ICYMI: Here’s This Week’s Need-to-Know Fashion News

All about Balenciaga’s Apple Music playlists, Rachel’s new tights + the hottest collabs.

From cool fashion collaborations to design-curated music playlists, here’s all the news you need to know.

The J Brand x Halpern Collection is here

After hinting at a union during British designer Michael Halpern’s runway show in London this past February, the official collaboration between Halpern and denim label J Brand has finally arrived. “This collaboration has given me the opportunity to express myself in a way I haven’t previously,” Halpern said in a statement. “It was so exciting to be able to use such incredible materials, like J Brand’s brilliant eco foil denim and embossed leather snakeskin, to create a capsule collection epitomising the Halpern aesthetic: true glamour whilst kissing classic Americana.” Mixing the effortless cool of J Brand’s beloved silhouettes with Halpern’s high-octane drama, the 9-piece collection boasts outerwear, jackets and trousers.

Rachel’s new tights are the brand’s most sustainably-minded and inclusive yet

Whether we like it or not, cooler weather is upon us. Making that fact a bit more bearable is e-commerce and subscription box site Rachel–helmed by Montrealer co-founders Carolyne Parent and Mélanie Heyberger–which introduced a range of tights made from two materials that are touted for their reduced emission and lower water consumption production processes. The new styles come in sizes A-G; the E-G range features a specially-designed curve-hugging fit. “Fashion brands have the ability to change the world for the better and we believe we need to do our part one product at a time,” Parent said in a press release. “This year, we challenged ourselves to create a more sustainable and inclusive collection that will not compromise style or comfort. I’m glad to say that our mission is accomplished.”

OVO x DSquared2 take two with their second collaboration

In one of the most Canadian fashion collaborations of the year, Dsquared2 has once again joined forces with October’s Very Own to create a selection of cult streetwear pieces including bomber jackets, loungewear, t-shirts and accessories. As we’ve mentioned, temperatures are dropping; why not channel the star power these two mega-brands attract with an insignia beanie?

Apple Music Now Features a Playlist Made by Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia

What do Sade, Radiohead, Marilyn Manson and Lauryn Hill have in common? They’re all part of the newly launched curation of music made by Balenciaga’s Artistic Director, Demna Gvasalia. The release of the initial 13-hour collection of songs is accompanied by exclusive Balenciaga merch, of course. Future playlists will be created by music-makers that Gvasalia admires. “The Balenciaga x Apple Music playlists will be by some of my favorite music artists, each of whom I have personally selected,” said Gvasalia in a news release. “These playlists will represent their personal tastes and influences, giving insight into what they listen to in their own lives.”

A-COLD-WALL* has teamed up with Converse on a capsule of footwear and apparel

Adding to the list of exciting fashion collaborations this year is British Fashion Award winner and LVMH Prize recipient Samuel Ross, who founded the menswear line A-COLD-WALL* in 2015, and is now teaming up with Converse. “One of my earliest memories of Converse is owning a pair of navy All Stars at age 14. I was traveling to the Caribbean a lot and took those shoes on numerous hikes and across mountain trails,” Ross stated in an announcement about the launch. “So, the experience of my childhood effected this idea of changing the All Star into something that is more hard wearing. You have a mix of cultural experience overlaid with A-COLD-WALL*s opinion on how footwear should operate.” On Monday, September 14th the capsule will debut exclusively on ACW’s website; you can shop from the minimalistic offering which includes takes on the iconic All Star Lugged and ERX sneakers, as well as a pair of patchwork-y tracksuits (pieces will be available on Converse’s site and at select retailers on the 17th).

PLUS…
Canadian Label RVNG Makes Its NYFW Debut This Weekend
Kim Jones is Fendi’s New Artistic Director of Women’s Collections
Lululemon Just Rolled Out Its New Membership Program