While summer is usually a quiet time for most industries, it seems that the fashion world is an exception to the rule. Last month, several fashion designers announced or unveiled interesting collaborations with the sports, arts and interiors worlds.
First up is designer Diane von Furstenberg (below left), who has debuted her first interior design project at London's famed Claridge's hotel. She designed a series of rooms and suites that will feature her iconic prints and bold colours as well as original pieces of furniture. The look is part retro, part art deco, in keeping with the hotel's style.
Miuccia Prada is one designer who is always ahead of the curve - she was among the first to collaborate with artists and architects such as Rem Koolhaas. Last month she announced that styles from her spring-summer 2010 collection will appear in a new play called Love Utopia, by the mainland's pre-eminent experimental theatre director Meng Jinghui. The move reflects the growing importance of the mainland market.
Dolce & Gabbana have always loved kitting out football players in their sexy duds, but they are taking their collaboration with Chelsea FC one step further. In addition to providing the formal club suits (left) for three years, the design duo will also create the 'Dolce & Gabbana Lounge' in the West Stand at the club's Stamford Bridge ground and redesign the main office reception. There's nothing quite like getting more for your buck.
The Italians must have a thing for football because Costume National creative director Ennio Capasa has also caught the sports bug. He has designed the official wardrobe for Inter Milan, which will be worn by the team's players from August 26, when the team defends its title at the Uefa Super Cup final. Capasa is evidently the busiest designer in town because he also announced the launch of a more 'democratic' fashion label for men and women called Eequal, which will debut in stores in time for the spring-summer 2011 season.