>> Ann-Sofie Back debuted her fourth collection as Cheap Monday creative director last week during Stockholm Fashion Week. "It's about the time when our parents were young and rebellious, an idealistic time," Back explained of the light, bright, and striped Spring 2012 collection. "The styling is a punk clash, we've mixed up the styling. It's very much a DIY attitude and a punk attitude, being young, naïve and playful."
>> Pamela Love's much-anticipated collaboration with Topshop (her first collaboration ever) just hit the retailer's site online in limited quantities — in some cases, only 50 or 100 pieces were made. Many of the jewels are hidden within Topshop's "Secret Store," which also features limited-edition creations from Ann-Sofie Back, Michael Van Der Ham, Tom Scott, and Meadham Kirchhoff.
The memories I have of safety pinning my clothes all involve either a pesky fit issue or an impending wardrobe malfunction. That being said, I wasn't sure what to make of these pieces from Ann-Sofie Back. They are super cute and look amazingly comfy, but I'm on the fence about having a giant safety pin keeping my pants or blouse together. What do you think – would you make a statement with safety pins?
Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy costumed actors for the film Bastard — a Tribeca Film Festival competition short directed by Kirsten Dunst.
Ann-Sofie Back will show her fall 2010 collection and her diffusion line, Back, at Shanghai Fashion Week.
Short films from Love magazine, Fashionair, and Steven Meisel for Prada make the cut for best fashion videos of the season.
The Wall Street Journal argues the value in high-priced designer sweatpants.
“It’s always our responsibility [as designers] to be challenging — to challenge our customers and to innovate our trade. Otherwise, this one has a line and J. Lo has a line — everybody can have a line and call themselves a designer. But I think that’s kind of demoralizing for our trade.”—Francisco Costa on celebrity designers during a talk at the Cooper-Hewitt museum.
Source: Getty
Alas, after being caught between two slashed tanks, I went with my first love, the black. I'm so happy I did, because, it turns out it fit like a glove. Yay! Immediately after putting it on, I had a vision of the exact ensemble I wanted to wear it with, and here it is. My black miniskirt is actually a maternity belly band. It's cold out, so I threw on a black cardigan, sheer hose, and dressy socks for added flair.
We want to see you Paint It Black. Join our Paint It Black fashion group to post your looks, and maybe we'll feature you on Fab! Click over to see my PIB outfit details and start painting yourself black!
I first saw this Ann-Sofie Back Purple Slashed Tank ($87, originally $173) and thought, how cool. Then I met its fashion-forward sister, the black version! That's when everything got confusing.
Here's the situation: The black doesn't come in my size — a UK size 10 is big for me — but I am in lust with it. The purple does come in my size, which means it would fit me perfectly, but I don't love it as deeply. It's definitely still unique, but doesn't have that same impact as the black. See what I mean? I can always get it taken in, but I'm thinking it's already pretty pricey for a tank. Plus, I can't return or exchange it. Help! What would you do?
>> After ten years of being based in London, Ann-Sofie Back got married, returned to Stockholm, and added a new design responsibility — not only is she doing her eponymous line, but she signed up to be creative director at Cheap Monday in May: "It was a happy coincidence that when I moved back to Stockholm to be with my husband this job should come up. Cheap Monday is a great brand and some things are just meant to be!" She's leaving the denim to founder Orjan Andersson, but was brought on to "create a stronger identity on anything that is not denim." On Monday in Stockholm, she unveiled her first collection for the brand — for Spring 2010 — with Caroline Winberg opening the show.
>> First Ann-Sofie Back signs on as head designer to help Cheap Monday branch out from its denim roots, and now Sophia Kokosalaki is joining Diesel Black Gold in a lead design role: is this a trend coming on, name designers helping to restructure denim brands?
Black Gold is Diesel's high-end contemporary line, and Kokosalaki is being brought in to overhaul the brand — which is not showing a Spring 2010 collection at New York Fashion Week this September as it typically would — starting with the relaunched Fall 2010 collection next February. Kokosalaki nearly always wears black and denim herself, and Diesel chairman Renzo Rosso has full faith in her "incredible" talent and "skill in dealing with denim and contemporary casual, the core of Diesel Black Gold." The position is quite a change from her stint as creative director of French house Vionnet.
Rosso bought a majority stake in Kokosalaki's namesake line last year, and her new position at Diesel has allowed her to acquire her label back from Rosso for an undisclosed sum. She plans to continue to develop the line independently.
