H&M Collaborate with Jimmy Choo

Photo credit: Supermodels

"Wait! I lost my Choo!" - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

For the first time, Swedish retail giant H & M will collaborate with an accessories designer. JIMMY CHOO! Woohoo! The London-based luxury brand will debut it's H & M collection this fall on November 14 in over 200 stores. Women have the opportunity to coordinate a complete outfit with shoes, handbags and clothes while men can shop for a variety of shoes and accessories at a fraction of the retail cost. Prices for women's shoes and handbags will range from $59.95-$299.00 and clothes will be priced at around $69.95-$249.00. Did I mention that Choo's retail normally for $600.00 and up? With prices like these, it won't be hard to be the "it" girl in Chester French's breakout hit who's "...got Jimmy Chooooooos."

Source: Associated Press

Model as Muse @ The Met

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs

LOVE the back!  Drapey back!!!

Photo credit: JustJared

First Paris and now NYC... Anyone want to pack me up in their carry-on and trot around the globe to peruse fashion exhibits?! Takers???

Tonight was the MET's Annual Costume Institute Gala.  This year the exhibit is entitled "Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" and focuses on how social changes have defined our culture's view of feminine beauty which have been personified by the figures and faces of iconic models.  "Model to Muse" specifically captures the progression of these changes over a span of five decades from 1947-1997.  Magazine covers, various photographs and garments made famous by the models who strutted down the catwalk will be on display to characterize these diverse time periods and the constant evolution of beauty.  The exhibit opened today and runs till August 9, 2009.

Ashley Olsen in her own line, The Row

Again, drapey back (I'm a fan if you haven't noticed)!!!

Love that black, embellished chain going down her back... 

Photo credit: NewsDay

With over 13 pages of photos on WireImage, you know the event huge.  And who wasn't there?!  Let's try to put things into perspective with a little bullet-point list (though this does not do justice!):

• The Planners:  Co-chairs Anna Wintour, Justin Timberlake and Kate Moss arrived with daughter Bee Schaffer, paramour, Jessica Biel and primary sponsor Marc Jacobs, respectively
  
• The Models: Tyra Banks, Bar Refaeli, Heidi Klum, Elizabeth Hurley, Cindy Crawford, Iman, Claudia Schiffer, Brooke Shields
• The Fashion Doyennes:  Stella McCartney, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Donatella Versace, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg... And then there was John Galliano ;) 
  
• The Musicians: Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, Bono, Ciara
• The Actresses: Renee Zellweger, Eva Mendes, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler, Marisa Tomei
• The Starlettes:  Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Emma Roberts,  Katy Perry
• The Trump Card:  Donald and Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump and Ivanna Trump
• The Power Couples:  Tony & Eva Longoria Parker, Tom Brady & Gisele Bündchen
• The Attack of the Kates - Kate Beckinsale, Kate Bosworth and Kate Beckinsale 

Some of the fashion highlights/lows:

Our girl! Always the fashionista...Rachel Bilson in Bally

Photo credit: Just Jared

Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs... What's up with her hair?

Photo credit: NewsDay

Kate Beckinsale in Marchesa...Can't decide if I love/hate the train

Photo credit: FabSugar

Rihanna in a Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo jacket and capris... Mixed feelings?

Photo credit: NewsDay

Madonna in Louis Vuitton... Uhh... What was she thinking?!

Photo credit: NewsDay

Again, I love Kate Hudson in her gold Stella McCartney gown

Photo Credit: FabSugar

Eva Mendes in Calvin Klein... Classy and sophisticated

Photo credit: FabSugar

Kate Bosworth in Stella McCartney... So 50's chic in the red lipstick and black lace

(Bruce Willis likes it, I guess)
Photo credit: FabSugar

Kate Hudson - Cartier at 100

Kate & Demi @ Cartier at 100
Photo credit: WWD

Recently, Cartier celebrated it's 100th anniversary in America by throwing an opulent bash in it's NYC 5th Avenue Mansion. Cocktails were flowing, h'ourderves were passed and a posh crowd of A-list celebrities like Kate Hudson, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Anne Hathaway, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes and Elton John were dressed to impress. Some of Cartier's most divine pieces were on display including Elizabeth Taylor's famed "TAJ MAHAL" necklace and Steve Wynn's 231-carat diamond.

