Introducing the Merc x Gibson Capsule Collection
Sonic the Hedgehog Sakura Range Blossoms
Zyler Wins Virtual Fitting Room Innovation of the Year at RetailTech Breakthrough Awards
Milan Fashion Week Audience Blown Away By YOSHIKI's High Fashion Brand: MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS
Anthropics Launches Zyler Virtual Try-On for Menswear Transforming the Future of Online Shopping
Zyler Virtual Try-On Drives Sales on John Lewis Fashion Rental
John Lewis Fashion Rental Debuts AI-Powered Virtual Try-On Zyler
Zyler Go AI Virtual Clothing Try-On Plugin Launched
Larusmiani Introduces Virtual Try-On Technology Zyler in Milan Store
The Mills Fabrica portfolio company Circ partners with Zara to launch a first-of-its kind collection made using recycled polycotton blended textiles
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Rihanna, Ariana Debose and Halle Bailey Shine in De Beers Jewellers at The 95th Academy Awards
De Beers natural and responsibly sourced diamonds shined on Rihanna, Ariana DeBose and Halle Bailey at the 95th annual Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, honouring the finest achievements of film. Rihanna, dripping in layers of classic diamond pieces, dazzled during her performance of her Oscar nominated song "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Ariana DeBose, who presented the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role after her historic 2022 win, was radiant in edgy diamond ear climbers. Halle Bailey shined in a diamond necklace from De Beers' The Alchemist of Light High Jewellery collection featuring a 20.57 carat diamond as she proudly debuted a new trailer for her highly anticipated live action version of The Little Mermaid.
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Introducing Realistic Virtual AI Clothing Fitting Technology
Anthropics Technology presents Zyler - AI-powered virtual fitting technology for shoppers and retailers that allows customers to try on hundreds of outfits quickly and easily on a smartphone, desktop or in store. A selfie and a few measurements are all that is needed. Simple and fun, Zyler transforms customers' shopping experience, creating a virtual fitting room. Customers can discover their style and fit remotely. Zyler’s patented technology uniquely produces personal results. [Shoppers] can use technology on their phone, desktop and in-store try on clothes from hundreds of brands or a certain brand find the best fit and style save time shopping [Fashion brands and retail] improve shoppers' experience increase intent to purchase and sale conversion increase social media shares improve brand engagement minimize returns Try On Displays, Catalogue and Product Style Discovery, Sales Assistant Helper, and a Quick Try-On Scanner are some of the solutions Zyler enables shoppers to try on clothing in a variety of styles right on their phones or desktops, before making a purchase. Users test different outfits on themselves virtually - to see what suits them, to find their style, and to save time shopping - uniquely, all with their own shape and size taken into account. With a large proportion of clothing purchases and sales made online now, consumers and retailers can enhance their shopping experience by using Zyler. Zyler’s patented technology, based on the latest cutting-edge research, has precision and accuracy down to the hips, legs, waist, chest, arms, and even shoulder and head measurements. Clothing details from the original image (e.g. texture, colour, hem, or sleeve length) as well as facial features, skin tone, body shape, and overall fit are uniquely taken into account for a realistic try-on experience. Shoppers can try on hundreds of outfits - from casual wear to evening gowns and wedding dresses. These features have not been seen in virtual try-on technology before. Zyler is the most realistic clothing try-on solution to date, utilizing state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence. CEO of Anthropics, Alexander Berend, leading the development of the product, says: "Zyler continues to evolve and succeed in enriching the ecommerce industry". Try-On Displays, Catalogue and Product Style Discovery, Sales Assistant Helper, and a Quick Try-On Scanner are some of the other uses of the technology.
