I attended Berlin’s first The Champions Burger. The eleven day event ends May 19th at the RAW-Gelände Friedrichshain. Not knowing what to expect, I got more than I expected, a big choice of hamburgers. Tis the season in the German capital for outdoor events, a big communal BBQ is fun way to start.
The Champions Burger, sponsored by Ninja Appliances, moves to Hamburg on May 23rd.
Green Tech Berlin arrived with 200 exhibitors showcasing products and services. The two day fair is a place to learn about products and services tackling carbon zero and sustainability challenges with fresh ideals.
German automotive company presented a mini concept car made from recycled and 3-D printed materials. The 240hp was made by twelve interns in the Neckarsulm factory over a six-month period.
Chinese designer Ou Yanshan had Balenciaga inspired piece made from recovered disposed materials.
The range of recycled sources and the way they are designed always excites me. Vietnamese brand Gia Studios showed off white transparent jackets made from casaba melons.
Germany’s Lufthansa Group is pivoting to becoming them most eco-friendly airline. Europe’s largest airline concern has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 with modern fleet renewals, using Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Power-to-Liquid Fuels and Green Fares.
Green Tech is a travel fair held in Berlin, London, Los Angeles and Singapore.
A few questions to ask. Today it is hard to answer because of media overload and desperate attention seeking.
What is ELEGANCE in 2024?
Why does modern style lack NUANCE?
Has glamour become a CIRCUS?
Is fashion inspiring or SILLY?
What’s the definition of Celebrity OVEREXPOSURE?
Many industries converge this week for Green Tech Berlin. Because the topic of sustainability is on everyone’s agenda, we decided to see what happens at this conference with topics on fashion, mobility, technology and travel.
Can Apple get its groove back? The tech giant has set the trends over the past years. The Cupertino California based brand gave the world iPhones, iPods, Air Pods, and iPads, but lately the $2 trillion valued giant seems to have lost its glow. At one time a new product announcement gained the equivalency of a royal proclamation. Gone are the lines of fans waiting outside stores for their latest cultural changing gadgets. Now, the celebration is muted.
“Let Loose” was Apple’s reveal of new iPads. After two years the lineup got a few updates with OLED screens and M4 new chip suitable for AI processing. The most striking feature, the iPad Pro is the thinnest device by the company at 5.3 mm thin for the 11-inch model.
The other surprise, the 10th generation iPad starts at $349, $100 cheaper than previous models. Even Apple understands consumers are feeling the inflation squeeze.
The Met Gala happened yesterday. The ultimate “LOOK AT ME “Red Carpet ceremony went off without a hitch after brokering a last-minute deal averting a strike involving NewsGuild members of Conde Nast employees. Anna Wintour took center stage. The Vogue head has transformed the event into the most important annual fashion ritual on the calendar with global celebrities and business tycoons attending.
This year’s theme “Garden of Time” was inspired by JG Ballard with hosts Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth and Zendaya. The dress code inspiration centered on nature with proceeds going to the Costume Institute.
Admittingly, this year’s looks were striking. The designers got the memo, then went to work.
Way ahead of the pack, Cardi B., the rapper took over the scene with a more means more black strapless look.
Zendaya is the Modern Queen of the Red Carpet, no argument on this end. The Dune star decided to have two looks for the night by Maison Margiela.
According to Vogue Gigi Hadid’s dress White Rose dress took 13,500 hours to create. The Thom Browne creation is a mix of satin and silk moire with thorn appliques and the off the shoulder corset.
Gwendoline Christie in a Masion Margiela black and red ensemble was a subtle stunner.
In the “Only eat one carrot a day” the Sand Dress from Balmain worn by songstress Tyla will rank as a Met Gala standout.
Barry Keoghan’s Burberry three-piece suit with top hat took the Beau Brummell prize for romance and elegance in the menswear category.
Has the Met Gala aged well? Red Carpet bashes feel more ponderous than glamorous. The format comes across as modern as our grandparent’s prom pictures.
The 22nd Tribeca Film Festival starts June 5th. With 103 films and 86 premieres this yer looks promising.
Get the news, reviews and interviews here and on the Chat Cinema Podcast.
