Author Archives: Robert Quick

lv frieze la

How Louis Vuitton Took Over Frieze LA

Louis Vuitton debuted its first partnership with Frieze LA by hosting an Objets Nomades exhibition over the weekend. In addition to presenting some of its most esteemed design objects, the French designer also hosted a series of talks and panels throughout the duration of the art festival.

 

The designer’s Objets Nomades offshoot of curated furniture and other decor launched in 2012, but this marks the first time the 48-piece collection was shown during Frieze. Designed by a group of international designers, the pieces are the perfect balance of functionality and innovation and possess a timeless and practical appeal that still honors the House’s distinct legacy — highlights include a foldable stool by British design firm Raw Edges and a pink plush Bomboca sofa by Brazilian design duo Fernando and Humberto Campana.

 

Take a look at some of the displays from the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades experience at Frieze LA below.

 

louis vuitton frieze la

 

louis vuitton frieze la

 

louis vuitton frieze la

 

dolce gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana Released 2 New Sneaker Styles

Two months into a new decade and the chunky sneaker shows no sign of stopping. As the footwear trend continues its indisputable global reign, Dolce & Gabbana released a new range of its own take of the sneaker style.

 

The Italian brand released two new sneaker models. The first, the Day Master, is all about utility and volume. Anchored by a grey color palette for a retro ’90s appeal, the chunky sneaker is lightweight and accented with subtle leather detailing — a solid minimal essential for any sneaker collection. On the other hand, the NS1 sneaker is a little more daring. With pops of color — available in either red, black, grey, or pink — and geometric features, the shoe is a sportier take on the chunky silhouette.

 

The Dolce & Gabbana Day Master and NS1 sneakers are available in select stores and online now.

byredo

Byredo’s New LA Store is a Work of Art

For its first store in Los Angeles — and largest ever — Byredo pulled out all the stops. The Swedish lifestyle brand settled on Melrose Avenue for its newest boutique which opened as during Frieze LA. With a picturesque minimal interior, the new store is a piece of art itself.

 

Byredo’s founder and creative director Ben Gorham worked closely with the Swedish architecture firm Halleroed to create a serene atmosphere. Combining elements of Scandinavian minimalism with a West Coast cool, which the brand refers to as ‘warm Modernism’ in a statement, the airy interior manages to effortlessly marry the visual appeal of an art gallery with the comfort of someone’s house on the hills. Natural materials like hard oak, elder, and American walnut are used alongside aluminum metal accents with pops of color to fully achieve this rustic-industrial effect. In addition to carrying the brand’s popular candles, scents, and other items, the store will also showcase artwork from a roster of artists and collaborators, and host a variety of events to further establish a sense of community.

 

Byredo is open now at 8920 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90069.

 

byredo los angeles
byredo los angeles
a slow rush

Listen to Tame Impala’s New Album ‘The Slow Rush’ Now

It’s been over a year since they announced their new album was coming but it’s finally here: Australian psychedelic group Tame Impala has released its fourth album, The Slow Rush, today on all streaming platforms. It’s the rock group’s first record since 2015’s acclaimed Currents and shows a slight but welcome departure from their signature arena sound. Influences of house and other types of dance music are woven throughout the record, which was written, recorded, and produced by the multi-talented and enigmatic frontman Kevin Parker in between Los Angeles and his native Fremantle, Australia. Later this year, the group will tour the United States with Perfume Genius.

 

Listen to The Slow Rush below.

 




 

feature

A Dior Men’s Store Just Opened in SoHo

A few weeks after Gucci opened its own men’s store next to its women’s shop in Beverly Hills, Dior seems to have followed suit on the east coast. Earlier this week, the French brand opened the doors to its first menswear store in New York in the heart of SoHo on Greene Street, next to its womenswear outpost.

 

The multi-level store puts Kim Jones’ vision of Dior Men front and center — frequent collaborator Daniel Arsham even designed a sculpture for the window display. Upon entry, customers can admire another piece of art by New York-based artist Yoon Hyup before perusing the brand’s extensive range of leather accessories (including different editions of the increasingly popular saddlebag) and walls stacked with the designer’s latest sneakers, from chunky to classic styles, and other footwear. Go a little further and browse the designer’s ready-to-wear pieces that line the walls of the well-lit boutique. Towards the rear of the store, a downward staircase leads to a semi-private VIP area where clients can receive additional styling assistance.

