Posts Tagged ‘fashion designers’

Kelly Cutrone Debuts her New Reality TV Show Kell on Earth

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

People’s Revolution owner, The City cast member, and, one tough cookie, Kelly Cutrone, made her Bravo TV debut last night in her new show Kell on Earth. With a name born from an insult hurled by a nasty, former lover, Kell on Earth gives us a glimpse into the everyday life of the shrewd, successful, and, at times, kinda scary fashionista.

Cutrone calls her reality tv show, Kell on Earth a “girl power show” that highlights brazen business women as they conquer the world while also allowing viewers to follow her life away from the “Priestess Temple” that is People’s Revolution. Behind her hard veneer is a woman who, shockingly, lives in a pink and white house and appears to be a jovial person with a heart of gold.

The other side of Kelly Cutrone is an unexpected and interesting one. We meet a woman who loves to cook “psychic recipes”, which consist of going to the market and asking the food what it wants to become, and someone who includes driving to her home town, Syracuse, with an all black clad entourage, for a trip to her favorite ice rink, on her list of favorite things. At home, Cutrone is in her most important role as mother to adorable, seven year old daughter Ava, and, as she fondly puts it, interracial wife to Ava’s nanny.

With so many insipid reality tv stars stinking up the atmosphere, the introduction of a trend setter and a fashion powerhouse to the fray is a breath of fresh air.

2010 Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier’s Avitar Inspired Runway Show

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Jean Paul Gaultier wowed guests of his runway show at Fashion Week in Paris. Reportedly, the show was visually astounding. The models almost looked like tropical birds as they made their way down the runway. The brightly colored garments and their intricately designed accessories were reminiscent of an Amazonian rainforest. Some wore cowboy boots, others wore beaded sombreros or had palm leaves woven into their hair.

According to Gaultier, his inspiration was a recent piece of popular culture. James Cameron’s latest film, Avitar, not only grossed $2 billion dollars, but it also was the spark that fueled what was, arguably, the most imaginative production of the entire season. Hopefully, his show was an exciting preview of what NY Fashion Week has to offer.

For more exciting Fashion Week coverage, read Riley Keough’s interview on Modelinia.com.

The 10 Greatest Quotes about Fashion, Trends, and Style

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

To outsiders of the fashion industry, fashionistas mostly have a bum rep. Some of the scorn is no-doubt deserved (some of Coco Chanel’s quotes are indistinguishable from Paris Hilton’s) – but the fashion industry is filled with many talented and bright individuals. We’ve decided to compile a list of the best quotes on fashion, trends, and personal style – spoken by both fashion industry insiders and outsiders.

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10. “When in doubt, wear red.”

– Bill Blass

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9. “A woman’s dress should be like a barbed- wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.”

– Sophia Loren

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8. “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”

– Mark Twain

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7. “The expression a woman wears on her face is more important than the clothes she wears on her back.”

– Dale Carnegie

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6. “Art produces ugly things which frequently become beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time.”

– Jean Cocteau

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5. “A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it every six months.”

– Oscar Wilde

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4. “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn.”

– Gore Vidal

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3. “As a fashion designer, I was always aware that I was not an artist, because I was creating something that was made to be sold, marketed, used, and ultimately discarded.”

– Tom Ford

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2. “It’s hard to go with a fashion trend. As soon as it’s out, everyone picks it up. It’s important to stay true to yourself. Have fun with fashion instead of letting it dictate.”

– Estella Warren

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1. “Sometimes the eye gets so accustomed that if you don’t have a change, you’re bored. It’s the same with fashion, you know. And that, I suppose, is what style is about.”

– Bill Blass

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009 – White Splendor

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Designer Karl Lagerfeld

The Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2009 show at Paris Fashion Week portrayed the sophisticated and delicate woman in white, with a subtle touch of black. Atypical of spring attire, the models walked in pristine A-line silhouettes with dramatic white paper-flowered crests on the head. Despite white galore, the collection was not an exercise of minimalistic design – designer Karl Lagerfeld enhanced the collection with a surprising amount of detail.

Cropped jackets featuring squared shoulders, bridal gowns flaunting laced/organza hem, and short layered dresses paired with tights were dominant throughout the show. As for accessories, craftily designed white paper tiaras seized all the attention. Lagerfeld’s collection exuded freshness, blending classicism and modernism the Parisian way.

Take a look.

White Splendor

White Splendor

White Splendor

White Splendor

White Splendor

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

White Splendor

White Splendor

White Splendor

White Splendor

White Splendor

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Chanel Haute Couture Spring|Summer 2009

Image: Style.com

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian at India Fashion Week Spring|Summer 2009

Friday, April 10th, 2009

The Indian fashion industry, known for its rich textile and needlework, has graduated to an international level of fashion recognition thanks to the next generation of designers like Gurpreet Pia Fleming.

