Now world-famous for her design of Rihanna’s legendary yellow Met Gala gown this year, Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei has been given honorary couture status by the French regulating commission that awards the designation.
The designer was chosen along with Yacine Aouadi and Iris Van Herpen this year for the “Invited Members” list of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, joining official members including Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy to show at Paris Couture Fashion Week in January. She is the second Chinese designer to be invited, following China-born, Paris-raised couture designer Yiqing Yin’s invitation in 2012.
“It gives us great pleasure and honor to officially announce that Guo Pei, our elite Asian Couturier Extraordinaire and founding member designer of the Asian Couture Federation, has been extended an invitation as an Invited Member to join the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris (Fédération Française de la Couture),” said Frank Cintamani, the president of the Asian Couture Federation, in a statement. “We would like to gratefully extend our appreciation to everyone especially our friends, counterparts and colleagues in France who helped with making this groundbreaking historical moment for Asian Couture a reality. This is a very significant step forward in the recognition and celebration of the tremendous amount of couture talent and creativity that exist within Asia!”
With her designs worn in the past by stars including Zhang Ziyi and Lady Gaga, Guo Pei’s global recognition has skyrocketed since Rihanna was one of the only celebrities to show up in Chinese-designed dress at the China-themed Met Gala this year. The iconic gown took two years to make, and (thanks in part to a host of internet memes) became the most talked-about piece on the red carpet. Guo Pei was also one of the only Chinese designers with pieces featured in the “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition that the gala was celebrating.
In April, she released a 16-piece makeup collection with MAC Cosmetics, and her designs were displayed at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to promote the collaboration, including Rihanna’s Met Gala gown.
Despite the over-the-top opulence of Guo Pei’s creations—including one gown that required four men to carry the train, the designer recently asserted “I don’t like the concept of luxury” in an interview with New York Magazine. She went on to explain, “In China, luxuries are seen as things you don’t really need and it conveys a negative feeling. In my opinion, luxury is products that are beautiful, elegant, and represent the culture. It’s born of love.”
Electric Paradise Music Festival, located in the Dominican Republic, announces its full 2015 lineup featuring Skrillex, Nicolas Jaar, Steve Angello, Guy Gerber, Martin Garrix and more. On December 19th, this multi-stage, multi-genre and multi-sensory festival, located in Punta Cana, will be welcoming an eclectic array of 20+ world-class music artists for its 2015 edition, just steps away from what many consider to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Earth. In addition to music, Electric Paradise will also offer art, food, design, technology, story-telling and paradise in one inspiring experience.
As the first festival in the country to feature simultaneous stages, and the biggest festival in the region, Electric Paradise now boasts a full lineup that cements its status as one of the most exciting music events. After initially announcing everyone from the megastars Major Lazer, to tech-house maven, Hot Since 82, in the phase 1 lineup, and acts like Nicolas Jaar, Guy Gerber, and Matador shortly after, the festival rounds out its already impressive bill with some of the most in-demand artists in the scene, such as OWSLA’s Skrillex, Mad Decent’s Diplo, Dutch prodigy, Martin Garrix, and more. In addition to these talents, Electric Paradise also features a handful of the top local acts, including the house maestros, Lash, young gun, Dav Motta, and more.
With its eclectic array of talent, and all of the other unique attractions that the festival has to offer, Electric Paradise is sure to leave attendees glowing with happiness as we move into the holidays and new year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spends $1,700 a year on apparel, the largest chunk being $562 for women over 16. For Park Avenue dwellers that figure is simply a fraction of the cost of a single pair of pumps. And it is certainly a modest slice of the nearly $2 trillion-per-year global apparel market that employs about 75 million people, according to Fashion United. In New York City alone, the richest fashion designers pull in a cool $24 billion in combined wealth, according to celebritynetworth.com. But to true fashionistas that is simply a whole lot of strappy stilettos and sought after “it” bags.
Ralph Lauren, Net Worth: $8.2 billion
Can Stefan Larsson, the erstwhile global president of OId Navy, breathe some new life into Ralph Lauren Corp? That’s certainly the company’s goal in hiring the unlikely candidate to replace its iconic 76-year-old founder, who recently stepped back from the company. Mr. Lauren isn’t exactly retiring; he will still remain as executive chairman and chief creative officer at the company he founded 48 years ago. Whether Mr. Larsson, an executive known more for his retail acumen than his design sensibilities, will be a good match for a high-end purveyor like Lauren remains to be seen, and early returns are mixed. After the announcement of Mr. Larsson’s hire, stocks shot up before leveling out a bit.
