- Get ready to go back to school and get some class. The Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design is now accepting applications. [Vogue UK]

- Michelle Obama wore Jason Wu — for Target — at an event in Florida over the weekend. And she looks super jazzed about it. [Huff Po]

-  Shit fashion people say at the Theysken’s Theory show. Not a viral video. Just real talk. My personal fave: “The after-party last night. How dare they? Cash bar?” Meanwhile, I don’t even know how they overheard that since I was nowhere near Thesyken’s Theory. [Paper Mag]

- While the CFDA recommends that designers don’t use models under 16, for his fall 2012 Marc Jacobs practically snatched them straight from the womb. [NYT]

- Of course the red carpet at the Grammys is entertaining enough, but add YouTube sensation Sophie Grace and gal Friday Rosie and the show just went H.A.M. [Fashionista]

Though only a relative handful of designs were chosen for the exhibit, Impact represents nearly every major American designer of the past 50 years — from Pauline Trigère to Diane von Furstenberg, Halston to Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren to Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta to Thom Browne and Donna Karan to Rodarte.

“For someone like me who wasn’t born in America, Impact almost sounds like a 1950s American car,” explained CFDA pres DVF on a walkthrough of the exhibit yesterday. “That’s what America is about. It’s about precise fashion, and not fashion for the sake of fashion. It combines fashion and street, and fashion and life.”

400 active members of the CFDA were asked to choose one look that best represented them or made the most impact on their careers, while museum curators Patricia Mears and Fred Dennis chose for the dearly departed. Work of members whose pieces were not chosen for the installation are displayed in evening vignettes and video projections.

“Not all the CFDA members could be included on the gallery floor,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb told WWD, “so we created an interactive directory of all members presented on 10 iPad stations throughout the exhibit.”

There’s also a media room where visitors can use iPads to scroll through a timeline of CFDA history and key moments in American fashion. And not ones to be left behind on the social media front, there’s even a hashtag for the Twitter-inclined — #impactcfda.

“We didn’t know what designers would send, so every day felt like birthday with a surprise,” Mears said. “In some cases, we got things that were very clear. When you see the Diane von Furstenberg [wrap] dress, you know it’s hers. When you see the Ralph Lauren [Americana] ensemble, you know it’s Ralph.”

And sometimes, things weren’t so clear. For instance, Marc Jacobs initially wanted a look from his then-controversial but now-iconic 1993 gunge collection for Perry Ellis, but since he didn’t own any of it Anna Sui donated a dress from her private collection.

“For me, the great difficulty with American fashion is that we are so diverse,” Mears continued. “You have the most flamboyant ballgowns and the most wearable and accessible garments. Everything speaks to the product coming out of what I call the American machine — the design machine, the manufacturing machine, the retailing machine, the marketing machine. All of it is part of American fashion over the last 50 years, and I hope that diversity is reflected here.”

Impact: 50 Years of the CFDA will run from February 10 through April 17 and will definitely be a must-see during Fashion Week. [WWD, sub req'd]

The South Parkers are the latest pop culture icons to grace the tees,which in the past have featured Naomi Campbell, Dita von Teese and Victoria Beckham.

Getting Butters to bare all, however, proved more difficult than Jacobs and company president Robert Duffy anticipated. “They’re very, very cautious about collaborations,” Duffy said of Parker and  Stone. “We’ve worked with so many artists in the past, and I’d say Trey and Matt are the most protective of their brand. They were so involved, to the point of wanting to know the texture of the T-shirt and how thick the paint is on the silk screen.”

And sadly Duffy’s dream of disrobing a particular character were inevitably dashed: “I really wanted to do Kenny, but they said there was absolutely no way they were going to let me use Kenny. I wanted to see what he looks like without his coat.”

The T-shirts retail for $35 and are available online and at Marc by Marc Jacobs stores. [WWD]

The clothing line designed in partnership with 22 designers to raise money has been selling well, but the hot ticket item is a seat at the actual fundraiser that will also be thrown by gracious host Miss Scarlett Johansson.  Tickets start at $250 for a guest, $1000 for red carpet photos and a limited edition tote bag, and $2500 where you will have the opportunity to dine with Miss Wintour, Scarlett, and a bevy of fashion designers that have participated in the campaign.  Tickets are selling out fast, so be sure to get yours soon right here.

[Humor Chic]

- The mogul currently known as Diddy is being sued over his Empress fragrance by the similarly titled Empress Hair Care Products. Because there are only so many classy, royal-themed names to go around. [Fashion Etc]

- David Beckham‘s commercial for his bodywear line with H&M will debut during the Super Bowl, giving you all at least one reason to tune in.

