The Heal And Restore’s Post

Valentino SS25 Breaks Fashion’s Monotony. Alessandro Michele’s return to fashion with Valentino restores consumer’s desires for the excess, and his SS25 collection reevaluates the notion of what it means to create fashion in an age of simplicity. When Alessandro Michele left Gucci, it felt like the fashion world had stopped functioning properly. It may sound preposterous, but his departure saw whatever was left of epic, eccentric fashion leaving with him, with that lust for life — so evidently present in each of his creations — seemingly gone forever. It was so major that the price we had to pay during his absence was hefty. It plunged the industry into utter boringness, allowing for micro-trends such as “Quiet Luxury” and the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” to thrive amongst his disappearance. It allowed brands such as The Row and Polène to gnaw at our taste buds and wiped clean any arousal for excitement at multi-label boutiques with the overtaking of minimal, sterile products. For a moment it was as though we were forced to move on from the highs of an illustrious and controversial era, one that Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, and Jean Paul Gaultier had too procured in their time, to a forthcoming, clearly uninspiring future. But Michele’s debut showing for Valentino, arguably the most anticipated collection this season, assured us that not all of that maximalism is lost. In fact, we already knew that when he caught us off guard with the release of the house’s Pre-Spring 2025 collection — a behemoth lookbook comprising 171 looks (like the days of his blockbuster collections on Hollywood) and a return of the immaterial worlds comprised of every era seemingly appearing all at once. Likewise, Spring Summer 2025 sees the same continuum as Michele’s lore on fashion. It has its fair share of 1970s inspiration, with silhouettes and just the right amount of product variety to satisfy anyone — judging from the lengthy amount of looks. Who could forget the fair amounts of superstitions in Michele’s work, like the cracked mirrors on the floors that sprawled across the runway — a case of getting at the back luck first before it gets you at your debut show? Even the casting, with models brooding a droning face, follows the same attitude. To be fair, if one were to present this without name-dropping Valentino, no points would be deducted if one mistakes them for old archival images of Michele’s time at Gucci. And there is nothing wrong with that. Clearly confident in his own language, a house like Valentino seems more fitting for a designer whose habits are inclined to skew the archives of several decades, rip them up into smaller pieces and assemble them again into a new look. With a history entwined with old-world celebrities of young Hollywood and Italian Cinema, it’s the perfect place for Michele. It is also what Gen-Zs are actively looking out for.

The Q1 results have shaken the fashion world, pointing to the volatility of the market, except for the Prada Group. Let's look at the trajectory; Ten years ago, the company was suffering; the drop in revenue in 2014 was 28%, and the approach in business didn't seem modern. In one of the interviews, Patrizio Bertelli was asked why he was skeptical of e-commerce. He replied: “It’s not that I am skeptical, it’s that I have more important things to do, like opening stores, for example." However, the situation has changed, with a profit of low single digits in 2018, and the Group has stayed in the spotlight (in a positive way) ever since. And starting in 2022, Prada officially took the title of trendsetter. What has happened? Raf Simons: he joined Miuccia Prada as co-creative director in April 2020. I am not a fan; however, there are a lot of people who are. The appointment has allowed Prada to attract a different base, clients who used to stay away from the brand because the design was too conceptual and too elitist. Interestingly, the MIU MIU brand benefited more than Prada because the vibe matched Raf's fans better. Lotta Volkova: she has been working and styling MIU MIU since 2019. Lotta came from Balenciaga, actually from Vetements; she was Demna's friend, and he asked her to style his first show and walked the runways as a model. What differentiates Lotta from other stylists is absolute freedom in approach and no fear, and that pays off. The collections don't look "carefully styled"; they just look cool. Lotta helped girls overcome the Prada/MM reputation as a strictly intellectual brand. RTW: Prada was originally a handbag brand; however, Ms. Prada is all about clothes. Prada sits today in the fashion industry as one of its greatest forces of innovation. It includes unique fabrics, fabric finishing, new proportions, etc. Because the big commercial brands have shifted focus from RTW to handbags, Prada is one of the few who is not in this group. So, when, just like now, the market softens, brands lose aspirational clients, and Prada is not affected that much because there are no aspirational clients in RTW (the 2k price tag of your pants is only visible to you and your AMEX). Conversations: after the shows, Ms. Prada and Mr. Simons participate in interviews - conversations that shed light on and provide an understanding of a brand's purpose. Also, there are Miu Miu Women's Tales, launched in 2011 to support female filmmakers; this year, it has a new chapter titled "I Am The Beauty of Your Beauty, I Am The Fear of Your Fear." Its author is 46-year-old Tan Chui Mui, who is hailed as the star of the Malaysian “new wave". Prada brands need a touch of democratization, and those things help a lot. It does look like the Prada group is well-positioned for 2024 and we wish the rest of the fashion brands take notes and pay more attention to RTW:)) #wwd #bof #fashion #fashionbusiness

'From Subtle to Sultry: Allison Williams and More Stars in Sheer Dresses for Giorgio Armani’s Fashion Show Red Carpet in New York 🌃👗✨ #FashionWeek #Armani #RedCarpetGlam For more insight into retail trends, check out databoutique.com ✅💼📊 #DataAnalytics #RetailTrends' by WWD about Giorgio Armani

