June News Roundup

1.

It seems that fashion designers and their personal stories are popular with video on-demand streaming services. While deceased couturiers have received their own Netflix or Apple series (Dior, Halston, Karl Lagerfeld), living ones are proving to be excellent subject matter for documentary films. Enter Alexandre Mattiussi, Ami, Naissance d’une collection (Alexandre Mattiussi, Ami, Birth of a Collection). The film gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at founder and creative director Alexandre Mattiussi and his casual chic Parisian brand Ami, as he goes from fashion show fittings to collaborating with his design team. The film is currently available on Hulu for streaming.

2.

If you’re not familiar with Auralee’s casually elegant, yet understated clothing, this article is a good introduction to the work of designer Ryota Iwai. Rather than a radical reworking each season, Iwai’s approach to design is evolutionary, making his clothing both timeless and easily adaptable to any wardrobe. On the 10th anniversary of the brand, learn more about Auralee, as well as Iwai’s design philosophy and process.

3.

Readers of my newsletter know that I’ve been closely monitoring the Matches bankruptcy. This past month, it was finally announced by Frasers Group – the owner of Matches – that it was permanently closing the site as of the end of June. In this Vogue Business article, author Kirsty McGregor examines the bankruptcy’s ongoing consequences for both fashion companies and manufacturers, while also exploring the future of luxury, multi-brand retailers online. The key takeaway for retailers is the same advice I give to designers and brands: Maintain a distinct point of view and don’t try to be everything to everyone.

4.

A renewed interest in Brutalist architecture has been gaining ground in design over the last year, and now it's making its mark in the watch industry. While some have attributed this trend to social media feeds oversaturated with homogenous, pretty buildings and a search for “authenticity,” others (me included) would point to the style’s geometric shapes and clean lines easily complementing other design aesthetics like minimalism and futurism. With similar ideas trending in fashion, it’s no surprise that watches like Toledano and Chan’s B/1 and the Rolex Midas are now highly coveted.

5.

With the Olympics beginning in just a little less than three weeks, all eyes are on Paris (especially to see if the Seine will be clean enough for anyone in their right mind to swim in it for competition). Every time the Olympics comes around, my main interest is – of course – the athletes’ uniforms. Thankfully, the BBC has rounded up the most fashionable kits athletes will be wearing to compete this summer. It’s nice to see some countries and the brands responsible for crafting their uniforms putting sustainability at the forefront of their designs.

Rolex King Midas watch photo courtesy of Matthew Bain Inc., Ami photo courtesy of Robert Way, Paris Olympics 2024 photo courtesy of Hethers / all Shutterstock