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Tag: fashion designers

  • 10 Designer Brands Hiding in Plain Sight on Amazon

    10 Designer Brands Hiding in Plain Sight on Amazon

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    Coach Women’s Quilted Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 With Chain ($395)

    Nope, you don’t have to hit the mall to snag a designer piece from Coach. While the famed American fashion house’s bags are its most iconic, the brand is also hugely popular for its shoes, luggage, and clothes. One of our editors is obsessed with this yellow shoulder bag for brightening up her wardrobe. Although that exact color sadly isn’t offered on the brand’s Amazon storefront, you can score it there in off-white (aka “chalk”) and black. Read more about why our editor loves this specific Coach design in her comprehensive Coach Quilted Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 review.

    Not in the market for a shoulder bag? Consider other Coach staples such as its Leah Loafer ($195) or a more work-friendly option, like its Polished Pebble Leather Day Tote ($270, originally $295).

    Editor Quote: “First and foremost, I love just how much I can fit into this accessory, despite its compact size. The bag is deceptively spacious, with an exterior pocket, a zippered interior pocket, and three roomy divided sections on the inside. The interior is, in fact, big enough to fit everything from an iPhone 13 to a passport holder, sunglasses, car keys, emergency lipstick, and more. While I generally prefer large tote bags and oversize accessories that can hold the many essentials I travel with on a daily basis, this piece has surprised me in the best way — it’s smaller than virtually every bag in my closet and still manages to hold all of my everyday must haves.” – Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Shopping

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    Marisa Petrarca

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  • 10 Swim-Season Essentials to Buy, According to a Victoria’s Secret Exec

    10 Swim-Season Essentials to Buy, According to a Victoria’s Secret Exec

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    Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

    The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to Kira Fisher, VP Brand Design, Victoria’s Secret & Co, about her top recommendations for swim season, from bikinis to beach day essentials.

    Kira Fisher, VP Brand Design, VS&Co, has roots in Newport Beach, CA, where the swim and surf culture became embedded in her DNA while she was growing up as an athlete. A Bachelors in Fine Arts and Major in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University led her to design stints at Abercrombie & Fitch, Aéropostale, and American Eagle — and she eventually landed at Victoria’s Secret, where she’s grown with the brand for over nine years.

    Fisher is now a seasoned pro when it comes to doling out advice for swim season, largely thanks to her experience learning about the VS customer and what they seek during the summer. “[Swim]wear is all about balancing sexy and comfort. I truly believe when you’re comfortable, you’re at your best and that makes you feel sexy and confident,” she tells PS. “It really comes down to what you like to wear – if its full coverage or a thong, or a full coverage top to a small triangle bikini, a brand’s line should offer a breadth of frames and coverages across tops and bottoms so everyone can feel comfortable. What I love about VS Swim is that, given Victoria’s Secret’s expertise in bras, our swim collection has such great frames that offer lift and support.”

    Given VS’s design history in intimates, Fisher explains that the same technology, craftsmanship, and fabric knowledge is leveraged into both the Swim and Sport categories, which is why they’ve become so popular. Customers have been gravitating toward the Archival collection recently, with their eyes on more fashion-forward pieces that incorporate, chains, splashy patterns, and silhouettes that contour the body.

    Fisher’s biggest piece of advice for those shopping for swim season is that “you know your own body better than anyone else. The biggest thing is you have to try it on and see how it makes you feel! [The] trying on experience really evolves you from what you think you will be comfortable in. Think about the coverage you want in your collection and go from there!”

    Fisher talked to PS about her own personal must haves for a summer vacation, including everything from travel essentials to her favorite VS bikini to real time beach day indulgences. Ahead, shop her expert picks as a swim connoisseur.

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    Sarah Wasilak

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  • Designer Peter Dundas on His 30-Year Fashion Career

    Designer Peter Dundas on His 30-Year Fashion Career

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    “Dressing a woman is about making her feel her best for me. I always want to give confidence in my designs,” said Peter Dundas. After an illustrious career of dressing some of the most famous women, shifting and influencing the aesthetic landscape, and leading numerous storied ateliers, it’s safe to say Dundas has accomplished that brief.

    The name Peter Dundas is synonymous with luxury fashion. You may know the Norwegian-born designer (now LA-based) from his many iconic A-list red carpet moments, his many collabs, his cult celebrity following (see: Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian), or his tenure at the helm of a myriad of the industry’s top brands. Or you may know him from that surrealist (or as Paris would say, “sliving”) one-of-a-kind Swarovski crystal martini bag Paris Hilton wore at the 2022 Grammy Awards. It was a collaboration with Grey Goose, inspired by Dundas’s drink of choice, a dirty vodka martini.