Valentino Garavani, Net Worth: $1.5 billion
Though it’s been eight years since the flamboyant Italian designer—known for his extravagant lifestyle—left the company he founded 55 years ago, his vision for upscale haute couture design lives on. Now the brand he created may play by the rules of its new Qatari owners as part of an international fashion juggernaut; Vogue UK and Bloomberg have reported that Mayhoola for Investments, which bought the label in 2012, may seek an IPO.
Diane von Furstenberg, Net Worth: $1.2 billion
There is no human endeavor, it seems, that cannot be turned into a flashy reality show. For proof, just catch an episode of House of DVF on the E! network. The grand doyenne of the wrap dress has morphed into a host of an enterprise in which reality show contestants search for fame, fortune, and, most importantly, ratings. But Ms. Furstenberg is much more than her on-screen persona; she is also fixed at the epicenter of the industry through her role as board chairman at the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Michael Kors, Net Worth: $1 billion
In addition to his good taste in dates (Kate Hudson, Karlie Kloss), Mr. Kors is also a dedicated philanthropist; God’s Love We Deliver, the nonprofit that delivers food to homebound clients, has named their new headquarters after the designer.
Tory Burch, Net Worth: $1 billion
The Flatiron District has been confirmed as the center of Tory Burch’s universe, with the legendary designer opening up a permanent location for her new Tory Sport line of athleisure garb. The offshoot label offers a selection of tennis outfits, yoga threads and basic leggings, alongside apparel made for lounging post-workout. This follows in the shadows of a Soho pop-up shop for the range. A self-described tomboy growing up, Ms. Burch has been a darling in the industry since she stormed the fashion world a decade ago, leaving behind her public relations career to try her hand at designing.
Calvin Klein, Net Worth: $700 million
What does success smell like? For Calvin Klein, the answer may be found with CK2, a millennial-aimed fragrance that’s a reboot of the designer’s groundbreaking gender-free CK One, which launched more than two decades ago. Set to hit the market next year, the new iteration is described, by Fragrantica, as an “urban woody-fresh scent.” Mr. Klein, who relinquished his creative duties when Phillips-Van Heusen purchased his namesake brand in 2003, can still rely on publicity from starlets of all types (including a few members of the Kardashian clan) posing in various degrees of undress but for the brand’s signature undies.
Donna Karan, Net Worth: $450 million
Any questions you might have had about the Long Island-born designer whose former namesake fashion line (and its little sister label DKNY) may be found in My Journey, her recently released memoir that “shares intimate details about her lonely childhood, her four-plus decades in the fashion industry, her two marriages, motherhood, and her ongoing quest for self-acceptance and spiritual peace.” The book arrives hot on the heels of Ms. Karan stepping down from her eponymous label in June to focus her time on Urban Zen, a lifestyle brand that offers lusciously draped clothing intended to make women feel good alongside objects culled from artisans from every corner of the globe.
Vera Wang, Net Worth: $400 Million
Don’t look for many Republicans—or Socialists, for that matter—to be clad in Vera Wang this fall. The designer recently co-hosted, along withVogue head honcho Anna Wintour, an A-list fundraiser for Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton in her Upper East Side apartment. Regardless of party affiliation, women who deign to wrap themselves in one of Ms. Wang’s fall collection wedding dresses will need to embrace modernism. Her latest bridal range was far from demure, instead featuring exuberant ruffles, midriff-baring cutouts, thigh-revealing hemlines and plunging necklines.
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: DJ Madeon performs onstage during day 3 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Columbia Records; New York, NY, November 17, 2015) Twenty-one year-old music phenomenon Madeon has just announced his upcoming U.S. tour for 2016. The Pixel Empire tour, which will feature support from Skylar Spence, kicks off in Portland on January 19 and will run through major cities such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Nashville before concluding in Washington, DC on February 21. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 20 and will be available HERE – see full list of dates below.
Madeon has also unveiled the official music video for “Nonsense” featuring Foster the People’s Mark Foster today via Noisey – check out the video HERE. The video is the final installment of a trilogy, (following “You’re On” and “Pay No Mind” videos), set in a remote city in an undefined future, focused on a young woman, Asteria, and a young man, Icarus. Asteria is restless to see more of the outside world and finds a friend in Icarus, who shares her desire of leaving.
