This morning brings a boatload of news in the digital and iPhone application world. Gucci’s launched their free app which includes personal playlists from Frida and Mark Ronson, a feature where you can play DJ and mix your own beats, and of course lookbooks and news from the design house.

Every week seems to bring another designer entering the application marketplace, but props to Gucci for consulting with Mark Ronson to give theirs a bit more individuality. And, hey, it’s free.

What won’t be free is the application that Condé Nast is launching for GQ in mid-November for $2.99 on iTunes. WWD reports that it will be a fully-translated version of the magazine, and also offer up a wide range of new platforms and possibilities for advertisers. The technology that created it was actually developed in-house at Condé, will be used across other titles, and can be adapted for any sort of e-reader that comes along. (We’re assuming that means Barnes and Noble’s The Nook, which was unveiled yesterday and even has a fashion spin with designer covers by Kate Spade, Jack Spade, and Jonathan Adler.)

Two years ago we mentioned the making of a Gucci movie and wondered what, if any, role Tom Ford would play.

This was pre-Single Man and pre-soon-to-launch-womenswear and we relished the idea of seeing Tom Ford playing Gucci-era Tom Ford on screen. At the time, only Ridley Scott was attached to the project, but late last night Variety reported that Angelina Jolie’s ‘this close’ to signing on to the project.

She’d play Patrizia Reggiano, the matriarch who got twenty-nine years in jail for planning the assassination of her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci. As of now, the movie’s plot will cover the 70’s and 80’s Gucci golden years, but they’re still looking for the perfect script, and thus the perfect writer. Ridley Scott’s also allegedly courting Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Mr. Gucci.

Though nothing’s nailed down, and everyone’s actually attached to other projects at the moment, Fox is making the movie a 2010 priority and hoping to start production early next year. Of course, what we really want to know is, who’ll do the costumes? Or even better, will we see the actual Gucci archives on screen?

Smile & Nod: Erin Wasson might like grunge, but prep pays the bills. She’s all smiles in J.Crew’s fall catalog. {J.Crew}

Word Up: A collection of fantastic quotes from Tom Ford, including his senate ambitions, his tailored Fruit of the Loom and the difference between a Gucci and a YSL woman. {Guardian}

Oh Boy: Penn Badgley tells Cosmo that he likes his women to dress “simply”. You know, like in “plunging v-necks” and “thigh high boots”. Sweater dresses are good, too. This editorial, however, is creepy. {Cosmopolitan}

Designer Facebook: Gucci’s launched their own social networking site, Eyeweb, to promote their new sunglasses; Frida Giannini even makes a cameo in one slideshow. There are only two models for now, but more to come, and more colors, for spring. {Grazia}

Bananas for Anna: We’ve had a crush on Anna Friel since Pushing Daisies, now she’s playing Eliza Doolittle in London’s West End. Here, some of her best looks. {ElleUK}

Dear Fashionista,

I’ve come to really enjoy browsing Bebe’s website for a daily dose of designer knock offs. They’re so lazy that they don’t even bother tweaking their designs in the slightest (minus cheap fabrics).

I’d grown used to their love of the sexier runway bits: sky-high Gucci heels and skintight Balmain minis, but I couldn’t have been more shocked to find this AW09 Prada dress, complete with AW09 Prada hair in their embarrassing online magazine.

There are so few women who can even pull off the original; I’m terrified to see what happens when it’s available to the masses.

xoxo,
S

You know how there are movies that you have to watch through to the end every time you catch them while flipping the channels. Almost Famous definitely tops that list for me.

I would so have loved living on the road with Penny, William, the girls, and Stillwater. And, of course, I would have been there because of the music. But the clothes, also right up my alley. I’ve always been especially fond of Ms. Lane’s jacket with the furry collar and the way it just envelops her in bohemia.

Do you favor clothes of the rock n’ roll variety and think Poly when we say Natasha?

Then maybe you should intern for Gucci. Their PR team could use your help for fall working with men’s and women’s clothes and accessories. You’ll maintain the showroom, per usual, and assist with sample trafficking and inventory as well as celeb gifting, not to mention your fare share of admin duties, obviously.

You should probably be interested in fashion PR, duh, and it’d be nice if you have some fashion experience. If not, you should be professional, hard working, dedicated and enthusiastic about any and all duties. Hopefully you can work at least three days a week from now through December.

Must be in it for the school credit, too. Email Pintern@us.gucci.com.

Mark and Samantha Ronson have obviously caught the design bug from their sister Charlotte (and maybe Sam’s getting ideas from Lindsay?), as both have entered the fashion game in the footwear division. First we heard about Sam’s high-tops for Supra. They’re tough and cool in black leather with a gold stripe, and are now available at Factory 413.

Now, WWD has reported that Mark is designing for Gucci’s planned traveling sneaker pop-up store. It’ll be coming our way this October, with the first location in SoHo, then jetting away to Miami Beach, London, Paris and Tokyo, among others. For each location, he’ll be designing a different unisex shoe.

“Gaga called me and said she wanted to be in a wheel chair. She wanted me to design it and not the prop department. I took it upon myself to drive to East L.A. and exchange the wheels for some low rider ones. I ordered some Gucci fabric and handed it over to my genius friend/designer Michael Schmidt so he could embellish it with Swarovski crystals. Originally, we made a metal logo that read “Gaga” on the wheels, but she disliked the font and we ended up exchanging it for the Chanel logo.” Lady Gaga’s stylist B. Akerlund on the wheel chair in the creepily awesome “Paparazzi” video, Anthem via Jezebel

Yo, Home to Bel Air: He was West Philadelphia born and raised, hence that street style the Fresh Prince brought to SoCal. We’re liking the revival. Wonder what Uncle Phil thinks? {Refinery29}

Are You Kidding?: This kind of cuteness must be shared with the world, even if you don’t consider yourself child-friendly. {Garance}

Tatiana on Margiela: The faceless model tries to unravel the latest mystery behind the faceless designer. {Jezebel}

If you’ve never shopped the basement of Jill Stuart’s Soho store, we think you’ll probably start now.

