Fancying a bit of Blow

Isabella Blow, that is. 

Known to friends as Issie and credited for discovering Philip Treacy, Hussein Chalayan, Sophie Dahl, Stella Tennant, the late and great Lee Alexander McQueen; Isabella Blow led a fascinating yet tragic life. The kind of life we only see in movies or read about in books. The kind of life some of us secretly and perversely aspire to.  I remember the first time I laid eyes on her. It was back in '96, in a photograph shot by David LaChapelle for Vanity Fair. I remember falling for her red Philip Treacy hat and her funnel-collared McQueen dress. 

Eversince then, I was hooked.

Addicted.
 
 

'Burning Down the House' by David LaChapelle for Vanity Fair, 1996.

(At the time this photo was taken, McQueen was only 27 and had just launched his debut couture collection for Givenchy).

I hung on to every word that came out of her crimson painted lips. A gay friend called it an 'unhealthy obsession with Blow' but I didn't care.  She had the innate ability to spot and nurture talents but let's also not forget her sense of style and fashion. She definitely had balls.

 "Fashion is a vampiric thing, it's the hoover on your brain. That's why I wear the hats, to keep everyone away from me. They say, 'Oh, can I kiss you?' I say, 'No, thank you very much. That's why I've worn the hat. Goodbye.' I don't want to be kissed by all and sundry. I want to be kissed by the people I love".

Will the world ever see such great talent again?

 

 

H&MMMM

Of all the H&M collaborations, the one with Maison Martin Margiela may be the best one yet. The 104 piece collection (plus 6 more looks being kept under wraps) will be available worldwide in a few weeks. The collection is a re- edition of MMM's iconic pieces over the last 23 years since the label's launch. The house stayed true to its edgy minimalist identity, so expect a lot of voluminous, asymmetrical and androgynous silhouettes. Best of all, you get to buy them at H&M prices.

The Lucite heels are back!!!!!!!! 

The worldwide launch party kicked off in New York a few day ago, and as usual, it was flocked by celebs wearing pieces from the collaboration. 

Kanye West wearing the expensive looking

 camel overcoat from the collection.

I wonder what kind of pandemonium this collection will bring once H&M opens their doors. Buy your camping gear folks and apply for that sick leave, the queue for this will be a loooooong one. 

In the meantime, while you're waiting for the official launch, you can all salivate over this:

                            MMM by H&M launches worldwide on the 15th of November.

 

Tommy Thumb, where are you?

Psssshh, that Tom Ford, he used to shy away from commoners and only allowing privileged fashion editors and a handful of his favourite celebri- friends to view his collections. Now, in a complete turn- around, he went behind the camera and shot his latest Spring Summer Ready-to-Wear 2013 collection for everyone's viewing enjoyment. The shoes are to die for. The clothes, however, are mediocre. 

Come on Mr. Ford, you and I both know that you can do MUCH better than that.

Watch the collection through Tom's lenses here

Shortchanged

As Hedi Slimane's SS 2013 collection for Saint Laurent paraded down the runway the other day, one can't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Slimane's debut collection, being one of the most highly anticipated during Paris Fashion week, left a sour taste in my mouth. It wasn't exactly ground breaking. In fact I've seen something similar to this 70's rock and roll inspired collection before...oh yes, Frida Gianini did one for Gucci soon after she took over. Come to think of it, even Tom Ford did something similar back when he was also running Gucci. And let's not forget Cavalli who produces the same stuff every season.     

   Yaaaawn.

I love the 70's rock and roll look, don't get me wrong. But Hedi Slimane is extremely talented, this is why I feel shortchanged. As soon as Slimane took over as Creative Director in March this year, the first thing he did was to drop the Yves from Saint Laurent and this to me suggested a bright new chapter ahead. I was expecting to see something a little bit more inspiring than a collection of hats and tight leather trousers.  Something that announces Slimane's arrival, something that says 'Fuck you, who's your daddy now?!?!!'
Remember how his Dior Homme suits motivated Karl Lagerfeld to shed his excess whale fat? And remember how he made Franz Ferdinand (the band, that is) look extra cool by supplying them with the above mentioned suits too, so why the hell did he choose to make an entrance with a fart rather than a resounding, earth- shattering bang?