fashionologie

Preview Karl Lagerfeld's Upcoming Lower-Priced Karl Line

fashionologie — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:21:01 PST

>> Karl Lagerfeld's new masstige Karl range will be available to buy exclusively from Net-a-Porter on Jan. 25, Natalie Massenet revealed this morning at the LeWeb conference in Paris.
Lagerfeld, also in attendance at the conference, previewed a video clip of the range - prices start at £150 (approx. $234) for a jacket - which can be seen below. He also talked about being "obsessed" with Apple, saying that he uses one of his several iPads to create videos - he filmed four web-only advertisements for Chanel last week - and to sketch out designs and ideas. To demonstrate, he showed the audience a sketch he did of Steve Jobs that morning, and then sketched himself on the iPad - the latter can be seen here.

Introducing Our Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week Diarist, Lane Crawford Fashion Director Sarah Rutson

fashionologie — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:48:30 PST

>> Sarah Rutson, the Hong Kong-based fashion director of department store Lane Crawford (who was recently rumored to be under consideration for the Barneys fashion director position), has hit the streets of Manhattan running for New York Fashion Week, bringing her disarming wit and covetable wardrobe with her.

This New York Fashion Week, she's graciously agreed to give us a window into her thoughts as she zips across town from show to show, making us privy to the workings of not only an influential international buyer, but well-loved streetstyle star. (Speaking of: in the pipeline, we've got details on the makings of her Fashion Week wardrobe.)

But before we serve up the goods, get to know Sarah a little better - both professionally and personally. Her thoughts:

On the shows: "People always see me [at the shows] on my own but they don’t realize - obviously we’ve got a big team [at Lane Crawford]. Normally [my team] comes in a lot later. I have to do the shows, but that’s because someone has to represent the company. Shows are important, of course, but the most important thing is the showroom."

On her job: "It’s a brutal schedule to do work like this. I was at one stage traveling six months a year, but that was when we were in the rebranding stage, so I had to make sure everything was consistent across the board."

"I’m not a really uptight person, I’m a really laidback person, actually. At the end of the day, I’ve got a f*cking great job. I love what I do, I’m really good at what I do. Great people in different cities . . . the best cities in the world . . . what’s there to be miserable about? So I’m not going to start griping."

On becoming a streetstyle icon: "I don’t feel I’m on show for my job; I’m doing my job. People take pictures and all the rest of it, but I’ve been doing this for 20-odd years before then, when no one knew who I was."

On how the streetstyle attention came about: "The streetstyle bloggers, and then everyone’s into reality and in a way, it was like we are the reality stars. I think what was interesting - where I was lucky - is so few retailers other than [Net-a-Porter’s] Holli [Rogers] and Natalie [Massenet are photographed]. As a retailer, I was always put in with the editors. Like when you flip through all the Japanese magazines, there were all the editors, and then there was . . . me! And I think that’s really interesting, the majority of people that work in fashion for the stores who are buying it for the general public never hit the list."

Her Fashion Week essentials: "Absolutely I will not live without my single-breasted blazer. I cannot live without Crème de la Mer - that holds me, a big dried prune, together. My BlackBerry - it’s not so much to be constantly [connected], but it’s all the pictures of my daughter and my animals. It’s my walking picture of home."

On life beyond fashion: "I just don’t want people to think it’s only about fashion. I think if there’s anything that I can say to anyone - whether it’s a woman or a man - going into any industry, let alone the fashion industry, that takes you away from home so much for travel, [it's] do make sure you have the balance. [Otherwise] you won’t be as creative, and you won’t be as fresh, and you won’t be as open. You get jaded. I’m not jaded. I come out really excited every season, because I’ve got the balance."

