Who: Kateb Habib What he does: D.O.P ” director of photography ” and film editor. Where: Tokyo based / From Paris, France Photo by Nico Perez What’s on his mind today: Coffee and cigarettes! It’s 4pm and I still haven’t had either, it’s about time. What he is currently working on: I’m working on two [...]

Born from the impulse of two incredible women, the Ama Project aims to help the women of Minami Sanriku in the tsunami-stricken Northeast Japan. When Ritsuko Nishimae and Kasumiko Murakami arrive on location, right after the apocalyptic earthquake, they are shocked by the scale of the disaster that hit the Miyagi Prefecture almost one year [...]

Now that the runway season has reached to an end, all the buzz and excitement seems to have evaporated. Paris is back to her normal self, extreme fashion statements have been replaced by everyday Parisian chic and understated style. As we recover from this frenzied week of shows and glitter, let us take a look [...]

The conquering woman figure we’ve seen so much of this season didn’t go missing at Elie Saab’s show. The show notes presented the collection’s theme as “Urban Elegance”. For his Fall2012 line, the designer focused on daywear, an area of expertise where he may have an image of a rookie at times given his rise [...]

This season, Manish Arora delved into the Paco Rabanne archives for inspiration. Far from his début collection extravaganza of last spring, the designer ventured down a “back to basics” path. One of the house’s many treasures is the powerful impact of its muses who, from Françoise Hardy to Brigitte Bardot, contributed greatly to the 60’s [...]

For his second collection at the head of Issey Miyake, the designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae took, once more, his impulse from nature’s immortal beauty. The presentation, entitled “Mineral Miracle” was all about fabric innovation, staying true to Issey Miyake’s legacy.Opening the show with the brand’s signature experimental performance, the awaiting guests could witness the technical accomplishments [...]

Aganovich’s Fall 2012 line was showcased in the cool concrete setting of garage Turenne. The collection was a graphic array of shades of black, ivory and pure white, brightened at times with a hint of royal blue. As expected of the creative duo, the silhouettes were stripped to the bare essentials with primarily straight lines [...]

Damir Doma not only traveled through historical times for his Fall 2012 collection, he also took a world tour of inspirations. The designer chose to venture into complex territory by taking on the task of translating a costume era into modern wear. Doma stated he wanted to work on the renaissance period but ended up [...]

As many other creatives this season, Nicolas Andréas Taralis found his collection’s impulse in protective warrior gear. Taralis’ Fall 2012 muse was clearly inspired by Asian aesthetics and martial arts. It raised the question whether this duality between fragile romantic figures and tough belligerent presence was a deliberate way to express the ambiguity of women [...]

Ann Demeulemeester never disappoints in the dark romanticism department. Her models, bringing to mind opulent nighthawks, glided on the dusky runway. Alternating bare silhouettes with bold volumes, the Belgian designer also played with contrasts in fabrics mixing thickness and fluidity, matte and glossy textures. Demeulemeester fans might be a little shaken up by the turn [...]

Anthony Vaccarello is well on his way to becoming the next it-designer. All the ingredients were there to make his show the talk of the season. A star studded front row combined with the industry’s power girls such as Anja, Karlie, and Arizona, secures him a place in the Fashion spotlight. Karlie’s dramatic entrance onto [...]

Who: Timothy Sullivan/Das Moth. What he does: Musician, DJ Where: Tokyo (but from Australia) photo by: Gui Martinez. What’s on his mind today: The need for coffee and the idea of a road trip across the United States. What he is currently working on: I just finished a remix for Erik Omen and did a [...]

All photos by Ricardo Gomes For his third collection, Sacha Walckhoff set a seemingly light tone to the presentation. As stated in the show notes, « It’s Lacroix, sweetie! ». The witty allusion to the British hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous triggered our curiosity of what was about to come. The designer tried to bring back [...]

An aquatic extravaganza for Chanel’s Spring Summer 2012. Under the irreplaceable glass ceiling of the Grand Palais, a magical « under the sea » world was created for the occasion. The models strolled through a bubble tunnel, corals, shells, and sea horses, all pure white, while Florence Welch sang “What the water gave me” as a shimmering [...]

