"Work It Out" (2002) Beyoncé's love for the 70s and giant hair was evident from her first single and video as a solo artist. Channeling her Foxy Cleopatra character from that Citizen Kane of shitty sequels, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Bey sported a sequined shift and her never-again-seen afro.

"Crazy in Love" (2003) Bey announced her arrival to superstardom with "Crazy in Love"'s thunderous horns and her birth as a fashion icon with a series of outfits -- such as the always appropriate fur coat and a bikini -- as well as some serious posing.

"Me, Myself and I" (2004) Could always use more Bey in a bob.

"Naughty Girl" (2004) The song itself features an interpolation of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" and combined with a very Diana-esque fur shawl and a little nod to Bob Fosse's choreography -- something she would mine time and time again -- Beyoncé was getting in touch with her inner Studio 54 ...by way of the Harlem Renaissance.

"Upgrade U" (2007) While talking a mean fashion game, Bey dons an even meaner braid.

"Kitty Kat" (2007) Though the video for "Kitty Kat" was only a minute long and served really as an intro to "Green Light," how the hell can we not talk about this makeup? Following the theme of the song, Beyoncé also wears a leopard-print catsuit. It's called commitment.

"Get Me Bodied" (2007) An homage to Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity, Bey sports another memorable pony and is joined by former Destiny's Children Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland -- and -- beginning to step out of her sister's ginormous shadow -- Solange as they enter a party the only way acceptable: like a bunch of drag queens.

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It" (2008) The leotard worn 'round the world. Who knew such a simple concept would be the watershed moment in Beyoncé's career? Inspired once again by Fosse -- this time "Mexican Breakfast" -- but with the added touch of a Lorraine Schwartz robotic titanium glove. If Gwen Verdon had had that...let's just say Liza wouldn't be alive today.

"Diva" (2008) Just in case there were any lingering doubts, Beyoncé is a fucking diva. But for anyone questioning her female hustler status, Bey pulled some diva antics like blowing up a car of mannequins and wearing the hell out of some Gareth Pugh and vintage Thierry Mugler. Sasha Fierce was not playing around.

"Video Phone" (2009) By this point in her career, Bey had really stepped up her sartorial game, eschewing mom Tina Knowles' House of Dereon creations for haute couture. And I think we all know fellow pop queen Lady Gaga may have had a little something to do with that. The two paired up for "Video Phone" then got all Thelma & Louise for Gaga's similarly-titled "Telephone."

"Why Don't You Love Me" (2010) Betty Page met Betty Draper in the martini-swilling, chain-smoking, mascara-running incarnation of B.B. Homemaker. Foxy Cleopatra she certainly is not. Shazam!

"Run the World (Girls)" (2011) Beyoncé's style evolution pretty much peaked when she decided to wear Givenchy Haute Couture while brandishing two jackals on a leash. You don't go up from there, I'm sorry. Alexander McQueen dress and thigh-high boots, a Giuseppe Zanotti harness, an incredible disco-ball of a Gareth Pugh dress and heels, a Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown, an Emilio Pucci dress. In Beyonce's post-Apocalyptic world, haute couture is the only armor you'll need.

The Olympic Torch, designed by the team of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, is made of aluminum with 8,000 perforated holes representing each of its carriers as it makes its way to London for the July 27 opening ceremony.

“Nothing is harder to get right* than designing for the Olympics,” said Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic. “The lightness and simplicity of Barber Osgerby’s Olympic Torch does just that.”

There were a total of 89 nominees in seven categories: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics, Product and Transport.

The winner of the Fashion category was Issey Miyake‘s origami-inspired 132 5 Eco-Fashion collection, beating out these top contenders:

McQueen Met exhibit
Mary Katrantzou‘s fall 2011 collection
the Royal wedding dress
Gareth Pugh‘s spring 2012 collection film
the Late Night Chameleon Café store
Céline‘s fall 2011 collection
Melissa + Gaetano Pesce Boot and Flip Flop
Vivienne Westwood‘s Ethical Fashion Africa collection
the Oratory Jacket by Brompton Bicylce Ltd
Suno‘s spring 2011 collection

That Issey Miyake collection is pretty badass — you should really check out that video link, or if you have ADD like I do, this much shorter one — so I can understand how Kate’s gown and even Savage Beauty could pale in comparison. I don’t accept it, but I understand it.

