May 10, 2005

Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta was launched as a family business of luxury leather accessories in Venice back in 1966, and today designs both a men’s and women’s ready-to-wear line.

German-born Tomas Maier took the helm in 2001 and revived the flagging brand by injecting a more modern feel and reworking the traditional woven leather signature.

At $3,000 a pop for a bag, expect to see classic clean lines, the softest leathers, and a classic palette rather than trend-driven designs. Bottega is most known for its hand-woven leather bags, belts, and shoes. Maier’s ready-to-wear women’s line posses the same timeless, ultra-luxurious look.

Worn by ladies who know fashion and who buy to archive, including Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
source: www.nymag.com

May 2, 2005

Prada
Prada. The name alone signifies style and luxury, designer handbags and fabulous shoes. Born nearly a century ago, The House of Prada is recognized worldwide for its simple and elegant creations.

Mario Prada started the Prada label in 1913. He designed and sold handbags, shoes, trunks, and suitcases though two boutiques in Milan, and had clients across Europe and the US. When the signature Prada suitcase, made from heavy, cumbersome walrus skin, proved to be ill suited for air travel, Prada concentrated on designing exquisite leather accessories and waterproof handbags.

In 1978, Mario’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada, took over the company. Miuccia was a former mime who had spent five years studying at Milan’s Teatro Piccolo, and had a PhD in political science. Although her qualifications didn’t seem appropriate, her sense of fashion was unmistakable. The label was still mainly a leather goods manufacturer at that point, and had been struggling financially for several years. Competition from other fashion houses like Gucci had taken its toll. Miuccia turned things around and steered the House of Prada towards the world of haute couture.

About the same time as she took the helm of the Prada label, Miuccia married Patrizio Bertelli. Bertelli took on the role of business manager, allowing Miuccia to focus on designing and perfecting the new Prada look.

Miuccia had been making black waterproof backpacks since 1970, out of a nylon fabric called “Pocone”. She unveiled the classic Prada handbag which was simple, sleek, black nylon, and in 1985 and became an overnight sensation. The bag was functional and sturdy, practical and fashionable. The high price tag that accompanied the handbags caused an onslaught of designer knock-offs, which only helped to make the genuine Prada articles more in demand.

In the 1980’s, other labels were creating designs that played on sexuality. Frilly, lacy, brightly colored garments that were low cut on top and short on the bottom were popular. Prada hit the runway in 1989 with its pret-a-porter collection, with elegant, simple pieces featuring clean lines, luxurious fabrics, and basic colors. The fashion world took notice, and Prada’s popularity skyrocketed.

By the 1990’s, Prada was a leading force in fashion. The garments and accessories were smart, sophisticated, and extremely high quality. Luxurious fabrics and simple styles, mostly in blacks, browns, grays, greens, and creams, became the signature Prada look. The apparel was sexy and spoke of confidence without revealing too much skin. Accessories included skinny leather belts, elegant high heeled shoes, and of course, the classic handbag.

In 1992, Miuccia presented the more affordable Miu Miu line, which targeted a younger consumer. More flowing shapes and earthy colors and prints set this collection apart, although the simple designs and classic appearance continued the quality of the Prada label. Soon after, the Prada Sport label was created, followed by a line of men’s wear and a lingerie collection.

The following year, in 1993, Prada received the Council of Fashion Designers of America award for accessories.

The Prada look has certainly evolved over the years, and Miuccia is credited with many innovations in fabric and design. She has added everything from mirror fragments to beaded latex to her garments, and experimented with new and unique fabric blends. Even with all of this experimentation however, the caliber of the finished product has never wavered.

Since then, Prada has gone on to open boutiques in dozens of cities and countries across the globe. Their shoes for men and women have become a staple for fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike, and those extraordinary handbags are still wildly popular. The distinct silver Prada triangle is a status symbol all over Europe and North America.

