More Love from Bangkok

Here are photos from Thailand Creative & Design Center, a government-run resource and exhibition center for all things design.

Word in the Showroom: Bangkok

Meet the representative of Greyhound, a contemporary line that is designed, manufactured, and stationed headquarters in Thailand. The brand seems to maintain a constant balance between polished and edgy. For fall, Greyhound was influenced by "mystery and darkness" but at the same time they strive to uphold a playful aura. Wearing white skinnies and a studded belt, Greyhound's frontman shows us a fun blazer for autumn.

DL Love From Bangkok

 

Just shopping for some Thai silk at the custom tailors!

- Love, Amanda (DL)

Harking back to Halston

"It's a dream - to bring your creative force to a different brand. I love Halston. We share a very similar frame of simplicity and elegance as well as the technical approach. I've been an admirer for a long time."

Newly appointed creative director of the House of Halston Marios Schwab waxes nostalgic on the brand he is about to reinvigorate...again. We keep waiting for Halston to get back off the ground again for real.

It's About to Get Real.

...with San Francisco, South America, and Southeast Asia in District L's sights.

While Amanda discovers some retail and dishes on trends in Singapore, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City, Nick will be keeping you posted on this side of the equator from Washington D.C, and later from Lima, Peru.

But more importantly, which CEO of which Italian luxury house is preparing to step down within the next couple of days after a clash with it's titan of a creative director? Find out here.

 

District L Love from Tokyo

 

A little creepy.... But I thought you should know.

Fashion Holiday

Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava will be spending the weekend in Buenos Aires. Lisa Salzer of Lulu Frost will be spending her holiday in Napa Valley for a bachelorette party. Social fixture, Andrew Saffir, will be spending Memorial Day in the South of France...

But most importantly, District L's Amanda will be flying to Tokyo (and from there to Bangkok) tomorrow. We win.

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Amster...damn!

District L's very own Nick is in Amsterdam for the week. To wish him a Bon Voyage, here is a photo from Amsterdam International Fashion Week that took place in March. xoxo*

FASHION-NETHERLANDS-DE VRIES

Celia Talks to Jezebel, We Recap

Celia talks to Rich from Jezebel about living in front of the cameras for America's Next Top Model. "We were limited to only talking about each other during the competition, otherwise the cameras would leave," she explained. "We were trained to know that when the cameras went away it was a bad thing. You want the cameras on you all the time."

She also said Aminat threated to cut her fingers off, iPods were a no-no, and the girls were discouraged from talking about current events. 

As Rich sat there looking bored, Celia discussed how the show was such a "personal growth experience." Look alive, Rich!

All in all, Celia seemed sweet, down-to-earth, and (obviously) stylish. Good work, girl!

More On Morley

"A week or two with Fashion People and, I guess, Morley Safer wanted to run for the hills," Cathy Horyn wrote. She was spot-on, as Anna's interviewer basically called Ms. Wintour a bitch about 11 times... indirectly. He also called Karl Lagerfeld a vampire, which is sort-of true because he is immortal. Safer meant for the comment to be vicious, of course.Oh, and he also thinks Anna Piaggi is "campy."

Just stick with the boring topics, Morley...

Quotable

"That's what I think everyone should aspire to in life - being shameless." - Marc Jacobs

Donatella Speaks

"Well, its verry, verry important. If you appear in Vogue... your clothes sell in America. She's the one who can make a designer happen." - Donatella Versace, 60 Minutes, on the value of being in Vogue

Hamptons with a capital "H"

On Wednesday, Hermes will be opening its first-ever temporary boutique in East Hampton. The boutique will be a 2,000-square-foot out-post at 63 Main Street and will specialize in (surprise!) warm-weather items.

Robert Chavez, CEO of Hermes USA, told WWD, "We want to make this very casual and relaxed. People go to the Hamptons to get away from all the formality."

Hermes? Casual and relaxed? Anyone who has been inside an Hermes boutique knows that "casual and relaxed" are not adjectives to describe the experience. Whats going on?

