Courtney Love was animated along side Andre Leon Tally and Uncle Karl Lagerfeld in a short film called "The Dark Night of the Soul" by a cartoonist named Michael Mouris.
Should you know Mouris? I suppose if you spend tremendous amounts of time on the Internet, and do nothing else, you'd know that Michael Morris is a guy who spends his time making animated pictures of celebrities(most likely for his own pleasure and viral re-posting) like Clay Aiken er, whats a nice way to say jerking off?
What's different from this Mouris creation that is getting attention? He threw fashion in the mix with Courtney, Karl and Andre cameos in a nonsensical cartoon with a walking Birkin bag. Well, it won't make sense unless you know the following facts and deeply care about Courtney's style evolution:
She once burned Marc Jacob's gift: of pieces from his 1992 Perry Ellis grunge collection that Marc sent Courtney and Kurt because at the time, she was "punk."
She wore a fake Chanel to Paris Hilton's party, Uncle Karl found out, got mad and then felt sorry for her. He flew her to Paris, shot her in nothing but pearls and schooled her on the ways of couture.
She got a Birkin as a gift and it ended what she calls her days of dressing "kook."
This f-bomb infused film opens with credits that say "The best f*ck in the world." Why the fashion world cares so much about Courtney is simple. During her days as a self-proclaimed punk, she made enough noise that people had to notice her. The difference with luxury clothing Courtney is that she's still the crazy foul mouthed loon, just in better clothes. Making an assumption based on all the fashion week coverage and blogs like What Courtney Wore, the fashion industry and the public are still buying into it. If you aspire to be a star and a fashion fixture, take notes from Love.
Are you tired of the pearls combined with rock n' roll chains, but still want adornments that are tough, yet feminine? Personal jewelry doesn't have to mean a birthstone or grandma's cameo charm.These petite pieces have a unique edge without the "look at me" bulk of statement jewelry. A safety pin necklace in gold, tiny stud earrings, or jagged hoops are perfect with any outfit for everyday effortless hip accessorizing.
New York Fashion Week came and went and over here, this small staff of myself and my friend Jamar covered as much as we could. Still there was plenty to talk about this season--well, other than the clothes. So, Fashion Funhouse Emporium is counting down the 5 coolest things to happen during New York Fashion Week.
Fashion GPS, though a little confusing at first with the numerous automatic emails is a really efficient system for managing invites and seating. This was my third season gathering invites and scheduling shows for myself. I've freelanced at InStyle managing a full list of editors fashion week schedules. This helps.
Whats cool about it:
Just click a link and respond "yes" or "no" to RSVP to invites.
Guests could scan a barcode on their invites in a self service kiosk, print out thier seats and go right in.
No waiting in line--that is unless you're a Fashion Funhouse Emporium blogger and most of the emails you get say: "Your seat number is: Standing." I might point out that is not a seat at all. Then you still have to wait in line.
Its harder to cheat the system. Strictly experimental, Jamar and I simultaneously checked in for a show. I went the old-fashioned route to the humans behind a desk and he went to the kiosk. Once I checked in at the counter, he was unable to check in at the kiosk. His message said: Amber has already checked in. No ticket for him. Sorry crashers!
For those of you who were unable to cheat the system, Milk Studios featured live streaming of some of their shows on their site Milkmade, including the "it" show of New York Fashion Week for less superstar designers: The Blonds.
For registered media, we were able to download video from Mercedes Benz Image Net and post to blogs such as mine for you to check out what went on. Bigger venues also allowed for more independent videographers to attend and thanks to YouTube, pretty much every collection is out there for your viewing pleasure.
But if you have Oscar de la Renta money, then you watched the show live and ordered straight from he runway. While very innovative, those who need instant gratification, you lose.
However, Oscar de la Renta's shop the runway is a revolutionary step in by passing buyers and giving the people what they want. I wouldn't be surprised if this sort of thing catches on. Or, it should for newer designers who can't get the top tier buyers to attend their shows because bigger shows overlap simultaneously, like Oscar.
While the new venue at Lincoln Center provided a very rock arena style atmosphere for show goers, still plenty of designers held low key presentations again this season.
At bigger shows, often my seat was in the peanut gallery, way up in row 5 or 6. At shows such as BCBG, Ports 1961, and other more established designers, this meant all I saw coming down the runway was a floating model head in a shirt. I was there to look at the clothes, therefore this made it impossible to see a full look until I got home and could look up collections online. Presentations, however, I walked in, snapped my pictures and got awkwardly close to the models to catch details of the fabrics. Then I silently floated around tagging music with my Shazamn iPhone app and I was out. For party people, those who are more social, presentations allow the audience to mingle with each other, drinks in hand.
Video- Elise Overland Runway show Featuring Han Bin.
Elise Overland sent violist Han Bin down the runway to play while wearing a look from her collection. Where many shows played it safe and showed an endless parade of minimalist looks of white for spring, some designers added flair with live performances. The Blonds had burlesque style dancers open the show, complete with large feather fans, Zang Toi sent out a half-naked cowboy, reminding show-goers that a show is just that--a show.
Anjelica Houston, now in pushing 60 years old, is still working the screen with her chiseled cheekbones, dark hair and strong nose. I don't know about you but Im tired of the young, blond worship when it comes to style. In fact, Anjeclica once said of her own looks: "There were times when I hated my nose. But you grow up and you start to recognize that maybe it wasn't a bad thing that you weren't born Barbie."
When it comes to fashion spreads and the red carpet, there is no way to ignore that deep alluring face and no gloss style. An out of the ordinary muse, who I must admit kind of reminds me of the way my mother looked, she's been in quirky film after film including The Royal Tanenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and The Postman Always Rings Twice.
