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‘No promises from Mercedes for 2022’ says Russell

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George Russell has revealed that he’s received no assurances from Mercedes about a possible elevation to the manufacturer’s driver line-up in 2022.

The 23-year-old from King’s Lynn is about to embark on his third season with Williams. But he memorably made his debut for Mercedes last December when he subbed for an unwell Lewis Hamilton in the Sakhir Grand Prix.

Russell would almost certainly have won the race if not for a rare pit stop blunder by the team and a subsequent puncture. Even so, his impressive performance has put him in pole position for promotion.

  • Read also: Williams at ‘dawn of new era’ with Dorilton – Capito

But while Williams have exercised their option to hold on to Russell for 2021, the driver says that he’s received no promises from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff about what might happen next year.

“Toto has always given me his word, and he has always given me the opportunity when they believe I deserve it,” Russell insisted. “But I’m not even thinking about it and no promises have been made at all.

“They have told me that I am a part of their future. Whenever that may be is again when they believe that the time is right.

“I think a lot of people think next year is the natural path,” he added. “But equally things change very, very quickly in motorsport, especially in F1, so I’m not even thinking about it to be honest.

“I obviously had a taste of life at the front of the grid last year,” he said, referring to his stand-in session at Sakhir. “But as I said, I’m just focused on the here and now, focusing on Bahrain.

“If I perform on track and I deliver, continuing on the same path and progress that I’ve been on so far, I guess the opportunity will come in the future.”

© Williams F1

Much depends on what happens to the current Mercedes line-up, with Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both on single-year contracts. If one or both fail to sign further extensions then Russell would apear to be in pole position to step up.

“If that were not to happen, what most of you guys are speculating, it’s an interesting position for me,” Russell noted. “I guess I’ve got a very interesting decision on my hands towards the middle of this year.”

Staying at Williams would certainly be one option: “I see a very bright future here,” he told the media on Friday at the launch of the FW43B. “As it currently stands with the whole investment from Dorilton, the changes I’ve already seen taking place at Williams.

“Williams have finished last in the constructors’ for the past three season, and I don’t think that will be the case in 2022,” he stated confidently. “There’s a massive opportunity for every team in F1 for 2022.

“With the investment we’ve got, with the guys who are already here, with the guys like [new CEO] Jost [Capito] who are coming in, the relationship that has been built with Mercedes, it’s looking very exciting for the team.”

It’s less than a week to go before Russell will be at the wheel of his new car for the pre-season tests at the Bahrain International Circuit which get underway on March 12.

And the first race of the 2021 season follows in two weeks time on March 28, also in Bahrain.

“I’m really looking forward to driving again,” he said. “It’s been a couple of months since we last drove in Abu Dhabi. [I’m] really excited to drive, to find out how competitive the car is going to be, and just get back racing.”

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Fall 2021 womenswear trend: tailoring

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Tailoring refers to pieces with crafted cuts resulting in sharp angles for a sophisticated look – and this is what we’re seeing in womenswear for the Fall 2021 season. Several designers have included this look in their ready-to-wear collections, showing us sartorial looks inspired by menswear and suiting.

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Tom Ford created tailored blazers in its womenswear line, rendered in long lengths to resemble mini dresses. These pieces feature sharp angles at the shoulders and sleek lapels, similar to blazers seen on Valentino’s runway – though Valentino took a more boxy approach to its tailoring for an oversized silhouette. In a similar manner, Etro opted for an oversized look in its tailored pieces, showing loose-fitted blazers, trousers and vests that bring a feminine touch to the masculine look of the trend.

Giorgio Armani, Fendi and Prada brought elements inspired by tailoring into various pieces, adding lapels and flap pockets typically found on blazers to other styles of coats, jackets and shirts. Carolina Herrera and Moschino each put a unique twist on the trend. The former created dresses and skirts with tailored fits and button closures, while the latter designed women’s suits that modernized traditional silhouettes with feminine touches such as wide legs, mini skirts and peplum tops.

Moschino and Etro, Fall/Winter 2021

The tailored styles to look out for in Fall 2021

Elements of tailoring always have a place in women’s collections as of late. Currently, retailers carry a range of pieces across blazers, coats and trousers with the look. This is expected to rise in popularity for the Fall 2021 season, with elements of tailored pieces expanding to different types of clothing and designers adding their own touches to traditional styles.

