Blog Archives

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG : NEW E! SHOW.

10/30/2014

E! channel, top of the listings along with BRAVO, for reality TV, and its latest show is one not to be missed by DVF fans, "House of DVF" is premiering on E! this Sunday (2nd November) which will star both Diane von Furstenberg herself, as well as her team.

The show revolves around eight women competing to become DVF's brand ambassador. As well as von Furstenberg herself, also featured in the show is DVF style editor Jessica Joffe and creative brand director Stefani Greenfield as they are seen mentoring the competitors throughout the season. The candidates are put through their paces as they have to arrange press lunches as well as one of the hardest jobs, work DVF’s spring 2015 show during New York, and are judged accordingly.

Jessica Joffe spoke to WWD about the show and said the experience had served as a reminder of just how much is expected of her, “The show has been an unexpectedly revealing experience. Working with — and occasionally admonishing — our ambassadorial candidates forced me to realize how much was expected of me — of us all — at DVF. In a wonderful way, the girls became my teachers, even though I’m sure they still think I want to eat them alive!”

Speaking of her experience of doing the show, von Furstenberg said, “I really enjoyed doing the show. It is glamorous, fun [and] informative about what happens behind the scenes in a fashion house. And I manage to pass on strong, empowering messages to young women.”

von Furstenberg is not a complete stranger to reality TV. She has featured on 'The City' as Whitney Port (who had previously starred in 'The Hills') received employment with DVF and moves to New York. In one scene von Furstenberg was seen seen giving Whitney Port some relationship advice, saying, “...The most important relationship you have in life is the relationship you have with yourself, because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.” Sound advice indeed. She has also been featured on The Rachel Zoe project discussing her work.

Above: 'House of DVF' contestants

If anyone deserves their own show, it's Diane Von Furstenberg. Her and her brand have had some major milestones and just this year von Furstenberg celebrated her 40th anniversary of her now infamous wrap dress. The show also couldn't have come at a more perfect time either as von Furstenberg releases her memoir, “The Woman I Wanted to Be.”

For a previous post on DVF's huge success click here!

'HOUSE of DVF' TRAILER:

Diane von Furstenberg giving advice to Whitney Port during a scene on 'The City'

the original breakdown for the show:

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BEYONCE AND TOPSHOP COLLABORATION: ATHLETIC / LEISURE BRAND.

10/27/2014

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Topshop certainly aren't short of a celebrity following, and one of their most influential celebrity fans is Beyonce and it's been announced today that she will be partnering up with the brand.

This won't be your typical celebrity endorsement. It's a joint venture of which Beyonce will be a 50% partner in. It's going to be a separate entity to the Topshop store, with the new joint venture being named under Parkwood Topshop Athletic Ltd.,

We've seen a huge growth in fashionable athletic sportswear with Net-a-sporter, and the ever on trend H&M getting in on the act with their own line and it seems Topshop owner Sir Philip Green, realized the gap in his market. The new venture will produce an athletic streetwear brand, and could be here as early as fall 2015 in both stores and online, WWD has reported. The details of the deal are said to be released later today.

This news is not to be confused with a typical celebrity endorsement or collaboration as Sir Philip Green explains to WWD, “This not a collaboration. This is about building a brand and building a business — a separate, proper business, with separate overhead and a separate office,”

Speaking of how the partnership came about Green explains, “Basically, when she was in London in February we arranged to get together. We started talking generally, about doing something together. We’ve been looking at that [athletic] sector for a while. It’s something we need to be in. Based on what she does, how she works out, the conversation got into that category. We started getting into proper conversation in May or June, as to how it would work. It took six or eight weeks to put a deal together. On Friday, “Beyoncé came to our office for the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle.”

Beyonce has been spending a lot of time in London and Europe lately with husband Jay Z and the news today certainly explains why.

Beyonce commented, “I have always loved Topshop for their fashion credentials and forward thinking,”
And what a perfect partnership it will be. Beyonce is always so current, with her mix of street style as well as chic ensembles. Beyonce, in my opinion always seems to have a strong view point on fashion and certainly knows who she is and expresses it well through her personal style. This is a great platform for Beyonce to take that one step further. With such a strong sense of who she is as well as an incredibly strong message she gives out, the collaboration seems like the perfect fit.

Beyonce, it seems certainly won't be sitting back and just attaching her name to the products saying she wants to, “create and produce a technical and fashion-led collection” and “participate in all aspects of the partnership.”

