Coco Republic Unites The Pacific With Opening Of First Store In North America And Global Brand Campaign
Australian design house Coco Republic has expanded its operations into North America. The brand, synonymous with creating furniture and homewares that dovetail with the antipodean way of living, is poised to deliver its signature style to the US through the opening of its first stateside store, located in Union Square, San Francisco.
Sited in the heart of San Francisco, among the department stores, upscale boutiques, art galleries and salons of Union Square, the nearly 5000-square-metre (53,000-square-feet) showroom offers a dedicated designer experience through its exclusive range of Coco Republic products, modelled off the well- established showrooms in the southern hemisphere.
“During the pandemic, our stores in Australia and New Zealand experienced extraordinary growth, as consumers focused on home turf and made the places where they live even more beautiful,” said Anthony Spon-Smith, Coco Republic’s Creative Director and Vice Chairman. “We are incredibly excited to now be in a position to expand our brand internationally and introduce our products to the California market – a region with which we share a genuine love of indoor-outdoor living.
The Union Square opening coincides with a new collection launch and the unveiling of a global brand campaign that sets its sights on uniting the Pacific. Titled ‘A Golden State of Mind’, the campaign demonstrates the similarities between the Australian and Californian lifestyles, underscored by Coco Republic’s eye for style and sophistication.
Photographed in tandem, in the California desert and on Australia’s east coast, the two locations featured in the campaign amplify Coco Republic’s latest product offering. A key focus of the range is the outdoor category, with dining tables and chairs, occasional chairs and sofas joining the lineup. Standout pieces include the Dune Modular Sofa, Madre Wishbone Live Edge Dining Table, Navagio Outdoor Curved Sofa and the Sardinia Collection.
Vacheron Constantin is reissuing its legendary 222, launched in 1977 for the 222nd anniversary of the Maison. The watch’s bold design by Jorg Hysek marked a turning point in the history of the Manufacture, which thereby made a remarkable foray into the world of "sporty-chic" watches. Among the various existing 222 references, the one chosen to mark the return of the legend was the Reference 44018 in 18K 3N gold with a 37 mm diameter. In keeping with the spirit of the Historiques collection, this new watch highlights Vacheron Constantin’s rich aesthetic and cultural heritage through a contemporary reinterpretation.
For collectors of vintage watches, 222 is no ordinary number. It refers to a legendary timepiece, a symbol of an era as well as a watershed in the history of Vacheron Constantin. With the 222 watch, presented on the occasion of its 222nd anniversary 45 years ago, the Maison unveiled a sports watch adding to a vocabulary that had been little used until then. During the previous decades, sports models had been designed for active people, notably with ‘professional’ timepieces designed for use by pilots or divers, for example, while luxury watches occupied the ‘dressy’ timepiece segment.
It was in the 1970s, a period marked by increasing competition from quartz watches, that timepieces combining the watchmaking worlds of sport and luxury appeared. With the 222, Vacheron Constantin contributed to this new approach to the mechanical watch, which was very much in keeping with an era open to new ideas. This model clearly marked a break in the stylistic evolution of the Maison: the sporting codes of watchmaking are integrated within a timepiece featuring taut lines and sharp angle, yet consistently elegant.
Michael Lo Sordo created actress Ana de Armas’ iconic dress which features in the film No Tie To Die, the first Australian designer to create a dress for a James Bond film.
It was two years in the making since Michael Lo Sordo was first approached by costume designer Suttirat Larlarb to create a dress for the film shot in London. The film and actresses name were kept top select (in true 007 form) – with only the measurements given.
Michael was required to make 10 x identical dresses to shoot an action scene where the dresses were likely to be destroyed in the re-takes. The dress also featured in a black-tie scene.
Aptly named the ‘Bond 007 Paloma Maxi dress’ it has become Michael’s #1 selling dress globally with online orders coming in since the film posters appeared.
In 2021, Grand Seiko introduced a high-beat watch inspired by the slender and beautiful white birch trees of the Hiraniwa Plateau in northern Japan. This timepiece was warmly praised by watch fans worldwide for its intricately textured dial and for the revolutionary Calibre 9SA5 that powered it. Its wide acclaim culminated in its selection as the winner of the Men’s Watch prize at the 2021 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Today, a new creation powered by the latest and finest Spring Drive Calibre 9RA2 captures the atmosphere of a white birch forest but in a subtly new way that echoes the feeling of the forests of Shinshu, home to the studio where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made. The watch will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected retail stores worldwide in February 2022.
