Giancarlo Di Risio, now former CEO of the famous fashion house Gianni Versace SpA, has resigned over disagreements with Donatella Versace regarding the way the company should proceed to cut costs during this economic downturn.

According to various insider sources, as sales in the luxury goods sector are on the wane, he suggested to Mrs. Versace to simplify her designs and cut down on promotional spendings to lower prices to which the strong and exuberant charater that Mrs. Versace is disagreed.

Recruited in 2004 to pull the company out of a bad financial momentum started in 1997, when the company's founder Gianni Versace was found murdered in his country house.

As leaked by The Wall Street Journal at the beginning of last month, Mr. Di Risio and Versace's board of executives, among whom Donatella, are parting ways in decent terms through a "mutual decision to close their professional relationship".

So this recession will have to be faced by Versace with a new leader.

If you fancy having a look at the full article, it can be found here!

The Spring-Summer 2009/2010 collections of the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week were presented from April 27 to May 1st in Sydney. Renown for its original "edgyness" and typically antipodean approach to fashion illustrating the country's laid-back, somewhat sporty and casual lifestyle into "easy-to wear and trans-seasonal" creations.

From colour-packed summery pieces to dark and extreme, futuristic looks and always with a special attention given to details such as buttons, sequins, straps and belts, or touches of transparency, its variety of styles in the womenswear satisfied most observers.

The IMG Fashion-produced event held in the very picturesque location that Sydney's Circular Quay Overseas Passenger Terminal, just next to the infamous Sydney Opera House was made as a spectacular affair to attract and impress Pacific Rim countries based buyers and others.

Around 110 brands and fashion houses were shown at the Fashion week including established Australian fashion brands like Kirrily Johnston, Wayne Cooper, Sass & Bide, Zimmermann, Nicola Finetti, Jayson Brundson, Marnie Skillings and Lisa Ho, Camilla and Marc, Anna & Boy and Ginger & Smart among others. As far as rising brands were concerned, the likes of Romance Was Born, The Cassette Society, Therese Rawsthorn and Ellery were showcased and made a positive impression.

Comparatively, the menswear collections were quite traditional and conservative, following the regular long-standing men fashion trends of acid-wash denim, bomber  and leather jackets, inspired from the '80s, and common men's summer fashion items  such as wide trousers and standard white shirt.

Please have a look at the full report here!

The 62nd Cannes Film Festival which opened this wednesday night on the French Riviera 'croisette' with Disney's movie 'Up!' is the next major international event seeing the culmination of film -and their celebrities- plus fashion after the Oscars.

From the exceptionally very feminine jury presided by French and European star actress Isabelle Huppert, to the waves of international actresses and actors showing up or gravitating around the main event, it's a fashion lover's dream to scrutinize all the outfits on display!

Gorgeous evening gowns for red carpet premieres have been numerous including new L'Oréal world spokeperson Elizabeth Banks' red and satiny very 'old Hollywood' off-shoulder bustier dress from Armani Privé’s spring 2009 haute couture collection.

We start to see a pattern there as  Indian actress and model Aishwarya Rai Bachchnan went out in a soft lavender off-shoulder dress with a clutch to match for the opening and later in a white strapless Roberto Cavalli. Meanwhile Asia Argento, always the risk-taker, went for an original Armani Privé dress with an interesting cut and a flowery print in grey tones with a touch of pink.

The A-list celebrities list goes on with megastars such as Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and many more supposed to hit the festival later while observers are salivating in advance!

Please, have a look at the full article here !

Ashley Olsen, one half of the Olsen twins, former child stars on popular US tv sitcoms including Full House, one of their most successful show, just announced she's retiring from acting to invest herself completely in her new vocation : fashion.

Since a few years, while her sister Mary-Kate has been attempting to pursue her acting career with more or less success, Ashley could be seen navigating more and more in fashion circles, even doing some modelling.  Moreover she has recently launched her own fashion line, The Row, of which she wore a creation at the recent 2009 MET Costume Institute Gala in New York.

This comes in addition to a former line created earlier and which had kept her busy since New York Minute, the last tv show she starred in with her sister, stopped : Elizabeth and James. 

Quitting a career started at nine months, the 22-year old actress, producer and executive producer told VMAN magazine:

“I’ve been transitioning from acting as a kid to doing something that I’m choosing for myself — to be part of the fashion industry. That’s what I want for my future. It has nothing to do with my past, nothing to do with anyone else’s agenda. And I followed my heart the whole way.”

To illustrate this exclusive interview for the Summer 09 issue of the men's magazine, "Ash" posed only in her bra. Way to promote the menswear side of The Row. She spoke about wanting to work 'behind the scenes', living a low-key life and her preferences in men's style. 

The American actress who is currently dating actor Justin Bartha, also revealed she feels sexy in men's clothes...

Please see the full article here !

Style Shake is a revolutionnary online shop offering you the possibility to design your own dresses, tops, or even skirts before making them become reality for you!

The process is very simple :

1. Pick the fabrics of your choice

2. Design the garment of your dreams

3. They send it to you in 10 working days in couture quality

In the vein of the infamous Polyvore, you can also save your designs and look at others' for inspiration, especially the 'Best-of' the online boutique hand-picked themselves.

They have a special weddings section, a seasonal trends analysis, a fashion blog currently explaining how to enhance and celebrate your curves and even a size guide...

In short : anything to make your designing and shopping experience better! Don't you just love customization?

What's more, they currently have a 10% off offer on any design with a wrap neckline! Ending tomorrow so hurry-up, ladies!

See you at Style|Shake!