Swedish retailer Hennes & Mauritz played its part at Paris Fashion Week this year, launching its Anna Della Russo at H&M collection at the Paradis Latin cabaret club. The star-studded guest list included Poppy Delevingne, Olivier Theyskens, Rachel Zoe, Jefferson Hack, Peter Dundas, Toni Garrn, Karlie Kloss, Constance Jablonski, Liya Kebede and Isabeli Fontana. The evening also featured a live concert starring Azealia Banks.
   The party conveyed the theme that fashion can create a glamorous dream world, something in line with Dello Russo’s mentality.
   In a press release, Dello Russo said, ‘We wanted to give the guests an unforgettable experience: an ever-evolving night that started on the red carpet and ended on the dance floor. We created an amusing cabaret show that, while being pure Parisian entertainment, could also function as a metaphor of the carousel of fashion. There was a vogueing performance, too, and I had an army of mini ADRs around me, wearing the collection, just for the sake of something unexpected. Excess for me means success.’
   ‘The Paradis Ball was the perfect way to launch a collection that is all about fantasy and decoration. It was eye-catching, with an optimistic injection of energy that I found particularly inspiring. We hope that our customers are excited about the launch,’ said Margareta van den Bosch, H&M’s creative adviser.
   The range hits 140 H&M stores worldwide and online on October 4.

Brancott Estate World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards

Top The Supreme Winner of Brancott Estate World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards for 2012: Delight of Light, by Yuru Ma and Mengyue Wu, China. Above Runner-up: Revive, Mengyue Wu and Yuru Ma, China.

Two fashion students from Donghua University, Shanghai, have won both the Supreme Award and the runner-up prize at the Brancott Estate World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards Show for 2012. Yuru Ma and Mengyue Wu’s Delight of Light took home the top prize in the coveted awards. Their Revive design took second place. Both won their categories, netting Ma and Wu four top prizes at WOW—an unprecedented feat, according to founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff.
   The duo were two of 168 who entered, and take home NZ$42,000 in prizes. Nineteen of the thirty-five awards went to New Zealand-designed garments, while the remainder went to international ones. Of the 16, eight awards went to mainland China, including Hong Kong, and one to Taiwan; Australia, the US and India each took home two; and one award went to a Mexican designer.
   ‘During the WOW judging process, we are only told the entry’s name and its inspiration, so we were very surprised when we found out that Yuru and Mengyue were the designers for both the Supreme Winner and runner-up,’ says Dame Suzie. ‘It is an extraordinary accomplishment, especially when it is their first time entering WOW. Their talent is astounding, and I am confident they will be designers to look out for in the future.
   ‘Many tertiary students who have entered WOW in the past have gone on to work in the film and fashion industries. WOW gives them an opportunity to step outside of the normal commercial constraints and to push the boundaries of their art.’
   The World of Wearable Art Awards are now in their 24th year, attracting 50,000 showgoers from around the world. Brancott Estate is a long-term partner of the Awards.

Sopheak Seng

WOW Supreme Award
Winner: Delight of Light, by Yuru Ma and Mengyue Wu, students, Shanghai, China.
Runner-up: Revive, by Mengyue Wu and Yuru Ma, students, Shanghai, China.

American Express Open Section
Winner: Delight of Light, by Yuru Ma and Mengyue Wu, students, Shanghai.
Runner-up: Totally Sheepish, by Sarah Peacock, hospital attendant, Te Kuiti.
Commended: Dragged through a Hedge, by Gillian Saunders, artist and designer, Nelson.
Honourable Mention: Pasifik Tribal Guardians, by Chris van Doren, artist, Auckland.
Honourable Mention: Miss Tiffany, by Chris Wilson, director, Wellington.

Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde section
Winner: Revive, by Mengyue Wu and Yuru Ma, students, Shanghai, China.
Runner-up: In the Op, by Ling Lai Kit Ling, student, Hong Kong.
Commended: Retro Futuristic, by Raymond Lau, student, Hong Kong.
Honourable Mention: It’s all About Money, by Timmy Lee Yun Ho, designer, Hong Kong.
Honourable Mention: Floating, by Tao Wang and Ying Zhang, students, Shanghai, China.

Children’s section
Winner: Spider Feast, by Chan See Lik and Chan Yuet Foot, prop makers, Hong Kong.
Runner-up: The Mummy & My Mummy, by Ya Ting Yang, student, Taiwan, ROC.
Commended: Holey Moley, by Ann Skelly, artist, Wellington.

