New York was transported to the plains of Africa yesterday as the legendary American designer Michael Kors unveiled his new Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which had clear tribal world-traveller vibes with rusty khaki shades and lush animal prints.
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is all about the Michael Kors show, so naturally we were excited to see what the newly-wed designer had come up with this time. Like Diane Von Furstenberg earlier this week, there was an obvious African inspiration, though Kors’ designs and prints were less graphic and more earthy than DVF’s, working in shades of khaki green, stone, fawn and rust with a few splashes of zebra and snake-print here and there.
It was primarily a casualwear collection, sportswear and casual separates being what Michael Kors usually does best, but naturellement he didn’t leave us high and dry when it came to glamour, either. His high-waisted 50s-silhouette swimming costumes and bikinis came either in rustic-looking batik or snake-print, while his evening dresses and skirts came as incredible weathered-looking ruffled creations made out of tiny feathery strips layered over one another, in cheetah print, cream and scarlet, leaving the models looking like amazing exotic birds.
All in all, it’s another excellent collection from Kors that I can’t really fault. The styling was perfect, too – I’m so hankering for those knee-high black leather gladiator sandals that all the models got to wear. I think teaming the edgy fetish-y footwear with draped batik fabrics and animal prints is a cool, modern new take on the world-traveller look.
Check out the gallery above to see the highlights from Michael Kors’ Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
With it being both the fashion season and the film festival season at the moment, it’s a pretty good time for sneaking peeks at celebs’ best red carpet and party outfits. Today we weren’t let down at all by what we found.
Keira Knightley was spotted at the Toronto International Film Festival looking absolutely amazing in a nude lace crystal dress, with a sleek dark bob and angelic make up. We think that’s an Elie Saab dress that she’s wearing, lucky girl, but we could be wrong.. This is definitely a look that really works for her – we’re glad she sticks to it. We also spotted Emily Blunt looking quite foxy in a halter-necked black jumpsuit which looked cool with her laidback wavy hair and smoky eyes.
Meanwhile as New York Fashion Week continues, we spotted the Charmed actress Rose McGowan looking extremely sultry in an amazing magenta structured cocktail dress which matched the colour of her lipstick. This is one actress we never thought would come zooming back into our style radar, but we’re often surprised.. Meanwhile, the statuesque Heidi Klum towered over Christian Siriano backstage in a clinging back dress with a sheer chiffon skirt.
The Worst Dressed In The World EVER Award goes to Kelly Osbourne, who rocked up to Fashion’s Night Out in Chicago wearing a red rubber T-shirt. I don’t think I need to say any more than that.
To see who we’ve been spotting, check out the gallery above.
My crush on Christian Siriano might just be getting serious now – in fact I think it might be love thanks to his new Spring 2012 collection which totally and utterly blew me away. He may have started out as a reality TV diva in Project Runway but now there can’t be any dispute over Siriano’s talents. He really is incredibly creative and gifted.
Those familiar with Christian’s designs know that most of all he likes to work in an incredibly dramatic avant-garde vein of design which is to me is reminiscent of classic, old Paris couture from the 1950s. Anyone who was hoping for another spectacular, fantastical collection won’t be disappointed by this one.
There was a lot more use of bright colours in this collection, surprisingly, as normally Siriano works with a darkly glamorous palette of gloomy colours, but this season the dresses zinged in bright lime, coral and peach. He seems to have found his way more as well in his use of silhouette – in place of his usual explosions of chiffon-balls and giant shoulders we instead had cool, breezy sportswear styles that were reminiscent of the work of other great American designers.
Naturally no Siriano collection would be complete without his ridiculous old-school couture gowns, though – I was especially breathtaken by his hot coral-red ball gown which seemed to sweep along the model’s body in dreamy, fluffy chiffon whisps.
J’adore Christian. He has a little way to go before he is perfect – but he’s damn close right now.
Alexa Chung has said that she finds the term “It girl” flattering, not insulting.
