THE WEEK IN FASHION: JUNE 11th- 15th

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

It's been a long but thoroughly fascinating and jam-packed week here at FEAL HQ- we were at Graduate Fashion Week for most of the start of the week and came up for a quick breather yesterday before the start of Menswear mini-week today. Of course, we couldn't let the weekend come without bringing fashion news back after a two week absence...

GQ Editor Dylan Jones, Prince Charles, Harold Tilman and Caroline Rush at last night's event (image from  dailymail.co.uk)

The spotlight is on London's menswear designers this weekend as London Collections: Men gets underway with three days of shows and showrooms at the Hospital Club. There was a fancy launch party last hosted by Prince Charles at St James' Palace.  Incidentally, HRH has begun looking rather more dapper of late- maybe he's been taking style advice in advance of London's first run of dedicated men's shows. He was certainly keen to hear Tom Ford's tips on nail care, as Derek Blasberg tweeted last night. Also in attendance were Tinie Tempah and David Walliams, both known for their suave ensembles. However, Prince Charles' closest rival in the style stakes was BFC chairman, Harold Tilman who was as exquisitely turned out as ever. It'll be a varied few days with everyone from brilliantly bonkers Meadham Kirchhoff to Savile Row stalwarts Hardy Amies showing collections.

Wintour inspects SJP's house in advance of the party (image from dailymail.co.uk)

Not be outdone by London's show of the marriage of fashion and state affairs, America has seen Anna Wintour transcend her role of Vogue Editor to become one of Obama's major fundraisers. In her latest quest to secure the President a second term, Wintour teamed up with Sarah Jessica Parker to hold a dinner at the actress's home last night. Solange Knowles and Meryl Streep were among those who attended. Mr and Mrs Obama even popped in to greet the attendees. Rumour has it that Wintour might be rewarded for her efforts- which have seen her raise $500,000 so far- with the role of American Ambassador to London. How extraordinary would that be?

Maison Martin Margiela AW12... Now for H&M too (image from cat walking.com)

There has been much excitement about the announcement of two pretty major new designer/ high street collaborations this week. First to be revealed was H&M's latest venture, this time with Maison Martin Maison Margiela- a big surprise which sent fashion-savvy tweeters into a frenzy, imagining what might come from the collection and discussing whether Mr Margiela would ever have allowed this. After all, he left the business in 2009, leaving the design in the hands of long term colleagues while Diesel's Renzo Rosso gained ownership. I, for one, hope the collection- out on 15th November- will offer some immaculately cut trousers and jackets, a few dramatic curveballs and a smattering of bags and shoes in the vein of the spacey hi-tops currently on offer in the main collection.

In the mean time, H&M have released this teaser video to show what the collection could look like...



The next announcement was less surprising but equally exciting- Topshop let it be known that their next designer collection would come from one of the hottest kids on the London block right now, J.W Anderson- or J Dubs as he is more affectionately known. The collection will comprise the key ideas from Jonathan's design career to date. There are also plans for a second drop early in 2013. In a bit of a twist to the collaboration idea, the range will also include items which the designer himself has picked out such as books, rubik's cubes and memory sticks. J.W Anderson themed life, here we come!

J.W Anderson AW12... Now for Topshop too (image from catwalking.com)

Louboutin's signature red soles (image from www.scwimmerlegal.com)

Christian Louboutin's battle to retain his red sole trademark took another sad turn this week when he lost his case against Zara. The high street giant had produced red soled heels similar to Louboutin's YoYo style. However, the French courts ruled that the trademark was too vague and ordered Louboutin to pay £2,000 to Zara as compensation. An awful outcome for Louboutin whose name is extricably linked to the red sole, no matter who else tries to copy it- don't we think? 

Kate King walks the catwalk at the Louvre for Ferragamo (image from style.com)

Seasoned fashion week attendees will know that Paris's Louvre museum complex has in the past hosted Paris Fashion Week  (it's now a quick walk away in the Tuileries Gardens). However, there has never been a show which takes place amongst the precious works of art which hang in the Louvre's galleries. Until this week that is, when Salvatore Ferragamo showed their Resort collection in the Denon Wing. It looks like a grand affair complete with celebrities (Hilary Swank) and one of Paris' longest ever catwalks at 140m. There's little doubt that its affiliation with the La Sainte Anne: Leonardo Da Vinci's Ultimate Masterpiece takes the Ferragamo brand's already considerable glamour factor up a notch or ten.

Muhammad Ali for Louis Vuitton (image from vogue.co.uk)

Louis Vuitton unveiled the latest star of their Core Values campaign this week. Muhammad Ali is pictured alongside his gorgeous grandson Laila Ali at his Arizona home. The image is tagged with the line "Some stars show you the way". According to Yves Carcelle, Louis Vuitton's Chairman and CEO "this captures the idea of transmission, which is of great significance to Louis Vuitton". Annie Leibovitz took the shot which shows a bag from the Core Values travel collection open beneath Ali's leg.

Lady Gaga on the first cover she did for US Vogue in March 2011 (image from WWD)

Get set for a peak in Lady Gaga mania come September when her first ever perfume is set to launch. Rumour has it that she has already been shot for the cover of Vogue's September issue by Mert and Marcus. Images of the perfume, which Gaga previously said would smell  of "blood and semen", have also been leaked this week. It's been noted that the leaked bottle images look remarkably similar to Mugler's Alien bottle design. The super sweet perfume from Mugler, a brand Gaga has often worked closely with, is about as far from bodily fluids as you get so maybe the similarity ends at the bottle?

Gaga Fame vs. Mugler's Alien (image from Huffington Post)

Finally, if you enjoy horses, great eyeliner and stars and stripes hot pants then you will adore Azealia Banks' video for her new single Liquorice. It's directed by Rankin and styled by Nicola Formichetti. Apparently it was filmed in Paris- if anyone can tell me where the rugged, cliff- enhanced outback is around Paris I'd love to know- nevertheless I love it. Happy Weekend!