Air New Zealand South Pacific section
Winner: Marquise Rawahi, by Beatrice Carlson, new-media artist and designer, Auckland.
Runner-up: Harpagornis, by Jan Ubels, set builder, Auckland.
Commended: Powelliphanta Pine, by Sally Spackman, Massey student, Wellington.
Honourable Mention: Green Green Grass, by Sally Blyth, Artist, designer and writer, Auckland.
Honourable Mention: Taniwha Aboard, by Kayla Christensen, Massey student, Paraparaumu.

CentrePort Illumination Illusion section
Winner: Shanachie for Lost Birds, by Jo Drysdall, librarian, Christchurch.
Runner-up: Laser GaGa, by Janice Elliot, artist, Christchurch.
Commended: The Great Illusionist, by Cassandra Thomson and Coral Bowe, Nelson.

Gen-i Creative Excellence Section; theme: Visual Symphony
Winner: Shaker Suit, by Erica Gray, sculptor, Gold Coast, Australia.
Runner-up: Bells for Her, by Sean Purucker, costume fabricator, California, USA.
Commended: Ghungroo, by Pronoy Kapoor, assistant designer, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Honourable Mention: Rain, by Jennie Munro, school support staff, Palmerston North.
Honourable Mention: Tribal Dancers, by Luiz Fernando Sereno Penna, after-school programme manager, Auckland.

Bizarre Bra section
Winner: Epicentre Divas, by Claire Third, taxidermist, Christchurch.
Runner-up: Two Barb Bra, with Love, by Sue Newby and Bruce Haliday, Auckland.
Commended: Party Line, by Angela Leong, accountant, Wellington.
Honourable Mention: Typecast Donna, by Allfrey, painter, Christchurch.
Honourable Mention: Jantar Mantar, by Khadimul Islam, Freelancer, Hemtabad, India.

Booker–Spalding First-Time Entrant Award
Winner: La Danse Macabre, by Mercy Brewer, costumier, Auckland.
Runner-up: Lunar Duo, by Denise Laurie, designer, Invercargill.

WOW Factor Award
Winner: Noor Reverie by Rebecca Maxwell, fashion consultant, Wellington.
Runner-up: The Glamour Card, by Jaswant Daranga and Nilmani Kumar, students, New Delhi, India.

Weta Award
Winner: Velociraptor!, by Milada Adams, costume maker, Mermaid Beach, Queensland, Australia.
Runner-up: aBRAcalypse Now, by Wendy Moyer, textile artist, México.

Wellington International Award
Winner: Beast in the Beauty, by David Walker, carpenter, Alaska, USA.
Runner-up: Legend of Darkness, by Ying Zhang and Tao Wang, students, Shanghai, China.

Shell Student Innovation Award
Winner: Rise from the Ruins, by Nicole Linnell, Massey student, Wellington.
Runner-up: My Maria, by Caitlin Brogan, student, Auckland.

Shell Sustainability Award
Winner: City Lolita, by Deborah Shepherd, teacher, Paeroa.
Runner-up: VCR, by Christopher Davis, fashion student, Auckland.

Jaguar revealed its new F-type to guests yesterday at the Musée Rodin in Paris, a day before its originally announced date. The specs of the new F-type, Lucire can reveal today, range from a three-litre V6 developing 340 PS, through a similar unit developing 380 PS, to the five-litre V8 developing 495 PS. Maximum torque for the three engines are 450, 460 and 625 Nm—yet the cars can achieve fuel economy of 31·4, 31·0 and 25·5 mpg (Imperial, combined).
   The three models—F-type, F-type S, and F-type V8 S—feature eight-speed Quickshift transmissions, and achieve 0–100 km/h times of 5·3, 4·9 and 4·3 seconds respectively. Top speeds are 260, 275 and 300 km/h. Kerb weight is at 1,597, 1,614 and 1,665 kg, thanks to the F-type’s use of aluminium, including a new aluminium front subframe.
   The F-type even features all-aluminium double wishbone front and rear suspension. The aluminium architecture provides what Jaguar says is ‘the stiffest possible underpinnings for the suspension, with rigidity gains of more than 30 per cent in key areas compared to any other Jaguar application.’
   The two-seater convertibles wear the F-type moniker, linking them clearly to a racing heritage that began with the C-type and the iconic E-type.
   Rather than field grand tourers as it had since the E-type went out of production in 1975, Jaguar has returned to the sports car market with a vehicle that is more purposeful, sized somewhere between the Porsche Boxster and 911.
   In a press release, Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar said, ‘Jaguar is a founder member of the sports car segment with a rich sporting bloodline stretching over 75 years, and in the F-type we’ve reignited that flame. The F-type isn’t designed to be like anyone else’s sports car. It’s a Jaguar sports car—ultra-precise, powerful, sensual and, most of all, it feels alive.’
   Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design, said, ‘A piece of design should tell a story and this is why every line in the F-type has a start, a direction and a conclusion. If you approach every line individually and get it as æsthetically correct as possible, get the dimensions right, it will stand the test of time.’
   Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, said: ‘With the F-type, the Jaguar engineering team focused on delivering greater dynamic driving reward than ever before. To make that a reality, every engineer has had very tough targets to hit: every one of those targets has been met and, in many cases, exceeded, making the F-type a car that delivers precisely the key sporting attributes that we intended.’
   The F-type has been inspired by the 2011 C-X16 concept, and appears muscular and sensual. The interior layout, meanwhile, is what Jaguar calls a “one plus one”: it is asymmetric, and focused on the driver. Even the trim materials differ on each side. Controls are grouped by function, inspired by fighter aeroplanes.
   The base F-type is priced at £58,500, the S at £67,500, and the V8 S at £79,950.

