Happy New Year 2012

Biba founder and Lulu Kennedy make New Year’s Honours List 2012 a fashionable one

Barbara Hulanicki (Biba) began her career in Fashion in the early 1960's working as a freelance fashion illustrator covering all the important fashion collections for the major publications of the day, including Women’s Wear Daily, British Vogue, the Times, the Observer and the Sunday Times.In 1964 she founded, with her late husband, Stephen Fitz-Simon, the boutique BIBA, beginning as a small mail-order business featured in the fashion columns of newspapers such as the DAILY MIRROR

Barbara Hulanicki, fashion designer has recently collaborated with ASDA supermarket’s clothing range George, and enjoyed sell-out success with a collection created for Topshop in 2009.
MBEs have been awarded to shoe designer Emma Hope and Lulu Kennedy – whose Fashion East initiative has helped nurture emerging young designers such as Roksanda Ilincic and Jonathan Saunders during the early and often difficult stages of their careers.

'Huge tweeter' Brad Goreski joins Kate Spade as brand stylist

WWD reports December 29 that Stylist Brad Goreski's new role will also involve working with Kate Spade creative director Deborah Lloyd on styling fashion shows, campaigns and e-commerce shoots.

While the label is best known for its handbags, its expansion into ready-to-wear in 2009 put it on the path to becoming a lifestyle brand.
Goreski says his goal is to transport the "Kate Spade girl to the next level," while remaining faithful to the company's vibrant aesthetic and "exuberance".
Goreski says his goal is to transport the "Kate Spade girl to the next level," while remaining faithful to the company's vibrant aesthetic and "exuberance".
Goreski, also plans to increase involvement with consumers online.

"I'm a huge tweeter. I use it as my way to really interact with people, and part of my job will be collaborating  in all areas of social media to get people involved and more excited about the brand," Goreski explained.

How to Dress on New Year's Eve

What are your plans for New Year’s ? Are you going to dance all night, stay home with friends or go on a romantic date?Need some help?
Roberto Cavalli’s and Dolce & Gabbana’s latest collections can be perfect for a night of dancing. If you usually go for the little black dress, choose something that sparkles as an accessory.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s fall 2011 collection offers amazing outfits for special occasions - and the New Year is certainly one of them! Brown and grey mini dresses, trousers, tight pants and long coats can make you feel comfortable and sexy at the same time.

Top designers such as Dolce & Gabbana and Lanvin have beautiful black lace dresses and tight suits in their latest fall collections.

Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and Moschino are just a few of the top fashion designers who included pure white dresses and trousers suits in the fall 2011 collection.

You can wear it for a party or an exclusive gala and turn heads throughout the evening. Dsquared2, Betsy Johnson, Dior, Versace and other top designers offer breathtaking red dresses in their fall collections. Add a Swarovski accessory and you can be 100% sure that you’ll look divine.

Mochino,Betsy Johnson, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana all have beautiful yellow dresses that can be perfect for a New Year ‘s party with the girls.

No matter how you celebrate, have fun with your New Year's outfit by ringing in the new year with style.

Kanye West is moving to the UK to become a serious fashion designer

London, Dec 28 - Kanye West, Rap superstar who currently lives in Los Angeles is moving to the UK so that he can concentrate on making his DW fashion line a success.

Kanye West, 34-year-old singer, believes if he is based in the British capital he will be able to improve his reputation as a fashion designer and was overheard telling guests at a party for the label that he is going to spending most of his time in England in the new year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "He's close to the lecturers and students at the Central Saint Martins College  and being in London means he can stop by for advice any time.

"He'll be over here preparing his Paris Fashion Week show, due in March. He's also been looking for a studio.

"While at the party Kanye was giving models his email address."

Kanye launched his clothing line in October and named it after his late mother Donda - who passed away in November 2007 following complications from cosmetic surgery.

