MY PICK FROM ALEXANDER MCQUEEN READY TO WEAR SPRING/SUMMER 2012. PARIS FASHION WEEK.

DAPHNE GUINESS BOOK!

“She is one of the—if not the—most stylish women living,” says designer and film director Tom Ford, speaking of Daphne Guinness, the subject and co-author of this extraordinary book. From her platinum-and-black striped hair to her towering 10-inch heels, her to-die-for couture collection and amazing diamond jewelry, Daphne Guinness embodies the rarified, personal style of a true fashion icon. A designer, editor, model, muse, and stylist, Ms. Guinness is renowned for the way she uses fashion to transform herself. As her friend, the art historian John Richardson puts it: “She is the object of her own creativity. Her persona is her own masterpiece.”

Style icon Daphne Guinness, as pictured in her new book from Yale

Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, Valentino, Azzedine Alaia, and the late Alexander McQueen are among the many great fashion designers whose spectacular garments form part of Daphne Guinness's personal collection of haute couture. But Ms. Guinness is far more than a great couture client, she is also an inspiration to designers because of her fearless personal style. In an extended interview with the curator and fashion historian Valerie Steele, Daphne Guinness explains the origins and characteristics of her style. She also discusses her friendships and collaborations with other creative fashion personalities from the late Isabella Blow to the photographer Steven Klein and the jeweler Shaun Leane. Sumptuously illustrated with both high-fashion photographs and paparazzi shots, the book is a spectacular showcase for the world of Daphne Guinness.
Valerie Steele is director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT, New York. Daphne Guinness is prominent in the fashion world as a fashion icon, journalist and collector of haute couture.  Her exhibit at FIT runs from September 16- January 7, 2012.  The book is now available for pre-order on amazon.com. (Sandiinthecity)

Daphne Guinness in her new book by Valerie Steele

In an extended interview with the show’s curator, fashion historian Valerie Steele, Daphne Guinness explains the origins and characteristics of her style. She also discusses her friendships and collaborations with other creative fashion personalities from the late Isabella Blow to the photographer Steven Klein and the jeweller Shaun Leane. Sumptuously illustrated with both high-fashion photographs and paparazzi shots, the book is a spectacular showcase for the world of a true style icon.

The Daphne Guinness exhibition at the Museum, FIT runs from 16 September 2011 to 17 January 2012.
Daphne Guinness, the accompanying book by Valerie Steele is available now from Yale University Press.
The Life of a Fashion Muse
Daphne Guinness was born in 1967, the daughter of brewery heir, Jonathan Guinness and French beauty, Suzanne Lisney. Her paternal grandmother was Diana Mitford, one of the legendary Mitford sisters. In 1987, at the age of nineteen, Daphne married Spyros Niarchos. After her divorce in 1999, Daphne resumed her maiden name, and over the past decade has emerged on the world’s stage an extraordinary fashion creature.
Designers may be responsible for the latest fashion trends, but they do not create in isolation. Although designers propose new looks, in order for something to become fashionable, to move off the runway and into real life, it has to be taken up by various fashion insiders, including editors, photographers, retailers, and fashion trendsetters.

The fashion or style icon is a special type of fashion insider, someone who is far more than an “early adopter” or celebrity clothes horse. The fashion icon not only inspires fashion designers and validates their clothes, but actually creates a look that affects the way other people dress and/or think about dressing. Michelle Obama, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga, Rachel Zoe, Alexa Chung, Carine Roitfeld, and Daphne Guinness are often described as fashion or style icons. When historical figures are included, Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Edie Sedgwick, and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel are frequently mentioned.

Daphne Guinness in Italian Vogue wearing McQueen's
Armadillo Shoes (also made famous by Gaga).
(image source: nitrolicious.com)

Vanity Fair journalist, A.A. Gill, argued that “[Daphne Guinness] has never had a look, never once, never remotely, that was anyone’s but her very own.” This individualism, often described as eccentricity, is at the heart of Daphne’s appeal. (Yalebooks)

Daphne Guiness at Alexander McQueen's Memorial Tribute

When I was watching 'McQueen and I,' towards the end of the documentary, Daphne Guiness appeared in this outfit and she was having a kind of a breakdown that was truly full of passion. I felt her grief. And she still manages to look Poise and Elegant amongst all these elegant grotesquerie. She wore a vintage McQueen dress with teeteringly high black platform boots from his Autumn/Winter 09 collection.

