Maison Kitsuné x K-Way: Balancing Parisian Sophistication and Urban Functionality

Paris-based lifestyle and fashion label Maison Kitsuné lands in a landmark collaboration with French-Italian performance sportswear brand K-Way, merged their respective styles into a collection that embodies both elegance and practicality. Balancing aesthetic appeal and fundamental functionality, the capsule collection reinterprets K-Way’s iconic Léon and Claude windbreakers in Café Kitsuné’s inspired distinctive blue and yellow color palette, adding a layer of Parisian sophistication to the utilitarian flair.

 

Enriched with harmonious hue and sharp contrast, the collection taking cues from Paris’ versatile fashion style. Relaxed and at ease, the vivacious Parisian narrative runs through the entire capsule. A tincture of rebelliousness is added to the predominantly monochromatic design. By applying the unconventional Scottish tartan pattern, the collection infuses a graphic playfulness that creates unforgettable visual impact. The meticulously crafted cuts and tailoring is another highlight. The structured silhouette doesn’t hinder the wearer’s freedom of movement, providing comfort while maintaining fashionable.

The reimagined logos of this special collaboration is also noteworthy. Linked by the alphabet “K”, K-Way’s ever-present K logo is flanked by the lively and adorable fox symbol of Maison Kitsuné in one version of the logo, while subtly replace the “K” in Maison Kitsuné in another version of the logo.

 

Under the artistic direction of photographer Basile Bertrand, the campaign of the Maison Kitsuné and K-Way capsule collection brings to life a dynamic Parisian tale. Embodying the concept of “Paris by bike,” lovers chase each other on the cobbled streets, exploring the city’s historic monuments and romantic corners, showcasing a refined urban and neo-nomadic lifestyle.

 

This Maison Kitsuné and K-Way collaboration stands as an ideal choice of blending style and functionality seamlessly into the urban landscape. It is crafted for the discerning fashion and sport lovers for their favorite activities regardless of the weather conditions.


Chanel’s Haute Couture Director Christelle Kocher Joins in Jelenew: Redefining Athletic Couture

Avant-garde, visionary and somehow traditional is the style of the designer Christelle Kocher. Her talent resides in her ability to honor the past by preserving the heritage, while looking at the future by adapting to the needs and applying new techniques.

 

After graduating from Central Saint Martins, Kocher embarked on a journey through prestigious fashion houses such as Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Chloé, and Martine Sitbon, where she learned the art and craft of a creator and a couturier. Her modern spirit found expression in Koché, a fashion label she launched in 2015. Koché defies conventions, blending styles and celebrating the richness of human creativity, a clear declaration of freedom and self-expression.

Her interest in craftsmanship and tradition took her to elevate her career into the realms of haute couture. In 2010, she became the Artistic Director at Maison Lemarié, a revered institution part of Chanel Métier d’Art, distinguished by its know-how and finesse. Maison Lemarié stands as one of the last bastions of plumassiers and florists worldwide. At the heart of Maison Lemarié, lies a love for technical precision, a passion for heritage, and the pride of bringing to life exquisite designs. Kocher’s work at Lemarié aims at modernizing ancient techniques while preserving their timeless essence.

 

In 2019, Kocher’s visionary work was recognized as she clinched the Andam Grand Prix, a testament to her unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion.

 

With Christelle Kocher, traditional fashion becomes avant-garde, and classic becomes innovative. This is evidenced by her collaborations within the sportswear industry. With PUMA, Nike, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, Christelle Kocher created a wardrobe aimed at empowering women in sports and driving them to embrace athleticism and strength. With energetic yet poetic designs, Kocher’s creations encapsulated the beauty, precision, and subtle irreverence that define her aesthetics.