It makes perfect business sense for the duo to pair up. Not only is there a gap in Topshops portfolio for fashion forward athletic sportswear, which needs to be filled for the brand, but also Beyonce's enormous fan base will only drive more customers to Topshop. Green clearly understands this and sees that whilst Topshop have 3.2 million followers, Beyonce has almost 6 times that following with 19 million followers. With the figures combined, a huge new fan base could come Topshops way.

Topshop previously collaborated with Kate Moss on several collections however it currently is unattached of any celebrity partnerships, endorsements or collaborations. However their history with Moss' collection has been very successful, creating one off collections which were incredibly popular.

Beyonce is no stranger to the world of fashion, her mother Tina Knowles was her stylist and made her clothes and costumes for years and together over a decade ago, they began a fashion business, House of Dereon. Beyonce also has a range of products which include clothing, fragrances and denim.

Despite the news breaking today, there is still a lot of work ahead for the new venture. The first being what to call the collection. In addition, as it is a completely separate entity to Topshop, a new team will need to be put together, and an office space found. Speaking of where the location of the office would be, Green said most likely in New York.

Green is aware of the huge undertaking of the task and said, “We have much to achieve in just under a year,” Now that the deal is signed the rest of the planning can go ahead, including the hiring of the team. Green plans to find someone to head up the joint venture, with a creative director as well as two designers. To keep the brand as both a functional yet fashionable athletic brand, they plan on hiring both a designer who has an understanding of athletic wear, and how to make it functional in terms of stretch etc for workout wear, as well as a fashion designer to keep it on trend. As for who will be hired? Green said. “We’ve been brainstorming about the name. We haven’t got there yet.”

Included in the brand, it will cover all areas of fitness and dance wear including footwear. The brand will be targeting women who will use the clothes to workout as well as fashionable pieces that can be worn without hitting the gym.

The brand is planned to be available in both Topshop physical stores as well as online. Speaking of additional retailers Green says “Assuming the line is sufficient, it will certainly be in our biggest stores, hopefully as a shop within shop, having its own identity in the stores, certainly in the stores where we have the space. Outside of our own stores, we will talk to Nordstrom where we’ve got a relationship and then we see who else we talk to from there.” Nordstrom began selling Topshop within the store in 2012 and they currently have 52 Nordstroms stocking the brand.

Topshop has been a huge name on the high street for a long time. However since it was founded in Sheffield in 1964, it has certainly seen a huge growth in the brand. They currently have 330 stores in the UK, and almost 500 world wide. On Nov 5th a new flagship store is opening on 608 Fifth Avenue in New York on 49th Street which is opposite Saks Fifth Avenue. The new store will be Topshop's second largest store in the world and the largest US store to date. It is 40,000 square feet with four levels, three of which are selling floors. So far the largest store location still remains in Oxford Street London, which is the retailers flagship store.

I'm excited to see who will be the top two designers for the new brand.. watch this space!

BEYONCE GALLERY :

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DOLCE & GABBANA: NOT GUILTY

10/25/2014

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It was a case that had been hanging over Stefano Gabbanna and Domenico Dolce for seven years when initial investigations began, but yesterday, on Friday October 24th they were found not guilty of tax evasion resulting in the over turning of two previous sentences in the lower court in Italy. The verdict that was given out by Italy's highest court must have come a huge relief to the designers who were facing 20 months in jail had they lost the appeal.

It took five jury members three hours to come up with the verdict. The result meant that the jury, lead by president Alfredo Teresi also cleared the D&G other team members, general director, Christiana Ruella, finance director, Giuseppe Minoni as well as accountant Luciano Patelli as there was no longer a case.

Speaking after the verdict, the designers lawyer said, “I am very satisfied. We have been saying that they were innocent for the past seven years. Nobody can take back the negative publicity they received over these seven years, but we knew we were in the right all along.”

Bad publicity there was. The case sparked an Italian media frenzy when the original sentence was handed out in April of this year at Milano's appeal court. The room was filled with reporters, as well as TV camera's. However when the verdict was over turned yesterday in Italy’s version of the Supreme Court it was a different scene, with barely anyone in attendance.

Giuseppe Bana, the lawyer for the accountant, Luciano Patelli also made a statement after the verdict "We are entirely pleased with the acquittal of Mr. Patelli, which has arrived at the end of a trial that should never have taken place, after a preliminary hearing judge had deemed the accusations totally unfounded."

The case isn't entirely over however, as there may still be a trial at the appeals court for Domenico Dolce’s brother, Alfonso Dolce. He is the legal representative of the company. His paperwork is still being reviewed in the appeals court.

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WOLFGANGPUCK'S CUT - BEVERLY HILLS

10/24/2014

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Last week I went to Cut in Beverly Hills for dinner. The restaurant is beautiful and the food delicious!

