Gucci Fall Winter 2010 Collection

Saturday February 27th, 2010 – Piazza Oberdan – Milan

For this upcoming Fall collection, Frida Giannini’s inspiration came from Gucci’s Golden years, circa 70’s and 90’s. Pushing the glamour envelope wide open, Giannini showed the new Gucci girl dressed to the 9’s in the house’s DNA.

With a careful eye toward detail and modernity, each piece reflected the “sur mesure” originality and the artisanal know how that Gucci has always been known for. Oversized and deconstructed cashmere coats, plays on trenchcoats reinterpreted as dresses, and even some signs of skin just in time for winter, the Gucci woman is as sensual as she has ever been.

For Frida, ‘La Dona Gucci’ wears a light multicolor fox vest, a camel coat with a removable mink knit and even a Zibeline vest interlaced with suede. Unique patchworks of precious skins made of ostrich, suede, and leather are all nods to the house’s time-honored craftsmanship skills with exotic materials.

Evening-wear were inspired by a cool, controlled opulence. Chantilly laced dresses were transformed into a lustful beauty, giving off an almost fetish austerity, through the delicate use of python prints. Vinyl sequined pieces had an almost 3D effect and are elevated to a plateau of greater eye candy through an intricate use of ostrich feathers. Shoulders with sequins or ostrich feather, lace tights and crocodile sandals completed the look.

Taking cues from the House Of Gucci archives, Frida added a 1973 metallic iconic design to the new line of bags, as was seen on the miniature bags with a long gold chains, supple ostrich bags and evening pouches. Extravagant crocodile details could be seen on travel-inspired bags, shoes, patent leather and metallic platforms. The original ‘diamante’ motif makes a welcome reappearance on bags, re-infusing the accessories line with the Casa’s core traditions. The gold bracelets and necklaces framed the Gucci silhouette and seemed naturally at home amidst all the leather elements. “Frida Giannini delivered once again a collection that reflected Gucci tradition and modernity” François Henri Pinault confessed recently to ELLE France, adding  that “There is an inexplicable relation between the success of a brand and its designer. This is the case for Frida, she is the femme Gucci”.

Shop Gucci via gucci.com

Gucci Fall Winter 2010 Fashion Show Video

See our pictures below:

Proenza Schouler Fall Winter 2010 Hair & Makeup

Wednesday February 17th, 2010 – Milk Studio

For Fall 2010 Proenza Schouler show continued the surfer-girl theme started last season, but this time she was a bit darker and moodier. As Frederic Fekkai‘s hairstylist Didier Malige put it, “Now she’s spending less time in the water and more time surfing the streets”. To create the “urban surfer” hair, Malige prepped the hair with Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel, then spritzed on Fekkai Oceanique Tousled Wave Spray. He used Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Crème to define the ends. The result: a wavy texture that was slightly dry and static-y. Off the runway, Malige recommends applying the products to damp hair, running your fingers through it, then rough-drying while twisting small sections with your fingers to encourage waves that look loose.

“The makeup is based on fashion photos of model Kristen McMenamy from the early ’90s, when they’d show her with pale skin and super-dark lips. To bring the look up to date, we’re focusing on making the skin tone look even and filling in the brows—just making sure the face looks done,” said makeup artist Diane Kendal. “If the rest of the face was bare, this would come across as more of a raw look. But we want it to be healthy and pulled-together with this rich, dark lip.”

On the skin, Kendal applied M.A.C. Studio Fix Foundation and M.A.C Blot Powder for a polished (but not heavy matte) look.

The lips were the focal point: On the brunette models, Kendal applied M.A.C. Pro Lipstick in Charred Red, a matte deep crimson lipstick that she made even darker by topping it with black powder). On the blonde models, Kendal went with M.A.C. Pro Lipstick in Smoked Purple, a matte deep eggplant shade. The reason for the two different lipsticks? Simply because “the red looks a bit cheap on the blondes,” she told us backstage.

For the eyes, Kendal blended M.A.C. Cream Colour Base in Dark Brown under the bottom lashes, in the crease of the lid, and along the top lash line. She then patted a sheer super-shiny gloss on the lids for sheet, skipping liner and mascara.

GET THE LOOK – MAKEUP: All products by Mac Cosmetics. Diane Kendal brushed Dark Brown Cream Colour Base under and around the eyes, as well as in the crease and on top of the lash line. On skin, she used Studio Fix where needed, and Blot Powder to set and keep skin matte. She also applied NC 50 Studio Finish Concealer on cheek bones to contour. Blonde models received Smoked Purple Lipstick on lips, while brunettes got Charred Red mixed with Carbon Eye Shadow. Kendal made lip color deeper in the center and faded the edges.

