Showing posts with label Alison Kwan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alison Kwan. Show all posts

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Louis Vuitton Menswear 2026: Pharrell Williams Latest Collection in Hong Kong – Review, Where to Buy & What’s Next

Louis Vuitton's latest menswear collections under the watchful eye of Pharrell Williams continues to emphasize timeless luxury fused with contemporary craftsmanship. The Men's Fall-Winter 2026 show, presented in January 2026 in Paris, revolved around the conceptual "DROPHAUS"—a modern glass-walled prefabricated home nestled in a flourishing garden, designed by Pharrell in collaboration with NOT A HOTEL. 

The collection, titled "Timeless," reimagines futurism through enduring wardrobes: think relaxed tailoring in earthy tones (tans, greens, khakis), double-breasted suits, leather blazers, opulent crocodile bombers, elongated coats, and technical outerwear layered over sharp shirts and ties. It celebrates LV's Monogram heritage (marking its 130th anniversary) with refined details like oversized bows, monogrammed accessories, and high-quality fabrics such as cashmere, vicuña, and silk. 

Earlier, the Spring-Summer 2026 collection drew from the spirit of travel, blending Parisian elegance with Indian influences--something we've noted over the past 15 months-- through soft tailoring, sportswear hybrids, vibrant palettes, and signatures like L.V.M. and "Louis Vuitton Paris."

Musician Pharrell Williams has served as Men's Creative Director since 2023, steering the line with his signature blend of music, culture, and savoir-faire. Serious fashion critics have offered measured praise. Outlets like Vogue and WWD highlight the shift toward classic, wearable luxury and superior craftsmanship, calling it "eternal" and "back to the future" with strong Monogram focus which doesn't easily lean into the theme of 'quiet luxury' which was trending for long enough to be rephrased as tired luxury. LV's maximalism has worked in its favour, popular among the youth, the aspirants, the nouveau riche, the rappers, the "enfants terribles" of contemporary culture as the iconic alphabets appear in films, music videos, on the back of every hot star and celebrity worth of note. 

Some note a safer, less avant-garde approach compared to predecessors, grading it solidly (e.g., B in Complex) for quality over bold innovation, yet applauding its livable, high-end appeal that prioritises longevity. 

Since Pharrell's takeover, business appears stable to improved in core metrics, with LVMH's fashion division showing resilience amid market challenges. Creative strength from Pharrell (and women's by Nicolas Ghesquière) has helped LV maintain momentum, though broader luxury slowdowns in China have impacted growth. LV remains a top performer with flagship investments.

Fans can look forward to continued exploration of hybrid wardrobes, global travel narratives, music-fashion crossovers (Pharrell often produces show soundtracks as its been widely reported), and elevated everyday luxury pieces. Expect more focus on sustainable, functional elegance and archival reimaginings in upcoming seasons. It's not nostalgia for the sake of a jog down memory lane in jodhpurs, but a reminder of the brand's long and enduring history. 

In Hong Kong and China, LV retains strong fandom but faces a more discerning market. It is still highly coveted as a status symbol, with robust local demand and major stores like The Louis in Shanghai and the patient line-up in front of flagship stoes in the city. However, economic pressures have led to cautious spending and rising interest in domestic luxury alternatives. The brand's position is solid but not quite as unquestioned as pre-2023 peaks, sustained by celebrity appeal and heritage as reported by Jing Daily. 

Where to get LV menswear in HK? The flagship stores including Louis Vuitton Hong Kong Landmark (Central), 5 Canton Road (Tsim Sha Tsui), The Peninsula, and Hong Kong International Airport, but appointments recommended for exclusive pieces. 

Above: Photographer: Alison Kwan
MUA: Gloomy for KarenYiu.com
Model: Fritz at Model One 

Friday, 20 March 2026

The Rebirth of Opulence: Narcisa Pheres on Fluid Gender, Rare Gems, and the New Era of Fine Jewellery

