“It’s a very daring thing to do, where you don’t immediately see her face.” Bailey told WWD, adding for good measure, “As you know, I was the first to develop this two-cover approach.” Let ‘em know Glen.

While still fourth among fashion pubs in ad pages, the March issue saw a 15.5% increase with new advertisers including Tom Ford, Hervé Léger and Alberta Ferretti. Between those ads you’ll notice new features such as “The List” — “the ultimate list of things to be aware of this month,” according to Bailey — a monthly travel column called “The Escape,” an expanded beauty section, more news and Derek Blasberg‘s previously online only “Best-Dressed List” makes its way to a monthly column.

The new and improved Harper’s Bazaar hits newsstands on February 14. [WWD]

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?

Wilhelmina Cooper (1939-1980) Before starting her own modeling agency in 1967 (yes, that Wilhelmina), the Dutch-born Cooper appeared on some 300 magazine covers, and still holds the record for most covers of American Vogue: 27. Though Gwyneth Paltrow is slowly sneaking up on her.

Photo: The Fashion Spot

- Is this old news for everyone or just me? Model Coco Rocha was discovered jigging about in an Irish dance competition. Now she’s showing her pride for the activity by hosting an online screening of Irish dancing documentary Jig. Weird, yet mildly touching? [Fashionista]

- London was just named the #1 Fashion Capital of 2011, beating out top dogs Paris, Milan and New York for the title. We’re glad (not) rainy old London has a chance in the spotlight, but we’ll scream if we don’t get our title back in 2012. [The Cut]

- Would you carry a red leather 9/11 handbag around town? Designers Jen and Chris Mascali created the “Remember” bag to commemorate their father and others who were lost in the attacks. All wholesale proceeds go to the 9/11 Memorial Fund. Are you sold? [Refinery 29]

- And speaking of 9/11, did you know Gwyneth Paltrow saved someone’s life that day by almost running her over with a silver Mercedes? Lara Lundstrom Clarke said the encounter made her miss the train, subsequently late for work and she completely missed the attacks. Damn Gwyneth, you be cashing in big time these days. [E!]

- OOPS. Abercrombie & Fitch stock plummeted after the company offered Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino compensation to stop wearing the brand. Surely, we in the Indie Newsroom won’t be the only ones laughing about A&F’s douchebaggery. [Just Jared]

The event was originally scheduled for mid-July until President Obama was distracted by the debt ceiling crisis. This dinner sounds way more important, but to each his own I guess.

LINK LOVE: Daily Front Row

VOGUE Fashion Night 2011 dans le monde (version… by VOGUEPARIS

David Armstrong

David Armstrong grew up outside Boston and traveled between his hometown and New York City when he studied at Cooper Union. After receiving his BFA at Tufts University in 1988, he moved to NYC permanently where he began work as a photographer. Starting out with black and white portraits, Armstrong began to experiment with landscapes and cityscapes in the nineties. Luckily, he also has a distinct and introspective eye for fashion – his editorials are moving and emotionally-charged.

Above photo: Zac Posen and Tao Okamoto for Purple Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

Although most popular among women — from teens to ladies well-acquainted with an old-fashioned girdle —  more men are trying to control their muffin tops with such brands as Rip’t by Yummie Tummie, Under Armour and Spanx for Men.

Remember that time Gwyn-Gwyn was spotted leaving the Coach HQ with Reed Krakoff about 300 years back? Turns out it was for this ad campaign shot by Peter Lindbergh.

Also nominated from the acclaimed mini-series are fellow Oscar-winner Melissa Leo, Evan Rachel Wood and Mare Winningham — all vying for Outstanding Supporting Actress — Guy Pearce for Supporting Actor and Todd Haynes was recognized for his direction as well as his script.

The sometime actress and aspiring singer poses in nothing but Louis Vuitton jewelry and a pair of fishnets — also known as my around the house look — for Vanity Fair‘s jewelry supplement.

I wouldn’t have minded a couture gown. [Daily Mail]

Ever since taking over the tome in 2001, La Bailey’s pushed for fun, daring and unvonventional spreads, from Demi Moore ascending a floating staircase in a McQueen armadillo heel while feeding a giraffe to The Simpsons modeling in Paris with Linda Evangelista and Karl Lagerfeld.

Harper’s Bazaar Greatest Hits starts with Bailey’s first cover — Gwyneth Paltrow…it could be worse — and goes year by year, as edited by Bailey herself over last summer in the Hamptons. I foresee one of the book’s 20,000 copies landing on FashionIndie‘s already full coffee table in the coming months.

And though rumors persist that Bailey is always one stilettoed step away from being replaced at Harper’s, both she and Hearst president David Carey deny them.

