STELLA MCCARTNEY TO DESIGN MENSWEAR

Stella McCartney has confirmed rumors that she is branching out into menswear.

The British designer announced her plans at Pitti Uomo, the menswear trade shows currently taking place in Florence. Her first collection will be for autumn/winter 2017. As with her womenswear line, everything will be fur- and leather-free.

McCartney's wish to move into menswear has been brewing for a while, with the designer telling The New York Times: "The desire to marry the Stella woman to a man has been inside me since the very beginning."

The move is a smart one. After all, McCartney's strengths lie in tailoring, knitwear and separates – menswear staples – and she was trained by the Savile Row trainer Edward Sexton. She has previously designed bespoke menswear pieces for her father, Paul McCartney, David Bowie and, of course, the Olympic team.

Source: harpersbazaar.com

Karn Malhotra at Lakmé Fashion Week summer/resort 2016

Karn Malhotra at Lakmé Fashion Week summer/resort 2016.

Originally based out of Toronto, Canada the designer founded the label Karn Malhotra in the year 2010 catering to a small but significant clientele for bespoke garments as well as select styling assignments. In 2012, in order to further the label’s growth, while simultaneously targeting a new audience, the move to designer’s hometown, Mumbai, was initiated. 

In its early stages, the label positioned itself as an exclusive luxury apparel design studio for women specializing in couture gowns and evening wear. However, the label has also entered the Pret market after the successful launch of its day/evening wear collection at the India Beach Fashion Week (IBFW) held in February 2015 in Goa, India. 

The Label’s design philosophy is simple: ‘wear your attitude’. In the designer’s own words, “each of our creation is a lifestyle statement, a choice of self-expression and not just an outfit, it’s the way you choose to be seen and perceived it’s for this reason we are in the business of creating complete looks not just outfits. In my opinion there is not an ideal age group or body type that can wear my clothes I have something for everyone but most importantly you have to trust my vision and be ready to quit the safe zone for something more fun, edgy and yet chic.”

The Label presently houses its 2 floored workshop in Goregaon West, Mumbai and is in the process of launching an online store shortly this year for an exclusive retail presence

Source: vogue.in, lakmefashionweek.co.in

Fall 2016 Jewelry Trend: The Right Angle

Ron Hami's multiband 14-karat gold ring with diamonds; pasquale bruni's 18-karat gold ring with diamonds; Cadar's 18-karat gold ring with diamonds; Efva Attling's 18-karat gold earrings with diamonds.

Antonini's 18-karat gold and diamond cuff and Stephen Webster's 18-karat white gold and pavé diamond collar with detachable feather.

FROM LEFT: Paige Novick's Three Row Cuff in 18k yellow gold with white diamonds; Mania Zamani's 18-karat yellow gold ring with diamonds; Dana Rebecca Designs' 14-karat rose gold ring with diamonds; Mimi so's diamond rings in 18-karat yellow, white and rose gold; Tejen's 18-karat gold earrings with diamonds; Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry's 18-karat rose gold earrings with black and white diamonds.

FROM LEFT: Deborah Pagani's 18-karat white gold pendant with diamonds and sapphires and hearts on Fire's 18-karat white gold and diamond ring.

Messika Paris' diamond earrings in 18-karat pink gold; John Hardy's sterling silver necklace and Roberto Coin's diamond bangle in 18-karat rose and white gold.

Roule & Co.'s bangle in blackened 18-karat white gold with sapphires; Lynn Ban's black rhodium and gilver earrings with colored sapphires and 14-karat white gold clip; Yossi Harari's rings in oxided gilver with rubies and black diamonds (top) and white and black diamonds (below).

Eva Fehren's 18 karat rose gold necklace; Selim Mouzannar's 18 karat pink gold bracelet with diamonds and tanzanite stone; 1884 Collection's 18K yellow gold earrings with diamond and bronze coins.

Qayten's ring in white gold with diamonds and blue tanzanite stone; Hueb's earrings in 18-karart white gold with diamonds.

