Following an £80 million renovation, the popular Royal Lancaster London hotel reopens today. Designed by English design firm Studio Proof, the new look is a perfect balance of mid-century decadence with a classiclly contemporary feel.
“The hotel has had a rich and celebrated past, having opened as one of the most chic hotels in London in 1967. 50 years later, Royal Lancaster London will reopen in 2017 to once again be one of the most stylish hotels in the capital,” Sally Beck, general manager of the hotel, said in a statement.
The grandiose hotel houses 411 guest rooms across 18 storeys, with each boasting scenic views overlooking Hyde Park and the city skyline. It’s also the site of over 16 event spaces able to accommodate 3000 people — surely this site will be a destination for stylish jet-setters from across the globe. Additionally, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Nipa Thai, is holding its grand opening to coincide with the reveal of the rest of the space.
New York-based tailored menswear brand Descendant of Thieves opened a pop-up shop near busy and buzzy Soho. Helmed by designers Matteo Maniatty and Dres Ladrohe, the small-scale label — each piece includes its date of birth on the tag — has maintained a sophisticated mystique since its inception in 2009, and a temporary retail space is the opportune moment to connect with the public IRL. In addition the designer’s signature slim-fit shirts and trousers, the new space will feature new items unavailable online, as well as a series of mystery packages. But hurry! The shop is only open through the end of the week, so check it out while you can.
The Descendant of Thieves pop-up shop is open today through Sunday 11/13 at 251 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012.
Sophisticated surfer-meets-menswear label Saturdays NYC has unveiled a new resort capsule collection with designer e-tailer Mr. Porter. The second collaboration between the two aims to combine Saturdays NYC’s signature laid-back feel with Mr. Porter’s luxe and curated contemporary eye.
The 20-piece collection features Batik and woodblock designs on button-downs, tees, swimwear, and board shorts. The orange, black and light blue hues of the pieces convey the line’s polished but relaxed vibe. The collection includes a lightweight linen two-button Viyella blazer and accompanying trousers in stone blue, both of which work as separates to mix and match. Other standout pieces include a silk embroidered bomber jacket that goes with oversized drawstring travel shorts. The collection also offers fun accessories including leather pool slides and a Cuban style straw hat. Peep some of the lookbook below.
The Saturdays NYX x Mr. Porter collection is available at Saturdays NYC and online now.
Legendary rap group A Tribe Called Quest has announced its first-ever sneaker collaboration with inescapable skater label Vans. Ali Shaheed Muhammad, one of the original members of the group, did the unveiling with long time friend and collaborator Consequence at this weekend’s ComplexCon held in Long Beach, California.
While the “Bonita” sneaker — named after one of the group’s biggest hits, Bonita Applebum, from their debut album — had its public debut at the event, it won’t be available until early next year. The song’s title is scribbled in black handwriting on the off-white Sk8-Hi shoe, mimicking the cover art of the single released in 1990, and the monochromatic shoe incorporates both leather and suede, establishing a multi-textural, yet minimal tone. While the sneaker was teased at the event, the band’s collaboration with sneaker brand is ongoing, and fans can expect more items to be revealed this Spring.
The holidays are fast approaching and so is the treacherous quest to find gifts your friends and family will actually like. Luxury designer label Coach is lending a hand with its flashy new “Bring on the Joy” campaign, which they teased on Instagram. With a new clip by music video director Warren Fu, Coach is reminding us that oh right – we can actually try to enjoy ourselves during the holidays.
Coach’s vibrant holiday collection is interspersed throughout the video, with bright bold colors and sparkly embellishments revealing a more playful side to the heritage brand. There is a new version of the longtime favorite Dinky bag which has been redesigned with quilted nappa and metallic leather. The line also includes leather christmas ornaments, key chains, bag charms, and other charming stocking stuffers. Peep some of the goods in the slideshow below.
Coach’s holiday collection can be found at all stores and online.
Lqd Skincare is a skincare line from Australia that focuses on easing the grooming process for men. Launching now in the US, creator Anthony McDonough wanted to make products that tackled irritation and sun damage, and to simplify the process for any guy to use.
