Kim K’s latest faux-pas, Aussie designers hitting Paris Fashion Week, and a collab between an hit show and an iconic denim brand: read on for the Weekly Collection.

Kim K’s Latest Kontroversy

In the past week, reality star and cultural icon Kim Kardashian West has faced a huge backlash over her latest entrepreneurial venture. “Kimono Solutionwear™ for every body,” she announced to the world via Instagram a week ago, explaining that “Kimono is my take on shapewear and solutions for women that actually work”. Almost instantly, however, the brand was met with criticism for the cultural insensitivity of the attempted play on words of “Kimono”, which is traditionally a Japanese garment worn on special occasions from weddings to funerals. Fuel was added to the fire when it became apparent that Kim was aiming to trademark the name “Kimono” for her business. As @0oyukao0 tweeted, “Naming your product/startup with Japanese words might seem hip and all, but it really sucks for us when our culture is diluted by names of brands that don't have anything to do with what the word actually represents. And better yet, trademarking it? F NO”. Last Friday, the mayor of Kyoto himself reached out to Kim in an open letter explaining the cultural significance of the Kimono and asking the mogul “to re-consider your decision of using the name Kimono in your trademark,” going so far as to invite her to the city “to experience the essence of Kimono Culture” firsthand. Finally, this week, Kim took to Instagram once more to announce that she would be launching her shapewear brand under a new name, in light of the Kimono backlash. “When I announced the name of my shapewear line, I did so with the best intentions in mind,” she wrote. “My brands and products are built with inclusivity and diversity at their core”. Whilst some fans are appeased by the apology, other critics have pointed out that the gaffe may have actually been a publicity stunt for the shapewear line, with @MissGinaDarling tweeting “Kim Kardashian named it Kimono to cause an uproar and make the brand go viral and y’all fell for it”. Whatever your take is - there’s no doubt that Kim has once more made a splash.

Australian Designers Dazzle at Paris Fashion Week

This week, star Australian designers Tamie Ingham and Jasmine Stefanovic of iconic label Mara & Mine teamed up with fellow Australian designer Marina Afonina of Albus Lumen to showcase a chic selection of shoes for the latter’s show on Tuesday night, Paris time. The collection heavily features moccasins, suede ballet slippers with square toes and blanket stitched edging in colours inspired by Peru - the location in which the Albus Lumen campaign was photographed. The collaborative capsule includes 13 styles in unique designs and colours developed exclusively for Albus Lumen, introducing moccasins to the label for the first time and continuing the chic kitten heel trend the formerly flat footwear brand debuted last season. Feast your eyes on the dazzling photos for now, and be prepared to shop the collection through Albus Lumen and Mara & Mine stores from October of this year.

Elsewhere in Paris, another Australian designer duo have teamed up: Melbourne-based couturier Toni Maticevski and cult jewellery designer Emma Abrahams, of Heart of Bone, collaborated on a jewellery range for the former’s Parisian show. Maticevski has drawn inspiration from blooming florals in the creation of his garments, whilst a gold wax leaf was the inspiration behind Abrahams’ jewellery collection; where rock and roll meets contemporary, striking beauty. The exclusive fine jewellery collection will be available in selected stores and at Tonimaticevski.com from November.

Levi’s Gets Stranger

In anticipation of the fast-approaching premiere of the third season of Netflix’s Stranger Things, iconic denim brand Levi’s have announced an exclusive collaboration with the show. Celebrating the Levi’s-heavy style of the 80s, the era in which the sci-fi show takes place, the Levi’s x Stranger Things collection includes “men’s and women’s products, many of which will also be worn by two fan-favorites on the show – the characters of Eleven and Dustin – in Season 3”. In a press release, Levi’s explained their involvement in assisting with the creation of “period-correct looks for 1985, when the season is set” for the characters; some of which are shoppable through the collection. Containing 15 pieces, from sweatshirts to “dad jeans” to caps; the collection is sure to be a hit for fans of the cult-fave show. Levi’s Senior Vice President of Innovation Jonathan Cheung made reference to the series in a press release, saying: “When the Stranger Things opportunity slid across my desk, my nose started to bleed … Being able to work on some of the costumes with their amazing designers was another level of collaboration”. The collection is shoppable now at https://www.levis.com.au/collections/levi%E2%80%99s_x_stranger_things.

SALES AND POPUPS

Gorman

WHAT: 20-50% off storewide sale
WHEN: while stocks last
WHERE: in-store and online
DETAILS: https://www.gormanshop.com.au/shop/sale.html