When a brand pretends to be something it is not, the result generally backfires. For example, Chrysler was synonymous with American style. The key word being WAS. Lesson: Even great advertising does not make uncool, cool. Which leads us to think of bygone eras and authentic brands that are no more. Such as …
Spanish leather goods and women’s accessories firm Malababa started in 1997 when pharmacy graduate Ana Carrasco realized she was more drawn to fashion than apothecary. She created a solid following in Madrid, then in the rest of Spain, and moved on to other markets in 2003. Malababa is now sold in more than …
When you think Italian fashion design, Armani, Valentino and Versace spring to mind, having paved the way for strong, bold aesthetics. Quality and tailoring is also intrinsic to the Italian sensibility. A new label that epitomises both has emerged from a 20-year strong lineage. Italian company “Paoloni Group” launched a new label “MSGM” recently with …
Several years ago, traveling through the Midwest, I stopped at a lovely second-hand shop, where I found a genuine US Navy pea coat. Know how to tell the real thing? Check the pockets. If they are lined with soft corduroy and there is issue number, then you very likely have the real thing. Well, my …
Elde Knits It was not too long ago that I visited beautiful Hagia Sophia (aka Aya Sofia) in Istanbul, Turkey. I have been fascinated with Istanbul for a while now because it is the historic crossroads where the “East” met the “West.” Of course, back then Istanbul was known as the great city …