Versus Versace resort 2013/14 by Donatella Versace & J.W. Anderson

There reaches a time when being polite flies out the window.  There comes a time when beating around the bush and finessing words is no longer acceptable.  With all this being said, the topic of conversation is Versus Versace by the she demon herself Donatella and its latest victim designer J.W. Anderson; rather than throw boulders not stones, lets add a dose of comedy to soften the blow.

Dear Dona and JW,

I must tell you I am just slack jawed that you showed that stuff today and that you can take it seriously.  Now listen doll, you can chat it up all you and think that this is wearable let alone salable but honey c’mon, H&M would want this for free.  WTF were the two of you thinking?

JW, I am not so familiar with your work but if this is any indication, I have to say you have a great future in carnival costumes as not even a self-respecting drag queen would caught be dead in these rags and get-ups.  I read that La Signora coaxed you into doing sexier clothes…. Well ... how shall I say this … F A I L!  I hope this paid well cause it aint gonna do squat for your design chops and reputation.  I know Donadiablo told you not to worry because it is Versace but... how shall I say this delicately ... SHE LIED! And poor Gianni spun himself 6 feet deeper.

Let me take this to a whole new level... this crap is appalling and insulting and to think you guys can make it better with that blah blah blah stuff .. Me thinks it is time for a career change to maybe a fiction writer or possibly the 2 of you need to up the meds to their limits as you are both suffering from some serious delusions.

One last thing, ragazzo, who the hell dresses like this and where are you going to wear it?  I hope you understand I said this all with love and hope that you will take this as the most constructive of criticism as I would never say anything to hurt your collective feelings.  On this most positive of notes...kiss kiss ciao ciao  kiddies... dinner next week I hope  … see you soon...try try again…….

Love

Me

P.S. Dona carrissime .. quit beating the horse ..it is dead!

CHANEL resort 2013/4

There is very little that can be said of Herr Lagerfeld that hasn’t been said already when it comes to his Chanel collections but here goes one more .. my take on the Resort/Cruise Holiday/ collection for 2014.

First, personally, I think Chanel is at its best when the color palette is restrained and by restrained I mean primarily black, white, ivory and cream … furthermore I am always pleased when the accessories are used with abandon especially the jewelry.  The cap toe classic is back and the bags take the back burner in this collection though I am sure there are jillions of them to make his ladies happy.

Secondly, there is no question that the collection is jacket and top focused which is what I guess will ring registers worldwide no matter the cost.  For me even the dresses, all the interest was the “over the table” as I am not a fan of those “gapped” skirts with that over panel detail … a straight across pencil skirt would have worked just as well in my opinion … for me it is gimmick for gimmick sake.  It should be noted that there are plenty of commercial and pure Chanel pieces as well that are tried and true.

Thirdly and then no more numbers... WTF are those men’s clothes?  For the label obsessed I am assuming they serve a purpose but from a fashion standpoint they are ”so what?”  I am guessing that if that label was on the outside of the jacket,  the lines would be out the door with every fey label whore in the world praying and aspiring  to own one …FIERCE!  You get the picture?

There are so many salable easily understood pieces on the face but what will set them apart is the excruciating amount of almost indiscernible embellishment and embroidery that seem to look as if it is fabric except the price will tell a much different tale.  The striated denim will cause the denim market to buzz, the pearls will push the fashion jewelry markets into a dither and the “diamante” and oxidized link pieces will be all over retail landscape by summer, not to mention the knit looking sweats and the off the shoulder “cricket” sweaters.  In other words it will be like a feeding frenzy with the vultures picking at their prey.

In a way, Karl is good for the economy and certainly for the business of fashion as he is a one man think tank... well that’s the way it appears to the public.  He and his team, which must be in the 100’s, fill the shows with innumerable ideas  and concepts that send design rooms,  from China to 7th Avenue, into a design inspired frenzy.

In the end, the collection  is nothing that will set the world on fire but it will manage to send the Chanel girls into a buying free for all  one more time and after all, the business is about selling clothes and he, unlike so many, delivers on that level more times than not.  If nothing else, Karl is not about the blah blah blah, he is about making a point and selling clothes...just done his way!

Illustrating fashion ..part 3 .. the finale

On the last day of this 3 part series, we come full circle and show off those artists/illustrators who, well, illustrate fashion; Fashion as in clothes, brands and retailers that manufacture, sell or advertise clothes.  I am hoping that in today’s world of sameness, the art of fashion illustration will be making a long awaited comeback as an alternative to just another moody, provocative or erotically charged photograph …  you the know the ones you  see every day in every popular upscale so called fashion magazine … no names.  My own observation here is that the pioneers of this art should be given far greater credit for the global rise of fashion as much more than just an emerging tertiary business.  I salute all of you… past and present and future … I thank all of you for sharing with us your immense talents.

