Posts for December 2012

Reactions to Alexander Wang's New Job at Balenciaga
Balenciaga

Here's How Everyone Reacted to Alexander Wang's Appointment at Balenciaga

Last week's rumors and Monday's confirmation that Alexander Wang is the new creative director of Balenciaga have elicited mixed responses in the industry and beyond.
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Last week's rumors and Monday's confirmation that Alexander Wang is the new creative director of Balenciaga have elicited mixed responses in the industry and beyond.

Fashion critics like Cathy Horyn have taken analytical stances to Wang's appointment, commenting that his performance at Balenciaga will largely depend on where PPR executives want to take the company.

"The fact that they chose Mr. Wang, a contemporary-market designer, and not a high-fashion designer, emphatically suggests that they do want something different," Horyn wrote.

Robin Givhan of The Daily Beast agreed, writing last week that "Wang almost certainly would bring a broader commercial appeal to Balenciaga." When the news was confirmed today, she tweeted, "Bon chance to all!"

On Twitter, reactions ranged from elation (more than one account called his hire a "new era") to cautious optimism. A look at how the industry reacted to today's news, below.

Kate Middleton Confirmed Pregnant
Link Time

A Royal Pregnancy, Karl's Latest Collaboration, and What to Wear For Anna Wintour

All the news bits fit to print here, in our daily roundup.
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All the news bits fit to print here, in our daily roundup.

  • The Palace has confirmed that Kate Middleton is pregnant. [PopSugar]

  • Which of course led everyone to tweet a lot. [The Huffington Post]

  • Meanwhile, Karl Lagerfeld has been teamed with footwear brand Melissa to design capsule collections over the next four seasons. [Fashionologie Inbox]

  • Talk about a fashion addiction. Damien Hirst has created wearable art out of The Row's signature crocodile backpack and multicolored prescription pills. [Just On Eye]

  • Dressing to impress takes on a whole different meaning when it comes to a job interview with Anna Wintour. [The Cut]

  • Indian artist Reena Kallat will design an art installation for the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai with Ermenegildo Zegna as part of the ZegnArt program, which promotes contemporary art and cultural exchange between Italy and other countries. [WWD]

  • Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard, and Kate Hudson star in remakes of iconic photographs and cinematic moments. [Guest of a Guest]

  • Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are appearing in court today after being accused of evading more than €400,000,000 ($522,120,000 at current exchange) in taxes. [Telegraph]

  • Ugg boots, Coach bags, and Michael Kors watches were among Cyber Monday's bestsellers. [Racked]

  • The Smithsonian is set to place The Dom Pedro, a 10,363 carat aquamarine — the largest of its kind — on permanent display on Dec. 6. [The Washington Post]

  • Lily Donaldson is the star of Free People's kaleidoscopic December catalog video. [Modelinia]

    • Alexander Wang to Take Over Balenciaga
    Balenciaga

    Confirmed! Alexander Wang to Replace Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga

    Update: Alexander Wang will replace Nicolas Ghesquière as the creative director of Balenciaga.
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    Update: Alexander Wang will replace Nicolas Ghesquière as the creative director of Balenciaga. In an official announcement released this morning, PPR and Balenciaga announced that Wang will design the brand's women's and men's ready-to-wear, as well as accessories and image. Wang will continue to oversee his own namesake label as well.

    "I am deeply honored to embark on this new role for a brand and house that I have such great admiration and respect for," Wang said in the release.

    As for what a Wang-helmed Balenciaga will look like, it's anybody's guess. "Alexander Wang will use his creativity and his own research to reinterpret and immortalize the distinctive, modern, and extremely innovative style imposed by Cristóbal Balenciaga," explained François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR.

    The news comes just a few days after both WWD and Cathy Horyn released independent reports that Wang was the rumored front-runner for the job.

    Meanwhile, last Friday was Ghesquière's last day at Balenciaga. He announced earlier this month that he would leave the house after 15 years at the helm.

