Archive for May, 2010

On 4th June, fashion designer John Galliano will come to London to discuss the British capital’s creativity and fashion future with special guests. As Chairperson of ‘Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2010’, Galliano will be joined by renowned photographer and founder of SHOWstudio Nick Knight and fashionista Lady Amanda Harlech. The exclusive event will be held at St Martins Lane Hotel and streamed live on fashionfringe.co.uk. Colin McDowell MBE, founder and Creative Director of Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden will chair the discussion.

Colin McDowell commented: “I am very excited that Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is creating a ‘first’ in bringing to London such distinguished international fashion figures for this event. Although the invited audience will include a representative selection of young British designers, what I find so exciting is that the event will be world-wide on our website and the questions from other designers and fashion followers will provide a broad spectrum of opinion and questions to make the evening truly international – which is what all of us involved with London fashion are so keen to see.”

Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is supported by Covent Garden London, American Express, Davenport Lyons, DHL, London Development Agency, The Mayor of London, and is an IMG event. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden alumni include JENA.THEO, William Tempest, Aminaka Wilmont, Erdem, Modernist and Basso & Brooke to name but a few.

John Galliano is one of the world’s most exciting, innovative and influential fashion designers, and has been at the forefront of fashion for 25 years. He produces 35 collections a year including ready-to-wear Galliano and Christian Dior, Dior Haute Couture and John Galliano menswear.

Source: FashionUnited.co.uk

Iceland’s capital Reykjavik shows us how stylish the city can be this week with two fashionista’s who know how to work classic chic with a twist.

Our tailored gent chooses a classic tonal ensemble of sand chino’s, brown shirt and grey cardigan finished off with a timeless navy trench – the must have spring jacket. Brown lace-ups, aviator glasses and a dishevelled pompadour quiff adds a fashion forward twist with a layer of stubble giving a rugged edge.

The lady of the week sports a pair of gorgeous lace-up boots, that when teamed with her light woven coat creates a contemporary country style. This is updated with an on trend white fringed dress, striped leggings and a fabulously feminine pink ruffled handbag which is complimented by her pink tinged oversized sunnys.

Click here to see the full coverage of male and female street style from Reykjavik.

Mpdclick’s partner brand Denimhead spoke to Anthony Carnot, director denim design and marketing for Arvind Design Lab in New York City. Arvind Limited is one of the largest denim producers in the world. The company started in 1931 and has been producing for the denim market for over 40 years. Until this day, the denim mills continue to be based in Ahmedabad, India.

The company’s on-going success was recently confirmed by signing a deal with Italian fashion denim maker Sixty Group to deliver super premium denim to the Indian market. Arvind owns lower tier denim brands Flying Machine, RUF & Tuf and New port and is also the authorized reseller for Lee and Wrangler. Sixty group is one of the most famous denim brands from Europe and it is behind names like Energie, Miss Sixty, Killah, Refregiwear, Murphy & Nye, Richlu and Baracuta.

Denimhead: What makes Arvind different from the competition?

Anthony Carnot: What is unique about Arvind is that we offer Japanese denim standards at low, affordable prices. Arvind started as a basic company, offering basic product. We are now premium and are also proud to have our own organic cotton facility. When a customer looks at our product, they are looking at high-quality product at reasonable prices.

DH: What is currently on trend?

AC: We are definitely seeing interest in cleaner looks, darker shades with no major washes. However, even though premium denim is moving towards a cleaner look, the mass market is still demanding washed and distressed denim.

DH: How big is the organic aspect of your business?

AC: It is huge for us right now. Walmart has been buying all of our organic products and it is doing really well for them.

DH: Where do you draw inspiration from?

AC: Japan has always been a major inspiration for me. The Japanese love denim, the way it is supposed to be, in its most authentic form.  Since I develop all colors and washes, I always look to vintage for ideas. I buy a lot of samples to look at.

DH: What’s new in Japan?

AC: The Japanese denim hasn’t changed in years. They are still interested in the worn-out look, the pair that you have had forever and never wash.

DH: Who are your biggest clients?

AC: In the US we work with Silver Jeans, Gap, Gap Kids, Kohl’s, Talbots and a number of other premium brands. Ralph Lauren is a very big client also. Globally we have worked with brands like Lee, Wrangler, Nautica, Jansport, Kipling, Tommy, Arrow, US Polo, Izod, Pierre Cardin, Palm Beach, Cherokee.

