Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2010 Collection

Wednesday March 10th, 2010 – Cour Carree du Louvre

You would close your eyes, listen to the delicate fountain’s clapotie and then open your eyes to get hit by beauty and feminity. The place, the Cour Caree du Louvre is now the ultimate place where marc Jacobs likes to show his Louis Vuitton collections. This time he decided to have the models walk around the louvre fountain, counter clockwise, to go back in time to the 60’s of “God created a Woman”. “Brigitte Bardot symbolizes the feminity, the sensuality, I just wanted to show beautiful women of all ages” said Jacobs. Laetitia Casta, the closest 2010 Brigitte Bardot version you could ever get opened the show, followed by Coco Rocha, Karolins Kurkova, Catherine Mcneil, Bar Rafaeli, Adriana Lima and the most unexpected Elle Mcpherson, also known as “The Body”.  Almost all looks featured a corset either in wool, leather, shetland or pinstripe to accent the curves, without any accessories beside some gloves leaving the feminity play the part. We saw a tweed jacket, sequined cable-knit sweater, a boiled wool pea jacket but the real star of the show was the iconic Louis Vuitton bag: the Speedy bag.

The Speedy has been reinterpreted for the Autumn-Winter 2010-2011. A new flap has been added and top handle. Reincarnated as a doctor’s bag, the monogram has been flocked and sequined, woven in metallic thread, remade in cloque, and in guipure lace over Duchess satin. The Damier patern has been recreated in fox, shaved goat and handpainted crocodile. And in its simplest form, the Speedy has been rendered in waxed calf and reconfigured as a doctor’s bag in grainy, supple calfskin.

Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2010 Fashion Show Final Video

See our pictures:

Erin Wasson x RVCA to show Spring 2010 Collection at Bryant Park

Erin Wasson x RVCA have announced that the brand will show its Spring Summer 2010 Fashion Show at Bryant Park in the tent.The show will take place Friday, September 11th2009 at 8pm, and marks the debut of Erin Wasson x RVCA on the runway.

For the last two seasons Erin Wasson x RVCA showed at Milk Studio. We attended the Fall Winter 2009 Presentation and we loved it.

While lot of designers will now show at Milk due to economical times shows that Erin Wasson x RVCA has a good future and support.
Erin Wasson feels “Humbled and honored”, about being asked to show the new Erin Wasson x RVCA collection at the legendary Bryant Park Tents.

“I’ve spent hours at those Tents as a model, working with some of the icons of American fashion,” she notes. “And meanwhile, I’ve only been doing this design thing for a few seasons, Spring ’10 is season three and it’s kind of insane to think that I’m getting to show on that same stage. I am incredibly grateful to IMG, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Maybelline New York for giving me the opportunity.”

Erin Wasson plan to present the Spring Summer 20010 collection in a non-conventional way.  A multi-media installation is in the works and Wasson has personally engaged a special musical guest to play live on the catwalk, details are under wraps until closer to the show. We can’t wait!

“It’s really a thrill, to be able to take a venue everyone in the fashion industry knows so well, and bring in new personalities and a new vibe that spin the experience in a different direction,” says Wasson. “I mean, it’s almost too predictable to do something ‘cool’ in, like, an abandoned warehouse. Cool can happen anywhere. It’s a state of mind. That’s the essence of the Erin Wasson x RVCA brand, and there’s no reason not to follow that logic onto the runway.”

Visit RVCA to shop the Erin Wasson x RVCA Fall Winter 2009 Collection

Visit shopbop.com to shop the Erin Wasson x RVCA Fall Winter 2009 Collection

Fashion News 03/03/09 Balmain Thrives & More

Balmain’s $1,500 jeans have sold out in London, which is pretty much the story with the brand this season…

Roksanda Ilincic is poised to launch a capsule collection with lingerie brand Damaris later this month.

Etro’s Fall 2009 collection was made up of recycled fabrics from the house’s archives.

Jourdan Dunn is London Fashion Week’s top model, having walked in a total of 14 shows.

