Women Making History: Yuli Ziv

Yuli Ziv is leading the way in fashion through her many endeavours. She is the co-founder and Editor-In-Chief of MyItThings.com—an online user generated fashion magazine and community. She is also a founding member of Style Coalition, an alliance of independent online publishers in the fashion vertical. Yuli is an avid speaker on the topic of social media and technology as they relate to the fashion industry. She has been quoted by WWD, Forbes, Business Week and AP.

Yuli’s presence in the fashion industry and online media has led her to organize and lead Fashion 2.0 discussion panels and networking event series in NYC, bringing together the fashion and technology worlds.

The next event, being held on March 23rd, 2010, will bring together leaders of the online fashion revolution such as fashion bloggers, new media publishers, entrepreneurs, industry insiders, fashion PR reps, and web savvy trendsetters. For those professionals within the fashion industry interested in joining the meetup, please visit www.meetup.com/Fashion20.

Yuli & the iconic SJP!

Below, Yuli gives us some insight on what some of her favorite things are…

Women Making History: Yuli Ziv

We were thrilled to be able to get some questions in to Yuli. Enjoy our Q&A with her below:

M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?

Jeanne d’Arc.

M.I.S.S.: How did you get your start in blogging and social media?

I’ve worked in the online industry for the past 10 years, always focusing on the next big thing. I fell in love with the immediacy of blogging and the ability to reach such wide audiences. Later, I realized the biggest aspect of blogging is the ability to build communities and this was the point when my fascination with social media began.

M.I.S.S.: When did you make the leap from creating/blogging for My It Things to creating Style Coalition? Why did you start Style Coalition? What was your goal?

After running MyItThings for a while, I met so many amazing publishers and bloggers in the space who had similar goals and challenges. As a group we could be much more powerful, both while promoting industry standards and when creating new revenue channels for ourselves. Since the launch of Style Coalition in the early 2008 the support of the publishers, brands and press has been overwhelming.

Women Making History: Yuli Ziv

M.I.S.S.: In addition to Style Coalition, you’ve had an integral role in promoting social media as a tool for the fashion industry. Where did the idea for Inside The Tents come from?

Inside the tents – our portal for live NY Fashion Week coverage – combined two of the current biggest online trends: access to insiders-only information and real time coverage. It was a natural and inevitable step for the fashion industry to take and im excited to be part of the change.

M.I.S.S.: Our editors recently attended the Fashion 2.0 Social Media Awards. How would you rate the event? Will you make it an annual event?

The event was a huge success both offline (despite the snowstorm) and online, with thousands of votes casted by fashion fans online, and a feature in WWD. What surprised me most was the enthusiasm with which the nominated brands promoted the awards via their own social media channels, twittering, posting on facebook, their own blogs and newsletters. It really proved the power of social media and we definitely plan to establish the awards as an annual tradition.

M.I.S.S.: How has social media changed the fashion industry?

The biggest change was the democratization of fashion – from bloggers who influence opinions and sales to consumers who rate, review and recommend – this industry is no more a hierarchical top-bottom empire.

M.I.S.S.: What is new on the social media horizon? Any new products that you are excited about?

Mobile space is finally living up to its expectations from few years ago – location based social networks seems to be the big buzz nowadays and they are excellent platforms for fashion and retail brands to turn the store shopping into social experiences.

M.I.S.S.: Do you think that brands that don’t embrace social media will be left behind?

I don’t think its ever too late to join the game, there is enough data and case studies for fashion brands to start defining their own strategy and there is plenty of room for innovation.

Yuli Ziv and friends at an event...

M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite project that you’ve worked on?

A project I’m working on right now, which still has to remain confidential. It’s a new medium and dimension for me, and I can’t wait to make it happen!

M.I.S.S.: Who do you want to work with?

I would love to work with Vogue on their social media strategy. They seem to be way behind other players in the space, yet have most potential. Challenges like this one truly excite me.

M.I.S.S.: What part of being a writer/speaker/social media expert is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?