Media Frenzy

60 Minutes, documentaries, and discussions with print media? Once upon a time, these were things that would make Queen Anna Wintour shudder. Now, the former camera shy editrix is extremely visible in the media. Many think that her recent visibility is due to her Conde Nast contract that is soon to expire. Others think that Queen Anna finally realizes the importance of integrated marketing. 

Nevertheless, Anna appears on 60 Minutes, talks about some interesting topics, and delivers a few hilarious quotes:

• "I'd just been on a trip to Minnesota, where I can only kindly describe most of the people I saw as little houses." - Anna Wintour, on American obesity
• "We just want people to look their best." - Anna Wintour, on Vogue's use of Photoshop
• "I love fur and fur is very much a part of the fashion industry." - Anna Wintour, on wearing fur

Anna Wintour is the female Lagerfeld: Straight-forward, glamorous, successful, and not afraid to tell you you're ugly. And that's why we love her.

Quotable

"It's very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly...I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning and deciding what to pick out. I enjoy fashion, Morley, I mean, I wouldn't be in this job if I didn't." -Anna Wintour

Unleashed on the Lido: Chanel Resort 2010

Karl Lagerfeld is known to be one of fashion's most irreverent characters- the economy certainly is no match for his soulless stare and bottomless budget.

So that's why Lagerfeld, in suit with his previous resort shows (poolside? planeside? anyone?), pulled out all the stops and staged a 1930's style cane furniture-and-cabana runway show on the shores of the Lido in Venice, a favorite vacation spot for Coco.

So far did KL go to make sure the show was absolutely perfect, he had 10 tons of sand flown in to completely level out his chosen stretch of beach.

As for the runway itself, it was a perfect synthesis of classically nautical with a gilded Venetian accent. After a stunning opener of chic black bathing suits flanked by dramatic black capes and tricorn hats, the showing was a smooth transition from broad sailor stripes paired with high waisted trousers, cropped navy blazers, and flowing ankle skirts to crisp evening wear in black and gold with gilded rococo motifs. Sheer overlays in lace and chiffon seemed to abound as well, as well as tweed, which will make the transition from Fall/Winter to Resort a seamless one for any devoted Chanelossieur.

And the nominees for Worst Outfit are...

Thanks to the new show Jersey Shore: Unleashed, District L has some new, hilarious material. The show is about 25-year-old girls from the Jersey Shore who party, gossip, fight, and drink like high school kids. While their lives are pathetic and entertaining to watch, they're outfits are even more awful, yet hysterical.

So the nominees for WORST OUTFIT are...

1. This girl. She tied her shirt right below her bra(s). We aren't sure how many layers of oomph she has under that tiny "shirt", but most people aren't noticing the dozens of straps along her back. They are too busy looking at her holey, acid wash jeans paired with her white foam wedges. Too bad you can't get the full effect from this frame...

 

2. This other girl. Her bra is completely visible through her see-through shirt. But who can tell? We're all just watching in horror and praying her ladybits aren't about to fall out of her denim skirt, circa 1999.

 

3. Ok, so its not an outfit, but this hair-style deserves its own nomination. Her poof is created by a plastic chip clip, which she then turns into a pony-tail in the back. The combination makes her look like one of those zippy, smaller dinosaurs from Jurassic Park. Really scary. And don't you love the silver eye shadow with the thick black eyeliner? Be-you-tee-full

Quotable

Biba's Barbara Hulanicki: "I can't stand vintage clothes - there's something so intense about their energy even after they've been cleaned."

Fashion Strip

I am on the fence about MTV's new show, Fashion Strip. The show forces poorly dressed girls to strip down to their underwear in front of an audience and then the half-naked losers are dropped down a chute.

On one hand, this show could really damage to the losers' self-esteem. On the other hand, ITS FREAKIN HILARIOUS! 

Traver Rains from Heatherette is a judge!

Guess What? It's Okay Again!

Shopping your closet is officially okay again- just look at what Cher, Michelle O, and Lindsay Lohan have been up to.

The First Lady in particular seems to be striking the perfect balance. She has done away with the Laura Bush dark age of pastel skirt suits but isn't a fiending shopaholic. As Barney's Creative Director Simon Doonan so precisely worded it, "We do not want to ever feel that our First Lady is shopping her brains out like an English soccer player's wife."

