So autumn has finally landed, though, to be honest, we had a few days recently in Copenhagen that were hotter than midsummer, so we are not giving up on the sun quite yet. Out there in the fashion world, there is a growing sense of anticipation as a whole slew of new signings at major labels show their first collections during the next few weeks but in the meantime we have seen a few sporty collaborations to keep the cash tills ringing, another example of highlife/lowlife luxury and a hotly contested designer gong marks the start of award season. Here are a few things that caught our eye this past week.
Custom 3D-printed coffee machine SUCUX V8
Afraid that your coffee machine is a bit boring and looks…er… like an actual coffee machine? Luckily, to solve this problem that no one thought they had, Berlin-based creative agency Sucuk und Bratwurst have created a kit that will cover your La Marzocco espresso unit and make it look – somewhat inexplicably – like a car motor. 3D printed and then electroplated and polished to look like chrome, it attaches to the coffee maker with magnets so you can easily remove it if you change your mind about the kitchen-as-a-garage make-over. However, the €12,000 price tag might make you decide to stick with the original style in the first place.
Louis Vuitton Dust Bag Tote
Ever since Balenciaga did their infamous ‘Ikea’ bag, there has been a trend of luxury versions of utility products that are one part ridiculous and one part genuinely quite funny. Witness the takeaway coffee cups also by Balenciaga (a repeat offender in this category) and supermarket ‘carrier bags’ by Bottega Veneta and Ashish (the latter’s sequinned versions were admittedly fabulous). Joining in the fun now is Louis Vuitton, who have just launched a €3000 version of their own cotton dust cover bags, usually used to keep shoes and bags clean during storage. OK, so this one is in soft nubuck leather and no doubt feels wonderful, but for sure it will cause a couple of double-takes on Avenue Montaigne.
Lacoste x Novak Djokovic The GOAT
There are few more recognisable logos than Lacoste’s crocodile, and the brand has made full use of it over the years, changing size, colour and embellishment for different collabs and collections. However, this season sees the first-ever complete species swap when the much-loved toothy reptile morphs into a goat. As part of a tribute to tennis star Novak Djokovic, a limited edition of polo and t-shirts will feature the animal – a play on the acronym GOAT or ‘greatest of all time’ – though there is a nod to the original in its green colour. Is this the start of a whole new menagerie or simply a great one-off accolade for a record-breaking sportsman? Time will tell.
BAPE x Cristiano Ronaldo’s CR7 LIFE
Talking of sportsmen, this week’s other big collab hangs on the coat tails of the opening of the rather bizarre CR7 Life Museum in Hong Kong. Sure, the man is a soccer legend, but we are not sure he really warrants an entire museum devoted to his life. Anyway, as part of the opening celebrations, Ronaldo has worked with cool streetwear brand BAPE (who seem to have a thing about museums at the moment – read about their collection for the Van Gogh in Amsterdam here) to create a new version of their signature camo print in either the usual gorilla face or in the footballer’s name and number. Not the most inspired collab to be honest, but at least an attempt to be more creative than just a replica football shirt (though they are probably in the store too)
British Fashion Council Awards
They might not have the public awareness of the Oscars and Golden Globes, but the fashion industry has its own bunch of yearly awards handed out to designers who have excelled in the past months. They are often arranged at a national level – from the CDFAs in New York to Denmark’s Golden Thimble – but the British Fashion Council’s Designer of the Year is one of the most prestigious. The nominees for 2025 have just been announced, and it feels to be one of the hottest competitions for a while. Up for the gong are Willy Chavarria, Rick Owens, Martine Rose, Glenn Martens, Miuccia Prada and Jonathan Anderson (our money is on the latter). Pharrell might be a little miffed he didn’t make the grade, but maybe Post Malone will be included next year for his copy-cat collection…? In other award news, Japanese brand Soshiotsuki just won the LVMH Prize – a deserved win for a cool brand that is most definitely Robin’s cup of tea.
