VeryVeryChic

IMPROVD: Affordable Couture

During last week's Fashion Week flurry I managed to catch up with Valentino Vettori and Sam Ben-Avraham to chat about their new line Improvd. The pair of fashion's innovators have a wealth of experience in wholesale and retail have now launched their own collection of "Affordable Couture." Ben-Avraham is the owner of Atrium and the founder of the Project Global Trade Show and Vettori owns the Scatola Sartoriale showroom which is home to Vivienne Westwood "Anglomania" and Ilaria Nistri among others. When I first saw the collection at Project in Las Vegas in September it stood out with its cool sophistication and intellectual aesthetic. Minimal, chic and edgy, the collection captures the high-end artsy aesthetic of designers such as Helmut Lang, Rick Owens and Ann Demeulemeester. Think luxe leathers, washed treatments, tie-dye effects, t-shirts and denim, but at an incredibly low price point. All pieces retail between $41 and $308. The collection is set to debut at boutiques such as Intermix, Ron Herman, American Rag, Curve and Henri Bendel for Spring. To read the full story go to my home base at ApparelNews.net

 

 

 

Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture

 

Gianfranco Ferré for Dior, 1989-90, red silk crepe gown, photo: Brian Sanderson/FIDM photography

Christian Dior, Adolfo Sardina, Hubert de Givenchy and Valentino Garavani - designer names that inspire visions of the couture. That is exactly what you will see at the "High Style: Betsy Bloomingdale and The Haute Couture" exhibition which runs Oct. 21 to Dec. 13, 2009 at the FIDM Museum & Galleries. The exhibition celebrates the 151 year-old art of the Haute Couture by presenting Bloomingdale's personal style via her favorite designers. The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising celebrated the opening with a black tie soiree on Oct. 17 to feté the socialite and the fine art of French Fashion. Bloomingdale - in a vintage Dior haute couture gown - attended the event along with legendary designer James Galanos. I was there to cover the event for Apparel News and am already planning to make a second trip back. The exhibition is fascinating and includes an incredible amount of information, not to mention some exquisite couture gowns. It includes 60 ensembles that Bloomingdale donated to the FIDM Museum Collection over the past four decades. According to co-curator, Kevin Jones, this exhibtion is unique in that it is literally a case study of one individual, yet it's four decades worth of historical fashion. The exhibition includes not only garments, but photos, magazine excerpts and a video documentary that highlights Bloomingdale's fabulously chic international lifestyle. Imagine couture salons, chic parties and events such as the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. For more info go to fidm.edu.

 

James Galanos and Betsy Bloomingdale at the FIDM opening night feté

 
  Christian Dior croquis, Autumn/Winter 1989-90 by Gianfranco Ferré for Dior

 

       

Karl Lagerfeld and Betsy Bloomingdale, Dec. 2, 1992, photo: Berliner Studio/BEImages
 

 

A fashion shot featuring an evening gown by Marc Bohan for Dior

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, 1985, black iridescent coq feather and silk chiffon crepe dress, Brian Sanderson/FIDM Photography

  

LNA POPS UP at REVOLVE

It's the week of Pop-Up Shops and now LnA is popping up at Revolve. The party will begin on Thurs. Oct 22 with complimentary drinks and music by Delta Fiasco and DJ Virgin Tears. Get your exclusive Limited Edition LnA and Delta Fiasco tee including a CD and tote bag. The Pop-Up Shop will be open from Oct. 22 to Oct. 29, so stop by before all the goods are gone. Here is a preview of LnA's holiday collection......I'm loving the lace-back tees and shorts - Very '80s and Very Chic!!


   

   

GIVENCHY: Fall 09

                                                                             photos: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

   Coveting Givenchy's Fall 09 collection. Edgy, but feminine and oh, so chic!!!!
 
To see the full collection, go to ......WWD.
  
 

  

Dona Daneshi

  Dona Daneshi is one of LA's newest and brightest stars. The designer just launched her collection for Holiday and was picked up at Maxfield. Designing for Daneshi is more about creating an essence or identity through clothing rather than following the typical trend-based design notions. For her debut collection, she fused mysticism into each piece to create a Goth-tinged look that has modern appeal. The English net dress pictured above is one of my favorite pieces from the collection. Recently, I caught up with Daneshi to learn more about her take on design. To read the full story go to my home base at ApparelNews.net.

