Featuring Amanda Lear

Featuring Twiggy

Featuring Jerry Hall

Photographed by Herb Ritts

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz

Photographed by Helmut Newton

Photographed by Herb Ritts

Photographed by Bruce Weber

Photographed by Richard Avedon

Photographed by Jean Baptiste Mondino

Photographed by Juergen Teller

Photographed by Jean Baptiste Mondino

Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier

Photographed by Herb Ritts

Photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth

Photographed by Steven Meisel

Photographed by Mario Testino

Photographe by Steven Klein

Photographed by David Lachapelle

Photographed by Inez & Vinoodh

Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier

Photographed by Nick Knight

Photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth

Photographed by Terry Richardson

Photographed by Mario Sorrenti

Photographed by Peter Lindbergh

Photographed by Hedi Slimane

Featuring Kate Moss

Designed by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci

Photographed by Mert & Marcus

- Martha Stewart giving Veronica Lake realness, courtesy of the late makeup maestro Kevyn Aucoin. [Tumblr via Paper]

- In what has to be regarded as one of the greatest — and most inexplicable — comebacks in recent memory, Jennifer Lopez tops the Forbes annual Celebrity 100 list for the first time, unseating Lady Gaga who falls to a respectable fifth place behind perennial power player Oprah, and fellow poptarts Justin Bieber and Rihanna. [Forbes]

- H&M‘s opening up a two-story, 21,000-square-foot store in The Shops at Columbus Circle this fall, the 1000th H&M in a ten-block radius and the first in Manhattan with a dedicated entrance to the men’s department. [WWD, sub req'd]

- Model, fictional stripper and occasional singer Agyness Deyn will next be seen on-screen in an adaptation of the Scottish novel, Sunset Song directed by acclaimed filmmaker Terrence Davies. [Vogue UK]

- Amanda Lepore pretended to be an ordinary citizen for a few minutes by standing in line at the Chrisitan Louboutin sample sale. Then, remembering that she’s Amanda Fucking Lepore, she sashayed to the front of the line, bypassing self-proclaimed Basketball Wives, and shopped to her sole’s satisfaction. [The Cut]

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“Collaborating with Lady Gaga is always an exciting experience for me,” the legendary designer said. “I admire the way she uses fashion as a scenic element and as a means to build a character. She is an artist of many talents and great intelligence.”

Gaga’s custom costumes come complete with gloves with mirrored nails, a black bodice covered in Plexiglas guitars,  a boat-load of studs, spikes, latex and Swarovski crystals — it’s called show business for a reason, kids — and of course, nary a pant.

Meanwhile, I’ll take one in every color. [WWD]

Arnault, who in the past has gobbled up luxury fashion houses Pac-Man-style, has eased his megalomaniacal machinations as of late since the multi-billion dollar takeover of Bulgari last year. Europe’s richest man, however, hasn’t invested in a small fashion brand since LVMH bought a 40% stake in Edun, the eco-conscious label founded by Bono and wife Ali Hewson, in 2009.

So why Simoens? Why now?

“They [LVMH] do believe in him, and want to finance him,” a source told WWD. It seems Bernard Arnault wants to keep the fresh-faced fashion foal within claw’s reach should another head designer fall ever so publicly from grace. Arnault is famous for plucking young talent to revitalize staid, old houses, and with a stable of brands that includes Givenchy, Céline, Fendi and Vuitton, for Simoens, a deal with Bernard and co. makes dollars and sense. [WWD, sub req'd]

However, don’t expect to see Mario Testino‘s work in the pages of CR. The duo worked together for decades on The Face and later for Vogue Paris, but since he’s contractually obligated to Vogue, Testino is a no no. But that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of talent. For the first issue’s mock-up, Argentinian photographer Sebastian Faena captured a topless — this is Carine after all — Kati Nescher while Bruce Weber shot Patti Smith in all her Miss Havisham glory.

In addition to scouting new talent, Roitfeld is being more hands-on than ever before, taking meetings with advertisers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Cartier for the first time in her career. And according to her they were “very receptive and eager to participate.” Though carrying over 100 ad pages, ads in CR won’t look like other fashion mags since it will reportedly only carry spreads and have no front-of-book content — that will be reserved for the online component.

The fashion book will also only have longer-format articles, published in the writer’s original language — whatever that may be — with translations in the back. In her mock-up, Roitfeld had articles written in Arabic, Japanese and Russian, although CR itself is an English publication with offices located in The Standard hotel.

Carine insists that this new magazine of hers is in no way a form of revenge to her former bosses at Condé Nast, saying, “Vogue is a very beautiful magazine, an institution, and I learned so much working there. You can’t put yourself into competition with a magazine like Vogue; you have to create something new, something different.” She added, “It’s time to find something new, something fresh — for me and for the readers…I find that some people in fashion are so blasé. Fashion has to be fun”

Roitfeld will bring her trademark irreverence to styling photoshoots, which she admits “will always be edgy.” She’s trying to find new ways to push the envelope, not by being “safer” but rather just “different,” explaining, “Maybe it will be more mental than physical.”

CR Fashion Book‘s first issue will have 288 pages at a cover price of $9.95, with a publication of 50,000 copies, mostly in Europe but also including the U.S. and Asia.  And when Carine’s not busy working on that, she’ll have a host of other projects keeping her busy, such as styling campaigns for Max Mara and Chanel, musing for Givenchy‘s Riccardo Tisci and then there’s a full-length documentary on her slated for 2013 by Fabien Constant.

