• A Clash of Cultures: HUGO x RB by Slawn Melds Tailoring with Artistic Rebellion

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund

    There’s something electric about fashion when it dares to defy its own codes, when tailoring gets tangled up with graffiti, when tradition collides with youthful urgency. That’s exactly what’s happening in the newly unveiled collaboration between HUGO and rising London-based designer Redesigning Britain (RB), led by Idris Balogun, featuring the artistic voice of Nigerian-British creative Slawn.

    For Fall/Winter 2025, HUGO once again leans into its bold, rebellious DNA, this time inviting RB’s modern tailoring language into the mix. The result is a collection that feels both raw and refined, where street energy meets craftsmanship head-on. But it’s Slawn’s unmistakable hand that adds a twist of unruly charm. Known for his fast-paced, emotional brushstrokes and explosive palette, Slawn quite literally paints over convention.

    Each garment becomes a canvas. Think tailored jackets interrupted by hand-drawn typography, graphic-lined outerwear, and classic silhouettes shaken up by Slawn’s signature expressive style. It’s not just a meeting of aesthetics, it’s a conversation between generations, backgrounds, and creative disciplines. Slawn’s contribution doesn’t feel like a guest appearance, it feels like a takeover.

    As editors who often navigate the worlds of fashion, art, and cultural commentary, we’re drawn to collaborations that feel alive. This one doesn’t whisper, it yells.
    And it does so with intention.

    For HUGO, this collaboration reinforces its commitment to the unapologetic and unexpected. For RB, it’s a canvas to push its already distinct point of view further and for Slawn, it's a moment of beautiful chaos, captured in stitch, spray, and spirit.

    Expect limited pieces, collector energy, and a fierce reminder that tailoring can have teeth.

    www.hugo.com

  • Blanche Absolu: Byredo’s Intimate Masterstroke

    Written by Ulrika Lindqvist

    Byredo’s Blanche Absolu de Parfum is not just a reinterpretation of a classic, it's a bold magnification. With this new chapter, the house introduces a fragrance that retains the soft familiarity of the original Blanche, yet elevates it into richer, more powerful territory. It is Blanche amplified, deeper in its resonance and more enigmatic in its expression.

    The moment you encounter Blanche Absolu, there is no mistaking its strength. One drop lingers for hours, evolving gently on the skin. It has an arresting clarity, but with a newfound weight that hints at something more complex. This is not a fragrance that asks for attention it commands it quietly and with confidence. The composition begins with a sharp glint of black pepper and aldehydes. It is a bright and exhilarating start, softened by the green bloom of neroli. From there, the heart reveals a bouquet of rose, violet and watery jasmine, classic notes, but rendered here with a kind of restrained opulence. The floral elements are unmistakably feminine, yet they carry a hidden force. There is nothing overly delicate about this arrangement.

    As the fragrance settles, the base unfurls into warm, musky woods. Cashmere wood and dry cashmeran lend a velvety smoothness, while amber wood and ambroxan evoke the lasting warmth of closeness and skin. It is in this dry down that Blanche Absolu reveals its true personality: a blend of purity and mystery, comfort and sensuality. This is a floral fragrance, but not one that fits neatly into any single category. It feels both familiar and unplaceable, a scent that lingers in memory long after it leaves the air.

    “Blanche is about capturing the idea of texture and fabric and skin. It’s about translating a level of intimacy that is very human. It is a lived-in feeling that I feel so many people can connect to.” - Ben Gorham, Founder & Creative Director, Byredo.

    Blanche Absolu is not just more intense than its predecessor, it is more complete. It does not reinvent the story of Blanche but adds a deeper layer, a kind of inner monologue to the original’s whispered dialogue. With this edition, Byredo reminds us that subtlety does not preclude strength, and that even the softest touch can leave a lasting impression. Throughout the year, the iconic fragrance of Blanche will expand into new dimensions, introducing limited-edition innovations across body, textiles, and home. Each addition will be unveiled through carefully curated phases, inviting a fresh exploration of the scent’s pure essence.

    Image courtesy of Byredo

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