I feel in love with Andrew Yang’s hand made dolls a few months ago (doll-gasm!), but was so busy that I did not have time to blog about them… Now I do! Given my mega unhealthy obsession with Nick Knight’s Show Studio, art, fashion, cartoons, dolls and couture you can see why this is so exciting for me … It’s like discovering Fifi Lapin, the Mulberry paper dolls, the Couture Designer Mice or the doll collections from Viktor & Rolf x Lanvin for the first time.

New York resident, Mr. Andrew Yang, 25, makes his ‘Kouklitas’, meaning dolls in Greek, from scratch, which is nothing short of brilliant. Andrew Yang’s work as been featured in VOGUE MAGAZINE, The New York Times, Doll Reader, DOLLS Magazine, and international publications of Elle, Marie Claire, and Harpers Bazaar.

Upon first glance, I thought of Emily from The Corpse Bride, Ruben Toledo’s drawings for Nordstrom catalogs, Mark Ryden illustrations and art from Margaret / Walter Keane. These works of art are put into different categories, such as: Ready To Wear, Couture, Limited Edition, and In Memoriam.

The dollies range in price from $1000 to $12,500. Dolls are dressed patterns seen from the latest seasons’ fashions from designers Balmain, Balenciaga, Alaia, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, Proenza Schouler. There is even a Scottish aristocrat Berniece Bobbin, the last of the Bobbins, a Scottish aristocratic family line that can trace its origins to the crusades.

Ruben and Isabel Toledo

Each doll of Mr. Yang’s has a name and comes with a story; but of course, did you expect anything less? Berniece is the last of the Bobbins, a Scottish aristocratic family line that can trace its origins to the crusades. Due to generations of intermarrying, Berniece, although famed throughout the highlands for her beauty and wit—is something of an eccentric. She has been known to ride her gray Arabian mare bareback during thunderstorms, and some neighbors near her country estate have reported she sometimes enjoys this sport in the nude.

Berniece’s gown is made from three different wool tartans. Her ruffled bolero is accented with antique buttons and unsnaps. The floor length skirt is hand shirred with two rows of black pleated mokuba ribbon, it and hemmed with horsehair and a silk taffeta ruffle. Her copper kanekalon wig is permanently styled in a partial braided upsweep with short loose curls. Her accessories are two fingerless mesh gloves and wool boots. Her hand painted expression is flecked with freckles, and sealed to prevent wear. Her black-feathered lashes are glued and sewn.

This is a typical dress from around the time Berniece was sixteen years old. She often made removable petticoats to allow for easier removal for her nude excursions.

<< Behind the scenes >> I just adore how Andrew shares the detailed doll making process

You NEED to check out his blog, as it has a large variety of eclectic music videos, what inspires him, colleagues artistic endeavors, interesting pictures and facts from all over the world, tid bits about films, artists, models, history and ateliers, as well as inspiring and rare fashion shoots.  Yes, he is oh so dreamy!

Side note: Andrew does custom orders, therefore I am SOOO having one of these made – personal holiday gift from moi? I THINK SO! This could be my new doll obsession – bye bye Blythe !  Custom orders start at $700.

Kouklitas are available at Barneys, Opening Ceremony, and Shop Show Studio.

The Kouklitas from NEON LIGHTHOUSE on Vimeo.

The Kouklitas are a line of 27” fashion rag dolls conceived by New York City based artist and illustrator Andrew Yang. The name originates from the Greek word for doll, koukla. Each doll is cut from a pattern, sewn into muslin, and meticulously stuffed and attached by hand. The faces are all hand painted, and the dresses are created using luxurious fabrics and couture sewing methods.

Andrew spent his childhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he grew up around his mother’s collection of Madame Alexander dolls and eventually acquired his own collection of high-end fashion dolls. His hobby was put on hold when he moved to New York to pursue fashion, an industry he worked in as an assistant designer for several years. Longing for another creative outlet, Andrew created his first doll from scraps of muslin in the summer of 2008.

