- Speaking of Mara, the girl without the dragon tattoo eschewed her usual black for a white frock at the Japan premiere of her hit film. Foreshadowing, anyone? [UPI]

- Kmart is ready, willing and more or less able to help with any #fashionweekproblems you might have. Thanks, Big K, but unless you know a drug dealer that delivers outer borough, my #fashionweekproblems are a bit out of your #areaofexpertise. [Racked]

- Kristen Stewart continues to weasel her way into the assumed hearts of the fashion industry with this little candid of her flipping the bird to/around/beside Karl Lagerfeld. Better people have died for less. [Styleite]

- Well this happened. Pied piper to the gays and the Guidos alike, David Guetta has a new video with newfound muse Nicki Minaj for “Turn Me On.” And it’s weird as fuck. [Towleroad]

- Adele will make her first post-vocal-cord-surgery appearance at the Grammys on February 12. After the ceremony, she’s expected to require shoulder surgery from lugging all those damn trophies around. [Paper]

- Hopefully you all tuned in last night to the season premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race — i.e. the greatest show of all time. If you did, you might have noticed the thirteen dragtacular contestants brilliantly recreating the finale to Alexander McQueen‘s spring 1999 fashion show in which Shalom Harlow was assaulted by two paint-spewing mechanical arms. And if you didn’t, I don’t know what the hell you’re waiting for. [NY Mag]

You created Hello Kitty many years ago. What made you want to create another character, Rebecca Bonbon, and what was the inspiration behind her?
I saw a French magazine on dogs and found a very cute bulldog. She reminded me of my own cat -  they actually look a lot alike. That’s how I came up with the idea for Rebecca Bonbon. Hello Kitty is all grown up and has left my care. I wanted to create a new baby.

Rebecca Bonbon is from Paris but now lives in New York City. What made her want to move here?
An American girl, a New Yorker, went to France, found Rebecca and brought her back to New York. It’s such an exciting city where you can find the world’s best culture, fashion and entertainment, so it’s the perfect place for her.

Are Rebecca Bonbon and Hello Kitty friends?
As their creator, I think of these characters as children. Because of the age difference – Hello Kitty is 36 years old and Rebecca Bonbon only 5 – they are more like sisters than anything.

(cont. on page 2)

While Haute Couture is highly celebrated on the red carpet, many fashion insiders seem confused over the true concept of the term.

In order to best understand, I like to refer to the designer pyramid, where haute couture is positioned above all else. While haute couture designs that are featured on the runway, may sometimes resemble artwork more than wearable fashions, they are in fact the inspiration for almost every piece of clothing you will ever purchase. When these collections are created, they set the standards for what will filter down to designers such as Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg, who then create prêt-a-porter (ready-to-wear) collections. Many designers have couture departments; an example would be Atelier Versace. An extension of Versace, the atelier (tailoring workshop) creates many of the long evening gowns and one-of-a-kind designs that are made to order to fit an individual’s body like a second skin. One step down from designers who have runway collections, are retailers such as Zara, Mango, Karen Millen, Reiss and Bebe. These stores have a higher turnover of clothing production and their designs are often copied from the ready–to-wear runway shows. Eventually, all of this is filtered down to companies such as Primark, Kmart and Wal-Mart, who mass-produce clothing that consumers can purchase for the fraction of the cost of the original design.

The origin of couture dates back to mid-nineteenth century Paris, when Empress Eugénie elicited the dressmaking services of Charles Frederick Worth, an English designer who was known for his luxurious choice of fabrics, sumptuous trimmings and attention to detail. Her refined tastes set the style of the court and won Worth the title of Europe’s very first Couturier. Before long, Worth was patronized by many titled, rich and notable women. Being a savvy businessman, he took advantage of the growing demand for his work by opening a showroom, La Maison de Couture in Paris. Interested buyers would come to view his latest pieces on live models and order their garment of choice. Worth would then recreate the chosen garment in his atelier, modifying it to the client’s taste and precise measurements. This business model provided the foundation for modern day couture.

Worth has not only been credited for being the inventor of couture, but also for inventing the modern day press kit. Before the photographic era, he was the first to promote his work by sending out miniature dolls wearing his designs, which journalists then reproduced as illustrations, thus creating the original fashion editorials.

Haute couture, when translated, simply means high dressmaking, but is the most celebrated fashion honor. In France, the term is protected by law and defined by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris. There are currently only eleven official members and three correspondent (foreign) members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, all of whom have been invited for membership and must follow certain rules in order to use the term in their advertising.  Within this set of rules, each house is expected to operate a Paris-based atelier and show two full (thirty five pieces) collections, twice a year. These shows, which make up Paris Couture Week, are held during January and July and are not to be confused with the regular ‘fashion week’ which showcase the ready-to-wear collections.

Kirten Lea at Armani Privé – Video Direction by Durrant Kellogg

Armani Privé, Valentino and Chanel are among the names currently boasting the most prestigious empires. Many see the stunning dresses featured on the red carpet, but are unsure as to how one would go about purchasing one. I recall seeing what would be my first haute couture gown, worn by Katie Holmes at her wedding reception. Even on the dimensionless page of a magazine, the dress spoke to me, implanting what would become a deep passion and lasting appetite for couture. It was only in my quest to purchase a gown of my own, did I learn that the ceremonious process by which one procures a couture dress proves as intricate, as the design itself.

Most designer stores, such as Giorgio Armani, are not closely connected to their couture house, and therefore it is mandatory for a new client to have a formal introduction to the atelier.  This will usually require a new client to fly to Rome, Paris or Milan simply to view the look book. If one is interested in a particular gown, then that dress must also be flown in from wherever it is in the world, at that particular time.

