Latest news with #MilanMen'sFashionWeek
Korea Herald
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Why are Labubu monsters taking over the world?
In an industry that thrives on constant reinvention, a mischievous, elvish toy called Labubu is quickly becoming fashion's most unexpected new star. With its jagged teeth, wild hair and wide-eyed grin, Labubu has leapt from collectible curiosity to cultural symbol. Originally designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu was introduced through the Pop Mart x How2work series, initially appealing to a niche group of toy collectors. But Labubu's popularity has surged well beyond that audience, especially among Generation Z consumers drawn to its offbeat, anti-cute aesthetic. Rebellion against perfection Unlike the smooth, symmetrical mascots that once dominated toy shelves, Labubu's oddball charm resonates with young people who reject conventional standards of beauty. The imperfections — sharp teeth, awkward grin, untamed hair — have become a statement of identity in an age where uniqueness is increasingly celebrated. Pop Mart's marketing strategy helped drive the toy's ascent. Labubu is sold through a blind box model, where buyers don't know which version they'll get until after the purchase. This element of surprise, paired with limited stock and different rarities, has sparked high demand and fierce competition. Scenes of fans standing in line at vending machines and sold-out displays across China have become a hallmark of Labubu's rise. The thrill of the chase and the scarcity of certain designs turned Labubu into a high-stakes collectible. Some rare versions have fetched prices up to 30 times their retail value on the resale market, adding to the toy's allure. In Korea, the standard blind box vinyl figure typically retails for 15,000 won ($11). Star power and social media hype Labubu's leap into the fashion world has been fueled in large part by celebrity endorsements. Blackpink's Lisa and Rose were among the first major figures to embrace the character. Lisa, in particular, often shared Instagram posts featuring Labubu, attaching Labubu keychains to her Louis Vuitton bags and posting unboxing videos for her millions of followers. These high-profile nods helped propel Labubu into the global spotlight. Soon, celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa followed, each incorporating the character into their personal style and solidifying its status as a playful yet fashionable accessory. Labubu's popularity signals a shift in what qualifies as 'cool' in the fashion world. Where luxury items and designer logos once dominated, accessories like collectible toys and keychains are now being used to express personality and a sense of fun. From toy shelf to runway The character's growing influence became undeniable during the fall 2024 Milan Men's Fashion Week when Chinese label Pronounce featured Labubu in its collection. The character appeared on knitwear and was even placed in the front row of the runway show, a symbolic nod to its newfound place in the fashion conversation. This presence was not a one-off. In 2025, Pop Mart partnered with Uniqlo to launch a Labubu-themed fall collection, bringing the character to mainstream audiences. Labubu's reach had officially expanded beyond collectors and influencers — it had entered global retail. Future of Labubu Labubu's popularity is also reflective of larger cultural and psychological shifts. Younger consumers, especially Gen Z, are embracing imperfection, rebellion and individuality over polished aesthetics. Labubu embodies these values. 'I went as far as traveling to Shanghai just to get my hands on these cute dolls,' said Yang Ha-young, a Labubu collector in her late 20s. 'Even after that, I constantly scroll Karrot (a secondhand marketplace) to get ones that I do not yet have. You get such a sense of achievement when you are able to get it against such fierce competition.' The sense of exclusivity is key to the character's appeal, not just as a toy, but as a symbol of self-expression. Labubu stands out in a sea of sameness, making it especially attractive to consumers looking for something that reflects their identity, not just trends. Labubu's rise shows no signs of slowing, with more collaborations, celebrity sightings and limited-edition releases on the horizon. What started as a quirky figure on a toy shelf has evolved into a global icon. Labubu's toothy grin and playful spirit have carved out a space where high fashion meets fun — and where imperfection becomes something to celebrate.