After months of speculation, the long-standing mystery surrounding one of the most coveted roles in fashion, CHANEL, was finally solved: Matthieu Blazy that quits Bottega Veneta - Kering To say the weight of the fashion world is on Blazy's shoulders now that he is confirmed to take over at Chanel would be an understatement, after the legacy of Karl Lagerfeld. To some, Blazy will seem like a surprising choice. After all, his name has only very recently been thrown into the ring while others – Hedi Slimane, Haider Ackermann and Simone Porte JACQUEMUS, to name a few – have often been cited as Lagerfeld's preferred choices for a future successor. Blazy may point to the wish for change at the French fashion brand after Virginie Viard faithfully continued in the vein of Lagerfeld, though at times lacked his imagination and fantasy. At Chanel, there appears to be no doubt that Blazy, who will join the house in 2025 and is expected to present his first collection for spring/summer 2026, will be able to steer Chanel towards an equally, if not more successful, future. It will take time to gauge how much of Blazy's signature style at the Italian brand will resurface on Chanel's runway. The uncertainty, however, gives the industry ample opportunity to indulge in its favourite pastime: speculation. FashionUnited

In the ever-evolving world of high-end fashion, the line between innovation and absurdity often blurs. Luxury brands like Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga push the envelope, challenging conventional notions of style and value. But as the prices soar and the designs become more unconventional, one must ponder: Have we crossed a line? Is high-end fashion truly worth the exorbitant prices we pay for it? Join Glam/Amour as we delve into the world of high-end fashion, questioning whether the prices we pay for luxury are truly justified. https://lnkd.in/dSsb-YEs

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Fashion Jewelry Earrings

Kim Kardashian made a striking appearance at Paris Fashion Week, elegantly donning a BALENCIAGA gown that paid homage to Morticia Addams with a modern twist. Her outfit, highlighted by an intentional tag detail, sparked conversations and showcased the innovative direction of Balenciaga's Fall/Winter 2024-2025 collection. This moment underscores the dynamic relationship between celebrity influence and luxury fashion branding. #FashionInnovation #LuxuryBranding #ParisFashionWeek #CelebrityFashion #Balenciaga #KimKardashianStyle #TrendSetting #FashionMarketing #DesignCreativity #FashionIndustryNews

The fashion scene in Milan is witnessing a shift towards timeless wardrobe classics, embracing a return to roots or what some term as retrogressive metamorphosis. This movement towards subtlety, labeled as "quiet luxury" or "stealth wealth," signifies a departure from flashy showpieces. #FashionEvolution #TimelessStyle #LuxuryReimagined #ChicClassics #TrendSubtlety

With NYFW S/S 2025 starting this week, I turned to data to decide what to wear. Here’s the outfit: Oversized Blazer - MUGLER: This trend is making a comeback, with Google searches doubling in the past 30 days. Mugler is leading the way. Wide-Leg Trousers - The Row: Quiet Luxury continues to be a mainstay in fashion. Brands like The Row embodies this enduring trend. Metallic Accessories - Bottega Veneta: Since August 20th, search data shows these as the next must-have items, with Bottega Veneta at the forefront. Statement Sunglasses - Loewe: As the hottest brand in Q2 2024 according to The Lyst, Loewe is essential for any fashion week look. Chunky Jewelry - CHANEL: Google Trends shows a 43% spike in searches for chunky jewelry. Chanel classics are the perfect choice. What do you think of the look?

Milan Fashion Week was packed with great collections (Bottega), exciting discoveries (Moschino), questionable directions (Gucci), and many other thrilling things. Milan's week duration is only 5 days (Paris-9 days), and Mr. Armani wrote a letter to Camera Nazionale della Moda asking to extend it, at least for one additional day. And of course, because Italy is a leader in luxury handbags, many brands are investing in the development of new shapes and styles (below is an article from WWD that talks in detail about discoveries in the accessories department). https://lnkd.in/ee73y2nd Handbags are the margin and profit drivers for all luxury brands, with very few exceptions (Brunello, Akris). With many new and developing markets, especially in Asia, there is no better way for clients to invest in a "status piece." Dior pants would cost you $1.8k (only you and your credit card statement would know this); the "book bag" with a similar print is twice the price but, when you enter JFK, it screams - Dior!. Handbags rarely go on sale, and the "classic" brand's best-sellers are 80% of the business; novelty (like in cosmetics) is welcome but not essential, and -no alteration:( This is just a perfect scenario, and commercial fashion companies took full advantage of it, increasing prices season after season (sometimes month after month) to get more money out of it. But because the high percentage of clients are aspirational purchasers, currently, we are seeing a little snag. I asked someone who is a handbag buyer about business, and the answer was very short: "Difficult. Prices are too high." I can confirm that after spending a few hours at Galerie Lafayette and Printemps, I happened to notice that except for LV, Goyard, and Chanel, no counters are busy. Oh, sorry, Longchamp was selling (last year company's business was up 146%); some clients need to "downgrade" themselves to something affordable. However, some brands have started to listen to the street (even if this street is Avenue Montaigne). A Saint Laurent bag for 55 EUROS or about 75 USD?? Yes, there is one (pictured below). The brand's leopard-print cotton shopper, which has already been dubbed the poor man's YSL bag, is going viral online. Great idea, and BTW, the poor men are waiting for some offering from Chanel:)) #wwd #bof #handbags #fashionindustry #fashionbusiness #YSL