Carey refers to a story WWD ran questioning Bailey’s future as “a bad piece of journalism” while Bailey just takes it in stride:

“Any editor at the top of their game has to deal with that. It would be naïve to believe everything you read about yourself in print. I just laugh it off.” [WWD]

You can see Selena Gomez‘s Skinny Britches peeking out from her Dolce & Gabbana dress when she gets up to give Justin Bieber a hug at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.

Blake Lively‘s Simplicity Panty peeks out through the sheer back of her dress at the Cinema Society’s Twelve screening.

Eva Longoria brought the Hide & Sleek Mid-Thigh Smoother with her to an Allure Magazine party.

Oops! What’s that peeking out from Jennifer Lopez‘s dress at the Gucci Children’s Collection launch? It looks like the Slim Cognito Shape-Suit.

She may be going to the Giorgio Armani couture show in Paris, but Katie Holmes prefers simplicity, the Simplicity Shaper to be exact.

How does Kim Kardashian get such a shapely, feminine body? Check out her Spanx secret, not-so-discreetly peeking out from her dress.

What’s that on stage with Katy Perry? I think I see In-Power Line Super Power Panties making an appearance.

Have you ever tried Spanx for yourself? Let us know what you think about them. For more information on these styles and more, visit spanx.com.

Lady Gaga, Karl Lagerfeld, Nicole Kidman, Alber Elbaz, Charlize Theron, Orlando Bloom, Blake Lively, Cyndi Lauper, Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow lend their considerable star power to the project which is expected to donate about $1.2 million to relief efforts. [WWD]

*Speaking of whom, can we talk about this:

I’m ready for Amber Riley to take over the world. There I said it.

Link Love: Socialite Life

- Elle‘s creative director, Joe Zee, needed some extra security after one of the dismissed contestants from his new Sundance Channel reality show, All on the Line, sent him and show producers hundreds of “troubling” emails threatening to kill himself. The drama queen, one Ms. David Victor Rose, admits to “completely freaking out” (you think?) but claims that Zee dismissed him based on false assumptions and limited information….yeah, in hindsight, maybe Zee was on to something. [Page Six]

- Unlikable multi-hyphenate Gwyneth Paltrow was seen walking out of Coach HQ with creative director Reed Krakoff, sparking rumors that she may be the new face of either Coach or Krakoff’s eponymous label.  [Refinery29]

Wilhelmina Cooper (1939-1980) Before starting her own modeling agency in 1967 (yes, that Wilhelmina), the Dutch-born Cooper appeared on some 300 magazine covers, and still holds the record for most covers of American Vogue: 27. Though Gwyneth Paltrow is slowly sneaking up on her.

Photo: The Fashion Spot

Veruschka (May 14, 1939) The Countess Vera Gottliebe Anna von Lehndorff was forever immortalized in Michelangelo Antonioni‘s 1966 classic Blow Up, writhing around on the floor, turning, giving and generally destroying everything in the room. At 6’1 with size 13 feet, some might say she was tranny…”some” like me. Either way, before Lidna refused to get out of bed for $10,000, Veruschka was making that in a day. Go. Head. Tranny.

Jean Shrimpton (Nov. 7, 1942) Shrimpton was a sensation almost immediately when she started modeling in 1960 and is perhaps the world’s first supermodel, despite Janice Dickinson‘s drunken claim to the title. One of the most iconic faces and bodies of the 1960s (her slim figure earned her the nickname “The Shrimp”) Jean caused a stir in 1965 when she wore a mini-dress on Victoria Derby Day in Melbourne. It was so easy to cause a stir back then; now someone has to smuggle blood diamonds just to get some attention around here.

Naomi Sims (1948-2009) Before there was Naomi, there was Naomi. The first black supermodel, Naomi Sims worked overtime to break into what is still a largely racist industry. With a little help from Wilhelmina Cooper, Sims officially made it when she appeared in an AT&T commercial in 1968 wearing a Bill Blass ensemble. And I bet she never threw her phone at anyone…no, she probably did.

Photo: Life

Twiggy (Sept. 19, 1949) A boyishly short haircut in 1966 shot Leslie Hornby to superstardom as the international supermodel, Twiggy. At 5’6 and only 91 lbs at her discovery, she ushered in a new concept of female beauty and a whole rash of eating disorders. A tradition she continued as a judge on America’s Next Top Model.

Photo: Life

Peggy Moffitt (1939) My personal favorite 60s model, Peggy Moffitt was the original edgy girl. With her dark bangs and dark, Kohl-line eyes, she had one of the most distinctive looks of the decade. As a model, muse and eventual collaborator of Rudi Gernreich, she was immortalized when photographed in his topless bathing suit, the monokini, in 1964. How’s that for a stir, Shrimpton!

Donyale Luna (1945-1979) Peggy Ann Freeman escaped the slums of Detroit for the glitz and glamour of New York City. Here, as Donyale Luna, she was exotic and intriguing whereas in Detroit she “wasn’t considered beautiful or anything.” At 6’2, with her already striking features and ultramarine contacts, she was in high demand, scoring the cover of British Vogue in 1966. Donyale lived like, partied like and dated rock stars and died like one when she OD’d in 1979. Then 6 years later she was reincarnated as a sassy fashion blogger (Ahem!)