 

The Dior Men’s store is open now at 107 Greene St, New York, NY 10012. Take a look at some more pictures of the shop below.

 

dior men's store soho

 

dior mens store soho

 

dior mens store soho

 

dior men's store soho

 

seek

SEEK is the Underwear Brand You’re Looking For

Whether you’re a guy that wears boxers, briefs, or longjohns, buying underwear is always a chore that you don’t really think about until it’s too late. Yikes. When the time comes to replace your undies (which might be sooner than you think), instead of blindly purchasing a bulk pack of factory-made generic and soulless undergarments from Amazon, consider treating your junk a little bit. You deserve better than that.

 

SEEK is a Japanese underwear brand that is ready to go international this spring. Already stocked in high-end Japanese department stores like Isetan and Hankyu, the company is ready to share its premium intimates with the world. What makes them so special? The brand utilizes a state-of-the-art “cut off” technique that uses high-pressure adhesive to cut the material, essentially eliminating the need for seams and ensuring that the fabric won’t unravel or bunch. How’s that for a seamless fit?

 

The latest line — SEEK AIRZ — takes things even further by eliminating the waistband. Using the same patented cutting system, jersey fabric is processed in a new way that renders traditional elastic waistbands unnecessary. Further treatments make the pieces 30% more absorbent than regular underwear for optimum breathability and comfort. In terms of underwear, this is about as exciting as it gets.

 

SEEK will launch in US retailers later this spring. Take a look at some of the latest styles in the slideshow above.

 

 

gucci

Gucci Gets Psychedelic With its Latest Collection

Gucci has long embraced elements of surrealism and psychedelia, especially since Alessandro Michele took over as creative director in 2015, with everything from baby dragons to severed heads making appearances on the runway. With its new GG Psychedelic line, the Italian designer takes a trip further down the rabbit hole and perfectly captures the hedonistic spirit of the ’70s through a range of glitzy looks and accessories.

 

For the capsule, Michele redesigned the logo with kaleidoscopic finesse and printed it on a series of bags and other ready-to-wear pieces. The accompanying campaign was photographed by Jordan Hemingway on a dancefloor, which is where these pieces belong. Images are spliced and manipulated by the shimmer of a disco ball while models don the flashy looks with matching devil-may-care attitudes as if the energy and reckless abandon of Woodstock was transported straight to Studio 54.

 

The Gucci GG Psychedelic Collection will be available in select stores and online later this month. Take a look at some more of the campaign below.

 

gucci

 

gucci

 

gucci

 

gucci

‘The French Dispatch’ Trailer is Peak Wes Anderson

The first trailer for the forthcoming Wes Anderson film The French Dispatch has arrived. Featuring an A-list cast of frequent collaborators like Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, and Adrien Brody alongside rising stars like Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet, the film is a visual overdose of Anderson-isms.

 

Set in a fictional French city during the 20th century, the film (which is shot in both black and white and color) follows three different storylines at an American newspaper. (The film’s poster was even inspired by old The New Yorker covers.) The aforementioned sagas involve some expectedly quirky characters including an incarcerated artist, some student revolutionaries, and a crime-solving cook. And since its a Wes Anderson film, expect tons of meticulous symmetric shots, pastel hues, pseudo-political commentary, and delightfully witty banter. If it’s not already the most anticipated film of the year, it’s likely to be the most stylish.

 

The French Dispatch opens on July 24. Watch the trailer above now.

thom browne galaxy z flip

Get Your Own Thom Browne Flip Phone

Less than two months into the new decade, the flip phone is already slated to be the hottest tech throwback of the year. After the commotion caused by the Motorola Razr revival, Samsung once again pounced on the wagon (following a less than ideal foldable phone launch last year) by unveiling its latest take on the retro phone model with its Galaxy Z Flip. Even better, the tech brand enlisted Thom Browne to outfit the phone in its signature surreal-meets-utility aesthetic.

