Karl Lagerfeld's clique hit London for the opening of his Olympic popup in London, the ladies of Downton Abbey celebrated in Beverly Hills, and a host of chic young things turned up in Los Angeles for the Teen Choice Awards. Who exactly was there, and what did they wear? See it all — and more —right here, in our best-of-the-week roundup.
For anyone who's ever found themselves in awe of the chic sales associates at their neighborhood boutique, this site's for you. Through portraits and interviews, the new blog The Shopkeepers aims to do for shopkeeps what The Sartorialist did for stylish passersby. "A lot of people are shopping online as opposed to shopping in stores," the blog's creator, Sidney Prawatyotin, says. "A big part of that is due to convenience, but I know a lot of friends who are intimidated by shopkeepers, me being one them."
"My two favorite hobbies are photography and shopping," Prawatyotin explains. "Sometimes I find myself going to my favorite shops just to hang out with the shopkeepers and not buying anything. The Shopkeepers is meant to keep brick and mortar alive while satisfying people who shop online."
In addition to demystifying the whole boutique-shopping experience, the site also offers interviews with some of the fashion industry's most trusted tastemakers. Want to know where Julia Frakes, Kate Young, or Phil Oh love to shop? It's all there. Plus, there's even a handy Pinterest account where readers can shop the latest "keepers" from the boutiques featured.
Source: The Shopkeepers
What better way to celebrate the arrival of one's first shoe collection than with an intimate luncheon at Fred's? On Thursday afternoon, a host of fashionable pals — including Jessica Alba — joined designer Narciso Rodriguez to do just that.
"We've known each other for years," Alba told Fashionologie as she and Rodriguez mingled with guests Mark Holgate, Sally Singer, Candy Pratts Price, Simon Doonan, and Alessandra Codinha. "It was very sweet," Rodriguez mused about their first meeting eight years ago. "We have a good mutual friend who brought Jessica to my office."
And just like any old friends would, the duo chatted jovially throughout the three-course lunch, which consisted of chilled mint and pea soup, lobster salad and fries, and a trio of gelato. Afterward, the entire party headed downstairs to ogle the designer's entire display on Barneys' newly renovated shoe floor. "When I saw the collection at the studio a couple of months ago, I definitely tried these on," Alba said, gesturing to a pair of green-and-black pumps. "They weren't even in my size, but I was walking around in them. They're comfortable, they're super, super sexy, and they're modern. They're everything.
"You know, I think that's the thing about his clothes, too," the actress said. "They're for a very strong woman, a very sexy woman, a very powerful woman. And I think everyone wants to feel that way."
For a closer look at the event — and the shoes — click through the slideshow.
Source: BFA
Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.
Above: The finale of Gucci's Fall 2012 show.
It's common knowledge that Kate Moss is one of the most beautiful women in the world, but what's not so well known is the sheer difficulty of locating someone who looks like her.
"We're looking for a Kate Moss body double, but it's very difficult to find anyone of her shape," said Alison Jackson, known for her portraits of celebrity lookalikes. "Kate has the perfect configuration, everything's perfect. How do you find that? Some people have the torso, some the legs, but, so far, no one has the full package."
Recently, Jackson has photographed doppelgangers of Victoria and David Beckham, Queen Elizabeth II, and Katy Perry and Rihanna.
Photo: Kate Moss photographed by Sonia Sieff for the September 2011 issue of Elle France.
The upcoming issue of Love magazine will feature photos of Alessandra Ambrosio baring her very pregnant stomach the day before she gave birth to her son, Noah. Photographer Boo George captured the model relaxing in a t-shirt and cutoff jean shorts on the beach in Ambrosio's hometown, Florianopolis, Brazil, shortly before her May 7 delivery.
The photos will accompany images of actresses from the costume drama Downton Abbey, who also appear on the issue's multiple covers.
Ambrosio isn't the only model who's been photographed with child recently. Her fellow Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima will appear in next year's Pirelli calendar sporting a pregnant stomach.
A glimpse at some outtakes from George's shoot with Ambrosio here in the gallery.
Industry heavyweights Cynthia Rowley, Michael Bastian, and Alexis Bittar met at FIT to dole out advice and talk about the beginnings of their careers with a group of fashion aspirants from across the country.
Mickey Boardman of Paper magazine moderated the discussion, clad in a leopard-print cardigan and a necklace from Givenchy. "With luck and a lot of hard work you can make it to the middle the way I have," he said, making the audience giggle for the first of many times that evening. Stylist Lori Goldstein and Saks Fifth Avenue executive Terron Schaefer joined the conversation, which touched on everything from the panel members' zodiac signs (Schaefer, like Anna Wintour and Glenda Bailey, is a Scorpio) and how they started their careers (Bittar sold vintage jewelry from a table on St. Mark's Street in New York City when he was 13 years old).
The stories were memorable, but perhaps the most valuable tidbits for the intern-filled audience — many of whom were participants in the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Program — were pieces of the panel's sage advice.
Photo: From left, Cynthia Rowley, Mickey Boardman, Alexis Bittar, Lori Goldstein, Michael Bastian, and Terron Schaefer.
Alexander Wang cast his Met Gala date, rapper Azealia Banks, in the Fall 2012 campaign video for T. In the Daniel Jackson-directed clip, Banks performs the song "Van Vogue" — which name checks Céline and Dolce & Gabbana but not Alexander Wang — while wearing a variety of T garments. "She exudes a certain rawness that makes her a very unique talent," Wang said in an interview. "I loved working with her on this video for T Fall 2012, and think the collaboration captures a collision of energies."
Wang traditionally casts musicians in his T campaigns; in the past, he's worked with Diplo, Santigold, and Die Antwoord. This video marks the first time Banks has gone in front of the camera for Wang. Her track "212" provided the music for his Spring 2012 campaign video with Liya Kebede.
A look at Banks's performance in the video below.
