News Designers

TOKYO — Anna Wintour ascended to rock star status this weekend as she and all of Vogue’s top editors from around the world descended here for Saturday’s extraordinarily large Fashion’s Night Out, which also attracted a long roster of designer attendees including Michael Kors, Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, Roberto Cavalli, Derek Lam, Thom Browne and Dior Homme’s Kris Van Assche.

Hordes of passersby in the Omotesando and Aoyama shopping districts clustered outside each store Wintour entered. They strained their necks to try and catch a glimpse of her. They called out her name and even followed her down the street when she and her daughter, Bee Shaffer, decided to walk between stores they visited, which included Louis Vuitton, Tod’s, Burberry, Michael Kors, Rag & Bone and Marc Jacobs. In what was undoubtedly one of the key photo ops of the day, partygoers gathered to watch her pound rice cake paste with a giant wooden hammer at Theory.

The frenzy surrounding Wintour’s visit caught some observers off guard, given the Japanese people’s reputation for quiet reserve. “I’m surprised. I thought of all places, Japan would be slightly immune to that,” said Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone, just a few minutes after Wintour and Shaffer toured the brand’s quaint store in Omotesando as partygoers looked on as they sipped Asahi beer and ate cotton candy.

Wintour, speaking Friday on the eve of FNO after spending the morning signing autographs at Isetan with fellow Vogue editors Franca Sozzani, Emmanuelle Alt and Alexandra Shulman, expressed a desire to interact with as many people here as possible during her stay, her first visit to the country in 20 years.

“What I really enjoy is meeting the Japanese people. It’s very moving to see how much it means to them for all of us to be here.…It’s great that the designers are here but, you know, I see a lot of Michael and Rag & Bone in New York so really for me the most important thing is to meet as many of the Japanese customers as I possibly can,” she said.

Japan’s supersized FNO festivities kicked off Friday night with Vogue’s opening cocktail and gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Wintour and Vogue’s international editors in chief started the evening by assembling for a rare “family portrait” shot by Frederic Aranda. The Vogue brigade then joined the party to mingle with a host of designers, fashion executives and other VIPs, all of whom made their entrance by descending a staircase and walking over a dramatic transparent platform covering scores of white lilies. Anna Dello Russo, editor at large for Vogue Japan, cut a dramatic figure in a floor-sweeping pale blue Nina Ricci gown and feathered hairpiece. Peter Copping, the house’s artistic director, accompanied her into the party by chance since they arrived at the same time. “There was quite a lot of stairs for her to maneuver, so I was there to help her. So it was almost like the service that comes with the dress,” Copping said with a laugh.

At dinner, Jonathan Newhouse, the chairman of Condé Nast International and the architect of the event, gave an emotional speech touching on the tragedy of the March 11 tsunami and the importance of the Japanese market to the fashion and luxury goods industries. He broke into song at one point, singing several bars of “Ue o Muite Aruko” — best known in the English-speaking world as “Sukiyaki” — a poignant song of love and loss.

“I thought, what if we could get all of the editors to come; that would make a very powerful statement,” Newhouse said on the sidelines of the event. “When there’s trouble, it’s not enough to send a sympathy card…in a way we’re the only ones that can do this,” he said.

Wintour, referencing the Newhouse family’s $1 million donation made immediately after the quake, also stressed the importance of coming together to support Japan.

“It’s not usual for 17 editors in chiefs of the different Vogues to be doing something like this, so I think it’s really a testament to Jonathan’s initiative and forward thinking and philanthropic endeavors that we’re all here,” she said.

During her time here, Wintour also took time to meet with Japanese designers, including Sacai’s Chitose Abe and a handful who show in Tokyo.

Fashion, fantasy and life at Westmoreland Cultural Trust event

Fashion isn’t just about what wows on the runway; fashion is about lookin’ good in real life.

That was the operating principle for the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s seventh annual Holiday Fashion Fantasy, presented Thursday in the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center.

