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Posts with tag couture

The Best of Fall 2009 Haute Couture

Filed under: Fashion Week

A model at Givenchy. Photo: Getty Images

The fall couture shows are in full swing in Paris and you don't want to miss out on the artistic concoctions created by the world's top designers.

We've culled the best looks from the runways of Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior and more. Take a look and be sure to check back for more fabulous updates.

Christian Lacroix Update - Designer Refuses Bailout, Continues to Design

Filed under: Style in the News

Lacroix walks the runway of his Paris show last fall. Photo: Getty Images

Though Christian Lacroix is searching for a way to keep his couture house from crumbling, the designer is stubborn not desperate. According to WWD, one of Lacroix's big couture clients offered to bail him out, but Lacroix rebuffed the offer, saying, "I prefer her as a client rather than a chairwoman."

In the meantime, WWD reports that Lacroix continues to sketch designs to keep his seamstresses busy, hoping to still be able to show during couture week next month, saying, "They deserve it, even if we can't show it. I can't stand having them do nothing during this period because they have it in their blood. January and July, it's couture. It's a physical clock."

Continue reading Christian Lacroix Update - Designer Refuses Bailout, Continues to Design

Christian Lacroix Update - Designer Won't Give Up Without a Fight

Filed under: Style in the News

Designer Christian Lacroix fights to keep his design house alive. Photo: Getty Images

Christian Lacroix might be facing bankruptcy, but don't think for a moment that it's over for the designer. WWD obtained a few excerpts from a letter Lacroix wrote to the company's 125 employees, which makes it very clear that he'll do everything he can to keep the fashion house up and running.

According to WWD, the company owes a number of parties, and Lacroix himself is owed around $1.7 million. He said he's been designing collections "free of charge" for months now. (Normally, he contracts himself through XCLX, a company he owns which is also reported to be at risk of filing for bankruptcy.) He's vowed to give "200 percent" to "preserve the know-how, without which the lungs and heart of the house couldn't exist."

Is this the beginning of the end of high-end fashion houses? We certainly hope not! If all designers show as much resolve as Lacroix, our fingers are crossed that we'll get our couture fix for years to come.

Badgley Mischka Couture - This Smells Good

Filed under: Events: On the Scene, Cosmetics, Fragrance, Interviews, Product Reviews, Must Haves, Beauty Tips

Mark Badgley and James Mischka
Badgley Mischka Couture is a new fragrance by the brilliant design team Mark Badgley (left) and James Mischka (right), and it is so hot, it's haute. We were lucky enough to meet the designers, who launched their legendary Badgley Mischka label in 1988 after meeting at Parsons, to smell and discuss the new perfume over glasses of champagne and little sandwiches in the shapes of hearts and stars.

Continue reading Badgley Mischka Couture - This Smells Good

Keira Knightley in Chanel - I Want That!

Filed under: Get the Look

keira knightleyWhere for art thou Keira Knightley? Oh, you're right here, at the Chanel Couture show, where you should be Miss-Face-Of-Coco-Mademoiselle. So glad we found you. We've missed you!

Continue reading Keira Knightley in Chanel - I Want That!

Couture's Not Dead

Filed under: Runway Trends, Style in the News

The Daily Beast pondered the fate of couture this week, in light of the stark economic landscape that both design houses and their customers are currently navigating.

Continue reading Couture's Not Dead

Katsuya Kamo's Pretty Paper Headpieces for Chanel Couture

Filed under: Runway Trends, Style in the News

Chanel CoutureJapanese hair and makeup artist Katsuya Kamo has never been content to work with the basic tools of his trade. His floral and paper headpieces for Chanel's couture show, held just days ago in Paris, were proof of that.

Continue reading Katsuya Kamo's Pretty Paper Headpieces for Chanel Couture

Crazy on the Catwalk - Will Guys Wear This Stuff?

Filed under: Runway Trends, Men

The Good, the Bad, and the Weird ... Fashion Week is always filled to the brim with outlandish styles from designers hoping to inspire the latest craze, or at least grab their share of the spotlight. Here we have a few of the more -- um, how should we say this -- eccentric looks from Milan and Paris.

Runway Rejects - Guys: Would You Wear This?

    McQueen's Crotch Protector
    From the white makeup, to the the fur-lined jacket with the billowy sleeves, and on down to the mantyhose -- there's not much here that we can apply to ready to wear street style, except perhaps the subtle codpiece. If you're going to wear a codpiece these days, it better be subtle. Very subtle.

    Emporio Armani's Fur Bearing Mammal
    First off, blue fur? Really? Wearing a full length fur coat along with wrap-around sunglasses puts you in an elite class with only one other member: Kid Rock. If you're comfortable with that, by all means go for it. Not to mention, if that is authentic fur from the endangered blue yak, PETA's not going to be happy.

    McQueen's Goth Gladiator
    While Gladiator was a very inspiring movie, and lots of celebs are sporting bulletproof clothing these days, is this Roman-esque body armor a fashion statement that the average man is ready to make.

    Prada's Space Travler
    The one good thing we can say about this look is that it seems very comfortable. The monotone look always makes us think of b-movies about space travel. In other words, we liked this look better when when it was featured in the sci-fi cult classic Logan's Run.

    Emporio Armani's Man Shawl
    The man shawl may be a bit unusual, but we think it definitely find it to be one of the better looking weird designs. One part cape, one part jacket, the man shawl is kinda cool. But would you ever wear it in public? We tried shortening the name, but mshawl is awkward to pronounce.

    Prada's Stud Muffin
    Look, we love punky studded jewelry as much as the next guy, but there's really no excuse for ever wearing that many metal rivets outside of a Sex Pistols tribute concert, is there? Plus, what's up with that headband? Doesn't it deserve to be covered with metal spikes too?

