This M.I.A. and Donatella Tandem Courtesy of: W

Following in the high-low footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Sonia Rykiel and most recently Lanvin‘s Alber Elbaz, Donatella will design a collection of both mens and womens clothing, in addition to home items — which I never even knew H&M had to begin with.

Described as a celebration of the Italian brand’s “vibrant heritage,” the collection will debut in 300 H&M stores on November 17th — and will be sold out later that day.

Bonus! Donatella — pulled, tucked and shellacked within inches of her life — discusses the collection with H&M’s Creative Advisor, Margareta van den Bosch.

[WWD]

Look 1 – Slutty Preppy:

From the Ivy League to 20,000 Leagues.

Look 2 – Chic Week:

An officer and a gentlewoman.

Look 3 – Funny Girl:

People who need sailors are the horniest people in the world.

Look 4 – Shore Thing:

Bling it out Jersey style for some sailor smoosh time.

Look 5 – Boys Just Want to Have Fun:

Don’t ask, do tell for the boy hoping to get his deck swabbed.

NAVy Anchor Motif Chino Shorts – Mens Shorts – Clothing – TOPMAN
topman.com

The spot
Il Bastardo, Chelsea

What to wear
Gap Jersey Maxi Dress $69.95, gap.com

A|X Armani Exchange Aviator Sunglasses $65, macys.com

French Connection Cleo’s Haze Clutch $158, usa.frenchconnection.com

Calvin Klein Blaire Wedge Espadrille $93.50, piperlime.gap.com

Lynn Ban Fintail Ring $1,600, kirnazabete.com

Topshop Moto White Denim Crop Jacket $80, us.topshop.com

What to order
Eggs Benedict with Imported Prosciutto and unlimited champagne

The spot
Southern Hospitality, Upper East Side

What to wear
Topshop Red Stripe Suntop $50, us.topshop.com

Gap High-Waisted Flare Jeans $69.95, gap.com

Diane Von Furstenberg Theia Caged Wedge Sandal $275, farfetch.com

American Eagle Outfitters Braided Skinny Belt $19.50, ae.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Aviator $98, piperlime.gap.com

What to order
The classic BBQ Combo and a Mint Julep

The spot
Caracas Brooklyn, Williamsburg

What to wear
Topshop Yellow Mini Floral Print Dress $80, us.topshop.com

Tom Binns Ethno Teknik Hand-Painted Swarovski Crystal Necklace $2,175, net-a-porter.com

kate spade new york “Make Waves” Bangle $78, nordstrom.com

Sonia Rykiel Dalya Platform Sandal $1,087, shopsavannahs.com

Malababa Pocahontas Bag $395, calypsostbarth.com

Illesteva Leonard 3 Sunglasses $230, lagarconne.com

What to order
Llanera Arepa with a Tropical Bloody Mary

The Spot
Juliette, Williamsburg

What to wear
Nasty Gal Flora Sweetheart Romper $68, shopnastygal.com

Reiss Classic Two Button Blazer $320, reissonline.com

Michael Kors Darrington Flap Hobo $895, neimanmarcus.com

French Connection Jakoba Platform Mule Espadrille $138, fashionbeans.com

Bonamano & Ferrari Rhinestone Bracelet $138, amrag.com

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses $145, swell.com

What to order
Roasted Banana Stuffed French Toast and a JOiE DE ViVRE

Did we miss anything? What is your favorite brunch spot in NYC?

(L-R) Just a Cheap Shirt, Stella McCartney, MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela, Carin Wester, See by Chloé

Long Sleeves:

So 90′s but like totally, whatever. You can take it with you. Tie it around your waist. A slim long sleeve or button up will make a fabulous belt as you wait for the nightly chill. Plaid is rad. Iceberg is cool.

Oversized blazer:

A bulky blazer, especially in tweed like this Sonia Rykiel, can be quite warm. Just remember that your office might be quite cold and air-conditioned. I showed you how to take your look from office to party with an oversized sport coat. Use yours from fall.

