Hello, fashion readers. As we gear up for the shortest, sweetest, and fashion-packed month of February, we’ll be rounding up everything and anything fashion-related. Watch this space as we update with the best and brightest that the fashion universe has to offer.1Maison Kitsuné Joins Forces with Olympia Le-Tan
1 Maison Kitsuné Joins Forces with Olympia Le-Tan
PETER SCHLESINGER
Who: Maison Kitsuné and Olympia Le-Tan
What: Fox Day Afternoon collaborative collection
Why: Olympia Le Tan and Maison Kitsuné founders Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki go way back, and the longtime friends are paying homage to their roots with an exclusive collaboration, titled “Fox Day Afternoon.” The collection combines Parisian and NYC cool with men’s and women’s pieces that give subtle nods to city landmarks. Take, for example, an illustration of Maison Kitsuné’s trademark fox scaling the Empire State Building like King Kong.“The collection is a journey through New York, London, and Paris,” Le-Tan exclusively tells ELLE.com. “I was very inspired by the preppy style of the late ’80s and early ’90s that you see in Whit Stillman’s movies or Jay McInerney’s book Bright Lights Big City.” In the accompanying campaign, shot by Peter Schlesinger, you’ll see plenty of cardigans and pencil skirts, as well as Zabar’s mugs.
2 KENZO’s New Creative Director Nigo Drops First Limited-Edition Capsule
COURTESY OF LEDE
Who: Nigo, creative director of KENZO
What: Limited-edition capsule, Boke
Why: KENZO has released its first capsule of SS22 under the artistic direction of Nigo, the Japanese Renaissance man known for urban clothing creations like A Bathing Ape and Billionaire Boys Club. With the release of Boke, Nigo is introducing himself to the Paris fashion world as KENZO’s incumbent via an exclusive series of bold, energetic pieces emblazoned with graphic language. The boke, a Japanese flower that blooms in February, decorates two five-piece wardrobe sets for men and women that are genderless in nature. In his downtime, Nigo moonlights as a record producer and DJs for the Japanese hip-hop group Teriyaki Boyz. To honor the philosophy of the brand’s founder Kenzo Takada, each drop of Nigo’s collections for the season revolves around natural elements that tie the wisdom of Takada’s past with the streetwear-focused future of KENZO.
3 Sacai and ACRONYM Announce New Collab
COURTESY OF SACAI
Who: Sacai and ACRONYM
What: Limited collaborative release for SS22
Why: The highly sought-after Bonding collection from Sacai and ACRONYM’s men’s SS22 and pre-spring collections has arrived, and we fully expect it to sell out fast. Japanese designer Chitose Abe honed her talents as a pattern cutter for Comme des Garçons. Her partner in the collab is Munich-based label ACRONYM, which specializes in functional apparel and often features monochromatic themes in its innovative designs. Together, the two created ACRONYM’s first water-repellent coat dress, as well as a Chesterfield coat fuses technical expertise and with Sacai’s fabrics and signature shapes. The result? Both brands wound up feeling closer than ever—dare we say bonding!