Valentino Oscar Buzz

It was bound to happen. With all the fashion films this season, SOMEbody in the fashion biz had to get nominated for an Oscar.

While the official noms won’t be out until February, Santa isn’t the only one making a list and checking it twice these days.

Valentino: The Last Emperor, the wonderful film directed and produced by Matt Tyrnauer about the lives of Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, is the only fashion film in the 15 Documentary Features short list for the Oscars next year.

There are short lists and shorter lists and eventually it will lead to the five contenders good enough to be on the list of nominated docs.

Ms. Wintour is undoubtedly happy for her friend, but likely a little bemused that her doc, The September Issue – the talk of the season – didn’t make the list.

Incidentally, there is also much oscar buzz on the other fashion film fence aussi. Both Colin Firth and Tom Ford are also touted as golden statue recipients to be, for their respective roles as lead and Director in Ford’s A Single Man.

If you haven’t seen any of these films, get thee to a theatre. You are missing fashion history.

Images courtesy of http://www.valentinomovie.com.

Alexander Wang for Net-a-Porter

One of the designers of the moment, Alexander Wang, has designed a capsule collection for online retailer, Net-a-Porter.

The pieces pay homage to the ’80s, biker chic and some may even be a little bit goth.

No need to line up – just get online. Do it quick, because some of the best pieces are already sold out.

No one will call you a style slouch with this bag on your shoulder!

Alexander Wang's suede and knit moto zip jacket...

...with removable sleeves. Perfect for Toronto weather, no?

I've been lusting after a grey bag for some time now. This might be The One.

Just what I've always wanted - lots of studs on my arm.

Speaking of studs...a new take on the tuxedo pant. And they are skinnies, so obviously, on my list.

From studded to sultry...draped satin-jersey gown by Alexander Wang.

And then there's just Screaming Sexy. Wang's croc-print leather jacket for Net-a-Porter. Before you click away, it's sold out.

All images from Net-a-Porter.

Erdem to get eMOTIONal at the V&A

The Victoria & Albert Museum is hosting their next Fashion in Motion event on December 11th.

The star of the show? None other than Montreal’s very own, Erdem Moralioglu.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be showing at the V & A. Since my student days is has been one of my favourite museums and I even showed my very first collection here.”          – Erdem Moralioglu

Fashion in Motion is a series of live catwalk events at the V&A to bring couture to the common/everyday fashion lover, featuring some of the greatest modern designers du jour. The last show featured Giles Deacon.

This show will likely give us a look through Erdem’s past, present and future. Here are some looks from his Fall 2009 collection…

Erdem Moralioglu printed babydoll dress for FW09

Erdem is no stranger to London – he studied at the Royal College of Art, graduating in 2003. He worked for Diane von Furstenberg for a New York minute, before returning to the birthplace of Mods and Punk Rock, to launch his own line in 2005.

Erdem Moralioglu's layered prints, FW09

Blurred beauty at Erdem Moralioglu FW09

Getting dressed was never so easy. Erdem Moralioglu FW09

He is obviously inspired by artists from Monet to Degas to Kandinsky. The fusion of florals and blurred beauty is deliberate and intricate, but the results are simple.

These dresses are easy to put on, easy to wear and easy to carry.

Scoop, there it is. Erdem Moralioglu FW09.

A little detail in the right place. Erdem Moralioglu FW09.

It doesn’t matter if you are going to the opera, to a cocktail party or on a romantic tryst.

A little Russian and a little French, all at once. Erdem Moralioglu FW09.

Modern cheongsam? Erdem Moralioglu FW09.

His dreamy dresses and positively pristine prints make you glad to be a girl.

Glamour, fully zipped at Erdem Moralioglu FW09.

Admission to Fashion in Motion is FREE but booking is essential.

Tickets will be available to book from Monday November 30th. Call the V&A at: 0207 942 2820.

We’ll, of course, have the post-event pics posted in this space!

Erdem FW09 collection images from Style.com.

Fashion Night Countdown

It’s Friday at last!

TGIF. Thank God, It’s Fashion Night!

Us fashion girls are late this season, but like B says, it’s never too late to talk fashion! Could it possibly top the last?

Not sure what I’m talking about? Take the FN101 course first.

