Designer Susan Sokol to receive Spirit of Life Award

Fashion industry leader and philanthropist Susan Sokol will receive The Spirit of Life Award at City of Hope's Spring Luncheon on Monday, May 14, at The Plaza Hotel. City of Hope's East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League will present the fashion industry leader with its top philanthropic honor in recognition of her professional achievements, charitable contributions and personal commitment to the fight against women's cancers. 

"My personal experience of fighting and surviving breast cancer could not have happened without the extraordinary advances in scientific research and medical treatment at institutions like City of Hope," said Sokol. "I am honored to be recognized by an organization that embodies hope and provides compassionate care to patients and their families."

Sokol is widely considered one of the fashion industry's most distinguished and highly-regarded senior executives. The current president and chief operating officer of J. Mendel, Sokol has served in executive positions for high-profile brands Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Pegasus Apparel Group/Leiber Group, Donna Karan International and Calvin Klein Inc. She has repeatedly taken companies to their next level of success. 

Throughout her extraordinary career in the apparel and clothing accessory industry, Sokol has demonstrated compassion and support for a number of local and national charities. She is a dedicated advocate for women's health and research into women's cancers.

"We're proud to recognize Susan for her business leadership and commitment to raising awareness for women's cancers," said Lisa Kaye Fuld, co-president, East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League. "Her personal story provides hope and inspiration to women who are fighting cancer around the world."

Scientists with City of Hope's Women's Cancers Program are investigating the biology of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers as well as interventions that could reduce cancer risk for all women. Researchers are identifying new treatments and prevention methods. They are also examining issues that affect women with cancer and their families, such as spirituality, the emotional impact of cancer on caregivers, and other quality-of-life issues. 


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Berlin Fashion Week 2012

A wedding dress, which seems to reveal more than it hides, was presented on the ramp on the second day of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin, Germany, making heads turn.

The non-conventional wedding dress, presented by German fashion house Kaviar Gauche, resembles a transparent veil put over a lingerie set that is joined together with a central strip.

The designer duo of Alexandra Fischer-Roehler and Johanna Kühl, who are behind the creation, have presented several shows in which they have crossed the traditional boundaries since they founded the label in 2003.


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London Fashion Week opens with ‘Turning the Lights Off’

Björn Borg kicks off London Fashion Week with an exclusive event. A short-film was launched on an enormous spray screen over the River Themes with Swedish pop icon Robyn performing in a Scandinavian inspired winter landscape. This event is a step in Bjorn Borg’s increased global fashion brand building efforts and international expansion. 

Björn launches ‘Björn Borg says JA! To turning the lights Off’ campaign.

This event takes place at London landmark Battersea Power Station, which Björn Borg transforms into a miniature Sweden with a pine forest, snow, hot tubs, sauna and Swedish sushi. Outside, a fashion film in 4D directed by award winning Paris Kain will be launched at a 25x50 metre screen of steam over the River Themes. The brand will also showcase their autumn/ winter collection 2012 and offers entertainment with Robyn in an exclusive co-performance with Coco Sumner. 

“A key element in our growth efforts is edgy branding activities such as this event in London, in one of our most important expanding markets. They strengthen Björn Borg in existing markets and prior to expansion to new ones. Thanks to its stable financial position, Björn Borg can invest long-term in future growth”, comments Arthur Engel, CEO of Björn Borg.

Other important parts of Björn Borg’s expansion include an expansion to new markets such as China in 2012, a broadened range of sportswear, global e-commerce and the addition of more Björn Borg stores in Europe. In 2011, total sales of Björn Borg products amounted to almost SEK 1.7 billion excluding VAT, at the consumer level.

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Styles that ruled the red carpet at the Grammys this year

Here's a look at the fashion fashionistas, who walked the red carpet for music's big night, at the 54th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Katy Perry poses on the red carpet in Elie Saab creation.

Tamara Braun poses on the red carpet at 54th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

Actress Alicia Arden at the awards red carpet. Don't miss the guitar-shaped bag she's carrying.

