Planting a cocoa tree at the Abuja Central Park and Botanical Garden for the Abuja Green Society; Abuja, Nigeria, July 11.
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»What did the men of Rag & Bone do with all those Swarovski crystals they won along with their 2007 Swarovski Award for Menswear? [Fashionista]

»Julia Stegner, Nicole Trunfio, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Egle Tvirbutaite and more celebrate 10 years of Milk Studios [Of The Minute]

»Carla Bruni-Sarkozy continues her brand loyalty by wearing a Dior Homme tuxedo in her new album promo images [WWD]

»More on Daphne Guinness's "scorching and controversial" September 2008 Vogue Italia shoot [Page Six]

»Francisco Costa gifted CK Jeans face Toni Garrn a dress after she told him she loved it [Chic Report]

»Christopher Kane, Erdem, Marios Schwab, and Roksanda Ilincic all received funding from the British Fashion Council [Vogue UK]

»Vivienne Westwood did like the clothes in Sex and the City, after all [The Cut]

»A peek at Georgina Stoljilkovic for Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Fall 2008 [Models.com]

»Stylists Leslie Fremar and Annabel Tollman move into an office space together [FWD]

>> RIP —Devon Aoki's father and the founder of Benihana steakhouse restaurants, Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki, 69, passed away last night in New York City. He suffered from diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatitis C. Our hearts go out to Devon. [Bloomberg]

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>> Whether she meant to send the message or not, Anna Wintour has reinforced her status as someone not to mess with. 

As of yesterday, she has been added to the list of Barack Obama's bundlers for raising between $100,000 and $200,000 in campaign contributions.  That $1,000-a-head fundraiser, "An Evening with Michelle Obama," she held on June 10 along with Andre Leon Talley, Calvin Klein, and her boyfriend Shelby Bryan, must have been highly successful, because Andre Leon Talley has also been added to the list for contributing between $100,000 and $200,000.  Curiously, their fellow hosts Calvin Klein and Shelby Bryan are nowhere to be found on the list.

All this generosity is good and well, but I can't help but remember when Hillary Clinton pulled out of Vogue earlier this year because she "already [had] the women's vote in the bag" and "[didn't] need [Vogue] anymore," causing Anna to chastise her in Vogue's February 2008 Editor's Letter.  Having full Vogue support on Obama's side must be like icing on the cake.
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Okay chicsters, we're demanding ten minutes of fashion silence. Close those long-lashed eyes, take a deep breathe (no, a cigarette break doesn't count), and think about how totally awesome it is that today is July 11th and we've a whole bunch of summer left to go. Today we're shooting swimsuits at our intern's rooftop pool. We're going to drink some hibiscus iced tea, Dolce & Gabanna will be there (in spirit), it's going to be great (Rob Malmberg is shooting it, he also did this with us). If you're feeling like you need a break from the unrelenting heat (pun) just listen to this Black Mountain song and consider the outfit we've styled for the occasion. There's no easier formula than a t-shirt dress and some Louboutins. Simple as it may be, it's an example of when it looks better not to try so hard and that, we think, is an easy thing to forget when stress waltzes with sunshine. Is today Friday? Pardon us, but you bet your ass it is.

>> ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —After speaking out about the pressures of modeling on The Today Show, many said Ali Michael would disappear from the industry. Here she is, in the Sportmax Fall 2008 campaign — it's not blue chip, but it's something.  Apparently she's in New York right now, which only mean one thing: more potential work. [Fashionista, TFS]