LAST LOOK AT GIVENCHY COUTURE ON THE RUNWAY

WWD reported today that the French fashion house would forgo its couture runway presentations in lieu of private appointments in their couture salons on Paris’s Avenue George V.

Most fashion blogs have covered this from the “so much for the democratization of fashion” angle. And the house’s couturier Riccardo Tisci and his boss Pierre-Yves Roussel told WWD that the change was not a cost cutting measure, and in fact, [the private appointment format] “would cost them about 35 percent more than staying with runway presentations.”

Roussel says the economic downturn inspired Givenchy to try to bring back the private and exclusive nature of couture clothing, instead of splashing it around for the world to see. “After a crisis, a new era always starts,” [Tisci] added. “It’s going to be a very good moment for creativity. For couture, it’s going to go back to being very exclusive.”

BAH-LONEY. Unfortunately I have to call bs on this one. Although the private shows could very well be the beginning of a trend for couture houses, there are pr spin footprints all over this. What is more likely is that the money that they will actually SAVE from not producing these shows be put towards LIVE STREAMING their ready-to-wear next season and boosting their social marketing outreach, thus actually producing the opposite effect of “going back to being very exclusive”. 

Just a hunch, but time will tell. And if so, good for them. At least they won’t be another Christian Lacroix. Brands are starting to realize that they need to put money where they have the ability to make it, which in this, and most cases these days, is ready-to-wear and accessories.

Posted by: Francine Ballard

RACHEL ZOE IS A VIRGO JUST LIKE TOM FORD. Oh yeah and she’s launching a clothing line too..

As if having an already hugely successful career, and the cutest husband (with the best hair- sorry Chad) wasn’t enough, WWD now reports that as we all witnessed on season 2 of RZP on Bravo, our favorite celebrity stylist is now dipping her toe into the fashion designer pond.

Nothing is designed yet, but Zoe, who is in the process of hiring a design team, said, “You will definitely see me in the clothes. Like, you will absolutely see my trademark pieces. I’ll definitely do faux furs and incredible leather jackets and great trousers. But I’m catering to a broader audience.”

And the biggest news of all? Rachel Zoe Project will be back for Season 3 on August 3rd with Brad and Rodger, but sans Taylor. Bananas- and we can’t wait.

Posted by: Francine Ballard

[Via WWD]

WWD LIGHT: EYE SCOOP LAUNCHES TODAY

If you’re interested in following the fashion community from the inside, but don’t want to pay $200 for a subscription to Women’s Wear Daily, now you don’t have to. Today the brilliant minds at Fairchild bring us EYE SCOOP- a more consumer oriented (and free!) section of WWD.com.

Let me break it down for you- go to “Parties” and see your fave designers on the scene, then find out where you need to be that month. They’ve listed all the cool fashion events for you.. YES this is something we’ll be stealing (or “borrowing”- ahem..) from them on a regular basis. Plus there’s tons of fashion fluff and news from the regular issue, including our own self-interested obsession- “Memo Pad” with news from the Publishing industry.

Posted by: Francine Ballard

Photo courtesy, WWD

THE NEW FASHION POWER JOB IN NYC: DIGITAL FASHION EDITOR

We must admit, we follow Women’s Wear Daily above all other news sources, but this time they listened to us. As a follow up to the announcement of Caroline Tell going to Michael Kors (DS covered exclusively a few weeks back), WWD featured this piece today.

It’s an interesting read for those of you who are as deep down the digital rabbit hole as we are here.

DO TELL.. MEET MICHAEL KORS’ NEW DIGITAL EDITOR, CAROLINE TELL

The former Accessories Market Editor at WWD jumps into cyberspace with both feet this week at Michael Kors, and DS is there to hear about her move first-hand. Here, our exclusive interview:

DS: What prompted your decision to leave WWD? That must have been tough! We should note here, that you pretty much had what many people would consider a “Dream Job”..

CT: When this opportunity at Michael Kors presented itself, I knew I had to see where it could go. I spent the last five years as a fashion editor, most recently at WWD, but was finding myself more and more interested in the burgeoning “social” side of the industry and, like everyone else, knew that this was the future of fashion and media. I knew I had to take a chance and challenge myself in a completely new space.

DS: What are you being tasked to accomplished as Digital Editor at Michael Kors?

CT: At the very basic level, I want to bring Michael and his voice and the visual “world of Michael” to his fans and consumers in the social media community. By connecting with them in an engaging, intimate way, we can further distinguish our brand message, drive business to our stores and bolster our e-commerce business. I think my editorial background plus my understanding of the brand will help lead us into this exciting, growing space.

DS: What are your personal favorite blogs/sites?

CT: I have to shout out WWD.com for its all-access, democratic approach to fashion reporting. I like reading Fashionista.com for its sense of humor and for its ability to recognize when fashion is being just plain silly. I think Refinery29.com has been offering great street style before the entire “street blogger” trend blew up. Newyorkmagazine.com’s “The Cut” has shown how a magazine can offer diverse content online and not lose itself in the process.

DS: This is somewhat of a “homecoming” for you, but did anything surprise you on your first day?

CT: I was surprised and touched at how many people remembered me and welcomed me back, considering I left five years ago. It really is like a family here.

DS: Have you met with Michael yet? What is he like in person?

CT: Unfortunately I have not yet met with Michael since I started yesterday and he left today for a PA in San Francisco. But I look forward to picking his brain on our participation in the social media space. However, I did have the great fortune of meeting with him while I was at WWD on many stories and interviews. I’d sit there thinking, ‘how is it that I’m here in Michael’s office interviewing him? Shouldn’t I be unpacking samples down the hall?”

DS: Do you have a favorite handbag or accessory designer?

CT: You mean aside from Michael?? I love all of Michael’s footwear - from Collection to Kors to Michael Michael Kors.Outside of the company, the fashion editor in me is loving Alexander Wang’s handbags and my Proenza Schouler PS 1 bag is an all time favorite, as is anything by Miu Miu. Jerome Dreyfuss and wife Isabel Marant are creating that “new luxury” middle ground. Costume jewelry is also a great category to watch these days. I love anything by Alexis Bittar, Philip Crangi and Janis Savitt.

posted by: FDB

photo: Pasha Antonov

Have you ever wondered what the Publisher of LUCKY magazine looks like?

Well wonder no more because here she is.. at least until MONDAY when she starts her new job as the CEO of Fairchild publications (you know.. WWD— our Bible!). And although these two may look like sisters, they are not from the same family- unfortunately for Francine (Ballard of DesignerSocial- featured here, right). Gina is a Newhouse.. as in Si Newhouse who owns Advance Publications, the parent company of Conde Nast (ie Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Lucky etc..).

She will most certainly be missed at Lucky (we hear it’s a dark week there), but we think she will KICK BUTT over at the holy fashion land. Gina- do us proud! We live for our Accessories Supplement!!

-As of this post, Gina’s successor at Lucky had not yet been named.

As reported today by WWD, Subversive’s Justin Giunta will be the new Design Director of Jewelry for Tory Burch. The seven year old label has met with considerable commercial success in it’s own right by subscribing to a self-proclaimed edict of “more is more”. His first collection for Tory will debut for holiday-resort this year, and his unique, handcrafted, collage-y design aesthetic should lend a much needed synergistic edge to the ubiquitous “teetering on mass” fashion label.

posted by FDB: DesignerSocial