The Sartorialist had a few bones to pick.

Mark Zuckerberg got secretly married.

The 10 Most Stylish Cartoon Bands of All Time

Gucci won a few mil from Guess.

Music video style retrospectives on Britney Spears and Mariah Carey.

Helena Bonham Carter got some therapy from Prada.

The Top 10 Most Fashion Forward DJs.

Louis Vuitton announced a new collaboration.

Memorial Day weekend essentials.

Popstars got the Humpday treatment. 

Makeover, makeover, makeover, makeover, makeover, makeover! MAKEOVER!

The Best & Worst Dressed Girl Groups of All Time

“Fake goods aren’t totally bad, at least it created jobs at some counterfeit factories,” Bertelli said in a Bloomberg television interview on Thursday. “We don’t want to be a brand that nobody wants to copy.”

Such sentiment may come as a surprise from one of the top 10 most valuable luxury brands in the world, and unsurprisingly warranted some elaboration. A Prada spokesman used the oft-popular “taken out of context” excuse, telling WWD, “The quote is part of an extended conversation that underscored how the market of counterfeits is an objective reality for successful brands and how this phenomenon has its own reality, also in terms of manufacturing, that is very structured.”

Imitation is considered the sincerest form of flattery, after all. [WWD]

Global research company Millward Brown Optimor conducted the study based on a brand’s overall performance as well as consumer interviews.

Coming in second place is Hermès, which Vuitton’s parent company — LVMH Moët Hennessy — has made no bones about wanting to acquire by snatching up any and all available stock over the past few years. And no wonder, Hermès  stepped its game up by a staggering 61% to $19.1 billion.

The Rolly’s apparently on many arms and the Chandon is flowing freely as both Rolex ($7.17 billion) and Moët Chandon made the top 10, which also includes Chanel ($6.68 billion), Gucci ($6.42 billion), Prada ($5.7 billion), Cartier ($4.8 billion) and Burberry ($4.09 billion). [Vogue UK]

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- Naomi Campbell celebrated her 42nd birthday lighting candles at a church in Jerusalem. No word if she later burned said church down. [Racked]

- The Great Gatsby trailer has finally premiered and one thing is obvious: the costumes are great and gasp-y. Trailer after the jump! [Huff Po]

- Aww, Prince William loves his nana, saying of Queen Elizabeth II: I would like to take all of her experiences, all of her knowledge and put it in a small box and to be able to constantly refer to it.” All right, Will, get a room. [Us]

- Williams’s dad, meanwhile, loves him two turntables and a microphone. Prince Charles was recently  in Toronto where some kids taught him to deejay. Introducing Prince-Mix-A-Lot! [Paper]

- In the words of “Rack City (Remix)” — who that on the pole? Is she that on the pole? It’s Heidi Klum and yes. She is that. The recently divorced super gets in touch with her inner bad bitch for Hunger Magazine. [Styleite]

- Condé Nast is reviving its high-end men’s fashion mag, M, which disappeared from newsstands in the early 90s before the advent of the metrosexual. [NYP]

- Gisele and Tom Brady are rumored to be expecting their second superhuman spawn after allegedly telling Riccardo Tisci she was two months along so that he could adjust her gown for the Met Ball. [Telegraph]

- And speaking of model babies, Sasha Pivovarova gave birth to daughter Mia Isis and tweeted a picture of her and the newborn out to the world this morn. Welcome to the world…of social media, baby. [The Cut]

- In a clear-cut case of “not letting shit go,” Gucci is now suing Guess in Italy, China and France. They’ll get that $221 million one way or another. [WWD, sub req'd]

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Gucci filed suit in 2009, alleging that Guess and its footwear licensee Marc Fisher Footwear had used “studied imitations of Gucci trademarks” — including the block letter “G,” a combination of red-and-green stripes and diamond-logo motifs – and “knocked off” more than $200 million in product.

Judge Scheindlin found that Fisher’s use of the red-and-green stripes was identical to Gucci and therefore likely to cause “trademark dilution,” i.e. cheapen Gucci’s image. The judge, however, denied Gucci’s counterfeiting claims, stating “courts have uniformly restricted trademark counterfeiting claims to those situations where entire products have been copied stitch-for-stitch.”

Gucci was awarded $4.7 million in combined damages from Guess and Marc Fisher for their use of the Quatro G pattern. Gucci was also granted an injunction against Guess, barring them from using the Quatro G pattern, the green-red-green stripe and certain other square G marks.

Whether this ruling will have any bearing on the  trademark infringement case involving Christian Louboutin‘s red sole debacle with that other PPR brand Yves Saint Laurent is yet to be seen. But for Guess CEO, Paul Marciano, the Gucci v. Guess case should’ve been resolved by the two companies and not the court.

In a statement issued yesterday, Marciano hinted that the battle might not be over as Gucci is “currently court-forum shopping to find a friendly court but Guess will vigorously defend our rights in every jurisdiction.” [WWD, sub req'd]

Diane Kruger in Vivienne Westwood

Jada Pinkett Smith in Emilio Pucci

Gemma Arterton in Gucci

Jessica Chastain in Gucci

Jane Fonda in Roberto Cavalli

Naomi Watts in Gucci

Jada Pinkett Smith in Atelier Versace

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Jane Fonda in Atelier Versace

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Paz Vega in Giorgio Armani

Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab

You need to remember two things when you receive an invitation to a black tie wedding – gowns and tuxedos. Don’t even think about showing up in a short dress. Use this occasion to wear that elegant gown collecting dust in your closet, or treat yourself to something shiny and new. Strappy, sky-high shoes and a crystal-encrusted clutch are perfect for rounding-out the look.

Fairly self-explanatory in name, a cocktail hour wedding is exactly what it sounds to be. The reception typically begins between 5-7 pm with a cocktail hour and dinner to follow. By all means, wear a gown if it's not too formal, but do feel free to wear a cocktail dress. Nothing so short your ass is hanging out, but sparkles are always welcome and encouraged. Metallic heels and statement earrings are perfect accessories. This look was inspired by

Both the ceremony and reception take place during the morning and afternoon at a daytime wedding, so lighter colors and fabrics, prints and playful accessories are welcome. Dress like you're going to a proper, formal high tea. You can never go wrong with a floral dress, classic shoes and a fun, quirky bag.

And when I say "casual," I mean for a wedding; this is not an opportunity to wear cut-offs and a tank top. These tend to take place outdoors, on the beach or in a park, so dressing for nature is key. Flow-y fabrics look great in the breeze, and wedges won't sink into the ground when you stand. A large sun hat is both stunning and protects you from UV rays.

