Tue, 06/23/09 — 03:01:33 PM
>> Calvin Klein — no stranger to pornographic epithets when it comes to their advertising — stirred up a little scandal last week when a still from the steamy Spring 2009 Calvin Klein Jeans commercial shot by Steven Meisel — which has been banned from US television — appeared on a Soho billboard in New York.
The image depicts what could be interpreted as a threesome — but Francisco Costa didn't see anything wrong with it last week at the CFDA Awards: “Please! It’s so, like, old news. Don’t you think we should be a little ashamed for even having to discuss? I mean, it’s great for us. So if you want to talk about it, let’s talk about it. But there was no intention of making that controversial . . . It’s New York City! It’s the 21st century! Honey, we have to move on!"
Calvin Klein menswear designer Italo Zucchelli, too, agreed: "It's my favorite campaign ever!" But it appears that the two designers don't have the final word on their billboards: Yesterday, the image was replaced with a shot of Doutzen Kroes in a red bikini. At least one person was happy with the change — Doutzen went by the new billboard last night, took a picture of herself jumping in front of it, and posted it on Twitter: "BELIEVE IT!!!!!"
Tue, 06/09/09 — 12:59:49 PM
>> The July 2009 cover of Harper's Bazaar has become quite the controversary. The newstand cover features a paparazzi picture of Angelina Jolie, from a red carpet last December, pulled from a photo service, and there is no interview with the actress inside. The subscriber's cover, on the other hand, is a portrait of Doutzen Kroes taken by Terry Richardson, with an accompanying editorial inside.
Glenda Bailey writes in her editor's letter: "For a magazine, the best accessory is a beautiful woman on the cover. This month, we have two." Her readers seem to disagree — the Angelina cover has caused an uproar. As Fashionista puts it: "Bazaar is meant to be one of our venerable American fashion magazines. And this reeks of tabloids more than fashion." A chorus of comparisons to Grazia, InTouch Weekly, and US Weekly from various fashion outlets chime in.
It's an "obvious sales ploy" »
Wed, 05/20/09 — 04:37:03 PM
>> The Cannes Film Festival is well underway and with the red carpet fashion such a focus, it's no surprise that some of the industry's finest are out in full form. Roberto Cavalli, who like last year continues to offer his yacht up to guests and score a number of red carpet moments — including dressing Natasha Poly for today's Inglourious Basterds premiere — was spotted riding around atop a Segway. Georgina Chapman is also in town, cinching Marchesa dress appearances on the likes of Penelope Cruz yesterday and Diane Kruger today.
Lily Cole, in Cannes for her own upcoming movie premiere, stepped out with boyfriend Enrique Murciano on Monday. "I've been studying the history of art in college," she told FWD. "But the gorgeous beach and sun is what everyone needs with two weeks left in the semester!" Carine Roitfeld, who will have her big red carpet moment tomorrow at the amfAR benefit, appeared in lacy Balmain at a premiere today with Patrick Demarchelier.
Balenciaga muse Charlotte Gainsbourg debuted a Fall 2009 dress from the label at her Antichrist premiere, Eva Herzigova showed up in a sheer dress for the second year in a row, and Doutzen Kroes also popped up wearing Alaia, of which she tweeted, "So excited he lets me wear his dress!!"
Tue, 05/05/09 — 01:38:20 PM
>> Despite all the drama before and after, the Costume Institute Gala itself furnished plenty of notable and quotable moments; for those who were wondering, Carine Roitfeld did attend, even though it was reported that Julia Restoin-Roitfeld would not.
Gisele Bundchen pulled out of John Galliano's table at the last minute, choosing to ride in with the Versace camp instead; it sounds like she might be returning as the label's Fall 2009 face — the New York Times reports that her custom Versace dress "was conceived while she was modeling for [Donatella’s] next ad campaign." Helena Christensen, meanwhile, joked of her Zac Posen dress, which read "Vogue," the V formed by a plunging neckline: “It’s so I can remember whose party I’m at."
And while Kate Moss was on hostess duty (and presumably her best behavior) for Anna Wintour, she still managed to be herself, pulling a big wad of gum out of her mouth when asked about being a muse: “I’m amused. I think it’s quite interesting for somebody to go outside of the box and think that a model actually has had some input into fashion. A lot of the time, the models don’t really get a say.”
But they do have a bathroom fascination »
Mon, 04/13/09 — 12:01:41 PM
>> Some models are forthcoming about who they're dating, like Doutzen Kroes, who's been seeing DJ Ruckus for a little over a year — they met at a Vogue party in 2007 — while some, like Chanel Iman, like to keep their fans guessing. In the May 2009 issue of Vogue, Chanel — who finally comes clean about dating rapper Tyga, a relationship rumored since late last year — Doutzen, plus four other models pose with their boys for Patrick Demarchelier.