“Nonsense,” which Entertainment Weekly calls “a synth-pop dream,” is a standout track from Madeon’s debut album, Adventure, which opened at #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums Chart as well as #1 on Billboard’s New Artist Album Chart. Adventurewas released to glowing accolades from the press, including a 7.8 review from Pitchfork, who praised the album as “a strikingly versatile collection” and noted that “on the path to what feels like something huge, Madeon’s journey is just beginning.” Named “the best electronic album of 2015 so far,” by The Fader, the album’s diverse lineup of contributors includes Dan Smith from Bastille on “La Lune,” Foster the People’s Mark Foster on “Nonsense,” Aquilo on “Innocence,” UK soulster Kyan on “You’re On,” and Passion Pit on “Pay No Mind”.
LONDON, United Kingdom — In today’s digitally driven world, good video content can spread like wild fire, as consumers share it through social media and pass videos to friends and followers. Youtube receives more than 1 billion unique visitors every month, with daily video views growing 60 percent year-on-year. By 2019, video will account for 80 percent all consumer Internet traffic, according to research by US technology company Cisco.
But for years, the fashion industry has failed to fulfil the potential of fashion films, prioritising print campaigns and leaving video content as an afterthought; from montages of edited, behind-the-scenes footage to last minute efforts made with the leftover marketing budget.
Looking at this season’s selection of fashion films, you can see the industry beginning to wake up — brands have experimented with bold filmic styles, humorous storylines and star-studded casts. But while some, like Gucci and Miu Miu, may have turned to sophisticated cinematic techniques to bring a collection to life — capturing the languid mood of their campaigns, not just their clothes — they still fell back on the predictable format of film versions of their print content. Others, such Balmain x H&M and Tom Ford, hired social media stars and crafted mock-music videos — an efficient, but unimaginative play to woo millennial audiences.
The most innovative films blended humour, narrative and a strong aesthetic to create witty, often-surreal vignettes that riff on modern society and send up the luxury fashion consumer. Take this season’s top two choices, Kenzo’s “Here Now,” a darkly comic, highly-stylised short documenting the highs and lows of adolescence; and Balenciaga’s Wes Anderson-inspired “Une Incroyable Excuse,” which serves as a showcase for the brand’s accessories. These films stand out because they bring a new dimension to the brand’s campaign, and could never be accused of tokenism.
But, while the diverse collection below is evidence of a number of brands trying to make sense of the medium, too many continue to leave the potential of video untapped. Advancements in video are coming, but at a creeping pace. Perhaps this season’s best offerings will inspire even greater experimentation for Spring/Summer 2016.
Inside Top 10 Fashion Films of the Season
Now without further ado, sit back and enjoy our selection of The Top 10 Fashion Films of the Season. And don’t forget to let us know which ones you like best.
1. “Here Now” by Gregg Araki for Kenzo
In this delightful, blackly comic short, “Here Now,” Kenzo have teamed up with Gregg Araki, director of the cult 1990s Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy. It’s not the first time the brand has worked with some of the film industry’s most innovative figures (previous collaborators include David Lynch and Spike Jonze) — this season the result is a stylish and surreal portrait of the trials and tribulations of high school relationships. Set in a diner and starring emerging actors Avan Jogia, Grace Victoria Cox and Jacob Artist as teenagers all dealing with romance, the six-minute short is the longest on BoF’s list. Seen through the lens of Araki’s distinct Californian aesthetic, and full of his signature bizarre moments — including a couple making out while eating a cheeseburger and a teenage girl dressed as a nun — “Here Now” is dark, messy and incredibly well-dressed.
2. “Une Incroyable Excuse” by Danny Sangra for Balenciaga and MyTheresa.com
Filmed in an iconic Parisian haunt — the Caviar Kaspia restaurant — and directed by Danny Sangra, Balenciaga’s video is a glamorous, tongue-in-cheek take on the fashion industry, supported by a lively soundtrack from Beethoven. It is also the first foray into film by German e-commerce company My Theresa, Balenciaga’s collaborator on the project. Director Sangra has taken inspiration from directors such as Wes Anderson, masterfully blending ordinary emotions with extraordinary circumstances in the film as two models (Marie Trestef and Ines Terlet) bicker over their friend (played by Jessica Cressy) Polly’s late arrival to brunch, only for her to reveal the reason for her delay — she had lost her keys in the alternative universe hidden in her handbag. Witty and wonderfully ironic, this elegantly shot video uses humour to elevate its story above the typical campaign, while serving as an elegant showcase for the brand’s accessories collection — all of which was, naturally, immediately shoppable through My Theresa’s website.
