Alexander McQueen SS25

September 30, 2024

The Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2025 show, held in Paris, was a powerful blend of sharp tailoring, ethereal fabrics, and folklore. Under the creative direction of Seán McGirr, the collection took inspiration from the banshee—a haunting figure in Irish mythology—and transformed it into a symbol of feminine strength and resilience.

Twisted British suiting formed the backbone of the collection, with wool mohair and gabardine tailored into angular silhouettes. Ethereal silk chiffon and intricate cobweb lace contrasted the sharpness, giving the collection a haunting, ghost-like quality. The color palette was predominantly ivory, grey, and black, with fiery accents of yellow and orange.

The show space, designed by Tom Scutt, echoed the collection’s themes of tension and duality, blending classicism with modernity. Accessories, from sculptural boots to jewelry inspired by the banshee’s lore, reinforced the mythical narrative.

By Enzo Holdt
Images Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

Fashion

LUAR S/S 2022 - Anything But Basic

Whether in unique, conch-covered stilettos or classic white Air Jordans, Luar is setting the pace. In a Bushwick parking-lot turned runway with soft yellow lighting and draping, the Dominican designer drew from downtown New York styles to create a line to turn heads in the fashion community, or on the streets of the city. The energy of the crowd was palpable, bringing together members of the cutting-edge of the New York style scene. The diverse array of color, style and silhoutte serving as a testament to the individuality and expression tantamount to the collection itself. Teteo Basico, already receiving celebrity endorsement from the likes of Troye Sivan on the Met Gala red carpet, maintains its city-grit with a sense of toughness, and realism, playing into the paradox of fashion as both counter-culture and commodity.

The gender-fluid line delivered an avant-garde aesthetic, with a rough, metropolitan personality, drawing from the city’s ever-growing ballroom scene. Receiving tens across the board, the crowd took to their feet in a standing ovation at the close of the show. Deserving of all the applause, Luar's looks are certain standouts of the season.

SHOW CREDITS:

Styling: Kyle Luu
Makeup: Jen Myles @ Streeters (Sponsored by MAC)
Hair: Evanie Frausto @ Streeters (Sponsored by Cutler/Redken)
Nails: Naomi Yasuda @ Management Artists
Set Design: Dong-Ping Wong
Music: Gatekeeper
Casting: Brent Chua & Katherine Mateo
PR: Gia Kuan Consulting & The Hinton Group
Production: Leonel Becerra
Special Thanks: Your Friends In New York™, Jordan, Boxed Water Is Better, Ruby, Cutler, MAC Cosmetics

Fashion

FM 669: FARM TO MARKET BASICS

September 15, 2021

It always goes back to the basics and for FM669 that means Farm to Market Road 669 — a stretch spanning across northwestern Texas connecting farmers to their markets and homage to FM 669’s rugged Americana inspiration. The goal: to create the perfect timeless tee that can be worn by those (Texan farmer, New York artist or otherwise) over the years in whichever ways they choose, emphasizing the need to produce and consume less.

Keeping to their FM669 commitment to sustainability, each garment is produced in New York City’s garment district from organic cotton grown, spun and knitted in the USA. The cotton is sourced from certified organic farms that utilize regenerative farming practices including the use of rainwater rather than irrigation, and a closed-loop finishing and dyeing system using recycled water. FM669 produces garments in small batches to ensure no pieces go to waste.

Cotton tees are an indubitable staple in every American’s wardrobe — it’s about time we bring back basics the basics and source stateside.

Text by Jordan Kelly
Photos by Zazou
Styled by Zoey Radford Scott
Art Direction by Spencer Singer

Check out the label’s Little T-Shirt and 03 Tank here.

Fashion

House of Aama SS22 Collection: "Salt Water"

September 15, 2021

Sprawling across the second floor of the Freehand Hotel stands the House of Aama's SS22 Collection "Salt Water," a presentation transporting the audience to a resort informed by the African Diaspora and history that often gets unrecognized. "Salt Water" centers on a Black resort, "Camp Aama," narrating the interconnections of survival, spiritual guides, and African traditions that inspired many coastal communities.

Black resorts became prominent in the early 1900s, stretching across U.S seaboards centering African identity and the intersections of the diaspora. Acknowledging the journey of many survivors, the House of Aama has created a collection that speaks to a narrative that is so rich in cultural references and vibrant traditions. In addition, connections to the water spirits of Olokun, Agwethat, and Yemaya contextualizes the collection's inspiration, including signals to Black sailors.

Text by Michael Hall
Photos by JD Barnes and Camilla M. Mecagni

Designers Akua Shabaka and Rebecca Henry, a mother and daughter power duo, have delivered a collection bursting with nods to the Caribbean and colorways that makes one yearn for the cool ocean breeze. Focusing on storytelling, both designers have intertwined elements of tradition and heritage, speaking to an era that is the undercurrent for many present-day realities. Each piece from the collection varies from sailor motifs to silhouettes made for a warm summer's day. Some stand-out pieces include full-length dresses in bright fuchsias and oranges and printed swimwear perfect for any beach retreat.

Check out the breathtaking collection below.