Street Style by Polka Dot vs. Elle Spain Copyright Infringement

I just wanted to thank everyone who either read this post here or this one on Jill’s blog and supported her.  As of last night, ELLE Spain finally did take down the blog post in which 4 of Jill’s photos had been used without her permission.  However, Jill has yet to receive an apology from ELLE Spain or the blogger, Carmen Bejerano, who had used the photos.  Keep showing your support and hopefully a much-deserved apology will be forthcoming.

March 11 – 13, 2011: Style Nation Blogger Meetup in Las Vegas!

If you are subscribed to the blog via an RSS Reader or service like Bloglovin‘, you may not have seen the new Badge on the right side of the site home page.  Here’s the dish:  Beverly of Style Underdog and Vahni of Grit and Glamour are coordinating a Blogger Meetup in the exciting city of “what happens there, stays there” Vegas!  There is a good chance that even I may forego my anonymity (at least partially) and attend this one!  Click below for more details:

Image via grit and glamour

Assuming I go (which I am assuming), I’d love to see you there!

Buy a Little Woolf and Help Sister Wolf

I wasn’t familiar with blogger Sister Wolf until I read about this fundraiser on Wendy Brandes’ blog yesterday.   I spent some time reading Sisiter Wolf’s blog yesterday and found myself inspired by her strength and resilience.  This remarkable woman endured a devastating loss earlier this year, and is now struggling with a roof that is on its last legs.

Wendy, together with Queens Marie and Michelle of Kingdom of Style and Kate of Make Do Style are all working together to try and raise some funds for Sister Wolf.  Wendy has offered the proceeds of sales of her Little Woolf necklace in silver.  For every Woolf sold for $50, $35 will go to Sister Wolf.

During this season of giving, think about purchasing one for yourself or as a gift!  Click below to be taken directly to the product page.

Click to buy a Little Woolf (Image via Wendy Brandes)

Nick Knight honors Alexander McQueen with Haunting Video

This beautiful video was filmed by famed photographer and videographer Nick Knight.  The clip was presented during the British Fashion Awards, where Alexander McQueen was honored with a posthumous award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design.  According to The Cut: “the clip is set to a soundtrack by Björk and features McQueen’s most iconic pieces, styled by Edward Enninful and worn by black models only.”

The video allowed the pieces to be modeled one last time before they are moved to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in preparation for a Spring exhibition of Alexander McQueen’s work.

What do you think?

The New Face of Chanel Handbags: Blake Lively

Does Chanel normally have a “face” specifically for their handbag campaigns?  Is it wrong that I didn’t realize that?  I mean, ask me who the latest face of Chanel Fragrances is and I can tell you with no problem.  I somehow missed this one.  According to E! Online, however, it looks like Blake Lively has landed this coveted gig for the new year.  A source tells Marc Malkin that:

“The Gossip Girl beauty will star in a new ad campaign for Chanel. I’m told she was just in Paris shooting for the French fashion house’s handbag collection. The ads should launch early next year…”

What do you think of Lively representing Chanel?  She certainly seems to have won the heart of Anna Wintour (and has 1, 2, 3 Vogue covers to prove it), so why not Karl Lagerfeld as well?

Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 Paris-Byzance Collection Preview

Chanel’s Pre-Fall Métiers d’Art Collection, Paris-Byzance, is inspired by the Byzantine Empire.  It is full of muted colors, rich ornamentation and striking silhouettes.  The designs are stunning and decidedly regal, but they also have just a touch of edginess to them.  I think it’s one of my favorite Chanel collections in some time.  You can check out images from the showing here, but I personally adore these preview shots which were shot by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

Image via Vogue Paris

Image via Vogue Paris

Image via Vogue Paris

Image via Vogue Paris

What do you think of the collection?  Any other Pre-Fall lines catch your attention?

Harper’s Bazaar UK: Emily Blunt in Tom Ford

I know what you are thinking.  Tom Ford.  Again.   I can’t help it.  I shared these images on twitter and facebook a week or so ago, but I had to make sure you had all seen them.  Check out this beautiful blue dress that Emily Blunt is wearing on the cover of the January 2011 Harper’s Bazaar UK.