So I think it’s safe to say leaving French Vogue was the best thing to happen to Carine Roitfeld. [WWD]

Mock-up of CR's cover by Sebastian Faena

Patti Smith by Bruce Weber

Carine's Obsession

Another spread mock-up by Faena

Knightley discusses her two new films with David Cronenberg, who recently directed the 27-year-old in last year’s A Dangerous Method. First there’s June’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, co-starring fellow fashion plate Steve Carell, and an adaptation of Anna Karenina, in which she plays Tolstoy’s legendary literary heroine — out just in time for awards season in December.

Seriously, just throw that girl in a period piece and watch the Oscars fly.

Photos: Interview

“This morning, at the courthouse, we saw the square G on a handbag,” Marciano, reportedly excited, told the court. He had taken a picture of the woman earlier with her permission, of course.

“It’s a counterfeit,” Louis Ederer, Gucci’s bulldog of lawyer countered.

“But we asked the lady,” Marciano said. “She said it was real.”

“Of course she told you that,” the judge said, chuckling, and the matter was dropped and the case adjourned till Monday.

Marciano had previously tried to prove that Givenchy had developed the square “G” before both Gucci and Guess, to no avail. If Guess loses this case, however, they might end up owing Gucci $221 million in damages as well as receive a permanent injunction to keep them from making and selling anything with the interlocking “G” design. [WWD]

Between Superman Lagerfeld's fixation on crystals and Giambatista Valli's kinked stripes, cubic patterns jump forth geometrically from Paris.

Cubism Movement

We've well worn the leggings under skirts look, now go for boot cut, center pressed trousers.

The Skirt's Trouser Snake

Lisbeth Salander got a tattoo that sent the whole fashion world into gothic leather. Not that Mugler and Gareth Pugh wouldn't have gotten their without her help.

Lisbethan Leather

The outlining trend has carried through Fall 2012, as its body shaping properties are out of this world. Rei Kawakubo, meanwhile, has taken the stroke density to an epic level.

Outline, Take Notes

Perhaps it was the staggering lack of snow this season that has led so many designers to dream of a white winter.

Next fall, you might take a side job as a street sweeper. Or hire someone to carry your jacket's train. Coats are hitting the ground and billowing out in a righteous way.

Angelina Jolie's leg bomber followed Fashion Week to Paris and continued deploying bare gam splits.

Time for a second job, or a sugar daddy, or for your million dollar idea to actualize; the hottest trend is having a personal porter/bellboy/man servent. How chic!

Among the lessons the rapper/designer/shaman learned was to distrust said pundits, which is why he cancelled a press preview moments before it was to begin. Eric Wilson of The New York Times was witness to the diva fit and describes it thusly:

“I don’t know about this,” [Kanye] said. “I got treated unfairly by the press last time. Why would I want to do this?”

Awkward. 

With respect, I responded, this was an opportunity to describe his point of view…Would he at least care to explain the ideas behind his collection?

He pondered for a moment.

“No,” he said. “If they don’t understand it, they don’t understand it.”

Then, in a kindly way, he kicked me out.

That is super awkward. But Wilson didn’t have any hard feelings and described the collection as “harder, faster, stronger, maybe just a little bit better.” And he noted that the show elicited a smile from Anna Wintour — sure it was from the go-karts during the finale, but with Anna Wintour you take what you get and slink off into the background.

Self-proclaimed Euortrash Luke Leitch of the Daily Telegraph used a few borderline offensive remarks about video hoes but ultimately likened the collection to Givenchy:

Like so much of West’s music, this collection sampled material originally created by others: most notably Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci. And that one sample worked so well that in many ways this collection was more successfully Givenchy than the next season Givenchy collection shown here just a few days ago.

But Tim Blanks from Style.com perhaps made the nicest/least harsh comments about West’s sophomore effort, proclaiming that Kanye had “won a much-improved badge.” While “praised” isn’t the right word, Blanks also “mentioned” the designer’s attempt at editing from his previous collection, calling it “a declaration that West is learning self-discipline in design.”

Oh, and from what I can tell, no one fell and was “cussed” at during the show…so, mazel! Check out some of the looks from Kanye’s fall 2012 collection below:

- Yves Saint Laurent is set to confirm on Wednesday what everyone’s already known for some time now, that is, that Hedi Slimane will take over Stefano Pilati‘s recenlty vacated creative director role. [NYT]

- The video for Brandy and Monica‘s new single finally descended from the heavens, “It All Belongs to Me”, or as I like to call it, “Fierce, Sassy Bitches Blowin’ Shit Up.” [Perez Hilton]

- Marc Jacobs not paying his models is causing a stink, and the company’s snide tweet isn’t helping matters. [Jezebel]

- Alicia Keys and Edward Enninful were caught holding hands at the Givenchy show prompting rumors of an affair between the space around Alicia Keys’ and Edward Enninful’s hands. [Fashionista]

- 66-year-old Debbie Harry was mistaken for 25-year-old Lindsay Lohan by paparazzi, leaving Debbie Harry feeling like she should have made better life choices.  [Page Six]

Photos: Image Amplified

Click on each individual style below for more information and additional photos.

