Tag: digital

Who is the next king of cool?

Every decade has its rising stars, cash cows and dying mammoth... Ok, here I am not talking about Darwin or about animals... I am talking about innovative, creative and outstanding companies that...

Friday Chronicle #11: Brands are not enough, welcome to a trip to the moon

The years 2000 represented a tremendous shift in the way people wish to interact with brands. Being a powerful brand is not enough anymore. Several examples has showed that empires of one...

Digital business: when Internet went from I.T. to Marketing.

In the 60's, Internet was not a dream anymore but a strong technical reality. Since then the World Wide Web developed rapidly and today, we cannot live in a world without internet....

Tim Blanks is judging you

The International Woolmark Prize is the competition that launched the careers of Saint Laurent and Lagerfeld, Yves pipping Karl to the top spot in 1954, as decreed by Hubert de Givenchy and Pierre Balmain.

Tonight sees the finale of the 2013 prize, in the revived Merino-promoting competition, which crosses borders and cultures to hunt out talent from around the world, judged by Diane von Furstenburg, Donatella Versace, Franca Sozzani, Victoria Beckham, Carla Sozzani and Tim Blanks.

What better chance to catch up with fashion's most eloquent, discussing both the prize, the ins and outs of showgoing and off-catwalk life.

Dazed Digital: What does the Woolmark Prize mean to you?
Tim Blanks: Recognition of a new wave of fashion talent.

DD: How has the judging process been? Has there been tea and garibaldis with Donatella? And what are you looking for in the winner?
Tim Blanks: So far, I've sat in on the judging for the European candidate. The global judging happens before the award. That's when the cookies come out for DV. I'm looking for the same things I always look for in a collection, technique and native talent, for sure, but also the ability to ensnare me with a story.

DD: Show season is upon us and you're a veteran of the marathon. What are your tips for getting through fashion month?
Tim Blanks: Berocca… and oysters.

DD: Have you ever seen a collection or show and been lost for words? In a good or bad way…
Tim Blanks: Yes, I've been moved, but never to the point where I can't verbalise why.

DD: Ever fantasised about doing a collection? What would it be like?
Tim Blanks: No, that's not one of my fantasies. But I wouldn't mind the whole Helmut Lang package.

DD: You're known for elevating the concept of a runway review. Is there a word you love so much you have to reign yourself in from using it all the time?
Tim Blanks: Transmogrify or Mitteleuropa.

DD: You've two Jack Russells, Annie and Stella. Why do you think dogs are so popular with people working in the industry?
Tim Blanks: I never thought about that. Why would fashion people be any more subject to the call of the canine? Besides, Jack Russells are impossible to resist, whatever your vocation.

DD: You came to fashion through music. What records are you enjoying at the moment?
Tim Blanks: First, David Bowie releases his birthday surprise, then My Bloody Valentine drops MBV out of the blue. I'm gripped! I also love Andy Stott's record.

Girls Names – The New Life

On their second album The New Life, Belfast four-piece Girls Names move away from the garagey-pop of their debut Dead To Me and delve into post-punk shadowplay. Their Tumblr makes for a pretty good soundboard of their new touchstones: favourites include the bleak, Berlin-born masterpieces of Bowie's Low and Iggy Pop's The Idiot. They haven't done away with the tunes though on this excellent headphones record, and gloom often turns out to be the perfect foil for their deft pop hooks and spacey swooshes.

Back in October, the band released the 8-minute-pushing title track of the record to introduce their new noir landscape which plays with textural darkness and is finds depth in the experimental recesses of audio. On new songs like 'Occultation' and 'The Olympia', computerised oscillations and piston-like pulses rough up the edges of the earworm melodies and washed-out guitars. In terms of a band upping their game, it's a bit like when Deerhunter followed Turn It Up Faggot with Cryptograms. Alongside Dazed Digital's exclusive stream of the record, we caught up with singer Cathal Cully to find out more.

Dazed Digital: Why did you call your album The New Life?
Cathal Cully: The New Life was the name of the newest song and subsequently first single off the record. It just seemed to ring through with everything we were doing. It kind of rolled off the tongue and stuck, it made sense to call it The New Life. I don't know exactly what the new life is yet but hopefully will find out some day soon.

