The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: Isabella Blow Collection To Be Exhibited (Finally)!

So, so happy to learn that the entire collection of magnificent garments (many by Alexander McQueen) and hats (many by Philip Treacy) collected by the late stylist and muse Isabella Blow will finally be exhibited at London's Somerset House from November 2013 to March 2014. This deserves a massive shout out to Daphne Guinness without whom this exhibit might not have happened at all. Many thanks to you Ms. Guinness! I can hardly wait to see it!!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Lucky 13: Viktor & Rolf Return To Haute Couture.

After a thirteen-year absence from the haute couture calendar, Dutch design duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren will be returning to the Paris runway this coming July 2013. If you, like Christian Dior (the man, not the brand), view the role of haute couture in fashion's ecosystem to be a sort of incubator of ideas, then this announcement should be cause for celebration.

The Very Long Schiaparelli Striptease (Finally) Draws To An End. Almost.

First came the announcement that the fabled house of Schiaparelli had been acquired by Italian financier and Tod's owner Diego Della Valle way, way back in May 2007. Much speculation ensued about the identity of the eventual designer who would be entrusted with reviving the house until it dragged on for so long that everyone lost interest and moved on.

On The Importance of Serge Mouille To J. Crew's Retail Strategy.

In the recent Fast Company profile of Jenna Lyons, "How Jenna Lyons Transformed J. Crew Into A Cult Brand", two quotes from Ms. Lyons and Mickey Drexler respectively leapt out at me:

Dazed & Confused: Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent Brand Reinvention.

Overly sentimental attachments can be an impediment to progress, a ball and chain preventing brands and individuals alike from moving forward. Unlike Christian Dior who died over a half century ago and whose maison has already been fully corporatized, Yves Saint Laurent passed away only a few short years ago and still casts a long shadow over French fashion. It does help of course that his memory is being kept alive and well by his former partner Yves Bergé via books, documentary films, biopics, exhibits, a foundation and a highly publicized auction. I can certainly understand therefore why Hedi Slimane would want to emancipate himself from the Saint Laurent legacy and all the nostalgia surrounding both the man and the brand.

Fashion: Roland Mouret Curates Norman Parkinson Photography Exhibit.

In another blurring of the lines between fashion and art, London-based French designer Roland Mouret has curated a collection of vintage fashion photographs by British photographer Norman Parkinson. I fully admit to being an unabashed fan of both designer and photographer and so find this an extremely fitting (pardon the pun) move on Roland Mouret's part.

Once Upon A Time, In A Land Called Fashion ...

The glowing New York Times profile of WWD's Bridget Foley had me almost believing that there might indeed still be such a thing as a credible, fair-minded fashion editor willing to speak her mind freely, untainted by personal friendships and conflicts of interest. Could such a rare bird really exist in the land of fashion?

An Ode To Originality ...

A clutch that looks like a book... How clever! How original! Oh wait ...

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Love Mag Keeps It Classy With Prostitution Fantasy Featuring Louis Vuitton's F/W 2013 Collection.

The world's oldest profession is neither chic nor glamorous. Whatever your position regarding the pros and cons of its legalization, most would agree that it belongs in neither a luxury brand communication nor a fashion film editorial. It's not exactly clear which category the Love Magazine video falls under (the brand has sought to distance itself from the film) but you would be forgiven for having concluded it was the former.

Fashion: Echos Of Vreeland At Harper's Bazaar España.

When I saw the above April 2013 cover of Harper's Bazaar España, I jumped! The stark image of a perfectly made up eye peaking out from what looks like a torn piece of wallpaper immediately calls to mind the March 1959 cover of U.S. Harper's Bazaar.