fashionblog

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.

Trend spotters at retail giant Marks & Spencer have come up with cool fashion trends for this year and this will certainly help fashion conscious men and women out there who would like to upgrade their looks this year without encountering a lot of adjustments and difficulties when shopping in stores.

Marks & Spencer Womenswear Head of Design Neil Hendy said that suede will become the new leather. This will be a good buy and wear to make a statement. The good thing about this, he added, is that it works across all ages.

As for menswear, Menswear Design Head Tony O’Connor said that it may be a better time to upgrade the color preference. He said that men should start experimenting with new color and combine it with bolder style choices.

The choice of color, the experts said, should not be limited on clothes but on other items as well such as shoes, belts and other accessories.

It’s the time of the year where we come up with the hard to achieve resolution of losing weight. However, we can always resolve to improve our fashion to accentuate our body’s assets rather than liabilities. Wearing good underwear is essential and getting a good fit in the bra size really makes a difference.

Here are some cool fashion tips that you can use for the New Year without as much as breaking a sweat:

•    Break away from the all-black outfit. Although this has always been the most effective trick in visual slimming, it can be extremely hot as well especially if the weather is warm. Good thing is that fashion experts stated that you can go for navy blue, gray or other neutral colors and still create the same slimming effect on your frame. Just as long as the same color is worn from head to toe.

•    The now-famous item called Spanx. This shape wear brand has gained popularity in the United States, thanks to the powerful endorsements of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah.

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.

Fashion designers these days are capitalizing on the popularity of plus size dresses since there’s a growing demand for these products. For plus size women, this is simply great news!

Here are some fashion tips provided by experts to plus size women when it comes to wearing the appropriate clothes:

- Start with the right undergarments. Make sure that the undergarments are not tight enough to leave marks on the body. Having comfortable lingerie underneath the clothes do wonders.

- Wear the right plus size clothes. More women are attempting to wear dresses that are several sizes smaller than their actual size. Experts said that this is not recommended. Stick to your current size and be proud with what you have.

- Try out different colors. Go beyond the traditional black. There are simply a lot of great clothes with different colors out there. Shop with friends to get their insights on what colors fit you.