Fashion Week news 09/19
PUSSSYKATT
NAOMI Campbell bared her fangs at male supermodel Tyson Beckford backstage at
yesterday’s Tommy Hilfiger show. The mannequin meltdown came as Beckford was
interviewing Hilfiger for "NGear," a new urban fashion series premiering Oct. 5
on CBS. "Naomi busted in on the interview demanding attention," says our spy.
"Then Tyson ripped into Naomi, and they started shouting and cursing at each
other." According to our witness, Tyson snapped, "That’s bleeping rude!"
Naomi turned to Hilfiger and snorted, "Can you bleeping believe him?" We’re
guessing that the fiery footage - filmed within earshot of backstage VIPs
Lauren Bush, Russell Simmons, James King, Molly Ringwald, Allan Houston and
Roshumba - will be excised from the Tyson’s "NGear" segment. Campbell, who
has a well-documented history of throwing temper tantrums, better learn to rein
in her rage now that she’s launched her Manhattan-based p.r. firm,
NC.Connect.
* * *
IMITATORS JUST PEEL A 'BANANA'
NY POST/By LIBBY CALLAWAY
----------------------------------
NOTE to Banana Republic: Watch your back. With seemingly few ideas left of
their own, designers showing here at Day 2 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week -
established sportswear companies like Perry Ellis, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole
and even Michael Kors - churned out clothes that look like the ones at
mass-market stores Banana Republic, J.Crew and their High Street ilk.
Not that there's anything wrong with this reversal of fortune. It can't be a
bad thing that the little guys are now influencing the big guys.
Truthfully, the fact that Fashion Week designers are making things that they
know will sell makes a lot of sense in this crappy economy.
Why can't Michael Kors' uncontroversial ode to the "laid-back, sporty glamour"
of early '70s Hollywood, with its Palm Springs-ready golf dresses, fun canvas
director's jackets and Jackie O-esque guipure lace pants and skirts fly off the
shelves at Saks?
It can - and will. But that doesn't make it interesting.
And why shouldn't Tommy Hilfiger trot out coltish, sun-kissed models in silk
charmeuse cargo pants and satin embroidered corset tops? Similar styles sell
out at Zara and H&M, which originally knocked off the looks from Balenciaga and
Prada, respectively.
It seemed fitting that one of Hilfiger's guests was more interesting than the
collection.
Eighties icon Molly Ringwald has unwittingly inspired several designers' spring
lines.
In addition to Diane Von Furstenberg's slick "Grease" show on Tuesday,
Ringwald's signature '50s-meets-'80s style was on the runways at DKNY, Luca
Luca and Luella Bartley.
Think full-pleated skirts, skinny Sandy-after-the-makeover pants, polka dots,
messy chignons and oodles of pastels.
It was fitting, then, that the man who does retro best closed the night. In
Marc Jacobs' show, models with hairdos that made them look as if they had just
rolled out of the back seat of their boyfriend's Chevy wore silky camisoles and
lace and satin crinolined skirts cinched with ribbons.
Their pretty Elvis-era getups came in colors like peach daiquiri and schnapps -
the sort of sickly sweet chick drinks that probably got them into the car to
begin with.
That Jacobs - the fashion world's darling - took on the '50s means it's legit.
You've been warned.
No one ever goes to Oscar de la Renta's show looking for new, groundbreaking
designs. This is one designer who knows what his (extremely rich) clientele
wants and gives it to them, season after season.
So when no new silhouette or skirt length made itself known at his show, it
wasn't surprising. It was surprising, however, that even Oscar's signature luxe
stuff - perforated leather pants, re-embroidered dresses, damask coats -
weren't that wow-worthy.
Especially worrisome were the ruched tops and dresses - the same style used by
Alexander McQueen to make Gwyneth Paltrow's highly unflattering Oscar gown.
Even the model looked wide in Oscar's ruched gown.
* * *
By ALEV AKTAR
NY DAILY NEWS FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR
Never call the fashion industry unpatriotic. The United States has declared war
on terrorism, and designers are mounting a charge.
On the second day of Fashion Week, an army of models marched down the runways
at Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY and Carolina Herrera in khaki cargo pants, olive drab
field jackets and military overcoats. There was no camo or ammo, but there were
clothes to do battle in. Tommy Hilfiger was the first to take a position. Cargo
pants were his weapon of choice, and he cut them off below the knee and made
them in satin. For nights off duty, he showed low-slung cargo skirts, paired
with bustiers.
But Hilfiger has an exposed flank. His pattern maker must have been AWOL,
because none of the corsets — and there were six — fit the models.
After the first 10 outfits, his show became as repetitious as machine gun fire,
and it took Naomi Campbell sallying down the runway in a blue satin bikini with
boy bottoms to wake up the audience.
