IN THE KNOW – WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST VOL. 6

After a week immersed in my 30th birthday revelry, this is the fashion news I surfaced to:

Cameron Diaz Named Artistic Director of Accessories Line Pour la Victoire

Diaz has been named artistic director of mid-priced accessories line Pour la Victoire, which makes shoes and bags. According to WWD, Diaz, owns a stake in Pour la Victoire’s parent company. She will be involved not only with designing both the handbag and shoe collections, but also merchandising, marketing, and advertising. She has already made a mark by being present  on set for the latest Terry Richardson-shot ad campaign, starring Jessica Hart.

Cameron Diaz for Pour La Victoire

Diaz’s first collection for the brand won’t hit stores until next spring, but in the meantime she’ll be selecting products for “Cameron’s Picks” this fall and holiday season, and will also be reigning in “friends and associates” to wear the product, according to PLV chief executive officer Chris Nakatani.

Read more: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/olivia-bergin/TMG10194616/Cameron-Diaz-joins-accessories-label-as-artistic-director.html

Hired: Christopher Kane gets a new CEO

Allegedly, Kering execs were interviewing potential CEOs for Christopher Kane even before they announced their investment in the British label. Now officially hired from within – Alexandre de Brettes was Director of Financial Communications and Market Intelligence at Kering. “We are delighted that Alexandre is joining our company. His experience at Kering is invaluable to us and his understanding and appreciation of our creative culture was what drew us to him,” said Christopher and Tammy Kane in a joint statement. “Alexandre’s appointment puts the running of our business in very good hands and gives us a strong ally in the building of our company. Together, we will focus on organic global growth and protecting and nurturing the creative DNA of our business.”

The Kanes, as well as Kering execs have talked about nothing but growth since the investment was announced back in January, but now that a CEO is in place, it’s likely we’ll actually start to see things happen. I certainly hope this means a second line like accessories. It would be a total fit for a designer like Kane, whose cool, quirky aesthetic appeals to younger shoppers who may not be able to afford his main collection. Plus, he’s no longer working on Versus, and has the resources to hire more people, he has time to work on a second collection.

Read more:  http://www.businessoffashion.com/2013/07/power-moves-alexandre-de-brettes-appointed-ceo-of-christopher-kane.html

Jennifer Garner, the new face of MaxMara

On 18 July, it was an evening of firsts, as Max Mara toasted their first-ever celebrity spokesperson and Jennifer Garner, her first fashion ad campaign. New York’s style savvy, like Solange Knowles and Lucky‘s new Editor-In-Chief Eva Chen, headed to Bill’s Food & Drink on Thursday night to fete the brand and actress.

Jennifer Garner

If you are wondering why the brand picked Garner, just ask Giorgio Guidotti, president of worldwide PR and communications for Max Mara who has a very clear idea about this decision. A man known in the industry as Mr. Max Mara stated,  “I don’t know why but it was an omen, by the way. We like the fact that she’s a real woman—she’s a mother, and she works.” Garner along with being an actress and producer is also mother of three and wife of Ben Affleck, actor and Oscar-winning director. “She represents the perfect Max Mara woman, in a way.”

JBag, the shining star of the brand’s newly pushed accessories category was crafted with Garner’s busy life in mind. She said, “I like the size of it. You can fit anything you need, but it’s not a tote. I’m kind of tired of the huge tote thing.”

Read more: http://www.elle.com/fashion/spotlight/jennifer-garner-for-max-mara

IN THE KNOW – WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST VOL. 5

So what’s going on folks? Fashion weeks all over the place, top management playing musical chairs in the global fashion and luxury world and Autumn Winter collections in stores. Very soon we will be running up our credit card bills, once we are done clearing out our wallets at the ongoing sales. Oh well, in other words, same old same old.

Amidst the chaotic, yet monotonous (oxymoron much? But you get what I mean, right?!) existence that we call life, I love new collaborations and announcements. Which is what this week seems to be all about. A breath of fresh air – ah!

CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund finalists announced

The 10 up-and-coming designers who will compete for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, which includes instant exposure along with a 300,000 US dollar cash prize, has been revealed. Selected by a panel including US Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg and J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons, the winner will be announced on Nov. 11, 2013 at a dinner in New York.

CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists

The winner will receive a 300,000 US dollar cash prize to help boost their brand and a collaboration with J. Crew, while the two runners-up will be awarded 100,000 US dollars and each will receive business mentor-ship. With previous winners like Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Joseph Altuzarra, I cannot wait to see who is going to be the new Wang on the block!

Read more (and view list): http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/cfdavogue-fashion-fund-chooses-10-finalists/

L’Wren Scott Teams Up With Banana Republic

Ladies, you needn’t worry about what to wear to that Christmas party this year!! Yes, I did say, Christmas. L’Wren Scott and Banana Republic have collaborated to release a glamorous collection in December, so, consider your festive wardrobe all taken care of. First time for Scott joining forces with a global retailer, she explains, the collection “beautifully combines the ultra-feminine with wearable polish and will bring a sexy confidence to our consumers.”

L’Wren Scott for Banana Republic

The 50-piece edit spanning clothing, jewellery, and accessories will make use of three original motifs — one with romantic peonies, another in violet candy stripes, and the last in a lipstick-red lip print perfect for puckering up in under the mistletoe. From the glamorous girlfriend of Mick Jagger, we should expect nothing short of rock-‘n’-roll magic.

 

Read more: http://www.elle.com/news/fashion-style/lwren-scott-banana-republic-collaboration

Harrods launches ‘The Handbag Narrative’

Oh yay, it’s a bag attack! Twenty of the world’s leading elite handbag makers have come under Harrods’ roof to mark the expansion of the store’s luxury accessories department. Harrods is hosting the Handbag Narratives exhibition which showcases bags which are exclusively designed for them. With exclusive installations by Mulberry, Prada, Stella McCartney, Burberry, Victoria Beckham, Loewe (my personal favourite installation) and more, this is like nothing you’ve seen before.

Loewe Installation formed with miniature versions of the tools used to make the brand’s cult Amazona bag dipped in gold

This collection of stylish designer bags has been unveiled in specially designed windows at the pop up shop. Each window features an over-sized interpretation of one of their most celebrated handbag designs, from optical illusions to sculpture, the handbag will never be the same again. Spreading over 40,000-square-foot space the new department is one of the world’s largest luxury accessories halls.

Stella McCartney Gold Falabella

The event will be on till August 24.

Read more: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG10166861/Harrodss-huge-handbag-invasion.html  (PS:  Fendi has made five of its 2Jours bags (as seen in the video on the link) in green crocodile, which retail at 17,500 pounds each – just saying)

Rihanna for River Island Autumn ’13

Are you ready for Rihanna Take Two? Well, ready or not, here she comes. Post the raging success of her collaboration for the British high street store, River Island, Rihanna has collaborated with River Island for a second time for Autumn/Winter ’13. In a video released by the brand, you can get a glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming collection slated to be in store by September 12, 2013.

First look: Isabel Marant for H&M

The little blue birdie comes as news bearer once again. This time around the news is a lot more exciting. The Swedish retail giant shared the first preview of its highly anticipated collaboration with French fashion designer Isabel Marant with its Twitter followers.

H&M tweeted a picture of Marant modelling a loose-fitted printed dress and slouchy tasseled ankle boots with the tweet: “You’re the first ever to see @isabelmarant wearing the #HMIsabelMarant collection! What do you think?”

Isabel Marant

You may remember from our earlier post when the collection was announced last month, Marant said that the aim of the collaboration was to “create something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives”, adding that the collection would be infused with Parisian attitude where “you dress up, but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy”.

Diary of the vintage girls

Mehek and Shikha Agarwal, Viange Jewels

As the women behind the vintage designer jewellery label, Mehek and Shikha have brought an old world charm to the country’s fashion forward women. From Sonam Kapoor to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, movie stars have been besotted by their vintage finds, and Viange has become a sought after label for those who like their jewellery with a nostalgic touch.

Navy and black dress by Vero Moda

The sisters sell earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches from the dreamiest European labels including Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Valentino, Christian Lacroix, and many more – one off pieces that are rare finds. It is not a surprise that both of them love fashion, shopping and vintage. Travelling while sourcing jewellery for their label, there is a lot of collateral damage to their own wallets. But they aren’t complaining!