Tom Ford, Fall/Winter 2021

Images: courtesy of Tom Ford, Moschino and Etro

Grosjean: Haas decision to backtrack on IndyCar deal ‘fully understandable’

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Romain Grosjean says Gene Haas’ decision to back out of a potential plan to sponsor the Frenchman’s move to IndyCar was “fully understandable”.

During the final months of his tenure with Haas in F1, Grosjean sounded out opportunities to head west to America to race in the IndyCar series.

To help his driver open a new chapter in his motorsport career outside of F1, team owner Gene Haas offered to support Grosjean’s efforts to find an IndyCar ride.

But the 34-year-old’s miraculous escape from his fiery crash in Bahrain incited Haas to reverse his decision to back Grosjean, as the team owner felt the Frenchman would perhaps be tempting fate one time too many in IndyCar’s risky high-speed oval environment.

“I don’t know… he has a wife and three kids, and I just told him I couldn’t see giving him money to go out and kill himself,” said Haas. “I just felt like he needs to stay home and take care of his family.”

    Read also: Haas scrapped plan to sponsor Grosjean in IndyCar after Bahrain drama

However, Grosjean eventually secured a drive in IndyCar, but the Frenchman has been contracted by Dale Coyne Racing to race on the series’ road courses and street circuits, and not on its ovals or the Indy 500.

In hindsight, Grosjean has no bad feelings towards his former F1 boss for his decision to pull his sponsorship.

“We definitely had discussions before and after the crash with Haas to sponsor the project,” Grosjean told The Race.

“It felt like it could be a great story, racing for Haas in Formula 1 since the beginning, then carrying on and bringing the colour to IndyCar.

“Obviously they decided otherwise. I guess they had their reason and their choice. Fully understandable.”

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Dale Coyne Racing has recruited Haas reserve Pietro Fittipaldi – who stood in for Grosjean at the US outfit in the remaining two races of the 2020 F1 season – to steer the team’s #51 entry at oval events.

However, following his two IndyCar tests conducted with DCR at Barber Motorsport park and at Laguna Seca, Grosjean is considering the possibility of tackling at least one oval race this year.

“We haven’t really talked about it yet,” he said. “I think there are high chances that I would like to do it. But let’s see how the first races go, then we can assess.”

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Dries van Noten brings raw emotion to Paris Fashion Week

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In one of the most beautiful fashion films of the digital season, Dries van Noten’s contemporary mix of design and choreography brought pure emotion to the start of Paris Fashion Week.

Setting the stage for a three-day shoot in Antwerp to film and photograph over forty dancers and models (all the time adhering to social distancing protocols) director Casper Sejersen and photographer Pamela Berkovic captured their movement and serenity in van Noten’s reflective approach to AW21. The film engages the viewer with something far more than the commercial need to sell garments.

The opening shot of a dancer wearing a white cotton shirtdress holding a bouquet of red roses suggested a sense of hope and purity. In other scenes dancers were not just styled in clothes but made the clothes a part of their movement, the choreography allowing us to see garments in new dimensions, like the dynamic shape of a grey wool coat or an oversized black tailored two-piece, which defied restrictions to capture their physicality.

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Inspired by the contemporary dance of Pina Bausch and the work of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker of the Rosas contemporary dance ensemble, the closure of theatres, dance schools and the stage in general highlight the restriction of movement in current times. Van Noten brought elegance, passion and a reason to dress up.

Image: Dries van Noten AW21

Vettel says F1 sprint race idea ‘makes no sense’

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Sebastian Vettel says he doesn’t understand the thinking behind Formula 1’s plan to trial a Saturday afternoon sprint race, insisting the idea is a mere “patch” that “makes no sense”.

F1 boss Stefano Domenicali tabled the idea of replacing qualifying with a short 100km race that would define grid positions on race day.

The concept which could be trialed this season at three races as received broad support from F1’s teams although competitors have requested more information before casting a formal vote on the initiative.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff believes that teams should keep an open mind and at least experiment with the idea. But Vettel begs to differ, insisting the sprint race concept is just a way of “shifting the focus from the real problem”.

“I don’t know what’s the thinking behind it. I don’t like it,” said the four-time world champion during Aston Martin’s team presentation on Wednesday.

“Why would you have a pre-final to a final? What’s the point of that? I don’t understand it.