Hervé Léger By Max Azria Fall Winter 2009 Collection

Sunday February 15, 2009 – The Promenade – Bryant Park

Bandage, this is all what Hervé Léger is about. What’s amazing about Max Azria is that every season since the fall 2008  we get to re-discover what the bandage dress is. For the Fall 2009 the Hervé Léger woman has switched out the fresh citrus Spring Summer 2009 dresses & bandage bathing suit for a Tribal, Urban & Warrior amazone look. The bandage is mixed with snakes, stones, patch working texture of velvet,boucle. Lubov Azria was saying backstage that the challenge is not to change the spirit of the Hervé Léger brand but to take it to another level respecting the foundations, which is the concept of bandage, “the goal this season was to create a modern carapace for the female form, exotic prints, metallic beading and woven techniques intensify the collection primal sensuality“.

The Hervé Léger bandage dress appear to take part of every young actresses’s DNA  as they always wear Hervé Léger on the red carpet. Hervé Léger by Max Azria is not only loved on the red carpet as Sophia Bush, Joy Bryant , Michelle Trachtenberg, Danielle Panabaker, Lucy Liu, lily collins, Jessica Stroup and January Jones were part of the front row to celebrate their beloved designer.

During Fashion Week, there is always a fashion moment beside the show: Bill Cunningham in action snapping a picture of one of the woman’s shoes next to Julia Allison.

Shop the collection on NET-A-PORTER.COM

Watch our video

See our pictures below:

Hermes Spring Summer RTW 2009

October 4th 2008 – Espace Eiffel – Quai Branly

The Hermès RTW Spring Summer 2009 show took place at the Espace Eiffel tent on Le Quai Branly, at the foot of the tourist trap Eiffel Tower. Nestled right in front of the creperie in the front, the Espace Eiffel stood out like a sore thumb amongst the throngs of tourists snapping pics of both the tower and the fashion mayhem ensuing out front.

StyleRumor.com and Co. barely had any time to make it back to our hotel room before we flew out the door and into the first Mercedes Benz cab we could find. Around the rotary at Trocadéro we went, racing down to Kennedy Blvd and over the Pont Iéna to make it just in time. Outside, the crowds were in a tussle after Ms. Jane Birkin made an appearance, in relaxed Levi denim jeans and a simple cashmere sweater no less. She smiled gleefully as onlookers pelted her with the flashes of their Nikon D40’s and Canon Point-and-Shoots. Even the Parisian locals took out their cellphone’s to snap a pic of Jane, if anything to document the madness at the scene.

After a generous and slow walk into the tents, Jane ducked behind the doors and to her seat. As we flashed our Hermès red leather square swatch invitation to the guard, an Hermès PR girl with a headmic rushed over to us and pointed us to quickly take our seats. Unlike some other showings during the day, Jean Paul Gautier was going to do his best to start on time.

No sooner did we walk in did we notice how packed the tent was. Like a scene out of Marc Jacobs’ infamous 2,000+ bleacher Armory showing, the crowd inside was energized and raucous as ever. Many were drawn to walk on the catwalk, which interestingly enough was like something out of a Hollywood set: sand and cactuses lined the catwalk, transporting one to the back roads of New Mexico’s Route 66.

Soon the lights dimmed and chatter screeched to halt as the scene drew focus to top model Stephanie Seymour’s entrance. With a blue sky backdrop and sultry western track playing, her white, V-chest, black belt accented dress danced around her curves like a soft tango. No sooner did she make her powerful entrance than did we see what can only be the true eye-catching star of the show: Miss Naomi Campbell.

It was only a matter of time before all the fringe we’ve seen this season went West. Sure enough, it was down to Jean Paul Gaultier to rustle it up in full buckskin glory, across the cactus-strewn desert sands of the Hermès runway. Naturally, this cowgirl is quite the chicest, classiest example of her kind ever to don a Stetson, and her fringe-swishing posse was led out by none other than Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Campbell.