Appropriately clad models eschewed the stage for a series of holiday-themed tableaus, including the night before Christmas, the visit to grandmother’s house and holiday vacations, weddings, parties and shopping. Who knew visiting Santa at the mall was reason enough to look fabulous?

A champagne and heavy hors d’oeuvre reception preceded the main event, with jewelry models circulating among the guests. Coffee and delectable, delicious and decadent desserts followed.

Seen on the scene were event co-chairwomen Lana Booher, Jill Briercheck and Jane Church; WCT President Mike Langer; his assistant Vonnie Goldsborough; board Chairman Terry Reese; and emcee Jennifer Miele; along with Sharon Smith, Faye Rosatti, Nancy Anderson, Paula Pedicone, Kirk Utzinger, Pat Condo and Jan Taylor, Nichole Gantshar, David and Linda Assard, Tony DeNunzio, Patty Buhl and Eric Bononi.

Also, Jeanne Graft, Rebecca Sexton, Kathy Kuchta, Nancy Soles, Kaaren Tintori, Patricia Aiello, Andrea Raimondo, Linda Mroz, Rita Smith, Martha Szakos, Vera Peters, Debbie Jordan, Susan White, Gwen Loughner, Gail Csiszar, Bill Colwell, Sheila Caramella, Malinda Sherid, John Noble and Rick and Patty Aston, with Brooke and Carly.

Fashion Week El Paseo™ Announces Mark Zunino as 2012 Designer of the Week; Mark Zunino’s Runway Show Will Dazzle Audiences on March 24, 2012

<42>Palm Springs Life magazine has announced that Mark Zunino, the couturier who reinvigorated the Nolan Miller label, will be designer of the week at the seventh-annual Fashion Week El Paseo™ in Palm Desert. The West Coast’s most anticipated fashion event unfolds March 17-24, 2012, in the Big White Tent on El Paseo, the Coachella Valley’s most fashionable shopping district.

Palm Springs Life magazine has announced that Mark Zunino, the couturier who reinvigorated the Nolan Miller label, will be designer of the week at the seventh-annual Fashion Week El Paseo™ in Palm Desert. The West Coast’s most anticipated fashion event unfolds March 17-24, 2012, in the Big White Tent on El Paseo, the Coachella Valley’s most fashionable shopping district.

Zunino, who lives and works in Los Angeles, will debut his new collection for Spring 2012, bringing to the runway his brand of Hollywood glamour in the form of elegant, high-wattage evening wear and red-carpet gowns. His signature style is reminiscent of Old Hollywood glamour, infusing the stunning designs favored by celebrities and socialites.

Designing for two legendary actresses — Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren — Zunino developed his aesthetic by reinterpreting old Hollywood glamour in a contemporary language that resonates with some of today’s brightest stars. Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courtney Cox and Brooke Burke are among the world’s most beautiful women who have recently worn the Mark Zunino label.
“Mark Zunino represents the best of both worlds to Fashion Week El Paseo™ — glamorous old Hollywood style with contemporary, fashion-forward design — and will bring a new level of runway excitement,” says Palm Springs Life Fashion Editor Susan Stein, co-producer of Fashion Week El Paseo. “In addition to Mr. Zunino, Fashion Week El Paseo™ 2012 will offer our audiences a week of thrilling fashion entertainment.”

Fashion Week El Paseo™ is the premier consumer-driven fashion experience showcasing the best of West Coast design. This event also welcomes the industry and has hosted more than 30,000 guests in its last six years.

Showcasing the newest collections by top designers, as well as fresh ideas by emerging designers from Los Angeles’ Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Fashion Week El Paseo™ is one of the desert’s most popular events and features a fun-filled week of runway and trunk shows, champagne receptions, after parties, in-store events, and events to benefit local charities.

One exciting Fashion Week El Paseo highlight will be a back-by-popular-demand appearance by Project Runway all-stars, featuring the desert’s own Michael Costello and several other designers from the popular realty TV series. Other Fashion Week events include an Evening of Fashion featuring Saks Fifth Avenue; La Chien, a day devoted to canine couture fashion, and a runway show featuring more than 15 retailers from the El Paseo shopping district.
Fashion Week El Paseo™ sponsors include Integrated Wealth Management (presenting sponsor), the City of Palm Desert, El Paseo Merchants Association, Land Rover of Rancho Mirage, and El Paseo Jewelry.