Eartha Kitt - "Santa Baby" (1953) Lyric: “Come and trim my Christmas tree/With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s.”

Sister Sledge - "He's the Greatest Dancer" (1979) Lyric: "He wears the finest clothes/ The best designers heaven knows/ Ooh, from his head down to his toes/ Halston, Gucci, Fiorucci/ He looks like a still/ That man is dressed to kill."

Klymaxx - "Meeting in the Ladies Room" (1985) Lyric: (Spoken Intro) "I had to leave my condo to come to this/ Well I'm back/ But this time I'm with my man/ And these women are puttin' their hands all over his Yamamoto Kansai sweater that I bought/ And I'm much, much unhappy about that/ I'd hate to come down to their level and become a BW/ A basic woman/ But if they don't stop/ It's gonna get SCANDALOUS."

Run-D.M.C. - "My Adidas" (1986) Lyric: "NOOOOOOOW/ Me and my Adidas do the illest things/ We like to stomp out pimps with diamond rings."

The Notorious B.I.G. - "Hypnotize" (1997) Lyric: "I put hoes in NY onto DKNY/ Miami, D.C. prefer Versace/All Philly hoes, dough and Moschino/ Every cutie wit a booty bought a Coogi."

Lil' Kim - "Crush on You (Remix)" (1997) Lyric: "You got to hit me off/ Buy this girl gifts of course/ So I look slick in my 6 with my Christian Lacroix (pronounced Lacross)

Jay-Z - "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It to Me)" (2000) Lyric: "What do you say me, you and your Chloe glasses/ Go somewhere private where we can discuss fashion/ Like Prada blouse/ Gucci bra/ Filth Mart jeans/ Take that off."

Gwen Stefani - "Rich Girl" (2004) Lyric: "Think what that money could bring/ I’d buy everything/ Clean out Vivienne Westwood/ In my Galliano gown."

Beyoncé - "Upgrade U" (2006) Lyric: Audemars Piguet watch/ Dimples in ya necktie/ Hermès briefcase/ Cartier top clips/ Silk-lined blazers/ Diamond-creamed facials/ VVS cuff links/ Six-star pent suites."

Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" (2008) Lyric: "As a young girl/ Louis Vuitton/ With your mother/ On the sandy lawn"..."Can you stay up/ To see the dawn/ In the colors/ Of Benetton."

Kanye West - "Niggas in Paris" (2011) Lyric: "What's Gucci my nigga?/ What's Louis my killa?/ What's drugs my deala?/ What's that jacket Margiela?"

Lady Gaga - "Fashion of His Love" (2011) Lyric: "You know that I'd never cheat on a man/ 'Cause I'm not like that/ I'm physically crafted to be/ As fitting as McQueen." Add your favorite fashion lyrics in the comments below!

A look by Parsons student Alexandra Nam

Current seniors in Parsons BFA Fashion Design program will compete to win internships at one of PPR’s 16 luxury brands, which include Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Stella McCartney and Gucci. The two winners — one in ready-to-wear and one in accessories — will also be featured on The Fancy, a combination magazine/shopping guide/social network, and showcased at Barneys New York‘s Madison Ave store in September.

Centered on PPR’s “Empowering Imagination” theme, the competition is designed to stimulate new ideas at PPR’s stable of brands.

Today, a panel of judges including model Dree Hemingway, Vogue‘s Candy Pratts Price and Barneys creative director Dennis Freedman, will whittle down the top 20 candidates to five finalists based on their thesis collections and how well they exemplify the theme. The five finalists will then have their collections featured on The Fancy in mid-June with the winning look and accessory voted on by the public.

“Partnering with PPR and The Fancy,” said Simon Collins, dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons, “will provide our students with an international perspective, thus positioning them as design thinkers poised to lead fashion globally.”

The winners, announced at the end of June, will receive an expense-paid internship up to $10,000 at the PPR label of their choice.[WWD, sub req'd]

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Alexandra Nam

Comprised of five fragrances, each a different bloom from the original illustration, the Flora Collection is as youthful and contemporary as it is classic. “Creating The Flora Garden collection allowed me to express the depth of emotions of every woman,” Giannini said. “Each fragrance is distinct, yet together all the scents embody the beauty and allure of this muse.”

We have fallen in love with these beautiful fragrances, and you will too. There is one for your every mood.

The Flora Garden Collection, from left: Gorgeous Gardenia, Glamorous Magnolia, Gracious Tuberose, Generous Violet and Glorious Mandarin

The iconic Flora print, designed for Princess Grace Kelly

Bey and the Biebs will compete in that category with the legit luxe label lineup of Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford‘s “Violet Blonde“ and Prada‘s “Candy Eau de Parfum Spray.”

The finalists in the Luxe Men category are “Armani Code Sport,” “Gucci Guilty Pour Homme,” “John Varvatos USA,” “L’Homme Libre” by Yves Saint Laurent and my personal fragrance fave, “Un Jadrin Sur le Toit” by Hermès.

Nominees in the Media Campaign – Women category include Marc Jacobs “Daisy” — but surprisingly not the controversial “Oh Lola!” — “Burberry Body,” Chanel‘s “Coco Mademoiselle,” Dior‘s “J’adore” and interestingly, if that’s the word, “Wonderstruck Taylor Swift.”

Thierry Mugler‘s “A*Men” campaign featuring amputee track star Oscar Pistorius will compete against “Armani Code Sport,” “Gucci Guilty Pour Homme,” “CK One Shock for Him” and “Eau de Lacoste L.12.12″ for Media Campaign – Men.

Nominees joining last year’s inductee, Elizabeth Taylor‘s “White Diamonds,” in the Fragrance Hall of Fame, include Elizabeth Arden‘s “Red Door” and Hermès’ “24 Faubourg” in the women’s category and “Acqua di Gio,” “A*Men” and Issey Miyake‘s ”L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme” in the men’s.

Winners will be announced at the always glitzy Fifi awards presentation on May 21 at Alice Tulley Hall. [WWD]

- Megan Fox is preggers with her first child thanks to 90210 alum/perennial hottie Brian Austin Green. I guess a naked pregnant photoshoot is  pretty much inevitable at this point. [E!]