The Look and Design Details
3. Miu Miu by Gordon Von Steiner
An accompaniment to Miu Miu and Steven Meisel’s Autumn/Winter 2015 print campaign, and sharing its title, “Subjective Reality,” this video was shot in a similarly grainy style, tracking a series of models around the streets of New York’s East Village and Brooklyn. It was directed by Gordon von Steiner, one of the industry’s most precocious and sought-after film talents, and follows models Madison Brown, Hailey Gates and Mia Goth as they float restlessly about the city. Featuring a compelling jazz infused soundtrack, the short reveals an otherworldly aspect to the city and beautifully captures the languid, discordant modernity of Miu Miu’s period-inspired collection.
4. Rolling with Emilio Pucci by Edward Housden
This five-minute short is the brand’s first fashion film since Massimo Giorgetti’s appointment as creative director in March earlier this year, and showcases the designer’s debut collection for the label. Without a single word of dialogue, the film follows model and some-time skater Martha-Rose Redding as she pits her boarding skills against two teenage boys. Shot in a seemingly abandoned skate park, surrounded by rich, lush forest, the film’s engrossing narrative is suggestive and mysterious. The real stars of the video, however, are the ornately decorated skateboards, that were created as part of the brand’s collaboration with skateboard company Écal and done up in Pucci’s signature prints.
Following an unidentified guest as she explores a mysterious, mid-day dance party that has sprung up in an ornate Italian manor, Glen Luchford’s director’s cut of Gucci’s 2016 cruise collection is strangely mesmerising – and not just because of its trance-infused soundtrack. The film, which stars Allie Barrett, Rhiannon McConnel, Julita Formella and Tami Williams, feels hazy and carefree, capturing the youthful, unconcerned spirit of newly appointed creative directorAlessandro Michele’s Gucci woman, as the models dance and twist, blissfully unaware of the sun drenched vistas in a glimpsed outside world.
This season, Tom Ford eschewed a traditional catwalk presentation in favour of an entirely different format. The designer debuted his Spring/Summer 2016 collection in a Soul Train-inspired video, starring Lady Gaga who struts and gallivants in a variety of Tom Ford ensembles, among a throng of models, including Mica Arga, Lexi Boling, Kayla Scott, Xiao Wen Ju and Lucky Blue Smith. The group dances exuberantly to a new Gaga and Nile Rodgers’ version of Chic’s “I Want Your Love,” produced by Riot City. “Instead of having a traditional show this season, I decided to try something new. I wanted to present a collection in a cinematic way that was designed from its inception to be presented online,” Ford told press prior to the film’s release.
7. Delpozo by Pablo Maestres
In this visually accomplished film, directed by Pablo Maestres, fresh-faced, doll-like model Mia Gruenwald pursues a bouncing ball in La Muralla Roja, a colourful dreamland off the Alicante region of Spain, which translates in Spanish to “The Red Wall.” Gruenwald ambles through a labyrinth of stairs until she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a mysterious Roman bust, which meets an ill fate — a plot twist aptly suited for the Spanish brand, which has been injected with a new youthful, quirky and romantic aesthetic since Josep Font became creative director in 2012.
Style, Craft and Inspiration
8. “Meet The Wrestlers of the Pink Lake, Senegal” by Grace Wales Bonner for i-D
One of Britain’s brightest new talents, English-Jamaican menswear designer Grace Wales Bonner travelled to Africa’s west coast in search of the country’s prized fighter. Directed by Harley Weir and styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois, the film delves deep into the world of Senegalese wrestling, where men — wearing Wales Bonner’s Ebonics collection — douse themselves in “lucky” goat’s milk, chew on string to counteract the “unlucky tongue” and rise at the crack of dawn to train with fellow compatriots down by the Pink Lake of Senegal. We expect no less from the Central Saint Martins graduate, whose unique perspective and interest in black identity and culture has set her apart, a theme the designer continues to explore through her work.
9. Balmain x H&M
Days before the Balmain x H&M designer collaboration was due to drop in stores, H&M unveiled a flashy music video to accompany the 109-piece collection, designed by creative director Olivier Rousteing. Set to dance floor-ready track ‘Walk For Me’ by Ferdinand & Vaz, model and reality TV star Kendall Jennerstrikes poses inside a roving, futuristic subway car (the same car that can be seen in the backdrop of the brand’s campaign print ads) and shakes her hips to a set of choreographed dance moves alongside what appear to be professional dancers — all of whom are dressed in plenty of Balmain’s signature whipstitches and beading. The video joins a long list of hype-builders surrounding the collaboration, including Rousteing’s gaggle of supermodel soldiers who have teased and touted the collection across social media and on the red carpet.