Wearing many hats can be challenging at times, but I feel it’s something that is very common these days, when more and more people choose to build their own, entrepreneural path.

M.I.S.S.: Any advice for ladies who are just starting out in a career path in fashion and media?

Research the market well in order to see what attracts you most, then define your own niche. Focus and perfect your uniqueness without worrying about competition. Have a goal larger than your own success.

Thanks so much, Yuli!

For more on Yuli’s amazing projects, please visit the links below:

MyItThings: http://MyItThings.com
Style Coalition: http://StyleCoalition.com
Yuli’s Biz/Social Media Blog: http://yuliziv.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/yuliz

Moschino, Galliano, Dior, Cavalli, Diane von Furstenberg: All names we’re familiar with but today’s Woman Making History honoree is more than just familiar with those names, she’s been one of the chosen few to work along side them. Elisa Palomino’s “Once upon a Fashion Design” story began at St. Martins College where she and our dear Alexander McQueen (R.I.P.) were classmates.

Before receiving her master’s in Fashion Design from St. Martins, Elisa grew up in Cuenca, Spain, a humble 15th century town. Her mother was an acclaimed restorer of fine arts and her grandmother was a habitué of Haute Couture. With a strong sense of aesthetics in her blood and a passion for textiles, Elisa’s designs are nothing short of remarkable.

In 1995, Elisa’s design career started, as she cultivated the eccentric style of Moschino’s Cheap & Chic line. Five years later, Galliano recruited her to work for his own label and soon after, Dior came knocking. She rose to become head of the studio and helped the fashion house grow creativity.

After her time with Galliano, Elisa worked at Roberto Cavalli as Studio Director. The opportunity to become VP of Design at none other than, Diane von Furstenberg, came her way and she made her way to New York City, where she lives today.

A detailed look at one of Elisa's pieces, Right: Elisa & husband take in a Spring 2010 show, front row, in NYC.

Fall 2010 marked the season for Elisa’s self-titled label. Before we get into the collection, have a look at Elisa’s turn-ons and turn-offs…

We get some exciting fashion insight from Elisa below:

M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?

NathaIie Gibson, my tutor from C. Saint Martins and Katell Le Bouhris, my “Fairy Godmother” at Dior.

M.I.S.S.: How did you get your start in fashion design?

At 15, I won a fashion competition with a swimwear collection.

M.I.S.S.: You’ve worked for some amazing designers and have incredible experience. From working with John Galliano and Dior, developing Moschino’s Cheap & Chic line, being the studio director at Cavalli, and currently VP of design at DVF. What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned working at these jobs?

At Moschino I learnt everything about fashion and how to have fun with it. At Galliano and Dior, that there is no boundaries in creativity and the finest craftmanship. And at DVF, how to run a business.

M.I.S.S.: You also design for your own eponymous line. How is it different than designing under another designer?

You can fully express yourself and your dreams. It is your true essence and no compromises.

Elisa's love for Japanese culture shows through in her pieces...and in the detailed craftmanship of her dresses.

M.I.S.S.: Did you always want to have your own line? If not, when did you decide to start your own line?

When I met my husband, Tristan Von Christann, a film maker, we decided to create it together. It’s like making a film!

M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite piece that you’ve created?

I Love them all. Each of them is done with so much love and passion.

Elisa knows how to bring a modern feel to classic looks.

M.I.S.S.: Who do you want to work with?

Anyone passionate about their work.

M.I.S.S.: What part of fashion design is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?

Numbers.

Soft & lovely down to the boots!

M.I.S.S.: Any advice for ladies who are just starting out in a career in fashion design?

To go for it, risk everything and don’t be afraid…it’s lots of fun!

A stunning amount of volume!

On February 17, 2010, Elisa Palomino debuted her beautiful, eponymous line with a runway show during New York Fashion Week.

WWD reviewed the show:

A longtime collector of Twenties and Thirties kimonos, Elisa Palomino brought the era to life with a feminine lineup of delicate tulle embellished flapper dresses and beautiful Asian floral motifs, in which her time as head of John Galliano’s studio certainly came across.

