Americans love accessibility. The easier and faster, the better! So leave it to us to inspire Prada to expand their distribution by launching the new Prada E-Store for the U.S. and Puerto Rico, which they say is “one of the world’s most receptive markets for online purchasing,” and we agree.
The new addition to their already expansive international network of 185 stores focuses on their line of leather goods and accessories for men and women. And what about the last minute “perfect gift idea” predicament we always find ourselves in? The online store has also introduced their version of an E-Gift option where purchasers can order presents online to be delivered with a personalized card, directly to the recipient. So leave the cleansing mask on, stay in your robe, and get some gifting done from the home office -- just be sure to treat yourself too.
Originally offered exclusively at Prada's 3 Corso Venezia store in Milan, Italy, the Made in Japan denim recently smuggled itself into the U.S. and can now be found at the Soho Prada store in NYC for a limited time. The trousers, available in four fabrics and seven different washes, are created by artisans with a series of unique techniques.
Each detail of the manufacturing is meticulously monitored: from the hand-dying of the fabric, which is attained by immersing the fibers into natural indigo pigment thirty times; to the wash, which is achieved by following the folds of the trousers while they are being worn. The aim is to reproduce the look of "real" wear.
Due to the fact that these procedures are extremely sophisticated and particularly crafted, they all take place in the same region of Japan. However, according to the desired characteristics for a particular style, a specific location that offers the best quality workmanship within this region is selected.
The finalized garments are so personalized that their interiors feature printed symbols that are recognizable and unique, including hand-painted Kanji characters and the graphic signs that indicate their region of provenance. Inverting the trousers, one can find the printed history of the garment, from the treatment of the fabric and the type of workmanship to the names of those who created it and the region of provenance. The reinterpretation of the Prada triangle, made by an expert in Japanese calligoraphy and printed on the trousers' interior using a marble stamp, becomes the special logo that sanctions the collaboration between Prada and Japan.
To get your hands on a pair of these exclusive trousers, visit the Soho Prada store in NYC at 575 Broadway, 212-334-8888. But hurry -- supplies are incredibly limited and they won't be available much longer.
"In fashion, once you've got something, you're already thinking about
what's next. Maybe it's a little hysterical. Now, every day I'm
thinking about change. It's a constant anxiety that is probably a
reflection of society's anxiety in general. The big deal about fashion
is really very recent, this frantic pursuit of newness. It may be a
good thing, or a bad thing, but it's really defining this moment."
Left to Right: Prada; Salvatore Ferragamo; Z Zegna
The double breasted jackets, no matter how many buttons, should be avoided by huskier, full stomached men (sorry). Intended for skinnier guys, the double breasted jacket pinches the midsection, creating a top heavy and bulkier hourglass silhouette. With two horizontal buttons, the made-for-skinny-men advice is that much more pertinent -- this spring/summer trend alleviates the six button, bundled up from the cold weather guise for a refreshing take on a revived classic, but pinches the waist, much like wearing a transparent belt. Before the few weeks of summer gives way to the Fall, experiment with the trend pre-spring 2010. As for the heftier guys, stick with the traditional single breasted jacket -- preferably one button for the casual outings and two buttons for the workplace.
Bear with the brief background info. Harvard University's $45 billion endowment bubble burst and dropped to $36.9 billion in June 2008 and was expected to fall a staggering 23%-25% according to the Harvard Management Company. Facing insurmountable losses, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the prestigious university has increased private equity investments.
But, it should come as a surprise that 'fashion' was an agenda. More specifically, a ten year contractual menswear collaboration with Wearwolf Group for Harvard Yard, inspired by the 60s loungers of Harvard Yard -- Harvard's 25 acre public lawn, debuted with Martha's Vineyar-esque trousers, shirts and jackets. Jeffery Wolf, Wearwolf's executive president, had high aspirations with the preppy brand: "It's a style that has become current again and not just with the American consumer. We think Harvard Yard will have global appeal."
