C'est jaune, c'est moche, ca ne va avec rien ...

With true aplomb and hanseatic self-mockery Karl Lagerfeld is currently lending his image to a clever French road safety ad.
Polyglot Paris based Lagerfeld, is absolutely fluent in English, however I think he is not quite as witty as he is most definitely in German and I think also in French -- and thus I think perhaps the American public at times misses certain facets of Mr. Lagerfeld's immense persona, which led him to be an adored and I think even beloved icon in Europe.
Below a 2006 conversation between Charlie Rose & Karl Lagerfeld.



© The Charlie Rose Show

Fabulous Helmut Newton

I am currently reading the latest Jhumpa Lahiri collection of short stories and while discussing it with my friend Andrea, I came to the conclusion that honesty is probably the most important quality for an artist and the creative process.
Which leads me to (the late) Helmut Newton. I always liked and often loved the work of Helmut Newton, I do not find his work offensive. As time has passed I think his portrayal of women seems much kinder than what we are fed today and even his critics might have to concede to that.
What I like about the work is the audacity and the honesty.
Mr. Newton photographed what he was interested in, what he knew - and did so without apology and with much frankness.
I recently watched Helmut Newton: Frames from the Edge which I recommend and today I read James Danzinger interview with Mr. Newton (to be found on Mr. Danzinger's excellent blog The Year in Pictures), which is well worth reading. It is a revealing exchange and to me shows a man of great heart.
Mr. Newton's imagery no doubt informed my visual repertoire as his imagery was ever present while I was growing up in Germany & France. Along with the recently deceased Yves Saint Laurent, and contrary to frequent criticism, Mr. Newton helped me develop a sense of a modern & strong woman.


Vintage YSL - reminder of the famous 'woman in
smoking' image in French Vogue 1975 ©Nina Corvallo

Scott Schuhman in India

I mentioned earlier that Scott Schuhman AKA The Satorialist has been travelling in India -- and the great captures keep coming.
Take a look here: http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/search?q=new+dehli
Really exciting work!

Thierry Le Goues

It is my understanding that Thierry Le Goues photographed the Hermes ads I posted about yesterday. I had always seen Le Goues work here and there; and a few years back I bought his monogram titled "Popular". I love his sense of color and how soft yet hard his images can be . When I was pondering the wider implications of the Hermes ad yesterday, I decided to revisit Le Goues' work. He has a very comprehensive website: www.thierrylegoues.com which I much enjoyed browsing through. No doubt Le Goues has a conventionally male approach in his vision. He does produce visually stunning (commercial) work and one suspects he greatly enjoys life -- or so his imagery leads you to believe. The work is never boring and I do think he really is among the best in this genre. Do check out the following portfolios on his site: "Antik Batik 3" and "Popular".

Hermes, Lakshmi Menon, Two Elephants, A Horse & Lots of Marigold

The current Hermes Print Campaign, featuring beauty Lakshmi Menon is visually exquisite. You can see the Ads on Fabsugar.


e-card via www.orangehermesetroseindien.com courtesy Hermes

update: if you read the comments on fabsugar, you can see that some people find these ads offensive. They feel the depiction of any non-Caucasian woman with exotic animals can be construed as negative. I personally do not see the ads this way , but do respect that opinion. I do think that Lakshmi Menon and other models such as Liya Kebede are not necessarily more objectified than any other model -- and I enjoy seeing them in editorials and ads and I do think their presence helps present more diversity. But again maybe this is something that has to be looked at on a case and by case basis and surely this also has to do with the worldview of the beholder. When I look at these ads I also sympathize with the people who voiced their concern in regard to the animals. I do not think this shoot was harmful for them, I think how they generally are treated might be more of interest.

La Tennis Bensimon

I love comfortable and practical shoes. Long only available in France, Bensimon's comfortable kicks will soon at last be available on this side of the big pond. In the mean time take a look here: www.bensimon.com. I love the classic high tops but would love some of the limited editions for the summer too. Read some more about these canvas (ergo vegetarian) shoes here. Nylon says iconic Jane Birkin and La Bardot both are fans, as is the always stylish Kate Moss.

Letter from Ibiza - Mert & Marcus

Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott are an extraordinary photographic team , who have produced some of the most stunning fashion work this decade -- most notably when they work(ed) with Kate Moss. One of my all time fashion stories is the one they shot for Vogue UK in 2002 titled "Castaway". You can take a look at it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEahLmIH9FM
-- to whomever posted this video: great choice of music ;)
The New Yorker's Nick Paumgarten visited Messrs Piggott & Alas at their house in Ibiza in 2004 and wrote about it in his article "The Shoot". Still interesting to read today.