The Kouklitas are currently available in Barneys New York stores across America, Barneys.com, Showstudio.com, and Joyce Boutique Hong Kong. His work as been featured in VOGUE MAGAZINE, The New York Times, Doll Reader, DOLLS Magazine, and international publications of Elle, Marie Claire, and Harpers Bazaar.

Kouklitas Site

Pictures from Barneys, Kouklitas, Claudiocina, Joycee Hong Kong, and more.

Levi's model, dinner, Chiara Clemente

Last night in L.A. the best ticket in town was the chic little dinner hosted in Levi’s Selma Avenue showroom, right next to Chateau Marmont and hosted by Chiara Clemente and the Levi’s team. Chiara’s sister Nina catered the affair with waitstaff clad in denim aprons and laptops set up around the garden featuring the latest from their new Shape What’s To Come campaign featuring “new millennia” icons who are making a difference such step-by-step instructions for a build it yourself powerless fridge and our co-host for the evening Katie Spotz who rowed across the Atlantic (for real). The Levi’s showroom is a charming little abode with a pitched roof and all the features of a home. Chiara is mid-way through post production on a documentary on all the ladies featured on the site and will premiere at the first ever TED women’s conference on December 17. More to come on ALL OF THIS soon …

Over at the Colony, US Weekly hosted it’s annual Hot Hollywood party but this year with a cause … the mag is raising funds for the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Feeding America, Save the Children and Oceana.

Oxfam closed the Esquire House with a final party at the house last night … it’s now been hosting parties for 4 or 5 weeks-ish.

New DJ on the block is Monet Mazur … along with Keith Richard’s adorable daughter, Theodora Richards, the two DJed at the boutique launch for IN ADD MINUS which was held at the old Variety building on Wilshire, across the street from LACMA *(where the Blackberry party was this year).

If you haven’t been down to the Smog Shoppe yet … it a cute space perfect for say … a Johnnie Knoxville BBQ!? Our friends over at Shadow PR handed the event for Tribecca Film and American Express who co-hosted with Johnnie to laud a documentary about the “last American family of outlaws”, The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. Outlaws!! Oh my!

The Alexander McQueen store on Melrose held a preview of their Spring 2011 collection to come … pics coming!

And now for something a little different … friend of the Truffle – Kahi Lee is running the Los Angeles chapter of Society Global and is producing their Living Room Concert a series … We love a salon!

Get ready for the AMA’s this weekend *(American Music Awards) on Sunday night with gifting suites on Saturday during the day and after parties Sunday night! Rolling Stone magazine is hosting a party (but at a very undesirable location) as is Ne-Yo. Gifting suites include one run by KIIS FM.

Tomorrow … The Beverly Hills Women’s Club will hold an elegant holiday tea with Tiffany & Co. while Tod’s on Rodeo Drive will host a lunch with Derek Lam to benefit MOCA.

With Betsey Johnson showing at fashion week, its a total given for the show to be cool and interesting.

I have loved Betsey Johnson my whole life, because she has always been eccentric and cool, especially during a time where designers were so boring. I have always admired her sexy punky attitude.  She reminds me of Patricia Field and Vivienne Westwood.

My favorite thing about Betsey Johnson’s line (since the age of like 10) has always been the kick ass party dresses in all different designs, fabrics, bold patterns, cuts, and colors.  I awaited the day as a child when I would be able to buy her taboo risque designs (For a ten year old, she was very risque, or so my mother thought.)

With that being said, I was not a fan of Ms. Johnson’s Fall 2010 show, and not just because there were no amazing dresses.  While looking at the slides from the show, all different images of characters in costume came to mind, such as Robin Hood, Zorro, a bohemian hippie, a gypsy woman, a saloon show girl and a sheriff in the wild west, male pimps, and witches.  A lot of the designs of the slow clashed or looked tacky and cheap hookerish. Reoccurring theme: Way way too many things going on at once !  I def cannot see 95 % of her usual clientele in any of these outfits!

