Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet Announces Collaboration with Basquiat Estate for CFDA Initiative

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alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is proud to announce that the late Neo-expressionist artist and frequent Andy Warhol collaborator Jean-Michel Basquiat has been selected, through the Basquiat Estate, as the partner for the second capsule collection that will help support the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s efforts to promote young talent. The collection, shown as part of the alice + olivia Resort 2017 season, will land in stores and online in November 2016.

Jean-Michel Basquiat earned his recognition in the art world before the age of 27, even gaining the title of youngest artist to be given a solo show at the widely respected KestnerGesellschaft gallery in Germany. His personal achievements and participation in an American art movement that ushered in a wave of young new artists make Basquiat the perfect next partner for the promotion of young artists within the fashion industry. 

As part of the partnership with the CFDA, alice + olivia works with a new artist each year to create a capsule collection that will be available for purchase at all alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet stores, aliceandolivia.com, and other retail partners with 50% of the proceeds from select items donated to the CFDA. 

Stacey Bendet, CEO and Creative Director of alice + olivia, says, “Jean-Michel Basquiat is one of my favorite artists. This partnership is exciting for me as it is very reflective of my brand and our continued collaboration with artists. It is also wonderful to be able to raise funds for the CFDA and support their ongoing initiatives within our industry that develop new talent.” 

The new collection includes a variety of unique apparel pieces, accessories and gifts that feature iconic elements of Basquiat’s art, such as the golden crown and colorful, street-art inspired design, mixed with alice + olivia’s whimsical and feminine touch. “Beat Bop” 1983, “Replicas” 1983, “Ascent” 1983, “In Italian” 1983, “Panel of Experts” 1982 and “Notary” 1983 are some of the artist’s famed works that Bendet cites as inspiration for the capsule collection. Elements of these iconic works can be seen throughout the collection of apparel, accessories, and gifts. Bendet delivers a modern interpretation of Basquiat’s iconic artworks with the incorporation of beadwork and embroidery details which add a dimensional element to the iconic Basquiat works as they come to life in the form of dresses, tops, skirts, jackets, handbags, shoes, eyewear and more. 

Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA, says, “We could not be more appreciative of Stacey Bendet and her work to help us in our cause to advance up-and-coming fashion talent. Thanks to this initiative, the support we will be receiving from alice + olivia is of great value to our organization.” 

For the first CFDA capsule collection, debuted in April 2015, Bendet partnered with celebrated artist Domingo Zapata, a Spanish-American who has studios in New York, Miami, and Hollywood. Zapata’s pieces created for the partnership included a hand-painted ball gown, hand-painted full-length skirt, and custom two-piece skirt with a matching leather bustier featuring piping in a print painted by Zapata, all of which were auctioned off by Paddle8 with 100% of proceeds benefiting the CFDA. 

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Raf Simons Menswear Spring 2017 & Maplethorpe

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Raf Simons' Spring 2017 menswear collection pays homage to photographer Robert Maplethorpe. And while Raf Simons isn't the first fashion designer to be inspired and motivated by famous artists, to say Maplethorpe was merely an inspiration would be an inaccuracy because he served much more to this collection. When the Robert Maplethorpe Foundation approached Raf Simons and gave him carte blanche to Maplethorpe's body of work, the designer interpreted a runway collection that embodies the artistic and personal essence of the photographer. In the HBO documentary about the life and career of Robert Maplethorpe, titled Look at the Pictures, the film does an excellent job of chronicling the artist's journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration. I've been a Maplethorpe fan for 20+ years and I urge you to watch the documentary. I learned that Maplethorpe had no separation between life and art - it was one in the same for him. Even though his very known for controversial works about BDSM and his own gay fetishes, let's not forget his exquisite images of flowers and his portraits of famous people like his muse/lover Patti Smith and designer Carolina Herrera.

Circling back to Raf Simons Spring 2017, the designer delve deeply into Maplethorpe to create a menswear collection that was a curatorial representation of the artist's prolific body of work. Every single piece in the menswear collection features a Maplethorpe print - florals, self-portraits and if you look closely, not so closely, you'll find and erect prize or two. The curly-haired models, that looked like an army of Maplethorpes, marched down the runway in over-sized shirts, some in leather dungarees and many in half-cocked (pardon the pun) leather biker caps. The collection is fresh and modern while still giving nods to Maplethope's personal style.

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Carolina Herrera: "Refined Irreverence" at SCAD FASH

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The Carolina Herrera exhibit, "Refined Irreverence" at SCAD FASH, will leave you breathless. The fashion retrospective features nearly 100 pieces of ready-to-wear, red carpet and bridal looks from the House of Herrera. The exhibit walks you through Carolina's Herrera's inaugural collection from 1981 to the present. Some of the looks were clearly from the 80's with their shoulders and silhouette but most of them were timeless - a true testament to the classic elegance that is the House of Herrera. The ability to walk up to all the gowns and see [and examine] them up close is something that is quite amazing. The stitching, detailing and quality of each and every piece is impeccable. The exhibit itself, carries such presence. It is truly exquisite. 

