Summer of 2020

Sustainability is the theme of Z Zegna’s new collection for men

(June 24): The year may be only halfway through, but Ermenegildo Zegna has already signalled its direction for next year. The theme is sustainability, something the Zegna family has emphasised for more than 80 years, being actively involved in reforestation and environment preservation.

The Z Zegna summer 2020 collection embraces an ethical and conscious lifestyle in the form of desertification, where land becomes desert as it loses moisture and vegetation. Artistic director Alessandro Sartori has used materials crafted from upcycled and recyclable fibres; water-friendly treatments and washing processes, as well as blended fibres. Deconstructed silhouettes are manufactured from featherweight materials while high-tech net with a silky feel is printed with revisited Madras checks. Chiné variegated fabric reveals Z Zegna’s refined take on iridescent motifs. Loose outerwear styles, including windbreakers, anoraks and bombers, sporting a charming mix and match of shiny and matte textures, are paired with pants cut in various shapes

Bed of the future

Georg Jensen, recognised for its homeware and jewellery collection, teamed up with Elmgreen & Dragset for the Wallpaper* Handmade exhibition “With Love” at Milan Design Week in April. The artist duo is famous for their witty and sometimes thoughtprovoking comments on society and interpersonal relationships. They created The Bed, a solid 925 sterling silver pod for handphones that uses ancient craft techniques such as hand-hammering, raising, soldering, annealing and polishing. The Bed is made in a limited edition of five numbered pieces and will be available for viewing at the Singapore Handmade Exhibition at the National Museum from now to July 19.

Exploring the cosmos

In a contemporary iteration of a Girard-Perregaux classic, the 1966 Earth to Sky Edition has been reinvented for a 149 millionkilometre journey from earth to sky. The characteristics of this elegant classic remain unchanged. With a play of blue and black shades, its DLC-treated bead-blasted steel case, alligator leather strap and date disc are as dark as night while a gradation of blue on the dial brings life to the darkness. This model has a tried and tested mechanical movement, Calibre GP3300, with five different finishes. The plate and bridges are meticulously stretched, bevelled, engraved, circulargrained and adorned with Côtes de Genève. The blued steel screws and gilded engravers are revealed through the sapphire crystal back.

Grand collaboration

Hublot and Ferrari write a new chapter in their collaboration with the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT. Inspired by the Gran Turismo, the result is a watchmaking chassis that is both traditional and modern. It is powered by Hublot’s famous UNICO manufacture movement, which has been integrated into a 45mm Classic Fusion case, available in titanium, king gold or 3D carbon. Details include the red thread around the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a reference to the famous Ferrari red, while the straps are made of black rubber and dressed in Schedoni leather. Round like a racing tachometer, the watch is only 13.15mm thick, a rarity for an integrated flyback chronograph.

Nature’s wonders

Jaeger-LeCoultre has launched three variations of the Rendez-Vous Sonatina, which pays tribute to butterflies and flowers. The delicate timepieces come in a limited edition of eight pieces. They demonstrate the talents of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s master craftsmen as they marry fine watchmaking with métiers rares, or rare handcrafts. The dial has a wavy guilloché motif and on it is a delicate sprinkling of orchids and butterflies brought to life by artisans, one tiny brushstroke at a time. It is a breathtaking reminder of how beautiful nature is.

In the post

The constructed Post Box bag by Anya Hindmarch has been treated to a facelift with luxurious, hard-wearing Capra leather. Materials used include velvet, leopard-print calf hair and snake print. The inside of the bag has Anya’s trademark organisational touches such as internal pockets for cards and phone. Carry the bag hand-held or across the shoulder. There is a selection of shoulder straps to choose from. Available in shades of teal, marine, clementine, carmine, black and chalk.