THE DRG STYLE INDEX: Dior, Balenciaga, Gucci, Michael Kors

Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands currently buzzing on my radar…

1.OH MY DIOR!
Dior new Bond Street relaunch
My, what a week for Dior! The Cruise 2017 show was a mammoth feat of production (yes, I did follow the entire shebang via various influencers’ Snapchats), there’s a possible new designer announcement imminent (hint: Valentino’s Maria Grazia Chiuri – hope it’s true) and the four-floor Bond Street maison finally opened its doors. It’s a million miles from the genteel dove grey panelled salons of yore, with digital screen walls aplenty, a conservatory and more art than you can shake a Peter Marino leather codpiece at. The shades of grey are still there, just in mutations of silver, aluminium, many many mirrored surfaces and some fetching silver-leafed leather panels. Get there asap…


2. GUCCI GOES PUNK

Gucci Cruise 2017
Meanwhile, Gucci also had a big-ass London show, unveiling its Cruise 2017 collection at Westminster Abbey. While I love what Alessandro Michele is doing at Gucci and I didn’t have a problem with the venue, I can see why this collection hasn’t been well received by some. OK I’ll say it; the eccentric London punk references just aren’t very original. If Dolce & Gabbana had shown this (or, as one TFS forum user put it, ‘Alice & Olivia’), eyes would have rolled. Time for Alessandro to switch things up a notch. As Avedon would have asked, “What’s the surprise?”


3. STELLA DOES BALENCIAGA

Stella tennant Balenciaga pre-fall 2016
Laura Craik made a big deal of Stella Tennant being hired for Balenciaga’s Cruise look book in ES magazine this weekend. While I love seeing Tennant in anything, I don’t think anyone hires her because they’re making an age-friendly statement. Rather, I think she’s hired because she’s a good fit for the brand. And in Balenciaga’s case, she’s doing a great job.

4. KORS CLAMPS DOWN ON SOCIAL
Michael Kors pre-fall 2016
Is Michael Kors hoisting the brand upscale again? His new directive is limiting social media coverage of his Cruise collection this Tuesday in a bid to curb overexposure too soon. “We feel our clients and fans will love getting a sneak peek of the collection as opposed to inundating them with too much imagery too soon. Ultimately, this is all about creating more excitement when the product is available,” said a statement. Sales are up at Kors and it has also recently bought back its license from China. Vogue also reports that it has chosen to put a stop to excessive discounting, suggesting Kors is going for a more exclusive approach.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl, Gucci, Balenciaga, Michael Kors
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