>> As the Victoria's Secret yacht rolled into Miami and the girls had a beach photoshoot today, we got to see of the 30 non-Angel faces that will be participating in this weekend's fashion show — 19 of them, to be exact. No sign of Lara Stone, Jessica Stam, or Natasha Poly, but after missing yesterday's event, Izabel Goulart is there. There are plenty of new faces — Abbey Lee Kershaw and Sarah Stephens represent Australia, Arlenis Sosa Pena the Dominican Republic, Maryna Linchuk Belarus, and Erin Heatherton the US.
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Alexander Wang: Now Anna Wintour-Approved
>> Alexander Wang's sweat-inspired Spring 2009 collection, featuring shiny-faced models, was quite appropriate — yesterday had the fashion crowd dripping from heat, and today, Tropical Storm Hanna blew in just in time for Alex's show.
Not that the weather would keep anyone away; Anna Wintour attended Alex's show for the first time ever — a symbol of his quick rise. As the lights went down, the sunglasses went on, and she only broke pose a couple of times — once to consult Virginia Smith's program, and the other to fiddle with her BlackBerry.
The show was definitely a different experience, now that Alex has moved on from Erin Wasson, collaborating with stylist Alastair McKimm instead, but all of the classic Wang elements — zippers, leather, a slouchy, downtown feel — were all there. The only major slip up was at the end, when all the models — stellar cast, I might add (Jourdan Dunn!) — took their final tour and got stopped up returning backstage. We're talking line of models, basically at a standstill, at the end of the show. Alex skipped out, did his usual jump and punch the air routine. And then Anna ran out.
To get the full experience, check out the runway video on Elle.com.
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Karl Lagerfeld Goes Organ-ic for Chanel Fall 2008 Couture
>> Seeing a Chanel couture collection is a thrill, but the clothes are always rivaled by what new, huge installation Karl Lagerfeld has plopped in the center of le Grand Palais for the models to stream out of. In recent seasons, there's been a giant tweed jacket and a larger-than-life carousel; This time around, it was a gigantic set of organ pipes.
The show started with a fugue of ominous organ music, and together with the central pipe installation and the tube-like detailing on many of the intricate dresses, reflected the inspiration which had come to Karl during a concert.
Enjoy the big production while it lasts, folks — word is Karl is talking about reducing the Chanel shows to be more intimate experiences in the future.
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