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Remember these futuristic fashion flexes? [photos]

It’s officially a year since the South African entertainment industry lost one of its most talented – and fashionable stars; Riky Rick.

Despite being 34 years young when he passed, the Stay Shining hitmaker accumulated a wealth of fashion knowledge and was years ahead of his time.

ALSO READ: Remembering Boss Zonke: Five things to know about the late rapper

riky–rick-fashion-moments-we-ll-never-forget”FIVE RIKY RICK FASHION MOMENTS WE’LL NEVER FORGET

Face mask on fleek

Before Covid-19 existed or Kanye West and co. started wearing bizarre face coverings, Riky Rick rocked up on the 2018 SAMA red carpet wearing an orange mesh face mask.

The look stole the spotlight and kickstarted the viral #RikyRick challenge.

Everybody gets sneakers!

From petrol attendants to avid fans to Pearl Thusi’s daughter Thandolwethu, Riky was Santa Claus when it game to gifting away free designer sneakers.

Men wear pink – and sandals – too!

Riky Rick was comfortable with his masculinity and was able to pull off feminine fashion looks with ease and style.

OG Gucci gang

Before Andile Mpisane flaunted his wealth though his fashion looks, Riky Ricky was the ultimate label lover.

And whilst Riky taught us a thing or two about French and Italian brands, his love for local was just as strong.

Bearded Boss Zonke

As co-founder of Legends barbershop, Riky Rick made the fade and facial hair the ultimate fashion flex.

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Australian fashion label Anna Quan turns 10

“It has been a lot of hard work,” she says. “Ironically, I think it only gets harder as you go along. Because I feel like now we are in an awkward adolescent stage. We are not the new kid on the block, the shiny and bright thing. We are at a bit of a reckoning point where we are figuring out what the brand is in this phase. It’s a crossroads – we have the capacity to grow, but how much do we want to do that?”

I am constantly asking myself, what is the value proposition for the customer? Why would they buy it?

— Anna Hoang

Currently stocked by the likes of Net-A-Porter, Harvey Nichols, Lane Crawford and David Jones, retail seems to be the next logical step. But Hoang is not convinced.

“I worry about inventory, rent, inflation… I won’t say no, or never, but right now it’s not my top priority. I want to feel super-comfortable with every decision. I’m not ready yet.”

Anna Quan signature long-sleeved shirt: The style first resonated with New Yorkers.  

Hoang started Anna Quan in 2013 with a run of shirts, made because “they were relatively inexpensive and I knew how to make them,” she says. “I was a no-name designer, and they were simple to produce and sample.”

The brand first resonated with New Yorkers, who Hoang believes discovered it via celebrity stylist Kate Young, an early fan. “It was very specific. It was New York women who would write to me and say, ‘I wear the shirt on the subway, and people ask me about it all the time.’ ” It was the first sense she had that the products were finding an audience beyond Hoang herself.

And while Hoang will bring back those shirts, with their signature elongated

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I’m a fashion fan and tried Dunnes Stores designer reversible gilet – there’s a matching bag to go with it

DUNNES Stores have dropped a new reversible gilet – and it can be worn in cream or black.

The reversible gilet is available online and in stores around the country.

Dunnes Stores have dropped a new reversible gilet

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Dunnes Stores have dropped a new reversible giletCredit: Instagram
The Dunnes Stores gilet is available in two colour combinations

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The Dunnes Stores gilet is available in two colour combinationsCredit: Instagram

And one fashion vlogger took to Instagram to try it out.

Corinna, who posts under @corinna_cares, demonstrated how the gilet can change up your look in seconds.

It has a quilted shell on both sides and two pockets.  

Corinna told the Irish Sun: “There’s so much to love about this gilet.

I'm a fashion fan - the new Penneys seamless range are a bargain and so cute
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“It’s made by Irish designer Carolyn Donnelly but it’s not at designer prices.

“It’s a very affordable €50, and given that it’s reversible you are really getting two for the price of one.”

The fashion fan said the gilet is ideal for transitional weather.

