Alexander McQueen

This is indeed a sad sad day for those of us in the fashion business...............we have lost one of the greatest talents of his generation .....British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead after taking his own life.
The 40-year-old committed suicide just days after the death of his mother, Joyce.
His death also comes just three years after his close friend, Isabella Blow - who plucked him from obscurity and helped him become a star - killed herself.
McQueen was found at his luxury flat in Green Park, central London. An ambulance was called to the address at 10.20am. It is believed he hanged himself.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250249/Alexander-McQueen-commits-suicide.html#ixzz0fFB0kimx

FASHION BY THE RULES: Str8 Laced

Once upon a time, lace was reserved for wedding dresses, lingerie and even liturgical garments for the church. In the 21st century, lace has been democratized and transformed into a fabrication that transcends all ages and all levels of fashion. In fact, lace can be found in almost every classification of fashion and at every price level from Walmart to haute couture.

Having spent much of my life in the fashion business, I can honestly say that I was conditioned to think lace was dowdy or reserved for intimate occasions such as marriage or bed. Today we can find lace at every price on almost every age group, thanks to everyone from Madonna (think the beginning Material Girl) to Haute Couture to Rodarte at Target, we see lace in almost unimaginable classifications such as eye wear and handbags.

Lace was once a handmade product which was produced in just a few different fibers whereas today we can find in every possible fabrication at the cheapest prices as well as handmade at stratospheric prices. Lace has withstood the test of time and the whims of fashion to become what we might consider a staple for women of every age from children to adult.

As is my practice to research my topics online, you will be amazed at the versatility and stylishness of lace when used in any category of fashion. Thanks to Netaporter, Shopestyle and Bloomingdales and don’t forget to stay tuned in to http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

FASHION BY THE RULES: FANTASYLAND

Welcome to the world of Paris Haute Couture, where rules and regulations do not apply, where price is not even considered and where the high priests of fashion reside with their followers.

As is the usual custom of the week, John Galliano for Dior starts the week with what can only be described as unbelievable in terms of design, artistry and cost. Given the inspirations of Charles James, Monsieur DIOR, and the equestrian, this collection, can only be deemed masterful, genius and breathtaking in every way possible.

Proceeding Dior is another master, Armani Prive who offers up the crescent and curvilinear arc as its theme. Once again Mr. Armani shows us that he is a master of his construction as well as a master of jaw dropping beauty, no expense spared!!!!

Next up would be one of the greatest and most prolific of designers, Karl Lagerfeld for CHANEL and there is nothing finer. He takes his inspiration from Comtesse de Castiglione or Lady Gaga but has banished his traditional black and navy blue and opted for barely there shades and the most exquisite of embellishments, only in silver.

Lastly there is a new crop of “couturiers” that cater to a decidedly younger client. The labels are not new but the image of the house has changed. Take for example, Valentino, Givenchy, Gaultier and Elie Saab. They are forging new paths to attract the next generation of couture customers. While I am not sure I can understand the product, I can, however, appreciate the artistry it entails to deliver the product.

Mainly, it must be considered that this ritual of Haute Couture is only for the very rich but should be seen by anyone who truly appreciates fashion as an art form. This is where it all began and why we have businesses based on all types of fashion.

Don’t forget style.com and http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

SPRING COUTURE-- PART 3

FASHION BY THE RULES: FANTASYLAND 3

The last of the season bowed with more of a whimper than a wail this week in Paris. As much as I try to fully comprehend the Haute Couture, there are times that I am thoroughly confused by what designers present during the Holy Grail’s of this fashion week or 3 days as it may be.

I have always been a fan of JP Gaultier, bother couture and RTW, but I am a bit confused that he took this couture collection to the same theatrics as he does for regular collections. For my taste this show and the clothes are overly “themed”…….yet what he accomplished is that he displays the awe inspiring abilities of his atelier. From palm fronds to piano shawls and unbelievable feats of engineering, the collection certainly had the signature JPG humor but not the usual chic and guts of his couture collections.

VALENTINO, oh how I miss “the Chic”………………..the 2 who are now in charge of designing are in need of a reality fix. They need to figure out who their customer is and who they are searching for as a customer………………..but all that aside, There is no chic, no soigné, no raffine regardless of the design itself. The deft hand of the atelier is present but the design is weak and seems over worked and over reaching ………….trying too hard. There are traces of the DNA of Valentino but surely not much else…..even the shoes are sad.

ELIE SAAB. the dialed down collection is still chock a block with red carpet looks …………..just with less obvious adornment such as beading …………………I am not sure why he chose to totally eliminate a signature since the presentation became a bit repetitive.

Again I urge you to slowly go through the collections at www.style.com

FANTASYLAND Pt. 2

FASHION BY THE RULES: FANTASYLAND Pt. 2

Today’s offering has much to do with what makes couture what it is………………….and the artist in charge is Karl Lagerfeld for CHANEL.
Here is a designer extraordinaire, who in his 54th collection delivers a truly unbelievable collection where he strays into alien territory…………..even for him. The order of the day was NO BLACK ;barely there color, no gold buttons and an uproarious reference to either Comtesse de Castiglione or Lady GAGA depending on your frame of reference. Banished is the spring time navy blue and even any sign of a nautical reference and instead came a collection heavy on SILVER and heavy on embellishment and threaded with a youthful vibe.
I find it difficult to express the artistry and imagination that is used when conceiving a collection such as this ……………from the mind of Lagerfeld to the actual rendering of these confections which utilize some of the greatest artisans in the world.

On the other hand, today we have GIVENCHY, by Riccardo Tisci who for sure has shown off his tailoring skills and is steering the aged house into a new generation of couture customers.
While I might long to see the elegance and grace and simplicity of Le Grand Hubert, I am starting to find relevance and import in the designs of the house. It is refreshing to see an “ancient” art and apply it to contemporary fashion.

The couture is best looked at slowly and examined, so I suggest you have a long look at www.style.com

FASCISM ON FACEBOOK

NEAGTIVE COMMENTS ARE DELETED FROM THE WWD WOMENS WEAR DAILY PAGE ..............HERE IS THE LETTER I SENT TO CONDE NAST
I have noticed that on your FACEBOOK page ...if any comments are made which are not in agreement with the post, then the comments are removed..........I wasn't aware that free speech is not to be exercised with WWD.
if those who did the posts took into account what the newspaper used to stand for then they might think twice about turning a "TRADE PAPER" into another celbrity driven rag..............we need the TRADE PAPER......... .we do not need another OK or PEOPLE magazine
Jeffrey Felner

FANTASY LAND

FASHION BY THE RULES: FANTASYLAND

Welcome to the world of Haute Couture, where rules and regulations do not apply, where price is not even considered and where the artists of fashion live with their followers. Paris has just begun its summit of designers and consumers for the sole purpose of this rarefied territory known as couture.

As is the usual custom of the week, John Galliano for DIOR starts the week with what can only be described as unbelievable in terms of design, artistry and cost. Given the twin inspirations of Charles James and Monsieur Dior, himself, this collection, with themes of equestrian attire and then of the architecture of Charles James, can only be deemed masterful, genius and breathtaking in every way possible.

Proceeding Dior is another master……….ARMANI PRIVE who offers up the crescent and curvilinear arc as its theme. Once again Mr. Armani shows us that he is a master of his construction as well as a master of jaw dropping beauty …………..no expense spared!!!!

Mainly, it must be considered that this ritual of Haute Couture is only for the very rich but should be seen by anyone who truly appreciates it as an art form………this is where it all began and why we have businesses based on all types of fashion.