Viktor & Rolf Design Costumes for Opera

Avant-garde Dutch fashion designers Viktor & Rolf—who have a gorgeous new interactive website complete with enchanting musical score—have created costumes for Robert Wilson's adaptation of the romantic opera Der Freischütz (The Freeshooter) by Carl Maria von Weber. The project is a natural extension of Viktor & Rolf's penchant for the surreal, the outrageous and the dramatic, as well as their runway shows staged as spectacles or performance art productions. The duo used almost one million Crystallized™ Swarovski elements to create the garments. This marks their second costume collaboration with Wilson—in November 2004 they created looks for 2 Lips and Dancers and Space for the Netherlands Dance Theatre.

According to Vogue.co.uk, the wardrobes for the soloists of Der Freischütz will take the form of "3D constructions in bright saturated hues and words emblazoned across the front of panels and shoulders, while the choir will adopt traditional German inspired costume - think dirndls and lederhosen." The image above left is Viktor & Rolf's whimsical floral design—"she will be a huge singing bouquet of flowers"—for the character Agatha, played by Juliane Banse.

The opera premieres at the Festspeilhaus Baden-Baden in Germany on May 30, 2009. For more images of the stunning costume collaboration as well as a Q&A with the designers, see the post from The New York Times' Blog The Moment.

Musical on the Life of Yves Saint Laurent in the Works

According to Women's Wear Daily, French singer Alain Chamfort and songwriter Pierre-Dominique Burgaud are working on creating a musical based on the life of Yves Saint Laurent. The stage production will chronicle the late couturier's rise to fashion icon, beginning with his early days designing at Christian Dior. On the songs, Saint Laurent's partner Pierre Bergé commented, "They are very good. They are moving."

Yves Saint Laurent passed away from brain cancer at the age of 71 in June 2008.

Maison Martin Margiela Launches Houseware Line

According to Women's Wear Daily, last week Maison Martin Margiela unveiled its new furniture and home decor prototypes at the international furniture and design fair Salone del Mobile in Milan. Some of the new items on display include trompe l'oeil wallpaper, bookshelves, lamps, carpets and wool rugs. Completion of the project is still ongoing and will either take the form of objects and furniture designed in a self-produced line or in the creation of one-off partnerships. Maison Margiela will moreover accept commissions from individuals, may become involved in public interior design and architecture, and could collaborate with hotels and restaurants.

According to the brand's chief executive officer Giovanni Pungetti, "Margiela has always produced objects to complement the stores, but it used to be more about style than business. We thought the Salone would be a good opportunity to introduce the new direction in which the Maison is expanding. There are no limits. This installation is a visual stimulus, from fashion to lifestyle and atmosphere."

The home decor collection will be put into production and sold in Maison Margiela stores or showrooms next year. In the designer's inimitable avant-garde and tongue-in-cheek style, recycled bottles will become lamps, a chair can turn into a swing, and a calendar is constructed of white cotton sheets, which can be used as napkins.

View a slideshow of images from the Milan furniture fair at Women's Wear Daily.

Vivienne Tam Teams Up With HP On New Laptop

HP and New York City-based fashion designer Vivienne Tam have partnered to create a new laptop—the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition—which was released in January. In a press release from HP, this stylish piece of technology—designed specially for the modern woman on the go—is described as "the world's first 'digital clutch'". This collaboration represents the first time a computer company has teamed up with a celebrated fashion designer. With Tam's design on the exterior and HP's hardware on the inside, the laptop encompasses both the portability of a mini computer and the appearance of a fashion accessory.

The top of the HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook features purple and pink peony flowers on a deep red background. The design is carried over inside the laptop, underneath the keypad. An embroidered storage sleeve was also created to complement the computer, protecting it while it is being carried as a clutch. Tam's design—inspired by her signature "China Chic" style—blends Asian and Western cultures, antiquity and modernity, technology and fashion. The designer's goal was to come up with a design scheme that would evoke the feeling of peace and tranquility of a garden. The peony is a symbol of prosperity, good fortune and happiness in Chinese culture. Tam also chose the peony because of its beauty and the fact that it has many layers of unfolding blossoms, paralleling the multiple layers of a woman's life. Her concept is further represented by the Chinese symbol for double happiness, which is imprinted upon the enter key on the laptop's keyboard. Now that's attention to detail!


To promote the new product, in September HP partnered with Glam.com to launch a fully integrated virtual experience to inspire fashionable women around the world to discover design inspiration online. The interactive campaign—available at www.tech-chic.com—includes a virtual catwalk, a designer tour hosted by Tam, and a "design bot" gadget that encourages users to adorn their own computers with wallpaper, icons and a screensaver, all designed by Tam.