She said: “It’s made of a lovely lightweight material so it’s a perfect cover up as we transition into Spring.”

The Carolyn Donnelly The Edit Reversible Gilet is available in XS to XL.

Its description reads: “Lightweight reversible gilet with snap buttons and pockets.

“Brought to you by Irish designer Carolyn Donnelly, exclusively for Dunnes Stores.”

Corinna said: “It comes in the colour I have on and also in khaki.

“The lovely crossbody bag I have on is from the same range.”

The matching Carolyn Donnelly The Edit Beige Quilted Bag is just €25.

Its description reads: “Beige quilted bag with black side panels, internal pocket, handles and shoulder strap. Perfect for laptop.”

Meanwhile, Dunnes Stores fans have gone wild over their latest seamless staples just €10 – and there’s plenty of piece to mix and match.

‘GORGEOUS’

The seamless must haves are available online and in stores nationwide.

And

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Designer Richard Quinn reveals who from the royal family he’d love to dress

Richard Quinn (Handout/PA)

Richard Quinn (Handout/PA)

Designer richard-quinn” data-ylk=”slk:Richard Quinn;elm:context_link;itc:0″ class=”link “Richard Quinn, who rose to fame when the Queen sat in the front row at his fashion show in 2018, has revealed he would “love to” dress the Princess of Wales.

The designer, 33, told the PA news agency: “Something like a royal occasion in the evening, we’d love to do some sort of gown.”

On the runway, Quinn’s signature has become the clash of traditional floral patterns with black latex – but he doesn’t think he could put Kate in latex.

“[That’s] probably a step too far,” he said.

“But a nice long opera glove – looks like she likes that, we saw that the other day [at the EE Bafta Film Awards on Sunday].

“An opera glove with a bow or something – we’ll spice it up in a different way.”

Reflecting on the impact the Queen had when she attended his show and presented him with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, Quinn – who is based in south London – said: “Nothing but positive things came from it.

“As a designer, you want as many eyes looking at what you do, especially as you start – that was probably the most perfect storm thing ever to happen to us.

“In terms of how we design, we’ve always designed for event dressing and that idea of pageantry. I feel there’s mirroring there – the pomp that comes with our clothes is quite appropriate.”

Quinn presented his latest collection at London Fashion Week last weekend, and he added even more pageantry by sending wedding gowns down the runway for the first time.

“We’ve got a different side of our business not many people know about, we do lots of bespoke bridalwear and we’ve done

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Two-spirit joy shines bright at New York Fashion Week as La Loche teacher models for Cree streetwear designer

Prairie Pride is a series by Local Journalism Initiative reporter Julia Peterson that celebrates queer life in rural Saskatchewan.

When Jazz Moise gets dressed in the morning, the world is his runway.

With bright patterns, vibrant sparkles and big, dangly earrings, the La Loche, Sask., substitute teacher finds joy and confidence in his clothing, expressing his creativity and two-spirit identity with every outfit.

Earlier this month, Moise took his love of fashion to a much bigger stage: New York Fashion Week.

“Being on the runway was a thrill,” said Moise. “I had a straight face, of course. I had to look fierce. But right when I stepped on the runway, I saw the crowd, and people were cheering. It was just surreal.”

Moise was one of the models representing Scott Wabano, a two-spirit Indigenous fashion designer whose genderless clothes showcase and celebrate Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ identities.

“I had never imagined myself being a model,” said Moise. “I’ve only ever enjoyed fashion. I love dressing up; I love expressing myself. But seeing that there was an opportunity, I said ‘oh my gosh. This is my shot.'”

Wabano, who is Mushkegowuk from Moose Factory, on the west coast of James Bay, with Eeyou-Eenou family roots from the Quebec Cree Nation of Waskaganish, aims to challenge colonial binaries, like gender terms brought on by early settlers.

For Moise, walking that runway in Wabano’s flowing silk outfit was a chance to represent two-spirit excellence and be the role model he had wanted while growing up in La Loche.

