GIORGIO ARMANI

Giorgio Armani (born 11 July 1934) is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy,^[1] with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion, and a personal fortune of $5.3 billion.^[2]

Innovations

Armani was the first designer to ban models with a body mass index (BMI) under 18, after model Ana Carolina Reston starved herself to death due to anorexia nervosa.

The Armani Privé spring/summer 2007 fashion show was broadcast via MSN and Cingular cellular phones.^[3]

After LG teamed with Prada to introduce the LG Prada phone, Samsung joined Armani to design the Giorgio Armani phone.

Armani designed made-to-measure suits for Christian Bale's character Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight. Advertisements featuring "Giorgio Armani for Bruce Wayne" were released in 2008 with pictures of Christian Bale wearing Armani suits. However, Bale later claimed in a GQ interview that the campaign was produced without his permission.^[4]

In sport

Giorgio Armani has a keen interest in sports. He is the president of the Olimpia Milano basketball team^[5] and an Inter Milan fan, and twice designed suits for the England national football team.^[6] He has since designed suits worn by players of the London club Chelsea since August 2007.^[7] He designed the Italian flag bearers' outfits at the opening ceremony at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Armani also designed and introduced the EA7 range, a brand inspired by Ukrainian footballer Andriy Shevchenko, who at the time played for AC Milan and wore number 7 jersey.

Fall 2010 Fashion Trend: Luxe Dressing

Gainsbourg: Unlikely Style Inspiration

The very mention of Serge Gainsbourg conjures up images of a true French style icon. The swirls of smoke, the conveyor belt of beautiful women, the double-breasted jackets worn with well tailored shirts unbuttoned, the white Repetto jazz shoes or the black cuban heels, the Breitling Navitimer watch and the seemingly ever present stubble. Yes, Gainsbourg's suits and jackets were impeccably tailored, his shirts always fit just right, but it was his attitude that really defined his style. Over his exciting, inspiring and controversial career he showed that one can always wear great clothes, but superior style comes from within. So, it was with some sartorial excitement that I sat down in front of a screening of Joann Sfar's movie portrait, Gainsbourg (Vie Heroique) earlier this week. Even though the film might have lacked a coherent narrative at times, I enjoyed Eric Elmosnino's performance (an actor with an eerie resemblance to the man himself) and often found myself wishing that I would catch a glimpse of Mr Hare's Godard shoe in one of the shots...

However inspiring these style snapshots were it was during the earlier moments of the film that really left the greatest style impression on me. Sfar, who based the film on his graphic novel, boldly sites Gainsbourg's musical career in its political context and unapologetically positions his leading character's talent and complex personality in relationship to his Judaism and French antisemitism. Gainsbourg's Jewish identity is a source of tension throughout the film but it is during a look at the young musician that it is at its most significant. Our hero during his boyhood is played superbly by Kacey Mottet Klein. We see young Lucien startled by an antisemitic cartoon poster, and realising that this crude daub is supposed to refer to him and his kind. It is during these moments and his early demonstrations of rebellion that offer a more interesting style proposition...

Rather than instilling a desire to attempt a roll neck and a double breasted pinstripe jacket, in homage to one of Gainsbourg's most iconic look, Sfar's biopic left me contemplating the idea of well tailored outerwear teamed with shorts, long socks and boots. I expected to fall for the Gallic charms of Serge but found a great deal more sartorial intrigue around Lucien. Unlikely style inspiration indeed.

PETROU\MAN SS11

Almost a year to the day I first encountered the design work of Nicolas Petrou. The launch of PETROU\MAN deservedly received a fair bit of blog love (with Filep Motwary first out of the blocks) as folks were all excited to see the Cypriot designer turn his hand to menswear for SS10. The fanciful images he created for the look book which aim to represent elements of everyday life certainly capture the eye and the imagination. Inspired by men's active sportswear, the debut offering is a mix of patterns, mesh and is a reinterpretation of classic jackets and shirts. I quickly became a fan and was then fortunate enough to document his sophomore collection during New York Fashion Week back in February. I was able to witness first hand the designer's skill in creating a rich, unusual texture achieved through his combination of fabrics and prints. It also allowed opportunity to marvel at the intricate, hand finish detailing including hand dyed tartan suits and embroidered shirts and jackets celebrating the nomads much used tool; the humble safety pin. The collection confirmed that this exciting designer was one to watch and I for one was hooked.

Shots by Nicolas Petrou illustrating the mix of prints.

