Design

Bringing back the blazer and jeans



Paris Vogue

Who’d have thunk it: blazers are about to make a post-Covid come back.

It’s been widely noted that the novelty of WFH sweats has worn off and some of us like a bit of corporate-lite cos-play. For those going back to offices, even if it’s part time, they want to dress the part. And for the never-going-back-to-the-office brigade, a tailored blazer is still the easiest thing to throw on for impromptu Teams calls. I guess old habits die hard.

The best route for this then is ye olde blazer and jeans combo and fortunately it’s an easy one to shop your closet. Here’s three ways to wear… (more…)



Quote of the day: Leonie Bell, V&A Dundee



Disco by Bill Bernstein

“Even though nightclubs won’t be reopening for a long time and many have closed down permanently, we wanted to assert them as critical cultural spaces, just as much as museums are. We’ve never had so many people ask if we’re having an opening party. People are just desperate to go out and dress up.” (more…)



Shop the post: Everyone’s a plantfluencer



Janneke Luursema The Planthunter

“The one thing you can’t underestimate is how fantastic it looks in a physical shop. In their purest form, nature and plants create wonderful retail theatre. You can buy a dress for the season, then stroll outside to see some wonderful plants. If you’re a lifestyle retailer, not just a pure fashion retailer, there’s an opportunity.”
Peter Ruis, president of Canadian lifestyle retailer Indigo and former MD of Anthropologie

The #plantfluencer trend has flourished in just a couple of years, making everyone fancy themselves as a bit of a Monty Don. This Drapers article highlights the opportunity for fashion and lifestyle retailers, with houseplants, garden furniture and associated accessories all there for the taking. (more…)



Kenzo SS21 by Filipe Oliveira Baptista



Kenzo ss21

One of the best shows I saw for SS21 was Felipe Oliveira Baptista’s Kenzo collection. Inspired by beekeepers and their utilitarian outfits, the show reflected the social distanced ‘Contagion’ times with incredible headgear and hazmat-style all-encasing outfits fashioned from classic Kenzo florals.

I have a bit of a thing for reveal-conceal headgear, so the hats in particular were my standouts. But the whole show video is gorgeous – do watch! Tragically, it’s just been announced that Kenzo is letting Oliveria Baptista go after only two years at the LVMH-owned brand. Hopefully he’ll get snapped up soon… (more…)