Originally made for runway models, each sample garment is a prototype made specifically for runway models. This means they are made for women who are at least 5’10” tall, extremely slim, with almost no bust and a long back. The sample garments are later fashioned with elastic rigging, so to accommodate clients with more curves than zero.

It is at the atelier, where one discusses any modifications, to ensure that a dress will suit the client perfectly. The couturiers have great wisdom regarding which colors, necklines, hemlines and silhouettes enhance each individual body size and shape. And, when you’re buying a dress that costs in the region of $160,000, it doesn’t hurt to seek professional consultation. Ordering couture is about teamwork and creativity, a process in which the customer is a vital part.

Haute Couture garments often require three or four fittings. While it is helpful if the client remains the same size, the very nature of a fitting is to continually adjust the garment to fit one’s body like a second skin, so it is expected that women may lose or gain a little weight, particularly if they are leading up to an important event. By the end of the fittings, no matter how revealing a dress may appear to be, you will feel completely comfortable and secure wearing it.

Usually more so than any other dress you have ever worn.

With an estimated 2,000 people worldwide who still purchase haute couture, but as few as 150 individuals who are regarded as regular clientele, designers go to great lengths to build a sense of loyalty amongst their clients. Giorgio Armani, for example, hosted intimate dinners during which clients are brought together to share their passion for, knowledge of, and experiences with couture. The attendees are not the spoiled individuals some might expect. We share our thoughts on the latest collections and what we believe inspired them. We discuss plans to attend upcoming shows and most importantly, we rely upon each other to compare experiences of buying from one designer over another.

The 2011 Official List of Members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture

Adeline André

Anne Valérie Hash

Atelier Gustavolins

Chanel

Christian Dior

Christophe Josse

Franck Sorbier

Givenchy

Jean-Paul Gautier

Maurizio Galante

Stéphane Rolland

Correspondent (Foreign) Members

Elie Saab

Giorgio Armani

Valentino

Maison Martin Margiela

Invited Members

Alexandre Vauthier

Alexis Mabille

Bouchra Jarrar

Julien Fournié

Lefrant Ferrant

Maison Rabih Kayrouz

Maxime Simoëns

Watch Video Here

Dream Out Loud by Bieber-beard Selena Gomez, GLO by Selena star Jennifer Lopez and BONGO with Hills alum Audrina Patridge feature their fair share of short-shorts, floral skirts and ruffled tops, all for 20 bucks or less. Now it’s easier than ever to be fun, flirty and in fashion on a budget, so there’s really no excuse to regurgitate past sartorial missteps.

Get your style up, kids.

The line is expected to cater to a younger, hipper demographic and will include boots, leggings, knit tops, handbags, jewelry, jackets, handbags, shoes and sweaters all for under $60.

In an interview with WWD, Vergara, who took home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with her Modern Family family, said of the collection:

“It’s comfortable and chic, affordable, and versatile to wear from day to the night. It’s fantastic because you can mix and match.”

Kmart may seem like an odd choice for Vergara but she chose it not only because of the store’s large Latino customer base, but also because she’s familiar with it:

“This is not a new store for me. When you have kids you don’t go to Bergdorf Goodman to buy underwear and socks. You go to Kmart.”

John Goodman, Executive Vice President of Apparel and Home for Sears Holdings Corp. echoed the sultry star’s sentiments and stressed that Vergara’s line will be sexy, but not slutty:

“Some pieces are more curvy. We don’t go too far. We go with what Sofia is comfortable with. We want to make sure her image comes alive.”

Check out Sofia come alive in some of her Kmart kouture:

Link Love: WWD

Kmart is ready to break out of its unfashionable trend and put in its place Kmart Design. The new fall 2010 addition to the mass market is one full of military jackets, faux fur, and even some distressed jeans. Check out Kmart Design’s newest ad campaign in Vogue’s September issue.

LINK LOVE: Refinery 29

LINK LOVE:Kmart Brings Us Kmart Design

By the way, tonight is The Hills finale and I already know that I’ll be locked in my house in front of MTV, crying my eyes out… Bongo is available at Kmart and Sears.

Disney starlet Selena Gomez sets to launch a new clothing line with K-Mart

Yet another tween queen thinks that just because she has a little fame that she can start designing clothing too.  This time the offender is “Wizards of Waverly Place” actress Selena Gomez. Honestly the girl makes smart fashion choices regularly, but great fashion sense does not make for a great designer. Gomez says that the line is supposed to mix her southern up bringing and her bohemian style. Honestly it looks like every other tween line that you could find in Walmart, JC Penny, or Kohl’s. What do you think of Selena’s new line?

LINK LOVE: Just Jared

Thanks Popcrunch!

KMart’s Description

Whether she is lounging around the house, going to practice, or doing her chores. These soft athletic style crop pants will keep her comfy. Perfect for wearing with her favorite sweatshirt or tee. These athletic pants boldly proclaim just where she stands by pointing out that “True Love Waits” in a large screen print on the front and back of these pants.

* Drawstring waist
* Bold abstinence screen print
* Elastic cuffs. Cotton/Polyester blend
* Machine washable
* Imported

One comment about this:

“Now, obviously, if billions of dollars of federal money and years of abstinence only education have had little effect on the sexual activities of teens (except of course to make them less likely to use condoms), then a slogan on a pair of sweatpants is probably not going to start an abstinence revolution. So why do I (and many others) have a problem with them? Well, funny you should ask…

First, the product description, with its repeated references to “she” rather than “you”, makes it clear that the young woman who wears the pants is probably not the person buying the pants. No, the purchaser is probably dear old mom and dad, who just want to remind their daughter that her true value is not in her heart or her mind, her sense of humor or her compassion, but between her legs.”

What do you guys think? Do you agree with this comment?