Fashion Rollcall has selected the man corset to its Rollcall list this week.  No, we are not endorsing this trend, maybe we’re just not that evolved.  I’ve yet to give myself permission to wear a girdle, so I’m not ready to accept a man walking around in one.  Call me old fashioned, but I want a man who wears chaps, not a corset.  Mind you, I’m a little unsure of exactly what chaps are, but I’m sure it’s not sold in the lingerie department.  The shapewear comes in briefs, tank tops and T-shirts, and are even marketed for their “health benefits”.  Apparently they help alleviate back pain.  Okay.  Ladies, it’s all fun and games until your man wears your last clean pair of Spanx before laundry day.  Men, if you are wearing them to attract women, you must understand that women are not overly concerned with your imperfections, especially when we’re in love with you.  We will love you no matter what, minus the, um, man’s corset.  Can you imagine asking the age old question to the Presidential candidates, boxers, briefs or girdle?  May I suggest a pair of running shoes for a run in the park, or a brisk walk with your dog? 

Men, Breathe in and Hold It [NYT]

Man Corsets Flying Off the Shelves at Saks [The Cut]

We all know that the retail market has been hit hard by the economic slow-down.  Jay Margolis, retail analysis has one major suggestion to retailers in order to stay profitable.  It’s about speed to market, and getting the consumer back into the store.  He believes it’s about the traffic, and then the conversion of that traffic.  Simply put, it’s about selling out of your inventory.  I know you’re thinking, duh!  Hold on a moment.  Mr. Margolis believes that retailers have already exhausted price cutting, lowering of overhead, etc.  It’s time to take a look at Forever 21, Zara and H&M because this will be the model from now.  Retailers must keep on trend with color, silhouette or shape just as those three retailers have been doing.  They’ve excelled and profited from this strategy, and the inventory moves in and out of the stores.  It’s all about newness.  He believes other brands will have to catch up. 

Kenneth Cole’s design career began at his father’s shoe factory where they created Candies Shoes for women.  That led him to venture out on his own, and start his own shoe line in 1982.  He learned along the way that sales was about showmanship, and that foresight made Mr. Cole a success.  He’s proven that he is as adept at advertising as much at creating designs; his controversial ad campaigns caught the public’s attention, and created a place for Mr. Cole’s fashion lines.  Kenneth Cole’s name is as synonymous with social consciousness and philanthropy as much for his creative designs.  He tirelessly works with amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and donates millions of dollars to them, all while serving as Chairman of the Board.  Take a few minutes to view the interview.

Meet Alexis Mabille, a French fashion designer who is the new couturier in Paris.  He is only 30 years old, and has already worked with John Galliano and at Yves Saint Laurent.  His style is very romantic and feminine, his signature is the bow tie.  Mr. Mabille has his sight set on the younger couture buyer.   That is a good way to avoid direct competition with the older more established houses, but I wonder if the younger buyer will have the buying power to sustain this venture in the present economy.  Even so, his designs are fresh and pretty, and will be coveted.

Upon my first glance of the Elie Saab couture collection, I felt an incredible lightness and joy within.  The collection came in various shades of white, and it sent a message of hope, renewal and purification.  That alone won me over.  One’s state of mind is the key in all areas of life, and fashion is no exception.  The collection offered an escape from the current economic environment; it dared to will us out of a recessionary state of mind.  For this reason alone, Fashion Rollcall would have named Elie Saab to its Rollcall list for Couture Week fall 2009, but the dresses were heavenly as well.  Each one was lovelier than the next, and the models’ bodies and stance conveyed a feeling of sensuality in the dresses, and rightfully so.  One would feel beautiful in any of those looks.  The one shoulder trend was heavily represented; my favorite look was Grecian inspired with a long sleeve on one side and a cap sleeve on the other; it’s simply gorgeous.  Click here to view the entire collection.

Is it just me, or is there an increase in the number of babies, baby carriages and pregnant women out there.  I took notice this past 4^th of July weekend.  Practically everywhere I went I came into contact a baby, baby carriage or expectant mother.  All of this spells good news for maternity wear designer Liz Lange. She recently re-launched her high-end line at Nordstrom.com after selling her business for $50 million.  Who knew there was so much money in maternity wear?  Though she may have sold her majority stake, she is still creative director and the face of Liz Lange Maternity.  Ms. Lange started the company on her own, borrowing $50,000 from friends and family.  She started out as an upscale maternity line, and reached out to celebrities.  Cindy Crawford was the first to wear her line.  A licensing deal with Nike soon followed for athletic maternity wear, but Target was the big get, a less expensive version of the upscale maternity.  That move turned Liz Lange into an household name.  Take a look at the video for more.

Couture Week fall 2009 began yesterday in Paris, and the Givenchy couture show captured my imagination.  It combined edginess with sweetness and it worked, I eagerly anticipated each look.  There were regal and ethnic inspirations sprinkled throughout the collection, namely the burkas.  The edgier looks had a womanly silhouette of balanced shoulders and hips with a narrow waist. One particular look could have been from The Matrix, it was tough, lean and sexy.  The softer looks were a vision; the two bridal looks were the stand outs for me in this collection, maybe it’s because of their representation of romance.  The first bridal look was a strapless jumpsuit, the other  a sheer ethereal skirt, both with floor length veils.  All in all, this collection struck the right note.  View the entire collection here.

Karl Lagerfeld designed the costumes for the English National Ballet’s performance of Apollo.  When fashion and the Arts are combined you have magic.  The clean lines in the costumes are evident in the House of Chanel and in the designer himself.  Though the costumes are linear, they also have a romantic element.  Enjoy the views of the couture house; its beauty rivals any museum you would visit in Paris.  The mini performance of two principal dancers is also worth a view.

Lagerfeld’s Apollo [Vogue.com]