Ferré Kicks Off Milan Fashion Week With Architectural Shapes
During -what seems like fashion month rather fashion week now—Milan’s fashion week, we saw a clear favorite. The Ferré house, who kicked off Milan fashion week proved to be off to a great start in the form of their Spring/Summer 2009
collection.
To fill Gianfranco Ferre’s shoes, designers Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi were instructed to update and modernize the brand. And so they did, in the form of billowy shapes, large ruffles of show-stopping grandeur. Others critiqued the presentation as ridiculous mostly due to the use of architecturally executed, and sometimes too futuristic looks, we actually found the designs to be completely refreshing and a stand-out in this past month’s (sometimes boring) shows.
Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi based their designs on geometric shapes. So the circle, square, and triangle served as visible sources of inspiration. It was the designer duo’s goal to "maintain the essence of Ferré while looking at the future, at what a modern woman wants." Looks like they did!
Below, our favorites and a great shot from Go Backstage.
Posted: 10/01/08
Filed Under: Designer Profile
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Kirsten Dunst Is An Outsider
There was a time when Kirsten Dunst was our true fashion hero. She captivated us with her quirkiness, those dimples, and her sharp sense of style. Her good taste in men (Jake, Josh) didn't hurt either. But as of late she has earned the title of Kirsten Drunkst, partying regularly, then finally ending up in rehab. This had us thinking "What happened to our fabulous Kiki???"
Seems rehab did its job and Kirsten is reemerging into the spotlight: sober, happy, and also looking great again! Landing the cover of October’s Harper's Bazaar, movies on the horizon, has got us renewing our love for Kirsten.
Most recently she was picked as the model for Boy by Band of Outsiders . Seeing that Michelle Williams (mother of Matilda, not member of Destiny’s Child), was their last model, it is clear they have a knack for picking cool chicks for their campaigns .
Below are some of our favorite looks from Spring 2009.
Posted: 09/18/08
Filed Under: Current Obsession
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Fashion Week Runway Watch: Orange Crush
If purple is the new black for Fall, where does this leave orange?
Designers must have had Orangcicles on the brain when dreaming up Spring's 2009 collections. Spring has always been a great time to bring out fun colors, but who knew that Orange would be the stand out color?
Brian Reyes showed us a fun silky shirt dress which can be both for work and play.
Master of color, Chris Benz, is famous for combining pink and yellow into ONE outfit. Here, is brightest ambition comes in the shade of orange.
London-born Christopher Kane wowed us with a showstopping dress, in you guessed it--orange.
Derek Lam, never disappoints with a simple drawstring dress modeled on "It" model Chanel Iman.
Diane von Furstenberg, the returning president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, gave us a hippie vibe adorning the models with flowers and feathers in their hair. Even hippies love orange!
Luella's collection gave us 50's sexy librarian, perhaps even on crack-- but definitely in a good way. Her use of texture and colors was so refreshing.
Posted: 09/17/08
Filed Under: Must Haves
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Fashion Week Runway Watch: Ethnic Prints Everywhere!
Whilst some shows were not necessarily ground-breaking, we must say we love the instant wearability of most of the shows. Talk about ready-to-wear! Another trend we are happy to see return is the ethnic inspired prints, and in some cases (Milly) with a 70's flair.
Anna Sui had Russian dolls her mind when she presented us with her color-happy collection. Not unlike Russian stacking dolls, rick rack, fringe, embroidery were in heavy rotation. Peasant tops, full skirts, and shorts made us think that Anna Sui definitely had Disney's It's A Small World on the brain.
Milly brought us a collection that would make Rachel Zoe so proud. Think oversized sunglasses, 70s prints, all loosely draped on the body. We've seen things like this before, but kudos for Milly for giving it a Moroccan spin.
Rachel Comey, whose collection is one of our favorites, mostly brought us more muted pieces. However the ethnic inspiration still found its way into the collection via Afrique-printed skirts and rompers.
