I finally got a chance to get to the MOCA to see the Murakami exhibit, which will only be showing until February 11th! So if you have waited all this time, get in gear and go check it out!
I ignored the clearly posted sign stating no pictures or video would be allowed, and managed to take the pics in this slideshow below with my iPhone.
Inside the exhibit, Louis Vuitton built their first ever "pop-up store" where they sold special edition items with Murakami's designs and characters. Items that have been selling out like crazy, and are popping up on ebay already! By the time I made it in to make a purchase, the now infamous Murakami Neverfull bag was only available in the small size. They also still had a planner with one of the artists new characters on it. I wasnt able to get a picture of it though. However, here is a pic of my very own Murakami Neverfull!
I love it SO much! I also picked up the museum's book of the exhibit. You can check it out here:
Something else exciting about the exhibit was the room set up for viewing the music video "Good Morning", by Kanye West. Murakami did the entire video is his classic style, and I really loved it. The only place you can see this video is at the MOCA. There is this one bootleg version on YouTube, but its not the best. You get the idea.
If you are in Los Angeles, it's definitely worth it to check out this exhibit!
Louis Vuitton Sues Britney Spears (Kinda) And Wins
A Paris civil court ordered Sony BMG and MTV Online to stop broadcasting or marketing the video for "Do Something" in any form and fined them 80,000 euros ($117,000) apiece, a spokeswoman for Paris-based Louis Vuitton said Monday. The ruling was handed down last week.
In the opening scenes of the video, Spears appears in the driver's seat of a hot pink Hummer floating on make-believe clouds. One shot shows fingers drumming on a dashboard covered with what looks like Vuitton's "Cherry Blossoms" design: dark pink blossoms on a pale pink, weblike background, embossed with the "LV" logo.
The court did not find Spears herself guilty but ruled that Sony BMG and MTV Online were guilty of violating counterfeiting laws. The ruling said the video constituted an "attack" on Louis Vuitton's brands and its luxury image, the spokeswoman said.
You can still view the "Do Something" video on YouTube, which I have embedded here... I first notice the LV at about 42 secs in. I am really surprised that such a quick glimpse has created such a problem... What do you think?
Diesel has cultivated an edgy image by selling pricey jeans and other apparel to urban hipsters, but when it came to the web, the company, like so many fashion brands, was behind the curve.
The Milan-based company takes a giant step forward on Monday with the official opening of its online store, allowing customers for the first time to purchase its $200 jeans and $150 tops with the click of a mouse.
Diesel is the latest fashion company to make its products available online, in a move that is increasingly melding high fashion with high tech. For years designers preferred to sell their goods through a tightly controlled network of luxury department stores and their own boutiques, fearing the web would tarnish their image of exclusivity.
But with advancements in technology, fashion houses from Yves Saint Laurent to Louis Vuitton are finding they can recreate much of the sophistication of their real world stores online.
Big ups to Diesel. The internets the way of the future. But I agree, the website should match the quality of their garments, to attract their target market.
Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton are setting up shop temporarily at L.A.'s Geffen Contemporary Gallery at MOCA, from October 29 through February 11, 2008.
"Though the 1,000-square-foot store will feature an LED display table and interlocking logos projected onto exterior facades, traditionalists can take heart: The space will also include the same lacquered finishes and Chilewich flooring found in Vuitton boutiques worldwide, along with actual LV employees. Look for the multicolor reinterpretation of the classic Neverfull bag and a special-edition monogram diary cover featuring Murakami's newest character, Chibi Kinoko ("Little Mushroom")—two decidedly chicer alternatives to the kitschy museum postcard."
What's All The Fighting Faux? Hermes & Christian Dior Sue Ebay, Gucci May Follow
Those hocking knock off's on Ebay need to watch out! Huge fashion companies are fighting back with lawsuits being filed... LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy) is the world'd largest luxury goods conglomerate, and is partly owned by Christian Dior, who was one of the first in line to file suit. Hermes now follows their lead, and Gucci is rumored to be next. "The head of French retailer PPR, owner of luxury Gucci Group, said in a newspaper interview in August that it could also take action against eBay if the company did not do more to stop fakes being sold by its customers." (Reuters)
Ebay says it does take action when it is notified that counterfeit goods are being offered for sale. I am guessing that this series of lawsuits will motivate Ebay to be more strict and severe in their punishment for those guilty of hustling the faux merchandise. As an Ebay user myself, I have always seen copies of the seasons "it bag" for sale there, however I always thought that it was okay as long as the seller specified that it is a fake and not authentic.
