The avant-garde designer Hussein Chalayan has been collaborating with the premium denim label J Brand to create a short and experimental collection which hit Barneys yesterday. The British/Turkish Cypriot designer has long been a favorite for those who like their fashion experimental and he’s notorious for incorporating technology into his designs as Puma’s creative director and his past partnership with Kate Moss’ TopShop.

This past Wednesday at Manhattan’s Hotel Griffou, a party celebrated the designer’s collaboration with L.A. based company J. Brand.  The designer described his collection with J. Brand Denim and his enthusiasm for American sportswear. Chalayan has chosen to focus on the purity and femininity of his collections. The collaboration resulted in a line of three types of denim jeans including the Beau Jean based off the boyfriend jean, the Circuit, an ankle length jean that is both fitted and loose, and the Legging, a new take on the skinny jean truly as a second skin .

The Hussein Chalayan/ J. Brand collection can be found at Barneys New York. The jeans range from $247 to $257. Check out the new collection at Barney’s.

Images via Modelizing

Alexander Wang is probably one of the most observed designer in the industry since the former Parsons student launched his first collection in 2007. Famous for his grungy rock & sexy/chic tank and tees, he won the CFDA in 2008 that helped him boost his business and widen his collection.

The Fall 2009 shoes collection definitively justifies why I like his work, he is so different and the pieces always original almost too “avant-garde” . (more…)

Laurel Mushroom Lamp

I love decoration and since my younger years I’ve always played with the aesthetic of my room or apartment when I felt the need. Always eager to look for inspiration, today I was blown away when I received the Etsy newsletter. Dedicated to vintage decoration from the 60’s to 70’s, it was showcasing some great pieces that would help spice up your space with style! When I start thinking of decoration, I always keep an eye to how the lamp have to look like. It’s always a foundation of the atmosphere you are giving to your room. Always underestimated, think of the lamp as a masterpiece of your room, that’s usually the first object you see when you enter a room. It lights up your room and sets the mood! (more…)

Givenchy’s recent Haute Couture fashion show in Paris has led to some stirs when it showcased models wearing the Muslim veil, a religious garment currently forbidden in schools in France.
Perfect opportunity for the Riccardo Tisci to attract attention on this issue at a time when the French President is planning to ban any religious garment in Public places.

This season, Givenchy took its inspiration from Morocco, North Africa and other Middle Eastern tribes. “Not that the collection read in any literal ethnographic way” – said the designer. Riccardo Tisci began his collection with fiercely tailored, sharp-shouldered coats molded into the waist and over the hips in black velvet or patinated strips of leather. Then we move on with sarouel pants, hoods, veils and draped silhouettes, with gold embroidery from a Middle Eastern influence (seen above). (more…)

Smoke-filled, cold and almost apocalyptic, the new Fendi Fall/Winter 2009 ad campaign brings back drama to the glossy Fashion world. Once again Karl Lagerfeld photographed the campaign with top model Jessica Stam who recently appeared naked in GQ magazine besides Marisa Miller. Replacing Toni Garn this season, she wears dark clothes and super-smoky eye makeup playing a dramatic vamp “à la” Catherine Deneuve. I like how Karl Lagerfled set the scene with dramatic lights and characters, it makes me think of the 1938 movie “Le quai des brumes” with Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan. In two images you can see a mysterious male figure walking through the tunnel that screams suspense. This is a very elegant and enticing campaign, check out more images below. (more…)

That is certainly an old news but I’ve just recently known about this Vogue editorial, I was really shocked to have missed that one to be honest. Vogue Paris celebrated the iconic Chanel bag (“le sac”) in its March 2009 issue with this glamour shoot photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. In this editorial you’ll find some of the most popular and mythic Chanel bags that made the Parisian house so iconic.

19 years old Lithuanian model Edita Vilkeviciute is wearing nothing but Chanel. The “jeune bourgeoise parisienne” style and the shower of accessories is just amazing.

(more…)

If you were to spend a weekend in the Hamptons, Montauk or Cape Code; what would you wear? I  did the exercise with a short selection from my virtual window shopping experience. Directly inspired from the prep-style, no doubt this year it made a huge comeback (Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tiger of Sweden, etc.). I’ve chosen a modern and precise look, my weekend duffle bag would be filled up with pique polos, linen and khaki pants, a pair of white sneakers and aviator sunglasses. All can be found on Ssense.com.

.

London is probably my second favorite city in the world, mostly for its iconic sense of style and shopping. You’ve probably been on a shopping spree across Kings Road, Camden town, and Carnaby street and felt the Fashion spirit that embraces these 3 distinctive areas.

Even though we’ve just entered Summer and we should be talking about Fall styles preview… I’ve discovered this edgy-chic collection designed by the iconic British house. Ben Sherman’s new Spring/Summer collection was inspired by the iconic fashionable landmarks of London, known by their style and music. Evoking the 60’s classic with a nod to the punk era and the tailoring breathes a contemporary prep school style. The collection sets the tone with deck-chair striped blazers and the re-invention of the iconic button down polo.

Key looks for men include tartan shirts with mini collars, asymmetric biker jackets and skinny check trousers. Deep V neck knits in vertical stripes look great worn under tailored bombers or cropped double-breasted Macs.

For women, sexy pencil skirts and super snug dresses in Prince of Wales check. High-waisted shorts and skinny trousers further enhance the silhouette with an emphasis on a cinched figure. Heritage chequerboard patterning is used subtly on knitwear styles and military references (Balmain?) can be spotted throughout the season. Macs, leather biker jackets and blazers form an integral part of the range for those chillier summer nights.

Wondering what’s the most fashion forward swimsuit to wear at the beach? Retro one pieces are dominating swim fashion for summer 2009 as reported on the fashion runways. Designer Michael Kors is probably one of those designers that think conservative mean more fun! This summer make big statements with a vintage or retro-style swimsuit, like the striped swimsuit pictured above. You can find this navy blue and white spandex at this superb Etsy store called ladramaqueen. The LA-based designer may have been very inspired by the current trend on the beaches of Los Angeles.

Because we are all moved since the loss of the greatest STAR of our time. I can’t seem to know anyone who does not know MJ and is not sad. Michael Jackson inspired all of us, musically, humanly and fashionably. A great initiative – perhaps the best out here – from Love Brigade. You can pay tribute to MJ with this cool “One glove” tee and give to charity! 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the KEYS program dedicated to improve quality of life of kids with serious illnesses and disabilities.

Find the ‘One Glove’ tee on the Love Brigade online store and at their Brooklyn store.