For round two of our Fall Campaign watch I thought it was only appropriate to choose Lanvin - since I referenced the disturbingly gorgeous Kristen McMenamy in our first round. Alber Elbaz is a favorite of aLIFEofSTYLE as regular readers know. His Fall collection for Lanvin is Parisian chic at it's best. The design is superb and the execution by the house of Lanvin is exquisite. ALBER ELBAZ Elbaz chose master photog Steven Meisel to bring this collection to life. As if Mcmenamy was not alarming enough with her severe look - enter a black cat or two to really get your attention. They say it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path - but I guess your not worried about luck once you let one climb on your face. After all, who would be worried about luck when you look like this and can dress like that! The look is unmistakably French, crossed with an uber chic Lilly Munster goes to Paris vibe. Brilliant!
What a strange year it has been for the fashion world! Last August - the economy was bad, but we were all still in denial (especially at the White House). The world of retail imploded just around September / October. I had been hired by Neiman Marcus to speak at a luxury shopping event in Early September at a private home in Alpine, NJ. The event benefited Table to Table - a great charity feeding the hungry of Northern, New Jersey. The day before the event, Lehman Bros. went belly up. Talk about taking the wind out of a sail - or sale! The event turned out well, despite the nervous energy in the room - as we all felt the unraveling starting to fray.
Fast forward one year. The economic roller coaster has turned into more of a merry-go-round. There are still ups and downs week by week - but less dramatic. There seems to be silver if not gold lining the clouds that covered us all Winter - and literally all summer.
The fashion industry has been one of the hardest hit by the recession. It was to be expected that luxury items would now seem less like necessity and more like - well - luxury. If there is anything good that has come of this terrible time, let it be that we all appreciate the things we have and are able to buy. That Gucci bag is not necessary to live. You are fortunate to have it. I think we have all had the reset button pushed on our idea of what we "need" to be who we are. Good. Hold on to this feeling and think long and hard about who you are. "Things" are much less important than people or peace of mind.
Having said that, if you are in a position to shop- do! The Fashion industry needs you. There is a time and a place for everything and this Thursday, September 10th - the place to be is your favorite retail store. Chances are they are participating in "Fashion's Night Out". The brainchild of Vogue's Anna Wintour - Fashion's Night Out is the American Fashion Industry's answer to the stimulus package. Designer boutiques from coast to coast and now around the globe are staying opening late - many until 11pm to welcome shoppers and help them get re-acquainted with the brands they sell. Over 700 stores in NYC alone are officially involved. Many who are not affiliated with Vogue have organized their own events that night. Chances are, your favorite designer boutique will be open late - so ask in advance and plan to spend the night with friends hitting the stores!
If you are in the NYC area - I have a few suggestions.FERRAGAMO LEATHER BOOTIE
Start your evening festivities at the Ferragamo Flagship store on 5th Avenude at 53rd street. The mega-store full of all things Ferragamo will be hosting an art exhibit featuring one of kind behind the fashion scenes images authorized by Vogue magazine! Buy those hot new Ferragamo shoes you have been dying for - or that chic silk scarf for mom! Have a glass of champagne and start your evening right.TRAVAUX EN COURS APRONS
Next stop - Bergdorf Goodman. Just a few block uptown to the ultimate department store. Everything a girl or guy wants under two roofs! Head to the 7th floor and buy an apron from Travaux En Cours. T.E.C. are the chicest accessories to wear when you are cooking all those cool dishes for friends this fall. Hot all over Europe, Bergdorf is the first store to carry them up in the U.S. - of course!
Next, work your way up Madison Avenue. A collection of the most exclusive designer boutiques in the world line the blocks from 57th street to our final destination , The Michael Dawkins boutique at 33 East 65th street, just off Madison Avenue. Michael has been creating statement pieces for almost 20 years. MICHAEL DAWKINS FALL 2009You know his work the moment you see it for his use of sterling silver and semi-precious stones is so unique. I'm sure you have also seen Michael appearing on one of his super successful segments on QVC over the last 4 years in support of the line he designs for the network. While those pieces are beautiful - his boutique collection is out of this world! MD has just launched his new ad campaign for fall featuring Nina Warthen. The shots are stunning and chic - just what you would expect from Michael Dawkins!
**Looking for something to do Thursday outside the City? I'll be at the Ferragamo boutique in Manhasset, Long Island. The legendary Americana Mall at Manhasset is hosting its own evening of luxury shopping and events. "Style On The Go" will include beauty spa treatments and luxury designer previews. Join me to preview the Spring 2010 Ferragamo collection and of course to shop the new Fall arrivals. For more information call the Ferragamo boutique at 516-365-9765.
OSCAR de la RENTAMysources tell me that Oscar de la Renta is stacking the deck of his design studio. It seems he has hired away a pivotal player from the couture studio of John Galliano for Christian Dior. John Galliano is NOT amused. Galliano is the king of couture and known for his fantastical collections season after season. Clearly a bold move for Oscar.JOHN GALLIANO
ODLR is looking to add a level of sophistication to his studio. There have been rumors for some time that Oscar is looking to sell the company - however - despite several product licensees, there is no meat and potatoes to the collection. While Oscar is internationally known as THE cocktail or ball gown resource, the company has failed numerous attempts over the last 4 years to make the collection younger and more relevant.ODLR denies there is any intent to sell the company.ODLR RESORT 2009
Bringing in a couture designer must mean that Oscar has decided to go the other direction and take his design status to another level. To design any collection after working on Dior Couture will be a daunting task! However, if there is any American designer who could warrant the move, it would be ODLR. Who else has the legacy of this icon? His only peer in Couture would be Ralph Rucci.
VALENTINO FALL 2009The Fall 2009 ads are filling up magazines around the world. This is the year that the economy hit the fan - and so did budgets for advertising at most fashion houses. What does this mean? That means that every ad that runs this fall is more important than ever. Designers are looking to get the maximum return from the advertising dollars spent.
With that in mind, we will be posting looks from the usual suspects - and any ads that stand out. Victory will be at the register when designers look back and see sales figures for this crucial Fall season.KRISTEN MCMENAMY BY KARL LAGERFELD
VALENTINO FALL 2009
First up- Valentino. The legendary house has new designers at the helm this fall. Even though they have been working with Mr. Valentino for years - Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli had big shoes to fill when they were handed the post last fall. Designer Alessandra Faccinetti was out overnight and the duo who had worked with Mr. Valentino for years were in!
Masters of Photography M&M Paris shot the campaign that channels classic Valentino themes. Dark and Sexy, the shots remind me of Indochine and model Iris Strubregger is channelling uber model of the 90's Kristen Mcmenamy with her piercing stare and androgynous beauty.
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:26AM 
For round two of our Fall Campaign watch I thought it was only appropriate to choose Lanvin - since I referenced the disturbingly gorgeous Kristen McMenamy in our first round. Alber Elbaz is a favorite of aLIFEofSTYLE as regular readers know. His Fall collection for Lanvin is Parisian chic at it's best. The design is superb and the execution by the house of Lanvin is exquisite. 
ALBER ELBAZ Elbaz chose master photog Steven Meisel to bring this collection to life. As if Mcmenamy was not alarming enough with her severe look - enter a black cat or two to really get your attention. 
They say it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path - but I guess your not worried about luck once you let one climb on your face. After all, who would be worried about luck when you look like this and can dress like that! The look is unmistakably French, crossed with an uber chic Lilly Munster goes to Paris vibe. Brilliant!
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