See Justin Bieber's LOVE Cover; Andre Courreges Sells Label - Could a Reboot Be in the Cards?

fashionologie — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:16:10 PST

We saw LOVE's new cover with Kate Moss and Lea T. kissing last week; now the second cover, featuring Justin Bieber shot by Terry Richardson, has appeared [@THELOVEMAGAZINE]
Andre Courreges and his wife and creative partner, Coqueline, have sold their company to two investors, Frederic Torloting and Jacques Bungert, who run the French division of advertising agency Young & Rubicam. Coqueline has been running the design house since Andre retired from fashion in the mid-'90s [WWD]
After months of rumors, February's Vogue reports that Theory CEO and Rag & Bone investor Andrew Rosen is about to sign a deal with Proenza Schouler; and Meredith Melling Burke, not Candy Pratts Price, is reportedly overseeing Vogue.com [Fashionista]
Yesterday during a DLD Conference panel, Natalie Massenet talked about her plans for Net-A-Porter Live, a platform on which Net-a-Porter customers will be able to see who’s online and what they put in their baskets in real time; “We want to start a conversation between them,” she explained [DLD Conference]
Naomi Campbell is headed back to court this Thursday over a breach-of-contract lawsuit; the contract, which involved promoting a perfume called Cat Deluxe with Kisses, was signed 12 years ago [The Cut]
Prada could make a final decision on their IPO by the end of the month [Bloomberg]
Alejandro Ingelmo is aiming to introduce handbags and accessories into his collection for Spring 2012 [Fashionetc.]
Anna Wintour, Steven Klein, Donna Karan, Daphne Guinness, Ingrid Sischy, Sandy Brant, and Vera Wang all attended the elaborate 21st birthday party Calvin Klein threw on Friday at Indochine for his boyfriend, Nick Gruber [NY Post]
Tanner Hall, the film co-directed by Diane von Furstenberg's daughter Tatiana von Furstenberg and starring Rooney Mara, just scored a distribution deal and is expected to be released at the end of this year, around when Mara's upcoming film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, debuts [Deadline]
Libertine is headed back to New York Fashion Week this February, minus a partner and with a new direction, says designer Johnson Hartig: "It’ll be different in that once Cindy [Greene] and I separated, I stopped using placement prints - I mean literal images - and it’s become more abstract. And there’s going to be a lot more color. I haven’t met a color I haven’t liked this season" [Fashionetc.]

Net-a-Porter's Natalie Massenet Launches Shopping Site For Men Called Mr Porter

coutorture — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:22:35 PDT

Net-a-Porter was acquired by Richemont earlier this year and since then we've been waiting to see what kind of expansions founder Natalie Massenet had in mind for her ten-year-old company.

This morning Massenet and the Net-a-Porter family announced they are adding a stand-alone menswear shopping site to the company. Called Mr Porter, the site will launch for the spring 2011 season and do for men what Massenet has been doing for her loyal female clients for ten years - namely bring an edited selection of global designer label along with style advice and unbeatable customer service. Mr Porter launch partners will include Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Margiela, Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent, Balmain, Dunhill, Margaret Howell, Rick Owens, John Lobb, and MR by Roland Mouret.

“We’ve wanted to do this for years but never felt it was the right time,” said Natalie Massenet. “This idea did not come from a bunch of people sitting in a boardroom looking at a spreadsheet. It was our customers, our target market, that was asking for this.”

Come 2011, the lucky men will also benefit from same day delivery service in London and Manhattan.

Source: Getty

Fashion in 50 Seconds 04/06/10 Gwyneth Paltrow For Vogue UK, What Did Massenet First Call Net-a-Porter?

coutorture — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:01:54 PDT

Gwyneth Paltrow is Vogue UK's May cover girl, photographed by Mario Testino.

Natalie Massenet initially wanted to name her Net-a-Porter website What's New Pussycat.

Kate Moss's Vogue Hommes issue is out.

Stella McCartney returns to the pineapple print for her Adidas collection.

Glamour UK's best- and worst-dressed list, voted on by the public, includes Alexa Chung, Blake Lively, and Kate Moss at the top, while Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Lindsay Lohan hit the bottom.

Hugo Boss launches a revamped website with e-commerce today.

