“One of the nail colors was first called Bitter Chocolate, and it is such a dark, dramatic shade that I changed it to Bitter Bitch. My favorite is Lost Cherry [a lip color]. If you wear it, and you haven’t, then you just might.” -Tom Ford in the October issue of Allure, discussing his new Read more →
Images of a nearly nude Karlie Kloss shot by Mario Testino from Allure‘s October 2011 issue have started making the internet rounds. While the photos aren’t raunchy in the least, they’re still somewhat controversial given Karlie is only 19-years-old, and is often thought of (and referred to) as a “teen model.” The people over at Fashion Copious seem pretty outraged, saying, “No agent/agency should [any longer] allow their girls to be shot by Testino.”
Many Fashion Spot commenters also took issue with the shoot. Ivyinthemood said, “I don’t really like that she is naked…,” while commenter Vanity Fair said “omg, I feel that this is such [sic].. inappropriate.” Lifeispeachy seemed to sum up the general consensus, saying “it’s still so weird to see her like that.”
We have to say, we, too, were pretty surprised to see Kloss in such an overtly sexual, partially nude shoot.
As someone who straddles the line between consumer and recommender of beauty products, I find today’s beauty news really fascinating. Allure, which I have read religiously for years, just launched e-commerce with Quidsi, the company which owns Soap.com and BeautyBar.com. Linda Wells, Allure’s EIC, told WWD, “We know that women have always shopped from the magazine,” including Donatella Versace, who gave Wells the idea for e-commerce in the first place.
The idea seems brilliant. The magazine’s website content and commerce will be integrated seamlessly, with a “buy now” button at the ready to allow readers to purchase products that are appealing. Allure has never been afraid to criticize products, and Wells assures its readers that advertising and editorial will be kept separate as always.
OK, so now contrast Allure’s concept with an article by Catherine Saint Louis that just appeared in the New York Times.
While laying on the beach reading the August Allure this weekend, I came across a small paragraph that made me say, “Oooh, new nail polish gimmick!” A little digging revealed that a new polish trend is in the making.
Sick of crackle finishes? Try magnets! The UK nail brand Nails Inc. is releasing a polish called Magnetic Attraction. The three metallic shades–gold, gray, and purple–contain iron powder and come with a magnet embedded in the cap. You apply a coat of the polish to each individual nail, then hold the magnet over your nail to get a rippled effect. These polishes will be available in October. Nails Inc. has been expanding its market in the US, so hopefully we’ll see it stateside. In the meantime, you can try to win it from Allure here. (Allure gives away some amazing swag. Definitely check out their “free stuff” link on a monthly basis.)
WWD broke the news yesterday that Vogue‘s senior accessories editor Filipa Fino suddenly left the magazine after 11 years with the company. The following statement was included in the trade publication’s initial report, but has since been mysteriously removed: “Sources hinted that Fino’s departure could allegedly be tied to some inappropriate behavior on her part.”
There may be some truth to that statement. Multiple sources within Conde Nast and beyond have relayed to us that Fino acted unprofessionally in regards to the fashion closet and expenses.
No word yet on who will replace Fino. We reached out to Conde Nast for additional comment, but they declined to elaborate. Fino’s exit was only one of many recent shakeups within Conde Nast.
Coincidentally another of Conde Nast’s senior editors was just axed–W‘s senior fashion market editor Carolyn Tate Angel.
Ever wonder how beauty marketers make products perfectly appealing? We got to sit in a room full of those guys while they discussed marketing and branding at WWD’s Beauty Forum earlier this week. Sound boring? On the contrary–it was completely fascinating. This is an industry full of really smart people who know how to get you to buy things, and they have very a unique window into women’s psyches.
We picked up a lot of insight and wisdom during the full-day forum and naturally we’ll share it.
