VOGUE ITALIA - BLACK | MODELS MOMENTS | ALEK WEK

Vogue Italia interviews model Alek Wek in her neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn NY.

CULTURE & FASHION | Bethann Hardison Talks Diversity in Fashion

Bethann Hardison sat down with the reporters on Arise TV to discuss her ongoing initiative to promote diversity in the fashion industry.  The former fashion model recognizes the way many women of colour are often shut out of some high profile companies when it comes to fashion shows and major advertising.

Read more about the initiative at www.balanceddiversity.com

Naomi Campbell, Bethann Hardison and Iman make their appearance on Good Morning America in early September.  The two supermodels are big supporters of the coalition headed by Hardison to promote diversity in the fashion industry.

Vogue Cafe

Vogue Cafe in Dubai Mall

Vogue Cafe has opened it's second location in the world at Dubai Mall.  The first location is in Moscow, Russia.  The location had it's grand opening event a few days ago and many were in attendance including models Petra Němcová and Karolina Kurková.  The cafe serves contemporary European dishes and of course you will find issues of Vogue magazine there to peruse through.

Inside Vogue Cafe at Dubai Mall

The cafe is very modern and chic inside and serves as a great location near shops like Berluti and Valentino.
Conde Nast, publishers of Vogue magazine, are hoping to expand by developing the Vogue lifestyle brand to include bars and several restaurants.  Hopefully this new venture will serves as a way to increase revenues considering the drop in revenue in the magazine business.  It will be interesting to see if this lasts because I remember in the mid 1990s when the Fashion Cafe was launched with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson, Christy Turlington and Claudia Schiffer as the faces of the brand.  Unfortunately the New York based restaurant failed and closed down.

I'm sure Vogue will not encounter the same problems and will likely be a success with it's new venture. 

Olympic Model Style

British Models Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
(Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP)

The London Games are officially behind us and the city of London put on a closing ceremony that was packed with iconic music and entertainment for the world to see.  British artists like George Michael, Annie Lennox and even the Spice Girls reunited to bring London's best of live music to the stage.

For those who love Fashion it was a nice surprise to see the catwalk of British models strut in front of the world.  The most famous being veterans Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.  Did you like this part of the ceremony?

Time Magazine's Top 100 Fashion Icons

Time Magazine recently published it's list of 100 all-time fashion icons from 1923 to present day.  The list includes models, designers, muses, photographers and more.  The fashion industry has so many who have had an influence in the world's culture, style and trends.  It almost seems like 100 is not enough.  Do you agree with the list compiled by TIME?  Do you think anyone was missing from the list?  In no particular order of rank, you can click here to see the complete list.

TIME all-time 100 fashion icons

Below are a few of the ones I think have had an impact on fashion and could be considered icons in the industry.  But if you want to see Time's complete list click the link above.

THE MODELS

Naomi Campbell is one of my personal favorite models of all time.  Despite her known
attitude and persona the precedes her, she always gets the job done and can make a
garbage bag look like the hottest thing on the runway.  

  Despite her known anger issues and persona that precedes her, Naomi Campbell always gets the job done. Age the age of 41, she still has what I consider one of the best figures in the modelling industry; with legs that go on for days.  Campbell can make a garbage bag look like the chicest thing on the runway.

Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista still commands the attention of the fashion industry today as much
as she did in the prime of the supermodel era of the 1990's.

Linda Evangelista became a household name after her famous statement in Vogue magazine, "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day."  This, of course, was during the peak of the supermodel era in the late 1980's-1990's when Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Tatjana Patitz and Linda all earned millions from working the runway and through prestigious beauty and designer campaigns.

Evangelista continues to be one of the most successful models in history and continues to work even though she's now in her mid-forties.  She is truly a timeless beauty.

At the age of 56, Iman still is beautiful as ever.  

Iman is not only one of fashion's most successful model's but, she is also a pioneer in the cosmetics industry.  She successfully went from model to business-woman with the launch of her cosmetics company, Iman Cosmetics.  She continues to grow her brand through a successful partnership with HSN (Home Shopping Network) selling her line of women's apparel and accessories.

The Somali-born beauty paved the way for African models to be accepted in the fashion mainstream.  With her long neck, fuller hips and striking cheekbones, Iman paved the way for future models like Alek Wek and Liya Kibede.

Kate Moss in the early part of her career cause much controversy.

