5 Things About Tyra Banks

Our pals at fashionista.com take a look at Wall Street Journals interview with this weeks #2 Best Selling author Top Model Tyra Banks and why her mom liked the "gay male-ness" of her new book!

Tyra Banks is officially a New York Times bestselling author–Modelland snagged the number two spot this week on the Times‘ besteller’s list for children’s chapter books–adding to her growing list of successful non-modelling ventures, which include 17 cycles of America’s Next Top Model , a talk show, and completing her final year at Harvard Business School. Thus, the Wall Street Journal has dubbed Banks a “Model Mogul” and chatted with her about the process of writing her young adult fantasy trilogy, her book tour and growing empire.

From bouts of alopecia to emotional bonding over large foreheads, here are the five most fascinating things we learned from the interview:

1. Tyra reads lots of young adult fiction, knew that was the audience she wanted to target:

I’ve always felt very connected to teens. I was riding in the back of a car on the FDR and the idea just popped in my head. I just wrote the idea down on a piece of paper. I’m pretty realistic about myself and I didn’t think 50-year-old people would say, “I must read Tyra’s literature.” I get it. I knew that I could communicate to teens better.
Of course I read “The Hunger Games.” I’m on the third one right now. I love Roald Dahl. On my nightstand right now is “James and the Giant Peach,” which I’m reading for the second time. I just finished “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” I read three “Twilights.” There’s a book I love called “Blue Plate Special.” I just bought “The Book Thief.” YA doesn’t mean that it’s super simple. There are beautiful layered stories and darkness.

2. Tyra got alopecia from the stress of writing Modelland:

Honestly, chilling for me was eating a meal. I couldn’t just look at the ocean. And in hindsight that wasn’t healthy. How can I say this without tearing up? I got a little alopecia from the stress.

3. She turned in the first 1,000 page draft of Modelland to her mom, who liked the gay male-ness of it:

I told her to go to a hotel and focus. It was 1,000 pages. First she said: Tookie has too many bad things happening to her, so I removed a lot of heavy stuff. It was imperative that the reader connect with her and invest. The second thing was she liked that she felt me, that kind of gay male thing that I do. That campiness was important. My editor said a lot of the same things as my mom. The next step was painful, because we had to cut 50%. But looking back I could cut more.

4. Thanks to Tyra’s Harvard Business School professors, there will not be a Tyra Banks food collection:

Professors explained to me that focus is great. Being the biggest and having your foot in a bunch of things is not necessarily the best thing. So I came back and focused the message of my company. Harvard said to wait two weeks before you tell your staff, but I couldn’t wait. I said, “If it’s not about expanding the definition of beauty and making women feel physically and emotionally better about themselves, then we’re not doing it.” We put away ideas to produce food. I’ve been approached to do real estate with homes geared toward first-time women buyers, spas, all kind of stuff, and we put those ideas away, too.

5. A girl cried in Tyra’s arms at a Barnes & Noble:

At the Barnes & Noble in Union Square, a 13-year-old girl was talking about how big her forehead is. I told her she had a big forehead like me, but I love it and it’s beautiful. I said, “Yeah you’re insecure about it, but there’s something about it that you’re wearing with pride because your hair is slicked back in a bun.” And she cried in my arms.

Scoot over to http://online.wsj.com to read the entire article

Gwen Stefani's Kid's Line At Target First Look

Fashionista.com has the first look at the new Harajuku Kid's line by No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani we recently reported and the line is cute, stylish and we're sure Lil Kingston will be strutting these inspired threads very soon.

Gwen Stefani’s children’s line for Target won’t hit stores until November 13, but we just got our hands on the full look book so you can peruse what may be the most unique collection of clothing ever designed for those under the age of four.

Your kids may not understand what Harajuku means, but unless they possess the rare sophistication of Suri Cruise, they will probably love these clothes because they look like what an overstimulated child would pick out if left to his or her own devices. The line, which caters to infants, toddlers and tweens, is halloween costume-meets-ballerina-meets-schoolgirl. While your baby might get some weird looks for wearing a pink/floral/striped tutu with legwarmers or sweatpants with giant bunny ears on the butt, the clothes are, for the most part, practical and appropriate. You won’t find any kiddy lingerie here.

You can preview the entire sneak peak here

CNN Meet Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion writer, Dhani Maul, gives us the latest scoop on
Karl Lagerfeld's most recent profiling via CNN.

"Karl Lagerfeld is many things, not the least of which is a smart business man. CNN‘s Alina Cho explored this side of the designer/photographer/director/perfumier, who’s shilled everything from luxury pens to washing machines. It’s for the upcoming show Fashion: Backstage Pass From Paris. In this preview clip, he discusses making Chanel relevant:

You know, when I was asked to do it, Chanel wasn’t trendy at all… I’m not proud of the business. If you can make something, OK. If not, I’ll sell it. And we made something out of it because he gave me total freedom…. The label has an image. It’s up to me to update it. What I did, [Coco Chanel] never did, she would have hated.
…Coming up with fresh ideas each season:

I have Alzheimer’s for my own work and I do that on purpose. I think that’s a very good thing because today too many people remember what they did. Forget it all and start again.
…Branding himself:

I’m a walking label. My name is Labelfeld, not Lagerfeld.

Speaking of which, the interview is well timed, as Karl’s new perfume, Karleidoscope, comes out tomorrow.

Afterwards, Alina Cho says Karl “could not have been nicer” and that she saw him in a rare moment without his glasses, reporting that he “looks pretty much the same,” which, um, we kind of don’t believe her because have you seen this picture??

