AVATAR SHOES INVADE FASHION RUNWAYS!

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - ALIEN PLATFORM Not exactly what they are wearing on Pandora, but fashion designers from NY, Paris, & Milan have been showcasing platform shoes that are out of this world!

The trend has been rising for a few years  now, and who can say when it will reach it's peak or shall we say summit?   It seems that women have always wanted longer legs and smaller feet.   To say these shoes give you height, is an PANDORANS FROM AVATARunderstatement!  Balenciaga, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Ferragamo all have amazing platform shoes  for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.

JOHN GALLIANO -GALACTIC GYPSY ON THE RUNWAYNo one can compete with Lady GaGa as the poster girl for the platform trend.   GaGa is an international style icon, and her image is as powerful - as her sound.    Her incredible video for BAD ROMANCE featured dazzling creations by Alexander McQueen.  With all her talent, maybe GaGa is from a galaxy far, far away.  She recently told Oprah that she had the idea of painting herself blue, long before Avatar came out.   Maybe James Cameron will ask GaGa to be in the sequel!LADY GAGA "BAD ROMANCE" - ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Of course Ferragamo is no stranger to platforms.   After all, Salvatore Ferragamo was the first designer to show the platform ( in fact, he received the first ever shoe patent for his cork wedge platform back in the 1937).    The image of his multi-colored platform wedge from the early 30's is known around the world.FERRAGAMO CIRCA 1932FERRAGAMO FALL 2009 - LUISA - PLATFORM STILETTO

For Spring 2010, the House of Ferragamo celebrates the legacy of Salvatore's innovation with a group of shoes inspired by the sea - and the iconic Ferragamo platform.    With countless folds of leather, painstakingly crafted by hand and studded for texture,  each shoe is a work of art.  Ferragamo was the first designer to utilize "sea leathers" or skins from the ocean.   Stingray, eel, python, and various fish skins were all in the designers collection in the 30's.FERRAGAMO GIORDANA - $1,150.00

The spring 2010 collection is full of neutral metallic options that are as hot with jeans as they are with that little party dress. The house has also just revamped their website - making purchasing on-line so much easier - click FERRAGAMO

Everyone knows that shoes have taken over as the HOT accessory in women's fashion.   You can rock your jeans from last year, but shoes are one item you want to invest in each season.   One or two great pairs can keep your entire wardrobe relevant.   

BALENCIAGA "TOY" SHOES - 2007/8In August of 2007, these colorful killers by Balenciaga ran in a story in Elle Magazine.  Inspired by toys (Legos), at the time they seemed really far fetched.   Fast forward a few years, and they seem to be right in step with the trend!

*Jason Jobson is a representative of Salvatore Ferragamo Inc.

JOHN BARTLETT - THE LONG AND WINDING ROGUE

JOHN BARTLETT - FASHION DESIGNERNew York fashion designer John Bartlett has never done things the easy way.  His fashion collection made waves from it's debut in the early 90's.   Bartlett designed his menswear collections with color and detail that was unlike most at the time.   Not feminine at all, in fact masculine, rugged, and classic.  In the uber conservative world of menswear,  however, not the norm.   Menswear designers were used to putting on their industry blinders when it was time to choose colors and add details. 

CLAIBORNE BY JOHN BARTLETTIvy league educated, Mr. Bartlett was obviously smart enough to know he was not taking the short road to any career success he might have mapped out in his head.   His determination to do things - as they should be done, won him kudos and respect from editors and buyers.   It also gained him the attention of Donnatella Girombelli, a Fellini-esque Italiana who ran the GENNY/BYBLOS fashion house.   Bartlett's collection would be backed by GENNY and produced in Italy in the late 90's.   John took the opportunity at the time to add Women's RTW to his runway.  (Genny had state of the art production facilities.   In fact, when Genny eventually went up for sale - Prada bought the house primarily for the factories).   Stylish and urban - John Bartlett's collection for women made sense.  JOHN BARTLETT WOMENS PREVIEW

As is the case with so many of the Italian-American fashion partnerships, it didn't last.   Someone should do that fashion movie one day.   The obscure Italian fashion houses - and the characters that run them!   Directors out there, here's three - Marriuccia Mandelli of Krizia, Donnatella Girombelli of Genny, and Mama Gerani of Iceberg.  The movie practically writes itself!

