Fashion, Are You Okay Hun?
The answer is no.
News Bites is a space to get the lowdown on what the f*ck has been going on in fashion recently. Good, bad, and everything in between — this is where it's at.
Oh, the fashion industry — forever pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be, well, wild.
Let's start with the delightful tidbit that fashion continues to moonwalk backwards into blatant racism. Thanks to he who shall not be named (until further down in this newsletter at least), shoppable designs are slipping through the cracks and mixing controversy with a dash of xenophobia. And for what?
Meanwhile, TikTok approved trends have found their own little corner in the courtroom. Lawsuits are flying around about misleading eco-friendly marketing claims by brands who allege the materials they use are good for the planet. Alas, the materials are in fact linked to serious health and environmental risks.
And just when you think the industry can’t get any more crazed, here comes a presidential order threatening to eliminate the penny, that quirky coin we attached to loafers like a fashion appendix. Yes, without the penny, penny loafers may soon fade into history, erasing a symbol of nostalgic Americana.
So, here’s the burning question: do we push on and push through, pretending like none of this is happening? And how do we collectively steer the industry towards doing better instead of just paying lip service?
Brand chit chat
Adidas goes luxe with A-TYPE: our favourite Three Stripes is getting an update with the launch of A-TYPE, a premium sportswear sister brand from Adidas assembled by ateliers. Mixing trademark styles with a dose of newness and an archival spin, it’s giving luxury with a sports-infused twist.
Nike is in its comeback era: after a 27-year hiatus, Nike returned to the Super Bowl arena with an ad that puts women in sports front and centre — narrated by none other than Doechii. Also, Tyla has officially joined the Swoosh family, and a Nike x SKIMS collaboration is in the works.
Cactus Jack launches a scholarship fund: Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack Foundation are doing big things with the Fashion Scholarship Fund. Together, they are launching the Cactus Jack Design Ethos 101 Program, which will provide students with $10,000 scholarships and mentorship opportunities.
Headlines you might have missed
Teen Vogue pledges to address fashion waste: we all know how damaging fashion is to the planet, but more often than not, no one attempts to do anything about it. Enter Teen Vogue, who are pledging to drive meaningful change in fashion by focusing on community, sustainability, and innovation.
London Fashion Week gets a cash boost: the British Fashion Council has obtained new funding from the U.K. government to support LFW. From a new show venue for BFC Newgen designers to presentation expenses and business mentoring for emerging talent, it’s a step in the right direction.
RIP to American penny loafers: a presidential order could soon eliminate the penny, sparking fashionable concern about the fate of the penny loafer — a staple of American style. Without the penny, the identity of this classic footwear may look a little different, leaving its future in America uncertain.
Icon moments and eye-roll behaviour
K Dot won the Super Bowl in style: not only did Kendrick Lamar cause a 413% rise in trades of Nike Air DT Max ’96s after his Super Bowl performance, but his Celine flared jeans led to the highest search traffic for the luxe brand over the past five years. Also, his custom Martine Rose jacket was divine.
Gorpcore is doing damage: things aren’t looking good for one of fashion’s favourite trends. A class action lawsuit has been filed against W.L. Gore & Associates, the parent company of Gore-Tex, the renowned material used in most outdoor apparel by top gorpcore brands. Eek.
Yeezy website is shut down: after Ye’s latest stunt, he shouldn’t get the time of day, but here we are. Shopify finally shut down yeezy.com after t-shirts went on sale featuring a swastika, “White Lives Matter”, and the name Sean John aka Diddy — who’s facing multiple ongoing sexual misconduct lawsuits.
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