Maurizio Galante

The Ministry of Culture and Communication invited Italian designer Maurizio Galante to present the pieces and decorative objects designed ... by himself in the rooms of the Palais Royal for the second season in the Haute Couture calendar. Thrilled Maurizio showcased his pieces which play with stratification, pleats and volume and which are created in beautiful fabrics such as organza and silk. It was one way for the minister, Christine Albanel to emphasise that the values of handcraftsmanship and Haute Couture savoir-faire exist only in Paris.

Gaspard Yurkievich

Gaspard Yurkievich, new artistic director at Rodier, presented a chic and sensual Gaspard Yurkievich men’s collection for summer 2009. ... His suit trousers bring to mind the famous Chanel tweed jackets, whilst his belted trenches are collarless and the shoes two-coloured.

Olga Sorokina

The first Russian Haute Couture fashion house, IRFE, which opened at the beginning of last century, took advantage of ... Paris fashion week to showcase Olga Sorokina who revealed for the occasion during a cocktail at the the Palais de Tokyo, her first collection for this label called “Renaissance” and prepared an exhibition on the artist Alexandre Vassiliev entitled “The Russian emigration and fashion in the 1920’s.” This young Russian woman has initiated the rebirth of this fashion house, which also chose Paris in 1924 to house its first fashion show.

Udo Edling

An intuitive collection for Udo Edling who, as indicated backstage, didn’t want to follow a specific trend but to ... do what he wanted. The fashion show that took place on the final day of the Haute Couture fashion week was inspired by Fahra Palavi, empress of Iran, and by the Persian rose. So we rediscover powdery colours centred around pinks, purples and chocolate brown. There was lots of legerity in the collection and despite the presence of many coats, it is above all a preview of the summer 2009 collection with suits, skirts and trousers teamed with collarless coats, dresses with impeccable finishes including a long, back revealing number which fits very close to the body.

Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix has drawn inspiration from his roots: The south, Arles and Spain to come up with his Haute ... Couture winter collection. His praying mantises dressed in black and jet lace made up a sombre wardrobe. The waists are tight and elongated in the form of a point, skirts are ruffled, shoulders squared. The embroidered matador’s cape is worn over a little black dress which is very simple but very beautiful. Do the dresses bouffant sleeves narrowed at the hands and with high waists hide a pregnancy bump? The emotion is there; Christian Lacroix has once more conquered his public and by way of thanks they showered him in carnations.

Carlo Rivetti

Ecology, being a big current craze, is a source of inspiration for many designers and companies, all concerned with ... preserving the environment. It was in the setting of the Furniture Fair in Milan that the first wall made from recycled paper was unveiled, an environmentally-friendly replacement, as hard as cement. It's tough, fireproof, insulated and developed by an Italian entity, the CP Company.

Diego Della Valle

The CEO of Tod’s, Diego Della Valle, calls forth to two great stars in the Hollywood cinema: Dennis Hopper and ... Gwyneth Paltrow to direct and play in a short movie to praise the new model of the bag “Pashmy”. Through this fiction, the legendary actor sets, in the heart of Rome, the star Gwyneth Paltrow, who like a contemporary Cinderella, flees the paparazis, not loosing her shoe but her bag, the new version for the winter 2008/09 of the it-bag “Pashmy”. This new opus can be found shortly on Tod’s internet website. By starring Gwyneth Platrow for his up coming advertisement campaign, the Italian label, created in the 1900’s, shows that he expects to reign for a longtime in luxury accessories, from the famous loafers with rubber pebbles to chic bags.

Chanel Cruise show

The Chanel Cruise show for 2008 took place once again in America but this time in Miami. After a hanger ... of planes arrived at Santa Monica airport, the Chanel House and its mentor Karl Lagerfeld chose the poolside of the famous Raleigh Hotel on South Beach to present a new between seasons collection which will be available in the shops in October. As the word “cruise” suggests, Karl Lagerfeld imagine a complete range for the jetsetters about to set off on their travels: from an elegant black smoking jacket to a pink tie-dye Chanel t-shirt, from the gold sparkling jacket to sexy swimwear, from wide trousers to cocktail dresses, embroidered with jewels right down to the shoes… In short, a luxurious wardrobe for dream destinations.

Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto presented his first exceptional Y’s show in Beijing in the Forbidden City at the end of April in aid of his “Yohji Yamamoto Foundation for Peace”. The Japanese designer created 58 outfits especially for the occasion, several of which were sold at auction to raise money for this foundation whose aim is to support young Chinese creativity. This event marks the beginning of other festivities linked to the selection of fashion designers across the world who are supporting the “Yohji Yamamoto Foundation for Peace”.

