MB&F Presents LEBRU X SILBERSTEIN KB2 Clock

Philippe Lebru launches a series of unprecedented collaborations beginning with the watch designer Alain Silberstein and the “KB2” clock. The two nonconformist artistic designers with mischievous imaginations came out with this “KB2” project that carries forth the values of the nouvelle horlogerie with a “French Touch”. The “KB2” comes from Besançon in Franche-Comté (France), in the Franco-Swiss territory of which the mechanical watchmaking and mechanical art heritage was registered in 2020 as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Fully developed and crafted by the UTINAM manufacture, at the heart of the French watchmaking capital, this distinguished contemporary clock is one of the foremost standard-bearers for this prestigious international label. Historic.

For more than 30 years, Philippe Lebru and Alain Silberstein have been two of the not-to-be-missed figures of French mechanical watchmaking. Philippe, founder and director of the UTINAM Besançon clock manufacture, is an artist and multi-award-winning inventor whose subversive, unbridled creativity brought forth three icons of contemporary pendulum clockmaking: “Hortence”, “Lala” and “Pop Up”. Alain, an internationally renowned watch designer, was one of the founding fathers of nouvelle horlogerie in the ‘80s and ‘90s. His emblematic leading models, such as Krono Bauhaus and his tourbillons, are gaining value among connoisseurs and collectors. The two men met a few years ago at a trade salon in Geneva. They share the same enthusiasm and the same determination to shift the lines, to such a point that the collaboration of these two free-thinkers has become a must.

In March 2021, they joined forces to launch the “KB2” clock (short for Kontwaz Bauhaus 2); a fun, refreshing co-creation. Its dial and hands play on primary colours and geometrical shapes, sufficient on their own to assert the inimitable style that brought Alain Silberstein his international success. Inspired by the iconic Pop Up, it is equipped with the famous UTINAM movement designed by Philippe Lebru, who received the Grand Prix at the Lépine competition of Paris, as well as a Gold Medal in clockmaking at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in 2005.

Just 88 “KB2” clocks will be released, exhibited and brought to sale, in the springtime at UTINAM gallery in Besançon, at the M.A.D. mechanical art galleries in Geneva, Dubai, Hong Kong and Taipei and via their e-shops. The M.A.D. galleries were founded in 2011 by Max Büsser, another forerunner in independent watchmaking who pioneered collaborations in the 2000s. These venues are by far the best showcases for this peerless clock, part clock sculpture and part kinetic art work. Moreover, other collaborations are announced for 2021.

Giussepe Zanotti Presents The Coralli Collection

The Giuseppe Zanotti Icons project is back with an exclusive third drop entitled Coralli, Jewels of the Sea series is a summer story brought to life through two exquisitely crafted silhouettes. Inspired by two archival styles - the Spipiott sandal (2004) and the Coralli wedge (2005) - the Coralli are intricately crafted, richly embellished shoes that are once timeless and of-the-moment; playful and sophisticated. In other words, the perfect pairs for summer’s return and women’s reawakening to glamour.

The first in the series is a sleek thong crafted in gold leather and featuring a cheerful, colorful, crystal-encrusted fish at the center. The second, a silver leather sandal (available in both a heel and a flat), features gorgeously sculpted coral designs, both with crystals and in coral’s signature bold color.

“The blue sea twinkling in the sun; the colors of the tropics and the optimism of nature are all brought to life through these two fantastical shoes,” says Giuseppe Zanotti. “These sandals not only epitomize everything I love about designing glamour, color, optimism, embellishment but are particularly relevant for the summer in which many women will be stepping out and returning to the world. They represent the hope and optimism we all share.”

To celebrate the launch, the House is once again collaborating with artist and activist Laetitia Ky. Known for her complex, ironic and often thought-provoking hair sculptures, Ky has created new pieces inspired by Jewels of the Sea. “How can you not feel more confident when wearing these creations?” asks Laetitia Ky. “The color palette, the imagination, the craft - they all come together in super chic shoes.”

Dior Presents The Collection of Micro-Bags

The curves of the House’s iconic bags are reinvented in a series of miniature versions, exalting their graphic lines in new dimensions. Alongside the iconic Lady Dior and 30 Montaigne, the Dior Caro and Saddle are also revealed in these enchanting mini iterations that finish any silhouette with a touch of contemporary daring. Effortlessly gliding from day to night, these new mix-and-match essentials may be combined with the House’s various emblematic accessories. A fashion statement attuned to the spirit of the times, and an invitation to freedom and movement.

Available in black, red, and latte as well as a palette of soft, sunny shades – including rose des vents, sky blue, and mint or tundra green – these micro-bags celebrate some of the founding couturier’s favorite colors. As a final surprise, a heart-themed reinterpretation of the cannage motif adorns the Dior Caro and Lady Dior bags, with the latter also revealed in a version delicately embroidered with pearls.

