CLAUDIO CINA

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.

Jacob, Betty Draper, & Christian Louboutin Barbie - My Favorite Dolls of the Season

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Jacob

I went toTarget after visiting Woodbury Commons a week ago and couldn't help pick up one of these dolls.  Of course, Team Jacob beat Team Edward!  I thought that these Twilight Saga: Eclipse Dolls were so cute and campy, and I couldn't resist!

Twilight Edward Doll

Twilight Bella Doll

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Alice

The Twilight Saga:Eclipse Victoria

After coming home, I looked on-line and found the Mattel Barbie Collector website which had some other ones that I fell in love with as well, like the Mad Men series Barbie, the Barbie by Christian Louboutin, and of course the Alexis "Joan Collins" Dynasty Barbie......Take a look below and tell me which one are your favourites??????

Mad Men Betty Draper

Mad Men Don Draper

Mad Men Joan Holloway

Mad Men Roger Sterling

Barbie by Christian Louboutin

Dolly Forever Barbie Doll by Christian Louboutin

Anemone Barbie by Christian Louboutin

Barbie Basics Doll Model No. 13 - Collection 001.5 (reminds me of Lanvin for H&M :) )

Dynasty Barbie Doll Alexis

Ruben Toledo's Fashion Almanac Book

above images courtesy Nordstrom

Nordstrom and the fashion illustrator extraordinaire Ruben Toledo are celebrating a 10-year collaboration with the release of a hardcover limited-edition book highlighting the amazing work that Mr. Toledo has produced for them.  The book can be ordered online at nordstrom.com or will be available at selected Nordstrom stores for $65.  It is the perfect gift for any lover of art or fashion.  So be sure to get it before they run out!

Ruben Toledo at his studio, photo courtesy theselby.com

On the top list for Christmas Shopping - The Scent of Anna Dello Russo

Fashion shopper's, this is a MUST for Christmas.  The fashion Icon Anna Dello Russo has collaborated with Yoox.com to create a fragrance that will be exclusively sold on their website.  When asked why she will only be selling online, Anna puts it very simply, “I was born online and want to stay online.”

The bottle design also has a very unique story.  It is in the form of a golden show, reminiscent of Cinderella and her slipper.  To quote Anna,  “For 20 years no one noticed me — I worked like Cinderella at the bottom of the pile. Finally I’ve been invited to the ball.”

The pocket size 10 ml scent will retail for $25 (what a steal) and it was designed to easily fit inside your clutch.  The beauty of it is when it is time for a new bottle, you can hang the empty flacon as a Christmas bauble.  The scent is described as a vanilla cream and blends the ingredients almonds and vanilla, inspired by Dello Russo’s childhood in Puglia and memories of her grandmother’s kitchen.

We are so excited about this launch, set for this December.  Here is a video of Anna Dello Russo's scent.  For more on the fragrance and details of the video, you can check out annadellorusso.com

 

Valentino for Gap

all photos courtesy Vogue.com.uk

The Gap's latest collaboration is with Valentino, the Italian fashion house.  Together both brands have envisioned ruffles in denim as a bolero jacket, a cargo pant, a-full skirt, and of course, a classic trench.  The one thing that I think that both these brands have in common is that they make pieces that you can be sure to have in your closet forever.

It will be interesting to see how the public embraces Valentino for the Gap.  With the worldwide release of the highly anticipated Lanvin collection for H&M, which officially hits stores worldwide today, it only further demonstrates that when the combination is right, the designer, the advertising, the attention to every detail, from the packaging to the product,  the results can be tremendous.  Not even a week ago, H&M hosted a "Couture" fashion show, flying in Alber Elbaz and his crew of models, stylists, and fashion followers  to celebrate the amazing pre-launch of his product which was plugged, advertised and hyped for months before anything had been shown to the public. It has been the most successful collaboration to-date of a designer and fast fashion clothing company.

The bar has been set very high and it remains to be seen who can top Alber for H&M.  In the mean time, you can look for the Valentino designed pieces for the Gap that hits a select three stores this Saturday: Gap Milan store, Colette in Paris, and Gap London stores.  Prices Range from $110-$240.  Good luck Valentino fans.

The Honor of Wearing it First - ADR's Photoshoot Teaser in Lanvin for H&M

Ok, Brilliant, No Amazing!  Are they out of their minds?  No, they are so right on.  H&M sent Anna Dello Russo the entire Lanvin for H&M collection to shoot.  Now you would think that it was for Vogue Japan, the magazine for which Anna is the Editor at Large and Creative Consultant......but NO, it was for her to shoot and put on her blog, annadellorusso.com.  This is a FIRST folks that H&M has chosen any editor or blog to feature the clothes, shoes, accessories, handbags, jewelry in anticipation of the launch.  

As ADR puts it, 'I was shocked that it was for my BLOG! I found this communication really FRESH and FORWARD cause the samples was available only for online editorials starting from November 4th.'

Here is the video teaser........need I say more?

 

  Anna is no stranger to Lanvin.  She has been rocking looks at Fashion Week around the world like there is no tomorrow.  The photos below are taken by Tommy Ton from Jak&Jill Blog.

Anna Dello Russo in Lanvin Ready-to-Wear at Fashion Week; photo courtesy Tommy Ton for Jak & Jill Blog

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.

Rumors Confirmed - Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry

"I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT DOING THIS COLLECTION WITH FRED PERRY.  WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR A WHILE AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE IT FINALLY COME TO FRUITION." AmyWinehouse 

all photographs and sketches courtesy fredperry.com

Music & Fashion Icon Amy Winehouse has signed a deal to collaborate with Fred Perry.  Whoever thought of putting the two together couldn't have been more right and in my opinion chosen a better moment.  Although we have not seen her in a long time, these pictures show Amy in top form.  The pieces that she models and collaborated on are very indicative of her personal style, which is classic 50's "Beatnik".  What a gorgeous look book!!!!!!! She has added a touch of retro femininity to the sporty chic British English brand.  The color palette is simple and perfect in shades of pink, black, white and grey.

You can visit fredperry.com and order some of these amazing classics that start from 55£ and go up to 275£.  Be sure to see Amy wearing a lot of Fred Perry when she stages her comeback, which judging by the buzz this new venture, is hopefully soon.