  

Chillin' With Alexander Wang

 

                                                            photos: Opening Ceremony

  

 I'm always sad when summer ends. No more breezy summer nights, pool parties or lazy afternoons at the beach. It's time to trade in the bathing suit, jean shorts and gladiators for a jacket, flannel shirt and boots. But I discovered there is a solution to help ease the chill. Alexander Wang's oversize leather hoodie and Hells Angels moto jacket with fox tails sold exclusively at Opening Ceremony. Suddenly I feel much, much better. 

 

  

 

Get Ready....It's LA Fashion Week

 

Get ready it's LA Fashion Week.....or rather "Month"!!!! While many thought LA Fashion Week might have growing pains this season, it has in fact grown into a full-fledged fashion extravaganza. The nearly month long run of runway shows and events in Los Angeles is set to kickoff this weekend with a launch party at Revolve. The LA-based boutique and online store will celebrate some of the city's top designers including Endovanera, Corpus, Geren Ford, Prodigal Daughter and Anzevino and Florence. On Monday night, FGI Los Angeles will honor LA designers with the "MEET the Designers" event on the chic Rooftop Bar at The Standard Downtown. And then the runway shows begin. A number of organizations will be staging shows throughout the next few weeks and various designers will be holding independent presentations. Key events include Downtown LA Fashion Week at MOCA, LA Fashion on Broadway at the Los Angeles Theater; LA Fashion Weekend at SunsetGower Studios; BOXeight at the BOXeight Warehouse; and Rock Fashion Week and Gen Art at Paramount Studios. Needless to say, there will be plenty of opportunities for LA-based fashionistas to get their fashion fix! Posted here are just a few of the shows I am looking forward to. For more information on individual events, click on the various links listed below. And for the full report on all runway shows the events, be sure to check in at my home base at ApparelNews.net.

 

Downtown LA Fashion Week

Gen Art

LA Fashion on Broadway

LA Fashion Weekend

BOXeight

Rock Fashion Week 

 

 
  

Wonderland

 

Costume Dept. top. Jared Gold tall cloche. Rik Villa leggings.      photo:Richard Knapp/Apparel News 




  There's no shortage of theatrics this season for Los Angeles-based designers. Here are images from my Spring photo shoot for California Apparel News capturing some of LA's most creative looks of the season. Designers include Costume Dept., Jared Gold, Rami Kashou, Dona Daneshi, David Alexander, Zachariah Bryant and Skingraft.To see the complete shoot click here.

 

Photographer: Richard Knapp; Stylist: N. Jayne Seward; Makeup: Garret Gervais for Select Artist MGMT using cosmetics by Urban Decay and skincare by Murad; Hair: Tara Jean/tarajeanhair.com using Unite; Model: Dallas Hernandez for Ford Models; Stylist Assistant: Rhea Cortado; Photo Assistants: David Ambrose and Jeffrey Beard. Shot on location at Heritage Square Museum/www.heritagesquare.org

Jared Gold dress and sash. Coco de Mer bra. Sermoneta sheer gloves. Gasoline Glamour ring.
 

Fabulous Frills

  

                                                                     photos: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

   Leave it to Viktor & Rolf to pull of a fabulously over-the-top collection - clearly fashion for the sake of fashion. Designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren took a hacksaw to gowns made from multiple layers of tulle to create a dramatic theatrical effect. Exactly what I had been hoping to see from Paris Fashion Week! It's their forte and there were plenty of frills. But there was also plenty to wear including some cute bustier dresses, lacey lingerie looks , tuxedo blazers and loungey pajama pants. To see the full collection go to WWD.com.

 

   

    

   

  


   


  
   
  

  

Visible Panty Lines

 

             House Of Holland,    photo: Getty Images/Coutorture

 "I have a deep fascination with bodies. I love looking at anatomical studies and all those sorts of things, and that fascination with body and flesh plays a huge role in VPL. Contouring the body, or revealing flesh, or exposing the underpinnings that cover part of the body—the peeling away of layers, you know? That’s the dialogue that’s most important to me,"

                            - Victoria Bartlett in an interview for Style File

  

 Pants optional. Blame it on Victoria Bartlett, Lady Gaga, Madonna a la the '80s or John Galliano for Christian Dior, but panty lines are fashion's biggest statement maker for Spring. The look includes underwear as outerwear, short shorts, bodysuits, high-waist panties, bras, nude treatments and plenty of see-through lace. Here are a few looks from the recent Spring runway shows. To see the complete collections, go to Coutorture and Style.com.