DD: Where was the album recorded, and over what kind of time period?
Cathal Cully: We tracked the bulk of it over a two-week period back in June last year at Start Together Studios here in Belfast. Then I returned sporadically every now and then tweaking mixes and generating new ideas until about the middle of October. Then myself and Ben, who engineered and mixed it, spent a pretty intense week finishing it off.

DD: Since the release of your last album Dead To Me you've added a new member, Phil. How have things changed since he joined the band?
Cathal Cully: We've become a much better live band to listen to and watch, something we were struggling with for a while.

DD: In your song 'Occultation', a bright jangly riff comes in just as the song is beginning to fade out. Do you consciously try to keep a lid on the janglyness?
Cathal Cully: Haha! Yes, I like the idea of that. I think I may want to get rid of guitars all together.

DD: What's your favourite work of visual art?
Cathal Cully: At the minute it's Pyramid of Light (1964) by Heinz Mack, a founding member of Group Zero who were based in Dsseldorf. Group Zero's work and their ideals were a massive influence for me when it came to making this album and naming it, and this piece is on permanent show at the Ulster Museum which is less than a 10 minute walk from my house so it's a lot more tangible to me.

DD: A reviewer once said that he would like to drown to your music. Do you think of your music as dark or morbid?
Cathal Cully: I honestly didn't know that. Poor guy or girl. No it's not morbid at all, though it has dark and nervous sounding tendencies for sure. It does entertain the darker notions of the mind which is only natural, and there's nothing wrong with that. I find it more shocking that people can make happy-sounding music and that no comment is passed about that. Most art as a form of expression is usually down to some sort of need to cathartically expel the ideas locked inside and therefore to create something new. Otherwise you're just in the entertainment business.

DD: You said around the time of your last record that "Dead to Me literally was dead to us by the time it was committed to wax." Did this record feel like an exorcism as well?
Cathal Cully: Totally. Like I said, It was a real cathartic process making this album. There's a lot of weight lifted now it's out there. It was a particularly challenging and draining experience but a great one all the same. I learned so much from it.

DD: Do you think that indie is in a good place at the moment?
Cathal Cully: No. 'indie' music and this notion of 'guitar music', that I keep hearing about that's making a resurgence is a terrible notion that needs to be stamped out and eradicated. Independent music however is very healthy with ideas and a lot of talented people and artists. My only fear is that it isn't all getting out there to enough people.

DD: You pressed the album on transparent vinyl. What's the best thing to look at through it?
Cathal Cully: I want to say someone in particular but I haven't had the chance to do that yet so possibly that person.

DD: The title of your song 'Pittura Infamante' is a reference to the Italian Renaissance genre of defamatory painting. Who did you have in mind, and who would you like to paint a defamatory painting of?
Cathal Cully: Since you've asked, It was mainly myself in mind but no one in particular. David Cameron should be made into a 'Pittura Infamante' although he does a good job of it himself by just opening his mouth and being some sort of walking talking idiot buffoon.

DD: Were you sad that the production of MiniDisc players is ceasing?
Cathal Cully: I'm not sad but yeah I had one, still do somewhere. They were great actually at the time - the idea you could have 3 CDs on one disc half the size of your walkman. My A-level years were transformed. When me and Neil started the band I used to record our demos on my MiniDisc player, and bounced down an old 4track because that's all the gear we had and couldn't afford anything else. Come to think of it, the demo we sent to Captured Tracks that basically got them interested in doing our first EP was made in this way.

DD: What's your favourite filter on Instagram?
Cathal Cully: I've never used Instagram but just did a quick Google. Nashville.

DD: What are your Top 5 favourite girls' names?
Cathal Cully: 1. Helen, 2. Ann, 3. Cara, 4. Claire, 5. Anne.

Get The New Life here.

