This week in Style…
1) Mulberry snaps up Johnny Coca as new director
Almost 18 months after the disastrous departure of Emma Hill, Mulberry has finally named a new creative director: Johnny Coca, former head of accessories design at Céline. The decision comes amidst a slew of speculation around the appointment citing such names as Roland Mouret, Erdem and John Galliano. The man responsible for many major handbag and footwear trends of recent years (think the luggage tote, the skate-shoe, the pochette; I could go on…), Coca’s expertise most definitely lies in leather goods; making his appointment a carefully calculated move to prise back Mulberry’s position as prime purveyor of aspirational It Bags.
Whatever CEO Godfrey Davis’ motivation, Coca will undoubtedly face considerable challenges revitalising the troubled Brit brand. Last month, Mulberry issued its fifth profit warning in 2 years (a period in which the label not only lost 75% of its market value, but also a chief executive; Bruno Guillon). Will he pull it off? Well, if he managed to make Birkenstocks a thing…
2) Cara stars in fabulous fairytale campaign at Chanel …with Pharrell Williams
Hold the phone: Chanel’s releasing a short film starring everyone’s favourite fashion icon, Cara Delevingne… and rap hero Pharrell Williams. And to answer your question; yes, it’s a duet. Entitled ‘Reincarnation’ and marking the house’s annual Métiers d’Art show (set to take place in Salzburg, Austria on the 2nd December), the film details the history of Chanel’s famed tweed jacket, with Pharrell playing the lift-boy whose uniform would inspire this iconic piece of fashion folklore. Delevingne, meanwhile, dazzles as Empress Sisi of Austria in a snowy Russian ballgown, primped and pretty with an elaborate plaited ‘do. The film, which will be released in full on the eve of the show, coincides with some crucial career moves for Cara. Having previously expressed interest in both acting and singing, she stars in upcoming feature films ‘The Face of an Angel’ and ‘London Fields’, and now has a single to her name in the form of Salzburg-soundtrack ‘CC the World’; a star most certainly on the rise.
3) Kendall the new Cara?
Kendall Jenner has frequently spoken out about her desire to break away from the Kardashian clan and go solo as a model… and it seems her dream is finally becoming reality following a very successful few weeks for the youngest-but-one of the family. Not content with her recent unveiling as the face of Estee Lauder and Karl Lagerfeld’s S/S 2015 campaigns, Jenner wowed this week as the new cover star of this winter’s Dazed magazine.
Worlds apart from the pomp, pageantry, and (dare we say it) slight tackiness of the rest of the fam, Kendall’s fashion credentials were on point in a range of Mod-Squad inspired covers, styled as a 60s space-queen in head-to-toe PVC Junya Watanabe. With rumours now circulating that she could succeed Cara Delevingne, the superlative of supermodels, as face of Chanel, there’s no denying nineteen-year-old Kendall’s having a major moment… definitely one to watch for 2015.
4) Victoria’s Secret themes unveiled
Victoria’s Secret has dared to bare the looks for its first-ever London Fashion Show; and, as expected, they’re totally gorge. Recently released sketches range from the sensational ‘Dream Girl’ (silver-screen style personified with swathes of rose silk and marabou mules) to the fantastical ‘Fairy Tale’ (Shakespearean-style with ethereal embellishment and exquisite elfin wings); and let’s not forget the double-whammy debut of not one but two Fantasy Bras. Crafted by renowned jeweller Mouawad and valued at $2 million each, both bras are set in 18-karat gold and dotted with diamonds, rubies and blue sapphires. They will be worn by VS veterans and Brazilian beauties; besties Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima.
With Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande and Hozier slated to perform, it’s set to be a night to remember. Keep an eye on the Earl’s Court exhibition centre for a glimpse of super-glam guests in black-tie attire, and homegrown Angel Lily Donaldson, the glitziest girl of the night in a 150,000 Swarovski-crystal spectacular.
5) Cartier jewellery heist sparks police chase in Paris
Cartier’s Champs Elysées store was robbed on Tuesday evening in a spectacular heist that culminated in exchanges of shots, a police chase and a brief hostage-taking. Two men brandishing a Kalashnikov rifle and a handgun burst into the store at around 6:40PM. They promptly filled their bags with jewellery and then fled the scene as police arrived, firing into the air and taking the store manager with them as a hostage. The robbers occupied a nearby hair salon and spoke to negotiators before finally turning themselves in just before 9PM; thankfully, the stolen goods were recovered following their arrests, and the manager was unharmed.
This marks just one of a spate of robberies that have afflicted Parisian luxury stores such as Colette, Audemars Piguet and De Grisogono over the last year, as well as the Carlton hotel in Cannes, which lost £88 million worth of precious stones in July 2013. The Pink Panthers, an international band of jewel thieves mainly hailing from the Balkans, are thought to be the culprits; and with over 250 million euros’ worth of thefts attributed to them in the last 10 years, the French fear they could strike again.
Jenny Skipper
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Images: Theguardian.com, Reveal.co.uk, Glamourmagazine.co.uk, PA Images
