Author: Sydney Scott

Companies and fashion houses around the world are learning that they need to adapt to the ever changing circumstances that come along with covid-19 to not only thrive in the fashion industry, but to merely keep their doors open. Around the world, individuals have found their new normal to be social distancing and the use of face masks when going outside or being around other people. Face masks, which were once merely for medical usage, have now taken over our way of life and become our new normal. As a result of this, fashion has looked to profit off of this new “accessory” and create their own masks that align with their brand’s images and overall aesthetics. 

Ranging from the likes of Off-White, Christian Siriano, and Takashi Murakami to Re/Done, Love Shack Fancy, and Cotton Citizen, brands are doing their part in not only supplying customers and first line workers with effective masks, but are making them as a fashionable way in which individuals can wear the brands that they love while still staying safe and healthy. With this, many brands who have had the means to make masks have not only donated masks to those in need of them, but have partnered with organizations that are aiding the fight against covid-19 and give a percentage of their profits made off of these masks. 

Regardless of living in these uncertain times, fashion brands have found a way to not only improve their business relative to our current situation and economy, but do their part in helping our communities stay safe and healthy while still allowing individuals to express themselves through their fashion choices. It is important that we all not only support those fighting this virus and the many organizations helping to do so, but that we also look for unique ways in which we can each help and make our world a healthier, safer place. 

January 25th, 2020 signified the Chinese New Year, which is also referred to as the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year signifies the beginning of a new calendar year based on the cycles of the moon. With every new year comes a Chinese zodiac animal that goes along with it, and this year is the year of the rat. Tapping into the use of red as a symbol of the lunar new year and this year’s zodiac animal, designers created campaigns and capsule collections allowing all of society the opportunity to celebrate the year of the rat.

A favorite lunar new year collection here at Cultoure is Gucci’s Mickey Mouse collection in collaboration with Disney. Tapping into its logo print and traditional silhouettes, Gucci incorporated Mickey Mouse into every aspect. Whether it was the Rhyton sneaker with a giant Mickey Mouse laying down, the Canvas Slippers donning Gucci’s “GG” logo in brown and Mickey Mouse, or the signature Gucci t-shirt with Mickey Mouse in his trademarked pose, Gucci incorporated the famous mouse in the most fashionable way possible. What made this collection so special was the fact that it took a recognizable figure that is loved by society, and integrated it into the capsule collection to honor and celebrate the Lunar New Year. Although celebrating the Lunar New Year, Gucci’s use of Mickey Mouse can be loved and appreciated by all, regardless of their connection to the Chinese tradition. 

The collaborations designers curated for the Lunar New Year are the true definition of Cultoure; the intersection of culture and couture. They celebrated the acceptance of all cultures and traditions, all while doing so in the most fashionable way possible. Although not always through fashion, we as a society should accept and celebrate everyone and their respective ways of viewing the world and the many people and cultures it encompasses. 

Pulling inspiration from the sun, sand, and culture of Miami, Kim Jones most recently debuted his Fall 2020 collection for Dior in Miami. The collection and show was curated in collaboration with Shawn Stussy and his popular surf wear brand, Stussy. The collaboration with Stussy is the latest in Jones’s takeover of Dior, as he has additionally collaborated with KAWS and Raymond Pettibon since his appointment as the artistic director of menswear in 2018. Through collaborating with Stussy, Jones has created and set the standard for what the melding of streetwear and high fashion should like look. 

Arriving in vintage Cadillac’s, guests were greeted to a completely wrapped runway covered in Stussy’s iteration of Dior’s logo through using his signature “wave print” which was laid on top of an ombre blue and green background. Stussy’s logo was seen throughout the show, due to its inclusion on numerous pairs of shoes, pieces of clothing, and bags. The melding of both the visions of Jones and Stussy can be seen through the mixture of colors and structures of the pieces in the collection. As if collaborating with Stussy was not enough for a single show, Jones revealed his collaboration with Air Jordan on an AJ1 sneaker. The sneaker includes Dior’s navy blue logo on the nike swoosh. This collaboration grabs the attention of those obsessed with sneakers, and allows them to invest in an original, classic shoe with a high fashion twist. This collaboration is completely on trend with what streetwear followers and buyers are looking for from the high fashion houses. 