Elisabetta Canalis for Cavalli: George Clooney’s girlfriend bares it all in a second round of ads for Roberto Cavalli, donning nothing but red lips and select pieces from the designer’s new underwear collection. Cavalli has called Canalis his “ideal of a woman.” Le sexy. {HuffPo}
Wrap it Up in Chanel: Designer bags are so last year. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, images of Chanel condoms have been making the rounds on the internets, with an photo of the designer condoms appearing branded with a “Keep it Classy” slogan below the interlocked C’s. Rumored at $279 for a 12-pack, getting some wouldn’t be cheap for the couples interested in these Chanel rubbers. However, upon further investigation, it seems these love gloves are (shockingly!) only a rumor…but we don’t think it’s such a horrible idea. {Refinery 29}
Anna From the Block: Vogue EIC Anna Wintour left the confines of Manhattan for her stepson Sam Shaffer’s surprise birthday bash at Frank’s Lounge in Fort Green, Brooklyn. But, true to to her ways, Wintour did not arrive solo–she came with her boyfriend Shelby Bryan, Vogue senior accessories editor Filipa Fino and stylist Christian Stroble. It’s never a party until the fashion arrives. {NYPost}
Smells Like Love: Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom think their love is unbreakable…or at least that what their new fragrance seems to suggest. Right in time for Valentine’s Day, the reality star and basketball stud launch a unisex eau de toilette spray that “fuses their personalities” and will be sold exclusively at Perfumania. And since Kim generally hogs most of the spotlight, it’s only fair that Khloe should finally have her own fragrance. {Racked}
Looks like Anna Wintour’s obsession with Blake Lively (she’s covered the mag three times, including Vogue‘s Best Dressed supplement) hasn’t paid off.
According to statistics released by Audit Bureau of Circulations (as reported by WWD), Blake Lively is glossy mag poison. Her June Vogue cover was the third worst-selling issue of the year and her Esquire cover was the worst-seller of the year. (Her Allure cover, however, was that mag’s best selling issue so she’s not a total bomb–who would have thought her amazing bod would sell worse than a close crop of her face?)
Taylor Swift also proved deadly for mag sales, with newsstand sales for her April Elle cover running 60,000 less than average. Her November Glamour cover was the mag’s second-worst selling issue of the year, and Swift’s cover for Marie Claire in July was the monthly’s third worst-selling issue.
So who do you book if you want to sell?
I’ve been away on a little summer holiday, a huge part of which has been spent on a chair under an umbrella reading every single August and September fashion and beauty mag I can get my hands on. Therefore I’ve been unwittingly under the influence of fashion and beauty editors. So far they’ve told me that I will be wearing high waisted camel trousers, fur vests, and the fall version of clogs. In general, I will look very ladylike.
They’ve also told me that Chanel Paradoxal is the color to have on my fingertips. Chanel has been generally acknowledged as the lacquer leader ever since Vamp ruled the universe in 1994. Allure reported that a bottle of 2006’s Black Satin went for $140 on eBay. This summer everyone’s toes (including mine) were covered in Nouvelle Vague or some other brand’s version of that summery turquoise.
But Paradoxal is purple. Sparkly purple. Not generally a favorite color of mine. Yet a little voice in my head keeps saying, “But you have to try it. It’s the new Chanel!”
Much as we like to think we are individuals with our own sense of style, how much are we actually influenced by the fashion media or by preconceived notions of what the “best” brands are?
This week, there was not a lot of movement between different publications, but some major internal changes to report on. There must be some happy editors out there because everyone got promoted!
Allure announced three major promotions this week: Kristen Perotta, formerly editorial projects director and beauty director, has been named executive editor. Jillian Mackenzie, formerly deputy editor is now features director/deputy editor. Amy Keller Laird, formerly beauty director, is now deputy editor/beauty director.
At the New York Times, contributing writer Jeremy Peters was promoted to magazine reporter and Stephanie Clifford went from advertising and marketing reporter to reporter, retail coverage.
As part of their “Free Stuff” issue, Allure is giving away a crapload of beauty swag. The August issue is on sale now but the contest doesn’t start until the first weekday in August (8/2/10).
That’s 159 different giveaways of 32,358 products. Participants will get the chance to win a range of products from Giorgio Armani perfume ($39.50), to Lancome skin care ($155), to a Calvin Klein bag ($850).
Readers can enter the giveaways using Microsoft Tags–2-D bar codes that are scan-able by smart phone. The beauty mag will publish 36 “Tags” that can be ripped out and scanned for a chance to win at anytime.
Allure & GQ released their 2010 Grooming and Beauty Study this morning. 1,000 men and 1,000 women aged 18-64 were surveyed for the Conde Nast imprints, and while the findings aren’t exactly revelatory (women spend more time and money on beauty and grooming, they feel more pressure to look younger, etc.), it seems men are ramping up their beauty regiments. Just don’t call them metrosexuals.
We culled the five most interesting findings from the exhaustive survey. Check them out.
