Hot Stuff by Fashiondella

 

 SOUNDTRACK

Alexander Wang Pre-Fall Is Up For Keeps on Moda Operandi

During our pre-fall roundup, we showed you the Alexander Wang pre-fall collection. As you know, Wang has just taken the lead at Balenciaga and we’re looking forward to what he can do over there. The designer, still young in his career, has shown some amazing pieces for pre-fall. Since the collection is the most perfect thing to ask for from Santa or whomever, we had to alert all of you that the collection is available on Moda Operandi.

If you didn’t know, Moda is an online trunk-show that allows you to order collections before they hit the stores. From now until Friday, the Wang pre-fall collection is yours to shop! If you do decide to spend some money, make sure you at least pick out an accessory! The clutch and the crossbody bags are the unsung heroes of the collection, and we strongly urge you to pick one up. If not, at least grab some of those amazing suiting pieces.

You can shop the collection here. Make sure to grab something for yourself, you worked hard for it. If you’re feeling generous, grab something for us too.

Anatomy Of A Tie by Title of Work Exhibit

Fashion is art. Whether it’s a couture gown that took months of sewing or finding the smallest possible beads to be sewn onto a tie, it’s art. Last night, we had the pleasure of getting a peak at the “Anatomy of a Tie” exhibit put on by title of work. Jonathan Meizler, the once gown maker turned tie aficionado put on quite a show for us to look at.

We were blown away by the detail put into each creation. These ties all have a story, one that is worth reading. Inspiration gained from tattoos to snakes make these ties worth a gander. The exhibition showcases the amount of work that goes into making one of these ties in a series of instillations that include sculpture, video and title of work pieces. Anatomy of a Tie is broken into the four sections, putting the spotlight on Meizler’s inspiration. There’s also a tie made out of snake vertebrae, so there’s that.

The exhibit will be open till December 21st at hpgrp Gallery in New York City. If you have a chance, go check it out. Whether you’re there for the art or to buy a $35,000 tie with black diamonds, wax, cashmere and glass — you need to go. Learn more about the exhibit here.

Weekly Want: Diane von Furstenberg Daria Quilted Leather Mini Skirt

This mini by Diane von Furstenberg takes the leather trend to a whole new level by taking a classic technique – quilting and using it in an unconventional way. Pair it with a fitted blazer and tights for day or a backless cashmere sweater for night and you’ve got an all around winner to wear this winter. Whether you wear this DVF piece at your next party or informal business meeting, you can’t go wrong with the simplicity of the silhouette. Don’t let this want get away, order it today. Diane von Furstenberg Daria Quilted Leather Mini Skirt, $465.

8 Things You Need to Know About Chloe

Chloe is a brand that is so synonymous with femininity and strength, that no matter the designer, it remains a household name. Yet, few are aware of the house’s history, which is rich and filled with stories and personalities unlike any other.

In honor of Chloe’s 60th year anniversary, upcoming exhibit at the Palaias de Tokyo in Paris, and a feature on the brand and it’s creative director Clare Waight Keller in Interview, we decided to compile a list of little known facts about the brand.

1. Gaby Aghion, an emigrant from Egypt, established Chloe in 1952.

2. With the idea that fashion should be accessible, Gaby coined the term pret-a-porter for her ‘off the racks’ looks. Other labels took note and the term  is still popular today.

3. Gaby turned away from Dior’s New Look, to create a new look with ‘ready-to-wear.’

4. In the late ’60′s, Gaby started the tradition of bringing in younger designers, hiring Karl Lagerfeld in 1966 to create a collection. He was with the house 22 years.

5. After Karl, the brand hired one strong women after next, including Martine Sitbon, Stella McCartney, and Phoebe Philo.

6. In June 2011, Chloe hired on Clare Waight Keller as creative director, who previously worked for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and most recently, Pringle of Scotland.

