Photos from Style.com

If you haven’t heard of SSENSE.com by now, my friends you are in for a treat (the stylish kind, not the caloric kind).  SSENSE is a killer online luxury retailer with just one brick-and-mortar shop located on a beautiful cobblestoned street in Old Montreal.  The site has been a major influence in online luxury retail since 2003, with over 10 million visitors monthly  and over 400,000 visitors per day.

See it from the side. I know you can’t get enough either.

- “Visitors to Alexander McQueen‘s ‘Savage Beauty’ exhibit exceed 500,000.” Meanwhile, the exhibit ends August 7. If you don’t see it by then, kill yourself. [Telegraph]

- Go behind the scenes of V Magazine‘s Liz Taylor inspired editorial. Bring your electric blue eye shadow and your  flask of vodka. [Stylelist]

- The Queen thinks that the display of Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress at Buckingham palace is “horrid.” Jealousy is not a good color for a monochrome skirtsuit, Queen. [WWD]

- Gaga does not own an iPhone because her nails are too long to use one… Tranny. [Glamour]

- Valentino was doing red soles in the 60s. Guess what? Case closed. [Stylelite]

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.

Fashion of His Love : Lady Gaga : This bouncy and all the way uppity tribute to McQueen inspires fabulosity. But really, you could listen to every track ever laid by Mother Monster and have an excellent getting ready sesh.

Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag : James Brown : Get funky. He might even inspire you to wear that brand new purchase.

Wondaland : Janelle Monáe : Ethereally uplifting, it’ll get you ready for the wonderland you’re about to party at.

Flashing Lights : Kanye West : Prepare for the flashes from your personal (or professional) paparazzi.

Fancy : Drake : You fancy, huh?

Filthy and Gorgeous : Scissor Sisters : Cause you’re filthy and I’m gorgeous.

Young Hearts Run Free : Kym Mazelle : This might impede your getting ready process, unless your process involves spinning ’round in raining glitter.

Free Your Mind : En Vogue : And the rest will follow.

On Point : Electrik Red : Get an education on How To Be a Lady.

Hot for You : Brainstorm : Ten minutes of disco heaven.

Sexi Bitch : David Guetta ft Akon : Damn, they’ve laid out your getting ready aspirations.

Flashback : Calvin Harris : Reminisce about a great night while getting ready for another.

Bad Habits : Maxwell : Take a moment to slow it down a touch – good for eye makeup application.

Sleigh Bells : Kids : Dub steppin’ metal move.

Electric Feel : MGMT : Jolt some voltage into your body.

Just Can’t Get Enough : Depeche Mode : But remember Chanel’s golden rule, take off the last thing you put on.

Give Me Everything : Pitbull ft Ne Yo : Know what you want and sieze it all in the night.

Run the World : Beyoncé : B has started a revolution ‘pon de floor. Dress accordingly.

Don’t Wanna Go Home : Jason Derulo : Daylight come when you get home.

We R Who We R : Ke$ha : For the kinda night that’ll end all sloppy. You won’t remember, and it’s probably for the best.

You Make My Dreams Come True : Hall & Oates : Stay with the eighties for a moment more because, and I quote a Youtube comment, “This is exactly how I feel after sex? ……….. Every time.”

Just Dance : Lady Gaga : Gaga fittingly makes the list again with her epic first anthem to partying.

Revolver (one love remix) : Madonna & David Guetta : This one’s killer.

Not Myself Tonight : Christina Aguilera : Prepare yourself for a night where anything is possible.

Milkshake : Kelis : It’s not exactly the pre-game we had in mind, but if it brings all the boys to the yard…

Dancing On My Own : Robyn : What else would you be doing whilst getting dressed?

Ooh Yeah : Moby : Oh yeah, this song will get you pumped on the upbeat.

Prendre L’Air : Shy’m : Everything sounds better in French.

What do YOU listen to while getting all glam for an evening?

Fabulous photo courtesy of Flying Saucer

If none of that sounds familiar, then you’d best get listening to Lady Gaga’s new album. It’s out today! Go buy it, I’ll wait…….. okay good you’re back. Now while you’re waiting for it to download, take a glimpse inside the Born This Way digital booklet of album art. That is one baaaaad Mother Monster.

Gaga morphs into a motorcycle. Is there anything she can’t do?!

The pronounced vision of her body prosthesis gives the pointed shoulder and strong cheekbones a hard on.

Pants? PANTS?? Gaga! In your gay wedding to the world you took a vow to never wear pants. I’m just feeling a little betrayed. No, your toplessness doesn’t make up for it…… okay maybe it does. Don’t look at me.

Gaga, the living breathing work of art, is melting into marble with the steaming heat of Fame.

I don’t speak German, but Verdammen Sie, der sexy ist!

She’s a soldier in her own emptiness. I salute.

Put your paws up.

She won’t poke holes in the seats with her heels.

Lady Gaga is a painting dripping in reality, evolving so fast the paint has hardly the time to dry.

Shouts to the Haus of Gaga and its monster allies:

Photography: Nick Knight

Fashion Director: Nicola Formichetti

Stylist: Anna Trevelyan and Brandon Maxwell

Hair: Sam McKnight

Makeup: Val Garland

Nails: Marian Newman

Link Love: The Luxury Spot

Source Benjamin Kanarek Blog

Haider Ackermann for W Magazine © Inez van Lamsveerde & Vinoodh Matadin

I have been observing the evolution of Haider Ackermann for several seasons, as he is one of my favorite new designers when it comes to womens’ clothing. In my humble opinion, his last two seasons in Paris outclassed all of the other Designers’ Women Collections by a long shot.

