FEELING LUCKY.. PUNK? - MET BALL REBELLION

Gird your loins!!! - Anna Wintour's Met Ball is happening NOW.   Make plans to visit the MET this Spring to see the latest exhibit in the Costume Institute.   This years theme is PUNK.   See how this anti-establishment movement has come full circle.   Irony at it's best!  Click over to watch the red carpet arrivals live - or to follow up on what went down!!  (It's better than being there).

Update on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 11:21AM by JASON JOBSON

MADONNA IN GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE - MET GALA 2013The Queen of Pop and the Queen of Style proved to once again reigned supreme over the Met Ball.  Madonna wowed the crowd and took the theme - PUNK - seriously in Givenchy Haute Couture.   While so many fizzled in their attempt at punk, Madonna nailed it.   But then again, you knew she would! 

Madonna skipped the event last year due to her MDNA tour MADONNA IN STELLA McCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011schedule.   In 2011, she also stole the show in a custom made Stella McCartney gown that took your breath away.   The master of reinvention - still in charge!!

DEVIL THAT CREATED ANGEL RETURNS - MUGLER BACK IN THE HOUSE

EVA MENDES FOR ANGELJust when we thought all the rebelious fashion designers were being pushed aside by corporate soldiers just looking to make bank- Thierry Mugler gets drawn back in!   Over the pastANGEL PARFUM - THE ICONIC FRAGRANCE CREATED BY THIERRY MUGLER few years, the industry saw a bit of a declawing of some of the most creative and troubled souls.   Alexander McQueen ended his own life, John Galliano threw his job at Dior away with an antisemitic tirade, and Nicolas Ghesquiere up and left Balenciaga.   While Ghesquiere is not exactly James Dean in the rebel department, his designs did push the boundaries of what was expected on a Parisian runway.  There are those that would say Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld are rebels,but in reality - they are both commercial designers working with luxury materials, which gives it novelty.   In fairness Karl usually starts a trend that Marc and most other designers follow.

Thierry Mugler however, THIERRY MUGLER'S FAMOUS ROBOT SUIT -WORN BY JOANNE - LATE 90'Sthis is a rebel.  His collections that stormed the runways in the 80's through the late nineties were showstoppers that were so sexually charged, they raised the blood pressure of editors, buyers, and designer customers around the world.   During Mugler's heyday, he was the epitome of cool, chic, French fashion.  With exaggerated shoulders, busts, and hips - a Thierry Mugler skirt suit gave women an hourglass figure that could stop traffic.  The fit was so extreme in fact, some called Mugler a misogynist.VINTAGE MUGLER SKIRT SUIT WITH JEWEL ENCRUSTED BUSTIER  Ironic as to Thierry, he was empowering women to use their sexuality to rule the world.   Mugler himself is a six foot tall, tattooed, tanned, muscled Frenchman - often in leather pants and a codpiece.   His early years as a ballet dancer would shape his approach to design, his staging of runway shows, and just about everything he created.   Star Trek and Barbarella where also two powerful influences on how he saw the world of his dreams.   

His instincts made Mugler a famous designer, but the quality and savoir-faire of the RTW the house produced made him a legend in fashion circles.   The quality was impeccable.  The fabric, the finishing, and the hardware.  Thierry made every detail an experience.  The star shaped ornaments that served as jacket closures were custom made by a jewelry house.   The fabric covered snaps that would hold every womens jacket and mens shirt closed were perfect little works of art.    

Then his groundbreaking fragrance ANGEL was created, which would change Thierry's life forever.  Like the greatest French fashion house before him, it would become the cash cow for the houseTHIERRY MUGLER & MUSE - JERRY HALL - VH-1 / VOGUE - FASHION MUSIC AWARDS - LATE 90'S and take the legend of Thierry Mugler to a global audience.   Soon the skincare legend Clarins would be involved, and ultimately buy controlling interest in the company.  Thierry became a very rich man, but he remained the rebel that made him a star.  NEW POP SENSATION AND FASION "IT" GIRL- RITA ORA- IN MUGLEREventually the RTW collection would close, but not before Mugler showed true Couture in Paris - a distinction that most designer collections have never achieved.  The name disappeared from runways and from the lips of most in the fashion world, but not those obsessed wtih the world of fragrance.   Angel would grow to become a huge brand in fragrance spawning additional scents - Alien, and Womanity.   Strong, distinctive, and unlike anything you have ever worn - just what you expect from Thierry.   Mugler would remain as creative director of fragrances up until early 2013.  

