Confessions of a Fashion Writer: July 2010

Monday, July 26, 2010

Male Model of the Season: Nicolas Ripoll

The Male Model of the season is Nicolas Ripoll who has had a stellar show season. He is from Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Ripoll has continued great success after his debut season in the fall of 2009. This season he walked in almost every major show making him the most prestigious male model in Milan and Paris.

Ripoll was discovered in Argentina by Civiles Modeling Agency in Buenos Aires where he was a student studying photography. He is currently managed by DNA in New York, Bananas in Paris and Why Not in Milan. After his discovery in Argentina, he was booked as an exclusive for the Prada show in Fall 2009 where he opened and closed the event. After the Prada debut his career took off with great success with abundant editorial work with Vogue Homme Japan, Dapper Dan Magazine, Citizen K Magazine, GQ Italy, Velvet Magazine, Wallpaper Magazine, 10 Magazine, Dazed & Confused, Contributing Editor, Arena Homme and Hercules Magazine.

Nicolas Ripoll is the new sensation in men's fashion and expect to see more of him in the future. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.

Photos: Courtesy of DNA Model Management and Stan Honda

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

A lion motivates Chanel Haute Couture . German couturier Karl Lagerfeld was inspired this season by the late Coco Chanel's zodiac sign, Leo the Lion. With that idea he presented a collection that would be perfect for modern day royalty. He offered a modern take on 1970's inspired pieces that was infused with something that was out of a folkloric tale with a hint of medieval. Fitted boleros and small shouldered jackets that were short falling just below the bust line were paired with dresses and skirts. The skirt lengths came right at the knee or mid-calf. The classic Chanel tweed suits and dresses in some cases had detail linings of fur on the collars and sleeves. The color palette had an immense variety in the collection with royal colors that stood out this season. The royal colors that were prevalent were wine red, loden, imperial blue, lapis and gold. The signature Chanel black was not present this time around and the alternative color offered was imperial blue. The most important thing about the collection was the impeccable details completed by the Chanel atelier with the amazing hand work completed on the embroidery, appliques and the precise cuts. The Chanel Haute Couture look is opulent with a love for the luxury of life.

The show was held at the Grand Palais show space with a massive 40 foot gold lion that is a replica of a little bronze statue in the Coco Chanel apartment on Rue Cambon. Under the left paw of the gold lion was a giant pearl that the models emerged from. Russian Supermodel Natasha Poly opened the show in a wine red tailored wool suit that was paired with gold slouchy high heeled boots. The classic Chanel tailored suits were extremely fitted offered in wool, tweed and sequined fabrics. Opulent cocktail pieces had handmade flowers from bugle beads and embroidery that clearly showed the immense work from the atelier.

Admired pieces in the collection were the evening wear with the incredible embroidery. One look in particular was a imperial blue sequin dress with gold detailing. There were many pieces that were extremely appealing and one of the strongest collections on behalf of the Chanel atelier team. There was an immense amount of details with hand embroidery and bead work appliques in the flowers.

Karl Lagerfeld inspiration came from Leo the Lion from the late Coco Chanel's zodiac sign that successfully created a royal collection. Every pieces in the collection displayed a great amount of love for luxury. This works perfect for the actual clients this upcoming winter season because its wearable, warm and elegant. The Chanel Haute Couture woman is opulent with a great love for luxury in the highest level of fashion. -Brent Billiman, Paris, France.

Stan Honda Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Natasha Poly for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Magdalena Frakowiak for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Samantha Gradoville for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Liu Wen for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Michaela Kocianova for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Bianca Balti for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Caroline Brasch Nielsen for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Aline Weber for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Mirte Maas for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Barbora Dvorakova for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Anna Selezneva for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Models Iris Strubegger and Baptiste Giabiconi for Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2010

Giorgio Armani Prive F/W 2010

The luxurious appeal of Amber at Armani Prive. Italian couturier Giorgio Armani presented a Haute Couture collection that was inspired by the beautiful gemstone Amber. This fossilized stone encouraged the monochrome color palette of gold, caramel, chocolate and beige. The trademark Armani appeal was clear with the signature silhouettes and precise Italian tailoring. The Haute Couture quality was incredible in the folds in the fabric, immaculate hand bead work and embroidery. The opulence was subtle in photographic images but up close it was evident that the exquisite work and detailing was prevalent in every piece. Tweed suits shimmered with delicate gold and silver thread while glistening crystal and sequin embroidery infused drama into the evening gowns. The collection was completely wearable with pieces from modern day suits, coats, classic cocktail dresses and opulent evening gowns. The Armani Prive look was classic glamor with a modern Haute Couture edge.

