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Pharrell Williams has been named Louis Vuitton’s creative director for menswear, with his first collection to be unveiled in June during Paris’s men’s fashion week.

‘I am glad to welcome Pharrell back home, after our collaborations in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton, as our new men’s creative director,” said Louis Vuitton chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari. ‘His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.’
 
Blasting back to the ’80s

It looks 1980s but inside the GPO Manhattan is a powerful Bluetooth speaker system with 100 W peak power. You can even hook up 20 Manhattan speaker systems together. You can stream via your phone or tablet, record to and play back from a USB stick, plug in two mics, and adjust bass, treble and balance. Retails at £210. Visit www.gporetro.com for more info.
 
As black as onyx

Sometimes you hear about things from your own country from one of your international bureaux—which means it does pay to be international. Last year, we were invited to the US launch of Scapegrace Black, the world’s first naturally black, colour-changing gin from New Zealand. Beginning with premium botanicals and juniper, Scapegrace added kumara, aronia berries, pineapple, saffron and butterfly pea flower. The result is a full-bodied gin with hints of tropical fruits and herbs. When mixed with tonic or a citrus, the gin changes to a light lavender shade. An impressive distillery, meanwhile, opened on Lake Dunstan in Central Otago last year. •