SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015

British model Naomi Campbell poses for pictures as she arrives British actor Colin Firth and his wife Livia pose for pictures as British fashion designer Victoria Beckham poses for pictures. on the red carpet for the ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty they arrive on the red carpet. —AFP photos Gala’ at the Victorian & Albert Museum in London. UK fashion icon McQueen honored by London show

tars turned out to honor the late “enfant terrible” of British Rytter revealed that McQueen was an avid watcher of nature pro- against models in imperious red, white and gold robes of feath- fashion, Alexander McQueen, on Thursday, the opening par- grams, reflected in the use of animal parts including pheasant ers, furs and gems. The display echoes the 1995 “Highland Rape” Sty of a London show celebrating the designer five years after and goose feathers, razor clam shells, jewel-studded bird skulls, show, which explored the historic treatment of Highland Scots by his death. More than 70,000 tickets have already sold for the crocodile heads and antlers. English rulers, cementing his reputation as fashion’s “enfant terri- “Savage Beauty” show, which opens to the public on Saturday at Some costumes are inspired by gazelles; others conjure up ble”. London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The director calls it an images of ostriches. “I think he was inspired by nature because it Audio clips of McQueen played throughout the exhibition cel- “emotional homecoming” for the designer who committed sui- was so unpredictable,” she said. “The savage, animals that are ebrate the influence of London on his career. “It brings the man cide in 2010 aged 40 and is remembered as one of Britain’s most wild and untamed, living in the free. “He always questioned into the exhibition and emphasizes the importance of London, influential cultural figures of recent times. beauty, it’s not conventional,” she added. “In the early days it was the capital city, his home where he grew up, where he was edu- The fashion world was out in force for the opening, attended rawer and he was very personal. He was an untamed designer.” cated and where he started showing his collections,” Wilcox told by Britain’s David and Victoria Beckham and models Naomi There is a hint of his untamed side-recently laid bare in a contro- AFP. Reflecting his love of the macabre, the Cabinet of Curiosity Campbell, Kate Moss, Eva Herzigova and Poppy Delevingne in full versial biography-in nightmarish leather-masked mannequins offers quirky garments and accessories, including work with other ball gowns. They were joined at the dinner by Mexican-born film sporting Victorian Gothic dresses. designers. Most stunning perhaps is supermodel Kate Moss, star Salma Hayek, English actor Colin Firth in a tuxedo and McQueen’s close friend, appearing as a giant floating hologram Britain’s Princess Beatrice. On view from Saturday are 240 outfits ‘Inspiration to designers’ draped in one of his ethereal white-feather creations. Also on typifying McQueen’s distinctive and occasionally bizarre style in It was McQueen’s vision, his exploration of historical and politi- show are the distinctive “armadillo” shoes worn by Lady Gaga in the museum’s largest ever fashion exhibition. Curator Claire cal themes and collaborations with members of the Young British the video for “Bad Romance”. Fashion forecaster and early visitor Wilcox described McQueen as “one of the most influential design- Art (YBA) movement of the early 1990s that led Rytter to call him Jaana Jatyri said the show would further burnish McQueen’s lega- ers of his generation who shocked with his spectacular and pow- a genuine artist. “You can consider him as one of the YBAs cy. “He was an inspiration to fashion consumers and also to erful catwalk shows”. The exhibition, she said, was a reflection of because he had craftsmanship but he also created a spectacle,” designers,” she said. “He will come back to life, I am sure, through his “elaborate storytelling, craftsmanship of the highest level” and she said. “He drew in so many inspirations from art,” she added. this exhibition.” — AFP his romantic obsession with nature. On display are technical skills “He was surrounded by all these young British pop artists who honed as an apprentice on London’s exclusive Savile Row and were pushing Britain forward.” characterized by precisely tailored curves and exaggerated sil- His interest in politics and history are underlined by a row of houettes that became his trademark. Research assistant Louise mannequins in tartan, inspired by his Scottish roots, facing off

Kathy Griffin quits ‘’

he “Fashion Police” force is dwindling, with Giuliana Rancic’s red-carpet criticism of African- Kathy Griffin following out American singer-actress ’s dreadlocks. Tthe door. Griffin announced her departure Rancic said they suggested the smell of marijuana. Thursday, after just seven episodes, in a posting Zendaya went online to slam the remarks as on her Twitter account. The tweet was verified by “outrageously offensive.” Rancic later apologized, her office. saying the experience taught her not to perpetu- Griffin said her style didn’t mesh with the E! ate clichÈs and stereotypes. Griffin came to channel show’s “creative direction,” but her “Fashion Police” as a replacement for her friend lengthy tweet also veered off into apparent criti- and mentor, the late . In a statement, cism of how “Fashion Police” critiques celebrity the channel said series executive producer and looks. “There is plenty to make fun of in pop cul- Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, will step in for the next ture without bringing people’s bodies into it. ... I episode. That will air as scheduled March 30, the do not want to use my comedy to contribute to a channel said, with Rivers joining remaining co- culture of unattainable perfectionism and intoler- hosts Rancic and Brad Goreski. There was no ance towards difference,” she posted. word on who will permanently replace Griffin, Griffin tweeted that her goal is to help whom the channel thanked for her work, or “women, gay kids, people of color” and anyone Osbourne. — AP who feels underrepresented to have a voice and a In this Jan 15, 2015, file photo, Kathy Griffin of the E! show “Fashion Police” poses at the laugh. Osbourne exited “Fashion Police” two NBCUniversal Cable 2015 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington Hotel, in weeks ago after complaining about co-host Pasadena. — AP