Jelenew brand was co-founded by legendary French rider Marion Clignet, a six-time UCI trophy in the championship worldwide. The brand is committed to provide comfortable and reliable equipment for female athletes and enthusiasts of racing sports. Compared with the popularity of flexibility sports and indoor training, racing sports, a game full of speed adventure and pursuit, is a sports system with an obvious maletag label, and the attention to women has been even shallower. Until the past five years, gradually having the womens racing events, and the organizations slowly begin to appear. Jelenew grew up in women’s racing, a desert full of exotic flowers of feminist . It constantly challenges the limits of craftsmanship and breaks through the design barriers of elastic fabrics and functional fabrics. Each piece of clothing forms a beautiful and warm place. The unique three-dimensional space of temperature-control, muscle-protection and comfort gives female athletes the greatest sense of security and supports them to complete their feathering again and again through outdoors, towards the mountains and forests, between rivers and castles.

 

With the addition of Christelle Kocher and her team, JELENEW has further developed a super engine, with Chanel’s high-end craftsmanship concepts and techniques, and tried to satisfy the aesthetic demands of female cycling enthusiasts to the greatest extent. Christelle Kocher developed invisible princess line, triple edged pleated ruffles and pleated sewing overlock. This is the latest venture into the sportswear, a journey into the realms of cycling, the beauty of Africa, the pursuit of freedom, and the eternal feminine urge to question one’s existence. Jelenew, a brand renowned for its commitment to empowering women through cycling, and Christelle Kocher unveil a collaboration that delves deep into concepts of independence, creating a wardrobe that is avant-garde and stylish, while performant and innovative.

Drawing inspiration from the memoir “West with the Night” by Beryl Markham, this collaboration transcends conventional boundaries, offering a narrative that resonates with the complexities of feminine identity and the pursuit of liberation. Christelle Kocher infuses her avant-garde aesthetic into the collaboration, where each garment reflects the fusion of athleticism and elegance.

 

With the Jelenew x Christelle Kocher collaboration, two worlds merge to create a new universeone that embodies the spirit of adventure with the values of craftsmanship. The collection promises to transcend limitations and navigate a unique journey of design, merging high quality with technical prowess, craftsmanship, and avant-garde creation.


Photography: Tian Ye (@tianandye)

Fashion: Cora Zou (@corazrd)

Make Up: Lili Weng (@lili_bono), Shiyu Liu (@baiwanliu)

Production: Xlombra Culture Media

Executive Production: Elain Zhang, Eunice Wang (@diu_diuni)

Photography Assistant: Wang Jun

Production Assistant: Euphemia Shi (@sonoxannie)

Models: Natalia (@nataliahamu), Maryna (@koval_marinaa)

Text: Carolina Benjumea (@carobenjumea_)


Where Artistry and Creativity Converge

Situated in the elegant and affluent 7th arrondissment, at 9 rue Grenelle, Saint Laurent Babylone is a novel artistic and literary destination opening in the heart of Paris’ culturally sophisticated rive gauche. Close to rue Babylone, where Yves Saint Laurent and his lifetime partner Pierre Bergé moved to in 1970, the name refers to the historic connection and emotional attachment that the fashion house’s founder shared with the Sèvres-Babylone neighborhood.

As an extension of Saint Laurent Rive Droite, Saint Laurent Babylone is a unique collection focusing on creativity and culture. Conceived by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent Babylone is a realm where art, culture, and expression intersect. More than a mere bookstore, Babylone emerges as a cultural hub, hosting an eclectic mix of books, art, and music, alongside cultural events ranging from DJ sessions to book signings. Each item, curated by Anthony Vaccarello, reflects Saint Laurent’s rich heritage and innovative future. From rare finds, out-of-print publications to Saint Laurent Rive Droite Editions and beyond, Saint Laurent Babylone sees the expansion of Saint Laurent’s creative horizon.

 

With his immense knowledge and manifold interests in different sectors in culture and design, Anthony Vaccarello incessantly envisions new ways of expanding the Saint Laurent’s universe while maintaining the brand’s distinctive DNA. Saint Laurent Babylone is the best practice of how Saint Laurent enriches the Parisian culture scene, inviting artistic innovators to connect, share, and inspire. The opening of Saint Laurent Banylone will undoubtedly continue Saint Laurent’s longstanding legacy as a beacon to creativity and artistry.


i need to live - Juergen Teller's Exhibition Sponsored by Saint Laurent

Known for his humorous storytelling, intriguing subject matters and bald camera language, German fashion and fine art photographer Juergen Teller amazed the world with his borderline sensational images. Exuding a raw emotion and candid intimacy, Teller’s somehow rebellious but elegant aesthetics pinnacles him as one of the most iconic and internationally-acclaimed photographers in the fashion industry. Started his creativity career from late 1980s, he has collaborated with many a-list artists, celebrities, top models and major fashion houses, inspiring a generation of fashion personalities.