  When Kate Moss first made her appearance as a model she was the complete opposite physique of models like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington.  Her waif-like figure was so pre-pubescent that it had several people protesting the use of her in advertisements.  At just 5'7" tall, she was also the shortest of the typical statuesque model on the runway.  She appeared topless in a Calvin Klein ad that sparked much controversy.  This was the beginning of what was dubbed 'heroin-chic' and the grunge look of the mid-1990's.

  Moss is one of the industry's most successful.  Despite negative press from drug issues and trouble with the law, designers and brands continue to hire her for various campaigns.  Her most recent is the collaboration with Mango for its spring 2012 campaign.

At the age of 16, model and actress, Brooke Shields famously said, "You wanna know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing."  Shields has worked as a model and actress since she was a baby starring in her first commercial for Ivory Soap.  Since then she has successfully worked in film, television, theatre and modelling.

Beverly Johnson on the cover of Vogue. 

Beverly Johnson was the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine back in 1974.  A native of Buffalo, New York, her career quickly took off after this monumental cover.  Since then she has graced the cover of over 500 magazines including Ebony, French Elle, Glamour and Essence.

Her career has spanned over three decades and she's gone from model to actress to author and business woman.  Her line of wigs and hair-pieces are one of the most popular on the market.  Johnson has also developed a line of skin and hair care products.



THE DESIGNERS

Coco Chanel

She was very influential in the world of fashion with her modern way of thinking when it came to a woman's sense of style.  The Chanel name is associated with style, elegance and simplicity.  The designer who created the 'little black dress' also created the most recognizable classic suits.  When someone says a 'Chanel suit', it clearly identifies a look associated with the brand.

Christian Dior

Christian Dior's 'New Look' of the 1940's
revolutionized the way women dressed. 

Christian Dior and model

Hubert de Givenchy revolutionized women's fashion in the 1940's when he introduced a style that quickly became dubbed, the 'New Look'.  The silhouette was cinched at the waist with a full skirt that fell mid-calf in length.  The style has become a classic in women's fashion and continues to influence designers today.



Gianni Versace & Donatella Versace

Gianni Versace with the supermodels of the 1990's.

Donatella Versace with her brothers
Gianni Versace (left) and Santo Versace (right)

Gianni Versace opened his first boutique in Milan in 1978.  The label gained instant success and has epitomized sex appeal, style and innovation ever since.  Known for shows that had rock-star status, he regularly featured the supermodels of his time, Naomi, Cindy, Claudia, Linda and Christy.  

Sadly Gianni was gunned down in July 1997.  The Versace label and legacy lives on through his sister, Donatella, who has managed to keep the momentum going season after season.  The label includes an assortment of brands including ready-to-wear, haute couture, home furnishings and fragrances.

Versace campaign shot by Steven Meisel

THE BRAND - THE LOGO


Some brands don't even need a picture.  Just a simple logo is enough for you to know who they are.

THE STYLIST

It's because of Stylists that celebrities can always look so put together.  One of the most famous is Patricia Field.  The fashion designer became the stylist on set for the television series Sex & The City.  She was responsible for all the leading ladies looking so amazing week after week.

Patricia Field at showing for Sex & The City movie.

THE CELEBRITY - THE MUSE

Madonna

Lady Gaga

Sarah Jessica Parker

Jackie Kennedy Onassis



THE MOGUL

Karl Lagerfeld is perhaps one of the most recognizable faces in the fashion industry.  He has worked tirelessly for decades putting sharing his creative talent with the world on the runway year after year.  His design resume is one that isn't rivaled by many.  Best known as the Head Creative Designer for Chanel, he also has his own label Karl Lagerfeld and he also runs Fendi.

Karl Lagerfeld. Designer.

 

Tyra Banks. Model, Business-woman.

Tyra Banks has successfully gone from model to business powerhouse.  After leaving her career as a Victoria Secret Model, she launched her television program America's Next Top Model in 2003.  The show has gained worldwide success with franchises all over the globe including Canada, U.K., Australia and Vietnam.  Banks is CEO of her production company, Bankable Productions, a best-selling author, producer and now Harvard graduate.

Walking Coat Hangers

The fashion industry has been known to hire models as 'walking coat hangers' but Belgian design label, Martin Margiela, took it to the next level with the spring 2011 runway show at Paris Fashion week.  It was announced in late 2009 that Margiela himself is no longer head of the design process and a new young creative team have taken over the helms.

Known for creating work that goes against the grain in the fashion industry it's no surprise that the Margiela show had models strutting in clothing that looked like it was pressed flat as paper.  A trench coat that looked like a cardboard sign lay on a model as she carefully walked down the runway.  Some items looked like they were still on the hanger and the model's head was simply placed on top of the garment....hence the walking hanger.