High Fashion Marge

Marge Simpson as Dovima with Elephant, photograph by highly regarded fashion photographer, Richard Avedon 

Marge Simpson as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

The Mother - a timeless icon of female strength, love and beauty. In the cartoon world, Marge Simpson is the epitome of the ultimate mother - a woman who loves her family so much she even conquered her fear of flying to ensure her family enjoyed their vacation. Now, she's the model for a series of fashion illustrations by AleXsandro Palombo, all reinterpretations of some of the most recognisable fashion photographs of all time. Being true to her signature blue hive hairstyle, there's no better model than Mrs. Simpson for this special commemorative series - showing her ability to transfigure herself to emanate the personalities of different female fashion icons, for she is one herself!

Marge Simpson as Carmen dell'Orefice by Richard Avedon

Marge Simpson as Mademoiselle Coco Chanel

Marge Simpson as Virginia Oldoini Countess de Castiglione by Pierre-Louis Pierson

View the complete series of illustrations HERE

Images courtesy of AnOther Magazine

Fashion Month GIFs

Prada

Fashion month brings about many changes within the fashion industry, and most of the time, collections that reflect the ever-changing and evolving design aesthetic of designers and labels. Whatever the month of September brings, the heart of it all is fashion. The non-conventional UK magazine, Dazed & Confused, have uploaded a series of GIFs on their website appropriating a few of the best looks throughout the collections presented throughout the month...

Givenchy 

Chanel

Alexander Wang

Fendi

J.W. Anderson

Proenza Schouler

Confused? I was too. Don't worry, head to Dazed Digital to find out what the hidden meanings behind each are!

Images courtesy of Dazed Digital

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014

The Dior Greenhouse, the set of the label's Spring/Summer 2014 show

It's time to say goodbye to another busy fashion month, and what a way to do so, with the shocking news that Marc Jacobs will be leaving his position as Creative Director for Louis Vuitton after a 16 year reign of the historical label. Of course, the discreetly artistic show by Chanel, the plastic hat parasols of Chalayan, the surprising turn of aesthetic for Gareth Pugh and Givenchy and the revolutionary, non-conformist sorority style show of Rick Owens topped it off. 

The "runway warriors" at the Rick Owens show

Marc Jacobs at the finale of his last show for Louis Vuitton

Despite the abundance of well-known names and labels showing, there seemed to be an unwelcome bleak streak, which may have been cancelled out by the sudden changes within the fashion industry. Three designers stood out to me, simply because of their abilities to show diversity and renewed skills in design...

Gareth Pugh

I still believe Gareth Pugh's Spring/Summer 2013 collection and show is one of the best I have ever seen produced by a designer - it was a collection born from the scorn and ravages one can experience in life... but this time around it seems the darkness has been averted to a welcome change in aesthetic. A softer silhouette is seen throughout the collection, drawing inspiration from both traditional Asian and Mediterranean attire. The usual harsh colour palette of black, grey and red has now been replaced by one with metallic shades of blue, bright hues of green and even luminous gold. Will Mr. Pugh keep with this new found change in his coming collections? I certainly hope so.

Christian Dior

Raf SImons has well and truly earned his place as the Creative Director of Dior, and there was a feeling that he has decided to show a darker side to the Dior woman. Raf has managed to keep the undoubtedly sophisticated look of Dior, but has tweaked elements to represent his struggle to enmesh into the label - especially the deceivingly friendly florals. The reflective detail is present in every necklace, bangle, pattern or appliqué, being and/or featuring poisonous flora - poison ivy, wisteria or the romantically dangerous rose. The vividness of the collection is undoubtable, but this discreetly dark addition to the garments is what stands out beyond the silhouette, colours and flawless styling.

