This beautifully constructed video of New York Times fashion critic, Cathy Horyn touring the McQueen atelier in London with Creative Director, Sarah Burton is quite fascinating. As you watch, you get the opportunity to hear about the house’s vision of what and who a McQueen woman is, how this vision influences the brand’s designs and get a glimpse of the construction of the clothes in detail; it makes you want to reach through the computer screen, touch each garment and be part of the conversation.

I especially, appreciate Burton’s comment on the need for other skilled trades people in fashion such as patternmakers, and Horyn’s view of how fashion journalism should be approached by up and coming writers.

Diving for McQueen on Nowness.com.

What I love about Alexander McQueen’s resort collection for 2012 – whether under the hand of its namesake or his successor, Sarah Burton – is its commitment to channel and balance the ideals of medieval fantasy and modernity in its clothes.

Resort wear can border on being too simplistic in design, but here Burton spices it up with texture and embellishments; beading, lace and leather are materials uncommonly seen in a resort collection, but these are some of the features which make it charming and fascinating to look at – even wear if you have the money to spend.

My favourite pieces in this collection are undoubtedly the dresses in varying lengths, to the knee or to the floor, captivating in the colours of black, brown and white. Cinched at the waist with a corset-style belt or heavily embroidered bodices, these dresses added to the no nonsense feel for collection.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “Savage Beauty” the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Alexander McQueen exhibition. The exhibition looks back at over two decades of the designer’s work, beginning with his graduate collection from Central St Martins College of Art up until his final collection in 2010.

The reviews pouring in are giving Savage Beauty high praises and Nelia of Style Blog, who recently returned from New York, told me she was blown away by the entire setup and presentation.

I really want to take a trip to the big apple and see this exhibition, but I’m not sure when I’ll find the time and money to set aside before it closes on August 7, 2011. So while I figure out my potential travel plans, I’m featuring a McQueen shoe to coincide with my thoughts on the designer and the current exhibition taking place in his memory.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, leather
• Colour, gold
• Heel height, N/A

Why I chose this shoe: found on Far Fetch, undeniably, the detail in the gold leaf design of this shoe is extraordinary. At times, gold shoes can walk a thin line between good taste and tacky. However, the shade of gold chosen for this t-strap sandal is deep enough and rich enough to give it a sophisticated character. The tapered heel also adds a classic and old-world feel to the overall design.

Images from Far Fetch

Fashion in the news is a collection of articles and blog entries that catch my attention, and is in my opinion worth reading. Enjoy!

McQueen: Savage Beauty on Nowness.com

The video above is a behind-the-scenes look at the Costume Institute of New York's McQueen retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which opened last week. The video highlights milliner, Philip Treacy and jeweller, Shaun Leane and their work with McQueen in which their pieces are featured in the retrospective.

French luxe clothes seller buys skate brand Volcom (Bloomberg) – “Volcom Inc., a California-based skater store that brands itself as "youth against establishment," expects to be bought by PPR, the French company that runs luxury brands including Gucci and Alexander McQueen.”

Fashion 2.0 | Fashion PR in the Digital Age (Business of Fashion) –“Today, in exclusive conversations with the industry’s leading publicists, BoF examines how new media has transformed the PR landscape and how the sector’s top agencies are adapting to life in the digital age.”

LVMH backed funds looking to buy emerging Asian brands (CPP Luxury) – “A $650-million private equity fund backed by the world's top luxury retailer LVMH is on the prowl for emerging Asian brands in the hope of transforming them into global names.”

Pierre Cardin puts fashion label up for sale: report – (Reuters) – “Cardin, known for his avant-garde designs, told the paper he was hoping to get as much as 1 billion euros ($1.48 billion) for his business, principally made up of license contracts, which critics say have contributed to weakening the brand's image.”

John Galliano's latest legal battles (Telegraph UK) – “Fashion designer John Galliano, facing trial for a drunken anti-Semitic rant, is suing his former lawyers for embezzlement and is being counter-sued for defamation, the two sides' legal teams confirmed today.”

Designer Patrick Robinson to Depart After Four Years in Latest Shake-Up (Wall Street Journal) – Patrick Robinson’s “departure after four years of lackluster results was yet another sign of Gap Inc.'s failure to breathe new life into its namesake brand, which peaked in the mid-1990s.”

Video courtesy of Nowness

I’m still enjoying the men’s fall/winter 2011-2012 collections and below is a brief take on Alexander McQueen, Moncler Gamme Bleu and Salvatore Ferragamo. Enjoy the videos!

Alexander McQueen, fall/winter 2011-2012

Sarah Burton creates a visually strong and self-assured men’s collection this season using the military and with Russian undertones as her source of inspiration. Double breasted jackets embellished with over-sized fur collars, not-so subtle hints of red and slim silhouettes in the collection’s suits are the elements which standout. It makes me wonder if this theme will resurface from seasons ago and carry over into the women line for spring 2012.

Moncler Gamme Bleu, fall/winter 2011-2012

Um... holy horses, there are live animals in Moncler Gamme Bleu’s runway presentation! Thom Browne uses equestrianism and the English hunt as the theme this season with models sporting plaid suits, leather jackets, riding breeches and knee-high boots in this arena setting – the beagles are also an irresistible touch.

