Volvo Ocean Race - PUMA Team Launch
They said it never rains in Alicante ever …until now! Tony Lewis from Esquire and I flew to the not so hot Spain to experience PUMA sailing first hand before the team’s boat sets sail for the start of the official Volvo Ocean Race on the 11th October 08 .
Whilst Tony was taking part in the mini regatta on Thursday morning, myself and others from PUMA were busily preparing PUMA City (the moveable building following the PUMA team ‘Il Mostro’ from Port to port) for the evening festivities ….and yes it was still raining!
The afternoon comprised of trips on the ’Il Mostro’ and even the lack of wind did not deter Kenny, the skipper or the rest of the PUMA crew telling all about life on board for each gruelling leg of the race – good and bad!
I have a new found respect for these sailors and will be watching their progress on http://www.pumaoceanracing.com...
The sun finally made an appearance and there was just enough time to go to the hotel and change ready for cocktails at PUMA City hosted by Jochen Zeitz (CEO of PUMA), Antonio Bertone (Chief Marketing director) and Ken Reed (il Mostro skipper). Canapés were consumed and Champagne flowed with everyone was out on the sundecks overlooking the harbour. The cool music and sunset made for a perfect end to the days sailing and trip to Alicante.
Swarovski Rocks Giles
New Oxford Street sparkled on Tuesday night as Estelle, Jamelia, Tamsin Eggerton, Nicholas Holt, Jade Parfit, Jasmine Guinness, Jo and Leah Wood, Liberty Ross, Olivia Inge, Rhys Ifans, Rosin Murphy, georgous England rugby player James Haskell, William Moseley, Albert Hammond Jnr and top brit model Agynes Dean walked the black crystal carpet to join Swarovski in celebrating the second issue of ROCKS magazine and ten fabulous seasons of Giles Deacon.
The great and the good of fashion quaffed Tanquary gin cocktails mixed by the Hoxton Pony, and danced on into the wee small hours to Horse Meat Disco, Disco Bloodbath and dj supremo Steve Mackie all under the watchful eye of the Pac Man ghost made from 4,500 hand placed silk carnations!
Calvin Klein 40th Anniversary
Calvin Klein threw THE party of New York Fashion Week on Sunday night and the great and the good turned out to celebrate the brand’s 40th Anniversary in style.
A John Pawson-designed structure was created solely for the event, leading guests up onto a section of the High Line - a now defunct railway which is being transformed into a public park - and out into Calvin Klein’s magical garden with over 5,000 long stem white roses.
The combination of the heady-scent of the roses with jaw-dropping views of New York’s sky line, James Turrell’s light installation and A list guests, was one to be remembered for years. Halle Berry & Gabriel Aubry, Eva Mendes, Naomi Watts, Claire Danes, Jared Leto, Ashley Olsen, Djimon Hounsou, Cynthia Nixon, Hugh Dancy and my personal favourite - Kevin Bacon all enjoyed the special performance by Estelle singing New York New York.
Needless to say i think many party goers felt rather sorry for themselves yesterday, I know I did. Someone please remind me next time i say ‘Let’s all do shots!’
Fashion, Brand events and New York
SHOWstudio & Swarovski Fashion DJ’s Project
Fashion DJ took place at Abbey Road Studios over three days on the 9th, 10th and 11th July from midday to midnight, celebrating the inextricable link between musical performance and fashion exhibitionism.
Nick Knight invited a number of very special fashion creatives and personalities to be a ‘Fashion DJ’. Each hosted a set, incorporating a selection of music and chat, as well as inviting musical and art performances.
An eclectic mix of sets took place including: Gareth Pugh’s ‘Glow in the dark line dancing’, Joe Corre’s ‘Alice in Wonderland tea party’ starring the Agent Provacateur girls and Alice Dellalh, Sam McKnight and Fat Tony interviewing The Pet Shop Boys with live performance by Boy George, The Queens of Noize and special guests Florence and The Machine.
