MANILA, Philippines - Fashion merry- go-rounD: Carven aPPoints new Creative Fashion shakes it up every season with a round of designer musical chairs: a rousing game of who succeeds whom at a (usually ailing) fashion house. In the latest reports, French house Carven has announced the appointment of two new creative directors, Alexi Mar- tial and Adrien Caillaudaud. Martial and Caillaudaud fall hot on the heels of Guillaume Henry, the creative force credited with reviving the storied French house to “It” brand status. Henry, in turn, moves to Nina Ricci, succeeding Peter Copping who moved to Oscar de la Renta.
Prints Charming Peter Dundas Bows Out, Possible Move to Cavalli?
Peter Dundas stepped into the role of Emilio Pucci’s creative director in 2009. He began his legacy of ‘60s-inspired romance remixed with a groovy aesthetic, transforming the house legacy of 2D prints into his own brand of sexy dressing for the jet set.
For F/W 2015, Peter Dundas presented his swansong collection for the house at Milan Fashion Week. What’s next in the cards for the designer? Rumor has it that he’s pegged to take the helm at Roberto Cavalli; a house he was worked for in the past. As of press time, neither camp has confirmed any plans or future appointments.
Christophe Lemaire for Uniqlo
The Business of Fashion reports that former creative director at Hermès, Christophe Lemaire, is slated to collaborate with the Japanese retail giant Uniqlo. Lemaire will follow the footsteps of Jil Sander, Pharrell Williams, Suno, Lulu Guinnes, Celia Birtwell and Ines de la Fressange.
Lemaire has been busy focusing on his eponymous label, Lemaire, with his design partner Sarah-Linh Tran. “We have always dreamt to work with Uniqlo,” said Lemaire and Train in a joint statement, “Uniqlo designs qualitative and made-for-all garments for everyday life. It is also our approach to fashion and the philosophy of Lemaire.”
The collaboration will incorporate menswear and womenswear for F/W 2015.
Rumor Mill: Zac Posen for Charles James
In mid-2014, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein had confirmed the licensing of the Charles James label in the wake of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” exhibition. Designer Georgina Chapman (who is the other half of New York-based label Marchesa and the wife of Weinstein) has been tapped to play creative consultant.
Rumor has it that designer Zac Posen (with his penchant for high-voltage glamour and crinoline-lined ball gowns) has been asked by the Weinstein Company to help revive the Charles James label. As far as the fashion merry-go-round goes, modern gown-master Zac Posen is the obvious fit.
In Memoriam: John B. Fairchild
Industry legend John B. Fairchild died at his Manhattan home after a long illness. He was 87.
Fairchild is credited with taking Women’s Wear Daily from a dry fashion trade publication to an international industry force. The publisher was the head of Fairchild Publications Inc., for more than 30 years, having divided his time as editor in chief of WWD and the founding editor of W magazine.
John B. Fairchild championed the careers of many young designers, chief among them; Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta and a young Yves Saint Laurent. Fairchild transformed the fashion industry from the dry and humdrum to the high-stakes, designer-driven machine we know today.
Superga launches a fresh face
What better time than spring to spring a fresh fashion face on the world? Superga just announced model Binx as the new face of their S/S 2015 campaign, hot on the heels of brand ambassadors (and really cool girls) like Alexa Chung, Rita Ora and Suki Waterhouse. The “future face of fashion” (as hailed by i-D magazine) — apart from starring in the shoot — was also involved in its creative direction, bringing her unique brand of cool to the campaign, which is launching in April 2015.
The icing on the cake? The Nashville native will also be designing a collection of four styles for Superga’s F/W 2015 — her first foray into products.
“Getting a chance to collaborate and design my own line for Superga is and continues to be such an honor. Their design team has really taken me in and let me take a huge part of this process. I have always wanted to explore other aspects of the industry and I’m so lucky to have such an amazing brand supporting me on not just the model side, but also the creative, directing and designing (sides). Which is such a dream come true for me!” says Binx of the experience.
Superga is located at Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, Central Square BHS, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Magnolia, Blue Bay Walk, Fairview Terraces, and Estancia Mall.
Rita Ora shows her stripes
Is it just us, or is Rita Ora everywhere these days? Stands to reason that if she’s out and about on red carpets and magazine covers, then brands definitely want to be on that.
The latest the singer/songwriter/actress donned? A red-and-blue striped metallic belted swimsuit from Tommy Hilfiger’s spring 2015 Hilfiger collection, immortalized for always in the soon-to-be-released video for her song Doing It, a collaboration with fellow British babe Charli XCX.