Proenza Schouler

I'm just sitting here, in my faculty's media center, waiting for my next class (Film History) to start. Only a few minutes ago I was visiting the promotor of my thesis to update him on the research I've been doing during the last week. So far so good, since I've finished the greatest part of my thesis, analyzed the movies I needed to see quite a few times and now the only thing left to do is to just write the results down. I already made a mental map out of what should be included or mentioned, and discussed it with my promotor and the thinks it's very good. And luckily our Easter break is coming up, so I'll be able to work really hard without any distractions, so that - hopefully- I'll be done by the end of those two weeks. By then I'll still have about 4 weeks to do the lay-out and bibliography of the piece. So thinks are looking good, I'm pleased.

Anyhow, this weekend there's a wedding my family and I have to attend and I'm still wondering what I should wear. I hate that grey, cold and dull weather outside, since it won't be cold enough for a layered look, nor will it be warm enough for a great spring dress. My mother suggested I wear my Proenza Schouler-dress.

Since the day I saw that look on the Runway a few years ago, I've been totally obsessed by it and the brand. And then a year later I spotted it! The purple one I always wanted! At a sale! In my size too! At first I said I was just going to try it on for the fun, to see how it looks... I should have known that I was going to buy it as soon as I saw how nice that floaty fabric looks, and how well purple works for me, and how versatile the dress is, and how it is fit for work or a party and what an investment it would be... you know, my usual excuses. In the store I wore a purple Givenchy belt with it, and stupid me, I didn't buy the belt since I was going to be spending enough money as it is. So I got the dress, only to find myself a week later in the store again, and this time to get me that Givenchy belt. Unfortunately someone else beat me and the belt was no more. So after a long and extensive search I found a blue Furla belt that goes perfectly with it, so now I'm all set...

The only thing is that I don't want to wear it to the wedding! It will be a walking dinner/party and I'm sure I'll mess the dress up. Or someone else will trip and pore wine all over me. Or some other dumb thing that always happens to your favorite outfits! So for now, no Proenza Schouler, and I'll keep it safely in its dust bag. Just were I left it, the day after I got it.

Number of times I stated that this is my favorite dress of all time: probably around a 1000 times by now
Number of times I actually wore it: zero.


Got to run to class now!

Prèt-à-Porter

As mentioned before, for my thesis on film and fashion I'm analyzing Robert Altman's Prèt-à-Porter. The film is a parody and satire on the fashion world, and ridicules the industry. The movie, set during Paris Fashion Week, sends out a quite stereotype and negative message that only greed, betrayal and shallow 'keeping up appearances' are of the greatest importance in the business.

And yet, never did I see a Hollywood picture in which so many 'real designers and models appeared; Jean Paul Gaultier, Gianfranco Ferré -back then working for Dior-, Sonia Rykiel, Christian Lacroix, Issey Miyake, Campbell, Schiffer, Christensen... And not to mention the designs by many other great fashion houses. It's a shame that I've left the DVD at home, but when I return for the weekend I'll put up a screen shot of the end credits, so you can discover which designs -by whom- were featured in this 'fashion film' yourself! This movie beats Sex and The City for sure.

But the 'communications scientist' in me can't help but wonder; why were these fashion icons so happy to work on this project, if it puts the industry in bad daylight? Is bad publicity better than no publicity?

For anyone who loves fashion, this movie is a must!



Don't let this boring trailer mislead you, the film is much more fun...
And the title chosen for this movie is genius, Ready To Wear, when all designs presented are totally unwearable.

edit: And according to literature, Karl Lagerfeld was so furious that one of Altman's characters portrayed the french designer of chanel as a 'thief' that he called in the German juridical system and had the movie banned from German cinema's. But the picture does however feature quite some product placement by the house of Chanel. Curious and curiouser...

Christian Louboutin

One of my favorite fashion related sites is Fashionair.com, so I check it on a daily basis. However, I had no idea that today their Christian Louboutin-film premiered, featuring the french designer himself. How I wish I could dance like that in my high heeled pair of Louboutin-shoes. They're comfortable alright, but I'm pretty sure I shouldn't try to do a little dance routine myself.






