Silvia De Vecchi

Neil Barrett, listed among the BoF 500, stands as one of the most influential figures in British menswear, recognised for redefining the modern wardrobe through a precise balance of tailoring, minimalism and innovation. Drawing on a family legacy of bespoke tailoring and a passion for technical experimentation, Barrett began his career at Gucci before joining Prada, where he launched and shaped Prada Menswear. There, he pioneered a new approach to contemporary tailoring that fused Italian crafts...

With only a few days left before it closes on 25 January, Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion brings a set of questions back into the conversation around luxury and creativity: the aesthetics of mud, challenges to Western ideals of beauty and perfection, and the rebellious, romantic, regenerative potential embedded in dirt and decay.  Presented at the Barbican Art Gallery in London, eight years after its last large-scale fashion exhibition, Dirty Looks gathers more than a hundred works from...

Fashionable dystopian
by Silvia De Vecchi

Editorial Bried and Bio

The mood board presents a hypothetical scenario that the photographer envisions for a new
generation of fashion players. These portraits capture the aesthetic essence of living in a
dystopian world. The atmosphere is gloomy, introspective, and isolated; the surroundings are
abandoned cities with a steel-cold, stormy atmosphere world on the brink of decay, yet not quite
there.
The shooting composition draws inspiration from sci-fi cinematography, blending various iconic
styles. It incorporates the groundbreaking minimalist visual approach and dramatic lighting of
Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" from the '60s, the androgynous look of the early 90s
mixed with
the noir and cyberpunk aesthetic of "Blade Runner" (evident in shots 1 and 2), and the futuristic
fashion design from Luc Besson's "The Fifth Element". A cultural crossover in a world where no
culture matters. A world of isolationism enhanced by a modest, silent, chaste look, contrasted by
grunge hair and nail art style. The outfits are in collaboration with lstituto Mrangoni London
fashion design graduates and jewellery designers.
Photo lighting and set design curated by Mattia Maestri.

From luxury brand cafés to runway-ready food motifs, fashion’s growing appetite for gastronomy is reshaping how style is produced, consumed, and performed. Designers, photographers, and influencers are now turning the dining table into a stage for identity and desire, cultivating a new aesthetic language—one where taste, texture, and visual indulgence blur the line between what we wear and what we eat.
This piece explores why “gastrofashion” has become a defining lens for understanding contempor...

“When is enough, enough?” That thought-provoking question marked the start of Unhidden’s SS26 runway at Istituto Marangoni London during London Fashion Week 2025—and it wasn’t just a show, it was a statement. Adaptive fashion is here to change the rules, proving that style, accessibility, and innovation can coexist.
 
Founded by Victoria Jenkins, an award-winning designer, pioneering disability advocate, and IM alumna, Unhidden is leading the movement for inclusive fashion as the first adaptive...

This October closed with the news the fashion world had been waiting for: British designer Grace Wales Bonner has been appointed Creative Director of Hermès menswear, becoming the first woman of colour to lead design at a major fashion house—succeeding Véronique Nichanian, who stepped down after a 37-year tenure.

 
Born in South East London to an English mother and a Jamaican father, Wales Bonner founded her eponymous label in 2014. Initially renowned for menswear, she launched a womenswear div...

Beyond diamonds and exquisite craftsmanship, Cartier embodies more than just sparkle: it stands for business brilliance and a global empire. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is currently presenting Cartier, a rare exhibition that explores the Maison’s history. Hosted in The Sainsbury Gallery, V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL), it will be on display until 16 November. The exhibition traces Cartier’s evolution from a family atelier in Paris into a cultural and commercia...

Peruvian fish scales clinging to posthuman armour, a Soviet bandit dancing in organza and grunge, and second-skin latex playing with bubbles and exploring the universe. This is not just fashion; it’s a collision of culture, memory, and transformation. From folklore to futurism, from trauma to seduction, ten emerging London fashion designers reimagine identity on the Paris runway 2025 through silhouettes, textures, and radical storytelling. Welcome to the new wave of fashion—raw, romantic, and un...

No doubt, London’s graduate fashion shows are where the city’s experimentation, radical creativity and innovative thinking meet. But what happens backstage as students get ready to hit the catwalk with their first collections? How do they feel? Are they scared, excited, nervous?

As the last Istituto Marangoni London graduate show came to an end, we caught up with our new Fashion Design Student of the Year, Hyun Jik Yoo from South Korea, to pick his brain on everything from the inspiration to th...

There’s a photograph of Paul Smith that often circulates among fashion enthusiasts, one that shows him seated at his desk, surrounded by a chaotic mix of books, quirky trinkets, and sports memorabilia. In the midst of this clutter, what stands out is not just his relaxed posture or characteristic wry smile but an energy that seems to reflect the essence of the man himself: untamed, eclectic, and effortlessly creative. Sir Paul Smith, the British designer who built an empire from a small, windowl...

The V&A Africa Fashion exhibition catalogue opens with an introductory poem by Bonnie Greer, playwriter, novelist and first woman of colour as Deputy Chair at the British Museum. She got the point framed in this article: visiting a fashion exhibition is an authentic and valuable experience for fashion students. Not only will visitors get a substantial dose of inspiration, but the quality of the content curated by industry experts could be an authentic reference for fashion students. But how do y...

Here’s a fun fact: spend your days surrounded by students, and you’re bound to overhear some of the most disruptive, fascinating, and oddly specific conversations about the worlds of fashion and avant-garde design. Case in point: just the other day, I found myself nodding along to a spirited debate on whether a handbag can double as an art installation. (Spoiler: the answer is yes, but only if it’s impractical enough.)
It’s in this bubbling cauldron of creativity that the idea for this list of p...

Only one name echoes in the fashion world, closely associated with jersey, the little black dress, N°5 scent, tweed, and the 2.55 handbag—Mademoiselle Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel.
As a visionary, she crafted her self-myth, laying the foundation for successful business branding long before the age of digital influencers. 
Coco Chanel was a legend and the epitome of elegance. A byword for one of the most successful fashion houses ever, she is now celebrated in the first UK exhibition at the V&...

The Made in Italy brand needs no introduction, particularly within the design sphere. Among its many luminaries stands a post-war Italian design pioneer who tirelessly crafted over 2000 projects. He effortlessly navigated diverse fields, creating a wide array of items from furniture to children’s books, puzzles, and games. Moreover, through his concept of ‘Autoprogettazione,’ he empowered anyone to create their own furniture pieces. Who was this remarkable Italian designer? Enzo Mari.

Enzo Mari...

Are you planning to be in London during the December holidays? Why not seize the last opportunity to explore the intriguing connection between the city and the Gucci fashion house? Delve into the treasures concealed within the brand’s 102-year history at the immersive Gucci Cosmos exhibition held at 180 Studios in London. 

This exhibit is noteworthy not only because it showcases never-before-seen items from the Gucci archive and some of their most iconic pieces but also for providing insights...

Visit to discover thirteen Bachelor’s and Master’s graduate projects selected across the fields of product, jewellery and interior design.

The students have worked collaboratively throughout their degrees, bringing insights from their diverse backgrounds to a global round table. These projects present design solutions for modern society and forge new narratives within the creative industry.

Each project demonstrates a unique perspective on shared experiences and how the next generation engage...