IWC Schaffhausen and Boultbee Flight Academy are delighted to announce that the restoration of the “Silver Spitfire” is complete. The unique surface of polished aluminium highlights the iconic silhouette of the British aircraft in a way never seen before. The “Silver Spitfire”, with the new G-IRTY registration, has been taking off for flight tests this month, before embarking on an unprecedented flight around the world in August.

The ambitious goal of “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” is to circumnavigate the world in a Spitfire. IWC is supporting Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones with their expedition as official time keeper and main partner. Never before in the history of aviation has the legendary British aircraft embarked on such a long and arduous journey. The two British pilots, and founders of Boultbee Flight Academy, will fly the propeller-driven aeroplane around the world, covering a distance of over 43,000 kilometres and visiting some 30 countries on their way.

“The final result is simply breathtaking. Thanks to the shiny surface of polished aluminium, the beautiful silhouette of this iconic aircraft – with the unmistakable elliptical wings – is visible in its purest form. I am looking forward to the test flights and the start of this unique adventure,” says,Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

The original Supermarine Spitfire MX.IX, with the historic registration MJ.271, was built in Castle Bromwich back in 1943. Around 15 specialised engineers from Duxford’s Aircraft Restoration Company have worked tirelessly over the past two years, and at long last, the complex restoration programme is complete.

Rome, June 24, 2019 – Fendi pays homage to Karl Lagerfeld and strengthens once again its deep and long-lasting bond with Rome, choosing its hometown for the presentation of the Couture Fall/Winter 2019-2020 show. 
The Collection, named “The Dawn of Romanity” will showcase 54 looks – number dedicated to the years of tenure of Karl Lagerfeld at the Maison – embodying unparalleled tradition and new creative horizons. 
In the Eternal City, on July 4, 2019, the Roman Luxury House will stage an extraordinary event at the Palatine Hill, where the legendary foundation of the city is located, as the brand celebrates its relationship with the Eternal City and renews its commitment by supporting and executing the restoration and enhancement work aimed at the protection and fruition of the Temple of Venus and Rome, financed by the Maison for € 2.5 million. 

“Bringing our couture to Rome is the best way to celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Fendi and its city, a unique opportunity to express our roots, bold creativity and the highest savoir faire, which have always been part of the House’s DNA. The Palatino Hill is a magical place, perfectly representing the values of Fendi its tradition and its history. I am also very proud of the restoration of the Temple of Venus and Rome, thus continuing to support cultural heritage, not only of Rome and Italy, but of the whole world,” says Serge Brunschwig, Chairman and CEO of Fendi.

Beginning 2019 the world lost a legendary fashion icon, designer, and Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld. Remembering him were colleagues, friends, celebrities, royalty, and admirers gathered at Grand Palais in Paris, where Karl Lagerfeld held many of his magnificent shows to honor his memory with a grand celebration.

Celebrating the artist’s life, legacy and his unprecedented creativity, which expanded beyond fashion to present “Karl For Ever,” which was organized by Fendi, Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld’s own label, with opera and theater director Robert Carsen as the director and head designer of the tribute.

Tilda Swinton and Cara Delevingne read poems, Helen Mirren read excerpts from Lagerfeld’s book of quotes The World According to Karl with assistance from violinist Charlie Siem, Pharrell and pianist Lang Lang performed musical numbers, and there were also a couple of dance numbers at the event as well. Other notable attendees include Gigi Hadid, designers Valentino Garavani, Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

As Lagerfeld has made his post-mortem plans clear. He didn’t want a funeral, which is why the memorial was made to be a joyous occasion. He also wished to have his ashes mixed with his mother’s, as well as with his late partner, Jacques de Bascher’s.

Milan, June 2019 – On the occasion of #worldenvironmentday, Gucci has unveiled a dedicated version of the digital EP&L(Environment Profit & Loss) accessible on Gucci Equilibrium. The first brand in the Group to adopt Kering’s original digital EP&L through a customized version on Equilibrium.Gucci.com.

