Coutorture

Chanel Couture Calls Up Nina Ricci Fall 2009

coutorture — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

From left: Chanel Fall 2009 Couture, Nina Ricci Fall 2009, Chanel Fall 2009 Couture, Nina Ricci Fall 2009

The Chanel Fall 2009 Haute Couture collection was strong and elegant at once. To us, it seemed to call up Nina Ricci Fall 2009 by way of the sloping headpieces, lean tailoring and strong-shouldered silhouettes. Now that Chanel is involved, we'll surely see more of these trends in the coming seasons.

Raquel Allegra Wins With Style Points

coutorture — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:21:05 -0700

From Left: Acne Spring 2009 Look Book, Raquel Allegra Fall 2009, Aminaka Wilmont Spring 2009

Designer Raquel Allegra, whose torn t-shirts sent DIY waves through the blogosphere, was right on trend this Fall 2009--and it wasn't just because of those cobwebbed cottons. The designer also showed wide brimmed hats on the catwalk, which brought up visions of Acne Spring 2009, and leather knee-skimming trousers which were reminiscent of Aminaka Wilmont's Spring offering. There's nothing wrong with being a brand that's all about style, especially when it puts you in a group with these two popular names.

Coutorture Community Must Reads 01/13/09

coutorture — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:51:41 -0800

Beautynomics reports on the new Bobbi Brown brights collection (left). We don't know if we're mature enough to be around all that eyeshadow.

Ever feel like your having a bad face day? The Coveted has the answer to that particular problem.

Style It always knows about the newest makeup collections. Today she reports on NARS, one of our favorites.

The Smashing Darling interviews a young milliner named Katie Burley and the best part is, you can buy her creations straight from the Darling store.

New York Spring 2009 Trend Report: Hats

coutorture — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:30:03 -0800

Global warming must be good for millinery because covering up your precious scalp and shielding your face was on the mind of many designers for Spring 2009. Everything from knit wraps (which were everywhere) and sun hats to architectural marvels found there way into collections. Here from Anna Sui, Milly by Michelle Smith, Joanna Mastroianni, Iodice, Ports 1961, Marc Jacobs, Y3, Alexander Wang, Catherine Holstein, Erin Fetherston, and Nicole Miller.

Ladylike Accessories Make A Comeback

coutorture — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:24:04 -0800

Clockwise from top left: Deep V Leather Glove $30 @ Topshop, Wool UFO Clip $43 @ Visorette, Leopard Cocktail Hat $28 @ Urban Outfitters, Silk Rose Print Silk Scarf (was $59.50) $24.95 @ Martin Osa, Flower Headwrap $18 @ Urban Outfitters

Never having been sneakers-and-t-shirt kind of gals we couldn't be more pleased to see so many ladylike accessories this season. From pillbox hats to dainty gloves these final touches could help balance out a particularly boyish outfit or dress up a more casual look. What's more, none of these items are over fifty dollars making them perfect as gifts or economy-minded indulgences to spice up your wardrobe.

Put A Lid On It

coutorture — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:00:11 -0700

An original photo editorial for Coutorture.com. Photographer Robert Malmberg. Fashion editors Megan Zanke and Julie Fredrickson. Makeup Sarah Conley. Model Erin Welsh from Red Model Management. Hats by Victor Osborne and Molly Yestadt of Yestadt Millinery.

Interview With Victor Osborne

coutorture — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:43:29 -0700

Victor Osborne, at least in New York, is a name you recognize even if you're not sure just where to place it. Osborne is the milliner, you realize, responsible for the hats and headpieces in countless editorials you've scanned. It's possible you've tried on his creations at Intermix or Barneys. He's also, you remember hearing at a cocktail party or showroom, a mere 23 years old. Well, at least that's how it happened for us. We'd met Osborne a few weeks ago without realizing it. We'd actually been in his space, which serves as the atelier and showroom for his company (which he runs with his business partner Zachary Barnett, 24 years old), and just didn't put it all together. Perhaps it's that he's so young, or that between the barman we recognized from Hotel Delmano, the amazing artist whose work brought us to the event, and the appearance of a certain blonde supermodel, it just slipped our minds to think about, well, the designer who made the whole thing happen. We're very happy to be up on the Victor Osborne pursuit and, to accompany his creations as seen in today's original Coutorture editorial Put A Lid On It, to publish a few quick thoughts from the designer on his blossoming company.

Can you tell us a little bit about how you started out in millinery?
I had an aunt with great hats that I loved as a child. When I was at FIT I took a millinery course and realized that I was the only student under 30... by 20 years. It was kind of like a challenge.

