All eyes were on Lanvin this week, as the iconic French fashion house’s Spring 2018 collection was to be new Artistic Director, Olivier Lapidus’ runway debut. His appointment in the coveted role came after a 16-month stint for former Artistic Director, Bouchra Jarrar—setting fashion’s everlasting musical chairs game in motion yet again.
In July, Lapidus revealed that he aimed to make Lanvin “a French Michael Kors” in a Business of Fashion interview—perhaps returning the brand to its former glory (and sales) under iconic designer Alber Elbaz. He attempted that right out of the gate with a collection heavy in wearability, but with a lack of the pizazz the house is known for.
Functional black trousers were paired with wispy strapless and sheer, button-front shirts, sharp blazers, and va-va-voom printed, halter bra tops.
Logos made the case for millennial consumption on sexy, plunging mini dresses, sultry keyhole-accented tops, high-waist skirts, and cocktail-perfect frocks.
Most of the assortment was neutral, but hues of pink and red did lend that refreshing Spring-like quality to the collection.
Lanvin has long been a red carpet go-to for women like Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomie Harris, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Elle Fanning. The gowns presented here were rather minimalist in comparison with typical movie star glamour, but they could be transformed with the right hair, makeup, and accessories.
American Music Awards, Grammys, number one singles and multi-platinum albums under her belt, and this week’s throwback, Fergie, is about to be on everyone’s radar once again. She’s back with a new sound and serving looks from here to the London Bridge. As iconic as her hits like “Fergalicious” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” is her style. Embarking on her own after the Black Eyed Peas era, she found her niche, and started to set the fashion world ablaze.
During her Black Eyed Peas days, Fergie started to define her look. Keeping the aesthetic of the band in mind when she first joined the group, her style was centered around pairing midriff bearing tops and and driver caps with loose fitting trousers.
With the debut of her first solo album, The Duchess, came a revamp of her look. The midriff tops eventually got a little shorter. And coupling those with teensy mini skirts made for some interesting looks, but she probably just wanted everyone to see that she was working on her fitness.
But that all changed, especially after her single “Glamorous” dropped. She became what she sang about and ushered in a new look. Precocious miniskirts evolved into floor-length gowns and dazzling cocktail dresses. She even switched up her signature blond hair to sultry brunette.
Fergie’s pregnancy style didn’t suffer either. She and her baby bump embraced tons of color, eye-catching prints, and gorgeous embellishments.
Even after the birth of her adorable son, Axl Jack, Fergie Ferg still slayed. From cool separates for streetwear the likes of Discount Universe and Givenchy…
…to killer red carpet looks, The Duchess is back like she never left.
A new album set for release tomorrow means we’re sure to see lots more looks from Fergie. And if her looks slay my life like her latest hit, “How We Do” does, keep an eye open for her to land on best dressed lists.
For more pics of Fergie, head over to the gallery above for some of her best style moments. What say you to Fergie’s style evolution?
We are taking a breather from featuring Parisian Bombshells/Bombers for Cocktails with Claire in Paris to wish a Bombshell in the U.S. a happy birthday!
Today’s Bombshell is Betty from Baltimore, Maryland.
Her partner writes, “Her true effortless style is the ability to mix prints, textures, fabrics and even designers.”
“She’s rarely caught without a scarf, especially in the summer. She says they’re classy!”
“This fashionista shops everywhere from Zara to Gucci and since she runs a few consignment shops, of course she loves vintage.
“We are loving her style, oh and it’s her bday!”
View more looks below:
Happy birthday Betty! Love your passion for luxury wear and vintage goods!
Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.
It’s now become customary for me to have meet n greets wherever I go! I’m headed to Paris tonight, and will be in town for about 10 days. So I figured: Why not have a wine fueled fete?
Set your calendars for Saturday, September 30th! The fun goes down from 7-9:30pm at O Chateau, located at 68, Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the 1st arrondissement (1 to Louvre Rivoli or 4 to Etienne Marcel).
We’ll have wine, cheese, and signed copies of the Bomb Life!
