The 10 Gutsiest Fashion Risk Takers Of 2012

This is not entirely about fashion victims and those skewered by Joan Rivers in her show Fashion Police. Though there maybe one or two or five of those.

This story is more about individuals whose sartorial choices pushed the limits of conventional dressing. Men and women whose styles take mega doses of confidence and guts to pull off.

The model Anja Rubik literally showed her guts and more in an Anthony Vacarello dress at the Costume Institute gala for the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit. The dress had a super high slit that ran all the way up to the model’s pelvic bone and it also boasted a diagonal slash across the bodice revealing more skin. As you moved your eyes from up to down, the dress looked like it was in various states of dishabille — exposed shoulder, exposed midriff, expose hips.

Marc Jacobs, at the same event, showed lots of skin too and his preferred underwear. He wore a sheer black lace dress from Comme des Garcons that exposed everything including his white boxer shorts. This derring-do later earned an homage and punch lines from Seth Meyers at the CFDA awards.

Michelle Harper seems to be taking on the role of Isabella Blow’s successor with her one of a kind outfits that are mash ups of Lady Gaga’s and Anna dello Russo’s closets — donning a wild hat here, sporting a frothy navel-grazing gown there.

At the MTV European Music Awards, Heidi Klum was also in a body-exposing mood. Like Rubik she wore a dress that showed boobs, ribs and legs all at the same time with complete abandon for the fashion rule to show only one body part at a time.

Sienna Miller channeled Gwyneth Paltrow when she showed up at the Hamptons International Film Festival in a dress and cape that looked suspiciously like Paltrow’s Tom Ford Oscars gown. It was by a designer called Alessandra Rich. It takes balls to wear a derivative of something that’s been hailed as the best red carpet look of 2012.

At the Emmy Awards, Julianne Moore won style points from fashion followers with her punchy yellow long sleeve Dior Haute Couture gown. However, many thought that it was a bit much. I thought it was beyond chic. Tilda Swinton is also quite the polarizing fashion icon. You either love or hate her. At the Time 100 Gala, she wore a light-colored tailored Celine jumpsuit. A jumpsuit alone is already quite the sartorial feat, imagine doing it in white.

Robert Pattinson borrowed from Andrew Garfield and Ryan Gosling’s style playbook by wearing a suit that’s not black or navy on the red carpet. The Twilight actor wore a dark green Gucci suit for his movie’s premiere night in Los Angeles. Because the suit is tailored to his physique, he comes off looking young and modern.

And of course no gutsy fashion risk-taker is complete without Kanye who’s been sporting skirts of late. True, men in skirts is hardly new but somehow Kanye has a way of wearing them that makes skirts fashion breaking news. And judging by the fashion blogs, expect to see many young men attempting the look in 2013.

Dubai fashion event aims to put region’s designer

Fashion Forward does not aim to be a conventional industry event, but it is precisely though its innovation that it may help emerging Lebanese designers fulfill their greatest ambition: getting their names on the international market.

The Dubai event, which will run from April 25-28 next year, is “not a fashion week or a week of fashion,” co-organizer Ramzi Nakad is quick to point out; rather, embracing both commercial and noncommercial aspects, it is “a fashion initiative.”

Combining traditional runway shows with developmental workshops and panel discussions, the organizers are hoping FFWD “will be the biggest and most definitive fashion platform in the Middle East,” Nakad, in Beirut to meet with designers, told The Daily Star Thursday.

The event will showcase design, but simultaneously it will work to instigate conversations between emerging designers and other members of the fashion community, addressing through its noncommercial events topics such as how to start your own label or how to launch an international fashion brand.

Already the organizers have teamed up with The London School of Fashion and the Dumos Academy among others to assist with this aspect of their program.

Nakad, and his business partner Bong Guerrero, who through their marketing agency Brag manage several fashion brands, conceived of the idea for FFWD a few years ago when they began to wonder what the Middle Eastern fashion industry was missing.

The obvious absence seemed to be a fashion week, but as Nakad points, fashion weeks have been launched in many cities around the globe with varying degrees of success.

“There’s a lot of a copy-paste syndrome ... a lot of countries have taken the notion of a fashion week and invited it to their cities. And some were more successful than others,” he says, identifying Sao Paolo in the successful category, but noting there are many more in the opposite grouping.

Noting, particularly in Lebanon, the array of emerging designers making a name on the local scene, Nakad and his partner worked to develop an event that would spotlight those names in a more international context.