The show was held in a former bank in the Place Vendome with a slick beige metallic runway that was narrow and dark. Estonian Supermodel Carmen Kass opened the show in a beige tailored day suit paired with a sharp shouldered cape. Armani offered a great amount of tailored suits available in tweed with incredible cuts that shaped the body. Silk cocktail dresses were sleek and the folds and tailoring gave it a nice flowing movement. The evening dresses were dramatic in Mikado satin and beautiful silk with hand beaded detailing in various cuts.

Admired pieces in the collection were the opulent evening gowns with hand beading and one particular was a beige sharp high shouldered gown with impeccable metallic hand beading. A sleeveless wool jumpsuit with a draped front was different and extremely beautiful.

Giorgio Armani presented a Haute Couture collection that sparkled like Amber and had complimenting colors of this gorgeous gemstone. It had the essential trademark Italian Armani tailoring with a classic style infused with a modern edge. The Armani Prive woman is sophisticated and will glisten like a beautiful amber gemstone. -Brent Billiman, Paris, France.

Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Carmen Kass for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Jac for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Denisa Dvorakova for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Anabela Belikova for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Carmen Kass for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Kasia Struss for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Anabela Belikova for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Yulia Kharlaponova for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Armani Prive F/W 2010

Monday, July 5, 2010

Christian Dior Haute Couture F/W 2010

A floral obsession at Christian Dior. British couturier John Galliano presented a beautiful floral dream at the Christian Dior Haute Couture show in Paris. This season he was inspired by the late Christian Dior's childhood home, “Les Rhumbs,” located in Granville, Normandy. Les Rhumbs is a beautiful cliff top garden filled with a breathtaking floral fantasy. The vivid floral fantasy were similar to the colors in nature like sunflower yellow, turquoise, lilac purple and rose. The flowers that were visible in this bouquet were poppies, crocuses, sweet peas, orchids, tulips, pansy and orchids. Skirts were manipulated to resemble a parrot tulip and a pansy was hand painted onto a ball gown. Galliano was also inspired by photographers Irving Penn and Nick Knight floral portraits that influenced the colors and the flowers that were visible in the collection. It also seemed that there was a reference to Christian Dior's 1953 spring collection that was titled, “tulip line” in the floral prints of delphiniums and lilacs that were painted on fabrics. It was obvious that Galliano was having a floral moment and this was his dream. The Christian Dior look is fresh as a daisy with the proper elegance of Haute Couture.

The show was held at rue de Verenne at the Musee Rodin in see through stage tent that displayed the outdoor gardens filled with baby pink roses and beautiful statues. A huge orange floral arrangement decorated the backdrop of the runway. American Supermodel Karlie Kloss opened the show in a lilac purple coat adorned with a petals around the collar that was paired with red leather gloves and a clear purple bulb shaped hairpiece. On various models the towering bulb shaped hairdo were encased with a cellophane wrapped hairpiece, like an upside down bouquet, created by London milliner Stephen Jones. Mohair and boucle dresses resembled the wildflowers in a field that are ready to bloom. Jackets were decorated with silk hydrangeas and dresses had beautiful hand painted floral prints.

Admired pieces in the collection were the ball gowns and the coats. The ball gowns are what Christian Dior have been known for and the hand painted delphiniums and lilacs dresses were extremely appealing. The coats were amazing and had the Haute quality with nice selection of vivid colors.

John Galliano referenced the house of Dior and inspiration from the childhood home garden of the late Christian Dior to create this successful collection. This collection had the Dior drama but was completely wearable and elegant. The Christian Dior Haute Couture women elegant and ready to be a flower in Dior's garden. -Brent Billiman, Paris, France.