Ross Brown

The Royal New Zealand Ballet will have a function in early October launching its new TelstraClear season, but eagle-eyed ballet-goers will have noticed its next ballet, Giselle, already announced in the Cinderella programme.
   This new major production commences its run in Wellington on November 7 at the St James Theatre, and will show in seven centres nationally.
   The RNZB’s artistic director, Ethan Stiefel, co-produces Giselle with Johan Kobborg, principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in London.
   In a release, Stiefel says, ‘Giselle is one of the great Romantic ballets, and it’s truly inspiring to collaborate with my good friend. We are delighted to have the chance to present our version of a ballet we both know very well.’ Both Stiefel and Kobborg have performed as Albrecht in Giselle.
   Gillian Murphy, RNZB principal guest artist and star of American Ballet Theatre, has the title role, which she has not danced before. She will alternate with other leading RNZB artists, with casting to be announced in October.
   The costumes have been designed by Natalia Stewart, a Russian ballet dancer who then trained at the London College of Fashion. American Howard C. Jones created the sets, while his compatriot Kendall Jones designed the lighting.
   Giselle, or Giselle ou les Wilis to give its original French title, is considered one of the quintessential Romantic ballets. It is in two acts with a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier, and scored by Adolphe Adam. It was inspired by the poet Théophile Gautier, and first performed in Paris in June 1841.
   The Vector Wellington Orchestra in Wellington and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in Auckland, will be conducted by Michael Lloyd.
   It is the RNZB’s first staging of Giselle since 2006. The TelstraClear season of Gislle is in Wellington from November 7 to 11; Christchurch, November 15–17; Invercargill, November 20–1; Dunedin, November 24–5; Auckland, November 29–December 2; Rotorua, December 5; Napier, December 8–9; and Palmerston North, December 12. Full details can be found at the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s website.

ASOS is going the extra step of working with the labels it represents by creating a collection—the ASOS Black x Puma range will likely be the start of other ventures.
   While ASOS has worked with labels before in terms of distribution—American Apparel sees ASOS strategically—the Puma deal comprises a capsule of 60 sportswear pieces.
   The products feature embossed rubberized branding with the ASOS Black x Puma logo, and the launch itself shows the company’s ambition. It’s not a distribution partnership but one which sets the scene for ASOS as a brand in its own right.
   The collection blends technical elements with classic shapes, mixing function with great design.
   The look book was photographed by Jamie Morgan, using young artists. The film follows on from this, with the São Paulo art scene as a backdrop.
   The Os Pixadores graffiti collective stars in the campaign. The collective, made up on gangs of five to six, uses street art, bombing the city and working at night. The style of graffiti, pixacão, derives from political slogans painted on government buildings in Brazil to protest its dictatorship.
   The artists have become legendary in the city, and ASOS sees them as being ‘perfect ambassadors’ for the new range’s innovative designs.
   The Pixadores were best known for a protest during the 2008 São Paulo Biennale, where they painted on the Pavilion’s blank walls. One activist, Caroline Pivetta de Mota, was arrested.
   The film has been made by director Ben Newman, who previously shot an Urban Tour campaign featuring roller-bladers in Paris.
   The campaign encourages people to be creative by sharing their art, hashtagged on Twitter or via Instagram with #Beacreator. The film and collection will be launched on September 25.

This post has been sponsored by ASOS.

Jeff Kravitz

Above Morena Baccarin in Basil Soda.

