shadestation lifestyle section

Dior Gets Technical with iPhone Movie

January 25, 2010
Posted by Laura

When you think of the luxury brand Christian Dior, you immediately think of glitz, glamour, drama and sophistication and that is exactly what surrounds the theme of the brand outside of the actual products. Famous for its elaborate and movie style commercials, earlier this year, Dior also homed in on the tech craze and made mobile fashionable in its multichannel effort to promote its iconic product the Lady Dior handbag.

The movie which is available to view via an iPhone application , is reminiscent of a black-and-white Alfred Hitchcock style film and is titled ‘The Lady Noire Affair’. The app allows viewers to watch a trailer, the entire movie and its making all from the comfort of their iPhone.

The Christian Dior brand, founded by French fashion designer Christian Dior was properly launched back in 1947 but what even older brands are recognising and embracing is that old fashioned marketing strategies are no longer effective in today’s era whereby mobile and interactive marketing is far more successful and reaches and engages consumers instantly.

The Dior movie is much like the commercials seen on television for Chanel starring actress Nicole Kidman. The mini-movie is about a woman named Lady Marion and what she may possibly have in her Lady Dior bag. To build anticipation and increase demand for the new Lady Dior bag, the company used social media tool Twitter to reveal one clue a day about the film until its release which of course built up anticipation and created a buzz and excitement about the Dior handbag. The film is a tribute to Dior’s renowned Parisian style and the Lady Dior bag. The film is eight minutes long and is the first of a series of four mini-movies.

Christian Dior is an incredibly iconic brand and the designer was renowned for his ability to create beautiful shapes and silhouettes and made women look ultra feminine. A famous quote from the designer ‘I have designed flower women’ and this involved a look which accentuated the waist and bust and creating garments which created a curvaceous look.

The collection of Dior sunglasses are wonderfully exquisite and glamorous, and designed to look fabulous and create a high couture style statement. Famous for the love of the colour pink which is a common colour in many of the Dior accessories, some of the sunglasses feature rose tinted lenses and pink frames but remain ultra chic and sophisticated. Some of the new styles also include dramatically oversized frames which are reminiscent of 1950’s Hollywood glamour and there is also a selection of contemporary frames that are simple in style and highly on trend.

Dior is a classic brand that it has a unique style of its own. If you wear Dior, it definitely says something about your style personality and this is a high fashion designer label that depicts the essence of femininity. Dior is incredibly popular and regarded as sought after by many young people who favour the brand for the reason that it was loved decades ago. By keeping up with technology and adapting its marketing strategies accordingly, this has enabled the brand to reach out to the younger and tech savvy generation. The style of advertising campaigns and movies are also directed to portray the brand as one which oozes beauty, delicacy and glamour and also adds an element of the entertainment factor to the Dior brand which has proved to be very effective.

Brand Focus – D&G

December 15, 2009
Posted by Laura

Design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the creative brains and faces behind the famous luxury brand D&G and it is these two gentlemen who are responsible for making the A List celebs look and feel fabulous and glamorous on the red carpet with looks that we are constantly trying to replicate. Their super sexy styles have been seen on the likes of Naomi Watts, Scarlett Johansson Ashlee Simpson and Nicole Kidman to name only a few.

How the Brand Began-: The D&G brand became established in 1985, when the organisers of the Milano Collezioni invited the two designers to take part in a fashion show which was geared to showcase new design talent. The next year they boldly presented their first independent women’s ready-to-wear show and became an instant hit. Becoming increasingly popular the design duo then expanded their lines to menswear, fragrances and accessories including the iconic D&G watches and D&G sunglasses. What is signature and loved about D&G is the way they entwine their own Mediterranean inspired style with a typically English classic edge.

Inspired by Bohemia-: The design duo first discovered their main inspiration in a thrift shop called Bohemia where they stumbled across an array of animal print garments in bold colours. Loving the fact that this style represented the glitz and glamour of the film industry, the designers wanted to represent the theme of telling a story in their clothes and accessories. Their main priority is always to design pieces to flatter and reflect personality as opposed to merely following trends. They even admitted that they wouldn’t mind if their only valid contribution to fashion was a black bra as long as it was flattering and well made!

Sexy and Classic D&G-: D&G clothing is sophisticated and classic but with a strong hint of sexiness such as the concept of wearing underwear as outerwear including corsets – a garment that D&G is famous for. Pinstripe suits and bold animal prints are also a common D&G favourite, again keeping the look chic but with edgy suggestions. Overall the brand likes to make any female feel that with the use of well designed clothing, they can be as glamorous as they have ever desired. Some of their simple suits or tailored shirts for example are still designed to reveal a hint of sexiness in the specific cut of the garment. Another powerful tool the brand uses is controversial and bold advertising campaigns. The most iconic advertisement was probably featuring the super glamorous model Marpessa in 1987 and most recently the brand has released a rather risqué advertising campaign with the theme ‘Three’s A Crowd’ for D&G Time.

D&G watches and sunglasses-: The range of D&G watches and D&G sunglasses are quite spectacular and are a great way of bringing that unique and daring D&G design to your look with the use of a simple accessory. The retro influence and Bohemia style is also conveyed in many of the designs. There are some beautiful new D&G sunglasses to look out for in an array of styles such as aviators, wraparounds, retro sporty and oversized, all of which inject bold colours, strong designs and are incredibly striking and fashion forward. The range of D&G watches continue the glamorous theme with a whole host of stunning designs ranging from bright and bold to elegant and chic and even eclectic with a strong hint of bling! D&G is a brand whereby you are sure to find something to your taste and the collections allow you to be as over or understated as you wish.

D&G is a must-have for any fashionista and style lover. The brand is perfect as a way of expressing your own unique style with that high end designer look that is instantly recognisable as D&G. The brand is always at the forefront of the fashion industry whether this being with the launch of new collections, at events or via a new advertising campaign that gets everyone talking! D&G has that star quality that separates you from the crowd and will see you through seasons in true style with its timelessly fashionable products.

Celebrities favour Armani Sunglasses

May 15, 2009
Posted by sarah

You don’t get much more ‘designer’ than Giorgio Armani. You’ll have seen pictures of the man before, generally with his arm wrapped around the waist of a glamorous actress or a gorgeous model. A big happy, toothy white grin in a tanned face on the body of a diminutive, distinguished, older man.

Designers often use high profile figures in their advertising campaigns and Armani is no stranger to this ploy. As a friend of the Beckhams and inspired by their good looks and global influence, Armani has used the couple in his current underwear campaign to great effect. Both Victoria and David are known across the world for their amazing bodies and love of fashion and Armani’s campaign has them posing seductively together and separately in beautifully designed underwear.

As well as sporting masses of Armani on the red carpet, celebrities are often seen out and about in stylish Armani sunglasses. Current favourites include model ‘9426/S’ which Lauren Conrad from The Hills wears, Russell Crowe was spotted at the premiere for his latest film ‘State of Play’ wearing Armani’s GA 567/S Aviators and wraparound model ‘9436’ is worn frequently by Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman.

Armani sunglasses are both stylish and chic. With a vast range to choose from, Shade Station has the freshest and most current styles to suit your face shape and help you emulate your favourite celebrity!

Click here to visit our Armani Sunglasses section