Opiates

Barbour x FARM Rio: A Dialogue Between Countryside and Carnival Image courtesy of Barbour and FARM Rio   Where British heritage meets Brazilian exuberance, a new collaboration finds its rhythm. For Autumn/Winter 2025, Barbour joins forces with FARM Rio, fusing waxed-cotton practicality with sun-soaked vibrancy in a collection that feels both unexpected and effortless. Shot amidst the pastoral serenity of the Cotswolds with British model Imogen Waterhouse, the campaign reimagines Barbour’s classic outerwear through a lens of tropical surrealism. FARM Rio’s signature flora and fauna prints breathe new life into heritage silhouettes, creating pieces that blur the lines between function and fantasy. Three exclusive prints drawing on the lush biodiversity of Brazil and the timeless tartans of Barbour’s Scottish lineage anchor a collection that spans clothing, footwear, and accessories. Each design carries an echo of both worlds: the enduring craftsmanship of South Shields and the playful romance of Rio de Janeiro. For over 130 years, Barbour has embodied the spirit of the British countryside. Now, infused with FARM Rio’s joyous color palette and unrestrained femininity, that tradition is rewritten: wilder, freer, and utterly alive. Read more at Barbours and FARM Rio’s websites.  Websites for the hyperlink: https://www.barbour.com https://farmrio.uk/  

upper hights Presents AW25 and an Exclusive Capsule with Amalie and Cecilie Moosgaard   Images courtesy of upper hights  Tokyo meets Copenhagen in a refined dialogue between craftsmanship and minimalist design. In an ever-evolving fashion landscape, Tokyo-based premium denim label upper hights continues to champion timeless craftsmanship and enduring design. With each collection, the brand safeguards Japanese artisanal heritage while redefining the global perception of Made in Japan denim. For Autumn/Winter 2025, upper hights introduces a new collection alongside an exclusive collaboration with Danish style icons and entrepreneurs Amalie and Cecilie Moosgaard. First unveiled during Copenhagen Fashion Week, the partnership merges Scandinavian restraint with the precision and depth of Japanese craftsmanship. The capsule presents four signature styles, each available in two versatile colourways. The Cecilie references vintage denim in classic medium-blue and soft bone, while The Amalie evokes modern sophistication in deep navy and sleek black. Each piece reflects the Moosgaard sisters’ understated aesthetic and appreciation for quality, staying true to upper hights’ philosophy of longevity and intention. Crafted with care and responsibility, the collaboration embodies shared values of durability, conscious production, and timeless style — a natural evolution of upper hights’ recent arrival in the Nordic market, where heritage and sustainability meet modern elegance. Founded in Tokyo in 2014, upper hights is dedicated to premium materials, local craftsmanship, and clean design. Guided by the “buy less, buy better” philosophy, the brand collaborates with skilled artisans and renowned factories across Japan to ensure exceptional quality and preserve traditional denim-making techniques.

Kvadrat/Raf Simons Introduces Kids Collection and a New Generation of Textiles After more than a decade of collaboration and innovation, Kvadrat/Raf Simons enters new territory with the launch of a playful accessories line for children and a new generation of textiles. Kvadrat/Raf Simons Kids reimagines the brand’s signature Shaker System through a child’s lens. Designed by Raf Simons, the collection features functional yet whimsical pieces that spark imagination and joy. Alongside it, the launch of Saxion introduces a new-generation bouclé, set to become a defining icon within the Kvadrat/Raf Simons collection. Both releases reflect the enduring creative partnership between Raf Simons and Kvadrat, a leader in design innovation. Since 2014, the collaboration has redefined the parameters of contemporary interiors, offering a richer, more nuanced exploration of color and texture. In 2022, they expanded into lifestyle accessories with the groundbreaking Shaker System. “Working with Kvadrat is extremely collaborative, almost like family,” says Simons. Stepping beyond fashion allows him to approach design as a way to enhance how we live at home — a deeply personal project informed by his memories, passions, and encyclopedic knowledge of art, music, design, and architecture. “I create something beautiful with the intention that it will last for decades. That responsibility means a lot to me,” he explains. “When developing new designs for Kvadrat, I always ask myself, ‘Would I make this for myself?’ and many of the things we create come from that way of thinking.” Drawing from historical references as inspiration for the future, Simons notes, “I’m fascinated by how inventive and revolutionary certain ideas were — in form, in thought, in how people lived. That’s what drives me: how something can transform and become relevant and loved in a new way. The Shaker System embodies that thinking.” The Kvadrat/Raf Simons Kids collection launched on October 9 at kvadratrafsimons.com and in select stores including Barney’s New York Japan, Bon Maison Taipei, The Broken Arm Paris, The Hyundai, and Overflow Beijing. Images courtesy of Kvadrat/Raf Simons

