Celebrities love Alexander Wang!

Velvet Done Right

I love what designers have done with velvet this year. The thought of the fabric doesn't make me cringe anymore thanks to some great new looks. Here are some of my favorites featured on shopbop.com:


Top-Ports 1961 "Draped Kameez" $1,175


Boots-Alexander Wang "Lara Lace up" $590


Skirt- Thayer "Velour miniskirt" $209


Blazer- Twenty8Twelve "Timour Jacket" $415


Flats- Alexander Wang "Ines Oxford" $315


Dress- Diane Von Furstenberg "Abram Dress" $325


Dress- Diane Von Furstenberg "Wilma Joon Dress" $298


Flats- Juicy Couture "Alleah Velvet Ballet" $225

Kate Spade Gives Back

After reading the article "Shop Right" in the December issue of Elle, I was surprised to find out that Kate Spade not only employs women in war-torn countries like Bosnia but also takes part in educating them. For several years now Kate Spade has been working with the organization, Women for Women International (WfWI), who educate women on their legal and reproductive rights, offer counseling, job training, and provide loans. These women have lost their husbands, children, have been raped, and have lost all financial means. WfWI and Kate Spade now employ over 300 Bosnian women who create mittens, hats, and scarves for the Kate Spade brand. They earn double the wages they would typically make working elsewhere in the region. The women use old-fashioned techniques to create the quality pieces that are rarely seen in a now factory based industry. The project has been such a success that Kate Spade plans to expand their workforce next year, taking on more women and expanding to Rwanda.

(Slowey, Anne. "Shop Right." Elle. Dec. 2009: 196-199.)

Alexander Wang Wins Swiss Textile Award!

Out of six finalists, Alexander Wang was chosen as the winner of the Swiss Textile Award in Zurich on Thursday. The prize was 100,000 euros which is intended as support for Wang to expand his international career, with 10,000 euros going towards the purchase of Swiss fabrics. The six nominees were chosen by an international team of experts in the fashion industry. Last year's winner Kate Mulleavy, co-designer of Rodarte, said of winning the award that it took them "in a direction we just couldn't have otherwise."

Philip Treacy shoes

In continuation of the Valentino post, I had to add more detailed photos of the Philip Treacy shoes featured with the Valentino Spring 2010 RTW collection. They are so unbelievably beautiful and the fact that this was his first stab at designing shoes just adds to the wonderment of them!

Alexander Wang Trunk Show @ Barney's

Alexander Wang debuted his Spring 2010 line at a trunk show at Barneys' Madison Avenue flagship on Oct.29th. His visit was full of only good news. Not only were tons of girls there, but also there grandmas! Wang was happy to see that his line can appeal to a wide variety of women at different age groups. Also, he found out the "it" bag, the "Rocco" has a waiting list of over 400 potential buyers. His Spring 2010 handbag collection also sold out in pre-orders the day of his appearance. I think it is safe to say that this "it" designer isn't losing popularity anytime soon!

"The Last Supper" Ad

French fashion house, Marithe and Francois Gribaud created this ad as a tribute to women and how roles have reversed, giving women more power. The ad was displayed all over New York and Paris with no controversy, but when it hit Milan, it was immediately banned and taken down. Inspired by the release of the film "The Da Vinci Code" in 2005, Italian officials felt the ad was offensive giving the nature of the story and the controversy of the film. It is hard to believe that this ad could be found so offensive, especially with no actual reference to the bible or the story behind the painting, besides the positioning of the models. The ad was intended to show women as powerful and independent, and the wearer of such clothes to be the same. It is sad to see an ad with such good intentions pulled so easily when other more offensive ads are released regularly around the world, including in Milan. 

T by Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang's line of "T's" are the best. They're comfortable and casual but still stylish and can be easily dressed up for any occasion. Also, they are available at a much lower price point than the Alexander Wang collection.

Valentino Spring 2010 RTW

(Elle, Nov. 2009)

I love the new Valentino collaboration of Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli. The garments are so intricately designed and innovative yet completely wearable. I especially love the combination of chiffon and leather, two fabrics you wouldn't think would work in the same piece. Also, the shoes designed by Phillip Treacy are amazing, especially the fact that this is his first stab at designing footwear. 

Here are a few of my favs from the Spring RTW collection...