CLAUDIO CINA

Creatures of Prada - Textures Create a Second Skin as Miuccia Prada Celebrates Paillettes and Fur

Lanvin to Launch On-Line Shopping

photo courtesy Vogue Italia.com

What is Alber Elbaz's next step for Lanvin?  Offering his creations to an even larger audience by launching on-line sales on a new website.  The new site, www.lanvin.com will launch in Europe. It is a large step for the house, who is intent on merging technology and couture.  It will allow on-line lovers of Lanvin to have space not only to shop, but to review the season's must haves and to mix and match different outfits and accessories to create their own unique looks. 

Lanvin Bridal and Men's will also be available to order on the website as well as a four accessory pieces that will be exclusively designed for the launch of the site and can only be purchased online. The capsule collection will all feature a red embroidered heart.

What is so great about Lanvin is that they are pushing forward and embracing all the changes in technology so that they can reach a large part of their customer base, who is very computer  savvy while still maintaing and not loosing the old world and couture element that is a major part of the brand's DNA.

We Will Miss You L-I-Z

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011)

Andy Warhol's Famous Portrait of Liz Taylor

Janet - NUMBER ONES - Up Close and Personal - NYC - Radio City

Last night, Janet Jackson played to a sold out Radio City Music Hall on the final evening of a three day play date in New York City.  Ms. Jackson roared to a full and enthusiastic audience, "I am so glad to be home".  On her latest tour, entitled #1's to coincide with the release of her #1's album, Janet is in top form! She hasn't looked this strong in my opinion since the Velvet Rope tour and she exuded confidence and attitude that made the audience wanting more and more. Everyone was on their feet dancing the whole time to a play list that mixed old favorites and recent releases; all which made it to the top of the charts thanks to her loyal fans, who she cheered on throughout the show as they sang the lyrics to all of her songs.  In between numbers, while Janet was off changing or grabbing a breath, videos highlighting moments from her acting career were played, including when she was on "Good Times" and "Different Strokes" and "Poetic Justice".  The crowd went crazy though when the famous scene from Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too" when Ms. Jackson in a moment of craziness, starts tearing up the house and furniture with a golf club.

What I loved about this tour is that Janet intentionally chose venues where she could be more intimate with her audience."I am very excited to be back on the road on my largest ever world tour to celebrate my 35 Number One hits.  The tour will be different from those of the past in that I will perform music exclusively from my Number Ones. To each city, I will dedicate one of my Number One songs in addition to recognizing up to 20 young people whose lives and work have enriched their communities in significant ways.  Also, wherever possible, I will perform in venues that will allow me to be up close and personal so that I can be with you in a much, much more intimate setting."

"Thank you to the fans who voted for the cities where I will be performing. Your voices are so important to me. I am excited to be here with you tonight. I love you all." Janet

The show ended with a song and video sung dedicated to Michael, "Together Again".

The tour continues as she travels throughout the US and ends in Europe. For more information about ticket, click here to see if you can still catch this show! It is unbelievable and you will not be disappointed.

Nick Knight & Another Magazine - Amazing Editorial

Nick Knight is an original.  His stunning photography and amazing style can sometimes go unnoticed, but to a fashion person or photographer's trained eye, you know right away who this is.  Although one might think that some of his work recalls Avedon, or Jean Paul Goude, it is not. His photographs have their own voice.  The way he has chosen to depict the movement and compositions in these photographs through the use of clothing, models and dancers is unbelievable.  Thank you to Another Magazine, Nick Knight and Alister Mackie and to all the designers whose dresses have been used for this editorial. It is breath taking. I have only posted some of the pictures as there were too many to choose from. You can purchase the issue on Magazine stands now to see the rest.

all photos from Another Magazine Issue 20; Spring/Summer 2011;photography Nick Knight, styling Alister Mackie

"I DON'T WANT TO BE COOL, I WANT TO BE FASHION" Illustration Homage to ANNA DELLO RUSSO

For those of you who read my blog, it is no secret that I am a huge admirer, fan, and proponent of one of the most influential editors in Fashion today, ANNA DELLO RUSSO.  Her work can be seen on her website, annadellorusso.com.  When she is not busy running a magazine, styling an editorial, modeling in a fashion show, or dressing in the latest runway looks (a different one each time she leaves the house) she is spending time with her dog Cucciolina.