H&M X TOGA On Archive Classics With A Twist

H&M announces a unique collaboration with the Tokyo-based independent luxury label TOGA and the collection will comprise exciting reimaginings of TOGA’s archival hits for men and women, given contemporary twists. Founded in 1997 by Yasuko Furuta, TOGA has gained critical acclaim and a devoted international fanbase for its experimental takes on wardrobe classics, defined by a genderless, fiercely individual approach to fashion. Yasuko Furuta has built her brand on playful but cool pieces that explore sensuality in unusual ways, and this collection is true to her founding mission of exploring new ideas that become future standards. TOGA favourites - hybridised trench coats, deconstructed striped shirts, plissé skirts, dresses with clever cut-outs, and exacting tailoring - are all at play in the TOGA ARCHIVES x H&M collection.

For women, classic tailoring in navy, grey and black features dashes of eccentricity, such as bead embellished pockets or silk scarf cape detailing; meanwhile dresses and skirts in bold floral and gingham prints pair cleverly with deconstructed knitwear. For men, eye-catching scarf prints appear in reversible bomber jackets, on loungewear and on a hybridised trench coat, alongside reworked sweaters and shirts. “Fashion is a great way to express your interests immediately and non-verbally. It’s much faster than a conversation about the artwork you are interested in, or the music or books that you like. When I first launched TOGA, I wanted to make clothes for people who are filled with curiosity and who are unafraid of change. With this collection for H&M, I am excited that a broader range of people will be able to discover and enjoy TOGA designs,” says Yasuko Furuta, founder and creative director of TOGA. 

“At H&M, we have always admired Yasuko Furuta for imbuing her clothes with a very strong sense of personality. She enjoys the challenge that comes with creating an avant-garde look that is also easy to wear. It was a pleasure to spend time with her and her team, being inspired by designs from the TOGA archive. I can’t wait to see how customers all over the world style these playful but cool pieces, particularly the sensual TOGA signature cut-outs”, says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative advisor at H&M. The TOGA ARCHIVES x H&M collection will be available worldwide in selected stores and at hm.com from September 2.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE Presents The Reverso Tribute Small Seconds In Green

When the Reverso was created in 1931, the Manufacture immediately recognised the design’s wide appeal beyond the sporting arena for which it was originally conceived and, within the first year, began to offer colourful variations on the original black dial. In chocolate brown, red, burgundy or blue, the lacquered dials created a stylish and exuberant contrast with the case metal and – at a time when coloured dials were rare in watchmaking – made the Reverso appear even more modern and distinctive. Over the decades, the Reverso has appeared with a variety of dials and in different case sizes without ever compromising the integrity of the original design and in 2016, Jaeger-LeCoultre returned to the stylistic codes of the original 1931 model to create a series of Tribute models. For 2021, recalling the early use of colour that distinguished the Reverso, La Grande Maison presents the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in Green. The rich tone of the sunray-brushed lacquer dial and matching leather strap is reminiscent of the deep green of the pine forests that surround Jaeger-LeCoultre’s home in the Vallée de Joux.

The dial features all of the signature design elements of the Reverso Tribute: the hours are marked by applied indexes rather than numerals. Their faceted shape echoes the form of the Dauphine hands and adds visual depth to the lacquered surface. In the lower half of the dial, the circular track of the small seconds display provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case. Echoing the sunray brushing of the dial, a sunray pattern on the inside of the cradle is visible when the case is flipped over. In keeping with Reverso tradition, the solid metal back of the reversible case is an ideal canvas for personalisation with a motif or engraving. The owner can choose to keep this personalisation hidden, as a private pleasure, or to turn the case over, so that the back becomes the front. The slim 8.5mm case houses the manually wound mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2; a rectangular shaped movement with small seconds designed expressly for the Reverso, it offers a power reserve of 42 hours. Reconnecting the Reverso to its roots in the sport of polo, Jaeger-LeCoultre began a collaboration in 2011 with Casa Fagliano. Celebrated throughout the polo world for its handmade boots, Fagliano has created straps for a series of special Reverso models. In keeping with the relaxed modernity of the Tribute collection, the calf leather strap of the new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, made to Fagliano’s signature design, is in the same green as the dial, creating a unified aesthetic that underlines the timelessness of the Reverso design.

JIMMY CHOO Presents The Beach Capsule Collection

Jimmy Choo introduces The Beach Capsule Collection plays with the new JC signature monogram in a gradient of colourful sunset sorbet shades across pool slides, espadrilles, handbags and accessories.

The summer ready collection sees the introduction of the first swimwear line with sunbleached yellow and mint green JIMMY CHOO logo one pieces alongside triangle and bandeau bikinis featuring the same sorbet degrade JC monogram print.

Sunglasses offer stylish shade with oversized frames in pastel pink and black featuring the JC brushed gold hardware on the arm and a tonal degrade of the JC monogram, lenses reflect the collections celebration of colour with sunset inspired lenses.

An oversize beach towel completes the collection of summer ready accessories. The collection includes styles for both women and men.