FORMICHETTI GETS HIS OWN MUSE

Nicola Formichetti is keeping it in the family. As the newly appointed Creative Director for Thierry Mugler, Formichetti has once again collaborated with Lady GaGa, but this time in song, and not for Gaga herself.

The following video was directed by Mariano Vivanco and features fashions latest muse to get people talking. The immensely talented but not often understood creative called on Rick Genest, a twenty-something model better known as 'Zombie Boy' who he found online. Genest has strong features and keeps in shape but that is the extent of the similarities to his model peers. Why? Because he is covered in tattoos from head to toe. And not just any tattoos. Skeletal, demonic-looking and quite frankly a little scary. Now put the model in the latest offerings (and Formichetti's debut line for Thierry Mugler), run an exclusive previously unknown Lady GaGa track behind it and it's magic.  It may not be traditionally beautiful or artistic but considering that we are slowly running out of original ideas it makes for a breathe of fresh air.




source: homotography.com, gq.com/us

ADREJ PEJIC FOR GAULTIER 2011

In a time when using androgyny in fashion could/should be a normal occurrence it is somehow still met with confusion or distaste from some. I told you about Andrej Pejic. I told you about his long blonde hair and feminine features, the various interest from designers. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, because now Pejic can add 'high-end catwalk model' to his resume. Jean-Paul Gaultier decided to celebrate the model by using him for his new Spring campaign. In addition to this, Gaultier, who is known for his eccentric shows invited Pejic to join the Gaultier crew in the latest showing of his collection. In fur and high-heels. Does this mean similar models will be making appearances in both mens and ladies shows?

THE AFI FASHION WEEK LINE-UP

Spotted at the AFI Fashion Week launch in Johannesburg last week was Stiaan Louw (with Joe from Jaylowlovesyou). We were able to discuss some of the treats lined up for his new collection but mums the word. Here is a list of designers showing next month.

• Suzaan Heyns, a Joburg label that pushes the boundaries in ready-to-wear fashion, appealing to strong-willed women;
• Errol Arendz, whose luxury fashion brands, DuSud and EA Ready to Wear, have a sleek and glamorous feel with delicate military touches;
• KlûkCGDT, a label that represents the merging of two designers dedicated to each garment with careful attention and dedication to detail;
• LISP, which is about living out rock and roll, with an autumn / winter collection drawing inspiration from the late 1960s and early 1970s;
• Wild Fig, a woman’s clothing label that makes the wearer feel feminine and beautiful;
• Spero Villioti, who for the past 25 years has been viewed as the leading haute couture label in Joburg;
• Abigail Betz, winner of the Best Couture Collection award, whose designs are characterised by femininity and romance;
• Karabo Finger, a specialty fashion brand focusing on women’s career, cocktail and lifestyle wear;
• Distinctive Wear, which creates clothes for sophisticated men;
• Avant for Gaschette, which notes that “inspiration from Joburg comes mainly from what is taken in visually and experiences on a sensory level on a day-to-day basis”;
• Grapevine, a new Joburg label;
• Bongiwe Walaza, who uses African prints strongly in her garments;
• Stiaan Louw, with his menswear;
• Thula Sindi, who designs clothing for elegant and mature women;
• Abigail Keats, whose signature style is best described as a sophisticated contemporary art form that plays with the paradox of masculine tailoring;
• Tart, which focuses on leisurewear;
• Loin Cloth and Ashes, which focuses on dresses for women who dare to be different;
• Heni, who won the Vodacom Durban July fashion challenge in 2007; and
• David Tlale, a home-grown label that stands out for its elegantly designed garments.

from joburg.org.za, image property of man of the cloth

AFI FASHION WEEK LAUNCH AT RANDLORDS

While I have been out to all sorts of fancy functions in Cape Town, I had somehow never been to one in Johannesburg. I was told in advance that Jozi does things a little differently, that was clear when I arrived on the top floor at Randlords in Braamfontein. Overlooking the city at such a height is quite special. I understand why locals are so patriotic about Jozi. The energy is somewhat different but I would have to spend more time out here to be able to pin it down. Fashion is another thing altogether here in Johannesburg. Men, straight men, dress to impress here. Just take a look below at my new friends Marc Graham and Tresor Junior.  While the view was amazing, it's not Cape Town of course... I kid.

The gathering allowed the press and elite to mingle before managing director Paul Leisegang and Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe discussed their plans for African Fashion International. For one, this year will see the addition of an extra day to fashion week (three shows a night) with the graduates showing off their hard work on day one. Participating graduate designers include: Kutloano Molokomme, Minette Meyer, Ndine Holloway, Melita Ngoasheng, Lebogang Moatshe, Sunette Scheepers, Jessica Sutherland (who I recently met has started a great visual blog), Pride Nkosi, Laura Kass, Nkulueko Msibi, Phumzile Langa, Anja Bredell, Nkosi Nkala, Chantelle Nascimento, Sello Medupe and Portia Moruthane.

