Introducing Sir Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs gets a nod from the French government.

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterand will acknowledge Marc Jacobs impact on the french fashion industry when he is decorated as a Chevalier des Artes et des Lettres (Knight of Order of Arts and Letters).

Jacobs is, of course, known for his position at the helm of Louis Vuitton as Creative Director, as well as for his own brand Marc Jacobs and the diffusion line Marc by Marc.

The ceremony, which is taking place during Mens Paris Fashion Week, will also honour Nathalie Rykiel, who is President and Creative Director of her mother Sonia Rykiel's label.

Words by Gabriella Singh

Read full article: Introducing Sir Marc Jacobs.

Beth Ditto designs plus-size line

The 100-kilogram singer was seen front row at Paris Fashion Week and her band even performed at the Fendi after party upon Karl Lagerfeld’s request. Now fashion’s unlikely muse is releasing a plus-size capsule collection.

In 2007, Beth Ditto complained on a blog that she wanted Topshop to accommodate bigger sizes, saying, “Give me the job. I want to design, I want you to make clothes for big girls.” Two years later, Topshop’s parent company Arcadia has taken notice, calling upon The Gossip front woman to design for its plus-size division, Evans.

Hardly following the conventions of demure clothing for larger ladies, the collection will reflect Ditto’s extroverted style, including bold prints, bright colours, sequins, 80s influences and mini dresses. We're hoping that she'll actually wear the clothes...

GQ columnist Alex Blimes is cynical about Ditto’s sudden immersion in the fashion world, saying in this article that she’s being used to divert attention from rampant eating disorder fears: “How can anyone say they only promote thin women when they are so enamoured of a porker like her?”

The line will hit stores and Evans online on July 9.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Beth Ditto designs plus-size line.

Lily Allen has Chanel campaign in the bag

Karl Lagerfeld is to turn his lens on Lily Allen in London next week, framing her as the new face for Chanel’s Autumn/Winter 09 accessories collection.

It was rumoured in 2006 that the UK pop star would appear in advertising for the iconic 2.55 quilted bags. Three years later, Lagerfeld has personally selected Allen to front the campaign, telling Women’s Wear Daily, “She’s fun.”

Allen, a huge fan of Chanel, was granted front row status at the Paris Fashion Week show and even partied on afterwards with the likes of Kate Moss and Lagerfeld himself.

Allen is not the first singer to act as a source of inspiration to Lagerfeld. Beth Ditto’s band The Gossip was selected to play at a Fendi party by Lagerfeld’s recommendation this year and in 2007 Lagerfeld revamped heroin chic by adopting Amy Winehouse as muse.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Lily Allen has Chanel campaign in the bag.

Kanye West’s controversial Louis Vuitton campaign

Rapper Kanye West has created a stir with his new risqué campaign for his Louis Vuitton sneaker line. West, who has referred to himself as “the Louis Vuitton don” in his songs, is fully clothed in the advertisements, while his model girlfriend Amber Rose is lying naked in his lap.

West exclusively showed his first pair of shoes – red leather and suede calfskin sneakers embossed with the LV monogram - during Louis Vuitton’s menswear show at Paris Fashion Week. The sneakers will be released for sale this June, but fans of the ‘Gold Digger’ singer are outraged by their price, which start at US$800.

Some have speculated that the advertisements are an attempt to rebuff rumours about West’s sexuality (he recently appeared in a South Park episode in which he was called a “gay fish.) Kanye broke off his engagement with stylist Alexis Phifer last year and Rose and West have been dating for a few months.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Kanye West’s controversial Louis Vuitton campaign.

No Cash for Cacharel either

Cacharel is the latest luxury fashion label to withdraw from Paris Fashion Week. As the current financial forecast remains dismal across the globe, American labels, Donna Karan and Vera Wang have also chosen to stay thrifty for February’s fashion season.

Meanwhile, for the guys, both Marni and Valentino have too announced their absence on the menswear catwalk, with the Italian label preferring to showcase its autumn/winter 2009 collection by exclusive appointment only.

By Lin Ma

Read full article: No Cash for Cacharel either.