fashionologie

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Returns to the Catwalk, Simon Doonan Gets Political, and Gucci Westman Shares DIY Beauty Tips

Christina Perez — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:56:50 PST

>> Today's stories and more - here, in our daily news roundup.

Nails inspired by the Rachel Comey Spring 2012 collection - and how to get them [Beauty High]

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley returns to the runway [Telegraph]

Makeup artist Gucci Westman on how to get a picture-perfect look [BellaSugar]

Lauren Scruggs, the fashion blogger injured by a plane propeller, steps out [Styleite]

Forever 21 is getting sued by some of its own employees [Huffington Post]

Simon Doonan on why only political dictators can look hip [Slate]

See Vanessa Traina's Full Maje Collection Lookbook

fashionologie — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:42:55 PDT

>> Last night, Vanessa Traina launched her 14-piece capsule collection for the French brand Maje at Barneys, which has the US exclusive. She wore a black tuxedo jacket and pant from the collection, and was joined by her sisters Samantha and Victoria Traina and close designer friends like Alexander Wang, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Joseph Altuzarra, and Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, most of whom followed her to a celebratory dinner down the street at Le Caprice.

The idea for the collection, which ranges from $150 to $490, came about while Traina was in fittings for the brand's campaign (which she's appeared in the past two seasons). She told Vogue.com: "Maje asked me to do their campaign a few seasons ago and we all got along really well. We met the day before the shoot to do fittings, and by the end of it, we’d put together the proposal for a collaboration."

Her ideas for the collection - inspired by "a lot of old '90s editorial," she told us - came easily: "I had a whole folder with me . . . working in the industry and doing consulting quite frequently, I knew what to expect from a design meeting, and I think it really helped Maje understand my vision right from the get-go."

The resultant pieces are simple, primarily silk or lace, and sans color. In fact, minus one white silk maxi dress, they're all in black. "I wear black quite, quite often," Traina explains. "Because this was a one-time collaboration, I really wanted to do something wearable and [focus on] really great separates that fit into your wardrobe. And black goes with everything, so I really just kind of went with that." She told Vogue.com, "Although I must admit, I haven’t worn anything outside of my bedroom yet."

The collection also provided Traina with her first opportunity to design a shoe: "I mean, I've worked with Joseph Altuzarra and people on their collection from head to toe, so I've kind of worked with a shoe, but he [Altuzarra] really does the crux of it, so yeah, it's the first time. It's really cool because we initially started with doing a flat, and then I just thought it would be cool if we stuck a heel on it. So it's just a sandal design."

Even though she now has more extensive design experience, Traina says the collection is a one-time thing: "I really see myself more as a stylist, and I work as a stylist and do consulting. I was really grateful for this opportunity, it was really fun to do something like this, but I think the direction that I'm going in right now with styling is really what I'm passionate about, [and] is really what I love personally."

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Former W Creative Director Dennis Freedman to Succeed Simon Doonan as Barneys Creative Director

fashionologie — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:25:15 PST

>> Former W creative director Dennis Freedman, who left the magazine in March after almost 20 years, has been tapped to replace Simon Doonan as creative director at Barneys. He will start at the retailer on Jan 17.

Doonan, whose contract with the retailer is reported to be up in May, and who is rumored to have tense relations with Barneys new CEO Mark Lee, is moving into a new role as creative ambassador-at-large for the retailer, effective immediately. The change in Doonan's position, which the retailer's announcement release frames as a "promotion," will involve him continuing to be "a key media spokesperson for the company," a contributor to "special window projects," a host of "special events with customers and media," and a "roving ambassador with links to all creative and communication areas including social media."

In the statement, Doonan says: “This exciting evolution of my role at Barneys is brilliant. Change has always been integral to the strength and vibrancy of the Barneys brand. I am delighted to be part of this new chapter." And Lee adds: "Simon has been an intrinsic part of the Barneys DNA for close to 25 years. I am thrilled to work with him and to have him continue to bring his unique wit and multifaceted talents to Barneys in this new role of creative ambassador-at-large.”

Freeman, for his part, will be responsible for the "photographic and video images, graphic design, store design and image, and visual merchandising" of Barneys, Co-Op, and Barneys.com, according to the release. He will also engage artists, designers, and creative collaborators - including Doonan - to curate the Barneys New York windows.

Freeman, in the statement, says: "For decades Barneys New York has stood for creative innovation. I am thrilled by the opportunity to creatively lead the company forward. Starting from New York which is the most culturally dynamic city in the world, I will strive to incorporate modern creative energy into the Barneys brand in the years ahead." And Lee adds: "Dennis is a visionary and innovator with great experience and talent across the worlds of fashion, photography, art, design, and architecture. He will bring his tremendous eye and impeccable taste to lead the new creative direction of Barneys New York."

Lane Crawford's Sarah Rutson, Vogue's Virginia Smith Reportedly Candidates to Replace Barneys Fashion Director Julie Gilhart

fashionologie — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:54:42 PST

>> It sounds like Barneys is searching for a fashion director replacement for Julie Gilhart, after all. The two top contenders CEO Mark Lee is said to be eyeing? Sarah Rutson, Lane Crawford's fashion director in Hong Kong, or Vogue's fashion market/accessories director Virginia Smith.

