Behind-the-scenes Victoria's Secret Holiday '08 commercial, Paris

Here is just the thing to get you into the festive mood (or your boyfriend, at least). The Victoria's Secret angels are on location outside of Paris at chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte to shoot the lingerie brand's holiday 2008 commercial. Based on the idea of a secret, supermodels including Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes and Miranda Kerr, run through the beautiful chateau in flouncy red dresses and bras to pass on a special gift. How did they know that is exactly how I plan to spend my Christmas?

Watch the full commercial below...

Paris Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Maison Martin Margiela

Martin Margiela's show yesterday evening followed on from his last collection with draping jersey and built-up shoulders but the Americana t-shirts and distressed denim were gone a replaced by cobwebby knits, leopard print and brocade and fur. He seemed to be taking clichés of sexy dressing and turning them on their head in his own inimitable way.

I have to admit the one-legged brocade trousers mystified me but there are some great pieces lurking in there. I love the zipped mini, especially with the thigh high rubber boots and even though they're pretty extreme I'm sure we'll be seeing watered down version's of Margiela's raised shoulders soon.

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Paris Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Christian Dior

There's nothing guaranteed to life my spirits than a picture of the wide-eyed Masha, except maybe a picture of the wide-eyed Masha with eye make-up that makes her peepers even bigger!I thought the 'dead socialite' look had died a death when Rachel Zoe fell out of favour with her LA starlets but at Christian Dior the look was well and truly alive Galliano hemmed in his usual kookyness to produce a retro slice of psychedelia.

Reminding me of Jackie O through a kaleidoscope the dresses, suits and coats heavily referenced the '60s and came in a glittering array of colours. Take away the outlandish make-up and hair though and you can see the collection is another example of the recession-led conservatism that has been seeping onto the catwalks during the last few weeks. It probably wont be setting fashion editorials on fire but fortunately the bright colours lift the collection out of the ordinary.

[Source]

Stars turn out for Giorgio Armani Privé show in Paris

The celebs turned out overnight for Giorgio Armani's Privé show at couture week in Paris. Actresses Hilary Swank and Ellen Pompeo, of Grey's Anatomy who was bordering on a serious wardrobe malfunction, along with Dita Von Teese (who's just signed a deal with Wonderbra) flew in especially for the show and to add that now infamous Armani A-list factor to the front row. Last week, at the Italian designer's menswear show, he drew the likes of Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles. But it was Beyonce's bodyguard who caused a bit a stir at the Versace show with Bergdorf's director Tommy Fazio, over seating arrangements... read all about it here.

[Images: Getty - click to enlarge]

Paris Haute Couture S/S '08: Christian Dior

Our US sister blog Shiny Style have been busy reporting on the Christian Dior couture show in Paris, which once again, successfully captured the imagination in colour, structure and detail.

This really is why John Galliano is one of my all-time favourite designers - his penchant for drama, it seems, is limitless.

"The colours! The lightness! The embroidery! It was magical," Diane Kruger told IHT's Suzy Menkes backstage.

The architecture of lightness and volume in this whirlwind of extreme colour took Galliano's vision of John Singer Sargent's portrait of Madame X to a whole other level. Origami-style structures refused to be weighed down by heavy decoration such as embroidery, plastic flowers and clumps of sparkly bits.

Topping off each masterpiece was a frizzed high hairdos and saucer-style hats in a '60s vibe. Models were perched on typically crazy Dior platforms to perform for flash-bulbing photographers. It's a shame that we may not get to see any of it on the Oscars red carpet.


Amid a crisis on the stock markets yesterday, it seems that fantasy at the highest end on the catwalks will not be sacrificed. "Haute couture is the place for dreams," said Galliano. Amen to that!

[Images: Rex / Catwalking.com via Getty]

Paris Haute Couture S/S '08: Day one begins with Anne Valérie Hash

Last Friday, we were assured that the business of haute couture would not be harmed despite talk of a pressured financial climate. "Couture is in quite good health for the moment," Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel's president of fashion, told WWD. With that being said, the bi-annual haute couture season kicks off today in Paris, beginning with Anne Valérie Hash. As one of the few women designers actually designing for women, Hash's S/S '08 couture collection featured romantic silhouettes via delicate sculpting, particularly on the shoulders, in sheer fabrics.

