11 posts tagged "M.I.A."
Where To Stay In Parrot Cay, A Few Of Brian Atwood’s Favorite Things, And More…
Still waiting on that invite to Donna Karan’s Parrot Cay home? Here’s what you’re missing (pictured)—plus peeks inside the digs of Jenna Lyons, Ralph Rucci, and more American fashion designers. [WWD]
Or maybe you’re looking to get on Brian Atwood’s good side? Give him a Muji pen—or a pair of Naked & Famous jeans, Tom Ford specs, or any other of his ten must-have products. [GQ]
After the weekend’s none-too-favorable New York Times Magazine profile of M.I.A., the singer has posted the “truff”—an audio file of her interview with writer Lynn Hirschberg, plus a new song for good measure. [NEET Recordings]
Lily Cole finished up her end-of-year exams at Cambridge and looked “relieved,” reports British Vogue. Phew! [Vogue U.K.]
And sad news from the weekend: Sculptor and feminist icon Louise Bourgeois passed away on Monday at the age of 98. [NYT]
Fashion Fund-ers Connect With The Hollywood Set
The CFDA and Vogue assembled a starry crowd for a Fashion Fund fashion show sponsored by Frédéric Fekkai at the Chateau Marmont on Friday afternoon. Diane Kruger, M.I.A., Jessica Alba, and Camilla Belle all gathered in the hotel’s secluded courtyard to take in looks from contenders for the annual prize like Sophie Theallet, Gary Graham, and Ohne Titel’s Flora Gill and Alexa Adams. “I am so inspired right now and saw so many things that I want,” Eva Mendes told us. “I have an eye for design, but making clothes has never interested me—I leave that to the real professionals.” Like newly minted CFDA member and front-row mate Mary-Kate Olsen? The Fashion Fund winner will be announced two weeks from today, at a ceremony on November 16.
Madge And A-Rod Make News, Just Not Together
One-time Madonna flame A-Rod admits to using performance-enhancing drugs (even President Obama is disappointed), but now, he swears, he just does Kabbalah, which everyone knows is the gateway drug to Scientology. It’s a slippery slope, Alex. [New York Post]
Madonna, meanwhile, has found Jesus. Jesus Luz, that is, and by the looks of this Steven Klein spread for W, she found pretty much all of him. Speaking of Klein, is it just us, or does Señor Luz bear a passing resemblance to Madonna’s
evergreen photographer? Just saying. [Daily Mail]
Not only is Kanye West open-minded, but he’s also a fabulous dresser. And modest. [Guardian]
Designers from DVF to Chris Benz sum up their Fall collections in one word, and their answers are scintillating. Favorites include: Aberdeen (Rodarte), Crystalarium (Vena Cava), and Proustian (Anna Sui). See the rest. [The Cut]
Compare and contrast: M.I.A. (very pregnant) vs. Aggy (quite the opposite) in Henry Holland’s sheer polka-dot affair. Who wore it best, Style Filers? [Grazia Daily]
M.I.A.’s Red-Carpet Designer Manish Arora Talks Shop In New Dehli
Fashion is having an India moment. Slumdog Millionaire is poised for Oscar domination; Bangalore native Lakshmi Menon just renewed her gig as a Givenchy poster girl; and M.I.A. turned heads on the red carpet at last night’s Grammy awards in a decidedly non-maternity look from Indian designer Manish Arora. Based in New Delhi, Arora is poised to be the next big thing in ready-to-wear. A staple of the London scene, Arora showed his circus-inspired Spring ’09 collection in Paris last year and his trademark exuberance—starry capelets, embroidered elephants, glitter galore—felt just right in the City of Light. With high-low collaborations with Reebok and MAC under his belt (and more to come), Arora is making sure fashion’s Indian obsession is not the fleeting kind. Style.com caught up with the designer in between fittings at his New Delhi studio to talk about what’s on the “ramp,” his upcoming collaborations, and toning things down. Or not.
I’ve often heard from travelers that their first impression of India is one of organized chaos, with a dash of the madcap thrown in. Sounds like your collections. Is your work influenced by Indian culture?
India is one of my biggest inspirations. My designs represent India as far as textiles and the kind of workmanship you see in the garments. I love color, and it’s quite apparent in all my collections; a large part of that comes from being an Indian. Indian pop culture is a constant source of fascination for me and does make its way into most of my work.
Any Indian pop culture icons we should know about?
There are several, but one of my favorites is contemporary Indian artist Subodh Gupta.
Is the Indian creative community close-knit?
There is a certain camaraderie. It comes from the community still being a fairly new one. A lot of us started out at the same time and we are rooting for each other to do well internationally and have our work appreciated.
Let’s talk about your Spring 2009 collection in Paris. Your pieces can be highly conceptual, like the double-hoop skirt with a carousel painted on it. Do you consider wearability when you design your collection?
My collection for the ramp is not necessarily the most wearable, but yes, I do keep wearability in mind for my larger commercial collection. I think in order to be a true success commercial viability is very important.
Your designs can be incredibly detailed, with intricate embroidery and hand-sewn, artistic handiwork. Does being based in New Delhi have its advantages?
Absolutely. I don’t think it would be possible to do the kind of work I do anywhere but in India. I have some very talented people working with me, without whom this type of work would not be possible. India has a vast reserve of skill, which is a major asset in our industry.
You’ve also done commercial collaborations with Reebok and MAC. Do you have any other collaborations coming up?
Yes, coming up is a limited-edition range of watches that I’ve designed for Swatch that will be available this summer. I’m collaborating with Disney for my upcoming Fall 2009 collection, and I have also collaborated with Nivea for a special limited edition of Nivea Soft for Summer 2009.
A collaboration with Disney? Should we expect a cartoon backdrop or theatrics?
Theatrics you can always expect from my shows. Just exactly what we do with Disney you will have to wait and watch.
OK, we’re looking forward to March then. In designing your latest collection, did you take the global economic situation into consideration? Tone things down a bit?
My upcoming collection is literally set in the wild. I have attempted something very unique and I hope you like what you see in Paris come March. I really haven’t made any conscious effort to tone my collection down. I think fashion is hopeful and inspiring and should continue to be just that.
Beyoncé’s Other, Other Favorite Designer
By now, most fashion watchers are aware that Beyoncé is a dyed-in-the-graphic-geometric -wool fan of Gareth Pugh and of Thierry Mugler, now that the latter designer will be creative- directing and costuming her upcoming tour. But B’s latest video for her song Diva—which some liken to a reprise of Pugh’s Spring 2009 show —also features the work of 25-year-old designer Brian Lichtenberg. The patchwork bodysuit and matching lace leggings (pictured here) that the designer custom-made for Mrs. Jay-Z also echo his Spring 2009 collection. But Lichtenberg isn’t exactly a newbie when it comes to the wardrobing needs of pop stars. M.I.A. reportedly flipped over his hologram leggings and now owns several pairs; the designer was even an extra in her Bucky Done Gun video. “Beyoncé came up with the idea [of the bodysuit], as she wanted to dance in it for her music video,” explains Lichtenberg. The designer, who shows at L.A. Fashion Week, has an aesthetic that’s futuristic, bold, and graphic—which is, of course, right up Beyoncé’s currently avant-garde fashion alley. Lichtenberg’s collection includes clothing and jewelry in collaboration with L.A.-based accessories duo Alex & Chloe. He has also teamed up with Franc Fernandez on a range of sharply architectural hats (imagine what Grace Jones’ millinery collection would look like), which Beyoncé did wear for Diva, though the segment ended up on the cutting-room floor. For more on Lichtenberg, go to www.brianlichtenberg.com.