Pineda Covalin - From Mexico to the World

In Mexico, the name Pineda Covalin needs no introduction. A famous fashion label among the circle of Mexican fashionistas, the label was founded by two young designers, Cristina Pineda and Ricardo Covalin with collaboration from the National Anthropology Institute of Mexico in 1996.

The uniqueness of the label lies in the incorporation of Mexican and Latin American folk art onto their range of products, from silk scarves to handbags which are coveted by any fashion-forward crowd of Mexico and in Miami as well, where the brand has its presence through a boutique.

The first Pineda Covalin collection was based on the Mexican ancient mythology, nature, architecture and pre-Hispanic figures. There's even a scarf with the image of Frida Kahlo, Mexico's celebrated painter, printed on.

“We wanted to create something wholly different in quality that offers a new level of sophistication. Something that, unlike handicrafts, was fashion-led yet Mexican, with its inspiration in our rich pre-Hispanic roots. We wanted to find a new way to promote our culture through fashion and design,” explains Ricardo Covalín, co-founder of the label.

Within 10 years of its foundation, the label began to receive international attention as it was introduced to other countries through their participation in fashion weeks and runway events thus garnering the recognition as Mexico's best ambassador to represent the Mexican culture and fashion. To date, Pineda Covalin has more than 15 stores in Mexico as well as in the United States, Canada and Spain.

One of the Mexican retailers that carries the brand is El Palacio del Hierro, a top notch department stores favoured by most Mexicans. Surprisingly, the birth of Pineda Covalin has elevated the "Made in Mexico" status in the eyes of the fashion fans around the globe.

“Ironically,” says Covalín on the greatest challenge faced by them, “our greatest challenge has been convincing the Mexicans themselves.”

There are no further plans for expansion in Asia, which means that Asian fashionistas who wanted a piece of Pineda Covalin will have to travel to Mexico to own a piece of Mexican coveted yet fashionable art. Besides, nothing is impossible if you're in love with fashion!

*Photos by Ultrafemme Group.

Happy Gothic Halloween

Here and there, fashion designers are paying tribute to the dark yet ethereal gothic world with vampy creations, suitable with the upcoming Halloween celebration that falls on 31st October every year.

From what was actually a cult celebration known as Samhain, celebrated by the Celts (and witches as a part of their Sabbath), it is now a widely celebrated holiday around the world and it is also the only day (or night) when you get the chance to become someone else, err, and that would be in costumes!

Though Halloween is the only time when all of us get the chance to channel the looks of characters (apart from the typical ghosts and other scary things),classic silver screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe (the curly platinum blond hair and the pleated white chiffon dress are so typical and overrated that I've got bored with it) and Audrey Hepburn (the Breakfast at Tiffany look with a small tiara and oversized Jackie-O glasses matched with the little black dress) or maybe the worst of all, Tina Turner and Spice Girls wannabe (I can't stand with that lousy spiky blond locks and leopard prints), maybe it's time for us to give the costume shops a run on their money.

At the recent regional Dior runway show staged in Shanghai, floor sweeping gowns in printed maroon tafetta, Holy Dior cross pendants and all-black ensemble (single-breasted lapel jacket and tulle skirts matched with oversized buckled wide belt) are their latest offerings and even made it to the fashion lovers' wardrobe. Models were given an edgier transformation when struting their stuff complete with a long raven wig covered with maroon bandana and complemented her look with the Swarovski crystal-encrusted aviator shades.

Over to Paris at the Fall/Winter 06-07 Jean-Paul Gaultier runway show, the mood was haunting and a little bit eerie yet supernatural as models were given a zombie-inspired look- pale skin, smoky eyes, toussled hair and lifeless-looking. Supermodel Lily Cole was transformed into a living Shirley Temple doll sans the blond lock and a porcelain facial finish.

Looking somber and holding a rag doll that bears her likeness, the British supermodel walked the runway in a semi-transparent chiffon in rusty bronze and layered by a knitted vest top. So real that she looked as if she has been a doll who was brought to life by a wizard to do the catwalk!

So, thinking of dressing down in designers instead of the typical yet overrated Morticia Adams costume? Then try matching the seaon key pieces to create that ethereal mood for this Halloween. Cue from the looks of these two fashion shows and as the night falls, you will be transformed into a vampier-then-ever vamp or should we call it the Belle of the Vamps? Happy trying and Happy Halloween.

The Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2006-07 Collection is available now at Christian Dior stores and selected multi-label boutiques and department stores.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira/VOGUE

Christian Dior - Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur; Passenger Level, Satelite Building, Kuala Lumpur International Airport; Isetan Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Rizalman for Tesco... Could that be true?

In America and Europe, the trend of high-profile designers making bucks by collaborating and designing for hypermarts or mega clothing stores has been seen as a sort of trend.

For instance, designers Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld's design for H&M generated millions of bucks with their respective collection sold less than a week!

In the US, designer Isaac Mizrahi made his comeback after a long hiatus from the fashion world (his comic foray was a disaster!) by designing for Target, America's biggest mass retailer. Instead of the huge price tags, lower-range income shoppers could pull a deep breath as they don't have to pay about $1500 for an Isaac Mizrahi trench coat.

Cueing from the collection success, Target embarked on a campaign called GO International by featuring European designers such as Luella Bartley, Paul and Joe and the upcoming Behnaz Sarafpour designing for the retail giant at a fraction of the designer boutique price.

In the hype of creating designer pieces at hypermarket prices, many fashion insiders are afraid that the designer's credibility and quality will be questioned. This is due to a certain perception that a couture designer will always have to design for the upclass ranges and designing for the lower to middle income ranges is seen as an unforgivable sin for the haute couture community. It's like John Galliano designing for ASDA... whoa, only God knows that!

