Maya Fuhr X Sonya Lee: The Accessory Revolution

What was the inspiration behind this new collection and this what drove the direction of the shoot for it?

Stephanie Ibbitson — For this collection I wanted to keep our new lifestyle in mind. I think a lot of people are under a differet budget but we still want to feel powerful and special, and even though all we're doing is going out to get groceries. It makes that little bit of difference when you feel like you’re together. I think a lot of people this year are suffering, I know it’s been hard for me not seeing my family in well over a year and I think having a nice accessory is almost like reminiscing on the past. A lot of pieces in the collection were inspired by my early days in high school. You know seeing a girl with the little Louis purse or the le sport sack girls would rock in the early aughts. That’s where a lot of the sillouets came from. Think Jawbreaker, Clueless, my own high school days. It's so important for me to feel strong powerful and dominant. The shoot on the otherhand was all Maya, I literally sent the bags to her and was like this is our color pallet, the rest is up to you.

Maya, how did you come up w the concept?

Maya Fuhr — The collection feels so nostalgic to me. I took those photos a few weeks after moving to LA from Toronto, so I was new and not very busy with other shoots. When I began to work on the concept, I had so much time and was so relaxed. Driving around, taking in LA, shopping for funky fabric, or perusing the grocery store, and realizing that the colors of one of the buildings, vintages dresses, or display cakes looked like a chain or silhouette of one of the purses. I was really present, which made the process and shoot so fun and easy. I knew what bag would go with what prop and how I was going to style them. Everything just flowed once I got started working.

The new red bags are amazing, what’s the story with those?

MF — Oh yeah that’s the one I got, the cherry red!

SI — Yeah, that's actually an exciting material because it turns a different color when it bends or scratches. This is because the oils are being removed from the top of the hide. To return the leather to its natural color, all you have to do is work it with your hands and bring the oils back to the top. Most of my bags are not made from traditional handbag material, with the red purse that leather was used initially for men's boots. I had someone come in who worked for John Fleuvog, and he asked why I was using this material for handbags, and I said, 'I don't care what you think about the material. Women need the same durability as men in our accessories, so why not use those materials and make it something stylish and fun!'

MF — I really drew on the sturdiness of the bags for the shoot. Using the clay and decorative cinder blocks in juxtaposition with the soft look of the bags knowing that they are meant to be used, really inspired me. The different textures, colors, and durability of the bags next to the clay, vases, and cinderblocks tell such an interesting story.

With all of that being said, how do you each approach your work?

SI — I use very nontraditional approaches for my work. I taught myself how to sew, I taught myself how to make bags, and I think that also allowed me not to feel like I need to stay in one box in terms of how to make bags. I made the kind of purses and accessories I wish I had access to growing up.

MF — I agree. I’m self-taught, and with all of my art, whether it be photography, sculpture, anything, I like to take the ordinary ideas of what people think should be used and should be done and throw that out the window.

That shows through in the photos. The mixture of textures and materials all came together to create fantastic imagery.

SI — I feel like this whole process was very simpatico. Maya and I didn’t have much contact over this shoot, but I feel like how I approach creating my bags and how she approaches taking photos hits a flow state together very quickly.

MF — I feel like we have both made a living off of being ourselves and being confident in that, which, especially now, draws people in. It’s the power of believing in yourself and what you can do. Using the clay and decorative cinder blocks in juxtaposition with the soft look of the bags knowing that they are meant to be used, not just posed with, really inspired me. The different textures and colors of the bags and the clay, the materials all tell the same story.

Shop the new Sonya Lee collection here.

Fashion

Timberland and Veneda Carter Reimagine Classics with Bold Metallics

November 23, 2024

Veneda Carter teams up with Timberland once again, bringing a fresh edge to archival designs in their latest capsule collection. Highlight pieces include towering lace-up boots in electric blue and silver, alongside a sleek reinvention of Timberland’s iconic 6-Inch boot, both crafted with patent leather and recycled materials.

