Now that fashion has moved online the industry must look to the future. How will social media and falling sales in luxury products change the way high-end fashion houses do business?
Once exclusive fashion shows are now streaming live online. The consumer has more opportunity to see the products months in advance. Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Prada and Louis Vuitton have all streamed their fashion shows live on the Internet for potential customers to see. We have also seen high-end fashion houses such as Christian Lacroix fall under the pressures of a struggling economy.
Some believe that streaming these show live opens the designer up to a new audience. The shows themselves are still exclusive, but fashion lovers can get a taste of what it’s like. It also taps into a younger audience who are increasingly interested in fashion trends and designers.
This article from WWD talked to a number of fashion brands to find out how the industry is changing with the times.
One idea, that we at Real Style Network really like, is to change the timing of fashion shows to give consumers a look at items that will be going into stores right away. Meaning the fashion shows in February and March would show spring collections as opposed to the fall garments we are seeing now.
Ralph Lauren recently showed their Rugby line in a virtual fashion show on their website right before the line hit stores. The company saw an increase in sales 10 fold. This may prove that consumer don’t want to wait for the items they are seeing on the runway. Some suggest this could open up new business ideas for fashion labels.
Other designers such as Marc Jacobs felt the shows were fine at their current dates. And others would rather not see any of this. At a recent event Donna Karan suggested that the fashion industry stop this whole Internet trend and make the shows more exclusive once again.
The question is: In a world where information is instantly available anywhere we go through Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube should the fashion world join in? If they do, a new era for fashion is approaching. What do you think? The fashion houses keep with Internet live shows and go back and make it more exclusive?
In lighter fashion news today, there has been a huge buzz on the Internet about the new Instant Uplift Bra that hit the shelves at Tesco in Britain today.
The new Instant Uplift Bra has no cups or under wire and promises to increase the bust by a full size without surgery. The product comes in a a wide range of sizes and can be worn with a traditional bra underneath. The Instant Uplift Bra claims to enhance the appearance of your bust size naturally by giving the chest a dramatic lift and creating cleavage. You can see the photos and read more on the story in this Telegraph article. In addition to a fuller bust ,apparently the miraculous invention even encourages you to stand up straighter therefore promoting good posture. What’s not to like?
There is no immediate news as to when and where the product will be sold in North America ,but you can always buy it online and have it shipped. (Or just wait for Victoria’s Secret to come out with their own version).
You really have to love the Brits to come up with this new ‘invention’. Our writers have a lot of fun finding out about new and zany beauty and fashion news coming from Britain. We already told you about how many British ladies adore their makeup and beauty products . And why not? Many have great skin to show for it. If it’s product claims are even half true, the Instant Uplift Bra will surely be a big success as well and a lot of British ladies are about to become very ‘curvy’ indeed.
Fashion house Ungaro showed at Paris Fashion Week yesterday without the input of their “artistic advisor” Lindsay Lohan sparking rumours she has been fired.
After just one season it appears that Lindsay Lohan has not been asked to return to her role at Ungaro. Asim Abdullah, the owner of Ungaro, told WWD she wasn’t involved in the fall/winter 2010 collection shown in Paris.
Lindsay Lohan is in Paris for fashion week, but she didn’t even attend the Ungaro show as a spectator. Some speculated that Lindsay Lohan wasn’t invited. Chief designer Estrella Archs took her bow at the end of the show alone.
Lindsay Lohan’s fashion debut for Ungaro back in October was a disaster for the company. Many buyers didn’t purchase the collection. The company continued to stand by Lindsay even when Emanuel Ungaro himself spoke out against the collaboration. The man who hired Lindsay, CEO Mounir Moufarrige left Ungaro in December amidst rumours that he couldn’t work with her.
There has been no official word on whether Lindsay Lohan has been let go.
Wow, the Oscars have become as much about the fashion as they are about the movies. After ending up on many of the ‘worst dressed’ for the Oscars fashion lists ,actress Charlize Theron felt that she had to defend her choice of the much criticized Christian Dior Oscar gown .
