So I’ve been hearing about Macy*s Impulse on and off since last year. It was an initiative launched by Macy*s to help capture the 30 and under fashion loving crowd. It is all about contemporary, affordable fashion that will be available in 220 select Macy*s stores nationwide with plans to roll out eventually to 400 stores. Today while I was passing through West 4th Street Station, I noticed a barrage of poster’s advertising the initiative featuring some clothing that I found to be quite adorable.
Macy*s in addition to exclusives like the Rachel Rachel Roy collection is now planning to enter the designer collaboration arena, joining the ranks of H&M and Target. First up at bat is London based designer Kinder Aggugini whose signature collection is self described as "Coco Chanel marries Sid Vicious". The Rock’n’Roll inspired collection will retail from $50 to $300 and will include leather jackets, kimono dresses and silk shorts. The collection will hit stores and Macys.com on February 15, 2011. Later collaborations in works include one with The Kaiser himself, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld. Looks like it’s time for me to add Macy*s to my regular shopping itinerary. What do you think of the looks for Macy*s by Kinder Aggugini?
Christian Dior helped start day 1 of the Couture presentations with a bang. John Galliano was greatly inspired by Fashion illustrator René Gruau. And given Monsieur Gruau’s history with the house of Dior how could he not have been? Gruau and Christian Dior originally met while working at Le Figaro, the French newspaper, in 1936 and their friendship and work collaboration had Gruau creating illustrations for the House of Dior from 1947 until the 80s.
Gruau has been a personal favorite favorite illustrator of mine ever since I was in college. I fell in love with the bold, vibrant use of line, color and intriguing composition. The illustrations are almost delicious to me, with not a single line wasted. While I was on vacation in London I had the opportunity to catch the exhibit Dior Illustrated – René Gruau & the Line of Beauty at the Sommerset house. My greatest regret is that I did not purchase the exhibition book at the time thinking I could later find it on Amazon. Unfortunately I still haven’t been able to find it online.
Anyways, when I saw the Dior Couture show, I was delighted to be able to witness the way Galliano interpreted these illustrations into real life. With bold volumes, feathers, luxe iconic details and even similar colors I really do feel like the collection is almost has a cartoon/illustrated quality to it. Since I love Gruau, how could I not love this collection? Perhaps in my spare time I will try and create my own interpretation of these designs as fashion illustrations. I just thought I’d compare some of the illustrations to what came out on the runway. I love how even one of the hats sort of reflected Gruau’s signature G. Bravo Dior!
It’s true that designer collaborations can be seen for as far as the eye can see but honestly I do not grow tired of them. I still believe that it’s been such a great vehicle for designers to get the exposure they deserve and give consumers original products that they can afford. Also it gives the retailer that carry them some street cred in addition to adding value to the uniqueness of design. Better for mass commercialization of unique designs than imitation.
One of the partnerships I’m particularly looking forward to is Nine West’s partnerships with some pretty cutting edge designers. Nine West has partnered with Sophie Theallet and Giles Deacon to start off the new series of capsule “Shoelaborations”.
Sophie Theallet’s sweet and feminine product hits Nine West Stores, NineWest.com and Nine West’s Facebook page on May 1, 2011 and will retail for approx. $79 for flats to $109 for a double-platform sandal or espadrille.
“For the collection I designed my own stripe print, which you will see interpreted on a ballet flat, a raffia wedge and a double platform sandal. I also designed little straw bags with charms representing icons of France,” Theallet told Footwear News(– via WWD)
Giles Deacon’s futuristic and modern interpretations are slated to hit stores in Fall 2011. I really can’t wait to see what kind of space age shoes these will be! More designers are currently in talks for 2012 but names have not yet been revealed.
Ever since I first heard the song “Down by the Water” by the Brooklyn based band The Drums a couple months ago it keeps finding it’s way back into my head. Fortunately for me it’s not in that typically pop that you kind of hate but can’t stop kind of way. It sort of hits a note of nostalgia that tugs at my heart in a way that I don’t completely understand. Deep love, longing, sadness…but at the same time I feel like I want to wrap the song around me like a warm blanket. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.
For Pre-Spring 2011, animal prints from leopard to snake continue, as do plaid galore but something a little more out of the ordinary I noticed was a Diamond Motif. At Dior and Versace they paired the look with other prints for a bold and very au courante mixed print effect but for a subtler statement at Stella McCartney and Doo.ri the print was paired with a solid to make the focal point all about the print. Interestingly enough I noticed that at Dior and Doo.ri used all-over pattern in similar feminine soft pinks, nudes paired with grey and black while at Versace and Stella McCartney they both incorporated green and black for a bolder singular focus.
Would you wear a diamond motif or does it make you think of Harlequin Clowns?
