>> W is not looking to fill the creative director position that creative director Jody Quon left empty after only three full issues and six months at the magazine. While Quon couldn't be reached for comment, editor Stefano Tonchi shed some light on why Quon might have exited her position: "I really came back 10 days ago [from the fashion shows in Europe] and there was a lot of tension in the office, much more than before."

He added that he was "very sad, very sad" to see her go, and that Quon's reasons for leaving were "very much that she didn't feel comfortable anymore and kind of agreed that it was maybe not the best match." When asked to elaborate on whether the tension resulted from a culture clash or a personality clash, Tonchi said he couldn't speak for Quon, but surmised: "Probably both." He continued: "From my side, I was very happy with what she has done with the magazine, and I appreciate her professionally, and, more than that, her elegance . . . I respect her decision. I accepted it."

As The Daily points out, "Quon had to contend with Baron & Baron wunderkind Joseph Logan, a skilled design director who appears to favor the austere aesthetic pioneered by Fabien Baron. (He's bringing on a new art director from Baron & Baron in the next few weeks to replace Nathalie Kirsheh, who recently decamped to Details.) And the third party to consider: fashion director Alex White, whose relationships with photographers like Mert & Marcus and Inez & Vinoodh are a valuable asset that Tonchi doesn't take lightly. Widely considered to be among the best stylists in the business, White is not known to take a backseat role in creative decision-making."

>> "I think naughty shoots suit my personality," said Lara Stone, who has seen her career grow with controversial images — like those of her in black face, or more recently, those banned from Australia for being "suggestive of rape and violence." "I don't mind doing a straightforward fashion shoot, but it's more fun when there's something naughty in it."

She does mind, however, when images of her are published without permission. In July, she sued French Playboy and photographer Greg Lotus for putting unauthorized photos in the magazine's June 2010 issue. ''Playboy had no right to publish these unauthorised photographs," Stone said at the time. "It's not the kind of publication I would ever choose to appear in. I feel I have no option but to take steps to protect my reputation.''

The case has come to a close, with Stone winning "significant" damages, which she will donate to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Through a statement released by her law firm, Stone said: ''No woman wants photos of them to be published in Playboy without permission. I'm very pleased to have won the case, although of course I would rather not have had to take legal action at all.'' Playboy has also been ordered to publish a prominent legal statement in its next edition, confirming that it has infringed on Stone's image rights.

>> Jessica White, 26, who has been featured in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition consistently since 2003, walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and recently been linked to Sean Penn, was arrested early Saturday morning outside Avenue in New York after being charged with assault — for striking another woman in the face and pulling her hair. According to witnesses, the dispute was over a taxi. Reps for White's agency IMG deferred comment to her lawyer, who said, "The police report doesn't sound like Jessica, and she must have been provoked." [People, NY Post]

>> At a screening of her documentary Picture Me last night, model Sara Ziff, who is a senior at Columbia University, shed a little light on her next project: she's looking into forming a professional organization for models, because as independent contractors as they are now, models have few workers' rights. “I’ve been talking with my adviser at school about how best to start something, whether it may be a labor union like SAG [is] for actors or a nonprofit organization," she explained. "That’s what I’m going to do after I graduate. I want to see it happen and to do it full force.” [Style File]

>> After yesterday's announcement that Olivier Theyskens is joining Theory as artistic director, today brings a little more insight. Theyskens, who will head up a team of 25 people, says that Theory has promised him total creative freedom. He added that despite his high fashion background, he feels capable of designing anything from a glass to a cellphone: “I feel completely in tune with this new orientation.”

Andrew Rosen, founder and co-CEO of Theory, says that since Theyskens starting working with the brand on his Theyskens' Theory capsule collection back in May, the idea of expanding the designer's role had been on his mind: “Working with Olivier on the initial concept for Theyskens’ Theory, I can’t say that I wasn’t thinking about this all along. This was a natural progression. In some ways, it may seem radical, but for Olivier and me, it was not radical at all. He has been involved in the culture of the company for the past six months.”

Theory has sales of over $500 million globally, and Rosen hopes that Theyskens, whose name is recognizable in fashion circles worldwide, will help build the brand's global profile. “I feel that Olivier’s creativity and energy is what we need for our global expansion,” he said. “The world evolves; people’s tastes evolve; and the way of life evolves. Fashion has to evolve too. This is a natural evolution. Companies cannot get stuck in one place. The culture of the company won’t change, but the energy and creativity will change because there is a new force involved. Even though the Theory business is very strong, I felt it was important to step up the game. I saw a great opportunity to infuse Theory not only creatively but also energetically with someone like Olivier.”

Theyskens will be responsible for building out everything from accessories to menswear, the latter which he hasn't done in the past. “I can’t wait,” Theyskens told WWD. “I haven’t designed men’s wear yet, but it’s been on my mind. I feel very comfortable doing men’s wear.” As for designing for the Theory brand at large, Theyskens notes: “It’s much bigger and slightly different, more an expression of a designer line, while the Theyskens' Theory was quite personal."

Theyskens just secured an apartment in New York's West Village, and though he will continue to spend time in Paris, he says of Manhattan living: “Everybody says there is such a good energy here and I agree.” Like Paris, he's also not leaving designer clothes behind; Theyskens said he is open to creating one-of-a-kind pieces for special occasions, but for now, he is interested in exploring more democratic fashion.