Remember the trees, remember the grass, remember the time we saw your ass? Two loves take to the field, one barely makes it out clothed.

Giorgio Armani will unveil his new signature women’s fragrance Idole d’Armani next month (available in Sept), and the ad campaign will feature Polish actress Kasia Smutniak.

I love Giorgio Armani Cosmetics ads, they are so simple yet beautiful. I also adore the pale skin look with a softer smokey eye, the girls look gorgeous.

What happens when you squelch on a promise made with PETA? First they get their creative team to design a quirky poster to point out your inhumanity. Then they send hundreds of supporters to protest with the posters. Oh, and sometimes they go as far as taking a full page ad in Variety just to make their point. 

The new “Pinocchio Armani” advertisement is not only a ploy for embarrassing payback, but a plea for those attending this year’s Oscars to avoid Armani garments. The animal rights group has even taken the liberty of writing to Oscar nominees, encouraging them to wear the fur-free designs of Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger and Vivienne Westwood. 

I must admit, the advertisement made me laugh, but I guess we’ll see who’s laughing when Armani remains a red-carpet hit or PETA sticks it to the man. 

Thanks Daily News!

And so do the runways of Milan! Men in velvet are making a comeback in a big way! From blazers to slacks and even vests and tracksuits,it is obvious that mainstream designers like Gucci, Burberry, Giorgio Armani and Dolce and Gabbana are naming velvet the trendy material for guys come Fall 2009. If you’ve got some velvet laying around, break it out and start setting the trend! 

Thanks NY Mag!

White boys have won the runways of Milan. Blacks, hispanicals and asians are completely missing. Thank god for the recession, hopefully a few more of these brands will go under and take their 1940’s segregation based practices with them.

Marc Jacobs last Fashion Week Party....so long folks...

If you somehow manage to sneak into Marc Jacobs’ show at the Lexington Avenue Armory next month, don’t expect to be sipping bubbly at his after party. Why? Well, because there isn’t going to be one. The recession just about ransacked the fashion industry these past few months, sending some of our favorite designers home packing, laying off employees, shutting down stores, making the runway lonely and now erasing our reason to celebrate. Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Alexander Wang, some of the designers with the most anticipated parties, simply won’t be having them this year. But what about the hundreds of other party savvy designers? If you’re not immediate friends or family of Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, or Matthew Williamson, don’t expect to be wined and dined at their parties either. Looks like Giorgio Armani’s flagship store opening is your best bet…good luck getting in. 

Thanks NY Mag! 

Just found this on Craigslist…Armani holding open calls for servers and other restaurant folk. So for all you looking for extra cash, or a chance to meet Giorgio himself, head to 114 Fifth Ave tomorrow between 10-3.

The S/S ad campaign for Giorgio Armani is different from anything I’ve seen in awhile. The ghostly and mysterious platinum wash used on the photos makes the brand seem hipper with a slightly rough edge. Sasha Pivovarova’s icy glare perfectly jells with the mood of the campaign. Could Armani be striving to reach more demographics in this time of hardship for the fashion industry?

Thanks to Fashionologie for the photos.

Find more photos like this on Fashion Indie

I’m addicted to this ad-dict featuring the very beautiful Sasha Pivovarova. I love how statuesque she looks in the image. It was shot by Mert & Marcus.

Weigh in indies, love it or hate it?

PETA is like that pushy bully back in middle school who told you that all the cool kids money from their mom’s purse. First it’s the purse, then it’s holiday bake sale and before you know it, you’re robbing the Bank of America down the street. Unfortunately for Tim Gunn, peer pressure got the best of him as he is now the new spokesman for decrying the use of rabbit fur in China. What happened to designers with a backbone? Come on people, if your thing is fur, then use fur! Really, I am astounded the PETA actually got to Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani, scaring them away from future fur use. I understand PETA’s plight is for the ethical treatment of animals, but their constant public torture is sacrificing the fashion industry. What fur using designers fail to understand that it is impossible for PETA to crush their market. Okay, so the vegan girl down the street might not buy your mink coat, but someone else will! Besides, she probably has more important things to buy…like buy all natural, organic brussel sprout puffs.

