ALBER ELBAZ / LANVIN MANIFESTE Exhibition at the Maison Européene de la Photographie

In his studio Alber Elbaz, the Artistic Director of Lanvin since 2001, is used to working around the body, with a model and his team. Everyone simply calls him "Alber", a testament to their discreet affection and obvious complicity. He works on his collections in a dimly lit room, using a blank page and a black pen, concentrating on how best to portray in his pieces the true desire of women. He guides his modélistes at every stage of the design process, providing solutions to any technical issues encountered along the way. The pace of the collection gathers enormous momentum and every season presents a new pretext for further research in his design studio on Rue Faubourg-Sain-Honoré.

Albert does not have an email address. He does not use social networks and lets others take care of documenting his work through photography or film. For Lanvin, the designer promotes a less square, rounder world, where screens are forgotten for a time and people are once again the centre of attention. How can this vision be transposed three-dimensionally to display images that essentially have only two?

Orchestrated by Alber Elbaz with the support of his teams, this exhibition immerses the visitor in the intimacy of the fittings, the excitement of the Lanvin shows and the beauty of its designs. This is a first in the history of the oldest French fashion house still in operation today. Five rooms are designed as settings showcasing the work of the designer - not as a monologue, but as a continuous dialogue between fashion and photography. 

Over 400 moments shot by photographers But Sou Lai, Katy Reiss, James Bort, Mark Leibowitz, Juliette Da Cunha and Alex Koo; each accompanying Lanvin and its designer over a number of years, capture the intimate nature of the House, from the magic of the shows to the skill of the atelier and passion of Alber. A video projection featuring the voice of the designer, and illustrated by backstage images produced by Jean-Christophe Moine, and showing footage of the shows captured by Séraphin Ducellier, complements the exhibition.

This is an introspective exhibition - not a retrospective one - a chance to enter into the workings of the dream machine of Alber Elbaz at Lanvin. Built as an art installation it does not offer a set interpretation, but rather allows visitors to let go of their thoughts and let the heart take over. An invitation by the designer to look, listen and talk. Could this be his manifesto?

Thom Browne pop-up store at Le Bon Marché in Paris

The New York fashion icon and designer Thom Browne is taking over Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche with a site-specific art installation and pop-up store until the 17th of October. He is reputed for his perfectly proportioned and unique silhouettes for men and women as well as his theatrical shows. The pop-up store will be merchandised with the star items of his Autumn-Winter 2015 collection. Also, for the first time outside of his Hudson Street store, his original New York hand-made tailored suits are available.

"I am proud to be the Guest Designer for Le Bon Marché's 2015 event. To be recognised and invited by such an iconic Parisian department known for its great balance of the traditional and the modern is truly an honor. I am looking forward to bringing the world of Thom Browne to Le Bon Marché". Tom Browne, Designer

The art installation, specifically created by the designer will enhance the pop-up store even further with a decor of mirrored draws much of his inspiration from - and a floor crawling with silver-plated Thom Browne signature wingtip shoes.

"We are delighted to welcome Thom Browne, a fashion designer who needs no introduction, has a passion for the style of the late 50's and is a virtuoso tailor. To celebrate the event and pay tribute to his fashion shows that are always highly anticipated, we are happy to present his deliciously unusual display offering a total immersion in the world of Thom Browne." Jennifer Cuvillier, Art Director Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche.

To celebrate the event, the designer has also created a selection of items exclusively for Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche including knit wool whale motif pullovers, coin purse and laptop holders in Macintosh ready for viewing from August 29th.

Playing with light and colour - ISSEY MIYAKE SS13 - Paris Fashion Week

Issey Miyake's Spring - Summer 2013 collection has proven to be yet another successful conquest for  Creative Director, Yoshiyuki Miyamae. Another revelatory and innovative show with a beautiful setting and mesmerizing colours and light reflections. 

Introducing a revolutionary technique in printing, using double-sided printing, Miyamae succeeded in creating a great optical illusion through his fabrics as well as showcase an incredible graphic performance. Mixing different colours, patterns, folds  and pleats the garments simply looked like they were dancing on the catwalk in the song of the playful light reflection. 

The new collection presented was integrated into the three categories: colour reflection, rhythm and resonance. The first category  was formed of the colourful, graphic group of dresses 'interplaying with bold colour blocks, achieved by double sided transfer printing', as mentioned in the press release.

The second category belonging to 'Colour rhythm' were the group of dresses that were created using pleated fabrics, constructing an added dimension and more texture. These clothes were conceived using the same innovative technique that was exemplified in Issey's AW12/13 collection :  with stream-stretch material; heat-sensitive fabrics that can be molded and defined with heat presses.

The last category of looks were part of  'Colour Resonance', that concentrated more on prints and the mixture between colours. 'Seasonal prints on square cut garments are put through a procedure of embroidery, heat pressing and yarn melting on ultra fine fabric, giving movement and texture, worn with multicoloured geometric print bottoms'.