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Jihan Forbes

Posts by Jihan Forbes

Reviews

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2012: Fire, Ash, and Soot

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 / 6:59 PM

I can’t lie. As I took my seat for the Monique Lhuillier runway show at Lincoln Center, I couldn’t help but imagine Beyoncé Knowles emerging from a one-month maternity leave as I recalled that black sequined frock of Lhuillier’s the diva wore to her husband’s performance at Carnegie Hall. As the show started, I could see why Ms. Knowles, known for her exquisite curves (made even more exquisite by her recent pregnancy) chose a look from Ms. Lhuillier to make her reappearance. Lhuillier’s fall collection is definitely something a shapely gal could get into.

From printed frocks with ladylike cuts and hemlines, to slinky red gowns, Lhuillier’s fiery fall offerings are perfect for the Coke bottle body. Cinched waists were accessorized with leather belts; red and ink black leather panels swerved on bodices and hips, creating an illusion of curvaceousness for women with more modest frames. Flame-orange frocks complimented smoldering black separates. Ash gray dresses and jackets looked great with soot-black shearling coats and floor length, lace-adorned gowns. Lhuillier turned up evening looks with a generous helping of sparkle.

As the show went on, it was clear I wasn’t the only one impressed. You could hear utterances of emphatic approval from audience members, especially for the more dramatic evening looks.

Click through the gallery to see the full collection!

** All Photos courtesy of IMAXTREE **

Reviews

Diesel Black Gold Fall 2012: Quirky, Sexy, Badass

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 / 2:54 PM

Yesterday the fashion set piled into Pier 57, a freezing cavernous space, to see the Diesel Black Gold collection. Once inside the runway section, space heaters warmed the crowd from above, while black lights illuminated the set, which consisted of white frames that the models stepped through.

Before the show started there was a lot of chatting in Italian (remember Diesel’s CEO Renzo Rosso is a VIP Italian), and a lot of seat filling – so much so that when Diesel’s PR brought out the celebs (Tyler the Creator, Petra Nemcova) they had nowhere to sit. A lot of reshuffling ensued.

Finally the clothes emerged form a smoky cloud, and they were great. Sophia Kokosalaki created pieces that will feel at home in all types of women’s wardrobes. There were some classic button downs, low slung, partially pleated skirts, and enough leather, shearling, and pony hair jackets to make you pray for cold temperatures. There was also an amazing leopard coat that I nearly jumped out of my seat and onto the runway to steal.

The overall aesthetic was good-girl-meets-bad-boy, with echoes of Vogue Italia’s “Shrink to Fit” editorial form 2010 or V’s “Back to School” editorial from this past summer. Not that we’re complaining. The quirky, sexy girl-cum-badass look is an American favorite, and with disheveled beehive ponytails the models looked just plain sexy. No wonder they all kept their hair and makeup intact after leaving the show. Everything from the Diesel Black Gold show, from the hair to the clothes, will translate immediately into real life.

Photos: Imaxtree

photo: Getty

FDA Says Most Lipsticks Contain Lead: Just when you thought it was safe to add some pigment to your pout! The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted a study for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and found that of 400 lipsticks they tested, the majority contained low levels of lead. L’Oreal’s “Color Sensational” Pink Petal lipstick had the most lead, containing 7.19 parts per million. Compare that with children’s products sold in the U.S., which are not allowed to have more that 100 parts per million. But don’t get too worried– the FDA says the levels are so miniscule, there’s really nothing to worry about. {HuffPost}

Orlando Bloom Says Wife Miranda Kerr Makes Being Beautiful “Look Easy”: He might not be spending Valentine’s day with his supermodel spouse, but Orlando Bloom had no shortage of nice words for his wife Miranda Kerr. The actor told the folks at Australia’s Kyle and Jackie O radio show that he is in awe of how quickly Kerr shed those post-baby pounds: “To have just had a baby and then got back up on to do that. I don’t think it’s easy for those girls. They make it look easy, but you know, it’s a lot of work to look good.” {Vogue UK}

