Beyoncé For H&M Confirmed

BEYONCÉ KNOWLES has partnered with H&M for summer. The singer stars in the Swedish retailer's new campaign, modelling pieces inspired by her individual style. The singer also gave "personal input on the pieces seen in the campaign", confirmed a representative for the brand. 

The print and billboard images - which see her reclining on beach sun lounger and posing in swimwear by the sea - were shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin in the Bahamas earlier this year. The adverts will introduce the star: "Beyoncé as Mrs Carter in H&M" - tying in with the name of her upcoming world tour.

"I've always liked H&M's focus on fun affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements - fire, water, earth and wind," said Knowles. "It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial."

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 SARAH KARMALI |  21 MARCH 2013  |  Article Link 

Blooming Marvellous

LIBERTY LONDON is famed for its heritage floral prints, and for spring/summer 2013 they have once again been reincarnated by way of an exclusive collaboration with denim genius AG Adriano Goldschmied.

The 13-piece capsule collection comprises chambray shirts and shirt dresses, cut-off shorts, lightweight playsuits, and AG's bestselling Legging Ankle style - all of which are emblazoned with three of the prestigious department store's most distinctive designs.

But we're not talking your run-of-the-mill printed denim here - far from it. Using a new denim printing technology, an innovative dye-lift process removes the indigo pigment from the fabric, leaving behind the impressioned floral design. The effect is one that ties AG's vintage design aesthetic with Liberty's enduring patterns perfectly.

"Liberty's timeless floral prints and AG's peerless fit, fabric and finishes have resulted in a sublime marriage of floral print and denim," explained Samuel Ku, creative director of AG.

Understatedly chic, the collection will no doubt prove a huge hit with the discerning fashion pack, who are always keen to add a touch of statement to their denim portfolio.  

The collection launches in full on March 21. Get a sneak-peak preview here.

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SCARLETT KILCOOLEY-O'HALLORAN |  18 MARCH 2013  |  Article Link 

Harrods Partners With Dior On Store Takeover

HARRODS is partnering with Christian Dior on a huge-scale store takeover this spring. The famed department store will become a tribute to the French fashion house - featuring never-before-seen exhibitions, displays and in-store activity.

The Brompton Road store windows will be transformed by Dior's instantly recognisable colour scheme of grey and white - with the theme a blend of "French Savior Fair and British charm". Iconic London post boxes and telephone boxes will feature prominently, featuring a series of exclusive limited edition Dior products and silhouette cut-outs, while Royal Beefeaters will wear costumes designed by the house's creative director, Raf Simons.

"Like the house of Dior, Harrods is reputed for astounding and satisfying its elegant women all over the world," said Sidney Toledano, president and CEO of Christian Dior. "The inspired collaboration with Harrods not only draws attention to Monsieur Dior's relationship with the fabled department store but also affirms the house of Dior's continued high standards via creation and discernment."

Inside the store, and Harrods' fourth floor will become "the ultimate Dior experience". Visitors will first come face-to-face with a reconstruction of the façade of 30 Avenue Montaigne - the famous Paris Dior headquarters - before exploring a host of different displays; focusing on everything from the house's Lady Dior handbag to its instantly recognisable scent, J'Adore.

Sketches and mini-mannequins help bring past looks to life, while the Stars in Dior installation features the actual dresses worn by famous faces including Emma Watson, Marion Cotillard and most recently, Jennifer Lawrence. Finally, the Café Dior pop-up restaurant will serve a host of dishes to reflect Monsieur Dior's love of good food - from lobster club sandwiches to Dior cupcakes.

"Our archive team at Harrods unearthed wonderful images of Christian Dior visiting Harrods in the Fifties and this is a beautiful part of the exhibition. Equally stunning dresses worn by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret and Lady Diana alongside contemporary designs by Raf Simons are a real highlight," said Marigay McKee, chief merchant at Harrods. "The Dior at Harrods windows will also highlight exclusive product created especially for the collaboration, in a truly inspirational presentation which celebrates Dior's love of London. We hope our customers will experience a fascinating journey through the store, unveiling intricate details of Dior's rich heritage and that they will be inspired and delighted by the collaboration."

