Dior 2012 Sunglasses Collection

Now when Christmas shopping season is over, it’s time for a sun vacation season. Dior has now revealed its 2012 sunglasses collection.
So, what’s new? Well, Dior is a brand that gears towards mid age fashionable ladies who prefer to tone down the glamour and bling. You won’t often find much flowers or crystals on main Dior sunglasses collection apart from a few limited editions that often become major hits.
Dior 2012 collection is full of color, grace and class. Check these beautiful new models.

Dior Mystery1S	Dior Piccadilly	Dior CDior 3228
Dior MYLADYDIOR 8	Dior PONDICHERY1	Dior PONDICHERY2
Dior MYSTERY 1	Dior GRAPHIX 3	Dior ENTRACTE 1
Dior GRAPHIX 1	Dior GRAPHIX 2	Dior GRANDBAL

John Galliano Trial Report

John Galliano trial was held yesterday, June 22 in Paris. Following the incident in the Paris café on February 28, 2011 after which flamboyant designer has been arrested he was accused for anti-Semitism and racism. John was also fired by house of Dior the next day after the arrest. To date, John Galliano scandal is the loudest in the history of fashion.

First reports regarding the pace of the trial has appeared in press.

John appeared in court with the team of his lawyers and an interpreter. It was reported that he was dressed in rather reserved outfit if compared to his usual wear, however one could still say this was a man of fashion and art by his tie over the bare skin and long hair.

All witnesses spoke out in details describing Galliano behaviour and singling out offensive words he said under the influence of alcohol. What exactly he said, please read and watch here.

Galliano was given time to speak out his testimony. To our biggest surprise, all his testimony was directed towards turning jury into pity. He talked about his story with alcohol that began in 2007 and turned into addiction after tragic death of his best friend Steven Robinson. He testified that he is battling a “triple addition” to alcohol, Valium and sleeping pills. After a decade of his Dior tenure Galliano faced an immense pressure from corporation to not only produce several collections a year for both Dior and John Galliano label, but also promote it actively in the wake of financial crisis. In fact the pressure was so high that following his father death in 2005 he had to go back to work straight from the crematorium. His scandalistic behaviour in public places was not rare and knowing that he is famous, basically iconic figure, he was often provoked to say things he didn’t really mean. It is an undeniable fact that his love of Hitler came out in such public encounters with strangers several times. There are testimonies from direct plaintiffs and there is a video confirming the fact.

His lawyer Aurélien Hamelle argued that the video should be left out as evidence as Galliano spoke quietly and it should not be considered “public” speech.

The biggest surprise in all this trial is the lawyer team took defensive approach. Galliano has never apologized and now when lawyers are arguing against the video it is clear that apology will not come during the trial. If only Galliano would do what other celebrities did in similar cases, the whole trial would not be as public. If convicted all he will be facing is maximum $30,000 fine and six months in prison. Prison term is unlikely.

In a course of this defensive approach Galliano lost his job at Dior, was cut from the creative team of his own John Galliano label, faced the most negative press coverage by all national publications and even fashion press. All of this could have been minimized by a simple, public apology. Is it a matter of principle or a matter of a few thousand dollar fine? Is it worth a career?

The verdict is to be decided by September 8, 2011.

 

 

 

Dior 2011 Collection – New Additions

Dior eyewear team must be the hardest working from all. This year they have released over 40 new styles in various categories: trendy, retro and classic. The company has taken a utility approach to release many models to appeal to people of different styles, ages and even budgets. We can’t pass on mentioning the color versatility of the brand. Some models come in as many as 6-7 colors such as Dior Paname or Dior Ladycat 1/S. We talked earlier about eyewear industry trends and how companies are not following two seasons Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer- they are releasing new models few at a time adding them to the year collection. This makes sense because glasses don’t have a season – you wear them all year long every day and sun is shining no matter what. In line with this strategy please, enjoy a few new additions to Dior 2011 eyewear collection:

Dior C_DIOR 3213	Dior C_DIOR 3214
Dior C_DIOR 3754	Dior C_Dior 3753

Dior CHICAGO 2/S	Dior LADYLADY 1/S	Dior LADYLADY 2/S

Dior MOHOTANI/S	Dior MYLADYDIOR 6
Dior SIMPLICIE 1	Dior SIMPLICIE 2

Eyewear – A Dive in History

Eyeglasses – lenses embedded into a frame to correct vision have a very long and interesting history.What started as an object to fill very important health function has evolved to the object of fashion. Since glasses were put onto a face from their inception lots of consideration was given to their look, lightweight and comfort.

