Ib Kamara Is the New Art and Image Director at Off-White
Off-White announced who would succeed late founder Virgil Abloh who passed almost six months ago. Stylist and editor-in-chief of Dazed Magazine Ib Kamara will join the brand as their new Art and Image Director. In an official Instagram post from Off-White the caption read, “Ibrahim’s relationship with Virgil and Off-White™, born and nurtured through DM messages on Instagram, blossomed both personally and professionally in the last 3 years, creating a strong bond based on mutual respect and shared values. In the new role, he will further develop his influence and insight on the brand’s collections, image, and content.” [Vogue]
Ester Manas Is The Latest “Guest Amigo” for AZ Factory
The latest “guest amigo” for AZ Factory’s diverse designer rotation is the size-inclusive brand, Ester Manas, designed by Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre. The collaborative product story will drop in June, just in time for Fall retailing. The designer duo is the second “guest amigos” at the luxury house following the death of Alber Elbaz in April 2021. The first to kick off the new strategy was South African designer Thebe Magugu, whose pieces from the collection start dropping next month. [WWD]
Gucci to Start Accepting Crypto Payments In U.S Stores
This month luxury brand Gucci will start widening their payments from customers by accepting cryptocurrency payments in some of their US brick and mortar stores. The customer’s payments will be made with a link sent to their emails; the link will contain a QR code that allows them to execute the amount from their crypto wallet. The brand will accept more than ten currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Shiba Inu, and more. The Wooster Street location in New York, Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, the Miami Design District outpost, Phipps Plaza in Atlanta, and The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas will be the first stores to accept this new payment system. Gucci was one of the first luxury brands to venture into Web3 with their multiple NFT projects with their latest partnership with 10KTF, an NFT project that includes a virtual floating “New Tokyo” world, fashion accessories, and a fictional character called Wagmi-San. [Vogue]
Bella Hadid Is The Face of Swarovski
Supermodel Bella Hadid has a new ambassador title to add to her list. Her latest partnership with Swarovski as the brand ambassador is an effort for the brand to market its products to new-gen customers. The brand posted their latest campaign featuring Hadid on their socials, shot by Mert and Marcus, to usher in the announcement. Hadid on her latest deal said, “Swarovski celebrates all people and the idea of modern glamour, and I love that. I also love the new collections and what the brand has been doing, especially these past two years under Giovanna’s creative vision. I really see Swarovski as the contemporary jewelry brand of the future.” [WWD]
Heather Marks Is the Latest Subject for Models.com’s Staying Power
Models.com spoke to early aughts supermodel Heather Marks about some of her most career-defining moments and working with Steven Meisel. Check it out here.
Models.com Interview Steph Shiu
Leading into Mental Health Awareness Month, Models.com interviewed Peter Do muse, Steph Shiu, about her past runway season, healing trauma, and how reclaiming her mental and physical health took her to the next level. You can find the interview here.
