Fashion & lifestyle

Reshaping Fashion: Vision over Products

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How to overcome the confusion in the fashion industry


Reshaping the fashion industry – both its present and its future – means prioritizing vision over products. This is exactly what we strive for through our curation of meaningful garments, where purpose and design take precedence over fleeting trends.

Many voices call for change in fashion, yet few take meaningful action. Meanwhile, news constantly remind us of the luxury sector’s struggles, while fast fashion continues to expand. Luxury brands, in an attempt to stay relevant, have compromised their integrity by mimicking fast fashion’s playbook, while fast fashion seeks legitimacy through high-profile collaborations and glamorous campaigns.

The result? A tangled web of confusion, felt by both industry professionals and consumers alike.

In truth, we believe most luxury brands are in dire straits – they’re burnt out. The relentless focus on financial growth over creativity is glaring. Prices continue to climb without justification, while quality steadily declines. Yet, fast fashion is certainly not the solution. Its exploitation of labour and environmental destruction is well-documented, and the planet is already drowning in disposable, low-quality clothing. We don’t need more of this.

That’s why we’re unafraid to stray from the conventional paths, as both models – luxury and fast fashion – are failing. Instead, we’ve created our own set of rules for people like us. Those who recognize it’s time for a change. Those who refuse to be swayed by logos or branding. So, those who reject throwaway fashion and value fewer, well-made, timeless pieces that are made to last.

suite123: vision over products


When you shop at suite123, you’re not just buying fashion – you’re embracing a vision over meaningless products. Our curated selection represents thoughtful design, premium fabrics, and a timeless aesthetic. Each piece is produced in limited quantities, crafted with respect for both people and the planet.

By choosing us, you reject fleeting trends and support independent designers who are redefining the fashion industry with integrity and purpose.

Reshaping fashion is about choosing vision over products, quality over quantity. Meaning over excess.

Join our mission – reshape fashion with us. Shop at suite123!

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Levi’s Commercial and Contemporary Feminism

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Women, are we really progressing?


Levi’s latest commercial prompts reflection on contemporary feminism. In it, Beyoncé walks into a laundromat, strips off her jeans, and tosses them into a machine, remaining in a white culotte before sitting down to read a newspaper. This strange flashback raises questions about how commercial narratives align with modern feminist ideals and the broader cultural discourse on gender equality.

1985: Levi’s and the iconic spot


For those who grew up in the ’80s, this scene instantly brings to mind another iconic Levi’s commercial from 1985. Do you remember it? Set to Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” a strikingly handsome boy with dark, Elvis-like features walks into a laundromat. He calmly strips off his Levi’s 501 jeans and T-shirt, staying in nothing but his boxers, and reads a newspaper, unfazed by the people around him.

1985 Levi’s 501 commercial – Nick Kamen

This commercial didn’t just sell jeans; it catapulted the model, Nick Kamen, into the spotlight. He caught the eye of Madonna, who produced his 1986 single, “Each Time You Break My Heart.” The song became a hit. Tragically, on May 4th, 2021, Nick Kamen passed away at 59 after battling a long illness, leaving behind a legacy tied to an era of advertising that shaped cultural perceptions.

However, 1985 was Nick Kamen’s year. But that Levi’s commercial became iconic because it subverted expectations.Instead of the tired stereotype of a woman undressing, we finally saw a man. And what a man! Now, fast forward to 2024, and what do we see? Once again, the same old stereotype: women stripping off their clothes. Some evolution, right?

The new commercial and modern feminism


Apparently, Levi’s latest commercial embodies the contemporary version of feminism: a vision where naked women symbolize freedom, liberation, and empowerment. But is this really progress? Women’s portrayal feels more stereotyped than ever. When it comes to dressing – or undressing – this so-called freedom seems suspiciously aligned with what pleases the male gaze.

So, what are we really talking about here? Liberation and empowerment? Or is something more insidious at play? Does a woman’s worth still hinge on her nudity? Or are we still boxed in by cages of hair, makeup, plastic faces, and impossible body standards? If so, it hardly feels new. It’s the same old story, revealing more about patriarchy than it does about fashion or modern feminism.

