Items Du Jour: SJP Talks Shoes, Gisele’s Hair Secret, More Miu Miu S/S ‘14

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Celebrities, Editorials, Fashion Designers, Hairstyles, Health & Beauty, Models, News,

+ Just as Christian Louboutins are known for their red heels, Sarah Jessica Parker is setting her own shoe trademark: grosgrain ribbons stitched to the back of the heels. The Sex and the City actress - who made Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo household names - talks freely about the inspiration and production of her own shoe collection (which Blahnik had a hand in designing himself!).

+ Despite being the latest Pantene Pro-V spokesmodel, Gisele Bundchen admits that her hair is constantly brushed by other people in her career that she doesn't even own a hairbrush. So, ladies: brushes are so passé these days.

+ While here at ChicDish we released the previews of Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 2014 campaign - which features Elizabeth Olsen, Elle Fanning, and Lupita Nyong'o - the label put out more ads featuring the actresses (as well as some featuring Dark Shadows actress Bella Heathcote). Check them out here!

Click to continue reading Items Du Jour: SJP Talks Shoes, Gisele’s Hair Secret, More Miu Miu S/S ‘14

Manolo Blahnik Expanding UK Operation

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, News, Sales,

Manolo Blahnik is working with Kurt Geiger to sell his shoes in two London stores.

The designers have inked a deal which will see Manolo's shoes sold alongside Kurt's at London stores Harrods and Liberty. Kurt will manage and create boutiques within the shoe departments at the both London department stores.

"I am very excited that my shoes will reach an even broader audience through Kurt Geiger in Liberty and Harrods," Manolo told WWD.

Previously Manolo's shoes were only available in one boutique located in London's upmarket Chelsea district. The Liberty space opened earlier this year and as well as shoes includes tote bags, scarves and stationery. The Harrods area will featuring the brand's autumn collection, and will span 300 square feet.

"The Liberty opening in February has been very successful, and with Harrods being a breathtakingly beautiful store full of incredible heritage, seeing my shoes there in the next couple of months will be a special moment," Manolo added.

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Manolo Blahnik’s Fun Work

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers,

Manolo Blahnik doesn't consider himself to be a designer. The iconic footwear maker says he doesn't regard his work as a job as he loves creating shoes and is fortunate he can get paid for it.

"Designing makes me feel 'up.' We used to say 'high' in the 1970s. I don't consider myself a fashion designer. I just do shoes that I love. It's selfish. But this is what I love to do!" he said.

Manolo also says he has no plans to retire, despite him nearly being 70, but says he is now designing shoes more slowly: "In a year's time I'll be 70. And it makes me happy that Armani is 80 because I'm not going to be retiring! I do and re-do things that I used to do in a flash, because I want to be more perfectionist about these things. Maybe it sounds pompous and pretentious, but that's the way I feel."

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Manolo Blahnik Wants to Design Keira’s Shoes

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, News,

Manolo Blahnik would love to design a pair of shoes for Keira Knightley.

The iconic footwear designer is a huge fan of the stunning actress and says it would be a dream come true to create a bespoke pair of shoes for her: "I saw her first in Bend It Like Beckham and I just loved her. I knew she'd be huge after that film. I went to see her last year in The Children's Hour and she was ravishing, just divine. She's the new Vivien Leigh. I liked her in The Edge of Love too, but she always kills everyone when she's on stage, she's so good. I love Rachel Weisz too - she's very beautiful."

Manolo also revealed he has no plans to collaborate with a high street store on a more affordable footwear range: "I have been approached so many times to do one, but I don't want to work for a big company where I'll have to have lots of meetings where I'm told what I can and can't do. My niece, Kristina, handles that sort of thing for me - it's just not for me. I was recently contacted by J Crew to do something with them, so I sent them over 45 pairs of shoes, and they announced we were doing a collaboration. I had no idea about it!"

Manolo Blahnik Doesn’t Follow Trends

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers,

Manolo Blahnik insists he has "never followed trends."

The 68-year-old designer's women's footwear has been hugely popular for over four decades yet he has no idea what his appeal is: "I've never really thought about my success, but I guess it's true. I have been going for a while. Suddenly, people seem to really like my shoes again. But you know, those furniture shoes were fashionable for three or four years. I did platforms in the 1970s, so that wasn't new to me. I've never followed trends or gotten into the frenzy of doing the 'right' shoes."

The designer also admitted he can be difficult to work with because he is never completely satisfied with all his creations: "I'm never satisfied. I always find something wrong, and I'm really difficult to work with in that respect. Just today, I was looking at a shoe [here in London], and there was a fault, so I called the factory and told them to do it again."