It is beleived that first documented evidence of spectacles appears in Santa Maria Novella dating back to 1306 written by the Dominican friar. According to the documented fact invention is contributed to Allesandro Spina, a Dominican monk. Italy at the time was a glass making country of the world. Before 1300 magnifying glass was already widely used and it was made out of crystal. Traditional glasses lenses made out of glass, but because first models were made out of beryl or rock  they were known as beryls. Term “brillen” is still used in German to refer to glasses.

First surviving picture of glasses circa 1352 is currently displayed in the church of San Niccolo at Treviso.

It didn’t take long before spectacles reached mass use and by early fifteenth century were associated with literacy. This “image” item is common on painitings, frescas and engravings often depicting monks, cardinals and bible preachers of 1400-1900 era.

The earliest spectacles were made with two lenses mounted in rims made out of metal, horn or leather. They were held by hand and worn only when needed. Later a bridge appeared that connected the lenses and pressed them onto the nose.

As technology of lens production improved, so the desire to wear them continuously. Spectacles were prone to fall of the face or hurt the nose. This problem was solved by the arm that was added to the design of glasses at around 1723. Eighteenth century was also an era of widely developing fashion. Glasses were considered an important part of accessory and therefore many designs spurred. Handles were decorated with precious stones, various shapes were made and materials used for the frame. A lot of attention was given to the cases to hold glasses. Cases were engraved, incrustated, often made out or gold, silver and decorated with mother or pearl, colored stones and even diamonds.

An arm that curved under the wig holding spectacles firmly fixed on the head

Of course simplier materials were also widely used. Among them wood – the easiest to finish, industrialized steel, aluminium, and later optyl. Optyl is a light flexible plastic invented in Austria in 1967. Christian Dior was first to use this material in his collection of fashion eyeglasses and sunglasses. Other forms of plastic were used in combination with metal on glasses frames.

Today metal glasses and plastic glasses fragment the market. Silicone nosepads are part of all metal frames today. Glasses frames are further segmeted into full rim, semi-rimless and rimless that is possible to a very advanced technology of lens manufacturing and etching. Lenses technology development has its own chapter in parallel to sunglasses. We will be covering this in the future posts.

Karl Lagerfeld – Master of Sketches

Designers are artists. Most of them are classically trained and all of them possess high skills for drawing. Every outfit design starts with a sketch. Every productive designer produces thousands of sketches per season and as you can imagine only a fraction of them turn into life on a runway or ready to wear stores. I find watching the sketches just as fascinating as watching their collections. We are happy to announce a “Sketches” series where we will show famous designers ‘sketches and analyze them.

To start off, we are pleased to present Karl Lagerfeld. There is a particular interest to his sketches because of his background. In one of his interviews he confessed that he went to school to become a cartoon artist. He also said that sketching for him is like writing text for other people. His loyal team that has been working for him for over 20 years can look at the drawing and know what exactly he wanted an outfit to look like – shapes, fabric type, colors and details. Everything that could be described in pages of text is on one simple drawing. Karl says that he does not understand why other people need text. Well Karl, perhaps other people don’t have drawing skills… Interesting fact about him is that likes to wear Dior Homme glasses.

By looking at Karl sketches we can actually read cartoony style. Karl is one of the few designers who always adds background and a border to his sketches – an extra step that makes them really look like drawings. Ok, enough is said, enjoy the gallery. If you have more photos of his sketches, please let us know; we would love to add links here.

For Michelle Obama Inaguration	For Kate Middleton Wedding Dress
For Hogan Collection	For Hogan
For Coco Chanel Book

LVMH Invests in Asia

Louis Vuitton Hennessy Moet is the largest luxury brand retailer in the world. French owned LVMH, is publically traded on Euronext – European Stock Exchange under symbol MC. In the last year company posted over €37 billion in assets. Among companies largest subdivisions are well known luxury brands Luis Vuitton, Dior, TAG Heuer, Marc Jacobs and recently acquired Bulgari. A company is big on acquisitions, and over the last few years has been making on average 3-4 large buyouts per year.