The line from down under prides itself on being free of irritants, sulphates, color and fragrances. The products instead contain high levels of antioxidants, clinically proven to slow down the aging of the skin. Their Shave face cream is non-irritating and packed with more antioxidants, and the Calm after-shave is a fast-acting soothing serum that’s also packed with skin enriching vitamins. So don’t feel guilty if you want to check these out and not put down the razor for No Shave November, you can learn more about the cause (raising awareness for prostate cancer) here.
Lqd Skincare products are available online now and at Bloomingdale’s later this month.
Swedish label Acne Studios unveiled their latest capsule collection today featuring items inspired by classic American diners and bars. The brand goes retro pop with bold graphic motifs on modern staples and accessories. The coolest part has to be that rollerskates are even a part of the line. You won’t find any 50’s poodle skirts or pink cardigans here though, as all the items are contemporarily unisex. It’s like CW’s Riverdale meets American Graffiti.
Stand out pieces include a ranger style beige/brown work shirt with a patch of a Northwest style landscape, seemingly Twin Peaks inspired, and baggy work twill shorts available in both red or brown. While the pieces would be out of place at any real diner along the highway, they are solid statement pieces for the cheeky urbanite who likes a bit of humor added to their style.
A get-together with friends lounging outdoors, sipping a bold yet soothing drink with the cool breeze across your face encapsulates the spirit of Rémy Martin. A drink that brings people together for a relaxed and easy moment. This month, the iconic French cognac maker is revealing a new family secret with the limited edition Carte Blanche Merpins by Baptiste Loiseau.
The House’s fields and vineyards span almost 50 acres across the outskirts of the city of Cognac, France, a vast piece of land that is enveloped by rolling green hills. Through the grapevines in the field and among the looming barrels in the dark cellar is where Baptiste Loiseau grew up. When he was of age, Baptiste began an apprenticeship with the cellar master Pierrette Trichet. After some years of blending, tasting and gaining expertise of his own, Baptiste was entrusted with the responsibility of continuing Rémy Martin’s centuries old traditions and was given the keys to the House.
Inspired by the land his grandfather left him and it’s terroir, along with his talents in horticulture and a love of simplicity, Baptiste was given a ‘Carte Blanche’ – a chance to produce something new without any limits, with no deadline, no required bottle size, no constraints at all. Baptiste saw something special in the Merpins grapes and let it wait until it was 27 years old, and now it’s ready to be shared. It’s a blend that honors French culture and the House’s joyous country spirit, to be enjoyed over dinner with loved ones and friends, on an evening out, or whenever feels right, as was evident on a press trip and party at the cellar celebrating to the bottle’s release.
Carte Blanche Merpins Edition will be available at select liqour stores across the United States beginning November 2017.
Chronicling the legacy of the brand since its inception in 1854, Louis Vuitton opened the doors to its expansive exhibit on October 27 in the historic American Stock Exchange building in downtown Manhattan. “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” is a three-floor exhibition that follows the renowned designer’s journey from humble beginning to household name that changed the very face of modern luxury.
Designed by opera director Robert Carsen, who additionally oversaw the presentation’s design while on display in Tokyo and Paris, the exhibition features a plethora of merchandise from different eras of the brand, following its evolution and future direction. Divided into ten chapters, the main motif of the series is the trunk, which signifies the label’s international influence on contemporary fashion. Rounding out the eventful night, guests were escorted to Pier 17 to enjoy an afterparty and DJ sets from Mark Ronson and Virgil Abloh.
To commemorate the exhibition, Louis Vuitton also installed a pop-up shop in downtown shopping center Brookfield Place — in theme with the exhibition, the boutique will carry a curated selection of leather merchandise and travel goods, which can be customized on site.
“Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” is on display until January 7th at 86 Trinity Pl, New York, NY 10006. The pop-up shop in Brookfield Place will be open until March 30th at 230 Vesey St, New York, NY 10281.
Kerby Jean-Raymond, designer and founder of Pyer Moss, upholds his creative direction excellency with the release of his Fall 2017 campaign, “Stories About My Parents: My Father As I Remember.” As the name of the collection insinuates, his father’s wardrobe was his main inspiration for this project– he was even included as a model in the photo series shot by close friend and photographer Driely Viera.
