Sandi in the City

Olivier Theyskens has been feted, petted, and awarded since he first emerged from obscurity at the age of 20 in 1997. That was the age that he dropped out of École Nationale Superieure des Arts Visuels de la Cambre, where he was studying fashion design. He had decided to start his own line. Unlike most inexperienced designers, he succeeded. Within a year, Madonna was wearing one of his gowns.

Since then it’s been one thing after another - revamping the Rochas design house, and revitalizing the Nina Ricci brand. His long dark hair and fragile build are as famous as his artistic flights of fancy (that don’t always translate to strong sales).  He has recently been immortalized in a book, a collaboration with photographer Julian Claessens called ‘Olivier Theyskens: The Other Side of The Picture’. The text was written by Vogue Features Editor Sally Singer. Barney’s New York is set to host the book’s launch party, hosted by Creative Director Simon Doonan. The book officially went on sale February 12th, 2010 during New York Fashion Week.

The designer, who has been lauded by none other than Vogue’s high priestess Anna Wintour for his ‘vital artistic talent’,  gave Claessens complete access, and the intimately photographed tome chronicles his complete career and allows us into the secret workings of someone who can only be described as a genius.

Source: thefashionspot

Lady Gaga won a stunning three awards at the Brits last night for Best International Female, International Album for The Fame, and International Breakthrough Act.  Lily Allen who also performed took home British Female Solo Artist.  Lady Gaga dedicated her performance to late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Temptalia got a sneak preview of all the new Chanel lipsticks which are set to launch shortly.  She gives her reviews and includes lots of photos of what the colors look like on.  Check it out!  My favorite is Mademoiselle.  (seen below)

All photos from Temptalia.

It was a cross-generational moment backstage at Jill Stuart as the designer introduced her mother, a former designer, and daughter Morgan, who's now working with Stuart and joined her for a post-show bow. Her Fall muses spanned decades as well. "I was thinking of women like Charlotte Gainsbourg and Marianne Faithfull," she said. "Women who aren't afraid of mixing prints and silhouettes and textures."

The dark, rock 'n' roll-tinged mix on the runway included sexy body-con draping and its polar opposite, heavy menswear tailoring with chunky, sometimes head-swallowing, knits. Dresses came very short and tightly wound around the body, some with asymmetrical necks, others with big shoulders—a sort of Balmain for the teenybopper set. However, one of the best, a black lacquered lace frock, had only a nipped waist. These abbreviated numbers will no doubt be well received by the global flock of trend-loving girls who have made Stuart's business a booming one, but what was more interesting here were the less skin-baring looks. Hooded sweater coats and menswear-inspired evening options, like a tuxedo jacket and shorts or a lace blouse tucked into high-waisted trousers, had a sophistication that's often missing at this label.

 Source: style.com

Underwear fanatics rejoice! French lingerie label Fifi Chachnil has just opened its first boutique outside of Paris, stocked to the brim with gorgeous underwear to treat yourself with.

Our favourite is the playful Marquise de Chabrillant collection - or ‘story' as Fifi likes to call it - with briefs from £63 and bra from £110 - pictured here. It also features a suspender belt, waspie, a mini jupon, negligee and bigger briefs with cute frills!

Located in Knightsbridge, the store stocks the full lingerie collection as well as the Fifi Chachnil fragrance. On her move across the Channel Fifi says: ‘The London girls are daring in their style of dressing, they don't hesitate, they have audacity and sense of humour, they are excessive but with delicacy.' Just like the amazing collection we think!

After distributing exclusively to Agent Provocateur for 14 years, the label is now also available within high-end department stores throughout the UK.



Fifi Chachnil, 48 Beauchamp Place, SW3. The boutique is open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 6.30pm.

Source: marieclaire.co.uk

Claudia Schiffer in the double role of Miss Julie by Kayt Jones for Vs. SS10.

In the growing love affair between celebrity and fashion, one of the biggest names out there is close to getting into the groove: Madonna.

The pop icon is in talks to launch a contemporary women’s collection with a group of licensees that would be sold exclusively at Macy’s, according to sources. The merchandise would include apparel, accessories, intimates and footwear. Label names under serious consideration for the product lines include Material Girl for the apparel and Truth or Dare for the lingerie and underwear.

“Truth or Dare” was the title of a 1991 film, which documented Madonna’s groundbreaking Blonde Ambition worldwide concert tour.

Madonna’s longtime publicist, Liz Rosenberg, did not return calls Monday seeking comment. A Macy’s spokesman also declined comment.

Iconix Brand Group Inc. is involved in the negotiations for the venture, according to sources, and Madonna has made visits to the company’s New York offices. Iconix is a brand management firm, which owns and licenses 21 brands, including Candie’s, Bongo, Rampage, London Fog, Rocawear, Danskin and Badgley Mischka. The brands ring up $10 billion in retail sales in total, according to the company.

An Iconix spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny a potential Madonna deal. “Iconix has no comment on this story,” she said.

However, sources said a deal is close to being signed.

Madonna is Madonna, however, and she remains one of the world’s most recognizable stars. The 51-year-old stars in the Dolce & Gabbana spring advertising campaign, and has previously appeared in ads for Louis Vuitton, Versace and Gap. Madonna walked the runway topless for Jean-Paul Gaultier in 1992 and has cropped up in the front row of shows on occasion, including Marc Jacobs last season.

In spring 2007, Madonna created a co-branded women’s collection with H&M, under the M by Madonna label. “Madonna has an impressive feel for fashion and trends. She was extraordinarily style conscious, passionate and was involved in even the smallest details of every design,” said Margareta van den Bosch, head of H&M design at that time.

She clearly is eager to branch out from performing, with reports that she may write and direct a film about the romance between Wallis Simpson and Edward, the Prince of Wales, called “W.E.” She also is said to be preparing a worldwide tour for later this year.

The singer is known to demand total creative control over her projects, which is one of the reasons she has yet to launch a fragrance, even though she has tried to do so for more than a decade. Beauty companies have been reluctant to meet her financial demands, while many question whether her appeal remains as strong as it once was.

Souce: wwd.com

Courtney Love appears on the cover of the February issue of Russian Rolling Stone magazine.  Sorry for the small photo, it's all I could find, which is a shame since she looks really good.  It could even pass for a Paris Vogue cover!  It is rumored her album, Nobody's Daughter is coming out on April 27th.