Paweł Lewandowski
Hedvig
Anna Le
Tini Tani
Lola Mansil
New York – It was a dark moment for brides as Vera Wang showed some of her best bridal work in a figurative ode to witchcraft to at her new studio in New York on Sunday, Oct. 16.
The bridal gown designer and everything-wedding-authority showed 15 breathtaking looks for Fall 2012 in just two simple tones - black and nude. Inspired by undergarments in this color combination, Wang hit the mark - as few things are sexier to accentuate a woman than nude chiffon, serving as a second skin, and black lace, forming a seductive peek-a-boo veil for a see-through illusion. This was a perfect combination for that alternative, evening event bride who's not afraid to veer off the beaten path and make her own personalized nuptial look.
Without a white dress in sight, Wang managed to exude the elegance and antiquity of the Victorian gothic while infusing each gown with a sense of modernism and mystery. Halter neck lines, and T-strapped backs were novel contours that functioned as a sensuous deviation from the standard strapless look. Peplum bustiers and sheared flange skirts gave way to a beautiful flowing shape that cascaded downward with a finishing light and airy touch.
Wang once again secured her relevance in the bridal industry, not that anyone would question her skills - but don't be surprised to see any of these spell-casting gowns, most notably the nude strapless French tulle ballgown with hand-pieced Chantilly lace applique, sooner on the red carpet than down the aisle.
NEW YORK – Top models Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes will strut in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show to live musical performances by Kanye West and Maroon 5.
The catwalk event, which also will include VS models Erin Heatherton, Candice Swanepoel, Lindsay Ellingson and Lily Aldridge, will be filmed on Nov. 9 for a televised special later in the month.
The Nov. 29 one-hour show on CBS will incorporate behind-the-scenes tidbits, model profiles and red-carpet interviews surrounding the much-hyped lingerie show. Of course, several models will step out in the elaborate wings that have become a signature of this runway, and one will wear the jewel-encrusted Fantasy Bra.
Last year, that honor went to Adriana Lima.
In 2007, West pulled out of a performance at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show due to the sudden death of his mother after she underwent cosmetic surgery.
West has been a front-row regular at fashion shows for years, and earlier this month he debuted his own collection during Paris fashion week.
Despite London's recent ranking as the world's supposed fashion capital, London Fashion Week always seems to be getting the short end of the stick.
Silently understood as the lowest-ranking of fashion's biggest cities -- New York, Paris and Milan being the other Big Three -- London has suffered in recent years, trying command the same respect and attract the same glitz as the other three fashion weeks.
During the recession, top US buyers stayed away because of the rising British pound. High prices in the UK have also pushed models to skip London, saving money and time by jetting straight from New York to Milan, as the Guardian reported.
Now the Telegraph reports that London Fashion Week has suffered another blow. Italy-based Gucci, with its show kicking off Milan Fashion Week tomorrow, has ordered nearly a dozen models to fly from London to Milan early to begin fitting for its show.
"It's been a total nightmare for us," a source from designer Todd Lynn told the Telegraph. "We lost 10 out of 19 girls. We were getting calls from agents at 1.30am on the morning of the show pulling girls we had just fitted, while other girls just didn't turn up to fittings at all after they'd been confirmed. When we called their agencies to find out where they were, we were told sorry, they've gone to Milan."
London already felt the pressure in the early days of Fashion Week last week, having been squeezed by the postponement on Marc Jacobs' New York show. Now the designers and casting agents are being squeezed at the end, as the models take flight so they can make the most of the Milan show -- without being totally exhausted.
"The girls get off a plane from New York, jet-lagged and are expected to stay up all night doing castings and fittings" famed model manager Carole White told the Telegraph. Between the tight schedule, jam-packed days (sometimes 11 shows per day) and the spread-out nature of London's geography, "It's a logistical nightmare and extremely unprofessional," says White.
It drives the top models to skip London altogether, sources in London say. And that, in turn, will drive top brands like Burberry and Tom Ford, who showed in the UK this season, to present their runway shows elsewhere.
But there were still enough top models this go-round to attract a decently star-studded crowd.
Paris – There was no more romantic collection in fashion this season than that of Valentino on Tuesday, Oct. 4, in Paris, whose Russian-themed haute couture collection of spring left the icy steppes for a tour of the sun-bleached Latin world.
Travel, as much in the imagination as physically to foreign lands, underpinned this whole collection whose evocative quirky lady finale won the house's design duo of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli a huge ovation at the finale.
Under Chiuri and Piccioli, Valentino collections had retained the signature DNA of the brand - feminine grace, alluring evening looks and class with a smart soupçon of sex appeal, while also injecting an arty dose of chic.
"I think right now people need to get emotion from fashion. That's what we want most of all, that the clothes stir something inside you," Chiuri explained.
This being a spring 2012 collection, there was little tailoring. Instead, the emphasis was on two items - the cocktail dress and the evening gown. The former was cut short, looked most spectacular when made in semi-transparent lace and most alluring when composed in Valentino's classic sinful red.
This was an almost effortlessly assured show, where the technically complicated constructions looked as natural and easy as the design was so good. For example, a beautiful beige cocktail dress, whose delicate lace torso morphed into a gently flared leather cocktail below the waistline.
