Meet the first MCM Maverick – Cara Delevingne

Supermodel Cara Delevingne stars in MCM’s Spring/Summer 2024 campaign as the first MCM Maverick.

Capturing the essence of the German luxury brand's community, the SS24 campaign features boundary-breaking English model and actress Cara Delevingne and South Korean model sensation Xu Meen, who are described by MCM as “two purposeful and dynamic digital nomads who follow their own true North”.

The campaign, created by famed creative director Fabien Baron and shot by Craig McDean, portrays a life on the move. It aims to capture the optimism and rule-breaking heritage of the brand with a fresh and vibrant image through a new community who focuses on moving forward.

Cara Delevingne and Soy the Samoyed in MCM's SS24 campaign

“SS24 bridges the gap between luxe and leisure with versatile designs that are foundational for a robust wardrobe,” MCM said.

Collection highlights include the XL Visetos Diamond Tote, Aren Shoulder Bag, Stark Tennis Backpack and Sling Bag.

MCM Stark Tennis Backpack

The campaign was styled by Karl Templer, with beauty by Pat McGrath and hair by Guido Palau. Not forgetting the gorgeous white fluffy dog, Soy the Samoyed.

Party time: TFWA celebrates 40th anniversary

TFWA is turning 40 in 2024, and plans are in place to mark this momentous occasion in style across the year. The climax of the festivities will come in Cannes during the TFWA World Exhibition, when the association will be throwing a spectacular birthday party on the final night of the event.

“In the run-up to this occasion, there’s plenty of fun (and a few surprises) in store, and over the coming months TFWA’s social media channels will be keeping the industry up to date with information on a number of special events to add to diaries,” the association said.

During the anniversary year, key players from all walks of the duty free and travel retail business will be sharing their experiences of how the industry and the association that serves it have evolved over time, as well as their aspirations and predictions for the future.

Throughout its 40-year journey, TFWA has proved its ability to embrace and adapt to the use of new technologies, and this tech-forward approach has provided inspiration for key elements of TFWA’s activities. The visual for the 2024 TFWA World Exhibition was brought to life with the use of AI, and AI also played a hand in crafting TFWA’s seasonal greeting card.

TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “In this special year, I would like to take the opportunity to send all my friends and associates across the industry my best wishes for 2024 and beyond. As we take time to look back on the incredible journey TFWA has undertaken over the past four decades, we, as an industry, have every reason to feel proud of our achievements and the indomitable spirit that defines us. The dedication of our members is the bedrock of our success, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them for their unwavering support. An anniversary also signposts the beginning of a new era. We at TFWA have our sights firmly set on what is yet to come and the travel retail experience as we head to the future. We look forward to the next chapter that is opening for the great industry that is duty free and travel retail.”

Women in Travel Retail+ to support vital bike project

Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has announced that its charity for 2024 is FRASI’s Bike to School project, proposed by Patricia Bona, co-founder and co-owner of Miami-based Essence Corp, the beauty products distributor to the Americas travel retail markets. 

Of the three charities put forward by WiTR+ members, the Bike to School project had attracted the most votes when polling closed at 23:59 on 14 January 2024.

FRASI, a not-for-profit association based in Lugano, Switzerland, works with disadvantaged and vulnerable children in many different countries. Its Bike to School project in Sri Lanka aims to help prevent boys and girls from dropping out of schools, by providing them with a safe means of transport.

Patricia Bona, co-founder of Essence Corp

Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. Prices have risen, basic products are unaffordable, there are shortages of electricity and fuel. The risk of a serious food crisis and the collapse of the health system, already destabilised by the Covid-19 pandemic, are real. This economic meltdown has triggered a political and social crisis with widespread anti-government protests erupting across the country.

In these dire circumstances, children are quitting school. Not only do they lose basic education, but also their only daily guaranteed meal. For many, walking to school is fraught with danger.

In response to this problem and partnering with local associations, FRASI has launched the Bike to School project which will provide bikes and bike safety equipment to students with good academic performance, coming from families with financial difficulties, and living more than 5km away from schools. Cycling safety lessons, and cycle repair lessons will also be provided.

Patricia Bona, one of the earliest members of WiTR and an active supporter, said: “I am thrilled that WiTR+ members have chosen the Bike to School project as its 2024 charity. I believe that empathy, support and collective action can change the world. Together, we can give to one child at a time a chance for better education, which is vital to break the cycle of poverty.  If WiTR+ can raise €15,000, more than 100 girls and boys, from families with few economic resources, will receive a bicycle, a helmet, and lessons on street safety and bike repair. Our fundraising will help them get an education and get to school safely. I hope that the whole industry will help WiTR+ to achieve its target.”

For details on FRASI and the Bike to School project, visit https://www.associazionefrasi.org/

Bape is back with MCM for Lunar New Year capsule

Following the success of their first collaboration in 2019, MCM and Japanese streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (Bape) have joined forces for the launch of a Lunar New Year collection to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

The Lunar New Year Edition capsule collection features pattern play, playful graphics and combines Bape's shark motif with MCM's signature Visetos. The famous Bape STA logo is entwined with a golden dragon, symbolising unapologetic confidence and irreverent style for the new year, MCM said.

MCM x Bape Lunar New Year capsule collection

The Shark Hoodie, designed in Black and Cognac Visetos, highlights the collaboration logo and the Bape shark motif. Also included are MCM icons such as the backpack, belt bag, crossbody, Boston, Weekender, North-South Tote and handheld pouch, reimagined with a transparent rendition of Bape's camo pattern debossed in gold over the Visetos in Cognac and Black.

Each piece features gunmetal hardware and oversized graphics, bold curvilinear patterns and animalistic patches, finished with the collaboration logo.

"We are pleased to recombine MCM’s rich heritage of artisanship and mobility with the dynamic creativity of Bape for this next drop,” said Sabine Brunner, Global Commercial and Brand Officer & President MCM Global AG. “Both brands complement one another as they achieved prominence through their natural proximity with the global streetwear movement – MCM finding a renaissance in the New York hip hop community of the 80s and Bape coming of age during the explosion of Tokyo’s Harajuku scene in the 90s. It is a true celebration of luxury streetwear that captures the essence of the Zeitgeist."

Thomas Hui, Chief Operating Officer of Bape, added: “We are excited to join forces again with MCM for a collaboration that merges the best of both worlds. The launch of this capsule collection is an inspiring synergy of style, individuality and an unbridled spirit of innovation. This sensational collection will elevate the whole luxury streetwear vibe to the next level.”