ON OUR RADAR

KARMA8A CLIMBS HIGHER: WHERE BOULDERING MEETS GLOBAL CULTURE

Paris-born and wall-tested Karma8a has been shaking up the climbing world since 2020; only now, the movement is truly going global. What started as a grassroots collective deep in the Parisian bouldering scene has evolved into an internationally recognized force, merging climbing, streetwear, and youth culture into one seamless flow. With its bold aesthetic and infectious energy, Karma8a has become more than a brand – it’s the uniform for a generation constantly moving between crag and city.

“We’ve always seen Karma8a as bigger than apparel,” says co-founder Elliott Foote. “It’s about creating a cultural movement.” That vision now stretches from Paris to Seoul, Los Angeles, and Shanghai, fueled by a growing roster of athletes, artists, and creatives who redefine what climbing looks like. Karma8a’s athletes aren’t just competitors – they’re DJs, filmmakers, and community leaders shaping a new identity for climbing: one where performance meets self-expression, and chalk-covered hands meet underground beats.

With collaborations spanning Arc’teryx, Highsnobiety Sports, Evolv, and Nature Climbing, Karma8a sits comfortably at the crossroads of sport, style, and creativity. And starting August 2025, the brand is expanding its reach through Zalando, with END Clothing and Citadium joining in September. Whether spotted at the gym, on granite, or at an after-hours party, Karma8a continues to blur boundaries and redefine what it means to climb – not just walls, but culture itself!

THE ESSENCE OF KYOTO IN A BOTTLE: OSMANTHUS 19

“The City Exclusive Collection began as a tribute to the places that have shaped our journey. This year, we’re honored to include OSMANTHUS 19, our Kyoto City Exclusive, in the collection,” says Deborah Royer, Global Brand President and Creative Director at Le Labo Fragrances.

Each year, for just two months, the City Exclusive scents travel beyond their hometowns, available from August 1 to September 30 in discovery sets and samples, and in full size from September 1. OSMANTHUS 19 joins this ritual as a fragrance born from Kyoto’s deep rooted spirit, built around the fleeting bloom of the Osmanthus flower. It opens with incense and aromatic lavender before revealing a creamy floral heart, grounded by woody and resinous tones.

Like Kyoto itself, where traditional machiya houses stand beside neon lit streets, the scent balances timeless elegance with modern vitality, an invitation to embrace impermanence and discover beauty in what cannot be held. OSMANTHUS 19 unfolds gradually, revealing layers of soft floral warmth, subtle spice, and resinous depth that linger on the skin. It captures both the delicate fragility of the Osmanthus flower and the quiet strength of the city, leaving a trace of serenity and refinement that feels uniquely Kyoto.

OSMANTHUS 19 is not just a City Exclusive, it is a quiet journey into the soul of Kyoto.

WHISPERS OF TIME: EMPORIO ARMANI

The new Emporio Armani campaign, photographed by Alasdair McLellan, presents a series of striking black and white images that feel both painterly and cinematic. It captures moments of quiet connection and camaraderie among the models Thea, Olivia, Alexis, Lauridis, Javi and Liu. They are situated in a villa garden, surrounded by stone structures and statues that show the marks of time, giving the setting a sense of history and character.

The photographs evoke the mood of British and American cinema, familiar yet timeless. The garments and accessories carry a tactile, alluring presence that enhances the visual story and adds layers of depth to the campaign.

The campaign succeeds in merging elegance and narrative, inviting the viewer to linger on every detail and moment.

Sean MacCormac Makes Skysurfing History with Prada and Red Bull

Skysurfing pioneer Sean MacCormac made history by becoming the first person to surf onto the cables of San Francisco’s Bay Bridge after a 1676 meter skydive. Months of intense training and a custom high-tech board, developed in collaboration with Prada Linea Rossa and the Luna Rossa team, made the feat possible. During his descent, MacCormac glided along the bridge cables for several seconds before spiraling down to a floating platform below. Prada Linea Rossa also provided advanced performance gear to support him throughout the challenge.

The board itself was designed to handle extreme demands, combining a honeycomb core with carbon fiber layers for control and responsiveness, and a lightweight, abrasion-resistant polyethylene base to withstand contact with the bridge cables. The surface features painted graphics instead of adhesive materials for durability and precision. Drawing on the engineering expertise of the Luna Rossa team, the project highlights how innovation, research, and teamwork can turn the most ambitious ideas into reality.

The achievement is part of the ongoing collaboration between Prada Linea Rossa and Red Bull, which supports athletes who push their limits and redefine what is possible in sport. For MacCormac, the experience was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, combining skill, courage, and cutting-edge design to achieve a feat that will be remembered in the history of extreme sports.

BLAUER AND BRUCE WEBER CAPTURE FAMILY IN FOCUS

For the Fall Winter 2025–26 season, BLAUER teams up with the legendary photographer Bruce Weber for his first collaboration with the brand, creating a campaign that is both authentic and emotionally rich. Set in urban Miami, the visuals bring together BLAUER’s identity and Weber’s poetic eye, centering on the theme of family and the many forms of connection and affection.

“Working with a master like Bruce Weber has been extraordinary,” says Federica Fusco, partner and marketing manager of FGF Industry. On set, Weber shaped the cast into an eclectic family, blending seasoned models with new faces to capture genuine interactions and emotions. He emphasizes character over appearance, casting people for who they are and how they engage with others, while choreographer Richard Amaro encouraged movement that brought the images to life. Personal connections, from photographing relatives of past collaborators to unexpected discoveries like a plumber from Staten Island, added warmth and authenticity.

The result is a campaign that feels intimate, alive, and deeply human, celebrating the spirit of family while showcasing BLAUER’s clothing in a natural and poetic light.