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Just a few years ago, the mere thought of high end luxury brands embracing social media was considered a Judd Apatow like joke. How could a French couturier create a Facebook page? Or, why would someone buy a $1500 Pucci belt after seeing a retweet from a fashion pundit? Were a few rhetoric jokes tossed around. Flash forward years later, and the burgeoning success of high end brands like Burberry’s massive social media success, designers are clamoring to reach new and old audiences on digital platforms. The latest to the fold, Balmain, has released Facebook and Twitter accounts.  This is afirst for the French house, CEO Emmanuel Diemoz told WWD that there’s been a huge demand for information surrounding the brand — hence why they have gone public in a major way.

Enlisting their 25 year old hot shot creative director, Olivier Rousteing to speak on behalf of the brand in a video shot exclusively for their FB page (see above), content on both channels will consist of runway shots, editorials, ad campaigns and backstage photos and even insider bits from Rousteing.

It’s amazing to see a storied brand such as Balmain take the digital stage by storm. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of this from other high end design houses.

Check out Balmain’s Facebook via here: Facebook.com/BalmainParis

Follow Balmain’s Twitter page here: Twitter.com/Balmain

Yesterday, we got a glimpse of Joseph Altuzarra’s collection for J.Cew. The “Bardot meets Saint Tropez” sense is vastly different than what fellow CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner-up Pamela Love (who incorporated her signature gothic style jewelry) and Creatures of the Wind managed to conjure up. Pamela Love kept her edge with brassy baubles, plaid accents under denim jacket collars and gold rivets on leather belts while Creatures of the Wind channeled a psychedelic 60’s vibe, incorporating a color block cashmere twinset and even a multi-hued oxford.

Pamela Love and Creatures of the Wind’s collections won’t hit stores or online until May 17 and June 14, respectively. Check out the images we have!

Images via J. Crew

J. Crew has collaborated once again with CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund winners to act as a sponsor for the designers to create capsule collections for the retailer. High end fashion designer, Joseph Altuzarra is first on the list, incorporating his sleek mature aesthetic for a “Brigitte Bardot in Saint Tropez” inspired collection with J. Crew.

Although cute, the collection seems a bit matronly and not entirely Altuzarra’s aesthetic nor fresh for J. Crew. But we digress. The collection is available today for purchase on JCrew.com and will go on sale at the J.Crew on Fifth Ave. in Manhattan on April 23.

What say you, loving the full collection?

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Recently awarded the Emerging Designer of the Year Award by Arise Magazine just over a month ago, Loza Maléombho New York’s Autumn/Winter 2012-13 collection is one to take notice. Born in Brazil, raised in the Ivory Coast in West Africa, and now based in New York, Maléombho’s designs reflects empowerment and journeys multicultural women undergo in the world today. Inspired by the Akan tribes of Ghana and the Baoule tribe of the Ivory Coast for her fall/ winter collection, Maléombho features plenty of richly tailored and structured jackets (sculpted perfectly to the frame), long and cropped vests with accent curved piping, long full skirts and dramatic backless dresses most in kente, playful wax prints or tribal.

Although her roots span the world, Loza Maléombho New York is based in New York. Check out her fall 2012 winter 2013 lookbook below.

To find out more visit: http://www.lozamaleombho.com

Looking to update your spring wardrobe at an affordable cost?  Alberta Ferretti for Macys, the latest in high fashion capsule collections in collaboration with a major retailer will hit stores come April 17^th. And judging by the lookbook (pictured in our gallery), it’s primed to be a good one!

From basic tops and skirts to fresh and bright colors and figure flattering print dresses, the collection looks like it has something for everyone this spring summer. And the prices are a steal, nearly the entire collection is under $120.

The collection will sell at 185 Macy’s across the US and online starting April 17th.

Check the full lookbook in our gallery!

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Images via Fashionologie

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Holy shizznit?! Instead of premiering a fashion show during a New York or Paris Fashion Week, Tom Ford has again decided to show a collection via digital media.

What we have are a smorgasboard of exotic skins including: snakes, alpaca and crocodile, sleek signature Tom Ford style black leather, voluminous coats, body accentuating dresses and knee high boots that rivals Stella McCartney any day.

We even see a glimpse of Gwyneth’s famous Oscars dress and cape as well as Jennifer Lawrence’s recent outing in a back revealing Tom Ford dress in the lookbook.

Watch and gag!

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For Stefano Pilati’s last collection with YSL, Pilati again paired the chic uber highbrow simplicity of the brand with his over the top signature aesthetic creating a homage to his illustrious tenure at Yves Saint Laurent. Watch above and gag!

Kanye West, a good designer?

After a critically panned Spring 2012 season – the only marketable and scene stealing to arise were his Giuseppe Zanotti collaborated shoes now on sale at French retailer Colette – Kanye may finally add designer, proudly, to his already lengthy repertoire.

For his Fall 2012 collection, Kanye improved showing this time a more season appropriate collection with loads of leather, velvet and fur. Sticking to a mostly sleek and slim silhouette, Kanye showed a bit of range. There were pencil skirts varying in proportions with most a mermaid like finish, bone hugging leggings sometimes wrapped around the models feet, chest hugging leather long sleeved tops with impeccable hardware. When Kanye did leave a lean silhouette, he ventured into the slouchy sweatshirt territory pairing them, albeit droopy with a legging or pencil skirt.

In essence, it was an improvement. Yet somewhere Kanye needs to develop his own design voice. Although there were welcomed triumphs (the leather tops and pencil skirts) and noticeable missteps (uneven hem lines), Kanye must know he can’t win on leather alone. Plus it was too reminiscent of Tom Ford at Gucci, which we’re confused either was an homage or continuation. Either way, it was too similar.

Brava Kanye, thanks for trying hard and have us “dying” hard for an improved collection!

Grade: B-

Images via Style.com

We’ve seen a lot from the house of Chloe over the last few seasons. In between designer changes (re: Hannah MacGibbon’s exit and cue former Pringle of Scotland designer Clare Waight Keller), we’ve seen the Chloe house evolve into something effortlessly cool with a lux edge.

For Chloé’s fall 2012 collection, Waight Keller showed more of an upbeat vibe than to many of her peer this fashion week season. With an ongoing pastel color trend, there were sporty nuances, pretty embroidered lace moments and even a homage to her Pringle of Scotland days in her oversized coats.   Full, knee-length skirts and pantaloon style shorts made an appearance, while soft wool trousers with elastic waistbands at the ankles were a hit. Nonetheless, Waight Keller’s outerwear stole the show. Oversized military and car coats featured pastel pink, blue and camel again in soft wool

Although, the shift from MacGibbon to Waight Keller was a bit of a change a few seasons back, it’s nice to see Waight Keller carve out a groove all her own.

Grade: A

Images via Style.com

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With news of Raf Simons exiting Jil Sander effective this coming Monday, February 27^th and that Jil Sander herself will take the reins of her brand, Raf Simon’s last show for the house walked today during Milan Fashion Week.

From the emotional finale walk, featuring one of the models shedding a tear for the designer to the standing ovation at the end, the show was a total success and not just from Simons departure. His last collection for the house was a pretty homage to his time at Sander; a take on modernity with classic Grace Kelly touches. There were pastel colored long overcoats that covered a line dresses that recalled an Alfred Hitchcock vibe.

In essence, it was a beautiful send up for a designer that has shaped the mold on color and minimalism that last five years.