Follow Owen Myers on Twitter here: @Owen_Myers

Athena Wilson’s crystal blue persuasion

Rather appropriately, theCreatures of the Windshow this season was opened a girl who was just that: an otherworldly creature. Black-bobbed and statuesque,Athena Wilsonheralds a new era of bare-facedandrogynousbeauty. Based in New York, Athena also walked forMarc Jacobs,Fendi,VersusandChristopher Kane' SS13 shows. Now see her in the editorial 'Crystal Blue Persuasion'shot byCollier Schorrand styled byRobbie Spencerfor Dazed's January issue the, including three images exclusivley for Dazed Digital.

How did you find working on the shoot for this issue?

This was the most fun I've had on a shoot so far, everyone got on really well. For one shot, Yuri[Pleskun, male model]had to take an ice-cold shower because there was no warm water in the studio. He wasn’t expecting that!

How would you describe your style?

I just wear what I like on any given day. Usually there's a denim jacket and men's shoes involved. I rarely wear things without pockets.

What have been your career highlights so far?

Walking for Marc Jacobs in New York, Chris Kane in London, Fendi in Milan and Rick Owens in Paris this season. I’d never even been to Europe before and it didn’t hit me that I’d been in so many great shows until I got back home.

What are your ambitions for the future?

They’re simple: continuing to meet and collaborate with talented and creative people, in fashion and beyond.

Hair Holli Smith at Total Management, using Oribe Haircare
Make-upMaki Ryoke at Tim Howard Management using MAC cosmetics
Models Athena Wilson at Ford, Yuri Pleskun at Quest
Photographic assistant Emily Hope
Styling assistant Jonathan Hmilt
Digital operator Benedict Brink

The Latest Digital: Labelux, Burberry & Chanel

Burberry trial Square’s mobile payment processing technology, Chanel re-launches its flagship website and Labelux moves into the blogosphere.

Though we have barely reached the end of January, much has already been said about the promise of mobile marketing in 2013. From QR codes to smartphone applications to m-commerce and mobile advertising, marketers are ready to spend as consumers increasingly rely on phones and tablets for purchasing and information.

As David Sadigh of Digital Luxury Group explained to Luxury Society, “Mobile consumption is growing at a very fast pace in both mature markets such as Europe and the US, but also in emerging markets like China and Brazil. It’s probably the first time since we entered into the digital era that a technology (mobile) is gaining such momentum, at such a huge scale.”

“To illustrate this we need not look farther than Facebook, which is receiving more than 500 million monthly users from mobile, more than 7 times the size of the entire French population. And this is just the beginning. 2013 will see a major increase in mobile penetration for several reasons. Smartphone and tablet penetration will continue to grow globally, but even stronger in emerging countries.”

Facebook is receiving more than 500 million monthly users from mobile, which is 7 times the population of France

Indeed, more than 20% of Facebook ad revenue now comes from mobile, which they only launched for advertisers in March 2012. Mobile ad rates on Facebook represent a 70% price premium over desktop ads, according to BizReport.

A recent survey by the Association of National Advertisers and MediaVest revealed that a significant number plan to increase their mobile marketing budgets. Though the sample was relatively small, almost all (96%) of those surveyed currently use mobile marketing, or at least plan to use it. Furthermore, those using mobile intend to put more money mobile’s way with 85% planning to up their spending in “the near future”.

It will be interesting to see how this affects the online marketing mix for luxury brands. 2012 was the year that digital launches became less frequent and less flashy, as brands scrambled to consolidate campaigns and focus on functionality.

5662_square-iphone-credit-card-reader-e1351096138163_medium

Burberry, Square

Burberry Brit is conducting a payment trial in collaboration with Square in its Westfield location in San Francisco. Square offers a free accessory that attaches to an iPhone or iPad and processes payments. The start-up recently announced that it is now handling $10 billion in transactions annually.

Website: burberry.com
Source: The Next Web

5659_screen_shot_2013-01-21_at_11

Chanel, Website

French fashion house Chanel re-imagined its website to better integrate product browsing with content and imagery. The new look navigation directs visitors to various product families, with a focus on video content, mobile compatibility and new social functions exclusive to its ecommerce-enabled fragrance, makeup and skincare sections.

