Runway to Reality: Louis Vuitton S/S 2010

Louis Vuitton S/S 2010

It hasn't even been 5 full days yet since they debuted on the runway and fashionistas are already rocking looks from the Louis Vuitton S/S 2010 collection! While the select few who actually have access to the pieces can be called lucky, they've also got to be among some of the ballsiest people I know. Marc Jacob's collection for LV was crazy! I mean come on. Shoulder bags with rabbit tails! Neon colors! Furry kitten heels! Afros!?!? Don't get me wrong, the collection was great and forward thinking but I didn't imagine that the pieces would translate from runway to ready-to-wear with such ease. I can't wait to see exactly how much influence this particular collection will have on apparel and accessory trends come Spring.

Real-life street shots from the street courtesy of Jak & Jil:

As seen on the Vuitton runway:

Word on the Street: Gareth for Dior?!?!

jumping for joy!

The rumors first began circulating earlier this year, right after Gareth Pugh held a runway show for his first menswear collection. The reviews were great and sitting front row was none other than Delphine Arnault, the daughter of LVMH chief Bernard Arnault. People began speculating what her attendance meant for Pugh: would he be picked up by LVMH? That appeared to be the most logical (and most probable) explination. However, others suggested that LVMH might be considering Pugh as a replacement for Kris Van Assche (it's no secret that his work as head designer for Dior Homme has been less than satisfactory....Hedi Slimane left very large boots to be filled). Weeks went by and the rumors eventually died down. Until now, that is! With London Fashion Week under way, sources close to Pugh are saying that he will be announcing his appointment at Dior Homme any day now. Keep 'em crossed folks!

What we can expect Pugh for Dior Homme to look like...ooohhhhhh

eLuxury calls it quits

While it usually appears that brick-and-mortar retailers "just come and go like come and go like seasons (f-e-r-g-a-l-i-c-i-o-u-s)", online sites seem to take a little bit longer to tank, probably since their margins are so much smaller. Well, news has come today that six months from now the LVMH-run online retailer eLuxury.com will be no more. Not only is this shocking because it means I will have one less place to drool over Dior Homme hi-top sneakers, it's also extremely out of character for LVMH. The luxury goods conglomerate has, until now, been the kryptonite (why did my spell check approve that word? it's not even real! but yet I get corrections for things like Vuitton, Balenciaga, and Chanel. poposturous) to this SuperRecession. Although I decided to purchase a Damier print Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 duffle bag over the holidays (economy, who?), is it possible that other people stopped? I don't know. What I do know is that eLuxury has just been put on life support....I'll let you know when they finally pull the plug (becuase you know what that means: DESIGNER SALES)!

Obituaries...

When Obedient Sons had reason to jump for joy

Yes, readers, it is with much sorrow and deep regret that I have to announce the fashion industry's most recent deaths (victims, unfortunately, of our evil recession). Remember a few months ago when I introduced you to one of my favorite magazines, New York Look? Well, it's glossy pages don't float and those beautiful shots of Lanvin and Balenciaga weren't enough to keep it above water. New York Magazine is halting production of New York Look indefinately.

Next, CDFA/ Vogue Fashion Fund nominated design label Obedient Sons and Daughters have lost all financial backing and will not be presenting a collection for F/W 2009. This is extremely sad and a real reflection of how our economy is having a devastating effect on small, independent designers who don't have a big business conglomerate (Liz Claiborne, LVMH, etc.) to fall back on. Obedent Sons and Daughters is actually the reason I was able to go to New York Fashion Week this past fall (or at least their PR agency, Nouveau, is anyway), so it's such a shame that they won't be around any longer.

While I do wish this Obituary section wasn't necessary, it doesn't look as though I'll be stopping anytime soon. So, as long as there's a fashion death to be reported I'll be giving them to you. That's all for today. R.I.P