In a particularly intriguing turn of events for the fashion industry, the established fashion house of Balenciaga has opted to hire Alexander Wang as their new creative director. The news comes on the heels of recent creative director- Nicolas Ghesquiere’s immediate departure as of yesterday. Intensive rumors that London-based designer, Christopher Kane was a suitor for the position have been decisively quashed by the surprising announcement. Alexander Wang’s meteoric rise to success and stardom from his wildly successful self-titled label and subsequent T by Alexander Wang is certainly an indication of the designer’s immense capability and vision. However, the new project of revamping the Balenciaga label will prove to be an interesting and delicate task for Wang. Initiated in 1918 by Spanish designer, Cristobal Balenciaga, early Balenciaga collections were quite opulent and referenced fanciful historical fashion. Ghesquiere’s insertion as head designer into the newly revived label in 1997 brought a new attention to Balenciaga classics. Ghesquiere’s penchant for fascinating new design elements kept the brand evolving through his years there. With Ghesquiere’s guidance, Balenciaga has moved into a future that seems distanced from the Balenciaga of the Christobal Balenciaga days but the metamorphosis is not a negative one. Ghesquiere has transformed Balenciaga into an ultramodern yet constantly well-respected label. It is due to Ghesquiere’s aesthetic transitions that the label is comfortable hiring Alexander Wang, the king of minimal-chic, for such an integral position. No doubt, Alexander Wang’s presence as creative director will be an extraordinarily different experience than his presence in his current labels. And yet, Balenciaga may prove to be a wonderful outlet for Alexander Wang to express a different creative aesthetic than that of his brand. Only time will tell what the infusion of Alexander Wang will be at Balenciaga as we can expect the fruit of this fashion union to be on the runway at future fashion week presentations. Women

By: Sarah Humphries

Photo source: PurpleDiary

Sultry songbird Lana del Rey is the campaign model for H&M�s autumn and Christmas advertisements. The always coiffed and glamorous del Rey seemed the flawless fit for the company�s needs. PR manager Chloe Bowers discusses the decision: “We were looking for a style icon and singer to model our autumn/winter 2012-13 collection and Lana Del Rey was the perfect choice. We think she shows our fall fashion in a very inspiring way. The theme of the campaign is a modern and feminine woman with a soft attitude. Curves and waist are important in autumn’s silhouette.” Along with the ad campaign, Lana will be featured in a television ad for the company. A recording of the 1950s classic Blue Velvet will augment the short film ad. The film�s release date is set for September 19^th.

Del Rey looks retro-fabulous in the dusty pink angora sweater and silk micro shorts of the promotional photos. She, of course sports her trademark cat-eye liner and voluminous hair. Donald Schneider, H&M�s creative director told WWD that the ambiance of the fall collection “is very L.A. noir.�

“Well, I’m very much a literary person. And my fashion always tells a story somehow. I never look at fashion magazines. I find them incredibly boring. To me, reading a fashion magazine is the last thing I need to do. I’ve got books I need to read. More people should read books. It’s the most concentrated experience you can have. You know, all those incredible geniuses concentrated their lifetimes’ experiences in books. It’s much better than chattering away to somebody who’s never read anything and knows nothing at all.”

Her massively creative fashion and unique, confident perspective makes London’s “First Lady of Punk” one of the greatest style icons of our age. One quote from the photo set really embodies how Vivienne’s fashion and attitude blend into the perfect disposition:�”I think clothes kind of enhance your experience of life.” Well said, Lady Vivienne.

It is an occasion for riotous celebration! The long adored house of Dolce and Gabbana has successfully created a top-secret couture collection! Debuted in an exclusive and clandestine show in Sicily, the show was only a part of a weekend-long event to celebrate the line. The collection has been a project that has been in production for the past six months, but a dream that has been in the making for years.

With 27 years of experience in the business, Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce, know exactly how to play the game of the fashion industry. Inviting the cr�me de la cr�me to take part in this incredible couture centered weekend secured patrons from an already admiring following. Only three publications- The Daily Telegraph, Le Figaro, and Corriere della Sera as well as the editors of Vogue were allowed to cover the show and events under the strictest of standards. Gabbana explained that all the secrecy was “not because of us, but the customers. They really do not want to see their dresses in a magazine.”

Dolce and Gabbana seem to have made the event truly into an affair to remember, hosting evenings of fine dinners and dancing in the throughout the several days leading up to the show. Before the presentation of the 73 couture looks, Stefano Gabbana declared: “When we started out 27 years ago, our dream was to become a�maison�like Chanel, old Chanel. And now, maybe, this dream is coming true.”