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Billy Reid and Gibson Launch Hummingbird-Inspired Capsule Collection
Alabama-based fashion designer, Billy Reid is excited to announce a partnership with the iconic, American, Nashville-based instrument brand, Gibson, for an exclusive capsule collection. The capsule is Gibson’s first collaboration with a fashion designer and is inspired by the iconic Hummingbird guitar, favored by such musicians as Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Thom Yorke, and Lenny Kravitz. Billy, an accomplished guitar player himself, researched the various incarnations of the signature Hummingbird pickguard artwork and worked with the Gibson team to create an original design, which he calls the “Kissing Hummingbirds.” The “Kissing Hummingbirds” design is featured throughout the collection of limited-edition Billy Reid styles and Gibson guitar accessories and symbolizes the two treasured brands coming together to create a timeless collaboration. The Billy Reid x Gibson Hummingbird Collection campaign features singer-songwriter musicians and Gibson artists Margo Price, Abraham Alexander, and Aaron Lee Tasjan. Explore the Billy Reid x Gibson Hummingbird Collection photos below. “From the influence of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to our Shindig performances, music has been at the core of the Billy Reid brand since the very beginning. I’m a big Gibson Hummingbird fan and the picture of the iconic pickguard has been on our inspiration board for many years. Collaborations like this are some are of the coolest things we get to do,” says Reid. The Billy Reid x Gibson collection is comprised of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear as well as guitar accessories. The men’s collection includes a leather café racer jacket, western style shirting, sweater, sweatshirt, and t-shirt along with select accessories. The women’s collection includes a Hummingbird midi-dress, cardigan, bandana tunic dress, and a women’s mohair winter coat will be coming this fall. Guitar accessories will include a guitar strap, and picks, all decorated with the exclusive Hummingbird print. “Music culture has always been synonymous with individual style and authentic expression,” says James “JC” Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson Brands. “Our Gibson artists Margo Price, Abraham Alexander, and Aaron Lee Tasjan naturally embody the timeless, and edgy aesthetic of the new Hummingbird collection. The opportunity to combine the iconic Gibson Hummingbird vibe into a lifestyle collaboration with Billy Reid is exciting for us, but even more exciting for our fans.” The Billy Reid x Gibson Hummingbird Collection retails from $68 to $1,498 and will be sold at select Billy Reid retail stores and at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, as well as online at www.BillyReid.com and on www.Gibson.com
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Introducing The Outlierman X 24 Heures du Mans Silk Capsule Collection
The Outlierman, makers of handcrafted luxury driving accessories, can today reveal their new silk capsule collection, following their recent announcement of a three-year collaboration with the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, lasting until 2025, in a deal brokered by IMG. A prestigious partnership Celebrating the key moments of one of the world’s most iconic races, The Outlierman will design a series of limited-edition capsule collections that tell the story of France's most renowned race through ever-changing and collectible patterns, colours, designs and inspirations. Joining the three recently launched driving glove models, inspired by three iconic stretches of the Circuit de la Sarthe (Mulsanne, Arnage, Tertre Rouge), The Outlierman has designed and handcrafted a silk scarf, ties and pocket squares – each with exclusive designs that exudes the passion for driving which symbolises the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Circuit 24 Heures du Mans silk scarf The Circuit 24 Heures du Mans silk scarf is traversed by the sinuous lines of a racetrack through day and night, just like the drivers competing on the Circuit de la Sarthe. The scarf design incorporates the circuit’s symbols that have made the 24 Hours of Le Mans unique and unmistakable, such as the famous “Le Mans-style” start, the passage under the Dunlop Bridge, the checkered flag, the iconic Ferris wheel and the historic 4 p.m. start. The style of the illustrations harks back to the posters and race communications in vogue, during the 50s and 60s, enhancing the historical and evocative flavour of the pattern. Enthusiasts will easily recognise the great winners of the ‘50s-‘60s editions on the design, including the Ferrari 375 Plus (1954), Aston Martin DBR1 (1959), Jaguar D-Type (1957), Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (1952), Jaguar C-Type (1953). Finally, one of the symbols of historical racing - the checkered flag pattern - runs along the edges of the scarf, simulating the starting grid and enhancing the composition's sporty DNA. The 24 Hours of Le Mans ties – ‘Daytime’ and ‘Nighttime’ A design inspired by the day; a design dedicated to the night - that's the idea behind the two ties that celebrate the two faces of a race in which time is the drivers' worst opponent. In both ties, the black and white checkered motif becomes a background element, creating an elegant pattern from a symbol of sporty adrenaline. The ‘Daytime’ design is a tribute to the historic “Le Mans-style” start, depicted with a driver running to his car ready to go. The tie boats a sky-blue colour, while a stopwatch and the two flags announcing the start, stand out on the tail. Meanwhile, the ‘Nighttime’ design has a dynamic and magnetic pattern created by the endless repetition of the night passage under the Dunlop Bridge. The detail of