Luxist

Net-A-Porter's 'Emergency Wardrobe' Service

Rigel Gregg — 2008-07-03T15:02:00 00:00

There's nothing worse than being on vacation and either accidentally ruining an outfit or realizing your forgot your favorite black dress at home. So what to do? No worries, Net-A-Porter to the rescue! They've teamed up with High Road House London, Babington House Somerset and Soho House New York to provide "emergency wardrobe service," which means that guests can browse Net-A-Porter's online collection of designer clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories and receive same-day delivery of their purchases. So as of next week (when the service starts) no more worries if you spill spaghetti sauce that white blouse you meant to layer with everything all vacation -- you can order a new one and have it time for dinner!

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Sexy Stars of Burberry's Cool New Ad Campaign

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-07-02T08:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey is basing the British fashion house's new Fall/Winter 2008-09 ad campaign on one of our favorite movies from last year, rock photographer Anton Corbijn's Control.

Bailey hired Mario Testino to mimic the moody flick about Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis in the ads, which are shot in black-and-white like the movie.

Sam Riley, the talented actor who played Curtis in Control, stars alongside sexy British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, right, who's said to be a distant cousin of the Queen of England. If so she must be one of the somewhat overbred Windsor family's more attractive relations.

See the gallery for an image from the new campaign and more.

[via Kempt]

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High Fashion Immune To Low Stocks So Far

Deidre Woollard — 2008-07-01T09:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Like the high-end art market, the high-end fashion market continues to remain afloat in difficult times. This week is Paris Fashion Week and as WWD reports couture, the very top of the fashion world, contains to see strong sales. The number of couture clothes available is very small and clothing is in the thousands of dollars per piece.

So far, the couture business for fashion houses like Giorgio Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix hasn't seen any fall off from the declining U.S. economy. The customers for couture exist at the very highest end of the economic spectrum and are often immune to even fairly dramatic economic shifts. Also new clients from Russia, the Middle East and Asia continue to provide a stream of new customers.

Chanel reports that today's client wants a lot of attention and can be demanding. The Chanel team has flown around the world for fittings and presentations. It seems that today's couture houses have to work harder for their customers than ever before often because today's clients have increasingly busy schedules.

Couture also remains a way to reinforce a brand's image. We can't all afford the gorgeous Galliano gown shown above but the beautiful couture clothing serves as an advertisement for the quality and inventiveness of the designer.

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Luxury Knitting at NYC's String

Lisa Palladino — 2008-06-30T12:04:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Services

Sometimes I think the word "luxury" gets batted around a bit too much ("luxury water"), but I was curious when I saw a small ad for String, a luxury knitting boutique in NYC, in an NYC lifestyle magazine. While the Web site isn't the most refined, it seems the store itself has everything the serious knitter would want, and gets its luxury reputation for selling cashmere and other refined fibers (more than 80 kinds of yarn); needles; patterns for high-end, expensive projects, including clothing, accessories and even home decor; and perhaps its Upper East Side location. You can shop online for anything knit-necessary, including the store's new book, Luxury Knitting, by owner Linda Morse, or visit at 130 E. 82nd St. Also check out String's blog for store happenings, and the gallery below for a few of the items the store sells.

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Key Closet's $10,000 Jeans

Rigel Gregg — 2008-06-29T16:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Charity

These jeans by Key Closet look good, there's no doubt about that, but do they look $10,000 good? I have a hard time justifying $50 for a new pair, not to mention for that kind of money I'd really not know where to wear them. But the price tag is just that, $10,000, and they feature hand-drawn designs, over 1,000 Swarovski crystals, and a one carat diamond on each back pocket. Yes, wear these and you'll have a very valuable backside.

The best part about the whole thing is that although they cost almost as much as a new car, 30% of the profits will go towards building a school for under-privileged children in Uganda. That makes them totally worth it, sort of. %Gallery-26376%

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Gianfranco Ferre to Debut "Couture Architecture" in Dubai

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-27T09:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Real Estate Developments

Italian design house Gianfranco Ferre has signed multi-billion dollar deal to develop real estate projects with a fashionable flair. Ferre is partnering with Mideast-based GIO Developments on the deal, and the first project, called "Gianfranco Ferre Stresa," will be a mixed-use highrise in Dubai. The $1.2 billion tower will combine residential, commercial and hospitality spaces, and the partnership has dubbed it the first example of "concrete couture." Other similar projects are planned around the globe. Mr. Ferre himself, who was fittingly known as the "architect of fashion," died last year. The company bearing his name already has a strong presence in the region with existing stores in Dubai, Beirut and Istanbul and new openings planned for Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait within the year. Other design houses currently collaborating on Dubai developments include Versace, Christian Lacroix and Elie Saab.

