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OscarDeLaRenta

The Fashion Statement: Fashion Week's a Wrap

Filed under: The Fashion Statement



New York fashion week, which ends here today, will unfortunately be remembered as 1) the week during which Alexander McQueen committed suicide and 2) the last time Bryant Park hosted the shows.

As tragic as the loss of McQueen was, in particular, life went on as did the designers in the tents and elsewhere in the city. Here, a few highlights from the week:

Rodarte, shown above, looked as if heavy salvaged pieces of fabric had been caught up by a stiff fall wind and wrapped its wearer in bohemian luxe. Ironically, the Mulleavy sister design duo chose fall to lighten up with bright colors and florals, a stark contrast to the black goth-like collection they presented for spring.

Boyfriends and husbands, beware of closet raids. Preen set the tone for the new blazer silhouette -- a masculine and longer-body -- worn with a belt or not. After seasons of tight and short blazers, this roomier style looks just right.

Michael Quintanilla, a journalist friend of mine I bumped into after Donna Karan, made the comment that only the work of a master can transform basic black pieces into a phenomenal collection. Karan is such a master. Black off-the-shoulder gowns, black cocoon coats and black blazers accented with leather patches were simply gorgeous. The designer carefully punctuated the show with fuchsia coats and teal cocktail dresses that, against all that black, were all the more eye-popping.


Readers' Choice Award Nominees for Best in Accessories

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Best Jewelry Line
Each of the Readers' Choice nominees for Best Jewelry Line is a leader in the industry. One is not only known for its signature jewelry, but also for the blue box that it comes in. Another is known for its handcrafted pieces, but it is also known for its many innovations. Another nominee is a newer designer on the scene who is inspired by Florentine jewelry-making, but also astronomy, celestial, mythological and astrological influences. Another nominee is synonymous with glamour and fame and has ties to some of the world's most famous jewels. Finally, there's a nominee known for the panache of its founder, as well as its vast collection of the world's finest diamonds.
Graff Diamonds
Harry Winston
Temple St. Clair
Tiffany & Co.
Van Cleef & Arpels

Best Watch Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Watch Line nominees include a perennially favored brand among the watch-loving elite that is known for making the most complex wrist watch in the world. Another nominee is known for its functionally-themed luxury sport watches. The third nominee, while an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, is known for being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future. A fourth nominee is perhaps the best-known luxury watch brand in the world, with a stellar reputation to match. Lastly, there's a watchmaker that epitomizes Swiss haute horology with its modern classics and technical innovation.
Audemars Piguet
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Patek Philippe
Rolex

Best Leathergoods Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Leathergoods Line for a Luxist Award include award-winning brands from France, Italy and London. One started out making equestrian equipment in 1837, and still makes its goods by hand; some of its handbags are so coveted, there's a two-year long wait list to buy one. Another was started in London by a former fashion editor who partnered with a couture shoe maker to create a company now synonymous with the "red carpet". The third nominee is known for its clean lines and simple classic color palettes while the fourth is a global force of tradition and innovation. And finally, the last nominee epitomizes luxury with its delectable designer bags and vaunted luggage--some of which command five figure prices.
Bottega Veneta
Gucci
Hermes
Jimmy Choo
Louis Vuitton

Best Department Store/Boutique
Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best Department Store/Boutique include one based in London that has no fewer than 330 different departments, a staff of 5,000 from 50 different countries and is visited by as many as 300,000 people on a single day. Another, with roots in Texas, is known for its superior customer service, in addition to its luxury merchandise, including some of the world's most extravagant items. One New York-based store has a shoe department that is so large, it was given its own zip code. Another Manhattan-based store specializes in hard-to-find international designers, many of which it will help launch into fame. Lastly, there's an upstart from London that is so cutting-edge and up-to-date, it launches 300 new styles on a weekly basis.
Barneys New York
Harrods
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Top Shop

Best Clothing Designer
Readers' Choice nominees for Best Clothing Designer are award-winning fashion designers from Italy, England, France and the United States. One was started by a wunderkind who was named chief designer of one of the most respected fashion houses when he was still in his 20's. Another has been one of the leading names in fashion for nearly 100 years. A third nominee, known for its timeless style, has outfitted First Ladies on both sides of the aisle for decades while the fourth is famed for its understated elegance. The final nominee is synonymous with high fashion though its roots are in luggage and leather goods.
Alexander McQueen
Chanel
Gucci
Oscar de la Renta
Prada

Oscar de la Renta: Timeless Style

Filed under: Apparel


Favored by fashionistas and first ladies alike, Oscar de la Renta -- the man and the label -- has been an industry powerhouse for nearly half a century. With his timeless sense of style, Oscar de la Renta is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Clothing Designer category.

