Do you ever watch the videos that fashion brands create? This form of marketing is increasingly used by various designers. Short-short films with plot lines or purely commercial clips, I find many of these videos very engaging. Whether or not they are effective with sales, I’m not sure (I certainly did not go out and purchase a Cartier anything after seeing this, no matter how awe-inspiring and beautiful it was).

Here are a few videos I’ve seen in the past few weeks:

New Burberry Prorsum Smart Personalization for Womenswear A/W13 Collection.

Prada models as flowers.

An uplifting short leapfrog game with Hermès.

Plus:

A NYT interview with Lee Radziwill.

Throwback Dior. [Because I know the words to this Bardot song by heart. ]

Tim Walker.

It’s February. 2013. And after a few months’ slumber (although university and motherhood simply do not add up to a good, heavy sleep) , I’ve decided to come back to the blog-o-sphere. The History of Art classes I’m taking are definitely enhancing my knowledge and interest in the History of Fashion; I’ve learned just how inter-disciplinary these subjects are. So if the posts get a little punch of theory, you know why.

Have you been watching the NYFW coverage over the past few weeks? What’s not to love about Street Style and Runway snaps from Scott and Garance? NYT’s Fashion and Style section and the Guardian’s Fashion Blog also provide great content about the what/when/where/how/who. But I’ve been obsessed with Style.com’s new addition of footage from Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm. There are some true movers and shakers in these cities that don’t always get as much coverage at the Fashion Weeks as their more established counterparts (primarily New York, London, Milan and Paris). So hats off to Style.com for including these images. Here are some of my favorite looks. Stay tuned for more and have a great weekend!

Anja Gockel. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin

Diana Orving. Stockholm Fashion Week.

By Malene Birger. Copenhagen Fashion Week. Almost every single girl (from 84 looks) was smiling! Refreshing.

Cuff bracelet with small bell ornamentation

On November 24, the famous French auction house Chayette & Cheval will be selling several items from the Jean Patou collection of Fall/Winter 1985-6 at the Hôtel Drouot. The garments being sold were all designed by Christian Lacroix, creative director of the house at the time.

“Diaghilev” kimono in metallic lace and sequins

“Lipstick” sheath dress

It’s so interesting to see how the colors, lines, and inspirations for fashion have been repeating and evolving over time, especially in the past 50 years. The longevity of Lacroix’s vision and of haute couture en général makes its mark on this auction.

Silk jersey “Flying Killim” with silk trousers

“Bonjour Tristesse” dress

How cool would it be to own one of these pieces?! Do you collect vintage, designer or otherwise? Would you wear one any of these designs? Or would you make a purchase for the sake of fashion history/heritage?

P.S. On a semi-related note to this last dress, have you read Françoise Sagan’s Bonjour Tristesse? It’s a fun summer read to keep in mind.

Israeli designer Kobi Levi’s Double Boot (2000), worn famously by Lady Gaga

 The Good. Skip the Bad. And you’ve got The 50 Ugliest Shoes in History from NY Mag’s ‘The Cut’. Flip through this slideshow and you’ll find your palm slapping your forehead more than once.

Birkenstocks, Uggs, and a mess of other popular brands made the list. Also mentioned are those physically painful, possibly unwearable heels (McQueen’s alien platform heels, the Megastructure Shoe). But how about Doc Martin’s? Or Tom’s? Perhaps not the most ‘feminine’ of all foot ware, these shoes are quite popular and have had a following for quite some years. Then again, you could say the same for Uggs and Crocs. Perhaps it is the hybrid that is most frightful.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1977 “Les Plongeuses” Fin-Heel recreated for S/S 2007 line

Do you like any of the shoes on this list? Any that you’ve pinched pennies for to add to your wardrobe? Would you add any shoe to this list? Love to hear your thoughts.

P.S. Another list

All photos from NY Magazine

In addition to the blog’s ‘That Shoe’ posts (and inspired by the Design Museum books), I’d like to share some of fashion’s most iconic coats, as well as current trends in the category.  Today, the 101801.

