>> Shot by the ubiquitous Mert and Marcus, this sneak preview of CK's fall ads courtesy of WWD excites me.  A just post-birth Natalia Vodianova shot in the style of Man Ray and Lee Miller, plus the black-and-white, gives for pure drama, pure glamour.  Looks promising.  Verrrrry promising.

>> Kate Moss, watch out -- your status as the model with the rock'n'roll attitude might be in danger.  Our favorite Irina Lazareanu is recording an album with Sean Lennon, and the duo's first single, "Strange Places," is coming out in September.  Sure, Kate, you've recorded a song here and there, but a whole album?  I think not. 

>>  In another month, Hedi Slimane may be doing for Dior Homme what Tom Ford did for Gucci -- getting out.  Hedi's contract, which expires next month, is said to be at a stalemate because of salary demands as well as Hedi's desire to launch a womenswear line.  Things are getting so mired down in the muck, in fact, that Dior is said to have a contigency plan.  A replacement for Hedi.  It will be interesting to see how it all goes down.

>> Although I find their usual fare quite spotty, Bluefly has had a few verdant gems popping up recently -- the ruffled (and very mini) YSL mini baguette, and the textured Rochas pumps.  Lovely, since both are of my favorite color green.

>> Yesterday I said I might like some of the new fall Louis Vuitton ads, but really I was still skeptical.  Glad to see my gut feeling still works for me.  Daria, Raquel, Du Juan, Mert, Marcus, Marc, I am proud to say you've all done good.  On these two anyway.

>>  Surprise!  Miss Moss will not face cocaine charges... as there was "insufficient evidence."  I think we had all pretty much forgotten about the allegations and gone on with our daily lives. 

I am, however, going to use this opportunity to showcase what Kate wore this past weekend to the Isle of Wight Festival -- a gorgeous cape to strike envy in the hearts of us all. 

>>  This is what happens when you have too much brand loyalty...

>> As pre-fall ads are starting to pop up, WWD has provided us with a sneak peek of Louis Vuitton's actual fall fall ads, photographed by Mert and Marcus.  The ads feature Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Daria Werbowy in the style of "the power eighties," complete with technicolor eyeshadow and of course lots of LV accessories (oversize ski hoods, pearl necklaces, leopard-print stoles, sunglasses, colorful mink handbags and the like).  Representing the male quotient is Pharrell Williams, arms draped across LV's ubiquitous monogrammed trunks.  I'm usually not a fan of LV's ads (the ones pictured above included), but the one with Daria sounds promising:  she has a shoe placed askew on her head. 

Missy Rayder, Raquel Zimmerman, Kristina Kruze, and Du Juan were also cast as part of the campaign.

As a side note, a comment from Marc Jacobs which piqued my interest: "[Louis Vuitton]'s first and foremost a bag and luggage company."  So I wonder, why spend all the money doing runway?  It's not like the LV runway is quality anyway... 

>>  To pass the time at Cannes 2006, which he termed "highly suspect at the best of times," British film director Mike Figgis played the part of a beach portraitist, setting up a make-shift studio in his hotel bedroom and photographing various directors, actresses, producers, and writers.  The product?  Quite a few beautiful photographs, my favorites mostly of the actresses, which Mr. Figgis kindly shared with SHOWstudio (and us, by proxy).