The Harrods Dior takeover will run from March 16 to April 14, 2013. See a preview of the exclsuive products on offer in the gallery feaured left.

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SARAH KARMALI |  12 MARCH 2013  |  Article Link 

Exclusive: Celia Birtwell For Uniqlo Collection Revealed

UNIQLO has unveiled the fruits of its long-awaited Celia Birtwell collection for the first time today, ahead of the official launch on March 21. From dresses and cropped trousers to shorts and scarves, the range comes covered in the famed British designer's whimsical and witty prints.

"Uniqlo has grown over the years for me," Birtwell told us of her decision to work with the Japanese high street label. "I've always thought that they are very good at doing men's basics and at designing simple shapes. We had a very peaceful initial meeting, which was very appealing. I did think though, 'They could really do with a good print.' And that's how it began."

Uniqlo first became interested in Birtwell after seeing her Topshop collaboration, which first launched in 2006. The collection started out as solely T-shirts, but soon led to a larger-scale project.

"I showed them my archive and a selection of new designs and we went from there," said Birtwell. "Uniqlo were charming people to work with and had very sympathetic take on print. I like to amuse myself with my prints and they were receptive to that."

 Birtwell first became widely-known in the Sixties, when she worked with then-husband Ossie Clark as a textiles designer - together dressing some of the decade's most famous, from the Rolling Stones and Jimmy Hendrix to Twiggy and Marianne Faithful. She hopes that her Uniqlo range will bring her work to a new audience.

"It's very young and fresh," she said. "There's an accent of youth and something for every generation. There's understated prints and bolder ones, I hope it will cater for a broad range of people, in the same way my Topshop line did."

The project is also in keeping with what Birtwell sees as one of the most appealing aspects of Sixties style and fashion - low prices.

"Fashion is such a big business now," she said. "There was a real innocence about it then and an element of post-war austerity. No one would have paid £1,000 for a bag. It was much more democratic - things had to be affordable."

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ELLA ALEXANDER |  11 MARCH 2013  |  Article Link 

Kate Hudson to Design for Ann Taylor

Kate Hudson is once again the face of Ann Taylor, starring in the label’s spring 2013 campaign, shown above. And, starting this season, her role for the brand will become even bigger—she’s designing AT’s first-ever celebrity capsule collection! “Working with Ann Taylor has been a great creative experience and there is a really wonderful connection,” Hudson said. The clothes, due out this summer, will be inspired by her red-carpet style (which is fabulous, as we all know). While we wait to see the star’s creations, check out her latest modeling gig above, showing off clothes that will land in stores this February. “Putting these outfits together has been incredibly fun—they have such youthful energy and flair!”

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Instyle.com | Jan 24, 2013 | Article Link

Enjoy the SUN this Summer

Go Mix and Match this summer, with bold prints, plaids, stripes, colorful denims, cut-out shorts, cargo mini skirts, sheer tanks, tees, and summer&polo dresses.. who can stop you? ABSOLUTELY No-One! You can even walk around the park with your sleep shorts on!

Gap Skimmer Jeans

a&f Sheer Tanks and Cut-off Shorts

 

Gap Dress

And many more..........


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www.gap.com
www.abercrombie.com

Beyoncé Leads New Gucci Empowerment Campaign

BEYONCÉ KNOWLES, Salma Hayek and Frida Giannini have launched a new Gucci global campaign for female empowerment, Chime For Change. The initiative aims to raise funds and awareness in support of projects for girls and women around the world, through sharing "powerful stories" about inspiring females.

"I have always felt strongly about equal opportunity for women. Girls have to be taught from early on that they are strong and capable of being anything they want to be," said Knowles. "It's up to us to change the statistics for women around the world. I'm honoured to be in the company of women who live fearlessly and set an example for the next generation of young ladies."

The campaign will be officially announced at the TEDxWomen luncheon today by Salma Hayek, who will present a short film detailing the aims of the scheme - narrated by the actress, and set to new music by Knowles (watch below). The video is the first in a series of ten Chime For Change short films featuring inspirational women's stories.

