This week, we’ve seen an outpour of Pre-Fall 2023 collections, with brands preparing their mid-season offerings from brands like Holzweiler. As always, collaborations come by the dozen but today we’ve selected the new Rick Owens x Converse pairing and a partnership between ASICS and designer Kiko Kostadinov to keep you updated. Let’s dive into this week’s Friday Roundup.
BEATS BY DRE IS INTRODUCING A NEW MODEL
Adding to its Studio Buds line, Beats By Dre is releasing its Studio Buds +, enhancing previous models’ features. The wireless earbuds, which come in a “Transparent”, “Black” and “Ivory” colourway, improves Beats’ Active Noise Cancellation technology, as well as the call performance and battery life. Priced at £179.99, the Studio Buds + will be available on Apple’s website from June 12.
PRADA TAPS SCARLETT JOHANSSON FOR ITS LATEST CAMPAIGN
Celebrating the Prada Galleria handbag by Venezuelan-American artist Alex Da Corte, the Italian house has released a campaign featuring the Tony award winner Scarlett Johansson. The monochromatic and dual-coloured accessories are put forward in a series of vibrant, surrealist images. With the actress’ shadowed poses and captured behind a window, the campaign is both reflective and refractive.
KIKO KOSTADINOV & ASICS ARE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
After a series of collaborations, the latest being a hybrid sneaker, Kiko Kostadinov and ASICS are launching ASICS NOVALIS, a unisex ready-to-wear capsule. Designed with ASICS’ tea, Kostadinov, Laura and Deanna Fanning, head of Kiko Kostadinov’s womenswear department, the new capsule is rooted in the “Sounds Mind Sound Body” motto, with an emphasis on functionality and comfort. The ASICS NOVALIS line is set to make its debut during next Paris Fashion Week.
RICK OWENS X CHAMPION CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF EACH OTHER
3 collaborations later, spanning from 2019 to last year, Rick Owens and Champion are dropping another collab on May 26. Designed for both men and women, the collection takes cues from both brands’ aesthetics with pieces including a mesh top, a series of sport-style shorts with Owens’ classic long drawstrings and sleeveless tees. Speaking on the collection, the designer stated “when I started my label in the nineties, I hand drew my logo as a cross between the Champion logo and a Jean Patou perfume label […] I wasn’t conscious of it then, but I see now how that balance has defined my ongoing aesthetic”.
AXEL ARIGATO WELCOMES ARLO TO ITS FAMILY
Swedish brand Axel Arigato has been expanding its sneaker offering and the Arlo is the latest addition. Coming in both a men’s and women’s version, the Arlo was inspired by the fan-favourite Dices sneaker. Using recycled rubber and Leather Working Group-certified leather, Arlo’s silhouette featuring multiple panels on its upper, the gold-letter Arigato branding over perforated details. Priced at £235 and available in 4 different colours, Axel Arigato’s new sneaker is now available online and in store.
MAISON KITSUNÉ GOES GOLFING
For Spring Summer 2023, Maison Kitsuné is disrupting the golfing world. Inspired by the sports’ classic look and the brand’s own playful codes, the collection has a maximalist quality with the introduction of new prints, including one with an all-over brand’s fox logo pattern. Also available are pleated skirts, polo shirts, windbreakers and bucket hats, which will all be dropping on May 24 on Maison Kitsuné’s website and in select stores.
RAY-BAN GOES BACKWARDS FOR ITS NEW SUNGLASSES
Always one to think outside the box, Ray-Ban is turning glass lenses on its head in its Reverse collection. In a campaign fronting model Vittoria Ceretti, the collection features unisex sunglasses with concave lenses, instead of the usual outwardly convex version. Optimising “refractive, astigmatic, prismatic and resolving powers”, the Reverse lens can be found on the brand’s Aviator, Wayfarer, Caravan styles and more, and are currently available to shop on Ray-Ban’s website.
WOOD WOOD TAKES A BLACK & WHITE TURN FOR PRE-FALL 2023
The Danish brand is taking a new creative route for its Pre-Fall 2023 collection. Photographed by Ellen Nieslen, the black & white campaign images are inspired by Japanese-American artist and architect Isamu Noguchi, specifically his series of playgrounds created between the 30s and 70s. Blending functionality and playfulness, WOOD WOOD offers relaxed yet tailored fits with sportswear elements imbued in its womenswear line, and fitted knits as well as washed denim pieces for menswear, both of which are no available for purchase online.
MAEVE SHARES THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “MAKE ME YOURS”
Singer and songwriter Maeve has just released her self-directed music video for her latest single Make Me Yours, in which the artist can be seen singing in a sea-side hotel, whether by the pier or in the hotel’s dining room. This comes in anticipation of Maeve’s upcoming EP titled “HYPERBLOOM”, set to drop on June 2.
MERSHY’S “MAGIC” IS ALL ABOUT NATURAL LIVING
Lebanese-born, Miami-based designer Gabriela Mershad created her own sustainable clothing brand MERSHY as an ode to the modern-day hippie, with a deep-rooted love for the Earth. MERSHY’s latest collection titled “Magic” is inspired by the innocence and fascination of childhood, with brand classics being revisited such as the Magic Ring top and pant. Priced between £25 and £230, the full collection is now available online.
HEAT IS HOSTING A CREATIVE GRANT COMPETITION
Enlisted by FLANNELS as an extension of its Youth-Phoria platform, HEAT is leading the Ignite Prize, a competition created to highlight British talent beyond London. Looking for creative entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 25 whose work focuses on fashion, innovation and circularity, the 3 winners of the prize will be awarded with £10,000, a year’s worth of business mentorship on HEAT’s part, and the possibility of showing within FLANNELS.
HOLZWEILER’S PRE-FALL 2023 ELEVATES EVERYDAY CLASSICS
From tailored pieces to relaxed fits, the Norwegian house Holzweiler creates a daywear collection that seamlessly transitions into the evening. Pieces include a series of knit and crochet dresses, as well as blazers and smart trousers, tops and skirts, as well as accessories like the Pafa Print Bucket Hat and and the Lieben Frame sunglasses. Holweiler’s Pre-Fall 2023 collection is now available to purchase online.
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