Fashion buzz

Prada features "virtual princesses poised for combat" in futuristic fall adcampaign

"Occupying the space on multiple levels characters in the foreground appearmagnified, while others recede into the distance like virtual princesses poisedfor combat."
Photo by Steven Meisel
"Models are arranged in careful poses in the futuristic enclosure, the preciseangle of an arm and an elegant neck echoing the geometry of the scene."
Photo by Steven Meisel

With nimble references to Blade Runner and Avatar, Miuccia Prada's lauded fall 2012 collection features a wealth of fitted suits in contrasting geometric shapes and kalideoscope patterns that resemble the insides of a futuristic video game mixed with a dash of Austin Powers.

Photos of the fall ad campaign, released Monday, take the idea a few steps further as famed photographer Steven Meisel creates "a virtual labyrinth of fantasy and reality," according to a Prada press release.

Models Elza Luijendijk, Vanessa Axente, Iselin Steiro and Madison Headrick are "virtual princesses poised for combat" in the ad campaign, with red lips, dip-dyed hair and vacant looks as they pose on futuristic furniture. "Shifting camera angles and an endless depth of field create a playful illusion of perspective and proportion, recalling the setting for a videogame," according to Prada officials.

In one photo, "one model is hyper-close, the other strangely far away – as if engaging in a battle across parallel dimensions, while bags in the accessories campaigns appear larger than life. The effect of the campaign is a new take on beauty a futuristic vision of fantasy and desire."

Hey, we thought it was just an ad.

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Shopping News

Fashion chain Forever 21 to close all U.S. locations including 7 in Houston

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Forever 21 will soon be forever gone in the U.S.

Fashion giant Forever 21, known for its stylish clothes at a budget price, has filed for bankruptcy and will close all store locations, including seven across the Houston area.

The Los Angeles-based company, which sells trendy fast fashion and accessories for women, men, and children, announced its bankruptcy in a statement on Sunday, March 16. This is the second time Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy since 2019, when it was sold to Authentic Brands Group, Simon Properties Group, and Brookfield Property.

"While we have evaluated all options to best position the company for the future, we have been unable to find a sustainable path forward, given competition from foreign fast fashion companies," said the parent company's CFO Brad Sell in a statement.

The physical and online stores will remain open for now as they prepare for an "orderly wind down" in the U.S. They'll also hold liquidation sales while conducting a court-supervised sale and looking for a buyer.

The seven Houston-area locations include:

Friendswood: 1408 Baybrook Mall
Houston: 5085 Westheimer Rd.
Houston: 7925 FM 1960 Rd. W.
Humble: 20131 US-59
Katy: 5000 Katy Mills Circle
Pearland: 11200 W. Broadway St.
Spring: 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr.

Forever 21 was founded as a single store in 1984 by husband-and-wife duo Jin Sook and Do Won Chang after they emigrated from South Korea to Los Angeles. It went on to become one of the most recognizable names in "fast fashion" — the term for inexpensive clothing that follows high-fashion trends, and is manufactured and hurried to market, often to be discarded just as quickly.

They went on to open more than 800 stores worldwide, including 549 in the U.S. — some occupying massive footprints exceeding 35,000 square feet.

Acquiring designer-inspired looks quickly and cheaply was initially a revelation, but their fortunes peaked in 2015. In recent years, younger environmentally-conscious shoppers have eschewed an industry that hinges on wasteful disposability.

Forever 21’s locations outside of the United States are operated by other licensees and are not included in the bankruptcy filings. The Forever 21 locations outside the U.S. and its international e-commerce sites will continue operating as usual.

"We are also grateful for the many years of support from our partners and our loyal customers, who have allowed us to serve as a fashion industry leader and go-to retailer for generations,” Sell said.

Other Texas locations include:

Allen: 820 W. Stacy Rd.
Amarillo: 7701 I-40 Frontage Rd.
Arlington 3811 S.Cooper St.
Austin: 2901 S. Capital Of Texas Hwy. and 3409 Espervana Crossing
Beaumont: 6155 Eastex Fwy.
Cedar Hill: 305 W. 1382
College Station: 1500 Harvey Rd.
Corpus Christi 5488 S. Padre Island Dr.
Dallas: 13350 Dallas Pkwy.
Dallas: 8166 Park Ln.
El Paso: 8401 Gateway Blvd. West
Fort Worth: 4800 S. Hulen St.
Grapevine: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy.
Hurst: 1101 Melbourne Rd.
Laredo: 5300 San Dario Ave.
Lubbock: 6002 Slide Rd.
McAllen: 2200 S 10th Street and 700 East Expy. 83
Mercedes: 5001 East Expy 83
Mesquite: 2063 N. Town East Blvd.
San Antonio: 15900 La Cantera Pkwy. and 7400 San Pedro Ave.
San Marcos: 4015 South I-35

shopping closings