Lots on my agenda:

• My re-obsession with gothentic things. Not sure it ever left, actually.
• Ruby and raspberry and russet.
• White shirt + jodhs + vest. Discuss.
• Who’s left in the non mainstream?
• The menswear shoe.
• The Indian influence on pants this season.
• Paris

Jyotika's Fashion Night Agenda

B’s list will likely include a few of these:

• I think I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese. I really think so, think so, think so, think so…
• Kinda couture – the dress, evolved. Liberty prints, here I come!
• Doc Ms
• Fashionable celeb recipies
• I’m guessing the above and am not privy to the rest of her list as yet – what would be the fun?

Full recap after the event!

God bless Fashion Night!

Esquire or Esquared?

Everyone knows I have a bit of a magazine habit. Call it a weakness for words and pretty pictures. I love collecting special issues and drop in regularly to see my friends at Maison de la Presse.

Imagine my delight upon seeing this on a recent visit: the Chinese edition of Esquire magazine.

Esquire Magazine: the boxed set.

Ooh, a gift box for me? You totally should have!

It really was like opening a present, with a multitude of layers.

Esquire Magazine, Chinese Edition

And after all that de-layering, a reward: great features inside.

No, I don’t read Chinese…but I can enjoy the pretty pictures!

(I know, I know the packaging was excessive…but I am keeping the box + mag and the plastic is now recyclable where I live! And I brought it home in my Envirosax bag.)

Mrs. O Shanti Om

That Michelle Obama is one smart cookie. Well, one smart biskut actually (that’s biscuit pronounced the desi way).

We know the woman is brilliant for a multitude of reasons – in all matters from politics to fashion. Perfection arrives, however, when she combines the two seamlessly (pun intended).

She did so, quite astutely this week, during the visit by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur to the White House. At the first State Dinner hosted by the Obamas, the First Lady wore American-based Indian designers.

During the day at a luncheon, she wore one of her infamous J. Crew cardis – albeit a Bollywood-esque, bejewelled one – with a taupe skirt by American desi designer, Rachel Roy.

First Lady Michelle Obama hosts a presentation to young women earlier in the day. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert.

Not only did she honour the PM and his wife by choosing to wear an Indian designer, she hushed any potential criticism by supporting the economy of her home country by choosing a US-based one. All of this, while continuing to support off-mainstream designers to make them household names. There are housewives in the Midwest eBaying Rachel Roy as we speak! I also loved the jumble of pearls and accoutrements on her wrist – very maharani moderne.

A class act, all the way. Photo by Mandel Ngan/Getty Images.

Then, there was the golden Naeem Khan number the Mrs. wore to the State Dinner – again, sticking with a US-based Indian designer.

Golden Couple at the State Dinner. Photo by REUTERS/Jason Reed.

Greeting PM Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Photo by AP Photo/Charles Dharapak.

That dress certainly made her stand out and establish her place as the hostess, but it didn’t take away from Gusharan Kaur’s classic South Indian sari (love that palloo - so regal!). Both women were able to maintain their grace and their individual personalities, I thought.

What was interesting to me were those that paid their respects to the guests of honour by wearing a touch of India.

White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers arrives in shades of pearl. Photo by REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst.

Katie Couric and Brooks Perlin. Photo courtesy of Huffington Post.

Writer, Jhumpa Lahiri and Alberto Vourvoulias. Photo courtesy of Huffington Post.

Others missed the opportunity. Shame.

Even the tables turned it out for the occasion, in leaf green raw silk. The colour of the flowers echoes the colours of the peacock – the national bird of my Motherland.

Fashionable table. Photo by AFP/Mandel Ngan.

The walls were also lined with magnolias – a flower native to both the US and India. Well played, indeed, by some very gracious hosts.

A little grace goes a long way. AP Photo/Susan Walsh.

I know that my invitation will arrive late – in Indian Standard Time. But had it arrived when it was supposed to, my ensemble would have been a toss-up between my mom’s patola sari…

An example of a classic patola print - a double ikat.

…or anything by my soul sister Anamika – maybe even the dress I didn’t get for Diwali.

Marooned

I’m stranded on a desert island, filled with pretty things to wear, all in my favourite colour.

I first saw a glimpse of it at Lanvin…

B

Luscious at Lanvin SS09

It was a Spring teaser. Then came the Louboutins.