How a designer blending European heritage with Asian influences is championing bold, expressive pieces in a post-minimalist world. Narcisa Pheres, of her eponymous brand, in conversation with P.Ramakrishnan.
In magazine publishing, particularly high gloss editions, bigger is decisively better when it comes to accessories of  the bejeweled kind. Editors, especially art directors like intricately designed, legacy brands with big shiny rocks that glisten on the page, a little razzle dazzle to catch the eye of the reader. Before there was clickbait, there was eyeballs on newsstands. So we are thrilled that fine jewellery has segued from the delicate, can-you-see-the-stone oeuvre and decisively shed its minimalist straitjacket. That's where Narcisa Pheres, a longtime favourite, emerges as a voice of unapologetic exuberance. 
Her latest collections—Fluidity, a gender-fluid ready-to-wear line of gold and diamond pieces inspired by everyday tools, and the couture Garden of Life, an ode to nature's organic forms—capture the zeitgeist of elaborate craftsmanship and personal expression. “I have two recent collections; one is called Fluidity and it’s based on tools: hammer, seesaw, wrench, ruler, screwdriver etc,” she explains. “It’s a gender fluid, unisex collection of ready to wear gold and diamond pieces catering to the design focused, younger generation.” 
Meanwhile, the couture offering is “entirely inspired by nature: flowers, butterflies, flowy rivers.” For this exclusive fashion shoot, for the first time, we've booked a male model to showcase - the best of jewellery! We ransacked the Pheres treasure trove of collectables and opted for this menswear shoot, greatly garnished by all her sparkling accessories. 
This duality—industrial precision meeting botanical poetry—mirrors broader shifts in fine jewellery. Globally, 2024/2025 and beyond have seen a decisive turn towards elaborated designs, with minimalist trends “entirely gone from fine jewelry,” as Pheres observes. “Designs are becoming very elaborated... Collectors are still looking for rare stones, exquisite designs and elaborated craftmanship.” Pearls, in particular, have staged a triumphant return, often mixed with vibrant gems for eclectic appeal—a trend echoed across runways and red carpets.
The designer for years was known for her fine menswear collection that one could find in the haloed corners of Lane Crawford, her own showroom in Central and dotted around Asia, she would showcase her glamorous goods and wears in trunk shows that VVIPs attended. As Narcisa Pheres pivoted to jewellery full time, it is no wonder her select, versatile pieces can be worn by both men or women. She brings and edge and softness to jewellery that perhaps others in her ilk, don't always bring to the forefront. 
In fact, the joy she brings to the table is palpable, be it in the shades she brought to the lining of her suits or the gemstones in her accessories collection, Pheres’ fascination with colour is palpable. “I absolutely love working with Paraiba and rubellites,” she says, highlighting two of the market’s most coveted rarities. Paraiba tourmaline, with its electrifying neon blue-green hue, commands prices from US$1,000 to over US$100,000 per carat for exceptional Brazilian specimens, driven by extreme scarcity and surging collector demand. Rubellites, the raspberry-pink tourmalines, have similarly appreciated, with finer qualities fetching up to US$2,000 per carat amid supply constraints since 2022. 
These align with her investment philosophy: “I would say any rare color gem (Paraiba, pigeon blood ruby, a high-quality emerald or a natural blue sapphire) or any diamonds above 1 ct, D, VVS will uphold its value.” In contrast to volatile markets, “Gold prices [are] going up tremendously,” she notes—indeed, gold surged dramatically through 2024-2025, often exceeding 50-70% annual gains amid economic uncertainties, reaching over US$5,000 per ounce by early 2026.
Yet true value, for Pheres, transcends spreadsheets. “Creativity has no price tag so go for bold fine jewelry designs that you love (there is no better investment than investing in yourself and what you Love).” This ethos resonates in Asia, where men’s jewellery has long been normalised, from traditional gold adornments in India to contemporary luxury in China. The Asia Pacific jewellery market, valued at over USD 230 billion in 2025, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% through 2033, with men’s segments expanding rapidly due to rising disposable incomes and evolving cultural norms.
Pheres observes a convergence: “In Asia, men wearing jewellery is common. Did you find that? ... Used to be very common in Europe: gentlemen had been wearing jewelry for centuries... Same in America, if you actually look at red carpet events, especially the Met Gala, you will notice more and more jewelry on men in the past years.” Recent Met Galas have amplified this, with 2025’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme showcasing brooches, layered chains, and statement pendants on male attendees—vintage pins, diamond lapels, even embellished canes. “There had always been watches and cufflinks but recently you see men wearing very elaborated designs not just in brooches and pins but pendants, rings, necklaces and bracelets.”
Her advice to men is refreshingly direct: “Don’t be afraid to mix and layer jewelry; just make sure to find your own style rather than follow what’s trending. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color stones or antique jewelry pieces: a nice brooch or a pin will always be a staple of elegance. Don’t over do it!” This measured boldness defines her brand: “A reinterpretation of European court jewels, art deco and art nouveau inspiration mix with some Japanese aesthetics and organic, sculptural shapes.”
Celebrity endorsements underscore her cross-cultural allure. Pieces have graced Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Amal Clooney, and, in proud moments, Michelle Obama, Madonna, and Rihanna at the Met Gala. “I can’t pick one star as my favorite as they are all very accomplished and inspiring... the biggest surprise had been seeing Michelle Obama wearing a Narcisa Pheres ring.”
Pheres herself curates daily. “I tend to choose my jewelry according to what I wear that particular day... but what’s never missing will be a big pair of emeralds and diamonds earrings and either a flower or a butterfly in diamonds with some colored gems.” Sentimental favourites? “A few actually. Interestingly they either have Colombian emeralds or Paraiba and diamonds (I love green and turquoise colors).”As 2024’s trends carry forward to 2026—pearls resurgent, rare gems prized, men’s adornment normalised—Pheres’ vision feels prescient. For those craving individuality over restraint, her jewels remind us that true luxury is personal, bold, and enduring.

All photography:
Alison Kwan
Model: Fritz at Model OneGrooming, hair, MUA: Gloomy from Karen Yiu and Co. 

 

For more on Pheres, check out their official Instagram below or check out their official website Pheres.com