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THIS MONTH:
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Hollywood A List Parties
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Donatella has always had a large Hollywood following, and so it's not surprising that the list of celebrities already carrying the Biker Bag from the Versace Fall / Winter 2003-04 collection is impressive: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Beyoncé, Madonna, and Queen Rania of Jordan. The handbag, following the theme of "Biker Chic", is destined for a dynamic and independent woman, rather than an easy rider.
Handmade from several decorative elements, including minutely overlapping metallic zippers and braided leather, the handbag sports outer pockets pleated in accordion style. Available in a choice and variety of colors and materials, the "Biker" is certain to fill a wide range of tastes. The leather will only improve with time, aging season after season into a timeless classic.
And to go along with the handbag, why not one of the new range of sunglasses from the Versace line? From large style "diva", to classic and contemporary forms, the color palette ranges from basic black to olive, rust, tortoiseshell, with little touches of royal blue. The different colors of plastic are mixed, superimposed, molded, cut and filed to produce contrasting effects.
For the Versus collection, the design is aerodynamic and protective, driven by a young and sportive theme. As always, the Versus models are, for the most part, unisex. Comfort is optimum in these sunglasses, and the materials of plastic injected with nylon produce a legerity of both design and attitude.
Colored black, blue, brown and violet, the basic foundation for these youthful pieces is presented without extravagance for the young at heart.
Versace jewelry is always a high roller, and this season offers further opportunity to ace the party with splendid necklaces and earrings.
As for fabrics, all lines come in vibrant colors, some featuring silhouettes resembling Donatella's long, fine coif.
Ivana Trump, passing through the Ritz in Paris last July to look over the fall couture collection, summed up the Versace credo "Other designers create things for a show, but these pieces you can actually wear."
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Under powder-blue skies, with not a cloud to obscure the horizon, Dior Homme threw open the doors of its famed atelier today to present the Spring /
Summer 2004 collection and accessories to the press.
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The space is almost monastic in its simplicity. A single perfumed candle was
burning in an anteroom, while pure November light streamed into the atelier
proper. A stainless steel moat, which encircles the unfinished parquet floors, creates a floating effect, and layers of white quadrangular plates in the ceiling give
complexity to the linear architecture. Each detail was personally designed by Hedi Slimane, even before a single piece of clothing was sketched for the Dior label.
It's not surprising then that Dior Homme's star designer retreats to this room to reflect, to create, and to polish his designs. Out of such simplicity, intricate and ingenious collections are born each season.
The "Strip" collection for Spring / Summer 2004 is punctuated by shimmering evening wear: silk jackets ribbed with sequined bands, tailcoats webbed with a black diamond pattern and encrusted with ebony gems, or even a satin redingote burnt to a royal-red hue.
Black jeans come with a series of holes torn in the legs, and sleeveless vests are surgically cut from white leather.
As for accessories, perhaps the most striking pieces are the cascades of jet-black beads that fall tingling like wind chimes when put into motion. Karl Lagerfeld presumably could not wait for their official release in January, and so specially ordered a set he wore on the runway of the Chanel Ready-to-Wear show last October.
High-topped sneakers are crafted in black and white and are perfectly suitable for both casual and formal attire. Subtle details, such as fine mesh chains that are attached to dress models, ornament even footwear.
The Dior Homme bee has flown onto necklaces, bracelets and even silver rings. Belts of silver mesh wrap around the waist, while ties are interwoven with fine threads of glistening silver lamé.
There is a lightness of mind and spirit to it all, and the look is well suited to long, carefree days.
Today's presentation, falling as it did 4 days after the announcement of Tom Ford's resignation from Gucci and Saint Laurent, found guests humming.
Fashion editors across the world have become obsessed with predictions, and Hedi Slimane's name has surfaced more than once in connection with Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Amid much misstatement, the fact is that Hedi's contract with Dior Homme is not exclusive, and so he is perfectly free to do whatever he wants in addition.
The question thus becomes - would he want to take on a label even more troubled now than when he left it in 1999? That question can not be as easily or simply answered as his success at Dior can be documented.
Amid numerous twists and turns, the ongoing saga of the Gucci Group will inevitably play itself out to some official conclusion.
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"Tis a gift to be simple,
Tis a gift to be free.
Tis a gift to come down
Where we ought to be.
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right."
- Traditional Quaker hymn
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