At Least Two Underage Models Walked in Last Night’s Marc Jacobs Show: Marc Jacobs does what he wants, ya’ll. The designer and CFDA board member cast two underage models, Thairine Garcia and Ondria Hardin, for his Fall 2012 show. The CFDA has asked designers to refrain from using models under the age of 16, but that doesn’t seem to be a concern of Jacobs’: “I do the show the way I think it should be and not the way somebody tells me it should be … If [the models'] parents are willing to let them do a show, I don’t see any reason that it should be me who tells them that they can’t.” {The Cut}

Huffpost Style Compares NYFW to Your High School Cafeteria:…and they might have a point. From seating politics, to an arbitrarily determined social hierarchy, Fashion Week is kind of like a chic flashback to our high school days. {HuffPost}

These Fashion Week Crashers Take The Cake: The NYPost reports that two men tried to crash the Charlotte Ronson and Richie Rich shows on Friday, posing as staffers of Governor Andrew Cuomo (of all people). Unfortunately for them, the security guards weren’t buying their story, and they never made it past the entrance. {NYPost}

Fashion Photographer Lillian Bassman Dies: At the age of 94, photographer Lillian Bassman passed away from natural causes at her home in Manhattan. Bassman has been working in fashion since the 1940s, and has had a 40-year career in the industry (she took a break from photography in the seventies and eighties.) She lived a full life and will be sorely missed and always remembered for her amazing work. {WWD subscription required}

Kate Middleton Wears a Brown Coat, Visits A Non-Alcoholic Bar: The Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to one of her royal charities, Action on Addiction. She toured an Alcohol-Free bar, The Brink, which the organization backs to give recovering addicts a place to hang out without the constant pressure to drink. As for Kate, she looked pretty fab in her belted chocolate brown coat. {INF Daily}

Lara Stone Hates London Traffic: Lara Stone just got her license, but instead of ripping down the streets of London, she’s stuck crawling behind double-decker buses: “It’s hard not to get road rage in London because of those buses, they’re so big and red. They know they can cut you off and drive right into you because you’ll stop!” How does she keep calm? “I always like to sing along to some depressing, angry Morrissey.” What could be more relaxing than depressing, angry music? {NYPost}

Butterflies Escape At Edun’s Afterparty: Live Monarch Butterflies broke free from their cages at Edun’s afterparty, to mingle and sip cocktails with guests. The New York Post reports that the butterflies were flying around the room and landing on partygoers. Event organizers frantically tried to collect the winged escapees, and put them back in their cages. {NYPost}

photo:imaxtree

A huddled mass including famous names like Brad Goreski, Angela Simmons, and Coco Rocha herded into Alice Tully Hall on Monday to view the Rachel Roy Fall 2012 presentation. It is no wonder that Roy would bring out so many admirers of the celebrity set. After all, she is the woman whose dresses are a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama, and what girl doesn’t want that modern, sophisticated, yet quietly edgy look? It is this aesthetic that has grown Roy’s brand, and keeps the celebs coming back season after season.

Ultimately, designers are trying to move product, and Rachel Roy is keenly in tune with what actually sells. She understands that today’s woman doesn’t want to think too hard when she gets dressed: she wants low maintenance clothes that still make an impact. This is where Roy delivers: she crafts wearable, sellable clothes that can fit any woman’s wardrobe. A buttoned up Blair Waldorf type could wear the same orange and fuchsia shearling coat Roy showed today as a funky fresh Harlemite (like our beloved Azealia Banks.)

The theme of her Fall 2012 collection was the “modern landscape,” quite literally reflected in the earthy greens and browns, deep, sunset fuchsias and burnt orange hues she used. Roy told us that this season, she had the working woman in mind, which meant clean tailoring and modest hemlines, buttressed by little details like a beautifully draped sleeve or contrasting trim to set the clothes apart from everyday fare. She had a field day with texture: She placed charming crochet trim on sleek, sturdy leather pieces, and paired a washed silk swirl-printed dress with a chunky knit snood. Her show notes describe “strong, linear, architectural silhouettes,” which is really indicative of mankind’s “modern landscape”. With the advent of smartphones and tablets, it seems we’re constant trying to cram as much function and variety as possible into a streamlined package. Roy’s fall offerings reflect this phenomenon.

