Will Versace for H&M be the Hottest Collaboration yet??

Collaborations have become a way of life in the fashion world, with designers and brands regularly teaming up to create unique pieces at accessible price points.

The latest collaboration is Versace for H&M, which launched yesterday in Europe and launches on Saturday in the USA. 

From Baby Boomers to “Gen X’ers,” teens to tweens, few fashion houses are as widely known as the house of Versace. A fixture in fashion industry since the late 70s, the Italian label is famous for bold pieces that burst down the runway and ensembles that push the limits of style, with countless iconic moments under its belt, from Elizabeth Hurley’s black safety pin dress in 1994 to Jennifer Lopez’s plunging green statement at the Grammys in 2000. 

Even beyond haute couture, Gianni, Donatella and the Versace family have been woven into cultural history over the last 3 decades, making their debut at affordable-favorite H&M a symbolic one. Recent reviews have gone so far to say “this may be the best Versace collection to come along in years — more Gianni than Donatella, more South Beach than Milano”.

For die-hard fashion fans, the collection brings a plethora of vibrant prints, statement-making silhouettes and luxe leather accents, with pieces ranging in price from $29.99 to $399. For those dipping their toes into high fashion waters for the first time, there are draped dresses in punchy colors, embellished skirts, shoes, jewelry and more inspired by Versace’s most memorable creations.

And last but not least, for that stylish man in your life, you can scoop up sleek suit pieces, edgy shirts and playful studded pants starting this Saturday, Nov. 19. The collection will hit approximately 300 stores worldwide, but unfortunately it will not be available online in the US. Be ready, stores will open early (8:00 a.m.), and be warned, strict shopping rules will be enforced. Clothing was cleared from racks in minutes at the VIP pre-shopping event last week in New York City! But remember Donatella’s own advice: “Fashion is all about happiness. It’s fun. It’s important. But it’s not medicine”.

The Girl from Hopper’s Crossing

Sartorial Elegance in the Congo

 La Societe des Ambianceurs et Personnes Elegantes (La SAPE), which translates as the “society of atmosphere setters and elegant people”, is a movement whose members put fashion above all the other issues the developing country of Congo is facing right now.

The origins of La SAPE can be traced back to when the first French colonists arrived. They brought with them their famous fashion sense and inspired the locals who regarded the white man as far more elegant and educated than they were. In 1922 Andre Bernard Matsoua was the first local who traveled to Paris and came back dressed as a true French gentleman.

Since then, members of La SAPE have been trying to get their hands on the newest, most expensive pieces of designer clothes that appear in Europe. There are some luxury shops in Brazzaville and Kinshasa, but most “sapeurs” prefer to get them directly from the Old Continent. This is actually every member’s dream, to travel to Paris and get their hands on killer wardrobes at the source.

Sapeurs spend thousands of dollars on suits, shirts, shoes and accessories, but this doesn’t mean they’re rich. In a country where the average salary is somewhere around $300 a month, most of these guys don’t even have a job. Most of them lend their clothes for a living (renting a designer suit costs about $25 a day), while those who travel to Europe bring the latest designer labels and sell them for a small profit.

The members of La SAPE have unique styles and crazy names: Parfait le Bodeur, Serge le Temoin de Playboy, Baleine Sarkozy and Christian Dior. They live for fashion and feed off the attention they get when parading on the dusty streets of Brazzaville. The photos below are part of Francesco Giusti‘s award-winning La SAPE Collection. They really do capture the charm of these special sapeurs.

Leonard St. shares their summer dressing secrets with you!

Leonard St. designer Amanda McCarthy will share her tips for putting together the best summer outfits to take you from work to play this summer.

Also, an exclusive preview of Leonard St. AW12 collection, which includes an exciting collaboration with textile designer Mellissa De Pasquale. 

Known for distinctive and progressive shapes and prints, Leonard St. has an approach to fashion reminiscent of the eclectic East London street fashion the label takes it’s name from.

The AW12 collection is no exception - honey hued, nature inspired prints; tonal, textural knits; soft leather satchels and beautiful, unique boots.

Come join us for a drink and a dress up on Tuesday, 22 November, 6.00pm
Leonard St., 132 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

RSVP to Amanda on 9415 7821 or email leonardstfitzroy@gmail.com

What would you do with $12million?

If you were Victoria’s Secret, you’d put on the biggest show to date, that’s what!  Two million crystals, 69 outfits and 31 sets of angel wings, to be exact.

Due to be aired in the US later in the month, the show is being filmed in New York tomorrow.  WWD reports that the event, costing $12million, is a full year in planning and takes a small army of designers, seamstresses, embroiderers, prop makers, technicians and musicians, not to mention a bevvy of beautiful models, to bring the whole spectacle to life.

Ed Razek, chief executive and chief marketing officer says “It’s the most watched fashion show in the world. You’ve got an obligation to do a better show every year.”

Our own Miranda Kerr gets her angel wings.  Photo: WWD