An out-of-the-box style fashion show at Wealthy Theatre

“You’ve got your fashion shows with the runway, and I found I would get a little bored with that,” said Rebecca Kilgore, the mastermind behind the Wealthy Theatre’s “Out of Fashion” show, December 11.

Instead, “Out of Fashion” is a themed stage performance, including music by The Backstage Bettys, hair design and stage makeup by stylist Molly McLemore from Moxie Beauty & Hair Parlor, a short film, and, of course, lots of original and rehabilitated clothing.

 “There will be scene changes and everything you expect in a stage performance with it all showcasing the clothing,” said Kilgore, who owns the clothing design business Mother Punker and is the creator of the Betty Bag. Kilgore has brought together a cast of experiences professionals and students for the production that hits the stage at 7 p.m. The real bargain basement deal on this? Tickets are only $5 and available at Boheima Too and Vertigo Music.

Lady Gaga has emerged as a surprising muse for both the high street and haute couture

Anyone who’s heard of Lady Gaga knows the new high priestess of shock doesn’t hold back when it comes to fashion.

She’s met the Queen in a red PVC Elizabethan gimp dress, held press conferences in gigantic shoulder pads that could double as an airline chair, flourished capes made from skinned polar bears, writhed in nude body-stockings with gaffer-taped nipples (fashion is pain, people), sculpted her hair into telephones and, of course, sparked a no-pants craze with her trademark “underwear-as-outerwear” look.

With her bizarre style - masked face, overdone hair and make-up, gridiron shoulders - Gaga has emerged as a surprising muse for both the high street and haute couture.

Her space-age aesthetic has influenced designers such as Giorgio Armani, Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci and Jean Paul Gaultier, while at the other of the scale outlets such as UK internet retailer Asos has attributed a 30 per cent rise in sales to Gaga-inspired lace party frocks, body suits and underwear.

While singers have long spearheaded the fusion of music and fashion, in just 15 months Gaga has in equal measure rocked the pop and fashion worlds in a way many have compared to pop’s original fashion wild child - Madonna.

In fact, she’s been been compared to the Material Girl so many times that she and Madonna did a skit together on Saturday Night Live: Gaga’s opening line was “Madonna? I’m totally hotter than you.” Madonna has said: “I see myself in her.”

Perhaps the Wall Street Journal nailed Gaga’s influence on pop and fashion when it said: “Gaga ... really understands
spectacle, fashion, shock, choreography - all the things Madonna and Michael Jackson were masters of in the 1980s.”

It’s fitting then, that Lady Gaga’s Melbourne show this week coincides with an exhibition of Madonna’s most iconic  costumes as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

The 30-piece collection at Chadstone includes the pink dress worn in the Material Girl video clip and the infamous gold conical bustier designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and worn by Madonna during her provocative 1990 Blonde Ambition tour.

“As stand-alone pieces, each of those costumes makes a comment on either class, gender, sexuality, race or just the power of the individual,” says Antonino Tati, editor of Cream magazine and self-confessed Madonna aficionado.

“These are really iconic because they’re so ingrained in the public’s mind and stand for so much in pop culture.”

Like Madonna, Gaga’s ambition is well-documented and she exerts a vice-like control over her image. While her outfits are largely the work of a team she calls “The Haus of Gaga”, she remains the creative force behind her aesthetic.

“I’m this way all the time,” she has said.

“I’m always dressed the way you see me in my videos and my performances. I live and breathe fashion, art and music. I was the girl who used to be made fun of in school because I was wearing some crazy outfit. For me, it’s not a costume; it’s not a look. Lady Gaga is me.”

It was only a matter of time before Gaga-inspired trends filtered down the high street, in admittedly diluted forms - no telephone hairpieces or polar bear capes - but rather in structured shoulders, lace body suits and leggings.

“She was the first one to really embrace those strong shapes, particularly those kind of Cube-esque shoulder pads. I see big shoulder pads and straight away I think, ooh very Gaga,” says Melbourne singer and designer Lee Lee from the
band Dirty Laundry.