Cover-ups by Lucky Brand
Platforms by Topshop

Clockwise from middle:

Sexy doesn’t have to to be flashy, says the lovely nude dress. Halston Heritage V-Neck Dress, $275

Your dollar bills would like some designer duds too. Givenchy Rectangular Wallet, $317

This handsome belt features lustrous leather and some serious gold hardware, perfect for almost any look. REISS Atheno Leather Inlay Belt, $105

Stylish and sexy, these luxurious silk briefs are just cheeky enough. Agent Provocateur Katherine Brief, $150

Could an It Bag be a more perfect color for every single season? Givenchy Pandora Bag Medium, $1,441

Chic and with vintage appeal, you’ll wear these sunnies for a long time to come. Stella McCartney Oversized Teardrop Sunglasses, $225

This wooden brooch is too cool for school. Elisa Vendramin Glacier Brooch, $32

This adorable boho cover up makes us long for the golden sands of summer. Lucky Brand Gypsy Cove Bermuda Sand Cover Up, $88

A splash of red is just what the style doctor ordered to spice up this neutral pair. Topshop Swagger Contrast Toecap Shoes, $124

Pair this nude lip with an extra smokey eye for the a perfect night out look. Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color in Nude Vanille, $48

Faux horn and eye-catching crystals add a glam touch to this everyday watch. Michael Kors Madison Watch, $275

So what is a great Oscar gown? It’s a dress that is memorable, history-making, scene-stealing or just plain fucking perfect. With that, I just don’t get the fuss over Gwyneth Paltrow’s pink prom dress and refuse to even acknowledge that gown or the fact that she has an Oscar.

Audrey Hepburn (1954) Auds became a star and a fashion icon that night when she wore Givenchy, beginning a lifetime collaboration between the star and designer. Along with America's heart, she took home the Best Actress trophy for her debut performance in Roman Holiday.

Grace Kelly (1956) This was no doubt the look Gwyneth was going for when she strolled the red carpet in that wrinkled princess confection in 1999, but make no bones about it, this is how it's done kids. Kelly beat out some major competition the year before -- including Judy Garland and Dorothy Dandridge -- to nab her Best Actress Oscar for The Country Girl, but she really stole the show in this Helen Rose stunner.

Elizabeth Taylor (1961) In the pantheon of great movie stars, few shone brighter or longer than Liz Taylor, thus a list of the greatest Oscar gowns could barely be considered legitimate without Liz throwing her white diamonds into the mix -- I hear they've always brought her luck. Taylor won her first of two Oscars for BUtterfield 8 and wore this gorgeous Christian Dior number to claim her statuette. It's generally accepted  -- even by Liz herself -- that Taylor won the award through a vote of sympathy after losing her husband Mike Todd in a plane crash -- only to seek comfort with Debbie Reynolds' then-husband Eddie Fisher --  and suffering a life-threatening illness during filming - at one point she was actually pronounced dead. Six years later she took home a well-deserved trophy for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Barbra Streisand (1969) Eschewing tradition and helping to usher in a new generation of movie star, Babs wore a see-through sequined sailor pantsuit by Arnold Scaasi. It was a big gamble but La Streisand came out the winner and made history by tying for Best Actress with Katharine Hepburn when they won for Funny Girl and Lion in Winter, respectively. Kate chose not to attend because, honestly, it was her third (of four) Oscars and she couldn't have been bothered.

Cher (1984) Cher might have proved that she was a serious actress with her Oscar-nominated turn as Meryl Streep's lesbian lover in Silkwood, but she's still fucking Cher. The icon wore Bob Mackie (natch) to the 1984 ceremony but lost only to win three years later for Moonstruck. And that gown was no less show-stopping, but didn't have this amazing headdress.

Nicole Kidman (1997) Nikki Kids was a greenhorn on the red carpet before this Dior gown and became one of its reigning queens thereafter. Though she gave an incredible performance the previous year in To Die For, she was denied a nomination only to finally win once dumping that lilliputian husband of hers for her brilliant portrayal of Virginia Woolf in the saddest movie ever made, otherwise known as The Hours.

Sharon Stone (1998) I usually spell "batshit crazy" S-H-A-R-O-N-S-T-O-N-E, but Stone looked the picture of elegance in a Vera Wang skirt paired with a Gap button down. The marriage of high and low was made in heaven that night, though I still couldn't tell you why she was at the ceremony that year. But like most things with Sharon Stone, I don't question it.

Céline Dion (1999) Was it a stroke of genius that caused Céline Dion to turn her Christian Dior blazer back-to-front or just an actual stroke? Either way, Celine was memorable the year after her heart went on and on to win Best Original Song (though the award itself went to the songwriters, I. Dunno and No-one Cares).

Björk (2001) The dress that launched a thousand jokes, Björk's Marjan Pejoski swan dress was perhaps the last epic thing to stroll down the Oscar red carpet. Nommed for Best Original Song that year, Björk may have left empty-handed but no one will ever forget that she was there.

Halle Berry (2002) Halle Berry not only became the first African American to win a Best Actress Academy Award that night, but she also launched Elie Saab into the sartorial stratosphere. This was Berry's and Saab's shining moment and everything since then has been an enormous letdown. On both their parts.

- Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez apparently mistook Vanity Fair‘s photo booth for the room they shoulda gotten for this inappropriate heavy petting.  Paul Rudd and Jason Bateman, however, can take that lovin’ to the streets. [Buzzfeed]

- Joining Nicki Minaj in the pages of Vogue is fellow raptress-cum-fashionista Kanye West. Ye rips off his shirt and reassuringly cups Florence Welch‘s ass to pose with Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, thus squashing any rumors of a feud between West and Anna Wintour. Rumors that I unsuccessfully tried to start. [Fashionista]

- Antonio Darden, New Mexico governor Susana Martinez’s hairstylist, is refusing to do her hair until she changes her staunch opposition to gay marriage. Martinez has reportedly been looking like a hot mess ever since. [Styleite]

- Glee‘s Chris Colfer will make her big film debut in a movie she both wrote and is starring in. Go. Head. Girl. Friend. [Homorazzi]

- Supermodel Kathy Ireland makes Martha Stewart look like a poor slob. Ireland’s home goods business brings in $2 billion a year while Stewart can’t even crack 9 figures. How’s that for a good thing, Mar? [Stylelist]

Link Love: Fashion Gone Rogue

For her much-hyped Super Bowl Halftime Performance (#GoGiants), Madge channeled the late Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra with a 13-minute extravaganza eleganza featuring “relevant” artists, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., Cee-Lo Green and LMFAO.