My Ron Ron's, only 10 cm high but killer heels for sure, in every sence of the word...

Funny Face

Today, I'm just doing some research on the film Funny Face, before I'm off to my promotor to discuss my thesis and have my Film History-course. That class is so interesting; just last week we learned about the German expressionism film (think: Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari)  So eerie, yet so cool.

Anyhow, I just came across this article on Audrey Hepburn's film, from 1957. And I love the colors in the pictures so much, that I just had to post them on my blog. (Full article in Life)

(source: link via Google Books)

Product Placement

Another weekend has passed and once again, I've spent it working on my thesis. Since I'm analyzing the use of product placement in 'fashion films', I have to check which brands I and my two 'assistants' (my sister and boyfriend) are featured in the four films I've selected for my research.

Remember when I did the same thing for Sex and the City?

Back then I spotted 25 different high end fashion brands. My sister did the same thing two weeks ago, and got 23 brands, while my boyfriend found 17, if I can figure out his hand writing correctly. Chanel got a leading role in the movie since it was featured the most amongst the brands.

Yesterday, my boyfriend helped me out with The Devil Wears Prada. And Patricia Field and the producers did a great job on this one. Just by recognizing bags, boxes, and labels in the back drop, or listening to which designers and fashion houses the characters are talking about we've found a whole list of fashion brands; Although he claimes he doesn't have a good eye for these sort of 'where-is-wolford?' and other brand recognition-games, my boyfriend spotted 30 different brands. My list on the other hand featured 32 labels. Once again Chanel was the big winner, although Prada is mentioned in the title and gets the spotlight.

I'm planning to do the same thing for Confessions of a Shopaholic, Funny Face and Prêt-à-Porter, which should be interesting since the two latter are more of a parody on the fashion world. Furthermore, I'm going to analyze the four films on what message they send out; a Hollywood dream world or rather "don't sell your soul for shoes and bags"?

Either way, although the high amount of brands featured in these films might be irritating for the viewer, they don't disrupt the film experience, nor are they perceived as payed advertisement. Since the main story is set in the fashion world, it is only natural that the characters talk constantly about their favorite fashion label or that bags and recognizable must-haves are lying around in the background? And that all of the scenes take place in luxurious fashion stores and fashion salons? The fashion film is the natural habitat of product placement, and this without giving the crowd the feeling that they're watching a commercial...

Think again, this scene bothered me the most...

Film influences fashion

So for the last past days, I've been going through literature on how elements from the film industry can influence the fashion world. And I've found quite a few. For instance, a film star or character can start up a trend easily, like the Louise Brooks-look or the Letty Lynton-dress.

But aside from influencing the public, film has cast a spell over some fashion designers as well. Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano, they both have a thing for Hollywood movies and film stars, hence their many collections inspired by the industry's golden age... (see: JPG haute couture 2009 & Galliano's Fall 2005)

Alexander McQueen, also a film-enthousiast, based some of his creations and fashion shows on Hitchcock's work or movies like The Shining and They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Also, after watching a Harry Potter-movie, the designer incorporated the chess segment in his 2005 spectacle, where the models functioned as pawns.



And the fashion business is catching up on the film world really quickly, with Burberry being the first fashion brand to broadcast their entire fashion show in 3D globally, only weeks after Avatar premiered.

Lille

Last weekend was so busy.

Aside from working on my thesis and catching up with our families, my boyfriend, my sister and I went to see Alice in Wonderland. Maybe I expected too much out of it, but I didn't like it at all. The 3D-effects had no added value, and the story was quite boring. Plus, I missed that whole Tim Burton-vibe. So sad, 'cause I had high hopes for this one.

The following day my boyfriend's band had to play near the Flemish/French border, which gave us the opportunity to head to Lille for a shopping afternoon. We'd been there a few times and we've always loved this little town. It has many of the great luxury brands, a Printemps and the Galleries Lafayette. But the brand that surprised us the most was The Kooples. Belmodo.tv had mentioned their love for the brand, and when I saw the real deal, I couldn't agree more. Great basics with a rock and roll edge for him and her. And the brand's mission statement to dress trendy couples, seduced both my boyfriend and me. We each left the store with our new favorite fashion items. The following day, I already wore my new tulip-skirt to his dad's birthday party, and I think it would look great with my Alexander McQueen skull-shirt as well.