GET THE LOOK – HAIR: All products by Frédéric Fekkai. Malige used Coiff Océanique Tousled Wave Spray for texture and Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel to add height.

See our pictures below:

Fashion Night Out Promo Video

Twenty of fashion’s biggest names, including Anna Wintour, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Karlie Kloss, Chanel Iman, Coco Rocha and many more, got together to put out a PSA in support of the buzz-event, Fashion’s Night Out, on September 10th.
Fashion’s Night Out, which will take place in New York, is an attempt to get consumers shopping again. Lead by Anna Wintour, Vogue issues across the globe will sponsor their own Fashion’s Night Outs, tailored to the specific culture of each host city and nation.
Designers and celebs alike will come out in masses to promote the event with fun activites.
If you like fashion, this is an event that should not be missed!

First Look at “The Model as Muse”

“The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion” will open to the public at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6. The exhibition reflects the influence thst models had on fashion. It won’t be only mannequins dressed presenting costues but more than that The exhibit will be a multitude of media form such as panels of magazines from Vogue to Harper’s Bazaar and Life but also video clips and fashion photographers retrospective.

We will also be able to see vintage pieces from Yves Saint Laurent for Dior but also aluminum dresses from Klein’s cult movie classic presented on a rotation platform as well as a Seventies vignette of looks from Yves Saint Laurent and Halston reenacts a scene from Studio 54.

The Costume Institute benefit on Monday is expected to have a turnout of celebrities such as Madonna, Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, Victoria Beckham, Kate Bosworth, Kirsten Dunst, Marisa Tomei. Marc Jacobs, who is the event’s honorary chair, with co-chairs Kate Moss, Justin Timberlake and Anna Wintour. want everyone to wear a short and clubby outfit.

Pictures via wwd

Anna Wintour Pissed at Nina Ricci for Firing Olivier Theyskens

Anna Wintour was shocked to learn that Nina Ricci wasn’t renewing designer Olivier Theyskens‘s contract after his incredible fall 2009 show.

“We are Surprised too” especially after these suspension shoes & Looks we felt in love for:

In her April editor’s letter, here is what she said:

“Olivier Theyskens‘s recent departure from Nina Ricci suggests to me that the vital role of artistic talent has been obscured in the current economic climate. My staff and I were shocked to learn that Theyskens’s contract would not be renewed; and I am very concerned that the business of fashion is undervaluing the most important asset our industry requires: creative visionaries. There’s a reason we continue to see Theyskens’s influence everywhere, from catwalks to the mall. He’ll be back, but fashion must hold its nerve.”

“The mall”, because the mall has more influence on most US citizens than even Vogue! We can now measure Olivier important’s  influence.

Influence talking, we hope that Anita’s influence will help Olivier to find a job very soon, or even better, be sponsored for his own brand again.

Alexander Wang Fall Winter 2009 Collection

Saturday February 14th 2009, 5pm – Roseland Ballroom

The line to enter the Roseland ballroom on 52th street was going all around the street. “which broadway show is the line for” said a women passing by. By the time we’ve got inside we realised that it was going to be a lot of fun, loud late 90′s music, tequila chocolate / tropical topped with Champagne was distributed before the show. Anna Wintour was with her daughter Bee Schaffer, Diane Von Furstenberg came to support Alexander Wang that is CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s latest big winner, describing Wang as the most exciting desiner of the moment.

Sarah Jessica Parker was saying that she usually doesn’ come to fashion shows but she loves Alexander Wang’s clothes this is why she is here. Julia Restoin Roitfeld was chatting with Lauren Santo Domingo while Zoe Kravitz and Santogold was posing for photographers.

“This is the type of clothes I love, this is totally me, rock’n roll and confortable” said Erin wasson when asked about Alexander clothes’s Style.

Natasha Polly opened the show wearing a tailored jacket with custom rivet with Michael Jackson’s Thriller on the background. The collection was a succession of 90′s 40 sexy look that everyone will die to get once the collection hit the stores.

We particularly like the wooly demi-cuff cut-out dress with the digital ottoman biker leggings worn by the second model Hannelore, the black metallic croc combat hi-top, the poplin off the shoulder dress, the black oversized leather jacket with saga fox fringe tails, the stretch suede and leather combo cropped leggings, the crystallized Swarovski endless scarf worn by Lily Donaldson, Isabeli Fontana and Trish for the final looks. We overall loved the metal, gunmetal accents on the clothes.

All the looks were perfectly accessorized with beautiful pieces such as the vertebrae earring, desert hats, black velvet combat boots with crystallized swarovski detail, shark cuff and the line of bags made of nappa lambskin leather.

