Keep up to date with the latest trends and news from the world of fashion
Text Sharifa Jamaldin
ECO JEANS
The rising trend for ecologically conscious clothing sees the launch of Levi’s much-anticipated eco jeans. Levi’s is one of the first global brands to introduce an eco-line; limited release began in November 2006 in the US with a retail price of €190 ($250). Levi’s felt the impetus to address the concerns of increasingly eco-savvy young consumers, but no doubt wanted to muscle in on the attention already being bestowed on ecologically friendly brands like American Apparel, Aveda and
The Body Shop. In its first run in Europe, Levi’s is producing only 30,000 pairs of the ‘green’ jeans in the 570 range for women and 506 range for men. By winter the company will incorporate the fashionable Red Tab styles in organic cottons, possibly for as little as €100. The Levi’s eco-jeans are certified ‘EKO Sustainable Textile’ by Control Union Certifications, a recognised worldwide inspection and certification association for organic production. They are made from locally produced organic cotton applied with natural indigo and mimosa flower dyes and adorned with a coconut shell button and recycled cardboard label. www.levistrauss.com
Interior empire
Entrepreneur Amancio Ortega surpassed all expectations when he opened the first Zara boutique in 1975 in the small Spanish city of A Coruña. In 2003, with over 700 outlets pouring out affordable chic, the global brand plunged into interior furnishings with the opening of Zara Home. Now there are more than 140 stores in 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East and North America, and most recently a Zara Home flagship store opened on Avenue Louise, the upscale shopping street in Brussels. www.zarahome.com
Tod’s designs by Derek Lam
With over 100 years producing leather goods, shoes and handbags to die for, Tod’s (todsgroup. com) is now ready to branch out with a ready-to-wear collection. Diego Della Valle, chairman of Tod’s, has appointed New York’s home-grown Derek Lam as creative director, making Lam the first contract designer to hold the position for the Milan-based luxury label. Lam’s signature look, defined as fresh, clean and contemporary, should be a good match for Tod’s iconic style. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Lam worked for Michael Kors for 12 years. In 2002, when Lam struck out on his own, he was embraced by the most important buyers in America and received instant fame and popularity. Lam’s first collection for Tod’s will be available in summer 2007.
Karl Lagerfeld in denim
Super-active fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has launched a new denim lifestyle collection called K. Aimed at both men and women, the K line is only available in Europe and Canada, and features five-pocket denim jeans as well as T-shirts, dresses, sweaters, blazers, ties, scarves, trench coats and sporty down-filled jackets. Marked with a special K logo on zippers and rivets, the whole collection takes on an ultra-slim, tailored look, with unique cut and treatments. Prices are reasonable: T-shirts from €70 and jeans from €120. www.karllagerfeld.com
Roberto Cavalli still rocks
Roberto Cavalli is dressing pop diva Christina Aguilera for her ‘Back to Basics’ tour, which kicked off in Houston this month. It’s the icing on the cake for the Italian designer, who has just created the costumes for Italian producer Dino de Laurentiis’ latest film, Virgin Territory, adapted from Giovanni Boccaccio’s classic novel The Decameron, and starring Mischa Barton and Hayden Christensen. Cavalli will design 10 unique costumes for the pop diva inspired by a mix of retro elements, from the glamorous 1940s (think Marlene Dietrich) to the progressive 1960s (bikini style). Now at the top of his game, Cavalli was catapulted back into the limelight in the 1990s and has not left it since. His over-the-top, sexy clothing, immersed in animal prints, leather and lace and topped with kick-ass attitude, is heralded by pop stars, television icons and celebrities. www.robertocavalli.it
MANGO fashion awards
The chance of a cash prize of €300,000 from the MANGO International Fashion Awards should have the hearts of nonchalant young designers aflutter.
With the cooperation of five of the most influential fashion design schools in Europe, this contest is one to watch.
The participating schools – already producing top talents working in the fashion biz – are the Institut Français de la Mode, Paris; Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London; the Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten van Antwerpen (Royal Academy of Fine Arts), Antwerp; the Istituto Marangoni, Milan; and the Escola Superior de Disseny (ESDi), Barcelona.
The event will take place every 18 months and has the full backing of the Catalan government. The event will propel exciting new talent onto the global catwalk, covering the hefty production and marketing costs involved and also acting as a PR vehicle for the sponsors. This March, 50 candidates will be selected to show their work before the MANGO Committee, followed by a presentation in April. In May, the top 10 finalists will be chosen and will exhibit their designs to potential buyers after the award ceremony. The overall winner will be announced in September after a catwalk presentation of the shortlisted collections. 
www.mangofashionawards.com
Splurge
Brogues are the shoe to sort the men from the boys. They’re a basic wardrobe necessity for those in the know, so the shops are stockpiling them. Step into French opulence with J.M. Weston’s brogues, priced from €475. www.jmweston.com
versus
Save
Got less cash to spare, but still want dapper style? Florsheim have gone for timeless classic with their sturdy brogues, priced from €125. These are shoes that will stand the test of office time. www.florsheimeurope.com
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