                          Alexander Wang,   photo: Getty Images/Coutorture   

   

                     VPL,   photo: Marcio Madeira/Style.com

 

               House of Holland,    photo: Getty Images/Coutorture 

                                    Prada,    photo: Getty Images/Coutorture

          Marc Jacobs,   photo: Marcio Madeira/Style.com

   

                                          House of Holland,   photo: Getty Images/Coutorture

                   VPL,   photo: Marcio Madeira/Style.com

                  Alexander Wang,   photo: Getty Images/Coutorture

                Twenty8Twelve,   photo: Getty Images/Coutorture

   

                House of Holland,   photos: Getty Images/Coutorture

                         Brian Reyes,    photo: Getty Images/Coutorture

  

Burberry Prorsum

  

                                        photos: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

 Loving Christopher Bailey's delicate touch for the Burberry Prorsum collection which debuted on a live webcast to close London Fashion Week. The designer twisted, knotted and ruched chiffon, tulle and satin to add a soft touch to the traditionally tailored collection. Ruffles, softened shoulder treatments and an icy pastel palette added a femininity to the look. I'm loving the new found softness designers are adding to Spring collections and this show portrays the look quite brilliantly. 

To see the complete show go to WWD

Can Fashion Be Democratic?

  According to Norma Kamali it can. At a time when designers are struggling to find new ground, Kamali is bringing fashion to the masses by embracing technology. Kamali presented her Spring 2010 OMO Norma Kamali, Wal-Mart and exclusive E-Bay collection with an event titled “The Democratization of Fashion.” The iconic designer who is known for stepping up in an economic downtown has embraced the latest high tech gadgetry including Twitter and Skype. I have to admit it was an exciting moment when I was friended by Kamali on Facebook! The event, which was held at the Apple store in New York, also marked the launch of a new iPhone app which allows you to shop all of Kamali’s collections straight from your phone. Unfortunately, I wasn’t at the presentation in New York to see this landmark presentation, but there was plenty of great fashion on display. Think signature Kamali in an All-American palette of gray, red, white and black - the sleeping bag coat, chic jumpsuits, one-shoulder dresses, sexy cut out swimsuits and enough parachute material to achieve fashion lift off. To see more images from the show, visit Racked.com.

  

                                                                            photo courtesy of Racked
  

Drama Queens

 

Lady Gaga performs at the VMA's                      photo courtesy of Getty/MTV.com

 As if a precursor to the runways at New York Fashion Week, last night's MTV Video Music Awards set the stage for drama on the runway at Marc Jacobs. Clearly theatrics are in for Spring by way of glam body suits, sexy lingerie and seriously short shorts. And don't forget the frills - ruffles, metallic effects and adornment galore rocked the runway at Jacobs. Although, I might forget the blood - a la Lady Gaga - unless you want to make a truly memorable grand entrance! Here are a few picks from MTV.com's show highlights and Marc Jacobs' runway via Style.com. To see more follow the links!

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS: 

All photos: Getty Images/MTV.com

  

 

 

MARC JACOBS SPRING 2010:

All photos: Marcio Madeira/Style.com

Styling "Silver Bullet" for SURFACE

photos courtesy of Lane Coder/Surface

 

"Silver Bullet"
 

"Experimenting with form and fabric, Calvin Klein's Italian master is on target to reinvent modern American menswear."                                                                         - Surface
 

I had the great experience of styling the Calvin Klein Fall collection for the latest issue of Surface. The timing is memorable in that this issue celebrates the 15th anniversary of the magazine and the debut of their snazzy new full online publication. For the shoot I traveled to Joshua Tree with photographer Lane Coder, makeup artist Aran Mitchell and hair stylist Jason Murillo to shoot model Francois Xavier Noah wearing the collection. Designed by Italian marvel Italo Zucchelli, the collection is a masterpiece combining innovative fabrications, mathematical engineering and architectural design principles. The creative director for the men's Calvin Klein Collection gleaned his minimalist aesthetic by working with Jil Sander and Romeo Gigli and for three years under the watchful eye of Klein himself. Truly a pleasure to be part of this shoot!