Atonement

While we are on the subject of fashion, I wanted to mention the green dress that Keira Knightly wore in "Atonement". This really lovely dress was wonderfully conceived for the character but also for Ms. Knightly's physique. The talented Jacqueline Durran designed it, and is receiving lots of accolades for it: The dress was voted best film costume and Ms. Durran is nominated for an Oscar. Deservedly so, as the costumes throughout the movie were beautifully imagined and executed. Apparently the public at large is equally enthusiastic about this dress and while one of the original dresses (they made a couple for the movie) is up for auction for charity, an imitation is also available to order. But if you go that route be prepared to put yourself on a waiting list, because the demand is that great.
I love strong yet sophisticated color, floor length dresses, a comfortable but clever cut and delicate material -- and Ms. Durran's dress has it all. I hope she wins an Oscar. Also outstanding in "Atonement" was the cinematography by Seamus McGarvey who is meritoriously nominated for an Oscar as well. But I am still also rooting for Roger Deakins to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for his work in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford".

Ready-to-Wear 2008

Today is the end of fashion week in New York. I must admit I did not pay much attention. However while I was in Italy last, I did grab the Marie Claire Spring 2008 runway report. I love the collection of Roman born Paris based Giambattista Valli. I read on style.com that he was inspired by 'Veruschka in her desert mode' for his Spring 20o8 Ready-to-Wear collection and I can definitley see the amazing countess in these modern yet bohemian clothes.
I love the kaftans, the sheer material and the use of (sometimes layered) hot pink & canary yellow with white; the simple black pieces (hey, I am a New Yorker!) with clunky turquoise jewelery (-- who cares what those SITC girls think about turquoise jewelery!).
The Roberto Cavalli's Spring 2008 collection is beautiful too.
The clothes look comfortable and elegant, and I love the white lace batiste dresses, especially floor-length ones.
It's sexy hippie chic.
I still miss Jil Sander at the helm of Jil Sander. However I like Raf Simons use of hot pink and again these are simple comfortable cuts. Lanvin also has some very generous and comfortable cuts with bold colors (more dresses celebrities can hide their pregnancies in ;) or one would want to wear on an island or in the desert).

The Satorialist at Danziger Projects

Oh I have been waiting for another excuse to post about
The Satorialist. I just love his blog: thesartorialist.blogspot.com. So here it is: Through February 23, 2008 The Satorialist's finds will be on view at Danziger Projects in Chelsea.

Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang is such a gifted designer and I miss seeing his collections. For those who want a taste of Mr. Lang there is the "Never Ever After" exhibit at "The Journal" to visit.

Ryan Green Designs

Ryan Green is a Brooklyn based designer creating bags, tees, accessories and home goods. Her contemporary designs are animal and eco friendly --and mostly manufactured in Brooklyn. One of her newest designs is a yoga mat bag. I particularly love the one with the "Wildflowers" pattern.

Catherine Servel

Take a look at the work of my friend, New York based, French born Catherine Servel.
Much fashion photography currently lacks craft & ambition ; but the elegant, feminine and sometimes whimsical work of Catherine is an homage to great photography and it celebrates style.


in the forest © Catherine Servel

Catherine's color palette is distinct and exquisite. Her imagery re-appropriates & recycles cultural symbols & icons, creating a modern interpretation of beauty.


past & present © Catherine Servel

The Sartorialist

Great global people & fashion watching on: www.thesatorialist.blogspot.com.

If you go through the archive you will find great impromptu shots of an 'Elegant Biker, Paris', 'Left Bank' chic ; practical but tasteful Soho style, and lots of other portraits of stylish & creatively dressed people from all around the world in all age groups. There is also a 'favorite' section worth checking out. Lots of my favorites were taken in Paris.

More Ingwa; Melero

Today I was outbid on a very lovely 'vintage' Ingwa; Melero top.
And with it went my plans for my outfit for my friends
Andrew & Jeff's fabulous B&W-attire-(Harlequin-masks-optional!) themed-end-of-year/holiday party.
In any case here are some images of this fantastic piece --ahh it makes me want to learn how to crochet!


if you see this somehwere, let me know! © for the design Ingwa; Melero

Bikini Time

It's that time of the year when lots of sample sales are going on. Malia Mills has one coming up:

December 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2007
10 - 7pm.
263 W. 38th Street, 16th floor.
Credit Cards and Cash accepted!

Ingwa ; Melero

Some time ago I fell in love with a dress that I saw in in the window of the now defunct Calypso 'Vintage' Store (Christiane Celle's Calypso is of course still going strong, but I miss the particular set up of the 'Vintage' store) .
My husband gifted me the dress and I still love it and since have also acquired it in a different color.
The designer was Ingwa ; Melero . Turns out Ingwa ; Melero are two women my age who also hail from the North of Germany . They have said that they draw much inspiration from craft books that their moms referenced when they were children and I suspect we share a similar aesthetic based on similar childhood impressions -- thus possibly the reason why I respond so much to their clothing.
What is great about their dresses in particular is that they work for many different body types and really celebrate all women.
They have a sample sale going on through Saturday at: 325 West 38th Street-- Cash Only!

Grey Gardens 'Renaissance'

Drew Barrymore is starring as Edith 'Little Eddie' Bouvier Beale (yes, Bouvier as in Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, but that is really secondary) in an adaption of the cult classic documentary Grey Gardens. If you haven't see the original documentary you should. It is definitely worth seeing.
Harper's Bazaar also recently published a fashion story featuring Mary-Kate Olsen and Lauren Hutton that was inspired by Grey Gardens.