Archive for January 2011

Rants

What’s With the UK’s Fascination With Olivia Palermo?

Yesterday the UK’s Daily Mail posted one of their standard non-stories about a celebrity, built up around some photos. It secured the top spot on the paper’s website, so you’d assume the celeb story was about an A-lister. Not so. Olivia Palermo of all people, in her bikini with her boyfriend, had garnered the lead story spot. “Far away from The City: Reality TV star Olivia Palermo puckers up with model boyfriend as she shows off bikini in St Barts,” the headline blared.

Across the pond, Palermo seems to have become more of a celebrity than she is back here. She’s been a fixture for several seasons now at London Fashion Week, sitting front row at Topshop Unique and Richard Nicoll, she snagged the cover of Tatler which ran with the headline “Girl of the Year,” she was one of Vogue UK’s “Today I’m Wearing” style diary girls, and was the face of Freda for Matches, the upscale UK boutique chain.

So why all the fuss?

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Would You Rather?

Would You Rather…? The Peachy in J. Mendel Edition

By Steff Yotka Thursday, Jan 6, 2011 / 5:02 PM


At last night’s People’s Choice Awards Taylor Swift looked lovely in a peachy-hued J.Mendel Dress, the same one Natalie Portman wore on her January Vogue cover. Which do you prefer?

Streetwalker

Street Style: Rinaldi Misses Hedi Slimane

Name: Rinaldi

Age: 23

Occupation: Artist

How would you describe your style? I wouldn’t.

What are the most prominent colors in your wardrobe? Black, blue and white.

Who is your favorite designer? Hedi Slimane, even though he doesn’t design any more.

What is on your iPod? Rick Ross

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Caption This

Caption This: Are Chloe Sevigny and Pauly D the Oddest Couple Ever?

By Leah Chernikoff Thursday, Jan 6, 2011 / 2:57 PM


No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. That is really Chloe Sevigny and the Jersey Shore’s Paul D enjoying each others’ company at a Knicks game on Tuesday. Don’t even try to step, Peaches. Read more »

Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Prepare For Snooki-Brand Gear, Sophie Theallet for Nine West, and Did the TSA Deem Spiked Louboutins Weapons?

TSA Considers Spiked Loubs “Weapons”: Some guy named Taz Arnold was traveling with his $1,245 Christian Louboutin Rollerboy Spike shoes and according to his twitter account, the TSA deemed them weapons. {Yahoo! Shine}

Get Ready For Snooki the Brand: Snooki–though she recently told the NY Daily News that she prefers to be called Nicole–has hired NY firm SRG Ventures to manage various Snooki-licensed gear to be rolled out over the coming year. Up first? Slippers, jewelry, oversized sunnies, and then possibly denim, sportswear, lingerie, handbags, personal care, beauty products, fragrances, swimwear, bedding and home goods. What about solo cups, Snooks? {NY Post}

WWD Devotes New Section To the Boys: WWD has launched a new section devoted to men’s fashion and style called Mensweek, that will appear in the paper every Thursday. “We wanted to amp up our men’s coverage,” a WWD spokesperson told us, ” looking ahead it’s such an important market and continues to strengthen.” Today’s section features a story that credits the recession with the recent spike in menswear retail and another that ranks quarterbacks (really). {WWD subscription NOT required this time}

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Entertainment

Coco Rocha Found That Infamous Photo From The September Issue That Grace Loved But Anna Killed

By Leah Chernikoff Thursday, Jan 6, 2011 / 1:04 PM


…and she published it on her tumblr. Here is that beautiful photo, shot by Steven Meisel and styled by Grace Coddington for Vogue‘s September 2007 issue. Think it should have gotten the ax?

Textbook

Textbook for Fashionista: Kate Lanphear!

By John Jannuzzi Thursday, Jan 6, 2011 / 1:00 PM

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Entertainment

Emma Watson Models and “Endorses” (Not Designs) People Tree’s Latest Collection

While most teen superstar actresses tend to make a few (or many) missteps on their way to adulthood in the spotlight, it seems Emma Watson can do no wrong.

