Madonna will appear in the D&G S/S 2010 ads.

Madonna is out at LV, and Lara Stone is in. Rumor has it that Marc Jacobs has signed the blond for the S/S 2010 Louis Vuitton campaign, to be shot by Steven Meisel.

Yesterday could not have been any more perfect. The weather was warm and sunny, I had just finished doing a walk through of one of my favorite showrooms in Soho, and now I was on my way into the Diesel building to meet up with the living legend Renzo Rosso. As if I wasn’t in enough of a state of disbelief that I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Rosso, I was completely blown away by the amazing showroom/headquarters they are working in. As pushed through the heavy doors that read “Only The Brave…” I knew what/who was waiting on the other side, and I couldn’t wait to pick the brain of the man responsible arguably the most famous denim brand of all time.

Fashion Indie: “Diesel U:Music and your global parties bring out some of the best new musical artists in the industry. Are their any artists/bands you are currently listening to?”

Renzo Rosso: [in his Italian inspired English which tends to hypnotize you] “Well I grew up in the rock and roll era, listening to artists like Black Sabbath and The Sex Pistols. A lot of this rock and roll attitude has definitely played a big part in what Diesel has become. However, I think all music is important. [Right now] All I really listen to is the Diesel U:Music radio station. They always play a wide variety of music, and have two live performances everyday. This has taught me to draw inspiration from whatever is happening at that moment, whether it be Kanye West, Pharrell, Rage Against The Machine, or Madonna all music is important. I have recently found their attitudes more and more inspirational, and that’s what I like to bring out in my clothing.”

FI: “You’re being honored with the Corporate Leadership Award at the 26th Annual Night of the Stars gala. Be honest, did you ever imagine Diesel getting this big?”

RR: “I think most people dream of being big of course, but they never really believe it until they hit that turning point. Once I knew I had established my brand, I could really focus on making it as big as I could. That is an amazing feeling, a feeling that I will never forget. While it felt like forever when it was happening, looking back it feels like it happened overnight.”

FI: “What do you attribute to this success?”

RR: “One thing that we have always tried to be with Diesel is pioneers. We are always introducing new, modern, different, fresh, and rebellious products that take both denim and the people wearing it to a whole new place. [However], I think the two biggest keys to our success were our vintage denim and the way we changed the way we communicated with our customers. Our vintage denim was something that no one else was doing at the time. We were the only ones able to produce a denim that had a look and feel of a great vintage pair of denim. This really helped to launch both Diesel and the industry into a new way of production. As I mentioned, our communication methods changed too. Most people were going direct saying ‘Here’s the product, buy it’. We decided to get away from that, and find a whole new way to communicate with our people. We decided to communicate through other people, the people our customers were listening to. We started working with celebrities, musicians, athletes to communicate in a more subtle way.”

FI: “You live an adventurous life, filled with hundreds of successes. Through all of that, one is bound to make some mistakes. Do you have any major regrets? Anything you wish you could change?”

RR: “I wish that I would have done more charity work. Don’t get me wrong I have and still do a lot, but I wish I would have made it more public. I recently met with the Dalai Lama and he told me ‘Use your brand and your face to show the work you have done. You have the power to inspire others, and you should take pride in what you have done.’ I have learned from that and plan to use my face and my power to send a positive message. In fact, we are currently working on building a village in Africa.”

FI: “In a world full of denim brands you have always managed to be one of the leaders in the industry. What has Diesel done that others haven’t?”

RR: “We produce a very unique denim. We have 51 years of history in manufacturing denim, and that has translated into quite the reputation amongst the industry. A lot of people don’t realize that a majority of the denim brands you find in the United States started off as Diesel affiliates. We have such amazing production facilities that they often work in the same factories as us, or they have worked at Diesel at some point in their careers. Diesel has gone on to foster a lot of these brands because of this.”

FI: “I am a big fan of your new fragrance ‘Only The Brave’, and judging by the way it was plastered all over your offices, you love it too. So do you wear the fragrance?”

RR: “I actually do wear the fragrance. I have produced many in the past, but this is the only one I wear [as he offers me to take a whiff of his scarf (I decline mostly because I could smell it prior to asking the question)]. Men’s fragrances are hard do, because I feel like they need to match the natural scent of a man’s skin.”

FI: “You are about to release your Flash For Fun collection, which contains a reflective material that glows under UV light. What was the inspiration behind this idea?”