I have been itching to reveal his vision for SS11 ever since I first heard positive murmurings about it over on Selectism during their coverage of Capsule. Having caught sight of the super soft denim and attention grabbing madras, I was eager to see more and dropped Nicolas an email. Remarkably, he soon replied with a selection of iphone shot images that he snapped while showcasing the collection to buyers and press alike at one of the many US trade shows. This is the collection I've been crying out for all season. Now that most of the buying business has been carried out, Petrou and his team have shot a wonderful look book which I can happily share with you but first a few words from the designer himself on the key inspirations...

"As workwear and heritage lifestyle make way for vintage surf inspiration, Nicolas Petrou combines them all in one unique form with his spring/summer 2011 PETROU\MAN collection. Washed fabrics and hand sewn madras prints are combined with twill and high-tech touches to maximize garments’ breathability and sportswear fusion. Soft denim suiting, pleated trousers, and 50’s inspired tribal prints cut proportions in a manner that defies tradition."

Look book credits: Model: Lyle Lodwick (RED). Photography: Idris and Tony. Styling: Julie Ragolia. Hair & Grooming: Sylvia Dimaki.

The washed fabrics, soft denim tailoring, hand sewn madras and 50s inspired tribal cuts come together beautifully to create a collection to truly covet. Petrou is a designer who mixes fabrics and prints with great skill and his demonstration of craftsmanship never ceases to surprise me. Now, I have to confess that I have spent the last few weeks longing to press the fast forward button on this summer season as my wardrobe screams out for autumnal layering of rich fabrics. Somehow, this collection manages to force me to rethink my haste. I'd happily press pause on this season and live in a constant state of heat and sweat in the capital if I could cool myself off in one of these designs. The collection will of course be presented during NY Fashion Week for buyers and will be styled by Robbie Spencer once again. Having been treated to such a beautiful sneak preview of this PETROU/MAN collection, I'm looking forward to New York even more.

MEDIUM HAIRSTYLES

Inspecting our credentials...

NAOMI CAMPBELL VIDEO

Director Web

NAOMI CAMPBELL BRITHISH SUPERMODEL

SOURCES:POPMONK

Name : Naomi Campbell
Born : May 22, 1970
Country : born Streatham, South London, UK
Lives : UK




Naomi Campbell Bio..
Naomi Campbell is a British supermodel, who was born on May 22, 1970 in Streatham, South London. Campbell achieved the international recognition in 80's by posing for Playboy, erotic photos (with Madonna) and being involved in music (she has got a music album released "Baby Woman" and appeared in many music videos).

Naomi was discovered in 1985, became the first black model on the cover of Time Magazine, French and British Vogue and is one of the Angels on the Victoria's Secret show next to Heidi Klum, Karolina Kurkova and Gisele Bundchen.

The famous model has written a book "Swan" and is famous for her connection with drugs and night life.

Naomi Campbell has been involved in making movies by playing a role in a variety of them: the very first was Cool as Ice (1991), Girl 6 (1996), Prisoner of Love (1999), Fat Slags (2004).



Body measurements:
Naomi Campbell height: 177 cm

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer 2010 Haute Couture Fashion Show Preview

Jean Paul Gaultier Biography

By Jo Craven Vogue

Jean Paul Gaultier's stripy Breton t-shirt, kilt and bleached hair may be his Gallic trademark but his style draws more from the London street scene than Parisian couture.

He has lived through Eurotrash - the Nineties sleaze-fest TV show - Madonna in his conical bra on her Blonde Ambition tour in 1990, several successful eponymous perfumes, and even created corsets for men. Possibly his finest hour, however, is in haute couture where season after season he delivers flights of fantasy. In 2003 he took on the job of creative director for Hermes - bringing a vigour and humour to that most classic of brands.

• Jean Paul Gaultier started his career in 1970 as a design assistant at Pierre Cardin, before going to Jean Patou and then setting up his own label in 1976
• In July 1999, Hermes invested $15 million in his business as part of a deal which Gaultier described as "a dream marriage"
• He designed costumes for Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, his Wife and her Lover (1989), Pedro Almodovar's Kika (1994) and Luc Besson's The Fifth Element (1997)
• Gaultier has been awarded the title of Chevalier, one of France's highest honours

Although technically brilliant, Gaultier has always taken great delight in parodying the fashion establishment to great success. Whether it's a collection covered in camouflage print or David Beckham in a sarong, he knows how to have the last laugh.

Jean Paul Gaultier, rue Saint Antoine, Paris 75012
Tel: +33 1 44 68 85 00
Fax: +33 1 44 68 85 10

www.jeanpaulgaultier.com