Slideshows Oct 4, 2009 @ 11:05am

What Lindsay Did to the House of Ungaro

Oh boy. Ungaro.

When Lindsay Lohan took her strut and bow down the runway, the word is, she had tears in her eyes (sorry guys, I wasn’t close enough to see.) I guess it was an emotional process for her first fashion line consultation, and by the looks of it, her consultations were all over the collection.

First of all, there was not a single gown in the collection. Not a one. Which was very un-Ungaro-like. And there were a lot of skintight mini dresses, also very un-Ungaro-like. You know, come to think of it, the whole thing was very un-Ungaro-like.

Emanuel Ungaro learned how to be a designer directly under Cristobal Balenciaga, and whether you liked Ungaro’s work or not, the man knew what he was doing when it came to clothes. He was one of my lecturers at Saint Martins and he, as a designer, is freaking brilliant and I will always hold him in the highest regard.

And now the house, built on the name of a man who had a knowledge of design and construction that just simply cannot be taught, is (partially) under the direction of Lilo.

Draw your own conclusions.

—REBECCA SUHRAWARDI AUSTIN

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posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 11:17AM

Very, very sad day.

posted by UNGARO FAN

Oct 04, 2009 11:30AM

CIRCUS BUSINESS HAS A NEW HIGH WIRE ACT..LEAVE IT AT THAT...SPOKESPERSON IS BETTER TITLE ANYWAY..DONT ENGAGE IN THE DIALOGUE THAT SHE IS A DESIGNER. PLEASE....SHE'S A SAD BEAUTIFUL WOMAN CHILD WHO NEEDS TO BE SLAPPED INTO REALITY. AND SOMEONE HAD BETTER DO IT FAST..THESE PEOPLE ARE USING HER LIKE TOILET PAPER..
BLESSINGS LINDSAY--CALL ME WHEN YOU GET THIS....

posted by Natalia

Oct 04, 2009 11:37AM

Sorry but I do not see what the problem is. The clothes seem quite fun and just because they are a departure from Ungaro's traditional layout does not make them 'sad.' She was invited to contribute her own vision, not to mold directly to that of the house.

posted by RESPONSE TO NATALIA

Oct 04, 2009 11:53AM

WHATIS THE PROBLEM- FIRST AND FOREMOST
THE LACK OF
HERITAGE PLAIN AND SIMPLE- AND CRAFT. EMMANUEL UNGARO IS A LIVING TREASURE AND THE MOCKERY THAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IS BEYOND THE PALE.
THE HERITAGE OF UNGARO HAS BEEN SLAMMED AND THERE WAS NOT AN OUNCE OF CRAFT OR VISION DISPLAYED.

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 11:55AM

I don't think its that bad, there were worse collections this season even some that you guys celebrated

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 12:08PM

Um, there was bandeau tops and acid washed high waisted cropped jeans with heels. That in itself make the collection a joke. Not to mention the BeBe-esque one shouldered ruched dresses. If Ungaro thinks that bringing this poptart on for "consultation" purposes is going to make people want to buy her shit, they're dead wrong.

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 12:18PM

Thank you, 'Response to Natalia' and guest 6... Couldn't have said it better myself. Anyone that thinks this is okay for UNGARO, considering the clothes are entirely similar to a line that should have been designed for Hot Topic, is wrong.

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 1:18PM

A real fashion designer is someone who understands and can execute a garment from pattern to final product. Not someone who "designs" tee shirts or "consults." This is the biggest disgrace to fashion. I can only imagine how the hard working and talented students at F.I.T. and Parsons are feeling about seeing their passions being made into a mockery. Call me old fashioned, but this is a joke to the highest degree.

posted by Helen

Oct 04, 2009 1:45PM

Wow. Lohan should be crying over what she did to Ungaro. Everything looked just so cheap, and there really wasn't anything that I thought "Oh, well that's pretty." Silver sequined pasties? Tacky. Absolutely tacky.

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 2:13PM

I think the reaction to this collection is way overblown. People are jumping on it because of Lindsay supposedly designing it, when everyone should know it's really Estrella's collection conceived with a Lindsay type girl in mind.

Ungaro hasn't been anything like what it was under Mr. Ungaro for some time, so no use mourning that...look at the last few seasons. Esteban put out less cohesive collections with much uglier outfits (his highs were higher, but his lows, way lower), and his stuff didn't sell. Some of this is cute, and it will probably sell. Not everything has to be Balenciaga.

posted by RashomonRebel

Oct 04, 2009 2:25PM

The 2 most fucked up things I've seen this year is this "consultation" and this film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nILkYlTyeg

posted by Sam.

