Alpha Industries appoints Matthew Pantoja as chief brand officer

Image: Alpha Industries Outerwear specialists Alpha Industries has announced the promotion of Matthew Pantoja to the brand’s newly established role of chief brand officer, effective immediately. Pantoja will oversee the brand’s product, marketing and experiences across all categories, regions and channels while reporting to CEO Michael Cirker. He will also be responsible for the company’s global brand building, working closely with its creative, product and merchandising departments and its international partners. Already with the company since 2016, Pantoja has served in multiple roles, including vice president of marketing and e-commerce, sales, brand and business development. He also oversaw the transition of the company from its military roots to a lifestyle brand. In a statement, Cirker said on Pantoja’s appointment: “Matt is an exceptional marketer who has helped our 60-year-old company evolve in a new age of branding and culture. Matt has taken on increased leadership responsibilities within Alpha and has demonstrated strong, strategic expertise and the ability to lead. We are recognising Matt’s excellence across multiple aspects of the Alpha Industries organisation with the new role of chief brand officer.”
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Five young, sustainable shoe brands to watch

Image: Native Shoes Nowadays, it is no longer enough for shoes to be stylish and trendy - they must also tread lightly on the environment and be partially or fully recyclable at the end of their life. More and more consumers are making a point of ensuring that their shoes are made in this way and from materials that do not harm animals. FashionUnited has found five young shoe brands around the globe that promise a better future. Image: Nat-2.eu Flamingos Life Image: FlamingosLife.com Flamingos Life is a Spanish shoe brand that has been specialising in the production of vegan shoes since 2015, and every step is made exclusively in Spain. But not only that, each shoe project is also linked to a social project to offset any negative impact on the environment. Currently, the shoe brand works with Agua ONG to build wells in Uganda, with Eden Reforestation on reforestation projects in Madagascar and Mozambique, and with Waste Free Oceans to rid the world's oceans of waste. Flamingos Life currently ships to the UK, US and Canada as well as 18 European countries (including the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Germany and France), and is available at select retailers. The various unisex shoe models cost between 100 and 150 euros (86 and 120 British pounds/116 and 162 US dollars) and are available in sizes 36 to 46 (3.5 to 11 UK/5.5 to 12 US). Native Shoes Image: NativeShoes.com Native Shoes was founded in Seattle in 2009 with the aim of making the environmental footprint of the men's, women's and children's shoe brand as light as possible. Accordingly, the company only uses vegan, alternative materials and by next year has set itself the goal that every pair of Native Shoes will be reused in various projects through the Remix Project. The shoes are made in selected factories in China and Vietnam that produce ethically and fair. Native Shoes are available worldwide through the company's webshop and selected retailers. Prices range from around 50 to 150 euros (48 to 130 British pounds/50 to 135 US dollars). Yatay Image: Yatayyatay.com Shoe brand Yatay is the result of two years of diligent research and development. Founded in 2018, the shoe brand uses only recycled or Peta-certified vegan materials such as recycled car tyres and plastic, corn and wood from sustainable cultivation. The aim was to combine the best 'Made in Italy' quality with the most advanced green technology to create timeless, comfortable and sustainable sneakers for men and women. In addition, for every pair sold, the company plants a tree. Yatay shoes are available through the brand's webshop and are delivered worldwide. They are also available at selected retailers in various cities in Italy and Switzerland as well as in Vienna, Sydney and Dubai. Handmade in Italy, the unisex shoes range in price from 270 to 330 euros and in size from 35 to 47 (2 to 12 UK/4 to 13 US). Nat-2 Image: Nat-2.eu Munich-based sneaker label Nat-2 was founded in 2007 by Sebastian Thies, whose family has been making shoes for six generations since 1856. The brand is dedicated to discovering unusual, natural materials for shoe design, including stone, coffee grounds, corn, cork, mushrooms, fish leather, flowers, cannabis, red pepper, oxblood, leaves, moss and more. Nat-2 shoes are available through the online shop Coilex via worldwide, carbon-neutral delivery or at select international retailers such as Rinascente, Galeries Lafayette and Manufactum. Prices range from around 40 euros for children's shoes to 440 euros for women's and men's shoes. Purely vegan models are also available. Nisolo Image: Nisolo.com Founded in 2011, Nisolo is a sustainable brand dedicated to making shoes and accessories that are produced under fair conditions and that pay a living wage. Factories are located in Peru, Mexico, Kenya and the USA. The company from Nashville, Tennessee currently still uses leather, but it is vegetable tanned, and does not yet offer purely vegan items. However, this is planned for the future. Each product comes with a "Sustainable Factsheet” for customers to read about its environmental impact. The brand works with Ecosphere+ to offset the impact of its products, for example through reforestation projects. The prices of the shoes range from around 100 to 250 US dollars (around 88 to 220 euros/74 to 185 British pounds). Currently, the items are only available via the US webshop or at selected retailers such as Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.
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Canada Goose partners with Victoria Kakuktinniq for third Project Atigi collection