I could get on board with most of what she showed, though I questioned the leather culottes– I have yet to see anyone outside the fashion set wearing those. It could be my infantile attraction to bright colors, but I would say her deep fuchsia and plum colored offerings definitely stole the show. The standout piece? A belted plum tunic with grey trim and a saucy open back. This season was a landmark for the designer, as she debuted her new shoe collection, which is sure to fly off shelves. Modest, comfortable-looking heels with touches of pony hair and suede in teals and magentas? Plenty of women would be happy to wear those.

Click through to take a look at Rachel Roy’s entire fall collection!

All photos by Imaxtree

The room was already buzzing when we arrived at the NAHM presentation. Piano music swelled in the background as we navigated past press, bloggers, and assorted fashion folk to get a good look at the fall collection. You could hear people gushing in conversation: “It’s gorgeous,” “so wearable,” “I need those shoes exactly right now.” It’s hard to believe that it was only a year ago that Alexandra Hilfiger (yes, that Hilfiger) and Nary Manivong showed their debut collection, consisting mostly of shirtdresses highlighted with feminine detailing. But oh, how the brand has grown in that time.

This season, the duo presented a collection of boxy dresses with drop waist skirts, delicate blouses with ruffle trim, skirts with varying hemlines, and a cape or two to boot, in modern, youthful cuts. We couldn’t help but get a strange feeling of nostalgia for things we’d never experienced as we looked at the clothes. And our instincts were right—Alex Hilfiger told us she and Nary looked to vintage wallpaper prints and stylish, powerful women of yore to inform their designs: “A lot of different women in history inspired us,” she said with that toothy smile she inherited from her father. “A lot of women in the ‘20s, but also in ancient Egypt. There was a Pharoah, Hatshepsut, and she was not afraid to be the Pharaoh.” Fun fact: Hatshepsut is often depicted in male attire, making her an all-too-appropriate muse for NAHM, known for their menswear inspired clothes that possess a feminine charm.

They’ve been widely praised for their shirtdress offerings, but the young designers divulged that this season was all about showing their range, while staying true to the aesthetic that put them on the map: “We’re showing new silhouettes,” said Nary. “We’re showing that we’re growing.” Ally chimed in, “We’re pressing away a little bit from the shirtdress, we’re keeping the shirt and the shirtdress details incorporated in most of the looks, but we’re also adding trousers and coats, blouses, and capes.” All in all, it was a strong showing. I was swooning over two loose-fitting hieroglyphic print dresses, featuring tiny ancient Egyptians engaging in very modern activities: trimming hedges with giant shears, toting shopping bags, cruising on skateboards. I would like one of each in my size, please and thank you.

Before we dipped out of the presentation, we caught a tender moment: Tommy Hilfiger, swooping in like a phantom, arms open, moving in to plant a congratulatory kiss on his daughter’s cheek. Aww. Click through the gallery to see the full collection!

Photo: Telegraph

Sex and the City Perfume Exists: And it is the fragrance most confiscated by customs officers. Of 138 commercial perfume shipments the Customs and Border Protection’s Intellectual Property Rights “National Targeting and Analysis Group” monitored in Los Angeles, 52 were busted for the phony SATC scent. Who knew? {WWD subscription required}

Andrej Pejic Was on a Roof in New York: The gorgeous model was spotted shooting with photographer Sebastien Micke for an unknown project. One of the outfits is a very skimpy bandage-style bathing suit. So stunning that it makes us want to stop complaining about having small boobs. {Telegraph UK}

Liv Tyler to Sing INXS Song for Givenchy: The actress will do a sultry rendition of ’80s rock band INXS’s “Need You Tonight,” for the launch of the Very Irrésistible Givenchy Electric Rose fragrance. {WWD subscription required}