"Savage Beauty" Exhibition may take place again in LONDON.

“Alexander McQueen appreciates the huge amount of interest the public has shown towards the Savage Beauty exhibition. We have been in discussion with a number of major venues in London for some time now however nothing has been finalised. Please be assured that an official announcement will be made the moment we confirm our plans for London.” - Alexander McQueen representatives via Daily Telegraph

Rachel Weisz for Wall Street Journal September Issue 2011 by Collier Schorr.

Actress Rachel Weisz wearing Alexander McQueen coat and Graff diamond ring for the September cover of WSJ. Magazine that will hit the newsstands on August 27th 2011.

We chose Schorr for her body of work exploring androgynous sexuality, and she was able to pare back Weisz's naturally sensual look in a modern way. "Collier's a wonderful photographer, a very interesting lady. I worked with her when I first came to New York about nine years ago," Weisz recalls. "It's a different experience than being photographed by a man. She knows how to take a portrait in that she keeps you alive, she's connected to you, talking to you." - Adrienne Gaffney (Source: http://online.wsj.com/)

Alexander McQueen light-colored leather booties

These Alexander McQueen light-colored leather booties are topped with an incredibly intricate laser-cut overlay. Heels are approximately 4.5" with an approx. 0.5" built-in platform. The uppers, lining and soles are leather.Available for pre-order from Nordstrom for $1,725.00. Your shoes should ship October 22, 2011.

           

Kate Moss for US VOgue September 2011

VOGUE US has done it again!!! Putting Kate Moss on the cover for their September Issue, the supermodel gracefully wears a dress by Alexander Mcqueen. Mario Testino is worthy of much praises for shooting this beautiful cover.

"ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: SAVAGE BEAUTY" has finally closed!

 

After a successful run, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” has closed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exhibit featured the work of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide last year. The exhibit highlighted the Victorian romance and dark melancholy (Dark Romanticism) that inspired the designer’s work. McQueen proudly professed that he had found beauty in the grotesque, which is one quality of the Dark Romanticism. It was set to run until July 31, but the organizers had extended the show by a week to accommodate record crowds.

With about 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from collections spanning 19 years, the Costume Institute exhibition “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” reveals the inspiration behind his elaborate shows, his imaginative approach to fashion and the technical ingenuity and masterful constructions of his provocative creations.

“From opening on May 4, we have had more than 625,000 visitors,” museum press officer Nancy Chilton said, adding that the show had already seen the highest attendance of any exhibition staged by the Met’s Costume Institute. “It is among the Museum's top 20 blockbusters.”

Here are some more pictures of the exhibit.

Above: "Romantic Gothic and the Cabinet of Curiosities."

“For McQueen, fashion wasn’t just about wearability or practicality it was a vehicle to challenge our ideas, our concepts about fashion, to challenge our boundaries and challenge what we mean by beauty,” said Andrew Bolton, the curator of the exhibition that opens on Wednesday and runs through July 31. “He saw life very cinematically and I think that was reflected in his clothing.”

"Romantic Primitivism."

"Jellyfish" Ensemble, Plato's Atlantis, spring/summer 2010.

“I wanted the exhibition to unfold like a fairy tale, a Brothers Grimm fairly team. McQueen was deeply romantic in the Byronic sense of the word,” said Bolton, who added McQueen’s shows suggested avant-garde installation and performance art.

McQueen’s interest in history, patriotism and nationalism are featured in his works and shows, which each tell a story.