For a full list of the winners click here.

*Tell that to Sarah. At least Barber and Osgerby didn’t have to lie to Anna Wintour‘s face.

The foundation will help support young art and fashion talent, a cause Blow, who took her own life in 2007, would no doubt celebrate. The late editor and muse is largely credited for discovering fellow iconoclast and suicide victim Alexander McQueen.

But onto the bright side of things. Guinness raided her closet and chose key pieces which best defined her distinctive style, featuring the likes of Chanel, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Prada, Christian Lacroix, Alaïa, Gareth Pugh, Christopher Kane and of course McQueen. The auction will take place on June 27 with a goal of earning £100,000 (about $160,000), but before then Christie’s will put the couture on public display on June 23.

Here, a few of the sumptuous threads that will go up on the auction block. [Vogue UK]

"This design was first viewed by Daphne in Alexander McQueen’s collection in 2008. After seeing it, Daphne asked Lee to create four dresses in this style, in different materials (one black, one black long sleeved, one feathered, and one silver). McQueen didn’t make the dress for his shop, it was a show piece. A favourite dress of Daphne’s, she has worn it to several high profile occasions and has been photographed with the likes of Mario Testino and David Furnish whilst wearing it." Alexander McQueen, bespoke 2008 - estimate: £15,000 - £20,000 (about $24,000 - $32,000)

"Daphne bought this dress in the Lanvin store in Paris and wore it that night for a friend’s birthday party." Lanvin, autumn/winter 2006-7 - estimate: £400 - £800 (about $640 - $1,280)

"Having heard about the wonderful new British talent that was Christopher Kane, Daphne visited his studio, saw this dress and immediately fell in love with it. It was one of the first things she bought from Christopher Kane." Christopher Kane, autumn/winter 2008-9 - estimate: £800 - £1,500 (about $1,280 - $2,400)

"This was the first piece of couture Daphne bought from Christian Lacroix. Having led to her meeting Lacroix’s muse, Marie Martinez, with whom she has since become great friends, it holds important memories for Daphne. Representing Lacroix’s Southern routes it is an iconic piece; the cow hide was typical of him, and the puff ball skirt is a very Spanish look which he often revisited." Christian Lacroix Couture, 1987 - estimate: £1,000 - £2,000 (about $1,600 - $3,200)

"Ordered from Noritaka directly, these shoes took around eight months to be made. Daphne loved them, not so much for their practicality, or lack thereof, but because she viewed them as pieces of sculpture, more as concept pieces for looking at – fashion as art." Noritaka Tatehana, autumn/winter 2010-11 - estimate: £1,500 - £2,500 (about $2,400 - $4,000)

- Gareth Pugh‘s costumes for the Royal Opera House production of the ballet Carbon Life — which also features music by Mark Ronson — and it’s safe to say this is not your traditional tutu. Which is perhaps the only safe thing about this. [Telegraph]

- While American Apparel is too salacious for the Brits, David Beckham is only “mildly sexual.” There may be a few million ladies who’d beg to differ. [Vogue UK]

- Karl Lagerfeld may have sent Adele a few “I’m sorry” Chanel handbags after calling her “a little too fat.” In other news, Karl Lagerfeld called me a “tawdry skank.” I’ll take my apology in couture. [The Cut]

- Tranny, get your gown! Disqualified and disgraced transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova may be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant after all. [Styleite]

- Unofficial sexiest man alive Ryan Gosling allegedly saved some crazy lady journalist with a pink wig — that somehow factors into the story — from getting hit by a taxi. [Celebitchy]

- The trailer for Whitney Houston‘s final film has hit the interwebs prompting the all-important question: where’s the goddamn posthumous Oscar? [MTV]

Between Superman Lagerfeld's fixation on crystals and Giambatista Valli's kinked stripes, cubic patterns jump forth geometrically from Paris.