Her latest move? Modeling and “endorsing” sustainable Fair Trade clothing line People Tree’s latest “youth collection.” Watson served as “creative advisor” for her first collaboration with People Tree, a line of cute French-preppy basics called “Love From Emma” that launched last year. She’s still working with the ethical clothing line, but not in a design capacity.

“Although I wasn’t centrally involved in the design of this collection, I had great fun in helping Safia [Minney, the founder of People Tree] select some gorgeous Fair Trade textiles – a dogtooth hand woven check, cable knits, soft organic jerseys and the first Fair Trade hand woven brushed checked fabric which has been made into easy tulip skirts, dresses and shirts,” Watson writes on the label’s site.

While Watson didn’t design People Tree’s latest youth collection (perhaps she’s saving her creative design juices for her forthcoming collaboration with Alberta Ferretti), she did travel to Bangladesh to see firsthand the working conditions in the factories in the slums of Dhaka, and visited the Fair Trade factories People Tree works with in Swallows. She even lent a hand in the factories in Swallows, dying fabrics and getting involved on a weaving loom.

Check out a video of St. Emma’s visit to Bangladesh and see her modeling her favorite pieces from the collection. They’re pretty cute.

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The Business

Hermes Wins a Round in Its Battle With LVMH

Today, France’s stock-market regulator told the Hermes family that they could legally pool their holdings in order to fend off a takeover by LVMH. As we’re sure you’re aware, LVMH has bought 20.21% of Hermes’ shares over the last few months. Although the Hermes family has kept over 70% of the company private, they still fear a hostile takeover by the luxury conglomerate, which views Hermes as what could be the final jewel in its crown. (If LVMH gets a hold of at least 33% of Hermes’ shares, French law says that they must launch a bid for the rest of the shares, although there are exceptions to the rule.)

To create a separate holding company that controls over 50% of Hermes’ shares–and that will be immune to LVMH’s advances–the family brand needed to get permission from French regulators. The regulator has agreed to Hermes’ conditions, but it’s likely an association that defends minority shareholders–which in this case includes LVMH–will appeal the decision.

Despite this small victory, it’s looking more and more likely that LVMH will someday control Hermes.

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Beauty

Perfect Arches At Browhaus

In the January Harper’s Bazaar, Rita Wilson reminisces about Tom Ford Skyping her naked from his tub and imparting these words of wisdom: “The eyebrow is the key to a beautiful face.”

I couldn’t agree with Mr. Ford more. Perfectly groomed brows can do all sorts of miraculous things: take years off your face, make you look well-rested, make your eyes look bigger. Enter Browhaus, a new-to-the-US brow salon launched by Cynthia Chua, owner of Strip: Ministry of Waxing. Like Strip, Browhaus just opened in NYC, in the same building.

They take brows very seriously at Browhaus and the practitioners are called “architects.” (Get it?)

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Beauty

Another Reason Not To Buy Uggs: Foot Fungus?

Just in case you needed another reason not to purchase Uggs there’s this: they increase your risk of foot fungus.

At least that’s what one podiatrist is claiming. Dr. Olivier Zong, DPM, the director of surgery at NYC Footcare, says that “fungus breeds in dark, wet environments–conditions that are usually seen inside trendy sheepskin boots.” Whats more, Dr. Zong says that once the fungus gets into your toe nails it’s hard to get rid of. Fun!

Luckily for Ugg-fans the world over, not all podiatrists are in agreement about whether Uggs put their wearers at increased risk for foot fungus.

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Sales

Racked Dealfeed: Acne, Sunglass Hut, Gap and More

Acne
Deal: 30% to 50% off the Swedish brand’s denim, shoes, and outerwear
When/Where: Ongoing. Mon—Sat 11am—7pm, Sun noon—7pm. 10 Greene St between Grand and Canal Sts (212-625-2828)
Link: Acne Studios

Resurrection Vintage
Deal: 30% to 70% off designer vintage clothing and accessories, plus new and vintage books
When/Where: Tuesday, January 4 through Monday, January 31. Mon—Sat 11am—7pm, Sun noon—7pm. 217 Mott St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-625-1374)
Link: www.resurrectionvintage.com

Sunglass Hut
Deal: Enter code SAS30 at checkout to save 30% off on selected styles.
Link: SunglassHut.com

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