Balenciaga to partner with The Royal Opera House on Cobain-inspired show

London’s The Royal Opera House has announced a partnership with luxury fashion brand Balenciaga, which will see some of the label’s pieces from its autumn 2022 and winter 2022 collections featured in a new stage show.

Swati Bhat

Last Days, The Royal Opera House

‘Last Days’, which is based on Gus Van Sant’s 2005 film of the same name, opened in Linbury Theatre on October 7 and aims to bring a contemporary twist to opera.

Like the original film, the show is loosely based on the life of the late Kurt Cobain, the troubled frontman of popular 90s band Nirvana, who committed suicide in 1994.

The partnership marks Balenciaga’s first collaboration with an opera house, and comes as a collaboration between the brand’s artistic director Demna, stylist Patrick Welde and Matt Copson, the libretto of the show.

Eight cast members of the ensemble will sport a number of pieces that draw on Balenciaga’s typical silhouettes, including deconstructed shirting and oversized denim.

In a release, Copson said: “The opening shot of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ famously contained product placement – a close-up of Converse shoes, politely tapping along to the iconic riff.

“We knew early on that we had to move away from costuming a period and into something more paradoxical, that implicated us in the present day.

“Balenciaga was the obvious fit – Demna’s work involves the questioning and distortion of archetypes, the aesthetics of ‘alternative’ and the legacy of the 90s in a disruptive and poetic way. Each character on stage represents a different tribe and our references ranged from the specifics of Mormon backpacks to Seattle teen fashion.

“We asked ourselves – what do these forms mean to us now and how can we distort these loaded symbols into something poetic.”

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ALDO launches latest footwear innovation: Pillow Walk

Mumbai [India], October 6 (BusinessWire India): Launching this Fall 2022, leading global fashion footwear and accessories brand, ALDO, announces its newest campaign in support of the brands latest footwear innovation, Pillow Walk™ technology.

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An introduction to comfort, that doesn't sacrifice style and only available at ALDO, Pillow Walk™ technology was born from the combination of three key elements.

First, addressing the pent-up demand for dress, but a desire for comfort to remain. Second, the knowledge that ALDO is a destination for dress and third, ALDO's approach to unique comfort technologies that differentiate the brand in the market. Pillow Walk™ technology has been developed with molded sock foam that strategically provides extra padding at the heel and ball of the foot for all day dreamy comfort and the dual-density foam formula helps to absorb impact and release comfortably, skipping the "break in" period.

To accompany the launch of the collection, the brand will also debut its Fall 2022 campaign, a true visual embodiment of Pillow Walk™ technology. Inspired by popular social content and interpreted into a digital-first approach that feels native to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the campaign creative truly allows the assortment and technology to stand out and grab consumer's attention. "We're heading into an era in fashion where style and comfort need to be synonymous," says Daianara Grullon Amalfitano, SVP ALDO brand. "ALDO is known for our dress category and we saw a major opportunity to delight consumers with a silhouette that usually is the most uncomfortable - ladies' heels.

We chose to make this the center of the campaign. For the campaign, we really experimented with the use of CGI and 3D elements.

As the Metaverse begins to permeate pop culture, trend-driven brands are adopting some of its aesthetic. We used CGI special effects to not only differentiate the content, but to also communicate pillowy comfort in a very clear way to the consumer. Style and comfort are always at the forefront."

The Fall 2022 campaign was brought to life by Director and effects specialist Ben Steiger Levine, alongside Director of Photography, Jonathan Decoste, photographer Alexandre Royal Gilbert and styling by Cary Tauben.

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. TC will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

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Charles & Keith has teamed up with Paris-based independent footwear brand 'Both'

Charles & Keith has teamed up with Paris-based independent footwear brand 'Both' on an exclusive capsule collection.

Swati Bhat

Both, known for its unique use of rubber in its designs, have collaborated with Charles & Keith on a coordinated footwear and handbag collection inspired by 90’s punk and urban-chic streetwear aesthetics.

The collection takes a contemporary spin on the art of imperfection, drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese art form of Kintsugi, a traditional method of utilising gold to mend cracks in ceramics or to bind broken pieces together.

For the footwear, the traditional Chelsea boot and chunky loafer silhouettes, known as iconic styles for Charles & Keith, have been reimagined in a new form with Both’s experimental curved rubber soles. Grunge streetstyle-inspired platforms have been added, while the seams on the footwear have been broken up and underlaid in gold or silver, with hammered metal toe-caps.

'Both' collaborates with Charles & Keith

While the bags take on 90s-inspired silhouettes “with a futuristic twist,” explains Charles & Keith. The baguette shoulder bags have been given chunky straps for a maximalist effect, while structured bucket bags feature a magnetic closure that folds over to create a sleek elliptical form. Inspired by punk subculture, the styles include removable charms and chains in a burnished finish, while a statement buckle, also seen on the loafers, wraps around the body of the bucket bag.

Commenting on the collaboration, Fredie Stevens, design director at Charles & Keith, said in a statement: “The blending of our brands’ sensibilities was very natural. Innovation and experimentation form the backbone of our design ethos, and we have a strong collaborative spirit in our roots, as active players in the global creative circuit.

“With Both’s expertise and one-of-a-kind rubber technique, we tapped on each other’s strengths to push the boundaries on design and translate this material into a contemporary collection we hope our wearers will love.”

Both added: “We are always looking to capture the culture, mood and people of a certain period, and this collection is an ode to the transgressive spirit of punk, reflected in the youthful zeal of the new generation, who have challenged and redefined the boundaries of so many norms.”

The Both x Charles & Keith capsule collection launches on October 7.

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