Showing posts with label designer of the day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label designer of the day. Show all posts
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Alexander McQueen was born in 1969 on the East end of London with the name Lee Alexander McQueen. He left school at the young age of 16 and decided, instead, to become an apprentice as a tailor for Anderson and Sheppard. In 1994, he decided to apply to one of London's most prestigious fashion schools called Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design. He was admitted and worked as a patterncutter. He recieved his masters in Fashion design and designed a whole collection for his graduation which was entirely purchased by a fashion stylists named Isabella Blow
Some of his accomplishments included being one of the youngest designers to win the title of "British Designer of the Year" which he actually won 4 different times from 1996 to 2003. Along with that, he was named International designer of the year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards. McQueen has lasted ten years as a solo designer which is an accomplishment in itself but to do this and remain at the top of the fashion industry is even more of a feat. He was brought into the Gucci group which bought 51% in his company several years ago. Just last year he was not only turning a good size profit but opened a new chain of stores. By the end of the year he had 
boutiques in L.A, N.Y, London, Milan and Vegas.
I think I am going to give him the award for the most creative designs. They are completely gorgeous and out of the ordinary which automatically catches my attention. McQueen is awesome at giving us looks that no one else is thinking of and making them fashion forward at the same time. I completely was drawn to the way he mixed colors and patterns together in such an outrageous way, but somehow makes them appear so subtle. They are not so out there that it completely throws you off and really want to wonder wtf was he thinking..lol..I did not need to say that! McQueen is a designer I am definately going to keep an eye out on because if he continues on this path I truly believe that he has a shot of really being a true powerhouse in the fashion world.
CHRISTOPHE DECARNIN FOR BALMAIN
In 1945, french designer Pierre Balmain launched his house as he was one of the top design giants in the fashion industry alongside Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga. They were all in part responsible for launching a whole new concept for haute couture dresses after the second world war. Balmain's designs, especially his elegant evening gowns, were loved by European royalty and those in Hollywood as well which showed his extensive scope around the globe. Balmain died in 1982 shifting his executive assistant Erik Mortensen to head of the house until 1990. Two years later, fashion icon Oscar de la Renta joined the house founded by Balmain. The years that Oscar de la Renta did head it, financial complications fell upon the house (2002-2004) and was eventually forced into bankruptcy.
However, in 2005, investors seeing great potential in the company revived it and sought designer Christophe Decarnin to help the line out. Decarnin took the once elegant, classical gowns and traditional dress and turned the house into a chic, body-tight, slits-thigh-high fashion forward powerhouse. Sales have been said to have doubled since the house took on Christophe as one of their main designers. Their clothes are rather expensive though. A tee shirt can cost $3000, dresses will run you from $12 to $22,000 and jackets are going for $5,000 a pop. They are in the process of expanding the company by adding staff, a man's line and conjucturing with shoe GOD Giuseppe Zanotti to create a shoe line as well.
I am just crazy about Decarnin's creations because they are soo extremely beautiful and sexy while still maintaining this air of being classy. There were very few outfits from his spring collection for this year (the pics around are from nymag.com and are from his spring collection) that I did not drool over. I swear, if I could find one of these dresses for a price I could actually afford I would just lose my MIND! I am in love! And if that shoe collection comes out--> Im going to need to be recessitated! No lie! I feel that Decarnin has really brought that edge to the line that brings the ability for the young, hot hollywood divas to be able to relate to and shop through. It gives a new look to the line that still builds on the Pierre Balmain's vision for his company while moving with the changing trends and times.
BASSO AND BROOKE
Basso & Brooke is a design label that was started by Bruno Basso (brazilian) and Christopher Brooke (British). In 2004, they were the inaugural winners of Fashion Fringe which is an award given out in a UK talent competition which searches for the next big thing in that regions fashion. Basso and Brooke met while they were both a nightclub (I wish I could meet someone in a nightclub that drives my career to an all-time high..umm) and launched their company in 2003. They scored a production and distribution deal with Aeffe and joined London Fashion Week the following year. They are known for their theatrical ready to wear by their defying proportions and wild graphics. Their celebrity clientale includes: Beyonce and Rihanna and they have gone into different endeavors such as shoes and handbags. 
I am in love with their spring collection for this year. It is an amazing showcase
of the talent that both of these designers bring to the industry. I am really feelin the preview of their fall collection of this year as well. I feel that these two designers are some of the most creative in the industry right now. They are consistent throughout their collections from the past couple years (that is as far as I looked lol) with keeping up with the trends but adding their own twists to them. I just love the way they present the spring collection (pics in this post of the spring 09 collection) as it should be. I mean the fresh colors and light materials clearly indicate which season it is supposed to be for. I have looked through collections of several others and, no offense, I cannot tell if it is for spring or fall/winter collections, REALLY! No, they are not very established designers but they should at least still know to make it decipherable. But I digress, I feel that this line is very eclectic while still remaining fashion forward. It is almost like they dont even TRY to make it good, it just is. But you can be the judge for yourselves. I believe that many will like it because they inspire a wide range of taste andtry to blend it all into a single body of work. Enjoy.
DEAN AND DAN CATEN
Dean and Dan Caten are obviously twin brothers who run the brand DSquared2 ( they named it that for obvious reasons). They were born in Toronto in 1965 and are the youngest of 9 children. In 1991, they decided to move to Milan to take a crack at becoming fashion designers. 
