Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 103 - November/December 2021

Industry news Find out about all the latest from the fashion accessories industry in our regular news roundup TIMEX GROUP ANNOUNCES LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH JUDITH LEIBER COUTURE Timex Group, a global leader in watchmaking for over 165 years, has announced a strategic new license agreement with global luxury brand Judith Leiber Couture. The partnership began this month with the introduction of two limited-edition watch designs, the T80 digital and Q analog. With the fashion-forward touch of Judith Leiber, the styles will be limited to 200 units each and feature over 900 hundred Swarovski crystals on the watch cases, dials and bracelets in playful colour combinations. Tobias Reiss-Schmidt, CEO of Timex Group, said, “We are proud to reinforce our partnership with Authentic Brands Group and to add a brand that is a true cultural icon in the fashion world. We look forward to combining our expertise in luxury watchmaking with the disruptive, pop-culture inspired designs that the Judith Leiber brand is so renowned for.” As part of this new partnership, Timex Group’s Creative Designer Giorgio Galli has teamed up with Judith Leiber’s Creative Director Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger to maintain the essence of the Judith Leiber brand, while ensuring the watches and collections reflect the colourful aesthetic and contemporary luxury styling of the brand. JUNK KOUTURE SUSTAINABILITY FASHION EVENT LAUNCHES IN THE UK Following on from its success in Ireland, which has seen over 100,000 participants engaged to date, the acclaimed programme for youth creative expression and sustainability Junk Kouture has arrived in the UK. Empowering young creatives to be at the forefront of change, Junk Kouture challenges students aged 13-18 to create bespoke garments using only recycled materials. A year-round, free to enter programme for entrants in second level education, Junk Kouture challenges its participants to design, create and model their wearable haute couture styled from waste with the ultimate achievement of qualifying for a spot at the Junk Kouture World Final, taking place in September 2022. Alongside a team of technical judges, participants will also be judged by a prestigious celebrity panel, including esteemed fashion veteran and Course Director of Central St Martin’s, Fabio Piras, as well as media personality and pop culture icon, Michelle Visage. Speaking about the UK launch, Michelle Visage said, “Having been involved in Junk Kouture over the past year, I am delighted to be judging the UK competition in 2022! It is such a wonderful platform for young people to show their creativity, their passion and their ingenuity, while being able to make a positive impact on the planet and their peers. The glamour of the amazing designs these students produce is incredible and for the first time, the UK is going to witness first-hand how special Junk Kouture is.” Junk Kouture also develops student’s life skills such as their confidence, problem solving and team working skills whilst also offering them a chance to be showcased on world stages. Opportunities to travel to new and exciting territories are also possibilities as Junk Kouture goes global – this year has seen previous season alumni travelling during 2021 to showcase their designs as Junk Kouture promote their world-wide launch. www.junkkouture.com INDUSTRY NEWS 103