I know that Betsey doesn’t take herself too seriously, so I do not feel bad saying these things about this show.  Come on… a chicken purse? LOL

I did however LOVE the tribute she did to Mr. McQueen and really praise her for doing so.

Below are some images from the show that I have selected for you eyes

Looking forward to Spring Summer 2010 show in September Betsey!

Dear Readers,

Your favorite secret agent, MOI, is back with investigation #2! (#1 can be found here) … Where there is a knock off, I WILL find it!

Kisses my poodles,
♥ Lauren

Brass knuckles have been influencing fashion. Designers from Karl Lagerfeld to Forever 21 have developed brass knuckle rings this season – an interesting way to combine fashion with rage. 

I myself decided to arm up for spring with a trip to F21 which cost me $3.80 for the ring, $3.00 for parking and $42.00 for take-out from the Luxe!

Van Cleef & Arpels has done a similar concept to the brass knuckle rings in the past where their rings wrap around one finger and then under and over another …

Alexander McQueen (RIP) ring collab with Swarovski

Also at F21 … this one is semi-ok. I wouldn’t kick it out of bed so to say. But I also wouldn’t buy it dinner

The Two Finger Stud Ring from Nastygal.com

Parrot ring from Forever 21 ~ Give us a kerssss – Rawt!

Double Infinity Ring – Champagne by Jessica Robinson – $7,000.00!

I’m just gonna point out – and don’t call me a nerd – because really it’s just basic knowledge that you can not double infinity.

Chanel brass knuckles from the Spring 2010 runway & ad campaigns

Forever 21 – $3.80

And the real deal … please don’t bring these out with you at night to anywhere near a bar I’d be.

While I have been to most all award shows, I’d LOVE to go to the CFDA Awards… and obvi so would Tavi (Yes, we are now on a first name basis).

“I am not normally one for red carpet dressing (other than the CFDA gala)… “- Tavi, Oscar the grouch post

The Oscars of Fashion:

The CFDA’s annual awards ceremony, which honors excellence in fashion design, is often called “the Oscars of fashion.”  Nominations are submitted by CFDA members and by select fashion publications, retailers, and stylists. Award winners are voted on and announced at the annual CFDA Fashion Awards gala event.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association of over 350 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. As of 2009, Diane von Fürstenberg is the group’s President and Steven Kolb is the Executive Director. Founded in 1962, the CFDA continues to advance the status of fashion design as a branch of American art and culture; to raise its artistic and professional standards; to define a code of ethical practices of mutual benefit in public and trade relations; and, to promote appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in quality and aesthetic discernment.

In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization is committed to nurturing the development of the American fashion industry’s future designers. The CFDA’s Educational Initiatives provide support and resources for students at the high school, collegiate and post-graduate levels. In addition, CFDA supports working designers in the early stages and throughout their careers. Among those efforts include the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Business of Fashion and the Business Service Network (BSN). The CFDA, through the CFDA Foundation, Inc., mobilizes its membership to support important charitable causes: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, The CFDA Health initiative and The CFDA-Vogue Initiative for HIV and AIDS (7th on Sale)

FOR THE NINTH YEAR IN A ROW, SWAROVSKI GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITES THE EVENING

Popular Vote Sponsored by L’Oréal Paris Returns

NEW YORK, March 18, 2010 – Last night, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the nominations for the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at an exclusive event hosted by Nadja Swarovski and Diane von Furstenberg at the designer’s studio in the Meatpacking District.  The 2010 CFDA Fashion Awardswinners will be announced at the annual gala, generously underwritten by Swarovski, on June 7 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

The nominees for Womenswear Designer of the Year Award reflect the depth of accomplishment and enduring influence of American fashion, ranging from the rising talent of Alexander Wang to the modern vision of Marc Jacobs to the timeless iconoclasm of Donna Karan.

