The glowing, gilded Fondazione Prada building becomes a stage as a new art institution hosts a contemporary dance production, “Attraverso I muri di bruma,” or “Through Walls of Mist.” Directed by Marinella Guatterini, the production is brought to magnificent life by eleven recent graduates of Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi’s dance theatre program. The performance spans the entire complex as actors move across balconies, courtyards, terraces, and mirrored rooms. By combining contemporary theories with poetry, music, and film, “Through Walls of Mist” explores the nuances of the Italian language with films projected onto walls, numbers performed by men in suits, and dancers puppeteering strings over the balconies. For over two decades Fondazione Prada has been staging art exhibitions both at its complex in Largo Isarco, southern Milan, and in abandoned or defunct buildings and public spaces in the surrounding area. The installation is the brainchild of Billy Cowie, a Scottish choreographer, musician, artist, and writer, who is known for his stereoscopic performances and video installations. The title refers to the poem “Sei es So (Let it Be)” by German poet Silke Mansholt, who was both the visual designer and co-author of the production.
Clips of the performances can be viewed on Fondazione Prada’s official Instagram account now.
Prada brings couture to the masses with the newest iteration of its Made to Order project, the Prada Micro Soles program. Arriving at the brand’s 5th Avenue location on September 16th, 2016, the service takes on its first menswear shoe with a classic lace-up shape, customizable with a series of colors, materials, and sole options.
Available in 10 different styles, the Micro Soles also include an additional choice to add a textured band and personalized gold monogram on the insole, making each pair completely unique to every customer. The program is not unlike similar ventures from Gucci and Nike x Kith, wherein the customer has the opportunity to customize the product while still remaining within the context of the brand.
The Prada Micro Soles program will remain at the 5th Ave location until September 22nd, moving to Prada’s Broadway location from September 29th to October 2nd before traveling elsewhere around the country.
Church’s range of classic shoes and evolving taste is once again introduced in its 450 collection of summer appropriate styles. Along with a brand new feather stamped interior, the weight of each sole has been reduced from 540 grams to 450 for a more comfortable step. From selections of leather to “Goodyear” construction methods, it takes up to eight weeks to craft a single pair, emphasizing the British brand’s dedication to artisanal quality, which has remained a constant force since the 1880s.
Following his “dis dressed” and “dis dressed epilogue” projects, Willy Vanderperre releases a new series of exclusive images photographed behind the scenes of Prada‘s Autumn/Winter 2016 runway show titled “Dis Dressed Redux.” Miuccia Prada’s individualistic approach is portrayed in the season’s narration of the then and now; an attempt to teach the fusion of fashion and culture through the layering of pieces in color collage and prints with bits of ’50s edge, nautical elements, and military detail. Focusing on the spirit of each look, overtop black and white backgrounds, Vanderperre adds to the intensity of Prada’s complex aesthetic universe in a style that follows his own preoccupation with youth—a motif that can also be seen through the photographer’s previous collaborations with Raf Simons, Dior Homme, and Jil Sander.
Quietly perverting the line between spectator and participant, Prada blended roles of observation in the fashion house’s Men’s and Women’s Autumn/Winter 2016 runway show. A theatrical question of whose the actual star of the narrative, the pieces seen—deconstructed button-downs ready to bolt and extravagant outerwear—viewed a collaboration with French artist Christophe Chemin.
Continuing to be inspired by the unique art of cinema, fashion house Prada looks to three promising actors—Matthew Beard, Billy Howle, and Logan Lerman—in a high-contrast, portrait-esque series by noted photographer Craig McDean for Spring/Summer 2016.
Image: Delfino Sisto Legnani, courtesy of Fondazione Prada.
Eternally dedicated to contemporary art and culture, Milan’s Fondazione Prada presents an anthological exhibition devoted to Gianni Piacentino—an artist who emerged in Italy after World War II—from now until January 10th, 2016.
Image: Delfino Sisto Legnani, courtesy of Fondazione Prada.
Curated by Germano Celant, the solo show comprises more than 90 works, and is hosted on the two levels of the Podium, the building at the center of the Fondazione’s architectural compound. Combining two of the dominant tendencies of his early career, Pop art and Minimal art, the artist turned to the world of velocity and transportation, including cars, motorcycles, and planes, all products of pop culture. The ground floor of the Podium has a selection of works realized from 2015 back to the early 1970s, and the upper floor, divided into two separate longitudinal spaces, focuses on the dawn of Piacentino’s career, from 1968 to 1965.
Image: Delfino Sisto Legnani, courtesy of Fondazione Prada.
The exhibition is completed by a publication edited by Celant and published by the art institution.
Following its acquisition by the PRADA group last year, the famous 19th century pastry shop Pasticceria Marchesi has found a shiny new home in its just-opened flagship in via Monte Napoleone, Milan. Designed by architect and frequent Prada collaborator Roberto Baciocchi, the new locations carries the charm of 191-year-old café while also introducing an air of refinement. The entryway’s marble walls echo elements of traditional Milanese decor, as do subtle details like the marble-topped, cherry wood bar, mirror-backed shelfs reflecting classical aperitifs, and curved glass display cases.
Image: Prada.
Image: Prada.
The new shop also allows for a larger audience with two intimate seating rooms painted in hues of green with touches of soft velvet and spicy floral jacquard.
Image: Prada.
Image: Prada.
With pastries baked daily on the premises, and a new hint of modernity, Marchesi, one of Italy’s most iconic eateries, is ready to serve.