Fashion: Backstage Pass From Paris airs Saturday on CNN and also features interviews with Christian Louboutin, Marc Jacobs and Dior CEO Sidney Toledano. Sounds juicy! - Fashionista.com"

Fashion Week Drama - Milan Speaks

Fashionista writer Hayley Phelan updates us on the fiasco going on with the Fashion week scheduling conflicts and Milan isn't budging!

The war on fashion week’s scheduling continues.
After CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg sent out a rather conciliatory open letter earlier this week, saying the whole thing was one big “misunderstanding,” and that she’s “convinced it will be resolved,” Mario Boselli, head of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, has vowed that no compromise will be made when it comes to Milan’s proposed show dates.

“There is nothing more to add or change,” he told WWD. Adding that “we regret things went this way, but…it is not our fault and…we are not responsible for this turn of events.” He might as well have finished his sentence with “Na-na na-na boo-boo.”

Again, the point of contention goes back to a 2008 meeting between the fashion super powers of Milan, Paris, London and New York where, according to the CFDA and the BFC a permanent agreement regarding the cities’ respective fashion week calendars was set. But, according to Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, that agreement was only to last for three years.

In the letter Boselli says his team re-examined the paperwork dated September 2008 and, “proved that there was no agreement with the CFDA and the BFC regarding the three years 2012-2013-2014, and that, in any case, the postponement of a week for the dates of September 2012 was not on the table.”

Staying mum on all of this he-said, she-said is the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, who at this point could be the ultimate decider (and/or mediator) as the group would have been privy to the agreement in question.

However, with neither party budging, it looks like fashion month is indeed going to be a whole lot more chaotic this year.

The Fashion Week Drama Continues!

Last week we continued with the hoopla over the worldwide fashion week scheduling conflict and it only gets worse with an update from fashionista.com.

The Spring 2013 show season clusterf*ck continues. The CFDA and the BFC reacted immediately after the news came down from Milan’s Camera Nazionale della Moda on Friday that it would show its members’ spring 2013 collections September 19-25, essentially eating into two of New York’s planned days and completely eclipsing London‘s whole five-day schedule.
Diane von Furstenberg, the president of the CFDA, sent out an open letter to the fashion community yesterday. She was rather conciliatory in it, stating that the show date hoopla was a “misunderstanding” and that she was “convinced it will be resolved.” But don’t think she’s going down without a fight. She also told WWD:

All of a sudden, on the second Thursday next September, we finally have the good side, and now they want to make us pay. I think this is ridiculous. We are a community of designers. I would like to believe that what we have created with the CFDA — the sense of family and community — is something we can do worldwide. We are all designers, we are all in the same industry. We compete with one another but we love and support each other. That is what it should be.
Confused yet? Here are the main points of the disagreement:

-The CFDA and BFC maintain that there was an agreement reached in 2008 that the shows would always start in New York on the second Thursday in September, with subsequent cities showing in succession after that. Mario Boselli, the head of Milan’s Camera Nazionale della Moda, said he “proved” that no such agreement existed–at least in writing–by producing 2008 paperwork regarding show scheduling, WWD reports.

-The CFDA doesn’t want to start the shows a week earlier (the first Thursday in September) because Labor Day is on that Monday, and it presents challenges to the designers to get their shows ready on time. New York designers had to show the Thursday after Labor Day this past season, because it happened to be the second Thursday in September, so it can be done. It’s just far from ideal.

-Milan doesn’t want to show a week later because they think it will affect their production schedule and ability to get product to retailers in time (which frankly seems a little silly because Paris always shows into October and they don’t seem to have an issue with delivery.)

-The British Fashion Council, which represents London’s designers–and whose designers arguably are the ones really getting the shaft in this whole thing–can’t change its dates because of venue availability due to the Olympic and Paralympic games which are being held in London.

-Paris is staying out of it, though to make this work as the CFDA hoped (with New York starting the second Thursday in September), they would have had to move their dates a week later, too. But they didn’t.

So what are the potential outcomes?
1.) New York capitulates and moves its shows back a week, and sucks it up by showing the Thursday after Labor Day.

2.) London also sucks it up and moves back a week, and hopes for venue availability.

3.) Milan and France move their dates five days later–it’s not even a full week, because London only shows for five days–and continue with the “second Thursday in September” start date.

4.) Everyone is stubborn and nothing changes, forcing editors and buyers to take sides.

WWD tried to talk to designers, but no one wanted to comment. Some sources at the CNMI, who wanted to remain anonymous, claim the BFC never communicated the diffuculties they were having with the Olympics and venue scheduling. There was also the suggestion that New York try to condense its fashion week into five days, because it’s “too long as it is.” Now those are fighting words!

So stand by. We’re certain that someone is going to end up switching dates to make this work, it’s just a matter of who.

We Say...Let The Best Garments Win!

Catching up where we last left off with, 'Seems like there aren't enough catwalk hours in a day', Hayley Phela of Fashionista.com says that...

"Fashion month is about to get a whole lot messier.
A few days ago, it was reported that Milan had put forth Spring 2013 Fashion Week dates that would conflict with London and New York Fashion Week. In response, Condé Nast’s International chairman Jonathan Newhouse had personally written to Mario Boselli, head of the Italian Chamber of Fashion, threatening that none of his Vogue editors (including those of the American, Italian and French editions) would be allowed to attend Milan if the dates were moved. Honestly, we thought that was that: If Condé Nast wants to throw its weight around, it will probably come out victorious. We thought that, at the least, a compromise could be made, since this is after all an industry employing thousands of people and not a case of sibling rivalry. But we were wrong.

