Mood board: In a world that is louder than ever, the cerebral designer Haider Ackermann is a lone voice – his serene A/W 2018 collection explored the very essence of man, eschewing the sports-lux logo-mania taking over the shows. ‘I like the idea of a quiet man. Serene, cool, collected, yet standing on his own two feet,’ he said. There’ll be no statement puffer jackets or hybrid trainers here. Ackermann’s clothes for Berluti are the apex of exemplary luxury. They have a sensual, cool minimalism. A/W introduces more nylon jackets, handcrafted from a single piece of fabric and treated as if made from the most precious of skins. Rich, seamless suede outerwear is inspired by the house’s emblematic Alessandro shoe; sleek natural leather coats become invisible at the seams.
Best in show: The invitation to the show – a serious, thick wedge of pale pink card – foretold the staging: a velvet lined catwalk at the Grand Palais in the same erotic hue. In only three seasons, Ackermann has established a uniform with a refined, modest attitude. Light tailoring is without shoulder pads; a leather trench is lined in grey cashmere. A restrained black cashmere coat has ivory silk pinstripes on the inside and can be worn inside out. Sweaters in brushed Japanese cashmere are worn tucked in; hand-cut velvet suits are sharp. His clothes define a modern sensuality. His colour palette of deep olive, fresh sky blue, warm orange and purple is both bewildering and bewitching.
Finishing touches: As the world spins itself into a puritan phase, Ackermann deliciously served naysayers a leather and silver cigarette case to complement last season’s flask. A new shoe – the Alessandro One Cut – nods to the collection’s focus on seamless construction. The boot has a slightly elevated heel which gave the models a modern retro gait. Ankle boots in Venezia leather and crocodile are an evolution from S/S 2018’s cowboy boots; Ackermann has added a subtle decorative seam that catches the eye. His Berluti should be touched; it should be heard above the noise.
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Private museum Simple Design Archive is a ‘poetic sound sanctuary’ in ChinaSimple Design Archive, located in China’s Anhui province, is a private museum by HAS Design and Research, fostering a contemplative environment
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All hail the arrival of true autonomy? On Tesla’s proposed Robotaxi and techno-insecurityTesla’s new marketing push predicts a future of robot cabs, automated buses and autonomous home androids. We already want to get off
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Discothèque perfumes evoke the scent of Tokyo in the year 2000As Discothèque gets ready to launch its first perfume collection, Mary Cleary catches up with the brand’s founders
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Palace unites with Rapha to celebrate inaugural Tour de France FemmesMarking the first time women will compete in the historic cycling race since the late 1980s, this new collaboration sees Palace Skateboards and Rapha create uniforms for both on and off the bike – including an ‘outlandish’ pair of Crocs
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Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022: Chanel to Miu MiuIn this extended report, Wallpaper* updates you live from Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022 shows, with rolling coverage as runway events unfold
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Scene-stealing runway sets from S/S 2022 womenswear showsFrom giant roulette wheels to Olympic diving boards and multi-city synchronized extravaganzas – our pick of the best fashion show sets from S/S 2022 womenswear
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Men's knitwear designs: wearable works of art?These knitwear designs for spring ensure we're wearing our art on our sleeve
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Louis Vuitton A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Chanel A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s -
Y/Project A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Sacai A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