Cape:

Ah that cape you invested in like this Hussein Chalayan piece that made the perfect top layer to seal in extra warmth is now your only source of cover. No, you’ll be dressed underneath, but keep it the layers light, and the bottom tight.

Wide Leg:

These  Matthew Ames pants are more of a harem while Behnaz Sarafpour works it wide, but any pant with volume (and light enough texture) can stay a staple in your wardrobe as we move into summer. Pants like this would werq at work.

Crop Top Sweater:

Timo Weiland has sandwiched this thick knit crop top between a button down and a heavy coat. For spring, take those layers away and rock the crop with a high waist skirt or shorts. Throw a bandeau underneath for that extra in-case-I-get-warm layer.

LINK LOVE: Style.com

The New World Order is known for its remarkable window displays and meticulously styled mannequins.

Just in case any of you are wondering what to get me for Christmas, here are my favorite pieces from the store:

Balenciaga floral neoprene cropped jacket - $2,000

Vintage bat wing dip dye mink coat - $1,700

Archee black and gold cocktail dress - $980

Giorgio Armani large pendant necklace - $895

Sonia Rykiel clear belt bag - $465

Roberto Cavalli teal leather jacket - $700

George Halley light green dress - $1,200 | Louis Vuitton belt - $330

I’m also obsessed with this necklace – there is a ponytail hanging from it! You can visit The New World Order online here.

The beautiful Karen Elson is on the Jalouse August cover, wearing a dress from the Just Cavalli Fall 2010 collection and shoes by Sonia Rykiel, also from a fall 2010 collection.

LINK LOVE:Karen Elson on Jalouse August Cover in Just Cavalli

Bonjour from Paris darlings. Ms. Fab here is taking a needed vacation overseas. I only have 36 hours here and have decided to spend it surrounded by beautiful clothes. The method easiest on your wallet is the Histoire Ideale de la Mode Contemporaines (History of contemporary fashion) exhibit at the Museum Les Arts Decoratifs.
The exhibit has many of the top Paris-based designers with their most famous, notable pieces of the 1970′s and 1980′s. Drool over iconic sculpted cone bustier dresses of Jean-Paul Gaultier, sculpted Issey Miyake bodices, architecturally sculpted shoulders from Thierry Muglier and Claude Montana. Dramatically lit, the walls have alsp projected fashion shows of that era so you can see how the pieces were originally presented.
For me, it was seeing the looks up close that inspired me to join fashion in my childhood. For the new guard of designers, it is a showcase of how the masters did it (and do it still!)

LINK LOVE:FAB Paris: Contemporary Fashion Exhibit at the Musee Des Arts Decoratifs

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Zhang Yichao Show

Sonia Rykiel

Romance Was Born

Jean Paul Gaultier

Christian Dior Haute Couture

China Fashion Week 2010/2011

Animale

Extreme, statement-making shoes make the woman.

If you routinely go the safe route on your footwear choices (and, by safe, I mean simple plain black pumps or modest, solid-colored flats), you’re just not living. Or at least not setting yourself apart.

The fashion world is obsessed with over-the-top shoes. The crazier, the scarier, the stranger, the better. And, because fashion is a business, it means women’s appetite for extreme footwear is increasing by leaps and bounds.

Sky scraping platforms. Metallic belt-buckle over-the-knee boots. Shoes that resemble the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Shoes that look like bloated armadillos. Cowboy boots that threaten to topple you over backwards. Torturous spikes. Spinal stilettos. Garter belt lace-ups. Stilettos festooned with feathers.

For fall, 2010, ski bindings and interior design materials like plywood and Formica marry to create Baleniaga’s high-heeled, color-blocked loafers. They are absolutely nuts! And you’ll no doubt see them on some Hollywood It creature come red carpet events later this year.

Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy fall lineup includes an impossibly complicated pair of red lace-up booties that have tiny bumps not unlike some deep sea monster.

Women have been pushing their tootsies into torturous footwear for thousands of years, beginning with the Chinese custom of breaking and binding feet into the shape of a pointed lotus bud. Bizarre footwear is always associated with the erotic and the fetish. And being attractive is an advantage that has always outweighed any pain women have had to endure.

