Game On
Count John Varvatos as among the fans of “Game of Thrones.”
The designer has teamed with the show’s creator, HBO, on an exclusive men’s capsule collection that will launch on Thursday. This marks the first time Varvatos has collaborated with a television series and is the only luxury fashion collaboration for “Game of Thrones’” final season.
The 11-piece collection features hand-dyed leather outerwear, a cross-over henley, pants, a textured messenger bag and graphic prints on spray-dyed Ts. Signature details from the series are found throughout the collection, including outerwear pieces with the Iron Throne motif printed on the inside of the jacket. Prices range from $98 for a graphic T-shirt to $2,698 for the hand-dyed leather jacket.
“From the very first episode, I have been inspired by the incredible costumes in ‘Game of Thrones,’” Varvatos said. “To have this opportunity to collaborate, is a dream come true.”
“As we prepare for the final season of ‘Game of Thrones,’ we wanted to celebrate with an incredible collaboration for a clothing line inspired by show,” said Jeff Peters, vice president of licensing and retail for HBO. “John Varvatos has delivered a stunning collection of high-quality pieces that are fashionable and wearable, while also capturing the show’s essence through its details and ornate design.”
The John Varvatos x Game of Thrones capsule will be available at select John Varvatos boutiques and on the company’s e-commerce site. It will also be sold exclusively at Bloomingdale’s in the U.S., Harry Rosen in
Canada, and El Palacio in Mexico this spring for a limited time.
Varvatos will show off the collection during an event at his Bowery Store on Wednesday night, entitled “Enter the Realm.”
There have been other collaborations for the popular series including a handbag and accessories collection with Danielle Nicole that debuted last fall. And in 2017, to celebrate its seventh season, the show partnered with seven streetwear brands including Carrots and Billionaire Boys Club for a collection called “Rap the Realm.” — JEAN E. PALMIERI author of “Love Rules,” and a
2015 Outstanding Mother Award Honoree, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
The honorees are Michelle Gass, chief executive officer, Kohl’s; Rebecca Minkoff, cofounder and creative director of Rebecca Minkoff; Gina M. Raimondo, governor of Rhode Island, and Jill Scalamandre, president of BareMinerals.
Jennifer Garner, actor and Save the Children trustee, will be presented with the Champion for Children Award to honor her support of Save the Children and her ongoing commitment to the organization’s mission.
“This year, we are honored to bring together five women who have used their platforms to empower others and serve as a real inspiration for working women everywhere,” said
Laurie Dowley, chairwoman of the National Mother’s Day Committee. “Recognizing and supporting women with children has been our organization’s mission since 1979, and we are thrilled to continue in that legacy by honoring such as powerful group of selfless, devoted and accomplished moms.”
The National Mother’s Day Committee is an entity of the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day
Council and exists for the sole purpose of conferring “Outstanding Mother” honors on contemporary lifestyle leaders. The National Father’s Day/ Mother’s Day Council has donated nearly $30 million to date to deserving family-related charities nationwide. — LISA LOCKWOOD to share knowledge and best sustainability practices. It will be awarded virtually in the spirit of sustainability.
The other winners are Osklen, Indigenous, Outland Denim, Mayamiko, Sonica Sarna Design, Ethical Apparel Africa and The Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills.
“The industry has seen an incredible amount of traction over the past year, from increased consumer demand and government engagement, to the abundance of new entrants that focus on sustainability,” said Harold Tillman, the former chairman of the British Fashion Council.
He added that the overall CO Leadership Awards are aimed at creating a milestone moment for fashion to champion innovators.
A panel of judges, including representatives from Farfetch, Kering, and Vivienne Westwood, selected the 10 winners.
The winners were chosen based on their ability to marry sustainability strategies with commercial ones. The key criteria, according to organizers, were mission, business model, products and services, impact, sustainability roadmap and communication strategy.
Not only will the 10 brands be recognized for their contributions to sustainability, they will also be connected to like-minded businesses with “the right kind of sales, marketing and production channels to advance their strategies,” according to Tillman.
“Their businesses will be amplified to a 12,000-plus network of professionals and organizations through exclusive content and an algorithm boost in our search-ranking. They will become part of a community with a wealth of insight,” he added.
Raeburn said he was excited about the opportunities that will come out of winning. “It’s fantastic to be recognized for our contribution to the industry as it recognizes the full spectrum of the fashion business, from the supplier through to the brand. This is how we approach responsible design,” he said.
“It’s been a challenging journey, but one that has allowed us to build a manifesto for change. As we enter the beginning of a new chapter for the business, we’re working toward producing zero waste in the Raeburn Lab, to truly close the loop,” Raeburn added.
The designer has made his mark in the industry for creating environmentally responsible designs by using deadstock fabrics and reworking them into garments under the brand’s Remade, Reduce and Recycle ethos.
Remade items are produced from fabrics such as military parachutes, Reduced pieces are created from manufacturing waste and Recycled products from reused plastics.
The designer has just marked his 10th year in business and last year was named global creative director of Timberland. Under his new role, Raeburn will work with Timberland on footwear, apparel and accessories to bring his sustainability ethos into Timberland’s creative strategy and retail spaces. — FIONA MA which features the largest LGBTQ recurring cast ever assembled, and eager to help the LGBTQ community, event coordinator Anthony Stropoli said an activist friend directed him and Rucci to FIERCE. The event is a tribute of sorts to the ball culture world.
“Raquell Lord Balenciaga” will be hitting the catwalk in New
York for the first time in more than 10 years. “Gisele Alicea Xtravaganza” and “Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza,” whom many know as Madonna’s lead dancer from her “Blonde Ambition” tour, will be among the models who are mothers or fathers of their respective houses. Since the Twenties, mothers and fathers of houses have been taking in individuals provided they follow the house rules. Coco Mitchell, Rucci’s longtime fit and runway model, as well as Tatiana Sorokko will hit the catwalk. André Leon Talley and Sandra Bernhard are sharing the emcee responsibilities for the 500-plus person crowd, which is expected to include Rucci fans like Deeda Blair and Susan Gutfreund.
Stropoli, who works part-time at Barneys New York, described vogueing and people who go to the balls as “a creative fantasy of the couture.” Vying for trophies, they may compete in such categories as designer realness, couture or runway. “They will walk runway in a way that will blow your mind because they are breathing it,” Stropoli said, adding in all likelihood they never would have experienced couture without Rucci’s participation. “The collaboration with the fittings is brilliant. I can’t even put it into words.”
The event will also feature a vogueing session followed by FIERCE-supported children presenting trophies of love to the Legends. MAC’s John Demsey arranged for all the Icon runway models to wear MAC makeup. Pride Media, GLAAD and production designer and prop stylist Cooper Vasquez have offered their support. Photographer Danielle Levitt is planning to do a photo shoot and short film about the event.
— ROSEMARY FEITELBERG