Fashion Scoops
Moving House
Casablanca Paris has named Txampi Diz chief marketing officer, a new post at the fast- growing fashion house.
Diz, who had joined Balmain as its first chief marketing officer in 2017, left that brand last month and starts at Casablanca next week.
In his role as a longtime employee of KCD in Paris, Diz first started working with Balmain in 2007 when he signed on the heritage brand as one of the public relations firm’s principal clients.
Frederick Lukoff, chief executive officer of Casablanca, called Diz the ideal fit for the new CMO role.
“Of course, we were already aware of his history of overseeing some very memorable runways, collaborations and campaigns,” he said. “Then, once we began talking with him, it became very clear that Txampi shared our determination to keep pushing boundaries while we change expectations of what a luxury house looks like today.”
Charaf Tajer, who founded Casablanca in 2018 and serves as creative director, said Diz’s “knowledge and long career in the fashion industry will solidify the future that we are creating here at Casablanca Paris.”
For his part, Diz said he has been impressed with the house’s recent collections and the company’s rapid growth.
“I knew that this was the right role for me when I learned more about their strategy and goals for the years to come. I’m looking forward to working alongside them, as we build Casablanca’s marketing team and move the house towards that compelling future vision,” he continued.
Diz is the latest of three new executive hires for Casablanca. The company, with offices in London and Paris, also recently named Marc Schmidt chief digital officer and Ludovic Le Gourrierec chief commercial officer, completing the new management team. ( According to their LinkedIn profiles, Le Gourrierec previously worked at Stella McCartney and Façonnable, while Schmidt’s résumé includes stints at Scholl Shoes, Crocs and Adidas.)
Last year, Casablanca welcomed Lukoff, and a fresh round of investment, earmarking funds for a
Paris boutique, expanded product lines, enhanced digital capabilities and its international supply chain.
Tajer has ambitions of turning Casablanca into a full- scale lifestyle label to rival France’s leading luxury brands. The brand is sold in more than 300 stores worldwide. — MILES SOCHA
Men’s Addition
For almost 10 years now, Dior has had a women’s store in the upscale neighborhood of Polanco in Mexico City.
Now it has added a men’s shop- in- shop to complement the women’s collection housed separately at the legendary El Palacio de Hierro department store, one of the top shopping venues in the city.
The new boutique showcases the masculine universe designed by Kim Jones, the house’s creative director of men’s, and houses the summer 2024 collection of ready-to-wear styles complemented by accessories, including shoes, small leather goods, custom jewelry, bags and glasses.
The compact storewithin- a- departmentstore space takes its architectural inspiration from the concept designed in 2022 by renowned architect Peter Marino at Dior’s traditional global flagship on 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris.
In the Polanco location, sleek modern designs are seen throughout. Near the store’s entrance is a black marble table from Italian design firm Agapecasa, placed atop a gray and blue carpet created by Tai Ping, the famous Hong Kong rug company founded in 1956. The table displays the Maxi Gallop backpack from the permanent Dior collection as well as Combat Derby shoes from the spring 2024 season. Sleekly designed Armenio armchairs sit at the side of the outpost.
Dior has had ties to Mexico since Christian Dior’s first collection in
1947, which had an evening gown he named “Mexico” in a lemon and lilac pattern. The relationship between Dior and El Palacio de
Hierro began in 1950 when the famous Mexican film actress María Félix used to shop the house’s designs there. Women’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri presented the Dior Cruise show in Mexico City in 2023.
Dior currently has five stores in Mexico, all in Mexico City — Plaza Artz Women, Plaza Artz Men, men’s and women’s at El Palacio de Hierro Polanco and a women’s store at El Palacio de Hierro Santa Fe.
Heading To Camp
Bloomingdale’s will launch its latest Carousel Thursday: Camp Bloomingdale’s. The pop- up space will be transformed into the ultimate summer destination, complete with a wide assortment of summer essentials such as Coleman’s outdoor necessities, swimwear, accessories, beauty, food and beverages.
Among the assortment will be sunscreen by Summer Camp, bracelets by the Little Words
Project, Flikrfire’s Personal Fireplace, and Candy Lab’s Candy Sushi Set.
In addition, the shop will feature camp- inspired ready-to-wear from such brands as Mother Denim, Free City, Daydreamer, Vintage Havana, Solid & Striped and exclusives by Aqua including jogger, hoodie, short and T- shirt sets for women and kids. Limited- edition
Camp Bloomingdale’s merchandise includes fanny packs, mugs, s’mores kits,
flashlights and socks, which will be available purchase both in- store and online.
“Camp carries a positive connotation for many, suggestive of memories of fun and adventure. We are excited to bring this nostalgia to life through our latest Carousel activation with a fresh assortment of playful brands for all ages, bright colors, and must- have gifts that create the ultimate camp shopping destination,” said Frank Berman, executive chief marketing officer of Bloomingdale’s.
Camp Bloomingdale’s officially launches online and in select Bloomingdale’s locations Thursday.