Rebecca Taylor outfitted her models in the quintessential hippy thin headbands. Ethnic prints were mostly in blue, embroidery was minimal, and the purses were suede and fringed (yay!). So all in all we'd call this a very cool collection. Our fave silky blue dress with dangling grommets is below.
Posted: 09/15/08
Filed Under: Must Haves
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Fashion Week Spring 2009 Runway Watch : Jumpsuit Edition
New York Fashion Week continues to bring us some delectable must-haves. Among those, for Spring 2009, are some current trends we already love that we get to keep wearing. Platform wedges still ruled most runways, the sexy side-braid keeps our hair oh-so hip, and the jumpsuit still turns up the cool-factor almost instantly.
Have your pick...
Rachel Comey's jumpsuit went the garden nymph route. A little green gives this ethnic print an earthy casual touch.
No amount of paparazzi madness deterred Charlotte Ronson from presenting her easy to wear separates. Her models included half-sister Anabelle Dexter-Jones, and gal pal to brother Mark, Daisy Lowe. Her comfy jumpsuit came in belted denim.
Philip Lim presented sparkly details, flirty florals, and slouchy pants. Still, he managed to sneak in an absolutely fabulous soft-grey jumpsuit.
Marc by Marc Jacobs--who will always remain our very first love--showed off his reincarnation of the casual jumpsuit in a couple ways. One looks like it's made of loose-fitting cotton with cuffed shorts, and the other was a more daring rendition with tapered longer legs and a drawstring waist.
Posted: 09/10/08
Filed Under: Fashion News
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Fashion Week Spring 2009 Runway Watch
Fashion Week is always particularly exciting for us. Each morning of fashion week is a little like Christmas --ok maybe we're exaggerating a tad. What new "it' item will the day bring? What must-haves will be born? The trend spotting is in full swing, and the ooh-ing aahi-ing from editors, buyers, and fashion lovers has begun. We thought we'd share some of our Spring 2009's most stand-out 5 looks so far...Ooh-ing and aah-ing encouraged.
First up is the now two-time punctual Marc Jacobs, who after famously delaying his show for over 2 hours now has started his show only 10 minutes late! Perhaps this is a new trend he is setting? Always one to get people talking, here Marc created what style.com calls "Mary Poppins meets Dubai".
Ultra-femme designer Jill Stuart showed her best ethereal looks this season and sneaking in a fair share of metallic sheen. We are glad to see that tailored shorts are here to stay --as they are truly the best mix of chic and comfort.
Still the new-kid-on-the-block who is determined to carve out his slice of the fashion industry Mr. Alexander Wang presented us with a predominantly black, white and grey-colored runway, with matching swimming caps to match. Perhaps a little nod to Phelps? How topical! This was actually supposed to be his attempt at adding color his collection, but we don't see it. Either way, we are enjoying watching him.
Chris Benz, who is praised for his usage of color, continued to do so with splashes of yellow, teal, and orange. He also incorporated tailored shorts.
Lastly, LA resident Monique Lhuillier, the wedding dress goddess, also used fun textures, and bright splashes of color in her ready to wear collection. Her usage of yellow below.
Posted: 09/09/08
Filed Under: Fashion News
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Phoebe Philo, your fans have missed you!
The woman responsible for iconic collections that included high-waisted jeans, chunky platforms, delicate blouses and the braided brown leather belt (that we still can't quit wearing), is reentering the spotlight via Celine. Brit designer Phoebe Philo has been tapped as the creative director to breathe some life back into Celine. After announcing her departure from Chloe, to spend time with her family, Chloe never quite looked the same. Since her departure, Paulo Melim Andersson, formerly of Marni, and now Hannah McGibbon, Phoebe's former assistant have taken their respective turns as chief designers. Somehow neither have garnered the same attention or praise. So it was about time that Phoebe came back where she belonged: at the helm of a large fashion house that can allow us to obsess over our next purchase. Phoebe “Phans” can sleep at night knowing she may bring around another fashion hit like 2005’s Paddington bag!
The last household name designer that was at the helm of Celine, was Michael Kors. So this begs the question…how much longer until we get to see a Phoebe Philo namesake line? Soon, we hope!
