to be gifted NFTs (limited amount available only).

Get your copy of WeAr Global Magazine 71, in print or digital here!

by: Shamin Vogel

WeAr interviews Martijn Hagman, CEO Tommy Hilfiger Global & PVH Europe on the potential of the metaverse, future of retail, brand strategies, crypto, sustainability, loyalty programs in the NFT world, and the phygital world.

What was your essential incentive to enter the metaverse in its early stage?
For a few years now, we have been at the forefront of exploring digital innovations. We are stepping into an inspiring and exciting new era of commerce that offers endless opportunities to connect with consumers in the digital and physical worlds. We stay strongly committed to our consumers by creating brand experiences that are authentic and unexpected, while encouraging them to express their individuality.

What is Tommy Hilfiger’s attitude towards digital fashion and NFTs?
Digital fashion is stronger and more appealing than ever — from 3D product development to the digitalization of the supply chain, to self-expression through an avatar. By increasing our investments in digital, we can enhance and improve our sustainability efforts in many ways. For instance, when it comes to the consumer, offering direct interactions and personalization, through to a complete virtual wardrobe experience. NFTs are a big part of this new digital space, which can add incredible value to the community and our brand. We see NFTs bringing the next iteration of brand access, membership, and loyalty, while also providing new opportunities for collaborations through projects, digital artists, and innovators in this space.

Can you explain how you will adapt your strategy to fit the current phygital trends?
There is an undeniable acceleration in the merger of digital and physical worlds. Web3 will continue to evolve, pushing brands to break barriers and lead the industry with new experiences that surprise and excite consumers. We are currently developing our metaverse strategy, which will be a clear indicator of how we continue to innovate in phygital brand experiences that add value to our business and bring us closer to consumers. At the same time, we are leveraging technology in our physical stores to enhance the omnichannel experience.

Will the metaverse help tap into a new consumer group that previously was not a prime target group for fashion companies?
The metaverse has opened the door for us to engage with new consumers we wouldn’t otherwise reach using traditional channels. It’s also allowing us to stay connected to our current fans in more inclusive, new, and exciting ways by offering virtual fashion that gives a whole new meaning to “universal” clothing. One of the great aspects of the metaverse is its inclusive nature, which connects to our brand values of “Welcoming All.”

As a pioneer in Web3, which lessons have you learned? What can be improved to achieve a holistic experience for consumers?
Over time, digital will become the leading sphere of everything we do and making sure we have a well-thought-out strategy is key to success. One key takeaway so far is not to get swept away with the fear of missing an opportunity. There are many new ways to connect with consumers on a whole new level, giving them access to the brand in experiential and personal ways. The key is to be strategic and considerate, to understand what they want, and deliver at the right moment.

How do you see the future of cryptocurrency and fashion intersecting?
It’s already happening — some brands are accepting cryptocurrency, others are offering digital wearable NFTs, and some are just observing. The e-commerce landscape will change, cryptocurrencies will be just another payment method available. Once blockchain protocols become more consumer-centric, shopping will become much simpler. Right now, the instability of crypto must be carefully considered when thinking of traditional retail.

Brands have started to issue NFTs together with roadmaps, tying them directly to brand loyalty. Will this be the ultimate future of using NFTs, or do you see other options for fashion companies, which live from one-off purchases thus far?
As we continue to seek innovative ways to connect with the community, NFTs can be powerful allies for membership and loyalty programs. The overall demand for NFTs is progressively increasing, presenting an opportunity for them to evolve from simple collectibles to utility assets – think of exclusive access to clubs, communities, and virtual or in-person experiences. By creating exciting NFTs that unlock exclusive brand experiences we can stay more connected with consumers in new and unforeseen ways. Looking ahead, NFTs could be the central digital touchpoint between brands and consumers – one that can be fully controlled by brands.