DW
12-07-2025
- Business
- DW
Prada to partner with Indian artisans after sandal backlash – DW – 07/12/2025
The backlash over a sandal resembling the traditional Kolhapuri design saw calls for greater recognition of Indian craftsmanship. Prada announced plans Friday to partner with Indian artisanal footwear makers, just two weeks after the luxury fashion house sparked controversy by showcasing sandals critics said closely resembled traditional Indian designs. Prada held a meeting Friday with the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, which represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, to discuss potential opportunities for future collaboration, the company said in a statement to Reuters. "The next step will be for Prada's supply chain team to meet a range of artisanal footwear manufacturers," the company said. The Chamber shared photos from the virtual meeting in a post on X and said, "This initiative could serve as a model for respectful collaboration between global fashion and traditional communities." The Chamber also said that Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners and head of its corporate social responsibility division, joined the talks. The controversy began when Prada showcased open-toe footwear resembling India's traditional Kolhapuri sandals at Milan Men's Fashion Week, describing them simply as "leather sandals." But Indian fashion critics, craftspeople, and politicians criticized the brand, noting the sandals closely resembled handcrafted leather shoes known as Kolhapuri chappals, worn by millions across India. The sandals are named after Kolhapur, a town in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, where they are made, and are considered part of India's rich cultural heritage. Following a social media outcry, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce called on Prada to acknowledge the Indian roots of the design. The Chamber has decided to have the Kolhapuri chappals patented to avoid any global copyright infringement in the future.
DW
02-07-2025
- Business
- DW
India accuses Prada of cultural appropriation over sandals – DW – 07/02/2025
The Kolhapuri chappals inspired a new Prada design. The luxury brand only acknowledged this fact after critics accused it of replicating the iconic sandals without recognizing the footwear's cultural roots. The open-toe footwear showcased last week at Milan Men's Fashion Week was simply described as "leather sandals." But those flat leather sandals sparked controversy among Indian fashion critics, craftspeople and politicians, who noted that the design had been stolen from traditional Kolhapuri chappals — sandals named after the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, western India. The handcrafted footwear with an intricate interwoven pattern dates back to the 12th century. For now, the sandals are not yet available on the market, but as luxury fashion brand items, they could typically sell at over €1,000 ($1,200) a pair. Meanwhile, authentic Kolhapuri sandals can be found in local markets for about €10 ($12). Following a social media outcry, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce called on Prada to recognize the Indian roots of the design. Reacting to the growing accusations of cultural appropriation, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada's head of corporate social responsibility and son of the company's owners, acknowledged the Indian roots of the design in a letter sent to the chamber of commerce: "We acknowledge that the sandals are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, which carries a rich cultural legacy," wrote Bertelli in the letter, according to news agency Reuters. He added that the sandals are still in the early design phase and may not reach the market, but that Prada is "committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities, as we have done in the past in other collections to ensure the rightful recognition of their craft." Designers are regularly accused of cultural appropriation and of failing to recognize their sources of inspiration. Already in 2014, British fashion designer Paul Smith came under fire for his smooth, jet-black leather sandals advertised as "Robert." Pakistanis recognized the design as reproducing the traditional Peshawari (or Charsadda) chappal — except the Paul Smith model sold for 20 times the cost of the same chappal in Pakistan if bought from an upscale store. Following social media criticism and an online petition, the designer quickly added in the description of the footwear that it had been "inspired by the Peshawari Chappal." The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce has now decided to have the Kolhapuri chappals patented to avoid any global copyright infringement in the future. Known for their durability, the traditional flat sandals are already protected within the country by a geographical indication (GI) tag. The indication lists goods whose reputation is attributable to their geographic origin, and copying the design of these items for commercial gain without authorization or sharing benefits is illegal — at least within the country. As of 2024, there were 603 GI-registered products in India. Al Jazeera has also reported that a member of parliament from the state's Kolhapur district, Dhananjay Mahadik, who belongs to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is supporting sandal makers who are filing a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against Prada. But despite political support in the Prada controversy, the sandal makers' leather supply has been affected by government politics surrounding cows, which are considered sacred by Hindus. After Narendra Modi's BJP came to power in 2014, Hindu nationalist extremists felt emboldened to attack people transporting cows for trade and slaughter. The victims of these so-called cow vigilantes are overwhelmingly Dalits — traditionally the most marginalized of India's castes — and Muslims. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Despite their historical marginalization, artisans of the Dalit community are the ones who mastered the intricate weaving and design techniques of the iconic chappals. They have passed down these skills through generations. The Dalit Voice, a human rights group campaigning against discriminatory practices based on caste, race, gender, occupation and descent, pointed out in an Instagram post that the Kolhapuri chappals are more than just fashion — they're "a legacy of Dalit craftsmanship and resilience." "They are history, identity and resistance," added the Dalit Voice. "Respect the roots."
