HUNGER’s MVP of the week

First up on this week’s MVP is the exciting news that Disney and Virgil Abloh Securities have unveiled a sculpture of Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse to celebrate the franchise’s 100th anniversary. The collaboration will mark the partnership of some of the world’s most creative visionaries across the fashion, film, music, and art industries, with each donating a specially made item to represent their personal connection to Disney. For the new global campaign, Create 100, the likes of Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Tilbury, and Billie Eilish are among a few of the creators. The pieces will be auctioned to raise funds for Make-A-Wish, with the first item unveiled at the Royal College of Arts (RCA) following the announcement that the school’s Virgil Abloh scholarship will support talented but financially restricted Black British students. ‘The Structural Sorcerer’ is designed by ALASKA ALASKA with contributions by Virgil Abloh Securities, based on the late designer’s Mickey artwork. Zowie Broach, the Head of Fashion at RCA tells HUNGER that “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a spirit of joy, culture, risk, and dreaming all wrapped together. A total fusion of Disney’s timeless storytelling with the visionary creativity of Virgil’s realm of never-ending possibilities.” Speaking on Abloh’s vast influence on future generations, she continues: “To have even vaguely come close to this energy and intent, we are reminded of that potentiality that Virgil shared with us initially.  Virgil, as an active visionary for young black designers, asks us to continue to create change in each action, thought, and word used.” This colourful new offering is set to inspire the minds of the next designers, so take a look at the sculpture in all its glory below, with the piece now on display at RCA Battersea, Riverside.

Next up, Bicester Village has an array of new offerings to make it the number one destination for your ultimate shopping experience. With some of the world’s leading brands sitting next to a selection of restaurants and cafés, they have announced more experiences for you to get stuck into. Pangaia, the colourful brand hailing from the capital, has opened the doors to its first solo retail space for a pop-up experience. Known for their colourful pastel tracksuits and their sustainable ethos, you can now step inside the brand this July to explore their apparel and accessories first-hand. Alongside this comes AMI Paris, which with its air of timeless sophistication is bringing the city of love to the village. ‘It’ girl go-to Ganni, renowned for their bright and bold prints, is also joining in on the fun, opening their doors on the 2nd of August. And if you are hitting the shops ‘til you drop, you can also unwind at Cecconi’s, the Italian restaurant, which boasts a ‘Grammable menu of handmade artisanal pizzas and seasonal dishes. Just an hour away from London in the Oxfordshire countryside, you can check out everything Bicester Village has to offer, here.

If the Lionesses on screen have got you full of football fever, then take a look at New Balance’s new LOSC Lille Away kit for the French football club’s upcoming 2023/24 season. Nicknamed Les Dogues, the team’s passion is reflected in the design colourways of electric blue, and navy, with flame accents. The kit has a crew collar with asymmetrical cuffs, a short hem, and brand-new socks for this fresh iteration, with New Balance combining their design technology across the jerseys to ensure top-quality performance on the field. In particular, their NB Dry technology repels moisture for the players, with the campaign reflecting the fans’ love for their team. The club’s rallying anthem can be read behind the models in the campaign, with the Away kit on sale on the 4th of August, here.

Lastly on this week’s MVP, but by certainly no means least, is the announcement of a new concept store from the same founders of the leading sustainable salon group Buller and Rice – Life and Wine. The multi-functioning creative destination will marry both the design and lifestyle elements that made their first venture so successful, offering a space for independent makers and creators. Together with the local community and more established brands, Life and Wine will present lifestyle, beauty, haircare, and homeware under one roof, promoting the ethos of earth-first and sustainable living throughout. In the sunnier seasons, the store will work in conjunction with the team behind Gnarly Vines and Clapton Craft who present wine tasting and events with local food vendors and late-night shopping. An exclusive stockist will also be Quiet Town, founded by a Brooklyn-based design couple who create ethical bathroom additions. You can now pop to Life and Wine to sample the newest weekly wines and see more information on their concept store here now.