FASHION Magazine

We’ve been scouring the internet for pictures of the girls and gowns from Saturday’s le Bal des Débutantes at the Hotel de Crillon, but international photo agencies are holding tight to their copyrights. However, that hasn’t stopped guests in attendance from sharing their own pictures, and we’ve rounded up some of the best.

See all the debutantes and gowns at the 2011 Crillon Ball »
Watch a video interview featuring the debutantes »

For young socialites and those of us interested in their seemingly magical lives, tomorrow is a big day in Paris: it’s le Bal des Debutantes at the Hotel de Crillon. The lavish event, unofficially known as the Crillon Ball, isn’t just about presenting eligible young ladies to society. (Er, whatever that means in the age of the Facebook, Twitter, and so on…) It’s also intended to showcase the work of haute couture and couture houses—by dressing the lucky teenage debutantes in stunning gowns.

Carine Roitfeld, the world’s most inimitably chic fashion editor, is back. She tells Rani Sheen what’s next for her.

When it was announced in December that Carine Roitfeld had stepped down as editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue, the fashion world erupted in speculation about what she’d do next. The answer, in part, lies in the book Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent ($110, Rizzoli New York), a mid-career retrospective of her most arresting shoots, notes from designers, and personal mementos. It’s a satisfying read because there is such a fascination with Roitfeld, the coolest woman in any front row. We asked her what else she’s been up to.

There are few things left in the world that would prompt someone to put down her iPhone, stop tweeting and log off her Facebook account. I discovered one of them in my hotel room during Spring 2011 fashion week in New York: an invitation from the house of Chanel. I cracked open the thick envelope, pulled out the heavy card stock emblazoned with a regal lion’s head, and read the most joyous words known to womankind (fashion editor or otherwise): “Chanel is pleased to invite Madame Sarah Casselman to discover the haute couture fall/winter 2010/11 collection.” My first response—elation!—was followed by a wave of what-to-wear anxiety. But elation won.

By Madeleine Czigler POP QUIZ: Guess which Paris couture house’s collection did Lady Gaga buy up immediately following the show? ANSWER: The collection of On Aura Tout Vu, headed by designers Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov. (The lady in question bought twelve looks from their last show.) Click the images below to see looks from […]

The post Scoop: See the couture collection Lady Gaga snapped up right after the show appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Two’s not quite a trend, but it was hard not to wonder if a trendlet was in the offing when Dita Von Teese appeared on the Jean Paul Gaultier runway in a bony ensemble. Von Teese came out mid-show, swagged and be-plumed like Norma Desmond, and proceeded to remove her dress, revealing a bedazzled exoskeleton. Less haunting, certainly, than Riccardo Tisci’s ghostly lace squelettes earlier this week at Givenchy, but a hell of a lot more fun.

After Ken made Toy Story 3, Esquire UK decided to celebrate the plastic hunk, who is oft forgotten in the shadow of his lover Barbie. He looks very handsome in Burberry Prorsum, Gucci, Paul Smith and Prada. [Racked]

Breaking: Having your name in the news all the time, even in a negative light, can help you sell stuff. A retail analyst suggests that Lindsay Lohan‘s prison sentence could help with sales of her 6126 leggings line. [WWD]

Givenchy has stepped of the runway train–at least for their couture showings. The house opted this season to do private showings to clients and editors and the move appears to be a permanent one. For the collection itself, designer Riccardo Tisci was inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and that country’s Day of the Dead […]

The post See the skeleton-inspired Givenchy couture collection appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

By Laura Minquini

The fashion planets aligned in perfect unison for me to attend the most Parisian of fashion shows. Chanel+Haute Couture=dreams come true. The show was held yesterday at one of the city’s most majestic of buildings, the Grand Palais–it is a sight to behold from the moment one arrives. It’s easy to  become an expert at spotting the clients and celebrities. Clients are clad in Chanel head to toe, celebrities—among them Leighton Meester and Blake Lively, Milla Jovovich, Jessica Alba and the very French Cleménce Poésy–are surrounded by a sea of photographers.

According to Chanel fashion president Bruno Pavlovsky, haute couture is making its triumphant return after the recession. “We have new clients from Europe and the Middle East,” he says. “Today, we feel a new interest in haute couture.”[WWD]

Meanwhile, a very blown-away Jeanne Beker live-tweeted the Dior Couture show in Paris. [@Jeanne_Beker]

And speaking of Jeanne Beker, she says she’s only “scratched the surface” of things she still wants to accomplish. Expect two more books and a clothing line at The Bay in coming months. [Eye Weekly]

Givenchy has nixed its couture runway show in favour of private appointments. “I want to make couture even more special than it is, and not just another catwalk show,” designer Riccardo Tisci told WWD. “People can really experience the couture moment: See it, touch it.” The 10-look collection will contain no black (a first for him, says Tisci) and the designer is quick to point out that the new format is not a money saver–it will cost about 35 per cent more than a runway show. [WWD]

Alexander McQueen‘s ashes were buried on the Isle of Skye in Scotland on May 29, according to a statement released by his family. A memorial service is planned for later this year. [WWD]

Lady Gaga wore a new McQueen piece for a private performance in New York. It was specially-designed for her by the label’s new head designer, Sarah Burton. [Grazia]

Oscar de la Renta claims that the days of women sporting couture are done, saying, “Couture has become completely irrelevant. Customers are smart. They know that a $10,000 wedding dress will look as beautiful as a $1 million wedding dress. Maybe it will not be finished the same way inside, but who will know?” Touché. [The Cut]

The entire cast and crew of SATC 2 are tight-lipped when it comes to the plot of the film; but after allegedly signing a confidentiality agreement which could cost them up to about $2.5 million if they slip any details, who wouldn’t be?! Kim Cattrall had a close call after being photographed holding the script with a few of the words visible, saying after, “I thought: “You have got to be kidding! This isn’t state secrets, it’s the f****** script for a movie!” It’s crazy. You really have to be careful because I’ve signed my life away to say I won’t tell. It gets to the point where you’re terrified to carry your script around in case someone catches a glimpse of it.” [Vogue UK]