To do justice to that great queen, the Queen of Pop turned to the house of Givenchy where Riccardo Tisi – who had designed costumes for her tour three years ago — was more than happy to conjure up some couture.

“People say everything has a limit, but limits do not exist with Madonna,” Tisci told WWD. “It is a great honor for me to be part of yet another historical and iconic moment.”

The Lady Ciccone also wore some white and gold diamond earrings from Bulgari, plus a stunning gold headpiece by none other than milliner king Phillip Treacy. If you’re like me and missed the Super Bowl and everything therein, take a look at Madonna’s blinged out performance below (before it gets taken down for copyright infringement).

Commentary: "She looks like she's slithering out of her own skin...and for good reason."

Lose the jacket and you've got yourself a stunner. And I'm talking to you Jessica Chastain

Commentary: "I didn't realize the circus was in town. Tell me, how many clowns can she fit under that tent?"

Perhaps a little too heavy on the beading, but the stars will be out once the cameras start flashing.

Commentary: "Gone with the picnic table. Even Scarlett O'Hara couldn't pull this one off."

Simple and chic but the sheer skirt keeps this from waltzing into comatose couture.

Commentary: "She's going commando! Literally, she skydived onto the red carpet, then wrapped the parachute around her and marched into the show."

It was hard finding anything suitable for the Oscars on Gaultuier's runway, but this scoop-back ditty hit all the right notes.

Commentary: "Looks like she came to her senses a little too late and was only half successful in taking her dress off in the limo ride here."

Pretty much everyone and their mother wants Rooney Mara in Givenchy and this is the closest thing to perfection she'll get.

Commentary: "Tilda you look amazing! Anyone else might receive a public stoning."

When in doubt, always go the ethereal route.

Commentary: "Did a hurricane sweep through every retirement community in Boca Raton and land directly on her?"

Black is always a popular choice on any red carpet so a stunning pale yellow like this will surely have heads turning,

Commentary: "Little ho on the prairie."

All this look needs is a high chignon, a Judith Leiber clutch, and a pair of statement earrings OR a statement necklace...not both.

Commentary: "The dress is wearing her. And it wants off."

It don't get no more chic than this. Give me a two-tone and I'll give you a star.

Commentary: When did the ghost of J.Lo's career show up?"

Miss Havisham knocked a few back and now she's ready to party.

Rooney Mara radiates in Givenchy Haute Couture.

- Taking two very different interpretations of ballin’,  Karl Lagerfeld showed Chanel’s fall 2012 haute couture show on a specially-built luxury airplane and Riccardo Tisci chose the oldest gymnasium in Paris for Givenchy.

- Tim Gunn hasn’t been laid in 29 years. Well, that explains the crusty demeanor…and his personality. [The Cut]

- Some attendees of Chanel’s Numéro Privés installation in Vegas – who were flown via private jet —   weren’t feeling classy enough, so they bee-lined it over to the AVN Adult Film Awards afterwards. [Page Six]

- Cynthia Nixon showed off her shorn scalp this morning on Live with Kelly! (that exclamation point is mandatory otherwise it would be a “?”). The actress formerly known as Miranda shaved her head for a new role on Broadway. [E!]

- Terry Richardson shot Kreayshawn for V Magazine and surprisingly she didn’t end up topless. [Refinery29]

The silhouette of a mountain troll on the palette of a dandy with a Victorian harking makes for one time and bodily twisted trip at

Versace plays to the color hungry eyes of the psychedelically tripping.

Serious double take! Moschino and Jean Paul Gaultier both dabbled in brick laying for Fall 2012.

I have a vision, let me show you mine... It's Derelict! Seemingly made from garbage bags with the pull tab handles, this jacket is playing mind games.

'Tis a trick of the eye as a different cartoon suit is painted overtop the three dimensional suit.

Stars, Stripes and Skirts for the men at

Cascading hardware makes for trippy visuals.

The wonderfully weird Thom Browne keeps the athletes on their toes for

It looks like a glowing ball of light that I want to move with to the music.

The expert surrealist Rei Kawakubo mashes at least four colors onto this jacket, and has you wondering if your actually looking at Joan Jett in prep school.

Photos: Style.com

Mary Alice Stephenson wears a lot of hats!  Her Facebook followers are in the five figures, she is a media go-to for her red carpet commentating and heart-filled fashion segments, a world renown stylist who has styled for icons such as Avedon, Hiro, Demarchelier, Lindbergh and Richardson as well as serving as a brand ambassador and spokesperson for many Fortune 500 brands.   Oh, and we can’t forget to mention how cool it is that she and Barbie are talking fashion in her “dream” closet for BarbieWow.com next week, while still making time to be the national fashion ambassador for the Make a Wish Foundation.  She gives her time and love for fashion to many charitable organizations all while being a single mom.  She’s our new hero and we think soon to be yours, too!

As a fashion consultant, you get to do something different every day- which days are you favorite?

Every day is different and I love it that way!  It’s such a mix — from red carpet commentating to consulting behind the scenes for Fortune 500 companies, to creative directing, to styling editorial shoots with top photographers. Each week it’s high fashion to mass fashion, it keeps me happy to be in both worlds!  I can reach so many real women all over the world via social media, my followers love that they can get a look into the real world of fashion and learn how they can apply that glamour to their lives in a realistic way.  One day I’m shooting for a European Vogue, doing a fashion segment for the Nate Berkus show or styling a supermodel for Estee Lauder and the next day I could be helping real women get their glam on in a mall in middle America!