Penelope Tree (1950) The ultimate 60s “It” girl, Tree was the daughter of socialite Marietta Tree and British member of Parliament, Ronald Tree. When Diane Arbus took some photos of Penelope, her parents threatened to sue the photographer if the photos were ever published. Nonetheless, The Tree became rival to the Twig and inspired John Lennon, when asked to describe her in three words, to respond: “Hot hot hot! Smart smart smart!” Meanwhile, that’s either 2 or 6 words. Pull it together, Lennon.

Key Pieces: Mini skirts, bold prints, leopard anything, skirtsuits, body-conscious 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, Christopher Kane, Betsey Johnson

Vivienne Westwood Red Label AW 2011

Gucci AW 2011

Christopher Kane SS 2010

Betsey Johnson AW 2011

Defining Fashion Moment: Whenever Mr. Sheffield had any sort of high-brow fête, Fran would make her entrance atop the staircase to the studio audience’s whoops and hollars. Then she would precede to mess up and inevitably repair whatever situation her employer was involved in.

Fran Drescher’s endlessly optimistic nanny was the continuation of a long legacy of whacky ladies who were no strangers to glamour. A legacy that started in the 1930s with screwball heroines like Carole Lombard, Katharine Hepburn and Irene Dunne and which continued for decades more with Lucille Ball.

That The Nanny is still in re-runs is a testament to Fran’s (Drescher and Fine’s) own legacy. Now if we only had more time I could delve into the genius wardrobes of Ms. Fine’s relations: Yetta and Sylvia Fine.

I can see the apple doesn’t fall far from the sequined tree. And for extra credit, study up on Should Be on the Nanny.

Get the future glow with St. Tropez Skin Illuminator. When applied to the cheek bones, décolletage, arms and shins your body gives off a mysterious delicate glow. It comes in a travel size tube, for on-the-go blueing, and it has a similar scent as sunscreen. I gave this product a bit of a test run, and I applied a droplet to the back of my hand so I could examine it closely. The effect is like a mild black-light-esque buzz. It’s subtle enough to not look alien, but bright enough to garner a double take. My left hand is currently considerably more curious than my right, the highlights shimmer back against the light.

When to use it? It  looks best atop our melanin extremes: either the brightest of fair or the warmest of tanned. Against the very pale, the blue leans more McQueen. Against the very tan, it reflects its namesake party island in the French Riviera, parfait after a day of sunning sans top.

The sample batch was used all over London Fashion Week Spring 2010, and now it’s available for purchase. You’re on the right track, baby.

Everyone stood up for Billy Crystal when he showed up on stage at the Oscars last night, as if there was a certain sense of relief: daddy’s home. Hosting the Oscars is basically a thankless job (see: Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Alec Baldwin/Steve Martin etc., etc.). It’s like walking a tightrope above a sea of sharks in couture gowns and Tom Ford tuxedos. Crystal was the go-to person for years and will probably be asked back next year.

Which isn’t to say that Anne Hathaway and James Franco didn’t do a decent job. The opening was hilarious and provided us with this little token of awesomeness, otherwise known as James Franco in a leotard:

They’re actors so they were best in a pre-taped skit, but then things took a quick dive, salvaged only by Anne Hathaway’s plucky charm and seven wardrobe changes (the best being the blue Armani Privé and the final Tom Ford, though in truth I would’ve preferred a few more looks; that first Givenchy Haute Couture seemed to last for. ever.)

Franco was high or just being James Franco, either way he was apparently too busy tweeting to commit fully to his hosting duties.  Though, honestly, it’s James Franco and I could care less what he does as long as he’s just around, perhaps lurking in a corner somewhere. And preferably in drag:

Photo: Huffington Post

It wasn’t Cher, but girl will throw a wig on at the drop of a hat.

The acceptance speeches were long-winded and boring, with the award for Most Pompous Grandstander going to Aaron Sorkin, natch. Luckily we had Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo throwing the F-word around like it was going out of style. Combined with 900-year-old Kirk Douglas stealing the show and hobbling away with it, there was nothing really to hold interest past the first 45 minutes of the show.

The King’s Speech took home four awards, the four biggest awards at that: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and most deservedly, Best Actor for Colin Firth, who delivered an eloquent and clever speech like only the British can. I was pulling for dark horse, Black Swan, though The Social Network had blown its wad at the earlier awards shows.

Natalie Portman won Best Actress over multiple snubbee, Annette Bening and delivered another adorable speech. Christian Bale took home Best Supporting Actor and from the looks of him probably went back to living in a cardboard box. Though, forest beard or not, I’d still hit it.