I have to assume though, that these huge companies wouldn't be filing a lawsuit unless the sale of these fakes was effecting their business. Though when buying the real deal you are paying for the quality of construction and materials, you are also paying for the actual art of the DESIGN of the bag. When buying a copy, you are scoring a deal, yes, and sacrificing quality... however you are also in essence, not giving the designer their share of the profit of the art they created.
Even if these companies manage to get Ebay to revise their rules in regard to imitations being sold, I'm not sure how much that will really effect the end result. From Chinatown in NY to Downtown LA, you can find copies of everything from Fendi to Marc Jacobs, and they arent always bad knockoffs. Some can really pass for the real thing! There will always be market for faux bags. We all want to have the authentics, but everyone cant afford them. A more effective solution, in my opinion, would be for the big labels to create more affordable versions of their "it bags", sold under a subdivision of their brand. Kind of like Marc for Marc Jacobs. Or DKNY. Make the designs accessable to the market they arent reaching. Because who wouldn't prefer the real thing?
Real Louis Vuitton "Speedy" bags labeled as "FAKE" by Korean artist Zinwoo Park, part of an exhibit on Andy Warhol and Korean pop art at Ssamzie Gallery.
So I just deleted everything from my online store because, of course, it's time for a new season! As I am browsing through merchandise, seeking out only the stuff worth looking at so that you, dear readers, don't have to... I happened upon this book. A few posts ago ("A New Look For Fall" on 09/15) I made a little slideshow of an editorial shoot I liked by the photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The book, which I absolutely MUST have, is called Visionaire No. 52: Private... and is photohraphed by the same team! Even better though, is teaming THEM with Marc Jacobs himself as the Editor!! I just HAVE to see what such amazing photographer's will do with Marc Jacobs eye, and such interesting names involved as subjects. To love fashion and couture is to love photography as well. They are synonymous in an intangible kind of way. Just read what the Visionaire website has to say:
"Photographs by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott Guest Editor Marc Jacobs In collaboration with Louis Vuitton
PRIVATE comes as a book of photographs housed in an exclusive Louis Vuitton monogrammed case designed by Marc Jacobs. Photographers Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott with guest art director Marc Jacobs have collaborated on a series of personal portraits with sitters including Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Selma Blair, Jennifer Lopez, Lil’ Kim, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, and Gisele Bundchen just to name a few.
PRIVATE is a limited edition of 2,500 numbered copies and retails for a starting price of $375. However, PRIVATE is included in a standard subscription to Visionaire at no additional charge. As with our past Louis Vuitton collaborations, we anticipate this issue selling out immediately after its public release in the November. We encourage you to pre-order now to guarantee your copy of Visionaire 52 PRIVATE.
Visionaire 52 PRIVATE is our third collaboration with Louis Vuitton, following the success of Visionaire 18 FASHION SPECIAL, now valued at $5,000, and Visionaire 30 THE GAME, now valued at $4,200 (per set of 7 countries). Concurrent with the release of PRIVATE, we are releasing a limited number of copies of 18. FASHION SPECIAL from our archive, previously withheld from sale."
I truly SWOON over things like this! I HAVE TO HAVE IT! The holidays are coming up! If someone would pre-order this for me I would simply DIE! Okay, enough begging. But if you want to pre-order this for YOURSELF (or me! lol) click on the image below! Can you believe how gorgeous this is? Seriously. Beautiful people, wearing beautiful fashion, photographed by beauty geniuses, wrapped up in beautiful Louis Vuitton! It's almost TOO BEAUTIFUL! This is something to treasure always. Okay. I'm stopping now.
