The Making of the Louis Vuitton Spring 2008 Ad Campaign

Go behind the scenes of the new Louis Vuitton spring 2008 ad campaign. Shot in London by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, this season's campaign will not only be sizzling hot but will perhaps lead the way back into the glamorous era of fashion advertising when everything and everyone was perfect and beautiful.

I think this may be a leap back to the fantasy ads, only this time it plays to not only a woman's fantasy of being perfect, beautiful and sexy (well let's just say this is the fantasy of an unquantified percentage of the female population) but of the man's fantasy as well, of having beautiful women and amazing cars.

What a superficial plastic world this all seems like, but when the world is a mess and everyone is stressed sometimes it's nice to just look at a picture and dream.

Style Spotlight: Georgina Chapman

Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman stepping out on the red carpet for the first time as Mrs. Harvey Weinstein (the two wed earlier this month) looking fabulous as ever.

Photo: wireimage.com

Newsflash: The Louis Vuitton Supermodels

Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova, Stephanie Seymour, Claudia Schiffer, Angela Lindvall, and Natalia Vodianova are set to star in Louis Vuitton's spring 2008 ad campaign, along with candy-colored hot rods and the most recent Louis Vuitton handbag collection designed in collaboration with artist Richard Prince.

See the sneak preview at style.com and stay tuned for the making of the campaign...

Happy Holidays

Photo: style.com

Style Radar: Giambattista Valli

While he has been designing his namesake collection since 2005, Giambattista Valli's past three collections have peaked my interest. I think he designs in a very contemporary way, even when he pulls his inspiration from the past, he has a way of making everything look super modern while still maintaining a classic appeal. The tailoring is impeccable and brings a refined edge to the collection. The oversized shapes, the bubbles and balloons apparent throughout his spring 2008 collection have a very couturish feel to them but at the same time are all very wearable. His use of color is magnificent as well, whether it be infused throughout the garment or adding pop (by way of a platform shoe) to a monochromatic look, color, is always done in a tasteful manor. Polished, ladylike, wearable exaggeration, modernity, impeccable detailing and boldness are truly what I think define the House of Giambattista Valli.

Photos: style.com

Ongoing Trend: The Cocktail Ring

Cocktail rings have been around forever but now more than ever are they defining outfits, designer collections, red carpets and retail accessory sales. If you don't wear any other accessory, wear an oversized ring and you are instantly in fashion, the center of attraction and the most talked to femme at any party (they are instant conversation starters). Funny as it may seem a huge "thing" on your hand totally transforms you and what you wear. The one pre-requisite to wearing these oversized gems, is not a great outfit, but polished finger tips. You do not want to attract attention to your dry cuticles or ridged nail beds. Trust me.

Rings: $120 by Noir, available at bloomingdales.com.



Photo: bloomingdales.com

Alexander McQueen at The Wynn

Alexander McQueen chose The Wynn in Las Vegas to open his second US retail location. When in Vegas be sure to check out this shop as it will be a main attraction. The Mirage has its dolphins, the MGM has its lions, and the Wynn has McQueen.

Read more at elle.com.

Photo: elle.com

Miu Miu Resort Collection

The Miu Miu Resort Collection should be on every one's must-have list. I love the neutral tones and the understated jewelled embellishments that give the collection that special something. If I had a "buy-all-you-can" budget for resort, and I was whipping off (or I was getting whipped off)to the French Rivera, I wouldn't be able to pass on the following items, of which, I consider absolute musts.

Shopping Flats & Tote
Beach Dinner Flats & Handbag

Dancing Shoes & Clutch
Have to haves for anytime of the day, week or year...

All items avilable at saks.com.



Photos: saks.com

Style Spotlight: Beyonce

I think this wineberry satin dress is so chic, especially for the holidays. I am particularly fond of the draping and ruched waistline but I especially love Beyonce's choice of jewels. Large chunky glittering baubles always seem to add that finishing touch to just about any outfit

Photo: wireimage.com

It Bag: The Python Botkier

I think that this pewter python Botkier bag will become the new it bag of the year. A great bag to spruce up any outfit in the midst of winter and the perfect way to inject that bit of shine into your everyday life. Out with the black and in with the pewter python.

Available at saks.com Photo: saks.com

The New Gianfranco Ferré Campaign

The new Gianfranco Ferré campaign pays homage to the late designer through the eyes of the house's new Creative Director Lars Nilsson. Apparently the clothing was designed by Ferré and his assistant but it was Nilsson who set the tone for the campaign which subsequently offers us a glimpse of Lars Nilsson for Gianfranco Ferré of which will break at Milan Fashion Week in February. I admire the direction that Nilsson is bringing the house and I love this ad campaign, it so reminds me of my favorite Helmut Newton photo of YSL's Le Smoking (see below). I think that the campaign is dramatic and makes me quite excited to see Nilsson's first collection for the house.

The ad will be released in select February fashion publications.


