Celebrity Life

The latest ready-to-wear design from The Anthology deepens the brand's burgeoning reputation for sartorial clothing that's elegant yet easy-wearing -- a winning combo even when you're aren't 'working' from home.

Last April, while institutions around the globe were struggling to contain the fear and uncertainty wrought by a now-familiar contagion, huge numbers of clothing brands dealing in what we'd call 'classic menswear' were on the brink of a similarly existential collapse. With offices emptying out at record rates and 'stay home' orders being enforced worldwide (many of them still ongoing today) it seemed that the long-prophesied 'death of the suit', and by association, tailored clothing, had finally arrived.

Multinational menswear outfitters in the mould of J Crew -- known in their heyday for peddling slim, modish suits in malls from Indonesia to Alaska -- disappeared overnight, having failed to recognise (or worse, acknowledge) the sea change that has been taking place in men's fashion these last six years. And that's before we were all locked up, drinking badly-made cocktails over Zoom.

Fortunately, a handful of smaller brands (including an inexplicable number focusing on sartorial clothing, in Hong Kong) have managed to make lemonade out of the current crisis, principally by taking familiar styles of clothing and cranking the comfort factor, both literal and emotional, up high. Those themes were at the forefront of the design process when Hong Kong-based The Anthology released its 'Lazyman' in 2020: a "casual, multifunctional jacket" that's a no-brainer for the 'working from home' brigade, but still smart enough to warrant a place in your wardrobe when the pandemic inevitably ends.

To complement this beloved "blazer alternative", the brand has just released the 'Taskmaster' -- a quasi-outerwear design that rustles many of the same thematic feathers as its predecessor, while expanding The Anthology's casualwear universe. "If the Lazyman is an alternative to the office-appropriate navy sport coat," says co-founder Buzz Tang, "then the Taskmaster is our answer to the classic American work shirt."

It turns out that The Anthology's answer to workwear of the 21st century owes a debt to designers like Ant Franco and Jerry Lorenzo. In an era when fashion's influences are rapidly decamping between art, history, and pop culture, that's certainly no bad thing. Commencing from the reference point of the American workshirt, Tang & co continually tweaked the Taskmaster until they arrived at something suitably "fast-adapting" for a mixture of modern urban situations. It's for working, for loafing, for when you're stuck at home working on your loaves.

Almost by necessity, that makes this different to the scores of workwear designs which have come before: the body is shorter and slimmed for a closer fit, ensuring it wears well even whilst tucked beneath a trouser waistband; whereas the chest pockets have been expanded to handle the tools of modern professionals -- two oversized, postbox-style shapes roomy enough to stash your phone, spectacles, currency or even a palm-sized writing aid.

Intriguing choices in fabric are a signature at The Anthology, and the Taskmaster is no exception in this regard. For the Taskmaster, the brand has chosen to keep its sartorial sensibilities low-key, working closely with its Italian textile partners on a corded glencheck that juxtaposes a sumptuous handle with hardwearing, robust externalities. I say 'low key' since the colour here has enough degrees of separation to isolate it from the exploded plaids we're used to seeing on the high street. According to Tang, this corduroy begins life as a dusty beige cotton that's woven over with cords, shaded in what he likes to call "bleeding fountain pen". Collectively, those colours are redolent of a quill and ink -- an allusion, very nearly imperceptible, to The Anthology's blue feather logo.

The 'Taskmaster' overshirt is now available for HK$3,300. To learn more, visit The Anthology online.

The post In a Post-lockdown Future, Dressy Men’s Shirts Could Look a Lot Like ‘The Taskmaster’ appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Creativity and its power to connect people and places have never been more vital to communities all over the world than in 2020. DesignInspire Online, a virtual fair organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) that was recently held, celebrated this concept with a diverse showcase of global designs from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, Korea and Australia to both trade and public visitors.

This year's theme, “Design for Good”, was chosen with the intent of delivering positive energy to societies and inspire through innovations and world-class designs that can help overcome adversity amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The focus of most projects led by Hong Kong designers was in fact to create furniture and domestic gadgets that could improve the stay-home-experience and help optimise spaces while exploring global creativity and making the most of local excellence in design. The works also exalt the local traditions and heritage, like the “Made to measure” paintings on iron roller-shutter doors telling the city's stories through powerful symbols.

DesignInspire Online also featured numerous interactive projects and games aimed at combining creativity with technology and innovation, possibly highlighting one of the most important themes explored by creatives all over the world during the pandemic. Additionally, the fair covered timely topics like enhancing the digital customer experience and engagement as well as industry-specific trends such as video marketing and practical tips for designers to improve their business models.

To add to the charm and relevance, the virtual event curated a series of exclusive designs from all over the world through the overseas pavilions.

The Japan Pavilion

The most remarkable elements of Japanese luxury residencies, office buildings and retail spaces as well as high quality materials are brought together in the Japan Pavilion. Additionally, the virtual booth, designed by award-winning Masaaki Hisatakeh Architects, also aims at connecting the country's professionals and ideas of functionality and innovation with Hong Kong's architects.

