Sandra‘s Closet

Recently, I was wondering what Justin O’Shea has been doing lately and just when I was thinking about the former global fashion director of MyTheresa and street style figure, I read the news on BoF: O’Shea will launch his own brand, SSS World Corp. This marks his return to design following his departure from Brioni in October where he worked as creative director for only one season. The runway debut of his new self-funded menswear brand will take place in Paris in June during the menswear shows. It is said to have a luxury streetwear price-point.

O’Shea’s one capsule collection at Brioni

As BoF states: «SSS World Corp will have advice, production and manufacturing support from Berlin-based 032c, the contemporary culture magazine and clothing line helmed by Joerg and Maria Koch. It will launch a full wardrobe, with product categories including outerwear, tailoring, shirts, t-shirts, swimwear, footwear and jewellery.»

“People don’t want to buy into a label, they want to buy into an idea,” O’Shea tells BoF of the concept behind the brand. “There needs to be some kind of element of contradiction and something which makes them feel like they’re getting individuality rather than something that’s a blank approach.”

«It’s that mixture between formal and street, which inevitably I think is the trend that will go forward.»

O’Shea says he is confident about SSS World Corp’s launch and positioning. “You take what Demna [Gvasalia’s] doing at Vetements, they’re doing whatever they want and they’ve now paved the way because they stayed on their own trajectory. That [attitude] is lacking in menswear compared to womenswear and that’s where I found my relevance.“

Good luck, Justin, I am curious to see the new collection…

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Justin O’Shea, Getty Images

There was a lot of movement in the fashion world during the last days, some very interesting announcements were made. The probably most unexpected one is Jean-Paul Gaultier`s departure from Hermès seven years after his jump-start of the house`s ready-to-wear line in 2003. If the reason was the  seven-year itch or the death of former president and chief executive, Jean-Louis Dumas a few weeks ago, we will never find out. Fact is that Christophe Lemaire, the designer behind the resurgence of Lacoste, is headed to Hermès and will present his first collection for F/W 2011 next spring.
Gaultier is reportedly leaving to focus on his own collection of which 45%  is still owned by Hermès. Like a real divorce… somebody is always keeping a stake.

The second news was not so surprising for me. After different speculations over the future of the Alexander McQueen brand, the creative director has officially been named. Sarah Burton, who had worked alongside McQueen for sixteen years and oversaw the completion of the F/W 2010 collection after the designer`s death in February will definitely keep his spiritual heritage.
The first McQueen underwear collection for men will launch in June. Might be a nice gift for your boyfriend or hubby.

Finally we have two more designers who landed themselves a job. First, former wunderkind Olivier Theyskens, who worked for Rochas and Nina Ricci, will design a capsule collection for Theory that will be released next spring.
And last but not least, Alessandro Dell`Acqua is making a return to fashion with a new collection dubbed N°21( his lucky number), after having lost trademark rights to his namesake line last year. Moreover he will take reigns at Brioni and design their womenswear.

Somebody else seems also ready for a fresh start: Giles Deacon has been confirmed as Emanuel Ungaro`s new creative director. After tumultous times and the Lindsay Lohan episode, the French fashion house will try to skyrocket right up to the point where Balmain and Balenciaga already are. One thing is certain, Ungaro has a fancy name and a lot of potential. Let`s see if Deacon along with the help of his stylist friend Katie Grand can come up with some zesty ideas.

LoL, Sandra