FASHION

Life of Fashion Show Celebrates Music and Fashion

Life of Fashion hosted its second annual fashion show featuring an array of vendors, musicians, DJs and of course, numerous fashion looks. From start to finish, it was evident that this would not be a typical fashion show but also a musical celebration.

Between the three DJs — DJ Certified, DJ Squizzy Taylor and DJ Machadellic — audience members spent the majority of their evening dancing. Hosts Floyd Brown and Milk Chris brought the audience to life by interacting with the DJs and the audience. Brown and Milk would uplift the energy by dancing with the 400-plus guests in attendance, really immersing themselves in the Life of Fashion.

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The show began with a performance from PDK and then throughout the night JayDubb Tha Ruler, Sanaa Raelynn and SwizZy B took the stage, entertaining the crowd. TheyCallHimAp closed the show with a final performance.

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Blush Accessories was the first brand to take the runway. Combining the all black monochromatic outfits with the bold statement jewelry made for a playful yet spicy collection. Though an accessories brand, the clothes proved to be just as saucy as the jewelry — with knee high slits and cropped tops. Earrings were shaped into ribbons and butterflies and necklaces were big and junky — impossible to miss. 

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Handcrafted crochet pieces were the star of Lavish-Queen Fabrics’ collection. Each design was a bright color that had unique detailing and intricate designs. Though Lavish-Queen favored two piece sets, every look had its own flair. Whether it be a chain interwoven or two colors stitched together, it was easily one of the most creative collections. The sets were a fan favorite with bucket hats as the collection finale. 

TFULA or “The Fuck U Lookin’ At”

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DESIGNER

The biggest spring bag trends, from Noughties baguettes to power totes

The perfect finishing touch for any outfit, handbags take you from day to night, and work to weekends.

So when choosing a newbie to accompany your spring/summer outfits, you want get it right.

What’s in vogue this season? High-end designers are still obsessed with all things Nineties and Noughties and the high street has followed suit, with bright colours and woven fabrics signalling the transition to sunnier days.

Whether you want to accessorise with a chic piece of arm candy or you need something practical to hold all your essentials, these are the bag trends to shop right now…

Noughties bags

Inspired by the classic Fendi Baguette, the most fashionable shoulder bags are small, rectangular and have a short strap so they fit snugly under your arm.

These compact cuties are big enough to hold your phone, purse and other essentials, making them the ideal daytime to evening companion.

River Island Black Chain Detail Shoulder Bag, £33

New Look Bright Orange Leather-Look Twist Lock Shoulder Bag, £19.99

Minimalist hobo

John Lewis and Partners And/Or Tan Suede Scoop Shoulder Bag, £89; And/Or Lopez Black Embroidery Tiered Dress, £99

Big, slouchy hobo bags have made a comeback recently, and now we’re seeing the evolution of the trend towards more pared-back designs.

Crafted from structured fabrics in muted colours with metallic detailing, these mid-size minimalist bags are the perfect blend of form and function.

Katie Loxton Blake Small Shoulder Bag in Sage, £44.99

Dune London Duchess Black Quilted Ruched-Shoulder Bag, £140

Decorative detail

In contrast to the craze for retro minimalism, designers including Isabel Marant, Victoria Beckham and Gabriela Hearst at Chloe put craft in the spotlight on their spring catwalks, with woven, tasselled and ruffled bags.

Perfectly suited to summer, raffia and crochet bags in natural beige and brown tones pair

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DESIGNER

Significant increase in jewellery sales for Kering


Kering’s jewellery and watch divisions recorded an 18 per cent increase in sales in 2022 according to recently published financial reporting.

The French multinational corporation oversees brands such as Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo and Qeelin and reported $US4.16 billion ($AU6.09 billion) in sales.

A spokesperson for Kering noted an increase in full-year sales of 15 per cent while profit increased by 14 per cent to $US3.87 billion ($AU5.67 billion).

“Our jewellery houses once again achieved outstanding progress and reached significant milestones,” the statement reads.

“Boucheron posted firm, steady increases, while Pomellato continued to perform well in western Europe and Japan. Qeelin increased at a rapid pace.”

CEO François-Henri Pinault noted that many of Kering’s brands posted record revenue and contributed to higher total operating income in 2022.

He added: “In an environment that remains uncertain, I have no doubt that 2023 will be another year of success for our houses and of development for our group.”

Founded in 1963, Kering owns luxury fashion brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, and Alexander McQueen.

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DESIGNER

Prince William, Kate Middleton grace BAFTAs red carpet for first time as Prince, Princess of Wales

Kristofer Purnell – Philstar.com

February 23, 2023 | 4:17pm

MANILA, Philippines — The 2023 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) was a big night for “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and “Elvis,” but the ceremony also marked the return of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The two royals made their first in-person appearance at the BAFTAs in two years. William regularly attended the ceremony since becoming BAFTA president in 2010, with Kate joining him since 2017.

