The Launch: Fashion News to Know This May
Summer is on the horizon.
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May is officially upon us, which means the onset of summer fashion and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Perhaps veteran designer Phillip Lim, who’s been an outspoken advocate for his community, said it best: “Ceremonially it’s a month on the calendar, but I celebrate it every day.” With that, we’re kicking off May with a spotlight on the brand-new exhibition at his store on Great Jones Street in New York City, titled “Crafting Selfhood,” and more openings, launches, and collaborations to know, including Michael Kors’ beach takeover in Miami with Club Kors, Gap’s highly anticipated collab with Dôen, and Moda Operandi’s linkup with The Frankie Shop.
Michael Kors Introduces Club Kors in Miami
Who: Michael Kors
What: Club Kors
Where: Joia Beach, Miami
Why: Michael Kors is unofficially kicking off the summer with a week-long residency at Joia Beach in Miami—specifically, a beachfront takeover replete with customized beach chairs and a pop-up store so you can beach and shop at the same time. Consider your long weekend plans sorted.
Mathilde Favier Pens New Parisian Lifestyle Book
Who: Mathilde Favier, PR director of Dior Couture
What: New book, Living Beautifully in Paris
Where: Online at amazon.com
Why: No one embodies the cultural and artistic prowess of Paris quite like Mathilde Favier. Dior Couture’s PR director explores the je ne sais quoi of the City of Light by compiling years of spontaneous encounters, interviews, and personalities, plus never-before-seen photography by Pascal Chevallier, into one comprehensive love letter to the French capital.
Who: MCM
What: Eurocup capsule collection
Where: Online at us.mcmworldwide.com and at MCM stores
Why: In celebration of the 2024 European Football Championship making its return to Germany after more than 30 years, Munich-born brand MCM has introduced an exclusive capsule of ready-to-wear and accessories with a campaign starring none other than German national football player Jonathan Tah. Notably, the collection boasts six special-edition Stark Backpacks representing Germany, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Korea, and Brazil, evoking custom accessories that the label has created for footballers in the past. Fans won’t want to miss this.
Who: Ciao Lucia and Margaux
What: Sandals collaboration
Where: Online at ciaolucia.com
Why: When you’re looking for the ultimate grab-and-go summer outfit, look no further than Ciao Lucia’s sandals made in collaboration with the New York-based shoemakers at Margaux. The Palermo sandal is a strappy thong flat that comes in two colors: black and brown. Margaux co-founder Alexa Buckley Roussel puts it best: “Our shoes are designed to be worn simply, just like Ciao Lucia’s clothing, which—as someone who wears Lucy’s dresses knows—you can just put on and go.”
Who: Gap and Dôen
What: Limited-edition collection
Where: Online at gap.com and at select Gap stores
Why: Gap is making headlines as of late. Following the news of Zac Posen’s appointment as creative director of Gap Inc., the retailer is teaming up with L.A. brand Dôen on a limited-edition summer capsule that offers its signature cottagecore pieces at affordable price points. “We leaned into our timeless approach to femininity and classic styles,” Dôen co-founder and CEO Margaret Kleveland exclusively tells ELLE.com. “From feminine florals and playful gingham to denim barn jackets and wide-leg trousers, the collection celebrates our beloved pieces rooted in nostalgia, offering something for everyone.”
Tabayer Opens Summer Residency at Bergdorf Goodman
Who: Tabayer
What: Residency in the Jewelry Salon at Bergdorf Goodman
Where: Bergdorf Goodman, 745 Fifth Avenue, New York City, through August 2024
Why: Tabayer is the new name on the block for truly sustainable jewelry, crafted using the best materials and fairmined diamonds. Oprah, Selena Gomez, and Jennifer Lawrence, to name a few, are fans of the brand’s Oera collection. To celebrate its success, Tabayer is setting up shop in Bergdorf Goodman with an 100-square-foot residency designed by Crosby Studios in chic aluminum, giving off the cool, effortless design of the jewelry.
Moda Operandi Taps The Frankie Shop for Collaborative Capsule
Who: Moda Operandi and The Frankie Shop
What: Collaborative capsule, The Art of Dressing
Where: Online at modaoperandi.com
Why: The Frankie Shop is the unofficial uniformer of the downtown It-girl set, with affordably priced basics that don’t skimp on cool factor. Now, the brand is bringing its extravagant proportions and penchant for minimalism to a collaborate with e-tailer Moda Operandi on 15 pieces timed to drop with Frieze New York. Naturally, gallerists like Hannah Traore (pictured here) and Emma Scully modeled in the campaign, starring female art industry heavyweights.
Who: Stella McCartney
What: Eveningwear capsule
Where: Exclusively online at saksfifthavenue.com and at Saks Fifth Avenue stores
Why: Just in time for the Met Gala, Stella McCartney is launching eveningwear dresses exclusively with Saks. Each piece honors the looks she’s created for fashion’s biggest night over the years, including this reissue of the dress Sofia Richie Grainge wore when she attended as the designer’s date in 2015.
3.1 Phillip Lim Opens Exhibition for AAPI Month
Who: 3.1 Phillip Lim
What: AAPI Heritage Month exhibition, “Crafting Selfhood”
Where: 48 Great Jones Street, New York City through May 23
Why: This AAPI Month, Phillip Lim continues to walk the walk of supporting his community by opening a dedicated exhibiton spotlighting Asian voices. “Crafting Selfhood,” now on view at the designer’s Great Jones Street Store through May 23, features ceramic and sculptural works created by 13 Asian American female-identifying artists and designers, inspired by the brand’s new ID handbag. “Having a dedicated AAPI Heritage Month is important, but we should be celebrating our communities every single day,” Lim tells ELLE.com.
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