Models drop out of Fashion Week

Last week is revealed that Abbey Lee is out of  New York fashion week due to a knee injury. Ali Michael is the latest model to be sitting New York fashion week out

The Rachel Zoe Project Update

If like me, The Rachel Zoe Project is a guilty pleasure, you too will be pleased to hear that the show has been renewed for a second season.

This season we will be granted a front seat at the shows, as the camera follows Rachel through the nest offering of New York fashion. She was reportedly spotted with the camera's rolling on Thursday night as she hosted an opening at the Beverly Hills salon.

Credit Crunch- What Credit Crunch?

With the current economic climate, you would not expect smaller brands to be splashing out on models to appear in their ad campaigns would you? Clearly we've underestimated handbag brand, Coach who reportedly splashed out on a hefty $50,000 to bag Ali Michael to appear in their spring/summer 09 ad campaign. 

These last few months the credit crunch has had an obvious impact on the fashion industry. My fashion friend and I are already complaining about the few parties planned for fashion week this season, and lack thereof. For goodness sake, party God Marc Jacobs isn't even hosting any of his legendary after parties this season. Reportedly, he is cutting invites to his autumn/winter show by hundreds, despite hosting the show in the same location. When the credit crunch affects Marc Jacobs, you know there is a problem! Big brands like Versace and Prada have turned to the 'Supers' like Kate, Giselle and Linda to try and pull in those dollars as the luxury market takes a trip downwards.

Recent reports claim that LVMH are interested in acquiring the accessories brand.

If a $50,000 payout is not a statement to their competitors that te credit crunch is not hitting Coach, I don't know what is?

Something for the weekend

I hope everyone is having a great 'Superbowl' Sunday.

This afternoon I've been sitting deleting and moving some pictures off my laptop. Honestly, when your computer crashes at least 15 times a day and your mouse is incapable of moving, it's time to go through the fashion pictures clogging up your hard drive and de-junk. I know....it's hard but it has to be done right?

And what a good thing I did!! I came across these beautiful pictures of Grace Jones shot by the amazingly creative photographer Andrea Klarin. 

The styling in the shoot is insane. As fashion-ation rightly said, he has the 'ability to  think big and think imaginatively allowing the muse to create the interest and not be distracted by a setting or location.“I don't try to represent the reality but I try to filter it and through the imaginary world with some elegance and glitter!”'  

Happy weekend!

Fashionista

Déjà vu

                                                         

Yesterday saw Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Picciolo debut their first collection for Valentino in Paris. 

The collection definitely pleased the houses' namesake Valentino Garavani, who leapt from front his seat in front row to applaud:

"They did a very good job. It is a collection that is perfect for this very moment.  It was quite emotional to see all myclothes, done by these people who loved me for 12 years, and they are really sensational. They were always staying with me during my fittings of haute couture.”

Feel like you've seen elements of the collection before? According to fashionologie.com, the general feeling amongst the fash pack was that the show paid homage to the 'Valentino archive'  and the design duo failed to make a stamp on the house and did not take on the responsibility of moving the house forward. 

After seeing the collection I feel completely different. I loved the cream suits with the beautiful stand up collars, and the draped dresses and ruffle detailing on the ensembles. The jewel tones in red and aubergine were beautiful and classic but very cautious compared to the extravagant nature of the Valentino house. What more of a development is that. The designs moved away from the over-the-top excessive nature of the house, without compromising on the craftsmanship and detail we all love and expect from a couture show. I honestly think this is a positive mood for the house. The dresses and suits were very elegant and classic making it very relevant in the light of the current economic climate. 

Is it right of us to be so critical of the design duo so early into their job at Valentino? I don't think so. It reminds me of Frida Giannini's first few season's at Gucci. Wasn't she criticized in the same way for trying to copy Tom Ford's aesthetic at Gucci? Her recent success at Gucci is a far cry from this early criticism. I say, give them a chance to find their feet. Critics should save judgment and allow the duo to find their own comfort zone in the brand. 

Kate fights Back

Kate Moss really looked fashion fantastic as she stepped out in this gorgeous grey mini. Kate was recently kicked off the number one spots on the best dressed lists by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Agyness Deyn, but the supermodel really brought 'sexy back' in this grey number.

I love the shape on her. It completely transforms her from her usual petite frame by giving her some womanly curves.

Kate is currently in Berlin promoting her second fragrance, Velvet Hour

Sorry

Many of you have emailed me to ask where I have disappeared to but don't worry because I am back.

I've been so busy finishing exams and starting an amazing new job in the fashion industry, that I really have not ha time to post but I am back and ready to stay.

With that in mind, here's a 'Sex and the City' treat.

What did you think of the movie? 

It was very predictable but I fell in love. Shame we had already seen most of the outfits already in the celebrity magazines though.

Balenciaga Goes Online

Tredding the pavement for the latest installement of what the amazing Nicolas Ghesquière has to offer for Balenciaga is now a thing of the past. You can now enjoy searching for and buying the latest bags, ready to wear and accessories that Balenciaga has to offer from the comfort of your home, as the label announces that their online e-commerce website be available from the 15th May.

"It is an extension and adaptation of the existing BALENCIAGA.COM site," a spokeman for the design house.

I can't wait

Street Style Put to the Test

If you really think you're style is worthy enough to mix it with the best of them, be sure to make your way down to Knightbridge's Brompton Road today, where mega-label DKNY jeans is planning a 'cool hunting' competition. Staff are looking for trendy, innovative members of the public who could give Kate Moss a run for her money in the 'cool' stakes. All the staff will be out with their camera phones looking to find stylish people to appear in a NYC-style collage in the store's window, which will be created by the talented fashion illustration students from our own London College of Fashion.

If that doesn't sound amazing enough, the chosen few will even recieve free DKNY Jeans and T-Shirt to go home with.

RESULT!!!!

Eye Candy

Can't wait to the spring/summer 09 collections? Me too, but even more so when I discovered on Vogue.com that Stella McCartney has just signed a deal with eyewear firm Luxottica for the design, production and distribution of Stella-branded sunglasses.

The highly anticipated collaboration will begin in January with the first collection becoming avaliable for the spring/summer 09 season. According to vogue, the contract has been signed for an initial six-year term, which then becomes automatically renewable for an additional five-year term.

This means that we have a long installment of eye candy to look forward to. What better way to look glam at the shows. I'll have mine. Will you?