Catherine Malandrino has just put out a book (entitled, appropriately enough, "Catherine Malandrino") celebrating her 10th anniversary in the fashion world. The book includes personal photos, ad campaigns, and sketches by the designer herself. Chic Report chatted with her at her book signing:
"I was thinking I wanted to capture memoirs of what I’ve been able to do, to achieve, and to celebrate with the people who’ve been helping me during these last 10 years."
Regarding her iconic flag dress:
"When I chose to do the book, it was one year ago, and this image, I did it a long time ago. This dress was created 8 years ago, but it was a dress that really put me on stage, and I wanted to celebrate this first step in America."
That was the dress that really put her on the map. In a somewhat gruesome stroke of luck on her part, the dress came out, 9/11 happened, and America was suddenly caught up in a patriotic fervor that had as much to do with its icons as its principles. Suddenly, everyone was wearing it: Madonna, Demi Moore, and Halle Berry all put it on the map. In the wake of the recent election, the dress has been making a celebrity comeback as it's been seen recently on Kelly Ripa (the morning after the election), Keisha Whitaker (on the night of the election), and Heidi Klum.
Here's La Fabuleuse at her book signing last week, looking (unsurprisingly) fabulous:
She's wearing modified pieces from her fall '08 collection:
Catherine Malandrino Fall 2008 Collection
Models: Caroline Demarqui, Rachel Clark
Love that shade of green.
Although the purple looks fantastic on her.
More pics:
[Photos: Getty Images/Viewonfashion.com/Style.com - Screencap/Collage: Project Rungay.blogspot.com]
12/15/08 10:30 AM
TLo, if I didn't know better, I would think you have a crush on her!
-TLo Addict-
12/15/08 10:45 AM
For some reason, that flying bunting photo of the flag dress (at top) reminds me of the poster for LeMiz.
But I'm in love with that purple dress.
--GothamTomato
12/15/08 10:49 AM
I would appreciate the jacket she's wearing over the dress more if it and her dark hair didn't blend into one mass. It looks somehow over-heavy.
Probably not an issue in real life, just in the photo.
12/15/08 11:02 AM
I am in love with this woman - right up there with La Nina, DVF in terms of Fabulous.
That flag dress is to-die.
She looks amazing in the purple. Amazing isnt even an adequate description.
12/15/08 11:14 AM
Again, not to belabor the point, but as I stated in the post about Nina, the formula remains the same for timeless beauties such as La Nina and DVF et al: longer hair, light makeup, and body caressing, figure enhancing classic silhouettes create a youthful yet age appropriate look. Underdone, not overdone equals elegance in a woman of a certain age. La Malandrino C'est Magnifique! SJP, if you are reading, please take note..
12/15/08 11:19 AM
I. LOVE. HER.
(Drooling over the post)
12/15/08 11:20 AM
Elle est magnifique, tout simplement!
12/15/08 11:51 AM
She's fabulous beyond words. I love her store and have even managed to buy two of her dresses. Thanks for the fab post, TLo!
12/15/08 11:52 AM
I hope they bring her back, she was a great judge. Remember Vincent kissing up to her on the boat in Paris?
12/15/08 12:03 PM
I'm not a fan of the flag dress. I love love love the runway green dress. And the purple version is great on her too ( can't help but notice she didn't wear the black bobby socks).
12/15/08 12:07 PM
I do love The Malandrino, but she really needs to cut down on the forehead Botox. She really doesn't need that much!
Love the dresses.
12/15/08 12:11 PM
I like the green better than the purple, but that's just me.
Isabella said:"I hope they bring her back, she was a great judge."
I hope they do too, if only to have her call someone 'ree-de-culous'.
That is, if Vincent didn't sacre her away for good....
12/15/08 12:14 PM
I love how she celebrates America and what she has achieved in this country; and she's not even a citizen. Love her and love her store!
12/15/08 12:17 PM
I love the purple dress, and I would absolutely buy the green version! Not as wild about the bolero in the green though. I do like it in black.
12/15/08 12:20 PM
The green dress is TO DIE. I also like the jacket on the model better. La Malandrino knows what's she doing. Oh, the good ol' days when they had fabulous and credible judges on the show.
12/15/08 12:26 PM
CM is the real deal; she has it all! Hope to see her around for another 10 years and beyond.
12/15/08 12:37 PM
Gorge, especially the purple dress. Love the sandals too.
12/15/08 12:39 PM
I love that Catherine Malandrino calls her line "soft elegance." I totally agree, it's elegant without trying too hard.
12/15/08 12:42 PM
Her store is gorgeous and the clothes are divine. Bought a dress from last month and it's amazing.
12/15/08 12:45 PM
Martinique said...
Elle est magnifique, tout simplement!
Magnifique? Mais oui!
It's funny how she's more famous here than in France.
By the way, I googled her name, I didn't know she worked for DVF as head designer when she first came here to the US. Interesting!
12/15/08 12:51 PM
Perfection!
12/15/08 2:02 PM
Well, I guess if one were going to wear a flag dress, that would be the one. I'm sure knock offs will show up in size XXXL by the spring.
12/15/08 2:11 PM
$450.00 for the flag dress. I have to say, it looks better when a person is moving around...like jumping around as the model is doing. The flag dress is too much in line with a Christmas sweater, as in, "I pull this out for the fourth of July."
Or maybe she should design a handbag that looks like freedom fries to sell with the flag dress.
12/15/08 3:01 PM
Love her, love the dress, but the little shaggy bolero not so much. Looks a little like a muppet backpack to me.
12/15/08 8:15 PM
You'll notice that she isn't wearing heavy shoes and black ankle socks with that dress!
12/15/08 8:41 PM
Beautiful and elegant, and someone who dresses appropriate to her age. I recall how gracious she was on Project Runway.
The flag dress made me laugh. I had bell bottom flag print jeans in 1970. Then, of course, it was a rebellious rather than patriotic look!
12/15/08 11:08 PM
Just popping in to ask if T.Lo knows Christian Siriano has a Twitter? It's csiriano.
12/16/08 7:41 AM
She looks great, but she'd look ten times better if she did something different with her hair-- her forehead's too high for that Morticia Addams 'do.
Straight hair parted down the center rarely works on anyone over, say, thirty-five-- it's a quintessential teen style that only draws an unflattering comparison when a not-so young woman dares sport it. (Think of Donatella!)
12/16/08 9:57 AM
The flag dress is tacky and obvious. The flag is not supposed to be made into or printed or embroidered upon clothing, according to the Flag Code.
12/16/08 11:02 AM
She is fabulous, isn't she?
12/16/08 5:01 PM
Todd, lol. Stop it! You're crossing into VIncent territory. Remember him trying to cruise CM on the cruise? Good times.
12/16/08 9:30 PM
La Malandrino is on fire!
And her clothes aren't half bad either.
12/30/08 10:42 AM
...and you gave my favorite colors (purple and green) LOVE at the end...
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