Photo by Steven Meisel

Madonna X Marc Jacob X Meisel X Louis Vuitton
Not to repeat what’s already become a media frenzy at least in LA, we think this collaboration is quite interesting because we’re fans of Madonna and the photo shoot by Steven Meisel resulted in beautiful sepia-toned images from a French-looking caf?, even though it actually took place on North Vermont in Hollywood in a restaurant called Figaro not far from Label Networks’ office. Marc Jacoob’s the creative director for Louis Vuitton, was looking for an icon that represented where he was headed with next seasons’ collection and after seeing Madonna the night before in Paris and being blown away by her performance, thought she would be perfect. He texted, she texted back, and to make the love triangle even better, they brought back photog Steven Meisel. His shots will be gracing fashion mags in February with the launch of the campaign.


Photo by Steven Meisel

Loomstate X Target
It’s nice to know that Target is moving in a green direction. In their second collaboration with designer Rogan Gregory. He’s utilizing his green label Loomstate to create a new collection to center around Target’s fresh moves towards sustainability in apparel and bringing in high-end designer collaborations. The collection which will feature T’s, bikini board shorts with pelican prints named Persey, pants and jackets, will use Loomstate’s attention to details and textiles such as linen and silk blends and various organic cotton pieces. Rogan came to fame based on his aesthetics to sustainability and fair trade, especially in Africa. He has worked with U2’s Bono and his wife Ali Hewson’s label called EDUN, and won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in November for his visionary work in fashion. This will be Target’s 11th designer in their Go International program to bring top designers from around the world to Target, also known as masstige (see related stores on Label Networks). The Loomstate X Target collection will first come out in a limited-edition run on Earth Day, April 22, with prices ranging from $14.99 to $44.99, and roll-out through May, 2009.


Loomstate

Loomstate X Rogan Gregory X Target

Jeff Staple X Payless X Airwalk
If any late ’80s-early ’90’s footwear brand has made a comeback it’s Airwalk. Based on many different strategies by owners Collective International that have obviously worked, the brand has reinvented itself for a whole new generation and now caught the attention of up-and-coming designer Jeff Staple from Staple Designs who announced that yes, he would be doing a collaboration with the sneaker brand and get this, for Payless, no less. According to various sources (and it may not be quite official yet), Jeff will create 12 different street and skate influenced styles for Payless of Airwalk shoes. The collection will debut in 400 Payless shoes store locations in the Fall of ’09 and the best part is the “paying less” at only $50 a pair.


Label Networks’ Photo from Imprint Culture Lab with Jeff Staple 4th from left (Hiroshi Fujuwara is 2nd from left)

Puma X Mihara Yasuhiro
The design of Puma’s new collaboration with Mihara Yasuhiro is one of the most unique we’ve seen in awhile, yet brings in current trends of metallics in footwear textures. Debuting in Spring/Summer 2009, this collection features an interesting approach to footwear design with unique, almost futuristic car-like shapes in hightops, and usage of textured fabrics especially in bright metallics. Certain to be a hit with nu rave-lovin’ bright-colored sock youth demographics, this collaboration will probably be a popular set of kicks among festival fans for summer 2009.

Puma X Mihara Yasuhiro