Brand partnerships result in meaningful and exciting collections, and our news roundup brings some of the latest collaborations. An exhibition and an exciting fashion project are also in the lineup.
Stylish Leisurewear
ROKSANDA X FILA is the encounter between two very different identities creating unexpected and authentic pieces. Roksanda Ilincic founded her label more than 15 years ago using architectural shapes and unique use of colour. The autumn and winter 2022 collection with FILA blends the fashion label’s artistic sense of feminine empowerment with sport-style pragmatism. The collection revolves around big duvets mixed with leisurewear. A selection of leggings, T-shirts and jackets are paired with padded bags and oversized moon boots. The colour palette: an idiosyncratic mix of porcelain, black and bright orange with notes of chalk, taupe and fluoro pink. “Growing up in Serbia, I cherish the memories of how much we all loved FILA pieces coming from Italy. This collection allowed me to give a new point of view on such a beloved heritage,” said Roksanda.
For Art Lovers
The watch brand Swatch partners with the Parisian art landmark Centre Pompidou for a modern and contemporary collection. The Swatch X Centre Pompidou Collection brings six iconic masterpieces, including works by Frida Kahlo, Amedeo Modigliani, Robert Delaunay, Vassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian. Since 1985, the brand has issued a long line of exclusive Swatch Art Special watches. And in 2018, the brand took it to the next level with its Museum Journey series, where museums grant Swatch access to their masterpieces. So far, the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, the Musée du Louvre in Paris, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and now the Centre Pompidou have collaborated with the watchmaker. The results are colourful and wearable artworks that add an eye-catching element to your looks with a touch of art culture.
Fashion Tribute
The online fashion retailer FARFETCH is collaborating with Off-White to pay tribute to the brand’s late designer, Virgil Abloh. A reference in the fashion world, Virgil was a DJ, a designer, an architect and, most of all, a thinker that mobilised young generations of creative minds. To lend personal faces and voices to the meaning of his life and work, a group of next-generation creatives have shared their memories of working close to Abloh with FARFETCH as part of the FUTURE LEGACY: THE POWER OF V project. The latest collaboration has been shot in Paris with pieces from the new Off-White collection. The writer Octavia Bürgels, photographer Djiby Kebe and the co-founder of Bienvenue Projects, Dayanne, share their experience of collaborating with Virgil and continuing his vital work in this collection of images.
Modest Sophistication
The department store Fifty One East launched an exclusive Jalabiyas and Kaftans exhibition that showcases the latest creations of local and regional design houses. The event runs until the end of the month and features intricately embroidered Ramadanready collections that truly embody the spirit of the season. The pieces have Oriental styles encapsulated by traditional and modern elements. Taking place on the first floor of Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall, the exhibition brings together more than 19 established and emerging designers. Adora by Aurore Ezzedine, Al Bacarrat Fashion, Bint AL Shaikh Couture, Casa Johara, and Velvet By ANJ are some of them. The collections are characterised by a spontaneous and timeless elegance in a variety of colours and designs suited for all occasions.
Supporting Talents
Scale7 is Qatar’s first fashion and design business incubator. It was founded by Qatar Development Bank in partnership with M7, a creative start-up hub operating under Qatar Museums. The Scale7 project has been established to act as a platform and the core centre for promising, innovative entrepreneurs in the fields of fashion technology, design innovation and sustainability. Following its success with the Wave 1 incubatory programme, Wave 2 is in progress. The three-month-long process has many steps, and it is scheduled to conclude in May. During the Wave 2 programme, workshops, one-to-one coaching and mentorship from global experts are hosted to enable participants to understand the nuances of starting a brand, preparing the business model, creating business plans, and selecting the right materials. The participating start-ups can access networking opportunities with industry experts in the fashion and technology innovation ecosystem.