Courtney Love turns fashion blogger [WWD]
Lakshmi Menon talks skin colour and modelling [Guardian]
Nicolas Ghesquiere is, officially, a Superstar [WWD]
FlowerbyKenzo goes eco-friendly [BlackBook]
The highs and lows of Miami Swim Fashion Week [The Cut]
Image via Style.com
To Jean Paul Gaultier - whose Target collection launches today - globalism should be taken literally. The theme-loving designer mixed countries side by side on the catwalk, with label signatures like trenchcoats, cone bras and pinstriped pieces combined with Masai necklaces, a babushka and a tough leather jacket. Colours wildly spanned the rainbow, and each style had a thrown-together quality that might reflect the dreams of a world traveler.
Taken individually, Gaultier offered wearable, saleable pieces - like the bustier dress worn by house favourite Coco Rocha. Joining her on the runway were the likes of Sasha P, Lakshmi Menon, Tao Okamoto and Rose Cordero, plus a healthy cast that made this the most diverse show in Paris. And really, isn't that what multiculturalism is all about?
It's official. Erin Wasson cannot do any wrong. Want proof? After only producing two collections for RVCA, Wasson's gone from presenting a small static presentation for the brand to showing at one of Byrant Park's biggest venues for her third season. Still not convinced about the power of Miss Wasson? While we're all still salivating over her rock and grunge chic looks from A/W 09/10, Wasson has already moved on with her latest collection.
This season Chanel Iman, Eniko Mihalik, Laksmi Menon and Freja Beha all sashayed down the runway with a deep tan (think Dsquared2) and bed head hair. Jeans were low slung and mini dresses appeared in abundance showing the models washboard abs and killer legs. If the term 'washboard' doesn't spring to mind when you look down at your stomach, don't panic. Towards the end of the show Wasson presented oversized slouch tops, most notably one that had 'Keep It Neil' sprawled across the front styled with last season's leather trousers that will thankfully hide a multitude of sins.
Liu Wen's Marie Claire China covers
Times are changing in fashion and I'm not simply talking about the new A/W 09/10 catwalk trends. The last year or so has seen the fashion industry slowly welcome South and East Asian models into the fashion fold. From once being unthinkable to imagine Asian models on the runway, today their presence is felt and embraced on the catwalk from New York to Paris and London to Milan.
Rihanna and Derek Lam; Lakshmi Menon
It was a fashion milestone on Wednesday, when Derek Lam celebrated the opening of his first-ever store. Anna Wintour, a pack of models and Brian Atwood were all on-hand to congratulate the designer in New York, but Rihanna caused the biggest paparazzi swarm. "For Derek, I don't mind," she told Style.com.
From left: Chloe, Miu Miu
Yes,I still have the Brian Atwood shoot on the brain. But independently, nude colours for a variety of skin tones were all over the runways this season. Whether in a voluminous suit at Etro or chic 40s styles at Elie Saab, muted textiles balanced out the blinding 80s overkill. Perhaps the understated shades feel more appropriate in a weak economy? The great thing about most of these pieces is that if you do (shudder) feel like going back to The Bad Decade, you can pop a basic look with one neon piece, a handbag or an accessory. Then you look more Chriz Benz than questionable flashback.