- Charlotte Free is the new face of Maybelline, as announced in this brillz video by the bearded mastermind behind Shit Fashion Girls Say, otherwise known as P’Trique and featuring fashion folk like Betsey Johnson and Derek Blasberg. Video after the jump! [Huff Po]

- Kendall and Kylie Jenner, the gorgeous and leggy saving graces of the otherwise intolerable Kardashian klan, have landed contributor positions at Seventeen. [Fashionista]

- Michelle Williams says she’s totally up for a Dawson’s Creek reunion and since she’s really the only one with a career — though Don’t Trust the B in Apt 23 is kind of amazing — Pacey, Joey and the Beek should just paddle their way back to The CW. [Vulture]

- Flame-haired designer Sonia Rykiel reveals her battle with Parkinson’s disease over the last 15 years in her new book, N’oubliez pas que je joue (Don’t Forget It’s a Game). [WWD]

- Though the fashion industry has no qualms over its love of Barack (and Michelle) Obama, there are those who are throwing their monetary weight behind Mitt Romney, including Guess CEO/Gucci lover Paul Marciano. [Jezebel]

- Roberto Cavalli has jumped on the Rihanna train and has officially stopped giving a fuck. The outspoken designer took to his Twitter to shit on French fashion, continue to take a dump on Anna Wintour and praise Marc Jacobs while defecating on Louis Vuitton. I’m pretty sure this is EXACTLY for what social media was intended. [Styleite]

Link Love: Vogue UK

Tom Ford on personally test driving his beauty collection: "I put every single thing on -- I don't wear it down the street, but I want to see how it covers, how it works. When you put your name on something, you want people to know you believe in it." Tom Ford on his incredible shyness: "I'm the face of the brand. With Chanel, you feel that Karl Lagerfeld's personality has really melded with Coco's - but not everyone knows yet who I am, so that's why I'm in the pictures. I don't like having my picture taken but it helps people to respond. My real life's not like the fantasy Tom Ford world - with naked girls pouring perfume everywhere. It's more staying in and watching Friends on television." Tom Ford on why he eschews the runway: "The reason I present in a small controlled way is that so much of what makes my clothes special is the cut, the stitching, the lining -- things that would be lost on the catwalk. On the catwalk you have to exaggerate, almost."

Natalia Vodianova on dieting: "The only diet I have ever done is the blood type diet -- I have done it for five years now. The big contracts go to the girls who are healthy - they need to have a sparkle in their eyes and you can't fake that if you're unhealthy." Natalia Vodianova on negativity: "I think it's really important to say no in this industry actually, it's more important than saying yes. I believe it is very much about saying no, and fighting for what you think you deserve." Eva Herzigova on being a 90s super: "It's a different time now - [the supermodel phenomenon] was a trend," she said. "The woman was much more feminine then, and we took longer to build up our careers. Modelling is very much based on experience."

Jourdan Dunn on healthy body image: "I've learnt to accept my flaws - I hated being skinny and lanky growing up. I think I'm fine so I've decided that no one can tell me otherwise. OK I'm skinny -- what's next, let's move on!"

Diane von Furstenberg on independent women, part 1: "I was on an early flight one morning and I was the only woman on the plane. On the same day, I'd managed to make it onto the cover of the Wall Street Journal -- which I had bought for the journey. There was a man sitting next to me on the plane and he kept staring at my legs and nudging me in the way someone does when they want to talk to you, but don't know what to say. So instead, the first thing he said to me was: 'Why would a girl like you be reading Wall Street Journal?' I looked at him like 'you jerk'. I never said to him, 'look you idiot, I'm on the cover!' Of all the satisfactions I've ever had in my life, that was the biggest." Diane von Furstenberg on independent women, part 2: "I didn't know what I wanted to do, I just knew the sort of woman I wanted to be. I wanted to be independent, I wanted to have my own money and be able to stand on my own - not the type of woman that waits for a man to call."

Stella McCartney and Kate Hudson on Keith Richards: "We met at the VH1 Fashion Awards. I saw her -- she was so cool -- standing in this doorway with Keith Richards." - Kate "I always carry Keith Richards with me in my handbag so I look cool." - Stella Stella McCartney on counterfeiting: "Part of you thinks, 'that's really annoying - we worked really hard on that. But my CEO came in one day so happy and said: 'My mum just saw a fake Falabella Bag in Marbella!' I suppose it does show you've hit kind of a sweet spot if people are copying you. But with the Silhouette Dress and the Polkadot Dress last season, we did have to send a few little letters reminding people that maybe it's not a good idea."

David Bailey on Cecil Beaton: "I mean, I was always a big fan of Cecil - but he was the most terrible middle-class snob." David Bailey on feminism: "I had a terrible time with feminists in the Seventies. They hated me, those women. I think they hated everything."

Stefano Gabbana on Domenico Dolce: "We are in love. It's a different kind of love, but we love each other. It's a difficult word to explain, but there's no real difference in the way we work together. We have a better level of understanding and tolerance maybe since separating romantically. People are jealous of what we have: still being in love and being able to make something interesting - we are strong and that's disturbing to some people. Domenico is like my family - even though we're not a couple any more. I have a brother, a mother, and Domenico... it has been a 20-year love affair." Domenico Dolce on underage models: "People say: 'Models are so young, they're so skinny.' But Mr. Balenciaga used models at 16 and that will never change. People say they are skinny, but there is a difference between skinny and sick. If someone is sick, they're sick. It's not because of fashion. If I have flu, I have flu; it's not because I work in fashion." Stefano Gabbana on shuttering the D&G line: "When we decided to do it, the people [stockholders] called us, going crazy - but we need to do it. Chanel has one label; Gucci; Vuitton - why do we need D&G? The people call Dolce & Gabbana 'D&G' - it is the symbol for Dolce & Gabbana, there's no need for us to have two labels." Stefano Gabbana on Madonna: "We went to see her on the Blond Ambition tour, we were big fans. We were watching the show - she was wearing Jean Paul Gaultier then - and I said to Domenico: 'Imagine if one day she wore Dolce & Gabbana.' Then we picked up the paper and there she was, in one of our dresses...She's beautiful, she's mature, she's a mother - like Isabella Rossellini or Monica Bellucci. She's a real woman."

Rachel Zoe on one of her fave jobs-well-done: "Anne Hathaway at the Venice Film Festival 2008 was a really good one. She wore an Atelier Versace celadon green gown and she looked just like the quintessential movie star. Literally - I gasped for air." Rachel Zoe on avoiding wardrobe malfunctions: "One of the things I'm most militant about is proper undergarments. Dress transparency can be a real issue! I photograph my clients in their dresses from the front, from the back, from the side, inside, outside, under hot lights... it needs to be an outfit that looks good from all angles and where potential disasters are kept to a minimum."