Only a branded thoroughbred as sure-footed as an Hermès filly could possibly tread this trail with such a sense of fun.  The accessories were all-out amazing: soft suede riding boots, mirrored aviators, driving/riding gloves, slim crocodile envelope clutches, handheld canvas-and-leather suitcases, and even a fringed Kelly (JPG Kelly which will be a Hit bag for the next season).

Gorgeous deep purple or green gowns worn with a pair of Daim boots is the look for this summer. We also love the cashmere ponchos.

The audience was treated to a classic Naomi moment. As she finished her last passage down the catwalk to end the showing, Naomi, upon doing her pose at the media riser line, turns back toward the runway exit, and in one fell swoop throws her Hermès gaucho hat into the crowd. Everyone cheered like as if we were at a baseball game, happy that at least something in Fashion Week is worth writing home to.

Stephanie, Naomi and Jean Paul Gaultier closed out the show with kisses and smiles, with Gautier running up and down the catwalk like a gleeful 10 year old. The lights dim out and everyone heads backstage. As we headed toward JPG, we found ourselves next to Ms. Birkin herself. She was chatting up with the crowd, describing all of the trinkets she’s attached to her well-worn Birkin. As humble as she is, she still was even more generous enough to take a couple of photos with us below.

Jane Birkin always teaches us that kindness and generosity are never out of style.

See our pictures below!

Emanuel Ungaro RTW Spring Summer 2009 by Esteban Cortazar

October 1st 2008 – Carrousel Du Louvre –

Esteban Cortazar dedicated the show to his father, Valentino Cortazar, and printed his dad’s  letters  on the carpet runway (see pictures). All the models were wearing panama hats, the collection was a sucession of cocktail dresses which Ungaro is know for “it’s a dresses house” said Esteban Cortazar when asked about why so many dresses.

Esteban has respected the “codes”of the french house using printed silk patterns and Ungaro known shapes. The Spring Summer 2009 Ungaro girl is a french jet set girl in Miami.

Anna Wintour and Nina Garcia were there to support Esteban.

See our pictures below:

Dearth of Daring Designers: Spring 2009 Collections Too ‘Safe’

NEW YORK — Safe but a general lack of zing.

That was buyers’ overall view of New York Fashion Week, which wrapped up Friday. While the commercial looks that packed the runways should have set retailers’ hearts aflutter, many of them were disappointed. Difficult times like these, they say, call not for the tried-and-true, but for wow-some looks that will lure nervous consumers to the stores, like bunnies out of the bushes.

“The shows didn’t really live up to my expectations,” said Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York. “There were some great ones, but for the most part, I think it was hard for designers to put their finger on exactly what we need and what inspires us during this period of change.

Barbara Atkin, vice president and fashion director of Holt Renfrew, agreed. “We’re all examining and stepping back,” she said. “When there’s economic instability, people question their purchasing.

“This is a time when we’re really looking at the new guard of designers,” said Atkin, noting some iconic American design houses are floundering without their namesake designers at the helm. “There’s a lot of confusion at Bill Blass and the problem with Halston is, what does it mean anymore? It’s got to go beyond the name on the label. It’s just got to be fantastic clothes. The clothes have to have substance and the identity of what the brand is has to jump out at you.”

That’s what Atkin is looking for in all collections. “If we don’t get that, everything we purchase fades into a blandism on our floors.”

Jim Wetzel and Lance Lawson, owners of two Jake boutiques in Chicago and one in suburban Winnetka, Ill., said, “We did feel collections looked a bit the same across the board and felt some designs seemed more phoned-in than inspired.”

Of course, there were exceptions. Marc Jacobs and Rodarte were singled out by several retailers for their creativity. “Maria Cornejo, Alexander Wang, these are the new guard,” said Atkin. “A new generation is coming up quickly.”

“Overall, I think it will take some intense picking and choosing from each collection, but there is enough uniqueness and individuality out there in the clothing,” said Beth Buccini, co-founder of Kirna Zabête. “All the elaborate shoes and jewels are the really pretty icing.”

