H&M loves Australia

Karl Lagerfeld x H&M

Versace x H&M

The excitement within the local fashion-conscious community is rising as the first ever Australian H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) store is set to open in 2014. The fast fashion label, known for providing the mass accessibility to the luxurious fashion designs of Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Marni, Versace, Maison Martin Margiela and more recently, Isabel Marant, have a little surprise for keen Australian fashionistas...

Maison Martin Margiela x H&M

News has hit that the multinational Swedish label will release a specially designed collection for Australian customers, aptly named "Australia Exclusive". The collection, according to the press release, has been designed to suit the outdoorsy lifestyle of Australians. The pieces will only be available at the Melbourne flagship store, meaning Melbournians will be in for a fashion riot worth seeing, if of course they aren't there amongst the chaos.

Isabel Marant x H&M

The Australian H&M Flagship store will open in 2014, with menswear, womenswear, underwear and home wares available throughout.

Images courtesy of H&M

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

Fendi x Karl Lagerfeld: The Glory of Water

It is no surprise that Karl Lagerfeld, as proactive as he is, has contributed his creative genius to Fendi in collaboratively coordinating the launch of the new Paris flagship store. In the heat of Couture Week, an event such as this is heightened by the complementing photography exhibition showcasing the King of Fashion's matchless photography of the Roman fountains of Italy (as part of their collaborative project to restore Trevi Fountain) that went hand-in-hand with the event. The exhibition, "The Glory of Water", is applaudable, seeing as it has given lost glorification to these historical water features of Italy. Amongst the more concentrated buzz around the designers' collections, the exhibition brought a contemplative and almost melancholic air to the chaotic week.  

For a look at the launch of the flagship Fendi store on Avenue Montaigne and more details on the "Glory of Water" exhibition, CLICK HERE

Images courtesy of Fendi, FauxRealFashion, Wallpaper, Blou Art Info and Elle

Harper's Bazaar Australia: 15 designers, 15 covers, 15 years to celebrate!

Giorgio Armani

Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs

Harper's Bazaar Australia turns 15 this year, and in celebration of their anniversary, 15 powerhouse designers of the fashion world have conjured up limited edition covers for fashion fans around the world to collect. In addition to those pictured, high profile names such as Frida Giannini from Gucci, Alber Elbaz from Lanvin, Christian Louboutin, Hermés, Karl Lagerfeld from Chanel and Diane Von Furstenberg have lent their creative minds manifest into a series of custom designed fashion sketches and editorials. Personally, I have the Carine Roitfeld cover in my sights, and with Mother's Day in our midst, why not grab one for your mother for a truly fashionable gift! Happy Birthday Harper's Bazaar Australia, may the publication continue to bring fashion inspiration to all of us!

 

Victoria Beckham

Carine Roitfeld, featuring Prada Spring/Summer 2013 dress

To view the complete series of covers, head to www.bazaarcoverstory.com.au

 Images courtesy of Harper's Bazaar Australia

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

Fendi's New Fountain

The glorious Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, a popular tourist destination and a significant Italian historical piece of architecture, is to be restored under a project initiated by Fendi. Sophia Venuturi Fendi, Creative Director and Head Designer for Fendi, and the illustrious King of Fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, will be running the initiative. The project aims not only to bring renewed life into the fountain, but also merge the creative forces of Fendi and Lagerfeld to further emphasize the importance of Fashion in Italian arts and culture. I look forward to seeing the undoubtedly beautiful result of the project! Watch the video below for more information on the project.

Images courtesy of Blogs.ft and Wikipedia

Video courtesy of the official Fendi Youtube channel

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

Chanel, Tartan, Tweed and a Castle

There may be a heatwave here in Sydney, but the Chanel Métier d’Arts collection (essentially Pre-Fall/Winter 2013) collection has got me wishing there will be a cold front so I can bring out all my tartan! The show was held at the famous Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, to an intimate audience comprising of media and buyers worldwide. Karl Lagerfeld is known to produce elaborate runway shows for Chanel,  but this show proved his ability to hold back without sacrificing the spectacle. The collection comprised of a lot of tartan, tweed and wools, and Karl definitely captured the spirit of Scotland and the classic Chanel style (note: the jackets) in one collection.

Images courtesy of Oyster Magazine