Fashion Scoops
Fashion Friends
Could Kim Jones, who has a penchant for collaborations, be plotting one with his fashion buddy Stefano Pilati?
According to market sources, the collaboration under discussion would be at Fendi, where Jones has already unfurled projects with two other designers with whom he is very friendly — Donatella Versace and Marc Jacobs.
It is understood the proposed tie- up could be unveiled as early as November.
Fendi officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Best known for his tenures at the design helm of Yves Saint Laurent and Zegna, Pilati has recently dabbled in furniture design alongside his Berlin- based fashion collection Random Identities.
He is prized for his keen fashion instincts, voluptuous, innovative tailoring — and knack for eye-catching shoes and handbags.
The dapper Italian designer made a splash during Paris Fashion
Week last June, taking in Jones' spring 2024 men's show for Dior, and walking the runway for Pharrell Williams' debut as menswear creative director at Louis Vuitton.
Last fall, Pilati rebooted his Random Identities label after a two-year hiatus and lined up a like- minded distribution partner in
Dover Street Market Paris.
Random Identities was boundary- breaking when it was first unveiled in
2018, initially as a joint venture with Canadian online retailer Ssense. Genderless, seasonless and luxurious, but at a contemporary price point, it draws on gay and club culture in Berlin, where
Pilati has based himself since leaving Ermenegildo Zegna in 2016 following a three-year stint.
The designer is best known for succeeding Tom Ford at Yves Saint Laurent, where he served as creative director from 2004 to 2012. Earlier in his career, he worked in senior design and fabric development positions for a number of Italian design houses, including Miu Miu, Prada and Giorgio Armani.
Jones, who in September 2020 signed on as Fendi's artistic director of haute couture, ready-to-wear and fur collections for women, wasted little time in pursuing collaborations and in September 2021 unveiled a full- scale brand swap with Versace.
Last year, he tapped Jacobs to create a collection within spring 2023 Fendi women's collection, and also teamed with Tiffany & Co. for special Baguette handbags. — MILES SOCHA
Olympic Gold
Sydney McLaughlin- Levrone has joined the Neutrogena camp.
The track and field Olympic gold medalist, who holds the world record for the 400- meter hurdles, has joined the ranks of Jenna Ortega and sister duo
Chloe and Halle Bailey as the skin care brand's latest ambassador.
"Beauty, skin care and just overall taking care of myself have always been a part of my routine, even on the track, in terms of getting ready for meets. It's a part of feeling confident when I go out and do what I love to do," McLaughlinLevrone said. "Being able to now be with a partner who can help exemplify that is just a dream come true."
It's a full- circle moment for McLaughlin- Levrone, who was in high school when she first encountered Neutrogena's products.
"It was actually the first skin care brand I ever tried to use," recalled the 24-year- old runner, who has previously inked ambassadorships with brands such as Tag Heuer and, earlier this summer, David Yurman.
McLaughlin- Levrone's partnership with Neutrogena is the latest in a slew of athlete ambassadorships sweeping the beauty realm. In May, Mielle Organics added college basketball star Angel Reese to its roster, just after Clinique signed England rugby player Holly Aitchison.
Male athletes like Houston Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson have also gotten in on the action, signing respective deals with Un/ Dn Laqr and Bubble Skincare.
"Historically, we've partnered with actresses and what have you, but realizing that people can be inspired by everyone — by actresses, by athletes, by creators on social — we wanted to find someone who had a lot of qualities that we admire and respect, but is also very relatable," said Natasha Haubrich, head of Neutrogena equity and strategy.
And because
McLaughlin- Levrone is routinely exposed to the elements as an athlete, the brand sees a natural fit for her to front its sun care offerings down the line.
"I do tend to have dry skin; especially running track and always being in the sun, being able to protect my skin is huge in terms of preventing wrinkles and dark spots — all those different things," said McLaughlin- Levrone, adding that the brand's Hydro Boost cream and
SPF spray are among her regimen mainstays.
In April, Neutrogena served as the official skin care and sun care sponsor at Coachella, with Haubrich hinting additional such activations are on the way.
"We have done a lot of test- and- learns, I'll call them, this year. We were
trying to find our stride, and I think we've found it," she said. "You'll see us in surprisingly obvious places in the future."
McLaughlin-Levrone, meanwhile, is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics set to take place in Paris next summer.
"We always talk about in training what we call ' prehab' — preparing now so you don't have to rehab later," she said, adding she takes a similar approach when it comes to skin care. "Even with sunscreen — I'm taking care of myself now so I don't have issues later." — NOOR LOBAD
Partnership
Nordstrom NYC has unveiled the latest Center Stage and Broadway Bar takeover in partnership with Thom Browne.
Through the beginning of October, Nordstrom NYC will feature the brand's fall 2023 collection with the launch of a dedicated Center Stage installation and a redesigned Broadway Bar with a custom menu and signature cocktails curated by Browne.
The Center Stage assortment will consist of Browne's women's readyto- wear and accessories, including outerwear and sport coats to trousers, skirts, cardigans, sweaters and woven tops. Alongside the rtw, Thom Browne@ Nordstrom will also feature boots, loafers, heels, sneakers, handbags, tights and socks. Prices range from $ 120 to $ 6,950. Across the street at Nordstrom Men's Store, customers can find the brand's men's assortment.
The installation features a gray house that ties in with the central motif of Browne's fall 2023 image campaign, transporting visitors to "the end" where the land meets the sea.
The full experience will be on view at Nordstrom NYC flagship until the beginning of October, with the assortment also available on nordstrom.com. In addition to the pop- up shop, Browne and Nordstrom will be hosting men's and women's made-to- measure events in Seattle Thursday through Sunday, and New York, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
At the Broadway Bar on Level 3 in New York, the space features marble accent walls and gray tones along with a custom menu, Champagne and signature cocktails. Highlights include oysters on the half- shell, caviar and potatoes.
"Thom Browne is one of the most creative and inspiring American fashion designers working today, and we are thrilled to be partnering with him on our Center Stage and Broadway Bar takeover," said Sam Lobban, executive vice president, general merchandise manger of apparel and designer at Nordstrom. "We're excited to see his vision come to life and be able to offer our customers a special way of engaging with and experiencing his brand through our concepts."