NINA RICCI'S BEAUTIFUL NEW LA RUE BAG

Posted by Melanie Rickey, Fashion Editor at Large

Yesterday after a false start at Dover Street Market - a perfect excuse to gaze acquisitively (but pointlessly, as I'm only fit for a tent) at some Azzedine Alaia and Celine - we dropped into the Gazelli Art Gallery on Dover Street to see Peter Copping. Regular readers of FEAL will know Copping is the English artistic director of Nina Ricci Paris, and he has been in London to launch the brands' new signature handbag La Rue.

As with all things Peter does for the house (and in his life generally) the event was wonderfully charming and without the slightest pomp, and served not only to showcase the tactile bag and Mr. Copping himself, but also the work of British artist Jo Ratliffe and photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin who joined forces to create the launch imagery for the La Rue bag.

Fashion can truly come alive in creative collaboration, and this particular collusion took shape in organic stages, beginning with  the development of the new signature Ricci bag, which got its debut on the runway in Paris back in March. "Ours is not like the Louis Vuitton show, where its every girl with a different bag," said Peter Copping, while giving the pink snake version of the bag a squeeze.   "We just did one new bag, the La Rue, but in different sizes and fabrications. After the show our retailers loved it so I wanted to do something special to share it with the press." With its series of soft pleats folding towards the central opening, and pretty grosgrain ribbon pull the La Rue is basically a Ricci-fied version of a doctors bag, and very lovely it is too.

The finished image by Inez + Vinoodh for Nina Ricci with Jo Ratliffe

To bring it to life for launch was another matter. Copping shot the Autumn/Winter 2012 Nina Ricci campaign with photographers Inez and Vinoodh, and when he talked of giving an extra visual push to La Rue the couple immediately suggested the British artist Jo Ratliffe, with whom they recently collaborated on a Balmain film (see below).  Jo works in the mediums of illustration, painting and animation and decided to bring a element of collage and fine art to the bag images. "Flowers made sense as they are exquisite in their own right but also made the bag the focal point. I know the Nina Ricci brand, and this feels right. If you look closely at the image, you'll see I hand painted many of the flowers in oils to make it feel more authentic." I then comment to her that dressed in full Nina Ricci with her pink hair and strong brows she couldn't be a more perfect muse for the house. At this she points out that until yesterday she and Peter had only met via email, but I get the feeling we'll see more from this creative partnership soon.

Jo Ratliffe, me, Peter Copping

The pink croc version of Nina Ricci's La Rue

The La Rue launches in September. www.ninaricci.com

Here is Jo's work with Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for Balmain featuring Kate Moss

To see more of Jo Ratliffe's work go to www.JoCanDraw.com

THE RETURN OF BLING: FASHION GOES GEM-TASTIC

Posted by Melanie Rickey, Fashion Editor at Large

The most worn and blogged about fashion item of this Spring has been the Prada satin-collared bomber jacket covered with colourful chunky stones. During the catwalk shows I lost count of the number of people - both male and female - who owned one, and each individual jacket seemed unique to the wearer. That is the power of a gem; they become part of you. It is also the power of Prada. Every time I saw one on someone I become mesmerised to the point of childlike awe; I need one of these jackets in my life, as entertainment if nothing else.  

Miuccia Prada tends to roll out an influential corker for the summer season, and a more commercial collection for winter. This summer's Prada collection may have revved up the high street with its Vroom-Vroom car iconography but it also, it turns out, has influenced the most directional catwalk designers for Autumn from Lanvin to Vuitton, Nina Ricci to Versace, and we're not talking about the cars, but the hundredweight of bling.  Miu Miu and Prada carried on showering chunks of rock onto their clothes for Autumn.. but scroll down and you will see how the rest of the high fashion firmament lost themselves to the power of opening fire with equivalent of an AK 47 loaded with crystal ammo. 

This all marks the return of bling, something the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China  - who are all in the throes of a boom time, will love and indulge to the max. In the Western market partaking in this trend will be done with more than a sense of irony. 

