Live like Karl Lagerfeld, wear Judy Garland’s shoes, dress like a Muppet and jet set around the world for fashion week!
by Nichole Devolites
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
With real fur becoming a taboo and oft-regarded fashion “no-no” to many organizations, West Hollywood is seeking to become the first town to put a ban on the sales of it. Although it’s not yet a law, it has some retailers up in arms with some interesting observations.
…and speaking of fur, try Opening Ceremony’s Muppets Collection. Note: No Muppets were harmed in the making of these pieces.
Starbucks is making a socially acceptable fashion statement to celebrate its 40th birthday. Designed by Alexander Wang, you too can wear an organic tee with coffee stains. I think we hear office workers around the world shouting, “Hallelujah! We no longer have to cover up our coffee mishaps!” The question remains – would you spend the $85 or just do it yourself?
Still not hitting the fashion note? Try Miu Miu’s glitter pumps, which have just gone on sale… at $650 a pair.
Looking for something a little more unique that “not everyone else can wear”? Judy Garland’s ruby slippers are back on the auction block… to the tune of $2 million.
Also $1M+ and up for sale: Karl Lagerfeld’s Gramercy Park apartment. Rumor has it he never lived there.
On a more sad note, aspirational shoppers around the world are saying goodbye to a fashion collection this week. Dolce & Gabbana have announced that they are folding their diffusion line D&G to put more energy and focus on their collection.
But with deaths, there are new births. See which new diffusion line has managed to crash Madewell’s site. But don’t worry, if you were affected by the Target/Missoni situation, you already know you can find everything on eBay.
Two new diffusion lines that will not cause crashes? H&M’s Versace line and Jason Wu’s line for Target. Instead, you will have to wait the old-fashioned way to snag a piece or two from both.
Want something a little more ‘upscale’? Try Balmain’s new diffusion line. You can check out the preview here.
With all of the drama that surrounded Christian Louboutin’s “red sole suit”, the company is still charging ahead and celebrating 20 years in the industry with a commemorative book. It’s priced at just $140 and worth every penny – where else can you get such a chic coffee table accessory?
Coming in and out of fashion weeks, the biggest trend in the industry is afoot for fashion photographers: Street Style Photography. Relatively unknown individuals are now getting their photos snapped and becoming instantaneous style icons. Why the craze? Read here.
Want to know how to “up” your chances of being flagged for street style-savviness? See the ten rules that will help you succeed. Need some fashion hints to get you in front of the cameras? Check out some chic street style inspirations.
London Fashion Week
Photo Courtesy of Imaxtree
With the extensive coverage of London fashion week from some of our own Washington Life fashion insiders, we’re going to give you a roundup of designer collections, as well as some not-so-known behind-the-scenes news:
London Fashion Week Collections
- Meadham Kirchhoff, Aminaka Wilmont, and Osman Yousefzada
- Giles Deacon, Temperley London and Mary Katrantzou
London Insider News
Daffy’s decided to celebrate their 50th anniversary at Herald’s Square with models walking on a cake-shaped runway while guests enjoyed some real cake in their seats – insert the irony here.
Meanwhile, over at the Carlos Diez Spring 2011 show, guests were mystified by his collection, including a poor unsuspecting male model, required to wear a onesie with hairpieces, while wearing a face full of self-tanner.
… and at a more respectable show, see who Anna Wintour brought to Burberry.
Milan Fashion Week
Photo Courtesy of: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Milan hit the right note with their designers and collections, bringing sophisticated style with a touch of gold. See what Fendi’s models wore for its show.
Also showing promise: lots of white and embellishments at Bluemarine’s show.
But the often-talked-about designer that always keeps critics guessing, as to what the meaning is behind her collection is, is Muccia Prada. See what the meaning is behind this year’s SS2012 collection.
Milan Fashion Week Collections
- Gucci, Alberta Ferretti, John Richmond
- Prada, Krizia, and Genny
- Etro, Moschino & Costume National
- Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani, and Jil Sander
- Missoni, Marni, and Dolce & Gabbana
- Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, and Gianfranco Ferré
Paris Fashion Week
Photo Courtesy of: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Paris Fashion Week is upon us and the biggest news coming from the city is Kanye West’s reported fashion line. As his time slot neared, the news got more absurd – like last week’s rumor that London fashion students were making his clothing line in a defunct London nightclub. However, as of September 30, the collection was still not complete, as he was spotted out and about buying zippers. Still, he happened to make the deadline. Get a peek at his surprisingly great collection.
But speaking of defunct: imagine having Anna Wintour in the front row of your show and and making her have to stand. See which designer this happened to and why.
Other designers are so attentive to detail that they take care of everyone’s needs as best they can, all while running a show. See which designer also played waiter to the models in his show.
A trend at Paris fashion week puts a new spin on an iconic Parisian accessory: egg-shaped hats at Aganovich. Not futuristic enough? Try supernatural eyebrows at Manish Arora or, go for plastic and a “side-swept” do at Maison Martin Margiela.
Paris Fashion Week Collections
- Anthony Vaccarello, Aganovich, and Julien David
- Dries Van Noten, Gareth Pugh and Rochas
- Nina Ricci, Rick Owens and Ann Demeulemeester
- Roland Mouret, Christian Dior and Lanvin
- Sonia Rykiel, Haider Ackermann and Cacharel
- Givenchy, Hermes and John Galliano
