2025-09-04 18:00:19.454

Giorgio Armani, the celebrated Italian fashion designer, passed away at 91. His influence extended far beyond those who could afford his label; his designs—unstructured suits paired with t-shirts, muted neutrals, and the popularization of grey—became the blueprint for contemporary style. Even in his final days, he remained actively involved, with plans underway for his next show. His catwalk appearances, captured in numerous videos, showcased a dignified and determined man, maintaining an immaculate appearance despite his age. While the fashion industry often operates on a first-name basis, Armani was always known as "Mr. Armani," reflecting his elegant, reserved persona. His career began with a revolutionary approach to the suit, stripping away stuffiness and replacing it with urbane sophistication and sex appeal. This redefined power dressing, appealing to a generation seeking success without sacrificing their individuality. Armani's designs adapted to evolving lifestyles, reflecting his belief that style is a mood applicable to everything. He famously removed shoulder pads and lining from men's suits, creating a softer, more carefree silhouette, famously seen on Richard Gere in American Gigolo. Though criticized for his resistance to trends in the early 21st century, his focus on quality and longevity proved prescient in the current era of sustainability. Armani's philosophy—that elegance is about being remembered, not noticed—ensures his enduring legacy in the fashion world.

2025-08-18 06:00:26.169

I’ve been the Guardian’s Crocs correspondent for 19 years now, and get wheeled out for highs and lows. This is a definite low for the rubbery perforated clogs: the share price is down nearly 30% – its lowest level for three years – and revenues are expected to drop by between 9% and 11% in the current quarter. To blame? Donald Trump mostly, and his tariffs. It’s not the first time Crocs have suffered at the hands – or feet – of a Republican US president, as it happens. I remember the beginning. They’d actually been around since 2002, but it was 2006 when the revolution properly got going. A bunch of cool people – Nicole Kidman, Matt Damon, Al Pacino – began to be seen out and about in them. George W Bush too, over presidential seal-emblazoned golf socks (the crocs’n’socks debate is an issue in itself), but even that didn’t stop Crocs’ inexorable rise. Michelle Yeoh in Crocs at the premiere of Ne Zha II this month. Photograph: Eric Charbonneau/A24/Getty Images Fearful of missing out, I got myself a pair, in black (play safe to start with). I remember putting them on for the first time, a Cinderella glass slipper moment. How can they be so comfortable? So light? (Answer to the latter: because they’re not in fact made from rubber, but a proprietary cell resin called Croslite). They took me on holiday – the beach, boats and rocks – with no need for any other footwear. And then back from holiday, home, gardening, putting the bins out in the snow (socks allowed). I began to wear them at work; not just me: kitchen workers, hospital workers, cleaners, nurses, surgeons. As well as pairing well with scrubs, they’re easy to clean, comfortable to stand in for long periods and the little nodules on the inside massage the undersides of our feet. I’ve worn them ever since. The revolution didn’t meet with universal approval. The style police came for us, brandishing truncheons. Crocs are ugly they said, they look like clown shoes. Maxim magazine ranked them the sixth worst thing to happen to men in 2007; they made a Time magazine worst invention list in 2010; blogs popped up, like IHateCrocs.com; plus a Facebook group, I Don’t Care How Comfortable Cros Are, You Look Like a Dumbass. Ha, guess what though: we were right and they were wrong. Fashion was the dumbass, and finally saw sense. Christopher Kane sent Croc-shod models down the catwalk at his 2017 spring show. Balenciaga hopped on the bandwagon, and then up, with a 10cm platform version, encrusted with what Vogue said looked like “the kind of plastic fridge magnets sold at airports.” Yours for just £600. Balenciaga’s 10cm platform Crocs. Photograph: Balenciaga Crocs had a good pandemic, with record £1bn revenue in 2020, and continued to do well in the early 2020s. The Crocerati continued to grow too – Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj (the Crocs website crashed after she posted a picture of herself in a hot pink bedazzled pair). Some of us smiled quietly to ourselves; yeah all right Nicki, we’ve known for some time. Royal approval too. When David Hockney – David Hockney! – went to lunch at Buckingham Palace he wore a checked suit and a pair of yellow Crocs. “Yellow galloshes!” declared King Charles, alighting on the nearest thing from his own world. “Beautifully chosen!” Sign up to Fashion Statement Free weekly newsletter Style, with substance: what's really trending this week, a roundup of the best fashion journalism and your wardrobe dilemmas solved Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. David Hockney in his yellow crocs at Buckingham Palace. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA As well as tariffs, trade uncertainty and consumer timidity, there has been some speculation that Crocs’ near 20-year stranglehold on the “ugly shoe” space is loosening, with other options snapping at the heels of the market leader. My colleague Tim Dowling has been spotted wandering around in what seem to be a pair of foot-gloves. Ridiculous! You’re not going to go to Buckingham Palace in those, are you? Crocs teetered on the brink of bankruptcy in 2009, but came back. Fashion – and the markets – are fickle things, they go up and down, like the tides. Class is permanent though. We the faithful will stand steadfastly, like Antony Gormley figures (does Gormley wear Crocs, anyone know?), while those tides – along with fads and US presidents – come and go. The water and the sand will pour out through the holes, we will be comfortable and happy, and yes, cool, because we will be wearing, and continue to wear, Crocs.

