CLAUDIO CINA

The Birth of a New Mugler - Nicola Formichetti's Debut Collection for the French Fashion House Rings with Success

Nicola Formichetti, Lady Gaga, and Sébastien Peigné

 Today there is no exact recipe for success, and given how times in fashion have changed and are continuing to at rapid pace, it is important to be on the pulse what's happening. So when Nicola Formichetti revealed his debut collection in Paris this week, you could say that the surprises that he had up his sleeve were all to his advantage.

Where to start.....the amazing soundtrack.  No need to panic when your best friend name is Lady Gaga and here album is due to release this May.  Among the amazing cast of models remade into vamps via the hair and make-up, Lady Gaga, the high priestess, or new Jerry Hall of the situation, pulled out every stop and left fashion people and her fans alike gagging for more.  Not to mention Rick Genest, aka Zombie Boy, a now model and new face of Mugler thanks to Formichetti's discovery.  It's hard not to recognize him since his body is tatooed to resemble a rotting corpse.  You may also recognize him because he makes an appearance in the video "Born this Way".  The set, with wooden pillars pointed to resemble a Gothic Cathedral, was modern and perfect for the thin, super waif-like models to weave in and out of.  And of course, the clothes.  Nicola has had a dream job of picking from the best of the best when it comes to styling shoots for magazines and Gaga. When it came to the Mugler show, he opted for unique shapes that were in a way very wearable.  He gave just the right voltage and at the end left you wanting more. The fabrics (Latex, Vinyl, Sheer Chiffons), the silhouettes (Skintight shapes, Big Shouldered and Body Sculpted Jackets, Corsets) were present and all part of the Mugler vernacular and house DNA. 

Here is the Official Director's Cut of the Show. Take a look.

MUGLER womens ready to wear fall/winter 11/12 “anatomy of change”

all photos courtesy Style.com

A Huge Loss For Paris Fashion Week - LVMH Suspends Galliano at Dior

 

I was and I am still in total shock about this news.  It is hard to think of Paris without thinking of Galliano and the house of Christian Dior. We will have to wait and see how this story ends.  What will happen to John Galliano?  Below is Franca Sozzani's, Editor-in-Chief of Italian Vogue's comments:

 

Fendi in Full Form - Karl Flexes His Muscles and Gives Us One of the Best from Milan Fashion Week for Fall 2011

Whoever thought that Karl Lagerfeld didn't have anymore tricks up his sleeve for Fendi can be silenced once and for all. For his Fall 2011 collection that just showed on the Milan Runways, he sent out one of his strongest collections in seasons, where the clothes beautiful and perfect for Fendi today. In a time when it is so hard to keep up with information overload, Karl managed to channel what Fendi was all about, but made it modern and relevant.  Sumptuous and camouflage furs, patched rustic animal furs topped wool ruffled shirts.  The quirky combination and play on color and fabrics told a strong story.  Very Milanese Bourgeois in a very relaxed way.

all photos courtesy Vogue.com

Donatella Versace In NYC and Taking in "The View"

This morning at 11:00, Donatella Versace started making her rounds of NYC talk shows, starting with The View. There is never a dull moment when Donatella is in front of  a camera.  The amazing hair, amazing make up, amazing shoes and no doubt fantastic as always dressed in Versace.  She still to this day does not live down the reputation of being her brother's Gianni's muse.  

Here is footage from live taping in case you missed it.  They had a fashion show at the end of the interview featuring 5 of DV's top picks from Fall 2010.  For some reason, the show got cut off in the video so I have posted the pictures for you to see. There would not be any other way but to hire all top girls to show the looks, including Vlada Roslyakova and Lindsey Wixson.

 

all runway photos Versace Fall 2010 courtesy Style.com

Lanvin for H&M --Look Book

After reading my fashion icon Anna Dello Russo's blog, I found out that Alber Elbaz is going to be in New York on November 18th to put on a Haute Couture Fashion Show to launch the Lanvin for H&M collection.  They will have a pop-up store set up following the show where everyone can shop. All proceeds will go to the H&M Unicef All For Children project.  Here is the amazing video look book.

NEW ORDER... Vogue Italia November 2010 Cover

"Soft sensation. Sensuality and softness. A world of sensations evoked by a drop of luxurious, all-enveloping fragrance is similar to the intense emotions stimulated by a fur coat on the skin"  Vogue Italia.com

photo Steven Meisel;Marmot, pekan and kidassia blouson, Roberto Cavalli. Laced gloves, Todd Lynn; leather garters,Erro; boots, Ann Demeulemeester. Hair by Guido for Redken. Make-up by Pat McGrath for Max Factor. Fashion editor Karl Templer.

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2010 collection courtesy Style.com

above photos taken by me on a recent trip to Paris; Roberto Cavalli Store Rue St. Honoré

What an amazing cover Franca Sozzani and crew!  The colors - skin tones, browns, greys and blacks are striking. They go back so beautifully with what Roberto Cavalli had said with his Fall 2010 collection, which I had the pleasure of looking at thoroughly while I was window shopping at night on Rue St. Honoré.