Pasticceria Marchesi is open now in via Monte Napoleone, 9, Milan, Italy.
Michael Shannon, Future, Boyd Holbrook, Xavier Dolan, and Shiloh Fernandez star on Essential Homme‘s special five year, five cover August/September 2015 issue.
Image: Essential Homme.
MOST WANTED (pg. 34) features ten must-snag men’s bags from Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane’s Americana silver backpack to a.testoni’s dazzling briefcase. CODE OF CONDUCT (pg. 44) showcases a poised military feeling shared by designers everywhere this season.
Image: Essential Homme.
In NEW ARRIVALS (pg. 56), the latest product collaborations and launches are featured, including Alexander McQueen’s slogan-touting leather goods, 3.1 Phillip Lim’s tin-armored ten-year capsule collection, Cadillac’s collection curated by Nick Wooster, Prada’s street-wear inspired backpacks, and more. SCENE (pg.64) invites you through the best bashes of Fashion Month Spring/Summer 2016.
Image: 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Image: PLAC.
Image: Gucci.
Image: Dior Homme.
Image: KENZO.
Image: YARD.
Selected features include:
CHANGING ACT (pg.70) Recast everyday staples in uncommon roles for a seasonal style shift that is sartorial without any stiffness, featuring FENDI, Tommy Hilfiger, Brioni, KENZO, and many more.
Image: Essential Homme.
GREEN LIGHT (pg. 81) A dominant color of vitality, green flourished across all the Autumn/Winter 2015 runways in various breeds of mighty military and elegant moss.
SON OF A GUN (pg. 84) The boy that couldn’t help it, he said with a dopey grin, peeking out through that filthy rearview mirror, refusing to turn back in Moschino, J.W Anderson, Bottega Veneta, ETRO, and many more.
Image: Essential Homme.
CONVERSATIONS (pg. 98) Maserati CEO Harald Wester and president of the Ermenegildo Zegna group Paolo Zegna reminisce over their ambitious road traveled together.
SUBVERTING THE SUIT (pg. 102) The sweet sincerity of contemporary designer Christopher Shannon.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL REBELLION (pg. 106) Sculptor and Painter Nick Van Woert and the art of the new.
A MAN’S WORLD (pg. 110) CFDA head Steven Kolb reflects on New York’s first menswear week in over a decade.
Image: Christopher Shannon.
Image: Vincent Dilio.
HIGH FIVE (pg. 114) From 26-year-old movie mastermind Xavier Dolan, currently working on his seventh feature, to Boyd Holbrook, star of Netflix’s “Narcos,” we turned to a team of five men that not only campaign a distinct style but that are also champions in their lives to cover the August/September issue of Essential Homme. Singer songwriter, rapper, and producer Future, supporting actor turned leading man and Prada star Michael Shannon, and the fresh faced Shiloh Fernandez complete the booming batch, who, together, are stealing all the scenes of 2015.
About ESSENTIAL HOMME magazine: ESSENTIAL HOMME is a US-based bi-monthly style source for affluent, successful, and fashion-forward men who are passionate about high quality, high-end luxury fashion. The magazine has a specifically-targeted audience of 133,225, 10% of which is distributed internationally, and is available in all major cities globally. ESSENTIAL HOMME has been published since 2010, and past coverstars include the likes of Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, Adrian Grenier, Tinashe, Dean and Dan Caten, Daniel Radcliffe, Future, Hugh Dancy, Theophilus London, Sullivan Stapleton, Kellan Lutz, and Ian Somerhalder.
Styles and wardrobes change with the seasons; why should your cologne be any different? As the summer scorches on, it’s high-time to ditch those heavy winter musks and adopt a lighter, more refreshing scent suitable to backyard barbecues and afternoons sitting poolside. With Armani, Tom Ford, and everyone in between releasing brand new summer fragrances, here is a compilation of the very best this season has to offer.
1. Venetian Bergamot, Tom Ford
Image: Tom Ford.
A scent that revolves entirely around its namesake Prince of Citrus, Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot is a spicily masculine combination of Venetian Bergamot – Italy’s famous southern orange citrus – dotted with notes of Chinese magnolia and ginger essence. At first spritz, the eau du parfum is a fiery sting of black and pink peppercorn that, over time, gives way to a pleasant magnolia and gardenia accord to provide an inviting warmth to a cashmere undertone. Inspired by the sensuality of Venice, Tom Ford’s latest is a striking ode to love – bottled up in the famous Ford chess piece packaging – from the Mediterranean’s famous City of Water.
A global hallmark of luxury, Prada moves to Maui, Hawaii to conquer a new domain in fashion. The fifth in the state, the new store is located within the prestigious The Shops at Wailea mall, joining its wondrous luxury section that carries the likes of Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and more.
Image: Prada.
Image: Prada.
The construction of the space was executed by none other than architect Roberto Baciocchi, whose relationship with the label dates back to 1982, and has been responsible for all the commercial and corporate spaces for Prada Group brands—including Prada, Miu Miu, Church’s, and Car Shoes—since. Knowing all too well the aesthetic philosophy of the fashion house after decades of partnership, Baciocchi yet again creates a space that is unmistakably Prada. Boasting a succession of individualistic rooms, the space dedicated to men’s collections adopts the green fabric-clad walls with precious steel and crystal display cases as an innovative reinterpretation of the label’s iconic display niches. Polished steel and crystal displays run alongside the sumptuous details of the brand’s signature black-and-white marble, while colored saffiano leather and green velvet sofas finish the luxurious space that successfully reflects the fine goods that sit inside.
