Author: The Chic Geek

ChicGeek Comment Farfetch is becoming the ‘Russia’ of online luxury etailers

Written on February 15, 2024.

There’s nothing like kicking a man when he’s down. Multibrand etailer Farfetch was a star that burned big and bright, and looks like it is running out of gas quickly. Following its rescue by the South Korean giant Coupang, luxury group Kering has announced it will end its contract with Farfetch. This means it will no longer supply brands like Gucci, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent directly. BOF reported that Farfetch is trying to access brands such as Loewe, Givenchy and The Row by working with a wider range of third-party boutiques to upload their inventory to Farfetch in exchange for “complete anonymity” to avoid repercussions from luxury brands. This makes Farfetch look like Russia, who, no longer directly supplied by brands, is still able to get what it wants. Reports suggest...

ChicGeek Comment – Do popularised weight-loss drugs like Ozempic signal the end of plus-sized fashion?

Written on February 15, 2024.

There’s an elephant in the room and I’m not being insensitive. Much like sustainability, many fashion brands have gone quiet on inclusive sizing. A few of years ago, catwalks and fashion weeks were full of designers heralding the latest plus-sized model squeezed into their newest creation. Many designers seemed to have just put the ‘body inclusive’ models into the same samples and hoped for the best. The industry was too polite to criticise. More than 750 million people are living with obesity, which causes 5% of deaths globally, according to World Health Organization estimates. For the SS24 show season, a Vogue Business size inclusivity report found 95.2 per cent of looks presented were in a straight-size (US 0-4). This is a slight improvement on AW23, where 95.6 per cent...

British Fashion Icons Transform Blenheim Palace

Written on February 8, 2024.

Blenheim Palace, renowned for its historic grandeur, announces its most significant fashion exhibition to date, featuring a stellar lineup of British fashion icons. From March 23rd to June 30th 2024, visitors will witness a unique collaboration between esteemed designers and the UNESCO World Heritage site, as each fashion house takes over a significant room to create “Icons of British Fashion.” Blenheim Palace, renowned for its historic grandeur – South Lawn A Tribute to British Icons: The exhibition will pay homage to the illustrious careers of British fashion legends, with each room along the visitor route in the 300-year-old Palace dedicated to showcasing the iconic works of renowned designers. Highlights Include: Vivienne Westwood: The Great Hall will...

British Sustainable Leather Brand Billy Tannery Launches New Unisex Accessories for 2024

Written on February 6, 2024.

Billy Tannery, the pioneering British sustainable tannery and leather goods brand, has unveiled its latest collection of unisex goat and deer leather accessories for 2024. The new additions include the Zip Tote bag, an updated version of the brand’s original and best-selling Gote, now available in a smaller size with a zip closure for enhanced security. Crafted from the brand’s signature sustainable goat leather, the Zip Tote comes in tan, dark brown, or forest green leather options. Also joining the lineup is the versatile Large Pouch with a detachable strap. This generous pouch doubles as a laptop sleeve or under-arm folio case, and the newly added shoulder strap transforms it into a multitasking, soft leather shoulder bag. Constructed from vegetable-tanned goat or deer leather, it...

Superdry Named Official Partner for Envision Racing

Written on January 11, 2024.

Envision Racing announces an exciting multi-year partnership with the esteemed British fashion brand, Superdry, commencing from Season 10 of the FIA Formula E World Championship. Superdry is set to elevate sustainability in the fashion world by supplying the reigning Formula E world champions with an exclusive 10-piece capsule range of high-performance products. Superdry, renowned for its adventurous spirit since its inception in 2003, is now embarking on a transformative journey to minimize its environmental impact and safeguard the future of the planet. This commitment is underscored by the brand’s collaboration with Envision Racing, a partnership that aims to demonstrate that conscious fashion choices can be both stylish and aspirational. The specially curated kit by Superdry...

Comment Calvin Klein’s Zeitgeist Casting

Written on January 8, 2024.

Would you drink this brand’s bath water? The revolutionary idea to brand underwear with your own name, sex it up with physically perfect models and offer it at inflated prices created, arguably, the most powerful brand in underwear. From its inception in the 1980’s, Calvin Klein Underwear, aesthetically, has always been based on the classicism of the ancient ideals of the male body; plus muscles and a few bulges. The move into using male celebrities hit the perfect step in the 1990s with Marky Mark and has continued up until today with the new spring 2024 campaign with actor Jeremy Allen White. It has got social media all of a flutter. The Bear actor is seen flaunting his physique while the constant is the tighty-whitey underwear. There’s nothing new to see. No innovation or...