Oct 04, 2009 2:35PM

seriously disappointment definition of not living up the name

RIP =\

posted by becca

Oct 04, 2009 3:26PM

in response to RashomonRebel - at least antichrist was a beautiful work of art. fucked up, yes, but beautiful.

posted by calvinshowblogspotdotcom

Oct 04, 2009 3:38PM

I like what Guest 10 said.

http://calvinshow.blogspot.com

posted by kennnedyhandmade

Oct 04, 2009 3:59PM

Thanks for posting these pics! Hard to see what the clothes looked like on other blogs since the only published pictures seem to be the ones of BloHo taking a bow. God she looks old!

The collection wasn't good but why did anyone ever think she had an eye?

posted by RashomonRebel

Oct 04, 2009 4:19PM

Yes Becca, the cinematography and acting were perfect. I have the screener copy without the timer if any locals want to see it but BE WARNED.

posted by rapture

Oct 04, 2009 4:26PM

please, please learn HOW TO USE THE CAMERA!

i can't even see the pieces. just don't post the pictures if they look this bad, please pull other ones. i can't even say how i feel about any of the pieces, i can barely see them.

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 7:19PM

Would you all be saying the same things if the collection was the exactly the same minus Lohan?

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 8:56PM

The colors and the hearts make me think of that [bizarre] Fornarina commercial she did.

posted by Amber

Oct 04, 2009 9:10PM

Guest #8 took the words right out of my mouth.

posted by Jean Voltaire

Oct 04, 2009 9:18PM

Is anyone really all that surprised? I find it pretty funny - if I was in Paris, I would've totally swung by and had a good chuckle or two. Word has it there were twice the amount of photographers at the end of the runway than last season. There is a very good reason for that - to capture the brilliance of our beloved consultant, Lindsay Lohan. Nice work Lindsay - you've managed to take a historic French fashion house that hardly anyone cared for to one that no one will ever care about.

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 10:28PM

I disagree, Jean. People care about Ungaro. I certainly do. So this is why everyone is up in arms.
rachelgilmannyc.blogspot.com

posted by guest

Oct 04, 2009 10:44PM

guest #18: sequin nipple pasties. that's all i'm gon say.

posted by Jean Voltaire

Oct 04, 2009 11:24PM

#22 - Everyone is "up in arms" not for Ungaro but because of this whole new, awkward "team". The "little-known Spanish designer" and the "actress turned self-bronzer entrepreneur" as Nicole Phelps put it.

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2009 12:31AM

while I agree with most people here and am skeptical of the whole idea of lindsey lohan as a designer or even inspirational figure, its hard to say if she ruined ungaro...you could say the current owners are ruining the brand since there were so many problems at the label in the last few years. This is merely one part of it.

as for #9's comment that a real fashion designer is someone who can do the whole process from pattern to finished product is pretty much no longer true in this era. Miuccia Prada is a great example of someone who has never created a piece of clothing (as I have read in nearly every article about her I have ever read) yet is considered a fashion designer.

posted by Helen

Oct 05, 2009 4:29AM

@25: I'm guessing you're responding to user #8 and not me (#9) ;)

posted by Holly

Oct 05, 2009 9:16AM

While I'm so very tired at the celebrity designer trend, someone over at Ungaro must have made the decision to bring Blohan in as creative whatever.
I could've seen this move a couple of years ago, maybe as a 'muse'(and that's a big maybe). But now? She's not really relevant unless you're desperately needing inspiration for leggings.

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2009 9:52AM

Honestly, it's not that bad. A bit Balmain and Herve Leger combined, so it's not really original. But it's wearable and if anyone else designed this, I'm sure the criticism would not be so harsh.

I cannot go with the hearts motif. Heart pasties, okay. Rihanna did something similar and no one dogged her about it. Heart patterns were a bit overdone.

I liked the skinny pants/leggings. I'm not opposed to some of the jackets. The shoes were really interesting.

I don't wear bandeau tops, but there IS a trend, and I've seen more people wearing them. The bright colors were pretty, but a bit clashy. I dunno. A very confusing jumble of clothing.

All in all, it wasn't bad, but it didn't wow me. And I think I saw an implant scar that was unsettling.