“I see her as the love child of Bette Midler and Madonna, but even more out there. I like that her look is not just about being the beauty queen. It’s visually stimulating.”

Melbourne designer Alexi Freeman sees Gaga as a pop star of post-modern relevance.

“Like David Bowie in the ’70s, like Madonna in the ’80s, Lady Gaga is a real icon of fashion and where things are going,” he says.

“Admittedly, she does seem kind of insane, but I think she’s on a very creative journey. She is really on her own trip - in the beginning anyway, when she made her own outfits and did her own make-up, she was pursuing her own aesthetic. She’s genuinely expressing her own vision of what’s relevant now.”

 

Estée Lauder's Pure Color collection now available in China

Estée Lauder has launched its Pure Color line, which is already sold in the US and in Europe, in China.

The occasion was feted with a fashion show and party in Beijing on November 19. The celebration also marked Chinese model Liu Wen's official debut as an Estée Lauder global spokesmodel.

The Pure Color line - a collection of 48 highly pigmented eyeshadows and 34 lip glosses - was conceived by Estée Lauder's creative makeup director Tom Pecheux and made its debut in US stores this past summer. The eyeshadows come in four different finishes - matte, satin, luminous and metallic - while the glosses come in three different finishes - shine, shimmer and metallic.

In addition to the launch of Pure Color in China, Pure Color Metamorphosis - a limited edition collection of eye shadow and lip gloss shades especially designed for Chinese women - will also go on sale in Hong Kong and on the Mainland. The 24 Estée Lauder Pure Color eyeshadow shades and 28 lip gloss colors (each priced at $37) are slated to make their debut in China during spring 2011.

Estée Lauder says China is its fastest-growing market as well as its second-largest market (after the US). The brand made its first foray there in 1993 and now boasts 95 stores in China. Fabrizio Freda, the company's president and chief executive officer, said during an investor conference in September: "China is growing so fast, we expect it to be our second-biggest Asian market this year, overtaking Korea. Last year, the Estée Lauder brand became the number-one prestige beauty brand in its distribution in China."

Estée Lauder's Pure Color collection significantly broadens the beauty company's color range as it used to be heavier on neutrals. The line puts the American beauty brand head-to-head with the global cosmetics brands MAC, Nars, and Make Up For Ever, which are known for their highly pigmented, high-impact makeup collections.

Brisbane City Council hosts a free lunchtime fashion parade

Burnett Lane will be transformed into the city’s centre of high end fashion when the Brisbane City Council hosts a free lunchtime fashion parade.

Against the backdrop of the recently revitalised lane, city goers can enjoy fashion from 16 of Brisbane’s most sought after and well known designers, and designs from some of the city’s most talented up and coming Queensland University of Technology fashion students.

Designers include: Neon Heartache, dogstar, Pistols at Dawn, Maiocchi, Vanguard, Rebecca Manning Swim, Alexis Dawn, Daniel Alexander, Tengdahl, Foxton Danger, Lisa Brown, George Wu, Paul Hunt, and Darb Bridal Couture.

Accessories from: Chelsea De Luca, Stones Diamonds, Nat-Sui, Vein Wear, The Hat Box and Optiko.

The fashion show will be the first of a number of events to be held in the lane over the next six weeks in the lead up to Council implementing a permanent part-day road closure of the space from early 2011.

Burnett Lane was the first city centre laneway to undergo major revitalisation through Council’s City Centre Master Plan Vibrant Laneway program, designed to help deliver a vibrant, engaging and culturally diverse city centre.

Design your own Longchamp bag via Facebook

French leather and luxury goods company Longchamp has unveiled a new Facebook application that allows users to customize and share their own version of its iconic Le Pliage totebag on the social networking site.

Once exclusively available on Longchamp's website, Facebook users who "like" the Parisian brand can now create their own bags without leaving the Facebook platform. The easy, four-step process asks shoppers to chose the model and size of their Le Pliage, customize them with longer straps or short handles, and select colors to produce a one-of-a-kind creation that they can share with their friends and post on their Facebook profiles.