Japanese dance duo Aya Sato and Bambi (together known as AyaBambi) have become an Internet sensation by fusing the New York-born art of Voguing with a kawaii cybergoth collar-and-platforms look. They’ve vogued for Hussein Chalayan and starred in Madonna’s ‘Bitch I’m Madonna’ music video featuring Nicki Minaj. Now, the latest designer to tap the vogueing queens is Alexander Wang. Filmed in black and white, the dancers throw hyper-synchronised shapes on the set of the Alexander Wang Autumn/Winter 2015 ready-to-wear campaign, soundtracked by distorted electronic beats. In the print campaign, Ayabambi strike a pose alongside a chainmail wearing girl gang of models, including Anna Ewers, Molly Blair, Binx Walton, Lexi Boling and Hanne Gaby Odiele.
Retailers might love the time of year between Thanksgiving and New Year, but the holiday shopping season can seem like a chore for everyone else. Thankfully, technology has come to the rescue, with all sorts of apps and sites to help you save money and simplify your shopping. Savvy developers have tackled virtually every aspect of the shopping experience, so you have more ways than ever to ease the pain this year.
Start with the venerable shopping list. The days of writing it on paper are over. Now you can use an app like Google Docs to collaborate on holiday shopping gifts with family members. Better yet, some apps have leveraged the collaborative spirit of Google Docs. List Ease, for example, lets you invite family members to opt into holiday shopping lists. Everyone can add items to it in a browser or on the mobile app, and the up-to-date list is always ready when you arrive at the store.
Capitan takes a somewhat different approach. Location-aware, Capitan can alert your significant other as you approach the store, so he or she can help you shop remotely. This and List Ease are visually optimized for routine grocery shopping, but they adapt well to the unique demand of holiday gift shopping.
But what to buy to begin with? Choosing the right gifts is often the hardest part. You’ve got some help on this front as well.
Tech review site Techwalla, for example, encourages you to build polls and share them to get buying advice from people you trust. Would an Xbox or Kindle make a better gift for dad? Share the question on Facebook or via email, and Techwalla delivers a bar chart with details about how everyone voted. (Full disclosure: I’m the editor of Techwalla.)
Another approach: Create a family gift registry. That’s the idea behind Giftster, where everyone in your family can maintain a personal gift wish list. Each list is visible and shareable among everyone in the group. You can take the lists shopping via the mobile app and mark the status of an item (like “purchased”) to advise others, though the list owner can’t see those details.
Of course, fewer and fewer gifts are bought in bricks-and-mortar stores. And if you’re considering purchasing something via an auction site like eBay, you might want to check out one of the most innovative services I’ve run across recently.WeGoLook is a sort of crowdsourced inspection service that you can tap into to make sure the item you want to buy meets your expectations.
WeGoLook can be dispatched via mobile app, and one of the service’s “Lookers” will physically visit the product’s owner and generate a personalized inspection report (complete with photos and video).
Of course, once you’ve ordered your gifts, you’re not finished. Getting deliveries can also be fraught with inconvenience and trouble. UPS offers an app called UPS My Choice that’s designed to avoid missing a delivery. You can set “leave at” instructions for the carrier to leave the box by the garage door or in the back of the house, even after the delivery is scheduled.
If you’re worried about package deliveries and the precariousness of leaving one outside your house all day, you might want to check out Ring, a doorbell with integrated webcam and microphone. You can talk to the delivery person remotely via its mobile app and be alerted in real time if Ring detects any motion on your porch throughout the day.
Finally, Slice wants to tie all your online purchases together by tracking your deliveries and storing your receipts. You don’t have to do anything special to make that work because Slice monitors your email and extracts online order details on its own. Slice also has one other trick up its sleeve: It notifies you about price drops on recent purchases and helps you get a refund when possible.
French fashion house Chanel is putting on display its haute couture creations, dazzling diamond jewelry and the makings of its famed No. 5 scent in a London exhibition unveiling the creative history of one of the world’s most luxurious brands.
The “Mademoiselle Prive” exhibit, which was to open at London’s Saatchi Gallery on Tuesday, showcases the worlds and works of late founding designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and creative director Karl Lagerfeld, at the helm since 1983.
Coco Chanel is brought to life with recreations — both physical and virtual through a downloadable app — of her Parisian flat, first boutique and trips to Scotland, where she was inspired for her tweed jackets and skirt suits.
On display are couture gowns by Lagerfeld and a re-edition of the only jewelry collection Coco Chanel designed in 1932. The diamond pieces were modeled by celebrities such as actresses Julianne Moore and Kristen Stewart at Chanel’s July haute couture show, each wearing specially-designed gowns.
