Roberto Cavalli Opens First Nightclub in Florence, Italy

Designer Roberto Cavalli opened his first nightclub in the beautiful city of Florence in Italy this past week. Cavalli chose a 15th century deconsecrated church as the location of the club which was in a desperate need for a restoration. The church, and now his nightclub, is near the 13th-century Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine, and it is adorned with Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Masaccio and Masolino. “I feel I helped recover a real jewel,” says Cavalli of the recovered church which is now turned into a luxurious nightclub. Cavalli along side with architect Italo Rota took full advantage of the high ceilings of the original building and also added additional level. A lounge bar is located on the ground floor; a stage with a piano is placed in a niche where the altar used to be, and a 50-seat restaurant is on the upper floor. The decor is greatly nature inspired including steel leaves decorating the columns, a huge twisting steel snake on the side of the bar, an aquarium, an oversize shell on one wall, and seats with the designer’s infamous animal prints. Cavalli will open two more nightclubs in the upcoming year, one in Dubai at the end of January 2009, which will have a “a huge stairway” and plenty of glittering Swarovski crystals, and the other in Milan in February 2009. The designer is also working on renovating Milan’s former Just Cavalli Café and turning it into a Club.

Louboutin’s “Barbie” Pumps

Barbie’s 50th Birthday is coming up next year and for her special runway show in 2009, the infamous doll is getting to ready to wear a fabulous pair of Louboutins. Christian Louboutin is designing a pair of pumps in the legendary Barbie Pantone 219 Pink that will make their debut at the Barbie Mattel runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. As of now, 50 designers, unfortunately still undisclosed, will create Barbie inspired outfits for the extravagant show and each of the models will wear the special pink Louboutins. As for Louboutin, whose pumps are by far the most wanted worldwide, he is a longtime fan of Barbie, “I guess I always had a little “girlie side” who liked Barbie. Barbie needs to wear great shoes because every girl needs to wear great shoes.”

Coco Avant Chanel: New On-Set Stills with Audrey Tautou

The new edition of Elle France published new on-set stills from the upcoming film Coco Avant Chanel starring Audrey Tautou. The movie is currently filming in Paris and is said to be released in France in May of 2009 and will be available worldwide following later in the year. The film will center around Coco Chanel’s earlier years. Designer Karl Lagerfeld has collaborated with costumer Catherine Leterrier for the extravagant film costumes which will include classic Chanel designs and will show how Mademoiselle Chanel was “different from the ladies of her time” — “she was poor, but she had her own style.”

Chanel Métiers D’Art Pre-Fall 2009 Collection

Ever since Karl Lagerfeld revealed that the new Métiers D’Art collection will be inspired by imperial Russia and Russian folklore, everyone could not wait to see it. And finally presented in Paris in the Théâtre le Ranelagh the runway blossomed in this amazing fairy tale. I do not have words to describe what a beautiful collection this truly is and I will let you judge for yourself adoring the pictures below. Every single piece was stunning and brought to life the Russian magic combined with the timeless Chanel style. The folkloric headdresses were done by Japanese wizard Kamo and the garments sparkled with gold high heels, extravagant jewellery and astrakhan muffs.

“There are three things I like about Russia,” said Lagerfeld. “I love Imperial Russia, from Catherine the Great to Fabergé. I love constructivism, of course. And I love Russian folklore, which is very special. What was fun was to mix it all.”

And he truly did as the runway was rich in everything from “a coat with a shawl collar and babushka shoulders to tweed suits with military airs and geometric trim,” and the shimmering gold stockings, leather boots and splashes of stunning knits, brocades, fur trims and embroideries completed the magical Parisian-Russian fairy tale.

Karl Lagerfeld’s Silent Film about Coco Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld opened his pre-fall Paris-Moscow Metiers D’Art Collection at the Le Ranelagh theater in Paris, with a 10 minute black and white silent film about Coco Chanel. Lagerfeld who “always loved silent movies,” directed the film himself, which starred his favorite male model Brad Kroenig and model model Edita Vilkeviciute who plays Coco from 1913. The first part of the film revolves around 1913 when Chanel first opened her shop and the second part takes place in 1923 when she was already well established. The film also featured Chanel’s Russian lover, the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, from whom she borrowed the pea jacket and pelisse and which tied perfectly to the new Collection which incorporated elements from imperial Russia and Russian folklore.

“It’s a funny movie, unpretentious,” says Lagerfeld. “Chanel was a charming woman, at liberty to seduce men. Everybody this year has decided to make a movie about Chanel, and you know their historical worth is not always too exact.”

The film took two days to shoot in a studio on the outskirts in Paris. Here is a small preview and the full movie is already available on Chanel’s website or from this link by clicking here.

Mango Spring/Summer 2009: Barcelona

The Spanish brand Mango presented its Spring/Summer 2009 Collection in Barcelona named “An Enchanted Garden.” The collection was inspired by “nature and modern landscape” as well as influenced by a strong Japanese touch on the shapes and prints of the garments. Brazilian model Camila Alves came down the runway, and it was her first appearance after the birth of her cute son from boyfriend Matthew McConaughey. The Enchanted Garden featured bright colors and prints, silk and chiffon softness, large flower accessories and exotic oriental flare. Watch out for these pieces to come out in stores next year and prepare for a bright, hot summer!

Coco Rocha’s complete photo spread for Romeo and Juliet

For the December 2008 issue of Vogue, distinguished photographer Annie Leibovitz recreated the Shakespearean love tragedy Romeo and Juliet entitling it “Love of a Lifetime.” Famous model Coco Rocha plays the role of the dreamy Juliet and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle is Romeo. The 33-year old Bolle “possesses an inherent sensuality tempered by an aura of extreme refinement” and the dancer has also made modeling appearances for Salvatore Ferragamo and the Gap. Coco looks romantic and loving with the various dresses she wears in the Italian setting. This incredible play between the star cross’d lovers is brought to life by this beautiful photo spread. The complete story appears in the December 2008 issue of Vogue, which features Jennifer Aniston on the cover.

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