October 2014 - Page 4 of 18

It will not be abysmal to say that Moscow will soon become hot bed of talent having 90 names in the show schedule including top Russian model Natalia Vodianova and Russia Miss Universe Oksana Fedorova, at the recently concluded Mercedes Benz Fashion week- Russia.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia is not been covered as widely as London Milan Paris New York or even Tokyo for that matter, but this time around it has gone significantly bigger. Russia has always been aiming at supporting and promoting Russian fashion and most prominent Russian brands to showcase their Spring-Summer collections are Slava Zaitsev, Alena Akhmadullina, Dasha Gauser, Ester Abner, Viva Vox, Pirosmani, Igor Gulyaev, Biryukov, Yasya Minochkina.

Famous Russian Miss Universe Oksana Fedorova presented her first pret-a-porter collection alongside top Russian model and charity activist Natalia Vodianova got into special collaboration with well-known Russian brand Zarina.

Like last season Russian fashion community met world fashion leaders, previously designers and brands Vivienne Westwood (UK), Catherine Malandrino (USA), Costume National (Italy), JC de Castelbajac (France), Frankie Morello (Italy) have participated, while this year the catwalks of Manege welcomed a whole constellation of well-known international brands with a special focus on Tony Ward pret-a-porter world premiere. The designer is famous for his couture collections, used to work with Lanvin, Dior, Chloe and a few other well-known fashion houses prior to creating his eponymous brand.

Nevertheless week got over on a high note with Russian Fashion council going public and electing Slava Zaitsev as the Honorary President of the Russian Fashion Council while Alexander Shumsky was appointed to the position of the Executive President of the Council.

The International Animal Welfare Association, Four Paws has called upon the luxury fashion house Burberry to entirely end the use of real fur in its collections, through a personalised campaign titled #SaveKimi. Based on the fate of a fox cub-who is set to be killed at the end of this month-operated by Burberry’s main supplier-Saga Furs, Finland, this campaign is created to increase public awareness of the harsh reality endured by animals raised and slaughtered on farms to provide fur for the fashion industry.

For the same, an online petition and an open letter- with 1,44,000 digital signatures and 40,000 hand signatures-have been sent to Burberry to save Kimi and his peers from their fate and immediately cease the use of real fur for its creations. Also, several videos, pictures and updates of the fox have been shared on the social networking portals like facebook, twitter and Instagram.

Meanwhile, despite Four Paws’ invitation to Burberry for having an open dialogue or a meeting for an official handover of the signatures, Burberry not only refused for these invitations but also replied to the campaign mentioning about its on-going efforts to ensure its sourcing of animals’ hides conforms to its ethical standards, instead.

However, Four Paws is determined to continue with its campaign. It now looks forward to holding a peaceful protest on 24^th October in Convent Garden, wherein supporters from the campaign will come together to deliver the petitions in person to Burberry.

Ever since the launch of the campaign earlier this month, the association has encapsulated support from people all across the globe and other animal welfare organisations like Peta. Let’s hope the cause for the same is met by a justifiable conclusion.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation, a private cultural centre and contemporary-art museum designed by Frank Gehry opens its doors for public starting 27^th October.

The Brainchild of Bernard Arnault-chief executive and founder of LVMH- the legendary foundation concluded after a 13 years long journey in the making.

Speaking of its structure and outward appearance, the entire establishment resembles a swaying ship poised over a rectangular pool of water with additional feature reflecting the sky, clouds and lights.

From the inside, cutaways allow glimpses of the surrounding Jardin d’Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne as well as the Eiffel Tower and La Defense business centre.

While Gehry’s personalised efforts to display a sense of movement took full form, the foundation will excitingly feature as many as 11 galleries which will give space to exhibit house temporary shows and a permanent collection, which will include works borrowed from Arnault’s own personal collection.

The estimated value behind the completion of this project estimates to a whooping amount of $127.5 million.

Meanwhile, prior to its opening for the public, the Foundation will see three special open days for the Inaugural Weekend.

Well, Gehry has surely personified his dream in the most magnificent, grand and classy fashion.

Candy Crush app’s fans can dress to play in the privacy of their own homes in printed leggings from the Zara Terez Collection: Candy Crush. King, the creator of the mobile gaming app Candy Crush Saga, has teamed up with the new label. Gamers will spot Terez’ take on Odus the owl, Jelly Fish, Lollipop Heads, Lemon Drops and Gum Squares. In addition to the leggings, skating skirts and skating dresses too are going to be launched, and will feature Candy Crush-inspired patterns and colors.

Known to be having massive fan base, Candy crush had reportedly been installed 500 million times across Facebook, iOS and Android devices, blowing off FarmVille 2 as the most popular game on Facebook.

Seems like beauty brands are on shopping spree, the latest being L’Oréal inking an agreement to acquire Carol’s Daughter, a multi-cultural hair, body and skin range with a focus on all-natural ingredients.

