BALLY Presents 1851:Limited Edition Champion Sneaker

Bally tennis inspired Champion sneaker celebrates the brand’s founding year with a limited-edition capsule collection launching globally this August. The exclusive capsule features BALLY’s 1990s court shoe, famously worn by Swiss tennis stars Jakob Hlasek and Marc Rosset, in a unique fluro-yellow and black derivation, with each pair numbered up to 1851 in the limited-edition run. The contemporary version of the Champion sneaker features the softest nubuck calf skin and multi-component rubber outsole with herringbone texture for all-surface endurance. Offering ultimate support, the shoe includes a TPU spoiler for maximum strength, while leather overlays and a toe cap are juxtaposed with an inner EVA midsole for enhanced cushioning.

The sneaker is supported by a selection of nylon bags including a sporty duffle in a square shape with top handle and cross body straps, and a backpack with double-pouch. Completing the capsule is a polo shirt, baseball cap and socks as well as a belt and wallet – all featuring the BALLY Wing house signifier. Special packaging and retail displays further the exclusive capsule message with dedicated shoe boxes and in store displays to celebrate the limited edition launch. Take home your unique piece of Swiss shoemaking history from BALLY stores worldwide while stocks last.

TOM FORD AW2019 Collection - mylifestylenews Top 10's Pick

The chaos and the negative climate of the times in which we are living made me long for clothes that are gentle, not aggressive and have a certain simplicity.  That outward simplicity however is created in a highly labor intensive manner as garments are lined and faced in silk and a great deal of handwork is used to create the seemingly simple silhouette and in many cases the true luxury of the garments is hidden in their construction.

“I always begin each collection as a reaction to the previous season, and last season I returned to what I feel that I do best and that is to make clothes that are chic, desirable, modern and wearable. Clothes that are not ironic, or clever but simply clothes that are beautiful. Clothes that enhance the wearer's lives. That make one feel more attractive and secure. This collection is a continuation of that spirit.”  Says Tom Ford.

Living in Los Angeles as he has for the past two years, he finds that color is more important to him than it was when he lived in London.  A softer color palette seems right to me this season. Faded shades of pale blue, dove grey, plum, caramel, sugar pink and rich tones of brown and deep burgundy look especially beautiful to him right now.

And worn together in a fashion that is reminiscent of the way that color was used in the 18th century, or by the American designer Charles James. Flesh colors are sensual and have a warmth and humanity that he thinks that we all crave at the moment.  And he always love clashing reds and pinks. A color mix that was often used by someone who’s work he knows intimately; that of Yves St. Laurent. And of course black is always a color that he loves working with. Black frames the face of the wearer and emphasizes a silhouette like no other color can. There is a kind of security in black.

Fabrics alternate between the softness of silk jersey, crepe de chine, chiffon, the softest glove leather, and the structure and shine of satin or the sobriety of menswear suitings. Nothing takes color like velvet and it is a fabric that he is always drawn to and this season is no exception. While last season was decidedly feminine, this season is more about tailoring and a certain boyishness. In terms of mood there is a languid sensuality and romance to this collection but also a certain peacock quality to the cut and colors of the pants, and the sharpness of the tailoring.

Hats are an accessory that he rarely respond to but this season he loves the romance of fake fur fedoras with wide brims for the women and a sleek blocked cashmere cap for the men. Platform shoes in rich dusty tones of satin, velvet and crystal often add another possibility for an irreverent color mix and anchor the silhouette. Men’s footwear is handmade and classic in it’s style and proportion.

There is a direct relationship in both color and mood this season in the menswear and the womenswear as men’s inspired pieces are important in the women’s collection and the softness in color and cut are often important in the men’s collection. Both collections are unified in color, mood and a certain romance. These are clothes to feel secure in. The eyewear also picks up on this romantic feeling as oversized transparent frames in the palest of colors gently wrap around the face. Warm gradient lenses give the eyes a kind of drama and mystery. Because of the pared down look of the collection jewelry is kept to a minimum.

