FashionIndie » narciso rodriguez

International Woolmark Prize Returns to the Runway

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:55:18 +0000

The prize that launched the careers of Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent is being relaunched this year for a new generation of designers.

Lagerfeld, left, and Saint Laurent, center

Way before the advent of the Project Runways (and its alleged All-Stars), the The Fashion Shows and the Fashion Stars, there was one illustrious design competition that actually set out to do what those shows only dream of doing: producing a design superstar. In 1955, the Australian Wool Industry‘s International Wool Secretariat prize produced two, Lagerfed and Saint Laurent. Lagerfeld won in the coats category, Saint Laurent in the dresses category, and the rest is history.

A thousand years later, AWI wants to make wool hip again(?) and in the process give a few lucky designers a couple thousand bucks. AWI will hold regional design contests in China, Australia, India, Italy, the UK and France, with each finalist receiving cash money towards their next collection and a chance to participate in the international final.

The international finalist will be crowned in March 2013 and will receive $100,000 to underwrite their next fashion show, and their collections will be sold in Harvey Nichols in the UK, Lane Crawford in China, Eickhoff in Germany and Bergdorf Goodman in the US.

The US judging will take place on July 9 in New York with a panel of judges that includes CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, Narciso Rodriguez and T: The New York Times Style Magazine EIC Sally Singer. The international judging will he held in September during London Fashion Week where Diane von Fursteberg and Vogue Italia editrix Franca Sozzani will be among the judges. Designers are required to submit sketches of a six-piece merino wool capsule collection with one outfit fully produced.

Kolb has said that the CFDA has already received some 25 applications, not just from emerging designers but also brands “who could use a boost.” Although we’re not talking about the Calvin Kleins but rather small business owners. So to paraphrase another famous fashion competition, ”Designers, start your engines…and may the best merino…WIN!” [WWD, sub req'd]

Lagerfeld, left, and Saint Laurent, center

Candice Swanepoel is an Urban Warrior for Vogue China

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:28:43 +0000

Bronzed and beautiful as always, only Candace Swanepoel could pull-off a sweaty, matted-down hair, I-just-worked-out look this well. Photographed by Daniel Jackson for the February 2012 issue of Vogue China, Candy sports sporty looks from Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Y-3 and Narciso Rodriguez, artfully styled by Alastair McKimm. Take notes ladies – this is what a city workout should look like.

Via Fashion Gone Rogue

Anna Wintour Throws Designers’ Support Behind Obama for Runway to Win

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:59:11 +0000

While the Republicans scramble to choose a nominee from their clown car of potential candidates, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have already laid down the groundwork for their 2012 campaign. The Obama-Biden ticket has recently partnered with 22 fashion designers for Runway to Win, an initiative to create T-shirts, tote bags, scarves and wristlets benefiting the Obama Victory Fund. And the driving force behind it is none other than Vogue‘s very own iron lady, Anna Wintour.

Photo: Vogue.com

Wintour and Vogue have reportedly been “instrumental” in ~~coercing~~ assembling the 22 designers, including Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Alexander Wang, Tracy Reese, Joseph Altuzarra, Rachel Roy, Narciso Rodriguez, Rag & Bone and Jason Wu. Wary of alienating Republican voters from their brands, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton initially nixed their labels from participating in Runway to Win, but Marc Jacobs — of which LVMH owns a majority stake — designed his T-shirt anyway, “following pressure from the magazine,” according to WWD.

On the other hand, Donna Karan, also owned by LVMH, did not bow to Wintour and is therefore not participating in the fundraising effort. And therefore won’t be seen in Vogue anytime soon…Kidding!…Not really.

Runway to Win’s e-commerce site, runwaytowin.com, officially launches on Thursday, but Wintour’s re-election campaign is not stopping there. She will also co-host an Obama fundraiser with ~~actress~~ Scarlett Johansson in February — which I’m taking as a sign that ScarJo will be on the cover around that time. See, kids, and you thought fashion and politics had nothing in common. They both require a steely nerve, a willingness to compromise and the ability to turn a blind eye to corruption. The blatant abuse of power doesn’t hurt either. [WWD]

Photo: Vogue.com

#NYFW Beauty Trend: Rainbow Bright Hair

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:00:12 +0000

We’ve showed you how to do it yourself on FashionIndie. Countless celebrities have tried it in the past year. And now high fashion has taken it to the runway for Spring 2012. Rainbow bright hair is taking the world by storm, and we can’t get enough. Click though to see beauty photos from all the labels on board.

