North West Has The Best Baby Wardrobe In History
Extravagant claim? Not when Kim Kardashian has put the evidence up on Instagram for everybody to see.
It’s not just Kardashian’s star power that’s got her baby the designer gifts, though. Kanye West holds sway with some of the top designers, particularly Ricardo Tisci of Givenchy, whom Kim’s been wearing around Paris.
So just what makes North West better-dressed than Anna Wintour, let alone your average baby? Let’s go to the pictures.
Maison Martin Margiela sent her a tiny white blouse – which Kim called a ‘lab coat’ – complete with personalised ‘North’ embroidery on the front pocket. Very summer 2013-14 – find yourself a white tie-necked blouse from Paul Smith to get the look.
White might not seem practical for a newborn, but it doesn’t compare to what Alexander Wang sent – a black leather halter dress. For a baby that’s fairly fashion-forward – though we do suppose it’ll be easy to wipe off baby vomit. The Little Joe Delirious leather dress is a more grown-up take on, well, a very tiny couture piece.
Celine’s Phoebe Philo went for a more preppy look – her North gift basket includes three tiny sweaters, one in a graphic knit, and tiny snakeskin loafers. Perfect for the baby who wants to be snug while learning to walk. It’s a little warm for jumpers, but a pair of classic Toms slip-ons in a bright pattern will make you the prettiest at the playground.Obviously, Givenchy has sent over a tiny copy of the Bambi tee the fashion world is currently adoring (it was everywhere at the Givenchy show).
And then, of course, there’s Lanvin – and the tiny pieces we’re mad over.
Alber Elbaz made four teeny pieces for North: one black-and-grey tutu dress, one pink party gown and one gorgeous little appliqued T-shirt with a flouncy black skirt. Make them in a bigger size and we’ll devour them immediately. For now, get the look with Modcloth‘s Turning In Tulle pink skirt and a girlie graphic tee from Karl Lagerfeld (his face in pink, obviously).
What do you think – over the top or adorable?
Image: North West’s tiny designer wardrobe, via Kim Kardashian’s Instagram.
Marc Jacobs Leaves Louis Vuitton: His Best Moments
It’s official – Marc Jacobs is leaving the label he rocketed to the top of the fashion charts.
After a 16 year run, he’s stepped down as head designer to focus on his own label, which is largely expected to grow to a huge empire within the next decade.
And, unusually, there’s no acrimonious gossip, no whispers of being fired – just talk that it was time for him to move on graciously.
So, as the curtain falls on his last days as Louis Vuitton’s head designer (who will take his place? We’ll bring you updates on that as it develops), here are his best fashion hits since he took the helm way back in 1997.
The graffiti-look Louis Vuitton logo is now so ubiquitous that it almost seems strange that it was controversial. But in 2001, when Jacobs unveiled his collaboration with Stephen Sprouse, people were shocked.
The neon paint-like slogans were a far cry from the previous neat insignia – but, as we know, they became fashion classics. And he nodded to them in his final show, with Edie Campbell opening his 2014 extravaganza in a body-suit emblazoned with Sprouse’s work.
Collaborations with artists were his big brainstorm. The Richard Prince runway show, which featured the artist’s famous Nurses stomping the boards, was just the start – his ‘dots’ partnership with eccentric Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who lives in a mental institution most of the time, was a massive hit.
The one that will live on, though? It’s the Monogram Multicolore – the combination of white background with floating colourful LV logos – that will be one of Jacobs’ lasting fashion hits. It was designed by the famous Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami, and the amount of fakes floating around show just how popular his colourful interpretation continues to be.
Jacobs was also one of the pioneers of the massive, over-the-top fashion runway. From his first show in 1997, which was white and minimalist, he’s progressed to life-size steam trains, huge escalators and a custom-made merry-go-round. It’s him and Karl Lagerfeld we have to thank for the madness of today’s runways.
This final show? Centred around a black marble fountain, of course.
And then there was the floaty 2013 extravaganza, with Kate Moss riding a merry-go-round horse, that single-handedly started the trend for pastels, sweet shades and girlish lace (though whether you liked that or not depends on your taste).
Not to mention his own turn in a see-through dress at the Met Ball last year. Tuxedos are so 2009.Here’s his 2014 show for you to examine while you look back on his 16 years at the helm:
Louis Vuitton Womenswear Spring summer 2014 Full Fashion Show from Runway Archives on Vimeo.
What will you remember most about Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton?
Images: Marc Jacobs’ memorable moments.
Iconic French Couture House Jean Patou To Re-Open
If you’re a fan of the bias-cut, the draped evening gown, the cardigan or (apparently) the tennis skirt, this news should rock your world.
The couture house Jean Patou, which was one of the trend-setters in the 30s-50s before it shut in 1987, is due to re-open.
Patou’s designs are all over glamour shoots from the golden age of Hollywood and socialites of the 20s and 30s. The label was the very last word in elegance, and specialised in bias-cut evening gowns, active wear and phenomenal embroidery.
If the name sounds familiar today, though, it’s because of its classic perfume, Joy. Even though the house of couture folded, the perfume’s still going strong.
Designing for Jean Patou used to be a sort of rite of passage. Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld passed through its doors on their way to bigger and better things.
However, how will the house cope now that there are so many big-name couturiers on the world scene, and so many other names from Patou’s time (Vionnet, Paul Poiret) are no longer known?
The brand’s new owners “have plans,” according to the Vice President. “We have ideas and know what sort of fashion we would like to do – and have even consulted designers”.
If nothing else, they can reference the tennis skirt, which it’s alleged Patou invented for young women of distinction who were tired of being restricted while playing games outside.
One thing’s for sure – looking at vintage Patou gowns, we’re pretty sure we’re in for some very old-school glamour.
Images: Vintage Patou.
