Tears and triumphs
The New York fashion week — and a bag faux pas — are making headlines.
FASHION week has started in New York City, and my colleague Dzireena Mahadzir is there at the moment, covering a trio of shows.
It is snowing and extremely cold in the Big Apple; the last I checked, Dzireena’s Facebook posting read: “-2°C in NYC. I think my face is frosting over.”
I’m not a fan of winter, so I’m certainly not envious of the biting cold she has to endure while I sit in my (comfortably chilly) office, writing this.
Where New York Fashion Week is concerned, I always look forward to Victoria Beckham’s showcase. Ever since her Spice Girls days (in the late 1990s), Beckham has been my favourite Spice Girl – even though she was often labelled by critics as the weakest singer of the bunch.
Granted, she did little more than pout (a trademark she continues till today), but she looked really good in those little tube dresses. And she wasn’t called Posh Spice for nothing.
Over the years, Beckham, 39, has turned her passion for couture into a multi-million dollar business. She is now more famous than ever, internationally renowned as a fashion designer and style icon.
In November 2011, she was awarded the “Designer of the Year” gong at the annual British Fashion Awards, silencing her detractors once and for all.
At her Fall collection showcase this year, Beckham continued her winning streak.
It helped that handsome hubby David Beckham was in the front row. The football star was accompanied by their impeccably groomed children.
According to AP, David snapped selfies of himself and his adorable toddler daughter while waiting for his wife’s big moment. Seated next to the Beckham family were Anna Wintour of Vogue and her daughter Bee Shaffer. Talk about star power.
On the runway, Beckham presented a line which she described as “Everything is not what it seems.”
“It’s all 360° – nothing is flat,” she was quoted as saying in the same AP report. “You look at a structured coat from the front, and then from the back you see this beautiful pleat. Or you’re looking at a dress, and then the whole back is missing.”
The collection was almost entirely black and white, with an emphasis on pleats and ruffles. There was also a clear fondness for a gold chain draped across a garment.
“It’s about satisfying my sense of creativity, but also giving our customer what she wants,” said Beckham, adding that she intends to build a stronger presence in New York.
Away from Beckham’s show – and the excitement surrounding fashion week – a different sort of fashion-related story was causing headlines in New York, and not in a good way.
Amy Adams was reportedly furious – and understandably so – after Valentino sent an e-mail blast to the media that its bag was carried by the Hollywood A-lister as she stepped out of a car at the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman. For the uninitiated, the press release read: “We are pleased to announce Amy Adams carrying the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Duble bag from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection on Feb 6 in New York.”
In the two accompanying visuals, Adams is seen with her head down, wearing sunglasses and a sombre expression ... and yes, carrying the now (in)famous bag. I am no public relations maven, but one look at these pictures will confirm that Adams is certainly not having a fashion moment.
The Italian fashion house has since apologised, claiming that they didn’t realise the photos were snapped at the gathering of loved ones for Hoffman, who was found dead on Feb 2 of an apparent heroin overdose.
“It was an innocent mistake and we apologise to Ms Adams who was not aware, or a part of, our PR efforts,” said the statement signed by Mona Swanson, vice president of communications for Valentino USA.
It may very well be “an innocent mistake” ... but is the damage already done? As a Facebook friend so eloquently put it: “Wow, talk about PR fail.”
Only time will tell whether Adams – who wore Valentino to the recent Golden Globes – will be in a forgiving mood come the Oscars.
William’s wish is for the Spice Girls to stage a reunion concert, and in a nearby city, please. Send your feedback to star2@thestar.com.my.