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Black En Vogue

The banter continues concerning the much buzzed about Italian Vogue all-black issue. Wall Street Journal reporter Elva Ramirez, weighed in on the lack of models of color in fashion and if the ressuragance of black models was IN indefinitley or just another fad in the fickle world of fashion in today's article, Race on the Runway.

An interesting quote from Italian Vogue editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani saying the all-black issue was inspired by the Barack Obama mania that is occuring in America and throughout the world...

"If America is ready for Obama, why won't they be ready for black models?" - Franca Sozzani

3.1. Phillip Lim Comes Home

Phillip Lim opened his latest retail outpost in West Hollywood in June. The native Angeleno states the 5,000 square-foot boutique feels "like a sort of homecoming." With retail outposts in New York and Tokyo, Lim captures the style appetite of the modern young woman with his intellectual sexy designs that has expanded to include accessories, mens and children's wear. And still, Lim continues on...

3.1 Phillip Lim Los Angeles, 631 North Robertson Boulevard. For more information, go to www.31philliplim.com.

   

Couture A Go-Go

It's that time again! June has slipped away and July now greets us with her warmth. Besides marking the halfway point of the summer and my birthday month (Ahh, 30 here I come!). In the world of fashion, July signals that start of the Haute Couture shows in Paris. And what a start...

Nip & Tuck

John Galliano at Christian Dior brought the glamour with a mix of conservative chic and interludes of peek-a-boo flesh. Galliano revisited the Dior's New Look from the fifties, bringing forth the hourglass silhouette via nipped waists, swingy circle skirts, and oversize coats. S-E-X was there with wispy sheer skirts, and corset gowns with full-body netting. Ooh La La!

   

Pant-ful Delights

Armani Privé can be summed up in one word- pantsuits. Expertly tailored jackets and ankle bottoms were the winning uniform Armani championed for couture. The collection was hardly a one-note affair, but rather a conveyor of awe-inspiring pantsuits that perfectly eliminate the masculine quotient to a finely structured feminine ideal. Structured jackets in luxe fabrics with draped lapels, commanding shoulders and bow-closed fronts were paired with contrasting trousers. Bows were seen throughout- perched on the shoulder of a silk sheath dress; oversize bow ties flirting with the notion of proportion; and commanding attention as accoutrement on waists. For evening, the pantsuits took backstage and a dizzying display of sumptuous gowns of beaded chiffon was all woman.   

Orchid Delights

Anne Valerie Hash is a rare specimen on the couture circuit. A female couturier is an anomaly in the rarified world of couture, but Ms. Hash has the creative aptitude to play with the boys. This season, Hash's inspiration was culled from the forms of orchids which vaguely translated into three-dimensional folds of fabric bursting like the structure of an orchid in sculptural silk dresses and a puffed pleated satin jacket with matching ruffed ankle trousers. Hash shined when she focused on wearable couture that flowed with the female form, rather than against it.

 

Reporter Jessica Michault from the International Herald Tribune goes backstage to interview the designer on her Fall 2008 Couture collection and the advantage of being a woman designing for women. Watch the video below.

The New School

Alexis Mabille is a whiff of fresh air- new to the Paris scene; this is his second couture season. Mabille completely shelves the rarefied, bourgeois pretense of couture in favor of- shall I dare say- a youthful, edgy flava. This being so, the clothes are still immaculately tailored befitting the label of couture. For the ladies, Mabille showed breezy black satin dresses, slim pantsuits that were oh so chic, easy shift dresses, and charming mini-length evening concoctions with whimsical details. Men's suits were playful with abbreviated jackets that almost looked like the wearer was wearing his little brother's, mixed with lean or full pleat-front trousers. Mabille has lit the match of a youth explosion in Haute Couture.     - Laina Whitney Faber

 

Christie's New York Vintage Couture Sale

Got some spare change? Don't worry, its not frivolous when spent on fashion- especially designer vintage fashion. Today, Christie's New York kicks off its début sale of vintage couture and accessories. The sale includes a special tribute to Yves Saint Laurent offering seven exquisite jewelery and clothing items from the French designer's career. The sale also includes items from Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Gianni Versace, Balenciaga, Courrèges, and a Hermès alligator mini Kelly bag.

YSL designed Christian Dior dress from Fall/Winter 1958 (estimated selling price $1,000-1,500)

photo: courtesy of Christie's

Montblanc Salutes 46664

Montblanc has partnered with Mandela's 46664 foundation as the worldwide retail sales partner for the exclusive Mandela 46664 Bangles. The bangles are made with South African precious metals of Platinum ($15,900), 24ct gold ($7,800), 18ct gold ($6,500), and silver ($235) come in two different sizes and are hand finished by skilled African craftsmen who have been infected or affected by HIV or Aids. The limited-edition bangles are individually numbered and are engraved with Nelson Mandela's historic prison number while imprisoned on Robben Island.

