‘Newcomers’ Step Into the Spotlight
It’s called the Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent, but when the Council of Fashion Designers of America convenes Monday evening at the New York Public Library to hand out that award and others in its annual ceremony, the debate will begin again over the meaning of “emerging.”
One of the nominees, Rick Owens, 40, has been creating a hotly sought collection of sensual women’s clothes for 10 years. Yet the lean and muscular designer, who keeps an atelier in Hollywood, has become something of a new discovery in New York. Since September, when he was included in a Vogue photo essay on independent designers, Owens’ name has been on the glossy lips of important image makers.
It wasn’t just photographer Annie Leibovitz’s decision to capture him shirtless that’s made the fashion mavens atwitter. It’s his sensual, hand-worked clothes that seem to disappear out of high-end boutiques like Maxfield.
Owens was subsequently one of two designers handpicked this spring to have New York shows underwritten by the Web site style.com. Now this low-key “newcomer” isn’t so undiscovered. Yet he’ll face some stiff competition from the other nominees, Behnaz Sarafpour, Peter Som and the latest press darling, Zac Posen.
The awards will be televised nationally 5 p.m. (PDT) June 8 on WE: Women’s Entertainment network.
To see the embodiment of the Owens look, check out his muse and longtime partner, Michele Lamy, at her Hollywood hot spot, Les Deux Cafes.
Valli Herman-Cohen
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Revised Show Dates
The New York and British fashion industries have swapped preview dates in September so American designers would not have to hold their shows on Sept. 11.
Seventh on Sixth, organizers of New York’s Fashion Week, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the British Fashion Council announced the revised dates for the Spring 2003 collections as Sept. 12-17 in London and Sept. 18-23 in New York.
The groups stressed this is a one-time adjustment to the fashion calendar, which traditionally starts with the New York shows then moves to London, Milan and Paris, was made to accommodate commemorative events on the first anniversary of the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center.
“New York looks forward to resuming its position in future seasons as first on the calendar,” said Fern Mallis, executive director of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
New York Fashion Week has been cut from its usual eight days to six to minimize the impact on the Milan shows, which run Sept. 23-Oct. 1.
Associated Press
MS Benefit
Shoppers can buy designer accessories for half price during the fifth annual “QVC’s Cure by the Shore” without leaving their homes Saturday.
The broadcast, live from Malibu from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a cooperative effort between cable’s QVC and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Soap opera star Don Diamont of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” serves as host.
The special will feature a wide array of sunglasses, accessories, jewelry and beauty items from leading designers, brands and manufacturers, including Burberry, Carrera, Christian Dior, Gucci, Kate Spade, Valentino, Ck Calvin Klein Eyewear, DKNY Eyes, Fendi and Nautica Eyewear.
Associated Press
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Smoking Study
A national obsession with the body beautiful may be damaging Brazilian women’s health.
In a country renowned for its sexy supermodels and revealing beachwear, up to 90% of Brazilian women who smoke may be afraid of giving up the habit in case they put on weight, according to a medical study released this week.
The study, by the Sao Paulo Heart Hospital, showed many women choose to smoke to suppress their appetite.
“What makes a person eat too much is anxiety and if she begins to smoke, the attention is diverted to the cigarette and away from food,” said Silvia Cury Ismael, coordinator of the study carried out among 100 smokers-- half of them women--during the last year.
Brazilian women show more resistance to quit smoking than men. The National Cancer Institute found that the number of male smokers dropped by 14.7% in Rio de Janeiro between 1989 and 2000, while women smokers declined only 3.5%.
“I know smoking is bad, but I don’t want to stop because it makes me lose weight,” said Tais Thormann, a 23-year-old model. “When I am hungry, I go for a cigarette and a little coffee.”
Reuters