Phoebe’s first collection with Celine will be Fall/Winter RTW 2009.
Posted: 09/04/08
Filed Under: Fashion News
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Elettra Wiedemann Is A True Model Citizen
It isn't enough she was born to Isabella Rosellini and with model looks of her own. She scored a modeling contract on her own merit, and is BFFs with Chris Benz (there goes that model + designer BFF combo again). On top of that, Elettra Wiedemann has co-launched the Burundi Solar Project with James Marshall by selling t-shirts that are inspired by the charity’s cause.
Elettra is using her model clout for good use and enlisted her designer friends to design t-shirts for her charity justonefrickinday.com. The charity is seeking to raise $450,000 to build the first solar-powered hospital in Burundi. Chris Benz, House of Diehl, Rogan, Rag & Bone, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Giambattista Valli can be counted among those who designed the do-gooder tees which will sell for $60 each. The House of Diehl version will sell for $30. You can also elect to donate one day’s worth of your salary to the charity, hence the name.
All tees are made of 100% organic cotton – to which we say: Of course they are!
Our favorite of the tees is Philip Lim’s version. It shows light bulbs arranged in the shape of Africa. Now this is a cause we can truly get behind, and also look fashionable while doing so.
Posted: 09/02/08
Filed Under: Fashion News
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Solange Has Her Own (Hadley Street) Dreams Of Fame
Surely Solange must be sick of being referred to as just Beyonce's little sister. Luckily, the former Destiny's Child back-up dancer has devised quite the scene-stealing plan. Today's release of Sol-Angel and the Hadley street dreams, what she describes as "'60s/70s vintage soul record with hints of electronica", marks her efforts to nudge big sis aside if even only for a little while. We will leave the official album review to the experts, but we are lovin' this new album! We'd also like to note that we were impressed with the list of collaborators and Solange's new sound. Cee-Lo, Bilal, The Neptunes, Mark Ronson are all musicians after our own hearts, and have worked with Solange on her sophomore album. So far our favorite tracks include the upbeat-can't-stop-tapping-our-feet "I Decided", the Cee-Lo penned "T.O.N.Y", and yes even Lil' Wayne found himself onto another track with the smooth "ChampagneChroniKnightCap".
Solange, doing her best to show her true colors as the rebellious little sister stopped by Letterman last night, in quite the get-up. We get the top, we get the mini, but we lost ya at the tights. For outfit number two she almost had it, but then ruined with those boots. Seeing that we love the album, and we applaud her for her originality, we'll let this one slide...just this once. For more visually appealing looks, check out her album promo shoot. Those we can definitely get on board with!
Posted: 08/26/08
Filed Under: Current Obsession
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Erin Wasson Reflects In Stylish Apartment Without Alexander Wang
Sofia Coppola to the formerly-nerdy-Marc Jacobs, is like Heidi Klum to
the-American-chic Michael Kors. In a world where designers can’t even function without their quintessential muses, partnerships and fashion friendships are fast forming. The relationship of the gorgeous supermodel Erin Wasson and rising star “It” designer Alexander Wang is no different. Alexander, whose knack for walking the fine line between feminine and masculine looks, has quickly carved himself a spot in the hearts (and closets) of the fashion elite. Erin not only served as Alexander’s muse, but also styled his premier collections, bringing to life cut-off denim shorts paired with men’s blazers, alongside to-die-for motorcycle leather bags.
Fast forward to August 2008. Alexander cans Erin, Alexander hires Alastair McKimm to style Spring 2009, and Erin announces she will design her own clothing line for RVCA. Could this be a case of fashion frenemies?? Whatever the case, we’re watching it unfold with a close eye. We’re not ready to pick sides, especially when they seem so talented in their own way. Prediction is that Alexander’s got a bright future as a fashion heavy-weight.
And as for Erin: If the preview shots of her collection, and the below images of Erin’s fabulous apartment is any indication of her eye for detail, then somehow we have a feeling she’ll do just fine.
Posted: 08/25/08
Filed Under: Fashion News
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