Vest - Alexander Wang
Skirt - Endless Rose from Chicks and Blokes
Clutch- Chanel
Shoes- Christian Louboutin

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ALEXANDER WANG X H&M UPDATE : PROMO VIDEO REVEALed

10/22/2014

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The announcement was made in April of this year that Alexander Wang would be the latest designer to collaborate with the Swedish retailer and fashion euphoria ensued. Wang has been giving us sneak peaks ever since the announcement was made, with the biggest reveal made on October 16th with a look at the main pieces of the collection, but the reveals haven't ended there. The collection, which will launch on November 6th has now been revealed in video form with a game inspired promo showcasing the sports luxe collection. The first look of the collections were great, but this video shows a whole new coolness to the designs. If you didn't want it before, after this video, you may well want it all! (For interactive video information scroll down!)

For pictures of the collection see:
Alexander Wang for H&M

Like the video? Check out the fab interactive video on H&M's website:
Alexander Wang X H&M interactive video

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OSCAR DE LA RENTA PASSES AWAY AGED 82

10/21/2014

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Today, October 20th 2014, the world lost a wonderful talent, as Oscar de la Renta passed away aged 82 in his home in Kent, Conn. The sad news was confirmed by his wife Annette de la Renta. The designer had been battling cancer for the past eight years and the cause of his passing was complications that had arisen as a result.

During this time, Mr. de la Renta's business was becoming increasingly successful as his name became synonymous with some of the 'best dressed' on the red carpet. He was the go to designer for events such as the Oscars, his dresses famous for being so beautify elaborate, with a fairytale quality about them.

Mr. de la Renta's business has grown by 50% the last few years making his sales reach $150 Million. One of the biggest events of the year so far in the celebrity world, George Clooney's wedding, saw Mr. de la Renta's name attached once again, as Amal Alamuddin, George Clooney’s now wife wore a beautiful wedding gown that was made by Oscar de la Renta when she and Clooney wed in Venice.

Oscar de la Renta always had a timeless quality with each of his collections, with not an awards ceremony or red carpet moment go by without a star wearing one of his beautiful gowns. As well as his red carpet moments, he created incredibly beautiful ready to wear upscale clothes for those lucky enough to be able to buy them. In addition he stayed so relevant by dressing four American first ladies as well as embracing social media and keeping his collection updated for the more contemporary customer.

Mr. de la Renta had quite the life. When he was younger, to earn extra money he would draw clothes for newspapers and fashion houses. Speaking of his drawings, he said they weren’t original or technically accurate. However they were distinct enough to be discovered by Francesca Lodge, the wife of John Davis Lodge, who was the United States ambassador to Spain during that time. It was then (in 1956), she asked Mr. de la Renta to design a dress for her daughter Beatrice for her debutant appearance. It was the first real moment of notoriety for Mr. de la Renta as the dress, as well as the debutante appeared on the cover of 'Life' that Autumn.

This soon led to Mr. de la Renta working under arguably the best couturier of the time, Cristobal Balenciaga. Mr. de la Renta’s job was to sketch dresses to send to clients. Ready to move on from his, he asked Mr. Balenciaga to move him to the main studio in Paris, however he was told he had to wait another year as he wasn't ready.

Fired up with ambition and unable to wait, Mr. de la Renta headed to Paris and was instantly given a job at Christian Dior. However, still not ready to settle into another position without exploring further, the next day he visited Lanvin’s designer, Antonio del Castillo. Mr. de la Renta told the former fashion reporter for The Times, Bernadine Morris, “He loved me because I spoke Spanish, and he asked me if I could cut, drape and sew, and of course I said yes,” continuing, “He offered me a little more money than Dior, and I said I would start in two weeks. Then I went to a fashion school and asked the woman who ran it if she could teach me the years course in two weeks.”

The training clearly paid off and Mr. de la Renta was with Mr. Castillo for two years from 1961 to 1963 before deciding to try and see what the United States could offer. He moved to join Elizabeth Arden, which during that time produced a couture line.

In 1965, Mr. de la Renta left Elizabeth Arden and became a partner and designer at the Seventh Avenue company of Jane Derby. Soon after this, Miss Derby retired, and with the backing from Ben Shaw Mr. de la Renta took over. He helped the brand grow to include fragrances as well as boutiques in the United States as well as internationally.

Throughout this time, Mr. de la Renta was really making a name for himself and forming close friendships with the first ladies he dressed.

In 1993, was ready to make his debut as a couture designer. Mr. de la Renta showed his first collection in Paris for Pierre Balmain. In addition he showed his RTW collection in Paris from 1991-1992.

