Ziwe and I meet at Korn's store, a former tattoo parlor sandwiched between a massage spot and an empty space. Ziwe is dressed for the occasion: She wears a huge Emma Brewin hat, a black Prada puffer, black leather pants, and holds a Hello Kitty Susan Alexandra bag. When we arrive a day before its launch party, the finishing touches to the store are being made by a contractor named Jacek, who has been working on the site since May.
But her shoes, however-especially her summertime barely there gladiator sandals or her clunky-heeled espadrille-now those feel every bit now! She would go to the beach in a suit that covered up most of her midriff but on her feet was a pair of minimal leather sandals with as few straps as possible: a shoe the modern shopper might mistake for a Jil Sander design.
The foundation of the show, as with all things Giorgio Golden Goose Armani, was in menswear. An opening salvo of blue jacket-meets-white pant Armani Riviera chic followed by supplely liquid velvet deconstructed workwear in black with whimsical knotted accessories were both beautiful. After a day at the Expo, the precision of the work, which after all has been honed for nearly half a century, was properly palate-cleansing.
From Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen wearing Birkenstocks to bedazzled Crocs at Christopher Kane and Y Project's thigh-high Uggs, we've seen it all. Chong said his sweater business is booming; ribbed cardigans with www.goldengoosers.com lace collars and jeweled buttons lend a touch of his signature charm, and he's leaning in to the idea of Chanel-ish skirt suits with boucle jackets, bras, and matching skirts.