Hairstylist Odile Gilbert used emulsified, colored clay powder from Paris to get coifs blue, green, terra-cotta, and lilac at Thakoon.

Cathy Horyn’s Must-See List Ruffling Some Fashion Feathers

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:55:48 +0000

According to New York Times style columnist/Lady Gaga‘s archnemesis Cathy Horyn, the must-see shows for New York Fashion Week are Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung, Sophie Theallet, Calvin Klein, Narciso Rodriguez and Marc Jacobs. However, some designers not mentioned have a few things to say on the matter.

Diane von Furstenberg: ”That’s her opinion. She is entitled. She has a voice, she uses her voice. I have a voice. All I will say is that I work very hard, and I do the best I can. I hope she comes to the show and I hope she likes the show.”

Michael Kors: ”People can make their decision as to what turns them on and what thrills them, and what doesn’t. It’s like shopping.”

Oscar de la Renta: ”It bothers me because I love my industry, and I love fashion. I think fashion is something of beauty and it really makes me mad when someone writes about fashion in a bitter way.”

Vera Wang: ”We actually employ a lot of people, and we try to support our industry, and we do pay for things. We’re doing our best to be honorable and support our industry. If those things don’t stand for something, I don’t really know what does.” [WWD]

Top 11 Classiest Fashion Schools in the World

Jessica Lapidos — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:53:58 +0000

Welcome to our month of Fashion Education. To start you off in the right direction, let’s examine your choice of design university, or more importantly, the fashion schools of choice. Certain alma maters produce an exceptional level of talent, consistently. Let us see where you stand, and who stands out as your alumni and professors. (Note: we are only looking at schools that speak English. Paris has burned.)

11. University of Delaware Newark, DE

Campus Tour: The smallest state also has a small design program that is focused on quality garment making from every angle. The program follows a garment through its entire lifecycle, from the creative design and tailoring, to a focus on sustainably producing goods on both small and large scale in a socially and environmentally minded manner. An entirely student run fashion magazine, UDress, and fashion shows exist outside of class, working to show and pull fashion out of this college driven town.

Programs: Apparel Design, Merchandising, Sustainability

Student Body: 16,500

Tuition: $27,000

Star Alumni: Well, me. And a fierce force that is the backbone of the garment industry.

Alexander McQueen

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 16: Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones arrives at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 16, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

Rick Owens

Alber Elbaz

Duchess of Cambridge to Wear DVF on North American Visit

Lester Brathwaite — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:39:09 +0000

When wrap-dress-impresario Diane von Furstenberg found out from the kids across the pond at Harrods and Selfridges that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge had bought two of her dresses for her upcoming North American tour with fuddy duddy hubby Prince William, she was reportedly “very happy.” Probably in hopes that Kate’s magic touch will work on both sides of the Atlantic.

Kate, it seems, is taking a page out of the Michelle Obama playbook by adhering to the rules of wardrobe diplomacy — the practice, as The Financial Times‘ Vanessa Friedman explains it, “of a national leader (or leading representative) wearing clothes from the country they are visiting as a form of economic and cultural outreach.”

For her tour of Africa this week, the Fierce Lady has mixed and matched her Narciso Rodriguez and J. Crew staples with Nigerian-born designer Duro Olowu.

Meanwhile, DVF is a logical choice for Kate. Not only an iconic designer and president of the CFDA, the DVF wrap dress is the prototype for those damn Issa and Reiss dresses Kate can’t seem to get enough of.

I can’t wait to see what else Kate wears — especially since she’s picking out her own wardrobe like the down-to-earth princess she is. Personally I’m pulling for some other all-American designers to cover that emaciated royal back of hers. Imagine, Princess Katherine in Alex Wang? [Financial Times]

The Wedding of Laura Parker Bowles, (daughter of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall) to Harry Lopes at St Cyriacs Church, Lacock, WIlts. Photo Ian Jones. Kate Middleton

RED CARPET REPORT CARD: Greta Gerwig in Narciso Rodriguez

Amanda Gabriele — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:27:32 +0000

In this edition of Red Carpet Report Card, Greta Gerwig will be graded on her Narciso Rodriquez Pre-Fall 2011 dress and Christian Louboutin pumps worn to the New York premiere of Arthur. See how she looked after the jump.