The history of hats/headpieces/scarves/coverings is rich with cultural information. How do these complexities inform your designs?
Our line is full of historical reference, some of our best selling felt shapes are blocks scored off a retiring costume designer from the Metropolitan opera. This incorporation of the historical is entrenched in the line.

Why do you think American women stopped wearing hats as fashion accessories? Do you think this will change?
There are a lot of factors. Casual dressing has plagued America for ages for one. Big hair is another reason. The list could go on, but I am just thrilled that so many people are responding so strongly to the line.

What other milliner do you admire and why?
[Phillip] Treacy does amazing runway millinery, as does Stephen Jones. Etre had an amazing way of drawing millinery. My favorite milliner is Dài-Rees. He is a welsch milliner, who made the hats for Mcqueen for a few seasons, who also had his own line for a while. I also really admire Lilly Dache, and Schiaparelli.

What don't people know about this particular type of design?
Most people don't know that you bake straw and felt hats.

In terms of your brand, what projects or accomplishments are on the horizon?
> We are planning some great collaborative projects with really creative designers like Tim Hamilton, and the Blonds. That's always exciting. There might be a trip in the fall to a couple countries to source some new materials which would be a blast.

A Hat For All Seasons

coutorture — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:19:00 -0700

Winter garments in summer is a big topic in the fashion industry as of late. We are crushing on shimmer nylons and have used Fall collections as the ultimate summer wardrobes so its no surprise that we continue to find ourselves enamored with community members that take this fascination as seriously as we do. Fashion is Spinach has fallen in love with hats even in this hot humid sticky months. She really enjoys tiny caps but we must say we are in love with really all kinds of hats and have been since we had the pleasure of shooting James Coviello's fall hats. Let's all hope that this trend catches on in a big way!

Eugenia Kim Cream Raw Silk Beret, 70% off - $140.00	Cabrillo Hat - $58.00
Marc by Marc Jacobs teal amish check pleated beret - $159.00	Hat Attack Hatat-Washed Canvas Yacht Cap - $40.00
Victor Osborne Ester Hat - $165.00	Missoni Zigzag beanie hat - $130.00

Couture in The City Shoutout: Fun Out Of The Sun

coutorture — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:09:33 -0700

We clearly love hats here on Coutorture. Thus we found ourselves getting a bit silly looking over Couture in The City's Fun in The Sun list. She has plenty of sunglasses and sandals on display but we were mostly interested in her hat choices. With the 134th Kentucky Derby to look forward to this weekend finding a few floppy hats is a perfect fashionable diversion. Apparently there isn't that much to know about picking a hat for you. We personally are leaning towards this Kokin Floppy Ribbon Hat. With a little paisley dress and some cute neutral heels it is perfect for cheering on that 30 to 1 shot pony. Don't forget to pick up a Mint Julep! More Shoutouts

Trends: A Jumpstart On Hats

coutorture — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:28:18 -0700

One of the most visible trends that erupted from Fall 08 fashion week in New York was the hat trend. When something is so clearly on it's way to the forefront of fashion, and we've still months to go before the collections hit the stores, there has to be a way to make due. Luckily, hats for Fall 08 came in all shapes and sizes and so finding one for Summer shouldn't be too difficult. On a practical note, wearing a hat in summer has countless benefits including protection from the sun and a solution those limited clothing options when it's ninety degrees outside. That said, here are our favorite hats for Summer 08, some for the beach and some that might actually take you straight into the Fall trend.

Kokin Floppy Ribbon Hat - $290.00	Melissa Odabash Jemima sun hat - $165.00
Metallic Floral Strap Sun Hat - $12.80	Sun Chariot Beach Hat - $128.00
Fortissimo Hollywood by Kokin - $295.00	Multicolor Floppy - $34.00
Lola Dulce De Leche Hat - $185.00	Straw sun hat - $24.50
Kokin Upsweep Ombre Hat - $245.00	Helen Kaminski Organdy Hat - $120.00
Straw Fedora - $295.00	Polkadot Sun Hat - $12.80
Helen Welsh yellow striped ribbon sun hat - $60.00

Cha Cha Dotty - $196.00	Eugenia Kim Giraffe Cloche - $340.00
Straw Fedora - $295.00	Feather Cocktail Hat - $28.00
Kokin Women's Cartwheel Oversized Floppy Straw Hat - $226.99	Chapeau Claudette Bowler Hat - $75.71
Scrunch Linen Beanie - $24.00	Cha Cha Bird - $187.00
Coast Mini Beret Fascinator With Loop And Feather Detail - $97.34	Eugenia Kim Cream Tokyo Fedora - $300.00
Two Tone Derby Hat - $28.00	Chris Benz Raffia sun hat - $275.00