Milan Top male models play with make up!

I am actually not sure why I am blogging about this video. Honestly, it made me laugh! It was just fun to watch the different expressions on each model. Filmed during casting sessions for the fall 2012 menswear shows in Milan, the video was for models.com. The models were asked to be shirtless and had bright colored powder and gooey liquids thrown on them. I’m not sure what the idea behind it is but I think it was meant to be sensual. Enjoy ladies!

Directed by Luca Finotti
Music by Stylophonic
Photography & Slow Motion by IRTA SRL
Assistant Director: Marco Crema
Styling: Manuel Campagna
Hair & Make up: Nancy Gallardo
Production Assistant: Giovanni Beda Folco
Film Editing: Finotti Studio

Models in order of appearance:
- Simone Nobili
- Leebo Freeman
- Samuele Visentin
- Diego Fragoso
- Ryan Barrett
- Jamie Wise
- James Smith
- Andrea Preti
- Sebastian Sauvé
- Jeremy Wardlaw
- Patrick O’Donnell
- Lowell Tautchin
- River Viiperi
- Jonathan Marquez
- Bradley Soileau
- Julian Schratter
- Jonathan and Kevin Ferreira de Sampaio
- Milo Spijkers

 

Spring surprise: Emilio Pucci RTW Spring 2012

I am not a particular fan but Emilio Pucci’s Spring 2012 collection just threw me off! The collection was very Emilio Pucci with its committed prints, however, Creative Director, Peter Dundas tweeked the Pucci impression here and there successfully surprising the audience. The main inspiration was stated to be Brigitte Bardot in the Seventies; also clear nods given to Christian Lacroix.

Brigitte Bardot

A 70's portrait

Unlike most fashion shows where all the silhouettes are on similar lines with a few exceptions, Emilio Pucci RTW Spring 2012 broke all rules. Every piece being a show stopper by itself, it was very hard to see a consistency in the silhouettes as well as designs. I have still attempted to figure it out.

Two noticeable appearances of goths and bride came to be. There were pieces in complete white almost giving a mystical feel as well as complete black goth dresses and frocks with accents of lace work. The in between pieces communicated a very different bohemian feel with flowy styles and bold motif prints.

What really caught my eye was the cross on most of the model’s necks. Also, if the prints are noticed more closely they showed Indian motifs as well as Roman/Greek  geometric patterns. I loved the varied inspirations reflected in details. A streak of naughtiness in plunging necklines and exposed lingerie made the looks almost aspirational.

The graceful parade of Christian gypsies, gothic beauties and angelic brides was definitely a successful  surprise for the New year.

A thought on Fashion Advertising…

To start with, I interned at Ogilvy and Mather, Bangalore, India and this is what inspired me to write a blog on what my views on fashion advertising are. The internship was an amazing experience and I was exposed to many new worlds of advertising.

If fashion was a person, most would believe it to be intimidating, shallow and not philosophically mature. Sadly, this is the image. Fashion advertising does not have to be deep or political or even right. What we need to establish is a middle route.

What fashion advertisement needs is more concept advertisements. (Allen Solly by Ogilvy, Bangalore is a nice example actually!). The concept it needs to create a mood, a person who you can relate to, see yourself as or want to be. Thus, making you want to dress the same. Or like Diesel’s Be stupid campaign, a cult can be started. A movement, a thought, a culture that you can only feel part of if you are a consumer of that brand. Any communication form including advertisements can be most successful if they can evoke emotions of any sort. Emotion is what registers in the memory.

Allen Solly Ads by Ogilvy and Mather

'I hate Ugly' - Campaign by Ogilvy for Allen Solly

Research is important. As I was studying the past print and TVC ads in the fashion industry that have been launched in the recent years, I realised that middle route is missing. The ads were either all about luxury, sex, opulence etc only provoking greed and aspirational desires. Fashion is a lot more realistic than this. Its the thought you carry in your outfits. Its the originality or the inborn instincts. Its personality. Sometimes its not all you. A little bit of mannequin dressing, a little bit of friends influence, a pinch of that pretty girl or that cool dude. Fashion is the materialistic part of the different roles we play in our lives. The charming CEO of a company, the cocktail party animal, the coffee shop best friend, the mysterious girlfriend, the play hard to get boyfriend.

Charlize Theron-Jadore

Of course, this has been achieved by many fashion brands, but there is no stability in it. At one point they do a beautiful concept Ad and the next one is as materialistic and is as in your face as it can get, where it is nothing more than the product and a really good-looking model with it (or in it)! But I guess as long as you find yourself drooling over it and have the urge to reach into your pocket and buy it as soon as possible, its a success. The problem with such ads is that there are now so many brands with so many worth-drooling-over products that the advertisement would never register. Take Vogue magazine for example. While your flipping through the ad filled pages, when do you actually stop at a page for a slightly longer period? If all the ads have a model lying on a opulent couch with really good shoes, you would either drool over all of them and end up being broke over every design you bought or you would not really notice any of them. How does an Ad stand out? By it’s concept is strong along with brilliant execution. If an Ad can make you think. If it can have the most odd elements in it and still come across as appealing. All this speaks more about the brand, making you notice it and remember it for being out of the ordinary. Fashion Ads need to capture this uniqueness and translate it. It needs to be crazy and beautiful. It needs to have the necessary and the unnecessary. It needs to show thought, not just materialism and greed and luxury. Or if that is what the brand identifies itself with, it needs to do it in a  manipulative way. It needs to convert the ‘want’ into a ‘need’, when in reality it is only a want.

