On Monday, luxury Italian accessories brand, Coccinelle launched its special collaboration with Barbie. The flag-bearer is a pouch ‘manifesto bag’ that comes in shades of black and baby pink that reads ‘The Future is Limitless’. Chief Operating Officer, Emanuele Mazziota spoke of manifesting ‘customer-centric strategies, rationalizing the brand’s product, and strengthening its merchandising team’. Coccinelle launched its bag manifesto inspired by inclusion and diversity to celebrate a dimension that is free of stereotypes. The brand message on the website reads, ‘The future is limitless. We believe in barriers being erased, diversity valued, and that all stereotypes should be dismissed. In this new landscape, differences are celebrated, self-acceptance encouraged and the natural beauty that surrounds imperfection is revealed. Accepting ourselves in diversity will make us stronger, the owner of our future’. Coccinelle was founded in 1978 in Sala Baganza, near Parma, Italy, and has promoted diversity in the past, however, the message through this campaign aims to be louder than before.

“Our mission is clear: make noise, because inclusiveness, self-acceptance, and girl power are not just hollow words, sounding nice meaning nothing. The more the message is repeated, the more it gets around, the better,” stated Coccinelle in a press statement. The campaign has underlined international ambassadors and female leaders from 25 countries, to raise voices for the global message of inclusion and poverty through personal stories. The brand’s Instagram post features Annalisa Arcando, Nina Rima, and Daniela Scattolin as ‘some of the campaign’s ambassadors who are assembling together for inclusiveness and self-acceptance. 

£ 120

Coccinelle For Barbie Pouch Bag Pink

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£ 120

Coccinelle for Barbie Pouch Bag Black

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‘A bag with a Message’ is what the manifesto bag’s theme reads and it is fabricated in strong nylon canvas of which 50% is from recycled sources (concurring the fact that inclusivity and diversity are huge assets of sustainability), along with grainy leather handles and a contrasting grosgrain ribbon. The bag also comes with a pink label inside it with Barbie faces accompanied with the campaign’s message and is priced at £120. 

Words by Manica Pathak

The post Coccinelle Partners With Barbie Envisioning Inclusion And Diversity appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Covering up appears to be in. The rise of trends such as prairie dresses, maxi skirts and wide-leg trousers suggests a movement of women’s clothing choices towards longer, looser and more modest attire. This shift has been witnessed among global designers and brands: high-fashion labels like Coach and Valentino producing longer and looser clothing as part of their collections.

Functional yet stylish pieces appropriate for getting things done seems to be the vogue, seeking comfort without compromising style. And beyond the confines of religious dressing, modest fashion is beginning to cater to women across different cultures.

The Modist, an e-commerce business founded by Muslim entrepreneur Ghizlan Guenez, seeks to do precisely that; offering a spectrum of fashionable yet more conservative clothing from over 150 high-fashion labels including Victoria Beckham. Guenez looks to break down the stereotype that Muslim women are forced to cover up and have little choice in the way they dress, but instead aims to unite women to dress beautifully, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Founded on the needs of fashion-savvy Muslim women whose access to stylish yet modest pieces was once limited, The Modist’s brand recognition has become synonymous with high-fashion modest dressing. Yet the customer demographics have expanded beyond religious boundaries, with 65% of consumers coming from outside the Middle East. Evidence that the empowerment of covering up appeals to a wide range of women.

Guenez attributes the success of her brand among non-denominational audiences to the shift in society’s gaze from male to female, and how this affects our choices in fashion. Women are less concerned about showing skin to appeal to men, and more interested in expressing individuality through their fashion choices.

Pioneering brands of equally elevated and luxurious modest dressing are contributing to a changing perception that modesty can give women confidence rather than oppress, as seen at Givenchy and Elie Saab

The Middle East is home to one of the world’s wealthiest millennial populations, meaning the buying power and preferences of Muslim women will only continue to shape and motivate the trends of the global fashion industry. Designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Chanel are tapping into such markets – however, not without receiving allegations of fetishising religious clothing.

The recognition of this consumer has also translated to the high street from the runway. The coveted consumer of modest fashion has been noticed by brands such as Monki, and chic favourites such as Arket and Cos, who are offering longer, looser looks.

It may just be another lucrative trend, but the modesty market isn’t going anywhere. The influence that brands like The Modist are having on the global fashion landscape are facilitating inclusion, expression and identity among women of all faiths and cultures.

Words by Ruby McAuliffe

Graphics by Sasha Green

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