On Saturday, shoppers are invited to the kick- off of Camp Bloomingdale’s in the Carousel at the 59th Street flagship. Activations include an Embroidery and Patch Bar, a Coleman T- shirt giveaway, a Little Words Project Bracelet Bar, StickerBeans, Katie J Bow Gifts and Sweet Treats, and a Crocs customization station. — LISA LOCKWOOD
New Concept
The June edition of London Fashion Week this year will highlight the city’s status as a world- leading cultural capital and amplify its creative community with a new format encompassing cultural programs, fashion activities and parties to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
First reported by WWD last year that the BFC has been talking to menswear businesses about creating a new platform for the June edition, BFC chief executive officer Caroline Rush said: “We love the highly creative businesses that are doing catwalk shows. But Savile Row, designers like Oliver Spencer, and other craftled businesses don’t lend themselves necessarily to fashion shows. We want both the industry and the consumer to have access to those businesses and be able to celebrate their stories.”
Running from June 7 to 9, the British Fashion Council said the latest June edition aims to ignite a cultural moment in London and provide a platform for diverse British designers and brands with a focus on menswear businesses in the U. K.
On the first day, as part of the new format, the BFC will take over the Institute of Contemporary Arts and host a program that will include an exhibition, panel discussions and cultural events informed by the first three cultures the BFC has chosen to spotlight this season: Black culture, South Asian culture and queer culture.
There will also be a “40 for 40” schedule, with a lineup of 40 activations hosted by British brands and designers in the formats of catwalk shows, presentations and events. The exact lineup has not been unveiled.
On the last day, the BFC will take over the Groucho Club, a private members club in Soho, to provide designers and brands with an activation space for guests to explore and experience the city and brands in refreshing ways.
“The new format is a direct result of the conversations we are continuously having with the BFC community — designers, media, U. K. and international retailers. We want to ensure we are recognizing the business needs of our designers and providing them with a global showcasing platform that is both relevant and beneficial. This iteration of LFW is a really exciting opportunity to futureproof and innovate the
U. K.’s fashion showcasing capabilities and highlight the city’s point of difference during Men’s Fashion Month,” Rush added.
— TIANWEI ZHANG
Swim Set
When the U. S. swim team walks out onto the deck at the Olympics in July, they’ll be decked out in uniforms created for them by Tyr.
The California- based active brand, along with USA Swimming, unveiled the national team kit for the 2024 Paris Games in San Antonio on Wednesday at the final stop of the
Tyr Pro Swim Series. The kit includes outerwear, technical apparel and shoes for the first time for the athletes to wear for their walkouts onto the deck before the competition as well as during media day appearances and training camps. Tyr is also outfitting the coaches and staff.
Athletes sponsored by Tyr, including superstar Katie Ledecky, will wear
Tyr Venzo suits during their events. Swimmers are permitted to wear any brand of their choosing in the pool.
The technical attributes of the swimsuits worn by Olympians has resulted in controversy in the past. At the 2008 Games, Speedo’s LZR suit, worn by Michael Phelps and others, led to some 200 world records and were ultimately banned from the sport. The fullbody suits, made from woven elastane- nylon and polyurethane, were determined to provide an unfair advantage to the swimmers.
But for those wearing the Venzo this summer, the suit uses ultra- smooth fibers that prevent water from permeating the fabric and results in a higher body position in the water. In addition, they feature a patent- pending taping and inner textile design, known as the Endo Max Compression Cage, that provides support for the abdominals, obliques and quadriceps muscles.
Outside the water, Tyr has created a Hydrosphere Elite down parka with a down-filled layered thermo waterproof fabric to keep the athletes warm before their events. The parka features an oversize hood and microfiber- lined pockets. The athletes will also be provided with warm- up gear including a Hydrosphere Softshell Recon jacket and Elevation Tech jogger, the latter of which includes several pockets to store caps, goggles and headphones.
And to complement the apparel, the athletes will be outfitted in Tyr’s CXT- 1 Trainer shoes which feature a translucent engineered stars- and- stripes printed outsole.
“Tyr is proud to unveil the new USA Swimming National Team uniform, a symbol of unity, strength and commitment to excellence. With an innovative design and unrivaled quality, this uniform embodies the spirit of champions,” said Matt DiLorenzo, chief executive officer of Tyr Sport.
“Tyr has created kits that offer exceptional technical assistance to our athletes on their path to the podium,” added Lindsay Mintenko, managing director of USA Swimming National Team. “We appreciate their dedication to innovation and are eager to wear these pieces on the global stage. With Tyr’s backing, we are certain that our team will perform to the best of its ability.” Tyr is the exclusive outfitter of the U. S. National Team and National Junior Team.
The Olympic kit will also be available for fans to purchase beginning in June at Tyr’s retail stores, online and at the Olympic Trials slated for June 15 to 23 in Indianapolis.
— JEAN E. PALMIERI
Mothers And Daughters
Farm Rio, known for its colorful, whimsical clothing, is extending its brands to kids. It will offer a Mother’s Day capsule featuring a new kidswear launch on Thursday.
The capsule consists of childrenswear and coordinated womenswear styles, with an emphasis on prints and bold colors. There are 14 styles for kids, including dresses, jumpsuits, pants, T- shirts, skirts and sweaters. The kids’ sizes range from 4 to 12, and prices go from $ 60 to $ 180.
