No sooner had everyone applauded Ralph Lauren for his U.S. Olympic team uniforms, a backlash against him begun after ABC News uncovered that the label manufactured all of the uniforms in China. Senator Harry Reid went as far as to say that people should 'put them in a big pile and burn them,' but the big question is whether the criticism is warranted.
While the move wasn't necessary the best one, as the Times notes, this isn't something new. Ralph Lauren moved most of their manufacturing to China back in 2008 and most fashion brands have followed suit but not much has been said about that. Why is it then that the only we're only sensitive about the 'China' issue when it comes to the Olympics and the patriotism surrounding it?
As Stella McCartney explained this morning to myself and a group of journalists, 'China has the monopoly on lower-priced range products full stop, so you can have that conversation with any high street brand,' and it's true.
The young breed of designers in New York are working hard and successfully expanding their businesses but don't be fooled, the established designers aren't relaxing. Giorgio Armani has spoken out recently about keeping busy with his empire, Valentino Garavani has been busy working with the New York Ballet despite retiring in 2007 and you can add Ralph Lauren to that list.
The 72 year-old told WWD that he took home a whopping $36.3 million last year and like Armani, confirmed that he has no intention of stepping down from his label any time soon.
According to the title, Lauren has signed a new contract that will see him continue as chairman and cheif executive officer of Ralph Lauren until 2017, and that's not all. Not content with his existing salary, the new contract also outlines that he'll get a 40 per cent salary increase taking his income from $1.25 million to $1.75 million a year.
This week marked 100 days to the start of the 2012 Olympics so naturally, more images are emerging of the various costumes for the different national teams. The latest sketches come from Ralph Lauren who released these images of the the closing outfits for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic team.
Rather than going for full on colour, Lauren went with an all-white style and combined the red and blue on belts instead. 'Ralph Lauren takes great pride in understanding our U.S. athletes and creating a sense of patriotism through clothing,' Peter Zeytoonjian, managing director of consumer products and licensing for the U.S. Olympic Committee, told WWD.
Along with Thakoon, Alexander Wang and Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu is amongst a crop of the Asian-American designers really dominating in New York right now. While brands like Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren have tapped into Asian references and sensibilities, this is something that all but Wu have refrained from exploring. Talking to Vancouver-based magazine, Montecristo, he said that he felt like his fall 2012 collection was the perfect time to embrace his roots.
'I suppose this hasn’t really been done before—an Asian designer tapping into the Asian side,' he told the magazine. 'Usually, culturally, we stay away from it … I feel like I’m at a place where I’m maturing not just as a designer, but as a person, to embark on inspirations that hit close to home.' But rather than going down the literal route, Wu has praised for showing the signature references but in a contemporary way. 'I almost wanted to poke fun at it a little bit by interpreting it through stereotypes … but also by incorporating all of that in a way that is elegant and powerful at the same time.'
Jennifer Lawrence is having a moment. From the first premiere of her new movie 'Hunger Games' earlier on this week it quickly became apparent that the actress is the new fashion darling much in the way that Blake Lively has been since her role in 'Gossip Girl'. Just in case you didn't realise her new golden girl status, the 21 year-old wore this stunning one-of-a-kind Ralph Lauren creation. The crocodile-skin printed design reportedly took over 800s hours of hand beading to create the effect.
Emmy Rossum went all twenties on us yesterday. The actress wore teamed this sequin Ralph Lauren dress with old school Hollywood glamour hair and make-up to attend the premiere reception of 'Shameless' in Los Angeles.
Angelina Jolie was the lady in black yesterday as she attended the New York premiere of 'In The Land of Blood and Honey'.The actress teamed this simple Joseph top with a matching silk black Ralph Lauren top and Cole Haan shoes.
Street style favourite Joanna Hilman is used to having all eyes on her so it was business as usual at the Harper's Bazaar editor's wedding day earlier this month to businessman Aram Green. Hilman chose this slip dress from the Rochas archive along with a pair of silver Ralph Lauren heels for the ceremony and changed into a black Dolce & Gabbana dress for the after party.
Oprah Winfrey sure knows how to throw a party. On Wednesday she hosted a huge event for an evening with Ralph Lauren at New York's Lincoln Centre and as you would expect, the guest list reads like a whose who of the entertainment and fashion industry.
Guests include Diane von Furstenberg, Jessica Alba, Naomi Watts, Uma Thurman and Prabal Gurung. The best looks of the night came from Kerry Washington who looked beautiful in a black gown with gold halter neck detail and 20s hair and Camilla Belle in a figure hugging black gown with sheer detail along the neckline.