Gisele Bündchen A Goodwill Ambassador for the UN's Environmental Program since 2009, Mrs. Brady not only talks the talk but also walks the walk. Her insanely popular line of flip-flops, Ipanema Gisele Bündchen, supports the Fight Against Climate Change Central Strategy and the super launched the Clean Water Project in her hometown of Horizontina, Brazil.

Cate Blanchett Blanchett is equally known for her impeccable style as for her impeccable acting, but in addition she's worked as the co-artistic director for the Sydney Theater Company which she helped install 1900 solar panels at The Wharf Theater.

Stella McCartney Stella comes from a long line of eco-friendliness -- I still remember Paul and Linda McCartney extolling the virtues of vegetarianism on The Simpsons -- but she's taken her commitment to the environment seriously when it comes to her business with organic clothing, carbon neutral shopping bags and a studio powered by wind.

Natalie Portman A vegetarian since she was a kid, Natalie Portman is as green as they come. Even when gallivanting around Rwanda saving gorillas with Jack Hanna, Portman always looks frustratingly gorgeous.

Julia Roberts Pretty woman -- cleaning up the street. Julia's a huge proponent of recycling, organic shopping bags, disposable diapers, composting and just about everything else you can do to go green.

Salma Hayek As the wife of François-Henri Pinault, the chairman and CEO of PPR which counts among its stable of luxury brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen, Hayek lives a fashionable life. But she also lives a sustainable life by driving a fuel-efficient hybrid and outfitting her home with solar panels.

Alicia Silverstone Silverstone's style credentials are forever sealed thanks to Clueless-- though calling her a style icon is admittedly a stretch -- but her staunch environmentalism, including a book and a website dedicated to "kind" living, makes up for her lack of red carpet appearances.

Gwyneth Paltrow Paltrow may get her red carpet style from a team of professionals, but she got her green roots from mom/my personal hero Blythe Danner who had Gwyneth hugging trees and composting trash for as long as she could walk.

Emma Watson Watson has come into her sartorial own since leaving Hogwarts and that's included creating a green capsule collection for Alberta Ferretti.

Penélope Cruz Pepe is among a fleet of celebrities who tool around to shows during awards season in alternative fuel vehicles with the help of Global Green USA. One assumes these cars are large enough for a diaphanous gown and a towering updo.

Fisher’s lawyer, Darren Saunders, questioned Fisher over Gucci’s accusations that the defendants undertook a “massive scheme” to knock-off its designs, to which Fisher grew visibly choked up.

“I don’t understand the allegation,” his voice reportedly “quavering.” Accusations such as those, he insisted, would “jeopardize” not only his, but his family’s reputation.

“My family has been making shoes in this country probably longer than Guess exists,” he continued. Fisher’s father founded Nine West in 1978, while Fisher opened his own eponymous company in 2005.

During a three-hour cross-examination, Fisher repeatedly denied that his company knocked off Gucci’s shoes, but merely used them, and other brands, for “reference.”

“We do reference and use vintage designs quite a bit in our industry,” Fisher said, adding that sometimes shoe designs that were allegedly infringed upon Fisher had originally produced years before.

“So, Jimmy Choo knocked you off and then you knocked Jimmy Choo off?” Gucci lawyer Louis Ederer said sarcastically.

Fisher explained that many shoes turned out to be “tremendously similar” particularly over a “50-year period of time.”

Earlier that day, Ederer produced not only a thick binder from the Marc Fisher Footwear library, featuring five years of Gucci shoes Fisher Footwear had used for inspiration, but also a record of Fisher’s Gucci purchases over the last six to seven years, a total of $75,000.

The price tag seemed to shock Judge Shira Scheindlin who responded curiously, “I never saw a $2,000 pair of shoes. What do they look like?”

Ederer explained it was for a dress, not a pair of shoes — probably to the judge’s disappointment — before ending with his final question to Fisher: “You find this case ridiculous, don’t you Mr. Fisher?”

What is this, an episode of The Practice, or whatever legal show the kids are watching these days?

“I don’t think anything that takes this much time and money out of my life is ridiculous,” Fisher replied. “Gucci should have written me a [cease-and-desist] letter. That’s what should have happened.” [WWD, sub req'd]

- Thank you for tweeting a friend. Betty White has joined Twitter! [Twitter]

- Madonna has set yet another Billboard record…this time for the biggest second week drop in chart history. Madge hasn’t seen a fall like that since she bent over to look at her face in the mirror. [Paper]

- Let it be fierce, Daphne Guinness. The heiress cum style icon tweeted that she was recording at Abbey Road, leading to speculation that she may be coming out with an album.  [Elle]

- Nicole Kidman is in talks to play Grace Kelly in new biopic, Grace of Monaco  by Olivier Dahan, the guy who directed Marion Cotillard to her Oscar for La Vie en Rose. While the Academy warms up its trophy-throwing arm, Nikki Kids can warm up her face to start moving again. [Vogue UK]

- Marc Fisher, the CEO of Guess‘ footwear licensee grew so frustrated at the barrage of questions from Gucci‘s lawyer over the similarities between the shaded patterns over the two brand’s shoes he reportedly said, “I don’t understand why we’re spending 45 minutes discussing shading.” Ease up, Fisher. Gucci’s not being shady…just fierce. [WWD, sub req'd]

- Vogue may be taking a trip to Southeast Asia and this time it’s not to source tranny child brides. Rumor has it Vogue Thailand is happening. [The Cut]

- Kim Kardashian sent out printed cards to guests of her over-the-top wedding informing them that their gifts will be donated to charity, prompting one disgruntled guest to ask, “What is a charity going to do with a Tiffany picture frame or an onyx vase? And, this is nine months after the wedding. Why is she doing it now?” Clearly because she’s getting ready to assault us with another whirlwind fauxmance. [NY Post]

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

“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]

Gucci claims Guess and its footwear licensee Marc Fisher Footwear has been knocking off its logo and designs for years and is seeking $221 million in damages. Louis Ederer, lawyer for the Italian luxury giant, barraged Marciano with questions and referenced emails dating back to 1995  between Guess buyers and Marc Fisher employees. He also brought up a history of cease and desist letters from Coach, Yves Saint Laurent, Jimmy Choo and Adidas claiming Marc Fisher was knocking off their designs.

