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How Architects and Fashion Designers Changed How We Think About Yachts

  • March 26, 2024

Pleasure yachts were once the province of amateur sailors and oligarchs—men who, aside from a shared appreciation of varnished teak, adhered to diverging aesthetic templates. For serious mariners, form followed function, and fripperies were frowned upon. The upper-cruster aboard his gin palace, meanwhile, preferred nightclub chic, with heavy doses of gold, chandeliers, and black-lacquered surfaces. Both types of vessel suffered from a surplus of wood paneling and a scarcity of sea views. 

That design rulebook has now been thrown out, thanks to shifting priorities, new technologies, and the pandemic-fueled boom in yacht ownership. A rising generation of younger owners prefers watersports toys and wellness suites over cigar lounges and book-matched mahogany. Seductive superyacht concepts on social media promise a life in which families waft unbounded through fluid, open-plan, indoor-outdoor spaces devoid of clutter and supporting walls. 

Suffice to say, such experimentation is not typically dictated by dyed-in-the-wool naval architects but comes from a fresh influx of creative outsiders from the land-bound worlds of hotels, private homes, furniture, and even fashion. The designers serving the yacht-owning class of 2024 may be disparate, but they have one thing in common: Boats are not their area of expertise. 

For decades, a group of former apprentices of Jon Bannenberg, the godfather of yacht design, dominated the field with their trademark lavish style. Bannenberg, part of London’s “swinging ’60s” creative wave, designed celebrated vessels for the great and the not-so-great, including Malcolm Forbes, Adnan Khashoggi, and Robert Maxwell. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, his protégés—Andrew Winch, Terence Disdale, and Tim Heywood—catered to the tastes of their plutocrat clientele (think fussy moldings, high-gloss hardwoods, tinkling crystal, and veiny marble), with their brand names adding pedigree to ships and their style seen as the hallmark of opulence. 

These designers “made a fortune,” says Giovanna Vitelli, chair of

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Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten is stepping down as creative director at the end of June

  • March 25, 2024

BRUSSELS — Belgian designer Dries Van Noten, who for almost four decades dazzled the fashion world with his luscious use of colors and fabrics, said Tuesday that he will step down as creative director of his namesake brand at the end of June.

Van Noten, 65, a master of blending the old with the new, said in a statement that the 2025 men’s spring-summer collection will be the last in his current role. He added that the women’s collection will be designed by his studio.

Van Noten’s successor will be announced at a later stage, he said.

“I have been preparing for this moment for a while, and I feel it’s time to leave room for a new generation of talents to bring their vision to the brand,” Van Noten said.

Although he will relinquish his role as creative director, Van Noten will still be involved in the fashion house.

Fashion firm Puig acquired a majority share in Van Noten in 2018, with the designer remaining creative director of the brand, which has expanded into beauty and fragrance. Van Noten said Puig’s takeover has helped the brand to keep “blooming.”

“Like in a garden, you decide what to plant; and at some point, it continues to flourish,” he said.

Van Noten graduated from the fashion design course at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium in 1981 and debuted his first collection five years later. His first flagship store opened in 1989 in Antwerp, the Belgian port city where he was born into a family of tailors.

As Antwerp developed a reputation of Europe’s capital of cool, Van Noten emerged as a major creative force as part of “The Antwerp Six,” a collective that also included Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee.

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Macy’s has white designer handbags up to 50% off from Lauren Ralph Lauren, Radley London, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Nine West and more

  • March 21, 2024

It might not be Memorial Day yet, but white is the hottest color to tote around now that spring has sprung.

Macy’s sale section is always stacked with the biggest seasonal trends, but we haven’t seen as many bright white, ivory and cream styles marked down as of late. And currently, you can find white handbag styles up to 50% off from all the most au courant designers, including Lauren Ralph Lauren, MICHAEL Michael Kors and Karl Lagerfeld Paris.

Among the best deals we saw was a lauren-woven-medium-tanner-crossbody-bag%3FID%3D17954695″Lauren Ralph Lauren Woven Medium Tanner Crossbody Bag in Vanilla, marked down from $525 to $315, for over $200 in savings.

