FITZ & CO’s Post

Armani’s elegance, which is now widely recognized across the globe, evolved in dialogue with the style of his “rival” Gianni Versace, in a competition that compelled the two artists to find, refine, and improve their unique languages.   Their polarity during the 1980s and 1990s belongs to a larger narrative framework in Italian culture, which dates back to the Middle Ages. You might recall here the literary opposition of Dante and Petrarch, but rival heroes is quite a common trope later too: from the Renaissance duels of Michelangelo and Raphael, or Ariosto and Tasso, to the Baroque clash of the Roman architects Bernini and Borromini. These aesthetic and cultural feuds also translate into 20th century sports, as we see in the cycling battles of Coppi and Bartali in the 1950s, or the soccer enmity of Mazzola and Rivera in the 1970s.   In this context, then, the Armani-Versace rivalry should not be read through an antagonist cliché, fueled by opposing fan bases, but rather as an illuminating situation, heightening the visibility of each artist’s distinctive traits. In this light, their styles can be summarized in an essential antinomy: simplicity vs eccentricity, or, in other words, minimalism vs hyper-decoration. In contrast with Versace’s colorful, unconventional, and quirky style, Armani aspired to create a sophisticated balance of theatricality and effortlessness, ultimately embodying the notion that fashion, in his words, “is not about being noticed, but about being remembered”. It follows that Armani’s unstructured lines and clean cuts are not blunt simplifications, but rather the outcome of subtraction, aimed at achieving empowerment through understatement.   Check out the full episode at 👉 bit.ly/innovatorsarmani #italianinnovators #fashion #armani #versace

Joy in Life, Living in Color💎 The Brightest Trend of the Future The founder of JOY COLORi, Irene Hsieh, brings 25 years of expertise from the luxury jewelry industry, including roles at Just Gold Diamond Co., Ltd. and Hearts On Fire. Irene’s mission has always been to offer genuine value to customers with authenticity and drive innovation in the jewelry market. In 2018, Irene recognized the global shift towards sustainability as nations and corporations aligned with the UN’s goals. Believing that jewelry’s inherent value could be enhanced with an eco-friendly approach, she pioneered the introduction of lab-grown diamonds, branding them as "Future Diamonds." Through JOY COLORi, Irene has brought Lab-Grown Diamonds from the United States to Taiwan, merging human ingenuity, technology, and art into a perfect fusion. This innovation not only offers unparalleled brand value but also allows Taiwanese consumers to responsibly enjoy the beauty of diamonds. Irene continues to advance the global promotion of lab-grown diamonds, setting a new standard in the industry. “The future is the ultimate luxury. Sustainability is not a future goal but a present necessity.” #JOYCOLORi #LabGrownDiamonds #CVD #LGD #LuxuryJewelry #DiamondInnovation #SustainableJewelry #FutureOfJewelry #GreenLuxury #ConsciousLuxury #EthicalDiamonds #JewelryTrends #InnovativeJewelry #FutureDiamonds #TechMeetsArt #EthicalLuxury #TaiwanJewelry #ResponsibleLuxury

so looking forward

Milan Fashion Week really stands out this season as the definitive destination for personal style. The theme wove itself through many of the collections presenting during MFW, and it feels as though it’s a symbol of the city’s fashion week itself. It’s been a while since the zeitgeist has made room for such individuality (outside of niche circles), as consumers are expected to perpetually chase after rapid and often thoughtless trend cycles, both in contemporary and even designers spaces. I’ve been yapping about it for days and I have to continue here: Prada’s SS25 collection, whether you were a fan or not, will be a highly important collection that’ll be referenced for years. It is a marked one not only because of its projected performance, commercially speaking, but because of the momentum it will create around the relevance of personal style. Leaning into personal style eases some of the consumer desire to overconsume in an endless trend chase, and promotes consumers to shop from resale and talented independent brands as they seek individual expression (not to mention allows greater creativity from designers). Miuccia Prada’s and Raf Simon’s inspiration this season was rooted in the idea that in a world shaped by algorithms and curated realities, true creativity and personal expression come from individuality. They believe fashion can empower people to transform how they see themselves and define their own identities - and they’re absolutely correct. And then there’s Marni. Initially I was rather bewildered by the collection, which felt like it was almost blatantly referencing Alice in Wonderland (Marni’s actual FW20 collection inspo) - but days later I’m left still thinking about it, and intrigued by the mischievousness of the SS25 collection. Why? Because it was just so individual. Risso, who took over Marni in 2016, has always been known for his bold, irreverent approach to design. His distinct POV - and continued commitment to the playful defiance that drives Marni - supports a needed embracement and return to personal style. So, amidst the many relevant trends we’ll look at this season, this macro focus on personal style seems to be the most critical one, at least culturally speaking. Milan Fashion Week and its influential designers got a little weird this season, and for that, we can thank them. #milanfashionweek #fashionnews #prada #marni #fashionindustry

Cartier: Luxury Brands as Stage Performances Imagine a stunning transformation where Cartier evolves into an enchanting stage performance. In this visionary spectacle, the iconic Cartier brand becomes a beacon of artistic expression, weaving together elements of heritage, innovation, and emotion into a breathtaking tapestry of experience. But beyond the spectacle lies a deeper message – a reminder that true luxury is not just about material wealth, but about the intangible treasures that enrich our lives: love, beauty, and the pursuit of excellence. As the performance reaches its crescendo, it leaves an indelible impression on the hearts and minds of all who witness it, inspiring them to see the world through the lens of possibility and wonder. Idea & Concept: Otto Plesner  Music: The Flower Duet by Léo Delibes Ⓒ𝖼𝗈𝗉𝗒𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗏𝖾𝖽 𝖻𝗒 Otto Plesner & RenaiXance **This is a conceptual design, not an official design of the brand** Cartier, Cyrille Vigneron #artificialinspiration #midjourneymagic #artificialintelligence #aiartwork #aiartist #aiart #aicc #aicccreators #midjourneyart #midjourney #luxury #luxuryfashion #fashion #fashiondesign #performingarts #artandtechnology #technology #innovation #future #creativity #art #dance #music #opera #ballet #conceptart #concept