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Results of the Sopranos Auction

Lisa Palladino — 2008-06-26T22:01:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping, Men's Style

Last month we reported that there was to be an auction of apparel from The Sopranos. The results from the June 25 event are in: Twenty-five outfits worn by James Gandolfini's alter ego raised $187,750 and benefited the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that aids wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gandolfini attended part of the Christie's auction with a soldier from the project.

The highest bid was for a faux-bloodstained outfit that Gandolfini wore in a scene when Tony is shot by a demented Uncle Junior: the black and beige short-sleeve polo shirt, a tank top and black pants brought in $43,750. The next highest bid was $21,250 for a four-piece costume that included a blue, red and yellow striped robe and boxer shorts that the actor wore in numerous episodes. Other top-selling outfits included a tan cotton bathrobe with lavender trim and 'S' insignia on the breast pocket that was featured in the pilot when Tony fetched the morning paper and fed the ducks in his pool, which raised $13,750.

All of the outfits were authenticated by Gandolfini, and many had the original production tags attached. See a sampling of the auctioned items in the gallery. See the entire lot and prices realized here.

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Jemima Khan To Design for Azzaro

Lisa Palladino — 2008-06-26T11:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Busy socialite (and possible Hugh Grant ex -- the jury's still out) Jemima Khan has been named as Parisian label Azzaro's latest guest designer, creating a collection of ready-to-wear and accessories that will be presented at its showroom during the early July couture shows, according to WWD. Khan was named by Vogue in December as the epitome of modern glamour and is just one of the latest group of A-listers joining the design studio: young socialista Eugenie Niarchos collaborated with Azzaro designer Vanessa Seward on an accessories collection last year, and Janet Jackson announced at a recent Versace menswear show that she is working on a lingerie line.

[Via Vogue.com UK]

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Versace Ltd. Edition Lamborghini to be Available in Fall

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-25T18:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Wheels

The limited-edition Lamborghini by Versace which we first wrote about plans for in 2006 is finally going into production for fall. The car, which will be a convertible in contrast to the coupe originally developed, will be a bright pastel white with a black-and-white leather interior. The price of the special-order Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace has yet to be named, but expect to pay a healthy premium above the model's already hefty base price of $358,000. The V12 roadster, designed by Donatella Versace and just unveiled in Milan during Men's Fashion Week, will feature a see-through engine bay cover and the fashion house's signature Greek key motif on the doors, front fascia and nappa leather seats. Versace has also designed an accompanying line of black calfskin accessories including luggage, wallet, gloves, driving shoes, hat and even a pair of leather jeans all bearing an engraved metal Lamborghini Versace tag.

[via Kempt & Autoblog]

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Depp's Girlfriend Replaces Kirsten Dunst in Miu Miu Ads

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-24T08:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Johnny Depp's gorgeous longtime girlfriend, French model/singer/actress Vanessa Paradis, has been chosen to replace Kirsten Dunst as the face of Miuccia Prada's sporty Miu Miu diffusion line. Paradis will appear in the label's futuristic Fall/Winter ads (right) shot by sought-after fashion photog duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot in Los Angeles, Vogue UK reports.

"At once a deconstruction and a pure visual composition, the campaign addresses the exploration of beauty in conjunction with intellect, imagination, and divergence," a Miu Miu rep says. Paradis has previously appeared in several ads for Chanel. She and Depp have been together for 10 years and have two children. Last year my colleague Deirdre Woolard reported that Depp had bought her a vineyard near St. Tropez.

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Donatella Versace Inspired By Barack Obama

Deidre Woollard — 2008-06-24T00:07:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Fashion designer Donatella Versace took a timely inspiration for her latest fashion show. The woman who once said she wanted to dress Hillary Clinton in more feminine outfits and less pantsuits has turned her attention to Barack Obama. Versace dedicated her Spring-Summer 2009 collection presented Saturday evening to Obama. Of course she had some fashion tips for the Presidential candidate as well, she urged him to shed the tie and "jazz up the shirt." Her collection was certainly short on ties and long on jazzy colors, offering suit jackets with double lapels or no lapels at all, slim shiny trousers and shirts in summery pastel shades of pale blue, lemon yellow and lavender.

