coutorture --

DVF X Bloggers

coutorture — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:50:23 -0700

The streetwear symbol for collaboration involves combining two names with an "x" as a signifier that two brands joined forces for a creative project. Often it is the collaborations that bring out the best from each side, highlighting the strengths of the players while creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is the "x" factor of unique teams coming together to do something great. It is this spirit of collaboration that inspired us to host a photo shoot with iconic womenswear line Diane Von Furstenberg and the Coutorture community.

Thus it seems fitting that we call the Coutorture community's collaborative photoshoot with Diane Von Furstenberg DVF x Bloggers. After an agonizing process of slimming the potential list of collaborating blogs to ten (though we shot eleven as our intern Maleeha The Shoptometrist got in on the fun) we brought Shopalicious, Fops and Dandies, The Shoptometrist, See Pretty Things, Clothes-Pin, Eyeshadow Government, The Daily Obsession, SheFinds, The Fashion Bomb, The ShoeBlog, and Fashion Indie.

Ten bloggers arrived at Diane Von Furstenberg's 14th Street Meatpacking District store to discover a full crew of professional photographers, models, makeup artists, hair stylists, sales women, publicists, creative directors, and a few interactive agency types from Morpheus Media (the collaboration may have been our idea but Morpheus helped bring it to fruition) ready to help the bloggers play.

And play we did as bloggers dressed, styled, and modeled (and ate and drank) to their hearts content. Every blogger looked fabulous in the diverse number of outfits their educated fashion minds gravitated towards. It was a true testament to the project's aim, to bring the personality of the bloggers to DVF and the integrity (and, we must say, wearability) of the brand to the bloggers.

We hope you will enjoy the results and take the time to peruse the many galleries, write ups, links and Shopstyle Spreads we will be posting through out the next few days to help celebrate this phenomenal creative collaboration.

The Daily Obsession X DVF

coutorture — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:12:36 -0700

The Daily Obsession had one word for our Bloggers X DVF shoot:aaamazing!

Franky we think the Daily Obsession is pretty amazing themselves. Carolyn, the group blog's author, has been an exceptional community member within Coutorture. She and her co-authors helped host a Blog Talk Radio session on teamblogging with us just a few weeks ago. And her community spirit showed right through at the event as she cheered other bloggers on, helped people pick clothing, and even teamed up with The Shoeblog for a two blogger photo! She is a blogger that makes us proud to do what do we do.

It was definitely one of the most unique events I've ever been to and made us bloggers feel really involved and appreciated in the fashion community. Everyone was so professional and friendly and it was really amazing how much effort went into the evening.

As for the clothing- can DVF do any wrong?? Every item that everyone put on looked fantastic! Sometimes when I think I can't wear bright colors or prints, I go to DVF and let her prove me wrong. She truly designs for every woman.

Eyeshadow Government X DVF

coutorture — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:32:25 -0700

We are suckers for a good pun and Eyeshadow Government is one of our favorites. The silver tongued blogger has golden taste as she put her model in two sunny options that are as far from secret shadow government as possible! In fact, we would say that this Diane von Furstenberg Zacharie crochet dress is downright attention grabbing! Which might explain why our demure blogger felt a little more comfortable having it modeled but we say next time we hope to see our girl come out from behind her cover. But she doesn't call herself Eye "shadow" for nothing! Even though she is secretive she did give us a quote about her experiences.

Diane von Furstenberg is such an inspirational, iconic New York designer.Her springy color palettes looked great on all the bloggers and models at the shoot. Her dresses are made to bring metropolitan glamour to every woman who wears her clothing.

See Pretty Things X DVF

coutorture — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:13:54 -0700

If you get something right the first why bother to try again? That is the attitude Kimmie of See Pretty Things took with her shoot at our DVF X Bloggers event. She found a the perfect dress and instead of trying on outfit after outfit, or even shoot another nearly perfect outfit, she stuck with her one perfect gown.

But it wasn't just about the clothing for Kimmie:"It was absolutely amazing from the time we walked in until the time we left and it felt a bit dream like. The two things that stick out in my mind was how much fun it was to hang out with the other bloggers and getting to know them. Second, it was really nice to see the entire staff getting involved by assisting with outfits and even doing some styling to make each shot tell a story. Both of these made it memorable and a nice way to spend an evening."

And while the stunning animal print maxi dress isn't available online we found a few full length options that can help you take it to the max just like Kimmie.

The Shoptometrist X DVF

coutorture — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:52:21 -0700

Shoptometrist isn't simply blogger to us, Maleeha is also Coutorture's intern! Over the past 6 months she has pulled and returned about as much many dresses, shoes, and accessories as our crowd of 11 bloggers pulled off the racks at Diane Von Furstenberg for our shoot! OK she has probably pulled a lot more even though eleven women trying on a million outfits is a lot of fashion. That experience has paid off as Maleeha has a keen eye for styling. Some of our best styling ideas, like the Ace-Bandage top from our Brace Yourself shoot has come from input from Maleeha.

