FASHION BY THE RULES: FANTASYLAND

Welcome to the world of Paris Haute Couture, where rules and regulations do not apply, where price is not even considered and where the high priests of fashion reside with their followers.

As is the usual custom of the week, John Galliano for Dior starts the week with what can only be described as unbelievable in terms of design, artistry and cost. Given the inspirations of Charles James, Monsieur DIOR, and the equestrian, this collection, can only be deemed masterful, genius and breathtaking in every way possible.

Proceeding Dior is another master, Armani Prive who offers up the crescent and curvilinear arc as its theme. Once again Mr. Armani shows us that he is a master of his construction as well as a master of jaw dropping beauty, no expense spared!!!!

Next up would be one of the greatest and most prolific of designers, Karl Lagerfeld for CHANEL and there is nothing finer. He takes his inspiration from Comtesse de Castiglione or Lady Gaga but has banished his traditional black and navy blue and opted for barely there shades and the most exquisite of embellishments, only in silver.

Lastly there is a new crop of “couturiers” that cater to a decidedly younger client. The labels are not new but the image of the house has changed. Take for example, Valentino, Givenchy, Gaultier and Elie Saab. They are forging new paths to attract the next generation of couture customers. While I am not sure I can understand the product, I can, however, appreciate the artistry it entails to deliver the product.

Mainly, it must be considered that this ritual of Haute Couture is only for the very rich but should be seen by anyone who truly appreciates fashion as an art form. This is where it all began and why we have businesses based on all types of fashion.

Don’t forget style.com and http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

Fashion by the Rules: The Bow

It is a strange thing, when you think about it, that one of the first things we learn to do manually is to tie a bow!!!!!! This little rite of passage from infant to toddler stays with us all of our lives and has been integrated into the history of fashion starting in the 15TH century and even earlier.

I refer to, of course, the more decorative side of this manual labor. The bow has been glorified from apparel to all classifications of accessories. Once upon a time the bow had a prissy connotation but has morphed from that to fashion classic. To an almost a staple element of the French couture as well as ready to wear.

During my varied career in Fashion, I have always, at some point, fallen back on the idea of the bow as a basis for inspiration when buying or selling or merchandising. The bow is a constant for women of all ages and varied ideas of what makes it fashionable. I think that somewhere in the psychology of fashion, the bow remains something that so many women can relate to on some level.

Whether it is Dior or Valentino, Lacroix or Rose Bertin (Marie Antoinette’s dressmaker), there remains the enduring use of THE BOW!!! From pussycat bows to utilitarian bows, from handbags to shoes to dresses there are bows everywhere you look and so I took the liberty of finding that timeless element as it is used in the 21st Century of fashion as we know it.

Many thanks to White House, Betsy Johnson, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Dior, Prabal Gurung, Lacroix, Moschino, Viktor&Rolf, Alexis Mabille, Ralph Lauren, Endless.com., Chanel and Netaporter.com., and Shopstyle.com.

As always, catch me at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

Headlines This Week 10/16

• Last week Ralph Lauren came under fire for (what looked to be) an extremely altered photo of a model in one of its ads. Bloggers at the website BoingBoing.net posted the image online, and lawyers for Ralph Lauren attempted to sue them for copyright infringement. Shine.Yahoo.com

• I am loving Forever 21’s Fall 2009 look book! It’s full of cute jackets and coats, scarfs, printed tops, boots and more. TheLipstickDiaries.com

• Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Amanda Lepore, Daphne Guinness, Natasha Poly, Olivier Theyskens, and Shalom Harlow are just a few of the famous fashion faces who supported François Nars 15th anniversary effort. Fashionindie.com

• The film was simply mesmerizing, beautiful and most of all captivating. I strongly encourage you to go out and watch it in theaters with your girlfriends. Audrey Tautou plays Chanel and she did an impeccable job at recreating the women who changed fashion forever. HauteMimi.com

• Talk about an all-star cast! Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Fergie and Marion Cotillard team up with screen legends Sophia Loren and Judi Dench to star in the musical Nine along with leading man Daniel Day-Lewis. People.com

Next Page »