Even the Lohan sisters are in on it- Ali Lohan recycled the above See by Chloe sequined top from big sister Lindsay. And guess what? It's totally okay. So dig back into those closets, dear readers- dig back deep, and you may be surprised at what you'll find.

Kate Spade and Francisco Costa?

We've all heard that Francisco Costa wanted to partner with another established designer for a new secret project, so of course the fashion world has been watching him like a hawk. So is it wrong to assume something's up when Page Six spots Costa with Kate Spade at La Grenouille?

Let's analyze the situation: La Grenouille is a fabulous French restaurant, but its Midtown location makes it perfect for a business outing, not a casual dinner between two friends. Furthermore, Kate Spade has been off the fashion radar since her little stint with Delta's now-defunct Song unit. A partnership with Francisco Costa is just what she needs.

Could Spade be Costa's new sidekick? We'll have to wait and see...

Dubai Just Got a Little Hotter

Roberto Cavalli just threw a party for his 400 closest friends in Dubai on Thursday night. The event celebrated the opening of his namesake nightspot, The Cavalli Club. The nightclub included a luxurious Italian restaurant and a sushi bar. Leave it to Cavalli to furnish yet another hot spot with his signature animal-prints.

If anyone doubts Cavalli's experience in the food and drink industry, fear not! District L has spent many days and nights at his lush cafe/bar in Florence, Italy.

Paul Wilmot wants you to know...

Luckily, Fashion Week Daily is Facebook friends with Paul Wilmot! Otherwise, we would never know....

"Paul Wilmot Had lunch in Miami with a pal at Pacific Time in the Design District...flawless. Then sat in the sun for two hours sipping Pelligrino with lemons from my tree. So beautiful here ...80's and sunny, sunny! Tonight is Art Walk in Miami and tomorrow I'm on a 10:45 AM plane to St. Barts to stay with another friend for three nights... then the end of dolce vita and work all the way until the end of the month. Life is good..."

Lagerfeld Stamp of Approval

 

...and it's latest recipient was Amelie star Audrey Tautou, who will be portraying Coco Chanel in the upcoming film Coco Avant Chanel.

After meeting with the film's director, Anne Fontaine, Karl proclaimed that Tautou was the 'only true Chanel'.

"Her celebrity is all the more exceptional at the beginning of the 20th Century as Chanel had to fight against conventions that were very paralyzing for women...this film describes the destiny of a woman; it is not only for haute couture lovers. Chanel was born with an understanding of life and women that was totally ahead of her time," Tautou weighed in on the importance of her role.

One look at her, with her gaminesque features and air of undeniably french je ne sais quoi, and we have no choice but to agree.

 

Pixie in LOVE

Pixie Geldof interns at LOVE. According to the magazine's blog, she spends her days crashing the computer system and goofing off. Unsurprisingly, her actions are laughed off in a "oh-this-is-so-Pixie" kind of way. Of course!

Bravo's "The Fashion Show" Premiers Tonight!

Tonight, Isaac Mizrahi will grace our screens once again. This time he will be hosting the much-talked-about show with Kelly Rowland and Fern Mallis. The three judges will eventually pick one lucky contestant to win $125,000 and have his or her designs in a well-know retail establishment. 

Let's see if The Fashion Show can take a cue from Project Runway and "make it work!"

Quotable

"I have always been a fan of designer partnerships with mass retailers. I think it is a great way to bring fashion to everyone. It is an exciting challenge to try and interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product with a specific international source as the focus."

Anna Sui, on her new diffusion line for Target, in an interview with WWD.

Why, Anna, why? This has got to be something like the 7th Horseman (or Horsewoman) of the fashiopolypse. The camel's back has to break eventually...

Kiefer Sutherland Hates Proenza Schouler

Actor Kiefer Sutherland allegedly headbutted Jack McCollough, designer of Proenza Schouler, at the Met Gala after-party. But we all know what "allegedly" means, right? It means that Sutherland is royally screwed for breaking Jack's nose and breaking the terms of his probation.

