Alice + Olivia, Topshop kickstart prom season with online push

A number of designers and retailers are reaching out to teens through a variety of online initiatives in the build-up to the forthcoming prom season.

Alice + Olivia is one such example; utilising social media to do so. The brand’s designer and founder Stacey Bendet is hosting a live Twitter chat on Tuesday, April 2 at 3pm EST. She will be answering questions and giving styling tips to help shoppers achieve the “perfect prom look”.

Users can submit questions via the hashtag #askstace.

Topshop is also looking to prom with a series of store events held in specific cities during March (three in the US and five in the UK), and a collection of dresses, accessories and shoes inspired by a touch of Kurt Cobain grunge.

All of that is tied together with online content including the below film from director Sean Frank. Referred to as a “vintage-inspired ride in getting prom perfect”, the clip is cast with a filtered light as the model is seen getting ready for the evening, dancing under a disco ball and ending up jumping in the swimming pool.

The British-based high street retailer has slowly been upping its focus on more holiday-based marketing – pushing out relevant collections around the likes of Halloween, holiday and Chinese New Year with dedicated campaigns. Doing so is of course further cementing its presence in the US market especially. Expect more to follow.

Givenchy launches short graphic film for new lipstick

 

Parfums Givenchy has released a short film called Le Rouge for the launch of its new lipstick of the same name.

Created by design studio Hellohikimori, the spot sees model Mariacarla Boscono wearing a leather dress interspersed with geometrical and graphic shots of the product.

The aim was to mirror the design of the lipstick, which in turn, with its leather casing and metallic mechanic inspired by the ‘stud’, captures the couture spirit of the Givenchy brand. It’s a “visual extension of artistic director Riccardo Tisci’s dark poetic universe”, reads the write-up.

David Ronhel, co-founder of Hellohikimori said: “We wanted to bring ‘Le Rouge’ alive by staging it in the dark atmosphere it brings out. We focused on the texture sets, graphic lines and colorimetry in this movie.”

Kate Bosworth sings in Topshop’s Christmas film, revealed as face behind #whosthatgirl teasers

After an impressive teaser campaign that ran across social media channels for five days, Kate Bosworth has been revealed as the star of Topshop’s Christmas film (as below).

Stood atop a grand piano, the Hollywood actress sings a rendition of Winter Wonderland in the spot; a track that Topshop hopes has a chance of reaching number one. Accordingly, it is available to download on iTunes as well as through Shazam and Spotify.

The film was directed by Michael Polish and was inspired by the famous piano scene from 1989′s The Fabulous Baker Boys with Michelle Pfeiffer.

It sees Bosworth wearing a custom-made Topshop dress, designed by her in partnership with the retailer’s team. Both that and her shoes will be available to order on Topshop.com to tie in with its new store opening in LA in February 2013. The make-up worn in the film however is available to order immediately.

“This project brings together two important aspects of my life: cinema and fashion. I have always been a fan of the Topshop brand and it has been an honour to work with Sir Phillip and the team. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we did making it,” said Bosworth.

She has also sent personalised digital messages introducing the film to numerous Topshop customers.

Check out a couple of videos from behind-the-scenes below too. And read more about the teaser campaign, #whosthatgirl, here: Topshop teases holiday film with social game of celebrity guess who

 

 

James Bond exhibition kicks off with online documentary focused on tailoring and style

 

The Barbican Centre in London has released a short documentary looking at the tailoring and styling of James Bond in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic character.

The spot was created to accompany an exhibition showcasing the design and craft behind the movie series. “Designing 007 – Fifty Years of Bond Style“, is a multi-sensory experience opening on July 6, documenting everything from the costumes, set and production design, to the automobiles, gadgets, weapons and special effects.

The film (as shown above) sees Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming alongside tailors such as David Mason, creative director at Anthony Sinclair, and Ritchie Charlton, managing director of Douglas Hayward, looking at the varying styles of Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Says Hemming: “Bond is a British icon, but he’s a world citizen, and he’s beloved all over the world and he’s iconic all over the world, so what he looks like has to not just suit England and Britain but it has to actually be acceptable to the world.”

The spot also describes details such as the silk turned-back cuff worn by Connery in the first film as a sartorial nod to author Ian Fleming’s own style.

The exhibition has been created in collaboration with EON Productions, with unprecedented access to their archives. It was designed by Ab Rogers and curated by the Barbican alongside fashion historian Bronwyn Cosgrave and costume designer Hemming.

There is also another short film available that focuses on the design and craft of the sets, vehicles and accessories.