Herrera also enlisted in the trend. She opened her collection with army green
poplin pants and jackets. Then she beat a hasty retreat and showed a variety of
low-riding slacks, some drawstring, some multi-pocketed. These were paired with
camisoles and blouses in floaty fabrics or crisp poplin. It's a look that women
all over the city have worn for several seasons — practical, but not exactly
new.
DKNY's war effort consisted of fatigues and polka-dot dresses with crinolines,
along with a legion of short white dresses and some adorable pleated denim
skirts. Some of it was pretty, some of it was forced.
Marc Jacobs celebrated the exuberant post WWII years. His fun, '50s-inspired
line had pastel pencil skirts, cardigans, pedal pushers and alluring negligees.
There were even Chanel-type suits trimmed in contrasting grosgrain ribbon.
Jacobs sexed it up by ratting the models' hair — till it looked like it was
mussed by a lover — and giving them stiletto pumps.
He also focused on the natural waist, which looked fresh after endless seasons
of hip huggers.
Luca Luca designer Luca Orlandi worked in the same palette of sorbet shades and
nipped his dance dresses and skirts in at the waist. But with the exception of
some pink macrame genie pants — which were actually quite pretty — his
collection looked current.
It also looked similar to past seasons. Beaded slacks? Seen those before.
Stretch georgette dress? Ditto. But when you know what sells, why fiddle with
success?
After all, Luca fans Salman Rushdie and Padma Lakshmi loved the clothes just
the way they are. "They look good on her," said the author, pointing to the
plunge-neck tangerine macrame dress that barely contained his girlfriend.
"They're pastel without being passe!" she added happily.
The same could not be said of British designer Louella Bartley's lineup, a
mish-mash of pastel sweatshirting, form-fitting black disco dresses and
ladylike suits. It was supposed to look edgy but missed the mark.
Hipness is not Michael Kors' aim. The designer found his inspiration in Palm
Springs, and that meant sporty separates in mostly navy, white and gray. The
standouts included a navy silk halter dress with wide gray stripes around the
hem and a luxurious deerskin coat. In between, there were suede coat dresses,
leather shirts and canvas jackets that would be an asset to any wardrobe —
but these pieces can already be found in his customers' closets. "Why do I need
to buy more when I already have everything that was in that show?" wondered one
of his society customers after the applause died down.
The Oscar de la Renta faithful surely own a couple of his ruffled flamenco
skirts and embroidered peasant blouses, not to mention one or two of his
exquisite silk shantung dresses. But they're so pretty, why not indulge in a
few more if you've got the money?
De la Renta is still on a global tour, referencing Spanish skirts, Indian
embroidery, Greek blouses and Moroccan patterns. Mix it all up, add high heels
and ethnic jewelry, and you've got a worldly collection that's so much more
interesting than minimalist sportswear. Oscar even gave a nod to this country
with white and gold brocade pants and tops that brought Elvis Presley to mind.
"Prada did gold brocade and it was funky and weird," observed celebrity stylist
Phillip Bloch, who was looking for Emmy and Golden Globe dresses for his stars.
"Then Oscar takes it and translates it to American wearability."
Not only that, but he did it without borrowing from the armed forces.
* * *
Fashion Week Extra, the glossy handout from US Weekly magazine, is the talk of
the tents. Practically every showgoer clutched an issue, reading it between
shows. Though Vogue contributor Plum Sykes laughed hysterically while checking
it out, other fashion figures — including cover girl Anna Wintour — were
oblivious. "I haven't seen it yet, but people have been telling me about it,"
said the Vogue editrix. "I plan to read it tonight with my daughter, my
toughest critic." Rival Glenda Bailey of Harper's Bazaar hadn't seen it yet
either. Which is just as well; unlike Wintour, who also got a two-page spread,
the buzzless Bailey merited only a brief mention.
The clever seating-chart organizers at Oscar de la Renta are no fools. Ivana
Trump and her ex, Donald, were both placed in the front row, but at least 15
people separated them. This time, Ivana, giant diamond studs in her ears, may
have trumped her former husband: All eyes in the room were admiring her studly
arm candy, Rossano Rubicondi. The Donald was there with his usual date, Melania
Knauss. Both women coveted floor-length de la Renta numbers for upcoming
events, but luckily, they won't have to duke it out: Ivana loved a
peach-colored gown, while Melania preferred a red one.
* * *
DRESSED TO KILL ON DAY TERROR RETURNS TO ISRAEL
NY POST/By URI DAN and ALY SUJO
-----------------------------------
Israel found itself under attack again yesterday - at a bus stop where a
homicide bomber blew himself up, and on a fashion runway in Beirut, where a
shocking, blood-splattered dress was featured. The "revolutionary" new dress,
designed "in solidarity with the Palestinian uprising against Israel," was on
display for Lebanese fashionistas.
