Anna Wintour's PSA for Marriage Equality Initiative

"As far as I'm concerned, having the right to say 'I do' is as fundamental as the right to vote." - Anna Wintour.

Participating in the "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality" initiative, Anna Wintour, Vogue's legendary Editor-In-Chief, along with the Human Rights Campaign, have released a public service announcement of the journalist announcing her full support for same-sex marriage in New York. There's another solid reason to keep flipping through Vogue magazine.

For more information, please visit: www.hrc.org/ny4marriage

Inspiration Dior Exhibition

The "Inspiration Dior Exhibition" has launched at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow to record crowds and rave reviews. Featuring over sixty-four years of extravagant history and haute couture heritage since 1947, the exhibit fully chronicles the inspiration behind Monsieur Christian Dior's gowns to the remarkable designers that have succeeded him in a myriad of fashion displays. Venturing through the exhibit, which begins with none other than Monsieur Dior's revolutionary New Look, one will experience a unified vision of the most remarkable fashion house the world has ever seen. Long live Dior.

Note: I pray this exhibit is brought to New York.

A Spring Bride for Marchesa

Here comes the bride

Lace, tulle, and pearls, oh my! Upon viewing Marchesa's sweet bridal collection for spring 2012, one cannot help but imagine a rather splendid and elegant wedding ceremony. With silhouettes ranging from short cocktail dresses to a fairly stunning A-line skirted gown, Georgina Chapman's bridal collection features intricate pearl beading, vastly detailed embroidery, and delicate lace-work techniques. With tulle for structure and gathering for volume, Marchesa's brides will be met with both awe and envy at the chapel's altar.

All photos courtesy of WWD

Balmain Gives Christophe Decarnin the Boot

Christophe Decarnin

Another one bites the dust. After five years of blissful and sexy fashions, Balmain and its head designer Christophe Decarnin have sorely decided to part ways. With an official announcement expected at some point today, the French label's decision comes swiftly after Decarnin's mysterious absence at last month's ready-to-wear show during Paris Fashion Week. Apparently due to a severe depression with supported doctor's orders to skip the show, those close to Decarnin disagree and stress the designer's relationship with Balmain to have suffered dramatically in recent months. Rumors suggest Decarnin and Balmain's chairman and CEO Alain Hivelin had widely opposing views on the brand's strategy and future image causing a rupture in the professional relationship.

Decarnin is largely attributed to the recent spike in Balmain's sales thanks in part to his renowned dresses, destroyed shirts, and strong-shouldered jackets which have become a signature look of the Parisian brand.

In the meantime, it is expected that Balmain will announce an internal employee as Decarnin's successor.

Lady Dior Glamorizes Moscow

Back In The D.I.O.R.

Despite the recent shadow cast over the House of Dior, Marion Cotillard reprises her role as its Lady Dior ambassador whose global advertising saga hits the city of Moscow. Today, Womens Wear Daily unveiled the newest image from Dior's international print campaign featuring a lounging Cotillard with the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral as the backdrop. With the iconic Lady Dior handbag as its centerpiece, the advertisement depicts the bag in a striking red tweed construction which will land in shops and boutiques beginning in May.

Not only does Moscow signify Lady Dior's most recent visit, but the House of Dior is also anticipating a major exhibit at the Pushkin Museum as well as the reopening of its lavish Stoleshnikov boutique.

Chanel - A Woman of Her Own

Chanel Bible

For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by the late and great fashion empress known only by the name of Gabrielle Chanel. From her invention of comfortable sportswear and crafting one of the most recognizable fragrances in the entire world to her recounts of her one true love with an aristocratic Englishman, Chanel was a woman of countless facets and one that has captivated me for life. I've read thoroughly about this remarkable woman for quite some time, however, upon reading Axel Madsen's biography of the legendary couturier, titled "Chanel - A Woman of Her Own", I'm discovering several new facts about her life to which I was unfamiliar. Without going into much detail, Madsen's book enlightens readers to numerous events in Chanel's long life causing one to marvel how she managed to retain her strength and admirable perseverance. With each turning page of the book, which includes thorough quotes from Chanel herself, it feels as though I'm witnessing her legend unfold or I imagine myself somehow an integral part of it. She's one of those rare people, like Christian Dior, whom I feel very much similar to and need to absorb anything and everything related to them. If anyone has a desire to foray into the world of a fashion icon, my humble suggestion is to immediately obtain this book and begin reading its contents. When the subject matter is Chanel, one will not be disappointed.

Chanel RTW Autumn/Winter 2011/2012

Apocalypse Now

Darling, shall we dress our best for Armageddon? Indeed, at least according to Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld has unveiled a fairly dark presentation with a matching post-apocalyptic backdrop for Paris Fashion Week. The set-up at the Grand Palais was quite profound featuring smoke, fog, and ash descending upon the barren wasteland and a runway comprised of metal planks. The fashion, however, was equally striking. Given the number of female models styled with trousers and blazers, there was absolutely no hidden agenda for the inspiration behind the new fall collection: menswear. With boxy shapes to tailored silhouettes, the designs were loyal to Chanel's trademark aesthetic of practicality and simple elegance. Complementing the rather gloomy presentation was the overall dominance of blacks, greys, and whites with rare appearances of a deep red or dark green. Still, the collection was strong and would probably please Coco Chanel herself, especially with models posing with firm expressions and hands in pockets as she did. Nonetheless, the apocalypse looks to be relatively promising if styled by the House of Chanel.

All photos courtesy of Womens Wear Daily