kim noorda

Valentino

Alessandra Facchinetti Tries Her Hand at Valentino Couture for Fall 2008

>> Alessandra Facchinetti's first couture collection at Valentino represents a nerve-racking, generational hand-off, but Giorgio Armani was there in the front row to lend support and represent the old guard.  The collection had the palpable feel of a different designer, as it should — more structure and pared-down tailoring, with most of the detail left to the back of the garments, and more subdued colors than the pastels Valentino had been playing with.
Georgina Stojilkovic

>> Alessandra Facchinetti's first couture collection at Valentino represents a nerve-racking, generational hand-off, but Giorgio Armani was there in the front row to lend support and represent the old guard. 

The collection had the palpable feel of a different designer, as it should — more structure and pared-down tailoring, with most of the detail left to the back of the garments, and more subdued colors than the pastels Valentino had been playing with. However, Alessandra did stay true to the three most guiding parts of the Valentino aesthetic: femininity, ruffles, and of course, Valentino red.  In fact, that same Valentino red painted the final look of the collection — a stunning chiffon number.

*image: source

Givenchy

Riccardo Tisci Readies For a Vacation with Givenchy Fall 2008 Couture

>> Riccardo Tisci is taking a trip to Peru in August, and his anticipation birthed the Incan prints and alpaca blanket stripes that pepper his latest couture collection for Givenchy.
Anna Maria Jagodzinska

>> Riccardo Tisci is taking a trip to Peru in August, and his anticipation birthed the Incan prints and alpaca blanket stripes that pepper his latest couture collection for Givenchy.

Highlighter shades of fuchsia and violet provided shocking punctuation amongst Tisci's usual color palette of neutrals.  The emerging trends of knee-length leggings, transparency, and lace were all present along with the signature Tisci for Givenchy leather jackets and oversized hats. But I have to say, amongst all the draped jersey and deconstructed shapes, the two standout looks were similar pale, choppily-fringed minidresses.  

*image: source

Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix Bugs Out for Fall 2008 Couture

>> Usually Christian Lacroix's designs are a little too overwrought to speak to me, but something about this set sits just right.  Maybe the scarlet backdrop is to blame, setting off all the intricate detailing with its vivid hue: the peekaboo lace sleeves, the bell-shaped cocktail dresses, the gossamer tufts; or maybe I've just gone buggy for Lacroix's insect-inspired fantasy world.
Romina Lanaro

>> Usually Christian Lacroix's designs are a little too overwrought to speak to me, but something about this set sits just right. 

Maybe the scarlet backdrop is to blame, setting off all the intricate detailing with its vivid hue: the peekaboo lace sleeves, the bell-shaped cocktail dresses, the gossamer tufts; or maybe I've just gone buggy for Lacroix's insect-inspired fantasy world. If so, I'm not the only one: the attendees showered the designer with carnations at the end of the show.

*image: source

Chanel

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.
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.
*image: source

Christian Dior

John Galliano Plays Peekaboo with Fall 2008 Dior Couture

>> Transparency is still the word, in John Galliano's mind.  The beanie-sporting designer had Lisa Fonssagrives, wife to Irving Penn and oft-credited as the first supermodel, in mind when producing his typical voluminous dresses, but with layers of light chiffon, rather than the heavier, stiffer fabrics Christian Dior couture has boasted in recent seasons.  Frequent collaborator Stephen Jones, meanwhile, looked to Eduardo Garcia Benito, famous for his '20s Vogue cover illustrations of women in cloches, when creating the accompanying skull cap-cum-cloches.
Kim Noorda

>> Transparency is still the word, in John Galliano's mind.  The beanie-sporting designer had Lisa Fonssagrives, wife to Irving Penn and oft-credited as the first supermodel, in mind when producing his typical voluminous dresses, but with layers of light chiffon, rather than the heavier, stiffer fabrics Christian Dior couture has boasted in recent seasons. 

Frequent collaborator Stephen Jones, meanwhile, looked to Eduardo Garcia Benito, famous for his '20s Vogue cover illustrations of women in cloches, when creating the accompanying skull cap-cum-cloches.

Peplums were aplenty and Galliano couldn't help himself, sneaking a little leopard print into the bunch.  But the unifying thought with this collection seems to be: What will we see on newfound Dior client Carla Bruni-Sarkozy first?
*image: source, source

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen Femmes Up Milan

>> Instead of opting to do a by-appointment presentation like some designers or a full-blown runway show like other designers, Alexander McQueen chose to present his Resort 2009 collection yesterday in Milan along with his men's Spring 2009 collection because "they both go into the shop together."
Kim Noorda
>> Instead of opting to do a by-appointment presentation like some designers or a full-blown runway show like other designers, Alexander McQueen chose to present his Resort 2009 collection yesterday in Milan along with his men's Spring 2009 collection because "they both go into the shop together."

He also wanted to play up the importance of resort season — get this — it makes up about 60 percent of his business. Given that fact, expect to see lots of the body-conscious cocktail dresses with neon punches, illusionary prints, japonisme-inspired motifs, and Margiela-like colorblocking in the next couple of months.

Full gallery of all 13 looks below.
*image: source
Swimwear

Life's a Beach: Go Bold and Bodacious

Why not go bold and bodacious with your swimwear this Summer?

Why not go bold and bodacious with your swimwear this Summer? Sexy, loud prints are a fun way to kick in the waves and best of all, they can camouflage any minor imperfections. This yellow confection by the king of prints, Emilio Pucci, is the perfect example of bold bravery. Dramatic side-swept hair like Kim Noorda optional!


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Mango

Sneak Peek! Mango Spring/Summer Collection

Take Gucci's Spring collection, add a smidgen of Missoni's Spring line, and sprinkle in models-of-the-moment Kim Noorda, Irina Lazareanu, and Milagros Schmoll, and what do you get?

Take Gucci's Spring collection, add a smidgen of Missoni's Spring line, and sprinkle in models-of-the-moment Kim Noorda, Irina Lazareanu, and Milagros Schmoll, and what do you get? Mango's Spring/Summer collection! The latest pieces display the bright pink and yellow hues of Gucci, the oversized floral prints of Missoni, and a bit of safari style. Literally, there is something for everyone so go Mango, pronto!

To see more from Mango's Spring/Summer line, read more

Trend Alert

Trend Alert: Flares Are Back!

Flares are back!

Flares are back! It didn't take long for us to see flared pants back on the runway. Not just limited to jeans; flares have taken on new prints, textures, and colors. Balmain (left) went boho-rocker in a blue and white tie-dyed number paired with a glam sequined top. This retro-inspired look is easy to wear and flattering on almost every body. I for one, am glad to see flares back in action — are you?

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