Louis Vuitton-madonna-fall-2009-2010

Advertising is an industry that will never run out of scope or opportunity in the future. It will only grow! (Unless it reaches a saturation point or something.) As long as any kind of business exists, advertising will exist to promote it. Fashion Advertising, especially for luxury brands is the work of the devil. All it needs is an angel’s disguise!

THE STUDENT’S STUDIO

Designers of every kind, designers of tomorrow

It was on my way that I found out that the word ‘atelier’ meant studio in French, and all of a sudden I did not know what to expect. However, the minute I stepped in I realized why its called that.

The ceiling had an unfinished cement feel with suspended spot lights that flooded the store, not harshly but gave the store a pleasant lighting. Frankly, it looked like a studio. The exclusivity of the store was very well communicated, not just with its well-done ambience but also with its proudly high priced merchandise. The walls were decorated with beautiful paintings. There were also many beautiful fabrics, one particularly studded with glass stones on its black background.

“The store was initially inspired from ‘The Collect’ in Paris,” said Serita, the art director of the store.  The white wall and furniture really brought out the art merchandise created by only students and alumni. The Atelier showcases AAU’s fashion, interiors, art, and jewelry giving space to all departments of the University.

All in all it was simple but elegant, very spacious and very attractive. The Atelier, is a great platform for students and alumni of the school to display their talents with absolutely no compromise.

RUNWAY CAR CRASH

Images of a horrifying car crash displayed in Hussein Chalayan’s collection made sure that the audience experienced one.  With a back set of smashed wine glasses and the runway flooded with hand-painted crushed car prints, we would think Hussein Chalayan made his take on drunken driving quite clear.

However, it was not exactly about this. “It’s about the speed in our lives and how it can only result in a crash”, Chalayan explained.

Obviously someone’s not in a hurry but would anyone want to flaunt such a horrifying moment on their body?

The prints of number plates, car handles and fenders were pictures actually taken of car graves.  The short mini-dresses with those airbrushed car-paint prints did not erase from the mind easily, making one feel the beautiful Chiffon grey prints must have been the smoke.

There were others. A chic black one-shouldered dress as well as white and blue striped T-shirt dresses. However, the car-crash designs just took over the mind and threw us off our seats.

The world is full of inspirations but a car crash? We all know Fashion is a form of expression, but this accident will never be forgotten.

‘Russian Illusionist’ by Manish Arora

At Paris Fashion Week  A/W 2011 collection, Manish Arora, the new Creative Director of Paco Robanne, redefined abstract art in fashion AND had a magic show awaiting his audience!

The ‘Russian Illusionist’ is the fashion magician, performing extraordinary tricks using models for the Paris Pret-e-Porter show. Manish Arora introduced creative entertainment in his catwalk by having a magical performance, the first to ever do so. It definitely enhanced and expressed his inspiration for the designs. The long black cape glided on the stage of the rustic garage performing appearing and disappearing acts.

Manish Arora has always been the only one of his kind. His inspiration for the A/W 2011 collection was the magic dolls of the german artist, Annie Hoffstater. The artists way of life and belief in theatrical arts all contributed to Manish Arora’s ingenious collection. His garments fitted the theme well. Silk, velvet, satin and the various multi-colors took one;s mind back to the childhood memory of a magic show. Pearl embellishments and crystals gave the clothes all the mystical feel they needed. Detailed embroidered jackets as well as sophisticated gowns in purple and gold made one feel royal. Patch-work and sequins were also used abundantly.

The ‘Russian Illusionist’ however was the best part of the show. I mean why wouldn’t it be? We all love fashion shows but a catwalk with a magic performance! Brilliant!

For more pictures of the collection visit: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/galleries/TMG8359708/Manish-Arora-autumnwinter-2011-at-Paris-Fashion-Week-in-pictures.html

Inspiring Interiors: A review on Anthropologie

Anthropologie at Union Square, San Francisco

‘Anthropology’ means the study of human, ecology and evolution and no one communicates this better than the brand Anthropologie. Its unique visual merchandizing interior design of the store in San Francisco made my feet stop as I was passing by. The store was mentioned several times, but I had not seen it for myself. The theme was inspiring and different from anything else on that street (which basically included H&M and Forever 21).

The brand’s merchandise is characteristic of French and European influence and so are the interiors.The minute you walk in, you feel sophisticated and have to control yourself from faking a British accent! (I would fake a French one if I knew how!) The store takes inspiration from the brand name. The rustic wooden walls and shelves and the intriguing organization of merchandise only leads the passerby in and does not allow him to stop until he sees the entire store. Of course, the very high priced merchandise that includes women’s wear, household articles as well as antiques might not be as attractive as the store. The window displays of the store are brilliant yet simple and are constantly changed.