Alva introduces Autumn Plum and Deep Taupe New hues of softness for robe and bedding With the arrival of two new colorways, Autumn Plum and Deep Taupe, Alva expands its beloved Vindel collection. The line, known for its velvety robes crafted from 100% organic and Fairtrade-certified cotton, now embraces the rich tones of autumn in both loungewear and bedding. The hues also appear in the Strimma Autumn Plum duvet set and the Nejd Percale set in Deep Taupe. The Vindel robe was designed to elevate everyday comfort, wrapping the body in warmth and softness that feels as good against the skin as it does to the soul. “We want to create pieces that people long to wear every single day,” says Alexander Hars, co-owner of Alva. “With Autumn Plum and Deep Taupe, we deepen the Vindel collection with colors that mirror the calm and warmth of autumn. It’s about creating space for rest and expression, with care woven into every detail.” Autumn Plum is a deep plum purple that evokes the richness of the season, bold, elegant, and quietly expressive. It captures the beauty of autumn’s fleeting light and its sense of reflection. Deep Taupe brings warmth to the home as the air grows colder. Its earthy, mole-toned shade is versatile and timeless, complementing any interior palette with ease. Crafted from cotton velour, the Vindel robe’s texture is created through an intricate process that adds extra threads to form loops on the surface, later cut and brushed to achieve its signature velvety finish. The result is a fabric that feels luxuriously smooth and comforting to the touch. Alva’s commitment to Fairtrade production remains at the heart of every collection. The cotton comes from small-scale farmers in India, all members of the Chetna Organic cooperative, a network that supports organic farming, fair pay, and social wellbeing for every grower involved. In the soft folds of Autumn Plum and Deep Taupe, Alva captures the quiet beauty of slowing down, of finding stillness and warmth in the season’s embrace. Images courtesy of Alva Linen 

Aarke Introduces the French Press – A Sculptural Take on a Coffee Classic Aarke, the Swedish design brand known for its refined approach to everyday objects, expands its coffee range with the launch of the Aarke French Press. Following the success of the Aarke Coffee System, this new addition continues the brand’s dedication to sustainability, precision, and pure design. Crafted entirely from polished stainless steel, the French Press combines industrial durability with sculptural form. Its double-walled, vacuum-insulated body keeps coffee hot for up to three hours while remaining cool to the touch. A precision stainless-steel filter and drip-free spout ensure a clean, even pour, and the matching stainless-steel scoop completes the set. All components are detachable without tools and fully dishwasher safe. Designed to be displayed rather than hidden away, the French Press embodies Aarke’s philosophy of creating functional objects that elevate daily rituals. The brewing method preserves the coffee’s natural oils and aromatic compounds, resulting in a richer, rounder flavor profile. With a one-liter capacity, it suits both everyday use and shared moments. Designed in Sweden and made to the highest standards, the Aarke French Press will be available in early autumn 2025on aarke.com and through selected retailers worldwide.

Cubus: A Scandinavian Take on Merino for Fall 2025 For Fall 2025, Cubus unveils its most extensive merino collection to date, a refined exploration of Scandinavian basemode designed for the entire family. Building on the brand’s signature approach to timeless essentials, the collection merges comfort, functionality, and versatility into a wardrobe of modern staples. With nearly 70 styles spanning womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, the offering introduces not only everyday pieces but also a broadened line of knitted accessories, following the success of last year’s debut. “We wanted to create a collection that works seamlessly in everyday life and reflects the simplicity of Scandinavian design-pieces that feel just as right at home, at work, or in nature. The goal was to craft timeless favorites with a focus on both function and quality,” says Carin Wester, Creative Lead at Cubus. The womenswear line ranges from soft underlayers: briefs, bras, tights, and tanks to coordinated sets of trousers, dresses, tunics, skirts, and cardigans, presented in a balance of ribbed textures and smooth knits. The color palette draws directly from the Nordic landscape in transition: soft neutrals of crème, nougat, coffee, and black meet deeper accents of burgundy, navy, and khaki for early fall, shifting later into gentle shades of pink and olive as the season progresses. With this collection, Cubus reinforces its role as a purveyor of Scandinavian simplicity, where design, quality, and everyday functionality converge.