Who are young designers that we should be looking to for the future of fashion?

I just had lunch with the talented designers of Cushnie et Ochs, I try to support as many up and coming designers as possible.  I know how tough this business can be and how much support they need to make it.   I love Flora and Alexa from Ohne Titel, Juan Carlos Obando, Joseph Altruzara, Christian Cota, Suno, Frank Tell….  There is so much talent out there right now.  I try to shoot their clothes, or get them on the red carpet as well as talk about their clothes in the media to help get their point of view out to mass America.  The American public needs to know there are more options than just the big brands that can afford to advertise.  It’s still a struggle, for example, there were a wide range of luxury brands seen on the Golden Globe red carpet but where were Erdem, Prabal Gurung, Thakoon, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler?  I was happy to see Givenchy, Nina Ricci and Jason Wu, though —  so that is some progress!

For the rest of the interview, click on over to LOOKBOOKS.com!

Photos: Fucking Young!, Morphoman

If the talks prove succesful, Nicki Minaj would — correct me if I’m wrong — be the first rapper on the cover of Vogue. Although god knows Gwyneth Paltrow‘s been known to drop a hot verse in her day.

What do you think, Indies? Are you excited for a Nicki Minaj Vogue cover or has Anna finally gone over the deep-end?

Having never rode a motorcycle -- nor possessing the desire ever to ride one -- I've never had a motorcycle jacket. But who needs a hog when you've got these marvelous ruffled sleeves that practically yelp "Hell's Angel?"

Finally a man's heel -- 4.5" thank you -- in a man's size -- size 11 or 12, if you're wondering. I've actually worn a pair of these courtesy of one of my tranny friends and while they were literally torture, my legs looked 12 feet tall. And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters.

If there's one staple in my wardrobe, it's a harem pant. But lately I've been wanting more drop-crotch action and this crotch drops all the way to the knees. The closer it looks like I'm wearing a skirt, the better.

Givenchy has long been my favorite, aspirational mens line and these adorable tees are cropping up everywhere. During the winter months, the tropical motif will keep me from abandoning all hope and resigning myself to pajamas and hoodies everyday.

For those inevitable nights out on the town, why not a silk two-tone jumpsuit? It gives the appearance of separates but the comforting freedom that only a one-piece can provide.

I love a fashion book and there's been no fashion book I've wanted more this year than Carine Roitfeld's Irreverent, chronicling the ex editrix-in-chic's life and career.

I'm a proud bag lady and every few months I need to trade in the old for the new. Right now I'm operating with a fuchsia backpack, but this more grown-up messenger bag speaks to the bitter old queen inside of me -- whom most people tend to ignore.

I’m getting a little, or a lot, of Janet Jackson circa “You Want This” slash TLC circa “Waterfalls” right now.  Which means I’m fully on board. Hopefully there’s more to come but until then, do yourself a favor and check out this performance of “Love. Sex. Magic.” featuring one Ms. Justin Timberlake from SNL to see what all the hype’s about.

Photo: Oh No They Didn’t!

1. Paris Is Burning (1990) Set amidst the backdrop of 80s New York ball culture, Paris Is Burning is an exploration of beauty, race, sexuality, capitalism and the American Dream, all wrapped up in a dragtastic homage to the transformative powers of fashion. Also, where do you think Madonna learned to Vogue? See Also: To Wong Foo -- Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1994) Drag queens, yes; acute social commentary, not so much...but how can you argue with this? Oh, that's right, you can't.

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2. The September Issue (2009) Step inside the hallowed halls of the fashion Bible that is U.S. Vogue. We get a rare glimpse of the woman behind the bob and Chanel sunglasses, as Anna Wintour admits with a palpable hint of regret that the distinguished members of her family think what she does is "quite funny." But it's Grace Coddington's bleeding artistic heart that stays with you throughout. See Also: Bill Cunningham New York (2010) Bill Cunningham, legendary streetstyle photographer for the New York Times has a Puritanical simplicity to his life but a couturier's eye for trends and detail that is documented in this tender portrait, featuring the likes of Wintour, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Anna Piaggi and Michael Kors.

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3. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) Though not necessarily a film about fashion, Breakfast at Tiffany's is the quintessential fashion film. Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly continues to teach and inspire girls and certain boys everywhere on how to be chic, how to be urbane and how to live fabulously in New York -- or at least how to pretend. And there has never been a more iconic Little Black Dress ever put on screen. See Also: Darling (1965) Darling's Diana Scott is the British, unapologetically wanton version of Holly Golightly. A morally-suspect fashion model who sleeps her way to the top, Diana still manages to come off as a naïve and sympathetic character -- despite exhibiting behavior to the contrary -- thanks to Julie Christie's Oscar-winning portrayal.

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4. Unzipped (1995) Sure, there are other backstage, behind the curtain, beneath the bustle documentaries of fashion designers, but none are as stylish as Isaac Mizrahi's Unzipped. When Isaac was the new, young It designer on the block; when Naomi, Cindy, Christy and Linda ruled the catwalks; when Eartha Kitt was still alive and purring -- Unzipped documents the height of 90s fashion, right before the balloon went bust. See Also: Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) Whereas Unzipped follows a designer in the earlier stages of his career, The Last Emperor observes a master -- Valentino Garavani -- as he takes his final bow with his partner of 50 years by his side, Giancarlo Giammetti.

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5. Funny Face (1957) Audrey Hepburn makes a return to the list, but this time she is the unlikely model Jo Stockton, a bookworm with an unconventional look that inspires love in photographer Dick Avery, played by Fred Astaire. A fantastic set of photoshoots and gowns by Hubert de Givenchy are the main attractions, but Kay Thompson as salty editrix Maggie Prescott could give Miranda Priestly a run for her money. See Also: The Women (1939) Though Funny Face features a climactic runway show, The Women spared no expense in shooting its nearly 10-minute fashion show in color, despite the entire film being in black and white. Do not mistake this classic with that awful remake Diane English regurgitated a few years ago.