Gwyneth Paltrow made an appearance on an Oscar stage for the first time in who gives a…performing “Coming Home” from Country Strong and Cee Lo‘s presence was certainly missed.

All in all, the show was a big snooze, but I’m seriously going to miss all the hooplah of awards season. There’s nothing to look forward to now until the Emmys in September! Oh, and I guess the VMAs if you’re into that kind of trash. Twas a good season though, full of great movies and a poorly produced Oscars telecast, but now we can all refer to that guy from Nine Inch Nails as “Academy Award winner Trent Reznor.”

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‘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.

Elizabeth Taylor (1961) In the pantheon of great movie stars, few shine 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?

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.

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.

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.

Celine Dion (1999) Was it a stroke of genius that caused Celine Dion to turn her Christian Dior blazer back-to-front or did she simply forget to take her medication that day? 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).

Nicole Kidman (1997) Nikki Kids was a greenhorn on the red carpet before this Dior gown and became one of its reigning queens after. Though she gave an incredible performance the previous year in To Die For, she won in 2003 for her brilliant portrayal of Virginia Woolf in the saddest movie ever made, otherwise known as The Hours. Nominated this year for her third Oscar for Rabbit Hole, she’s got some big shoes to fill: her own.

Anjelica Huston (1976) Former Halston model Anjelica Huston looked flawless and managed to do what few people can claim: take attention away from Jack Nicholson, who won his first of three Oscars that year for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Huston would claim her own statuette, for Best Supporting Actress, a decade later for Prizzi’s Honor, also starring Nicholson.

Sharon Stone (1999) 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.

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.

Who will leave tongues hanging or heads scratching at this year’s Academy Awards. Of the 10 Best Lead and Supporting Actress nominees, I’m most looking forward to Kidman, teen breakthrough Hailee Steinfeld (as well as peer Elle Fanning who will get her own nomination one day), the almost always flawless Michelle Williams and kooky Helena Bonham Carter.

Unfortunately, Natalie Portman is preggers so naturally I have no interest in what she’s wearing and just hope her water doesn’t break while accepting her award.

Photos: Vogue UK, Time

Kris Kristofferson, Babs’ co-Star Is Born, will dig himself up from wherever he’s been hiding to introduce the legend, who is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Love Is the Answer.

Streisand joins Cee Lo Green, fellow Oscar-winner *choke* Gwyneth Paltrow, Mick Jagger, Justin Bieber and Arcade Fire on the list of performers for the 52nd Annual awards show.

Do you think Babs has the Bieber Fever? What if they do a duet to “Enough Is Enough” and Bieber sings the Donna Summer part? Meanwhile, this already sounds better than that Stevie Nicks-Taylor Swift debacle from last year.

The Grammys will ruin your evening on Sunday the 13th on CBS at 8 pm.

Link Love: Hollywood Reporter

Image: IAmBoiGenius

- Gwyneth Paltrow says people are “so mean” to her. You know what would help? Not being Gwyneth Paltrow. [Huffington Post]

- Diddy is being sued for *dramatic music cue* $1 TRILLION by a psycho lady who claims that, in addition to date raping her and her kids, The Ego Occasionally Known as Sean Combs planned 9/11.  Mo’ Money, Mo’ Clinically Insane Problems. [Radar]

- Kim Kardashian’s mad that W turned her artsy photoshoot into “full f*cking porn.” Oh, look who’s too good for full f*cking porn all of a sudden. [Popeater]

- Lea T. trannied down to São Paolo Fashion Week and closed Alexandre Herchcovitch. Also performing runway duty, alleged actor Ashton Kutcher. [Style File]

- Naomi Campbell strips down for British GQ to deliver the “naked truth” on those blood diamonds. I like the literal take on the clothing status of the truth, but why not drive the point home and have her naked drenched in blood and showering herself in diamonds? One word: art. [The Cut]

- No need to worry, everyone, Crystal Renn is still not thin. [Jezebel]

- American Apparel is now as cheap as it looks. After major investor Richard Burkle sold off at least 909,500 shares earlier this month, stock prices are about the price of a pack of gum. Slutty, crotchless gum. [WWD]

- Amy Westcott, the costume designer behind Black Swan, on being “airbrushed from history”: “I don’t have a publicist working for me, needless to say, and I was asked…to avoid any bad press towards the film.” Glad to see she’s not holding a Rodarte-sized grudge. [Fashionista]

I really like this look on Gwyneth, but her hair looks flat. She should have worn it up with this dress.

LINK LOVE: The Cut

LINK LOVE: Oh No They Didn’t!

Gwyneth Paltrow, come on down! When researching her role as an alcoholic in her new film, Country Song, Gwyneth needed a little help. And so, like Lue Skywalker, Gwyneth consulted her very own Yoda, RDJ, in the ways of the Alcoholic Jedi. Then she killed Blythe Danner.