THE PRADA JACKET 

Prada 

More Prada

Even more Prada 

You guessed it... 

Street style blogger Hanneli Mustaparta mixes Tom Binns bling with a varsity jacket

More Tom Binns.. (All the above photos by the inimitable Tommy Ton for Style.com)

AUTUMN/WINTER 2O12 GEM-TASTIC OFFERINGS

Prada AW12 (image from www.jasonlloyd-evans.com)

Dolca and Gabbana AW12

Lanvin AW12

Lanvin AW12

Marni AW12

Nina Ricci AW12 

Versace AW12

Louis Vuitton AW12 (all catwalk images from www.catwalking.com)

THINGS TO BUY NOW... 

Jewelled sandals £58 Topshop

Gem sandals £40 River Island

FEAL'S TOP 12 GOLDEN GLOBES FAVOURITES

Posted by Melanie Rickey & Bethan Holt, Fashion Editor + Fashion Junior at Large

It's January and, therefore, the film and TV industry's awards and party season is getting into full swing. We are currently imagining the atmosphere above L.A is more hairspray than smog. Last night the Golden Globes, the event seen as the precursor to the Oscars, took place took place in Hollywood though there were other significant get-dressed-up events too. But the Golden Globes is what we're interested in. It was surreal to wake up to a Twitter feed buzzing with Tweets from people still out on the razz in LA at the post Golden Globes parties. 

Apart from the news about who won what and what that all means for the Oscars, the talk from the GG's is all about the red carpet style. Unlike catwalk and high street fashion, red carpet choices don't change much. You could look at the Golden Globes gowns from five years ago  - long dresses, up-dos, diamonds - and the changes would not be anywhere near as obvious as if you compared LouisVuitton even from one season to the next. 

Indeed, red carpet style takes only the merest nod from catwalk fashion. For actresses the objective is not  to be 'on trend', (as it is in their off-duty ensembles) so much as just looking movie star fabulous and making sure their full-length gown, evening bag, shoes, hair and make-up works in harmony to create a flattering, beautiful look that gives good photo from multiple angles - not just the front on hand-on-hip-one-foot-in-front position. This is easier said than done. We've included a full list of the winners at the bottom of this post (congrats Idris Alba and Jean Dujardin, we love you!) after we've shown you our Top 9 favourite (and not so favourite) DRESSES!  And our top two tuxedos. Do you agree?

1. ROONEY MARA IN NINA RICCI

It's good to see the work of one of my favourite designers, Peter Copping of Nina Ricci, on the red carpet. - MR

2. ZOOEY DESCHANEL IN PRADA (PLUS TUX NAILS)

J'adore Zooey's quirky style - MR 

From Zooey's Twitter

Someone with a sense of quirky humour on the red carpet? Go Zooey! BH

3. JESSICA BIEL IN ELIE SAAB

Her undone hair works for us at FEAL HQ 

 4. DIANNA AGRON IN GILES

Our very own Giles Deacon on the Hollywood red carpet!  

5. EVAN RACHEL WOOD IN GUCCI PREMIERE

This is a beautiful, classic pose. Gorgeous feathers and fab colour with her alabaster skin. BH

 6. ANDREA RISEBOROUGH IN VIVIENNE WESTWOOD GOLD LABEL

Historical referencing, but a bit further back than the 30s Wallis Simpson she plays in Madonna's film W.E. A good red lip is the cherry on the cake. BH

7. ROMOLA GARAI IN ALESSANDRA RICH

This is actually looks modern yet appropriate and pretty- moving on the red carpet 'look'

BH

8. MICHELLE WILLIAMS IN JASON WU

The cute headband make the devore column a bit more interesting. BH

 9. ANGELINA JOLIE IN ATELIER VERSACE

Angelina and colour... It's a rare but happy sight BH

10. EMMA STONE IN LANVIN 

Thanks to Verena Hafner who posted in the comment thread below, Emma Stone has made a belated entry into the FEAL Golden Globes top 10 best-dressed actresses. The dress, created by Alber Elbaz, might be a simple column shape, but the pleated damson and raspberry tulle combination is beautifully luxurious, and don't get me started on the belt! Love. MR

THE BEST MAN NO. 1.... MATT LEBLANC FOR THE NAVY

THE BEST MAN NO.2.... JEAN DUJARDIN... FOR THE GOOD POSING

AND THE ONES WE'RE NOT SO SURE ABOUT....

