FANTASTIC FASHION/GOT TO HAVE IT!!!! CHRISTOPHER KANE "PLANET OF THE APES" TOP

Christopher Kane S/S 2009 "Planet of the Apes"
top image courtesy of IHT/The New York Times

I GOT TO HAVE IT!!! This sleeveless top from Christopher Kane's S/S 2009 London Show with the "Planet of the Apes" baboon printed front is TO DIE FOR!!!

You can check out a wonderful review of the collection written by Suzy Menkes through the IHT website via this link. There's a wonderful slideshow of notable designers from London's S/S 2009 Collections which can be viewed at this link. Kane's collection was described as a cross between "Planet of the Apes" meets "The Flintstones".

Also check out my previous posting about Kane's collaboration for Shiseido by clicking here.

Fantastic Fashion - Lacoste S/S 2009 Color Blocked Mods

Lacoste S/S 2009 Collection images courtesy
of men.style.com

Lacoste is offering some fantastic black and white color blocked Mod pieces for S/S 2009. However, I'm not so keen on the 1 golfing gloved accompanying look.

Both The New York Times and Men.Style.com have some fabulous pics from the recent show.

Fantastic Fashion / Art Attack - Free City Traveling Supershop

Nina Garduno photographed by Alex
Koester courtesy of The New York Times



Freecity Malibu Store photographed by
Alex Koester courtesy of The New York
Times

Freecity, the lifestyle Malibu based shop, vintage retailer and clothing line has now created free standing traveling Superstores. The Superstores will be setting up shop in various venues around the world, mainly at art/literary/music inclined locations. The New York Times published a great article, written by Cathy Horyn, about Freecity and founder Nina Garduno, which can be viewed via this link.


Freecity Superstore at HRM Japan image courtesy
of Japan Times, HRM Japan and Freecity

The most recent Freecity Superstore location was at the Hollywood Ranch Market in Japan. The HRM host boutique is a very popular vintage lifestyle shop, one of the original purveyors of vintage in Tokyo. You can read more through the Japan Times Stylewise column via this link.

FANTASTIC FASHION / GOT TO HAVE IT!!!! D SQUARED "LIGHTING BOLT" HEELS

Image courtesy of Zappos

These amazing "Lighting Bolt" heels by D Squared are 5+" inches of pure PLEASURE & PAIN!! You can buy them here at the Zappos website.

Fantastic Fashion / Fashion for a Cause - T-Shirt label "New Fashion Rules"

David Koizumi and New Fahsion Rules co-founders
image courtesy of Japan Times


David Koizumi and New Fashion Rules co-founders image courtesy
of New Fashion Rules


T-shirt image courtesy of New Fashion Rules

New Fashion Rules is a charitable T-Shirt company created last April 2008 by male model David Koizumi. He enlisted help from other veteran Japanese male models to design limited edition T-Shirts which they would sell at various venues to benefit Japan's chapter of the charity World Vision.

The first run of T-shirts sold out within three days, and the second run sold out just as fast. Thus the idea grew into a full company. They have now added 17 more models, including some female models, to contribute designs as well. Beginning in August 2008 they will have a total of 40 t-shirt designs available through various boutiques, venues and online. Remember, all proceeds will go directly to World Vision Japan.

FANTASTIC FASHION!!!! LYDIA HEARST FOR MYLA LINGERIE CAMPAIGN

Lydia Hearst for Myla image courtesy of Myla

Lydia Hearst, socialite daughter of former Symbionese Liberation Army kidnap victim Patty Hearst, is the new Fall / Winter 2008 campaign face for lingerie company Myla. The concept for the advertising is based on the 1940's "Old Hollywood" looks of stars like Veronica Lake. She launched the campaign at an event called "National Underwear Day" in N.Y.,.

Lydia has been shot by photographers such as Steven Meisel for the cover of Italian Vogue, Mario Testino and Terry Richardson. She currently has been in the news for sharing a sapphic kiss with Aubrey O'day from Danity Kane. What do you think of Lydia Hearst for Myla compared to Dita Von Teese for Wonderbra?


Patty Hearst for the SLA promotional poster

Patty Hearst, daughter of publication magnate William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by the SLA at the age of 19. Two months later she, in a classic case of Stockhom Syndrome, joined the group and posed for a poster featuring her carrying a rifle.

Sent to prison in 1976 for robbing a bank she wound up serving 3 years. At her trial she claimed she was brainwashed by the group.

After wards she married her bodyguard and gave birth to Lydia in 1984. More recently Patty was given a full presidential pardon by Bill Clinton.

FANTASTIC FASHION / FASHION FOR A CAUSE / GOT TO HAVE IT!!!! C.O.A.C.D. T-SHIRT

Carmelita at Elite N.Y. photo courtesy of COACD




Images courtesy of COACD

I have to have the new C.O.A.C.D. T-Shirt (Confessions of a Casting Director). It's so cool. Fashionable and Political.

You can get more information through the C.O.A.C.D. Blogsite via this link.

FANTASTIC FASHION / GOT TO HAVE IT!!! LANVIN / ACNE JEANS DENIM SNEAKERS

Lanvin Acne denim sneakers image courtesy of Selectism and
Sarah from Collette's blog sites

Got to have it!!!! These denim sneakers are a part of the Lanvin/Acne Jeans collaboration range which is due out in November 2008.






