fashionblog

The Bangalore Fashion Week officially kicked off last Thursday and attracted the very best designers in the country. According to reports, a fashion show officially kicked off the festivities with the latest spring-summer collections of popular designers Arshi Jamal and Anju Modi.

The collections presented were inspired by the typical Indian outfits and Modi successfully made Banarasi style sarees that still exude the tradition of the past. Jamal, on the other hand, created his works based on the hit Bollywood film “Jodha Akbar.”

Jamal said that he used brocade and velvet to make his creations, saying that these are the fabrics commonly used during the winter season. He stressed that he considered the winter months in mind so that the customers would get the use these items at the appropriate time.

Jamal is also setting his sights in the international markets, hoping to get global interests in his creations.

Colombia-based fashion designer Miguel Caballero has come up with a bulletproof clothing range ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. As of this writing, massive requests have been made for the purchase of the product.

The designer clothes are said to withstand machine-gun fire and what’s gaining more attention is the fact that this bulletproof product can pass off as a stylish gear. This new line of vests that can protect oneself from knives and bullets will be released in time for the World Cup 2010 this June.

One of the major retailers of the Caballero line is Harrods department store in London with prices starting at a thousand pounds.

Prominent leaders such as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and United States President Barack Obama are reportedly buying this item.

According to the designer, the bulletproof vest can withstand a 9mm handgun, mini submachine gun and Magnum 44 among others.

Victoria Beckham, a former Spice Girl, unveiled her latest dress collection at the New York Fashion Week and she revealed that she was inspired by comic book detective Dick Tracy when she came up with the collection.

She said that her own personal style has evolved, gearing toward more relaxed designs but stressed that they are still structured just the same.

Aside from Beckham, prominent New York designers Alexander Wang and Jason Wu also revealed their autumn / winter 2010 and 2011 collection. Wu is known for being the favorite designer of US first lady Michelle Obama. He featured an attractive collection of shirts, dresses and jackets that have colors ranging from orange, brown, grey and black.

Alexander’s collection, on the other hand, mostly geared on grey and black trousers.
The New York Fashion Week is currently ongoing.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is doing her part in helping disaster-stricken Haiti by conducting a fashion show for a cause.

According to reports, Campbell will spearhead a charity catwalk show which features top models and fashion designers at the New York Fashion Week.

Campbell has been an active figure when it comes to relief efforts. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she spearheaded a “Fashion for Relief” event at the Bryant Park. This time, the project will be back at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week which begins on February 12.

In an interview, the supermodel said that since a lot of people are doing their share in helping those who are in need in Haiti, she’s doing her part as well and she’ll be collaborating with top designers to make the event successful. The fashion show will showcase the latest designer fashion, lingerie, swimwear and accessories. The proceeds will go to relief efforts in Haiti.

Luxury fashion label Lanvin has delved into another inspiration on its latest fashion line – through the use of real people in the streets and not the celebrities.

According to reports, several locals were hired to pose with celebrities as Lanvin’s autumn-winter men’s catwalk show took place on Sunday. This is considered one of the top events in the Paris men’s calendar.

About three dozen models marched to the catwalk via a techno music. The new line included flowing coats, wide and slim trousers in different colors. Items such as waist-cincher which looks like a weightlifter’s belt or corset were featured in the event as well.

Lanvin is considered one of the top menswear producers in Paris and this was evidenced by the strong applause from the audience during the Paris Men’s Week last weekend.

Dame Vivienne Westwood grabbed the attention of the several hundred fashion experts present during the Milan Fashion week as she presented her latest line of dresses with models looking like homeless people. However, this only helped promote her great clothes as described by the experts.

Westwood revealed that the theme was suggested by her husband, Andreas Kronthaler who told her that a lawyer-friend of his works for a charity organization that helps the homeless.

The models walked down the catwalk that was designed with old cardboard boxes. The models’ hairs were disheveled and colored with something silvery to make them look like they’re staying at snow-covered streets.

Westwood’s menswear collection gained praises from her colleagues. The fashion designer said that she has no experience whatsoever with being homeless. At the end of her show, she was wheeled out via a paramedic stretcher to create a dramatic exit. This gained more applause from the audience.

Westwood has another brand name in the family Agent Prvocateur was founded by her youngest son and is famous for its expensive lingerie.

An Olympic-themed fashion show took place at Rio de Janeiro last Friday to showcase the rich Brazilian culture ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games which the city will be hosting. The fashion show’s slogan was ‘Rio Olympic and Marvelous.”

Paulo Borges, the event organizer, said that the fashion show reflected the mood in other Brazilian cities after Rio de Janeiro was chosen to be the official host of the 2016 Olympic Games. This South American city beat Madrid and Chicago in the fierce bidding war to host the most prestigious international sporting event in the world.

Borges said that fashion “is reflection of people’s behavior” and that’s the reason why “Fashion Rio will be an Olympic and marvelous show.”

Three warehouses were remodeled to accompany the designers and their creations.

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.