the headlights turned on at night and the moon illustrated on the tail shed light on one of the most difficult passages of the race. The pocket squares The Outlierman have carefully designed two patterns to adorn the pocket of a Gentleman Driver's jacket, with an iconic and evocative style inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Their talented designers have created an original two-quarter pattern that multiplies the opportunities for pairing with different outfits, thanks to the co-presence of two designs – ‘Daytime’ and ‘Nighttime’ – with different patterns and colour palettes. This also allows for pairing with a ‘Daytime’ or ‘Nighttime’ tie. Gentlemen have another design option by The Outlierman, Circuit 24 Heures du Mans, matching the silk scarf pattern featuring the celebration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans - including the Dunlop bridge, checkered start and Ferris wheel - touching on the race's most iconic symbols. This pocket square is slightly larger than the ‘Daytime’ and ‘Nighttime’ combination, at 45cm X 45cm, to maximise the beauty of an incredibly distinctive design. A classic collaboration Chosen for their exquisite luxury handcrafted driving accessories and the stylistic know-how that has been built over time, The Outlierman will design and produce multiple limited-edition capsule licensed collections inspired by the most emblematic moments and symbols of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, including luxury driving gloves, ties, pocket squares, silk & cashmere scarves, leather helmet bags, wallets and swim shorts. The 24 hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active endurance race event and has been running since 1923. Andrea Mazzuca, Founder of The Outlierman, comments: “My team and I at The Outlierman are proud to reveal the first set of products in the 24 Hours of Le Mans silk capsule collection, which sit alongside the three driving glove models we recently released - Arnage, Mulsanne and Tertre. “Each design is created by The Outlierman’s Bologna-based designers, after an in-depth study of the history of the race, focusing on the iconic places, moments, protagonists and colours of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, elegantly stylised and harmonised to become beautiful patterns to wear.” Translating the competitiveness, great feats, and cutting-edge technologies of the 24 Hours of Le Mans into silk designs and leather accessories will be, as always, down to The Outlierman’s talented Bologna-based designers. They have an incredible ability to synthesise epic tales and archival photos into evocative designs that speak of passion for driving. Meanwhile, all products in the capsule collection are manufactured entirely by hand, by skilled silk artisans, near Lake Como, which is among the most prestigious and historic silk districts in Italy. All creations feature the official logo of the 24 Hours of Le Mans to characterise limited edition collectible products. The 24 Hours of Le Mans license sits alongside The Outlierman’s esteemed current and past collaborations, including the likes of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Pagani and MINI John Cooper Works. 100% handmade in Italy The Outlierman company was formed with a mission to handcraft a range of accessories inspired by the breath-taking beauty, supreme quality, and timeless appeal of the world's most iconic cars. The 24 Hours of Le Mans license sits alongside their current and past collaborations with Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Pagani and MINI. The latest Outlierman products can be found here. https://www.theoutlierman.com/
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Osi Body Fit Launches A New Clothing Line
The team at Osi Body Fit, led by Osnat Leeb, has reiterated their relentlessness in helping as many people as possible across the globe to stay fit and healthy as the fitness studio recently announced the launch of its new clothing line. Osi Body Fit is offering different categories of products, including comfortable, quality activewear for women as well as accessories to make every second in the gym enjoyable and rewarding. It has become imperative for people, irrespective of gender or age group to be as active as possible. In a related development, there has been a steady increase in the demand for fitness solutions, with the women’s activewear market remaining one of the major beneficiaries of the phenomenon, contributing significantly to the global multi-billion-dollar fitness industry. However, many of the available products do not effectively address the concerns of consumers, which is where Osnat aims to make a difference with the launch of the Osi Body Fit clothing line. Osi Body Fit offers a fantastic blend of functionality and style, delivering products that inspire more women to hit the gym and get what they have always wanted. The Las Vegas-based brand has launched the clothing line, with a collection that features different categories of products. Osi Body Fit offers Active Cozy bottoms and tops, Active Fit tops and bottoms, and Active Runner tops and bottoms. There are also Half zip Active hoodie, Active Zipper tops, and a host of others, all made with quality fabrics and delivered in designs that enhances easy movement and a better experience running, jogging, or other similar activities. Osnat Leeb, a certified fitness instructor and health coach leverages her wealth of knowledge and experience in creating each piece, working with a team of highly dedicated and passionate professionals using the latest technologies in the industry. For further information about the newly launched clothing line and other innovative fitness solutions from Osi Body Fit, visit – www.osibodyfit.com/. The campaign for a healthy body also continues across social media, including Instagram and Facebook.