The Menswear Designer of the Year nominees are:  Michael Bastian, Tom Ford,and  Marcus Wainwright & David Neville for Rag & Bone. For Accessory Designer of the Year Award the nominees are: Alexis Bittar, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung, and Jason Wu have been nominated for theSwarovski Award for Womenswear. The nominees for the Swarovski Award for Menswear are Richard Chai, Patrik Ervell, and Simon Spurr. For the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design, the nominees are Eddie Borgo, Dana Lorenz, andAlexander Wang.  The Swarovski Award recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from Swarovski as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative Swarovski crystal resources.

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Michael Kors.

The CFDA Board of Directors chose to honor Alexander McQueen with their Special Tribute Award.

The other special award honorees are:

Eugenia Sheppard Award – Kim Hastreiter, Paper

International Award – Christopher Bailey for Burberry

Fashion Icon Award – Iman

Eleanor Lambert Award – Tonne Goodman, Vogue

:-(

Tuesday March 9th, small groups of editors gathered at a salon in Paris to view the last collection of Lee Alexander McQueen.

There will never be another show like this ever again….yes, they can find a new designer for the Alexander McQueen brand, but there will never be another Alexander McQueen.

McQueen used inspiration from artists like Hans Memling, Hugo van der Goes, Sandro Boticelli, and Jean Fouquet the way that people will use him as inspiration.  A lot of these dresses also remind me of Queen Elizabeth 1 and other great royalty from Europe.

Given that this show looks like it was made for English royalty, all I want to scream is long like mcQUEEN.

I am truly saddened and was just reminded why.

R.I.P.

P.s. Nobody better steal my genius title !

Womens figure skating winners:

Gold: Yu-Na Kim

Silver: Joannie Rochette (Much deserved, poor girl’s mother died a few days ago)

Bronze: Mao Asada

LA native Mirai Nagasu came in 4th place

“This is the best routine I’ve ever seen in an Olympic competition,” said NBC commentator Sandra Bezic. After she finished her routine, Kim broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the moment. Her long program score of 150.06 broke her own scoring record.

Italian Fashion Week Starts

Its Cibeles Fashion week in Madrid, España from February 18th-23rd

I love the fashion shows from Madrid week because they are always no holds bar

* YAYYYY* Agatha Ruiz Time !

Its no secret that I love Agatha Ruiz De La Prada… I mean hello, she uses huge bows and hearts, nuff said !!

Agatha R D L P might not be a name you are too familiar with, but If I told you that you would of her if you saw Bruno, I’m guessing you would be surprised !

Sacha Baron Cohen, Bruno, snuck into Agatha’s famous fashion show (which was all caught on tape) and made a total scene on the runway, just to get arrested and banned from Spanish fashion week.

and yes the above model is Lily Donaldson, Daily Truffle fav

Here are some shots of the Agatha show from 4 days ago… Autumn/ Winter 2010

Art work by me

Photos from:

Wireimage.com

Agatharuizdelaprada.com

Helena Christensen, Georgina Chapman, Naomi Campbell and Daphne Guinness and other models wear Alexander McQueen designs on the runway at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief Haiti Fall 2010 Fashion Show during Day 2 of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010 at Bryant Park on February 12, 2010.

Photos from Wireimage and Style.com

The world lost its most creative and interesting designer, Lee McQueen, aka Alexander McQueen.

AlexanderMcqueen.com

Alexander was the most creative, talented, genius, and edgy designer that had the craziest presentations out there, but everything came together and was beautiful, opposed to Gareth Pugh who just doesn’t make sense to me.

EVERY show that Alex was involved with was a piece of ART, and those of you who witnessed his magic should feel very blessed.

I can’t fathom Isabella Blow, Alex’s mentor and bff, committed suicide and three years later Mr. McQueen did !