 To read the full story, click here.

    

 

 

POOL PARTY: Cruise 2010 Trends

 
 

   Mara Hoffman Swim     photos: Volker Corell/apparelnews.net

 

Sexy, chic and glamorous swimwear turns up the heat for Cruise 2010. I covered the shows during the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim and SwimShow 2010 in Miami Beach to find all the latest looks for the coming season. Innovative one pieces, asymmetric necklines, color-infused prints, jumpsuits, vintage styles and itsy-bitsy Brazilian cut bottoms are key trends that will make a statement poolside. For a look at the full report, go to my home base at ApparelNews.net. 

   
  

Tibi

 

Cia.Maritíma

 

Marysia Swim

Luli Fama

  

Kate Moss Sizzles for Topshop

 

      photos courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

  

A sultry Kate Moss poses for her Autumn/Winter 09 Kate Moss for Topshop collection which launched online today and is set to debut in stores on August 31. It's the 11th collection for the supermodel-turned-designer and this one is the most sophisticated yet. Expect to find high-voltage glamour and a full range of vintage-inspired pieces including a sexy draped front dress with studded epaulettes, culotte jumpsuits, breezy butterfly print dresses and statement-making oversized faux fur coats. And did I mention sequins? There is an amazing antique sequin maxi dress that is to die for!! It's part of the Limited Edition collection available in select stores and on online, so check it out fast!! The collection doesn't come cheap however - in the UK prices range from 22 to 400. But clearly that won't be a problem with the all the attention this shoot is getting on the Web. The iconic model is still smokin' hot and customers are sure to want to emulate her signature dishelved sexpot look. It just goes to show, sex does sell. After all, who doesn't want to look sexy and glamorous?!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Covering Cali From Casual to Chic

photos: Ben Cope/apparelnews.net

  

   This week I was busy at Apparel News covering California style from coast to coast. As a trade publication we cover fashion before it hits the trade show floor. To create the "Leisure Class" editorial I focused on California's casual chic sensibility. The shoot features Spring looks from designers showing at the upcoming Las Vegas trade shows. Ever so cool Cali brands - Orthodox, +Beryll, Monrow and Valou - graced the cover of this week's issue pictured above. In addition to finalizing the shoot, I blogged about California-based designers participating in "Fashion's Night Out" in New York and caught up with Erik Hart to hear all the details on his latest collection. It's all online at ApparelNews.net, but here are a few highlights from my coverage.

  

LEISURE CLASS:

Clockwise: 1) FREMONT's linen jacket. MONROW's white dress. 2) RIVIERA CLUB's plaid shirt, jacket and matching short. 3) MARK and ESTEL's black open-racer dress. +BERYLL's leather boots. 4) On him: COMUNE's sweater and harem pant. ESQUIVEL's suede boots. On her: EVER's tailored dress. ESQUIVEL's dress shoes.


   

No one does casual chic better than California. And for Spring, designers have updated the look with a sophisticated sensibility - elaborating on all the key trends. Tailored jackets pair with comfortable fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and the latest incarnation of sweatsuits and T-shirts. Here is my take on Spring featuring looks from key Los Angeles based designers. To see the complete story, go to ApparelNews.net.

Photographer: Ben Cope; Fashion Editor/Stylist: N. Jayne Seward; Makeup: Garret Gervais for MMK MGMT. using Dior Cosmetics; Hair: Sean James for Rusk/Frank.Studios.com: Models: Tomas for Nous Model Management and Aleks for Photogenics; Stylist Assistants: Rhea Cortado & Michelle Andrizzi

CALIFORNIA REPRESENTS AT FASHION'S NIGHT OUT:

 

                                                     photo courtesy of fashionsnightout.com


 
   The fashion world is getting ready for a global extravaganza. Thirteen countries are participating in the "Fashion's Night Out" event on Sept. 10 to celebrate fashion and to help get consumers excited about shopping. There are a slew of activities planned with over 700 retail stores in New York participating and major fashion capitals around the globe joining the festivities. From London to Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Los Angeles, fashionistas can shop, meet their favorite designers and find exclusive merchandise made especially for the occasion. To learn more about the event which was organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the City of New York, NYC & Company and Vogue, go to fashionsnightout.com. Also, check in at Trade Talk to read my blog on California designers participating in the event. Many of my favorite Cali designers and brands with NY retail outlets will take part including Paige Denim, Rodarte, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, George Esquivel, Koi Suwannagate, Levi's, Band of Outsiders and Juan Carlos Obando. And if you're on the West coast be sure to check out events happening in Los Angeles at Ron Herman, Rock & Republic and Maxfield among others.