Another debut collection, this time for Yoshiyuki Miyamae freshly named creative director at Issey Miyake after ten years working for the house’s design team. The SS12 line didn’t stray from the Issey Miyake legacy but lacked the creative boost the brand desperately needs. The pieces were beautifully made, always focusing on traditional craftsmanship and high [...]

A black and white line for Nicolas Andrea Taralis, showcased in the plaster white espace Commines in Paris. Bleached cotton, light crinkled gauze and washed leather dominated the collection. The designer played with apparent black stitching on the white fabrics which made the pieces look like « toiles » and disheveled draping resembling experiments of [...]

Elie Saab’s Spring Summer ’12 opened with white. Ten elegant silhouettes followed by a colorful palette of bright yellow, midnight blue, emerald and melon shade. An effervescent energy on the runway. The girls strutted down the catwalk in slit dresses, asymmetric getups, draped volumes, fluid lines, high waisted pantsuits in color blocks, always revolving around [...]

Outrageous fashion is still alive in Paris thanks to Charlie Le Mindu and Pam Hogg. Two scandalous, skin baring collections shown with the support of unique personalities such as Rossy de Palma for le Mindu and Alice Dellal for Hogg. When renowned hairstylist Charlie le Mindu puts on a fashion show, do not expect anything [...]

Things have changed a lot in the fashion world since last season, French houses have played musical chairs with their creative directors, a lot of speculations have been going on and with Christophe Decarnin’s sudden departure from Balmain last February, his collaborator of two years, Olivier Rousteing, has been named to succeed him. Having worked [...]

The Maison Martin Margiela team presented a beautifully nonchalant collection focusing on the recurring theme of deconstruction and reshaping of clothes. The show opened with a loose, strapless pearl grey gown barely holding onto the model’s figure if it wasn’t for her firm grip of the silky fabric, clutching it to her chest. Nude bodysuits [...]

For his latest presentation Rick Owens created « a gateway to heaven ». The models stepped out on the runway through a wall of lights in an array of grey monochrome, burnt sienna and the customary black and white. The collection consisted in Rick Owens’ established austere silhouettes but working around « pillar » skirts and 60’s allure. The [...]

A beautiful sunshine filled show marks Rykiel’s new creative director’s debut. You could tell April Crichton has been trained at the side of Sonia Rykiel herself as this sweet and vibrant collection stayed true to her legacy. The girls strolled down a bright yellow catwalk in casual chic summer wear going from knitted rompers to [...]

Film director Harmony Korine’s latest collaboration with NY brand Proenza Schouler kick started Paris Fashion Week with an exclusive screening at the Lynchian Club Silencio. The short film entitled ‘Snowballs’ features two girls dressed as Navajo Indians with deformed features, wearing Proenza Schouler’s creations. But clothing wasn’t the point of ‘Snowballs’. Barely noticeable throughout the [...]

One of the precursors in fashion and film collaborations, Gareth Pugh opened his show with a video by Ruth Hogben starring Crystal Renn, showing her isolation and anger as she is trapped in a futuristic matrix. Whether she is wrapped in ribcage armor or stepping out on the runway amidst digital purple flames, his woman [...]

Damir Doma’s Spring Summer 2012, entitled ‘Lightness’, was a turning point for the designer whose menswear background always gave an austere feel to his women’s’ clothing. The line was luscious and feminine, bringing to life a modern day Cleopatra. Using delicate ivory lace, deep mustard gold and rich navy color palette, Doma’s collection was absolutely [...]

A modern and easy-to-wear summer collection for the Japanese duo. Commuun’s Kaito Hori and Iku Furudate experimented with contrast in fabrics, panel layering and minimal lines. The looks were crisp and structured with a soft color palette punctuated with touches of shimmering copper and sherbet colors. A hummingbird print gave an exotic feel to the [...]

The show debuted with a short film of Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin starring Nicolas Formicetti’s muse herself. A bucktoothed Lady Gaga in pigtails welcomes us to Planet Mugler with a warning – I am a Mugler woman, don’t f*ck with me; don’t f*ck with Mugler. The collection was bold, true to the Mugler [...]