Wabano and models posing for red carpet at New York Fashion Week
On the red carpet, from left to right, Scott Wabano, Haley Robinson, Braydee Cardinal, Kay, Mina Linklater, Kairyn Potts, Shanese Indoowaboo Steele, Jojo Jackson, Jazz Moise, Michelle Chubb, Kentsieno:ron – Steven Thompson, Mandy Gull-Masty and Owen Uhruh. (Submitted by Scott Wabano)

As a child, Moise recalls,

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Ukrainian designers turn crisis into creativity at London Fashion Week

(Imaxtree)

(Imaxtree)

February 2022, a catastrophic moment in history struck the world– Russia invaded Ukraine. In a country, pockmarked with grief, the unimaginable suddenly became part of the everyday for many of its people.

Despite daily bombings, rockets flying overhead and cities decimated to ruins, slowly but surely life must go on. And rather than fixating on the tragedy, some of the country’s design talents are turning inward, and funnelling their fears into creativity. They are emboldened; using their craft as a means to amplify the voices of their homeland and their people.

There’s Ivan Frolov, Julia Paskal and Ksenia Schnaider —  who were invited by the British Fashion Council yesterday to present their AW23 collections at London Fashion Week– and have found a sense of comfort and community through fashion.

“It is a great pleasure to show collections with our UK friends. We have this opportunity to show in a fashion capital which means we can continue doing what we actually do the best— create,” says Ksenia Schnaider, founder of Kyiv-based brand Kseniaschaider. Ongoing international encouragement and backing from the “Support Ukrainian Fashion” initiative gives her and many others hope for the future of her home country. “I want to do something beautiful. I think it is my responsibility to give something new to the world. So that we can overcome this darkness.”

Thus, colour is the object of Schnaider’s AW23 collection. Emotionally connected pieces drawn from a palette of blue and yellow-the colours of the Ukrainian flag. “Somehow it’s a very normal desire of a human to overcome something bad, you want to create something beautiful, bright, positive,” she says. “Last year was the year of surviving, it feels like a miracle to show our work on the runway.”

(Imaxtree)

(Imaxtree)

Produced entirely under air raid sirens

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london fashion week: Ukrainian fashion designers brave Russian missile attacks to create statement pieces for London Fashion Week

Ukrainian designers sent out a defiant message at London Fashion Week on Tuesday with clothes made from the neckties their menfolk no longer wear and butterfly motifs to symbolise the “fragility of life”.

The three collections by fashion labels Kseniaschnaider, Paskal and Frolov were put together in Ukraine despite constant interruptions from missile attacks and air raid sirens.

“I think it’s really important not to stop,” said Ksenia Schnaider, one half of the husband and wife team behind the Kseniaschnaider label.

The designer has been travelling back and forth from Ukraine and her new base in the UK, where her daughter is at school, since taking the decision to carry on with fashion despite the war.

Schnaider feared she might “never be able to create again” after being forced to leave Kyiv last March.

But after travelling to Hungary, then Germany and finally Britain, she decided she had to continue for the sake of herself and her team.

“You can’t stop even if reality is terrible, you should continue doing what you do best, still be creative, try to bring beauty to this world of tragedy,” she told AFP backstage. “There’s a lot of new meanings in this, it’s not just being a fashion designer like it used to be, I need to save my culture and my traditions.”

Kseniaschnaider’s Autumn Winter 2023 collection featured plenty of the brand’s trademark denim along with blazers and skirts made out of surplus stocks of neck ties now that Ukrainian men have swapped them for military fatigues.

“It’s really meaningful because Ukrainian men don’t need ties now because they are fighting,” she said.

– ‘You can’t sit and cry’ – Julie Paskal said all four of the designers behind the three labels had been conflicted over whether it was right to carry on

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London Fashion Week spotlights resilience of Ukrainian designers

Three of Ukraine’s most prominent designers have shown their latest collections on the final day of London Fashion Week (LFW).

Kseniaschnaider, Paskal, and Frolov made their LFW debut at the Old Selfridges Hotel, as Ukrainian Fashion Week has been cancelled due to the war.