Image: Canada Goose Canada Goose’s Project Atigi has partnered with renowned Inuk fashion designer, Victoria Kakuktinniq for their third iteration. Project Atigi – “atigi” is Inuktitut for “parka” – is a social entrepreneurship program that celebrates the legacy, craftsmanship, and traditions of Inuit women in North Canada. Kakuktinniq joins Canada Goose as a guest designer, creating three limited-edition outerwear styles, benefiting Inuit communities across Canada through Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada. Previous Canada Goose Guest Designers have included Chinese designer Angel Chen and Rhuigi Villaseñor of RHUDE. “Canada Goose was born in the North. We are committed to supporting the people and communities of the region, creating global awareness, and understanding of their culture and craft. Project Atigi has always meant more than beautiful designs and donations, it’s about celebrating Inuit heritage,” said Gavin Thompson, vice president of corporate citizenship at Canada Goose, in a statement. “We have long revered Victoria and are honored to be able to bring her story to life globally through these unique pieces.” Established in 2019, Project Atigi has raised more than $165,000, supporting regional programming, education, employment, and cultural preservation programs through ITK. This year’s goal is to exceed the 2019 and 2020 collections. “ITK is grateful to Victoria Kakuktinniq for contributing her immense talent to this year’s installment of Project Atigi, which brings Inuit style and ingenuity to audiences worldwide,” said Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in a statement. “Our ongoing relationship with Canada Goose helps to empower Inuit craftspeople, support entrepreneurship and community development in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada, and educate consumers about Inuit history and culture. Congratulations, Victoria, on your beautiful collection.” “Project Atigi is so empowering – for myself, my community, and other Inuit women. Sewing traditional garments is an important part of life in the North. We are artists, we tell our stories through our product. It’s more than our livelihood, it’s a way of life,” said Kakuktinniq in a statement. “Bringing my designs to the global stage is important because it celebrates, educates, and inspires. I’m grateful to be a voice for my culture and to give back in such a profound way.” Kakuktinniq is known for fusing traditional garments with a modern style. She brought this iconic approach to the collection, bringing the characteristics of traditional Inuit garments – hoods, hems, and trims – with modern silhouettes. The collection’s three pieces, all aptly named after their designer, are created for year-round pursuits, each with feminine details and flattering shapes. The Kakuktinniq Parka delivers warmth and protection in the harshest conditions, while the Kakuktinniq Down Jacket is a lighter-weight piece for versatility across seasons. The Kakuktinniq Jacket is a windproof and water-repellent piece for transitional temperatures and ever-changing elements. The latter styles were designed to be layered together for added protection and warmth. The color palette includes dark jade green, amethyst, dark Azure, and black with all colors inspired by the Northern Lights, representing the night sky from Kakuktinniq’s hometown of Rankin Inlet. A bespoke tattoo trim, created by her for this collection, also finishes off each style. “Inuit have a long history of traditional tattooing. The designs and their meanings vary between people and communities,” Kakuktinniq said in a statement. “This specific design represents key milestones in my life, my strength, and is a tribute to my parents and daughter, who have always supported me personally and professionally.” Continuing its respect, appreciation, and support of the North and its people, Canada Goose is featuring Inuit women in the collection’s campaign. Singer, Shina Novalinga, model, Willow Allen, and actress, Marika Sila are all Inuit activists who are starring in the campaign. Project Atigi is a part of Canada Goose’s purpose platform, HUMANATURE, which unites its sustainability and values-based initiatives. The platform was born from the notion that humanity and nature are reliant on each other, as everyone has an inherent responsibility to give back, protect the planet and make an impact.
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Video: Magliano FW22 collection

