How Isa Boulder’s Knitwear and Swimwear Became a Celebrity Favorite – WWD – Pen 18

Fashion designer Cecilia Basari graduated with a bachelor’s degree in womenswear design in Central Saint Martins, deciding to move away from fashion design after graduating, instead helping her brother with his interior design brand in Bali .

While she learned more about sketching and three-dimensional modeling while working in interior design, she was inspired to take the new practices she had learned and combine them with her fashion design training, which led to her The fashion label launched, Isa Boulder, in 2020.

“It was hard to think about how to use what I learned from a very intense three to four year course, so I think, in a way, [the break] Helped me think about fashion design,” Basri said. “It kind of gave me time to distance myself from fashion and do more of it at my own pace.”

Basari first launched Issa Boulder with swimwear as it is one of the most sought after clothing in Bali. She created swimwear with a stretchy, satin-like fabric that helped her incorporate draping and distinctive lingerie aesthetics into her styles, which helped her quickly grow her client base.

The designer then took to knitwear as an extension of her design ethos to Issa Boulder’s next category. Basari explained that the decision to enter knitwear was multi-faceted as it has always been a category of his interest and because knitwear can be made more sustainable than other categories.

“I’ve always been interested in woven fabric because of its ability to be reused,” she explained. “The threads, we can reverse them and reuse them, so it’s cyclic and not wasted. Personally, I also think knitwear is interesting because we can count those threads Which we are going to use instead of cutting and sewing process to limit waste like when we do swimwear.”

Isa Boulder’s knitted pieces have become more popular than swimwear, especially with the brand’s celebrity clientele. Since the brand’s launch, Isa Boulder pieces have been seen on the likes of Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, FKA Twigs and many more. A fishnet-style, knitted Isa Boulder shirt was also seen on the recent season of HBO’s “Euphoria” on Alexa Demi’s character Maddie.

Basari described Isa Boulder’s aesthetic as “homely sexy”, where she combines traditionally sensuous styles with more rigid silhouettes.

“Sometimes the word ‘sexy’ is quite subjective,” she explained. “We try and play with the perception of it and then put a twist in it, like, What are we sexy for? Is it for us or for people to see us as sexy? I think it There is a starting point, but then we like to break this notion and maybe add awkward or heavy silhouettes to the sexiness.”

Basari acknowledges that while a fashion brand cannot be 100 percent sustainable, she is trying to be as eco-friendly as possible with her practices. In addition to its sustainable knitwear methods, everything on Isa Boulder’s website is custom-made, so the brand doesn’t keep pre-made inventory. For its distributors such as Net-a-Porter and Sense, Isa Boulder offers pieces in small quantities in an effort not to produce more.

Coming forward, Isa Boulder is releasing its men’s collection with Sense in June, which also offers unisex pieces. Basari said that in the future she hopes to continue to create interesting works that challenge gender norms and ideas around sexy things.

“I’m really happy with the collection and I hope it’s not gender limited,” she said. “In terms of silhouettes, this works well for our clients who are moving to our knits because of the figure-hugging aspect.”

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Originally published at Pen 18

WhatsApp Account Ban: WhatsApp banned 14.26 lakh Indian accounts in February

Chennai: WhatsApp banned more than 1.4 million Indian accounts in February, according to their ninth User Safety Monthly report published on Friday. The Meta-owned messaging app banned more than 1.8 million accounts in January.

The company said it has invested in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technology, data scientists and experts and processes to keep users safe on the platform.

The company said it had received 194 sanctions appeals through its grievance redressal mechanism, of which 19 were ‘accounts processed’, meaning the company took remedial action based on the report. This indicates either the banning of an account or the reinstatement of an account already banned as a result of the complaint.

The company said in its report, “In addition to responding to and responding to user complaints through the complaints channel, WhatsApp also deploys tools and resources to prevent harmful behavior on the platform. We specifically focus on prevention.” Concentrating.”

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WhatsApp said it enables users to block contacts and report problematic content and contacts from within the app. “We pay close attention to user feedback and engage with experts to help prevent misinformation, promote cyber security, and maintain electoral integrity,” the company said.

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Originally published at Pen 18

semiconductor: Russia-Ukraine conflict may affect supply chains of semiconductors: MoS IT

The supply chain of the global semiconductor industry, which was badly hit during the COVID-19 period, could see further disruption due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, parliament was informed on Friday. Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajiv Chandrasekhar said in a written reply that the conflict could have a significant impact on the supply of neon and hexafluorobutadiene gases which are essential for manufacturing semiconductor chips as they are used in lithography processes for chip production. . Rajya Sabha.