Lindsay Lohan in the dressing room at Miu Miu

This photo, titled “Lindsay Lohan in the dressing room at Miu Miu, New York” popped up on Purple Diary yesterday. We have so many questions :

Photo: Gavin Doyle via Purple Diary This photo,
Lindsay Lohan in the dressing room at Miu Miu

1) Did Lindsay Lohan and Olivier Zahm hit the after-Christmas sales together?

2) Why is Lindsay laying down?

3) What’s in that glass next to her?

4) Did she buy anything?

5) Where are her shoes?

more: http://fashionista.com/2011/12/image-of-the-day-why-is-lindsay-lohan-lying-on-a-miu-miu-dressing-room-floor/

Lady of the Lake: Isild le Besco

lIn Pierre Debusschere’s dramatic and beautifully-directed video The Lake, Isild le Besco is the modern day Lady of the Lake – emerging from the water in armour-like sequins or fish scale paillettes, stunningly styled by Robbie Spencer.

Lady of the Lake

- video is amazing

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you. Enjoy the good time with your family and your friends.

Fendi and new collection of baby accessories

Rome-based fashion house Fendi is teaming up with Italian manufacturer for a collection of baby accessories.
WWD reports December 23 that items including a stroller, pram and baby carrier have been designed in keeping with the fashion house's classic style.
Featuring the brand's iconic "F" logo and with a color palette comprising cream, mahogany and blue, the pieces will be available at selected outlets worldwide in 2012. In 2008 Fendi teamed up with Japanese brand on infant items such as strollers and jersey-made animal puppets, and the news of their new collection follows an increasing trend for designer baby.
In addition, just last week it was announced that Oscar de la Renta is about to design pieces for  stylish munchkins. And let’s not forget the McCartney for Gap Kids collection, which had fans like Carla Bruni squeezing into the British designer’s pint-size military jackets and printed dresses.
Kids these days, they’re just on a roll.

The Market Report: 12.23.2011 A Daily Roundup Of The Fashion Industry's Most Newsworthy Stories

Counterfeit fashion products — bearing names like Burberry, Coach, Fendi, Prada, Louis Vuitton and True Religion — represented 93 percent of the total $76.8 million worth of products seized by federal authorities in the U.S. as part of a six-week sting operation that spanned the U.S., Mexico and South Korea.

A multiagency federal task force conducted the operation in the U.S., dubbed “Operation Holiday Hoax,” at ports, retail outlets and swap meets across the country for 46 days beginning on Nov. 1, the start of the holiday season.

Among the 327,000 counterfeit items seized, bogus apparel, accessories and footwear items figured prominently in the U.S., accounting for $71.3 million of the total, Lev Kubiak, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, told us.
Authorities also seized fake cell phones, chargers, DVDs, perfume, computer software and sports jerseys as part of the bust. An additional $7.1 million worth of counterfeit products was seized in Mexico, bringing the total operation’s seizures to slightly under $84 million, Kubiak said.
The scope of the operation was massive, covering 66 cities in the U.S. and 55 cities in Mexico as well as Seoul, leading to 33 arrests in the U.S.

Among the other fake fashion items found were labels from Jimmy Choo, Rolex and Ugg products, officials said.

Paper Snowflakes Take Second Place To Paper Headdresses In Vogue Italia

There's been plenty of headgear in 2011 to fascinate our fashion style senses, but here comes a bit more .

Check out the latest issue of Vogue Italia, featuring headwear from Paper Cut Project , the design duo that consistently amazes us with their skills for giving 3D life to an otherwise 2D object.

The spread, styled by Giovanna Battaglia and photographed by Greg Lotus, brings some DIY holiday magic to the pages of the magazine in the shape of extra-long ponytails and sky-high updos that give Marge Simpson some major competition.

FASHION designer giveaway -Lucian Matis dress!

FASHION designer giveaway: Enter to win a Lucian Matis dress!
2012 marks FASHION Magazine’s 35th Anniversary! To celebrate, each issue, we’re pairing up with a different Canadian who is also celebrating a milestone. We invite our readers to enter for their chance to WIN the designers’ featured show pieces.

