Guys, did you miss me? And likewise what did I miss?
You may have caught my Instagram stories, yes I've had an incredible time in Ibiza as part of Hard Rock Hotel, more to come on that next week. PS - Did you know they're coming to Marble Arch?
Of course I was skimming the fashion news reels where and when I got signal, seeing who the movers and shakers were. I wrote down 5 things in my pocket diary, between scribbles, doodles, illustrations and plans of world domination.
Here's the top 5 rundown of fashion news that caught my eye:
MICHAEL KORS TAKES OVER VERSACE
In a deal worth over $2 billion, Michael Kors has swallowed up Versace, opening up a parent company of Capri Holdings. No talks or plans of Donatella stepping down as creative director, no announcements of anyone being shuffled or thrown overboard.
My Thoughts
Sure why not. I like Versace but I'm not a diehard fan. A little bit above my price point, which is the concern for many of the fans that this move will dilute the brand. That you'll start seeing Versace in the lower end of the luxury market where Michael Kors is firmly stationed.
Well who cares about that stuff really. So long as the quality doesn't diminish like Vivienne Westwood's garments did when she went global and outsourced her manufacturing abroad to keep up with demand.
If you like a product you like a product. If you like a product because the price tag eliminates its chance of consumption from average joe, then fair play to you. I personally wouldn't worry. When Michael Kors bought Jimmy Choo for a billion last year, the brands position in the market didn't alter one jot.
It does go to show that everyone and everything has a price. Apart from Russell Crowe in that movie about gangsters. He couldn't be bought, the one good cop in all of New York.
CHESTER BARRIE REFURB
Oh the good old boys at Chester Barrie, how I wish I could have made it. I heard the canapés were amazing. Yes every influencer and his dog put in a show at the Chester Barrie launch of their AW18, conveniently woven into the relaunch of their refurbished 19 Savile Row store.
Away with you old Dickensian wood panelling said Simon Kirby, Creative Director of Chester Barrie. (Not a direct quote). In its place some free standing glass shelves, there's fresh wooden floors and there’s even an inactive scan that the clever soles over at Menswear Style did. A game changer for retail perhaps?
My Thoughts
It looks like a more welcoming space. The new AW18 collection boasts a similar palette of deep rich colours that are synonymous with Chester Barrie. The shoulders look a little softer and although it’s not my scene, I do appreciate some brash highland tartan trousers.
NEW JAMIE OLIVER TRAINERS
Apparently the naked chef designed these especially as an anniversary gift for his wife of 18 years. Well done Jamie, way to make every man in the country feel like a schmuck for never getting his wife anything more than a bunch of flowers and subway lunch for their anniversary.
The trainers look a decent collection, colours are non-offensive making them unisex. Made locally to Jamie by a brand called Seven Feet Apart.
My Thoughts
Not a bad idea. If you want to figure out a way to never forget your wedding anniversary, launch a new product every year on that exact day. At least have it veiled as an anniversary gift, you're not telling me this isn't a vanity project and he won't be wearing these for himself as well right? We all remember that episode of the Simpsons when Homer gifts Marg a bowling ball that has Homer written down the side of it.
NEW HUBLOT STORE ON BOND STREET
Hublot has opened its flagship boutique on London’s Bond Street with CEO Ricardo Guadalupe in attendance with a plethora of Chelsea footballers and well-heeled souls.
An interesting article covered by the good guys at Watchpro have mooted that the exorbitant costs of running a branded boutique on Old Bond Street will be swallowed by Hublot's UK marketing budget.
My Thoughts
In a way this is an indictment of where we are with life on the high street currently. You can open a store on the high street but don't expect it to turn profit. Start-ups can't afford to chance there arm on bricks and mortar but watch and luxury goods companies can.
They also have some fantastic security within the store. Apparently if you attempt to man handle any of the timepieces the watch disappears behind a revolving plinth. Bit like Roger Moore in Soul of Fillet when he has a 'funny turn in a booth'.