HUNGER’s MVP of the week

Welcome to HUNGER’s Most Valuable Player, the place to find the best things to buy, watch, do or listen to each week. Forget about the hype, we want to separate what’s hot, what’s not, and what needs to be on your radar...

Versace Jeans Couture has unveiled its SS23 campaign, taking inspiration from the cultural hub that is the big apple. Set against the backdrop of the iconic streets of the Lower East Side, the images are captured by photographer Grace Ahlbom, telling an intimate story of unbounded creative expression and self-reflection. The campaign stars musician Aaron Maine of Porches – an innovative synth-pop band formed in 2010 – as well as songwriter, rapper, DJ, producer and model Talia Goddess, both of whom grew up in and around the city. The talents rock standout pieces from the collection in local streets and parks, including matching denim skirts and bralette sets, oversized jackets and men’s co-ords inspired by the Versus Versace Spring-Summer 1997 collection, Twigs and Roses.

Despite the festival season being well and truly underway, there’s always time to look ahead and fill out your calendar for a year full of raving. And thankfully, The Warehouse Project (WHP) are here to bless us with an announcement of the first sequence of their world-class events. The shows include a welcome return for fan-favourite Repercussion (September 16th), which features performances from Bicep and Moderat, returning to Manchester for their first live show in the city since 2016. Meanwhile, the Worry About Henry x Metropolis (September 23rd) event sees the largest Drum & Bass event at WHP. Electric party crew Kaluki (September 29th) also returns for a special birthday show and label showcase, while the last of the announced events come in the form of Welcome to the Warehouse (September 30th), featuring a six-stage takeover from various artists. For tickets and more information, click here.

Summer has arrived, and it’s time for a wardrobe clear-out! Thankfully, Italian luxury footwear label Hyusto have recently dropped their latest collection of contemporary men’s, women’s and genderless fine leather shoes – so, at least you’ll have footwear covered for this season. Whether you’re looking for mules, loafers, or something with a platform, the collection features a variety of styles in summer-ready colourways, cosy leather and fuzzy cotton coverings. Hyusto’s latest collection is now available to shop here.

Next, sustainable skincare brand Bourii have introduced three unique multipurpose body oils to keep your skin glowing this Summer. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are all plant-powered concoctions that embrace the healing powers of botanicals to balance vital energy and nourish the senses and your skin. Each of the multipurpose oils can be used as a cleanser, moisturiser, body oil, hair oil and bath oil, so there’s no need to look elsewhere to get all the goodness your skin needs. To shop Bourii’s three new oils and all their other wonderful botanical products, click here

Carrying on with the theme of self-care, Experimental Perfume Club have all you need and more when it comes to finding your Summer scent. First, there’s Sable Girls, offering up a beach-ready, ocean-fresh fragrance – basically, everything that’s great about the beach bottled up. Then there’s Rose Bergamot, a refreshing, floral scent with frankincense and iris notes made by combining two of the brand’s Essential eau de parfum – Bergamot Incense and Rose Rhubarb. And last but not least, Tuberose Chai, a revitalising blend of cardamom, ginger and turmeric. So, why not start this season off on the right foot, and give your fragrance game a welcome refresh? 

For a brand new capsule collection, Aries has partnered with White Claw to capture the surf scene and skate culture vibe of Biarritz – a seaside town on France’s southwestern Basque coast. The collection has been shot by the French photographer David Ledoux and features surfers like Trankil Trankil, Paul Duvignau, and Sacha Kirnidis. The capsule has four pieces, including a unisex crew neck sweatshirt and sweat shorts made from brushed-back jersey fleece with Aries tie-dye detailing. A classic black and white short and long-sleeve tee in cotton jersey also features. The campaign photographs will feature in an exhibit at the Aries Soho Store from the 25th of May to the 5th of June 2023 for anyone to go and see. The Aries X White Claw collection is available to purchase online and in-store now. 

This bank holiday Sunday the 28th of May, Cross The Tracks festival will head to Brockwell Park for an unmissable one-day celebration. The line-up offers a mix of soul, jazz, and funk, with NxWorries (Anderson. Paak & Knxwledge), Yazmin Lacey, Ezra Collective, Alfa Mist, Kelis, and Masego plus the likes of Roy Ayres, Children of Zeus, Son Little, Gilles Peterson and many more. As well as a plethora of amazing music, including jazz outfit Ishmael Ensemble and DJ Gilla for a special DJ set, the festival will offer plenty of talks, panels, and workshops with their charity partners. Throughout the day, there will be food and drinks vendors from over 40 breweries and food traders from the South London area. In what is set to be a shining bank holiday, the countdown has begun to the hottest soul, jazz, and funk festival this summer! Secure your tickets here now.

Finally, we’re closing out this week’s segment with a must-see exhibition from Iranian artist Farnaz Damnabi’s debut solo exhibition, UNVEILED. The exhibition presents a selection of works that tells the tale of a young female photographer from contemporary Iran, exploring both the past and present of her home nation. Women take centre stage in Damnabi’s shots, which both pay tribute to the Iranian female identity through the routine of women, mothers and workers ignored by a strictly patriarchal society. Many of the images highlight issues such as discrimination against women in the labour market, the gender gap in salaries and the failure to recognise their contributions to the Iranian economy and craft industry. UNVEILED takes place at the 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS gallery in Milan and runs until July 28th. 

HUNGER Writers