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Cartier Unveils a Re-imagined Retail Experience in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport
Cartier has emerged stronger than ever in its pursuit to cater to new travelers’ wants and needs, showing renewed commitment with their trusted partner - King Power International to accelerate the Maison’s presence in major airports. Unwavering in its dedication to elevating client experience, Cartier introduces its latest airport boutique concept at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. With this refined and impactful architectural statement, the Maison writes another bold chapter in its story as a distinctive brand within travel retail. From feminine to masculine universes, a well-defined product zoning integrates seamlessly different product categories to create a fluid customer journey. A subtle combination of Cartier codes and local colors evoke an elegant and grandiose boutique, equipped with fine details to enhance the mood of travel, including drawer pull handles resembling luggage handles. A dedicated ‘‘icon bar’ is also incorporated, where shoppers with limited time at the airport can easily access the Maison’s signature creations. To give a sense of place, local elements are infused into each boutique concept to deliver singular experiences to travelers. - A Contemporary Narration of a Classical History at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok Since a blossoming partnership in 2004 with King Power International Company, Cartier’s boutique at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok has gone from strength to strength. Strategically located at the gateway after customs clearance, its present location was a result of a move on March 1st 2022. Tradition meets modernity with an unmissable 40-meter façade, complete with two wide entrances to create fluid customer flow. The interiors are subtle and Cartier adds its signature touches to create a warm and inviting space with well-defined and integrated product zoning, creating quintessentially Cartier. Most notably, the boutique is the first in the Southeast Asia & Oceania region to enchant the senses with its full range of jewelry and watches under the Maison's female, male and unisex product offerings. “With Cartier, our longstanding partner, we proudly introduce the reinvigorated boutique at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which enables us to initiate contemporary conversations with clients as we continue to uphold our tradition of service in making travelers feel at home.” - Antares Cheng, Chief Merchandising Officer, King Power International
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The Merging of Mental Health & Fashion
Break Free NYFW, A Runway Show with a cause, announces their New York Fashion debut for Monday, February 14th, 2022. Is it too big a stretch to merge the conversation of mental health and recovery with fashion? Not really. Meet Alexandra Nyman, the founder of New York City based design house LadyCat. Her premiere collection was a line called Therapy inspired by her brother’s struggle with Bi-polar Disorder. LadyCat and her mission are now going on to spearhead a show in NYFW called Break Free. It is being described as an immersive runway experience of art, design and fashion dedicated to raising awareness around two very pressing social issues: Mental Health and Addiction. Nyman is bringing this conversation to the runway and she is excited to be sharing it with five other extraordinary designers: Zephyr, Jacqueline City Apparel, Love Disorder, Wu-Sah, and Adorn Your Clothes. Nyman recalled that when her show Therapy was featured in 2019, she was confronted with her own lurking mental health struggles. The silver lining was that the models and influencers involved in the Therapy showcase began to open up about their struggles with mental health. This was when Nyman realized it was necessary to keep showing up for others in this way. This sewed the seed that would become the Break Free NYFW showcase, a show that would feature designers and models with a personal connection to mental health and sobriety. Nyman began reaching out to many different designers to showcase for the event. Through her work with Soberocity she began hosting monthly, virtual panels on a wide variety of topics ranging from mental health in the fashion industry to how to be a thought leader in your own local community. She described the process of diving in and talking with people in the industry with lived experience and how impactful it all was. Essentially, this has become the DNA of her brand. For the upcoming Break Free showcase, Nyman said, “thirty percent of my collection will be for plus-sized models ranging from sizes ten to eighteen” She wants to showcase real people wearing fabulous clothing, and she wants to bring awareness to real-life struggles. The dichotomy is eye-opening and exciting. The Break Free will also serve as an awareness campaign as attendees will listen to the participants discuss their experiences about mental health and addiction. A portion of the proceeds for this showcase will go to the nonprofit organization, 10,000 Beds, which was founded in 2014 by Jean Krisle. Jean has worked diligently and outside of the recovery community to develop long-standing relationships with corporate partners, event sponsors, individual donors, and leaders across the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. Like Nyman’s first showcase, Therapy, Break Free has garnered the support of many influencers. Returning to the runway is YouTuber Gabi DeMartino, as well as Gabby Fe. And stepping onto the runway in support of this showcase is breast cancer survivor Christine Handy, disabilities activist and real catwalk model Janira Obregon, and sober model Jenn Ancelin. Break Free NYFW will be held on Monday, February 14th at 7pm ET at Ideal Glass Studios located at 9 West 8th Street in the West Village, and is sponsored by the Recovery Centers of America.