Summer08shows

During the latest summer 2008 shows, designers have made time for shininess making men turn into urban stars. Therefore the suit is available in a shimmering version, mainly in gold or copper as at Louis Vuitton and D&G. Outfits glisten in white, a touch of sparkle is added just enough to grey and satiny black is the chicest option for the evening.

Kitsuné

Between trendy and classic, Kitsuné, meaning “fox” in Japanese, is both a recognised record label and a clothing brand using luxury materials, which already sold in the four corners of the world. The founders Gildas Loaec and Masaya Kuroki opened their first store in Paris last March, just a stone’s throw from Palais Royal, where you can discover their world and their various collaborations.

Dimitris Alexakis

At the forefront of Athenian fashion, Dimitris Alexakis and Grigoris Triantafyllou form the duo of Deux Hommes. Throughout their process of design they always take elements from their Greek roots and transform them into contemporary creations, with a style between ready-to-wear and couture. Their current aim is to expand into the centre of the European market.

Italo Zucchelli

Italo Zucchelli remains faithful to the image created at Calvin Klein, which is to say: minimalist. The general look of the silhouette remains uncluttered but the work on the materials is well-researched, most notably with the use of fabrics which change colour with the heat of the body. Shoulders are square and this season’s new trousers are somewhere between horse-riding and stretch ski pants…the materials mix and fit together giving style to this male wardrobe.

Angelos Bratis

Young up-and-coming designer Angelos Bratis has produced 24 models for 24 hours of the day with a wardrobe composed of black dresses for morning, noon and night. Born in Athens and now just 30 years old, he did part of his studies in Greece and part at the Arnhem Institute in the Netherlands. He likes simple and uncluttered shapes, favouring cuts on the bias and natural materials. His collections are always very feminine and this one for autumn winter 08/09 is no exception.

Donna Karan

A floaty line at Donna Karan adapts fluid materials and soft volumes. The silk-satin wrap dress is the master piece of the collection, super supple and belted with a ribbon. A certain nonchalance seems to reign over this show in all its softness, dominated by shades ranging from amethyst to topaz to grey. An oversized handmade jumper warms up little chiffon dresses and the coats made with rows of multicoloured fabric look like fur.

Dreyfuss

A meeting at the Première Classe Fair with designer Jérôme Dreyfuss who proposes different volumes for next winter, from supersized bags to clutches. The designer responds to every girl’s needs in creating accessories for every minute of the day, with many clever ideas including the detachable wallet and pockets for a mobile phone or ipod. He can be found in his completely new first shop in St Germain, Paris.

Dress code

As goes the dress code for summer 2008, the emphasis is without doubt on the shoulders. Women with small frames can stand proud in a low-cut jacket with the “strict but elegant” allure of the Yves Saint Laurent secretaries, the minimalist and futurist look at Martin Margiela, or with the rigid and built-up shoulder pads at Alexander McQueen. Those who prefer rounded shapes can opt for “balloon” sleeves as seen on the spotty dresses by Christian Lacroix or on the structured jackets by Christian Dior. Another way to show off the shoulders is with asymmetry. Roman goddess style dresses are at the forefront with the return of the toga, worn supersized at Gianfranco Ferré. Frilled straps, a great classic, make a statement at Lanvin. Bare shoulders are the real trend for this summer with the strapless bustier dress.

Transparency

This summer 2008 dare to try a bit of transparency according to your assets and preferences. Give in to a white Chloé or brown Celine or Gianfranco Ferré blouse. For those with great legs this trend can be applied with a Céline skirt, pink or black trousers by Karl Lagerfeld, navy blue ones by Chloé, yellow ones by Costume National, or even plum or pale pink trousers by Prada. You can also go for a completely translucent look with a white suit as seen at Dolce & Gabbana and Costume National. For the more timid among us, who wish nonetheless to remain fashionable, opt for the layering of a white blouse over pink Louis Vuitton shorts or a pastel Karl Lagerfeld dress. As night falls, women can bare all in evening dresses and precious cocktail dresses, encrusted with embroideries and lace, as demonstrated at Christian Dior and John Galliano. Sonia Rykiel celebrates women with nymph-like dresses and vaporous silk gazar in powdery shades… A real tribute to beauty. .