"It's about travel, of a European to Mexico, of the Latin world of the Americas, even though the trip is made in the mind, not on a plane," joked Piccioli.
Their finale, a faintly Tolstoyan series where the floor-length columns in chiffon and lace, had hipster society hostess written all over them.
Paris – One week after a published newspaper report suggested that Stefano Pilati was about to be replaced as creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, the designer responded by staging the most refined collection seen so far this season in Paris.
Courtly, voluminous and made in some stiff and substantial fabrics this was an extremely smart selection of impeccably cut clothes where the injection of contrasting elements of sporty gear and medieval amulets made for a highly memorable show.
Pilati is an important designer for many reasons, at least three of which were prominently displayed in this spring 2012 collection presented in an opulent Rothschild family mansion in Paris on Monday, Oct. 3. This is a designer who cuts and drapes with class, as was clear in his very brilliant opening - from graceful blouses whose backs billowed with just the right amount of movement, to arching A-line coats that had a dramatic air yet gave the impression the lady wearing them must be slim.
Let's also not forget that this house's founder is still considered the greatest single colorist in fashion, thanks to his ability to harmoniously combined very diverse bright colors. Pilati is no slouch in that department either, for he mines the classic purples and emeralds of YSL, yet somehow with enough variation that they respect the visual canons of this label even as they smartly subvert them.
Finally, in an industry were a truly remarkable amount of very talented designers hire stylists almost like visual psychiatrists, solving their design phobias and radically altering their vision, Pilati refuses to employ one. Nor should he, for in many ways, YSL is the best styled show in fashion. The models looked beautifully precise in this show, with exact ruby lipstick, barely there make up and refined chignons, finished at the back with mini armadillo gold semi-circles. The same gold plate was used to wrap high-heels with Restoration style loops in a great series of new architectural footwear.
In an assured display of just 27 looks, the designer climaxed the show with a quartet of black chiffon red carpet looks and jumpsuits finished with a great new technique, sequin dust, making for a beautifully sexy and fresh new look.
"Sequins have grown to be as big as your fist, so to me the most radical new direction was this. Dust!" said the designer with a huge laugh.
Pilati varied the fabrics enormously in this show, from barely there flighty silks used in super light cocktail dresses with angled ruffles to stiff woolen and silk mixes for the courtly emerald coats finished with gold medallion buttons.
Planet Textiles, a groundbreaking event on sustainability in textiles, will feature challenging presentations from leading industry executives and offer practical advice to the industry to drive this vital initiative. The event will take place in October 19 at the Renaissance Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, alongside the Intertextile fabric-sourcing exhibition, which attracts nearly 60,000 visitors.
Planet Textiles has already secured an excellent line-up of distinguished executives from leading brands, retailers and suppliers on the challenges of sustainability in the textile industry. Delegates and speakers include the CEO of Esquel, the Chairman of Crystal Group along with senior executives from TAL Apparel, Wal Mart and Levi’s. The Vice President of the hugely influential China National Textile Association (CNTAC), will also present.
Huntsman Textile Effects is proud to be the major sponsor of the event. As President of the leading dye and chemical supplier to the textile industry, Mr Paul Hulme, will present the challenges we are facing and how a chemical supplier can become a true partner for sustainability through innovation.
Also some confirmed speakers include:
Linda Greer, Director, Natural Resource Defense Council (USA); John Mowbray, Executive Editor, Ecotextile News, (UK); Mr Peter Waeber, President of bluesign technologies , Ms Liazzat Rabbiosi, Programme Officer of United Nations Environment Programme, Mr Xu Ying Xin, Executive Vice Chairman of CCPIT TEX (China), Mr Pat Nie Whoo, Chairman of sustainable Fashion Business Consortium and Director of Central Textiles,.and more.
NIKE Inc. announced that Michael Egeck has been named as CEO of Hurley International, LLC. Egeck will begin his new role on October 3 and will report directly to Roger Wyett, President of NIKE Inc. Affiliates.
"We look forward to welcoming Michael into the NIKE, Inc. family," said Wyett. "With his wide-ranging experience, his knowledge and his passion for the industry we are confident he will lead Hurley into its next phase of growth. He joins a seasoned management team and will work closely with company founder Bob Hurley to continue to drive this iconic brand forward with consumers and athletes worldwide."
Bob Hurley, Chairman and Founder of Hurley, added: "We are excited to have Mike join Hurley. He's an inspirational leader with extensive experience, and that makes him a perfect complement to our team."
Egeck, 52, brings nearly 30 years of experience to Hurley. His most recent assignment prior to coming to Hurley was as President of True Religion Brand Jeans. Prior to that, Egeck was at VF Corporation where he served as President of VF Contemporary Coalition and CEO for Seven for All Mankind.
Egeck also served as President of the VF Outdoor and Action Sports Coalition, leading an extensive brand portfolio including Vans, Reef, Jansport, The North Face, Eastpak and Napapijri. In addition, Egeck also served as President of The North Face, Inc. and GM of Columbia Sportswear.