Milan has essentially told New York and London Fashion Week to go fuck themselves. According to WWD, the Milan Chamber of Fashion decided today that it would stick with its proposed dates, and that Milan Fashion Week will run from Sept. 19-25 next fall. Since New York is set to run from Sept. 13 to 20, and London from Sept. 21 to 25, Milan Fashion Week will bite into New York’s show dates and completely eclipse poor London’s.


This announcement comes on the heels of the CFDA’s letter posted on WWD yesterday, reasserting their position that they cannot, and will not, shift their Fashion Week dates any earlier. The letter cited the “Second Thursday Rule,” a pact that states New York Fashion Week will always start on the second Thursday of the month and a pact that the CFDA asserts was agreed upon by the British Fashion Council, Chambre Syndicale, and Camera Nazionale della Moda in 2008. Unfortunately from there the letter devolves into a classic case of he said, she said: “As you may have read, the dates for showing the spring-summer 2013 collections are now being disputed. Milan is claiming that the agreement was for three years only. This is not the case; the agreed-to schedule was always meant to be a long-term/permanent one.”

Does anyone else feel like this seems more akin to a power struggle between high school’s most popular clique, rather than a matter of conflicting schedules in a major industry? Boselli’s attitude certainly isn’t helping to fix that. The head of the Italian Chamber of Fashion told WWD, “Let the best one win.” Well, that’s certainly mature.

On a more serious note, though, we really can’t see how this can be allowed to happen. Will Vogue editors–especially Vogue Italy’s team–really be made to forgo Milan Fashion Week? How will London Fashion Week, who boasts considerably less designer star-power, be able to compete with big names like Prada and Dolce & Gabbana showing at the same time? On the other hand, how will the Italian labels–especially the young ones that depend on Fashion Week to bring them international exposure–be able to cope with none of Condé Nast’s editors in attendance? More importantly, how awkward will the Fall 2012 shows in February, be?"

Kanye West Debut's His Women's Clothing Line

Over the week in Paris American rapper, singer,record producer and now clothing designer, Kanye West debuted his line of womens wear to a curious sideline. Beyond the celebrity factor attached to the design a review comes in from Long Nguyen the co-founder/style director of Flaunt magazine and contributor to fashionista.com who was in attendence.

PARIS–In the car on the way past the Luxembourg gardens towards the Pantheon near where Kanye West held his debut womenswear collection on the fourth floor of the Lycée Henri IV, I thought about all those times that I had gone to the Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons show where clearly entertainment and not fashion was the main attraction. It was the era when bling triumphed over substance. Somehow I was hoping that this would not be the case for Kanye West. In fact, I was ardently hoping this would not be the case. Yet, I know that fashion is a roll of dice and in many cases one does not get double sixes, once or ever.

I remembered back in May 2007 when we shot Mr. West for Flaunt’s September 2007 fashion issue, he told me of his interest in someday doing a fashion line. Over the years, at the shows in Paris and New York, he has been a constant presence, sometimes an unwelcome one. But attending these shows was like being enrolled in fashion school. Seeing how other designers present their collections is like learning on the job. At the very least, one cannot fault his commitment and his enthusiasm for fashion which lead to last night’s show. And he did so with the full support of the fashion crowd–the Olsen sisters, Dean and Dan Caten, Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra and many top magazine editors were there.

“Ready or not, here I am, you can’t hide…” was the vocal blasting on the sound system inside the cocoon-like white rectangular space lit by violet black light as Anja Rubik entered wearing a black heavy quilted leather jacket with a large slit on the sleeve over a leather skirt. Chanel Iman followed wearing a black shirt, leather pants flared at the legs and a large fox stole or shoulder cape and a black leather dress with rectangular frontal cut. If the temperature in Paris has been 20 degrees cooler, all the heavy leather, fox fur and what appeared to be wool cotton felt on a black zippered coat might seem like more of a spring collection. But we tend to forget that it is always fall-winter somewhere else in the world and that Mr. West has a large global fan base.

Of the 23 looks showed, there were a few that I think might work for a certain customer– if the collection is sold in stores–like the white jacket, white slim pants and a knit wrap sweater tied around the waist. I didn’t mind the simple long sleeve camel mini dress with the fox fur backpack either. But the salmon dress with two side zippers up the sides and the nude bandage dress with cut-outs seemed awkward, even on the models. In terms of design, I couldn’t make out the purpose of the side twisted ivory skirt–the volume and the twisting effect that raised one side of the skirt higher than the other make the garment nearly unwearable in real life. No women could sit in that skirt.

In fashion, Mr. West has to remember the refrain of the song he preached to us on the show’s soundtrack–”You can run but you can’t hide.” Now that he has put in a great deal of effort into making this showing a reality, Mr. West needs to consider the reality of the fashion business. At a certain level, I think he can have a niche business, one backed by a limited edition sportswear collection and a few accessory items. There were some hints of that sportswear here. It seemed that he might have rushed to put on this show without working out how to cut and merchandise the collection.

Immediately following the show, with the heat rising and the loud music still blasting away, surrounded by a throng of journalists and greeters backstage, Mr. West could be heard saying that he was really scared about launching this collection. His greatest fear is still about overcoming the stereotype of a celebrity designers or, worse, a rapper-designer, he said. Perhaps this show of hubris and the desire to listen and learn from experience will eventually transform his fashion work into a plausible and sustainable collection. That is, if he wants to stay in fashion for the long haul.

A Girls Nail Art Journey: "Broke In The City"

Sometimes you have to be adventurous in life (within reason) to find new possiblities just like fashionista.com writer Mickie Meinhardt, who took to the stairs up to find some new nail art.

