The designer presented ornate Marie Antoinette-inspired gowns tinted with rock influences for his 2013 resort line, as models took to the runway in candy-colored wigs and flatform shoes. Watch the presentation at http://youtu.be/fkFdCfahDdg.

But the creator already has next year in mind, telling WWD that the glamorous seaside resort of Deauville would be an appropriate setting, particularly as 2013 marks the centenary of Chanel’s shop there.

“My idea is to hire a train, have dinner on the train, do the show in a ballroom and go back at night,” he said.

Meanwhile, see Lagerfeld discussing his inspiration behind the line at http://youtu.be/0wKwySrda7M.

source from: yahoo

He likes English models Georgia May Jagger and Cara Delevingne: “Quick-minded little girls like this, they do not exist in France. Not any more. If they are funny then they are not French.”

And the British Royals: “England would not be the same without the Royal Family. If there are scandals, who cares? The Queen is like a monument and England without royalty would have less tourists. People complain about the money they cost, but they make even more money.”

He also likes books: “Now, I have more books than I have shelves. I am a brain-bodybuilder. Schwarzenegger of the brain.”

He doesn’t like fashion exhibits: “I am against museums and exhibitions in fashion. One woman said to me—’In my world, the world of art’—so I said: ‘Oh, don’t you make dresses any more?’ If you call yourself an artist, then you are second-rate.”

Nor his nickname, King Karl: “In fashion we have more queens than kings.”

And he especially doesn’t like red carpet fashion: “The movies shown today are unrelated to the girls on the red carpet. It is grotesque… and you think of the Visconti movies, there was glamour in them. Now, everyone is bought… Most of them (the actresses) have contracts [to wear the clothes].”

source from: fashion

Roitfeld, who has co-chaired the event in the past, is spearheading a runway show during the gala on May 24, based on her idea of the perfect black wardrobe, WWD reports. Twenty designers have contributed dresses made specifically for the event, including Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christopher Kane, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, and Versace. After the show, the entire collection will be auctioned off as a single lot at the party, which is considered the hottest ticket in Cannes.
source from: fashion

As the home to some of the industry’s biggest rising stars such asOrla Kiely, Mary Katrantzou and J.W. Anderson, the UK capital is keen to push its fashion credentials during the Olympic Games and has set up a dedicated website, Fashion 2012, where fashion fans can discover all the latest news on fashion events, exhibitions and activities during the Olympic year.

Highlights include the Britain Creates 2012 Exhibition, which sees leading designers such as Paul Smith and Matthew Williamson each teaming up with a leading contemporary artist to create a work of art to represent London as a capital for creative excellence. All pieces will be exhibited to the public at the Victoria & Albert museum July 6-29 before appearing in an installation as part of Oxford Street department store Selfridges’ ‘Wonder Windows’ program during July and August.

Other expos at the Victoria & Albert worth checking out include Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, which will runs May 19, 2012 -January 6 2013, showcasing royal ballgowns as well as designs by Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon and Jenny Packham.

To keep up to date with all the latest Olympic fashion events visit http://www.fashion2012.co.uk/

source from: yahoo

When: Saturday, April 28, from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 435 North Michigan Avenue (at East Illinois Street).

source from: refinery29

Woolrich, a 182-year-old clothing company, describes its new chino pants as an elegant and sturdy fashion statement, with a clean profile and fabric that provides comfort and flexibility.

And they are great for hiding a handgun.

The company has added a second pocket behind the traditional front pocket for a weapon. Or, for those who prefer to pack their gun in a holster, it can be tucked inside the stretchable waistband. The back pockets are also designed to help hide accessories, like a knife and a flashlight.

The chinos, which cost $65, are not for commandos, but rather, the company says, for the fashion-aware gun owner. And Woolrich has competition. Several clothing companies are following suit, building businesses around the sharp rise in people with permits to carry concealed weapons.

Their ranks swelled to around seven million last year from five million in 2008, partly because of changes to state laws on concealed handguns.

Shawn Thompson, 35, who works at an auto dealership in eastern Kentucky, bought two shirts last month from the Woolrich Elite Concealed Carry line. Both, he wrote on his blog, are a step up from more rugged gear.

“Most of the clothes I used in the past to hide my sidearm looked pretty sloppy and had my girlfriend complaining about my looks,” he wrote, adding in an interview, “I’m not James Bond or nothing, but these look pretty nice.”

The shirt has a barely discernible side slit with Velcro through which, he said, he can yank his Colt 1911 from his waistband holster. Depending on circumstances and mood, he might also carry a folding knife and, at night, a flashlight in a pair of Woolrich chinos his girlfriend bought for him.

Carriers of concealed guns say the new options are a departure from the law enforcement and military look, known as “tactical,” long favored by gun owners.

The latest styles, by contrast, are called “concealed carry” or “covert fashion.”

“What we’ve tried to do is create a collection of garments that allows the end user to have stylish lifestyle apparel but have features in the garment that enable them to carry a weapon and draw the weapon quickly,” said David Hagler, a vice president at 5.11 Tactical, who was lured from Nike to work at 5.11, one of the biggest makers of clothing for soldiers and police officers.

