3.1 Phillip Lim for U.S. Target
The affordable high-street diffusion line is almost obligatory for any fashion designer worth their five-hundred dollar grey t-shirt these days. Not only is it perfect for those of us who want a taste of a high fashion label without the terrors of a couture price tag, it also gives designers a chance to show off their fun side, as well as prove their talents aren’t merely confined to luxurious fabrics and leggy models- they have to think about the everyday woman and her needs.
The designer collaboration is a huge deal these days, which is why the recent reveal of Phillip Lim’s collection for Target in the US has caused such a stir online. Not only are the pieces swoon-worthy, but Lim has also succeeded in translating the preppy-pretty luxe looks that make his label so covetable to a lower-price point.
The stand out looks? The BOOM! comic-strip graphic is street-style gold, as is the demure leopard print. But what’s really getting bloggers excited are the bags- ranging from totes to shoppers to work-perfect structured styles. We love!
The release also gives us a chance to reminisce about some of the terrific and tragic designer diffusion lines that have made it to Australian shores. Stella McCartney’s line for Target in Australia saw women lining up at the crack of dawn to score a knit or pair of tailored trousers, but to be honest, the collection was more drab than fab.
Lim, on the other hand, has nailed luxe for less. The collection hits stores (alas only in the US) on September 15, but you can click here to look at the full range.
Image: Looks from the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection
Lady GaGa Goes Topless in V Magazine Cover
Following a whirlwind twitter and instagram build up, Lady GaGa’s topless appearance on the cover of V Magazine was recently revealed. Gaga poses on the cover with her pants unzipped, and a red sequin jacket over bare skin. Although it’s true the shot is quite risqué, we must admit it was quite a shock to see her wearing pants at all!
Not one to shy away from a dramatic fashion moment, the pop star takes her daring approach to the other end of the spectrum inside, where she poses completely naked, bar some greasy black makeup on her face.
The photoshoot appears courtesy of art and fashion photography couple, Inez and Vinoodh, who have been collaborating in art and in love for the past two decades (they also have the coolest apartment in Manhattan, beloved by art and architecture magazines like Architectural Digest).
GaGa posted a snap of the cover on her twitter with the caption; “First of 4 V covers revealed!” so we have still have three more sartorially-daring Gaga covers to look forward to. In conversation with V magazine, GaGa explains her perspective on the shoot, stating;
“What I have tried endlessly to become through my work is a celebration of my differences through art, with myself as the canvas, as opposed to me as the subject matter, being put on the canvas. I don’t want to be an icon in just one form. I want to be an icon in many forms. “
GaGa has also taken fashion leaps to promote her new single Applause recently, snapped on the streets wearing face paint to mimic the single’s cover art.
What do you think of GaGa’s new sartorial turn?
Image: Lady GaGa on the cover of V magazine.
Cate Blachett’s $10 Million Debut as Armani Spokesmodel
After signing a contract reportedly worth $10 million dollars with Armani back in March, the newly revealed shots of the regal Australian actress have us thinking; is she really worth $10 million dollars? More than one eyebrow was raised within the fashion industry about such a hefty sum being doled out for a fragrance campaign.
However, the recently revealed campaign has us thinking she may very well be worth every cent.
The headshots feature Blanchett, all windswept hair and ’90s matte lips staring seductively out of the frame next to a bottle of the Italian fashion house’s Sí fragrance, exuding impeccable glamour.
In fact, the entire aesthetic of the ad is very ‘90s, from the crisp white shirt, to the tousled blowdry, to the matte finish of the image. However, rather than looking dated, the campaign captures the understated elegance that Blanchett encapsulates so perfectly. The 44-year old has a long-standing relationship with the Giorgio Armani label, and is regularly spotted wearing the brand’s designs on the red carpet.
The actress has a love for the designer even goes back into her early days as an actor; Blanchett spent her first acting paycheck on an Armani suit that she still has today!
The $10 million campaign effectively eclipses Brad Pitt’s $7 million Chanel ad, which was one of the most expensive fragrance commercials ever made.
What do you think of Cate’s Armani campaign?
Image: Cate Blanchett as the face of Armani Si.
