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).

Bogner’s two collections for autumn–winter 2021–2 show sporty detailing and alpine inspiration. The fashion collection has wonderful and warm patterned knits and voluminous jackets, taking us into the ski resorts of northern Europe. The Bogner Sport collection has a luxury bent and details on the bias, including zippers and stripes, mixing both 1970s (slim fits) and 1980s (volume) trends for the season. They’re also true to the company’s heritage which dates from 1932.
   Bogner is currently headed by Heinz Hackl and Gerrit Schneider, and still owned by the family, namely Willy Bogner Jr, the Olympic skier and filmmaker.

It’s summer and it’s time for colour! Paula Sweet’s latest collection is right on the Zeitgeist, with her proverbs and words of wisdom embellished on dresses, T-shirts, skirts and more; and her wave pattern towel and abstract patterns on her leggings and socks similarly give you that uplifting sense for summer. ‘It’s all about exuberance, fun, vitality, spontaneity and daring to be free,’ she writes.
   The designs aren’t random. Paula explains: ‘When I draw I imagine the beauty of the design as it would fall across the curves of a skirt, embellish a T-shirt or how it would feature on leggings. When I dream about shoes and beach towels I imagine another dimension which lays flat.’
   US orders arrive in three to eight days; overseas ones take longer, up to two to six weeks. See more of Paula’s collection here.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto; Dominique Charriau; Samir Hussein

On day 7 of the 74th Cannes Film Festival, Iris Law wore a memorable white Christian Dior dress with Bulgari jewellery at the première of Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, while Denise Tantucci went metallic in a head-to-toe silver dress by Gucci. Jury member and French actress Mélanie Laurent wore a gunmetal strapless gown from Gucci. Lyna Khoudri wore Chanel, from its Métiers d’art Paris–Châteaux des dames collection, while Maggie Gyllenhaal went with Chanel haute couture spring–summer 2021. Elsa Zylberstein, who like Gyllenhaal is on the jury, chose a Chanel pleated silk dress from its autumn–winter 2018–19 haute couture collection.
   The photo call for The French Dispatch the following day saw more casual looks with Khoudri in Chanel prêt-à-porter spring–summer 2020. That evening’s première, for Arnaud Larrieu and Jean-Marie Larrieu’s Tralala, saw Maiwenn in Chanel Métiers d’art Paris–31 rue Cambon 2019–20, with Chanel shoes. Director Julia Ducournau also chose from this collection for the première of her film, Titane.

Virgile Guinard; Samir Hussein; Vittorio Zunino Celotto; Dominique Charriau; Pascal le Segretain; Daniele Venturelli; Kate Green; Stephane Cardinale/Corbis

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.