fashionologie

Jason Wu's Charity Team, Karl Lagerfeld's Quotable T-Shirt, and Stephen Jones's Jil Sander Hat

Justin Fenner — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:48:39 PDT

Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.

Jason Wu and Karlie Kloss will cocaptain a team for the annual New York AIDS Walk. The designer and the model, who attended the Met Gala together, will be joined by family and friends in an effort to raise money to fight the disease. "I'm so excited to be participating, and to be teaming up with Jason and all of our friends for such an incredible cause," Kloss said. [Modelinia]
Some of Karl Lagerfeld's most memorable quotes have been turned into a t-shirt for the designer's eponymous line. English design agency I Love Dust formed quotes like "Sunglasses are like eyeshadow: They make everything look pretty and younger" into the shape of Lagerfeld's iconic face. [Refinery29]
The veiled maroon beanie Stephen Jones designed for Raf Simons's second-to-last Jil Sander collection is now for sale on the Jil Sander website. The inventive topper goes for $440. [Racked]
A new study conducted by model agent Ben Barry found that using very thin models in advertising can make women not want to shop. "Women will buy fashion when models convey a realistic, attainable image and make them feel confident," Barry wrote. [Fashion Etc.]
Kelly Cutrone tweeted this week that one of her former assistants will be arrested for stealing from her public relations firm People's Revolution. Cutrone aimed this message at a private Twitter account. "@HussyChildPlz you better run cause you are going down CLOWN." [Styleite]

What Will Raf Simons's Version of Dior Look Like?

fashionologie — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:20:51 PDT

>> Today is Raf Simons's first day of work as artistic director of Dior, and one of the first things he did was assure the world that his work there won't be primarily concerned with minimalism.

While Simons isn't revealing any hard and fast plans for the French fashion house yet, he says his point of view for Dior will skew more feminine and romantic that stark and simple - even if stark and simple is what he's been known for in the past.

"I don't think it's wrong to call me a minimalist. It's wrong to call me a minimalist only," he told WWD. "When I'm married to a house, I will fully embrace its original intention, its original heritage and meaning. I wouldn't go to that place if I only had minimalism in mind. I'm very aware of what the environment is about."

Look no further for proof of that than Simons's Fall 2012 collection for Jil Sander, where he had been creative director since 2005. Many saw the simple and elegant clothing he presented there as a sort of audition for his new role at Dior, as it echoed elements and sentiments of midcentury couture without imitating it outright.

Dior announced that it would hire Simons to replace John Galliano on Monday. Simons's first show for the house will be in July during Paris Fall 2012 Haute Couture Week.

Photo: The finale of Raf Simons's Fall 2012 runway show for Jil Sander.

Jil Sander on Her Impending Return, Suzy Menkes on the Current State of Fashion, and More

fashionologie — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:42:09 PST

>> Right here, in our daily news round up.

Jil Sander says she's very excited to be returning to her namesake label. "It feels very natural, even though it is like a miracle," the designer says. "At the moment, there seems to be a craving for authenticity and clear visions. I am confident that this is the time for modern sophistication, for attractive, wearable fashion which is true to the new century." The designer's first day back is tomorrow. [WWD]

Suzy Menkes (left) has spoken out about "the current state of fashion," saying that the recent brash of designer shakeups - which started last year with Galliano's ousting from Dior and has continued with Raf Simons's recent departure from Jil Sander - "leaves a queasy feeling." Menkes goes on to say: "this is not a game of chess . . . real people - especially sensitive designers - deserve not to be treated as pawns in someone else's game." She also mentions that Christopher Kane may be going to Dior. [New York Times]

Topshop's Sir Philip Green will celebrate his 60th birthday in March by flying 150 friends - including Kate Moss and Adele - to a top-secret tropical destination. The exact location has not been disclosed, but it reportedly houses a five-star resort with over 100 villas with private pools. [Vogue UK]

Jil Sander Fall 2012

Christina Perez — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:20:35 PST

>> It's not every day that the finale of a fashion show is met with a tearful ovation or an audience that rushes the runway in unrestrained appreciation. As Raf Simons gave his final bow at Jil Sander today, he was met with both.

