Fragrance Foundation Fêtes Fifi Finalists

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

It’s that time again, kids! Time for the only awards presentation of any merit, the Fifis. Celebrating the best in perfumes, colognes, eau de toilettes, body sprays and pretty much anything that covers up the smell of failure and/or shame, this year’s nominees naturally include a number of celebrity vanity fragrances such as Beyoncé‘s “Pulse” and Justin Bieber‘s “Someday,” both finalists in the Luxe Women category. While Bey may have the biological advantage, if you ask me there’s no woman more luxe than the Biebs.

Lady? She Was Born Privé: Armani Dressing Gaga for World Tour

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

It’s going to be a haute  year on the international pop superstar tour circuit. While Madonna will be wearing Jean Paul Gaultier and Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci on her upcoming MDNA tour, her monstrous mini-me Lady Gaga has turned to Giorgio Armani for her Born This Way Ball tour, kicking off April 27 in Seoul, Korea. 

Kanye to Keep Up with the Kardashians, Ashley Judd Takes on Her Haters and Stefano Pilati Armani Rumors

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

- Rooney Mara‘s changed her Dragon Tattoo girl ‘do thus rendering her completely unrecognizable/irrelevant. [Refinery29]

- The newest trend in male grooming: the man bikini wax. The Brazilian is the most popular so just try and get that image out of your head. [NYT]

- Clearly a fan of discretion, Kanye West is rumored to appear on the upcoming season of the cause of the downfall of western culture otherwise known as Keeping Up with the Kardashians thanks to noted mantrapper/current girlfriend Kim Kardashian. And some people have the audacity — the CHEEK — to think this is all just a marketing gimmick. To those people I say…good call. [Radar]

The Art of Style: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

Despite dying of a heroin overdose in 1988 at the de rigueur age of 27, the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat looms large in the modern art world. Originally a graffiti artist hailing from Brooklyn, that spirit of early hip-hop rebellion has been channeled/co-oped by Reebok in a line of kicks and apparel, but at the height of his success, Basquiat was better known for working in Armani suits — a status symbol of the 80s if there ever was one — often emerging in public with paint splattered all over them. Here are a few pointers on how you too can achieve that gentlemanly, laid-back art school dropout look.

Rihanna Steams Things Up In Lastest Armani Video

Edited by McArthur Joseph

Besides selling overly produced pop hits, Rihanna is still hocking Armani. In the latest video the girl from Barbados is selling the hell out of some underwear denim. (And by selling I obviously mean writhing seductively in a bed for a minute while pretending to be aroused.)

INDIE NEWSROOM: Tilda Swinton’s Life to Be a Banquet as Auntie Mame…Rihanna’s Armani Ads Not That Sexy After All…Rachel Zoe Slights Brad Goreski’s Baby Gift

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

- Tilda Swinton is putting aside the heavy dramatic roles for the heavy pancake makeup and costume jewelry of filmdom’s greatest drag queen, Auntie Mame. The Oscar-winner is planning to “live, live, LIVE!” it up with her I Am Love director, Luca Guadagnino. [Out via NYT]

The Lady Waits in Elle

Edited by Jessica Lapidos

Behold a glamorous woman. She wears opera gloves to dinner. Hats just because. She has her suits custom made. She uses a muff. She is a Lady in Waiting in the 1950s, and she’s showcased in Elle next month. In fishtail skirts by Zac Posen and Donna Karan, suits by Oscar de la Renta and Armani styled by Christopher Niquet, Susie Bird is captured stunningly by photographer Thomas Whiteside. It’s a glimmer of hope that women can once again be utterly perfectly tailored in outfits akin to yore, yet still reign in our feminist ways. 

Rihanna + Armani Collection Collaboration Sneak Peek

Edited by Jessica Lapidos

Rihanna is now at the tail end of a laundry list of musicians celebrities to get a line of clothing. Though big ups to Ri Ri for going through Armani to get there. Already the face of the iconic Italian brand, Rihanna is working with Emporio Armani on a capsule collection. The line will include a skinny and a boyfriend jean, a leather jacket, a set of lace underwear in black and gray, two t-shirts, and a canvas bag. See the sneak and the sketches here. 

Anna Dello Russo and Karolina Kurkova Face Off in Armani’s “Back Damon”

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

Fashion’s very own Auntie Mame, Anna Dello Russo, styled a short film for Giorgio Armani starring a luminescent Karolina Kurkova entitled Back Damon. Like most fashion films it makes little to no sense but the clothes are amazing. It’s especially worth viewing for Anna’s expression during a face-off with Karolina that says, “I don’t know what’s going on or where I am, but frankly I don’t care because I’m in couture right now, thanks.” Video after the juuuuuuuuuump!

Mob Style Takes a Hit

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

Picture it. Sicily. Jail. Imprisoned mobsters in Palermo’s Ucciardone prison are too fly and the new governor Rita Barbera is straight up playa hatin’. Barbera is imposing a new prison order by banning the stylish mobsters from wearing luxury brands such as Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Armani.