Comment Bad (Branded) Christmas Trees

Written on December 19, 2023.

Louis Vuitton’s Claridge’s ‘Tree’ We’ve all heard of Bad Santa, but what about bad Christmas trees? Whether Pagan, Christian or anything else, we all except the commercialisation of Christmas. It is the retailers and brands biggest time of the year, most of the world over, and the reason it is called the ‘Golden Quarter’. The designer Christmas tree isn’t new. From shopping centres to hotels to train stations, brands have grasped the opportunity to look altruistic and generous while getting their names out there and many metres tall. The host gets a free tree, usually to a high spec, and the subsequent publicity interest and social media potential of having a ‘big name’ attached to the tree. Gucci’s tree for Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II There...

Comment: Baked Goods: The New Luxury Entry Product

Written on December 14, 2023.

Gucci Osteria’s panettone tin Once the luxury goods industry’s entry level products, today, consumers are balking at the price of perfumes and sunglasses with some premium brands even touching four figures. In the US, beauty retailer, Sephora has taken to locking up its fragrance section due to rampant shoplifting. A luxury downturn and cost-of-living pressures has made many people rethink these purchases and some are looking for something less pricey, but still with that all important name and branded packaging, especially during gifting season. Baked goods and other edible treats are now the entry products from the world’s biggest luxury brands. Brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Prada, through its Marchesi 1824 brand, are all pushing panettones, balsamic vinegars...

Label To Know Octobre

Written on December 12, 2023.

The French are very good at luxury menswear basics. They have an effortlessness way of putting things together and making everything work seamlessly. One men’s label that didn’t register on my ChicGeek radar was Octobre. The brother brand of the much feted Sézane, it recently celebrated its 7th anniversary. Parisian cult favourite brand Sézane, founded by Morgane Sezalory, has a big female fan club. Octobre, founded in 2016, is a brand based on responsible stock volumes, in keeping with a lean production model. The men’s brand aims for no overproduction and fair, accessible prices. All of the brand’s Tier 1 ateliers are audited by independent experts to ensure compliance with its code of ethics and the standards set. The idea was simple: to get back...

Mr Porter’s MR P. & The Lab Co. Collaborate on Clothing Care Kits

Written on December 12, 2023.

Leading UK detergent and care brand, The Lab Co., is delighted to announce a collaboration of specialist care kits with contemporary menswear brand Mr P., Mr Porter’s private label. Debuting exclusively on Mr Porter, the collaboration features two care kits including a Cashmere and Wool Kit and a Fabric and Shoe Kit. The Mr P. x The Lab Co. Cashmere and Wool Care Kit includes a Cashmere and Wool Detergent, Laundry Mist and Comb. This gentle scented duo with the warmth of cinnamon, relaxing notes of myrrh and finished with cedarwood with its natural moth repellent benefits, helps protect garments, while the mist keeps them fresh between washes. The Mr P. x The Lab Co. Fabric and Shoe Care Kit includes a Water-Proofing Liquiproof Protector and Freshener, Eco-Cleaner Spray,...

Menswear OOTD The Festive Corduroy Suit

Written on November 23, 2023.

Moss Bros has had a refresh and now goes by the name of MOSS. Rolling stones gather no moss, but a stylish geek certainly does. The new MOSS is a lot more contemporary and almost Reiss-like but more affordable, offering a rich palette of colours and textured fabrics. This suit also comes in a lovely pastel green and brown. This chic red corduroy that I have chosen has a 1960s feel with the DB jacket and slimmer/tapered trousers. I’ve teamed it here with a red matching coat, patent shoes and PARTY!!! smoking hat for a festive night out, but you could also add a trainers and white T-shirt or Merino knit for daytime. MOSS – Jacket – £149, Trouser – £80

Holbein Men’s AW23 Headwear Inspiration

Written on November 22, 2023.

Holbein is a genius at drawing and painting men. A new exhibition from The Royal Collection, held at The Queen’s Gallery next to Buckingham Palace, showcases a collection of the finest heads of the Tudor elite. Their personalities shine through and they look like people you could have just passed on the street despite being nearly 500 years-old. The statement facial hair and headwear could be 2023 or 1523. The beret-like Tudor bonnets are easily and affordably replicated. Holbein’s portraits show how timless individuality is. £19 – Until 14th April 2024