Click on image to play video

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Surely you’ve seen enough in stores and fashion magazines by now to know that this is transformational year in fashion: bold color and prints are to be found everywhere both in men’s and women’s fashion. What might have begun on the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris as shocking and unwearable just a few seasons ago, has now gone mainstream.

If you remember, in the “Devil Wears Prada,” Meryl Streep’s character gives Ann Hathaway a history lecture on cerulean blue and how it arrived from the runway to the sweater she was wearing. While the film’s version of events was historically inaccurate the basic lesson is true.

Take for instance digital prints. These are prints developed computer technology and they are revolutionizing the very idea of what images can be produced on clothing, much in the same way computers have allowed architects to build  structures in shapes that don’t resemble anything like your vertical skyscraper.

Indisputably, the leading womenswear designer of this movement is the Greek born London based designer Mary Katrantzou. She grew up in a family whose business produced  textiles and went on to study at the world’s most prestigious fashion institution, Central St. Martins in London.

She develops her own prints for the clothing she presents on the runway and is what I consider to be not only the most important female designer of her generation but the most important designer period. These images are from her September 20th, 2011 runway show for Spring Summer 2012.

Thanks to the current collection at Club Monaco you can see how a digital print can be reinterpreted from the runway of Mary Katranzou–and I don’t mean copied, as J Crew did to one of Mary’s skirts which did a very fast disappearing act, either due to brisk sales or to copyright infringement issue–to a mainstream retailer.

Club Monaco calls it’s collection “Prints of Paradise,”and you can see how it has taken the complexity  of the shapes and the prints of Mary Katrantzou  and simplified them for a more casual and affordable lifestyle. They have used the print as part of a colorblock with white, added it simply as detail like in the piping of a dress or the lapel of a jacket.

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I’ve always advised clients to buy a print skirt to mix with a suit jacket for a fresh summer look, so I especially like the skirt in this collection as a way to transform your summer wardrobe. In Chicago, Mary Katrantzou’s clothes can be found at select retailers including  Barney’s and  Nordstrom.

On the men’s side, the statement of the season is color, color, color. Look what the Canadian brothers Dean and Dan Caten showed in June 2011 for their DSquared2 Spring 2012 collection for instance:

This summer walk into any men’s department from the Gap, JCPenny, to JCrew, Club Monaco and on up to the luxury department stores and what you will see everywhere is the brightly colored chino for men.

Club Monaco for instance styles the look this way for this summer:

For the best way to update a man’s wardrobe this summer read my post “Buyer, Buyer, Pants on Fire.”

And finally on the beauty front, from NARS comes a nail polish collection that was a collaboration with the famed shoe designer Pierre Hardy. The color palette is inspired by Mr. Hardy’s 2013  shoe collection and is packaged in his signature shoebox.

But here is the real novelty. The nail polish colors are only sold in pairs –as you would shoes–AND the color in the bottle on the left goes only on your left hand and the color on the right goes on you right hand. (The bottles are marked on the bottom.) Of course you are free to use each color on both hands, but nail polish has now veered into the world of nail art so here is what has become of it in the summer of 2013!

The box of colors shown above is called “Sharks” and retails for $29.

Tom Kolovos is EIC of aControlledSubstance. All runway images via Style.com

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What is even more stunning  is her unorthodox plan for reconstructive breast surgery.

aCS has learned exclusively what certainly will be no less of a shocker and  guaranteed to to have the blogosphere and the non existent bygone office water cooler abuzz.

We can now reveal exclusively that she will forego traditional  reconstructive surgery because  she plans on stealing Jennifer Aniston’s breasts too.

Brad is particularly supportive of this course of treatment, not only because he was the last thing Ms Jolie stole from Ms Aniston, but also because he secretly rather missed the feeling of Ms Aniston’s breasts since he divorced her to marry Ms Jolie.

Said Mr Pitt in a confidential email, “Jennifer is just smothering those breasts as she once did me and as sometimes happpens in a relationship even the breast of friends drift part. The only unusual thing here as I see it is that Jen is having to part with her stuff twice–and to the same wonderful woman. But look at what happened to Jen after she first lost me to Angelina. She bounced right back immediately. She can handle this. And I’ll be able to handle the situation–so to speak– from now on too. It’s a win win situation for all of us and by that I mean, well, mostly me.”

Miss Aniston, who upon hearing the news of the mastectomy, immediately went into hiding in an undisclosed location once inhabited by Dick Cheney. Barbara Corcoran has confirmed to anyone who will listen the property cost Ms Aniston somewhere in the range of $12 million “though she probably has to sink another $10 million to make it into the love nest she wants to share with anyone who will have her, at this point, really.”

Ms. Aniston’s publicist was  unavailable for comment despite our repeated requests, though we now know from Nancy Grace that in cases like this she was most likely filing paperwork for an order of protection for herself and her PR firm, fearing a tit for tat reprisal from Brangelina were she not able to convince Ms Aniston to comply.