Cubism Movement

We've well worn the leggings under skirts look, now go for boot cut, center pressed trousers.

The Skirt's Trouser Snake

Lisbeth Salander got a tattoo that sent the whole fashion world into gothic leather. Not that Mugler and Gareth Pugh wouldn't have gotten their without her help.

Lisbethan Leather

The outlining trend has carried through Fall 2012, as its body shaping properties are out of this world. Rei Kawakubo, meanwhile, has taken the stroke density to an epic level.

Outline, Take Notes

Perhaps it was the staggering lack of snow this season that has led so many designers to dream of a white winter.

Next fall, you might take a side job as a street sweeper. Or hire someone to carry your jacket's train. Coats are hitting the ground and billowing out in a righteous way.

Angelina Jolie's leg bomber followed Fashion Week to Paris and continued deploying bare gam splits.

Time for a second job, or a sugar daddy, or for your million dollar idea to actualize; the hottest trend is having a personal porter/bellboy/man servent. How chic!

The downstairs floor imagery is constantly moving. As is the back wall. It's fluid, kind of like the capabilities of plastic. Oh, and they're also 100% recyclable, in case you were wondering. Read on to see the collaborations up close.

You can get Gareth Pugh on your tootsies for $105! It's really got his DNA in every aspect of the shoe. He told their in-store magazine Plastic, "I don't collaborate a great deal with other brands, so whatever I do with this needs to be done in a way that I am 100% happy with the product before it goes out." On the chosen print: "The print of the sandal is very characteristic of my work. It emerged from a drawing that I did as soon as I left college and since then it changes a little bit every season. It is a historical print in my career."

Jason Wu set out to make something very characteristically him, and also Melissa at the same time. "It's a pleasure for me to work with plastic in such an innovative way. It is a very modern material present in our daily lives and the possibility of making it more fashionable is very interesting."

"It is amazing what Melissa can do with plastic. Each shoe has a character and tells a story." - Vivienne Westwood

Dita Von Teese snatched all three of these line-backed peep-toe wedges on her Melissa visit.

You can't buy Melissa online, only in the store. Let yourself be Wu-ed into the store. Or go to one of the more than 700 stores worldwide that carry them. Galleria Melissa 102 Greene St New York, NY But you can check out the shoes pre-visit.

Need further evidence?

Sam Eagle, ladies and gentlewomen,

Entitled “Visions Couture,” the display will feature these Daphne avatars in looks from Paco Rabane, Gareth Pugh, Maison Martin Margiela, Rick Owens and Junya Watanabe — in other words, a fierce fashionable feast for the eyes. ”Visions” will also include short films by Knight about each outfit and an interactive display by multimedia artist Danny Brown, utilizing images submitted by the public and passersby. The Daphne-quins will be unveiled come February 6. [WWD]

“The Great Designers” will also be accompanied by the book The Great Designers: Fashion’s Hall of Fame from A to Z, highlighting 500 of the museum’s masterworks by 100 of the 20th- and 21st-century’s most important designers. Publishing in April 2012, the book will include an essay by museum curator Valerie Steele on the history of fashion museums and exhibits,  along with short bios on the 100 designers. Click through the gallery for some of the designs featured and to keep you occupied until you can make your way to the FIT Museum to see them in person. [WWD, FIT]

Boudicca, Fall 2006

Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, 1986

Givenchy by Alexander McQueen, Fall 1997

Thierry Mugler, c. 1987

Rick Owens, Fall 2008

Prada, Fall 2011

Gareth Pugh, Fall 2007

Elsa Schiaparelli, Fall 1935

Valentino, Spring 2008

Gianni Versace, 1991

Photos: Out Magazine

Andrej Pejic

Brad Goreski

Tim Gunn

Marios Schwab and Jonathan Saunders

Nicolas Ripoll

Peter Som

Nicola Formichetti

Jack Calhoun, President of Banana Republic

Gareth Pugh

But what's this?? Flats and little black boots on every patron in attendance. For shame! If any indie were to set foot in this exhibit, it would be at minimum in a 6 inch heel. Kids, these shoes are not just for celebrities. But walk at your own risk.

