This week: Adidas announced a collaboration with one of the biggest shows on TV, Calvin Klein makes a major change to their company strategy and a model calls out the fashion industry on a hairy problem. And psst: the Big Fashion Sale is back in Sydney this weekend, so get in quick and score a hot deal.
Adidas x GOT is coming.
This week, sneaker experts Adidas unveiled their much-leaked, much-anticipated upcoming collaboration with HBO’s huge series Game of Thrones, ahead of the show’s eighth and final season. Since its premiere in 2011, the epic fantasy series has drawn in over 16 million viewers worldwide and inspired a cult fan base. With six limited-edition all-new designs of Adidas’s UltraBOOST silhouette, what’s not to love? The individual designs are inspired by all of your Game of Thrones faves (from Targaryens to White Walkers), and feature subtle details like sigils on the tongue and motto on the heel tag. Vice President of Licensing and Retail at HBO, Jeff Peters, said in a press release that “the Ultraboost x Game of Thrones collection represents the fusion of two powerhouse brands in a form that is sure to be highly sought after by athletes, sneakerheads, fashionistas and Game of Thrones fans alike”. The sneakers - which are sure to sell out quicker than you can chant “Winter is Coming” - will drop on March 22 on the Adidas website, and will retail for about AUD$250. Grab a pair and get ready for the premiere of Season 8 on April 14!
Tigerlily Announces Footwear Collab with Art of Day
After a successful Runway show at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival last week, Sydney-born swimwear and holiday-wear specialists Tigerlily have announced an upcoming collaboration with Art of Day on a limited-edition capsule of sustainable, artisan-crafted footwear. The Art of Day Anja slides will each be individually crafted by a local family of artisans in Morocco and made from raffia fibre and handstitched leather woven over a wooden mold. Made exclusively from sustainable materials from Madagascar, each shoe is lovingly and proudly created over two days. The slides will be available in a super-stylish collection of neutral tones - black, straw and clay - and will be sold for $170 in a very limited capsule at the Tigerlily Bondi Junction, Tigerlily Miranda and Tigerlily Doncaster stores until sold out.
Calling Out The Fashion Industry’s Ongoing Diversity Issue
Model Olivia Anakwe made headlines this week after calling out non-POC runway stylists on their problematic approach to natural afro hair backstage at Paris Fashion Week. In an Instagram post, Anakwe cited an experience at an unnamed Paris Fashion Week show, where she was told to arrive with her natural hair, which was supposed to then be cornrowed by stylists backstage. However, upon arriving, it turned out that there was “not one person on the team [who] knew how to do [cornrows] without admitting so”. After having her hair tugged at and nearly damaged by an unprepared hairstylist, Anakwe had to seek out an alternate option herself, and ultimately had to pull a black nail artist from her job to work on her hair. “This needs to change,” Anakwe said on Instagram. “No matter how small your team is, make sure you have one person that is competent at doing afro texture hair care OR just hire a black hairstylist! Black hairstylists are required to know how to do everyone’s hair, why does the same not apply to others?” Anakwe called out the humiliating and disheartening nature of the incident, saying “I was ignored, I was forgotten, and I felt that”. Sadly, as Anakwe noted, this case isn’t even all that surprising: “black models with afro texture hair continuously face these similar unfair and disheartening circumstances”. Anakwe ended her post with a wake-up call for the fashion industry and its inclusivity issues: “It’s 2019, it’s time to do better”. See her whole post below.
Calvin Klein Says Bye To Luxury Collections
American fashion house Calvin Klein have announced they will no longer be foraying into the world of luxury fashion, having closed their office in Milan and laid off staff in New York. It’s not much of a surprise move, since the brand parted ways with Chief Creative Officer Raf Simons at the end of last year. Calvin Klein will instead be moving towards a new path that would “[offer] an unexpected mix of influences and moving at an accelerated pace”. The American label also announced that Michelle Kessler-Sanders, President of Calvin Klein’s 205W39NYC ready-to-wear segment, will be leaving the company in June of this year; and 205W39NYC itself will be discontinued after a failed attempt at reinvigoration by Raf Simons. What’s more, Simons’ revamped New York flagship store for Calvin Klein will be closed as well, as the brand continues to rethink their strategy. Whilst most of Calvin Klein’s sales do come from their separate underwear and denim ranges, and thus should not be greatly affected by these changes, about 100 jobs will be in flux, along with the company’s future.
SALES: Big Fashion Sale Sydney
WHAT: Up to 80 per cent off Australian & international designer brands; including Romance Was Born, Thurley, Matin, Carver, Camper and Permanent Vacation.
WHEN: Thursday, March 14 - Sunday, March 17
WHERE: 249 Oxford St, Paddington
DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/2191723501043624/
SALES: By Charlotte
WHAT: Cash-only warehouse jewellery sale, nothing over $50
WHEN: Friday, March 15 - Wednesday, March 20
WHERE: 1/244 Oxford Street, Paddington
DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/490667501466655/