While we're used to seeing Karl Lagerfeld and his team transform the Grand Palais in Paris for spectacular catwalk shows, we can't wait to see what team Sonia Rykiel and H&M pull out, as they transform the magical setting into a 'fantasy Paris'. The Grand Palais will be morphed into a fairytale in time for the launch of Sonia Rykiel pour H&M on the 1st of December, and will even include a spectacular 25-30 metre Eiffel Tower and oversized poodles and rabbits, enhancing the fairytale, movie-like experience of the launch. We can't wait to see the final outcome - now all we need is a Prince Charming to sweep us off our feet and take us by horse and carriage to Paris, come December.
Last week we reported that the stunning 20-year-old super model, Daul Kim, was discovered hanged in her Paris apartment. Later, it emerged that the Paris prosecutor's office ruled her death as a probable suicide, sadly making her the ninth South Korean celebrity to commit suicide this year.
However, it seems additional details of Kim's death are still surfacing. This Monday, French weekly magazine, Paris Match, revealed that sources involved with the investigation said the Seoul-born model left a suicide note. Furthermore, French daily newspaper, Le Parisien, has reported that “multiple sources” have said Kim's father, a Samsung Executive, does not believe she took her own life.
Last week, many read – and reported on – Kim’s blog, speculating that she felt depressed and pressured over the stresses of high fashion modeling. Kim’s blog has now been blocked from public view in an attempt to dampen interest. However, it is clear that blogging was an important part of Kim and was a means to see her life as she wanted it to be understood.
In sad news, it has just been confirmed that model Daul Kim was found dead this morning in Paris. In a statement, her agency Next said: "She was a top model and a great friend to all of us at Next. Please respect her family’s privacy at this time of sadness. We will all miss her very much."
Although the cause of death has not been revealed, many are already specualting that it was suicide.
She will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this sad time.
So we'll admit it, we're addicted to social networking just like the next good fashionista. We can't help but follow our favourite designers on Twitter, and upload all of last night's fabulous soiree photos onto Facebook. Then came the nightlife inspired Gucci Eyeweb site, and now Burberry are making social networking the height of fashion, with Art Of The Trench.
It was party time for the likes of Carine Roitfeld, Sidney Toledane and Virginie Ledoyen as John Galliano arrived fashionably late to his timepiece launch party, welcomed by a warm reception of cheers and applause. Galliano revealed that the collection - launched at his Paris flagship store - had been inspired by old pocket watches that he had collected from around the world, whilst joking that he is 'always on time, like the Queen of England'.
In Paris on Sunday, the house of Emanuel Ungaro revealed the first collection designed by Estrella Archs under the artistic advisement of 23-year-old American actress, Lindsay Lohan. Judging from some harsh reviews, it seems the fashion world’s initial doubts, and even amusement, surrounding Lindsay's appointment have been justified; red glittery heart-shaped nipple pasties for a distinguished French fashion house, need we say any more?
The collection, in which Lindsay has imposed a clear sense of tackiness, was deemed "an embarrassment" by WWD, who said it looked "cheesy and dated" with an "overworked" heart motif. The Times, who hung out with Lindsay in the Ungaro office, reported: “The day before the show, Ms. Lohan was staring at herself in a mirror in Ungaro’s grand offices on the Avenue Montaigne, a stone’s throw from the ateliers of Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and other famous French labels. She picked up a black and white scarf and tied it around her head, then replaced it with a black one, and then clumsily stuck a red sequin-covered heart to the side of her head while a team of designers watched her. ‘This is just so cool,’ Ms. Lohan said, turning her attention to a white mini dress splattered with sequins. ‘It needs more rhinestones, just so it pops.’ Off to the seamstress it went. Pointing to another white dress, she said: ‘I call it Michelle Pfeifer in Scarface. I was just in my office sketching for next season. I was here until, like, one o’clock last night.’”
The fashion scene has been rife with rumours of Richard Nicoll becoming the new designer for Cerruti, and tomorrow it is to be officially confirmed. Nicoll will continue to work on his own label, whilst working in Paris for Cerruti for two to three days a week, and has announced that he is "really pleased" at getting the position. His signature style had been recognised by insiders on Cerruti's pre-collection designs, sprouting the rumours last week that the London-based Australian designer would be working for the Italian brand - which will be made public tomorrow when Nicoll starts his first official day in the office. With Nicoll already working on the AW10 collections in time for February, we're very excited to see the results.
Because I've been showing in Milan and Paris for so long, there's a generation that don't know me as a London designer, but that's what I am and I want people to know. I'm so excited to be coming home.
Converse, has risen even higher in the cool stakes as a result of a forthcoming collaboration with Rei Kawakubo, also known as the genius behind the super brand that is Comme de Garcons.
Fresh on the heels of the designer's 'Black' collection which launched in Dover Street Market last month, the Converse collection, named 'Play for Converse', will consist of two styles of high tops and two low-cut designs. The pieces will be available in white on black and vice versa and will see each pair sporting the 'Play' heart logo. Retailing at £60 each, the collection will hit the shops later this month and will be available in stores in London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Paris and New York.