    Etro's Cape Crusade
    This look isn't crazy bad. In fact, the combination kinda resembles a young Mick Jagger. Here's the question: if you wear a cape and you are not a.) a superhero, or b.) an opera singer, are you c.) a douche?

    McQueen's Blankethead
    There's something about this look that we really like -- and then something we don't. On the plus side, this somehow reminds us of late 60's spagetti western Clint Eastwood. Then, there's the fact that he's wearing a blanket over his head, but under his hat. That looks like something William Rast would come up with.

"Lucien Lelong" - Book Review

Filed under: Clothing, Books

Lucien Lelong by Jacqueline demornexLucien Lelong is probably the most famous designer you've never heard of. He was a contemporary of Chanel, and Dior, Balmain and Givenchy apprenticed with him. Photographers like Horst, Beaton and Man Ray photographed his gowns. But Monsieur Lelong has remained in the background, until now.

Continue reading "Lucien Lelong" - Book Review

Dawes Design Eco-Friendly Jewelry

Filed under: Accessories

Dawes Design eco-friendly diamond ringAre you searching for a gift for an elegant socially-responsible woman -- or for yourself? Look no further, Dawes Design is a one stop shop for fashionistas that are interested in jewelry that's beautiful but doesn't come at a cost to our planet. Read on to learn more.

Continue reading Dawes Design Eco-Friendly Jewelry

"Style File: The World's Most Elegantly Dressed" Book Review

Filed under: Accessories, Clothing, Books

style file by Iké Udé

Iké Udé's Style File: The World's Most Elegantly Dressed is a fascinating look at more than 50 of the most influential style leaders in the world. Curious fashionisti or fashionistas will be drawn to the interviews, photos and inside scoops on designers and fashion icons like Diane von Furstenberg, Dita Von Teese and Christian Louboutin.

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Tantalize, the sexy new lingerie line from Spoylt

Filed under: Swimwear and Lingerie

The latest collection from luxury couture lingerie line Spoylt -- called Tantalize -- is living up to the brand's sexy reputation. The woman-designed pieces are flattering and seductive, with classic and innovative pieces that will appeal to the vixen-within. Also, to the vixen partner, waiting under or over the sheets!


Continue reading Tantalize, the sexy new lingerie line from Spoylt

BT Couture Collection - toilet paper dresses that benefit Breast Cancer Awareness

Filed under: Clothing, Dresses, Style for a Cause



Anyone who's been to a bridal shower has probably made at least one wedding dress or veil out of toilet paper. It's a surprisingly difficult material to work with, but in the hands of professionals, the results can be surprisingly pretty!

Continue reading BT Couture Collection - toilet paper dresses that benefit Breast Cancer Awareness

Madonna's couture tour

Filed under: Celebrities with Style


Music and fashion are intrinsically linked. The Queen of Pop knows that. So, when Madonna performs, her costumes come from nothing but the best designers available.

Continue reading Madonna's couture tour

Socks+sandals: Alexander McQueen pairs the unthinkable

Filed under: Accessories, Style in the News, Shoes


(Click on the photo for more shocking and ridiculous runway fashion)

Our world is officially rocked. If men are pulling off pantyhose (or mantyhose) these days, then it's hard to really fault someone for pairing sock with sandals (if you can call them sandals) -- especially when it actually looks good. Not wear it out in public good, mind you, but good in that 'wow that doesn't even really look offensive' kind of way. Actually, we think they look like some sort of couture bowling shoes.

Continue reading Socks+sandals: Alexander McQueen pairs the unthinkable

How You Voted

    Threesome or topless?
    More than 3/4 of you think the CK campaign 'Threesome' campaign was more risque than Wrangler's topless models. Get the full story here.

    Inzemove and Fred & Farid

    Do these ads belong in the U.S.?
    StyleList readers were nearly evenly divided on this, with 52% thinking that they should run in the States, and 48% finding them inappropriate. Get the full story here.

    Inzemove and Fred & Farid

    Curly or Straight?
    While 30% of you think she's so beautiful that her hair doesn't even matter, 49% of you prefer her curls. Get the full story here.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images | Jon Furniss, WireImage

    Offensive or artistic?
    Just over 50% of StyleList readers said they weren't offended by this shirt, but didn't know if it was totally appropriate to wear in public. Unfortunately, that wasn't the opinion in Dubai. Get the full story here.

    Photo: eBay

    ebay

    Strapless dresses on 13-year-olds
    StyleList readers think strapless dresses should be saved for older girls -- 41% of you think the look is too mature. Get the full story here.

    Getty Images

    Is Megan the new Angelina?
    Half of you think Megan needs to get her own identity and quit copying Angie, but more than a quarter said Jolie doesn't stand a chance against this Fox. Get the full story here.

    Getty Images

    Did Calvin Klein respond to public's outcry?
    The controversial "threesome" billboard in Soho has been replaced with this one, but 51% of you believe it was just to keep people talking about the brand, not because CK caved. Get the full story here.

    Rachel Been, AOL

    Calvin Klein's Racy Ad
    Is it art or practically pornography? About 40% of StyleList readers found this billboard obscene. Get the full story.

    Maggie Coughlan, AOL

    Palin's Pedi
    Do you think Sarah Palin's funky pedicure was appropriate? If so, you're in good company -- 68% of you said it was fun and fabulous. Get the full story.

    Getty Images

    Bright, Light, or Dark as Night?
    How do you like your toenails painted? Over half of StyleList readers prefer their piggies with bright, perky polish. Get the full story.

    Getty Images

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