Will Ferrell is launching a line of...sunscreen. Goofy? Incredibly. But all the proceeds go towards a charity that gives college scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees. Says Ferrell of the launch: "I've always dreamed of owning a lotion company. And I've always hated cancer." [People Style Watch]
Despite its move to Lifetime, Project Runway, which airs in August, is largely still the same show it was on Bravo. Apparently to Heidi Klum's disapproval. Sheisse! [EW] via [The Cut]
Before helming one of the most recognizable labels in fashion, Miuccia Prada went to mime school for six years. Six years to become a mime? Seriously? [The Cut]
Donatella Versace: "I think sex is part of life, like eating and breathing." [Interview]
The FiFi Awards honored P Diddy's I Am King as luxe fragrance of the year for the second year in a row. Insert quip here. [WWD]
According to Alan Greenspan, men's underwear sales are a good test of the resilience -- or lack thereof -- of the economy. [Economist]
Arnold Schwarzenegger's most memorable fashion moments. The cat suit in Running Man was so fetch. [Refinery 29]
Fashion Week is now for the masses...sort of. With a slew of pop-up stores, installations and preview sales the public can now get a taste of what so few ever do. But don't expect to just waltz into the Calvin Klein show. [NYT]
Four Prada boutiques worldwide are getting stylist makeovers. Corresponding with upcoming Fashion Weeks, a boutique in New York, London, Milan and Paris will be styled by a few iconic style maves, starting with Alex White at the Soho store. Following will be Katie Grand, Olivier Rizzo and Carine Roitfeld respectively. [Fashionolgie]
As if it's any news to us: boys like to wear makeup. Here's 15 male celebs who aren't fooling anyone with that seemingly smooth skin. Zac Efron leads the pack. [bellasugar]
This fall, men's fashion goes to the trench. Trench coats that is. [WWD]
Christopher Suave´ is fighting Rachel Zoe to keep his "I Die" and "Bananas" t-shirts on the shelves. He'll also launch a "Free the Fruit" campaign to, as he says, "free fruit from corporate trademark." He's gotta pay legal bills somehow. [The Cut]
MTV is bringing back House of Style, with Bar Rafaeli to host. But no matter how fab she is, it just won't be the same without our Cindy. [Fashionista]
“I don’t know why this whole idea of customers moving away from expensive brands would apply to fashion only. It should be across the board then because a sophisticated consumer buys expensive art, design and furniture. I’m really pleased that we’ve always worked much more on the product than on the brand and I think this pays back. Crisis always pushes you to do better.”
-- Miuccia Prada addressing the economic climate moments before her Prada menswear show in Milan.
Hedi Slimane shot Yves Saint Laurent's home in honor of the relaunch of YSL Rive Gauche Homme. A poignant and touching tribute, yes, but could he also be establishing roots with the fashion house for a future team-up? [SLAMXHYPE]
Tipsters are saying Marc Jacobs is canceling his after-show-party during Fashion Week. Is there no justice -- or merriment -- to be had in this cold, sad world? [Fashionista] Amid economic turmoil, The French are getting queasy. With Paris being seen as the epitome of luxury, high end retailers are suggesting the unthinkable -- slashing prices! Karl Lagerfeld sounds off as well. [NYT]
ELLE just signed on with Creative Arts Management. The celebrity management group was brought on in hopes of expanding ventures into TV and film for the magazine. A good sign for the second season of Stylista? [Variety]
The Chanel Mobile Art Exhibit may have crashed and burned, but that's not stopping Prada! The new building in Seoul, designed by Rem Koolaaz, is called the Prada Transformer. A tetrahedron-shaped
"transformative building," the architect describes it as a "dynamic and living
organism" meaning, more or less, it changes shape to suit the event it's hosting. So what happens when it hosts a big gay party? Oh the possibilities... [Luxist]
Hedi Slimane shot Prada's new men's ad campaign. It features brothers Louis and Claude Simonon (pictured),sons of Paul and Tricia Simonon, the bass player and manager of Punk band The Clash. Slimane world domination continues. [WWD] Madonna is appearing in an upcoming issues of W -- with insanely hot Brazilian models. Madonna better watch her back because she could be in for a serious upstaging. [Made in Brazil]
Samsonite is partnering with Thom Browne for a capsule luggage line. Browne hopped on board after expressing interest in using 19060s Samsonite luggage in his upcoming presentation at Pitt Uomo in Florence. [WWD]
Bespoke suiting is getting a face-lift. Many tailors are taking cues from contemporary fashion and finishing suits in a slimmer, more contemporary fashion to keep up with changing styles. [WWD] After the success of the YSL sale, Housing Works is staging another blow out re-sale of Steven Alan. The label donated more than 1,000 pieces to the do-gooder second-hand shop. Tis the season, gang. [Housing Works]
The New York Times claims purple is the new pink. Not if we have anything to say about it. [NYT]
Gay men love fashion, and fashion loves gay men. Is it something in our jeans? Celebrating this long tradition, Truman Says exists to offer advice, tips, and the occasional catty observation on celebrity style coups and faux pas.
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