Website: chanel.com
Source: Luxury Daily

Goyard – Le Rendez-Vous from Sam & Raph on Vimeo.

Goyard, Film

For the first time in the brand’s history, Parisian Trunkmaker Goyard has released a video, showcasing its rue Saint-Honor boutique and longstanding craftsmanship. Directed by Samuel Rixon & Raphal Hache, the short film tells the story of a young woman having a meeting on Rue Saint Honor, at the Goyard flagship store to pick up her latest custom trunk piece.

Website: goyard.com
Source: Luxuo

5660_screen_shot_2013-01-21_at_11

Labelux, Blog

Labelux, the home of Bally, Jimmy Choo, Belstaff and Zagliani, has launched The LiP blog, which stands for Luxury in Progress. The blog will showcase international creatives and their design processes, philosophy and techniques.

“Luxury in Progress is a concept that has defined the Labelux process since our inception. We thrive on discovering and learning from emerging perspectives,” explained CEO Reinhard Mieck to WWD. “The LiP will contain a collection of progressive voices from thought-leaders, creatives and sustainability visionaries sharing the latest inspirations from their worlds.”

Website: luxuryinprogress.com
Source: WWD

5661_shoescribe

Shoescribe, App

Yoox has debuted a new App for its shoescribe.com site, the online destination for women dedicated entirely to shoes. Launched for both iPhone and Android, the app is available in English and Italian, and offers users the opportunity to electronically catalogue their entire shoe collection, as well as shop anywhere, anytime.

Website & Source: shoescribe.com
Download: Shoescribe

5663_starwood_pg_medium

Starwood, Android App

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has debuted its Starwood Preferred Guest app on the Android platform, allowing users to book stays at Starwood’s nine hotel brands, access SPG benefits, manage SPG accounts and connect through integrated social media. The app also provides travel information such as weather, directions and information on hotel amenities.

Download: SPG
Source: Luxury Daily

5664_swarovski_medium

Swarovski, Instagram

Swarovski celebrated its recent holiday collection with the “Multiface(t)s: Style Yourself with Jewelry” mobile application, where users could enter to win prizes by uploading their augmented reality images to Instagram. After downloading the app, users were invited to virtually try-on pieces of jewellery and upload the results to Instagram using the hashtag #swarovskistyle.

Download: Swarovski
Source: Luxury Daily


For more in the series of The Latest Digital, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Digital: Cartier, Prada & Tod’s
- The Latest Digital: Balmain, Yoox & Mandarin Oriental
- The Latest Digital: Versace, Balenciaga & Ritz-Carlton

The Latest Digital: Cartier, Prada & Tod’s

5554_glossidvf-blog480_medium

An excerpt from Diane von Furstenberg’s Glossi

Montblanc teams up with Harrods to launch an in-store augmented reality experience, as Herms partners with Harper’s Bazaar to retail a limited collection online.

In the past month the digital luxury landscape has been dominated by the moves of the media and retailers. As the New York times announced restructuring measures to the tune of thirty senior journalists, Net-a-Porter announced its intention to launch a full-blown fashion glossy.

As Rupert Murdoch confirmed he will shutter The Daily – the iPad-only magazine he launched two years ago – social-shopping company ThisNext unveiled Glossi, a platform which allows users and brands to create their very own digital magazines.

But perhaps nothing was more surprising, than to hear that Herms will be retailing a selection of footwear on the eCommerce venture of fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar. Digital may have muddied the waters, but never have the lines between brand, retailer and publisher been so blurred.

5553_boucheron

Boucheron, Website

Jeweller Boucheron has relaunched its website in the colours of the new visual identity of the maison. Visitors can browse the portal in English, French, Japanese and Simplified Chinese, or take a virtual 360-degree tour through the Boucheron flagship store at Paris’s Place Vendme. For the first time, Boucheron is sharing the history of its founders and products, whilst boosting social connectivity with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube integration.

Website & Source: boucheron.com

5547_cartier

Cartier, e-Commerce

Cartier has relaunched its e-Commerce offering in the United States, with an enhanced e-boutique and 360-degree product display and videos. Alongside the online boutique, the site offers information regarding after sales service, product maintenance and store locations, as well as dedicated sections to heritage, CSR projects, events, savoir-faire and social media.

