The Loop Issue Five
WHO:
Vivienne Westwood
The world mourns the loss of beloved designer Vivienne Westwood who passed away on December 29th. Westwood broke boundaries in the fashion and music industries for over 50 years — directly crafting early punk style and creating her quintessential renaissance-inspired garments and iconic pearls. Westwood’s passion and groundbreaking spirit will forever be remembered and respected in the fashion world.
After twenty-seven years, Raf Simmons is closing his self-titled label. While the designer did not publicize the reason behind his decision, speculations hint that the brand may have been facing financial difficulties. Regardless, Simmons will continue to influence the fashion industry through his role as co-creative director at Prada, and his legacy will live on as one of the most prominent designers in the fashion world.
Via Vogue
Philipp Plein X Snoop Dogg
German fashion designer Philipp Plein has just announced #PleinDogg, a sneaker collaboration with Snoop Dogg. Inspired by Snoop Dogg’s unique music style, Plein created a sneaker that represents both his singular brand look and the “Doggy Style.” The collection features two sneakers, a sleek black-and-gold hightop, and a bedazzled black and purple hightop. Check out the fashion-music collab here.
On Monday, December 5th, the annual Fashion Awards took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Bella Hadid took home the anticipated Model of the Year award following her iconic spray-painted dress at Paris Fashion Week. The Designer of the Year award went to Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino, who accepted his award alongside his good friend Florence Pugh.
Via Getty Images
Viva Magenta: Pantone Announces 2023 Color of the Year
It's official, 2023 is coated in pink, or more specifically, Viva Magenta. Pantone announced the vibrant color of the new year, describing it as “powerful and empowering” and “encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.” In emphasis of society’s return to a focus on nature and health, Pantone chose a pink that comes from the cochineal beetle, which produces a distinct natural dye. The color solutions company has already collaborated with Motorola and Cariuma and brands are beginning to implement magenta hues into their products. Hop on the bandwagon and shop all things Viva Magenta here!
Balena releases Biodegradable Slides
Balena, a material science company based in Tel Aviv and Milan has just launched their biodegradable footwear which is made from their fully compostable BioCir material. These chic, trendy slides are changing the trajectory of sustainable fashion as their material can be easily incorporated into the apparel manufacturing process. Along with their launch, Balena has released a cycle by which consumers can return their products which in turn will be composted and transformed into reusable materials.
WHEN:
Look out for our newest Stitch article tomorrow— a deep dive into the intersection of fashion, legislation, and sustainability.
WHERE (HINT… IT’S ANN ARBOR):
MFMS Thrift Drive:
Last month, members of the MFMS set up in the Diag for our first ever Thrift Drive. We collected pre-loved clothing from the UofM and Ann Arbor communities which are being styled and resold. All of the proceeds are being donated to Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, a Detroit-based organization dedicated to creating a more sustainable fashion world. Head to our Instagram to check out the items being sold!
WHY:
To inspire and educate the next generation of fashion industry leaders by connecting them to creative and professional opportunities across the retail world. The Michigan Fashion Media Summit is the premier platform for college students and industry professionals to collaborate and shape the future fabric of fashion.