Levi's and World Water Days

Levi Strauss & Co. took an unconventional approach to its celebration of World Water Day on Thursday, asking employees to wear the same pair of jeans without washing them for the entire work week. Dubbed the Go Water Less Challenge, after Levi’s water-saving initiative, employees are asked to upload photos of themselves and their jeans to Instagram and Flickr, with the three most stylish participants, as chosen by the company’s designers, receiving $1,000 grants to donate to the water organization of their choice. Levi’s chief executive officer Chip Bergh took the bait and consumers were invited to do the same, with photos uploaded to Instagram with the tag #gowaterless.

Animal Testing and its Last Days?

China’s State Food and Drug Administration, or SFDA, has released a draft proposal approving the use of alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics. This is the first time the SFDA, which oversees the testing and registration of all domestically and internationally produced cosmetics on sale in China, has seriously considered changing its regulations to allow non-animal testing alternatives for cosmetics.


“With the fast development of the economy, animal welfare and protection are becoming more popular,” Professor Zhao Hua, who is head of the China Cosmetics Research Center, or CCRC, at Beijing Technology and Business University.


International cosmetic brands who want to import their products into China have to undergo stringent registration and licensing procedures, often using a company such as Guo’s CIRS to help them navigate China’s intricacies and bureaucracy. Any ingredient that has not previously been made available on the Chinese market is required to undergo a number of tests before it is licensed, including some conducted on animals. This regulation has become problematic for some international companies, which had previously committed to abandoning animal testing, but must now allow animal testing to gain access to the massive Chinese cosmetics market. Animal testing in China has recently become a hot-button issue in the U.S., where a class action lawsuit was filed in the central district of California on Feb. 28 against the Estée Lauder Cos., Inc., Avon Products Inc. and Mary Kay Inc. There also is pressure being applied by the California lawsuit, which alleges that Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay resumed animal testing of cosmetics in order to enter the Chinese market, despite claiming in the U.S. that their products are “cruelty free.”




Lauder stoutly defended its policies. “More than 20 years ago, we were one of the first companies to end animal testing to substantiate the safety of our products,” a Lauder spokeswoman told WWD in response to the lawsuit. “It is important that we share with you that our commitment to end animal testing everywhere has not changed. Our products are not tested on animals except when absolutely mandated by law. We are committed to the universal acceptance of non-animal test methods with the goal of eliminating animal testing. We will continue to invest in scientific research to promote acceptance of non-animal test methods by authorities around the world.”

Fighting Fakes

Following the launch of the “You Can’t Fake Fashion” campaign last year to crack down on counterfeiting, eBay and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have again teamed up on a new collection of original tote bags (last summer’s collection sold out in 48 hours). More than 75 CFDA designers, including Diane Von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Robert Geller, Tory Burch, And Tommy Hilfiger, each customized a tote, retailing at $200 each. “The awareness around counterfeits generated by the campaign was invaluable and we hope to see even more of a reaction from industry and consumers this time around,” said Alan Marks, eBay’s senior vice president of global communications. “Based on consumer demand, we’ve doubled the size of the collection in addition to offering more styles.”

In addition to the customized designer totes, a limited edition range of standard totes in four styles will be offered for $45. The entire collection will be sold at “Buy It Now” prices starting today on eBay, with all proceeds benefiting the CFDA Foundation.

Tokyo Fashion Week

 Atsushi Nakashima started things off with a pair of sharply tailored suits and a dress — all featuring geometric patchwork details. The designer, who worked for Jean Paul Gaultier before launching his own line, progressed on to sporty items made of shiny synthetic fabric like a motorcycle jacket and trench coats. He also worked abstract prints into pant suits and short dresses. This show seemed tame and a little more commercial- by Tokyo standards- until he wrapped the proceedings with a handful of looks high on drama. Reprising the geometric theme, he adorned one dress with mirrored shards and created a large sculpted metal collar on a black gown. And a vampy red dress and cape worthy of Flash Gordon closed the show.

Even in Tokyo we are still seeing the reds pop up!

Here we have a great example of a cape that was the talk of the town at every other fashion week.

The velvet material once again shows itself in Tokyo. 

Watch out for the Watches

Despite hurdles ranging from soaring gold prices, the watch industry is heading for another record year, according to exhibitors at the Baselworld international watch and jewelry show in Switzerland.

The event, which ran from March 8 to March 15, attracted 104,300 visitors, up 1 percent compared with 2011, and a record 3,320 journalists, representing a 9 percent jump.


“The mood is good,” said Nick Hayek, chief executive officer of Swatch Group, the world’s largest watchmaker. “We know that the stock level at retail worldwide is low. Sales are good, so the retailers are enthusiastic.” “There was a sense of newfound prosperity. All of the brands were bringing out fresh product, and the brands were much more forward-looking than they have been in the past three years,” he said, referring to the aftermath of the 2009 global economic crisis that decimated Swiss watch sales.

The $5 million Hublot watch.

Boucheron Cypris Tourbillon sous trois Ponts d'Or Blanc

De Grisogono Tondo By Night

A New "Legacy" for an Old Company

Coach Inc. is returning to its roots in order to glimpse its future. A new dual-gender collection inspired by its heritage that will become the cornerstone of its business as well as impact every other aspect of the brand. The Legacy Collection is a lifestyle concept that includes an expansive selection of classic handbags with modern touches, vibrant small leather goods, funky shoes, hats, jewelry, eyewear and outerwear for fall and winter. 