Róisín Murphy at the V&A Opening of 'Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones'

Once again my love for fantastic music and fashion have collided with the Victoria and Albert Museum's recent exhibit "Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones"—the V&A website features videos of various personages at the event including the one and only Róisín Murphy. I'm a big fan of her music (both solo and with the now-defunct Moloko) as well as her eccentric sense of style—you'll remember I wrote about her cover of Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" and the costumes in her live show last month. Unfortunately she is not wearing a hat in her appearance, but does claim she made an effort to create a sense of one with her hair.




And of course it wouldn't be a fabulous hat-themed event without an appearance by famed milliner Philip Treacy.




Róisín asks a good question: "Why do people not wear more hats? It finishes an outfit off." Hats aren't as widely worn today as they were in the 1950s and before—if you watch old movies as much as I do, especially those from the Classical Hollywood era of the late 1920s to the late 1950s, you'll notice men are rarely seen without a topper and women frequently don a variety of fantastic hats. The covering of ones head was a proper sartorial rule back then. And who doesn't have a strange love of ladies' miniature hats, placed at a jaunty angle, from the late 1930s and early '40s? See the 1940 film "His Girl Friday" for a fantastic one worn by Rosalind Russell.

Whether for fashion or protection from the elements, hats are making a definite comeback, for both men and women. I myself own quite a few in a variety of fabrics to suit every season. This summer I'll be wearing a wide brimmed tan and gold straw sunhat and a beige straw fedora, both by Joe Fresh Style. I only wish someone could do something to solve the oft-lamented problem of hat-hair...

Banana Republic Canada (Not So) Secret Sale

Banana Republic sent around a coupon early this morning for a three-day-only secret sale. Although the ad specifies it is for their "best customers only," it can surely be used by just about anyone! Since I love sharing a great deal, be sure to print out the coupon below to receive 30% off your entire instore purchase (including sale items) at any of Banana Republic's Canadian locations from April 24 to 26, 2009.



The fine print
*Offer valid April 24 - 26, 2009 at Banana Republic Stores in Canada only. Not valid online or at Banana Republic Factory Stores. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only, not value of Giftcards purchased, alterations, applicable taxes, or shipping and handling charges. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts, including Gap Inc. employee discount. Reproductions or photocopies will not be accepted. Gap Inc. is not responsible for lost or stolen offer.

Diane Von Furstenberg Designs Eyewear

According to Women's Wear Daily, fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg is adding eyewear to her sartorial repertoire. She has teamed with Marchon Eyewear to develop and distribute a line of sunglasses and prescription lenses, which will reflect DVF's brand identity of independent spirit and timeless design.

On the subject of the collaboration, Al Berg, president and CEO of Marchon, told WWD: “Diane von Furstenberg has created classic and confident designs that we look forward to translating into both sun and optical collections. Her ability to make fashion effortless and easy for all women is a coveted position in the fashion industry, and it is a great honor to bring the global brand to our ever expanding group of designers." Diane Von Furstenberg explained, “Glasses are necessity, protection and glamour. You need a company that knows how to balance the technical with the fashion—no one does this better than Marchon.”

The DVF eyewear collection will have its retail launch in January 2010, selling in DVF shops internationally as well as in department stores and select specialty boutiques.

French Connection Warehouse Sale in Toronto

French Connection is having their spring/summer clearance event this April! The warehouse sale is taking place at 14 Advance Road in Etobicoke (the west end of the Greater Toronto Area) from Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11 and continuing from Wednesday, April 15 until Sunday, April 19. The hours are as follows: Monday to Friday, 10:00AM-7:00PM and Saturday to Sunday, 10:00AM-6:00PM.

If you are driving, your best bet is to take the Gardiner Expressway. If you're taking public transit, Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line is not too far away, about a 15 minute walk south. Etobicoke is a bit of a trek but you never know what gems you might find, for example, the perfect spring dress for the improving weather!


View Larger Map

Lacoste Joins Save Your Logo Campaign

According to Strategy Magazine, Lacoste recently made a 1.5 million Euro pledge to join the Save Your Logo campaign. This initiative—launched in late 2008 by the World Environment Fund (WEF), the Global Environment Facility, the World Bank, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)—encourages companies to contribute to the preservation of our planet's biodiversity by assisting in the protection of the animal or species that represents their brand. As quoted in Yahoo! News, at the launch of the campaign, France's Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo announced: "Companies that have profited from the positive image of these animals now have a chance to show their recognition." The IUCN reports that at least one bird out of eight, 25 percent of mammals and one out of every three amphibians are threatened with extinction.