Alexander and Isabella

The best part of Paris Fashion Week died today

Joe Zee, W Magazine

Model, Coco Rocha

Designer, Betsey Johnson

Dita von Teese

Designer, Donnatella Versace

Singer, Katy Perry

Designer, Jeremy Scott

Milk Studios

ABC news

Ron Herman

Teen Vogue

W Magazine, Womens Wear Daily, and Logan H

Nylon Magazine, CNN, and Rachel Zoe

Lee’s Bio

Born in the East End of London in 1970, the son of a taxi driver, Alexander McQueen fast rose through the fashion ranks to become one of the leading lights of international design.

He graduated from Central St Martins College of Art & Design in 1991, with a display of such flair and innovation that he was immediately awarded an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard. He went on to work for Romeo Gigli and Koji Tatsuno, before opening his own studio in East London. Having introduced his label, McQueen managed to secure tabloid headlines with the launch of his infamous, low-cut ‘bumsters’, while his beautifully crafted and often outrageous designs attracted a small but fiercely loyal clientele, including such influential fashion figures as stylist Isabella Blow, who was sitting on the front row of his MA show. She wore one of the outfits he presented in a Vogue shoot in November 1992 and has championed his work ever since.
In October 1996, McQueen was named Best British Designer of the Year for the first time. Days later, he was also named John Galliano’s successor as the new chief designer at Givenchy. What recommended him to the 40-year-old French couture house was his “brilliant creativity and technical mastery”. In 1997, a year in which he produced four collections for Givenchy and two for his own label, McQueen shared the Best British Designer award with Galliano. But it is McQueen’s carefully propagated image – as the raspberrying bad boy of fashion – which made him a star in his own right, winning him such rock ‘n’ roll clients as David Bowie and The Prodigy’s Keith Flint.

Arriving at Givenchy, McQueen had the hubris to slam its founder, Hubert de Givenchy, as “irrelevant”. As if in response, his first collection for the couture house wasuniversally slated even by McQueen himself. “I know it was crap,” he told US Vogue in October 1997, promising to make amends the following season.

Despite the shock tactics, however, McQueen is roundly recognised as a highly innovative designer, with superb tailoring skills particularly by his new bosses at the Gucci Group. In December 2000, shortly after McQueen voiced his malaise with LVMH, Gucci confirmed that it had acquired 51 per cent of McQueen’s own-name business, enabling him at last to loose himself from the Givenchy contract he claimed had constrained his creativity.

ADDENDUM! ALERT THE MEDIA SOMEONE GOT NEW SHOES!!!

(added later the same day of post)

Layouts by me

Pictures from saksfifthave.com, netaporter.com, style.com, brownsuk.com, luisviaroma.com, and zappos.com

Elliot Hans Johnson, L.A. native and designer of Literature Noir, with wife Kaya leaving Maestro's in Beverly Hills - Alexander 'Silver Fox' Davis

Elliot Hans Johnson

 
Occupation: Owner of Literature Noir
Birth Place: Turlock, CA, grew up in Los Angeles
Living in: West Hollywood
High school: West Mark, Los Angeles
Favorite accessory: Gloves
Fashion influences: Film noir

Q: What are you currently most excited about for fall/winter?
A: Camel colored wool pea coat by Doir Homme with black leather driving gloves

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: Nov 27 09, Doir Homme, for MOCA 30th anniversary party

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Hedi Slimane (old designer for Doir Homme)

Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: Church

Q: Favorite magazine?
A: French vogue

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: MOCA 30th anniversary party

Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: Ed Hardy

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: Leather driving gloves from Causse in Paris, same place Karl Lagerfeld gets his gloves custom made.

