B Lab U.S. & Canada’s Post

Is Art Week the new Fashion Week? Perhaps... 👀 Here are some of the things I kept thinking about after running that art-filled, brand-forward marathon called Art Basel: Why are fashion house events turning into the week's hottest tickets? Are our tote bags quickly turning us into walking billboards? Should we let fashion brands positively resignify terms like vanity, when they commercially profit from such move? Are brands turning into galleries, while galleries turn into museums? More thoughts: https://lnkd.in/eYS2naEr

I came across a very telling video by Jennine Jacob that explains the state of design today. It correlates, through the lens of fashion design, the impact of business driven initiatives on creativity and innovation. She points out that data driven design is creativity oriented towards the past rather than the future, impeding the invention of something new. This neutralizes visionaries, driven by imagination and intuition, who are essential to innovation. This is the state of design across multiple verticals: architecture, vehicles, music composition, fashion and digital products. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eB7Mjzkj

Let's dive into my idea vault. I've been cooking up a storm across various realms, from sports to television, with a focus on culture-shifting concepts. First up, Dreskin. This isn't just another fashion show; it's a deep dive into the heart of urban style. We're flipping the script on traditional fashion narratives by spotlighting the unique aesthetics of different regions. Dreskin will celebrate style history, showcase groundbreaking designers, and introduce fresh talent. It's time to recognize the cultural origins of these trends. This show is a must-have for anyone who wants to understand the true essence of urban fashion.

Proof that a fashion and art collaboration can be done right featuring the art as a source of inspiration not only in a visual and aesthetic way but also by translating the underlying content and ambiances 👏 Galvan London Anna-Christin Haas “For our first encounter with the world of fashion, we delved into the intersection of art and fashion, inspired by Oldboy's fundamental question: What does our relationship with the reflection, or more specifically, with the nature of self recognition in the mirror tell us about our self perception? What defines our temporal existence? This contemplation explores fashion as a medium of continual evolution and redefinition of our fluid identities - a journey that is both intricate and personal, often exclusive but also participatory, in signaling alikeness among a group. It stands out not only as a powerful tool of communication but also as a channel for artistic experimentation, reflecting our ever-transforming selves in a process that has never been more multifaceted and complex than in our current realities.” – Hedda Roman   Having been inspired by art and architectural sceneries with a more clean and pure design aesthetic throughout the last decade, Anna Christin Haas was taken here very of the moment during a spontaneous gallery visit at Sies&Höke being confronted with an Avatar called “the Oldboy” hitting her with the feeling of the unknown and a somnambulistically state. The collection was developed in close exchange between Anna-Christin Haas and the artist duo, Hedda Roman. A timely exploration of the human need for constant transformation through self-reflection, and the growing ambivalence regarding what it means to be human in the context of future technologies. Anna-Christin Haas notes: “The work of Hedda Roman can be diffusing and ambiguous – it is questioning the human kind. It matched with a feeling of insecurity I had inside of me, which we all have inside of us in times of global uncertainty. But I also saw hope in what new technologies could do for us”. Congratulations to this uncommonly multilayered collaboration bringing together various creative worlds, the fabulous show during Paris fashion week and the outstanding Autumn Winter 24 collection. Music by Next of Din and Charles Bals #art #fashion #ai #parisfashionweek #paris2024

This graffiti inspired collection features a reinterpretation of iconic graffiti spray cans, reimagined to reflect our brand. Our design serves as a powerful reminder to break free from the monotony of the 9-to-5 lifestyle and reclaim your creative spark. In today's society, it's all too easy to get caught up in the daily grind, sacrificing our passions to mindlessly follow societal norms. But it's time to challenge the status quo, break the cycle of conformity, and ignite the flames of creativity. So go ahead, break the glass, and unleash your creativity. In a world that demands conformity, true liberation lies in embracing your unique voice and creating something extraordinary. #StayWeird #Graffiti #Streetwear

https://lnkd.in/guxZ8AX8 What do Met Gala looks tell us about our cultural perception of beauty? How does that perception align (or fail to align) with transcendental beauty? Check out my article on Crisis to learn more.