By: Sarah Humphries

Photo credit: Telegraph

The cover and editorial, �Collections,� for the July issue of Vogue Italia is an over-the-top photo set to be sure. Depicted in spectacular large spreads are the most sensational Fall/Winter 2012 collections, augmented by dynamic compositions and considerable sets. The collections of Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Commes des Garcons, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Versace, Rick Owens, and Louis Vuitton all take on a distinctive personality�as the�set and styling of each photo�keeps the�disposition of each collection in mind. Stylist Karl Templer creates moods that fluctuate drastically. From the lustrous dark attitude of the Givenchy collection to the quirky and amusing Commes des Garcons collections, the styling is reflective of each collections’ distinguishing personality. Similarly, set designer Mary Howard interprets the environment for each collection keeping the tone of the editorial impressive and playful. Models Vanessa Axente, Elena Bartels, Ros Georgiou, Hedvig Palm, Julia Nobis, Erjona Ala, Mackenzie Drazan, Lida Fox, Lula Osterdahl, and Ophelie Rupp are the embodiment of each look with poses of such energy and intensity. Thrilling and entertaining, �Collections� is not simply about the sensational photography or the extensive sets, but indeed about the captivating collections and their different characters. The nature of each collection and the temperament of their customer is so fantastically diverse that the appeal of �Collections� lies in the assortment.

By: Sarah Humphries

This Thursday, the uniforms for this years’�2012 London Olympics were revealed to the public. Classic American fashion label, Ralph Lauren was chosen by the Olympic Committee to design the outfits for the opening ceremony. In a press statement announcing the roster of the company’s �athlete ambassadors,� throughout the games, David Lauren declared, �The Olympic Games are the greatest sporting event in the world and we are incredibly honored to partner with this esteemed group of athletes. They embody the true spirit of American sportsmanship and we are proud to have them wear our product as they represent Team USA.�

The uniforms are certainly Ralph Lauren in taste and have a slightly militarial tone. The ensemble features a navy blue blazer and white trousers or skirt. The women�s blazer is single breasted while the men�s is double and it is completed with an Olympic medallion patch and a large embroidered Polo logo. Accessories include a striped scarf for the ladies, a star spangled necktie for the men, and a beret for both men and women. The seemingly harmless ensemble is causing quite the controversy since it�s release. On Wednesday ABC World News reported that it had learning that the uniforms were manufactured in China. The new information has been causing an uproar. Public anger over the issue caused Ralph Lauren facebook page to be bombarded with comments of disgust and calls for boycotts. US Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky released a statement about the issue saying, “Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the U.S. Olympic Team is privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors.�

So, seeing as government funding is not provided for Olympic apparel, it seemed quite out of place when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, commented furiously, “the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.� Obviously, Ralph Lauren should have pursued American manufacturing, no question, but calling for a public burning seems harsh. There is also some debate over whether the design of the American uniforms is too �country club,� or �too preppy.� But this Ralph Lauren, we are talking about here, the preppiness has no limits. Other critics deemed the berets as �too European,� a Fox commentator stating “why not a baseball cap?� It all just seems rather unsportsmanlike to be fuming over the situation, even though the abroad manufacturing was�unnecessary�and is unsavory. The patriotic thing to do is to lend support to our diligent athletes, no matter their fashion, and hope that important lessons have been learned on the part of everyone involved.

Delicacy and drama was portrayed in a way only Giambattista Valli can deliver at the Fall 2012 couture shows. The ultra-feminine collection included fine patterns, theatrical volume, and classic couture silhouettes. The beauty and styling of the show was a particularly breathtaking aspect as well as the use of intense color, and magnificent floral prints. Models were reminiscent of otherworldly woodland nymphs, fragile butterflies perched on their ethereal face-covering veils. A stunning gold metal vine accessory would wind its way around the models� bodies in an almost ominous serpentine fashion.

By: Sarah Humphries

1. The Row

4. Cusnie et Ochs

5. Oscar de la Renta

6. T by Alexander Wang

7. Chris Benz

�8. Bibhu Mohapatra

9. Marchesa

10. Michael Kors

By: Sarah Humphries

Lily Cole gets patriotic for her editorial and cover for S Moda. This issue celebrates the 2012 London Olympics with an interpretation of British fashion throughout the decades. Photographer Damon Baker and stylist Alberto Murta channel the edgy British attitude using an eclectic mix of designers like Dr. Martins, Givenchy, Manish Arora, Blumarine, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, and Agent Provocateur. Bold accessories make up an important addition to most of the looks in the photo set. Hats range from a lustrous petit leather beret, to a feathered headdress of the showgirl variety as well as a sweetly dazzling velvety crown. Of course, Twiggy was the inspiration for the 60s look and Cole�s doe eyes suited the look perfectly.

Moschino�s 2013 resort collection encapsulates countless trends in one extensive collection. A penchant for neon and extremely 70s inspired looks begin the set. Bold prints on a mini-dress and jumpsuit bring an added punch to simple silhouettes. The collection evolves into some fantastic ladylike separates. Colorful accessories such as some powerfully vibrant cat-eye sunglasses add excitement to hyper-bright prints instead of toning down the theme.

One photo from the lookbook displays a jacket of thick neon yellow top paired with yellow and green cat-eye shades. These shades have a futuristic element in their reflective lenses and works to counter some of the vintage vibes in the ensemble. There is certainly something for everyone in this collection because as soon as the neon trend surfaces, it is gone and replaced by neutral looks of pale peach, black, and white. Several fascinating dresses employ an intricate patternwork technique of lines of high shine fabrics contrasted with matte or sheer. Other trends like embellished collars and injections of nautical-esque looks make this collection wide-ranging, albeit inconsistent. It can�t be denied however, that Moschino has found a customer in every woman as the collection caters to so many styles. New business strategy perhaps?

By: Sarah Humphries