Rent the Runway Adds Jewelry; Handbags are Next” y 9 mas

Rent the Runway Adds Jewelry; Handbags are Next
Even the Hangers are Irresistible at Giles
Club Monaco Jumps on the Blogger Bandwagon
Learning the Art of Rodarte
Anna Takes Orders From Karl
Fashionair to Shutter
Loud Logo Bags Make a Quiet Comeback

Fashion News Roundup: How to Break into Fashion, Bryanboy Teams Up With Topshop & Lauren Conrad’s Milk Mustache
Fashion’s International Night Week Out

Rent the Runway Adds Jewelry; Handbags are Next

Posted: 05 May 2010 04:10 PM PDT

It’s crazy to think that Rent the Runway–the site that lets you rent dresses for 10% of the retail price–just launched this past November. In January, the company raised $15 million in capital. Today, its boasts over 300,000 members, with designers like Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, and Matthew Williamson along for the ride.

Most recently, the site quietly launched its accessories collection, which features earrings, bracelets, and necklaces by 34 designers, including Dannijo, Gemma Redux, Ted Rossi, and Badgley Mischka. (For instance, the Subversive piece shown retails for $575–a four-day rental costs $65.) Rentals start at just $10.

Jennifer Hyman, CEO of RTR, says members demanded accessories, so the company delivered. Designers are eager to work with the site because when a member rents a piece, she’s more likely to buy something else from that designer in the future. (And yes, Hyman’s got research results that back up this statement.)

Hyman’s sister Becky, a former Bloomingdale’s accessories buyer and inspiration for the site, is heading up RTR’s accessories efforts. She’s trolled trade show after trade show to find the most diverse selection of designers. (But please know that you’re not going to find $10,000 diamonds here. Most pieces hover in the $100-$1,000 range.) “We did a mix of new pieces and archival pieces that represent the brands best,” explains Becky.

What’s next for Rent the Runway? Handbags.

Avelle, once called Bag, Borrow or Steal, has basically fallen off the map. Which means the space for rented “It” bags is fairly clear.

Even the Hangers are Irresistible at Giles

Posted: 05 May 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Katie Grand tweeted this pic of a Giles dress, but the hanger really steals the spotlight, no?

Club Monaco Jumps on the Blogger Bandwagon

Posted: 05 May 2010 02:01 PM PDT

The rise of the blogger has meant so much more than front row seats. The best of the best are hired to shoot editorials, they’re featured in international magazines and their names are mentioned far outside of fashion’s circle. But their most lucrative new gigs come in the form of advertising.

Todd Selby shot Cole Haan’s campaign and decorated Louis Vuitton’s website, Scott Schuman’s in Verizon’s GQ advertorial, Garance Dore shot a fashion week video for Max Mara’s website, and now, she’s behind Club Monaco’s fall lookbook and campaign.

Like Theory’s stylists and LOFT’s style studio, Club Monaco’s associating their brand with someone else, someone cool who’s particularly admired by the fashion obsessed, and hoping to sell off of that name recognition instead of changing their clothes. The good news is Club Monaco already sells great clothes, so Garance is just the icing on the cake.

Learning the Art of Rodarte

Posted: 05 May 2010 01:00 PM PDT

Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte are fashion’s most famous sisters. From their nearly telepathic communication with each other, to their unusually intimate inspiration, the Mulleavys have built a Rodarte cult including fashion’s most elite and influential.

Last night at FIT, Kate and Laura spoke at length about their brand. Hearing them talk about their transformation from two sisters without fashion training to one of fashion’s most artistic duos was like watching a 21st century My Fair Lady with Karen Elson in Audrey Hepburn’s place.

The back story’s familiar by now: The girls sat at home watching horror movies, made ten pieces, took a trip to New York, slept of a friend’s couch, sent out hand-drawn notes, made some phone calls, and heard from WWD. They made the cover, Anna Wintour dropped by their studio two days later and their Spring 2008 collection rocked New York Fashion Week two years later.

It sounds like a fantasy, but what else would you expect from fashion’s most fantastical designers?
Even now, Rodarte functions outside the realm of modern fashion. Kate and Laura sew and make most of their garments by hand with the help of their dedicated creative team. It took three months to find the perfect dying process for their AW08 Japanime blood and water collection, and a week to manufacture the tights alone.

But it’s not just the craftsmanship, the girls are probably better known for their artistic process. They insist it’s not art but say they hope each collection engages their audience and communicates ideas ranging from creation myths to Mexican border towns to the endangered California Condor (that’d be SS10).

Kate says they ignore commercialism. The number of jackets or pants or the practicality of the garment is irrelevant which makes Rodarte feel like an art project whose medium is fashion design.

The art world appears to agree. Rodarte was only the second fashion label to be featured in ArtForum (Issey Miyake, 1984). Their expressionist qualities are more reminiscent of de Kooning or Degas than the Pop Art model that brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior embrace.