Yet, the reality is so cleverly manipulated that we’ve been convinced this is about women’s power. But is it?

In fact, contemporary feminism, as reflected in the latest Levi’s commercial, offers little that’s new or empowering for women. Instead, it’s a step backwards. Perhaps we should revisit the ’80s, when it was a sexy man, not a woman, taking off his jeans.

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Ujoh SS25 Paris Fashion Week Runway Show

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Modern tailoring and lightness in the face of extreme weather


Today, we are excited to share the Ujoh runway show from the SS25 Paris Fashion Week. Ujoh is our new-in from Japan this Fall/Winter season. In fact, we have just received some amazing garments that we can’t wait to share. 

For Spring/Summer 2025, presented at the Paris Fashion Week, UJOH reshapes tailoring by focusing on structure and lightness through the cutting. And so, utilising signature techniques specific to the brand, the collection merges sleek design with effortless comfort, making it ideal for navigating a changing climate.

Indeed, the extreme weather in Japan is the inspiration for the SS25 collection, which addresses the need for adaptable fashion in a warming world. Designer Mitsuru and Aco Nishizaki explored how their unique pattern-making could evolve to meet the demands of higher temperatures. And it results in layered silhouettes that marry style with practicality. So, the collection showcases innovative, tailored looks incorporating breezy elements, offering wearers both sophistication and function.

SS25 Paris Fashion Week: Ujoh

Ujoh SS25 Paris Fahion Week


This season’s iconic items include cut-off jackets shaped to fit the body’s lines, straight-cut jackets, wide-legged trousers and skirts with deep slits that allow for and create movement. Specifically, asymmetry played a key role in the collection, with restructured sleeve-ties from shirts. All complemented by scarves that could be styled over or under layers for an effortlessly unique touch. Standout pieces included satin garments treated with the traditional Japanese Shibori tie-dye technique, creating creased patterns reminiscent of petrol spills on wet asphalt. Geometric swirl prints added another layer of visual appeal. These garments highlight the idea of reconstruction by adding elements to the spaces created through subtraction in the cutting process.

Textiles:
Matte organza, washed organza tailored inside out, and washed satin with shibori tie-dye treatment. 

Key colours:
Pinstripes in the brand’s signature shades of sand beige and slate grey. Along with bright colours such as leaf green, lilac, sky blue and terracotta, representing a positive mindset.

According to UJOH, modern tailoring is a balance between sharp craftsmanship and functionality, with a strong emphasis on pattern-making that defines the collection’s approach.

Ultimately, Ujoh’s SS25 collection from Paris Fashion Week offered an imaginative, well-considered response to the challenges of dressing for a warming world. But it stayed true to the brand’s sophisticated yet daring aesthetic.

🖤 Dive into our latest post, and don’t hesitate to reach out. You can comment here below (just register first), or drop us an email or WhatsApp. We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, feedback, or just want to say hello, we’re all ears. 

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Stefano Pilati and The Fashion Compromise

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Integrity or selling out to make a living in the fashion industry?


Stefano Pilati and his recent fashion compromise with Zara has generated significant buzz. However, this collaboration raises questions about selling out in the pursuit of profit. Let’s delve into the rationale behind this move and explore the broader dynamics of the fashion industry that often drive such decisions.

Niche fashion vs mass fashion


It’s important to distinguish between designing clothes for a limited niche and creating for the masses. In the first scenario, the designer gains prestige and glamour, ascending to the status of fashion’s elite. In the latter, the focus shifts to generating significantly more profit. There’s little reason for a renowned designer to collaborate with large fast fashion conglomerates. Except for the money. Especially when it involves a giant that, as the NGO Earthsight has revealed, contributes to the devastation of the Amazon.

Historically, designing for a niche market brought status but limited financial success. But in times of permacrisis, this becomes even more challenging as the niche shrinks, making the work less financially rewarding. It’s through this lens that we can interpret Stefano Pilati’s decision.

According to the launch statement from the Spanish giant, this capsule collection aims to embody a modern vision of dressing, promoting freedom of expression at its peak.

