Yes, O.K. 2009 promises to be a challenging year. That doesn't mean you have to sit around and wallow in doom and gloom. 2009 also promises to bring it's share of pleasures and distractions. Here are ten things I'm looking forward to in 2009. I thought I would share them with you.
1. British filmmaker George Scott's documentary film entitled Somebody Told Me About ... Carla Bruni in which he captures candid footage of President Sarkozy and his fabulous supermodel/pop singer wife. She may dress a little too self-consciously like Jackie Kennedy for my taste but she has the good sense to keep the prim attire for state occasions and official outings. Moreover, unlike other First Ladies, she's chosen to pursue her career as a sultry, seductive pop songstress and work it around her official duties. She's even unapologetic for it. Now that's what I call a role model. It will be televised on U.K. television in late January.
2. The release of R.J. Cutler's documentary chronicling the making of U.S. Vogue's September 2007 issue entitled The September Issue. This is nine months of life at Vogue under Anna Wintour condensed into 90 minutes. Think you can handle it? It will premiere at The Sundance Film Festival in mid-January.
3. The debut couture and pret-a-porter collections by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli for the Valentino label. Judging by the shabby treatment reserved for their predecessor, Alessandra Fachinetti (not to mention the founders' embarrassing public hissy fit that followed her dismissal), they had better get it just right. Grace and elegance seem limited exclusively to the clothing and accessories at that fashion house.
4. The International Center of Photography in New York City is offering “Year of Fashion", a grouping of three separate exhibits all dedicated to fashion: Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, The Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937, Weird Beauty: Fashion Photography Now and This Is Not a Fashion Photograph. I will, I will, I will see these exhibits. I'll even bite the bullet and fly 'economy' if I have to (but only if I really, really have to).
5. The exquisite collection of art, antiques and decorative arts amassed by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge will go under the hammer in February at Christie's Paris. This collection was lovingly assembled over nearly forty years by two passionate and knowledgeable collectors for whom price was no issue. Many of the pieces in question became the inspiration for some of Saint Laurent's most memorable fashions. We may not see another collection of this breadth and caliber for many years to come. The auction will take place in Paris on February 23, 24 and 25, 2009.
6. The opening of Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones at London's V&A Museum in February 2009. The exhibit, co-curated by milliner Stephen Jones and Oriole Cullen, will display 300 hats from the V&A's extensive collection including a number of couture creations by Jones himself. Jones, who frequently works with fellow Brit designer, John Galliano, was the master behind the gorgeous concoctions featured in the memorable Christian Dior Spring 2008 haute couture collection last January. The exhibit opens February 24 and runs until May 31, 2009.
7. The release of Chanel and Stravinski - The Secret Story by French director Jan Kounen starring sultry Chanel spokesmodel Anna Mouglalis and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (the perversely sexy Le Chiffre from the James Bond movie "Casino Royale"). The movie is based on Coco Chanel's torrid affair with Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and is set in 1920's Paris. Fabulous fashion, fabulous settings and a torrid onscreen affair between two impossibly fabulous artists. I'm getting excited just writing about it. No specific release date available although most sources indicate it will debut sometime during the Spring.
8. Speaking of Chanel, I personally can't wait to see the ad campaign featuring Jerry Hall and male model Baptiste Giabiconi in a print campaign shot by Karl Lagerfeld. While the campaign was reportedly inspired by Colette's 1920 novel Cheri about an older woman who carries on with a much younger man, I can't help but recall that famous exchange between Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate: "Mrs. Robinson - you are trying to seduce me .... Aren't you?"
9. The launch of The Outnet.com by Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet and her team, a site featuring marked down designer apparel and accessories, is soon upon us. Despite all the excitement surrounding this project ever since word first trickled out in WWD last winter, this has been one of the most closely guarded secrets in the fashion industry. No specific date has been announced but a launch is planned for Spring 2009.
10. More, more, more Karl Lagerfeld. In 2008 alone, he's given us a limited edition lead figurine in his image, a teddy bear in his image, a handbag with his image emblazoned on it, a unisex fragrance, luxury housing on Dubai's Isla Moda, a special edition Larousse dictionary and a fabulous tongue-in-cheek public safety campaign. I simply can't wait to see what the inimitable Mr. Lagerfeld has in store for 2009.
You see, things are looking up already! Enjoy!
Sincerely,
The Luxe Chronicles
Wonderful! Thanks for the list. I have no idea if I'll be able to watch, do, or visit them all. I just came back from the holidays and have a mountain of books to read! Including two recommended by you :)
Happy 2009!
Posted by: Dahlia | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 15:28