CLICK HERE

Enter to win this dress by Lucian Matis. Good luck!

Contest ends: 2012 January 24

Pregnant Model Walks the Catwalk in Lingerie

Last week, a pretty pregnant Lucie Váchová donned some lingerie and modelled during a fashion show for Czech Look magazine in Prague.

It’s not the first time a pregnant model has walked in a runway show. In September 2010, Miranda Kerr walked for Balenciaga while five months pregnant .

And that’s not even to mention the models who have made it back to the runway in record time after giving birth. In 2009, Heidi Klum modeled in a Victoria’s Secret show just five weeks after giving birth, and in August this year, model Anna Freemantle was back on the catwalk just nine days after giving birth to her second son.

Pregnant model Lucie Váchová walks it out. Photography by isifa/Getty Images Entertainment

Sarah Burton - Life after Lee Alexander Mcqueen

Sarah Burton is glad she agreed to take over from Mcqueen as his former label’s creative director. Its been almost two years since the death of the “genius” Lee Alexander McQueen. She said: "He was such a genius; inspiring and funny and an incredible man,I could never pretend to be him but when I look back now, I’m glad that I took the job -because it kept the studio alive in his spirit, and it kept the team together. Because what did he work so hard for all those years if it was all just going to disappear?"

Sarah Burton spoke as McQueen launched its first store in Beijing in October, in a just-released film created in collaboration with Hong Kong store Joyce. The designer, who also made the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress this year, spoke about the creation of this season’s most intricate dresses: the “broken plate” gowns – giving an idea of just what goes in to the famously couture-esque collection.

“We took a cast of a body and poured the porcelain so it fitted that body,” Sarah explained. “Then we hand-painted ten different plates, dissected them as if they were broken and then we engineered the image on to a bodice. Then we hand-cut all the pieces out from the mould we had and then we made each of those pieces again individually and numbered them. It was like a jigsaw puzzle!”

Fashion Critic Cathy Horyn Enters the Folds of Sarah Burton's Spring 2012 McQueen Collection

Dolce and Gabbana: Doing It Their Way

The duo Domenico and Stefano, are among the few Italian fashion designers of their generation to sustain ongoing commercial success.
They talked to WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) about their 2011; we’ve highlighted the most fascinating points below—and don’t hold your breath for a high road collaboration.

On closing D&G: “To have a stronger brand, it must be one and the focus must be on that alone. Yes, some may reckon it’s a courageous choice, but it came naturally to us, and we had been thinking about it for the past three years.”

On the possibility of couture: “No, not really. We just launched a jewelry line, and there are other products in the pipeline: a project we will present by March or April, and many with [beauty licensee] Procter & Gamble for example, and much more…but I can’t say whatever thing now.”

On youth: “We have young assistants in their 20s, we toss them in the midst and they help show a different point of view. It’s the ingenuity or “ignorance” of youth that should be heeded in every field because it helps you see things in a different light. We always question young people for their opinion. It’s very vital.”

On elegance: “Recently, it’s all “trusciume” - there’s no quality, these quick-fashion companies churning out looks. People thought it was cool, but it’s cheap. Elegance is intellectual; it’s about excellent taste, the cut, proportions, quality, how you carry yourself.”

Jane Carr and new collection for Matches

Jane Carr is a fashion label dedicated to the creation of luxury hand-finished accessories and gloves.Jane studied an MA in Fashion at Central Saint Martin’s. She launched her first collection in 2005 and has previously worked as Head of Print for Versace in Milan.

For British Vogue -she says :"Each season we work on limited edition pieces, and due to the success of our autumn/winter 2011-12 Tzarina collection with Matches we felt it was a natural progression to work with them on a unique capsule collection for the up-coming spring/summer 2012 season. The designs are kept top secret until the last minute, so it's really exciting to be finally showcasing them and seeing the positive response, and of course it's fantastic to be working with such a prestigious store as Matches."

The line features three unique styles, baring colourful summertime prints - perfect for accessorising with next season's looks. Since last season, Carr has seen sales grow by 287 per cent - thanks to international stockists in New York, Hong Kong and Moscow.

