JJ Abrams’ “Star Wars” may not be hitting the big screen until December 2015, but that doesn’t make the newest Rodarte collection any less awesome. Er, rather, any less full of the force.

Debuting at Rodarte’s fall 2014 fashion show in New York City, the new collection has geeks and Jedis from galaxies near and far, far away drooling on their droids.

Rodarte’s visionary sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, are clearly “Star Wars” fans, which inspired the couture dresses that feature the iconic characters Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, R2-D2, and of course, Yoda. (Because size matters not, the master dress in flowy couture style, he would.)

The high fashion label worked with Disney, which in case you forgot, now owns the massive Lucasfilm empire. The New York Post reports that George Lucas was spotted at the Rodarte autumn/winter 2012 show in New York alongside Queen Padmé Amidala herself (also known as actress Natalie Portman), which was likely where the idea was born (like twins of a Jedi master and a Queen…).

But don’t break open your Ewok piggy bank just yet, the Rodarte “Star Wars” dresses aren’t likely to be available any time soon. They’re reportedly only available for photo shoots and exhibits happening later this year. The rest of us will just have to stick with our “Star Wars” curtains and bed sheets. And, no, guys, Rodarte doesn’t appear to have any plans to recreate Leia’s gold bikini. So, put your light sabers away for now.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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Images via Gothamist

The post May the Force be…Dry Clean Only? Rodarte Debuts ‘Star Wars’ Dresses (and They’re Amazing) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Our guide to this year’s best fashion exhibits.

Did you miss the magical Savage Beauty exhibit at the MET last year?  Take comfort by buying the book – a showstopper in itself – and vow not to miss another this year. Curatorial staff are realizing the particular appeal of fashion exhibits and the increased ticket sales potential. If an article in WWD on how museums are “getting fashionable” is any indication, they’ve cottoned on. “There’s a loyal following — besides the fact that fashion is fashionable,” Pamela Golbin, chief curator at Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris was quoted, “There’s something very intimate about clothes.” More and more new fashion exhibits are popping up here in the United States all over the world. Several exciting ones are due to debut this year.

Here are our top 10 don’t-miss fashion exhibits of 2012.

1.  Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion, opens May 10 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Featuring over 80 designs by Schiaparelli and an installation that will give the effect of the two designers being in conversation with one another on subjects such as art, politics and the role of women now and then. With director Baz Luhrman serving as the exhibition’s creative consultant this show promises to follow up on the success of last year’s groundbreaking Alexander McQueen exhibit.

2. FIT NY and the CFDA collaborate to celebrate Impact: Fifty Years of the CFDA at the FIT museum from the 10th of February through until the 17th of April. The leading trade organization of fashion designers presents a tribute to the creativity of American talent and will showcase designs from Halston, Norman Norell, Pauline Trigère, Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass, Rudi Gernreich, Bob Mackie, James Galanos, Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Isabel Toledo, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler.

3. Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman at the Mint Museum Randolph in Charlotte, North Carolina continues thru February 26. Pioneering clothing that was comfortable, casual and enduring in its construction and style, Coco Chanel (1883-1971) remains a pivotal figure responsible for much of what is still considered modern in women’s fashion in the 21st century.

4. A retrospective of designer Christian Louboutin at London’s Design Museum opens March 28 – July 1 and promises to be as red-hot as his signature soles. The exhibition coincides with the publication of a coffee table book documenting Lobuoutin’s work. Mulholland Drive director David Lynch photographed some of the designer’s most fantastical creations and John Malkovich wrote the foreword.

5. If you are in London, you must check out Fifty Years of James Bond Style at the Barbican, opening in April. In addition to Mr. Bond’s Savile Row tailoring, expect to see  lavish Bond-girl finery by Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, Thierry Mugler, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Emanuel Ungaro and Donatella Versace.

6. Also opening in the 2012 Olympic Games host city is the sure-to-impress Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum 
running May 19, thru January 26, 2013. Featuring evening wear from the V&A’s vast collection of British designers, the exhibit will show a selection of royal ballgowns including a Norman Hartnell gown designed for Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Diana’s “Elvis Dress” designed by Catherine Walker and gowns worn by today’s young royals.

7. Paying tribute to the legendary French designer Yves Saint Laurent — The Retrospective opens March 25 at the Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colarado. Organized thematically, the presentation showcases over 200 pieces that explore the full arc of Saint Laurent’s developing style and turbulent inner life.

8. If you didn’t catch The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk at the Dallas Museum of Art, Texas (runs thru February 12) head to San Francisco’s Deyoung Museum where it will run from March 24  – August 19. Dubbed fashion’s enfant terrible, his often provocative messages are enhanced by the sublime construction of his clothing.

9. Set to open on the last night of Paris Fashion Week, March 9, and run until September 16 at the famous Museé des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, the Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs exhibit weighs the careers of both designers. The show aims to compare their bodies of work and offers a potential explanation as to why Jacobs and his ready-to-wear approach could never replace Galliano at Dior.

10. Azzedine Alaïa in the 21st Century currently at the Groninger Museum in Holland and running thru May 6, celebrates the body-con creations of the great Tunisian-born couturier. Now in his 70’s, the designer recently became an outspoken proponent of slow fashion, saying “Four collections for women, four collections for men, another four collections to sell, and everything needs do be done within four, five months—it’s a one-way course towards emptiness. It’s inhuman.”

