August 31, 1997: Princess Diana killed in car crash

Diana, Princess of Wales, Dodi Al-Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul are killed as a result of a car crash in Paris.

The prettiest kisses.

August 30, 1924: birth of Geoffrey Beene

American designer, Geoffrey Beene was born August 30, 1924. Isn't Beene just classic American?!! An American classic?... *smile*



xoxo.

August 29, 1922: birth of Mr. (Richard) Blackwell

Richard Blackwell, better known as Mr. Blackwell was born on August 29, 1922 (and as Richard Sylvan Seltzer). The famed fashion critic, amongst his other trades including designer of his eponymous line in the 60's, was hailed for his inauguration of the Ten Worst Dressed Women list; an annual awards presentation he unveiled at the start of each year. Notably, he also started the first plus-size line as part of his label.

Kisses.

August 28, 2007: Christopher Bailey shows Burberry Prorsum A/W collection in the U.S.

Christopher Bailey had his first runway show! in the U.S. since becoming Burberry's creative director six years ago in Chicago. Ummm... I l.o.v.e.d. the entire collection!! Invited by Nordstrom, Burberry's largest U.S. wholesale customer, Bailey showed Burberry Prorsum's A/W 2007-2008 collection at the Millennium Park Rooftop Terrace as a benefit for Lookingglass Theatre Company.

Checkered silks and bold kisses.

August 27, 1912: birth of Gloria Guinness

Socialite and Harper's Bazaar Contributing Editor ('63-'70) Gloria Guinness, née Rubio y Alatorre was born August 27, 1912. Her impeccable sense of style earned her a spot on the International Best Dressed List. I think the phrase "age gracefully" applies just beautifully to this woman! One of her most famous quotes, "Elegance is in the brain as well as the body and in the soul. Jesus Christ is the only example we have of any one human having possessed all three at the same time," in Bazaar's July 1963 issue.

Pic: Guinness photographed by Cecil Beaton for Vogue in a Venetian-red taffeta dinner dress by Balenciaga, one of her favorite designers, in 1945.



Pretty kisses.

August 26, 1994: Victoria's Secret - Boudoir to Bath in Catalogues

Victoria's Secret brochures illustrate the newly launched beauty products for the first time to its catalogue shoppers. Soo fifty seasons (ago) - catalogue shopping, that is.And... they've changed the products' packaging, huh?? I don't like it. But they are having the spend $500 get $150 off special offer through Sept 3rd :). Sorry, I'll make that an "I really hate it!!" re the new packaging.



Raspberry kisses.

August 25, 1970: birth of supermodel Claudia Schiffer

I'd just as well say Claudia and everyone would know to whom I was referring.

Claudia on French Vogue (August 2007) and German Vogue (Jun 2008).
This is why you should love her ― this gorg mother of two! ― if you don't already.


Double kisses on each cheek.

August 24, 2004: Launch of (now defunct) shopseptembervogue.com

I know I'm not the only one advocating for the comeback of this charming, honest-to-goodness webbie!! Please, with three cherry kisses atop.

August 22, 1995: Première of "The Hollywood Fashion Machine"

The documentary explored the fashion of Old Hollywood sirens in response to contemporary designers' assertions that the classic movies shown on AMC were influencing their work as well as the changing attitudes toward the fashions of film heroines from early pictures to that present time. Hosted by Bo Derek!! A decade later, the debate goes on, natch...

A bit of background: NYTimes.

August 21 2008: xoxo

Seriously, I can't find anything worthy of writing on!!
Forgive me. I love you.

XOXO.

August 20, 2004: Chanel launches two-minute film, most expensive ad campaign

Nicole Kidman ― adorning Chanel couture, natch ― stars in the first mini-film for the House's No. 5 fragrance. The film ad was directed by Baz Luhrmann, who directed Romeo and Juliet (1996) and Moulin Rouge (2001) and became the most expensive ad campaign ever made. I remember the ad... that pink! ethereal gown; its huge bustle and train ― the Cinderella-like romanticism of Nicole struggling to gather it in her arms as she runs through the NY night softens even my overly cynical mind. It's almost to die for. Really! And let's not forget hottie, Rodrigo Santoro, Nicole's co-star...


xoxo

P.S. please remind me to wear a (pendant) necklace backwards with a backless top/dress like Nicole does wearing the black dress toward the end of the film. In case you didn't know, low back/backless pieces are my fave style of clothing!!