Fast forward to 2010.   Bartlett is fresh off a collaboration with Claiborne that saw him take his Men's collection to the masses in a way John had never done before.   The collection was clean and upbeat, and embraced by those that got their hands on the pieces.   I found myself fighting my way through the crowds of Herald Square to look for the collection at Macy's!   

Now with his own namesake boutique on 7th Avenue in Greenwich Village, Bartlett has the perspective of a seasoned veteran.   His decision to bring back his Women's collection for his Fall 2010 has garnered much anticipation by those following the New York fashion scene.   There are few designers that have a unique perspective and a narrative to tell.   John Bartlett is one of them.RG / JB T-SHIRT

A collaboration with Rogues Gallery has also developed a cult following for the cool T-shirts and bags that are available at the John Bartlett Retail Store.  Visit the website to shop for the men in your life- and ladies, you can hold your breath - Women's is coming shortly!!  

Shop on-line today.  click - John Bartlett Store.

FASHIONABLE CAUSE FOR HAITIAN RELIEF

Style 2020 will host a benefit for the Haitian Children's relief fund.   The Newport Beach, California based studio will host an evening of cocktails, silent auctions, & gaming to raise funds for the devastated children's charities of Haiti.   To learn more about the event, purchase tickets, or make a contribution to the cause - click on invite.

LEAN & CLEAN - CELINE - SPRING 2010

CELINE - SPRING 2010 - PHOTO: MONICA FEUDISo Fresh, So chic, so right on.   The first collection Phoebe Philo showed for Celine was a breath of fresh air for the French Fashion house - to say the least.   The collection is hitting boutiques as I type, and the pieces are sure to be coveted by fans of Philo's former work at Chloe - and any women who appreciate beautiful, classic fashion.PHOEBE PHILO

The collection was minimal in silhouette, yet luxurious in fabrication.   A perfect combination at a time when women are feeling strange about spending large sums of money, for clothing that seems too over the top or extravagant.   The Earth tones of tropical wool trousers and rich brown leathers give a feeling of heritage and permanence, but are cut in modern shapes that flatter.  Several dresses were strong points of the show and overall the palette was muted, but never mundane. CELINE - SS 2010 - PHOTO: MONICA FEUDI

It seems as if the few years Philo had away from the spotlight gave her a fresh perspective.   Her vision of Celine is relevant and accurate in her interpretation of what women want, and what Celine needs to recapture an audience.   While the house has a chic reputation - rarely has it rang true at the cash register. 

CELINE- SS 2010 PHOTO: MONICA FEUDIFormer creative director - Michael Kors , was never able to make the brand a household name in America.   To his credit, Mr. Kors was able to breathe new life into the ultra classic brand.  (Think Chanel before Lagerfeld).  This was of course before Mr. Kors was reborn as a judge on Project Runway- and had, himself, become a household name.   Timing is everything and maybe it would have been Celine boutiques popping up in every mall across America instead of Michael Kors boutiques, if things had been different.    I'm guessing Michael is happy with how that worked out! (Actually I know Michael from the beach and once, years ago, friends and I sneaked into his house to surprise him and his house guests.  We interrupted movie night by taking over the stereo to blast Beyonce's -Bootylicious and dance on his coffee table..we were neighbors and bored and obviously had enjoyed a few cocktails -but that is a story for another time..)  Bravo Michael, for having the foresight to say yes to Project Runway and for never taking yourself too seriously.   Your collection has never looked better!CELINE - SS 2010 PHOTO: MONICA FEUDI

As for Phoebe Philo and Celine - the best is yet to come.   Judging from the first collection for Spring 2010 - what is coming, should be fantastic!   The Spring 2010 collection will be limited to just 24 boutiques globally. CELINE - SS 2010 PHOTO: MONICA FEUDI Three locations are in the U.S.  

Available in New York at Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys, and in Bal Harbour, Florida at the Celine Boutique in the posh Bal Harbour Shops.   

I told you the collection would be coveted!   Click CELINE to visit the website.  Find the store nearest you, before the items are as long gone as my bootylicious beach memories!