Some images from Milan Fashion Week.
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Milan Was About Less Is More
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Yoshiki Presents
Japanese artist Yoshiki presented his latest collection at Milan Fashion Week. Stay tuned for our coverage.
Pics by Pietro Dapfano
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A Thief is a Thief
As the saying goes, ?A thief can never trust another thief?, Trojan, the habitual professional burglar in the film Scorched Earth should heed these words. Director and writer Thomas Arslan’s sequel to his popular German film In the Shadows, takes actor Misel Maticevic back into familiar territory. As a leader of a heist crew, Trojan navigates through double crosses where one bad move could be his last.
Arlen’s direction at times feels stiff while reaching for the noir mood with Reinhold Vorschneider’s cinematography interchanging from grey to blue hues. Working from his screenplay, the sixty one-year-old helmsmen keeps the movement going to its natural violent conclusion.
The glue keeping the film together is Misel as the battled weary every man loner, unable or unwilling to escape from this backstabbing world.
I cannot compare the latest entry into the series against the 2010 work because I did not view it. As a stand alone, Scorched Earth has tough legs for the fan base pleased, while winning over a few new ones.
Scorched Earth was screened online.
Running time is 104 minutes. Release date in Germany is July 18th 2024.
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A Painful FALL
Recent headlines from Berlin’s KaDeWe have painted a dark picture of a once great department now in a fall. Since the last visit to the seven floor luxury emporium two weeks, the situation appears more dire on a Monday afternoon, customers appear to be staying away. More brands have pulled, not selling merchandise, or not restocking. Escalators are not working, employees are milling around staring at their smartphones. The shopping institution future looks uncertain.
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Fashion and Movies
Cinema and fashion designers have gone hand and hand for decades. Recently, I attended a film festival event. Concerning collaborations, there was a lack of knowledge on the matter among many modern filmmakers. A costume can enhance the profile of film, Jane Fonda in 1968 Barbarella, the famous futuristic scanty pieces have become iconic designed by Paco Rabanne.
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Back Again in XBerg
Recently, we returned to Kruezberg for dinner at Möllers Köttbullar. The quality of the restaurant is still up to par. The french fries taste like potatoes. Henrik Moeller’s attention to sourcing the best ingredients continues months after the our first interview from the Berlin establishment.
Möllers Köttbullar is located at Köpenicker Str. 190, 10997 Berlin
Brightway from Osaka produces luxurious sneakers made from Japanese leather. The three generation footwear makers have a philosophy: “A Pair to Love Even After 10 Years.” Clic below to watch the Before Tacky podcast interview
An insolvency sent shock waves through the German Retail and fashion world. The KaDeWe Group announced it was unable to meet its financial obligations. The Berlin based luxury department store chain operates the famous KaDeWe in Berlin, Alsterhaus in Hamburg and Oberpollinger in Munich continues to operate, for how long? Brick and mortar retailers have suffered over the years with the rise of online shopping, Covid lockdowns and inflation, the high-end houses were not immune from these pressures. The KaDeWe is now in a tailspin.
Founded in 1907, the Kaufhaus des Westens has been a beacon of consumption for generations. The food court floors are gathering spots to see and be seen.
Blame Who?
The reason for the bankruptcy has been blamed on high rent charged by parent company Signa Group. True or not, the signals coming from management has been confusing. Unpaid invoices dating back to September 2023, threatened legal action, accusations being hurled, unpacking the corporate drama will take time the stores may not have. Suppliers have pulled stock from the shelves, brands no longer sell on the sales floor. Questions about restocking for the new season are up in the air. The fifth floor homewares department may close because customers are not allowed to buy items.
Visiting the KaDeWe, I wanted to see the damage for myself. A “wake” is the best description for the scene. Empty shelves, roped off areas, sales staff wearing tight smiles unable to comment, not sure if they will have positions in the coming weeks.
Could this be the end of a seven floor fashion landmark? Will a bailout happen in time? As the shopping temple’s downward spiral goes into a second week, the KaDeWe’s creditability is on the online. Vendors could completely jump ship. Customers will start staying away from a decaying palace.
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Detroitissimi and Fashion
Detroit, The Motor City, is famous for cars and manufacturing. The once industrial hub of America home to once corporate automobile giants General Motors, Ford and Chrysler is reinventing itself with creative industries. Detroitissimi at Pitti Uomo showcased the cities top fashion heads. BM-AC, Bosweel Millinery, Detroit Denim, Deviate, High’s Adventure Gear, K. Walker Collective, Modern Athlete and Stormy Kromer represented a new style of design and production from The Great Lake State. The collective heads shared a passion for quality and a dedication to a less but better model of clothing.
Click below for the Before Tacky Podcast talk.
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Original over Expressionless
When a campaign is out of the box, it should be appreciated. Normally, fashion brands employ the same template. How many expressionless face models have we seen peddling the latest expensive this or that in glossy images? For a creative business, the fashion industry can be numbing with the same staid images.
Brooklyn jewelry and handbag designer Alexis Bitter took a cue from different influences by imagining a universe with the cast of characters that border on tragic comedy, integrating branding and seeding with clever storytelling in short Instagram videos.
Old money maven Margaux and abused assistant Jules or Jules are the golden Manhattan team, a modern dysfunctional duo that makes the new Sex and the City reboot feel wooden.
Theresa is straight from the John Waters casting call. The fabulous Coney Island native has her seven teen fans on TikTok and a husband who loves Fox News.
The FLU newscasters, a bull eyes parody of modern journalism with serpentine smiles glossed over with high-tech graphics.
Alexis Bitter proves originality and risk can triumph.