Star-studded World Rugby Awards return to Monaco

The World Rugby Awards 2022 return to Monaco for the first time since the pandemic on Sunday, 20 November to celebrate the best of rugby on and off the pitch over the last calendar year. Sponsors include Emirates and Macron.

Rugby’s most prestigious awards will cap an evening hosted under the High Patronage of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco. On 20 November, the World Rugby Awards will celebrate the on-field achievements of the calendar year and recognise those who made an outstanding contribution to the sport.

Hosted after the conclusion of Rugby World Cup 2021 and the men’s November internationals, the ceremony brings together some of the biggest names in world rugby with former and current players all converging on Monte-Carlo.

For the first time, a Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year category is presented, bringing the total to 14 awards, recognising the best of women in rugby. Introduced last year, the popular men’s and women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, voted by a panel of legends of the game, will remain the fan favourites.

The global rugby family can follow the red carpet evening of celebration on World Rugby social platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (@WorldRugby).

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The return to Monaco for the World Rugby Awards signals the full return of rugby following the pandemic and the players, coaches and unsung heroes who have made their mark on 2022 both on and off the field, in front of the camera and without spotlight.

“Following rugby’s big family reunion in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup 2021, the awards will celebrate togetherness, greatness and devotion. It is our great pleasure to host the global rugby family in Monaco for an incredibly special evening of celebration.

“I would like to thank HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco and the Principality for welcoming the return of the World Rugby Awards in Monte-Carlo, and as a rugby fan I look forward to discovering the nominees in November.”

For details, see https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/awards

It’s about time for a new collection, says Accurist

UK watch brand Accurist, part of Time Products Ltd, has revitalised its brand positioning with a collection inspired by its vintage pieces.

The company has drawn on its archive for a vintage watch to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2021. The team has “rediscovered the brand’s original ethos of high-quality watches at affordable prices that punch above their weight and found an abundance of distinctive vintage timepieces”, according to Accurist.

Instead of launching one watch, Accurist developed seven collections which will replace current ranges. Comprising 76 timepieces, each collection is inspired by a distinctive vintage watch, resulting in an array of styles for men and women which cater to different consumers. All are available to travel retailers.

Gary Taylor, Duty Free and International Director, said: "Accurist has targeted travel retail for many years and has a stronghold in the UK and Europe; our customers have included Jet2, DFDS, Aer Rianta and Lagardère.

“We're confident that the revitalisation of the brand will strengthen the position we already hold and help us to grow our business further afield into new markets. Accurist is a unique offering, blending a heritage British brand with over 75 years of watchmaking history with modern materials and designs. By focusing on high-quality specifications such as sapphire crystal glass, solid stainless steel and diamond dot dials, Accurist really punches above its weight.

“With this new collection, we hope to attract a different type of retailer and a new customer, opening new opportunities globally. The introduction also allows Time Products to add another dimension to its portfolio of brand offerings.”

Accurist Aviation Collection with luminous hands and markers

As well as the new watch collections, Accurist introduces the tagline ‘It’s about time’, which is true to its heritage of being linked to great moments in time such as sponsoring the speaking clock until 2008 and the countdown to the millennium.

The revitalisation includes a return to a vintage Accurist logo, refreshed brand colours for a modern twist, updated display stands and online website to boost visibility, and new packaging with what the brand calls a “spectacular” watch roll for every watch.

The collections combine craftsmanship techniques typically reserved for Swiss timepieces together with materials attributed to premium-priced brands, such as solid stainless steel, semi-precious stones, sapphire crystal glass and genuine leather, and are available at an accessible price point.

The range consists of seven collections: Origin, Rectangle, Everyday, Jewellery, Aviation, Dive and Classic. They come with a five-year guarantee, have interchangeable, quick-release straps to allow personalisation, and have dedicated space on the case back for engraving.

A UK marketing campaign runs from October to December 2022 centred on 'It's about time’. Digital and social media marketing seek to raise awareness of the brand before consumers travel. Extensive outdoor and press advertising help to reach consumers at all pre-journey touchpoints.

The new watches are on display at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes (Green Village K50).

About Accurist 

Founded in Clerkenwell, London, in 1946, Accurist’s founding ethos was to produce high-quality, trend-focused and competitively-priced watches designed and developed in the UK. The brand became synonymous with precise, reliable craftsmanship. Accurist sponsored the Speaking Clock until 2008 and the countdown to the millennium.

WiTR supports Hope Foundation at TFWA fair

This year at the TFWA World Exhibition, Women in Travel Retail (WiTR) returns to its usual venue in the foyer of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Tuesday, October 4 (1730-1900) with a focus on fundraising.

On arrival, attendees will be welcomed with a glass of Chandon Garden Spritz courtesy of Moet Hennessy to start off what promises to be an enjoyable networking session while also raising funds for WiTR’s 2022 charity – the Hope Foundation.

Since 1999, the Hope Foundation aims to protect children living on the streets and in the slums of Kolkata, India. WiTR is raising funds to buy a bus to safely transport women and children from Hope’s five homes housing 100 children, and a mother and childcare unit. Costing about €15,000 (US$14,500), the bus will replace a 15-year-old vehicle to comply with government environmental guidelines.

For more, see the YouTube video at: https://youtu.be/QnuNRMhpboI

Hope Foundation (photo courtesy of WiTR/Hope Foundation)

WiTR Chair Sarah Branquinho said: “This year, instead of the past raffle format, participants will be invited to contribute €20 (US$19) and a business card to be entered into a draw for three prizes which will take place at around 18.30. Please note that WiTR is a small charity and cannot accept online payments, only cash. We look forward to seeing you all and hope that we can make a significant impact with your donations.”