Lady Gaga would be the catalyst to re-launch the fashion house of Thierry Mugler.  Gaga's stylist Nicola Formichetti would dress her in a custom Mugler ensemble, and like the effect she had on Alexander McQueen, suddenly the name Mugler was back.   Formichetti would be named creative director of a newly retooled MUGLER collection.   Not the RTW Parisian collection it had been, but a more cartoon like version of the diffusion line that already existed.  This reincarnation of MUGLER would star Gaga herself in the first runway show in Paris.   This newly launched MUGLER was not a commercial success.  It was no surprise for anyone in the industry, as choosing Formichetti to head a French fashion house was a bit absurd. NICOLA FORMICHETTI & LADY GAGA - IN MUGLER ON THE MUGLER RUNWAY It was almost as odd as the brief moment Lindsay Lohan was chosen as co-creative director of Ungaro.   Of course that did not work.   THIERRY "MANFRED" MUGLER IN 2012Formichetti had Gaga as his ace card, and even her immense fame could not make a collection relevent.

So now in 2013 it has been announced that Thierry Mugler himself will be returning to the company he founded.  Not as creative director, but as a creative consultant. These days Theirry prefers to be called Manfred Mugler, and his physical appearance remains as much a work in progress as his fashion designs.    It remains to be seen what this will actually mean - but we can all hope Thierry Mugler will return to the Paris runways soon.  It's hard to imagine Thierry aka Manfred taking direction from anyone, so stay tuned for how this development plays out.

FERRAGAMO VARA - AN ICON IS REBORN- L'ICONA

OLIVIA PALERMO WEAR CUSTOM L'ICONA FERRAGAMO VARAS IN PARISLong before Carrie Bradshaw's obsession with Manolo Blahnik and the Red Sole Diaries of Mr. Louboutin, the most famous shoe maker in the world was making bank with a classic shoe women around the world were collecting in their closet.   The Ferragamo Vara was instantly retro and right on trend.

WWW.ICONA.FERRAGAMO.COM

Salvatore Ferragamo was the premiere shoe maker in Hollywood, from the day he opened his Hollywood Boot Shop back in the 1930's.   MODEL JESSICA HART AT THE FERRAGAMO L'ICONA LAUNCH PARTY IN NYCThe avant-garde visionary who created the stiletto for Marilyn Monroe, tFERRAGAMO VARA ICONA CUSTOMIZED SHOES - $550.00he Ballet Flat for Audrey Hepburn, the wedge for Judy Garland, and on and on, Ferragamo never saw a foot he couldn't create a work of art for.  Thirty five years ago, Ferragamo's eldest daughter and design partner, Fiamma, created a flat shoe for women to wear with the look of the moment - cropped pants!   The Vara was born.   The iconic bow and the made in Italy quality made these shoes must haves.   Fast forward thirty five years, and the House of Ferragamo is one of the biggest fashion empires in the world.   With over 600 stores globally, to say the name Ferragamo means "luxury shoes" around the world is a fact.  May 1st, 2013 marks the re-launch of the Vara Icon.  L'Icona is a dedicated website and media blitz that celebrates the launch of the custom Vara program, giving the woman who has everything a chance to have something that no one else has!  Custom Shoes.   With several hundred combinations of colors, bows, and skins, L'ICONA is the perfect first pair of Varas for the young fashion girl - or the ultimate gift to the devoted Ferragamo fan.   The launch features 21 gorgeous and talented socialites, models, and celebrities sharing their own customized Varas over the course of 21 days!  Watch sneak peak of the video from www.icona.ferragamo.com below:

COLORFUL CAMO - BIG SPRING TREND

J.CREW MILITARY JACKETIn the fashion world, there are iconic references that return again and again every few years. MEN'S CAMO PANT AT NORDSTROM While they never really disappear completely, some years they appear in so many collections - they are a bona-fide trend.   More noticeable than cut or style, it's colors and patterns that steal the headlines.   Pinstripe, Hounds tooth, Paisley, and Prince of Wales Plaid are great examples.   One that has less sophisticated or designer roots is Military and Camouflage patterns. VALENTINO CAMO TOTE - SAKS 5TH AVENUE  Inspired from the platoons of every armed forces around the world, using the pattern in fashion collections is an obviously ironic choice.  Taking a most utilitarian design, one in fact designed NOT to be seen, and turning that into a fashion statement.  The ultimate irony.

In the last month, NYC has been awash in Military style jackets and Camouflage prints.  VALENTINO CAMO SNEAKERS I take the subway often between Brooklyn and ManELIZABETH & JAMES CAMO JEANS hattan and every train is full of hipsters representing the trend.   More often - women do military jackets, guys do camo.   However, this year it has crossed over - girls and boys both doing every style.   Backpacks, pants, tights, jackets, and bags - all in camo, from every price point.

On the runway,SALVATORE FERRAGAMO MILITARY JACKET, KNIT, & SKIRT - W MAGAZINE - PHOTO: KAI Z FENG the trend is of course the most sophisticated.   Massimiliano Giornetti at Ferragamo reinvented the trench coat for his Women's Spring 2013 collection.   The color palette was unmistakably military, and serves as an excellent backdrop for Camouflage accessories.  

Best worn in limited quantities, camo usually serves as the only print in any ensemble.   It's a great way to perk up solid earth tones or autumnal colors of brown,TOMS SHOES - CAMO MESH AT NEIMAN MARCUS orange, beige, and green.

Some brands that have chic pieces covering the look:  TOMS, VALENTINO, Figue, FERRAGAMO, Dockers, MILITARY CHIC NOMAD BY FIGUE William Rast, & Jack Spade.

Wearing DOCKERS CAMO PANTS one of these pieces might make you walk a little straighter and stand a little taller.   Even if it doesn't, it will make you look cool and relevant this Spring!

The look is not limited to clothing.  EverythingWILLIAM RAST BACKPACK from dopp kits, wallets, boots, watches, and socks are offered in every shade of camo for guys and girls.

We might have the house of Christian Dior to thank for this latest camo craze.  Two years ago the house hired artist Anselm Reye to jumpstart some excitementZADIGE & VOLTAIRE CAMO CASHMERE with the Dior accessories.   His vision was pop art camo prints that made their debut at Art Basil in Miami.  The buzz worked.   Those pieces JACK SPADE CAMO WATCH sold out quickly!

*Click on images to learn more about featured styles or to shop the look.*  

*Click designer links to visit company website and see their camo or military look.*

FIGUE-ER THE LOOK FOR YOUR SPRING HOLIDAY

FIGUE - SEASONLESS / CHIC / WEARABLEWhere do you go to get away in the Spring?  Beaches of Mexico?  West coast of Sri Lanka?  The DR?  NO matter where you escape to - an easy, breezy wardrobe is a good idea to plan before your trip. STEPHANIE von WATZDORF - SUPER CHIC WORLD TRAVELLER AND CREATOR OF FIGUE  Chic, sexy, and just plain cool, the whole look can be put together via the hottest new collection to come out of NYC in a long time.  Stephanie von Watzdorf's -FIGUE is a welcomed contrast to the overdone looks bombarding fashion fans around the world.  Relaxed, but styled, sophisticated but playful.   Working with Tory Burch to create that collection from the beginning, Stephanie gave the luxe bohemian edge to the mainline prep look Tory knows so well.  Now Stephanie has created a collection is all hers.  FIGUE is seasonless, and sold online  - the way more and more women dress, and shop.   Click over to FIGUE now, before you hit the beach.   Don't have your next trip booked? - put together the look that will take you away from it all - once you commit!   Where is my sunscreen?  *CLICK IMAGES TO SHOP*FIGUE COLLECTION - GLOBAL / CHIC / WEARABLE