Josephus Thimister formally invited us to the presentation of his latest collection entitled “The Conformist” with a peculiar request -Wash your hair well before attending. The collection, a modern take on Joan of Arc, looked like it came straight out of a Vermeer painting. Crisp white shirts, burned out linen and loose knitting corseted in [...]

The ANDAM and Hyères Festival laureate opened the Paris Fashion week with a star studded line up and It-girl front row. All the ingredients were put together for hyped up show. Vacarello didn’t disappoint, his collection was high on energy and sizzling glamour. For the finale, a feline Karlie Kloss appeared in a slinky, floor-length [...]

In a gallery setting, the show opened with a conceptual performance of a grotesque clown, the Artist, explaining his work to the man in a suit. The models then strolled around the deforming mirrors set in a circle, checking their reflections every now and then. The looks were perfectly accessorized with graphic gauze hats and [...]

For his second runway show on the official calendar, the Indonesian designer Harry Halim decided to show a total black summer line. With reminders of his previous work, Halim played around with Rodarte-esque knits, sleek jersey draping and leather cutouts. His SS 2012 woman is bold, a new age Amazon, walking the runway bare breasted [...]

The Los Angeles brand Co, born from the collaboration of film producer Stéphanie Danan and screenwriter Justin Kern, opened for the second season with a short film starring the French actress Elodie Bouchez. After Daryl Wein, the brand collaborated with the musician and film director Thomas Bangalter, best known for being one half of the [...]

Who: Antonin Gaultier What he does: Sound Artist, Editor / Curator Where he is: Tokyo / Elsewhere   What’s on his mind today: Today, I am in Tokyo, planning a few ideas for 2011/2012. I am talking to people about new projects. It’s always an exciting moment, formulating and refining ideas and concepts and then [...]

WHO: Sayori Wada. Artist, illustrator/designer. WHERE: Tokyo Whats on her mind today: Same sex marriage is finally legal in my second home, NY! What she is currently working on: At work, one of the things I’ve been working on is a seasonal ad design/illustration for the department store in Japan, Tokyu Hands. Privately, I’ve been [...]

WHO: Sarah Cho, Jewelry designer WHERE: Paris Currently working on: I am mainly focusing on my jewelry project to show in Trieste for ITS concours organized by the Swarovski Elements. I am also working part time for magazines to do research/journalism. What she thinks there is too much of, and too little of: Too much [...]

JUUN.J Sharp edges and cut out tailoring for JUUN.J’s SS/2012, the designer took an experimental approach to traditional menswear this season. Always focusing on intricate details in terms of pattern and lines, the collection Deviated still had a minimal feel with a simple black, white, gray and beige color palette with touches of heavy gold accessories such [...]

ADAM KIMMEL A star studded crowd for Adam Kimmel’s first show at le Jardin des Plantes. The show opened with a projection of a giant curl and the beach boys’ « The lonely sea » as a  perfectly complementary visual and sound intro. The mood was set, Dark surfing with a psychedelic undertone as stated by the [...]

GALLIANO A show very high in energy for the first collection of Bill Gaytten, who has worked 23 years for John Galliano before the designer’s fall from the throne. Even though he toned down a little of the extravaganza, he offered an entertaining storyline for his Big Splash. A visit to Peter Blake’s studio with [...]

DIOR HOMME Transforming the Tennis Club of Paris into a spotless white space with vast chambers made of transparent screen walls, Kris Van Assche set the tone for his white dominant collection for Dior Homme. Staying in the line of his previous Spring/Summer collection « Lessness », the designer explored the idea of« Less and [...]

Who: Dimitri Rivière. DJ/Stylist Where: POP IN, Paris Photo by: Marine Bavant What’s on his mind today: Thinking of expanding projects in which I could express myself, looking for a new apartment in Paris. What he is currently working on: I am graduating Studio Berçot this year, getting my fashion design degree. I am looking [...]

Who: Caroline Benaouda. Accessory designer, shaking up Paris with smooth mixes and on the team of the top secret Parisian member’s club, le Silencio. Where: Place de Clichy Photo by: Nicolas Choyé What’s on her mind today: Since I came back from la year in Tokyo, my mind is full of existential questions about how [...]