“[In] Lebanon you have so many talented fashion designers,” Nakad, who is himself Lebanese, says.

He continues: “Some of them have really made it outside, like Elie Saab and Rabih Keyrouz, but you also have a lot of emerging talent and it’s a shame where right now in order to make it internationally you need to make it in Paris or Milan.”

“That’s because there is no platform that would host or house the talent here, and spotlight them to the international world,” he adds.

At FFWD, Nakad anticipates that of the 20-25 participating designers, seven to 10 of them will be Lebanese; although he cannot yet disclose names.

Others will hail from Dubai, the Gulf states, Syria, Iran and Morocco, while some participants will be Arab designers currently living outside the region.

Of the emirate chosen to host the event, Nakad says it was “a bit of an obvious choice.”

“You have a lot of international events in Dubai that are getting a lot of global attention so it was a natural city to host this event for now.”

With runway shows taking place on three catwalks and between six and 10 noncommercial events planned for over the four day event, Nakad expects there to be “almost something happening on the hour every hour.”

The organizers are expecting that approximately 10,000 fashion lovers and industry representatives will visit FFWD over the four days, although Nakad points out: “It’s not a ticketed event; it’s by invitation only.”

Sponsors, buyers and media will largely comprise the crowd at the runway shows, but the noncommercial events will be more open to the public.

However, places for very interested students will for the most part allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, Nakad says, although he adds: “We’re also hoping to accommodate people that are really serious so we might be able to make some exceptions.”

Mirror, Mirror: The whoa! fashion moments of 2012

There were the fashion trends of 2012: Color-blocking continued. Women of all shapes delighted in the return of the peplum. Guys and gals frolicked through town in salmon-pink skinny jeans. Metallic wedged sneakers were retro '80s chic. Ombre hair was hot. Ombre nails were hotter. And Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte brought icy grills back into the fashion fold.

But there were also the moments. These flashes in time forced us to rethink our shopping habits, challenged our long-standing stereotypes, and allowed guys to be girls and girls to be guys. Here are 12 moments of 2012.

Wherever I go, there you are. Brad Pitt became the first man to serve as the face of a women's perfume with one of the most-spoofed commercials in history, and high fashion continued to change the rules. Other gender-

bending examples: YSL's creative director used a woman, Saskia de Brauw, as the face of its menswear line. Lady Gaga posed as her alter ego "Jo" on the cover of Vogue Japan.

"Greige" gets a platform. America was introduced to the gray and beige combo color after first lady Michelle Obama wore the nail polish to the Democratic National Convention. Overnight, it skyrocketed from runway grunge to soccer-mom chic.

YSL goes longer. Creative director Hedi Slimane dropped the YSL moniker from its ready-to-wear line in June, becoming just Saint Laurent Paris. The name change signaled that luxury labels can get stale and that the "Housewives" can cheapen a once-elite brand.

Salon in the sky opens. Vidal Sassoon died, and we remembered the British stylist who was single-handedly responsible for creating the now-classic asymmetrical bob of the 1960s. It freed women from hairsprayed helmets that were twirled and curled and gave them hairstyles that needed no setting.

Michael Vick unveils V-7 Apparel. The Eagles quarterback launched his line of compression shirts and shorts with a lot of fanfare. But the apparel, and later the accompanying app, never really took off - kind of like the Eagles' 2012 season.

From workout gear to searing symbol. Florida teen Trayvon Martin's death forced us to ask the unfortunate but necessary question: Does a black man become menacing merely by donning a hoodie? Americans of all backgrounds pulled up their hoods as a way to challenge racial stereotypes within black and white communities.

The poor ponytail. Gabby Douglas may have won an Olympic gold medal, but black women slammed her for her messy do. The resulting brouhaha illustrated a culture's misplaced priorities: Perfect hair trumps all.

Opening-ceremony Olympic uniforms at a loss. Ralph Lauren's preppy made-in-China getups touched a nerve with Americans dealing with a dismal economy. Lauren promised the team's winter 2014 uniforms would be made here, and we all started to think twice about where our clothing comes from.

Daffy's goes dark. After 20 years, the designer discount retailer closed its doors, forcing on-a-budget style seekers to find the perfect velvet blazer elsewhere.