Top Image: Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty

The post From Azzedine Alaïa to Yves Saint Laurent: The Fashion Exhibits of 2012 appeared first on EcoSalon.

I always feel sorry for celebrities come awards time. There is just as much emphasis put on their red carpet garb as their award nominations and with the Golden Globes this weekend, I realized I haven’t done enough for all the starlets.

So apologies go out specifically to Natalie Portman, Helena Bonham Carter, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Livia Firth for not suggesting this before. With all of you in the limelight on Sunday, we should have thought of this earlier.

Next year, I’d like to host a DIY night for you at my place. All of you star-studded ladies could bring your old dresses and I’ll bring the garment racks and let’s just have an old fashioned trying on party – see what works for you that worked for another breast oozing beauty last year. I’ll also bring a tailor to make the modifications necessary, and lots of tape and jars of bedazzling items. After all, there’s no reason why you can’t reuse.

Natalie Portman at the 2010 Venice Film Festival, Image from Zimbio

Natalie, I could have modified so many vintage dresses for your Bjork style but naturally dyed (black) of course and messages tucked into feathers trailing off the back like “The dark side in Star Wars was nothing compared to my last gig,” “Making out with women in cabs is hot,” and “Honk if you love swans.” We could have even made a mean feather lipstick for you in collaboration with a natural cosmetics company? We didn’t think! I seriously hate myself. Please look amazing because you are going to win everything.

Helena, when I think of all the crazy shit you usually wear to awards shows we could have had a DIY fest with garter belts, netting and royal tapestries embellishing something subtle, like a pirates outfit to really mix things up. So if you do win supporting actress for your role as the Queen Mother in The King’s Speech, you could still retain that “what the hell am I wearing again?” vibe but with a sustainable spin.

God, please wear something normal because your role was so wonderful and you might just win.

Helena Bonham Carter, Image from Holy Moly

Nicole, this is a tricky year for you. My DIY for you would’ve been either full flourishing frills a la TP, or subtle, slendering and Rabbit Hole quiet. What will you do?

Regardless of the fact we didn’t get together, I am confident you will make the right decision. I don’t think it will be a sustainable one though.

Nicole Kidman, 2010 Golden Globes

With Halle Berry up for Best Actress based on her role in Frankie and Alice, as a “Multiracial American woman with dissociative identity disorder who struggles to retain her true self and not give in to her racist alter-personality,” I would have suggested cutting up dresses and merging two standout frocks from any of the other nominees already written about here to give her look a real “Two sides Of Halle” vibe.

No doubt it would have made us all feel a little messed up just looking at her.

Halle Berry, 2010 Golden Globes

Our final regret isn’t a regret at all, it’s a kudos to the ongoing red carpet fashion choices of Livia Firth who is not up for an award but husband Colin is for his role as stammering Prince Albert in The King’s Speech. Livia, who will be on her husband’s arm on the red carpet has surpassed my wildest dreams by recently upcycling her husband’s moth eaten suits for the Paris premier of The King’s Speech and spending all last year going eco.

What will she wear on Sunday? One can only hope something that ticks off her husband so he doesn’t have a real life stammering episode as he accepts his award for his completely owned performance as Prince Albert.

He just has to win.

Colin and Livia Firth, 2010 Golden Globes

Top Image, Natalie Portman in Black Swan, IMDb

The post Celebrity DIY And Pre-Golden Globe Regret appeared first on EcoSalon.

Green, contemporary lifestyle clothing.

Sustainable everyday wear.

Eco-fabulous clothing that does double duty”¦

We’ve seen all these headlines but where, oh where, are the couture eco-designers creating clothes just for our swanky occasions? And I’m talking about fashion-forward designing and not just fabric sewn in piles around the waist of a model for the runway.

Of course, more high-profile designers like Calvin Klein, Rogan, Stella McCartney, Versace, Narciso Rodriguez, Behnaz Sarapfour and Bodkin are easy enough to scout, but how about the indie designers thinking on a whole other level because they’re smaller and younger?

It takes a little bit of research and a discerning eye, but if you wear it all the time and are in the eco-field, inquiring minds will want to see you going green even at the most formal events. Are you ready to tell them you’ve flipped just for the night? Best to walk the talk.

Here are four indie designers I’ve seen recently and really like. Please leave a comment if you think I missed a good one.

Noir

Pictured above, Noir is producing ethically and has a transparent production line in Europe that adheres to the UN Global Compact. As an example of Noir’s dedication to all eco and couture, the Spring/summer 09 collection includes two organic programs and one silk program that is certified with SA8000. NOIR is also a member of the UN Global Compact.

Elena Garcia

Based in London, Elena Garcia went from being a linguist (she still is) to training as a designer, finishing a degree in Surface Textiles for Fashion at the London College of Fashion and gracing London Fashion Week with her elegant designs. I love that she used so much green in her spring collection.

Rodarte

Founded in Pasadena by the now notable noses of the Mulleavy sisters, Rodarte is garnering well-known stockists globally like Bergdorf Goodman and 10 Corso Como as well as a celebrity following by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman and Chloe Sevigny. Tough and flowing? When’s my next event?

Mark Liu

Challenging the fashion world really to take a look at ethics as much as waste stream, the UK’s Mark Liu‘s Spring 09 Collection debuts as a tailor’s dream and a fashion maven’s call to arms.

The post Calling All Couture appeared first on EcoSalon.