This series of posts can only be described as a runaway train!  The enthusiasm of these artists/illustrators coupled with their respective bodies of work have forced me to extend the topic beyond a single posting.  My aim is to educate, enlighten and excite the reader.  Every reader should be keenly aware of all of these talents and what they offer when it comes to fashion landscape.  Each day another approach will be taken in order to offer the broadest of views with regard to what we commoners refer to so simply as “fashion illustration.”  I am very excited about the series as well as flattered and awed by the overwhelming acceptance and grace that was offered during the “collecting” process.

Having grown up in a time when newspapers were in black and white and most fashion advertising in them was done via illustration rather than photo, illustrators have always captured my imagination.  It is of constant amazement and I stand in awe of those who are so ably and abundantly talented to convey a particular vision of fashion by using one’s signature technique and talents.

This feeling, combined with just having read and reviewed Tony Glenville’s marvelous volume on fashion illustration, spurred or reignited my interest in the subject.  Mr. Glenville was kind enough to contribute a quote for this article which pretty must speaks for itself and everyone who appreciates the art form...

I guess the thing is.....How wonderful to see a craft which was written off by many, in the 60's and 70's especially, now enjoying a renaissance. The joy of seeing classic and modern techniques; often combined, an extraordinary range of styles and attitudes demonstrating the magic of line and shadow in fashion illustration in the 21st century. Fashion Illustration still has the ability to enchant and delight.

With this in mind,  it occurred to me that there are so many wildly talented people out there who may not have not have been given  proper recognition or who might be “working” yet remain unknown to so many and so I have culled my “friendships” and come up with a glittering  roster of talent for your viewing pleasure.  The common thread I employed here is how these artists see icons, luminaries or legends of fashion.

Every one of these brilliantly talented artists can be found on their respective websites and every one of them can accomplish the impossible utilizing their well-honed skills of illustration.  The employed mediums are varied and the overall final products are stunning and arresting in their own individual ways.

I have also taken the liberty of pointing out some of the greatest and legendary of illustrators who have either left us their legacies or have moved on to other creative endeavors or mediums.  Each one of them had a recognizable signature and technique that revolutionized the world of fashion and advertising.

This article will be presented in several segments as so many of these prolific artists have offered me their archive and I would be foolish not to share it with everyone; stay tuned for the next couple of days and hopefully  I can open you’re your eyes to the talented artists and their talents!

Contributors include: Marc Antoine Coulon, Mel Odom, Richard Haines, Dan Romer, Joel Woodard, Mitja Bokum, Chuck Nitzberg, Marco Santaniello, Tim Otte, Gladys Perint Palmer, Maurizio Andreuccetti,  Paul B. Elsen, Sue Tait Porcaro, Glen Hanson, Jaff Noel Seijas,  George Stavrinos, Rene Gruau, Antonio Lopez, Michael Vollbracht, Mats Gustafson, Kenneth Paul Block, Joe Eula, J.C. Leyendecker, Tony Viramontes and Barbara Pearlman.

 

***** New Icons of Fashion Illustration by Tony Glenville... April 2013

The Illustrators..pt2 ..Icons of Fashion & Style

.. Today it is all about how illustrators perceive some of the great style and fashion icons, legends as well as the omnipresent fashion dynamo we call Diana Vreeland.  Mrs. Vreeland was, by far, the number one choice as subject for this amazing group of artists. So today, I will show you their interpretations of her as well some other notably fashionable and stylish personalities.

 

This series of posts can only be described as a runaway train!  The enthusiasm of these artists/illustrators coupled with their respective bodies of work have forced me to extend the topic beyond a single posting.  My aim is to educate, enlighten and excite the reader.  Every reader should be keenly aware of all of these talents and what they offer when it comes to fashion landscape.  Each day another approach will be taken in order to offer the broadest of views with regard to what we commoners refer to so simply as “fashion illustration.”  I am very excited about the series as well as flattered and awed by the overwhelming acceptance and grace that was offered during the “collecting” process.

Having grown up in a time when newspapers were in black and white and most fashion advertising in them was done via illustration rather than photo, illustrators have always captured my imagination.  It is of constant amazement and I stand in awe of those who are so ably and abundantly talented to convey a particular vision of fashion by using one’s signature technique and talents.

This feeling, combined with just having read and reviewed Tony Glenville’s marvelous volume on fashion illustration, spurred or reignited my interest in the subject.  Mr. Glenville was kind enough to contribute a quote for this article which pretty must speaks for itself and everyone who appreciates the art form...

I guess the thing is.....How wonderful to see a craft which was written off by many, in the 60's and 70's especially, now enjoying a renaissance. The joy of seeing classic and modern techniques; often combined, an extraordinary range of styles and attitudes demonstrating the magic of line and shadow in fashion illustration in the 21st century. Fashion Illustration still has the ability to enchant and delight.