Looking to the future, will you create specific collections with different aesthetic approaches for the physical and the virtual stores?
We are already on this path – our recent Roblox collaboration presented exclusive virtual items that were very well received by the community. We will continue to explore partnerships that enable us to create these smaller digital capsules which allow us to interact with a new generation of consumers. Be it by collaborating with digital players, or developing our own collections, there are great opportunities when it comes to creating fully digital products that defy the laws of physics — customization can not only empower fans to celebrate their individuality, but also builds long-term loyalty.

What would the perfect phygital world look like?
I am passionate about the word “phygital” and what it represents – the heights we can reach are endless. Breaking boundaries and having an innovative mindset are critical to creating a phygital world. The shift to a digital-first mentality will become the norm and we are already seeing the integration of physical and digital becoming more and more realistic – digital activations in-store, virtual initiatives that deliver physical products to your door, and many others. We are committed to investing in innovations that will bridge the gap between online and offline in exciting ways, not only to our consumers, but also in upgrading internal processes and operations.

Congratulations on finding the QR Code to hopefully get one of the limited numbers of NFTs that Tommy Hilfiger and artist Gigi Gorlova made available to WeAr readers. Each supplied 71 NFTs, for WeAr issue 71, as a gift to our readers. Scan the QR Code and follow the instructions. Kindly understand that due to the limited number not everyone can get one of the NFTs.

by: Kristina Gligorovska

Iris van Herpen is a frontrunner in interweaving technology into fashion design. Everything she designs comprises innovation, mirroring the world we live in. For this edition of WeAr, she speaks about her vision of the future of fashion.

WeAr: How do you feel about experimenting with hybrid scenarios which seem to be the right formula for the fashion industry today?

I love thinking and creating in hybrid realities. The designs challenge our notion of reality, playing with the perception of the future and past. Haute Couture has an incredible history of craftsmanship, yet by entwining new technologies into them, the designs are showing a futuristic perspective of identity and materiality. I search for symbiotic relationships within my designs, exploring the hidden beauty at the intersection of the artificial and the organic, nature and technology, combining a thread and a needle with high-tech to symbiotically blend them. This philosophy of duality has interestingly been ground in all my designs. This philosophy of duality has interestingly been ground to all my designs from the beginning. So the current technological evolution into the metaverse is a natural one. In the digital designs, we can express this duality even further and the full vision of concept and inspiration is extended into the whole space around and beyond the body.

WeAr: Being a couturier, you fuse multi-disciplinary technologies with refined artisanal craftmanship, echoing immersive sensory experiences. Is it possible to transfer that notion to digital clothes?

Absolutely, in all the designs and shows, I’m exploring performance and metamorphoses. The designs transform through motion and often seem to defy the laws of our physical reality. Through my dance background, I learned that movement and transformation are our most powerful language of seduction. Designing digitally is so exciting because I can push the boundaries of surrealism, motion, and metamorphosis even more. Multiple realities can apply at the same time in one garment. And a garment becomes a story through time, like music. Through the mixed reality transition I’m working on, I want to create synaesthetic experiences. Synaesthesia is when our senses are mixed, you can feel sounds or taste colors, for example. I have a bit of synaesthesia as when I hear beautiful music, I start seeing patterns. This multi-sensorial experience is what I want to give people through my mixed reality experiences. Twelve years ago, I made my Synesthesia collection, dreaming of shifting the public sensorial reality. The time for such an emotional shift is becoming possible now.

WeAr: You connect with your clients on many levels when creating garments. How do you achieve a holistic experience for a customer in the metaverse?

Very good question. The metaverse is developing, and it is inspiring to bring the client’s journey into the metaverse in the near future and bring them even closer to the creative process, from sketch to final stitches. Currently, clients visit the atelier one, two or three times for fitting; at that moment, they have a glimpse of the process. In the future, they will be able to visit our metaverse atelier with their avatar, experiencing all the key moments of the process as they would during the physical fittings in the atelier in Amsterdam. They will experience our mixed reality show in Paris, seeing physical models and mixed reality performances with digital designs combined. This is an overwhelming experience that they will be able to experience again at home afterwards. Before we start our client’s custom design journey, the client visits the Iris van Herpen metaverse museum. They walk through all the archive pieces and experience performances and shows to fully dive into our DNA to be immersed in the creative vision and start imagining their new IVH design.