All in honor of his 40 years in the business, the November cover promotes Roberto Cavalli's Anniversary, the latest addition to his fragrance empire.  Vogue Italia.com calls it " a seductive, warm fragrance that invests the skin with a unique fascination.  The opening fanfare is marked by the fruity freshness of raspberry, green apple and red pepper. The heart is warmed with a blend of wonderful flowers: jasmine, heliotrope and orange blossom. The final touch embraces the body with a precious hint of patchouli and vanilla."  I can't wait to smell it.  It may be on my list of gifts for Christmas!!!

Roberto Cavalli's latest female fragrance, Anniversary

 

Lanvin X H&M Video Released

Here is the video for the highly anticipated Lanvin collection for H&M.  The quality of the clothes looks so amazing!  For everyone who does not know this, the pieces that Alber has taken are some of his best from past collections and redone them for H&M. Genius!  Take a look at Natasha Poly, a house model and muse along with other chic women in the video. Bravissimo Alber! This is going to be a hard act to follow.

"The Wow Factor" - Worth Couture Fall 2010 Presentation

Worth Couture, which stems from Charles Frederick Worth, the English fashion designer of the 19th Century who is widely cosidered the Father of Haute Couture has seen a return the last few seasons with a new collection by designer Giovanni Bedin.  The clothes take their cue from the couture houses heritage in dressmaking and much like Charles Frederick Worth, Mr. Bedin's attention to luxurious materials and meticulous fit is impeccable.  The clothes are very special and this season, he has made petticoat's an inspiration and incorporated them beautifully into these coat-dress shapes.  As we would say in italian, "molto bambola"  which translated means very doll-like.  Take a look at some of the amazing pieces below.

above; all photos from Worth Couture Fall 2010 courtesy Vougue.co.uk

Scott Schumann & Anna Dello Russo in Worth Couture

Anna Dello Russo & Leigh Lezark;

photo Source: http://www.theclotheswhisperer.co.uk/ courtesy Scott Schuman

And who else to be a perfect ambassador of these shapes and the brand is friend to the blog, "Anna Dello Russo" She looks absolutely amazing and brings the dress from the form in the presentation to life during Paris Fashion Week for the Spring 2011 collections.  I look forward to seeing future runway presentations and hopefully a bigger line from Mr. Bedin as the quality and the craftsmanship truly deserves more air time.

Preview Kate Moss for Topshop Autumn 2010

Today's post is a short preview into Kate Moss's Autumn 2010 line for Topshop set to launch online November 2, 2010 on Topshop.com.  The video is so easy to watch with Kate Moss directing a few of her friends in a Personal Shopping Suite playing dress up while sipping champagne and eating cupcakes......exactly what one would imagine doing if you were one of Kate's friend! The clothes are always easy, very fashion, and a lot of fun.  There are always elements in the collection of things that she loves; a Marianne Faithful moment, a 70's moment, a Bohemian moment and of course, a 30's evening dress moment.  All of these things are signature Kate and keep the droves of fashionistas coming back for more.  Sir Philip Green, the British billionaire who owns Topshop was definitely brilliant in bringing these two forces together.  Kate has such an identifiable style that every woman is after.  Of all the people photographed, Kate's photos are timeless as is her beauty and style. 

Take a look at the London cool girls Adwoa Aboah, Cara Delevingne, Genevieve Garner, Rosalyn Holman, and Jessica Horton having so much fun playing dress up with none other than Kate herself.  WE LOVE YOU KATE!

   

ANNA IS FASHION - The Latest From Icon Anna Dello Russo

Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit

Anyone who is my friend or is familiar with my blog knows that I am obsessed.....yes, obsessed, with Anna Dello Russo.  For those of you who have never laid eyes on her until now,  she is an Italian Stylist and Editor.  Her personality and way of being transcend the world of Fashion and inject life into everything that she does.  She is a fashion designer's and fashion blogger's muse and best friend.  Why has she won the hearts of so many people?  My guess is much like Lady Gaga, the person behind the mask, or in Anna's case, behind the clothes, is a very likable and accessible person.  Her southern italian personality and charm is endearing, right down to her accent.  The thing that I really love is that she makes everything look effortless, which is the sure sign that a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes.  For Anna, this is more than a job. Fashion is her life!!!! Thank God that she enjoys sharing it with others as much as we enjoying taking it all in.

These pictures by Juergen Teller are the latest of Anna's collaborations and instead of breathing life into the magazine from behind the scenes, as she usually does when she is styling and editing, she lives it up in front of the camera, exactly where she likes to be!

Comme Des Garcons for Speedo bathing suit and Christian Louboutin fur boots

YSL hat and transparent cape; Dolce & Gabbana bra and briefs

Roksanda Ilincic suit

Dolce & Gabbana gold coin-encrusted suit

above photos of Anna Dello Russo courtesy Juergen Teller for W Magazine

For more on ADR, the shoot and to learn about the clothes and fabulous apartment in the backdrop, buy the November 2010 issue of W Magazine "The Art Issue" and look for  "Little Miss Maximalist" Anna Dello Russo.