Salvatore Ferragamo, fall/winter 2011-2012

I really enjoyed Salavatore Ferragamo’s fall/winter collections because it provides a smooth and fresh take on winter wear. Creative Director, Massimiliano Giornetti doesn’t wallow in the often depressing darkness of the cold, but uses beautiful winter white as the collection’s launch pad. Midway into the runway show richer hues of brown and maroon, coupled with velvet and leather gives the entire look and feel of the collection a sense of optimism that winter isn’t so bad after all.

It’s that time of year when the annual office holiday parties begin. Those of us who are lucky have their company party during work hours, but others have to endure the slight torture (or annoyance) of finding an evening outfit to wear and plus a date.

To provide a little help, I’ve chosen six holiday dresses of varying price points and styles which may inspire you to rework something from your wardrobe or motivate you to buy. Enjoy!

Alexander McQueen, wool-crepe pleated shoulder dress

French Connection, starlight knit sparkle dress

Lanvin, 22 Faubourg dress

LK Bennett, Wildeve dress

Moulinette Soueurs, stilled night dress

Topshop, queen maxi dress

Images from Anthrolopologie, Far Fetch, French Connection, LK Bennett, Topshop

For the last few weeks all I can think about is coats and jackets for fall/winter 2010. Besides summer, fall is my other favourite season of the year because it’s a time when you can really exercise your wardrobe to its fullest; layering multiple pieces of clothing on top of each other, get practical and stylish wear out of accessories, like hats and gloves and – my favourite part – pull out the leather jacket.

Below are six jackets and coats I’ve chosen which catches my attention and would make a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe. I love all the pieces and it was hard to pick just one

Alexander McQueen wool cape

Anthropologie alma mater jacket

Antonio Berardi paneled wool-blend coat

Burberry checked wool jacket

Rick Owen leather/shearing biker jacket

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel leopard print coat

Images from Anthropologie, Farfetch.com and Net-a-Porter

Fashion in the News is a collection of articles and blog posts found online that catches my attention, and is in my humble opinion worth reading. Enjoy!

Finance & the Fashion Blogger: Ignore-ance (Dramatis Personae) – Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae wrote this entry back in April, but re-reading it again struck a chord with me as lately I’ve had to justify my spending and shopping habits – to myself and others. Fashion bloggers will “write about fashion – but we don’t often write or talk about the financial choices behind our sartorial choices.”

Alexander McQueen’s final dress (The Fashionist) – Alexander McQueen’s fall/winter 2010 collection was bittersweet – the clothing created was spectacular but the designer’s suicide was an unexpected blow to the fashion world. Now, it’s said that a “stunning silk charmeuse gown with a collar of sliver feathers (was worn) to Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball. Reports are now circulating that the dress was actually McQueen's final creation.”

American Apparel Shares Fall as Woes Rise (The New York Times) – “Shares in American Apparel plummeted 25.9 per cent on Tuesday, to $1.03. They have fallen 67 per cent this year.” Yet, when looking a back at American Apparel’s controversial advertisements, employee practices and the choices Dov Charney, chief executive, has made it doesn’t come as a surprise.

The Rise of the Blogger (WWD) – “Industry players said blogs have gained clout and relevance because they can post information about a company or show its product much faster than traditional media...  The blogs also serve as marketing tools that can go beyond conventional advertising, allowing brands to connect more closely with customers.”

The Alexander McQueen spring/summer 2011 menswear collection headed by Creative Director, Sarah Burton has a sombre look and feel – not surprisingly his staff and associates would still be feeling the effects of his death just four months prior.

The presentation of this collection is low key and minimalistic in its tendencies, many well tailored suits with slim silhouettes cutting close to the body.

This menswear line keeps bringing my thoughts back to McQueen’s spring/summer 2010 collection, the last one the designer himself created just prior to his death. The colour palette and the embroidery seen in pieces, such as the black and gold embroidered cut away jacket are echoes of his influence and vision.

Japan going frugal with Forever 21 Ginza opening (Associated Press) – The Japanese are known to have a strong affinity to high-end luxury goods, but this seems to be changing as American chain of (cheap) clothing, Forever 21 invades Ginza shopping district.

Posing Beauty in African American Culture: Colour Fields (Canadian Art magazine) – Deborah Willis, Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, curates an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton called, “Posing Beauty in African American Culture.” This exhibit features 93 photographic works examining the notions of beauty and blackness, “how is it posed, constructed, imagined... in art, the media and everyday culture.”

Singapore capitalizes on its style sense, as fashionistas look East (Reuters article via National Post) – Singapore may be the next fashion capital of Asia with increased consumer spending and events such as the Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX) which showcases designers’ creations from across the region to audiences and international buyers.

Grace Jones teams up with Chris Levine (Times Online) – Artist, Chris Levine discusses his collaboration with 80s icon Grace Jones; from her 2008 comeback concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London to his approaching exhibition, Stillness at the Speed of Light which is a series of holographic portraits of Jones. Jones also makes an appearance in the article and she is as flamboyant and magnificent as imagined.

Alexander McQueen: first book since designer's death to go on sale (Telegraph UK) –Alexander McQueen, Genius of a Generation by Kristin Knox will go on sale on May 7^th. This will probably be the first in an array of biographical books examining Lee McQueen’s life and death.