News & Events

If you're interested in the green movement in fashion then you should really check this event: the Academy of Art University is hosting the Recycled Couture Fashion Show and Auction named "Discarded to Divine" on 26th April in San Francisco. Donated clothes (from jeans to bridesmaid dresses) and discarded items including high quality upholstery textiles and curtains are transformed into one-of-a-kind designs auctioned to help the poor and homeless, through the St. Vincent de Paul Society's programs.

2008 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, the largest fashion event in Australia, was held this month from to 2 to 9 March. Among its highlights, the LMFF Designer Award, presented by Woolmark on March 4th, announced AWI (Australian Wool Innovation) support for emerging Australian designers. This year's nominees were Antipodium, Carl, Friedrich Gray, Gail Sorronda, Manning Cartell, Therese Rawsthorne and Thurley.

2008 LMFF Design Award nominees

Left to right: Antipodium, Carl Kapp, Friedrich Gray (menswear and womenswear). Second row: Gail Sorronda, Manning Cartell, Therese Rawsthorne and Thurley.

Limi Yamamoto proudly follows her father's footsteps into the fashion world's recognition with her second Paris show. Nevertheless, her fall2008/winter2009 collection, presented under Limi Feu label at Paris Fashion Week, reflects a new Japanese aesthetics.

The young designer, who never dreamed of getting into fashion and wished she could play bass guitar in a rock band, makes a strong statement by showing her clothes on beautiful Japanese women, with more common body types, turning away from the standard model parade.

It was quite hard to choose between so many great collections shown in Paris but here they are, my favorite five Parisian fashion shows:

Albert Kriemler, the founder of Akris label, designed a smart-casual, impeccable cut collection with a minimalist appeal. The one-color or similar-shades outfits with accentuated waist generate a long, lean and elegant look. I love everything from double-faced cashmere suits, the slick suede tunics worn over thin turtlenecks and slim pants, tulle dresses adorned with suede rectangles, envelope pockets seen on cashmere skirts and jackets but also on a long evening dress.

Akris f'08/w'09

And the Oscar goes to....the red gown, which was the major hit of this year ceremony. Rich shades of rose and scarlet red made the parade runner fade away. Among other trends spotted, the one-shoulder dress is set to be this spring's highlight while the mermad silhouette, which Marion Cotillard took it literally, was almost everyone's favorite.

Anne Hathaway (Marchesa), Heidi Klum (John Galliano), Helen Mirren (George Chakra) and Katherine Heigl (Escada)

I've always loved Bottega Veneta's simple elegance but the fall 2008 collection exceeds all expectations. The effortless chic tailoring, the draped jersey dresses, the understated, muted color palette, the accessories...all this draw out a new sense of simplicity: beautiful, well-structured, and simply brilliant.

Bottega Veneta

Christopher Kane, Erdem and Vivienne Westwood are my top favorite fall 2008 collections for their distinct and confident message.