Cut to modern day and the story is the same. Stilettos are uncomfortable and make walking difficult, not to mention what it does to your posture and spine. Still, we women persist. Why? High heels make a woman taller, force her to arch her back and push her chest forward and hips back. The goal here is an accentuated female form because men love an accentuated female form.

Problem is, height and attractive qualities are relative. So if everybody wears heels then who has the advantage? Why, alpha shoe mavens and their designer enablers who up the ante season after season. A girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do. And this year, it may not be a man she’s after. It may be a job. It is the recession, after all, and being memorable is priority number one.

How high can we go? As high and as crazy and as dangerous as we can….that is, until some clever girl decides to set herself apart by wearing simple plain black pumps or modest, solid-colored flats.

(luxist.com)

You know that I’m all about the creative and funky side of fashion…..some of it though, for viewing purposes only. I actually like all of the shoes featured, but don’t wear really, really high heels….I stop at about four inches (however, there are always exceptions). Often, I find that it’s easier for me to wear a four inch wedge or chunky heel (such as the gorgeous pair by Sonia Rykiel), instead of a stiletto; I like the extra ankle support. This Robert Clergerie bootie is the type of wedge that I favor.

The up-turned toe of the sole, provides a type of “rocker effect; I find it more comfortable to have my toes in the an upward position versus slanted straight down. Speaking of up-turned toes, The Jean Gaultier shoe is an extreme example. I love the color and tooled leather design, but I’m really not feeling the whole “toe thing.” At first glance, they remind me of so many of the western style, ankle boots that were so popular last season…..I didn’t really care for those either.

LINK LOVE:Fashion Statement: Extreme Shoes

At first her blog was called “la méchante” (the mean girl) but she switched to Eleonore Bridge because she’s clearly adorable.

How would you describe your style?

I love very feminine outfits, sometimes a bit childish. It’s because I consider fashion a game, I love playing with my wardrobe. I also have a lot of vintage things and accessorizes from my grandmother.  I also try to sometimes dress retro.

What sets you apart from the other style bloggers?

I don’t know… Maybe by not following all the trends, I don’t care if one day I’m wrong and have a “fashion faux pas” as we say in French, but who cares? It won’t kill me, I’d rather make mistakes than wear boring outfits.

I also take really good care of my pictures, I try to find beautiful places in Paris or in houses and apartments so it’s not just about the clothes: the place is really important.

How has your life changed since starting the blog?

I found my 2 lasts jobs through my blog and left my first career at L’Oréal where I was an interior architect. I now work a lot more but it’s great. I’m also learning photography for 2 years through my blog and I love it. I met a lot of really nice people from all over the world thanks to my blog.

Who are your Favorite designers?

Viktor & Rolf for their cartoon universe and Kenzo for the prints, and of course romantic and funny French designers like Sonia Rykiel, and Chloé.

Where do you like to shop in NYC?

When I went there I looooved Brooklyn and all the shops around Bedford (Williamsburg). The vintage stores are amazing there.

What do you like the most about NYC?
For fashion, I love being able to wear whatever I want, a mini skirt for example or a giant bow: nobody will care. In Paris, you would be like a clown and people would stare at you, fashion is not really fun in Paris, it’s really too serious. I love how New Yorkers dress up when they’re going out!

And of course, in New York I’m obsessed with the food, milk shakes and breakfasts and I really envy New Yorkers for their amazing Central Park!

What is your favorite item in your closet?

My leather jacket from Yves St Laurent, I bought it in a second hand store in Paris, it’s a unique piece from a fashion show. It’s perfect and has a story: the number of the outfit and name of the model.

Tell us about your love for Alice in Wonderland?

I loved the Disney cartoon and the strange world Alice discovers. It used to scare me when I was a little girl, but we all love fear! But this year Alice became a product and it’s just a shame…

What do you do for living (to make money)?

A lot of things, I used to be a furniture designer and interior architect but now I’m a web consultant, I write and take pictures for many websites, my job doesn’t have a name.