Rebecca Minkoff Launches Digital Campaign: The ads, already up on the Rebecca Minkoff website, feature Agyness Deyn, whom the designer hails as a “modern-day muse.” {WWD subscription required}

Behnaz Sarafpour to Introduce Daytime Dress Collection: Answering the cries of her customers, Benhaz Sarafpour is releasing a (relatively) more affordable line of day dresses. The collection consists of eight different silhouettes, each offered in three colorways. Price points range from $400 to $700, which still sounds like a lot for a day dress to us. {WWD subscription required}

Kate Middleton Wore a Coat Dress from a Now-Defunct Brand: The Duchess stepped out (sans hubby) in a gray coat dress by high street designer Jesire, which no longer exists. She must have really shopped her closet for that one. {Grazia}

Karolina Kurkova Opens Up About her Thyroid Problems:The supermodel described her affliction, saying, “I was 24 and going through menopause – that was one of my side-effects, I thought I was going crazy. I was having panic attacks every minute and I didn’t know what was happening, because I’ve been a healthy person.” Terrible! We’re glad she’s feeling better. {Vogue UK}

Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret Are America’s Most Popular Stores: It could be washboard abs of the shirtless in-store male models, or the floor-to-ceiling images of Adrianna Lima’s boobs perched in a “Very Sexy” bra, but the two stores are ranked first and second on the Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. The retailers boast a stellar shopping experience, store reputation, merchandise assortments and good value. {WWD subscription required}

Why is Fashion Language Peppered With so Many Meaningless Phrases?: In the fashion world, words like “drecktitude” somehow make sense, but how exactly, do made-up words and random phrases like “I die” actually describe a garment? Amy Odell explores why fashion folk use so many colorful (mostly nonsensical) phrases to describe their feelings about clothes. It’s certainly a mayjah read. {The Cut}

Photo: Getty

Is Victor Cruz, the New York Giants’ crowd-pleasing salsa-dancing super-adorable wide receiver, fashion’s newest obsession?

It sure seems like it. WWD just tweeted that Cruz will cut the ribbon to kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week later today.

He’s also snagged a contract with IMG. The modeling agency powerhouse announced they were signing the Super Bowl star just hours after the Giants’ victory, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting. IMG plans to work with Cruz on branding and fashion strategy, setting him up with endorsements, licensing, and public speaking opportunities.

We hope this means we will soon be blessed with a steamy, shirtless ad campaign from the Giants wide receiver à la David Beckham for H&M and Rafael Nadal for Armani Jeans.

Of his new deal Cruz said in a release, “I’m very pleased to be represented by IMG. They have a great reputation around the world. They have represented some of the most iconic athletes across a myriad of sports and I am honored to be among them.”

The irony of this whole thing? IMG also represents Gisele Bundchen, wife of Tom Brady, from whom Cruz et al. snatched the Vince Lombardi trophy this weekend. Ain’t that a B.

If you’ve watched Bridezillas, you know it’s difficult to plan a wedding. Every detail is mulled over ad nauseam: the music, decor, seating arrangements, the dress, and, of course, the invitations.

Fashion Week is kind of the same way. Design houses are in a frenzy, burning Lana Del Rey MP3s, obsessing over the set design, sitting in on model castings, making sure the most prominent editors get choice seating, and sending out creative invites to garner excitement (rather than panic attacks) over the several shows they will have to sit through and ultimately, report on.