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6. Mahogany (1975) Arguably Diana Ross's greatest cinematic achievement -- if only for this -- Mahogany chronicles the rise of supermodel Mahogany from the slums of Chicago to the runways of Paris and finally to international acclaim as a designer in her own right, only to give it all up for the man she loves...a move Ms. Ross would openly spit upon, but which she plays with considerable believability. See Also: Gia (1998) While Mahogany is a fictional supermodel who dabbles on the dark side, Gia Carangi was the real thing whose excesses eventually got the best of her. The film is best remembered, however, for launching Angelina Jolie to stardom, thus ensuring Jennifer Aniston's lifelong ire.

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7. Clueless (1995) What can one say about Clueless? The perfect teen movie, it's infinitely quotable -- "You're just a virgin...who can't...DROIVE." -- and is there a character with as enviable a closet as Cher Horowitz? Bonus points for first introducing me and perhaps a majority of the world to Azzedine Alaïa. See Also: The 2nd Season of Gossip Girl (2008-2009) With the possible exception of Mean Girls, there hasn't come along a teen movie as smart or as witty as Clueless. But in terms of style, the second season of Gossip Girl rose to the challenge, making fashion icons of Blair Waldorf and Serena Vanderwoodsen, as well as their real-life counterparts, Leighton Meester and Blake Lively.

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8. Blow-Up (1966) Michelangelo Antonioni captures the mod mood of 60s Swinging London as a hedonistic fashion photographer -- played by David Hemmings -- tries to figure out whether or not he accidentally snapped a murder. In the film's most famous scene, 6'1 supermodel Veruschka writhes around the set of a photoshoot as Hemmings makes love to her with his camera. See Also: La Dolce Vita (1960) If Blow-Up swings, La Dolce Vita sways. Federico Fellini's romantic portrait of Rome is as sleek and stylish as protagonist Marcello Rubini's suits.

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9. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) It's a matter of public record that Lauren Weisberger's roman à clef was based on Anna Wintour -- who famously wore Prada to the film's opening -- but what the film accomplishes (okay, let's be real, what Meryl Streep accomplishes) is creating not only one of the greatest villains, but also one of the greatest fashion icons, in modern cinema. See Also: Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) A completely unnecessary production and by the loosest definitions an actual "movie," Sex and the City also benefited from Pat Field's brilliant styling. But unlike The Devil Wears Prada, there was no Oscar nomination for attiring Carrie and Co.

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10.Zoolander (2001) Everything benefits from a parody -- rather, everything benefits from a good parody, Though Zoolander is far from perfect, it's a fun and funny romp through fashion's ridiculous playground; complete with walk-offs, an evil Galliano-esque designer in Jacobim Mugatu and the introduction of Blue Steel into the cultural lexicon. And lucky for us, there's a sequel in the works thus righting everything with the world. See Also: Brüno (2009) Taking off where Ben Stiller catwalked off, Sacha Baron Cohen's flamboyant character traipsed through America, spreading his questionably fashionable and gratuitously gay, booty-shorted self from sea to shining seaman.

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Photos: Design Scene

“The Great Designers” will also be accompanied by the book The Great Designers: Fashion’s Hall of Fame from A to Z, highlighting 500 of the museum’s masterworks by 100 of the 20th- and 21st-century’s most important designers. Publishing in April 2012, the book will include an essay by museum curator Valerie Steele on the history of fashion museums and exhibits,  along with short bios on the 100 designers. Click through the gallery for some of the designs featured and to keep you occupied until you can make your way to the FIT Museum to see them in person. [WWD, FIT]

Boudicca, Fall 2006

Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, 1986

Givenchy by Alexander McQueen, Fall 1997

Thierry Mugler, c. 1987

Rick Owens, Fall 2008

Prada, Fall 2011

Gareth Pugh, Fall 2007

Elsa Schiaparelli, Fall 1935

Valentino, Spring 2008

Gianni Versace, 1991

Photos: Models.com

Photos: W

The caveat that broke the camel’s back was Jacobs’ insistence on taking his Louis Vuitton team with him to Dior, leaving Vuitton — LVMH’s cash cow — without a heel to stand on. To make matters worse, Arnault had wanted Céline‘s Phoebe Philo to replace Marc at Vuitton should he move to Dior, but Philo is happy where she is — outfitting Kanye West in billowy blouses.

So with Jacobs more or less off the table, LVMH has reportedly approached Alexander Wang, Jason Wu and Jil Sander‘s Raf Simons; though out of the three Simons would seem the most likely choice, that is unless Dior plans on eschewing breathtaking gowns and impeccably-crafted ladysuits for sweatpants and cocktail dresses.

Then there is Givenchy‘s Riccardo Tisci, whose name has been bandied about since Gallianogate got into full swing. But he — along with Lanvin‘s Alber Elbaz, Alexander McQueen‘s Sarah Burton and Balenciaga‘s Nicolas Ghesquière – has turned down the Dior deal, citing brand loyalty.

So the question still remains — and frankly, the question is getting really tiresome — who will take the reins at Christian Dior? However, by the time someone is announced, the question might be, who the hell cares? [WWD]

With sky high pyrotechnics and background videos of the wildest animals in the jungle, the skirt came across as slightly surprising yet somehow still pretty masculine.  We’ve been seeing the man skirt as of late (Yohji Yamamoto and Rick Owens both rocked skirts down the runway) and we’d like to know: would you wear it?