7. Chloe’s muses have included Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, and Maria Callas. 

8. Gaby is still alive, pictured above, she is a bit over 90 years old and still manages to look younger than Kaiser Karl…

Eva Herzigova Is Pregnant! And Continuing The Model Trend Of Baby Bumps On The Catwalk

 Forget a baby belly wrecking your career - The stretch marks! The weight gain! The lying to your bookers! - 2012 has proved that pregnant models are big news. While we're used to seeing Demi Moore et al showcasing their perfect bumps on magazine covers, now baby mamas are taking over the catwalk.

The most recent model avec-child to hit the catwalk is Eva Herzigova. The supermodel strutted her stuff in her native Czech Republic in November, but little did we know there was a baby bump growing under her flowing maxi dress. Fast forward to yesterday and her agency Storm Models confirmed to The Telegraph that the 39-year-old and her partner Gregorio Marsiaj are expecting a child! Yep, Eva is four and a half months pregnant and her newborn will join the couple's two sons, George, 5 and Philipe, 21 months. Congrats!

Of course, Eva is not the first super-being to grace the catwalk while expecting. We last saw the trend in September when 24-year-old Italian model – and six months pregnant - Raffaella Fico walked the Milan runways. Rather than keeping le bump under wraps like Eva, Ms Fico made no attempt at hiding hers. Instead, the proud mum-to-be flaunted her fabulousness in a teeny weeny bikini and matching sarong. Well, it was a Spring Summer 2013 show.

But that's not all. Who could forget when Sophia Cahill went the extra mile for London Fashion Week a few seasons ago, stealing the spotlight totally naked? Then there was Miranda Kerr who took to the Balenciaga stage with a fairly invisible curve before she popped out her baby son, Flynn. Victoria’s Secret chick Alessandra Ambrosio also got in on the action when she sashayed down the Brazil catwalks complete with a baby bump. And speaking of VS Angels, we recently saw Adriana Lima showcasing her pregnant silhouette in the sexy, breast-tastic shoot for the Pirelli 2013 calendar.

10 Facts about Guccio Gucci & His Company:

 The humble beginnings of Gucci are well known throughout the fashion community, but many people who own Gucci products aren’t familiar with the man in the background – or his catchy first name! Gucci might even be the first fashion-oriented word you heard when you were young, but do you know the real story behind the G’s?

1. Guccio Gucci was born in 1881, in Florence, Italy.
2. In 1921, Gucci opened his first shop in Florence, specializing in leather goods, and quickly built a reputation for quality, hiring skilled craftsmen to work in his shop. This is how the House of Gucci was founded.
3. During the 1930s, Gucci became inspired by horse racing, a popular pastime, and started designing the hardware for his leather goods to resemble horse bits and stirrups.
4. In 1932, Gucci created the loafer shoe with a gilded snaffle. To date, these shoes are the only footwear on display in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
5. In 1947, Gucci introduced the brand’s first iconic bag, the “Bamboo bag”, a saddlebag featuring bamboo handles, which is still a company mainstay.
6. Guccio and his wife Aida Calvelli had a large family, six children in all, though only his sons – Aldo, Ugo, Vasco, and Rodolfo – would later take roles in leading the company toward popularity – and a LOT of drama! (Want the dirt? Read the books listed below to learn more about it!)
7. After Guccio’s death in 1953, Aldo, along with his brothers, took over and helped promote the company internationally, as it opened boutiques in London, Paris and New York.
8. In the early ’90s, Gucci’s image was tarnished when copies of its wares began popping up everywhere. To restore the company’s luxury image, the company appointed American designer Tom Ford as Artistic Director in 1994, a position he kept until 2005. Ford is largely credited with turning the Gucci brand around.  
9. The Gucci brand involves more than just their eponymous fashion house. Gucci Group is a collection of designers who specialize in high fashion luxury retail. The members include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen – what a club!
10. Today, Gucci is run by Patrizio di Marco, president and CEO of Gucci, Frida Giannini, the main designer for Gucci, and Robert Polet, who is president and CEO of the Gucci Group.