Pick 5 people, dead or alive, to have dinner with.

Lewis Carroll, Edgar Allan Poe, Helena Rubinstein, Jake Gyllenhaal and Audrey Hepburn.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I don’t want to imagine, I don’t like when I know where I’m going. I like mystery, that’s more exciting!

We heard you have a wedding in the works, tell us about that?

You have five hours? No sincerely I can’t tell you about my wedding, it will be too long. I just want to say that I want people to have fun, that I love my fiancé more than people can imagine (we’re a 10 year old couple).

How will your blog change once you are married?

It won’t change, there will only be my wedding pictures:)

You often blog about other things besides fashion, what else fascinates you?

Photography, beautiful images. I can spend hours looking at beautiful pictures.

If you had one wish, what would it be?

Be happy, have fun and in good health for all my life!

Thanks Elodie.

Check out her blog here ( you can read it in English)

On Drawing: “My Uncle taught me how to paint when I was a child but I wasn’t really interested. Later, I drew for my collections and then I was drawing everywhere: on notebooks, letter paper in the hotels and I gave them to everybody”

On colors: “I use the colors I have right next to me, I love using black, this is the woman’s color.”

On Artists: ” I love artists such as Giacometti, Victor Hugo, Picasso, Botero, Braque, Soutine, Matisse and Dali”

Ten more sketches on Envy

Taking a trip to New York City’s East Village, photographer Jeffery Jones captures a dynamic Hartje Andresen in some of the season’s most desirable looks for the summer edition of QVEST. Aided by fashion editor Katharine Erwin, Jones creates a story full of passion and edge that takes on garments from labels such as Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin and Giorgio Armani. Check out the rest of the spread here.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the home of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (aka DC Comics), the french concept store Colette asked some designers to create exclusive items inspired by the superhero. Karl Lagerfeld has created Green Lantern gloves, Sonia Rykiel with a Wonder Woman dress, Lanvin with the Batman t-shirt and many more. Photos after the jump…

Boots by Roger Vivier, Dress by Sonia Rykiel, T Shirt by Balmain

Shoes by Repetto, Necklace by Maison Michel, Bag by Pierre Hardy

One of the big trends being seen on & off the runway is cat eye sunglasses. Alexander Wang’s spring collection showed some severe winged shades, with a metallic frame. Other designers, like Sonia Rykiel and Giles Deacon, had embellished frames.

If you’re looking for a more classic look that’s still eye-catching, then the pairs that Nikki Hilton and Scarlett Johansson wore would be perfect.

I’m loving this throw back to the 50s with a new, fresh twist.

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Sonia Rykiel’s second collection for H&M (first being lingerie) is due out on February 20th. Watch the behind the scenes video after the jump.

LINK LOVE: NY Mag

Models Marike Le Roux and Alana Zimmer star in the S/S 2010 Sonia Rykiel campaign, photographed by Horst Dieckgerdes.

LINK LOVE: Design Scene

Another image has emerged from the Sonia Rykiel x H&M collection, this time, with Lara Stone (and friends) wearing pink lingerie.

Image via Racked

Here’s a first look at the Sonia Rykiel for H&M campaign, features models Lara Stone, Caroline Trentini and Anne Vyalitsyna, giving us a quick sneak peak at the lingerie collection due in stores on Dec 5th. The collection will launch in 1,500 H&M stores and Sonia Rykiel’s own boutiques.

Images via Nitrolicious

GALLERY: BASH: Sonia Rykiel x H&M Collection

Thanks Highsnobette!

Reuters confirmed that Sonia Rykiel will collaborate on a second collection for H&M, to be released on February 20th 2010.

LINK LOVE

Down from 50 copies to 10 each year, Nomenus Quarterly isn’t exactly the most accessible magazine on the rack, and currently running at the price-point of $6500, it looks like I won’t be thumbing through it anytime soon. For now, I guess the website will have to suffice. 

GALLERY: RANDOM COOL: Nomenus Quarterly, The World’s Most Expensive Glossy

Thanks to The Moment!

