Would you ever?

Louis Vuitton are releasing this garbage bag inspired handbag....


Retailing at $2000 its slightly above the price of your average set of 30 garbage bags. However the design comes in dark brown and grey, with a changeable leather strap. The immediate connection to the "Derelicte" collection of Zoolander really puts this in to context with one blogger commenting "If someone is willing to buy what is an obvious anti-capitalist statement, then let'em."

Words by Gabriella Singh

Read full article: Would you ever?.

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.

NARS celebrates with limited edition book

Cosmetic king Francois Nars is celebrating his 15th anniversary with a commemorative, limited edition book featuring a muse of 15 famous faces.

With a sundry of stars including Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Daphne Guiness, Olivier Theyskens, Shalom Harlow and a myriad more, each face will don a product that has proved influential to Nar’s career.
“Basically, I wanted people who reflected my taste, friends and people I admired for their look and talent,” Nars told press. “I love the way Marc looks, but also what he is and does. I tried to pick people not just for looks, but for talent.”
The book will go on sale in mid-November and will retail for US$80.

Words by Tess Bertram-Jones

Read full article: NARS celebrates with limited edition book.

Marc Jacobs and Lady Gaga host Fashion Week bash

Due to the global financial crisis last year, Marc Jacobs had no choice but to cull 1,300 seats from his runway guest list and cancel his coveted after party during New York Fashion Week.

This year, Jacobs is collaborating with avant-garde pop signer Lady Gaga, and V magazine, to host an after party for his runway show.

"We're doing it with Visionaire, and we're doing it for Lady GaGa." Jacobs commented at the premiere of The September Issue. "Lady Gaga is on the cover of V Magazine, and she's wearing our clothes, so I think we're all collaborating on doing that. That will be really fun."

New York Fashion Week begins on September 10.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Marc Jacobs and Lady Gaga host Fashion Week bash.

Marc Jacobs wins second international award this year

International designer Marc Jacobs has been honoured with a Pratt Institute Legends award for 2009.


Jacobs is apparently on a winning streak, having received a CFDA International Award recently for his work at Louis Vuitton. During this campaign, Craig McDean photographed Jacobs, dressing the designer in a pair of black Louis Vuitton bunny ears whilst he struck a contemplative pose.

Marc Jacobs will be attending a gala evening in October at 7 World Trade Centre, designed to raise funds for students at the Pratt Institute in need of financial support. Other artists recognised during the awards will include Patti Smith for her work as a visual artist and architect/designer David Rockwell.

The Pratt Institute is renowned for training the world’s up and coming artistic visionaries, offering programs in architecture, fashion and interior design. Past students include actor and director Robert Redford, the aforementioned Patti Smith and fashion designer Ben de Lisi.

Words by Zac Bayly.

Read full article: Marc Jacobs wins second international award this year.

Madonna for Marc Jacobs

Madonna has scored an encore with pal Marc Jacobs, working together on their second collaboration for Louis Vuitton’s spring campaign.

The first campaign drew mixed reviews, with Jacobs quick to defend; adamant he wanted the shoot to have a completely different feel.
Vuitton’s communication director, Antoine Arnault suggested Madonna’s impact on the label was measurably significant: “Everything she was wearing in the first campaign was sold within a few months. People came into the store saying, ‘I want the Madonna bag, the Madonna shoes.’ ”

Photographer Steven Meisel also returns to shoot the campaign, which uses solarization to create a finish that “gives it something very graphic, more edgy,” Meisel describes.

The shoot will feature a plethora of runway looks and leather goods, many in Louis Vuitton's signature monogram print.
Only a few images have been released, revealing a color dripped Madonna donning the infamous bunny-ear head-dress. Keep an eye out for more as they look like a technicolor dream.

Words by Tess Bertram-Jones

Read full article: Madonna for Marc Jacobs.

Marc Jacobs creates back-to-school capsule collection

Marc Jacobs is giving back to the younger generation, with a back-to-school capsule collection aptly titled, “Don’t Miss the Marc.”

The cheeky collection, made especially for the younger gal includes scholarly must-haves in stretch and soft fabrics. Jersey blazers, scarves, stockings, denim skirts and T’s are available in an assortment of funky colors and prints that are sure to brighten up any school day. “Don’t Miss the Marc,” will be in stores early August and with most items under $130, you can rule the school without breaking the bank.

Words by Tess Bertram-Jones

Read full article: Marc Jacobs creates back-to-school capsule collection.

Courtney Love launches line

Rumours regarding Courtney Love’s foray into fashion abounded after Peaches Geldof tweeted that Love was giving her a “hotel-room fashion show of her new designs.”

Love, who championed the riot-grrrl look as the lead singer of Hole in the 90s, is to release her own line, a representative confirms to People.

The collection will apparently include ribbed one-pieces and harem pants, but who knows what to expect from a woman who is on worst dressed lists one minute and hanging off Marc Jacobs’ arm the next. One can only hope that the train-wreck rocker will infuse in her designs the grunge aesthetic that once had quasi ‘kinderwhores’ imitating her style, Seattle and beyond.

