bunny BISOUS

Best of Events 2009

To take off my journalistic cloche for a moment... 

Now presenting my strictly personal, more mainstream (than usual) favorite red carpet and formal event ensembles of 2009 [low-resolution preview below]:

Enjoy! The Best of Events 2009 (designer credits provided)

...who wore your best-loved ensemble this year?

Wishing you a wonderful, bountiful 2010,

ox Jules

Related:

• Rachel Roy Video/Lookbook/Campaign Photoshoot [VA$HTIE]

• PAPERMAG – President Barack Obama's Ten Best Style Moments of 2009 [Paper article] and coordinating images [Paper slideshow]

• Teen Vogue Fashion University Video Recap – Julia Frakes, Lauren McGrath, Arabelle Sicardi [Teen Vogue]

• Style Rookie – Tavi's "Ramblings, Oops" [Style Rookie]

• Julia "bunnyBISOUS" Frakes made a best of the red carpet list that we actually enjoyed [Refinery 29]

• Style.com's The Fashion Feed "Separating the Tweets from the Chaff" featuring bunny BISOUS [Style.com]

Happy ThanksLiving 2009 | Down with Mills and Factory Farms!

painting by Danny Roberts of Igor + André | Miu Miu Spring 2010

My sincerest apologies for the flighty, few and far between updates as of late; I've been engrossed in a flurry of exhilarating, albeit labor-intensive projects with several magazines, photographers, designers, and organizations slated to be released throughout the forthcoming festive season! 

While I cannot reveal too many details quite yet, one of my pet holiday projects is an upcoming benefit that I am co-chairing with designer Rachel Antonoff to raise awareness about animal cruelty as manifested on two fronts: barbaric factory farms (with funds proffered to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary) and merciless puppy mills (to benefit Maddie's Fund). 

painting by Caitlin Shearer of Caitlin Quiet | her online shop pepperminte

Scheduled to betide in a magnificent historical Manhattan haunt this winter, a killer hosting committee will preside over a silent art auction featuring works created especially in a forest and fauna theme [including the original painting above] by the likes of Kime Buzzelli, Kate Wilson (of Little Doodles), Caitlin Shearer (of The Bleeding Knees Club) and Danny Roberts alongside special musical performances by fun., Steel Train, and other sublime surprise guests.

In the meantime, tweet at me @bunnyBISOUS!

ox, Jules

Related: 

• VIDEO: Ben Stein Raises Awareness about Puppy Mills [Humane Society of United States YouTube]

• VIDEO: Mary Tyler Moore's Life Behind Bars on Factory Farming [Farm Sanctuary YouTube]

• Next Model Management New York Special Bookings – Julia Frakes [Next Models New York]

• The Bunny & The Deer by Danny Roberts [Igor + André]

• A Quick Chit-Chat with Designer Peter Pilotto after First Lady Michelle Obama's Bronx Jaunt in his Wares [PAPERMAG]

• VIDEO: Rachel Antonoff's Costume Creations for It's On with Alexa Chung [MTV]

• VIDEO: Julia in Motion – a speed-motion video of The Bunny & The Deer by Danny Roberts in support of Maddie's Fund and the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary [Igor + André]

• Blogger as Muse by David Hershkovits [PAPERMAG]

• Next Models Now Representing Julia Frakes [Next Model Management Blog]

Tod's to Tap Lam for Couture Endeavor?

Rumor has it that Gwyneth-fronted Italian leather goods and shoe label Tod's is laying the groundwork for a potential couture accessories and footwear launch to coincide with the upcoming Paris Haute Couture Week in January 2009. As for whether or not Derek Lam – Tod's creative mastermind and all-around cutie (he was such a gent at his intimate Parisian cocktail party [pictured, above] to fête his eponymous collection that debuted during New York's Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Week) – is set to design the professed ultra-luxe pieces is still nebulous... though distinctly foreseeable according to industry insiders.