Editor’s note: Elliot is my cousin by marriage. His father’s sister is married to my dad. But that is not how I know him. I met him through several different avenues before realizing the relation and now I am excited to be able to call him my cousin. Elliot’s world is like a photo shoot, every time I see him I get sooo excited because he always has so much cool stuff. Recently he had his birthday at a REAL castle, and he had a magician! I was over at his house recently and I also saw his latter on wheels he built from mahogany for his library. His house, thanks to his equally amazing wife, has one room they call the orange room that must have at least 400 Hermes boxes in it – in every shape and size!! Their pool out back has a smoke machine next to it to make it look like we are in a snowy palace in Gstaad and there is steam rising from the pool! Most importantly!, his bathroom floors are crocodile! Yah! He is MY cousin and You Cant Have Him!

Darren Romanelli, Dr Romanelli aka DRx

Darren Romanelli
Occupation: Dr Romanelli aka DRx
Birth Place: San Francisco, CA, grew up in LA
Living in: Beachwood Cyn
High school: Brentwood and Montclair Prep
Favorite accessory: IWC Portuguese
Fashion influences: Vintage Americana
Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: My wedding …Prada

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Junya Watanabe : Comme Des Garcons

Q: Favorite magazine?
A: Free and Easy : Japan

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: Dodgers World Series Victory 1988

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: Visvim boots

Editor’s Note: I grew up in Los Angeles with the great Dr. Romanelli, who first made waves when he rehab-ed the Looney Tune’s characters. Darren makes incredibly thoughtful new designs for old brands. You can see his latest invention for Fraggle Rock right now; we will have a full report from his launch party this Wednesday at Kitson. Stay tuned …

Duncan Quinn

Duncan Quinn
Occupation: Recovering attorney/ Owner of Duncan Quinn boutiques in NY, LA, Dallas, Miami and Chicago soon…
Birth Place: London
Living in: London & West Hollywood
Favorite accessory: Ducati
Fashion influences: Life, the universe and everything. Right now: Get Carter, Mona Lisa, Long Good Friday, Gangster No.1 and Eastern Promises.

Q: What are you currently most excited about for fall/winter?
A: Our new gangster tattoo ties…they are an amazing combination of elegance and edginess.

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: Every day

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Leonardo da Vinci, Mother nature
Q: Favorite magazine?
A: The Economist

Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: Our new 6,000sf pop-up experience in Miami’s Design District

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: Henry Hargreaves exploding a bottle of champagne all over Lucien Etori in a £5,000 bespoke suit the first time they ever met face to face at the afterparty to our LA opening on the terrace of the penthouse at Chateau. The containment of rage and the look on Lucien’s face was quite incredible.

Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: the Pee-wee Herman suit

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: A belt hand made for me as I watched and discussed by an Italian artisan named Roberto in the south of France. All he does all day every day is cut and hand make belts.

New gangster ties from Duncan Quinn

Editor’s note: I met Duncan through my darling friend Tracy Bjelland while he was opening up the new location of his L.A. store on 3rd street. I was sooo taken by his Duccatis sitting inside the store, and the cool helmets for sale along side the bespoke suits and gangster ties. I was just sold! I wanted to bring my brother to the store right then and there and dress him up in everything! I was so excited to have such a habadasherie on little 3rd street right here in L.A. It reminded me of the Duncan Hill house in London or The Shave in Beverly Hills and I thought to myself – some people just make life so much better to live. Duncan also has an amazing blog I pull from sometimes that is truly luxury at it’s most knowledgeable. He also started a mini Gumball Rally with his friends in New York with amazing cars. What I would give to be a guy in this group of friends!!

Maxime Jacquet

Maxime Jacquet

Occupation: Interior designer for celebrity home and store, just started personnal ligne of clothes, design for parties, personal shopper

Matt Donnelly

Matt Donnelly

Occupation: Writer, The Los Angeles Times
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pa.
Living in: Bronson Canyon, Hollywood
High school: Strict and catholic but the ties were good

Favorite accessory: Band of Outsiders cable knit bow tie
Fashion influences: JFK Jr.