In 2021, William pulled out from attending as his grandfather Prince Philip had just passed away — Philip was the first-ever president of BAFTA — while last year, the royal couldn’t attend because of a busy schedule.

This is also the first time William and Kate attended the BAFTAs as Prince and Princess of Wales, titles they inherited following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year and the ascension of William’s father Charles to the British throne.

The 41-year-old Kate wore a white one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress and black opera gloves, pairing them with gold jewels and earrings from Zara. Complementing her outfit was William in an equally simple black velvet Tom Ford suit.

Related: Dolly de Leon hits BAFTA 2023 red carpet in Rajo Laurel ‘Alon’ gown

Kate had actually worn the Grecian-style gown at the 2019 BAFTAs. The following year — her last BAFTAs attendance before this year — she wore a gold and white Alexander McQueen gown which she had previously worn to a state dinner in Malaysia eight years prior.

The 2023 BAFTAs featured a special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II introduced by award-winning actress Helen Mirren, who portrayed the late queen in the 2006 movie “The Queen.”

 “Cinema at its best does what Her Majesty did effortlessly — bring us together and unite us

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SHOPPING

Toronto is getting a new fashion and music festival next month

MODECANADAROCKS will be bringing Canadian music and fashion together into one big night this March.

The festival – held at Rebel –  will highlight some of the up and coming talent in Canada’s music and fashion scene, and is set to open with a red-carpet reception, followed by a night of live music, DJs and performances. 

The live performances of the night are set to be divided into three parts, with different focuses throughout each act – Of Art and Indigeneity, The Order of Canadian Style, and Black to the Future. 

Canadian musicians like Cody Coyote, Tyler Shaw and Savannah Ré will also be taking the stage throughout the night. Ari Hicks and Zeina are among some of the other artists performing, and the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance will also be in attendance.

You’ll also get the chance to grab some food, drinks, and browse around, as small local businesses will be setting up shop throughout the night. 

MODECANADAROCKS Fashion Music Festival will be held at 11 Polson Street on March 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Tickets range from $50 to $275, and are available on Eventbrite. Proceeds from the event will be donated to organizations supporting homeless youth in Ontario.

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FASHION

Jack Daniel’s Announces Classic Remix Grant Program

Jack Daniel’s Announces Classic Remix Grant Program
Jack Daniels

Another year, another grant opportunity for designers to keep building their businesses. The Jack Daniel’s Distillery has announced its third year of supporting designers through its Remix Grant Program, an initiative to support the next generation of streetwear designers. Three winners will be selected, and the garment sales from this year’s featured designers will be matched by 100% from the 2023 Classic Remix Collection of $100,000. The program was established in 2021 to support up-and-coming streetwear designers making noise in the fashion industry. “The Jack Daniel’s Classic Remix Program began in 2021. With the fashion industry increasingly leaning towards streetwear, we wanted to fully embrace the next generation of designers that incorporate streetwear culture and inspiration into their work,” says Keenan Harris, Director of Multicultural Marketing Brown-Forman, via a press release. “We were inspired to create a program that not only sparks originality and provides meaningful financial support for emerging designers but also builds community, which is inherent to the culture.”

Jack Daniel’s Announces Classic Remix Grant Program

Past winners Justin Mensinger and Alex Carter Brand have been able to thrive since winning in 2021 and 2022. The program also offers the opportunity to be mentored by judges Ouigi Theodore and Sheila Rashid.

If you’re wanting to know how to stand out in a sea of applications, Harris gives a bit of insight into the selection process, “After all of the submissions are received, we carefully comb through each part of the application, which includes; a sketch inspired by a prompt given by us, the designers’ portfolio, and a video response detailing the designers’ vision for the future. We go about choosing our winners based on the submissions that radiate the most confidence, not only in their design ability but their insight on how they can impact the future of culture

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DESIGNER

Boston’s First Alexander McQueen Boutique Opens

News

The new Copley Place concept store is one of the brand’s nine East Coast locations.


A big bright star comes to Copley: “Cosmic” knit boot, $2,490. / Photo by Mona Miri

Enormous shoulder pads. Spikes and skulls. Bluntly stated asymmetrical cuts. No, I’m not talking about Lady Gaga’s next Fenway Park concert. I’m talking about the distinct (and irresistible) style of Alexander McQueen. With Sarah Burton at the helm of the label since 2010, having worked directly with McQueen for 14 years before his untimely death, the brand has continued to please its fans (including such luminaries as Kaia Gerber, Kate Middleton, and Sarah Jessica Parker) with looks that break the couture mold. And now, Bostonians will be able to experience these innovative designs for themselves at the recently opened Alexander McQueen concept store in Copley Place, the very first in Boston and one of nine on the East Coast. It’s an exciting addition to the fashion scene that local style mavens have been impatiently waiting for, having previously only been able to shop for the label at stores like Alan Bilzerian and Saks.