 

After a long day of Paris showhopping, I headed to the Derek Lam cocktail presentation with brazilliant stylists Patti Wilson and Christine de Lassus where we had a nosh and reunited with Mr. Mickey. After catching up with a few lovely model amies, meeting the super fun Elle Japon team – speaking of which, your bunny truly makes a wee style cameo in this December's issue with a full-blown feature interview and spread (shot at my apartment) to come this Spring – as well as with my idols, Marylou Luther of the Fashion Group and Bill Cunningham of The New York Times just prior to their decoration ceremony: Marylou was awarded the Chevalier dans l'Ordre National des Arts et Lettres and Bill the Officier dans l'Ordre National des Arts et Lettres. 

More of my snapshots here.

bunny BISOUS,

ox jules

Still Speechless After a Morning with Alber

obviously it would have been precarious to take photos, so here is the "public" invitation

illustrations by Alber; silly stickers by your bunny (quite the ahhhrteeest, non?)

Women simply adore Alber Elbaz (and by extension, Lanvin) owing to his love and appreciation of real women: sans the plastic or pretension. It was an absolute dream to spend Monday morning with him – quite candidly my favorite designer of our era – and Mr. Mickey exploring the showstopping Lanvin Spring 2009 collection (with a few previously unseen Cruise 2009 gems thrown in for good measure)! 

Lanvin Spring 2009*

As per usual, comfort was of cardinal priority throughout the design process. Even the seemingly 'structured' garments felt lighter than a feather on the skin: a truly remarkable feat bearing in mind the weighty heft of similarly shaped Giambattista Valli frocks. 

The kooky throwback resort garments (think more "contemporary" items like t-shirts emblazoned with Alber's whimsical sketches not unlike the invitation above) were reasonably priced considering their handiwork, style level, and refined fabrication; while the Acne Jeans collaboration was the epitome of 'cool kid meets easy breezy chic' [below]: 

Lanvin Cruise 2009 [also feat. Acne line] with Suzy Menkes

About 70% of the bags were entirely vegan – perhaps stemming from his dear kinship with fellow Israeli Natalie Portman or a reworking of F/W 2008's cruelty-free (by default) ribbon motif – the most electrifying of which sprang from Spring 2009's interludes of vibrant leopards, insane new crystal studded versions of last season's cult shapes, and Cruise 2009's Elbaz-doodled beach totes with PVC handles. 

Ogling Alber's deco-gone-glam jewelry and flossy flossy bedazzled heels was pure sensory overload: 

And yes, Alber is that twinkling and warmhearted in person! I did feel slightly maladroit since I had just broken one of his F/W 2008 bags* in a taxi door earlier that morning and hastily replaced the stunning Jeanne Lanvin charms with little bunnies from a quaint shop in Pennsylvania found deep within the recesses of said bag. He didn't seem to mind... 

bunny BISOUS, 

xx jules 

If you're in Gotham Tuesday or Wednesday be sure to stop by Barney's 2nd floor on Madison & 61st. See invitation [above] for details. To my knowledge Alber will not be in store again – but his all-embracing, voluptuous, fresh-from-the-runway frocks will!

*Total major coincidence: many thanks to Tim Blanks (brilliant host of the style.com videos, including the one at top) for helping me find the then-new black Lanvin bag lost in the kerfuffle of Ikram's annual post-McQueen Indian fête. By now that bag must be on its ninth life! 

Getting Schooled in Pigalle: Jeremy Scott Model Rehearsal at the Elysée Montmartre

Jeremy Kost may have caught the models exiting the catwalk of one of my absolute favorite human beings on planet – the uncommonly kindhearrted and devilishly talented Jeremy Scott [video above]; but your bunny met up with the crew before the S/S 2009 extravaganza for a pre-show (plain clothes) run-through:

[related] to see more photos of... 

