THE WEEK IN FASHION: 25th-29th JUNE

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Cloak by Giles Deacon and Jeremy Deller (image from guardian.co.uk)

We're sandwiched right in the middle of Britain's two big events of the year- the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics- so this week was an apt time to launch Britain Creates, a collusion of fashion and art. Designers such as Jonathan Saunders and Mary Katrantzou worked with artists including Jeremy Deller and Mat Collishaw to create pieces for the exhibtion which underlines the creativity at work in the UK in 2012. The open brief given to the collaborators has resulted in an array of artworks from hats to sculptures.There was a launch and charity auction on Wednesday evening at Selfridges but the pieces will be on public view from 6th to 29th July at the V&A which has worked on the project with the British Fashion Council.

Screen print by Jonathan Saunders and Jess Flood- Paddock (image from guardian.co.uk)

Wednesday was a busy evening as it was also the night that the much anticipated auction of pieces from Daphne Guinesses' wardrobe took place at Christie's. It was a night of records after £133,250 was paid  for a Mario Testino portrait of Guinness- the highest sum a piece of his work has ever reached. The record price for a McQueen was also smashed after £82,250 was bid for an empire line gown which Guinness originally wore for a Harper's Bazaar shoot. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Isabella Blow Foundation. There are plans afoot for an exhibition of Blow's vast fashion collection which is now owned by Guinness.The dress's winning bidder was none other than Lady Gaga and Guinness took to Twitter to thank the star for her contributions:

'And, THANK YOU my friend Lady Gaga. You are a real person. and a great one! Your proof of friendship, your time was very touching XXXX'

Gaga replied:

'I am a passionate fashion collector & feel honored to support The Isabella Blow Foundation. Daphne Guinness is a pioneer for artistic women'

Daphne Guinness in the record breaking McQueen dress (image from telegraph.co.uk)

Fashion show attendees can always depend on Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to put on a mega glitzy extravaganzana each season. The Italian design duo are now adding their name to the couture calendar with a show in their native Sicily on July 9th. However, the press will not be allowed in to report on the glmour as the event will be reserved for clients- only. It's an interesting move after Dolce and Gabbana's more affordable line, D&G, was shut down this year. This is another sign that the big money spenders who demand made-to-measure gowns have not gone away during the financial crisis. Now the mere mortals among us are left to mourn the fact we won't get to see anything from what is sure to be a molto fabulous occasion. 

A look from the gold and gilt-full Dolce and Gabbana AW12 show (image from catwalking.com)

It's been a nostalgic week for Spice Girls fans- myself very much included- after the launch of Viva Forever, a musical based on the songs of the 90s group. It's been written by Jennifer Saunders and produced by Judy Cramer. From a fashion perspective, the girls have come a long way since the pigeon -holed days of Sporty, Ginger, Baby etc. Melanie 'Sporty' Chisholm had swapped crop tops and adidas for a white tiered Acne dress and Victoria 'Posh' Beckham was naturally in a dress of her own much lauded design. The only Spice who hasn't moved on it seems is Geri 'Ginger' Halliwell who eschewed a designer number for the big appearence, instead making her own dress with a little help from Emma 'Baby' Bunton. It's safe to say that this DIY jobbie will not achieve the same fame as the Union Jack dress she ran up out of a tea towel for the Brits in 1997.

Spices reunited (image from telegraph.co.uk)

In other Spice news, the girls are apparently planning to auction many of their outfits- including the Buffalo boots which we think may be about to have a bit of a revival- for Save the Children and Children in Need. There are also whispers that Victoria is expanding her fashion portfolio even further with a collection designed with Sarah Jessica Parker, who previously dipped her toe in design waters with her role as Creative Director at Halston.

Beckham's new collaborator: Sarah Jessica Parker, who
 previously worked on Halston Heritage (image from marieclaire.co.uk)

Huge congratulations to Paula Reed who is leaving Grazia to become Fashion Director 
at Harvey Nichols. Her move continues the growing trend for moves from editorial to
 retail. Last year, long-time Vogue Fashion Editor Kate Phelan moved to Topshop while 
Lucy Yeomans has recently left her editorship of Harper's Bazaar to edit Net-a-Porter's
 magazine. We can't wait to see Harvey Nichols with Paula's touch.

Image from philltaylorblog.blogspot.com

The Paris Menswear shows are in full swing after Milan earlier in the week. Vogue Italia 
editor Franca Sozzani took to her blog to tell the world that a lot of what she sees at menswear
 shows 'is not a nice sight for anyone'. She was referring to 'cropped pants and polo shirts,
 so tight they showed through, depending on the body’s shape, toned-up biceps or curved
 bellies'. It's an interesting perpective when many Womenswear catwalk shows also contain
 looks which are far beyond the reach of the every day woman. However, let's not dismiss
 menswear altogether. Raf Simons' show won the praise of many for his collection this
 week which does, admittedly, have some of the elements Sozzani discusses- short shorts
 and big pink coats (a trending item after J.W Anderson also did one). Then there's Kim
 Jones' collection for Louis Vuitton which was a film-like nautical dream full of outfits
 I'm sure Sozzani would love. The quote of the day from Mr Jones? "I wanted to do a 
luxury version of things that are real" 

RAF SIMONS

A man version of the coats from Raf's last Dior collection (from catwalking.com)

Evidence of Mr Simons' art and archtecture obsession (image from catwalking.com)

 LOUIS VUITTON

I want to go on holiday with Kim's boys (image from catwalking.com)

Also at the menswear shows, history is being made with the longest fashion show ever, courtesy of Band of Outsiders. It's set to go on for 60 hours and you can watch what's going on in the Paris gallery where it's taking place by clicking this link. There is just one, as yet unidentified, model taking part and he changes every 90 minutes. The final three hours, tonight, will see guests invited into the space with the entire collection on show. A little bit of genius from Scott Stenberg, Band of Outsiders' Creative Director.

The model in the longest fashion show ever eating his dinner (image from fashionista.com)

Ever wondered what Karl Lagerfeld is doing when you hop on the bus to work or set off to the pub in the evening? Well now, you can find out after  the Chanel Creative Director told Harper's Bazaar the ins and outs of his daily routine. We learn that no hot drinks pass his lips, mornings are spent in a white shirt of 17th century design and all he seems to eat are steamed apples. Completely fascinating. 

A day in the life of Karl Lagerfeld (Karl's own photo, from harpersbazaar.com)

More music costume nostlagia now. This time from Lourdes, daughter of Madonna. She tweeted a photo this week of herself wearing a cone bra, the very same style made iconic by her Ma. This is the 2012, MDNA version, complete with hip caging, designed by the original creator himself Jean Paul Gaultier. I'm pretty sure every girl would like to have her moment in a cone bra- and who hasn't tried to recreate it using plastic cups? Lucky Lourdes gets the real thing. 

We wish you happy weekends with this video which has reignited our love for Lana del Rey. All you need to know is that she plays Jackie Kennedy while Rocky is J.F.K. It's beautful in a VERY Lana way...