Website: cartier.com
Source: Luxury Digital

5555_ferrari_image_medium

Ferrari, App

Ferrari has launched an App for brand fanatics, offering users the opportunity to discover its rich history, simulate driving, wake up to the sound of a V12, take Ferrari-themed photos with RedCam or personalise devices with wallpapers. Built for the iPhone and iPad, the app comprises of photo galleries, videos and factsheets about current and classic models as well as selected Sports Prototype and Formula 1 cars.

Download: Ferrari Mania
Source: Luxury Daily

Georg Jensen Holition Gesture Experience from Holition AR on Vimeo.

Georg Jensen, Augmented Reality

Holition has created a unique application for the special launch of George Jensen’s ‘Fusion Ring Builder’ website. The website was activated to run in store using gesture to drive product selection, simply by selecting product with a hand gesture. The user can play and see the separate components of the Fusion ring come together from all angles using the iPad, or use one of Georg Jensen’s personalised iPads at Harrods, Selfridges London and Selfridges Manchester.

Website: georgjensen.com
Developer: Holition
Source: Retail Jeweller

5546_bazaar_hermes

Harper’s Bazaar, Herms, eCommerce

Herms is set to debut some of its products on ShopBazaar.com, the eCommerce site powered by fashion glossy Harper’s Bazaar. In the first e-commerce channel outside of its own website, the French luxury house will retail six shoe styles. “We thought it would be great to expand the introduction of Herms footwear to Bazaar’s audience,” explained Herms CEO USA Robert Chavez.

Website: ShopBazaar.com
Source: Fashion United

5548_luxure_ipad_medium

Luxure, iPad

Luxure has launched its inaugural iPad Edition, in a bid to showcase its existing magazine content in the most spectacular, insightful and explorative of climates. The iPad Edition of Luxure will provide insight into an array of photography complemented by the new retina display, alongside rich additional content via audio, video and animation.

Download & Source: Luxure

5552_montblanc_medium

Montblanc, Virtual Pop-Up

Harrods London and Montblanc UK collaborated to produce a virtual pop-up store, featuring an extensive selection of artworks from the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection, permanently exhibited in Hamburg. By pointing a smartphone or tablet at the image displayed in one of the Montblanc Harrods windows, users could not only view the artworks, but purchase four exclusive Montblanc products through Harrods.

Website & Source: montblanc.com

5550_prada_ipad_ii_medium

Prada, iPad

In celebration of its Fall Winter 2012 menswear show in Paris, Prada collaborated with fashion illustrator Richard Haines, to produce a limited edition book featuring 150 artworks based on the collection. In the final chapter of the project the Italian brand has launched an iPad application, allowing users to take an interactive tour of a virtual palazzo designed by James Lima, to discover both the artworks and collection.

Download: Il Palazzo
Source: Prada

5592_shangi-tang-reorient_medium

Shanghai Tang, App

In time for the holiday season, Shanghai Tang has launched apps on Facebook and Sina Weibo, allowing fans to create Christmas wish lists according to their Chinese zodiac sign and share it with their friends. The wish list is focused on Shanghai Tang’s Christmas collection of homeware, displayed in an animated kaleidoscope, and users can then personalise the products they want to include prior to sharing the final wish list with their friends.

Apps: Facebook, Sina Weibo

5551_whitewall

Whitewall, Website

Whitewall is pleased to announce the launch of the new beta version of Whitewallmag.com, which will continue to cover contemporary art, luxury lifestyle, fashion, and design, and how these industries intersect. Debuting on the eve of Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) 2012, the site will focus exclusively on pre- and day-to-day coverage of the fair.

Source: whitewallmag.com


For more in the series of The Latest Digital, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Digital: Balmain, Yoox & Mandarin Oriental
- The Latest Digital: Versace, Balenciaga & Ritz-Carlton
- The Latest Digital: BMW, Maserati & Salvatore Ferragamo

Advertismentspot_img

Most Popular