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R-PUR to represent France at the G20 Innovation League
French start-up R-PUR, a specialist in innovative masks integrating a patented Nano Filtration® system, has been selected by the G20 Innovation League to represent France in the “CleanTech” category. A Special Event hosted by the G20 Italian Presidency, the G20 Innovation League brings together the 100 most promising startups to leverage international investments and foster collaboration between public and private players in innovation. R-PUR will compete as one of the top 100 startups from G20 countries in the “CleanTech” category with its range of connected and highly breathable masks for urban areas. The event will take place on October 9 and 10, in Sorrento, Italy. Mask-wearing is now part of everyday life for people in urban areas. Building on more than four years of research and development, R-PUR has developed a range of masks that are highly breathable and pleasant to wear over extended periods. Thanks to their high-performance patented filtering system, people in urban areas can now routinely benefit from purified air. What’s more, the free R-PUR app gives users access to real-time air quality data for their local area. Flavien Hello, CEO R-PUR, says: “We are proud to represent France in the "CleanTech" category, and to present our vision of innovations for a better tomorrow to the world's top political and economic decision-makers. With our masks, we wanted to take the hassle out of wearing a mask while ensuring the best protection from airborne risks to everyone - whether they practice sport, cycle, walk, take public transport or use a scooter. At R-PUR, we wish to fully serve the needs of people in urban areas, and the G20 Innovation League is the perfect place to show it!” [Leading-edge technology for an effective protection against pollution, viruses and much more] Equipped with eight filtering layers, the R-PUR mask protects against fine particles, nanoparticles, pollen, bacteria, viruses, gases and even smells. Its patented Nano Filtration® technology benefits wearers with filtering quality ten times higher than the FFP3-mask standard. This is one of the world’s first technology to block nanoparticles up to twenty nanometres - two ten thousandths of a millimetre - in size. Therefore, the R-PUR mask is the world’s most effective against urban pollution. [Green, smart and connected] Unlike single-use surgical masks, this new mask is not disposable! Users can simply change the filter every six to twelve weeks depending on use. Connected via a free app available on iOS and Android, it delivers real-time air-quality and exposure data and tells the wearer when to replace their filter. [R-PUR: a mask for every lifestyle] ● Available in preorder, FiiT® is the latest R-PUR mask. This comfortable fashion accessory offers effective protection against pollution, viruses etc and comes in four hundred personalized combinations. Contrary to the previous masks which focus on specific activities, FiiT® is suitable for everybody as part of routine urban activities. With FiiT®, wearers don’t need to compromise on style or comfort. ● The Nano Light range is dedicated to cyclists. This R-PUR mask is anti-fog, ultra-breathable and particularly suited to physical effort. Its Nano Light Reflective variant is especially designed for night-time cycling thanks to a reflective technology ensuring visibility to enhance the safety of cyclists, or even pedestrian wearers. The Nano Light Ceramic is a rugged variant, with an anti-abrasion, technical coating with ceramic beads that protects the wearer’s face from grazing in the event of a fall. ● The Nano Sport range is an ultra-light mask with a special filter that makes breathing ultra-easy and a new, all-purpose fastening system convenient for any type of sport. The FiiT® masks are available on R-PUR’s website and soon on Amazon, at a starting price of 99 euros. here The G20 Innovation League gathers the top 100 start-ups from G20 Countries for a unique competition. During two days, Venture Capitalists and large international companies will select ten start-ups with the most innovative ideas to tackle global challenges and build a more inclusive and sustainable future. Networking events will also give the opportunities to create new contacts for the start-ups and schedule B2B meeting with investors and companies. The G20 Innovation League is promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Technological Innovation and Digital Transition and the Ministry of Economic Development, organized with by the Italian Trade Agency, CDP Venture Capital Sgr and Simest. The event will be held on 9th and 10th October in Sorrento. For more information and for remote attendance to the event: www.g20innovationleague.com
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R-PUR FiiT, the new fashion tech mask designed for perfect breathability
Mask-wearing is now part of everyday life for people in urban areas. French start-up R-PUR, a specialist in innovative masks integrating a patented Nano Filtration® system, makes its new range of FiiT masks available to preorder for use as part of routine urban activities. Building on more than four years of research and development, FiiT is a highly breathable mask and pleasant to wear over extended periods. Thanks to its high-performance patented filtering system, people in urban areas can now routinely benefit from purified air. What’s more, the free R-PUR app gives users access to real-time air quality data for their local area. FiiT is the connected mask that sets city-dwellers free again. [More than 60,000 people already use this leading-edge technology] In 2017, R-PUR sent shockwaves around the world when it launched the first nano-filtering mask for motorcyclists. Its patented Nano Filtration® technology benefits wearers with filtering quality ten times higher than the FFP3-mask standard. This is one of the world’s first technology to block nanoparticles up to twenty nanometres - two ten thousandths of a millimetre - in size. Now this unique technology is available to the general public. After equipping more than 60,000 urban users, including motorcyclists, cyclists and joggers, in the future anybody can breathe easy and make the most of their city thanks to this mask for everyday use. [A comfortable fashion accessory that offers effective protection against pollution, viruses and much more] Equipped with eight filtering layers, the FiiT mask protects against fine particles, nanoparticles, pollen, bacteria, viruses, gases and even smells. Since FiiT is also the world’s first mask to offer four hundred personalised combinations, wearers don’t need to compromise on style or comfort. They can select the colour of the mask’s components, including the fabric and fasteners, to match their outfit without affecting breathability. Thanks to its quality materials, FiiT is more comfortable than the finest silk mask. [Green, smart and connected] Unlike single-use surgical masks, this new mask is not disposable! Users can simply change the filter every six to twelve weeks depending on use. Connected via a free app available on iOS and Android, it delivers real-time air-quality and exposure data and tells the wearer when to replace their filter. Flavien Hello CEO R-PUR: “The new FiiT range was developed to protect everyone from airborne risks and to fully serve the needs of people in urban areas, whether they walk, take public transport or use a scooter. We wanted to take the hassle out of wearing a mask, which is why we focused on lightness and user-friendliness.” Matthieu Lecuyer GM R-PUR: “Who hasn’t tugged off their mask after doing something physical just to catch their breath? FiiT is designed with optimal protection and breathability in mind. We made it attractive and pleasant to wear so it’s easier to use every day and more effective as a result.” [Availability] The new FiiT mask range is available to preorder from 21 September 2021 on the R-PUR website. Available in limited quantities, the range will be sold at the exclusive price of €99 instead of €129. Orders will be delivered at the end of November / early December 2021.