Scarves in silk and velvet wrap the necks and allow for another layer of color and metal mesh scarves provide a metallic flash. The newest bag for the season is draped in chains in gold, silver and ruthenium. Makeup is sensual. Eyes are rimmed in soft warm metallics that emphasize depth and a smokey intensity. Lips are nude and in foundation tones and look natural and kissable. The skin has a slight sheen and is sculpted using several shades of blush in the wearers own skin tone. The overall effect is fresh and sensual at the same time.

Evening is unstructured, unpretentious, and has a more relaxed and less formal feel than in past seasons. Silk jersey in pale colors anchored with chains plated in pale pink and lilac frame the shoulders and necks of the wearers and provide the only adornment. Dresses while fitted at the waist flare at the hem creating a gentle romantic silhouette and are worn with floor length cardigans. The mood is minimal, understated luxury that he feels is perfect for our times.

Giuseppe Zanotti Introduces The Limited Edition “Luna”

Giuseppe Zanotti introduces the limited edition “Luna”- a specially-developed array of boots and sneakers for men and women, along with single-sole pumps and small leather accessories for women. From the collection’s unisex moto boot and reimagined Blabber mid-top sneaker to the women’s point-toe pump, coin purse and clutch, the line-up is mesmerizing, uplifting and pure Giuseppe Zanotti magic.

Crafted in either black, midnight blue or white suede, each shoe boasts an elaborate “constellation” of hand-embroidered crystal stars and crescent moon. Recalling Giuseppe Zanotti’s signature, intricate crystal-work and couture-like embroideries, the new collection is the ultimate expression of the House’s time-honored Italian craftsmanship.

“There’s nothing quite as auspicious as the night sky,” says Giuseppe Zanotti of the inspiration behind the collection. “I wanted to pluck those dazzling stars and moon and give them a new home on this energetic line-up.” Channeling the collection’s lustrous constellation design, the window display uses contemporary materials, like a plexiglass crescent moon mounted on a black glitter platform and 3D-printed glitter stars and accents, to create a truly out-of-this-world visual effect.

Roger Vivier AW2019 Utility Boots

Gherardo Felloni gives the Utility Boot the Star treatment this season. The utility boot is the next biggest shoe trend that has taken over fashion runways, from Paris to Milan. A workwear staple for hiking up mountains and combatting harsh elements, these boots have gone beyond mere functionality and have crossed over as the new statement shoe. For his latest collection, Felloni presents a diverse assortment of footwear that are made to fit the different personalities of the global Vivier woman. With the need for casual shoes becoming more and more a priority for today’s modern and extremely active women, Felloni is challenged to create something that will blend substance with the inimitable Roger Vivier style. Presenting the Viv’ Utility boots, inspired by hiking boots and the trendy platform sneakers popularized by the girl power bands of the 1990s. The Viv’ Utility boots come with the same utilitarian style but elevated using the Maison’s signatures: the quality leather, handcrafted by skilled artisans; the lambskin fur collar on the white colorway with gold hardware; and the iconic buckle, in either polished metal or adorned in precious crystals. With the rise of functional fashion, the boots trend has nowhere to go but up, making the Viv’ Utility boots a wardrobe essential that will go beyond seasons.

Hermès Presents Heure H

 A strong and steadfast signature, Heure H was created in 1996 under the impetus of the designer Philippe Mouquet is more than a watch. It is indeed a symbol, which has maintained its edginess, its dynamism and its freshness over the years, thanks largely to the singular idea of capturing time inside a letter. An amusing way to frame the passing of time. An object of Hermès’ leather goods expertise, the double tour strap – designed by Martin Margiela for his first fashion show for Hermès in 1998 – fits seamlessly into the case and accentuates its graphic shape. This watch band features a dual nature, with a classic finish between the case lugs and a geometric micro-perforated H pattern on the second loop around the wrist. To achieve a transparent effect, a wafer-thin sliver of Beton leather is inserted between the two strap sections.

