Toni Mateu

Silician designer Maria Francesca Paternò has released her bridal and haute couture collection for 2012, entitled Ouverture.
   The self-described ‘fashion engineer’ mixes a number of cultures, along with poetry and art, as part of her inspiration.
   The collection features one-shoulder necklines reminiscent of ancient Greece, long and flowing skirts, and a nostalgic use of silk, satin and lace. Paternò’s cocktail dresses have vivid, vibrant colours. She employs only the highest quality materials and techniques.
   Paternò’s atelier is named la Via della Seta, or Silk Road, paying tribute to her love of the material.
   The advertising campaign was shot in Barcelona by Toni Mateu.
   Paternò was mentored by designer Gianna Baragli, and had worked for several notable companies beginning in the 1970s. Her website describes her gowns as works of art ‘brought to life with sentiment and feminine sensibility.’

Above Stine Riis, winner of the H&M Design Award.

København native Stine Riis, a 28-year-old graduate of the London College of Fashion, has been announced as the winner of the first Hennes & Mauritz Design Award. Her winning collection, called Decadence & Decay, was shown on the catwalk at Stockholm Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week earlier today.
   The win sees Riis receive €50,000 and 15 of her designs sold in selected H&M stores in Sweden, the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands in September.
   Stine calls her style ‘tailored future elegance’. She sees the construction of the garments as being part of the design, while ensuring the clothes are comfortable.
   The competition jury featured Christopher Kane, Hilary Alexander, Kristopher Arden Houser, Susie Lau, Margareta van den Bosch, and Ann-Sofie Johansson.
   ‘I am still overwhelmed. Showing at Stockholm’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has been such a great experience. I can’t believe so many people came to see my collection! This award gives me the confidence and financial back-up I need to pursue my dream of building my own brand. I couldn’t have imagined a better start to my career as a designer,’ said Riis in a release.
   Alexander complimented Riis, calling her entry ‘a polished, well-cut collection of strict tailoring in contrasting materials including leather, wool, metallic and bonded fabrics. Her silhouette was lean but flowing, and particularly effective was her use of colour: a slim blue and orange bi-colour top, for example, or a blue coat stamped with white.’
   The H&M Design Award People’s Prize, decided online by visitors to the Awards’ website, was won by Anne Bosman. She receives a one-month internship at Christopher Kane in London.
   Students at fourteen colleges in six countries competed for the prize.

Kristian Loveborg Fotografering

Hot on the heels of her début at New Zealand Fashion Week last year, Deryn Schmidt has become a household name synonymous with feminine fashion. Having showed as part of the new generations show at Fashion Week, her collection was one of the most sought after and highly praised by both local and international media and buyers, but here at Lucire we have known all along that she was destined for greatness.
   With Joy of Life, Schmidt recalls the bygone era of the 1940s’ postwar glamour. Sharp tailoring mixes with soft, flowing feminine lines to create a modern interpretation of the uniforms of yesteryear. A very French influence is noted in the collection with the easy wear glamour and joie de vivre way of dressing.
   The collection embraces the freedom and celebration of women, and is about expressing your identity as women. Beautiful silks, wools and cashmeres mix with merinos silk cottons, linen. For the first time, the Deryn Schmidt brand also introduces New Zealand leather and velve,t adding to the brand’s tactile ethos, ensuring that garments will be treasured pieces that can be enjoyed today as well as years to come.
   Wartime black and greys are brightened up with juicy berry shades of currant, boysenberry, cranberry and oranges. Honey and mustards also add pops of colour to liven up your winter wardrobe.
   Our pick of the collection would have to be the Belle dress. Schmidt’s signature skill of being able to drape fabrics beautifully against he body is evident in this dress, hand sewn pleats fall effortlessly skimming the body while giving you the feminine lines of the ’40s. The bliss dress is also a wardrobe must as well, the perfect shirtdress, it is flattering and the drawstring waist nips in and flows out beautifully.
   For winter, Schmidt’s exceptional tailoring is evident in the many coats that will be sure to sell out. Our two favourites would be the Exuberant jacket, which is a swing jacket featuring only the finest wool cashmere but pieced together with New Zealand leather, it recalls the fighter jackets of wartime pilots. The Identity coat, a masculine military style pea coat will also be another must-have. Its beautiful wool cashmere will have you sinking into it, while the contrast panels skim and flatter your figure.
   The new collection will be available in stores and online from February onwards.—Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor

Courtesy Charlene K

Above Charlene K has managed to gain a following among the Hollywood set, including Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon.