Link Love: Vogue.com

If you haven’t browsed the men’s and women’s offerings on SSENSE.com lately, you’re missing some of the coolest designer fashion and accessories to come from the Canadian retailer yet. Whether your vice is Givenchy dresses, spiked Fallon accessories or sky-high Jeffrey Campbell boots, SSENSE is the place to go when you’re looking to do some serious shopping. Whatever you’re looking to buy, you can always count on SSENSE to have the chicest offerings online.

How can you win $500 worth of merchandise from SSENSE.com?

1. Head over to the SSENSE Facebook page, “Like” it

2. In the comments below, show us what you would buy from their site and why you want it. Be sure to include a link to the product!

The best comment & most stylish buy wins! Good luck and happy shopping.

Ricardo Tisci on the Givenchy muse and only tranny on our list, "She’s always been very feminine - super-fragile, very aristocratic." [WWD]

She's been most compared to David Bowie, an androgyne's androgyne.

He laughs it off when people on the street call him ma'am, it lets him do things like pose as Warhol's Candy Darling in Interview. "It’s not so much about being androgynous; it’s more about being a person and not boxing yourself into anything. Life is so much more fun when you just let go, and do the first thing that pops into your head. Go take the water taxi if you’ve never taken it. Go to the fucking Target in Brooklyn if you’ve never been to it." [the cut]

Prettier than 98% of the girls in the world, this boy is the absolute darling of the industry. To be clear, Andrej states, "I don’t want to be a girl, but I like to dress as a girl." [daily mail]

With a soft gaze and sharp mind, this man likes to avoid the term "male model", and he fully accepts the industry's need for the skinniest, "I understand why models are skinny and tall, most designers worry about sizes after the work they do in the drawing room... But I'm sure it was difficult then for weak, tall or skinny people during the middle ages. I feel lucky my parents have passed on genes where I am the size I am but it's just the way it is. I would be just the same if it were different only maybe not being interviewed by you." [essential-homme]

Her short dark chop and narrow features read gorgeously masculine. At times, she wonders about her own success, " “When jobs come up I'm still... Wow! Weird! Sometimes I see myself and I have no idea why they booked me.” We know why.

Former lover of Angelina Jolie, her look is tough as nails. On Mrs. Pitt, “She loves women too much. It's like a drug and she was hooked. Angelina loves danger and dabbling in the dark side. That's where she gets her kicks - not playing happy families with one man.”

This Indonesian male model uses his soft eyes and plush lips to channel his inner woman. He sees himself more as "an androgynous petroleum engineering student who trapped in fashion industry."

Gaunt and hard, her Croatian face is a total Bowie. Her favorite food? "Pizza and onion rings." [vogue] Sounds like a dude to us.

With a head of wispy blonde locks and a look that whispers Cate Blanchet, he surprises us with this lawful fact, "I have completed my first year of a Law/Finance degree, although it appears as though perhaps it may eventually be put on hold as modeling opportunities continue." [pagesdigital]

The two kooky kids were also seen at Givenchy — and we all know that once you attend a storied French fashion house’s runway presentation together, it’s serious. If the rumor is true — and for kicks, let’s just say it is — Chanel will be the latest in an increasingly crowded stable of models to get in the Louis Vuitton Don’s saddle, including Angela Martini and Amber Rose. [The Fashion Spot]

Photo: Trendland

Italian designers are forming a united front to decide on their own dates, out of the three following options: 1.) move to July; 2.) show before New York in September; or 3.) leave things the way they are, which could mean an overlap between Milan and London.

Condé Nast, for its part, is not having any of this. In a letter to Mario Boselli, head of the Italian Chamber of Fashion ”obtained”  – *cough* stolen *cough*– by WWD, CEO Jonathan Newhouse writes that Vogue editors “like the schedule the way it is presently organized. We at Condé Nast do not want the schedule to be changed. We very much oppose moving the Milan shows earlier so that they overlap or conflict with the London fashion shows — or with the New York fashion shows or those of any market.”

Newhouse then goes on to basically threaten a boycott by all Vogue editors — American, British, French and Italian — of Milan shows, stating matter-of-factly that “they will not under any circumstances abandon the London or New York shows if the Milan shows are moved earlier.”

The root of the conflict stems from a pact in 2008 when all four cities agreed to kick-off the fashion weeks on the second Thursday of February and September. Boselli claims that the agreement was only for three years while the CFDA‘s Steven Kolb and the British Fashion Council‘s Caroline Rush contend that it was indeed a permanent arrangement.

As for the fromage standing alone, Paris is expected to side with Milan. However, Didier Grumbach, head of the Chambre Syndicale, would rather come to a compromise and wants everyone to just chill the eff out: “When planning our schedules we have to factor in the time constraints of houses such as Jean Paul Gaultier or Givenchy that deliver couture, men’s and women’s shows with one designer. In any case, these things can’t be improvised. We have our locations. To move dates on venues like the Grand Palais cannot be improvised. Those dates are decided months and months in advance. If [anyone wants to] move dates for 2013, why not, we have the time to talk about it, to arrange it.”

Frankly, it’s a little odd that London is siding with New York considering the hubbub over model castings earlier this season, with London designers blaming New York for hogging all the best girls and the general feeling that LFW was being squeezed out. Now it seems Milan is feeling the crunch and are going to have to come to a decision soon or face the wrath of Wintour. [WWD, sub req'd]

Photo: Trendland

All photos from Style.com.

With a big focus on tailoring for Spring 2012, Riccardo Tisci designed one of the most wearable Givenchy collections to date. The makeup was very on par with this idea as nude eyes and a lightly glossed lip let the models' true beauty shine through. Tiny, shiny, heart-ish shaped bits placed directly beneath the lower lash lines reflected Tisci's mermaid inspiration for the line.