In this video, fashion label Magliano has presented its FW22 collection at Milan Men's Fashion Week (MFW). Watch the video below. Video: IMAXtree.tv via YouTube Photo credit: Design Scene, Facebook
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Zara partners with New York City Ballet on collection

Image: Zara x New York City Ballet Fashion retailer Zara has revealed a collaborative project with the New York City Ballet for the upcoming spring/summer season. Unveiled through the brand’s Instagram, the collection is inspired by the “ethereal forms” of tulles and silks, with ballet-like silhouettes a prominent part of the line. Campaign images for the collaboration show dancers from the New York City Ballet sport some of the looks, including silk cami dresses, structured flared skirts, sheer leotards and layered tulle garments. The collection was created in collaboration with Italian-born contemporary performance artist Vanessa Beecroft, who previously worked with Kim Kardashian’s Skims for the brand’s upcoming Team USA gymnast collection. Image: Zara x New York City Ballet The release likely comes as a part of the retailer’s strategy of removing the fast-fashion label it falls under, one of the main objectives it has outlined as it prepares to welcome Marta Ortega as the new president of the Inditex group this spring. The move has already been seen in a number of premium collections and brand extensions, such as Zara Atelier, as well as price increases and collaborations with designer brands, like Ader Error. The new Zara x New York City Ballet collection is now available online in the US, UK, Spain, France and Russia. Image: Zara x New York City Ballet
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Savage x Fenty opens Las Vegas store with AR body-scan tech

Image: Savage x Fenty Rihanna’s lingerie label Savage x Fenty has opened its first brick and mortar store in Las Vegas, offering a “first-of-its-kind retail experience” through technological activations and in-store innovation. As the first of five stores to be opened, its launch marks the popular retailer’s strategy to bring a “fuller expression of the brand to consumers in key markets”. The physical space mirrors that of the Savage x Fenty’s online identity and e-commerce, conveying its social community outside of the digital-only realm. In a release, Rihanna said on the new store: “We wanted to be able to connect with our customers in real life and give them something they have never seen before. Creating the space took a lot of imagination, married with things I’ve always wanted to change about my own experiences as a customer.” Image: Savage x Fenty O’Neil Langan Architects, visual artist Jed Skrzypczak and creative firm PlayLab, alongside the pop star, drove the creative direction and consumer experience of the store. Five themed rooms have been designed for both interactive experiences and photo opportunities, each displaying mannequins that represent a diverse range of body types in line with the brand’s commitment to inclusivity. A partnership with the technology platform, Fit:Match, was also in place to launch the Fit Xperience app allowing customers to obtain an augmented reality (AR) 3D body scan. Two devices in the store use the patented technology and provide shoppers with a personalised fitting experience that can further provide them with product recommendations based on their size and shape. Fitting rooms will also be home to technology integrations, each equipped with digital kiosks that allow users to browse and scan items. Image: Savage x Fenty “The launch of retail is going to allow our customers to shop on their own terms and move seamlessly between a uniquely Savage immersive retail experience and the convenient online interaction they already love,” said Natalie Guzman and Christiane Pendarvis, co-presidents of Savage X Fenty. “Customer experience and discovery are at the forefront of everything we do and these stores will allow us to build an even greater connection to an already highly engaged community.” The Las Vegas store opening will be followed by openings in Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia and Washington DC in early 2022.
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