H&M for Brick Lane Brick Men's Capsule Collection

This spring, H&M will release a men’s capsule collection with East London-based custom bike shop called Brick Lane Bike. This collection is unlike any of H&M recent high profile collaboration with fashion brand like Maison Martin Margiela and Versace because this concept comes from the streets. Brick Lane Bike is an independent shop that specializes in selling fixed-gear bikes with no apparel sold in their shop. The collection was inspired by the modern urban cyclist with each piece having technical details suitable for better cycling and everyday activity. Designed by H&M designer Petter Klusell and tested by the Brick Lane Bike team, together they combine their expertise and release a collection that combines both fashion and functionality. 

Feya Buchwald, the founder of Brick Lane Bikes said “This collection captures the energy and excitement of Brick Lane Bikes, along with our respect for the traditions of cycling. I love how the technical details become part of the look of each piece, while the colours bring cycling’s heritage to life. I can’t wait to see guys wearing these clothes as they ride the streets of the world”
  
This collection ranges from 11-pieces and is highlighted by a water-repellent rider jacket that can be worn as a backpack if it gets to hot, articulated blazers with smart stretch technology that allows movement and vintage-inspired bike jerseys made from merino wool. The entire collection is made from sustainable materials such as organic cottons and it’s part of H&M’s Conscious Vision. For full look of the collection click here to see. It will be available in H&M worldwide on March 7^th in selection stores. 

_Cyprian Chan

Lady Gaga's Stage Costumes: From Armani to Versace

By Angela Cole

Aside from her famous creativity in pop music, we all know Lady Gaga for her remarkable theatrics and wild fashion sense; her Born This Way Ball Tour being an obvious example of these characteristics.

In April of this year, Giorgio Armani was announced as the artist’s costume designer for her tour. He stated that:

"Collaborating with Lady Gaga is always an exciting experience for me. I admire the way she uses fashion as a scenic element and as a means to build a character."

Sketch for Lady Gaga costume by Armani

The designer created diverse stage outfits for the performer, including a long-sleeved, floor-length shift dress, as well as a black and white hat shaped like a keyboard. The Armani team used PVC, metal studs, and jet-black Swarovski crystals to create the outfits.

Sketch for Lady Gaga costume by Armani

 

But, watch out Armani! Lady Gaga is spreading her own rumors, and if proved to be true, Versace will be designing the tour’s costumes for America.

On November 13, 2012 at 3:17am, the singer tweeted:

"THE BORN THIS WAY BALL is getting a face-lift for America. I heard rumors @VERSACE IS CUSTOM DESIGNING ALL THE CLOTHES AND NEW LOOKS."

Lady Gaga’s passion for Versace clothes is no secret to anyone. She recently made headlines wearing THE safety-pin dress which was originally made famous by Elizabeth Hurley in 1994.

Lady Gaga (2012) vs. Elizabeth Hurley (1994)
Versace's safety-pin dress

The singer has also become pals with Donatella Versace, the brand’s chief designer. This past September, during Paris Fashion Week, the two posed for photographer Terry Richardson – Gaga topless.

Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga - Paris Fashion Week 2012
Photo by Terry Richardson

Versace’s costume designs for Lady Gaga will surely be translated into stylish, bold and risqué pieces that the brand has always been recognized for.

Fashion's Biggest Names Bring Disney to Life at Harrod's

A Tale as Old as Time.

Written by: Billy Vasilios


Guy or girl, we've all wanted to be a Disney princess, or be with a Disney princess. Needless to say, we've all been surrounded by these beautiful characters for as long as we can remember. They are apart of our culture and they are a significant part of our childhood. As children, I remember sitting in front of the television with my cousins and watching Disney movies for hours. We would even go as far as dressing up and bringing these enchanted characters to life, and on November 1st, 2012, Harrod's specialty department store did just that. They brought these princesses to life. Harrod's unveiled their Christmas windows which coincide with a 7,000 square-foot Disney pop-up boutique on the fourth floor. There is nothing more magical than walking by your department stores' Christmas windows and feeling that sparkle of warmth ignite inside of you on that cool winter night. This year, the Christmas windows have been taken over by some of fashion's biggest names, re-creating their imaginings of the iconic fairy tale dresses. Designers such as Valentino, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta and Versace have all come together to bring our childhood to life. 

Below are a few of the window displays I love.

