Coutorture

Fashion in 50 Seconds 02/25/10 Freja For Vogue Nippon, Teen Vogue Designs Bedding

coutorture — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:40:52 -0800

Freja Beha Erichsen and exotic taxidermy, photographed by Terry Richardson for Vogue Nippon.

Alexander McQueen's funeral took place in London today with Daphne Guinness, Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, and Kate Moss in attendance. A more public memorial service is planned for later this year, although no date has been confirmed.

Karl Lagerfeld has designed a limited-edition safe with Dottling, claimed to be the world's most expensive and named "Narcissus." The six-foot tall steel and chrome monolith will retail for $339,000.

Teen Vogue announces a licensing deal to create bedding and room decor based on fashion trends from the magazine.

A closer look at Nicholas Kirkwood's melted wax heels for Rodarte fall 2010.

BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Announces Fashion Award Finalists for 2010

coutorture — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:26:04 -0800

The British Fashion Council and Vogue Designer Fashion Fund announced the shortlist of finalists eligible to win cash prizes and industry mentorship as part of an initiative to help U.K.-based designers take their businesses to the next level. The nominated brands for 2010 include Christopher Kane, Richard Nicoll, Erdem, Marios Schwab, Clements Ribeiro, E.Tautz, Nicholas Kirkwood, and Angel Jackson. As with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in the U.S., finalists will be evaluated throughout a season, with judges conducting studio visits and attending fashion presentations.

"I think we'll all come with our own criteria of what we think is important for success," Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman said of the judging process. "It's a design talent married with an ability to grow a business and to be able to take part in the international industry as opposed to being on the fringe of it."

Harrods, Burberry, HSBC, Marks and Spencer, and Paul Smith are among the companies that have contributed to the British Fashion Fund this year. Winners will be announced in April, and the judging process will be documented in the May issue of British Vogue.

Source: Getty

Matthew Williamson Designs Spring 2010 Accessory Collection with Atelier Swarovski

coutorture — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:47:24 -0700

Matthew Williamson debuted his first accessory collection in collaboration with Atelier Swarovski on the runway for spring 2010.

Williamson's inspiration for the crystal cuffs, breastplate necklaces, and evening clutches was drawn from the artist Jim Lambie, who is best know for arranging brightly colored tape into geometric patterns. As a result the accessory collection consists of vibrantly colored, oversized graphic pieces-much in line with Williamson's signature aesthetic.

For the spring collections Atelier Swarovski also worked with Zaha Hadid (zigzag-shaped rings), Jason Wu (sculptural necklaces) and Nicholas Kirkwood to create exclusive crystal jewelry and accessories. Past designer collaborations have included Christopher Kane, Doo.Ri Chung, Hussein Chalayan, Giles Deacon, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and Philip Crangi.

Fashion In 50 Seconds 03/17/09 CFDA Announces Nominees & More

coutorture — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:35:49 -0700

The CFDA nominations have been announced and Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriguez, and Rodarte are nominated for 2009 Womenswear Designer Of The Year.

Yesterday we pointed out a video interview with Pierre Hardy and it seems there is another to add to that list, today NYMag runs a piece with Karl Lagerfeld.

It has been announced that Alber Elbaz has tapped Nicholas Kirkwood to design the footwear for Lanvin, the partnership will begin next season.

The designer Jil Sander--not the fashion house--is slated to design an upcoming capsule collection for mass market retailer, Uniqlo.

Zanotti Does Kirkwood-like Heels

coutorture — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:02:42 -0800

Today our friends at Racked spotted a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood-like heels in the window of the Giuseppe Zanotti shop. We have to say we think these heels are kind of tired. Even Kirkwood, the mastermind behind the pair we saw in Rodarte's Spring 09 show, was quoted in saying he was moving on from such heights. The truth is, very few women would actually brave such a heel or, considering the economy, dream of wearing something so noticeable. In reality, most fashion insiders are head to toe in black and most consumers are home saving money. We think this will hit home with designers this Fall 09. Props to Racked for spotting the shoe--turns out the shoe is a Spring 09 limited edition, available only in the Zanotti flagship stores.

Fashion In 50 Seconds 12/18/08 Kirkwood Declines, M.I.A.'s Clothing Line, Edi Slimane For Prada, Lanvin For Acne

coutorture — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:47:32 -0800

Nicholas Kirkwood, genius of the sky-high heel, has spoken with both Grazia and Style.com about his working on, gasp, flats. Apparently watching models fall in his shoes at the Rodarte show (and beyond) has turned him off the subject.

Hedi Slimane shot the Spring 09 Prada menswear ad campaign and the models come from a certain rock-pedigree that might interest a hipster or two. A photo from the striking ad campaign right here.

M.I.A., pregnant as ever, has a just-launched clothing line that puts American Apparel's Akrika leggings to shame. Details of the silk screens and graphic happenings, right here.

Another clothing line to drop: Lanvin for Acne has officially landed in stores and online and will single-handedly make your two-hundred dollar Current/Elliot jeans feel like their from JC Penney. Check out the look book right here.

British Fashion Awards: Winners

coutorture — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:14:18 -0800

11/24/08 Photos by WireImage

Fashion in 50 Seconds 10/14 With Allen Schwartz, Armani, and Ralph Lauren

coutorture — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:15:47 -0700

The future may be impossible to predict but as they say the show must go on and in fashion there is never a "consumers go naked" day off.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc will launch of ALLEN B, a complete women's fashion sportswear and dress collection designed by Allen B. Schwartz to be sold exclusively at JCPenney. Co-founder of renowned brand Esprit de Corp and owner of brand A.B.S., Allen B. Schwartz is a master at reworking trends, particular on the red carpet, and bringing them to market in record time

The short list of the British Fashion Awards has been released. Nominees for emerging takent include Danielle Scutt, Louise Goldin, and Felder Felder in ready to wear and Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, and Anna Vince in accessories.

Fashion brands continue to expand overseas. Ralph Lauren has opened it first store in Turkey and Armani is opening its first store in India's New Delhi.

Pantyhose for men? This must be a joe and yet somehow the pieces begs to be taken seriously.