Images courtesy of Lanvin / Acne

As per the press release found on Lanvin's website:

LANVIN ACNE SUMMER 2009 MICRO COLLECTION

"Lanvin and Acne Jeans have joined their talents to create an exclusive collection based around denim. Born from a meeting between Alber Elbaz and Jonny Johansson, the creative director of the celebrated Swedish jeans brand founded in 1996, this micro-range for men and women was developed around the idea of "making denim desirable".

"Amongst the forty pieces designed by Lanvin and manufactured by Acne are women's trousers, but also shorts, corset dresses, tie-neck blouses, trench coats and double breasted jackets with puff sleeves. The men's collection, designed by Lucas Ossendrijver under the guidance of Alber Elbaz, features jeans, tailored front-pleated trousers, shorts, classic blazer jackets and macs."

During the press launch of the collection, Alber Elbaz, the 47 year old designer of Lanvin stated "I've started conceptualizing all of this not so long ago," said Elbaz during a one-on-one preview of the line. Fashion Week Daily first reported Elbaz was in talks to do a line with Acne Jeans in April. "I was very pleased when I started working with Acne. They're just young, energetic sexy Swedes and our partnership really wasn't about signing hardcore contracts, it was really just about creating about something that was mutually fun and creative."

The collection is due to hit Barneys and Berdorf Goodman in late November here in the States. Below are some press images released by Lanvin/Acne Jeans encapsulating the collection. Prices will range between $550 to $650 for jeans, while coats will run $1,200 to $1,500. The jewelry and handbags are expected to be priced north of $1,500.


Cover image photographed by Terry Tsiolis
courtesy of Acne Paper

Acne Jeans also has a great publication called Acne Paper, which they publish instead of advertising in any publications. Some contributors to the magazine are: Adrian Gaut, Alfredo Piola, Anja Stang, Anthony Maule, Cécil Mathieu, Christopher Breward, Erik Näslund, Geir Haraldseth, Glenn O’Brien, Greg Gorman, Hanna Wieslander, Hans Feurer, Johan Rosell, Johanna Agerman, Kaoru Isima, Katerina Jebb, Lisa Naftolin, Liselotte Watkins, Patrick Li, Peter Mcneil, Rachel Thomas, Ronald Stoops, Sølve Sundsbø, Tarik Saleh, Terry Tsiolis.

Here is a link to a blog on the T Magazine website by Thomas Persson, editor in chief of Acne Paper.

FANTASTIC FASHION - JUSTIN SMITH BESPOKE MILLINERY

Dance With Me images courtesy of Justin Smith Esquire




Justin Smith Gentlemen Images courtesy of Justin Smith

Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy aren't the only milliners of note in London. There's a young upstart named Justin Smith who name is on the lips of fashionistas all throughout the city.

Smith was born in Exeter in 1978 and spent 5 years as a hairdresser at Toni & Guy, eventually becoming Creative Director. He wound up opening his own hair salon named "And People Like Us". This artistic talent progressed into entering a millinery course in 2005 and a MA degree from the Royal College of Art in 2007.

His graduation collection earned him high marks and critical praise. He has since won awards such as -British Fashion Council : New Generation sponsorship, International Talent Support 6 : Maria Luisa Award, i-D Styling award, Hat Designer Of The Year 2007 : second prize and Hat Designer Of The Year 2006 : first prize.

Smith will be expanding his brand with a lower priced collection as well as a complete men's range called Mr. Smith.

Here is a video clip from his interview with Jessica Michaul for the International Herald Tribune. Video clip courtesy of Justin Smith and I.H.T.

Here is a video clip of the catwalk show from the "Dance With Me" collection.

Here is a video clip of his collection for the A/W 08 Deryck Walker Collection. Video clip courtesy of Justin Smith and Deryck Walker.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS FOR BOY FALL 2008 CAMPAIGN

Michelle Williams for Boy images courtesy of Boy -
Band of Outsiders

Here are some images from Michelle Williams' Boy Fall 2008 campaign. Boy is the women's range of clothing by Band of Outsiders. You can see more images of Michell on the Boy blog site. The photo shoot was taken at interior designer Paul Fortune's residence in Laurel Canyon.

FANTASTIC FASHION / GOT TO HAVE IT!!! DITA VON TEESE LAUNCHES LINGERIE LINE WITH WONDERBRA

Dita Von Teese wearing "Multi-Teese" image
courtesy of Wonderbra


Dita Von Teese wearing "Satin-Teese" image courtesy
of Wonderbra


Dita Von Teese wearing "Spot-Teese" image courtesy
of Wonderbra

Burlesque Dancer and Fashion Icon Dita Von Teese is launching a line of intimates in conjunction with Wonderbra.

There are three ranges in the line called Multi-Teese, Satin-Teese and Spot-Teese. The collection is produced as a limited release, set to go on sale in Europe starting September 23rd 2008.

Ms. Teese states that "I love it when you can go about your daily business with the knowledge that you have a little secret of your own on underneath. Lingerie shouldn't be something you just put on for your lover; you should do it for you. It's not about seducing men, it's about embracing womanhood."

Wonderbra is known for it's infamous campaign featuring Eva Herzigova which caused traffic accidents involving men who were gawking at the billboards while behind the wheel.