NIKE,Inc based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Hurley International LLC designs and distributes a line of action sports apparel for surfing, skateboarding and youth lifestyle apparel and footwear under the Hurley brand name.
On October 9, 2011, Elena Vasilevsky, designer for Elena V Designs, will be showing two collections at this year's New Jersey Fashion Week Event.
Momentum for men and women, multifunctional and hip active wear collection, and Essentials for men and women. Modern day versatile silhouettes for day into the night lifestyle.
Elena V's Collections will be presented on October 9, 2011 at 5.PM at the W Hotel in Hoboken New Jersey in the Chandelier Room.
Born in Ukraine, Elena grew up in New York. After graduating Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Elena explored several artistic challenges and business endeavors. Her intense creativity, passion and discipline helped her experiment with different career moves and develop various talents in both, Fashion and Entertainment Industries.
Since starting her own label, Elena combined the diverse energy of Manhattan with timeless European elegance and sensual Latin flavor to create her collections.
"My designs express my soul and passion for dancing. Every piece of my collection contains a piece of my soul. My main source of inspiration comes from the natural energy of the people, global majority, dancing, music and variety of artistic elements that define my personal style and my life. My creations reveal personalities and allow individuals to refine their own unique beauty, highlighting individuality regardless of perfect proportions."
Her Couture Collection "Rays Of Sun" won her "Best Designer" at the vitamin water inspired Fashion Show, in June 2011.
Elena's Current Projects:
Couture Collection of cocktail evening dresses, will be shown in February 2012, at the New York Couture Show in Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Elena Vasilevsky is an Executive Producer and Wardrobe Designer in Mambo-2Mambo "The Movie" to be released in Spring 2012. Directed and written by David F. Smith.
Huntsman Corporation announced that it will invest approximately $40 million to build a new Asia Pacific Regional Technology Center (ATC) in Shanghai's Minhang Economic & Technological Development Zone, to support the rapidly growing demand for world-class technology and innovation from customers across the Asia Pacific region.
The state-of-the-art facility will comprise machine halls, laboratories and offices, accommodating up to 400 technical experts, and will replace the existing Technology Center, located nearby, which was first opened in September 2008. This facility will complement existing Technology Centers in The Woodlands, Texas and Brussels, Belgium as well as smaller regional centers.
Construction for the new ATC is expected to commence in January 2012, with completion planned for mid-2013. In parallel, part of the existing Technology Center will be converted into an auditorium and display area, which together with the new facility will form an integrated technology and innovation campus.
Anthony P Hankins, Huntsman's CEO Asia Pacific commented: "The expansion of our research and technology capability in this key region reflects Huntsman's desire and commitment to grow in partnership with our customers by delivering innovative solutions more effectively and efficiently.
The Huntsman technology center will be completely aligned to support Asia's fast-growing industries, including developing new energy-saving material solutions for the strategic industries as outlined in China's 12th Five-Year Plan."
Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging.
Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman today has approximately 12,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2010 revenues of over $9 billion.
Paris – Purity would appear to be the leitmotif and buzzword of the current French shows, especially at the tellingly delicate, charmingly refined yet rather risque spring 2012 collection of Nina Ricci shown on Thursday, Sept. 29, in Paris.
Since the appointment of British talent Peter Copping at the house, Nina Ricci has been on something of a roll. Every fashion figure of note attended this show, and scores of notable senior editors and critics were refused entry. Not out of any bad manners from the house, but simply because this sort of subtle chic is best presented in an intimate setting before a small crowd.
Staged in a rambling mansion on Avenue Foch, Paris' grandest avenue, this was a statement collection, in the sense that it defined the mood in Paris - a return to ladylike style, an off-beat sense of mixing eras and shapes and a new take on quietly tough chic.
Copping paired quite a few looks with leather bikers jackets, but cut these like mini red carpet capes. He also sent out classy quilted cloque mini boleros and swirling skirts all flawlessly cut, but showed them with twisted up and faintly crumpled bras.
His look was dainty yet downtown; precious yet with punchy panache. Though the clothes were classy, a good third of them were knickers, corsets, brass and boxer shorts.
This sort of offbeat sophistication requires that the designer can drape. Fortunately, Copping has a great sense of silhouette and savvy understanding of how to twist a lot of fabric around a women's body and still make the look slim, sleek and alluring.
The show was also a salutary lesson to designers elsewhere - notably in New York - on how to combine sportswear with couture. Where many others simply graft on fencing, boarding and extreme sports elements, Copping revamps these ideas into smooth feminine ensembles that keep the clothes graceful, yet add an authoritative air.
Take his white embroidered looks, where fabric flower pockets contrasted to the ever so faintly armored style of the jackets, so that the actual sport was irrelevant, but the result fresh and cool.
In a season with a bucolic sense of floral prints, Copping offered Alpine choices, finished with micro belts and done with just enough rouching and pleating. His wide weave Jockey hats had a Polly Magoo mood, while his furniture style platform shoes imparted a certain sense of wackiness.
This was the finest fashion display so far in Paris, and a proclamation that next spring women will dress in a nonchalant style, unfussy clothes with a distinguished air.
