Art

Udjat for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia



Udjat Harper's Bazaar Arabia

One of my great discoveries of the year so far: an Egyptian brand called Udjat.

I was commissioned by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia to write about this fantastic new line, which celebrates the culture and craft of Egypt through fashion and home objects. The co-founder Louis Barthélemy is a very interesting character, something of a polymath, who has created textile designs for Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Dior (check out his incredible art here). But the Udjat collection grabbed my attention with its relaxed shirt shapes, intricate embroidery and wonderful photography. (more…)



TRP Travel Retail Style Index: February 2021



Amorepacific Off-White beauty collaboration

Welcome to the latest travel retail column for DRG by Alison Farrington aka The Retail Planner (TRP).

This month, we welcome all the auspicious brand news in celebration of the Lunar New Year for 2021’s Chinese Year of the Ox. We also look at some new skincare launches that will appeal to clean and K-beauty fans.

1/ SHISEIDO ‘INSPIRES JOY’. For Asia Pacific and US travel retail stockists, SHISEIDO has launched an exclusive set of Lunar New Year products for bestselling skincare products, Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate* and Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream (below). They feature gold and red packaging that is inspired by the art of calligraphy and designed to evoke feelings of empowerment for the Chinese New Year celebration. (more…)



Not another effing gift guide (oh yes it is!)



Connolly socks

Have I ever posted a timely gift guide? Never, I always leave them way too late! But I do have a few house-y, DIY and arty recommendations that have come my way, so consider this a nesting guide of sorts instead. Things to buy as gifts, or self-gifts, or just to inspire you for the New Year. (To shop the post, scroll to the end. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.) (more…)



Dior X Kenny Scharf AW21 is the post-pop post-pandemic tonic we all need



Dior X Kenny Scharf AW21

Wow, what a trip!

When I heard Dior menswear was collaborating with Kenny Scharf for AW21 I tried to keep my expectations in check. You never know quite which way these things will go, but I’m happy to report the collection looks superb.

Scharf is a painter who achieved fame in the 80s alongside his NYC club kid cohorts Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. I didn’t get my first close-up look of his eye-popping work till the late 80s. (more…)