Founded by Jean Cassegrain in 1948, Longchamp is known for its lightweight and durable travel goods though it also offers clothing, scarves and other fashion accessories. In 1993, the company introduced its Le Pliage line- a range of foldable travel bags made of vinyl with leather handles and leather trim- that was a huge hit overseas.

Big name designers have created Le Pliage variations for the company in high-profile collaborations over the past few years, including Jeremy Scott, Charles Anastase,and Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag of the label BLESS.

Retailers like Longchamp have been increasingly devising and launching Facebook-specific applications. On November 23, HauteLook- an online sample sale website-- launched HauteLook Events on Facebook, which offers "in-stream" shopping directly from Facebook's News Feed. Though shoppers still have to register with HauteLook to buy sale items, they do not have to log out of Facebook to make a purchase.

Fantasy Fashion Gets A Reality Check

I was reading the November issue of People StyleWatch when I came across this tip… “Shop for your real life. Shopping for your fantasy life can lead to mistakes.”

I had to laugh because I have been going through this exact situation. I had been agonizing over a metallic Diane von Furstenberg jacket. It was on the pricey side, so I really had to think about buying it. Where would I wear it? Would I get my money’s worth? How would I economize it?

Back in the olden days- “BC” as I like to call it- as in “before child,” I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about buying the jacket. It’s a gorgeous jacket… really beautiful… and I could have worn it to numerous events, swanky dinners at hip restaurants and nights out when I didn’t have to worry about someone spitting milk or getting other food or drool on me.

My, oh my how things change. I used to love buying high, high heels, impractical clutch purses that only hold keys, a phone and a lip gloss, and lots of shiny, fancy “going out” clothes. My wardrobe has done a 180… now it’s all about things I can throw in the wash and big slouchy bags that can also hold baby bottles, diapers and wipes.

So there is my dilemma. I need to be practical, but not so practical that I lose all sense of style. I know that I must be in good company. There is no way I am alone in this situation!

How many times have you talked yourself into buying something for some fantasy life you don’t exactly lead? For the size you WANT to be, not the size you are? How much money have you wasted buying something that you MIGHT wear to that fabulous party you are hoping to be invited to?

I ended up buying the jacket because “it might not be there in my size” if I waited. I still wasn’t sure if I would keep it, but liked having the option to return it if I got home and realized I had nothing to go with it. I also liked the idea of getting the best reality check I have, my husband, to weigh in as to whether or not it’s worth keeping. Surprisingly, he thought a shrunken metallic jacket was a great purchase. Huh?

I ended up wearing the jacket to a huge “Entertainment Tonight” reunion party and I wore it once on-air for Access Hollywood. I got lots of compliments both times, but it was never a question if the jacket was stylish or not. The question was and is about getting my money’s worth. Which means I need to wear it a lot more!

You’ll probably see me wearing it to death on the show… and now you know why! I have some serious economzing to do!

Donatella Versace is teaching a new generation of designers how to thrive

The Dorchester hotel, in London's Park Lane, is a glittering haven of well-mannered, gilt-edged luxury, currently shielding some of the British capital's most well-heeled guests from the gale-force winds and driving rain outside. That is not to say it is even remotely quiet. It is the afternoon of the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the world's most famous boy wizard is taking tea in one corner. In another, X Factor teen sensations One Direction pour out of a lift in a suitably high-spirited manner, dressed for the occasion, in all their finery. Take the same elevator to the third floor and the doors open to reveal Paije Richardson, equally glamorously attired. Two floors further up and Katie Waissel, this year's requisite publicity-courting hate figure, all tousled-up hairdo, sequins and lace, is waiting to join her contemporaries before making her way with the rest of them out on to one of the most hotly anticipated red-carpet events of the year.