Purchased in 2011

However, what is a surprise is a stark difference in their buying and purging habits. “I get bored very easily,” says Shikha. “I can wear things again and again,” says Mehek. This pretty much sums up the reasoning behind the individual shopping decisions of the stylish duo. Mehek is a thoughtful buyer and a hoarder. “I am very possessive about my stuff,” says Mehek, who still has clothes from 10th grade that she has not been able to give away. “I don’t known when I might need them again,” pleads the 24-year-old.

Number of times worn: 1

“I like giving away my things so I can buy more,” laughs Shikha, the older sibling. The impulsive shopper that she is, Shikha doesn’t put in too much thought before making her purchases and so doesn’t get too attached to them. “I let go of things. In fact, when we were younger, I used to give away a lot to Mehek,” she says.

Vintage pearl and gold earrings

Mehek bought the navy and black Vero Moda dress to wear to New Year’s eve celebrations but never used it again. Although reluctantly, she finally decides to detach from it so someone else can give the dress a second lease of life. Since Shikha already purges regularly, she gives away a beautiful pair of pearl and gold Viange earrings. Both items previously cherished, but now ready to be someone else’s.

The dress is perfect for a UK size 8. 

Model friend: Kadambari Sadekar; Styling: Rachana Nakra and Radhika Dhawan; Accessories: Radhika Dhawan; Photographs: Karan Nevatia (karan1981@outlook.com)

IN THE KNOW – WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST VOL. 4

Hello again! Paris Fashion Week 2013 is on and I have been keeping busy with the live streams of the shows. Elie Saab makes me want to create occasions just so that I can have the opportunity to see beautiful women wear the gorgeous pieces or better still be able to wear a piece of the delicious piece of art myself.

Well, someday! But I digress. Getting back on topic, Anna Wintour tweeted for the first time, Apple hires YSL CEO for special projects, Tiffany sees theft of $1.3mn and LVMH gets fined. Read on.

Apple Hired the CEO of Yves Saint Laurent to Work On Special Projects

Apple has hired the CEO of fashion house Yves Saint Laurent Paul Deneve to work on ‘special projects’ and will be reporting directly to chief executive Tim Cook.  Earlier reports had actually speculated that Deneve would be in charge of Apple Retail (which is in need of a boss) but instead will work on future wearable technology that Apple has in store.

Paul Deneve

Interestingly, Deneve actually worked for Apple from 1990 to 1997 as a Sales and Marketing Manager, comes a full circle back to the company after having spent some time at Courrèges, Nina Ricci and Lanvin before his tenure at Yves Saint Laurent.

Read more at Business of Fashion

Former Tiffany Official Charged With $1.3 Million Jewelry Theft

We can’t say that the gorgeous, expensive trinkets haven’t brought evil ideas to our head, but a former vice president of product development at Tiffany & Co. was actually arrested and charged with stealing more than $1.3 million worth of jewellery. Prosecutors claim that from January 2011 to February 2013, Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, 46, checked out 165 pieces of jewellery, including diamond bracelets, platinum and gold earrings and platinum and diamond pendants, then sold them to an unnamed jewellery reseller in Manhattan.

Tiffany&Co.

She very ingeniously would only check out pieces worth under $10,000 so no one caught on. The default was discovered when Ms. Lederhaas-Okun was being downsized. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison on the fraud charge.

Read more at NBC News

Jimmy Choo Autumn Winter 2013 campaign stars Nicole Kidman

Red-headed Nicole Kidman makes heads turn as she debuts in Jimmy Choo’s Autumn Winter 2013 campaign. The new face of Jimmy Choo is transformed into a mysterious and seductive woman sporting a short hairstyle. Shot by photographer Mikael Jansson, the latest campaign portrays the 46-year-old, award-winning actress as a seductive protagonist in a series of images that hint at the brand’s recurring themes of empowered glamour.

The brand’s creative director, Sandra Choi, stated, “Nicole has perfectly captured the mood of our Autumn/Winter 2013-14 collection; her character portrays the multifaceted qualities of the Jimmy Choo woman for this season — strong, sexy with a beguiling sense of mystery.”