 

After the success of his exhibition “i need to live” at Paris’ Grand Palais Éphémère, the exhibition traveled to Italy’s fashion capital for another few months of stays. Inaugurated on January 27th, 2024, the exhibition will be held at Milan’s Triennale Milano until April 1st, 2024, presenting the and spellbinding visual impact collected from Juergen Teller’s expansive repertoire first-handed.

As an official sponsor of the exhibition, Saint Laurent supports Juergen Teller on the compilation of many of his memorable and recognizable works. Both personal and commissioned, the exhibition retrospects to Teller’s over 30 years of career, as well as showcases his latest unforeseen creation – especially the joint projects with his wife and creative partner, Lithuanian artist Dovile Drizyte. These grotesquely intriguing images reflect manifold aspect of relationship, sharing a glimpse of intriguing creativity life, their family fragments and the masterfully reinterpretation of Teller’s iconic artworks with their newborn daughter.

 

The iconic Saint Laurent by Anthony Vacarello’s SS19 campaign shot by Juergen Teller is also presented in the exhibition. Featuring top model Freja Beha Erichsen, Abbey Lee, Julia Nobis and Mica Arganaraz, the campaign unfolds in a beautiful Lombardian villa by Lake Como. Backdropped the poetic waterfront view, the unsaturated color of the images accentuates the elegance in the sexy collection

 

In conjunction with the exhibition, Saint Laurent Rive Droit launched a unique lifestyle collection created by Anthony Vaccarello and Juergen Teller. Conceptualized by Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent Rive Droit presents a wide range of products focusing on creativity and culture. The lifestyle collection, including homeware, decorative objects, clothing, accessories and vinyls, is now available on YSL.com. Each one with a photograph of the Juergen Teller, the collection brings a piece of the exhibition into everyday life.


With Love from L.A.

Hailing from Los Angeles, denim brand MOTHER collaborates with its fellow Los-Angeles fashion brand Clare V. on an exclusive capsule collection, paying homage to their beloved hometown while supporting the development of local craftsmanship and charity organization.

 

Inspired by the colorful culture, vibrant atmosphere and light-filled cityscape of Los Angeles, the 10-piece apparel and accessories collection embodies the city’s laid-back and easy-going spirit. Leveraging the advantages of both brands, the collaboration perfectly demonstrates that one plus one can be greater than two. A touch of Clare V.’s distinctive French tailoring aspect is applied to MOTHER’s denim pieces, while MOTHER’s signature print and detailing are spotted on Clare V.’s accessories design. In this collection, MOTHER’s Californian rebelliousness and Clare V.’s indie Parisian aesthetics blend harmoniously.

Lela Becker, co-founder of MOTHER, proudly acknowledged Los Angeles’ iconic denim legacy and the brand’s commitment to local production. Together with the visionary behind Clare V., Clare Vivier, the two female leaders expressed their enthusiasm for this creative union, celebrating their shared love for Los Angeles. In the spirit of women helping women, MOTHER and Clare V. further partnered with a local non-profit organization Downtown Women’s Center (DWC). Through a donation of $20,000 to DWC, the two brands hoped to empower women in greater Los Angeles who are experiencing homelessness, or are formerly homeless; assist them on aspects such as housing, wellness, employment and advocacy services.

 

Launched on January 30, 2023, the limited-edition capsule collection is available exclusively at selected Clare V. retail stores as well as the respective online platforms of MOTHER and Clare V.. With the motto “With Love from L.A.”, the collection encapsules the synergy of style and social responsibility, embodying the essence of Los Angeles’ dynamic fashion scene and positive community spirit.


