fashionologie

Oscar de la Renta's Comments on Michelle Obama Ruffle Feathers

fashionologie — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:54:26 PDT

>> Last week, Oscar de la Renta drew a lot of heat for his frustrated comments on Michelle Obama's decision to champion small fashion houses, wearing Thakoon and Jason Wu over Donna Karan or Ralph Lauren:

American fashion right now is struggling. I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don’t think that is the right message at this particular point . . . I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J.Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only.

He got particularly pointed about Obama's choice of an Alaia cardigan to meet Queen Elizabeth: “You don’t go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.”

Needless to say, fashion community feathers were ruffled - Paper's Mickey Boardman blogged a piece requesting de la Renta to "hush": "It's beneath de la Renta's dignity as an elder statesman of American Fashion to consistently complain and criticize a First Lady who has done so much for American fashion."

But Oscar's sticking to his guns »

Inside Karlie Kloss's Vogue Australia Cover Shoot

Christina Perez — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:29:01 PST

>>For the cover of Vogue Australia's March issue, Karlie Kloss went wet-haired, red-lipped, and toe-to-top Prada. Watch Kloss work her magic at the Kai Z Feng-lensed shoot in the video below, then click through to peek images from inside the issue.

Photos via The Fashion Spot

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Holiday Gift Ideas From Some of Our Favorite Fashion Insiders

Christina Perez — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:42:58 PST

>> They're making their lists - and checking them twice. Here come the holidays, and who better to spread the cheer than some of our favorite fashionable insiders? From the super-luxe accessories topping Melissa Coker's and Leandra Medine's lists to the souped-up sporting goods desired by Yigal Azrouel and Peter Som, here's a look at what those in the know are coveting this season. See who's hoping for Burberry, who's hoping for Hermes, and who's just hoping for some sleep - plus, glean gift-giving ideas from Anna Sheffield, Lauren Bush Lauren, Derek Lam, Stephanie LaCava, and more - all here, in the slideshow.

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15 Gorgeous, Gift-Worthy Fashion Books

Christina Perez — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:44:56 PST

>> From recent releases to much-loved classics, these coffee table tomes promise to make the perfect addition to any fashion fiend's collection. Featuring drop-dead images from legendary photographers like Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, and Richard Avedon; insider info from industry icons Daphne Guinness, Carine Roitfeld, and Valerie Steele; and sublime collections from Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, and more - these 15 books are some of the chicest to give this holiday season. After all, there's nothing like being well-dressed and well-read.

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Christophe Decarnin Was Absent from the Balmain Show on Doctor's Orders, Has Since Been Spotted Out

fashionologie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:31:07 PST

>> An update on Christophe Decarnin's absence from today's Balmain show - although it was rumored earlier today that the designer was in a "mental hospital" and had no say in the Fall 2011 collection, WWD reports: "The designer was absent under doctor’s orders, after having recently been released from the hospital, where he was said to have been treated for depression. A Balmain spokesman said Decarnin was involved in the design." [WWD]

UPDATE: Decarnin was also spotted out and about this evening; one Twitterer dispatched: "Sitting at a table next to Christophe Decarnin." [@MinnieMuse]

Christophe Decarnin Has Reportedly Been in a Mental Hospital Since January

fashionologie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:51:02 PST

>> Christophe Decarnin was a no-show at Balmain today, explained a label spokesman, because: "He's tired after working on the collection. He's not here. He's resting." However, Hint reports that Decarnin has been in a "mental hospital" since January, according to a source, because of a nervous breakdown. He apparently disappeared one day in mid-January - a "total nightmare" - and it was then announced that he would not be coming back.

Decarnin reportedly wasn't involved in the Fall 2011 collection at all, and Melanie Ward, who was previously confirmed to be collaborating with Decarnin on the collection, actually designed it all with Balmain's in-house team. Ward definitely has design experience - among other stints, she spent 13 years as creative director of Helmut Lang, when the designer was still at his namesake label.

John Galliano Runway Show Said to Be Canceled As Label's Future Is in Question (Updated)

fashionologie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:05:57 PST

>> Earlier in the week, a spokesman for John Galliano's namesake label confirmed that their Sunday show would go on as usual, but now it sounds like there has been a change of plans, after all. A couple of reports have popped up on Twitter that the Galliano show has been canceled, while a spokesperson for the brand told FashionEtc. that the show will go on as scheduled March 6, but "the format has yet to be determined," which makes it sound like the planned runway show has been canceled and will instead be a presentation or showroom visits by appointment.

As Suzy Menkes writes, "The future of the John Galliano brand, which is underwritten by Dior, relies on licenses and barely breaks even financially, is complex. Executives will have to see whether those external partners still want to be associated with a designer whose name has been globally smirched." And the Wall Street Journal adds: "Mr. Galliano's smaller line that carries his own name has remained a small business that depends largely on licenses for such products as perfumes and sunglasses for its sales."

UPDATE: There will be an informal presentation for the Galliano brand on Sunday, consisting of 30 looks that were already completed. “We just felt it wasn’t appropriate to do a classic fashion show,” says Galliano’s spokesman, Alexandre Malgouyres. “But we’re doing John’s collection, for John, so that he returns quickly.” [WSJ]

Lady Gaga Bought the Entire Mugler Collection in Every Color

fashionologie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:24:45 PST

>> Right before Lady Gaga made her runway debut at Mugler, she told friends, “I want people to see me walk and say, 'She is a Mugler woman.' Seriously, I’m so nervous.” But when she took the runway in her eight- or nine-inch heels, the nerves weren't evident - and afterwards, Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti said, she had already "bought the entire collection in every color." [Style.com]

Christophe Decarnin Was a No-Show at Balmain; Carine Roitfeld Attends Balenciaga

fashionologie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:07:26 PST

>> Christophe Decarnin showed a new, more "subdued" Balmain collection, according to Cathy Horyn, today for Fall 2011 - which could be in part because Emmanuelle Alt is no longer the show's stylist and Melanie Ward took her place this season. But more curious: Decarnin skipped his final bow and was a no-show backstage. "He's tired after working on the collection. He's not here. He's resting," said a Balmain spokesman. And it seems that Nicolas Ghesquiere and Carine Roitfeld have officially made up - she attended the show today, Tommy Ton tweets: "Just spotted Carine leaving Balenciaga slyly avoiding the paps." [@MeenalMistry, @HilaryAlexander, @JakandJilBlog]

Halloween Costume Inspirations From 13 Fashionable Insiders

Christina Perez — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:30:14 PDT

>> Halloween is all about dressing up, so why not glean a little costume inspiration from those who make a living out of creating the perfect look - all year round? Here, we've asked 13 fashion insiders to share their favorite costumes from Halloweens past; click through to see Pamela Love, Chris Benz, Madewell's Gigi Guerra, and more all decked out in their Halloween finest. Plus, find out which designer got name-checked as having the best costume ever - by two different people - and which sweet treat tops more than one insider's favorite candy list . . . all here, in the slideshow.

And, don't forget to check out our gallery of Halloween costumes from even more insiders - including Marc Jacobs, Karolina Kurkova, and Alber Elbaz.

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