Beyond The Limits 29.01.2024

?? Welcome to our newsletter for the week. We have gathered some of the most interesting news and updates from the world of circularity, technology, fashion, and luxury.

?? Fashion ?

Sportswear brand PUMA Group is reportedly gearing up for a notable return to New York Fashion Week in February, marking the resurgence of its 1999 Mostro sneaker. Scheduled for February 8 at the Park Avenue Armory, the show is described as a "mysterious and nostalgic experience" promising to transport attendees to a realm shared by humans and monsters. Heiko Desens , Puma's creative director, shared that the event aims to celebrate the return of a distinctive "low-profile" icon and unveil design concepts hinting at the future to contribute to the creation of the sneaker archive of tomorrow. Steven Kolb , CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), expressed excitement about Puma's comeback, emphasizing the brand's collaboration, energy, and creative presence during the fashion week. The event precedes NYFW, taking place from February 9 to 14, showcasing Puma's distinctive style and innovative designs.

??? Fashion Event

The inaugural collaboration between Pure London and Just Around The Corner (JATC), known as The London Festival of Fashion, is set to unfold from February 11 to 13, 2024, at the iconic Olympia London. This groundbreaking event brings together a global collective of fashion designers, brands, buyers, and creative minds, coupled with industry-leading educational seminars, creating a revolutionary fashion buying experience. The event spans eight dynamic destinations: Woman, POP, Sustainable, Footwear & Accessories, Jewellery, Menswear, Together, and Beauty & Lifestyle. Buyers can anticipate an expanded array of inspirational brands, with familiar favorites such as Sugarhillbrighton , HSCPH , and CHALK returning alongside exciting newcomers like Buzz & Luna, Mirayama, and Nudea. The event is truly international, featuring collections from Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and beyond. The stage at Olympia London will host the Pure London x JATC Catwalk show, featuring key pieces styled on models, trend forecasts, and expert talks. The event also emphasizes sustainability in the fashion industry, addressing its future through panel discussions. The collaboration underscores a commitment to fostering emerging talent, with Graduate Fashion Week winners showcasing their designs on the catwalk. Gloria Sandrucci , Event Director of Pure London, expresses enthusiasm about creating a landmark fashion trade show experience, uniting British and international brands under Olympia London's iconic roof. Juls Dawson , Creative Director of JATC, sees the launch as a significant moment, offering over 300 brands across various destinations for a streamlined and cohesive industry experience.

??? Fashion Industry

The International Accord, a pivotal agreement addressing health and safety standards in the textile and garment sector, marked its tenth anniversary in late 2023. Originating as the Bangladesh Accord in 2013 and later evolving into the Transition Accord 2018, it garnered support from over 190 brands, retailers, and global trade unions. In 2021, the International Accord emerged, securing over 180 signatories in its inaugural year. Although extended on November 1, 2023, for three years, with an automatic renewal option for an additional three years, only about 100 companies have committed to the new International Accord as of January 3, 2024. This renewal process, requiring brands and retailers to recommit, is notably supported by industry leaders such as 阿迪达斯 , BESTSELLER , H&M , and PUMA Group . Nevertheless, some notable absences include luxury group 酩悦·轩尼诗-路易·威登集团 and luxury brands like 耐克 , 开云 , Li-Ning (China) Sports Goods Co. Ltd , SHEIN , VF Corporation , and Zalando . The Accord's achievements over the past decade include 56,000 factory inspections, resolution of 140,000 health and safety issues across 2,400 factories, and the training of over two million workers. However, it remains silent on the critical issue of wages, a contentious topic amid global calls for a living wage in garment-producing nations like Bangladesh, where recent protests over a new minimum wage have led to worker layoffs and persistent challenges in international wage comparisons.

?? ? Technology

Despite its absence from CES, the ongoing consumer tech mega-show in Las Vegas, 苹果 is making waves with the long-awaited release date announcement for its Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Initially introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the $3,499 device is set to hit the market on February 2 for delivery and retail availability. The base model, featuring 256GB storage, includes a Solo Knit Band, Dual Loop Band, headset cover, light seals, battery, polishing cloth, and USB-C charging kit. Buyers can opt for Zeiss lens additions at $99 or $149 for readers and prescriptions, respectively. The technology, equipped with 4K displays and a dual-processor system incorporating Apple's M2 chip and the dedicated R1 chip for mixed reality wearables, has received positive reviews. Addressing common complaints about performance lag and motion sickness, the R1 is designed to handle data loads from sensors, cameras, and microphones. The Vision Pro offers a seamless experience by supporting Apple's new visionOS operating system, compatible with most iOS and iPadOS apps without requiring retrofitting. Additionally, over 150 3D titles will be available via the Apple TV app. The device prioritizes control and ease, featuring a hardware dial for switching between augmented reality and virtual reality. It supports eye, head, and hand tracking as primary interaction methods, with no need for additional controllers. While this approach has sparked debate within the developer community, affluent early adopters will soon have the opportunity to assess its merits firsthand.

??? Luxury Leather Alternative

Another Tomorrow , a sustainable fashion brand with a minimalist ethos, has introduced a capsule collection featuring regenerative wool styles. Established in 2020 by Vanessa Barboni Hallik , with creative direction led by Elizabeth Giardina since 2022, the B-Corp certified label adheres to a value system centered around human, animal, and environmental welfare. Each product from the brand is equipped with a unique digital ID, allowing customers to access supply chain transparency and authenticity information. Another Tomorrow also operates its authenticated resale platform. The brand emphasizes a "farm to closet" approach, tracing all materials back to their raw sources, often working directly with farmers. The fall collection showcases key materials like recycled nylon, sustainable raincoats, viscose sourced from FSC-certified suppliers, corozo nut buttons, organic cotton denim, chambray dresses, cruelty-free peace silk, and a new line of regenerative wool. The regenerative wool capsule includes six styles crafted from ultra-fine, Italian-made wool sourced from the carbon-zero-certified Lake Hawea Station in New Zealand, meeting ZQRX standards. The "Carbon Zero Farm Knitwear" line encompasses a rib poncho, tunic, pant, Henley, merino polo, and reversible chunky sweater in black, cream, and sky blue hues.

?? Luxury

Almost a year after announcing their collaboration, TOD'S and Automobili Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. are unveiling Gommino loafers and sneakers during Pitti Uomo in Florence. The collaboration, rooted in shared values such as attention to detail and constant innovation, reflects the Italian lifestyle championed by both brands. Diego Della Valle, Tod’s Group chairman and CEO, emphasized these shared values, stating that they truly represent Italian style. The initial release focuses on Tod’s iconic Gommino loafer and a sneaker. The Gommino loafer, known for its rubber pebble outsole, features a chunkier and more geometric design with smooth and striped leather inspired by Lamborghini’s aerodynamic livery. The sneakers, modeled after Tod’s low-top designs, combine white and gray leather and suede with colorful accents and the Automobili Lamborghini logo. Available for both men and women in various colors, the designs retail exclusively started at $895 for the Gommino loafer and $975 for the sneakers, with leather goods and apparel drops expected in future project chapters. The collaboration enhances Tod’s luxury positioning, leveraging the appeal of collaborations, particularly with a prestigious brand like Lamborghini. This initiative follows Tod’s previous ventures into mobility, including a limited-edition bicycle developed with Colnago in 2022. The collaboration aligns with Tod’s commitment to unconventional projects through Tod’s Factory, showcasing collaborations with designers and artists in the luxury and design realms.

??Congrats to @ Puma, @ Apple, @ Another Tomorrow, @ Tod’s, @ Lamborghini!

?? Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts with us!

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