As the pre-fall collections are being released, fashion lovers around the world are buzzing about the new and exciting looks from their favorite fashion houses. Parisian house extraordinaire, Givenchy, released one of the most uncharacteristic and intriguing of the pre-fall assemblages. A complete contrast from their shimmering, ruffled Spring/ Summer 2012 collection, the masterminds at Givenchy have gone back to basics with a sleek and unassuming looks that reference equestrian influences. The line includes many wearable mix and match separates. Geometric, boxy tops are paired with short shorts and skirts. Chic daywear jackets, coats, and trousers have more of a menswear inspired feel than previous Givenchy fashions.  This collection harkens of Acne or Celine type garments where clean lines, flawless tailoring, and unique cuts reign supreme over frills and embellishments.

Of course, more of the equestrian influence of the collection can be noted in the rounded helmet-like hats that complete the look on many of the models. The color palette is one that is seen in several of the other pre-fall collections and seems to be an homage to 70s Technicolor oranges, warm browns and army green. Despite the occasional flash of orange, neutrals seem to be the name of the game for fall, according to Givenchy. The collection adopts a more ladylike feel as it progresses, with more hints of color in a bright print on several pieces and the revelation of numerous striking dresses and party worthy skirts and tops. The footwear is an extraordinarily distinctive aspect of the collection. Most models don cylindrical, chunky looking boots that finish the looks with an edgy flair. These boots will most certainly be a coveted item for fall as they are not to be ignored and the pointed toe adds just the right amount of refinement, befitting only of Givenchy.

View more looks from the Givenchy Pre-Fall S/S 2012, modeled by Joan Smalls, in our gallery below!

By Sarah Humphries

[View with PicLens]

When it comes to internet memes and things of the moment, I’d like to think I am pretty on top of it. So how this whole planking thing began seriously boggles my mind… Don’t know what planking is? According to Urban Dictionary, “the art of planking is to lay horizontally across any object or the ground with their arms by their sides, aiming to occur in daring situations or a brotherly display of core-strength.”

So basically you just look awkard and out of place in public? Hmmm, I think I’m going to have to pass on that one… Well, unless I was one of the models in Dis Magazine shot by David Toro, because they get to plank in couture! Yep, from Missoni (above and my ultimate fave) to Alexander Wang and Givenchy, models plank in high fashion.

C’mon let’s see an editorial where models owl. Coco Rocha did it…  

[via and via]

David Beckham will be releasing “Homme” come September. The scent is described as being masculine will include notes of ginger, cashmere wood, leather, and mahogany wood. I guess this is what a sweaty rugged soccer (that’s football for countries outside of the US) smells like.  I wonder why the emphasis on ‘manly’ and ‘masculine’? I’d much rather have clean and sexy, then again I’m thinking Posh probably wears the pants in that family. If the scent isn’t enough for you, there’s also going to be a body wash, deodorant body spray, and deodorant stick…so you can be Beckham masculine at all times.

Now apparently smelling good is a big business for Celine Dion, I didn’t even know she had a fragrance line, but she’s sold $850 million globally since 2003. Who is buying this stuff? Was it on major clearance? Whatever the case, now Dion is releasing a new scent named “Signature” which will also debut in September. Although, this isn’t actually a scent, it’s referred to as a “juice”. That doesn’t sound appealing at all! The ‘juice’ contains hints of mimosa, pink lady apple and wood to name a few of its many ingredients.

Sorry but Celine Dion doesn’t scream sexy and romantic to me and I’d much rather have a man wearing Tom Ford’s scents over David Beckham’s cologne. Now when it comes to fragrances, perhaps choosing a scent from a brand is a safer, less embarrassing, call then a celebrity product? So then when people ask what you’re wearing you don’t have to sheepishly respond with Celine Dion. Therefore, designer labels Givenchy and BCBG Max Azria aren’t letting celebrities have all the fun are also making news with the release of their scents.

Givenchy and creative director Riccardo Tisci are releasing their first fragrance together, “Dahlia Noir” which will be available come August.  ”It was about a woman that represents my style,” Tisci said of the fragrance. The scent will be positioned in the high end category with an accompanying ad campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott featuring model and muse Mariacarla Boscono.

What do you think? Are these scents stinky or delightful?

[via WWD]

Boscono is known for her dark locks, big eyes, and killer runway walk; three things which make her stand out and last in the fickle modeling world. Most recently she posed for W‘s “Making A Scene” editorial. We look forward to seeing more of Mariacarla on the runway and in ad campaigns.

See Mariacarla strut her stuff on the catwalk below and view more of the model on MyFDB.

[source]

Designer Thom Browne was all about khaki and stripes with heavy accents of fringe and long laces. Many of his looks had some quirky flair, including models who walked down the runway with lampshade type hats on their heads. His collection was cabaret themed – talk about having some bright ideas!

Givenchy‘s Riccardo Tisci literally went to paradise, as in the bird-of-paradise flower, which is printed practically on every item in his collection. Going for a more botanist feel there are lots of forest green pieces along with other variations of the hue mixed in with the flowers. I’m not sure if I’d call this “prints charming” because it’s a little much for my taste, but I give a (green) thumbs up to the classic fitted suit taking an earthy toned twist.

Going along the lines of  a “personal Jesus” theme, designer Bernhard Willhelm presented quite the spectacle. Models strutted down the catwalk layered in quirky prints and plaid labeled with 100%,XXL, and Bye Hater. I suppose if you’re a hipster who has to make a pilgrimage from your place of dwelling to your local coffee shop, then this is collection might be for you.

