The Art of Fashion

• Art Basel Miami Beach runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4
• The event is one of the world’s most important contemporary art fairs and reliably attracts a flurry of high-fashion crossovers
• Louis Vuitton is hosting a menswear show to coincide with the opening of its first dedicated men’s store in the US on Nov. 30

After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Miami’s annual circus of art and commerce is back.

Over the years, Art Basel Miami Beach has become a major marketing moment for luxury brands eager to align themselves with the art world’s elite — and the high-spending clients it attracts. This year is no different. If anything, after a year when splashy events were off the table because of the pandemic, there’s renewed appetite for high-octane, in-person marketing opportunities.

The fair launches on an invite-only basis on Nov. 30, before opening up to general ticket holders two days later. Louis Vuitton will be present in force, punctuating the opening of its first dedicated men’s store in the US (and second in the world) with a fashion show. Elsewhere, Chanel commissioned a massive installation to celebrate the centenary of its Chanel No.5 perfume, just one of a host of high-fashion/high-art crossovers taking place in the coming week.

The Bottom Line: Fashion has always been into art fairs, but since the pandemic there’s renewed appetite to connect with consumers and show off collections outside the traditional fashion week format.

London Gears Up to Celebrate the Industry

• The Fashion Awards will return to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 29
• Billy Porter will host, with Alessandro Michele, Ib Kamara and Tommy Hilfiger all set to be honoured
• The gala awards ceremony is a lynchpin of the London fashion calendar, which has taken a beating from the pandemic

London’s position in the fashion panoply has faced substantial pressure over the last few years from Brexit, the pandemic and a seeming lack of enthusiasm from some of its key players. Despite a vibrant scene of young and emerging designers, this September’s fashion week lacked the star power of big names like Burberry.

The British Fashion Council will be hoping to garner more excitement for its annual Fashion Awards gala on Nov. 29. Billy Porter is set to host, with big fashion names receiving honours including Alessandro Michele, Ib Kamara and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Bottom Line: The Fashion Awards relaunched in 2016 in a bid to bring more star-power to London’s fashion calendar, like the Met Gala does for New York. It remains a fairly lofty ambition, but it’s an opportunity for a big fashion moment that London hasn’t had for some time.

BoF VOICES Is Back

• BoF’s annual gathering for big thinkers returns online and in-person Dec. 1-3
• Stay tuned for the launch of The State of Fashion 2022, BoF and McKinsey & Company’s annual analysis of the trends set to shape the industry in the months ahead
• This year’s speakers include Cédric Charbit, Vanessa Kingori, Harris Reed and Sinéad Burke

The Business of Fashion’s flagship event returns to Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire for three days of inspirational talks on the big themes reshaping the fashion industry. The hybrid in-person and online gathering of movers, shakers and trailblazers from the worlds of fashion, technology, business, politics, finance, philanthropy, science and activism will be live-streamed exclusively for BoF Professional Members from Dec. 1 to 3. On the agenda are discussions on the climate emergency, the metaverse, identity and much more.

The event also marks the launch of The State of Fashion 2022, BoF and McKinsey & Company’s annual analysis of the trends set to impact the industry in the months ahead.

The Bottom Line: Tune in to get inspired, lift your spirits and deepen your understanding. Register now for VOICES 2021.

VOICES 2021 is made possible in part through our partners McKinsey & Company, Shopify, Clearco, Klarna, Brandlive, Flannels, Snap, Getty Images and Soho House.

The Week Ahead wants to hear from you! Send tips, suggestions, complaints and compliments to brian.baskin@businessoffashion.com.

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