Rodarte to Design for Target’s Go International

Squeeee! And with 55 pieces! From WWD:

Designing sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy will be bringing their ethereal sensibility to a wider world when Target introduces Rodarte in December as part of its Go International series of limited collections.

The 55-piece Rodarte line for Go International will launch at most Target stores nationwide and on target.com on Dec. 20, and will be available through Feb. 6. While it may be hard to imagine translating Rodarte’s hand-wrought designs for the mass market, Target claims to have stayed true to the spirit of the luxury-priced label.

Prices for Target’s Go International Rodarte collection will range from $9.99 for knee-highs to $79.99 for a leopard print jacket.

Rodarte, which is known for evening clothes, designed “a variety of great holiday dresses,” Thomas said. “There are stand-alone pieces and pieces that can be worn together to create an ensemble by layering different patterns, textures and prints.”

With its December debut, this will be perfect for all of us who want budget-friendly gifts for our favorite fashionistas.

Photo credit: wweek.com

Tom Ford’s Directorial Debut to Premiere at Venice Film Festival

From All Headline News:

Fashion designer Tom Ford’s directorial debut is set to be screened at the 66th Film Festival in Venice, Italy. “A Single Man” is also nominated for the festival’s prestigious Lion d’Or award.

The film, based on the novel by British author Christopher Isherwood, tells the story of a homosexual college professor who struggles to find meaning in his life after the death of his partner. Ford co-wrote the screenplay and directed the project. He also produced the film through his Fade to Back single.

However, Ford, whose eponymous men’s line is a red carpet favorite by man Hollywood stars, did not serve as a costume designer for the film. He asked Academy Award-nominated Arianne Phillips to fill in the role.

Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode and Nicholas Hoult star.

The 66th Venice International Film Festival will be held from September 2 to 12, with Ford’s creation to be screened on September 11 to close out the festival’s main competition.

I guess Tom Ford’s plan to take over every subsection of the arts is coming to fruition. While the film could have been included in the festival as a mere curiosity, the fact that it’s an in competition choice speaks volumes.

Are you excited to see Tom’s directorial effort?

Tom Ford photo credit: Upscale Hype

MAC Creates Shadow Fashion Week

Pun intended. From The New York Times:

During the five years that MAC was the cosmetics sponsor of fashion shows in Bryant Park in New York, the makeup company made headlines with press conferences attended by supermodels and lithe young dancers who wore body paint in the place of clothing. But MAC, while spending millions, had to share a rather circuslike stage with other sponsors who were competing for attention, sometimes including makers of doughnuts, cameras, toilets and Big Macs.

Now the company has decided to end its support of that event — Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, as it’s called — and will instead present its own shows at Milk Studios in the meatpacking district. Depending on your perspective, it could be viewed as a complement to Fashion Week, or a new competitor. Proenza Schouler, Erin Fetherston and Alexander Wang are among the dozen designers who have already signed on.

The event, with the working title of MAC at Milk, will overlap with the established Fashion Week, beginning Sept. 10.

As John Demsey, the Estée Lauder group president who oversees MAC, described it, the idea was to create a space for emerging and international designers at a time when they need more corporate support. The designers will not be charged for the use of the studios, whereas the Bryant Park shows typically cost around $25,000 for the smallest space.

“Not everybody wants to be in a giant tent environment,” Mr. Demsey said. “And not everybody should be.”

Does this new forum mean that Anna Wintour will be getting the fewer shows that she wants? Ms. Wintour’s wishes aside, this seems to be a win-win situation for everyone; MAC gets their own sponsored event, and emerging designers will be given an affordable option for participating in Fashion Week.

Image credit: MAC Cosmetics