Over the past 16 years, Parisian charity event Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs has called upon lauded fashion designers, artists, and architects to put their own spin on the classic Christmas tree — for a good cause, of course. Masterminded by Marie-Christiane Marek, the yearly event is held in early December and showcases innovative tree creations by fashion’s most adored houses. The designs go on display for the public to enjoy before being auctioned off to support a children’s charity — this year’s proceeds supported Association pour la Vie-Espoir contre le Cancer (A.V.E.C.). Given full creative license, the designers have kept a basic tree silhouette in mind, but completely departed from the norm, fashioning gorgeous trees composed of an ever-expanding variety of materials, like Stella McCartney’s festive ode to knitting and Chantal Thomas’s bizarre mannequin-leg masterpiece. Check out Christmas trees by the likes of Christian Dior, Chanel, and Sonia Rykiel after the jump. Read More »
When people talk about the ’90s being back they think of our recent infatuation with grunge, plaid, and spandex. But with the nods in Fall 2011 collections to utility coats, mannish outerwear, and even pajamas-as-daywear, what’s really back is ’90s hip hop fashion. We’ve paired nine of this fall’s looks with the hip hop divas who might well have inspired them.
Daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney and sister of the celebrated Stella, photographer Mary McCartney is now being recognized as an equally creative talent.
Mixing family snapshots and still lifes with backstage shoots at fashion shows, rock concerts, and dance and theatre performances, McCartney displays a personal, poetic vision in both her editorial and exhibition work. From Natalie Portman and Tilda Swinton to Dennis Hopper and Tommy Lee Jones, McCartney captures the essence of famous and unknown subjects with elegant ease.
1. This week, all arty eyes will be trained on Art Basel Miami: “This is a very real test of the vitality of the Miami art fair market in particular and, really, the art fair industry in general. Honest reports from all Miami organisers will show everyone down at least 20 per cent [in profits], whether as a product of fewer exhibitors or lowered stand prices.” [via Financial Times]
2. Are these pop culture’s finest moments of 2009? (Maybe if you’re a geeky guy…) [via Wired]
3. Listen to “Hurricane,” the new 30 Seconds to Mars song featuring Kanye West. [YouTube via @stereogum]
4. Thanks in large part to a box office battle between New Moon and The Blind Side, the holiday weekend’s top 10 films grossed a record-setting $278 million. [via NYO]
5. Morrissey is planning to collaborate with Stella McCartney on a vegan shoe line. In unrelated news, he’s also talking about suicide again. [via TwentyFourBit]
First GAP rebranded as American Apparel, now they have hired Stella McCartney to makeover their children’s lines. The 70-piece collection for GapKids and babyGap features vegetarian friendly shoes (no leather), tutu skirts, and skinny jeans. Your fashionista children (12 and under) can rock McCartney’s $14 tights or scoff at the recession with a $128 military jacket. According to McCartney, she went after “real” children to model the clothing via a call on Facebook. Sorry, over-attractive, professional child models. View pictures from the the line after the jump.
Stella McCartney’s new fall ad campaign, shot by Ryan McGinley, draws inspiration from the Disney weepie Bambi. “The clothes in the campaign are looking quite fierce, and we wanted to contrast them with the innocence of Bambi,” the vegan designer, who is a huge fan of the animated film, told WWD.
The high-end retail environment is baring the brunt of consumers’ recession-induced hesitation to spend. The blood-bath clearance sales post holidays were said to be a “once in a lifetime event,” with rumors of bargain bins filled to the brim with last season Marc Jacobs hand bags going for Marc by Marc prices. This past month, Henri Bendel announced that it was scrapping its retail department all together and reducing its store to the two most lucrative floors — jewelry and cosmetics. Institutions like Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York are also feeling the pinch of a new economy, with staggering losses reported last quarter. Read More »