American financial newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, has named Miuccia one of the thirty most powerful women in Europe. From fabulous runway shows to gracing the bodies of actresses like Uma Thurman and Cameron Diaz, Miuccia Prada has taken her grandfather’s struggling leather goods business and created a true empire.
source: www.lifeinitaly.com

May 1, 2005

Valentino
Valentino is a fashion house created by Valentino Garavani, a famous fashion designer born on May 11, 1932, in the town of Voghera, Italy. He became interested in fashion while in high school, during which time he studied under Vogherese designer Ernestina Salvadeo (an aunt of noted artist Aldo Giorgini) and at age 17 he moved to Paris to pursue this interest. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. He first found apprentice jobs, with Jean Desses where he used to help Jacqueline de Ribes sketch her dress ideas. Then he joined Jean Desses and Guy Laroche. He moved to Rome in the beginning of the 1960s and started his own fashion house, Valentino. His first show, in 1962, was a success, and Valentino was welcomed into the fashion world. In 1967, he premiered the Valentino White Collection, which became famous for the “V” logo he designed. He designed the white dress that Jacqueline Kennedy wore to her wedding with Aristotle Onassis. Through the 1970s Valentino spent considerable time in New York City where his presence was embraced by social personalities such as Steve Rubell and art identities such as Andy Warhol. He currently designs menswear and womenswear and has his own perfume and make-up line. In 1990, he cofounded the L.I.F.E. Association with Giancarlo Giammetti, a program for the support of AIDS victims. He is now 73 years old, still designing, and living in Rome.

Oprah has also covered how he creates his haute couture clothing in one of her shows in 2005. She also wrote a page in her magazine, O, expressing how she had admired his clothing long before she could afford it.
source: www.wikipedia.org

May 1, 2005

Versace
Gianni, Santo and Donatella Versace were brought up in Calabria, Italy, by their father and dressmaker mother. Ten years Gianni’s junior, Donatella Versace always played muse to her fashion-mad brother. As she told Vogue in October 1998, by the time she was 11-years-old, she was already dyeing her hair blonde (”Just the front bits - the streaks got bigger and bigger”) and wearing the clothes he designed specially for her.

When Gianni relocated to Florence in the mid-Seventies to embark on a career in knitwear design, Donatella found herself plunged into the fashion world alongside him. While studying Italian literature at university, she would visit him in his studio at weekends. After she graduated, she and her brother shared a flat together in Milan. Donatella had planned to work for Gianni as his PR but, when he founded his own company in 1978, he discovered that he valued her more as a muse and critic. In the Eighties, Gianni launched a perfume dedicated to her, Blonde, and gave her own diffusion label, Versus.

Donatella finally took the reins of the Versace design house after her brother’s brutal murder outside his South Beach mansion in Miami on 15 July 1997. Three months after his death, she miraculously pulled together a ready-to-wear collection which Vogue later described as “more than credible”. She followed that with her solo debut for the mainline collection in the spring of 1998. A year and three days after Gianni’s death in July 1998, she mounted her first couture show for the Versace Atelier in the Paris Ritz, building her runway over the hotel’s swimming pool as her brother had done every season, though this time using sheer glass. She now oversees the production of a dozen collections each year though these days, Donatella is just as famous for her celebrity entourage and glittering parties. Regular guests include Elton John, Liz Hurley, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Kate Moss. Even Prince Charles won’t turn down an invite from her.

She is married to former male model Paul Beck with whom she has a son, Daniel, and a daughter, Allegra, both of whom she sent to English schools in Milan. After her uncle’s death, it was Allegra, then aged 11, who inherited the most part of his fortune, including a 45 per cent share in the Versace family business. Beck is in charge of Versace’s advertising.

When in London, Donatella prefers to stay at Claridge’s on Brook Street, next door to Space NK, where she regularly goes to stock up on her favourite scented candle: Diptyque’s Figuier. In February 2001, Donatella launched her own fragrance, Versace Woman.
source: www.answers.com

April 1, 2005

Kate Spade
While growing up in kansas city, missouri, katherine noel brosnahan, now kate spade, was both the epitome and antithesis of the all-american girl. there was always something charmingly familiar yet wonderfully original about kate. her fresh sense of style and singular personality reflect a keen sense of wit, propriety, and a no-nonsense approach to life. kate has spent most of her professional career in the accessories business.

