FashionIndie » Michael Bastian

INTERVIEW: Creative Director Stefan Campbell Makes Magic at Michael Bastian

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:58:58 +0000

At 11 A.M. today, Exit Art was bustling with t-shirt-flannel-n-jeans guys with ladders, gold paint, real leaved branches and tree trunks sitting apart, and two Swarovski crystal chandeliers hanging from a rolling rack. This team of set builders were being kindly and meticulously directed by Stefan Campbell, the man responsible for translating Michael Bastian‘s collection into a three dimensional space that garners an emotional reaction from the audience before the clothes hit the runway. Earlier this week, he removed the front row so Chadwick Bell could have a 14 foot-wide glowing fuchsia runway instead of seven. Today, he’ll be scenting Michael Bastian’s show with Aedes. After speaking with Stefan today, we can confirm that he knows the tricks to making a runway show magical. See Stefan Campbell’s secret tips and advice at the end of the interview. And we’ll go see the show now.

Michael Bastian’s set is looking natural, but a little bit lavish.

I love that you used the word lavish!

How does your aesthetic change between a show with the classic American prep of Michael Bastian versus some of the more wild designers?

It was important to give Michael Bastian a refined look, as soon as people walk in the door. They’re used to him being a little big sporty, but this season it’s very refined. I approach all my shows with same intensity. People always ask, what has been your favorite show? They all become your babies when you’re in the middle of making them. It’s a constant evolution from the minute you have the idea till the lights go on.

What past experience led you to being the Creative Director on so many top shows like Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, and now Michael Bastian?

I come out of the fashion magazine world. I was a fashion editor for many many moons. I always felt my job was not just get people excited by the clothes, but to almost make the clothes feel legendary within the picture. I was coming up in an era where we were making clothes famous.

James Dean: A Fashion Retrospective

Lester Brathwaite — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:54:18 +0000

Today, September 30th, 56 years ago, 24-year-old James Dean died in a car crash, prematurely ending a promising film career but cementing his status as a cinematic icon. Over the years, his legend only grows and his style has become as iconic as his acting roles. Just take a look at the season’s runways and editorials where Dean’s spirit looms large.

#NYFW Round-Up: FashionIndie’s Faves from New York Spring 2012

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:00:36 +0000

There’s a definite consensus around the FashionIndie office regarding this season at the tents: lackluster. Gone was the excitement and the thrill of the new and in its stead stood a circus comprised of the old guard impatiently appraising the crop of would-be streetstyle stars and the army of bloggers hanging about as they waded through the muck of the nameless and the irrelevant to find a collection onto which to pin their ever-dwindling hopes . Still, there were a few shows that set the five barely-beating hearts of FashionIndie racing and had our backs aching to be clothed in their bright and bold designs.

Sam‘s Faves

Prabal/Style.com

- Ralph Lauren: “For the ostrich feather boas.”

- Diane von Furstenberg: For handing out little American flags in honor of 9/11 and for making an outfit that anyone could wear.

- Prabal Gurung: “For using one print 100 ways, and also for clever cutouts.”

- 3.1 Phillip Lim: ”For his tasty sherbert color palette.”

- The Row: “For dressing the old ladies that the Olsen twins were born to be.”

10 Reasons Men Should Wear Speedos

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:45:47 +0000

On the isles of the French Riviera, and all throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, the speedo is King. It’s where both the sexily ripped and the hairily rotund alike sport the banana hammock as common practice. Here in The States, our boys prefer the board short. But, sexily ripped gentlemen, we urge you to see the benefits of wearing smaller swimming trunks. So that we can see your muscly trunks. And for plenty of other reasons that benefit you more than us. With nary an actual Speedo on this list, see why 10 designers agree that a shorter, tighter bikini bottom is highly masculine.

DSquared2

You’re getting your gams in gear for your spankin’ new short shorts, and one thing is certain: Your upper thighs need a tan.

10 Reasons Men Should Wear Short Shorts

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:13:25 +0000

After a public outcry about last week’s High Waisted Shorts debacle, ladies (and some men) have retaliated. The request? That men will stop fearing their gams and start wearing short shorts. The man’s upper thigh, when shown correctly, can be a beautiful thing. And in the words of one sexual predator lady friend of mine, “It makes men feel vulnerable.” No really though, it takes a man with confidence to try it, and it’s so sexy when you (yes, you) pull it off well. Ten designers agree:

Michael Bastian preps in khaki rolled up to its shortest capacity. You’ll cause quite a stir at the country club.

