>> Chanel Again Denies Rumors That Alber Elbaz Will Replace Karl Lagerfeld —Jak & Jil photographer Tommy Ton's Tweets during Paris Fashion Week ("I received some news tonight that is going to SHAKE the fashion world in the next two days. CRAZY!!!! . . . I can't tell. I swore I'd zip the lip but I'll tell you my mouth nearly dropped to the ground when the news was whispered into my ear") caused rumors of Karl Lagerfeld being replaced by Alber Elbaz at Chanel to resurface, but Chanel has promptly denied them once again with a statement asserting that Lagerfeld has a long-term contract: "Replacing him is not an issue." Today, meanwhile, Ton Tweeted again about the news: "You think u know but u have NO idea. Sorry, it isn't my place to announce this news. You'll know exactly what I'm talking about soon . . . Here's a clue: view the Style.com Paris videos and see if you can figure it out. Tehehehe :P" [@JakandJilBlog, @JakandJilBlog, The Cut, Fashionista, @JakandJilBlog, @JakandJilBlog]

UPDATE: In response to his reports of major news impending, Ton Tweeted: "Guessing game is over. My source and I are the victim of a good prank played by Mr. Tisci himself. He got us good :(" [JakandJilBlog]

>> Net-a-Porter Said to Be Acquired by Richemont —Earlier this year, it was Prada that luxury conglomerate and Cartier and Chloe owner Richemont was said to have its eye on, but for now, Net-a-Porter will have to do, instead.  In a deal expected to be completed this week, Richemont will acquire the remaining 70 percent of Net-a-Porter it doesn't already own, including founder Natalie Massenet's 18 percent stake (worth at least $76 million).  This move is especially notable considering that LVMH shuttered its e-commerce branch eLuxury.com just last year. [Telegraph UK, Fashionista]

>> As promised, the Vogue April 2010 cover features a model — and Gisele Bundchen is the chosen face. Bundchen, who just launched a three product beauty line called Sejaa, tells the magazine her manufacturers "were ready to kill me. I wanted the cream to be organic — they explained that if it's organic, it's alive, and that means it can't survive for a long time." Now, the mud mask and creams are called "natural," and their preservative is coconut oil.

Bundchen's other big project for the year is raising her son, Benjamin Rein: "I wanted him to be called River because I wanted something always flowing, immortal. My husband [Tom Brady] said, 'There's no way we're going to call him River.' But my father's name is Reinoldo, so it's a homage to him. And it's like water."

Gisele's mother is staying in their Boston guest room to help out — "I don't trust anyone else with Benjamin" — and Gisele hasn't left the apartment in six weeks — "too cold." In fact, she's kept herself out of the public eye for months. "I felt like my pregnancy was a sacred moment for me. I stayed in Boston and I didn't work apart from the contracts I have, and then I only let them use my face."

As for her body . . . »

In a selection from the April Vogue cover story, "Earth Mother," now live on Vogue.com, Gisele Bundchen reveals the details of her new beauty line and shares her Bostonian home life with Joan Juliet Buck. The accompanying editorial, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, follows Gisele to the beaches of Costa Rica where she poses with her six-week-old baby boy, Bejamin Rein.

In the article Gisele is excited to discuss her upcoming beauty product line, called Senjaa, which will launch with three products later this year and has been developed to empower teens. According to Bundchen, "I wanted to teach girls to love themselves and take care of their bodies. What is the first thing you see every morning? Your face! What do you put every day on your face? Cream! I have made the simplest, purest cream—an everyday cream—but it comes with an affirmation." Those affirmations are written on the collection's cardboard packaging with a sliding tab that reveals different motivational phrases.

The natural products will not be sold in a store, rather on a website to build a community, "so I can give my little tips," and will start with three items—a day cream, a night cream, and a mud mask.

Source: Patrick Demarchelier/Vogue

>> Tommy Hilfiger Sold to Phillips-Van Heusen — Fresh off one of the strongest Tommy Hilfiger collections in recent seasons (which Peter Som consulted on), Calvin Klein owners Phillips-Van Heusen have acquired Hilfiger from British firm Apax Partners for about 2.2 billion euros ($3 billion).  The deal marks the first major acquisition in retail circles in years, according to the Wall Street Journal.  Tommy Hilfiger has no management role at the company, but remains as the brand's face and "principal designer"; as for Peter Som's continued involvement with the brand, as of the Fall 2010 show, the future of the relationship was uncertain. [WSJ, NYT]

Gisele Bundchen lands her 11th cover for Amercian Vogue's April shape issue.

Richemont is in bids to acquire Net-a-Porter. The Swiss group looks to add the online retailer to stable of luxury goods including Chloe, Alaia, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

John Galliano will become the next chairman of London's Fashion Fringe. He follows Donatella Versace.

Rumors resurface that Karl Lagerfeld has not renewed his contract at Chanel and Lanvin's Alber Elbaz will take over as his successor.

Terry Richardson is working on a relaunch of his website "to have films and sell things like T-shirts," according to Richardson. The photographer is also focused on two new books, including a second installment of TerryWorld by Taschen.

Source: Patrick Demarchelier/Vogue