Musician Greta Bech shimmers in a gold dress.

Country singer Carrie Underwood in a Gomez-Gracia creation.

Rihanna in a custom Armani Prive creation at the Grammys.

Singer Alicia Keys in an Alexandre Vauthier dress.

Paris Hilton poses in a Basil Soda creation.

Hip hop artist Nicki Minaj turned heads in her Versace outfit.

Singer Fergie of the band The Black Eyed Peas in a Jean Paul Gaultier creation.

Singer Taylor Swift shimmers in an ornate Zuhair Muhad design.

Band member Adam Levine of the band Maroon 5 and Anne Vyalitsyna.

TV personality Kelly Osborne in Tony Ward creation.

Actress and socialite Amber Rose arrives in a Versace design.

Actress Kate Beckinsale in a Zuhair Murad design.

Singer Kelly Rowland in an Alberta Ferre

Actress Julianne Hough arrives in a Kaufman Franco design.

British singer-songwriter Corrine Bailey Rae poses in a Christian Siriano creation.

Singer Diana Ross at the awards' red carpet.

Singer Adele in a custom Giorgio Armani gown with black sequins and three-quarter-length sleeves. The British songstress swept the awards with six wins this year.

Recycled Fashion - Gorgeous collection of paper, cans & used jeans!

This is again one of those instances where a picture speaks a thousand words, maybe even more. It is again amazing how fashion designers across the world have found ways to use the dullest possible trash (& nearly all trash is dull anyway) to carve out some of the most beautiful creations ever known. I’m specially & pleasantly surprised by this awesome collection of clothes. Neither am I a guy who has ever been interested in fashion trends nor do I really believe that having a wide range of wardrobe helps anything. I just feel the more you have, the more you need to take care of them & that is a drag. So quite naturally a conversation regarding fashion trends barely holds my attention (So do most other things)

recycled fashion

But this is different. Denise Van Outen has teamed up with leading ethical fashion designer Gary Harvey to launch Recycle Now Week. It sports the best recycled clothing I have ever seen till date & they really are very impressive. Gary has been a designer for Levis & works wonderfully well on this recycled fashion line. They are running an exhibition on the same between 2nd to 7th November to showcase their brilliant eco-friendly designs. But you can take a front row look at them as right. So enjoy the collection.

Another look at the fabulous dress:

backstage

fashion up close

fashion

Vera Wang's take on 'clothing as sanctuary' is anything but safe at New York Fashion Week

Vera Wang, she of that phenomenal body in Harper's Bazaar last month, does have a day job that doesn't involve posing in swimwear and heels.

She is, of course, one of America's most loved fashion designers, and the volume of stars in attendance at her New York Fashion Week show were testament to that fact.

Renee Zellweger and Leighton Meester were in the front row, while actress Viola Davis and tennis star Maria Sharapova were seated in prime position next to U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Daring: Sheerer-than-sheer swathes of fabric allowed for plenty of sensual flashes of skin at Vera Wang

The future's orange: As well as greys taupes and teals, Ms Wang sent searing pops of neon down the runway

They were all there for the fashion, of course, which was based on the concept of 'clothing as sanctuary'.

Ms Wang's take on the theme was anything but safe, though. Sheerer-than-sheer swathes of fabric allowed for plenty of sensual flashes of skin, whether the shade was searing orange, teal blue or creamy champagne.

Her description in the show notes read: 'The body protectively enveloped in the soft armor of a fitted sheath, the sharp discipline of fencing-inspired jackets, the structured carapace of a coat.

Devoted fans: Leighton Meester (left) and Renee Zellweger sat on the designer's front row at the show today

Prime position: Actress Viola Davis and tennis star Maria Sharapova flanked Vogue editor Anna Wintour

'The female form revealed by smoky transparencies that allow a glimpse of skin and of delicate lingerie not meant to be hidden, but seen.'

Though the silhouettes were sleek and streamlined, they were also feminine, and Ms Wang played with proportions at the hips, adding peplums that added structure to the otherwise fluid garments.