Stay tuned for more from the couture catwalks at Paris!

[Image: Catwalking.com via Getty]

Paris Menswear A/W '08-'09: Round up report

Always the entertainer, John Galliano's menswear show in Paris had all the marks of a theatrical feast for the eyes.

His show titled Ice, featured models with painted white frozen faces in a Tudor-inspired collection (pictured left). Colourful characters in Jester-style hats, masks and breaches.

Elsewhere, the Dries Van Noten show failed to impress Brandish blogger Jason Dike: "too many of the pieces simply do not work". Read his report here.

While Tim Hunter gives us his thoughts on designers forgoing catwalk shows in favour of other means of display. For example the Givenchy show which used mannequins instead of models, read the review here.

[Image: Getty]

Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier S/S '08 show

It was a swashbuckling adventure at yesterday's Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer '08 show with models including Lily Cole (above, middle) swaggering down the catwalk in Captain Jack Sparrow-inspired creations. Has the designer been watching a little too much Pirates of the Caribbean? I wouldn't blame him... it is Johnny Depp after all.
More pics after the cut...

The show opened with some pretty serious camouflage, appearing in everything from breeches to loose waist coats, to skirts, hats and bags. Everything seemed to be trussed and held together with large leather belts, corsets and primitive ties.

The first half of the show took on an early century adventurer feel with pirate-inspired wide brimmed hats, military jackets and colonial skirts. This was mixed with loads of sea-faring stripes and a distinctive edge towards tribal prints, a real clashing of colours and textures with the unmissable odd tutu here and there. There was simply too much to absorb all in one outfit - layering, my friends, is definitely not on the way out!

The final part of the show turned to the brides of the ships' captains in a parade of lace, netting and crochet. The smoking ban also appeared to be ignored with Gaultier as his early settler ladies delicately flaunted their long cigarettes held between lace fingerless gloves.

[Images: Catwalking.com via Getty]

Paris Fashion Week: Valentino's final bow

In true Valentino style, that of a gentleman, the legendary Italian designer took his final bow at his last ready-to-wear show in Paris yesterday.

Valentino announced his retirement as head designer early last month, not long after celebrating his 45th anniversary with the fashion house.

Circled by a bevy of models, Valentino waved to the crowd amongst a sea of bows, ruffles, polka dots, floaty chiffon and skirt suits.
Keep reading for plenty more pics from the show...


Frocks, frocks and more frocks - doing what Valentino does best - appeared along the runway in all manners of colours, prints, fabrics and fabulous features. A wave of candy pink dresses opened the show, moving quickly onto yellow just in case you were feeling sleepy and needed a wake-me-up. Whether it be a shift, Galaxy-style dress, or an '80s bubblegum number there was no mistaking that a bright dress is essential for next spring/summer.


Even still, you can't forget that ever-important monochrome with black and white a prominent feature in polka dots and stripy shoes (very Giles Deacon-esque!) Reminiscent of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Valentino's polka dots were strapped with gigantic bows. He also incorporated some pretty serious volume tailoring with Jackie O style skirt suits.


Red carpet gowns, a particular favourite among the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren, were echoed on the catwalk in floor sweeping elegance. My eye was especially drawn to a gorgeous fire red strapless gown with a giant fishtail (above, middle). A stunning way to end an illustrious prêt-à-porter career!

[Images: Catwalking.com via Getty]

Paris Fashion Week: Karl Lagerfeld S/S '08

Well known as one of the busiest men in fashion (or possibly even in the world) Karl Lagerfeld not only works hard for Chanel but also designs for his own label. It was this label that he presented yesterday as part of Paris Fashion Week. On a disco catwalk, Lagerfeld created a largely monochrome line working with the new silhouette. The collection was very wearable and young with many 80s power dressing references.

Nearly all of the outfits were styled with waist clincher belts and the focus was very much upon the shoulder area. Attention was drawn with cut out detail (as seen above, left) and through use of colour (right). There were also wide shouldered blazers which were reminiscent of 1940's Dior's 'New Look'.

There was a lot of layering within the collection, including a midi length black prom dress worn over black skinny trousers and black chiffon loosely draped over a mini dress.

