Rumour Mill: John Galliano To Design For Stephen Fry?
Fashionista whispers have gone into overdrive that John Galliano has finally picked his comeback design vehicle.
And not only is it not a fashion show, it’s not even for a size zero – or a woman (in a manner of speaking).
Rumours are flying that Galliano is designing the costumes for British comedian and national treasure Stephen Fry – for his London production of Oscar Wilde’s hit play The Importance Of Being Earnest.
It won’t be for tuxedos or spats, though. Fry is playing the legendarily domineering, querulous matron Lady Bracknell, in what’s shaping up to be the most fashion-forward drag in history.
Alongside Galliano, the producers and Fry (who’s also directing) are rumoured to have approached McQueen and Roland Mouret to make Lady Bracknell’s costumes.
The Importance Of Being Earnest is set in the very early 20th century, so Lady Bracknell is usually dressed in Edwardian long lace sleeves, high collars and the famous S-bend corset – and, of course, enormous hats.
And she’s often played by men – Geoffrey Rush (pictured right) did the part in splendid scarlet.
Stage costumes are very different to traditional red-carpet dressing, or even couture. They need to be visible to the backs of the auditorium, coloured so as not to be lost on-set, and give enough room for proper projection by actors. They often also include velcro or other rapid-tie systems, so actors can get them off swiftly between scenes.
It’s hardly the intricate, detail-oriented dressing that Sarah Burton or Galliano knows best – but we’d guess they’d make Lady Bracknell the fashion plate to end all fashion plates.
One thing’s for sure – fashion journalists will be snapping up tickets in their droves to see whether the rumours are true. And the famous handbag might end up being the 2014 It Bag…
Image: John Galliano and Stephen Fry.
Lanvin Campaign Dictates Our Winter Style
If there’s one autumn/winter trend to pick up from Lanvin’s new campaign, it’s wigs.
Or, at the very least, not being afraid to change your signature style completely from day to day.
The campaign is garnering rave reviews for releasing six different images of Brit model Edie Campbell looking virtually unrecognisable – from turbans to 1940s screen-siren bobs to, for no apparent reason, a pet goose.
So what lessons can we draw from Lanvin 2013/14 for your winter wardrobe?
One: Don’t be afraid of accessories. Capes, gloves, hats and shrugs are very in this season, and the vintage flair that comes with mixing and matching is one way to rapidly change your look. (Wigs are only for the very dedicated.)
Two: Brooches are the new necklaces. Search second-hand markets and online boutiques like Net-a-Porter or The Outnet for fresh combinations, particularly big, glittering numbers that glitz up a plain jumper or dress.
Three: Dresses in winter, even in silks and thin cottons, are perfectly wearable with the right accessories. Get some tres chic grey or black tights, layer up your cardigans and put a long-sleeved top under your strapless summer evening gown. All set.
Four: Rescu. does not recommend accessorising with a live goose. Or even a dead one. But feather fascinators, necklaces and jewellery in general are very in for winter – look for dark, peacock colours for lustrous shine.
Image: Lanvin 2013/14.
High-End Stores Now Installing Facial Recognition Cameras
Luxury retailers are aiming to avoid embarrassing faux pas by installing facial recognition systems in their stores.
The aim? The software will recognise the most ‘lucrative’ customers – even if the retail assistants don’t.
Gone are the days where a millionaire customer could be reliably identified by the cut of their suit, lustre of their pearls or brand of watch.
Nowadays the more casual style of the Facebook-era rich means that luxe stores have to scramble to know who’s just browsing, and who’s secretly a billionaire in jeans.
The solution is, apparently, programming all their VIP shoppers into the database, so that they’re flagged the second they step in. Every staffer is notified immediately by smartphone, with all the details of their target’s tastes and past buys.
No ‘big mistake, huge’ Pretty Woman moments here.
It also goes the other way, with many of the systems also possessing the facial dimensions of known thieves and terrorists.
The system is currently being trialled in various stores across the Northern Hemisphere, though nobody’s letting on where they are.
And as for privacy, apparently VIP customers appreciate being recognised as soon as possible, so they can be whisked away to a suite for champagne and select viewings – even if it’s just by a computer.
However, we can foresee a few problems- not least of which is that luxury shoppers, particularly women, are also some of the most likely in the world to get plastic surgery. What will the facial recognition software do when they come in with, well, an entirely new face?
What do you think – smart new system or opening up a can of worms?
Image: 2007 September Vogue.