Assisting his paternal influence, his collection was shot in his very own childhood summer home in Queens. The regal furnishings of his summer sanctuary partnered with the intricate detailing of his designs creates an visual spectacle. T-shirts and sweatshirts embellished with his father’s face are juxtaposed with elegant white fur and asymmetrical nylon suits, which add effortless appeal across generations.
The Pyer Moss FW 2017 collection is available online now.
Canadian artist Maxwell Burnstein has amassed a significant following since introducing his collages to the world on Instagram, earning praise from the fashion world and audiences alike. We caught up with him before the launch of G-Star Raw’s Elwood X25 denim line, where he created live collages on-site inspired by the dynamic prints of the collection.
EH: I love that you’re able to make your collage process a live experience. Could you explain a little more about the project with G-Star? G-Star invited me to their 5th Avenue Store in New York City to support the launch of the new G-Star Raw Elwood X25. The FW17 capsule collection from Pharrell Williams reinterpreted the brands classic Elwood jean in 25 prints, inspired by cultural symbolism like Kimono embroidery, animal prints to natural camouflages. The campaign photography will be cut up and collaged with the X25 product line live on-site. Installing the collages as they’re made, patrons can engage in a live art performance and be part of a living exhibit.
EH: Is there anything in particular that drove you to work with G-Star? I grew up on the G-Star brand, familiar with the innovative product lines and creative initiates. When I was approached with interest in working with them on the Elwood X25 launch, I felt my analog collages would be a natural extension of G-Star Raw’s devotion to craftsmanship and construction.
EH: What is the most challenging part of your process? And the most rewarding? Cutting photography in an analog process can be time consuming and tedious, limited by the amount I can adapt the paper fibers I use. There is no room for error as every slip is visible, and can often ruin a nearly finished work. The craftsmanship is visible in analog collage which can’t be mimicked digitally. It extends to installations and live art performances, where the physical creation of artwork can still be valued in the age of digital collage. EH: Are there any key themes or things you try to incorporate into each collage? Every artwork is designed to evoke a new feeling, whether showcasing a single piece or collective body, they speak to a larger narrative. Outside of my work in Fashion, my exhibits tend to focus on historical events and figures. These works look to modernize traditional photography and concepts such as my show for the American inauguration Cross the Party Line, or focused on old Hollywood icons in Death of an Icon, which released this past October 2017 at Contra Galleries in New York City. EH: Who are some designers or fashion figures that have influenced your work? I draw a loft of influence from my contemporaries in the collage artist’s movement, collectively promoting the value of our work. I have made an effort to build relations with those I see as pushing collage into the mainstream, always trying to promote their efforts alongside my own. This is an emerging industry, where analog and digital collage artists alike are working on a global scale from their respective countries. Supporting your community is part of my practice as an artist from Canada. EH: What would be your dream collaboration? I would like the opportunity to work with leading art galleries and events around the world, from Art Basel in Miami, White Cube Gallery in London, to the Art Gallery of Ontario in my hometown of Toronto. Everyday there is a new opportunity thanks to the countless support I have been receiving with each coming project, making my dreams ever closer.
G-Star Raw Elwood X25 is available in stores and online now.
The highly anticipated second season of the Spielberg-esque series Stranger Things finally returns to Netflix tomorrow – a perfect choice for a Halloween binge. The hype of the series has also extended into the sneaker world with a limited edition Reebok’s Ex-Oh-Fit Hi Clean inspired by the show and its signature 80s style. The sneakers are a collaboration between Reebok, Bait, Ghostbusters and Stranger Things. Fittingly, the season premiere will feature the beloved gang dressed up as the Ghostbusters for Halloween wearing Reebok Hi-Tops. It doesn’t really get any more 80s than that.
The sneakers feature a thick adjustable ankle strap for the perfect dad feel, while the rest of the pair is adorned with doodles by the show’s very own breakout character Dustin, played by 15-year old Gaten Matarazzo. The pair is just one example of fashion collaborations that the show has inspired, which also includes a capsule line at Topshop.
The sneakers will be available at all Bait stores and via online raffle Oct 28th.