Lacoste has been working with the founding organizations to develop projects for a three-year crusade to protect fifteen species of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials. The Paris-based company is the first international brand to join the Save Your Logo campaign as well as the first apparel company to feature a brand badge—René Lacoste chose the crocodile as his emblem in 1927. Michel Lacoste, chairman of the board of Lacoste, explained: "We feel that any company should behave as citizens of the world, and this goes farther than just looking after alligators."

Hopefully Lacoste's participation will encourage other animal-branded companies to do the same—there are certainly many such examples: Puma, Jaguar, American Eagle, Moosehead Breweries, Alexander Keith's with its deer, Peugeot and MGM with their lions, Esso with its tiger, Airness with its panther, and perhaps even Kelloggs' Froot Loops with its toucan!

The Big Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers: La Grande Braderie de mode québécoise 2009

As much as I love Toronto, this sale definitely makes me wish I lived in Montréal!

La Grande braderie de mode québécoise for Spring 2009 will be held from Thursday, April 16th to Sunday, April 19th at Marché Bonsecours, 350 St-Paul Street East in Old Montréal. The annual fashion sale of the top 50 Quebec fashion designers features samples and inventory-surplus womenswear, menswear, kidswear, handbags, hats, jewellery and accessories all marked at 50% to 80% off. Designers include Nevik, Muse, Dubuc Style, Nadya Toto, Marie Saint-Pierre, Shan, Envers, Michel Desjardins, Jean Airoldi, Sheila Dassin, Silikon, Rudsak, Lili-les-bains, Sylvie Germain, Geneviève Dostaler, Bodybag, Old River, Dino Gaspari. Visit the Braderie website for more information on the sale.

My favourite participant at the Braderie is Mackage, who sent me the below invitation to the VIP night on Wednesday, April 15th. Click on the image to get an enlarged version that you can print out and present at the event to be admitted!

First Ever Zac Posen Ad Published in Fanzine137

According to Women's Wear Daily, Zac Posen has accepted an offer by publisher Luis Venegas to create a double spread print advertisement for the Spain-based international indie fashion magazine Fanzine137. For the campaign, Posen himself directed the photoshoot in December at his friend Lorraine Kirke’s house. He enlisted photographer Ellen von Unwerth, stylist and friend Christopher Niquet and model Alexandra Tomlinson—in the ad she wears one of Posen's spring leopard-kiss print powder pink dresses and holds a cat. The resulting image—Posen's first ad ever—appears in the spring-summer issue of the magazine.

The New York-based fashion designer said he was inspired by Ava Gardner in the movie "The Barefoot Contessa" and classic Fifties Revlon advertising. Posen explained, "The hardest part was selecting the best image. You want something that grabs the attention on the page and something that is simple, direct and cohesive. I wanted it to be pure and true to yourself and to your customer."

H&M Spring 2009: Visually Stunning and Surreal Campaign Commercial

It is rare that I find a television ad that really makes a strong (and positive) impression on me. But I was incredibly taken with H&M's new Spring 2009 campaign spot. Besides being visually stunning—paralleling the aesthetic of the print campaign with its modern white mise-en-scene and bright red accents—the commercials feature a unique and attention-grabbing scenario with actors wearing clothes from the Spring 2009 collection.

The ads—compiled below in a video made available via YouTube—are staged as a series of surreal vignettes involving model Eva Herzigova and actor/director Vincent Gallo. The main narrative of the fun and whimsical yet nightmarish campaign is the perpetual frustration of Herzigova and Gallo's vain attempts to reach each other—a very Freudian premise indeed. The events take place in a veritable funhouse environment in which their pursuit of each other is constantly thwarted by conveyer belts set into the floor, a paradoxical ladder that leads only back to the same room, a narrow hallway replete with red doors that cannot logically or spatially exist, and a staircase that ends abruptly in space. Several of the short scenes feature oversized objects (a telephone, a spool of thread) or people (Herzigova) in a stark white room that evoke Surrealist artist René Magritte's paintings of gigantic objects in claustrophobic spaces, such as Le Tombeau de Lutteurs from 1960. The final spot shows a surreal city of distorted perspective, reminiscent of the impossible scenarios envisioned by the graphic artist M.C. Escher such as "Prentententoonstelling" (or "The Print Gallery"), a mathematically-inspired print from 1956.

The commercials were directed by Johan Renck, a Swedish musician and music video director who has worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Madonna, New Order and Beyoncé. The appropriately haunting yet seductive soundtrack comes from the song "I've Seen That Face Before" sung by Swedish vocalist Camilla Henemark. The accordian-laden tango sound was composed by none other than Barry Reynolds and Astor Piazzolla, the renowned Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player.

