26 March, 2016

THE DRG STYLE INDEX: Pop Swatch, Apple Watch, Nike Air Max, Issey Miyake X Iitala

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

1. POP SWATCH RETURNS

While some watch brands work out how to solve the wearables conundrum, others do what they do best. Example: Swatch, who has just announced the return of the Pop Swatch. Last seen adorning fashionable wrists in the 1990s, these jumbo-sized chunky-faced watches will be coming to a Swatch store near you on 28th April.

2. APPLE BANKS ON PERSONALISATION FOR ITS APPLE WATCH
Apple introduces a new entry price point for Apple Watch
Meanwhile, if you’re on the fence about the Apple Watch, this might persuade you to take the plunge. Apple has announced the price of the Apple Watch is coming down to around £210 for the most affordable model. At a briefing, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook also revealed that a third of Apple Watch users regularly change their bands, suggesting that personalisation and accessories is where the money is to be made with Apple Watch (which let’s face it, has still not proved its worth on the utility front). Also noteworthy, the iPad Pro is being released in a smaller 9.7 inch version (£499) on 31st March. I have the standard 12.9 inch iPad Pro (on loan from Apple) and I have to say I find it a bit too big, so the smaller (and lighter) size is a welcome addition.

3. HAPPY NIKE AIR MAX DAY

Were it not for the fashionisation of Nike, I’m not sure we’d all be celebrating Nike Air Max Day today. But Nike has arguably become one of the most important fashion brands in the world (visit Niketown and tell me Nike isn’t a fashion brand) and the Air Max probably has more fans than Louboutin, Blahnik and Choo put together…

4. ISSEY MIYAKE X IITTALA

Spotted at Skandium this weekend: Issey Miyake for Iittala. And suddenly I feel an inexplicable urge to stock up on new plates and cups. Buy it here.