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Kenzo has been infusing positive energy and contagious freedom for half a century by boldly proclaiming a polychrome, daring and borderless fashion that celebrates nature and cultural diversity. Founded in Paris in 1970 by Kenzo Takada, who opened his first boutique in Galerie Vivienne in Paris, the House continues to cultivate and reinterpret codes that make it unique with dynamic modernity: a mix of prints and harmony of refined colors and an exuberant and sophisticated creativity imbued with optimism and impertinence.

In September 2021 Kenzo embarked on a new chapter in its history with the naming of Nigo as the House’s new Artistic Director.

Panerai, also known as “Officine Panerai”, is a brand on its own. While Panerai watches have been available to the public only since 1993, the brand has a long and rich history, mainly linked to the Royal Italian Navy. The brand started as a simple workshop created in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai, in Florence, Italy. His “officine” wasn’t only a shop and workshop for timepieces but was also as the city’s first watchmaking school. The main step in Panerai’s history will occur in 1916, after Guido Panerai (grandson of the founder) took over the family business and created “Radiomir”, a self-luminous material that allowed to see the time in the dark and underwater.

For some years already, Panerai was supplying the Royal Italian Navy with high precision instruments. Radiomir, a radium-based powder that gives luminosity to the dials, patented in 1916, will become a key element in Officine Panerai’s production. In 1936, on the eve of the Second World War, Panerai creates the first prototypes of the model now known as “Radiomir” for the frogman commandos of the First Submarine Group Command of the Royal Italian Navy. This large 46mm watch, with superior water resistance, featured a luminous dial and will be delivered as of 1938 to military forces – after several changes to the original concept, including the creation of the “sandwich dial”.

Multiple developments followed, all for military-issued watches only. In 1940, Panerai presents the Radiomir 1940, with reinforced lugs and a cushion-shaped case made with edges that are more pronounced on the side – a shape that will later become the brand’s hallmark. In 1943 will be developed another milestone watch, the chronograph “Mare Nostrum” for deck officers. In 1949, the brand launches a new luminous material named “Luminor”, this time based on tritium, which supersedes the radium-based paste. Coincidentally, the eponymous watch will be introduced, with the development of the trademark crown-protecting bridge – again, an element that will forge the brand’s DNA.

In 1972, the brand will be passed to engineer Dino Zei, after Giuseppe Panerai, son of Guido, dies. The brand still acts as a military supplier, with Italian Navy supply contracts long covered by military secrecy. The production is however now only focused on diving instruments, such as compasses and wrist depth gauges, as well as pressure compensation underwater torches.

It’s only in 1993 that Panerai will be launched to the public. Officine Panerai indeed presented a collection of three series of limited edition watches: the Luminor, the Luminor Marina and the Mare Nostrum, which draw inspiration from the historical models created for Second World War commandos. An important step in the brand’s history occurs in 1997, when the Vendôme Group, later to be named Richemont, will invest in Panerai and make available internationally and transforms it as one of the major players of the industry.

Since then, the brand has launched multiple collections and has even started to create its own in-house movements, thanks to production facilities based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Yet, all the watches that are stamped with the name Panerai are reminiscent of the watches created for the Italian frogmen, with the typical military elements.

This story was originally featured at https://monochrome-watches.com/panerai/.

Brioni is an iconic Italian luxury menswear couture house founded in Rome in 1945 by Nazareno Fonticoli, a master tailor, and Gaetano Savini, a charismatic entrepreneur. The name "Brioni" was inspired by the Brijuni Islands in Croatia, which were a popular holiday destination for the international elite during the early 20th century. The founders aimed to provide the most exquisite and meticulously crafted men's suits, and over the decades, Brioni has lived up to this commitment, transforming into a globally recognized brand synonymous with Italian elegance, quality, and sophistication.