Fashion and Brand events
PUMA by Mihara Yasuhiro at Pitti Uomo
In sweltering Florence temperatures, this years Pitti Uomo was as busy as ever! PUMA used this as a platform to launch the first ever PUMA by Mihara Yasuhiro clothing collection for SS09 in conjunction with SONY PLAYSTATION®3.
Mihara was on hand to personally introduce the sport influenced clothing and echo inspired footwear. The new virtual wardrobe game called ’Dress’ enables you to try various outfit combinations from the PUMA by Mihara Yasuhiro collection and see how they look via a catwalk mode or break dancing finale.
Eventually the game will be linked to a virtual shop and also incorporate a design your own function ….but for now it is simply dressing up but in a virtual world!
Swarovski Runway Rocks
Swarovski celebrated the 5th anniversary of Runway Rocks by coming back to its origins in London. The event was held at the Phillips du Pury Gallery on the 11th June.
25 ‘couture’ creations using the most innovative crystal tecniques were sent down a dramatic black catwalk. Designers spanning fashion, jewellery and architecture including Zaha Hadid, Johnny Rocket, Marios Schwab and Farah Khan took part in this extravaganza.
Pieces from previous shows around the world were also on display adding to the glamour of this spectacular event.
Brand events and Fashion
Uniqlo AW08 Press Preview, National Theatre
Uniqlo presented their AW08 press preview on June 10th on top of the roof at the The Deck, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1. The Uniqlo seasonal collection was fantastic and vibrant and after looking at the preview, press enjoyed sipping Champagne and nibbling on salmon and cucumber sandwiches whilst soaking up the warm sunny weather, admiring the splendid views of the Thames.
Brand events and Fashion
Hussein Chalayan Becomes Creative Director of PUMA
Jochen Zeitz, PUMA Chairman with new Creative Director Hussein Chalayan
We take a break for the shows to announce to the world press that Hussein Chalayan, fashion designer, artist and film maker is the new the Creative Director for PUMA with immediate effect.
In addition Puma have bought a majority stake in the Hussien Chalayan brand. We sent out a media alert last night inviting the press to the conference but due to an embargo - I wasn’t able to tell them what was happening. Lots of questions and speculation ensued. Meeting up a couple of hours later that evening at Hussein’s show didn’t help. All sorts of scenarios were played out, with most journalists hoping that he would be getting the financial and technological support he deserves.
Hussein is one of those rare talents that is universally respected. His work over the past 14 years has been awe inspiring. But most pieces have remained prototypes - this partnership really feels like some of those ideas could make into the real world.
“Hussein Chalayan is a proven visionary in the fashion, design and art industries. As our Creative Director for our Sport Fashion business, Chalayan will bring his use of new technology, forward-thinking design and provocative point of view to PUMA,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of PUMA.
Brand events and Fashion
Paris Fashion Week - Final Preparations at Akris
The fashion circus moves to Paris this week and the Modus team are in town for super swiss luxury brand Akris.
Nick and Nicola arrived yesterday, seating plans completed, invitations messengered out
I arrived this morning - my first trip on Eurostar from St Pancras.
Brand events, Fashion, Paris and Runway Shows
Calvin Klein Collection and cK Calvin Klein Presentation
A mannequin army greeted guests at Calvin Klein. A dramatic line up highlighted the precision lines of Francisco Costa’s architectural tailoring fused with deconstructed detailing and sculptural silhouettes for Calvin Klein Collection.
Editors cooed over the exquisite felted-cashmere coats and Grecian micro-pleat silk evening gown. There was only one on display as the others were in LA awaiting their turn on the red carpet for the 80th Academy Awards.
Kevin Carrigan presented a streamlined, austere yet sexy collection heavily influenced on men’s tailoring for ck Calvin Klein. Sleek trouser suits, masculine overcoats and textural boucle knits, all with minimal detailing dominated. A slim line lurex tuxedo was key for evening.
Accessories continued the minimal theme, with seamless totes and lizard clutches and sexy peep toe ankle boots.
Brand events, Fashion and Milan