ECCENTRIC GUCCI

Gucci, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 Collection in Milan

Last Wednesday, the Gucci show launched the Milan Fashion Week. The designer Frida Giannini presented an Eccentric Hippy baba cool collection influenced from the 1970’s and really far from what we were due to expect.

Never forgets that quality is not in the fabric but also in the design. The Gucci’s brand ambassador, Charlotte Casiraghi as well as the face of Gucci’s newly launched cosmetics line and Kate Moss sat front row.

There is no question that the 70s roots of this show ran long and deep. But Giannini seemed to really be trying to bring her beloved decade forward. She did this mostly in her chosen proportions, by cropping her bell bottom boyfriend pants, inserting sexy broderie anglaise into her denim day dresses, and deciding to go with above-the-knee cocktail dresses (instead of a more traditional maxi) for her printed bead embellished silk numbers. In this way she was able to give a feather light fashion face-lift to all the hallmark looks that have a good 40 years on them.

MARIOS SCHWAB LONDON 2015

MARIOS SCHWAB

“PERSONALLY, I like the risk of creating something and making it successful… This is what a creator should be challenging himself to create something that people want to observe and learn more about. It’s not just fashion, it’s also an object that they want to invest in and own, have, look at.” – Marios Schwab (Business of Fashion)

In 2005, Marios Schwab launched his label. He rapidly was applauded by both the press and the buyers.

For the Spring/Summer 2015 his collection marked a decade on the schedule. The opening trench coat, actually box jacket with tone-on-tone pencil skirt. The clean cut and sculpted form apparently came from light cast across architectural landscapes, which accounted for the grays, grit and shots of azure sky. Masculine boxy jackets and city cuts were austere, yet the silhouette was softened with fluid and feminine in movement, particularly with the printed silk scarves and asymmetric hems.

Marios Schwab, your collection Spring/Summer 2015 was at risk but overcome the challenge. Congratulations.

THE SPICY VICTORIA BECKHAM

Victoria Beckham Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 in New York
Last week in New York, Victoria Beckam’s Ready-to-Wear collection was one of the most attended and expected as the former “Spice Girls” has made her way since she decided to launch her own brand a few years ago.

This collection was one of her best and revealed a true business women. She has successfully imposed her brand name on the fashion scene and it was announced that her label will soon open doors on its first retail space in London. The Spring/Summer 2014 show was also the debut for Beckham’s signature shoe line.

Regarding the collection, it was a mixe of new ideas and more familiar favorites made for a sold show that should attract more than a few costumers into Beckham’s new store.

Congratulations Mrs Beckham.

VICTORIA BECKHAM LONDON FASHION WEEK.

THE VIRGIN SIBLING

Sibling Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2015 in New York

Sibling’s irreverent signature is even made sweeter this Spring/Summer 15 remembering “candy” sweet and bringing joyce on the catwalk. The collection served the 80’s optimism of New York City through the lenses of photographer Amy Arbus.

The spirit of dress and undress, in bed and out-of-bed that resonates deeply in Maripol’s work was keenly felt in the collection. Madge’s legendary “Like A Virgin” wedding dress was heavily referenced in the centre pieces of the collection.

Sibling’s theatrical treatment is unparalleled and, more impressively, the trio — Joe Bates, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCree — achieved high impact purely on the basis of their craftsmanship, proving season after season that resource is better spent on product than ostentatious presentation, especially among emerging brands.

ZANG TOI

Zang toi to Wear Spring Summer 2015 in New YorkZang Toi established the, “House of Toi” collection in New York in 1989. Malaysian-born Zang Toi is a graduate of the famed Parsons School of Design. Toi burst onto the scene with vibrant hues and bold designs. Over the years, Toi’s designs have evolved from the bright and decadent of the 1990s to the timeless yet modern lines of the turn of the century. No matter what the trend, Zang Toi creations are chic and glamorous, always highlighting the beauty of the female form. All hand made in New York with the most luxurious materials, all unique, all Zang Toi.

Zang landed in New York City at the age of 20 where he studied at the distinguished Parsons School of Design. In 1990, Zang was awarded the Mouton Cadet Young Designer of the Year which recognizes the top, young, U.S. designer of the year.

Since that time, Zang’s work has been featured in major publications such as Canal-luxe, Vanity Fair, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Financial Times, etc. Not only has he dressed Hollywood celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor, Farrah Fawcett, Kristie Alley, Patti LaBelle, Gong Li, Eva Longoria, Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) Continue reading

DOM PERIS VAN HERPEN

dompE1Dom Pérignon, in collaboration with the designer Iris Van Herpen, releases a limited edition « Vintage 2004″ of the famous wine. She interprets a « über-premium » piece, inspired by the care and finesse brought to this drink’s conception. This organic and baroque style give to this launch a very mysterious sense: the metamorphosis idea is linked to the designer’s universe. This energy tempts to try this champagne, which gives a unique atmosphere.

New limited edition centers upon metamorphosis: signifying the closure of one period and the birth of another, and Continue reading

ZANA BAYNE

ZANAZana Bayne launched her first hand-crafted leather harness collection in 2010. After graduating with a BFA in Conceptual Art from the San Francisco Art Institute she moved to Berlin before relocating to New York City in 2009 where she began developing her harness accessory business.