[Thanks, Lana]

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Stacey Dash's Luxe Lingerie to be Available Online

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-23T16:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Letters of Marque, the luxe, vintage-inspired lingerie line launched by beautiful actress-turned-designer Stacey Dash last year, will finally be available for purchase online beginning July 4. Dash, a onetime Playboy model who's currently appearing on NBC's reality series Celebrity Circus, based her sexy debut collection on an exquisitely-crafted 150-year-old piece of Victorian lace lingerie which she'd worn herself for over a decade on, ahem, special occasions. "To me, the most important place to feel luxurious is in your home being intimate with the one you love," Dash tells Luxist. Her pieces are woven with the same rare French and English Leavers lace that was used in the piece that inspired them. The line's name has a historical antecedent as well; Dash discovered that one of her ancestors was a Dutch privateer with a letter of marque officially authorizing him to capture booty. Check out www.lettersofmarque.com on or after the 4th to snag some for yourself.

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New "Bespoke" Ruling: A Blow to Savile Row?

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-19T16:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

There's quite a row on Savile Row over the UK Advertising Standards Authority's brand new ruling that suits which are not entirely handmade may now be sold as "bespoke." It has horrified some Savile Row stalwarts who've long fought to protect their trade from such encroachments; late last year tailor's guild the Savile Row Bespoke Association (SRBA) trademarked the term "Savile Row Bespoke" to prevent parvenus from taking unfair advantage. According to the SRBA's guidelines, to qualify as bespoke a suit must be crafted from a choice of at least 2,000 fabrics and its construction requires at least 50 hours of hand-stitching.

However, SRBA board member Anda Rowland, owner of storied 100-year-old Row house Anderson & Sheppard, tells Luxist she is taking the philosophical view. While lamenting the ruling's implied lack of respect for Britain's tailoring trade, to her way of thinking a fellow who would be content with a faux-Row suit merely made-to-measure was "never a true bespoke customer in the first place" she tells us, while any connoisseur "will ultimately be able to spot the difference between true bespoke tailoring and incorrectly labeled imitations." In the meantime, made-to-measure garments, no matter what they're sold as, can continue to serve their proper purpose: "providing a bridge from ready-to-wear to bespoke."

For those seeking sartorial enlightenment, Rowland notes the SRBA has launched a website, savilerowbespoke.com, to help them on their path to proper tailoring. In addition, when Anderson & Sheppard moved into its new premises at 32 Old Burlington Street, Rowland says, "we opened up our workrooms especially to confront the confusion that potential customers might have over the increasing number of terms being used to describe made-to-measure... Since moving, we have been welcoming more and more first time customers who have done research through word of mouth, reputable press and the Internet and therefore have a very good idea of why they have come to us." No mere ruling no matter how barmy will change that.

Pictured above is Savile Row maverick Ozwald Boateng. See the gallery for more.

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New Dress Code, Same Classic Style at Royal Ascot Races

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-19T12:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Events, Sports, Men's Style

Since it was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, the annual Royal Ascot races have become the highlight of the English social season. Ostensibly a five-day sporting event, it's also evolved into something of an immense fashion show, marked by the arrival of the Royal Family in ceremonial horse-drawn carriages every day. It has become the style for ladies to sport increasingly outrageous hats, and lately the traditional rules about "formal day dress" in the coveted Royal Enclosure have been rather loosely interpreted, much to the Queen's dismay.

This year officials have cracked down, declaring that "Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and/or miniskirts are considered unsuitable," while "Midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and color." Those not in compliance will be asked to leave the Royal Enclosure. Gentlemen have always been required to wear full morning dress with top hats. Lest all the pageantry detract from the business at hand, it's worth noting that prize money at this year's event, which runs through Saturday, has reached an unprecedented $7.8 million.

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Kate Spade Store Opening Totes, Handbags of the Day

Rigel Gregg — 2008-06-17T17:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags

Kate Spade's "store opening totes" is a collection of 7 individually designed canvas tote bags created in commemoration of the opening of several new Kate Spade stores around the country. Each bag is available in a limited edition of only 50 and is not only designed in honor of its specific store's location (this "stop and smell the roses" bag is representative of its store's home in Portland, Oregon) but is also only available in that individual store for purchase. So if you're looking to have a collection of all 7 bags you better get ready for a cross-country travel spree.