Oscar de la Renta founded his label in 1965. Then just 33 years old, de la Renta's star was on the rise in New York's fashion scene. The Dominican-born designer had studied in Europe and worked for Cristóbal Balenciaga in Spain and Antonio Castillo in France. When he arrived in New York, he turned down a job with Christian Dior in favor of a position with Elizabeth Arden; two years later, he had gained enough exposure to start his own ready-to-wear label.

The honors soon cascaded in for Oscar de la Renta. In 1967 and 1968, he earned the Coty American Fashion Critics' Award, the highest honor in fashion in those days. In 1973, he became President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, serving until 1976. The following year, de la Renta released a new fragrance called "Oscar." He soon became a favorite of First Ladies on both sides of the aisle, from Nancy Reagan to Hillary Clinton to Laura Bush.

The past decade has brought more expansion. In 2001, de la Renta launched a line of accessories to complement his ready-to-wear line; a standalone retail chain followed in 2005 with its first store on Fifth Avenue in New York. There are now locations Bal Harbour, Costa Mesa, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Manhasset. The only letdown: Michelle Obama has yet to wear a de la Renta outfit as First Lady.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Win A Unique Oscar De La Renta Dress From Ideeli

Filed under: Apparel


Invitation-based shopping sale sites are big business lately and designers are starting to work directly with them. Ideeli recently announced that Oscar de la Renta has designed a one-of-a-kind couture summer dress that will be offered in a unique giveaway. Ideeli members can enter to win the floral silk faille bubble-hemmed dress and a sketch of the design signed by Oscar de la Renta. The contest starts on June 1 and runs the entire month. You have to be a member to enter and can sign up here.

Of the promotion, Alex Bolen, Chief Executive of Oscar de la Renta said, "We are very excited about this initiative with ideeli. We believe them to be an emerging leader in the growing field of online marketing and we look forward to great success with this promotion."

Cindy McCain's $300,000 Outfit for the RNC

Filed under: Apparel, Events, Celebrity Shopping

Thanks to the calculator-savvy fashion dept. over at Vanity Fair, we've got an estimated grand total for Cindy McCain's outfit from Tuesday evening's Republican National Convention festivities. The final cha-ching? $300,000. Highlights include her Oscar de la Renta fierce-collared shirtdress, a pair of $280,000 diamond sparklers and Chanel's J12 white ceramic watch. The shoes have yet to be identified -- any guesses readers? (I'm betting Manolo.)

At least in the realm of fashion, Cindy is the elitist in this race. Remember Michelle Obama's pick for her appearance on The View? A $148 number from mass chain White and Black.

[via Vanity Fair]

Ruby Slippers To Benefit Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Filed under: Auctions, Shoes, Charity, Children


Nineteen to-covet designers including Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin are teaming up with Warner Brothers and Swarovski to reinvent Dorothy's ruby slippers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This time, we're not in Kansas anymore. Based on some of the designer sketches we've seen, we're talking Swarovski-fied, ruby red protect-me-from-the-evil-witch stilettos. Basically what sweet little Anne Hathaway could have used in The Devil Wears Prada.

Each designer will craft a mere two pairs, and the shoes will make their debut September 4 during New York Fashion Week, posing in Saks Fifth Avenue's window before moving on to Miami's Art Basel and further appearances throughout 2009. The iconic slippers will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Oscar De La Renta Resort 2007

Filed under: Apparel

For some, spring 2007 may seem like an eternity away. After all, we have to get through a mid-term election, cold winter, and who knows what else till we start thinking about a wild spring break and summer breezes. But in the world of fashion, spring/ summer 2007 is already here. Oscar De La Renta has recently unveiled his resort 2007 line and it is the pinnacle of laid-back style and refinement. No matter where your yacht makes call, these garments will speak of your grace and charm without you saying a word. Look for the designs to hit the stores by November.

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