“Those pieces look more modern than other pieces of jewelry companies have,” Lagerfeld said at a preview.
“Normally I don’t take care of Chanel jewelry, but they asked me to do something special for this collection.”
Lagerfeld has also written a film where he imagines an encounter with Coco Chanel, played by Geraldine Chaplin.
Also on display at the exhibit are a maze of fabric swathes from the Chanel atelier as well as bubbling cauldrons which open up to reveal the ingredients of the Chanel No. 5 perfume, the first fragrance bearing the name of a designer.
Lagerfeld, who at 82 says he has no plans to retire just yet, is credited with having infused freshness into the label to keep it modern while faithful to its heritage.
“When I started at Chanel, everybody told me ‘Don’t touch it, it is finished’ and that amused me,” he said.
“It was like a challenge and it worked a 100 times better than I could have imagined.”
You probably first heard of Dominique Swain as a very young lady starring in the wildly controversial remake of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel and Stanley Kubrick’s film ‘Lolita’. She continued captivating audiences when she became the youngest person to pose nude for PETA and has now solidified herself as a staple in cinema after starring in over fifty films. With the horror film ‘The 6th Friend’ and ‘Skin Traffik’ starring Daryl Hannah and Mickey Rourke, she’s got an impressive lineup to take her through 2016. Swain talks with us about the evolution of her career, a film she’d like to do all over again and what dating is like as one of the sexiest women in the world.
Your career was launched very early in life with your title role as Lolita. Can you tell us what it was like working with the films legendary director?
Working with Adrian Lyne on Lolita was one of the best, and certainly the most life changing events of my life. He is the most creative, compassionate man I have ever met and I felt one hundred percent safe with him. That is paramount on any film because as an actress, one has to feel completely free to look silly and vulnerable. knew he would protect my performance and I could act as big or as loud as I wanted to and he wouldn’t let me get away with anything but the best performance possible. I was so lucky to work with him and to know him as a human being.
Did you know it would be that controversial when you were filming it?
Lolita is based on the book by Vladimir Nabokov and so I knew it would be as controversial now as it was when it was published in 1955. The fact that it didn’t come out theatrically in the United States is criminal and I didn’t think our Puritan ancestors would bite me in the a** like that. Lyne’s films have always been controversial and sexually oriented so while I had a body double, to cut out all the titillating parts would have been silly because the film is about fixation with the sexiness of a minor.
Growing Up in Malibu and Finding Her Voice
What was it like growing up in Malibu?
Malibu is the most beautiful place in the world and I was lucky to grow up near the beach but I don’t even say that I grew up in Malibu anymore. I was one of the naked, barefoot, hippie Malibuites living three miles up a canyon with five people in two bedrooms so I don’t think I qualify for the stereotype of the stigma attached to the city today of trophy wives, drugs and money.
You’ve got a full slate of films coming out including ‘The 6th Friend,’ ‘Skin Traffik’ and many, many more. Can you share some of the highlights of what to look forward to?
The films I have coming out this year are all over the map in terms of genres. ‘The 6th Friend’ is a horror movie, ‘A Horse’s Tale’ is a family Christmas movie, and ‘Hunted’ is an action movie. I like to mix it up. I’m a character actress. In the film, ‘Skin Traffik’ I play a Ukrainian prostitute. Originally, I think the character was supposed to be British, but the director, Ara Paiella was Irish and couldn’t stomach an American doing an English accent. I watched Youtube videos of Eugene Hutz from the rock/ punk band Gogol Bordello [to prepare]. I’ve always had a voice coach and at least someone who was an authority on the dialect I’m trying to emulate, but I realized when I got on set that nobody else knew any better than I did, so I just did the best job I could. I have not seen the film but I hope it worked out. I might have just lost my Eastern European fans by butchering their tongue.
Writing Magik and Expanding Behind the Camera
Tell us a little bit about your animated feature ‘Magik.’ How did you end up in the writer’s chair on this project?
For the film Magik, I was given the opportunity to co-write and screenwriting has been something I’ve done since before I started acting. I’m taking a screenwriting class right now to understand storytelling structure better but college is my hobby. I’m also taking a film production class to learn how to direct and a psychology class to prepare me for my next career in early childhood education. I also took French and physics and biology and animation and hair cutting. I’ve been a student on and off for ten years. I don’t see any reason why people shouldn’t keep learning new things throughout their lives.
Fitness, Health and Life on Set
Do you have any inside tips on how you stay healthy and keep your body in ideal form?
