19-years-old Gabby Applegate gives us dark and sweet with her namesake label.
California – Don’t be fool by the young age, Blaynistas. This San Francisco-born designer knows what she’s doing with her namesake label, Gabby Applegate. Gabby takes her inspirations from four heavyweights — Gareth Pugh, Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester and Karl Lagerfeld — which is shown in her collections as she mixes the dark side with the sweet side. Think lots of black but also lots of chiffon, satin and lace. It’s just the way we want it. But before Gabby Applegate became Gabby Applegate it was known as Witches when it launched in Fall 2009 at the Chateau Marmont.
“The name started out at as Witches, but to be honest its hard to not get the ‘goth’ vibe with that name,” Gabby shares. “I am confident in the brand and so I decided to make it my name.” This isn’t all Gabby is sharing with The Blay Report. The young designer grew up riding horses but experienced a bad fall in the Junior Olympics trial. Gabby then quit riding horses and moved to Los Angeles where she began her dream for fashion. Check out after the jump for more with Gabby, but first watch this amazing video to give you a look on what to expect from her collection.
World Wide Web – Anyone looking for their next book to read this year? How about House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival? With that title alone you know it will be a spicy read. Deborah Ball, who has been a Milan correspondent for the Wall Street Journal since 1997, conducted 220 interviews to write House of Versace, which goes into details on the Versaces’ spending habits, Donatella’s drug addiction, her daughter Allegra’s battle with anorexia and why Gianni, who founded the company, left his 50 percent stake to his niece. House of Versace is the first book written about the family that the Versaces approved, and Donatella was even willing to be interviewed for the book. Other people who Ball interviewed include Donatella’s brother Santo Versace, Gianni Versace’s partner Antonio D’Amico and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The only person in the glamorous family who declined to be interviewed was Allegra. Fashion blog Fashionologie reveals several tidbits that definitely makes the House of Versace a spicy read. Here is a glimpse of those tidbits:
Chanel displays its petal power during its couture show in Paris.
World Wide Web – It’s no secret that the recession has hit the fashion industry really hard. Labels are closing down and employees are getting laid off. But it’s a new year and with a new year comes a fresh start, correct? Sadly not in these troubled times. Yesterday it was reported that Karl Lagerfeld has laid off Beth Shapiro, the director of global marketing and public relations for his namesake label. She will leave the company this Friday (Jan. 15). In her e-mail, Shapiro stated, “The current environment has forced us to downsize.” Good luck to Shapiro. But today, 
OY VE! Really, my Uncle Karl (like my Uncle Obama) simply sits beyond sitting (read: he’s amazing) J’canttakethepurefabulosityofthis.com. And what am I gushing about? Sneak peek’s at Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2010 ads. It stars Freja Beja Erichson, Baptiste Giabiconi and of course Claudia Schiffer. 
V Magazine continues to GO OFF in the New Year! It feels like every other shoot is news worthy – not least of which is this little (ish) number: famed burlesque dancer Miss Dirty Martini modeling Chanel at Coco Chanel’s Rue Cambon flat…..What do you think? I love the luxury and the legend it pays homage too (especiall j’die over Coco look-alike, actress Jane Schmitt). But dont’ know if I’m loving this. But who am I? Just a lil’ old blogger. Surely Uncle Karl, who shot this spread and Jacob K, who styled it know better than me. Surely. Find this issue of V, #63, on newsstands January 14th. Shout out to Austin for these preview shots.
