If there's anyone that I look forward to spot at the shows, it's Nickelson Wooster. Earlier on this year he was sadly sacked from his role as men's fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus but today there's good news. After doing some freelance work for Thom Browne and Gilt Group, Wooster has landed himself a full-time gig as the new creative director at the menswear division of JCPenney.
While most are happy to see Wooster in another big role, his appointment at JCPenny has been met with a mixed response. I must say, the move does come as quite the surprise. Some say that the hiring was tactical on the company's part to make sure that they remain in the headlines for hiring openly gay Wooster, especially after the controversy that ensued with Ellen DeGeneres appointment as their spokesperson. More likely is the theory that the company hired him to help with their credibility. After all, Wooster is as well known for having a great eye in his professional capacity as he is with his own sartorial choices.
The launch of Tom Ford's new cosmetics line could never be a mediocre affair. Just in case you were not already convinced of the designer's pulling power, WWD confirmed that Bergdorf Goodman were inundated with sales of the new line at the opening. According to sources, the private launch, attended by Ford, resulted in $52,000 worth of cosmetics sales and one of the first items to sell out what the chocolate-brown nail lacquer, Bitter Bitch.
We're already fans of Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960 fashion collection and now the designer is adding bags to the line. Set to release this fall, the collection will feature 14 pieces including a red crocodile-skin effect clutch priced at $150 to taupe hobo coming in at $625.
So why now? “Handbags have always been a part of the equation since we first launched the House of Harlow 1960 brand,” she told WWD. “We just needed to make sure all of the components were aligned before setting foot into that category. The collection is quite small in terms of the styles we are launching with. I wanted to make sure that each piece is special and then be able to grow it slowly and organically season after season.” The collection showcases Richie's 70s-inspired style and ranges from evening pieces to everyday fail safe items.
This year has been a great one for Rachel Zoe. Back in March she gave birth to first child, Skyler and in January her debut collection went down a storm in New York despite the controversial aftermath.
Next month expect to see Zoe's collection sitting alongside the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang in leading department stores everywhere. As we reported, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Intermix, Selfridges, Nordstrom, Kirna Zabete and Shopbob.com have all bought the line. “It was this dream that I never thought would be reality because I was petrified — I was," she recently explained. "I feel so complete now becoming a designer and having my son. I’m that happiest that I’ve ever been in my life.”
Patrick Robinson isn't the only person getting fired at the moment. After much speculation it has been confirmed that men's fashion director at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, Nickelson Wooster, has been sacked.
A spokesperson confirmed the disappointing news but have refrained to substantiate on the issue. As sad as the news is, we're sure he will be snapped out in another prominent role soon.
The past two months have been a good start to the year for Rachel Zoe. Aside from being heavily pregnant with her first child, last month the stylist showcased her first full collection in New York - which has since been picked up by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Despite the good reviews of the collection, Zoe hit the headlines after Teen Vogue's fashion news director Jane Keltner de Valle drew attention to the uncanny resemblance between one of Zoe's black and white vintage-style dress and a very similar version that she styled in the magazine back in 2007. When asked about the controversy, Zoe was quick to downplay the issue, saying: "I've been subconsciously building this collection in my mind for a long time. There are a million vintage pieces that have inspired me, and every other designer in the world."
It's true when the say that DKNY is the polar opposite from Donna Karan's mainline. Where the contemporary sister brand showed fun, playful colours and prints yesterday, the designer stuck to a muted colour palette of varying degrees of sandy tones today. Models looked like goddesses dipped in pure gold with flawless skin and bronzed eyes courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury. “This is very, very clear vision that is all about one palette, which is a big statement for a designer to make,” Linda Fargo, the fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman, told the New York Times. “A lot of designers don’t have that sense of security in themselves to do this. Donna is a Zen master right now.”
The first look - featuring an intentionally crumpled jacket styled with a slinky dress with a high slit - set the tone for the rest of the collection introducing an interesting experimentation with contrasting textures. One minute models came down the runway in flesh tones on barely there floor length whimsical embellished dresses and the next, Karan showed jackets and coats in heavier fabrics with a crumpled undone feel to great effect. The theme of 'raw romance' was clear in the elegant movement on bias cut gowns and the beautifully draped floor length creations, which were ultimately the collection's strong point.
This week, Akris celebrated 15 years of collaborating with Steven Klein on their ad campaigns with an event held at Bergdorf Goodman.
At the event, Daphne Guinness, who is currently the face of the Fall 2010 campaign, confirmed that she has agreed to appear in the brand's S/S10 campaign, too. According to Fashionolgie, she shot the campaign with Klein this week.