Meet Jewellery Designer Alexis Bittar at Holt Renfrew

From 1:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday, April 4, 2009, famed jewellery designer Alexis Bittar will be making a personal appearance at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street in Toronto. Also, with a minimum purchase of $250.00 in Alexis Bittar jewellery, as a gift you'll receive an Alexis Bittar geometric gloss bangle (while supplies last, of course).

Bittar has designed couture and costume jewellery for just over two decades, working with fine materials as well as stainless steel, lucite, crystal and Italian glass. His first line of jewellery, launched in 1988, featured depression-era glass from the 1920s with tiny hand-cut chandelier parts. His baubles have been worn by celebrities and fashion insiders alike and he has worked with a host of designers and labels like Patricia Field, Michael Kors, Tuleh, Burberry and Alex & Lee.

Check out Holt Renfrew's website for more information and a short Q&A with the designer himself!

Matthew Williamson for H&M Collection Video

On the heels of new images surfacing of the clothes, H&M has released a video—made available here via YouTube—of Matthew Williamson discussing his forthcoming designer capsule collection for H&M. The video allows a glimpse at several key looks from the line before the official preview launches on the H&M website. Williamson explains that the inspiration behind the collection was the chance to look back at his work from the past decade or so on his own designer label and consider the pieces he felt were special and memorable and representative of his strengths as a designer. The video also features H&M's creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch talking about the line.

Jason Wu to Launch Footwear and Makeup Collections

According to British Vogue, Michelle Obama favourite Jason Wu—the Manhattan-based fashion designer who spent some of his youth in Vancouver—announced plans to launch makeup and footwear collections within the next two seasons and may eventually branch out into menswear. Grazia also reported that the 26-year-old designer was keeping his collaborators a secret thus far, but he hinted that he would not be working with shoe designer Manolo Blahnik—who designed the shoes for Wu's Fall/Winter 2009 collection—because he believes it is important that the lines are commercial ranges.

Meanwhile, New York Magazine's The Cut informs that Wu has received various offers for book deals and a reality-TV show since Obama wore a dress of his design at the inauguration. However he has turned them down to focus on expanding his signature label.

Of his celebrated womenswear collections, Wu told British Vogue, "I want to design clothes that real, sophisticated, confident women can wear now but that will still be beautiful in years to come. Everything these days is so disposable - not just fashion, everything - I want my designs to last." Above is one of my favourite looks from Jason Wu's Fall/Winter 2009 collection, images of which can be viewed on his website www.jasonwustudio.com.

Toronto's LG Fashion Week Recap: Joeffer Caoc

Joeffer Caoc presented a very structured and futuristic-looking collection at Toronto's LG Fashion Week on day two: March 17, 2009. The palette was largely dark metallic and matte neutrals, in shades of black, grey, pewter, bronze and gold, accented with deep reds and blues and a paisley print. There was also lots of texture: matte, sheen, tweed, quilting, patent, ruching and sheer elements. The silhouette was overwhelmingly hourglass, with waists accentuated by belts, ties and seaming, shoulders emphasized with sharp tailoring as well as puff- and cap-sleeves, pencil skirts and wide cropped trousers. All looks were paired with black patent knee-high peep-toe boots—this is a trend I personally cannot comprehend and, in any case, I would have appreciated a little variation. My favourite pieces include a charcoal slouchy boiled wool coat with cropped sleeves and tie-waist, a simple black satin crew-neck sleeveness sheath dress cinched at the waist by a black patent belt (perfect LBD), and a two-toned charcoal and gold sheath dress with a sculptural bodice and neckline, held up by very thin straps. And I also loved the metallic bronze one-shoulder frock with ruched seams!

Watch Joeffer Caoc's Fall 2009 runway video from blogTO:



You can also view FASHION Magazine's video of the show and interview with Joeffer Caoc.

Audrey Tautou To Star In Chanel Biopic & Fragrance Ad

Audrey Tautou is set to star in the forthcoming biopic of the legendary French couturière Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. The film, "Coco Avant Chanel," will be released in France on April 22 but so far the 2009 North American release has not yet been announced. The French-language trailer, made available here through YouTube, reveals that the movie focuses on the designer's childhood and early womanhood, the years preceding her rise to sartorial fame and the people and events that made her who she was—hence the title, translated as "Coco Before Chanel."

