Valentino in designer shuffle
Valentino,rochas,alessandra facchinetti,Narciso Rodriguez,Fashion news
Valentino SS09
The spring/summer shows always seem to stir the fashion industry out of its summer torpor, and this September was no exception, with Valentino, Rochas and Narciso Rodriguez all making big announcements over the past week. Most surprising was the news from the house of Valentino that Alessandra Facchinetti, who took over from Mr Valentino after his retirement last February, is to be replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who currently design the accessories for the brand. Talk has been widespread within the industry - not exactly known for its manners - of the brutal way in which Facchinetti was ousted, with Cathy Horyn, fashion critic at the New York Times, referring to it in her blog as a "display of poor management". More sad news from across the pond, where American designer Narciso Rodriguez is to part ways with Liz Claiborne, his financial backer, after only a year and a half together, citing "not enough common ground". On a happier note, the fashion division of Rochas is to reopen following a two-year hiatus. Speculation as to who will take over from their erstwhile creative director Oliver Theyskens (now at Nina Ricci) should keep the bloggers happy for weeks to come.
See pictures from Alessandra Faccinetti\'s final show for Valentino
Picture: Alessandra Facchinetti\'s final collection for Valentino
Dita\'s birthday bash
Kylie Minogue,Dita von Teese,daisy lowe,pixie geldof,fendi,sofia coppola,alice dellal,Fashion news
Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese, who should win a medal for the amount of fashion shows she managed to attend during Paris Fashion Week, was thrown a birthday party by Fendi at Le Milliardaire club in Paris. Guests included Kylie Minogue, Christian Lacroix and Sofia Coppola (who, it has been reported, is to design a line of shoes for Louis Vuitton), with British It Girls Daisy Lowe, Alice Dellal and Pixie Geldof doubling up as DJs for the night. Coppola, who was cosily sitting in a corner with Christian Louboutin, was reported as saying that, "I\'m wearing Marc by Marc tonight, but I know not to bother [him] during the week. He\'s crazed forever and always." Dita, meanwhile, must have been relieved to take a break from the front row, happily blowing out the candles on her red, triple-tiered birthday cake from Laduree.
See more pictures of Dita Von Teese\'s birthday party
Picture: Dita Von Teese cuts the cake at her Fendi-hosted birthday party
Viktor & Rolf\'s one-woman show
viktor and rolf,shalom harlow,Fashion news,Spring Summer 2009
Viktor & Rolf
Shalom Harlow, the Canadian former supermodel and BFF of Amber Valletta, is well known for her perfect catwalk strut. So perfect, it seems, that Dutch design duo Viktor & Rolf chose her to be the only model in their spring/summer 2009 fashion show. But before you imagine the poor green-eyed supe frantically changing between her 20 exits, think again. For on this occasion, the pair, who normally show in Paris, chose to showcase their collection exclusively via their website, viktor-rolf.com. Log on, and you\'ll enter an empty hall with a sweeping staircase. The lights go up, the music begins and - hey presto - there\'s Shalom, walking up and down in the new collection, featuring romantic frills, op-art chunky heels and oversize jewellery. A fashion show without the queues, delays and tantrums? Now there\'s something we could all get used to.
Picture: Shalom Harlow models in Viktor & Rolf\'s spring/summer 2009 show
Rachel Bilson line launches
Rachel Bilson,dkny,Fashion news
Rachel Bilson
Long-admired for her fashion sensibility, Rachel Bilson has launched her first clothing line, Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans, in the US this week. Named after her grandmother and a close family friend, there is no news yet as to whether or not the line will launch in the UK. But in the meantime, fans of the former OC star can log on to dknyjeanspromo.com/edierose and watch a short film of the starlet talking through the collection, which includes stretch skinny jeans, fitted t-shirt tops and the tuxedo jacket with white piping (pictured) which was featured in handbag.com\'s Week In Style this week. The collection must be proving a hit Stateside, as a perusal of the site shows that the studded short sleeve dress in pale yellow has already sold out.
Picture: Rachel Bilson at the launch of her Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans
Frieze-inspired fashion
salvatore ferragamo,Fashion news
Clemens En August
Frieze Art Fair is these days as famous for its fashionable opening night party, which last year attracted the likes of Kate Moss and Jarvis Cocker, as the contemporary works it showcases, so it is unsurprising to hear that two fashion labels are this year celebrating the annual contemporary sale with events of their own. Salvatore Ferragamo, which with its eponymous museum in Florence has long been associated with the art world, will celebrate the opening of Frieze by transforming their Bond Street boutique into an art space for the evening, celebrating the work of emerging video artist Cecile Paris. Meanwhile, Munich-based brand Clemens en August, whose collections are not stocked anywhere, but sold only on tour twice a year in contemporary art galleries and museums, will return to London for a five-day period to sell their wares. See them at the ICA 14-15 October, followed by a stint at Rivington Place in Shoreditch until the 19 October.
Visit Clemens-en-august.com for more details.
The Cecile Paris installation at Salvatore Ferragamo, 24 Old Bond Street, W1 will be open to the public 17-23 October; salvatoreferragamo.com
Picture: Clemens en August
Topshop launches new line
Topshop,Fashion news
D.I.P. at Topshop
Fashionistas are eagerly awaiting the exclusive launch of new London label D.I.P at Topshop. The collection will bring us into autumn with seductively dark evening dresses, fine jersey t-shirts and silk tops in a dark palette of inky hues.
The real pull of the range is that each piece is individually worked, guaranteeing an item that is unique and raw, setting you apart from the rest of the fashion pack.
The pieces are embellished with dramatic detailing, such as finely encrusted twists, plaits and cobweb embroidery, hinting at a gothic theme.
With such dramatic and rebellious touches, the clothes are perfect if you are looking for a chic but bewitching outfit. Also new in store this week is Peter Jensen for Topshop collection, also available online.
Charlotte Chubb
D.I.P. at Topshop launches on 21 October, in selected stores nationwide. Prices start from £37 for a top to £48 for a dress
Picture: Dress by D.I.P. at Topshop
Shop openings defy credit crunch
Manolo Blahnik,guess,Fashion news
Guess shop interior
For those of you choosing to ignore the credit crunch, you may be interested to know that one of the world\'s leading lifestyle brands, Guess is introducing its first accessory boutiques to our shores. The iconic label, famed for their racy ad campaigns, is opening multiple sleek new stores, featuring a complete range of products for men and women including handbags, watches, jewellery, eyewear and small leather goods. The first store will be opening 10 October in the Glades shopping centre in Bromley, and the second on 17 October in the Metro Centre, Gateshead, with other store openings planned for 2009 and 2010.
If the release of the Sex And The City movie has left you needing a footwear fix, you\'re in luck - Manolo Blahnik has arrived in Dublin. Housed in Brown Thomas Shoe Rooms, this will be Blahnik\'s first European in-store boutique (his own boutique in London has been open since 1973). Blahnik\'s legendary shoes are famed for their luxurious level of workmanship married with their unique styles, so this season won\'t disappoint die-hard fans. The autumn/winter 2008 collection has been heavily influenced by warriors, with Blahnik incorporating armour and shields into his designs describing the mood of the collection as ‘medieval Amazon\'. Charlotte Chubb
Brown Thomas Dublin, T. +353 1 605 6666
Read last week\'s fashion news on handbag.com
Picture: Guess accessories boutique