Cinderella by Versace

Ariel from The Little Mermaid by Marchesa




Jasmin from Aladdin by Escada

Snow White by Oscar de la Renta

 

Belle from Beauty and the Beast in Valentino

 

Rapunzel by Jenny Packham




Which window is your favourite?

Happy Christmas, and always remember, it's never too late for your own fairy tale.

Sourced from: http://www.vogue.co.uk/

H and M Collaborations

The latest collaboration with H and M is with Marni. You can line up all night tomorrow to get all your goods!! I love the fact that they do this, even though I have yet to pick something up. I just don't have that time time or money. Maybe this means I am not a true fashionista, but I still love what I have and wear so judge me all you want.

I do just have one thing to say about the designer collabs. What happens when they run out of designers to use, will they join forces again. It use to be a yearly thing, but now it seems like it is more common. We all love H and M and we all love the chic designers, but when they have all been used are we going to ditch the Couture lines, and start pairing up with others like Cabbage Patch Dolls, or Sour Patch Kids. I am definitely interested in seeing where all this will lead too.

It is exciting to see designers you like teaming up with affordable stores such as H and M, and it makes you feel even better to see pop stars like Jessi J sporting the same Versace for H and M jacket that you have.

One this that is great is seeing David Beckhams face everywhere around the city. I know I am not the only who likes this. I heard that his line isn't that great. Anyone have thoughts on this from themselves or their boyfriends, friends etc.

But how long will thislast. Eventually it could lose it's glory, and not be so fun anymore. But I guess for now let's run over each other and be super stylish!

XX

Natalia Nikola

Elizabeth Taylor Auction

By: Erika Shantz

The iconic Elizabeth Taylor had an auction of all of her jewels on Tuesday night. The sale exceeded all expectations and it wasn’t even complete when it set the world record of $118 million in one night. A massive pearl sold for $11.84 million. It was suspended for a Cartier necklace and was projected to sell for $2-3 million, which is called “La Peregrina,” but it reached the highest price that any pearl has sold at auction. This wasn’t the only shock of the night; this auction actually broke six world records, which include per carat price for colourless diamond, per carat price for a ruby and the price for an Indian jewel.

It wasn’t only the jewelry that caught the eye of thousands. There were also dresses from Dior, Chanel, Versace, Valentino, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent. All of these pieces told a story about Elizabeth Taylor and the changes in fashion from her career. Her dress from her first marriage is estimated to go for $40,000 - $60,000 USD.

As well as the live sales there is an Internet only auction. It consists of approximately 1000 items, which includes accessories and jewelry.

Got Wood? Organic Summer Accessories for Him

by Derek Dotto

Wood was the first material man could shape to his heart’s desire. With sustainable fashion branching further into the mainstream, it’s no surprise arborous accessories are taking root in a big way.

Check out these wicked wood pieces:

DATE watch by WeWOOD

LA UNE sunglasses by Waiting for the Sun

Chechen plugs with origami carving by Omerica Organic

Walnut Shellcase for iPad by Vers

Flatpack backpack by The Horse in Motion

Mad Men star strips down for Versace spring/summer 2011 ad campaign

Continuing with the current predilection for designers using celebrities to front their ad campaigns, American actress January Jones, 32, can now be seen as the new face of the Versace spring/summer 2011 campaign.

The former model met Versace's creative director and Vice-president Donatella Versace at a photo shoot for Elle magazine (US) last year. An immediate friendship resulted and Jones has since been seen sitting front row at the Versace runway shows and sporting their designs on the red carpet. Versace is unique among Italian fashion houses due to its frequent use of celebrities for their advertising campaigns. Past celebrity faces include Madonna, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Halle Berry.

Jones, whose off-screen style is the antithesis of the ladylike 50s fashions she wears in her role as ex-model and housewife Betty Draper on Mad Men, is a perfect reflection of Versace's bright and sexually sculpted spring/summer collection. "When I saw [her] in that blue [Versace] dress at the Golden Globes, I thought [she] looked like a breath of fresh air," said Donatella. For Jones who has said "I want to be in fashion, but I wouldn't want to be the actress with a fashion line that other people design," the opportunity to star in the campaign of such a high-profile label as Versace is the perfect way to begin that transition. The recently released images were shot by veteran fashion photographer Mario Testino.

L. Lalonde