fashionblog

Instead of just hosting the highly anticipated annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, supermodel Heidi Klum surprised everyone when she also took the runway with a sexy pair of lingerie. This is a surprising feat for Klum, who just gave birth to her fourth child named Lou Samuel last month.

Despite her conservative-looking lingerie compared to the other models, Klum still stood out with her purple corset covered with tulle and other fabric. The 36-year old model has been working hard with a personal trainer for the past month in order to lose her baby weight. Reports stated that she gained nearly 50 pounds during her pregnancy.

Klum was joined in the runway with supermodels like Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Marisa Miller, and the rest of the Victoria’s Secret standouts. Miller gained attention when she wore a $3 million diamond-encrusted Fantasy Bra.

French fashion designer Sophie Theallet was revealed to be the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York early this week.

CFDA or Council of Fashion Designers of America and American Vogue gave away $200,000 worth of prizes to deserving designers and the winners will get to use the funds in developing their own collection that will be featured in an upcoming fashion show.

Theallet, currently based in New York, was endorsed by US First Lady Michelle Obama recently after the latter wore the former’s dresses on three instances during her trip to Europe earlier this year.

Runners-up Monique Pean and Patrick Ervell received $50,000 each for their efforts.

Last year’s winner Alexander Wang has had a successful year so far, gaining a wider audience. He also won the 2009 Swiss Textiles Award for using textiles in the most creative way in designing garments and underwear including lingerie.

In a bid to expand its business operations, Italian online fashion retailer Yoox has launched an initial public offering (IPO) option this week. This is in a bid to expand its business despite the ongoing global financial crisis.

According to reports, the company is offering up to a total of 55.5 percent stake and is setting the price of the shares between 3.60 to 4.50 euros per share. This values the company at around 226.8 million euros. The IPO is expected to be completed by November 30 this year.

There are currently four investment funds that currently own the 55 percent stake in the company. Yoox sells high-end brands such as Emporio Armani, Valentino, Diesel and Dolce&Gabbana.

The Italian company reported an increase in sales for the first nine months of this year with net profits going as high as 2.8 million euros. A positive trend compared to last year’s decline of 400,000 euros.

Fashion designer Emanuel Ungaro was reportedly displeased upon seeing the latest line of clothing from Ungaro, the fashion house featuring his name which was produced out of “artistic” advice of actress Lindsay Lohan. It’s been reported in the past that Lohan was hired as an “artistic adviser” for the giant fashion house.

Ungaro sold the fashion house in 2005 and has no contact with anyone from his former company since. However, during a festival in Lisbon, Portugal, he was asked about what he thought about the line by Lohan and he was blunt with his reply.

Ungaro said that the line which resulted from collaborating with Lohan was a “complete disaster.” He added that even though he’s furious about this, he couldn’t do anything at this point since he no longer owns the company.

Rumors have been circulating that Lohan’s stint with Ungaro was pro bono or for free.

Britain-based fashion label Luella has reportedly stopped trading after the company’s sudden closure last month due to the financial crisis.

According to reports, the company owned by British fashion designer Luella Bartley stopped trading after the producer of its ready to wear line which included clothing as well as undergarments such as lingerie stopped its operations and the company’s main investor stopped sending in the money. This development was reported by Reuters.

The fashion line has garnered popularity through the years since popular model Kate Moss and singer Lily Allen have been seen wearing the line in numerous occasions, thus boosting sales.

Bartley won the Designer of the Year award in the prestigious British Fashion Awards last year.

In a statement, Bartley said that she was extremely disappointed with the outcome of her 10-year old company but added that she has a lot of options open for the future and will announce her decision in the coming months.