The fashion world is buzzing about Grace Kelly as the new retro icon for 2007.
That’s the word from David Wolfe, creative director at the Doneger Group, a New York-based merchandise and fashion consulting firm, in an interview after unveiling his big-picture fashion forecast in January.
For evidence, Wolfe suggests looking no further than the cover of January’s Vogue. Goth-girl-turned-global-humanitarian Angelina Jolie stands regally in the midst of a California desert, hair pinned discreetly in place, a simple and stunning red strapless gown falling gracefully around her curves. The cover caption beckons, “Why Her Real Life Is More Romantic Than Any Movie,” a statement that could have easily described Kelly, the American film star who became a real-life princess.
“Angelina Jolie’s dress looked exactly like something Grace Kelly would wear in `To Catch A Thief,'” said Wolfe.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Grace’s death, one reason that her name and image are returning to prominence, said Toby Boshak, executive director of the Princess Grace Foundation in New York.
But Wolfe says there is something else afoot: a growing weariness of poor taste, from invasive reality TV shows to celebrities behaving badly.
“People are looking for the anti-Paris Hilton,” said Wolfe.
The Princess Grace effect emerged on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards this month, inspiring the stylists not only for Jolie but also for Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz and newcomer Jennifer Hudson, all of whom toned down the glitz in favor of elegant, uncomplicated gowns.
“I was so encouraged,” Wolfe said. “It’s the first inkling that class may be making a comeback.”
DESIGNER PICKS BUCKTOWN: In yet another sign that national retail chains have discovered Chicago’s hip Bucktown neighborhood, designer Marc Jacobs plans to set up shop this summer.
Marc by Marc Jacobs, the designer’s contemporary apparel line, signed a lease to open its first freestanding Chicago boutique this summer at 1714 W. Damen Ave., just below Pagoda Red, the Asian antiques store.
The New York-based retailer has been scouting for locations for the past two years, looking at Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast before landing in Bucktown, said Lorraine Adney, real estate broker at McDevitt Co. for Marc Jacobs in Chicago. Janika Brenner, Anthony Campagni and Adam Secher of Chicago-based Baum Realty Group represented the landlord.
MAG MILE MAKEOVERS: With the new year, the compulsion to start fresh is in the air.
Hugo Boss temporarily shuttered its store at 520 N. Michigan Ave. at Westfield North Bridge and moved to the mall’s third floor while it expands and renovates. The upscale menswear store plans to double its ground-level interior to 9,700 square feet when it adds a second story, taking over the location vacated by fast-fashion clothing store Forever 21. Hugo Boss is scheduled to reopen in the fall and will add women’s clothing and accessories.
Down the street at 600 N. Michigan Ave., H2O Plus shut down its flagship to undergo its first makeover since opening in 2000. The Chicago-based beauty company is redesigning the 1,800-square-foot space in clean white and aquatic tones that reflect the skin-care line’s sea-derived products. The remodel is scheduled to debut Feb. 10.
CHRISTMAS IN JANUARY: A squad of Santa Clauses is ready to chase actor Vince Vaughn into the Westfield North Bridge mall early Saturday for the movie “Fred Claus.” The mall has kept its holiday decorations up to accommodate filming.
———-
smjones@tribune.com
