>> We had a look at just one shoe from the new Proenza Schouler and Giuseppe Zanotti collaboration before, but now a few more shots of their limited-run Resort 2009 collection have sprung up. The full collection will drop for Spring 2009, with more than 100 styles of ballet slippers, loafers, lace-up sandals, and heels. Just as a frame of reference, Guiseppe Zanotti also holds licenses for Roberto Cavalli and Balmain shoes.
*image: source
>> It's all thanks to a video montage at last year's CFDA Awards. The tribute to jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris, who has worked with everyone from Calvin Klein to Karl Lagerfeld, attracted the attention of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. "I was so moved," Ashley said.
The twins asked Morris to help create an 80-plus piece jewelry collection for their wildly successful contemporary line Elizabeth and James, and the product — thick silver cuffs and rings, earrings and necklaces accented with turquoise beading, crosses and daggers — hits stores in September.
The cool part about it is that the pieces are made to be mix-and-match, with an emphasis placed on the classic — which sounds very much like Ashley's touch. As she explained it to WWD,
We liked the idea of having playful elements along with timeless and ageless pieces. The symbols are attachable and you can take the jewelry and make it your own. There are solid silver and gold pieces to wear forever and comfort pieces that you'll put on and wear everywhere.
I wonder how long before we're hearing about Elizabeth and James bags and shoes?
*image: source
>> GO TARGET GO —The latest designers to partner with Target for their Go International program are Anya Hindmarch, who will of course do handbags, and Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison of Sigerson Morrison, who will of course do shoes. Both collections will be available at Target stores from October 12 to December 26 of this year.
>> A look to the left reveals a first image of Proenza Schouler's shoe deal with Giuseppe Zanotti, and now, to the right, the specifics.
Until now, the label didn't have any commercial shoes, except for the ones they did for shows with a little factory. But moving forward, expect ballet shoes, loafers, lace-up sandals, and heels to hit stores for the resort season, running from the $300s up to $3,000, and hitting an average of $685.
Now that there's a whole Proenza Schouler accessories team, handbags are on the horizon, too, but as Lazaro Hernandez explained:
The entire market is so dense with bags and everything else, that until we [find] something original and specific to say, we [don't] want to say anything. We don't do anything unless we have something to say.
Wise choice.
*images: source
>> Prepare yourself to be shocked and awed — two of the most forward-thinking designers in the industry are comfortable dropping slight hints about their Spring 2009 collections, copycats be damned.
Dries Van Noten, during a recent interview, had one staff member "drawing a print of abstract eagles; another researching Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber images from the 1980s; some working with skeins of bright yarn on the blend of 'graphic with spontaneous' that [he] wants for the 2009 season, saying 'everything for me is about balance.'"
As for Alexander McQueen, he was much more vague about the direction of his Spring 2009 collection, but did note that it would be completely different, with a “very modern” theme based on engineering.
These little (heavy on the little) tidbits will have to suffice for now . . . at least until July, when couture will hold us over.
[Side note: Just had to use this picture of McQueen in his London home, because who else would have a table like that in their house?]
*images: source
>> Coming your way: a jewelry collaboration between Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and CFDA award-winning jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris for the Olsen's contemporary line Elizabeth and James.
The project has been in the works for the past few months — the twins are big RLM fans — and the line of silver and brass dagger necklaces, amorphous knuckle rings, and edgy earrings will be available in the next few months.
*images: source
>> The Proenza Schouler boys must be ready to make some serious moolah, because they're jumping into the accessories bin full-force.
Last month, Lazaro Hernandez professed that he and Jack want to conquer bags for next year, and now comes the news that they've signed a licensing deal with Giuseppe Zanotti to produce a full range of shoes by Spring 2009. The first taste of the deal will appear with the Resort 2009 collection, and allows Proenza to grow their shoe selection, which has been limited to small capsule collections in the past.