“Obviously, if there is a race on Saturday then I will have to take part because I still want to drive on Sunday but from my point of view it makes no sense.

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“You have the grand prix and it’s always been run 300km and the main challenge of the weekend.

“I think if you have to introduce something like this then there’s something else you need to fix rather than the format – another race, or Q4 or Q5 or whatever it is.

“It’s shifting or taking the focus away from the real problem. It’s more of a patch rather than really a fix.”

    Read also – Wolff: DTM audience boost a case supporting F1 sprint race trial

Vettel’s Aston teammate Lance Stroll appeared open to the idea but agreed that F1 had bigger “fundamental issues” to address.

“I think there’s bigger fundamental issues that the sport has to address” said the Canadian.

“It could be great, I’m not against the idea, it’s not ridiculous. But it’s one of those things, like every regulation or format change, it’s always a question mark until we try it, to see how it impacts the sport.

“For me it’s more about getting the grid more competitive, getting the teams closer together – giving us the opportunity, both aerodynamically and with the tyres, to be able to fight closer, wheel-to-wheel, and fight harder together.

“We can’t do that with the loss of aerodynamic load behind the car, and the tyres have so much thermal sensitivity, that we drop out of the tyre temperature window and lose grip.”

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‘Making the Cut’ fashion competition returns for second season

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Global fashion design competition, ‘Making the Cut’ is returning for a second season on Amazon Prime this summer to find the next great global fashion brand.

Amazon Studios announced that the second season will be hosted and executive produced by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn and will be filmed in Los Angeles.

The show will feature ten entrepreneurs and designers from around the world who will compete to win 1 million dollars to invest in their brands. The winner will also receive mentorship from Amazon Fashion and the chance to create an exclusive line for the retailer.

‘Making the Cut’ will premiere this summer on Amazon Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide and Klum and Gunn will be joined by judges supermodel Winnie Harlow, and Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott.

Last season each episode challenged the designers to create new looks based on a theme, which included haute couture, collaboration, and streetwear, and crowned a winning look and eliminated those that didn’t “make the cut”.

Like with the first season, Amazon confirmed that winning looks from each episode will once again be immediately available to purchase in Amazon Fashion’s ‘Making the Cut’ store. This was so successful last season that most winning looks sold out in under two days, the retailer added.

There has been no confirmation on the designer involved for the second season.

The 2020 edition was won by American designer Jonny Cota, who showcased his exclusive ‘Making the Cut’ inspired collection on Amazon Fashion in December. Other designers involved included Parson graduate Ji Won Choi, avant-garde designer Sander Bos, and German designer Esther Perbandt.

Commenting on the return, Klum, said in a statement: “I am so excited to be in my hometown of Los Angeles with such a talented group of designers and judges for season two. This last year brought so many unforeseen challenges across the globe, so I feel grateful that we were able to safely film as Tim and I continue our journey to find the next great global fashion brand.”

Gunn added: “I am delighted to be reunited with Heidi for season two of Making the Cut and for Winnie and Jeremy to join as judges. They both bring a unique voice and perspective to help us challenge these designers to sharpen their skills and get out of their comfort zones to become the next household names in fashion.”

Images: courtesy of Making the Cut

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Mercedes: Russell and Ocon part of mid-year ‘evaluation’ plan

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Toto Wolff says Mercedes will begin to weigh its options for 2022 when it undertakes a mid-year evaluation of its drivers, including George Russell and Esteban Ocon.

Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will see their contracts expire at the end of the season. While the Finn is expected to fight to retain his seat in 2022, Hamilton’s plans will likely depend on whether the Briton secures or not a record eighth world title.

But Wolff confirmed that Russell and Ocon – who are both contracted to Mercedes – are the two drivers most likely to fill a possible empty seat at the Brackley squad.

“Esteban (Ocon) is in the second year of a two-year contract with Renault and Alpine F1, and George (Russell) is with Williams this year,” Wolff told Speedweek.

“So we have some options for 2022, but until then our full support goes to Valtteri and Lewis. We will evaluate in the middle of the year whether there will be a change in 2022.”

Queried on the reason why Hamilton and Mercedes had settled on a one-year deal recently, Wolff reiterated that a lack of time was the underlying factor behind the short-term contract.

“We only started negotiating just before Christmas,” he said. “A multi-year contract is more complex than one for one season, so we said we’ll sign this for a year and see about it later.