The skirts came in a variety of lengths from super mini to midi to maxi length. The super-mini dresses were tight and unforgiving (a trend I may have to sit out) worn with minimal accessories and patent Mary-Janes. A shot of colour was injected in to the Victorian style maxi dress with neon arm warmers.

[Images: Catwalking.com via Getty]

Victoria Beckham at Roberto Cavalli's Paris store opening

After the bus load of celebrities that showed up for Roberto Cavalli’s New York store opening a few weeks ago, one could almost expect to see another bus load show up for the Roberto Cavalli flagship store opening in Paris. Instead the biggest names to walk down the red carpet were Roberto Cavalli, his wife Eva, Victoria Beckham and Jade Jagger. While the celebrity opening was on last night, the store won’t be open for business just yet.

The IHT reports that the store was not “overwhelmed with the patterns, prints or large furniture that one has come to expect from Cavalli over the years.” And it also features a VIP room on the second floor where the high paying clients will be able to sip on a Cavalli Marabu cocktail. Apparently a seven-story Cavalli store is due to open in 2008 – so perhaps that is why only Victoria and Jade were representing the international celebrity crowd?

[Images: Getty]

Paris Fashion Week: Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney always makes beautiful feminine clothing and despite being heavily pregnant (a mere few months away from giving birth) she still presented her collection at Paris Fashion Week. She wasn't short on family support either, which is something I love about the McCartneys. There to support Stella in Paris was her father Sir Paul, her sister Mary and her brother James. She also got celebrity support from Kanye West and Lily Allen. Her latest collection was shown against a botanical backdrop created by French botanist, Patrick Blanc. There was a vintage feel to her collection which incorporated retro floral prints. See after the jump for more images...

A lot of the items reference lingerie reminiscent of McCartney's early collections. There were barely there camisoles and short white delicate dresses with ruffles and embroidery detailing.

The whole collection seemed to have been designed in consideration of her own post baby stomach (well who wouldn't consider their own needs!) with loose fitting material around the midriff. It was a line that could be worn at a seaside resort such as St Tropez. The printed dresses are very wearable and could be worn on their own with sandals or over jeans for cooler days/evenings.

The Spring/Summer line referenced seventies glamour with wide legged trousers, cut out detail and halter neck tops. She included a few tailored items such as safari jackets and blazers. Accessories included beaded sandals and totes which matched the floral print dresses.

Get Vogue Paris-inspired leopard print on sale now at Net-a-porter!

Is it just me or does this month's cover of Vogue Paris instantly remind you of Shania Twain in her 1997 music video for "That Don't Impress Me Much"? In head-to-toe leopard print it was a pretty unforgettable outfit. Flash forward ten years (wow, has it really been a decade?) and the September cover of Vogue Paris features model Natasha Poly covered in leopard print from Givenchy's fall/winter '07 couture collection - check out the helmet!

While I was never much of an animal print kind of gal, on some people it can make quite a statement. An example is Penny Lancaster, Rod Stewart's new wife, who always seems to carry off this trend well. Sienna Miller was also recently seen on the beaches of Ibiza wearing a leopard print sarong that she also doubled as a scarf back in July.

If, like Penny and Sienna, you're a bit of a fan of the whole leopard print trend then don't I have some good news for you. Net-a-porter currently has up to 75% off in its end-of-year clearance sale and there are some definite bargains on offer.

First up is this Diane Von Furstenberg leopard print wrap dress massively reduced from £272 to just £68 (yes, really!) Also on sale is this velvet leopard print skirt by Marc Jacobs for £592.50 (reduced from £1,185).

And finally, if you're a little more hesitant about trying out this trend then marked down from £290 to £174 are these leopard print t-bar heels by Fendi. Match it simple black trousers, a skirt or LBD.

[Images: TFS]

Power dressing opens Paris menswear run

Top fashion designers Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano were in combat mode as they brought military flare to the opening day of the Paris menswear shows for next summer.

Gaultier paid tribute to the Beatles' legendary Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band, celebrating its 40th birthday this year, with his collection, unveiled here on Thursday.