Designer Brett Johnson returns for a conversation on this Before Tacky episode. The Milan luxury fashion head talks about his vision for his label, the quiet luxury trend and the current state of the industry.
I finally read Andre Leon Talley’s book The Chiffon Trenches, the fashion authority’s memoir published in 2020. The Brown University graduate shows his gift of flowery as well melodramatic language describing his pioneering life in the fabulous stratosphere. However, therein lies the problem with the book. The author weaving the tales got tangled in the plush silk web.
From humbled beginnings in North Carolina to the corridors of fashion power at Vogue and Conde Nast, Talley’s journey was remarkable. An assignment with editor matrix Diana Vreeland opened the doors of influence and access.
Stints at Interview, W Magazine and Ebony, Paris then New York placed the Washington D.C. born journalist in a spoke of the fashion universe.
The expression goes “The devil does not come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He or she comes as everything you wished for.” It would be Anna Wintour who placed the journalist as close to the fashion’s center- hub as he would get. The British born uber magazine head made Talley a true member of the style gentry class. With a prestigious name plate, suddenly the first African American fashion Editor at Large not only had new friends, old enemies sought truces.
Working at Conde Nast came across as a gilded bubble, flying here and there, front role seats, endless name dropping, believing the gold leaf fiction would prove the influential style consultant to the star’s eventual downfall. Everyone has an expiration date. Mr. Talley’s beliefs in personal relationships in a transactional world came across as misguided, naïve, silly. Given his skill and knowledge, how did Andre fail to understand this?
The lack of introspection, suddenly chasing identity in a shallow way bothered me while reading his book. At the time of his writing, the world was gripped by BLM. Perhaps this was chasing the headlines of the day. I cannot remember Talley championing other African American Writers, designers, stylists until it was safe. Being friends with Naomi Campbell, Diana Ross and Michelle Obama was hardly risking taking.
The confusing part of the book, what exactly did Talley do at Vogue? The details of having to pay for his driver when expenses were cut, laid bare, while the particulars of his job seemed vague, a column or a VIP styling every full moon. What were his real responsibilities? After his unceremonious 2018 dismissal from the fashion Bible, the once well-heeled connected style purveyor got lost, forgotten, a relic who did not keep up with the times. Seeing the frequently wearing caftain wearer on the 2020 Tamron Hall Show, I saw a man who came across as a child who lost his mother at the shopping mall. The issues with Wintour still ran deep.
Andre Leon Talley passed away in 2022 alone, struggling with legal and financial issues. The 73-year-old left a bigger than life legacy that sadly faded at the end.
As the fashion world moves along its topsy turvy twists and turns, the latest news makes a person’s head shake.
The MET Gala is coming up. The New York City Soiree is the Red-Carpet event for the rich and famous. Anne Wintour’s grand showcase is where fashion labels pay a celebrity to show up looking gorgeous. The proceeds from this “charity” go to the Metropolitan Museum. The irony, Vogue, along with parent company Conde Nast is planning to lay-off 100 workers. As the magazine struggles for footing, the fashion powerbrokers are having a ball while saying” No money to pay the workers”. The term “Out of Touch” comes to mind.
Conde Nast staff is taking this laying down. The soon to be ex-employees are planning an action. Workers are planning an action to circulate flyers near the venue with the slogan “Anna wears Prada/Workers get nada.” NewsGuild of New York announced the intention is to bring attention to the ongoing negotiations. While the Queen of Fashion is toasting many of her subject writers may need to open GoFundMe accounts to pay rent.
In the “Was it ever real” category, luxury online shopping has imploded. Until recently, once the darling of investors, the so called “savior the fashion world” is going out of style faster than bell bottoms. E-commerce sites hit valuations of $25 billions and higher, those days are gone. Matchesfashion went belly up with a heavy debt load owing 200 vendors, including luxe labels Victoria Beckham, Gucci, Max Mara and YSL. Administrators are selling office furniture. Customers will not get refunds or have orders finished.
Farfetch, the Paris base digital shopping giant has fallen on hard times as consumers cut back on high-end spending.
While attending fashion events in January and February buyers from these platforms were going around trying to convince brands all was good, no need to worry. Please keep doing business with us. How did they do this with a straight face?
It is only April.