By now, most fashion watchers are aware that Beyoncé is a dyed-in-the-graphic-geometric -wool fan of Gareth Pugh and of Thierry Mugler, now that the latter designer will be creative- directing and costuming her upcoming tour. But B’s latest video for her song Diva—which some liken to a reprise of Pugh’s Spring 2009 show —also features the work of 25-year-old designer Brian Lichtenberg. The patchwork bodysuit and matching lace leggings (pictured here) that the designer custom-made for Mrs. Jay-Z also echo his Spring 2009 collection. But Lichtenberg isn’t exactly a newbie when it comes to the wardrobing needs of pop stars. M.I.A. reportedly flipped over his hologram leggings and now owns several pairs; the designer was even an extra in her Bucky Done Gun video. “Beyoncé came up with the idea [of the bodysuit], as she wanted to dance in it for her music video,” explains Lichtenberg. The designer, who shows at L.A. Fashion Week, has an aesthetic that’s futuristic, bold, and graphic—which is, of course, right up Beyoncé’s currently avant-garde fashion alley. Lichtenberg’s collection includes clothing and jewelry in collaboration with L.A.-based accessories duo Alex & Chloe. He has also teamed up with Franc Fernandez on a range of sharply architectural hats (imagine what Grace Jones’ millinery collection would look like), which Beyoncé did wear for Diva, though the segment ended up on the cutting-room floor. For more on Lichtenberg, go to www.brianlichtenberg.com.
—Sarah Sulzberger Perpich
Originally published on style.com here: http://www.style.com/stylefile/2008/12/beyoncs-other-other-favorite-designer/
It’s arguable that the message T-shirt hasn’t recovered from its Britney Spears associations. Twenty-five year-old actor, artist, and now designer Louis-Marie de Castelbajac may be on his way to changing that. Founded in December 2007, de Castelbajac’s T-shirt line Panda Kunst is ready to break onto the streets and take the stores by storm. The multi-hyphenate French native, who is now based in Los Angeles, has recently been meeting with stores and showrooms to make that happen. The collection’s organic cotton T-shirts are meant to reflect the designer’s manifesto of making culture accessible. The son of designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac has clearly inherited his father’s witty inclinations. The T-shirts are emblazoned with wink-nudge proclamations of the philosophical (”Thank God I’m an Atheist”) and cultural (”Bauhaus is my House”) variety. Panda Kunst tees, for both men and women, are available on his Web site, www.pandakunst.com for around $35 each.
—Sarah Sulzberger Perpich
Originally published on style.com here: http://www.style.com/stylefile/2008/12/panda-kunst-tees-that-talk/