Just like the Fab Four on the album cover, his models were got up in military tunics with mandarin collars, epaulettes, and guardsman's trousers with gold braid trim. Some of them even sported the moustaches and long-hair of the epoch, but the punk touches of chains slung from the waist or shoulder were more reminiscent of Gaultier in his Eurotrash presenter days.

Favorite fabrics were inky black and indigo denim faintly spangled with lurex and liquid silver satin, for shirts rippling across the pectorals and flowing trench coats.



Among the more whimsical combinations he showed a denim jacket with sleeves like classic beige driving gloves with brown leather elbow patches while a midnight blue satin dressing gown was styled like an army greatcoat with gold chevrons.

The sarong, as braved by David Beckham, was draped round mock military uniforms: incongruous or sexy, depending on one's point of view.

For swimwear Gaultier moved into high camp, with sailors' peaked caps, jackets festooned with frogging and gilt buttons over slippery black satin trunks laced up the side, straight out of the Village People's "In the Navy."

Against the calming arches and windows of an old church on the outskirts of Paris, Galliano's rough and ready soldiers of fortune donned beige military pants over camouflage-covered blousons.

Bearded and with blackened chalky eyes, the heavily pierced models wore kaffiyeh-style scarves on their head or face, berets and caps. The British designer offered baggy North African-style trousers, while straps criss-crossed black leather jackets and long parkas and coats were equipped with plenty of big pockets.

More laid-back was Yohji Yamamoto's take on masculine style for next spring-summer, where a dove spreading its wings across a dark jacket set a more peaceful tone. The veteran Japanese designer offered comfortable ample trousers, perhaps zipped at the calf, punctuating the wardrobe with white and red stripes for a shirt.

Other big names on the busy four-day lineup of menswear designers include Louis Vuitton, Ungaro, Kenzo, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Dior Homme where all eyes will be on Hedi Slimane's successor, Kris van Assche.

Shows wrap up on Sunday.

©AFP

Paris Fashion Week - Next stop for Manish Arora

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) announced that its designer member, Manish Arora, will be the first Indian designer to showcase at the Paris Fashion Week.

The Paris Fashion Week (Spring-Summer 2008) is going to be held from September 30 to October 7, 2007. After a very successful showing at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (Autumn/Winter Showcase) on March 24, Manish will show his collection in Paris. This move is in line with the FDCI’s aim, which is not just to organize fashion weeks in India, but also to promote talent and encourage and endorse exchange of talent with counterpart councils internationally.

The FDCI is exploring and leveraging its association with international fashion councils. Six of its member designers were selected to be a part of the prestigious Festival International des Arts de la Mode et de la Photographie (international fashion and photography festival), at Hyeres in the south of France from April 28 – 30, 2006.

These designers were selected by Didier Grumbach (President - Federation Francaise de la Couture Du Pret-a-Porter des Couturiers et des Createurs de Mode) and Maria Luisa (owner & buyer of one of the most reputed stores in Paris - Maria Luisa chain), who have become regulars at WIFW.Announcing the selection, Rathi Vinay Jha, Director General, FDCI said, “This is a great honour for India and a great achievement for Manish."

"Supporting designers like Manish is part of FDCI’s ongoing commitment to taking Indian fashion to the international marketplace and providing our member designers with opportunities like Paris Fashion Week. We wish him the very best.”Manish Arora said, “This is a moment of great pride for me as the first Indian designer to show at the Paris Fashion Week.

Showing there has been a dream and now that I have achieved it, I hope to keep the momentum going.”Mr Grumbach, who selected Manish for participation, said, “Manish Arora is perfection and provocation. This is what fashion must be in Paris. His collection is not folkloric but at the same time, could only have been designed by an Indian fashion designer.”

Wills Lifestyle

Paris fashion week rich with romance

Oliver Theyskens For Nina Ricci

At Nina Ricci`s fashion show, evening gowns of pleated fabrics and flounces were singled out most

“I did not care to choose an entire collection of colours for my first collection”, said Olivier for Reuters, after presenting his first collection, full of gray details and long evening gowns. One of such creations was seen presented to the public before by actress Reese Witherspoon at the Oscar ceremony.
Theyskens worked for Rochas before, and is now the head designer for Nina Ricci.
Mario Grauso, fashion groupation Puig president, where Nina Ricci belongs to, said the entire collection was magnificent and grand.
“Never in my entire career have I seen so many meetings connected with the collection distribution”, said Grauso.
Theyskens will design furniture for Nina Ricci as well. You san view the collection presented on the fashion show in the PHOTOGALLERY.