 

FACTORY by Erik Hart: 

  

      photos: Ben Cope/apparelnews.net

 
 

Erik Hart has his pulse on the cutting edge of fashion. The founder and designer of Morphine Generation has in just a few short years created an array of brands for men and women that hang in stores like Oak, Barneys Japan and Ron Herman. And now the serial entrepeneur has launched a new young designer contemporary collection called FACTORY by Erik Hart. The conceptual collection which retails for under $150 is Hart's answer to affordable chic. It offers the same directional point of view as his eponymous collection (which has been temporarily placed on hold) at a much more reasonable price point. To create the collection, Hart focused on his signature aesthetic: the dichotomy of androgyny vs. femininity, hard vs. soft, restraint vs. excess. It has the same sensibilities that flow through all his brands -  soft tailoring, quality construction, minimalist sophistication and attention to detail. And made with Hart's uptown meets downtown cool vibe in key 80's silhouettes of the season? The line is a no brainer. I'm loving the vegan leather and knit leggings, a killer blazer with a mesh back panel and his very sexy body con dresses. To read more on FACTORY and Hart's latest ventures including his Dark Hart collab with Urban Outfitters and the upcoming Morphine Generation for Topshop collection set to launch in December, go to my home base at ApparelNews.net.

 

For Ever Chic....

 

   Get on over to the Ever sample sale which begins this Thursday. The hip LA brand has styles available at the sale from Spring/Summer and past seasons. Expect to find key pieces for your wardrobe that are the perfect blend of casual meets chic. If you're not able to make the sale, see below for a few Fall looks currently available on the Ever website. Designer Jamie Haller creates the collection with her own closet in mind choosing just the right piece to add each season. The little black dress, the moto jacket, the plaid shirt, the boyfriend short, the skinny jean, the over-size sweatshirt, the harem pant. Get the picture?? It's effortless clothing with a sophisticated, hipster chic flair. The sale begins Thursday and runs through Saturday. Don't miss it!! See the deets above.

EVER FALL 2009:   

  

Mary Katrantzou: Beauty in a Bottle

 

photo: Marcio Madeira/style.com

 

"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future," 

                                                                                                                          - Coco Chanel

 And the most fashionable way to wear perfume is to don the artful dresses by Mary Katrantzou. The Greek designer debuted her bold Autumn/Winter collection inspired by perfume bottles during London Fashion Week. With continued New Generation funding, the Central Saint Martins graduate was able to continue her work in developing bold placement prints and jewelry constructed from chains, mirrors and gold tubing. The combination of wearing the graphic prints and jewelry together or separately created an illusion sometimes blurring the line between what was real and what was printed. Motifs of perfume bottles were inspired by the vintage flasks from the houses of Givenchy and Jean-Paul Gaultier. But whereas these designers have incorporated the woman's figure into the perfume bottle, Katrantzou channeled the bottles into the clothing. The hyper-real imagery creates the illusion of an hourglass silhouette with the refractive qualities of the glass. If Coco were a prophet, the future is certainly bright for any fashionista sporting these avant garde designs.

To see the full collection, go to style.com.

 

One to Watch: Native Son

I don't usually blog about menswear, but Native Son is a new collection that I am loving!!! 

I discovered the brand at the Guild show in Las Vegas last Feb. and was impressed with it's quality and refined look. And, of course, I had to interview designer Kyle Fitzgibbons on the spot to feature it in the Apparel News' New Resources guide. The idea behind the line is to create investment pieces that can be worn five to 10 years from now - all with a high fashion twist. For Spring 2010 Fitzgibbons, a former assistant at Band Of Outsiders, has added some amazing new fabrics including the striped suiting featured above. The collection is produced in the some of the same factories as Rodarte, Rag & Bone and Band of Outsiders. The exclusive launch kicks off in Japan at Beams International Gallery in two weeks and was just picked up by Opening Ceremony for Spring. 

Expect to see more from this bright new talent!