Left: "Oyster" Dress, Irere, spring/summer 2003. Right: Sarabande, spring/summer 2007.  The Oyster dress is made from hundreds and hundreds of layers of silk organza. In the audio voiceover, Sarah Burton explains the how the ivory chiffon is frayed and shredded to give the disheveled look  that McQueen envisioned. The dress on the right is embroidered with real fresh flowers. In the words of McQueen, "I used flowers because they die. My mood was darkly romantic at the time."

“In terms of designers who stretch our understanding of fashion and expand the boundaries of fashion, I do think McQueen was unique,” said Bolton.

Daphne Guiness F.I.T. Museum Exhibit Preview!

Alexander Mcqueen

Daphne Guinness will be staging her own exhibit at the FIT Museum come September 16 2011. The Daphne Guinness FIT Museum Exhibit is co-curated by her and it features over 100 fashion items from her personal collection which include Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, Shaun Leane (armor jewelry), Tom Ford, Azzedine Alaîa, Chanel, Christian Lacroix to name a few and also clothes designed by Daphne Guinness herself as well as shoes only Daphne Guinness can walk in. It was also reported that this exhibit took two years to prepare for. Check out the rest of the preview below.

Alexander Mcqueen

Nina Ricci

Alexander Mcqueen

Chanel

Pants from London Punk Shop

Coat by Valentino

Coat by Chanel

Dress by Alexander Mcqueen

Dress by Azzedine Alaia

Dress by Chanel

Coat by Christian Lacroix

Raquel Zimmermann for Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2011 Ad Campaign

Alexander Mcqueen's Will!!

Much of Alexander McQueen's 16-million pound ($26 million) estate will go to his Sarabande charity, according to documents made public Tuesday. The renowned fashion designer killed himself in February 2010, following closely on his mother's death.

McQueen said in his will that he hoped Sarabande would support scholarships at the Central St. Martins College of Art and Design, which he attended.
Other beneficiaries named in his will include his three sisters and two brothers, each receiving 250,000 pounds. Two household staff members, McQueen's godson and all of his nieces and nephews were provided 50,000 pounds each.
Care for the British designer's dogs after his death has been covered by 50,000 pounds from the estate.
  Finally, two animal charities, the London Buddhist Center and a health advocacy trust were given 100,000 pounds each.
Source : www.npr.org

A Rendition of Mcqueen's Fall 2009 Collection at 'Alchiranga Festival' at IIT Guwahati by Mizoram University Students.

In the first week of February of 2010 (before Alexander Mcqueen's sad demise had shaken the Fashion World), a group of Mizoram University students, including me, had gone down to Guwahati to take part in the different competitions held in 'Alchiranga Festival.' We did took part in one big competition that was a Fashion Show Competition that was named 'HOT Couture.' There were three rounds in this competition and in the final round, I got to style the dresses for my team. The round was entitled 'Yin and Yang.' I was having an inspiration from Alexander Mcqueen's Fall 2009 Collection, especially of the Houndstooth patterned clothes as we had seen on the runways of Paris. I put together a few of the clothing items that we had including the Mizo 'PUAN' called 'Ngotekherh.' The outcome was not that bad as far as the materials that we had were concerned. The make-up was also very cold and icy like that of the models as seen in Mcqueen's show in 2009. So let these pictures talk:

This is my friend zodini, the skirt was made by me while we were in the IIT Campus itself-hand-stitched!

This is a picture of me and my friend, Zodini. I am also wearing a houndstooth patterned Jacket.

The music for this round was Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" and we were walking in a very slow motion.

My friend Mertu-i with Polka Dots Skirt

bd and mertu-i

My friend Aboihi, tailored pants worn as head-piece

Me, turning back from the crowd.

Zodini (Headpiece made from rags), Me (Headpiece from a houndstooth patterned Scarf), Bd and Mertu (Headpieces made from Mizo Traditional Puan 'Ngotekherh')

Ruati, Aboihi and Emeline.

Chhuangi, Emeline, Ruati and Aboihi

Aboihi n Bd

Emeline and Ruati. I totally love their expression here in this picture and this is my favorite picture from amongst these shots.

When I think back and reflect on how much energy we had spent there, I feel quite nostalgic even now.