Text: Yves Tsou


Indie Sleaze Reimagined

Indie Sleaze Reimagined

Zadig&Voltaire’s Spring/Summer 2024 Collection: A Look at Fashion’s Edgy New Vanguard

Zadig & Voltaire, an eminent brand that epitomizes the Parisian effortless luxury, constantly introduces unconventional wardrobe proposals to the world of fashion. Carrying on with its establishing rebellious and vanguard DNA, Zadig & Voltaire recently launched its Spring/Summer 2024 collection, boldly advocated the indie sleaze aesthetic. The collection, marked by a fusion of indie culture and rock ‘n’ roll swagger, signals a confident step into a realm of cutting-edge and carefree fashion approach.

 

Known for blending independent music scene influences with a raw, gritty edge, the spirit of indie sleaze movement is vividly reflected in Zadig & Voltaire’s latest design. Featuring relaxed silhouettes, adventurous textures, and a variety of eclectic prints, the collection stands as a celebration of disobedience, self-expression and individualism.

To visualize the collection’s core essence, Zadig & Voltaire invited renowned photographer Adam Peter and stylist Alex Carl for the campaign. The two outstanding talents teamed up, capturing a series of compelling images. The raw, grungy and unpolished energy of indie sleaze were conveyed through these fascinating images by Adam Peter, emphasizing the rebellious charm and unapologetic poise of each garment. Carl’s styling brings a contemporary sharpness to the table, ensuring each piece resonates as a symbol of modern defiance.

 

Zadig & Voltaire’s message of the latest season is unequivocal: it’s an invitation to fashion aficionados to step away from the mainstream and delve into the wild charm of indie sleaze. The Spring/Summer 2024 collection not only showcases the brand’s dedication to innovation, but also reaffirms its influence and endeavor in shaping modern fashion narratives.


Schiaparelli’s New Artistic Collaboration : Venus Inspired Bronze Furniture

Schiaparelli’s New Artistic Collaboration : Venus Inspired Bronze Furniture

Schiaparelli’s creative director presents a suite of bronze furniture made in collaboration with artist F Taylor Colantonio

The Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli has always loved working with artists. She invited the likes of Jean Cocteau, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dalí, Christian Bérard and many others to create exclusive motifs and designs for her collections. Bringing their universe to the surrealist and enchanting world of the eponymous house, she launched in Paris in the 30s, she maintained close relationships to arts and design. She also imagined various collections of objects halfway between art and utility, challenging the distinctions among design, and high fashion.

 

Today, the American fashion designer, and creative director of Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry continues Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy and interdisciplinary tradition by presenting a new artistic collaboration with the American designer F Taylor Colantonio. Together, Roseberry and Colantonio imagined a suite of sculptural bronze furniture, upholstered in silk embroideries. “I loved working with F Taylor Colantonio, whose work I have been admiring for years, to create something out of our common interests for mythology and a certain theatricality that still bears the Schiaparelli imprint,” explained the creative director.

Bringing Colantonio’s universe to the one of Schiaparelli, the pair created an ensemble inspired by the ‘Toilet of Venus’ motif— a neoclassical artistic theme showcasing the goddess Venus in her celestial bedchamber. The embroideries are designed by Daniel Roseberry himself and made by hand in corded silk with gilded leather appliqués at the Schiaparelli atelier in Paris. The pieces are made in raw bronze in Italy using the ancient lost-wax technique and are produced to order in a numbered edition of only 8 pieces.

 

The pieces can be viewed by appointment in Paris, in the salons of Schiaparelli, on the third floor of 21, Place Vendôme. 


Text: Anna Prudhomme


YENTSÉ: A Contemporary Research on Timeless Beauty

YENTSÉ

A Contemporary Research

on Timeless Beauty

Hi, Yanze, How are you today?

 I am brilliant, thank you.

 

Could you introduce yourself a little bit?

Sure! I am Jin Yenze, a fashion designer based in Antwerp, Belgium. I came from Xian, China. Before coming to Antwerp, I’ve studied fashion design in Wuhan Textile University in China and worked as a fashion assistant in Haaper’s Bazaar China.

