Long Live McQueen

The world of fashion has gone into shock today at the announcement of an early departing of a talented, visionary soul. What I do 8-5 is far from fashion, but I kept circling around the idea or rather the frustration of a path ended abruptly. You see, I'm a designer of sorts and I think most of us are. We grow up developing ideas, concepts and creating things from nothing, but mainly creating a path for our future. We don't know what the "end" has waiting for us, and at times uncertainty itself frustrates us to the core. Alexander McQueen had solidified his reputation as the bad boy of fashion. His erratic behavior, exotic themes for runway shows and his extravagant perspectives kept many in the fashion industry on their toes.

The death of our beloved friend Yves Saint Laurent (1 August 1936- 1 June 2008) , who passed away at the age of 72 left us mourning but with a sense of gratitude for his contributions to fashion. Women today who dress with a sense of sexy masculinity can tribute credit to YSL. However, McQueen's gadarene exit has left us starving for more of his creativity and craving the potential of his years to come.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that our paths will come to an end. So I ask you today for the sake of McQueen and all those other fashion soldiers whose life come to an early end, to retain your focus and passion for the things you most want in life. Let's pick up from the same path where McQueen, Dior, Versace, and Chanel walked and strive to produce only the best.

R.I.P. you bad boy...

Rare Bird of Fashion--Iris Apfel

THE FACTS
Name: Iris Apfel-- Rare Bird of Fashion
Occupation: co-owner of the textile house Old World Weavers with her husband.
Her World: eclectic, defining bohemian chic, mixing a $5 beaded necklace with a stunning velvet Koos van der Akker evening coat.

THE STORY
Apfel, once regarded as simply an eccentric with a love of daring prints and accessories, is now being recognized as a fashion trailblazer. Apfel grew up in Depression-era Astoria, Queens, the daughter of a meticulously coiffed and shrewd businesswoman and a father who specialized in glass and mirror installation for tony interior designers. She easily recalls her early forays into fashion and her gift for shopping. After college she worked at the trade publication Women’s Wear Daily and enjoyed a stint as Girl Friday to Robert Goodman, a leading men’s illustrator, at Saks Fifth Avenue. While she eventually left her champagne-soaked fashion life for interior design, she never lost her taste - or her flair - for style. She says her two biggest gifts are her sense of humor and her curiosity, and both allowed her to acquire the unique jewelry and clothing that spills out of rooms and closets at her home. Koda, who has been friends with Apfel for the past 20 years, says opening one of her closets is akin to opening a jack-in-the-box. The only difference is that an exquisite Lanvin taffeta skirt pops out instead of a toy clown.

At 88, she is still bustling with energy someone I'd personally call a world class shopper.

THE FINAL INSIGHT


Quote:
"The fun of getting dressed, is that it's a creative experience"

Giovanna Battaglia

photography credits: Scott Schuman


THE FACTS
Name: Giovanna Battaglia
Occupation: former model of D&G -exclusively- and now fashion editor at L'Uomo Vogue and freelance stylist
Her World: High fashion, Styling, High credit limit

THE STORY
Her days as Dolce & Gabbana's house model and her work as a stylist have given Giovanna a wardrobe that would be the envy of any fashion editor, but she's not afraid to be photographed in a favorite piece multiple times. She has a knack for switching her shoes and jacket to create a completely different effect using the same dress or trousers or turtleneck, while always managing to look chic and comfortable in her clothes. Giovanna certainly can't be said to have a "uniform," as many fashion professionals do, but there are certain constants to her style. She wears lots of grey and black, and keeps jewelry simple and hair and makeup minimal. Whether in skirts, dresses or trousers, Giovanna always wears a killer heel, and her black Birkin is a constant. She favors labels often thought to be unsexy, like Marni and Prada, but always manages to look far from frumpy without veering into trashy, despite her penchant for short skirts (and who wouldn't, with those legs?).

THE FINAL INSIGHT
From her past experience, Giovanna quickly understood the fashion industry, and she manages to apply in a very natural way both in her work over L'Uomo Vogue, and in her public life.
Her chic simplicity is to be translated into a deep understanding of fashion.

Anna Dello Russo

photography credits: Joris Bruring






THE FACTS
Name: Anna Dello Russo
Occupation: Formerly of L’uomo Vogue, now Fashion Director at Large & Creative Consultant, Vogue Nippon
Her World: High fashion, High credit limit

THE STORY
After finishing her degree in Italian Literature and Art History and attending the Domus Academy in Milan, Dello Russo’s rise in the fashion industry was swift. She spent just one month at Donna Magazine, after which she met Annalisa Milella, who at the time was working with Vogue Italia. After only 8 months of collaboration with Milella, Dello Russo found herself working full time at Vogue Italia. She spent 18 years as a part of the Italia family, working at both Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue and in 2006, she parted ways and began to work freelance. Officially, Dello Russo has said that she was tired of working in men’s fashion and wanted to get back to her roots, but rumor has it that her activity as a professional consultant was hindering her relationships at the magazine. It is reported that she was making so much money it caught the attention of the Revenue Authorities and the Journalist Association. Although she has clearly articulated that she was never made to choose, Franca Sozzani has been quoted saying that she ‘[could not] allow that people working at [her] magazine [would be] consulting at the same time.’ Dello Russo’s client list is said to be only important and international clients but she keeps it very private in efforts to not out shadow the brand’s fame. “I’m called to make the cake but all the ingredients are already there.” As fashion director and creative consultant for Vogue Nippon she still has an office in the Milanese quarter of Conde Nast but she spends most of her time contributing to the creative vision and branding of designers and fashion houses alike.

Despite her grand contributions to the international fashion community, Dello Russo is best known for her impressive wardrobe and incomprehensible fashion collection. Obsessed with image, Dello Russo admits that clothes are like a disease for her. She doesn’t just shop, she collects; buying clothing she might only wear once, if ever. She has an obsession with jewelry and accessories; including a collection of over 4000 pairs of shoes and keeps a display window of her favorite shoes and another for jewelry in one of her homes. She keeps a separate apartment exclusively for her clothing. Everything is tagged and enveloped, she keeps very accurate archives and dreams of one day having her own foundation.

THE FINAL INSIGHT
"Everyone has a strength. The English people sell very well because their editorial style is a little avant-garde; they are always the first at looking for new ideas. We Italians, have a very beautiful product that no one can beat, for quality, efficiency and tradition. The French people have that allure; in Paris you can feel a fantastic glamour at each show. The Americans have the money and the power, can you ask for more?"