Fashion PR division of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, A Fashion Public Relations. Fashion publicity, promotion marketing firm

Jay McCarroll has sunk to such a level that he has to bumble around on stage looking foolish while pretending to care about his “inspiration.” Sad that Kelis could be so unaware that this might not be the best public appearance. And sad that a worthy charity comes with such unfortunate baggage.

Have you ever seen a woman more out of touch with branding, culture, or cool than the Ronald McDonald House rep? The marketing firm that sold them this fashion show campaign idea should be shot. It makes McDonalds and everyone associated with it look low rent. If you are going to dabble in the medium of fashion for credibility at least let the fashion professionals do their job and make it work. Don’t control it for your corporate image and then wonder why it doesn’t play well.

Well I saw this coming. Other countries are taking the issue of eating disorders in the fashion industry seriously with the recent anorexia-related deaths, while the Council of Fashion Designers of America gives a less than enthusiastic attempt at it. Their idea of getting involved? Keeping a more vigilant eye on models. How will they do this? Scheduling fashion-show fittings during the daytime instead of after dark to give models more sleeping hours, urging designers to work harder at spotting models with eating disorders and improving the quality of backstage catering.

Are you kidding me? When I first read what their new guidelines would be, I thought it was a joke. It’s very disappointing to hear that they won’t implement any rules or policies to ensure better health for their models, despite top designer Diane von Furstenberg’s comment that, “It is important as a fashion industry to show our interest and see what we can do because we are in a business of image."

That’s where they fall short…simply “showing their interest” without anything really concrete to be part of the solution. I could “show my interest” in people suffering from cancer, but if I never contribute in some way, shape or form concretely to help aid in furthering research for the disease with a donation or by volunteering to help my local ACS raise awareness of their support programs, then by merely “showing interest,” I am doing nothing.

I certainly don’t mean to sound so harsh, however, our fashion industry plays a major role in the way we view body image. So many women (and men) become vulnerable to believing that they must be super thin in order to be normal and I whole heartedly feel it is the fashion industry’s responsibility to do all they can to contribute to being a solution to eating disorders and not be the cause of them.

Just when I thought I heard it all, Godfrey Deeny at FWD reminds me that I haven’t. In an article today about Milan’s newest runway looks, he points out that leggings were the theme at the Marni Men’s show. I was hoping that the skinny jean look for men would fade out, but to have it transfer over to leggings; oh say it isn’t so.

While certainly the model pictured from Marni’s collection looks pretty good in his burgundy colored leggings, how many guys do you know with the perfect legs to wear such attire (and make it look good)? I supposed in a sense it would be like wearing jogging pants, except a little tighter and a lot more stylish. Somehow I just can’t imagine this trend will take off, but then again I am sometimes surprised at what makes it from the runway into my own closet.

What do you think of this new trend for men?

When you work for a designer with such creativity as Betsey Johnson, how can you not be inspired to venture out on your own and show the world your own talents? That is just what Jordi Scott is doing. Scott is a former designer for Johnson and decided to launch her own clothing line, which will debut on February 5th at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC.

The clothing line is inspired by modern art and punk rock and Scott says that the collection will be unlike anything else out on the market. You get a sense of that rock and roll feel from the minute you land on the homepage of her website with the Rolling Stones-like logo on the center of the page. The motto for Jordi Scott’s line is, “Trends come and go, but your spirit will always remain.” It will be interesting to see the styles and colors of her line, as her picture on her website reminds me very much of that punk rock look inspired by The Sex Pistols and The Clash back in the early 80’s.

You can keep up to date on Jordi Scott through her MySpace page and website. Her fashion show takes place on February 5th at Arena, located at 135 West 41st Street, at 9pm.