We also spotted a Karl Lagerfeld Paris Lafayette Leather Shoulder Bag deal-of-the-day, marked down from $278 to $139. With its bright-pastel tweed trimming you can pair it with a bright pink top, light-washed jeans and sandals or put an equally-trendy work look together with a white wide-legged trouser and crisp white pumps.

If your style is a bit more casual, and you can’t start spring without a fresh pair of white kicks, there are even some minimalist styles to help you get the look or vibe of the always-popular athleisure belt bag.

Here’s a look at the best white handbag styles to score at Macy’s now:

Shop more on-trend handbags from Macy’s sales section.

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Danielle Halibey can be reached at [email protected]. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.

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Sustainable Fashion Design and Innovation Leap Forward With Lenovo Internship

  • March 20, 2024

Published 03-13-24

Submitted by Lenovo

As part of the Stella McCartney x Central St Martin’s (CSM) partnership with Lenovo, four CSM students embarked on a 2-month internship at Lenovo HQ in Raleigh, North Carolina, following creating winning design concepts that celebrated the future of sustainable fashion and design.

During their time at Lenovo HQ, these design students and graduates had the hands-on opportunity to learn how Lenovo uses several areas of the design process including, brainstorming, ideation, concept development, material processes and story building within a corporative environment.

A person in a workshop, holding up some blue wire

The students also had the opportunity to further develop their winning design concepts within these different areas of the business, allowing them to apply their learnings, help identify future product development opportunities for Lenovo and create a strong project to showcase in their portfolio.

This internship opportunity was the final stage of a long-term collaboration with Stella McCartney x CSM, championing innovation, the next generation of changemakers, and the future of sustainable fashion design through technology.

lenovo logo

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$62 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #217 in the Fortune Global 500, employing 77,000 people around the world, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company by further expanding into growth areas that fuel the advancement of ‘New IT’ technologies (client, edge, cloud, network, and intelligence) including server, storage, mobile, software, solutions, and services. This transformation together with Lenovo’s world-changing innovation is building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992)(ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via

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Naomi Campbell’s enduring fashion career will be celebrated with a London museum exhibition

  • March 19, 2024

LONDON — After four decades in fashion, the queen of the catwalk is getting her own exhibition.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is launching “NAOMI: In Fashion,” a celebration of Naomi Campbell’s enduring career. The exhibition, which opens in June, will showcase memorable designer outfits worn by Campbell, one of the most recognizable models and Black women in the world.

“I’m honored to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world,” Campbell, 53, said in a statement.

Sonnet Stanfill, a fashion curator at the museum, called Campbell “one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary culture.”

The exhibition will include some 100 looks and accessories from the biggest names in fashion, from Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana to Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and many others.

Highlights include a 1989 Thierry Mugler car-inspired corset made from plastic and metal, a bubble-gum pink Valentino gown and feather cape Campbell wore at the 2019 Met Gala and staggeringly high Vivienne Westwood platform shoes worn by Campbell during her famous 1993 catwalk fall.

The London-born Campbell attended stage school from a young age and started her career at 8, when she began performing in music videos for Bob Marley and Culture Club.

The aspiring dancer was approached by a model agent when she was 15, and within two years she was strutting down catwalks in Paris and Milan. She was the first Black model to appear on the cover of Vogue France in 1988.

Part of the exhibition focuses on Campbell’s personal and professional relationship with the late Tunisian-born designer Azzedine Alaïa, who opened his Parisian home and studio to a young Campbell. She inspired his work, while he helped advance her career.

Curators said that the show will

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Wilmington designer to have work in European fashion show featured on ‘The Crown’

  • March 18, 2024
New York-<a href=based designer Sutton Horger is a Wilmington native. She’s seen here with some of her designs.” bad-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EECxTbt77ZfTwu54k2FT1Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTQ2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_gannett_aggregated_707/cce3108db8bc0feb5449055ebef87f17″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EECxTbt77ZfTwu54k2FT1Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTQ2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_gannett_aggregated_707/cce3108db8bc0feb5449055ebef87f17″/

New York-based designer Sutton Horger is a Wilmington native. She’s seen here with some of her designs.