"We have seen sales rise each season at a tremendous rate - way above predictions and have enlarged the collection due to demand," explained Carr. "In the recession it appears people want a bit of colour to cheer them up."

See Jane Carr's exclusive new collection for Matches:
http://jane-carr.com/

Italian designer Giambattista Valli joins haute couture club

Paris - Italian fashion designer Giambattista Valli is to join the exclusive club of haute couture fashion, showing a spring-summer collection in Paris next month- Monday.

A Paris commission including existing haute couture labels has awarded the 45-year-old designer the coveted appellation, France's fashion federation said in a statement ahead of the January 23-26 shows.

Giambattista Valli Haute Counture Fall Winter 2011-2012

Haute couture exists only in Paris, where it is a legally protected appellation subject to strict criteria such as the amount of work carried out by hand, the limited number of pieces and the size of a house's workforce.

Valli showed a first couture collection in Paris in July, as a guest member invited by existing couture houses.

Trained at Italy's European Fashion Design Institute and London's Saint Martin's School of Arts, Valli started out at Roberto Capucci, moving to Fendi and Emanuel Ungaro, where he was art director of ready-to-wear, before launching on his own in 2005.

Only a handful of major French houses show under the couture label -- Dior, Chanel, Gaultier and Givenchy - joined by a number of smaller houses, as well as Italians Valentino, Versace and Armani,Rabih Kayrouz and Lebanon's Elie Saab.

Michael Kors desigs a successful IPO

Fashion designer Michael Kors understands what fashion-conscious shoppers desire. Apparently, he knows what investors want, too.

The market clamored for a piece of the designer’s company, Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., in its initial public offering.
It had planned to sell about 41.7 million shares for between $17 and $19 each but priced at $20 last week. The company raised $944 million Wednesday after selling 47.2 million shares in the IPO, valuing the company at $3.8 billion.
more:http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/53126653-79/kors-michael-company-designer.html.csp

Karl Mania - Lagerfeld new collection Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter is new collection - this is sure to be the next big frenzy, at least that is what the online luxury fashion retailer is hyping it to be, with the words “It’s Karl Mania!  - hyping Karl, which will debut exclusively on their site on January 25.

''Today they’ve launched a microsite and app dedicated, as they say in the release, “to all things KARL.” They are fast and loose with the k-supplanting, encouraging you to become a member of ‘Karl’s kult’ which grants access to exclusive images of the collection.''

In addition to encouraging customers to join "Karl's Kult," a social networking group that provides Net-a-Porter's updates on Karl's "whereabouts," Net-a-Porter is offering a "Karlify" option on their website. This entails uploading a picture of yourself to Net-a-Porter, were it's then treated with a white wig, sunglasses, and a high white collar.

You mast see :http://www.net-a-porter.com/karl

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo collection for H&M

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo collection for H&M inspired by anti-heroine Lisbeth Salander’s look.
 “We were really focused on the fabrications and the agings and the over-dying, and it really shows” Trish Summerville, the film’s stylist who collaborated on the line told InStyle exclusively.

The fashion collection; features leather jackets, long sweaters, tees, and skinny pants with prices ranging from $9.95  to $199 for one of Lisbeth Salander's leather jackets. A Lisbeth inspired coat is available in the $70 arena.

It's black, markedly similar to the shape of a long sweater or sweater dress, with stark silver zippers that contrast the deep black coat. The Dragon Tattoo collection is a hard nosed departure from fashion trends set forth by 2011 fashion icons like Pippa Middleton and her sister Catherine. The fashion collection is a millennium and twelve light years away from the Caribbean cool that won over Project Runway judges this year with Anya Chee's beachside collection.
See the Complete Collection-http://news.instyle.com/photo-gallery/?postgallery=88573

Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons and Dior

Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons could be replacing John Galliano as the new creative director of Christian Dior.