Last night, while on Chelsea Handler, the Obi-Won Kenobi of Alcholic Jedis, Paltrow admitted that “[she] didn’t understand how you could do something so crazy one night and kind of wreck lives in your wake and wake up and expect to be back to normal.”

Oh? Smell you alleged Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow. Someone married Coldplay, turned faux-Brit and suddenly forgot how to party. You used to be fun, Gwynnie. And a good actress.

Ok, that last one’s just a boldface lie.

The Monkey flu, from Borneo where, according to Sue, it had been “festering in a small clutch of loud bisexual primates, not unlike [Schue's] very glee club,” has taken Principal Figgins out of commission, leaving Sue interim principal.

Once Mr. Schue too falls victim to the flu, he has to call in sick, leaving the glee club unattended. Enter Holly Holliday (Paltrow), a quirky substitute teacher Kurt fondly remembers singing (one of my all-time favorite songs) Schoolhouse Rock’s “Conjunction Junction,” while subbing for an English class.

She eagerly takes on the task but the club is initially wary of her presence. However she shows a willingness to incorporate more current songs in their repertoire, as opposed to wanting to only do Journey songs as the student’s descriptions of Mr. Schue’s musical tastes suggests, by performing a sassy rendition of Cee-Lo’s “Fuck You,” cleaned up to a primetime friendly “Forget You.”

Will’s much-hated wife, Terri, returns to take care of him while he suffers from the flu. She brings him his favorite movie, Singing’ in the Rain which prompts a fever-induced fantasy of he and Mike Chang performing the acrobatic classic “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Lulled into a false sense of security, and feeling lonely after things fell through with Emma Pillsbury, they have sick sex –  just below hate sex, break-up sex and revenge sex on the ‘Acceptable Sex with an Ex’ totem pole –  which Will immediately regrets.

Sue, mad with power, tries to disband the football team, but is thwarted once Coach Beiste presents a plausible argument that Sue’s Cheerios would then have no one to cheer for. So in order to gain some respect, and to strike fear into the hearts of any one who would dare oppose her, Sue adopts another cause: teen obesity, banning tater tots from the school cafeteria. This decision really taters Mercedes tots, leading her to pull a Norma Rae on a cafeteria table.

But are the tots the real reason behind her anger? Kurt and his platonic gay friend Blaine have been seeing a lot more of each other, leaving a void in her life for Kurt’s affections.  After joining Kurt and Blaine on a date, she feels even more isolated when they fag out over Prop 8, Patti Lupone’s new book (which I have yet to read), the year’s best Vogue cover (Marion Cotillard?…a pretty shallow bag to choose from, but what are they teaching in that fictional school?; try Giselse, kids).

Mercedes at one point imagines a tiny purse literally falling out of Kurt’s mouth. Thus Mercedes must learn to face what every hag dreads – being pushed to the wayside once their fag finds someone else to obsess over. Meanwhile, Kurt is still being harassed by Karovsky who threatens to kill Kurt should he tell anyone about their kiss. Ah, teenage romance.

Holly has won over everyone in New Directions, everyone except Rachel Berry, who does not care for her teaching methods. But Holly indulges her desire to do “an upbeat, glamorous number with a good dance beat,” with a game duet of “Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago. Sue becomes the permanent principal at William McKinley High and her first order of duty is to fire Will, citing the substitute’s success with the glee kids.

The tides soon change for Holliday, though, when her reckless attitude lands her in hot trouble after she fails to punish Mercedes for stuffing Sue’s tailpipe of her Le Car, a car so rare that only seven have been made, full of tots (girl does have a history of vandalizing cars). Holly has no idea how to react when things turn serious and so turns to Will for guidance. Just then Terri finds them and has a blow up, only to have Will tell her to never come back again.I’ve yet to encounter anyone who likes the character of Will’s ex-wife and it seems the writers are really trying to get rid of her for good. I don’t dislike her, she’s just a one note character – an unabashed bitch who lacks Sue’s wit or cartoonish villainy.

Kurt eventually confronts Mercedes, flaunting his budding romance in her face and telling her she needs to find a boyfriend and stop filling the void for love with food. Kurt had, to his credit, tried to set her up earlier with hunky football player Anthony (“one of the five black guys in school”). This is the second storyline involving Mercedes and food, and unlike last season’s empowering “Home,” which actually had something to say about eating disorders and body image, this week’s plot felt more like an insult to the talented Amber Riley. Big girl fears losing gay friend, eats her emotions, rebels in a ridiculous way.

You’re better than that, Glee. Constantly resigned to the background and occasionally given a solo, Mercedes is a character we still no little to nothing about. Hopefully, this Anthony will give her a role beyond sassy sidekick. And speaking of big girls, what was up with the Precious (Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire)-esque character that attacks Holliday in her flashback?

