Gareth Pugh's designs have always been strong and aggressive and he's clothes are unapologetically him, whether they are commercially viable or not. Contrary what critics may have said in the past, it's an attitude that's served him well as this show marked his fourth season showing in Paris; a big deal by anyone's standards.
It felt like Pugh had that milestone in mind when designing this collection, as it saw him introduce new elements and offer something unexpected. That came from the romantic flamenco-inspired dresses that informed the hemlines on dresses and details across the chests of dresses. Even the make-up was a lot less harsh, with models appearing with what looked like red tears on their faces. But let's not get too carried away with ourselves. It is a Gareth Pugh show after all so it wasn't all femininity. The structured leather pieces that he showed were exquisite and interestingly some of the most wearable pieces that we've seen from him.
Carine Roitfeld by Mario Sorrenti for the campaign
Carine Roitfeld without her signature black eyeliner and bold brow is like Nicki Minaj without one of those bright coloured wigs that she insists on wearing. For all you who have tried to recreate her looks over the years, I come baring good news. Finally a make-up giant has decided to tap into Roitfeld's look and collaborate with her on a line of cosmetics.
Naturally, the company behind the line is MAC. When it comes to make-up collaborations, it doesn't get much better than them. Over the past few years they've teamed up with everyone from Gareth Pugh to Minaj on hugely successful ranges and Roitfeld is the perfect addition to their line-up. According to WWD the line is set to hit stores this winter and as you would expect, eyes and brows are the focus points. The former Vogue Paris editor was allegedly involved in the whole creative process from packaging to product names and shades and the shot above is the campaign image which was lensed by Mario Sorrenti.
Katie Shillingford married her longtime partner Alex Dromgoole in my old stomping ground, Eltham Palace in South East London on Friday. The Dazed & Confused editor called on long time collaborator Gareth Pugh to design her dress and fellow Dazed and Another editor Karen Langley served as a bridesmaid wearing a knitwear dress by Craig Lawrence. For the reception, the stylist changed into a gold dress from Pugh's Fall 2011 collection.
Rather than opting for an obvious choice, in true Shillingford form she came up with something different and refreshing. This is exactly what we were expecting (but disappointingly didn't get) from Kate Moss
The Kardashians aren't the only ones that are launching a nail polish line. This week Giles Deacon let slip to Grazia that he is abut to launch into the world of nail lacquers too. So what can we expect? ,”You’re getting a good cross-section – not too classic, but quite fashion, and definitely things you’re going to get noticed with,” he told the magazine.
Talking about designers venturing into the world of beauty, anticipation continues to build in the run up to the release of Gareth Pugh's collaboration with MAC. This week the cosmetics giant hosted a party for the designer preparing for the big November release. Although both parties have been tight lipped about the collection, Pugh did reveal some minor details to Fashionista at the event. “If I was going to do something with MAC I wanted it to be something special, and quite specific,” he explained. “The collection is very all-encompassing and versatile. It has the scope to go to the extreme with it. You can really play around with it. I’d rather people do that than copy what we’ve done for the ad images.”
If you as a fashion designer, you do shows but you don’t sell, it kind of becomes a bit of a vanity project. You know that’s kind of how I started and that’s how I got going but kind of a more mature point of view it needs to obviously translate into things that sell and that’s a new challenge for me. The two need each other, business and creativity. It’s a weird mix but you need to have that balance, I think, now. Or I need to have that balance now, so I’ve made my peace with that
For the last 7 years M.A.C Cosmetics have supported British designer Gareth Pugh backstage, so it should come as no surprise that they are moving their partnership off the runway and into a store near you by collaborating on a new makeup line due for worldwide release in November.
Ahead of the launch M.A.C will be throwing a cocktail party in New York City next month to celebrate the union. The collection will include multiple products and accessories in special packaging.. What remains to be seen is whether the range will consist of Pugh's favorite palette of Black, White and Grey as seen on his clothes and the makeup of his Spring 2010 'Goddess From The Grave' show or will it feature the blues and metallics from his AW 11- 12 show.
Last year Gareth Pugh was tipped as succeedingAlexander McQueen and taking over the helm at Thierry Mugler - both rumours have of course been false. Contrary to these reports, the designer recently revealed that he's never been offered a position at any of the big houses but he's not completely rulling it out.
After months of speculation, yesterday it was announced that British stylist Nicola Formichetti has been appointed creative director of Thierry Mugler. The news doesn't come as a surprise. In June we revealed that a source close to the stylist confirmed to Hint magazine that Formichetti had already bagged the job, despite rumours that Gareth Pugh had taken the role.
Also appointed are Sébastien Peigné for womenswear and Romain Kremer for womenswear. “We were looking for a young talent who could really bring new energy to the brand,” said Joël Palix, president of Clarins Fragrance Group and director general of the Mugler company. “Nicola is a multicultural, techno-savvy expert involved in fashion, communication, image and entertainment,” he added.
Formichetti - who is currently the fashion director of Vogue Hommes Japan and contributing editor for magazines such as Another - expressed his excitement about his new role to WWD. “Thierry Mugler is about the power of glamour and walking straight into the future,” he said. “He’s been a god for successive generations in the fashion industry. My approach is personal and always very eclectic. I’d like to find new ways for a luxury brand such as Thierry Mugler to excite people.”
