Lindsay Lohan's Fashion Career Sputters, Leaving Ungaro in the Lurch UPDATE

(MoneyWatch)  The cover of the current issue of France's Purple Fashion Magazine depicts flowy-locked Lindsay Lohan in a white robe (cut down to there) with arms outstretched. The photo, taken by Terry Richardson, has drawn numerous comparisons to Jesus. Unfortunately, though Lohan was touted by the troubled fashion house of Emanuel Ungaro as its savior, the actress failed to deliver. And Ungaro's been left to struggle.

Lohan was originally brought on board to update Ungaro's flagging image by CEO Mounir Moufarrige. Appointed artistic director, Lohan was to ply her talent as a youthful trendsetter alongside the experienced, yet unknown designer, Estrella Archs to appeal to the under-30 crowd. Their first (and only) collection -- containing a puzzling mix of micro-minis, pasties and sequins -- was widely panned by editors and buyers. Ungaro himself (observing from afar as he no longer has ties to the company) pronounced it "a disaster." Nevertheless, disasters get attention. That's the thing about Lohan: while everyone is quick to criticize, they still turn up in droves anticipating her next debacle. So while the spotlight follows her latest shenanigans in the legal realm (she's suing e*Trade for their Superbowl ad featuring a "milkaholic" baby Lindsay) Ungaro's runway show for Fall 2010 was barely a blip on the fashionista radar. Though Archs' designs leaned heavily toward Ungaro's trademark bright colors and her silhouettes were cute (think more minis, cropped pants and strapless party dresses), they weren't terribly fashion-forward.

It's too bad because Ungaro desperately needs an injection of innovation. However, attempts to makeover its luxury couture image into racier ready-to-wear failed repeatedly over the years. When the Italian footwear company Ferragamo sold the house to internet tycoon Asim Abdullah in 2005, it expressed the hope that the hi-tech millionaire would usher in a new era for the brand. Now it simply looks as though Archs will be the latest designer to be shown the door -?€" perhaps in a prelude for it to be locked and bolted for the last time.

UPDATE: As predicted, Estrella Archs' lackluster Fall 2010 collection will be her last. While Archs continues to develop her own brand, it's still anybody's guess, though Giles Deacon is reported to be in talks with Abdullah. Giles' design sensibilities (as seen on the Fall 2010 ready to wear collection) lean toward edgier silhouettes, monochromatic palettes and a minimalist's eye toward embellishments. Ungaro would be lucky to sign him now, as trends in apparel are moving more toward architectural shapes and simpler construction.