It seems only apposite, with this in mind, that in the penthouse suite, way above it all in her customary London residence, über-blonde Donatella Versace is sipping Earl Grey ("like a very English lady"), surrounded by preternaturally handsome assistants (male) and wearing a little black dress that, for all its apparent simplicity, makes her diminutive Barbie doll frame appear more pneumatic still. This, after all, is a woman who understands the highs – and indeed lows – of celebrity culture, and indeed its relationship with fashion, better than most. In fact, it would not be unreasonable to claim that, back in the Eighties and Nineties, and with her brother Gianni alongside, Ms Versace paved the way for the star-spangled mania that was soon to come. It is the stuff of fashion folklore that Versace created the supermodel, that glamorous behemoth that transformed the mannequin from passive clothes horse to modern-day idol and then mogul almost overnight. And while Gianni, nine years Donatella's senior, was busily creating show-stopping, high-octane fashion for such heavenly creatures to wear, his little sister, a party animal par excellence, was scouring the world persuading the beautiful and famous to appear in the greatest advertising campaigns in history. Shot by Richard Avedon, Bruce Weber and Irving Penn and featuring everyone from Madonna to Elton John and from Naomi Campbell to Jon Bon Jovi, these were as unashamedly flesh-flaunting and highly coloured as, and even more highly camp than, it is possible to imagine. At that time, Donatella Versace was responsible for brand image, and she did her job extremely well. Today, and since the death of her brother in 1997, it is well known that she is also the company's creative director.

A new fashion label involving the talents

A new fashion label involving the talents of Whitireia Community Polytechnic arts students, the labours of Porirua businesses and celebrity models Irene van Dyk and Frankie Stevens had its unveiling last week.

For more than a year, Sharon Woodhouse, sales and account manager for local business Classic Embroidery, wanted to see a contemporary fashion label established in the city. She envisioned a "community-based project", with percentages of the income going to designers, scholarships for future arts students and a sports fund that was close to her own heart.

Collaborating with her mentor Cathy Roa, Whitireia arts tutor Deb Donnelly and her Bachelor of Applied Arts students, has seen the concept materialise.

"It's so exciting, just awesome to see the creations come out," Ms Woodhouse said. "And it's all being done here, by local students and local businesses. I really wanted this kept in the community. We're going to market it from Porirua, I think this could be huge for this area."

Though starting up the venture has had its share of hard work and headaches, she said it was all worth it to see prototype designs modelled by van Dyk for a photo shoot at Whitireia last week.

Companies like Shoe Connection, Digitex, Porirua hairdresser Ally Joiner and photographers are involved, and getting some big names to publicly wear the range was vital.

"After [Irene and Frankie] came on board, they came to Whitireia and the students found out their likes and dislikes and want they wanted in clothes that they would wear. We had to keep away from sports, as someone like Irene has contracts with big companies to wear their gear, so we're mostly talking about casual clothing, evening wear, that sort of thing."

Rebecca Jones is the designer of van Dyk's range, and the netball star is over the moon with the results.

Ms Donnelly says the students were able to bring their own flair and inspiration to the table, but had "the wants of the clients" in their minds at all times.

Eight students were involved and did the work as part of the textiles section of their studies.

More types of clothing and more celebrity models are being lined up before the fashion label is officially named and launched next year.

Anyone interested in the clothing range can visit the Whitireia Visual Arts exhibition, which had a gala opening at Pataka on Friday night and runs till January 8.

All Saints makes it big in America as sales surge

The trendy fashion chain All Saints has delivered surging underlying sales this year and has been approached by a major US investment bank to explore its options, including a potential flotation. The retailer is also pushing ahead with its expansion in the US by opening new shops in Las Vegas and New York over the coming weeks.

All Saints, which has 10 US shops, is believed to be funding its expansion there from cash generation and its £50m working capital facility from Lloyds. Its group like-for-like sales are up 34 per cent this year.

While an IPO remains a long-term goal for the chain, a formal process is not imminent. The fashion chain, which declined to comment, delivered profits up by 90 per cent to £23.6m for the year to 31 January 2010.

There's Life in Luxury as Brands Keep Cool

LONDON, November 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- When a country hits an economic depression its citizens will usually take a look at their outgoing expenditures and cut down on luxuries. What is surprising is the resolution of the European luxury markets over the past year. What has been made clear is that if a brand maintains a high level of service in providing excellence in originality and design, customers are happy to pay the same price they always have.