    “Paris just being herself was all the input I needed,” Dundas tells POPSUGAR, referring to Hilton’s input during the design process. “I have dressed her many times, so there is trust there. She is all about freedom, glamour, and sensuality, which I think very much is part of the Dundas woman’s identity as well.” The clutch features an ombré from majestic blue to a clear crystal to evoke the natural spring water used in the base of any quintessential martini: Grey Goose vodka. The timeless, sleek accessory is custom-designed with refined rock Swarovski crystal panels, is a perfect blend of chic functionality, and perfectly fits into the Dundas design universe.

    Dundas has been a fashion fixture throughout his 30-year career, from assisting iconic couturiers Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix to designing for Ungaro and his eponymous label. He’s managed the almost impossible: constantly staying current while challenging and evolving himself. After all these years in an industry like fashion (where “one day you’re in and the next day, out”), it’s a wonder what keeps him going. “I feel like a beginner with every new collection I start. The world is constantly evolving, and it is inspiring to be part of that evolution,” Dundas says.

    Peter Dundas and partner Evangelo Bousis at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

    The in-demand designer burst onto the fashion scene as design assistant to Gaultier at the Comédie-Française in Paris. This eventually led to tenures at Emilio Pucci (where he was creative director from 2008 to 2015) and Roberto Cavalli (from 2015 to 2016, and then back again in 2020). He’s been known for his distinct approach to global design, use of prints, organic, free-flowing, yet structured silhouettes, and glamazon aesthetic, as seen by his many glamorous muses. After a successful career leading other houses, it was only fitting to launch his own label alongside business [and life] partner Evangelo Bousis (which debuted on Beyoncé at the 2017 Grammy Awards). The brand also saw massive exposure in 2020, designing the costumes for Shakira’s Super Bowl halftime performance.

    “I think the role of a designer has always been to make your dream,” Dundas says. “Today, I think we can also help create mindfulness in areas such as sustainability, inclusion, and gender identity. I feel blessed that so many people love fashion, but with that comes a responsibility to use the voice given in a positive way.”

    And who is the Dundas woman? According to the man himself, “The Dundas woman is sexy but never cheap, glamorous, independent with a boho spirit; hopefully, a little rockstar too, as music is fundamental in my inspiration.” From the stacked roster of celebrity clients, we have to agree. Emily Ratajkowski, Ciara (who has had many Dundas red carpet moments), Megan Fox, Lori Harvey, Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner — and the list continues. “I have been very lucky in my career to design for some iconic women.”

    Aside from a life of glamour, jet setting, dressing models, and fabulous parties, Dundas is a family man. He and his husband Evangelo Bousis have two young kids, Alexis and Eleni Bousis-Dundas (both born during the pandemic). The fashion duo, according to a 2023 Vogue Business article, “relocated to Los Angeles for the births of their two children, while continuing to operate the business in the UK. The brand is laying off six UK employees and plans to shift the company to the US”

    “I think for any designer, you have to find your voice, believe in it, and pursue it with conviction. A strong identity is everything today, more than ever,” Dundas says.

    So what’s next for the designer? “Right now, I’m fully immersed in our next collection. We are also launching gender-fluid makeup, and maybe there will be some new surprises.”

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    Shelton Boyd-Griffith

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  • Blind Fashion Designer Natalie Trevonne Just Launched Her Own Brand

    Blind Fashion Designer Natalie Trevonne Just Launched Her Own Brand

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    POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Wasilak
    POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Wasilak

    When I first met Natalie Trevonne, she was working in consulting and moonlighting as a writer eager to share her frustrations with the fashion industry. Trevonne, 33, began her journey as a legally blind woman at age 18, following struggles with corrective surgery after being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She went on to report about the ways in which online shopping lacks in accessibility for POPSUGAR in 2021, and about the poor audio description in popular fashion TV shows the following year. In 2023, she wrote about her experience walking in an inclusive, all-blind runway show. Meanwhile, she was preparing to launch her own brand, NYI, which stands for Not Your Inspiration.