Mr. de la Renta has received several honors including the Coty Awards, which is given by a jury of fashion editors. It was awarded to him for having the most influence on fashion in 1967 and 1968. Coty Award then honored him in 1997 by entering him into the Coty Hall of Fame. Mr. de la Renta was then honored by the Counsil of Fashion Designers of America, the prestigious lifetime achievement award.

Mr. de la Renta knew only too well that what he did was a form of art. Knowing that what made his collections come to life were the women that wore it and what happened on the runway was something entirely different. He was once quoted as saying "Never, ever confuse what happens on a runway with fashion. A runway is spectacle. It’s only fashion when a woman puts it on. Being well dressed hasn’t much to do with having good clothes. It’s a question of good balance and good common sense.”

But what a spectacle his runway shows were. Mr. de la Renta certainly knew how to put on a wonderful show, and had such an interesting story to tell. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts go out to his family.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala. Oscar de la Renta's name was embossed on the train.

Oscar de la Renta and Anna Wintour in 1998: Photo by Steve Eichner

Hillary Clinton, Oscar de la Renta, Ali MacGraw and Michael Kors attend the 2002 CFDA Awards. Photo by Steve Eichner

Oscar de la Renta and Jennifer Aniston Photo by Reginald Gray

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and The City, in that Oscar de la Renta dress.

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COFFEE WITH FRIENDS...

10/20/2014

Continuing the theme of the week as family were visiting from England I had another fun day out, this time at Warner Brothers Studios. Visiting 'Central Perk' coffee shop from 'Friends' was the definite highlight for me! I kept hearing the theme song in my head as I sat on the couch!!

ENTERING HOGWARTS

The sorting hat put me in Gryffindor!

If you're scared of spiders, you might want to close your eyes....!

I'm so sorry.. I simply couldn't help myself.. :D

Jacket- Topshop
Vest- Alexander Wang
Skirt- Splendid
Bag- Balenciaga

ALEXANDER WANG FOR H&M- COLLECTION REVEALED!

10/17/2014

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I am a big fan of H&M's designer collaborations and they have been hugely successful since they began back in 2004. In April this year It was announced Alexander Wang would be the next designer to create a collection with the Swedish retailer.

The designer who can credit Anna Wintour as one of his early supporters, hails from NY and became famous for his fantastic sweater, which to this day epitomizes his laid back, yet luxuries pieces and clean silhouettes for which he has become so known for.

Beginning his label in 2004 at just 19, Wang went onto win the coveted Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2008, and was soon calling Diane von Furstenberg his mentor. The designer has gone from strength to strength and is now also creative director for one of my personal favorite design houses, Balenciaga.

The collection, which will include women's wear and men's wear collection as well as Wang's popular accessories was announced via his instagram page earlier this year and Wang has slowly been giving fans a sneak peak of his items, but now his collection is available to view online in preparations for its launch on November 6th.

Speaking of the collaboration back in April when the news was announced, Wang said: "I am honoured to be a part of H&M's designer collaborations." and continued "The work with their team is an exciting, fun process. They are very open to pushing boundaries and to set a platform for creativity. This will be a great way for a wider audience to experience elements of the Alexander Wang brand and lifestyle."

H&M's creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch also spoke about the collaboration "Alexander Wang is one of the most important voices in fashion today," He continued "He understands exactly what people want to wear and does it with an energy and passion that's infectious. It feels incredible to be collaborating with him this year."

Some of the industries most influential designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Versace, Lanvin and Marni, have designed for the high-street brand.

As previously reported here during Isabel Marant collection unveiling, the system went into over drive and completely crashed. Let's see what happens this year!

The collection will be available on November 6. In the mean time, here are some of my favorite pieces from the collection. What will be on your list?!

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I'M NOT SHORT, I'M FUN SIZED!!! UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

10/16/2014

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This week I had family in town and it's always a good excuse to visit Universal Studios again when people visit. I decided to wear my fun t-shirt, 'I'm not short, I'm fun sized!' I hope you're all having a good weekend!

WATERWORLD

THE ACTORS FROM WATERWORLD

Trousers- J Brand trousers
Flip flops - Tory Burch
Sunglasses- Ray Ban
Cuff- Hermes Collier De Chien

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50 SHADES OF GREY- FALL 2015

10/13/2014

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50 Shades of Grey maybe taking over in the world of books and soon to be movie, but the color grey is also set to be huge this fall. We saw it on the runway as well as the streets during fashion week. I've always loved grey. Far from seeing it as a dull color, it can be worn against so many other hues, and is a great, softer alternative to black. Check out some of my fav looks below!