And planning a trip back in a few months, I really need those Marc Jacobs and Repetto-flats I spotted at the Printemps!

Alexander McQueen

Today, the presentation of Alexander McQueen's last collection took place. I think these luxurious and magical designs look fit for Victorian queens and princesses. And it immediately reminded me of his Fall/Winter 2008-line. The prints, the folds, the richness of the dresses, I love it all. And that mix between the gold and red fabrics have a ancient Roman general feel too it, although I find the last white/light grey dresses more medieval.

More images on this exclusive collection and presentation through Grazia. And the Telegraph wrote a nice review, as well as Style.com.

Edit: FAQs by Grazia. 

Chanel

There already were rumors that Chanel's decor for the Fall/Winter-show of 2010 featured a gigantic iceberg. The polar bear-drawing on the invitations must have had something to do with it.

I just found the first video of the fashion show, and it looks -again- too cool, literally. I love the two-toned shoes vs. the all white outfits, and how the scenery and set blends in with the designs perfectly. And the puddle of water the models walked in... Did Lagerfeld find inspiration in global warming or the past winter cold? If I would have some of those looks hanging in my closet, I wouldn't mind if winter lasted a little longer...

Apparently, Mr. Lagerfeld only used faux-fur for this collection. So very polar bear-proof. 
The one thing that was real on the other hand, was the glacial 
centerpiece, real snow and ice imported from Sweden!

Photo: Getty Images

Alice in Wonderland

Today, all students of the History of Narrative Film-class had to attend the screening of a German film (1926).
Luckily, it was a silent film, since I have a headache that's been killing me for days, and a matching sore throat.

But luckily, I felt a bit better when I spotted the first Alice in 
Wonderland-film made. This sets the mood for the Belgian 
premiere this wednesday.

Dior Music Video

Remember the Dior-song, by Marion Cotillard? The music video premieres tomorrow. 




And I can't help but wonder; 
is she wearing a Dior Homme-suit? 


Update: I just saw the complete video and she's also wearing a 
stunning red dress, just perfect.

The Fashion Show as a Spectacle

Her remark, my reply:

Edit: Business of Fashion's top 10 fashion films... 

Balmain

And if we win the lottery tonight, a Balmain-dress will be the first thing I buy... 

I fell in love with the purple pieces. So very rococo. 

Italian Fashion

Have you seen Roberto Cavalli's latest collection? I must admit, his clothes don't always fit my personal style; too much leopard prints and golden accents. Oh, but not this time. I think the whole collection looks stunning. And there is already one item I absolutely want and need: That cool, thin, silk scarf would just look to cool with a pair of jeans and that grey shirt I bought a month ago...

Oh and speaking about stylish Italians; have you seen the Jak & Jil-pictures took in Anna Dello Russo's apartment/closet? Stunning! I am in complete awe, also since she seems like such a nice person. Really. This is her packing up for Fashion Week.

Milan Fashion Week

I am not a fan of brown. The color just doesn't suit me. But I did however, just fell in love with Gucci's latest collection. The girls look so tailored and elegant. Fits in perfectly with the brands heritage. I can't wait till these clothes hit the stores, I'm sure I will be crying my eyes out, since brown just does not suit me/my skin tone...

My parents have always adored Italian fashion labels, so when my sister and I were younger we would always wear some very cool brands. I remember wearing some Versus-items, the second line of Versace, that was cancelled earlier. But now it has made a comeback, thanks to Christopher Kane. And what a comeback. Although I'm not a little girl anymore, I still go crazy when I see ballet-inspired skirts. Oh and purple/blue/red/black do go with my skin tone...

(source: Style.com)

Alexander McQueen

I was browsing the A la Mode-blog, since she commented on a blog post of mine, when I saw the pre-fall collection by Alexander McQueen. I had no idea the company had put the look book of this collection online, and that it went unnoticed. Or did I miss the articles in the press?

Despite the colorful dresses and pieces featured at the end of the look book, this collection has a very serious feel to it, I think...