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: Jason & Stephanie Scoppa’s wedding, Thom Brown seersucker
Q: Favorite designers?
A: Alexander McQueen, Scott Sternberg
Q: Favorite magazine?
A: Vanity Fair, V Man
Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: Chanel Cruise Show 07/08 at Santa Monica Airport
Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: Steven Alan mohair cardigan
Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: Right now, Steven Alan Outpost in Los Feliz, Mister Freedom
Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: I’m over the headband
Editor’s note: I met Matt while we were both working at E! Network, I as a story producer assistant, and he as Mark Malkin’s attache. Before Matt, I had never thought of celebrity news as honorable reporting, but what Audrey Hepburn did for the little black dress, what Valentino does for elegance, and what Grace Kelly did for Celebutantes, is what Matt does for celebrity news. I was so happy to have someone like this in this industry and in L.A.
Hillel Aron
Occupation: USC grad student, Journalism
Birth Place: Los Angeles
Living in: Los Angeles
High school: Oakwood
Favorite accessory: Sunglasses
Fashion influences: Old men, hipsters, Jacques Brautbar

Q: What are you currently most excited about for fall/winter?
A: I hope to buy another white American Apparel t-shirt, my last one got stained blue from the laundry detergent, how the f*ck does that happen anyway?

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: I wore a suit to some wedding I went to, and it was made by Valentino. I bought it at Barney’s warehouse sale for 75 percent off ($800). It’s brown, and I wear it with a pink tie and all-white Nikes.

Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: I guess I’m more of a book store kind of guy, if anything. That giant used book store in New York called called Strand

Q: Favorite magazine?
A: Slate. It’s online. Does that count? If not, I guess the New Yorker.

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: I love seeing people I know from my car, when we’re both driving.

Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: Ponchos. I’ve seen a few hipsters wearing ponchos, and it makes me want to cry. I mean, what happened?

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: I bought a black sweatshirt at American Apparel; I wanted to go with gray but my buddy Jaqcues already had one, and I didn’t want us both to be wearing them at the same time, you know how that is.

 

Alexander McQueen gets unlikely inspiration from new James Cameron movie "Avatar"

WATCH THE WHOLE SHOW HERE!!!

“Fashion film” is a genre which not too long ago was barely on the radar and is now booming! The launch of “A Shaded View on Fashion Festival”, the newest fashion film festival, will open Paris Fashion Week this weekend and is the new “must-attend” for editors and buyers and the new “must-submit” for every fashion house and designer. Festival creator, Diane Pernet has defined “fashion film” into 3 categories: music videos, commissioned works by designers and film inspired by clothes, and made independent of the brand. Diane Pernett is co-editor in chief of Zoo magazine and runs the only recognized fashion film website, A Shaded View on Fashion.

“Fashion film in 2010 is what music videos where in 1983″ says Griffin of PRESENT FUTURE FILMS‏, and director of Rodarte‘s 2008 video. Watch it on Griffin’s website http://www.presentfuture.net/. Griffin is en route to Paris today to represent the film in Diane’s festival for Rodarte’s designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Rodarte’s film is meant to represent the darker turn they took for their fall ’08 which was inspired by Japanese horror films. (3:32 mins)



The three day film festival opens Paris Fashion Week for the second year in a row and is called “A Shaded View On Fashion Film“. Griffin’s film, “Vox Humana”, stars L.A. Native Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame and has a special cameo from another L.A. Native, Kenneth Anger who is also a legendary avant garde filmmaker. Rodarte is one of several major brands to be recognized in the festival for their participation in the new genre. Others include Gucci, House of Waris, MATTHEW WILLIAMSON/H&M (which stars Eva Herzigova & Vincent Gallo), Gareth Pugh, Galeries Lafayette, Sergio Rossi, MAC Cosmetics, Rick Owens, Jeremy Scott, Yohji Yamamoto and oddly enough – Wonderbra. *(all videos can be viewed here)

GARETH PUGH AW09 directed by Ruth Hogben for Gareth Pugh

The Wonderbra film stars Dita Von Teese, who just had a party in London last night to launch the “Party Edition” bra. The film shows a bunch of scientists all looking for the cure under microscopes and then Dita comes in with lab coat and snakeskin Louboutins to solve the crucial problem. (2:16 mins)