The Alexander McQueen Armadillo heels need no explanation.

Commissioned by Printemps for an Alice in Wonderland shoe for their window homage to Tim Burton's film, Nicholas Kirkwood scoured garage sales up and down the UK for all the adorning trinkets.

Christian Louboutin designed these for Rodarte, and Victoria Beckham picked them up around That Extra Half Inch time in the world. Now we need an extra 4 inches to keep satisfied.

Chau Har Lee infuses her love of sculpture and textile into an architectural feat.

These golden plates of Gareth Pugh future kick shone on Beyonce in the epic Run the World (Girls) video.

Designed by Rupert Sanderson, these sculptures held Princess Amneris up on high in Verdi's Aida at The Royal Opera House in London last year. Made for stepping on the little people beneath you.

On the right are a pair of vintage Nina Ricci floating heels, leant from the closet of Daphne Guinness. In the middle, are the 8-inch Christian Louboutin ballet shoes. On the left, a shoe that crushes all in its path. See next.

Pugh is no stranger to a full face; he started wearing makeup as an 8-year-old ballerina but gave up the dance to pursue fashion at 16. To this day, however, he refuses to leave the house without his face painted — “To me, it’s like putting my shoes on.”

Demonstrating characteristics of a nascent hoarder — “I never throw anything away” — Pugh dug through his studio for inspiration to send to MAC: “There’s a butterfly ring, which is how we came up with the iridescent thing. There was a hematite rock that I’d picked up in Evolution in New York. I can’t resist that place. It’s full of dead things and crystals. I sent Mac the feathered head-dresses from my spring/summer 2010 show – light grey feathers, that’s how we came up with that colour. It’s all come from the same place so it works as a collection, I think. It tells a story.”

The result is a beautifully dark, and darkly beautiful, collection that features a duo-chromatic nail polish, a matte powder designed for all skin complexions and Flight Lashes, a pair of false lashes that could easily take you up, up and away on a strong breeze.

The collaborative process seems to have been beneficial for both sides with MAC’S senior VP and creative director James Gager remarking:  ”The main thing is that Gareth is this young, vital, progressive creative force. I feel that aligning ourselves with someone like that says a lot to both our [make-up] artists and our customers about the vitality of Mac as a brand.”

“I don’t do a lot of collaborations, especially not with big companies,” Pugh admitted, ” and I think only a few of those would be willing to commit to this level of investment: custom packaging, a film. It’s been done really beautifully and, like I say, Mac has done my shows for many years, make-up is important to my shows, I wear make-up and it’s kind of let me do what I want.”

To promote Gareth Pugh for MAC, a short film was shot starring model Alla Kostromichova that will be screened alongside the product once the collection launches online and in select MAC stores in December. [Independent]

Rankin

Nick Knight

David Sims

Terry Richardson

Jake & Dinos Chapman

Damien Hirst

Sam Taylor-Wood

Katie Grand

Katy England

Alister Mackie

Nicola Formichetti

Alexander McQueen

Vivienne Westwood

Gareth Pugh

Gareth Pugh

Prada

Numêro / Models.com

W's "Transformers" by Steven Meisel

Pop Magazine Fall/Winter 2011 by Gillian Wearing / Models.com

Versace x H&M

Versace spring 2011

cK One spring 2011

Balenciaga spring 2011 runway

Barney

Harper's Bazaar Australia November 2011 / Models.com

Models.com

Vogue September 2011 / Fashion Gone Rogue

Photo: Style.com

Under the stewardship of new creative director, and a perennial favorite of mine, Manish Arora, Paco Rabane should have them gagging for seasons to come.

