From a new label from Matty Bovan made under lockdown to a collaboration celebrating easygoing Italian summers
New Season at Browns Fashion
This week, Browns Fashion launched an atmospheric new campaign to celebrate the arrival of summer. Starring models Debra Shaw and Dennis Okwera, it was made to capture the beauty of British nature: “Summer Sonata was inspired by the ocean, the human form, movement and nature in all its glory,” says Browns’ fashion editor Kendal Boyle. It also heralds the arrival of the new season both in-store and online, including a raft of new designers, from Bethany Williams and Av Vattev to Louisa Ballou.
Alighieri’s ‘Old Town’ Pop-up
A new pop-up from London-based jewellery label Alighieri is inspired traditional Italian piazzas. Found at Islington’s Dingley Place throughout August, ‘Alighieri Old Town’ promises a celebration of “friendship and reuniting communities” with fans of Rosh Mahtani’s precious creations able to experience them in real life after time spent in lockdown. Appointments for one-to-one shopping appointments can be booked online; alternatively, book a table at Casa Luna, a miniature pop-up pasta restaurant opened for the occasion.
Matty Bovan’s New Label, BOVAN
Also launching this month is a new label BOVAN, an offshoot of Matty Bovan’s eponymous brand comprising jersey, sweatshirting, and sportswear fabrics, all printed and painted by hand in Yorkshire. Created during lockdown, BOVAN – which will launch on the designer’s e-commerce platform on August 6 – will be launched alongside a visual diary of the last five months spent in lockdown. “As a designer I think it’s really important that I offer something unique and totally different to the customer, which is something we have always done with limited runs and special pieces with our retailers, but I wanted to explore more casual pieces such as hoodies, sweatpants and tote bag,” he explains. “Every piece has been touched by hand, using paint or screen printing techniques, and everything is limited and pretty much one-off, each piece has its own multi-layered story.”
Matches Fashion x ISSIMO
Summer travel plans might be tentative, but a transporting new collaboration from Matches Fashion conjures easygoing Italian summers. Partnering with Marie-Louise Sciò and Pellicano Hotels, Matches Fashion will launch a series of high-summer capsules, selected and designed alongside Sciò as part of her ISSIMO platform. An array of designers will be taking part, including Solid & Striped, Lisa Corti, Anya Hindmarch, and others, with collections that promise pieces that can be worn to bask in the sunshine, whether home or away. “It is such a pleasure to work with like-minded creatives and continue this journey born out of our collective love for Italy,” says Sciò. “Our capsule collection, along with the renewed collaboration with Matches Fashion will give Italophiles the chance to discover gems that are quintessentially Italian.”
The Launch of Charles Jeffrey’s LOVERBOY.net
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY announced the launch of a new e-commerce platform late last month, a “virtual destination” for fans of the London-based label to purchase Jeffrey’s vibrant designs – from logo knitwear to pleated kilts, and ‘Gender Symbol’ jewellery, it comprises both new pieces and past-season favourites. The site makes for an immersive experience, too: visitors are invited to “select their player” from a number of Jeffrey’s vivid illustrated characters, and explore a utopic world where all are welcome.
The Reopening of Palace’s Soho Store
Expect long queues outside the Palace store at the end of this week – on Friday, the London-based skate brand known for its devoted followers, will reopen its Soho store after lockdown closures. To celebrate, Palace has also released a new lookbook, shot by Angelo Pennetta on Polaroid, showcasing the label’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collection and starring the Palace skate team, Lucien Clarke, Kyle Wilson, Charlie Birch and Heitor and Dino Da Silva.
Dior’s Harrods Pop-Up
To celebrate the launch of Dior’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collection arriving in stores, a new pop-up in London’s Harrods will run through August. Focusing on the season’s velvet accessories – with an immersive velvet-clad space to match – shoppers can get the house’s emblematic Saddle, Lady D-Lite and Book Tote styles in the evocative fabric for the first time (a selection of ready-to-wear will be available alongside). Those wishing to take home something completely unique will be able to do so through the ABCDior service, which allows shoppers to personalise their purchases throughout the month.
New season at Dover Street Market
Twice a year, Dover Street Market shuts down entirely in order to transform the store ready for the new season; this Saturday marks the reopening ready for Autumn/Winter 2020. Expect new spaces from Cecilie Bahnsen, Molly Goddard, Stephen Jones, Jil Sander and Maison Margiela, as well as new arrivals from Louis Barthelemy, Merrell, Ricorrobe, Tatuna, Yume Yume and more. This update will be reflected online, too, with Dover Street Market’s e-store filled with new products to shop.
Prada’s Re-Nylon Collection at Selfridges Corner Shop
Last year, Prada launched its sustainable Re-Nylon line, which sees plastic waste collected from oceans, fishing nets, and textile fibre waste regenerated into the house’s signature nylon designs. Through an innovative depolymerisation and re-polymerisation technique, the fabric can be recycled indefinitely. This month at Selfridges – on Monday August 17 – the department store will open an immersive Prada Re-Nylon ‘Corner Shop’ as part of its Project Earth initiative, where you will be able to see and buy Re-Nylon accessories and ready-to-wear pieces ahead of the collection’s global launch in September.