"I am proud to be joining the growing international movement on behalf of girls and women around the world," said Hayek. "I believe that by working together we can change the course of history to ensure that girls and women are empowered to realise their potential and thrive."

The Chime for Change campaign is also joined by an advisory board of experts and global advocates - including Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Jada Pinkett Smith, Francois-Henri Pinault, Gordon and Sarah Brown and Arianna Huffington. Gucci has a history of supporting women's rights movements - including a seven-year partnership with UNICEF in support of girls' education - as well as founding two female film awards; the Spotlighting Women Documentary Award and the Gucci Award for Women in Cinema with the Venice Film Festival.

"This is the emergency and the opportunity of today," said Giannini. "We have reached a significant moment in the history of girls' and women's empowerment and now is the time for change. I think it is essential for girls and women to see and celebrate what is possible. I hope that through Chime we can help the voices calling for change to become so loud that they cannot be ignored."

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SARAH KARMALI | February 28, 2013 | Article Link

Balenciaga Is in Good Hands

BALENCIAGA From left, a swallowtail wool coat,
a crackled knit top, a textured knit jacket and skinny wool pants,
a draped crepe gown with a low back.

Alexander Wang showed on Thursday that he could design for a major house. His debut for Balenciaga was smart and graceful, and the streamlined clothes advanced the codes in a modern way. He may have played it safe but he also didn’t make mistakes.

Mr. Wang had his doubters, on both sides of the Atlantic, who questioned if a designer of moderate-priced clothes with attitude could make the Paris grade. But Balenciaga isn’t a cathedral, any more than Mr. Wang is strictly a T-shirt designer. Times change. The only way to preserve a house is to periodically examine its foundations and then figure out how to make the structure more livable for today.

That’s essentially what Mr. Wang did.

Sticking to a stark but elegant palette of black and white with a smidge of brown and dark green, he poked around in the Balenciaga archive. In the roundness of the opening jackets, in the gentle sweep of coats and in the cap sleeves and loose-back tops, there were allusions to Balenciaga’s 1950s modernity, as well as ’60s evening styles.

But Mr. Wang brought his street smarts to those couture volumes that are indelibly Balenciaga. He minimized them so that they look more realistic for today. In effect, he was offering a top and a pair of black pants, or thigh-high suede boots with small loopy silver bows. But the results were not boringly minimalist.

He was also clever with textures. Jackets and tops that appeared to be stiffened wool were in fact knits. Those crackled leather pieces that came out late in the show? Not leather at all but rather painted knits.

His predecessor, Nicolas Ghesquière, modernized Balenciaga, in part by using new materials that relate to hard, synthetic environments. Embroideries, no matter how exquisite, can look fuddy-duddy. So Mr. Wang did some nice fake-outs. Tops and dresses that looked as if they could have been injection-molded and then rolled in plastic sprinkles were actually embroidered. And some of the loveliest dresses were elongated drapes with hard bodices of tiny French knots.

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CATHY HORYN | February 28, 2013 | Read More. Article Link

Alexander Wang “Extremely Excited” About Balenciaga Debut

ALEXANDER WANG describes his appointment as creative director at Balenciaga as "a dream come true", and has said that he's "extremely excited" to unveil his first collection tomorrow. Speaking after the New York show for his eponymous label earlier this month, it's the first time that the designer has commented on his new role since it was announced that he'd be  succeeding Nicolas Ghesquière in November.

Understandably, the 29-year-old was a little nervous about accepting such a high-profile position.

"My first reaction was: 'I am so occupied, I give 110 per cent to my brand,'" he explained. "Then I thought of elevating my team and being given a chance to do all those things I had at the back of my mind. I am doing something quite different from what I do [at Alexander Wang]."

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour is believed to have been instrumental in persuading the designer to accept the job.  And now the time has come to see the first results.