February 2nd:

The Tent: The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 11:00am, BCBG Max Azria 3:00pm
The Salon: John Bartlett 10:00am, Marc Bouwer 5:00pm
The Promenade: Perry Ellis 1:00pm, Nicole Miller 7:00pm, Akiko Ogawa 6:00pm
W Hotel 594 Lexington Ave.: Yeolee
Roseland Ballroom: Baby Phat 8:00pm
Altman Building: Grey Ant 9:00pm

February 3rd:

The Tent: Lacoste 11:00am, Alexandre Herchcovitch 3:00pm
The Salon: Chris Han 10:00am, Alice Roi 1:00pm, Abaete 6:00pm, Venexiana 9:00pm
The Promenade: Maticevski 12:00pm, Atil Kutoglu 2:00pm, Sass & Bide 7:00pm
Showroom: Buckler 4:00pm, Cabbeen 8:00pm
Altman Building 135 W 18th St: Gustavo Arrango 5:00pm
Bumble & Bumble: Karen Walker 1:00pm
NYC Bar Association: James Coviello 2:00pm
Prince George Ballroom: ThreeAsFour 5:00pm

February 4th:

The Tent: Diane von Furstenberg 4:00pm, Naeem Khan 6:00pm, Matthew Williamson 8:00pm
The Salon: Lela Rose 10:00am, Twinkle by Wenlan 1:00pm, Terexov 9:00pm
The Promenade: Tadashi 11:00am, Tracy Reese 2:00pm, Tuleh 7:00pm
Showroom: Erin Fetherston 3:00pm
711 Greenwich Street: DKNY 12:00pm
Cunard Building 25 Broadway: Z Zegna 5:00pm
Exit Art: United Bamboo 3:00pm
Sony Music Studios: Luella Bartley 5:00pm
Waterfront Building: 3.1 Phillip Lim 6:00pm

Runway Fashion Videos: By Coutorture

Diane Von Furstenberg Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Runway Video Montage


Matthew Williamson Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Fashion Week Video Montage


Naeem Khan Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Runway Video Montage

Tuleh Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Fashion Runway Montage Video

Erin Featherston Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Runway Montage Video


Alexander Wang Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Runway Video and Designer Interview


James Coviello Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Runway and Designer Interview


Backstage and Makeup at James Coviello Fall 2007

Lacoste Fall/Winter 2007/ 2008 Runway Video

Lacoste History: René LACOSTE was born in France on 2nd July 1904 and died on 12th October 1996. Go Directly to 2007/2008 Lacoste Runway Show.

The Lacoste Website

The true story of the "Crocodile" begins in 1927. René LACOSTE liked to recount how his nickname became an emblem recognized throughout the world.

"I was nicknamed "the Alligator" by the American press, after I made a bet with the Captain of the French Davis Cup Team concerning a suitcase made from alligator skin. He promised to buy it for me if I won a very important match for our team.The public must have been fond of this nickname which conveyed the tenacity I displayed on the tennis courts, never letting go of my prey!"

So my friend Robert GEORGE drew a 'crocodile' which I then had embroidered on the blazer I wore on the courts.

An attentive spectator at René LACOSTE's Davis Cup matches was the winner of the BRITISH Womens golf title, Mademoiselle Simone THION de la CHAUME, who soon became his wife and constant support.

In 1933, René LACOSTE and André GILLIER, the owner and President of the largest French knitwear manufacturing firm of that time, set up a company to manufacture the logo-embroidered shirt. The champion had designed this for his own use on the tennis court, as well as a number of other shirts for tennis, golf and sailing - as can be seen in the first catalogue, produced in 1933.

To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that a brand name appeared on the outside of an article of clothing - an idea which has since become extremely successful.

This shirt revolutionized mens sportswear and replaced the woven fabric, long-sleeved, starched classic shirts.The first LACOSTE shirt was white, slightly shorter than its counterparts, had a ribbed collar, short sleeves with ribbed bands and was made of a light knitted fabric called "Jersey petit piquéIt continues to offer the same quality, comfort and solidity on which it built its name and which constitute its uniqueness.

Wow, we tried to find fashion designer John Barltlett's homepage but had no luck. However, we do have the recent runway show footage and some still for your viewing via Coutorture.com.