With this in mind,  it occurred to me that there are so many wildly talented people out there who may not have not have been given  proper recognition or who might be “working” yet remain unknown to so many and so I have culled my “friendships” and come up with a glittering  roster of talent for your viewing pleasure.  The common thread I employed here is how these artists see icons, luminaries or legends of fashion.

Every one of these brilliantly talented artists can be found on their respective websites and every one of them can accomplish the impossible utilizing their well-honed skills of illustration.  The employed mediums are varied and the overall final products are stunning and arresting in their own individual ways.

I have also taken the liberty of pointing out some of the greatest and legendary of illustrators who have either left us their legacies or have moved on to other creative endeavors or mediums.  Each one of them had a recognizable signature and technique that revolutionized the world of fashion and advertising.

This article will be presented in several segments as so many of these prolific artists have offered me their archive and I would be foolish not to share it with everyone; stay tuned for the next couple of days and hopefully  I can open you’re your eyes to the talented artists and their talents!

Contributors include: Marc Antoine Coulon, Mel Odom, Richard Haines, Dan Romer, Joel Woodard, Mitja Bokum, Chuck Nitzberg, Marco Santaniello, Tim Otte, Gladys Perint Palmer,

Maurizio Andreuccetti,  Paul B. Elsen, Sue Tait Porcaro, Glen Hanson, Jaff Noel Seijas, Leland Neff, George Stavrinos, Rene Gruau, Antonio Lopez, Michael Vollbracht, Mats Gustafson, Kenneth Paul Block, Joe Eula, J.C. Leyendecker, Tony Viramontes and Barbara Pearlman.

 

***** New Icons of Fashion Illustration by Tony Glenville.. April 2013

Fashion as Art... The Illustrators

This series of posts can only be described as a runaway train!  The enthusiasm of these artists/illustrators coupled with their respective bodies of work have forced me to extend the topic beyond a single posting.  My aim is to educate, enlighten and excite the reader.  Every reader should be keenly aware of all of these talents and what they offer when it comes to fashion landscape.  Each day another approach will be taken in order to offer the broadest of views with regard to what we commoners refer to so simply as “fashion illustration.”  I am very excited about the series as well as flattered and awed by the overwhelming acceptance and grace that was offered during the “collecting” process.

Having grown up in a time when newspapers were in black and white and most fashion advertising in them was done via illustration rather than photo, illustrators have always captured my imagination.  It is of constant amazement and I stand in awe of those who are so ably and abundantly talented to convey a particular vision of fashion by using one’s signature technique and talents.

This feeling, combined with just having read and reviewed Tony Glenville’s marvelous volume on fashion illustration, spurred or reignited my interest in the subject.  Mr. Glenville was kind enough to contribute a quote for this article which pretty must speaks for itself and everyone who appreciates the art form...

I guess the thing is.....How wonderful to see a craft which was written off by many, in the 60's and 70's especially, now enjoying a renaissance. The joy of seeing classic and modern techniques; often combined, an extraordinary range of styles and attitudes demonstrating the magic of line and shadow in fashion illustration in the 21st century. Fashion Illustration still has the ability to enchant and delight.

With this in mind,  it occurred to me that there are so many wildly talented people out there who may not have not have been given  proper recognition or who might be “working” yet remain unknown to so many and so I have culled my “friendships” and come up with a glittering  roster of talent for your viewing pleasure.  The common thread I employed here is how these artists see icons, luminaries or legends of fashion.

Every one of these brilliantly talented artists can be found on their respective websites and every one of them can accomplish the impossible utilizing their well-honed skills of illustration.  The employed mediums are varied and the overall final products are stunning and arresting in their own individual ways.

I have also taken the liberty of pointing out some of the greatest and legendary of illustrators who have either left us their legacies or have moved on to other creative endeavors or mediums.  Each one of them had a recognizable signature and technique that revolutionized the world of fashion and advertising.

This article will be presented in several segments as so many of these prolific artists have offered me their archive and I would be foolish not to share it with everyone; stay tuned for the next couple of days and hopefully  I can open you’re your eyes to the talented artists and their talents!

Contributors include: Marc Antoine Coulon, Mel Odom, Richard Haines, Dan Romer, Joel Woodard, Mitja Bokum, Chuck Nitzberg, Marco Santaniello, Tim Otte, Gladys Perint Palmer, Maurizio Andreuccetti,  Paul B. Elsen, Sue Tait Porcaro, Glen Hanson, Jaff Noel Seijas, Leland Neff, George Stavrinos, Rene Gruau, Antonio Lopez, Michael Vollbracht, Mats Gustafson, Kenneth Paul Block, Joe Eula, J.C. Leyendecker, Tony Viramontes and Barbara Pearlman.

***** New Icons of Fashion Illustration by Tony Glenville.. April 2013