DRG Style Index: Gap, Fendi, Commes Des Garcons, Saint Laurent, John Lewis

The DRG Style Index has a bit of an art theme running through it this week. Here’s my ranking of the brand stories that grabbed my attention…

1. GAP IS PARTNERING WITH FRIEZE ART FAIR
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This year, Gap has partnered with Frieze New York (opening May 9th) and Frieze London to produce exclusive merchandise in a ‘white cube’ setting that will double as a café. A joint effort with Visionaire, the US collab will produce limited edition tees from the likes of Alex Katz (above), Richard Phillips and Peter Lindbergh. They’ll also be available from key global Gap flagships and Gap Boxpark in London. As a lover of art, Frieze and Gap, this one gets a big fat tick of approval from me.

2. TANYA LING’S EXCLUSIVE FENDI BAG FOR KID’S COMPANY

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I love the look of artist Tanya Ling’s fur-handled Fendi Peekaboo bag (if you don’t know Ling’s work, start by familiarising yourself with her Instagram). Ling joined a cast of other female artists and c*lebs in customising a Fendi Peekaboo in support of Kid’s Company. All the bags are on display at the new Fendi store in Bond Street til the end of May and you can bid on them online at Fendi.com/peekaboo-auction. I feel like Fendi has totally upped its design and marketing game in the last two years, with the Peekaboo and the bag bugs having a unique, playful and youthful appeal.

3. COMME DES GARCONS LAUNCHES SERPENTINE FRAGRANCE

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I can’t wait to inhale this special Comme Des Garcon’s eau de toilette, a cocktail of smoked cedar, juniper wood and nutmeg notes, intended to evoke the ‘green and city’ scent of London’s streets and parks. A collaboration with the Serpentine Galleries, the bottle is designed by Tracey Emin, a nice arty touch that gives the project even more appeal. The unisex scent is available from Serpentine Galleries and Dover Street Market (£56) with a proportion of profits promised to the galleries.

4. SAINT LAURENT SALES ARE ON THE UP
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Sorry haters but I still love Hedi. And it sounds like his bags (and biker jackets and lip-print dresses) for Saint Laurent are continuing to sell in vast quantities. Own store sales are up 72% year on year with leathergoods leading the way. In other news, Slimane has an exhibition of his music photos planned for a show at the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation in Paris. Called Hedi Slimane: Sonic, it’s scheduled to open on 18th September…

5. JOHN LEWIS X ANTONI & ALISON

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You can’t have failed to notice that John Lewis is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. There’s a whole heap of collaborations to commemorate the occasion, including my favourite by Antoni & Alison. The way they have printed the side of the store itself – Barbara Hepworth sculpture included – onto a silk dress is quite nuts, in a good way of course. (It looks like it’s sold out but there are other designs available.)