 

When did you arrived in Antwerp, and what inspired your relocation?

I arrived in Antwerp in 2015, it has been almost eight years now. After graduating from my bachelor degree in fashion design, an idea of study abroad started to burgeon. When it comes to fashion, Europe is pretty much the place to be. So, I applied to London’s Central Saint Martins and Antwerp’s’ Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Luckily, I received offers from both, so the discretion is on me then. To attend the admission exam of Royal Academy of Fine Arts, I have to physically be in Antwerp. I took the chance to explore the city a bit, a mysterious and unknown place for me back then. I found myself quite enjoy the ambient of the city, hence I decided to accept the offer from Royal Academy of Fine Arts and moved to Antwerp later on.

According to you, what has Antwerp brought to you, and how has this city shaped you into who you are today?

Overall, my academy and life experience in Antwerp has helped me become more certain about what I want in my design. Through the solid training, I became more determined in my design direction. The research environment here is pretty liberal, you are allowed to explore the field you wanted to delve into, in the way you like it to be. Without much restriction, Antwerp provides me with more confidence and resources to research on something more underground and niche.

 

Also, I really like the atmosphere of the city. It’s not a massive metropolitan, but a well-developed city with elegance and chic. Because it’s not big and chaotic enough, I could really maximize my time to contemplate on my design and focus on the things I would like to do. That’s why I decided to stay here and create my own brand YENTSÉ.

Now let’s talk about your design. First thing I am interested to know is, where do you usually get your inspiration from?

My inspiration came from various sources. Sometimes it could be a person – an artist for example – the creation background behind a particular artwork or in his or her artistic career in general. Other times, it might stem from a sentence I came across while reading, which leads me to delve deeper into a concept; or photographic works that pique my interest. Normally, my inspiration starts from a small point, and gradually develops into a concept before expanding into a more concrete and complete plan, in which I consider about the silhouette, the colors, the details and so on.

 

Going through your design, it seems like cut and tailoring play a big part. Would you say that these are the elements that you value the most?

I would say so! Regardless of the type of garment you design, the principle that need to be understood is the way it looks on human body. For this reason, cut and tailoring are crucial. Cut is related to patterns making, which is essential because it matters whether the clothes will fit the body. Tailoring, on the other hand, focuses on the techniques and finishing used in design. I always prefer to start with the pattern, ensuring the fit is well on the body. Afterward, I select suitable fabrics and techniques to achieve the desired finish. I hope my design looks already like an artwork when it is hanged there and is not beautiful only after it is on human body.

It seems like the importance of cut and tailoring is dwindling in recent years. What are your thoughts on this phenomenon?

This question is pretty precise, and it is exactly the situation I am facing right now – to create a clout or to stick to true craftsmanship. The designers that create top-selling “it products” nowadays have acuity in trend and acumen in marketing, but for me, their design language is somehow too direct and simple. As a person who loves clothing, I am willing to invest more time on researching the construction, silhouette and details of a garment.

 

Of course, from the business side, I need to design some bestsellers or “it products” that could make YENTSÉ relatable; however, I would like to take time and contemplate on how to combine my passion for research and love for craftsmanship with the intention of designing something that could create a clout.

 

Do you more or less have an idea on how to achieve this goal? 

What I’m thinking is now is the concept of a “top-selling it product” might depend on how we interpret it. From my perspective, an “it product” for YENTSÉ could be a pair of pants or a jacket, in which the cut and tailoring techniques are something I develop after my research. This unique piece is not an ephemeral happening, not something you will throw away after a season or two, but something that could still be worn after years. Overall, it will be that piece that encapsulates the definition of YENTSÉ – “Contemporary tailoring with timeless aesthetics”.

 

What are the elements that catch your attention when you see a fashion design piece?

The first elements I will notice is the fabric and the color, because they are the most evident traits you can see. Then, I will observe its cut and tailoring. Finally, I will scrutinize its details, and try to understand what kind of techniques the designer has used.

