Kate’s Liberty
With her designer cap firmly on, Kate Moss is teaming up with exclusive London department store, Liberty, to add even more fashion clout to her next Topshop collection.
Details are currently thin on the ground, but the Topshop camp has confirmed that the supermodel is working with Liberty’s print designers – they of the iconic florals to createfabrics to be used for the dresses featured in a forthcoming Kate Moss Topshop collection, which is expected to be dual-branded.
Warming us up for the collaboration, Topshop debuted its first-ever line of Liberty-print lingerie in December; a second collection is already planned for release.
Victoria adds sass
The launch of Victoria Beckham’s first dress collection was one of the most talked-about happenings at New York Fashion Week, and finally the designs are available to buy. Following their online launch at www.victoriabeckhamcollection.com, and an exclusive pre-collection at Selfridges’ London and Manchester stores, the rest of the collection will be available from www.net-a-porter.com and Harrods. They certainly don’t come cheap, but Victoria herself insists that you can rest assured they’re worth every penny.
“Do I draw? No. Then again, nor do most of the designers I know. But I put it all on myself and walk around in it, and I know what feels comfortable,” she revealed. “I know how a dress should sit. I’ve worn so many in the past and when I see the photographs I can see when the corsets are too short and not cut high enough.”
“I knew I would spend a lot on the best-quality zips because, like many women, I’ve had my share of crappy zips. I wanted a zip that undoes from both ends because then you can either put the dress on over your head or, if you don’t want to mess up your hair, you can step into it – and also, you know, going to the restroom wouldn’t be this whole big palaver.”
Top Buy this season….
If you have yet to spend that bonus, don’t fear… I have a little splurge for you.
Show your patriotic appeal, even if you’re not British, with these gorgeous and ultra-hip Union Jack ankle boots by Alexander McQueen. Not only are they incredibly rock ‘n roll, they’re already being bought up by A-list models and celebs, with Kate Moss recently venturing out in the city, being spotted near Oxford Circus wearing a pair of the uber-cool booties with skinny jeans.
Designers pull out of New York Fashion Week
The economic downturn is affecting not only consumers, but designers too! New York hosts their February 2009 fashion week, and the big name that will be missing from the runway-show lineup: Betsey Johnson.
Johnson, who has been showing regularly at the Bryant Park tent for the last five seasons, decided last week to forgo staging her typical runway show for 1,000 retail buyers, media and celebrities at fashion week’s official venue, a spokeswoman confirmed. Staging fashion shows at the Bryant Park locale tend to cost at least $100,000.
Recently, designer Carmen Marc Valvo also confirmed that he will not be showing his Fall 2009 collection at the fashion week tent this month, citing cost as a factor.
Known for effervescent and over-the-top shows that involve playful details like the parade of handcuffed brides she trotted out for her Spring 2009 runway finale, Johnson still plans to stage a show or presentation, but has not decided on the format or location, her spokeswoman said. The designer could not be reached for comment and her spokeswoman declined to comment on the reason she is not showing in Bryant Park. We agree it’s a cost factor.
Michelin-man at fashion-forefront
As the icy months chill us to the bone, sometimes that woolen coat is not enough to keep the big freeze at bay – and you find yourself layering on that oversized ‘puffer jacket’. The origins of the puffer jacket are quite obviously masculine and the first female fashion moment for the puffer came 40 years after the male invention.
On a chilly night in 1975, designer Norma Kamali was camping next to the Upper Delaware River, wishing she could somehow wear her sleeping bag all winter. Once home in Manhattan, she took her scissors to her overnight bedding and the resulting “sleeping bag” coat became an instant classic. Today, Vogue calls Kamali’s creation a “cocoon of femininity,” with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kimora Lee Simmons each designing short, sleek versions, some with logos. In recent times, Prada and Dries Van Noten have showcased fresh takes on the puffer in plum, bronze and pale silver.
How to wear it:
Now ladies, this is not an excuse to wear your man’s puffer jacket, and think you are on trend. There are hot new items in many high street stores this winter, and the best way to flaunt your puffer-style is over jeans and slim trousers. While Ralph Lauren has thrown puffers over double-breasted suits and evening gowns, approach such pairings with caution.
