With social distancing changing the face of the shopping experience in the capital, we’ve never been more keen for personal connection. This is exactly what the fashion pop-up experience offers – a way to temporarily connect with customers – and more and more brands are reestablishing theirs this season. Our highlights include Cartier’s new immersive installation at Harrods, Hayley Menzies relocation to Chelsea from Notting Hill, Fendi’s new accessory collaboration with Chaos, and Christopher Kane, who is hosting an insider-only sample sale in Hackney. This is what you need to know.
Fans of the brand can get excited – the first ever experimental installation devoted entirely to Cartier’s iconic Panthère collection takes place at Harrods this month. In this immersive experience, visitors will first be welcomed by Cartier bellboys into its deep emerald interiors – a nod to the animal’s eyes – to discover the story of Jeanne Toussaint, the trailblazing 20th century free spirit and Cartier’s artistic director who became known as “La Panthère” and created this iconic Cartier signature.
After, they will continue through a mirrored tunnel into several different rooms which each narrate different elements of the Panthère de Cartier story. This journey ends at the new ‘touch & try’ space, where visitors can try on pieces in the Panthère de Cartier collection, featuring naturalist, abstract and graphic watch and jewellery designs. Taking place until 27 November, booking is essential.
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1; pantheredecartier.co.uk
Italian fashion house Fendi unveiled a new collaboration at its Fall/Winter 20/21 show in Milan earlier this year of ‘tech jewellery’ pieces, made in conjunction with London-based accessories brand Chaos. The collection is a result of a longstanding creative relationship between Fendi and Chaos — one established by Karl Lagerfeld and continued today by Fendi Artistic Director Silvia Venturini Fendi.
Designed to reimagine iconic pieces associated with old Hollywood glamour into a modern setting, the collection transforms contemporary tech tools such as smartphones, smart watches and wireless earbuds into jewel-like accessories via tailor-made cases. Think Fendi’s renowned craftmenship with an innovative edge. The launch is being marked with a special pop up concession at Harrods, where all the new accessories will be showcased, so pop into the department store to pick up your piece of high-fashion wearable tech.
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1; fendi.com
Fashion Campaigns
Scottish designer Christopher Kane will be hosting a three-day sample sale at The Box, a venue in Hackney specifically designed for launches, pop ups and sample sales. Taking place from 30 October and ending on 1 November, the sale will contain pieces which showcase award-winning designer Kane’s witty signature style.
The Box, 4-6 Ram Place, Hackney, E9; thebox-london.com
Best known for her maximalist clothing, Hayley Menzies is following in the footsteps of iconic brands such as Biba and Mary Quant by setting up shop on Chelsea’s Kings Road this month. The British womenswear designer is hosting a pop up in the Duke of York Square, stocking her signature silk maxi dresses, alpaca knitwear, duster cardigans and bold headbands. Designed to give her space to showcase her more creative pieces, the six month pop up is a haven of colour and pattern to brighten up your winter wardrobe.
Hayley Menzies, 40 Duke of York Square, Chelsea, SW3; hayleymenzies.com
