Prada Snatches Up Historic Milan Bakery
In one of the strangest pieces of fashion news this week, Prada has picked up a piece of confectionery history.
No, not a pastel colour or a sweet-shaped print. The Italian label has bought the famous Milanese pastry shop Pasticceria Marchesi.
It’s been an historic part of the Italian city’s pastry traditions since 1842 – but why has Prada decided to dip their finger in the pie?
After all, fashionistas aren’t renowned for their love of sugary treats in large quantities.
The purchase looks like a combination of good branding and Italian national pride. Italian fashion institutions have been sponsoring bits of national heritage that need help of late: for one thing, Fendi is cleaning up the Trevi Fountain.
And Prada just lost a battle with the French luxury company LVMH for another Milanese pastry place, Cova, a battle that caused Italian newspapers to get very high and mighty about foreign owners of their historic eateries.
So what’s the delicious deal?
Everybody wants a bit of pastry – and experts think it’s because the luxury brands like the idea of adding tasty treats to their products.
After all, we can’t all afford a Prada handbag, but a Prada-branded cannoli in a sugar-sweet shop would be a hot spot on the tourist trail.
This way, Prada look like the good guys by bolstering an historic part of Milanese culinary history, while also expanding their profits.
Sounds like a sweet deal to us.
Image: Prada’s new purchase in Milan, courtesy Prada.
Kate Hudson Launches Line Of Little Black Dresses
Kate Hudson’s slinky red carpet chic is enviable – and now you can get a piece of the action.The actress, who’s been out of the spotlight recently after the birth of her son, is launching a line of little black dresses.
She’s designed the range of LBDS for Ann Taylor, an upmarket American clothing label, and they’re apparently for all occasions.
The capsule collection only features five styles, but they all have their own names and identities.
There’s the Romantic, which is apparently for first-date occasions, and then more amped-up pieces like Camera Ready, a cut-out gown, and Best Actress, an off-the-shoulder column. The other two remain a surprise.
So what prompted the move to fashion designer?
Hudson told Women’s Wear Daily, “We designed them to fit how we all live, so there’s something for every occasion and everyone.”
Hudson may also be looking for an outlet for her energy, since People recently reported she’s on the rocks with long-time fiancee Matt Bellamy and showed up to the post-Oscars parties without her engagement ring.
We wonder if we’ll see her hitting the town for a new partner in one of her LBDs…
Are you excited to see the LBD collection with Ann Taylor?
Image: Kate Hudson in one of the Ann Taylor LBDs, courtesy Ann Taylor.
Keira Knightley Wedding Dress ‘Impressively Splattered’
Last week, Lily Allen lost hers and now Keira Knightley’s Chanel wedding dress (her ‘something old’ – she wore it to her wedding having already donned it for a red carpet event) has been ruined!
The star has revealed that she wore it again – and it’s made quite the error of judgement.
The culprit? Red wine.
“I didn’t quite realise the extent of it till I got home,” she said. “It’s quite impressively splattered.”
Her delicate Chanel number was pale grey tulle, with a knee-length skirt and long thin sleeves. Paired with a jacket, sunnies, flats and a daisy chain headdress, she looked like the coolest, most laidback bride in the universe.
But is Keira devastated by the possible ruining of her wedding dress?
Not likely.
“Hey, a good night is a good night and when a dress has had its time, maybe it’s had its time. I’m pretty sure I can get it out,” she said, “but, if I can’t, I’m happy with the memory of a good night and the story of how the dress got destroyed.”
How many other brides can you think of with the same attitude? We love it.
Image: Keira in her (now-splattered) wedding dress, courtesy Vogue.