• Jeremy's actual (fantastical) runway presentation: Jeremy Scott S/S 2009
• my last meeting with Jeremy celebrating his March Paper covershoot: Paper / LiLo Lunchipoo
• my first rendezvous at the Elysée Montmartre during July Couture Week: Longchamp Anniversary with the Kills

bunny BISOUS,

ox jules

Keira's Got a Brand Old Bag

Bunny obsesh! Keira Knightley has been seen all about Gotham donning a very Annie Hall (bygone season) rust Prada messenger sack. 

While her beloved bag may no longer be on the market, to procure a similar vintagey accountement try the Marc Jacobs flower shoulder bag, Prada nappa ruffled tote, or Tila March papillion shoulder bag on for size. For my fellow ethical vegans -- try scooping up Stella's take on the newsboy rucksack for an akin 70's Barnard vibe. 

Fancy her black-tipped Chanel ballerinas [at right]? Scope them out (among racks and racks of serious fashion schmashion fabuloulosity from Mr. Mickey, Charlotte Ronson, Peter Davis, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Star von Bunny, and me -- erm, Julia Frakes) tomorrow at the first annual Celebrity Charity Sidewalk Sale at Screaming Mimi's!

All proceeds go to charity : water, Scott Harrison's lifesaving non-profit foundation bringing clean and sanitary drinking water to people in developing nations. 

Rochas, J. Mendel, Max Mara, Chanel, Mickey's flossy flossy sparklyhood... there's really no excuse not to make a cameo for the cause (credit card in-hand)!

See you there!

bunny BISOUS

ox jules

PS: It's common knowledge that Keira is not only strikingly alluring but also brilliantly perspicacious; nonetheless her appearance on Charlie Rose (in a 3.1 Phillip Lim blue asymmetrical fan dress and Wren contrast-lined blazer) truly set it in stone. Enjoy!

Purple Strikes Back | Fall/Winter 2008

While I have only once had the distinct pleasure of whooping it up with the Purple Magazine's infamous Olivier Zahm, witnessing him grab 16-year old (two years my junior) Tallulah Morton's derrier was enough to convince me that he's kind of a creep. But a majorly genius creep.

The Fall/Winter 2008 Mario Sorrenti cover (featuring himself flanking -- who else? -- but Kate) is sure-to-be legendary. Plus the fabled Balmain "Anna Jagodinska" dress is iconic: as Hilary Alexander so cleverly remarked upon seeing it on last February's catwalk, it "covers just enough to avoid infringing the laws of public decency". Not anymore!

snapped by me at last month's Longchamp 60th Anniversary fête with The Kills

Here's what to expect:

• Terry Richardson caught up with Dash Snow (along with his daughter, girlfriend, grandmother, and girlfriend’s mother) for a Best of the Season editorial. 
• Meghan Collison in an entire spread dedicated to Benjamin Cho, styled by Natasha Royt and photographed by Hanna Liden. 
• Richard Kern shot Harley Viera-Newton, Stella Madrid Schnabel, Mary Charteris, Z Berg, Theodora Dupree, Cécile Winckler, Vanessa Traina and Nathalie Love for a sweeping New York Girls editorial. 
• Malgosia Bela styled by Anastasia Barbieri for a Glen Luchford fashion spread. 
• Rinko Kikuchi stars in her own editorial shot by Chikashi Suzuki. 
• Daphne Guinness styled by Heidi Bivens in a Paul Wetherell article. 
• Richard Bush shot the hilarious and gorgeous Daisy Lowe, styled by the always brilliant Sarah Richardson. 
• Hilary Rhoda models for Purple Beauty, photographed by Katja Rahlwes. 
• Alasdair McLellan shot the Purple Fashion Men with Waris Ahluwalia. 
• Trish Goff dons her nudie suit for Inez & Vinoodh’s Purple Naked. 
• This issue’s three portraits are: Camilla Nickerson (self-styled and photographed by Mario Sorrenti), Mario Sorrenti (self portraits), and Lou Doillon. 
• In the first episode of Terry Richardson’s Life Story, Terry photographs his mother (Annie Lomax). 
• For a Vanessa Bruno editorial, Mark Borthwick shot Joanna Preiss, Léa Seydoux, Hélène Fillières, Mia Hansen-Love, Constance Verluca, Yelle and Bambou. 
• Terry Richardson portraits the city of Los Angeles for Purple Travel. 
• Camille Bidault Waddington styled Missy Rayder, Egle Tvirbutaite, Erin Heatherton, Denisa Dvorakova, Barbora Dvorakova, and Jen Messelier in Horst Diekgerdes’ Purple V-O-C-A-B-U-L-A-R-Y. 
• Richard Prince is featured in the Purple Visual Essay. 
• Supplements include Pigxtras by Harmony Korine and Purple Sexe: The Sensational Rocco Siffredi at Work in his European Film Studio of Thrills by Terry Richardson.