Source: wwd.com

Behind the Seams: The Academy of Art University Fashion Show

We're always looking for a fashion fix in our lovely city of San Francisco. We just attended the Academy of Art University 2008 fashion show, which celebrated the blood, sweat, and tears the fashion students have endured at the Academy. The event brought out a mixed crowd of students, SF socialites, local press, and noted fashion designers, John Galanos and Ralph Ricci. I was quite impressed with the promising young talents and the collections were not too shabby.

To read more about the Academy of Art University fashion show and to see more runway pics, read more.

The show consisted of 17 collections from some of the top fashion students in the school with individual themes for each collection. My favorites were Ronnie Escalante Jr. and Alyssa Prentice (picture 1 and 2 above), who displayed utmost originality and beauty in their designs. Ronnie's collection was filled with decadent gowns fit for the red carpet and Alyssa's modern-lux creations left us wanting more. We weren't the only ones that felt that way because they were awarded a prestigious internship with Ralph Ricci — congrats!

The men's collections were another highlight. The designs were fun, modern, and I loved the amazing leather jackets!

All together, the show was a lot of fun and it was refreshing to see new talent on the rise. I also got a chance to see America's Next Top Model alums Chantal and Eugenia looking Fab and strutting their stuff on the runway.

Source: fabsugar.com

Beat the heat in cool clothes

Fitness freaks who plan to sweat it out in the hot Indian summer would do well to wear skin friendly fabrics like cotton, say experts.

"Cotton is a natural fibre and has less allergic tendencies. It is best suited for people who have sensitive skin and hence are prone to skin irritation," said Hema Pant, dermatologist, Kaya Skin Clinic, a skincare solutions centre.

Even though cotton is widely available in India and has its advantages, other materials like synthetic, dri-fit and polyester have gradually built a market for themselves.

Ashish Dhir, India representative for the Cotton Council International, said dri-fit is made of polyester treated with moisture absorbing technology.

"Polyester is not known for managing moisture very well and so it is mostly treated to provide moisture absorbing capabilities. Today it is used over cotton as it is cheaper as a raw material and also lightweight," he said.

Pointing out the disadvantages of such fabrics, Pant said: "These materials trap sweat inside the body. This is not wise for people who have sweat related problems like dermatitis and prickly heat, as excessive perspiration can aggravate the problem".

Whether it is for competitions or for regular workout routines, athletes and fitness freaks need clothing that keeps them cool and dry.

"Dri-fit material is essentially a poly-micro-fibre which doesn't cling to the skin and enables it to breathe better. The fabric is designed to soak sweat which leads to better moisture management," Sanjay Gangopadhyay, marketing director, Nike, a sportswear brand, told IANS.

Gangopadhyay further explained that the apparel made from this fabric is extremely lightweight so that the person wearing it does not carry additional weight.

Fashion designer Charu Parashar said that other fabrics are preferred over cotton due to the perfect fit offered by them.

"While gymming, people look for fabrics which fit them well. Lycra as a fabric gives stretchability, which is loved by health freaks. Hardly anyone wears lose fitting clothes while exercising," she said.

Fashion designer Bobby Grover seconded Parashar. He said: "Such fabrics definitely offer better fitting and I would wear a synthetic track pant with a cotton T-shirt while exercising."

Source: hindustantimes.com

Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s line, modesty impresses LFW audience

After mesmerizing the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) audience with his creative brilliance, renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee tugged at their heart strings when he made his entire team walk the runway with him. Seated in the front row were bigwigs like Vidya Balan, Rahul Bose and Nawaz Singhania but the sensitive designer pulled his workforce from behind the stage and persuaded them to walk the ramp.

“The credit for all my success goes to them. All of them do all the things together, they are the heroes and believe me I am a tough boss,” Mukherjee told IANS.

Commenting on why celebrities didn’t walk the ramp for him, he said: “It is a fashion show, clothes are its stars. If Bollywood actors walk the ramp the focus shifts from outfits to them. Stars should be sitting in the front row and not walking the ramp.”

With dull old clothes - shirts, skirt, kurtas, dupattas, churidars - hanging on criss-cross ropes above the ramp and ladders left here and there, a depressing ambience was created.

“Because recession is going on in the West, a depressing ambience was created,” Mukherjee said.

Aptly titled Sanctuary, Mukherjee’s collection saw a variety of outfits with designs being borrowed from countries like Russia, France, The Czech Republic, Chile, Uzbekistan and India.

