Between fake news and horrible political reality, I can't stomach April Fools pranks this year. Instead, I would like to give a shout-out to some of the most entertaining pranks the fashion world pulled on us that made us smile.
Legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour has made her ambivalent feelings toward the Kardashians visible over the years. She expressed disapproval at Kim's pregnant Met Gala look. Her tight-lipped tolerance of the West children at a fashion show was photographed by many. Kim Kardashian and family responded with the sincerest form of flattery in 2014. Kim dressed as Wintour for Halloween, with daughter North West dressed as editor Andre Leon Talley.
Street artists Kidult tagged (defaced) the exteriors of several Marc Jacob's boutiques. It was allegedly a comment on the obscene price of the t-shirts sold inside. Jacobs gave a sartorial middle finger to the artist by selling screen printed t-shirts with imagery of the graffiti, $686 "unsigned" and $430 "signed." as an additional insult. The tongue-in-cheek response prompted many to wonder if this was actually a collaboration instead of a feud.
Alexander Wang loves his fans. In 2013, he invited his biggest fans to a mystery event. Some speculated it was a secret fashion show, some hoped it would be a private sample sale. The reality was better than they had imagined. When the doors opened, the designer announced the warehouse full of his collection was free for the taking. The resulting video documenting the event was both exhilarating and terrifying.
One of my favorite museum fashion exhibits of all time was the Jean-Paul Gaultier show at the Brooklyn Museum in 2014. One usually expects beautiful fashions presented on mannequins and pedestals. This exhibit, the mannequins were animated, occasionally with voices. While you looked at the mannequin, thinking it was stationery, they eyes would spin around and glare at you. Others were placed on a moving runway. While you watched them, the mannequins behind you would whisper "I'm beHIND you!" creepily in your ear.
In 2015, posh retailer Barney's introduced a dogs only menu in their elite restaurant. Dishes offered included grain-free spaghetti and meatballs as well as the Bark's Madison avenue salad. This was the department store's April Fool's offering. Most people saw through the hoax, but the photos were adorable anyway.
photos from Instagram, Barney's, fashionista.com, Mariana Leung
ModCloth:
Love Modcloth's retro/hipster look? How would you like to win $500 and have your design produced for them with your name on the label?
Enter their Make the Cut Contest by submitting a sketch by February 25, 2013 based on the rainbow fabric swatch above and their team of stylists will choose the 20 best to be voted on from their Facebook page. Click here for full details.
Designer for Tomorrow:
European designers! Want a solo show at Berlin Fashion Week? How does a full sponsorship that includes a design studio, production of your collecion and more sound? If you are a recent fashion grad in Europe, enter the Designer for Tomorrow competition before February 28, 2013. The awards are hosted by Marc Jacobs. Judges include editors from Vogue, WWD and InStyle Magazine. Click here for more information.
The 50th anniversary of the fashion industry's top honors took place at Lincoln center Monday night. Super luxury brand, The Row by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen (yes, those Olsens) won Womenswear Designer of the Year. Menswear Designer of the year was awarded to Billy Reid, who thanked his mother for not allowing him to pursue his dream of being a football coach.
Swarovski awarded emerging talents Joseph Altuzarra for women's, Phillip Lim for menswear and Tabitha Simmons for accessories.
Fashion fans from Hollywood came out to support the people who kept them beautiful, like Zoe Saldana, Jessica Chastain and Kate Bosworth.
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award went to Tommy Hilfiger. The International award was awarded to Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons. Scott Schuman and Garance Dore were honored with the Media Award. Johnny Depp won the award for Fashion Icon.
No matter which style maven you rooted for, everyone agreed that host Seth Myers (SNL) was terrific. He skewered the initially cool audience into howling laughter when they finally figured out how to laugh at themselves. Besides wearing a black dress tribute to Marc Jacob's outfit at the Met Ball, his zingers included:
“I hear tangerine orange is the color of the season. Which means Valentino was ahead of the trend since his skin is already that color. Valentino actually couldn’t be here tonight because he’s in the hospital getting another arm surgically attached so he can hold more dogs.”
“This fall on NBC tune into Karl Lagerfeld’s new show, ‘Are You Fatter than a Fifth Grader?’”. I mean, is this a thing already?
Tuesday evening, I watched the first of three film screenings of fashion documentaries by Loic Prigent. The director followed designer Marc Jacobs from New York, Asia and Paris to document his work process. The film showed the creative journey from embroidery to dying fabric, then bleaching the garment for a destroyed affect. It showed artisans all over the studio experimenting with pressing, washing, burning, tearing and steaming a flower to achieve just the right look.
I really enjoyed how the film captured the endless all-night work sessions and how much a collection is a team effort. It did not attempt to glamorize it and showed off the skills and dedication of his staff. The contrast between Marc Jacob's relaxed New York office and the much more formal French Louis Vuitton offices were an interesting observation on the culture gap.