As every gift is considered prettier with a bow, a woman is portrayed as even more sophisticated with a jewel.
   When one is surrounded by fascinating pieces such as a pair of earrings, a chic pendant, a fabulous bracelet or an eye-opening ring, an instant shimmer of grace lights the room and instantly illuminates one’s surrounding space. Jewellery is seen as an important factor for many; the late actress and famous fashion icon, Elizabeth Taylor, once said, ‘I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can’t possess radiance, you can only admire it.’ Taylor was not the only one to have highly appreciated a precious stone’s intimate embrace; a number of other women are also known to value the idea of adding a slight chic glint to their wardrobe.
   Jewellery brand Charlene K has won the hearts of many top female celebrities including Eva Longoria, Tyra Banks, Audrina Patridge, Taylor Armstrong, Julia Ling, Reese Witherspoon and other fashionably chic women in Hollywood. Charlene K is described as ‘contemporary, classic, trendy, and perfect for any occasion.’ As we look through the brand’s vast range of different pieces we understand to what extent they can be revealed as exclusively hip and stylish as they shimmer and shine. The pieces underline the wearer’s allure and refined appeal. The Charlene K collection consists of highly radiant and rare gemstones that are extremely attractive and fashionable. The collection varies from overly sophisticated to very simple and sweet.
   The accessory brand was founded by Teong Kay and his wife Gigi. The brand is named after the couple’s daughter, Charlene. Teong’s thirty-year experience in the fashion industry began with two successful dress companies he founded earlier on, Pave Couture and Saint Romei. Both collections were soon sold in famous high-end stores such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. It was not until 2005 that Teong and his wife created creative jewellery pieces that would come to life and become a luxurious feature amongst celebrities and fashion aficionados. The jewellery collection comprises wonderfully artistic pieces with rare gemstones from stunning turquoise, attractive amethyst, to majestic onyx of a fascinating deep black texture; the pieces are beautifully balanced with a mix of gold, rose gold or sterling silver. An instant magnificent flare is evoked as the wearer indulges in fabulous pieces of luxury. In order to fulfil one’s taste, one may choose from a number of designs depending upon one’s desire and personal preference.
   When speaking to Teong during Accessories The Show, a three-day event at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York on January 8–10, he enthusiastically presented an array of pieces featured in his lovely collection. His brand could be found in hundreds of stores in America as well as in Canada, London, China, Korea, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia and Europe. Charlene K not only travels across the world revealing stunning creations, it also flutters amongst high-end fashion-lovers who are looking for a special flash of shine that many find in the beauty that hides within a simple jewel.—Lola Saab, Paris Editor

Courtesy Charlene K

Above Charlene K’s press clippings show numerous celebrities wearing its jewellery.