The craftsmanship is evident in every detail. The delicately textured dial and the tempered blue seconds hand reveal an artistry that is matched by the ‘frost’ finishing of the movement, whose beauty is clearly visible through the sapphire case back. To watch the completely smooth glide motion of the seconds hand as it moves serenely across the subtly patterned dial is to be brought closer than ever to the tranquil, seamless and natural flow of time.
The delicate texture of the movement's finish reflects the frost that winter brings to the trees in Shinshu. The bridge lines and hole edges are diamond-cut to reflect light from all angles and the jewels and the tempered blue power reserve indicator add a quiet sparkle that is a delight to behold. Calibre 9RA2 delivers a power reserve of up to 120 hours and is accurate to ±10 seconds per month.
The watch’s design is true to the Grand Seiko Style defined back in 1967 with the celebrated 44GS. However, it also announces an important step forward in Grand Seiko design. To be known as the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Style, this new grammar of design takes Grand Seiko’s ideals of beauty, legibility and wearing comfort to new levels. Its Zaratsu polished, distortion-free mirror finish and delicate hairline finish alternate to give the case a quiet and harmonious glow. Its powerful hands and grooved, prominent markers ensure perfect legibility. The case’s centre of gravity is lower, and the bracelet has just the right width and depth to ensure that the watch sits easily and securely on the wrist.
The Evolution 9 Style covers every aspect of the watch’s design and these three principles and expression in nine design elements, all of which can be further explored here.
The ‘White Birch’ timepieces, both high-beat and Spring Drive, form the new Evolution 9 Collection starting in February 2022.
FRED has launched their Pretty Woman jewellery collection in Sydney with a luxury event held at the iconic Sydney Tower. Taking inspiration from the Pretty Woman film FRED launched its new high jewellery collection at an intimate lunch and cocktail party.
Special guests included top model Victoria Lee and Francesca Hung who wore some of the jewellery pieces including the iconic necklace worn by Julia Roberts in the film.
Vacheron Constantin transformed the iconic Restaurant Hubert into a luxurious jazz theatre to launch the Fiftysix® collection. 100 Influential guests were invited to experience Fiftysix® at a dinner which included a special performance by Australian singer songwriter Megan Washington.
For Vacheron Constantin, Fiftysix® collection pays tribute to the 1950’s, a time marked by easy to wear and elegantly designed watches. From the automatic movement to the glass box crystal or the distinctive lugs design, a specialty of the Maison, the Fiftysix® brings back the best of this period while fully embracing the present time and the modern expectations of high watchmaking lovers
Throughout the evening a series of Fiftysix® installations and one to one areas were revealed to guests giving them the opportunity to view and try the collection in a 1950s jazz-inspired setting. Highlights on the evening also included a KRUG and caviar bar as well as whiskey tasting by The Balvenie.
KORA Organics has launched a new range of beauty products including a Noni Glow Face Oil, Noni Glow Body Oil and Heart Chakra Aromatherapy Oil.
The new range uses only the highest quality oils which have been ethically grown, harvested and manufactured to strict guidelines. The key ingredient is the Noni extract which is a super food known for its anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Australian Luxury brand Farage has partnered with the Sydney Swans to launch their new high performance suiting collection and 2017 campaign.
Launched at the highly anticipated first game of the season the new Farage/Swans campaign stars the recently named Captain for 2017 Josh Kennedy, Vice-Captains Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, as well as seasoned all-rounder, Kieren Jack.
Showcasing the synergy between high-performing athletes and the latest in resilient suiting innovation, the campaign takes the viewer on a journey from the football field to fashionable night out.
The new collection of high performance suits showcased on the players in the campaign are crease-proof, water resistant and ultra-light. They are the perfect addition to the modern man’s wardrobe.
Founder and Designer Joe Farage believes that partnering with the Sydney Swans as their official suiting partner is a perfect fit as “the guys represent fast-paced lifestyles and effortless charm; just like the new high performance collection. We have created a micro-weight suiting collection that is tailored to the energetic lifestyle of the modern man.”
With the recent launch of their stunning new flagship store located at No 5 Martin Place in Sydney, the new Swans campaign and their innovative new suiting range it looks to be a victorious year ahead for Farage.
Leading Australian luxury brand Farage has chosen an iconic heritage building in the heart of the Sydney CBD to open their new flagship store, designed by world-renowned interior designer Greg Natale.
The new store has been carefully stripped-back to expose the beauty of the iconic space, with vaulted heritage ceilings, grey marble flooring and bronze detailing used to create a warm and luxurious environment.