There were those, particularly at the larger stores, who left the week feeling upbeat, however. Nicole Fischelis, Macy’s vice president and fashion director, said she was pleased with the “fashionable and realistic” clothes she saw. “This is the best way to stimulate our buyers and our customers,” she said. “We are extremely confident about the season to come. Our business is strong because we know what we are doing and we know who we are. Give them fabulous color, give them the new item, present it in an aspirational way. If the product is right, consumers don’t even look at the price point, and fashion pieces always go first.” 

The one trend most retailers agreed could go away: Harem pants.

Here’s what else they had to say:

Stephanie Solomon, vice president for fashion direction of Bloomingdale’s 

Favorite collections: Marc Jacobs moved us toward the future while referencing our past. It will take something special to get women to open their wallets. Everything in Marc’s collection was special. That’s exactly what we’re looking for, that special thing that will help us escape this economy. Ralph Lauren can still make a fashion director excited. Zac Posen was always a fledgling designer, but this collection brought him into the arena of world-class designers. I take him very seriously. Lela Rose did a great job. Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, Rebecca Taylor, Nanette Lepore and Anna Sui were standouts. Francis by Christian Francis Roth was so fresh, so right on and so happy in a climate where everybody’s taking everything so seriously, and Leifsdottir is doing very well. The novelty details and attention to detail are so important to the American customer. I’m not going to be cautious in my spending with the designers I saw this week. 

The trends that are keepers: Harem pants, but not extreme harem pants; boyfriend jackets; jumpsuits; chiffon blouses, and dresses. 

Jeffrey Kalinsky, executive vice president of designer fashion at Nordstrom

Best fashion moment was: Being at Marc Jacobs’ show Monday night felt like I was witnessing something that doesn’t happen very often — a triumphant night for fashion.

Favorite collections: Kate and Laura Mulleavy had their strongest show yet. Taking all of their unique ideas that have become expected at Rodarte and adding on even more layers, they created something that was tough chic, but with an angelic side. Michael Kors’ collection was full of fabulous clothes. The colorblocking, polkadots and color palette were happy and optimistic. Oscar de la Renta’s polished and refined glamour [showed] he is a true master who always somehow manages to get better and better. Narciso Rodriguez always turns out a solid collection and he seemed to have taken yet another giant leap forward.

Michael Fink, vice president of women’s fashion direction at Saks Fifth Avenue

Overall impressions: I was truly excited by so many moments. I loved the collections that oozed a relaxed, urban sophistication and monochromatic layers of weightless fabrics that draped around the body

Favorite collections: Richard Chai, Derek Lam and Brian Reyes were spot-on with their supercool layering ideas. Oscar de la Renta’s minimal looks were some of my favorites of the week, as well as a new direction for his woman whose closets are filled with florals, ruffles and ethnic prints. Phillip Lim and Carolina Herrera wooed us with ruffles. I liked Michael Kors’ take on dots and stripes and we will sell those scuba dresses all day long. Marc Jacobs’ celebration of all things American was truly over-the-top good fun. 

New talent I discovered: Christian Siriano gave a well-balanced and beautiful first collection.

Trends that are keepers: The vest, in all lengths from cropped to below the hip, is the new jacket for summer. Everyone will need a sequined “something” for day and evening. And if you haven’t done it before, this will be the time to test drive a jumpsuit.

Anne Watson, vice president and fashion director of Henri Bendel

Favorite collections: From the new guard, Elise Overland, Jason Wu, and Juan Carlos Obando.

Trends that are keepers: Irreverent pairings of prints and fabrics and the manipulation of fabrics through techniques such as pleating, draping, folding and twisting. Leather for spring is going to be very important for our customer and is a trend that we will go after. Hanii Y had great leather. Also, jumpsuits from Elise Overland and Thakoon. The new version of the cocktail dress, a textured sheath dress from Alexander Wang and Brian Reyes. I liked the wide-leg denim by Diane von Furstenberg and Milly.