The 2011 CFDA Awards: And the Trova Goes To…

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:48:55 +0000

Bet you didn’t know the CFDA Award statuette was called the Trova. Also bet you didn’t know that Trova has his very own Twitter account. Well the little man-like thing went home with a bunch of different people last night — mostly men*, the skank — and the list of those lucky trophy snatchers follows after the jump.

Winners

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Proenza Schouler

The kids, Jack and Laz

Menswear Designer of the Year: Michael Bastian

Bastian next to a surprisingly sexy Gerard Butler

Accessory Designer of the Year: Alexander Wang

Wang with fairy godmother, Iris Apfel
Swarovski Awards for emerging talent:
Womenswear – Prabal Gurung

Prabal saddling up next to Alessandra Ambrosio

Menswear – Robert Geller
Geller (yes please) with Ana Lerario Geller
Accessory Design – Eddie Borgo

Super adorable pocket person Eddie Borgo with Guinevere Van Seenus

Honorees
International Award: Phoebe Philo, Céline

Philo with BFF Kanye West

Eugenia Sheppard Media Award: Hilary Alexander
Hils, looking amazing by the bye
Eleanor Lambert Founders Award: Hal Rubenstein

Rosie Rubenstein

Fashion Icon Award: Lady Gaga

Gags

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Marc Jacobs
Sofia Coppola and Marc, sisters
Board of Directors Special Tribute Award: Arthur Elgort
How can a bitch be a part of this hug? Arthuer Elgort, Grace Coddington and new obsession, Ansel Elgort
Photos: Style.com, WWD
*Sidebar: Who knew there were so many hotties in fashion? Oh, right.

2011 CFDA Fashion Awards Nominees & Honorees Announced

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:02:37 +0000

Last night, The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced the nominees and honorees for the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at an event hosted by Nadja Swarovski and CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg. See all of the nominees and a selection of images from the program that will be given to guests at the CFDA Fashion Awards on June 6th after the jump.

And the nominations go to:

For Womenswear Designer of the Year: Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs

For Menswear Designer of the Year: Michael Bastian, Patrik Ervell, Simon Spurr

For Accessories Designer of the Year: Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, Reed Krakoff

A number of designers have also been nominated for the Swarovski Awards:

For Womenswear Designer of the Year: Joseph Altuzarra, Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen, Prabal Gurung

For Menswear Designer of the Year: Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, Robert Geller

For Accessories Designer of the Year: Alejandro Ingelmo, Eddie Borgo, Jason Wu, Pamela Love

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the four-time CFDA Fashion Award winner, will be presented to Marc Jacobs.

The CFDA Board of Directors chose to present their Special Tribute on Arthur Elgort in honor of his impact on photography and fashion.

The Fashion Icon Award will go to Lady Gaga for being a fashion revolutionary impacting style today.

“We look forward to once again honoring the best and brightest talent working today,” Steven Kolb, CFDA executive director said. “Winning a CFDA Fashion Award is the highest and one of the most coveted honors one can receive in our industry.”

Who do you think will win each of these extremely prestigious fashion awards? Who are your picks for the best?

Alex, Marc, Jack and Laz Lead the Fashion Pack in the CFDA Awards Race

Lester Brathwaite — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:55:41 +0000

Diane von Furstenberg descended from the heavens in a gilded chariot drawn by 7 wrap-dress-attired muses last night to deliver the nominees for the 2011 Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards. Among this year’s honorees, Lady Gaga will be recognized for the Fashion Icon award and Marc Jacobs will receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. But he’ll have to compete against Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Womenswear Designer of the Year.

