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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Make love not war

May 1968. Be realistic, ask what's impossible. Paris became a symbol of revolution. Youth didn't resign themselves any more. They protested against the system and how society was organised. At first only students went on strike, but suddenly Paris became the scenario of huge strikes which were spreading around Europe, while in USA the demonstrations against Vietnam war continued.

Paris, May 1968


Mayo de 1968. S� realista, pide lo imposible. Paris se convirti� en un s�mbolo de revoluci�n. La juventud dej� de resignarse. Al principio fueron simples protestas estudiantiles, pero finalmente se acabaron extendiendo por Europa, mientras que en EEUU segu�an protestando contra la guerra de Vietnam.




Demonstraton against Vietnam war. Washington D.C. 1967

by Magnum






Prague Spring, 1968 - picture by Josef Koudelka (Magnum)


(Song in Spanish):







I've always had a little warrior inside of me and I feel really powerless when facing injustices. Forty years after May 1968 you could say their fighters are comfortably sit on offices and earning a lot of money, but at least, they can say that the fought. And in part, we must be grateful because they changed our lives too.

Siempre he tenido un peque�o guerrero dentro de m� y realmente me siento impotente cuando me enfrento con injusticias. Cuarenta a�os tras Mayo 1968 podr�amos decir que aquellos "luchadores" est�n sentados c�modamente en sus oficinas y ganando un mont�n de dinero, pero por lo menos, ellos pueden decir que han luchado. Y en parte, debemos estarles agradecidos porque ellos han cambiado nuestras vidas tambi�n.






I wish our generation, which did nothing until now, doesn't appear in history only like drug-lovers addicted to internet. Remember, we are young and our obligation is fighting for that we believe in. If we don't do it now, then when?
Ojal� que nuestra generaci�n, que no ha hecho nada hasta ahora, no aparezca en la historia solo como amantes de las drogas adictos a internet. Recuerda, somos j�venes y nuestra obligaci�n es luchar por aquello en lo que creemos. Si no lo hacemos ahora, �entonces, cu�ndo?






Amy Winehouse alleged to be sniffing some drugs

Amy Winehouse presuntamente esnifando algunas drogas


From The Mailbox



First, here is a great photo of Nick Verreos and Rami Kashou at the GLAAD Media Awards Presentation in Los Angeles on April 26th.

The New York Observer weighs in on Project Runway's move to Lifetime.

The Miami Herald reports from Jay McCarroll's appearance. Don't miss the slide show.

Tim Gunn and Bravo President Lauren Zalaznick will be among the panelists discussing "What We Watch" on Sunday, May 4th at Sunday With The Magazine in NYC. Click here for more info.

Outfit: work

This is what I wore to work yesterday:



pants: Uniqlo, top: H&M, cardigan: Uniqlo, bag: Shop:Lush

Nina Garcia to Judge a New Competition....

It's not a Fashion Design Contest -

It's not a Reality Show to discover the next magazine intern -

It has nothing to do with her appearance on Ugly Betty -

Or her Blackberry -

Nina will judge a contest sponsored by YAZ to design the packaging for Birth Control Pills!

It's called the "Step Up and Go Beyond" contest and the winner will receive $10,000. The deadline is June 30th.

Tim Gunn in Albany

Regina V sends us this fabulous field report from Albany. Thank you Regina!

Hey BPR!

I had the great pleasure of meeting Tim Gunn on April 26th at Macys (Colonie Center mall) in Albany, NY. He was in town for the Macys/Liz Claiborne Mother's Day Fashion Show.

Even though the event was slated to begin at 2pm, those of us who made reservations were told to arrive at 1pm to get in line. The line seemed to grow out of nowhere as the excitement built up. After everyone was seated - was told there were 200 seats - those without reservations stood around the back and sides of the crowd. My own seat was fabulous, being on the left side of the runway itself in the second row.

The fashion show was terrific and showcased a lot of fashions that are younger and more hip for Liz Claiborne. So glad this label is moving forward to appeal to more women! Tim was gracious in offering tips for styling and accessorizing throughout the show.

Click here to continue.

LONDON - on the street, marylebone+ soho + west end, 04/29/08





Wedges by Casta�er

Black Janette Raffia Wedges by Casta�er, �144.
Red Janette Raffia Wedges by Casta�er, �144.
Green Juli Canvas Wedges by Casta�er, �144.
Black Juli Canvas Wedges by Casta�er, �144.
A summer staple! the wedge is the only way to walk tall during the summer months and the Casta�er black and red raffia wedge is oh-so-chic while the Casta�er Canvas wedge will be perfect for those elegant summer dresses.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Chris March Judges The Ultimate Bridesmaid Challenge

BPR's Ace Field Reporter, Nancy T provides us with this story from the event. Thank you Nancy.