She was a little nervous at first about getting dressed and in front of the camera. But once she got into the Tuvallu Dress in Zig-Zag Jungle Lime we think she started to feel better! But you don't have to take our word for it as she has blogged about the entire shoot herself already.

Fashion Indie X DVF

coutorture — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:56:41 -0700

Fashion Indie likes to break the rules. They are known for just being a little bit badly behaved and reveling in it when it comes to getting their voice heard. Sometimes we want to smack Daniel Saynt upside the head but we respect their taste when it comes to bringing together rule breaking styling. Combining the Bowenia Dress in Azalea and the Diane von Furstenberg Lunalilo Jacket is pretty daring at first blush. The combination of a pink cocktail frock with a blue hoodie-like jacket is just the sort of thing an independent minded Brooklyn girl would do. The outfit is of course quintessentially DVF even if you didn't quite expect it. And of course they just had to put their model in the most expensive dress of the evening the Alika Dress in Multi which just happens to be Look 39 from their Spring runway. The pricey frocks are what any self respecting girl playing dress up gravitate towards too. There is something to be said for rule breaking after all, at least when it comes to fashion.

For More Bloggers and DVF coverage

Clothes-Pin X DVF

coutorture — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:13:31 -0700

Clothes-Pin is known for her coverage of independent fashion labels that escape the notice of the mainstream press. Thus she was thrilled to experience a brand she called one of the founding indie labels in her post about the experience.

We personally loved her two choices of the Franz Dress in Rhombus All-Over Siren and the Cookie Dress. She clearly felt incredibly comfortable in both options as she strutted her stuff in front of the camera. She didn't even require any cheerleading from the sidelines. How is that for feeling good in what you wear?

Check out the rest of the collaborations here!

Collab Mad: Juliana Jabour Hits Uniqlo

coutorture — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:05:55 -0800

Uniqlo's Designer Invitation Project is back and Brazilian designer Julianna Jabour is leading the pack. The designer created a bubble dress and boatneck dress in sophisticated prints. A low-waisted tunic and sleeveless top to be worn with jeans round out the looks.

This collaboration marks Julianna Jabour as fashion's new favorite Brazilian (Sorry Atil!). After making pits stops in Washington D.C to study politics at Georgetown and in London as a department store buyer she has established herself as a Sao Paulo presence felt around the globe. Her line references the 70s and 80s using knits, viscose, gaze and linen to create a breezy look that is a step up from beachy longewear while still evoking the body conscious sensual aesthetic of so many Brazilian women. And its just a little bit out there which makes us hum the theme from Brazil over Girl From Ipanema if you know what we mean. Terry Gilliam would be proud.

Collab Mad: Subversive In The Midwest

coutorture — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:53:29 -0800

Subversive Jewelry's Justin Giunta is a popular man about to go populist. While news has been out for some time that he is set to launch a limited-edition accessories collection called Subversive for Target we think his visibility is just hitting critical mass. And that means he is really ready to go mass market just a few weeks before his March 23 debut at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com.

And as we learned from our video interview with Justin and our photo editorial with Bubsy the Bobcat his modus operandi is "more is more" thus even his more budget oriented collections reflect that aesthetic. The collection piles on the goodies with charm bracelets, drop earrings, and colorful block necklaces. And the price range starts at $14.99 with the most expensive piece clocking in at just $59.99. Which is a lot more affordable than his regular work. Our only question is how will we know the difference? We are sure a more discerning lady than us would know naturally.

Collab Mad: Joy Gryson Handbags For Target

coutorture — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:32:15 -0800

In April of this year, Target will be releasing a line of faux-leather handbags designed by Joy Gryson. Gryson, who has designed for Coach and Marc Jacobs, had enough it-bag experience to catapult her own line, Gryson, into mass popularity. And everyone knows, once you become an 'it' designer, Target will come knocking on your door. The Gryson line for Target introduces the Bottega Veneta-like woven leather that Gryson uses in her own collections, in a sophisticated palate of hunter green, black, slate blue, and white.

Photo from Gryson Fall 07/08, a likely resemblance to those appearing in the Target collection (tempting, isn't it?).

We also have impressive designer video interviews and original editorial spreads. May we cordially suggest perusing our selection? Enjoy New York Fashion Week Designer Video Interviews from Oscar De La Renta, Donna Karan for DKNY,Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, Nicole Miller, Erin Fetherston, Ashleigh Verrier , Adam Lippes, James Coviello, John Varvatos , Monique Lhuillier, Joanna Mastroianni, Tory Burch, Neeam Khan