After college in 1986, she took a job at mademoiselle magazine, leaving in 1991 with the title of senior fashion editor/head of accessories. while working at the magazine, kate realized that the market lacked stylish, practical handbags and so innocently began designing her own. she put together some sketches, investigated production costs, and created a line of classically shaped bags in satinfinished nylon, as well as interesting colors and fabrics. with her fingers crossed, kate, along with her partner and husband, andy spade, launched “kate spade handbags” in january of 1993.

In 1996, the council of fashion designers of america (cfda) honored kate’s classic designs by awarding her america’s new fashion talent in accessories. kate was honored once again by the cfda in 1998, as best accessory designer of the year. in 1999, kate was honored when her handbags were exhibited at the cooper hewitt museum for the first national design triennial, celebrating american design excellence. and for her new home collection, kate was presented with three prestigious design awards in 2004: house beautiful’s giants of design award for tastemaker, bon appetit’s american food & entertaining award for designer of the year, and elle decor’s elle decor international design award for bedding.

Always searching for the quintessential handbag, katherine noel brosnahan thought it would be easier and definitely more interesting to create her own. one late night in provincetown with then boyfriend, now husband, andy spade, a company was born using kate’s first name and andy’s last to form “kate spade.” as an accessories editor for six years, kate knew the market well, while andy, a creative director at tbwa/chiat/day advertising, immediately put his finger on the sensibility. together, the couple identified a void in the market, combined their talents, took a risk, and designed six simple shapes that emphasized utility, color, and fabric. these six original designs continue to be the company’s signature styles.

Kate’s taste for simple silhouettes, combined with her innovative use of fabrics, was a breath of fresh air in the accessories category. in 1993, with the humble intention of designing a bag she would carry, kate reinvented the handbag, starting a virtual revolution in the accessories market. in 1996, the council of fashion designers (cfda) honored kate and her unpretentious designs by awarding her america’s new fashion talent in accessories. two years later, kate was honored once again by the cfda, this time as accessory designer of the year. and for her new home collection, kate was presented with three prestigious design awards in 2004: house beautiful’s giants of design award for tastemaker, bon appetit’s american food & entertaining award for designer of the year, and elle decor’s elle decor international design award for bedding.

In the early days of the company’s growth, kate and andy realized they would need help to build the business. in late 1993, pamela bell joined kate spade to help kate source materials and produce the handbags. the following year, elyce arons, an old friend of kate and andy’s from their college days at arizona state, came on board and was initially responsible for sales and public relations. within a short period of time, a partnership was formed with kate, andy, pamela, and elyce each contributing unique experience and strengths to the equation.

Kate spade opened its first shop in 1996 in new york city’s soho at 59 thompson street. it quickly outgrew the space and moved around the corner to 454 broome street in the fall of 1997. the store became a laboratory for different categories, from paper to travel. in 1998, kate spade opened in boston, and in 2000, in chicago, san francisco, greenwich, conn., and manhasset, ny. the georgetown store in washington, d.c., opened in the fall of 2003. and a spate of new boutiques opened in 2004, in atlanta, houston, charlotte, dallas, and boca raton, with las vegas, palo alto, and king of prussia, penn. due to open before the end of the year. internationally, kate spade opened its flagship in aoyama, japan, on april 8, 2004. once a private residence, the space is elegant and modern. a total of 2000 square feet split between two floors, the store carries the kate spade collections, a special children’s clothing collection, and a jack spadeinstallation. the aoyama flagship joins eight other free-standing kate spade stores internationally: four in japan, three in hong kong, and one in the philippines.