So designers, keep a stiff upper lip and don’t back down to the threats of PETA, completely ruining your reputation and aesthetic as a designer. Instead of running over the fox for your latest fur coat with a semi, lightly smack it over the head with a brick.

Here are the upcoming Spring collections from the big names in fashion.
Thanks to The Fashionisto for the images

PETA activists picketed in front of the Milan Emporio Armani boutique yesterday.

They were armed with signs depicting Giorgio Armani as Pinocchio, protesting that the designer went back on a promise to stop using fur.  In reality, Armani will still be using rabbit fur.

I have no passionate opinion on Armani, and have always disagreed with how PETA goes about communicating their messages and causes.  But that picture’s pretty creepy-funny.  Early Halloween!

Image from Towleroad.

It’s been a WWF smack-down between Italian designer, Girogio Armani, and animal rights organization, PETA, ever since Armani’s Fall 2008 collection hit the runway. According to the New York Post, Armani “promised” PETA that he would not include animal skins or furs in his collection. Needless to say, Mr. Armani broke that promise…and how! 

Not only did models strut the runway decked out in fur-trimmed coats and skirts, they also flaunted full out floral printed fur coats! And to make matters between Armani and PETA worse, the designer got the kids involved. Yes indeed, Armani even designed fur coats for babies! Forget the pea-pod parkas for the baby…now there is mink in store for the little stink! 

Tomorrow night at PETA’s benefit in Italy, model and actress Pamela Anderson will try her persuasive attempts to deter colleagues from wearing Armani during awards season. Sorry folks, but I don’t think Ms. Anderson can compete with Giorgio Armani’s killer (literally?) Fall 2008 collection. 

Thanks STYLE and NY Mag!

Before

After

Never thought that claymates Wallice and Gromit would get a make-over but here they are as the new faces of Department store Harvey Nicols. They have exchanged their mix of tweeds and sweater vests for Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani. And Wallace love interest Lady Tottington will be seen sporting some Christian Louboutin stilettos, according to the U.K.’s Sun.

Their next animated adventure is currently in-production called A Matter of Loaf and Death. Guess we’ll settle for this for now.

Thanks E! Online

Dear Giorgio Armani,

I don’t wanna hate on the elderly gettin’ their sexy on in their last, FEW, PRECIOUS days before death stops by for that final potluck and I know you’re Italian but aren’t we a little long of tooth to be wearing the Speedo’s? A little slinky of skin to be baring all that flesh? A tad limp of prostate to be presenting the groceries to the public? Aren’t we? I mean I can see your cash & prizes and the balance is exceedingly low……if’n you know what I mean…….

There are already sooo many things in this picture that are killin’ your kool that I won’t dare to bring up the fact that you look crispier than Thanksgiving Turkey with all the fixins, it would just be too rude, so I won’t bring it up. You know how much we care about peoples feelings at Fashion Indie *squint*

- Z’maji of HauteBlogXOXO

The Superheroes have arrived at the MET.

I’m heading there tomorrow, but I got a special preview of the event from the likes of The New York Times (photos in the Gallery).

Original costumes from Spiderman, X-Men and Iron Man are on display along with original works of fashion art from Alexander McQueen, Moschino, and Giorgio Armani. Two of my favorite things are together for the first time ever. I could ravage Anna Wintour right now. Shit, I think I wet myself.

Be sure to hit up the exhibit pronto. I might get arrested for trying to steal some items tomorrow, but if I can get into the Iron Man suit quick enough I should be able to blast past security and steal Mystique body suit from X-men to enjoy a superhuman rendezvous later in the evening. Seriously, these are the thoughts that run through my head during the day. I know. I need help