“This is a big deal, it’s a very big deal,” said Coach chairman and chief executive officer Lew Frankfort, who called the collection “an inflection point” for the brand. “When we use the term ‘inflection,’ some of us mean ‘disruptive innovation,’ some of us mean ‘acceleration in business,’ some of us mean a ‘departure,’ ” he said. “Using business terms, I’d say it’s disruptive innovation. We’re hopeful that consumers will be surprised and delighted, that it will be very unexpected from Coach.”


Small women’s purses retail for $178, with larger tassel totes retailing for $798. The iconic new duffle will start at $348 and go up to over $1,000, depending on size and materials used. Exotic skins, such as pony hair, can drive the price up considerably. Men’s bags range from $398 for a courier style to $1,200 for a briefcase. While the arrival of Legacy will skew the brand’s price positioning somewhat  currently the bulk of Coach bags are $299 the higher price of the line doesn’t mark an entirely new chapter for the brand. 

Madison Park Collective Fashion Show Rehearsal

Thanks to my friend for sending me this link. Here is a little behind the scenes look and rehearsal of a LA fashion week show. 

Madison Park Collective Fashion Show

The Modern Day Suit

Empowering the man is the unifying tailored clothing message for fall, but its interpretation and execution varies widely. From traditional three-piece suits to updated youthful double-breasted ensembles and sharp crop blazers with playful pant volumes, designers showing in New York are ready to fulfill a variety of needs. 

MODEL: WILLIAM J. @ RE:QUEST; GROOMING BY SCOTT MCMAHAN AT AGENT OLIVER; FASHION ASSISTANT: LUIS CAMPUZANO; FASHION INTERN: AYANNA THOMAS

Michael Bastian’s three piece wool suit and cotton shirt. Michael Bastian tie.

Photo By: Eli Schmidt

Band of Outsiders’ wool suit and cotton shirt. Band of Outsiders tie.

Photo By: Eli Schmid

Calvin Klein Collection’s wool suit, wool cotton and silk vest and cotton shirt. Tommy Hilfiger gloves.

Photo By: Eli Schmidt

Ralph Lauren Purple Label’s three-piece wool suit and cotton shirt. Ralph Lauren Purple Label tie.

Photo By: Eli Schmidt

Ridding a New Pony

Scheduled for an April launch after a two-week exclusive at Bloomingdale’s this month. “With this launch, we bring to young women an appealing message: Live life in color by expressing every vibrant side of you,” said Marc Rey, president of International Designer Collections at L’Oréal USA. “The Big Pony Collection for Women is a bouquet of exciting fragrances for the iPod generation.” 


Fragrance number one is a sporty floral citrus, with blue lotus and grapefruit notes serving as the signature. Created by Bruno Jovanovic of International Flavors & Fragrances, it has top notes of grapefruit and honeydew, a heart of blue lotus and dewy jasmine and a base of cedarwood and musk. 


Scent number two, intended to be the sensual offering, is a floriental fruity juice with a cranberry and tonka mousse signature. Concocted by Honorine Blanc of Firmenich, it has top notes of grapefruit, mandarin, guava and water lily, a heart of lily of the valley, magnolia and honeysuckle, and a drydown of sandalwood, vanilla extract, marshmallow and musk. 


The collection’s number three scent is intended to be free-spirited, with a signature of pear and mimosa. The floral green juice, by Laurent Le Guernec of IFF, has top notes of juicy pear and kumquat, a heart of mimosa and buttercup, and a drydown of white amber and sandalwood.


The fourth fragrance in the lineup is an oriental floral which represents the stylish facet, built around cherry and purple amber notes; it also contains three proprietary molecules — cassyrein, cristallon and sylkolide. Created by Olivier Gillotin of Givaudan, it has top notes of blood orange, casseyrein and watermelon; a heart of magnolia flower and cristallon, and a drydown of sylkolide, sandalwood and purple amber. 


De Lesquen noted that the bottles are intended to be a more feminine, elegant version of the Big Pony for Men’s flasklike glass bottles, with bright, feminine colors and an elegant silver cap. On each bottle, the pony is embossed into the glass on the front and the brightly colored number is screened on the back. Each scent is an eau de toilette available in two sizes, $70 for 100 ml. and $55 for 50 ml.

Please don't look your best?

The Chinese Congress was just in session, fashion statements by congressional delegates also made headlines across the country. The beginning of a national sport called “Spot the Delegate Wearing Luxury Items!” and reporters and citizens alike were totally into it. Sightings were reported on the Internet and went viral in a nanosecond.

Li Xiaoling, daughter of Li Peng and ceo of a major power company in China showed up in a Pucci jacket with Chanel necklace.According to reports coursing through the Internet, she proposed that the government should keep a “moral behavior” dossier on all citizens. “So that the people will learn what is shame.” The Public responded “Shame on you!”









Other major sightings include Chanel boots on Song Zuying, a folk singer from the military and long rumored to be favored by the former Party Chief Jiang Zemin. Song showed up in a drab army coat and uniform when entering the conference hall. But once inside, reporters noticed that beneath the coat and uniform was a well-fitted suit (no label confirmed) with knee-high Chanel boots. 




One must be impressed by the brand-savvy Chinese public. Despite the fact that the majority of Chinese cannot afford luxury items, people seem to know their brands very well. Many bloggers could find the runway pictures to illustrate the source and mark of various pieces.Behind an ostensible hatred for luxury items, the real popular sentiment is directed against corruption.