“She wants to have fun, she likes to go out, she is living the time of her life” Said Alexander Wang backstage with Swarovski like sparkling eyes about his girl hitting the runway.

Shop the collection on NET-A-PORTER.COM

Shop the collection on shopbop.com

See our pictures below:

Rag & Bone Fall Winter 2009 Collection

Friday February 13th 2009 – 5 pm – Cedar Lake

“Samurai and Star Wars” was the inspiration confessed Marcus Wainwright and David Neville. We felt the Samourai part not quite the Star Wars inspiration. The collection was a succession of dark looks with a red accent. we really like the first look which was a Black Leather & Wool Fencing Jacket with a Schoeller Basketweave Kilt (worn by Anna Jagodzinska), the Ninja Men’s pants, the Denim Legging, the Leather Legging, the Black Wool Armor Dress With Metal Sequins. Anna Wintour was next to Hamish Bowles, few seat away Julia Restoin Roitfeld was snapping pictures with Genevieve Jones who was doing her fashion diary for interview magazine. Becki Newton & Chris Diamantopoulos were posing for photographers  while Jimmy Fallon was talking to a reporter. We catched up with model Isabeli Fontana that we met the night before at the Victoria Secret Party told us that she loved the collection and wanted to keep all the Rag & Bone Clothes. Rachel Zoe and five crew member (Make Up Artist, a photographer, camcorder + Brad Goreski and Taylor) was saying that her airline company left her luggage in LA and that it was a desaster since she had clients counting on her here in NY for fashion week. Was this part of the “Rachel Zoe Project” script? At least the crew was filming her every moves.

Shop the Rag & Bone Fall Winter 2009 Collection on

Watch our video

See our pictures below

The New Norm: Runway Shows Outside Of Bryant Park

With New York Fashion Week just a month away, several designers are leaning toward off-site locations, but have yet to commit.

Adding to their indecision is the fact that Bumble & bumble’s Meatpacking District location is not an option this season. And IMG Fashion has decided to hold off on introducing a fourth venue near Bryant Park for fashion presentations — this season’s preferred and more affordable format — until September instead of unveiling one next month.

The ailing economy is unquestionably a factor for designers, especially young ones who in some cases are doing everything they can to make a splash without going under. Bryant Park’s going rates for the Tent, the Promenade and the Salon are said to be $48,000, $38,000 and $28,000, respectively, and that just covers the space. Add on casting, production, styling, hair, makeup and celebrity guests and that figure can easily leap into six figures.

Last month Vera Wang caused a bit of a stir by revealing that her show will be held in her new Mercer Street store instead of Bryant Park. Betsey Johnson, DKNY, Carmen Marc Valvo and Reem Acra are among the others who have decamped since last season. Conversely, Tommy Hilfiger will be back in the tents for the first time in several seasons, as will J.Mendel, Charlotte Ronson and Adam Lippes.

At this stage in the game, 59 designers have committed to the tents and eight are on board for off-site venues, said Fern Mallis, senior vice president of IMG Fashion, singling out Justin Timberlake’s William Rast label as a welcome newcomer to the tents. “My take is pretty optimistic, without wanting to sound like a Bernie Madoff where everything is perfect. We do have a very strong schedule. Every time someone decides not to do something, that opens up an opportunity for someone else,” she said.

While off site doesn’t always mean affordable, Valvo is saving a bundle by having a three-hour fashion installation at Citrine on Feb. 18 instead of the tents. For starters, the FlatIron District lounge is giving the designer the space for free, which automatically equates to a $50,000 savings. Not having to cast 20-plus models is another $50,000 savings, according to Frank Pulice, director of communications.

Others are defraying costs by different means — sight unseen. Three of publicist Kelly Cutrone’s clients — Nicholas K, Sergio Davila and Mara Hoffman — agreed to collaborate for a group show Feb. 15 in the tents, even though they will be introduced for the first time tonight over drinks. “When I think of the word ‘designer,’ ‘harmony’ and ‘collectivity’ are not the first two words that come to mind,” Cutrone said. “But this could be a new frontier. This economy could take us from the me generation to the we generation.”

In the meantime, designers are focused on the tasks at hand, with the February shows being at the top of that list. Calvin Klein Collection plans to make the most of the ground-floor event space in the company’s West 39th Street offices, putting it to good use for its women’s and men’s runway shows. The latter is a first for the company, which previously staged the men’s show in the ground-floor event space of its Milan office.

Marc Jacobs is lining up the Lexington Avenue Armory for his Feb. 16 show, according to its superintendent, Eligio Santiago. He declined to comment on the expense, but said the designer typically rents the space for eight or nine days. While the contract is still being ironed out, it “shouldn’t be a problem,” Santiago said.