Space is very limited! Get your tickets at CWCParis.eventbrite.com.
A Bientôt!
Love & Light,
Bombshells are killing it internationally!
And today, I am happy to highlight Estelle Domlan, the Paris based PR Director of Benefit Cosmetics:
Benefit Cosmetics is a makeup powerhouse that was founded in San Francisco, and is now owned by LVMH. As the head of PR, Estelle spreads visibility for Benefit worldwide, both in print and online.
She told us, “I’ve been in the fashion and beauty industry for over 20 years now. I started working at Giorgio Armani at the press office in Paris. I began as a press assistant, and then I was the PR manager, more targeted on celebrities. I did that for 6 years. Then I moved to beauty, first at Gucci for 5 years. Then Gucci took over other brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Trussardi, Lacoste, Hugo Boss and was part of the group Proctor & Gamble (or P&G Prestige). I was in charge of press relations as well at that time, so in charge of organizing events for the press. “
She continued, ” I moved to Benefit 5 years ago. We are an American brand even though we belong to LVMH, one of the leading fashion groups in France and the world. My role is to grow brand visibility in print media and social media. I have tight relationships with beauty, fashion, and lifestyle influencers, where I present them with the products that Benefit launches.”
After majoring in English at La Sorbonne and then getting a Masters Degree in communication, she scored her first job in the industry as a receptionist at Giorgio Armani–simply by picking up the phone and calling. She said, “I come from a modest family. Giorgio Armani was at Place Vendome. At the time, I had never been to Place Vendome, I couldn’t afford anything on Place Vendome, but I wanted to touch this fantasy world of fashion and beauty. I called them, and asked if they were looking for someone. And they said they were looking for a receptionist. I said, ‘I’ll take the job.’ And that’s how it started.”
She went from receptionist to PR Manager just by doing great work, dressing the part, and pouring passion into every project. She said, “I wanted to succeed. I showed my capabilities. They realized that picking up the phone was not enough for me. They started to give me more and more responsibilities. First as an assistant to the PR manager, and then as [PR Manager].”
She adds, “Nowadays it might be tougher to have this type of professional route, but if you try hard, and show your passion, you can succeed. Never give up. Show your passion, show that you care, work hard, show you are a professional, arrive on time, get dressed up, and it will show.”
For those looking to break into the industry, Estelle advises, “Be true to yourself. Show your passion. Be faithful to [your company]. Work hard. Show your expertise. And people will respect you. You get respect with hard work. Working hard means you show you care for what you do, and you develop your expertise.”
If you’re trying and trying with no headway, she offers, “Keep going. Keep trying. Show what you can bring to the brand. What makes you unique. Why would a brand pick you? Try to make something special. Try to be authentic. Being fashionable is a great way to differentiate yourself from the others. The way you look can definitely make you unique.”
Dressing the part and looking your best are essential parts of the game. But what if you can’t afford expensive clothes? She says, “I mix designer clothes with cheap brands. I am wearing a Kenzo dress with Zara accessories. I even wear Primark. I mix Louis Vuitton shoes with items from Primark. And if you have a fashion sense, you can find very cheap clothes even at the flea market, even if what you wear is only 20 Euros.”
Tips regarding fashion and beauty? “I work in communication and am the ambassador of the brand. Whenever I work, I do my hair and I put makeup on. I want to look good whenever I come to work. Once I was not feeling very well, and I came to the office with no makeup on and sneakers. And people noticed. I said to myself that me looking good is important for those around me, too.”
In closing, she leaves us with an acronym she learned at P&G: PIE, which stands for Performance. Image. Exposure. She explains, “I have to perform. I have to take care of my image. And regarding exposure, every time the CEO is coming, I make sure I stand out so that I can explain what I do, and my results.” Lastly, the mantra she lives by is, “I will succeed. I will do anything to succeed.” And she’s doing so fantastically well!
Be sure to follow Estelle on Instagram @TheGlamstel, and stay tuned for even more Breaking into Fashion Interviews from Paris!
