10 posts tagged "Pierre Cardin"
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” »
Plugged In: High Tech Fashion at The Museum at FIT
When side by side, the words fashion and technology oft conjure images of barely wearable ensembles destined for Lady Gaga. But at the Museum at FIT’s latest exhibition, Fashion and Technology, which opened yesterday, co-curators Ariele Elia and Emma McClendon reveal that technology is a crucial part of our ordinary wares. Spanning 250 years of innovation, the show covers such everyday inventions as the washing machine, rayon, and the zipper. But that’s not to say it’s without sci-fi novelties. For instance, there are jazzy space race-era looks by the likes of Pierre Cardin and Emilio Pucci. Also on display are garments by André Courrèges, who, convinced that space would soon become a hot holiday destination, developed an entire intergalactic wardrobe, complete with a sleek PVC helmet and moon boots.
However, as Diane von Furstenberg notes in a video playing at the exhibition, “Things we thought would be sci-fi exist.” Case in point, von Furstenberg’s Spring ’13 collaboration with Google Glass. Of course, she’s not the only Internet-savvy designer. In 1996, Jean Paul Gaultier created a cyberspace-inspired jumpsuit (pictured above). And don’t even get us started on social media’s fashion influence. Remember the frenzy Burberry caused when it released its Spring ’12 collection on Twitter before it hit the runway?
Perhaps most high-tech is the exhibition’s tiny LilyPad Arduino circuit board, which, when sewn into clothing, is pretty much a wearable computer. “You first see things like wearable electronics in places like athletic wear and the military,” said McClendon, explaining that it’s only later that most designers realize tech-fashion’s artistic potential. A cutting-edge innovation that may take a little longer to catch on? Clothing “grown” from bacteria. Not sure if we’re ready for a “BioCouture” top just yet.
Fashion and Technology is on display at the Museum at FIT from December 4 to May 8.
The World Of Duro
“For me, fashion, art, music, textiles, film, etc., it’s all very intertwined. This is basically a collage of things I like, which is what my work is about,” explains London-based designer Duro Olowu of his New York art show and pop-up shop, opening today at Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn’s Salon 94 Freeman Alley gallery.
In the mix, there’s photos by Juergen Teller (Olowu and the photographer have collaborated on various shoots) and art by Laurie Simmons on display, as well as an eclectic selection of books, records, and clothing for sale. “We have limited-edition pieces from my Spring collection, vintage jewelry from Pierre Cardin, textiles from couture fabric makers, and a T-shirt collaboration I did with Tory Burch,” says the designer. Proceeds from the T-shirt (“a mash of prints by both of us,” says Olowu), $75, will go to the charity of their choice. This temporary New York shop is likely to lead to something more permanent in the near future: “I have been looking for a space in New York—this would be exactly the kind of store I would have.”
Duro Olowu‘s pop-up shop is open through March 5 at Salon 94, 1 Freeman Alley, NYC.
Vintage Cardin For Sale (Cardin Included), Galliano Goes It Alone, Sartori Explores New Sartorial Frontiers, And More…
Got a spare $1.46 billion dollars? The Pierre Cardin label could be yours! Monsieur Cardin has put his namesake brand up for sale—only catch (or bonus, depending on your point of view): Cardin himself comes with. [WSJ]
John Galliano’s trial is set to begin next week—without Galliano’s lawyer, Stephane Zerbib. Rumors circulating earlier had Zerbib quitting, but Team JG has released a statement claiming the attorney was fired. [Vogue U.K.]
Alessandro Sartori, creative director of Z Zegna, is stepping into new shoes, career-wise. After eight years at Zegna, he will leave his position and move to luxury footwear specialist Berluti. Head designer of Jil Sander menswear Paul Surridge is set to take his place. [WWD]
Kristen McMenamy’s reign continues. The silver-haired supe covers the latest Italian Vogue and shows she’s just as game at 46 as any of her younger colleagues to show some skin. It’s Vogue Italia: The Swimsuit Issue! [Huffington Post]
Thirty-Five Years Of Gaultier, Tavi Gets Sassy, Spurring On Tommy, And More…
Jean Paul Gaultier is the latest designer to get the retrospective treatment: A career-long show of his work (a Spring ’09 couture look is at left) will debut in Montreal in June, before traveling to Dallas and San Francisco. It’ll be broken out by themes—including the tantalizing “Eurotrash/X-Rated”—and be accompanied by a catalog with contributions from Catherine Deneuve, Pierre Cardin, and even Martin Margiela, who began his career under Gaultier. [WWD]
Blogger sensation and avowed Sassy fanatic—despite the fact that she wasn’t actually around for it—Tavi Gevinson announced on her blog this weekend that she and Sassy founder Jane Pratt will be launching a magazine (not “Sassy (or the rebirth of Sassy, or Sassy 2.0)”, she cautions) and are calling for submissions. [Style Rookie]
Poor Brooklyn Law School students: Here they were, studying quietly in the library, and then they had to look at some undressed Diesel underwear models. [Racked]
After a successful few seasons having Peter Som consult on his womenswear line, Tommy Hilfiger is bringing in help for the men’s, too: Swarovski Award-nominee Simon Spurr will work on the Hilfiger label’s upcoming men’s collection. [WWD]