- Betty White celebrates her 90th birthday today and as befits a TV and entertainment legend, NBC put together a little special featuring other people who continue to openly mock death. [Washington Post]

- It’s showdown of the has-been starlets! Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox are reportedly vying for the made-for-TV role of a lifetime — on Lifetime —  as Elizabeth Taylor. [E!]

- L.L. Bean produced a Bootmobile that’s too big to fit the delicate foot of the Statue of Liberty. And good thing because I don’t want the symbol of this country in anything less than a stiletto, thank you. [Racked]

- The day before the birth of Blue Ivy Carter, over half of Papa Jay-Z‘s New York Rocawear employees were laid off for “economic reasons.”  Hey, someone’s got to pay for that $3500 lucite crib. [The Cut]

- Meanwhile, Momma Beyoncé‘s skin was apparently lightened for new promo pics for 4. Yawn. [Huff Po]

- Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs and others get the Squarepants treatment, courtesy of Dutch illustrator Mike Frederiqo. [Hint]

- Speaking of the Obamas, the campaign’s Runway to Win e-commerce site went live today, featuring designs by Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander Wang and —  for kicks — the House of Dereon. [Runway to Win]

- Will wonders never cease? A Top Model contestant actually becomes a top model. ANTM‘s Cycle 10 reject Fatima Siad — the second coming of Iman — landed Hervé Léger‘s spring 2012 campaign. [The Cut]

- Blue Ivy Carter is officially a hitmaker. The less than a week old diva-in-training is the youngest person to enter the Billboard charts, riding on the coattails of daddy Hov’s “Glory.”  No one’s ready for this baby’s jelly. [People]

- Calvin Klein and his jailbait lothario Nick Gruber are apparently “on a break.” Guess Calvin finally put Nick down for his nap. [NYDN]

- Indie Music Style Star Azealia Banks is going Gaga, working with the Lady’s right-hand queen Nicola Formichetti on her latest video. [Fashionista]

- Nike‘s agreed to pay a group of nearly 4,500 Indonesian factory workers $1 million in overtime, which roughly comes out to the price of a pair of Air Jordans per worker. Congrats. [The Cut]

- Lingerie models stripped down to their skivvies in Paris’ Musee d’Orsay as part of a publicity stunt for panty purveyor Etam. Museum officials, however, were not amused. Mostly because they did it without getting permission to film in the museum first. [Huff Po]

- Our latest Tumblr obsession has Kate Middleton -  rather Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge because we’re not heathens — generally owning the world and not giving an eff about it.  [Kate Middleton for the Win]

- Lady Gaga advocates buying designer knock-offs. Fashion industry…probably not amused. [Mirror]

- Naked plus-sized models continue to cause “controversy.” I think people just can’t handle a big lady turning it out. [Styleite]

- Marc Jacobs‘ new ad features a male model on safari, but his big game are pants, a T-shirt and a pair of MJ sunglasses. But he’s shirtless for the majority of it, so whatevs. [Fashionista]

- Stars reveal their red carpet routines now that awards season is in full swing. Some, however, take it more seriously than others. [Us]

- Cosmo decided to class it up for advertisers and took out the vagina reference on its February cover, featuring 17-year-old Dakota Fanning. It’s called having standards, kids. [Observer]

- Speaking of class, Urban Outfitters’ CEO left for David Yurman. Way to step it up, Senk. [The Cut]

- The bro-ing of America continues as men become more and more in touch with their inner lady. The latest development,
“Brotox.” Women are even getting in on the action, gifting their dudes with the gift of immobile foreheads. [HuffPo]

- Dolce & Gabbana caused outrage — and protests — among Hong Kong citizens after passing a ban on photos of the store’s window displays. The ban, however, was not enforced for foreign shoppers or Chinese nationals. [WSJ]

- The Vatican continues sweet-talking the gays with Pope Benedict claiming gay marriage basically signals the downfall of humanity. Joke’s on him, that happened after season one of the Jersey Shore. [Towleroad]

- It may be time for Barbie to start picking better friends. Doll versions of Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian – called Dash dolls after their miniature Kardashian-inspired clothing — will befriend Mattel’s golden girl this year. In addition to wearing the trashy leopard print jumpsuits synonymous with the family’s Dash Boutiques, the dolls will “reflect the girls’ measurements.” Meaning the Khloe doll will be played by Ken. [MTV]

On stereotypes:  I love stereotypes, sweeping generalizations and everything that is un-PC. Stereotypes are fun to goof around with and, in a way, you sort of diffuse them if you throw them around.

