CLAUDIO CINA

Conversations between Versace and Riccardo Tisci

If you live in NY, or are visiting anytime soon you definitely need to go and see the Prada/Schiaparelli exhibit at the MET which covers the design span and similarities between two iconic designers: Elsa Schiaparelli and her contemporary Miuccia Prada.

I have not yet seen this exhibit but imagine it to be amazing from the images that I have seen thus far.  But the thought of it has sparked me thinking about other designers fall into the same pattern, for example Gianni Versace (not Donatella) and his contemporary Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy. The similarities, or shall I say the exact references are many.  Below are just two of  many many examples I could have pulled to prove it.

Linda Evangelista in Gianni Versace SS 1993 in skin tight gown with amazing Tropical Print

Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy SS 2012 Tee and Skirt inspired by Versace Tropical Print

Helena in Gianni Versace Fall 1997 Color Blocked Dress With Lace Embroidery

Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy Fall 2012

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Convesations May 10 - August 19, 2012.  

Gianni and Riccardo: Impossible Conversations: ?  TBD

Free As My Hair...

Or shall I say, chic as my hair!  So inspirtational and fresh are the hairstyles that Julien d'ys did for the Comme Des Garcons Show in 1995.  And of course, all the top girls in them...Linda, Kate.....Christina.   I was relooking at the show today and was itching to capture the texture and color in an illustration .  Each time I look at this show, I am amazed by how the clothes and the hair look perfect.....together.  Genius on every level!

Illustration Claudio Cina; Commes Des Garcons Show 1995; all the amazing hairstyles by Julien d'ys

Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss and Christina Kruse at a Commes Des Garcons Show, 1995

For Fall 2011 Nicholas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga has brought color blocking to another level in the below two looks.  Commes Des Garcons as always clearly ahead of their time.

above two photos courtesy Vogue.com; Balenciaga Fall 2011

Hats Off to Julien d'ys

Hi!  It's Fashion's Night Out 2011 today.

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but I promise that things have been very busy and it is all to bring you more amazing and inspired work!  

I was out at dinner with a good friend of mine who I went to school with at Parsons School of Design in NYC.  He lives in Paris and is visiting NY and I haven't seen him in a really long time.   We got all caught up and it was a very inspiring night.  Another thing that made it very special is that I spotted Julien d'ys, the master Hair Stlylist at dinner. He is to Hairstyling what Comme Des Garcons and Alaia are to Fashion.  I respect him not only for his talent, but for his culture, his passion and humility in what he does.

I am so inspired by his work and have featured him before on my blog that I decided to dedicate the art work that I drew and am posting today to him and all those that wake up in the moring with the love for what they do!

Naomi Campbell, backstage at the Galliano Show 1994, Hair Styling Julien d'ys; Illustration by Claudio Cina

MEMOIRS OF A GAGA - V MAGAZINE #71 The Asian Issue - LIMITED EDITION

Very reminiscent of the Dragon with three heads or Hecate, the greek goddess of the crossroads.  All the reason to give Gaga three totally amazing looks on one sick body. There is something very Gianni Versace about this cover!

taken from Nicola Formichetti's twitter page, a twitpic of him stopping by V headquarters to try on on of the limited edition t-shirts that comes with the Collector's Edition

Calling All Monsters!!!!!

V Magazine has come out with a Collector's Edition to their Issue #71, The Asian Issue, featuring Lady Gaga in Memoirs of a Gaga, with an interview by Elton John and cover photography by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and styling by Nicola Formichetti of course!

10% of all proceeds from the Collector's Edition go towards Japan Relief Efforts.  You can order your copy online here.

The regular copy of this issue can be found on news stands or in the mail if you receive a subscription.

RESORT ROYALTY - Chanel Cruise 2012

all photos courtesy of vogueitalia online; http://www.vogue.it

Did the Royal Wedding have some influence on Karl Lagerfeld?  I would say YES.  It seems that he spared no expense transporting the rest of the world, as he always does, to a destination. This time it was the Hotel du Cap, in the Cap D'Antibes on the French Riviera.

The one thing about Karl is that even if the clothes are a little better, or not as good as the last season, that is not the point.  You know that they are going to be made immaculately and his true ability, and what he has been doing ever since he started at Chanel is bring the us all on a journey. You really don't know where, but you know it is going to be damn good. 

The gossip surrounding Blake Lively as the new spokesperson for Chanel needs to be put to rest. So what she is not French! She, like Karl, can do no wrong. She is a gorgeous girl, Hollywood royalty and looks amazing in the campaign and the clothes.

Now that all that is cleared up, enjoy the photos and imagine which ones would look better on Blake or Kate.

XOXO Claudio Cina Blog

Hannah MacGibbon Leaves Chloé

After a couple of seasons of  a rumored rocky relationship between Chloé and it's now past creative director Hannah MacGibbon, it was announced on Twitter this morning that the two would be parting ways.  

This news is not shocking since it has been in the rumor mill for a while, but leaves a lot of fashion insiders perplexed and disappointed.  Since Hannah was appointed Creative Director in 2008, the brand has managed to turn out collections that were at the top of  Paris fashion week, standing right  up there with her predecessors Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo. 

Although talks are not in the works yet if  Hannah MacGibbon will start her own line, many like myself are hoping that this is her next step.  She worked for Chloé for the last 10 years and in this time, has done nothing but bring the brand up.

Clare Waight Keller, who left Pringle of Scotland this year, will become creative director of Chloé on June 1.

both photos courtesy Vogue.com; Chloé Fall 2011 RTW, the last collection designed by Hannah MacGibbon

GAGA i-D

all photos courtesy marianovivanco.com; photographer: Mariano Vivanco, styling: Nicola Formichetti, hair: Bob Recine, make up: Billy Brasfield

 film: Mariano Vivanco; editing: Luca Finotti

Aesthetic Surgery is the message that Lady Gaga has been sending with her latest move to alter the appearance of her visage with face plastys. By adding sculpted external pieces to mold her cheek bones, she makes fashionable the idea that altering your appearance does not necessarily need to involve a good plastic surgeon, but rather an amazing idea and fabulous make-up artist.

This new Gaga could easily have popped off the pages of a David LaChapelle photograph.  Mr. LaChapelle has frequently used this subject matter in his work.  In the above cover and editorial pages, Mariano Vivanco and Nicola Formichetti have done a brilliant job in creating these gorgeous images.  What do you think about Gaga showing her teeth for I-D Magazine?

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.

"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