Vogue Newsletter

Lacroix Goes Under

Christian Lacroix has finally gone under due to not being able to find a buyer. It's such a shame that they will not be able to create Haute Couture next season, and also the loss of more than 100 jobs. It's the current attitude towards designer that's letting such highly stated, prominent companies become dust in the wind. It's a shame that fashion is all down to money these days, rather than an expression. Lacroix is now unable to fulfill his life's work, and it's heartbreaking knowing it's ended.

Roland's Rainbow

Roland Mouret has also created RM Rainbow for Net-A-Porter.com, as well as his collection mentioned in an earlier post for 5 main London shops including Harrods and Selfridges. The dresses in the collection each come in two colours, but are at a retail price of £850 - £1700 and are only for sale at Net-A-Porter.com. Although cheaper than some, it's a high price for a high designer, so it's not an attempt to reach more customers, only an attempt to get more sales from his current consumers.

Target At Liberty

Target is the second largest discount retailer behind Walmart, and a little unknown in the UK. Despite this, they will create a collection using London based Liberty prints and designer Zac Posen. An interesting concept to attempt to merge intercontinental companies, hopefully making Liberty prints more popular in the US and Target more popular here, with the collection being available to buy on Target.com as well as in Liberty following the launch in March.

Louboutin Song

"Jennifer told me about the song back in January, and I was extremely flattered. I know the song by heart now," confesses the designer. "Because the brilliant part of the single is that it's not about me. It's about a girl and her shoe. When something is so in mass culture and you have almost nothing to do with it, it's kind of cool. It's weird but not disagreeable. But it got me thinking: I've been around for a while!"

A really great song for my current situation, but also perfect for some free publicity for Christian Louboutin and his fabulous shoes.

Deck The Dior Halls

"Claridge's and Christian Dior celebrated the unveiling of their John Galliano-designed Christmas tree to an exhibition of vintage Dior outfits and a chorus of carol singers last night"

"Paul Smith, Lulu Guinness, Stephen Jones, Henry Holland, Ben Grimes and Bianca Jagger were among those that gathered around the John Galliano-designed tree in the ornate surrounds of the Art Deco hotel."

Although promotional, it's still set to the guests of Claridges and high public figures, and so can still be seen as a form of making the public jealous of what they can't really see, but get them interested in wanting to see it.

Mini Market

Dover Street Market has set up a mini shop at St Martins Lane hotel open until January 7th. Selected pieces include the Dover Street Market Label and PLAY, as well as Comme des Garcons' perfume and a selection of jewellery. It's an interesting concept, but not quite enough to fully grab attention. It is interesting how some fashion brands are using the hotel industry for publicity, perhaps for tourists and the new shoppers arriving from abroad to take advantage of our current economy.
Dover Street Market Xtra Small at St Martins Lane is open daily from 12pm to 8pm.