Prada's Fine Jewelry Launch, Act N.1's Skyrocketing Success, Rick Owens' New Collaboration and "Bling Empire" Comes to New York With a Twist

Today, WWD is showcasing Prada's first fine jewelry line and giving an exclusive look at Rick Owens' collaboration with Dr.?Martens. Also, read our interview with Act N.1’s founders about their skyrocketing success, from being endorsed by Valentino to dressing Beyoncé and Lizzo for major campaigns and covers. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at “Bling Empire: New York”?from jewelry designer Lynn Ban.

Essential Reads:

Prada Launches Its First Fine Jewelry?Line

Prada?has unveiled its first fine jewelry line and is the first global luxury?brand to create a collection made with 100 percent certified recycled gold, said?Lorenzo Bertelli,?group head of corporate social responsibility.

“This was not a simple objective, and we are very happy we’ve succeeded because it allows us to set a new standard in the industry,” said Bertelli. “Right from the start we wanted to do jewelry in a different and more radical way with a strong message and offering full traceability, shifting outdated industry standards to mirror societal change.”

To mark the launch,?Prada?is rolling out a campaign photographed by David Sims and fronted by award-winning American poet and activist Amanda Gorman; American actor, model and singer-songwriter Maya Hawke, and Dutch-Korean-Canadian?musician Somi Jeon.

For the full story,?read on here.

From Valentino to Beyoncé and Lizzo: Act N.1’s Founders on Golden?Momentum

What do Beyoncé and Lizzo have in common? Sure, great vocals and music careers, but also layers of tulle courtesy of Act N.1’s founders Galib Gassanoff and Luca Lin.

Roughly 20 days passed from Act N.1 being endorsed by Valentino?for its spring 2023 show to becoming the go-to choice for two music megastars.

The conversation with Gassanoff this week was the third with WWD in less than a month, and each hit differently. A preview before the runway show was filled with anticipation, a chat after the show oozed happiness and relief (a few tears were involved, too) while the most recent phone call saw a new nuance of confidence seeping in.

Read on here for the full interview.

EXCLUSIVE: Rick Owens Gives ‘Underground Aesthetic’ to Dr.?Martens

Rick Owens, who has talked about “corrupting” iconic fashion items when he takes on a?collaboration, made more surgical tweaks for his latest project: Boots for?Dr. Martens.

Revealing the tie-up exclusively to WWD, Owens described a long personal history with the British footwear brand. Growing up in Porterville, California, he would wear black, knee-high Dr. Martens with white lacing and baggy shorts “in solidarity with the queer punk subculture” and for going to see bands like The Circle Jerks, Fear and Black Flag.

“They already had more of a transgressive mystique than I could ever presume to propose,” Owens said. “I was just delighted to apply some of my signifiers to something that held such allure for me in my youth.”

To learn more about the collaboration, read on here.

Lynn Ban Brings Career Angle to ‘Bling?Empire’

The first teaser clip for “Bling Empire: New York” suggests the latest spinoff of the popular?Netflix?series will involve the usual stew of luxury excess, romantic shenanigans and social squabbling.

But there will also be doses of business reality thanks to cast member Lynn Ban, who let camera crews trail her as she mulled relaunching her eponymous?fine jewelry?brand post-pandemic, and?designed a new resort collection for the Como hotel chain.

“I have been fortunate enough to be able to start my own businesses, but let’s be real — there are no shortcuts for anyone in building a career,” Ban says in an interview, highlighting some challenges unique to Asian Americans.

For the full interview and a behind-the-scenes look at the new show, read on here.

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