Young Poor & Angry Press

The recession was the hot fuse to inspire the industries showcases this past FALL09 Fashion Week. Many a designer proved otherwise with their show-stopper and glitzy glamour induced pieces to help evade the clientele’s adoring-eye from the world’s steadfast economic struggle.

In the classic case of Alexander McQueen, there is no stopping his elusive imagination when it comes to the pieces he sent down the runway this season. Grab life by the horns and use every possible option; centerpieces at his show included huge heaps of past season themed pieces, make-up, styling, as well as hairpieces and hats proved there is no worry and to use what little you’ve got left to work with regardless of the material. Soda can hair rollers, hub-cap off center head pieces, trash bag bow ties, you name it. Amongst others, the recession wasnt only a main focus; many designers kept the bare essentials in mind, sleek suits, less than bold color palettes, and especially flattering silouettes highlighted this seasons mainstage.

FALL READY-TO-WEAR HIGHLIGHTS:
This season’s inspirations varied from S&M inspired leather thigh high boots, to broad shoulders in sequined exaggerated one piece ensembles. Four inch heels, exposed unmentionables, lengthy skirts trailing on the runway.

-Leather Pleasure, Biker Chic; Tough leather, embelished/destressed fabrics, heavy knits, Oversized/Androgyny
(See: Alexander Wang, Armand Basi, Balmain, Gareth Pugh, Julien Macdonald, Jean Paul Gaultier)

-Combining Like Terms, Sheer and Fitted; Mesh, elastic/strapy criss-cross accents, form fitting silouettes
(See: Andrew Gn, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci)

-Forties Shortie: Channeling Ingrid Bergman; Oversize Fur collars, knee-length wool coats, solid bold colors; nipped waist, pin-curls, long godet skirts
(See:Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Zac Posen, Bottega Veneta)

-80’s Revival, Tight and Cropped; Slick and chic, leather, latex, bondage, s&m vibe, subtle overaccesorized metal pieces, studs, perpetuating shoulders, fitted silouette
(See: Antonio Berardi, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, Vivienne Westwood)

-Smart Shopper, Basic, Simply & Sleek, Cost efficiant; Sexy chic menswear inspired, budget conscious, dark color palette, corporate vibe, dropped crotch/high waisted, tucked in blouses, suspenders
(See: Burberry Prorsum, Calvin Klein Collection, Chanel, Derek Lam, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent)

Columnist’s Pick: GARETH PUGH, GIVENCHY, BALMAIN

I’ve personally always been a huge fan of Gareth Pugh’s work. This past season he channeled erie meets webbed disastor. Between the textures and embellishment choices he used in his pieces this past collection, his consistent rendering of black shaded color palette clashed so divinely with the novelty fabrics that complimented the body in every exxageration of the matter. I really do appreciate how he uses nothing but blacks and greys within more or less each of his seasons, if not a variety of white amongst the two. Being a designer myself, I’ve idolized his designs and conceptions as an inspiration on my aesthetic aswell, from the hairstyling, makeup, and accesories; his work is my number one highlight of every season past, particularly Fall 2009.

As for Givenchy and Balmain, these designers illuminated the concept of big shoulders, leather accents, feather boa trimmed seams, and no less black pieces to no end. Fitted, above the knee, tailored, and sleek. All qualities of a fine look for this Fall season; to purchase these items whether you be online or look in store you can check out these sites: http://www.openingceremony.us/ http://www.luisaviaroma.com/

‘If you have a particularly outstanding feature it is always a good thing to emphasize it. In fact the whole of fashion is emphasis — emphasis on a woman’s loveliness.’
-Christian Dior

Name: Helen Castillo

Position: Outerwear designer, Manhattan and fashion columnist for YPA Press

Album of the Week: Municipal Waste- The Art of partying

Weekly Song Obsession: Body in a Box- city and colour

Movie You HAVE to see or saw this week: saw New Moon twice within the past week, kinda feel like i need to see Precious and/or Brothers

Most random text message: ’slappin da bass’

Most embarrassing moment this week: Something about girl stuff from my mom, and replying to the wrong person

Geek Indulgence: Twilight series/everything I’m into is pretty geek chic

Funniest follower tweet: Ohh man those dirty br1ntney_f*cked ones.. at least i think its funny as shit

Favorite Staff Moment: Justin YPA’s incredible tweets about EVERYTHING he ever thinks via twitter.

Did you go Black Friday shopping?: No, I slept in and finished sewing my sister’s wedding dress.

When and how did you find out Santa wasn’t real?: Probably when i was 7yrs old, lurkin’ my parents closet noneother to find unwrapped gifts shortly before the holiday.