Grayscale leather blocking weaves a jacket with arms that seemingly start at the waist.

Framed in floral has us pondering the layering process.

Where does the skin stop and the beading begin? The heavier pieces seem to have avalanced to the hem.

At quick glance there seems to be a bow tie, at another it's the print. Also optical illusively close to Missoni...

Stripes fall in waves and angles around the body. Warning: may induce seizure. Dying regardless.

Smoke and mirrors.

Iridescence bounces on a pencil as a black strip up center jacket front begs the question, "Is that another layer?". The shoulders bound out on high with had that moves in new directions.

Whittling the waist away with beads and inward curves, we also realize there is beaded fringe off the shoulder blades. Quel susprise!

Like areal shapes, the pieces of suit cut the air in nude on white.

Is it a high slitted skirt or a pant? Look closely at the gleaming sheers.

As if an alien space pod had landed carrying a fierce race of insectoid women, the models stormed the runway against the backdrop of a gaping maw resembling their mothership. Shedding the cage-like chrysalises of the show’s first half, the alien women swathed themselves in voluminous black and donned Phillip Treacy‘s cocoon masks as their mothership became engulfed in purple flames. Aside from a great story, Pugh’s show provided some of his strongest looks to date — clean to the point of minimalism but still defiantly “out-of-the-box.” These aren’t red carpet-ready creations…unless it’s a red carpet on Venus.

Also, bonus points for featuring a man-heel with some actual height as opposed to a run-of-the-mill Cuban heel.

Photos: Models.com

Man-Tran

After I see the exhibit, I’ll tell you more about each piece. For now, enjoy fashion at its most powerful. See it now through January 7, 2012.

Exhibition photos by Tom Mendes; Opening reception photos by Patrick McMullan; Opening reception sponsored by Kim Crawford Wines

FashionIndie‘s own Jessica Lapidos captured
during last Fashion Week by NY Mag

Go East, Young Tran!

Asia is booming! With many designers flocking to the Far East not only for business but inspiration, why not give a knowing wink to the Orient with this look, featuring a Boudicca cape, cropped McQ jersey harem pants and of course, what Asian sensation is complete without a little Hello Kitty?

Gag’s little sis, Natali Germanotta, is the odds on favorite — possibly for the Haus of Germanotta – with notable runners-up Nicola Formichetti (natch), Gareth Pugh, Atsuko Kudo, Donatella Versace and Vivienne Westwood.

Stella McCartney and Donna Karan are the least likely candidates — I guess a shawl-collared jersey wedding  gown is a bit at odds with the Gaga aesthetic. But what about a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen creation? I wouldn’t put it past the Lady to get married in the exact same dress as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge…only because it would be hilarious.

As for the material of the dress, bets range from balloons to flowers and glass.

But here we are putting the unicorn before the cart. News of Gaga even dating anyone is news to me, let alone getting married. I’d hope if Lady Gaga were getting married she’d at least have the decency and class to whore the story — and herself — out, Kardashian-style. [WWD]

RAD HOURANI

IMPORT ORIGINS: He designs in Paris, by way of Canada, but grew up  in Jordan of Jordanian/Syrian descent.

DEISGN SPECS: Unisex transformability is his calling card. With angular cuts and zippers that zip infinitely, his aesthetic rides the edge of mascu-femme.

FACT: While his runway looks may run into the thousands, he considers Rad Hourani his laboratory. RAD by Rad Hourani applies those concepts conceived in the lab to materials we mortals can (?) afford.

You won’t find traditional workout equipment at Amplitude; there is nary a weight nor a bench on the 2nd floor of 261 East 78th St. What you will find are several Vibraflex vibration platforms…which, by the by are just as fun as they sound.