The company’s growing concealed-carry line includes a lightweight water-resistant vest coming this fall — the sort of vest that is standard and trendy at any mainstream outdoor shop but has strategic pockets for guns. It also includes a stealth compartment in front so the wearer can appear to be warming his hands while actually gripping a pistol in a waistband holster.

Other companies are rushing to meet the demand for concealed-carry clothing. Under Armour, best known for its sports and action gear, will be adding a jacket and a plaid shirt with Velcro pockets for easy gun access.

Kevin Eskridge, senior director for outdoor product and design at the company, said the company had seen demand double in the last year for such clothing from traditional outdoor and sporting goods stores, like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Cabela’s.

Mr. Eskridge said the Under Armour apparel was catching on because of fashion but also because of its features, including moisture-wicking fabric.

“Others are making shirts with gun access but using regular cotton,” he said. With his company’s fabrics, “there’s no stink factor,” he said. And if gun owners do not use fabrics that wick away moisture, “You’ll literally rust out,” he added.

Gun experts suggest that there are many reasons for the growth in the number of people with concealed-carry permits. They say it is partly due to a changing political and economic climate — gun owners are professing to want a feeling of control — and state laws certainly have made a difference.

After a campaign by gun rights advocates, 37 states now have “shall issue” statutes that require them to provide concealed-carry permits if an applicant meets legal requirements, like not being a felon. (A handful of other states allow the concealed carrying of handguns without a permit). By contrast, in 1984 only 8 states had such statutes, and 15 did not allow handgun carrying at all, said John Lott, a researcher of gun culture who has held teaching or research posts at a number of universities, including the University of Chicago.

Only one state, Illinois, now forbids handgun carrying in any form, but the legislature is considering a change.

A majority of states have long allowed the open carrying of handguns, said Mr. Lott, who also provided the data on gun permits. But the reality, said Mr. Lott and other gun experts, is that people do not want to show others that they are carrying a weapon or invite sharp questioning from the police.

The clothing lines address a perceived need in the concealed-carry subculture. Gun owners say they want to practice “maximum uncertainty,” meaning that if a gun is sufficiently concealed, a potential criminal will be unsure whether to attack. Gun experts say the research is inconclusive about whether such tactics reduce crime. Regardless, the clothing makers are jumping on the line of thinking.

“When someone walks down the street in a button-down and khakis, the bad guy gets a glimmer of fear, wondering: are they packing or not?” said Allen Forkner, a spokesman for Woolrich, which started its concealed-carry line in 2010 with three shirts.

The company has since added new patterns for shirts, pants and the Elite Discreet Carry Twill jacket, in dark shale gray and dark wheat tan. In addition to its gun-friendly pockets, the jacket has a channel cut through the back that the company says can be used to store plastic handcuffs.

Not everyone who carries a concealed gun is a fan of the new fashion. Howard Walter, 61, a salesman at Wade’s Eastside Guns in Bellevue, Wash., said he preferred to carry his Colt — and a couple of knives and two extra magazines — in a durable pair of work pants.

“They don’t shout ‘gun,’ they shout ‘average guy in the street,’ ” said Mr. Walter, who years ago worked in sales at Nordstrom. But really, he said, the most important thing in picking clothing is to choose something that works for the weapon. “They should dress for the gun,” he said he advised his customers. “Not for the fashion.”

source from: nytimes

The animated picture is being rereleased on Blu-ray and DVD this fall, and in honor of this the French shoe guru will offer aninterpretation of the iconic “glass slipper” worn by the movie’s namesake.

Fashionistas will have to wait until the summertime to see the shoe, although it is said the creator, famous for his red-soled talons, will put his own “magic touch” on the famous footwear.

“I have been so lucky to have crossed paths with Cinderella, an icon who is so emblematic to the shoe world as well as the dream world,” Louboutin is quoted as saying in WWD April 26.

This won’t be the first time the Brothers Grimm fairytale shoe has provides a source of inspiration.

Maison Martin Margiela created its own interpretation of the iconic glass slippers a few years back for a limited edition range.

Meanwhile, Snow White also looks set to be a major source for fashion trends this year thanks to the release of a new Hollywood interpretation of the tale, Snow White and the Huntsman. The film has already inspired a Benefit Cosmetics beauty kit allowing fans to recreate protagonist Kristen Stewart’s pale beauty, and Charlize Theron’s Evil Queen character boasts an extensive haute couture wardrobe.

Fairy tales were also the theme for the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which was described as “spring-like and magical” by creative director Marc Jacobs.

source from: yahoo

1947-1957
Christian Dior
The label’s founder and namesake heralded what became known as the New Look back in 1947 when he presented a particularly feminine collection dominated by long flowing skirts, tiny waists and soft shoulders, which provided a stark contrast to the slinky silhouette of the 1930s. Top clients included Marlene Dietrich and The Duchess of Windsor, while today’s stars continue to embrace his ladylike designs – Natalie Portman wore a red polka dot haute couture creation conceived by Dior in 1954 to this year’s Academy Awards.