Other CFDA nominees include:

Menswear Designer of the Year:

Michael Bastian

Patrik Ervell

Simon Spurr

Accessory Designer of the Year:

Reed Krakoff

Alexander Wang

Proenza Schouler

Swarovski Award (which recognizes up and coming talent; “recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from Swarovski as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative Swarovski crystal resources”):

Womenswear –

Joseph Altuzarra

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, The Row

Prabal Gurung

Menswear —

Alexander Wang

Philip Lim

Robert Geller

Accessories —

Eddie Borgo

Jason Wu

Pamela Love

International Award:

Phoebe Philo, Celine

Eugenia Sheppard Media Award:

Hilary Alexander, The Telegraph

Eleanor Lambert Founders Award:

Hal Rubenstein, InStyle

CFDA Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award:

Arthur Elgort (in honor of his impact on fashion and photography)

Who do you think will win in the competitive categories? And this is my first time seeing the actual CFDA trophy, but is it just me or does it look like something recovered from an alien spaceship? And furthermore, the trophy kind of has a little gut. If it insists on being a fashion award, I think it’s time to get on a diet…

Link Love: CFDA

Michael Bastian Showcases Spring Collection Via Film

lookbooks — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:31:35 +0000

Michael Bastian continues the trend of short films in fashion with, ” A Love Story “, to showcase his collection, GANT by Michael Bastian . The film’s major theme: 1950′s Decadence and romance, sets the stage for the collection’s blatant sex appeal. Oh, and there are also a few underwater …

More Fashion News on LookBooks.com

MAN: Michael Bastian Goes Gant

Jason Chan, Señor — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:05:28 +0000

Menswear designer Michael Bastian recently teamed up with GANT for a pretty stellar collection. Dipping into the now ubiquitous Mad Men mania, the collection focuses on fashion from America’s so-called Golden Age, when men were men and women had pretty great hair. The team-up also marks a foray into womenswear by Bastian. Check out the short film (shot in Florida) and let us know what you think.

LINK LOVE: Sartorially Inclined

The CFDA Announced 2010 Fashion Award Nominations

Rebecca Alexander — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:05:40 +0000

Last night, The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced the nominations for the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards. The winners will be announced at the annual gala on June 7 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

The Womenswear Designer of the Yearnominees are: Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karen

The Menswear Designer of the Year nominees are: Michael Bastian, Tom Ford, and David Neville & Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone.

For Accessory Designer of the Year Award the nominees are: Alexis Bittar, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

The Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung, and Jason Wu

The Swarovski Award for Menswear: Richard Chai, Patrik Ervell, and Simon Spurr.

For Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Eddie Borgo, Dana Lorenz, and Alexander Wang.

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Michael Kors.

The CFDA Board of Directors chose to honor Alexander McQueen with their Special Tribute Award.

Eugenia Sheppard Award – Kim Hastreiter, Paper Magazine

International Award – Christopher Bailey for Burberry

Fashion Icon Award – Iman

Eleanor Lambert Award – Tonne Goodman, Vogue

RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Michael Bastian S/S 10

FashionIndie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:09:30 +0000

Whew…….what a collection! Michael Bastian’s spring 2010 offerings are “class personified.” When I look at his pieces I instantly think David Beckham. Even though some of the items are a bit on the “preppy” side and that’s o.k, because it’s nice to see men sometimes depart from jeans and a tee shirt and mix things up a bit. The suits and casual looks are to die for.

Written by Shirley Warner on Cult

What is American Style?

Saynt — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:00:51 +0000

John Varvatos, Thom Browne, and Michael Bastian talk about preppy style and what it means to be an American Fashionisto.

I’ll Kick Myself in the Ass Later, but Head to Gap Today

Saynt — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:23:57 +0000

The Gap’s new collection featuring 3.1 Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, threeASFOUR, Michael Bastian and Philip Crangi jewelry has hit stores today. Above, chicks from NYLON rock the looks, further proving that NYLON’s staff lacks style (sorry lady but white rimmed glasses are SOOO Chloe Sevigny circa 2004 it hurts). I really, really want everything from the mens side of this collection since it’s the first time Gap is releasing mens goodies from Michael Bastian.

I will be at the Gap today, as should you, sad, yet uberly true.

Photo from Racked.com

Gap and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Do the Dirty, AGAIN

Saynt — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:39:28 +0000

Next week Gap in association with Diane Von Furstenburg’s pet project, the CFDA, releases their mucho anticipated Design Editions collection featuring the work of Philip Lim, Band of Outsiders, threeASFOUR, Michael Bastian and Philip Crangi. Unlike last years collection, which featured Doo.Ri, Rodarte and Thakoon, this collection will expand beyond womens white tees and feature menswear and jewelry. Holy shit, I might actually have to shop at the Gap.

You might want to get their early too, last years collections sold out mighty quick.