Wow. Paris Art Week gets busier and busier… ✨ Up to a point where it is now almost ‘on its way to rivalling Paris Fashion Week in both its excess and frivolity’. The events taking place during Art Basel Paris show that for luxury houses, ‘the art world represents an increasingly important window into the tastes and spending habits of the world’s wealthiest culturati’. What a great survey of last week initiatives by Dan Thawley for The Business of Fashion. As fashion and art seem to merge further every single day, Paris definitely seems like the best laboratory for this phenomenon to happen - and be analysed. I personally think it’s quite a fascinating topic. Let’s see how it goes🪽 #paris #parisartweek #artbasel #contemporaryart #artandfashion #luxury

The recent collaboration between #LouisVuitton, designed by Pharrell Williams and Tyler, The Creator, marks a captivating shift in the luxury fashion landscape. Witnessing the integration of rappers and music artists into such esteemed brands is truly fascinating. For years, there has been a tendency to overlook individuals from these backgrounds in luxury fashion, often due to entrenched stereotypes and classist attitudes. However, the evolving consumer landscape demands greater inclusivity and brand awareness. This collaboration is a testament to that changing tide. Notably, we must acknowledge the profound impact of trailblazers like #VirgilAbloh, who shattered barriers and paved the way for greater representation of black creatives in the industry. Louis Vuitton's embrace of diverse talents underscores a progressive approach to design and storytelling. Incorporating the unique perspectives and cultural influences of artists like Pharrell Williams and Tyler, The Creator injects a new dynamism into Louis Vuitton's menswear. The result? Collections that are not only visually striking and playful but also reflective of the brand's enduring identity. This collaboration is not just about fashion; it's about celebrating creativity, breaking down barriers, and embracing the rich tapestry of voices that shape the cultural landscape. As brands continue to forge partnerships with diverse talents, we can anticipate a more #inclusive and vibrant future for luxury fashion.

Professional growth and circumstance sometimes means you have to say goodbye to people, brands and companies that you love to better your professional journey, and that’s ok. But I think we can all agree that saying goodbye to those relationships you have formed and starting again is the hardest and sometimes the scariest part. But what I recently realized is that this is also the hardest part of my personal relationship journey. Sometimes it feels safer to stay because your comfortable and content and again the fear of saying goodbye and starting again is just too much. By doing this are we bettering ourselves personally or professionally? - No Are we preventing ourselves from being uncomfortable so that we can be challenged and grow? - Yes Being uncomfortable and taking risks is part of life. And just like my personal experiences, I have learned and grown from those people, brands and company in my past professional experiences which have gotten me to where I am today. And even though they all didn’t work out or weren’t the right fit for me, they are still part of my story. Just because I may no longer work for certain companies or be on those teams, doesn’t mean my love and the pride I have in their success has ever waivered. It truly brings me so much joy to see a company that I love so much and was lucky to be part of in my professional journey triumph and suceed. We live in such a fast paced forward thinking world, that sometimes I think we forget to stop and appreciate our pasts and realize how much we have grown and accomplished - and how much that within itself is a triumph. SWAROVSKI was the company that gave me my first shot. They betted on a kid out of college with little real world corporate experience because they saw my potentional. And that’s all someone needs to believe in themselves and inspire them to bet on someone else in the future. Add ontop that Swarovski was a company I dreamed to work for as a kid - SWAROVSKI will always have a special place in my heart.

Here is a teaser shot of one my personal Cartier Santos Carree in 18k yellow gold with a factory Saphire and diamond setting with a laquered blue dial from the 1980s. This specific piece was a custom piece made by Cartier’s 5th avenue boutique in NYC. I bought this at a time where many dealers thought I was overpaying or was buying the wrong watch. Those same dealers are now offering more than double of what I paid! The market has changed in the past few years. Gold watches are back, especially in vintage. Factory diamond settings from brands such as Cartier, Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet are skyrocketing in value, and for good reason. Everyone wants the ORIGINAL. Why have the modern iteration of it when you can get the one that the brand is BASING it off. Dannysvintagewatches.com #watches #luxury #fashion #art #business #diamonds #jewelry #cartier #gold #rolex #patek #lvmh #history #vintage #vintagewatch #design #innovation #investment #investing

🤩 What do luxury and Art have in common? I recently came across an insightful piece by Delphine Dion discussing the concept of the artification of luxury. This term refers to the process of elevating luxury goods to the realm of art. By giving luxury items artistic qualities, brands enhance their prestige and elevate their perceived value. We have seen this numerous times. The partnership between Gucci and Christie's or Louis Vuitton and Kusama, etc. Artification transforms the status of luxury brands and products, positioning them as extraordinary consumer goods. This not only reinforces their pricing but also amplifies their symbolic power. In today's society having a Hermès bag is a powerful status symbol, not just because of the price but because of the waiting list to buy the "bag" (It is not just a bag, it is a kelly). However, a question arises: How can luxury maintain its artistic allure when produced on a mass scale? I would love to hear(read) your thoughts. 💫 #artluxury #arttech #creativeindustries