The launch of the first edition 46664 Bangle was held at Montblanc's London Bond Street boutique. The event was hosted by Lutz Bethge, CEO Of Montblanc International. The 46664 bangle is available at Montblanc boutiques on Bond Street in London, Madison Avenue in New York, and Champs-Elysées in Paris and online at www.bangles.46664.com. All proceeds will go directly  to the Mandela Foundation and 4664 charity, which supports those with Aids and HIV throughout Africa.

On The Scene

Danny K, Lee-Ann Leibenburg And Kurt Darren attend the launch of the first edition of the 46664 Bangle held at London's Montblanc Bond Street boutique. The event was hosted by the CEO Of Montblanc International, Lutz Bethge and marked the official sale of the 46664 Bangle at select Montblanc boutiques around the world.

Welsh singing sensation Katherine Jenkins shows off her 24carat 46664 bracelet

South African actress Lee-Ann Liebenberg.

Naomi Campbell, wearing Montblanc Coeur A Coeur necklace and earrings, with CEO of Montblanc International, Lutz Bethge.

photos: (party photos) Marcus Dawes. 46664 bracelet courtesy of Montblanc.

A Dose of Humor From George Carlin...

"Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster that you is a maniac." - George Carlin  (1937- 2008)

Barack Obama in Rolling Stones

Barack Obama is on the cover of July's Rolling Stone magazine. The democratic presidential candidate speaks with R.S. editor-in-chief, Jann Wenner about his musical tastes (Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, to Jay-Z), the youth vote, and his presidential aspirations. If music was the measure of man, Obama's too hip to be square.

New York Scents

Bond No. 9 is back with a second "ambi-sexual" olfactory collaboration with The Warhol Foundation. The iconic pop artist famously noted, "My favorite smell is the first smell of spring in New York." Who other than, Bond No. 9, the foremost perfume purveyor exclusively created to "make scents of New York" by marking every NYC neighborhood with a scent of its own.

New York was Warhol's oyster with Union Square as the headquarters for his art studio- so the success of  the Bond No. 9's  Andy Warhol Union Square makes perfect scents. The scent is a warm, seductive green floral that transcends Union Square's cool vibe and the Greenmarket's fresh flowers enveloped by the muse of Warhol's 1960s shock-pop colored silk-screen prints from his Flower series.

The sculpted flacons are embossed with Warhol's psychedelic flower prints available in 100 ml ($195) and 50ml ($135). For the serious collector, the Portfolio ($1500) of ten different bottles houses the complete Flower series collection available at Bond No. 9’s four New York boutiques, www.bondno9.com, 877.273.3369, and at Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide.

Wimbledon 2008 Week In Review

Week one of Wimbledon 2008 was full of drama and surprise upsets with early exits for tennis' top-seeded talents. Maria Sharapova débuted her latest outfit from her Nike Sharapova Wimbledon White/Gold collection, a tuxedo-inspired sleeveless top and woven shorts during her first round victory. After her win, Sharapova was asked five questions about her match with Frenchwoman Stephanie Foretz, versus thirteen questions about her outfit. Style wise, Sharapova's outfit was game point. Unfortunately in the second-round the buzz of her custom-designed sport threads proved to be her fashionable demise. Sharapova was ousted in the second round by fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva who credited Sharapova's outfit as the prime motivation for her win. "I don't like her outfit. Can I put it this way? It was one of the motivations to beat her," stated Kudryavtseva.

Defending champ Venus Williams, who earlier in the week celebrated the début of her coffee table book, advances to the fourth round after she defeated Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez on Saturday. Williams broke record books with a 129 mph serve- the fastest serve ever recorded by a women in Wimbeldon's history. For her on-court attire, Venus opted for a halter tennis dress and sneakers available from her EleVen sports line.

Serena Williams entered the court in style. Sporting a white trench coat that was chic enough for play off the court and underneath a dainty tennis dress with a flounce skirt. Clearly, Ms. Williams is a style leader who takes risks on the green as she sets out on her "ultimate goal" to win her third Wimbledon championship. Judging from her outfit, Serena means business. Williams is set to play fellow American Bethanie Mattek on Monday.

Not long ago Mattek's (left) tennis skills were upstaged by her widely miscalculated flashy outfits. Her style on the court has included a leopard-print tank top and shorts that revealed some serious cleavage at the U.S. Open in 2007; a metallic gold dress with matching headband; and a tube top with skimpy gym shorts paired with knee-high soccer socks at Wimbledon that drew gasps from the crown and upstaged fashion-experimenter Serena Williams. Mattek seems to have tired of the flash- presenting a new classier image for her third Wimbledon appearance. When asked why the sudden change of style, Mattek responded, "I really wanted to have my tennis come through. That's why I've kind of toned down some of my outfits for this tournament. I get players coming up to me and they're all disappointed in me. I'm like, Guys! You know, it's still something I like to do. I still have a bunch of outfits. I have a clothing sponsor now. You know, it's just for right now I'm focusing on my tennis."