Oh and The Style Crusader has put up a post on the tribute wall for the designer.

Such a nice gesture...

Cinema

I was wondering; Has anyone seen Tom Ford's movie yet? I wanted to see this film so badly, not only just because I have a thesis to write. But the day before the movie premiered in Belgium, I found out they are not showing it in the theaters near me. Such a shame.

(Image: Haper's Bazaar)

Some more bad news: The boy-cot against Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is still up, here in Belgium.

Prada Parfums

Prada is on a roll, fashion film-wise. The video is so cute and lovable. But then again, any campaign with Daria Werbowy in it, is.

And by the way, next to Terre d'Hermès, the 'Prada' perfume by Prada -the rechargeable one with hand-pump- is my absolute favorite! Too bad they finish up so fast.

Alexander McQueen

The day we all found out about his tragic death, I was doing some research for my thesis on fashion short films and the live streaming of shows. Although these aspects of the industry are quite new, that day one name kept popping up in literature; Alexander McQueen.

His innovative view on what a fashion show is and how it should evolve, has shaped and changed fashion. He was a story-teller, who saw the potential of film to get his vision and message across. I'm glad that I can somewhat honor him by mentioning his contribution to both industries in my thesis.

Alexander McQueen Interview from SHOWstudio on Vimeo.

Vogue Italia

First thing I do, when I arrive in Italy, is get myself a copy of the Italian Vogue. And although I was raised in Italian and went to an Italian/Ducth-school when I was younger, I sometime still have some issues understanding the whole magazine, and read it all fluently. Too many trendy words, I have never heard about here in Belgium.

My English on the other hand, is a-okay. So, great news for all of you who don't speak or understand Italian. The country's leading fashion magazine has relaunched their webpage in English. And the site looks very cool, with lots of pictures, an editor blog and a street style section...

And they have been busy over there. They've also put on a Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy-site.

Web Sales

2009 changed fashion history, when fashion brands invited you, the internet user, to their until now very exclusive incrowd-only fashion shows. The brands have discovered Web 2.0 and the social media. And when they started to stream their shows live, it seemed as if they are putting the press and networks present offside by giving the viewer at home the chance to witness it all live, and as it happens.

This season however, I get the impression they are trying to pull this off in another segment of the industry; the retailers. Both Burberry and Proenza Schouler launched a web shop, where some exclusive items of their newest collection, could be bought within limited time of the show. Apparently the Aviator-pieces are selling out very quickly. That Burberry is delivering the jackets within 8 weeks, just shows what a well-olied machine the brand is.

This all reminds me of what my professor was telling us yesterday, during our film history-course; How Hollywood started expanding and growing tremendously and at some point controlled the film productions, the film distribution and the exploitation of their own films, which they had to give back by court order.

Or maybe by now, my head is too focussed on searching impossible similarities between film and fashion. How I enjoy my thesis...

Either way, those are some amazing jackets. 'Add to shopping bag or put on wish list?'

Fashion's Night Out

So for my thesis, I also have to do some research on fashion documentaries. I'm guessing the whole purpose why big fashion names agree with it, is self-promotion, but I still have to investigate all that scientifically.

(Picture by me, at the 5th Ave. Fendi-store)

Too bad the project on Fashion's Night Out that CBS is planning, won't air until mid September, when the deadline of my thesis has passed for months. The documentary will, like The September Issue, give the viewers an inside-look into the production of this global fashion event.

Last year, my NYC-trip ended a day before Fashion's Night Out started. Too bad, 'cause apparently it was insane. Guest appearances by all of our favorite fashion stars and very cool must-haves. So hopefully, if I go back this year, we will stay until Friday the 10th of September. Save the date!

Oh, and I'm curious for this year's FNO's shirts. And how I wish that Belgium/Antwerp would take part and do something.

More news:

Agyness Deyn is now a model turned -as did Audrey Hepburn.

The short film to watch is Mean To Me.

Chanel Short Film

Remember the Scorsese/Chanel-collaboration, I told you about earlier?

According to Belmodo.tv and other prominent fashion news pages, the film the director shot in Brooklyn is Chanel's new perfume campaign. Since at least some parts of the commercial have been shot a while back, I hope it won't be too long before the ad airs.