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Sarah Jessica Parker's SATC "Roger" Belt

Lisa Palladino — 2008-06-16T16:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

The clothes in Sex and the City: The Movie are apparently as much characters as the four friends. Sarah Jessica Parker noted in a recent TV interview that she had 81 costume changes! One of her favorite accessories was a belt that she said was around so much that she named it Roger. Die-hard SATC fans and Carrie wannabes can get the "Roger" belt at Streets Ahead. There are four "Roger" styles that range from $180-$250, and there's a "Charlotte" belt too, for $118. These prices sure are higher than SJP's Bitten line. It also seems that Miranda and Samantha aren't cool enough to get their own belts. See the gallery for photos and prices of all five styles.

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Jessica Joffe Fêtes Exclusive New ILORI Thakoon Shades

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-16T14:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping

Audrey Hepburn-esque model / socialite Jessica Joffe fêted luxury sunglass shop ILORI's exclusive new Thakoon Hexagon 502 shades at their NYC boutique the other night. Thai-born designer Thakoon Panichgul (with Joffe, above), whose fashions are favored by the likes of Rachel Bilson, Demi Moore and Sarah Jessica Parker, debuted the new sunglass design featuring his signature Japanese shibori print, which will only be available at ILORI for a limited time. ILORI, which also has high-end stores in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas, specializes in curated collections, exclusive styles and limited edition frames. The Hexagon model, which costs $315, is made to match clothing from Thakoon's chic Spring/Summer runway collection. See the gallery for more.

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Cavalli Picks Four Beauties to Replace Kate Moss

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-16T08:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel

Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has chosen four top models to replace Kate Moss (right) in his new Fall/Winter 2008-09 ad campaign. The campaign, to be shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, is inspired by one of our favorite movies, Luchino Visconti's 1963 Il Gattopardo ("The Leopard), based on the book by Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa.

The movie, set in Sicily in the 1860s, stars Burt Lancaster as an Italian prince struggling to maintain a dying aristocracy, Alain Delon as his dashing nephew, and the beautiful Claudia Cardinale as Angelica, daughter of a rich former peasant who represents the new social order. Cavalli has chosen models Isabeli Fontana, Angela Lindvall, Raquel Zimmerman and Frankie Rayder to play the parts of Cardinale and the movie's other beauties in the ads.

"I've always been aesthetically fascinated by this film," Cavalli tells Women's Wear Daily. "I also find Il Gattopardo, a story that's based on the idea that 'the more it changes, the more it stays the same,' a good metaphor for fashion. In the campaign, the heroine - a sort of new Angelica - dances in the wilderness while a fire rages in the background; she represents the force of everything that is new, yet in the end she dresses like a romantic debutante." We think Fontana for one is perfectly cast as she bears an uncanny resemblance to Cardinale.

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Bruce Wayne Goes Armani

Rigel Gregg — 2008-06-13T14:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping

Bruce Wayne is getting classed up in more ways than one this year, first with a Lamborghini to drive and now with Armani to wear in the latest Batman installment due out this summer: The Dark Knight. Armani's tailored, classic, understated style certainly fits the Bruce Wayne character both in personality and lifestyle, and I for one can't wait to see Christian Bale showing off his new designer duds in the movie. On dressing a superhereo Armani says it's "fitting that I should be dressing a superhero this year, as I am pleased to have chaired the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, last May,"

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Dolce & Gabbana Tailors Italian Nat'l Soccer Team

Jared Paul Stern — 2008-06-09T18:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

To celebrate the 2008 European Cup soccer tournament, dashing designers Dolce & Gabbana have created a stylish new wardrobe for the Italian National Football Team ("Nazionale"). Italy debuted today in the fiercely-competitive 16-nation tournament at the Stade de Suisse in Berne, Switzerland. Dolce & Gabbana custom-tailored natty narrow-lapeled one-button dark blue suits with the Nazionale badge embroidered on the breast pocket, classic white shirts and solid narrow blue silk ties for the team. Filling out their off-pitch wardrobe are blue single-breasted peak-lapel blazers, matching four-button vests, blue cotton and wool hooded track suit tops, blue cotton track suit bottoms with satin belts and sides, and black nylon padded parkas with multiple pockets and detachable hoods. The collaboration is the latest in a line of recent designer makeovers for famed European football (soccer) teams, including Giorgio Armani for the Chelsea F.C. and Paul Smith for Manchester United. See the gallery for more.

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