Donatella Versace mined her brother's couture archives for the star prints that decorated her pre-fall collection, but the silhouettes—graphic little coats with contrast piping and even tinier cocktail dresses—were all hers. Everything was strictly above the knee, save for a handful of not-for-the-faint-of-heart awards season gowns, the best of which came in black lace with a slit up to there and a star detailed in peekaboo mesh on the torso. —Nicole Phelps Full Story
Alexander Wang
Written by Style.com
Monday, 05 January 2009
"It's time to bring sexy back," said Alexander Wang. But hasn't he been hard at work at that task for seasons now? "A louche kind of sexy," he amended. So out went the mesh, perforated leather, and other athletic references from Spring, and in came an elongated scarlet velvet tuxedo jacket, a coral washed crepe one-sleeve draped cocktail dress with hook-and-eye closures, a light blue denim bustier with black velvet bra cups, and a gold-stud print trench. Wang still loves that effortless, thrown-together look, but the Fashion Fund winner is growing up, and so are the silhouettes and the sensibility of his clothes. —Nicole Phelps Full Story
Nicole Miller
Written by Style.com
Monday, 05 January 2009
Nicole Miller turned her gaze to the cosmos for a celestially inspired pre-fall collection in a palette of plum, mustard, and teal. Star-shaped paillettes embellished a printed shift dress, while a stretchy "scuba" jacket with architectural sleeves would fit in on the Enterprise. A series of dresses in jersey and taffeta were manipulated so that elaborate tucks and braids spilled down the fronts. "We just kept on sewing and this is the result," Miller said. If those dresses weren't exactly on theme, what's fashion without a little experimentation? —Romney Leader Full Story
Chanel
Written by Style.com
Monday, 05 January 2009
Ruby red lacquered bags like Fabergé eggs swinging from gilded chains, heels sculpted like upturned onion domes, hair-and-pearl-adorned tiaras like those of Byzantine empresses—oh, and strict black Soviet "uniform" suits. Yes, this was Karl Lagerfeld setting off on another of his light but learned excursions into Coco Chanel's exotic history with men: in this case, the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, and the Russian inspirations—the Ballets Russes, Constructivism, Byzantine jewelry, and Slavic folklore—triggered by their relationship.
"Paris-Moscou" was Lagerfeld's theme for the semiannual collection designed to show off the skills of the French embroiderers, milliners, goldsmiths, and shoemakers the house supports. And it was also the subject of his directorial debut. As the audience—which included Princess Caroline of Monaco, Diane Kruger, Emmanuelle Béart, and Clémence Poésy—took its seats in the plush velvet and mahogany Théâtre le Ranelagh, the show opened with a silent black-and-white cine-skit on Coco's flirtation with Russian-Parisian émigré society in the 1910's and 1920's, featuring a cast of Lagerfeld's friends. (The short film is now playing on www.chanel.com.)
Fashion-wise, the then-now parallels were embodied by the Russian models, led out by Sasha Pivovarova. The clothes—extravagantly embellished with sequins and pearls, tufted layers of chiffon, and sparkling feather fringe—were accessorized with a winter fantasia of military fur hats, gold Cossack boots, and pseudo-revolutionary badges, as well as a smattering of very 2008 leather leggings. If today's oligarchettes are still in the market for super-spending, there'll be plenty here to keep the rubles flowing. And for anyone with a yearning to buy in a different way, here's another thought: The goody bag guests took away contained Cuir de Russie (the classic scent Chanel devised with Ernest Beaux, the czar's perfumer, in 1927) and the new Chanel nail color release—the deep blue, iridescent Nuit de Russie. —Sarah Mower Full Story
Pamela Aden: Ready for a Rebound? (at Seeking Alpha)
Written by Zibb.com
Sunday, 04 January 2009
Veteran analyst Pamela Aden?s studies of the market suggest that although recovery is by no means imminent, a respite for the battered stock market is due and she sees important signs of calming in the turbulence. Full Story
Burberry Prorsum
Written by Style.com
Sunday, 04 January 2009
Christopher Bailey didn't veer far from his winning formula at Burberry Prorsum. There were the signature trenches done up this time in metallic leather velvet; the floor-scraping flares and narrow jackets with new, slightly puffed sleeves; and, taking a page from his crinkled and wrinkled Spring collection, silk matelassé cocktail numbers. Other dresses came in silk crepon printed with digitized images of a Baroque etching the designer bought at an antique shop. As always, there was a slew of luxurious fabrics, but none stood out quite like the tapestry velvet jacquard used for a three-quarter-length-sleeved sheath and an oversize caban. —Nicole Phelps Full Story
Zale Ties The Knot
Written by Zibb.com
Sunday, 04 January 2009
Zale Corp., North America's largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry, has entered into a multi-platform marketing partnership with The Knot, Inc. (www.theknot.com), bringing together two well-known players in the wedding industry. Full Story
Indo Argyle Diamond Council | IADC News
Written by Zibb.com
Sunday, 04 January 2009
The IADC has always prided itself on the many services it offers the jewelry retailer. The 2008 IADC Program incorporates many of the most requested retailer services from past years. The 2008 IADC Program includes: Full Story
Untitled Page - Russia Market Report: Russia Makes Its Move After...
Written by Zibb.com
Saturday, 03 January 2009
In reaction to De Beers? revision of its market strategy, ALROSA, on the recommendation of the state agency Gokhran, withheld its July 13, rough shipment to London. The move called into immediate question the viability of the 1998-2001 trade agreement with De Beers. Full Story
Giorgio Armani
Written by Style.com
Saturday, 03 January 2009
Giorgio Armani saves the dramatics for his Milan runway shows. The fancy pants he's known for—and that are now absolutely everywhere—were replaced for pre-fall by simple, narrow, or wide-leg options with jackets to mix and match in shades of gray and black, along with an equally restrained lineup of after-dark looks. Call it the new red-carpet dressing: These narrow silhouettes and understated embellishments are well suited to the times. —Nicole Phelps Full Story
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