MIZ AT LIZ - ISAAC MIZRAHI RETURNS

Isaac MizrahiThe New York fashion world's answer to Rhoda Morgenstern is baaack!  That's right ladies and gentlemen, Isaac Mizrahi has returned.   Valerie Harper as RhodaWhile you might remember his wildly successful collection for Target most recently, Mizrahi is returning to his fashion roots and has anchored himself with a big fashion powerhouse - Liz Claiborne.    The Claiborne label is a legend in the New York fashion world.   Liz Claiborne did for working women what Coco Chanel did for women of leisure.   That is freeing them from the constrains of "expected" wardrobing.   Coco rallied against the corset almost 100 years ago with jersey and cashmere.   Liz ClaiborneLiz Claiborne waged a war on the dowdy business suit women of the 70's & 80's found themselves marching to work  in.    Boring pants suits be gone - Liz Claiborne  had  her sights set on color, detail,  & big accessories.   Think Melanie Griffith in Working Girl!  Speaking of, no one loves a story line like Isaac Mizrahi.   If Isaac himself where in that movie- he would have been plotting with Joan Cusack just like Melanie was! 

While Claiborne has never been as upscale as Chanel - Isaac is no stranger to luxury.   The namesake collection that launched his career was famous for a high / low approach of fabulously expensive things mixed with wildly affordable pieces.   Mizrahi was also himself funded by the house of CHANEL for several years in the 90's.   Chanel pulled the plug on the luxury stable they were forming when the CC logo craze was kicking in... leaving the future of Isaac Mizrahi, Holland & Holland, & Eres is question.   Isaac went out of business, Holland & Holland evaporated in the U.S., and Eres remains the quiet stepchild of the Chanel empire.   You'll notice the small Eres boutiques quietly waiting in the wings near Chanel Mega-Stores.

Isaac recently launched his Spring 2009 collection for Claiborne - and he really nailed it.   Using words like "snappy" and "smart"  just like Liz Claiborne herself - Isaac has designed fashion that would make any women happy to wear it - and would surely make the late Liz Claiborne smile herself.

Isaac Mizrahi will be at Macy's Herald Square in New York to preview the collection Thursday, March 26th at 6pm on the third floor -RSVP 212-494-4000

You are guaranteed a good time - as Isaac never disappoints when he is on stage - and if you haven't been in Macy's in some time - the store will look better than you remembered!

FERRAGAMO and a LIFE of STYLE

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2009a LIFE of STYLE is very pleased to announce that Fashion Expert and a LIFE of STYLE Editor In Chief, Jason Jobson will be hosting in-store Fall 2009 previews at select Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques around the country.   This is the first collaboration between Jobson and the legendary fashion house.    Known as the original master of footwear design, Salvatore Ferragamo is the man that started it all.   His legacy is responsible for every designer shoe collection we see today from Manolo Blahnik to Christian Louboutin.   Unbelievably, Ferragamo was creating shoes in Hollywood in the 1920's.   His shoe designs saw every young studio actress blossom into major movie Cinderella's.   If you can think of a famous actress in Hollywood, Salvatore designed shoes for her.   The house has shod every leading lady from Audrey Hepburn to Nicole Kidman.Salvatore Ferragamo with Audrey Hepburn

What began as a shoe collection had grown into a complete luxury design house by as early as the 1960's.   Family owned and controlled, the Florence based house has developed category after category.   RTW, Eye wear, Timepieces, Fragrance,  Menswear, etc.  Salvatore Ferragamo Fall 2009

Jobson will host legacy presentations for VIP clients and spend the day meeting customers,  giving them advice on style as well as previewing the Fall 2009 colllections.  

JASON JOBSON"I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Salvatore Ferragamo.   Few companies have the legacy and the fashion future that Ferragamo has.   I'm really looking forward to the events".  - Jason Jobson

The first event will take place in Beverly Hills on Friday, March 20th.  

To see the full schedule of events and RSVP - click -Ferragamo

Alexander McQueen and his Royal Flush?

Alexander McQueen presented his Fall 2009 collection in Paris last week.   The designer showed a collection that raised eyebrows but probably not department store orders.   While McQueen fashions himself the "rebel" of the fashion world, there is nothing like a global economic meltdown to put everyone in a reactionary mood that  compels even the most avant-garde fashion fan to think  "design a saleable collection!".Leigh Bowery

Models where costumed with oversized plastic lips that resembled the late performance artist Leigh Bowery.   Bowery was a major scene stealer during his heyday of the 80's.   He had a major influence on Boy George and many others in the design and music world.    Leigh was also a muse to painter Lucien Freud whose nude paintings of the obese Bowery are haunting.

The trouble with a collection like the one McQueen showed is that it was full of shock value and void of collection value.   In other words - what is the point?   It is almost as if McQueen was saying "No one buys my collection anyway - so let me do something to at least get press".    I wouldn't be the first to say that McQueen is a misogynist.   One may argue that some of the great designers have tortured their women for years.   Thierry Mugler for example was known to cut a torturous corset to achieve the hourglass curves his suits were known for.   The major difference is, Mugler's designs tortured women in order to make them beautiful.   McQueen dresses his women in costumes that mock them, for what purpose exactly?  The show looked like a b version of a cross between Victor & Rolf and John Galliano.   No offense meant to either of those collections.

Alexander McQueenI'm not buying McQueen's rebellious image - and unfortunately for him neither do the women who should be buying his collection.    Th powers that be at PPR/Gucci group who owns the label must just roll their eyes as they wait for this Peter Pan to wake up and realize he is not a kid anymore.   Let's hope for  his sake his collections for Target and Puma are bringing in the bucks.   I think the only flush associated with this collection would involve plumbing and not poker!

Elbaz Bets On Black -LANVIN Fall 2009

Alber Elbaz kept his stride with yet another beautiful collection for Lanvin.   The debut of his fall 2009 collection in Paris received rave reviews, something that is becoming a staple each season.   Here's why:

Elbaz has managed to resurrect the spirit of Lanvin while making it feel modern in three ways.

First -he has continually utilized typically French detailing such as rouching, pleating, and imaginative draping. 

Second - Elbaz gives his customers color that they can wear - not colors that wear them.    

Third and perhaps most important - Alber continues to inject newness in each collection - giving his customers a reason to buy something from each new offering.   This is key especially in the times in which we are living.

What a pleasure to watch a creative designer continue to grow and develop his relationship at a  fashion house.   This season Elbaz made a statement by showing mostly black on the runway.   Something he had not done for the first few seasons with Lanvin.   It is a natural progression.   After all the bold statements in print and color - he could tackle the more challenging task of making black look new and exciting.   There were a few shots of color - but the overall statement was sexy - yet somber - which was spot on.

Bravo for Elbaz and for Lanvin!   Fashion Houses take note - this is how it's done!  It takes patience and trust for a house to achieve success with a new creative director/ designer.   Too often - it doesn't work.   For this reason the powers that be at Krizia must be kicking themselves.  Readers might remember - Elbaz designed one of the most beautiful collections in recent memory for the house that received rave reviews back in the fall of 2000.   However, due to the micro managing the long suffering house is known for the relationship ended after only a few months.   Unbelievable since that one collection was the only positive press that Krizia has received in possibly a decade .  Even the naming of the collection Krizia "Top" - left you thinking - where is Krizia "bottom"?   I was at that show in Milan and it took my breath away.   The collection had an African theme brought to life with the sophistication of YSL himself. 

During a time when few are excited about the fashion industry - Alber Elbaz leaves us wanting more.