'Margiela Leaves House'

An amicable departure or irreparable fashion feud?

There is still no information as to why the mysterious Martin Margiela announced his resignation from his own fashion house less than two weeks ago.

The Belgian designer – who refuses to show his face to the media (by fax only) and always keeps a low profile – has left the fashion house with no confirmed ‘heir’ to take his place as creative director of the avant-garde label.

Possible successors include designers Raf Simons and Haider Ackermann. None have accepted as of yet.

The fashion house’s chief executive officer, Giovanni Pungetti, said that the company is still leaving an open window for Margiela to return should he change his mind in the coming months. This seems unlikely if Margiela has been weaning himself from the company for some time, limiting himself only to special projects like the last couture show in Paris.

My question is whether the Maison Martin Margiela house will be able to recreate innovative and extraordinary pieces like those in the last Artisanal Collection (example below): a woman’s jacket hand-strung together with white leather sandals and fastened with a buckle in the center; an asymmetric silk crepe dress decorated with old, colorful vinyl records; or a leather vest decorated with hundreds of plastic garment tag fasteners.

How could the Maison Martin Margiela ever replace its namesake founder?

It’s like having Coco Chanel leave Chanel, or Valentino Garavani leave Valentino. Where would the Armani empire be without Giorgio Armani? Retiring is one thing, but resigning?

So far, business has been steady at the Paris-based house – although 2010 will be a make or break it year after the label expects to reach ‘near breakeven’ this year, according to Pungetti. The label is currently under the control of the Diesel brand, with Renzo Rosso as majority stakeholder.

Sources say that Margiela might divert his attention to other creative pursuits like painting, leaving the world of design in exchange for the art world.

Only time will tell what future lies in store for both Margiela and the Maison Martin Margiela. But one thing is for sure: Neither the designer or fashion house can stay mum forever.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of media.photobucket.com; papermag.com; todayandtomorrow.net

'10 More Days Left'

Only 10 more shopping days left! Not sure what to get for the holidays?

As promised, here is another list of gifts to satisfy even the pickiest on your list, and still leave some money over so you can splurge on yourself!

After all, you’ve earned it.

Save $30

Stay ahead of the fashion pack with this cheetah bed set ($119.99). Ever since faux fur ripped and clawed its way here several seasons ago, you’ve been struck with jungle fever. You’ve already stocked your wardrobe with zebra print sweaters, faux rabbit fur vests and leopard silk camis. Well, now it’s time to move on to the bedroom!

This is one gift idea I’d like to keep to myself, but a girlfriend or family member might like it just as much.

And it comes with the whole package. No need to buy the pieces separately because the set includes: a duvet cover, two sham covers and two pillow covers. The micro plush bed covers and spread is also machine washable, making cleaning inexpensive and hassle-free.

Save $15

You might have already signed off on your fashion resolutions and are looking forward to tackling them come New Year.

But when it comes to the child in your family, have you ever thought what a new year might mean to him, or her?

It could mean plenty.

A mini room makeover is the first step in a getting your child about what the new year has in store. The room as a canvas, get your boy or girl excited about to shoot for the next level in football, or ballet. A new lamp, perhaps a set of new curtains with sports-themed curtain rods ($19.99) are all you need for your child to get the sense of a fresh start.

Save $15

I don’t remember the last time my parents bought new curtains for the house. My girlfriend has confessed that finding curtains to fit her oversized windows is one of the biggest hassles. And I’m 99 percent sure that my one male coworkers still doesn’t have curtains hanging in his two-month old, new apartment.

It might not be the most immediate purchase that comes to mind when buying for the home. Which is one of the best reasons to offer a blackout tie up shade curtain ($34) as a gift – now available in either purples or green.

The curtain satisfies a modern décor with its clean and contemporary design, maintains privacy, blocks out light and traps the heat inside the house better than any plastic blind would. The ruching effect already on the silk shade gives the impression that this curtain has been custom ordered for the window.

It hasn’t, but we’d like others to think so.

-S. Gonzalez

'+J returns to Uniqlo'

Looks like Jil Sander and Uniqlo are at it again.

Following the success of the Uniqlo +J Fall/Winter Collection, it was announced two days ago that there will be another +J capsule collection set to launch later this month!

The Spring/Summer Collection will debut December 23 in stores in Japan and Asia. The collection is slated for January 7 in the United Kingdom; January 14 in the United States; and January 20 in France.

What can we expect to see this second time around?

More of the sleek tailoring and modern details that make German designer Jil Sander a favorite among customers. According to Uniqlo, the Spring-Summer collection “introduces fresh perspectives on volume, teamed with perfect harmony in fiber, color, optics and touch.”

The upcoming collection of shirts, jackets, knitwear and other items in new whites and pastel shades will likely play with proportion and include subtle detailing. The basics will again likely serve as wardrobe essentials, but with a modern aesthetic to update any wardrobe.

Prices will range from $22 for a T-shirt to about $170 for a coat.

The spring advertising campaign with models Iselin Steiro and Benoni Loos, to launch later this month, will let us have our first sneak peak at the collection.

The first +J Collection debuted in stores last October, drawing tons of shoppers. Many lined up outside stores for a chance to buy the affordable cashmere sweaters, stretch shirts, wool trousers and reversible down jackets in classic colors like navy, white, gray and black.

Unchanging from its mission statement that perhaps contributed to its success, the +J collection believes: “Luxury will be simplicity. Purity in design, beauty and comfort for all. Quality for the people. Basics are the common language.”

I can't wait.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of Fall-Winter +J Collection at Uniqlo

'Help Feed the World'

Meet activists Lauren Bush, 25, and Ellen Gustafson, 29, two young women (see above) helping to FEED the world.

By designing and selling eco-friendly burlap totes and backpacks, the co-founders of FEED Projects have raised over $5 million for the UN World Food Program – providing more than 50 million school meals to children in underdeveloped countries.

The FEED Kenya bag, sold at Bergdorf Goodman (below) for $195, is made with traditional Masai fabric and hand-beaded by Kenyan women and deaf artisans. Each bag has its own FEED stamp and numerical insignia, symbolizing how many mouths will be fed because of you and FEED Projects’ efforts.

There are also pouches, bracelets and teddy bears made of organic cotton and burlap whose purchase helps to buy a high-nutrient paste for children under ages 5.

The burlap bags were inspired by the bags of grain and other food rations being distributed by the UN World Food Program. This is how the two met – Bush, model and niece of former President George W. Bush, was an honorary spokesperson at the UN World Food Program and Columbia alum Gustafson was working there.

Since Bush and Gustafson launched Feed Projects in 2007, the pair has successfully wooed the fashion industry. The humanitarians can be found everywhere, from major launch parties in New York to serving meals in African to young children.

Want your own FEED bag? The humanitarian line of bags and gift items can be found at Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bobbi Brown cosmetics and a host of other locations.

In an interview with stylecaster.com , Gustafson recently stated that Kenneth Cole will carry a FEED Health backpack to benefit Community Health Workers in Africa. Barnes &Noble totes will fund school meals and language books to children in Nepal.

If the two women don’t inspire you think of ways you might be able to give back, then I hope it makes you consider purchasing a FEED bag or a lovely teddy - a gift that gives back.

Not many gifts can say they do that.

-S. Gonzalez

P.S. check out this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxAFaRXxyCA