Have we seen this before?

The answer is YES! but so what?

I have been reading the fashion news and blogs (as I do on a daily basis, thanks girls!) and there seems to be a buzz about Rachel Zoe's new collection and an issue with a "copycat" creation.

First let me give you the history for those of you who have not seen the story. Rachel Zoe is a brilliant celebrity stylist turned designer; first for her line with QVC and now with her new contemporary collection. The clothes, made in partnership with Li & Fung, are positioned in the contemporary market, Price range: $250 (day dress) - $700 (full suit). She has already done affordable for QVC and hopes to widen her market.

She just unveiled her new collection and there is one piece in particular that it seems we have seen before.

Her "new" dress:

Rachel in 2007 wearing Vintage (From What Goes Around Comes Around):


Rachel @ the Marc Jacobs after party in 2007

And styling the same dress in an issue of Teen VOGUE (2007) - Right


My 2 cents:

The entire business of fashion is based on recycling. The recycling of ideas once used into something "new" and "fresh". All designers look to the past in order to move into the future. In this case it may be a more literal interpretation of a fabulous vintage pieces but in reality .. who cares?

Also Vintage now is a one-of-a-kind business, there is usually one pieces in one size. If these dresses are interpreted and replicated to some degree for this generation of women (in a range of sizes) they will be able to enjoy the Vintage inspired glamour that I feel society is really laking. My entire business Evolution Vintage (http://www.evolution-vintage.com/ ) is based on taking Vintage pieces and Styling them current. Rachel has taken it one step further. I wish I had the resources to be able to design collections that will bring a Vintage flair to current, chic women around the world.

From a business perspective the RZ camp should be thanking Jane Keltner DeValle, Fashion News Director over at Teen Vogue who tweeted the comparison photos for the world to see. This is an amazing PR opportunity for Rachel's new line. There is nothing like creating a buzz to generate sales. From my seat in the cyber front row, this show will go on to be a success. These dresses will now sell like hot cakes.


CONGRATS Rachel!!

Style Maven Series: Janie Bryant

Janie Bryant is the brilliant costume designer and stylist behind the AMC TV hit series "Mad Men". Her road to becoming a style maven started in her hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee where she was born Katherine Jane Bryant. Her love for fashion design was visable at an early age and nurtured at Georgia State University where she studied art and then at the American College of the Applied Arts where she continued to build upon her love of fashion design. Following graduation she moved to Paris and then to New York, where she worked along side fashion designer John Scher. A move to the west coast was next for her and ironically a project sent her back to NYC to work on a television series "Big Apple". The creator of "Big Apple" collaborated with Janie again with his HBO series "Deadwood" She took home an Emmy award in 2005 for her work on the series.



She is the winner of several Costume designers guild awards for outstanding design for a period/fantasy TV series (2008/2009) as well as a multiple Emmy nominee for "Mad Men", which is just approaching the end of it's 4th successful season.

DEADWOOD


MAD MEN

She is a creative force not only in costumes for television but she also has recently designed and launched a line of clothing, accessories and nail polish on QVC.

Her collection is called MOD made it's debut September 29, 2010 with 20 pieces of outerwear, sweaters, pants, and skirts, and about 10-15 pieces of costume jewelry, priced from $26 to $138. The 50s and 60s-esque line features faux-fur jackets, capelets, and hats, reversible satin swing coats, brocade boleros, pencil skirts, skinny pants and colorful crystal pendants and pins. not to mention bags, faux fur trimmed sweaters and vests.

Janie talks about her QVC Line:






She teamed up with Nailtini to create 4 colors of polish for fall all inspired by the fabrics used in her reto-glam "Mad Men" creations. You can snag this luxe polish for $14 @ QVC.com, Duane Reade & CVS.




Started your Christmas shopping yet? top of my list for my winter reads is Bryant's new book: "The Fashion File" YES ~ she is also an author!!! The book is about inspiring women to find their own style. BUY IT


Janie has certainly inspired me on all creative levels, how about you?? I had a chance to ask Janie my Style Maven questions:

LISAG: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

JANIE: my personal style is rooted in the classics with little hints of
rock-n-roll and romanticism.I love to play with vintage pieces and be influenced by different decades. I love fashion. I love to experiment with clothing and play dress-up a lot to get new ideas and be inspired

LISAG: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

JANIE: *a great leather jacket, a few leather jackets actually, different colors
*my favorite knee high boots
*my favorite Valentino patent leather beige pumps
*skinny jeans
*black leggings
*a big bag for working
*lots of accessories

LISAG: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

JANIE: I love vintage clothing and accessories! I'm always inspired and learn
from the details of vintage. The way garments were constructed, the usage of colors, prints, design, etc. and with accessories too.

LISAG: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

JANIE: favorite vintage pieces: *silk printed 1960's jumpsuit with matching
lace trimmed jacket
*fur muff collection from all different decades
*1970's pave diamond drop earrings *1980's seafoam green cocktail dress with back bustle.
*1950's hand painted handbag

Sometimes I wear designer vintage but I'm attracted to great design and beauty and that doesn't necessarily mean designer to me. You can find amazing vintage pieces made by house wives. It's more about the piece that catches my eye rather than the designer.

LISAG: What are you wearing this fall/winter? Tell our readers the key elements for your Fall/Winter wardrobe.

JANIE: Janie Bryant MOD faux fur capelet in snow lynx, black platform booties
+ heel, heels, and heels, pleated black leather mini skirt, black leggings with zippers and Janie Bryant MOD champagne faux fur car coat.


Have a look at some of Janies own Style Maven moments ... (CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)







With Christina Hendricks

With January Jones










EVOLUTION VINTAGE'S PICKS FOR JANIE:








SHOP EVOLUTION VINTAGE

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