“You know you want it”

Costume designer Eric Daman, is the creative visionary behind the wardrobe for our favorite show ‘Gossip Girl”. He also was the assistant stylist for Sex and the City for several years prior. But his work on Gossip Girl is why we all tune in each week to the show on The CW. He has a fantastic ability to really make us understand each character better.

He was recently seen at his launch party for his upcoming book “You know you want it”, wearing an outfit that undoubtedly fit the look of the shows bad boy Chuck Bass played by Ed Westwick. His styling is absolutely amazing!

His thoughts about the Parent Television Council only shed light on the viewer ship laws, and borderline lines this show somehow crosses every once in awhile. Considering the airing of the “Threesome” on Gossip Girl a few episodes ago. His reply was “So, its okay for them to be doing blow and drinking scotch when they’re 18, but its not okay for them to be having threesomes?’

Then he goes on to say that “sex is good! People who are enjoying each other-that’s much better than people who are ostracized and have to feel bad or have to be on Ritalin or something’ His opinions of the Parent Television Council only make us adore this visionary a bit more. But for the best style tips pick up his book “You know you want it”, if you haven’t already.

Also our favorite show showcasing his masterpieces, Gossip Girl returns Monday March 8, 2010.Don’t miss an episode of our guilty pleasure

xo,

Knopfenbuch

British fashion designer of the year !

So I was at Barney’s about two years ago, and I spotted this House of Holland t-shirt that said “Do me daily Christopher Bailey”, I knew the name but was drawing a blank on his fashion house connection.

Just recently I realized who that amazing man happens to be. He is with out a doubt the Tom Ford of England and the creative director at Burberry. The man responsible for the brands modern face lift.

Just this month he snagged the “Designer of the year award”, at the British fashion awards. Just another one to pile on top of all the other awards he has received. While other brands this year were seeing drastic decreases in revenue. Burberry actually exceeded $1 billion for the first time in history for the brand.

If you are not familiar with the brand Burberry you must live in a cave in the middle nowhere. Burberry is famous for its classic prints, and amazing trench coats. I personally love the scarves that make an outfit so much more elegant and sophisticated.

Amazing enough just prior to Christopher Bailey becoming Creative Director the brand was slowly fading in popularity, and the designs were replicated far too many times. His designs elude an elegant, equestrian sophistication. Which has proved to be very successful for the brand.

Another reason to love this striking Brit. He recently alongside Burberry Ceo, Angela Ahrendts started the Burberry foundation. Which is dedicated to helping young people realize their dreams and achieving their goals and potential through their power and creativity.He was quoted saying  “ My life here hasn’t even reached 10 years yet, but I have been here long enough to say that Burberry flows in my veins. I love its values. I respond to its strong foundations and, of course, its history is a constant inspiration.

He is the type of Visionary that makes fashion exciting. Something to think about the next time your picking something Burberry. And it doesn’t hurt that he is absolutely adorable with his basic jeans and t-shirt style himself.

The prince of prints

A few years ago when creative director of Emilio Pucci went to Matthew Williamson. We knew it was only a matter of time that the whole world would fall in love with him as well. A Central Saint Martins graduate with a very colorful, bohemian style. Just last fall he even designed a collection for H&M. . His designs are very vibrant, pattern heavy, and often inspired by travels and exotic places.He is the very reason I love to mix so many different textures, and colors.

This February he is launching an exclusive menswear collection for Harrods, in edition to a few of his boutiques. He will also be launching a new e-commerce site.

He is the English version of Marc Jacobs. Whom we all know is the creative director for Louis Vuitton and his label Marc Jacobs.

We are counting down the days of the reveal of his men’s collection.

Blow By Blow

If you don’t wear lipstick , I can’t talk to you. You need to have lips-they are important for getting men.  – Isabella Blow

All this talk of Isabella Blow is extremely sad, her birthday earlier this month would have made the extraordinary visionary 51. For those of you that have never heard of Isabella Blow, she was single handily Responsible for discovering talents such as: Model Sophie Dahl, whom she called her “A blow up doll with brains”. Philip Treacy, and Alexander McQueen, she even paid for his entire graduating collection in weekly increments. She later became his muse, but drifted in the later years when Alexander McQueen sold his brand to Gucci.

Isabella started as an assistant to Anna Wintour, and eventually worked herself up to Fashion Director of Tatler. Over her rise in the fashion industry she became extremely depressed. After failing In Vitro fertilization treatments several times, she and her husband Detmar separated for eighteen months. In that period she was diagnosed Bipolar disorder, and was given electric shocks as a form of treatment. Soon after she reconciled with Detmar , Isabella was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Leading to her to become even more depressed, she desperately wanted to die. And “wouldn’t shut up about it” Hamish Bowles remembers.

Her desire to die was finally realized in May 7, 2007, when she drank a hefty dose of weed-killer. She last said to Detmar “That she used to be a ray of sunshine”, as he replied “You always are, darling, and that was it. “ Isabella Blow was a fashion risk taker, she was what Lady Gaga imitates. She was an amazing visionary that loved fashion more than life. Her style was very elaborate and extreme with a fascination of extraordinary hats. She was by no means the must beautiful person in fashion. But most true artists in fashion aren’t. Anna Wintour, whom she started working for as an assistant several years prior eventually became her good friend and even spoke at her funeral.