Paris Shows Turn Fashion Into Theater

By JOELLE DIDERICH

In the theater of fashion, every catwalk show is a ten-minute play.
British designer John Galliano staged an electrifying performance on Saturday, turning the inside of an old market hall into a faded mansion where an aristocratic older woman and her toy-boy husband greeted strange and extraordinary guests.


To the strains of accordion music, characters like a sailor and a bearded groundskeeper with two Labrador dogs mingled with celebrities including pop diva Kylie Minogue, amid banquet tables and Persian carpets littered with playing cards and straw.
"It's quite decadent. We are very open-minded," joked Marc de Lacharriere, a high-powered French executive who was playing host for the evening.
Galliano, who is famed for his over-the-top catwalk displays, drew criticism from fashion editors last season when he attempted a more straightforward presentation. With this extravagant show, he appeared to send his bosses a clear message: "Don't fence me in."
But he also made sure the theatrical setting did not overshadow the clothes, which ranged from his trademark bias-cut satin gowns to Empire-line cropped coats with leg-o'-mutton sleeves and bustle backs.
Models with wet-look bobs and smudged makeup flashed saucy garter belts under transparent black negliges. Model-of-the-moment Agyness Deyn vamped it up in a wine-colored bustier dress whose layers were worked into oversized whorls.
Galliano took his bow in a silk dressing gown to rapturous applause.
Jean Paul Gaultier chose a real-life theater for his show for Hermes on Saturday, sending out elegant biker chicks in jackets made from crocodile leather lined with shaved mink and trimmed with sable fur.
"I think it's perfectly appropriate for Hermes, because women last century were on horses and now they are riding motorbikes," the French designer said, referring to the company's saddlemaker roots.
Slim riding pants were tucked into knee-length boots and topped with floor-sweeping coats that gave the models a swaggering allure.
Hermes offered plenty of new variations on its coveted Kelly handbags, including a fur-lined version that did double duty as a muff. The wealth of luxurious details made some guests wish they had brought binoculars to appreciate them up close.
British designer Alexander McQueen went one step further, using a rock concert venue to show a collection inspired by his ancestor Elizabeth How, who was hanged at the Salem with trials in 1692.
Models walked the length of a red pentagram traced in black sand under an inverted pyramid that served as a screen for macabre video images including swarming bees, naked women and a Satan-like figure whose face melted in flames.
The sinister staging, coupled with the distance of the models, all but overshadowed outfits including pod-shaped coats with leather leggings, a gold sequin catsuit with a solid gold breastplate and a floorlength green velvet dress embroidered with gold flames.
The mood was altogether more joyous at Kenzo, where 14 dancers from the Paris Opera took to the floor with life-sized rag dolls to strut a spirited tango.
Rippling skirts with giant rose prints and poncho-style capes in tartan prints punctuated the Argentine-flavored display. Sardinian designer Antonio Marras said the elaborate staging was designed for maximum visual impact.
"It's very important, because these ten minutes are the culmination of six months' work," he told reporters. "I have the duty of communicating a very precise message."
Anticipation was high at Chloe, where Swedish designer Paulo Melim Andersson was making his debut, but the only spectacle was the arrival of Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue, the first major celebrity sighted since the start of Paris fashion week.
Andersson succeeds Phoebe Philo, who cemented the French label's reputation for subtle femininity. His freshman effort suggested no dramatic shift.
"I'm inspired by a woman who is the opposite of drama, a woman who is effortless and uncontrived," he said in a statement.
Models paraded in breezy sack dresses with loose pleats or diagonal zips, mostly in black and a tangy shade that was amusingly dubbed "BBC Regency drama lipstick orange." Bold abstract prints owed a clear debt to Italian label Marni, his previous employer.
But a white tunic embroidered with silver and white sequined circles was vintage Chloe, and the oversized Elvire bag in lacquered ostrich leather should quickly generate a waiting list.
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