Greta will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 4

Styling: 4

Shoes: 4

Hair: 4

Makeup: 4

Pose: 4

Confidence: 4

I never see Greta this dressed-up and glamorous, so I think she looks amazing! It appears that she feels just slightly out of her element, hence the B. But overall I love the look and want to see her in more dresses as elegant as this.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: Actress Greta Gerwig attends the New York premiere of "Arthur" at Ziegfeld Theatre on April 5, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Greta Gerwig

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week S/S 2011 Schedule

The Fashion Web — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:46:16 +0000

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week has found a new home at the Lincoln Center this September after a triumphant run at Bryant Park. A few designers are coming back after a brief hiatus from the tents because of the recession. The schedule for the Spring/Summer 2011 shows was released today and I can't wait to start getting invites and emailing press departments to beg for invites to the big shows. This year Fashion's Night Out returns and I plan to spend it with friends boutique hopping in New York City. Check out the full schedule below.

Thursday September 9, 2010

Friday September 10, 2010

Saturday September 11, 2010

Sunday September 12, 2010

Tuesday September 14, 2010

Wednesday September 15, 2010

Thursday September 16, 2010

*Designer Presentation

LINK LOVE:Mercedes Benz Fashion Week S/S 2011 Schedule

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Narciso Rodriguez Is Ready To Be A Teacher

McArthur Joseph — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:54:44 +0000

Narciso Rodriguez and magazine editor Joanna Coles are going to be teaching a live class for The Learning Annex. The course is titled “Breaking into Fashion” and seems like a great experience for any budding style all star. The class goes on May 13 from 7pm-9pm and will only cost $44.95. This is a huge steal to get a chance to talk fashion with the Marie Claire editor and the man who has dressed Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker. School has never looked so chic.LINK LOVE: The Cut

RUNWAY: Narciso Rodriguez Fall/Winter 2010

Rebecca Alexander — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:04:11 +0000

Another beautiful and elegant collection, loving the use of ombre and unlikely silhouettes. The hats were my favorite accessory, and even though I’m not a fan of such plain hair, simple beauty always directs attention back to the garments.

Entire collection here.

FIRST LOOK: Narcisco Rodriquez for eBay

Saynt — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:08:39 +0000

Narcisco’s collection for the auction site eBay will be launching on February 15th. The looks are simple, yet chic. The best piece is definitely the dress on the end with the red color block. The others we’ve seen before and unfortunately, aren’t impressive. Hopefully, eBay steps up their game next time around and actually forces their contributing designers to design and not just give us a rehashing of things we’ve seen a million times before.

LAST NIGHTS PARTY: David Barton, Marc Jacobs, and Narciso Rodriquez Host a Toy Drive

Saynt — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:13:04 +0000

Last night Daniel Saynt & Becks headed to the David Barton Gym Toy Drive hosted by David Barton, Susanne Bartsch, Marc Jacobs, and Narciso Rodriquez. We drank, we partied, we found every eligible gay in New York.

The highlights of our night were all on our Twitter feed so if you’re a subscriber you’re in luck.

Here’s the rundown:

- We arrive fashionably late, realize we totally missed Marc and Lorenzo, consider leaving for two seconds

- Patrick McDonald (New York Dandy and Launch My Line star) doesn’t bring a gift and almost gets refused at the door. He makes up for it by breaking out his wallet.

- We make our way upstairs through a gym that can only be described as the place where clubbers go to bench press. Becks spots someone who looks like Eric Bana from behind. Turns out to be Larry King from the front.

- We whiz by some performers on the way to the bar (where the fuck is the bar), an oldie dressed like a Lady Gaga reject, a women/snow bird, a nutcracker on stilts and a Christmas tree man. Trannies, fake tits and manicured eyebrows galore. Guess it’s officially Gaymas.

- Pass the giant discoball/DJ booth on the way to the bar. Michael Musto wears a hideous Holiday sweater. Way better than the last time I saw him.

- Finally make it to the bar. Double up on VodkaCrans. Spot a man who’s vaguely familiar eying me by the bar. Give my “I’m not gay, but I’m comfortable enough to acknowledge your interest” smile. Can’t figure out who this little man is or why he’s so familar? He takes off.

- iPhone Google Search. It was Narciso Rodriquez.

- Now on the search for Narciso after a Wikipedia fact update; He’s Cuban, from Jersey, and I’m currently wearing his cologne. Plan to ask him if he’s seen Jersey Shore, what his fondest memory of summer on the beach was, and whose his favorite dictator. jk.

- Spot Narciso talking to a troublesome troupe of twinks who obviously know who he is. Realize my hands smell like Chipotle (pre-Barton Dinner) and decide a bathroom pitstop might be smarter.