Anygay, Holliday resigns as director of New Directions, but not before she, the kids and Schue can perform a limp mash-up of “Umbrella/Singin’ in the Rain.” Perhaps a good idea on paper, the number lacked the spark and energy of previous group numbers and mash-ups (see last week’s: “Start Me Up/Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Stop! In the Name of Love/Free Your Mind.”

Now I’d never thought I’d say this, at least not without a gun to my head, by Gwyneth Paltrow was definitely a highlight of last night’s episode. She showed off her comedic chops (dressing up as Mary Todd Lincoln for a history lesson she exclaims, “My husband is probably gay” and “That teapot is spreading lies about me!”), she has a nice voice and can shimmy for a white girl. But her role seemed more an act of stunt casting than anything intricate to the myriad plotlines that continually seem to fall to the wayside as the season progresses.

At least we’ve seen the end of the Terri Schuester, for now, though I feel bad for poor Jessalyn Gilsig who does the best she can with a character that’s really plain awful.

Next week, get ready kids. Comedic legend Carol Burnett will guest star as Sue’s mom, which means the world will explode from hilarity.

LINK LOVE: Entertainment Weekly

Puck is back and so is his mohawk. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Schue is making the New Directions kids compete in their second annual boys v. girls sing-off. Usually, I’m on the girls’s side, but the boys managed to pull it through in the end. Now let’s explore how that happened.

Puck is out of juvie on the condition that he perform community service, so he “hangs with some crips,” taking on Artie as his community service. He decides to make Artie cool and get him a date with Brittany, for whom Artie still pines. Ain’t that the way it goes? You take a boy’s virginity while trying to make your sapphic bff jealous and then they want to get all clingy.

Cue the first musical number, an uninspired take on Bob Marley’s “One Love/People Get Ready”, which Puck uses to filch money from the student body; money purportedly to be used on a double date with Artie, Brittany and Santana. After their date, where Artie refuses to dine and dash (how well he could have dashed in a wheelchair remains a mystery) he and Puck reach a new level of understanding.

Puck’s time in the clink was not the breeze he claimed it to be. Rather, he hated juvie because he was bullied there every day. So Artie decides to make Puck his community service and tutor him in algebra as Puck performs his real civic duty: picking up trash on the side of the road.

Meanwhile, Kurt unwillingly joins the boys team, but is happy when Schue introduces the stipulation that the boys and girls have to sing songs traditionally sung by female performers. Kurt soon finds his input unwanted and wanders off to all boys prep school, Dalton Academy to spy on their competition for Sectionals, The Warblers.  There he meets the adorable and dreamy Blaine (Darren Criss), another openly gay gal who is the leader of The Warblers. Kurt immediately falls for the crooner, as he and his allegedly heterosexual brethren chime out an a cappella rendition of “Teenage Dream.”

Darren Criss plays Blaine, another glee queen

Kurt is inspired by Blaine’s openness and decides to stand up to Karofsky, the meathead football player who’s been tormenting him since season/day one. Kurt angrily confronts Karofsky but receives an unexpected reaction when Karofsky kisses him. Yes, Karofsky is one of those Larry Craig-esque self-hating gays who lashes out against other queers out of his own rage. Much like my idol Karen Walker said, he should save that anger for the bedroom where it belongs.

Coach Beiste (the wonderful Dot Marie Jones) becomes an unlikely victim of bullying herself when Sam begins using her as a sexual deterrent against Quinn’s cockteasing wiles. The trend spreads and the boys in glee (and Tina against the prudish Mike Chang) start imagining Beiste in various compromising positions to cool their sexual embers. When Schue finds out, he does what he thinks is the right thing and tells the coach, who in turn quits.

Sue Sylvester is elated at the developments and rejoices in a storm of confetti, cackling her evil head off. Schue later consoles the wounded Beiste, who’s really a big softie under that large, mannish façade. When she reveals that, like Drew Barrymore, she too has never been kissed, Will kindly obliges and invites her to the auditorium. The boys perform a fierce mash-up of “Stop! In the Name of Love/Free Your Mind,” a la the Four Tops, and all is forgiven.

Diana Ross and En Vogue make everything better.

In the middle of all this bullying, the writers forgot the girls were supposed to perform sot they tacked on a mash-up of “Start Me Up/Livin’ on a Prayer,” that, despite seeming like an afterthought, was predictably amazing.

Rockin' out with their cockin' out

This episode was certainly skimpy on the musical numbers, a total of four, which often leaves the viewer wondering when the singing and dancing will start up again. This faces the other extreme presented by last week’s episode, “The Rocky Horror Glee Show,” which had too many musical numbers and not enough plot. But in order to advance things and keep everyone entertained, it behooves the show to tilt from one extreme to another.