The event itself was a whirlwind of meets and quick one-on-ones and I managed to get a few photographs of the guests in attendance. With so many photographers around I wasn't about to butt in and take identical shots of personalities, so take a look at just some of the lovely people I personally encountered at the launch. The Smarteez were certainly interesting to meet as a group, their enthusiasm was exploding on their curious audience. You may recall this post.


David Tlale and Tatum Keshwar pose with Gert-Johan Coetzee (in pink), he was the local designer who gave Kourtney Kardashian one of his dresses and she wore it to the Peoples Choice Awards. 

With the great reveal that this fashion week will take place at several landmark locations in Johannesburg, I cannot wait to see what all the designers have in store for us. 

HDIL Couture Week

Burberry you Stud, you!

While Christopher Bailey is not bowling you over with colours and prints that we have not seen before, what he is doing is keeping the legacy of the brand fresh. Burberry just wouldn't be Burberry without the trench, and frankly I wouldn't want it to be any other way. Keeping to a similar colour palette as last season Bailey introduced a heavy Rocker influence with the use of the Stud trend in many forms.







In addition to this, Bailey experiments with mesh tops, transparency and even leather shirts to further define the 2011 Spring/Summer season as a prominent Biker rebelliousness. The point he makes is that the subtlety's of his changes are effective without overpowering or insulting any die-hard Burberry Prorsum fans, all the more pulling Burberry to the modern age.











And of course, finally Burberry releases a Gum-boot for their mens range. Which in our current climate would be perfect! So you know...

{FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: D&G, ICEBERG, BOTTEGA VENETA, BURBERRY, ETRO}




TOP {FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FERRAGAMO, GUCCI, ETRO, ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA}
BOTTOM {FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: NEIL BARRETT, D&G, COSTUME NATIONAL, ROBERTO CAVALLI}



{FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VERSACE, ROBERTO CAVALLI, BOTTEGA VENETA}



{FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Z ZEGNA, TRUSSARDI, ROBERTO CAVALLI, VERSACE}



TOP {FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FERRAGAMO, PRADA, BOTTEGA VENETA}
BOTTOM { LEFT TO RIGHT: FERRAGAMO, ROBERTO CAVALLI, PRINGLE, ICEBERG}

LIVE BURBERRY PRORSUM SS11 MENSWEAR SHOW

Burberry Prorsum will launch their Spring Summer 2011 show in Milan this afternoon. For those of us who are unable to attend I have an exclusive showing for our South African readers!

If you miss the live webcast fear not; you can still watch the show below which will be on a loop directly after the end of the show. There will be a call to action to shop the collection on Burberry.com once the show is over so hurry if you want to take the term Ready-to-wear to another level.

I am so excited to see what Christopher Bailey and team come up with since their last showing was my favorite at Fashion Week. This is the third time that Bailey will live-stream a show! For the first time, Burberry broadcast its Autumn Winter 2010/11 womenswear show in 3D live from London to simultaneous events in New York, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Burberry is the first brand ever to broadcast live simultaneous events in 3D worldwide. So you know they are pulling out all the stops!



BURBERRY TO LAUNCH BURBERRY ACOUSTIC AND RUNWAY TO REALITY THROUGH MENSWEAR SHOW LIVE STREAM

“We have collaborated on so many projects with new and young emerging British bands over the years.  We felt that with the great interaction that we have experienced with our social media website artofthetrench that we could collaborate with musicians and artists to put together an incredible group of ongoing acoustic sessions from some of the finest talent coming out of the UK and bring them to the broad global Burberry audience”
Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer

Burberry Acoustic celebrates the Burberry heritage of founding, developing and supporting emerging British talent. Burberry Acoustic will collaborate with British artists across multiple Burberry experiences through the attitude and energy of music. All the artists are selected by Christopher Bailey and filmed exclusively for Burberry in the UK.

There is no excuse to miss this live showing because it can be viewed globally and on iPhone and iPad devices! Enjoy!

Craig Port | Audi Joburg Fashion Week

Although I am a little late on reporting this I definitely still wanted to show you. Craig Port surprised me this year. Like, really surprised me. Featuring a flurry of handsome Craig Port look-a-likes wearing well structured suiting in purple and enlarged plaid. I honestly enjoyed these images more than when I saw Paul Smith's show. Because I wasn't expecting it, and because it's really different to what any South African designer is coming up with.



Not only is the use of plaid suiting on-par with International designs, but the use of purple as you know was all over Fashion week in Paris and Milan. I particularly loved the dipped jacket at the top. I have a pair of off-white jeans I don't wear too often and I have been thinking of doing something like that.



The purple paisley in the middle is gorgeous. It actually looks like one of D&G's from their last collection. Inspiring!

I wonder if he will be bringing these and other designs to Cape Town Fashion week?