RR: “Honestly? My kids. They came up to me saying they wanted something bright, new and fun, and this is what I gave them They loved all the pieces and the concept, and I decided that if they liked it why wouldn’t all my customers. My kids are great because they keep me really connected with what’s young and cool. This is a road I plan to take Diesel down now that I have successfully developed my Diesel Black Gold collection. Diesel is going to take a much more fun young feel, and Diesel Black Gold is going to be our high fashion line. I’m really excited to continue differentiating to two.”

[I get the dreaded wrap it up look from the other PR people in the room, and that signals the end despite the five questions I'm still dying to ask.]

I would like to thank all the people at Diesel who made this interview possible, my good friend Karli, and of course Mr. Rosso for the amazing opportunity.

For more on Diesel and Diesel U: Music be sure to check out their website.

The latest collection from my friends at Dazzle Me Formal is one I’m super excited about. The Smooth Criminals collection is based on the faces of Hollywood that were part of famous domestic abuse incidents. I know that may sound a bit harsh, but it focuses even more on the idea that they are normally kept quite and the repercussions are minimal.

The line features two of the most famous battered couples in the Hollywood, Madonna and Sean Penn, and Chris Brown and Rihanna. The distressed look of the shirts is really awesome as well.

Want one of these for yourself? Get one here!

But who wouldn’t?

LINK LOVE: Jeremy Scott’s Twitter

Her Madgesty continues to offer sartorial inspiration to this seasons top designers. Here, Marc Jacob copies her 80s mainstay coif.

Madonna’s latest lover has been making his ways around the clubs with a box full of records and an uncanny ability to deflate the jam, deflate it down, while the beat is lumping, deflate it down, just a little more, can’t you see this party sucking.

A short preview of Madonna’s dancers for her new music vid. ‘Celebration’

LINK LOVE: Oh La La Mag

So MTV has figured out how to replace Lauren Conrad. Her name is Jazmin, she has a fashion line, and she just might be the dumbest 20-year old in history.

Already I’ve been a bit frightened by recent pictures of Madonna’s arms, but now there’s yet another thing I find a little odd. Madonna’s makeup artist, Gina Brooke, reportedly applies 2 carat diamonds along the singer’s eyebrow for every night of her sticky and sweet tour. But first, she applies a white shadow along with crushed diamonds before the actual stones. A bit much maybe? Well, if your just looking for the shadow, it’s available online here.

LINKAGE: Allure

First she was caught giving it up to Gucci for a little charity cash, then she stretched herself out for the big boys at Louis Vuitton, and now it seems Madonna, fashion’s ultimate groupie is giving up the goodies to Dolce & Gabbana.  It must be Jesus fault for staring in their ads but the rumor on the catwalk is that her Madgesties next video, “Celebrate” will be dolled out in head to toe D&G.

I honestly don’t know why all these design houses kill themselves for this granny. Everyone with an eye on fashion knows her only true love is that Jersey douchebag, Ed Hardy.

QUICKLINK: Madonna’s Next Video Is a Dolce & Gabbana Fest

Thoughts?

SOURCE: NY Mag

Cameron Diaz’s Madonna-inspired editorial from V is finally here. Been excited for this due to my recent love of 80’s fashion, the fact that Cameron is looking the best I’ve ever seen her look isn’t hurting either. Check cult to see Cameron in her fully fierce glory.

GALLERY: Cameron Diaz for V

SOURCE: The Fashion Spot

Here’s a sketch of the Givenchy look Ricardo Tisci designed for Madonna’s tour.

SOURCE: The Love Magazine

Was it Michael Jackson or should we aim for someone a little more Madonna? Reply with your answers, the best will be featured.

Let’s all take a good look at this, and make the unanimous decision that the ‘photoshopper’ should be credited for this more than Steven Meisel (supposedly this took over 23 Photoshop layers to create).

Madonna for Louis Vuitton F/W collection, shot by Steven Meisel.

Thoughts?

SOURCE: YVY Mag

If you aren’t already familiar with his stuff, head immediately over to Rankin’s site.  You’re bound to find something you recognize (like the shot from Mary Kate and Ashley’s Influence  cover), and be unbelievably impressed with his extensive portfolio.  Rankin co-launched Dazed & Confused in ‘91 with his business partner, Jefferson Hack, and has continued to shake up the photo world ever since.  He’s done dozens of famous ad campaigns (from Nike, to Dove, to Jameson), and shot just about every celebrity (Madonna, Heidi Klum, The Rolling Stones, Kate Moss…), but I was impressed the most by his beauty portfolio, a series of creative shots, crazy makeup , and perfect lighting.  Rankin is best known for his intimacy with his subjects, and these up close and personal shots display just that.

SOURCE: Kingdom Of Style