Frida on Show
A trip to London is a welcome distraction at any time, but especially now, since June 16 will see the opening of what’s expected to be one of the major blockbuster exhibitions of the year, Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up. Featuring many articles seen outside of Mexico for the first time, the expo will shine a spotlight on the artist whose irrepressible spirit, artistic production, fashion style and tragic personal story of love, illness and betrayal have made her an icon of our times.
Running until November 4, it includes not only self-portraits and paintings but personal possessions including her distinctive clothes, jewels featuring her pre-Columbian necklaces, cosmetics and letters, as well as items related to her chronic ill-health: medicine bottles, medical corsets and a defiantly-embroidered, red-leather-clad prosthetic leg to which Frida tied bells.
Kendall for Longchamp
The luxury accessories brand, Longchamp, has signed star model Kendall Jenner for its latest campaign. The brand says she shares its values of championing effortless worldliness, and of celebrating a global, versatile sense of style. Throughout Jenner’s experience in (and ascent to the top of) the modeling industry, she has exhibited an unwaveringly confident poise — a character trait that Longchamp admires and infuses into its fashion and accessories collections.
She says: “I think there’s this synergy between the term ‘world citizen’ and Longchamp. To me, a world citizen is someone who wants to share more of an understanding of different cultures.”
Superstar Style
Regional favourite, Lebanese superstar Myriam Fares has launched a collection with value fashion brand Red Tag.
The 34-year-old singer, dancer and actress explained her decision at a swanky launch even,t saying: “This is a star wearing the same brand that is affordable for everyone to buy. This is a nice and affordable brand for every woman and young girl who wants to be fashionable. Young women try to find clothes similar to the expensive pieces we stars usually wear. But today, this star is wearing clothes that those young ladies can afford — this is really valuable for me.”
Appealing to the young women in question is a major reason the brand approached Myriam. Its customer base is typically aged 15 to 35 and seeking budget-friendly looks that don’t compromise on style.
The brand’s David Pidgeon says: “No matter how big a star you are, you have to stay in touch with your key fans and they are not all walking around in designer dresses. They want fashion, understand fashion and see fashion, but can’t afford to pay for it.”
Why Oh Why?
Not sure you can say WTAF in a magazine, that’s why we have letters right? But, seriously, what was Balenciaga thinking by designing a T-shirt adorned with a shirt? OK, we kind of got the IKEA shopping bag (not really) and the USD1,000 decorated Croc,s but we reckon there has to be something wrong here. The brand describes it as two shirts in one and is charging the princely sum of USD1,290 for this uncomfortable looking hybrid. Not surprisingly, Twitter is going into a bit of a meltdown and, to be honest, we’re not sure what to make of it. Publicity stunt anyone?