As reported by WWD and Vogue, sources have stated that a deal with Belgian fashion designer, Raf Simons is on the rise will very soon be finalized. Throughout much of this year, following the termination of Dior’s previous director, John Galliano; names from Marc Jacobs to Alexander Wang.
After almost a year of uncertainty, the fashion house would need a powerful figure like the Belgian designer. Since 2005, he has headed Jil Sander but has also been acting as creative director for the two lines that carry his name: 'Raf Simons and Raf by Raf Simons ' - Simons being known for his minimal, futuristic, modern looks, the designer, who is known for the passion he has for unconventional designs that play with the deconstruction of classic forms. His style has gone around the world on the big, big fashion screen.

Prabal Gurung Designs Sephora New Uniforms

Last week, the designer was named Creative Director of the soon-to-be-relaunched ICB and today, Sephora’s employees are getting new uniforms designed by Gurung. The San Francisco-based cosmetics chain has asked Gurung to spruce up their plain black fashion uniforms The new unforms will include a series of outfits, from a simple black dress trimmed in red to a shirt, sweater, and pants-ensemble (also with red accents) for men. While the whole red-and-black look seems to echo some of the high-fashion looks from the designer's Fall 2011 collection, Gurung makes it sound like he's going for something more "functional":
“My intention was to reflect the style and playfulness of shopping in a Sephora store, but to also make sure they would be functional in such a fast-paced environment,” the designer noted. “The dress incorporates one of my favorite design elements, offering a flash of vibrant red, while the women’s pant suit and the separates for men give a sleeker, more tailored look.”
Gurung isn't the first designer to enter the fray of commercial uniforms -- Emilio Pucci and Christian Lacroix have created uniforms for flight attendants, for example, while Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren have made fashion uniforms for the Olympics.

Meryl Streep covers Vogue magazine for first time

Meryl Streep covers Vogue magazine for first time
 Photo: AP

Meryl Streep (actress star), may be considered one of the finest actresses around, yet she says she believed her career was over 20 years ago.

Streep, now 62, tells Vogue magazine she was offered three different roles to play a witch after turning 40. She believed it meant women in her age group were 'grotesque on some level', and told her husband "It’s over".

Streep graces the January cover of Vogue fashion and lifestyle magazine for the first time and jokes in the magazine she’s the “oldest person” to do so.


Next, she plays the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the new film "Iron Lady". She’ll portray Thatcher from age 49 to 85. The film opens January 13.
Related Content: www.vogue.com


The January issue of Vogue goes on sale Dec. 20.

Swarovski unveils new scholarship programee

Swarovski has unveiled a new scholarship program for two Central Saint Martins students of Art & Design (http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk/). The first to receive the scholarship awards are Scarlett Tull and Stephanie Bila. "I am very honoured to have been awarded a Swarovski Scholarship," BA Womenswear student Scarlett Tull told us today. "I have used crystals in my work since first year, so I am excited to now have the chance to learn about the full range of possibilities. With the support of Swarovski I will be able to fully realise my ideas and make my catwalk collection without compromise."

"In my first year at Central Saint Martins we did a project where we used crystals and it made me aware of possibilities of introducing colour to the materials I work with, which are mainly metal and cane," BA Jewellery recipient Stephanie Bila added. "I feel honoured to have been selected by Swarovski for this exceptional opportunity and look forward to making the most of this chance to develop my final collection to its full potential."

The scholarship comes as Swarovski celebrates 10 years of working with CSM - and is accompanied by the company's donation of a state-of-the-art Rofin Laser Welder for use by students in the Jewellery Futures Room at the university's new £200 million Kings Cross campus.

New Arrival Handbags in Spring Colors for Christmas Gifts at Milanoo.com

Global supplier Milanoo, renowned for fashion and trendiness, gets ready to invite you to experience an array of spring colors with preview of the new styles and designs of 2012 handbag spring color styles this Christmas. Milanoo recommends these colorful and beautiful handbags as wonderful Christmas gift ideas for your family members, friends and relatives to show your love.

