Last August Nicola Formichetti confirmed that he was preparing for the launch of his own line. While he said that he is committed to create 'a kind of brand that hasn't been seen before, something new for our generation,' nothing else was said about what we can expect from his independent design pursuit. That began to change this week.
The brand, named Formichetti and is likely to launch mid-2013, is all about incorporating modern technology into fashion, he told WWD. 'It’ll be very digitally oriented and high-tech,” he revealed. 'We’ve been working with the same fabrics, the same techniques for hundreds of years. That’s all great, but we need something new.' In Formichetti's world that means creating clothes charge your phone through the incorporation of solar panels.
With his last two collections at Mugler, Nicola Formichetti has put on a show. Whether it's Lady Gaga's links with the brand or Formichetti's own celebrity, the shows have undoubtedly always been a spectacle. This season felt different. Rather than focusing on what the soundtrack was or whether Gaga would walk in the show or sit front row, this season was all about the clothes.
Designers have really played with highlighting the female form this season and this is something that Mugler is known for so it was no surprise to see Formichetti explore the brand's feminine silhouette.The shoulders were dramatic, which emphasised the waist especially on the series of white peplum looks that opened the show.
Though it was clear that the designer was conscious of the past, the sci-fi space-age feeling created on the white looks felt modern and fresh. What was particularly interesting about this collection was his ability to have those dramatic pieces like the fringed white coats with fur sleeves whilst also being conscious of presenting looks that would sit easily on any shop floor.
While some complain about the overexposure of collections due to the the Internet, this is something that doesn't bother Nicola Formichetti. It's actually quite the opposite. As you'll recall, last season he embraced all things digital by releasing teaser images online hinting at what we can expect from the collection and live streamed it on the Mugler website and S/S12 is no different.
Ahead of his show on Thursday, Formichetti will be blogging about the collection live from the Mugler atelier in Paris. Expect videos, images and lots of teasers on the brand's Facebook and Twitter accounts too.
He's already one of the busiest men in the industry but Nicola Formichetti is already working on his next project. If recent reports are anything to go by, next up for the designer is his own line. Despite only taking the helm at Mugler last September, in a recent interview with MilkMade.com he revealed that his upcoming pop-up store in Manhattan next month will feature a "sneak preview" of his new line.
Despite working on independent pursuits, he made it clear that he is still committed to Mugler. "I want Mugler to become a digital global brand. I want to create a new kind of fashion brand, a new way of looking at fashion and take a step into digital communication," he explained. "A kind of brand that hasn't been seen before, something new for our next generation. We need to take fashion to the next level! Its needed right now. It's just a start…"
It's that time again. The Fall issue of ELLE Collections has finally hit newsstands. Although we say it is every season, the latest installement is definitely the best yet. Touching on the controversy that has dictated the fashion headlines over the last six months, editor Lorraine Candyintroduces the issue by assuring us that it's still, as it should be, all about the clothes.
As always the issue features images that capture the key most memorable moments from this season. Nicola Formichetti's first bow as creative director of Mugler accompanied by Lady Gaga appears, as does a shot capturing the moment snow fell from the ceiling in the breathtaking production by Burberry - all of which is mixed amongst the latest campaigns and regulars like the season's best invites and Tommy Ton's best street style shots from the shows.
Pictures aside, what I most look forward to are the special interviews and this issue was no different. Susie Bubble was brought on board to talk to Alexander Wang about everything from those scathing comments from Cathy Horyn to his plans for the future and in a candid interview with Nicola Formichetti, the stylist professed his love of all things social media, revealed all about his latest porn project (yes, you did read that correctly) and how he juggles his comepeting commitements. Avril Mair also sat down to talk to Victoria Beckham after the royal wedding in an interview ithat was refreshingly fashion based rather than the tendancies to focus on her 'celebrity'.
Last week Lady Gaga put items up for sale on Gilt Groupe in aid of the Robin Hood Foundation and the pieces are already going fast. Alongside bikinis, platform heels and concert tickets, Gaga also put up the white dress that she walked in for the Mugler show earlier this year.
Although Gilt Grouple have confirmed that the dress has been reserved several times since the sale began, it still remains available for a whopping $20,000. "It keeps popping in and out of people’s carts but no one has pulled the trigger yet."
There isn't really a limit to the Lady Gaga machine. The 'Born This Way' singer is currently on tour, is collaborating with long time stylist Nicola Formichetti on his work at Mugler and yesterday she revealed that she's secured another fashion gig.
The latest deal under her belt is a regular column in V magazine starting in the summer 2011 issue which is set to hit stores in May. The column is said to be a commentary on all things art, fashion and beauty.
Ever since it was announced that Nicola Formichetti would take the reigns at Mugler, we've all been anxiously waiting to see what he would do with the brand. Last month saw the stylist show a strong menswear collection with the help of longtime client, Lady Gaga, who served as the musical director of the show but menswear aside, it's always been about his debut womenswear line.
Yesterday the anticipation was in full force. Despite the facts that Paris Fashion Week is in full swing, the talk of the town (and Twitter too) was the Formichetti's debut which took place late last night. As expected, Lady Gaga did make an appearance - and a dramatic one at that. First, she appeared in a sheer all-black mini dress sporting long hair extensions but it was her second look - a white gown with a lampshade headpiece - that really stood out.
Something's telling us that we're going to be hearing a lot more about Mugler from now on. Nicola Formichetti and Lady Gaga are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Today the brand released a web-only film featuring the stylist's muse, Rico Zenest, with a remix of Lady Gaga's new song playing.
As soon as the film was released, it instantly crashed the Mugler website. "Scheiße. www.mugler.com has crashed due to major traffic, we are doing our best to get it through rehab. #monsterfashionattack," the singer tweeted. Both before and post-show Gaga has been supporting Formichetti's work at the brand and took to twitter to promote the line. "MUGLER PARIS SHOW begins in 2 hours," she said. "I am so excited my fashion bones are rattling. The garments + music are poetic intoxication."
Although she wasn't in attendance contrary to what was expected, she was quoted in the show's press release: "I love him, my friend the genius, my collaborator, more than any piece of clothing or closet I possess. But don't tell him I said that, he'll die. He picked them all out."