What do you think?
Main Image: Guillaume Landry
PS Many influencers might want to know how they can work with a brand like Benefit! Estelle says, “I check first to see if they’re brand loyal. And then I reach out to them, and invite them to our events and to come see our new products. That’s how all of our relationships start.” To be a brand an ambassador, you have to love the brand before the brand loves you!
**Purchase some of Benefit’s most popular products below:
Bonjour tout le monde!
I’m in Paris for Fashion Week and the Wifi is slow, but I got a Hippocket Wifi, and am back in business! Thus, I wanted to tell you about Nelly Wandji Gallery, an art gallery and boutique located at 93 Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré:
Specializing in showcasing African talent, the gallery highlights artists, designers, and authors from the continent. They are currently featuring Aissa Dionetissus, a Senegalese designer who makes home accessories, bags, and more.
Pop into the gallery to buy the art, and also peruse their boutique to purchase pieces from talented designers from the diaspora.
Stay tuned for more instances from the Bomb Life on TheBombLife.com.
With an incredible tribute to her late brother Gianni Versace, I guess it’s safe to say Donatella’s Spring Presentation won Fashion Week. Inspired by Gianni’s legendary signature pieces from the early 90s Donatella mustered up the courage and delivered an iconic moment celebrating her brothers life’s work.
Showcasing the revival of Gianni’s timeless art at Milan’s Triennale Museum included today’s usual suspects Kendall Jenner, The Hadid Sisters and breakout supermodel Kaia Gerber. Stunning signature animalier sets, jewel embellished cross boots and a whimsical variation of pop art aesthetics took over the runway.
Seductive leather cowgirl looks, contrast colored accessories and baroque printed dresses were all necessary in capturing the beloved audacious essence of Gianni’s designs.
To close, Donatella ushered in her brothers fondest muses, Supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Helena Christensen and Carla Bruni gleamed in breathtaking romantically draped gold gowns.
This presentation was heartfelt and nothing short of amazing. The aura of these creations provided a timeless feeling that will continuously ensure Gianni’s long lived legacy.
What are your thoughts on Versace’s Spring 2018 Presentation?
Few things scream luxury more than exotic skins. Snakeskin walked all up and down the Spring 2018 Milan Fashion Week runways—oozing with glamour and not-so-subtlety hinting “This is expensive”:
Boldness was on the Bottega Veneta agenda, with pencil skirts, shoulder bags, and shift dresses crafted from snakeskin in hues of lime and pink.
Bags, slip-on kicks, and classic, button-front shirts provided the perfect canvas for Tod’s to experiment with the skin.
Bella Hadid slithered down the Ferragamo catwalk in a full-on snakeskin dress. There were even belts crafted out of the luxurious texture—as on-trend as the house as perhaps ever been.
Fendi showed a snakeskin, cold shoulder belted design on Adwoa Aboah that could also easily double as a dress.
In an anticipation of Cocktails with Claire in Paris, we are featuring Parisian Bombshells/Bombers all week! Make sure you purchase your tickets here before they’re all gone!
Today’s Bombshell is Scheena from Paris.
She writes, “I would say that my style is mixed, like myself. It’s a combo of the classic French style with a modern African touch.”I breathe, live, speak and wear.”
“I breathe, live, speak and wear Africa proudly in Paris.”
“I shop in small stores in Le Marais or in the 10e arrondissement of Paris and of course at the temple of Parisian fashion: the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussman. Other than that, I shop online via Asos, Revolve Clothing and whenever I can, I invest in an african designer whose work inspires me. My fav being Imane Ayissi from Cameroun, Elie Kuame from Côte d’Ivoire, Natacha Baco from Congo and one day I hope I’ll own a piece by Lisa Folawiyo, Christie Browngh, Loza Maleombho or Maki Oh.”
View more looks below:
Breathtaking! Such chic and eclectic style…love it!
Learn more about this Bombshell on Instagram @scheenadonia.
What do you think?
Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.
