fashionologie

Issa Spring 2012

fashionologie — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:54:50 PDT

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Camilla Al Fayed Invests in Kate Middleton Favorite Issa

fashionologie — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:47:41 PDT

>> Camilla Al Fayed, the 26-year-old daughter of former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed (and half sister to Princess Diana's boyfriend at the time of her death), has bought a 51 percent controlling stake in Issa. The London fashion label made headlines worldwide last year when Kate Middleton revealed her engagement in an Issa dress, and Middleton continues to wear pieces designed by Daniella Helayel, who founded and funded the company until now.

Al Fayed will take the title of chairwoman and plans to oversee global expansion of the brand, while Helayel, who continues to hold a 49 percent stake in the label, will remain as creative director. “The investment will help to grow the business and take it to the next level,” said Helayel. “I looked at a lot of investors, and Camilla came with the best fit. She has the infrastructure behind her, she’s well connected, and she will open a lot of doors.”

Al Fayed, for her part, noted that this could be the first of a series of investments, adding: “I believe in Daniella’s creativity; she is a friend; I admire her passion and drive, and I see potential in making Issa a global lifestyle brand.”

Kate Middleton Goes More Designer On Her North American Tour

Christina Perez — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:57:58 PDT

>> Kate Middleton's sartorial diplomacy is already winning accolades. Arriving Thursday in Ottawa, Kate kicked off her 11-day tour of Canada and the US in a lace dress by UK-based, Canadian-born designer Erdem. Middleton reportedly has quite a few more outfits planned for the trip - 30 looks in total - and if the first few are any indication, more nods to both her home country and host countries are in store. She did not bring a stylist or dresser with her, but appears to be moving away from wearing so many High Street designers. Click through to see all of Kate's travel outfits, with more to come as the trip continues.

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Frontrunner Bruce Oldfield Bows Out of Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Race; Vera Wang Rumored to Be Involved Somehow

fashionologie — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:38:21 PDT

>> Bruce Oldfield, who has been tipped as the frontrunner to design Kate Middleton's wedding dress for months now, has confirmed that he is not Middleton's choice: “It has been such a subject of rumor and speculation over the past months, but I am not designing it. We will all know [on Friday] - and I thought I’d duck out of the ‘possibles list’ to give everyone 24 hours to place their final bets!” He added: “Catherine will undoubtedly look spectacular. She has a fantastic figure and knows well what suits her. I shall be intrigued to see her choice of design.”

With Oldfield out of the race, speculation is honing in on the other likely candidates who have not yet issued denials: Catherine Walker, a favorite of Princess Diana; Alice Temperley, and Daniella Helayel from Issa. Also entering late in the game: Jenny Packham, whose spokesperson said yesterday is “not commenting at all on the wedding.”

Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Sophie Cranston of Libelula, and Phillipa Lepley have all also been reported as frontrunners, but all have denied repeatedly that they're working on the dress.

And Vera Wang's name has surfaced as having some kind of role in the wedding, but WWD thinks "that seems highly unlikely" - particularly that Wang, an American, would be chosen to do the dress. Although: sources apparently indicated that the designer may be involved at another level. A Vera Wang spokeswoman denied the designer is involved with the wedding, however, last night.

A newly-released Mario Testino portrait of the Middleton and Prince William, above.

Which British Designers Say They're Not Doing Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown?

fashionologie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:16:40 PDT

>> Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton (and McQueen CEO Jonathan Akeroyd and a spokesperson from the label) have all categorically denied any involvement with Kate Middleton's wedding gown, although many still seem skeptical about believing them.

But McQueen aside, which other British or London-based designers have taken their names off the list of potentials? Marchesa, for one. “I’m excited to see what [Middleton]’s going to be wearing,” Keren Craig said. “I think she’s a very stylish woman, and I think she’ll probably choose something beautiful and classic. I don’t think she’s going to go for anything too trend-based or crazy edgy. She’ll look like a princess!”

Don't expect to see Middleton donning London labels Erdem or Vivienne Westwood, either - spokespeople from each label denied any involvement. And although wedding gown favorite Alice Temperley is making no comment on the matter, WWD cites sources saying that she's not doing Middleton's dress.