What's attractive about this handbag collection for Christmas is that Milanoo offers so many spring-themed colors. The most fashionable spring hues in 2012 are all concluded as yellow, orange, dark coffee-brown, pink, black and color blocking which are all featured in this Christmas collection. The choices for different styles of the handbags vary with classic and fashionable designs, stylish cross body bags, handbags, shoulder bags, convertible bags, and PU tote bags. Put some color in your life with these special Milanoo handbags! (http://www.milanoo.com/promotions/specials-id-111627.html)

IRFW Grand Opening James Ferreira and Aarti Vijay

The India Resort Fashion Week kicks off Trendily with SS13 Trends of James Ferreira and Aarti Vijay.
James Ferreira's collection was inspired by African influence of The Mosaic cut - A riot of colors - Pink Primrose, Orange, Leaf Green, Dust Gold, Electric Blue, Gold Yellow and Reds with Beige & Whites.

Aarti Vijay sees the wonder of a fairy tale and believes in angels and her imaginative spirit comes alive in her Fairytale collection of dream sequences in Pristine Whites with Sequins, Laces, Nets and Silver Metallic Pops.









Day 2: India Resort Fashion Week, Goa kickstrated with Felix Bendish with his exquisite collection. Bendish is inspired by Charles Robert Darwin and his ‘survival of the fittest’ theory. He trusts Man is an element of all-embracing Nature – amidst birds, animals, trees, and everything around. The models strutted out in dresses, cropped pants, kaftans and statement accessories.

Felix Bendish at India Resort Fashion Week

Narendra Kumar showcased his exquisite ‘Osonai’ collection, This collection is made of fabric which is specifically dyed by flowers & herbs collected from temples. Using pastel colours like mustard, pale peach, pink and green, his collection was a perfect fit for resort wear.

Ken Ferns's ensembles were layered in Light Weight Pure Fabrics and Fabric Textures outlined in Sharp Cuts with Relaxed Silhouettes, Breezy Styles and a holidays favourite comfort signify this entourage of Ivorys and Duty whites.

Gogee Vasant showcased a young fresh and chic collection of maxi dresses, kaftans, jumpsuits, sheer shirts and pants.

Divya Mohta's Birds of Paradise is inspired by the varied colors of the Flowers, Sand, Ocean and everything about the Beach.

Day 3 :

Reflections by Asmita Marwa is a collection which shows a free spirited independent and an intellectual persona of a woman .It reflects her spirit to explore the adventure that comes en route to the epitome of elegance and grace.

Bracialeto makes you create your own masterpiece of artwork and strings them into a necklace, bracelet, anklet reflecting your story, thoughts and moments of life in an exotic new range.


Dhara Thakkar's Baroque is not only about traditional outfits but it boasts the international look too.

She's resort collection is where women luxuriate themselves and re-live the ERA.



Fashion designer Babita M’s latest resort wear collection, sets free the playful experience of soft sands, jovial waves and flirting sun into glamorously styled silhouettes.

The collection interprets the uplifting spirit and beauty of the seaside.
Shivan and Narresh's current resort wear collection is inspired by the essence of the forest and is titled Forêt Noire.

Pria Katari Puri's inspiration for the resort collection is Persian punk; 

you will see the Persian influence in her outfits. She used a lot of Persian prints.

Day4:

The final day of India Resort Fashion Week took place at the beautiful of-site venue by the Marbela Beach will encapsulate the ambience and experience of international resort with a unique and unprecedented ‘Sunset Show’ by S&N Drape.S&N Drape, the bridge brand of Shantanu & Nikhil is a portrayal of the glamorous, edgy, exciting, young and sexy woman of today. who glories in her curves and her inherent refined style.

Grand finale of the India Resort Fashion Week : Manish Malhotra The grand finale of the India Resort Fashion Week took place at an of site loaction at Marbela Beach Resort.

The ramp was built on the white sands like never before. Grand finale designer Manish Malhotra showcased his resort line for the first time. Unique from the other designer at IRFW the collection showcased had its own Indian twist.