DH: Denim embellishments have been a major styling direction within the past few seasons, does Arvind execute embellishments of any kind?

AC: We can do it but we are purists and strive to deliver clean, original denim so we stay away from it. If anything, we focus on detailing such as exaggerated stitching and pocket designs.

DH: Do you produce lightweight denim and chambrays?

AC: We do chambrays and twills but it is all done in a different office in a different area, under the shirting department. As far as lightweight, we do light denim and have been known for doing an array of naturally-colored fills.  Instead of the predictable white fills, we can do any natural color yarn, so the more you wash it, the older it looks . We can also do black.  

DH: What do you think the denim market holds for the future?

AC: After we reached a peak, retailers started to suffer but denim will only get stronger. There are so many styles to be explored, like shorts for example.  I definitely see potential and growth for the denim market.

DH: What are the strong trends and looks for spring/summer 2010?

AC: Not white. Everyone always talks about white but white only sells in very small quantities. We are offering a dirty, natural selvage denim that gives the white look more authenticity.

DH: What is next for Arvind?

AC: We are really excited to present together with our European team at Premiere Vision in Paris next season. The European team works independently like we do, so this is the first time that we going to present both the US and European lines together. Also, the US product has never before been offered in Europe.

http://www.arvindmills.com/

Since her rise to fame, chart topping diva Lady Gaga and renowned Italian designer Giorgio Armani have been working together on a number of projects. This interesting partnership sees the worlds of fashion and music collide, resulting in an eclectic and controversial range of outfits that always steal the show.

The pair first collaborated when Armani designed 4 different outfits for Lady Gaga to appear in during the Grammys earlier on this year.  These included an astral inspired dress surrounded by thin metal hoops, and a sparkling emerald green bodysuit with oversized reinforced shoulders. On the night of the awards Gaga stated “the series of pieces Mr Armani created for me are truly iconic, they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist”. Armani went on to design a collection of outfits for the pop star to wear on her Monster Ball tour at the start of 2010.

Most recently Armani fashioned an ensemble worn by Lady Gaga during her performance on American Idol at the beginning of May (see photo below) consisting of a provocative black mesh bodysuit adorned with crystal and jet beading, an organza embroided hooded cape and shiny black patent stilettos, the ensemble definitely commanded attention. This was also reflected by the programme’s viewing figures, which increased by 2 million compared with numbers recorded the day before.

When speaking about his choice of  muse, Armani commented “we hear Lady Gaga’s music everywhere we go, it is like a soundtrack of our times. In addition to her formidable song writing skills, she is a modern fashion phenomenon”.

Currently Armani is designing a wardrobe to be worn by American  musician and actress Alicia Keys during her new European tour, The Element of Freedom. Although unlikely to mirror the outrageousness of his designs for Lady Gaga, the collection will almost certainly portray Keys’ personality and leave fans wanting more.

Image source: www.gagadaily.com, www.focusonstyle.com

In 1965 Pantone Inc. revolutionized the graphic arts industry with the Pantone Colour Matching System, enabling designers and printers to reproduce accurate colour anywhere in the world, using unique number references for precise specification.

As the company moved into more lifestyle-oriented industries, they are now the colour authority upon which our interiors, exteriors, fashions and home products are created and manufactured. Pantone collaborates with corporations on colour consistency, directs designers on palettes each and every season, and licenses paint and designer-inspired products for consumers around the world.

Pantone have now created its first hotel, designed impeccably by architect designers Michel Penneman and Oliver Hannaert, located in the heart of Brussels, just a five minute walk from the fashionable Avenue Louise and the Metro Louise. The Pantone Hotel set over 7 floor offers 59 uniquely decorated rooms, each having a distinctive colour palette and unique artwork by Belgium photographer Victor Levy.

“From the moment you arrive, our ‘hotel of colors’ will awaken your senses to an array of delights and playful surprises.” (Pantone).

Guests can enjoy state-of-the-art accommodation, distinctively chosen at reception to compliment their mood. Luxurious beds and linens, designer furniture, LCD TVs and free wi-fi are as standard at with many rooms illuminated with unparalleled cityscape views of Brussels.

The Pantone Hotel also has two highly customizable meeting and convention rooms which have a capacity of up to 100 people. The meeting space is equipped with advanced audiovisual and technical equipment, providing the perfect creative space for any business event.

For more information visit www.pantone.com, to visit Pantone’s official website.