The surprise gay kiss between Kurt and the bully was a great choice, giving another, nuanced angle to Kurt’s continuing gay self-discovery storyline. Let’s just hope he and Blaine get it on at some point. For now, Blaine is more of a mentor to Kurt, inspiring him to stand up to Karofsky and even helping to confront the bully about his own sexuality. But this could all just be a set-up for the inevitable virginity-busting threesome that is part of every young gay’s coming of age.

Next week’s episode guest stars alleged Oscar-winner, Gwyneth Paltrow, but I hope they continue with the Drew Barrymore-themed titles for episodes.

Like “The Wedding Singer,” in which Rachel and Finn decide to quit school and elope only to find that their lives will mirror the sorry fate of  the singer at their tacky Vegas wedding, who, it turns out, is Sue Sylvester’s black sheep of a sister, played by Jennifer Coolidge.

Or “He’s Just Not That Into You,” when Sue develops a crush on Schue and goes all Fatal Attraction on him when her feelings aren’t reciprocated, boling his hair gel in a crock pot.

Or “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” where Kurt, Mercedes and Santana form a singing/dancing crime fighting trio with Sue as Charlie.

Ryan Murphy, there’s your third season. You’re welcome.

Gleeks geeks around the country are anxiously awaiting appearance of the next celebrity to jump on the Glee bandwagon, and even we have to begrudgingly admit we are mildly interested in hearing the episode’s mash-up of “Umbrella” and “Singing in the Rain. “

Yet, like her character, Blair Waldorf, Leighton must eternally live in the shadow of Blake Lively. The Betty to her Veronica. The Marilyn to her Jackie O.

Meanwhile, she’s acting circles around everyone on that show, and has the balls to wear this:

At the Costume Institute's Model As Muse Gala last year

I’m just going to say it: Anna, when is Leighton Meester going to get her Vogue cover? You’ve already given Blake two; both of which were rather uninspiring. Give Gwyneth Paltrow a much-needed break and throw Leighton on there. And for good measure, ban Sienna Miller from ever appearing in another Vogue. Because if you don’t, I will.

–Gwyneth Paltrow in Elle

No, Gwynny, your career will be ruined because of Shallow Hal and practically every movie you’ve made in the past ten years. Seriously, do you really expect anyone to believe that that Oscar won itself?

The Kapoor sisters obviously went all out for it while promoting Aisha so here’s the recap from them.
We’ve already seen this trend replace the conventional gown on the red carpet with Julia Roberts at the NY Premiere of Eat Pray Love & Gwyneth Paltrow for Iron Man.

Kareena also spotted a sequined blazer really well fitted at the Indial Idol finale and Rachel Bilson for a shoot.

Its a keep or invest now Trend.

Julia Roberts on The Elle September cover

Victoria Becham

Kareena Kapoor we are family Press Con London

Kim Kardashian

jessica Biel

Kate Backinsale

Rihanna

Nicky Hilton

Heidi Klum

Miranda Kerr

Kylie Minogue

Emmy Rosumm

Kim Kardashian

Ashley Tisdale

Become a FashionIndie.com contributor. Subscribe to Envy.

The women were photographed by Annie Leibovitz, another graceful older gal.  Take a guess who’s who.

Ford wrote and directed 2009’s “A Single Man” which starred Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult — who not so coincidentally stars in those terrifying ads we were talking about — and Colin Firth, who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the central character.

Ford let the big news slip at the unveiling of Diane von Furstenberg’s suites at Claridge’s — the same party where Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow palled it up for the cameras — though he kept mum on any of the details. “I’m not telling you anything about it,” he told the Standard.

Evening Standard via Grazia Daily

LINK LOVE:Tom Ford Confirms He’s Got A Second Movie In The Works

The Louis Vuitton New Bond Street Maison in London held an invitation only opening event for international A-Listers. At 1,500 square meters, the store will be one of the company’s largest and most luxurious in the world. The maison will be open to the public on Friday 28th May, marking the most important date in Louis Vuitton’s 125-year association with London. Video after the jump…

Alexa Chung interviewed Daisy Lowe, Gwyneth Paltrow, and others.

Gallery of the attendees on Envy

Thanks DNA

Gwyneth Paltrow will wear a Giorgio Armani shorts suit in a gold metallic silk jacquard fabric with a degradé effect. Co Star Scarlett Johansson has selected a Giorgio Armani Privé moon-green triple organza lamé cocktail dress with an interplay of ruffles and trimmed in crinoline. Loving the illustrations, looks exactly like Gwyn and ScarJo.

A very Hollywood driven cover for Vogue Paris staring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, and Gwyneth Paltrow, photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

LINK LOVE: Design Scene

Gwyneth Paltrow covers the new British Vogue, and inside she tells the magazine all about her revenge fantasies and pent-up feelings of hatred–possibly directed towards Madonna.

According to UK’s Telegraph, here are some excerpts from the interview.