In terms of diet and exercise, I stay fit by running five miles a day and swimming with my dad. I think diet crazes are bogus and if you just don’t overeat, you can eat anything. I’ve always been very healthy but I’m lucky and my mom genetically has the best arms in the universe. For others whose metabolism doesn’t function well, I think that it is strange that this country allows fattist attitudes when other forms of bigotry are so taboo. I have a lot of obese friends and I guarantee that I eat more than they do.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever had to do on a set?
Carrying a fake gun in my handbag. I looked at the prop gun and noticed that the hammer was cocked and I like to go to the rifle range so I handle guns all the time. I tried to eject the magazine and pull back the hammer even more, hoping it would get jiggled into place and took a shot at the floor. Then, in the spirit of a big tough man fixing the little lady’s problems with a firearm, my friend grabbed the gun and fired it at the five people who were standing around the camera. Well, it was not a fake gun and it was loaded and I was very shaken up because not only did it go off, we were using full instead of quarter rounds and point blank, blanks can kill, like Bruce Lee. So I said, “Well, at least no one got hit.” And a voice came from somewhere near the camera, and said, “Oh yes they did.” But the
The glow of youth is something that women try to hold onto for as long as possible, and who can blame us? Tight, smooth, blemish free skin, boundless energy and balanced hormones are just a few of the traits that seem to slowly slip away each time we blow another birthday candle. Many companies have tried to bottle it, making promises that we can erase our wrinkles, our dark spots, or even time. Serums, creams, and injections are just some of the ‘illusion of youth’s’ synthetic forms and while some of these do erase a fraction of the harsh effects of aging, we need to look deeper and nourish our bodies from the inside out to not only help reverse damage, but to help prevent further damage.
Studying personal nutrition has given me so much insight about the way that our cells age and how by taking care of ourselves with rest, relaxation and a diet that supplies us the correct minerals and vitamins, we can slow the physical effects of aging. We discussed with the professionals at WebMD the top foods to incorporate into your weekly menus to deliver the best results.
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
Water tops the list in being the most vital item to intake to keep your body functioning the way it should and to keep your skin supple and glowing. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that an astounding 43% of adults are drinking less than four cups of water a day. By upping your water intake to equaling half your body weight in ounces, you are giving yourself a wonderful foundation to better rest, better skin and better body function overall.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
Dark, leafy greens are king when it comes to packing essential nutrients needed to thrive. As a prime source of lutein and zeaxanthin, dark greens are also rich in Vitamin K, helping to prevent fractures and decreasing bone loss. If you have a hard time eating bowls of dark greens, try mixing them into your morning fruit smoothie or egg white omelet to start your day off strong.
THE ANTI-OXIDANT SUPERSTARS
Berries, berries and more berries. Dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries and currants are high in anti-oxidants that help combat free radicals and decrease inflammation. They are also beneficial for promoting a smooth complexion with their natural inclusion of Vitamin C. Top probiotic rich yogurts with fresh berries or freeze a few for a cool summer treat.
LEAN, MEAN ANTIAGING MACHINE
Protein is a key component in all stages of life, but it is vital once a man or a woman hits their forties. After age forty, muscle mass begins to decline at a rate of up to 1% every year. Thereby slowing down the body’s metabolism and making it easier to store fat and increase risk of disease. Aim for lean sources of protein and include rich sources of Omega 3’s, such as oily fish, eggs, poultry and beans and limit red meat to an occasional treat
LOW-GLYCEMIC WHOLE GRAINS
Though one should aim to pack their plate with vegetables, fruits and lean proteins, whole grains offer protection against diseases such as colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Steer clear of refined grains, which can actually increase inflammation, and opt for gluten-free oats, wild rice and organic flours. Serve your grains with lean protein and vegetables for a well-rounded meal, and try to intake fruit separately as a snack for easier digestion
Taking care of our bodies is a simple task that has been made complex by today’s society of alluring photographs, commercials and sugar-laden confections. Aiming to consume the recommended five servings of vegetables a day, along with plenty of water, is the perfect first step to take on a new road to health, recovery and beauty. One that is rooted from the inside out.
Karl Lagerfeld’s exhaustive efforts in the fashion will be recognized on November 23 when the German designer picks up the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards.
Lagerfeld, 82, is best known for his work at Chanel, where he has held the position of creative director for over thirty years. Additionally, he helms his own eponymous brand and also Italian fashion house Fendi, for whom he has worked in various capacities for some 50 years.