Brizilliant!

bunny BISOUS jf

Opening Ceremony's Exclusive Olympic-Themed Performances & Products

Opening Ceremony in SoHo hosts Hercules and the Love Affair tonight at 1 AM

To commemorate the crazy-over-the-top-awe-inspiring opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, Opening Ceremony (a.k.a. NYC and LA's answer to Colette and your bunny's fave SoHo shopspot) is keeping its doors open for a supernatural 72 hours straight! 

official schedule of festivities at their SoHo outpost (click for full-size)

The Olympic-themed blowout bonanza boasts some categorically knockout events including (but in no way limited to) a 1 AM performance by Hercules and the Love Affair [see video below] and exclusive products to make any Olympian -- or more tenably stylin' and profilin' hipster -- swoon like metallic Nike Air Max 1's (limited to one pair per customer).

Andy Butler dissects his new Hercules and the Love Affair album track by track

Perhaps bunny amie Sam Ronson should stop by tonight (her birthday!) and treat herself to a pair (or two) of her beloved Nike kicks:

Gotham:

35 Howard Street (near Broadway)

New York, NY 10013

tel: 212-219-2688

LaLaLand:

491 North La Cienga Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90048

tel: 310-652-1120

(no Hercules and the Love Affair; still open for 72 straight hours with exclusive Olympic-themed products like Air Max 1s)

Go go go! NOW!!

Elmer Olsen Model Bootcamp: Amanda Laine and Taryn Davidson Proffer Their Wisdom

Renowned Toronto-based agent Elmer Olsen -- whose discovery/management roster boasts Daria Werbowy, Alana Zimmer, Taryn Davidson, and Amanda Laine -- gathered the preeminent international agencies (think DNA, IMG, Supreme, Trump, Women) for his second annual Model Bootcamp. 

Amanda (top) and Taryn (bottom) imparted some sagacity to the aspiring models

Thirty of Elmer's budding mannequins gathered at the Metropolitan Hotel for beauty and fitness seminars followed by indispensable words of wisdom from seasoned soon-to-be-supers Amanda and Taryn.

This year's "one to watch" was Elise, a redheaded stunner whose singular look deftly swings from prepossessing pixie to fierce phenom. Considering that Elmer's 2007 bootcamp star Tara Gill went on to walk for the likes of Celine, Givenchy, Gianfranco Ferré, Hermès, and Ralph Lauren, expect major bookings from Elise come next month's fashion weeks.

2008 Model Bootcamp star Elise; Elmer Olsen flanked by Elise and fellow fresh face Eunique

bunny BISOUS,

ox jf

image source

Not-So-Blind Item | My Ghesquière Love Affair Ensues: First Rose, Now Blue

There just may be a method to the radness...

[click for high quality: 'the blue obsesh'] Kinga, Meghan, Natalia, Daria, Vlada, and Agyness

...only time will tell!

bunny BISOUS,

julia goolia

or do you prefer my original 'rose obsesh'? Stay tuned...

