Fashionista

How to Make It in Fashion: June 21, Dream Hotel Downtown, New York

Friday April 12th, 2013

French Indie Mag Antidote Embraces Street Fashion
Off the Runway

French Indie Mag Antidote Embraces Street Fashion

From Inès de la Fressange to Charlotte Gainsbourg, French fashion has always embraced the rebellious privileged classes–it’s an Amélie-esque world both raunchy and aristocratic, wrapped in nothing but Chanel tweed and macarons.

Which is not to say this perspective hasn’t led to beautiful imagery. But to locals, it might feel a tad slanted. Dior’s runway might be all-white, but France is a multicultural nation. From the May ‘68 student revolts to recent angst-led riots in the banlieues, resonant street life occupies a key place in collective memories.

The latest issue of Antidote–an annual coffee table-like magazine shot entirely by a single photographer—-focuses on the street. Rather than being a spectator of ‘high’ fashion, Antidote celebrates urban life as something that ignites sartorial energy.

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Published at 1:30 PM

Tuesday March 5th, 2013

Friday January 25th, 2013

Six Couture Designers to Watch
Haute Couture

Six Couture Designers to Watch

Paris might be home to a legacy of traditional Haute Couture masters, but it appears that, lately, the city has become aware of its experimental, cutting-edge potential (If London had its own couture week, these might be its budding stars).

Here are six designers that would make Coco Chanel a tad restless.

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Published at 3:00 PM

Wednesday January 23rd, 2013

From Street Style Star to Couturier: Ulyana Sergeenko On Her New Collection
Haute Couture

From Street Style Star to Couturier: Ulyana Sergeenko On Her New Collection

One of Russia’s favorite it-girls, loved by street style photographers for her Anna Karenina-inspired style, Sergeenko launched her couture line last season. The result was a nostalgic yet coherent collection.

This season, she continued to experiment with traditional Russian imagery, and decided to merge the Soviet fairy tale illustrations of her childhood with Civil War era Americana–specifically in homage to Gone with the Wind.

Click through to see the full collection.

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Published at 2:05 PM

Wednesday January 2nd, 2013

Friday December 14th, 2012

Get the Scoop on Infamous French Escort Zahia Dehar’s New Doc Zahia from Z to A
Fashion Film

Get the Scoop on Infamous French Escort Zahia Dehar’s New Doc Zahia from Z to A

Remember Zahia, the underage escort who first hit headlines for hopping into bed with half of the French soccer team, and then launching an ‘haute couture’ lingerie line?

Well, last night, a documentary about her premiered in Paris, directed by the young Hugo Lopez. Zahia de Z à A (Zahia from Z to A) follows each step of the creation of her last collection, all the way to the show, and gives us a peek into her candy-colored life.

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Published at 4:16 PM

Sunday September 30th, 2012

Vanessa Bruno Spring 2013
Reviews

Vanessa Bruno Spring 2013

The vibe was Woodstock pronounced with a French accent. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but if Vanessa Bruno can find common traits between Lou Doillon and Kate Bosworth (her two muses), there is surely a little bit of French hippy inside of you, too.

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Published at 8:39 AM

Saturday September 29th, 2012

Issey Miyake Spring 2013
Reviews

Issey Miyake Spring 2013

The Clothes: Every season, I wonder where Issey Miyake has gone on holiday–the brand seems embarked on an endless beachbum summer, from South Africa to South America, filled with DIY playtime. This collection seemed to reflect a country filled with obscure road signs and colorful ponchos. The house’s trademark work with stripes and pleats was Read more →

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Published at 10:14 AM

Friday September 28th, 2012

Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2013
Reviews

Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2013

The Clothes: Ann Demeulemeester shed her usual rock n’roll clerical chic for a new, cropped silhouette that was surprisingly wearable. Shorts and silver blazers were part of the show’s vocabulary; these contrasted with her usual use of black silk layers, including the recurrent appearance of wing-like, floor-length sleeves, and plenty of runway-sweeping trains. The Jedi Read more →

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Published at 4:14 PM
Manish Arora Spring 2013
Reviews

Manish Arora Spring 2013

The Clothes: Manish Arora is one of the most entertaining designers to watch during Paris washion week–nevertheless, under his cabaret-style shows lie solid, commercially viable collections. This one was no exception: he chose to reference India, where he is from, with an added layer of comical Bollywood references. Gold leggings, facial jewelry (including dangly forehead Read more →

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Published at 3:59 PM

Thursday September 27th, 2012

Guy Laroche Spring 2013
Reviews

Guy Laroche Spring 2013

The Clothes: Marcel Marongiu did what he does best: naughty bourgeoise chic. His girl this season was a prim and proper Parisienne whose wild side is revealed by a slit an inch too high and a neckline an iota too plunging. Inspired this time by 1960s architecture, ranging from Oscar Niemeyer’s work in Brazil to Read more →

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Published at 4:44 PM

Wednesday August 1st, 2012