With his thick brush of hair, round glasses, and toothy grin, Cincinnati-born Bartlett looks like he could be his own model. A Harvard sociology major who studied at the London School of Economics, Bartlett came out before he went to college, and his clothes often tease the uptight norms of menswear. Although the early part of his career was hectic and his press mostly positive, he hit a troubled patch around 2000, when his backers dropped out and his collections were not as well received. He closed his business in 2002 and spent a year traveling in Asia and studying Buddhism. After returning to New York, he began working his way back into the fashion business, starting with a small menswear line (shown at the Harvard Club). In 2005, he was named creative director at Ghurka, the upscale American accessories line and given the task of establishing that venerable brand’s identity in the lucrative, competitive handbag market.

New York Magazine has wonderful coverage of the fashion shows.

It's -20 below zero and I am looking forward to warmer weather and the fashion that goes with it. To help you forget all about this deep freeze, here is a look at Diane von Furstenberg's Spring 2007 Collection that is available at Neiman Marcus.

Everyone has an opinion, you can count on that, and opinions on the designers and their fashion shows at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is no different. Here are videos from various designers from Fashion Week in NYC with reviews from fashion editors and fashion bloggers alike. Be sure to check out Chic.TV coverage of fashion week on You Tube, for all the videos check out Chic.tv website, it's some of the better quality fashion footage I've seen this year.

Oscar de la Renta Watch Video

WWD: De la Renta’s collection was, in a word, dazzling, and not only in its well-controlled embroideries. It shone as well in its security; its grounded, cross-generational appeal and its fabulous expression of sporty luxe.
Fashion Week Daily: Oscar de la Renta's latest collection was designed with dames in mind. It’s all the contradictions real women have been clamoring for since the babydoll dress came back into fashion. We say: vive de la Renta!
Godfrey Deeny, Fashion Wire Daily: Oscar de la Renta is twice the age of most of the 200 odd designers who will stage shows in New York this season, yet when it comes to the attitude of his classy fashion, it's probably fresher than any of them and more in step with the real world.
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, WSJ Heard on the Runway: Designers may be collectively heralding a return to more polished dressing and tailored looks, but that’s probably not news to Oscar de la Renta, who has never veered far from his core mission of creating luxurious suits, ballgowns and accessories for the rich and famous.

Diane von Furstenberg Watch Video

WWD: Typically savvy fusion of the sensual and the sensible, but with a notable upgrade to the sophistication level, starting with the palette.
Fashion Week Daily: Though DVF's collection was decidedly dress-centric, that didn't equal a lack of variety. Even the black frocks, of which there were many, had an eye-pleasing uniqueness, and each one she sent one down the runway felt as fresh as the first time.
Nicole Phelps, Style.com: Her collection was singular in its focus on dresses. Many of the dresses came with matching coats, a nod toward the designer's sense of practicality, an asset that should serve her industry well in the coming months.
Godfrey Deeny, Fashion Wire Daily: Von Furstenberg’s fall 2007 collection was a swaggering tour through Iberian culture that inspired prolonged applause in Bryant Park. Though not exactly demure, it was ladylike, poised and entirely fitting for a stroll across St Peter's Square.
Rachel Michaela, Style Bites: The fall collection opened disappointingly with black on black. Sad, since DVF does color so well. At the worst moments (there was the linebacker-like jacket, then the metallic pewter monstrosity of a top and skirt, and at least one graphic dress nightmare) the models looked positively fat.


Doo. Ri Watch Video

WWD: The collection she presented on Tuesday wasn’t groundbreaking, but it showed hints of a step forward. The second half of the show, comprising variations on the jersey dress, often embellished with architectural crystal harnesses, felt a bit one-note and even lackluster.
Fashion Week Daily: Doo-Ri made a tentative foray into color, mixing a mellow, muted turquoise with burgundy and even a pop of lemon yellow. The collection seemed to find her in a transitional phase, gone were the cinched waists of seasons past, replaced by elongated torsos ending just above the hip.
Nicole Phelps, Style.com: The crystal cages and harnesses worn over her signature jersey dresses got a little complicated, and it would've been nice to see her work in colors other than bordeaux, emerald, and navy.
Suzy Menkes, International Herald Tribune: Doo-Ri Chung had a soft and graceful take on silk, draping it into a top over a bib of sequins and scooping up the sides of a jersey dress. The palette of wine, blue and peacock green made for a repetitive show, but its effect was youthful with a touch of romance.
Lauren Dimet, Second City Style: The bubble-hemmed jersey dresses and frocks began looking very repetitious, but the bordeaux and emerald printed Georgette dress with Swarovski crystal blew me away. She will do very well with this line. She is a crowd pleaser and so darn adorable and talented, you can't resist.