Have you ever seen those old-school machines with the belt that jiggles the fat off of you, or something to that end? Well, these vibration platforms are like that but a whole lot more effective and less likely to give you a seizure.

By creating thousands of muscle contractions in a matter of minutes, vibration training uses 90% of the muscle as opposed to traditional resistance training’s 40-50%. So with just 10-15 minutes, 3-times a week, you can see results in as little as 2 weeks.

I broke more of a sweat running (late per usual) to Amplitude last week than performing the actual exercises while there. Co-owner David Newman walked me through the basics and though it was only a few minutes — six at tops — it was a considerable workout.

Plus, among the many benefits of vibration training is improved bone density, which is great for me since I acquire most of my daily nutrition from Jack Daniels and Jose Cuervo thus ensuring my bones have the density of aged balsa wood.

Anyhoo, after the Vibraflex training, the real fun began.

I’ve always been fond of defying gravity, both as a showtune sung by the incomparable Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (though I’ll take Lea Michele in a pinch) and also just a concept — I mean, who doesn’t want to know what it feels like to fly? Enter the Anti-Gravity Treadmill.

Though not necessarily flying, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill allows you to run as an astronaut would, reducing your weight by as much as 80%. And the best part is you don’t even need a space suit. Even better, you get to wear these cool Gareth Pugh-esque pants that zips you into the treadmill.

In ten minutes I burned what it would’ve taken me 15-20 minutes on the elliptical with the same if not less impact on my joints. All in all, exercising at Amplitude was fun, easy and effective, and what’s even better it’s an interesting experience. There’s nothing like running at 65% of your body weight in a pair of rubber pants while knowing you’re actually getting a real workout.

To try the vibratory wave of the future, you can go online or call 646.692.9317 to schedule an appointment at Amplitude Vibration Studio.

But oh, what’s this?

A free month’s pass that may have your name on it?! All you gotta do is Tweet and Facebook Share this post and you can win! Just imagine anti-gravity running and vibrating your way to a healthier you. You’ll never want to look at another elliptical or treadmill again.

Photo: Anna Dello Russo’s Twitter

Ye reportedly met with the head of the course, Professor Louise Wilson, to discuss his future matriculation before jetting off to Paris to hang with Anna Dello Russo and take in the shows at Fashion Week.

A source tells The Sun:

“Kanye spends a lot of time with fashion students and often hooks up with Central’s arty pupils when he is in London. The rapper already has work experience with Fendi and Louis Vuitton on his CV. Now that he has been interviewed the school’s board will have to decide whether to allow him to start the MA fashion course later this year.”

West’s few high-profile internships may not be enough to sway the notoriously intractable Wilson, as rumors abound hat ”he has been turned down for a place because his portfolio wasn’t up to standard.”

If Kanye does make it through the program, however, he will join CSM’s list of luminary alumni, which includes designers Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Gareth Pugh, Christopher Kane,  Zac Posen, Matthew Williamson and Hussein Chalayan.

Let’s just hope he was taking notes while sitting front row so he can get that portfolio up to snuff.

Link Love: MTV.co.uk

Photo: People.com

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung really knows how to make a woman feel like a lady; something Sheen usually undoes in a matter of minutes, but a pastel pink can soften anyone’e edges.

Donna Karan

Sheer-ly you jest! I’m sure Charlie’s angels are used to anything see-through, particularly pornogal Rachel Oberlin aka Bree Olson. However, Donna Karan shows how to class up that look while still giving off  a whiff of that all-important “whore” vibe; the Charlie Sheen catnip, as it were.

Jason Wu

It’s important to make a statement whenever entering a room and Jason Wu’s finale gown makes that statement loud and clear: “I’ve arrived now kill yourself.”  Which is something that Charlie’s been known to utter to more than a few hookers in the past.

Giles

Every goddess has her dark side — even Aphrodite could be a ruthless, conniving bitch — but that’s not to say they still can’t look heavenly. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie loves a little leather (or a lot).