What Christmas gift ever made you go “what the fuck?”: My Sony Alpha DSLR, last Christmas i got it from my father after asking for a Sony baby digital camera I could carry around in my purse when I go out. Thanks for overdoing it, electronic-obsessed father.

Holidays yay or nay?: fuck yes.

Thanksgiving vs. Christmas: christmas, cause gimme da gifts.

Darts and Laurels:

Dart to ‘Jersey Shore’ reality show on MTV for being incredible inaccurate.
Laurel to YOUNGPOORANDANGRY.COM for having me do their fashion column! AND being awesome as hell.

The pace at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival reached feverish heights during its second week. It seemed like parties, premieres and stars doubled in presence everywhere along the French Riviera.

Sunday night, Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar, whose previous credits include “The Others” and the original Spanish version of “Vanilla Sky”, premiered his new historical drama “Agora”. Rachel Weisz, who stars in the film, looked absolutely stunning in a strapless forest green Valentino gown with a high slit up the leg.

Oscar-winning Spanish actress Penelope Cruz was noticeably absent at Monday morning’s press conference to publicize her new film, the musical “Nine”, directed by Rob Marshall. Harvey Weinsten of Miramax Pictures mentioned that Cruz had “some sort of food poisoning”. In any case her beautiful costar, Oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard, replaced Cruz as she was being treated by a doctor. “Nine” will open on November 2009 with such talents as Daniel Day-Lewis, the legendary Sofia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson and singer Fergie.

Feeling restored, Cruz hosted the Domino Charity Tournament at the Cannes House Villa later in the night. She arrived in a beautiful floor-length white vintage Chanel gown paired with a white tuxedo jacket. First time Domino player Paris Hilton came with beau du jour Doug Reinhardt. Also attending were Elsa Pataki and Orlando Bloom, with stunning model girlfriend Miranda Kerr in an orange cocktail dress. Rumor has it that during their time in Cannes the Australian actor proposed to her, as we have seen pictures of Kerr wearing a new diamond ring. Cruz stayed at the event for only 45 minutes and later retreated to rest for the premiere of her new Almodóvar film the next evening.

Across town the Chopard Awards Ceremony, which honors up-and-coming talent, took place at the Martinez Hotel. Seen there were Hillary Swank, wearing a metallic origami -inspired Armani Privé gown, and Marion Cotillard with her boyfriend, actor Guillaume Canet.

Later, Chopard celebrated the awards at its Trophy Party which took place at the Baoli Club. Celebrities, such as new LÓreal spokesmodel Evangeline Lilly, in Valentino, and model Eva Herzigova, wearing black Roberto Cavalli with detailed cut-out bodice, enjoyed the party.

Major elegance and beauty was also seen at the premiere of the film “Ne Te Retourne Pas”. This time Italian screen siren Monica Belluci and French actress Sophie Marceau doubled the glamour by wearing scarlet gowns by Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, respectively.

Tuesday morning, Penelope Cruz again struck gold at the photo call for her film “Broken Embraces”, wearing a nude strapless and draped Dolce and Gabbana gown and Christian Loboutin heels. Later in the night she chose a lavender embroidered Marchesa gown for the premiere of the film, where she arrived with Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar.

The highlight of the evening was the arrival of Brad Pitt with Angelina Jolie, wearing Ferragamo, for a 60-crew-member dinner of Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” at Michelangelo restaurant, where actors Rob Pattinson and Emile Hirsch made a late entrance. Rob Pattinson drew enormous amounts of paparazzi for a photo call earlier in the day to promote the sequel to Twilight.

On Wednesday night, Cannes reached its frenzy for the premiere of “Inglorious Basterds” as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet. She looked absolutely ravishing in a nude creation by Versace Atelier with a dangerous high slit up her leg. Also looking fantastic were Diane Kruger, who costars in the film, in a Marchesa gown and Rob Pattinson in a Dolce and Gabanna tuxedo. Dita von Teese looked immaculate and glamorous as always in Christian Dior. I’m not quite sure if I fancy the Balmain dress Sharon Stone chose to wear.

The after party of the film was a total hit and it seems that Jolie might have had too many celebratory vodkas from the look of some images from the night. Paris Hilton, who has attended more parties than any actor or celebrity at Cannes, caused quite some scandal as well when she decided to dirty dance with Doug Reinhardt at a party she was hosting. A lot of tongues, underwear and get-a-room moves were captured by cell phones and paparazzi alike.

