August 1, 2005

Chloe
Luxurious, romantic and quinessentially French, Chloe’s ethos is to make luxury ready-to-wear for stylish women the world over.

Having bought the house in the mid 80s, Swiss luxury group, Richemont, placed Chloe firmly on the international market where it has remained a formidable fashion force since.

Producing iconic fashion and launching Chloe’s eponymous and successful fragrance, Karl Lagerfeld became Chloe’s public image in both the 60s and 90s and was succeeded by Martine Sitbon’s unique modern vision during the late 80s.

Miss McCartney joined as Creative Director in 1997, infusing her classic tailoring with the pulse of the street and securing Chloe as the first name in fashion.

Miss McCartney’s design partner, Phoebe Philo, stepped into her head designer shoes in April 2001. Bringing her sass and street edge to the label, Miss Philo continues to produce coveted ranges, including new additions such as swimwear and casual line or younger line, See by Chloe.

As Creative Director of Chloe, Phoebe Philo becomes next in a line of visionaries to head-up the prestigious French House.Having worked with Miss McCartney for four years, Miss Philo played an essential role in the house’s reinvention, bringing to it a youthful, cool sexiness and rock ‘n roll edge.

Born in Paris in 1973, Miss Philo grew up in a suburb of London, enrolling at Central St Martin’s School of Art in 1993. Clearly a maverick talent, she was invited to Paris to become Miss McCartney’s design partner, less than a year after her graduation.

Miss Philo’s understanding of street culture combined with her tremendous respect for Chloe’s heritage has brought a new sassy edge to the luxury label and with it a new casual range, See by Chloe. A less expensive range than the main line, See comprises of the essential sexiness and street cred for which Chloe has become famous.
source: www.chloe.com

July 1, 2005

Jimmy Choo
The company Jimmy Choo, maker of glamorous accessories favoured by international stars and elegant women worldwide, was launched in 1996.

As accessories editor at Vogue UK, Tamara Yeardye Mellon sensed a real demand for stylish but wearable shoes and approached Mr Jimmy Choo, a couture shoemaker based in the East End of London, recognized for his excellent craftsmanship. Mellon partnered with Mr Jimmy Choo to start the ready to wear company and sourced factories in Italy to produce the shoes on a larger scale. Consequently, plans were made to open the first Jimmy Choo stand alone boutique and to develop the wholesale business throughout the fashion capitals of the world.

In April 2001, the expansion of Jimmy Choo took a significant step forward with the announcement of a new partnership with Equinox Luxury Holdings Ltd. Acquiring Mr Choo’s share of the ready to wear business, Equinox’s Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Bensoussan became CEO of Jimmy Choo. President of J Choo Ltd, President Tamara Mellon said “In Equinox, I have found ideal partners to share my vision for the development of J Choo Ltd. I am very excited about the Company’s prospects and this transaction will enable us to achieve our development goals even more rapidly”.

Within 3 years, the company opened twenty six new stores (in addition to the existing four) and introduced both handbag and small leather goods collections. This was followed on 19th November 2004 with Hicks Muse (Europe) announcing the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Jimmy Choo, in a transaction valuing the company at 101 million. With the ethos in both design and outlook remaining the same, the Company will now look to an expansion programme that will include opening up to 50 stores by 2008.
source: www.wikipedia.com

June 1, 2005

Yves Saint Laurent
In the wake of his nervous breakdown, Saint Laurent was released from Dior and started his own label together with Pierre Berge with the now-famous initials of YSL. During the 1960s and 1970s the firm popularized fashion trends such as the beatnik look, tweed suits, tight pants and tall, thigh-high boots, including the creation of arguably the most famous classic tuxedo suit for women in 1966, the Le Smoking suit. Among his muses were Loulou de La Falaise, the daughter of a French marquis and an Anglo-Irish fashion model, Betty Catroux, the half-Brazilian daughter of an American diplomat and wife of a French decorator, Talitha Pol-Getty, who died of drug overdose in 1971, and Catherine Deneuve, the iconic French actress. Ambassador to the couturier during the late 1970s and early 80s was London socialite millionairess Diane Boulting-Casserley Vandelli, making the brand ever more popular amongst the European jet-set and upper classes.

In 1993, the Saint-Laurent fashion house was sold to the pharmaceuticals company Sanofi for approximately $600,000,000. In 1999 Gucci bought the YSL brand and Tom Ford designed the ready-to-wear collection while Saint-Laurent designed the haute couture collection. Since his retirement in 1998 Saint-Laurent has become increasingly reclusive and has spent a much of his time at his house in Marrakech, Morocco.

In 2002, dogged by years of poor health, drug abuse, depression, alcoholism, criticisms of YSL designs, and problems with lead designer Tom Ford, Saint-Laurent and Gucci closed the illustrious couture house of YSL. While the house no longer exists the brand still survives through its parent company Gucci.

The pret-a-porter line is still being produced under the direction of Stefano Pilati after Tom Ford retired in 2004, while the boxer briefs sold all over the world still carry the brand name.
source: www.wikipedia.org

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