Some relationships blossomed within the industry — Julia Stegner and Steven Pan, who is Steven Meisel's first assistant; Caroline Trentini and Victor Demarchelier, who first saw each other when he was assisting his father Patrick on a shoot three years ago; Arlenis Sosa Pena and model Rene Rodriguez, who met through their agent; while some went outside the industry — Doutzen, Chanel, and Anna Maria Jagodzinska, who sees economics grad student Duncan Winecoff. Curiously missing from the spread (though she appears elsewhere in the issue)? Lily Donaldson and Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld.
*image: source
Fri, 02/13/09 — 10:25:44 AM
>> Last night, editors and models alike gathered at Cipriani to simultaneously launch Fashion Week — officially — and benefit one of fashion's favorite causes: AIDS research foundation amfAR. Anna Wintour presented and Donna Karan received an award for her contribution to amfAR's mission; Lara Stone, Caroline Winberg, Jessica Stam, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Lily Donaldson, and Anja Rubik (with boyfriend Sasha Knezevic) all got gussied up and came along for the ride. Afterward, there was a mass migration to Rose Bar, where they were joined by Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia for a little enjoyment of the calm before the storm.
*image: source, source
Tue, 11/18/08 — 10:24:42 AM
>> For its fifth anniversary, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund went with the obvious choice, naming Alexander Wang the recipient of $200,000 plus a year of mentoring last night. Vogue favorite Vena Cava and a less expected choice, milliner Albertus Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus, were both named runners-up and will receive $50,000 plus a business mentor. The night's keynote speaker, John Galliano, and his date Charlize Theron were seated next to Anna Wintour and presented the top honors to a teary-eyed Alexander Wang, who said his thank yous onstage as John Galliano rubbed his arm in comfort.
Top hats seemed to be the order of the evening — Julie Gilhart and John Galliano each sported one, the latter with a daisy chain, and Agyness Deyn had on a squished version — while carrot pants and one-shouldered dresses also received numerous nods. Plenty of models are already back in town from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Anne Vyalitsyna came with Costello Tagliapietra, Maryna Linchuk with Rag & Bone, Doutzen Kroes with Irene Neuwirth, and Arlenis Sosa Pena with Rogan.
*image: source, source
Mon, 11/17/08 — 01:35:13 PM
>> After weeks of speculation, we got our answers. As rumored, Izabel Goulart is no longer a Victoria's Secret Angel — there is speculation that she broke her contract to work for Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange — but she, along with the Angels and 26 other non-Angel models, taped the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Miami on Saturday. There were a few casting surprises — no Asian models?; some disappointments — no Natasha Poly or Jessica Stam; and lots of newcomers — Arlenis Sosa Pena, Sarah Stephens, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Sessilee Lopez, Clara Alonso, Edita Vilkeviciute, Erin Heatherton, and even Lara Stone made it after all. Broken glass catwalk aside, Maryna Linchuk had a stellar outing — many have their bets on a Angel contract for her in the future — and Doutzen Kroes cozied up to boyfriend DJ Ruckus at the after-party. All in all, enough party to hold us over until the show airs Dec. 3.
*image: source, source
Fri, 11/14/08 — 02:32:52 PM
>> As the Victoria's Secret yacht rolled into Miami and the girls had a beach photoshoot today, we got to see of the 30 non-Angel faces that will be participating in this weekend's fashion show — 19 of them, to be exact. No sign of Lara Stone, Jessica Stam, or Natasha Poly, but after missing yesterday's event, Izabel Goulart is there. There are plenty of new faces — Abbey Lee Kershaw and Sarah Stephens represent Australia, Arlenis Sosa Pena the Dominican Republic, Maryna Linchuk Belarus, and Erin Heatherton the US.
*image: source, source
Wed, 11/12/08 — 03:17:59 PM
>> Victoria's Secret may not have the cachet of say, Balenciaga, but it can make a model a millionaire. Although the lingerie company is currently taking heat for its rash-causing bras, its event of the year — the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show — is still on schedule for taping in Miami Saturday night.
The Angels — Heidi Klum, Alessandro Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doutzen Kroes, Miranda Kerr, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller — will all be there, but more pressing: Who are the unnamed 30 models who have also been cast for the show?
Fittings have been going on for the past week at least, and yet no names have leaked — the closest to a hint is this photo, above, of what appears to be Lara Stone in a Victoria's Secret outfit. She's not your typical VS model, but the possibility of a multimillion dollar contract in the future is enough to make any model try something new.
*image: source
