Hermes CEO Jean-Louis Dumas Dies

There was some sad news for the fashion industry over the weekend as Jean-Louis Dumas, chief executive of luxury goods label Hermes, passed away.

He was a descendent of the company’s founder Thierry Hermes and stood at the helm for nearly three decades from 1978 until 2006.

Dumas died in Paris on Sunday (May 2nd) aged 72 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Pierre Hardy, artistic director of Hermes footwear and fine jewelry lines, told WWD that he was the most “incredible” man he had ever met at the label.

“He was so quick-minded and you could never predict where he was coming from. That was his main quality. His point of view was always unexpected,” he added.

Dumas was also described as a “brilliant businessman” by the French brand’s current designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Of course, this follows on from the death of one of the UK’s most famous designers Alexander McQueen and is very sad news indeed for stylists and the world of fashion alike.

Are you a fan of Hermes?

Posted by Kim Smithson

Why Jumpsuits Are Perfect For Day and Night

If you’re one of those people that dreads the summer because it means you have to swap the comfort of jeans for girly dresses, we think we’ve got the perfect solution for you.

Jumpsuit are everywhere at the moment and with so many styles and shapes to choose from, there’s bound to be something you like, whether it’s for a night out or a casual daytime look.

The likes of Chloe, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Jaeger all featured them in their catwalk shows and we think it’s about time they found their way into your online closet organizer.

It’s important to think about the fabric you choose, because jumpsuits made from silk are much better with some cool lace-up ankle boots for an evening outfit.

But, as Natalie Hartley, senior fashion editor at InStyle points out, "jumpsuits can be worn anywhere" and they are great "worn with heels or flat boots so you get lots of look from one outfit."

We love the idea of glamming up your outfit with a statement handbag or a bold pair of earrings, but be careful not to go overboard, as Ms Hartley says that your accessories "should look simple and non-fussy" if you really want the clothes to do the talking.

What do you think of jumpsuits? Why not use My Clippings to store any hot fashion finds you come across on the internet?

Posted by Rachel White

 

The Criminally Cute Tokidoki Crew Invades Sephora

photo credit: tokidoki

Surely you’ve run into the tokidoki crew before!  These “criminally cute” characters have made their way onto everything from t-shirts and handbags to luggage and cell phones.  Even fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld has been immortalized in the world of tokidoki!

photo credit: tokidoki

Now a partnership with Sephora will enable you to transform your look in true tokidoki style.  A provocative and playful mix of colors, textures and must-have accessories define this exciting new beauty brand available exclusively at Sephora this month.  Pop pigment shades for eyes, lips and face come together alongside professional tools and accessories, all inspired by tokidoki’s cast of characters, like the milk stealing Moofia and the sweet and prickly SANDy.

We sat down with Creative Director and Co-Founder of tokidoki, Simone Legno, to learn more about his larger-than-life characters and their plans for the future.

MFP: Can you introduce us to some of your characters?

SL: I have different groups, but probably the most popular are SANDy and Bastardino.  They’re the Cactus Friends.  The idea is that sometimes the world can be cold and scary, especially for cute things, so they need something pretty tough like a cactus suit to protect them.

MFP: Do these characters ever reflect the way you personally feel about the world?

SL: Maybe in the past, when I was in my late twenties, I still needed a cactus suit.  Out there, especially for an artist, there are people who want to take advantage of you.  I was very lucky to find my business partners of six years, Pooneh Mohajer and Ivan Arnold.  We’ve become a family.  We even live next door to each other!  I really do think that artists need a cactus suit sometimes though.  Out there it is very wild.

MFP: How did this world of tokidoki start?

SL: tokidoki started as my personal artistic diary.  I finished design school and I put my website up.  I was starting to study Japanese at the time and I very much liked the word “tokidoki” which means “sometimes.”  The idea is that sometimes things happen by coincidence and sometimes dreams come true.  My idea was that if I put up this website, someone will see it and something magical will happen- something will change in my life.  And really it did.  I started promoting myself and my website.  I kept networking and it eventually brought thousands of people to my website, sometimes even 15-17,000 a day.  One of these people was my business partner, Ivan Arnold.  He said, “We love this artwork!  Let’s discuss about bringing you to LA and building this website into a real brand.”