But now that Jenny from the (Upper East) block has literally fallen on her Louboutin assets while singing about them, we may have to declare the era of the red sole Ovah, with a screaming thud and a capital O!

Like a fine, French Bordeaux at Nada, FW09.

At Nada, the mood darkened but our spirits heightened. Classic bordeaux. Who could resist it? Certainly not I. And not Mila – wearing Monique L’huillier at the 2009 Emmy Awards, standing far apart from the LBD masses.

Mila Kunis opting for more than a little black dress at the Emmys. Photo by Matt Sayles/AP.

However, perfection is when liquid maroon silk drapes every inch, like this divine dress by Haider Ackerman.

Haider Ackerman FW09

Even when worn head to toe, there is no monotony in maroon, my dears. It’s just plain mah-vellous.

Image sources: Lanvin and Ackerman photos, Louboutins, Mila photographed by Matt Sayles/AP, Nada runway shot by Angela Y. Martin.

Fashion Nibble: Luxury for Sale

Speaking of sales and spring cleaning, someone else is cleaning house.

That someone is retail mogul, François-Henri Pinault and the sale is at PPR.

And not in the way that you think.

The empire that consists of Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga and more, is selling off a few pieces.

Stop desperately trying to find potential last-offs on eBay already.

The plans include disposal of retail businesses with low margins. They are keeping the focus on luxe brands for clothing and accessories and on Puma, the sportswear company. Plus, Pinault wants to build his mid-market brands and has a few targets in mind.

He’s just keeping them under his haute hat for now.

-With files from Vogue UK and the Financial Times.

YSL Sale Sets Record

Okay, you know how I said that some of the items in the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge auction catalogue were appraised at affordable?

I meant affordable in a millionaire-ish sort of way.

The auction last week raised 8.9 million euros – that’s a lot more in Canadian dollars, by the way, and three times what Christie’s had anticipated.

The first auction in February, raised 370 million euros for AIDS research.

Guess Berge has a lot more room now…

-With files from Reuters.

Rei Rocks Tokyo with Beatles Launch

We first told you about the Comme des Garcons and Beatles collaboration in September. The launch party for the line was held last week in Tokyo at Trading Museum, a new concept store by the masterminds at CDG, chiefly, Rei Kawakubo.

The designer was hanging with the likes of one Yoko Ono – both dressed to match, natch in ultrablack, no doubt.

Can’t wait for the pics of the products, come Saturday. I’ve seen that one bag with the green apples, but didn’t think it was spectacular. Hope the next lot has some juicy things to share. More to come…

Image courtesy of WWD.

All I want for Christmas is… Mini Karl!

Dear Santa:

I  know that I don’t officially celebrate Christmas. So technically, I’ve never asked you for anything.

Getting to the point…I have only one thing on my list this year…

The Karl tokidoki doll. Could you please pick one up on your way through Paris? It’s available at Colette. Thank you!

Love and chocolate chip cookies (organic, homemade ones!),  Jyotika

Just what I've always wanted...a Karl Lagerfeld action figure!

Karl - ready for any fashion emergency!

“I am very flattered that I became a tokidoki, I always loved them and I am happy to be one of them” – Karl Lagerfeld

Simone Legno of tokidoki with Uncle Karl

Mini Karl, in the infamous mannequin pose of Real Karl

Images courtesy of tokidoki.

Déjà Vu: Skirting the Issue

While many modern women can be said to wear the pants in the family these days, there seems to be another issue we’ve been skirting around. Men – in skirts.

Scotsmen have always donned their traditional kilts but skirts for men are becoming more visible…again.

It was very punk rock in the ’80s to have one – or know a guy who wore one. I remember picking up this issue of The Face magazine and thinking how sexy the spread was. It’s still one of my fave features of all time.

The Face magazine, November, 1984

I had forgotten all about it, until I went to a mind-blowing lecture at the ROM years ago. Andrew Bolton (rockstar costume curator at the Met) was a visiting speaker and discussed the finer points of the origins of menswear. I spoke with him afterwards and referenced the magazine (since he had spoken about men in skirts also) and instantly, he knew which issue it was from.

I must find a way to reconnect with Mr. Bolton. We clicked instantly – he – in his white shirt, forest green tweed jacket, black jeans, Westwood skull tie and police boots; me – in dark jeans, forest green tweed knee-length suit jacket, olive Kelly-esque bag and brown Costume National boots. It was a moment in the YouTube of my fashion memory. I am still sorry I missed that dinner afterwards.