Through it all Marciano insisted that Guess simply took inspiration from different brands, including Gucci, for its logos, patterns and designs. When Ederer brought up emails from Marc Fisher indicating that the company was sending Gucci fabric samples to Guess fabric suppliers, Marciano claimed he had no knowledge of the correspondence. However, upon seeing the similarities between Guess and Gucci sneakers, he was “embarrassed.”

Ederer blasted Guess for not following up with Marc Fisher about the shoes saying, “The truth is that Guess has been knocking off Gucci for years.” To which Marciano responded, “No…fashion is about trend, mood and inspiration. You interpret your own way with your own brand.”

To illustrate his point, Marciano referenced the courtroom’s carpeting and claimed that his design team would reinterpret it and throw it on a handbag, to some mild courtroom chuckling.

After Ederer finished badgering the witness, Guess’ lawyer Daniel Petrocelli took over, asking Marciano to describe the company’s relationship with Gucci. Marciano insisted they never had any problems till a cease and desist letter in 2007 and that “if this is something Gucci was genuinely concerned with, they would have acted within days, everywhere,” instead of twiddling their thumbs since 1995. [WWD, sub req'd]

- Franca Sozzani may or may not be married. Either way, she probably doesn’t care whether you think she is or not. [Huff Po]

- I wanna say something. I’m gonna put it out there. If you like it, you can take it, if you don’t, send it right back: Anchorman 2. [Deadline]

- Time Magazine has opened up the polls for its annual Time 100 list where you can vote on who are the most influential people in the entire world. People like Jessica Simpson, Ashton Kutcher and LMFAO. No one said it was a good influence. [Time]

- Sears continues its Photoshop of Horrific proportions with the Kardashians and their new swimsuit line. Meanwhile, poor Khloe’s in a caftan, probably because it was easier than actually slapping her in the face.  [Fashionista]

- Dolce & Gabbana are ready for their close-up, Mr. Allen. The design duo will make a cameo in Woody Allen‘s new film, To Rome with Love. [Telegraph]

- Gucci and Guess have finally taken their three-year copyright battle to court where Guess’ own lawyer routinely insults his client’s quality and lack of class: “Guess doesn’t slap a house name on a product, Guess screams its name, it surrounds you…Gucci uses leather, Guess uses plastic, that’s why it costs 100 bucks.” That kind of defense you can’t buy. [WWD, sub req'd]

Start with a color blocked dress. This well matched shift by Gucci is boxy with similarly proportioned stripes to the Rothko.

Mark Rothko untitled framed print,

Fair ladies, embrace your Nordic tendencies that render you positively innocent when the makeup goes away. Use a pale pink that ebbs nude and a lengthening mascara. To get the Dolce & Gabbana look, mix a touch of their two

Purity Pink

What prevailed throughout all of Fashion Week culminated on the crystal cased Chanel runway with embroidered brows by the famed atelier de broderie, Lesage. If you don't have overgrown eyebrows, or just have fair hair, try like Pat McGrath did at Alexander Wang to give a boyish straight shape by brushing on dark eye shadow. You could also try an eyebrow palette with angled brushes. The

Raised Brows

Cold and angular eyes stared runways down to the chill of midnight.

Cool Night Eyes

Wing tips take flight again in both multiple lines like at Altuzarra, and with an electric blue shock like at Anna Sui. To get Pat McGrath's look for Anna Sui, you're going to use a liquid eyeliner and flick it up at the end. Draw the outline and fill it in using

Wingin' It

Like in Rick Owen's show "Offset the Scary", the brightest red will make a look iconic. Try a look-at-me lip of your own:

Bursting Red Lips

Burning in the fiery shadows of your lids is an orange or red taking up the whole space. You need to span big or else it runs the risk of looking like you've been crying. Not chic. And keep the rest of the face clean, obviously. Go big or go home in tears. Peter Phillips used several variations of orange at Dries Van Noten. From Make Up For Ever, he used no. 66, a mustard and no. 78, a rusty mandarin. Though those are both discontinued, you can try his third shadow,

Fiery Shadows

This look says power bitch in the sweetest way possible. How to get it: Spray the brush with hairspray and brush it back. DVF's hair stylist Orlando Pia used

Deep Sleek Side

Adding a dab of white to your cornea brightens the whole eye and makes them look bigger. Try some Sex to get the look. It's hot.

White Inner Eye

Hot mess dream trend! This look encourages us to fall asleep with our makeup on, roll outta bed and rock the refined raccoon eye. Marc Jacobs approves twice.

Smudged Down

Blackberries haven't gotten this much attention since iPhones hit Verizon. Unfortunately for the smartphone-makers, we're talking color. Perhaps it's the Rooney Mara effect, but oxblood-burgundy lips were everywhere. On the Gucci runway, Pat McGrath used

Vampy Lips

This 1947 Ivory ad seems to say, "It's okay to drop the soap, boys, 'cause it floats. And so do you."

This 1957 Griffin ad is for shoe polish but I'm far more interested in that gorgeous sheer trench.

Sabrina's typerwiter ad from 1959 was banned after putting its share of eyes out. Seriously, what's under that sweater, two watermelons strapped to two torpedoes?

Maidenform took the boob game into the office with this classic ad from the 60s. Then Don Draper banged her in a bathroom stall. It was the wrong office.

One guess as to what's the first best shape in Italy? Hint: a calzone. A Fiat ad from 1965.

Just two queens sharing a dirty pun over cocktails in Thermodor's ad from the swingin' 60s.

"Blow in her face and she'll follow you anywhere." That's been my mantra since Tipalet came out with this ad in 1969.

And the sex tape is born. Thanks in part to this Akai ad from the 70s. You're welcome Kardashians.

Why don't they make men like this anymore -- meaning awesome? Those badass mustaches, ass-kicking sunglasses and Interwoven's groovy 70s socks are gettin' the job done.

Well hello Adam. I see you've traded in that troublesome Eve for the convenience of internet porn. Sadly, this 1980 Apple ad was before the advent of the world wide web so it's off to the Garden of Eden for yet another lapdance.

This ad is so perfectly 80s: the hair, the makeup, the lack of manscaping, the high-waisted Jordache jeans. I bet they're all high on cocaine too.

What would this list be without Calvin Klein's iconic ads with Kate Moss and the artist formerly known as Marky Mark? I bet they're both high on cocaine too.

