The Fashion File Blog

I have a whole new respect for Diesel. Personally, this company's jeans are not the kind of denim I gravitate towards. When I think of Diesel, young attractive bridge and tunnel boys and girls come to mind- partying in their mall wear somewhere on the lower west side on a Saturday night. However it seems that Diesel's Maestro Renzo Rosso is parlaying some of that denim fortune into acquiring the world's leading designer labels- most recently with his purchase of controlling shares of Viktor & Rolf. "Only the brave appeal to us" is Rosso's motto and, with existing shares in houses like Maison Martin Margiela, Dsquared2, and Sophia Kokosalaki, one can see Rosso is a man of his word.

In a time where commercialism seems to be winning the war in fashion, it's a relief to see that some of the big dogs recognize a need for auteurism- regardless of their profit margins. I would, however, keep a close eye on these lines to see if any stream-lining takes place in terms of art direction, advertising, production or distribution. As much as I would like to paint Mr Rosso as a saviour, I fear this is the kind of man who built an empire not solely on good intentions.

Posted by ADRIAN MAINELLA

July 23, 2008 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"When I asked her to tell me stories, she would say, 'Learn to read.' And when I wanted to tell her one, she would come back with: 'You may be four years old, but I am not.'" (Karl Lagerfeld, sharing memories of his mother in "Empreintes", an hour-long profile of the designer to air on France 5 in October)

Given the vast breeding-ground for crazy this kind of nurturing would create in a garden slug, I think we can cut Karl some slack for his super-starched collars, bizarro speeches on anorexic people vs. anorexic clothes, and his ubiquitous Diet Coke butler.

Posted by SAM

July 23, 2008 2:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kanye West has unveiled his new custom-made Louis Vuitton backpack on his blog. Apparently it took over a year of collaboration between Kan and Louis Vuitton for this one-of-a-kind (that means not available to ANYONE else... ever) backpack to be manufactured. I wonder what Uncle Karl would do for ME if I became the self-proclaimed "Chanel-Mademoiselle"?

Image from Kanye West Blog

Posted by HAZEL

July 22, 2008 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I saw a woman on the subway today curling her eyelashes with a spoon. After coming to (post rage black-out) I had to stop myself from grabbing that spoon and gagging myself with it. I went to say something but realized my voice was trembly and worried that the first word out of my mouth would be "Girrrrrl..." a la Jackee from the show 227. After thinking for a moment I realized; maybe I should be applauding this woman for her ingenuity. Maybe this was a revolution in beauty application. The child in me remembered Ariel from A Little Mermaid brushing her hair with a fork. But Ariel was a MERMAID with a crab for a best friend. The spoon is not a beauty utensil. I mean, what's next- blush application with a butter knife? 'Spooning' is beyond a beauty don't, I don't care how busy, how rushed, how behind you are. Somewhere in the world Pat McGrath is weeping. It is a sad, sad day for beauty.

Posted by JESSE

July 22, 2008 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With so much talk about eco-this and renewable-that, I got to thinking...the modeling world is so NOT green. It goes through girls faster than your can say Denisa Dvorakova. That is why I was D-lighted to see Daria grab the cover and editorial of French Vogue's August Issue. She is such a flawless model, so easy and constant. Maybe that's why she is being inducted into Canada's Walk Of Fame in September. Don't worry, yours truly will surely be there to snap Daria in all of her glory (though my shots probably won't be as great as these by Inez & Vinoodh).

Daria Werbowy in Paris Vogue August 2008
Photography by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin
Photos from Models.com, courtesy IMG Models

Posted by JESSE

July 21, 2008 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fashion File spent a couple of days with the AMAZING Coco Rocha a while back and here is what I learned:
1. Yes, she really is THAT nice.
2. Beyonce has a stage persona (named Sasha no less) Coco has a photo shoot persona. And it is FIERCE.
3. The girl can pose. In fact if she and Tyra had a pose off, Coco would win. Hands down.

Check out our Coco Rocha Fashion File segments and the Fashion Magazine August Cover which drops today. Also, have you seen Coco's new YSL shot...? Tres Coco.

Coco Rocha in Fashion Magazine August 2008
Photograph by Miguel Jacob

Coco Rocha YSL Beaute Fall/Winter 2008 from Models.com, courtesy Elite New York
Photograph by Solve Sundsbo

Posted by JESSE

July 21, 2008 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've wished for it... We've hoped and waited with bated breath...And that glorious day has finally arrived! The most iconic pair of sparkly shoes ever to grace ANYONE's feet is about to get the royal treatment - from SHOE royalty, that is. According to Thursday's WWD, Warner Brothers is honouring the 70th anniversary of the film "The Wizard of Oz" by asking the Who's Who of shoe designers to put their stamp on Dorothy's ruby slippers. Louboutin... Blahnik... Choo... and everyone else from Alberta Ferretti to Giuseppe Zanotti have signed on to make their versions of the sparkly red shoes. Apparently they will be auctioned off after NYC Fashion Week in September, with the proceeds benefitting the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
From now until then I'll be clicking my heels together wishing for the funds to procure a pair of these lovelies...and trying to find something to wear with red crystal shoes.

Posted by SAM

July 17, 2008 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)