According to Wirda Adnan, the editor of GLAM, Malaysia's prolific fashion magazine, in my recent interview, what Karl Lagerfeld did for H&M is actually based on his artistic rights.

One can't expect him to design for Chanel for the rest of his life and his decision to collaborate with H&M, one of Europe's biggest clothing mass retailer does not only generate profit for both parties, but it also raised his credibility and repertoire as one of the world's best fashion designers.

So my dear Malaysian fashionistas, should we prompt either Tesco, Carrefour or Giant to engage our local renowned designers like Rizalman, Tom Abang Saufi or Farah Khan to come out with a series of collection that is affordable and can be owned by people from all walks of life? Hmm, when I think about Tom Abang Saufi's batik caftan at RM 60.00 compared to its current tag of RM 600.00, who wouldn't want to miss it for the world!

*Photo courtesy of Target and unidentified source

Gucci Mens S/S 07 Preview

After the departure of Tom Ford, the sexy suave Texan who gave us the best-selling Japanese-inspired collection three years back (I remember seeing a girl friend buying a pleated corset in pink with raised flower details for a cool sum of RM 11 100.00 at Gucci KLCC), the house is getting back on its feet with the arrival of new creative director Frida Giannini.

With lack of experience in designing for men, Giannini channels her imagination into the type of boys most girls wanted to hang out with - the Roman boys. Male models strut their stuff on the runway at Gucci's Menswear show in leather jackets, loud graphical prints, scarves warpped around their necks, and technicolor hues of turquoise, purple and fuschia as well as a pair of printed hotpants (phew!) walking back and fro on the runway.

Though the collection reminds me of how duo Dolce and Gabbana interpret their men, it seems that a male's summer at Gucci will no longer be just suits and pants. Talking about suits and pants, the forthcoming season's collection also features finely cut suits that conforms to the male silhouette. In short, the new collection is suitable for both work and play occassions. So guys, start cleaning out your old wardrobe and stock on Gucci's new look.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira/VOGUE

Gucci - Ground Floor, Suria KLCC; Ground Floor, Avenue K; Indulge Floor, Star Hill Gallery

Cavalli's Sexy Back

Every woman in this world yearns to be dressed by him and his strong understanding in what a woman actually wants. Victoria Beckham a.k.a. Posh Spice was said to have her whole wardrobe filled with his haute couture-inspired creations and his Ming vase dress was worn by a number of celebrities and socialites at events and parties around the globe.

His interpretation of feminity by exuding sensuality and allure has made him one of the most favorable and desirable designer on earth and he is no other than the Italian fashion and silhouette maestro Roberto Cavalli. Cavalli recently showcased his latest Spring/Summer Ready-to-wear creation at the notable yet prestigious Milan Fashion Week 2006.

Attended by his fans, celebrities (Victoria Beckham and Anggun are the permanent fixtures at his shows ever since), press representatives and fashion buyers from around the world, the latest collection features Cavalli's long-recognized trademark- the animal prints, beadings and feathers, giving it a fresh and exotic feeling.

Models paraded on the runway with their braided hair, hoop earrings dangling, and the application of minimal makeup on their faces making them look fresh and less dramatic, thus giving an air of reality to the runway show. Dresses with sexy silhouettes are the menu du jour and have been a part of Cavalli's trademark from the start of his venture into this business which dated back to the mid-1970's.

Pieces that should be a hit among Cavalli die-hard fans or Cavallinis (a term that I coined myself for Cavalli fans) are the red python bustier, yellow caftan dress in zebra print with elongated sleeves and plunging neckline that is suitable to be worn when lounging near the pool with a glass of Martini in your hand, and a flowy leopard print halter dress with criss-cross back and golden beading deatils on the neck and waist. For accessories, heels in braided leather straps, belts with jadeite and turquoise crystal details arranged in flower motifs, and lacquered cuff with a crystal serpentine motif detail graced the models of Roberto Cavalli runways.

As usual, Cavalli appeared on the runway side by side with his wife Eva, receiving applause from the audiences. The Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2007 Collection will be available at Roberto Cavalli stores and select department stores and multi-brand boutiques worldwide early next year.

* Photos by Marcio Madeira/VOGUE

Roberto Cavalli at The Link - Level 2, Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867

Tel: 6733 7185.

Who We've Spotted at ... Dior S/S 07 Runway Show

At the recent Dior Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear runway presentation in Paris, we managed to catch a glimpse of stars as well as the corporate figures who attended the shpw. For the forthcoming Spring collection, John Galliano shelved his eccentric ideas of how a Dior woman should look like and instead, rechannel the basic looks of feminity into his new collection. Models with boyish cropped hair walking down the runway sashaying the latest ensembles of earthy hues.

The Burlesque queen, Dita Von Teese. The wife of Goth rocker cum world's famous antichrist superstar Marilyn Manson was seating on the front row to preview the S/S collection by John Galliano. Famous for her 50's-inspired getup, Dita had launched her own tome on the art of Burlesque. Isn't that great?

LVMH's CEO, Bernard Arnault was there to lend his support to one of best-performing LVMH brands, Christian Dior which he bought nearly three decades ago. Arnault was the one who fished young Galliano into leading the once a conservative fashion house that caters to the upper-crust clients into one of the most trendiest and celebrated label in the world.

Beauty comes alive in the form of the new face of Dior Rouge lipstick, Monica Belucci. Belucci, a model cum actress has received many accolades on her acting career as well as criticism. One of her notable portrayal was as Mary Magdelene in the controversial movie, the Passion of Christ that was directed by actor Mel Gibson.

The new Dior Spring/Summer 07 Collection will be available in stores early Spring 2007 at Christian Dior stores.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira/Vogue