Comic-Con 2012: Comic Book-Inspired Fashion

 

 Today marks the opening day of the annual Comic-Con International. The San Diego convention has evolved into a popular mecca for comic book lovers to mingle and share their passion for the medium  not to mention dress up as some of their favorite characters.

Those of us in the fashion industry are increasingly feeling the influence of comics. DC Comics, for example, is building a legacy of fashion collaborations (past partnerships include Lanvin and Pierre Hardy). Designers are also sending comic-inspired looks down the runway. Contemporary footwear virtuosos Jeffrey Campbell and Giuseppe Zanotti have recently contributed to the comic craze with limited-edition footwear that incorporates a vintage pulp comic print and a snazzy Spiderman influence, respectively.

Even if you can’t join in on the fun in San Diego over the next few days, you can always flaunt your love of comic books with a plethora of fashion choices.

Pakistan Hosts The Lux Style Awards 2012

Pakistan Hosts The Lux Style Awards 2012

Pakistan holds its most celebrated awards ceremony, The Lux Style Awards (LSA) 2012 in Karachi. It was a grand evening hosted at the Expo center in Karachi on Tuesday evening.

The function included presence of renowned actors, fashion designers and celebrities of Pakistan. Shoaib Mansoor's Bol won the Best Film award, whereas Lux Style Achievement award went to Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for her Oscar winning documentary Saving Face. Pakistan actor Humaima Malick bagged the best female actress award for her stellar performance in Shoaib Mansoor's Bol. Also Best Film Actor award went to Manzar Sehbhai, for his powerful performance in Bol.

The function concluded with a spectacular performance by Pakistan singer turned actor Ali Zafar along with Coke studio band members Kamran Mannu Zafar and Asad Ahmed. Ali's performance included a special tribute to the late Ghazal maestro, Mehdi Hassan.

Haute Couture Fashion Week 2012

 

On the final day of Haute Couture Week, Maria Grazia Chiurli and Pier Paolo Piccioli were back in the saddle for another round of couture for the house of Valentino. For their Autumn / Winter 2012 Haute Couture Collection, the designer duo opened their show with a stream of midnight blue evening dresses in silk chiffon, sheer panelling, and soft pleats. These were enclosed by matching long and short capes made from crepe.

Each look stuck to a fairly minimalist approach, and included hints of sci-fi and futurism. Inspired by French symbolist painter, Gustave Moreau, Chiurli and Piccioli made particular note of his "love of dark colours." This influence worked in contrast to elegant ethereal gowns created from sculptured brocade, beading detail, painted floral prints, embroideries and fur. Then there was the fairy floss pink and Valentino's signature red ball gowns which were clearly aimed straight at the red carpet crowd. Other highlights of this collection were the tailored yellow trouser suits, beaded cardigans, embellished jumpsuits, knee-length shift dresses, low-heel square-toe ballerina pumps, and a plethora of velvet pieces transformed into wearable clothing - something that is rarely seen on a couture catwalk.