As of this writing, Dolly Parton had yet to confirm rumors that she was in the recording studio putting the finishing touches on a new version of her classic “Jolene,” now retitled “Anjolene” with the caustic lyrics now changed to “I’m begging of you please don’t take my man AND my mams just because you can.”

She plans on donating the profits from the single which will also feature rapper Pitbull to pay for a musical extravaganza at her Dollywood theme park  that will have a hologram Whitney Houston performing the song. On the basis of this news our sources confirm that Clive Davis has signed Hologram Whitney Houston to a new recording contract.

Tom Kolovos, whose parents both died of rare cancers and is widely considered an expert in both pop culture and tragedy , noted that when “life gives you lemons you make lemonade. When life gives you a tumor you make lemonade with humor. It’s the only cure known to have a statistically significant survival rate because it is a psychologically higher order coping mechanism and because, contrary to popular belief outside the Greek world, it works best when detected early.”

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Can’t you just imagine that line from Icona Pop’s song “I Love It” will very likely be used by some nasty Wall Street wife as a putdown?

I certainly can. Oh, and here’s the fragrance for that bitch too: Down Town by Calvin Klein with Rooney Mara in the print ad.

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In November 2009 Escada was acquired by India’s London-based billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, whose daughter-in-law, Megha Mittal, is the owner and Director of the Board. 

How has this affected the direction of the design house?

Here I talk with the company’s Creative Director Daniel Daniel Wingate during his recent trunk show for Fall ’13 in Chicago about the changes in the company and the direction of the brand since it was founded in 1978 by Margaretha Ley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmmikTeYs_Q

Tom Kolovos is EIC of aControlledSubstance

YOu might also like:

CNBScene: In Chicago at Escada and Helmut Lang (PHOTOS)

Yes, We Ann

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I am Gwyneth

The most beautiful woman

In the world

I am Gwyneth
Gwyneth I am

That Gwyneth-I-am
That Gwyneth-I-am!
I do not like
that Gwyneth-I-am

Do you like
green eggs and ham and the Met Ball?

I do not like them,
Gwyneth-I-am.
I do not like
green eggs and ham and the Met Ball.

Would you like them
Here or there?

I would not like them
here or there.
I would not like them
anywhere.
I do not like
green eggs and ham or the Met Ball.
I do not like them,
Gwyneth-I-am

Nor will I next year at all.

Would you like them in a FASHION house?

Would you like them with ANYTHING FREE ?

OR a mouse?

I do not like them
in a house.
I do not like them
with a mouse.
I do not like them
here or there.
I do not like them
anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham nor the Met Ball.
I do not like them, Gwyneth-I-am.

Nor will I next year at all.

Would you eat them
with Botox?
Would you eat them
with a fox?

Not with Botox.
Not with a fox.
Not in a House of Valentino dress.
Not with a mouse, I guess.
I would not eat them here or there.
I would not eat them anywhere.
I would not eat green eggs and ham or attend the Met Ball.
I do not like them, Gwyneth-I-am.
Nor will I next year at all.

Would you? Could you?
in a limo?
Eat them! Eat them!
Here they are.

Let them eat cake!

I would not ,
could not,
in a limo.

You may like them.
You will see.
You may like them
on the 8th cover of Vogue?
And not in Vogue.
I would not, could not in Vogue anymore be!
Not in a limo! You let me be.

I do not like them in my Botox.
I do not like them with a fox
I do not like them in a house
I do not like them with a mouse
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Gwyneth-I-am.

A gown with train! A gown with a train!
A train! A train!
Could you, would you
with a gown with a train?

Not with a VALENTINO train! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! Gwyneth! Let me be!
I would not, could not, in my  Botox.
I could not, would not, with a Jamie Foxx.
I will not eat them with a mouse
I will not eat them in a house.
I will not eat them here or there.
I will not eat them anywhere.
I do not like them, Gwyneth-I-am.

Say!
In the dark?
Here in the  un-fun, boiling and crowded dark!
Would you, could you, in this dark?

I would not, could not,
in this dark. Or even in Central Park.

Would you, could you,
in the rain?

I would not, could not, in the rain.
Not in the dark. Not on a train,
Not in a car, Not in a tree.
I do not like them, Gwyneth, you see.
Not in a house. Not in my Botox.
Not with a mouse. Not with a black sable or Foxx.
I will not eat them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere!

You do not like
green eggs and ham at all?

I do not
like them,
Gwyneth-I-am at the Ball.

Could you, would you,
with an old goat like Anna?

I would not,
could not
with that goat!

Would you, could you,
on a boat?

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not eat them in the heat.
I will not eat them on a crowded train.
Not in the dark! Not in Central Park!
Not in a boiling car! You let me be!
I do not like them in my Botox.
I do not like them with any Foxx, you.
I will not eat them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there or in Miu Miu.

UNLESS IT’S SUPER FUN

EVEN IF YOU GET PAID AT LEAST $750,000 TO WEAR ANYTHING

I DO NOT LIKE THEM ON THE RED CARPET
I do not like them ANYWHERE!

I do not like
green eggs
and ham!

I do not like them,
Gwyneth-I-am.