I’ve been a nail freak since childhood, so the nail-polish-is-the-new-lipstick trend sits well with me. Unfortunately, I lack the funds to try out the cool new stuff available (Chanel Peridot, gel manicures). However, I’m a sucker for anything borderline ridiculous or cheap (or both), so when I saw a brightly colored sign advertising $10 nail art in my less-than-cool Bronx neighborhood, I was intrigued.

“$9.99 FULL NAIL MANICURE! FOUR COLOR DESIGN!” read the wooden stand, pointing up a narrow staircase to the second floor of a building housing a tattoo parlor and an electronics store. Never one to be afraid of a little sketchiness (I’d actually gotten my nose pierced at the aforementioned tattoo parlor as an idiotic, parent-free freshman during my 1st week of college), I commissioned my roommate as a wing woman and headed in.



Cash in hand—somehow we knew this would be the kind of place that didn’t take cards—we navigated the winding hallway via handwritten signs reading simply “NAIL” with an arrow. Suddenly, our eyes were assaulted by a hot pink room with green floors and plastic palm trees.

“HII YES?!” screams a man from behind a doctor’s mask.

We are deer in headlights. The room is packed with stations, most manned by techs in the process of applying acrylic nails. Children are everywhere. I feel like I’ve stumbled into a rubbing-alcohol-scented assembly line.

We’re ushered in to chairs. I ask for a design; the tech pulls out a card version of the sign outside. “Which?” Apparently the choices are limited: glitter stripes, polka dots, a misshapen leopard, and the one that initially sparked my interest, a cream base with gold and black zebra tips that I deemed the “Jenny From The Block French Mani”. Sadly, my nails are too short, which she quickly offers to fix “You can do with tips! Only 10!” I politely decline the plastic talons. I compromise with full-nail zebra but replace the gold with iridescent pink and baby blue—go big or go home.

My girl works with silent precision, aggressively filing my nails to sharp-cornered squares. The whole thing goes much like you’d expect a $10 manicure to go; all the usual buffing, rubbing and clipping, only done at a brisker, surgical clip with mysteriously unlabeled products. Before my girl starts painting, however, I’m instructed to pay now, or no color (as collateral in case I walk out?). I examine the wall of polishes; there are almost no neutral colors.The range is between bright and blinding, with neon as the median shade. At least a third are glittery. There’s no OPI in sight.

My nails are now half pink, half blue. Surprisingly, the tiger stripes take the least amount of time. I blink and the tech’s pulling out what I hope is topcoat from a bottle labeled “chicken essence.” Whatever—I got exactly what I was envisioning. Lisa Frank’s tiger would be so jealous. My neighbor has added yellow, hot pink and silver stripes. Hers look awesome, and I ask to take her picture. My technician thinks I’m weird.




The Update: It’s been a few days, and though I swiped on my trusty Seche Vite topcoat when I got home, they’re already starting to chip in the piecey way that spells bad base coat. I chalk it up to an experience, a new Halloween go-to and a good life lesson: you get what you pay for (results vary by borough).

Longing For That Perfect Pair of Classic Jeans? Look No Further Than G-Star Raw’s 3301

Fashion webbie, Fashionista disclosed this year's perfect pair of jeans that are a must have!

With fashion month in full swing, the passing of trends and fanciful creations we’re seeing both on and off the runways often leave us with a desire for something reliable, classic and simple, like that illusive perfect pair of jeans. That perfect-fitting, basic pair that are high quality, yet versatile is something that every woman needs, but can’t seem to find. Until now.

Thanks to G-Star Raw, you can finally cross that off your shopping list. With their new 3301 range, the always-reliable brand seeks to fill that hole in our wardrobe by offering clean, easy, paired-down denim in a variety of timeless fits and washes. They’ve re-imagined the traditional 5-pocket style to create G-Star’s cleanest denim style yet. They’re those wear-everywhere jeans that can go from day to night with the switch of a blouse or adding of a heel.

Obviously, the world is no Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and G-Star realizes that the same pair of jeans aren’t going to fit every woman. Thus, the 3301 is available in both straight and bootleg fits, and five different washes, ranging from dark Ito Denim to their super-soft Comfort Link Denim–each one simple and versatile, but still undeniably cool. - Fashionista.com

Betsey Johnson's Cartwheel Days Are Over!? And Scope Out A Preview Of Her New Watches!

Fashion writer, Hayley Phela, brings us readers the latest scoop on Betsey Johnson!

"Last night, I popped over to Macy’s flagship for a meet-and-greet with Betsey Johnson who is launching her new timepiece line at the famed department store. And, I have to say, interviewing the kooky Betsey Johnson went down exactly as you’d expect.
After being ushered into a room filled with a couple of Betsey‘s handlers, I was welcomed to take a seat next to the famed designer, while another employee spread Betsey’s just-launched watch collection on the table. I introduced myself to Johnson, who gave me a warm welcome and motioned a hello with one hand–the other hand was otherwise occupied, getting a manicure. “I need my quick dry…where’s the quick dry?” she rasped, turning to her manicurist. “I have to fix the tips on my nails, if anyone takes pictures…” she trailed off, giving me a knowing look.



Once Betsey settled in a bit, we got down to business: The watches. “I hate to say it,” said Johnson, picking up a classic-looking round watch with leather strap, “But after the digital space cadet one, this one is my favorite because I’m grandma classic.”

“I just really love them. The numbers are big, they have a real weight to them…I mean Frankie has me down,” she said, before motioning to a man holding a champagne glass nudged into the back of the room. “Frank, he owns the company…,” she said and then turned to him asking, “Frankie what’s your last name?”