Flower Power

What would spring be without a bit of blossom? The oracles of fashion have defined the trend not to miss: flowers… in all shapes and sizes. Some designers lean towards romanticism “natural beauty” style in chiffon dresses printed with cornflowers and pansies teamed with wooden wedges as seen at Stella McCartney or in liberty patchwork worn with sandals as seen at D&G. The dreamy look is the same at John Galliano, with a chic 1920s inspired style, where flowers appear as prints, embroideries, pleats and even accessories. Missoni meanwhile goes for the oversized flower. Hand-painted flowers create an impressive look at Dolce & Gabbana. At Gucci, the emphasis is more rock, with graphic prints based around black, white and yellow. Kenzo and Yohji Yamamoto use primary colours blue, red and yellow. And latex flowers even make an appearance on pale pink and yellow swimming costumes at Sonia Rykiel.

Alexander McQueen

We’re seeing “la vie en rose” this summer 2008, the bubble gum look is super trendy, satiny with matching shoes at Celine, in leather printed with snakeskin at Alexander McQueen, Barbie doll style at Betsey Johnson and fringed at Lanvin. Over garments are not forgotten like the vinyl jacket by Christian Lacroix, along with the Burberry Prorsum trench. Gucci matches candy pink with black and white stripy or squared material. The colour of the summer goes well with vermillion at Costume National, with orange at Versace and with parma at Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino. For the more timid ones among us, there are softer pinks, from babydoll pastels at John Galliano and powder pinks for the dove-grey at Viktor&Rolf, passing through dusty pink suits at Christian Lacroix to flesh-coloured shades at Nina Ricci, Sonia Rykiel and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Flashy colours

To mark the end of dreary tones, summer 2008 brings back flashy colours. For added energy, vitamin colours are making a comeback. Women can shine in different shades of yellow, whether fluorescent at Zac Posen or buttercup at Sonia Rykiel among others. Louis Vuitton presents a yellow ensemble with a blue top and even proposes an orange suit for guaranteed effect! Passion is awakened in a vermillion red dress by Versace. Rainbow effet on T-shirt dresses in reds, pinks and yellows, blending one into the other at Diane Von Furstenberg or in stripes at Mickael Kors. Even on the sporting front vitamin colours are back for mixed doubles at Lacoste. And for the evening, the most daring will strut their stuff in a dress in shades of red and full of character by John Galliano.

Ashley Isham

Ashley Isham who is one of the young in vogue London designers held his show alongside Fashion Week having already acquired a bit of a reputation thanks to his famous clientele, fond of his very feminine, very glamorous outfits worthy of the most important red carpets. His references are among others Madeleine Vionet which can be seen in the way he drapes his jersey dresses accessorized with jewels…

Kris Van Assche

Kris Van Assche took advantage of Paris Fashion Week to present his new women’s collection for his own label under the name “happening”. The designer blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity by using heavy materials like wool and flannel for elegant trouser suits contrasting with tops and dresses in silk. Neutral colours around grey, black and white for a collection of couture details and full of charm.

Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto

The duo Eley Kishimoto has treated winter 08/09 lightly. The models appear from a blue velvet curtain in straight skirts and bare arms. The jackets and coats mostly have three quarter length sleeves. The designers present us with a fantasy world where rabbits and horses gallivant on dresses and women dare to wear bow ties and white gloves like Mickey Mouse. Prints of feathers and stripes are at the heart of this Pop Art collection. This English-Japanese marriage has produced many hybrid styles; the large Claudine collared coat is a known mix of English style and Japanese “kawai” style, inspired by manga.

Festival of African

The international festival of African fashion has ended in Niger, offering the continent's designers a chance to get international exposure for their work.

Lou Doillon

Lou Doillon launches herself this time into clothing. She has just signed a contract of 3 years with Lee Cooper, the denim brand of English origin, to create her own collections. Her first line has just come out and for the occasion a fashion show has even been put on at the prêt-à-porter fair in Paris. From high waisted jeans to second skins, swallow-tailed jackets to extra-large tops, Lou Doillon has produced a fashion in her image, cool and sensual. Interview with Lou Doillon.

brand Eric Bompard

The brand Eric Bompard (cashmere specialist) has celebrated, with several celebrities, a completely new boutique situated on the most beautiful avenue in the world, the Champs Elysées… A space of 600m² on 3 levels conceived by architect Christophe Delcourt, displays all the collections of the label from Men’s to Children’s and from Women’s to Home, as well as the range of coats, jackets and car coats presented under the label “Street Number 2”.

Chanel Jewellery

18 Place Vendôme in Paris is the new place for Chanel Jewellery. The space, entirely rethought by architect Peter Marino, has reopened its doors this week. Little art deco-style salons strongly inspired by the private apartments of Gabriel Chanel are set around a cascade of bronze and rock crystal. And to celebrate this opening Chanel has launched the “18 Place Vendôme” collection of the best quality jewellery made from diamonds as well as a limited edition version of the J12 watch.

