RUNAWAY FASHION IS A CHERRY BOMB!

 The Runways is the real life story of 5 teenage girls  from Southern California who rocked the world of music in the mid 70's.   Led by Joan Jett and fronted by Cherie Currie, the yin yang of the two girls style caused an instant phenomenon.   Jett's androgynous biker style mixed with Currie's platinum locks and smoldering sexuality was an intoxicating combination.  FANNING & STEWART AS CURRIE & JETT Teens all over the world couldn't get enough of the hit single "Cherry Bomb" that still holds it's own against any rock single today.

TOM BINNS GOTHIC PUNK NECKLACEJust like Sex & The City, the wardrobe and style of The Runaways is one of the major characters.   What was rebellious and shocking in the 70's is totally current on fashion runways and magazines today.  There is a cool mix of punk / gothic / baroque style floating through most fashion runways these days.  What was once an alternative look is now at home on the most prestigious and established runways in the world.  BALMAIN F/W 2010 - PHOTO: MARCIO MADEIRA

Designer Christophe Decarnin's collection for Balmain and Jewelry Designer Tom Binns creations could have been wardrobe for Joan Jett or Cherie Currie during their heyday. JOAN JETT & CHERIE CURRIE - 1977  It is so interesesting to see these rebellious styles as a classic in a way.   Adding one of these looks to your wardrobe is a safe investment.   Just like a Chanel quilted handbag will always be in style, so too will a pair of skin tight leather pants.  It's all about how you accessorize them.  Click CHERRY BOMB to read more and watch the movie trailer.

Update on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 4:41PM by JASON JOBSON

Speaking of Cherry Bomb!!!  I found this gem at the Ferragamo Btq. on 5th Avenue!!!  OMG!  FERRAGAMO CLASSIC IN CHERRY RED PYTHON

RALPH LAUREN'S HONORABLE MENTION?

RALPH LAURENWhile this mention is honorable, it is anything but last place!   Fashion designer Ralph Lauren will receive the ultra -prestigious Legion of Honor (Legion d'honneur) from France later this month.  LEGION OF HONOR That's right, the designer who put the luxe in American Sportswear and taught WASPs how to dress is receiving an award, not from a French organization or fashion group, but from THE COUNTRY.   French president Nicolas Sarkozy will present the designer with the award the same week  the Ralph Lauren flagship is unveiled on Boulevard Saint Germain on the left bank of Paris.   RALPH LAUREN S/S 2010 - PHOTO MARCIO MADEIRA With six floors of retail, the store which will carry most things RL, will be the largest Ralph Lauren store in the world -no small feat!   A stones throw from stylishly iconic fashion landmarks as Cafe de Flore and Brasserie Lipp, the  store will have a restaurant of it's own, called what else - Ralph's.     My sources tell me the cafe will be a 2.0 version of the ever popular RL in Chicago.    POLO RALPH LAURENYou know you have made it when you are an American designer receiving the Legion of Honor from the motherland of Chanel, Dior, and Saint Laurent.   Congratulations Mr. Lauren, you've earned it!

CHLOE FOR CHLOE - NO BRAINER

French fashion house Chloe is featuring actress and part time fashion designer Chloe Sevigny in the latest fragrance campaign for the namesake scent - Chloe.  The simplicity of the idea and the artistic direction of the ads are perfect.   

Chloe Sevigny is a unique character.   A symbol of New York Cool, Sevigny is always at the hottest spots to see and be seen.   However, unlike the mindless socialites and paparazzi loving tartlet-actresses that flutter around- Sevigny is always in charge.   For years, she was known as much for her social appearances as her acting career.   HBO changed all that by casting her in the hit series BIG LOVE.  Sevigny plays one of three "sister wives" in a devoutly religious polygamist family.    Sevigny can never complain about type casting, as just prior to BIG LOVE she starred in one of the most controversial films in recent memory.   Her role in The Brown Bunny drew attention for one act, more than the acting.   Sevigny's character performs oral sex on co-star,  writer, and director of the film Vincent Gallo.   No prosthetics were used, and the scene was let's say "authentically shot".      While the film itself was bad, and Gallo likely wrote the scene more to satiate his own exhibitionist obsession ( google him and his penis obsession) than to carry the story,  you have to commend Sevigny for having the guts to shoot that scene and maintain her artistic integrity.

The Chloe ads tap into a fresh, natural feeling that evokes a mood of the 70's.   Photographer Inez Van Lamsweerde was able to create images that are modern and nostalgic at the same time.  My super talented friend, Luigi Moreno was behind the fresh and clean hair styling that was so important to the campaign.   Like an updated version of the 1970's Breck Girl Shampoo ads, the shots maintain the balance between innocence and sensuality.    Casting Chloe for Chloe also strikes a balance between the traditionally feminine feeling the name Chloe means in France, with the much more androgynous tom-boy energy that Sevigny has.    Simply beautiful!  Watch the making of the Chloe ads - click - SHOOTING CHLOE

DEVIL RUNS PRADA IN JAPAN

MERYL STREEP & ANNE HATHAWAY IN DWPIn the movie "The Devil Wears Prada",  Meryl Streep famously portrayed a character based on fashion's most infamous Editor In Chief - Anna Wintour of Vogue.   The name said it all in characterizing the icy, cold demeanor of the so - called fashion bully.  

It seems that in real life in Japan, Prada is run by it's own fashion bully.   Last week it was reported that Prada Japan CEO -Davide Sesia is accused of allegedly demanding the firing of boutique managers that were " Old, Fat, and Ugly".    

Senior Retail Manager, Rina Bovrisse, who oversaw over 500 employees in 40 boutiques in Japan was allegedly told to make the staff cuts based on Cesia's rantings.   Bovrisse alleges that she was also pressured to encourage employees to purchase merchandise with their own money to boost sales.   When Bovrisse resisted, Cesia's criticism turned on her.   Eventually, Ms. Bovrisse was told to cut "cut her hair, and lose weight".   Cesia allegedly told her that "he was embarrassed by her ugliness and didn't want corporate visitors from Italy to see her".   RINA BOVRISSE

When Ms. Bovrisse complained to the parent company in Milan, she was put on involuntary leave and eventually fired for what the company called "false allegations".

Ms. Bovrisse has worked in the designer fashion industry for over 18 years.    I myself worked with Rina at Chanel in the U.S.   On the contrary to what Cesia allegedly called Rina, she is beautiful, and always impeccably dressed.   The photo of Ms. Bovrisse from her facebook profile says it all.  Furthermore, professionally she is a huge asset.   Bovrisse only left Chanel when she moved back to Japan, where she was born and raised.  Prada put her through an extensive interview process before she took the position.  

While fashion companies often have a difficult time in bridging the gap between a designer ideal of staff and clients versus the reality of talent availability and customer profiles, these accusations are outrageous.   To be fair, Prada has never had a good reputation as a pleasant place to work.   But even for the notorious company, this is off the charts.   

Maybe a movie sequel will be inspired by this mess :  The Devil Wears Prada Part Due - Trouble in Prada-dise!

Click STOP PRADA DISCRIMINATING to join Ms. Bovrisse' fan page on facebook.   There is an impending lawsuit and Rina needs all the support she can get.    Also, it is a great way to send a message to corporations that they cannot abuse their staff, during a recession or an economic boom time.   Prada's only statement has been that it has no comment.