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The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:14 PM PST

A number of well-known brands entered the local market in 2011. Here's a look at some of them.

OVER the past year, international fashion brands made their debut in Kuala Lumpur, with a handful of familiar names.

One of the most awaited was cosmetics giant Sephora. The flagship two-storey multi-brand store – located at the entrance of Starhill Gallery – is clearly visible in its prominent position, smack in the middle of Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The French retail brand was founded in 1993 and is currently owned by the luxury products group, LVMH. Its success lies in its ethos of 3Es: "Ease", "Excitement" and "Education". The main objective is to provide a one-stop beauty destination offering tailor-made advice and the latest make-up trends.

American designer label Michael Kors opened its doors at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The standalone boutique, spanning over two floors, brings in clothes and accessories from Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels. Offerings include watches, jewellery, eyewear and fragrances. And the man himself was in town to officiate the opening.

Those with a penchant for ballerina shoes were delighted when British brand French Sole opened its doors at Suria KLCC.

Founded in 1989 by Jane Winkworth, who is the principal designer, French Sole is all about classic flat footwear. The brand's range now includes wedges, kitten heels, loafers, sandals and boots.

Also at Suria KLCC was cult brand Balenciaga, which opened its much awaited first store. The Spanish label is famed for its gorgeous leather bags in an assortment of colours. The store also carries ready-to-wear for women, so you can get your fix of motorcycle jackets and City bags.

Oroton, the accessories label from Australia, opened two stores in KL this year: the flagship in Suria KLCC and the second in The Gardens Mall.

Carrying classic leather bags and accessories for men and women, the 78-year-old brand is also known for its cult mesh bags.

From Spain, there is Bershka, which opened its first outlet in Mid Valley Megamall. The brand belongs to the Spanish Inditex group (owner of Zara), that was created in April 1998 as a new fashion concept, aimed at the young and trendy. It has over 700 stores in 50 countries.

Victoria's Secret, the well-known retailer of lingerie and beauty products, also opened a store at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor.

Their first freestanding beauty and accessories store in KL features an assortment of the popular brand's beauty products including prestige fragrances and exclusive Victoria's Secret-branded accessories.

The kids also got their share of luxury when Armani Junior opened its first store in Kuala Lumpur. Located on the second floor of Parkson Suria KLCC, the store features a collection for both boys and girls, featuring styles that emphasise comfort, attention to detail and superior materials. These are qualities that define Armani Junior, which offers its young followers a choice of clothes and accessories suitable for school, leisure time and sport, as well as more formal occasions. It is touted as a gateway to the world of Armani.

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Trendy detour

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 10:50 PM PST

The potential big bucks involved in fashion proved alluring for celebrities this past year.

FROM Madonna's daughter to John Malkovich, famous folks were involved in fashion more than ever in 2011. Here's a recap of who did what.

Shot of sex appeal

Fans of Sofia Vergara can now get their hands on the star's new clothing line at Kmart. The Colombian actress, 39, plays Gloria on hit comedy Modern Family.

Vergara's line features the kind of outfits that have made her so popular on the red carpet and beyond – figure-hugging dresses, tight pants, bright colours and short skirts.

"We have a lot of very comfortable and wearable things that can be worn by women of every size," Vergara explained of her Sofia clothing.

"We have a lot of colourful things like a dress you can wear with tights or under leggings, and still look well put together and sexy."

The Sofia line, available at affordable prices, also includes accessories, camisoles, shirts, skirts and jackets.

Catwalk cool

Brazilian top model Gisele Bundchen still walks the world's most exclusive catwalks, but she's also showing off her design skills with a new collection for Dutch mass retailer C&A.

Bundchen presented her "Gisele Bundchen for C&A" summer collection in Brazil, where she donned some of her creations for photographers. Her third collection for the retailer includes cropped blazers, floral dresses and Panama hats. It will be available only at the Brazilian branches of the chain.

C&A has ventured into collaborations with other celebrities such as pop stars Christina Aguilera and Fergie and Mexican singer Thalia. Forbes magazine ranked Bundchen as a top earner of the fashion industry this past year.

Teenage dream

Lourdes Leon – better known to the masses as Lola, the daughter of Madonna – launched the Material Girl brand. "It was really hard at first because I didn't know what I was doing," she said. "I was like, 'You know, not a lot of people wear this. Let me just wear it.' It wasn't even that it looked good on me. I was just like, 'Let me do this because not a lot of people are doing it.' Now I feel like I can follow fashion a lot better than I used to, but also have some of my own take on it."