"I am extremely excited. I am high on life. It's a dream come true," Wang told Suzy Menkes. "It was a surreal experience to look at the whole archive that they had just redone. It was such an incredible tradition. I was taking things out of the box and there were a lot of personal collectibles from Cristobal, personal gifts from Vionnet. I didn't have time to go through everything."

Nicolas Ghesquière helmed the brand for 15 years, and announced that he was stepping down at the beginning of November last year. Wang was confirmed as his successor less than a month later.

"There is such an austerity to [Balenciaga] that is so integral to the house and part of its DNA," said Wang. "I was watching all the videos. Those shows would go on all day! It was such a different world, how they are all dressed and the gowns they would wear on a daily basis just to go to dinner. [Cristobal Balenciaga] was always such a mystery. He managed to give the perception that he might be very private. The great thing about that is that there is a whole unknown side of yourself. I know about me - but I save myself for my friends."

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SARAH KARMALI | February 27, 2013 | Article Link

Third Floor, Bombshells

WHAT WOULD Marilyn Monroe wear today if she were out for a night in the meatpacking district?

Designers have actually asked this question in preparation for a new collection arriving at Macy’s in March, one that, in the words of Macy’s, “reimagines the style of the greatest icon of the 20th century for the 21st-century fashionista.”

It’s big news in the world of fashion licensing, bigger than the Postal Service lending its motto to a “Rain Heat & Snow” collection, when a celebrity who died 50 years ago suddenly starts a clothing label. Macy’s plans to carry Marilyn Monroe designs in 150 stores, targeting younger shoppers with updated styles for modern blond bombshells. Not to sound prudish, but this means shorter, racier, Kardashianer.

Take a very little red dress for $59.50, a preview of what is to come, sold at Macy’s this month to benefit the American Heart Association. It evokes several famous Monroe looks, only she typically wore her dresses below the knee, as opposed to below the nothing. Denim shorts, $39.50, are cut short enough to see pockets.

While Norma Jeane jeans may sound peculiar in a competitive market dominated by living celebrity designers, like Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and now Rihanna, Macy’s has done its homework. Monroe’s name still resonates strongly among millennial shoppers, roughly ages 13 to 30.

“If you hear them speak and what they like,” said Martine Reardon, the chief marketing officer of Macy’s, “they are very vocal about how short they want it, how baggy they want it and how ripped they want it.”

Two years ago, the Monroe estate was acquired by Authentic Brands Group, which plans to use her likeness to sell lingerie, jewelry, shoes. Last year, a Marilyn Monroe Cafe opened in Canada, and MAC offered cosmetics under her name. As a designer, she evidently has a lot to offer.

“Many celebrities of today, and I say that with air quotes, are one D.U.I. away from a disaster,” said Nick Woodhouse, a president of Authentic Brands. “With Marilyn, all of her dirty laundry has already been aired.”

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ERIC WILSON | FEBRUARY 27, 2013 | Article Link

Beyoncé Reveals Luxurious Sneaker Wedge with PMK

We are bringing you an exclusive preview of PMK's bespoke sneaker wedge for Beyoncé. The custom footwear design house Perfectly Made Kicks has taken one of the pop star's favorite shoe styles, the Isabel Marant sneaker wedge, and recreated it in a luxurious Bey-approved style. Similar to customizing a tailored suit, the folks at PMK are masters at taking iconic shoes and reassembling them with the most creative materials a client can think of. Named "The King Bey," the white-and-gold wedges are composed of a range of exotic skins including stingray, ostrich, calf hair, crocodile, and anaconda. 

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Elle | Fashion | Article Link

Cara Delevingne Trademarks Her Name

CARA DELEVINGNE has trademarked her name. The Vogue cover girl registered her name as an official trademark with the Intellectual Property Office - giving her an exclusive right to use it as a marketing tool.

The model - who is currently appearing on the international fashion week catwalks - submitted the registration in December last year, reports The Sunday Times. The trademark prevents a wide variety of product ranges from being released under her name - unless she chooses to do so herself - ranging the usual handbags and perfumes, to the more unusual walking sticks, emery boards and umbrellas.