About Mark Zunino

Initially an advertising major at Pepperdine University, Mark Zunino took advantage of a chance interview with legendary film and television designer Nolan Miller, leading to a 1985 apprenticeship and a 25-year career in fashion design.

Learning the art of the couture business from European-trained pattern makers and tailors, Zunino refined his skills and launched his own label in 1998. From sketching designs to choosing the finest fabrics from around the world, Zunino’s gowns always reflect the epitome of female elegance, glamour and individuality.

Diane von Furstenberg launches new scent

Designer Diane von Furstenberg and a brigade of models clad in her iconic wrap dresses took over Aventura Mall’s Sephora for a few hours recently to promote the fashionista’s newest perfume called DIANE.

Diane von Furstenberg had models chanting in unison and parading throughout the mall while waving flags inscribed with her slogan: “Be The Woman You Want To Be.”

Attendees who purchased her perfume were able to meet and greet the powerhouse. We chatted up the mogul on why she launched a second perfume with her secrets of seduction in it, why she has a fondness for Miami (except for The Real Housewives of Miami) and her best fashion advice.

Your first perfume is called Tatiana. What inspired you to launch the new perfume?

My first perfume I named after my daughter, and I created it when she was four, and she is now 40 years old. With DIANE, I wanted to create a real classic, and I also wanted to work with a woman who is a legend in the field of perfume. Her name is Chantal Ross. She did Opium, and she did Issey Miyake and Jean Paul Gaultier. I met her five years ago . . . . She was then the head of Yves Saint Laurent beauty. When they sold the company then that’s when we started to work.

Perfumes evoke different feelings. What do you want women to feel when they wear DIANE?

I want to remind young women that perfume has been a weapon of seduction for women since antiquity, and young women have forgotten that. So I wanted to create something real special.

So why did you name the perfume after yourself?

It’s really personal. I really put everything in it. Everything I love and know and all my secrets of seduction. So I felt it was appropriate to call it the name I was born with.

Upon arriving in Miami, you tweeted “Arrived in Miami, the city of optimism and fun.” Why do you feel that way about the city?

It’s the light of the city. I feel it when I’m here. My son’s fiance is from Miami, too.

Earlier this year, you made a comment about how “The Real Housewives of Miami” show objectifies women. Why do you think the show does that?

What I don’t like is when women are objectified — when you feel like having big tits is the secret of happiness — that I resent. I believe in empowering women, and I don’t like when people objectify women and sometimes they objectify themselves.

What’s your best fashion advice?

I think the best fashion advice is the best advice in general, which is being who you are. Be the woman you want to be and just be a great success and then you can do no wrong. Confidence is the most beautiful thing to wear, and it’s something you grow into because we are all insecure at some time.

While the sensibility of designer Donna Karan—the woman and the label—is synonymous with New York and its smart, sharp dress code, her most recent endeavor, the stand-alone Urban Zen, expands her geographical associations to some of the most unplugged and vulnerable places on Earth.

Urban Zen recently opened a store in West Hollywood, its third in the U.S.—launched in 2007 in tandem with Donna Karan Urban Zen Foundation, a nonprofit that works to preserve world cultures, empower children and reshape healthcare.

“Putting philanthropy and commerce together is what Urban Zen is about,” says Karan, nestled in a charcoal pinstripe beanbag chair (“My favorite thing in the world”) at the new emporium. “And if asked where the perfect Urban Zen center would be, it would be L.A.”

The boutique is a tucked-away indoor-outdoor oasis that features fashion, accessories, furniture and home wares—with everything except the clothes and jewelry collections handcrafted by artisans in Haiti, Indonesia, Senegal and Bali.

