Christopher Bailey Pitches a Cohesive Fall Collection for Burberry Prorsum:
“After a couple of seasons fumbling for direction in tough-chic/hard-glam territory, Christopher Bailey sent out a Burberry Prorsum collection that was fresh, cohesive and lovely, not to mention a major reminder of what put him on the map in the first place . . . He gave classic jackets a gently beautiful twist in coppery tweeds, feathery chenilles and silk wool dégrades, all of them done in a gorgeous palette of muted earth and jewel tones referred to backstage as ‘drab fab.’”
The accessories took center stage over a backdrop of fine tailoring and muted tones.
Fashion Houses Ditch the Rules in Favor of Sales:
Remember when white used to be a no-fly zone during the winter months? Then Winter White crept into the equation, and now we have Resort and Fall/Winter collections proffering flat-out bright whites for cold-weather wear. Fashion houses are now tearing down another commonly accepted style rule in favor of pushing more sandals and open-heeled shoes in cooler climates: “Ever since our tragic middle-school science teacher wore Birkenstocks with sport socks, we’ve considered the sandals-and-socks combination to be one of fashion’s biggest sins. But after watching Anna Sui, John Galliano and Rei Kawakubo send models down their spring catwalks wearing anklets with open heels, our position began to wobble. Then Hermès and Givenchy picked up on Balenciaga’s fall tights-and-sandals concept, and a bevy of stylish celebrities – including Julianne Moore and Jessica Alba – started turning up on red carpets in open heels with opaque tights . . . and, then, well, we had to admit: It looked pretty good.”
Fashion Houses are Gearing Up for This Year’s Oscars:
“The merging of Hollywood and the fashion world is a high-stakes business. A star wearing Dior, Versace or Chanel generates millions of dollars worth of free publicity for that fashion house, while a little-known designer can be catapulted into the spotlight on the basis of one gown.”
The pics that can launch a thousand container ships.
R&B Pop Star Andre Benjamin Debuts His Line of Retro Men’s Wear:
“The debut line, called Benjamin Bixby, contains some 70 pieces, which the Atlanta MC plans on selling at Barneys New York and other high-end stores . . . Benjamin Bixby has a collegiate and athletic theme and was inspired by football players from back in the thirties. Speaking with New York Magazine, Andre Benjamin described the line also as ‘kind of like your uncle, or your granddad, and he has a closet full of experiences and clothes, and he’s been around the world.’”
Manolo Blahnik Disgusted by Hollywood Actresses Wearing His Shoes:
“‘Who are these dreadful women?’ Manolo Blahnik screams in horror as he brandishes the latest edition of a smart society magazine. An assistant points out kindly that they are four of Hollywood’s top female stars. Looking pained, Blahnik turns away muttering ‘Dreadful, dreadful,’ before adding, with a roll of his eyes heavenwards: ‘I’m totally confused. I don’t even know what taste is any more. Frankly, I can’t bear to buy magazines. I just get so upset.’”
Below is a video clip of Blahnik’s Neiman Marcus Trunk Show in Boston:
Marc Jacobs Alleged to Have Copied Scarf Design Without Permission:
“A 55-year-old man from Arvika in western Sweden believes that he may own the rights to a scarf currently being marketed by top US fashion designer Marc Jacobs . . . ‘I was very surprised when I saw the new scarf. It looks like a clear case of plagiarism,’ he told The Local . . . ‘It looks he has just copied it straight off, this Marc guy. I definitely don’t think he has been to Härjedalen,’ Malin Nyqvist, a spokeswoman for the local tourist office, told Metro.”
“It looks like he copied it straight off, this Marc guy . . . “
Diane Von Furstenberg Chosen as New Face for AmEx Campaign:
“American Express announced that fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg will be the new face of the company’s major forthcoming advertising campaign. The commercial, which was directed by Bennett Miller (Capote), is scheduled to air during the Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb 24. ‘Women inspire me and I inspire them to be independent and free which is how I feel when I use my American Express Card,’ said Ms. Von Furstenberg of her involvement.” — I guess nothing says “freedom” like Credit Card debt.
Google Silences Website Critical of Controversial Gucci/UN Party:
“Matthew Lee is the editor-in-chief, Webmaster and pretty much the only reporter for Inner City Press, a pint-sized Internet news operation that’s taken on Goliath-sized entities like Citigroup since 1987. Since 2005, he’s been focusing almost entirely on stories that deal with internal corruption inside the U.N., posting several stores online almost daily . . . But beginning Feb. 13, Google News users could no longer find new stories from the Inner City Press. ‘I think they said, ‘If we can’t get this guy out of the U.N., let’s disappear him from the Internet,” Lee said.”
***Among other things, Lee has been persistent in questioning the recent use of UN Grounds for a Madonna “charity event” that Gucci used as a platform to promote the opening of their new flagship store in New York City. While $4 million dollars was raised by the charity auction for Madonna’s as yet unregistered Raising Malawi charity (which critics have claimed benefits Madonna’s favorite Kabbalah Center more than poor children in Africa), Gucci allegedly paid over $5 million dollars to host the event, provide wardrobe for high-profile celebrities and hand out promotional handbags and other gift items. Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary General for the UN, pulled out of attending the star-studded party after he was informed of Gucci’s use of the event as PR for its new retail location, tho
ugh he didn’t insist the event be cancelled or moved to another venue.
