From a special fragrance and Gucci homeware to new launches from Marc Jacobs, Rihanna and Paco Rabanne, here are some things we recommend indulging in ahead of summer
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 Bag
As of yesterday, Paco Rabanne has taken over MatchesFashion.com’s Carlos Place townhouse to celebrate the launch of Julien Dossena’s brilliant Pre-Fall 2019 collection. Our eyes drifted in the direction of the accessories, though: namely, the revival of the house’s seminal 1969 bag, first designed by Rabanne five decades ago. Made in signature chain-mail, each of the “medallions” are stitched together by hand. New iterations more than meet the demands of the modern-day shopper: one miniature style is perfectly sized for an iPhone, another is dripping in perspex crystals. An ‘it’ bag is (re)born. JM
The Marc Jacobs
Those who remember the halcyon days of Marc by Marc Jacobs – the now-defunct diffusion line which, alongside the collection, included pencils, keyrings and all number of kitschy Marc by Marc ephemera – should note the advent of The Marc Jacobs, a new line from the designer which launched last week. Taking its name from the designer’s Instagram handle, @themarcjacobs, this line will focus on “pieces” rather collections – The Romantic Blouse, The Panama Pant, The Disco Skirt, for example, each item starting with ‘The’. (Some, like The Grunge Sweater will be re-runs of previous collection). Expect collaborations from Jacobs’ friends and muses too: Stephen Jones, Sofia Coppola and Milton Glaser will all contribute to the new brand. JM
Fenty’s Release 15-9
Fenty – the LVMH-backed label by Rihanna which launched last month – will not follow the usual luxury retail schedule, instead, new drops will appear online like “music singles”. The first of these, Release 15-9, contains numerous pieces in Rihanna’s inimitable style: waist-cinching tailoring, super-sized denim jackets, strappy stilettos and the like, all available on Fenty.com now. Release one is also accompanied by a visual interpretation by AnOther contributor Jack Davison, inspired by the work of American photographer Kwame Brathwaite, who popularised the slogan “Black is Beautiful” after using it on a poster for a Harlem-based beauty pageant in the 1960s. Both Davison and Brathwaite have also released monographs in the past month, available to purchase now. JM
Rick Owens Sunglasses
The Shield and The Rick Frame are two new styles of sunglasses from Rick Owens (the latter is so called because the designer wears them himself). Both styles come in a variety of colours – from ultra-sheer yellow to sun-blocking black, with some boasting mirrored lenses – and are designed to be worn by people of all genders. Take your pick: The Shield features hypoallergenic surgical stainless steel rims and an eyebrow-encompassing frame, while The Rick Frame is more slender in its wrap-around shape. BH
Elena Dawson Fragrance at Dover Street Market
Elena Dawson has launched debut fragrances with installations at Dover Street Market in London, New York and Los Angeles this month. The two fragrances, The River and The Rose were created for the designer’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection, with packaging that’s just as luxurious as the unique scents themselves: encased in glass stopper bottles, the perfumes are sealed using the traditional wax and thread technique of baudruchage, and presented with a handwritten label. It’s an exciting launch for Dover Street Market, which has long stocked Elena Dawson’s ready-to-wear and stocks the beautiful scents exclusively – rare too, since the stores only usually stock Comme des Garçons’ own-label fragrances. BH
Anglepoise x Margaret Howell
On June 14, Margaret Howell will launch the latest instalment of her ongoing collaboration with iconic British lamp brand Anglepoise. For this collection, the designer chose to introduce a new colour to the range: Sienna, a choice which was inspired by her Autumn/Winter 2019 collection, and joins the existing shades of Yellow Ochre and Saxon Blue. “My choice of Sienna for our new Anglepoise lamp may have been influenced by having recently worked on the Autumn/Winter clothing collections,” she said. “We chose fabrics in rich rusts and warm browns. Sienna, a deep burnt orange, is a strong colour and I think sits well against pale grey and neutral walls.” AW
Aesop Departure Kit
Summer is approaching and with it, holiday season. For those lucky enough to be getting away, Aesop has launched a brilliant new ‘departure’ kit containing everything you’ll need for the trip. It boasts a rinse-free hand wash – which will, pardon the pun, come in very handy when travelling – a hand balm, a facial hydrating masque and facial hydrosol (good for during and after a flight) and a lip cream, as well as a mouthwash and some toothpaste – ensuring that you’re minty fresh, as well as dewy skinned. All these products fit within the 100ml liquid restriction, which will save you worrying about airport security chucking your cherished beauty products. AW
Dior’s Roller Bag
For the Pre-Fall 2019 Dior Men’s collection, Kim Jones brought back the house’s iconic Roller bag – this time for men, and with a sportier, much more modern feel. This bag launched two weeks ago, along with the rest of the Pre-Fall collection, with a party hosted in partnership with Another Man. Complete with two removable pockets, this new Roller bag comes in two styles: one featuring sexy robots by artist Hajime Soroyama, with whom Jones collaborated on the collection; and one in leopard printed nylon, in tribute to M. Dior’s favourite animal print. AW
A Gucci Cushion
With Gucci by Alessandro Michele, it’s always a case of more is more. His collections span centuries, countries and cultures, in a kaleidoscope of colour and fabric – and the same can be said for the house’s recently launched homeware collection, which includes these amazing cushions, as well as blankets, tables, chairs and armchairs, stools, candles, umbrella stands, and much more. AW
Kjaer Weis Skincare
Organic and sustainable beauty brand Kjaer Weis has launched two new products this month, both full of natural hero ingredients designed to cleanse and boost your skin’s radiance. It’s no longer a secret that oil-based skincare products are incredibly nourishing, and The Cleanser and The Toner use the first press – the oil in its purest form – of almond, prickly pear, melissa and chamomile oils to cleanse the skin of impurities. While The Cleanser uses vitamins and fatty acids to clean and plump skin, The Toner brings together Chinese yam root essence (which is biodynamically grown and harvested using a method exclusive to Kjaer Weis), lavender, marshmallow extract and melissa oil to hydrate and protect skin. Plus, both products are designed to be used without needing a cotton wool pad or disposable wipe – so your eco-conscience will be clean too. BH