For the design of the boutique, Burton chose to partner with architect Smiljan Radic—best known for his 2014 design of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London—to create a luxurious blend of femininity, masculinity, and modernity, with warm wood, tiled ceilings, and a light, bright, open-concept layout. Some highlights to look out for in the pre-spring ’23 collection are the “Slash” bag, with its structured architecture, cutout detail, and iconic “brass knuckle” topper fitted with four rings. For shoes, the collection sways from chunky to spindle heels and focuses on jewels and buckles. The “Cosmic” knit

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FASHION

There’s a massive block party under the Gardiner this weekend and it’s totally free

After a long-awaited two-year hiatus, The Bentway Block Party is back for a packed day filled with music, drinks and much more.

The day-long free party takes place across The Bentway site located underneath the Gardiner Expressway and includes musical performances, games, workshops, dancing and lots of food.

This year’s party is being headlined by NYC-based futuristic funk duo The Illustrious Blacks, as well as Toronto drag superstar Priyanka, winner of the first season of Canada’s Drag Race.

The party will be hosted by Canadian drag queen Bombae, who is currently a contestant on the third season of the show.

You can also look forward to a sunny afternoon full of vibrant DJ sets by Valeroo, Ace Dillinger, and John Caffery.

There’s a family-friendly Street Fashion Workshop you can check out as well, which asks you to bring a denim garment to redesign to create your own unique piece of street wear.

The day party kicks off at 12:00 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. with a performance from Priyanka that’s expected to be electrifying.

You can find The Bentway Block Party underneath the Gardiner at 250 Fort York Blvd on Sunday, August 14.

You can bentway-block-party-tickets-XWPD71″RSVP to the event here.

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JEWELRY

Analysis of a Spectacular 2021 for Diamonds – and a Sobering 2022

In a recently published report titled “2021 Pipeline: Lamenting the Natural Producers’ missed Income,” IDEX Online’s expert analysts Pranay Narvekar and Chaim Even Zohar claim that, following a “dream year” for the natural diamond industry in 2021, this year could prove to be a tipping point for lab-grown diamonds (LGDs).

 

 The authors begin by analyzing a “spectacular 2021.” 2021, they said, was “probably one of their best years in recent memory” for the diamond midstream and downstream sectors. Polished diamonds, for instance, increased by about 55% compared to 2020 to reach $22.1 billion “due to the bull-whip (or ripple) effect in the pipeline.” 

 

Meanwhile, The penetration of LGDs in the US market significantly increased in 2021 as more stores “started experimenting with keeping LGD stock,” including LGDs being bought in significant numbers by bridal customers.

 

 

Lightbox Jewelry lab diamonds
Credit: Lightbox Jewelry

 

 

In a later section, Narvekar and Even Zohar analyze how the pandemic benefited the sector, as governmental Covid-stimulus packages produced “tangible benefits for the jewelry sector” in the US. The analysts explain that, while many did suffer in 2020 and a stimulus was necessary, “the continued flow of stimulus in 2021 was the cherry on the cake, leading to the tremendous boost for the US economy.” This was especially true for durable goods – a category which includes jewelry” – as consumers “seem to have channeled their excess disposable incomes into purchasing hard assets […].”

 

In a section titled “Time to pay the bills?” Narvekar and Even Zohar say that “the 2021 party, however, seems to be ending […].” Climbing prices and inflation, coupled with higher interest rates, coupled by the diamond industry’s “usual problems of low growth and insufficient profitability,” have led to a projected growth of “not more than 1-2% for the year at a retail level.”

 

The authors

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FASHION

Savile Row Fights to Stay Relevant as Suits Fall Out of Fashion

(Bloomberg) — When the governor of the Bank of England stood up to address 300 City bigwigs last month, there was a striking difference from previous Mansion House dinners — no-one was wearing black-tie.

The historic relaxation of one of London’s stuffiest dress codes was a relief to many attendees after temperatures struck a record-breaking 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) earlier in the day.

But heat waves and increasingly casual fashion habits pose a headache to one of the capital’s best-known industries on the other side of town: the tailors of Savile Row.

Savile Row has faced a tough time after stores closed during Covid following several years of rising rents, but the latest threats in its 200 years of history are perhaps more subtle and pervasive.

“The boundaries are blurred now” between the office and the outside world, said Nick Paget, senior editor at WGSN, a retail trends forecaster. “The very traditional pinstriped suit starts to feel like an anachronism.”

With many professionals working from home part time and offices relaxing dress codes to entice workers back, a freshly cut suit is losing its appeal. Record-breaking temperatures this summer have put added pressure on formal dress and wealthy Chinese buyers are not able to travel to the UK for their bespoke suits as Beijing persists with its strict zero-Covid policy.

The fundamentals are stark. In the last week of June footfall on Savile Row was more than 40% below the equivalent week in 2019, the second biggest decline among all the nearby roads including Regent Street and Oxford Street, according to New West End Company data seen by Bloomberg News. 

It takes several months to produce a bespoke two-piece Savile Row suit with an average of 60 man hours and multiple appointments for fittings. The average price is

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