I had the opportunity of working with Marc Jacobs briefly in the mid 1990's as an embroidery vendor. He was one of the fellow Parsons alumni who was remembered fondly by past teachers. He was always sweet, polite and funny. Since then, he has become an international celebrity that fashionistas swoon over. It's nice to see that despite the fame and the much bigger business that rides upon him, that his personality has barely changed.
Director Loic Prigent was available for a Q & A afterward. The film did not take itself or the fashion world too seriously. The subjects were able to view themselves in a bittersweet or humorous light. Mr. Prigent confirmed that the designer was indeed as nice off-camera as he was on. He recounted how Marc Jacobs teared up while watching the montage of himself calling upon his assistant Joseph. It made him realize how truly indispensable he truly was.
Coming up Thursday, the film will be "The Day Before: Prouenza Schouler" about the designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. Q & A available after the screening as well with the director.
The Day Before: Proenza Schouler (2009) ~ Director: Loïc Prigent
Thursday, February 23, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
In times of need, the fashion community gets together to help those who require it most. Designers and retailers across the board have banded together to produce fundraising events. Others have donated product for sale with the proceeds going to Tsunami victims like H & M and Uniqlo. Shopping sites like Ideeli and Gilt have created portals to donate directly.
United Bamboo, Philip Lim body held sample sales to raise aid money. Theory set up drop boxes for direct donations of items.
If you want to shop for a cause, some designers created a specially-designed product to help. Rebecca Minkoff is donating $100 of each red handbag sold to the Red Cross. Polo Ralph Lauren is selling a special edition polo where the proceeds will benefit the United Way. Lady Gaga's website is selling "We Pray for Japan" wristbands.
The BIG shopping event is coming up from Fashion Girls for Japan. Over 60 NY designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam, Richard Chai, Diane Von Furstenburg (just to name a few) will have rolling racks of goodies to be sold to benefit the American Red Cross. The event takes places this Saturday and Sunday at the Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery Street, NYC).
Alexander Wang Uber-hipster Downtown threads beloved by models, celebs, and editors. Pre-Fall 10 and Fall 10 RTW, Handbags, Footwear and Men’s and Women’s T by Alexander Wang. Discounts are up to 80% off! When: December 16th - 18th, 10am-7pm, December 19th, 10am - 2pm Where: 93 Mercer St., NY, NY Y-3 and AdidasActive and stylish? Grab sporty designer essentials for those New Year's resolutions in the making. When: December 16, 9am - 7 pmWhere: 610 Broadway, 3rd Floor Zang ToiFor the Ladies Who Lunch with elegance and character...The holiday super-sale.When: December 16th - 18th, 11 am - 8 pm (Wine will be served!)Where: 30 West 57th street, 7th floor In Los Angeles:
Undrest by the SeaSwimwear for that New Year's getaway and escape from cold weatherWhen: December 17th, 9 am - 4 PMWhere: 833 Spring Street, Suite 301 Echo Park50% - 70% off Mens and Womens' merchandiseWhen: December 17th and 18th, Noon - 7 PMWhere: 1154 Glendale Blvd Online:
Marc By Marc JacobsTrendy Downtown handbags by fashion's most coveted designer When: Friday, December 17th, 2010, Noon (EST)Where: Shop Online here.
Last week held a lot of news for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. First, Diane Von Furstenburg was elected president for a third time (a first for the organization). Second, the designer held a soiree at her studio to announce the nominees for the CFDA awards.
Prabal Garung, Joseph Altuzarra and Michelle Obama favorite, Jason Wu were nominated for the Swarovski Award for emerging talent in Womenswear. Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Alexander Wang are competing against each other for Designer of the Year. For accessory design, nominees include Alexis Bittar, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.
Project Runway’s staple, Michael Kors will be receiving the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award. The awards will take place at Lincoln Center June 7 in NYC.
Hey! Let's pretend I am still 19 and still have the energy to party all night on the Lower East Side. Let's also pretend this rockin' concert by Debbie Harry is actually 1982, and not being sponsored by big luxury label Louis Vuitton. The grande dame herself was doing the same, acknowledging the change of times, " I don't think I have ever seen so much mink in this room..." We were all partying it up at the Bowery Ballroom to celebrate the opening of the Stephen Sprouse exhibit downtown.
Gorgeous waiters served up sweets like chocolate dipped rice krispie matchsticks, truffles and cotton candy. The bartenders poured out the champagne like we were drowning. The music was a great mix of vintage and current rock as well as nostalgic pop.
Lots of "It-girl" models like Erin Wasson and Agyness Deyn were on the dance floor. Lots of the old 80's and 90's art/party characters were on hand as well, (the drag queen Brandywine and friend above). Cute boys snapped Polaroids and set them on cards with the Stephen Sprouse/Louis Vuitton art rose motifs as party favors. My partner-in-crime, the lady Ritika snapped a bunch of fab party pics the like ones you see above.
Am I really old if I mourn the loss of evenings like this or just immature?