In the 1950s, Brioni was one of the pioneers of the fashion show concept, presenting their collections on catwalks with models - a novel idea at the time. This innovative spirit became a hallmark of the brand, along with its renowned tailoring school, Scuola di Alta Sartoria, founded in 1985. This school ensures the preservation and transmission of Brioni's unique and traditional craftsmanship. The brand's sartorial excellence has attracted a clientele of influential individuals including heads of state, Hollywood stars, and business leaders.

Today, Brioni continues to uphold its storied tradition of handcrafted suits, while also expanding its offerings to include a broader range of menswear, from sportswear to leather goods and accessories. The brand maintains a unique balance between honoring its heritage and innovating for the future, producing garments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also characterized by unrivaled quality and comfort. Brioni's enduring commitment to artisanal excellence, combined with its forward-thinking approach, secures its position as a leader in the global luxury market.

Acqua di Parma is a cherished emblem of Italian savoir-faire, whose origins date back to 1916. The brand was born out of a small essence laboratory in Parma, where skilled master craftsmen had perfected a new fragrance, the iconic Colonia. This fresh, sophisticated, and elegant fragrance was inspired by the beautiful Italian landscapes and noble Italian arts. Quickly, it garnered a devoted following among Italian gentry and international celebrities.

Over the years, the brand has been handed down from generation to generation, while preserving its unique character and enduring tradition of craftsmanship. In the 1990s, three leading figures in the international world of business and culture - Diego Della Valle, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, and Paolo Borgomanero - joined forces to relaunch the brand. They held the conviction that true luxury is simplicity and authenticity, a philosophy which is reflected in every Acqua di Parma product.

Today, Acqua di Parma remains a symbol of Italian luxury, with its distinctive yellow packaging recognized globally. The brand's product range has expanded beyond fragrance to include an array of exquisite personal and home care items, all embodying the quintessential Italian art of living. Acqua di Parma is a beacon of Italian style and refinement, an institution that preserves and promotes the best of the Italian art of living, contributing significantly to the world of Italian elegance and style.

Founded in Spain in 1846, we’re approaching 175 years as one of the world’s major luxury houses.

From our humble beginnings as a leathermaking collective to becoming a leading global brand, our journey has always been defined by an obsessive focus on craftsmanship and an unmatched expertise with leather. Based out of our main workshop in Madrid, which remains in operation to this day, our master artisans combine their accumulated craft knowledge with new technologies and innovative ways of thinking to produce truly modern objects of desire.

The most recent chapter in our story has been marked by the appointment of Jonathan Anderson as creative director in 2013. Since taking the helm, he has spearheaded a major rejuvenation of the house. Through a fresh redesign of the brand identity, a modern articulation of our commitment to craftsmanship with the launch of platforms like the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize, and a series of critically acclaimed and genre-defining Women’s and Men’s collections, the house has been further elevated as an influential and global cultural force.

Founded in 1861 by brothers Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale's began as a single dry goods store in New York City. The brothers' innovative approach of selling European fashions to the American public quickly caught on, and their store soon transformed into a full-scale department store, one of the first of its kind in the country. Over the years, Bloomingdale's has evolved into an iconic brand known for setting retail trends and pushing the boundaries of fashion and luxury.

In the 1920s, Bloomingdale's expanded to fill an entire city block, offering an unparalleled assortment of high-end items and establishing itself as a destination for discerning shoppers from around the world. The store continued to innovate by introducing a curated home department in the 1930s and pioneering the concept of designer shopping bags in the 1960s. Throughout its history, Bloomingdale's has always maintained a commitment to style, creativity, and the highest level of customer service.

Today, Bloomingdale's operates stores across the United States and even has a global presence through its online store, continuing to set standards in the retail industry. The brand has remained true to its roots, offering an array of designer merchandise and striving to create a seamless shopping experience that combines the best of online and in-store retail. With its long-standing reputation for excellence and innovation, Bloomingdale's continues to captivate and inspire customers with its unique blend of upscale merchandise, personalized service, and fashion-forward insight.