Bracelets, necklaces and leather goods made from inky hides, toasted bone and beads created by rolling and varnishing strips of cereal boxes are cradled in hand-carved wooden bowls perched on huge slabs of driftwood. Draped across oversize wooden chairs and sofas are knit cashmere and wool scarves generous enough to swaddle the entire body and equally enormous (and luxe) raw-leather cross-body satchels.

Karan’s jersey-heavy Urban Zen clothing—a line of body-wrapping dresses, outerwear and separates that elevates yoga wear to sumptuous ready-to-wear priced comparably to Donna Karan namesake collection—covers part of the store’s interior walls. Most of the solid, neutral-hued tunics, dresses and tops convert into different shapes and configurations, origami style, recalling the designer’s circa-1985 Seven Easy Pieces, a simple system for building a stylish wardrobe. Built-in scarves on everything from tops to dresses play prominently.

“These are clothes that are seasonless, timeless,” says Donna Karan, who names her design muses as “everyone from Demi to Barbra to me,” adding, “My friends and I are constantly nomadic, constantly moving. These are clothes to live in. If you can’t sleep in it, I’m not interested.”

Fashion News: Katy Perry’s new scent is the cat’s ‘Meow’

Lady Gaga changed into four outfits — including a silvery Paco Rabanne couture number, shown here, that looked like svelte armor — to pick up four awards at MTV’s Europe Music Awards on Sunday night in Belfast. [Telegraph]

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is set to shoot in a few days, and supermodel Adriana Lima will be ready for the catwalk. She has been working out with a personal trainer since August, twice a day for the last three weeks. She drinks a gallon of water a day, and for nine days before the show she lives on protein shakes. She begins fasting 12 hours ahead of time — and sometimes drops eight pounds of water weight. Yes, it’s hard being an angel. [Telegraph]

Celebrities including Katie Holmes, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Zoe Saldana, Demi Moore and Rachel Zoe were on hand Friday night to help Lanvin design chief Albert Elbaz celebrate the label’s year-old boutiques in Malibu and on Rodeo Drive. [Los Angeles Times]

For Japan’s first installment of Fashion’s Night Out (which took place here in the states in September), all the editors of international editions of event-sponsor Vogue gathered in Tokyo last week, where they sat for a group portrait.

Philippine Fashion Week: And the models kept marching on and on…

For Philippine Fashion Week’s second to the last show, three designers and a brand each presented a 45-piece collection.

The show started with a bang, thanks to Jerome Salaya Ang’s percussion ensemble which kicked off the show. It somewhat dragged on a bit near the end, mainly because of the sheer number of pieces being shown.

Following are capsule descriptions of each designer’s presentation:

Jerome Salaya Ang — The collection entitled, “God We’ve Known Before Us,” ranged from chic to flashy, with the kind of outfits worn by classy society ladies to tacky social climbers. Despite strutting around in big blonde wigs, the models did not overpower the clothes. Seen were sequins — lots of sequins –, along with cherry red and, surprisingly, pastels. An interesting fabric used was a snake skin-print cotton-stretch material.

Noel Crisostomo — He presented a wide range, from sporty looks to evening wear. He took his inspiration from cubist art of the 20^th century, the 1980s creations of Austrian designer, Helmut Lang, and the 2012 Olympiad. The collection was predominantly monochromatic with accents of bright poppy, acid yellow and aquamarine. He was the only designer to include swimwear in his collection.

Sassa Jimenez — There was something harlequin-esque and clownish about her collection because of the oversized bow ties and the way the ruffling was done — but it was to be expected as the collection’s concept was an all-female circus. She transformed 1960s-style silhouettes for the modern woman.

EsAc — Six men in small swimming trunks kicked off the collection which ended with a bridal gown. The brand featured the designs of Raoul Ramirez and Lyle Ibañez. Ms. Ibañez’ line catered to plus-sized women. Mr. Ramirez, on the other hand, used a denim-like fabric on 1960s-style outfits, complete with brooches and dainty gloves. –

Yves Saint Laurent muse, Loulou de la Falaise, has died in France

Sad news to start the week – that YSL’s muse and close collaborator and Sixties and Seventies style icon, Loulou de la Falaise – has died aged 63. The news was made public by the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, who announced her passing ‘with immense sadness,’ referring to an unspecified ‘long illness’ as the cause of death. Bergé declined further comment.

