For this week’s edition of Brand New, we’re looking at the latest releases from names like Hermès, Longchamp, The Wasted Collective, and more.
New from Hermès, the Arceau Toucan de Paradis timepiece ensures the vibrance of summer flora and fauna can be experienced year-round. Featuring the tropical bird originally designed by illustrator Katie Scott for the maison’s silk scarves, this fresh iteration of the Arceau watch—limited to 24 pieces—sees its self-winding movement and 38 mm case imagined in white gold with a Zanzibar blue calfskin strap. 82 glistening diamonds surround Scott’s graphic image of a colorful toucan, which is made from silk threads and miniature enamel on a white gold face.
Longchamp’s recently released Le Pliage Green handbag marks the start of a new initiative from the house. This army green take on the chic tote is the first to be imagined from recycled nylon—which will be the standard across the iconic Le Pliage collection by 2022. Featuring the same durability and rectangular, carry-all design, this change in material will reduce the carbon impact of each bag produced by nearly 20 percent.
Ronald Akili’s sustainable fashion label The Wasted Collective introduced for Summer 2021 the “Chasing Sunsets” collection. Inspired by Akili’s first trip to Bali and all of the magical nature and sunsets it held, the designs highlight wearable wardrobe staples for those who embrace a relaxed lifestyle—including pieces like the Breezy Bali woven shirt, made from material like reclaimed fishing net and recycled plastic beads, and cozy recycled cotton waffle-knit shorts.
Dewar’s Japanese Smooth cask-finished whisky is here, just in time to snag a bottle for your remaining summer sips. Double aged in a Japanese Mizunara oak cask in Scotland, the golden liquid imparts to the nose notes of honey, heather, lychee, and complex sandalwood, while warming the palate with cinnamon spice.
Portland Leather opted for a new, more responsible approach to its “Retro Bag” collection by using vegetable tanned leather. The most environmentally friendly approach to leather yet, renewable tree bark is used to process the material before turning them into a series of timeless styles like the Hawthorne satchel, the envelope-style Astoria, and the petite, rounded Original Saddle cross-body.
For the inauguration of President Joe Biden, Lady Gaga was seen wearing an iconic look by Schiaparelli, which was completed by a golden dove brooch. Today, the fashion house has released for sale an iteration of this same brooch, which will benefit the musician’s Born This Way Foundation. Hammered in gold, the elegant bird is seen mid-flight with an olive branch in its mouth signifying peace and hope. Available in three sizes, all proceeds will be donated to the musician’s non-profit.
This week, MoMA Design Store and the Japanese toy label MEDICOM TOY released a new take on the beloved BE@RBRICK, featuring Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The collectible comes in three sizes—a set of two (including one 2.75-inches and one 11-inches) or a large version measuring at 27.5 inches. The new model features the swirling skies of the iconic landscape wrapped across its playful bear figure.
The jewelry and object designer Deborah Pagani introduced a limited edition of her iconic DP Pin in summer’s hottest shade—lilac. Typically available in other hues like gold, rose, black, and silver, the new enamel-plated hair accessory is perfect for an effortless updo that takes effortlessly takes us from the beach to a night out.