LINKAGE: Sonia Rykiel Cruise 2010

Sonia Rykiel

Stella McCartney

Gucci

Balmain

Chloé

With the New York weather forecast looking more promising and the sun shining a bit brighter, it’s time to plan those noontime brunches, swanky restaurant reservations and classy cocktail parties to celebrate the arrival of spring. But why wear another sun-dress when you can push the envelope and your daring masculine side with a boyfriend inspired pantsuit? The androgynous trend is full speed ahead and the pantsuit, with voluminous shoulders, double-breasted lapels, high-waisted pants and deep pleated pockets is all the go. The pantsuit, available in an array of colors, styles, lengths and shapes, is the perfect versatile outfit for any casually classy occasion. Grab a fedora, some platform heels and a billowy pattern blouse, and you’ve got yourself the ‘best dressed’ award for the night. 

Thanks The New York Times! 

As Barbie continues to celebrate her 50th birthday, WWD reports that there will be a Paris exhibition of new barbie-size designer looks for the plastic doll set to be unveiled at Galeries Lafayette on Monday and ending April 25th. Around 50 designers will be designing signature looks for the “Barbie Fashion Show 2009? event including  Karl Lagerfeld, Maison Martin Margiela, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and Sonia Rykiel.

LINKAGE: Nitrolicious

There are so……many great bags out this season that I sometimes actually feel a lightheaded when looking at them. I personally prefer a little, or should I say, ALOT of detail on my bags of choice. The focus is on clutch bags today and Here are just a few of my favorites. From top to bottom the designers are, Sonia Rykiel python clutch….Roberto Cavalli snakeskin and diamante clutch (EXQUISITE)….Roberto Cavalli black jeweled clutch….Proenza Schouler Pochette’s x 2….Missoni Snakeskin clutch….Matthew Williamson python Pochette….Judith Leiber x 2 (love the cupcake)….Dries Van Noten x 2….Bulgari….Alexander McQueen x 2 (love, love, love the fringe clutch). The “jeweled daisy” clutch has a beautiful vintage look and is a sure favorite. Enjoy the view!

LINKAGE: “Clutching it”

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Sonia Rykiel Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style 8

Amber Rose wore one of my fave dresses from the Alexander Wang Spring 09 show, which she accessorized with Louis Vuitton heals and bag (also straight off the Spring 09 runway).

‘The risky dress is completely sheer, with a few strategically placed black embossed swirl coils. Another feature is that the mini dress has cut-out thumbs at the sleeves.’

According to Red Carpet Fashion only 2 other girls wore this dress,  Erin Wasson, and Sarah Harding and it’s available at Barney’s for $995.

In January, Nathalie Rykiel (daughter of Sonia) will release her designer Coca-Cola Light bottle.

An exclusive to France, the crystal-studded aluminum bottle follows Italy’s Cavalli-designed Coca-Cola Light bottle earlier this year.

Image from Style Frizz.

Madame Rykiel is a woman as succinct as her graphic knitwear (and as deep as the black panels which surround the bold stripes of colour on it). Who better to interview her, then than another black beauty and Paris-dwelling icon; the inimitable, invaluable fashion commentator (and instigator), Diane Pernet? Smash Hits goes Left Bank…

Diane Pernet: Tell me, Sonia, what are your views on sensuality?

Sonia Rykiel: It’s a word, an attitude, a knit sweater on a naked skin.

DP: Religion?

SR: I’m Russian Jewish but I have none.

DP: Romanticism?

SR: Secrets. Lies. I am a liar, like many artists…

DP: Darkness?

SR: Darkness is about showing what you decide to show, a kind of manipulation. It’s about black, all black, there are many shades…

DP: Raw Street?

SR: Boulevard Saint Germain.

DP: Who are the people that helped to form who you are now?

SR: My family, and my men.

DP: We all know that fashion has changed, but has it changed for you?

SR: Technology has changed. The more I do fashion, the more I dress the same way everyday.

DP: How have you changed for it?

SR: By looking at things differently.