“Everything is currently open on both sides after 2021.”

    Read also – Wolff: ‘Lewis needs to decide what his future holds for him’

As for Wolff’s own future, the Austrian repeated that he could rein in his daily management responsibilities at some point, but he would always remain a partner in the championship winning team.

“I am a partner in the team and it will stay that way forever,” he said. “I really enjoy my own role in it, but it is not forever.

“At some point, younger and hungrier managers will have their say. I’m watching this situation and want to put the team in an optimal position.”

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Dannii Minogue launches petite fashion with QVC

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Australian pop singer and TV star Dannii Minogue has launched her new eponymous petite fashion and jewellery collection exclusive at omnichannel retailer QVC UK.

Being 5 foot 2 inches herself, the collection draws on her own experience as a petite dresser and offers tailored solutions to the problems often faced by petite customers.

The Dannii Minogue collection aims to offer the “perfect” petite capsule wardrobe with the pieces tailored to a petite frame, featuring a selection of spring prints, denim and faux leather jackets, which have been “expertly proportioned for petite women”.

Highlights include eye-catching blouses and patterned pleated skirts, a houndstooth jumpsuit and bomber jacket, and a love and kisses graphic T-shirt.

While petite is a focus, Minogue says in the press release that she wants her collection to the “worn and enjoyed by all women” and has made the entire range available in petite and regular lengths, in sizes 6-22 or XS-3XL.

Dannii Minogue teams up with QVC to launch fashion and jewellery lines

Joining the petite apparel, Minogue has also introduced a playful line of jewellery that the press release says captures her “disco spirit” and incorporates fun, flirty designs of hearts, stars and lightning bolts, alongside pieces inspired by her own jewellery collection.

The Dannii Minogue Diamonique range features high-quality Diamonique stones, in an array of cuts and colours set in sterling silver with a Rhodium, 14k Gold or Rose Gold plating. Key pieces include statement hoops and necklaces to long drop earrings and droplet bracelets.

As with her clothing line, special attention has been given to ensure sizing and lengths of the jewellery caters for all body types, with QVC explaining that the range has adjustability from slider clasps to extension chains for necklaces and bracelets.

This isn’t the first fashion line from Minogue, the Australian star has been designing her own clothing ranges in her home country since she was 17 years old. In 2010, she launched the fashion label Project D with Tabitha Webb.

Minogue has also previously worked with QVC in Australia specifically focussed on designing petite clothing.

Dannii Minogue Petites and Dannii Minogue Diamonique are available from QVC UK from today, March 1.

Images: courtesy of QVC

C+plus Series explores Freudian concepts at NYFW

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C+plus Series designer C.T. Liu was inspired by famed psychologist Sigmund Freud’s concept of the ID, ego and super-ego within psychoanalytical theory that describes the activities and interactions of the mental life of a person — where that mental life is the function of an apparatus to which we describe the characteristics of being extended in space. Liu took this concept to create a narrative based on the psychology of extended space.

This resulted in a play on proportions with asymmetrical, body-fitting skirts, oversized jackets, and the occasionally oversized shoulder. C+plus Series was founded in 2018 on the concept of over-complication, meaning no design could be approached simply or minimally. While the collection did not take a true over-top the, maximalist approach, exaggerated wide cut pants, deconstructed jackets, and a combination of textures, like an asymmetrical skirt that was only half-pleated helped minimalism be avoided at all costs.

Silhouettes were crafted in bold and vibrant colors that represented self-consciousness and awakening. Cut with romantic fabrics, there was a balance of natural instinct and the possibility of self-selection, while retaining neutral elements and simple silhouettes to pursue the essence of the true ego. Soft and sturdy fabrics alike are twisted and gathered with deceiving wearability, function and experimentation. The reason for the deconstruction of the blazers and coats was to emphasize the idea of breaking through the tame and routine to explore the awakening of the super-ego. Throughout, elevated design elements such as layering and playful asymmetry underscore an alluringly confident and subversive approach to empowering everyday design.

With the talk of the future we have to look forward to in fashion as we emerge from COVID-19, C+plus Series has fashioned a future of new consciousness. The psychology of fashion has come into its super-ego.

photo: courtesy of C+plus Series

Brand Director of InWear on working smarter, sustainability, and timeless collections

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Sustainability is a lifestyle at InWear, since 1969 the Danish label has created staple wardrobe classics for the independent, passionate and free modern woman. Known for its fitted tailoring and use of pattern making, the Copenhagen-based brand continues to uphold the philosophy that long-lasting pieces made with quality and responsibly sourced fabric is at the core of its business.

