Monday, August 8, 2022

Eyewear Brand Dita Opens on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills – WWD – Pen 18

Dita has opened shop on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Founded in 1995 by Jeff Solorio and John Juniper, with roots in surf culture, the luxury eyewear brand landed on Melrose Avenue in Newport Beach, San Francisco, Soho before expanding to New York City and Madison Avenue, Aoyama and Daikanyama in Sydney and Tokyo .

The development of Dita (Latin for “I’m rich”) began when Mickey Dillon took the reins in 2011. Chairman and co-owners at the time, the Dillon family has been the sole owner of Deta with a team of 150 employees as of 2019 and distribution centers globally.

By the fall, the company plans to open in London, by Harrods off Brompton Road, and by the trendy Hotel Costes in Paris, before entering more markets.

“Our goal now is to launch, I would say, 20 to 25” [stores] Over the next three years because they are very profitable for us,” said Cody Cho, Dita’s vice president of marketing. He expects overall year-on-year sales growth of 40 percent by the end of 2022. “We’re really trying to focus on places that have highly sedentary luxury brands that fit within our demographic.”

Located at 479 North Rodeo Drive #104, the new 1,200-square-foot space (near Saint Laurent and Christian Louboutin) features a minimalist interior, featuring titanium paneling and shelving, imported marble, leather accents, and contemporary lighting from the Netherlands Is.

Inside the new Dita Shop on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.

Dita. Courtesy

Expansion’s Cho said, “Our stores are by far the most profitable.” “So obviously, for us, we want to keep that momentum going.”

Independent brand with eyewear priced between $650 and $1,200, handcrafted in Japan. Celebrity fans include Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez and the Olsen twins—who are credited with bringing the oversized trend back in the early 2000s, when they were often seen in the brand’s “supa dupa” frames.

Following this, the company plans to exit eyewear, leather goods and denims next year.

Originally published at Pen 18

Beyoncé Celebrates ‘Renaissance’ With Studio 54-themed Release Party – WWD – Pen 18

Beyoncé continues to celebrate her most recent album, “Renaissance.”

The musician hosted a Studio 54-themed disco party on Friday night at the Paradise Club in the Times Square edition to celebrate the album, which was officially released on July 29. .

Beyoncé attended the party wearing a House of Timothy White shimmery bodysuit, which was designed with a plunging neckline and featured matching gloves. She paired the look with Giuseppe Zanotti crystal-embellished platform heels, Wolford tights, and jewelry from Tiffany & Co. This look was styled by Marni Senofonte.

The musician was accompanied by her husband Jay-Z, mother Tina Knowles-Lawson and father Matthew Knowles. Other attendees included Tyler Perry, Kendrick Lamar, Leonardo DiCaprio, La La Anthony, Normani, Telfer Clemens, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe and many more.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé at the “Club Renaissance” party.

Blair Caldwell for Parkwood Entertainment

Beyoncé also posted photos of the party and disco-themed style on her Instagram.

Beyoncé’s disco-themed look aligns with the high-fashion photoshoot she released with the album “Renaissance” as album art. The musicians appeared in the photoshoots wearing retro and disco-themed looks from designer labels such as Alassa, Gucci, Mugler and Schiaparelli, as well as emerging designers including Nusi Quero, Giannina Azar, Natalie Fedner and others.

“Renaissance” is Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, her first solo album in six years since the release of her award-winning album, “Lemonade”.

In 2020, Beyoncé released the visual album “Black Is King”, the soundtrack to the 2019 remake of “The Lion King”. The visual album included a range of high-fashion moments from brands such as Valentino, Burberry, Mugler and Erdem.

Originally published at Pen 18

‘Fashion in the Pines’ Returns to Fire Island – WWD – Pen 18

After a nine-year hiatus, “Fashion of the Pines” is returning to Fire Island on August 20.

About 200 people are expected to attend “A Day in the Pines” at the event at the White Hall and Albert Lepage Pavilion, which will nod to the past with a present-day spin. While many famous designers have ties to the island, the show will highlight young and up-and-coming queer minority founders, designers and artists.

The show is a production that is being orchestrated in collaboration with the Fire Island Arts Project, an organization that has been organizing shows and events on the island for the past 35 years. JD Winston, a board member, a producer and former multidisciplinary artist, and Ryan Espinosa, another FIPAP board member and owner of the Denizen store on the island, are overseeing the revival of the event.