Even Alexander McQueen devoted an entire collection to her, calling it ‘Chasing darkness”, with several dark themed clothing, and signature extravagant hats on each model. Soon to be released is two biographies about the late Isabella Blow, the one we are dying to read is Blow by Blow co written by Detmar Blow , and Isabella’s former assistants brother Tom Sykes. It’s due to  be released in Spring 2010.

Suicide of Daul Kim

Earlier last week supermodel Daul Kim was found hanged in her Paris apartment. She was only 20 yrs old and was Karl Lagerfeld’s new “muse”. And was described as a star model for Alexander McQueen. Who’s “Muse”, Isabella Blow famously attempted suicide a staggering 11 times and was successful the last time after battling depression for several years.

Daul Kim, kept a blog and was known in the fashion circle for being feisty and sensitive, she wrote about the highs and lows of the modeling world. One of her first posts in April 2007, states “My life as dual was so miserable and lonely. Please join my loneliness in another world. I love you all’ then she added just Kidding. Just tired”.

Photographer Ahn Seong-Jin who worked with her often said she was bursting with ideas and creativity, and she will greatly missed.

Similar situation happened with supermodel Ruslana Korshunova. Just two years ago she jumped to her death, one week from her 21st birthday. Ruslana was said to have been extremely depressed as a result of the extreme demands the modeling industry took on her. She too had a blog where she often talked about being sad and lost. Her posts included several entries days before her death.

Our world idolizes these girls and puts this exurbanite amount of stress on them planning every hour of their days. Considering I’m one of the people that worships fashion and models and everything related. I am left just so sadden by the stage of events. Here it is obvious you have beautiful, young girls taking their own lives and we are dumbfounded when bulimia and anorexia strikes the young girls in Middle/high School. Modeling may be an extremely dark world. But I’m sure the people riding their success were fully aware of their posts. So the question is who was supposed to save them in the end?

Xo,
Knopfenbuch

Gemma Ward quits modeling

This news is very upsetting our favorite Australian model Gemma Ward has quit modeling after being securitized for her weight gain. Vivien’s Modeling Agency released this statement earlier this month, “ Gemma hasn’t committed to returning to modeling at anytime soon.”

She has graced the cover of vogue 30 times alone, and was the first to appear on the cover of teen vogue. As well as being the face for several brands including: Prada, Gucci, Chanel, and Valentino. She has also been photographed alongside other great models including: Daria Werbowy, Lily Cole, and Lily Donaldson.

British Photographer Nick Knight once stated,  “Gemma is one of the very, very few models who looks as though they came from another dimension.

Over the years we have followed her career. She is of course very well known in the fashion world and was the youngest model to appear in American Vogue at just 16yrs old. And ranked #15 on Forbes highest paid models in 2007.

One of my favorite editorials that she was featured in was for British Vogue in 2007. Her pictures have inspired my love for fashion; her and Lily Cole especially resemble flawless fairy tale dolls. Their extraordinary look ignited a new look in supermodels.

Apart from modeling she also dabbled in acting and was seen in “Strangers”, alongside Liv Tyler in 2008. Tabloids linked her weight gain as a result of the death of her rumored romance with Heath Ledger. And the reason she took a break from the modeling agency early last year.

Though she appears to have gained some weight, the public scrutiny is completely uncalled for but in any case we adore you Gemma Ward! You will continue to inspire us and editorials will not be the same without you.

Xo,
Knopfenbuch

Gucci Ronson Sneakers

Well it has been awhile that’s for sure. I will be updating on a more regular basis I promise. This entry contains a few random thoughts I have about my first topic Menswear.

My staples for Men: A pair of amazing jeans I love Chip & Pepper, William Rast, Jbrand. Basics are very important and should include: James Perse, Alternative Apparel, and Lna. As far as shoes go I’m completely in love with Creative Recreations, some great Doc’s are must, and classic converse. These brands are typically seen all over Los Angeles.

When I dress men I love the final outfits to always be edgy with precious elements of the Great Gatsby. What woman doesn’t love a modern day Cary Grant? Or even Ed Westwick’s character in Gossip Girl (Chuck bass).

That particular Upper Eastside look, a mixture of everything including Abercrombie, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren. Its just incredibly sexy and of course that look wouldn’t be complete without some amazing suits. I live for suits currently I’m especially obsessed with the Albert Hammond suits sold limitedly at Confederacy in Los Angeles. If you haven’t been there yet, rush over there ASAP.

A few weeks ago I heard about the collaboration with Mark Ronson and Gucci for a limited shoe collection. He was said to have visited several vintage shops to acquire inspiration for the line. And they are absolutely amazing. Seriously what can’t Mark Ronson do successfully? A pair of the Gucci Ronson sneakers are this seasons must have men’s item.

I could see those sneakers casual with some great denim jeans, basic burnout, with a Members only jacket, and some old school Ray Bans. They could also be dressed up with a great suit, with a sharp color.

Though these shoes don’t come cheap they start at $450 and up. Collaborate different high and low priced items into your wardrobe and final look. It is one thing to have style and great taste but without confidence it means nothing.

Hello world!

First day on WordPress. The name knofenbuch is a combination of Both Shannon Hagenbuch and Sascha Knopf’s last names. We are a stylist and amazing Photographer team that loves to create magical pictures. The blogs to come are random thoughts, updates on everything, as well as fashion news that intrigues us.