Image via celebitchy

Karen Elson wore it in the December issue of US Vogue, but here you can see the detail of the dress even better.  Tell that that color isn’t one of the most striking blues you’ve ever seen.  Tell me the dress isn’t perfection.  Kill me now.

Image via celebitchy

To check out the rest of the Tom Ford goodies in the issue, click here.

Photography I Love:

Finally, I’ve been so busy talking about Tom Ford this and Tom Ford that lately that I neglected to mention these absolutely beautiful images.  These are from various photoshoots that caught my attention.  Click on the image to view more of each.

Alison Arboux for Kurv Magazine. Photographer: Jonathan Segade (Image via Zombie and Candy)

Alexandra Carl in Creature. Photographer: Damon Baker (Image via Zombie and Candy)

Maryna Linchuk for Vogue Turkey December 2010. Photographer: Ellen von Unwerth (Image via Zombie and Candy)

Kirsten Dunst for F/W 2010 Lula Magazine. Photographer: Autumn de Wilde. Rodarte's Laura and Kate Mulleavy guest-edited the issue. (Image via fashionologie)

Have any editorials caught your eye lately?

What else is on your mind this Whatever Wednesday?

Last minute work deadlines before the Thanksgiving holiday, combined with the holiday itself, leaves little time for blog posts this week.  Here is a quick roundup of topics to ponder  in this week’s Whatever Wednesday.

Tom Ford for…. H&M? Unlikely

I am filing this one under “rumor status” for now, but according to this article in the French Tribune, the next big designer that will follow in Lanvin’s footsteps and create a capsule collection for H&M will be Tom Ford.

In my opinion, it's unlikely we'll be seeing this logo...

Although this possibility is exciting (and, for once, I would be the first in line at H&M!), I am doubtful about the authenticity of this news. According to this December Vogue article, his newest collection will be small and exclusive, and sold only in his sixteen menswear stores, until next season. No mention of an H&M collaboration is made in US Vogue, instead we received news of a Fall makeup line launch.

When describing his new collection, Mr. Ford shares that it was designed with longevity in mind. These designs are meant to become staple pieces in someones wardrobe. In fact, the Vogue piece states:

It’s not for the Gucci girl he left behind. “At this point?” he considers. “She’d be too trendy.”

Given that, I don’t see how a collaboration with H&M would make sense. Regardless of whether the French Tribune article is fact or fiction (I call fiction!), what do you think of the idea of Tom Ford for H&M? Would you buy it?

And how unlikely is a collaboration of this caliber, given that Valentino is doing a limited collection for Gap and Karl Lagerfield is doing the same for Macy’s?

Looking for a new home in Manhattan? How about Coco Rocha’s?

Coco Rocha and her husband are selling their Manhattan digs and moving to Brooklyn. The good news? According to this New York Times article, the price on their Gramercy Park condo dropped. The bad? It’s still just a tad out of my price range at $1.59 million.

In case you missed it, the condo was featured in a Vogue spread last month. A few of my favorite shots are below. Click here to check out the rest.

Image via Vogue.com

Image via NYT (I had to sneak this one in, even though it wasn't in Vogue))

Image via Vogue.com

I wish this was my workspace. Image via Vogue.com

Shop HauteLook on Facebook

Love sample sales? I certainly do. My “Shopping I Love” page is full of Sample Sale sites that I frequent. HauteLook is one of my favorites. Their website is easy enough to use as is, but, as reported by the New York Times, now you can shop select flash sales via Facebook.

The current Flash Sale on HauteLook's Facebook page.

If you are a “fan” of HauteLook’s Facebook page, you will now see upcoming sales promoted in your newsfeed. To start shopping an upcoming sale, you must first sign on or register via a widget within the HauteLook news feed. From there you can browse, add an item to their cart, and check out without ever leaving the Facebook page. Easy.

I wonder if this type of ecommerce via Facebook will become a trend amongst other online retailers. What do you think?

