Halston Offers Digital Music Video Instead of Runway Show
Vogue.co.uk reports that Halston is doing a digital music video in replace of a runway show this year. By doing a video they are likely to reach a younger demographic.
"It was something we were planning since September, before the world fell apart. Obviously, people are looking at creative ways in this market and it is prudent to do so, but it was something we were working on before," says Bonnie Takhar, Halston's president and chief executive officer, adding: "It's pushing [Halston] to another demographic, between 25 and 45 years old...our previous collections were focussed from 30 to 50."
Produced by London-based creative agency Blink Productions and Colonel Blimp (which has produced videos for the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Lily Allen), the video features Dree Hemingway as a cool and carefree urbanite in New York, as she sports looks from the autumn/winter 2009-10 collection.
Vogue.co.uk says the video will be emailed out to editors and retailers on Feb 13th. Here's a teaser for Halston's video show:
Oscar de la Renta to Present Two Shows Next February
Some designers are pulling out of on New York Fashion Week but that's not the case for Oscar de la Renta. Voguereports that the fashion house is adding an extra show for his collection. He will have two shows: one for the press and one for buyers. Oscar de la Renta says he's added fifteen employees and had solid sales the past few months.
The fashion house will present two shows for autumn/winter 2009-10 at New York Fashion Week next month - one to press and one to buyers. The move follows a particularly strong year for the brand in which, as de la Renta tells The Daily, he has even been able to hire more staff. "While some businesses have faced tough times, I actually added 15 employees to my company. Sale-wise, the last three months have been solid for us."
Building upon this success, the brand has plenty more plans for expansion in the pipeline. "Our international wholesale growth has been explosive - we have expanded our international doors from five to seventy five in the last six years. We opened our first international freestanding stores in Athens and Madrid this October, and they are both proving successful, considering the climate," explains chief executive officer at Oscar de la Renta, Alex Bolen, in an interview with The Business of Fashion.
The interview with Oscar de la Renta CEO Alex Bolen that Vogue mentions can be found here. Second City Style notes that Calvin Klein has been presenting two shows for years.
Victoria's Secret Launches New Lingerie Collection
Victoria Secret launched its new lingerie collection last night in a show full of scantily-clad supermodels and celebrities. The Telegraphreports that Victoria's Secret's eight Angels - Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova, Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doutzen Kroes, Marisa Miller and Miranda Kerr - appeared along with another 23 supporting models. Usher and Mariah Carey both performed. Some of the many celebrities in attendance were Sean (P. Diddy) Combs, Alex Rodriguez, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Debbie Harry, Lenny Kravitz, Molly Simms, Robert Duvall and Kyle MacLachlan. The full show will be broadcast on CBS and online on December 3rd.
Here's a video clip of highlights that begins with Heidi Klum walking down the runway in lingerie and giant sparkling angel wings.
You can find more highlights from the show here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Victoria Secret also has backstage highlights here.
Pac-Man is now retro and hip enough to be a fashion inspiration. The above images were Pac-Man inspired outfits from fashion designer Giles Deacon's Spring/Summer 2009 collection. They were shown on the runway in London. The runway even had yellow dots referencing the power pellets Pac-Man gobbles up in the game so he can eat the ghosts. You can see images of the runway here and here.
In addition to the more obvious Pac-Man inspiration Giles' collection also included some sheath dresses. More images from Deacon's Pac-Man inspired line can be found here, here, here and here.
In the 1990s, Christian Francis Roth was a hot young designer who the critics raved about. His collections were fresh and unique, but his business failed to make money. Now, ten years later, he's attempting his big comeback. It's a fascinating story -- we love the new collection. Take a look:
Carmen Marc Valvo really shines with his party dresses. From his Spring 2009 collection we especially liked his silver sequined, full-length evening sheath dress, and his silk gowns that featured a woven look. Take a look:
Red carpet favorite Badgley Mischka showed lots of pastels ladies who lunch suits and day wear, but where the designing duo really shine is in the evening wear department. We liked the violet evening gown and there was one in yellow for those that can pull that color off (it's hard to do). We also liked the black ballgown, with burnout velvet and a net skirt overlay. The black lace cocktail skirt would be a very practical buy for the holiday season. Take a look:
Zac Posen's Spring 2009 collection was full of yummy, pale ice cream sherbet colors: pale yellow, beige, and pink. The dresses were fitted at the top, with fully, ruffled, swingy skirts. He accessorized with giant, chandelier earrings and necklaces, giving the collection an upscale gypsy vibe. The dresses are pretty and feminine, and looks like they'd be fun to wear. Take a look:
Lebanese American designer Reem Acra is known for her stunning bridal and evening wear and her use of fine embroidery and beading. Her Spring 2009 collection has those gorgeous details, and some conservative silk dresses in bright colors for going to luncheons or afternoon weddings. We especially liked the sleeveless sequined v-neck sweaters and the red carpet worthy fuchsia gown with a train. Take a look:
Anna Sui showed a youthful, fun and colorful collection with lots of swingy dresses and skirts. The models were actually smiling, which was kind of jarring. They looked happy to be wearing the clothing, which has to be some kind of first. Keep an eye out for the gold boots. You'll know them when you see them. Oh, and we give in. It looks like harem pants are totally happening this spring. They've popped up in collection after collection. There's just no escaping them. But we're certainly going to try.
Vivienne Tam turned up the color a notch, presenting a bright-hued array of lovely dresses, with a few neutrals thrown in. Fuchsia, red and purple ruled the day, although she also showed some lovely black evening wear, as well. So many of the collections featured one standout bright red cocktail dress: it's clearly the party dress trend for spring. Vivienne Tam's clothing has gorgeous details and a just a hint of whimsy. This collection should sell well.
Michael Kors' Spring 2009 collection was sophisticated and very wearable. This is not wild couture -- this is true ready to wear that is actually ready to wear. He showed lots of cobalt blue (one of our favorite colors), black and white. He also had some splashes of red and yellow. It's an upbeat, "I'm on vacation in the South of France" vibe about it. And who doesn't like that? We'll take one of each.
We have been fans of Carolina Herrera for a long time: her look is always polished, elegant and powerful. Carolina knows how flatter the female form. Her full-length gowns are perfect for that special occasion where you want to project grace and style. Take a look:
Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2009 Collection Enchants
We just adore Monique Lhuillier. Her Spring 2009 collection is just gorgeous. We want almost the entire collection. Her evening gowns are form-fitting yet flowing. They are elegant, feminine and fabulous. And we do love those giant-sleeved silk charmeuse blouses with a tight pencil skirt. Take a look:
It's the time of year when one's thoughts turn to evening gowns, whether it's for a wedding, a fabulous party or a prom to remember. Zac Posen showed some of the most gorgeous gowns, such as the pink satin drapeau gown, pictured here. His colllection has some lovely pastel gowns, but if you feel that you simply must have black he has those too. And they're stunning.
Some designers are pulling out of on New York Fashion Week but that's not the case for 
It's the time of year when one's thoughts turn to evening gowns, whether it's for a wedding, a fabulous party or a prom to remember. 