It was ring around the rosy at John Galliano with eyes smudged in a reddish-pink shadow and nude lips blushed ever so slightly. Whimsical, if not slightly freakish, the face matched the clothing designed by former pattern maker for the house Bill Gaytten. Mary Poppins would oblige.

The nude lip trend continued in Paris with Pat McGrath's fresh dewey face for Lanvin. The makeup artist is "feeling really pared-down makeup for Spring," a look designer Alber Elbaz was completely on board with for the show. Clean skin and a smokey brown eye rounded out the look, creating day-to-night beauty that's absolutely flawless.

Ah-ha! And a bold lip steps forward. Makeup artist Pat McGrath mixed three hues to create this perfectly matte, pinkish crimson pout, reminiscent of the late great Grace Kelly. Flawless skin with a rosy cheek was the backdrop for the look, and a pretty bronzed eye complemented without taking away or overpowering a simply beautiful face.

Meanwhile, Brad Goreski of The Rachel Zoe Project fame and Tracee Ellis Ross of Girlfriends and Diana Ross‘ daughter fame will co-host this year’s Fashion Forward, held at the Metropolitan Pavillion on November 17th from 7-10 pm. The evening will consist of a cocktail reception (as if there’s any other kind of reception), an auction and of course what fashion event would be complete without a runway show? Tickets are available for purchase here.  [WWD, GMHC]

Beyoncé shot two campaigns, one for fall with Tony Duran (above) and one for the holidays with fashion’s very own St. Dick Nick, Terry Richardson. Of the experience, B had this to say: “Working with Tony and Terry on these two separate campaigns was such an amazing experience. Their approach is so different, yet to me the end results are so beautiful in their own unique way.”

As co-creative director — that happened — I guess she has to say that and as a gay I guess I have to support it. At least she brought out the Foxxy Cleopatra hair this time around so I can have something to hold onto. [WWD]

*Meanwhile, can we talk about the Knowles and their obsession with inconveniently-placed accents?

FashionIndie‘s own Jessica Lapidos captured
during last Fashion Week by NY Mag

Go East, Young Tran!

Asia is booming! With many designers flocking to the Far East not only for business but inspiration, why not give a knowing wink to the Orient with this look, featuring a Boudicca cape, cropped McQ jersey harem pants and of course, what Asian sensation is complete without a little Hello Kitty?

I’m not the only one who would live in this rainbow mountain of Givenchy Pandora bags. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Kate Beckinsale and Hilary Duff are also huge fans.

We love this bag to death, but, unfortunately, won’t be buying one anytime soon. Check out page two for our “look for less” picks.

If you haven’t heard of SSENSE.com by now, my friends you are in for a treat (the stylish kind, not the caloric kind).  SSENSE is a killer online luxury retailer with just one brick-and-mortar shop located on a beautiful cobblestoned street in Old Montreal.  The site has been a major influence in online luxury retail since 2003, with over 10 million visitors monthly  and over 400,000 visitors per day.

Hands down my favorite spread so far in this, the September issue season, Klein, Valletta and Edward Enninful envision an eternal heroine and her struggles over the course of a century, featuring looks by Chanel, John Galliano, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tom Ford, Givenchy and Alexander McQueen.

“September 29, 1929: A month before the stock market’s Black Tuesday, our heroine’s opium-tinged 29th-birthday party in the Blue Room rolls on.”

Dior has been without a creative director since that little incident with John Galliano — you know, the anti-Semitism and the firing and the rehab and the court case — since March.

Arnault, chairman of LVMH — which also owns Marc Jacobs International — had initially planned on hiring Jacobs for Dior back in the 90s, but that idea was vetoed by Dior’s then president Francois Baufume. Instead, Galliano was hired from Givenchy to Dior and Jacobs signed on as Vuitton’s artistic director in 1997.

“Had I hired Marc Jacobs for Dior and John Galliano for Louis Vuitton, it would not have worked as well for both brands, even though both designers are geniuses of their own,” Arnault told WWD in 2003.

Meetings are scheduled for this week in Paris between Dior and Marc Jacobs’ legal representatives while the designer prepares for New York Fashion Week. Robert Duffy, Jacobs’ longtime business partner, is also reported to be integral to the deal, despite currently having legal troubles of his own.

Should Jacobs move to Dior, Phoebe Philo is said to be on tap to replace him at Louis Vuitton, while maintaining her current role at Céline.

Since March, Dior has approached a number of designers to replace Galliano including Lanvin‘s Alber Elbaz, Balenciaga‘s Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander McQueen‘s Sarah Burton, Haider Ackermann and Hedi Slimane. Elbaz, Ghesquière and Burton have allegedly withdrawn themselves from the running due to their strong personal commitments to their respective brands, while talks with Ackermann and Slimane proved fruitless.

Then, of course, there is Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci whose name has been bandied about as frontrunner for months now and who is a favorite of Delphine Arnault, deputy managing director at Dior. Where Tisci stands in all this is uncertain, but do you think Marc Jacobs is what Christian Dior needs right now? [WWD]

- Vogue lopped off a few of Lila Grace Moss (Kate Moss‘ daughter)’s fingers in their September issue in a case of bad and badly observed Photoshop. I guess Anna is human after all. What a day of disappointments. [Styleite]

- In other Brit Kate news, Kate Winslet has joined forces with fellow Oscar winners, Emma Thompson and Rachel Weisz to form the “British Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League,” an informal group of acting superheroines fighting against Hollywood’s pressure to go under the knife. In other news, Demi Moore has formed the “Legion of the Evil and Ageless.”  [Telegraph]