The Quest for "it"

Desert Flower Premieres

Hi!

On a recent Thursday night, InStyle magazine, National Geographic and The Common Good hosted the New York City premiere screening of “Desert Flower” at The Paley Center for Media.  The Co-hosts for the evening included the film’s leading lady, Liya Kebede, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Ross Bleckner, and former First Lady of New York, Michele Paige Paterson.  After walking the red carpet, guests were offered wine or Veet vodka, and were then escorted to the theater. 

 

The film is a moving biopic of the life of Supermodel Waris Dirie.   The
former Bond girl, who is also featured in the current H&M campaign with Liya Kebede, fled a life of poverty and arranged marriages in Somali.  She then ends up being discovered in London by a photographer while working in a fast food restaurant.  At this moment, the Cinderella story unfolds.  She starts landing major campaigns including Oil of Olay, Benetton, Levi’s and Revlon.  She also finds a love interest, played by indie film star Anthony Mackie.  The BBC then approaches her to be featured in a documentary titled “The Day that Changed my Life” where she discusses the prevalence of the 3,000 year old practice of female genital mutilation (FMG), not only in her country of origin but worldwide.  She later becomes a UN Special Ambassador to help end the practice.  She also opens a foundation, the Desert Flower Foundation to become a full-time advocate for victims of FMG.  

 

The film releases in US theaters on March 18^th.  To view the trailer, visit Desert Flower.

-Article by Christian Mc Kenzie

 

Silvio Liu Fall 2011

The Silvio Liu Fall 2011 presentation was held in the Meatpacking District at the Ivy Brown Gallery.  Head designer Brian Wood gave form fitting, knit, and feminine dresses some downtown edge by pairing them with leather or structured wool jackets.  Silk chiffon dresses and skirts, in mostly dark blues and black, continued on a soft and almost demure theme.  Before one mistook the models for sweet and innocent, one noticed the sexy heels, slicked back hair, against textured and bold outerwear.  There was no mistake, these women were downtown girls who could command a room in a business meeting or be the first to get the waiter’s attention at a bar with friends.  

A strong piece was a short-sleeve wool jersey dress in blue.  It offered a cinch waist, flowing skirt, draped front pockets, and a wide, nude vertical bib of pleated silk organza.  This collection is for a confident girl who has real places to go without needing to be boastful about it.  Her femininity is not clouded by strong accent pieces.  Instead, her versatility and maturity are highlighted by the mix of both soft and hard.  

-Article by Christian McKenzie

 

Coco + Igor

                             Hi!

Soda Pictures hosted a press preview of Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky at Framestore this week.  Although a Coco Chanel biopic came out just last year, don’t be dissuaded from seeing a sequel.  Producer Claudie Ossard  of art house film Amélie (whose main character, Audrey Tautou, played Chanel in last year’s Coco before Chanel) decided to pick up the storyline where the last film left off by exploring Chanel’s third and last great love affair.  At this point, Chanel is grieving the death of her lover, equestrian Boy Chapel, when she meets Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, who is preparing for the evitable when his wife is diagnosed with tuberculosis. 

Need a reason to see another Chanel movie?  First, Lagerfeld’s specially commissioned ‘timeless’ suit and evening gown for Chanel’s attendance of ‘The Rite of Spring’ musical are gorgeous.  Plus, see the label’s muse, Anna Mougalis , broaden her responsibilities from print model to now include movie star.  But be aware that it is truly a French film.  Instead of developing a complex storyline, it primarily highlights designer clothes and the breath-taking architecture of Chanel’s estate and atelier with its dramatically slow panning and bird’s eye view shooting angles; it’s as visually seductive as Mougalis’ presence is on and off screen.  The film releases in London theaters on August 6^th.

 

-Article by Christian McKenzie

*photo courtesy of Soda Pictures

Maison Martin Margiela’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition

                              Hi!

In honor of Maison Martin Margiela’s 20^th anniversary, a retrospective exhibit has opened at Somerset House.   Although the brand is under the Diesel umbrella it thankfully has maintained its concept based approach to design, which was even reflected in the deconstructed and minimalistic displays.  In traditional Margiela fashion, each room of the exhibit uses various shades of white.  The first room has kitsch statues, like a giant white hand (about the size of 10, size 2 models) holding an oversized cue card, which lists the title of each room.  There is also a clear plastic blow-up boot, in the shape of the hoof footed Tabi shoes the house has been producing since its inception, which sits next to a collection of silver chrome Tabi shoes.   Other iconic displays include jackets drenched in white paint sitting next to a life-sized red London phone booth that has been covered in white (which I wanted to take home with me).  

All models, featured in blow-up prints, had their eyes or entire faces masked, as any Margiela runway show would do.  This continued the label’s ‘incognito’ theme of not wanting to be recognized as celebrity designers, but by their work.  The special occasion was closed out by a ‘birthday room.’  Oversized couches and high-backed chairs, adorned with white slip covers, were assembled in a circle, facing outward, so that visitors could watch past runway shows, behind-the-scenes footage, stills from the collections, and private clients modeling their personal wardrobes in their own homes, on over 20 monitors of various sizes.  As visitors sat in the big chairs, white confetti at their feet crept into the soles of their shoes as a lingering memento of a once in a lifetime experience.  Upon exiting, various ‘presents’ were available, for purchase of course, for the first time since the label opened: the fragrance ‘Untitled’, the trompe l’oeil wallpaper which mimicked the French doors in the atelier at 163 rue Saint Maur and white, feathered pens.   The exhibit was seamless, well-planned, and festive, as any birthday celebration should be.

