LONDON — Instagram labels may no longer be a novelty, yet Copenhagen-based influencers Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen have been able to identify a niche in the saturated digital space and turn their nascent concept for dress label Rotate into a success.
Their recipe? Focusing on a single category, sweet spot price points, and a hefty dose of glamour and drama. They also have the backing of retailer Denise Christensen of the Danish retailer Birger Christensen.
They introduced the label just over six months ago, with a tightly edited collection of seven pieces, including short mini dresses with dramatic, puffy sleeves, wrap dresses in candy colors and crystal-embellished blazer dresses. All are priced between 240 pounds and 420 pounds.
The label quickly caught the eye of retailers such as Net-a-porter, Browns and Moda Operandi, which are now the brand’s three main international stockists. Just one season after launch, Rotate Birger Christensen became one of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s hottest tickets, with Mary, the Crown Princess of Copenhagen and influencers galore attending the show and sharing snaps of themselves in the brand’s attention-grabbing dresses. The hashtag #makeitrotate has given rise to a community of its own on Instagram.
“We have this opportunity and we thought we should use

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NEW ROMANTIC: The handbag market has been bursting with newness in the contemporary space as of late, with accessibly priced labels cropping up one after the other and grasping for the attention of the Instagram generation.
But there’s still space for a slower, more luxurious approach, according to Taiwanese designer Grace Han, who debuted her eponymous label this month with a focus on craftsmanship and the in-store experience.
The label launched to the market with the opening of a London flagship boutique in Knightsbridge’s Beauchamp place, a stone’s throw away from Harrods.
The aim was to introduce itself to the market in an environment that reflects the new label’s ethos and allows Han to have full control of the experience.
“I wanted to create a warm environment that feels almost like a home when you come in. It’s key to create this type of atmosphere and show the journey of the brand — it was a process that took place over eight years,” said Han, who spent the last few years training and working with artisans in Taiwan to develop and perfect the brand’s now-signature leather pleating technique.

Inside the new Grace Han store 
Courtesy Photo

“We treat every bag like artwork,” she added.
Inside the store —

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MILAN — Chinese fashion group VGrass Fashion Co. Ltd. is eyeing Western markets.
To reach its goal, the Nanjing-based group, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and has a turnover of $300 million, has established VGrass Italy Srl, which operates the VGrass Studio label.
“VGrass Studio represents the group’s international growth strategy and the mission to expand our horizons on a global level. We felt that Italy was the perfect stage to make a first, relevant step toward the definition of a high-end product marked by sophisticated style and flawless quality,” said VGrass Studio chief executive officer Su Zehua. “This project has a ‘dual soul’ in which the best of China’s resources and talents combine with the best in international creativity to shape something unseen and unexpected, made of boundless inspiration and mixed codes. Our philosophy is ‘stay humble, have style, respect other cultures and always be curious and open-minded.’ VGrass Studio blends all these messages in a fresh international brand that elevates the Chinese sense of beauty through the unique vision and expertise of Made in Italy.”

A look from VGrass Studio Spring 2019 collection. 
Dario Catellani

Positioned in the more affordable segment of the luxury market, VGrass Studio, which is making

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NEW YORK — An assortment of artistic touches will be center stage when Threeasfour returns to the runway Thursday night at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s theater. The last collection they showed in New York was spring 2017.
Adi Gil and Gabriel Asfour will be dedicating the show in memory of their friend Kate Spade. In 1997 working for Spade as creative director, Asfour helped to start the clothing component of her collection and their own brand’s upcoming one will be colorful as hers were. The designers collaborated with the artist Stanley Casselman, transforming his paintings into the fall collection, in order to highlight the collision of art, fashion and design. Supporters often refer to Threeasfour’s design as art, so Asfour said he and Gil decided “Why not do it as art? Instead of using fabric, we’re using paintings.” Victoria Bartlett will be styling the show, which is being choreographed by Maria Hassabi with performer Tyler Ashley serving as emcee. Sean Lennon, Maria Cornejo, Waris Ahluwalia and Arden Wohl are expected to be in the crowd of 280.
“Happy, friendly neighbors” with Threeasfour at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, N.J., Casselman often makes paintings that are 6 feet squares and painted on polyester screens that

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