Intermix opens; Knit Wit moves. These stores up our fashion quotient, but their addresses mean more to Philadelphians than the DVF and J Brand labels they both carry. Walnut Street, once home to a string of upscale, independent boutiques, now is populated by fast-fashion stores and chains. And it seems the homegrown designer stores have moved to Chestnut. But with Center City rents continuing to skyrocket, who knows how long that will last?

Kanye West as legend in his own mind. The 35-year-old rapper launched a womenswear line in February at Paris Fashion Week to less-than-stellar reviews. It was the first move in a year of peculiar fashion choices: from dressing the same as Kim Kardashian - the couple became known as Kim-ye - to performing at the Concert for Sandy Relief in a skirt.

A Spanx shout-out. English songwriter Adele admitted to wearing four pairs at one time under her Grammy dress, illustrating our addiction to shapewear. Forbes dubbed founder Sara Blakely the youngest self-made female billionaire this year, and the King of Prussia mall landed the specialty store's second U.S. location.

Northofbostonusa.com Will Release its N5 Fashion Shoes Next Monday

Today, Northofbostonusa.com proudly announces that its N5 fashion shoes will be released next Monday, which are featured as: rich choices and fine tailor.

Today, Northofbostonusa.com proudly announces that its N5 fashion shoes will be released next Monday, which are featured as: rich choices and fine tailor. According to Scott Jones, CEO of Northofbostonusa.com, N5 fashion shoes will help people to follow up with the latest fashion trends.

Scott Jones, CEO of Northofbostonusa.com, said, "The standard material in N5 shoes is a very special tightly woven bonded fabric that is unique to these designer products. The most important benefit from this high tech material is its strength and the support it lends to the soft leathers used. When you see N5 fashion shoes, you will appreciate how this expensive high tech material makes these designer bags special.”
Northofbostonusa.com is a new player in the fashion industry, and it used to be a popular fashion blog, providing exclusive coupons for reviewing products.

Many women can get excited when talking on the topic of fashion. N5 fashion shoes are to help people grab eyesights at acceptable prices.

Northofbostonusa.com loves high-end fashion. Scott Jones said, "We have much experience in the fashion industry, and know the latest fashion trends. Now, people can know much information about luxury shoes, handbags, gifts, and other accessories without being stuck in crowded malls."

Future fashion

FASHION Week ends today in New York, even as we speak. You already have an idea of what to expect for Spring/Summer 2012.

But aren’t we just starting the Autumn/Winter 2011 fashion season? Well, you’ve just got to love fashion, if not for anything, for the speed in which it moves.

Who cares about Autumn/Winter? The style set is already taking notes on what to wear next season, and with social media and live streaming, you don’t have to physically be at any Fashion Week. Even better, most brands would have selected clothes to be pre-ordered soon for those who can’t wait until they hit the stores or want a jump start on the latest looks.

Given this current climate, there’s no such thing as waiting anymore. If you want to get ahead of everyone else, you would have observed, dissected and noted what to buy and wear.

As I’m writing this, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) isn’t over yet, so I can’t give a rundown. Besides, there’s still London, Paris and Milan coming up. But, there were some collections shown that had some beautiful and interesting looks.

My favourite is The Row by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The duo have an uncanny knack for knowing what women want to wear. Actually, it’s the things they want to wear or have in their wardrobe, and being spot-on in most of their fashion choices, which others seem to go for as well. Their multimillion dollar sales speak for itself, and the label which started in 2007, is known for its luxurious but classic edgy look.

For their Spring/Summer 2012 collection, it’s all about gorgeous, wearable pieces in a predominantly white palette. Easy looks of loose pants, chiffon and tulle overlays, satin pajamas, tunic tops, long and cropped jackets dominated the show. There were also specific detailing here and there just to give things an interesting variation. The best look, to me, was the caftan with detailing on the bodice. Simplicity in elegance was the keyword for this collection.

One of Sarah Jessica Parker’s favourite designers, Prabal Gurung, pushed the buttons in his SS2012 collection with engineered prints and transparent dresses. My favourite dress was a transparent black and white one with what looked like a criss-cross bodice of black leather strings at the waist. I also liked a print dress that had a handkerchief hemline but am not too sure of some of the plastic-looking latex materials used for a coat and some of the other outfits.

Alexander Wang’s collection was all sporty and athletic with plenty of mesh thrown in. Am not a fan of this collection, but am sure those who like hard-wired, sporty looks will go for this. Perfect for hanging out at a “Fast and Furious” type of gathering.