The business-savvy 20-year-old also recently registered her own company, Cara & Co - for which her father, Charles Delevingne, is listed as co-director. The model recently told vogue.co.uk in an exclusive interview that she'd like to design her own collection of onesies or a range of "simple, well-cut tops and T-shirts".  

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SARAH KARMALI | FEBRUARY 25, 2013 | Article Link

Fashion Show: GIANFRANCO FERRE

TWIST it, turn it, work it, belt it: that was the message that Federico Piaggi and Stefano Citron were promoting with their Gianfranco Ferré collection today. No look was complete without a belt and it had to be fastened just so – elaborate and twisted and elegantly tamed to stay in line with the rest of the shapes going on around it.

This duo is known for their sculptural aesthetic, able to manipulate and elongate, smooth out and refine shapes to precise and futuristic effect. Last season they toned that down, a good move given they were still only one year into working with the heritage house. Today it seemed to simultaneously go up and down a notch – layers were the key here.

Jackets and skirts, tunics and coats all came with a severity to their cut but layered all together made for a less forceful and sci-fi approach. Something which worked for the better and put their clothes back in the real-world realms – though there was still a series of cloaks towards the end that might still be a little too other-worldly for some.

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JESSICA BUMPUS | FEBRUARY 25, 2013 | Article Link

Oscars 2013: Winners

VOGUE cover girl Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress in a Leading Role for Silver Linings Playbook at the Oscars last night. Despite tripping up as she climbed the steps to collect her award, the 22-year-old actress managed to retain her sense of humour. "Thank you, you guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell. This is really embarrassing," she told the audience, after she was given standing ovation.

Fellow Vogue cover girl Adele also won big - taking home Best Original Song for Skyfall. Anne Hathaway gave an emotional speech as she was presented with Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Les Misérables.

Argo - which was directed by Ben Affleck - received Best Picture, while Ang Lee topped the Directing category for Life Of Pi. Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor in a Leading Role for Lincoln, as Django Unchained's Christoph Waltz was honoured with Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

The dramatic Russian attire of Anna Karenina received Best Costume Design; Amour was given Best Foreign Language Film; Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained received Best Original Screenplay; and Best Make-Up and Hairstyling went to Les Misérables.

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ELLA ALEXANDER | FEBRUARY 25, 2013 | Article Link

Date-Night Outfit Ideas From Fall 2013 New York Fashion Week

DKNY’s Hot Pink Sheath
A bright-color dress is a one-piece wonder.

Costello Tagliapietra’s Raspberry Dress
The pinky-purple hue flatters nearly every skin tone

ICB’s Rocker-Chic Tank Dress
Best worn with a rim of smoky black eyeliner.

Diane von Furstenberg’s Wrapdress
A leopard clutch or heels make it more “going out”
than “going to the office.”

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Lindy Segal | Glamour | Article Link

Milan fashion week kicks off despite recession

Despite the looming financial crisis that has hit the Italian fashion industry hard and the general election from February 24 to 25, Milan fashion week kicked off with pomp, glitter and glamor as usual.

First to sashay down fashion week was Gucci’s autumn-winter collection, a luxurious play of gowns of feathers, ferns and netting that evoked exotic birds.

Leather, python and metallic sheens dominated the collection. Skin-tight outfits, fishnet stockings with a back seam and sky-high heels completed the noir and fetish look.

Gucci designer Frida Giannini said, “The Gucci woman... is steely yet sexy, defining her discipline with femme fatale vices.”

Frankie Morello designers Pierfrancesco Gigliotti and Maurizio Modica brought in “an army of super-feminine, mysterious femmes fatales” to the runway wearing ruthlessly slashed mini hot pants, sculpted jackets and full-length dresses embellished with shards of mirror.

Alberta Ferretti’s show brought in a softer sort of femininity with an array of ivory, black and white floor-length dresses, or ruffled skirts, worn with long-sleeved shirts and gem-studded cross earrings.

The weekend of February 24 to 25 will bring Bottega Veneta, Roberto Cavalli, Jil Sander, Emporio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana and Missoni to the runway. On Monday, February 25, fashion week will close its doors with John Richmond and Giorgio Armani.