So who's remaining mum on whether they involved? Former favorite in the race, old school London couturier Bruce Oldfield; Issa's Danielle Helayel, who is a Middleton favorite (but Helayel is Brazilian and doesn't have much experience with gowns - honeymoon garb seems much more likely); and Catherine Walker, a brand which specializes in wedding gowns and made Princess Diana's burial gown.

Issa London Fall 2011

fashionologie — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:06:20 PST

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2011 Golden Globes Trend - A Pink Story

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:39:05 PST

>> The Golden Globes brought out a bevy of pink-hued gowns: Anne Hathaway wore a paillette long-sleeved version by Armani Prive; Julianne Moore opted for a brighter fuchsia stunner by Lanvin; Natalie Portman decked out in a draped creation by Viktor & Rolf; and Claire Danes chose a streamlined halter dress by Calvin Klein Collection. Super feminine, and we love the color spectrum ranging from blush pink to vibrant fuchsia, reflected in our picks - including shorter options for everyday wear - from Issa, Halston Heritage, See by Chloe, and Topshop.

Valentino Ruffle-Front Silk Gown - Sold Out	Bcbgeneration Pleated Strapless Dress - $158.00
Halston Heritage Long Wrap Dress - Sold Out	Stud Tie Dress by Rare** - Sold Out
Cacharel Long Silk Trapeze Dress - Sold Out	Bcbgmaxazria Pink Blush Rsst - Sold Out
Pilar Long Dress - Sold Out	Alice + Olivia Fierra Y Back Dress - Sold Out
Issa Silk-jersey strapless dress - Sold Out	SEE BY CHLOE' Short dress - Sold Out
Alice + Olivia Drapey Panel Dress - Sold Out	MINKPINK Gretel Dress - Sold Out
Marc Jacobs Cotton Ruffle Tank Dress - Sold Out	Marc Jacobs Pleated wool-blend dress - Sold Out
Y-3 Cotton-jersey cutout dress - Sold Out	Temperley London Long Liviana silk-chiffon gown - Sold Out
Lipsy Dress Asymmetric Draped Jersey Dress - Sold Out	SEE BY CHLOE' Short dress - Sold Out
Issa Silk-jersey strapless dress - Sold Out	Petite silk organza starburst dress - Sold Out
FORNARINA Short dress - Sold Out	Paul & Joe Sister Oceane tiered jersey dress - Sold Out
Larok Luxe Metallic Twist Dress - Sold Out	COSTUME NATIONAL Short dress - Sold Out

Which Designer Is a Likely Candidate to Make Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress?

fashionologie — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:07:18 PST

>> Kate Middleton now has the ring - Princess Diana's own engagement ring, an 18 carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds - but what about the dress?

Now that it has been officially announced that Middleton and Prince William are to wed in Spring or Summer 2011, wedding dress speculation is sure to follow. But Middleton typically goes without big designer labels, instead preferring jeans, tailored jackets from the British designer Katherine Hooker, and practical carryall bags from Longchamp.

She also favors brands like Jigsaw, the high street chain whose owners are old friends of her parents, and Issa, the London-based label known for its jersey and cotton-printed dresses. For the official engagement photos today, Middleton wore a simple blue Issa dress, and the British press are already speculating that Issa's Brazilian-born creator and owner, Daniella Helayel, will do Middleton's wedding dress, as well.

fashionologie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:59:35 PDT

>> Jourdan Dunn Is Enjoying the Sideline View at London Fashion Week -Jourdan Dunn, who is pregnant with her first child, a son, isn't walking the runway these days, but she did show up front row at both Topshop Unique (left) and Issa (right) yesterday, where she said of her time off: "I’ve been watching a lot of daytime telly and eating a lot! I thought I wouldn’t like sitting and watching, but now that I’m on the other side, I’m enjoying it . . . My mum keeps saying, Jourdan, the baby’s going to grow a lot, so don’t buy him expensive stuff. But I can’t help it! That baby Ralph Lauren stuff is so cute, I love it!" [Chic Report]

Best of Coterie: Issa

coutorture — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:30:59 PDT

While our other editor fearlessly covers London Fashion Week where Issa showed its Spring 2009 collection, we were checking out the line at Coterie. We haven't quited figured out how they managed the transatlantic samples yet with both a runway show and a buyers tradeshow, but we were glad to see more of the line's signature easy to wear jersey options and appealing patterns (we loved the green lipsticks) plus a few exciting developments like a gold sequined jacket.

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