View the enchanting collection below! And keep an eye out for more Elisa Palomino, her solo line’s sure to continute to excite!

The much anticipated Chanel Spring Haute Couture 2010 show came and went and it temporarily made me forget I was sitting in dreary, rainy San Francisco and made me excited for spring.  Karl Lagerfeld ditched the trademark black, white, and navy for a much lighter palette – one reminiscent of cotton candy and sherbet.

The collection consisted of tweed suits, short swing dresses and gorgeously intricate column gowns – all in candy colors from strawberry, peach, lemon and vanilla.  Silver beading and metallic accents kept the pale shades from becoming boring and added just the right amount of pizazz – even Karl traded in his signature black tie for a metallic silver one! Chanel trademarks like pearls, camelias, bows and ruffles were all present – but used in different ways.  Instead of rows of pearl necklaces, a pearl collar elegantly held a dress up.  Ever flirtatious, the collection was very feminine and embodied Le sacre du printemps.

One of my favorite aspects of the show was the hair – it was swept up in a heart shape with giant bows and flowers front and center.  Many of the bangs featured a white streak (the Dior Spring 2010 Haute Couture show also had white streaked hair – is this a new trend for Spring?).  Makeup was kept light & sweet so as not to distract from the clothing.  I’m still waiting to see detail shots but it looks like the hot new nail colors will be white and metallic silver – but I’ll have to see the close-ups to be sure.

In the mean time, you can see the full collection at LaChanelphile.

Images courtesy of WWD.

CFDA x Barbie

The CFDA has teamed up with Barbie and Matel introduced a Barbie Basics doll, who wears a simple little black dress and can be easily accessorized and personalized by their owners with special accessories kits featuring such items as scarves, purses, shoes or jewelry.

Together with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, it has cooked up a special initiative to mark the launch of this special Barbie. For instance, the packaging of each Barbie Basics doll features a quip from a CFDA member about the little black dress.  In addition, 12 CFDA members have accessorized a Barbie Basics doll, and in some cases, customized the little black dress.

The participating designers include Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, Justin Giunta, Lorraine Schwartz, Alexis Bittar, Monica Botkier, Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade, Albertus Swanepoel and Devi Kroell.

“Each designer expressed his or her individual style by transforming their original Barbie Basics doll into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece,” said Stephanie Cota, senior vice president of marketing for Barbie. “The use of unique materials, special fabrics and, in one case, real diamonds, demonstrate how to infuse one’s own style and personality by accessorizing.”

The special editions will be auctioned on eBay starting this Thursday through Feb. 7, with an opening bid of $100.

The entire net proceeds from the sale of these dolls will benefit CFDA’s educational initiatives and scholarship program. Barbie has been one of the largest donors to various CFDA initiatives, this being her latest charitable endeavor in aid of the organization. “She is the doll that keeps on giving,” Kolb said.

If you didn’t see our post for the Christian Louboutin post a while back take a peek here.

Source

Kelly Cutrone - Kell on Earth Previews

Long before she made a cameo on The Hills or was fired by Yigal Azrouël for seating hooker with a heart of gold Ashley Dupré front row at his show during fashion week, I was borderline obsessed with Kelly Cutrone. Her no-nonsense attitude,  impressive list of clients and the fact that People’s Revolution holds a record for most fashion shows produced on September 11, 2002 is one of the main reasons I began dabbling in PR in the first place.  So  it comes as no surprise that I was a bit excited when I heard that she was finally getting her own reality show and dropping her first book all in one month.

This single mother turned authoress, didn’t miss a beat while filming two reality shows, prepping for fashion week, and writing her self help book, “If You Have to Cry Go Outside and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You”, this past summer.  According to Cutrone the book deals with what it means to be feminine and reaches out to young women giving them advice served up in her usual shoot from the hip tone.  With chapters like “A Bitch is Not a Bad Word” and “It’s not a Break Down, It’s a Breakthrough”, the book could either be fun and filled with witty advice or overly cliché but a best seller because its author happens to be a brilliant publicist. While I may be on the fence about her ability to translate her pearls of wisdom into an awesome tome, I am more than confident her reality show will be one to watch.

