Posts for January 23rd 2013

Oscar de la Renta Calls Criticizing Michelle Obama a Mistake

Oscar De La Renta Jan 23, 2013

Oscar de la Renta: Criticizing Michelle Obama "Was a Big Mistake"

Fashion critics are quick to point out that Michelle Obama, who wore a bevy of American designers during the recent inaugural celebrations, has never donned Oscar de la Renta.

by Justin Fenner

Fashion critics are quick to point out that Michelle Obama, who wore a bevy of American designers during the recent inaugural celebrations, has never donned Oscar de la Renta. Could one of his comments on her style from nearly four years ago be the reason why?

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, de la Renta said that criticizing what Obama wore the first time she met Queen Elizabeth II "was a big mistake. I said lots of nice things, but then I said I didn't think Mrs. Obama should have worn a J.Crew sweater to go to Buckingham Palace. And that's the bit they used."

De la Renta made that comment in an April 2009 interview with WWD. But that's not to say he's never paid her a compliment. Around the same time as Buckingham Sweatergate, de la Renta said the first lady "has such great looks if she put on a potato sack, she would look great."

Couture Jan 23, 2013

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2013

Millions of beads, scrolling embroideries, and piles of lace might not conjure the idea of weightlessness outright, but in Elie Saab's capable hands that's precisely what you get.

by Christina Perez

Millions of beads, scrolling embroideries, and piles of lace might not conjure the idea of weightlessness outright, but in Elie Saab's capable hands that's precisely what you get. For Spring 2013 couture, the designer whipped those materials — as well as charmeuse, mesh, chiffon, and metallic thread, and even brocade floral prints — into a light-as-air cloud of heaven that was as breathtaking as it was soft.

Cover Photo Source: Courtesy of Elie Saab

Elie Saab Couture

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Jean Paul Gaultier Jan 23, 2013

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Spring 2013

Jean Paul Gaultier looked east, and specifically to India, for the inspiration behind his Spring 2013 couture collection.

by Justin Fenner

Jean Paul Gaultier looked east, and specifically to India, for the inspiration behind his Spring 2013 couture collection. The designer told reporters that he wanted to pay homage to Indian Gypsies, and used the colors of Rajasthan to inform his palette.

"It's glimmering, it's incredible the colors that you see, it's superb," he said of the city in an interview with Reuters. "I tried to recreate a bit of that, but more the Gypsy side, rather than the Maharaja side. It's more like couture Gypsies."

Billowing sheer capes shot through with gold thread embroidery and veils in orange, pink, and purple sat on top of a few looks. Closer to the body there were intricately beaded dresses, sheer panels of fabric, and more than one bustier that recalled the iconic cone bra the designer created for Madonna in the '90s. But the long-sleeved patchwork gowns featuring tiers of ruffles are perhaps a little more fitting for wandering souls.

As for his bridal finale look? The model who closed the show lifted up her billowing white skirts to reveal four little girls who ran down the runway to perform a dance for the audience.

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Victoria's Secret to Stop Using Toxic Chemicals For Clothes

Kate Moss Jan 23, 2013

Louis Vuitton Gets Steamed, Lindsay Ellingson Goes Gold, and Juergen Teller Woos in London

All the bits fit to print here, in our daily news roundup.

by Robert Khederian

Louis Vuitton's iconic steamer gets digitized, animated, and deconstructed in the brand's newest video, Retracing the Trunk. [YouTube]
Raf Simons will design the costumes for Sigourney Weaver and Isabelle Huppert in their upcoming film, Body Art. [Vogue UK]
If you're thinking about investing in an Hermés Birkin or Kelly, act fast — prices at the luxury retailer are expected to rise seven percent to 10 percent by early February. [Purseblog]
3.1 Phillip Lim takes to the street in its first ever ad campaign. [Fashionologie Inbox]
Victoria's Secret has pledged to stop using hazardous chemicals in the production of its clothing by 2020. [Telegraph]
Speaking of Victoria's Secret, Angel Lindsay Ellingson will launch an ecommerce site for her handmade line of jewelry, Goldie Knots, this Spring. [Style.com]
Jonathan Adler's signature prints now adorn makeup sets. [She Finds]
Re/Create New York's auction to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief features a 60-second grab-and-dash shopping spree in the Net-A-Porter warehouse. [Recreate New York]
Coach plans on expanding its offering of ready-to-wear, outerwear, and jewelry. [WWD]
Juergen Teller's latest exhibition, Woo, which features images of Vivienne Westwood and Kate Moss, is now open at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. [Style.com]

Sky Ferreira Jan 23, 2013

Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2013

Hedi Slimane's confident pre-Fall 2013 lookbook for Saint Laurent is filled with largely black-and-white images of Sky Ferreira.

by Justin Fenner

Hedi Slimane's confident pre-Fall 2013 lookbook for Saint Laurent is filled with largely black-and-white images of Sky Ferreira. What better casting choice for a designer so invested in rock and roll?

As he's done with his ad campaigns, Slimane shot Ferreira's largely black-and-white images himself. The offering echoes the glamorous portrayal of '70s classics from Slimane's Spring 2013 collection, but with a refined edge. A sheer polka-dot tunic with bishop's sleeves is paired with a masculine wool overcoat in one image. In another, rounded metal studs and wide armholes give a leather shift presence. Ferreira looks like a rock star in all of the ensembles, but she's most striking in a black leather motorcycle jacket and sky-high booties.

Photos by Hedi Slimane, courtesy of Saint Laurent.

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