From luxury fashion houses, to the home of the Catholic Church and all the way to the tennis court; this week in fashion was all about statements. Read on for all the news.
Prada Goes Fur-Free
Italian luxury fashion house Prada is the latest brand to announce a fur-free initiative, announcing last week that it will no longer use animal fur in its designs or new products, starting from SS2020 Women’s Collections. Their fur-free commitment is a collaboration with the Fur Free Alliance (FFA), a coalition of more than 50 animal protection organisations from over 40 countries. Brigit Oele, Program Manager of Fur Free Alliance, said that “Prada Group was one of the fastest companies to go fur-free once positive dialogue began a little more than a year ago”. FOUR PAWS is the official representative of the Fur Free Retailer Program in Australia, and Head of Communications Elise Burgess said “Animal protection is becoming a critical component of ethical fashion, and it is becoming easier by the day for people to embrace top quality fabrics and production techniques that aren’t cruel to animals in the process”. For more information, visit www.four-paws.org.au and www.furfreealliance.com.
Gucci For Gender Equality
This week, Gucci held its Cruise ‘20 show in the eternal city of Rome. It was here, the home of the Vatican and the Catholic Church that the luxury fashion house made one of their biggest statements yet - and not a fashion one. Drawing on current international conversations around female rights to bodily autonomy, following the controversial near-total abortion ban in Alabama, male and female models walking in the Cruise ‘20 show wore garments emblazoned with feminist slogans like “My Body My Choice”. On other pieces, “Chime For Change” appeared; referring to Gucci’s gender equality campaign launched by Beyoncé and Salma Hayek in 2013. Other garments featured “22.5.78”, which Gucci explained in an Instagram post as referring to “the date established of the Italian statute for the social protection of motherhood and the voluntary interruption of pregnancy”. In the same post, the brand emphasised their “longstanding commitment to women and girls by funding projects around the world to support sexual and reproductive rights, maternal health, and the freedom of individual choice. Because none of us can move forward if half of us are held back”. As Creative Director Alessandro Michele told Women’s Wear Daily, “It’s unbelievable that around the world there are still people who believe that they can control a woman’s body”.
Fashion on the Court
Last year, tennis superstar Serena Williams made waves at the French Open in a new form of tennis attire: a sleek black compression catsuit that challenged conventions whilst also keeping the then-new mother safe from blood clots. The world was outraged, however, when French Tennis Federation president, Bernard Giudicelli, banned the catsuit, stating that “one must respect the game and the place” - an obvious reference to Williams’ game-changing look. This year, the 23-time Grand Slam winner didn’t shy away from making another charged statement with her look; albeit this time a toned down one, in keeping with the new uniform regulations. Working with Off-White founder Virgil Abloh and Nike, Williams debuted this years’ French Open look on Instagram: a long flowing skirt with a thigh-high split, and a jacket emblazoned with asymmetrical stripes and the words “champion”, “queen”, “mother” and “goddess”. On the court, Williams removed the outer pieces to reveal a crop top and skirt featuring the same stripes - oh, and she won.
SALES AND POP UP
Running Bare Warehouse Sale
WHAT: Up to 70 per cent off discontinued styles, clearance lines and samples.
WHEN: Thursday, May 30 - Saturday, June 1
WHERE: Running Bare Warehouse 1/26-34 Dunning Ave, Rosebery.
DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/564749483933122/
Mon Purse Sample Sale
WHAT: Great deals on leather handbags and accessories, with on-the-spot monogramming and ready-made hand-painted items available.
WHEN: Saturday, June 1 until sold out
WHERE: Mon Purse Paddington Boutique, 37 William Street, Paddington, New South Wales 2021
DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/308399986731427/
KITX Warehouse Sale
WHAT: Up to 80 per cent off samples, one-offs and past season styles.
WHEN: Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 2.
WHERE: Clifton Street Market, 41-43 Clifton Street, Prahran VIC
DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/660060797774771/