Last year the venue was a source of much consternation for the company, which was slapped with a $1 million fine for allegedly bribing the former superintendent.

Other designers returning to last season’s locales include Thakoon and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, which are both showing at Eyebeam Gallery. Marchesa is also Chelsea-bound and will stage its show at the Chelsea Art Museum Feb. 18.

Lutz & Patmos will use its new showroom at 425 West 13th St. for an intimate presentation. Doo-Ri Chung has lined up the gallery at Milk Studios and Jonathan Saunders will be showing at the new Skyline space at 465 10th Avenue.

Alexander Wang plans to stage a Feb. 14 show at Roseland Ballroom, which can house up to 1,500 guests and can be had for as little as $18,000, according to Meredith Rothstein, director of special events for the Midtown space. But the designer will skip hosting an after-party this season. After hosting a blowout bash with Foxy Brown last season, the designer thought that one would be too tough to top, a company spokeswoman said. “We made that decision last season. Coming off that, we really wanted to focus on the clothes. It was more about that than the economy,” she said.

While Wang is set on a more intimate affair for his show, previous Roseland users, such as Y-3 and Gwen Stefani, have splurged on their productions. “I look at what they do for an eight- to 12-minute show and think, ‘Oh, my God,’” Rothstein said.

But this time around, designers are not being so freewheeling, according to Allan Kurtz, managing director of Gotham Hall, where the going rate is between $15,000 and $25,000. “People are really watching what they are doing,” he said, adding that a group of five designers has inquired about hosting a combined show there on Feb. 13.

They aren’t the only ones weighing their options. Swaim and Christina Hutson, who folded their two-year-old Obedient Sons & Daughters label earlier this month due to lagging capital from their investor, have yet to decide what off-site venue they will use for their new label. The name of their company will be revealed through show invitations.

Every fashionista wants to be a star and every star a fashionista – Sean Avery, Lydia Hearst, Kanye West

It seems every week another celeb, socialite or athlete is interning at a magazine, fashion house or other fashionista-related industry, raising eyebrows in the media as to why people of their caliber (*cough* money*) would take on such marginal roles. Is it the glitz and glamour that attracts them? Do they just want to be guaranteed a seat at runway shows? Are they trying to see how much more free stuff they can get both as a celeb and as an employee?

Sean Avery kicking it back in the Vogue closet

It seems that no sooner were we digesting the news of yummy NHL hockey player Sean Avery interning at Vogue, styling models for photoshoots in L.A. and attending ‘senior level meetings’ in New York, do we now learn that Kanye West is planning on interning in London this coming spring. For anyone not familiar with Kanye, his level of ambition and dedication to anything he does is simply immeasurable. While he may come off as cocky as Chuck Bass at a Hamptons White Party, he has good reason to: multi-platinum albums, Grammy wins, sold out concerts, world-reknown celeb status, the list goes on and on.

Kanye o-Fendi's his love of all things LV

Not content with dominating one industry, Kanye has set his sights on conquering a world he’s only seen from the front-row of fashion shows. His goal: intern at large fashion houses like Louis Vuitton whilst launching his own line Pastelle (yes, as in Estelle, with whom he’s made a duet for the hit single American Boy. *Rolls eyes*) . Oh, and let’s not forget he’ll still be doing that singing thing on the side, every weekend or so.

Lydia Hearst on the runway

While other famous phenoms, such as Lydia Hearst, are actually doing gruntly intern work at places like BlackBook, preparing to take the reins of the family company one day, Kanye may simply be completing his own prophecy. Yes, that wasn’t a typo – I wrote prophecy.

Kanye, the anointed fashionista

Let’s not forget, Kanye believes that if the Bible were written today, he would be in it. Perhaps this internship is a stepping stone to that end. Thousands of years from now, when humanity searches for the next saviour, I’m certain that they will read of the Gospel of Kanye, a story of a powerful music king whom left his day job to follow the steps of the prophet Wintour, finding salvation at the end of the catwalk lights.

No other Stylista has a chance

Perhaps if things don’t work out for Slowey’s future junior editory and ass-sistant, Kanye could try out for next seaon’s Stylista.

Wanna go to NYC Fashion Week for free?

Given our audience, it’s almost silly to even ask the question. That’s said, I am overly excited to report that NYMag.com is giving away a free, all expenses paid trip for two to NYC Fashion Week Spring Summer 2009 this upcoming September. You and a guest will be hobnobbing it with other celebs on the runway, while us poor folks watch idly outside in the cold, crowded streets in front of Bryant Park.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and visit NYMag.com The Cut and click on the giveaway.

Oh, and you do NOT have to subscribe to NYMag’s subscription. Look for the skip the subscription button on the right hand panel following the jump.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE !

Next Page »