- Standing in line with Becks for the bathroom, up ahead of us is a black gay Ken Doll with fake grey hair and a permanent smile. I take photo.

- Still in line. See Narciso exit. Maybe next time little man.

- A gay reminiscent of Don Johnson begins conversation. Asks if I’m with anyone. I point to the wife.

- The three of us begin long winded conversation on being young and married in New York City. He stresses its impossibility to last. We respectfully disagree. Late vow to never talk to people who look like Don Johnson.

- Finally make it into bathroom. Don’t see the point to clean my hands anymore, but do so anyway. jk.

- Go to check out some performances. A woman strips. The crowd goes wild.

- I spot Amanda Lepore. She’s pretty much naked. Nothing says Christmas better than full frontal.

- Becks spots an old gay friend from Cleveland. You have no idea how many times this happens. It’s like they make them their and ship them over.

-David Barton hits the stage. The look and feel of the gym instantly makes perfect sense.

- Richie Rich is here. No one seems to care. So sad to be a flickering light. Stay forever young little buddy.

- The party begins to clear even though the booze is still flowing. Is it the gym atmosphere that prevents the boys from filling up on empty alcohol calories?

- We make our way out, Becks teases about posting a Missed Encounters on Craigslist for Narciso.

- The night ends, but not before seeing a pair of Nina Ricci claw shoes in action. Amazingly cool.

More details about the event from our publicist friend at DavidBarton below:

Founder of DavidBartonGym, David Barton and his wife, nightlife impresario Susanne Bartsch, iconic fashion designers Marc Jacobs and
Narciso Rodriguez, Hotelier Ian Schrager and his wife Tania Schrager, celebrity chef Art Smith and renowned photographer Patrick McMullan co-hosted the 8th annual and largest Toy Drive to date at DavidBartonGym Astor Place. Guests brought new, unwrapped toys, all of
which will be donated today to the Metropolitan Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, Sunny Downstate, Kings County Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, the Lower East Side Girls Club, Northeast Community Center and Astor Kids, among others.

www.davidbartongym.com

DavidBartonGym to Host Holiday Toy Drive

Rebecca Alexander — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:02:12 +0000

Next Monday, DavidBartonGym will host its 8th annual Toy Drive at the newly opened Astor Place fitness mecca with co-hosts and iconic fashion designers Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez, Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, Hotelier Ian Schrager and his wife Tania Schrager, celebrity chef Art Smith and renowned photographer Patrick McMullan. All guests will bring an unwrapped toy, which will be donated to various children’s hospitals and charities in New York.

WTF!?!: Narciso Rodriguez Possible eBay Collection

Monique Montagnese, Contributor — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:58:19 +0000

I’m all for lower priced diffusion lines and Target, H+M and Topshop collaborations; I may not be willing to brave the lines and fierce elbowing that it takes to come home with one of these pieces before they sell out but I think they are great for the industry. Taking that into consideration, I should theoretically be %100 behind the idea of this eBay collection. No lines, no pushing, just the simple click of a mouse and the ease of PayPal. Something about this just seems wrong to me, isn’t eBay the internet version of Chinatown? Fake bags everywhere, counterfeit items complete with fake tags and purchasing receipts? Just saying, as a designer this would not be my first go-to collaboration. If you’re thrilled pay attention: the possible eight piece collection would range from $75 to $350. Let the bidding wars begin.

SOURCE: Ny Mag’s Cut Blog

Designer Line Up for Mercedes-Benz Released

Rebecca Alexander — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:16:27 +0000

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will kick off with Michael Angel followed by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Duckie Brown, Ports 1961, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrouel, Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, This Day/Arise: African Fashion Collective, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, Toni Maticevski, Pamella Roland, MAX AZRIA, Dennis Basso, Willow, Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez, Toni Francesc, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly by Michelle Smith, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein, Chocheng, Argentinean Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger.

Who Is The Next Fashion Saviour?

Saynt — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:00:44 +0000

People are always looking for the next Donna, the next Ralph, or the next Calvin. (sorry Tommy, we never consider you a fashion designer) but no one ever acknowledge that there may not be a next big fashion business bearing a designer’s name. Consider this: after the big 3, name another designer with his/her business over 1 billion dollars. The answer is: 0. It’s very typical of fashion to prefer the system to remain unchanged.

