>> Diane von Furstenberg just released her new vintage-inspired DIANE collection, which pays ode to her first collection from 1970. The pieces feature twenty archived DVF prints on modernized versions of DVF's original designs, including her signature wrap dress. Peep our favorite pieces from the collection, available online now, including bright swirled dresses and paint-splattered pencil cases, in the slideshow.
>> Yesterday, Yves Saint Laurent took to Twitter to dispel rumors of Stefano Pilati's imminent exit, and when reached for comment Thursday, PPR CEO Francois-Henri Pinault also firmly denied any plans to discharge the designer. In fact, he credited Pilati with helping Saint Laurent back to profitability in 2010, and just last week praised Pilati at PPR's results presentation for Saint Laurent's current momentum, and teasing him good-naturedly about filling all the upcoming new YSL stores with merchandise. As for the rumors of Pilati heading to Armani after Giorgio Armani's retirement, a house spokesperson replied: "The rumors are untrue." [WWD, Vogue UK]
>> Last night at 9 pm, French police briefly detained John Galliano for alleged assault and making anti-Semitic remarks at a Paris cafe. According to a police source: "We arrived extremely quickly and managed to break up the disturbance. The man involved [Galliano] was briefly arrested and then released pending charges for assault. Witnesses said he swore heavily, using anti-Jewish insults, before attacking a couple. Both have provided witness statements, as have a number of other people at the bar, including staff." It was the couple — a man and woman — who filed the complaint.
In response, Dior has suspended Galliano. House CEO Sidney Toledano said in a statement: "Dior affirms with the utmost conviction its policy of zero tolerance towards any anti-Semitic or racist words or behaviour. Pending the results of the inquiry, Christian Dior has suspended John Galliano from his responsibilities."
According to police, Galliano was under the influence of alcohol at the time — 1.01 milligrams of alcohol per liter of exhaled air (the legal limit in France for driving is 0.5 mg/L). An eyewitness tells Vogue UK: "We had a table at [the Paris cafe] La Perle and John Galliano sat next to us. He spoke to a couple at a nearby table to say 'Cheers' and they insulted him. An argument started and the police came, so Galliano's bodyguard suggested that they should go to the police station to sort it out. He wasn't 'busted' aggressively by police, it was very quiet and peaceful. I definitely didn't hear him say anything anti-Semitic, or against any religion, it was all very calm."
Another, more-detailed eyewitness account can be read here.
Galliano's lawyer says the designer "formally denies the accusations of anti-Semitism made against him. [He] is not at all in this state of mind [and] will explain later. Legal action will be taken against those making such accusations."
The Fall 2011 Dior show Galliano was working on is scheduled to take place March 4, and his signature collection's show is on the Paris Fashion Week calendar for March 6; the fate of those events has not been addressed. The alleged remarks also bring under question Natalie Portman's relationship with Dior — the Israeli-born, Jewish actress is the current face of the Miss Dior Cherie perfume and is rumored to be wearing a Christian Dior dress to the Oscars.
A Paris police spokesman, meanwhile, confirmed that Galliano is facing criminal charges and would appear in court on a date to be fixed.
>> We're still in the thick of Fashion Week — and while we're enjoying all the new Fall collections, we can't help but daydream of a warm Winter getaway: One where we can just slip on this amazing Egyptian print maillot from Mara Hoffman, throw on a Brixton straw fedora and cool sunnies from The Row, and hit the sunny playa. Now that's the life — maybe after all of the Fashion Week madness is over?
Left to right: Mara Hoffman Egyptian Eye Maillot ($182), Brixton Castor Fedora ($42), Clarins Sunscreen Gentle Spray ($32), See by Chloe Tomo Leather Backpack ($540), The Row Clubmaster Sunglasses ($350), Raphael Young Wedge Sandals ($695)
>> With Fashion Month well under way, what better accessory than an iPad to catch all the livestreamed shows or tweets from the front rows, no matter where you are? Carry it around in style with the Stella McCartney Falabella iPad case ($395) Fashionologie and our sister site ShopStyle are giving away this week, in honor of the ShopStyle Mobile App's exclusive runway coverage.
To enter for a chance to win, follow the instructions below:
“My fave Fashion Week trend on @shopstyle is ____________. RT @fashionologie http://ow.ly/3ZraR #shopstylemobile
To be eligible you must be a Twitter user following Fashionologie and ShopStyle — but hurry, the giveaway ends Sunday, Feb. 27. Be sure to read the official rules here and then get tweeting!
>> Vena Cava's Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock — whose past collaborators include Via Spiga, Gap, and Bloomingdale's — have a new partner. “We’re about to do [a collaboration] with Uniqlo,” Buhai announced at a Fashion Group International-hosted panel discussion on entrepreneurship yesterday. “Lisa and I were at a point where we felt like we were getting stagnant,” Buhai elaborated. “Fashion is cyclical, but when you add in different projects, you feel like you’re learning again.”
“It’s an opportunity for us to articulate our brand in a way that’s more mass,” Mayock added. “We just want to make sure whatever we do has our stamp on it,” Buhai concluded, giving no further detail.