The 27-year-old TV presenter and model said: “It made me uncomfortable at the beginning … I always thought of ‘It’ girls as daughters of rich patriarchs who like to freeload. Now I think it’s a very nice compliment but it applies to a moment in time. One day I’ll be an old lady showing my children photos, going, ‘Look, I used to matter.’ I’m just enjoying the moment.”
Alexa is one of our absolute best style icons that the UK has – her clever combinations of boyish androgyny and classic, beautiful couture and vintage has got every teenage girl across the country in a spin.
The phrase is normally a slightly snide reference to a rich, pretty “DADDY BOUGHT ME TEN PONIES” kind of girl that is famous for not doing anything. But we have to say that Alexa is more than just that.. after all, she’s masterminding her own television show! Plus without her we wouldn’t all have dip-dyed hair or brogues.
We absolutely can’t wait for her new 24 Hour Catwalk show to hit our television screens.
Anyone who’s seen every episode of Project Runway and is now having major fashion-TV withdrawals will be so, sooooo excited about this news – the Lifetime network that Project Runway is a part of have got a new show in the pipeline – and it’s going to be fronted by our very own Alexa Chung.
The show, which is rumoured to be called “24-Hour Catwalk”, will show designers competing against each other in runway challenges, with the iconic designer Cynthia Rowley apparently taking part in the show. No doubt Alexa will pull out all the fashion stops when it comes to her outfits for the show. She’ll also need to get a cute little phrase she says at the end of each show, like when Heidi Klum says “Auf Wiedersehen!”.
We hope that this project goes ahead SO MUCH. Nothing beats sitting in your PJs on a Sunday night eating ice-cream and watching tearful designers screaming at each other while they huddle over their sewing machines like prisoners of war.
A huge congratulations to our favourite American designer Michael Kors, who has just tied the knot! Ooh, we love a wedding (even if we weren’t invited or anything).
Kors and his long-term partner Lance LePere had a romantic ceremony on the beach this Tuesday in the fancy Hamptons, the favoured mini-break town for rich Manhattan holidaygoers. Michael said about the wedding: “To marry someone as wonderful and special to me as Lance barefoot on a glorious beach is more than I could have dreamed of.” Aw, it’s making us a bit soppy actually.
The couple have been dating since 1990, but have only finally been able to tie the knot since a recent law allowing same-sex marriage in New York came in. When asked about how the couple fell in love, Michael replied: “We share a certain level of taste, an American point of view, and I think we like to play with Americana. Over the years and the day-to-day process of dreaming together, things just naturally fell into place.” We have to say, that’s a very fashion response.
Congratulations, fellas! This news has made our day.
One big massive congratulations to the legendary American designer and “Project Runway” judge Michael Kors, who has announced his engagement to his partner of over ten years, Lance LaPere.
The designer has been waiting to marry his partner for years, and finally can now that same-sex marriage is legal in the state of New York. He said about his upcoming wedding, “Lance and I are very excited to finally be able to have the opportunity to marry in our home state after many years together. We have no plans for a major party, but we will be getting married privately.”
In celebration of Michael’s happy news, we’re doing a special gallery on our favourite Michael Kors designs. We absolutely adore his trademark blend of sculptural, tailored fashion with American sportwear, and today we’re going to say our thanks. Viva Kors!
What is it with Taylor Momsen at the moment? If she’s not having a go at fellow singers or stomping around miserably in her stripper heels and leather jacket, she’s trying the patience of her fellow celebrities. The latest disgruntled celebrity is the kind, twinkly-eyed gay uncle of fashion Tim Gunn, who was appalled by her sulky behaviour when he appeared in a cameo role on the set of Gossip Girl.
Anyone who watches Project Runway as much as I do that Tim Gunn is not an easy man to anger. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose his rag at a designer, ever – the closest he gets to ticking anyone off is peering over his glasses like Anne Robinson and uttering to a hopelessly disorganised designer his favourite catchphrase: “Make it work.” And even then it’s not remotely threatening.
So Momsen must have been really bad for Gunn to label the actress as “pathetic” and “a diva”. The television stylist let off steam afterwards to E! Online, saying, “She was pathetic, she couldn’t remember her lines, and she didn’t even have that many. I thought to myself, ‘Why are we all being held hostage by this brat?’”
