Paris Fashion Week
The French capital is open to U.S designers for this year's Fashion Week in Paris. Hollywood A-list designers such as Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati and Lanvin by Alber Elbaz will unveil their collections.
On Friday Chanel will show their collection at the Grand Palais. Christian Lacroix and Britain's Alexander McQueen will have shows at other venues, and on Saturday Brits Phoebe Philo for Chloe, John Galliano and a Frenchman Jean-Paul Gaultier for Hermes will show their collections. The highlight is likely to be Louis Vuitton's party on Sunday to launch its new store on the Champs-Elysees.
Despite the fact that costs of fashion shows are high; there is nothing more direct or effective as the catwalks. During Fashion Week designers parade their creations before fashion editors and retail buyers. The main directive of the show is to make the clothes as irresistible as possible, but everything-from the invitations to the seating, lighting and sound- must reflect on the designer and brand.
After Fashion Weeks in New York, Milan and Fashion Week in Paris still going, we can say what's going to be big for spring/summer 2006. The Bohemian trend is going to continue, with a strong emphasis on the Eastern European gypsy look. Fashion designers show a lot of interest in feminine styles, small prints and sleek, neutral accessories, natural fabric variations and embroidery adding visual interest. Minimalism will continue through spring/summer 2006. Key colours will include blues from turquoise to cobalt to indigo, and deep, rich reds.
On Friday Chanel will show their collection at the Grand Palais. Christian Lacroix and Britain's Alexander McQueen will have shows at other venues, and on Saturday Brits Phoebe Philo for Chloe, John Galliano and a Frenchman Jean-Paul Gaultier for Hermes will show their collections. The highlight is likely to be Louis Vuitton's party on Sunday to launch its new store on the Champs-Elysees.
Despite the fact that costs of fashion shows are high; there is nothing more direct or effective as the catwalks. During Fashion Week designers parade their creations before fashion editors and retail buyers. The main directive of the show is to make the clothes as irresistible as possible, but everything-from the invitations to the seating, lighting and sound- must reflect on the designer and brand.
After Fashion Weeks in New York, Milan and Fashion Week in Paris still going, we can say what's going to be big for spring/summer 2006. The Bohemian trend is going to continue, with a strong emphasis on the Eastern European gypsy look. Fashion designers show a lot of interest in feminine styles, small prints and sleek, neutral accessories, natural fabric variations and embroidery adding visual interest. Minimalism will continue through spring/summer 2006. Key colours will include blues from turquoise to cobalt to indigo, and deep, rich reds.
London Fashion Week
Fashion, frolics, fake eyelashes and flashing flesh. London fashion week is here... and so too, are the parites. Win tickets to the Kaiz boutique Valentine's Day bash.
It's that time of year again%u2026 the women of London don their finest, primp, preen and set out on a night of glamour, cocktails and "daaahling - I just love your look". The heels are on, the talons are polished and the lashes are widened in permanent doe-eyed seduction. The London Fashion Week is approaching.
The show will open with a performance from hot Latin dance duo Natalie Baltao & Frank Santos. Dance off those mini sausages, I dare you! Punters will then preview one off fashion pieces in a catwalk show from a selection of London's top designers. Get those glad rags on - there's no excuse for last season shockers this time around troops.
The highlight of the night is sure to be a performance from UK Soul Sensation - Nayla. An interview with the songbird herself will grace the 020.com site soon. Watch this space%u2026
If nothing else, there's bound to be a host of celebrity models. Wear your highest heels in order to rub shoulders with some of the hottest movers and shakers in the industry. The celebrations will then continue with an after party of fun, frolics and fashion.
It's that time of year again%u2026 the women of London don their finest, primp, preen and set out on a night of glamour, cocktails and "daaahling - I just love your look". The heels are on, the talons are polished and the lashes are widened in permanent doe-eyed seduction. The London Fashion Week is approaching.
The show will open with a performance from hot Latin dance duo Natalie Baltao & Frank Santos. Dance off those mini sausages, I dare you! Punters will then preview one off fashion pieces in a catwalk show from a selection of London's top designers. Get those glad rags on - there's no excuse for last season shockers this time around troops.