The top picture of Angelica, in the hat was taken by Bob Richardson (father of the infamous Terry Richardson) who is credited as revolutionizing American fashion spreads, taking them from prim and proper to dark, gritty and emotional.
Georges Chakra debuted his first ready to wear line, Edition Georges Chakra, in New York in 2009. Chakra initially started in haute couture shows in France in 2002.
I must admit, I haven't paid much attention to this designer, until this season. I was late for his show at the Tents in Lincoln Center. When I walked in, it was playing on the large screen. I was mesmerized. Not one to be into gala gowns (seriously, when will a blogger from Fashion Funhouse Emporium need one?) I still couldn't walk away. I'm actually glad I caught the show outside, in the lobby on a jumbo-tron screen. It gave a much better view of the perfectly tailored and uniquely detailed gowns than I would've got from my seat.
If he's not one of the hottest designers dressing celebrities this spring, then he should be. I must mention as well, the white and lighters gowns would make great wedding dresses for out of the box thinking brides.
Check it out for yourself in this Mercedes Benz Fashion Week video.
Chris Benz grew up in Seattle. At age 17 he came to New York to study at Parsons. With an internship at Marc Jacobs under his belt, he went on to work for J Crew. In 2007, he showed his first collection at New York Fashion Week.
While many fashion reviews may think this too 60's, his collection translates well to right now. Back to the 60's is a big trend this year (Miu Miu pre-fall, Nina Ricci resort, Marni) and Benz is keeping a good thing going for Spring 2011. With a bursts of bright colors and patterns, his stand out looks were the mini pleated skirts, tie neck blouses--in a couple different colors because when it works, stick with it. The floral shoes with the neutral hued dress were the result of a collaborative effort with Alejandro Ingelmo, which gave the looks an extra boost.
Unloved Looks
While his ruffled shirt and floral skirt combo was nice, that is my point. In a collection of bold, fun pieces, this one was the snoozer of the bunch.
Music
60's french pop music played to match his them of how we silly Americans see Parisians--if it was the 60's.
People and Scene
Though presentations are usually low-key, this one was full of heavy-hitters. Kelly Osborne, who made the rounds as several shows, Susan Sarandon, Denise Richards and Carmen Electra.
Karen Walker's street style and high end combination has a devoted following, especially overseas. Since 2002, this New Zealand designer has been cranking out unpretentious designs for the cool girls, who want to wear something a bit different, but without going all out avante garde.
Karen Walker's prints have to be looked at up close to be fully appreciated. I loved last season's weird deer/fly print. From far away, one wouldn't notice. That's what makes her patterns especially cool since you don't expect it. Bright colors paired with neutrals gives this collection a down played but fun aesthetic. I would wear each one of these looks for as an anytime outfit. Where Karen Walker's strengths may go unnoticed is her accessories. Have you seen the sunglasses? When I was doing market work for a stylist, I made sure to email the showroom and say "Make sure you show her the Karen Walker sunglasses!" Sure enough, the stylist came back with a handful for a shoot. Her collaboration with Pointer on the loafer shoes is classic, yet with that twist of cool that she does best.
While mixing prints has been all the rage since last spring, if not done properly, the look tends to look as if the model escaped from the mad house and accidentally strolled onto the runway in a confused stupor. Individually, pieces were great, though I really think we should all get over t-shirts carrying messages, especially when mixed with busy printed sweats.
Music
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People and Scene
Exit Art is a great venue for off-site shows. If it wasn't in West-Bumblef*ck, it would be the best show venue to see collections. Set up with benches and viewing for all, Karen Walker was not stingy with the gift bags. If you managed to wrangle a seat, you got one. Her eccentricly cool followers attended as well as editors, bloggers and a few social scene girls.
Jose Duran, a relatively new face on the scene at New York Fashion Week, hails from the Dominican Republic. This good looking designer has the clothes to match, though not in a typical pretty sense. He's designs are edgy and innovation which is why the industry should take note.
For the Spring 2011 season, Duran showed his collection at The Time Warner Center in New York.
Tibi, a contemporary collection designed by Georgia born Amy Smilovic was launched in 1997 when she moved to Asia with her husband. There she met American Octavia Hyland who's grandmother was named Tibi. The two worked closely together on textiles and managed to sell a small capsule collection. Shortly after, stores in the US asked how they could get their hands on their vividly colored, patterned styles.
"Spring is about beauty and classics with a thoroughly modern twist and styles that are simple with ease" says Tibi designer Amy Smilovic. The jumpsuits in this collection were among looks I loved in this collection, especially the tobacco colored one with the brown leather detailed trim. The cow printed flat oxfords will shine in department and online store, as well as the sexy applique cut out dress.
Tibi was a show that we all kind of know what to expect from; feminine, wearable, and of course stylish. This reflected in its attendees, you could tell they were faithful to the Tibi aesthetic, yet one attendee you wouldn't think would live up to or in Tibi at all was Olivia Paleremo from MTV's The City. She graced their front row causing a stir of emotions for the shows devoted fans, giving the show some youthful cred.
By Jamar Graham for Fashion Funhouse Emporium. Jamar attended New York's Parsons School of Design. He's worked for leader in trend and industry analysis, WGSN and as a stylist assistant. Currently runs his own blog called Treated Material. He is also launching his own clothing line to be announced soon.
Though part of a famous family, Charlotte Ronson has talent all on her own. What is remarkable about Charlotte is that her approach to designing her collection is that of an established luxury designer, though her collections are affordable and still maintain her signature boho sensibilities. She's been showing at New York Fashion Week since 2008.