After being fed bits of Cutrone’s straight talk and love of the color black via cameos on MTV’s The Hills and The City, the channel responsible for bringing Rachel Zoe and Brad to the masses, is now bringing People’s Rev and fashion PR to the forefront. On the plus side I know Kelly and her staff are way cooler than Taylor and Brad which will make for beyond interesting TV.  In addition, 70 percent of her clients have agreed to appear on the show, meaning we actually get to see Jeremy Scott come in the office instead of listening to one side of a conversation with him. The down side is, the promotion of fashion public relations will make it twice as hard for me to find a j-o-b, but I digress.

When asked by WWD if she was planning on moving away from the PR biz to focus on her own personal brand Cutron had this to say…

“P.r. is what I know how to do to make money and it’s what I’m really good at, I think it’s a natural thing to say, ‘Oh, OK. Well, now Kelly Cutrone has to leave p.r., but that would be an old model and I’m not really interested in old models….Do I want to stick around when I’m making a fortune writing books and producing television, taking s–t from a designer who pays $6,000 a month who doesn’t want to pay their bills for three months? No. Does being on TV and writing books give me the freedom to kick their asses out of my office before they f–k me over? Yeah. That’s the reality”

Well said.

Kell On Earth premiers on Bravo on Feb 1 and “If You Have to Cry Go Outside and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You” hits your local bookstores on Feb 2.

For more on what’s to come heck out these videos…

Cyndi Lauper for M.A.C. ... coming soon to a store near you!

Cosmetics powerhouse MAC has tapped two music icons to be the faces of their latest MAC AIDS Fund Campaign. Cyndi Lauper and Lady GaGa will star in the new ads, joining the ranks of past spokespeople such as Fergie and burlesque queen Dita von Teese. As part of the campaign, MAC will produce a Viva Glam lipstick for both GaGa and Cyndi Lauper, slated to retail at $14. (The name of the lipsticks? Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Cyndi Lauper.) Appropriately, the forthcoming campaign has been named “From Our Lips.” All proceeds from sales of the lipstick will go directly to the fund, so be sure to mark your calendar for March 18 for when the lipsticks hit North American shelves.

Lady GaGa for M.A.C., coming to you March 18, 2010!

Nicole Richie

Apparently staring in your own reality series, designing a line of jewelry, and squeezing out two kids isn’t enough for a celebutante these days. WWD broke the news early Thursday morning that style icon and mother of two, Nicole Richie, has decided to expand her fashion business, including jewelry line House of Harlow 1960 and maternity line Nicole for A Pea in the Pod, into her very own collection.

Nicole Richie's Winter Kate line

Winter Kate, taken from her daughter Harlow’s middle name, is a 37 piece line slated to hit stores in early February, that Richie has been working on since the beginning of this year. The pieces are true to Richie’s eclectic boho style and include maxi and slip dresses which are meant to be layered, vests, and bed jackets in vintage-inspired silk, crepe and chiffon.  Nicole told WWD that these items are mainstays in her wardrobe, “I probably wear the same two pairs of jeans every day as the background to a fabulous top. Bed jackets are a staple of my wardrobe because they are a gorgeous way to give jeans and a white T-shirt a completely different look.”

The line will be sold at stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Sakes Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Intermix, and Kitson, with prices ranging from $35 wholesale for a camisole to $598 for the leather pieces. The line coordinates perfectly with her accessories line, House of Harlow 1960, which will be growing to include shoes for spring. Both collections actually target the same buyers. According to Richie, “She is a woman like me: She does not look at labels; she knows how to mix and match. The pieces can be dressed up, made casual, but most importantly, they provide the wearer a means of self-expression and fun.”

Check back for more updates on Winter Kate and Nicole Richie’s ever growing foray into the fashion industry, because knowing this busy mom, Winter Kate is only the beginning-she does have two kids remember.