Keep reading on Ponystep

I don’t even know where to begin…

Where are the ruffled dresses, floral and polka dot prints and the hounds tooth coats she is known for? Yes, she did put knitwear on the fashion map, but why use Raggedy Ann dolls and old wigs as fabric choices? And the superman getup? Wasn’t that so last season…

Sonia Rykiel, who is celebrating 40 years in business with a runway blowout and party on Oct. 1 in Paris, has enlisted some high-profile fashion folk to help celebrate. Rumor has it Rykiel’s daughter, Nathalie, has asked a host of international designers, including Karl Lagerfeld, Donna Karan and Jean Paul Gaultier, to design an outfit in the spirit of Rykiel to pay homage to the sweater queen as part of her jubilee.

Thanks WWD

Domino has become a serious arbiter of style, and come September, the magazine is offering its annual peek into how designers live. Domino’s fashion issue, which hits stands on August 19, features a majestic room in Matthew Williamson‘s home on the cover. Other stories explore Vanessa Bruno‘s Paris apartment, the late Yves Saint Laurent’s lush Majorelle Gardens in Marrakesh and Michael Bastian‘s New York City apartment. This month’s “My Favorite Room” section includes Luisa Beccaria at home in Milan, Francisco Costa in his garden in Bellport, NY, Sonia Rykiel in her living room in Paris and Christian Louboutin in his bedroom in Portugal.

Keep reading on Fashion Week Daily.

And the ‘Making of the Ad’:

Clockwise, from top left, President Sarkozy and Carla Bruni front row at the service, Catherine Deneuve, John Galliano, the crowd outside the church, the Marrakesh garden where Saint Laurent’s ashes will rest, Valentino, Pierre Bergé with Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer. Center, Pierre Bergé.

Over 1,000 people gathered in Paris today to bid adieu to Yves Saint Laurent at his funeral at the Eglise Saint-Roche. Front-row guests included French President Nicolas Sarkozy, First Lady Carla Bruni, Saint Laurent’s mother, Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe, and Madame Chirac. Also seated in the front row was Saint Laurent’s longtime business partner and lover, Pierre Bergé, who gave a tearful speech:

The 90-minute Mass was broadcast on giant screens outside the church, where throngs filled the streets around the Louvre. When Saint Laurent’s casket was carried in, thunderous applause erupted but the crowd was silent during the service.

Other notable designers in attendance included Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Valentino, Hubert de Givenchy, Sonia Rykiel, Kenzo Takada, Alber Elbaz. Many women in attendance wore trouser suits in homage to Saint Laurent’s revolutionary design.

Saint Laurent will be cremated before close friends and family, and his ashes sent to a garden in Marrakesh at a house he bought with Bergé.

Source: NY Mag

SONIA RYKIEL is pulling its menswear collection, Rykiel Homme, from the market.

“After 18 years of existence, menswear has not exceeded 5 per cent of total sales and is losing money,” Nathalie Rykiel, the label’s manager – and daughter of founder Sonia – said in a statement confirming the news yesterday.

While the brand is popular in France, it struggles in overseas markets, which account for around 60 per cent of its sales.

All eyes will now be on the spring/summer 2009 Rykiel Homme show in Paris next month; it will be the collection that marks the end of a fashion era. Sad Sad!

Source: Vogue

Look from Tom Scott

The Australian Wool Innovation is launching a new campaign to award fashion young’uns. They recently purchased the Woolmark Co. and are bringing back the Wool Secretariat Award, which honored designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent at the start of their careers.

The new award is being led by spokesperson Sonia Rykiel.

Ten up-and-coming designers, including the U.S.-based Tom Scott and Brit Louise Goldin, are vying for the award, now named the Woolmark Prize, and the winner will be revealed on July 3, at an exhibit of the work of all the finalists at Paris’ Palais de Tokyo.

Prize perks for that lucky person? Everything from manufacturing and sourcing support to retail space at Paris’ Colette boutique. And, of course, the possibility of being known as the next Lagerfeld or Saint Laurent.

So if you missed the chance this year indies, be sure not to do the same next.

Source WWD