Innocently appealing to a wide variety of women, the company’s growth continues. “kate spade paper and social stationery” was introduced in 1998 and includes such items as personal organizers, address books, journals, illustrated notecards, and classic pencils and erasers. in november of 1999, kate spade introduced a much anticipated shoe collection incorporating her unique sense of style and sophisticated use of color. “kate spade glasses” was introduced in the spring of 2001, providing yet another natural extension of the refreshing and sophisticated kate spade aesthetic. the “glasses” collection consists of clean shapes, classic proportions and, naturally, an element of surprise. the line includes both sunglasses and ophthalmic frames exemplifying kate’s personal style. kate spade and este?e lauder launched “kate spade beauty” with great success in the spring of 2002. the signature fragrance is based on the scent of a white floral bouquet. deliciously fresh bath and body products round out the collection. the most recent addition to the world of kate spade, “kate spade at home,” will debut in the spring of 2004. the home collection will include bedding, bath items, china, wallpaper, textiles, and other vibrant accessories for home.

“As kate spade grows and evolves, a great deal of product development continues to occur within the company. based on kate’s love of textiles, pattern, and strong geometric shapes, the company developed a signature, iconic design element. inspired by the op art movement of the sixties, this element has proved multi-faceted and naturally developed into a new company mark and graphic art pattern. various interpretations of the design were incorporated into the handbag, luggage, shoe, glasses, and paper collections and introduced as the “noel weave” collection in the fall of 2001. the company plans to incorporate this signature mark into its identity system and product collections going forward as a complement to the enduring “kate spade new york” logo.

Inspired by the classics, but thoroughly in-tune with the modern woman, kate spade launched a creatively driven website in early 2001, www.katespade.com. reflecting the designer’s sensibility, the site is clean, elegant, and laced with touches of wit and surprise. visitors are able to view the current collections, as well as learn more about the company and its philosophy.

Taking a modest, creative approach to design and marketing, rather than the risk being a flash in the fashion pan, the four partners, together with a wonderful group of people, continue to build a company based on vision, graciousness, and old-fashioned hard work.
source: www.katespade.com

March 21, 2005

Michael Kors
Michael Kors was born in Long Island, New York in 1959. He is half Scandinavian, half Jewish. He studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

He had two aims as a child, to be a movie star or a fashion designer. He describes himself not as an only child, but as a companion to his mother, a former Revlon model and shopaholic, who brought him up alone. At 4 years old, he modeled in cereal commercials and by the time he was a teenager, he was taking the train to Manhattan to study acting. His grandparents would show him beautiful fabrics and show him the difference between quality and not. As a child he studied the fashion sketches in the New York Times newspaper.

He learned his fashion trade by working at Lothar’s boutique.on 57th Street, New York. Celebrities like Cher, Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand came there to buy casual clothes. This gave him an insight into customer preferences and before long he decided he could design better clothes than they had in stock.

He established his own sportwear label in 1981 and put together a small collection of separates for buyers at Bergdorf Goodman. These sold on the spot. His clinging scaled-down jumpsuits called attention to the body which he then layered with jackets. Forking frequently with natural fabrics and neutral colours, Kors creates garments that are noted for the minimalist approach, yet the cut is curvaceous and designed to flatter.

His separates are often practical - the body-hugging dress is worn with a more tailored jacket, other jackets double as shirts. Many of his designs are inspired by the great American sportswear designer Claire McCardell. He is a deeply cool, directional designer who makes sexy, sleek, sharp modern clothes.

He included his menswear line in 1990 but in 1993 faced severe financial problems. He managed to bounce back.

In 1998 he became designer at the deluxe French house of Celine. He was chosen when Bernard Arnault (chairman of LVMH who own Dior and Givenchy) felt he was the man to breathe new life into the deluxe French house.

In 1999, he was named Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Today, his clothes, the epitome of sporty luxury in ultra-chic, ultra-wearable fabrics like cashmere, silk and leather, have never been so enthusiastically received.

He has designed for several films, the most recent being for Rene Russo in the Thomas Crown Affair. He has also opened a boutique in the London store Harvey Nichols. He totals 108 boutiques across America, Europe and Japan.
source: www.designerhistory.com

March 1, 2005

Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs was born in New York City on April 9, 1963. After graduating from the High School of Art and Design in 1981, he entered Parson’s School of Design.