2025-06-28 00:01:03.86

Lauren Sanchez's wedding dress, a Dolce & Gabbana creation featuring 180 silk chiffon-covered priest buttons and a traditional tulle-and-lace veil, has finally been revealed. The dress, a year and a half in the making, was inspired by Sophia Loren's veil in the film "Houseboat." Sanchez's evolving style, from suits as a reporter to her now more playful approach, is highlighted. The article details her various outfits throughout the wedding celebrations, including a sweetheart-neck, corseted dinner dress and a crystal-encrusted Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress. Other designers considered for the wedding gown included Oscar de la Renta, while other outfits worn during the celebrations included pieces from Alexander McQueen and Schiaparelli. The article also mentions Sanchez's son, Nikko Gonzalez, walking the Dolce & Gabbana runway.

2025-06-27 00:00:55.873

Anna Wintour, the iconic editor-in-chief of American Vogue for nearly four decades, is stepping down from her role. While she's leaving the top position of the US edition, she isn't leaving Condé Nast or Vogue entirely. Wintour will transition to the role of global editorial director for Vogue and remain Condé Nast's global chief content officer. The US edition will now be led by a 'head of editorial content'. During her tenure, Wintour dramatically reshaped Vogue, making bold editorial choices that redefined the magazine. From featuring jeans on the cover for the first time to showcasing a man (Richard Gere) on the cover in 1992, Wintour broke with tradition and elevated the publication to a powerhouse that significantly impacts fashion trends and designers. Her departure, along with the creation of the new 'head of editorial content' role, is part of a larger global restructuring within Condé Nast. This shift marks a significant moment for American Vogue, opening up a coveted position and potentially leading to new directions for the magazine. The change follows the appointment of Chioma Nnadi as the first Black woman to lead British Vogue.

2025-05-17 00:00:22.669

The Cannes Film Festival, known for its glamorous red carpet, has implemented a new dress code for evening screenings. The rules prohibit "naked dressing," oversized outfits with large trains, and encourage more conservative attire such as cocktail dresses, black dresses, or dark-colored pantsuits. While the rules apply only to the Grand Théâtre Lumière, several celebrities, including Halle Berry, Eva Longoria, and Heidi Klum, have worn outfits that seemingly violate the guidelines. This has sparked debate about the policing of women's bodies in public, with some arguing that the rules are a form of social control, while others believe they are counterproductive and lead to rebellion. The rules have also been criticized for their inconsistency with the festival's acceptance of nudity on screen, and for focusing primarily on women's attire while offering minimal restrictions for men. The article highlights several celebrities' outfits, rating their adherence to the rules and their impact on the red carpet.

2025-05-14 18:01:07.619

The Cannes Film Festival has begun its 78th year on the French Riviera. A new dress code, implemented just before the opening, bans nudity and large trains on dresses, causing some controversy. While some celebrities, such as Halle Berry, adhered to the rules, others, including Heidi Klum and Wan QianHui, ignored the restrictions, arriving in gowns with large trains. Bella Hadid debuted a slinky Saint Laurent dress and honey-blonde hair, while Jeremy Strong opted for a dusty rose tuxedo. The festival continues, and fashion choices remain a key highlight.

2025-03-07 18:01:14.185

Brooks Nader, a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, caused a stir in Paris by wearing a sheer burgundy lace bodysuit that revealed her chest and other parts of her body. She paired the outfit with maroon heels and a clutch. The model's outfit choice showcased her figure as she walked down the street. This isn't the first time Nader has made headlines for her revealing outfits; she previously went braless in Los Cabos, Mexico and wore a sheer black top on a dinner date. Nader's trip to Paris was for Paris Fashion Week, though her boyfriend, Gleb Savchenko, was not seen with her.