The flip phone is back and more stylish than ever. American designer Thom Browne, known for his sleek suits and precise tailoring, has partnered with South Korean tech giant Samsung to resurrect the foldable mobile device many of us remember fondly.
Launched at New York Fashion Week in February, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition was introduced via a live presentation and an interactive event that allowed guests to see, touch and experience the phone.
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The statement flip phone comes in a classic grey colour and sports the brand’s signature tricolour stripe. Its interface reveals app icons written in classic fonts. The Thom Browne phone comes with an analogue ringtone reminiscent of the good old days. It’s available with a smart watch and wireless Samsung headphones.
Alexander Wang and Vivo
Followers of the Wang squad have a new item to add to their must-buy list, after the New York-based Chinese fashion designer released a mobile phone designed in collaboration with Chinese phone maker, Vivo.
The Vivo X30 Pro Alexander Wang is a limited-edition 5G phone, an upgrade on the Vivo X30 Pro that was launched late last year. True to Wang’s cool, utilitarian style, often described as M.O.D. or model off duty, the designer gadget boasts a white mirror back cover and an engraved branding that says “vivo alexanderwang”.
Prada and LG
In 2012, Italian luxury brand Prada and South Korean tech conglomerate LG launched the Prada 3.0 phone. It had a back cover in Prada’s signature Saffiano pattern, while the front face carried its logo.
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Prada and LG’s collaboration goes back even further. When the LG Prada was launched in 2007, it was known as the first mobile phone with a touch screen display. A Wired report recalled how the LG Prada was considered a strong competitor of the iPhone, while an LG executive accused Apple of copying their design.
A year and a half after its release, Wired announced that one million units of the LG Prada had been sold – a success that led to the LG Prada II in 2008, which came with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
Armani and Samsung
Samsung has ridden the designer phone wave since the 2000s, and one of its early collaborators was Armani. The tech company launched the M75500, which was better known as the Night Effect phone, in 2008. Designed by Giorgio Armani, the phone’s distinctive feature was a flashing red, blue and green LED light display on its sides, training the spotlight on its Emporio Armani branding.
Samsung and Giorgio Armani had previously created the SGH-P520, which was released at Milan Fashion Week in 2007. While the phone drew comparisons with the LG Prada and the early iPhone, the device was lauded for its stylish design.
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Dolce & Gabbana and Motorola
In the heyday of the early flip phones, Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana and American tech company Motorola came out with their own stylish offering: the RAZR V3i DG, a luxurious handset with a gold and silver finish.
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Each handset came with a D&G logo pendant that could be attached to the phone, and were pre-loaded with MP3 ringtones and screen themes. Only 1,000 units were produced, and each was numbered. A few units are still for sale on eBay.
Versace and Nokia
In 2005, Italian powerhouse Donatella Versace joined Finnish telecommunications leader Nokia to create a limited-edition mobile phone for the Life Ball 2005, the biggest charity event in Europe that supported people who were HIV-positive or had Aids. Only 727 units of the designer Nokia were created and each was priced at €799 (US$868).
Named the Nokia 7270, the clamshell phone was clad in D&G’s yellow and black art deco-inspired print, and each unit came with a carrying strap covered in Swarovski crystals.
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