Yes, we’re gutted with the shock news of Mr. ARMANI’s passing.  This was not expected, even for a man of 91. ■ What remains is the memory of what he brought to fashion, his rigorous modernist taste, the menswear revolution he started singlehandedly, his amazing knack for branching out into everything: sportswear, swimwear, flowers, chocolate, hotels… ■ We were, and continue to be, thrilled with his appearance on the cover of Fantastic Man two years ago, the time and attention he gave us, and the way he rocked up at the launch of the issue, full of jokes and energy, signing copies, meanwhile rearranging the lighting plan of the room. ■ We thought he’d make it to 110. Bless him. Forever.

This week was Amsterdam Fashion Week. Fun gatherings all around town (the city is bigger than you’d think) including a delightful runway show in Bilderdijkpark by CAMIEL FORTGENS. ■ The hot Dutch designer will be showing again during men’s fashion weeks in Paris, like he did last June, but now kindly repeated a line-up of his preppy/sloppy classics for a local audience.

On a farm just outside Amsterdam, Belgian designer MERYLL ROGGE (above) presented her brand B.B. WALLACE, a line of great chunky knitwear she co-makes with SARAH ALLSOP, a colleague she met while working at MARC JACOBS and who now also works on MERYLL ROGGE’s eponymous brand. ■ Quite remarkable how relaxed MERYLL comes across in real life. Would you be so serene if you’d just moved to Milan with your partner and two young kids because you’d just been appointed creative director at MARNI while still maintaining your two other labels? Meine Güte! ■ “If DAVE GROHL can tap into all these different bands, in NIRVANA and FOO FIGHTERS and the other projects he’s done, I must be able to pull it off too,” explained MERYLL, even if she’s forgetting that the American rockstar didn’t do all his jobs simultaneously, unlike her. ■ My guess is her MARNI will be amazing.

It’s that biannual glorious moment again: there’s a new BUTT out next week – number 37! ■ While most of the issue’s content is still top secret, here’s the cover (by DANIEL RIERA) and the recommendation to keep an eye out for the opening story, a spectacularly interesting interview with French author ÉDOUARD LOUIS. ■ His portraits were taken by NAN GOLDIN, which even in BUTT’s incredible canon of collaborators is major! ■ In the interview, ÉDOUARD gets candid about his recent crush on a taco maker in New York City, the complexities around age and one’s preferred sexual position, and his experiences as a sex worker. (Speaking of sex work, ‘New York’ magazine just ran a profile of designer WILLY CHAVARRIA that’s very worth reading.) ■ But back to BUTT…the 37th issue is officially out on 10 September.

For the entire month of September, our friends at BOTTEGA VENETA have a pop-up store at Harrod’s, London, to celebrate their signature ‘Intrecciato’ technique of weaving leather. They’re also launching three new fragrances. ■ Do pop into Harrod’s and look out for an overwhelmingly beautiful pair of black woven-leather armchairs (want!) and a whole stationary corner, for the love of paper. ■ Above, a little preview from the upcoming issue of Fantastic Man (out on 18/9) featuring BOTTEGA’s new Intrecciato bag named Campana, photographed by JOANNA WZOREK.

Last but loudest, SUEDE has a new album out today, a total scream-your-lungs-out stomper called ‘Antidepressants’. It’s a good reason to re-read our snappy interview with singer BRETT ANDERSON from 2018, from a time when he released his book ‘Black Coal Mornings’, one of my all time favourite musical memoirs.