JACQUEMUS IN LOS ANGELES: MELROSE AVENUE IN THE EMBRACE OF FRENCH ELEGANCE

 

In a world where authenticity and understated luxury have become rare commodities, Simon Porte Jacquemus remains a true maestro of refined minimalism. His latest testament to this vision? The opening of the Jacquemus boutique on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles — a space that transforms the city’s iconic thoroughfare into a meticulously curated homage to the South of France.

Stepping into the boutique, visitors are no longer mere customers; they are transported into a dreamscape of Provençal reverie, a realm bathed in sunlight, perfumed with the memory of lavender fields, and tinged with the warm hues of a Mediterranean sunset. The boutique’s design is a masterful celebration of raw, organic materials and tactile sophistication, weaving together an impeccably composed symphony of elegance and ease.

The interiors evoke the spirit of a secluded villa perched atop a Provencal hill, where every detail — from alabaster walls to artisanal ceramic accents — speaks a singular, eloquent language: the language of rarefied beauty and timeless taste. Even the curated selection of art and furniture reinforces the narrative of understated opulence, designed not to overwhelm, but to enchant.

Jacquemus, with his characteristic precision, avoids the vulgarity of overt display. He offers not merely products, but an experience; not mere fashion, but an emotion. In an era of oversaturation and clamorous marketing, this boutique stands as a breath of fresh, Provençal air — a sanctuary where nonchalant elegance meets uncompromising craftsmanship.

Los Angeles has just gained a new landmark — not one that follows trends, but one that quietly redefines them. After all, only Jacquemus could transplant the soul of the South of France onto Melrose Avenue without sacrificing an ounce of authenticity.

©Photo: Jacquemus

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FALL FROM THE HEIGHTS: KERING STUMBLES OVER HIS OWN BRILLIANCE

How Luxury Took a Nosedive While Wearing Patent Loafers

Ah, Kering.

Once the pride of the French market, now the star of a stock market tragedy. The owner of everyone’s favorite “G”s – Gucci, Gaultier (in theory) and… well, we could use one more to make the rhythm work. But the rhythm is gone – along with investors’ patience. The Paris stock exchange? Down 6%. In the world of luxury, that’s like showing up to a gala in AliExpress knockoffs.

It all comes down to numbers.
Because while luxury thrives on narrative, the charts speak mercilessly: in Q1, revenue dropped by 14%, and Gucci – the golden child of fashion – took a 25% dive. This isn’t a slight shortness of breath; it’s a full-on injury. Time for a cast. And a consultation with a fashion orthopedist.

Gucci, the emblem of Gen Z and a few earlier gens who now pretend they never wore the double-G belt, is the one in need of support. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank – known for ruining moods more effectively than a French weather forecast – just slashed Kering’s forecast by another 13%. And there’s not a trace of glitter in sight.

The board, keeping things classy, responded gracefully: “challenging market conditions,” “slowdown in China,” “internal reorganization.” Lovely phrases. The kind you use when no one knows what went wrong, but something needs to be said – because the press conference has already started.

And all this in Paris – the city that has always known spectacle. Be it operatic or economic. Yesterday, it was about the future of haute couture. Today, it’s about the future of stock prices. Chanel No. 5 mixing with the sweat of analysts.

But don’t worry.
This is just one act in a much longer play. Because luxury – as we know – has mastered the art of the comeback. Right now we may be in an “underdeliver” moment, but “overpromise” is surely around the corner. Maybe even a new vision, a new creative director, and a new collection no one understands but everyone wants.

So for now, let’s put our Net-a-Porter cart on pause, slide our sunglasses down (black, of course), and wait. Kering is going through a “moment of transformation.” In human language – they’re in trouble. But in fashion? That’s just a Tuesday.

Because while Instagram mourns Gucci and financial sites tally the damage with glee, one thing remains true: luxury never dies – it reinvents itself.

And even if today’s crisis looks like collapse, tomorrow someone will turn it into a campaign with Jared Leto on a horse. And us? We’ll once again buy what we don’t need – just to be part of the shimmering absurdity.

Because in fashion, nothing really dies.
It’s just waiting for a comeback. In an even more expensive package.

Photo: Adam Katz Sinding/WWD

 

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DSQUARED2 SUMMER LOVERS: A ROMANCE REBORN IN 2025

Ah, summer. That sweet, sultry stretch of time where the sun scorches not just your skin but your soul, and every breeze feels like a whispered memory from a love you almost forgot. It’s here, in the golden haze of nostalgia, that the Dsquared2 Summer Lovers capsule emerges—an unapologetically sensual tribute to the eternal romance of the 1980s, resurrected with impeccable taste for the summer of 2025.

