Fashion Models and the Hottest Designer Trends

At the Grammy’s in Los Angeles this past weekend, no one other than the infamous Lady Gaga has shocked us all with her extravagant Armani Privé designs. She arrived on the red carpet in a lilac, space-aged, solar system-inspired stiff-skirted gown and left the award show in a white, strapless, silver-sequined short dress that gave a sneak peak at her bottom catching the attention of all guests.

Lady Gaga said, “I am honored to be wearing Armani this evening. The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist. Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch, and his wonderful team.”

The Armani team that worked on these designs for Gaga said, “We hear Lady Gaga’s music everywhere we go. It is like a soundtrack of our times. In addition to her formidable songwriting skills, she is a modern fashion phenomenon. I am delighted to be creating these outfits on such an important night for her, the Grammy’s, and I wish her the best of luck.”

For an editorial entitled “The Visitors” shot by photographer Fréderic Bastin, 16-year-old Belgian model Camille Ringoir and 18-year-old also Belgian model Pauline van der Cruysse both of Dominique Models are featured in this futuristic and fashion forward editorial styled by Ruben Debuck. Utilizing a setting of circle, triangle, square, and rectangle shaped blocks, Camille and Pauline are shown in very geometric garments slightly avant garde embellished. I really enjoy this editorial because it is quite different from other editorials from the colors, the garments, and the setting to the sharpness and lighting of the photography.

Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2010 collection takes inspiration from a mix of romanticism and space age to quite eye-tricking handwork in pale pinks, straw yellows, almond greens, beiges, and grays with whites. The collection, steering clear of any gold, which is rare for Karl, black, and navy, was presented during Paris Fashion Week featuring top models Freja Beha Erichsen of IMG, Siri Tollerød of Marilyn Model Management, Kasia Struss of Women Model Management, Jacquelyn Jablonski of Elite Model Management, Magdalena Frackowiak also of Elite, Lindsay Ellingson of Viva, Anja Rubik of Next Models, Angelika Kocheva also of Marilyn Models, Sofia Fisher also of Marilyn Models, Skye Stracke also of Viva, Hanne Gaby Odiele also of Women Models, Sophie Srej also of IMG, Abbey Lee Kershaw also of Next Models, Liu Wen also of Marilyn Models, Shu Pei Qin also of Next Models, Dorothea Barth Jorgensen also of Elite, Isabeli Fontana of Silent Models, and more.

Karl does not like to describe clothing as ‘futuristic’. He says, “I don’t believe in avant-garde clothes for a future that will never happen. Fashion is always now.”

The collection is very young and joyful exemplifying luxury through light using sequins, crystals, embroideries, silver threads, and ethereal volumes from short suits to liquid togas. Some pieces even had embroidery resembling smashed glass and molten metal using jewelry as part of the structure of the garment. This Haute Couture collection is very dreamy full of bows and girly embellishments that would make any women feel gorgeous and confident.

Grace Jones has always been known for her unique style and sometimes outrageous look. This time, I’m not really sure what she was thinking.

In the past, Grace Jones was known as a trendsetter and popularized the androgynous look of the 1980′s. She also has credit for giving rise to the “flat top” trend in the same decade.

Grace was photographed exiting her car wearing an outfit that can best be described as grandma Helen meets beekeeper in 1985. Sorry Grace, your new look… not so edgy.

One of the oddest things to come off the high fashion runways this season must be the striking “Lobster Claw” shoe from Alexander McQueen.

Now, You either love this or hate it, doesn’t really seem to be much in between. I think it’s HOT!

10 inch stilettos are hot for sure. You are already walking on your toes in these babies. Alex, added a spin to the overdone platform by rounding the top of the shoe to make a clunky, but stylish, shoe that reminds one of the lobster claw.

Many designs of Alexander McQueen are daring, not to mention a bit tough to wear in real life. Don’t get me wrong, they are stunning on the runway for sure and the decorations on the shoes are “to die for”. However, the Lobster claws seem to have transcended the “runway only” phase and may even be on their way to becoming a trend. People have been spotted wearing them, not many, but that may not matter when you have such trendsetters as Lady Gaga sporting them.

Actually,  Lady Gaga and Daphne Guinness were both spotted in their own “Lobster Claws” last month.

Will this be a trend? Will this be the next big thing in shoes? Maybe not, but they are just so COOL! I want a pair.

In the winter 2009 issue of Zink magazine, photographer GL Wood decided to have a little fun with an editorial entitled “Get in Shape” utilizing Photoshop to transform model muse Nichola into a disproportionate and unusually-sized. What a cool, if not so optical, illusion.

Her body is distorted into extremely long legs, a big bumped booty, and large linebacker like shoulders showcasing her in a structured shoulder blazer, a tan dress with a black bustier and fanned out leopard print sleeves, a red dress with a gray coat and blue lace leggings, and a long-sleeved, turtle neck dress embellished with pearls.

Diesel, the international jeans brand, is launching their “Be Stupid” campaign for their spring/summer 2010 collections encouraging consumers to take a risk and move beyond the smart, sensible track for life to follow your heart more. According to Diesel, stupid inspires, makes for great stories, leads to brilliance, and have balls. The campaign was developed at Anomaly in London including online press and outdoor advertisements of ‘stupid’ acts, a digital recruitment campaign for the Diesel music video/2010 catalogue, and viral activity to online the company’s ‘stupid’ philosophy.