As a design student at Parson’s, Jacobs was the recipient of some of the school’s highest honors. He was awarded the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble Award, the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award and the Design Student of the Year Award all in 1984. While still at Parson’s, Jacobs also designed and sold his first collection of hand-knit sweaters. The collection was designed for Ruben Thomas, Inc. under the “sketchbook” label. 1984 also brought the beginning of a partnership with Robert Duffy, called Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc., which is still intact today.

In 1986, backed by Kashiyama USA, Inc., Jacobs designed his first collection bearing the Marc Jacobs label. The following year, Jacobs received the distinct honor of being the youngest designer ever to be awarded the fashion industry’s highest tribute: The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent.

In 1989, Jacobs and Duffy joined Perry Ellis. Duffy was named President and Jacobs was named Vice President of Women’s Design. While at Perry Ellis, Jacobs oversaw the design of various women’s licensees as well as creating the designer collection. In 1992, the CFDA once again bestowed Jacobs with a distinct honor: the Women’s Designer of the Year Award.

In the fall of 1993, Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc. launched their own licensing and design company: Marc Jacobs International Company, L.P. In 1994, the company signed its first licensing agreement with Renown Look and Mitsubishi for distribution of the Marc Jacobs Designer Collection in Japan. Soon after, Iris S.R.L. signed on as the licensee for the men’s and women’s shoe collections. The factory, located in Venice Italy, continues to produce all Marc Jacobs Shoes.

1997 proved to be a big year for the company. In January, Jacobs and Duffy joined Louis Vuitton, Jacobs as Artistic Director and Duffy as Studio Director. In this position, Jacobs works on many of the French luxury house’s lines including men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, small leather goods and scarves. Later that year, the first Marc Jacobs store opened at 163 Mercer Street in New York’s Soho district and Jacobs was recognized by the CFDA a third time, winning Women’s Designer of the Year. At the VH1 Fashion Awards in the fall of 1998, Jacobs received the Women’s Designer of the Year Award and in 1999 he was named Accessory Designer of the Year by the CFDA.

Marc Jacobs International launched its first handbag collection in the spring of 2000. The line is available at all Marc Jacobs stores as well as fine department stores and specialty boutiques. Later that year, Juergen Teller shot the company’s first ad campaign. A second Marc Jacobs store was opened on San Francisco’s historic Maiden Lane in August 2000. The store features the women’s and men’s collections as well as shoes and handbags. In September, the first freestanding men’s store opened its doors at 403 Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s West Village.

December 2000 brought the signing of a third licensee. This time the company paired with Isa Seta, an Italian company based outside Milan, to produce men’s and women’s scarves. Jacobs introduced the secondary line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, for spring 2001. The clothing and accessories in this line are sold at fine department stores and specialty stores nationwide.

In September 2001, the company launched its first perfume in conjunction with Parfums Givenchy under the name Marc Jacobs.
source: www.wikipedia.com

March 1, 2005

Juicy Couture
“Juicy Couture” was co-founded in 1994 by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor, wife of John Taylor from Duran Duran. It was originally “Travis Jeans”, a line of maternity jeans named after Gela’s son, Travis. In 2003 Juicy Couture was purchased by Liz Claiborne Inc., when Liz Claiborne purchased Travis Jeans Inc, who owned all of Juicy assets. Pam and Gela remained co-presidents of the company, and remain the creative minds behind Juicy Couture.

Juicy Couture is a stylish contemporary line of casual apparel based in Pacoima, California. It was originally popular on the West Coast of the United States, but its popularity has since spread. Its markets now include the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. Their fashion lines originally focused on womens’ sweat suits and sportswear. Juicy Couture added collections for men and children in 2002, and in 2004 bathing suits and accessories for women, including shoes, handbags and jewelery were added to Juicy’s line. Juicy is very well-known for their sweatpants, and velour tracksuits, which were made famous by the many celebrities who had been seen sporting them. Fun slogans often adorn Juicy apparel, such as “Choose Juicy” and “Dude, Where’s my Couture?”. The signature Juicy Crest, as well as the phrases “Love, P&G” are stitched on the inside tag of each item of Juicy apparel. Juicy Couture is sold in upscale department stores, specialty stores, and at the Juicy Couture store.
source: www.wikipedia.com

February 4, 2005

Furla
Designer label Furla manucatures bags, small leather goods, watches, key-rings and beautiful accessories. Furla is also the name for a way of being and a life-style.