They originally started out by creating their men's line in 1994 then moved on to women's apparel in 2003. They are known for having elaborate and celeb filled runway shows to add a touch of flare to their collection presentation- i.e Christina Aguilera closing out the 2005 show and Rihanna starting the Milan show in 2007. Since its presentation, the DSquared2 line has been gaining much noteriety in the celebrity world too as celebs such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Nicholas Cage, Beyonce, and Madonna have taken a liking to their collections. Their line has been featured in Madonna's 2001 world tour, Britney's Circus Tour, Fergie's "Clumsy" video, and on AMerica's Next Top Model. In 2006, they were asked to design the Juventus football team 
uniforms and two years later started helping design for Marcolin's sunglass line which is set to be released this year. In 2007, DSquared2 flagship store was opened in Milan's fashion district (they have fashion districts EVERYWHERE it seems like, I have only been to the one in LA and it is just amazing!). In 2003, these two were awarded Breakout Designer Of The Year by GQ and just a few years ago 
some that have been around longer and received more noteriety than them have not received. It has taken long work, creative genius, trend specification while keeping a individuality which some designers fail to do. They present what is new and trendy but put their own spin on it in order to come across and stand out amongst many labels. I believe they are going to keep getting better 
and better because they seem to have a knack for blending trends into a realm that is suitable for a higher-end brand. They keep their designs fresh and youthful, while still maintaining that high-end sense (not just price, the look!) that a lot of designers are going for but falling short on. Dean and Dan are my designers of the day because 1) i love twins, 2) they are really starting to truly break out into the American markets even after being in the biz for about 20 years, 3) their styles are updating with the times, they are not getting lost in translation, 4) they have not lost their sense of originality in a profession formed on repeating the past. (pics from their fall 2008 and spring 2009 collection from nymag.com-check this site out, its great!)
CC SKYE
"Hollywood's Hottest New Designer" was the label given to this designer by InTouch magazine. CC Skye's ever-growing line is based in L.A negating the idea that to make it "big" you must be in NY (not to say that it is entirely false..unless you have been living under that o-so-popular fashion disaster rock most people know NY is the best place to be). CC Skye was nominated for the Best New Accessory Designer by Gen Art and by looking at her designs I can see why. Although her online site http://www.ccskye.com/ is basically restricted to "regular" people like us, if you go to other sites like Zappos and Revolve Clothing and
many, many other sites you can find some samples of her work. She first began by designing clothing and jewelry in the back streets while studying abroad in Nepal. She went back to work as an associate producer at MTV Networks and profiled the lives of fashion designers for the Style Network of E!. This girl seems to have made her way all over which is good. I think to be well-rounded and know the industry before setting off to do your own venture is important because not only does it allow you to network, get a feel of the industry and gain some knowledge of the field you are interested in, it allows you to know if it is even what you want to do! I think the reason I like her stuff is that it is so different from what I usually see in the store or would LIKE to see more of in the store. I wish I could post a 100 pics (well I could I just dont really want to) of her jewelry to showcase. Her line is NOT the cheapest tho. I am going to throw that out now! I mean most of her stuff is between $90-$300 for her things but if you dont want your gold turning and trying to pass it off as the "antique" look or one of your stones falling out, then you may want to just spend the extra money (if you have it) and go with CC.
This studio 54 cuff will run you about $220 if you choose to wanna take a leap out on the wild side and spend a couple hundred on a cuff. I think its really cute and know that it will be made well so I understand if you are privileged enough to go buy one. I found this on quite a few of the sites and some will offer you it a little less than the retail price for it.
This is a vintage-inspired cocktail ring that retails at about $175. I personally love this ring! I mean, big, gaudy rings aren't for everyone and it is not only because it is in-style right now. I just like the fact that it just makes me wanna dress up..ok maybe its just me! I love the fact that CC tends to blend gold into her works because gold has taken a step down to silver or "platinum" and it is good to see that people are trying to bring it back.
Ok, this is deco cuff, to me, is amazing. It will run you about $225 but if anyone can tell me where to find ANYTHING that looks like this under $20 TELL ME!! lol.. I have been looking for accessories that are out of the ordianary, going to make people stop and ask where I got it from and it has been to no avail. Yes, it is kind of expensive but I think it is worth it if you have the means to pay for it. This is extremely unique and can be guaranteed not to be seen on anyone else in like 40 mile radius. Unless you are like the unluckiest person on earth, lol.
These safety-pin earrings are $115 and are super cute. I have seen things like this at Claire's and Icing for about $16 or so and their things tend to be pretty ok made so if these are not the price range for you then I suggest trying there first. But like I said, gold will turn on you faster than a drug-addict lookin for a fix so I will strongly encourage, strongly, to just invest a little more money into getting something that will last. (i need to take my own advice). But I would suggest getting a pair that are a tad more casual and could be worn multiple times.
Nikki Hilton, Eva Mendes and that one girl, I just cant remember her name..o well.. wearing one her one stone bracelets. Nicole Ritchie and Fergie are also a fan of CC's bracelets. Other celebs include: Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Adrienne Bailon, Rihanna, Lauren Conrad, Hilary Duff and many others that I dont care to name.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