“There was no motivation this time. I just jumbled up things and rolled out the collection. I thing every designer goes through an evolutionary phase when he goes beyond the inspiration factor. I like playing with Indian silhouettes to interpret the West,” he said.

Mukherjee’s palette had a riot of colours - red, green, black, white, ivory, beige, blue, orange, blue, magenta, to name a few.

Fabrics like brocade, satin, silk, cotton, velvet, organza net, jersey, appliqu

Source: thaindian.com

Nokia launches special edition phone

Nokia has launched a brand new special edition phone that will allow trendsetters in Bahrain to extend style and individuality beyond their wardrobes to their mobile phones.

The result of a collaboration with graphic and fashion designer Frédérique, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism graphic design was created exclusively by Daubal whose signature illustrations have gained attention from the fashion world – culminating in collaborations between some of its finest names.

Daubal’s graphic designs on the illustrated aluminium back covers have also been an inspiration for the spellbinding wallpapers in the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism. The covers have been etched with laser technology making the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism a truly beautiful object to behold.

In creating this unique design, inspiration is taken from the way in which crystals are formed in precious stones and minerals. Light, and the way it refracts in intricate prisms, is seen as the perfect medium through which to highlight this quality. Together with Nokia’s expert technology, this is expressed in several unique ways.

Firstly, in the crystal centre key, which sits within the diamond-shaped keypad pattern. It carries the same allure as a beautiful clasp on a couture clutch bag, or the set of a precious stone in a piece of fine jewellery, making the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism a collectible and cherished item.

Secondly, in the captivating light effects, which appear on the stunning two-inch OLED screen when the phone is switched on or off, or left in idle mode. All this adds to a truly exclusive feel. For those who follow fashion but set trends, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism is the epitome of great style and individuality.

Contemporary colours such as rich burgundy and minimal black, remind us that this is very much a fashionable and highly coveted object. These colours are considered a confident and sophisticated choice for products across a growing range of lifestyle items, from boutique hotel interiors to the lining of a bespoke suit.

Added to this, Nokia has designed an exclusive range of accessories that add instant glamour to any outfit it is worn with. These include a new earpiece, which is colour-matched with the back cover to maintain a seamless sense of style. Elsewhere, a unique new pouch, packaging and complementary textile print illustrate Daubal’s elaborate drawings.

In addition to the 1GB built in memory space and 2 mega pixel camera (perfect for capturing those red carpet moments) the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism also boasts 6 band capabilities – to stay connected around the world.

Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group

Half the Sky Designs Introduces 2008 Collection of Eco-Fashion Forward Handbags

Marty Stevens-Heebner, founder and president of Half the Sky Designs, today announced the unveiling of Rebagz™ 2008 collection as well as appearances of Rebagz on ABC's "Ugly Betty" and in the current Pasadena Museum of History's 'The Purse and the Person: A Century of Women's Purses' exhibition. Rebagz, stylish and colorful handbags made from recycled juice packs and nylon rice bags, have quickly found popularity among fashionistas and the eco-conscious crowd since their introduction last summer.

Actress America Ferrera received a Large Multi-Colored Rebagz Tie-Tote in a celebrity gift bag last fall. In the episode of "Ugly Betty" that aired January 17, her character Betty was carrying the bag. Other celebrities who own Rebagz include Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Heidi Klum, Halle Berry, Sheryl Crow and Serena Williams.

"We're so happy that our Rebagz bags are gaining recognition," says Stevens-Heebner. "We were both thrilled and surprised to see America Ferrera with her bag on 'Ugly Betty' and to be invited to participate in the Pasadena Museum of History's exhibit." The response to Rebagz's introductory line last summer, "...was amazing," she says, "and we've added even more exciting eco-friendly designs for 2008."

Half the Sky Designs introduced the Rebagz 2008 collection at the recent California Gift Show, WWD MAGIC in Las Vegas and in the juried sections of the New York International Gift Fair and Atlanta International Gift Market.