Iittala, the Finnish design house celebrated for its timeless functionality and modernist spirit, joins forces with Café Kitsuné, the cult Paris-meets-Tokyo café brand, to launch a limited-edition collection where iconic form meets the ritual of coffee. Rooted in Finnish designer Kaj Franck’s vision of equality and balance, the collaboration revisits Iittala’s Teema line, first introduced in 1952 and reinterpreted in 1981. The Teema mug’s pure, functional shape provides the perfect canvas for Café Kitsuné’s signature latte art, turning a daily beverage into a thoughtful design ritual — a moment to pause, restore, and connect. The collection features four subtle hues; Matcha, Sakura, Cappuccino, and Sesame; each paying tribute to color, culture, and iconic drinks. Durable, stackable, and crafted in glazed ceramic, the 0.3L mugs are designed for everyday moments, from serene mornings to quiet afternoons, bridging Nordic modernism and refined café culture. To complement the launch, Café Kitsuné introduces a limited one-month menu in Paris and Tokyo, reflecting the four mug shades through reimagined drinks: a silky Matcha Latte, a roasted Black Sesame Latte, a perfectly frothed Cappuccino, and a fragrant Sakura Latte — each paired with an artisanal pastry and the brand’s signature fox-shaped cookie. “In this collaboration, Nordic simplicity meets a refined café culture – expressed through objects that feel both classic and personal,” says Janni Vepsäläinen, Creative Director at Iittala. Johanna Lellouche, General Director at Café Kitsuné, adds: “It allowed us to bring our vision of lifestyle design into the home, through pieces that quietly speak to both form and feeling.” The Café Kitsuné x Iittala Teema mugs will launch worldwide on October 16, 2025, in the four colorways Matcha, Sakura, Cappuccino, and Sesame, available at Iittala stores, Café Kitsuné locations, and online, priced at approximately 349 SEK.

Louis Vuitton Launches LV SKI As winter approaches, Louis Vuitton introduces LV SKI, a sophisticated collection that seamlessly merges high-performance design with the Maison’s timeless elegance. The new line embodies the spirit of movement, adventure, and the art of travel — elevated for the snowy season. From technical outerwear to luxurious après-ski styles, LV SKI offers a versatile wardrobe crafted from cutting-edge materials. Ultra-light, waterproof fabrics bring warmth and flexibility to graphic coats and salopettes, while quilted recycled nylon jackets echo the House’s signature Malletage motif. Norwegian-inspired knits and Monogram-stitched sweaters are paired with sequin-embroidered denim, evoking the sparkle of snow-covered peaks. Louis Vuitton’s iconic leather goods also receive a winter makeover. The Alma, Speedy, Petite Malle, and OnTheGo appear in Monogram Miroir canvas — now in silver and a new coppery tone inspired by 19th-century metal trunks. For a cozier touch, merino shearling enriches pieces like the Capucines and Neverfull Inside Out BB, accompanied by the Teddy Muff, a playful hybrid between bag and handwarmer. The look is completed with accessories in soft neutrals and plush Monogram-textured textiles, wrapping wearers in effortless luxury. The Louis Vuitton LV SKI collection for women will be available in stores and online from October 17, 2025.

Tiger of Sweden x The Hives – Tailored for the Stage Tiger of Sweden unveils the latest evolution of its long-standing collaboration with iconic rock band The Hives. What began in the early 2000s has grown into a creative partnership that fuses Swedish precision tailoring with the band’s electric stage energy. For The Hives Forever Forever The Hives world tour, Tiger of Sweden worked hand in hand with frontman Pelle Almqvist, transforming his sketches into bold, custom made suits built for performance. Featuring architectural pagoda shoulders and Western style piping, each look embodies power, movement, and timeless rock and roll spirit. From stage to street, this collaboration celebrates two decades of craftsmanship and creative synergy, proving that style, like great music, never fades.