Crafted by Hermès Horloger artisans, the Heure H watch case is available in two versions. The first, made of steel, is adorned with an apricot or vermillion strap, while the second rose gold-plated variation comes with a black or etoupe strap. The white lacquered dial, punctuated by four Arabic numerals and metallic hands, strikes a pleasing contrast with the strap colours. The overall result is a perfect match between rigorous stylistic and technical disciplines, highlighted by the precision of a deft and expert touch.

Objects shaped by the hands of artisans to make them true companions for those who wear them. Practical, functional and stemming from uncompromising expertise, they radiate the lightness of the unexpected. They make everyday life their playground, and each instant a uniquely special moment. For Hermès, time is also an object. Its inherent tension is translated by the house into a singular characteristic. Rather than measuring, ordering, and seeking to control it, Hermès dares to explore another time, designed to arouse emotions, open up interludes and create spaces for spontaneity and recreation.

MB&F Presents Horological Machine N°9

 In the post-war years of the late 1940s and 1950s, aerodynamic principles were just beginning to take root in the field of automotive design. The boxy, carriage-like shapes of previous decades were melting into something more streamlined. At the same time, curvilinear forms became more prominent, carrying the immediate promise of power and speed. The sophisticated computer modelling and wind-tunnel technology we have today were far-off dreams at that time – designers were guided more by their aesthetic sense than by any scientific precepts.

The result was some of the most beautiful man-made objects ever created, epitomised by automobiles like the Mercedes - Benz W196 and 1948 Buick Streamliner. Other industries followed, notably that of aviation, producing aircraft such as the sleek-bodied, snub-nosed De Havilland Venom that patrolled Swiss airspace for 30 years.

Presenting Horological Machine N°9 ‘Flow’, inspired by the dynamic profiles of automotive and aviation mid-century design. Reminiscent of a jet engine, a highly complex case in alternating polished and satin finishes encloses an equally complex manual winding movement, developed fully in house. Independent twin balance wheels beat at a leisurely 2.5Hz (18,000bph) on each flank of Horological Machine N°9, visible under elongated domes of sapphire crystal. A third pane of sapphire crystal on the central body reveals the gearbox of the HM9 engine: a planetary differential that averages the output of both balance wheels to provide one stable reading of the time.

Sitting perpendicular to the rest of the HM9 engine is the dial indicating hours and minutes, driven by conical gears that ensure precise engagement even when motion is put through a 90° planar translation. The winding and setting crown is located on the rear of the central body, its deep fluting providing ergonomic grip as well as aesthetic coherence with the overall design. Two satin-finished air scoops are mounted alongside the pods containing the oscillating balance wheels, evoking the raised vents that allow continuous airflow to high-performance motor engines. HM9 Flow treads the path first opened by the HM4 Thunderbolt and subsequently by the HM6 Space Pirate, utilising a geometrically complex combination of milled case elements in both sapphire crystal and metal (grade 5 titanium and 18k red gold). However, HM9 goes beyond its predecessors, redefining what was thought to be possible in case design – illustrated for example by a patented three-dimensional gasket ensuring water resistance.

Quite naturally, HM9 Flow was therefore declined in two versions, drawing their inspiration from the two main sources: A “Road” version with a speedometer-style dial; an “Air” version with an aviator-style dial. The Horological Machine N°9’Flow’ was launched in 2018 in two limited titanium editions of 33 pieces each: the “Air” version with darkened movement; the “Road” version with pink gold treated movement. In 2019, MB&F presents two new limited editions in 5N+ red gold with 18 pieces each: the “Air” version with blackened movement and rhodium-plated balance wheels; the “Road” version with rhodium-plated movement and red gold balance wheels. For further information, please refer to www.mbandf.com