THE DRG STYLE INDEX: NIKE, HERMES, HARRODS, CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG, MARC BY MARC JACOBS
Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands currently buzzing on my radar…
1. NIKE’S NEW AIR MAX LUNAR1 IS HERE
Heads-up: Nike’s new Air Max Lunar1 trainer (£105) is here, an update on the original Air Max with new ultra-lightweight cushioning and mesh panels to make the cult shoe even more comfortable and flexible. I think they have done a great job adding in new technology while keeping the heritage good looks. The best bit? It comes in girls’ sizes too.
2. HERMES LAUNCHES ITS ‘NAUTILUS’ HAUTE PEN
Hermès is upping its offer of stationery with a new category that includes notebooks, writing paper, leather accessories and the poshest of pens. Last week saw the launch of the Naitilus pen (my Insta feed was flooded), designed by Marc Newson for Hermès and developed by Japanese pen experts Pilot.The story goes that Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas discovered that Newson and the late Jean-Louis Dumas used the same model of Pilot Capless fountain pen, which sparked the challenge for Newson to create the Hermès version. As expected, it’s extremely beautiful, but it ain’t cheap. The ballpoint version costs $ 1,350, while the solid aluminum and stainless steel fountain pen with its rhodium-plated white gold nib costs $1,650. (The ink cartridges are a steal at $9.50 for six.)
3. COMING SOON: HARRODS’ SALON DE PARFUMS
Hot on the heels of Selfridges’ fragrance lab comes Harrods‘ personalised scent suite. Launching in September, the 6th floor Salon de Parfums will specialise in rare scents and bespoke fragrances, as well as hosting dedicated boutiques within the salon from brands including Kilian, Chanel, Dior, Tom Ford, and Roja Dove. It’s so far removed from the scatter-gun beauty hall spritzers we all know and loathe and part of the move for department stores taking a more experiential approach to luxury retail.
4. CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG X CUURENT/ELLIOTT
It’s hard for me to get that excited about celebrities as designers but here’s one I’ll entertain. Charlotte Gainsbourg has designed a 40 piece collection with Current/Elliott that went on sale at Colette last week. As expected, it’s heavy on white shirts (this one looks impeccable), blazers and a the classic marinière – all the things that give Gainsbourg her much-copied done-undone look. It rolls out worldwide at the end of the month.
5. MARC BY MARC JACOBS’ MILLENNIAL-FRIENDLY AD CAMPAIGN
How very millennial! The AW14 Marc By Marc Jacobs campaign has been unveiled and there’s not a hint of celebrity or supermodel. Instead it was cast on Instagram (how else?), an indication of its aim to grab the coolest of modern youth by celebrating personality as much as looks.
