Catch Up On The Most Important Fashion Happenings For May

There’s always a tinge of excitement and hopefulness in the air when warm weather arrives. You’re more inclined to go out and do something, whether that’s checking out an outdoor pop-up from your favorite brand or investing in a new item of clothing (or two) for all your upcoming summer parties. All the fashion news for May, thus far, points to a feeling of celebration and general optimism. Take Swarovski’s colorful campaign, which features Bella Hadid, as a prime example: The jewelry label pulled out all the stops to highlight its new crystal offerings, which will help you tap into the maximalist jewelry trend for summer.

Meanwhile, for those who reside in the Tri-state area, you’ll be inclined to check out some fun fashion pop-ups like Jonathan Cohen’s shop in the Upper East Side, where you can shop everything from clothes to home decor. And if a trip to Italy is in the cards for you this summer, don’t forget to drop by a specially curated exhibit in Valentino Garavani’s hometown of Voghera. (The exhibit is held in honor of his 90th birthday.)

So far, May is shaping up to be a busy month of collaborations and store launches. Peruse through fashion’s top industry news ahead and then mark down whatever piques your interest on your calendar to check out.

FASHIONPHILE Opens Its Authentication Center & Showroom In NYC

Longtime fans of FASHIONPHILE will be pleased to know that there is now a physical space you can pop into, in person to sell items or check out the latest luxury goods. Located in New York City, FASHIONPHILE’s showroom offers the opportunity for shoppers to purchase, and sell, luxe items. The space also has a shopping lounge, watch wall, and jewelry display. For accessory lovers, you’ll also be able to view inside a climate-controlled cage that houses over 15,000 luxury handbags and accessories. For the VIPs of FASHIONPHILE, you’ll want to take advantage of the ultra luxury VIP room, which you’ll just have to visit to find out more about it.

Apple Celebrates Pride Month

For Pride Month in June, Apple is releasing two new Pride Edition bands. The Pride Edition brands were designed by members and allies of the LGBTQ+ creative community at Apple, which makes the fresh launch even more special. Shoppers will notice that the word “pride” is woven directly into the band in a cursive style, which was inspired by the original “Hello” greeting that was displayed on the first Macintosh in 1984. Additionally, a corresponding Nike Pride Edition Sport Loop will feature the colors of the rainbow separated by black stripes — a key design theme in Nike’s Be True campaign, a multiyear initiative promoting equality in sport. You can shop The Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop on apple.com or in Apple stores.

Burberry Reveals The TB Summer Monogram

Gisele Bündchen stars in Burberry’s latest campaign to help unveil its refreshed TB Summer Monogram, which was designed by Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci. “The collection unites two of Burberry’s icons to form a bold print that symbolizes a synergy of the past and present,” read the press statement. “The classic Check merges with the TB Monogram — a motif introduced by Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci. The collection for men and women, features a range of pieces including gabardine trench coats, silk-blend bomber jackets, silk dresses, cotton shirts, swimwear and sunglasses.” You can shop the new TB Summer Monogram collection online and in select Burberry stores now.

Cartier Launches Its Women’s Initiative Applications

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is back and now accepting applicants for its 2023 edition. For those unfamiliar with this announcement, Cartier first launched this initiative in 2006 with the aim to support female business owners. Since then, the luxury brand has helped over 260 women changemakers from various countries and has awarded over $6 million in grants to support their businesses. “This annual international entrepreneurship program is open to women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector that aim to have a sustainable social and/or environmental impact,” reads the press release. If this sounds like an opportunity that aligns with your goals, or if you have a power woman BFF who you’d like to nominate, simply fill out the application online — the portal closes on June 30.

Neiman Marcus Drops Its Summer Campaign

To help everyone reconnect with nature and conjure up those nostalgic childhood memories, Neiman Marcus centers its Summer 2022 campaign around the theme of summer camp. Over 200 brands were featured in the campaign, from playful and whimsical jewelry brand Mignonne Gavigan to emerging brands like Santa and Acler, so that shoppers can draw inspo from the looks and feel dressy/cute when they venture to the great outdoors.

“We’re all ready to get outside, get dressed up, socialize with friends and family, and travel. Our customer’s desire for pure, unadulterated fun and freedom is at an all-time high, and they’re determined to make the most out of this season,” said Daz McColl, chief marketing officer of Neiman Marcus in a statement. “The campaign concept evokes our borrowed memory structures of fun summer camp experiences rich in childhood nostalgia with a fashion twist you expect from Neiman Marcus.”

As an accompaniment to the seasonal campaign, the luxury retailer also hosted editors and tastemakers on a three-day “summer camp” experience at Inness, a resort situated between the Catskill and Shawangunk mountain ranges in New York. There, campers participated in tie-dye and jewelry making activities in addition to outdoor events like archery and hiking.

Director Jia Li Releases ‘Invisible Seams’

In honor of AAPI Month, tune into this short video from director Jia Li, who highlights eight different Asian seamstresses and pattern-makers in New York City. Their stories offer a voice to the frontline workers of the fashion industry who are often overlooked. “These women have weathered the pandemic, the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, trials of immigration, and the never-ending demands of fashion cycles,” reads the video bio. “Invisible Seams is a celebration of their talent and expertise, an acknowledgment that their devotion to their craft is also a means of survival.”

Bloomingdale’s Has A New Pop-Up

A brand new pop-up curated by the Marc Jacobs is now open for visits at The Carousel at Bloomingdale’s store on 59th Street in New York City. The pool party installation draws inspiration from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection, where shoppers can find every summer-related item they need from swimwear to fragrance. (An on-site Poppi pop-up will serve prebiotic soda every Thursday to Sunday for shoppers to enjoy, too.) If you can’t drop by in person to take in the collection — not to worry, you can still shop the bright and fun ready-to-wear and accessories online.