This new entertaining and interactive way to assess a brand’s footprint visually via an open source platform will create a new generation of sustainability tools that give greater transparency and insight into the link between fashion and the environment.

By detailing its own sustainability progress, all of which is covered in full on its ground-breaking Gucci Equilibrium portal, Gucci is seeking to drive positive social and environmental change.

Gucci’s Culture of Purpose 10-year Sustainability Strategy including reducing its environmental footprint by16% in the last 3 years, without having yet applied any disruptive technology but by simply looking at the sustainable sourcing and use of raw materials, and energy consumption, among others.

Some of the most significant initiatives include:

• GUCCI UP: a circular-economy initiative focused on the up-cycling of scraps of leather and textiles generated during the production process. In 2018 alone, as a result of partnering and cooperating with many non-profit organizations, Gucci has been able to reuse around 11 tons of leather scraps.

• SCRAPLESS: In 2018, 8 tanneries took part in the project and adopted this optimization process, doubling last year’s savings and achieving a reduction in leather waste by 66 tons.

• GREEN ENERGY: we have increased by 146% our use of green energy since 2016 and therefore reduced significantly our CO2 emissions, including steadily reducing the energy consumption across all of our stores.

• METAL: Currently, 66% of palladium coating used for our metal accessories is recycled and traceable.

Recently, Gucci announced its collaboration with director Harmony Korine for a new limited-edition publication. The book, Gucci by Harmony Korine, shot by the American film director, artist and screenwriter, showcases imagery of the Pre-Fall 2019 collection by Creative Director Alessandro Michele. The images were taken in the historic, ancient towns of Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Pompei (Pompeii), in the Campania region of southern Italy.

The limited-edition book features a front cover and back cover illustrated by Korine. The spines of the books are designed so that, when displayed next to one another, five of the publications form an image. Each book comes in a special slipcase, also decorated with imagery drawn by Korine.

Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Pompei (Pompeii), the two ancient Roman towns, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which feature in the images of the special book, were selected as locations for Korine’s work by Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele, who strongly believes that the past is essential for our understanding and envisioning of the future, and thus should not be forgotten or neglected.

This new project continues Gucci’s commitment to promoting artistic and cultural heritage across the world. The latest chapter in the House’s restoration and conservation initiatives includes partnerships with the Dia-Art Foundation in New York City, the Cloisters at Westminster Abbey in London, the Palatine Gallery in Florence’s Palazzo Pitti, the archaeological park of Selinunte in Sicily and the Tarpeian Rock (Rupe Tarpea) on the southern side of the Campidoglio in Rome.

Gucci would like to thank the following for their help: Francesco Sirano, Director of the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum; Alfonsina Russo and Professor Massimo Osanna, Directors of the Archaeological Park of Pompei; and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Italy).

Image shot in Herculaneum & Pompeii, Courtesy of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities – Archaeological Park of Herculaneum & Pompeii

Paige Powell came to New York from Portland, Oregon in 1980 wanting to do something that was indigenous to the city, with the mission to work either for Woody Allen or at Interview Magazine. Paige’s quirky demeanor and naiveté landed her a job selling advertising space for Interview Magazine. She quickly became a fixture in the downtown art scene, a close confidante of Andy Warhol and a member of his inner circle, including the likes of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, whom she dated. Camera in hand, Paige photographed the everyday activities around her, capturing the most profound moments of art, culture and nightlife that were happening near the end of the 20th Century.