WeAr: Everything you design comprises technology and innovation, mirroring the world we live in. Your approach speaks at a great level to a younger generation – the early adopters of the metaverse. Do you plan to enter the metaverse/the NFT world?

Absolutely! We have been working on this for two years now. As a perfectionist, I want the metaverse designs and performances to be as wholesome and detailed as the physical Haute Couture. Part one will be unveiled in two months.

WeAr: You are a prominent voice for sustainability. In your opinion, does the metaverse hold solutions to the environmental problems created by the fashion industry?

Indeed, the big promise of the metaverse and digital designs is that brands will first release their collections digitally, their customers can respond, and the brand will know which designs are popular. This selection will then be produced physically. A major flaw in the traditional fashion system is the inexact matching of supply and demand. Between 30 and 40 percent of all the garments produced are never sold – take a moment to realize this. Creating the collections digitally first can tackle the entire overproduction.
We – IVH, only do Haute Couture, meaning we only create what is ordered by our clients and therefore have zero overproduction. With the metaverse blooming, this can become a reality for every brand. Their customers can try on the digital creations on their avatar and order the pieces they love, and only the loved looks are produced physically.

WeAr: We hear very often that we need to rethink the fashion system. What would be the right way to grasp the potential of technology to amplify progress?

The system is utterly broken. It is painful to know how badly it functions and it needs to transform radically. Three things need to change: production, materials, and behavior.
Production: as mentioned above, 30 to 40 percent of the annual 148 million tons (estimated) of garments produced end up in landfill before being worn. This can be avoided by having consumers choose their favorite designs in the metaverse, they can wear the looks they love, go out, share it online with their community, and brands can transparently monitor what needs to be produced physically.
Materials: all brands can create entirely from sustainable materials; full transparency is needed to change each brand’s behavior. The blockchain can create full transparency of all the materials used, and where they come from, to even how and where the individual yarns are produced: each part of the process becomes visible. The brands behind in their sustainable transition will become visible, criticized, and perhaps even fined if laws are tightened.
Behavior: the last transition needed is our buying behavior, which we all hold power to change. On average each garment will be worn seven times before getting tossed (WSJ 2019). We can all buy fewer clothes and wear and treasure them for many years. This last change has to come from within; technology cannot change this.

WeAr: What represents your greatest challenge moving forward, and could you depict the design of tomorrow?

My greatest challenge is to keep on evolving, meaning creatively and evolving my vision. This has always been my greatest challenge as fashion creates a dialogue between our insides and our outsides.Both art and fashion are linked to our deepest desires, moods, and most personal expressions. Each collection we make is a search to reach beyond my understanding of female form and today’s definition of a garment. My greatest challenge is this continuous exploration of new forms of identity and a more conscious approach to fashion for the future.
We spoke about the brokenness of fashion’s system; on a contrary note, I have to talk about the positive transition the fashion community is going through. It has become so much more intellectual, inclusive, and conscious in recent years. Even the fashion press goes beyond the superficial and expresses politics, sustainability, and inclusivity. Fashion’s intellectual community is growing, and the young designers start from a very different perspective, wanting to do it differently, and looking for a new system of creativity. Being part of this new perspective, and steering it, is what is most important to me.

JOOR, the leading digital wholesale platform and data exchange, and Premium Group, Europe’s foremost provider of B2B fashion trade shows, have renewed their partnership to power the SS23 PREMIUM and SEEK trade shows through JOOR’s digital platform, underpinning their belief in the power of a hybrid approach to wholesale.

From the 7th to the 9th of July, buyers visiting the shows in Berlin will be able to learn more about and shop from exhibitors in a new hybrid way. Buyers can discover the full PREMIUM and SEEK portfolio of brands both in-person and online 24/7 by visiting JOOR Passport, JOOR’s digital trade show destination.