The exhibit will close on September 5^th so that the space can be

prepared for London Fashion Week (http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/). 

-Article by Christian McKenzie

London Correspondent Christian McKenzie Extends Beyond Fashion Week

                        Hey There!

London Correspondent Christian McKenzie did an AMAZING job reporting on the six days of London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010 for The Quest for "it".  Due to popular demand she will now be a continuing Guest Blogger here on the Quest, bringing fashion and fashion related reporting from across the pond.  Want to know MORE about Christian? Read on...

Christian McKenzie is a Journalist, Film Producer and Consultant based in London and New York.  She has worked with Macy's, IMG Fashion, Acolyte Films for "Valentino: The Last Emperor" and Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation.  One of the main reasons she is sought after is her ability to connect complimentary businesses to create future, ongoing collaborations that are timely, enhance the image of her clients, and raise revenues.  

Stay tuned!

London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010- Day 6: Aitor Throup

Aitor Throup, a Kanye West approved menswear label, hosted a retrospective at The Dairy this afternoon.  This semi-secluded space allowed viewers to seriously consider his message and construction of his garments without distractions like the clicking heels of editors and ongoing show music at The Tents.  The Argentinean designer translated the experience of five members of a New Orleans’ marching band, struggling to preserve their instruments and their own bodies, in the ravage left by Hurricane Katrina.  The presentation included conceptual carrying cases for instruments and their complementary pants, appropriately titled “Legs.” Pants included partial foot sleeves, shin shields, contrast-colored pocket linings, and elastic waistbands. Neck guards had drawstrings and structured shoulder pads.  Suspenders were extremely thin and adorned by life-size skulls, in fabric of course.  These pieces will probably become collectors’ items, since Aitor is being approached by big retailers for collaborations, like Topman by Topshop and British sports label Umbro.  A must have for the conscious artist or musician.

-Article by Christian McKenzie

*photo courtesy of Terencesambowrites.blogspot.com

London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010- Day 4: Nicole Farhi

Nicole Farhi, a French Connection owned line, showed at the Royal Opera House on Monday morning.  Attendees were welcomed to a champagne and coffee brunch before being escorted to the glass wall concert hall with a chrome runway in the shape of an hourglass; a simple beginning to a tasteful show.   One-shoulder strap dresses, cigarette pants, A-line skirts, and sheer slip dresses were prominent.   Black, gray, beige, and a few touches of red were in belted coats and tweed suits.  Day dresses were entirely layered, which was a great alternative to the trend of draping of dresses and skirts on the runways.  Evening dresses, mainly black sheer with gold mesh overlay, were the antithesis of the collection: simple and timeless.

-Article by Christian McKenzie

*photo courtesy of Style.com

London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010- Day 3: Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson Autumn/Winter 2010 drew Sienna Miller, Twiggy, The Noisettes' Shingai Shoniwa, Model Tolula Adeyemi, New York Socialite Olivia Palermo to Lawrence Hall in the misting rain this morning.  However, the weather did not deter the fashion fanatics since the space was packed.  Williamson debuted short sleeve dresses and luxurious, heavily draped, short shirts for Fall 2010.  But don’t worry about being cold because he paired them with bright wool jackets, completed with cape overlays, fur trim, and even leather sleeves.   As shown in New York this past week, fur and leather sleeves are everywhere.   He also showed a purple wool jacket with a dark fur stole--wide in the back, extended to the waist, made thinner and shorter in front by stopping at waist.  Shift dresses were shimmering multi-color prints.  Prominent colors were bright blue, pink, and black.   A gray wool shift, with silver mesh overlay on the sleeves and bodice was one breath-taking dress, it had a crew neck, short sleeves, and cuts a few inches about the knees; absolutely beautiful. 

-Article by Christian McKenzie

London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010- Day 2: Bryce Aime

The designer behind one of Rihanna’s recent ensemble from the music video "Hard" showed at Victoria House this morning.  Bryce Aime opened to a movie like soundtrack evoking feelings of impeding challenges, battle and pride.  The clothes matched the mood with structured details, prominently placed front zippers, and dark tones, like blue and burgundy.  The skirts were draped and layered, continuing a trend set by Balenciaga Fall 2009.  Here, the fabrics used are soft and sometimes sheer, which added a subtle femininity to the strong tone.  Dresses have round collars, with front closures, like the robes of Catholic priests. The piece that sent camera flashes into a frenzy was a blouse made of over-sized and oddly-shaped blocks, similar to sponge building blocks for children.  This nod to youth and virility only complimented the facial expression of the models, which looked like young princesses living in a time of strife, who perhaps prepared for the worst of times with seriousness and determination.    

-Article by Christian McKenzie

*photo courtesy of Bryce Aime

London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010- Day 1: Maria Grachvogel

Maria Grachvogel showed at the Waldorf Hilton on Friday.  The Palm Court was the perfect scene for a collection that was reminiscent of the energy and drama of leading ladies of the once popular television series Lipstick Jungle.  The models descended cascading marble stairs perpendicular to the catwalk.  The dresses in satin and jersey ranged from bright red, yellow, green, or tie-dye prints  to  black figure-hugging looks.  Shift dresses, plunging necklines, and curve skimming, floor-length gowns dominated the runway.  Large cutout detail in the back of dresses, with a relaxed ruffled edge appear to be a trend. Both pants and skirt suits are slim cut and in muted colors.  Short leather capes add modernity and a hint of sexiness to the primarily sophisticated pieces. 

-Article by Christian McKenzie, London