    After working with Ernest Spicer, the company’s CTO and designer, on an NFT wedding dress (shown at the first-ever Meta Fashion Week), the two put their heads together to create a clothing brand that Trevonne felt was missing from the physical world. For her, that meant creating pieces with creative embellishments and emphasizing texture, hence the slogan “Style You Can Touch.”

    “Take the disability out of it. Would I still be inspirational? If not, then maybe it’s not the compliment that you think it is.”

    “As a blind woman, I identify my clothes through textures, so we’re playing with a lot of fun fabrics, like we have silks and lace and leather and corduroy. We have this really sexy tweed dress,” Trevonne explained when she guest-starred on my podcast, “Dinner for Shoes,” in December. “[We’re] really modernizing some classic textures and being able to feel them, so that when you do go into your closet, you’re like, ‘OK, this is NYI.’” Trevonne further elaborated on why texture is key for the blind community, and how it differentiates her label from others. “For a blind person, we can’t have 10 cotton shirts, we’re not gonna know what’s what,” she said. “I have a tweed skirt from Zara that I love, and I know it’s red because it’s my tweed Zara skirt. So I’m adding the color to the texture so I never forget.” Trevonne hopes her customers will be able to do the same with her inventory.

    Days ahead of New York Fashion Week, she introduced her first drop to the East Coast at an intimate showing among family, friends, brand supporters, editors, and influencers. I was honored to lead an interview segment and discussion about NYI’s long-term goals, one of which is an advocacy branch called Access Chicks, which will foster community by inviting those with disabilities to in-person sessions where they can learn about fashion and beauty from industry insiders. Trevonne knows how meaningful these NYI-hosted events will be for folks who aren’t as familiar with cultivating personal style and may have questions they don’t normally feel comfortable asking in other settings — while shopping, for instance.

    While you’d be hard-pressed to find an accessible brand today with such a specific, driven mission, adaptive clothing lines do exist. Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Skims, and Target are all big-name companies that have recently made headlines for introducing small batches of products equipped with details like magnetic closures, functional vents and openings, and adjusted fit points. But they’re falling short, according to Trevonne.

    NYI

    CEO of NYI Natalie Trevonne wears the Bossy tweed dress.

    “Adaptive fashion is great, and I’m not arguing against adaptive fashion, because I think it’s helpful,” Trevonne started. “But what I’ve been trying to get brands to do is just to design with function in mind. Like, we don’t need a separate line. People do not want to feel othered. People are not going to go and buy your adaptive stuff, I’m going to be honest. They don’t tend to be that stylish. And I’m not trying to be rude, but usually it’s a button-up and some jeans. My friends who have dexterity issues who are in wheelchairs, they shop at Fashion Nova . . . They want to be included in the regular style. Just add the functionality to your [pre-existing] collections, and the websites.”

    [Trevonne is] someone who creates clothing that’s equitable in both style and accessibility, without depending on micro-collections that are othering.”

    Trevonne worked with designers Sky Cubacub of Rebirth Garments and Project Runway alum Kyle Denman on the I AM: Inclusive Fashion Experience hosted by LaVant Consulting in October 2023, where NYI first made its runway debut. “[Denman] did not bat an eye when we were like, ‘Hey, we’re gonna have some disabled models.’ He jumped in and made sure that his clothes were functional for everyone,” Trevonne said. “That’s what I loved about these designers: they didn’t make a whole new line, they just incorporated the people with disabilities into their collection to make sure that things fit.”

    This idea is significant to the meaning behind the name of Trevonne’s company, Not Your Inspiration. “As a person with a disability, I could be walking down the street and somebody will be like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so brave. You’re walking out here by yourself? What an inspiration!’ And I’m like, I’m walking like you,” she said. “Take the disability out of it. Would I still be inspirational? If not, then maybe it’s not the compliment that you think it is. And I don’t want to be inspirational for just being blind. Everyone has the opportunity to wake up every day and choose to show up, and I don’t see that as inspiration.”

    In the coming months, Trevonne will continue to use her platform and her brand to spread the word about accessibility, while working to launch her advocacy program, Access Chicks. She also hopes to eventually open storefronts, because online shopping is not accessible for everyone. “I would love for blind people to have an actual place to go in and just feel everything and have a good time. And it won’t just be for blind people. I think a lot of people enjoy that about fashion,” she notes. It all proves Trevonne is the type of founder and designer she hopes to see more of in the industry — someone who creates clothing that’s equitable in both style and accessibility, without depending on micro-collections that are othering.

    And just like that, Trevonne has realized her own dream. If there’s anything inspirational about her, it’s that.