Gurpreet (a graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Delhi and FIT, New York) debuted her line at the Lakme India Fashion Week 2009 in Mumbai. Her contemporary collection Bian (translates as “mysterious” in Vietnamese) exuded style and elegance. Western influences were evident, yet the outfits were perfect for modern Indian women seeking both style and comfort.

The luxurious collection was based on fine brocade, cord, silk, taffeta, faux fur and charmeuse. Detachable African stone jewelry transformed the grey and black silhouettes from sober daywear to vibrant eveningwear. However, the highlight of the show was Fleming’s red carpet dresses in a burnished metallic finish, decorated with jeweled accessories.

Gurpreet received a well-deserved response from the young fashion faithful in India.
Highlight of the show:

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Gurpreet Pia Fleming Introduces Bian

Image Courtesy: Chinaapparel and Trendmodels.blogspot

5 Interesting Origins of Famous Fashion Designers

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Kenneth Cole had a truck, some shoes, and a BS story about filming a movie

 bay-kenneth-cole

Hoping to debut his shoe line at the 1982 Market Week in New York, Kenneth Cole didn’t have the money for a hotel room, never mind a showroom. That of course left one option – selling shoes out of the back of a truck.

But it wasn’t that easy for KC, the city shot down his request, only granting parking permits to utility and production companies.  In a clever twist, Cole changed the name of his company from Kenneth Cole Incorporated to Kenneth Cole Productions, and applied for a permit to shoot the feature film, “The Birth of a Shoe Company”. 

In two days he sold over 40,000 pairs of shoes outside the New York Hilton.

 Ralph Lauren dressed Diane Keaton like a man – Oscars were won

Shortly after marrying Ricky Low-Beer, Ralph Rueben Lifshitz (aka Ralph Lauren) bought the now-famous Polo logo from a business partner. By 1972, Lauren found success with his “Polo shirts” – outfitting the cast of the feature-film remake, The Great Gatsby.

But it wasn’t a little pony that elevated RL into the fashion spotlight – it was some old fashioned cross dressing. The 1977 Best Picture winner, Annie Hall featured an androgynous Diane Keaton decked out in Ralph Lauren duds. It would be an understatement to say that the wardrobe choice “worked”.

Today, you can buy Ralph Lauren paint. 

Vera Wang outfitted a woman that got her knees busted up by a guy named Gillooly

nancy-kerrigan-dress

After failing to qualify for the 1968 Olympics, former-figure skater Vera Wang set her sights on fashion. Following a 15-year stint as a magazine editor, Wang opened a New York bridal boutique in 1990.

As a side job, Wang was contracted to outfit Nancy Kerrigan for the 1994 Olympic Games. One brutal attack later, the entire world knew who Nancy Kerrigan was, and subsequently, who Vera Wang was.

Wang has since made custom wedding gowns for Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, and other A-list elite.

Jason Wu dressed up dolls, now he dresses up Michelle Obama

Jason Wu was a lanky design student that liked to dress up dolls. Of course, those who judged him are probably eating their hat. At the age of 17, Wu was named Creative Director of Integrity Toys. For seven years, Wu worked and saved, until he had enough to bankroll his own fashion label – which he debuted in 2006.

Wu attracted clients like Ivana Trump and January Jones – but in 2008, he hit the media jackpot. OBAMA. After fashioning Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown, the 26 year old Wu has cemented himself into the fashion culture.

If you can’t afford his clothing, you can always buy one of his dolls (the going rate on eBay is $275)!

Tory Burch unquestionably proved that it’s “who you know”

oprah-tom-cruise-omg

Tory Burch, a Manhattan socialite with a taste for fashion, launched her fashion label in 2004. Oprah liked it. Nuff said.

2009 Golden Globes Red Carpet – Designers at their best

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
J Lo in Marcheasa - Too Hot to Handle

J Lo in Marcheasa - Too Hot to Handle

J Lo Goes Golden at the Globes

Did you spot J Lo in that superb plunging Marcheasa gown?? She looked absolutely stunning and was undoubtedly one of the bright spots of the night. Not everyone could pull that gown off – but wearing something like that less than a year after having twins is amazing!

Doesn’t she look like a princess?

Roberto Cavalli -Yellow is in: Doesn’t she look like a princess?

Christina Appelgate is Happy, Healthy, and Gorgeous in Cavalli

Have you ever seen anyone look so positive and radiant after dealing with breast cancer and a double mastectomy in less than a year! No, you haven’t. Christina Appelgate looked absolutely gorgeous at the Golden Globes this year. Hats off to Roberto Cavalli ( a truly fly fashion designer) for his nice work as usual.

Photos: courtesy socialitelife.celebuzz.com