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Blu Scarpa Plans to Scale With The Help of Fiat Heir Lapo Elkann
Fiat heir Lapo Elkann is stepping into the footwear world with a new investment. This month, the great-grandson of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli became a minority investor in Miami-based luxury footwear brand Blu Scarpa. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, the new partnership was unveiled at Milan Men's Fashion Week this month at the shoe brand's spring/summer 2026 collection presentation. More from WWD Global Beauty Giants' Early Bets on the Eastern Fragrance Wave Tom Brady Laces Up Travis Scott Jordans in Venice Ahead of Jeff Bezos' and Lauren Sánchez's Wedding Ace Bailey Coordinates Christian Louboutin Shoes With His Family at NBA Draft Day One Matthew Chevallard, founder and creative director of Blu Scarpa, said that Elkann's new partnership will allow the company to scale outside of its Miami home. 'Lapo has believed in me and supported me throughout my footwear journey, and now with this investment, it will allow me to embark on a new chapter,' Chevallard told FN in an interview. 'Bringing Lapo on as a partner will allow us a little more wind in our sails to still be very independent, but obviously, have a slightly more resources to compete.' The executive noted that since the company launched in 2019, he has built a solid foundation in Miami through the company's own store in the Design District. 'Now we're moving outside of that micro mentality,' Chevallard noted. 'We now want to move into more conventional practices like expanding wholesale and amplifying our messaging to a wider audience.' Blu Scarpa sells to The Webster as well as Level Shoes in Dubai. 'We are working on expanding out relationship with Level, especially since they are slated to open their first U.S. store here in Miami in a few years.' (Level has not confirmed the opening.) Chevallard is no stranger to the footwear industry. Much of his entrepreneurial spirit is expressed through footwear, starting with the luxury men's slipper brand Del Toro that he co-founded in 2005. Now, with Blu Scarpa, Chevallard is focusing in on Italian craftsmanship that takes inspiration from the golden age of 1980s and '90s Italian lifestyle and artistic icons such as Lucio Fontana, Georgia O'Keeffe, Donald Judd, and Yves Klein. For spring/summer 2026, the collection has expanding into the realm of soccer, showcasing a new silhouette alongside new iterations of the brands core models. The offering is made up of five distinct capsules, with prices ranging $475 to $535. A highlight of the new offering includes the 2.0 Blu Palm shoe, which is described as a continuation of the Blu Palm concept in suede and nylon, originally launched in collaboration with Elkann and Chevallard. Another highlight is the aforementioned Soccer Collezione, which is inspired by 1980s–1990s soccer sportswear. The line introduces a brand-new suede and leather silhouette that brings soccer into Blu Scarpa's running and tennis-focused sportswear realm. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos]
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fabric Research, Utility Define Outerwear Brands' Men's Spring 2026 Collections in Milan
MILAN — Utility and workwear references continued to dominate the outerwear offering at Milan Men's Fashion Week presentations, with ongoing research into fabric innovation and cutting-edge treatments. The Stone Island collection explored the balance and contrast between nature and the city, presenting influences from workwear to the world of sailing. The extensive color palette ranged from cool blues to warmer brown tones. The brand continued its innovations with new interpretations of reflective technology, thermosensitive fabric and experiments with new methods for waxing garments. More from WWD Tailoring Takes Center Stage With Lightness, Ease and Innovation in Milan Giorgio Armani, Prada, Ralph Lauren and Umit Benan Standouts at Milan Men's Spring 2026, Retailers Say Inside the Shoe Presentations at Milan Men's Fashion Week: Giuseppe Zanotti, Church's and Enterprise Japan Highlights included the new hooded down