But taken Martin Scorsese's oeuvre into account, I'm pretty sure it will be as good as my all-time favorite Chanel perfume campaign.

Shopping Spree

Thursday I received some very nice feedback regarding my exam results. And thus, I decided to go and celebrate. Celebrating to me almost equals to shopping. And so we headed off to Belgium's greatest shopping city Antwerp on Friday, and as always, it was totally worth it.

First, I spotted this Alexander McQueen skull shirt for men. I could not believe they hadn't all sold out immediately when the news got out. Now, as I mentioned before, I do wear men shirts, when it comes to McQueen -in size XS that is. But then I realized that I already have quite a few signature pieces by the designer. My boyfriend on the other hand, always bought his low-key designs, and now was risking to be left without an original skull shirt. So I decided to get him one, as a present.

After a delicious hot chocolate at Verso Café, my sister bought a new bag. I'm still so jealous, I can not get over it. Afterwards, I spotted some 'bling', at the Pinko-store. No way that I'm going to wear the logo-shirt that comes with it, but when it comes to brooches, I just have to have them. And this white 'Saint-Tropez' special edition version came with 3 pieces.

Oh and my sister saw the most amazing Nicolas Kirkwood-shoes, the ones she blogged about in October. True masterpiece indeed, too bad it comes with a matching price tag (€ 1100).

Since my boyfriend promised me a long time ago, saturday we went shopping in Brussels. I didn't see anything cool, so 'all I got' were the Chanel ballet flats I longed for, for a while now. Black leather, with a black patent point, easy to mix with my all-black wardrobe. I'm happy. We finished up with a great dinner at Cook & Book and his band's gig at the Belgian seaside.

Proenza Schouler

The first thing I did this morning, even before I made myself breakfast, was watch last night's Proenza Schouler-fashion show online. I was looking forward to this one for days, and as always, the long wait was worth it.

This fall/winter 2010 collection started off with a school girl-look. I love those plissé-skirts. I love those colored furs. But then more and more electric blue and greens started to appear on stage. The prints had that same cool feel as the ones in the Spring/Summer 2010-show. A winter version, perhaps. Below you can see the items I want to have hanging in my closet. But the last look I posted here, is my absolute favorite. What a cool dress. It reminds me of the origami-dresses by Proenza Schouler, still the absolute winner collectionwise by the duo, in my opinion!

(Photos: Marcio Madeira / FirstView.com)

Alexander McQueen's Future

PPR has just confirmed to continue the Alexander McQueen brand!

The chairman Francois Henri-Pinault stated: “You understand, the Alexander McQueen trademark will live on”.

I wonder what will happen to his upcoming Fall/Winter 2010-collection, since apparently it wasn't finished yet. But more importantly, who will dare to take over the position as creative designer? 'Cause we all know, Lee Alexander McQueen can't be replaced...

Update:

The show will go on, on March 9th and 10th, as a private 'salon'-event. And sales have increased with 1400% last week.

Hoods

Move over Alexander Wang, I just fell in love with Thakoon's latest collection.

I especially love the hooded looks. -Remember the ones by Balenciaga earlier?-

(Although, the white look on 00.55 seconds, looks somewhat like Balenciaga's spring/summer 2010-collection, no?)

Fashion Forecast

Whenever I see pictures of myself in the nineties, almost every time I ask myself: What were you thinking? Although I have a clear idea of which fashion must-haves I want to own in 15 years time, it is much harder to imagine what we will be wearing then.

But apparently designers in the 1930's had a clear view on fashion in the year 2000.

God save McQueen

Alexander McQueen dies

Apparently, British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen died. What a loss for the fashion world. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Alexander McQueen - Harper's Bazaar

Edit: When I wrote the message, only a few webpages reported this tragic news. So, at first I wasn't to sure if what was being stated was true. Alas, Mister Lee McQueen did pass away. He truly was the most innovative designer of this generation, fashion and technology wise.

Too bad some news networks, like the Daily Mail who had a very respectful report at first when I cited it above, have turned things into a media circus already.

May he find peace.