21 March, 2026

From the vaults: The end of public relations

Bon Magazine - Gatekeepers and the End of Public Relations by Navaz Batliwalla

I loved reading Lucy Maguire’s recent Vogue Business story on the changing face of fashion PR. 13 years ago I wrote a similar feature for BON Magazine on the changing face of PR and fashion weeks in the (then) new social media landscape. What’s funny is how things have changed and how things have stayed the same.

At the time, ‘Oscar PR Girl’ (aka Oscar de la Renta publicist Erika Bearman) and ‘DKNY PR Girl’ (aka publicist Aliza Licht) were major influencers alongside Kelly Cutrone, a notoriously ball-breaking New York PR who had her own U.S reality TV show. I remember cold-emailing Kelly to ask if I could send over a few questions. I heard nothing until my phone suddenly rang one lunchtime and a voice at the other end bellowed, “Hi, this is Kelly Cutrone. You wanted to talk to me?” As I was in the middle of something else and didn’t have my notes in front of me, I innocently asked if I might call her back the next day. “NO, THAT’S THANKSGIVING!” (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Ad campaigns, Art, Bloggers, Brands, Business of fashion, Designers, Fashion shows, Magazines BON magazine, Business of Fashion, fashion shows, Kelly Cutrone, long read, New York Fashion Week, public relations, Vogue Business

19 January, 2026

Prada AW26 menswear: deets to steal

Prada Aw26 tailored coat

There was a bit of an online brouhaha about the skinny silhouettes at Prada menswear AW26 yesterday, but since we’ve had years of oversized slouch, I think we should give Miuccia and Raf a pass this time. As a naturally petite woman, I loved it and I’m ready for a slimmer silhouette.

On to the details. It felt romantic and Dickensian with its slimline tailored coats and their high pocket placement. (I do love a hands-in-pocket gesture – let’s put the damn phones away!). The (stained) starched French cuffs peeking out – some with cufflinks – was a genius touch that anyone can steal. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Brands, Design, Designers, Fashion shows, Menswear, News, Trends AW26, fashion shows, Miuccia prada, Prada, Raf Simons, trends

24 September, 2025

Cold eroticism at Jil Sander SS26

Jil Sander ss26

In the absence of a ticket, I watched Simone Bellotti’s debut SS26 show on YouTube. As one of 13 key designer debuts this season, it’s one of the first shows that will be discussed big. Coming from a very critically successful few seasons at Bally, Bellotti has engineered a lot of good feeling from the press.

I loved this debut. It felt stripped back to the spare linear silhouettes of OG Jil Sander, with a pure colour palette that nodded to Raf-era. Within that I particularly liked the cold eroticism of Lucio Fontana-esque cutaway slashes in the skirts and cut-out back details, unexpected pops of silver, some great bags and the flat shoes. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Brands, Business of fashion, Designers, Fashion shows, News fashion shows, Jil Sander, Simone Bellotti, SS26

8 July, 2025

Michael Rider’s Celine Spring 26: first impressions are in

Celine Spring 26 by Michael Rider

Sunday saw quite the buzz around the New New Celine show – the debut by Michael Rider, a well-liked alumnus of Phoebe Philo’s Celine, Nicholas Ghesquiere’s Balenciaga and Polo Ralph Lauren.

The result was – quelle surprise! – an amalgam of Ralph, Phoebe’s Celine and Hedi’s Celine. What does that look like? Classic Ralph-like preppy-isms (camel coats, primary colours, blazers and rugby shirts), Phoebe-era scarves and bags, and Hedi’s cool factor in the skinny pants (hated those!) and indie-Oxbridge haircuts. (more…)