But large acquisitions are not the only mechanism for LVMH to keep organic growth. Private investments via its Venture Capital funds is another, very active method for effective growth. Being a global company LVMH has interest in international emerging brands, lately specifically Asian based labels.

L Capital Asia fund is created to do just that – swallow emerging Asian companies in China, India and South East Asia. L Capital Asia is currently a $650 million fund and is head quartered in Singapore. Fund capital was syndicated by LVMH and US and Asian investors with LVMH investing close to 10%.

According to Ravi Thakran, the fund’s managing partner L Capital Asia is concentrating on brands that offer unique products and have capable entrepreneurial managers. Unlike its parent group LVMH, which concentrates on the top tier of the luxury sector, he said the fund focuses exclusively on promising Asian labels looking for a big breakthrough, particularly in the Chinese and Indian markets.

To date L Capital Asia fund has invested $23.5 million in Charles & Keith, Singaporean shoe retailer. The deal was announced on March 22, 2011. LVMH acquired 20% of stake in Charles & Keith.
In the prior deal, announced on February 11, 2011, LVMH purchased significant minority stake in Gitanjali Gems – Indian jewellery brand for $100 million.

Other deals totalled $90 million of stakes in two Singaporean fashion companies and a Hong Kong-listed watch and jewellery company. Very active fund is currently working of another number of deals to be announced shortly via LVMH press centre.

Based on these deals we see that fund is concentrating on well established companies with wide retail operations and proven market success. This investment strategy is in line with LVMH overall investment history where company biggest value add is in growing operations for its subdivisions utilizing the economy of scale for bulk purchased ad space in print media, TV and runway show participation.

In the past few years company showed that they are very serious about their presence in Asian market. According to recent studies conducted by ARC China, sale of luxury goods almost doubled in the past year. Greater China represents 28.0 percent of sales for Swatch, 18.0 percent for Gucci, 14.0 percent for Bulgari and 11.0 percent for Hermes.

LVHM showed zero tolerance for any hint on destructing their reputation among Chinese consumers. Recent fire of John Galliano from House of Dior who publically offended Asian men and Jewish woman, followed shortly by removal of the designer from his own label John Galliano. Sharon Stone remarks against Chinese people after the earthquake in 2008 resulted in stripping of all her Dior ads the following day after the incident in every Chinese mall.

Thus LVMH has set their long term strategy to tapping into fastest growing consumer market in Asia proactively – by not just opening retail locations for their primary brands in China and India, but also investing in promising Asia based labels to grow them at home and world wide.

John Galliano Offensive Video Released to Public

Since last Friday fashion press has been discussing rumors about John Galliano allegedly offending Asian-Jewish couple for which he was fired the next day. We covered the initial news, House of Dior reaction which was essentially Galliano’s suspension from the job, and Galliano’s reaction to everything in prior articles.

As of today more information surfaced up, particularly a video, now available on YouTube where John Galliano says that he loves Hitler and that lady talking to him is ugly. On this video, John appears very drunk and not aggressive and in fact, quite playful.  But what he is saying is very clear. What is surprising is that he speaks English and is dressed apparently differently than on last week’s eventful night. This makes it obvious, that the video is from a different night. Has John been saying such things repeatedly?

It is also unclear whether the beginning and end of this video was cut. It is quite possible that John was responding to something when he said that he loves Hitler.

As we suspected Natalie Portman, Jewish, did not wear Dior gown to Oscar night on Sunday. She issued a statement earlier: “I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today.”

Out of many stars expected to wear Dior, only Nicole Kidman was the one wearing a gown from 2009 collection.

Stay tuned for more news. Again, check John Galliano sunglasses and Dior Glasses and Dior Sunglasses collections to see what controversial talent has put together last year.

World Will Have to Wait for John Galliano Story Outcome

Yesterday we reacted to the news that John Galliano was suspended by Dior citing several reputable news sources such as Yahoo News and Guardian. News broke down early Friday after Thursday night incident involving John and a mixed Jewish and Asian couple. There has been a fight in a Paris bar where John, while under alcoholic influence, has made anti-Semitic and anti-Asian remarks. We closely watch the news today and here is an update.

A few more witnesses came through to protect John Galliano. According to Telegraph, among witnesses was John’s driver, who stands by John claiming that no such remarks were made and John actually got attacked by the couple first. An Asian man said something along the lines “get out of here”. And all that John said to this was “You’re ugly and your purse is ugly”.