Established in 1870, Ikuta is a leader in the flooring industry. Some of the company's premium composite flooring, a blend of tradition and innovations, has been used in many high-end developments like the residences at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Among its signature original products there's Takumi Japan, the world’s first flooring incorporating gold leaf, created in collaboration with traditional artisans in Kyoto and Kanazawa

Hirata Tiles, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, is a specialised trading company that sells and applies construction materials. Thanks to innovative and creative tile compositions that made the most of natural light and colours, the Japanese company is considered a leader in creating effortlessly stylish and vibrant spaces.

The Melbourne Pavilion

Melbourne, known as Australia's creative capital and one of the world's most liveable cities, is home to a growing and vibrant community of designers. The city is also known for the importance it gives to the creative industries, constantly exploring and making the most of the economic, cultural and social powers of design. The Melbourne pavilion is a tribute to this attitude and artistic diversity.

LCI Melbourne is a progressive art and design Institute and a world-class leader in creative education. Based in a heritage building in Collingwood, the heart of Melbourne, LCIM is part of a global network of 23 design institutes born over 60 years ago.

Eness is famous for its unique art sculptures that have appeared in the Melbourne Museum, Cabrini Hospital and other famous locations around the city. Making use of technologies like 3D project mapping and LED lights, each work, created by an esteemed team of writers, musicians, artists, software engineers, and industrial designers, has an interactive element to stimulate the imagination and to encourage engagement.

For more information visit DesignInspire. Access to DesignInspire ONLINE is free for both trade and public visitors

The post DesignInspire Virtual Fair Sheds Lights on The Vital Importance of Creativity Amid Global Pandemic appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Creativity and its power to connect people and places have never been more vital to communities all over the world than in 2020. DesignInspire Online, a virtual fair organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) that was recently held, celebrated this concept with a diverse showcase of global designs from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, Korea and Australia to both trade and public visitors.

This year's theme, “Design for Good”, was chosen with the intent of delivering positive energy to societies and inspire through innovations and world-class designs that can help overcome adversity amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The focus of most projects led by Hong Kong designers was in fact to create furniture and domestic gadgets that could improve the stay-home-experience and help optimise spaces while exploring global creativity and making the most of local excellence in design. The works also exalt the local traditions and heritage, like the “Made to measure” paintings on iron roller-shutter doors telling the city's stories through powerful symbols.

DesignInspire Online also featured numerous interactive projects and games aimed at combining creativity with technology and innovation, possibly highlighting one of the most important themes explored by creatives all over the world during the pandemic. Additionally, the fair covered timely topics like enhancing the digital customer experience and engagement as well as industry-specific trends such as video marketing and practical tips for designers to improve their business models.

To add to the charm and relevance, the virtual event curated a series of exclusive designs from all over the world through the overseas pavilions.

The Japan Pavilion

The most remarkable elements of Japanese luxury residencies, office buildings and retail spaces as well as high quality materials are brought together in the Japan Pavilion. Additionally, the virtual booth, designed by award-winning Masaaki Hisatakeh Architects, also aims at connecting the country's professionals and ideas of functionality and innovation with Hong Kong's architects.

Established in 1870, Ikuta is a leader in the flooring industry. Some of the company's premium composite flooring, a blend of tradition and innovations, has been used in many high-end developments like the residences at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Among its signature original products there's Takumi Japan, the world’s first flooring incorporating gold leaf, created in collaboration with traditional artisans in Kyoto and Kanazawa

Hirata Tiles, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, is a specialised trading company that sells and applies construction materials. Thanks to innovative and creative tile compositions that made the most of natural light and colours, the Japanese company is considered a leader in creating effortlessly stylish and vibrant spaces.

The Melbourne Pavilion

Melbourne, known as Australia's creative capital and one of the world's most liveable cities, is home to a growing and vibrant community of designers. The city is also known for the importance it gives to the creative industries, constantly exploring and making the most of the economic, cultural and social powers of design. The Melbourne pavilion is a tribute to this attitude and artistic diversity.

LCI Melbourne is a progressive art and design Institute and a world-class leader in creative education. Based in a heritage building in Collingwood, the heart of Melbourne, LCIM is part of a global network of 23 design institutes born over 60 years ago.

Eness is famous for its unique art sculptures that have appeared in the Melbourne Museum, Cabrini Hospital and other famous locations around the city. Making use of technologies like 3D project mapping and LED lights, each work, created by an esteemed team of writers, musicians, artists, software engineers, and industrial designers, has an interactive element to stimulate the imagination and to encourage engagement.

For more information visit DesignInspire. Access to DesignInspire ONLINE is free for both trade and public visitors

The post DesignInspire Virtual Fair Sheds Lights on The Vital Importance of Creativity Amid Global Pandemic appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.