Welcome to News Bites, BoF's regular feature of the stories that get the industry talking.

[ Colette celebrates Colombia with Esteban Cortazar-curated programme. ]

Colette, the cult Parisian boutique, will celebrate Colombia as part of a nationwide cultural programme next month with a wide range of Colombian products and a recreation of a tiendita, one of the local shops to be found across the country. The project is the brainchild of Paris-based Colombian designer Esteban Cortazar, and will run from 10-22 July.

“It happened in the most spontaneous way,” says Cortazar. “When I found out that it would be the Year of Colombia in France, I had to do something for my country... I wanted it to have a good worldliness of things – accessories, books, food, candy, fashion, decor.”

Colombian pop star J. Balvin has designed a unique hoodie for the occasion, in collaboration with Cortazar and Seven Seven, which is made in Colombia. Luxury swimwear brand OndadeMar has also collaborated with Cortazar. Meanwhile, the boutique’s café will partner with Paris restaurant Candelaria and Colombian chef Carlos Peñarredonda on a menu of typical Colombian dishes.

Vibrant woven chairs from furniture designer Ramon will permeate the space, and coffee table books from Assouline and Latin American fashion magazines will take pride of place.

We want to celebrate the kitsch vibe. Nothing feels serious.

The selection from Colombian fashion designers and artists includes socks by Loopzu, Paula Mendoza’s circular jewellery; Nancy Gonzalez straw handbags; table lighters by Hunting Season; accessories from the Wayuu and Kuna indigenous communities; updated traditional accessories from Mola Sasa, Casa Chiqui and Mercedes Salazar; and headpieces from Magnetic Midnight, a line developed by Lucia Echavarria.

“There is a new generation who are creating their own companies," says Cortazar of the Colombian creatives he has gathered. "I wanted to give them an opportunity they wouldn’t normally have, which may allow them to stay in the store if it works out well.”

"At Colette, we always love to discover new products, new culture, new ideas and to share them with our clients," says Sarah Andelman, Colette's creative director. "I feel Esteban's project is perfect for us, because it's both very traditional and very avant-garde."

"We want to celebrate the kitsch vibe," adds Cortazar. "Nothing feels serious – it's all very fun." — Osman Ahmed

Renzo Rosso's Red Circle Investments has bought a minority stake in RetroSuperFuture.

The Diesel and OTB founder's family investment fund acquired its stake in the Milanese eyewear brand for an undisclosed sum.

Renzo Rosso and Daniel Beckerman | Source: Courtesy

Founded by Daniel Beckerman in 2007, RetroSuperFuture counts Kanye West and Rihanna among its fans and boasts a wide distribution network in 20 countries.

"I've known Daniel and his family for years and I’ve followed the birth and development of RetroSuperFuture," Rosso told BoF. "When the time was right, we stepped in with Red Circle. The freshness and innovation level of his company make it an ideal partner for collaboration."

The deal will also see Rosso join RetroSuperFuture's board of directors. "Renzo has always been close to us, even from afar," said Beckerman. "Now that we're partners, I can't wait to see how it feels to work with him from up close."

Red Circle Investments is the second biggest investor in Yoox Net-a-Porter and also has minority stakes in multi-channel sales platform Tomorrow London, peer-to-peer shopping app Depop and digital start-up incubator H-Farm.

Of the potential in RetroSuperFuture, Rosso said: "This company can do well, in terms of product and design, and it has the potential to become an interesting hub for upcoming designers and brands from all over the world."

Added Beckerman: "We have a business expansion plan that goes through trade, retail, online and wholesale but I guess with a partner like Red Circle, we will all see very interesting and unexpected surprises." — Christopher Morency

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