This is why the judging panel at European CEO has decided to investigate which luxury brands have really excelled during the downturn; turning it into an opportunity to improve their service and cement their corporate gusto in the minds of the consumer. In an industry that relies on hard-won quality and is built on long-term loyalty we explored an array of different arenas from staple industries such as automotive and travel, to the new and unique such as corporate gifts and incentives.

Full media coverage of the Corporate Lifestyle Awards 2010 can be found in the December - January edition of European CEO which is now available in all good newsagents.

 

The last of the Roksanda dresses

Designer Roksanda Ilincic’s last ever collection of party dresses lands in Whistles

This is turning out to be THE month of the designer/high street collaboration, with Lanvin for H&M landing in store on the 23rd, Gap for Valentino hitting the flagship shop at the end of November and Roksanda’s final range of party dresses for Whistles in store TODAY!

In our fashionable opinion, this is by far the best Roksanda line-up, with embellished frocks like the emerald Nettle, complete with a utilitarian-style pale pink belt, and the heavenly ruffled Henbane LBD arriving just in time for the party season.

Just don’t blame us if you don’t have any money left for Christmas presents!

 

Emma Watson to work her fashion magic on Alberta Ferretti

She's starring in the blockbuster movie of the year, attends an Ivy league US University, and was a hit when she became the face of Burberry last year.

Now it seems Emma Watson is developing a reputation as a fashion powerhouse, as she so impressed the industry with her clothing line for Fair Trade label People Tree, she is now set to create an organic collection with Italian designer Alberta Ferretti.
Watson says the collection will be 'classic' with a 60s style.

A future in fashion: Emma Watson was invited to create a clothing line with Alberta Ferretti, following the success of her collaboration with People Tree

'We are doing an organic clothing range. I can't reveal the name yet but there will be more information about it soon,' she told US Magazine.com.

'She wrote to me and said, 'I saw what you did with People Tree and I think it's a great idea and will you do something with me?' she added.
'I will put it out there that I will work for anyone for free if they are prepared to make their clothing fairtrade organic.'

The star is currently studying at Brown University and has admitted that she finds life as a student 'liberating' in comparison to the gruelling schedules while filming the wizard franchise, particularly the latest installment Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

'It was so liberating. I'd be smiling to myself and friends would say, 'Emma, what's wrong?' and I'd say, 'I'm just happy'. I take pleasure in the smallest thinks. Like, I'm going to wake up at 10 o'clock if I want to. Or, I'm going to eat a sandwich now.

'I have such a structure when I'm working on Potter. I get told what time I gets picked up. I get told what time I can eat, when I have time to go to the bathroom. Every single second of my day is not in my power.'

Watson has said that she's unsure whether she'll continue acting now the Harry Potter series has ended, and her latest venture has left many wondering whether she'll be swapping movies for a career in fashion.

 

Designers, socialites... and now trade envoys

Tamara Mellon, the socialite who founded upmarket shoe designer Jimmy Choo, has been recruited by David Cameron to bang the drum for British companies around the world.

As he arrived in China on a mission to double Britain's trade with the world's fastest-growing major economy, the Prime Minister announced that Ms Mellon had been appointed a government "business ambassador". She will be joined by Anya Hindmarch, the handbag designer whose creations are a sought-after fashion accessory among celebrities. The new Chinese middle classes are considered a prime target for high-end British designers.

Ms Mellon, a former staple of the gossip columns, who left school without any qualifications, has enjoyed stunning success with her luxury shoes, which cost between £300 and £2,000 a pair. Mr Cameron remarked that such creations are in increasing demand in nations such as China, whose economy is growing by 10 per cent a year.

particularly Lady Dior—the sign of fashion and elegance

I love the particular lady bags of Christian Dior frantically, particularly Lady Dior—the sign of fashion and elegance. It is well known that Lady Dior will be the particular star item of Christian Dior, which enjoys good acceptance among super stars and well-known people . In my eyes, Lady Dior is not just a work of art but also a faithful company.

Try challenging to be fascinating and elegant will be the particular lifelong career to increasingly additional modern women. I believe that this type of wonderful samsung replica handbags will lead us to a dreamy and wonderful journey. We will be elegant and gorgeous princesses with these kinds of refined bags.