When asked what he’d like to say to the stroppy starlet he replied, “I’d say, ‘You know, young lady, there are hundreds of thousands of girls who are just as attractive and even smarter than you. Why are you acting like this show is a huge burden on you?’” Well, you know when Tim Gunn uses the term “young lady”, that you’re in serious trouble. He should send Taylor to her room ’til she’s ready to say sorry.
You would have thought, what with Mercedes Benz fashion week going on in New York, and the re-opening party of Chanel’s boutique store in Soho, NYC, that no one would have dared put a fashion foot wrong. And certainly not Heidi Klum. Well, she’s all surprised us with a complete stonker (or stinker, tee hee) of an outfit at the final catwalk show for Project Runway. The same can be said for fashion designer Betsey Johnson.. more of that in the gallery below.
Less surprisingly was that the Brits have been letting the side down as usual. And it’s the same bevy of glamour girls and soap actresses. Jordan and Tracey Emin, I’m looking at you. You put old Blighty to shame.
If you want to put in your two cents about this week’s shameful dressers, vote in the poll below and leave your comments. We want to know which turkey of an outfit gets your vote.
It is full-steam ahead with season six for Project Runway. Despite moving to a whole new network, the designer reality TV show is back for another round with Heidi Klum at the helm. Mentor Tim Gunn, and judges Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors are also back, as well as whole host of celebrity guest judges.
Execs at Lifetime have responded to the concerns of many Project Runway fans by making few changes to the reality show from its original home at Bravo. After nine months of legal battles and other setbacks, the first images of season six have hit the web, showing the same set, logo, panel, etc. The only difference seems to be the location, it is shot in L.A. instead of New York.
”I was shocked. It was déjà vu. I was looking forward to different scenery, and everything was the same!” Heidi Klum said, after hoping that a new network would equal a show overhaul. I guess for some fans the familiarity will be comforting, but for others perhaps a little stale?
Project Runway cycle six is due to premiere on Lifetime August 20.
Malon Breton unveiled his Fall 09 collection at Eli Klein Fine Art last night in Soho in leu of Fashion Week. Models stood like statues giving guests a close up look and feel at fabric, color and craftsmanship. Breton, a Project Runway alumni showcased a ton of soft silk and shantung fabric- adorned with mesh overlays and loose draping. My favorite piece was a feathered high collar ballero jacket in black. It was a real joy to see in person. You can only adore him more for the time that went into this piece! Other hot items include a bright red shantung high collared jacket paired with glossy leggings and red patent leather heels. Breton is popular in Hollywood and has dressed a ton of celebrities including Minnie Driver, Martha Plimpton and Jody Whatley. You can learn more about Malan Breton by clicking here.
Looks like Anne Slowey doesn’t have quite Heidi’s appeal. The Elle fashion news director’s fashion reality show Stylista isn’t exactly raking in the ratings.
It’s coming out below Gossip Girl, which we expected because nothing’s as good as Gossip Girl for your fashion fix. But it’s even below the new 90210.
The competition to become the next Elle editorial assistant attracts 1.97 million viewers a week, compared to similarly-themed Project Runway’s 3 mill a week – on cable, no less.
Just when I think I have seen it all, a chocolate covered catwalk appears. Held in New York, the 11th annual chocolate show featured the interesting creations from former Project Runway participants. The super-hero collection drew much interest, particularly for its versions of the characters Barbarella, and Lara Croft (pictured above, left to right). I wonder what happens with the chocolate melts.
Heidi Klum is facing pressure to find a new network home for Project Runway, after it was dumped by Bravo for a copycat designer reality show, called Fashion House.
TV execs at Bravo have all ready opened auditions for the replacement series, announcing casting call dates in four major cities, which began in New York on Sunday.
Series owner, Harvey Weinstein, sold the series to Lifetime for a reported $150 million last summer. But that deal was blocked by Bravo, which issued a court order to stop the sale.
The case is due back in court next month, however it seems that plans to pause production on a clone show until it is settled have been scrapped.
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