A NEW COLUMN: ‘ASK ALISON’ BY DRG CONTRIBUTOR, ALISON BISHOP
Sports-luxe is back into the fashionista psyche, judging by the recent round of SS14 catwalks, but this time around it’s infused with a tech-enhanced performance.
In London, Stella McCartney showcased her new performance-fabrics focused range for Adidas ‘to inspire women to get their sweat on’. From spinning to aerial yoga, the collection integrated sustainable textiles and lightweight breathable outerwear into a more dynamic offer. (more…)
Oh look, Mr DRG’s been fantasy shopping again! Here’s a look at his autumn picks…
TOP ROW
Plaid jacket, £845, Saint Laurent
Pure Brando in ‘On The Waterfront’, this is a great take on that classic look, but with a slightly longer body and sharper lines. Just the thing to keep out the chill on November 5th.
Leather snaffle loafers, £385, Gucci
Having worn Gucci loafers on and off for the last 20+ years, I coudn’t resist a pair of these recently (and that’s despite the distasterous purchase of a raffia pair back in the summer, which didn’t wear at all well). Pleasingly, Gucci has reverted to the classic 1953 shape, having wandered from this in various ways over the years, and as with most things in life, the original is the best. The only question I have is when and why did they decide to rename the snaffle a horse-bit?
Navy baby alpaca-blend coat £1,440, MP di Massimo Piombo
A beautiful double-breasted overcoat that’s clearly heavily inspired by the late 50s and early 60s. This is the sort of thing that I imagine the smartest original mods may have worn while frequenting Soho’s smokey jazz clubs.
SECOND ROW
Hammered silver card case, £900, Bunney
An elegant, if extravagant, card holder from the very talented Mr Bunney. Clearly a luxe item, it manages to be decidedly un-bling and played down due to the hammer-tone finish. Andrew, if you’re reading this, a Zippo case in the same would be rather nice…
Black Pepper shaving oil, £18, Molton Brown
A recent discovery, and one that I can highly recommend. Having used Kiehl’s products for years, the company inexplicably decided to cease manufacturing its Close Shavers shaving oil. Initially peeved, I was forced to research alternatives, and this led me to the Molton Brown oil, which I’m actually finding to be a far better option for me. Brands take note – you risk losing loyal consumers when you stop a popular product line without immediately offering a replacement!
Trainers, £75, Nike Air Pegasus
I’m not often seen in a running shoe these days, but the Nike Pegasus has a special place in my heart. Back in ’85 I was the proud owner of a pair of graphite and silver Pegasus GX, and these – together with the Internatlionalist – were the shoes to have, or at least they were in my part of the world. I love the wide-weave mesh on this update, and the new colourway feels both authentic and modern. Top marks to the Nike heritage dept.
Guest contributor LSN Global retail editor ALISON BISHOP reports on how Nike’s ‘Making’ app puts sustainable design front of mind for fashion and sportswear creatives…
Ever the innovator, Nike is building on its sustainable product design credentials by sharing its in-house Materials Sustainability Index for anyone to learn from and use – in the form of its new Making app. After collaborating with students at London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion, the new app helps designers and product creators make more informed decisions about the environmental impacts of the materials they choose. It works by ranking textiles and other materials used for product design based on four environmental concern areas: water, chemistry, energy and waste. For example who knew that the manufacture of silk uses 50% less water than cotton?
“It’s the start of a conversation,” Lee Holman, Nike’s vice-president of global apparel design told me. “Innovation is in Nike’s DNA, and sustainability is an integral part of Nike’s design process. We’ve created the Making app to empower any designer around the world to make better materials choices in the early stages of the design process. Ultimately everyone wants to create products that are better for the planet, and we want to be able to facilitate that idea.”
It’s quite a statement from the sports giant, especially considering it’s not a selling tool and it’s not connected directly to any Nike product. It’s just for the good of the planet. We call it ‘Brandstanding’ at LS:N Global. Sustainability is the new battleground for brands that want to resonate with disillusioned Millennial consumers (25-35 years old) and brands with cast iron credentials will win the vote. Now I might even design myself a version of Nike’s Flyknit trainers…
Oh boy, I bet all those po-faced sportswear companies are sooooo glad they finally embraced the fashionisation of sportswear. Since they begrudgingly accepted that trainers and windcheaters have a place beyond the running track – ideally in the wildest and wackiest colour combos – there’s been no stopping them. (more…)