MFP: It sounds like you always knew tokidoki would branch out into fashion and beauty. Why have you chosen Sephora as the exclusive retailer for your cosmetic line?

SL: We belong to this world of affordable luxury that is artistic but friendly.  That’s why I think Sephora is a great partner, because their brand is exclusive and classic, but very friendly.  They have a very familiar retail environment that makes it the perfect place to be!  They understand the relationship between fun, creativity, self-expression and color unlike any other retailer.

photo credit: Sephora.com

Don’t let the cuteness of these characters fool you; this color collection impresses the most experienced makeup aficionados.  With immaculate attention to detail such as artist approved chisel tip applicators, (the same tip which Simone uses to create his characters!), indigenous Japanese and Italian ingredients and professionally milled powder formulations, every aspect of the line brings together art, color and performance for an unforgettable experience.

tokidoki, exclusively at Sephora, is now available on Sephora.com and at all Sephora stores, as well as by calling 1-877-SEPHORA.

An Inteview with Oliver Tolentino, “Valentino of the Philippines”

When Oliver Tolentino opened a Los Angeles boutique in 2009, he became the first Philippines-based fashion designer to expand into the United States. Dubbed the Valentino of the Philippines, Oliver has designed gowns for many well-known figures in his native country, including former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

Over the past five years, he has made his name both nationally and internationally, designing for prominent celebrities such as Arnel Pineda, lead singer of Journey. Internationally, Oliver designs for the biggest names in the Philippines, and won first place at Bali Fashion Week 2008 for a Carnivale parade outfit.

In October 2009, he presented a 40 piece collection based on eco-friendly materials, such as pineapple fiber, which he recently presented again in EcoChic Geneva, an eco-friendly fashion show held in Geneva, Switzerland.

New Details on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s Move to Lincoln Center!

Photo credit: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

It may still be spring, but the fashion world is already gearing up for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this September! I like most fashionistas, LOVE Fashion Week and was excited to learn a while back that the iconic event will be held for the very first time at the Lincoln Center.

Now don’t get me wrong, a part of me will miss the whimsy of the tents at Bryant Park, however the move to Lincoln Center is allowing IMG to upgrade several aspects of all Fashion Week events, including modernized production capabilities for designers, upgraded digital services, better accessibility for attendees through both public and private transportation, and great resources/facilities on-site and in the surrounding areas.

Mock up of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. Photo credit: IMG Fashion Worldwide

Here’s a short overview of the planned upgrades:

• Gracious Lobby
  • Main Lobby separation from guest holding areas/lines
  • More seating areas and useable work spaces for guests
  • Modernized digital signage
  • Free flowing sponsorship areas with expanded services for guests

• The Theatre (969 Designer Seating)
  • Larger backstage area
  • New upstage video wall
  • Larger, more robust scenic truss

• The Stage (740 Designer Seating)
  • Modernized Stadium Seating
  • Bench Seating with customizable cushions on seating risers
  • White walls with gray carpet

• The Studio (396 Designer Seating)
  • New gray interior décor
  • Larger seating capacity
  • Longer and wider runway
  • Seating raked higher for better sightline, comparable with larger venues

• The Box Presentation Space (Capacity for 125 people)
  • Industry demand for more flexible ‘4th Venue’
  • Space for live and/or still life presentations and industry activities

• The Courtyard (Outdoor Garden)
  • Glass walled, formal tree filled courtyard
  • Informal presentations

The plans also include upgrades for a more designer centric website, a streamlined credentialing system, improved press and media facilities, and more efficient transportation options.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center will be held from September 9 to 16. Stay tuned for more details on how things are shaping up!

XOXO,

Jess

Naomi Campbell Launches Russian Charity

After holding a special fashion show to raise money for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti earlier this year, Naomi Campbell has already shown us that she has a charitable side.

However, she has now decided to give something back to underprivileged children living in Russia, where she often spends time with her partner Vladimir Doronin.