The runway will feature items from stores and other stores, as well as some donated pieces. “We are not selling a particular brand. Essentially, it is a celebration of where we are as an island in this truly expressive moment of individuality. The island is very DIY. People will throw on a headband, maybe a pair of designer shorts and the rest as they go along,” Espinosa said. “If you’ve spent much time here, you know what’s in a very empty, safe space. It is possible rules are waived [behind] When you get off the ferry.”

Dating back to the 70s, “Fashion of the Pines” was an annual celebration of local style. The late Fire Island developer and former model Jon White was instrumental in creating the show and held the festivities in the swimming pool at The Bottle.

The “Day in the Pines” theme was first used by Russell Graham in the late 80s. Andy Baker and Ward Orbach helped plant the seed to revive the incident, which is being told through Denizen. Winston said he and Espinosa got to talk about the Fashion of the Pines event, which ran from the ’80s to the early ’90s, and about the possibility of holding one again. The event was started in the 70s but was postponed due to the onset of AIDS.

Both presented the idea and received some ideas by some who experienced the original show, such as Bob Howard and Scott Bromley. Some people from the Fire Island community are enlisted to act as models. They will be sporting fashion associated with the Pines, including some styles from previous Fashion of the Pines events.

The DZ Open Bar and Silent Auction will be held during the first hour of the first hour of this month. Guests will also get to see nostalgia for the Fashion of the Pines events from years past. Once the crowd is inside the house, Luis Villabon will perform “My Strongest Suite” from the musical “Aida” in drag and Hal Rubenstein and Espinosa will join the show.

Noting how Fire Island first became a popular getaway for a lot of gay artists, designers, and celebrities in the ’70s, Winston cites it as a haven to escape, feel safe, and be yourself. Known as “the easiest thing to do when it wasn’t”.

In the 80s, the Pines Conservation Society benefited from the profits of the annual show. In recognition of this, profits from the 2022 edition will go to that organization and FIPAP.

Originally published at Pen 18

Nicki Minaj to Receive MTV VMA 2022 Video Vanguard Award & Perform – WWD – Pen 18

Nicki Minaj’s legacy will be honored at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.

The award-winning rapper and actress will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors the recipient’s famous performances, hits, as well as “outstanding contributions” to music videos and popular culture. .

“Nicky has broken down barriers for women in hip-hop with her versatility and creative artistry,” Bruce Gilmour, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming and Programs at Paramount, said in a statement. “She has transcended the music industry and solidified her status as a global superstar with her crossover appeal, genre-defying style and remains a constant ‘Nicky’.”

Past recipients of the Vanguard Award have included Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Missy Elliot, David Bowie, The Beatles, Rihanna and Janet Jackson.

Nicki Minaj performs at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at The Oculus on August 20, 2018 in New York City.

Getty Images

The rapper will also take to the stage to perform at the VMAs for the first time since 2018. Throughout her career, Minaj has been nominated 17 times and is a five-time VMA-winner.

Her anticipated upcoming single, “Super Freaky Girl”, which has recently emerged as one of the most popular soundtracks on TikTok, will be released on August 12, a few weeks before the awards show on August 28.

Anita, Jay Balvin, Marshmallow, Khalid and Panic! Also tapped to perform for the night at discos. Additional cast will be announced soon, according to MTV.

The 2022 MTV VMAs will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ and will be broadcast live on MTV on August 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

Originally published at Pen 18

cwg 2022: I badly wanted to win this gold: PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu had come close at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games but had to settle for silver. Coming to the 2022 CWG, she was the overwhelming favorite after her Singapore Super Series win in July. But then it’s one thing to be a favorite and another thing to live up to the tag and deliver. He has done. More importantly, she won despite not doing her best. This is the hallmark of a real champion. This is what he has been able to accomplish, to his satisfaction, in Birmingham. Speaking to ET after winning the gold medal, Sindhu spoke about what her first CWG title was like, why multi-nation sports are different, her long-term goals and much more. Part:

It takes a lot to win even when you’re not doing your best. tell us about it.