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Items Du Jour: Japan Infiltrates Givenchy, Natalie’s Ring, and Lazy Lagerfeld

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, Fashion Shows, Health & Beauty, Models, News,

-- Riccardo Tisci borrowed a little inspiration from the East for Givenchy's Spring 2011 couture collection, which was modeled by an exclusively Asian cast. Like last year (much to many celebrities' dismay, I'm sure), Tisci limited the guest list to wealthy serious buyers.

-- Don't you wish you could vote Miuccia Prada into office? Well, the designer says that a life of politics is not out of the question.

-- A touch of Playboy bunny, a dash of Pirates of the Caribbean, and a sprinkle of Katy Perry make for Rihanna's upcoming music video for her song, "S&M."

-- Oscar nominee Natalie Portman's fiancé Benjamin Millepied looked to dancer-turned-jewelry designer Jamie Wolf when it came to choosing a one-of-a-kind design for the actress. "We wanted everything about the ring to speak to things that are important to Natalie," Wolf tells InStyle.

-- Who is Karl Lagerfeld's worst critic? Himself! The famed fashion designer tells Vogue that -- despite designing for his own label, Chanel, and Fendi -- he "could do better," and that he is "never pleased" with himself. He then gets pretentious by talking about how he reads pretentious books.

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Items Du Jour: Ali Lohan for 6126, Chris Noth Blames Press for Fall of SATC

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Celebrities, Editorials, Fashion Designers, Health & Beauty, Models, News,

—The late and fashionably great muse and icon Isabella Blow apparently commissioned her own memorial sculpted by artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster. It’s also worthy to note that the piece is constructed of dead animals, her lipstick, and one of her shoes.

—Since Lindsay is busy with her legal woes, little sister Ali Lohan has filled in for her, modeling the 6126 Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Naturally, she looks rather awkward in the shots.

—Famed shoe designer Manolo Blahnik claims that his shoes saves marriages. If only every couple could afford a pair of them.

—The ever-so-classy Kate Moss stepped out recently in a multi-colored fur jacket and some leather mini pants. Of course, her black top was sheer and revealed her dislike of bras.

Click to continue reading Items Du Jour: Ali Lohan for 6126, Chris Noth Blames Press for Fall of SATC

Daphne Guinness Buys Isabella Blow Wardrobe

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, News, Rumors,

The auction of the late Isabella Blow’s wardrobe has been cancelled after Daphne Guinness bought everything.

The event had been due to take place at London auction house Christie’s in September, with the fashion icon’s stunning collection of clothes - including over 90 outfits by the late Alexander McQueen, 50 hats by Philip Treacy and many beautiful Manolo Blahnik shoes - all going under the hammer.

Art and fashion collector Guinness, however, has now snapped up every item in a private sale but aims to keep the collection intact.

“It’s Issy - it’s her DNA - it should not be scattered to the four winds. I want it to remain as a monument.”

“The reaction to news of the Isabella Blow collection has been a tribute to the dedication and style of a true fashion muse. The executors are delighted that their sister’s estate can now be settled, and are very confident the collection has found the perfect home,” said Patricia Frost, Christie’s director of vintage fashion and textiles.

The planned auction had been organized by Blow’s sisters and was also set to include portraits of Blow by photographer Mario Testino and Karl Lagerfeld.

Manolo Blahnik Hates When Pointless Girls Wear His Shoes

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, News, Rumors, Women, Footwear,

First were his comments about Sex and the City. Now famed shoe designer Manolo Blahnik is saying that he hates celebrities—well, at least just the pointless ones.

“I hate celebrities. All those pointless girls—I won’t name names, but you know who I mean. They are ‘famous.’ Ridiculous. I like women with style: actresses like Uma Thurman, icons like Audrey Hepburn. I like women with style to wear my shoes.”

Ouch. Too bad he didn’t name names! Then again, he does still want to be in business.

Read More | Coco Perez

Manolo Blahnik Gets Sick Over Sex and the City

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, Sales, Women, Footwear,

Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik is in a love-hate relationship with Sex and the City.

“If people talk to me about Sex and the City, I get sick…It’s sweet but it becomes too much and I don’t feel comfortable. I have never wanted to be a celebrity designer.”

Although he gripes about the show that made his name synonymous with expensive, fashionable, well-made shoes, the British designer admits that it does help keep the line in business.

“Well, we had a very good year last year, thanks to those stupid satin shoes [worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in the movie]. That shoe saved our company.”

Talk about being grateful.

Read More | Coco Perez