“As we expand beyond Brazil, we received numerous requests from consumers asking us to introduce clothing for children. This year, we decided to heed these requests and create a special capsule to fulfill the desires of our customers,” said Katia Barros,
founder of Farm Rio, based in Rio de Janeiro.
The capsule will be available for purchase online and in select partners’ stores.
Barros said in 2008, they founded Fábula in Brazil, Farm Rio’s sister brand focused on children’s fashion.
“We’ve always harbored a vision of crafting clothing for children in a unique manner, and Fábula was born to realize that dream. It’s a brand that celebrates the essence of childhood, crafting whimsical worlds adorned with vibrant prints and characters that weave tales,” Barros said.
The Farm Rio kids’ collection was conceived in collaboration with their Fábula team in Brazil.
Asked if they’d like to do a permanent Farm
Rio kids’ line, Barros said, “Absolutely. It’s one of the brand’s aspirations for the years ahead.”
Just Chill
As another sign of how music and fashion can really attract a crowd, the American Museum of Natural History is gearing up for “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip- Hop Jewelry.”
Slated to open to the public May 9, the exhibition will highlight hip-hop’s cultural influence through jewelry that has been sported by most of the popular musicians. Visitors will find one of Slick Rick’s gem-encrusted crowns; the diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella medallion for the record company by the same name, which was cofounded by Jay-Z, and the late Notorious B.I.G.’s “Jesus piece.” The late rapper was said to be the first to wear a “Jesus piece” in the hip-hop community in the mid-1990s, even referencing it in his
1997 hit “Hypnotize.” Nicki Minaj’s glittery “Barbie” pendant will be on view, as well as pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg and Tyler, the Creator and others.
Spanning five decades, “Ice Cold” will illustrate the evolution of hip- hop jewelry from oversize gold chains that were sported by the genre’s pioneers in the 1980s to diamondencrusted platinum pendants that enterprising business moguls donned in the 1990s. Journalist
Vikki Tobak, Quality Control Music’s Kevin “Coach K”
Lee and filmmaker Karam Gill have co- curated the exhibition in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery inside the Hall of Gems and Minerals. Slick Rick, scholar Tanisha Ford, jewelry designer Alex Moss, author Bevy Smith, former rapper Pete Nice and Roc Nation’s Lenny Santiago are part of Ice Cold’s advisory board.
The opening of “Ice Cold” at the Upper East Side museum will coincide with another major exhibition opening — the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which will be unveiled to the public on May 10.
The cavernous canyonlike Richard Gilder Center is a fitting setting for “Ice Cold.” With a flair of its own, the space reopened last year following a $ 465 million upgrade led by Studio Gang. Similar to other cultural institutions, the American Museum of Natural History has been attempting to welcome more visitors and a wider audience post- COVID- 19.
Moving Day
Want to “buy, sell, dream and scheme” your way up the property ladder?
Head to the Marais, where Thai artist PZ Opassuksatit has set up shop as a faux- real estate agent to celebrate the release of her third book, “PZWorld Properties,” which contains tongue- in- cheek advice for anyone from worms looking for new digs to those looking to remodel — with a sledgehammer.
“You can throw away Architectural Digest and
Elle Decoration,” joked the designer, who has collaborated with a range of projects including Doublet’s fall 2024 collection and Virgil Abloh’s 2020 exhibition in Chicago. “This is the endgame for housing.”
The Paris- based designer said this latest volume was inspired by her desire to move apartments and the experience of arriving in the city as a student a decade ago: It’s the finale to a trilogy initiated in 2018 with “PZ World Amazon,” on the oddities available for purchase online, and “PZWorld Weddings,” triggered by her sister’s nuptials.
While finding a flat at the two- day pop- up opening April 12 is a long shot — unless you want a “pizza condo” stack of trays or the worst apartments in Tokyo — there will be plenty of gag items created by the wacky designer.
Prices will range from 75 euros for an XXL “door tag” tote and 85 euros for a gaffer tape knit scarf up to 300 euros for a T- shirt with room to fit a moving box underneath.
The slimline book, in a limited run of 500, is priced at 40 euros and is also available from a range of bookstores around the world, including Twelvebooks in Japan and Idea in London.
Inside, she invited some 30 contributors from the fashion and art world.
These include Doublet designer Masayuki Ino highlighting the weirdest houses in Japan such a “Rectangle of Sadness” flat and one shaped like a cat; Vaquera’s Bryn Taubensee and Patric DiCaprio giving tips on how to dress for successful apartment hunting; and Kiko Kostadinov’s womenswear designers Laura and Deanna Fanning, who dressed up architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house in a zesty print from the fall 2021 collection.
Meanwhile, home trends forecasting comes courtesy Sarah Andelman, for whom the perfect home has a water feature, plenty of photos and books — of course — and a Harry
Nuriev tapestry sofa.
For the fire- sale launch event on Friday at 27 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, the designer is expected to dress as a chair. The pop- up will conclude on Saturday.