Who had the best dresses at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards?
   Ones rated most highly by ITN were Nicole Kidman in her Antonio Berardi spring–summer 2013, fresh off the catwalks; Tina Fey in Vivienne Westwood; Claire Danes in Jeanne Lanvin, showing that one can accommodate a baby bump with glamour. In a nautical theme, Heidi Klum wore a sea-foam Alexandre Vauthier, with a plunging neckline and showing plenty of leg through a thigh-high slash; and Sofia Vergara was in a marine mood showing off her curves in a Zuhair Murad gown complete with a mermaid tail look.
   ITN is less delighted with January Jones and Kelly Osborne, both in Zac Posen; Hayden Panettiere in Marchesa; and Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano.
   Other stars attending the Emmys include Michelle Dockery in Louis Vuitton; Archie Panjabi in Randi Rahm, Maria Menounos in Oliver Tolentino, Betsy Brandt in David Meister, and Jane Levy in Pamella Roland—all resplendent in blue. Cat Deeley wore an eye-catching, red Tadashi Shoji, while Morena Baccarin wore Basil Soda. Julie Bowen attended wearing a fluorescent yellow Monique Lhuillier, while Amy Poehler donned a black Stella McCartney gown. Julianne Hough wore a Georges Hobieka Couture gown in a similar shade to Klum’s.
   Meanwhile, David Babaii has revealed how Kidman got her hair look, using IT&LY Pure Water Drops Serum followed by a spritzing of IT&LY’s Pure Texture to wet hair and created a centre part. Next, he used his IT&LY blowdrier with the nozzle attachment to finish the drying process. IT&LY Pure Water Drops was used again prior to using a styling iron, then he used the company’s Racing Red one-inch Digital Iron and divided hair into three parts again: top, sides and back. Starting at the nape area and taking small sections at a time, he combed the hair before running the flat iron through. By sectioning the hair one has total control over the style. To finish, he sprayed IT&LY Pure Definition Hairspray on a toothbrush and ran it over the top hairs to give it a light hold.
   Don’t forget, too, that Lucire Home had a great piece this weekend on Emmy Award parties and how to re-create that Emmy mood at home.

CNN’s Alina Cho interviews Tommy Hilfiger at his Plaza Hotel penthouse apartment in New York. The apartment, which covers 6,000 ft² and two storeys, features art from Warhol (whom Hilfiger knew personally), Basquiat and Haring, and a view of Central Park.
   The home, described as ‘palatial’, is owned by the designer, who in 2010 sold his business for $3,000 million. He remains principal designer.
   ‘My idea in the future would be to build Tommy Hilfiger Home fully, with anything and everything from furniture to tabletop. And we’re working on that now,’ he says.
   ‘We really wanted to go back to the way the Plaza was in the beginning when Truman Capote had the black and white ball.’
   It’s only one of three homes. Hilfiger and his wife, Dee, own homes in Greenwich, Conn., and one called Palm Beach in Mustique.
   The special, as part of Fashion: Backstage Pass, sees Cho interview designers one on one. Other episodes feature Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen (one of his first interviews was here at Lucire), Patrick Pope (a.k.a. P’Trique) and Ewan McGregor.
   The Hilfiger episode airs on CNN International Saturday, September 22 at 5.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. BST, and on Sunday, September 23 at 7.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. BST.

Coty

Georgia May Jagger will be the face of the Just Cavalli fragrance, Coty Prestige announced today. She will appear in print and TV advertisements, the former directed by Jonas Åkerlund, the latter photographed by Mario Sorrenti.
   The new fragrance hits counters in February.
   The youngest daughter of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and model Jerry Hall, Georgia May Jagger was first signed to Independent Models at 16, and has been photographed by Terry Richardson, Mario Testino and Mario Sorrenti. She was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2009, and featured in the closing ceremony of the London Olympics alongside Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
   At 17, she appeared in a Versace campaign photographed by Testino, following in her mother’s footsteps. Now 20, Roberto Cavalli, whose company licenses the Just Cavalli brand to Coty, says in a release, ‘Georgia is the perfect choice to incarnate Just Cavalli. She is a playful temptress.’
   It is the first fragrance that Jagger has modelled for.
   She says, ‘Roberto Cavalli is a great designer. The Just Cavalli brand is very sexy, young and cool. Each collection is very contemporary and colourful; it is clearly for the younger generation who wants to have a trendy look.’
   ‘Georgia is a talented fashion icon. She’s sexy and provocative. Rock is in her DNA. She is the perfect muse for the new Just Cavalli feminine fragrance,’ says Françoise Mariez, Senior Vice-President, International European Marketing Licences at Coty Prestige.