Despite the pomp of fashion week, the Italian fashion industry is still reeling from the damage done by Italy’s 20-year recession.

According to the Chamber of Fashion, the industry's turnover was an estimated 60 billion euros ($80 billion) in 2012, down 5% from 2011.

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Rappler.com | Fabruary 23, 2013 | Article Link

Bottega Veneta Profits Boom

BOTTEGA VENETA saw a 46.7 per cent boost in operating profits in 2012, rising to €300 million (£259 million), compared to €204 million (£177 million) in 2011. The Italian label reported annual sales of €945.1 million (£817 million), increasing 38.5 per cent from €682.6 million (£590 million), the previous year.

"I attribute this to a combination of our type of product, an extraordinary creative director [Tomas Maier], which eases my work, and strategic choices in line with the brand," Bottega Veneta president and CEO Marco Bizzarri told WWD. "We have been consistently focused on uncompromising strategies, and we took no shortcuts to pump up our sales."

Leather goods account for 85 per cent of the label's sales, although ready-to-wear is growing. The PPR-owned brand will open its second store in Milan in the next coming year - an expansive space, covering 7,560-square-feet, and will open its first Los Angeles retail outlet in April.


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ELLA ALEXANDER | FEBRUARY 22, 2013  | Article Link

Yasmin Sewell Names New Mentorship Recipients

RENOWNED fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell has welcomed three new emerging designers to take part in her mentoring scheme, which aims to promote and nurture rising fashion stars. Reece Hudson, Joe Duke and Elliot Atkinson join Joe Richards, who became the first recipient of the programme in September last year and is preparing to unveil his debut collection for autumn/winter 2013-14.

Reece Hudson is a New York-based accessories label that specialises in unfussy pared-down handbags - "one of the only new independent cult bag brands out there," as Sewell describes  - while Joe Duke focuses on prints, already working on a freelance basis for labels such as Alexander Wang, JW Anderson and Oscar de la Renta ("He is the secret weapon to a lot of today's key brands.")

Former Fashion Fringe finalist Elliot Atkinson boasts a tough, yet feminine aesthetic. "We hope that the support that Elliot receives will ensure that he can take this business to the next level," added Sewell.

The scheme - which Sewell runs with senior consultant and fashion forecaster Jemma Dyas - focuses on collection direction, pricing structures, sales strategy, market positioning and general business advice.

"Really we are there as advisors and supporters, so that if they need to talk something through they know that they can come to us," explained Dyas. "We really believe that these four designers have such talent and we want to give them a support network that will help them grow."

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ELLA ALEXANDER | FEBRUARY 22, 2013 | Article Link

Rihanna Unveils River Island Campaign

RIHANNA has unveiled her River Island campaign, hiring Jourdan Dunn and Charlotte Free to showcase her debut collection. Other featured models include Tao Okamoto, Ataui Deng and Bambi Northwood Blyth. Today also marks the first time that the singer has unveiled cut-out images of the range in full.

Photographed by Mario Sorrenti, the shoot - as with the clothing itself - is inspired by the Nineties. Models lounge on a car - against a backdrop of vibrant colour - wearing a mixture of pieces from the collection, including a black floor-length dress with daring side split, a navy jumpsuit which is unbuttoned to the navel and a striped bra top and high-waisted shorts.

The Vogue cover girl debuted her long-awaited fashion offering for River Island on Saturday night during London Fashion Week. The range lands in stores on March 5.

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ELLA ALEXANDER | FEBRUARY 19, 2013 | Article Link

New Ways to Tie a Scarf

Hi everyone! Welcome to the easiest "How to tie a scarf" fashion tutorial video EVER! 

In the next 2.22 minutes, you'll learn how to tie a scarf in all the ways you've admired on others and how to get all the scarf looks you love. You'll watch AND read how to "Drape it, wrap it, loop it, love it!" as the onscreen mini-directions tell you how to tie a scarf and Bailey shows you how to do it.





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Coldwater Creek | Article Link