The boys are back in town. And by the looks of it, they're ready to play. Wonderbra's 1994 ad may not have the subtlety of Maidenform in the 60s but honestly neither did breasts.

There she is. Tom Ford. The king of sexy advertising, but where does one start? There's just so much filth to wade through but this Gucci ad from 2003 still raises a few eyebrows. Among other things.

Sexy ads will continue to be sexy as long as companies have shit to sell and people the money or at least credit to buy them. This Federici ad from 2010 gets extra points, though, for being both hot and blasphemous. I bet The Vatican was piiiiiised.

Casiraghi was shot by legendary lensman Peter Lindbergh, the first of four photogs who will capture the princess for Gucci’s Forever Now campaign over the next two years.

Of Casiraghi, Gucci creative director Frida Giannini had this to say: ”She not only embodies the beauty and the grace of the equestrian, but is also a wonderful ambassador for the sport. While designing her riding wardrobe, I have gained an appreciation for her innate ability to combine family traditions with a uniquely modern attitude… Charlotte brings the spirit of Gucci to life so elegantly.” [Telegraph]

Elegance in a hay stack. Oh well. Check out the behind-the-scenes video for more from this shoot:

Modern-day princess Charlotte Casiraghi is an equestrian and journalist by trade, but Gucci won’t be her first modeling gig — she covered Vogue Paris just last September. She inherited her royal good looks from grandmother/legendary style icon Grace Kelly and her mother Princess Caroline – a model in her own right.

As Gucci’s “Equestrian Ambassador” the Italian luxury house has outfitted the horsewoman’s competitive wardrobe for the past few years so it only makes sense that the two should continue riding into the sunset together. [Huff Po]

Here we have a prime example:

The all-around brilliant new Bottega Veneta AW 10 ads are almost violent in their beauty, but note how Alla Kostromichova is holding onto that clutch for dear life.

Not to be outdone, her partner in pose, Terron Wood brings his tote to work:

Flailing, contorting, moving, grooving and BAG!

Now one of my favorite bag poses of late has to be from the Spring 10 Gucci ads, featuring Natasha Poly and Ryan Kennedy:

There’s a lot going on in this picture and it’s all genius, but my eye is drawn immediately to that Gucci tote in Poly’s extended branch of an arm. And then to her freakishly long, pin-thin legs. But first the bag. Dangling there in all its glory.

Remember kids, it’s a prop, so don’t be afraid to use it. Throw it around! Hide behind it! Wear it as a hat! Cradle it as a baby! Just sell that goddamn bag.

And that concludes today’s lesson. Next time we’ll be talking about modeling a shoe. A test will follow.

The story goes something like this:

According to McCartney, Tom Ford tried to persuade her — over her protests that she didn’t work with fur and leather — to take the creative-director job at Gucci while he designed Yves Saint Laurent, which Gucci Group had recently acquired. “He said: ‘Just come to my studio and look at everything. Maybe you’ll do it,’ ” she recalled, shaking her head. “As if all those exotic skins and corduroy hamster fur were going to turn me on and make me change my entire ethic.”

But when Horyn brings this up to Ford, he sings an all-together different tune:

“It was never a conversation about taking over at Gucci. I think she might have interpreted that at a certain point.” He said he was aware of previous statements she made in the press, but “I just never corrected her.”

And Stella, being full of British cheek and verve, responded like the friggin’ lady she is:

“Oh, he’s a lying, cheating . . . what?” McCartney exclaimed, when I repeated his comment. “That’s the weirdest thing. Why would he take me into an office and show me every dead animal? Oops!” She laughed and, frowning, said to me: “How are you going to handle that? ‘Stella says she got offered Gucci but she didn’t . . . LOSER!’ ” She continued to chuckle.

As we all know, Tom Ford can take himself too seriously at times, something Stella could rarely be accused of doing. But honestly, so much of Gucci’s aesthetic is wrapped up in luxe furs and opulence for opulence sakes, thanks to Ford, that Stella would’ve been an odd fit anyway.

Anyway, the moral of this story, kids, is that Cathy Horyn will blow up your spot so you better get your facts straight. #TheMoreYouKnow. [The Cut via NYT]

Hayden will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

What grade did Hayden receive? Check out page two to find out.

Franco’s first of his “Episodes of an Untitled Film” will debut on February 15 on Seven’s YouTube channel with a new episode premiering every week. The aforementioned “Untitled Film” is actually titled The Death of Natalie Wood, an extended three-hour version of which will be played as part of “Rebel,” an art installation at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Inspired by Rebel without a Cause starring Wood and James Dean, “Rebel” also features work from Ed Ruscha, Paul McCarthy, Damon McCarthy, Aaron Young and Harmony Korine.

Franco’s interest cum obsession with James Dean is akin to Linday Lohan‘s obsession cum super-obsession with Marilyn Monroe, only to a more successful — and a more clothed — degree. You may remember that post-Freaks and Geeks Franco played Dean in a made-for-TV movie and later directed a biographical movie on Sal Mineo, Dean’s tragic sidekick in the 1955 classic. “Part of me wanted to fill it out and do a tribute to Natalie Wood, as well,” Franco said in reference to the untitled film’s title.

As for his collaboration with Seven, Franco had this to say about it: “The videos have a vintage feel to them. They feel like they are from a different era, which I think really fits with the new line that Seven had in the shoot — a lot of cool denim tops and jeans…The look of the film and the clothes feels very Seventies. We shot right on the beach and drove up the PCH [Pacific Coast Highway], so I guess you could say it’s a vintage 1970’s California dreamy feel. The movies that I cut together have a lot of weird double exposures and super- imposed images over other images, so it’s a real, I guess you could say, trip.”

The film features a cast of models/actors/artists/musicians I’ve never heard of — as well as a cameo by Franco himself — while Lily Donaldson takes center stage in the print campaign (above). And while he’s no stranger to modeling as the broodingly handsome face of Gucci for the past few seasons, Jimmy Francs is also in talks to move behind the camera to direct something for the Italian house. [WWD]

Check out a behind-the-scenes look at James Franco’s Seven for All Mankind film below:

Get them for $1,195 at Bergdorf Goodman.

GARDEN PARTY TIME

Charcoal and ochre stripes add a graphic element to understated taupe fox fur. I'd like to take it to the Catskills and never leave.

Tonal grey fox fur makes for a striking piece of outerwear. Worried about cold arms? Some leather opera gloves should do the trick.

Move over brass buttons and make way for goat fur. The lustrous trim leads to a cut-away hem, perfect for patterned tights to peek through.

