>> "Marc Jacobs doesn't give a f***," an article in the May 2008 issue of GQ tells us, punctuated by a flippant picture of MJ with strategically-placed pink balloon.  Well, maybe not, but do we give a f*** about the "new Marc," outspoken and outrageous as he is?

Author Lucy Kaylin uncovers the reasons behind the transformation:

»Why the big diamond studs?

They're Harry Winston, and his "BFF"-cum-trainer "Easy" told him: "Dawg, you're a superfamous fashion designer—like, what about some bling?"  Hence the studs.  And matching black-faced Rolex.

»Why the random tattoos?

He has a bright yellow SpongeBob on his bicep, a scene from Poltergeist between his shoulder blades, and a midcentury-style couch above his hip bone, all just because the images struck him in the moment.  He couldn't care less about the disfiguring permanence.

»Why the stringent diet and workout regimen?

He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, the same disease that killed his father when Marc was only 7.  A nutritionist, Lindsey Duncan, recommended a monastic diet—no flour, dairy, sugar, or caffeine—as well as exercise. Jacobs was so enamored of the results he made the regimen his religion.

»Why the apparent personality change?

He vows that there was no such thing: “It’s still only a facade.  I’m still the same person. My sex life, my sexual interests, my libido, are exactly the same as they always were. It hasn’t changed my wiring or my instincts.”

Are you convinced?

>> The newest proposed solution for monitoring models' health comes today, out of France.  The French parliament's lower house just approved a bill that, if passed by the Senate in coming weeks, could effectively make it illegal for anyone to "incite extreme thinness." 

The law would allow a judge to imprison and fine any offending fashion magazines, advertisers, and web sites  up to $47,000.  Didier Grumbach, president of the French Federation of Couture, expressed strong disapproval:

Never will we accept in our profession that a judge decides if a young girl is skinny or not skinny.  That doesn't exist in the world, and it will certainly not exist in France.

I know next to nothing about how the French legal system works, and I appreciate what the bill is trying to accomplish, but I'm a little hazy on how you can legally prove whether someone "excessively" "incited others to deprive themselves of food."  Just saying.

>> Another day, another party . . . this time around, the Gap Design Editions launch at Rockefeller Plaza.  But that doesn't mean it has to be ho-hum: Lily Aldridge accompanied her Gap dress with those crazy heelless Antonio Berardi shoes, Threeasfour's Ange wore bright blue eye makeup, Byrdie Bell went majorly vintage, and Meredith Melling Burke pulled off her best Proenza Schouler. 

My favorite look of the night?  Lisa Cant's simple striped top paired with frothy full skirt from Jason Wu (far right).  Does someone else deserve accolades?  You be the judge.
*images: wireimage

>> Pull on your latex leggings, because superheroes and supervillians are going to be everywhere starting May 5, when the Costume Institute annual gala hits.  To get us in the mood, Grace Coddington enlisted Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci, Dolce & Gabbana, Martin Margiela, John Galliano for Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rick Owens, and Giorgio Armani to custom-make ensembles with certain comics characters in mind. 

The product?  "Daring Do," photographed by Craig McDean, and part of the May 2008 Vogue issue. Coco Rocha looks stellar, but then the best Vogue editorials are always the ones which designers have custom-made clothes for.

The inspirations, in case you're not a comicspedia (me neither):

Top, L-R: Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Silver Surfer

Bottom, L-R: Aurora, Dawnstar, The Little Mermaid, Batman

*images: marvel, scifipedia, joshshill, comicvine, comiccreatorsguild, tfs

Too burdened by the workday to find ways to spend your tax refund? Today's Must Reads will inspire a shopping trip or two, with posts from:

The Ghetto Fashionista finds sunny inspiration for her Spring wardrobe.

Fasshonaburu discovers a $325 plastic mini skirt sold by Emporio Armani.

Thrift Eye breaks the 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' rule with her wardrobe photos.

Avon's new Clinical Dermabrasion System is reviewed by Temptalia.

In My Bag celebrates Tax Day with a few stimulus refund spending ideas.

We are giving this Missoni Chain-Strap Patio Dress props for being a decidedly non-twenty something frock. It's not often that you browse through designer offerings and think, 'Wow, I'm definitely going to wear that when I get older'. That is, most fashion makes you feel just the opposite. Leave it to Missoni, the domestic embodiment of beauty at every age, to create this dress that inspires us to daydream about our glamorous 65 year old selves. The scoop neck dress is fully lined with side pockets, it even comes with a sash. It could, of course, be worn well at any age, we just happen to like the fact that it's mature, flattering, and vibrant enough for a women with slightly more experience.


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Our network partner, Smelly Blog, might have a playful name but she takes perfume very seriously. Right now she is running a series of reports called, 'Spring Essentials' where she covers everything from spring cleaning (and the smelly products involved) to the most common fragrances for the season. In her post on Florals, she uses the natural environment as a basis for articulating her favorite springtime scents. She writes, ' Light white floral notes such as jasmine, orange blossom and mimosa reign my spring fantasies, but it may be different for you depending on your own favourite florals and the particular blooms that inspire your environment.'. Check out our spread below with some her favorite Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Mimosa scents and, for more, her post on florals here.


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