Altuzarra also went for sporty, with lots of fabulous fitted sleek dresses and plenty of prints. Leather and mesh were also thrown in the mix, so you had a combination of a print T-shirt with leather sleeves, or a half-leather skirt, and print and leather dresses.

I’m looking forward to seeing Marc Jacobs, of course. I love that his collections have more polished, grown-up looks and he’s always been a personal favourite. I have been lucky enough to actually attend his shows at NYFW before, and that’s always been a thrill. The other collection I’m looking out for is Victoria Beckham’s. Now, she is a celebrity turned fashion designer success story (like the Olsens) and her clothes always look right whether she’s wearing it or designing it. The thing with Beckham is that it’s always about the fit, so her clothes always fall perfectly. And really, when it comes to clothes, it is always, always about the fit.

So what are some of the trends from what’s been shown so far? A little too early to tell, but I think there’s plenty of colour; it is Spring/Summer after all. And sporty, athletic looks and prints, be it engineered or graphic. Let’s see what crops up for the rest of NYFW and the following Fashion Weeks in London, Paris and Milan.

I’ll be taking a short break, or rather this column will, just to refresh and rejuvenate. Like fashion, sometimes you need to redefine your look (or rather, oneself), and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. As the German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer said: “Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal.”

Dzireena Mahadzir is looking for the meaning of life beyond the status quo. She’s planning on taking a break, and her Sense of Style column will return after two months.

Fashion show entertains veterans in Anderson

Five young girls took part in a fashion show Saturday afternoon that brought smiles to the faces and joy to the hearts of residents at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Home in Anderson.

The girls were 4-year-old Reginae Boggs, 5-year-old Alexis Freeman, 6-year-old Ava Harsey and 9-year-olds Aaliyah Burton and Zari Trenton. They paraded through the facility’s activity room in dresses and more casual attire while the veterans in the audience applauded and cheered loudly.

Advanstar Global LLC Announces Completion of ENK Fashion Tradeshows Acquisition

Advanstar Global LLC  ("Advanstar Global "), a multi-platform events and information services company and owner of Advanstar Communications, today announced that it has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of ENK International LLC ("ENK") for a purchase price of $155 million. With this acquisition, Advanstar Global significantly expands its international fashion event portfolio across multiple segments and markets. The acquisition combines current Advanstar Global properties – MAGIC, FN Platform and PROJECT – with ENK's shows, including Fashion Coterie, Intermezzo and Accessorie Circuit.
"The feedback from the industry about this acquisition since the initial announcement has been overwhelmingly positive. As we move forward, we will continue to offer the best services for our customers through innovative technology, customer service and enhanced offerings," said Joe Loggia, Advanstar Global's CEO. "These are complementary businesses whose strengths are in different regions and segments of the market, which will enable our customers to find what they are looking for in one place. Brands will speak with one voice to retailers and retailers can shop and edit the season's collection in one location."

ENK and Advanstar Communications will continue to operate separately to offer tailored and customized environments for customers. Each brand will focus on its market expertise bringing the best of both companies together for one tradeshow experience. Beginning in 2013, all customers will have access to Advanstar Global's new "Shop the Floor" digital solution, extending the tradeshow from three days to 60 days. Shop the Floor will become a brand's online showroom to be accessed by credentialed retailers. Retailers can review products in advance of the show to maximize their time on the show floor. The new digital platform offers another tool for planning and connecting and improving the experience for brands and buyers.

Advanstar Global's financial sponsors for the acquisition include Anchorage Capital Group LLC, Ares Management LLC, and Veronis Suhler Stevenson.

"We are pleased to support Advanstar's acquisition of ENK, and are excited by the combined company's future prospects as they execute on its strategy of creating a total, one-stop-shop solution for the fashion community across all platforms and segments," said Kevin Ulrich, Chief Executive Officer of Anchorage Capital Group LLC. "Working together, ENK and Advanstar will create increased operating efficiencies while providing the fashion industry an expansive array of options that best meets their market needs."

"With the addition of ENK to its portfolio of premium events, Advanstar Global continues to establish itself as a leader in the international tradeshow arena," said Chris Russell, partner at Veronis Suhler Stevenson. "The importance of face-to-face marketplaces, made more efficient by technology, continues to grow."

Debt capital funding was provided by GE Capital, RBS Citizens, N.A. and U.S. Bank.  Advisors to Advanstar Global and its investors included Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; PwC; AMR International and FTI Consulting.