Another witness who remains anonymous said that news are heavily exaggerated. There were no slaps or physical contact between the couple and John. There was a verbal argument and police was called to the scene. Police officers kindly asked both parties, John and the couple, to follow him to the police office. And they did in a quiet and civilized manner.

Fact that victim lady is Jewish were not yet confirmed.

John in a response to allegations has already filed a counter-claim against the couple. No apologies have been issued.

Clearly more news are still to come. Fact that Dior suspended John Galliano from his couture duties remains confirmed. Dior has issued a statement confirming the fact and stating the reason “zero-tolerance policy to anti-Semitic and anti-Racial attitude”.

I think what is most notable in this story, is that it is a first time Asians are being a target of racism involving a high profile public figures. In the last few years, while still publicly unnoticed, Chinese are a main subject in Yahoo news comment section. You see less and less anti-black remarks and more and more anti-Chinese.

Reason is clear. As China is rising, Asian consumers are gaining more power, thus are subject to jealousy. It has been already reported that they make at least 30% of direct consumer base for Gucci (including Gucci sunglasses), Luis Vuitton and Swatch. According to the study made by Proactive Investors that developing rich Chinese consumer base is around 15 years younger than fully developed American and European consumer base. This can explain the taste and need to luxurious brands. The fact that in China many of rich consumers are first and second generations rich as compared to American/European fourth or fifth, can also attribute to crave to brand name items. John Galliano brand could have become one of admired by Asian population including his heavily promoted John Galliano sunglasses.

We will be watching this story and report back to you. Stay tuned!

John Galliano is Suspended by Dior for anti-Semitic and anti-Asian Accusations

Today since the morning, news is bombarding the media over another sensation on John Galliano, a leading designer for house of Dior for the past 14 years. According to news a couple (Jewish woman and Asian men) has filed a complaint against John Galliano regarding overheard conversation where John Galliano appeared anti-Semitic. As the day progresses and we were watching news on this topic quite closely and more details surfaced up.

In Yahoo news it has been reported that the couple had a fight and physical combat where slaps where fired. It also says that John was drunk. Incident occurred in Paris bar at around 9 pm on Thursday. Bar is located at Marais district, an old Jewish quarter that over the past decade has been rebuilt and turned into flourishing fashion and entertainment area of Paris.

According to Guardian UK website, a couple has already spoke to the press and radio and stated that among phrases said during argument were “Dirty Jewish face, you should be dead” and “Fucking Asian bastard, I will kill you”.

Dior is owned by Louis Vuitton-Moet Hennessy corporation and given the success with Louis Vuitton line in China and Hong Kong their concerns are not underestimated. Studies show that in China sale of authentic luxury goods grew 98% over the past year. Louis Vuitton’s biggest customers are already Chinese buyers, while Greater China represents 28.0 percent of sales for Swatch, 18.0 percent for Gucci, 14.0 percent for Bulgari and 11.0 percent for Hermes. Another interesting fact is that 52% of Chinese customers make luxurious purchases while traveling overseas. Luis Vuitton observed that as many as 30% of all customers in their London stores are Chinese tourists. Last week I went to New York store and personally can confirm at least 50% of people in the store where Asian, with some 50% of staff.

Management of House of Dior is supporting the notion that there is no room for racism and anti-Semitism in civilized business. By parting with John Galliano they are clearing their name.

With a 2011 Paris Fashion Week underway reactions to rumours are expected to heat up. John Galliano was to present two collections, one for Dior and one for his own brand John Galliano. Protests in front of halls showcasing the collections are inevitable. We will see how events unfold in Paris next week. America is anxiously waiting for Oscar Awards tomorrow. A number of celebrities were expected to wear Dior. Among them Charlize Theron, Jude Law and Natalie Portman. Portman is openly Jewish and is not clear whether she will still carry on Dior gown to the ceremony.

What is not clear is how John Galliano was tolerated by LVMH in the last few years when while still working for Dior supposedly full time, he is putting up his own private label on same fashion shows. Was this an oversight in the employment agreement? Isn’t this a conflict of interest?

In either case, we urge you to purchase John Galliano sunglasses as they may be on the way of becoming obsolete items.

The History of New Look From Dior

Christian Dior had an incredible intuition that led him to ultimate success. His first couture house opened in 1946, after the WWII. He was able to capitalize on a depressed mood of post war France and give women a new image. His friend back in childhood once said “The magic name consists of words God and Gold”.

