Much-loved by wide-shouldered power-dressers in the Eighties, the bold brooch is back—but this time around it's not about jewel-encrusted serpents and cheetahs. Lanvin's Alber Elbaz designed two of our favorite whimsical pins, both perfect when piled on in pairs and worn with a ladylike dress or added as an afterthought to a favorite handbag.
>> After Dana Thomas's best-selling book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster came out in August 2007, she wasn't invited to Louis Vuitton's show the following October — Vuitton chief executive Yves Carcelle was unhappy with how she had portrayed LVMH head Bernard Arnault. Given the article she just wrote for Newsweek, "The Tragic Decline of the House of Versace," she may be uninvited from Versace's show next.
Just last week, Donatella expressed that she expected Versace to weather the economy, despite having to lay off a quarter of its workforce. Thomas doesn't seem as convinced, suggesting that perhaps it's time for Versace to move past its family-centric setup:
"Many in the fashion industry believe it's time for the brand to continue without Versace family involvement — and some suggest that the family is starting to accept this idea too. Last year, Santo [Versace, Donatella's brother and former CEO of the company] was elected to the Italian Parliament. Allegra [Beck Versace, Donatella's daughter and 50 percent company heir] has been attending Brown University and has said her dream is to become an actress. And will Donatella remain at the helm? 'Maybe,' says [an anonymous] former Versace executive. 'Then again, maybe not.' Which, after a decade of turmoil, may be the best thing for the company after all."
>> Thakoon Does Jewelry for Tasaki; Moises de la Renta Rumored for Mango —Just as his contract with Hogan has expired, Thakoon has taken up a new responsibility: creative director for Japanese fine jeweler Tasaki, the world's biggest pearl supplier. This is his first major foray into jewelry, and the Thakoon for Tasaki collection will be unveiled in February. Moises de la Renta is also reportedly on deck for a partnership — he's "about to ink a deal" with Mango. [Style File, WWD]
There was a lot of skin peaking through fabric at the spring 2010 runway shows—the most severe seen in slashed bondage dresses at Hervé Léger, complicated cutous at Gucci, Cushnie et Ochs, and Zero + Maria Cornejo, and bare midriffs at Alexander Wang, Vena Cava, and Erin Wasson x RVCA.
>> Here's a rumor on a rumor: Victoria Beckham is said to be working through another deal with Simon Fuller — this time to set up a modeling agency in New York. Fuller already backs her Victoria Beckham collection and, as of August owns a majority stake in Storm modeling agency in London — which represents the likes of Kate Moss and Jourdan Dunn.
Word went around a couple of weeks ago that Fuller was shopping the New York modeling agency market for "opportunities." As for Beckham's supposed involvement, her spokesman didn't deny the news, only "play[ed] down the plans," according to the Daily Mail — but it sounds now like Fuller may be setting up a new agency as New York counterpart to Storm. A source told the Daily Mail:
"Simon knows that Victoria is very savvy when it comes to fashion. Simon’s first foray into fashion was to team up Roland Mouret and Victoria, which was a huge success. Victoria is a key asset to Simon and he wants her to take on a major role."
*image: wenn.com
In addition to announcing he will enter the menswear market through a collaboration with Aloha Rag, Thakoon Panichgul was named creative director of Tasaki today, a Japanese fine jeweler best known for cultivating, manufacturing and selling pearls.
"It is exciting to be working with fine jewelry as it will unquestionably feed into my overall creative process," said Thakoon of the opportunity. "I look forward to creating a collection for Tasaki that is unique and powerful. My goal is to approach jewelry design in the same manner that I approach clothing: always move forward but respect the past."
Thakoon collaborated with Fenton's Dana Lorenz on his fall 2009 jewelry collection.
[FWD]
Refinery 29's Save Fashion event returns November 13-22 in NYC—this year the fashion steals will be sold at Inven.tory in SoHo.
Burberry launches trench coat-themed social networking site with Scott Schuman.
Prada's Rem Koolhaas-designed museum for the Prada Art Foundation will open in 2014.
Coming soon to Opening Ceremony: Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte's thigh high bondage boots
Thakoon designs plaid print cardigan for Aloha Rag's new private label.
"Yeah, I started my entire business as a joke, which sounds bad, doesn't it?"—Henry Holland to the Guardian UK.
Source: Refinery 29
