Cooperative Designs

Photographed By Fohnjang Ghebdinga

I made a pit stop at London Fashion Week on Saturday, attending the Cooperative Designs' soiree in honour of its spring/summer 2011 collection.

Founded by Annalisa Dunn and Dorothee Hagemann in 2007, Cooperative Designs have brought in Bollywood for this season's line, mixing Art Deco shapes and illustrations with harem pant and kaftan references. Inspiration for the colonial, fantasy collection came from Kenneth Anger's book, "Hollywood Babylon", which encapsulates glamour and scandal in the 1920s, the film "Death on the Nile", and the idea of creation without first-hand experience. While we found it hard to spot the Indian influence, the CD ladies assured us it's there.

The spring 2011 collection includes heavily patterned dresses, in addition to hand knitted jumpers and skirts, all of which was beautified in this presentation by the setting, a polished pianist, and champagne. It was a divine fantasy.

From Andy & Debb With Love

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

A spring and summer breeze, from Andy and Debb's show at the Lincoln Center. New York, September 16, 2010

Bruce Almighty

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

Life is strange. Twenty years ago, one side of my bedroom wall plastered with magazine pages of Bruce Weber's photography. I'd cut them out in an attempt to create a master piece collage. It was a half-butched-semi-succesful attempt, due to the fact that majority of the most interesting images had to be kept out of my parents sight (Marky Mark posing semi-naked in a pair of CK boxer briefs didn't fly high with the parental unit then, now, or ever).

I was in complete awe of this man (Bruce!) growing up. Still am. Yet, the day I finally ran into him, I could hardly believe my eyes. Although I recognized him instantly (the bandana gave him away) just to make sure that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me (just pinching yourself is never enough), I had to do a quick Q &As:

Me: Are you a photographer?

Bruce: Yes.

Me: Are you Bruce Weber?

Bruce: Yes. I am.

Odd Molly

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

Nicole Murphy, had been unfamiliar with the Swedish label, Odd Molly - prior to the label's fashion show held at the Lincoln Center, September 15, 2010. Her girlfriends had persuaded her to attend the event. She did and made a pleasant discovery along the fashion highway;" I like stuff that doesn't date itself" she said.

Odd Molly's line up for the Spring and Summer of 2011, is literally a scènes de la vie de bohème. Vintage being the key word. The models strutted down the runway in vintage blue denim jackets, silk slip dresses in vintage berry, cardigans in vintage lilac and vests in vintage patchwork. The flamboyance iss omnipresent.

Murphy, who prefers New York over Los Angeles in terms of style, as you can be as flamboyant as you want in New York - and get away with it; could easily have slipped into any of the Odd Molly clothing pieces, and gotten away with it.

And on her toned abs, "I work out everyday," she said. 

All Eyes On London

Photographed By Fohnjang Ghebdinga

It’s that time again when press, buyers, fashionistas and just plain ol' wannabes flock to Somerset House to catch a glimpse of the latest trends shimmying down the runway. Of course we got into vogue mode and headed down to the temporary fashion house, to get in on some of the action, too.

First out, Caroline Charles, who showcased an appealing collection which epitomized elegance, with a nice off-beat bridal finish.

Next, was Corrie Nielson's show. This designer is heavly influenced by the Elizabethan period as well as 1940s-50s French Haute Couture era. The inspiration was visible in the showcasing of her latest collection, as, "ice queens" strutted their stuff down the catwalk in navy blue, shaped and fitted, duchess-inspired pieces.

And saving the best for last; that would be Aminaka Wilmont’s “Totem” collection; the mystique of models draped in bold, edgy clothing.

All in all, it was a pleasant day out, without any controversy or outlandish behaviour to spread through the grapevine. Just fashion. And there's more where that came from.

Charlotte Ronson

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

"She told me to play grunge music," said Samantha Ronson. But, she had no idea what her sister - Charlotte Ronson's Spring 2011 Collection  looked like.

Rebecca Romijn

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

"I loved it" said Rebecca Romijn, in reference to Cynthia Rowley's Spring 2011Collection, and further elaborated, "It was very feminine."

There are details, like beads and other junk that the statuesque lady in blue was so over. Fortunetly, "Rowley twisted it, which I like," Romijn later added.

Z Spoke By Zac Posen

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

The show. Kimora Lee Simmons is on her way. New York, September 11, 2010.

Charmed By Charlotte

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

Angela and Vanessa Simmons, and Solange Knowles at Charlotte Ronson's show. New York, September 11, 2010.

The Prediction

Photographed By Ellinor Forje

In 1991, Naomi Campbell graced the cover of "Time Magazine" In an edition which also featured Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford The story, "Supermodels: The Beauty And The Buck"" catalogued the models' quintessence. And to a certain extent, their fall, too.

Evangelista was described by the fashion forecasters as someone who knew that "the clock was ticking". According to them, at the mere age of 28, she was on her way out of the game, because models back then came with an expiration date.

Evangelista defied and re-defined the rules of her trade. Today, she's still modelling. The girls are all still modelling.

Campbell, then 22, was described as someone who should be watching her back as she already had three competitors. One was Tyra Banks. The other Beverly Peele. The third one's name has fallen into oblivion. Banks carved out her own place in history. Peele was occasionally seen here and there. Today Campbell is an icon.

The prognosticator's prognoses were as accurate as the tutor's when he told Albert Einstein's father that Einstein would amount to nothing.

Then again, maybe the seer wasn't as delusional as it seemed 20 years ago. On September 10, 2010, outside the Dolce  & Gabban store in New York, Campbell wasn't modelling in the traditional sense at all.

She danced.