Furla has become internationally famous for its leather accessories, as they stock a classy selection of modern handbags and purses. No casual type of bag here; everything is sleek, beautifully made and immaculate. The merchandise gleams with perfection where the quality of the leather is the main feature of each item.

Feminine and functional is how women have been describing Furla designs for over 70 years. No wonder the third-generation Italian company is busily expanding its presence worldwide as it benefits from the current trend dictating a softer, feminine way of dressing.

Furla, the landmark Italian accessories company has been part of Bologna’s fashion history since the18th century. Already a strong presence with boutiques in Italy, Paris, Japan and NYC’s Madison Avenue, the family-owned company recently opened a second boutique down in trendy SoHo where it hopes to attract a new younger generation of customers.

Every Furla collection is the result of research and interpretation,which takes account of the past and observes the present, with the future in mind, because Furla believe that the true virtue of elegance lies not in its power to amaze, but to interpret what is new and translate it into a style.
source: www.indelibles.com

February 2, 2005

Gucci
Like many other high-fashion companies, Gucci began as a small, family-owned saddlery and leather goods store. Guccio Gucci was the son of an Italian merchant from the country’s northern manufacturing region. As a young man, he quickly built a reputation for quality, hiring the best craftsmen he could find to work in his atelier. In 1938, Gucci expanded and a boutique was opened in Rome. Guccio was responsible for designing many of the company’s most notable products. In 1947, Gucci introduced the bamboo handle handbag, which is still a company mainstay. During the 1950s, Gucci also developed the trademark striped webbing, which was derived from the saddle girth, and the suede moccasin with a metal bit.

Guccio and his wife Aida Calvelli had a large family, six children in all, though only his sons-Vasco, Aldo, Ugo, and Rodolfo-would play a role in leading the company. After Guccio’s death in 1953, Aldo helped lead the company to a position of international prominence, opening the company’s first boutiques in London, Paris and New York. Even in Gucci’s fledgling years, the family was notorious for its ferocious infighting. Disputes regarding inheritances, stock holdings, and day-to-day operations of the stores often divided the family and led to alliances. As Gucci expanded overseas, board meetings about the company’s future often ended with tempers flaring and luggage and purses flying. Gucci targeted the Far East for further expansion in the late 1960s, opening stores in Hong Kong and Tokyo. At that time, the company also developed its famous GG logo (Guccio Gucci’s initials), the Flora silk scarf (worn prominently by Hollywood actress Grace Kelly), and the Jackie O shoulder bag, made famous by Jackie Kennedy, the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Gucci remained one of the premier luxury goods establishments in the world until the late 1970s, when a series of disastrous business decisions and family quarrels brought the company to the verge of bankruptcy. At the time, brothers Aldo and Rodolfo controlled equal 50% shares of the company, though Aldo felt that his brother contributed less to the company than he and his sons did. In 1979, Aldo developed the Gucci Accessories Collection, or GAC, intended to bolster the sales for the Gucci Parfums sector, which his sons controlled. GAC consisted of small accessories, such as cosmetic bags, lighters, and pens, which were priced at considerably lower points than the other items in the company’s accessories catalogue. Aldo relegated control of Parfums to his son Roberto in an effort to weaken Rodolfo’s control of the overall operations of the company.

Though the Gucci Accessories Collection was well received, it proved to be the destabilizing force that brought the Gucci dynasty crashing down. Within a few years, the Parfums division began outselling the Accessories division. The newly-founded wholesaling business had brought the once-exclusive brand to over a thousand stores in the United States alone with the GAC line, deteriorating the brand’s standing with fashionable customers. “In the 1960s and 1970s,” writes Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, “Gucci had been at the pinnacle of chic, thanks to icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Jacqueline Onassis. But by the 1980s, Gucci had lost its appeal, becoming a tacky airport brand.”