Here is the beginning of what I am planning to be a larger body of work, I have done some illustrations of ADR wearing only a few of the many memorable and iconic outfits that have made it to fashion week, where she has been photographed by the magazines, paparazzi and fashion bloggers. Let me know what you guys think.

Anna Dello Russo wearing Dolce & Gabbana, illustration by Claudio Cina

Anna Dello Russo wearing Worth Couture, illustration by Claudio Cina

Anna Dello Russo wearing Balmain, illustration by Claudio Cina

Anna Dello Russo wearing headpiece by Alan Journo

Anna, I love you and let me know when you are in NYC so I can show you these in person!  

For more information on these illustrations, please email me; info@claudiocina.com

For Those Who Missed It: Adele on Chelsea Lately

If you haven't already seen this interview, it is definitely worth watching. The English singer-songwriter Adele has a second album out, 21.  It was released January 19th 2011 and sold 352,000 copies in it's first week in the US alone.  Everyone is talking about it.  If you haven't heard it yet, what are you waiting for??? Her single, "Rolling in the Deep" is the first song off the album and has been making waves on the radio and television.  Watching the interview between her and Chelsea is like watching two really good girlfriends who haven't seen each other in a really long time get together for a gossip and bitch session.  Adele has such a warm and bubbly personality and if you hadn't thought she was a sweetheart listening to her music, then you will after watching this video. She talks about mistaking Sarah Palin for Tina Fey and almost running over P. Diddy in a golf cart. Take a look....

 

Dita Von Teese & Thierry Mugler - SOVEREIGNS OF THE PLEASUREDOME

all images courtesy Flaunt Magazine; photographed by Ali Mahdavi

One of the best editorials I have seen in a very long time!  'Burlesque queen' Dita Von Teese plays yet another amazing role as a futuristic dominatrix recalling the hey day that no one has managed to recapture since the 80's and 90's. Wearing archival couture pieces designed by Thierry Mugler, Dita and Flaunt Magazine remind us of a time when the combination of model, muse and designer can be a very powerful relationship. Photographed by Ali Mahdavi, the editorial in Flaunt's 12th Anniversary Issue highlights some of the best corsets (including ones made by Mr. Pearl, the master corseter) and evening pieces that remain as iconic in fashion as a Marilyn Monroe photograph.  According to the interview in Flaunt magazine, which you can read here, Thierry and Dita are set to collaborate on future projects.  This I can't wait to see.  Dita and Thierry Mugler are such a fan of each other's work that whatever they do is sure to make an impact on fashion and the way we see things. Can't wait!!!

'James Dean' Looks & 'Bette Davis Eyes' - James Franco on the Cover of Vogue Hommes International

cover shot by Terry Richardson

Beauty does sell magazine covers! And in this case, all of James Franco's fans old and new are going to love this cover once it hits newsstands.  For Vogue Hommes International, their Spring/Summer 2011 issue pays homage to the 'James Dean' -esque good looks that Franco was told he had when he first hit the acting scene.  Since then, he has become a fully bonafied fashion icon, who Frida Giannini, the creative director at Gucci has made the face of their Menswear.  The cover is a ode to the 70's style of photography, with tank top and underarm hair in check, Helmut Newton would be proud of the rawness of this photograph.

Look for this to hit new stands after the 18th of March. Can't wait to see the rest of the editorials!!!  Below are two photos by Helmut Newton that I immediately thought of when I saw this cover. Same mood.

above two photographs taken by Helmut Newton, source, "Pages from the Glossies"

Androgynous Menswear, Boy George, Star Embroideries, and Sicilian Glamour on the Runway of Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011

collaged photos courtesy Vogue.com