108 posts tagged "Balenciaga"
French Castle, American Story
2013 marks the fortieth anniversary of Le Grand Divertissement è Versailles, the runway battle royal that took place in 1973 between French fashion houses (Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent, and Pierre Cardin) and American designers (Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, and Bill Blass). Held as a fundraiser to restore the palace, the evening was attended by everyone from Andy Warhol to Princess Grace of Monaco, and, in addition to a bevy of couture, featured performances by the likes of Liza Minnelli and Josephine Baker (above).
But aside from being, perhaps, the most epic runway spectacle to date, Versailles marked the first time African-American models took a prominent place on the European fashion stage. Last night, in honor of the anniversary, and in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Fashion Institute of Technology hosted a screening of Deborah Riley Draper’s 2012 documentary, Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution. And the historic event’s stars, like Pat Cleveland (below, right), Billie Blair, Norma Jean Darden, and Bethann Hardison, among others, turned out for the film and a lively panel discussion. Continue Reading “French Castle, American Story” »
Modelizing Fall ’13 Thus Far
With the London shows wrapping today, and editors and models jetting off to Milan, it’s time to reflect on the catwalking highlights from the past two weeks. More so than any in recent memory, this season has been dominated by fresh faces. Nearly every new girl on our top-ten list from Spring, like Marine Deleeuw, Irina Kravchenko, Manon Leloup, and Esther Heesch, had majorly successful sophomore outings. But the Fall shows have brought in an additional crop of noteworthy rookies in demand.
Let’s begin with the handful of former Balenciaga exclusives, whose takeoffs were all but inevitable. Sam Rollinson (above, top left), who starred in a Burberry ad back in 2010 and was handpicked by Nicolas Ghesquière last season, had a strong NYFW. (She opened Reed Krakoff and walked Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Altuzarra, Proenza Schouler, and Narciso Rodriguez, among others.) With a hometown advantage, the British brunette—whose cheekbones could cut glass—kept it up across the pond, scoring spots at Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, and Giles. Two other Balenciaga favorites—Kremi Otashliyska and Chiharu Okunugi (above, lower right)—are also becoming runway regulars. The former hit catwalks at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra, Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs, while the Japanese stunner took turns at Rag & Bone, Rodarte, and Marc Jacobs in New York, and Erdem and Giles in London.
Opening the Alexander Wang show is usually a surefire way to go straight to the top, but this season, the second girl out—Tess Hellfeuer (above, top right)—is getting all the buzz. The model finished New York by closing Marc Jacobs, then emerged as a clear favorite of Michelle Lee in London, where she opened Jonathan Saunders and walked in Christopher Kane. Mijo Mihaljcic has also been making all the right appearances in London. Her tomboy appeal landed her spots at Burberry Prorsum, Jonathan Saunders, and Richard Nicoll. Continue Reading “Modelizing Fall ’13 Thus Far” »
You’re so Vain, Cindy Sherman
Vanity is the theme behind the fourth issue of Dasha Zhukova’s acclaimed Garage magazine. Perhaps not the most surprising subject for a fashion glossy, but the editor’s approach to the concept is definitely original. Garage‘s cover and corresponding spread were shot by Patrick Demarchelier and feature a gaggle of models provocatively posed in looks by Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, McQueen, and Dolce & Gabbana. What’s the twist? Each girl is accessorized with a Cindy Sherman mask created via ThatsMyFace.com. “Cindy Sherman’s work raises such important and challenging questions about the representation of women, both in media and society. There was no better likeness to illustrate issues of identity and facelessness in the fashion industry,” says Zhukova. The artist gave Garage her blessing to create the masks, all of which are based on Untitled #461 (the work was shown in Sherman’s recent MoMA exhibition). However, it would seem Sherman hasn’t yet seen the new issue, which, in addition to the fantastically creepy editorial, includes conversations between Urs Fischer and Neville Wakefield and Boris Mikhailov and Juergen Teller, as well as Aimee Mullins paper dolls and contributions from Theaster Gates, Michael Craig-Martin, and more. “I hope she likes it!” says Zhukova. We suppose we’ll have to wait until the magazine hits newsstands, on February 9, to find out. Unless, of course, she sees the spread’s exclusive debut here, on Style.com.
Attention-Seeking Extras From The Spring Runways
Many of us here at Style.com are focused on streamlining our wardrobes with pared-down pieces for 2013. But the showy street-style set? Not so much. For those looking to attract the attention of Tommy Ton and Co. at the collections next month, more will still be more, particularly when it comes to accessories. Chanel’s oversize hula-hoop bag, the Alexander McQueen beekeeper hats, and Miuccia Prada’s towering Geta platforms are just the beginning of Spring’s offerings. How about Stephen Jones’ shattered-glass headpieces for Giles? Or the fabulously rococo bow-trimmed boots at Meadham Kirchhoff? Either of the above would surely whip the photobloggers into a frenzy. As for the colorful mink pumps Phoebe Philo put on her Céline runway, we’re betting on them as this season’s answer to Balenciaga’s ubiquitous Egyptofunk sweatshirts.
CLICK FOR A SLIDESHOW of eye-catching accessories.
The Year In Tilda Lindstam
In the modeling biz, 2012 was the year of Tilda Lindstam. The Swedish stunner walked more Spring runways than any other model (68 in all, including hard-to-land turns at Calvin Klein, Versace, Céline, and Givenchy), and has been keeping the momentum up with key pre-fall bookings (Alexander Wang, Prabal Gurung), a spate of editorials, and confirmed spots in forthcoming ad campaigns for Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Valentino. Like Julia Nobis, who was the top catwalker in terms of stats the previous season, 20-year-old Lindstam can wear a couture gown with the ease of a sweatshirt. Meanwhile, her quirky-casual off-duty outfits—often a Lower East Side thrift-store mix—have captured the attentions of Tommy Ton and other street-style photogs. Chances are we’ll be seeing even more of Tilda at the Fall shows in February.
CLICK FOR A SLIDESHOW of Tilda’s best looks from 2012.