When asked about the dress by US Magazine Charlize Theron had only one thing to say: “I just loved this dress!”
Despite her love for the strapless purple Dior gown fashion critics and bloggers didn’t offer her any sympathy. E Online said: Yep, those are her lady lumps wrapped in lilac rosettes, courtesy of Dior Haute Couture. This one’s going down in the history books…The Vancouver Sun said: There will lots of giggling in the week to come at Charlize Theron, whose Dior gown had rosettes on the breasts bordering on the burlesque.
While Charlize Theron’s red carpet Dior gown wasn’t on our best dressed list, it is not the worst gown we have seen. The critics should lighten up.
Diane Von Furstenberg is making a move to interior design. The fashion designer is decorating 20 rooms and suites for Claridge’s in London. WWD reports Diane Von Furstenberg has a long history of staying at the hotel. She calls it “the most glamorous hotel in the world.” No details have been released on how her style will translate into room decor. The Diane Von Furstenberg rooms at Claridge’s are expected to be revealed in June.
Project Runway winner Christian Siriano is returning to television with his own special. ‘Christian Siriano: Having a Moment’ will air on Bravo on Monday, April 5th. He is one of the few Project Runway designers who has made a big name for himself in the fashion world. He has dressed celebrities like Rihanna and Christina Hendricks. Christian Siriano’s special will give fans a backstage look at his line from start to finish including him balancing his personal life with work.
The Lady Dior Saga starring Marion Cotillard continues with a new video released this week. Marion shows off her singing talents in a video where she plays Lady Rouge. Marion Cotillard sings Franz Ferdinand’s “Eyes of Mars” in a romantic hotel room and a large empty theatre. The Dior video was directed by Jonas Akerlund, who has made music videos for Madonna and U2. The video was supposed to debut along with the new Dior collection on March 5th, but was leaked online early. Watch the video here:
Paris Fashion Week continues with more of the most luxurious names in fashion. Yesterday Lanvin and Dior presented their Fall/Winter 2010 collections on the runway.
LANVIN
Always the purveyor of glamour and luxury, Lanvin showed a dark tribal themed collection at Paris Fashion Week. As we have been seeing on other runways the Lanvin collection used dark colours, fur and oversized jackets with bold shoulders. Powers suits and nipped in waists made up the day looks. Silk evening gowns were softly draped. Outfits were accessorized with chunky necklaces, feathers and wooden bracelets.
DIOR
Christian Dior showed their line yesterday morning at Paris Fashion Week. This sexy collection went retro, really retro. Back to Victorian England retro. The lines had a romantic 19th century feel to it with colours ranging from pale grey, green and pink with beiges and browns added to the mix. The romantic feel was also present in light ruffles , draping and embroidery. Many of the light dresses were silky and sheer and sexily draped the body. The makeup on the models was absolutely gorgeous with luscious eyes and lips perhaps signifying a return to a stronger makeup colour palette for fall. At the end of the fashion show, John Galliano came out wearing a ruffled shirt and riding boots. A nod to his equestrian theme from Dior’s haute couture show .
After suffering through bankruptcy last year, fashion house Christian Lacroix is getting back to business for 2010. Christian Lacroix is starting up four new lines this year, but not in women’s clothing.
Christian LaCroix’s CEO Nicolas Topiol told WWD the new lines are: women’s glasses and sunglasses, stationary, home textiles and decorative wood panels. They will be partnering up with a number of companies from around the world to ensure these new products are a success. He also said they are in talks to work on innerwear, children’s wear, and accessories.
As part of the restructuring, Christian Lacroix will be cut to just 12 employees to save further costs. They will also be shutting down the Lacroix boutiques and auctioning off the store furnishings. They will continue working on their current fragrance, menswear and bridal lines during this transition period.
The four new lines should be in stores within the next 12 months.
