Vanessa Bruno

 The Vault

Who is Vanessa Bruno? 

This Parisian fashion designer's label can be found on stars such as Nicole Kidman or on the glossy pages of Elle Magazine this past February 2011 and this can only be the beginning.


Vanessa Bruno was born into the fashion world as the daughter of 1960's supermodel and fashion designer, Emmanuelle Khanh. In 1996, Vanessa came out with her first collection under her own name at the age of 24. Since then, she has sold her collections at Barney's New York and on a number of  online shops including Net-a-porter.com and ShopStyle.com.

      The Valuables

   

Three key elements to help identify Vanessa Bruno's iconic style. 

1.     Beautifully draped garments in luxurious fabrics, wools and silks.

Fall 2010 Runway

2.  Typically very trendy

Spring 2010 Runway

 3. Lingerie or beachy influences.

Spring 2011 Runway

     The Lock

THIS SEASON at Vanessa Bruno, she embraced the '70s vibe that has been trending for the past couple of seasons. You will not go cold this winter with Vanessa's multiple cozy layers. Dreamy outerwear with sophisticated wool and luxe fur-trimmings over charming floral printed dresses. The balance between lace stockings and leather thigh-high boots brought this collection up to date with the modern woman.

Pre-Fall 2011 Runway

  The Key

celebrity-fashion.mattters.com

With the Academy Awards quickly approaching, I'm sure you are wondering if Vanessa Bruno will make an appearance?

She has already graced a few Red Carpets including the Elles' Style Awards last year (2010) on English singer and songwriter, Nicola Roberts [pictured to your right].

Be on the lookout tomorrow for a Vanessa Bruno design at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, February 27th, 2011 at 8/5pm!!!

Ralph Lauren

The Vault

The All-American man Ralph Lauren, was born on October 14, 1939 in the Bronx, New York. For over 40 years Ralph Lauren has created an elite brand embodying the classic "American Lifestyle". Without any formal fashion design experience, Ralph Lauren has built his classic American empire from the ground up. Polo, Ralph Lauren originated as a line of neckties which later retailed at Bloomingdales.

The line "Polo" was "named after a sport that embodies a world of discreet elegance and classic style". -RalphLauren.com

After only 3 years in the Industry, Lauren won his first Coty Award for Menswear. In 1971, he opened his first store located in Beverly Hills, CA along with the debut of his first womenswear line. 

Throughout the rest of the 1970s Ralph Lauren continued reign over the world of fashion. He designed all of the menswear garments in the classic film, The Great Gatsby and went to on to win even more remarkable awards, including the Coty "Hall of Fame" award for Womenswear. 

Rhinelander mansion on Madison Avenue at 72nd Street

In the 1980s, the first ever complete Home Collection by a fashion designer debuted. "The home collection combines all the elements the designer is known for: product innovation, color, exquisite, authentic detailing and an exciting lifestyle approach to home products." -RalphLauren.com  In 1986, the famed Rhinelander mansion on Madison Avenue at 72nd Street became the home to Ralph Lauren's Flagship store. The striking architecture and history of the mansion was the perfect fit to deliver the romantic and rich shopping experience Ralph Lauren aimed to provide. 

The Council of Fashion Designers of America honored Ralph Lauren in 1992 with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award and the Menswear Designer of the Year Award, as well as Retailer of the Year. With these awards, Ralph Lauren became the only designer to ever receive the CFDAs four highest awards. Throughout the 1990s "philanthropy" became an important focus for the brand. Polo Ralph Lauren provided $13 million dollars to preserve one of America's most valuable and meaningful treasures, the Star-Spangled Banner which is housed at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

In the Y2k decade, the Ralph Lauren power house took off. Ralph Lauren set off countless achievements such as opening the "RL Rugby" brand and outfitting competitors at Wimbledon and the American Olympians of 2008.

New Innovations?

-The classic Ralph Lauren Polo is now open to mass customization. Customers can now go online and select their fit, size, and color of their shirt and Polo pony logo. 

-The introduction of the first ever Rugby online fashion show took place in 2009. The online fashion show created a "VIP" experience for the customer allowing them to purchase garments directly from the runway.

~Since 1967 to present day, Ralph Lauren has had a common, steady trend throughout all of his work. He creates classic and timeless collections season after season that are not just articles of clothing but the quintessence of the feeling and lifestyle of America.~

 The Valuables

  The four most important elements to consider when identifying a Ralph Lauren piece:

1. Signature Tailoring.

Fall 2010 RTW Runway

Spring 2010 RTW Runway

2. Classic American heritage fabrics and textures- denim, florals & crisp cotton

Spring 2010 Runway

Fall 2010 Runway

3. American Region influences- Western fringe & Navajo Prints

 

Spring 2011 Runway

Spring 2011 Runway

4.  Luxe high-class elegance, velvets & silks

Spring 2009 Runway

Fall 2010 Runway

 The Lock 

  

What does Ralph Lauren have in store for us this upcoming season?

The Fall 2011 Ralph Lauren runway brings us chinese-esqe details tied together with Art-Deco influences. A black and white pallet with Dragon-Red accents. Leather, satin, and silk adorning the svelte models down the Ralph Lauren runway, clad in beaded jewelry and sophisticated, patterned accents.

Images courtesy of Vogue.com

 

 The Key

In 2011 love and commitment are in the air for the Lauren family. Ralph and Ricky Lauren's daughter, Dylan Lauren is to be married to Paul Arrouet this coming June. 

Dylan is quoted in February 2011 Vogue- "I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have my father designer the most important gown he will ever make".

Stella McCartney

The Vault

No animal-friendly designer has pulled off as beautiful or successful of collections as Stella McCartney.

