Trends

From LVMH to Inditex, cultural cachet is the key to fashion credibility



Peter Lindbergh Dior exhibition 2024

Fashion companies sponsoring major cultural events? Discuss…

It’s the summer of LVMH as the luxury conglomerate commandeers the Paris Olympics, not least the opening ceremony. Was it just me though who thought the OTT product placement was a bit much? Not to mention clenching at the sight of the dancers lugging monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks down those slippery rain-lashed steps on the banks of the Seine. (Oh well, no doubt LVMH can afford the liability insurance.) (more…)



What to buy from Old Stone Trade



Old Stone Trade denim

While luxury fashion brands seem to be in meltdown, it feels like we’re rediscovering the joy of really good clothes. Considered cuts, well-made, and respectfully priced so their makers get paid decently. That’s the ethos of Old Stone Trade, a niche online marketplace that’s been going viral on SubStack.

It’s a simple premise. Niche artisan makers sell classic, small-batch Americana-leaning designs such as a satin-collared tuxedo, Aran knitwear and ivory wool trousers (more…)



The culture of fashion: Agnès B



Agnès b in the first Rue du Jour store in 1976

French Girl Style – it’s the aesthetic that just won’t stop giving. And with the Paris Olympics mere hours away, you’d better buckle up, as it’s about to become even more omnipresent. The reason French Girl Style aka garconne style resonates is its timelessness, its realness, and its rooted-in-utility-ness. Oh, and something else really important – culture.

And who better to illustrate this point than Agnès B? (more…)



Carven Pre-Fall 2024



Carven Pre-Fall 2024

Everyone’s talking about Carven Pre-Fall 2024.

These “straight-up”-style look book photos are an excellent styling research tool, offering wardrobe inspo even if you’re not planning to buy anything.

If you are planning to shop, it’s giving The Row style at more accessible prices. I’ve not seen Carven up close enough to see the quality, but I have high hopes. The wool gabardine coat, bonded cotton mac and crease-front tailored pants (a major emerging trend for next season, remember) are whispering to me. (more…)