Barbie for Louboutin

Happy 50th to Barbara Millicent Roberts, aka Barbie.  Like Barbie, Me & You, your mama and your cousin too would all die and come back as a one eyed one horned flying purple people eater if it meant Mr. Louboutin would do the same for us on our born day. Here’s some extra information that is probably not useful unless you are in a wicked game of trivia. Barbie is estimated to have owned about 1 billion pairs of heels! A girl can dream can’t she? Well now, all of those other heels don’t mean a thing.

Barbie for Louboutin - Heel

“Barbie has a long history of working with various designers and artists who use Barbie as a muse,” said Stephanie Cota, senior vice president of marketing of Barbie brands at Mattel. “It was a natural for Barbie, not only with her fashion heritage, but also because of her passion for shoes. She has a billion shoes and we needed to do something special for her shoe collection.”

I read on BarbieCollector that:

Christian has designed not one, but three extraordinary dolls, the first debuting later this year (keep reading to find out how YOU can be one of the first in line to get the doll!). Barbie “traveled” to Paris to visit Christian for a year, exploring his favorite places and experiencing his fashion-filled life. Lucky for us, Barbie documents the experience in a gorgeous 2010 souvenir calendar diary, complete with stunning photography and colorful commentary of her French adventures. (You’ll have the opportunity to purchase one of these calendar diaries very soon!)

Only 2,400 of the first Barbie® by Christian Louboutin dolls will be available for purchase for just $150 in the online shop and in the catalog. There are only 7,700 produced worldwide.

Barbie for Christian Louboutin - Red Carpet

The only way to be in the know about when the doll goes on sale in the BarbieCollector.com online shop is to get on the VIP Pre-Sale list. Once you’re on the list, you’ll get an email alert when the first Barbie® by Christian Louboutin doll in the series goes on sale (soon!). This gives YOU one of the first opportunities to purchase the doll. PLUS, purchasing this doll gives you priority access to the VIP Pre-Sale list for the second Barbie® by Christian Louboutin doll, coming early next year.

On a side note, the diary, which comes with the jewel thief Barbie and is also sold separately for $40, is titled “My Year in Paris With Christian Louboutin.” Launching in December, it features photos of the doll shopping with Louboutin in his boutique, on a journey down the Nile, performing at the Moulin Rouge and in a cafe with a male doll that is decidedly not Ken.  However, Barbie and Ken are friendly, but just “friends.”

Barbie for Louboutin

Barbie for Louboutin

Barbie for Christian Louboutin – Red Carpet

Barbie for Christian Louboutin

Barbie for Christian Louboutin – Diamond Thief

Barbie for Christian Louboutin

Barbie for Christian Louboutin

Barbie for Christian Louboutin

Barbie for Christian Louboutin

Barbie for Christian Louboutin – Diary

Barbie for Louboutin

Barbie for Louboutin – Heel

Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2010 collection under the command of Lindsay Lohan

There’s a lot that can be said about Lindsay Lohan. All bad judgment aside for a moment, she’s the one time actress that graced countless movie screens in such pop culture films like Freaky Friday and Mean Girls, a one time singer and songwriter, and she’s also the designer of a infamously expensive line of leggings named after her hero Marilyn Monroe’s birthday 6126. Yes, resume wise there is a lot that can be said for Lilo. Over the last couple of years this starlet has seemed to have lost her light. A tabloid fixture, this once red head freckled face kid has had to publicly deal with what many of us aren’t able to deal with privately. A broken relationship with one time partner DJ Samantha Ronson, the sudden downfall of her film career, a couple stints in rehab, public displays of drunkenness, thefts, and restraining orders. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, girl that just can’t seem to win has had a sudden change of luck. And not just any change – homegirl got a major hookup!

On October 4th Lindsay presented her first collection to the masses at Emanuel Ungaro's Spring 2010 fashion show in Paris.