Alberta Ferretti

Some goddesses deign to walk the earth with mortals, while some come alive in nature. And for some, like Chronic Girl 2010, Natalie Kenly, nature holds the promise of some really choice bud. What better way to answer that age-old question “how green was my valley?” then with this floral-inspired number from Alberta Ferretti.

Prada

Besides ancient Greece, the greatest goddesses resided in the 70s: Diana Ross, Cher, Liza, Bianca Jagger, Elton John. Prada took a page out of that glittery era’s chapter with this sequined fur number that would look great hunched over a pile of cocaine on Charlie Sheen’s coffee table.

Versace

The bodice of this gown is positively Grecian, but the skirt says fiesta. A goddess can really kick up her tranny heels with this gam-bearing confection, whether they’re dancing vertically, or more likely, horizontally in a pool of tiger blood.

Dries Van Noten

If anything, a goddess loves to feel powerful. What’s the point of all those Sheen-baiting gifts if you don’t show ‘em off once in a while, am I right? And nothing says “power” like a gold lamé pantsuit. Business-fabulous.

Gareth Pugh

This one’s for good ole Chuck Sheen, for whenever he grows tired of those baseball caps and poly blend button downs and wants to feel pretty while showing off that Adonis DNA

Mugler

Monster Mother Goddess, Lady Gaga, can certainly share some tips on dressing the part: after walking in the Mugler show she subsequently bought the entire collection. It’s doubtful that Natalie and Rachel could walk in these towering platforms, but they’re on Team Sheen and Team Sheen is all about winning. And winners don’t fall, except perhaps from grace.

Runway Photos: Style.com

Shot by Andrew MacPherson and styled by Brett Bailey, the bodacious raptress lets her hair down, snarls a lot and generally looks like the best thing going on in the world right now.

Wearing Gareth Pugh, Jean Paul Gaultier, House of Holland and vintage Versace, Minaj is demure by…well, Nicki Minaj standards.

Photos: BlackBook

The film, filmed by Ruth Hogben features Natasa Vojnovic and was debuted at the Pitti Uomo tradeshow in Florence. Digging the music? The song is Ascension by Wojciech Kilar.

Link Love: Full Frontal Fashion

Leigh’s zaftig, curvaceous body is a marked change from the chiseled, muscular physiques prevalent in fashion and in particular on this blog. Rather, his is a body that brings to mind Renaissance ideals of female beauty.

Raphael's "The Three Graces", c. 1500

However, the ideal male form has almost always remained relatively the same.

Leonardo's "Vitruvian Man", 1487

The painter Lucian Freud found a muse in Leigh Bowery, producing a series of nude portraits of him.

Lucian Freud painting Leigh Bowery

Freud's painting, "Leigh under the Skylight", 1994

Photo: The Estate of Bruce Bernard

Bowery’s fashion style challenged notions of sexuality, gender as well as the boundaries of art and often of “good taste,” but even in this stripped down, simple state, he manages to pull off the same trick. His feminine proportions have their own sense of beauty and a sort of androgyny he often created with yards of latex, extreme make-up and opulent masks.

Photo: Kulture Online

Though his style has inspired Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh and Lady Gaga, among others, fashion is still very much married to the classical male physique. Although the industry is beginning to portray a less emaciated view of femininity, its doubtful that a body like Leigh Bowery’s will ever be mainstream.

But that is the point. Leigh Bowery always operated outside of the mainstream and that is exactly what fashion needs to keep it interesting and fun: an alternate, subversive point of view.

Without that, and without Leigh Bowery, we might as well all just shop at Wal-Mart and get styled at Supercuts.

LINK LOVE: SLAMXHYPE

Raphael's "The Three Graces" c. 1500

Leonardo's "Vitruvian Man", 1487

Lucian Freud painting Leigh Bowery

Freud's painting, "Leigh under the Skylight", 1994

Givenchy’s three-piecer

Slitting the difference, at Albino.

Giorgio Armani’s Saharan night.