Stella was born in 1971 to Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles and animal rights activist, Linda McCartney. Stella studied at Central St. Martins in London, UK and graduated in 1995. Once graduated & after putting two collections under her belt, Stella moved to Paris in 1997 and was hired as Creative Director of Chloe.

In 2001, Stella launched her own label.

In present day, Stella has now scattered the world with 7 Stella McCartney stores and 6 flagship stores in Manhattan, London, LA, Paris, Milan and Beirut. You can also find her collections in a number of specialty shops and department stores in over 50 countries.

 The Valuables

  The two most important elements to consider when identifying a Stella McCartney piece:

1. CRISP. CLEAN. POLISHED. MINIMAL.

Stella McCartney Fall 2010 RTW

Stella McCartney Fall 2010 RTW

2. Animal friendly, absolutely no leather or fur. (Instead leather-like treatments or leather-like plant derivatives are used to achieve the look)

 The Lock 

  

What does Stella McCartney have in store for us this upcoming season?

 

From the Fall 2011 Runway preview, Stella stuck to her clean-cut, polished tailored shapes. In order to play up a modern twist, she exaggerates certain proportions, particularity at the trunk of the body.  

A beautiful color pallet of navy and camel, with interesting pops of Cinnabar, Blood Red, and Pine Green.  Her collection gives off a very minimalistic and earthy vibe with the ample amount of wool coats and dresses with lacy texture or painted organic prints.

Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2011

Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2011

 The Key

What has Stella been up to lately? 

 Well with several highly successful collaborations with Adidas, Puma, and an H&M line which sold out in record time, she seems nearly unstoppable.

Stella & Adidas have been in partnership since September 2004. Her collections include garments for sports such as running, yoga, tennis, swimming, golf, and even several pieces for winter sports. 

*Be sure to look out for Stella McCartney's designs on the Olympians in 2012, as she was appointed Creative Director for the 2012 Olympics by Adidas apparel.*

Stella McCartney for Adidas

 

Christopher Kane

Christopher Kane and model in his own design

   The Vault

Scottish designer, Christopher Kane was born as the youngest of five children. Kane's  career begun during his time in college after winning the  Lancôme Colour Award in 2005. Shortly after in 2006, Kane created a Graduate Collection of his work that won him the remarkable Harrods Design Award. Along with bragging rights, Kane received 1,500 British pounds and his stretch-lace dresses were put in the front windows of the Harrods department store for a week and a half. With all the great publicity centered around his designs, Donatella Versace invited Kane to work with her on the next Versace couture collection.

 The Valuables

  The three most important elements to consider when identifying a Christopher Kane piece:

1. Iconic stretch lace & strong use of leather

Kane Runway Spring 2011

Kane Runway Fall 2010

2. 3D Texture, whether it be portrayed through embellishments, prints or both.

Spring 2009

Fall 2010

  

 The Lock 

 

Tammy and Christopher Kane

In 2006 Christopher Kane established his fashion house in partnership with his sister, Tammy Kane. Tammy's role in the label is to handle financial affairs of the business and to assist Christopher in fabric development and designing garments.

What did the brother-sister team have up their sleeve for Spring 2011?

Staying true to Kane's style, the models were adorned in colorful bright neon lace, reflecting back to the color pallet of Kane's first ever runway collection back in 2007. 

Where is the leather do you ask? Well as quoted on Style.com, "An opening passage of fluoro lace was actually perforated leather with a vinyl coating, to make it "pleather-esque," Kane said."

Spring 2011 Runway

Spring 2011 Runway

 The Key

 2006-Kane's "Golden Year"

Christopher Kane's first Vogue appearance was in the December 2006 issue of British Vogue. 

Kane was awarded the Young Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards in 2006. 

This was also the same year Kane launched a capsule collections for the trendy UK store, Top Shop.

Christopher Kane for Top Shop

Helmut Lang

 The Vault

 

A true artist.

 

Helmut Lang was born on March 10th, 1956 in Vienna and grew up in rural Austria. At the venturous age of 21, Lang was on a mission to seek perfectly made jackets and T-shirts which then inspired him to start designing his own. A few years later he officially created his own label which became fairly successful in his homeland of Austria in 1986. Because of his rapid success he then introduced his collections to Paris, and then on to New York in 1998 to tackle the United States fashion scene. The Prada Group acquired 51% of the Helmut Lang label in 1999, yet another minimalist style brand along side Jil Sander. After a few years under The Prada Group, Lang reverted back to his true love of working on raw art projects and left his label in 2005. 

Helmut Lang is currently owned by Link Theory Holdings, a Tokyo-based company which also owns the Theory. Mr. Lang himself, lives and works in New York City and on Long Island.

 The Valuables
 

Three important elements to consider when identifying a Helmut Lang piece:

1. Minimalistic, clean lines and simple color pallet

2. Wearable separates, easily to mix and match across the collection

3. Urban influence, classic pieces with severe and interesting draping

The Colovos

  The Lock 

Who took over the company in 2005?

The Helmut Lang label was then re-launched under the co-founders of Habitual, Michael and Nicole Colovos.

The Colovos' take on Fall 2011 could be interpreted as "modern chic". Their newest collection embodies urban elegance. A natural, cool, city girl-chic pallet with edgy draping and interesting hems.

Helmut Lang Pre-Fall 2011

 The Key

 No televion? No telephone? No problem.

Helmut Lang was raised by his grandparents who did not own a television or telephone. 

A few of Lang's most notable achievements: 

 ·  CFDA, Best International Designer of the Year, 1996.

 ·  VH-1/Vogue Award, Best Menswear Designer of the Year, 1997. 

 ·  New York Magazine Best Designer of the Year Award, 1998.

 ·  CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, 2000.

 ·  GQ Designer of the Year, 2004.

Helmut Lang is the first fashion designer to ever have a print ad in the National Geographic.