Prada has slogan tee-shirts...........

That is correct. You did hear right. The international label, Prada has created slogan tee-shirts.

Miuccia Prada through Prada, in-conjunction with renowned architect and intellectual, Rem Koolhaas through think tank AMO, have rallied together for this project. It is not the first time Prada and Koolhaas has collaborated, with the creations of Prada Epicentre's in New York and Tokyo.

The tee-shirts collection, cleverly titled "Obvious Classics #1" are based on "billboards from the future". They were created with an "obvious cultural commentary", a sort of "tongue-in-cheek" approach to cultural and social issues shaping society today. These limited edition tee-shirts with 27 pieces in the collection are now sold at limited Prada centres internationally, at US$160.00 a piece.

Who knows what is next? Maybe Prada wallpaper?

Containers at new heights.

It seems in Zurich, Switzerland, cargo containers are being stacked at heights, not just for storage. Rather they are stacked 26m high, gutted, reinforced and secured, in what can only be described as a "bonsai - skyscraper". This structure was created by Annette Spillman and Harald Echsle from Zurich, for the company Freitag.

Freitag is a Swiss company created by brothers, Markus and Daniel Freitag. They produce recycled transporting material and belting cables as satchel and bags. The company's brand "blends a green sensibility with an ample dose of raw urban grit". Maybe this explains the structure? Who knows.......this could be the future of sustainable retail design?

Check out their online store: www.freitag.ch

Are you ready for more Tom Ford?

Yes, Tom Ford has finally built his own empire all over again.

Walking thru his high annual rent store at 845 Madison Avenue, with fully trim suede coveted walls, elegant sofas with a lavish bar that is a one of a kind. Truly an "expensive store experience". Did I mention there is a butler that greets you at the door!

But is this all, a money indulgent, risky venture, where his custom-made suits that cost no less than US$5000, puts him in the same market as the more established Saville Row and other big flashy menswear designers? Or is this a sure fire money maker?

Then again, his name is all it takes to identify with luxury, sex and success not to long ago.

Samsonite featuring McQueen.

Samsonite is one of the world's well know luggage creators. But recently they have sourced and invited the renowned and talented fashion creator, Alexander McQueen, to create a luggage line.

As always, McQueen does not disappoint! Unqiue, and luxuriously made, the luggage lines are biological and organic looking. It is his obsession with bones, tendons, fibres of the biological world that contiues into McQueen's Samsonite range, similar to that of his collaboration with Puma.

Alexander McQueen for Samsonite is sold at limited venues around the world.

Gucci, YSL.....uh Puma?

In the last few days, the power French fashion group, PPR, has announced that is attempting to bid to buy the well known sporting apparel company Puma. PPR, also know as the Gucci Group, owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta, YSL, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, to name a few. Recently, for an estimated AUS$7.08 billion, PPR is now Puma's largest shareholder. It's intention is to buy Puma outright and increase the label on a larger scale internationally.

Who knows......we may see Puma sitting next to Gucci on the high-end fashion stakes soon.

Social epidemics....or just a tipping point?

Malcolm Gladwell, a New Yorker magazine writer, is also the highly acclaimed author of the best selling book 'Tipping Point'. The book deals with a "cause and effect" in society's social movements. It is a study or acknowledgement of 'social epidemics that surround us'. Gladwell believes that 'Tippint Point' is "an intellectual adventure story. It draws from psychology and sociology and epidemiology, and uses examples from the worlds of business and education and fashion and media".

His other best selling newly-released book, 'Blink' is about the notion that within a blink of an eye, or two seconds, thought and recognition occurs. According to Gladwell, "those two seconds.....[are] instant conclusions that we reach are really powerful and really important and, occasionally, really good".

Two brilliant books that not only question the notions of "cause and effect", sociology, media, fashion, mind recognition but also thought provoking, or "intellectual adventure stories". Read it and you'll see.

Topshop loves Kate!

Well can Ms. Moss be any more publicised? You think? Guess what? Think again! Yes that is right not only is Kate Moss a supermodel of our times, fashion icon, business - woman, celebrity, singer, actress and now designer. As previously mentioned in a past post, the big wave to hit the fashion industry is the pairing of big names in fashion with big names in departmental wear. Topshop is moving on and securing Ms. Moss to impart her style to the large chain-store.

What can one say? Keep up the good work Ms. Moss!

The cut-throat industry, that is fashion.

It seems that every so often you poke your head into the world of fashion, someone is coming, leaving, being "in - season" or "out". Well recently after many months of speculation, Hedi Slimane of Dior Homme is no longer. This being said, speculations of contract completion and lack of securing re-contracting, has made the departure to "one of the most influential men in menswear to date", according to fashion journalist Tim Blanks. It is stated in Hedi Slimane's myspace.com, quote, "circumstances that were personal and areas where I will not compromise with at all when it comes to my work", forced the departure. Which means that Dior Homme Autumn/Winter 2007/08 will be the last collaboration between Dior and Slimane. Waiting in the shadows and next in line, after being invited, is Kris Van Assche, second in charge to Slimane himself, after which he launched his own label.

Another departure but only to be re-assigned is the talented Olivier Theyskens. He was formerly the creative director of the house of Rochas, which was dying, if not for the breath of fresh air that Theyskens created. Olivier Theyskens is reknowned for his design philosohpy of symbolic refinement. grace and femininity. The house of Rochas closed it's fashion doors to concentrate on cosmetics, which entailed allowed the owners of Nina Ricci to poach Theyskens. It is without a doubt the new collection of Nina Ricci Autumn/Winder 2007/08 will be symbols of true femininity.

It seems, it is not the lesson that should be learnt here. It should be the question, who is next?