To accessorize or not accessorize: There is no question that accessories continue to be an integral part of the wardrobe. Marc Jacobs’ use of accessories will surely have a halo effect on the rest of the accessories market, from wide belts, to the cummerbund effect with sashes, to the continued importance of statement-making jewelry.

Linda Fargo, senior vice president, fashion office and store presentation at Bergdorf Goodman

Favorite collections: New arrival Jason Wu looks promising, and Alexander Wang delivered a strong, edgy collection. Accolades to Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein for his highly innovative folding collection. Vera Wang struck just the right balance between her artistic side and clean easy pieces, not to mention her exceptional accessories. Also, Narciso Rodriguez’s mix of softness with graphics as well as his body-baring looks and Rodarte for their poetic, enchanting fantasies. Ralph Lauren’s show was exceptionally beautiful.

Trends that are keepers: The tough girl, with so much asymmetry in bodies and hemlines, petal layering, slouchy pantaloon pants, and aggressive statement shoes; athletic body dressing with scuba, corsets, bandeaus, midriff cutaways, and crisscrossing graphics, especially in black and white, felt fresh. It was nice to see the evolution of ruffles.

To accessorize or not accessorize: Designers are wisely maximizing accessories as a category and an opportunity, stimulated by the success of statement jewelry for fall.

Nicole Fischelis, vice president and fashion director of Macy’s

Favorite collections: Ralph Lauren’s “Safari of a Thousand Nights,” Donna Karan’s style and sensuality and the purity of the Isaac Mizrahi collection with key looks such as the new trench, the corset and asymmetry. Also, the sportswear glam of Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Tuleh and Derek Lam.

New talent I discovered: I loved Christian Francis Roth. We are so happy he’s back on the scene. The young generation is developing its own style.

Trends that are keepers: Color creates an emotion to buy. The continuation of the print is remarkable. We like this whole new fusion combining feminine and sport, the new volume and the new shine with iridescence and sequins. Fabulous new items included the jumpsuit, motorcycle jacket, vest and feminine blouse. We like the importance of accessories, with big handbags and shoes. There are a ton of options.

Barbara Atkin, vice president and fashion director of Holt Renfrew

Favorite collections: Michael Kors because he understands who his woman is. This season, he walked away from the uptight lady and gave us American sportswear in classic Bal Harbour colors and it worked. He also had wonderful scuba sexy dresses, which I think will bring in a new customer. Rodarte was fearless in their expression and whether you can wear it or not, I think it was art. They established themselves as American designers with a world-class point of view. Also, Jeremy Laing, a Canadian, did beautiful, billowing, simple clothing and worked with interesting under slips and openwork. Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera gave us quality and security and consistency. At that price point, you want that. Marc Jacobs summed up where we are today. He showed so strongly what I call the DIY look. You pick your clothes to suit your personality. When Marc mixes up the plaids with the damasks, evening with day and grunge with Asia, he’s saying take these items and create your own style.

Trends that are keepers: Romantic bohemia, monochromatic designs with clean lines that give more longevity to clothes, transferring details from the athletic world to couture shapes, papery leather, a variety of pant silhouettes and fabrics with glazing and sheen and shine.

Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York

Favorite collections: Hands down, Rodarte. Alexander Wang’s show was filled with great energy and a lot of saleable items and Narciso Rodriguez displayed an elegant evolution with some edge.

New talent I discovered: Juan Carlos Obando, who had a great first show, and Erin Wasson + RVCA was a cute collaboration.

Trends that are keepers: I think the bondage details will make women feel sexy. Most important, there were lots of choices, from a rocker-type aesthetic to feminine and light.

To accessorize or not accessorize: Everybody’s trying to do a lot wherever they can get it. If you don’t have shoes, someday you’re going to have shoes. If you don’t have bags, someday you’re going to have bags. Proenza Schouler had a lot of accessories, which they’ve never had before. Alexander Wang had a much more developed handbag collection and Marc Jacobs had a lot [of everything]. 

