Vitra and Virgil Abloh drop limited edition "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" collection on Basic.Space

Swiss design company Vitra and Virgil Abloh have collaborated to drop three limited edition "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra" products, available to U.S. consumers for the first time via online marketplace Basic.Space. Products will be available for sale globally through the site's digital storefront, which will livestream the collection and a special DJ music performance by Pedro Cavaliere from a 6-day pop-up installation in Miami's Design District. The installation was created by Abloh's London-based studio Alaska Alaska and is powered by Cash App as part of the company's ongoing efforts to support the creative community. Additional, Abloh and Vitra CEO Nora Fehlbaum will have a conversation about the collection that will air on Abloh's IGTV channel.

"Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" explores the urgent need for inclusivity in design, and invites people of all generations, races and backgrounds to have conversations about both social issues and design topics. Virgil Abloh is known for pushing boundaries and using creativity to communicate socio-political messages while Vitra has a long history of undertaking experimental projects with designers, architects and artists that test the limitations of design's predicted norms.  Driven by the new mindset of Generation 'Next' – a forward-thinking psychographic that transcends age, gender, race, ethnicity and income – Basic.Space provides forward-thinking brands such as these with an innovative approach for reaching new audiences, turning the traditional retail model on its head. The Basic.Space community of creatives makes it possible for brands to speak and connect with this new generation that is changing the way we see the world.

"My mission has not changed. My hopes for this collaboration are to further strengthen this bond with the new generation, providing them with further inspiration, as well as room for thought and a sense of inclusion. This collaboration invites the new generation into the conversation – my work is meant to open doors for them," says Virgil Abloh.

"What I find particularly inspiring about Virgil Abloh is that he comes to the table as an outsider, with a fresh look at our collection and a different pace, free of constraints," says Nora Fehlbaum, CEO. "I'm interested in the way that he structures knowledge and passes it on to a new generation in such a condensed manner. He manages to shift the topic of design classics away from the discourse of an intellectual elite to make them accessible to a wider public."

"We're excited to partner with Virgil Abloh and Vitra on this thought-provoking collection, one that embodies inclusivity and design, while inviting a new audience to experience something unique.  This collaborative release captures the essence of Basic.Space where brands and creatives can manifest their vision effortlessly both online and offline," said Jesse Lee, founder of Basic.Space.

"Basic.Space offers a unique shopping experience that seamlessly integrates our digital and physical worlds. The platform is authentic, socially conscious and design-centric -- traits that are inherent to our company and important to our customer. This partnership allows Vitra to interact with a new audience and the opportunity to meet the next generation of young design collectors," says Melissa Shelton, Vitra North American President.

The "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" collection is a spin-off to an earlier collaboration that dropped in 2019 on Vitra's Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany during Art Basel alongside a futuristic exhibition TWENTYTHIRTYFIVE. The three pieces – a Ceramic Block, along with the Petite Potence lamp and Antony armchair originally designed by Jean Prouvé, are reimagined in baby blue that Abloh intends to stand alone as an object with a function. The "hacked" Prouvé pieces represent the power of design to evolve in order to speak to a new generation.  

"Jean Prouve worked as a craftsman, designer, manufacturer, architect, teacher, and engineer - he truly was a multifaceted designer and not limited to one "discipline". His many talents translate through his work – intertwining art with social consciousness. I feel interconnected with Prouve in light of, I too, work within many worlds; art, fashion, music and philanthropy– meshing my ideas from these many realms together for a greater message to the world," says Virgil Abloh.

"Practicing and welcoming inclusion – I created the "Post Modern" Scholarship Fund in effort to do just that. The mission of the Fund is to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships to students of academic promise of Black, African-American, or African descent; recipients will not only be provided with funds, but will also be given access to vital career support services and mentoring. Art and good nature can change the world, I refuse to believe otherwise," says Virgil Abloh.

"The teenager of today has become a creative doer who transforms his memories and experiences, all of the cultural and social influences, into his or her own products, thereby finding a personal field of activity,' says Fehlbaum.

The "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" installation takes place at 140 NE 39th Street in the Miami Design District, and is open to the public December 3-7, from 11am EST to 7 pm EST, limited to five visitors allowed into the exhibition space at a time, in accordance with city guidelines and enhanced safety measures in place. Visitors can purchase limited edition and numbered pieces and enjoy live and digital experiences at the space.