Marcus Dawes

Swarovski launched its retail concept store, Swarovski Crystallized, at Great Marlborough Street in London, with a VIP event on Thursday. It also celebrated the winners of supermodel Hélèna Christensen’s Unsigned Model Search, Freya McHugh and Reece Sanders, who front the Swarovski Crystallized spring–summer 2012 campaign.
   Christensen, who is a photographer in her own right, shot the campaign featuring McHugh and Sanders. It will break in the UK, the US, China and Swarovski’s home country of Austria during the season.
   She said, ‘It was an absolute pleasure to photograph them both and a thrill to finally reveal the imagery for the spring–summer 2012 Swarovski Crystallized campaign. From the response to the photographs, I know we have unearthed two people with successful careers ahead of them and I can’t wait to see their progress over the coming months.’
   Christensen wore Stella McCartney at the launch, accessorized by a Jayde by Melissa Kandiyoti Trapeze necklace and earrings from Swarovski Crystallized.
   Other VIPs included Daniella Issa Helayel, Grace Woodward, Harold Tillman, Olivia Inge, Nicky Haslam, Noëlle Reno, Ozwald Boetang, Patrick Grant, Olivia Grant, Rachel Barrett, Tolula Adeyemi, Scott Young, Olivia Lee, and Nat and Leah Weller. British Chase Vodka provided the drinks.
   Swarovski Crystallized features jewellery collections and accessories created by international designers using Swarovski Elements.

Sorelle, the luxury label of a third-generation shoe-making family, has launched in the US. The hand-made range of jewelled shoes—which includes gladiator sandals, flats and high heels—is made in Greece, using Italian leather, silk, Swarovski crystals and metal.
   The two sisters behind Sorelle, Aritsa and Valia Anastopoulos, follow in their grandfather’s footsteps in creating shoes. Their father, Theodoros, founded Ariana, a label specializing in elegant women’s shoes and leather items.
   Sorelle targets a high-end clientèle in Europe and Asia and hope to break into the North American market successfully. For retail opportunities, please contact info@sorelleshoes.com.

Longines has opened a store in New York, with brand ambassador, tennis star Stefanie Graf—better known to us as Steffi Graf—doing the ribbon-cutting on January 24.
   The shop, inside leading US watch retailer Tourneau, includes the latest Longines watches, including the Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases, the DolceVita, and the Column-Wheel Chronograph.
   A private preview was held for the American media, followed by a cocktail reception for VIP clientèle, hosted by Condé Nast’s Details magazine.
   Guests also had a chance to win a Longines HydroConquest watch in stainless steel with a blue dial, in return for a small donation. Proceeds from the donations went to Graf’s charity, Children of Tomorrow, which helps children and families affected by war, persecution or organized crime.
   Graf has been a Longines ambassador since 2008. She was joined at the ribbon-cutting by Tourneau CEO Jim Seuss and Longines US brand president Jennifer Judkins.

Top Diane Krüger is one of the VIPs at the Versace Étoile de la Mer eyewear launch. Above Donatella Versace and Anna Wintour.

Versace hosted a dinner at Restaurant Lasserre in Paris on January 23 to unveil its spring–summer 2012 eyewear collection, dubbed Étoile de la Mer.
   The capsule collection features two sunglasses and one optical model, each in various pastel colours. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the signature frameless pilot-shaped model at the spring–summer 2012 women’s fashion show in Milano.
   Donatella Versace and Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt played host, with celebrities including Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Abbie Cornish, Diane Krüger, Haider Ackerman, Ludivine Sagnier, Daphne Guinness, Maggie Grace, Suzy Menkes, Bérénice Bejo, Salma Hayek and Riccardo Tisci.
   The campaign image features supermodel Gisèle Bündchen, photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott at an abandoned pool in the California desert. Giovanni Bianco art-directed.
   Donatella Versace says of the campaign in a release: ‘Gisèle was the perfect choice for this campaign. Her beauty is so bold in these images and she radiates true strength and sensuality. As an iconic beauty, she is also the perfect fit for the Étoile de la Mer eyewear collection. The images of her in the collection are stunning and powerful. This is exactly the vision I had when I started the design process.’
   The Versace Étoile de la Mer optical style will be available at OPSM in New Zealand from February, with the sunglasses following at Sunglass Hut in April.

Above Scenes from the launch event, with guests including Maggie Grace, Emmanuelle Alt, Daphne Guinness, Bérénice Bejo and Salma Hayek, and Haider Ackerman and Suzy Menkes. Below The Gisèle Bündchen campaign image and the three Versace Étoile de la Mer designs.