The highlight of the night is sure to be a performance from UK Soul Sensation - Nayla. An interview with the songbird herself will grace the 020.com site soon. Watch this space%u2026
If nothing else, there's bound to be a host of celebrity models. Wear your highest heels in order to rub shoulders with some of the hottest movers and shakers in the industry. The celebrations will then continue with an after party of fun, frolics and fashion.
New York Fashion Week
American designers are having their moment in the spotlight at New York Fashion Week and, in the process, they're building a bigger base of fans.
Steven Kolb, executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, said Thursday that he's heard from buyers at the chicest European stores that they're increasingly looking to the U.S. for new talent. Derek Lam, for example, is one of the best-selling lines at London's Harvey Nichols, according to Kolb.
"Today's designers are talented and they're marketers. That's part of the excitement about American fashion - it's part of the enthusiasm. And the established designers really want to nurture the young designer. That's very American," he said.
"American fashion is alive and well," agreed Style.com's Executive Fashion Director Candy Pratts Price, noting that so far this month her Web site has had some 9 million visitors. "New York is looking strong this season. There's long, there's short, there's clothes to grab and go. They reflect the modern way of dressing."
Fashion Week was set to wrap up Friday with shows by Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, among other designers.
Milan Fashion Week
Strength, glamour, modernity, and sophistication were the recurring words uttered during Milan Fashion Week. And even though you wondered after a while whether models and critics were simply throwing around and repeating words, it was clear that thematic changes were at play. The girl-like, frivolous look of spring had evolved into a more somber, darkly sophisticated one, with designers showing this shift in varying degrees.
Ever the intellectual, Miuccia Prada said that she's tired of being sweet. "We women should go back to strength - and the sober side. Stop trying to appeal to everyone, and go out into the world." Monotonic clothes drawn from a dark palette, some with fur trimmings and animal prints graced the runways. Sweaters and jackets tended to engulf the wearer, and layering was a key look. Corseted tops and conical bra shapes didn't suggest sexiness as much it did a rough edginess. Devoid of trimmings, the collection was hard, firm, and authoritative, suggesting that the world these women are going out into is one that requires them to be that way.
Over at Gucci, the romantic summer look had given way to a sophisticated, glam-rock one. To the David Bowie like made-up eyes to clothes that were bright, flashy, extremely short or extremely long, and with necklines to down there, the Gucci girl went out to the world just as confident and commanding as the Prada girl. But she's also one that wants to have fun, and of course she won't be easily placated.
Steven Kolb, executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, said Thursday that he's heard from buyers at the chicest European stores that they're increasingly looking to the U.S. for new talent. Derek Lam, for example, is one of the best-selling lines at London's Harvey Nichols, according to Kolb.
"Today's designers are talented and they're marketers. That's part of the excitement about American fashion - it's part of the enthusiasm. And the established designers really want to nurture the young designer. That's very American," he said.
"American fashion is alive and well," agreed Style.com's Executive Fashion Director Candy Pratts Price, noting that so far this month her Web site has had some 9 million visitors. "New York is looking strong this season. There's long, there's short, there's clothes to grab and go. They reflect the modern way of dressing."
Fashion Week was set to wrap up Friday with shows by Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, among other designers.
Milan Fashion Week
Strength, glamour, modernity, and sophistication were the recurring words uttered during Milan Fashion Week. And even though you wondered after a while whether models and critics were simply throwing around and repeating words, it was clear that thematic changes were at play. The girl-like, frivolous look of spring had evolved into a more somber, darkly sophisticated one, with designers showing this shift in varying degrees.
Ever the intellectual, Miuccia Prada said that she's tired of being sweet. "We women should go back to strength - and the sober side. Stop trying to appeal to everyone, and go out into the world." Monotonic clothes drawn from a dark palette, some with fur trimmings and animal prints graced the runways. Sweaters and jackets tended to engulf the wearer, and layering was a key look. Corseted tops and conical bra shapes didn't suggest sexiness as much it did a rough edginess. Devoid of trimmings, the collection was hard, firm, and authoritative, suggesting that the world these women are going out into is one that requires them to be that way.
Over at Gucci, the romantic summer look had given way to a sophisticated, glam-rock one. To the David Bowie like made-up eyes to clothes that were bright, flashy, extremely short or extremely long, and with necklines to down there, the Gucci girl went out to the world just as confident and commanding as the Prada girl. But she's also one that wants to have fun, and of course she won't be easily placated.