1. Have humility to just ask. 2. Get into alignment with Indigenous values. 3. Share your platform and profits. Love this truth fuelled article that Dori Tunstall shared via Fast Company after attending Indigenous Fashion Arts and interviewing Sage Paul, Jennifer Younger, Lesley Hampton, Wanda Nanibush and Angel Aubichon that highlights three things companies can do to respectfully collaborate with Indigenous artists. Three things that clearly demonstrate the simplicity of what non-Indigenous folks and companies must be doing to shift from performative reconciliation to authentically activate what is required to be in right relations with Indigenous peoples. https://lnkd.in/gTmEk7u2 1. Have humility to just ask “I think the big thing is non-Native people are unsure and don’t ask. I’d like to convey that it is okay to just ask. And this is where we can start to feel respected.” Jennifer Younger https://lnkd.in/ghRJwdmd 2. Get into alignment with Indigenous values “I feel that in fashion, designers and creatives are tapped into a channel of creativity. We’re in love with design. We’re tapping into our creativity. We’re channeling our ancestors and the vibration of the planet. We have to feel to create and channel stories and design. Collaboration is about who is vibrationally aligned with me right now. Whose work is sparking joy in my creative process and how can I add to their creation in a collaborative way to add to that?” Angel Aubichon https://www.indicity.shop/ “We are trying to both create the market and bend the market to the [Indigenous] value systems at the same time that allow people to continue to make things from where they live on the Rez and where the inspiration comes from. Indigenous people don’t want to destroy the earth...” Wanda Nanibush 3. Share your platform and profits "Successful collaboration with Indigenous designers is putting them in decision making sections, and not just an artistic collaboration. It is having the Indigenous person be a part of all the deciding factors when it comes to not only the creation and design of the piece, but also the marketing of the piece and the collaboration, and then also the future of the collaboration..." Lesley Hampton https://lesleyhampton.com/ Encouraging non-Indigenous folks to read this article and answer truthfully what steps need to be taken to ensure we are respectfully approaching collaborations with Indigenous and Native artists in a good way, and with prioritized diligence be accountable in taking those steps. #Reconciliation #CulturalAwareness #IndigenousBusiness

Bold new campaign by Wempe: It emphasizes the emotional benefit of "connections"—connections to ourselves, to others, and I assume also to the watches and jewellery we buy and wear. It will be interesting to see how Wempe conveys this theme in their storytelling across various buyer touchpoints: digitally through social media, digital marketing, their website, and webshop; traditionally through print and outdoor advertising; and physically in their stores, shop windows, and personal interactions with customers. If executed well, this campaign could strengthen emotional bonds with consumers, fostering greater trust and transparency. #Wempe #EmotionalBenefit #BrandBuilding #jewelry #watches #luxury #jewellery #BrandLoyalty #CustomerExperience #Retail #EmotionalBonding #BrandEssence #mhegrowthconsulting

"Bringing Designs to Life: A Fusion of East Asian Elegance and Unique Inspiration" Designing is not just about creating outfits—it's about telling stories. In this video, two distinct interpretations of East Asian aesthetics take center stage: 🔹 Cruella Reimagined: Bold, edgy, and utterly unique, inspired by the iconic Cruella de Vil, with a captivating East Asian twist. 🔹 Ariel Elegance: A tribute to the graceful beauty of the sea, blending feminine charm with the timeless allure of East Asian culture. Each step on this AI-powered runway celebrates creativity and cultural fusion. I’m excited to share this vision with all of you! What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your feedback! #AIInFashion #RunwayDesign #EastAsianStyle #FashionInnovation

Luxury brands so often communicate craft and expertise through perfection: the making of an accessory in a gleaming factory, or at the most, an orderly atelier putting the finishing touches on perfectly conceived pieces. But you can also convey perfection through showing a little imperfection. I love the spirit of this mini-film from SCHIAPARELLI that turns the craft narrative on its head. It conveys the expertise, craft, and creativity at the core of the house by showing everything that didn't make the cut: the ideas that fell apart in fittings, the finished pieces that just didn't work. Have other designers done this before? Sure, but mostly through documentaries (Dior & I, Signe Chanel, etc.) or tightly controlled editorial features, not as official brand communication. It's a risky approach, but one that shows a kind of openness and humanity that adds to a brand's credibility.