For corporate and individual donations, contact Gerry Munday, Vice Chair of WiTR, at gerrymunday2811@gmail.com

About Women in Travel

Women in Travel (WiTR) was created in 2006 to recognise the contribution of women to the travel retail industry, past, present and future, and as a forum for women in the industry. It allows a privileged medium to exchange ideas and to support people in need, from Haiti to India to Sichuan.

See you there!

MCM takes a leap with Puma partnership

Luxury fashion brand MCM has linked with fellow German powerbrand Puma for a new basketball range.

The partnership aims to bring the ball both on and off the court, starting with a limited-edition release of the Puma Slipstream Lo. It is the first in a three-drop series.

Basketball superstar-in-the-making Mikey Williams has been recruited as a triple-double for the global campaign.

Adorned with Cognac Visetos Monogram highlights, the unisex Made in Italy sneaker is dubbed “a dazzling tribute to the iconic sport”. It retails at £395.

MCM x PUMA with Mikey Williams

Crafted in Italian leather upper and suede trim, Puma’s renowned design language is enriched by classic MCM codes, expressed through the iconic Puma Formstrip logo in Visetos monogram canvas.

Lush terry cloth lining, padded nylon side panels and Puma Anti-Shock System technology result in advanced comfort, MCM said.

MCM x PUMA logo motifs are emblazoned on the footbed and heel tab, while a 14ct gold-plated logo plate appears on the leather tongue.

MCM’s Global Brand Officer Dirk Schönberger said: “The collaboration between MCM and Puma tells a great story of the heritage of both brands, but also how important culture is for MCM and the connection to all relevant topics for our consumer – from sport, music, to the influence of street-culture for luxury brands.”

MCM puts K-pop fun into Frieze Seoul

German luxury fashion house MCM introduced a hybrid art fashion space in its flagship store during Frieze Seoul, attracting K-pop stars to the global art fair’s inaugural event in the South Korean capital, which took place from September 2-5.

The multi-artist exhibition at MCM’s five-storey MCM HAUS in Cheongdam, Seoul, combines culture, art and fashion. It kicked off on August 31.

Featuring MCM’s most iconic collections, the store has been transformed into an art space. The top floor features a group exhibition of internationally established artists. In addition, leading Korean artist JungHwa Choi set up an art installation inside the store, integrating MCM’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection into his artwork.

MCM's CVO Sung-Joo Kim with Thai actress Taew and Korean actor Yoon Park

After its successful premiere at the end of April during Gallery Weekend Berlin in Germany, the pop-art collaboration between MCM and the renowned German artist Johannes Wohnseifer continues its journey and is one of the highlights being showcased at MCM HAUS in Seoul.

The DJ trunk case has not only been designed as a hybrid, with classical elegance on the exterior and futurism on the interior, but Wohnseifer has also selected different media to fill it with life.

In addition to a collection of pieces from MCM's rich art and fashion heritage, it contains works and influences that equally appeal to collectors of his art and MCM's customers. They include an unreleased track by DJ duo and friends of the artist, Schaeben & Voss, a unique aluminium painting, a Diasec print limited edition of a photographic collage and a leather toy giraffe – all designed by the German artist.

MCM’s Chairperson and Chief Visionary Officer Sung-Joo Kim hosted a party to celebrate the opening of Frieze Seoul on September 2, welcoming creators, artists, celebrities and press. Further events were staged at the flagship store during the week, including a party in collaboration with Soho House and a VIP dinner. The special exhibition will be held at MCM Haus until September 30.

MCM's CVO Sung-Joo Kim with K-pop idol Yuju (right) and Korean rapper Reddy

About Johannes Wohnseifer

Johannes Wohnseifer (born in 1967 in Cologne) lives and works in Cologne and Erfstadt, Germany. The artist works in an array of media, including collage, painting and photography, as well as sculptures and installations. In his exploration of the icons of popular culture, he references the history of art and design and analyses everyday life as defined by the mass media. His works often feature invented logos and subversive messages that borrow from corporate branding, loaded cultural symbols, and political propaganda. He uses items of consumption and prestige, such as sneakers and cars, as a mirror of history, particularly referencing his own coming of age.

As a collector of images that he discovers in advertising, books and Instagram, Wohnseifer combines historical events with pop culture, questioning the boundaries between intellectual ambition and entertainment. Wohnseifer’s art is represented in renowned private and public collections such as those of Christian Boros, Harald Falckenberg, Susan and Michael Hort, Charles Saatchi and Julia Stoschek.

About MCM (Modern Creation München)

MCM is a luxury lifestyle and fashion house founded in 1976 in Munich (München) with an attitude defined by the cultural zeitgeist and its German heritage with a focus on functional innovation, including the use of cutting-edge techniques. Through its association with music, art, travel and technology, MCM embodies the bold, rebellious and aspirational. Always with an eye on the disruptive, the driving force behind MCM centres on revolutionising classic design with futuristic materials. Appealing to the global nomad generation – dreamers, creatives and digital natives – MCM’s millennial, Gen Z and Generation X audience is genderless, ageless, empowered and unconstrained by rules. 

MCM is distributed online and in 650 stores worldwide in key cities such as Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, and across the Middle East. Visit www.mcmworldwide.com