It didn’t take long before counterfeiters ravaged the company’s pomp by flooding the market with cheap knockoffs, further tarnishing the Gucci name. Meanwhile, infighting was taking its toll on the operations of the company back in Italy: Rodolfo and Aldo squabbled over the Parfums division, of which Rodolfo controlled a meager 20% stake. By the mid-1980s, when Aldo was convicted of tax evasion in the United States by the testimony of his own son, the outrageous headlines of gossip magazines generated as much publicity for Gucci as its designs.

Rodolfo’s death in 1983 caused a major shakeup in the company when he left his 50% stake in Gucci to his son, Maurizio Gucci. Maurizio allied with Aldo’s son Paolo to gain control of the Board of Directors and established the Gucci Licensing division in the Netherlands for tax purposes. “This action would later have a drastic impact on the outcome of the company’s dispute with the world’s largest luxury goods company, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.) Following the decision, the rest of the family left the company and, for the first time in years, one man was at the helm of Gucci. Maurizio sought to bury the fighting that had torn the company and his family apart and turned to talent outside of the company for Gucci’s future.
source: www.wikipedia.com

January 19, 2005

Zac Posen
In 2001, designer Zac Posen was barely old enough to legally toast the immediate success of his start-up business-and at the time, was garnering almost as much press attention for his age as for his comely creations. A favorite of young Hollywood, Posen’s design style is not exactly trend-oriented; instead, his pieces have a timeless nostalgia to them, with bias-cut silhouettes, ruffled satin draping and fishtail hems that often mirror the mastery of Christian Dior and Madame Vionnet. Backed by Sean Combs since 2004, Posen is gearing up to expand his company, planning a menswear collection and a lower-priced bridge line. For his partnership with denim geniuses 7 For All Mankind, Posen has designed three styles of limited-edition jeans made with special Z rivets and a Zac Posen pendant. Pricey but popular, they’re available at Neiman Marcus at only one per customer, per style.

Born in Brooklyn in 1980, Zac Posen attended the St. Ann’s School for the Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York, and Central St. Martins College in London, but soon abandoned school to pursue his career. At sixteen, the precocious Posen interned at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute, under the tutelage of Richard Martin; two years later he interned at Nicole Miller, then served as a design assistant at Tocca. A spot in Gen Art’s 2001 Fresh Faces in Fashion show put Posen on the fast track with his fans, as well as his peers. After the success of his first major runway show in 2004, Posen was awarded the CFDA Swarovski-Perry Ellis Award for Ready-to-Wear.
source: www.style.com

January 9, 2005

Betsey Johnson
Not for the fashion faint of heart, the Betsey Johnson collection has the same whimsical, over-the-top exuberance as its spirited namesake designer - a woman who cartwheels down the end of her fashion show runways. Founded in 1978 with ex-model Chantal Bacon, in conjunction with their first Soho retail store, Johnson’s eponymous label remains true to its original vision, and now boasts a network of stores worldwide. In business nearly 30 years, the designer recently purchased a Mexican hotel and added an infant-to-young girls collection to the company. The “original wild child,” Johnson still owns the majority of her organic homegrown label and continues to pull the strings as dramatically as she wants.

Colorful and capricious, a celebration of exuberance. Froth, embellishment, detail and sexiness describe the clothes, which can range from pink tulle ballerina skirts to silver micro-minis, floral-patterned stretch lace tanks and embroidered lace dresses. It’s a collection that’s embraced by both the prom-going set and long-time fans that are all grown-up.

Betsey Johnson’s love of movement and costumes stems from her days as a dancer. Later, as part of the Warhol scene in the sixties, Johnson put the velvet in the Velvet Underground (she later married band member John Cale) and dressed legendary models Twiggy and Verushka; Edie Sedgwick served as house fit model. Her foray into retail began with the Betsey Bunki Nini boutique in 1969. Now in her 60s, Johnson, seems unstoppable, and the awards continue to pile up: In 1999, the CFDA created the Timeless Talent Award just for her, and in 2002, she was inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame on New York City’s Seventh Avenue. A survivor of breast cancer, Johnson remains an advocate in fighting the disease, creating one-of-a-kind items for auction and serving as Honorary Chairperson for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative.
source: www.encyclopedia.com

January 9, 2005

Hermes (air-mez)
The legendary French luxury goods house began as a saddle maker in Paris in 1880 under the name of Hermes-Freres. By the 20s Hermes had the patent for the zipper in France, and introduced the first ladies bags with zip closures. The company expanded into riding gloves, belts, and men and women’s sportswear, and designed the now famous travel trunks to meet needs of the new automobile drivers.