There are currently two Rebagz lines: one made from recycled juice packs that are cut into strips and woven together to make colorful, durable bags and the other crafted from colorful recycled rice bags from the Philippines. "I'm always struck by the gorgeous designs on some rice sacks," says Stevens-Heebner. "It's a competitive rice market, so it becomes all about eye-catching packaging. The sacks are just too beautiful to throw away, so we transform them into eco-fashion forward handbags."

This season marks the launch of the new Rebagz Limited Edition line. Stevens-Heebner discovered some rice sacks she loved were from brands that had been discontinued. "This means we have a very finite number of bags," she says. "I look at these recycled sacks as my fabric, and this was fabric I definitely wanted to work with." So she created the Rebagz Limited Edition line to celebrate the uniqueness of these particular rice sacks and to illustrate the fact that many beautiful things around us are finite in supply. The Limited Edition styles include "Panda," "Stallion" and "Lion Brand," while supplies last.

Other rice bag designs include "Magnolia," "White Rose," "Jasmine," "Blue Birds," "Trophy" and "Best Mill." The Rebagz 2008 collection adds backpacks, wallets, cell phone carriers and coin purses to the extensive rice sack and recycled juice pack lines which already include totes in various sizes: baby bags, messenger bags that accommodate computers, shoulder bags and clutches.

Former human rights worker Stevens-Heebner works closely with her workers, ensuring that they are treated well and paid fairly. Her aptly named company references the adage, "Women hold up half the sky," paying homage to the many women who work with Half the Sky Designs.

Source: Marketwire.com

Hong Kong : Fair to feature watch & clock design competition winners

The world's largest fair of its kind, the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair, takes place September 5-9, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Along with a dazzling range of timepieces from all over the world, the fair will feature the winning entries of this year's Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition.

Chan Wing Tak's Skin Dial Watch took the open category Championship, with its Lifestyle Culture theme. His design incorporates a hollow case encircled by 12 LED lights; time is displayed by the light projected on the skin of the wearer. "I joined the competition because I love designing new products, especially something not thought about before," said Mr Chan. Mak Tsz Wah and Chan Fung Yin were the runners-up.

The student competition, under a Dream of the Future theme, was won by Chau Pei Shan, a design student at the University of Central England in Birmingham (UCE). Runners-up were Tang Ho Pan of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Shatin), and Chan Kar Him of UCE.

Yellow Ribbon Action, the name of Chau Pei Shan's winning design, was inspired by the yellow ribbons protestors put around their arms, symbolising "peace, hope and love". The timepiece is both an elegant necklace and a watch. Ms Chau also won the student Championship three years ago.

"The Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition works to enhance the design and quality of Hong Kong-made watches and clocks," said Jerry Tsang, Co-Chairman of theFair Organising Committee. "We received more than 300 entries for the competition, which shows that design plays an increasingly important role in the industry."

The world's largest fair of its kind, the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair, takes place September 5-9, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Along with a dazzling range of timepieces from all over the world, the fair will feature the winning entries of this year's Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition.

Chan Wing Tak's Skin Dial Watch took the open category Championship, with its Lifestyle Culture theme. His design incorporates a hollow case encircled by 12 LED lights; time is displayed by the light projected on the skin of the wearer. "I joined the competition because I love designing new products, especially something not thought about before," said Mr Chan. Mak Tsz Wah and Chan Fung Yin were the runners-up.

The student competition, under a Dream of the Future theme, was won by Chau Pei Shan, a design student at the University of Central England in Birmingham (UCE). Runners-up were Tang Ho Pan of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Shatin), and Chan Kar Him of UCE.

Yellow Ribbon Action, the name of Chau Pei Shan's winning design, was inspired by the yellow ribbons protestors put around their arms, symbolising "peace, hope and love". The timepiece is both an elegant necklace and a watch. Ms Chau also won the student Championship three years ago.

"The Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition works to enhance the design and quality of Hong Kong-made watches and clocks," said Jerry Tsang, Co-Chairman of theFair Organising Committee. "We received more than 300 entries for the competition, which shows that design plays an increasingly important role in the industry."

Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Indian, Pak designers showcase bridal collection

Indian and Pakistani designers put wedding wears on display during the three-day annual fashion exhibition that began here today with the theme 'Jashn-e-Azadi' (celebration of independence).