It is a sad truth that the particular House of Dior would not launch many reasonably-priced handbags in every season. But, those works of art are fewer but better than many other fashion brands considered as generally. Related to the particular most up-to-date fashion and style, Lady Dior 2010 attracts millions of eyeballs. Dior came up with its brand new reasonably-priced handbags for spring and summer which keeps its elegance and refined design and style style after several-month wait. The exact fans of Dior, let’s enjoy the particular shinning magnificence of this black Dior Chri-Chri Cannage Lambskin—my favorite of this series.

Victoria's Secret agents replace Madonna as face of Dolce and Gabbana

MADONNA, the face of fashion label Dolce and Gabbana for the past two seasons, has been replaced by a group of underwear models.

Victoria's Secret beauties Izabel Goulart, Alessandra Ambrosio, Maryna Linchuk and Isabeli Fontana were selected for the Italian brand's sexy campaigns.

The models shot the Spring 2011 ad campaign with photographer Steven Klein this week, reports New York Daily News.

Top Gallery: Victoria's Secret angels New York show

Madonna, now 52 and twice divorced, was featured in the fashion house's spring/summer 2010 campaign in a series of black and white images playing a fantasy housewife - making dinner, eating pasta and rinsing plates while wearing glamorous D&G dresses. The photos reportedly were inspired by Italian neo-realist films.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Each year, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show doubles as a party for celebrities and some of the brand's most famous angels and a chance for the lingerie brand to show off its newest — and most gem-studded — styles. This year, models like Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman and Karolina Kurkova strutted down the catwalk as pop stars Katy Perry and Akon serenaded them.

Perry, getting into the spirit of the evening, donned Todd Thomas-designed outfits that looked like lingerie, according to UsMagazine.com. She sang her power anthem "Firework" in a purple leotard-and-bustle combo, then wore a yellow, heart-covered PVC minidress and thigh-high boots for a medley of "Teenage Dream," "Hot N Cold" and "California Gurls."

According to the Wall Street Journal, Akon performed his hit "Angel" with Lima — who was wearing a bra encrusted in Diamiani diamonds and sapphires that's valued at $2 million — by his side.

E! News reports that the celebrities on hand to check out the eye-catching designs included Maxwell, Russell Simmons, Debbie Harry, Malin Akerman, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Kings of Leon's Jared Followill. Both Levine and Followill are romantically attached to some Angels; Levine dates Anne Vyalitsyna, while Followill is engaged to Lily Aldridge.

Perry was seen on the step and repeat in a flower-petal strapless top and hot pink skirt, which she paired with bright blue shoes. "Backstage @ the Victoria Secret fashion show... I BET y'all would love a few twit pics today :) these ladies r jaw dropping #VSFashionShow!" Perry tweeted before the show. Afterwards she added, "I [heart] NYC!... First time I've heard #FIREWORK!!! On the radio! On KTU!!! GO GO GO"

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will air on CBS on November 30.

 

John Galliano presented his first collection in 1984

John Galliano presented his first collection in 1984; a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins, London. His first show was based on Les Incroyables et Merveilleuses ( the unbelievables, and the marvelous ones). Fashion as anti-Rebellion. They were loyalists, literally roving bands of angry young dandies, looking fabulous, and mocking the new Bourgeoisie. They hated the new regime; they hated Democracy & the Republic. Democracy is so boring. They didn't accept the new Bourgeois conformity of the French Republic, that dictated a new morality based on phony concepts of  equality. People aren't equal; why must everyone pretend.They were not dependent on the market for their survival, nor cared what people thought. John Galliano's first collection set the stage for his historical fashion repertoire that is unparalleled.

John Galliano inspirational muse for his 2011 spring/summer collection was Maria Lani, the magic character from the 20's-30's who charmed artists like Matisse, Chagall or Leger who painted her portrait.

Jean Cocteau once said of her: "Every time I look away she changes... What a hypnotic force the woman has." Oh, Jean Cocteau know one today references this genius. Jean Cocteau set the standards, that none today can't match. Bow in reverence.

