Selfridges to host in-store exhibition in partnership with Reference Festival

Image: Katja Novitskova Pattern of Activation (Mamaroo nursery, dawn chorus), 2017, courtesy of the artist and Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler - def image Luxury department store Selfridges is set to reveal an in-store exhibition alongside Berlin’s Reference Festival as part of its ongoing ‘Superfutures’ 2022 concept. Set to take place at its London location between July 14 to October 16, the immersive exhibition will feature 13 experiential spectacles by a selection of artists, brands and thinkers. Each installation looks to inspire customers to consider the way humans are living today and what the future holds for them if we don’t change, all while presenting a potential hybrid future. “Superfutures is a reaction to a moment in history,” said Agnes Gryczkowska, guest curator of Reference Festival, in a release. “A moment in which the future and diversity of our planet is pulled into question. As socio-political shifts attempt to increase hierarchies and homogeneity, the exhibition suggests a future that is a hybrid - a rhizomatic queerness and a desiring machine.” Highlights from the exhibition include sculptures by Estonian artist Katja Novitska examining the relationship between technology and biology, as well as video work by Jakob Kudsk that proposes a future where data and biology fluidly connect. “Through the Superfutures exhibition, Selfridges continues on its journey of ‘reinventing retail’, this time in a more philosophical sense,” said Selfridges’ acting creative director, Emma Kidd. “We aim to challenge our own mindsets, along with those of our customers, thinking deeply about what sort of future we might want, and the steps we need to take today, in order to live in a brighter tomorrow.” Image: Gentle Monster, The Giant, 2021
http://dlvr.it/STZCbg

ISawItFirst reports rise in FY sales, but remains in the red

Image: ISawItFirst UK fast fashion e-tailer ISawItFirst has reported a 70 percent increase in turnover in the year to October 3 2021 thanks to strong growth in its home market, but it remained loss-making. The company’s turnover for the year came in at 74.78 million pounds compared to the 57.71 million pounds it reported a year earlier. Breaking it down by geography, turnover in its home UK market was up 36 percent to 69.36 million pounds, while turnover in Europe dropped 22 percent to 4.5 million pounds, and turnover for the rest of the world was down 11 percent to 915,000 pounds. Despite the overall increase in turnover, ISawItFirst’s loss before tax widened to 7.76 million pounds, up from a loss of 7.54 million pounds the previous year. ISawItFirst was founded in 2017 by Jalal Kamani, the brother of Boohoo co-founder Mahmud Kamani. The brand's target customers are young women under the age of 30.
http://dlvr.it/STZC8Q

Is Tom Ford eyeing a potential sale?

Image: Tom Ford Tom Ford is reportedly looking for a buyer. The brand could soon be under new ownership, according to a report by Bloomberg, which said the luxury house is contemplating a potential sale. The news agency said the brand has enlisted Goldman Sachs Group to consult on the sale, which could value the business billions of dollars. Mr Ford set up his namesake brand after exiting Gucci in 2004. Mr Ford and then Gucci CEO Domenico De Sole were behind the business, launching first as eyewear, beauty and fragrances, in distribution deals with Marcolin and Estee Lauder. Later came the ready-to-wear collections for both men and women, with Zegna a partner to produce the tailoring. Mr Ford was Gucci’s creative director for a decade, helping to revitalise the Florentine luxury house to become one of the most exciting fashion houses of the early noughties. Bloomberg said a representative for Tom Ford couldn't immediately be reached for comment on the report, while a spokesperson for Goldman declined to comment.
http://dlvr.it/STZBm9

Le Book and Ubooker link to digitise talent-booking process

Image: Ubooker x Le Book Le Book has announced a strategic partnership with online-talent booking platform Ubooker which will drive the digitisation of the company’s creative industry directory. Revealed during a launch event at Berlin’s Soho House, the partnership will involve digitising Le Book’s network and directory, bringing it to Ubooker’s online platform to allow users to browse and book talent. The joint venture, known as ‘Creatives by Le Book - powered by Ubooker’, has involved the formation of a marketplace for talent and industry creatives in photography, styling, hair, art direction and more. The duo hope that the initiative will “allow creativity to flourish”, they said in a joint release, by removing time-consuming admin work through the use of automatic invoicing, low commission fees, fast payments and customer service. Applications to join the platform are now open, with those interested to undergo an approval process. The platform will be open to clients for bookings from autumn 2022 onwards.
http://dlvr.it/STZB9T

Robbie Williams to collaborate with J.Lindeberg on golf collection

Image: J.Lindeberg x Robbie Williams J.Lindeberg has revealed that it will be launching a golf apparel collection with music star Robbie Williams, with looks made for both on and off the course. Dropping July 14, the collection will launch during an event that coincides with the 150th anniversary of The Open, held at St. Andrews course, Scotland, running from July 10 to 17, with attendance from notable international golfers. According to Neil Lewty, head of design at the brand, Williams drew inspiration from an image from the late ‘90s of brand founder Johan Lindeberg, in which he is seen on a golf course wearing an argyle slipover. In a release, Lewty said: “Robbie saw that picture on one of our first calls and immediately said, ‘Let’s do everything in bright pink’. He loves what we’re doing as a brand – the attitude, the colours, the fashion sensibility – and we jumped at the opportunity to work with such a British icon.” The singer, who is set to tour this autumn, created a series of looks for both men and women, merging his fashion sense with J.Lindeberg’s design values. The result is a series of contemporary pieces, such as polo shirts, cardigans and accessories, like bucket hats, each with modern twists. Alongside staple pink hues used throughout the line, the collection also features a pattern made by merging the J.Lindeberg and Robbie Williams logos. “I love golf and I love fashion. J.Lindeberg are on the cutting edge of both, so when I was asked to collaborate with such an iconic brand it was a definite yes,” Williams said. “I’ve really enjoyed working on the pieces for the collection with them, and it will be so incredibly special to launch the range at the home of golf – St. Andrews – in July at the 150th Open.” Image: J.Lindeberg x Robbie Williams
http://dlvr.it/STZB4s