Loulou was born in 1947 in England, to a British mother, Maxime Birley, a former model for Elsa Schiaparelli and French father Alain de la Falaise, a French count. After her education in England, Loulou worked in Fashion in London and in New York, where she modelled AND designed prints for NY designer, Halston. She found herself in Paris in 1972 where, she worked for Yves Saint Laurent together with her close friend, Betty Catroux, his other muse. Loulou designed jewellery and hats for the brand – as many as 2000 pieces of jewellery a year and she stayed loyally at the House until 2002.

The designer first met Loulou at a tea party 1968, and was captivated by her beauty and charisma as well as her flair for fashion. She was apparently great fun with an infectious laugh which appealed to Yves Saint Laurent, who hated being surrounded by boring fashion types. The pair were completely synchronised in terms of aesthetics, for example the way Yves mixed African influences with sleek tailoring to create that trademark Seventies glamour. Loulou de la Falaise liked nothing better than to jazz up a simple skirt and blouse with a nifty coloured silk headscarf and an armful of clackety coloured bracelets.

She eventually started her own line of accessories, in 2003 following the retirement of Yves Saint Laurent.

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THE stars left their fashion sense well and truly behind them as panto style ruled at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

The bigger the name, the crazier the outfit at the glittering Belfast bash – where Lady GaGa, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber were the big winners.

From space-age silver disc dresses to fluorescent body-con catsuits, the celebs gave fashion pundits plenty to talk about.

Leading the charge – as always – was Lady GaGa who claimed four gongs. She sported not one but two surreal Paco Rabanne choices in red and then silver.

Love her or hate her, she always gives the punters an eyeful and her silver disc dress paired with a black Philip Treacy hat was a jaw-dropping dream. Or should that be nightmare.

Her final outfit was an after-party crowd pleaser – a futuristic silver gown also by Paco Rabanne.

It was curtains for Bar Refaeli – in a bizarre black mini dress with dip-dye side panels.

Neither short and sweet nor floor-length and fabulous, the creation set the Bar for suspect styles that missed their mark on the night.

But Bar was not the only star to get it wrong.

Evanescence singer Amy Lee looked dowdy in tartan Vivienne Westwood and work boots.

And the usually flawless Louise Roe failed to impress in a red playsuit that only highlighted her boyish frame.

Russian Replay model Irina Shayk turned heads for all the right reasons in a slashed-to-the-waist leather and silk gown – a tad on the tacky side but when you’re this beautiful you can pull almost anything off.

The same can’t be said for British singer and model Lauren Bennett – who tried far too hard in a S&M-style catsuit with embellished shoulders. A style flop.

Playing it far safer was fellow Brit talent Katy B – keeping her look simple in a black playsuit livened up by red heels and a cheeky plunging neckline.

Hollyoaks beauty Jennifer Metcalfe took the plunge too, daring to bare in a sexy black top and wet-look leggings. The killer body of the night.

Leaving the boring black look of lesser stars behind her, Katy Perry showed how A-list pop styling is done – and it wasn’t subtle.

Like a walking, talking strawberry milkshake, the star wore a retro pastel mini dress, pink leather jacket and platform brogues. Bonkers but beautiful.

Also bonkers but flying the flag for Britain was Jessie J. She rocked two bodysuits, the first was a slick cut-out look.

But her second Dali-esque print dress, proved too ‘busy’ to win praise. Poor Jessie’s pretty face all but disappeared behind its blinding appeal.

Thank goodness then for Jessie’s third and final choice of the night – a brassy but brilliant leopard print gown.

Not quite managing the same roar sex appeal was David Hasselhoff. If ever there was a ‘Daddddd’ fashion disaster just waiting to be mocked it’s this man’s poor attempt to Bieber things up with a hat and jeans.

Justin Bieber showed the Hoff how to strike the right note in his smart jeans with a collared shirt covered by a black jumper.