Jones’s and Dior’s collaboration with Stussy continues to show the shift fashion houses are making to include streetwear and streetwear brands in their collections. Streetwear has not only continued to thrive individually, but has and continues to infiltrate the world of high fashion. Jones and the Dior he has curated serves as a prime example of how high fashion can incorporate streetwear effectively, and draw in fans from multiple sectors of fashion. In my opinion, Jones has found the perfect middle ground of not only incorporating streetwear giants into his collections, but still being able to express his own artistic ability and eye. 

The Paris Fashion Shows for the Spring Summer 2020 have continuously brought imagination, surprises, and master craftsmanship. The most astonishing of them all, in my opinion, has to be Thom Browne’s recent show. Browne’s clothing has been worn among many professional sports players, thus being his inspiration for his collection. “I’ve always used sports as a reference, and today, playing with the severity of the 18th century reference, grounding it in sports, was a way to bring it into the men’s world.” 

In all of his shows, Browne incorporates the element of theatrics and surprise. He is known for his use of stripes and striped fabrics throughout his pieces. The show was led by a ballet performance from the American Ballet Theatre’s James B. Whiteside, who wore a high-cut seersucker tutu made out of the signature stripes, and a tricolor blue bee stung lip. What followed was extravagant and meticulous tailoring, crafted French Revolution fashion, and 2D garments. 

This show stood out as it not only brought light to Browne’s brilliance when it comes to designing and executing clothing, but also brought attention to his ability in costume design. The larger than life dress silhouettes reminded onlookers of clothing worn by those in the Antoinette-era, whether that be the ginormous trousers or shapely sports jackets. Although paying homage to the Antoinette-era, the pieces also resembled those worn in the ivy league. He included jock straps and inserted balls into the sides of the skeletons of the skirts to give the full effect. The outfits were matched with bags for many sports; baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. Finally, every model was seen wearing a tricolored blue bee stung lip and sweat headband. 

Browne is the latest designer to incorporate the past with the present, and does so in such a whimsical, exciting way. His show not only allowed onlookers to use their imaginations, but allowed him to bring his ideas to fruition and show the public what takes place in his head. 

Rihanna has blown everyone away, yet again. The music powerhouse has never failed to amaze those around her both through her vocals and choice of style. She has started trends and shown individuals that it is okay to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to clothing, and to be your true self. 

Rihanna has previously dabbled in the fashion and makeup industries through having a collection in collaboration with Puma; Fenty x Puma, and her own beauty line. These collections not only exceeded all expectations but went on to cement Rihanna’s name as not only someone who could wear daring and well thought out clothing, but could produce and design it as well. 

Most recently, Rihanna has launched her own brand, Fenty, with the help of the multinational luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. The first collection launched in May 2019 in Paris, France. This collection included structured denim, corset dresses, strappy spiral sandals, pleated pants, and fanny packs. The second collection is set to drop at a pop-up store in New York City in June 2019. This collection, although similar to the first, focuses more on vacation pieces, vibrant colors, glitzy accessories, and graphic t-shirts paying homage to Rihanna’s home, the Barbados. 

Rihanna’s brand not only emulates her as an individual and artist, but is also size-inclusive. These two attributes of her brand set here apart from the rest of the industry, and serve as a breath of fresh air. Rihanna explained her vision to the T, The New Times Magazine. “I want to be as disruptive as possible. The brand is not traditional. There is no runway show. It’s a new way of doing things because I believe that this is where fashion is going eventually.” I could not agree with Rihanna more, and think that her vision and initiative will urge others to take the same actions. In my opinion, she is the future of the fashion industry.