Later in the week the star studded Aids Benefit Amfar took place. Arriving at it where hostess Sharon Stone, wearing stunning black Christian Dior; actress Eva Green, who missed completely with hair and makeup for her fuchsia Indian inspired Christian Dior; Elsa Pataki in beaded Armani Privé; Hayden Panettiere (who could’ve used some gloss on her lips) in Marchesa; Eva Herzigova (looking worn out from all the previous partying since her arrival at Cannes) in red Dolce and Gabanna; Rob Pattinson once again in a Dolce and Gabanna tuxedo; supermodel Claudia Schiffer (still needing her teeth whitened) in black Dolce and Gabanna; Marion Cotillard in a Dior gown (the color of which was quite unflattering); and Robin Wright Penn, who had been looking extremely lovely during all events until this one. The same day that her husband Sean Penn announced his decision not to move on with divorce papers, she missed the mark in her choice of dress. Actress Diane Kruger looked beautiful in Chanel and participated in the auction show as did Rob Pattinson, who managed to get two fathers to pay $25000 each for a kiss on the cheek for their daughters from the sexy Twilight actor.

Even in tough economic times, good money was raised benefiting the Aids research charity Amfar. Until next year, this is it for the Cannes report.

Once again it’s that time of the year when all heads turn to the French Riviera. The 62nd Cannes Film Festival began last week. Some heavyweight contender filmmakers are competing this year for a chance to win the Palm D’Or; such as: Lars von Triers, Jane Campion, Quentin Tarantino and Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.

The jury for this edition is comprised by an almost all female talented group, lead by jury president, French actress Isabelle Huppert. Among them, the beautiful Robin Wright Penn has quite wisely put an ocean between the midst of her separation from Sean Penn and the rumors of an affair between himself and actress Natalie Portman. Although the latter has been vehemently denied by the young actress in a Press Statement.

Robin has looked more stunning than ever in all appearances she has made at Cannes. Especially for the Opening Ceremony of the Festival in a silver Elie Saab couture gown. Isabelle Huppert and other fellow member of the jury Italian actress Asia Argento opted to wear Armani Privé.

Elizabeth Banks who is the new spokesperson for L’Oreal appeared at the screening of Pixar’s new animated 3D comedy “Up”. She looked absolutely stunning in a passion red structured piece by Armani Privé and her locks stylized with a fifties inspired hairdo. She was also right on the money for the screening of “Spring Fever” where she wore an Andrew Gn gown. Braving the paparazzi as well, at the same event and looking lovely in lavender, was model turned actress Devon Aoki in Alberta Ferreti.

The Cannes festival has also been hit by the poor economy and many of the usual sponsors have pulled out, nonetheless, there is still plenty of glamour and parties this year. These 12 days of marathon premieres, press junkets, launches are all about business, publicity and the promotion of new products and ventures. Both high end jewelry Chopard and French beauty giant L’Oreal are some of the sponsors for the Festival. Chopard seized the opportunity this year to launch their new fragrance “Cascade” with a grand party. In attendance a bevy of beauties, such as Devon Aoki wearing an exquisite lime green gown by Roberto Cavalli and Spanish actress Elsa Pataki (until recently long time girlfriend of Oscar winning actor Adrien Brody) who opted for a beaded Elie Saab Couture frock. Nothing better to cure those moody breakup moments than wearing Couture, looking stunning and wearing a heavy artillery of Chopard diamonds all over your body.

Mariah Carey this time managed to look age appropriate and elegant with a black gown for the premiere of her film together with musician Lenny Kravitz. They both star in the movie “Precious” where her transformation for her role has already garnered much attention. Her good fashion sense escaped her hours later when she hit the party scene in an appearance at Nikki’s Beach Club with hubby Nick Cannon. The cleavage of her Roberto Cavalli was more than we wish to see as well as the dress seemingly being 2 sizes smaller than what she should wear.

The screening of the new movie by “Piano” director Jane Campion, Bright Star, had an interesting turnout. Abbie Cornish starts in the film. The Aussie actress is known for apparently causing the split between Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe. She was wearing a lavender gown by Australian designer Toni Maticevski that looked more of a prom dress than anything. Eva Longoria arrived hand in hand with husband Tony Parker in an Atelier Versace silver gown, director Martin Scorcese and his wife and Quentin Tarantino amongst others. Quentin is already in Cannes ready to premiere his film “Inglorious Basterds” (spelled just like that) starring Brad Pitt who is also expected at Cannes with partner Angelina Jolie.

Later that night after the screening, Ryan Philippe celebrated alongside friends, his girlfriend’s film debut with quite a few drinks on him. He paraded himself along the Croisette, wiping his face with his T-shirt, yelling, stumbling and even having Abbie Cornish hold him somewhat straight, surprisingly, not to go straight to his hotel and sleep it off but directly into Nikki’s Beach Club. Arriving to the club as well was Paris Hilton and new boyfriend Doug Reinhardt causing quite the ruckus with the paparazzi.

We expect a lot more celebrities, movies and fashion for the second part of the Cannes Film Festival.