Her learning curve is understandable: After all, she's just 14. The line, which she launched with her iconic mother, has branched out into cosmetics, undergarments and nail polish.

Iconic touch

Speaking of Madonna, the 53-year-old pop diva is launching her own fashion line worldwide in 2012, aimed at women aged 27 through 50.

"Truth or Dare by Madonna" will initially feature footwear, handbags, intimates, accessories and fragrances. "Over the past several years, I have been approached countless times to create my own brand," said Madonna, adding that "the timing is right" to embark on the project.

The line – which takes its name from the title of a documentary about the singer's 1990 Blonde Ambition tour – would "showcase the dichotomy that is Madonna, both powerful icon and feminine beauty".

Nice nails

Nicole Scherzinger was announced as a representative for a new press-on manicure product that requires no glue.

The X Factor judge and former Pussycat Dolls singer is the first spokeswoman for the latest product from American manufacturer Kiss Product Inc.

Scherzinger will appear in a full marketing campaign for the imPress Press On Manicure, which offers a collection of press-on, peel-off nails that create a long-lasting gel manicured look.

Available in 18 colours and 18 patterns including zebra stripes and dots, the line debuts this month in American stores including CVS, Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

Terrific tome

Alber Elbaz has revealed he's writing his first book, scheduled for release early next year.

The Lanvin creative director has been working on a 700-page tome, which will be a comprehensive guide to the design and production methods required to create a fashion collection.

The first few pages of the book will be blank to evoke his daily creative process. "That is how I start every day," he divulged.

Elbaz became artistic director of French fashion house Lanvin in October 2001, achieving praise for his simple, feminine collections. The designer's upcoming book follows a growing trend for fashion houses to "open" the doors to their design methods.

Footwear frenzy

Manolo Blahnik has announced a deal for British department store Liberty to sell his footwear as of spring 2012.

The 68-year-old shoe designer has collaborated with Liberty in the past. Last year, he opened the World of Manolo pop-up shop there, stocking shoes and accessories. Liberty's quintessential British quirkiness has always been attractive to Blahnik.

"I love the store; it's very English, and has so much character. I go there to shop myself. It is unique," he was quoted as saying.

Liberty will also stock Choli, a patent leather court shoe designed by Blahnik and London-born creator Richard Nicoll for the latter's spring catwalk show. Other creations to go on sale will include Blahnik's footwear inspired by the Olympic Games, such as metallic Greek style sandals.

For modern men

American actor-director John Malkovich opened a pop-up fashion store in Paris in the run-up to Christmas to showcase his new menswear line. His Italian-made collection, dubbed "Technobohemian by John Malkovich", is billed as "dandy and bohemian" in style and aimed at "modern men who care about how they look, and who are firmly rooted in the 21st century".

Malkovich, who studied costume design for the theatre in his youth, created the Technobohemian line in partnership with an Italian friend and designer, Ricardo Rami. He sketches the designs and selects fabrics for the clothes, which are produced by Rami in the Italian textile industry hub of Prato.

Dynamic duo

Make-up brand M.A.C roped in the star power of Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj. The Latin singer and Trinidad-born rapper were announced as replacements for Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper in the cosmetics brand's Viva Glam campaign in July.

The unlikely pair were captured by fashion photographer David La Chapelle, with Ricky holding a giant pink lipstick and Nicki leaning suggestively across a motorbike in the campaign shot. La Chapelle is known for his irreverent style and has previously worked on colourful campaigns for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Diesel.

All profits from the two special edition pink lipsticks in the Viva Glam 2012 campaign, which was first launched in 1994, will be donated to HIV and AIDS charities.

Past faces of the fundraiser include music stars Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige as well as models such as Naomi Campbell.

Global relaunch

New York-based Prabal Gurung has been unveiled as chief designer for the relaunch of the iCB collection in Europe and the United States.

The Japanese label, which stands for International Concept Brand and is celebrated for its tailored suits and minimalistic basics, stopped distribution in the Western world in 2002, but has announced a relaunch in the US and Europe for 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Gurung is following in the footsteps of designers such as Michael Kors and Viktor & Rolf by designing for the brand, which is hugely popular in Asia.

He will have a design studio for his iCB collection in New York, with the first looks set to be unveiled at New York Fashion Week in February.

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Sabtu, 31 Disember 2011