With the men’s shows in Paris in full swing, Dior dropped a surprise collaborative effort with musician and mogul Travis Scott. This, plus the new sustainability efforts heralded by Holt Renfrew, kick off the fashion news you need to know right now.
Travis Scott co-created the Dior Spring 2022 menswear collection
In a runway presentation in Paris yesterday, we caught the first glimpse of pieces made in a collaboration between multi-hyphenate Travis Scott and Kim Jones, the men’s artistic director at Dior. A fusion of Parisian pedigree and Texan pride (Scott hails from Houston), the collection is the first full one from Dior ever created with a musician. Its name,#CactusJackDior, riffs off the moniker of Scott’s record label, creative collective and philanthropic endeavour — a foundation that provides access to educational and creative resources, as well as a Historically Black Colleges and Universities scholarship. And as part of this new assortment, artist George Condo was tapped to make a set of hand-painted shirts to be auctioned off post-show with proceeds benefitting scholarship opportunities.
Holt Renfrew has revealed its new sustainability commitments
Earlier this week, Canadian retailer Holt Renfrew introduced a host of new updates to its operations and offerings in the name of environmentalism. A press release touted that it’s “the first and only in Canada to set approved science based targets in the retailing sector,” nodding to the fact that its emissions reductions have been approved by the organization Science Based Targets “as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.” Also included in the mandate — saying goodbye to cosmetic products that contain plastic glitter, as well as all animal fur and exotic skins; ensuring denim products will be from vetted sustainable sources by the end of 2025; and improving its waste diversion rates.
“Our customers are at the centre of our business, and we want to ensure that sustainability and innovation are at the forefront of their experience at Holts,” president and CEO Sebastian Picardo said in the release. “Retail can be a force for good, and we know that our customers want to make trusted, responsible purchases. Our 360-degree commitment to sustainability removes the barriers for them, allowing them to shop with confidence, in a responsible way.”
The bags in a collab collection between Ahluwalia x Mulberry are made with deadstock materials
Adding another feather to London-based designer Priya Ahluwalia’s cap — she’s this year’s recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design — her new assortment of bags are also something to be proud of. Made in honour of the 50th anniversary of British accessory brand Mulberry, the range of locally-crafted totes are fashioned from deadstock leather; the pieces are inspired by the creative’s Indian-Nigerian ancestry. Its influence, as well as that of “Afro-Caribbean hair and night life,” according to her brand’s Instagram, is also evident in Ahluwalia’s recently unveiled Spring 2022 collection. For the new season, the designer branched out into womenswear. Many things to celebrate, it seems.
A new exclusive playlist by RuPaul for Balenciaga is available now
Just in time for the final days of Pride month, RuPaul has created a playlist for Balenciaga’s Apple Music platform. Comprising of hits by Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, The Supremes, Missy Elliott and more, the set of tracks was released in tandem with a selection of unisex merch boasting the enterprising drag queen’s autograph.