Malo Cashmere has released its autumn–winter 2020–1 collections for men and women, dubbed Heritage & Future. The Italian label likens its textures, patterns and geometric designs to the architecture of Firenze, which inspired the collection. The theme is based around mesh and weaves, reinterpreting its Florentine heritage in a contemporary way. Colours are natural, reflecting the land, planets and minerals. As befitting the label, the yarns are of the highest quality, and wearers can be assured of comfort.

Sterling Forever has the answer to one of 2020’s questions: what earrings go with my face mask? Given that most masks—with the exception of translucent and transparent ones—obscure the face, the ears do have it, being one way we might be able to identify someone. Sterling Forever has a comprehensive earring sets’ page, with plenty of designs.

We never thought we’d see Airstream’s brand extended to footwear, but Sanuk, a division of Deckers Brands, has done such that with its capsule-collection collaboration with the manufacturer of trailers and coaches.
   The jandals don’t look like Airstream trailers, but some of the footwear has some stylistic connections, such as the men’s Vagabond design, which has a modernist simplicity to its lines. Sanuk points out there are embroidered trailer patches, pink lawn flamingo prints and green turf soles—perhaps the connection is in the idea of travel and relaxation?
   That aside, the shoes do look comfortable, and the prices are a very reasonable US$35 to US$55. More at www.sanuk.com.

Stanley Moss

The experienced traveller returning today will discover the Venice of 40 years ago.
   It is amazing, starting with uncrowded passageways, the ability to navigate the streets to admire the architecture, and it’s quiet. The droves of Asian visitors have disappeared, nor does one find Americans. Mainly we encounter German tourists, a few French, but mostly Italian speakers. It’s obvious that the rest of the world has shut down. Many of the stores remain shuttered.
   Today I visited the fish market at Rialto Mercato, found Argentine shrimps; went to the produce stand, got a bag of those amazing Sicilian tomatoes; visited the cheese store and got a hunk of Reggiano, some meaty Cerignola olives; and stopped by the coffee store for fresh ground Etiopiano. I went by Rizzardini’s pastry shop and splurged on a pallet of eight pieces to take home.
   I have no problem finding an open table with an unobstructed view, manned by an agreeable waiter, one simply happy to see business reappear. I take out my little watercolour kit, colours, brushes, my postcard-sized pad, order a drink, sketch, then paint at my own pace.
   The weather has turned perfect, and it gets dark around 9 p.m. Venice is the ideal city for getting lost. I’ve been here more times than I can count, but the coolest thing today is the ability to meander down dead-end passages and have to double back on my own steps. It’s too empty to navigate Venice the old way, stop and go, bumping into shoulders, walking downwind of cigarettes, craning one’s neck for landmarks. That Venice has disappeared, and the days of yore are thankfully returned.—Stanley Moss, Travel Editor

Stanley Moss

Stefano Lanza

In another sign of Italy beginning to open up again in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malo, the Florentine cashmere knitwear brand, will open a new boutique in Verona, at 41, Corso Porta Borsari, behind Piazza della Erbe, on July 14. And it appears to be the first in a line of openings.
   â€˜The opening of a new boutique in the historic center of Verona represents another important step for the company and also a strong sign of trust … By the end of the year, we also set another ambitious goal: the opening of a boutique in New York,’ says Malo president Walter Maiocchi.
   The Verona boutique is the second in the Veneto, with the first in Venezia.
   Maiocchi continues, ‘We are convinced that the “real” and online must go hand in hand, without one going to the detriment of the other. In December 2019, we launched the e-boutique on our website, and during the lockdown, it was a source of great satisfaction. However, in addition to this possibility, we want to offer our customers more and more boutiques where they can live the Malo experience, touching our fine yarns and our precious garments with their hands. A real sensory world that allows them to really perceive the quality of our “made in Italy”, which we love to define as “made in Malo”.’

Filippo P.

