If New Balance is right, then we’re in for an era of retrofuturism, as the brand releases its XC-72 in collaboration with Casablanca.
   The XC-72 is part of New Balance’s Shifted collection, complementing the 237 and 327 styles, and intentionally calls on the 1970s for inspiration. Product manager Alana Burton says the XC-72 ‘describes the future as seen from the past and the past as seen from the future.’
   Its designer, Charlotte Lee, says, ‘The XC-72 is the physical embodiment of retro-futurism. As with the 327, I asked myself, “If I was a designer in the ’70s, what would I create as New Balance’s concept car?” I took inspiration and specific elements from the past and reimagined them for today’s consumer. This methodology creates a timeless design that we hope will be reimagined, yet again, in another 40 years.’
   Lee’s 327 had already made a brief preview earlier in 2021 in Casablanca’s autumn–winter 2021–2 presentation, Grand Prix, and the XC-72 follows its design themes.
   The initial colour ways are orange and green with white and grey accents; and red and yellow with black and white accents, meant to recall luxury sports’ cars, with the black outsole suggesting racing tyres. New Balance’s campaign calls the XC-72 ‘Sports car for your feet,’ using a narrow ITC Garamond, which was seen in 1980s Apple advertisements.
   The limited-edition Casablanca collaboration drops August 28 at newbalance.co.nz and select retailers including Good as Gold, Subtype, and Loaded, priced at NZ$270.
   The first multi-colour version of the XC-72 drops September 3 (shown below).

H&M has announced its launch date for its collaboration with Indian designer Sabyasachi.
   Delayed because of the pandemic, the Swedish retail giant says the collection will drop on August 12, with womenswear at select H&M stores and hm.com, and menswear exclusively at the latter.
   The Sabyasachi × H&M collection brings a relaxed sophistication and bohemian style inspired by traditional Indian style and contemporary design. It is characterized by fresh colours and prints along with modern and traditional silhouettes heavily influenced by India’s rich textile and craft history. Pieces such as long flowing dresses and kaftans dominate the womenswear, while Henly shirts and high-waist wide chinos flavour the menswear.
   ‘I am happy to announce the new launch date for the collaboration with H&M, as it gives us the opportunity to spread the Sabyasachi aesthetic to a wider audience in India and worldwide,’ said Sabyasachi.
   Maria Gemzell, the head of new development at H&M, expresses her excitement with the new project stating, ‘At H&M, we are thrilled to be able to announce the new date for our collaboration with iconic Indian designer Sabyasachi. At a time like this, we believe people value the use of homegrown crafts and textiles more than ever and that’s something no one can do better than Sabyasachi. We look forward to taking this stunning collection to as many people across the globe as we can.’—Yuriko Shiratori

US brand Neostrata dermatologist-grade anti-ageing skin care has made it to New Zealand, with a launch range of 15 items, sold at Life Pharmacy and Chemist Warehouse from August 2.
   The company’s founders were the pioneer in the use of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in 1974, and went on to discover glycolic acid’s benefits in improving skin tone and dealing with dark spots. They hold the patent to glycolic acid and license it to others. The company has continued to innovate, with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs, the next generation of AHAs), and a patented type of PHA, bionic acids; NeoGlucosamine and Aminofil are other technologies that are included in Neostrata’s products. The three principles behind Neostrata are to exfoliate skin, revealing fresh, new layers; to develop products at the ideal pH level for the skin’s best absorption; and long-term results.
   The company says it stands by their products, with clinical studies in dermatology journals.
   The 15 products come from the Skin Active, Resurface and Restore lines (with recommended retail prices):