If you buy this through my store, and are a Barnes & Noble Member, you will only pay $300.00, which is $75 off the lowest price! So make sure you choose the option with their logo. Meanwhile, I will let you know when the store is full of great new FINDS FOR FALL!
After some time away from the blog (and I *did* miss it!), the Cult is back and with a whole new look to the page! I hope you like it! It was time for a change anyway... you know it's time to go shopping for fall when you go to get your mail and you are greeted with at least 5 lbs of weight to carry inside, thanks to both Vogue and W boasting their "Biggest Issue EVER!". (Vogue has 840 pages, W has 640. *sigh*) It's so exciting! I had to wait to look through them, for that perfect time when there is nothing to distract me and I can really gaze at the details in the pictures that some people think are just "ads", but are really inspiration for fall. (sidenote: I love the paper W uses to print on. I love how it feels as you turn a page... heavy, some pages thicker than book paper. Quality makes a differance.)
There were plenty of examples of actresses and singers instead of models in the ads for some significant designers and brands. Scarlett Johanssen for Louis Vuitton, Angelina Jolie for St. John, Lindsay Lohan for Jill Stuart, Terri Hatcher for Badgley Mischka, Sarah Silverman, Regina King, and Selma Blair sporting her new short hair cut for the Gap, Sienna Miller for Tod's, and Rebecca Romijn for BeBe. Should the models be miffed?
There was a great article in fact, in Vogue... "The Sloppy Syndrome" by Jean Hanff Korelitz, that particularly struck me. The blurb under the headline reads "Is it a form of self-expression or an issue of self-esteem? Jean Hanff Korelitz questions why women are afraid of dressing up." I had recently taken a notice of my own dressing habits. Even a fashionista can sometimes get into a "comfy" zone, and I found myself starting to feel like when I would make the effort I was somehow showing off. This article was an inspriring read, and motivated me to get a few new things to spice up my wardrobe. I even threw in a haircut. It's amazing what that can do for you, inside as well as out.
If you pick up the W, check out the editorial spread called "Wild Roses". I love everything about these images. Photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, styled by Alex White. Images courtesy of Style.com. Slideshow created by moi.
Gwyneth has the cover, but it really isnt the most flattering shot. And her spread is kind of weird, she's photographed with a cane, and crutches. I am the hugest supporter of stepping out of the box. But making someone who is NOT handicapped look handicapped and worn out just doesn't seem fashionable or politically correct. She just doesn't look vibrant at ALL. What do you think? Images courtesy of Style.com. Slideshow created by moi.
I like that I am seeing a lot of true "dressing up" in the fall lines. Designers are putting head to toe looks together, looks that really require you to coordinate and wear "outfits" instead of separates. In Los Angeles, you can wear anything anywhere, and as long as you can carry it you can get away with it. But I do miss the days of having to dress for the occasion, and I think the designers are trying to inspire us to do just that.
I'm loving everything Im seeing come from Hugo Boss lately. Slick, modern, edgy, amazingly cut, architectural angles... incredibly sexy. Make an all black suit look fashion forward, and I'm impressed. Here is a preview of the Fall 2007 ready-to-wear line.
Chloe brings it, once again, with designs that look like you are buying the finest vintage piece... but brand new and remixed. Gucci struck gold with the gold accents on the black silhouettes. Akris demands attention. The Gucci Fall line is definitely one of my favorites by far. As well as Celine. If I had the money I would buy the entire collection! I'm becoming more and more of a fan of Lanvin. One line I have been a fan of for years is Tuleh. There is a GORGEOUS fitted grey suit TOTALLY TO DIE FOR! And Ann Demeulemeester scores big! Here are my selections, straight from the runway. Images courtesy of Style.com, slideshow , once again, by moi.
I am not looking forward to the cold season. But I am definitely looking forward to the clothes. TIME TO PLAY DRESS UP!
ALANA JOY Los Angeles, CA alanajoy.tumblr.com
I work in the fashion industry in Los Angeles. This blog is a place for me to talk about all things fashion and beauty related, hopefully touching on the real art, emotion, and sometimes humor of the industry as a whole.
, at
January 12, 2008 11:06 AM
Manuel Paul, at
November 16, 2007 11:00 AM