While the exact price tag of the deal is not known, although according to a release, Carol’s Daughter had sales of $27 million in the 12 months ending September 30. Whilst it’s relatively small looking at L’Oréal’s multi-billion dollar business overall, the purchase is a jumping-off point for a division that the company is clearly planning to grow significantly over time.The buyout came at a great time for Carol’s Daughter as the brand closed all but two of its seven stores last April and filed for bankruptcy as most of its stores had been unprofitable since 2010.

Nevertheless Carol’s Daughter, which was founded in 1993, will remain in its New York, operating under the same management.

Back in April, fashion brands Jack Spade and Kate Spade joined hands with GapKids for a limited edition collection for children. Just in time for the holidays, the collection has finally hit the stores, and it seems amazing!

Speaking of the collection, the theme is based on a young brother and sister embarking on a magical holiday adventure to their grandmother’s house. For girls, it’s all about playful midis, colourful striped sock tights and cool messages imprinted sweatshirts. The collection for boys, on the other hand comprises of check shirts, calm animal printed sweaters, denims and uniquely styled warm stoles.

With this collaboration, Kate and Jack Spade labels follow in the footsteps of designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Stella McCartney, who have previously created charming, fun and playful collections for GapKids.

However, a few of the other notable features of this collection list to the fact that neither of the brands have ever designed creations for children’s wear and it’s the first time that both Spade brands have worked on a collaboration together.

The campaign pictures look extremely cute and adorable. This collection will be available on stores and online from 30^th October to 14^th November.

The gorgeous Marion Cotillard has been officially tapped as the new face of the iconic Lady Dior handbags.

The campaign features Marion posing gracefully at night on the Pont Alexandre III against a fusion of electric lights representing the city’s hectic traffic. Attired in Dior’s pre-fall collection by Raf Simons, she supports three novel versions of the Lady Dior handbag made metallic leather, in a colour palette including onion pink, black and vibrant multi-coloured hues.

Meanwhile, the campaign has been shot by Craig McDean. It will soon hit the markets along with a debut 30 second clip directed by McDean.

Causing a great amount of shock and remorse in the entire fashion industry, the legendary designer Oscar de La Renta took his last breath on the night of 20^th October 2014.

At the age of 82, the designer lost his long fight with cancer, leaving a sense of chill for everyone. We last saw him at the recently concluded Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2015, where his showcased his last ready to wear collection.

Born on 22^nd July 1932, the designer entered the premises of the fashion industry at the tender age of 18. He went to Madrid to study painting at the Academy of San Fernando where he began sketching for top Spanish fashion houses. Some of his earliest career profiles included working with some of the big fashion houses like Balenciaga and Lanvin.

With his Latin-lover good looks, fascination with feminine style, strong colour sense and impeccable social skills, the designer stepped in New York in 1963 to design the made to measure collection for Elizabeth Arden. From this point onwards, de la Renta’s life changed overnight.

A top entrepreneur and power broker of New York in those times, Ben Shaw assisted and backed Jane Derby to curate and launch the label ‘Oscar de la Renta’. Having reached the point where it became necessary to get Oscar into the picture, the label’s launch followed. However, a year after the launch, Jane Derby passed away, and the brand was henceforth handed over to Shaw and de la Renta.

Besides, what is particularly noteworthy about de la Renta’s journeys was ‘An Evening at Versailles’, 1973. The event was a fashion extravaganza held to raise funds to restore the royal estate, which eventually turned into a bit of a competition between two groups comprising of American and French designers.

The event marked the historical American fashion’s triumph over French Fashion, wherein designers de la Renta, Halston, Anne Klein, Bill Blass and Stephen Burrows completely swayed away the show to their advantage with their remarkable presentation and confident attitude. This milestone geared up the careers of all these designers at the much required international forefront.

However, de la Renta then stepped forward to expand the scale of his fashion house by introducing accessories line. Over the years, he bagged some prestigious awards and recognitions like, Council of Fashion Designers of America Women’s Wear Designer of the Year Award in 2000, Perennial Success Award in 1991, CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, 1990, and the CFDA Founders Award, 2013 amongst many others.

Secondary to all his qualities, his creativities and his talents was his possession of the rare gift of feminine friendship and an elegant, classy yet sober lifestyle. The fashion industry, within its realms and beyond, deeply regrets the loss of such an iconic personality. May his soul rest in peace!

Posted at – 5 am 21-10-2014

Fashionfad

Fashion Conditioned

Monthly Archives: October 2014

29th season of Russia Fashion Week

Four Paws protest against Burberry

LV Foundation by Frank Gehry

Candy Crush Saga

L’Oréal adopt Carol’s Daughter

Jack and Kate Spade for GapKids

Marion Cotillard for Lady Dior

R.I.P. Oscar de la Renta

Best Wishes For a Happy Diwali!!