AZ Factory Introduces Thebe Magugu As First Designer In New ‘Amigo‘ Plan
As a way to bring in diverse talents, AZ Factory is focusing on a new “Amigo” strategy that helps designers in need of support and mentoring by opening up their design studio, atelier, marketing muscle and social channels to collaborative designers once a season. First up on the list is South African designer Thebe Magugu, whose “product story” for the company will be showcased at the end of the month l, with products released later in June on the AZ Factory e-commerce site, Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, and other wholesale partners. [WWD]
Paris Fashion Week Continues
With the ongoing invasion in Ukraine, it has been a subdued Paris Fashion Week yet designers have been showing their support to Ukraine in their own ways. Lisi Herrebrugh & Rushemy Botter of Botter debuted a jacket with a beaded fringe made from recycled plastic that spelled out ‘No War,’ while Christelle Kocher of Koché, wore a blue and yellow flower pin during her runway show bow, and Isabel Marant, likewise showing her support on her body, wearing a blue and yellow jumper after presenting her collection. Olivier Rousteing of Balmain presented his new pieces as a play of soldiers fighting depicting a battle — that is until the two lead soldiers dramatically kissed. Off-White opened the season with a stellar supermodel cast in honor of late designer, Virgil Abloh while The Row returned to Paris after 6 years. The shows continue this weekend with PFW ending next week Tuesday, March 8th.
Vogue Ukraine Demands a Fashion Blockade on Russia
In the past week, international committees related to financial services, energy, transport, and technology industries have placed multiple sanctions on Russia but what is fashion’s part in all this?. Vogue Ukraine is calling on luxury companies to set embargoes on Russian retailers and consumers; in a statement shared on Instagram, the publication said, “In the wake of unprecedented military aggression from the Russian Federation and growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Vogue UA urges all international fashion and luxury conglomerates and companies to cease any collaborations on the aggressor’s market effective immediately.” So far, Kering has donated to the UNHCR; Balenciaga, one of Kering’s brands, donated to the UN’s World Food Programme. Gucci, also part of the conglomerate, aided in $500,000 to the UNHCR, Meanwhile, LVMH has committed to giving a “first emergency donation” of €5,000,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and is working on organizing an internal fundraising campaign for the organization.For more insights on where to donate please look here. [Fashionista]
LVMH Prize Nominee Maximilian Davis Pulls Out of Competition
Trinidadian-British fashion designer Maximilian Davis, one of 20 semifinalists for the 2022 LVMH Prize for Young Designers, has submitted his withdrawal from the competition just a few days before the opening of the showroom in Paris this weekend. Fresh off his London Fashion Week collection for Fall 22, Davis’s designs have already been worn by celebrities like Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, and Dua Lipa; he has not shared further details as to why he is no longer competing in the prize. [WWD]
LVMH x Ralph Lauren Acquisition?
Reports hint at a possible acquisition of American heritage brand Ralph Lauren from French luxury conglomerate group, LVMH. The deal, however grand, seems unlikely as according to BOF “Ralph Lauren operates under a different branch of business than LVMH and that the company’s 82-year-old executive chairman and chief creative officer, has never communicated a clear succession plan, nor has he ever communicated any interest in selling.” LVMH recently acquired American jeweler Tiffany & Co and has already shifted the brand’s perception in the youth-dominated market. [BoF]