Fashion snarking from a Project Runway finalist, a world-famous established designer, and a movie star! Twenty-seven good sports parading truly atrocious dresses! A setting that any bride would kill for, complete with champagne, chocolate strawberries, pillars of pink flowers, and a lake view, but with no stress or in-laws! Sounds like Blogging Project Runway heaven.

And it was. On April 28, Fox Home Entertainment sponsored �The Ultimate Bridesmaid Challenge� to publicize the DVD release of �27 Dresses.� Brides-to-be were invited to bring and model ugly bridesmaid dresses, in the hopes of winning a $10,000 wedding dress from Kleinfeld (a NY bridal salon), a Best Buy home theater, other Best Buy merchandise, and other pricey swag. The judges were Chris March, Malin Akerman (one of the stars of the movie), and Randolph Duke (the fashion designer who resurrected the Halston label in 1996.)


Click here to continue and to see the glorious gown that took the prize!

Elena entre Rosas, by Sorolla

I've recently visited an exhibition on Spanish painter, Joaqu�n Sorolla. He was born in Valencia in 1863 and he died in 1923. He studied paint and lived in Paris and Rome for a while. He is one of the masters in Spanish impressionism. I am bewtiched by impressionism, I cannot help but adore the idea of see nothing when you are near, and see everything when you are a bit away from the painting. He became soon and expert in the treatment of light and in portraits. Elena entre Rosas (Elena between roses) is one of my favourites. This painting is so special. The little girl looks a bit shy, looking down while he was painting her portrait, and at the same time the atmosphere is so sweet, the two bows on her hair, the spring weather, and so many roses!
.
Recientemente he visitado una exposici�n del pintor espa�ol Joaqu�n Sorolla. Naci� en 1863 en Valencia y muri� en 1923 tras tres a�os de angustiosa enfermedad. Estudi� pintura en Espa�a y vivi� en Par�s y Roma durante un tiempo, el necesario para impregnarse de la corriente impresionista, convirti�ndose en un maestro de la misma, primero a nivel espa�ol, y luego a nivel internacional. Sus especialidades m�s destacadas son el tratamiento de la luz y los retratos. Elena entre Rosas es uno de mis cuadros favoritos dentro de la ingente obra de este autor. Este cuadro es muy especial, la ni�a de por s� ya despierta una gran ternura interior a cualquiera, la atm�sfera es extremadamente dulce gracias a las flores, y los colores que consigue rozan la perfecci�n.




Another perfect and inspirational example of his work: Paseo a Orillas del Mar (Walking by the Seaside). The costumes of this painting are just perfect. The broad-brimmed hat, the pure white colour, and the long dresses... it's a cool reflect of this season.



Otro perfecto ejemplo de su obra es el cuadro Paseo a Orillas del Mar. Me resulta especialmente inspirador para esta temporada: las pamelas, el color blanco puro, los vestidos largos... En cierta manera es un reflejo de lo que est� temporada nos ofrece.

Topshop Reno Caged Platform Shoes

Ladies, Ladies, ladies, if you missed out on the Topshop Sereno shoes, do not let yourselves miss out on these Topshop's Reno Caged Platform Shoes, �60, in peach, nude and bright blue. Just out and as stunning as the original Serenos, the Reno is open back. They are ready for orders and have them is sizes ranging from 36 to 42 (4 to 9). Do not say I did not warn you.

El Dantes for Faith Solo

CARTNY, �115.LUCKLY, �145.

The long awaited Faith Solo by El Dantes Spring/ Summer Collection is finally here. The collection is glamorous and elegant with a stylish edge. Inject your wardrobe with these sort after chunky wooden wedges or these feminine sexy heels to add instant add glamour and extra style to your summer outfits.

Etro Suede High-Top Fringe Gladiator Sandals

Etro's Suede High-Top Fringe Gladiator Sandals, �385, have got to be the 'It' sandals for this season. Not only are they adorned with an abundance of fringe but they also look quite chic and can be worn day or evening. Kimberley Stewart sports a pair!!!!

Faith Jadiator Sandals

Faith's Snake skin effect strappy gladiator sandals with closed back and buckled ankle strap are gorgeous. The Jadiator sandals, �28, will add style and character to any outfit and are set to become this season�s must have item. Gwyneth Paltrow looks very chic in her Stella McCartney printed top and gold metal gladiators sandals with skinny jeans and blazer.

From The Mailbox

According to this interview in The Miami Herald, Veronica Webb will not be Tim Gunn's co-host in season two of "Guide to Style." No surprise there... Who will be the new co-host? Does Tim even need one?

Ricky Lizalde will be showing his designs during Escondido's Fashion Week.

