From New York to London to Milan and now Paris, there is a trend. After reviewing fashion weeks looks and pieces for Spring 24, there is definitely a change happening. Wearable styles without selfie friendly monograms are charging down the runways.
A recent article in The Guardian newspaper described Napes as “the city of imminent doom.” A place where cool books and tv shows are set. Agreed.
After my visit to the city in August 2021, in my opinion the Southern Italian city has an eccentric vibe. A place where everything past and present meet on the Mediterranean Sea. Walking around the city there are impressive architectural inspirations from various epochs of human history.
Gucci performed a reset this season at Milan Fashion Week. After the ouster of creative head Alessandro Michele, Naples born Sabato De Sarno took the lead of the legendary fashion house.
Less bling, more sexy chic looks hit the runway with looks based on feminine seduction. Parent company Kering sounded alarm bells as sales slipped in key markets. Buyers no longer wanted flashy, but rather low-key pieces. For the past fourteen years, Gucci pieces were about a conspicuous style. A part of the, “Hey, Look at Me wearing something expensive” fashion label group along with Balenciaga and Dolce&Gabbana.
Will this new direction restart the struggling brand? Can buyers wrap their heads around Gucci’s Ancora less is more looks of mini and leather skirts along with jewelled tops? We have to wait for this spring.
Stay tuned for Before Tacky, our podcast on fashion news and reviews.
The history of wearing a hat and why from Simone at Borsalino Milan.
Fashion Season is here with the big runway shows from the capital cities of style showing off their newest collections.
Looking over the designs, we have some opinions. Before Tacky is coming soon.
As a traveler I spent time in Senegal on my West Africa journey, one day I will return. Meanwhile, stay tuned for a quick podcast interview with the tourism head about this gem of a destination.
Monograms are out. Quiet and soft are in. Fall 2023 has arrived, the looks for the up coming season focuses on not being a walking fashion brand billboard. The exact time of this style transformation escapes me but be warned, having BALENCIAGA on your chest is déclassé.
Menswear returned to a more classical approach. Gender fluidity trended on the catwalk, but sales became another matter. Guys are retreating to what they wear best. As Gucci and other disciples of showing it off looked for creative heads, the under the radar quiet brands have hit the mark with shoppers.
Check out the Fall pieces for 2023 that set an inspiring attitude.
Rolling Stone arrived in my mailbox when I was in college. The magazine cover featured the latest, hippest artists under the banner, always with a catchy headline and the best photography. Founded in 1967 by Jann Wenner and Ralph Gleason the square publication spoke to generations of music lovers.
However, I did note the lack of Black Artists on the cover was not lost on me. In some ways Rolling Stone, while projecting its forwardness was in a way a product of its segregated times with all the baggage. There were always rumours of the New York based ‘publication‘s prejudices, African American artists not getting featured or interviews. Their frequent Greatest Lists felt weighted in certain biases.
Magazines are not about objectivity, but about their readers. The average RS subscriber was white male, educated.
“I’m always annoyed about why black people have to bear the brunt of everybody else’s contempt,,” Toni Morris.
Imagine American Music without Black People! Who invented Rock N Roll? Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Rosetta Tharpe are credited as founders of the genre that would be the basis for Mr. Wenner’s success. Rolling Stone is a title of a Muddy Waters’s song.
As a person gets older, the truth becomes an anchor, true feelings are revealed. During a recent podcast to promote his book, Mr. Jenner (77) admitted his feelings about African Americans artists not being articulate enough to consider them masters alongside white male counterparts U2, John Lennon, Jerry Garcia. In his defense, The co-founder included Joni Mitchell on his inarticulate list. With a liberal like this, who needs a conservative.
Jann has been removed from The Rock and Roll Hall of fame board. Well, at least he will keep his fortune from covering music created by People of Color.