This isn’t just a collection. It’s a cinematic affair. A whispered echo of Summer Lovers (1982), that sun-drenched cult classic of polyamorous paradise and tan lines that told stories. Dean and Dan Caten, never ones to simply “design,” conjure a summer dream dripping with retro hedonism and modern allure—equal parts barefoot freedom and yacht-club exclusivity.

Summer Lovers speaks in a language of sheer fabrics, sky-high shorts, and silhouettes so languid, they feel like stolen kisses at sunset. Pastels melt like gelato on tanned skin, and mesh tops flirt with transparency, daring the eye and rewarding the bold. This is luxury that doesn’t shout—it winks, smirks, and slips past the velvet rope without ever showing a ticket.

To wear this collection is to indulge in a kind of sartorial escapism—one where every look is a love letter, every accessory a secret rendezvous. It’s the kind of wardrobe that doesn’t ask questions. It orders another bottle of rosé, tosses your phone into the sea, and suggests you spend the night.

But make no mistake: behind the sun-drenched playfulness lies precision. Cuts are sharp, fabrics whisper against the skin like well-rehearsed lines of poetry, and the color palette flirts between innocence and intention. You don’t just dress up in Dsquared2 Summer Lovers—you step into a scene. Preferably with sand between your toes and someone beautiful to kiss.

So go ahead. Slip into that cropped tank. Let your hair stay wet from the sea. Light a cigarette you won’t finish. Say “I love you” like you mean it—because in this fantasy, you do. And when the sun finally sets on this sultry season, let it find you in Dsquared2, looking like the kind of summer memory someone will never quite get over.

©Foto: Dsquared2 / Giampaolo Sgura

 

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AMIRI’S NEW GLOBAL AMBASSADOR? NONE OTHER THAN SAÚL “CANELO” ÁLVAREZ

(Because who else could punch luxury into submission?)

In the rarefied world of luxury fashion, where irony is currency and exclusivity is a full-time job, AMIRI has just dropped a headline that’s as unexpected as it is utterly fabulous: Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, boxing royalty and undisputed champion of controlled violence, is the new global face of the brand.

Yes, you read that correctly. The man best known for knocking out opponents in silk shorts will now be doing the same to sartorial conventions — in silk shirts.

This isn’t your usual influencer-brand collaboration. No vacant stares or androgynous jawlines here. Canelo brings something far rarer to the runway: authentic testosterone. And let’s be honest — if anyone can pull off hand-stitched denim, snakeskin boots, and a look that says “I could end you, but I’m late for a fashion week dinner,” it’s him.

AMIRI, the darling of LA cool and Parisian pretension, has always tiptoed the line between rockstar rebellion and red carpet refinement. Now, with Canelo on board, it’s swinging a solid right hook at the idea that fashion is only for the fragile.

Is this a match made in aesthetic heaven? Not exactly. It’s more of a stylish collision — like a Rolls-Royce doing donuts on Rodeo Drive. But that’s the point. Canelo doesn’t blend in. He disrupts. And AMIRI, ever the connoisseur of the unexpected, knows that nothing sells quite like chaos with a price tag.

So here’s to Canelo Álvarez — boxer, icon, and now, couture-clad provocateur. He’s not just wearing the clothes. He’s rewriting the dress code. With fists. And flawless tailoring.

Saúla „Canelo” Álvareza. ©Foto: AMIRI

 

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CAROLINA HERRERA CHOOSES MADRID. FASHION WITH CLASS — NOT FOR EVERYONE.

Just when the fashion world begins to feel a touch too predictable, Carolina Herrera makes her entrance — always a step ahead, always with effortless elegance. This year’s surprise? The main Spring 2026 collection will not be shown, as tradition would dictate, in New York. Instead — naturally — Madrid. A city of history, character, and golden light practically begging for haute couture at its finest.

Wes Gordon, the brand’s creative director, is not merely thinking outside the fashion-week box — he’s redrawing it entirely. And truly, does anyone still want to pretend that a morning show in overcrowded Manhattan can rival an evening affair in a still-undisclosed location in the Spanish capital? I think not.

September 18 — the collection debut. September 17 — a private dinner. Because, of course, one must honor the art before one unveils it. This is not merely fashion. This is ritual.

The event will mark the brand’s third international show — further proof that Herrera has long outgrown the confines of any one fashion capital. And the fact that it coincides with the first day of London Fashion Week? Well, it appears London will have to try a bit harder to hold the elite’s attention while their hearts — and flights — are already bound for Madrid.

Let the crowds chase after influencers on the mainstream runways. We’ll be waiting for true haute couture. In Madrid. With class. Among the chosen few.