Jack Mackenroth gets paired up with "Top Design" winner Matt Lorenz of all people to judge a design contest in Seattle in the latest version of Reality Worlds Collide.

According to WWD, Elle Magazine still hasn't hired a replacement for Nina Garcia. Here is the relevant paragraph:

ELLE RAISER: Though Elle and former fashion director Nina Garcia have not yet settled on the terms of their future working relationship (nor her relationship to "Project Runway," since Elle is contracted to the show through season five), the magazine elevated several staffers, including Garcia's old assistants, to fill the gap. First, Kate Lanphear, senior style and market editor who is said to be a possible successor for Garcia, has been promoted to style director. Joann Pailey, formerly senior fashion market editor, was promoted to market director. Also, Jade Frampton was elevated to a market editor and Malina Joseph has been named fashion bookings editor. A replacement for Garcia, who was fired from her position earlier this month, has not yet been appointed.

Tim Gunn Featured in NYC's "Just Ask The Locals" Campaign



Click here for more.

LONDON - on the street, soho & west end + exhibition opening, istituto marangoni, 04/28/08





Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Kirrily Johnston

Kirrily Johnston was a designer brand that seemed to be moving away from the much favoured new rave & 80's styles that were ever so present on Australian catwalks for the last few seasons.

This season, it seemed Kirrily Johnston washed off all that fluro for an almost Calvin Klein clean palette. Stark white sheets draped over grey Prada-esque thigh high socks. The palettes remained simple with whites, greys and black, which for Australian fashion is unusual, as summer is the embodiment of colour for most of the world, particularly Australians.

Neverthless, a lot of the Kirrily pieces were wearable, such as the fuschia party dress which is sure to sell well. Although the theme started off as with a wonderfully African Nomadic vibe, but then faded away into a confusing mix of disco, 80s and Miami beach life. It's as if she was trying mold a new image whilst still holding onto past expectations, that would cater for all.
Either way, the brands new image hinted at the style of Fashion Designer, Victoria Gazinskaya. The looks she wore throughout the Spring Summer 08 Fashion Shows, particularly that at the Nina Ricci Show, has an uncanny resemblance to the looks sported at the Kirrily Johnston. Gazinskaya an unpronounced muse perhaps?

Rosemount Australia Fashion Week: Zimmerman Runway

As some of you may know, Rosemount Australian Fashion Week has landed once again. As per usual nothing has really got me my heart racing. A lot of designers so far have stuck to the familiar and brought with them lashings of street style as opposed to high style.

I expected nothing more nor nothing less from the Spring/Summer 2008 Zimmerman Collection. It was all about Bikinis, bikinis bikinis. Although Zimmerman apparently make great bikinis, i think it is necessary for a designer to showcase pieces with a bit more substance in order to have the privilege of showcasing their collections on a runway.

However, Zimmerman did come up with little paisley dresses perfect for Australian summer days thus satisfying the desires of their beach bum Paris Hilton wannabes, whilst the beautifully designed wide leg pant brought a more mature city feel to the collection and in the process catering for a wider audience.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Preview of Ugly Betty with Christian Siriano and Nina Garcia

Goodbye Leggings II

Leggings are over. They've died. I've written a post on it some months ago, but now, I feel the need of saying it again. Some people -normally teenagers- are still wearing leggings and I can't stand it! Please, assume they are over!

Here the link to the post I wrote in October (for those who wanna read it)


http://londonfashiontrends.blogspot.com/2007/10/goodbye-leggings.html




Tras los �ltimos estertores de los leggings, he de decir que han muerto. Ya lo poste� aqu� hace varios meses, pero ahora me veo en la necesidad de repetirlo porque parece que hay gente que a�n no se ha dado por enterada!

A Rami Kashou Design on the Red Carpet



This is the lovely actress Nazanin Boniadi who is in the new Iron Man movie. She is wearing a Rami Kashou design to the UK Charity Premiere.

There is a clip of her red carpet arrival at about 4:57.

Ask The Fashion Professor



Dear Professor,

Do you know anything about the "Shoe Star" competition? Isn't it based at FIT? What do you think of the designers?

Sincerely,
Shoe Lover


Click here to continue.

Eleven Minutes in Miami

Long-time BPR and recapper, Shawn L sends us this fabulous field report from Miami - thanks Shawn!



Hey BPR!

I had a really great time yesterday seeing Eleven Minutes and Jay McCarroll's fashion show afterwards at the Dorset Hotel in South Beach. I brought along my friends Aly and Jay. We all thought the film was really funny and did a great job at showing a whole other side of the fashion industry that Project Runway would never touch on. Jay McCarroll is naturally hilarious and his designing abilities are amazing. Seeing the process of having his sketches turn into real life outfits was eye opening.


Click here to continue.

LONDON - brick lane market, 04/27/08