Located at 5 Martin Place, the new flagship store signals a new, bold and innovative direction for the family owned company, with their full menswear and womenswear collections sitting alongside denim from J Brand and accessories from Lanvin and YSL.
Consistently pushing design innovation, Farage has gained a reputation amongst fashion experts for its cutting edge tailoring and textiles.
Luxury brand Vacheron Constantin launched the Overseas collection to a group of VIP guests onboard the new superyacht Ghost II. Setting sail on Sydney Harbour for the first time guests were given a unique brand experience. Dom Perignon flowed on the night and a liquid nitrogen martini bar opened on the top deck once the sail was underway. The new 122ft yacht is luxuriously appointed with five bedroom, a stunning main lounge and dining room, outdoor entertaining and top deck bar. Guests included Vincent Cuche – Brand Director Vacheron Constantin, Kate Waterhouse, Montana Cox, Cheyenne Tozzi and Astrid Holler.
Conceived in Australia, designed by the renowned Milan-based studio the SP01 team had a very clear vision, to create a new collection based on rigorous design and honest materials.
Design integrity and authenticity were key to the brand’s ethos and collaborating with world-class designers delivered the requisite standards. The respected design team of Fattorini+Rizzini+Partners was an essential part of the brand's development. They bring a unique breadth of skills in both design and product development, experience gained from working with leading brands Arper, Extremis, Armani Casa, MDF Italia, Poliform, Moooi, Cassina and Zanotta, and have been recognised with numerous international awards including a prestigious Compasso d’Oro.
To ensure the collection is of the highest quality, SP01 turned to Italy’s leading manufacturers. This ensured the collection was made by the same Italian craftsmen experienced in producing for the world’s leading brands.
The result is a collection that features stunning chairs, sofas, armchairs, tables and, coffee tables which feature solid ash timbers, sculpted hand finished wood and an extensive range of detailed upholstery.
SP01 will be represented by Space in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and online from March 2016. The collection will also be sold in North America from late 2016.
Lara Worthington has curated a collection of leather pieces exclusively for The Daily Edited.
Lara was involved in the process from selecting styles and colour ways throughout the creative direction of the campaign shoot. The result is a capsule collection of leather goods including an iPhone case, notebook, pouch wallet and laptop case.
The colour ways selected by Lara include stone, navy and black which come together to create a cohesive collection in Lara’s own personal style.
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
‘BAZAAR IN BLOOM’ - 27 AUSTRALIAN DESIGNERS COME TOGETHER FOR THE ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN FOUNDATION
Harper’s BAZAAR and The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation joined forces to raise funds for a world class Fertility Research Centre at The Royal Hospital for Women. Twenty-seven Australian Designers came together to create a couture dress for Australia’s first couture show.
Bazaar in Bloom was supported by special guest Lara Worthington and Australian Designers: Rebecca Vallance; Zimmermann, Ginger & Smart, Bec & Bridge, Bianca Spender, By Johnny, Carla Zampatti, Carl Kapp, Vanessa, Manning Cartell Steven Khalil, Edwina Robinson and Aje.
The event was held courtesy of Merivale, at the Coogee Pavilion and major sponsor Westfield.
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
The University of Technology showcased Australia’s most talented design graduates’ fashion achievements at a runways show in the UTS Great Hall. Renowned for producing some of Australia’s leading fashion designers, the Bachelor of Design, Fashion & Textiles program at UTS showcased the emerging designers collections, offering a rare glimpse into the latest in design concepts, innovations and technology.
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
As international travel opens it’s time to live the jet set lifestyle once again. Flying has a new meaning with a renewed appreciation for what we once took for granted — the ability to pack a suitcase and head off on an adventure. Despite how much experience Australians have globetrotting, it’s been easy to forget the simple rules of luxe airport-style and ensure a seamless transit experience - and it all starts with the right luggage.
Enter — AIDAN. A sophisticated travel and lifestyle luggage brand evolving alongside technology and innovation. Whether you’re planning a trip to St. Tropez or LA, AIDAN offers a range of luggage and travel accessories to suit your needs. With over three years of research and development the result is quality, timeless design coupled with form and function, it was also during this time that AIDAN were able to have trademarks and patents secured and approved. Key features include a durable and resistant polycarbonate shell with aluminium framing, TSA-approved unique lock key and latch design, Japanese Hinomoto 360-degree run-silent wheels (for seamless movement between terminals and hotels), a multi tiered aluminium telescoped handle, a push-and-release easy-brake system and Interior compression pad with multiple compartments also containing a snap and release clipping feature to allow easy access for your electronics to be checked.