Premium Group unites its various show locations to one cosmos for SS23 at Messe Berlin, in the west of the capital. The PREMIUM and SEEK shows will be joined by two further components—The Ground is a D2C creative platform for brands and consumers to meet, connect, and collaborate through one-of-a-kind experiences, engaging content, and innovative products, while FASHIONTECH, features masterclasses and panel discussions from the fashion industry’s most brilliant minds. A calendar of content includes deep dives into strong, successful, and sustainable strategies. As part of the content offer, JOOR will facilitate a masterclass on ‘Digital Wholesale’ and a future-looking roundtable discussion with four leading fashion brands on the FASHIONTECH stage.

Throughout the duration of the show, in-person buyers and visitors will have the ability to shop via the Premium Group mobile app. By simply scanning a brand’s corresponding QR code, visitors will link to the brand’s custom profile on JOOR Passport and be able to shop collections directly on the platform. JOOR Passport will also extend the duration of the shows by up to three months, allowing brands to continue wholesale selling digitally outside the window of the physical show.

JOOR and Premium Group’s flexible hybrid format allows visitors and brands a seamless digital and physical introduction to each other and their collections, the opportunity to connect in an efficient, effective, and longer term way, and the convenience to shop the show 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.

Düsseldorf: FASHION, ADDITIONALS & GREEN ROOM will be presented under one roof.

Ways out of uniformity towards more diversity and the perfect mix of product, emotion and experience will be offered by the Düsseldorf order show FASHN ROOMS, held from 23 to 25 July 2022. FASHN ROOMS is known for its high-quality selection of German and international brands from the fashion, footwear and accessories segments. Introducing the “ADDITIONALS” area FASHN ROOMS now open up new scope for complementary beauty and lifestyle products in the truest sense of the word. “The mix of fashion and beauty is perfect. We bring together what belongs together. And all of this in an inspiring venue,” says Igedo Company CEO Ulrike Kähler

In Addition, GREEN ROOM will offer SustainabIlity with ambition. More and more people want to be sure that retailers and manufacturers offer products that look good and comply with high ecological and social standards at the same time. For this type of shopper sustainability is a must-have rather than nice-to-have. In other words: sustainability is taken as a given. Fairness and eco-friendliness are reflected in both their daily lifestyle and their favourite looks. “We have observed for some time now that the interest in fair-production fashion continues to rise while good design and sustainable values are by no means mutually exclusive. On the contrary,” says a convinced Ulrike Kähler. FASHN ROOMS responds to this development with an innovative concept integrated into the existing, successful order platform: “With the new segment GREEN ROOM we offer retailers the unique opportunity to extend their ranges to include sustainable, fair fashion in a targeted manner. And all of this in one place. Both at the order show and at their own stores.”

Tommy Hilfiger has presented the new TOMMY JEANS collection in partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Capsule Collection celebrates basketball as part of American street culture with its local and diverse communities. It ties in with the roots of the Tommy Hilfiger brand in American street style and revives the 90s.

Inspired by basketball, the collection features casual cuts with NBA team logos printed all over. The soft hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts and shorts can be combined with each other. Matching the fashion classics, there are varsity jackets and jeans for women. An absolute must for basketball and streetwear fans.

The TOMMY JEANS and NBA Capsule Collection is embedded in the global TOMMY JEANS Spring 2022 campaign “Play to Progress”. The campaign celebrates the power of individual creativity to grow societies.

Trade shows Premium and Seek and conference event FashionTech will all be making their return this year, set to take place in Berlin Messe, Germany, with the addition of a new D2C festival, The Ground. The collective, operated by Premium Group, will all take place from July 7 to 9 for its return to the group’s home city of Berlin for the coming season.

The new location Messe Berlin will become the Premium Group cosmos, a holistic inspirational hub for all relevant topics related to fashion, trends, retail, lifestyle, marketing, digitization, sustainability, metaverse and more.

“In order to remain sustainable, we want and need to merge B2B and D2C and create a place – a marketplace for ideas and products – where brands, retailers and consumers come together and learn from each other. For the first time, we are offering holistic reach, synergy and network effects,” explains Jörg Arntz, Managing Director Premium Group.