Grammy winning artist Rihanna has partnered with Gucci to be the face of the new Tattoo Heart accessories collection. The collection has been designed by Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini who is very pleased to be involved in the partnership with UNICEF, which is now in it’s fourth year.

“Our relationship with UNICEF is a partnership that I hold very dearly,” said Giannini. “It is an exceptional organization that is able to do so much good in the world. Dedicating a campaign to this partnership is very important to me, and I think Rihanna is perfect for this campaign. Her talent, beauty and optimism perfectly represent the positive attitude that I hope will show in the campaign, which supports a cause we both truly believe in children.”

The Giannini designed UNICEF bag is white and features an image of a heart tattoo and the Gucci logos and colors.

“I love the idea of a heart being tattooed onto the handbags,” said Giannini. “It’s a permanent mark that you can wear with pride and that stays with you. I think that represents very well what we are doing here. This is not a one-off program, but rather an ongoing commitment to the incredible work that UNICEF is able to achieve.”

Rihanna joined Giannini in the Gucci flagship boutique on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to co-host a cocktail reception that was meant as a treat for their guests. Among those attending to consider buying one of the pieces from the new collection were Kelly Rutherford and Becki Newton.

If you didn’t manage to make it on to the cocktail party guest list, don’t worry; the collection is available on-line as well as in stores, but only until January 31, 2009. Gucci will be donating 25% of the proceeds from the sales of the collection to UNICEF.

Entertainment, Fashion, Gucci, News Gucci, Rihanna

How much would you pay for a pair of jeans? $200, $500, more? How about a quarter of a million dollars? Jason Dussault has collaborated with Malcolm Norman, of Bloodline Designs, to create the most expensive pair of jeans ever offered for sale.

What makes these so special? Well, aside from the 2 prototypes, there are only 2 pairs, one adorned with 1080 grams of 18k Marquis rose gold and the other with 1120 grams of 18k white gold (the prototypes are bronze and silver and sell for a significantly discounted $10,000).

The rose gold version is set with 16, 1 carat rubies, 8, .05 carat color diamonds making up the skull eyes and 26, .05 carat rubies on the daggers and cross. The second version trades the rubies for 16, 1 carat and 41, 0.5 carat colored diamonds set throughout the white gold wallet chain.

Dussault has experience creating fancy pants, including stage pants for rock stars like Nickelback and performers like Criss Angel.

Jason Dussault has said that one half of the proceeds from the sale of the two pairs will be donated to Canucks Place Children’s Hospice.

Dussault, Fashion Denim, Deuce, Dussault, Jeans

A satirical play on the bad habits that we all know and love or hate. The shirt designs incorporate this with depictions of sex, drugs, and vandalism. Smears of paint and glossy images cap off the look as well as raw and gritty skulls with Mohawks or hornets.

Many of the shirts have graphics that were taken from an artist’s sketch book. Dom Rebel Threads combines a social commentary with a kick ass rock star image.

Dom Rebel, Fashion 2008, Dom Rebel

Begin with hand-painted shirts, ink imported from France. Finish off with individually placed Swarovski crystals pronged set directly into the shirts. We’re not talking your 1980’s bedazzler anymore. The shirts are said to take 2-6 hours to put together and are all made out of the Montreal workshop. Designs include birds, skulls, wings, and killer bees, not to mention the embellished lettering work which finishes off the look.

Dom Rebel, Fashion Canadian, Dom Rebel, Swarovski

This Montreal based clothing meaning “Master of Rebellion” in Latin, portrays a free spirit and no holds barred rebel urban chic aesthetic. Dom Rebels’ t-shirts hold an edgy, bold look with bright colours combined with graffiti inspired calligraphy.

The shirts have a worn out look and paint splattered finish. Slogans for example read: “Dirty Bastard”, or “Fuck Pink”. All products are sold to retailers in limited stock in order to uphold the spirit of uniqueness and authenticity.

Dom Rebel, Fashion Canadian, Dom Rebel

With its flashy names and bold, bright designs, it is no wonder why Christian Audigier has become one of the fastest rising clothing lines worldwide. The general public as well as celebrities have been fans of the various lines including Ed Hardy^TM, SMET^TM, Crystal Rock^TM, C-Bar-A^TM, Savoir Faire^TM, Evel Knievel ^TM, Rock Fabulous^TM, and Paco Chicano^TM. Many do not know but, Audigier began with Von Dutch, putting trucker hats on the map.  By making a statement on society as well as turning the hats ‘kitsch glam’, Audigier’s vision is always cutting edge.

In collaboration with Ed Hardy’s authentic designs, Audigier embodies street couture and art in an inventive combination. The bright tattoo designs on Ed Hardy gear have a rich history; Hardy has been a well respected tattoo artist and printmaker in the tattoo industry. Hardy’s designs incorporate Japanese, Traditional, Cholo as well as hot rod images. The collaboration between Hardy and Audigier reveal a relic of the past as tattoo art combines with street wear producing a powerful pop cultural statement.

Celebrities such as Ashley Tisdale, Britney Spears, Madonna, Heidi Klum, Toni Braxton, Diddy, Dennis Rodman and even Larry King sport Ed hardy gear. The diverse clientele suits the variety of colour design in the clothing. Knits hoodies with rhinestone embellishments and embroidered tattoo designs are a trademark of the line. Designs include Geishas, koi fish, daggers, skulls, flowers, mermaids, hearts, and tigers. What draws me to the designs is the bright colour with old school traditional art evident in the clothes. Definitely inspired by the 50′ Americana or Sailor Jerry tattoo art.

Ed Hardy designs are appealing as they punctuate our need for sharp bright design and the flashy celeb look. With the rise of interest in body modification it is no wonder why tattoo art on clothing has become the next huge trend in a body image obsessed world. However, it is a lot less of a commitment to wear tattoos on your shirt instead of having them inked into your skin. Ed Hardy allows us to have a new tattoo every day.

Christian Audigier, Fashion Cholo, Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy, Paco Chicano, Sailor Jerry, SMET, Von Dutch