Tommy Hilfiger and Shawn Mendes Aim for Circularity + More Fashion News
Including swimwear drops from Hilary MacMillan and Jimmy Choo, plus a closer peek at the Adidas x Gucci collection.
Tommy Hilfiger and Shawn Mendes team up
When Shawn Mendes pulled up to the Met Gala earlier this month in an upcycled Tommy Hilfiger getup, he was likely foreshadowing his multifaceted collaboration with the American brand. This week, Tommy Hilfiger and Shawn Mendes officially revealed their partnership, Play it Forward, as a next step in the brand’s evolution and sustainability journey.
To kick off, the Canadian singer-songwriter is fronting the Summer 2022 “Classics Reborn” campaign, a collection made of sustainable material. Mendes will also sport custom sustainable Tommy styles throughout his upcoming world tour while the brand donates USD$1 million to mitigate and offset the environmental impacts of the tour. What’s more, Mendes will dabble in design as the partnership culminates next spring with a co-designed, circular capsule.
Jimmy Choo brings glamour to pools and beaches
Jimmy Choo dreamed up a capsule collection of footwear, accessories and swimwear for a simple yet glamorous summer. The signature JC monogram fixates on tote bags, towels and swimsuits while the exaggerated-sole on the Diamond Flipflop sandals burst in a colour range of yellow, white and Malibu blue. “This summer capsule is about simple pleasures,” said Creative Director Sandra Choi in a press release. “Something we can all relate to, something we all yearn for.”
Hilary MacMillan expands into swim
Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka is the first drag queen to front a swim campaign, and it’s for none other than Hilary MacMillan’s inaugural assortment of swimwear. The expansion into the new category was developed as a celebration of authenticity, diversity and inclusivity — all core values for the brand — featuring six women’s suits, three cover-ups and a limited-edition offering of men’s swim trunks. The latter is specifically notable given that the Canadian designer has never been in the menswear space. Featuring bold, pop-art prints, this buoyant drop is for anyone who loves to stand out from the crowd.
Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum has a new, ultra futuristic exhibit
In 2022, shoes are a coveted pillar in most fashion lovers’ wardrobes, and sneaker culture is booming. Fittingly, Toronto’s infamous Bata Shoe Museum is assessing this subculture with its newest exhibition, Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks. The show, opening May 26, explores how vanguard technologies, materials and ideas are reimagining modern day footwear. Expect to see the auto-lacing Nike MAGs (hello, Back to the Future Part II), digitally designed 3D-printed shoes, footwear created for the metaverse and more mind-blowing designs.
Drew House launches at Ssense
This week, Justin Bieber and Ryan Good’s gender-neutral brand Drew House officially launched with Ssense in store and online. Partnering with a global wholesale platform is a first for Drew House, as they’ve previously only sold their streetwear through the brand’s home site. Thanks to the iconic smiley face logo and bright colour palette, the range of clothing and accessories for adults, kids and pets sparks a positive and blissful mood.
Uniqlo Canada launches new JW Anderson collaboration
Uniqlo’s latest collaboration with JW Anderson arrives in the form of a Spring/Summer 2022 collection. Inspired by Britain’s sailing and seaside culture, the capsule combines the expert craftsmanship of both brands with loads of colour, nautical motifs and water resilient fabrics.
Adidas x Gucci is almost here
First seen in the Exquisite Gucci fashion show in February, the high fashion-athleticwear crossover of Gucci and Adidas has been further revealed in a new lookbook. Ahead of the June 7 collection launch, fashion fans are given a close look at Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s designs, which merge emblems from the Italian fashion House with those of the iconic sports brand. Swathed in a kaleidoscope of colours and geometric prints, the creations are intrinsically rule free.
TMU’s Fashion Zone is hosting a sustainability challenge
The Fashion Zone at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) is calling all GTA-based designers for a fashion sustainability challenge. The Consulate General of India has partnered with the Fashion Zone for this, and will give 10 designers the opportunity to design a garment using sustainable Indian textiles. The finalists will present their designs at a prestigious fashion show this August for a chance to win $5,000 and a free year of incubation at the Fashion Zone. Applications for the competition are open now until June 1, 2022.
Sarah Mariotti is a Toronto-based writer curious about fashion, spatial design, and ordinary human stories. When she’s not glued to her Kindle or writing about the next best earrings to hit the market, she’s putting on a pair of tortoise shades and ALD x New Balance sneaks and going for a nature walk — because a mentor and editor once told her that good ideas are always on the other side of a walk.
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