Haider Ackermann’s Amazons

Haider Ackermann reveals a contrasted silhouette, nomadic, romantic and yet is strong and assertive. His fashion does not scream out loud, it is strong and confident enough to drive all of the attention by it’s solemn and majestic design in to the new Amazon. He is a master of cut and volume. This is apparent when it comes to emphasizing long silhouettes and hemlines which gives an impression of an endless line with deconstructed layers as well as strong Japanese and Yves Saint Laurent influences. His U-Slit line for skirts and dresses has become one of his trademarks as well as his recurrent usage of silk and leather.

Haider Ackermann, Franco-Colombian, is a world citizen with a unique mix. Born in Sante Fe de Bogotta, Colombia, were he was adopted by French Parents (his father works for Amnesty International), he grew up living in various countries throughout Europe and Africa (Tchad, Ethiopia, Algeria, The Netherlands, Belgium where he studied at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and won the Swiss Textile Award in 2005). His background transpires in his fashion full of contrast. “I’m looking for a luxury that’s a bit négligé, that can be rich but doesn’t look rich” (From W Magazine’s Interview W Magazine).

He started working for different designers the likes of Bernhard Willhelm, Patrick Van Ommeslaeghe and in March 2001, he started to show his collections in Paris for the Autumn-Winter 2001-2002 season. In 2002, the Italian Luxury Leather House, Ruffo asked him to collaborate on the Ruffo Research Collection and in 2005, he signed with the Belgian Groupe 32 and moved to Paris.

Haider Ackermann’s ascension to… Christian Dior?

The recent rumors about him going to Christian Dior to replace John Galliano are persistent and I have noticed quite a few interesting signals over the last 6 months. Implying that Galliano’s departure was known within some circles for quite a while, I would rather not speculate.

Mr. Ackermann’s style would be a good fit for Christian Dior, injecting a romantic and flamboyant style for the assertive Dior woman. The Artistic Direction would change from that of the Galliano era, but perhaps the brand was in need of a more tempered and chic approach. For ten years, Galliano had a profound conspicuous effect on the brand. The younger generation may not remember that he was preceded by GianFranco Ferré, Marc Bohan (for almost 30 years) as well as Yves Saint Laurent prior to him creating his own brand, after Christian Dior passed away. Haider Ackermann has all of the creative assets to express himself in both areas i.e. Couture the “Tailleur ” (tailoring) and “Flou” (gowns) and Ready-To-Wear.

Troubling synchronicity

The recent endorsement by Anna Wintour in American VOGUE’s March issue featuring Haider Ackermann’s fashion worn by Lady Gaga on the cover as well as the editorial within, is a rather troubling synchronicity.

His recent refusal to Martin Margiela to replace him as the head of Maison Martin Margiela and  Karl Lagerfeld’s declaration in Numero, November 2010  “I have a contract for life so it all depends who I would like to hand it to. At the moment I’d say Haider Ackermann”. Lagerfeld had invited Ackermann to attend the last Chanel show and Ackermann responded, by stating, “What can one possibly say to such a phrase?! Such a compliment! How honored I feel, how can one not be?! In all honesty, tremendously, immensely touched especially coming from Monsieur Lagerfeld”. Then again, two days ago, he declared in L’Express Style : “I would not mind confronting myself to codes from another Fashion House”.

Some recent celebrity endorsement’s from Actress and fashion muse Tilda Swinton on the red carpet of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and Janet Jackson attending his October 2010 show in Paris are just a small sample of some of the artists excited by his work.

One of the observations I have made is that his internet presence via advertising banners by one of his distributors has been very heavy since the beginning of 2011. These ad banners are being shown with a frequency that generally only occurs as a build up to a huge product launch.

Very troubling facts or positive synchronicity?

Will Haider Ackermann’s ascension lead him to… Christian Dior? Is that a guess? No, I would rather call it wishful thinking. I would not like to see Riccardo Tisci move from Givenchy where he does great work. It would become systematic that all of the designers going to Givenchy would end up at Christian Dior. Galliano, McQueen who left for PPR group and not for Dior and then Tisci? Givenchy is not a footstep for Dior, it is a brand with a great legacy that deserves more consideration.

By Frédérique Renaut and to Watch Video’s

The collection of images are also printed on paper embedded with wildflower seeds so that they could be planted and actually blossom. The case is wrapped in a McQueen metalized brocade from his Spring/Summer 2010 show. Make sure you get one now because there are only 1500 copies . Click here to guarantee your copy.

Daphne Guinness will exhibit part of her wardrobe at the Fashion Institute of Technology in September 2011. About 80 to 100 pieces including outfits by McQueen, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, Dolce & Gabbana and Azzedine Alaïa will be in a show on her personal style, which will run through January 2012.

LINK LOVE: WWD

Rumor has it that Alexander McQueen might launch a Target Go International line. But, don’t get too excited cuz even McQueen’s McQ diffusion line can easily run you upwards of $400 for a dress and $200 for a top. He already has done collaborations with Puma and Samsonite, but the luggage cost upwards of $800. Also, with all the hype, we may have to knock some people down in order to get even one t-shirt (think craziness from H&M Cavalli collection).

Thanks NY Mag.