There’s a MaxMara boutique up the road from our apartment and since Malta isn’t exactly overflowing with high fashion, curiosity struck me.  As I was researching the house (the website is very well presented from an engaging layout to videos, ad campaigns, and info on the brand’s heritage) I found out about the iconic 101801 coat.

Double-breasted in beaver wool and cashmere, the 101801 was first presented in 1981 by Anna Marie Beretta.  The site declares the design’s length of 120cm makes it suitable “for every type of woman, while the kimono sleeves can be turned up to fit any arm length”.   Each winter collection it is available without modification, such is its popularity throughout the decades.

The site presents an art tribute to the brand and some photos of the 101801 being worn by iconic women.  Check it out!

Susan Jaffe, former American ballerina. Photographed by Roxanne Lewit.

Singer Cyndi Lauper. Photographed by Roxanne Lewit.

Model Camelia Clouse. Photographed by Roxanne Lewit.

Tribute to MaxMara by William Wegman.

Tribute to MaxMara by Miwa Yanagi

Tribute to MaxMara. Dressing by Sarah Rein.

Check out these fabulous little books from the Design Museum in London. The series (sold at the Design Museum Shop) includes five subjects of iconic designs: dresses, hats, shoes, bags, and cars.

I’m sure with just 50 designs per book, each piece must be pretty damn stellar.  Can you think of any that would be in the books?

P.S. Amazon gives you a peek.  :)

“Sustainability born out of necessity”- this is how the dressmakers of the American Civil War period crafted their garments. A old dress was restructured into an entirely new outfit, but never wasted. It’s an idea that influences Jeff Garner’s line Prophetik.

Garner and his team create dreamy, original designs with organic vegetable dyes, greenspun fleece of recycled bottles and hemps and flax fabrics naturally softened with baking soda. Fair wages for employees are also practiced chez Prophetik.

Garner shows his line at London Fashion Week and has also worked on costumes for many stars including Sheryl Crow, Kings of Leon and Donna Summer. He will also be working with Lipscomb University of Nashville, Tennessee, to start a school of sustainability– can’t wait to hear more about that!

Esperanza Spalding at the 2012 Oscars. vía vogue.com

P.S. JP Selects (formerly LovingEco) is currently holding a sale on a few lovely pieces by Prophetik.

Have you heard of Shirahime (白姫, pronounced she-ra-he-meh)? It’s a blog run by Dr. Pamela Ravasio. Ravasio, who is also co-founder/director of  texƧture, publishes articles on the fashion industry with useful information on how the industry can become more sustainable.

I highly recommend reading some Dr. Ravasio’s short essays. From posts on business and technology to Fashion Weeks and jewelry, she provides insight into different sectors of the fashion world all while contemplating their overall affect (positive and negative) on the global scale.

As someone who is still relatively ‘green’ at researching sustainability in the fashion and textile business, I find the Shirahime blog very helpful.  Happy reading!

via The Sartorialist

Anna Piaggi, Italian style icon, passed away this Tuesday at the age of 81.  Fashion writer at such magazines as Vogue Italia and Vanity, the woman truly influenced the world of moda.

Piaggi had such a wonderful energy and playfulness in the clothes she chose to wear.  I’m head-over-heels fascinated with men and women (especially older–Iris Apfel, Anna Dello Russo)  who are so fearless with their wardrobes.  They show that fashion doesn’t have to be so stuffy– it can and should be fun.  Hats off to you, Ms. Piaggi. RIP.

via The Sartorialist

Anna Piaggi with Stephen Jones at an exhibition in London (2006)

ESMOD Berlin’s new MA program “Sustainability in Fashion” was created in 2011.  Its first batch of students are graduating this October.  The course is set up to help students approach design in an ‘…ecologically, ethically, socially and economically sustainable’ way.

The class is made up of people specializing in different areas, from design (sustainable Lederhosen sneakers!?) to business ventures (sustainable retail/lifestyle website) .  It is also a very international group, giving students a unique learning experience which is so critical in today’s global fashion industry.  Watch for the names in the video- they’ll surely on their way to success!