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The Toscani effect



Benetton 1984

Farewell Oliviero Toscani, a brilliant photographer and art director who changed the world through his audacious activism dressed as fashion advertising.

I became aware of him in the 1980s via his vibrant fashion shoots for Benetton using groups of racially diverse, often street cast models in simple studio settings, styled in layers upon layers by (my old boss) Caroline Baker. (more…)



Alec Soth for Bottega Veneta Summer 24



Bottega Veneta Summer 24 campaign by Alec Soth

Matthieu Blazy continues to delight with his Bottega Veneta Summer 24 campaign. Shot by Magnum photographer Alec Soth in the playgrounds of Tokyo, it’s a celebration of whimsical self-expression and the joy of dressing. Love!

See more here. (more…)



Bottega Veneta x ASAP Rocky pre-Spring 2024



Asap Rocky Bottega Veneta pre-Spring 24 1

Bottega Veneta just dropped an ad campaign featuring ASAP Rocky in paparazzi photo mode. As in, the brand licensed actual pap images of him out and about wearing Bottega from Getty Images and stuck its logo on top.

Controversial, but I think it’s genius. Probably because it’s so unexpected from Matthiu’s Blazy’s straight-laced Bottega. But also because it fits with Bottega’s recent on-the-street vibe. (more…)



Shop the post: A very English summer



Margaret Howell SS23 ANNEMARIEKE VAN DRIMMELEN

High summer season in London – not always a great look. The tube is rammed with tourists and locals and the default girl-about-town uniform of Summer ’23 seems to be strappy mini slip dress layered over a less-than-pristine white tee, mashed-up 90s trainers (Stan Smiths, Converse, Reeboks) plus equally lived-in trainer socks. It’s aiming for a sort of Kate-Moss-by-Corrine-Day grungy romanticism but widely missing the mark.

The truth is, we do summer dressing far better when it’s a little bit cooler, when the layers are more knitwear-leaning and yes, when there’s a hint of hailstorm in the air. More Iris Palmer bucolic realness by Tim Walker circa 1996 if you will. (more…)