After establishing the man’s identity, Johnson went on, “Anyway, we license together in jewelry…what is it now? Seven years. And now he does my watches. Miriam Haskell is the company and she has been one of my favorite vintage jewelry designers.”

We have to say, whatever Betsey and Frank have been cooking up, it looks good. While there is certainly a fair dose of classic Betsey–think glitter, hearts and skulls–the watches were surprisingly sophisticated, and yes, “grandma classic.”

“What I love is that the collection has something for everyone,” Johnson said, strapping on a fifth watch to one of her wrists. “We go from kiddie to grandma, classic to cute, twinkly to chic.”



But it’s not every day we get to interview Betsey Johnson so we had to ask one final question: Got any cartwheel tips for the gymnastically-challenged?

“Oh, I don’t want to tip into a cartwheel anymore, believe me!” she laughed. “No, you know, it’s a rough thing but it’s a great thing to have to pull off every season. Actually I screwed up for the first time this season. I went to kick and I felt completely off-balance…everything was great, and then I walked out of the tents and the next thing you know in Las Vegas on an appearance scheduled the next I ended up in the hospital getting a leg brace from ankle to thigh that I got from just walking! So I think cartwheel is less dangerous for me.”

At the end of the interview, Johnson glanced at her wrists, which at this point were sporting four watches each, before asking, “Can we fit any more on here?”

And that’s kind of Johnson’s whole philosophy: More. We don’t think we’ve ever met a designer with such a lust for life–and seriously, we wouldn’t have Betsey any other way, kookiness included!"

Christian Louboutin Collaborates with David Lynch and John Malkovich

When you think of high end shoe designer Christian Louboutin the last thing that comes to mind are artist in their own right David Lynch and John Malkovich. Well word has it these fine men are lending a hand in a new yet unamed book set for release soon as detailed by fashionista.com.

Christian Louboutin, one of the world’s most celebrated shoe designers, has completed his first book and it promises to be be more than just pretty pictures of stilettos. While his name may be more closely associated with red-soled Hollywood starlets than anything else, the man is truly an artist who is passionate about and dedicated to his craft. So perhaps that’s why people like John Malkovich and David Lynch have signed on as collaborators.

Christian Louboutin [Rizzoli] is like a biography, retrospective and photography book all rolled into one. Following a foreword by legendary actor/producer John Malkovich, there will be one chapter devoted to his biography, including his work for Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent and never-before-seen personal photos; one chapter focusing on the interiors of his boutiques around the world; one chapter devoted to his “20 years of design” including still life portraits and editorials; one chapter with shots of his homes in Paris and Egypt and his studios and workshops; and one chapter devoted to his collaboration with filmmaker David Lynch called “Fetish,” a series of photographs of Louboutin’s limited-edition fetish shoes, which have been shown in galleries but never published in a book.

The final of the six chapters will be a complete catalogue of Louboutin’s work, according to Barnes & Noble‘s overview.

Their collaborations with Louboutin are not the only fashion endeavors for Malkovich, who has a line of suits called Technobohemian, or Lynch, who directed Marion Cotillard’s Dior commercial. According to Vogue UK, there will also be contributions by Dita Von Teese, Kristen Scott Thomas and Mika.

Books by fashion designers can sometimes be a bit boring and predictable, but this one sounds pretty awesome. Plus, how gorgeous would that look on a coffee table? Apparently, it even has a five-piece foldout binding and a pop-up. Want.

Zach Galifianakis The New Hand Bag Designer?

The mavens over at fashionista.com just released the word that American comedian Zach Galifianakis may be adding another note to his resume as a handbag designer!

We never saw it coming but it’s true. The comedian has been tapped by Keith Richards’ wife Patti Hansen to design a one-of-a-kind handbag for her line Hung On U, which will be auctioned off for charity at the bag line’s Barneys launch party. Proceeds will benefit the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation

Galifianakis isn’t the only unlikely guest celebrity designer: The event will also feature bags designed by Anthony Kiedis, Debra Messing, Patricia Arquette and Ronnie Wood. I guess that’s what happens when you’re married to a Rolling Stone, used to be a supermodel, and have two It-girl daughters (Theo and Alex Richards).

There’ll also be handbags designed by Simon Doonan, Donna Karan, Christian Louboutin and Joe Zee–though we’re actually more excited to see what the non-fashion-y celebrities come up with, rather than the industry favorites.

Let’s hope Galifianakis’ crossbody bag (he might call it a satchel) leaves plenty of room for a baby in a carrier. After all, Indiana Jones wears one.

Nicola Formichetti Talks New Sportswear Line for Uniqlo and Launching His Own Line!

Fashion writer, Mickie Meinhardt, lets us in on fashion designer and creative director of clothing brand 'Mugler', Nicole Formichetti's latest business ventures.

"Nicola Formichetti has been on a roll lately. He just opened his pop-up shop, Nicola’s, on Walker Street in Tribeca to great fanfare (and a bangin’ party), selling everything from stuffed pandas to Gaga memorabilia to, now, Uniqlo. Today, Nicola’s became host to Formichetti’s new collaboration line with the Japanese mega-brand (for whom he’s the fashion director), a sportswear line called The Innovation Project that uses Uniqlo’s highly developed fabrics to make basic, easily wearable clothing.

It’s quite a departure from Formichetti’s usual robots-in-bondage type stuff; cranberry puffy nylon winter parkas, lime green HeatTech fleece pullovers and snowy white windbreakers don’t exactly scream the kind of stuff he’s been doing for Thierry Mugler. The attention to detail does, however, like the zippers which can pull apart Hulk-style to make shedding layers easier on athletes. The price point is fitting for the pop-up as well; prices don’t rise above $200, even for the parkas.