Jimmy Choo is a 21st century luxury accessories brand, with shoes at its heart, offering an empowered sense of glamour and a playfully daring spirit.

Pioneer in the art of celebrity dressing, Jimmy Choo was among the first to bring shoes and handbags to Hollywood where the red carpet proved to be the ideal runway for the brand. Today, Jimmy Choo can be seen on style icons from celebrities to royalty, musicians to heads of state.

The brand’s reputation as a celebrity favourite helped to fuel its rapid expansion. Its iconography was further defined by the bold and dramatic advertising portraying glamorous but strong women in towering heels and luxurious handbags, captured by some of the most acclaimed fashion photographers in the world.

Emilio Pucci, Marquis of Barsento, founded the brand that bears his name in 1947. He unexpectedly began his career on the Swiss ski slopes, to open his first boutique in Capri in 1950. A citizen of the world, constantly traveling between his native Florence and the holiday resorts favored by the jet set, he envisioned the modern woman following a revolutionary intuition full of style and personality. He dressed such women with easy, immediate pieces that express a new idea of elegance: fast, joyful, spontaneous, effortless. He embraced, with a unique sense of color, the American idea of sportswear, the need for absolute comfort, which he combined with an innate taste for beauty and luxury. He left a permanent mark, summarized by the prints that earned him the title of The Prince of Prints.

Synonymous with British craftsmanship and design, dunhill is the foremost British men’s luxury House for today. A trusted destination of elevation, classicism, hedonism, and solace for our audience – offering understated, refined pieces across ready-to-wear, leather goods and hard luxury.

Leveraging a unique 130-year heritage and rich archive, we ensure uncompromising quality that lasts – echoing the pioneering spirit of our founder, Alfred Dunhill. Innovation and contemporaneity has always been a part of what we do – from our origins to the present day.

Having trained as an apprentice craftsman with his father’s equestrian saddlery and harness making business in 1893, the 21-year-old Alfred Dunhill inherited the enterprise. It is said of the young Dunhill that he had a passion for good craftsmanship, it became something of a religion to him. He immediately set about making changes, quick to take up the challenge he soon transformed his father’s original business to a supplier of accessories for the new age of motorcar.

Attention to detail, excellence, functionality, and a personalized approach sets us apart. We focus on our English style heritage as a consistent theme across all markets. The innate understanding we have of our country’s culture drives an authentic view that is relevant today and understood globally. A celebration of British elegance and masculinity.

To create something beautiful, enduring and of purpose takes time. The rarefied world of ‘Alfred Dunhill’ represents the very best of the House, where excellence, discretion and British craftsmanship take centre stage. We celebrate exclusivity with a unique, personalized approach that offers Bespoke tailoring and leather goods, Made-to-Measure and Made-to-Order shoes alongside limited edition hard luxury and leather pieces. An exceptional level of service is guaranteed.

From our London leather workshop to Bourdon House – our iconic Mayfair destination – the unique, innovative spirit of our founder, Alfred Dunhill, echoes through the corridors. Exquisite leather is considered, cut and shaped. Tailoring, a hallmark of English style, is allowed to shine. There’s a respect for tradition, evolved to be relevant today.

Marni is a luxury fashion brand founded in Milan, in 1994. Innovative and multifaceted, Marni celebrates individuality through an unpredictable visual language of graphic rigor.

Marni is a state of mind, a playful spirit, with a history of friendly, humanist values combined with an experimental approach to materials and colors, as well as a unique flair for mixing prints and shapes.

Marni collections include ready-to-wear for women, men and kids, handbags, shoes, accessories and eyewear.

The brand’s aesthetic paradigm mirrors the vision of Creative Director Francesco Risso: the quirky elegance of Marni is a range of possibilities, an exploration of ideals, a lifestyle with an avant-garde attitude that holds a constant dialogue with the world of art.