But jewelry aside, this is about Kate! Kate Hudson looked absolutely stunning in her cut-out black gown. Critics have gone as far as to say she looked "trashy", but I think she looks hot! The sexy, open sides make quite a statement and she pulls it off amazingly. Perhaps another color could make the dress seem garish, but you can't go wrong in black. Kate's diamond encrusted choker necklace is the most beautiful piece and delicately pulls the look together!

Photo credit: Zimbio

Forever 21 Debuts in Harajuku!

Photo credit: Tokyo Fashion

With the recession hitting Japan's economy quite hard, one would assume that retail giants would curb their expansion throughout the country. Wrong! I recently wrote about Chanel opening a specialty cosmetic boutique in Omotesando about a week ago. Today, it's the affordable chic clothing chain, Forever 21, opening their very first store in Tokyo. Technically, since Japan is 19 hours a head, the grand opening of the store was yesterday. Thousands of shoppers anxiously waited in front of the 19,000 square foot store which inhabits the old New Balance building space on Meiji Dori, one of the main streets in Harajuku.

Look at that line!!!

Shop girls pass out goodie-bags... Japan is so eco-friendly...

Why don't they give away those cute cloth bags in the U.S?!

Photo credits: Tokyo Fashion

Usually when most American or European retailers open in Japan, the prices are always higher, if not double the original retail price. However, I browsed through the Forever 21 Japanese website, and the prices are actually very comparable. Most of the items are the same in terms of clothing and accessory selection but I did find a couple pieces listed only on the Japanese website below:

Military Vest (Approx. US $24.00)

Photo credit: Forever21 Japan

Layered Satin Skirt Black and Gray (Approx. US $36.00)

Photo credit: Forever 21 Japan

Set of three flower hair barrettes (Approx. US $3.80)
Photo credit: Forever 21 Japan

UPDATE: These weren't on the American website but a friend said she saw these in LA so apparently the barrettes are not Japan exclusive...

So cute! I may just have to contact friends in Tokyo/friends going to Tokyo to purchase a few things for me... :)

Chanel Opens First Beauty Boutique in Tokyo!

Photo credit: WWD

The 1,506 square-foot boutique with nothing but Chanel beauty products - perfumes/cosmetics/skincare opened today in Aoyama (which is like the new, hip, trendy, Rodeo Drive spot in Tokyo). Can't wait to check it out. I could seriously play in here all day... MAKE-UP HAVEN!

According to WWD, the french designer decided on the concept long before Japan was hit by the recession... And unfortunately, Chanel does not currently have any future plans to expand it's sole beauty boutiques to any other locations. So if you want to check it out, book that ticket to Tokyo!

Vionnet Exhibition

"When a woman smiles, then her dress should smile too."

-Madeleine Vionnet

Photo credit: WWD

TIMELESS, BEAUTIFUL, BREATHTAKING, et cetera. Where can I get it? NEWSFLASH! It's couture! And it's 72 years old! Designed by legendary couturier, Madeleine Vionnet, this exquisite tulle, silk, halter dress will be part of the Parisian exhibit scheduled to debut in her name on June 18 at the Les Arts Décoratifs. Umm...Take me to Paris? S'il vous plaît??? Merci, beaucoup!

The private non-profit decorative art museum are currently preserving Vionnet pieces from 1912 through 1939! However, before the couture items can be shown, there is much work to be done. Many of her gowns were made with delicate materials such as tulle, silk crepe and muslin which creates a challenge for curators in terms of displaying the designs over a lengthy exhibition period. "These dresses, that were worn for one evening 70 to 90 years ago will be exhibited on mannequins for [eight] months. The [new linings] are attached in such a way that, if a piece cracks, it's the new bit that gives and not the original fabric." says Pamela Golbin, head curator of the exhibit. Eeeek! Don't crack!

