Jazz age jewellery gets its swing back
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Celebrity, Fashion, Fashion Jewellery
Advancements in life most often come from building on the past, but fashion sometimes dictates that we just to try and re-create it.
Following the wild success of HBO drama Boardwalk Empire and a remake of The Great Gatsby currently headed for cinemas, old-fashioned class is back in style. The jewellery world has quickly caught on to this trend with a number of vintage inspired designs beginning to emerge.
Small memorabilia worn as jewellery, silver fob chains, medallions and sovereign holders are becoming fashionable again as modern consumers seek to emulate the glamour and flare that rose out of the Roaring Twenties.
A number of jewellers have already caught the wave of this latest trend, with antique jewellery specialist Ann Koh saying she had noticed a clear growth in interest in everything old, even with the young.
“There has been enormous interest,” Koh said. “I sell a lot of vintage and antique rings to girls becoming engaged. There’s a group in the population, both young and old, that would never wear pre-loved jewellery, and there’s also people who wouldn’t wear new jewellery because they find it boring.”
Koh said jewellery lovers are not just attracted to the style of the pieces but also the stories behind them.
“With the old stuff there’s the intricate workmanship and history to appreciate as well as the product,” Koh explained. “A lot of people prefer the old art of jewellery. “
Koh also owns a pocket watch that was used as a watch in the original Great Gatsby film.
The Christian Dior Style
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Fashion, Luxury Fashion
CONSIDERED one of history’s foremost couturiers, Christian Dior is the designer who revolutionised women’s fashion following the bleak wartime years.
Born in Normandy in 1905, he served as an Officer in World War II before following his dreams of becoming a designer. He founded his eponymous couture house in 1946 on Paris’ Avenue Montaigne and presented his revolutionary debut collection soon after to great acclaim, introducing the world to the iconic silhouette that was dubbed the New Look of 1947.
He was the first couturier to licence his designs to be manufactured across the world, allowing him to build an empire which included ready-to-wear, accessories and beauty products, and setting a precedent that other fashion houses were soon to follow.
Since his sudden death in 1957, the house of Dior has continued to flourish and to this day it remains one of the world’s most influential design establishments.
Reformation Juices Up Its L.A. Shop
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion
With a unique mix of reclaimed, vintage, and original designs, Reformation has long been a reliable destination in Los Angeles for sustainably sourced style. Under creative director and owner Yael Aflalo, that concept has expanded into a new, 2,000-square-foot space on Melrose Avenue made largely of birch wood, which is considered to be the most sustainable hardwood on the market. “The ethos has shifted from Reformation being just a clothing store to it being an intersection between design and sustainability,” Aflalo explained at last night’s opening party, pointing out the eco-friendly clothes on the racks as well as their surroundings, like the wall of natural greens and the eco-lighting running throughout. “Everything that I pick has those two elements.” (Just last year, she made the same jump to eco-friendly decor and building materials at the New York Reformation store.) While longtime fans of the brand like Scott Caan, Shenae Grimes, and Jessica Stroup took note of the new offerings, like the Reformation HOME collection, the label’s newly inducted eco-apothecary Naked, and fresh pressed juices, a few in the crowd admitted to being newcomers to the Reformation story. Fashion Toast’s Rumi Neely revealed she was unfamiliar with Reformation, but she liked what she saw. “I’m always drawn to this pseudo-vintage but still very modern aesthetic, so I feel like it just really gets my style,” she said, eyeing the brand’s latest designs made of recycled materials, repurposed leather, and deadstock fabric. And soon, there could be even more where that came from: Aflalo is already considering opening a second New York store.
Decked Out
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Celebrity, Fashion
The lure of skate culture drew Jude Law, Sean Avery, and Scott Lipps to denim shop 3×1 on Mercer Street to celebrate photographer Ben Watts’ (pictured, left) new project last night. Admittedly, the presence of topless models may have helped. Watts photographed Lake Bell, Chanel Iman, Jessica Hart, Behati Prinsloo, and Elsa Hosk—several of whom turned out for last night’s party—and emblazoned their undressed frames on limited-edition skateboard decks. “I don’t skate,” he admitted. “Well, maybe in the eighties. But I’ve always liked the tie-in with skate culture and sunny weather. My aesthetic has always been very much about summer.”
The deck designs, Watts said, were no-brainers: “It doesn’t take much imagination. The pose is always a winner.” And even though she’s a Victoria’s Secret regular, Prinsloo confessed she still was surprised to see herself immortalized in quite this way on a skateboard. “I’m practically naked and on a skateboard,” the model said at the celebratory dinner at Soho’s Jack’s Wife Freda. “I don’t think that’s ever not weird.” (Weird or not, her work was for a good cause—all proceeds went to the charities of the models’ choosing.) Asked for any tips for aspiring models, she demurred. “I don’t know if there areany tips to being topless,” she said. “But it’s definitely about being comfortable with the photographer.”
Clean Lines
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Fashion
It’s been 19 years since John Pawson (pictured, left) designed the Calvin Klein Madison Avenue store, and he still remembers the experience well. “I think you always learn something from clients,” said the architect, who, fittingly, was celebrating his new book A Visual Inventory with guests like Amanda Brooks and Nora Zehetner (pictured, right) in the shop last night. “Working with the company over the years has been a big influence,” Pawson said. “When I signed the book for Calvin, I also wrote thanking him for changing the way I viewed things.”