I got the chance to chat with Formichetti about his partnership with Uniqlo, his store, and what he has planned for the future (hint: he’s working on his own brand!).

Tell me a bit about this Uniqlo line; it’s very different for you. Why did you decide to do it?
Well we had three main people–I’m the style director, Naoki Takizawa is the designer and Kashi Wasato is the creative director– all controlling the vision. I was really interested in it because normally I do crazy stuff and this is so much sportier. It wasn’t about silhouettes, it was about how can we push this fabric. Functional fabric. I’m interested in that as much as Gaga’s shoulder pads. I love street wear and casual wear. Also, it keeps me fresh, to go from one extreme to another. I’m in Japan all the time and get to see the power of Uniqlo there. It’s so loved in Japan and I want to show that in America. They care about people. It’s not expensive but it’s very good quality, and they’re always about pushing the new technology in fabric. So this is a first glimpse of what we want to do on a bigger scale.

Where do you see this going from here?
Definitely working more with the Innovation Project. Now I’m thinking I want to make a classic suit but with this fabric, so you can actually go under the snow but still be fabulous. Or maybe a beautiful dress.

So you don’t always have to look like a puffball?
Exactly, yeah, who wants to look like a big puffy Sumo? You want to be stylish when you’re doing sports, too. This is an introduction and I’m really excited. And they’re opening the store next month [the Uniqlo Fifth Ave flagship] which is where this will be sold.

How is it going so far with your store–are people coming in?
Well we were really worried no one would come! But it’s been so successful. BOFFO is a non-profit so it’s great to do something that is more than just fashion; to have these events where you can meet people, or where we invite people to have breakfast with me. We did it because it’s a pop-up store–if it we were here a whole year we’d have to think about merchandising, and we don’t really care about what’s selling. It’s just for fun. And I think that’s why it’s working—because we have no agenda, because we’re not about making money. We’re actually thinking, now, of doing more with this: other cities, other places have made offers. And we’re starting the online shopping tomorrow, at Nicolaspopupshop.com.

I heard you had something digital in the works. Can you tell me about that?
Basically, I was working on my first idea for my own collection, my own brand under my name, and I want to launch it next year. And I thought, “What is it?” Because I do so many different things and this is so special to me, and I always want to push and move forward. When I met the people from the computer company I was completely fascinated by the sophisticated technology and I was like, “That’s it.” I want to make a collection virtually that you can only buy virtually.

Only online?
Only online. I don’t know how it’s going to work out yet. You know, I’m learning, still. I set a time for next year when I’ll launch my label. It took the programmers three weeks to work on one outfit–20 people on just one outfit! I worked with a virtual pattern cutter, a virtual designer, a virtual programmer. It’s very very complicated and very expensive. But now they know how to do it, so it’s ‘click’ and change colors, or whatever.

Was Rick [Genest, Zombie Boy] a part of this as well?
Totally! People always said to me, from the beginning, “Oh yeah he’s just a one-hit wonder, what else are you going to do with him, he’s just one look.” And I’m like, “What?” Same for Gaga. When you’re creating for an artist, from one album to another, you change your look, right? But when we were working on the new Born This Way we thought how she loves her hair, her shoulder pads. We’re not going to change anything—just evolve. My point is, he’s part of my vision, so we wanted to create something that was him just a little…pushed. So we created this avatar. And it was so cute when he was playing with himself, you know, in the game! [Ed. note: Formichetti is talking about an interactive video that he collaborated on with CCP Games for his pop-up featuring Genest walking down a space shuttle runway.]

It’s so interesting the way you make your projects interactive.
Yes, imagine if you could make your avatar in that kind of sophisticated way. I’m not talking about Nintendo. I mean something sleek, really sophisticated, but then mixed with the idea of Tamagachi, so that you could have your avatar in your phone. And then a new collection comes out and you go ‘click’ and pay and it goes to you on your phone. I think people will be really into that. It’s like Clueless!

Like the revolving electronic closet?
Yes! For me it’s Clueless, Tamagachi and a virtual world. That’s my collection. - Fashionista.com

Donna Karan and Wyclef Jean Are Haitian Homies

When you think of Haitian musician, record producer Wyclef Jean and American fashion designer Donna Karan you wouldn't think to see any relation but according to the ladies at fashionista.com its a match made in Haiti!

We were surprised, at first, to see Wyclef Jean sitting in the front row at Donna Karan‘s spring 2012 show yesterday. But once we read the line sheets and saw the collection the connection was clear: Haiti. Karan’s collection was heavily influenced by travels to Haiti throughout the past year, and the Haitian musician is known for his charity work in his home country through his foundation, Yéle Haiti. What’s surprising though, is that Karan and Wyclef go way back.

We talked to Wyclef after the show to get his take on the collection, what he thought of the Haitian inspiration, and just how he and Karan got together.

Fashionista: So what brings you to Donna Karan’s show today? Did you work with her in anyway on this collection–besides performing at her after-party?
Wyclef Jean: I worked hand in hand with Donna and what I love about her is that I want people to know there’s a sexy side about Haiti–so when Donna comes and works with the artisans and starts bringing the jewelry back it’s incredible and this is just the start of it.

How did you and Donna Karan meet and pair up?
We’ve always been connected. I used to work for Donna Karan when I was a kid. I worked at one of her factories in Newark. I used to work for her as a security guard and I feel asleep on a post and someone stole Donna Karan clothes. That’s all true. So I said if I ever make it as a rock star I’m writing Donna Karan a check. So when I saw her I brought her a check.

