>> This Summer's gorgeous bevy of rope necklaces and bracelets combine organic elements like shells, stones and beads with futuristic pops of neon, shiny hardware and innovative textures. Layer them on friendship-bracelet style for a bit of surfer-bohemian chic or wear them on their own with sleek basics for a more polished, artsy vibe.
>> Summer is a time to escape the hot and sticky city for cool breezes and sunshine — Turks and Caicos, anyone? But there's something to be said about packing the right elements to have you looking effortlessly polished. After all, Summertime is all about easy, non-fussy style.
To start you off, a chic titanium Rimowa suitcase to hold all of your necessities . . . the rest of our essentials in the shoppable slideshow.
>> This year's Cannes Film Festival came to a close yesterday; French though it may be, aside from Chanel, it was the Italian brands who reigned supreme amongst this red carpet bunch: Giorgio Armani, Emilio Pucci, and Roberto Cavalli, in particular. But that's not to say there weren't one-off sightings of Alaia, Louis Vuitton, and Chloe — and even Melanie Laurent in her second Dior couture gown, providing another preview of what's to come from the house's design studio in July. Giovanna Battaglia's vintage Versace get-up, Kirsten Dunst's Rodarte look, and more in the slideshow.
>> This season, the quintessential "girl" color gets a much-needed update. Spotted on the Spring 2011 runways of everyone from Costume National to Valentino — and in every shade from barely-there pastels to super-bright magenta — pink is definitely the hue of the season. But don't expect to find the bubble gum pop and saccharine sweetness of Summers past — this season's take is unexpectedly edgy and all grown up. Look for pieces with modern, pared-down silhouettes and surprising details: accessories in unpredictable materials; dresses in clean, breezy shapes; and jewelry that walks the line between delicate and tough. Click through to shop our top picks from Cacharel, Prada, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Matthew Williamson and more in the slideshow.
Left to Right: The Row Spring 2011, Celine Fall 2011, Blumarine Spring 2011, Cacharel Spring 2011, Valentino Spring 2011, Loewe Spring 2011, Costume National Spring 2011
>> Balmain has confirmed that it has a diffusion line in the works — to be called Pierre Balmain, after the house's founder. The line, which will encompass both women's and men's wear, will be created by a separate design studio, overseen by the house and its new designer, Olivier Rousteing.
An official launch presentation for Pierre Belmain is expected in September — possibly in New York, which would likely coincide with Fashion Week. A spokesperson confirmed that the new range "will be younger"; it is also anticipated that it will have more accessible price points.
>> Edward Enninful, who left contributing fashion editor gigs at Vogue and Vogue Italia behind this month to become W's new fashion and style director, has also exited his position as fashion director at i-D, which he has held since 1991, when he was 18. His replacement is reportedly the stylist Charlotte Stockdale, who has worked with i-D in the past and whose clients have ranged from Fendi to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Enninful's first issue for W, meanwhile, will be the September 2011 issue. [@fashedatlarge, @EdwardEnninful]
>> After two months of seeking offers, Jimmy Choo is being sold to German luxury goods company Labelux — which also has holdings in Bally and Derek Lam — for an undisclosed price.
Labelux is said to have paid more than 500 million pounds ($811 million) for Choo. The brand was originally valued at 549 million pounds ($889.4 million), and had net sales of 150 million pounds in 2010.
The current Jimmy Choo management team, including CEO Joshua Schulman and chief creative officer Tamara Mellon, a co-founder of the company, will remain in place. Mellon, who retains a 17 percent stake in the brand, is understood to have made tens of millions of pounds from the deal, and she and Schulman are expected to make an investment alongside Labelux.
“Jimmy Choo is a perfect fit for us, and we see ourselves as long-term strategic investors,” said Reinhard Mieck, CEO of Labelux. “Joshua, Tamara and the management are going to need to deal with us for a very long time. We are thinking about strategies today that will take us beyond this generation to the one after that."
Labelux plans to increase Jimmy Choo's brand presence in China, as well as in men's shoes and handbags.