In many ways, Pawson’s clean, minimal aesthetic has aligned so well with the brand that it feels like a a natural extension. He still collaborates with the current designers Francisco Costa (womenswear) and Italo Zucchelli (menswear). “He has an amazing eye that’s so modern,” said Costa. “Actually it’s beyond modern; he’s somehow able to make it warm.” Speaking of warmth, Costa has been marrying his native Brazilian sensibilities with design these days. He recently completed a collection for Macy’s inspired by Brazil’s rich architecture culture. “It started with this photo of the Museum of Modern Art in São Paulo that was sun-glazed and in a warm palette,” the designer said. The result is a collection that’s high on the sex factor but with interesting cuts. As for on-the-ground research, Costa affirmed, “Any time is a good time to visit Brazil.”
Are Tunics And Cropped Pants A Winning Look?
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Uncategorized
Second-skin stovepipes, seventies-inspired flares, ultra-wide-leg trousers, baggy boyfriend jeans—we’ve watched umpteen styles of pants cycle in and out of fashion the past few seasons. For Fall, designers are advocating another new silhouette. Pants clipped just above the ankle were balanced out with hip-grazing tunics at Acne, Alexander Wang, and Miu Miu (pictured), while Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld and Dries Van Noten went one step further, showing longer, to-the-knee tops over their short slacks. Designers have touted dresses over pants before. Do you think the look will stick this time around?
CLICK FOR A SLIDESHOW, and let us know below.
Pugh En Pointe
by kevin on Apr.08, 2012, under Fashion, Fashion Clothing
Ask Gareth Pugh to design a tutu, and don’t expect him to churn out anything resembling a classic, pink tulle skirted number. That’s exactly why choreographer Wayne McGregor selected the designer (who took ballet lessons as a child) to create costumes for his new ballet Carbon Life, opening at London’s Royal Opera House tomorrow. Pugh tells the Telegraph, “Wayne’s […] only thing was to say that he never works with point shoes and tutus. He really wanted to see what my version of those things would be.” According to Pugh, the ballet follows the company “from the naïveté of when they’re born, through their relationships, to what they become. I wanted [to convey] that in the costumes, so everybody starts naked, then evolves.” Here, a glimpse of the jagged-edged, black ensemble the designer made for the ballet. And reportedly, those pointe shoes aren’t as confining as they might appear—the designer says the dancers “haven’t had any problems” with the costumes.
Mozafarian party provides platform for Vendorafa
by kevin on Dec.10, 2011, under Celebrity, Fashion, Fashion Jewellery, Luxury Fashion
LONDON, December 4, 2011 – An invitation-only party at a prestigious London location provided a showcase for luxury jewellery brand, Vendorafa.
The party, which took place in the five-star Grange Hotel St Pauls on November 19, was hosted by the Knightsbridge jeweller Mozafarian, one of the first UK retailers to stock Vendorafa which is being distributed in the UK by Advalorem, part of the WB Creative Jewellery Group.
Some 70 guests were treated to champagne and canapés and given the chance to view and try on jewels from the Vendorafa range in a relaxed atmosphere whilst admiring paintings of The Venice Carnival by the acclaimed artist Lynne Russell.
Jewellery from Mozafarian’s own collection and a number of other key brands was also on display.
“The star of the show was definitely the Dune Collection,” said Advalorem’s business development manager, Ben Williams.
“Everyone seemed to love its tactile quality. The larger statement pieces, particularly the cuffs and bangles, were extremely popular.”
Bahareh Mozafarian, who hosted the event, was also delighted with the evening.
“These events give us the opportunity to entertain our customers and to spend time getting to know them better,” she said.
“We were very pleased that Vendorafa could join us on this occasion. The feedback from our customers was excellent and I have no doubt that the evening is an indicator of things to come with Vendorafa.”
The Swarovski’s Scholarship
by kevin on Dec.10, 2011, under Celebrity, Fashion
SWAROVSKI has today unveiled a new scholarship programme for students at Central Saint Martins. The three-year scheme will provide a bursary for two promising final-year students from the BA degree: one from Fashion and one from Jewellery Design – and, as you might expect, this year’s chosen twosome are delighted.
“I am very honoured to have been awarded a Swarovski Scholarship,” BA Womenswear student Scarlett Tull told us today. “I have used crystals in my work since first year, so I am excited to now have the chance to learn about the full range of possibilities. With the support of Swarovski I will be able to fully realise my ideas and make my catwalk collection without compromise.”
“In my first year at Central Saint Martins we did a project where we used crystals and it made me aware of possibilities of introducing colour to the materials I work with, which are mainly metal and cane,” BA Jewellery recipient Stephanie Bila added. “I feel honoured to have been selected by Swarovski for this exceptional opportunity and look forward to making the most of this chance to develop my final collection to its full potential.”
The scholarship comes as Swarovski celebrates 10 years of working with CSM – and is accompanied by the company’s donation of a state-of-the-art Rofin Laser Welder for use by students in the Jewellery Futures Room at the university’s new £200 million Kings Cross campus.
“It is an honour to continue our partnership with Central Saint Martins in such a meaningful way,” Nadja Swarovski added. “It is Swarovski’s mission to nurture emerging design talent and to support the next generation of design visionaries and we believe that Central Saint Martins will continue to lead in producing the best graduates in the world.”
The Rapper’s Delight
by kevin on Dec.10, 2011, under Celebrity, Fashion
BRITISH rapper Tinie Tempah has launched his first clothing collection online with his management company Disturbing London. They have joined forces with streetwear label MHI to create designs influenced by London living.
“I love clothes and this brand expresses my style of street cool culture mixed with high-end fashion,” the musician told the Evening Standard.
The range includes T-shirts, shirts, trousers, shorts, jackets and hoodies, which will all feature the Disturbing London skull logo. View the
