The J-Quality Factory Brand Project is a project bringing together eleven certified Japanese garment producers showcasing the menswear fashion prowess of the island nation. Not knowing what expect the first time I met the team last year at Pitti Uomo, the guided tour of selected pieces got my attention. In 2024, for the second appointment, there were more and better pieces. The cashmere sweaters (below) came from the wings from an angel, soft, light and vivid brushed to achieve a distinctive luxe feel. A piece from these collections would have a prominent place in my wardrobe.
A person never knows when or why an inspiring time will trigger an idea: looking at a painting, hearing a piece of music or from a TMI moment. Everton McDougall got triggered to start his brand Haus by Everton from a frank conversation. The Toronto native needed comfortable and stylish home gear during the lockdown. Today, the men’s footwear designer’s brand is in stores.
For this Before Tacky podcast Everton talks about the why behind the founding of fashion label.
Marquis Miles sat down for an interview about menswear fashion at Pitti Uomo. The Washington DC resident style consultant gives advice on what to have in the wardrobe for 2024.
From Pitti Uomo 2024, style consultant Taiwo talks about fashion trends and styles. What should men wear this year? Click below to listen to the Before Tacky Podcast conversation.
2023 closes. Hello 2024. What do I see as fashion trends in this volatile world?
The influencer movement has come under more scrutiny. The Ferragani Scandal in Italy, a loss of trust by followers. Finally, the increasing AI models used by brands and companies mean a reckoning could be on the horizon for this outreach strategy.
As luxury labels struggle attracting stressed buyers, expect a retreat in many areas. The creative head musical chairs will continue as brands move from conspicuous to quiet style.
Fashion magazines, once trendsetting curators, will continue their free fall still unable to adjust in the digital platform age. Has anyone bought Vogue’s Christmas Issue? Certainly there will be layoffs at publishing houses.
The retail scene is not going to escape, expect less physical stores while the online sites recalibrate. Shoppers should expect return and restocking fees for items sent back as online shops are no longer able to absorb shipping costs.
The Chinese apps grabbed the fast fashion baton and are racing around the fashion track. Temu and Shein have adjusted business models for young buyers to lust for a 1.99 t-shirt.
Sustainability gets the feel good headlines, but has yet to make a real industry economic impact. Big companies will continue practicing greenwashing paying lip service with peppered eco-slogans here and there in ads, but I suspect cash strapped consumers are not in the mood for paying more for better or helping the planet.
Always remember this in 2024: Fashion is cheap. One cannot buy style.
“Luxury bags make your life more pleasant, make you dream, give you confidence, and show your neighbors you’re doing well.” Karl Lagerfeld
Luxury fashion brands decided going up is better than going down. Prices have increased on aspirational pieces. Chanel bags are now twenty percent more. The controversial Speedy Bag from Louis Vuitton menswear head Pharrell now goes for $1 million. Is this too much? Have the labels lost touched with aspirational clients? Recently there have been many articles and social media posts on an industry that is feeling more and more out of touch.
Instagram gave the world an entitled make believe reality of imaginary wealth, generating demand for high priced goods. In business, when there is increased desire, rise the prices, the Chanel Hobo Bag is now 6350 euros. However, consumers are now balking at forking over more a prized item. The biggest luxury corporations LVMH, Kering and Richemont have been caught off guard, reporting lower sales figures. As the economy slows, inflation bites, buyers have put off buying the latest expensive offerings. Is this only a trend or a new normal of shoppers thinking twice about trading upward? Dreaming keeps the spirits high, but during these times, customers feel money in bank is more secure.
The fashion world’s Internet has been buzzing with the return of Phoebe Philo to the design realm with her eponymous brand. The British born designer, former head of Celine comes at the best time as buyers shift to quiet luxury. My first reaction, “yes!” Phoebe has made sexy chic with a big dose of class. The pieces are not cheap but never the less sell out fast.
