Happy Friday Fashion People. I'm afraid today is a somewhat condensed version of our news round-up after we were caught up in this afternoon's drama on Tottenham Court Road.
Our main story this week involves American jeweller (and CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Award runner-up) Pamela Love, Chanel and a particularly astute law student...
Pamela Love's gem encrusted bangles....
And the Chanel version (images from www.fashion-law.org)
Back in March, Julie Zerbo wrote a blog post pointing out the uncanny similarity between a bangle shown during the Chanel AW12 show and a design by Pamela Love. Zerbo highlighted her blog post to Fashionista. They picked up the story and, ta dah, within 24 hours Chanel had pledged not to produce the bracelet 'out of respect for the concerns raised'. This seems to us like a pretty major development in the ongoing saga of copying. We see it day in, day out. It's perhaps particularly unfair to young designers who have their ideas ripped off by massive companies who go on to make mega money while the young designer continues to struggle through establishing their business (AND receive no credit). Zerbo's Fashion Law blog could be the fashion industry's future vanguard against these happenings- and how amazing that she is just a 25 year-old student- Go Julie!
Alistair Carr (image from www.grahamfudger.co.uk)
Not much more than a year after his appointment, Alistair Carr has left Pringle. The brand, which shows at LFW, apparently plans to reduce its presence with smaller presentations. The current in-house designers will now lead the label's creative direction.
Giles Deacon, designer of the year (image from wmagazine.com)
FEAL is sending good wishes and massive, well deserved congratulation to Giles Deacon who was awarded Designer of the Year award at the World Fashion Awards in Moscow earlier this week. His sumptuously medieval AW12 show was a fashion week highlight for me. The mythical brocade and burnt out ballgowns were standouts.
Natalia Vodianova on the cusp of scoffing an eclair! (www.modelinia.tumblr.com)
Natalia Vodianova sparked controversy at the Vogue Festival last week when she stood up for skinny models. 'C'mon guys, you know it's better to be skinny than to be fat' she said, before going on to point out how much the NHS is spending on increasing levels of obesity. Although Vodianova's comments shouldn't detract from the very troubling issue of too-skinny models, I do think she has a point about putting society's problems into context.
Coco looking cute in clothes (image from www.fashiongonerogue.com)
Ever so cute and in-demand model Coco Rocha has condemned Elle Brazil this week after they apparently photoshopped away part of a body suit she was wearing in a cover shoot for the magazine. This meant that they breached the terms of her contract which has strict nudity clauses. As Coco's not happy, we won't be reproducing the picture here.
Donatella with her late brother Gianni (image from time.com)
"It is with tremendous emotion that I return to the Ritz where I shared so many special moments with my brother. The closing of the Ritz Paris for two years represents the end of an era but also the beginning of a new one, so to be able to show Atelier Versace there one last time will be a memorable milestone."
Lulu Kennedy, founder of Fashion East (johnpaulpryor.tumblr.com)
Loving this interview with super suave Tinie Tempah. Favourite line? 'I'm not sure what I'm there for really, I guess they are pimping me out' (on his partaking in the Menswear 2012 committee for the BFC
It's the Met Gala next week which will see the launch of the museum's Prada/ Schiaparelli exhibition. Everyone from Vogue will apparently be wearing pink in homage to Elsa Sciaparelli's favourite colour. It seems Rihanna and Claire Danes got the memo early...
Claire Danes in Narciso Rodriguez (from nytimes.com)
Rihanna in Vivienne Westwood- a lovely change from her normal look (from dailymail.co.uk)
Finally, video of the week is Jospehine de la Baume and her brother Alex talking about their new band Singtank for farfetch.com. Their music sounds like perfect weekend listening...
Last night I spotted Natalia Vodianova at a Vogue Fashion Night Out party wearing this incredible dress by fellow Russian, David Koma. Seeing her in it, it struck me David is fast turning into a shooting star of British fashion. Celebrity endorsement by a girl who doubles as a fashion icon, really is a fast-track to fashion fame.
The brilliant tailoring, worked structure and sculptural detailing look fantastic on Natalia - better, even, than when I spotted it backstage at his AW10 show in Feburuary.
David Koma AW10
Koma has been on the up London Fashion Week since Cheryl Cole and Beyonce wore his designs shortly after he graduated from St Martins last year. Earlier this year we on the NEWGEN panel invited him onto the offical London schedule. You may remember my interview with him just over a year ago, posted here on this very blog:
David snapped at the NEWGEN party back in June
Back then he was still adjusting to life as fashion's hottest rising star, but it is clear that Koma's designs are now becoming a firm favourite with tastemakers and trendsetters alike. The goddess herself, Kylie Minogue, along with her loyal stylist Willy Baker picked a David Koma design for the opening shots of her latest video 'Get Outta My Way', and as she writhes around with laser accessories looking typically fabulous, it's obvious why she chose to work with this young designer.
Watch the full video here: She wore yet another custom David Koma dress (based on his current collection) for a performance on America's Got Talent.
Now it is all we can do to contain my trepidation for his S/S11 show, on the Monday 20th September. Check back then for my impressions of the show, and we will also be getting a sneal preview of his collection at the weekend. In fact next week is dedicated to previews - I have teamed up with Swarovski to get amazing access to all of the LFW designers they collaborate with.
