Among the various Moncler sub-lines, the Grenoble collection is the brand’s most technical and performance-driven one. But that fact does not mean it is all about sports. Under the watchful eye of its head of design Sandro Mandrino, the team has churned out some of the most vibrant and fashionable skiwear around. For its latest outing as part of Moncler’s design-led Genius project, Moncler Grenoble pays homage to the hippies of Woodstock. Expect pieces ($400-$5,000) that come with music festival references like tie-dye motifs on sweaters, psychedelic and floral prints on parkas, patchwork patterns on ponchos, and lots of fringes. Everything is grounded by technical details like water- and wind-resistant fabrics that come with membranes and velcro patches that allow for easy movement and offer protection from the elements while you make that ski or snowboarding run.
Remember Kanye West and his Alain Mikli shutter sunglasses? If you’d scratched your head then on how one can actually see through such an obstructed design, brands like Giorgio Armani and Burberry are offering a new perspective. Riding on the logomania trend, fashion brands are now launching sunglasses that feature their house logos or names printed on the lenses. Like West’s sunnies back then, this new flashy eyewear trend will literally make a statement.
Clockwise from bottom left: Acetate, $320, Burberry. Metal, $400, Giorgio Armani. Metal, $260, Emporio Armani. Metal, price unavailable, Moschino
It is said that there are about 3,000 tribes in Africa, each with their own unique culture and costumes. That figure makes for a wealth of inspiration for the folks at accessories label APM Monaco when creating the brand’s latest collection. Launching this month, the Mana collection ($315 to $1,975) interprets the continent’s tribal jewellery for a series of vibrant and colourful accessories. The yellow-hued sterling silver pieces are completed with eye-catching geometric and graphic patterns of micro-pavedstones like colourful zirconias and amethysts. Designs like slim chokers with adjustable clasps and mono earrings mean you creating stackable styles are a cinch.
Fact: Denim production is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to producing waste. To improve that track record, Maje is launching its first ethical and eco-friendly denim collection called First Stone. That moniker is a nod to the stone-wash technique that the brand employs for this sustainable collection. By doing so, the brand is said to be able to reduce the resources that it use. That includes slashing water consumption by up to 95 per cent, chemicals by up 50 per cent and energy by 79 per cent. In our books, that’s a first step to making the world a better place.
The Jura region in Switzerland is the luxury watchmaking heartland. But if Swiss fashion label Sottes has its way, it could also be the coolest epicentre of ethical fashion. The label, which calls that northwestern canton of Switzerland home, works with a team of local seamstresses to create seasonless all-white unisex designs which subscribe to sustainable practices like minimising waste. The brand is spreading its message to our shores with a shop-in-shop store at Surrender. The space stocks the brand’s latest Recommence 2.0 collection which features arty details like colourful patchworks, stitching and prints inspired by a child’s colouring book. Also available is a curation of repurposed items like crocheted keyrings, bucket hats and shirt made from cut-off fabric waste from Sottes own workshop. Prices range from $890-$5,800.