UK Grazia reports that there will be “a ruby stitched into every outfit,” which seems excessive for someone who is currently being sued by American Express for over US$350,000 in unpaid balances.

Hopefully Love’s line will cover her legal bills, that is, until the next offence.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Courtney Love launches line.

Vogue comes to life in Tokyo

In alignment with Vogue Nippon’s 10th anniversary, each issue for the next six months will be bought to life at the Comme des Garcons retail and gallery space in Tokyo.

This new creative collaboration between the magazine and label is aptly titled Magazine Alive. Previously home to the one-off Louis Vuitton collaboration, the space is Comme des Garcons’ experimental outlet.

The store’s stock will change monthly to reflect the content of Vogue Nippon. For July, the store and gallery is decorated with Takashi Murakami flowers, and Karl Lagerfeld takes over windows with silver-suited mannequins and miniature dolls. The issue’s theme? Manga. The shopper can purchase limited-edition Murakami products based on anime superstar Magical Princess, t-shirts depicting anime versions of fashion icons (Hedi Slimane, Marc Jacobs and Donatella Versace), knits by Martin Margiela and transparent plastic handbags by Loewe.

Magazine Alive is a fantastic example of how Japanese pop culture and fashion are inextricable, and the temporary pop-up store makes for a seamless blending of art and advertising.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Vogue comes to life in Tokyo.

Fashion vital to New York’s economy

Yesterday in New York, Mayor Bloomberg teamed up with industry representatives, announcing an event to boost the city’s economy through fashion.

Fashion’s Night Out will coincide with the opening of Spring Fashion Week (September 10, 2009), involving over 100 stores extending their opening hours until 11pm. Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Frustenberg and the Gap have already signed up.

“Fashion is vital to New York’s economy…[it] does a fantastic job projecting an exciting and attractive image of New York City to the world,” said the fashion-conscious politician. Bloomberg added that there are more than 800 fashion companies in New York, with the industry generating over $10 billion per year within the city.

High-profile guests included Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Tommy Hilfiger and Anna Wintour (who coincidentally appeared minus sunglasses following her contentious 60 Minutes profile.)

As well as enhancing the economy, Fashion’s Night Out will serve as a 9/11 memorial and a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS organisations.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

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Victoria Beckham strips off for Armani

Following in her footballer husband’s footsteps, Victoria Beckham strips off to star in Armani’s lingerie campaign.

The Mirror online reports rumours that the 35-year-old mother of three was paid 15 million pounds to pose for the series of black and white photographs. David Beckham is to have been paid around the same amount for his Armani underwear shots in 2007.

The former Spice Girl turned designer, renowned for her tiny figure, is determined to allay claims that the photograph was airbrushed.

"You know, I've been doing a lot of running. Because obviously, you think I look okay, but if I'm going to be taking my clothes off I will need to tone up a little bit, so I worked hard to have the confidence to do it," said Mrs. Beckham.

The 20-foot banner was revealed at Macy’s Herald Square in New York last Wedneday. Beckham, who has also appeared in advertising for Marc Jacobs, is set to head the Armani campaign until 2012.
Story by Ingrid Kesa

Read full article: Victoria Beckham strips off for Armani.

Madonna for Louis Vuitton

Iconic pop queen Madonna is to star in the new Spring/Summer 2009 Louis Vuitton Advertising campaign. Renowned photographer and long time creative co-conspirator of Madonna’s: Steven Meisel shot the campaign, his first ever for the brand.

Staged in a sepia-toned Parisian café, the campaign beautifully blends 1940’s Parisian bourgeois with the African tribal references in the chunky beaded accessories and fringed heels.

“I wanted the campaign to be very bold, very sensual and very atmospheric. To carry off all these references and all this sophistication, we needed the ultimate performer – and for me – that is Madonna” says Marc Jacobs.

The Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer advertising campaign will launch in February 2009. The corresponding image shows Madonna with the Kalahari bags in Monogram canvas and Monogram-embossed leather.

Read full article: Madonna for Louis Vuitton.

Marc Jacobs Settles Bribery Case With $1m

World renowned fashion designer Marc Jacobs and his company Marc Jacobs International has been forced to pay $1 million to settle a case against. Jacobs allegedly bribed the manager of the 26th Street Armory (an historic landmark that acts as a headquarters of a New York infantry regiment) for its exclusive use for his fashion shows.

Jacobs used the Armory to stage 2 shows in recent years during New York Fashion week: where making a grand impression can decide the success of a label for the following year.

The manager of the Armory, James Jackson, has pleaded guilty to the charges of grand larceny and accepting payments from Marc Jacobs of up to $35, 000 in cash and goods. He faces up to 15 years imprisonment.

The New York attorney general who tried the case said the tough action had been taken to protect the reputation of the fashion industry.

Sourced from: www.guardian.co.uk

Read full article: Marc Jacobs Settles Bribery Case With $1m.