News: Paulo Melim Andersson leaves Chloe

Melim Andersson has been creative director of the French fashion house Chloe since fall 2006 after leaving Italian label Marni. Andersson has shown three collections for Chloe each exemplifying an edgier, abstract quirkiness to a line which has long been associated with romantic, girly Parisian notions. Andersson latest fall 2008 collection fulfilled elements of Chloe's charm like tea dresses and ruffled edges, however, the collection was met with mixed reviews.

Paula Melim Andersson is an example of a designer with a tremendous amount of talent, however, not the right fit for Chloe despite a 9% increase in Chloe sales during his 2006-2007 year.

Hannah MacGibbon who worked under Phoebe Philo for 5 years prior to Andersson has been neamed the new creative director.

Alas, Chloe is back in a woman's hands.

End of an Era: Farewell Valentino

Valentino Garavani retired at the age of 75 after designing for 45 years. His designs are chic, sophisticated and timeless, always representang a woman's figure in the finest form. Valentino will be remembered for his impeccable red dresses, only one of many trademarks he will leave upon the high fashion world. His successor is Alessandra Facchinetti, the ex-Gucci designer.

'Twas the night of Arabian Christmas

Marc Jacobs held his annual holiday costume party with the theme Arabian Nights. The party held at the Rainbow Room in NY was complete with belly dancers, go-go dancers, midgets, fortune tellers, and a magic carpet photo-opt with a wind machine.

Marc Jacobs dressed as a camel toe and guests as evil wizards, genies, and even Apu.

What is Marc thinking???

It was announced yesterday that Victoria Beckham is the new face of Marc Jacobs. One can only wonder how an already over-publicized, skeletal, plastic silicone, washed up pop star will contribute to a classic and timeless, modern, quirky, colourful, youthful, American designer.

I wait to be enlightened...

"It's like suddenly I became a Rockstar" - Roberto Cavalli

On November 8th the Roberto Cavalli line for H&M went on sale and it's success was noted even before the registers began to ring. Excited customers started lining up at 4am waiting for the doors to open and the entire limited edition collection was sold out in 15 minutes. The collection is exactly what one would picture when thinking of Cavalli sparkles, animal prints, and glamour.

1. Roberto Cavalli feeling like a rockstar arriving at the unveiling in NYC to a screaming line of fans.

2. The early risers.

3. My favourite pieces.

Colourful Collaboration

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles is showing an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Murakami’s style is referred to as 'Superflat', characterized by flat planes of colour and graphic images involving a character style derived from anime and manga. His work is similar to that of Warhol's in the way he takes low-culture pop images and creates high-art. Murakami became well known in North America for his 2003 collaboration with Marc Jacobs designing the colourful Louis Vuitton bags adorned with round faced cartoon characters, and cherry blossom flowers.

A Louis Vuitton store sits front and centre at his Los Angeles exhibit.

New trend? Limited edition designer boutiques in museums?

The Great Wall of Fendi?

As if Karl Lagerfeld has not created enough history through the majestic garments he has produced over his many generations working at Chloe, Fendi and Chanel...

Using the Great Wall of China as a runway Karl showcased a mini collection specifically created for the event during the sunset. Many notable New York socialites, fashion heads and celebrities were in attendance.

1. The runway
2. Model Du Juan in the "Empress Dress"
3. Mira Yeh in fur trimmed hooded Fendi jacket
4. Actresses Ziyi Zhang and Kate Bosworth

From Thinness to Fitness

Over Thanksgiving weekend a recurring topic of discussion that was brought to my attention was model's weight, the pressure that the fashion industry puts on girls to be super skinny, and the general emaciated body image that has become such a popular and normal image to us over recent years.


The POSITIVE response i have to all of this is that after going through numerous Spring 2008 ads and runway shows there has been a noticable shift from scary skinny to being toned and sexy. Designers and editors are helping promote a healthy and fit body image through the models on the runway and in magazine spreads. So ladies get to those squats and crunches!

Photos

1. Isabelle Caro, age 27 on an Italtian billboard for the brand Nolita showing the horrors of anorexia with the words " No anorexia" helping raise awareness against the deadly disease.

2. Giselle Bundchen's amazingly fit figure in Italian GQ

3. Dolce & Gabanna Pre-Fall 2007 ad's showing a toned female form shot in a gym

4. Model Gemma Ward on the Chanel Spring 2008 Runway showing sexy curves

Fashion News

- Tom Ford opens his first signature upscale men's clothing store in New York.

- Sarah Jessica Parker's new fragrance Covet hits stores in August

- Drew Barrymore is the new spokesperson for Covergirl

- Alberta Ferretti is launching a line targeted to her younger audience, Alberta Ferretti Girls

- Penelope Cruz and sister Monica are designing a line for spanish chain store Mango

(male models wearing Tom Ford)

Fashion News

1. Naomi Campbell shows up for her community service hours for the sanitation department of New York in fur and stillettos on Monday, March 19th.

2.Sarah jessica Parker is launching a clothing line called Bitten which is supposed to be moderately priced.

3. The Olsen twins already have a children's line of clothing at Walmart, however, they have also launched a high end label called THE ROW at barneys. The collection includes cashmere blended t-shirts, dresses, knit-vests etc.

4. Toronto fashion week has come to an end, i attended the opening party called Don't tell my Booker to kick off the week and it was an amazing night.. now it's time to look at L.A. fashion week.

Fashion News

-Designer Vera Wang has deal with Kohl's Corp. to create an exclusive line of clothing for the retail chain. The new line will be sold in fall 2007 and named "Very Vera by Vera Wang" and will include moderately priced clothing, bras and underwear, handbags, jewelry, shoes, bedding and bath products.

- Always found that smoky eye look hard to achieve?? This months Stila Smoky Eye Palette is availible in stores and it comes with a button that you push and an instructional recording walks you through the steps required to whip the four shadows into a sexy, smoky-eye look.

Fashion news

For all those who love the lesportsac duffel bags, but always felt they were a bit too casual..fret no more!! Stella McCartney has partnered with LeSportsac to create a collection of travel bags, luggage, and baby accessories. As you'd expect from McCartney, no leather will be used in this collection for LeSportsac, which will debut in spring 2008

For make-up lovers everywhere-> M.A.C.'s spring color palette is based around American icon Barbie. Seems to be the perfect bridge of springs mod and doll-like trends.

On Wednesday January 17th in New York, Ford Models named Sanne Nijhof from the Netherlands as its next Supermodel of the World. (see picture)

Christina Aguilera has jumped into the fragrance fray with Procter & Gamble. The Grammy-winner's first scent is set to hit stores in late 2007