SOMETHING BLUE: Instead of teasing its latest collaboration on social media, Rimowa has hidden it like an Easter egg — in a telltale shade — in a New York exhibition that opens Friday.
The traveling showcase, dubbed “Seit 1898,” debuted in Tokyo last June and will occupy Chelsea Factory until Sept. 17.
Hype beasts are sure to make a beeline for a display case that’s empty save for a metal Tiffany & Co. — Rimowa brand plate, suspended in a blue box. The collaboration is to be unveiled later this month.
A display case at Rimowa’s “Seit 1898” exhibition in New York City.
John Daniel Powers
The “Seit 1898” exhibit, “since 1898” in English, features a variety of Rimowa cases, advertisements, catalogues and other items that tell the story of the German brand’s heritage, technologies and aesthetic identity in a series of diorama displays.
Since LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired the premium luggage-maker in 2017, it has unfurled buzzy collaborations with Dior, Off-White, Supreme, Fendi and Moncler.
Some will be displayed along with cultural artifacts, like the suitcase from “Mission Impossible 4,” and luggage owned by the likes of Billie Eilish, LeBron James, Spike Lee, Martha Stewart, Takashi Murakami, Lewis Hamilton and Patti Smith.
The upcoming Tiffany tie-up probably took one phone call — if that. Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president, product and communications at Tiffany & Co. since 2021, was previously chief executive officer at Rimowa after initiating and leading LVMH’s acquisition of the company.
The New York retrospective, marking Rimowa’s 125th anniversary, is open to the public daily, and is slated to travel to other locations in 2024.
Located at 547 West 26th Street, Chelsea Factory was originally built in 1914 as a garage for NYC taxis, which surely carried many Rimowa suitcases in the trunk over the years — except maybe blue ones. — MILES SOCHA
A view of Rimowa’s “Seit 1898” exhibition in New York City.
John Daniel Powers
ON THE ROAD: Tiffany & Co. is continuing its “Diamonds and Wonders” event concept.
The jewelry brand hosted its latest high jewelry event concept Wednesday night in Mexico City, bringing together a host of celebrities to celebrate a selection of Tiffany’s unique pieces.
The event was held at Mexico City’s Campo Marte, an old military equestrian field, and brought together the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Diego Boneta, Alejandro Fernández, Bárbara López, Juan Pablo Zurita and others. Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra performed during the event.
Tiffany displayed an array of diamond and gemstone pieces at the event that were inspired by the “magic of mother nature,” according to the jeweler. On display were pieces such as a cockatoo-inspired Bird on a Rock brooch designed by French jeweler Jean Schlumberger in 1965 and an emerald-cut aquamarine necklace from Tiffany’s Blue Book Botanica 2022 collection.
Jeff Goldblum at Tiffany & Co.’s “Diamonds and Wonders” event in Mexico City.
Courtesy of Getty
This is Tiffany’s latest “Diamonds and Wonders” event as part of the brand’s high jewelry acceleration plan. Tiffany first launched the event concept last March in Park City, Utah, and later hosted similar events in Shanghai and Sydney.
“We basically took our blue boxes to the world,” Tiffany’s chief executive officer Anthony Ledru told WWD in March about the jeweler’s high jewelry acceleration plan. “In 2021 it was the first time Blue Book was international [in more than a decade]; it went to Shanghai, which was a big success. This year it will be back to New York City [at the company’s renovated Fifth Avenue store] — and it will be a traveling collection. The world has changed and it’s something we will continue to accelerate in the coming months.” — LAYLA ILCHI
A NEW HOME: Florist to the stars Venus et Fleur will unveil its first collection of home and tabletop items this month. Inspired by the enduring nature of its trademarked Eternity Roses that last for one year, the new collection features handcrafted, evergreen porcelain adorned with romantic floral motifs and glassware.
Named the The Perennial Collection, the array includes stemware, coasters, vases, bowls and more. The decor objects are designed in-house and handmade by craftspeople around the world by artisans — ranging in price from about $48 to $800.
“The line will expand our brand’s existing offering into the home and tabletop categories where the product will focus on make, craftsmanship and serve to complement our customers’ full lifestyle. We are committed to quality and ensuring that each piece is treated like a work of art, something that can be passed down from generation to generation,” Seema Bansal-Chadha, Venus et Fleur’s cofounder, told WWD. Bansal-Chadha founded the firm in 2015 with her husband, Sunny Chadha.
Decor from the Venus et Fleur Perennial Collection.
The brand garnered major media attention when rapper Offset ordered thousands of dollars’ worth of Venus et Fleur arrangements, with just three hours notice, for a public, onstage apology to Cardi B in 2018. The flowers spelled out “Take me back Cardi.”
Kim Kardashian, Mark Wahlberg, Paris Hilton, Gigi Hadid and Hailee Steinfeld are among the celebrity fans of its florals, which are sourced in Ecuador and Japan.
The New York City-based firm will host an event to fete the new collection on Sept. 13 in New York City. The collection will be available online and in Venus et Fleur stores starting Sept. 19. — SOFIA CELESTE
FIELDS PLAY: Reebok has signed Justin Fields, quarterback for the Chicago Bears, as an ambassador.
