Latest from Fashion United
Fashion United
2 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion United
French lingerie is stepping into the spotlight, this time across the Channel
This week, eight of France's most storied lingerie houses presented their Spring Summer 2026 collections in London for the first time. The event, curated by Promincor – Lingerie Française, traditionally showcased in New York. Staged at Ladbroke Hall in conjunction with the Wonderland trade show, the showcase was more than a runway presentation, it proves France's continued dominance in intimate apparel, reframed for a British audience with growing commercial and cultural significance. The brands Aubade, Chantelle, Chantelle X, Empreinte, Lise Charmel, Louisa Bracq, Maison Lejaby and Simone Pérèle represent the backbone of French lingerie. Collectively, they embody a tradition of craftsmanship rooted in Parisian corsetry, a discipline that secured France's place as the global epicentre of lingerie after the patenting of the modern bra in 1889. The industry itself, globally valued at over 95 billion dollars according to Statista, is projected to grow steadily with shifting consumer preferences toward comfort, sustainability and brand authenticity. For the French contingent, London's appeal is clear. Beyond the M&S bra, British shoppers are increasingly sophisticated in their lingerie choices in addition to being sustainability-conscious. 'The British market is now emerging as a true driver of growth for our businesses,' said Alain de Rodellec, President of Promincor. 'It provides Lingerie Française with a unique platform for expression. British distinction meets French elegance.' If Paris is tradition and Milan is glamour, then London is where rule-breaking and refinement converge. The move also boosts Lingerie Française's visibility in a market that is both commercially mature and culturally influential. This is less about trend-chasing and more about long-term positioning. French lingerie, long associated with savoir-faire and subtle seduction, is once again reasserting itself not just as intimate apparel but as cultural artefact. The decision to stage a collective presentation in London rather than individual brand showcases further reinforces the sense of industry unity at a time when independent and heritage labels alike face rising competition from direct-to-consumer disruptors and shifting consumer behaviours. The Spring Summer 2026 collections that were showcased promise modernity, technical innovation alongside traditional stitchwork, inclusivity across sizing and design, and pieces made not just to be worn but to be lived in. In a global market where fashion increasingly favours purpose over pretense, the French lingerie sector appears keen to prove it can offer both.
Fashion United
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
G2 and Smiley tap into Gen Z's gaming-fashion nexus with collab
In an era where digital identity holds as much sway as physical presence, esports giant G2 Esports and the iconic pop symbol Smiley have joined forces to launch a limited-edition capsule collection targeting a generation where gaming and fashion increasingly overlap. The collaboration marks a first for Smiley, both in the esports space and in fully designing a gaming-led streetwear line. This could inspire a shift in how traditional lifestyle brands are reaching digitally native audiences. Launching exclusively online on July 17th, the G2 x Smiley collection offers a mashup of aesthetic codes: oversized graphics, summer-ready silhouettes, and a logo that fuses G2's signature samurai mask with Smiley's unmistakable yellow grin. The effect is something between irreverent optimism and digital warrior chic and will appeal to those fluent in meme culture and marathon Twitch streams. 'G2 is about pushing limits — in competition and creativity,' says Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2 Esports. 'We created something that's fun, daring, and unapologetically us.' Indeed, the launch is more than a fashion statement, t's a strategic branding play at the intersection of two cultural forces: esports and streetwear. G2, founded in 2015 and now with over 40 million global fans, is leveraging its momentum, including a seven-figure Series B raise and a growing media arm, to deepen its foothold in lifestyle. This collaboration follows a rising industry trend: fashion labels infiltrating gaming environments, not just through digital skins or sponsorships, but through tangible products worn IRL and URL. The capsule includes t-shirts, hoodies, and a limited-edition tufted rug, with an autumn/winter drop planned via pop-up retail later this year, complete with accessories, jeans, and more layering pieces. Love affair with gaming goes physical The fashion world's flirtation with gaming is fast becoming a full-blown relationship. According to Accenture, the global gaming industry is now worth over 320 billion dollars, surpassing film and music combined. For Gen Z, over 60 percent report engaging with fashion through digital channels like gaming and social media, with virtual self-expression increasingly mirroring (and influencing) physical wardrobe choices. From Balenciaga's Fortnite skins to Gucci's Roblox experiences, the convergence is undeniable. Yet few brands have married the offline with the online as natively as G2, which has evolved from competitive esports organization into a media-savvy lifestyle brand with credible fashion collaborations, including previous projects with Ralph Lauren and Adidas. 'Being playful is powerful,' says Ross Wilson, Chief Product Officer, Fashion at The Smiley Company. 'And G2 embodies that energy. They bring joy and fearlessness to their global community.' A new cultural lexicon for a new generation What makes the G2 x Smiley drop notable is its tone: optimistic, irreverent, and proudly self-aware. At a time when luxury houses struggle to capture the authenticity craved by Gen Z, G2's approach is refreshingly unfiltered. The brand wears its meme-savvy, post-ironic ethos on its sleeve, quite literally. This isn't G2's first foray into lifestyle, but it may be its most symbolically significant. As the organization marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, the Smiley collaboration serves as a bridge between fandom and fashion, gaming and IRL streetwear, and a glimpse into the future of cross-cultural brand expression.