Photos courtesy of: Skyline of Madrid COURTESY OF CAROLINA HERRERA/GETTY IMAGES

 

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KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN IS HERE TO ELEVATE YOUR SNACK GAME — ONE LUXE KERNEL AT A TIME WITH KHLOUD POPCORN

 

In a world where every snack is now a statement, Khloé Kardashian has done the impossible: she’s transformed the humble, unassuming popcorn into an aspirational product. Her new line, Khloud, isn’t just popcorn—it’s a lifestyle. This is popcorn for those who have long since abandoned the idea of mindlessly snacking on something “cheap” or “basic.” It’s for the refined palate, the influencer-in-the-making, the person who demands that even their snack time be an Instagrammable event.

Because why settle for anything less than luxury when you can elevate your popcorn experience? Khloé’s latest venture proves, once again, that when your last name is Kardashian, even the most mundane products are elevated to a near mythical status. Popcorn? Oh, please—this isn’t just any movie-night treat. Khloud is the popcorn equivalent of a high-fashion runway show: effortlessly chic, impeccably curated, and designed for those who can’t live without their daily dose of wellness and status signaling.

Let’s talk packaging. It’s not just functional—it’s art. In fact, it looks like something you’d expect from the graphic design department at Céline. Minimal, sleek, and striking in its elegance, each bag of Khloud popcorn demands attention. It practically dares you not to place it in a perfectly curated spot, preferably on a marble countertop next to a Diptyque candle, an open Monocle magazine (strategically positioned so it looks like you’re “reading” without actually doing so), and maybe a half-drunk artisanal coffee. The result? You look like someone who knows exactly how to live—and more importantly, someone who is never caught snacking without carefully constructed style.

But we can’t forget the most important part—the taste. The thing is, with Khloud, taste seems to take a backseat to the whole concept of the snack itself. It’s not about satisfying hunger; it’s about experience. You’re not just eating popcorn; you’re indulging in a lifestyle. Expect a delicate hint of pink Himalayan salt, because, of course, nothing says luxury like a pinch of salt that’s traveled halfway across the world. And for those who prefer to indulge a little more, there’s a version with truffle, because who wouldn’t want their popcorn to taste like something you’d find on the menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant? And, for the true decadence seekers, a white chocolate variety—because who says you can’t combine wellness with a dash of indulgence? It’s perfect for when you’re trying to eat clean but also need to remind yourself that life is for living.

The whole Khloud experience is built around the idea that food is no longer just sustenance—it’s a symbol. It’s for those who not only want to look good but feel good about looking good. Sure, the concept of eating popcorn might seem trivial, but when you throw in a few strategically placed organic ingredients and a name like “Khloud,” it’s suddenly elevated to a level of sophistication that, in all fairness, most people will never reach.

Will Khloud change the way we snack? Let’s not kid ourselves—it absolutely will. It’s popcorn that’s now on the same level as the trendiest wellness retreats and the most exclusive fitness regimens. And just as the Kardashians have managed to turn practically everything into a lifestyle brand, so too will Khloé’s Khloud be the ultimate marker of a certain kind of sophistication. Will it make you feel like a VIP on the West Coast? Naturally. After all, nothing screams “I’m an influencer” quite like holding a bag of popcorn that costs more than a decent bottle of wine.

And, of course, no Kardashian venture would be complete without a tagline that makes us feel just a little bit inadequate for not already living the Khloud life. As Khloé herself says, “Why not have it all? Flavor, style, and clean ingredients all in one popcorn bite?”

Photos courtesy of Khloud

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PAUL SMITH ARRIVES IN MILAN: BRITISH SARTORIAL ROYALTY MEETS ITALIAN REFINEMENT

At last. Sir Paul Smith — the undisputed sovereign of British menswear, a man who knots a tie with the same ease with which he dismantles tradition — makes his Milanese debut. After years of presenting in Paris, the icon of tailored eccentricity steps onto the official Milano Fashion Week Uomo calendar for the very first time.

But this is not a grand spectacle. Naturally not. Sir Paul offers something far more exclusive: an intimate, salon-style presentation. No pomp, no desperate theatrics — just pure craftsmanship, quiet confidence, and an unwavering belief in the power of cut, cloth, and character. This is elegance without effort, luxury without volume.

The move to Milan is deliberate. This is a city that understands nuance — where true style isn’t shouted, it’s whispered. Where tailoring is art, not trend. And where Smith’s meticulous, irreverent take on classic menswear finds not just an audience, but a kindred spirit.

Make no mistake: this is not about reinvention. Paul Smith has nothing to prove. His presence in Milan is a gentle assertion that real fashion doesn’t chase relevance — it is relevance. Expect subtle contradictions, artful linings, and silhouettes that speak fluent understatement.

Will Milan become Paul Smith’s new spiritual home? If so, it will be the most elegantly orchestrated change of scenery the menswear world has seen in years.

Photos courtesy of Paul Smith

 

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