Just as every bride wants her invitations to capture the essence of her wedding, designers are behooved to get a little creative with their invites. To show you how funky some brands get, we’ve compiled the most interesting invites we’ve received. From embossed flasks to digital picture frames, click through for the fashion show invitations that got us most excited.

photo: Getty

A-Listers Reportedly Want to Wear Victoria Beckham to the Oscars: Oh Posh, you’ve come a long way from being that one Spice Girl who barely sings. Michelle Williams recently walked the red carpet in a piece from the new Victoria by Victoria Beckham line, and now it’s rumored that A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, and Cameron Diaz are eyeing the designer to outfit them for the biggest night in Hollywood. {Fashion Magazine}

Lady Gaga to Launch Social Networking Site: So her stans have a safe haven to pay due homage to their Mother Monster, Lady Gaga is developing a new “community” website. Littlemonsters.com isn’t operational yet, but you can submit your name and e-mail address to the site so you may be among the first to have access to the site once it’s up. {AOL Music}

John Galliano Out and About: Beyoncé isn’t the only celeb to re-emerge from the depths. John Galliano was spotted at his friend DJ Jeremy Healy’s 50th birthday in London. Sources say the designer was “quiet” and “reserved.” {Page Six}

Whitney Port Is Going to Judge Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model: She’ll be joining Elle Macpherson, Tyson Beckford, and Julien MacDonald across the pond judging model wannabes while they do silly challenges like get dressed like Big Ben. (We made that part up.) {Celebuzz.com}

Condé Nast Very Nicely Didn’t Charge Madonna for Using the Vogue Logo During the Super Bowl: Madonna’s team reached out to Anna Wintour in January to ask if she could use the Vogue logo for dancing on during her half-time show. Anna graciously complied (gratis) and said, “We naturally expect a new audience of football fans.” *snort* {WWD, subscription required}

Lana Del Rey’s Tour Cancelled: Hipsters around the world are crying real tears at the news that Lana Del Rey will not be going on tour any time soon. After her embarrassing SNL performance (spoofed by Kristen Wiig this weekend,) her managers thought it best to cancel her dates. Wee womp. {Page Six}

Madonna Was Supposed to Wear Elizabeth Taylor’s Old Earrings for the Superbowl Halftime Show:She was forced to nix that plan once she realized the Marina B diamond tassel earrings were far too heavy for her to be whipping around those Latvian hair extensions. {Page Six}

Nicola Formichetti is the Hilton Brothers’ Muse: The Mugler Creative Director and Lady Gaga stylist will be featured in an upcoming photo exhibit by Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg. {WWD subscription required}

Holland’s Next Top Model Winner Allegedly Fired for Being Too ‘Hippy’: Ananda Marchildon is suing Elite Model Management for withholding the prize money due to her after winning Holland’s Next Top Model. Apparently, the agency let her go for having wide hips, measuring a whopping two centimeters wider than the required 90cm. According to Marchildon’s lawyer, an Elite agent said, “although she has a nice face, she has a fat arse” and that “she never had it in her to become a top model because she was unsuitable for catwalk work.” Wow! If having a “fat arse” is wrong, we don’t want to be right. {UK Guardian}

photo: Getty

Someone Wrote A Song About Andrej Pejic: “Fashion Boy,” penned by Victoria Aitken is dedicated to the male model, of whom Ms. Aitken is a card-carrying stan: “As a muse to my latest single, Andrej has taken us to territory we haven’t chartered before. I’m absolutely mad about him!” {Vogue UK}

PETA Puts Up Billboard in Garment District: Penelope Cruz casts what we think was meant to be a disapproving eye on the entire garment district, in a black-and-white campaign for the animal rights group. {Racked}

Death by Hair Extensions: While you’ve been worrying about the formaldehyde in your Brazilian blowout, a London woman was rushed to the emergency room after passing out in a nightclub. The cause? Coroners say she possibly suffered an allergic reaction from the wig glue she’d applied to attach her hair extensions. What a tragedy, and a steep price to pay for beauty. {Daily Mail}

Richard Chai Joins Filson Team: The young designer has been tapped to serve as Creative Director for the outdoor brand. He is set to present his capsule collection for Filson, consisting of practical jackets and rugged accessories like utility belt and duffle bags come February 9. Can’t wait to see Chai’s interpretation of outdoor-chic! {WWD subscription required}