The collection also introduces rugged, versatile outerwear like oversized parkas, utility vests, and a statement boiler suit, all built for layering and durability. Inspired by industrial design and early 2000s fashion, Carter infuses each piece with a contemporary energy that feels both striking and wearable.

The collection is now available and can be found at flagship Timberland stores, online, and select retailers worldwide..

By Enzo Holdt
Photography courtesy of Timberland

Fashion

ECCO.kollektive collaborates with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi

November 21, 2024

ECCO.kollektive has teamed up with Paris-based designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi for a bold and innovative Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his thoughtful exploration of masculinity and storytelling in fashion, Nouchi brings his unique perspective to this collaboration, blending his modern aesthetic with ECCO’s skill in craftsmanship and material innovation.

The collection features a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories, each designed with attention to detail. The collection uses a mix of black, deep red, and pearl white. Sensual touches, like Nouchi’s signature slits, combine with structured tailoring and flowing shapes, showing how the designer blends bold and refined styles.

We spoke with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi about the collection and his inspiration. From the textures of the human body to his love for stretch leather, Nouchi shared how the collaboration allowed to experiment with new ideas.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography by courtesy of ECCO.kollektive x LGN

The collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and draws inspiration from the textures of the human body. “The idea came from the textures of skin,” Nouchi explains. “I wanted to create something sensual and fluid, using leather in a way that felt both strong and soft. Leather has this amazing quality—it can feel like armor, but also like a second skin.”

Nouchi worked closely with ECCO to develop designs that showcase the versatility of their materials. High-shine biker nappa leather with a waxy finish appears in tailored separates like a single-breasted blazer, trousers, and long-line shorts. For a more experimental edge, he created a column dress and a pencil skirt using strips of leather embroidered onto stretchy tulle—a design he says was inspired by his younger self. “When I was young, I was obsessed with stretch leather because of designers like Jean-Claude Jitrois. It’s something I wanted to explore and bring into this collection, almost like fulfilling a dream for my past self.”

Footwear is another major highlight, featuring Derby shoes, Helsinki loafers, and the standout Truck Lace loafer with a bold platform. The shoe’s futuristic design draws from Nouchi’s fascination with brutalism and technology. “It might be a bit controversial,” he says, laughing, “but I really like the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, angular lines and futuristic look combined with that raw, brutalist vibe—it’s something that resonates with me. The platform on the Truck Lace loafer feels like a nod to that kind of design.”

Another unique detail is the inclusion of removable coins on some of the shoes, adding a playful yet personal touch. “You can take the coins off—it becomes almost like a lucky charm,” Nouchi says. “It’s one of those small details that make the pieces feel more connected to the wearer.”

Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s signature slit motif, which adds subtle hints of reveal and concealment, runs throughout the collection. “The slit is about teasing the eye,” he explains. “It’s never about revealing too much—it’s about creating tension, a little mystery.” This motif appears on everything from loafers to hems, blending seamlessly with the collection's sensual yet structured aesthetic.

When asked about the versatility of his designs, Nouchi emphasizes their adaptability to different occasions. “You can wear these pieces in super casual situations on the street, looking super chic at night—super sexy,” he says. “From one garment, you can style it in so many ways during the day. For example, the tank top—you can wear it with pants, or without. It’s super hot, super cool, and it works for so many moments.”

For Nouchi, the collaboration with ECCO was as much about innovation as it was about creative freedom. “There are no limits with ECCO,” he says. “As a designer obsessed with materials, having the freedom to push development this far was an amazing opportunity. Fashion, for me, is like a laboratory. It’s about testing ideas and seeing how far we can take them.”

The ECCO.kollektive x Louis-Gabriel Nouchi collection is available now, combining high-quality craftsmanship with bold, modern design that showcases Nouchi’s vision and ECCO’s craftsmanship.