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has teamed up with the Los Angeles-based label Brock Collection for its latest collaboration.
   Romantic, feminine and well crafted, the collection comprises dresses, blouses, tops, denim jeans and denim shorts, as well as a range of accessories including scarves, sunglasses and handbags.
   Light and summery, the Brock Collection × H&M collaboration has the American label’s hallmarks of vintage inspiration and careful cuts. Details include ruffles and floral prints, while volume is very much the trend, with balloon sleeves and voluminous skirts.
   The collection is made from organic linen, organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel Lyoocell.
   The campaign features Julia Campbell, Patricia Manfield (Heir), Alva Claire Mc Kenzie, Dulcie Gibbons, MaryGrace Tropeano, Dohuyn Kim, Ajok Daing and Sherrie Silver, with Silver also acting as choreographer.
   Brock Collection was founded in 2014 by Parsons alumni Laura Vassar and Kristopher Brock. The duo noted in a release, ‘Brock Collection has always been about connecting the threads between uptown polish paired with a down to earth ease, which we are so happy to bring to a new audience. Each piece in the collection is special and carries a certain romantic charm, but is totally effortless.’
   Maria Östblom, head of design at H&M, said, ‘We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Brock Collection, who are well known for their luxe craftsmanship, impeccable fits and structures, and have quite the celebrity following. But there’s also beauty in the fact that their designs always feel down-to-earth, thoughtful and easy to wear—I believe that’s the key to their success. We want to celebrate romance and make it accessible to the many. By adding more sustainable materials, it creates … a collaboration I hope our customers around the world will fall in love with.’
   The collection is available at hm.com and at select H&M stores in the US from June 24.

New Balance and Staud have released their third collaborative collection in New Zealand, with two silhouettes—the New Balance 327 in blue, and the 57/40 in pastel green and yellow, both in unisex sizing for the first time. There is also an extensive apparel collection.
   The designs hint at tennis and boxing, and include a boxing short, a cinched waist jacket, a skort, T-shirts and lightweight summer dresses.
   ‘For the summer collection, we reimagined some of my favourite outdoor sports to reflect the Staud DNA,’ said Sarah Staudinger, Staud co-founder. ‘Traditional elements from tennis, running, and boxing are updated in sun-bleached pastels with feminine details and fabrics that include, satin, mesh and corseting. Some of my favourite pieces include a classic white tennis dress updated with colourful binding and a satin boxing short paired with a cropped jacket.
   ‘We are also excited to launch two unisex sneakers for the first time—the 57/40 and the 327—each reimagined to complement the collection and your lifestyle. All of the pieces work together to create a collection versatile enough to take you from boxing to brunch or anywhere in between.’
   The 327 retails for NZ$180, the 57/40 for NZ$200, and the apparel begins at NZ$70. They are available in New Zealand at newbalance.co.nz exclusively.

After a school located in the largest urban slum in Africa was forced to move because it was not up to code, eco-fashion label Ministry of Tomorrow raised money to help it relocate. Now, however, the school lacks funds to pay its teachers and cover operational expenses, including a daily meal for its students.
   Ministry of Tomorrow, with its Los Angeles retail partner Church Boutique, is stepping up again, teaming up with Christie’s and CharityBuzz, to auction a series of bags to benefit the Chema Vision Children’s Centre in the Kibera division in Nairobi.
   Ministry of Tomorrow’s Julian Prolman, and Church Boutique founders Rodney Burns and David Malvaney, turned to their celebrity friends to paint their art on an MOT tote, made in Nairobi, for the auction.
   Celebrities include Naomi Campbell, Halle Berry, Madonna, Eddie Murphy, Bria Murphy, Maggie Q, Paris Jackson, Zoe Kravitz, Lenny Kravitz, Usher, Lionel Richie, Evan Ross, Raquel Britton, Lee Daniels, David Banda, Ashlee Simpson Ross, and artist Montana Mills of Modern Multiples. Laurie Lynn Stark, of fashion and jewellery brand Chrome Hearts, created her own MOT tote.
   The auction runs through June 15 and the bags are on display at Christie’s in Manhattan, coinciding with luxury bag week at the auction house. All proceeds will be donated to Chema, with a US$100,000 goal set.