   

Bethanie Mattek's fashion (mis) takes: (clockwise from top) Mattek gives the ballboy a view of cleavage at the Wimbledon 2007; old-school style at Wimbledon; a low plunging metallic gold dress.

The men are traditionally more straight-laced when it comes to fashion than the women- although they do not disappoint when it comes to athletic eye-candy. But a few, such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal know how to have a little fun on the green. Federer opted for a preppy look, entering the court in a buttoned cardigan and snappy shorts. Nadal is the bad boy of tennis, reminiscent of young Andre Agassi. On the court, sixth-seed Andy Roddick "pretty much choked it" in his second-round defeat to Janko Tipsarevic. James Blake the ninth-seed was dismissed by Germany's Rainer Schuettler. Top-seed and defending Wimbeldon champ Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (French Open winner since 2005) live to play another day on England's grass-court classic.

- Laina Whitney Faber

Kings of the court: (clockwise) Roger Federer goes for the preppy look; Rafael Nadal bad-boy attire; James Blake (l) and Andy Roddick opt for classic appeal.

Mandela At 90

Nelson Mandela, an international beacon for freedom and equality celebrated his 90th birthday with an all-star celebration concert and private dinner in London. Stars aligned to pay tribute to Mandela and support his HIV/AIDS charity "46664", named after his prison number. Will Smith hosted the birthday celebration concert with nearly 50,000 fans at London's Hyde Park on Friday. Top acts included Queen, Amy Winehouse, Simple Minds, Annie Lennox, Leona Lewis and Razorlight.

Nelson Mandela briefly addressed the "46664" concert goers after they had sung him "Happy Birthday" with a message of passing the torch of freedom to a younger generation:  "Twenty years ago, London hosted a historic concert which called for our freedom. Your voices carried across the water and inspired us in our prison cells far away. As we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete. Where there is poverty and sickness, including AIDS, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done.  Our work is for freedom for all ... We say tonight, after nearly 90 years of life, it is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now, I thank you."

Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith work the audience at Mandela's birthday concert benefiting his HIV/AIDS charity "46664".

   

Annie Lenox sings a duet with a youth choir.

Amy Whinehouse (l) and Leona Lewis (r) heat up the stage.

Mandela kicked off a week full of festivities with a star-studded private dinner-party for a slew of more than 500 celebrities and politicians in London's Hyde Park benefiting his 46664 charity. The HIV and AIDS charity is named after Mandela's prison number and his moniker during his 27-year incarceration at Robben Island prison during the apartheid struggle in South Africa. Mandela, South Africa's first black president, officially retired from politics nine years ago, his birthday falls on July 18.

Oprah Winfrey and British billionaire businessman Richard Branson attend the dinner party.

British Formula One race car driver Lewis Hamilton and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls). Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Leona Lewis and Naomi Campbell.

 

Denzel Washington work the crowd with his wife, Pauletta,

Uma Thurman and her newly-minted finance Arpad Busson.

Forest Whittaker and wife Keisha.

Safety Chic

Karl Lagerfeld has the uncanny knack of making anything look chic. While the versatile designer has famously stirred many creative pots, add to the list of outside duties, a stint as a safety model. Chez Lagerfeld has been chosen by France's road safety chiefs as the new face of the their latest campaign promoting drivers to wear light-reflecting clothing when traveling at night.

The tagline reads: "It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't go with anything, but it could save your life" as Lagerfeld is utterly fashionable in dark glasses, suit, bow-tie and gloves to go along with the reflective yellow vest. With his trend-making appeal (fingerless gloves, heavy chrome jewelry, and slim suits) Lagerfeld may have fashionista's adding the utilitarian safety vest on their gotta have lists.

-LWF

Posh Wear

Spice Girl, fashion muse, and all-around glamour puss Victoria Beckham is hip to the style game by now. So it's no surprise Beckham is adding to her dVb denim, eyewear, and fragrance line a full fledge ready-to-wear collection. The collection, which has yet to be named will début at New York Fashion Week in September. Beckham is sparing no expense, in keeping with her stage moniker Posh Spice, the results are set to live up to her luxe life and style with glamour dresses starting at $1,200 retail. "I'm going to be using very expensive fabrics and finishes, lots of embroideries," hints Beckham.

photo: Getty

Life On Venus

Tennis extraordinaire Venus Williams is making moves off the court and in front of the camera. Williams is the star subject of South African photographer Koto Bolofo. Bolofo spotted Williams in London's Covent Garden four years ago and was instantly smitten. Bolofo wanted to capture the four-time Wimbeldon champ and six-time Grand Slam winner outside of the muscle-bound athletic stereotype- but as a woman with grace and elegance. The result is a photo-journal chronicling the life and times of the sports star globe-trotting on and off the court for three years with stops in Paris, Istanbul, London to New York. The book showcases Williams in black-&-white photos frolicking on the court in a couture gown- titled simply, Venus Williams by Koto Bolofo ($60), available exclusively at Ralph Lauren's London retail post on New Bond Street.