We are extremely fortunate to be featuring Refined Irreverence in Atlanta. This is a must-see retrospective for every fashion lover, enthusiast and designer - a celebration of an extraordinary thirty-five year career. Carolina Herrera was awarded SCAD's prestigious Étoile Award in May.

Carolina Herrera: Refined Irreverence, which also showcases gowns worn by Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, runs through September 4th at SCAD FASH.

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CAMPUS MOVIEFEST ANNOUNCES DATES FOR TERMINUS, JUNE 16 - 19, 2016

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terminus

Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival, has announced the dates for the inaugural TERMINUS - a four-day event dedicated to bringing together young creatives and industry professionals for the best of film, TV and gaming. Taking place June 16 through 19, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Atlanta and throughout the city, TERMINUS will feature hands-on workshops, educational panels, game design expos, exclusive film and TV screenings, live-play tournaments, awards, chances to rub elbows and network with celebrities and industry leaders, and much more. Ideas United, producers of TERMINUS and creators of Campus MovieFest, chose Atlanta to launch TERMINUS based in large part to the city’s ongoing dedication to supporting and cultivating the entertainment industry.

“We are excited to bring the TERMINUS experience to Atlanta, where we started Campus MovieFest 16 years ago" says David Roemer, CEO & Co- Founder of Ideas United. “We’re thrilled to create an unforgettable opportunity for thousands of students and professionals from across the country that are looking for new ways to create and share with the world.”

The four-day experience creates the ultimate platform for emerging talents and industry professionals alike to take their art and careers to the next level. TERMINUS grew from Campus MovieFest (CMF), the world’s largest student film festival that started in 2001 when four students at Emory University provided their peers with everything they needed to make movies in one week. CMF has since featured more than 1,000,000 students at colleges and universities worldwide. Each participant in the inaugural TERMINUS film festival will also receive all the necessary technology and training to tell their stories for free, thanks to corporate partners and schools. Past winners have walked away with over $2 million in prizes and seen their films on screens big and small. Campus winners will move on to compete at TERMINUS, earn professional and educational opportunities, and see their work at the Cannes Film Festival, in-flight on Virgin America, and much more.

Attendees will receive an all-access badge, giving them first-come, first-served access to participate in hands-on workshops, educational panels, game design expos, exclusive film and TV screenings, live-play tournaments and so much more. Certain activities may require pre-registration and/or additional fees. Badges are available online at www.terminusevent.com. 

TERMINUS is produced by Ideas United and sponsored by Adobe, Panasonic, Google, Sennheiser, The Elfenworks Foundation and more. Visit www.terminusevent.com for the most up-to-date information.

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Culture of Fashion: THE FACE MAGAZINE

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Charlotte one-upped Atlanta with a fashion party New York would've been proud of... [not that it's a competition] but The Face Magazine issue release party had that NYFW vibe that separated and elevated it from most of the events I attend. The Face is the culture of fashion.

Wine, catering and non-stop fashion presentations flowed through the brick-walled, concrete-floored LaCa Projects space. LaCa Projects - Latin American of Contemporary Art - featured luxury fashion presentations by Jon Millner, Brandan M. Combs, Sanstitre, Sloan Boutique and Luna's By The Lake. Guest snapped away on social media but also got a chance to speak with the designers. 

The energy and feel of the evening was nothing less than spectacular. The well-attended event, stayed that way up to the end - a clear sign of its success.

As for The Face... this is what magazine's should look like. Less ads, more content with pages and pages of beautiful editorials. Take a look.

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Met Gala: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”

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taylor swift co-chairs met gala

Anyone else thinking about the Met Gala?!

On Monday, May 2nd, the fashion world's biggest designers will gather to a celebrity packed house for the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, more commonly known as the Met Gala - though there is nothing common about it.

The star-studded event, labeled as the Oscars of Fashion by Andre Leon Tally, will deliver a red carpet like no other. Who'll be the most creative, who will play it safe and which celebs will be show-stoppers?

This year's theme is “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” and the Costume Institute exhibition will feature more than 100 haute couture and ready-to-wear pieces.

Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute had this to say about the exhibit to Vogue: “Traditionally, the distinction between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the machine-made... But recently this distinction has become increasingly blurred as both disciplines have embraced the practices and techniques of the other.”

This exclusive fashion party has a guest list of about 600 A-listers and quite the impressive chairing committee to include Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Jonathan Ive and Anna Wintour. Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada will serve as honorary chairs.

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