Carolina Herrera Watch Video

Fashion Week Daily: The designer seemed to be juggling a widening scope of references: a square, three quarter sleeve fur tunic worn over a straight plaid skirt paired with substantially spangled stockings for an almost grunge-like layered effect, adapted for the Park Avenue set; when the skirt's pattern showed up again in a bustier dress, the effect was nearer to Anglomania.
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan WSJ Heard on the Runway: A polished collection featuring dresses made with perforated felt, coats with dramatic funnel-necked collars and tailored, slouchy jackets with wide lapels. Color-wise, she said her subdued palette of blue, “grape,” ash and bark was influenced by Edvard Munch’s somber portrait of Norwegian philosopher Hans Jaeger.
Nicole Phelps, Style.com: With dark menswear plaids and jacquards juxtaposed against the artistic detailing that has lately become a Herrera signature, the effect was altogether different from her confectionary-sweet spring outing.
Godfrey Deeny, Fashion Wire Daily: Herrera’s collection for fall 2007 oozed haute sophistication, from the remarkable jacquard coats to the stockings finished with jade.
Girlawhirl: Favorite new look are the pants, high waisted, slim through the hip and thigh and full through the rest of the leg to the ground where they flipped and flickered as the models walked.

Erin Fetherston Watch Video

WWD: Erin Fetherston showed froufrou dresses in fabrics that appeared a bit cheap, but her PYT friends are likely to find at least one star in the collection.
Fashion Week Daily: Erin Fetherston sent a sweet and lowdown little collection down her silver, star-spangled runway. For demurely divine, goddess-like evening gowns that closed the show, we'll be dreaming 'til they hit stores for sure.
Lindsay Sammon, Fashion Wire Daily: A memorable addition to this season’s collection was Fetherston’s use of the cape, shown with constellation and butterfly prints, and affixed to the back of dresses in a way that gave the garments lift and endless fluidity.
Meenal Mistry, Style.com: The collection occasionally ventured toward the less-sophisticated side of girlish with a couple of Lurex pieces, it was a solid effort that will keep the growing Fetherston fan base more than happy.
FabSugar: Erin Fetherston's designs are what little big girls dream about. Super feminine and girly, while remaining modern, here is a collection that wisks you away to a beautiful boudoir floating in space.

Posted From Paris - March 2nd. Things have always been known to be bigger in the U.S. Europeans talk about the dreamy big sky country of the Western United States. They are amazed by our big cities, shocked by our big food portions, and repulsed by our big asses! This week in Paris however, we saw designers were thinking bigger is better!. Volume was all over the runways by those trend setting designers and the keepers at the gate of the large fashion empires.  Three that stood out are:

Yves Saint Laurent - Stefano Pilati has had a bumpy road in his first few seasons out of the gate at YSL. Some say he is too much of a departure from the Yves look, and some just want reference to the master. For fall Mr. Pilati was all about less structure and volumous cocoon shapes. The sleek styling brought attention to clean lines free of needless detail - something he has been criticized for in the past. The collection was modern and chic. Wearable, yet editorial - which is no easy task. Its seems Mr. Pilati is finding his groove at the helm of YSL for sure.

