Well that was embarrassing. After some of the worst reviews we've ever read (and we mean ever), it's not much of a stretch to imagine that we've already seen the end of the Lindsay Lohan experiment at Emanuel Ungaro. More than just being plain old bad, critics noted that the LiLo/Estrella Archs team didn't respect the Ungaro heritage—a history that began with the thread and needle of Italian émigré Ungaro who combined the kind of brash experimentation, sexuality, and handicraft of his homeland with the sensual, street-ready philosophy of Paris. Half-constructed she-blazers and glittery nipple appliqués just ain't cuttin' it, be they the brainchild of the upcoming Archs or a semi-conscious actress from Merrick. But this all begs the question--If not LiLo, then who should have their hands on the hot reigns of The House of Ungaro? Here's our top five list of contenders.
Chris Benz—You want flirty color and relaxed cuts? Benz has got that in spades. He's becoming more renowned with every season, and the backing of a internationally recognized (though oft-troubled) house could give him the muscle to fulfill the more fantastical ambitions lurking behind his designs. If he amps up the sex and holds on to his intuitive grasp of femininity, this just might work.
Zac Posen—Ok, sure, the man is a name in of himself—but when was the last time he really impressed us? Posen's been on the down side of an invisible streak for the last couple of seasons, and perhaps a change in setting could do him well. A switch to an overseas house could allow him to experiment with someone else's heritage and—perhaps most importantly, would send flocks of cool girls running back to Ungaro.
Yigal Azrouël—The ladies love Yigal… and they dig his clothes, too. While not the most experimental clothes-maker on the block, the Israeli designer is so completely keyed in to what women want without trussing them up in bizarre confections, that he may be ideal for Ungaro. He's a master with leather, silks, and other materials that are core to the Ungaro tradition, and it doesn't hurt anyone's bottom line that he's a regular in the gossip pages.
Christopher Kane—The success of the loud, lush Brit's collabs with Topshop and his own label have showed that while he has an Englishman's understanding of material, cut, and embellishment, he's got an Italian soul. We've all been a bit terrified of his famous crocodile T-shirts and, perhaps more importantly, a bit turned on. A fave of front-row celebs, he would be able to pull on current fashion idols like Rihanna and others to bolster the House's spiraling cred.
Chloë Sevigny—If owner Asim Abdullah is dead set on going with a celeb, he could do worse than New York's umlautted favorite fashion daughter. With a Parisian sense of style and the ability to go oversized-blazer casual to slinky LBD with the bat of an eye, Sevigny is just a few steps away from being the ideal Ungaro girl to begin with, and her collabs with Opening Ceremony have resulted in some sharp, sexy footwear. Sure, she says she'll only ever work with O.C., but we'll believe it when we see it.