Beth Buccini, co-owner, Kirna Zabête

Favorite collections: Alexander Wang — not quite a cult yet, but certainly a tribe, and we can prove it with our incredible sell-throughs. Narciso Rodriguez was the highlight of the week with confident, sleek and modern warrior dresses. We loved Thakoon’s naughty prints, toughness, and overall risk-taking and Elise Overland’s amazing leathers and sexy short dresses are a dream look for a sophisticated urban night owl. Also, Tuleh and Proenza Schouler.

Trends that are keepers: Jumpsuits, the Eighties, nude, a new toughness, splashes of pool colors — pale blues, mint greens and oranges — and great prints.

David Rubenstein, Jeffrey New York

Favorite collections: Narciso Rodriguez and Rodarte

New talent I discovered: Sophie Théallet, and I thought Juan Carlos Obando and Cushnie et Ochs also looked very strong.

Trends that are keepers: I was very happy to see all the vivid color on the runway. The overall lightness of many collections was really refreshing.

 

Courtesy: WWD

Hervé Léger By Max Azria Spring Summer 2009 Collection

September 7th 2008 – Bryant Park – Keeping true to its Parisian roots, Max Azria has carried the Parisian Hervé Léger fashion house over the pond and into Bryant Park with much success. With corset shaping bandage dresses wrapping silhouettes even tighter, Hervé Léger brings a sexy, almost erotic look, to NY Fashion Week.

After chatting up a storm with some of the ladies at the Bryant Park lounge, we grabbed our Balenciaga bags and headed past security check and into the runway show area. There in the Promenade, or the more intimate and 2nd most largest venue of the Bryant Park tent, the crowd looked young, hip, and famished for a different take on Spring 2009’s fashion. Plopping into our seating, we found a small Hérve Legér gift box filled with parfumerie. No sooner did I pick up my style sheet than the show commenced.

The first looks were filled with signature Hervé Léger cocktail dresses, short one piece robes with above the knee cuts. As the models snaked down the catwalk, you could catch a few pushing down the dress as it rode up their hips: a side effect of the bandage wraps’ coiled nature. Bright colours hugged the models, with eye-catching pieces shimmering in gold.

After several pieces had passed our way and the 4 evening wear pieces carouseled the catwalk, we thought the show was over. Max Azria kept the best for last: a blast of white light relit the catwalk and a quick barrage of sunglasses toting models came quickly back out wearing minimal Hervé Léger swimwear in all shapes and symmetries. Our favourite was the V-shaped black swim piece with matching arm bandages, creating a perfect avant-garde look pour la cruise.

Soon thereafter the show ended, with Max Azria taking the customary bow along with the creative designer for H.L. Before heading back stage, we caught a glimpse of Lou Doillon who was absolutely infatuated with Hervé’s revival in NY. When asked “What are you wearing today, mademoiselle?”, Lou replied in an almost peppermint sweet tone “Hervé Léger, bien sûr, of course.”

See our pictures below

Alexander Wang Spring Summer 2009 Collection

September 6th 2008 – “She is the same girl, she’s sexy, she’s carrying her big bag, and it’s raining!” the funny part is that Tropical storm Hanna drenched New York City when the Alexander Wang show was happening.  We’ve been able to make it and we didn’t regret it. The collection was colorful which is new for Alexander Wang, he always used very dark colors or only black in his past collections. Raquel Zimmermann opened the show with a white bathing suit and a blue aged leather perfecto. We got to see the T shirt that are going to be available this spring, the good thing about this line of T shirts is that according to Alex Wang the price tag will start from $40. It’s also the introduction of the wang’s shoe line and handbags line that will “as we already know” be available at Barneys.

The front row was filled up with Sarah from the Paris Concept Store Colette,  Julia Reiston Roitfeld,  Alice Dellal (alex’s muse), Erin Wasson and her mother, Missy Ryder.

Shop the collection at :

LUISIAVIAROMA.COM

NET-A-PORTER.COM

shopbop.com

barneys.com

brownfashion.com

See our pictures below

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 !

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