How much was it for?
Twenty! [Ed. Note: unclear here whether that's $20 or $20K...]

What did you think of the collection?
The line looks like an epiphany doesn’t it? Like you went somewhere and you saw something and you decided to act. From generation to generation Donna is always innovative–she makes clothes that mothers and daughters can both wear. And it’s exciting again. It’s daring, it’s sexy, it’s fun.

EXTRA: Donna Karan 2012 Spring/Summer Collection Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Zack Posen Darling Kelly Osbourne Speaks On The Voice Of God And Her Fashion Image

The girls over at Fashionista.com sneaked us an inside scoop on Kelly Osbourne's latest journeys in her recent fashion explorations and Mama Madonna comes into play in a most mysterious way.

While waiting for Zac Posen’s show to start on the open air balcony of Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center (review and pix to come) , we had the chance to chat with front-rower Kelly Osbourne. She’s ascended the fashion food chain as an E! red carpet interviewer and morning-after Fashion Police lady. She’s also the face of Madonna’s Material Girl label, so she rubs shoulders with some pretty fashion forward people. We had to ask her about what all this recent experience taught her about fashion.

Fashionista: Have you been to any shows yet this season?
Kelly Osbourne: I was at Charlotte Ronson last night and that was great. I just decided to do one show a day this week because it’s too much otherwise and I just want to have fun and enjoy it. So I’ve just picked the ones that I really, really, really wanted to see. Unfortunately some of them are all at the same time.

How has doing red carpet commentary changed the way you look at fashion or the way you dress?
It’s weird things that you have to start thinking about that I never thought about before. Like when you do the Emmy’s red carpet you can’t wear a dress that is already in shops. You have to get a dress from a designer that is (trails off)…otherwise I could run the risk of being on “Bitch Stole My Look.” It hasn’t really changed the way I dress, though. If people are gonna like it, they’re gonna like it–if they don’t, they don’t.

So you’re the face of Material Girl now. What have you learned from Madonna? Any words of wisdom from her?
Just seeing how she works has taught me a lot. She’s the most professional woman ever. We started calling her the “voice of God” because she wasn’t there, but they’d be like, “Madonna says we should change this”. Finally after the tenth time I was like, “But she’s not here, how do you know?” And then it finally clicked that someone’s taking pictures the whole time and sending them to her.

How was it working with Lola? Is it weird working with a teenager?
No. Not at all! She’s the smartest, most intelligent, well-rounded girl of her age that i’ve ever met.

(At this point we were shooed away by her publicist before we got to ask her about her penchant for bouffant, retro hair styles. Darn it! She was sporting a very 40s-esque ponytail and has the most perfect skin. The end.)

EXTRA: Check out FashionNewsLive's interview with Zack Posen from this weeks show!

Carine Roitfeld Interview

Fashion writer, Dhani Mau, tells readers that,

"In anticipation of Carine Roitfeld‘s new book, Irreverent, the Times interviewed the former French Vogue editor for the Sunday Magazine. And we all know Carine gives a good interview. This one is brief, but she speaks frankly about Tom Ford (there’s a cute thank you letter from him in the book), that French Vogue spread that caused a media shitstorm (and her firing from the glossy?), why she named the book Irreverent and more. Here are the best bits.

On going on a romantic date with Tom Ford:
“O.K., Tom, unfortunately for the woman, is gay. But he is very not so gay. Even the way he touches a woman, the way he puts his hand on your back or the way he opens the car for you, he’s a gentleman. You’re dying that he likes everything you’re wearing, everything you’re doing, because his taste is very important to you. You want to seduce him all the time.”




On the December 2010 Issue of French Vogue (you know, the one with 10-year-old Thylane Blondeau posing seductively with bunnies in an evening gown):
“A lot of people say I was fired because of this issue, because of the little girls dressed in mom clothes…It was very, very controversial. Old couples, kids, surgery. But it was not done on purpose because I was leaving. It was done before that, you know.”

On whether she should apologize for that or for doing all those bondage editorials:
“The reason I call my book “Irreverent” is because there were a lot of pictures that were very irreverent. Maybe I could call my book “Forgiving” because maybe I made a lot of errors too.”

On American style:
“When I see a woman in the street, sometimes I think, Oh, it’s a bit too comfortable the way she is dressing, you know? And not in a nice way.”

On her distaste for certain clothing based on smell and sound:
“I like fur, but there’s a sort of smell on it that now I don’t like. But I can’t say I will never wear fur again because I will lie. Maybe tomorrow I’m going to see a beautiful mink coat, and I’ll really want it, even if there is some smell in it. I will put perfume on. Mules I’m sure I will never wear. I hate the noise when someone walks with mules. Clomp, clomp, clomp. I think it’s very not chic.” - Fashionista.com

Wine And Caffeine, The New SPF Lotion ?!!?

One of our favorite fashion writer's, Cheryl Wischhover, tells us that,

"Summer still isn’t over, people. And even when it is, sunscreen is a year-round proposition–sun damage can occur even with winter sun exposure. So imagine my pleasure to discover that two of my favorite things, red wine and caffeine, may be protective against skin cancer.



Well, sort of. A scientific study out of the University of Barcelona found that some chemicals in the grapes used in red wine may help prevent skin cancer. While this study was gleefully touted in a lot of media outlets, be careful of the conclusions you draw. The scientists studied a concentrated compound in a petri dish (“in vitro”) and looked at its effects on cell changes which may be responsible for causing cancer. The wine compound showed promise, but potentially as a topical agent (not as a jug of sangria), and only after a lot more studies are completed. (Go here for a great explanation of the limitations of this study, written in lay terms by a PhD student, via HuffPo.)