The long-term deal indicates the beginning of Reebok’s strategy to rebuild its position in team sports, one that will include further expansion of its athlete roster, a greater presence within sports culture and the introduction of new performance footwear and apparel offerings for the field, court and beyond, the company said. Over the years the brand has had relationships with everyone from Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
As part of the deal with Fields, the athlete will be featured in a variety of digital and social content, and in the spring, he will be the face of the FloatZig 1, Reebok’s new running shoe.
“As a brand with such a unique and rich heritage in sports, we’re thrilled to be returning to our roots, and embark upon a long-term strategy that will have us reclaim our rightful place in the sports world once again,” said Todd Krinsky, Reebok’s chief executive officer. “Justin’s authenticity, high energy and risk-taking mentality as a natural leader on and off the field immediately stood out to us. He exemplifies who we are and how Reebok will show up in sport culture in the years to come — bold and unapologetic. We’re thrilled to welcome Justin to the Reebok family as we shepherd in a new era.”
The partnership includes a charitable component as well. Reebok recently participated in the Justin Fields Youth Camp, a youth football camp for children in the Greater Chicago area. In addition, Reebok has pledged to evolve and expand its Human Rights Now platform, a long-term commitment designed to inspire human rights and human movement for everyone.
Justin Fields will be the face of the FloatZig 1, Reebok’s new running shoe.
Courtesy of Reebok
In his first two professional seasons, the 24-year-old Fields has been singled out for his speed and energy on the field. He holds the record for single game rushing by a quarterback.
“Reebok holds an incredible legacy in the sports world that has always inspired me,” Fields said. “Not only have they launched iconic offerings with legends like Allen Iverson and Shaq that shaped sports culture in the ‘90s, but they also have the attitude and energy to reshape the future of sport once again. I’m excited to join Reebok and help kick off this next great chapter.”
Reebok is now part of Authentic Brands Group, which purchased the company in March 2022 from Adidas for 2.1 billion euros. — JEAN E. PALMIERI
FASHION SOUNDTRACK: Spotify is getting into the fashion week swing.
On Thursday, Spotify will launch “The Soundtrack Behind the Runway,” a new in-app destination featuring playlist takeovers from new and established designers and creative directors set to be the soundtrack for the upcoming fall fashion weeks.
To kick off New York Fashion Week, Spotify has partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to introduce the first official playlist of New York Fashion Week, exclusively on Spotify.
“There’s something special about the relationship between music and fashion that comes to life every year during fashion week. Whether it’s inspiring collections or sound tracking runway walks, music is the backdrop for so many of fashion’s biggest moments — and we have over 630,000 fashion-related playlists on Spotify to prove it,” said Dustee Jenkins, chief public affairs officer for Spotify. “That feels especially true here in New York, where fashion is one of the largest industries and where Spotify has its largest global office.”
“The Soundtrack Behind the Runway” will bring together curated playlists from New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion week innovators.
In New York, for example, from Thursday through Sept. 13, the Spotify x CFDA’s “New York Fashion Week Official Playlist” celebrates the vibrant creative community in New York City at the intersection of fashion and music, including tracks that have inspired designers such as Et Ochs, Kim Shui, Mara Hoffman, Staud and others. New Yorkers will be able to easily listen along to what’s inspiring the runway with Spotify’s out-of-home billboard in Times Square going live on Friday.
Throughout NYFW, the billboard will feature a QR code driving to the playlist. Keith Herron, founder and creative director of Advisry, is launching his Counter/Culture mixtape, featuring songs that shaped his view of the world.
“Music plays an integral role to the designer’s creative process, culminating in the fashion show. The CFDA is excited to partner with Spotify on the Official Playlist of New York Fashion Week, which will bring the excitement of American fashion creativity to a worldwide audience,” said Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA.
Raul Lopez, founder and creative director of Luar and 2022 recipient of the American Accessory Designer of the Year award, takes over the Fashion Forward playlist where music and fashion collide. Songs include “America Has a Problem” by Beyoncé with Kendrick Lamar, “Nookie” by Limp Bizkit and “Punto 40” by Rauw Alejandro and Baby Rasta.
Luar’s Fashion Forward playlist.
courtesy shot
In London from Sept. 15 to 18, Skepta, founder and creative director of Mains, takes over WWB x Mains playlist, the U.K.’s number-one destination for Black music culture, with a teaser playlist ahead of his first London Fashion Week show.
In Milan, from Sept. 19 to 25, Giuliano Calza, founder and creative director of GCDS, takes over the Italian Sunset playlist for a summer-in-the-city feeling. Marco de Vincenzo, creative director of Etro, takes over the Runway playlist, with indie beats for strutting the runways.
In Paris, from Sept. 25 to Oct. 3, Julien Dossena, creative director of Paco Rabanne, takes over the Fit Check playlist, bringing an eclectic mix from French tap bangers to international classics. — LISA LOCKWOOD