Fashion Dose #8

Time is flying, isn't it? It's been almost a month since I last injected a dose of fashion here, I apologise, I'm really trying to keep up with everything (not keeping up with the Kardashians). And finally, Maria Grazia Chiuri, the former designer of Valentino has been appointed as the artistic director of Dior. It seems just like weeks ago Raf Simons left Dior, but it's been about 9 months since October 2015. Chiuri doesn't seem to be afraid of separating from her 20 years partner, Pierpaolo Piccioli. The duo designers at Valentino have been viewed as inseparable and symbolic since both of them ruled and rocked the house of Valentino, who have also helped Valentino's sales to skyrocket. Of course, perhaps she does not have time to be afraid...

Photo: Valentino duo designers, Pierpaolo Piccioli (left) and Maria Grazia Chiuri (right).

Ever wondered what is the job scope of a new artistic director at Dior? Here are the things she's expected to do:

-Design two couture collections each year;

-Design two ready-to-wear collections each year;

-Design one cruise collection each year;

-Design one pre-collection each year;

-Design shoes;

-Design bags;

-Design jewellery;

-Design eyewear;

-Get involved in the image, ad campaign; and lastly

-Store design.

Woah, massive. In fact, she's the one who asked for it. Chiuri seems to be an ambitious woman who asked Sidney Toledo, chief executive of Dior to give her a 'global' type of job. So there you go, when you want something, just ask for it, who knows you may get it? So we are asked to expect a new Dior, after the appointment of the 9th designer of the house. I can't wait to see her first Dior collection in September, you know I've been a fan of Valentino for its ultra feminine dresses that are always with a sense of strength in them. And it's said that she's selected because she understands women-- the roles and the thinking of present and future women. I can't wait how she is going to express that at Dior, which is a house that's always done well to shape and revolutionise the way women dressed since the introduction of the New Look in 1947.

Photo: The New Look by the founder, Christian Dior.

Now, after talking about the luxury house, let's talk about counterfeit goods (again). Since Alibaba's membership in the US anti-counterfeiting group has caused an outrage among its existing members that quickly makes Gucci to leave the group, Alibaba's Jack Ma has said the problem is that the counterfeit goods have better quality than the genuine goods.

Jack Ma further emphasised that "We have to protect [intellectual property], we have to do everything to stop the fake products, but OEMs are making better products at a better price." Perhaps what they don't understand about the luxury market is the intangible values it carries, but not only the quality. Bags are often not being carried as something that simply stores all the shits inside, but they are often a sign of status and mood for different occasions, they are something people carry to express themselves besides than the garments they wear, they are more than just another piece of quality fabric/leather on their bodies. It's not entirely and solely about the quality at all, but it has to be accompanied with the brands and the values they carry. Almost about one month later, Alibaba has launched a new online system that will remove fake goods from its site. What's the result? Just go and shop around Alibaba to see if this is effective.

Photo: One of the bags from Anya Hindmarch's first men's collection.

The global market does not seem to be optimistic recently after the Brexit, unstable politics, and reported declining profits among many brick-and-mortar retailers and banks, India is finally allowing shops to open 24 hours in order to compete with the online retailers, which aims to increase employment and encourage competition. So now you can hop around India to search for any bars, restaurants, malls and cinemas that open 24/7.

On the other hand, Anya Hindmarch is launching her first men collections despite the global uncertainties, adding that it's a natural flow as many male customers have came into the store before to shop for some bags in the women collections. She will show the men's collection together with women's in September, which she claims a mens' collection doesn't really need extra resources or effort, but simply changing the handles' size and the proportions. Sounds right! I wouldn't roll my eyes to see a man carries an Anya Hindmarch bag, they are quite for the unisex! An Anya Hindmarch bag male carrier makes him look more playful and cute. *wink

See the first men's collection here.

Photo: Alexa Chung for Marks & Spencer.

And lastly, is this very fresh news-- Alexa Chung is having her own fashion brand that is set to launch in May 2017. This decision comes after she's built confidence after her successful collaborations with several brands like Marks & Spencer, Madewell, AG Jeans, Superga and Eyeko, who will have a professional team of six with Edwin Bodson, former head of atelier at Haider Ackermann as the Managing Director. This will be a brand that Alexa Chung promises will not have sky high price, but its pricing will be set at a level where everyone on the street can afford. Just how affordable it can be? Let's see next year when it's sold at some luxury retailers' sites such as Matchesfashion and Selfridges.

That's it for this week (or weeks) fashion dose! I hope you enjoyed!

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