The namesake brand of the New York-based designer presents meticulously handcrafted leather accessories that play on the lines of the body. Subtle bondage undertones and defined silhouettes evoke a sense of refinement, accentuating the style of the individual wearer. This season it was a great opportunity for me to take people who I love and respect and wear, and have them integrate what they do into my vision.”

And that vision was one of “Moonbathers.” Looking to night imagery having to do with moonlight glimmering across a body of water — a darkness befitting a brand rooted in leather harnesses — the designer sent out looks focused on using her leather accessories as apparel. “It’s an accessories-based collection,” Bayne clarified. “Our goal is to blur the lines between accessories and clothing, so we’re always going to push the leather a little bit further.”

GENTLEMEN’S ARRANGEMENT

hermesA long and bitter battle that has gripped the luxury goods industry and pitted two of France’s richest families against each other came to an unexpected end on Wednesday when LVMH and Hermes agreed to a truce. Under the deal, LVMH – the world’s No. 1 luxury group, controlled by billionaire Bernard Arnault – agreed to relinquish most of its 23.2 percent stake in Hermes and not to acquire any shares in its smaller rival for the next five years.

It effectively buried the possibility LVMH could make a full takeover bid for the 177-year-old maker of Birkin and Kelly handbags. Such a prospect has boosted Hermes’s stock, which has been trading at a price-to-earnings ratios of about 30 times in recent years, a 70 percent premium to the industry average.

Shares in Hermes fell nearly 10 percent to 236.5 euros in early trading on Wednesday, wiping out Continue reading

POWERFUL FASHION FAMILIES

LOGOThe Arnaults, LVMH
Bernard Arnault’s business savvy is clearly genetic—his two children, Delphine and Antoine (who is married to Natalia Vodianova) are carrying on the business dealings of the French conglomerate alongside their father.

Arnault is a well-known art collector and is known for his contemporary collection, which includes pieces like Picasso, Perpentilan Duniawi, Yves Klein, Henry Moore and Andy Warhol.

The Pinaults, Kering
PPR, now known as Kering, was founded in 1963 by businessman François Pinault. His son François-Henri Pinault joined the Pinault Group in 1987, where he held positions in several of the Group’s operating businesses before joining the executive board. In 2000, he became deputy CEO of Kering, which owns Gucci, Balenciaga and McQueen, among other famous labels. Pinault is married to the glamour actress Selma Hayek.

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THE V BY VUITTON

LV2The V, no less, features prominently in the fifth Haute Couture jewelry collection from Louis Vuitton on show at their Place Vendome location after the fashion week. Set designs from the Art Deco period, including an iconic Louis Vuitton case, set the scene for the collection, which found some of its inspiration in this period.

Old sketch books from the house, showing perfume bottles or a Trapeze artist in mid flight are also on show next to the high-finished jewels in diamonds and brilliant stones.

Cuff bracelets which were a favorite feature during the period is one item featured in the collection inspired by an avante-garde aesthetic from the time and the idea of women traveling and breaking free. Chunky rings are another.

For this house’s fifth high jewelry collection, an 87.92 Australian black opal is the cornerstone of the collection. Other stones include red Tanzanian spinel and Burmese sapphires.

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FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

PHOTOGRAPHERBorn in Toronto, Canada, where he grew up, Benjamin Kanarek fell in to many things by accident. Photography, Web Concept development and Creative Direction are just a few examples.

He played drums in a few punk rock groups, one of which was the “Existers” with the single “Telex Love”, another, “the Poles” with Canadian Fine Artist Michaele Jordana. In the subsequent time frame, he entered Continue reading

WIRED EMBROIDERY

hinkeStarting with vintage photography and illustrations of sporting fashion models from the 1950s, the Amsterdam-based artist Hinke Schreuders applies a rich layer of hand-stitched embroidery, beading, lace, and flourishes of ink to entirely new images that can be both unsettling and exuberant. The pieces seen here are part of an ongoing series called “Works on Paper”, started in 2008. Schreuders says she seeks to “subtly confuse notions of feminine vulnerability and reinforce the position of embroidery as an artistic medium.” Something I think we can all agree she has done masterfully.

Schreuders recently exhibited at Robert Mann gallery “The Embroiderederd Image” which brought together almost a dozen artists currently working at the interesection of photography and embroidery or textiles. She’ll have more work on view in Amsterdam next month at both “We Like Art and Amsterdam Drawing 2014”. Continue reading

JAMES BOND STREET

FENDITo celebrate the opening of its new London store in New Bond Street, Fendi asked ten women to customize the famous iconic bag “Peekaboo.” It was an outstanding evening as Karl Lagerfeld stayed for dinner as well as Kara Delevingne and many other celebrities of the London society.

Karl Lagerfeld, always equal to itself, said about these ten designs: “for a woman a bag is a vital accessory and each bag is different as the contents of each bag is different.

Karl Lagerfeld’s vision, indoor / outdoor, reminds us that it is as beautiful inside as outside. Isn’t it?