Fashion United
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Matthieu Blazy chooses New York for his first Métiers d'art show at Chanel
Chanel has announced the location of its next Métiers d'Art 2025/26 show. Matthieu Blazy, the brand's new creative director, has chosen New York City for his first show dedicated to the house's artisanal excellence under his direction. Chanel's Métiers d'Art 2025/26 show will take place on December 2, 2025. In a press release, the house noted that this choice 'extends the history that has united Chanel with New York since the 1930s, from Gabrielle Chanel's first trips across the Atlantic to the Paris-New York Métiers d'Art collection show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2018.' 'I am delighted that Blazy has chosen New York for his first Métiers d'Art show,' said Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion activities at Chanel. 'He will resonate the creative energy of the city he knows so well with the exceptional savoir-faire of the house.' Blazy spent several years in New York during his collaboration with Calvin Klein, as part of his role within the creative team led by Raf Simons, from 2016 to 2019. The precise location of the show has not yet been revealed. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Fashion United
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Lilly Pulitzer partners with Michael Kramer to design cottages for Nantucket Hotel & Resort
Fashion and lifestyle brand Lilly Pulitzer has partnered with New York City-based interior designer Michael Kramer, from Michael Tomas & Co., to design two private cottages at the iconic Nantucket Hotel & Resort. The collaboration sees Lilly Pulitzer working with Lee Jofa and Benjamin Moore, applying its new collection of fabrics and wall coverings to the garden-inspired cottages. Located outside of the hotel, the cottages were a blank canvas for Benjamin Moore's color offering. Together, Lilly Pulitzer and Lee Jofa artists applied pattern-blocking, whimsical floral prints across headboards, drapes, accent pillows, and created hand-painted murals to design distinctive cottages that are both modern and nostalgic. 'The curated print selection is exceptional; our multi-colored 'She's Got Sol' serves as a pivotal design element, while the 'Costa Verde' chevron repeat, presented in various colorways across upholstery and wallcoverings, lends an ethereal quality,' said Suzanne Cohen, Chief Marketing Officer for Lee Jofa, in a statement. 'We are thrilled to partner again on a collection with Lilly Pulitzer and have our brands chosen for this important project.' The first cottage includes a unique floral identity in each room, with one inspired by beach accessories. The second cottage features a more maximalist approach, with a mix of patterns, artwork, and colors throughout. 'We wanted these cottages to feel like garden parties you never want to leave,' said Kramer, in a statement. 'They're playful but sophisticated, designed for the guest who wants luxury and personality in equal measure.' 'Nantucket is a very important resort town where Lilly Pulitzer has celebrated along with the community for decades,' explained Mira Fain, Lilly Pulitzer's Chief Creative Officer. 'The Summer Cottages at The Nantucket are the perfect combination of all the things Lilly brand stands for: a world of Lilly's signature prints in an exquisite color palette, all wrapped up in a chic resort lifestyle.' The collaboration included printed and branded elements across the cottages, like custom Lilly Cottage hand towels and bed linens, creating fully one-of-a-kind spaces. 'The hotel enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to redesign our one- and two-bedroom east cottages and work with Benjamin Moore, Lee Jofa, and Lilly Pulitzer to reveal a seaside-inspired collaboration for Nantucket By Design,' said Gwenn Snider, owner of Nantucket Hotel & Resort, in a statement. The cottages are now open to the public for bookings from today onwards, and also offer Nantucket By Design's by-appointment walk-through visits and weeklong events. 'We are thrilled guests can check into these beautiful cottages, receive an instant dose of our uplifting brand, and build everlasting memories,' added Fain. The partnership between Lilly Pulitzer, Michael Kramer, and Nantucket Hotel & Resort comes as more and more European hotels collaborate with luxury fashion brands to create a bespoke experience. This summer saw the likes of Missoni working with boutique hotel resorts Oku Ibiza and Cali Mykonos, Burberry hosting a summer takeover of The Newt in Somerset, and Jacquemus opening a pop-up beach club and store in Casa Jondal, Ibiza.
Fashion United
11 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Coats Group acquires OrthoLite for 770 million dollars
British manufacturing firm Coats Group has entered an agreement to acquire OrthoLite Holdings LLC for 770 million dollars. The deal intends to create 'a 'super tier 2' supplier for footwear components', while helping Coats expand into the 'high growth insole segment'. The transaction, which is expected to close in Q4 2025, was funded through a combination of new debt facilities with existing lenders and the proceeds of an equity placing. Coats said 'compelling financial returns' are anticipated. OrthoLite is a US company specialising in insole open-cell foam technology for footwear. Through its acquisition, Coats will also take ownership of Cirql, a newly developed proprietary foam technology OrthoLite launched earlier this year targeting the midsole market. Coats said that OrthoLite's offering is a 'highly complementary addition' to its portfolio, aligning on consumer base, route-to-market and sustainability values, thus making it a 'compelling strategic fit'. The group further sees the acquisition as an opportunity to 'reinforce its position as global leader in the footwear market'. In a statement, David Paja, Coats' chief executive officer, said: 'The combination of Coats and OrthoLite is fantastic news for both companies and for the footwear industry. It brings together two global leaders in adjacent segments of the footwear components market with a shared vision for innovation and sustainability and with unparalleled brands and customer relationships.'