John Galliano's SS11 collection looked liked it was a reprint from the fashion of the '20s & '30s. The hair and make-up especially looked retrograde '20s chic. The make-up and hair a combination l'ancien regime meets Weimar Germany. Bird nest hair, white powdered faces, debauched black lips. Depraved eye shadow.

John Galliano's models had that eerie German Expressionist decadent aesthetic. It's a look of dissolution. Weimar Germany was dissolute. Marked by indulgence of things such as drink, and promiscuous sex, and other degrading aspects of human nature that are now in so in vogue in western society. Weimar Germany was  dissolute. Espionage, and intrigue abounded.

Today's fashion designers change styles much too fast

Today's fashion designers change styles much too fast, partly due to twice-yearly collections, making it harder to create couture that lasts for years, designer Pierre Cardin said.

In Tokyo for a show co-sponsored by a Japanese department store, the 88-year-old doyen of French fashion also said that it is now much harder for designers than when he first started in the business roughly 60 years ago.

"After the war, there were very few designers. Now there are so many designers around the world, in every country. It is impossible to change the fashions every year, every six months," he told a news conference.

Cardin also said that when he launched his own label in 1950 he was told that what he was doing was "impossible" and that only belief in himself and obsession carried him through.

"At the time I was told that trying to make what I did was like trying to walk on the moon - impossible. It was my strategy to believe that one day a man goes up," he said.

"My work was like an addiction. That's why I've been able to do it for so long."

Cardin has become a household name on products around the world from couture clothing to alarm clocks. He was the first Western couturier to turn to Japan as a high fashion market in the late 1950s and later communist China in 1975.

The designer was expelled from the Chambre Syndicale - the monitoring body of Haute Couture in Paris - for launching a ready-to-wear collection in 1959, but was soon reinstated.

 

Summer trend - colour blocking

Forget what your mother told you about matching bags and belts, your shoes don't have to match your dress-in fact it's far more fun if they don't.

This season, the colour clash is where it's at!

Paler sorbet pastels are given a lift with punches of primary colour in delightfully unexpected colour combinations.
 
Think back to 1980s YSL shocking pink and orange dresses, and emerald and royal purple harem pants, or look forward to Gucci S/S 2011 cobalts, greens and oranges for inspiration.  Softer, slightly off-centre shades will act as balancing neutrals against strong reds, yellows and blues.

Let colour-blocking masters like Jonathan Saunders, Richard Nicholl or Charlotte Olympia co-ordinate the clash for you, or pick up sweetly hued separates and be brave enough to play your own game.

More detailed information from: http://www.replicashermes.com/

Buying clothes for the boys is such a selfless mission

Buying clothes for the boys is such a selfless mission, don't you think? It's always nice to gift our men cool clothes and make time to share our good taste on shopping trips so that they explore manly sartorial elegance.

Then, after they've worn them once, we can borrow their purchases with justifiable, guilt-free zeal.

Plundering the male wardrobe has yielded some high-fashion looks for the past few seasons and the ultimate find this season is the aviator flying jacket. Check out River Island's faux-fur version for just €94.

As autumn ebbs to a finish, go 'bunberrying', as Oscar Wilde called his excursions to the country, and borrow one of those big cardis or cosy fisherman-rib long jumpers, which look sensational with whorts (wool shorts) and cable-knit tights.

Our shoot this week features an enticing mix of high street and investment buys including gems from Paul Smith -- perfect for shy males who want to look smart but don't want the world to know they care.

Blake Lively has put a new twist on a classically dubious style: the mullet

Blake Lively has put a new twist on a classically dubious style: the mullet.

The haircut, known for being short by the forehead and long behind the head, even has a motto: business in the front, party in the back.

But the "Gossip Girl" star didn't cut her luscious blond hair. Instead, she incorporated the look into a daring fashion ensemble.

Appearing Thursday at the launch of Realm, a new boutique in New York City, Lively (mis)matched a blue, button-down shirt with a black, sparkly skirt.

While the upper half made the actress look like she was ready for a day at the office, the bottom screamed, "Where's the disco?"