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    Sarah Wasilak

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  • Maya Winston on the Inspiration Behind His Luxury Handbags and Maintaining Cultural Identity

    Maya Winston on the Inspiration Behind His Luxury Handbags and Maintaining Cultural Identity

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    Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

    The 2020 racial reckonings heightened awareness across many industries, especially fashion, ushering in a new era where BIPOC designers were supported and given the voice they deserve. This push paved the way for more Black-owned brands to emerge on the scene, and one newcomer has managed to set themselves apart from the rest — Maya Winston. In just one year of business, the Jamaican-born designer, now based in New York City, has created a luxury accessory label that’s known for its viral handbags uniquely crafted in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East, including their small leather tote, most popularly worn by Angela Simmons, Tia Mowry, and Remy Ma.

    “It’s just those Jamaican roots; we can make anything fashionable.”

    Winston has since catapulted into the luxury bag market with a brand identity that’s just as rich as the quality of his pieces. At 11, he migrated with his family to the US, where he learned firsthand how to sew from his mother, a sought-after seamstress, establishing the foundation of the Maya Winston brand. “Growing up in Jamaica, my mom was always making everyone’s clothes, and as far as I could think back, I’ve always been surrounded by sewing machines, where I would often stitch my uniform whenever I messed it up,” Winston tells POPSUGAR. “It’s just those Jamaican roots; we can make anything fashionable. Take nothing and make it into something.”

    With over a decade spent cultivating his love for design (even starting the men’s streetwear line Terry Winston in 2013, once worn by Teyana Taylor), the Bronx native transitioned to creating accessories for the elevated and confident woman, regardless of demographic. His highly-coveted bags have also captured the attention of major companies like Samsung, which resulted in an exclusive collaboration during New York Fashion Week that included a fireside chat with Winston and a billboard in Times Square. “I always told myself, I’m going to have a billboard one day. But I never stopped to think about what it would look like or its message,” he says. “It was surreal, and Samsung was the perfect company to get consumers to know the face behind the name; it just made sense.”

    Ahead, Winston opens up about the future of his brand, cultural identity, the impact of racial inclusivity, and more. Keep reading for the full interview and shop his signature pieces.

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    Naomi Parris

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  • The Best Online Stores and Apps to Buy Second Hand Clothes in Australia – POPSUGAR Australia

    The Best Online Stores and Apps to Buy Second Hand Clothes in Australia – POPSUGAR Australia

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    Most of us are now well-aware of the fashion industry’s negative social and environmental impact and we’re wanting to do our part to change it.

    One way is to buy second hand. Doing so can prevent old clothing from ending up in landfills or incinerators, as well as help to save water and energy and reduce carbon emissions, all of which are used when new clothes are made. Plus, buying used clothing can more affordable too, as pieces are usually a fraction of their original price.

    While Australia doesn’t have quite the second hand clothing and accessories scene as you’ll find in the US or UK, its offering does continue to grow each year, particularly with the online and app options. Ahead we’re sharing some of the best online stores and apps to buy and sell second hand clothes and accessories in Australia.

    Depop

    Depop is one of the world’s best-known fashion marketplace apps, with headquarters in London, but a presence in the US, Italy and Australia. Once you’ve signed up to it with a phone number and e-mail address and created a profile for yourself, you can use it to buy and sell clothes. It’s free to list your items, but you’ll be charged a 10% Depop fee on the transaction once anything is sold. You’ll also be charged a transaction fee by PayPal.  

    High End

    High End started as an invite-only Facebook Group in Australia in 2014, but in November this year, the brand launched an AI-powered app. The brand sells only designer pieces, with some of the highest performing brands on the site including Chanel, Hermes and Loewe. Once you’ve bought an item, it undergoes an authentication and quality control check.

    The RealReal

    The RealReal is a luxury consignment brand with 19 physical stores in the US, as well as an online store that ships to Australia. It prides itself as having one of the most rigorous authentication processes among online marketplaces and well as having the largest selection. You’ll find on its site everything from men’s and women’s clothing, to watches and homewares. Its best-selling fashion names include Christian Louboutin, Prada and Gucci.

    Facebook Marketplace

    Any round-up of top online second-hand shops wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Facebook Marketplace, which lets you buy and sell new and used clothes, among other items, like electronics and furniture, and is connected to your Facebook profile. In this way, the process of buying and selling is less anonymous than other second-hand online stores and apps – you might even be able to see if you have mutual friends with the buyer or seller. It’s important to note that the platform isn’t heavily moderated, so you won’t be guaranteed designer authenticity and should be careful with your safety when meeting to buy or sell items.

