The Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe is bringing some much needed comfort into our lives. Teaming up with the Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli, Loewe has created a new collection based on the 1988 film, My Neighbour Totoro.
Launching on Friday, January 8, the Loewe x My Neighbour Totoro collection leans on the charming story of anime creatures, including Totoro, which are invisible to adults and that only children can see. Much-loved for the sense of magic and wonder it conjures, the film has gained an almost cult following since its release.
Now Studio Ghibli’s famous drawings are to be scattered across a high-end collection. As well as Totoro, other characters that could appear include Mei and Satsuki, Chu-Totoro and Chibi-Totoro, and the mischievous soot sprites known as Makkuro-Kurosuke.
The range will include bags, T-shirts, ready-to-wear pieces and accessories, all decorated with the well-loved characters. Speaking with Dazed, Loewe's creative director, Jonathan Anderson described the collection as aiming to "provide a sense of safety and solace", a much-needed commodity after the past 12 months.
Founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has created films that enraptured a generation. As well as My Neighbour Totoro, it has made Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001).
By enlisting these much-loved characters for its storied leatherwork, Anderson is clearly hoping to evoke that same child-like wonder, and offer a little respite from the real world.
Anderson surely knows how popular this collaboration, set to launch on Friday, January 8, will be. Pre-registration for the pieces began in mid-December, on what will undoubtedly be completely sold-out collection.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
