Betsy Johnson Retiring Rumors

A few days ago, NY Mag published an interview with Betsey Johnson where the designer alluded to her possible retirement after her September runway show. Ah! What will we do without Betsey?? We know that Betsey is one tough cookie and a trooper - she’s beat breast cancer and continued to work on her eponymous line. So what gives - are the rumors true? And if they are, who will take her place?

The rumor mill has been working overtime on this one - People magazine checked in with the designer herself and she said, “I will never retire while I’ve still got my legs and my make-up box.” Haha, very Betsey. Her company had a more official statement:

With rich history and significant opportunities for future growth, Betsey Johnson wants her brand to live on forever. It is only wise that key management and talent is put in place to secure the continued health of the company for the future. Betsey Johnson will continue to provide creative inspiration and leadership as long as she is with us.

So it looks like Betsey is not leaving … for now, but who will take her place when she does? The first choice is always someone who has worked closely with the designer, in this instance, Eric Santori, the brand’s creative director, with experience designing for Vera Wang, Herve Leger and Azzedine Alaia. But what if they don’t stay within the company? What if they look for new blood? Who will they choose? Here’s my two cents…

When I heard that BJ was possibly retiring, the first person I thought of to take the healm of BJ was Richie Rich. Richie Rich’s penchant for fun, cute, girly design fits perfectly with the Betsey Johnson look. And, with Heatherette no longer taking up much of his time, this would be a great career move to keep him on the up and up.

If not Richie, then who? I thought of two more men - Jeremy Scott and Brian Lichtenberg (who at the M.I.S.S. HQ we call the young Jeremy Scott). Both designers don’t take themselves too seriously and have that “girls just wanna have fun” element to their designs. Would they do it? Jeremy may be too well known for his own designs and may not want to water down his image. Or, he could surprise us…after all, Uncle Karl designs for Chanel, Fendi and his own line - and he makes it all look very easy. This would be a great move for Brian Lichtenberg as he’s not as well known as Jeremy Scott and this would definitely put him on the fashion map.

All of this is just speculation, the last word is that BJ is not going anywhere (yay!). But, we know that she won’t be here forever so it’s a question that will need to be answered sooner or later. I just wonder if doing a cartwheel will be part of the job interview - I hope it is!

Sneaker Freaker Feature: Is High Fashion Really the New SB?

There is no doubt in my mind that high fashion influences low fashion and vice versa.  In Issue #15 of Sneaker Freaker Magazine, the sneaker enthusiasts take a deep look into the phenomenon that is the high end sneaker in the feature ‘Is High Fashion Really the New SB?’. The article examines the many ways in which high end fashion has influenced the sneaker game and in turn how the sneaker culture and low end fashion has caused luxury labels to go back to the drawing board and create a little something for the streets.

Is Gucci the New SB?

Is Louis the New SB?

Taking an in depth look at a few of the worlds most prestigious luxury brands and their past and present involvement in the sneaker world, are none other than a few of our favorite women. Tee from TrashBag Aesthetics/Trenddoll covering the Kanye West favored Louis Vuitton, Claw Money of Blogue covering Gucci, and our very own Miss Mama reporting on Chanel are not only outstanding voices in the article, but they also happen to be apart of our ‘Women Making History’ series here at M.I.S.S. Crew.

Is Chanel the New SB?

This article is filled to the brim with information, insight, and not to mention tons of pictures of the illest kicks in the land. From my personal favorites Lanvin, and Jeremy Scott all the way down to the M.I.S.S. 2009 Calendar ‘Chanails’ featuring Chanel sneakers, this feature has got it all.

A little high end, a little low end, and a whole lot of drooling over the most covented kicks on the planet isn’t a bad way to kill some time. What do you think?

'Torn' Archival Levi's from Fruition

Fruition always comes correct with something that we absolutely need in our closets here at M.I.S.S.  From Jeremy Scott, Cassette Playa and Dr. Romanelli - the Fruition kids keep releasing amazing product.  What’s the new new?  ‘Tis the season for a super-distressed jean it seems, and Levi’s are all over it with the ‘Torn’ collection. An aged denim, these babies are straight leg, come in black, white, and blue and aren’t for the faint hearted!

Head over to Fruition Las Vegas to pick up a pair. Show a little leg!