With its depictions of bloodstains, bullet holes and tanks moving through a
desolate rock-strewn landscape, the floor-length gown was featured as part of a
collection at an Arab fashion festival which coincided with New York's own
Fashion Week.
The dress was designed by Saudi haute couture artist Yehya al-Bashri.
In Israel, the violence was real.
A policeman was killed by a bomber as cops closed in on him at a bus stop in
northern Israel and Palestinians also kidnapped and murdered a settler in the
West Bank.
Military sources said last night Israeli could be facing another wave of deadly
blasts.
Speaking of the homicide bomber near Afula, a paramedic on the scene said, "The
terrorist disintegrated on the spot."
"It was like an earthquake," said Hamad Akbariyeh, an Israeli Arab who runs a
restaurant about 100 yards away.
"Our place filled with dust. We went out to look and we saw the bodies . . .
the bomber himself was in pieces."
The blast wounded a second policeman and three young Arab-Israelis.
The Israeli government blamed the blast on Palestinian President Yasser
Arafat's Palestinian Authority, which it has repeatedly criticized for not
reining in militants.
There have been no homicide attacks since Aug. 4, when a Palestinian exploded a
bomb next to a bus near Mount Meron in northern Israel, killing at least nine.
The renewed attacks came a day after Israel rejected a Palestinian proposal for
a two-stage truce.
Shin Bet Director Avi Dichter, the chief of Israeli intelligence, told a
meeting of the defense Cabinet in Jerusalem that the "Palestinian terror
organizations still have a high motivation to carry out more attacks."
The White House called the latest bombing "one step backward," but spokesman
Ari Fleischer reaffirmed the U.S. goal of Palestinian statehood.
He said President Bush hoped "we can get back to the path of slow, quiet
progress in the Middle East."
FOR PHOTO: http://nypost.com/news/worldnews/57447.htm
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f5
"PUSSSYKATT" <agcgoss...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020919093855...@mb-dh.aol.com...
> NY POST/PAGE SIX...
> NAOMI Campbell bared her fangs at male supermodel Tyson Beckford backstage
at
> yesterday's Tommy Hilfiger show. The mannequin meltdown came as Beckford
was
> interviewing Hilfiger for "NGear," a new urban fashion series premiering
Oct. 5
> on CBS. "Naomi busted in on the interview demanding attention," says our
spy.
> "Then Tyson ripped into Naomi, and they started shouting and cursing at
each
> other." According to our witness, Tyson snapped, "That's bleeping rude!"
> Naomi turned to Hilfiger and snorted, "Can you bleeping believe him?" We'
re
> guessing that the fiery footage - filmed within earshot of backstage VIPs
> Lauren Bush, Russell Simmons, James King, Molly Ringwald, Allan Houston
and
> Roshumba - will be excised from the Tyson's "NGear" segment. Campbell, who
> has a well-documented history of throwing temper tantrums, better learn to
rein
> in her rage now that she's launched her Manhattan-based p.r. firm,
> NC.Connect.
> * *
What???? Naomi Campbell is starting a PR firm??? Who is she partnering
with, Lizzie Grubman? What the f%$k does she know about PR?
Parakeet
"f5" <f...@magma.ca> wrote in message
news:g8oi9.12691$V21.298897@news...
>
> "PUSSSYKATT" <agcgoss...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:20020919093855...@mb-dh.aol.com...
> > NY POST/PAGE SIX...
> > NAOMI Campbell bared her fangs at male supermodel Tyson Beckford
backstage
> at
footage - filmed within earshot of backstage VIPs
> > Lauren Bush, Russell Simmons, James King, Molly Ringwald, Allan
Houston
> and
> > Roshumba -
OH yeah that's an A list that should cause and worry.
Molly Ringwald?
Sara
LOL--yeah, and they can call it Two Angry Chicks.Connect. Lizzie's
gonna mow 'em down and then Naomi will beat them up.
>
>
>
>
f5
"Parakeet" <ihat...@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:amd4ak$4rsnm$1...@ID-145544.news.dfncis.de...
Molly Ringwald seems to be a big Fashion Week groupie. She's always
mentioned. I think she scores points coz the models think Pretty In Pink
and Breakfast Club are deep movies. Plus, she lives in France now and she
gets bonus points for that.
SweetLittleTroubleMaker
From: "f5" f...@magma.ca
Date: Thu, Sep 19, 2002 12:04 PM
Message-id: <Fcpi9.12700$V21.298906@news>
>>
And she always looks terrific, too. Very classy and elegant, always.
Jen
>What???? Naomi Campbell is starting a PR firm??? Who is she partnering
>with, Lizzie Grubman? What the f%$k does she know about PR?
>
Welllllll...she DID attend the PR/PR Awards Dinner of the Month Lunch as
Eddie's guest on AbFab. Does that count? :)
--Jen
Keeper of Depeche Mode and Sergio Garcia