Need something to do this weekend? Go see 127 Hours

This is not fashion-related, but I wanted to share anyway. A friend and I had the opportunity to go to a screening of 127 Hours last night. The film is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, a canyoneer who was forced to amputate his lower right arm free himself after being trapped in canyon by a boulder for 127 hours. The film, starring James Franco and directed by Danny Boyle, is a fascinating look at survival and human courage. I highly recommend it, but be aware that some parts are difficult to watch!

Let me know what you think if you go see it!

Karina Gubanova by Photographer Jesse Untracht-Oakner

This photoshoot is mostly NSFW (click here to view the other images) but I absolutely adore this shot. Especially the accessories Karina Gubanova is wearing – those earrings, that bracelet, that ring – I want them all!

Covetable jewelry... (image via fashionising)

For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow – Happy Thanksgiving!  May you always be surrounded by the smiles of friends, the love of family, and the happiness and joy that shopping brings

]]> http://www.beautifully-invisible.com/2010/11/whatever-wednesday-tom-ford-rumors-hautelook-news-127-hours-and-more.html/feed 12 http://www.beautifully-invisible.com/2010/11/update-no-isla-moda-for-karl-lagerfeld-or-anyone-else.html http://www.beautifully-invisible.com/2010/11/update-no-isla-moda-for-karl-lagerfeld-or-anyone-else.html#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:43:04 +0000 http://www.beautifully-invisible.com/?p=546

In early October, I shared some fascinating images of Isla Moda, the “fashion-focused resort of the future.”  Many of you commented on the exciting designs and shared that you would love to visit one day, as would I.

Unfortunately, it appears that the recent press Isla Moda has received is unfounded, as the project appears to be, for all intensive purposes, dead.  Furthermore, as I learned today, Karl Lagerfeld’s involvement ended quite some time ago.

In mid-October, numerous media outlets, including New York Magazine’s The Cut and Vogue UK, ran articles about Isla Moda stating that the resort was being designed by Oppenheim Architecture+Design in collaboration with the legendary Karl Lagerfeld.   I found the concept quite fascinating, and decided to look into it some more.  My research into the resort took me to Oppenheim’s website, where I found additional information that I shared with my readers, including a statement discussing Lagerfeld’s involvement.

Unfortunately, it turns out this information was inaccurate and outdated.

It flew under my radar, but a few days after the original story was run by The Cut, they posted an update reflecting this.  The New York Observer had spoken to Carolina Botero, a representative from Oppenheim, who shared that the project was on hold and that the renderings had leaked onto the internet without the firm’s consent (note: at the time of my original post, the images were on Oppenheim’s website for all to see). She also told The Observer that:

“The project is on hold, basically,” she said. “It’s kind of unfortunate. I don’t know. There’s not a lot going on.” With the project or in Dubai? “There’s not a lot going on anywhere.”

But, what about Karl Lagerfeld?

The Observer article makes no mention of his involvement, and every item of press I have seen regarding Isla Moda mentions Lagerfeld and the collaboration.  Isla Moda even has a Facebook page (I am guessing it is unofficial) which has numerous images of Lagerfeld on it, linking him to the now-dead-in-the-water project.

Imagine my surprise when I received an email this morning from Caroline Lebar, Mr. Lagerfeld’s Communications Director, about this very subject.

It turns out that Lagerfeld’s part in the Isla Moda project ended some time ago.

According to Ms. Lebar, in July of 2008, Karl Lagerfeld did agree to participate in the Isla Moda project.

Unfortunately, due to Dubai’s severe financial crisis, the owners of the islands were unable to fulfill their obligations under the agreement and were forced to postpone the project sine die. This is undoubtedly what Carolina Botero was trying to tell The Observer. What Botero did not mention was that, consequently, Mr. Lagerfeld put an end to his collaboration with Isla Moda’’s owners.

So not only is the Isla Moda project postponed indefinitely – Lagerfeld is no longer involved at all.

And so the Fashion Resort of the Future comes to a sad, sad end…

There is a lot to talk about this Whatever Wednesday, so let’s get right to it!