jacket, hand-sprayed with a reflective solution containing micro glass spheres, recreating the effect of frozen lake water. The piece featured a super-light 15-denier nylon base and showcased a vertical rectangle quilting technique and an asymmetric metal zipper. The reflective selection extended to the compact nylon fatigue trousers. Each piece featured a white embroidered badge, symbol of the artisanal finishing process. The evolution of Stone Island's subcollections — Ghost, Marina and Stellina — moved forward with the introduction of a seasonal color, blue ardesia for the Ghost line, a reinterpretation of the Marina signature sailing jacket dyed with specific double-dye recipes that enhance the texture of the material, and Neoprene rubber details for the Stellina collection. With a community-driven editorial project and video installation titled 'Behind the Seams,' C.P. Company celebrated its blend of legacy and innovation, while its spring 2026 collection upped the ante in terms of fabric research and experimental dyeing treatments. The brand reinterpreted some of its archival pieces and details with new materials, including its signature Goggle and Mille jackets, here revisited via cutting-edge fabrics such as Bi-TM, Gore G-Type, Opal-C and Rafia-R. The company's distinctive combination of form and functionality was also expressed via modular pockets and storage compartments featured across outerwear, overshirts and pants in twill, micro reps, Heavy Chrome-R and Flatt Nylon. The company's experimentation in garment dyeing techniques also shined. The main focus was on delivering a lived-in patina, as seen in options cut from the Panama-R fabric made from recycled nylon yarns. Best expressing its research-driven approach, Ten C unveiled a new iteration of its signature OJJ fabric for spring, coating it in titanium via nanotechnology before garment dyeing the pieces. The subtle shimmering metallic accents — on a field jacket with oversize pockets, for example — entails several technical challenges, making it hardly commercially viable on a large scale, said creative director Alessandro Pungetti. Hinged on the same iridescent effect, nylon canvas was plied into similar styles with a metallic undertone. Elsewhere, the 11-ounce OJJ was plied in a range of cool and techie seamless duster coats, parkas, herringbone jackets and anoraks bonded via ultrasound, all inspired by styles seen in vintage British army outerwear. A lighter version of the fabric was employed for trucker jacket and Bermuda shorts combos. In keeping with its urban utility ethos, Blauer introduced garment-dyed options in its offering, ranging from sweatshirts and jerseys to T-shirts and pants, done in a classic color palette of indigo blue and olive green. They best complemented the outerwear lineup, which included cool anoraks and cropped parkas in nylon crease, as well as washed suede bikers and bomber jacket with a worn-in finish. It was all about texture and urban sartorial outerwear at Moorer, which reinterpreted its signature lightweight puffer jackets for the early spring in unusual fabrics such as linen; plied wool and silk blends into bomber jackets featuring a subtle checkered pattern, or treated linen overshirts and vests with aloe for a fresh and butter-soft tactile quality. Sea Island cotton was worked into gauzy knit underpinnings and shirt jackets in numerous natural nuances or overdyed in sea-inspired shades of green and blue. Fay Fay presented a new limited-edition collection in collaboration with race car driver and Swiss entrepreneur Ronnie Kessel, who this year participated in the Alfa Revival Cup as a gentleman driver. The Fay Racing jacket was designed to protect from wind, rain and the cold, conceived for drivers as pre-race equipment. The inspiration derived from the original tracksuit in the blue gray color of drivers from the '60s. Details included a key holder with the Fay hook directly applied on the breast pocket; the collar with a protective wool band inspired by the fireproof undersuit of yore, and zippered side pockets. Best of WWD Photos of Noah Lyles' Fashion Barry Keoghan's Style: A Closer Look Fear of God Opens First Store at Selfridges