At the beginning of the show, a voice on the speakers said: “These collections are and will continue to be a piece of history, symbolic of the resilience and courage of Ukraine and its people.”

It came at a poignant time, just after Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a state-of-the-nation address, and days before the war’s first anniversary on Friday.

On each seat was a description of each designer’s collection, a Ukrainian flag and a QR code for UNITED24 – the official fundraising platform of Ukraine.

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Kseniaschnaider – founded by husband and wife team Ksenia and Anton Schnaider – opened the show.

The brand is known for its use of denim and commitment to sustainability.

The show notes said the collection was “designed during the war and produced under raid sirens in Ukraine”.

Despite the circumstances, it was infused “with an air of hope and positivity”.

Denim ran throughout the collection, in edgy pairs of jeans and cut-offs. There were also plenty of sporty elements, including a tailored tracksuit and Adidas trainers.

It was given a distinctly Ukrainian feel with the addition of traditional patchworking techniques and models with braids in their hair.

Deadstock ties were used throughout the collection, patchworked into blazers and skirts.

According to the show notes, this was a symbol

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A look at this Milwaukee fashion designer

Laura Bavlnka, owner of Bavlnka Atelier at 5209 W. North Ave. in Milwaukee on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Bavlnka specializes in naturally dyeing textiles, elaborate alterations, creating jewelry and is starting a new clothing collections.

Laura Bavlnka, owner of Bavlnka Atelier at 5209 W. North Ave. in Milwaukee on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Bavlnka specializes in naturally dyeing textiles, elaborate alterations, creating jewelry and is starting a new clothing collections.

After learning in high school that fashion design could be a career, Laura Bavlnka worked backstage at Paris fashion shows, landed a corporate job in the industry — and then took a “leap of faith” and launched her own brand.

And in a world full of fast fashion, Bavlnka said she is trying to run Bavlnka Brand as ethically and responsibly as possible.

From her North Avenue atelier, Bavlnka works on a new clothing collection, makes jewelry, does elaborate alternation work — including on the most important dress a person will ever wear — and naturally dyes accessories. She also hosts workshops to teach others how to natural dye.

“I’m really creating something that is unique and that feels really good to me, and that suits the needs of people,” she said. “I want people to feel good about the clothes they’re wearing. And if I can help them to do that, that makes me so happy.”

High school art teachers fostered her passion for fashion

Bavlnka always had an interest in fashion and an entrepreneurial spirit. In high school at Wauwatosa West, she made her own tote bags from upholstery fabric, then started selling them to other students. She also made and sold custom garters for prom.

Selena Marris, who’s been an art instructor at West for two decades, was the first person who told Bavlnka that fashion design could be a profession.

Marris said Bavlnka stood out for how she always asked a lot of questions, appreciated feedback and went the extra mile on projects. Marris still remembers a cocktail dress

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Design Museum’s REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion Exhibition

The Design Museum is celebrating London’s influence on global fashion with a new exhibition.

Titled “REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion”, the forthcoming exhibition is in collaboration with the British Fashion Council (BFC) and is also set to honor the 30th anniversary of BFC’s NEWGEN program. From figures like Alexander McQueen to Vivienne Westwood, London has undeniably produced a range of not just new silhouettes, but movements in fashion throughout time.

The exhibition seeks to underscore this deep history by looking at the work of over 300 designers. The exhibition is set to include over 100 objects including garments, drawings, films and unique artifacts. But aside from the collection of pieces, the exhibition intends to highlight the entire creative process of fashion design and inspire current and future generations of aspiring fashion creatives.

BFC’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent, Sarah Mower MBE, is set to guest-curate the exhibition alongside the Design Museum’s Senior Curator Rebecca Lewin. Additionally, the esteemed house of Alexander McQueen is serving as the exhibition’s sponsor.

REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion is set to open during London Fashion Week in September – running from September 16, 2023 through February 11, 2024.

In other news, Diesel FW23 is shredded, lubricated and sexually protected. 

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