1. Dakota Fanning is the Face of Marc Jacobs’ ‘Oh Lola’ Fragrance
2. Taylor Momsen for John Galliano’s Fragrance Ad Campaign
3. Dior’s Cherie Fragrance Ad Featuring Natalie Portman
4. Rachel Weisz for Jasmin Noir by Bulgari Ad Campaign
5. Vera Wang’s ‘Lovestruck’ Fragrance Campaign Stars Leighton Meester

Images via NYMag

John Galliano took on volume and a slightly fuller silhouette for Spring 2012. The skirts were reminiscent of the 1950′s. This collection showcased plaids and sheers, knee-length hemlines and translucent pieces. A color palette of black and white with pops of baby blue and pale pink were on display. This was the first year without the namesake designer at the helm, yet I could still see his influence.

Kate Moss covers Vogue magazine’s September issue for 2011  in Alexander McQueen.  Her dress could have stepped right off the screen of a period piece; it was feminine and romantic, in a wine hue.  It boasted an off-the-shoulder neckline, sheer sleeves with cut-outs and tons of texture.  Inside are photographs of her wedding to rocker Jamie Hince.  She donned a John Galliano gown on her special day, see more images when the i. 

John Galliano was one of the most anticipated shows this season, even in his absence.  The planned theatrical event was downgraded to a presentation within days of its debut.  Though the turmoil from Galliano’s recent career demise remained in the air, the collection was well-received.  His genius is undeniable.  The pieces were as dramatic as the shows once orchestrated in seasons past by the designer.  Some gowns were adorned with feathers while others were in sheer sophisticated prints; even the lace were unapologetically sheer.  Outerwear was also featured heavily in this collection, some in tweed and others with beautiful fur collars.  In sum, this was among the label’s best work, opulence and luxury in a nutshell.

Christian Dior showcased a splendid collection for Fall 2011 despite the drama that occurred off-stage leading up to the show.   Just days after designer John Galliano was relieved of his duties as creative designer at the legendary label, the show went on.  

Flawless pieces came down the Dior runway, despite his absence.  They were of the caliber we have all come to expect from the designer.  Soft feminine dresses in chiffon glided down the runway, some were affixed with rose appliques while others had beautiful ruffled details.  A few of these gowns were made for the red carpet.  He offered a subdued color palette for fall - nude, pale pink and mint green.  Though the colors were soft, the designs were sexy detailed.  The coats and jackets were fitted and structured in beautiful tweed, some were accessorized with fur.  
 

At the end of the runway show, the atelier team came out to applause.  It reminded us of the hardworking talent who remain behind the scenes, and help to make this fashion house a leader.  This was Galliano’s final show with Dior and it was a success;  though his career ended in disgrace, his creative legacy remains in tact.  Below is the speech read by chief executive officer, Sidney Toledano, on the runway prior to the start of the show.

“Since its founding by Monsieur Dior, the House of Christian Dior has lived an extraordinary and wonderful story and has had the honor of embodying France’s image, and its values, all around the world.

What has happened over the last week has been a terrible and wrenching ordeal for us all. It has been deeply painful to see the Dior name associated with the disgraceful statements attributed to its designer, however brilliant he may be.

Such statements are intolerable because of our collective duty to never forget the Holocaust and its victims, and because of the respect for human dignity that is owed to each person and to all peoples.

These statements have deeply shocked and saddened all at Dior who give body and soul to their work, and it is particularly painful that they came from someone so admired for his remarkable creative talent.

So now, more than ever, we must publicly re-commit ourselves to the values of the House of Dior. Christian Dior founded his House in 1947.

His family had been ruined in the Crash of 1929 and his own beloved sister had been deported to Buchenwald. In the aftermath of the dark years of the war, he sought to free women, to give them back their sparkle and joyfulness.

Christian Dior’s values were those of excellence in all that he undertook, of elegance and of craftsmanship reflecting his unique talent. His mission was not only to make his clients — indeed all women — more beautiful, but also to make them happy, to help them dream. He saw himself as a magician who could give women confidence and make them ever more feminine, more sublime. He believed in the importance of respect and in the capacity of this fundamental value not only to bring out the beauty in women, but also to bring out the best in all people.

