May 2009 Archives

I was really shocked today while heard the news Christian Lacroix filed bancruptcy yesterday. This year has been crazy for everyone. Finacial crisis, Virus, Bancruptcy of your favorite brand, etc.

French fashion house Christian Lacroix filed for bankruptcy, citing the, "consequences of the global financial crisis which has sharply hurt the luxury goods industry", as the cause. The problem of course is sales are down and with everyone including the "wealthy", tightening their purse strings, there are no positive indications that sales will increase in the near future. The house reported a €10 million loss in sales for last year whilst sales of the current summer ready-to-wear collections are down by 35%.

Founded in 1987, Lacroix was bought in 2005 by American duty-free retailer, the Falic Group. Notorious for designing the most beautiful (and expensive) couture gowns, the house of Lacroix is of course a celeb favourite. Fans include Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Natalie Portman.

Next week The Commercial Court of Paris will rule on whether the house should go into receivership or liquidation, however we will all be treated to a Lacroix couture collection for Couture Week in July. Speaking to WWD, CEO Nicolas Topiol said,

'We have a very dedicated group of clients. The perception of the brand and its power is very strong. It's the key to future development.'

But is perception really enough? And more importantly is there really a place for luxury in today's financial climate? To be truthful, one can't help but feel the imminent decline of luxury brands.

here is some picture of  Lacroix' latest collection in Paris

I just bought a Tibetan hand-made purse yesterday.

I was really amazed by the beading and pattern they created.

When everything starts go mass production, Handicraft should be more appreciated and valuable here in China.

It's already hitting big as we predicted in 2005, the fashion industry is evolving to film. LVMH goliath steps into the online viral video era with a film focused on the reinvented Lady Dior bag by Christian Dior. The Dior house movement into an online viral video campaign is a sign of their target on the digital demographic.

This first film stars actress Marion Cotillard, as she races through Paris with reflections throughout the film of the elements of the Lady Dior bag: the bag's quilting refered to by the girders on the Tour Eiffel, the film noir monochrome color pallette matching the bag,  and main product shot at the opening of the film with the bag a table. The main product shots are also on the Eiffel tower elevator and girders in hot pursuit by several mobsters.

The film opens with Marion Cotillard urgently requesting to leave otherwise a man will be in serious danger. The bag takes center stage when Marion is requested to "open the bag" revealing the contents of the bag to be several different keychains with various sized keys on it. The plot thickens with intermittant shots of a man trapped in a room in front of a telephone unable to make a call because his hands are tied. The video leads to the second part with the entrace of "Lady Rouge" a tall blonde who unscrews the lock on the door where the man is trapped.

Here is my latest design, the bubble dress which is made out of Bath bubbles, and the bodice part was made of suger.

Such a design was not appreciated in China, and got so much critized here.

Well, It doesn't really matter, because I loved it, and I believed it!

and I wish you do too.

I grew up in the fashion industry in the early'90s as a stylist, photo-shoot manager, creator of events and corporate projects, designer, branding consultant, fashion writer and now blogger. I've been fortunate enough to work with leading talents at the highest levels of the artistic and corporate worlds. Mentors have helped me develop the essentials: A fresh eye, a sure hand, an organized mind. They are my network and my inspiration for knowing the difference between being on the leading edge - and leading the edge.

Editorial/Styling: Vogue, Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, Elle, L'Official, German Glamour, Jalouse, T Magazine, Surface, Interview, Nylon, Muse, Big, Arena UK, British Esquire, GQ, Feld, L'Optimum, Flaunt, Oyster, Paper Planes, Celeste, Mirage, Codigo. Fashion Editor Air France Madame Magazine, Paris 2001-2003

Design:

For George Esquivel - a new line of belts in 2010

Creator of von Weise Denim sample line in 2005

Celebrity Clients: Angelina Jolie, Winona Ryder, Natalie Portman, Zoe Saldano, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Ivanka Trump, Bjork, Lindsay Lohan, Naomi Campbell, Penelope Cruz, M.I.A., Cindy Crawford, Sharon Stone, Famke Janssen, Vanessa Carlton, Mira Sorvino, Natasha Richardson, Paula Patton, Howard Stern,  Jeff Goldblum, Stanley Tucci, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts, Isabella Rossellini, Elettra Rossellini, Eric Mabius, Tinsley Mortimer, Petra Nemcova, Bat for Lashes, Fisher Spooner, Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen, Jewel

 Photographers: Richard Avedon, Sheila Metzner, David LaChapelle, Mark Seliger, Sante D'Orazio, Steve Hiett, Phil Poynter, Andreas Sjodin, Kenneth Cappello, Walter Chin, Pamela Hanson, Wendelien Daan, Karen Collins, Vanina Sorrenti, Terry Richardson, Norman Jean Roy, Sophie Delaporte, John Balsom, Martien Mulder, Jason Bell,  Nino Munoz,  James Macari, Eric Ogden, Guzman, Guy Aroch, Alex Freund, Gavin Bond, Eva Mueller, Mary Rozzi, Kate Orne, Francois Dischinger, Kenneth Willardt, Robin Broadbent, John Scarisbrick, Steven Sebring, Stephane Coutelle, Stijn & Marie, Jessica Craig Martin, Greg Kadel, Sophie Delaporte, Taryn Simon, James Houston, Joshua Jordan, Faubel Christensen, Poppy de Villeneuve, Paola Kudaki, Brigitte Lacombe, Kevin Sturman