A Wilmington native and fashion designer who learned to sew in the Port City will soon see some of her designs on the catwalk of a famous European fashion show.

On March 16, Sutton Horger, who grew up in Wilmington performing in and helping to costume shows for Opera House Theatre Co., will have some of her designs in Don’t Walk, a fashion show at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

The show, which was formed by college students in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, as a response to the terrorist attacks, is known for supporting various charities, and for being student-run. Its biggest claim to fame, however, might be as the setting for a royal origin story.

Kate Middleton, aka Catherine, Princess of Wales, was a model at Don’t Walk in 2002 when she caught the eye of Prince William, a meet-cute chronicled in hit Netflix show “The Crown,” which is technically fiction but also based on real-life events.

“I was honestly very surprised to be approved,” Horger said via phone from New York City, where she works as an assistant designer for department store Macy’s intimate apparel and sleepwear lines. “It’s such a good opportunity. I’m excited to see everyone else’s designs.”

New York-based designer Sutton Horger is a Wilmington native. She's seen here working on one of her designs.New York-based designer Sutton Horger is a Wilmington native. She's seen here working on one of her designs.

New York-based designer Sutton Horger is a Wilmington native. She’s seen here working on one of her designs.

Horger, whose parents live in Wilmington, grew up performing in such musicals as “The Music Man,” “The King and I” and “Chicago” for Opera House.

“It was such a big part of my childhood,” Horger said.

She also worked on

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The 2024 Oscars’ best fashion moments

  • March 18, 2024

The biggest night in film brought out the biggest stars for the Oscars on Sunday. Celebrities gathered to celebrate the best films of the year while stepping out in couture style. While some won the beloved golden trophy, here’s who won the award for best looks.

Carey Mulligan

Nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Maestro, Mulligan stunned in a 1951 archived vintage Balenciaga gown. The strapless black dress cinched at the waist with a sweetheart neckline, and flared at the base into flowy white tulle train. 

This classic look was paired with black gloves that reflect the golden age of Hollywood and Fred Leighton sparkling diamond studs hidden behind her curled bob hairstyle. The ensemble is a sweet nod to her character — Felicia Montealegre Bernstein  —  the ‘50s film actress and wife of Leonard Bernstein.

Anya Taylor-Joy

The actress dazzled in a strapless Dior Haute Couture gown embellished with gorgeous silver beading along the gown’s scalloped, petal-like skirt. 

The silver theme was tied together with a simple but stunning Tiffany & Co spiked diamond necklace paired with matching earrings. The gown took inspiration from Botticelli’s painting, The Birth of Venus,’ which was originally used as inspiration for Dior in its autumn/winter 1949/50 collection and took a modern look for the Oscars red carpet.

Lily Gladstone

The actress, nominated for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, owned the red carpet in a gown designed by Gucci creative director Sabato De Sarno and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain of Ironhorse Quillwork. The deep blue velvet strapless gown was a nod to her Native heritage, paired with a beaded neckline and a flowing cape with white floral quillwork. Tying the piece together was a beaded necklace and flower-shaped earrings to match

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Catching up with Atlanta fashion designer Abbey Glass

  • March 17, 2024
Catching up with Atlanta fashion designer Abbey Glass
Abbey Glass

Photograph courtesy of Abbey Glass

Atlanta-based fashion designer Abbey Glass is starting 2024 with a bang: a new spring/summer collection, a new bridal capsule, two new retail stores, and a spot in Dillard’s new concept, the Coterie. Here, she shares her inspiration and how she’s expanded her business.

You have a lot going on! Let’s start with the spring/summer collection. What was your inspiration?
Spring was very much inspired by florals—groundbreaking, I know! There’s also the influence of our muses, our 1960s-style icons. This spring, it was heavily influenced by Grace Kelly, with royal- and coastal-inspired pieces, and lots of dramatic bows. There’s a beautiful blue and yellow fabric that’s almost like an interior fabric, which I think will be really popular, and aqua and green organza pieces. I’m excited about a focus on floral fabrics and attention to isolated dramatic details on classic shapes.