Ralph Rucci Cancels Runway Show: Louis Vuitton and Céline aren’t the only houses scaling back their runway shows this year. Ralph Rucci is rolling with the trend, opting for private appointments at his showroom rather than the big budget presentation at Lincoln Center. His sister and communications director says: “cost is always a factor but [that] was not the driving force behind this decision.” Well, that’s one less show for already swamped editors to attend. {WWD subscription required}

Christina Hendricks covers UK Cosmopolitan: …And we want to dip her voluptuous body in chocolate and roll her around in coconut flakes– that’s how good she looks. {Global Grind}

Uniqlo Undercover to debut in March: To replace its now (sadly) defunct +J collaboration with Jil Sander, Uniqlo has teamed up with Undercover designer Jun Takahashi for Uniqlo Undercover or UU. The 105-piece capsule for men, women, and children is set to drop come March 16th. Glasses with attached nose and mustache sold separately. While you wait, peep the campaign images featuring a smiling family having some wholesome fun. {Shophound}

Show Packages: think of them as baseball cards for the fashion set. For casting directors, they’re pertinent to their jobs in the days leading up to Fashion Week, but for the rest of us… well, they’re another excuse to ogle pretty faces, and take a look at who will be gracing the runways during the upcoming week. The biggest agencies are rolling out their strongest lineups this season…and while some present rather basic packages featuring simple photos of their models, there are a few that take creative license in the best way.

Read more »

Rachel Roy to Release Footwear Line: As a few non-designers zealously stamp their names on shoe lines, actual designer Rachel Roy is expanding her brand, adding a footwear collection to the two clothing and accessory lines bearing her namesake. Due out in August, Rachel Roy collection consists of flats, boots, and naturally, pumps inspired by long-time mentor and collaborator, Manolo Blahnik. {WWD, subscription required}

i-D Rings in The Year of the Dragon: … with a set of 12 absolutely stunning covers featuring Asian models rocking some breathtaking hair and makeup. Photographed by Chen Man with the help of M.A.C’s Director of Makeup Artistry, Terry Barber, these seriously gorgeous covers are worth framing and mounting in your salon. {Models}

Alexa Chung Designs a Teddy Bear: For the BBC’s Children in Need charity, Alexa Chung joins the ranks of designers like Giles and Louis Vuitton, designing a version of their iconic Pudsey Bear. Alexa keeps Pudsey’s look relatively simple, in ink blue velvet and a red and white heart-embroidered bandana. {Vogue UK}

Michelle Obama Covers This Month’s More: The First Lady is decked out and ravishing in red for More magazine’s February issue. Could she be more beautiful? {Beauty is Diverse}

Gen Art Returns to NYFW: After relaunching for the first time in two years last September, the Gen Art showcase for emerging design talent is back in buisness February 9 at Exit Art cultural center. With up and comers like Darlene and Lizzy Okpo of William Okpo and Samantha Pleet in this year’s lineup, and a contest sponsored by Crest, this certianly sounds like a show that should not be missed. {WWD subscription required}

Tavi Got Animated and Sang Neil Young: Tavi is starring in a short animated film called Cadaver. Kathy Bates is in it, and Neil Young personally gave his permission for Tavi to sing “Heart of Gold,” which she does quite sweetly. Are we going to see Tavi on a red carpet accepting an acting award soon? {MTV Style}

Michael Vick Will Not Be at Fashion Week: To everyone’s *great* disappointment, pro footballer and former dogfighting afficianado Michael Vick will not be attending shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Apparently, someone has been calling designers, requesting show invitations on the athlete’s behalf. This mysterious caller is in no way associated with Vick’s handlers– Chris Shigas, Vick’s actual rep, says the person is an impostor, and is in for it once they find out who he or she is. While this is kind of a hilarious prank, we definitely don’t wanna be that guy right now! {TMZ}

British Fashion Council’s New Fashion Showcase: The BFC is holding a showcase to celebrate 2012 Olympic year featuring designers from their former territories countries around the world, including the United States, China, and Australia. 80 designers will participate, and the country with the most promising design talent will win an award from the BFC. Winner is set to be announced February 19. May the best country win! {WWD subscription required}