Audrey Tautou is the natural choice for the lead role, as Women's Wear Daily reported last year that she would star in a new mini feature commercial for the fashion house's signature fragrance Chanel No. 5. According to recent reports from Elle UK, the film will chart the story of Audrey and a mystery man who keep missing each other on a journey from Paris to Istanbul on the Orient Express. The 2 minute 25 second spot is directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who worked with Tautou in the Oscar-nominated film Amélie.

Banana Republic To Open Accessories Concept Store

Women's Wear Daily reported yesterday that Edition by Banana Republic—a new 1,400-square-foot accessories, shoes and handbag retail concept store—will open on May 15, 2009 at the Westfield Mall in San Francisco. The pieces will be made of materials like Italian leather for handbags and semiprecious stones for jewelry. The accessories created for Edition will be part of a limited run and won't be sold online or at any other Banana Republic stores. The store will be merchandised differently than other stores to present a sophisticated, feminine and residential image and feel—the product will mainly be shown on open display tables.

The idea behind the launch—in these spendthrift times, women who may be reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars on fashion will be more inclined to purchase a less expensive necklace or clutch. According to Jack Calhoun, president of Banana Republic, “For our customers today, affordability is paramount and being fashionable is always in style. Edition is the perfect place for women to update their wardrobe with exquisite, limited edition and affordable accessories, especially in today’s economy.”

The location will likely serve to test the new retail concept, potentially making way for more of them in the future though no plans have as yet been made. Banana Republic's previous concept outing featured the limited edition BR Monogram collection and opened as a stand-alone store on Bleecker Street in Manhattan—however no other Monogram locations have opened to date. The recession has had an impact on the retailer, as their North American sales fell by 22 percent in January.

Tiffany & Co. To Open a Second Toronto Location

According to a press release from Tiffany & Co., the luxury jeweller will open a second location in Toronto at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Dufferin Street & Highway 401)—the first and only boutique in the city, until now, is located at 85 Bloor Street West. The release describes the new store as having a "5-foot-high façade with a Mondrian-like stone pattern, Black Zimbabwe marble arch, and Atlas Clock above the entrance. Tiffany's iconic, deco-inspired stainless steel doors will lead to a spacious interior of elegant jewelry salons with gleaming stainless steel showcases, mottled Makore wood and custom furnishings and wall coverings." It will include exclusive Tiffany & Co. collections such as engagement rings, statement jewels, fine and sterling silver jewelry, watches, gifts, accessories, and the designs of Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, Jean Schlumberger and Frank Gehry.

On the subject of the spring 2009 launch, Beth O. Canavan, executive vice president of Tiffany & Co., explained that "Tiffany is well established in Toronto and it gives us great pleasure to provide our growing number of customers with the convenience of shopping in the ideally located Yorkdale. With its recent expansion and elegant upgrade, the centre presents the perfect atmosphere for us to serve everyone with the superior quality, craftsmanship and design excellence that are synonymous with Tiffany & Co."

The new addition comes despite recent news from Women's Wear Daily that Tiffany & Co. reported a 75.6 percent drop in fourth-quarter earnings and a "tepid" sales outlook. New York Magazine's The Cut noted that the jeweler—among other companies like Versace and Abercrombie & Fitch—is refusing to lower prices in order to preserve the luxury brand's integrity, despite the rollbacks being unveiled by competitors.

Toronto's LG Fashion Week Recap: David Dixon

Toronto's LG Fashion Week ended this past weekend. David Dixon presented a double bill on the first day—Monday, March 16—that included his own Fall 2009 collection as well as a fun Barbie capsule collection that will be sold at the Bay in the fall.

For his Fall 2009 line, Dixon presented an elegant collection that featured a sombre palette of greys and blacks accented with raspberry and ivory, classic 50s sheath and A-line silhouettes, wide leg cropped trousers, bold jewellery, wide belts, and lots of sheen, texture, organza and feathers and—somewhat out of place—edgy patent-like technofabrics. I particularly loved the sheath dresses with architectural pleats, ruffles and folds, the jackets with sharp shoulders and nipped waists, and the mirrored bib necklaces. Pretty, structured and sophisticated.

With the Barbie collection, Dixon adhered to a largely black and—naturally—Barbie-pink colour scheme with emphasis on taffeta sheen, girly chiffon, 60s inspired houndstooth and tiered ruffles and ribbons. He mixed bold graphic prints with florals, both in classic black and white, and colourful rosecentric madras plaid. Black A-line party dresses were cinched at the waist with candy-pink patent belts and accessorized with slouchy long finger-less gloves and scarves. Cute, wearable and not overly kitschy.

Watch David Dixon's Fall 2009 and Barbie Collection runway videos from blogTO:







You can also check out FASHION Magazine's runway video and interview with David Dixon.