Ukraine and Russia are major sources of neon and hexafluorobutadiene gases.

“The Russia-Ukraine conflict has affected supply chains in many sectors, including the semiconductor industry,” the minister said.

He was responding to a question whether the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine would have any adverse effect on the production of semiconductor chips and the automobile industry.

Chandrasekhar said, “The global semiconductor industry is already facing shortages due to supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 period. The Russia-Ukraine conflict could create additional disruptions and affect the semiconductors supply chain, said Chandrashekhar.

Semiconductor chip shortages have affected many industries around the world, with the auto and electronics industries among the most affected. The shortage first emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic due to the lockdown and restrictions.

He stressed that the government is focusing a lot on strengthening the overall semiconductor ecosystem and ensuring that it catalyzes India’s rapidly growing electronics manufacturing and innovation ecosystem.

The government’s Rs 76,000 crore semiconductor program is focused on developing the chips and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

It aims to provide financial assistance to companies investing in semiconductors, showcase the manufacturing and design ecosystem and promote India’s growing presence in global electronics value chains.

Originally published at Pen 18

KZ_K Studio Encourages Slow Fashion with New Soho Space – WWD – Pen 18

With the upcoming opening of its modernist-inspired space in Soho, KZ_K Studio caters to consumers who want to develop wardrobes that minimize excessiveness and maximize utility.

Founded and run by fashion designer Karolina Zamarlak and her business and life partner Jesse Keys, the company advocates for slow fashion. Polish-born Zamarlak graduated with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology and was the winner of the General Art Style competition. After selling a signature label to department stores and specialty stores for nearly seven years, the company relaunched in 2016 as KZ_K Studio, focusing on “direct to client” sales, personalized service and scale-back wholesale distribution. does.

For Great Jones Street Studio, a trained architect, Zamarlak and Keys have incorporated a design room, showroom, a pattern room, library bar, kitchen nook and outdoor terrace. With a launch event scheduled for April 12, the pair expect the outpost and neighborhood to be a more “interesting and exciting area” for people to visit than their former West 29th Street digs.

“Also, there is an evolution in the environment that we wanted to create within the new space,” said Zamarlak.

In addition to welcoming clients by appointment, the couple will welcome industry partners, photographers, designers, neon light designers and other creative friends to the library and bar. Zmarlak and Keyes have worked with David van Keeren and other creatives on short videos highlighting the collection.

Borrowing from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, when women visited ateliers for fitting, wardrobe building, and face-to-face attention, KZ_K Studio encourages women to develop their own personal tastes versus passing trends. buys in. “We are providing direct communication to customers where we care about each of them over time,” Keys said.

From 2016 to today, the company has built a customer base of 60 to 1,200 customers. According to the designer, the customer relationship proved beneficial during the pandemic, as well as the brand’s multi-faceted designs including fully reversible styles. Using several technical Japanese fabrics, the label is manufactured in the Garment District of New York City. “Our customers are part of our own community. They see us as more than just a brand to buy from. I think they have invested in our success,” she said.

While the company was wholesale to stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus from 2013 to 2016, it sold about 10,000 units annually and is “reaching that now” through a different revenue structure, he said. With 12 to 14 specialty store doors, KZ_K Studio’s wholesale business accounts for about 30 percent of its total sales. The remaining 70 percent includes direct-to-client services such as in-studio sales and stylist collaboration.

What is currently the most challenging aspect of the business, Zamarlak said, “there are so many. From a creative design perspective, the fashion business and building high-end ready-to-wear is incredibly labor intensive. Very few people do it.” Understand that when a single cloth is made, it may pass through 30, 40 or 50 pairs of hands from the beginning of the cloth. [selection] Process for finished apparel that we ship to a customer. We are competing with some big brands which have hundreds of employees. Our quality control and everything about our products are simply complete, on-point and stand the test of time. ,

The company hosts pop-up shops, trunk shows, special appearances and private events through its network of stylist associates. Zamarlak said returning to in-store events to help support sales in June of 2020 was “a game changer,” as shipping products was an issue for many at the time. Hartsfield-Jackson arrived at Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, on her way to a multi-day visit to specialty store Tootsie. There, she would meet and greet shoppers and build on the existing relationship for the next few days. There are plans to participate in over 50 events across the country this year.

The KZ_K Studio collection retails from $495 for a reversible silk, attractive camisole with a $2,895 leather parka in the $800 to $2,000 key price range. Outerwear is the leading category, especially convertible and reversible styles, followed by pants, blouses and dresses, Zamarlak said. Washable leather and clippers are also offered. KZ_K Studio has also created a capsule collection of made-to-order handbags with 1 Atelier.