Givenchy

The ever-rebellious Riccardo Tisci has decided to take a turn of aesthetic for Givenchy. Riccardo Tisci has made himself known via his outlandish injection of youth culture into the historical label, his selection of prints including rottweilers, dobermans, birds of paradise and the cartoon character Bambi, just to name a few, being his signature. But now, he has gone back to the roots of the label and shown his ability to embody and appropriate the distinct aesthetic that gave Givenchy its fame. Of course, he has not done this without twisting the feminine silhouettes with worldly approaches to draping and overlaying in the dresses, a visual story continued from his menswear collection. 

Karl Lagerfeld at the finale of the Chanel Spring/Summer 2014 show

TO VIEW THE COMPLETE COLLECTIONS, HEAD TO FASHIONISING AND NOWFASHION

Images courtesy of Dior, Vancouver Sun, The Business of Fashion and Fashionising

The Woman Behind Chanel

The incomparable contributions of Gabrielle Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld to not only the fashion industry but women's leases on life worldwide are monumental, and starting on September the 12th, a celebratory recount of these two icons of fashion will take place. Five fashion films will be available to view online, revealing the truth behind the legends, so make sure to keep your eye out for these exclusive films in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the trailer below offers an insight into the films.

Images courtesy of Blend Bureaux and WhoDesignToday

Video courtesy of the official Chanel Youtube channel

Kukula's Kute Kouture

Sometimes it's hard to appreciate the wonderment of Haute Couture, especially when the extremities of the designers' creativity is expressed in full. But, there are a few who translate these inapproachable pieces into more appreciable works. Israeli-born artist, Kukula, has illustrated a few of the outstanding Couture pieces presented by the designers last week, including Ulyana Sergeenko, Valentino, Chanel and Giambattista Valli. The faintness, subtle impact and ethereal air which the illustrations exude match the designer's visions perfectly, spreading the reach of which Couture usually is limited.

To view the complete collection of illustrations by Kukula, CLICK HERE

Images courtesy of SHOWstudio

Brea Souders' Fashion Collages

Prada shoes

Dolce & Gabbana bag

The appeal of Brea Souders' minimalist photography is largely due to her immense skill is the manipulation of light, which is key in bringing attention to specific objects within an image whilst allowing the surroundings to complement the main subject of the photograph. Her editorial shoot for L'Officiel Art features the most unique pieces from the Spring/Summer 2013/14 collections of high profile designer labels such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Burberry Prorsum, juxtaposed against thematic artworks and prints in a collage-style editorial.

Louis Vuitton shoes

Chanel bag

Burberry Prorsum clutch

The editorial effectively presents the connection between art, fashion and photography. The collages may seem like something that can be produced swiftly, but the careful consideration to colour complementation, composition and lighting is undeniable.

To view Brea Souders' photography portfolio, visit www.breasouders.com

Images courtesy of Brea Souders

The King of Fashion makes a stand for Equality

A depiction of the happiness of same-sex families

Karl walked out in the finale to thunderous applause for his social statement

Following Barack Obama's inauguration speech stating his support for equal rights to marriage, there was no better chance for other powerful and influential people to express their views on this contemporary social issue. Among the seemingly macabre Chanel Haute Couture dresses, two beautiful brides holding hands with a child symbolized Karl Lagerfeld's support for equality. Fashion Designers and Creative Directors have always had the chance to express their political and social views through their collections and shows, especially Vivienne Westwood and Martin Margiela, but the fact that the King of Fashion has made this stand is a sign that this right will be granted to all LGBT people all over the world in a matter of time, which will be a major progression in social rights. The combination of Barack Obama and Karl Lagerfeld's subtle protests will have surely given much needed hope to LGBT all over the world, and I am all for it.

Images courtesy of Fashionising

Season's Greetings!

I hope Karl lays some Chanel presents under my tree...

I just wanted to say a very Merry Christmas to everyone who reads my blog, thank you for keeping up with me and I hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends! Remember to count your blessings, you will receive more if you are thankful and be positive in the New Year! Hey, we all survived the end of the world, who wouldn't be happy this Season!

Make sure Karl Lagerfeld doesn't steal your presents! 

Illustrations by Alexsandro Palombo

Image courtesy of A Shaded View Of Fashion