Photos: fashionweekdaily.com; garfnet.org

News Alert: Macy's Will Open 24 Hours

Macy's has announced that it will be open for 24 hours starting 7 a.m. on December 21st until 6 p.m. on December 24th. If you ever dreamed of shoe shopping at 3 a.m. head on down to Macy's Herald Square and indulge your fantasy. I am curious as to the sales that will pass through the register between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. There will be seven Macy's stores open round the clock within the tri-state area, read the full article on wwd.com to discover which stores will be passing out paper perfume sticks at 4:30 a.m. I wonder what special rules will be put into place...would we be able to get makeovers at 1 a.m., will we be able to get coffee and muffins at the cafe, will we be able to do returns....the store is open and functioning but how well will it be serving its customers? Some critics believe these are desperate measures to recover from the bad numbers that aren't ringing up as planned, others think it is a marketing ploy, I think it is the beginning of a new trend - 24 hour retailing.

Reminiscing about...

Sex and the City...yes I know it's old news, it's cliche, it's over but I recently pulled out my DVD collection (yes, I bought them all on DVD...to have forever, and ever)...and started watching the series from Season One and I have to say I kind of miss that once a week TV dose of fashion, style, life and fun. What show can you think of that is slightly comparable, fashion wise? And please, do not say Ugly Betty...it is not even close.

I have to say that I am patiently awaiting the new series' Cashmere Mafia and Lipstick Jungle, to see which comes out on top and which is worthy of best costume design. Until then I will continue my rotation of Season One through Six...oh and of course I do await the moment for SATC to arrive to the big screen. Yes, we all know SATC is over and done with but deep down we are all curious about it's big debut. Until then how about this mini teaser of a trailer.

Quote: The Irrational Age of Fashion

"We are entering what I think is an age of irrationality and return to fantasy—and luxury is a part of that...We are at the beginning of a social trend, change in values that could go on for years—the age of rationalisation, after all, lasted for more than a century."

François-Henri Pinault,

Chief Executive of PPR

Quote derived from style.com's Irrational Exuberance feature.

Flashback: Chanel No 5 Commercial

The Modern Day Fashion Trio

Is comprised of an old soul with full of grace, spunk and wit (Karl), a young/old soul who carries within a lifetime legacy (Sean) and a young soul who has been plucked, trimmed and placed on display for the whole world to love and adore (Irina). Today it is all about the mixture of talent that makes fashion what it is, music what it is, film what it is, art what it is and everything else in between. This picture is a perfect representation of the three merging together.

Sean Lennon, Irina Lazareanu, and Karl Lagerfeld backstage at the pre-fall 2008 Chanel show.

Photo: style.com

Item of The Week: Dolce Vita Rio-9

What I am loving and wanting now are these killer Dolce Vita booties I spotted on a fellow party goer. I love that they are an affordable $157.00...but that may incur some hidden costs if not extra cautious when sporting these 5" platform pumps. You may have to watch your step or bring some aspirin but its all in the name of fashion!


Photo: dolcevita.com

Everyone Wants to Be...

Henry Holland.At least just for the night so they could get away with wearing that fantastic gold blazer. I think Holland looks like he was riped right out of a Burberry ad. If I were doing the ads I wouldn't change a thing, except of course making sure that every inch of him was Burberry, right down to his cologne.

Photo: wireimage.com

The Candid Ritchies

Madonna and Guy Ritchie at the New York screening of Revolver hosted by Cinema Society and Piaget.

Loving her short, perfectly frizz-free ringlet do.

Photo: wireimage.com

Richie Momma

A very pregnant and stylish Mrs. Richie (at the launch of the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation) sporting a very "Nicole Richie" maternity look - perfectly coifed hair, full make-up, a forgiving maxi dress, a cropped leather jacket and bold accessories to top it off.

Photo: wireimage.com

The Difference Between New York & Paris

"New York is more stiff, very chic, and uptight compared to Paris, where they're more 'négligée.'"

- Bruno Frisoni, creative director of Roger Vivier

Esteban Cortazar for Emanuel Ungaro

It is official, Esteban Cortazar has been instated at the helm of the French fashion house. His first collection for fall 2008 will be presented at Paris Fashion Week in March. The youngest designer in history to be at the head of a major fashion house, Cortazar, 23, has now entered "the machine" (as explained by Giancarlo Giammetti in an interview with Cathy Horn), and will be under immense scrutiny as every eyeball in the industry will be on his debut collection for Emanuel Ungaro.

Cortazar, holds five collections under his namesake label which he has now retired so that he could devote full attention to his new post. I always thought that he was a very talented designer and a while back I grouped him with Zac Posen and Proenza Schouler as one of the great young emerging designers. That was, however, before they became power houses and before Cortazar slowly disappeared but maybe, just maybe, I was right. I think Cortazar is slated to be the NBT (next best thing) of the fashion world.

At right, a look from spring 2007, Cortazar's last collection.

Read the full story.

Photo: nymag.com

Where in the World is Tom Ford?

Well according to Elle.com, He is..."preparing to direct the big screen adaptation of A Single Man - Christopher Isherwood's 1964 novel, which depicts a day in the life of a gay man in Los Angeles." Kudos to him for seeing his goals through. It's always an inspiration to see someone setting a goal and (eventually) achieving it. No matter how long it takes, and no matter who you are on that social echelon, attaining your goals is always an achievement in the highest degree.

P.S. - I wish you all the luck with Hollywood, but I, as like most of your fans, am (patiently)waiting for the grand debut of a woman's collection. Like I said in a previous post, I truly believe that you will become the next American Fashion Legend.

Photo: fashionunited.co.uk