A true artist and an inventive fashion designer, Walter Van Beirendonck presented pastel formal pieces coupled with tribal gloves that went up the arm. Merging art and fashion tulle creations ended his show on a high note, as tulle literally took over the stage, first as clothing then as creations. Don’t you just love when walking art has matching shoes and pants?

[via WWD]

Moschino channeled the fifties for their black and white sophisticated resort looks by creative director Rossella Jardini. All of the pieces carried a more formal feel, but footwear brought a casual twist with all of the models donning flats.

It was color and more color at Giambattista Valli! The designer shelled out bright colors with a canary yellow frock and a bold purple hue that was mixed in to create a flowy dress, a skirt and a top–all tres chic! His looks are meant to reflect his muses- chic, young jet-setting women.

Fashion power house, Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci showed the brightest of florals with big prints inspired by Hawaiian surf culture. To contrast the extreme prints, he showed two sophisticated black evening looks which were completely black.

Trends that we’re continuing to see with the debut of resort collections are bold colors and standout prints. On the other hand many brands are shying away from this mantra, and opting to show more formal pieces, while mixing in their own resort flair.

[via WWD]

From fragrance and accessories to high fashion, tons of (good and bad) ads are making their way into our site each day; the MyFDBlog editors rounded up our current picks for the top ad campaigns of Spring/Summer 2011. We’ve selected a well-rounded collection of campaigns encompassing nakedness, hot models, genius photographers and most importantly-fashion!

First up newlywed Natasha Poly, the striking Daphne Groeneveld, and the albino Stephen Thompson were the standout models in Givenchy‘s S/S campaign.

Banana shirts and minks galore with Prada‘s campaign has been one of the biggest hits of the season that also went viral with a video.

It’s hard to tell the difference between a piece of art and Karl Lagerfeld‘s inventive painted Fendi ads starring Anja Rubik.

The un-surprisingly scandalous Tom Ford brought us a two scantily clad models who are very comfortable in their own skin for his Neroli Portofino fragrance.

Jennifer Lopez chowed down some sushi, err, rather some jewelry and went Geisha for high end accessories line Tous.

By tapping the infamous Terry Richardson for surprisingly age-appropriate ads that are also super playful, Aldo’s campaign has us celebrating summer.

Letting out a few smiles with model Malgosia Bella, Chloe‘s ads have their fans (and us) craving their current collection.

Major kudos to Nine West for stepping up their campaign game with high fashion styled images that are a must-see.

Those are our picks for the season thus far, we’ll be doing another installment in the future. In the mean time be sure to see our current picks for the worst ad campaigns.

The word is out! Supermodel Natasha Poly definitely got married this past weekend! Who’s the lucky guy, you ask? His name is Peter Barker, and apparently he is quite the businessman. According to Fashionologie, Poly and Barker wed in beautiful St. Tropez, at the Hotel Byblos. Talk about a destination dream wedding!

She wore a gorgeous, backless Givenchy gown that was covered in lace and had an über long train—so traditional, yet so fashionable. I wonder if Poly’s feature in the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 ad campaign had anything to do with her wedding dress choice? Probably! I have to say though, Poly and Barker make a pretty cute couple, but I think Poly and Givenchy make a cuter one!

See Poly’s full Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 ad campaign on MyFDB!

[Source for top two images]

We absolutely love Riccardo Tisci and the risks he has recently taken in regards to the casting of his models for Givenchy. This past season, he cast Lea T., a transsexual which created buzz and attention around the brand. Now, according to WWD, Tisci has chosen to push the model envelope even further with the casting of newcomer albino model, Stephen Thompson for the next Spring-Summer campaign. The black and white images were shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and feature the handsome Thompson with Givenchy regulars like Daphne Groenevald, Iris Strubegger and Mariacarla Boscono. The ads are set to debut in the January issue of L’Uomo Vogue and then transition into American publications in the early Spring. So what does Tisci have to say about the ad and his decision? He recently explained that he’s long admired albino people, reflected in the pale flesh tones that are recurrent in his fashions. “They’re very near my world,” he stated.

Team MyFDB is giving major kudos to Tisci who is slowly, but surely redefining model beauty in the fashion industry, and all for the better!

[Images via WWD & Googles Images]

You’ve most likely noticed some changes to MyFDB’s homepage; along with highlighting bolder ad campaigns and editorials, we’re also introducing verified user profiles. This allows users to put a verified symbol on their profile page. To start the verification process simply search for your name in the ”Are you in the database?” box. If you’re name is not there, then click on the ”My profile is not listed button” and that will signal you to register on the site to begin the profile creation process.

Verified user profiles are the first in many stages of updates that MyFDB will be rolling out, so stay tuned for more advancements.

In honor of our fresh new look and verified user profiles we’re giving away the nouveau eau de parfum from Givenchy, ange ou démon le secret. The fragrance’s striking ad campaign was shot by Mario Testino and stars a sweet yet sultry Uma Thurman in a Riccardo Tisci gown.

TO ENTER:

If you’re an industry pro, get your profile verified and you’ll automatically be entered to win. If you don’t have a profile then sign up for an account and we’ll be sure to add your fashionable name to our database. *note you must be industry related to create a profile, otherwise you can still enter the contest by tweeting the phrase below

Simply a MyFDB enthusiast? Want more chances to win?

Send a tweet with following: The nouveau @MyFDB homepage is no le secret! Find ur profile & get verified! http://myfdb.com (@Givenchy #contest)

One winner will be chosen at random and must reside within the US. Contest ends at 12:00 PM PST April 28th.  The user will be notified either via email or direct message on Twitter. Thank you to Givenchy for providing the prize.