Rutson could not be reached for comment, and Smith forwarded calls to Vogue's press office, which declined comment; although, word is going around that Smith has turned down the job. If Smith does end up taking the position, however, Fashionista's Lauren Sherman points out that she will follow in a line of departures from the top of Vogue's masthead after Sally Singer and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff: "More than anything, it’s another indication that Anna Wintour’s time as editor-in-chief might be coming to an end sooner than later. As one person told me, 'It’s like she’s strategically placing all of her top people so that they’re better off when she’s gone.'"

As for Barneys' take on the Smith and Rutson candidate reports, a spokeswoman replied: “The search has begun and is ongoing. We intend to meet many candidates but no decisions have been made.” And while Simon Doonan remains in place at the retailer, his current contract reportedly expires in May 2011; the spokeswoman declined comment on that.

Simon Doonan Still in Place at Barneys, But Rumors of Tension With New CEO Mark Lee Have Surfaced

fashionologie — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:13:49 PST

>> Julie Gilhart and Judy Collinson are gone from Barneys New York, but what about Simon Doonan, the retailer's creative director? He's currently still with the company, but the New York Post cites a source saying that the retailer's new CEO, Mark Lee, is concerned that Doonan "has used his popularity to promote himself rather than Barneys, and that's going to have to change." A Barneys spokesman declined comment, and Doonan did not respond to a request for comment. [WWD, NY Post]

fashionologie — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:59:50 PDT

>> Simon Doonan Leaves the New York Observer After 10 Years for Slate –Right before New York Fashion Week, the New York Observer has just lost Simon Doonan, a columnist for the paper for the past 10 years. Slate's chairman, Jacob Weisberg, has reportedly been courting Doonan for some time now, and he leaves on the heels of Alexandra Jacobs, the longest-serving editor at the New York Observer, who took a position as an editor at The New York Times's Styles section. Observer editor-in-chief Kyle Pope wrote in an email: "Simon has been a star of the Observer for 10 years, and he’ll be missed. But, as he said, it’s time for someone new to step up. We’re searching now for who that someone will be.” [Business Insider]

Fashion in 50 Seconds 03/01/10 Vogue's Shopping App, Karlie Kloss For 25 Magazine

coutorture — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:56:34 PST

Vogue launches "Vogue Stylist" an iPhone shopping application for its advertising pages.

Anja Rubik and boyfriend Sasha Knezevic are preparing for the March launch of 25 magazine. Karlie Kloss and Constance Jablonski will appear on the premier issue cover.

European private equity firm Permmira looks to cash in on Proenza Schouler stake after three years of owning 45 percent of the New York-based company.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland influences fashion far beyond traditional merchandising, actually impacting trends.

"The shows this season were full of teen/tween bloggers. I feel like they are trying to nudge me out of my front-row seat. Luckily, I have a plan for next season. Since they are all about my height, I am going to impersonate one of them. I am going to wear a doily on my head (Tavi!) and tell everyone I am a teen blogger. If they ask why I am so wrinkled, I will tell them that I have progeria."-Simon Doonan to GQ.

Nowness debuts Aanteni-a Todd Cole directed film for Rodarte's spring 2010 collection shot in a California jet-propulstion lab with Guinevere Van Seenus.

fashionologie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:28:55 PDT

>> Fashion's Night Out Could Become A Permanent Fashion Week Fixture -If CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg has her say (and Anna Wintour will assuredly support her), Fashion's Night Out won't be a one-off event: “It was a huge success. It was fantastic; it’s just like Hallmark, when they invented Mother’s Day. Every Thursday before Fashion Week, we will have Fashion’s Night Out!” But nothing has officially been decided, and retailers are waiting to examine the residual effects on sales before the possibility is further examined. Simon Doonan says he's unsure about doing it again, because Fashion's Night Out didn't generate big sales for Barneys. [The Cut, The Cut Twitter]

Fashion in 50 Seconds 07/15/09 The Best of Couture Shoes, Ray-Ban.com

FabSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:22:22 PDT

Bedazzled, beruffled, belovely - couture's hottest shoes.

Barney's Simon Doonan knows what today's customer wants.

J.Crew's Jenna Lyons speaks of sweet success.

Ray-Ban launches first online store.

Replacing models heads seems to be a trend - Donna Karan and now Prada.

Stefano Pilati's Sustainable Yves Saint Laurent Collection Didn't Sustain In-Store for Long

fashionologie — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:24:58 PDT

>> Stefano Pilati has been in New York since the weekend, hanging out at the Mercer Hotel with Purple's Olivier Zahm, Chloe Sevigny, and Waris Ahluwalia, but last night he got down to business, hosting the launch of the Yves Saint Laurent sustainable "New Vintage" collection with Barneys. All the bags, shoes, and dresses were cut from archive fabric left over from previous seasons, and Barneys fashion director Julie Gilhart reports that it went fast - only a few pieces left, and she grabbed one of the bags for herself.

Today, Pilati presented his Cruise 2010 collection to press and buyers - where Chanel Iman was apparently called out for Twittering while she modeled.

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