On your website, you mention about the sustainability development that you are focusing on. What are your sustainable initiatives, and are how do you practice them?

I believe that besides the topics everyone discusses, such as the use of upcycled or recycled fabrics and materials, as well as minimizing carbon footprint in logistics and shipments, there’s something more to consider. For a small and nascent brand like us, YENTSÉ has to plan every step of our sustainability practice early on. For example, we collaborate with a world-renowned brand, Scabal, on the collection and upcycle of fabric scraps and deadstock fabrics. Scabal is a London-based cloth merchant using luxury fabrics on their made-to-measure suits, and the quality of their fabrics are top-notch. For the fabric scraps, we would use them for the accessories or the details of a garment. As for the deadstock fabrics, since the amount is too limited to support the production of the whole main line, we would use them on unique pieces or for our capsule collection.

 

Thank you for the interesting insight! Before wrapping up our conversation, could you share with us your future plans?

We have just been represented by a showroom in Paris and have our first season – the Spring/Summer 2024 – shown in front of the buyers from all over the world. I hope that until the end of 2024, YENTSÉ will be present in more than 15 countries, and having clients in Europe, the US, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and even Taiwan!


Text by Yves Tsou


A Viennese Rendez-vous: Mytheresa and Miu Miu's Holiday Gala

A Viennese Rendez-vous

Mytheresa and Miu Miu's Holiday Gala

Marleen Roubik, Anouk Lamm Anouk, Sofie Royer

In the historic heart of Vienna, a city where tradition waltzes with modernity, a grand celebration unfolded. Mytheresa, in concert with the esteemed fashion brand Miu Miu, targeted by Lyst as the hottest brand of the moment, hosted a two-day event, imbued with elegance and exclusivity, to usher in the holiday season.

The experience commenced at the majestic Upper Belvedere Palace, a symbol of the imperial grandeur. Within its hallowed halls, illuminated by the warm glow of candels and embellished with dark red flowers, the guests were embraced by a tableau of sophistication. The attendees were treated to a private tour of the most extensive Gustav Klimt collection in the venerable Upper Belvedere Palace. This visual feast of Klimt’s celebrated works, set against the backdrop of Viennese historical splendor. The grandiose hall, adorned with intricate frescoes and golden embellishments, hosted a tableau where light danced off polished surfaces and shadows played along the edges, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance. This exclusive gathering marked a beginning to the season’s celebrations.

Julia Hobbs, Pixie Geldof, Poppy Delevingne, Raven Smith.

Manon Bresch, Jihoon Kim

As the night progressed, the soiree’s ambiance shifted to the dining room where culinary art awaited. Two elongated tables, arrayed in unblemished white linens, stood ready for the banquet prepared by the esteemed Chef Johannes Nuding. In this setting, guests like Poppy Delevingne, Pixie Geldof, Raven Smith and Manon Bresh, convened to savor the gastronomic masterpieces.

The juxtaposition of the room’s classical architecture with the sumptuous, modern fare created a harmonious blend of past and present. Adding a touch of whimsy to the elegant affair, celebrated stylist and cake artist Sophia Stolz presented a dazzling array of desserts, way more than just sweet treats. They were masterpieces of culinary art, delighting the senses and adding a layer of enchantment to the evening.

Sophia Stolz

Julia Hobbs

Zinnia Kumar, Mergim Shabani

The revelry continued to the next day with a refined lunch at the five-star Hotel Sacher, a bastion of Viennese elegance and luxury. Famous worldwide for its modernized ‘Sacher Torte’, adark chocolate glazed sponge cake with layers of apricot jam, the hotel pushing the traditional Austrian culinary heritage to the pinnacle.

Each moment of the celebration was crafted with care and attention to detail, reflective of the warmth and familiarity that are hallmarks of Mytheresa events. From the selection of the venues to the intricacies of the program, every element was a nod to the art of fine hosting.

This two-day fête by Mytheresa and Miu Miu stood as a testament to the power of collaboration and elevate the essence of celebration, leaving a mark on the hearts of those who were part of this special Viennese rendez-vous.