Ceramic Block 
In the installation, the visitor's gaze is directed to the future with a wall of consecutively numbered bricks: the Ceramic Blocks. These glazed ceramic objects are not just a structural element but also take on a life of their own as storage objects in Virgil Abloh's concept. The limited exhibition edition comprises 999 Ceramic Blocks, in baby blue, each with a noticeable numeral that makes it unique, and can be purchased directly at the Basic.Space "gallery," modifying the structure of the installation, or on the curated online marketplace Basic.Space from December 3 to 7.

Petite Potence
Jean Prouvé created the Potence wall lamp for his home in Nancy in 1942, and the design was soon produced in a range of sizes. Virgil Abloh is fascinated by the industrial clarity of this concept and integrates the smaller Petite Potence in his installation. He has accentuated the 'industrial DNA' of the design with a baby blue lacquer finish that gives it a new visibility, while a striking LED bulb in an oblong cage further enhances the appearance. Virgil Abloh's version of Petite Potence is available in a limited and numbered edition of 150 pieces. 

Antony 
The armchair Antony was developed by Jean Prouvé in the early 1950s for the university halls of residence in Antony near Paris. With its dynamically curved wooden shell and characteristic metal base, this small armchair was one of the French designer's last furniture creations. Virgil Abloh pays tribute to the iconic design with an updated version in his installation, he has transformed the armchair by giving it a frosted plexiglass shell, which is further accentuated by a baby blue lacquer finish. This version is available in a numbered edition limited to 150 pieces.   

FASHIONADO

ZEGNA GROUP TO ACQUIRE MAJORITY STAKE OF THOM BROWNE

The Ermenegildo Zegna Group announced today that it has reached an agreement with Sandbridge Capital and with Mr. Thom Browne for the acquisition of 85% of Thom Browne Inc, for an enterprise valuation of approximately half a billion dollars. Mr. Thom Browne will be the sole other shareholder, with the balance of the Company’s shares.

The Thom Browne business will remain independently run, in order to pursue and accelerate the strong and profitable growth trajectory that the brand has seen over the past several years. As such, Mr. Thom Browne will continue in the same capacity as Chief Creative Officer and Rodrigo Bazan will retain his role as Chief Executive Officer.

Ermenegildo Zegna, Chief Executive Officer of the Zegna Group said: “As global leaders in luxury menswear, we have always been open to opportunities for external growth. And, since we started looking at partnerships, I always knew that Thom Browne would be the perfect fit.”

“In addition to the immediate benefits with regards to fabrics and manufacturing support we can leverage our global reach to further expand Thom Browne’s retail network. Most importantly, we share the same passion for excellence and impeccable, modern tailoring. Thom’s visionary approach and his unique point of view have enabled him to build and nurture the most loyal clientele. On this strong footing, and thanks to a thriving women’s business and strong appeal with millennials, we believe that we can build long-term value for all of our stakeholders.”

“Finally, I am very proud to oversee a rare major investment by an Italian luxury player in an American company. I have always been a strong admirer of the United States, and look forward to our strengthened presence here.”

Thom Browne, Founder and Chief Creative Officer said: “... I am very proud and excited for my new partnership with Zegna ... I feel that their passion for only the best quality and craftsmanship is very much aligned with how I have always approached my collections ... my conceptual approach to design and the long-term vision of growing a true luxury design-led collection for men and women is something we both feel strongly about as the future strength of Thom Browne ... with Zegna, Thom Browne will have a partner who not only understands the fundamentals of this business, but truly embodies them and brings the knowledge and skills of a global leader.”

“As I welcome Gildo to the Thom Browne world, I want to personally thank Sandbridge Capital, and Ken Suslow in particular, for being such a good partner, but more importantly, being such a good friend ... I have always valued our friendship over the years of our partnership because he has always proven to be a true gentleman ... We would have not achieved the outstanding growth of Thom Browne without his support.”

Ken Suslow, Founding Managing Partner of Sandbridge Capital, added: “I could not be more pleased to announce this transaction, which ensures the continued long-term growth of Thom Browne. I am profoundly grateful for the successful partnership that Thom and I have developed over the years. Thom is a uniquely talented visionary - his enduring commitment to building a modern American luxury house dedicated to the finest craftsmanship and tailoring is truly inspiring.

I believe that Zegna is the ideal partner for the Thom Browne brand. It is for this reason that we did not engage with other interested parties, and that instead Gildo, Thom and I agreed upon this deal in a privately negotiated manner."

fashionado