May News Roundup
1.
HYKE is a Japanese fashion brand known for their precise, fashion-forward takes on classic wardrobe staples. Whether it’s a trench coat, sweatshirt or shirt dress, HYKE rethinks the proportion, asymmetry and cut of classic pieces and reworks them for contemporary life. They have cult status in the West because they are rarely carried in boutiques on this side of the world. Read up on the brand’s design approach and business philosophy here.
2.
The Galleria inside the newly renovated 10 Corso Como concept boutique in Milan is currently hosting an exhibition of Yohji Yamamoto's work, titled Yohji Yamamoto. Letter to the Future. The exhibit showcases iconic silhouettes from Yamamoto’s long career, while also including quotes from the man himself, giving viewers a glimpse into his design philosophy and adding a contemporary context for the garments. Getting the green light from Yamamoto for an exhibition of his work was a huge coup for the store, as the designer famously hates retrospectives. In this interview, curator and fashion academic Alessio de Navasques discusses the project with SHOWstudio.
3.
Patagonia, a well-known champion of environmental sustainability, has recently released a new documentary titled The Shitthropocene in their ongoing efforts to get people to stop buying crap. The film, which takes a satirical and irreverent approach to the issues of sustainability and climate change, highlights our problem with mass consumption. Simultaneously, it also subtly promotes Patagonia’s own wares, which is a little awkward. However, what the movie does do well is show the difficulties brands face when creating and engineering sustainable and ethical products - something Patagonia obviously takes very seriously. And in the end, the takeaway is clear: buy better and buy less.
4.
The CFDA has created a Voices of Impact series to explore timely industry topics with American designers, academics, and professionals. In this episode, Designing Purposeful Growth, designers Maria Cornejo and Gigi Burris discuss the challenges of creating a sustainable fashion label as independent, women-led brands (Zero + Maria Cornejo and Gigi Burris Millinery respectively). Insightful and inspiring, the conversation ranges from how to balance growth with creativity, while also valuing human and environmental resources.
5.
In 1972, artist and art director Richard Bernstein took over designing covers for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. Bernstein created 189 now iconic portraits of the personalities of the day, from actors, directors, designers, and rock stars to political figures, American socialites and European aristocrats. Read up on Bernstein’s work and how he and Warhol came to a meeting of the minds over glamour and fame.
Yohji Yamamoto image courtesy of K2 Images / Shutterstock