Aqua wool has never looked this handsome. Trimmed in fox fur and cinched with a bright yellow belt, this coat will bring cheer to the colder months.

Jimi, is that you in there? Take it to the Electric Ladyland level in Etro's signature paisley printed on wool and silk. Oh, and the inside is completely lined in rabbit fur,

This Italian-made, Mongolian fur piece is basically season-less. Layer with it now, perfect for chilly summer nights later.

This glamorous piece is working fur double time - fox fur trim adds a rich contrast to glossy rabbit.

Green shadow fox fur is complemented on the inside by georgette lining. Has there ever been a jacket more ferocious?

Like a big luxurious cardigan, this piece will become a winter wardrobe staple. Clay-dyed rabbit fur with a silk lining is too cool for school.

Fran Fine would certainly approve of a printed and dyed gem like this, and we would most definitely add it to our closet any day of the week.

[Huffington Post]

The knighthood, bestowed by president Nicolas Sarkozy, recognizes Hayek for her “services to the French Republic,” notably, her work as ”director and producer (and) active member of charitable foundations for 23 years.” The fact that Hayek’s old man is Francois-Henri Pinault, a close friend of Sarkozy and the head of PPR thus the owner of pretty much everything including Gucci, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, I’m sure had nothing to do with it. Nor does the fact that Hayek’s father-in-law, Francois Pinault is simultaneously being named a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.

But the French are croaking their disapproval nonetheless, calling Hayek’s appointment a joke, “an insult to France” and as a result Napoleon Bonaparte, who instituted the honor in 1802 in an attempt to replace the nobility, is “turning in his grave.” One honoree has even refused to accept the award. Henri Torre, the crotchety 78-year-old  former minister and member of Sarkozy’s ruling party sassed, “Too many people have been nominated who do not deserve to be honoured” and claimed that the award had been tainted with “croneyism” by “naming any old people.”

It’s one thing to say that the Mexican actress is undeserving of being made a French knight, but calling her old is really stepping over the line, France. [Telegraph,Vogue UK]

Key Pieces: Mini skirts, bold prints, leopard anything/everything, skirtsuits, body-con dresses, tights, the occasional statement evening gown for when Mr. Sheffield lets her out of the house and, of course, tons and tons of hairspray.

Designers to Wear: Vivienne Westwood, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Betsey Johnson

Defining Fashion Moment: Whenever Mr. Sheffield had any sort of high-brow event at the manse, Fran would finagle her way into the party with a show-stopping entrance atop the staircase, which she would then descend dramatically like the drag queen she is. However, any serious discussion of Fran’s style would be incomplete without mention of  her equally fabulous mother Sylvia Fine and gold-lamé-loving grandmother Yetta. The apple doesn’t fall far from the heavily-sequined tree.

Simple yet stunning, this beauty goes from day to night in a flash.

Channel your love for bakelite without breaking the bank.

Gold hardware and black leather is all you need for a chic statement.

Black velvet and a crystal ribbon get an edgy touch, DSQUARED style.

Can you think of a better way to shine at your next holiday party? This bracelet is a glam statement.

Black, white and 12K gold - now here's a piece to go with every outfit.

This cuff is so luxurious, we're having trouble imaging our wrists without it.

Buy this blingy bangle in gold, silver and hematite for maximum effect.

This set of jingling bangles might be the most fun you can have with wrist candy.

Coal resin and gold-tone brass come together for the perfect everyday bracelet.

Crawling through the Boogie-Down, Lopez extols the virtues of her hometown and getting back to one’s roots — “They may be just streets to you, but to me they’re a playground.” –  but in truth, those streets aren’t streets to her either. While her body double was braving the hood, La Lopez was comfortably sitting inside her Fiat some 3,000 miles away in Los Angeles. Thanks to some innovative post-production, no one was any the wiser.

But now that the fox-fur-trimmed cat is out of the Gucci bag, this only proves that you can take the diva out of the hood, but you can’t make that bitch go back without a body double, some digital manipulation and a multi-million dollar endorsement deal. [The Smoking Gun]

Cookie Monster :: Helen Yarmak

Kermit the Frog :: Akris

Fozzie Bear :: Michael Kors

Statler & Walter :: Rick Owens

Gonzo :: Tom Ford

Bert and Ernie :: Paul Smith

Hilda :: Tavi* *not runway, but priceless.

Link Hogthrob :: Alexander McQueen

Marvin Suggs :: Versace

Newsman :: Thom Browne

Sam Eagle :: Just Cavalli

Animal :: Christian Dior

Zoot :: Gucci

Scooter :: Isabel Marant

Janice :: Donatella Versace

Sgt. Pepper Floyd :: Vivienne Westwood

Stagehand :: Marc Jacobs

Sweetums :: Dennis Basso

Photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

Grace Kelly

Briggitte Bardot in Burberry

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in Chanel (natch)

Audrey Hepburn

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Salvatore Ferragamo

Marilyn Monroe in Gucci

Reese will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

What grade did Reese receive? Check out page two to find out.

For the girly girl with a happy-go-lucky personality, Especially Escada will allow your charming self to sparkle. Notes of Pear, Rose and Ylang Ylang are feminine and breezily modern.

Glamorous, sensual, provocative - three words to describe the woman wearing Dolce & Gabbana The One Lace Edition. Available for a limited time, get the seductive combination of Jasmine, Peach, Plum and Amber notes before it's gone.

Go on a power trip with Gucci Guilty, a fragrance for the bold, independent woman with a sexy edge. Rich notes of Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Amber and Patchouli create a young and stylish scent, just like its Italian namesake.

Glamorous, sophisticated and elegant is the woman who wears Tom Ford. The same must be said for Violet Blonde, a worldly fragrance with notes of Violet Leaf, Italian Mandarin, Baie Rose and Cedarwood Orpur.

For the classically feminine woman with a free spirit, DIANE will envelope the body and stay with you all the day through. Notes of Frangipani, Violet and Myrrh are powerfully seductive.

Link Love: Vogue.com

Styled by Sara Fernandez. All photos from Fashion Gone Rogue

Patrizia Reggiani on trial in 1998

On  May 22, 1985, Maurizio packed a bag and told his wife that he was going away for a few days. Shortly afterward, a friend of Maurizio’s stopped by to tell Patrizia that Maurizio wasn’t coming back after a few days, or at all. After 12 years of marriage, Reggiani and Gucci had grown apart. Patrizia had been integral in overseeing Maurizio’s ascension to the head of the company, but she had grown overbearing and he desired his precious, precious freedom.