Catching up with Atlanta fashion designer Abbey Glass
A dress from the spring/summer 2024 collection

Photograph courtesy of Abbey Glass

You’re new to Dillard’s this year in their the Coterie collection. What’s the collection like?
The collection was designed with the Dillard’s team for the Coterie. It’s our Abbey Glass brand DNA and our best sellers which have been expanded or modified for the Dillard’s customer. There’s crossover [from the Abbey Glass collection] in the mood, but merchandised a little differently. There are also exclusives coming. Dillard’s is doing that beautiful yellow and blue fabric I mentioned in shapes that are a bit more avant-garde, and we’re running it in more of our best-seller shapes at Abbey Glass. We started dropping in January of this year. There are drops monthly from now until June.

Catching up with Atlanta fashion designer Abbey Glass
A dress from the Dillard’s collection

Photograph courtesy of Abbey Glass

How did the partnership come about?
We had a very successful event in Charleston with

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Late inning comeback lifts ETSU over Villanova in walk-off fashion

  • March 17, 2024

Friday afternoon was a day ready for a comeback in Johnson City.

Going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the ETSU Bucs were staring at an 11-5 deficit on a day where they had already overcome a three-run deficit earlier in the game.

But that was no problem for the Buccaneers who have thrived on their home diamond early in the 2024 season.

After a bases loaded walk and a wild pitch helped the Bucs walk two runs across the plate to cut into the gap, a Cameron Sisneros sacrifice fly brought in another run to make it 11-8. Then, a Cody Miller single scored Jamie Palmese and Nick Innantone to suddenly make it a one-run game before heading to the eighth inning.

In the bottom half of the eighth, Noah Webb lifted a ball over the wall to tie things up in a high scoring affair – ultimately leading to the Bucs’ chance to win it.

After the Bucs bullpen put up another zero on the board in the top half of the ninth, it was time for late game magic to open the three-game series. And it happened off of the bat of Cody Miller.

Miller, who drove in two in the seventh to pull within one, became the hero in the ninth with an RBI single to score Brogan Jones as the Bucs celebrated the walk-off win over the Wildcats.

Noah Webb led the day offensively with a big 4-5 day from the dish and 2 RBIs, followed by the hero Miller, who went 3-6 with 4 RBIs. Innantone and Sisneros each added multi-hit days, as well to help the Bucs.

On the mound, Derek McCarley picked up his third win of the season after tossing the scoreless top of the

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The Top Fall 2024 Fashion Trends: Designers See the World Through a Soft-Focus Lens

  • March 16, 2024

Counterintuitively, one of the ways that designers are undermining the idea of an algorithmically flattened culture is through garments that embrace the idea of flatness physically through construction, splicing (see Undercover), or suspension (see Balenciaga and Victoria Beckham). In doing so they continue in the tradition of Martin Margiela, who once told Vogue: “When I recut clothes, old or new, it’s to transform them, not destroy them.” This idea of building up from and expanding on what exists is one that fashion needs to embrace.

Corporate Values

Thought neckties were a thing of the past? Think again. Designers played with symbols of corporate power, ties among them, as a commentary on late-stage capitalism and the dismantling of symbols of power in a now lost world of work.

Flyte Patterns

Country-house weekends—but not of the Saltburn variety—are trending. Tweeds, herringbones, and argyles conjure Brideshead Revisited’s Sebastian Flyte, Jeeves and Wooster, the Mitford sisters, and the relaxed royal style of Balmoral.

Neck-Up Fashion

Extravagant collars will be to 2024 what big sleeves were to 2023. Backward button-downs are also making the rounds.

Outward-Bound

Did Pharrell Williams’s Louis Vuitton so-called damoflage spark a trend? Designers are connecting to nature with expressionistic takes on the traditional camouflage pattern. Just don’t expect to hide in plain sight in these head turners.

Flat Out

Apple’s Vision Pro may be making spatial computing a reality, but fashion is embracing the two-dimensionality of flatness with spliced garments, the use of wire, and paper-doll-like tabs. The effect is to create a space between the body and the garment that is unexpected and exciting to the eye.

Piled High

Come fall you’re going to go wild for voluminous, pettable outerwear made of faux fur, feathers, fabric, shearling, or yarn.

Off-Piste

Snuggly and stylish, ski sweaters go from

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