2010 Golden Globes Red Carpet fashion: Who Wore What? Diane Kruger

Actress Diane Kruger wore a violet pink ombre silk organza gown from bankrupt couturier Christian Lacroix. It is from his Spring 2009 Haute Couture Collection, worth an estimated $45,000. I think she looks chic and very Parisienne, n'est pas?

I'm so excited that someone, either at the now-defunct Lacroix press office--or a well-researched stylist--realized how wonderful it would be to bring some of Lacroix's Couture out and onto the red carpet--as opposed to keeping them in vaults.

Watch me Monday, January 18th @ 8pm/7c on TV GUIDE Channel: Golden Globes Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba

Designer News: End of Lacroix and Martin Margiela Quits!

(No More) Lacroix DAHHHHLING:Final Bow: Lacroix and his model, Fall 2009 Haute Couture Fashion Week

December: Not A Good Month For Fashion

On December 2nd, it was announced--after much speculation--that Christian Lacroix Couture has been reduced to a licensing operation. It's bosses (yes, Lacroix is not owned by Lacroix, quelle surprise!), the Florida-based Falic Group, could not find a buyer. There were a couple Sheiks who were interested but couldn't provide enough financial information to make the Falic Group happy that the Couture House would be prepared for the future.Spring'09 Christian Lacroix Couture: Genius of color and fabric mixing

His final Haute Couture showing was last season, Fall 2009, showing only 24 looks. Since he basically had no money, Lacroix himself did not get payed and Paris Couture fabric and trim houses donated their textiles for this collection. It was rumored that even the models, make-up and hair stylists, also volunteered their services, knowing that this probably would be the last Christian Lacroix Couture Collection. He sent down lots of black, and uncharacteristically somber clothes. However the final exit was an absolute triumph of typical Lacroix design: A "Virgin Mary" (or was it "Lady of Guadaloupe"?) gown in silver-white silk zibeline with embroidered lace, sequins and hand-made red, yellow and blue silk roses and an over-the-top headdress. It was enough to make Edina and Patsy of "Absolutely Fabulous" cry with joy.
Read HERE for more on the story.

Martin Margiela Departs his own House:The One Photo That Exists (allegedly): Martin Margiela, circa 1997

And now, just five days ago, it was announced that Martin Margiela, the elusive Belgian designer, has left the Maison he has built. Diesel, which owns the majority of Maison Margiela (yes, Diesel of Diesel Jeans), announced last week that he was leaving and that he would not be replaced. They also said that the fashion house would continue on as well as its creative staff but with no Margiela. It was rumored that he had already been already departed months ago, but it was only made official this past week. The designer has not been seen for years and in fact communicated with his staff and the press via fax.Known for his avant-garde designs and a cult-figure among the fashionistas-in-the-know, this is another heavy blow to an industry that has been suffering lately from Fashion Houses being shuttered (Lacroix par example) and others, such as Ungaro and Nina Ricci, that have had a "revolving door" of designers and/or creative directors. Instead of even trying to find a replacement for the Martin Margiela House, it's bosses just decided to carry on without him. At least they didn't decide to hire Lindsay Lohan (a la Ungaro). We can at least breathe a sigh of relief for that.

Click HERE for Suzy Menkes' take from the New York Times.

Nick Verreos takes a look at the Paris Haute Couture Fall 2009: Runway Videos!!

Parisian Frivolities: Haute CoutureA look from Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall-Winter 09/10

As I was getting ready to pack my bags and board a train to take me from Paris to Florence, Haute Couture Fashion Week was just beginning in Paris. It was a compacted 3-day fashion week and as it has been for several seasons now, a more "subdued" showing from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne Designers. The recent downturn in the world economic outlook, has once again, brought to light the significance of a $100,000 gown or a $30,000 suit. Nothing highlights this more than the proposed shutting down of Haute Couture "Emperor" Christian Lacroix and his fashion empire, which filed for voluntary bankrupcy 2 months ago. But after all, this is Paris and the Haute Couture show must go on. Here are my favorites from the recent Fall 2009 Haute Couture Fashion Week, with their corresponding runway videos!
Christian Dior:Chanel Iman Undressed: A look from Dior Haute Couture Fall 2009

