New designer collaborations to covet
While some in the upper echelons of the fashion industry may profess fatigue at the high-low match-up of mass retailers and fashion brands, the desire for somewhat more affordable takes on designer styles doesn’t seem to be waning. After all, who doesn’t want more style for less? Here is a look at some of the latest fashion and beauty collaborations.
Damien Hirst & Alexander McQueen
Marking the 10th anniversary of the late legendary designer Alexander McQueen’s iconic skull scarf, the fashion house has teamed up with a fellow Brit, artist Damien Hirst, to create a limited-edition scarf collection featuring kaleidoscopic skull motifs and patterns of insects adapted from the artist’s “Entomology” series. With a penchant for provocative, statement-making designs, the late McQueen and Hirst are an appropriate pairing. Fashion meets art on the 30 scarf designs, crafted of cashmere, twill, pongé and chiffon, which debuted in November and are available for $515-$1,175 in limited-edition packaging exclusively at www.alexandermcqueen.com and Alexander McQueen boutiques, including the West Hollywood location, (323) 782-4983.
Vivienne Westwood Loves Collection
Renowned English fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood has teamed up with five British heritage brands that focus on traditional craftsmanship for the limited-edition Vivienne Westwood Loves Collection that debuted in November. The 12-piece collection includes Globe-Trotter suitcases lined in the designer’s signature tartan plaids, mismatched color-block Pantherella socks, Gloverall duffle coats in a graffiti tartan print or decorated with Westwood’s manifesto messages, Lock & Co. trilby and newsboy hats and Johnstons of Elgin cashmere knits in a cut-and-slash argyle pattern. The Vivienne Westwood Loves collection, $45-$3,140, is available at the Vivienne Westwood boutique in West Hollywood, (323) 951-0021, and www.viviennewestwood.com.
Estée Lauder Derek Lam Collection
For a decade, fashion designer Derek Lam has collaborated with Estée Lauder’s creative makeup director Tom Pecheux on the models’ looks at his runway presentations. To celebrate their 10 years of creative synergy, the two have launched Lam’s first foray into cosmetics: a navy satin hard-case minaudière clutch handbag containing a five-piece limited-edition makeup collection ($85), featuring a newly formulated lash-lifting mascara, navy blue Kajal Crayon eyeliner pencil, shimmery Smoked Gold eyeshadow, natural Smoked Blush lip color and glossy Barely Gold lip gloss. Inspired by the beauty look at Lam’s spring-summer 2014 collection, the sheer color can be layered to progress from a more understated daytime look to a stronger evening statement. Available at select Estée Lauder counters and www.esteelauder.com beginning in January.
The Lake & Stars x Wren
Los Angeles fashion designer Melissa Coker of the label Wren — known for its feminine, easygoing styles loved by stars including Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore and Alexa Chung — has recently teamed up with local accessories designer Clare Vivier on handbags and Minnetonka on moccasins. The brand’s latest partnership is with New York lingerie brand the Lake & Stars for a capsule collection of limited-edition swimwear set to launch in January. Wren’s first dip into swim, the 18-piece line includes one- and two-piece swimsuits ($172-$226) and silk-blend caftans ($116-$127) that incorporate archival Wren prints and trims, vintage-inspired silhouettes such as high-waisted bikinis and signatures of the the Lake & Stars, including mesh detailing. Available at shop.wrenstudio.com beginning in January.
GP BLUE: Gregory Parkinson x Parker Blue
British-born, Los Angeles-based fashion designer Gregory Parkinson — known for his bohemian-style skirts and dresses worn by the likes of Olivia Wilde and First Lady Michelle Obama — has collaborated for spring 2014 with knitwear company Parker Blue. The much-anticipated collection consists of hand-painted cashmere cardigans, ponchos, tanks and crewneck sweaters ($200-$430) that were paired with painterly prints and lace in Parkinson’s lauded runway presentation. Available at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, (310) 276-4400; Minnie T’s in Venice, (310) 664-3600; and Mi Place in Newport Beach, (949) 219-9919.
Mara Hoffman for Crewcuts
The latest J. Crew collaboration for the Crewcuts children’s label is with New York fashion designer Mara Hoffman. Known for her vibrant prints, Hoffman added swimwear and coordinating apparel to her namesake collection in 2008. Now, thanks to this new partnership, swimwear and apparel can be had for little ones following in their moms’ fashion footsteps. Vibrant colors and globally inspired prints, hallmarks of Hoffman’s designs, are showcased in the girls’ collection, which includes swimsuits, on-trend rash guards and apparel pieces such as ponchos, dresses, harem pants and rompers ($68-$122). Available exclusively at www.jcrew.com as of Jan. 29 and on www.marahoffman.com in March.
Perrin Paris Haute Couture Capitale Clutch Collection
Costume designer and celebrity stylist B. Akerlund — who has dressed Madonna, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyonce — has collaborated with French luxury leather goods brand Perrin Paris on a limited line of clutch handbags for the holidays. The 13 limited-edition bags ($1,800-$6,000) that creatively riff on the label’s classic driving-glove-handle clutch, were created by Sally Perrin, the company’s creative director, in partnership with Akerlund and designers she commissioned for the special project. Launched in December, the bags are available at the Perrin Paris boutique in Beverly Hills, (310) 786-9936, and www.perrinparis.com.
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