A couple of weeks ago French couture house Emanuel Ungaro known for the slimming silhouettes provided by it’s namesake, announced the resignation of it’s young Latin head designer Esteban Cortazar, and the installment of the new head designer Estrella Archs who’s past employers include Prada, Emilio Pucci, and Nina Ricci. Not too long after that (about 24 hours) Ungaro CEO Mounir Moufarrige announced to the world that Lindsay Lohan would be placed in the newly created position as Artistic Advisor to the house of Ungaro. The title alone holding its own amount of weight (and loads of money), Moufarrige made it clear to the fashion world that Lindsay Lohan would have a vital part in the revitalization of the Ungaro brand. Not only would this media darling be the face and talking doll for the house, but she would also have veto power over what designs would ultimately walk down the runway. To put it in terms we all can understand: She’d basically be telling the head designer what would, could, and should be designed for the label.

Asked to describe her role in the creative process, Lohan said she “kind of oversees everything [Archs] does, while working with her. Different generations have different ideas.”

Of course the skeptics came out in droves, the recent surge of celebrity driven products has sky rocketed in recent months. Most of these being ploys to gain publicity and some sort of notoriety, fashion publications, bloggers, and even other designers all raised a collective eyebrow at this suspicious appointment.

The affable Mr. Gunn took the same tack when we broached the subject. “Could I not comment?” he asked politely. “Of course,” we replied as Gunn pursed his lips, looked directly at us, and while not uttering a word into our whirring tape recorder, emphatically shook his head in disbelief. But then Tim, too, felt too strongly to hold his tongue. “It’s got to be a publicity stunt!” he blurted. “Or a crack-smoking board of directors?”

On October 4th Lindsay presented her first collection to the masses at Emanuel Ungaro’s Spring 2010 fashion show in Paris. While some were hoping that this would be the space where she would finally fit, the skeptics ultimately won. Lohan and Estrella sent a stream of form fitting cocktail dresses, high wasted harem pants, sequined shrunken jackets, silk wrap skirts, and heart shaped nipple pasties down the Parisian runway. Was it well received? Uh, not exactly. Deemed “embarrassing” and “cheesy and outdated” by WWD, the collection was completed in just three weeks, a fact you can easily point out seeing as the collection looks like someone threw it together during Amateur Night at the Apollo.

This storied house has been in disarray for years, and though Archs’ debut provided no indication that she’s up to the challenge, she should be given the chance to find out without a younger, non-skilled judge with theoretical veto power hovering about. (Let’s just say the ladies’ joint bow didn’t radiate chemistry.)

The decision to add a celebrity to the ranks of Ungaro has been in ongoing debate over the last couple of years

The decision to add a celebrity to the ranks of Ungaro has been in ongoing debate over the last couple of years and was the ultimate reason the 23 year old fashion whiz kid Esteban Cortazar is no longer with the brand. His intense lack of desire to take orders from a untrained celebrity after finding out socialite Paris Hilton was in the running for the position, resulted in his demise. Lindsay was given the position after a conversation in her home with CEO Moufarrige who was swept off his feet by the young starlets enthusiasm for fashion, a passion he saw after seeing her bedroom covered in designer clothing thrown about (no, seriously that happened. I’m not joking.).

“Lindsay already had an Ungaro coat at the age of 13,” said Moufarrige. “Her own mother used to wear Ungaro. You could not sit on a settee or chair in her place. Her home was full of brands. You had to sit on the floor!”

If Lindsay Lohan's job was to bring publicity to a label not known by many outside the fashion world, then a job well done!

If Lindsay Lohan’s job was to bring publicity to a label not known by many outside the fashion world, then a job well done! But in my opinion, it didn’t have to be done at the expense of what this is all about in the first place: FASHION. There’s no doubt in my mind celebrities can be fashion designers. As much as it gets on my nerves to say it, some of them can actually be successful at it (see: Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Victoria Beckham). Do I think Lindsay’s troubled reputation proceeded her? Totally. There’s no doubt in my mind had this been someone who’s name isn’t synonymous with ‘tabloid’, it may have been welcomed with small open arms in the snobby elitist world of European fashion. Somewhere deep in my heart, I just wish this collection would have come out a little better, for Lindsay’s sake at least. Girl, you just can’t win!