Absolutely. I had to dig really deep during this contest. I made some unexpected mistakes in matches, but I didn’t give up. And winning on days when you’re not playing your best is a great thing. It gives you a lot of confidence and satisfaction. There were some really long matches, long rallies, and I’m glad I was able to pull it off. When you play for India in multidisciplinary sports, there is always an added incentive. I wanted to win it badly. To get another chance in the finals to do something for our country is quite extraordinary. In that sense, this medal is very cute.

It is not easy to play one match after another in 16 hours. Can you describe how you inspired yourself to run out of that last little stockpile of fuel to win?

It was another very difficult week. Like I said, there were really long rallies and it was no different in the earlier few matches as well. It was a question of fitness and temperament. We both (Sindhu and Michelle Lee) were pushing each other. We knew it was a question of last standing. There were some very difficult moments as well. But this is the game for you. It tests you, pushes you hard. And so you play the game.

You dedicated your victory to the fans and the people of India.

The kind of support I got from the people back home and my fans here was appreciable. Did you see the crowd here every time I played? Everyone I met wished me luck and said I had to win. Being able to do this for them has given me great satisfaction. They help make the game what it is, and I am grateful for all the support and affection from my fans and people back home.

Things have changed dramatically for you after the 2016 Rio Olympics. It was the Michelle Lee match in Rio that changed it all. And here it was again in the final.

It was a very different match. And life has changed a lot after Rio. Saying this I did not change. There are endorsements, media engagements, sponsor commitments and many other things that were not there before Rio. It’s a very different life. I can’t go out anymore and do things like I used to. But that’s fine. I know people love me because I have made them proud. I play badminton and that is my identity. So, all I want to do is keep playing well, keep winning as many as possible for my country. Relaxation will happen automatically. The next target would be to do well at the Asian Games next year and of course in Paris 2024. There is nothing that can match that feeling when you see the tricolor going up. I want to see this happen in Paris 2024.

Originally published at Pen 18

CWG 2022: Shuttlers, paddlers dazzle on last day; hockey team fizzles out; India finish 4th with 22 gold

Led by the iconic PV Sindhu, Indian shuttlers owned the badminton arena by winning all three titles that day, while paddler Sharath Kamal once again reminded his class and awe-inspiring longevity with a spectacular show as the country is wrapped. The Commonwealth Games campaign finished fourth with 61 medals.

It was expected that Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and the formidable pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy would rise to the top of the podium, but 40-year-old Sharath Kamal had a gold medal-winning show against one. Equally good opponent in Liam Pitchford.

That performance took India’s gold medal tally to 22, four less than the 2018 edition, but this time the sport of shooting was missing from the roster. The shooters had contributed seven golds to the Gold Coast’s 66 medals race, and given that, India certainly put up a decent show.

However, with Australia thrashing the men’s hockey team 0-7, when at least a spirited fight was expected, the game ended on a somewhat disappointing note.

The way India conceded defeat took away the joy of silver medal.

India got 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze in the final tally and were behind third-placed Canada, who were ahead with 92 medals (26-32-34). Australia (67-57-54) finished on top ahead of hosts England (57-66-53).

Coming back to TT, Sharath and G Sathiyan lost to England’s Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall in the men’s doubles gold medal match, but both the Indians took their revenge on Monday.

Sathiyan then thrashed Drinkhall 11-9 11-3 11-5 8-1 9-11 10-12 11-9 in a thrilling bronze play-off.

Sharath defeated the 29-year-old agile-legged Briton 11-13 11-7 11-2 11-6 11-8 to win his second Commonwealth Games singles gold in 16 years. He won the singles title at the 2006 Melbourne Games.

Superstar will return with paddler

With a rich run of four medals, he won the men’s team and mixed team gold, in addition to silver in the men’s doubles.

With Monday’s sensational gold, Sharath has taken his total tally of medals at the Commonwealth Games to 13 since making his debut at the Games in 2006.

The final day of the Games began with superstar Sindhu adding a Commonwealth Games gold medal to her already piling up collection with a straight game win over Canada’s Michelle Lee.

India’s world number 7 defeated her 13th-ranked rival 21-15, 21-13 in front of a packed crowd at the NEC grounds.

Sindhu said after the final, “I was waiting for this gold for a long time and finally I got it. I am very happy. Thanks to the crowd, they got me the win today.”