FashionUnited recently spoke to Rasmus Borges Olsen, the Brand Director at InWear on how working smarter, sustainability and seeking long term solutions influence all aspects of the label. During a video interview, Olsen exclusively told FashionUnited, “the most important thing for the brand is not necessarily to be in the media shouting aloud about sustainability, but constantly work on improving ourselves and becoming better each day.”

Sustainable and long-lasting collections

“Currently, there are two ways in how InWear works with sustainability,” Olsen explained,“first is through continuously improving the percentage of organic fibers such as organic cotton and recycled polyester that we use in a collection.” “The other method is by implementing a conscious effort into creating long-lasting products. Clean and classic, fitted pieces that become quality staples in a woman’s wardrobe. A design that she will put on in 5 years and still feel confident in,” he further added.

Head of Design, Jette Romvig, stated on the label’s website, “what I’m really into is this idea of designing for women’s real lives, clothes that women feel good wearing. It’s about being timeless and chic but always with an attitude – a killer detail or something unexpected.”

On top of sustainable fabrics, eco-driven details from the transportation of the label’s products to long lasting business models that promote slower fashion can be seen in Designed to stand the test of time and made from recycled polyester, the JOURNEY bag collection is modern, minimalist and season-resistant. “At the core of the collection are timeless pieces, then for each new drop, we’ll add a unique addition-for example a hologram color,” Olsen explained this is one way InWear builds a sustainable collection yet still offering customers fresh trends each season.

On working smarter and social responsibility

Just like InWear’s collections, versatility and flexibility has helped the company adapt and strive through this challenging time. Olsen shared that at the start of the pandemic, many of their customers were affected and couldn’t pay for their orders on time. By being agile and working to find solutions that fit each client such as prolonged or periodic payments, the label has maintained a personal relationship with its customers during this unprecedented year.

“Another challenge we faced this past year was that due to Danish law, our employees could not work from home; therefore, we had to make do sometimes with less than half of our staff. Workload went up, so we had to find ways to support our colleagues by finding balance and being super agile. As a company, we learned how to work a bit smarter by taking the lessons we’ve learned as a team on being agile and adaptable. I hope we can continue to apply these traits even to our products and business in this new era,” Olsent expressed.

Faces of Women: Introducing

Digitization, localization, communication

Even before the Covid-19 crisis, InWear had already embarked on the path towards digitization by utilizing digital showrooms and holding online sales meetings. What is unique about the company is that instead of being entirely data-driven, the label still believes in an organic and inspirational design approach. Pre-pandemic, the design team often travelled to New York and Paris to collect inspiration. Olsen explained, twice a year the Design Manager virtually conveys during online sales meetings on what the inspiration was behind the collection and the process that went into the creation of it. Then, there is a follow-up with each country’s sales team which allows room for questions and feedback that are particular to that market.

“Another aspect we’ve seen (in digitization) is that our returning customers are preferring to use our B2B portal more and more when it comes to replenishing potential re-run collections and the products they are familiar with,” Olsen observed.

Next, InWear will assess what areas of digitization suit their customers and also in ways of working virtually for the company. However, Olsen added that the label still very much believes in the magic of the human feeling and the ideas that brew when people get together in person-so a hybrid approach could be more of InWear’s outlook on digitization for the future.

INWEAR EGALITARIAN CAMPAIGN-a non seasonal collection redefining the modern woman

Masculine and feminine, old and young, the EGALITARIAN CAMPAIGN is a non-seasonal collection using InWear’s timeless, never out of stock concept; REFINEDS STANDARDS. It celebrates and redefines the ideal modern woman. “To us suiting is democratic and your individuality should always shine through the threads. To illustrate this point of view the InWear team has styled different suiting items to best fit their personal style,” as stated in a recent press release.

Democratic and individualistic, the team behind InWear, consists of women with a 30 year age range and completely different professional and personal styles, interests and lives. Joined by a common sense of style, drive and love of what they do, INWEAR EGALITARIAN is a celebration of a modern woman’s strengths, skills and heritage.

Read more about InWear on the brand page:

Photos: courtesy of InWear