fashionologie

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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Tilda Swinton Works With a Creative Director for Her Red Carpet Looks Instead of a Stylist

fashionologie — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:11:00 PDT

>> Tilda Swinton has played muse for Viktor & Rolf and Haider Ackermann - she met both, as well as Alber Elbaz, Stefano Pilati, Phoebe Philo, and Raf Simons (who designed her wardrobe for the 2010 film I Am Love) - through her close friend Jerry Stafford, the creative director of a French production company, who she works with in place of a stylist. “He’s my playmate,” she says. “It’s a game, and we have great fun with it.”

Swinton cites David Bowie and her father, Major General Sir John Swinton, as her style icons, and says of working with friends on what she wears for the red carpet: “For someone to know what you need to make you comfortable, they need to know who you are. Having them make clothes for me is like being cooked for by someone who knows what you like to eat.”

For the one-sleeve black Lanvin sheath she wore to the 2008 Oscars, for instance, she told Elbaz she wanted “to attract as little attention as possible and to feel as comfortable as if I were wearing pajamas. Little did I know that the really simple, chic dress one might have worn in Paris or Berlin would stick out like a sore thumb in Los Angeles.”

Stafford also creative directed Swinton's cover story for the August 2011 issue of W (left) - together they created a mood board for the shoot.

Jil Sander, Uniqlo To Part Ways

fashionologie — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:47:14 PDT

>> After a three-year run with Uniqlo, Jil Sander's Fall 2011 +J collection will be her last, the company announced today in a release: "With the recent completion of the design of the . . . Fall and Winter collection, Ms. Sander and [Uniqlo] agreed that they had fully explored the possibilities of their creative collaboration and accomplished what they had set out to do. Consequently, the two parties have decided to wrap up their design consulting agreement with this collection."

Uniqlo has never disclosed revenue for the +J line, and although Sander is notoriously difficult to work with, her relations with the company seemed to be going well as recently as February. According to an interview dated Feb. 1 with Tadashi Yanai, CEO and founder of Uniqlo parent company Fast Retailing, Yanai said: “Jil’s attitude towards clothing creation is truly incredible. She is particularly masterful when it comes to garment shape and style. She will recreate and refresh her designs until she is completely satisfied - even when it comes to the minutest detail. That is why customers feel so satisfied with the fit of collection clothes the instant they try them on. Uniqlo must embrace this fundamental attitude, as well as the passion and attention to detail that Jil brings to creating clothes.”

A Fast Retailing spokesman confirmed today that the company's team of 100 designers “learned a lot” while working with Sander, including her famed attention to detail in selection of raw materials.

Fash's Friday Obsessions! Easy Rider

fashionologie — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:30:17 PDT

>> The long Memorial Day weekend means plenty of breezy leisure time, even if you're not planning anything other than a lazy little staycation. On our shopping list? Cheery Elizabeth Peyton-esque colors and prints, a super-soft blazer in graphic stripes and, of course, the ultimate Summer-fun accessory: a Kate Spade for Adeline cruiser in neo-preppy green.

Shop these styles, clockwise from top left:

1) Elizabeth Peyton: Ghost, $53

2) Suno Boxy Striped Blazer, $645

3) Nicole Miller Addison Ameldi Mini Crossbody Bag, $260

4) Jil Sander Floral Print Flats, $390

5) Kate Spade New York Abici Bicycle, $1,100

6) Assad Mounser Nomad Bracelets, $270 each

Rain Man – Light Toppers For Spring (and Summer) Showers

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:33:28 PDT

>> The rain man doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, so instead of getting drenched in your Summer's best, be prepared for the next shower with one of our light toppers. Our top picks includes a bright orange oversized jacket from Jil Sander, a classic J.Crew field jacket in a new shrunken shape, and even a fresh Moncler batwing anorak dipped in a tempting army green hue. That, plus five more rainy day options in our slideshow!

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Slick Rain Gear to Keep You Covered During Those April Showers

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:31:26 PDT

>> We're expecting a load of rain showers for the next couple weeks, so we rounded up some of the best rain-repelling (but still stylish) gear for you to stay dry in. There's a cute Marc by Marc Jacobs umbrella to add a little sunshine to your day, a smart canvas coated coat from Opening Ceremony, waterproof booties, and a windproof bucket hat from Urban Outfitters - that should do the trick. But there's more where that came from - check out the slideshow for more of our splash-proof favorites!

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