On gay food versus straight food:  People have the silly notion that there are four food groups. There is really only gay food and straight food. I’m advocating a balance of the two. An oversized beef burrito is basically a phallic symbol, it’s obviously so straight. The gayest food has got to be macaroons, in all pastels and shades. If you lived on them you would explode into a nuclear cloud of gayness. Sushi is also a gay food. You’re taking a big sloppy fish and making it into little bon bons. That seems really gay to me.

On bringing the word “naff” to America:  The word naff is a very useful term, you use it to describe something that is just really tragic and dreary and doesn’t have any style, a lack of panache. There is no American word for that.

On female inspiration:  Suzanne Bartsch was a woman I found to be really inspirational and funny.

On his message to the masses:  I want everyone to be less self-critical and feel less self-conscious, that’s my mission in life.

On his favorite designers:  Alexander Wang – he’s incredible, has such energy, he’s really groovy. Azzedine Alaia – it’s fun to go into his boutique and turn the dresses inside out, the construction and level of design is amazing. Paul Poiret – who did all the exotic stuff at the early turn of the 20th century. Also Christian Lacroix, Rei Kawakubo, Yohji Yamamoto.

On International Gays: The gays in London tend to be very mod, they wear their Fred Perry’s.  In Japan its crazy, the level of flamboyance, style, and experimentation is incredible. In Paris people are so dressed up its great. There are lots of cocktail hats, lots of transgendered things but not in a drag way, more like a tweed cape and Birkin bag, but in a man way.

On Straight Man Fashion:  If you’re in America and you put a lot of attention on how you look and dress, in US context you’re going to be perceived as gay. If you do that elsewhere it may not. I have a chapter on men’s style and what I’m advocating is that gay men and straight men should dress the same but they have to pick from three looks: the perverse prep (Thom Browne, Band of Outsiders, comes from workwear) or the heritage henry (Carhartt, Levis, heritage brands) or the douchebag look (Jersey Shore, Ed Hardy, Abercrombie) it works. It’s all about juxtapositions in the world of fashion, it’s a jigsaw puzzle. It doesn’t work individually, it works as a whole.

On Fads:  There’s absolutely nothing in the fashion scene I would like to see go. I love all of it. I don’t have the ability to say “oh yes she looks terrible” because it’s all subjective — as long as she’s happy and having a good time I don’t have that need to kick her to the curb.  Probably because I’ve been so involved in fashion history I see it as a landscape. It is not about you, it is about fitting into the social landscape.

On Having Your Own Look:
You’ve got to have your own look, it’s all about self expression. Even if that is objectively kind of demented. Marc Jacobs once said fashion isn’t about trends any more, but it is about having your own look. Self expression is the key to everything. Even if you have a mullet at least you look like yourself. Good. Go buy two mullets.

Photo: Vogue.com

Wintour and Vogue have reportedly been “instrumental” in coercing assembling the 22 designers, including Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Alexander Wang, Tracy Reese, Joseph Altuzarra, Rachel Roy, Narciso Rodriguez, Rag & Bone and Jason Wu. Wary of alienating Republican voters from their brands, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton initially nixed their labels from participating in Runway to Win, but Marc Jacobs — of which LVMH owns a majority stake — designed his T-shirt anyway, “following pressure from the magazine,” according to WWD.

On the other hand, Donna Karan, also owned by LVMH, did not bow to Wintour and is therefore not participating in the fundraising effort. And therefore won’t be seen in Vogue anytime soon…Kidding!…Not really.

Runway to Win’s e-commerce site, runwaytowin.com, officially launches on Thursday, but Wintour’s re-election campaign is not stopping there. She will also co-host an Obama fundraiser with actress Scarlett Johansson in February — which I’m taking as a sign that ScarJo will be on the cover around that time. See, kids, and you thought fashion and politics had nothing in common. They both require a steely nerve, a willingness to compromise and the ability to turn a blind eye to corruption. The blatant abuse of power doesn’t hurt either. [WWD]

Hers curated by: Samantha Lim
His curated by: McArthur Joseph

- Breathable caffeine. It’s a real thing. Though for my money, there’s a much more effective, albeit illegal, way of snorting your way to a quick pick-me-up. [Nylon]

- Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, 69, wants to put those pregnancy rumors to rest! She may be getting married to “forever fiend” Willie Wilkerson this summer, but there’s no royal bun in that majestic oven. The Queen is reportedly considering Donna Karan, Valentino and Vera Wang to do the dressing honors. [People]

- “How you Zoe-in’?” After sending The Baby Skyler an Hermès tower of toys, Brad Goreski told Wendy Williams he never received a thank you note from former boss/current rival Rachel Zoe. [Jezebel]

