CFDA’s Class of 2011: 33 designers, the most since 1962, were voted to become part of the CFDA’s roster last week. New members include Eddie Borgo, Olivier Theyskens and Prabal Gurung. {Elle UK}

Gucci Launches New iPad/iPhone App: Called “Gucci Style by Gucci”, it’s made to emulate a print mag with a “strong editorial focus” and tons of lifestyle and cultural features. There is, of course, e-commerce (with a 360-degree view of the clothes), but also samples of Giannini’s vinyl collection, advice for Italian vacations, videos of artisan’s craft work, live streams of their social media sites and an “about me” of the house’s history. Paradise for those who can’t get enough Gucci. {WWD, Subscription Required}

Eric Damon Creates NYC-Inspired Hosiery For DKNY: Knee-highs, fishnets and leopard print can all be found in the eight-piece capsule collection by the Gossip Girl costume designer. The line, which ranges from a modest $15 to $24, is available this month at major department stores and on DKNY’s website. {DKNY}

A New Biography Gives an Intimate Account of Coco Chanel’s Life: In “Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life,” author Lisa Charney explores a side of Chanel you might not know about–think drugs and affairs with German men. The book hits stores in November. {WWD, Subscription Required}

Olympic Gymnast Nastia Liukin Wants to Pursue Fashion: After all, she’s been designing her own leotards since age 12! Liukin says that following the 2012 London Olympics, she plans on heading to New York to focus on fashion and possibly attend celeb-magnet NYU. {People}

American Apparel’s “Asian Conical Hat” Is Slightly Offensive: AA’s latest blunder is a ridiculous hat made to emulate those worn by poor rice paddy workers (as protection, not fashion, it should be noted), which they’ve labeled the potentially offensive “Asian Conical Hat”. This may be their attempt to get on board with the rising Asian market trend, but they don’t designate race on any other items of clothing, so why start here? Seems insensitive, don’t you think?
{The Cut}

Shopping Help For the “Fashion-Phobic” Man In Your Life: Humorist Patricia Marx gives a run down of some menswear hotspots and what guys can expect hanging on the racks. {The New Yorker}

Daisy Lowe’s Five Year Old Sister is a Designer Already: Young Betty Lowe debuted her first collection this weekend at London’s Vintage Festival–a line of childrenswear created with her mother Pearl for the high street store Peacocks. {Daily Mail}

Accessories Council Names Award Winners: The Accessories Council Excellence Awards annually-changing categories indicate recent and popular trends in the accessories world. This year’s appropriate winners include Rebecca Minkoff (Breakthrough Designer), Marie Claire (Mag of the Year), HSN (E-Tailer of the Year) and Philip Treacy (Designer of the Year), among others. See the full list here. {WWD, Subscription Required}

Score a Sweet Beach Towel With a Subscription to the Paris Review: Because your current beach towel is probably pretty grimy by now and you’ll look smart and cultured laying on one with “the Paris Review” emblazoned across it. {Paris Review}