The Parisian elite was simply stunned when the 90 models started to defile the runway decorated with pale gray and white stucco in the style of Louis XVI. Rumours of this collection  swell quickly throughout France. Christian Dior at the time was an ordinary tailor in a model  house Lucien Lelong.

Sculpted shoulders,  thin waist, rounded hips, developing long skirts, a veil that hides your eyes, gloves and a light step – conveyed the image of the femininity, which was lacking during the war. Almighty editor in chief of Harper’s Bazar Caramel Snow enthusiastically declared: “Dear Christian, this is totally new look!” That was enough to ensure that expression was used throughout the world.

Although Christian Dior died soon of a heart attack at age of 52, he died as famous as Ghandi. He was an admired “boss”, generous and happy. He led a quiet life trying to keep his private life away from the public. He had many friends and had tight relationships with many of them. “Women will help you succeed” one friend once said. Christian Dior learnt to listen to what people say and analyze. He tried to be ahead of the others.

Christian Dior, born in 1905 in Normandy, was a son of a rich chemical fertilizer factory owner. His mother, a woman of very strict traditional  background, didn’t get along with her son very well. When she ordered to grow a garden around their family mansion, Christian volunteered to help or order to find a common interest with her. Gardening turned into a lifelong love of flowers. He used flowers in his designs and lily, his favourite, to pluck the buttonhole instead of an ordinary button.

Since that time he became interested in the style of Louis XVI, light and bright, which made decorations in a private hotel on the Dior Montaigne Avenue. Because of his disapproving mother who wanted him to be an architect or a diplomat, Dior lived in the shadow of his creative friends, even after opening his own art gallery sponsored by his father. A  present came with one condition – the designer was not allowed to hang out the name of Dior on the facade, because Christian’s mother was ashamed of his son.

After 1929, when his family lost their wealth, a hard time began for Christian Dior – a life in the house without electricity, running water and a leaking roof. Freed, to some extent from the power of the  controlling personality of his mother, he finally decided to take up design.

So he lived, working hard until age of 40 when Marcel Boussac knocked as his door offering a position in his company. Dior’s talents shined to their fullest and his genius design skills got combined with his business ego. Today, sixty years later, Christian Dior is a leading fashion house, now part of Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Cocteau was right, Dior name is worth a name of Gold.

Today John Galliano is a lead designer of Haute D’Dior. He has been working in this position for 20 years. Energetic Galliano, just like Christian Dior, came out by surprise and has proven to be worthy of continuing Dior tradition. Both Dior Sunglasses and John Galliano Sunglasses are available in our store along with prescription Dior Eyeglasses frames. Some of the most beautiful are for preview below.

	Model# DIOR OPPOSITE 2 Our Price: CAD $210 Buy now
	Model# DIOR OPPOSITE 1 Our Price: CAD $210 Buy now
	Model# MYLADYDIOR 4 Our Price: CAD $210 Buy now
	Model# MYLADYDIOR 1 Our Price: CAD $215 Buy now
	Model# MYLADYDIOR 3 Our Price: CAD $230 Buy now
	Model# DIOR MINI 2 Our Price: CAD $230 Buy now
	Model# DIOR MADRAGUE Our Price: CAD $205 Buy now
	Model# DIOR INDINIGHT 2 Our Price: CAD $300 Buy now
	Model# DIORISSIMA 2 Our Price: CAD $205 Buy now
	Model# DIOR 61/1 Our Price: CAD $210 Buy now
	Model# DIOR 61/2 Our Price: CAD $215 Buy now
	Model# Dior DAIQUIDIOR Our Price: CAD $390 Buy now
	Model# DIOR DESIGN 2 Our Price: CAD $255 Buy now
	Model# DIOR DESIGN 1 Our Price: CAD $250 Buy now
	Model# DIOR COTTAGE 3 Our Price: CAD $200 Buy now
	Model# DIOR COPACABANA Our Price: CAD $265 Buy now
	Model# Dior COCOTTE Our Price: CAD $190 Buy now
	Model# Dior CLASSIC 3 Our Price: CAD $200 Buy now
	Model# Dior CLASSIC 1 Our Price: CAD $200 Buy now
	Model# Dior BAGATELLE Our Price: CAD $240 Buy now