Aloha from Mara Hoffman

Designer Mara Hoffman exudes a certain spirituality—a quality that is refreshing in the fashion industry—and her penchant for inner peace and all that is otherworldly shines through in her Spring ’13 collection. Hoffman, who is best known for her bold prints and swimwear, titled her Spring range Aloha, which, according to Hoffman’s kupuna (i.e., her elder guiding figure), means “the presence of divine breath.” It also happens to be the Hawaiian word for love, hello, and good-bye. “I felt attached to the spirit of the word,” said Hoffman, noting that she appreciates its simultaneous simplicity and complexity. Hoffman united all aspects of aloha in a short Spring film, which, shot by Neil Krug and styled by Richard Ruiz, starring Phoenix and featuring music by E*Vax and White Wizard.

“The goal was to share some aloha love with people and also capture the essence of being a ‘warrior of light.’ I remind myself every day to ‘be light,’ and wanted to bring that into a visual realm,” Hoffman said. “If anyone could get what I was going for, it was Neil. After we wrapped, we laughed about how we’re both seen as these cosmic weirdo hippie types. In reality, we’re both down-to-earth and hardworking animals.” As far as the final cinematic result, Hoffman jokes, “It’s a little out there, but so am I.” 

Hellessy Knows What Women Want

A woman can’t live on cocktails alone. So why do designers churn out so many cocktail dresses? That’s a question that nagged Sylvie Millstein, the designer behind the newly launched label Hellessy. Millstein, who was born in Paris to a French father and a Japanese mother, was the head merchant for Chanel in Japan before relocating to New York in 2007, where she’s been raising a family and acting as a personal shopper and stylist to private clients. “I don’t have a background in design,” she said at a preview of her Fall collection yesterday morning, “but I do have a background in merchandising, so I know how clothes work on the customer and what they want: beautiful finishings, price points.”

 Her new label isn’t completely devoid of cocktail numbers, but seeing a void in the market for elevated daywear, that’s where Millstein put her focus. In the mix are pieces like a luxed-up parka with a fur collar, long-sleeve sheaths, flaw-concealing peplum tops, a trompe l’oeil jacket that’s actually a shirt you zip into in back, and leather jeans—”secret weapons,” Millstein calls them, “that come out every week, or every other week.” Fans of Victoria Beckham’s simple, body-enhancing dresses will want to take a closer look at Hellessy. Azzedine Alaïa, Rick Owens, and Stella McCartney are among Millstein’s favorites; their sensibilities inform her work, as well. The collection, which was picked up by Kirna Zabete in New York for Spring, retails for less than $2,000. 

Footwear fishing with Christian Louboutin

 

Christian Louboutin has just unveiled the campaign for the Spring/Summer 2013 collection, shot by Peter Lippmann against the backdrop of a fishing harbor.

Daring, colorful and seductively sparkly, Christian Louboutin's Spring/Summer 2013 collection is as extravagant and imaginative as ever. To coincide with the launch, the shoemaker has just released the first images of the accompanying Peter Lippmann-lensed campaign, inspired by Belgian artist René Magritte's approach to Surrealism. Against the backdrop of a fishing port, the shoes and clutches from the new collection dominate the images, used as fishing bait in a cheeky take on the age-old adage "there are plenty more fish in the sea". When it comes to Louboutins, what man could resist?

Chloé celebrates 60 years with a pop-up at Printemps

Until March 9, the French house will be popping up in the Printemps department store in Paris, with a preview of 16 signature pieces from its anniversary heritage collection, featuring iconic Chloé designs including the 1983 Violon dress and the 2001 pineapple T-shirt.

 

This year, Chloé celebrates its 60 year years of quintessential Paris design. Founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion and Jacques Lenoir, the label has set up a pop-up shop in the atrium of  Paris department store Printemps Haussmann to showcase its anniversary heritage collection. Light and airy in the label's signature colors, the space features a sneak preview of 16 signature pieces from the house's design history, including Gaby Aghion's Embrun dress, Karl Lagerfeld's Galaxie dress, Violon dress and Eventail clutch, Phoebe Philo's high-waisted jean, Camera bag, python boots, Silverado bag, paisley-print silk scarf, Paddington bag, broderie anglaise blouse and wedge sandals, Stella McCartney's Ananas pineapple T-shirt and Hannah MacGibbon's shorts and cape. Printemps Haussmann has also given over five of its windows to the brand's Anniversary Edition, featuring the re-issued pieces in an oversized decor.

Monica Rich Kosann Bespoke Locket

All jewelry is, of course, personal, but Monica Rich Kosann really underlines the point with her dazzling new locket collection. On the outside, there is a diamond-set initial. On the inside you can put pictures of loved ones. As a final personal flourish there is space to engrave the piece with a personal message on the back. I might just be intellectual and inscribe mine in Latin, "mea omina."

$14,500; shop.mrkstyle.com

The Design Museum Receives Fashion Donation

THE Design Museum has received a donation of over 400 fashion items by one of the museum's trustees, Jill Ritblat. The collection - which is the museum's first ever fashion acquisition - features pieces by Chanel, Givenchy and Vivienne Westwood.

A selection of the pieces have gone on show today as part of the museum's new permanent collection exhibition, Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary Things. More items will go on display when the museum moves from Shad Thames to the former Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, opening in 2015.

The pieces donated through the Art Fund and were all part of the personal wardrobe of Lady Ritblat, a barrister and philanthropist. She previously gifted fashion items to the Victoria and Albert Museum, some of which were displayed in the exhibition One Woman's Wardrobe from 1998 to 1999.

Narciso Rodriguez Named Woolmark Ambassador

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ is Woolmark's new fashion ambassador for its No Finer Feeling global marketing campaign. The designer, who served as a judge for the 2012 US regional stage of the International Woolmark Prize, will also include merino wool in his next two upcoming collections.

"I've historically used wool as the core of my collections. This collaboration happened quite naturally. I'm a true believer in wool and have been cutting wool on the bias since I was in school," Rodriguez told WWD.

The 20 million Australian dollar (£13.2 million), campaign promotes wool as  versatile material and has seen Australian Woolmark International team up with over 30 designers and brands, from Alexander Wang and Vivienne Westwood to Marc Jacobs and Giorgio Armani. Rodriguez, whose fans include Rachel Weisz and Katie Holmes, will assist with the creative direction of the adverts and will take part in AWI's educational programmes. 

Halston Heritage To Open Debut Stores

HALSTON HERITAGE will open its first ever standalone stores in March - in three different locations across the US, New York, Los Angeles and Troy Michigan - selling ready-to-wear and accessories. The shops will sell ready-to-wear and accessories. A further 10 to 12 boutiques will be unveiled globally in the near future. The label's collections are currently designed by chief creative officer Marie Mazelis, who was previously creative director at Hervé Léger.

"I am thrilled to be opening the very first Halston Heritage stores," said the label's chairman and CEO, Ben Malka. "We have evolved the brand and the collection significantly over the past year and our store concept perfectly showcases our vision, mixing the legacy of Mr Halston's style with a modern point of view. It is a beautiful, luxurious and inviting environment and the first full expression of the brand."

The stores will each encapsulate the minimal timeless style of the label's eponymous late founder, Roy Halston Frowick, and his personal Manhattan home - which housed some of New York's most glamorous parties, attended by Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger and Liza Minnelli. The designer's famous floating staircase has been reimagined as a shoe display, while the pop art images that once lined his hallways decorate the store's dressing rooms. His love of ballet is reflected in fixtures that resemble ballet barres dotted around the stores.

Hot Staff by Fashiondella

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