For the complete story go to: Vogue UK

Now these are REALLY vintage pieces yet still so avant garde! Just goes to show that true fashion isn't just trendy... It's timeless. More of Vienna's designs below:





Photo credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Madeleine Vionnet (June 22, 1876 - March 2,1975) is a French couturier hailed for being the "Queen of bias cut" when she introduced the charming shape to the world in the 1930s. Inspired by Grecian art, she used corsets and padding to accentuate the female form. The structure of Vionnet's pieces were delicate and sweeping, often characterized by a cowl neck or halter style. Vionnet modernized women's fashion and many stars such as Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich were fans of the couture maven. Today, her presence in the fashion world is ubiquitous and top designers, John Galliano and Marchesa, have created contemporary collections reminiscent of Vionnet's elegant styles. Her couture label, The House of Vionnet, has since been acquired by the Marzotto Apparel, a Milan textile powerhouse. It's designs are currently spearheaded by Rodolfo Paglialung, who was previously a 13-year veteran womenswear designer at Prada.

Madison and Diavolina Hop Off Robertson

Interior of new Madison flagship Photo credit: WWD

With retail sales plummeting, looks like some of the decline has hit shopping mecca Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood. WWD reports that boutiques, Madison and Diavolina have moved off of Robertson and onto the neighboring Third Street. Owners Mark and Emily Goldstein were one of the first to inhabit the street, which today is packed with trendy shops and restaurants (Kitson, Lisa Kline, The Ivy...Need I say more?) frequented by celebrities who are followed by a flurry of paparazzi.

According to WWD, the move was catapulted by an increase of rent which nearly tripled last February to $12-17 per square foot. But don't worry, the new location on Third Street is no small closet... Madison and Diavolina have been adjoined to create a 7,000 square foot flagship store.

I don't think the move will hurt the boutiques at all considering both have already established a great clientele and have been in the retail sector for more than a decade! Madison also has five other locations spread throughout Los Angeles. When I was last in LA, I purchased an amazing reversible ring and some boho sandals with fringe from Diavolina (I'll have to take some pictures). Can't wait for my next trip so I can check out the new flagship!

A Little About the Boutiques:

Estabished in 1989, Madison boutiques have grown to become among the most highly regarded shopping destinations in Los Angeles. The stores carry only the latest fashions and accessories from top designers such as Alexander Wang, Chloe, Rag & Bone, Elizabeth & James and Derek Lam to name a few. In addition to it's new flagship on Third Street, the company also has stores in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and on Melrose Avenue. For more information, visit www.madisonlosangeles.com.

Diavolina was established shortly after Madison and is popular for it's fashion forward shoes, flasy accessories and luxurious gowns/dresses. Up and coming designers such as Mayle, Jinny Kim and Alexis Lamontagna can be found mixed with classy chic designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs and Loeffler Randal. For more information visit, www.shopdiavolina.com.

Forever 21...SOS!

Oh no! Everyone's favorite cheap 'n chic retailer is in trouble. In 2007, Trovata, a ready-to-wear brand originated by three friends in California, accused Forever 21 of illegally cloning it's original designs. After two years of pending litigation, Trovata's suit against one of the fastest growing retail chains is scheduled for trial by jury next month on May 7.

TROVATA v. FOREVER 21

Photo credit: WWD

I'm going to shift into major legal dork mode and say that this case is HUGE! It really will set precedence in terms of fashion copyright and infringement laws. Currently, U.S. copyright laws only protect original prints or graphics on clothes basic because they are considered artwork. They do not protect against a garment's basic design, silhouette or form. This explains why many lower-end designers will create replicas of luxury designers (Notable examples include: Balmain Studded Sandals-->Bebe,Aldo; Herve Leger bandage dresses-->Bebe, Arden B, Cache). Litigation regarding the enforced protection for garment designs is currently pending in Congress.

I'm not sure how I feel about this case... The poor, straight out of college, first year salary trend-follower says for Trovata to get over it! Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?! But at the same time, fashion is a form of art... How different is it? Should it not be duplicated? Check out WWD for the full story.

This is one of my heavier posts... I'll leave a few pics (the real thing v. the "knock-offs") to ponder...

BALMAIN STUDDED SANDALS v. BEBE & ALDO

Photo credit: Luisa Viaroma


Photo credit: Bebe, Aldo

HERVE LEGER v. BEBE

Photo credit: Saks, Bebe