Fashion buzz: Malaysian photographer Bibo Aswan creates an Instagram filter, Tiffany & Co. releases a special edition of the Elsa Peretti bone cuff, and more

Malaysian fashion photographer Bibo Aswan creates a filter on Instagram

Social distancing has made a huge impact on our social lives, with us resorting to Zoom calls, Facetime and video conferencing to keep in contact with our loved ones. Following a series of photographs starring familiar Malaysian faces, fashion photographer Bibo Aswan has extended his ‘Meet Me Halfway’ series into a filter on Instagram. Like his experimental photos, the filter is modelled after a video call interface and is in black and white. Try out the filter here.

Also related: More fashion Instagram filters to try at home

British Fashion Council provides financial support to brands

To help tackle the COVID-19 crisis, thirty seven London-based brands were selected for the first round of designers who will receive financial support. Some of the names include Roksanda, Chalayan, Christoper Raeburn, Richard Quinn, Halpern, who will receive up to £50,000, and access to business support and mentoring from British Fashion Council partners (like Farfetch, YouTube, Instagram and Google). According to BFC, the choosing criteria was based on the brands’ business’ urgency to receive support and their “capability to come through and thrive post-crisis”.

“The need for support is immense. Our hope is to reopen the fund for future rounds, to help as many businesses as possible, and ensure the future growth and success of the British fashion industry,” said the organisation’s chief executive officer, Caroline Rush.

Tiffany & Co. releases a special edition of the Elsa Peretti bone cuff

First created in the 1970s by Italian jewellery designer Elsa Peretti, the iconic Tiffany & Co. asymmetric cuff that came in gold and silver now comes in a new range of colours to honour its 50th anniversary. Known for its sensual design which contours to the wrist and is designed specifically for the left and right hands, the new shades are available in vibrant hues of red, blue and green, giving the bone cuff a more playful side.

Designer gowns worn by A-list celebrities are up for auction on eBay

You’re *this* much closer to truly feeling like Queen B and Jenny from the block. The Mirco Giovannini gown Beyoncé wears in the “1+1” music video and the hot pink George Chakra dress J.Lo wore at the 2018 American Music Awards are some of the gowns up for auction. Celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewart has launched this charity auction in partnership with eBay. Named the ‘Chic Relief’ auction, to help Direct Relief, a global humanitarian organisation and its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I really wanted to do something to help front-line workers get the basic protection needed to combat this virus,” said Stewart. “Through this special eBay fashion event, 100 percent of proceeds will directly benefit Direct Relief, which is incredible. They are doing really important work right now coordinating with public health authorities, non-profit organisations and businesses in the U.S. and globally to provide [personal protective equipment] and essential medical items to health workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The auction is now online at ebay.com/chicrelief and will end on May 27 2020.

Also related: 14 Celebrity stylists to follow on Instagram

Michael Jordan’s first Air Jordans sells for close to RM2.5 million

The sneakers went for RM2,438,968 at Sotheby‘s to be exact, beating out Nike‘s previous record with the Waffle Racing Flat ‘Moon Shoe’ from 1972. This very pair were the sneakers Michael Jordan played in in 1985, and was recently featured in Netflix‘s documentary “The Last Dance”.

The mid-length sneakers were also signed by Jordan in permanent marker, which would attest to its high value. According to WWD, bidders ranged from 19 years of age to 50 and came from across four continents. Seventy percent of the bidders were new to Sotheby’s as well. All them hypebeasts were ready to roll!

Ralph Lauren announces partnership with actress Kathryn Newton

Best known for role in Big Little Lies as Abigail Carlson (Reese Witherspoon’s outspoken daughter) and Paranormal Activity, actress Kathryn Newton has another talent under her belt—the wonderful game of golf. As early as eight, a young Newton has already been playing in tournaments.

Ralph Lauren recently announced that the young star is the face for its women’s golf brand until 1 October 2020. As part of the partnership, she will star in Ralph Lauren’s Spring and Autumn campaigns for Polo Golf and RLX, and will be the brand’s ambassador at select tournaments. The latest Spring campaign sees Newton in fresh colourways and playful prints that bring a fun edge to traditional golf attire.

“I am so excited to team up with Ralph Lauren,” said Kathryn Newton. “Since I was little girl, I have been wearing Ralph Lauren on and off the golf course. I am truly honored and proud to represent the brand and look forward to being a part of the RL family.”