It was "moving and spontaneous, and certainly not like anything I’ve experienced in 25 years of covering the industry," Cathy Horyn reported of the show's final moments. Federico Marchetti echoed the sentiment saying, "Raf was in tears at Jil Sander, the purest moment in fashion since I started in this industry."

Of course, it's not every day that a designer presents a collection so lovely, elegant, or quite so poignant. It is also not every day that a designer who's done such a remarkable job leaves a successful post to go off into the great unknown.

Regardless, it's true that wherever Simons goes he'll be just fine. Today's ice cream-hued swan song - which some say evoked a modern take on '50s Dior couture - was a triumph, not only in its breathtaking beauty, but in its optimism and promise as well.

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Jil Sander to Return to Jil Sander

Christina Perez — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:54:38 PST

>> The Jil Sander Group has confirmed that designer Jil Sander will return to her eponymous label. "I am very happy and excited to be back. It feels like coming home after a brief journey," the designer - who founded the company in 1968 - said in a statement. "The fashion world needs original voices and genuine signatures. I will do my best to, once again, join the choir."  Sander's first collection will be the men's Spring 2012 collection shown in June.

The confirmation comes just one day after the company announced that the current creative director, Raf Simons, would leave his post following the presentation of the women's Fall 2012 collection this weekend in Milan.

This is not the first time Sander has returned to the company. After exiting in 2000, she returned to the creative helm in 2003, only to leave again a short time later. [WWD]
Photo: courtesy of Jil Sander

Raf Simons May Be Dior's New Designer

fashionologie — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:39:28 PST

>> With Marc Jacobs out of the picture, Raf Simons - who recently came under consideration, alongside Jason Wu and Alexander Wang - has emerged as frontrunner for the Dior job.

According to WWD's sources, Dior is closing in on a contract with 43-year-old Simons, although the deal has yet to be concluded. Among the details that still need to be worked out: a start date (Simons, who has been at Jil Sander since 2005, reportedly just recently extended his contract with that house for an unknown duration) and when his first Dior collection would debut (likely not for Spring 2012 couture in January nor Fall 2012 in March).

Dior CEO Sidney Toledano is currently traveling in Asia and was not immediately reachable for comment, and Simons did not return phone calls.

Sexy Sailors and Smokey Eyes - Backstage at Emporio Armani, Jil Sander, and Emilio Pucci

Christina Perez — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:49:23 PDT

>> The models backstage at yesterday's Milan Fashion Week shows certainly got into character. There was camped-up saluting at Emporio Armani's nautical-themed show, sophisticated posturing at Jil Sander, and super-sexy smoldering at Emilio Pucci. Get a peek at all the antics - plus an up-close look at the beauty and accessories - from all those shows, here in the gallery.

Photos by Greg Kessler

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Jil Sander Spring 2012

fashionologie — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:00:16 PDT

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Raf Simons Pondering a Move to New York

fashionologie — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:47:58 PDT

>> Raf Simons lives alone in Antwerp - although he is obligated to spend almost 110 days a year in Milan, working on Jil Sander - but it sounds like he is considering a move. Berlin and New York are both prospects, with New York the frontrunner because of its art world connections and because he prefers it to Berlin, Simons says. "In this business, I know I could work somewhere else one day," he adds. "But I'll always keep this apartment [in Antwerp]." There were recently unconfirmed rumors that Simons may be collaborating with Kanye West on his impending line; no word as to whether such a collaboration - if the rumors are true - might prompt such a move. [WSJ]

A Look at Jil Sander's Last +J Collection for Uniqlo

fashionologie — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:21:15 PDT

>> Jil Sander is moving on from her +J partnership with Uniqlo, but not before one more collection hits limited Uniqlo stores in early September. A first look at the Fall 2011 offering, photographed by David Sims on Arizona Muse.

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