Celine Releases Luxe Pet Accessories

If you love spoiling your pup with treats, clothes, and toys, you’ll instantly love Celine’s new pet accessories drop. The luxury fashion label will release its first range of saddlery and dog-friendly pieces come June, designed by the house’s Creative Director Hedi Slimane himself. The ads feature Slimane’s own adorable pooch Elvis, alongside Blackpink’s Lisa, who is certainly not camera shy. The new line reflects Celine’s commitment to luxurious leather goods and you’ll find items like a dog collar and travel bag, which feature the iconic Triomphe canvas.

Pamela Love Opens Its First U.S. Retail Store

Pamela Love fans will be delighted to hear that the jewelry designer has opened her first U.S. brick and mortar store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (Love first founded her namesake jewelry brand in 2007, designing pieces out of her Brooklyn home.) The space will carry Love’s fashion and fine jewelry lines as well as the brand’s piercing line. For those looking to add a few more baubles to their ears, there will be an in-house piercer (available through appointments) seven days a week. You’ll want to bookmark this spot on your Google Maps as a must visit.

Filippa K Enters A New Era

Filippa K’s Creative Director Liisa Kessler releases her debut campaign with the label, which introduces a swimwear capsule that pays homage to the Swedish tradition of ice bathing. The images, shot by Timothy Schaumburg and filmed by Gustav Stegfors, showcase models in their minimalistic ‘90s-inspired swimsuits (set against northern Sweden’s frozen tundra), thereby merging fashion with nature. You can shop the swimwear drop on May 22 in stores and online.

3.1 Phillip Lim Partners With Panda Express For AAPI Month

Just in time for AAPI Month, the 3.1 Phillip Lim team has partnered with Panda Express to fight food insecurity in the AAPI community across America. The fundraising initiative, titled #eatwithus, encompasses a limited-edition merchandise collection and a global GoFundMe fund to support six grassroots organizations. You can shop the merch online, whether it be a long-sleeve pullover or a baseball cap, and 100 percent of the net proceeds will be donated to local organizations focused on food security such as OCA-Greater Houston, Respect Your Elders, and Welcome to Chinatown.

Jonathan Cohen Launches A Pop-Up Store

Designer Jonathan Cohen unveils his eponymous label’s first stand-alone pop-up store in New York City. Shoppers can visit the Upper East Side location to take in — and, of course, shop — Cohen’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection as well as several pieces from the upcoming Fall/Winter 2022 lineup. In addition, fans can expect to find exclusive one-of-a-kind items from The Studio, including the return of men’s shirting. Cohen also thoughtfully curated a selection of goods from friends of the brand for purchase such as AERA shoes, SUD Aromas of The Cote D’AZUR candles, and a variety of Assouline books. If you’re in the area, visit the location on Monday through Saturday (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and on Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) until June 14.

Valentino Celebrates Its Founder’s Birthday

In celebration of Maison Valentino’s founder, Valentino Garavani, on his 90th birthday, the house created a limited-edition sweatshirt and opened an exhibition in his hometown Voghera. (Garavani’s birthday is on May 11.) The quote displayed on the hoodie was once famously said by Garavani himself and it will be sold online at valentino.com. All net profits from the sale of the hoodie will be donated to the Fondazione Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. Meanwhile, the exhibition will be open to the public and will feature everything from 1960s dresses to looks from the first decade of the 21st century, in addition to sketches and drawings. The exhibition runs from May 11 to June 5, 2022.

Sydney Sweeney Stars In Miu Miu’s Latest Campaign

Euphoria actor Sydney Sweeney has added another fashion campaign to her résumé. For May, she stars in Miu Miu’s new handbag campaign and showcases the house’s Wander purse in Matelassé leather. Shot by Tyrone Lebon and styled by Lotta Volkova, Sweeney clutches the accessory in a variety of colors from a creamy white to a cappuccino brown. If you love the pillowy bag, it’s available for purchase this very moment.

Swarovski Taps Bella Hadid For A Campaign

The new Swarovski campaign is as colorful as its crystal creations. The brand, under the guide of its Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, unveiled its new ads starring Bella Hadid, who is framed by the outline of a Swarovski crystal. “Today, crystals are a dynamic part of our everyday wardrobe: a way of accentuating your individual style in a way that can be as casual as it can be elaborate,” said Engelbert in a press statement. Meanwhile, Hadid expressed her excitement in working with the label: “[Swarovski] really is such a timeless and iconic brand. Jewelry is about expression and celebrating individuality, Swarovski celebrates all people and the idea of modern glamour, and I love that.”

Ganni Partners With Dr. Scholl’s Shoes

GANNI teamed up with Dr. Scholl’s Shoes for a fresh take on Dr. Scholl’s handcrafted original wood sandals. (The shoes — identifiable through its wood sole and iconic buckle closure — first debuted in the ‘60s and have since obtained cult status with footwear lovers.) Drawing on GANNI’s signature floral print and checkered motifs, the Danish brand’s design team created a special monogram fabric that features smiley and hearts iconography in a ‘60s-inspired color palette for the new wood sandals. The shoes ($215) are handmade in Italy using organic cotton and recycled polyester. If you need a new pair of summer shoes, shop the collab on ganni.com.

UNIQLO & Marni Will Release A Collection Together

A PSA to all UNIQLO fans: the retailer is partnering with Marni for a Spring/Summer 2022 collection, which will drop on May 26. The ready-to-wear lineup merges UNIQLO’s technical expertise (and accessibility) with Marni’s signature bold and playful aesthetic. Fans can expect vivid prints on button-down shirts as well as patterned bottoms that tap into the maximalist trend for the season. The price range runs from $12.90 to $179.90.