August 19 1883: birth of Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel

Excuse the unimaginative string of words that follow, but what can I say?? I l.o.v.e. Coco Chanel!! I'm fascinated by EVERY aspect of her life. The end. (And I heart this portrait of her; a determinedly self-confident pose. Brilliant!) Xoxo.

August 18 2006: Garen Demedijian press interview revealing his escape from a bombing in Lebanon

New Generation award winner and bleeding edge designer about London and Paris towns, Garen Demedijian of Gardem Paris revealed to the press how he escaped the bombings in his home, Lebanon to complete his S/S 2007 collection. By the way, how utterly cool it must be to have a certain Rick Owens for an uncle and Valérie Hash for an aunt, huh?!!

Big kisses.

August 17 1893: birth of Mae West

Highly controversial American actress, playwright and sex symbol of the early 20th century, Mae West was born on this day in 1893. Seems the speculation as to whether her paternal grandfather was half black will never really die... All I gotta say is "Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me??" "[Because] when I'm good, I'm very good [and] when I'm bad, I'm better." Butterfly kisses.

August 16 1958: Madonna's birthday

I'm trying to find one word that adequately describes the Material Girl. I'll let you know when I come up with it. Love her or hate her ― is that even possible?! ― Madonna is amazing and gorg at 50!! (Happy Birthday!!) I want to be just like her when I grow up!! Pic: Elle UK July 2008 Deep mouth-searching kisses à la Madonna and Brit.

August 15 2005: Jean Paul Gaultier (Memoirs) published

Assouline publishes the memoirs of intriguing master craftsman and l'enfant terrible of French fashion circuit, Jean Paul Gaultier, noted for his art of pretty ugliness (and ugly prettiness!). Written by Farid Chenoune. Les patins et les bisous cochons!!

august 14, 2003: launch of Gucci double-G logo wallpaper

Tom Ford launches the Gucci double-G logo wallpaper as part of his limited ed. Gucci home collection. Seriously?! Bleuch** (sorry, so rude) He - Tom Ford - is still my hero. Kisses.

August 13, 1958: birth of Domenico Dolce

Pic: Stefano + Domenico's Dolce Vita for W magazine. Photographed by Steven Klein.

Domenico Dolce, the older and perhaps more liberal, of designer duo Dolce & Gabbana, is born on August 13, 1958 in the town of Polizzi Generosa, Italy. Ahh... I'm thankful for their combined brilliance and sartorial high-class tartiness, if ever there was such an art.

P.S. I'm learning Italian so I can converse easily with D&G (male) models. Too bad we (probably) walk on opposite sides of the street.



I baci dolci.
[sweet kisses.]

August 12, 30 B.C: Death of Cleopatra (VII)

Cleopatra, with the help of two of her most trusted servants, killed herself on August 12, 30 B.C., to escape capture by Octavian.

Dated to 32 B.C., this coin bearing a portrait of Cleopatra has renewed the debate over whether she was actually beautiful. It's an irrelevant question, says biographer Joann Fletcher. "The impact she made on the ancient world is overlooked, because the world has this obsession when it comes to women. People can only judge them on whether they were beautiful. Nobody ever said, 'Mark Antony: how handsome was he?'" (Courtesy of Newcastle University, U.K.) - Smithsonian

Yes, I have tried ― many times ― to recreate the legendary 'Cleopatra' eye, made famous, for me, by Elizabeth Taylor's role in the 1963 eponymous film.
No, I have never succeeded.
Yes, I will continue these futile attempts.





Gracious kisses.
P.S. I promise not to be morbid thrice in a row.

August 11, 1939: Death of Jean Bugatti

Famed Italian-French automotive designer and test engineer, Gianoberto Maria Carlo "Jean" Bugatti (eldest son of Ettore Bugatti) crashed the Bugatti Type 57 C Tank he was test-driving. He designed the legendary Roadster Royale (two-seat chassis), pictured. He was only 30.

[So, this post isn't strictly fashion, but fashion and ― sexy, fast ― cars are inextricably linked. Par example, the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès was launched March this year, reviving a relationship initiated in the 1920's between Emile Hermès (my adopted great-grand fairy godfather, LOL) and Ettore Bugatti; also check out the Bugatti license (fashion) products.]



Treasured kisses.

P.S. I really know nothing of cars.

the beginning

I happened on this idea on France's Bastille Day (most French people don't celebrate it.) I thought it'd be lovely to chronicle some of fashion's notable moments (births, showings firsts, deaths, etc.) through pictures....



Ciao.

(I'm not liking my header and I worked on it all night. Arrgh...)