Celebrity Style – Memories with Alexander McQueen

With the passing of the great designer Alexander McQueen last week, the fashion world has been very somber even amongst the dozens of New York Fashion Week Shows. It’s only appropriate to remember the great artwork that McQueen shared with us during his lifetime and the fantasy dresses that he created for the stars.

Probably one of his most iconic pieces that stands out in my mind is his tartan ball gown for Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2006 Costume Institute Gala. SJP has long been a supporter and  advocate for Alexander, appearing at the gala in coordinating tartan styles looking fabulous hand in hand. I loved the contrast of the plaid with the elegant nude ball gown.

Early this year, Drew Barrymore showed up at the Toronto Film Festival in a bold and creative cut-out print dress from McQueen. Another inspiring  color and design from McQueen that had edge, elegance, and excitement. Drew looks fabulous in bright colors, and shined in this elaborate piece. The overlay of the cutout lace was the extra pizazz that caught my eye. The detail and construction made this dress stand out from an ordinary evening dress.

Even more recent, young fashion icon Ashley Olsen wore a chic and feminine laced cocktail dress to a January 2010 event. This gown appears to be Victorian inspired, and Ashley brings a very modern gothic twist with her dark lipstick and heavy emphasized brow. Her black clutch with intricate gold hardware is a great contrast against the softness of the McQueen dress.

Lastly, one of the most popular McQueen moments in the past few months was Lady Gaga’s use of his Spring Summer 2010 collection in her Bad Romance video. His heels have been referred to as lobster claws, alien, beaks, and more, but Lady Gaga rocked them in her hit single. Taking several McQueen looks and collaborating music and fashion was epic for both Gaga and McQueen. It’s one of my favorite pairings. His Spring Summer 2010 collection was truly mystical, glamorous, and enchanting.

While many of McQueen’s designs were high fashion couture, he made contemporary sportswear to be sold in stores like Saks and Barney’s with his McQ line. Check out the fashion widget below to browse some of this great artist’s ready to wear pieces. He will be greatly missed, but forever treasured.

Ten Minutes with Audrey and Roni of Generation Love

When is a basic anything but? When it’s an eco-friendly tee from Generation Love, the NYC-based t-shirt line by designers Audrey Bressa-Valcourt and Roni Hirshberg. With a philosophy that comfortable can also be chic and exponentially sexy, the designing duo’s line of 100% organic cotton t-shirts can hold their own on their own or peeking out from under a cardie or structured jacket. According to their website Audrey and Roni love Paris, room service, sunny days, and making a difference, just to name a few things. Like I said, what’s not to love about Generation Love?

Oligoville: In five words or less, Generation Love is. . .

Audrey & Roni: Chic, cool, comfortable, off-beat, eco-friendly.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

Audrey & Roni: Someone who can appreciate that our product is made in New York City, who pays attention to detail, and who likes to be comfortable but jazzed up.

Oligoville: How’d you end up as designers?

Audrey & Roni: We literally decided in one day we would start a t-shirt line, and we did! We have always had entrepreneurial spirits with a desire to create. One day we were listening to music and having fun, and it dawned on us to put that energy into a clothing line as a way to share our point of view and spread the love!

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Audrey & Roni: We started two years ago from scratch while working full time. We literally went from store to store to show the line with a suitcase and a pair of heels.

Oligoville: Why t-shirts?

Audrey & Roni: We LOVE t-shirts! That is who we are, what we wear every day, and what we feel the most sexy and cool in.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Audrey & Roni: Music, people in the street, cities, and our friend Gio.

Oligoville: What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Audrey & Roni: Craziness. There is always something to do and usually not enough time in the day to do it all.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Audrey & Roni: In our closets there are lot of jackets and blazers. We pretty much wear one of our tees with some sort of jacket all the time. Right now Audrey is wearing one of our old-school hoodies that we made. Maybe it will make a come back.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

Audrey & Roni: The list of set backs is wayyy too long to start! In any business you have to be prepared for the unexpected, and in this industry there is a lot of unexpected!   We have to remind ourselves that if we would have given up at the first bump in the road we would have stopped a long time ago. We have learned there is always a solution to everything.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Audrey & Roni: Having clients contact us to tell us how much they love the brand and want to support us.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Audrey & Roni: We are launching our online store this week, so hopefully it will be established and well known at that point!

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Audrey & Roni: Don’t take anything personally.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Audrey & Roni: Passion Pit, La Roux, Brahms, Empire of the Sun…

Oligoville: Any last words?

Audrey & Roni: LOVE IS FANTASTICO!

FASHION BY THE RULES: The Opening Act

FASHION BY THE RULES: THE OPENING ACT

For Fall 2010, the opening of fashion week began with a smash thanks to Chado by Ralph Rucci. For this week I will refrain from my usual trend like column to give a rave to one of the last artists of the fashion business. Given the untimely passing of Alexander McQueen, I felt that I should pay homage to another designer who defies the business, and instead focuses on constructing extraordinary art.

One must always take into account the vision involved in designing the line and then making that sketch into reality. Two cases in point are Mr. Rucci and the late Mr. McQueen.

Mr. Rucci has consistently delivered the highest standards possible with his collections.  He is the architect and the historian who creates these deceptively simple garments. There is such genius and technical savvy involved that it is hard to be believe that these clothes could be sold off the rack rather than at the couture level.

Mr. Rucci offers up the restraint that only a fine artist can attain with his or her craft. His clothes are for the infinitely tasteful, not to mention rich, ladies who are devotees to these works of art, consider them the 21st century patrons like the Medici’s.

Mr. Rucci will never be accused of starting a trend but he will always be considered a consummate designer/ artist who never forgets that fashion is an art, not just a trade.

If you are a student of fashion, whether it is in school or as a hobby, these clothes must never be overlooked as they set the bar impossibly high for fashion designers the world over.

Please make sure you view the collection at style.com and don’t forget to stay tuned into NY fashion week Fall 2010 at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

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