No one has given a reason why Sutherland headbutted the designer. Brook Shields' rep said the assault was unprovoked. The truth is, Kiefer Sutherland hates Proenza Schouler, and no one wants to admit it.

Advice: Don't Give Azzedine the Axe.

According to the New York Times blog: After Azzedine Alaia learned that his work wasn't to be included in the Costume Institute "Model as Muse" exhibition at the Met, the designer requested that the models who were to wear his outfits to the Gala event on Monday make other wardrobe arrangements. But the seven models, among them Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, and Naomi Campbell, did Alaia one better- by not showing up to the event at all.

“It would have been silly to have seven girls wearing my dresses at the party and not have anything of mine in the exhibit,” Alaia said in a phone interview.

Alaia reportedly places most of the blame on Anna Wintour, who he claims has too much control over what goes on at the Met, instead of the museum's chief costume curator Harold Koda.

Koda claims that Wintour has no control over the exhibition, and says that Alaia wasn't included in it because he didn't believe the designer would consent to be featured in a group show.

Whomever said what or has control of whatever, the fact that Alaia wasn't included in the Costume Institute Exhibition is a travesty. Tread lightly, or Azzedine will sic Naomi on your ass.

Met Recap: District L Defends

As you all know, the Oscars of the East Coast took place yesterday. This resulted in the annual frenzy that takes place after all of the photos have been posted. There were some picture perfect looks, such as Jessica Biel, Gisele, and Bee Shaffer. But the most interesting looks were the controversial outfits that have been scrutinized by fashion bloggers world-wide. It's easy to go along with the crowd, but District L goes on to defend some of the crazy looks on the red carpet.

Madonna: The short, voluminous dress in this season's favorite color, the thigh-high boots, and the finger-less gloves? This IS fashion! Yes, the elegant gowns will always be a hit, but its the risk-takers that we remember for years to come. Jezebel hated this outfit, but we certainly get it. 

Victoria Beckham: Fashion writers will always dissect Posh Spice, so her post-Gala bashing was to be expected. Her mini-dress, juxtaposed by the asymmetrical train, called focus to Victoria's Galliano-looking shoes. Of course, I would never wear them.... But then again, I have not yet been invited to the Met Ball!

 

 

Hiedi Klum: She's pregnant. This is fine... for now. 

Recession-Proof Fashion Jobs

Do you enjoy being humiliated on reality shows? Do you long to work for the most wretched boss in the fashion/PR business? Do you only boast entry-level skills? Look no further: Kelly Cutrone is looking for a new assistant to work at her New York office.

Interested martyrs should contact kc.assist@peoplesrevolution.com.

Good luck!

Costume Institute Gala Update: District L Sizes Up

Since the fashion world has been going straight to hell in a Williams & Sonoma handbasket lately, why not further fan the flames and dish out on the current sitch with the CIG?

This year, we have true cause for concern: as we already told you, one Karl Lagerfeld's oxen died and sadly shan't be fjording the Atlantic to attend. Justin Timberlake is a co-chair. Fendi didn't even book a table much less.

But it doesn't end there; while there are still some good things to come from this year's gala, there are still some rather aggregious absences and awful attendances in store- this will perhaps be one of the most interesting CIGs the industry has seen yet.

YAY: Kanye West not attending. Period.

NAY: Anna Wintour sees West Side Story, subsequently furnishes two of the unknown actors with seats.

YAY: Iman is a confirmed attendee, and will be sporting Donna Karan.

NAY: Julia Restoin-Roitfeld won't be making an appearance; we really have no clue why.

Henri Bendel Will Stop Selling Clothes

This summer, Henri Bendel will stop selling clothes and direct all of their focus on accessories. According to the Times, the department store, which was founded in 1895, will also be giving up one of its three floors. 

Another apocalyptic sign? I would think so...

2012 Came Early

We've found a new shade in fashion's apocalypstick and this time it was created by none other than our beloved Karl Lagerfeld. Karl, who is Wintour's BFFL, will not be attending the Costume Institute Gala due to "his busy travel schedule." 

So what is it, Karl? Booking a few weeks at Promises? Getting a bit of nip and tuck? Having a little quarrel with you bestie, Anna? We need to know!