The controversial burka makes it's way onto the runways.
Darn — Daria Werbowy is not the only exclusive model in Vogue Paris' August issue.
Hussein Chalayan creates an animal-inspired tote benefitting the GoodPlanet.
More from W's cover model and model sensation Lara Stone.
Shoe designer Jonathan Kelsey is also obsessed with vampires.
>> Isabella Blow, discoverer of Stella Tennant, Sophie Dahl, Hussein Chalayan, Philip Treacy, Alexander McQueen — and muse to the latter two — passed away at 48 a little over two years ago after ingesting weedkiller. The motive was suspected to be a recent ovarian cancer diagnosis; Blow had a history of at least two suicide attempts, one involving her throwing herself from the elevated Hammersmith Flyover road in London.
Needless to say, there's a story to be told, and two different biographies, both scheduled for 2010, are in the works, reports the New York Observer. The first, Blow by Blow: The Story of Isabella Blow, is co-written by Isabella's husband of 18 years, Detmar Blow, and author Tom Sykes, who first met Isabella when he was 20 and his sister Plum Sykes was her assistant at Vogue.
>> Hussein Chalayan has yet to debut his first designs for PPR-owned Puma — they come out in the Fall — but he's definitely feeling the love from Puma's majority stake in his own company and the access to Gucci Group resources. He said when his role as Puma creative director was first annouced in February 2008 that he hoped "this partnership will mean that my work will reach more people, both through designing for Puma and with the expansion of my own business," and it has — his collaboration with J. Brand comes out in the Fall, he's working on a new fragrance with Comme des Garcons, and what is reportedly his first ad campaign — for Fall 2009 — photographed by Amy Troost and featuring Tanya Dziahileva, Iekeliene Stange, Serafima Vakulenko, Ann Catherine Lacroix, just surfaced.
Are you all ready for Fall? Ha. I know you're on the verge of pouncing on Spring shopping, but it's always nice to know what's to come in your fashion future. The curtain has closed on the Fall shows. As expected, it was a tame season, but that doesn't mean it was boring. One city in particular disappointed (sorry Milan) while one (Paris) supplied the grand finale. Some of my favorites continued to dazzle (Louis Vuitton, pictured) and a couple surprises (Hussein Chalayan, Adam Lippes) reminded me that fashion is ever evolving. Without further ado . . .
During dismal economic times, designer collaborations are the way to go. “We’re definitely going to see a lot more of these high-low marriages,” said Valerie Steele, of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “People are going to want a lot of fashion for their buck.” With that said, now is the time to nab a creation from your favorite high-end designer for a fraction of the price.
For example, J Brand has teamed up with Hussein Chalayan to create an exclusive denim line. “The opportunity to work with Hussein brings both brands to another level,” said Suzy Crippen, of J Brand. “It is all about business. The business of making something beautiful, a collector’s item you can afford, like a cheap Picasso.” Affordable designer goodies? That's always been the Fab way to go . . .
For a list of upcoming designer collaborations, read more
Paris 03/08/09. Photos by Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images & Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images.
>> Before jetting off to Milan, London fashion's finest gathered for a dinner last night at the Double Club, in honor of Another Magazine's newest issue featuring Tilda Swinton. Kate Moss, freshly returned from a safari in South Africa, made her first and only London Fashion Week appearance, dropping in with Jamie Hince for Jefferson Hack's Congolese family-style dinner. Lily Cole, who sat front row at Vivienne Westwood Red Label earlier this week and then walked in the Qasimi show before heading back to Cambridge, popped back into town for the party, where Peaches performed her Karoake favorites while Kate, Tilda Swinton, and Daphne Guiness all sang along.
*image: source
Hussein Chalayan is among those designers, like Rei Kawakubo, Alexander McQueen, or Junya Watanabe, who lets exploration and experimentation sometimes get the best of his ability to make clothing wearable... and, according to the Times Online, to an exceptional degree. The "From Fashion And Back" retrospective (put together by Puma where Chalayan is now creative director) celebrates the designer's talent in this area. Thankfully, the combination of an unbending artistic vision and involvement with a global brand now afford him the best of both worlds. To see more images from the exhibition, click here.
Exhibition in conjunction with Puma Creative, held at the Design Museum in London. 01/21/09. Dave M. Bennett/Getty Images.
Hussein Chalayan is stepping up his game. The designer, who was recently acquired by French multinational holding company and named Puma's creative director, unveiled a selection of footwear at the showing of his 2009 Spring pre-collection in Milan.
But wait, there's more. Chalayan will create an expansive footwear set to launch in Fall/Winter of 2009. Look forward to seeing some creative confections!
