HUNGER’s MVP of the week
First up on this week’s MVP is an exciting collection by eyewear experts Vintage Frames Company inspired by the cult movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The 1998 film frames American culture, with the brand taking the aesthetics and producing seven new styles for you to peruse for your next mind-bending road trip. Founded by Corey Shapiro, the celeb-loved brand has long paid homage to craftsmanship in the eyewear sector, spanning all types of artistry. Now with ‘Fear and Loathing’, the styles embody the characters that tried to take on the American Dream, creating some of the most iconic pop culture moments along the way. The ‘Don’, for example, reimagines the classic aviator with double rope sides and a shooter hole, much like the characters in Hunter S. Thompson’s story. To shop the collection, you can now head to the Vintage Frames Company website here.
If you’re on the hunt for some culture over the weekend, then you might want to head down to Somerset House as they present their latest exhibition BLACK VENUS, curated by Aindrea Emelife. The showcase unites the creative contributions of more than 18 Black women and non-binary artists, offering a profound exploration of the themes of othering, fetishisation, and the reclamation of narratives surrounding Black femininity. Exploring three archetypes – the Hottentot Venus, the Sable Venus, and the Jezebel – the exhibition dives into the complex narratives of Black womanhood. Through these themes, BLACK VENUS reflects on the evolving image of Black women in visual culture and how it influences the art of present-day women and non-binary artists from different generations. The exhibition will run until September 24th, and tickets are available here.
On the hunt to freshen up your kick game? Converse’s latest release might just be up your street. The all-new silhouette, the Chuck Taylor All Star Cruise, features a lightweight canvas and suede upper and draws on elements of skate culture, including a suede eye-row overlay and punched eyelets. It might resemble the classic Chuck we all know and love, but its disrupted, elevated and layered midsole adds a modern touch whilst retaining Converse’s signature style. The Cruise will arrive in three colourways, including Pink Sage, Black (Barbenheimer is everywhere) and Egret, each pair topped with chunky laces. The Cruise is available now online and at retailers worldwide.
This week’s MVP is awarded to the stunning campaign for the new Vivienne Westwood AW23/24 collection, with models including her granddaughter and son. With visuals by coveted photographer Juergen Teller, the visuals strip back the brand to their DIY DNA, led by Andreas Kronthaler. Each model is placed outside next to doors, in football nets, and on pebble-dashed walls, showcasing the new pieces on all age ranges and walks of life. Kronthaler says of the campaign that it was inspired by sharing “where Vivienne is from. I loved our casting. There is Cora Corré, my granddaughter, Ben Westwood, who stood in for his mother and Sara Stockbridge, who jumped on a train and joined us in the midst of it.” Alongside them are the likes of Zakaria Dau from Paris and Mark Vanderloo as the “village punk”, all pictured in Tintwistle and Millbrook, Hollingworth where the late designer was born. “It felt very special to document this moment,” says Kronthaler.
