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.

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.

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.

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. .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

HUGO BOSS

It was an extraordinary setting inspired by the film “Blade Runner”, located in an arena in Barcelona usually frequented by bulls which was the backdrop for the presentation of the “Hugo Boss Orange” Spring/Summer 2008 collection. A sportswear line consisting of skinny trousers, baggy trousers and hooded sweatshirts for men and women was much liked by spectators who did not hesitate to pull out some dance moves at the end of the show.

Wedding dresses

Weddings take over the fair at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris from the 11th to the 13th January 2008. A glance at the collections for 2008 with more than 15 exhibitors and the latest trends in terms of wedding dresses and formal dress for men.

Tahitian Pearl Trophy

The 5th edition of the 'Tahitian Pearl Trophy' took place at the beginning of December in the Salons of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. It is an international competition for which jewellery designers from around the world were required to imagine a piece of jewellery based on Tahitian pearls around the theme of 'the song of the stars'. This year 56 French designers were selected and only 11 of them were awarded the honour of participating in different categories (necklace, ring, men's jewellery, etc.) at the international event which will take place in 2008.

Angela Missoni

Angela Missoni's fall winter 2008-2009 collection revisits the great classics of the male wardrobe. Built around sand and camel colours, the show is about contrast. The cut of the jacket rediscovers a suppleness around the shoulders, while on the other hand, there are playful layers: shirts, double breasted jumpers and chunky knitted cardigans to give the men a more built-up silhouette. The look is a casual one. A little plus of this collection which aims to elongate the silhouette is the return of the crossover in tight waisted trousers.

Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli opens his men’s winter 2008/09 show by posing with the 5 Spice Girls in the middle of their world tour. Flashes follow the models in chic yet sombre outfits in delicate and well-worked materials like silk, velvet, wool and cashmere. Jackets take centre stage, well-structured in leather and hides. And finally the suits have precious details such as jewelled brooches, highlighting the refined elegance of Cavalli.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen extends an invitation to far-off places around India and the heights of the Himalayas. The English designer, who presents his men’s wear collections in Milan, has for winter 2008 delivered a range aimed at style-conscious adventurers and travellers aware of elegance and detail. The Savile Row touch is never too far away. Cardigans braided with metal, entirely embroidered gold coats, suits with double-breasted jackets and long shawls tied up like a dressing gown, without forgetting the Russian fur hats and cowboy hats which bring a touch of humour and frivolity dear to McQueen.