Stella McCartney - Oversized proportions are nothing new for Stella. She has developed a look for herself with chunky knits. They always have an edge with color or print, but look like you could curl up by the fire with a good book - or at least the latest issue of Vogue. While it was her Saville Row tailoring that put her on the map, it is her more athletic designs that have proved to be commercially successful for her. It is her sportiest looks that girls collect season after season. With swing coats, and jackets she gave them something to get in line for this fall. The perfect things to wear over her active collection from Adidas. Season after season the house known for trainers sell out of her high design "gym clothes". Giving the old saying about ADIDAS a twist - All Day I Dream About Stella!!

Chanel - When Karl Lagerfeld says SEW - the Chanel atelier says "how fast?" - and when Karl said SNOW - Chanel made that happen too! Thats right. It snowed Friday morning in Paris, but only under the glass dome of the Grande Palais. Mr. Lagerfeld showed his Fall RTW collection under a "sky" of giant white tissue clouds. The runway was a large "frozen" lake covered in snow. His ice princess' made their way around the rink in knee high boots in white and black leather. It was the 1870's meets the 1970's as long coats in deep aubergine were cinched with bright white belts and draped with big tweed bags embellished with charms, charms and more charms. Turqoise was all around - from shoes to bags. The gigantic chest plate necklaces made you somehow think African - while the pixie like models with their crimped hair were more Austrian! While Michel Gaubert remixed David Bowie and we heard snippets singing "pressure", it was the girls who looked pressured not to have a wipe out as they tried to make 6 inch stiletto's on "ice" look easy.  We even saw one pair of golden ice skates draped over one girls shoulders- knowing Karl, it could have been a new take on an evening clutch! With KL the sky is the limit! Maybe he was also dreaming of that big sky country out west - just at the finale - the paper clouds started to move and the entire room was bathed in little paper snow flakes.   It was a beautiful site- and a total fashion moment.   After all, what could be more exclusive than having Chanel snow in your hair or on your person as you had lunch afterwards at L'Avenue.   The Avenue Montaigne restaurant was the place to be after the show and the snow!

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta will be inducted into the Fashion Hall of Fame by Kent State University's School of Fashion Design and Merchandising on Friday April 20th. The induction will coincide with a fashion show featuring the collections of more than 20 of the school's seniors who are majoring in fashion design. The school has been inducting prominent names in the fashion industry into its hall of fame since 1989.

Oscar de la Renta has received many honors over the years both within the US and internationally. He was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1973 and has won their Coty American Fashion Critic’s Award twice. In February 1990, he was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and received their Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2000. Oscar de la Renta has also been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur as a Commandeur.

The fashion school will be holding two shows, of which de la Renta will be present at the 7pm show. Ticket prices for non-students are $65 for the matinee and $200 for the evening show. All profits will benefit Kent State's fashion school. For more information about the shows you can visit their ticket website, however, online tickets are no longer available due to limited seating availability.

Whenever we see any behind the scenes photos at fashion events, many times the models are seen with cigarettes in hand. Many even say they smoke to fill a hunger void. However, as we’ve seen with Camel taking on the beauty angle with Camel No.9, Davidoff Cigarettes decided to promote its brand at a pre-fashion week party in Australia last night.

Davidoff Cigarettes, a German cigarette company, collaborated with Belvedere Vodka to promote their cigarettes on the bar and through scantily clad promotional girls handing out free packs of cigarettes. The pre-fashion week party this was held at? A Red Ribbon Foundation party, which is an AIDS charity fundraiser, held by Fashion TV. I suppose you could say Davidoff was simply trying to help fundraise for one health issue while ignoring the fact that cancer is another. The double whammy of course being that cancer caused from smoking and AIDS are preventable deaths.

In Australia, they have a Public Health Act, and promoting a tobacco product by giving away free samples is an offence that could result in a fine anywhere from $5500 to $20,000. I’m not sure I understand why free cigarettes were promoted at an AIDS event, but I can only conclude that Davidoff was capitalizing on the fashion industry and glamour that has been associated with smoking and fashion in the past.

What do you think: Was it in bad taste for Davidoff to promote their cigarettes at an AIDS fundraiser? Do you think that the cigarette company was glamorizing a deadly habit through this fashion event?