But I digress…

Andrew B actually wrote a wonderful book on the subject – entitled Bravehearts: Men in Skirts – and the exhibition was shown at the V&A in London, in 2002 as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, in 2004.

The cover of Bravehearts: Men in Skirts by Andrew Bolton

Street kilt by Uth from the Men in Skirts exhibition

Men's sarong by Philippe Dubuc at the Men in Skirts exhibition in 2002

I remember being at a fashion event in Toronto and Philippe Dubuc actually wore this sarong. Again, the words, drop dead sexy came to mind. It helps that he’s 6’35″ and has French charm – knot to be tried at home, kids.

So all of these things were in my memory, until I came across this spread in Vogue Hommes Japan recently.

Neo punk in Vogue Hommes Japan, Fall 2009

And while I’m not a huge fan of Marc Jacobs ( I know, I know, I’m the only one – I don’t get his stuff at all), I do like his new look and he has been strutting around lately with a variation of this kilt/sarong. It looks great on him and he is cheeky enough to pull it off.

MJ, skirting NYC fashion laws.

Funny, don’t you think, that he’s carrying a Birkin and not an LV bag?

Then, of course, there is the master tailor Lee McQueen, who perfects the man skirt.

Alexander McQueen menswear show, Fall 2009

By layering it over pants, it looks almost like a blacksmith’s apron from a bygone era – a dark one. It’s one of the three elements in his version of the three-piece suit.

Perfet for the modern man, but oh, how I’d love one. Hey, equal rights and all that!

Image sources: The Face cover, courtesy of Daniel Gray, two exhibition photos courtesy of Richardzzz, book cover, Vogue Hommes Japan, Marc Jacobs, McQueen menswear.

Want more men’s fashion? See another Fall look and some Spring things from Mr. McQueen. Not quite punk rock, but very New Wave at Burberry – parts one and two. And, well if you are Prince, you can wear just about anything, can’t you?

GQuon nahi?

Why not, indeed?

Why not put the most handsome man in India on the cover of the desi version of GQ?

Arjun Rampal on the cover of GQ India, August 2009

If Arjun Rampal looks natural in front of the camera, it’s because he modelled before hitting the bari screen of Bollywood. He was discovered in a discotheque (nightclub on this side of the world) by Indian fashion designer, Rohit Bal. It wasn’t until 2001 that he appeared in his first film.

He now not only acts, models every once in a while, runs a restaurant in Delhi and a production company with his Miss India/supermodel wife in this life, Mehr Jesia.

With all due respect, Mrs. Rampal, he’s mine in the next life.

[GQ is only one of a flurry of western publications to hit India recently. Read about other Mags of the Motherland.]

Images courtesy of GQ India.

Head for Red

If two heads are better than one, then two redheads are glorious.

Especially when you mulitply the fashion rockstar status by two and add the Brit factor.

I loved this photo of Vogue CD Grace Coddington and model, Karen Elson taken at the the CFDA awards the other night. It’s not a spectacular photograph – but a great fashion moment captured. Just look at the expression on their faces.

Photo courtesy of Style.com.

The Sale of the Century

Style never goes out of style. Not even when it’s left this world.

Yves Saint Laurent was a man of style, sophistication and exquisite taste. And while he may have left us, he has left material reflections of that taste and style behind…

The second auction of his and Pierre Berge’s objets d’art, furnishings and other visual delights is being held by Christie’s in London, as I write this. Proceeds from the sale, which runs until November 20th,  will go to HIV research, to help the fight against AIDS.

Material Men: Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Berge

Flipping through the catalogue is like being invited into the private lives of these fashion icons. Whether it’s the ornate drama of the multitude of sculptures, the breathtaking Asian antiques, the fury of the black and white Leger painting or the colour in the Miro, you can see where the legendary designer got some of his inspiration.

Objects from the first Christie's auction in February, 2009.

He surrounded himself with beauty, in its many forms, and gave us his translation of it each season.

Some items up for grabs this time around.

While many of the items have moderate appraisals and are relatively affordable, I find it enough to just look at them from afar.

Owning a piece feels like an infringement, an invasion into his life somehow. He was such a private man, after all.

Images courtesy of Vanity Fair and Apartment Therapy.