Patrizia Reggiani on trial in 1998

Maurizio Gucci

Patrizia at the funeral of ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci

Reggiani in happier times...the 80s

Inside the Tom Ford design studio:

Ford on his return to fashion:

Ford on leaving Gucci and making movies:

The full documentary airs Sunday at 8 p.m. and to check out the trailer visit the OWN website.

Gareth Pugh

Prada

Numêro / Models.com

W's "Transformers" by Steven Meisel

Pop Magazine Fall/Winter 2011 by Gillian Wearing / Models.com

Versace x H&M

Versace spring 2011

cK One spring 2011

Balenciaga spring 2011 runway

Barney

Harper's Bazaar Australia November 2011 / Models.com

Models.com

Vogue September 2011 / Fashion Gone Rogue

Mark Cramer and Coy Barton; “I’m in Steve Madden, he’s in Chinese Laundry,” said Mr. Barton of their shoes.

“I wish society was more acceptable of men wearing heels,” laments Jeff Paice, one of the queens interviewed by the Times, while in a black button down, black trousers and a pair of wedged sandals. Once upon a time, however, men could wear heels without stigma.

In 18th century France, Louis XIV often wore five-inch heels depicting miniature battle scenes. The Sun King decreed that only nobility were allowed to wear heels in red — how’s that for trademark infringement Christian Louboutin — and that no one could have heels higher than his own. Diva. Then in 1791, following the French Revolution, noted lilliputian Napoleon Bonaparte banned high heels to show equality.

Louis XIV in a sensible heel

For Paice, though, the options for a pump-lovin’ man leaves much to be desired. His cohorts, Coy Barton and Mark Cramer, allegedly 24 and 25, couldn’t agree more. ”I literally look at girls and think, you have so many options. You have jumpers, you have skirts, you have dresses, you have pants, you have shorts. Boys have pants and shorts. Or suits and a shirt,” Barton says, both he and Cramer dressed similarly in grey slacks, white dress shirt and tranny heel. But Barton, in his $115 Steve Maddens and Cramer in his $170 Chinese Laundry booties, don’t consider this a form of drag.

To them and to Sean Wagner, the heels are not about creating an illusion, they’re about having fun. “As far as we’re concerned, this is just bringing a look to a club — which is what you are supposed to do,” explains a bearded and bespectacled Wagner, in an eight-inch neon green pair of lace-up ankle boots — or as he refers to them, “my usual hiking shoes.” The 6’2″ Wagner is also a fan of the height the shoes give him. “I’ve bought Louis Vuitton. I’ve bought Gucci. But a lot of designers don’t go high enough for me. I found a company in Arizona that will do 15-inch heels for $3,000.” Let’s see 6’2″ plus 15″ equals…a towering tranny inferno.

Also taking the designer high-heeled road is Gregory Alexander, whose six-inch Balenciaga wooden wedges retail for $2000. That, however, is not the only price he’s paid for his shoe fetish. Last summer, while trying to jump a fence to get into a party, Alexander broke his ankle and was in a cast for four months. ”They told me I should never wear heels again, obviously,” he recounts.

But a broken ankle never keeps a lady down and by the time the NYT caught up with him, Alexander was in his Yves Saint Laurent Imperiale platform stiletto ankle boot — these L.A. gals do love an ankle boot —  skinny black jeans, a shirt and skinny tie and, of course, a motorcycle jacket, Because you gotta keep it butch. [NYT, Random History]

“I’m in Steve Madden, he’s in Chinese Laundry,” said Mr. Barton of their shoes.

Louis XIV in a sensible heel

Having mastered the art of social media — they’re #1 on Facebook with nearly 9 million “Likes” and #2 on Twitter — Burberry continues to find innovative ways to engage consumers such as a live-streaming Tweetwalk, where looks from London Fashion Week were Tweeted before they hit the runway. They also scored well in e-commerce and mobile commerce thanks to its global site relaunch, landing the over 150-year-old British label the top spot on the L2 index and the official label of “Genius.”

Kate Spade was a newcomer to the index but their blend of smart e-commerce and a strong mobile and social presence skyrocketed the brand to the #2 spot. Storied houses Chanel and Christian Dior, on the other hand, seem to be resting on their luxury laurels earning only “Average” L2 IQs.

Prada and Hermès started running with the bad girls in school, smoking in the bathroom and dating college boys instead of working on their social media and as a result their IQs plummeted from “Gifted” in 2009 to “Challenged” in 2011. And to make matters worse, Prada was cited as the “biggest digital disappointment in luxury.” Yikes, wait til your father hears about this….

But in their defense, Europe might just have a harder learning curve. Ten of the top fifteen brands in the L2 index were American and on average American brands have a higher digital IQ than their Euro counterparts. Finally, somewhere the U.S. excels in something besides obesity and sluttiness.

The top 10 list is as follows:

1. Burberry: Digital births an icon: Proof that digital investments translate to shareholder value.

2. Kate Spade: Top social media score; Index newcomer did not get memo that heritage is necessary to be iconic digitally.

3. Coach: New York native continues to woo the blogosphere and registers top scores for site experience.

3. Gucci: Gucci Connects dots and delivers with shoppable video and recent Tumblr launch

5. Dolce & Gabbana: Global site relaunch threads needle of edgy and effective.

5. Tory Burch: Facebook store leads fashion F-commerce (r)evolution.

7. Ralph Lauren: New York Times iPad app takeover transforms brand into rich media publisher.

8. Hugo Boss: Top mobile scores and interactive YouTube channel venture differentiate the brand online.

9. Louis Vuitton: Embracing the spirit of travel with Amble app; Leads on Foursquare.

10. Michael Kors: Destination: Kors. Evolving brand into an online lifestyle.

[Luxury Lab, Telegraph]

1. “The Butcher” - Mario Testino, The Face, 1996

"The Butcher" - Mario Testino, The Face, 1996

“Shot during the meat crisis in Britain, this much-copied story was a turning point in my career. And I don’t even like meat!”

"The Butcher" - Mario Testino, The Face, 1996

"Chic" Issue - Mario Testino, Visionaire, 1997

"Corps & Lames" - Mario Testino, Vogue Paris, 2005

"Naughty Parisian Maid" - Mario Testino, The Face, 1997

"Festin'" - Terry Richardson, Vogue Paris, 2010