Stefano Lanza

New Zealand-founded label Icebreaker has shown its autumn–winter 2020 collection, with the staples that we’ve come to love from this outdoor wear label, including tops, vests, shirts, puffer jackets, and leggings. The brand continues to incorporate super-fine merino wool, which in Icebreaker’s case is ethically sourced from growers who have banned mulesing. The wool is biodegradable and annually renewable.

   COVID-19 has forced many to slow down and appreciate what we have. Malo (www.malo.it), the cashmere brand from Firenze, Italy, agrees, with its chairman, Walter Maiocchi, noting: ‘Now it’s time to reflect and slow down. We need to grasp the positive teachings of this new global situation.’ He stresses that his company makes timeless garments that transcend seasons, and this is its contribution to sustainability. The Malo spring–summer 2020 collection, made in Italy, is based around a virtual journey around the country.

   Paradigm Eyewear’s sunglasses have become a favourite among Hollywood celebs, especially its 19-34 model. Both Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) and Hannah Ann Sluss (The Bachelor) have been photographed wearing their Paradigm sunglasses as they went out and about. The 19-34, available in different colours and lenses, retails at US$125 at baxterandbonny.com.

JINS Eyewear, one of the leading producers of eyewear in Japan, has widened its range of blue-light-blocking lenses. There are three more types: regular JINS Screen for everyday use, Screen Pro for heavy screen-time usage, and Screen Night for night-time use only.
   The company says it has sold c. 12 million pairs of JINS Screen lenses in the US and Japan to date.
   While the lenses are welcome, for all those suffering from eyestrain to sleep disturbance because of screens, it’s a sign that technology has gone the wrong way: it should be designed to suit people, and not have people adapt to it.
   Device manufacturers ideally should build in blue light filters more widely, or offer them as the standard mode—rather than showcase just how bright cellphones and televisions can get.
   JINS is at least doing its part, even creating a giveaway for families who find themselves having to do distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
   The lenses can be added to any frame, for prescription and non-prescription glasses. There are 600 optical styles on offer by the company.
   Furthermore, JINS is offering US customers a chance to try out their lenses for free, for a limited time. More can be found at its website.

The six designs, in order: Halpern, Julien Macdonald, Liam Hodges, Mulberry, Raeburn, and Rixo.

In another sign of the times, the British Fashion Council and Bags of Ethics have launched a campaign dubbed Great British Designer Face Coverings: Reusable, for People and Planet, to manufacture and retail sustainable and reusable non-medical face coverings designed by Halpern, Julien Macdonald, Liam Hodges, Mulberry, Raeburn, and Rixo.
   The project aims to raise £1 million, with all profits going to charity, split between NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal, BFC Foundation Fashion Fund, and Wings of Hope Children’s Charity.
   Bags of Ethics’ partner factories will manufacture the coverings. A pack of three, with two protective pouches, will retail for £15. They will be sold through the BFC website at britishfashioncouncil.com and partner retailers including ASOS, Boots, John Lewis & Partners, and Sainsbury’s (in Tu Clothing sections in selected superstores, convenience stores and online at tu.co.uk and argos.co.uk).
   Caroline Rush, the BFC’s chief executive, said in a release, ‘Fashion is a unifying force and now, more than ever, it is essential that we collaborate and come together to support each other through difficult times. Our ambition is to contribute to the fight against COVID-19, while protecting vital PPE supplies reserved for the NHS. Through this project, we will not only celebrate British designers but also champion sustainability in a time of crisis.’
   Dr R. Sri Ram, chairman, Bags of Ethics added, ‘We have always been at the forefront of supporting the public through mass behavioural changes in positive and useful ways. Since the early 2000s we helped supermarkets, and retailers reduce their single-use plastic bag consumption by five-plus billion units through sustainable and reusable bags. A new challenge arises with the coronavirus pandemic. Our aim is to manufacture high-quality reusable non-medical face coverings for the public which reduces stigma through great British design, in line with advice from our scientific community, whilst having a positive effect on both people and planet.’
   Money raised for the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund will support the next round of funding for designer businesses. The BFC has already distributed £1 million of emergency funding to 37 designers as its first round to help the industry during the COVID-19 crisis.