NATALIA VODIANOVA has entered into a debate today with bloggers and commenters who have written about her statement at this weekend’s Vogue Festival during which she spoke about the ill effects of obesity.Involved in the CFDA health initiative and a fervent advocate of an industry that promotes wellbeing and happiness as opposed to alteration of your body in the name of fashion, she says that the comment that has been picked up upon – that “it’s better to be skinny than to be fat” – has been taken out of context by her critics and she stands by the assertions she made about health and well being. Join Natalia on Facebook here.
So, fashion’s two-day extravaganza is sadly over – but The Vogue Festival was a resounding success, with the industry’s biggest names coming from far and wide to help us launch what was a truly unique fashion event. Festival season has officially begun.With the Ask The Models candid Q&A session now over, Hollywood actress Joely Richardson, vintage king William Banks-Blaney, celebrity photographer Richard Young and super-stylist Rachel Zoe have taken to the stage to discuss the importance of red carpet dressing – in what is the final activity of the festival. Four of the industry’s leading models – Natalia Vodianova, Jourdan Dunn, Eva Herzigova and Lily Cole – have taken to The Vogue Festival stage for an audience Q&A. The group has so far covered diets, body shape and the secret to landing a big fashion campaign. Also this afternoon was Vogue market editor Emma Elwick-Bates’ second customisation session – during which some of the industry’s brightest (and arguably most handsome), designers offered their take on a grey sweatshirt. “I am a perfectionist to the point of insanity,” the legendary Tom Ford told Alexandra Shulman this afternoon. The designer also opened up about film, his flaws, and personally testing all of his beauty products. Next up is the Ask The Models Q&A discussion, during which the audience will find out from Natalia Vodianova, Jourdan Dunn, Eva Herzigova and Lily Cole what it’s like to be one of the world’s most famous models. And it sounds as if the models have been offering the youngest catwalk beauty, 21-year-old Jourdan Dunn, a little backstage support ahead of the discussion.
“Love that Eva, Natalia and Lily were giving me a lil prep talk before we go on #lovethem x” Dunn tweeted this afternoon. While David Bailey cemented his reputation as one of fashion’s most controversial, straight-talking and intelligent figures during his talk with Vogue features director Jo Ellison this afternoon, Tom Ford has just taken to the stage with Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman. David Bailey is on the stage now, talking to Vogue’s Jo Ellison about photography and his amazing life. “The only thing they can’t teach you at art school is art,” he said. His typically honest self, he also called fellow photographer Cecil Beaton a “terrible middle class snob”. “The art schools in London are the best in the world,” said Christopher Kane during the Fashion Question Time discussion. And Mary Katrantzou had a thing or two to say about the stylish city as well: “London designers maybe weren’t taken so seriously before, but now we have viable businesses it’s much better.” Photographer Tim Walker’s talk seems to be one of the most talked-about events on The Vogue Festival calendar so far – so many people wanted to attend that a repeat talk immediately after the first had to be organised in order for everyone to get in.Day Two is underway and first up in Diane von Furstenberg, talking about turning her passion for life into a global business. “Most fairytales end with the girl marrying the prince, mine began that way,” she told her audience.
Following its decision earlier this week to enter administration, Aquascutum has decided to close its UK manufacturing plant in Corby – due to “loss-making operations and a lack of funding” – with a loss of 115 jobs.
“Whilst a difficult decision, it has been necessary in order to stem on-going losses for the business, and to protect the positions of the 135 remaining employees,” a spokesperson for the adminstrators said this morning. “We plan to provide appropriate assistance to all affected employees, including liaising with Jobcentre plus and helping with claims to the Redundancy Payments Service. All head office and retail operations across the UK and international high street, concession and outlet stores are operating as usual at present.”The company is in the process of looking for a buyer, and is hopeful that a suitable investor will be found soon.
“We have received a high level of interest from potential purchasers from around the world, with our focus now upon progressing discussions for a sale of the Aquascutum brand and assets,” the spokesperson added.
CELINE is set to reopen in London, after helping lift LVMH first quarter profits by 25 per cent. The French label, helmed by British designer Phoebe Philo, has signed a deal to open a store on the site of the Jordan International Bank at 103 Mount Street.
The label becomes the latest in a long line of big-name designer brands to open on the street: Lanvin, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin and Balenciaga already have shops there – and earlier this week, Oscar de la Renta confirmed it will occupy a unit previously owned by hairdresser Nicky Clarke. Property investor Grosvenor, which owns almost every key property on Mount Street, is reportedly in talks with labels including Givenchy, Alaïa, Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent and Erdem to open stores on the street.
Celine closed its only UK store, on London’s Bruton Street, in July 2009 – shortly after new creative director Phoebe Philo showed her first collection for the label; for pre-spring/summer 2010. At the time the label remained tight-lipped about the strategy behind the closure, but it was suggested that Philo wanted to allow time to put her stamp on the brand, before opening a new raft of stores in keeping with her pared-back vision.
LVMH said that, despite the buoyant sales for Q1 of 2012, it remained “uncertain” over the European economy – the Evening Standard reports – and was placing “strict control over costs”.
MIRANDA KERR’s secret singing talent suggests that a music career wouldn’t be outside the realms of reason. “I have recorded a couple of songs, actually, that no one knows about!” she told us, although she remained very coy about track titles or music genre. “You probably won’t hear them but I love to sing! I’m doing so much at the moment, modelling obviously, I have Kora Organics, my books, and my family, so I have quite a lot to focus on for the time being!”Although perhaps best-known for her Victoria’s Secret modelling work, as well as walking for shows such as Chanel and Balenciaga, the Australian beauty is currently appearing in the Reebok EasyTone campaign – shot by internationally renowned photographer Rankin.