Athens

Over the last few years Athens has become increasingly trendy and fashionable in terms of shopping. Not to miss: Kolonaki, a sort of Avenue Montaigne in the centre of the Greek capital, is becoming the area of the chic shops. The Sotris boutique, 41 Voukourestiou street, is making its name by presenting the last collections of the big fashion houses. Bettina, has the beautiful task of designers of Greek origin like John Varvatos, as for Enni di Monaco, this place takes and supports fashion designers like Zac Posen, Antonio Berardi, Hussein Chalayan…

Miriam Ponsa

Miriam Ponsa comes from Barcelona. A young designer, she is an invited member to Athens Fashion Week. She works latex in different ways – flesh-coloured or black, sequined or painted – and in different shapes – in overalls, in collars, in skirts, verily even in culottes – that she has mixed in cotton and linen. A very interesting experimental collection, and not only for fetishists !

Chambre syndicale de la couture

Graduate of the "chambre syndicale de la couture", follower of the OFF calendar of Haute Couture, designer Anne Valérie Hash has presented her last summer 2008 collection during the week of prêt-à-porter shows in Paris. The designer proposes light and delicate outfits in materials like tulle, organza and satin in neutral tones like white, cream and grey with touches of mustard.

Jeu de Paume gallery

The Jeu de Paume gallery in Paris devotes an immense tribute to the of modern photography, American Edward Steichen. Iconoclastic artist, he was a portraitist, collector, museum director, but above all he was renowned for his portraits of celebrities from Churchill to Marlène Dietrich and for his still lifes… He worked in advertising and in fashion and was one of the first to generalize art and business.

Footballers in underwear

100 footballers in underwear presided over an immense scene. In terms of presentation, Dirk Bikkembergs has hit hard to unveil his first Underwear collection. The sportsman’s athletic body remains a symbol for the Belgian designer, located in Italy, where he has incidentally just bought back Fossombrone Football Club.

Fendi 2008 Show_Great Wall of China

It was the fashion event of the year. After more than 6 months of preparation, the illustrious Italian house of Fendi presented its Spring/Summer 2008 show on the Great Wall of China, fifty kilometres from Peking. Karl Largerfeld, artistic director of the label, orchestrated this show where 80 models paced along 120 metres of staging in front of 500 hand-picked guests.

Greek John Varvatos

The Athens sky was rainy to welcome the return of Greek John Varvatos, located in New York where he habitually presents his men’s fashion collection. For next summer, he works a wardrobe with a comfortable appearance in tones of grey and stone with emphasis placed on suspenders and scarves. Interview with John Varvatos.

Cesare Paciotti

Italian shoemaker, Cesare Paciotti, has presented his Summer 2008 collection in his shop in Avenue Montaigne in Paris. That which the family and more precisely the father started in 1948 with men’s shoes, has seen an active success with women thanks to the chic and elegant footwear. It continues to develop lines of accessories, jewellery and clothing across the world and even manages to shoe comedians for a piece of theatre. The next publicity campaign, shot by Mario Sorrenti, able to be seen from January 2008, shows a girl lapdancing….a scandal to follow !

Yves Saint Laurent

"Theatre, cinema, music-hall, ballet” presents the different costumes and even staging designed by Yves Saint Laurent throughout his long career. For the seventh exhibition at the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent foundation, scene designer Christophe Martin opens the doors to a universe which blends couture, design and performance. It presents the opportunity to see up close the black dress worn by Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour de Bunuel and the famous outfits of Zizi Jeanmaire. Numerous sketches mounted on the walls demonstrate the limitless talent and imagination of Yves Saint Laurent.

Roberto Cavalli

The Italian couturier, Roberto Cavalli, renowned the world over for his “jewelled and sequinned” clothing has opened his first boutique in France, in Paris. Situated at Avenue Montaigne, this new luxury temple of 500m² makes available all the lines of the Italian couturier in one place, whether it’s for man or for woman, without forgetting accessories and shoes. Victoria Beckham, a big fan of the designer, was of course present for the opening of the boutique during Fashion Week in October.

Elina Lebessi

Elina Lebessi’s own boutique has been established in Athens for the last 15 years. After a brief stay in France where she studied at Studio Berçot, Elina chose to return to Greece to found her own clothing label. For summer 2008, bright colours are honoured in the embroidered baroque pearls, lace trimmings and multicoloured ribbons echo the Lacroix House where the designer did an internship. Interview with Elina Lebessi in french.

