GALLIANO OUT AT DIOR

DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANOCNN and WWD are both reporting that the house of Christian Dior will terminate Creative Director John Galliano over recent anti-Semitic remarks.    No matter the circumstances, Galliano's behavior is indefensible.  Regardless if the video that surfaced appeared to be borderline entrapment of a very intoxicated individual, how Galliano reacted was wrong -wrong- wrong.

A sad day for the world of Haute Couture and Ready-To-Wear as Galliano is the most creative fashion designer working today.

**  This information was not provided by the House of Christian Dior **

THAT 70'S (RUNWAY) SHOW

GUCCI CROCHET DRESS - SS 2011- PH: YANNIS VLAMOS/ GORUNWAY.COMIf you follow fashion, it is no surprise to you that the decade designers are looking to as the key reference point for the Spring 2011 fashion is the 1970's.   While some styles from this granola loving decade are perennial items like platforms and wide leg pants, the runway shows for Spring brought out the true hippie dippy 70's.  The attention to detail and hand finished knits have a make love, not war feel to them as natural fibers and neutral colors make the perfect backdrop for pastel prints and powerful accessories.  Crochet and Macrame are excellent examples of a hand detailed, novelty process that are not often seen on a designer runway. DIOR HAND KNOTTED, SILK MACRAME DRESS - SUMMER 2011-PH: YANNIS VLAMOS / GORUNWAY.COM 

Some of the strongest examples were found on the Gucci, Ferragamo, Dior, & Ralph Lauren Runways.   Proof that the trend is represented in Italian, French, & American Collections.

FERRAGAMO HAND CROCHET DRESS SS 2011- PH: YANNIS VLAMOS / GORUNWAY.COMJohn Galliano at Dior took the use of color combos to the extreme for his Polynesian influenced show.  Of course Mr. Galliano took the handcrafted detail of the 70's to another level with hand knotted macrame throughout the collection.  Hair and make-up paid tribute to 50's pin-up icon Bettie Page.  Who else would feature an exotic Batik print on a finely tailored French jacket?  Galliano is in a category all by himself.   His creations lead the way in Paris season after season. CLASSIC CROCHET -RALPH LAUREN SS 2011- PH: MONICA FEUDI / GORUNWAY.COM Equally talented in Couture & RTW, the legacy of Christian Dior is in brilliant hands.    

Massimiliano Giornetti at Ferragamo gave an elegant interpretation of the sultry 70's detailing in his show in Milan.   Inspired by the iconic 1969 film "la Piscine" with Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, & Jane Birkin, the Ferragamo runway was awash with monochromatic ensembles that are Riviera Ready.   Giornetti has helped elevate Ferragamo's fashion presence since taking creative control of this chic Italian Mega-brand last year.    

DIOR BATIK PRINTED JACKET & HAND KNOTTED MACRAME SKIRT - SUMMER 2011 PH: YANNI VLAMOS/ GORUNWAY.COMBack in New York, Ralph Lauren looked to his own signature styling to mix LADY DIOR 'WATER PRINT" - DIOR SUMMER 2011crochet dresses back to Western inspired accessories and the classic Americana style he has built his empire on.

ACCESSORY HIGHLIGHT:  The chicest bag on the Paris runways was the latest version of the Iconic Lady Dior Bag.   The optic water print was dominant in the RTW collection and found itself on the Lady Dior.  The blue and white print is meant to resemble the sun glistening on the ocean - the ultimate accessory for this tropical fantasy of Dior Summer 2011.

Be prepared to get your Mrs. Roper groove on -that's right, the CAFTAN is also back - I'll have an update with pics of the best..stay tuned!! 

DIOR CRUISES TO SHANGHAI THIS HOLIDAY

JESSICA ALBA IN DAZZLING DIOR - ELLE DEC. 2010Santa's workshop has nothing on the Atelier elves at Christian Dior.   When things get busy at the North pole, that means holiday and resort collections are on the way to a designer boutique near you.  

This year the French power house that redefined the fashion industry over 60 years ago traveled to Shanghai, China to debut its Cruise Ready To Wear collection and celebrate the brilliant renovation of the Christian Dior Boutique.DIOR KNIT LACE DRESS - CRUISE 10/11  Ultra-Luxe Architect Peter Marino was the man behind the face-lift that doubled the size of this fashion destination. 

The mainstream press referred to the show as a Couture event - but it was so much more.   To celebrate this very special occasion, John Galliano sprinkled true Couture pieces within the Cruise collection show.   The mixing of the two collections had never been done before - and truly highlighted the incredible savoir-faire of Christian Dior Ready-To-Wear.   I can't think of another designer collection whose Ready-To-Wear gowns could share a stage with true Couture - and still shine!  Amazing!

ANDROGYNOUS CHIC - DIOR CRUISE 10/11The Cruise collection was inspired by two iconic symbols of French Culture that are flip sides of the same coin.   First, the ultimate blond bombshell who put St. Tropez on the map - Brigitte Bardot.  No woman has inspired more fashion designers since her larger than life debut on film in God Created Woman in 1956!   Bardot's gourmand attitude and vivacious curves and sex appeal captivated the world in film after film.   Who better to serve as muse for John Galliano to re-invent and rebirth the Dior Bar Jacket and iconic silhouettes from the priceless Dior archives.   Perfectly paired back to playful separates like cropped pants and stretch skirts - this was truly modern styling for a resort / holiday collection.   On the flip side and just as captivating - Galliano chose actress Jean Seberg for inspiration.   Seberg was the poster girl for the era of French Cinema known as "Nouvelle Vague" or New Wave of the 60's.   Seberg starred alongside bad boy - Jean-Paul Belmondo in  Jean-Luc Godard's -"Breathless".   Audiences were shocked to see Seberg's androgynous styling and short cropped hair.  (Mia Farrow wouldn't appear in Rosemary's Baby with a similar cut until 1968).   DIOR COUTURE - SPRING 2011

The strength of this cruise collection is that it highlights the iconic codes of the House of Dior and presents them as wonderful separates a modern woman can fold into her wardrobe.  A great way to revitalize pieces you already love, add in a new classic.  These are investment pieces and any Dior jacket, skirt, or dress you buy today - will be just as relevant 10 years from now.DIOR RTW CHIFFON GOWN - CRUISE 2010/11

Special Note:  If you are looking for a cocktail dress or gown for any event coming up this holiday season or for Spring 2011 - get yourself to a Dior boutique asap.   No other fashion house has a greater selection of cocktail and evening gowns.   Beyond Dior RTW?  You would have to go to Paris for actual Couture - That is a fact.  

The Cruise Collection is in Stores now - to locate a boutique near you - click - DIOR.

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.