'Torn' Archival Levi's from Fruition

'Torn' Archival Levi's from Fruition

Jeremy Scott for Longchamp Fall 09: LePilage Colonel, Sergent

For Autumn/Winter 2009, classic French accessory house Longchamp and designer Jeremy Scott have teamed up to present us with four military-inspired options. First up, a classic and tasteful twist on Longchamp’s ever-so-popular Le Pliage tote: dubbed The Colonel, this sassed-up version of the classic bag is available in navy and a gray/blue shade; each is embroidered with military medals (two on the smaller size, three on the larger).

Next is the Sergent, which features medals decorated all over the bag. The Sergent is available in a universal tote style, as well as in Longchamp’s smaller, go-anywhere Planetes design.

This mini collection is definitely appropriate for the back-to-school season, and we love the toned-down colors for autumn weather!

Jeremy Scott for Longchamp Fall 09: LePilage Colonel, Sergent

Source

Considering the way this economy is (still) going, I don’t get the chance to really get my shop on the way I used to. So when I got the opportunity to visit the adidas store in Soho for an event featuring the Shaman Work recording artists, I was pretty ecstatic. The public event, which was from 4-7 PM on April 23rd, was a casual opportunity to listen to some jams and shop around without being pestered by store employees.

The featured DJ at the public event was DJ 2-Tone Jones who, ahem, was sorta cute and reminded me of a cross between Pigeon John and John Legend with a few more freckles added in the mix. He played classics like The Roots’ “Dynamite!” and Common’s “U, Black Maybe” along with a healthy dose of some other Common cuts.

In terms of the adidas collection, the Jeremy Scott pieces had me thinking “All Day I Dream About Sex.” They were so satisfying that they were literally like sex in fabric form. The Mi adidas styles were very cute and some of the men’s clothing pieces were pretty edgy for adidas so I give them points for that. But really, M.I.S.S. fans will agree that the leopard prints and crop tops of Mr. Scott are still where it’s at. The hoodie with ears and attached tail that has been featured by fashion mavens everywhere was amazing but I just couldn’t bring myself to cop a $180.00 hoodie. I ended up with the Scott leopard print tee and didn’t feel TOO much guilt afterwards. Thanks, Common.

Check out the artists and DJs of Shaman at www.shamanwork.com

Continue the read to see more from the Jeremy Scott Collection and the event!
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After much success in the last two decades, the ANDAM (Association Nationale pour le Développement des Arts de la Mode, National Association for the Development of the Fashion Arts) Paris Fashion Award is opening their doors once again for applicants and entries in this year’s competition.

Founded in 1989 by Nathalie Dufour, ANDAM hosts a major competition every year to welcome, launch and provide support for emerging new fashion talents. The competition is open to all up and coming designers on the French and international fashion scene, with a generous endowment of €160,000 for the selected winner.  This is the largest fashion prize in the world, and is an opportunity that should not be missed. As 2009 is ANDAM’s 20^th Anniversary, they have also introduced a new prize of €20, 000 to a young French fashion designer.  This celebratory and special prize was encouraged by the outstanding results of the 2008 competition, along with the ongoing support they have received over the years by private and institutional partners. This additional prize will be given in conjunction with the endowment of €160, 000.

ANDAM is accepting entry materials right now, with the final deadline being the 25^th April 2009 – you must be quick, not long left y’all! All applicants must have plans for a fashion show and development in France, and also be under the age of 40 (as of January 1^st 2009).

If you are a winner, this generosity from ANDAM will most definitely give you a kick start into your future career as a designer. This will be a stepping stone that many will envy, and you will be given an opportunity to put your mark in the fashion scene. Your name will be up there amongst the likes of M.I.S.S. favourite Jeremy Scott (winner 1998), Victor & Rolf (winner 1994) and more notably, last year’s winner Gareth Pugh. This is a chance you should take; a chance to get your foot in the fashion industry’s door which, more often than not, is shut in many faces. Good Luck ladies and gents!

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Jeremy Scott’s highly anticipated S/S 09 “Let Them Eat Gas” collection has finally been launched on Las Vegas’ finest, FRUITION!

This is not the first time M.I.S.S.’s favourite Jeremy Scott has come together with FRUITION to launch his wild, fun and tongue-in-cheek collections! The last taste of Scott on FRUITION being his $15 pin badges made of scrap materials from previous collections (and a couple from this s/s 09 one!), which dropped in early March.  If you go now you may still have a chance of catching some before they are all sold, click here!