You do not like them.
SO you say.
Try them! Try them!
And you may.
Try them and you may I say.

Gwyneth!
If you will let me be,
I will try them.
You will see.

Say!
I could  like green eggs and ham in my colonics?

YES because I’m a working mom!

I do!! I like them, Gwyneth-I-am!
And I would sell them to poop on goop.com  

YES goop.com

And I would sell them in a boat!
And I would sell them with a goat…
And I will sell them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
The demographics are so good so good you see!

So I will sell them in a box.
And I will sell  them with a fox.
And I will sell them in a house.
And I will sell them with a mouse.
And I will sell them here and there.
Say! I will sell my poop ANYWHERE!

I do so like
green eggs and ham colonics!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Gwyneth NOT the most beautiful PERSON-I-am

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:

Paltrow blasts Wintour’s Met gala: ‘I’m never going again’

Tom Kolovos is EIC of aControlledSubstance

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NAHB is a trade association that helps promote the policies that make housing a national priority. Since 1942, NAHB has been serving its members, the housing industry, and the public at large.

And now it’s getting some help for Kim Kardashian and the Kardashian Kollection Home for Sears.

Moved by David Beckham’s recently disclosed overture to play soccer in France for Paris-St. Germain,where the soccer star has signed a five-month contract and will donate his salary to a children’s charity in Paris, Kim approached the trade organization to “star in any and  all ad campaigns and promotional material for free in order to help eliminate this housing crisis which affects sales of  my Kardashian Kollection Home for Sears and families everywhere with unwed pregnant mothers carrying a bastard child but still married* yet still divorcing their pevious/current husbands of 7 months.”

The television ads featuring Ms. Kardashian will debut as soon as she is able to stop filming herself having sex and initially air sponsoring the syndicated “Maury” show, gradually moving their way to “Judge Judy” with the hope that it might attract opportunistic producers into an interview with Oprah Winfrey in the vast cable wasteland cable that houses OWN.

Ms. Winfrey could not be reached for comment because she was busy “still not having sex” with longtime companion Gayle King, currently the BS in the CBS Morning News.

John Courson, the new NAHB President and CEO, was delighted at the news. “Sears has always been a place where our members have gone for tools, so this is a natural fit. What better spokesperson than the baby mama of the tool who knocked up this goldigger,” apparently referring to either baby daddy Kaye West or his cautionary hit song “Goldigger.” Another  highly placed NAHB  source interjected, “I wouldn’t be surprised if that tool also did an ad campaign promoting liposuction,” referring to the surgical procedure which killed Mr. West’s mother.

Tom Kolovos is EIC of aControlledSubstance and is looking forward to Motherfucker’s Day, also known as Father’s Day. Top image via cdn02.cdn.socialitelife.com

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With works from 1910 to the 1990s, the collection includes examples from nearly every important designer in the history of Murano glass, among them Guiseppe Barovier, Vittorio Zecchin, Tomaso Buzzi, Napoleone Martinuzzi, Carlo Scarpa, Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Archimede Seguso, Thomas Stearns, Dino Martens, Alfredo Barbini, Giulio Radi, Aldo Nason and Toni Zuccheri as well as more contemporary works by Lino Tagliapietra, James Carpenter and others.

Assembled over the course of several decades, this comprehensive private collection celebrates the remarkable history of 20^th century Italian glass and gives special attention to the work of Ercole Barovier.  Ercole Barovier’s singular contribution to the tradition of Italian glass is highlighted with over sixty pieces from the designer’s unprecedented career.

Rare and exceptional examples include works from the Primavera series of 1929 and unique works from his famed Polichrome designs of the 1960s.  This facet within the collection captures Barovier’s virtuosity and spirit of invention. Arnaud Plaisance, director of Galerie Plaisance in Paris, helped to build this important group of Barovier works, making it one of the most comprehensive private collections. Extraordinary Barovier offerings include a superb Primaveralidded vessel (estimate: $40,000-60,000), a Primavera coupe (estimate: $15,000-20,000) and a unique and important Tessere vase (estimate: $20,000-30,000).

Other outstanding works offered in Important Italian Glass include a rare Pulegoso vase by Barovier Seguso & Ferro from the 1930s (estimate: $10,000-15,000), works by Carlo Scarpa from the Pennellateand A Fili series of the 1940s, iconic Pezzati vases by Fulvio Bianconi, rare Murrine vessels from Paolo Venini and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, and an exceptional Cappello del Doge by Thomas Stearns (estimate: $20,000-30,000).

Important Italian Glass: A Private Parisian Collection was curated by New York-based Italian glass specialists Sara Blumberg and Jim Oliveira, and includes more than two hundred lots of superb quality.

Join Wright on June 8, 2013 at 10 am (ct) to bid on exquisite modern Italian glassworks. Gallery preview for Important Italian Glass: A Private Parisian Collection runs May 31 to June 7, from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday through Friday and Sunday by appointment. All lots will be illustrated in a dedicated catalog as well as online at www.wright20.com.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_1aF54DO60

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