Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style

Yes Bond, James Bond has always been a showcase for gadgetry and high end style.  A lot of design talent went into crafting the many iconic scenes over the years.  The Barbican Center in London is hosting the Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style exhibit until September 5, 2012. 
Many top fashion designers have contributed to the exquisitely tailored look of this spy and his cohorts.  Along with Hollywood costumers Lindy Hemming, Bumble Dawson, Donfeld and Julie Harris, the exhibit includes looks from  Giorgio Armani, Brioni, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy, Gucci's Frida Giannini, Douglas Hayward, Rifat Ozbek, Jenny Packham, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Anthony Sinclair, Philip Treacy, Emanuel Ungaro and Donatella Versace.  
See the evolution of sexy swimwear from Ursula Andress' famous white bikini from Dr. No, to Halle Berry's modern update in Die Another Day to Daniel Craig being the male version of eye candy in skimpy blue shorts in Casino Royale.
As for the famous tech and weapons, special effects experts John Stears and Chris Corbould are on hand along with artwork for sets and storyboards by production designers Sir Ken Adam, Peter Lamont and Syd Cain.
I wonder if the opening night party served up martinis...


Images from Daily Mail UK/Getty/AP/Rex

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I Love the 90's - An Ideal History of Contemporary Fashion

Did you love fashion in the 1990's? (If you were too young, I would rather not know).  What do you remember as the top looks of the decade?  The new exhibit at the Musee Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris recaptures many of them.

I think of minimalism, avant-garde and 'deconstructed' clothes from that time.  The rise of the Belgian designers (Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten).  Yohji Yamamoto's sculpted pieces, Comme des Garcon's cerebral outfits and pleats from Issey Miyake are represented here as well.

Did those trends not appeal to you?  The 1990's were also the height of popularity for Jean Paul Gaultier's tongue-in-cheek fashion.  It was the debut of Tom Ford's reign of Gucci.  Azzedine Alaia was one of the hottest designers, making it into ultimate 90's teen film "Clueless".   Christian Lacroix was a sculpted explosion of color worshiped by the ladies of "Absolutely Fabulous". 

The exhibit runs until May 8, 2011.  Make it over there if you can, or peruse some of the exhibit images online.

Photos By Dominique Maitre for WWD

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Italian Designers Promote the Artisan Movement

Why do you pay the big bucks for a designer item? It's not simply for the name is it? I would hope the educated consumer is purchasing their luxury piece for the work and quality too.

Gucci launched its Artisan Corner program last week, bringing their skilled leather craftspeople to their boutiques. The campaign was launched as a tour in stores of several cities, where VIP clients are able to order a customized bag with their initials embossed and an interior plaque listing the date of the event.

Dolce & Gabbana paid tribute to all of the artisans of their team during their recent fashion show. The show opened with images of their workers smiling out to the audience projected onto the big screen. The presentation also showed a video of the designers in a flurry of sketchpads with the seamstresses, tailors and patternmakers.

Domenico Dolce noted "Tailoring and craftsmanship are assets that belong to us and to Italy. From this point of view, we are very patriotic." Of course, the collection that followed on the runway showcased the final product of impeccably tailored jackets, lace and sheath dresses.

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