Sample Sale Alert! Miracle off 34th Street (and Third Ave.)

click for details

Aggy Bunny hops around Gotham donning Beckerman S/S 2008:

Bunny hop to the Sisters Beckerman's endearing Spring/Summer collection 

sample sale on Third Avenue between 34th & 35th Street:

See you there!

bB,

xx jf

Bunny Hop to Zoë for their Radtastic Summer Blowout

Jean Paul Gaultier Catapults Camille into the (Neon) Limelight

Bunny hop over to PAPER for my complete review of Jean Paul Gaultier's Haute Couture presentation!

Then be sure to check out Camille's stirring grace in rising star Matt Sundin's moving piece "informed by cinema, music, and movement":

bunny BISOUS

xx jules

PS: A special "merci beacoup" to the lovely family from Kuwait (staying at The Ritz) for the très luxe ride to Gaultier! If you had not recognized me from Lacroix and spotted me stranded (as my driver decided that he had eh hem more pressing matters) outside Hôtel le Bristol -- slightly soaked from la pluie -- I would have most definitely missed the show! 

Many apologies for not sending flowers sooner; malheureusement I am experiencing a major 'bunny blankage' and have completely forgotten your names! If you perchance spot this, please comment with your details... many thanks!

Meet Felipe Oliveira Baptista! Jane Jetson, His Muse! Bunny Reports from Paris Couture Week A/W 2008-2009

[background]: the production team (La Mode en Images) transformed the Lycée Turgot gymnasium into a space-age shrine

Monday afternoon Felipe Oliveira Baptisita presented his modern couture collection wrought of the archetypal Googie architectural characteristics: bold use of material, neon hues, space-age motifs depicting motion (atoms, boomerangs, flying saucers), free-form shapes ("soft" parallelograms), harsh geometric houndstooth, cantilevered structure, and metallic parabolas.

The deliciously impractical sky-high mules sent more than model a' tottering -- although thankfully no full-fledged head-over-heels catastrophes to report. However the consideration behind each ensemble's vividly contrasting shoe selection was incredibly forward-thinking. When coupled with the bold mini-stockings, they served as the quintessential foundation for a populuxe paean. 

Portuguese designer Baptista takes a bow; his adorable little son joined him soon thereafter

To sneak a peek at all of the photos I snapped at yesterday's presentation (plus some backstage exclusives): click clickity click click!

OFF TO LACROIX!

bunny BISOUS

xx jf

...And the Couture Countdown Ensues

I cannot tell you how many e-mails I've been receiving lately from you lovely bunny readers apropos my schedule. So, without further ado, voilà!

Monday, June 30th:

Alexis Mabille

10 am at the Palais Galliera

10 avenue Pierre 1e de Serbie

Paris 16th arrondisement

Christian Dior

2:30 pm at the Musée Rodin

79 rue de Varenne

Paris 7th arrondisement

Felipe Oliveira Baptista

7:30 pm at the Palais de Chaillot

1 Place du Trocadéro

Paris 16th arrondisement

Tuesday, July 1st:

Christian Lacroix

3:30 pm at the Centre Pompidou

entrée par la rue Beaubourg

Paris 4th arrondisement

Maison Martin Margiela

from 2:00-6:00 pm

163 rue Saint-Maur 

Paris 11th arrondisement

Boudicca

TBA at 17c Villa du Lavoir

70 rue René Boulanger Paris

Paris 10th arrondisement 

Wednesday, July 2nd:

Jean Paul Gaultier

2:30 pm

325 rue Saint-Martin 

Paris 3rd arrondisement

Valentino

6:00 pm or 7:30 pm

8 place Vendôme 

Paris 1st arrondisement 

Longchamp 60th Anniversary Event 

with a performance by The Kills 

10:00 pm at L'Elysée Montmartre 

72 Boulevard Rochechouart 

Paris 18th arrondisement

I'll be reporting for Paper Magazine throughout the week -- so be sure to bunny hop over to PAPERMAG Fashion Schmashion for daily updates on my whirlwind satorial sabbatical!

bunny BISOUS,

xx julia

PS: Rumor has it that Natalia Vodianova & Co. will also be staying (with your bunny) at Hôtel Le Bristol for Couture Week! How utterly brill?