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Toray Selects 2020 Ultrasuede x Labelhood Innovation Award Winner
Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has chosen partner designers Shimo Zhou and Une Yea from Shanghai-based international menswear brand STAFFONLY as the joint winners of the 2020 Ultrasuede® x Labelhood Innovation Award. In its second year, this award is in collaboration with Labelhood. Also based in Shanghai, this is a fashion incubator for young independent designers in China. The two earned this award because of the unique, quirky, on-trend conceptual underpinnings of their creations, which push the boundaries of fashion. Toray and Labelhood created this award program in keeping with their complementary visions, Toray’s being to social prosperity and a better future for generations to come and Labelhood’s being to invigorate the Chinese fashion scene. On April 10, STAFFONLY plans to hold a live stream announcement of a fall/winter 2020 collection employing Ultrasuede. Toray brought out Ultrasuede in 1970. Over the years, the applications for this stylish, highperformance material have expanded to encompass everything from fashion to residential, automotive, and aviation interiors to mobile device accessories. Toray looks forward to collaborating with STAFFONLY to broaden the horizons of the Ultrasuede brand in China’s booming fashion market. The company will continue to drive the evolution of this inherently beautiful, responsibly engineered material.
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Pandora launches new charms concept, featuring Millie Bobby Brown
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - 25 September 2019 - Today Pandora introduces Pandora Me – a new collection targeted towards generation Z and faced by actor and activist, Millie Bobby Brown. The collection is centred around self-expression and designed to capture the loves and passions of customers through small collectible charms. The collection consists of 55 designs including micro dangle charms, a link bracelet, single stud earrings and a safety pin brooch. The jewellery is made from recycled sterling silver and responsibly sourced stones. Chief Creative and Brand Officer, Stephen Fairchild, says: “Pandora Me is made to inspire and invite the next generation of consumers to express the things they love the most in a playful and confident way. We want to ignite their curiosity, tap into things they love and give them a voice.” Boosting collectability and versatility, two new charm carriers are introduced within the collection including a safety pin brooch that can be worn on clothing or bags, as well as a link bracelet that opens up in three places to allow customers to add the micro dangle charms. The charms are smaller than previous Pandora jewellery, and can be styled on all bracelets within the collection, the safety pin brooch, as well on the Pandora ESSENCE bracelet. The collection is faced by Millie Bobby Brown, who has signed a two-year contract with Pandora. Brown rose to prominence for her role as Eleven in the Netflix series Stranger Things. She is UNICEF’s youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador and the youngest person to feature on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people. To celebrate the new collection and have a fun dialogue about celebrating individuality, Pandora will host the Pandora Me Charm Academy events in New York City (October 4), Shanghai (October 14) and London (October 17), where Millie Bobby Brown will meet fans and talk about what it means to be a young woman today, the importance of self-expression and encouraging positivity across all facets of life.