Published by Dashwood and brought to life by Gucci, Paige Powell is a hardcover limited edition book series highlighting three different aspects of her work and the cultural significance that was happening everywhere in New York from Harlem to the East Village to SoHo in the 1980s. Art-directed by Nathanial Kilcer and edited by Kim Hastreiter, the series explores: Beulah Land, a visual diary installation that Paige created in 1984 for an art space, bar and lounge called Beulah Land on Avenue A and 10th Street in the East Village; Animals, a theme close to Paige’s heart as an animal activist; Artists Eating, a subject that Paige documented extensively; plus Paige Powell, an accompanying book about the photographer and her life. The books feature Paige’s rare and never-before-seen images of: David Bowie, Leo Castelli, Alba Clemente, George Condo, Bill Cunningham, Edit DeAk, Jeffrey Deitch, Matt Dillion, Fab 5 Freddy, Vincent Gallo, Jerry Hall, Susan Hannaford, Debbie Harry, Tama Janowitz, David LaChapelle, Thomas M. Lauderdale, Madonna, Robert Mapplethorpe, Glenn O’Brien, Ed Ruscha, Gus Van Sant, Kenny Scharf, Julian Schnabel, Stephen Sprouse and more.

In celebration of the book set’s debut in April, Paige will take over the Gucci ArtWalls in New York (on Lafayette Street in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood) and London (just off East London’s famous Brick Lane).

Additionally, Paige will recreate her original 1984 installation from Beulah Land in the East Village at Gucci Wooster, a destination for creativity and innovation. The four books will be sold as a hardcover set at Gucci Wooster, Gucci Garden in Florence and through Dashwood Books, priced at $295 USD or €260.

Dubai celebrated the launch of the world’s first Ready Couture store 1422, at City Walk,  a new building dedicated for luxury shopping, custom made fashion and lifestyle experience; and a venue that will become a designer’s acceleration hub.

“1422 stands for the AFC’s slogan, 1 Council for 22 Arab Countries: says Jacob Abrian the founder and CEO of the AFC. We are proud to shine the spotlight on the region’s strength in setting up new landmarks, terms, and concepts for the world to follow. 1422 is a DUBAI grown initiative which confirms the unprecedented business opportunities that Dubai offers to investors”.

1422 is a tribute to the life of the Arab Women that are globally known for their sophisticated elegance, knowledge and admiration for luxury living, uniqueness, exclusivity, and taste. The story is reflected in the interior Architecture of the space. It enables guests to live a journey through its impressive artistic walls of Dubai designed on its façade.

“1422 is our gift to every woman. Customers will discover not only couture evening gowns, ready-to-wear, design, selected art, accessories, cosmetics, niche perfume, and high-tech gadgets but also the tailor-made recipes at the world’s first Sayidaty Cafe and selected books at the Maison Assouline Library. Thanks to its design and tech incorporation space transform itself into a stage to host a full-fledged fashion week to showcase designers coming from across the globe. 1422 will also become the official stage for the Arab Fashion Week where the client can shop directly from the runway which validated the efficiency of See Now; Buy Now”.

The 40 Million Dirhams project will also be the Arab Fashion Council’s headquarters which will be open to designers in order to support them in achieving their business goals aiming to accelerate their growth and boosting the creative economy.

Milan-based graphic designer Domenico De Monte is the winner of the KASHISH International Poster Design Contest. The winner was picked from Indian and international design submissions by one of India’s top fashion designers Wendell Rodricks.

The winning design will become the look of the 10th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival – South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival. The festival will be held between June 12-June 16, 2019 at two of city’s iconic theaters – Liberty Carnival Cinemas and Metro INOX. De Monte, the first international designer to win in the history of the poster contest, will receive a cash prize of Rs 25,000 instituted by Rodricks.

“In an age of over design, it is heartening to see a design that celebrates a 10-year milestone with a graphic that hits all the right notes for the somewhere ‘Over the Rainbow’ theme for KASHISH 2019. Using the rainbow to fill up the poster and in the detail: the rainbow extends to the words as well. That detail is brilliant. I wish the winner and the organizers of the festival congratulations and wishes for well-deserved success,” said Wendell Rodricks.