    — Additional reporting by Christina Pérez

    Target and Neiman Marcus Holiday CFDA Collection 2012
    Neiman Marcus

    See Every Piece From the Target Neiman Marcus CFDA Holiday Collection

    Target matches its mass market forces with Neiman Marcus's department store prowess for an unprecedented retail adventure: 24 CFDA designers will create limited-edition items for a 50-piece Holiday collection that will hit both retailers' brick-and-mortar nationwide locations and online outlets Dec.
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    Target and Neiman Marcus Holiday CFDA Collection 2012

    Target matches its mass market forces with Neiman Marcus's department store prowess for an unprecedented retail adventure: 24 CFDA designers will create limited-edition items for a 50-piece Holiday collection that will hit both retailers' brick-and-mortar nationwide locations and online outlets Dec. 1.

    Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, Altuzarra, Band of Outsiders, Brian Atwood, Eddie Borgo, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Robert Rodriguez, Rodarte, Skaist-Taylor, Thom Browne, Lela Rose, Marchesa, Philip Crangi, Tory Burch, Alice + Olivia, Judith Leiber, and Tracy Reese are all involved. There will be men's, women's, and children's clothing and accessories, as well as lifestyle items, such as pet, sporting, and home goods. Most items in the collection — titled, appropriately, The Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection — will cost under $60, though prices will start at $7.99 and top out at $499.

    "This is kind of groundbreaking," Neiman Marcus's president and CEO, Karen Katz, told WWD. "We've set the stage for a redefining moment in retail," Gregg Steinhafel, Target Corp's president, chairman, and CEO, agreed.

    In addition to creating this ultimate Holiday extravaganza, Target and Neiman Marcus will donate a total of $1 million dollars to the CFDA. "I can think of no better finale to CFDA's 50th anniversary celebration than through this extraordinary designer collaboration," CFDA president — and participating designer — Diane von Furstenberg explained.

    A look at the entire collection in all its glory, here.

    Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection
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    Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 | Runway Pictures
    Victoria's Secret

    Best Moments From the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

    Veteran Angels and wide-eyed newcomers alike took to the catwalk last month for Victoria's Secret's annual Fashion Show in New York City.
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    Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 | Runway Pictures

    Veteran Angels and wide-eyed newcomers alike took to the catwalk last month for Victoria's Secret's annual Fashion Show in New York City. Constance Jablonski (who has three VS shows already under her belt) told us that she looks forward to doing the show every year "because I can be myself, show my personality, interact with the crowd, and just have fun." And, just as Jablonski promised, the night certainly brought plenty of all of that — and more. The opening sequence of circus performers, stilt walkers, and acrobats provided plenty of treats for the eye from the get-go, but it was Adriana Lima's show-starting strut and ringmaster's getup (cape, top hat, and gilded over-the-knee boots) that really got the crowd in the mood.

    In a segment called "Dangerous Liaisons," Lily Donaldson, Miranda Kerr, and Doutzen Kroes sauntered seductively in feathered wings and Swarovski Elements-covered corsets, while Rihanna (who looked quite model-esque in her own right) provided the first of the night's musical performances. Bruno Mars and his bopping group of jazz musicians stormed the runway for a segment titled "Calendar Girls": Erin Heatherton played January in golden wings and a Happy New Year sash, Hilary Rhoda made her VS catwalk debut in a St. Patrick's Day shamrock ensemble, and Karlie Kloss powered through November in a giant feathered headdress that is sure to get tongues wagging.

    Clad in bright white and surrounded by a dozen backup dancers, Justin Bieber delivered a high-energy performance that had everyone — including first time VS catwalkers Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn — sashaying and dancing their hearts out. "I never thought I'd be doing the robot in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show," Dunn had revealed to us backstage before the show, but if she was nervous on the runway you definitely couldn't tell. With her cheeky gaze and razor-sharp moves, she looked like a seasoned pro.

    The show airs on CBS on Dec. 4; preview all the action here.

    Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012
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    Best-Dressed Celebrities and Models | Nov. 30, 2012
    Best Dressed

    This Week's Best Dressed

    Wow, what a week.
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    Best-Dressed Celebrities and Models | Nov. 30, 2012

    Wow, what a week. Between the British Fashion Awards, Valentino's Master of Couture opening, Vogue's December issue launch in Madrid, the Hangover Ball, the Pirelli Calendar unveiling, and the Target-Neiman Marcus holiday collaboration shopping event, the fashion action was nonstop. See who turned up to which events — and which looks had heads turning — here, in our best-of roundup.

    Izabel Goulart and Mario Testino Alexa Chung Dita Von Teese Stella McCartney Lulu Kennedy Lin Chi-ling Lily Collins
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