On being filled with hate:
“Oh yes, I can be mean. I can cave in to gossip. I can ice people out and I can definitely harbour revenge. In fact, I’m having a situation right now with a friend where I’m feeling pretty angry. But revenge is corrosive and it doesn’t make me feel good. I’ll wake up in the morning and think, ‘Ugh, I feel terrible’, and suddenly realise, ‘Ah, that’s why. I’m holding on to so much hate.”

On her trainer Tracy Anderson’s split from Madonna:
“Yeah, it’s good that she doesn’t train Madonna any more. It was too much. She keeps people waiting – it takes up your whole day.”

On staying slim with exercise:
“Oh, I had to work hard to get it like this, but now I’m here it’s so great because I don’t have to think about it. I can just enjoy life. What a relief is that. I can eat what I want, as long as I exercise, which is just as well, because if I put the word’ diet’ into my brain, I immediately gain a stone.”

LINK LOVE: ONTD

Italian designer Antonio Berardi, whose clients include Victoria Beckham, Megan Fox, Amber Rose, Eva Mendes and Gwyneth Paltrow, declined an offer from GaGa to collaborate. “I was approached to design a clothing range with Lady GaGa but I knocked it back because I wasn’t interested in someone whose music is meaningless,” Berardi said. Funny, considering how useless Amber Rose is!

LINK LOVE: ICYDK

The duo plans on releasing a Spring 2010 collection, so if this one is a success, we’ve got ourselves a whole year to look forward through!

Thanks WWD!

Mr. Blackwell died in October, but political consultant Roger Stone has taken it upon himself to continue the Best Dressed and Worst Dressed tradition.

Who?  I know, I don’t know.  

I guess he’s something of an icon for the Republican party, but apparently quite the fashion plate as well.

The New York Times has taken notice of Stone for his “flamboyant personal style” and “sartorial elegance.”

I’m not sure if Stone would have Blackwell’s blessing on this.  But I have just read a little biographical info on this guy, and I am now fascinated with his Nixon tattoo and perennial suspenders. 

So on his website, The STONEzone, Stone has published his “official list of the best and worst dressed men and women of 2008.”

He also apologizes to American women for popular men’s fashions and notes that “lobbyists are the only elegant men left in America.”

His best-dressed men include Barack Obama, Jay-Z, Al Sharpton, Calvin Klein, and Eliot Spitzer. Best-dressed women include Carla Bruni, Rihanna, Fran Leibowitz, Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, and Sarah Palin.

Worst-dressed people include Simon Cowell, Justin Timberlake, Ashton Kutcher, Johnny Knoxville, Peter Wentz (yes, he calls him Peter), Madonna, Gloria Steinem and Christiane Amanpour.

Read the full list here: The STONEzone.

Some are speculating that Gwyneth will be opening a chain of gyms with her trainer Tracy Anderson. Good idea, but if their cycling classes exclusively feature tracks from Coldplay I’m out.

LINKAGE: Gwyneth Tells Us to Hit the Gym?.

In attempts to salvage her reputation with PETA for wearing a fur stole in a recent Tod’s campaign, Paltrow had this to say:

“It was a daylong photo shoot on a boat near Capri, and there were all sorts of poses with all kinds of clothes — none with fur. During one set-up, a stylist came up from behind and draped a stole around my shoulder. I didn’t pay much attention to it, and when I noticed it was fur, I assumed it was fake fur, but did not ask, so it’s my fault. I know it’s not a great excuse, but I hope you and your members understand.”

Fake fur? If you’re a multi-millionaire actress, I’m almost positive you know what real fur feels like. And really, you couldn’t feel the plush stole draped around your neck? What, do you have defective nerve endings too? Nice try Paltrow, it’s time to confess to PETA that you could care less about the fox around your neck and care more about the money in the bank.

Thanks NY Mag!

I’m not one to discriminate based on age when it comes to wardrobe choices. If you have awesome legs at 70, rock a mini, I don’t care. But it has to fit!

Gwyneth Paltrow, of course, is not quite 70, but she seemed to be losing her strapless Stella McCartney dress at the Fontainebleau Grand Opening Party in Miami Beach on Friday.  She could have done much better than this unflattering fit.

Image from Just Jared.

Behold, the lob, also known as the long bob, which Frédéric Fekkai stylist Adir Abergel is calling the seventies comeback cut of the season. A good option for emphasizing your neck and shoulders, the style (currently worn by Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria) relies on a certain choppiness at the ends—so that it appears texturized, rather than blunt—and volume, lots of volume (the idea is soft and full, not sleek). Great way to get a head start on growing that short hair long, this trend is versatile and compliments many different face shapes.

Thanks Style

Leave it to Gwyn to wear fur with gladiator sandals. First of all, it’s not that cold yet, why is she wearing a fur coat over her gown (which is actually beautiful)? And if she is that cold, why did she decide to wear sandals instead of a pair of really cool boots? Separately, the pieces are great, but together it’s another fashion fuck up!

Thanks Just Jarred for the pics