OK, so what about coffee? A study out of Rutgers University is more promising. It’s long been suspected by the scientific community that there’s a link between caffeine and cancer prevention, but the mechanism was unknown. Now a chemical pathway, which is affected by caffeine, has been identified, and mice showed less incidence of skin cancer when the particular pathway was inhibited, which caffeine can do. The next step is to figure out if it works topically.



Obviously this is all in very early stages and you should still use more traditional means of sun protection. I just spent two weeks in California drinking copious amounts of wine and coffee, and still managed to get burned. Perhaps all the margaritas I also had negated the positive effects of the other two? More studies are necessary."

Wine and Coffee: 'A Sommelier Compares Wine and Van Houtte Coffee.'

Zac Posen Talks It Out!

Fashion writer, Hayley Phela, spoke to Zac Posen at his opening for his new shop called "Z Spoke".

"Last night we popped by the opening of Zac Posen‘s new Z Spoke store in the Meatpacking district. The new space, painted white and replete with a red carpet, fresh flowers and stacks of fashion-y book, is, much like it’s dynamo designer, the last word on glamour. We caught up with Posen, who looked adorably dapper (of course) in a pantsuit and colorful graphic shirt, to talk about the new space, his crazy work schedule (sometimes he doesn’t sleep) and the future of Z Spoke.



Fashionista: The store looks amazing. How did you pick this spot?

Actually the spot picked me! Our CEO is also the CEO of Scoop so we wanted to build the new store into Scoop’s space. I wanted to have a store that was a destination location, and I feel like this is it. You know, I’m a born a bred New Yorker so I knew it was important to have a destination.



Where in New York did you grow up?

I was born in SoHo on Spring street. My dad’s an artist, he worked in half the loft and we lived in the other half.



Is the building still standing?

My parents still live there! Yeah, so what I think of my parents is that they were hipsters. That’s why I’m so into glamour.



They were the original hipsters!

Yeah, they moved into the SoHo loft in the very early 70s–illegally. And you know back then it was all artists and young people. And now it’s…



Right. The property value must have skyrocketed.

Well, exactly. So I wanted to open a store in a place that felt like it was on a good path. And also a place that wasn’t hard to find.



Has this been a crazy-stressful or crazy-exciting time for you, getting everything ready?

Well, you know, [Z Spoke] is about creating what I think is the highest quality product at the lowest price. And I really love women and I love my customer so I’m going nuts trying to get her what she wants! It’s just the beginning and it’s going to get better. The bags are selling, they’re like flying off the shelves. And the clothing is still limited distribution so if I were a collector and wanted to buy…it’s a good time to start buying!



Are you excited to be showing again in New York this year?

I think that the experience I had in France gave me really great clarity–a great foundation for going international. And now I think I have great clarity on what I can give to America and who my customer is [here]. I think supporting American retail is really important.



What is your secret to making it through Fashion Week without collapsing?

Health food! Lots of green juices. Lots of rice. I go down to my Japanese supermarket on Broome and West Broadway to get my rice. I cook myself rice and beans every night. Even if I come home at like midnight from the office, I have to cook to relax. That’s my therapy–cooking.



Do you usually work till midnight?

I’m usually at the office till 9 or 10 at night. But during the shows…it can get quite intense.



What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep?

For real? Probably like two and a half days.



Wow. And you’ll do it all over again in just a week or too.

It can be daunting but it’s also really exciting. It’s exciting to see your brand grow, and you know branch of into different things.



Where do you see Z Spoke going?

I really see the brand as moving into a lifestyle brand–doing furniture and homeware.



What kind of pieces would you create?

Something very functional. This is a brand that is all about function!



And glamour we would add." - Fashionista.com

Who's About To Take The Throne Over At Dior!!!

Fashion writer, Leah Chernikoff, tells us readers that...

"After months of speculation and rumors about who would replace John Galliano at Dior, the latest report from WWD has Marc Jacobs in talks to take over at the storied French house.



The news flies in the face of the most recent Dior rumors, which suggested that LVMH chair Bernard Arnault would install a lesser known designer at the helm. Of course, if Jacobs is appointed as creative director at Dior, he would vacate his post at Louis Vuitton, and a major reshuffling at LVMH would ensue. WWD is reporting that Phoebe Philo‘s massive success at Celine makes her the frontrunner to replace Jacobs at Louis Vuitton (not to fret, Philo-files, she will reportedly stay on as creative designer at Celine, too).



None of this is set in stone yet–neither Jacobs nor Dior have commented on the report and a source told WWD that “a deal with Jacobs is not assured, but that the American designer and Dior management are so far ‘excited’ about the prospect.” And while the rumors about Jacobs to Dior first surfaced on somewhat dubious Brazilian gossip site Glamurama, if it’s coming from fashion news bible WWD, and with such detail, the moves seems imminent. The article still mentions Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci as a “dark horse” candidate though he was once rumored to be the top contender for the job.



With Louis Vuitton, Jacobs has proven that he can revive a brand, and with his own line, that he can set trends season after season. Above all, he always puts on a show (his last show for Vuitton saw models come out of old-timey hotel elevators, complete with doormen). WWD suggests that Jacobs’ star power could “eclipse Dior’s recent turmoil” which includes Galliano’s drama-filled firing after allegations of anti-Semitism and racism and subsequent trial.



Whatever happens, the spring shows next month in Paris will be that much more exciting to watch." - Fashionista.com

Dior's John Galliano gets questioned over racist remarks he made.