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Toray & UNIQLO announce the joint development for Clothing Made from Recycled Down and Fabric Made with Polyester Fibres from Recycled Plastic Bottles
September 16, 2019, London, U.K. - On the occasion of the LifeWear Day consumer exhibition taking place this year in London, Japanese global apparel retailer UNIQLO and Toray Industries today announce the joint development of down clothing employing reclaimed down and DRY-EX apparel incorporating fabric from polyester fibres made with recycled PET bottles. This new initiative, part of a longstanding strategic partnership between the two companies, will contribute to sustainability by giving consumers access to merchandise that optimises the use of valuable resources. Commenting on today’s announcement, Tadashi Yanai, UNIQLO Founder and Chairman, President & CEO of Fast Retailing, said, “UNIQLO is committed to improving the sustainability of society. To this end, we will soon begin our new initiative with Toray that promotes the use of recycled materials. Through such an important partnership, we can continue to offer high-performance, high-quality, and sustainable clothing to all customers around the world.” Akihiro Nikkaku, President of Toray Industries, Inc., said, “At Toray we challenge ourselves to find solutions to global social issues with our belief that “materials can change our lives”. By promoting businesses that contribute to sustainability together with our strategic partner UNIQLO, we aim to create new value and realise a prosperous society through LifeWear.” New items made from recycled down UNIQLO stores will collect used Ultra Light Down items from customers. A new Toray-developed system will extract material from Ultra Light Down pieces, to be cleansed for use in new down merchandise. Collections* will start later in September this year initially only in Japan, and some down products from the 2020 Fall/Winter season will employ this recycled material. Conventionally, the stuffing in duvets and other objects incorporating down is manually removed. Such processes are arduous with Ultra Light Down items because of their thin shells and complex construction. By developing special extraction machinery, Toray has fully automated cutting, stirring and separating, and recovery, for 50-fold the process capacity of manual processes, thus greatly alleviating workloads. New DRY-EX pieces incorporating polyester from recycled PET bottles DRY-EX is a revolutionary material that quickly wicks away sweat and moisture. From 2020 Spring/Summer UNIQLO will begin to introduce DRY-EX items of clothing that incorporate high-value-added polyester fibres derived from reclaimed PET bottles. This is a milestone because, while fibres made from reclaimed plastic bottles have been commercially available for some time, it has been hard to produce fibres featuring special cross-sections and fine fibres, owing to contaminants in PET bottles. Another challenge to address has been that plastic bottles yellow as they age. Toray’s contaminant filtering technology overcomes these issues, making it possible to manufacture fibres whose features are commensurate with those of fibres from plastic made directly from petrochemical feedstock, including those with special cross-sections. Another advance is Toray’s Recycling Identification System, which enhances reliability by ensuring that fibres derived from plastic bottles are traceable. UNIQLO and Toray will keep leveraging their strengths to foster sustainable social progress.
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Hansae Co., Ltd Finished Overseas Training Program for Best Employees
On June 3, Hansae Co., Ltd has successfully completed the New York Overseas Training Program. The New York Overseas Training Program was held from May 26 to June 1, a total of 6 nights and 7 days, with 27 participants. Hansae has been selecting the best employees every year and supporting overseas training program in New York in order to inspire employees' will to work and strengthen their global capabilities. Employees participated in this program had time to investigate local markets by visiting not only the company's New York Design Center but also buyers' brand stores, luxury fashion brands, SPA brands, and large markets, and to analyze fashion trends. Ik-Hwan Kim, CEO of Hansae Co., Ltd, said, "Hansae is very supportive at improving the quality of life of the employees and at the development of individuals. Through this training, I hope that it was time for employees to strengthen their global capabilities and learn various experiences and know-how." Hansae Co., Ltd has 5 subsidiaries in Vietnam and about 20,000 employees. In addition, it operates 18 corporations and 5 overseas offices in 8 countries including Myanmar, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Haiti, and the United States. The company supports various welfare programs and training programs such as Vietnam training program for new employees, New York training program for best employees, foreign language education support, workplace nursery, electronic library, etc.
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Dr. Martens 2018 SS Collection Showcase
On January 4th, Dr. Martens presented ‘2018 SS Collection’ at Surf’s up in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, Korea. Dr. Martens, established in England in the 1960s, is a brand that symbolizes the culture of British young people, and it introduced the world's first air cushion walker. It is a global brand with many enthusiasts from all over the world with its sophisticated technology, solidity, and trendy design. Dr. Martens has unveiled a number of new products that add uniqueness to their DNA through 2018 SS Collection; 'Ice Metallic Collection' with a cool metal feeling, 'Black and White Collection' inspired by 80's new wave style with a card game motif, and 'Wide Heart Collection' with leopard heart detail points. In particular, this season's new sandal ‘ZEBRULUS’ features a zigzag-shaped rugged flooring pattern and EVA material for a lightweight, comfortable wearing feeling and added to the unique sensibility of Dr. Martens with yellow stitch. ‘JMW Turner Collection’ with Joseph Mallord William Turner, a world-famous romantic landscape painter, and ‘Flight Accessory Collection’, including backpacks and messenger bags that emphasize military feeling to the air force jacket material, were also newly presented and attracted attention. ▲ The original lineup has also been updated with materials and finishes. ▲ Aiming for spring and summer seasons, a large number of sandal line-ups have been released to satisfy both men and women. ▲ 'Made in England' concept, which is emphasized every time in terms of brand identity, also appeared this year. ▲ In addition to shoes, casual products and bags were also released and attracted attention.