One of Phoebe Philo’s many tunics, at Celine.

Monochrome, at Cerruti.

Diaphanous layers, at Dries Van Noten.

Easy does it, at Fendi.

Army, but not drab, at Lanvin.

The life aquatic, at Marni.

Gypset chic from Antonio Marras.

Osman’s crisp take on the look.

Sheer trousers with a leather tux stripe, at Pedro Lourenço.

A vision of the future, at Gareth Pugh

Going with the flow, at Richard Chai Love

Gilded treasure from Rodarte.

At Richard Chai Love, the designer said, “It was all about playing with new proportions and unexpected layering.” Chai, who tossed long tunics and slipdresses over flowy pants, added, “It’s important that the fabric has movement.” If you want to experiment with the trend, try swapping out your tights and leggings for see-through trousers asGivenchy’s Riccardo Tisci,Pedro Lourenço, andGiorgio Armani all did for effects that ranged from punk to gypset. (credit: Style.com/ facehunter)

Contemporary Magic: A Tarot Deck Art Project features the works of Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Vivienne Westwood, Gareth Pugh, Nate Lowman, Patrick McMullan, Ryan McGinness, Terry Richardson & Will Cotton giving classic mystical figures a total makeover. You’ve never seen the High Priestess card look quite like this.

Gareth Pugh, the designer who probably ranks at the top of most people’s batshit designs list, has opened his first ever store in…Hong Kong? Yes, that’s right. It looks and sounds like Pugh’s store will carry much of the insanity that marks his collections. So if you want to get your Gaga/Rihanna/generic pop-star on, head east. Far east.

LINK LOVE:Want Gareth Pugh? Get Tickets to Hong Kong

Elizabeth Ammerman and The Flannel Shirt

Dickies Flannel Shirt, Mesh Top, Topshop Dress,  American Apparel Tights, Necklace from a friend, St.Marks Ring, Gareth Pugh Ring, Swat Team Shoes

LINK LOVE:Twisted Classic – The Flannel Shirt

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LINK LOVE: Miss at la Playa

Young British designer Gareth Pugh first launched his eponymous line in 2006 and since then has been linked to many different fashion houses. Most recently, he has been rumoured (falsely) to be taking over the helm of Alexander McQueen, and today there is talk of him working at Thierry Mugler.

The Mugler fashion line was revived in 2008 under the artistic direction of Rosemary Rodriguez who remains at the brand. Would you like to see Gareth Pugh take charge at this French fashion house?

LINK LOVE:Is Gareth Pugh Going to Thierry Mugler?

Rumors that Gareth Pugh would open his first boutique in New York are apparently false. The designer has chosen Hong Kong as the destination for his new home away from home. So sad,  I was hoping for a little Gareth Pugh window fucking (when window shopping gets dirty) here in NYC. Do you think Gareth should reconsider? 

LINK LOVE:  twitter.com/hilaryalexander

LINK LOVE: Street Peeper

LINK LOVE: Street Peeper

A Central St. Martins grad, Craig Lawrence made knitwear for Gareth Pugh for 6 seasons before he launched his own solo label.  Check out an interview with him on Dazed.

LINK LOVE: Cyana TrendLand

LINK LOVE: OutsaPop Trashion

‘Tonight Matthew’ captures Gareth Pugh’s unique dress in action, via a sensational performance from Raquel Zimmermann.

Credits
Tonight Matthew
Film: Nick Knight
Performance: Raquel Zimmermann
Hair: Sam McKnight
Make-up: Val Garland
Nails: Marian Newman
Edit: Ruth Hogben
Fashion: Gareth Pugh
Soundtrack: Lady Gaga

Gareth Pugh dressed Julia Stegner for a Mercedes ad shot by Nick Knight.

LINK LOVE: NY Mag via WWD

LINK LOVE: Dirty Flaws

The fashion designer and illustrator, Connie Lim applies her inspiration from aged buildings and her love of Pugh to her feminine images and pieces.

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