1957-1960
Yves Saint Laurent
Before founding his namesake maison in 1962, Yves Saint Laurent achieved fame as Dior’s successor, with his debut show in 1958 adding a sense of youthfulness to the brand with a softer interpretation of the New Look. While later experiments with hobble skirts and a beatnik aesthetic didn’t go down so well with the press at the time, Saint Laurent left his biggest mark with the trapeze dress he showcased in 1958. With its free-swinging shape, the loose-fitting style was a stark contrast to Dior’s cinched-in creations.

1961-1988
Marc Bohan
Bohan remains the longest-serving couturier at Dior to date, and although his creations were more conservative than those of his predecessors, the designer ensured the maison remained one of the world’s most in demand with top clients including Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace of Monaco. One of Bohan’s most acclaimed collections was the Fall/Winter 1966 line, with its tweed coats, fur trims and long black boots inspired by the movie Doctor Zhivago.

1989-1996
Gianfranco Ferré
The first non-French creator at the helm of Dior, Italy’s Gianfranco Ferré was chosen by owner Bernard Arnault to replace Bohan, and his eclectic collections brought plenty of differing elements to the Dior aesthetic ranging from a dandy influence to Renaissance shapes, although it wasn’t until the appointment of Galliano in 1996 that the label would return to its most pioneering roots.

1996-2011
John Galliano
Combining Dior’s fondness for femininity with a strong theatrical influence, British fashion designer Galliano embraced Kabuki styling and gave the fashion house a much more distinct aesthetic, notably with his flamboyant haute couture shows. His designs were embraced by everyone from the late Princess Diana to actress and fashion maverick Tilda Swinton, who wore a huge fruit-printed Dior gown to the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

source from: yahoo

Raf Simons the new Face for Christian Dior

Much speculation has been centered around the replacement of John Galliano over the past year for the top design post predecessor. When Dior Chief Executive Sidney Toledano was asked over and over again who would replace Galliano, she simply would respond saying that Dior will take their time.  Christian Dior, being the parent company of LVMH has been on a non-stop search for this position, and now ladies and gentlemen, lets please welcome Belgian designer Raf Simons.

“It is with the utmost respect for its tremendous history, its unparalleled knowledge and craftsmanship that I am joining the magnificent house of Dior,” he said. “It is one of the ultimate challenges, and a dream to go to a place like Dior, which stands for absolute elegance, incredible femininity and utter luxury.”

With candidates such as Marc Jacobs (head designer at Louis Vuitton) and Alber Elbaz (of Lanvin) this was no easy competition, however known for his understated looks, and highly anticipated Haute Couture line, Raf Simons is welcomed into his new family.  Previously working with the fashion house of Jil Sanders, Simons built up his international reputation with an eye towards bright colors that worked on many different levels.  Simons states;

“I’m someone who takes responsibility.   I’m not an isolated person. The more I connect to people, the more I have the feeling that things work.”

Raf Simons is now the head of haute couture, women’s ready-to-wear accessories, and will kick things off with his first couture show in July.  While doing this entire he will in fact be continuing his own men’s line.  With a focus on modern vision and a linear style of finely crafted products, Raf Simmons has earned this grand position, and will continue the tradition of intricate elegance and immaculate beauty of Christian Dior.

Christian Dior 1950s

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source from: fashionnewslive

Isn’t that a place in France?

That would be Saint-Tropez, a little town on the south coast of France where rich and beautiful jet-setters hang out. I’m referring to St Tropez, the range of tanning products with the intention to make us look like we’re rich and beautiful jet-setters when really we’ve been standing in the bathroom, wearing our old pants, worrying about whether our knees and elbows are going to give the game away.

So what’s the story?

Starting life in sun-kissed California in 1993, St Tropez was launched in the UK three years later and soon became the market leader in the world of self-tan with a whopping 40% of the market share. For years, self-tan had a less than desirable image. There was an all or nothing approach, which often resulted in a strange orange colour complete with dodgy patches and a peculiar smell. But the science behind these products has come on leaps and bounds and a safe subtle tan or glow is now both fashionable and attainable.

What if I don’t want a tan?

St Tropez Self Tan Dark Bronzing Mousse, £33 from st-tropez.com. Photograph: Martin Eidemak

In that case, self-tan products may not be for you and you can carry on as you were. Those of us who are apprehensive of revealing our legs after their winter hibernation appreciate a little help to take the edge off. But fake tanning doesn’t just have to be for those with luminous white legs. It can be used to even out any skin tone and give a hint of holiday to legs of any colour. Last month, St Tropez launched Self Tan Dark (from £26,st-tropez.com), which contains special sciency things that reacts to your own skin tone, whatever it may be. Use it in moderation in a way that suits your skin. When the time comes, I like to use a little Gradual Tan Everyday Body (£14.30 for 200ml, as before) mixed in with my normal body moisturiser. It just gives me a subtle glow but without in any way looking like you’ve hit the fake tan.

• For a cheaper gradual tanning lotion, you could do a lot worse than Johnson’s Holiday Skin (£5.10 for 250ml, boots.com). Use it on its own or mixed with your own body moisturiser for a lighter look.

source from: guardian