The floor is entirely devoted to vintage, all in keeping with Jill’s style. While it may not always be packed with old Gucci or other big names, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the label-less pieces. We sometimes prefer them.

What we didn’t know up until recently is that Jill herself literally hand-picks each and every one of those vintage pieces.

So if you’re looking to get your hands on the best of the designer’s eye for vintage, here’s your opportunity. She’s throwing a party (open to everyone!) to celebrate summer and bubbly champagne - two of our favorite things.

Get down to the Jill Stuart store on 100 Greene Street from 6 - 9pm on Wednesday, May 20th.

We recommend RSVPing to 212.343.2300 ASAFP because the champagne will surely go almost as quickly as the flirty summer dresses, and you don’t want to be left standing outside.

—CARSON GRIFFITH

Knock, Knock: We wonder if it makes Gucci uncomfortable when a blog devotes their entire day intricately detailing just how to rip off a runway collection? {WhoWhatWear}

Work It Out: Burn fat while raising money for Elettra Wiedemann’s charity Just One Frickin’ Day this Saturday, May 16th at the Soho Equinox. {IMG Models Blog}

It’s So On: There’s a high street battle a-brewing! H&M debuted pieces of their fall collection and they giving Topshop a run for their money. Are you team Topshop or H&M? {Refinery 29}

From Russia, With Love: Apparently the hot scene of the moment is in Moscow. And yet somehow we’re not there. {Hint}

Guess Who?: Gucci’s finally cracking down on Guess for their interlocking ‘G’ logo. Wonder what took them so long? {Bloomberg}

That’s What He Said: Olivier Theyskens likes fashion parties , but he’d rather smoke cheap cigars and pee in the Seine. We’ll see him at the former, thanks. {Hint}

Broken Brants: Stephanie Seymour just filed for divorce from her husband of sixteen years/owner of Interview Peter Brant. Poor thing’s sleeping in the maid’s quarters, probably surrounded by Alaia. {NYMag}

Jacquetta Wheeler’s the new Gucci girl.

Sort of, she was the face of Tom Ford Gucci ten years ago, but the British-born, New York-living model’s been in campaigns more Lord & Taylor and Banana Republic these past couple of years. Her most recent high fashion campaign was Ralph Lauren in 2005, but Frida Giannini got swept up in London’s energy while in town to re-open Gucci’s Sloane Street store and wanted a real life English girl for her Fall 09 campaign.

Jacquetta joins the more traditional Gucci girls Natasha Poly and Freja, as well as Raquel Zimmermann who at this point is a given for pretty much every campaign.

Frida really wanted to capture the London spirit so Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin are shooting the campaign in a studio in North London.

Resort collections may not get the same coverage as the regular Spring and Fall seasons, but they’re still very important to buyers as most designers use their Resort (sometimes called Cruise) collections to make designs that the average customer will actually wear.

So today’s news that both Dior and Gucci plan on scaling back their Resort 2010 collections for this June (Dior has cancelled their show altogether, and Gucci, which threw runway shows in both New York and Rome last season, is doing a simple presentation) comes as no surprise since the clothes will make in onto racks and into glossies whether designers host a full-blown event or not.

According to WWD, this leaves Chanel all alone in pursuing the same grand affair in Europe as always - Karl’s upcoming Resort 2010 will be shown on Lido Beach in Venice this year - but we’re (of course) wondering about Celine. June’s collection is supposed to be Pheobe Philo’s first for the brand, which means they must be planning some sort of event in Paris - unless the money has kept her grand entrance from being, well, grand.

Lara Bohinc, the Brit-based jewelry designer who’s worked with brands like Lanvin and Gucci, is probably best known for her knot jewelry.

The shiny gold and dull platinum knots come in different shapes and sizes, sometimes plaited, in rings, bracelets and necklaces. You’ve probably seen them accompanying a red carpet dress or two and even though they sell for upwards of $500, they’re unique enough that they used to fly out of the store when I worked in retail.

They sold so well that Urban Outfitters (who’s usually a lot quicker on the uptake) is ripping off Bohinc’s signature designs and warping them into $78 “mixed metal exclusive to Urban Outfitters” versions. In the store, they’re merchandised three at a time, layered over each other, to at least lend an image of richness.

But as you can see in the picture, they don’t even come close.

“Besides, clubwear is the kind of thing you want to be disposable so you can dance, drink, and leave it in a ball on your bedroom floor at the end of the night. Which means you might as well buy Bebe.” - Booth Moore, on why she thinks Gucci continues to look much cheaper than it costs, in the LA Times.

We don’t have to tell you to cut corners these days, but we still feel obligated to help you figure out how, so here:

There’s a thrift store on the UES that’s neither like Resurrection (too expensive) or Beacon’s Closet (overrated) - The Arthritis Foundation Thrift Shop (121 East 77th Street). Yes, the name is weird, and yes, it resembles a grandparent’s basement more than a shop that houses vintage DVF and Gucci (I also recently left there with a beaded Etro dress, with tags, for less than my Sunday brunch), but it’s still where I go when I have a few extra bucks in my wallet and the spirit of adventure (you have to dig).

Plus? The store benefits arthritis, which means you can officially write off Chanel on your taxes - ok, not really, but go anyway.

—CARSON GRIFFITH