Let’s look at new york. Marc? His business is tiny comparing to Louis Vuitton. Micheal Kors? Those old Tommy business guys, Lawrence and Silas, brought Kors 6 years ago and proclaimed it will be a billion dollar business. They are stuck at the middle. Our personal favorite: Narciso Rodriguez? Liz Claiborne brought 50% for a mere 10 million, then return it back to the designer late last year. We assume for much less. Then we have those wunderkind kids one after another; remember Zack? What about Jeffery Chow? It’s ok, because now we have the Wangs and the Wus. But would they be like Calvin?

Yes, some designers would claim that they would like to remain small and ‘intimate’. Fine, but you should also know that we are some of the most egotistical creatures. We want fame, money, and sway, in that order. To drive any real influence, one will need to reach the mass (say hi to Issac Mizrahi). To do that, you need cold hard cash. A billion of it.

What companies blew up so big in the part 10 years? Juicy. Sven. Zara. H&M.

Can we see a pattern and the future here?

Written by (angry) deacon on Next.FashionIndie

$250 Bucks Will Get You Fashion Week Seats, Just Don’t Expect To Get In

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:07:23 +0000

If you can’t get an invite, you can always buy a seat, at least that’s what a couple of Craigslist ads are promising.

FASHION WEEK TICKETS – TOP DESIGNER SHOWS – $250 (Midtown) [Craigslist]
AMAZING FASHION WEEK SHOWS!!! – $250 (Midtown) [Craigslist]

Runways like Narciso Rodriguez, BCBG Max Azria, and Matthew Williamson are up for grabs for $250 a seat.

Just remember, just cause you bought your way in, doesn’t mean you’ll get in.

LINKAGE: NYMAG

(This is RAW content from a feeder. We are not the original publishers but wanted to share this story with you. To see the original content you must head to the Source.)

A Socialite’s Worst Nightmare= No Fashion Week After Parties

Kirby Marzec — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:15:26 +0000

Marc Jacobs last Fashion Week Party....so long folks...

If you somehow manage to sneak into Marc Jacobs’ show at the Lexington Avenue Armory next month, don’t expect to be sipping bubbly at his after party. Why? Well, because there isn’t going to be one. The recession just about ransacked the fashion industry these past few months, sending some of our favorite designers home packing, laying off employees, shutting down stores, making the runway lonely and now erasing our reason to celebrate. Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Alexander Wang, some of the designers with the most anticipated parties, simply won’t be having them this year. But what about the hundreds of other party savvy designers? If you’re not immediate friends or family of Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, or Matthew Williamson, don’t expect to be wined and dined at their parties either. Looks like Giorgio Armani’s flagship store opening is your best bet…good luck getting in.

Thanks NY Mag!

Fashion Quotable: Robert Verdi

Rebecca Alexander — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:34:59 +0000

Robert Verdi on Michelle Obama’s Narciso Rodriguez:

“She looked like a lava lamp and we all know that. I didn’t like that light bright dress and I think she could have made a better choice. I like that she wore an American designer, I think she should continue to wear American fashion and speak the style of the nation in her public appearances and then move towards an international flavor.”

Thanks FabSugar

TrendSpark: Eye Gloss

Corey Moran — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:16 +0000

Goodbye lip gloss, hello eye gloss? yeah you read that right I said eye gloss. Style.com reported the new trend that has been hitting the runway all Fashion Week. Eye gloss is more or less just putting Vaseline under the eye to create a shine and draw attention to the eye. I think this is a really cool idea, but a little bit tricky to pull off without looking downright sweaty. The look was seen on Alexander Wang’s, Marc Jacobs’ and Narciso Rodriguez’s runways this year, and apparently has caused quite the stir. Style.com got a chance to talk to Dick Page about the trend:

When asked his opinion on the burgeoning trend, Page did not miss a beat: “You know, you just can’t put much more gloss on your lips. Its like everyone’s been eating pork chops for the last few years. I don’t know how much more gloss the lip can carry, so maybe it’s just migrating north.” The “wet look” is not necessarily, er, easy on the eyes, however, and application can often be problematic. “It’s kind of tricky in the real world because it goes south—it moves, so you can’t put anything else on with it,” Page says, referring to the fact that typically no mascara or plain liner will hold when an eye gloss is involved. But if you can appreciate its pared-down effect, the makeup artist recommends blending a charcoal pencil on the back of the hand with your emollient of choice and applying to lids at will.

Let’s hear it indies, Are you down with the eye gloss? Or are you going to stick with Lil’ Mama and your lip gloss?

For the rest of the article check out Style.com!