The graphic prints on some of the fabrics also added to the idea of femininity, as the sharp lines curved and played around the models' bodies.

Back to the day job: Vera Wang, who posed in last month's Harper's Bazaar, takes her bow at the end

Leighton Meester, who fronts campaigns for one of the designer's fragrances, loves Vera Wang the woman as much as the label.

'She's a woman and she owns it,' she said. 'She's smart, quick and funny.'

She came to the show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to support 'Vera and all her wonderfulness.

'I am a big fan,' she added.

Creativity & fabric style honored at Gran Defilè 2012

On February 6, 2012, in the suggestive Hall of Columns of the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, the Gran Defilè 2012 took place, the long-awaited Milanese couturiers show. 

The event was organized by the Craftsmen Union of the Province of Milan and the "G. Lanfredini" foundation, with the collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan. Some of the graduating and graduates students of Istituto di Moda Burgo together with the most qualified professionals haute couture of Milan, modeled to honor the creativity and the style, the distinctive sign of the sartorial excellence of a city recognized fashion capital.

This year the theme of the fashion show was the nature in the Neoclassical colors and fabrics.

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Angel Sanchez to show fall collection at NYFW

Angel Sanchez is pleased to announce his participation in New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Scheduled for February 15th at 3pm, the Fall 2012 collection will be shown at Hotel Americano, 518 West 27th Street. 

Fascinated by abstract expressionism and Jazz of the “New York School” movement of the ‘50s Sanchez puts out a collection that is sophisticated, structured, and feminine. Known for his architectural background and precise lines Sanchez once again demonstrates his uncanny ability to manipulate materials. Textured and printed fabrics make strong appearances this season. 

“I experimented with geometrical volume by juxtaposing squares of organza,” Sanchez said. Gazzar, goffre on silk and metallic fibers also from part of Sanchez’s 20 + piece collection. Prominent colors are black, navy, off-white, citronella and shades of silver and gold.

Sponsors for the show include Stuart Weitzman for shoes, Blues by KYKY for handbags, David Glover for Kevin Murphy for hair, Max Delorme for MAC for Makeup, and Myrdith Leon McCormack for nails. Hotel Americano, part of Mexican Hotel group, Grupo Habita, will host the show at its new Chelsea location. 

“We have partnered up with brands that share my aesthetic vision and passion for what I do,” Sanchez said of his sponsors. 

 

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Unexpected romanticism in Gucci Prefall collection

Gucci presents Prefall collection for 2012. For Prefall 2012, a singular femininity and a contemporary instinct play with contrasts. “This season I wanted to intersect romanticism with minimalism by pairing unexpected elements. This collection of nuances and subtleties strikes a modern balance between strong and soft,” said Creative Director Frida Giannini.

Hints of the couture of the Fifties. Glimpses of metropolitan grunge. A sophisticated game on necklines and waistlines. An elegant, equestrian attitude. Prints and warm earth tones for an innate optimism. 

SILHOUETTE

Clean and linear. Elongated and effortless. Oversized proportions for coats and cabans, paired with tapered pants and skirts. Sartorial jackets from the male wardrobe, worn with slim, creased riding pants. Deconstructed blazers and wide, flowing pants. For daywear either cocoon lines or shapes fitted to the body with studded or braided belts that outline the waist. Plissé skirts and wide sleeves for a more fluid, romantic silhouette. Oversized shirts in silk georgette, together with high tuxedo cummerbunds and long skirts. Masculine tones such as grey, camel, and midnight, and feminine shades such as red, scarlet, raspberry, and coral blush. Oshibana, an alluring floral print from the Archive, repeats across the pleats and gathers of draping blouses and dresses. 

MATERIALS

Maxy cardigans and sweaters in wool and cashmere with 3D workings. Masculine flannel. Iconic silks. Printed ponyskin for a double-breasted coat with suede borders. Natural-colored furs such as fox, inlaid with designs or hand loomed for a double effect. Metal studs for an urban glamour. 

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