Christina Hendricks – Christinalicious

Everyone knows how much I adore Christina Hendricks (really, can you blame me?).  I came across this mystery photo shoot today, and it just about killed me.  I need to know what this is for/from. Anyone?  Bueller?  Anyone?   She looks spectacular!

All images courtesy of Oh No They Didn’t

Isla Moda: The Fashion Resort of the Future

UPDATE:  Karl Lagerfeld has put an end to his collaboration with Isla Moda.  To read more about this and find out the status of the project, click here.

Does anyone need another reason to visit the beautiful province of Dubai? If you haven’t been there yet but are dying to visit (like me!), you may want to wait until Isla Moda is completed. Isla Moda is a fashion-focused resort complex being built in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, Oppenheim Architecture+Design, and KOR Hotel Group. According to Oppenheim’s website:

“Isla Moda is a resort complex that comprises 3 hotels, and 150 residential units on a manmade island 20km off the coast of Dubai. Inspired by the floating palaces of India, and the modern day equivalent of the cruise ship, Isla Moda… evolves from an intrinsic understanding of the nuances of style and fashion, and their inextricable link to the possibilities of how life can and should be experienced.”

I want to go, please.  What do you think of the designs?

All images courtesy of Oppenheim

I heart Tim Gunn

Do you need more reasons to love Tim Gunn?  Check out the latest episode of The Thread below for his thoughts on Lady Gaga and Kate Gosselin, among others.

“Make It Work!”  Yes, Tim!

Vogue’s Fashion Night In

Have you heard the latest news from Vogue UK?  They are hosting the first ever Fashion’s Night In on Monday, November 1st, from 5pm until midnight.  According to the website, Fashion’s Night In is “a night dedicated to online shopping and events. The digital equivalent of the hugely successful Fashion’s Night Out, FNI promises to be the most stylish stay-at-home shopping experience.”

Participants include ASOS.com, Brownsfashion.com, Matchesfashion.com, My-wardrobe.com, Net-a-porter.com and SpaceNK.com.  I wonder if those of across “across the pond” will be able to participate?

You can follow @Vogue_London on Twitter for up-to-the minute updates.

Ten Times Rosie

You’ve probably all heard about and seen the images from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new book “Ten Times Rosie.” Photographer Rankin captured some amazing images of Rosie for the book. The shoot showcases the designs of Paula Thomas, founder and head designer of the luxury label Thomas Wylde.  In the book, Rosie is captured emulating 10 different personas (1 for each of Thomas Wylde’s 10 years in the industry).   I think it’s phenomenal – the book is truly a must-own for every fashion and photography lover.

For those in London, the new project will also be displayed in a new exhibition running through October 29 at the Annroy Gallery.

Here are a few of my favorite images, as well as the behind the scenes video.  What do you think?

Check out more images at Noir Facade.

Matthew Williamson finds his Muse

Image courtesy of Stylelist

I’ve always been a fan of Matthew Williamson’s designs (and loved his recent collaboration with Gossip Girl!), so I was excited to learn that he will be coming out with a diffusion line tentatively titled “Muse by Matthew Williamson” in 2011.

“[The collection] will be womenswear but all will be revealed in due course – watch this space.” Williamson told Vogue. “It just felt right – we’ve been here for 13 years and it’s time to take the label further. We’re ready for it now.”

The pricepoint for items still is high, with day dresses estimated around $475 and eveningwear around $800, but that is considerably more affordable than Williamson’s regular line. I am excited.

What’s your opinion on diffusion lines, do you love them?

Karl Lagerfield

     

“We do pay attention to it … It’s important to be aware of what they are blogging about and what’s inspiring them.  Some of the things we might have been seeing on the street are perhaps now brought to us by the Internet.”

1. I can’t stop staring at this Vera Wang dress.  LOVE the color and LOVE the design.  Gorgeous.
   
2. The Huffington Post published this great video interview with designer Stacy Lomann.  She discusses her new line and how she used crowdfunding to raise her funds and get it off the ground.