The TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto is currently running an exhibition entitled ‘Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess an Exhibition’.
Fashion Television Magazine has produced a wonderful video cover story about the exhibition which you can view here
This week I wanted to give mention to a designer that we don’t hear enough about, especially in Australia. I have been a huge fan of Preen for years and their signature style is one of well cut elegance. Their latest collection…Spring 2012 Ready to Wear is much more feminine with the use of lots of pastels and pretty pinks with a move away this season from the usual neutrals tones. The inspiration for this line was Virgina Woolf. The collection, including a review by Sarah Mower for Vogue, can be viewed here.
Jason Wu’s fully fledged, five-year-old line (he produces four collections a year each with accessories and, for the first time this resort, launches six pieces of swimwear) has expanded with such velocity, it’s a relief to hear the diligent 28-year-old found time to take a vacation last January. And it’s that well-earned sojourn to Puerto Rico with friends that informed the vibrant, Technicolor feel of this collection. “Old San Juan really inspired me,” he said, flipping through architectural photographs from the trip. “The Art Deco moldings and colorful houses all looked so energetic!”
That translated into 1930s prints, but with the dynamic allure of West Coast surferwear to keep things safely within “American sportswear with a hint of couture” territory. “There’s definitely a sense of scuba,” he said, walking past the board shorts and camp shirts hanging on racks in his midtown studio, each elevated into daywear with swirling patterns and sharply bordered neon-yellow color-blocking. “Nothing here is actually neoprene, though; it’s just made to look like it.” That was cleverly achieved with his wetsuit-inspired minidresses, which were constructed from padded silk and therefore held a familiar molded form on hangers.
There were, of course, evening dresses in the mix. Floor-sweeping black chiffon was embroidered with delicate white flowers and treated with tiny globs of latex paint that gave the shiny appearance of beading, while his approach to tweed on fit-and-flare frocks—made to look like canvas and lined in leather for a tough, boyish edge—brought to mind a modern Jackie Onassis, particularly when accessorized with an oversize canvas clutch. Now, if only he’d thought to splash his whimsical Puerto Rican prints over an actual wetsuit, the Hamptons-bound surfing contingent would be fully satisfied.
(Review by Esther Adams for Vogue)
You can view the collection here.
For fans of Madonna, watch out: next year, she’ll stage the world-wide launch of her new fashion line. Targeting women in the 30-50 age groups, the line will be called ‘Truth or Dare by Madonna’ and feature shoes, handbags, accessories and perfumes.
Famous for being one of the major creative forces behind top labels Fendi and Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld will launch his own rock n’ roll inspired brand called ‘Karl’ in January next year. Featuring biker’s jacket and sweatshirts, the range will be medium-priced and looks set to add to the growing number of high-end fashion brands being marketed via the internet.
How cool is sewing? 
Well, you might wonder based on stories in the past week that popstar Britney Spears has been taking sewing lessons from her wardrobe team during her ‘Femme Fatale’ tour of Europe. Apparently, she’s been practicing sewing between shows. Read more here.
Amid a sea of fashion weeks in places like Milan, New York and Paris over the past month, a significant moment was the gala opening in late September of the Gucci Museum in Florence—the birthplace of this famous brand 90 years ago.
The three-level museum is housed in the 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia and features wonderful Gucci fashions across the years, including handbags owned by Jackie Onassis and Sofia Loren. Take a look at the museum here.
The London Guardian’s Imogen Fox gives her top 10 ‘take home’ messages from the recent Paris Fashion Week – take a look here.
From cabaret singer to fashion icon – that’s the story of Coco Chanel. Like many famous designers, such as Christian Dior, Vera Wang, Elsa Schiaparelli and Laura Ashley, she never attended fashion school. Read more about these inspiring people.
Another great feast of fashion is happening in Milan this week with leading designers such as Gucci, Missoni, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana taking centre-stage.
Fashion writer at The Guardian, Jess Cartner-Morley wrote: “Everything in the Dolce & Gabbana show was evocative of the designers’ beloved southern Italy, from the Sophia Loren silhouette of the cotton dresses to the handbags woven from the same shiny plastic strips that make up chair seats in simple town-square bars, to the tiny Madonnas on charm bracelets.”
Check out more here.