Image sources: www.channels.nl, madebygirl.blogspot.com

In an industry that is currently reeling out endless sequels, remakes and crowd drawing 3-D spectaculars to guarantee a profit, the much anticipated 63rd edition Cannes Film Festival has injected a refreshing wave of independent, avant-garde and alternative films into the mix to get imaginations flowing again.

Finishing last Sunday, the 10 day event drew early anticipation through the announcement of fantastical director Tim Burton named ‘President of the Jury’. The festival prides itself in promoting the most diverse array of cinema with the aim of constantly evolving the industry and bringing new visions to the forefront. Director Ridley Scott’s remake of the epic ‘Robin Hood’ starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett opened the event last Wednesday depicting a very different side to the heroic hero, open to mixed reviews. Numerous films addressed the recent financial crisis, as well as an array of politically stanced storylines. Italian film maker Sabina Guzzanti  fiercely targets Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in her film ‘Draquila’, causing great outrage in her home country. Guzzanti commented on the subject “it’s a festival that encourages film-makers to speak about their time, and to try to make sense of the world” while also saying she expects to be punished in some way through the corrupt justice of the Italian government in a recent interview with British newspaper ‘The Guardian’. The airing of the film has caused Italian culture minister Sandro Bondi to boycott the festival claiming that ‘Draquila’ is “propaganda that offends the truth of the entire Italian population“.

The Cannes heat couldn’t stop a host of a-list actresses from dressing in couture creations throughout the 10 days of premieres and events at the festival. Voluminous, flowing lashes of taffeta, lace and silk graced the red carpet for the opening ‘Robin Hood’ film premiere with Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan sporting a delectable Ellie Saab gown in textured soft lavender while Latino actress Eva Longoria-Parker wore a stunning white one-shouldered Pucci number. Kate Beckinsale looked radiant in a ‘lighter than air’ wrapped and ruffled glacier blue Marchesa gown. Kate wore a number of covetable frocks over the course of the festival; for the premiere of ‘Biutiful’ she wore a vampish sequined Balmain dress with high leg slit, while attending Chopard Anniversary party Kate opted for a gorgeous blush pink draped Temperley gown with embellished neckline.

Simple elegance dominated the red carpet throughout the week (with the odd exception) with the premiere of ‘Wall Street: Money never sleeps’ seeing a wealth of contemporary chic. Gucci was the name to wear with Selma Hayek, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Camilla Belle all wearing the fashion house’s creations with a running theme of contemporary Grecian goddess shown by gorgeous draping, asymmetric shoulder lines and rich jewel colours.  

On tone texture proved the key detail during Cannes, giving simplistic detail that doesn’t over complicate. Drapes, pleats and soft embellishments were the key with model Dree Hemingway and actress Diane Kruger donning the most contemporary outfits using bright pops of colour to draw the eye.

Winners from the event are listed as follows:

Palme d’Or (Golden Palm): “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)

Grand Prize: ”Of Gods and Men” by Xavier Beauvois (France)

Jury Prize: ”A Screaming Man” by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad)

Best Director: Mathieu Amalric for “On Tour” (France)

Camera d’Or (first-time director): “Ano Bisiesto” by Michael Rowe (Mexico)

Best Actor: Javier Bardem, “Biutiful” (Mexico) and Elio Germano, “La Nostra Vita” (Italy)

Best Actress: Juliette Binoche, “Certified Copy” (Iran)

Best Screenplay: Lee Chang-Dong, “Poetry” (Korea)

Best short film: ”Chienne d’Histoire,” by Serge Avedikian (France)

Image source: Rex Features

Kate Beckinsale in Marchesa

Kate Beckinsale in Balmain

Kate Beckinsale in  Temperley

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Gucci

Selma Hayek in Gucci

Camilla Belle in Gucci

Dree Hemingway in Lanvin

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

Sports brand Y-3 has launched their very first pop-up shop in beautiful Cannes, France,  just in time for the Cannes Film Festival.  The 200 square metre, single-level temporary shop features Y-3 signature black and white design aesthetics and opens on the Boulevard de Croisettes.  Open from April 28th – June 29th, the shop will sell Y-3’s spring/summer 2010 men’s and womenswear apparel and footwear collections as well as the brand’s much sought after travel and accessories ranges and signature apparel pieces.

For anyone jetting off to Cannes and wishing to visit the Y-3 pop-up shop, you can find it here: 

Y-3 at blanch& Contemporary Space
94 Boulevard de la Croisette
06400 Cannes – France

Image source: hypebeast.com