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Cone Denim Launches Future BLACK+ Denim featuring Lenzing Modal and REPREVE
Cone Denim, Lenzing and Unifi are excited to collaborate on the launch of Future BLACK+ denim featuring Lenzing Modal® branded fibers and REPREVE® Black recycled fibers. Future BLACK+, the industry's first certified fade-resistant black denim, will join Cone Denim's family of TruTone™ fabrics. Jeans made from Future BLACK+ denim contain as many as 17 recycled plastic bottles and feature superior softness, color retention and stretch, while minimizing the impact on the environment. Future BLACK+ denim achieves its durable color by utilizing dope dyeing, an energy-saving and environmentally friendly dyeing technique that introduces the pigment during the production process. Adding the colorant during manufacturing allows the entire body of the fiber to be colored instead of only the surface and eliminates the need for a dye bath later in the process. Wash tests have shown that denim made from Future BLACK+ showed no sign of color loss even after more than 20 washes, producing a denim that's built to last. REPREVE is a leading brand of fibers made from recycled plastic bottles by Unifi, Inc.. Lenzing Modal® BLACK has around 50 to 60 percent lower environmental impact than conventional dyed fabric. The Lenzing manufacturing process requires less chemical and energy inputs during manufacturing, and uses 64 percent less water during the dye process. Together, these earth-friendly fibers create a high performing, highly sustainable denim.
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H&M Kicks Off Climate Week In New York
On Monday September 18th, Daniel Kulle, President of H&M North America rang the bell at NASDAQ in New York City to officially kick off Climate Week. Climate change and global warming is a serious issue for the planet and for all of us living on it. It's a key challenge to all industries, including fashion, which is why H&M has decided to address this challenge with a ground-breaking commitment; to become climate positive by 2040. H&M will create a climate positive value chain by reducing the energy need across operations and ensuring that the energy comes from renewable and sustainable sources. The group will also support actions helping the planet to resist and recover from climate change as well as innovations making it possible to absorb greenhouse gases. H&M's goal is not only to reduce the negative climate impact their business has, but to create a positive one. This means they will reduce more greenhouse gases than their value chain emits. "We want to use our size and scale to lead the change towards circular and renewable fashion while making our company even more fair and equal. This is why we have developed a new strategy aiming to take our sustainability work to the next level," says Anna Gedda, Head of Sustainability at the H&M group. "We want to lead by example, pave the way and try new things –when it comes to both the environmental and social side – to ultimately make fashion sustainable and sustainability fashionable. Our climate positive strategy is one way of doing this," she adds. H&M is determined to show that climate positive fashion is possible. Climate positive by 2040 throughout the H&M group's entire value chain. The H&M group commits to a climate neutral supply chain for tier 1–2 by 2030. The H&M group has a commitment to use 100% renewable energy in its own operations; the share increased to 96% in 2016 from 78% in 2015. In 2016, the H&M group reduced its CO2 emissions by 47% compared to 2015. The H&M group is a proud member of the WWF Climate Savers program.
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Banana Republic Forms First-Ever Men's Style Council
Banana Republic is proud to partner with pro football quarterback and 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan, pro baseball shortstop Didi Gregorius and pro basketball guard and 2015-16 NBA Most Improved Player C.J. McCollum. Ryan, Gregorius and McCollum join pro basketball power forward and Banana Republic brand ambassador, Kevin Love, to form the first-ever Banana Republic Men's Style Council – a specially-selected group of male athletes who will showcase the brand's versatile, quality and performance-driven menswear collections through a series of campaigns and engaging programs, including personal appearances. For the first Men's Style Council campaign, Love, Ryan, Gregorius, and McCollum will launch Banana Republic Rapid Movement Chino – the newest innovation in men's pants, engineered with proprietary performance technology. The Rapid Movement Chino collection will be available in Banana Republic stores globally and online in late July 2017. Designed for continuous all-day comfort, Banana Republic Rapid Movement Chinos are crafted with a specialized dual-FX fiber that is carefully engineered to resist stretch. The dynamic fabric offers unprecedented movement and recovery for optimal comfort and fit retention during wear. Each pair is crafted from soft cotton fabrics and fortified with a special stain- and water-repelling finish, bringing together a strong combination of tailoring + performance, fit and polish. Rapid Movement Chino will be available in trusted Aiden, Emerson and Fulton fits, and a new Tapered fit for $98.00.
