Concrete Playground Fashion News | July 17 2014

Giorgio Armani's 40th Anniversary in Fashion

Giorgio Armani is truly the patron saint of fashion. Starting out as a window dresser at La Rinascente Milan-based department store, the Italian fashion alpha is now worth a colossal five billion pounds, and just celebrated his 80th birthday and his 40th anniversary in fashion. His latest ‘Echoes of Armani’ Spring/Summer collection was romantic and classic Armani, featuring oversized coats, loafers, neutral colours and clean-cut lines. The designer makes sure he stays relevant by adding a modern twist to his traditional style, with some interesting fabrics choices -including a leatherskin jacket- and a splash of colour here and there. He really need not worry through, everyone knows the guy is a fashion saint. Even the church itself, as they had Armani sketch up some liturgical robes for the bishops of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily back in 2011. Not only has Armani dressed the church, but the guy has styled some heavyweight stars, including countless red carpet suits, the Italian military, and even the Bayern Munich football team.

Axelle Despiegelaere x L'Oreal

Speaking of football, FIFA isn't really considered to be a fashion highlight of the year, probably due to the fact that everyone tends to go ham with whatever appropriately coloured attire they can get their hands on. This year, though, the amount of honey shots skyrocketed, and a few particularly good looking supporters even ended up with modelling contracts. This Belgian supporter, Axelle Despiegelaere, who you have definitely already seen plastered all over the internet, managed to land an impressive contract with L’Oreal. Unfortunately for her though, the French cosmetics company dropped her like she was hot when the 17 year old posted a photo of herself posing with a rifle next to a dead animal to her social media.

Lonely Hearts Swimwear

Other than that brief fashion climax, the World Cup was largely non-eventful for the fashion world. And I may or may not be the only human to be relieved that it is over. Everyone looked like they were having so much fun, and was it just me, or did others become super aware of how cold it is in New Zealand compared to Brazil right now? It might’ve been all the girls in the crowd wearing next to no clothing. Which brings me to my next point: Labels have started releasing their summer lines, and even though they’re shiver-inducing in the current icy temperatures, the latest swimwear is hot. The underwear label Lonely Hearts just released their very first swimwear line, featuring long-line styles and cut-outs that could hold potential danger for the always challenging tan line dilemma. The new gear is out online now, and will be available from their Ponsonby flagship once it opens in September.

I Love Ugly Goes Global

Lonely Hearts isn't the only New Zealand success story to be expanding their reach. I Love Ugly has just announced that they are opening their very first overseas flagship store this August. Their newest rig is going to be found on La Brea Avenue in Las Angeles right bang-smack between fashion big-wigs What Goes Around Comes Around and Kelly Cole. For their June/July editorial campaign, the ILU team have collaborated with Las Angeles blogger NE.Street and produced an editorial unlike they've ever done before. Usually minimalistic and clean-cut, the latest editorial was shot in downtown LA and focuses on architectural symmetry that compliments the formal x sporty look that the brand exudes.

Diamonds by Ruby

Whilst Ruby hasn't quite extended to the US yet, designer Deanna Didovich has definitely used some vintage Californian inspiration in the designs for Ruby’s Diamonds Spring/Summer 2014 campaign. The shots are super chic and all very retro Liz Taylor and old school Hollywood glamour. Despite the fact that the line was Palm Springs inspired, the shots were taken by Steven Chee in Sydney amongst the Cronulla dunes at dawn.

Formantera

It’s so rad to hear about local brands expanding and releasing new collections, which is why it is so important to cultivate new upcoming labels too. Formantera is a brand new fashion label, that is being completely backed by their crowd-funding Kickstarter campaign. Designer Liv Tapper aims to find the junction between leisurewear and luxury-wear, a niche that is largely unexplored and has huge potential. Because in all seriousness, who hasn't dreamt of wearing their onesies to work, and their pyjamas to prom. If you’re into their mission and want to help the company reach their ultimate goal of New York Fashion Week in September, then you can pledge on Kickstarter and get some killer bonuses for doing so.

Vans x Stussy

And if you’re part of that demographic who would happily wear sweats over suits (that was a trick question - everyone is a part of this demographic), then you’re in luck when it comes to footwear too. The latest collab between Vans and Stussy is called Vault, premiering in Spring 2014. Everyone knows that Vans are comfortable. It is not a moot point. Unfortunately, everyone also knows that Vans are not exactly the dressiest of footwear options. The good news is that their collaboration with Stussy has resulted in a range of statement shoes that embrace the 80’s and 90’s with bold prints and neon colours. The new look might just mean that boat-shoe blisters become a thing of the past.

Stolen Girlfriends Club Sample Sale

To wrap things up nicely, I'm just going to leave you with little piece of information. Stolen Girlfriends Club are having one of their famous sample sales next weekend. They're huge and hectic and you may lose a limb. But you also might grab an insanely good bargain. The risk is yours to take.