As the wedding season approaches, the exhibition aims to exploit the market by bringing the business community into direct contact with the buyers, besides offering to the consumers a plethora of choices for the wedding plans.

Henna designers, wedding planners, photographers and make-up artistes are showcasing their skills at the event, seen as part of moves to give thrust to cultural exchange between the two countries.

Among the designers who transcended the borders to participate in the expo are Aiesha Varsey, Shahla Rehman and Farida Qureshi, who would showcase fashion prevalent in the sub-continent, especially in bridal wear, incorporating ethnicity and contemporaneity.

"The exhibition draws more than 100 exhibitors every year from India and Pakistan. With the onset of the marriage season, the eighth edition of the exhibition is slated to be a grand success," International Trade and Exhibitions India Pvt Ltd (ITE) Director Kiran Sharma said.

She said the event also aims to provide a platform to aspiring designers and artists from the industry, adding that US-based buyers have already placed orders with several participants.

"We have also taken the show to other cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ludhiana as well as to overseas locations in Bangkok and London," she said.

Organised by the ITE India Pvt Ltd, the designers displayed trousseau collection of accessories, jewellery and gifts.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Dior Homme Spring-Summer 2008 by Kris Van Assche - terrible

So we weren’t that wrong after all - referring to all of us who believed that Kris Van Assche’s personal spring 2008 collection would be a preview of his work at Dior. The color palette was the very same one; the signature aesthetic was the same one; he even used the very similar idea for the footwear designs. So what did change? Instead of oversized shirts, you have oversized pants.

Everything is so vulgar. It’s just a collection of suits, with some hideous oversized pants, that only present changes in minor details or instead of being black they are gray. Even the models look vulgar; where is that freaky thing the models had that always characterized Dior’s runway shows?

Changes are supposed to be for the best, so why on earth did they place a man with no creative ideas as the main designer of a fashion house with a vast creative past? I mean, it’s just absurd. The only “unique” item that represents Kris’s ideas is a pair of hideous black pants that look like the ones Mc-Hummer wore for a black tie event.

This is just atrocious.

Source: Frillr

Italian fashion designer Ferre dies

Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferre has died at Milan's San Raffaele hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage, the hospital said in a statement.

Ferre, 62, had been admitted to hospital on Friday. The hospital said doctors confirmed his death at 9.00 pm local time (7am NZT).

The portly, bearded designer was suffering from diabetes and had already had two strokes, the first in 2003, according to Italian media.

Ferre was known for his sharp, tailored women's suits and furs. He was artistic director at prestigious French fashion house Christian Dior for some seven years from 1989.

Ferre was due to present his spring/summer 2008 menswear collection on June 24 as part of Milan's ready-to-wear menswear fashion shows.

"I ... particularly admired him for his coherence and the intellectualism and artistry upon which he based his fashion philosophy until the end," Giorgio Armani, the eminence gris of Italian fashion, said in a statement on Sunday.

Donatella Versace, design head of Versace whose brother Gianni was murdered 10 years ago, said he was "a gentleman from another time", ANSA news agency reported.

"I am so upset. Ten years after the death of my brother, I have now lost a friend as well," she said, according to ANSA.

Gianni Versace was gunned down outside his Miami Beach mansion by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Anand Jon in the dock yet again

Fashion designer Anand Jon faces more legal trouble as six new alleged victims have now come forward to press charges of sexual assualt against him. Jon may have to pay 2.3 million dollars for bail now.

The Indian born fashion designer is already accused of raping or sexually assaulting 12 women and girls, was charged on Tuesday with attacks on six additional victims. Los Angeles prosecutors have now charged Anand Jon, with a total of 46 counts involving 18 victims, between the ages of 14 and 27.

Jon, who was free on 1.3 million US dollars bail in the Los Angeles case, was arrested again outside the courthouse after Dallas police issued a warrant in connection with three sexual assaults there. However, Jon's new attorney said he believes his client is innocent and plans to prove it in court.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney, said that her office would ask that Jon's bail be raised to USD 2.3 million in light of the new charges. As of now, charges against Jon include forcible rape, sexual battery and sexual exploitation of a child and the designer has been prohibited from being alone with any woman under the age of 30.

Source: moneycontrol