Hit up FRUITION and prepare to salivate over all the Jeremy Scott “Let Them Eat Gas” goods, I sure did! Jeremy Scott has come through with his ‘A’ game once again with the S/S 09 collection. With inspirations deriving from the French Revolution fused with the flare of the 80s, this is most definitely a unique and jaw-dropping collection. My love of leggings and floral prints has made Scott’s ‘Floral Flights’ leggings a personal favourite! A pretty special and aesthetically beautiful piece from the collection is the ‘Hoody in Bloom’ zip jacket, which is also available on FRUITION. The delicate 3-D pleats and curve details on the sleeves are used to resemble a blooming rose which makes this one hell of a stand out jacket!

You better start gathering all your pretty pennies together before you even hit the FRUITION site! I can guarantee that your fingers will be tempted to click “Buy Now” on the Jeremy Scott pieces before you can even say “Let Me Eat the Damn GAS!”

When conjuring up thoughts of “heavy hitters” in women’s streetwear, there’s a 95% chance this lady’s name will hit the dome within 3 seconds…and if it doesn’t…well, then you’ve been somehow misinformed.

Aside from reinventing the term “Married To The Mob” (google that, it outranks the 1988 movie!), let us tell you what makes Leah McSweeney a Woman Making History.

M.I.S.S. Randi helps me tell it like this:

Leah McSweeney is one hardcore lady, and the slogans she comes up with for her clothing brand Married to the Mob illustrate this point quite nicely! Among them are “Other Bitches Just Front”, “Money Over Bitches”, “Bitch Better Have My Money”, “DILLIGAF: Do I Look Like I Give a Fuck?”, and “Most Official Bitches Reign Supreme”. While it’s clear no one should mess with Leah, EVERYONE and their mothers were trying to mess with the exclusive Reebook Freestyles she designed with Colette (only 350 pairs produced!) and the Chanel-inspired Nike Dunk Hi Supremes that came complete with MOB lacelocks. M.I.S.S. Crew would like to give a warm shout-out to Leah, who, since 2004, has been committed to make some of the freshest clothing for women out there.

Well put Randi! After the jump, we continue to honor Leah as today’s Woman Making History! Jump!

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Barbie has had quite the anniversary buzz celebrating her big 5-0. And who could do it better than the always glamorous lady herself? From fashion shows that have honored the four decade glam doll to deluxe items designed in admiration of her success, I have got to say being plastic pays off.

If you happen to be in Paris, France March 9th-28th check out Barbie’s birthday celebration at Colette. At this boutique will be all things that credit the bombshell’s success. If it’s anything like a Barbie dream world there has got to be lots and lots of pink oh and a delicious looking Ken!!

Exclusive designs for the Barbie collection by Jeremy Scott and products from Bless, Goyard, Azumi & David, and Uslu Airlines will be available.

Also listed for the anniversary is the release of limited edition products from designers selected by Colette- Married to the Mob, Bruno Frisoni, Alexis Mabille, Barbie Rocks of Beverly Hills, Jawbone, Domestic, and Linda Farrow.

Dylan’s Candy Bar sweets (btw, chocolate is my weakness) and special edition Le Baiser dessert by Laduree will make tasty treats for the celebration!

Guest can also enter the gallery of “Barbie and Ken” by Karl Lagerfeld. Images of Barbie and Ken (portrayed by model Baptiste Giabiconi) can be found here, and let me say they are so adorable. If you are one who has collector’s fetish, the photos in the gallery will be available for purchase.

Be sure to check out all the collabo’s from designers selected by Colette and Stila cosmetics.

Goodness, if I had the money and a passport I would book my flight TONIGHT!!!!

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Love Jeremy Scott but your pockets don’t run that deep? Well, you can now get a little JS in your life for only $15! Available now at FRUITION are these 3″ wide, one-of-a-kind, hand-made pin-back badges from Jeremy Scott. Made of scrap fabrics from Jeremy’s past collections you can own a little from “Food Fight” or the “Right to Bear Arms” collection to name a few. Fabrics vary from jersey to spandex…some graphics are more scarce than others, like the waffle print from a very limited swimwear collection. Which by the way is no longer available…the waffle badge and the rose print badge…they found their way home with me

These are truly unique items that are guaranteed to be collectors items. So get a little Jeremy Scott in your life here!