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The Fashion Statement: Everything That's Fit to Print

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

fashion by Rodarte
Sadly, the only media going to print in big numbers this fall is fashion.

Patchwork, zebra, leopard, floral, tweeds, plaids, psychedelic and Deco graphics, watercolors and paint-splattered fabrics all made a huge statement on the runways. Fait attention! This is the season to forget every rule you've learned about wearing prints. It's time to go Wild and Crazy Guys, not head-to-toe Pucci.

In other words, designers made an eye-popping show of mixing and matching multiple prints on one look. Much like Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin's comedic get-ups on Saturday Night Live back in the late '70s, floral prints were shown with plaids. But then we saw tweeds hooking up with cougars (there must be a joke in there somewhere), leopards pairing up with stripes and stripes in primary colors working well with rich paisleys.

The Mulleavy sisters, designers of Rodarte, are perfect examples of the newest generation of print maestros. Their California-based label had catwalk models in big-cat prints, metallic and watercolor-like fabrics all pieced together on ethereal cocktail dresses (pictured above).

Bill Blass Closes

Filed under: Apparel


It's the end of an era as American classic brand Bill Blass is set to fold. Blass died in 2002 but his brand has gone on with several designers, most recently, Peter Som, who left the company in October. The company will close its showroom at 550 Seventh Avenue and eliminate about 30 remaining jobs there. The NY Times reports that the company has been selling samples from Mr. Blass's collections and Manolo Blahnik shoes that were used in runway shows, at discounts of 90 percent. His archives will be headed to Indiana University in Bloomington.

Fashion Week Daily adds that while the line has disappeared from the e-commerce sites of Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue, the collection is still available on the floors in their department stores for those who want a last blast of Blass.

Bill Blass New York Extends Line to Include Luxe Capsule for Fall 08

Filed under: Apparel

The team at Bill Blass New York has announced in a press release that it will extend its fall line to include a luxe capsule group. The limited edition pieces include made-to-order looks like a mink topper and a metallic python trench. Available only through Blass sales consultants, the niche collection is design director Jose Solis's opportunity to make use of unique detailing and rare fabrics.

Chief Merchandising Officer Rodney Hutton likens the collection to "buying right from the runway." The limited edition pieces from last fall's collection sold out immediately, so if you've been picturing yourself in that python trench ever since we mentioned it, you'd best be dialing up Blass HQ at (800) 901-7895 ext. 214 to find out about the next private trunk show in your area. Check out the gallery for images from the Bill Blass fall '08 runway show, designed by is-he-or-isn't-he Peter Som.

485 Fifth Avenue

Filed under: Estates

More and more fashion designers are turning their hand to creating luxury condos. Peter Som is a fashion show darling who's simple and elegant designs have won rave reviews. Turns out the Som is the son of two architects and now he is part of the 485 Fifth Avenue project which is located at Bryant Park in New York City. The building is the former location of Tommy Hilfiger's offices. Details of the interiors include wide plank Brazilian cherry wood floors, ultra-high ceilings and oversized bathrooms. The building has a private resident's club that includes a fitness room, an entertainment lounge with a screening room, a wine cellar, and the services of noted hostess Serena Bass to help you plan your events.  The complex officially launched during New York Fashion Week and as we noted earlier, Braden Keil of the NY Post reported that Salman Rushdie and his wife Padma Lakshmi were spotted looking at the building in March.


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