Just in time for al fresco dining and outdoor gatherings with friends comes a fresh slate of tempting new fashion collections to refresh your wardrobe. Bold dressing is on many labels’ minds, with The Attico launching vibrantly patterned beachwear and Marine Serre creating an exclusive crescent moon-adorned collection for Browns. This month also sees the debut of a number of new accessories with a conscious spin, including Amber Valletta’s sustainably made collection for Karl Lagerfeld and Loewe’s latest Elephant bag in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund. Here, discover the best of this month’s new releases.
British artist and designer Faye Toogood, renowned for her imaginative take on minimalist designs across furniture, homeware and fashion, has teamed up with beloved shoe brand Birkenstock to collaborate on new spins on their classic designs. The three styles — the Forager, the Mudlark and the Beachcomber — strike an impressive balance between retaining the original iconic staples of the shoe and reconstructing them in a new, Toogood-esque sculptural approach. The Forager offers a simplistic style in felt, leather and canvas, a signature Toogood fabric, while the Mudlark, a chunkier version with visible stitching, was inspired by imaginings of archaeologists searching for artifacts by the river. Finally, there’s the Beachcomber, a plump design inspired by the froth of seafoam. All are available in black, grey, white and pollen, a joyously bright yellow.
Famed London boutique Browns has teamed up with Marine Serre, one of today’s coolest young brands, for an exclusive spring/summer capsule collection. Designed as an extension of the French designer’s SS21 show, which sought to find joy in the chaos of the past year, the 20 pieces span womenswear, menswear and lifestyle accessories in black, white and an orangey red. All pieces feature the brand’s renowned crescent moon motif, and continue Marine Serre’s practice of fusing together French couture principles and sportswear references to create a thoroughly futuristic yet wearable collection, with many using recycled materials.
Virgil Abloh returns with his second activewear collection for Off White. Functionality is at the core of the mens and womenswear designs, with a focus on using breathable elastic fibres, sport-grade nylons and stretch cottons to create performance-level pieces with a streetwear edge. The womenswear selection includes sleek black pieces with intriguing cutouts and logo detailing, as well as a more colourful assortment of leggings, biker shorts and tops in neon pink, vibrant orange and an abstract blue and pink print.
This season, the Milan-based label are dipping their toe into beachwear with the release of a capsule collection of swimwear and stylish separates. Titled “State of Nature,” the collection puts a sexy The Attico spin on bikinis and one-pieces, which are crafted from Lycra in the label’s signature bold colours and patterns, including a psychedelic, multicolour design and a shimmering metallic silver. Athletic cuts are combined with sensual, feminine draping details and twisted straps to give them an elegant finish. The collection also includes a number of matching cropped T-shirts and tubular miniskirts as well as a contemporary assortment of platform sandals.
Elephant KOMP Bag in Textile
£1,150
Now in its third year, the Spanish label’s annual collaboration with Knot On My Planet continues with a vibrant checked version of the mini elephant-shaped bag in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund. The body of the elephant is crafted from Shuka, a blue and red checkered fabric that is traditionally used by the Maasai tribes in Kenya to make shawls, while the tassel strap is hand-woven by an artisan collective of women from the Samburu Trust in Northern Kenya. Not only does it look great and support important traditional crafts, but 100% of the proceeds from sales of the bag will be donated to The Elephant Crisis Fund, too.
Collaborations
Model Amber Valletta’s relationship with the late designer and creative director Karl Lagerfeld had been close since her early days in Chanel runway shows. Just before his death in 2019, Valletta, who’s become an avid sustainability advocate in the fashion space, began to discuss with Lagerfeld the possibility of a consciously made capsule collection for his eponymous label. Now, years later, the collection is going ahead in his honour. The edited assortment of accessories are exclusively made from innovative, socially sustainable materials sourced with minimal ecological impact. The highlight of the collection is the house’s signature K/Kushion bag, which is recreated in a vegan cactus leather and in a natural-toned fabric crafted from 85% recycled cotton and 15% vegetable fibres.
Actor, writer and director Lena Dunham has drawn media scrutiny for her body ever since she first hit screens in her hit series Girls. Now, Dunham is reclaiming the narrative of plus-sized dressing with a capsule collection for size inclusive label 11 Honoré. After befriending the brand’s founder, Patrick Herning, the actress worked with him to create a playful, characterful collection that counters the idea that for dressing size 16 and above should be about trying to hide. Available in US sizes 12 to 26 (UK sizes 16 – 28), the the edit includes a scalloped-edged pinstripe blazer and matching skirt, a mock neck sleeveless bodysuit, billowing buttery yellow shirt and handkerchief hem midi-dress in a geometric marigold and blue print. Fun and feminine, the retro-inspired pieces are designed to highlight individuality, in classic Dunham style.