 

The exterior of the Galaxy Z flip is branded with Browne’s distinct striped lining printed on a grey leather case. Beyond the shell of the device, the phone’s software has been programmed to evince the designer’s style as well. Each time the phone is turned on, Venetian blinds — a recurring motif in Thom Browne stores and displays — are displayed on the screen. Phone icons appear handstitched and a typewriter-sound effect accompanies the keyboard, further accentuating the extent to with the designer has updated the smartphone in its uniform image. In addition to the designer flip phone, Thom Browne also partnered with Samsung on a special edition of the brand’s Galaxy Watch 2 and Galaxy Buds+ wireless headphones.

 

The standard Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is set for release on February 14 at Samsung.com and ThomBrowne.com.

 

samsung

alexander mcqueen

The Greatest Alexander McQueen Runway Moments

It’s been ten years since Alexander McQueen, one of the most acclaimed designers in history, passed away. His taste for the macabre combined with his masterful technical skill set him apart from his peers and established him as a tour de force whose influence continues to infiltrate the very fashion industry he sought to disrupt. From his polarizing bumster trousers to the silk skull scarves favored by celebrities in the ’00s to the dangerously high armadillo heels, his skill for plucking elements from the depths of his mind and translating them into breathtaking wearables was utterly revolutionary. Out of all the stars that emerged at the turn of the century, none burnt as brightly as McQueen.

 

To honor his legacy, we revisit some of his most significant runway moments.

 

 

Fall/Winter 1995 – Highland Rape

The Fall/Winter 1995 collection remains one of McQueen’s most controversial collections but it inarguably elevated his profile to an international audience. With a purposefully misleading title meant as a shock tactic (the collection was a metaphor for England’s invasion of Scotland), it was one of the earliest demonstrations of his undeniable ability to translate something dark and violent into something beautiful and desirable.

 

Spring/Summer 1999 – No. 13

Despite his aversion to the theatre, McQueen knew how to put on a show. Beyond the beauty of his designs, he always sought ways to elevate his clothing beyond the confines of a traditional catwalk and really bring them to life. The final look of his Spring/Summer 1999 collection, a white tulle dress that was splattered by two robots, remains one of his most referenced moments.

 

Spring/Summer 2001 – Voss

Guests of the Spring/Summer 2001 show were seated around a glass box and forced to stare at their reflections for an hour before the show started. Once it did, models marched around a sterile mental asylum-like stage dressed in delicate Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds-inspired garments. The grand finale was a recreation of Joel-Peter Witkin’s Sanitarium (1983) with a masked Michelle Olley reclined on a chaise lounge while breathing through a tube and surrounded by butterflies, delivering one of McQueen’s most powerful transgressive beauty moments.

 

Spring/Summer 2005

McQueen had included men’s looks in his collections for a number of seasons, but Spring 2005 was when he decided to officially launch his own men’s line. His adroit tailoring skills took center stage here, while his subversive tendencies shown in the form of painted faces and tattoo-printed muscle tees keep his menswear from being anything too traditional.

 

Spring/Summer 2010 – Plato’s Atlantis

 

Tragically, McQueen’s final collection was him at his best. Ten years after the robotic dress painting display, he once again utilized state-of-the-art technology to create enhanced animal prints and set the tone for the next decade in fashion. Some of the most memorable looks in this collection, including the armadillo heels, would be immortalized in Lady Gaga’s video for her then-unreleased single “Bad Romance,” which made its debut at the show.

supreme

Get a First Look at Supreme’s Spring/Summer ’20 Collection

It’s time to feast upon a new decade of Supreme. Yesterday, the New York-based streetwear brand teased a first look at its upcoming Spring/Summer 2020 collection on Instagram. The picture shows a distressed monogrammed tan denim-style jacket — similar to the ubiquitous Louis Vuitton monogram — worn over a graphic hoodie emblazoned with a photorealistic dollar bill print. There’s definitely some Uncut Gems influences in the first look, but we’ll need to see the rest before we can confirm.

 

Besides the promising image, the brand hasn’t revealed when fans can expect the collection. But in just the past year alone, the megabrand has partnered with Jean Paul Gaultier, added Swarovski crystals to its beloved box logo, and branded a pair of champagne flutes with Baccarat. And judging by the positive response on Instagram, it’s clear that fans are as hungry as ever for their next dose of Supreme.

 


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