Of course for Zara, this is likely a winning formula: pair a renowned designer with a top model like Gisele Bündchen, styled in a chic Monica Vitti look, and bring in an iconic photographer like Steven Meisel to capture it all in a striking black-and-white campaign. And voilà! The result is a powerful image.

However, the conversation on social media revolves around a simple ‘do you like it or not’ debate, missing the deeper issues entirely. That’s not the point. What about the designer’s integrity? His consistency? Staying true to his vision? What about the respect for his audience and the trust built over time?

On a larger scale, how can people continue to trust an industry that sends such contradictory messages? A fashion industry that, in the pursuit of profit, is even willing to contribute to the devastation of the Amazon?

Integrity or compromise?


Yes, we get it. Making a living in today’s world is harder than ever. Even the TV news reminds us that having a job no longer guarantees a decent life. It’s unsettling, isn’t it? So, we can understand Mr. Stefano Pilati and his compromise with fast fashion.

But, the freedom of expression – as the partnership promotes – only holds meaning when it aligns with the reality around us, such as respecting workers’ rights and safeguarding natural resources.

And so, in response to the question of integrity or selling out to make a living: Can you think of any valid argument that justifies the morality of exploiting labour and destroying the Amazon rainforest?

🖤 Dive into our latest post, and don’t hesitate to reach out. You can comment here below (just register first), or drop us an email or WhatsApp. We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, feedback, or just want to say hello, we’re all ears. 

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Who Said Women in Men’s Clothes Aren’t Feminine?

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Saint Laurent SS25 Paris fashion show: style, gender, patriarchy and feminism


Who said women in men’s clothes aren’t feminine? We find it puzzling that there remains one dominant, traditional, patriarchal, and commercial idea of how women should look. Despite designers over the years presenting broader visions, one specific image continues to dominate.

Yesterday, we had the chance to view the Spring-Summer 25 Saint Laurent fashion show at Paris Fashion Week (watch it here). With a certain pleasure, we noticed how, unlike former designers who removed Yves from the brand name, Anthony Vaccarello revisited the original designer and creator of the brand. Specifically, he brought Mr. Yves Saint Laurent back onto the runway. So, elongated, refined figures walked down the runway in oversized suits that evoked the iconic designer himself. And it was remarkable.

This collection challenged the rigid idea of femininity that women themselves often can’t escape. So we ask again: who said women in men’s clothes aren’t feminine? It’s precisely the opposite – and it’s nothing new.

Yves Saint Laurent – 1967: the first pantsuit


“A year after the tuxedo, Yves Saint Laurent proposed his first pantsuit in his Spring-Summer 1967 collection. It was an unusual design for a suit, which was traditionally worn with a skirt. Just as he did for the tuxedo, Saint Laurent adapted the traditionally masculine suit for the female body. The sleeves were fitted and the waist belted, while the wide pants were flattering for the legs. He added typically female accessories, such as heels and jewelry, but still had his model wear a necktie and felt hat.” (source)

Fast-forward to 2025: Anthony Vaccarello pays homage to the original vision of Mr. Saint Laurent, reviving a look that challenged gender norms in its time and still does today.

In fact, this concept expresses a powerful challenge to traditional notions of gender in fashion. It demonstrates that femininity is not defined by wearing clothes traditionally associated with women. A woman can embody femininity while wearing what is considered “masculine” garments – and look incredibly refined doing so.

This shift reflects a broader cultural movement. Designers, fashion icons, and feminists have long argued that fashion should not be confined by gender. Figures like Coco Chanel, who popularised trousers for women, and Yves Saint Laurent, who introduced the women’s tuxedo (Le Smoking), played pivotal roles in reshaping this narrative.

What happened next?


So, from a cultural perspective, what happened after Chanel? What happened after Yves Saint Laurent? And what happened to feminism? If designers like Saint Laurent showed us that femininity transcends garments, why does contemporary feminism seem to lean more toward the image of Marilyn Monroe rather than the elegance of Saint Laurent? Why has this nuanced view of style and gender been overshadowed by more commercialised, sexualized aesthetics?

🖤 Dive into our latest post, and don’t hesitate to reach out. You can comment here below (just register first), or drop us an email or WhatsApp. We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, feedback, or just want to say hello, we’re all ears. 

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