Later, 10th-ranked Sen came in from behind to end Ng Tze Yong’s giant-killing race in the competition. The 20-year-old defeated the world number 42 from Malaysia 19-21, 21-9, 21-16.

Sen put up his best attack in the decider and led till the end. Yong tried his best to make a comeback, but Sen remained unstoppable. He converted his first match point after a long rally, leading to a frenzied celebration that saw him throw his racket into the stands.

“It was tense in the beginning, I had to work really hard. Yong also played a great tournament. Congratulations to him too,” Sen said after the tough fight.

India’s star doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy defeated England’s Ben Lane and Sean Mendy in straight games to win the country’s third gold medal from the badminton court at the Commonwealth Games.

The Indian pair won 21-15, 21-13.

Thus India ended a stellar badminton campaign with three gold, one silver and two bronze.

While shuttlers and paddlers dazzled, Australia blew India away in hockey with their quick pace and consistent attacks, increasing their dominance in the games.

Since the introduction of hockey in the Games in 1998, Australia has always been on top of the podium.

This is India’s third loss against Australia in the CWG final, having lost to them in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Games.

Nathan Ephrams and Tom Wickham scored a goal each, while Blake Gowers, Jacob Anderson and Flynn Ogilvy also found the net in a one-sided contest.

It was a far cry from what was expected in the gold medal bout as Australia took the game away from India with five goals in the first half.

Originally published at Pen 18

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Daddy’s daughter: Father Jai Bhagwan takes unpaid leave to fuel Nitu’s boxing dreams

After winning her maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal, young Indian boxer Neetu Ghanghas dedicated the trophy to her doting father Jai Bhagwan, who left no stone unturned to fulfill his daughter’s dream.

An employee of the Haryana Secretariat, Bhagwan is on unpaid leave for the past three years to coach two-time world youth champion Neetu.

On Sunday, all the sacrifices seemed worth it as Neetu stood on the podium with the gold medal around her neck.

Neetu said, “The biggest feeling was to see the tricolor going up, a long-standing wish of mine was fulfilled today. I am grateful for everyone’s blessings… This medal was awarded to our countrymen and father (Jai Bhagwan). Is for.” PTI.

“No stone is left unturned for me. He has left no stone unturned and has gone through many hardships but always made sure that I get the best. I would not be here without him.”

While the 21-year-old is an unstoppable force inside the ring, outside of it she seems very shy. You can hardly hear her voice when she speaks.

Intensifying the atmosphere with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ at the temporary stand inside the National Exhibition Center here, Neetu had to be escorted out of the mixed zone to a corner for a television interview.

But when she steps into the ring, she becomes a different person. His coach calls him the ‘Gabbar lioness’ of the ring.

Her India coach Bhaskar Chandra Bhatt said, “She has always been like this. Whether in camp or outside, you hardly hear her voice, she talks hard but inside the ring she is like a ‘Gabbar lioness’. Is.”

Neetu, who was selected for her maiden Commonwealth Games in place of her ‘idol’ and six-time world champion Mary Kom, remained unbeaten.

“Mary Kom ma’am has a different world. She has given an identity to Indian boxing at the global level. I am nowhere in front of her,” Neetu told PTI.

After her selection, Neetu was seen as the ‘next Mary Kom’, but the boxer prefers to ignore the “conversations”.

“When I’m inside the ring, I’m not aware of the outside world and what’s happening around me, I just give everything.”

Just three months ago, Neetu had missed out on a World Championship medal, having crashed out in the quarter-finals following a fever.

“I had a fever all night and couldn’t sleep. But thankfully it wasn’t like that,” she recalls of Kazakhstan’s 2-3 loss to Alua Balkibekova in the quarters.

A day after her victory via RSC (referee-stop-competition) in the semi-finals, Neetu overcame local favorite Demi-Jade Rezton, the 2019 World Championship bronze and European silver medalist.

Bhatt said of Neetu, “I would say this is just the beginning for her. There are more good things in store for her.”

Originally published at Pen 18

new zealand: Rain interrupts play in second ODI against New Zealand with India on 22-0 after 4.5 overs

India were 22 for no loss in 4.5 overs against New Zealand when rain stopped play in the second one-day international at Seddon Park here on...