How do you spell Scognamiglio?

I don't know about you but I am ever so amazed by the power of twitter. More of ten than not, I find myself taking ideas and inspiration for posts from links, images or statements people share on twitter. A few days ago Giovanna Battaglia and Anna dello Russo incessantly tweeted at Francesco Scognamiglio praising his latest FW10 campaign. And so I obviously felt compelled to have a look. It is true that it would have been hard to create a bad campaign for such a stunning collection but I found it specially good. I love how simple yet representative of Scognamiglio's style it is. The hair reminded me a little of what Aquascutum did for winter but this was sexier, more glamourous.

I, then, remembered a video from Garance Doré where Giovanna and Anna chat and giggle away (and give me an overdose of stylish cuteness) and where Anna says she can't spell Scognamiglio. It is thanks to that video that I found out about the Italian genius and that I can type it correctly faster than I can say it (which is quite an achievement). If you go through dello Russo's ensembles for last fashion week you will definitely remember a very short mini-dress with the most decadently opulent belt you have seen in your entire life. That was Scognamiglio. He is, to me, part of the Holy Trinity (Giambattista Valli, Antonio Berardi and him) of Italian-blooded men who transcend trends and create exquisite collections. You can get a hold of some Scognamiglio at Luisaviaroma. The prices are surprisingly good considering you will not only be getting an extremely well-cut piece but also a delicious piece of jewellery (so it's like a high-fashion '2 for 1').

I'm off.

[Pictures: TheFashionSpot.com, FrancescoScognamiglio.it]

Alejandro: the old and the new

The hype around every one of Lady Gaga's videos grows with the release of each one. I Have to admit I always get a little excited to see them for the first time but this time it was different. I can't remember how long ago it was when I read that Steven Klein, my favourite photographer, was directing her 'Alejandro' video but ever since then I literally couldn't wait. I won't admit to the number of times I have watched it since yesterday but, believe me, you'd think me a freak.
Anyway, the Gaga and Klein combination very much delivered. The video is, visually, one of the best things I have seen in music in a very long time. The Klein aesthetic covers every single shot and light choice and mixes influences that Gaga and himself share as well the ones ever-present in all his work.

Gaga's first couple of outfits consist of a black cape (top picture) and a lace outfit both custom made Alexander McQueen pieces as well as a Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen custom made hat. It is no secret Lady Gaga adores McQueen and we have often seen many of his pieces in her videos. This is brought to the maximum with Steven Klein, who was close to the designer (and Daphne Ginness) and who shot editorials (like the one above for W back in 2002) and adverts for him.

If you follow Klein, you'll know he is known for having a fixation with, among others, horses, Madonna, religion and sex. In 'Alejandro' the references to Madonna are endless. Gaga's "blasphemous" scenes from the video have so much in common with Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' video from 1989. crosses, rosaries and religious attire irreverently mixed with sex, custom made Atsuko Kudo (nun outfit), Hussein Chalayan (leather jacket) and custom made Jaiden RVA James (hooded dress).

'Alejandro' switches between Madonna eras mixing all the different aspects of the singers that characterise Gaga. Suddenly we're in the 'Vogue' video from 1990 where Gaga more literally replicates Madonna's black suit and famous (Gaultier) pointy bra. Once again, more genius styling from Mr. Formichetti -Dolce & Gabbana waistcoat, Fracesco Scognamiglio trousers, gun bra custom made by David Samuel Menkes and Calvin Klein underwear.

Again, the Steven Klein point of view is so present that many still shots of the video could very well be editorial pictures. The 'bed theme' has been such a recurrent one in his work, from Madonna's W editorial in 2002, to the Beckham's for the same magazine in 2007 or some of his more recent work. If you look at the 'bed dancing' scenes in 'Alejandro' you might even see some resemblance with Britney's 'Me Against the Music' video, a suggestion from Maddona?

Click here to enjoy the video in HQ. Here to go to Steven Klein's website. And here to check out Nicola Formichetti's blog.
I'm off.

PS. I really liked the Evandro Soldati cameo. Have a look at some of his work here.


[Credits: NicolaFormichetti.blogspot.com, Style.com, StevenKleinStudio.com. Screencaps from youtube videos.]