The fundraiser is called Neon and the British supermodel wants to try and raise £1 million for two Russian charities which provide medicine and education to kids.

This sounds like a very worthy cause to us and given the success of her Haiti campaign, we’re sure she’ll succeed.

In an interview with Reuters, 38-year-old Campbell said: "I’m living here … everyone has been very nice to me and welcoming and I wanted to give back."

As well as rumors of a wedding for the model emerging earlier this month, she has been sporting Russian-designed dresses and is becoming an increasingly regular fixture at fashion shows and boutiques.

Could Russia be her new home?

What do you think of Campbell’s new charity venture?

Posted by Kim Smithson

 

Why White Is Right For Summer

It’s trend time again now and if you haven’t already, we think it’s high time you put all your dark winter clothes to the back of your virtual closet organizer and got ready for some fun in the sun.

How should you do this? By daring to dazzle in white.

OK, so we know it’s not the most practical of colors, but we think there’s nothing better than a classic, breezy white blouse teamed with blue jeans and sunnies for a chic look, whatever you’re doing.

Emily Zak, acting executive fashion editor at Vogue, agreed, saying: "More than a blank canvas, white focuses the eye on form and line and now runs the gamut from pure innocence to power dressing."

A white shirt should already be a wardrobe staple for those days when you just don’t know what to wear for the office, but we want you to introduce the color into your weekend wardrobe as well, with pretty sundresses and cardigans.

Just look at Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson, they both looked stunning in their white outfits at the Iron Man 2 premiere in LA recently.

Will you be wearing white this summer?

Posted by Lydia Milne

 

First Fashion Film Festival in the U.S. Hits La Jolla, CA

The evolution of fashion took center stage this past weekend at the first U.S. fashion short film festival, featuring both “brand” and freelance screenings of a new art form that is emerging worldwide. The La Jolla Fashion Film Festival, the newest two-day fashion event, featured exclusive movie screenings, film debuts, fashion webcasts, VIP parties, and more. April 23rd & 24th. La Jolla, California.

Stay Stylish And Comfy In Platforms

If you’re looking for an incredible pair of shoes that will really make a statement when you hit the dance floor on a night out, you can’t get much better than platforms.

We don’t mean full-on 70s disco-style shoes, but there is no doubt that this trend has had something of a resurgence of late – just look at the heaven and hell-inspired creations from Alexander McQueen’s final collection as an example.

The St Petersburg Times claims that the shoes originally emerged in the 1400s when women needed to protect their feet from the dirt.

Obviously the glamorous heels wardrobe stylists encourage us to wear have come a long way since then, but the practical aspect remains.

They may require excellent balancing skills, but platforms are actually way more comfortable than regular pumps, because the soles of your feet are elevated off the floor.

We can hear our toes breathing a sigh of relief already!

Designer Paola Venturi agrees with this sentiment and told Style Binge that they’re an "easy and comfortable way to be in a high heel."

Sounds good to us! Plus, an extra few inches height-wise never hurt anyone.

Why not use My Outfits to create some gorgeous looks to go with your platforms?

Posted by Amy Hughes

 

Kate Moss ‘Gets In A Flap’

The 1920s are one of our favourite eras, fashion-wise, because we love the simple shapes, decorative beading and slightly over-the-top feathered headdresses that the fashionistas of the age wore.

Of course, we might look a bit weird if we wore one of these hairbands nowadays, but the decade’s influence on modern design is still apparent, as Kate Moss proved when she was spotted at the Whitechapel Gallery in London this week.

The model, who included flapper style frocks in one of her successful Topshop collections, chose a gorgeous, loose-fitting black shift dress for the event, which looked sophisticated worn with black tights, heels and a smart blazer.

But the outfit was really brought to life by all the stunning detailing and decoration on the frock, which included flower shapes and silver trimming.

We think this is the perfect example of when less is more and if you’ve got something like this stored away in your online closet organizer, make sure it gets all the attention it deserves on a night out.

Do you like 1920s fashion?

Posted by Kim Smithson