Designer John Galliano sent out a gorgeous vibrantly-colored collection inspired by the Dior Cabine Models and Muses. He also sought to show the underpinnings of Couture--a continuing theme of Galliano's--by showing a fabulous Dior Bar Jacket, worn only over stockings and a garter and intricate corsetry. All sewn BY HAND darlings! The final gowns were TO DIE!!!!
Click below for the full Dior Haute Couture show in 3 videos:




Jean Paul Gaultier:Hollywood Meets Paris: A look from Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2009

For his Fall-Winter 2009/10 Haute Couture Collection, Jean Paul Gaultier was inspired by great Hollywood Screen Legends. Sable-trimmed "House Coats" straight out of a Grace Kelly film, Swarovski-encrusted siren gowns a la Marlyn Monroe, silk velvet bias-cut sheaths reminiscent of 1930's silent movie goddesses and even one or two Mae West-meets-Barbarella futuristic jumpsuits. And to prove his point, he closed the show with the iconic images of these Hollywood screen stars projected onto the runway stage screen. I also loved the cinematic runway show music score.
Click below for the full Jean Paul Gaultier Couture show in two videos:



Christian Lacroix:
The Final Lacroix Collection? A sober yet beautifully elegant one shoulder gown, Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 09

Christian Lacroix, on the verge of losing his incredible fashion empire, showed a somber yet stunning collection at Les Musee Arts Decoratifs, the same place I viewed the new Madeleine Vionnet Exhibit. His Fall 2009 Collection--which could be his last-- brought the audience to their feet with thunderous applause as well as tears. His Baroque over-the-top costume-like creations--made famous by the British show "Absolutely Fabulous" (remember "Lacroix Sweety Darling!!")--were completely stripped to their core with just hints of Lacroix's genius eye for unexpected color and intricate beading and embroidery. Viva Espana! A look from Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 2009

Lacroix himself said that he could barely pay his fabric suppliers, embroiderers, and seamstresses for this last collection, and was in threat of not even showing. But his Atelier wanted to continue creating. And so they did. Beautifully.
Click below for the runway video and interview:

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2009: Dior and Lacroix

Paris is abuzz with the Haute Couture runway shows, and in a time of economic recession, reporters have one question on their minds: Why and how would someone want to spend $30,000 on a jacket or $150,000 on a gown? To that question , John Galliano, of Christian Dior answered THIS on Style.com: "There's a credit crunch, not a creative crunch. Of course, everyone is being more careful with discretionary purchases. I am. But it's our job to make people dream and to provide the value in quality, cut, and imagination" You go Girl!

Chrisitan Dior

For his Dior Spring/Summer Haute Couture, Galliano was inspired by Dutch and Flemish painters; Vermeer, Van Dyck and Monsieur Dior of course. You can see in the re-working of his 1947 New Look Jacket Shapes and his full skirts and ball gowns toward the end of his collection. Dior's women DO NOT SIT for cocktails, they stand and look fabulous holding a Vodka Martini! Forget about sitting for dinner in front of a table--try doing that in one of those Haute Couture fitted dresses with full-circled front "attachments" with eight inch wide Horsehair encircling almost every single hem. And be sure not to miss the Carla Bruni-Sarkozy soundtrack in his runway show (click below for the videos). Bless. John. Galliano. Marvelous!

Christian Lacroix

For Spring '09, Christian Lacroix continued doing what he does best: His masterful and one of a kind creations blending the feminine with the romantic with obvious nods to historical costume references, and deftly mixing 8 different fabrications IN ONE seemingly simple and elegant cocktail number. Perfect for that Dubai debutante in need of a dress for attend just another Friday night party!

Click below for Part I and II of the complete Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2009 videos, as well as an edited video of Christian Lacroix's Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2009 show