The infamous Kelly bag debuted in 1956 after Grace Kelly used a large crocodile handbag to hide her pregnancy. In the 1970s the first women’s shoe collection and the first complete men’s ready-to-wear collection were introduced.

Actress Jane Birkin replaced her old straw purse with a leather Hermes number in 1984, and started the rage that is the Birkin bag. Today the Birkin remains to have the longest waiting list of any luxury accessory-about six years. Hermes also has a complete home line, bed and bath linens, furniture, silverware, crystal and porcelain, office accessories, and baby gifts. In 2003 French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier joined the house as the women’s ready-to-wear designer and debuted his first collection for Fall/Winter 2004-05. In June 2004 perfumer Jean Claude Ellena took a post as the in-house perfumer and launched the successful Hermessence scent.

The height of luxury with a nod to the house’s equestrian heritage-sheared mink jackets, velvet jodhpurs, fringed blanket jackets, leather car coats, kilts. The accessories line has structured bags, belts with chunky hardware, signature printed silk scarves, and riding boots.

Paris-born Gaultier started his first fashion job in 1970, working for Pierre Cardin after school. It was at Jacques Esterel, however, where he honed his skills and developed his controversial signature style. In 1978, he launched his namesake line, and in the 80s he became quite a personality, taking on a role as a presenter on the campy Brit TV show, Eurotrash. Madonna commissioned him to design the clothes for her Blonde Ambition tour, where he produced her trademark pointed basque and bra and thus cemented his cult status. In 2003, Gaultier took over as chief designer at Hermes.

Hermes now make so many beautiful handbags of all shapes and sizes. Some of the most famous are:
Kelly Bag 1956 - named after Grace Kelly who was shown on the cover of Life magazine, holding the bag. Here is a picture.
Constance Bag - Jackie Onassis wore this shoulder bag with the double strap and big H clasp, so often that people often ask for the Jackie O bag.
Birkin Bag 1984 - named after Jane Birkin, the film star and model of the 1960’s, who met Jean-Louis when struggling to get her handbag on a plane overhead locker. There is a one-year waiting list for ladies ordering this bag.
source: www.nymag.com

January 7, 2005

Botkier
Monica Botkier was born in Brooklyn, New York. She first delved into the fashion industry as a photographer, shooting for several national magazines such as Seventeen, Nylon, Surface and Fitness. Always on the go and loaded up with all the essential items a fashion photographer must carry, Monica found herself longing for an easier way to maintain her things. The solution would be to find a bag that is roomy, yet chic enough to be trotted in front of the industry’s scrutinizing eye. Instead of searching for such an item, Monica simply decided to create her own. Functional and wearable, stylish and detailed - the Botkier Trigger Bag was born.

As Monica set out to make a perfect handbag for herself, she had no idea how much attention her first creation would receive. The overwhelming response from Monica’s friends and fashion editors inspired her to “spread the wealth.” In 2003, she launched the very first Botkier collection, which since has continued to grow and expand. From supple leathers and delicious colors, to tons of fun accessories to play with, Botkier bags establish a personality of their own - clean and classic, while incredibly sexy.

Monica’s vision of the ideal handbag combines personal style with long lasting utility. Each creation becomes an ageless and indispensable part of its owner’s wardrobe. And just like the woman wearing it, each bag has a story.

Botkier bags have found a devoted fan base here in the U.S., and are favored by fashionistas all around the globe. Donned by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Lindsay Lohan, Botkier bags are a permanent item on the celebrity “must have list” as well.
source: www.botkier.com