Coutorture

Paris Fashion Week: Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2010

coutorture — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:03:38 -0700

Shopping: Sneakers Get Some Height

coutorture — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:11:40 -0700

Clockwise from top left: See by Chloe Lace-Up Platform Sneakers $265 @ Saks Fifth Avenue, Sneaker Pump $180 @ DKNY, Ash Ufo Wedge Sneakers $226 @ shopbop.com, BCBGirls 'Elton' Bootie $88 @ Nordstrom, Viktor & Rolf Rainbow Platforms $783 @ Colette

You could say it became a trend by way of DKNY's sneaker pumps (above) and perhaps Ann Demeulemeester's lace-up wedges. Now that spring footwear is hitting shelves it seems there are plenty of lace-up sneaker heights to choose from. This trend might be loathed by some and loved by others but, regardless, we're just happy that there's some padding in this season's sky-high numbers. A few strips of PVC and a wooden five-inch platform shouldn't be our only option for fabulous super-tall footwear.

Paris Fashion Week: Ann Demeulemeester Fall 2009

coutorture — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:04:28 -0800

Paris 03/07/09. Photos by Patrik Kovarik/Getty Images.

Paris: Ann Demeulemeester Men's Fall 2009

coutorture — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:21:45 -0800

01/24/09 Paris. Photos by Francois Guillot/Getty Images.

Spring 2009 Trend Report: Orange Crush

coutorture — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:00:00 -0800

Orange as seen in the Spring 2009 collections.

Paris Fashion Week: Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2009

coutorture — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:41:49 -0800

Paris Fashion Week Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2009. Couvent des Cordeliers, 15 Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, 6th

Ann Demeulemeester Proves A Master Is Only As Good As Her Basics

coutorture — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:52:05 -0700

The beauty of the Belgiums is their ability to masterfully rework, and rework, and rework the building blocks of fashion into something fresh each season, tantalizing fans with something that is both new and not new in one show, in that spirit Ann Demeulemeester's Spring 2009 collection culminated seasons of fashion infinite regress. The progression of her work shows us each one proving that the last builds on the present and provides support for the evolution of the next.

But that progression would not stand if the basics were not of the highest caliber of fashion. Demeulemeester to her credit is a masterworker and it shows in the Spring 2009 collection, taking black jackets and white shirts and adding in a cinch here, a billowing bit of volume there, is a prime example of how these simple pieces can provide a heady fashion experience. Layered, draped, and tied dresses provide alluring interest and for those that absolutely must have detail there are a few rock star fringes here or there. Finally, warm orange seasons the effort.

Fashion in 50 Seconds 9/26 Adult Diapers, Adidas and Antwerp

coutorture — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:05:22 -0700

We are so angry at the failure of the American government to propose a reasonable bailout strategy for Wall Street we can barely control ourselves, and while our problem may be emotional incontinence apparently a lack of control is the inspiration for Japan's newest fashion trend. Seriously, a fashion show of "nappies" aka diapers to show an aging population just how fashionable diapers can be happened in Tokyo. The funniest part? They played Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Beauty behemoths may be well financed for the rough road ahead but smaller cosmetic firms are in for a tough time.

French Jeweler Mauboussin is opening a Madison Avenue boutique

Belgium designers are getting a grip on business, Maison Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten are opening stores and entering into licensing agreements in order to boost their sales.

It turns out not advertising can be good for business if you have eager broke customers shopping your store for the price point and not that quality.

Men, still the new women.

Jeremy Scott, who will show his namesake collection in Paris on Sept. 30, has signed a multiseason deal with activewear giant Adidas to design apparel and footwear for men and women. Streetwear designers Alyasha Owerka-Moore and Kazuki are also involved. His winged high tops are actually pretty cool.