Tara Jarmon

Tara Jarmon chose to show her new winter 2008 collection in the midst of the mayhem of Paris Fashion Week. The designer imagined coats in curly sheep’s wool or leopard as well as a range of outfits in hot shades of yellow, orange and red. The launch of the “ball edition” line exclusively proposes goddess evening dresses in black velvet or apricot satin, with or without straps, fit for the red carpet.

Fashion Newspaper

When English photographer Martin Parr and designer Paul Smith collaborated, the result was a set of photographs taken on the streets of London of unknown citizens wearing the last winter collection. These images, several examples of which can be found in the Paul Smith boutique in Paris, have also been published in a pink newspaper called “Fashion Newspaper” in which the other works of Martin Parr from all over the world feature. Newspaper sold exclusively in Paul Smith boutiques.

Chantelle label

The bra is 100 years old and that is well worth putting the spotlight on these few centimetres squared of fabrics which have told so much about woman and her evolution in society. To mark the occasion Chantelle, who has shared its knowledge with us since 1876, presents a show of revised models in limited edition.

Deux Hommes

Grigoris Triantafyliou and Dimitris Alexakis have presented their new spring/summer 2008 collection during Athens Fashion Week. Known under the label Deux Hommes, the Greek duo proposed clothing in hot shades to reflect the colours of the Mediterranean. A graphic spirit is released from the start. The two designers also have fun with ribbons and zips and their prints remind you of the Hermès scarves.

Donna Karan

Famous designer Donna Karan has opened “Urban Zen” in New York this Fall. A workshop-boutique dedicated to the spiritual world and the research of well-being. This new shopping place is also a place for meetings, seminars and charitable activities, notably for the fight against cancer, the disease which took Donna Karan’s husband a few years ago.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren celebrated his 40 year long career in the middle of New York Fashion Week in front of a floor full of stars, including Robert de Niro and Dustin Hoffman. The man who has been dubbed the master of sportswear presented a glamorous show followed by grand dinner. An equestrian trend with jodhpurs, lavaliere shirts and waisted jackets and a “red carpet” trend with numerous dresses in muslin or taffeta, the American designer has demonstrated once again in this show that he is at ease in any area.

Everland

Somewehere between a hotel and a work of art, a capsule of 35m² called “Everland” created by Sabrina Lang and Daniel Baumann, a duo of artists based in Swizerland labelled L/B, has been placed on the roof of the Palais de Tokyo for a year. It is only possible to spend one night in this futuristic-retro room with portholes providing a view across Paris. Night time comes with a unique experience.

Baron

Already renowned for his men appearing on walls all over Paris and for having founded the most hyped up club called Baron, artist André, who even has a corner at Colette, and his sidekicks such as Thierry Costes have opened a restaurant-hotel in their image simply named “Amour”. Situated in the heart of Paris, between the Grand Boulevards and Pigalle, this place has 20 rooms, all slightly different, with disco balls on the ceiling, display cabinets of magazines, puppets and photos of Terry Richardson hung on the walls… a childlike universe, it is at the same time kitsch and arty!

Chanel Fashionshow

It has become an event: once a year, Chanel puts on a show presenting the work of haute couture artisans who have been brought back by the celebrated house of the two C’s (the boot maker Masaro, the feather maker Lemarié, the embroiderer François Lesage, the hat maker Michel…) And it is not by accident that Karl Lagerfeld chose a gallery in London to present a new collection with such precious detail. While the music by Julian Lennon and the top model Irina Lazareanu resounded around the room, the models walked with backcombed hair and eyes emphasized with eye-liner. The couturier doesn’t hide the fact he is inspired by Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty, two famous singers from the other side of the Channel.

Olivier Grammatico

Blue, and more exactly ocean colours, from green lagoon to deep blue, is the new super trendy colour for 2008 as observed by jewellery designers. They started a quest all over the world for precious bluish stones of which the different virtues of calming and anti-stress effects are recognised. Tourmaline, which is understandably very much in demand for its incredible colours, is also one of the most well-loved stones, for men as well as for women in the year to come.

Chantelle boutique

Here is a French lingerie label, Chantelle, which has innovated and initiated a completely new concept of the boutique with the beauty of the body at its heart. The beauty room, cosmetic bar, everything has been designed so that women feel confident in the hands of the beauty advisors who guide them in their discovery of the new “Chantelle effects” in a welcoming and intimate environment…. Plus a range of lingerie focused on chic couture, care products and a line of lounge wear to feel good at home.