A look from KZ_K Studios.
Courtesy of KZ_K Studio

As an incentive to spend, consumers and clients of stylists can receive “try-on packages” at their leisure or through virtual sessions to take a closer look at potential purchases. Many people took that option during the pandemic and they continue to use it, Zamarlak said. Consumers are not obligated to purchase try-on items before they are shipped, nor are they charged for consultations. There is a fee for change, which can be handled digitally or in person. However, stylists have their own models regarding consultation fees.

Originally published at Pen 18

Indian consumers lead intent to use ‘buy now pay later’

India is the largest group of consumers who intend to use ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ services (BNPL) this calendar year, a new report has tracked purchase data across 18 countries.

Indian consumers using BNPL services were the third highest purchasers globally between October-December 2021, behind Australia and China as well as Indonesia and Mexico.

India is well above the global average on both the parameters.

Originally published at Pen 18

Covid vaccine after infection give higher protection against illness, show 2 Lancet studies

New Delhi: Two new studies published in The Lancet have confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination provides additional protection to people who have already been infected with SARS-CoV-2, especially from severe illness.

According to the first study conducted in Brazil, researchers found four vaccines – including Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1), which is widely used in India, Covisheeld, CoronaVac, Janssen (Ad26.COV2.S) and Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) Used as – symptomatic re-infection and provide additional protection against serious consequences such as hospitalization and death in people who have already had SARS-CoV-2 infection.

More than 22,000 participants were included in the study.

agencies

Vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic reinfection was 39% for CoronaVac, 56% for Oxford-AstraZeneca, 44% for Janssen and Pfizer in people who had SARS-CoV-2 infection and were subsequently vaccinated. -BioNtech was 65%. The effectiveness against hospitalization and death was 81% for CoronaVac, 90% for Oxford-AstraZeneca, 58% for Janssen and 90% for Pfizer-BioNtech.

It said that out of 22,566 re-infection cases, 1,545 people were hospitalized and 290 people died within 28 days of testing positive.

Researchers say the study calms the ongoing debate about whether already infected individuals need to be vaccinated.

“All four of these vaccines have proven to provide significant additional protection, reducing hospitalization and death for people with previous COVID-19 infections. Our results suggest that the vaccine benefits far outweigh any potential risks. and supports the case for vaccination, including the complete vaccine series, among individuals with prior infection,” says study author Julio Croda, Universidad Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul and Fundacao.

Originally published at Pen 18

nagpur: MVA slams ED’s arrest of Nagpur lawyer Satish Uke

The Enforcement Directorate’s arrest of another BJP critic in Maharashtra has drawn condemnation from the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. The ED arrested lawyer Satish Uke in a money laundering case on Thursday evening after searching his and his brother Pradeep Uke’s Nagpur home, bringing them to Mumbai and interrogating them for over eight hours.

An ED insider claimed that Uke is being probed in a “land grab case”. The ED insider, who did not wish to be named, alleged, “The property being probed in Nagpur has been seized by Uke and his family members. Since Uke has refused to cooperate, he has been arrested.” Has gone.”

Satish Uke was in the news for filing a criminal writ petition against BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis for not disclosing cases against him while filing his election affidavit. Uke in his court petition prayed for the disqualification of Fadnavis as an MLA for not disclosing the criminal cases against him. Uke had also filed a petition seeking a probe into the death of Justice BH Loya, who died during the hearing of the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case in 2014. He is also the counsel for PCC President Nana Patole in the Rs 100 crore defamation case filed against former intelligence officer Rashmi Shukla for illegal phone tapping.

Uke’s family members alleged that the searches were conducted “at the behest of Fadnavis” and were aimed at finding details of his possible cases against Fadnavis. The Congress sought the intervention of the Supreme Court or the Bombay High Court. Patole said, “The BJP is practicing autocracy and trying to destroy democracy. Therefore, through the media, I appeal to the Chief Justices of Bombay High Court and Supreme Court to suo motu against this raid. Save democracy by taking action and save democracy.”

He asked why the ED had seized phones and files related to the UK. Patole asked, “He is a lawyer. He will have files in his house. What else will he have? Why were they seized.” Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut reiterated that the ED is a tool in the hands of the BJP. “I would not be surprised if the ED now raids Patole in connection with the case.” NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal asked for the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as the ED had gone ‘fearless’.

Originally published at Pen 18