Alexa Chung has transitioned from television very nicely, and returned to her model roots.  The former MTV host is on the March cover of Vogue magazine.  She is also the new face of Pepe Jeans Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaign.  Her career has picked up significantly since the cancelation of her show.  Everyone wants to be like and dress like Alexa, and that is paying big dividends.  The demand has to be high to get a coveted Vogue cover.  Her next venture is anyone’s guess, but we know that everything is coming up Alexa!

Alexa Chung stars as the new face of Pepe Jeans [Telegraph.co.uk]

Related Post: Alexa Chung’s Fashion Takeover

Karl Lagerfeld does it again with his Chanel couture spring 2010 collection.  Each dress was more beautiful than the next in the finest fabrics adorned with embellishments that must have taken tens to hundreds of hours to complete.  The collection was a lesson in refinement.  Chanel brought regal glamour to couture week in all its majesty.  These pieces are fit for royalty, and rightfully so because couture is priced accordingly.  Don’t worry we could always desire them from afar.  Besides, beauty can be appreciated by all.  Click here to view the entire collection.

The fashion world woke up to the news that Jimmy Choo had joined forces with Ugg.  To some, the news shocked the conscience.  Is this a good idea?  Thoughts like, ‘don’t Ugg with Choo’ did come to mind.  Jimmy Choo crafts perfectly delicate shoe confections.  Why would Tamara Mellon team up with Ugg who makes not so delicate confections.  Then visions of a comfortable pair of stilettos started dancing in my head.  We know that Uggs are undeniably comfortable, this comes not from personal knowledge, but word on the street.  Further, any woman who wears high heels has had her feet file a complaint or two over said shoes.  Could it be possible that Jimmy Choo could lend its beautiful craftmanship to Ugg to create shoes we’ll actually covet?  We will find out in October when the collection is launched.  The line will range from $595 to $795, apparently beauty and comfort does not come cheap.

Marc Jacobs is very pleased with the selection of model Lara Stone for the new Louis Vuitton ad campaign.  The designer gives us a behind the scenes look at the photo shoot where Steven Meisel shot the Spring/Summer 2010 ad with the model.  Lara replaced Madonna, and all indications are she was the perfect choice.  She epitomizes the curvey and glamourous sought-after look of the new decade.  Arguably she ushered in the look, and we were all entranced.  The theme of the ad is natural and tranquil and it works well against the glamour and luxury of  the model and her Vuitton.  The goal of these campaigns is to entice women to aspire to be like the model and shop Louis Vuitton.  I would say that mission was accomplished.

Matthew Williamson designed a spring/summer 2010 menswear collection that will be available in February.  Expect to see his signature all over it: color – check, prints – check.  Cashmere and silk permeate this collection in the form of sweaters, T-shirts and scarves in bright pink, green and blue.  It’s a casual collection that is expected to get more formal next season.  Harrods will carry the line, along with Matthew Williamson’s flagship stores, and it will also be available online.  So think luxurious fabrics and eye-popping colors when you think of this line because that is Williamson’s aesthetic.  Surely you would not expect anything less.

Williamson Men [Vogue London]

The Matthew Williamson Man Is Not Afraid to Wear Pink [Racked]

Louis Vuitton enlisted model Lara Stone for its Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaign, she replaces Madonna from the previous campaign.  The luxury brand selected the model of the moment mainly because of her broad appeal.   They likely selected Madonna for their Spring/Summer 2009 ad campaign because of the singer/actress’ iconic pop-culture status.  Of course image is everything, and there is no denying that both Lara Stone and Madonna look the part.  They symbolize luxury, and if you want to have that same effect, you will have to step it up a notch, says an MIT study.  Researchers concluded that your designer handbag would likely pass the visual authentication test if your personal appearance says that you have money.  Wearing luxury apparel and/or being in attendance at certain social functions would lead others to believe your bag was authentic.  So the next time you venture out the house with your bag, will you take a second and third look at your attire because people are judging?  Or will you dare to make your own rules, and break them at your whim?  I don’t know about you, but the latter sounds far more intriguing.  Besides, isn’t that why Louis Vuitton selected Madonna and now Lara Stone as the face of Louis Vuitton in the first place.  Fearlessness is sexy and it sells.

Fake Louis Vuitton Bags Look Fake Without a Tony Aura [Bloomberg]

Crimes of fashion occur everyday, but usually its just an unfortunate outfit recklessly thrown together.  However, that not was not the case last Thursday.  Victoria Beckham’s VB dress collection en route to Neiman Marcus was taken at knife point from the delivery van.  The driver was unharmed aside from a few bruises, but up to 75 dresses worth about $250,000 were taken.  The dresses were in London at the time of the attack, and the dresses were on their way to the New York area.  Victoria Beckham is reportedly in shock about the incident.  She now hopes that her spring/summer 2010 collection can be remade and delivered to Neiman Marcus prior to its launch.

Beckham Robbery [Vogue.com]

Marc Jacob does it again for Louis Vuitton.  He designed pieces that every Vuitton girl will covet.  Separates ruled this runway.  There were tons of shorts and mini skirts in various lengths to match a girl’s mood.  The collection was a mix of lilac, lavendar and coral with the neutral gray, eggplant and black.  Of course he understands that’s how women want to dress; we want the balance of brights with earthy colors.  All those colors were accompanied by sufficient sparkle to enhance the Vuitton girl’s shine upon entrance in a room.  Oh, and did I mention the accessories.  They deserve a separate blog post all of their own.  The bags were scrumptious and the shoes, yummy.  To sum up Louis Vuitton spring 2010 runway this season, it was a sea of afros and must have pieces along side fabulous accessories.  Click here to view the video on Facebook or view the video below and see for yourself.

Imagine a collection where the pieces are so translucent that you could see right through, you may say that’s unthinkable, but I’d say that’s Dior.  Lingerie was on the agenda in Paris, and the slip has made a definite come back.  The sheer fabrics did just what they were supposed to on the runway, they shocked and awed.  The Hollywood inspired collection was not only beautiful, but desirable.  Yes, it was a runway of Hollywood sirens, from the well coifed hair to the ruby red lips.  It would take a pretty daring woman to don some of those pieces as is; let’s hope linings will be placed in them by the time they reach the stores.  I’m just saying!

The collection was classic Armani with a twist, beautiful vibrant colors with a fresh and youthful spin.  He threw in hues of blues, greens and pinks.   One could easily see Rihanna in many of the pieces in the collection, including this look.  I definitely got the feeling of a more relaxed Armani, and it was wonderful.  It’s as though Mr. Armani has declared an end to the recession, and decided it was now a time for celebration.  He offfered several alternatives in dresses and tops, from the one shoulder, the strapless, to the deep plunging V.  Oh, did I mention the accessories?  They were sparkly and fun like many of the pieces in the collection.  I’m so loving the flats for spring, it’s almost as if the designers have read our minds.  We want chic served with a side of comfort.