MERYL STREEP IN ALESSANDRA RICH

We're very happy about the choice of designer, Alessandra Rich is on the up. This looked great from a distance and is a great dress for her shape but close-up it the fabric looked unglamorous, we're not sure it was quite the one for Meryl.

 FRIEDA PINTO IN PRADA

Part of us feels like this is very chic and a nice departure from glitz and flesh but it's also stiff and unflattering on her tiny frame.

 

 TILDA SWINTON IN HAIDER ACKERMAN

The shape is fab and Tilda cannot really do any wrong. The lilac colour is so now; pretty and icy at the same time. It's just that the colour plus the jacket/ fishtail skirt seems, we hate to say it, a little bit Mother of the Bride. On its own and in a different context, the jacket could win the prize of best Jacket In the World.

THE WINNERS...

MOTION PICTURES

- Picture, Drama: The Descendants.
- Picture, Musical or Comedy: The Artist.
- Actor, Drama: George Clooney, The Descendants.
- Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady.
- Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo.
- Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, The Artist.
- Actress, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn.
- Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners.
- Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help.
- Foreign Language: A Separation.
- Animated Film: The Adventures of Tintin.
- Screenplay: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris.
- Original Score: Ludovic Bource, The Artist.
- Original Song: "Masterpiece" (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry, W.E.


TELEVISION
- Series, Drama: Homeland, Showtime.
- Actor, Drama: Kelsey Grammer, Boss.
- Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland.
- Actor, Musical or Comedy: Matt LeBlanc, Episodes.
- Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, Enlightened.
- Miniseries or Movie: Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," PBS.
- Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, Luther.
- Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce.
- Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
- Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones


Images from Getty, Daily Mail, Grazia Daily, Makeuptalk.com, www.celebuzz.com

POP: PETER COPPING TALKS TO FASHED

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

Among the FashEd's many guises is her role as Contributing Fashion Features Editor at POP. For the new Autumn/Winter issue, the theme was The Lady. So, it was only right that Peter Copping, Creative Director at Nina Ricci be featured, given that his collections are the epitome of ladylike prettiness. My first job as Fashion Junior was transcribing this interview, strange that such a highlight could come before I'd even made my desk my own. In my humble opinion, you cannot fail to fall in love with Copping after reading this...

Portrait of Peter Copping by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

Photography by Ronald Dick, Fashion by Isabelle Kountoure

 POP is out now

PARIS FASHION WEEK: GUIPURE, THE SEQUEL

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

Last week, we brought you news of guipure, the chunky lace which seemed to be making a noteworthy number of catwalk appearences. Well now we are sure that there is some sort of secret guipure society which has infiltrated the minds of some of the world's key designers because its presence has become almost ubiquitous during the Paris shows. So I thought I'd compile you an update of the different ways guipure and the like have taken on starring roles over the past few days of fashion month.

Patchworked, delicate panels by Peter Copping at Nina Ricci

In spearmint as a bodice overlay at Chanel

Pier Paolo  Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri went lace mad at Valentino

This is so chunky it borders on laser cut rather than straightforward lace. Valentino

Giambattista Valli went for blown up 60s floral patterns

At Louis Vuitton, a similar overblown flower on pretty, pretty parisienne dresses

More Vuitton

Louis Vuitton again. Marc Jacobs made his lace so chunky, it almost wasn't lace anymore.

Miuccia Prada continued what she began at Prada in the Miu Miu show. This time it was a little prettier. No bomber jacket to toughen up

Lace on lace on this Miu Miu skirt

 All images from catwalking.com. Miu Miu images from Vogue.fr