And Lively, who routinely appears on Best Dressed lists, almost pulled it off.

The blame falls squarely on the pesky, long shirt. Ordinarily, it would be tucked into pants - or worn with a lower skirt - but with Lively's predilection for showing off her lovely legs, wearing a skirt apparently meant having the ends of the long, men's shirt peeking out.

Whether her peculiar look was done intentionally or on accident, it remains unknown. You be the judge.

KATE LAUNCHES HER LAST TOPSHOP COLLECTION

Kate stepped out wearing a custom made sparkly jumpsuit, and with Phillip Green and his daughter Chloe by her side, not to mention 200 very enthusiastic shoppers, the supermodel unveiled her latest offerings for Topshop. The 130 piece collection is the last that she will be designing for a while. Word is that she will still be producing pieces here and there for the store, but the bi-annual collections will be no more - so you'd better hurry if you want to get your hands on it.

As well as brand new pieces, this time around Kate has reissued 10 of the most coveted designs from across her collections - we've spottted the pansy print dress and the sweater dress with the panther draped across its shoulder. And you can also snap up some limited edition pieces, like the floor length blue sequin dress that's a dead ringer for the vintage find that Kate sported on her 30th birthday.

her fashion journey with a bridal collection in New York

On Wednesday, Acra opened her first franchise boutique in downtown Beirut — more than a decade after launching her fashion journey with a bridal collection in New York.

"I've always been proud to be of Lebanese origin and today I'm even prouder," Acra said as she stood smiling amid elaborate evening gowns in the gleaming two-story boutique.

"I do not know anything about what is happening ... I'm just excited about the fashion part of Beirut and that's all I know," she said.

A tiny Arab country of 4 million people along the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon has produced an impressive crop of designers. They include Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad, whose work is regularly featured at celebrity events such as the Oscars and the Golden Globes.

The Lebanese have a reputation for being among the most fashion-conscious people in the Middle East — and are extremely liberal about the amount of skin they show.

Downtown Beirut, an area rebuilt over the past two decades from civil war destruction and the place where Acra opened her boutique, is dotted with high-end luxury boutiques such as Gucci, Dior, Vivienne Westwood and Prada.

Like many Lebanese, Acra left Lebanon with her family at the height of the civil war in 1983. But she said she first got her sense of fashion from living in Beirut.

a good watch is much more than a time piece

Even in this age of Blackberrys, iPads, and smart phones, all replete with the exact time, a good watch is much more than a time piece, it's the face you look at most frequently throughout the course of the day, it's the accessory that means the most to you, it's the marvellous piece of miniscule mechanics that accompanies you everywhere you go.

For some it's an investment (good watches appreciate in value), for some it's a family heirloom (I still have the watch my grandfather gave to my father), and for some it's a way to show off.

But for everyone who falls in love with a watch, a watch is the one item that goes everywhere with you, so that even in that lonely motel room on a business trip, or sitting as I am right now stranded in an airport, you can look at your watch and feel a sense of comfort. A watch is your best mechanical friend, wherever you go.

Even so, he admits: "Buying a Rolex isn't about knowing the time." It's bound up with one of the historical reasons for carrying a watch - status.

At the beginning of the 20th Century the fashion was for pocket watches, says Jonathan Scatchard, author of Miller's guide to wristwatches.

"It was a bit of a rite of passage; a real man had a chain with a watch hanging from it," he says. During World War I, the practicalities of trench warfare led soldiers to attach them to the wrist with leather straps.

But it was not until improved technology, such as the self-winding mechanism, allowed for smaller, more convenient pieces, that they became the norm.

"Even in the late 1920s it could be thought of as a little bit effeminate if a man wore a wristwatch," says Mr Scatchard, who runs a website dedicated to another vintage status brand, Heuer.

Traditional wristwatches have seen off the threat of technology before - when consumers in the 1980s enjoyed an intense if short interest in the Japanese-pioneered digital watches - and will do again, he says.

"The fascination is with something made by hand that has a tick; almost like a heartbeat," he says.

"We all have mobile phones but they are out of date in two years and you never get attached to them."

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