Read more at People.com

LVMH fined €8 million over Hermes stake-building

LVMH has been ordered to pay a fine of €8 million, by France’s stock market regulator, AMF, over the notorious acquisition of its stake in Hermès. The AMF’s enforcement committee condemned the “unusual” way LVMH had amassed its 22.3% shares, buying equity swaps with a number of banks so as to avoid disclosure requirements and using foreign subsidiaries that were not listed as consolidated units. (Refer here)

Bernard Arnault

The luxury conglomerate, helmed by Bernard Arnault, has already made clear that it plans to appeal the decision.

Read more at Wall Street Journal

And if all this news wasn’t exciting enough for you already, you must hear what a little (blue) birdie had to say.

Anna Wintour tweeted for the first time ever

A longtime advocate of marriage equality, the Vogue Editor in Chief couldn’t help but express her joy about the Supreme Court’s toppling of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in her first-ever tweet.

Anna Wintour

Posting on Vogue’s official Twitter account, the editor in chief included her initials at the end of poignant message to indicate that the tweet came from her. ‘Today’s rulings are a big step forward for all Americans striving to achieve equality. I couldn’t be happier or more proud. —A.W.’

I can’t help but wonder if Anna Wintour’s new fellow Condé Editor in Chief (for Lucky) Eva Chen, a tweeting master’s connect with her audience has urged her to hop onto the social media bandwagon.

Read more at The Cut

Dress code: Comfort casual

Interview with Mallika Menon, Creative Director Highway On My Plate, NDTV Good Times

As the Creative Director of a food-travel show Mallika Menon has a job that many dream of. However, a job that has you deal with unpredictable conditions in various parts of the country, involves “running around all the time” is not the kind of profile that allows for fashionable choices in work wear. It is probably one of the main reasons Mallika loves it. “I would never be able to work at a place that dictates what I should be wearing everyday,” she says.

Black vintage tulle skirt

Comfort dictates Mallika’s every fashion choice. Recently while shooting a season of the TV show in the hills, jeans, sneakers and sweatshirts was her uniform of choice. She still uses the sweatshirt from her first year of college at St Stephens, New Delhi. “It gets softer as it gets older and I love that,” she grins. Since living in New Delhi makes weather appropriate clothing a compulsion, cotton is her fabric of choice for the sweltering summers. Anokhi, Fab India and Cottons is the troika of brands that comprises all her work wear for the season.

Able to carry off ethnic and western wear with equal ease, in winter, the salwar gives way to denim, the kurta to shirts, jumpers and coats and the dupatta is traded in for scarves. “I really enjoy shopping for winter clothes,” she says. And it is probably the only time she ventures inside malls. Her summer footwear of jutis, Aldo flats and her favourite North Face flip-flops is exchanged for boots. Yes, she wears North Face flip flops with salwar kameez. “They are the most comfortable,” she laughs. Adidas, North Face or Puma accessories provide that signature sporty touch to her every day looks. 

Purchased in 2011

The only time she gave up her Fab India staples was while studying documentary film making at Berkely, in sunny California. But jeans and tees were still her favourites (and of course, the university sweatshirts). From Banana Republic and Abercrombie and Fitch to H&M and Urban Outfitters she probably owns T-Shirts from every brand that makes them. “The only time I wore pants was when I was interning in New York and had no choice but to dress formally,” she says.

Number of times worn: 1

And in Berkely is where she bought this tulle skirt from a vintage store for a 80’s themed Halloween party. That was the first and last time she wore the skirt. “I have a couple of dresses and skirts that I wear on rare occasions, mostly when I am going out,” she says.  Although she purged a major part of her wardrobe while moving back home from Berkely, she didn’t let go of this skirt. But she is happy to give it away to Fuffabulous, and for someone who loves vintage finds to be able to put it use again.

The tulle skirt is perfect for a UK size 8-10 and can be dressed up with a white shirt and heels or down with a tee and neon accessories. 

Model friend: Kadambari Sadekar; Location: Worli seaface; Styling: Rachana Nakra and Radhika Dhawan; Accessories: Radhika Dhawan; Photographs: Karan Nevatia (karan1981@outlook.com)