This year the poster contest received over 50 submissions from around the world. The cinema posters of the 1970s was an inspiration while making the winning design, said De Monte, a graphic designer from Milan, Italy. “The theme ‘Over the Rainbow” together with the fact that it was the 10th edition of the festival gave me the idea to work on the rainbow shape to create a texture. The number 10 springs using the colors of LGBT culture without being banal. The sharp areas and flat colours reflect my intention to keep the artwork simple and sincere, as the message of the festival that aims to fight for a fairer society that gives everyone the right and the freedom to affirm their gender identity. I decided to frame the illustration with the typical style of cinema posters from the 70s,” said Domenico De Monte.

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a global not-for-profit organisation, is the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. Last year, they provided training on more sustainable agricultural practices to 1.6 million farmers from 23 countries. Better Cotton which accounts for 30% of global cotton production, is encompassing organizations all the way from farms to fashion and textile brands to civil society organisations, driving the cotton sector towards sustainability.

In 2018, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) experienced a historic level of uptake as 93 Retailer and Brand Members sourced more than one million metric tonnes of Better Cotton, to make approximately 1.5 billion pairs of jeans.

A member that has illustrated how to scale uptake of Better Cotton rapidly is Gap Inc. The retailer joined BCI in 2016 and is now among the top five BCI Retailer and Brand Members based on total Better Cotton sourcing volumes. “Better Cotton sourcing is an important part of Gap Inc.’s sustainability strategy. We have been able to leverage our scale across our portfolio of brands to accelerate sourcing of Better Cotton in a relatively short time,” said Agata Smeets, Director, Sustainability Sourcing Strategy at Gap Inc.

Better Cotton uptake increased 45% on the previous year, and at the end of 2018, retailer and brand member sourcing of Better Cotton accounted for 4% of global cotton consumption. By integrating Better Cotton into their sustainable sourcing strategies and increasing sourcing commitments year-on-year, BCI’s Retailer and Brand Members like Gap, Adidas and H&M are driving demand for more sustainable cotton production worldwide. 

BCI’s demand-driven funding model means that retailer and brand sourcing of Better Cotton directly translates into increased investment in training for cotton farmers on more sustainable practices. For example, in the 2017-18 cotton season, BCI Retailer and Brand Members, public donors and IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative) contributed more than €6.4 million, enabling more than 1 million farmers across China, India, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Senegal to receive support and training.

Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation collaborated with the Fashion Design Council of India to advocate for a child-labour free supply chain in the Indian garment and textile industry. The campaign #NotMadeByChildren aims to equip home grown designers with leadership opportunity to positively impact the society by doing their bit for a child-labour free India.

The campaign between FDCI and the foundation was jointly announced on the first day at India Fashion Week in the presence of Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and FDCI President Mr. Sunil Sethi. The event saw 15 key designers stand together and take the pledge, “I pledge to manufacture garments that are Not Made By Children. This is my contribution to make a child-labour free India.”

The participating designers included Namrata Joshipura, Anjana Bhargav, Amit Vijaya & Richard Pandav (AmRich), Priyadarshini Rao, Anju Modi, Gautam Rakha (from Rabani & Rakha), Charu Parashar, Pankaj Ahuja (from Pankaj & Nidhi), Paras Bairoliya (from Geisha Designs), Rahul Mishra, Reynu Tandon, Rina Dhaka, Samant Chauhan and Varun Bahl.

Speaking on the occasion, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi says, ‘Fashion can attain its higher purpose by blending culture, creativity and compassion. ‘Not made by children’ is an opportunity through which designers, brands and consumers will be able to enhance the inner and outer beauty of the world.’

The garment and textile industry is one of the largest employer in India. Child labour can be found at different layers in the supply chain, and the clear majority of them is concentrated in the value-addition handwork segment of the supply chain. One of the most controversial sectors that thrive on child labour is sequins or zari work, intricate embroidery. Approximate reports have indicated a possible figure as high as 100,000 in Delhi and neighbouring areas. Children in these workshops are mainly brought from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.