The queen of daytime television Oprah Winfrey is selling her clothes for charity. Oprah Winfrey is cleaning out her closet and selling her clothes here on eBay from March 1st to 11th. The money will go to The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy For Girls in South Africa. According to O Magazine, Oprah Winfrey picked 150 items out of her closet to auction off including a cute gold handbag, a white suit and a pair of Yves Saint Laurent sandals.
When Evan Lysacek won gold at the Olympics in his black Vera Wang costume, the designer said it was the Olympic moment she never had. Vera Wang is a former figure skater, so being part of Evan Lysacek’s victory was very special for her. Vera Wang previously designed for Michelle Kwan and Nancy Kerrigan, but never a gold medal winner according to WWD.
The American Society of Magazine Editors is honouring Vogue editor Anna Wintour this spring. In April, Anna Wintour will be inducted into the Magazine Editor’s Hall of Fame. Wintour has been the editor of Vogue since 1988 and has “defined style for a generation of magazine readers” according to an AP interview with ASME’s chief executive.
We at Real Style Network, have had a lot of fun following the live London Fashion Week fashion tweets from Grazia fashion editors. Some of the funniest, and seemingly unscripted moments are brought to us by the fashion tweeters from Fashion Week. Take a look at what went on this past week at London Fashion Week and don’t forget to follow the fashion tweets from your favorite editors worldwide right here on the fashion blog home page at Real Style Network:
major FROW alert! THE QUEEN is down at Somerset House for today’s menswear shows, careful on those cobble stones, ma’am. x
Slash is at selfridges party! This gets better and better!
Oh my goodness! we’ve just heard a rumour that Courtney Love is rb route to the selfridges Alice party. things are bout2get intersting!
The Wintour just waltzed into a very crowded libertys party, we give her five
There’s beer on ice at Issa - could this be the most relaxed backstage area ever?
Rachel Zoe is opposite La Olsen, pulling joke OMG expressions at each other
As it’s pouring with rain outside, why does Burberry think we want to sit through noises of a rainstorm inside. Bring out the sunburbs
We’re backstage at Ashish where it’s very calm. We can see lots of sequins, some chunky knits and models with blue streaks!
Christopher Kane Berardi
Mulberry party reserves champagne for select few but there’s pies a plenty mmm..
jungle book music and narrative at mulberrey show! love it!
The fashion elite now move on to Milan Fashion Week. Iconic fashion brands Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Prada and Armani will all be showing in Milan. Stay tuned to Real Style Network for coverage of the hottest fashion shows.
At New York Fashion Week, Calvin Klein showed a simple, streamlined collection. Designer Francisco Costa followed the Calvin Klein tradition of clean lines, with sheath dresses, high wasted pants and beautifully tailored coats. The colour palette of the line focused on shades of black, grey, white and a hint of blue.
The Calvin Klein collection stayed fashion forward with the addition of metallic footwear, rounded shoulders and cocoon coats. Many of the fabrics were simple with a touch of the metallic. Critics applauded the Calvin Klein collection for being wearable, adult-friendly clothing.
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Now that fashion has moved online the industry must look to the future. How will social media and falling sales in luxury products change the way high-end fashion houses do business?
Fashion house Ungaro showed at Paris Fashion Week yesterday without the input of their “artistic advisor” Lindsay Lohan sparking rumours she has been fired.
Wow, the Oscars have become as much about the fashion as they are about the movies. After ending up on many of the ‘worst dressed’ for the Oscars fashion lists ,actress Charlize Theron felt that she had to defend her choice of the much criticized Christian Dior Oscar gown .
Diane Von Furstenberg is making a move to interior design. The fashion designer is decorating 20 rooms and suites for Claridge’s in London. 
After suffering through 
The queen of daytime television Oprah Winfrey is selling her clothes for charity. Oprah Winfrey is cleaning out her closet and selling her clothes 
At New York Fashion Week, Calvin Klein showed a simple, streamlined collection. Designer Francisco Costa followed the Calvin Klein tradition of clean lines, with sheath dresses, high wasted pants and beautifully tailored coats. The colour palette of the line focused on shades of black, grey, white and a hint of blue.