“Karl Lagerfeld defines outstanding. He is the champion of excellence, the master of the exceptional and one of the most iconic figures globally from our industry,” said Natalie Massenet, chairman of the British Fashion Council. “His life’s work for his own and so many extraordinary brands has written the language of fashion. He is the ultimate visionary and we celebrate not only the decades already passed but those yet to happen. In Karl’s hands the future of fashion will be an exceptional one.”
As well as the world’s most famous designer, Lagerfeld is an accomplished photographer, often shooting the campaigns for the three brands he heads up.
The epic pace at which he works – for Chanel alone he designs seven collections annually (two ready-to-wear, two haute couture, one pre-fall, one resort and one Metiers d’Art) – has often been commented on. He recently revealed that scientists had asked if they could test his DNAbecause they believe he is “not normal”.
“But I flatly refused. Unique pieces are unique pieces,” he told Vogue. “But I think very flattering, huh? And also I was asked for skincare for men because they think I am remade. But I am not remade. I am all fake but not remade.”
Previous recipients of the award include Anna Wintour and Manolo Blahnik. The event, held at the London Coliseum, will also see Victoria Beckham fight it out with J.W. Anderson and Christopher Kane to win the night’s top award, Womenswear Designer of the Year.
Hussein Chalayan has always been a master of innovation — and this season was no exception. As the audience entered his show, two models in white lab-like paper coats stood stoically in the middle of the runway. Midshow, a shower of water rained down and dissolved the coats — revealing beautiful crystal dresses. Magic on the runway!
2. Life in Plastic, It’s Fantastic
Plastic popped up everywhere in Paris. At Margiela, cellophane came wrapped on sweaters and models’ legs; at Loewe, held in the Unesco building, towers and concrete stools were wrapped in plastic. And it tied into the collection: The opening look featured transparent pants.
3. The Row Came to Paris
This season, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen took their collection to Paris instead of New York. They gave editors a chance to see the collection at the Row’s beautiful showroom in the Marais — but the real treat was the show itself, which was presented only to private clients (no press allowed!) at a chateau outside the city.
4. Vetements’ Designer Got a Big New Appointment
The chatter at shows this week was dominated by one thing and one thing only: Who would be the new artistic director at Balenciaga. When the brand Vetements showed its second collection in a large, brightly lit Chinese restaurant earlier this week, it was clear that its creative director Demna Gvasalia was a strong contender for the job. The rumors were put to rest when Balenciaga announced that indeed Gvasalia would take over at Balenciaga — and now, surely, everyone will try extra hard to get their hands on the Vetements spring/summer 2016 collection.
5. Rick Owens Defied Gravity
Rick Owens is always one of the must-attend shows of the week. This season, the designer recruited local gymnasts to make an appearance, and sent them down the runway fastened together with straps. “I was hesitant about showing women under strain, but we show women as sugared dolls enough,” Owens told T. “Women can also be athletes that go to another physical level to achieve an aesthetic ideal. And these women did that with a powerful serenity, which is something we can all hope for in ourselves.”
6. Courrèges Came Back to Life
This week marked the revival of the iconic 1960s brand Courrèges at the hands of the talented young designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant. When the show began, much to the audience’s surpise, the designers came out with microphones and introduced the collection personally. It was an intimate and unexpected move and — coupled with a strong collection — certainly made their future seem bright.
7. French Vogue Celebrated Its Big 95th
Happy birthday French Vogue! Who would have thought at 95 a girl could throw a party like this? And what a night it was: Designers and editors flocked to a private mansion to celebrate the magazine — for a night that felt like it was straight out of Studio 54.
8. Chanel Took a Trip to the Airport
The Grand Palais was transformed into what seemed like a terminal at Charles de Gaulle — for Chanel Airlines. With airport desks and signs listing flight destinations, models decended in layered, laid-back plane looks and quilted wheelie bags. Airport culture made its way into the collection, too, with lit-up chunky sandals that glowed like an airport runway and clutch bags in the shape of neck pillows.
9. Olympia Le Tan Honored Tokyo and The Hotel Okura
For her spring/summer 2016 show, the designer Olympia Le Tan offered up an homage to Tokyo and her favorite hotel: the soon-to-be-demolished Hotel Okura. It was a playful — but moving — tribute to the city and the classic building.
10. Céline’s Perfect Beauty
The red lip seems to be the beauty takeaway from spring/summer 2016 — but no one perfected it quite like Phoebe Philo. The beauty look at Céline evoked the ’80s icon Sade: slicked-back hair in a braid, a simple matte complexion, cherry-red lips and hoop earrings. In all, a perfect complement to the collection.