Net-a-Porter to Be Sold to Richemont, Natalie Massenet Staying On

fashionologie — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:37:52 PDT

>> Confirming reports from a couple of weeks ago, luxury conglomerate Richemont (parent of brands like Chloe and Cartier) is acquiring Net-a-Porter in a £350 million (approx. $533 million) deal.

Natalie Massenet, who founded Net-a-Porter in 2000, is estimated to pocket £50 million (approx. $76 million) with the sale of her 18 percent stake in the company. She is expected to stay on as executive chairman of the company after Richemont's takeover and is reportedly preparing to invest £15 million of the sale proceeds back into Net-a-Porter. Mark Sebba, Net-a-Porter's chief executive, is also said to be staying on.

Why the marriage? »

Rebooted French Heritage Brand Carven Garnering Buzz

fashionologie — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:47:06 PDT

>> French heritage houses like Nina Ricci and Vionnet have both been reinvented in the last couple of years with a more contemporary approach; now, add Carven to the trend.

Founded in Paris by couturier Madame Carmen de Tommaso in 1945, Carven was originally launched for petite women. Two seasons ago, former Givenchy designer Guillaume Henry was tasked with kickstarting the label again, and judging by the reception, he's succeeded.

Last night, Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet feted Henry in London, where she gushed: "The clothes . . . Not only did we love them - the Parisian street attitude really struck a bell with us - but we just couldn't believe the amazing prices. Does this guy look like a young Saint Laurent or what? . . . These clothes are going to change your life. I'm really looking forward to watching this man blossom and to seeing what he becomes in 20 years time."

The New York Times reports "raves" over the line »

Spring Shopping: Carven by Guillaume Henry

coutorture — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:59:47 PDT

Clockwise from left all Carven from Net-a-Porter: suede pumps $455, asymmetric silk and cotton blend dress $370, loose-fit crepe shirt $270, v-neck bodysuit $225, suede satchel $655, ruffle-skirt taffeta dress $595, printed silk scarf $110, asymmetric peplum skirt $210.

Designer Guillaume Henry is making a big impact as the creative director of Carven. He relaunched the 1950s couture house as a ready-to-wear business only two seasons ago, and already Net-a-Porter's Natalie Massenet is calling the collection "clothes that are going to change your life." Massenet feted the designer in London last night - celebrating his high Parisian style and Carven's incredible price points. Above are a few of our favorite looks from the current lineup.

fashionologie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:17:14 PDT

>> Net-a-Porter Said to Be Acquired by Richemont -Earlier this year, it was Prada that luxury conglomerate and Cartier and Chloe owner Richemont was said to have its eye on, but for now, Net-a-Porter will have to do, instead. In a deal expected to be completed this week, Richemont will acquire the remaining 70 percent of Net-a-Porter it doesn't already own, including founder Natalie Massenet's 18 percent stake (worth at least $76 million). This move is especially notable considering that LVMH shuttered its e-commerce branch eLuxury.com just last year. [Telegraph UK, Fashionista]

Fashion in 50 Seconds 10/23/09 Olsens to Design for JCPenny

coutorture — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:21:49 PDT

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen rumored to be designing a juniors' collection for JCPenny.

Donatella Versace, Marc Jacobs, Francisco Costa, and Riccardo Tisci are headed to South America for Fashion Rocks in Rio.

Philip Crangi will offer fine and costume jewelry as well as incense, sculptures and home objects in his New York store, opening today.

The New York Vintage store where fashion designers find inspiration and celebrities shop for one-of-a-kind finds.

Vogue.com selects the best long-stap handbags of the season.

Douglas Little, of DL & Co., collaborates with Dell computers and designs window displays for Bergdorf Goodman.

Queen Elizabeth II honors Vidal Sassoon, Natalie Massenet, and Christopher Bailey for their services in the fashion and beauty industries.

Abercrombie & Fitch opens in Italy-just steps from Via Montenapoleone in Milan.

Source: Getty