The Wurzburg Residence is a UNESCO Heritage World Heritage Site located in the center of Wurzburg. With over 300 rooms the “Residence” is a splendid example of Baroque Architecture. Balthasar Neumann’s 1720 grand plan took sixty years to complete for the Prince -Bishops of Wurzburg.
Highlights include the White Room, The Grand Staircase and walk in the Garden. Forty rooms are open for public viewing.
Handbags have become a focal point in the ongoing trade war between the US and China. Many producers are online “showing” designer labels made for cheap in factories. It is hard to tell what is true and what is false. However, a nice bag is always nice to have.
@blackandpaper Beautiful Bags from Italy at the MIPEL fair. #handbags #womenshandbag #bags#fashiontiktok #fashion
♬ original sound – Blackandpaper – Blackandpaper
The fashion industry already under pressure from consumers cutting spending, then came the tariffs. If there is a fire, pouring more gas on does not help. The stakes went higher, Chinese producers launched a social media assault on luxury brands. Posts detailing the how brands manufacture products in the country. Appealing to common sense and wallets, online speaker’s layout the real costs involved in making pricey handbags selling for thousands in Western shops.
The Luxury Culture has taken a hit with recent headlines concerning sweatshop conditions in Italy but the latest posts could start an unraveling. Labels once ensconced in splendor with mood lite stores now come across as trustworthy as a used car lot in a bad section of town.
What will China’s next salvo involve? Flooding the world with fakes and gray brands is a top guest.
June’s London Fashion Week got cancelled. What was once a main stop on the fashion caravan route is now off the itinerary. The British capital had everything going for it, enough to be in the top four fashion weeks with New York, Milan and Paris. But the scene has taken a hit with many brands moving their runway shows to other cities. London will always be a fashion power given its influence, however a bit smaller. The next LFW happens in September.
Designer sneakers have fallen out of favor. A few years ago, everyone bought a pair of trainers from Balenciaga or Dior at $1000. As shoppers fall back to Earth, expensive sneakers no longer have become the “It Pieces” as buyers trade down to more affordable sneakers. Those red Converse at $45 have never looked better.
It is only April. One thing for sure, the next eight months will be interesting.
Tribeca Film Festival starts on June 4th with an opening on music superstar Billy Joel. Directors Jessica Levin and Susan Lacy’s Billy Joel: And So It Goes charts the life of the New York City born singer.
The 23rd Tribeca Film Festival starts June 4th until June 15th from New York City. Stay tuned for our coverage.
During Pitti Uomo, Everton McDougall from Haus by Everton unveiled some new pieces inspired by an African American innovator. The Canadian shoe wear owner went beyond his shoe collection showing new designs and materials at the menswear fair.
As President Trump’s new Liberation Tariffs take hold on the global economy, expect price shocks in every category. Long supply chains already under strain while recovering from Covid and wars now have a new threat, a tax on imported goods. For those accustomed to shopping for low priced goods, that may become an expensive past-time. Those popular Influencer Shein Hauls will soon be out of fashion, dated content. Clothing prices from t-shirts, jeans and sneakers will jump because most are made in Asia. Down trade for that next celebration, grab a bottle of Prosecco, not Champagne. The French bubbly’s price may rise to $200 a bottle.
Even household name giant Apple expects a price increase of over 40% for its iPhone. The cheaper models at a base price of $800 could go to $1200.
As the American leader shows no signs of backing down, digging in his polished heels, buyers need to prepare themselves for a new shift in consumption.
A crisis always offers a moment to rethink. Perhaps it is time to buy less, buy better, make it lasts.
For its tenth edition the Greek Film Festival in Berlin presented thirty-three feature films. This included six international premieres, eighteen German premieres and three Berlin premieres. Following five days, three competitions, special screenings and side events was the award ceremony. The award category prizes were for the main competition, documentaries and short films.
The winner of the main Emerging Greeks Competition award was Meat by Dimitris Nakos. The three-person jury also gave a motivation for the award. Part of it read, “…a feature debut which kept our attention throughout…” Director Dimitris Nakos was present to pick up the award.
The same jury also awarded the prize for the Documentary competition. The winner was Tack by Vania Turner. Within the jury motivation it read, “The filmmaker closely follows two victims of sexual abuse in their struggle…” Furthermore, they commended the animated sequences in the courtroom that could not be filmed. The use of silence and subtitles heightened the eerie court atmosphere. Director Vania Turner was also present to receive her award.
Honeymoon by Alki Papastathopoulos won the Short Film award. The film is a serious plea from the transgender community to support inclusion. The jury said, “What could have been a story about victims became a story about heroes.” Lead actress Nassia Sydeta picked up the award for the absent director. A Special Mention was awarded to the short Scorched Earth by Markela Kontaratou. The jury justified how, “…the female gaze turned a simple story of a stay by the sea into a thriller…”
This year’s closing film was Athens Midnight Radio by Renos Haralambidis. An Athens late-night radio producer turns fifty and realizes he’s no longer young. On air he reminisces about his life so far with creeping regret. The solitude feels ghost-like, complimented by the beautifully filmed Athens night. For its German premiere, main actor and director Renos Haralambidis introduced the film. Joining him for the Q&A after the screening were producer Angelos Venetis and main actress Margarita Amarantidi.
Following the closing ceremony, a party was held in Berlin to sign-off on this special tenth edition. In the presence of guests, the festival team cut the commemorative birthday cake.
By Steven Yates
From Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, a travel to Rio de Janeiro.
During Milan Fashion Week designer Edis Pala held his presentation based on influences and themes from the Balkans. On this fast episode of Before Tacky Fashion Podcast, Edis talks about a particular piece. This jacket would would be an eye catcher on any wearer.
Erfurt Thuringia is a picturesque city located three hours by car from Berlin. With over 200,000 people, the state capital straddles the Gera River. With many historical sites, this quiet destination is a perfect staycation for visitors looking for a Springtime getaway away from the bustle of Germany’s main metropolis.
