FASHION Magazine

Our heads are beginning to spin a bit from all the news, rumours and speculation of designers changing their fashion house posts. (Seriously, can we all just decide on a 2012 Trade Deadline?)

It was reported yesterday and confirmed today that much-loved designer Derek Lam would be leaving his post as Tod’s creative director. And while we love Lam’s shoes and accessories, we’re not all that disappointed—relinquishing Tod’s might just give him more time to concentrate on his acclaimed namesake line, or expand his diffusion line, 10 Crosby.

But a WWD interview with Tod’s chairman Diego Della Valle is causing an even bigger stir (sorry, Derek) for its seemingly off-hand comment about John Galliano being linked to the house. “Lam’s departure coincides with continued speculation that John Galliano was in talks with the Italian firm to either do a Tod’s capsule collection or revamp its Schiaparelli brand. However, Della Valle firmly dismissed the rumors.”

It’s too bad those rumours were dismissed, but we’re still crossing our fingers that they’re true. We think this could only be good news for Schiaparelli, a brand that’s gone without a head designer for the last several years. Galliano’s been a free agent for a while now, and the pairing could be a good first step back and a match made in heaven—quite romantic, actually.

Christopher Kane at Christian Dior? The prince of neon was placed into the Galliano-replacement ring earlier this week by Suzy Menkes, who claimed, in her International Herald Tribune column, that the 29-year-old designer was set to take a seat on the dizzying designer merry-go-round—but alas, he’s already put the rumour to rest. Kane says, “I […]

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It’s in-and-out at Jil Sander camp this week after the German fashion house announced this morning that Raf Simons will be presenting his last collection as creative director this Saturday. The announcement comes amid (double!) speculation that Simons and founder Jil Sander will be making big moves in the near future. Simons has long been […]

The post Raf Simons is out, while the real Jil might be back in at Jil Sander! What does this mean for Dior? And for our Sander addiction? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

If you were ever in doubt if Karl Lagerfeld had a verbal filter, his musings in Metro should clear things up. Acting as guest EIC, the designer took to the global newspaper to give his two cents (more like an entire change purse!) on various topics.

Amid the array of outrageous comments, the most shocking is calling Adele “a little too fat.” Lagerfeld has been known to weigh in on body size and has said before that those who criticized models for looking anorexic were fat “chip-eating, jealous mummies”—ironic coming from someone who’s no stranger to being heavy, having lost nearly 100 pounds in 2001.

Adele however, was not the only singer in his latest musings—Lana Del Rey also gets a mention. As well as the Greek economic crisis and Florence Welch, the designer had things to say regarding:

Prior to the recent reports that Jil Sander creative director Raf Simons is the latest frontrunner to replace John Galliano at Dior, it was almost certain that Marc Jacobs would be the designer to succeed Galliano. However, after reports that money issues brought talks to an end, those rumours bit the dust. Throughout this whole ordeal, Jacobs has been quiet, leaving us all wondering if there was ever any truth to these reports.

Which brings us to today: Jacobs is finally setting the record straight about whether or not he was as serious about moving to Dior as we were all led to believe. In an interview with Vogue, he says that while he did talk about Dior, he didn’t have serious intentions of moving to the iconic French house. But not because of money: he’s just not that into… couture? “The idea of couture doesn’t hold that thing for me. It’s archaic—in my opinion. I mean, I am really interested in the craftsmanship behind couture. But I can explore all that in ready-to-wear.”

While Jacobs’ statement about couture is debatable (with good reason) at least the Dior rumour can finally be put to rest and we can all move on.

The fashion community is starting to weigh in on the reports that Raf Simons will be Dior’s new creative director, and we’re not surprised to hear both positive and negative expectations. Dior is widely known for its decorative, romantic, and ladylike style, and Galliano’s over-the-top vision fit the brand perfectly. Simons is known for a much more minimalist style, but has been showing different sides of himself in the last few Jil Sander collections.

Is Dior eschewing ladylike in favour of bold restraint? After a virtual explosion of excited rumours on Twitter last night, WWD is now reporting that Jil Sander creative director Raf Simons is closing in on a deal to become John Galliano’s replacement at Dior. Known for his brightly hued and minimalist/maximalist designs, Simons might not be the first designer you’d associate with Dior’s aesthetic, but in his recent collections he’s shown an interest in couture techniques— he has even incorporated ball gowns and bridal looks, all of which have garnered rave reviews from critics.

November has not been Marc Jacobs’ month. After the Spring 2012 samples from his own line in London and now Louis Vuitton merchandise stolen in Paris, it’s being reported that he is not going to replace John Galliano at Dior after all those rumours. Earlier this month it was speculated that talks between Jacobs and Dior had come to a halt because of Jacobs and business partner Robert Duffy’s unreasonable demands. Now, a source close to the situation, who has remained anonymous, has confirmed with Fashionista that negotiations had stopped by mid-November due to money issues and due to Jacobs’ wanting to transfer his team and aesthetic over to Dior.

Word: Coulrophobia

Meaning: The abnormal fear of clowns.

Usage: “In discussions of causes of coulrophobia, [most] seem to agree that the most fear-inducing aspect of clowns is the heavy makeup which, accompanied by the bulbous nose and weird color of hair, completely conceal the wearer’s identity.” — artofclowning.com

Last week it seemed that Marc Jacobs’ replacement of John Galliano at Dior would be announced any day. Now, it’s being rumoured that, wait for it, Alexander Wang is the newest frontrunner to take Galliano’s job. A source close to Louis Vuitton told Vogue UK that Vuitton wants Jacobs to stay put and Haider Ackermann and Riccardo Tisci, who were also being considered, are out because Ackermann is “too edgy” and Tisci is just not interested.

If Ackermann is too edgy for Dior, what does that make Wang? He’s surely been successful with his own collections, but his downtown wears are certainly not anything close to the frothy couture gowns that are Dior’s signature.  While the news about Wang is most likely just a rumour, one thing is for sure: we’re tired of all the hearsay and just want some factual details released!

John Galliano was convicted on racism charges earlier today, months after making racist and anti-Semitic remarks to patrons of a Paris café. Galliano was given a guilty sentence but will serve no jail time, a clear relief to him after facing a maximum sentence of six months incarcerated. The maximum fines he faced were €22,500 but the fines being reported are still all over the map—WWD reporting them at the highest of €17,500. Confirmed is the €1 to each of the two plaintiffs in the case, a symbolic compensation, alongside an apology.

An important factor in the case was the admission by Galliano of a serious substance-abuse problem—stemming from the stress caused by over-working—and the failure to even remember making such discriminating remarks. After his arrest, Galliano underwent treatment for his drinking and drug problem, and spoke out several times of his embarrassment and regret in making his prejudiced outbursts.

The sentence, along with the trial itself, has polarized the fashion world, who anxiously wait to hear what will happen to the future prospects of one of the most famous designers in the world.

By Louise Coleman

Recently, we talked about the rumours speculating Marc Jacobs’ move from Louis Vuitton to Dior; but today the issue has gained further momentum. Dun dun dun!

Sources claim that Bernard Arnault has officially named Jacobs as Galliano’s replacement at Dior, and an announcement is forthcoming. Moving down the fashion industry ladder, our next question inevitably is: Who will be replacing Jacobs at Vuitton?

Surprisingly, or not, all fingers point to Phoebe Philo, the woman credited for turning around the now-coveted Céline. Don’t fret, Céline lovers—it appears that Philo will simultaneously act as Céline’s creative director, meanwhile taking on Jacobs’ job at Vuitton. Pressure much?