While many labels try to fit in to the molds made by already famous brands, Rodarte seeks to stand out, relying only on their creative talent for success. Their niche market is willing to spend the money on the pieces because they are unlike anything ever before created. A dress is a dress, but a Rodarte piece is one of a kind, and dare we say it, museum worthy.

Anna Takes Orders From Karl

Posted: 05 May 2010 12:00 PM PDT

“He’s the master, so whatever he says, I obey.” –Anna Wintour, who wore custom Chanel to The Met Ball, speaks highly of Karl Lagerfeld

Fashionair to Shutter

Posted: 05 May 2010 11:10 AM PDT

We wondered what would happen to Fashionair when Simon Fuller left 19 Entertainment, the London-based site’s parent company.

Unfortunately, the change wasn’t for the good. The site is set to close down in the near future, according to sources. (Currently, there’s an announcement on the homepage that says: “FASHIONAIR is going through some changes. We will be back just as soon as we can.”)

Created by Net-a-Porter alum Sojin Lee, the project was an entertainment site for fashion people, featuring films, videos, and user-generated content.

While we were awfully fond of the site’s Seven Days of Style series–where an industry insider would show off her wardrobe for seven days–we also found the it pretty difficult to navigate.

And there’s no doubting it took quite a bit of money to get Fashionair off the ground. So maybe 19 is simply cutting its losses while it can.

On the bright side, we wouldn’t be surprised if Lee found another partner for a relaunch. She’s a true talent with interesting things to say.

Loud Logo Bags Make a Quiet Comeback

Posted: 05 May 2010 10:00 AM PDT

The last two issues of Vogue Paris have been filled with initials.

Carine splayed her pages with LVs, GGs, Fs, and Cs on handbags, weekenders and trunks.

I’ve never owned a logo bag–save for my mini Liz Claiborne, gifted at age 5–but lately…I don’t know…that Céline bag….

Be forewarned: Logo bags are back.

In the office, I’ve been obsessing over Kate’s vintage navy Gucci with a red and green grosgrain stripe. Britt, the queen of simplicity, even admitted to coveting that vintage Gucci monogram.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Louis Vuitton’s weekender, which Gwyneth used to carry around in the ’90s, back when logo bags were more than kosher–they were a requisite.

But in general, logos still feel like they belong to a fast, in-your-face crowd of which I don’t belong. And yet the small Céline boston bag, which rings in at $770, and comes in navy, tan or burgundy canvas, keeps calling my name. Britt thinks–and I must concur–that the reason I’m so taken with the bag, other than the fact it was approved by Phoebe, is because it’s so much cheaper than Céline’s all-leather satchel. I must subconsciously think it’s a bargain.

Regardless, I do think that, with all this minimalist fashion, logos may yet again have a place in our accessories wardrobe. Will you pony up for a monogram?

Posted: 05 May 2010 09:15 AM PDT

Fashion News Roundup: How to Break into Fashion, Bryanboy Teams Up With Topshop & Lauren Conrad’s Milk Mustache

Posted: 05 May 2010 08:30 AM PDT

Biker Chicks: We’ve been wanting to get bikes for a while now. This cute picture—shot at the Hester Street Fair—only adds fuel to the fire. {Mr. Newton}

Wise Words: Narciso Rodriguez and Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles will teach a Learning Annex class on how to break into the fashion industry. You can buy tickets online for $45. {Racked}

Good Cause: The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has devastated both natural habitats and the commercial seafood industry. Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin says there’s a way to help. She’s joined forces with eco-activist organization, Matter of Trust, and she’s asking for your donations. What do they need? Old stockings and hair clippings, both of which absorb oil! {Style.com}

Video View: For those not near NYC, The Cut has a video of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit, American Woman, at The Metropolitan Museum. {The Cut}

Beauty Boy: If you happen to be in London this weekend, pop by Topshop Oxford Circus where Bryanboy will be celebrating the launch of a new makeup line and dishing out beauty tips. {Bryanboy}

Got Milk: Former Teen Vogue intern and reality star Lauren Conrad is set to appear in BodybyMilk’s newest “Got Milk” ads. You can help her decide which look to choose for the campaign by clicking on the link. {BodybyMilk}

Fashion’s International Night Week Out

Posted: 05 May 2010 07:47 AM PDT

When Anna Wintour and Michael Bloomberg staged Fashion’s Night Out last year the world thought it was a one time thing—everyone’s hurting, let’s throw a party!

But it’s shaping up to be an annual event, and this year’s second go round includes an epic fashion show, a CBS documentary, and now an entire week of festivities across the world.

In each country, 16 to be exact, the events will be led by the country’s Vogue. The week starts in France on September 7th, hits the United States on the 10th and ends in Greece and Turkey on the 16th and all of the international celebrations will make a cameo appearance in the CBS film.

Speaking of fashion films, RJ Cutler’s posted his short film, The Met Ball, on Facebook. It documents the making of the 2007 Met Ball and you can watch it here, in two parts.