    The Closet

    The Closet is one of Australia’s largest online fashion thrift stores, selling wares for up to 90% off their original price. Brand names include Witchery, French Connection and Country Road. The site offers free shipping for orders over $200. If you’re looking to sell your clothes, create an account, order free thrift bags and send them back filled with the clothes you’re looking to sell, as well as a completed consignment form that you can download online.

    Thriftd

    Online-only Thriftd Australia started in 2015 with an eBay store and a mission to reduce the number of good quality fashion items sent to landfill. Today, the online shop works with local charities and small businesses to resell their excess stock, putting it online so it be bought anywhere in the world. Each item is carefully assessed, cleaned and repaired if needed.

    eBay

    Founded in 1995, eBay has millions of monthly visitors in Australia, with a handbag listed every two minutes in the country. The site reports Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton are the top handbag brands listed. In May 2023, it launched its authenticity guarantee for designer handbags listed over $350. The platform also has Afterpay integration so you can pay off your purchase in instalments.

    Related: 3 Women on the Moment They Decided to Quit Drinking and What Life’s Been Like Since

    Related: I Haven’t Had a Drink in Over 3 Months — This Is How I’m Feeling

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    Sangeeta Kocharekar

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  • The 10 Best Designer Shoes Hiding on Amazon Prime

    The 10 Best Designer Shoes Hiding on Amazon Prime

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    As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.

    When we shop, convenience is key, and that’s why Amazon tends to be our go-to. Those stylish boots you’ve been eyeing for weeks? They can be yours in just a few clicks, without having to drive to mall or waiting in any lines. Whether you’re already familiar with Amazon’s array of designer footwear or exploring it for the first time, the selection is brimming with chic styles. What adds an extra layer of confidence to online shopping is Amazon’s hassle-free return policy — there’s basically no risk involved. As long as you haven’t worn your shoes beyond a quick try-on, a full refund is just a return away.

    But that’s not the only aspect we adore about shopping for shoes on Amazon Amazon. Brands are usually really good at providing ultra-specific sizing details, a convenient touch that’s often lacking in traditional brick-and-mortar stores. All of this is to say that you’re in good hands shopping for footwear of all kinds from Amazon’s digital fashion department — and that goes for designer brands, too. The retailer carries so many you might not have realized, including Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, Coach, and so many more. To prove it, we did a little searching and rounded up 15 pair of designer shoes we’ve been eyeing, all of which are waiting for you on Amazon. Keep scrolling to shop a range of styles, including designer sneakers, pumps, boots and more, at a wide range of price points.

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    Marisa Petrarca

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  • 47 Wedding Dress Designers That Deserve the Spotlight

    47 Wedding Dress Designers That Deserve the Spotlight

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    As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.

    Figuring out which unique style of wedding dress you want to wear for your big day can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially if you’re familiar with only a handful of designers. To help you decide which wedding dress designers to consider for your big day, we’ve created the ultimate guide of go-to bridal designers. Finding the wedding gown of your dreams is an exciting but daunting task, so if you’re not sure where to start, take a scroll through these dresses and see which aesthetic best fits your taste and personality type.

    Whether you’re looking for a floral-embroidered gown with a boho feel, like Josephine Skriver’s wedding dress, or a simple, silk slip wedding dress reminiscent of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy from the ’90s, this extensive list of wedding dress brands covers it all. From bridal mainstays like Oscar de la Renta, Galia Lahav, and Carolina Herrera, to contemporary designers like Viktor & Rolf and Valentine Avoh, there’s a little something for every bride.

    Leaning toward something on the trendier side? Reach for the cream puff sleeve style, which has supersized cap sleeves and blends both a polished feel and a romantic sensibility. Or, consider an backless wedding dress with a column-style skirt à la Nicola Peltz Beckham’s Valentino Haute Couture number. Not in the market for a luxury wedding dress? Check out affordable, stylish bridal brands like fashionista-favorites Lulu’s and BHLDN. There are also a multitude of amazing Black wedding dress designers to choose from, like Amsale and Andrea Iyamah, and labels that specialize in plus size designs, such as Eloquii, ASOS, and Melissa Sweet.

    Ahead, see 47 of the best wedding dress designers to shop in 2023.

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    Nikita Charuza

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