New week, new Friday briefing. This week was interesting…to say the least. The fashion industry faced many ups and downs with two prominent faces, Raf Simons and Alessandro Michele, resigning in their own ways. All the while we geared up for some new music drops including Azekel’s Dupé to soothe our souls and some of the best and most meaningful Black Friday deals we’ve seen yet, giving back to creators (shoutout to Everpress!). To stay up to date with all of this and more, keep on reading.
TRAPSTAR’S BIGGEST DROP YET – ‘BLACKOUT’ FRIDAY
London streetwear brand Trapstar’s latest Black Friday drop is a love letter to their community. The “Blackout” collection which dropped before the pandemonium that is Black Friday, is a strong call-back to fan favourites. The drop, filled with holy grails, both upgraded and reimagined, and fresh styles with improved quality and enhanced materials, shows exactly how a brand should do Black Friday. Completely appeasing true fashion fans. With even Central Cee an admirer of the brand, Trapstars latest drop is one to tap into… these grails won’t be here forever.
BLACK FRIDAY WITH “THE BOILER ROOM BLACK CARD“
What if instead of buying everything in your SSENSE and Selfridges basket this Black Friday, you were in the running to win a prize! The Boiler Room are upping the game this Friday by launching a competition for their members. How to enter? Buy an item from their store before 30th November. Easy! With multiple tiers of prizes, the winner receives a physical 1 of 1 Boiler Room Black Card. Giving the champion flights for themselves +1 to a Boiler Room event of their choice, guestlist entry +1 to all Boiler Room events for 1 year and £250 full-price store credit. Not only this but also 50% off orders for life and a 1 of 1 piece of BR apparel. Now that’s how you do Black Friday. Truly a gift in the run-up to Christmas. The runner-up and 3rd place are of course awarded their own prizes and T&Cs of course apply! Good luck to you all, may the odds be in your favour.
SLAM JAM X NIKE AIR FORCE 1: CELEBRATING THE AIRFORCE
Sportswear giant Nike and Milan-based brand Slam Jam are partnering up to celebrate 40 years of the ever-iconic Air Force 1. The two brands are coming together to fuse their two contrasting streetwear aesthetics into one super Air Force 1. Milan and NYC are being blended to create a dichotomous and unexpected yet somehow apt show that showcases both cultures and brand heritages. A classic reinvented and celebrated. The Nike x Slam Jam AF1 in white will be available for purchase on January 10th at Slam Jam and the 13th SNKRS exclusive to Europe, while the black will be out next year. Keep your eyes peeled.
EVERPRESS’ BLACK FRIDAY IS FOR THEIR CREATOR COMMUNITY
Oftentimes the fashion industry forgoes the small creatives trying to make their way in the industry while predominantly celebrating bigger brands. Especially in recent times with the Covid-19 pandemic or the omnipresent cost of living crisis, creatives are finding it harder to survive in the midst of inflation and wage falls. Everpress, whose core message is to support and promote sustainable fashion and independent designers, have taken it upon themselves to give back this Black Friday. From the 25th until midnight GMT on Tuesday 29th, Everpress are topping their creatives up with an extra 25% on all of their original profits. What a deal! Shop until you drop with Everpress knowing you’re supporting those who really need it, rather than overconsuming with larger conglomerates.
THE AREA SNEAKER TAKES CENTRE COURT
For Sneakerheads, Area is the gift that keeps on giving. With the release of their new Area Sneaker for Axel Arigato’s AW22 season. With the fresh take on sneakers, focusing on the retro 90’s all-American minimalistic aesthetic, reminiscent of baseball shows (both high and low versions of course). 90’s nostalgia and Y2k have of course been prevalent, but instead of following the over-saturated colour take, the Area Sneaker speaks true to the hearts of true ’90s baby’s as the refined design yet modern and unisex design. Coming in five different colourways and made of recycled polyester from recycled PET bottles, these shoes should take centre court in all of our wardrobes.
LET’S REPRESENT – AS THE BRAND LAUNCHES ITS BLACK FRIDAY COLLECTION
The Manchester-based brand launched their RE23 collection just on the eve of Black Friday. Quite fitting as their collection is entirely monochromatic, with everything from balaclavas to pyjama-esque sets, outerwear and even sneakers. The stagnancy of the monochromatic collection is offset by the dynamism of the design aesthetic and silhouettes. The young brand’s innovation and diversity is quite interesting and sure to become a staple in the London streetwear scene as they continue on their journey. Already stocked in Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Browns and Flannels, there’s nothing stopping you from taking part in their Black Friday and Represent(ing).
THE END OF TWO ERAS – FASHION’S CREATIVE DIRECTOR MAYHEM
The fashion industry beheld the end of not one but two eras this week. With two fashion heavyweights announcing their resignation from their parts in the fashion industry. Gucci’s former Creative Director Alessandro Michele stepped down from his seven-year post in a shock departure while Raf Simons announced the abrupt closure of his namesake label after 27 years. The fashion industry seems to be in retrograde and utter turmoil as they mourn the loss of both of these individuals in their much-loved posts. Although we doubt they have fully withdrawn from the industry, both designers have made considerable impacts in their positions, with Alessandro being synonymous with Gucci and their revival, while Raf Simons’ long heritage was a source of joy for many grailed collectors. They will be missed but of course, we’re all waiting with a bated breath for what comes next.
THE LAST (BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST) MONCLER MAYA 70
The party never ends over at Moncler, with their 70th-anniversary celebrations at their peak. This time, musical genius and creative extraordinaire Pharell Williams joins the ranks of designers putting their print on the Moncler Maya Jacket. The seventh and final iteration of the jacket is reimagined by the legendary producer as a rubber moulded jacket. Completely flipping the Maya on its head, this edgier take sees the jacket with embossed logo branding with rapper and singer Tobe Nwigwe making the face of the campaign. What a way to end seven weeks of the Maya.
AZEKEL’S LOVE LETTER TO AFRICAN MASCULINITY FT. KWESI ARTHUR
The World Cup’s kicking off this weekend, but not without Unknown London x Heaven Can Wait releasing a footy inspired collab to get us in the mood. Hosting a pop-up in Shoreditch, the collab featured a Home Jersey and Away Jersey in vibrant colourways as well as pint glasses, kit bags and more.
BE THE FIRST TO CATCH FELIXTHE1ST
One of life’s many joys is catching an artist before they’ve made it big and watching them grow. Here’s your chance to have bragging rights over one of London’s soon to be biggest hits. West-London-born and raised artist FelixThe1st. The rapper gifted us with a double drop of his new single and music video ‘Chip Skylark’. Having accolades and collaborations with popular British artists such as Dreya Mac and performances with Ms Banks and Ivorian Doll, Felix is setting himself up to be first on our party playlists.
The music video, made completely with clay stop-motion was made in tandem with stop-motion artist Alistair Nichols, for a completely imaginative and quirky optic sight. Completely grasping the innovative and stylistic force that Felixthe1st is. If it’s anything like his bass-heavy but psychedelic sounds found in ‘Block & Delete’ then it’s sure to be a hit.
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