They should have put this under another name, like Herve Leger is to BCBG.

posted by christopherpeirce

Oct 05, 2009 10:25AM

Truthfully, I do not know what to make of it. I cannot tell if its good or terrible. But it is certaintly not fantastic or anything better than okay. It feels like a diffusion line of Ungaro. Apologies for my wishy washy-ness. It's simple and boring. And looking at interviews that Mounir Moufarrige has given it seems like he is more smitten with the celebrity of Lindsay Logan and he just wants her to like him. Its just a truly bizarre match. And the match is ruining a prominent fashion house known for such beautiful things. Taking three giant steps back, in terms of seasons. Poor choice Mounir.
It bet you it will sell. It's easily and at the very least a "wearable" collection, and it will translate well to store floors. But it's neither innovative nor is it original.

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2009 10:40AM

why are people getting all worked up over this shit. It is really not as Disastrous as many of you think. Look at the entire collection---done within a month. But I do think it's mediocre, Ungaro has had appointed some of the best in the industry like Giambatista Valli, and Dundas(now doing amazing at Pucci). Their creations for the house were in the veins of Ungaro. After those two, it went down hill from there. Esteban Cortazar was not the right man for the job. His creations were as ugly as Archs and Lohan's. I'm just glad Ungaro is making the headlines even if its a negative one. Ungaro was/is one of my favorite designers and he deserves a better following. Erdem is the best man for the job and they should get serious and appoint him.

posted by Holly

Oct 05, 2009 10:51AM

It seems that this collection was put together fairly quickly (three to four weeks). Am I correct in assuming that or is this the usual length of time to put a collection together?

posted by FierceObjection

Oct 05, 2009 12:22PM

I think it's important to have strategy in fashion but this is seriously one of the worst decisions I've witnessed...ever

http://fierceobjection.wordpress.com

posted by miss_lyricc

Oct 05, 2009 12:24PM

Unfortunately this collection did appear to be cheap and rushed. There was no true flow to it at all and I must agree, an insult to all authentic designers. Lindsay gave it a shot and it just wasn't perceived well by those of us who LOVE true runway fashion. *sidebar, Lindsay is def. in my prayers. So much pressure for a young girl who seems to be soul searching her life away.

posted by Miriam

Oct 05, 2009 1:12PM

If this were, say, Ungaro for Target, I think we would be singing a different tune. I would gladly pay $60 for a few of the dresses that were on the cuter side.

Unfortunately for Lindsay, this isn't Target. This is Paris, and these are $2k dresses. Within this context, this collection is simply appalling.

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2009 1:49PM

the lot of you are just snobs. the clothes are great for a nylon magazine type of thing.

posted by miss_lyricc

Oct 05, 2009 2:13PM

I would have to agree with Miriam #34.
Miss_Lyricc

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2009 2:29PM

yes I meant #8 not #9. Sorry about that!

posted by cupcake

Oct 05, 2009 4:00PM

I like the pants. Other than that , I think the skirts are way too short, The innovation is lacking and worst of all is the styling that was done on the models. It's really bad. Fur stoles for spring ? pasties ?? and half of them are coming out of their shoes.

I don't feel it is appropriate to judge this based upon someones presumed lifestyle but then again i think they sold it based upon someones presumed lifestyle so okay who exactly are they selling this to when the shosen representative is famous simply as a tbloid fixture at this point. Fat, middl;e aged women will not be wearing these clothes nor will unruly pre-teens ,so yeah - bad choice here.

posted by sol

Oct 05, 2009 4:19PM

well considering they did it in 3 weeks i think its not bad.
So Lindsay is not a trained designer however Estrella is, so people stop complaining about the 'poor' fashion students at Parsons, etc.
I'll reserve judgement until i see the clothes in store and also until they do their next collection.
If Lindsay name wasn attached to the most people wouldnt even bother bashing it.

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2009 11:18PM

PEOPLE! this is PARIS, P-A-R-I-S fashion week, and a collection for Ungaro. I mean seriously, why? There's no way Ungaro will ever be respected again, so why not take Lindsay to Target and become a cheap line. Seriously, Ungaro is to blame for the disrespect against designers, FW, and Paris. I'm in a tiff and you're an idiot (by which I mean have no place considering yourself stylish/fashionable) if you do not think this is a crime against the fashion world.

I mean this just does not happen at a respected house during Paris Fashion week. Its like... having sex on a dead person. WTF, people just don't do it

posted by dee

Oct 06, 2009 1:03AM

@40 I couldn't have said it better myself. Maybe this would have been received a bit differently had this been NYC but this is Paris, the elite of the elite in regards to fashion. This is the same place the heavy hitters show. The collection seemed out of place, and totally not worthy of the Parisian limelight. Lindsay Lohan is not taken seriously in her own craft, who thought she'd be taken seriously as fashion designer?