Griffin’s Rodarte film was also just shown at Nick Knight’s “Fashion Revolution SHOWstudio exhibition,” which closed British Fashion Week, and will run through the end of the year, Dec 20, 2009. Photographer Nick Knight has worked with Vogue, Kate Moss, Dior, etc. and also runs the fashion/photography website SHOWstudio.com. Nick Knight is another name to watch in fashion film. A popular piece from Nick Knights’ show is his Brad Pitt short film in which Brad violently throws paint on a blow-up wall photo of himself and reads poetry.

Guests arrive at Nick Knight’s “Fashion Revolution SHOWstudio exhibition” in London September 23, 2009
Left to Right: Nick Knight with Naomi Campbell, model Lily Donaldson, Robert Konjic with Julia Restin-Roitfeld

“Flora by Gucci”, directed by Chris Cunningham and starring Gucci model Abbey Lee was also selected in Diane Pernet’s upcoming fashion. Chris is an English music video film director and video artist who is most famous for his work with the the late Stanley Kubrick on the then-unfinished project A.I., which was picked up by Steven Speilberg. (1 min)

Fashion film began in the 60s with pioneering projects like William Klein’s Qui Etes Vous Polly MagGoo and William Claxton’s Basic Black starring Peggy Moffitt (not on my youtube playlist, view here) and trend offers viewers an ever deeper level of insight into the artistic side of fashion. Nick Knight, along with fashion designer Alexander Mcqueen, have done loads of fashion film collaboration. The genre has lurked in the cult and industry depths of art but is now receiving it’s place in the fashion industry spotlight -perhaps largely due only to the recent financial crisis which has made the less expensive forum more appealing than a full-blown show or a traditional print campaign.

William Klein’s Qui Etes Vous Polly MagGoo

“Basic Black: William Claxton w/ Peggy Moffitt,” 1967

The trend of film in fashion is further being popularized by Chanel No.5′s recent mini-film, starring Aurdey Tautou, that shows her searching for, and finally finding, her lost lover on an old fashion train.

Tom Ford could have had an edge into the coming genre as he, himself, is an aspiring director. This year, we will be able to see his first try at film in “A Single Man” starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Ginnifer Goodwin. The stylized suspense drama follows a widowed man around Los Angeles for a day and was screened at the Venice film festival this summer and opens in theatres soon.

“Starring” by designer Jeremy Scott – which was in Diane’s festival last year – is inspired by TV soap operas and the gorgeous women who inhabit them, featuring Asia Argento, Tori Spelling, Lisa Marie, China Chow, Amber Valletta, Liz Goldwyn, & Monet Mazur.

MORE ABOUT RODARTE’S FASHION FILM DIRECTOR GRIFFIN:
Griffin is a director and producer, who has worked in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Mexico City and points between for the past 10 years. Griffin is in the process of developing two features film project which he will direct and produce, one about Mexico City, and the second written by the creator and editor of dune magazine, Charlie Brown (Fumihiro Hayashi). Currently, Griffin is working as one of the curators and producers of the 42 x 42 onedreamrush film festival as well as directing his own short film for the festival. 42 Filmmakers make 42 second films for 42 Below spirits. Griffin wrangled shorts films submissions from David Lynch, Kenneth Anger, Sean Lennnon, actor James Franco, and Harmony Korine. Griffin also produced The Harmony Book in conjunction with American Rag Cie. to showcase a select group of artists, designers and eccentrics based in Los Angeles.

Watch the 42 x 42 onedreamrush film festival trailer:

All other videos in this blog can be viewed on the Fashion Film playlist here.

Related Stories on Daily Truffle: Jeremy Scott’s “Starring”

Floral from Forever 21

Houndstooth from Alexander McQueen AW09

Gingham from Mosley Tribes

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