The artistic feel in the store definitely matches the brand personality.The yellow lighting which made you forget the bright daylight outside. The colors in the store were not too many. The wood basically becomes most noticeable and the interiors just have off-whites and creams along with the wood, making the merchandize the focal points. However, their installations can be distracting. The theme and inspiration along with the brand has made possible for Anthropologie to create a niche I have never quite seen before.

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Hermes Paris: Latest Window Display!

Hermes Paris unveils another fantastic display for Spring 2011.

Leila Menchari, Hermes Window Design Director could be voted the best in the world and no I am not exaggerating. When I first saw her work, I was in shocked! Her spring 2011 window display for the brand’s flagship store in Paris truly shows the wonders you can create even with such limited space.

For those of you who do not know, Hermes International or Hermes is a french fashion house that specializes in leather, ready-to-wear, lifestyle accessories, perfumery and other high end luxury goods.

Leila Menchari communicates the brand excellently through her displays showing her deep understanding of the luxury mindset. Her themes are characteristic of opulence and elegance. The window displays give the most expensive handbags the glory and attention they deserve.

Her latest display for Spring 2011 was debuted a few days back on facebook. This window display in particular though was different in style as compared to her previous works. The mechanical horse (also in the logo of the brand) gives an unfinished yet finished industrial feel which complements and draws attention to the clean lines of their handbags. The reflective steel walls set the tone for the metallic and patterned texture of the suitcases.

This display is a much cleaner, elegant presentation with not too much happening, a welcome change I think. However, some of her works can take your breath away!

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Academy of Art Graduation Fashion Show, San Francisco

May 7th, 2011

Its the end of the year graduation time for all fashion colleges, which means its runway time! The Academy of Art University (AAU) runway show had all the excitement it deserved. As I waited in line to get in and catch the best seat, I could feel butterflies in my stomach. The venue had a full house of fashion school students. The show was to take place again the same evening at 7pm for VIPs who included Cathy Horyn, the fashion critic of the New York Times and Nathalie Rykiel, the president and the artistic director of Sonia Rykiel.

The fashion show definitely showed new talent and I watched the models walk down the runway I was unconsciously picking out my favorites and there were many. The designs showed the willingness to experiment with new materials, prints, textures and cuts. There were a lot of good surprises and by the hooting and applause of the fellow student crowd, I knew which ones were going to be imprinted in our minds.

Here are the ones that definitely need mentioning:

Lauren Haut (Fashion Designer) and Darrin George (Textile Designer): This collection’s texture really grabbed my attention. The lime green and grey color balance made me fall in love with the combination almost immediately. The texture reminded me of snake skin. Silhouettes included high waist skirts and exaggerated jackets.

Juhyum Park really confused me with a style that looked like a trouser from the front and a long skirt from the back. I must admit I liked the confusion!

The collection by Brittany Burggraff (Fashion Designer) and Wendy Tam (Textile designer) was most remarkable. These extravagant, voluminous frilled frocks in amazing prints, sheers and pastel shades just made me think of sugar, spice and everything nice!

I will always wonder what inspired Drew Williams to incorporate the new material into the designs. The silhouettes looked like they were made of jelly! I got the slimy, wriggly feel as I was trying to figure what it exactly was. All of a sudden my mind ended up in a gadget’s accessory store. Yes, the clothes reminded me of protective covers that we get for our phones and laptops. Not really wearable but definitely unique.

Designer Dong Zhong achieved the impossible by combining grey scale polka dots with leopard print accessories (shoes)!

Cynthia Tran and Kassie Moody took graphic prints to another level with their perfect A-line silhouettes also incorporating origami giving the garments a third dimension.

For all those in love with fashion and everything that comes with it this was a show worth watching. Cheers to Academy of Arts University!

New Talent: Craig Lawrence

The young London based designer’s main source of inspiration comes from his childhood in Ipswich. His collections show nostalgia felt in Great Britain’s towns by the sea.

Craig Lawrence specializes in knitwear. His approach to knitting is different as well as drastic with the his use of unconventional materials. A graduate from Central St. Martin’s, Craig Lawrence’s career really took off when famous icon Gareth Pugh started dressing in his work. His London Fashion Week debut collection for Autumn/Winter 2009 was one of his biggest achievements.

He also collaborated with Levi’s as Levi’s Original, Cassette Playa label, Musician Patrick Wolf and Alexander Mcqueen’s McQ internet campaign.

Actress Tilda Swinton featuring his designs made the limited edition cover of AnOther Magazine. Craig Lawrence is also one of Lady Gaga’s favorite designer.

Inspired by artist and designer Andrey Bartenev and photographer Martin Parr, Craig is proving to be the next big name in the industry. His style is characterized by volume, fluff and shiny knits. The designer is known for using a metallic foil wrapped yarn from Japan in a lot of his work.

His main themes for this year’s recent A/W collection for London Fashion Week was The moon Twilight, Madness in the sky and Darker side.