Fashion

While we receive more news releases from the New York and London collections, Paris labels send few and far between email notices. But with less email “noise” perhaps the Paris-based designers know a thing or two about taking a bit of time out to produce innovative shoots and design. One of our favorites for Spring Summer 2010 from the City of Light is Back to Noise. Always moving forward, yet on point with the season, the collection has that je ne sais quoi vibe of masculine yet seductive. Plus with touches of exotic skins, designer Catherine Dupire-Clément knows how to add that extra luxurious oomph to make it all worth that euro. Continue…

Giorgio Armani might have taken the night off, but his glam daughter Roberta was on hand to welcome Cate Blanchett and the Sydney Theatre Company to NYC this week. The Aussie performance troupe is in town for its A Streetcar Named Desire run from November 27 – December 20 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and plenty of Tinseltown’s stars, including Ben Stiller, Rose Byrne and Kerry Washington came out to fete them. Continue…

Costume jewelry can be a tough go-between more investment-worthy pieces and those that look disturbingly like the cheap price you paid for them. Which was why, stopping by Banana Republic’s new Soho flagship the other day, we were pleasantly surprised by the classy selection of accessories. Asides from being surprisingly on point with the season, there were a few inspired pieces including this sculptural Funnel Bracelet. At $42 dollars a pop, you can splurge and stack a few together for a more aggressive look or wear it alone at an art gallery about town.

There may be rumors that Giorgio Armani is about to retire any day now, but the silver-haired designer still has a way with the starlets. Armani outfitted songstresses Alicia Keys and Fergie at the American Music Awards last night. Take a look at the artful sketches featuring Keys in cobalt blue and Fergie in a strapless black Armani Privé number. Continue…

Sex sells and the folks at Victoria’s Secret know a thing or two about putting a beautiful girl in itsy bitsy lingerie and sending them down a glamorous runway. From the Angels landing in Times Square last night in little black leather jackets and jeans, expect this year’s show (filming tonight) to have a bit of fashion edge too. Continue…

We first got a peek of designer Maria Cornejo’s men’s line debut at her Zero + Maria Cornejo Spring Summer 2010 runway. Now we have an official retail date: The biomorphic goods are set to hit racks exclusively at the brand’s boutique and Project No. 8 on January 15, 2010. Along with her trademark cocoon silhouette, Cornejo also used asymmetrical zippers, mandarin collars and utilitarian fabrics.  If the women’s collection is any indication, chances are fashion insiders will be snapping up the sportswear duds in no time. Continue…

For those not able to shell out the bucks for Helmut Newton’s tome “Sumo” the first time around, Taschen has reissued the hefty book for a second edition. Copy number one of the first issue signed by 100 celebs originally sold for an impressive $430,000 at auction back in 2000.  So aside from being that perfect coffee table accoutrement, the landmark 480-page tribute might just make your money back and then some. Continue…

Better devise a shopping plan of attack. Come tomorrow (Sat. Nov. 14), expect long lines and crowded aisles at H&M stores for the launch of the much awaited Jimmy Choo for H&M collaboration. While sky-high heels will surely be part of the collection, we’re also curious to check out how Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon fared with clothing for women and men. We have some sneak peek shots of the limited edition line, just so you know what racks to hit if you brave the pack tomorrow. Continue…

So what did all those front row seats at Paris Fashion Week come up with? Instead of going with a more typical choice, say Balmain or Jean Paul Gaultier, Rihanna opted for a bodysuit from under-the-radar Alexandre Vauthier for her upcoming single “Hard” set to release on Nov. 23. We last covered Vauthier when the haute couture star collaborated with Bon Marche Rive Gauche. Now the Paris-based designer has hit it big with this Rihanna album cover shot by Ellen von Unwerth. Looks like somebody’s stock is going to shoot through the roof. Continue…

Karl Lagerfeld is already quite the caricature so it only makes sense that the Kaiser will translate well to pen and ink. Cheeky fashion illustrator aleXsandro Palombo has perfectly captured the Chanel designer on a trip about Paris, but the scenes must be make-believe with Lagerfeld taking the Metro. Oh mon dieu! Continue…