His values, his genius and his legacy have contributed to enhancing France’s image and culture around the world for more than sixty years.

The values that Monsieur Dior taught us are unchanged today. Those values are carried on by the wonderful and diverse group of people within the House of Dior who devote all their talent and energy to achieving the ultimate in artisanship and femininity, respecting traditional skills and incorporating modern techniques.

The heart of the House of Dior, which beats unseen, is made up of its teams and studios, of its seamstresses and craftsmen, who work hard day after day, never counting the hours, and carrying on the values and the vision of Monsieur Dior.

What you are going to see now is the result of the extraordinary, creative, and marvelous efforts of these loyal, hardworking people.

Thank you.”

Taylor Momsen fronts the ad campaign for John Galliano’s fragrance, Parlez moi d’amour.  Shehas an edgy look that works well with this avant garde brand.  The ad is sultry without being too overt.  There is a softness to Taylor that makes her  approachable and extremely relatable.  Her dress is feminine with mini ruffles, and her face is pretty and neutral, but they are contrasted with thigh-high stockings and heavy eye makeup.  There is a duality in the ad, and it accurately captures the complexity of women and their personal style.

John Galliano’s Spring 2011 runway was drama personified.  It’s as if we were given snippets of portraits or scenes of women from different eras.  There were several Victorian scenes, but without the modesty or purity of that era.  Some scenes were Asian-inspired down to the kimono styled robes.  While others were more Old Hollywood glam.  A Geisha or two were also spotted in this mini-play; the models played the characters and Galliano himself, the director.  The fabrics were sheer with lace and chiffon throughout.  All of that drama could not distract from the gorgeous corseted black dress with the textured fabric that falls into a full skirt.  The gowns were stunning and a few were shrouded in sparkling embellishment.  Head gear was the key to each look, and it set the tone for each scene.  Transparent fabric over the hair and face made the woman mysterious and out of reach.  Though each look may have been individual, the sum total of the show was unified by its multiculturalism and internationalism.

John Galliano has named, Gossip Girl’s, Taylor Momsen as the face of his perfume.  Just last week we learned she was the face of Madonna’s new clothing line, and now she’s fronting a high-end brand.  This has to be the best summer ever for the 16 year old.  Galliano must have been drawn to her edgy punk rock style which is characteristic of her lead status in a rock band.  Momsen recently revealed that she fired her stylist because she wanted to reflect her own sense of style.  I would not advocate such a move under normal circumstances, but it is apparently working out extremely well for the young actress.  Galliano’s new scent debuts in the fall, and so will the ad campaign featuring the Gossip Girl star.

The simplest way to sum up Christian Dior’s Fall 2010 Haute Couture show is to deem it a lesson in perfection, but that barely covers the colors, shapes and magnificence of the collection.  It was a bouquet of splendor on display for all to admire.  Many connected instantly with the collection because it was daring and bold, yet at the height of femininity.  We also marvelled at John Galliano’s ability to bring the Botanical Garden to the runway.  There is genuine excitement about this show because it was like attending an art exhibition of one of our favorite artists.  Dior’s Fall 2010 collection lived up to our preconceived notions of haute couture, and in true showman fashion, Galliano has left us wanting more. 

Daphne Guinness is the proud owner of the late Isabella Blow’s collection.  The legendary fashion stylist had a wardrobe consisting of 50 Philip Treacy hats, a few John Galliano dresses and several pieces by her dear friend Alexander McQueen.  In total, Daphne Guinness has acquired a 90 piece collection that is worthy of display in a museum.  She intercepted a planned Christie’s auction scheduled for September to sell off  Blow’s wardrobe and photographs.  Photographs by Steven Meisel, Mario Testino and Karl Lagerfeld are also among her new acquisitions.  “It’s Issy – it’s her D.N.A., it should not be scattered to the four winds.  Like any artist, it should not be dispersed, but remain as a monument with people having access to it,” says Guinness.

Isabella Blow Collection is Sold [Elle UK]