“I like their approach to women’s fitness, they make products that look great and fit great on a woman’s body and they really work,” she said. “I’ve been wearing EasyTone for a while so it was a perfect fit!”
Anya Hindmarch has been announced as the winner of this year’s Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award. The London-based accessories entrepreneur – who was up against stiff competition in the form of Helena Morrissey, CEO of Newton Investment Management; and Ruth Rogers, founder of the River Café – was surprised and delighted to accept the prize.”It is the greatest honour to win the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman award in its 40th year,” Hindmarch said. “It is a very real compliment to be deemed to share some of the qualities of Veuve Clicquot herself – who was clearly a brave and pioneering woman – but also to even be considered amongst my fellow finalists, Helena Morrissey and Ruthie Rogers, who are both brilliant businesswomen and lovely people.”
Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Theresa May delivered the keynote speech as Hindmarch collected the award at a ceremony at Claridge’s last night.
“I congratulate Anya Hindmarch and hope her success inspires budding businesswomen across Britain,” May said. “Women are at the heart of our economic future and I would like to see many more reaching the top of their chosen field. The government is helping women realise their full potential and awards like this show just what can be done when that talent is unleashed.”
Following reports this morning, Aquascutum has confirmed that it has entered administration today and has appointed joint administrators Geoff Rowley and Phil Armstrong – partners at FRP Advisory LLP, the specialist restructuring, recovery and insolvency firm – to oversee the process.
“We are conscious of the value of the Aquascutum brand and its long-standing heritage and because of this are keen to enter in to early discussions with interested parties open to purchasing the business as soon as possible,” joint administrator Geoff Rowley said this afternoon. “We will of course be conducting an urgent assessment of all stores and concessions and look to communicate to staff and suppliers at the very earliest opportunity.”
The directors made the decsion to begin administration proceedings following “significant losses” over the past year. Between its British stores and its UK-based manufacturing sites, Aquascutum employs 250 people in the UK. Iconic British label Aquascutum could be placed into administration as early as today, the Financial Times reports.
The brand, which rumours suggested was set to be sold earlier this month, is currently owned by British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman – who bought the buisness in 2009 from Japanese company Renown. Tillman sold most of his share in another British label, Jaeger, yesterday.
The administration rumours have not yet been confirmed by the label.
Hollwood actress Kate Hudson has joined The Vogue Festival’s superstar line-up and will appear in conversation with her long-term friend Stella McCartney on Friday. The pair will take to the stage with Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, in what is set to be one of the two-day extravaganza’s most popular events. Don’t miss out – buy your tickets now.With tickets selling fast for The Vogue Festival next week, have you bought yours yet? Join Tom Ford, Diane von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Christopher Bailey and Natalia Vodianova and don’t miss out on what will be one of this year’s biggest fashion events. Step inside the Vogue world and buy your ticket now. British Fashion Award Emerging Talent Menswear winner Christopher Raeburn and vintage king William Banks-Blaney have been added to The Vogue Festival line-up. Raeburn, who is known for his re-appropriation of disused military gear, will join JW Anderson, David Koma and James Long on the sweatshirt customisation panel. Meanwhile, Banks-Blaney, who is famed for sourcing some of the world’s most beautiful vintage clothes, will talk about red carpet style at a panel discussion with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and photographer Richard Young.
MARCHESA is reportedly preparing to launch a contemporary line. The British label, known for its red-carpet-worthy, opulent and feminine designs, is said to be completing a deal with LF USA – the US branch of Hong Kong-based investment company Li & Fung.
This would be the second acquisition for LF USA in a matter of weeks, if the WWD rumours come to fruition, after the company signed a backing deal with New York-based label Vena Cava earlier this month.
Marchesa would follow in the footsteps of a host of luxury brands that have launched contemporary lines, including Karl Lagerfeld’s Karl; Alice Temperley’s Alice By Temperley; Marc Jacobs’ Marc by Marc Jacobs; Matthew Williamson’s MW by Matthew Williamson; Alexander McQueen’s McQ; Victoria Beckham’s Victoria, Victoria Beckham; Versace’s Versus; and Alexander Wang’s T by Alexander Wang.
KARLIE KLOSS has spoken about her experiences with two of fashion’s biggest names: Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.
“Alexander McQueen once told me before I went out on the runway – I was wearing a dress that was very long and difficult to walk in, and I was concerned the dress was going to get caught on my shoe – ‘Don’t worry, Karlie; if it does, just take it off and throw it, throw the dress. Remember – YOU own the dress, the dress does not own you!’ It was a moment I will never forget.”Her most treasured possession, she admits, is her “Dior bag from John Galliano. He gave it to me after we shot my first campaign with Steven Meisel, and I cried when I opened it. It is the most beautiful, timeless Dior bag. It is such a special reminder of that time in my career; someday I will give it to my daughter.”And if she wasn’t rubbing shoulders with fashion luminaries, Kloss’ ambitions would still be lofty.
“To be a doctor, like my father. I think to have the skill set and the ability to physically help others in matters of life and death must be incredibly empowering. Plus, I love kids, so ideally something in the field of paediatrics,” she told VOGUE.COM US, before adding a few other – in her opinion less attainable – ambitions: “I wish I could fly. Or speak fluent Chinese. I think both are equally impossible.”