- Ad Age didn’t think Rihanna‘s Armani ad was the sexiest of the year, though apparently everyone else thought they thought it was. [Ad Age]

- Remember that whole Marc Jacobs sexual discrimination case? Yeah, I don’t care either, but seems like it’s been settled out of court, “to the satisfaction of both parties.” [Vogue UK]

- Cosmopolitan is oversexed, Glamour’s definitely hiding something, and Vogue is surprisingly romantic. The buzzwords magazines used most on their covers for 2011 painted a telling portrait. [Fashionista]

- Fresh off the devastating loss of her luggage, Rachel Zoe and Jimmy Choo co-founder Tamara Mellon joined gal pals and maybe-sorta couple Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone in St. Barts on vacation. [Styleite]

- Congrats gays in Hawaii and Delware! You can now get civil union’d — the low-calorie, no fat, no frills version of actually getting married. [Towleroad]

- And speaking of gays getting married, noted twirler and triple axler Johnny Weir married his boyfriend on New Year’s Eve. [Towleroad]

- Cable guys are apparently dressing better these days and while that means khakis and a performance fleece, it’s still better than butt cracks and exposed hairy navels. [NYT]

- Actress Ellen Barkin was involved in an altercation with an NYPD officer who pushed the Tony Award winner seemingly for no reason. The incident was captured on video by Barkin’s rumored boyfriend, director Sam Levinson. [TMZ]

- And speaking of crazy blond actresses and law enforcement, the LAPD was called to the home of part-time criminal and full-time shitshow Lindsay Lohan, but this time LiLo wasn’t the one carted away in handcuffs. A strange man was arrested for trespassing after showing up announced at Lohan’s door. [TMZ]

Get them for $350 at SSENSE.com.

The Standard

Le Bain presents DFA Records New Year’s Eve Party at The Standard. Featuring DJ sets by Holy Ghost!, Jacques Renault, Tim Sweeney and Justin Miller, this is bound to be sold out very soon, so buy your tickets here quickly. If a little Blondie strikes your fancy, head up to the top of The Standard for a black tie affair.

Key Pieces: In addition to the previous items, we’re talking sequins, a string of pearls down to the ground, more sequins, Chanel doorknockers, and the occasional kitten heel.

Designers to Wear:  Donna Karan, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen

Defining Fashion Moment: Season 7, Episode 19, “Journey to the Center of Attention.” In a bar full of middle-aged horndogs itching to climb up Blanche’s dress (she’s not wearing any underwear…meanwhile, imagine your grandma saying that to anyone and not being able to blame it on the Alzheimer’s) when Dorothy steals the spotlight by singing a heartfelt rendition of Irving Berlin‘s “What’ll I Do.”

All the while, she’s wearing  a black blazer with gold piping and epaulets, black pants tucked into a slouchy black boot and only one major accessory — her gold Chanel doorknockers. Perfection. Simple, chic, but still playing on that fun masculine edge. Signature Dorothy.

“There have been on-and-off conversations about Dior,” the designer admitted. “I don’t know; maybe someday in the future, maybe years from now, I may end up going someplace else, maybe Dior. But right now I am at Vuitton, and all that matters to me is that that’s where I am and I’m going to keep doing my thing.”

Do your thing, girl! Jacobs went on to further explain his decision to stay with Vuitton and his general boredom with haute couture:

“The irony in all of this is that I don’t dream of doing anything else, or I didn’t. My greatest challenge is to do something better than we’ve done the season before. The idea of couture doesn’t hold that thing for me. It’s archaic – in my opinion. I mean, I am really interested in the craftsmanship behind couture. But I can explore all that in ready-to-wear. With couture, one dress each season is photographed by a couple of magazines; there’s no advertising; it reaches 20 customers. I don’t feel there is anything lacking in what we do. I get to work with these amazing craftsmen. Maybe not the same ateliers that would make a couture dress, but, again, we are not in a deficit for working with people who create beautiful things. I am not sure I ever looked at couture as this great opportunity.”

Jacobs, obviously doesn’t skimp on the candor in his Vogue  interview. Among the Dior revelations, Jacobs talks about his family — he hasn’t spoken to his mother, sister or younger brother in 20 years — and the illness that inspired him to go from slob to stud — ulcerative colitis — but it’s this little tidbit about his former drug use that really brings this story into a glorious landing: “Jacobs has been honest about his drug-use and addiction issues over the years. He says Naomi Campbell ’really helped me get sober.’”

You know you’re going down a dark road when Naomi Campbell is the light on the other end. [Vogue]

- Chanel has confirmed rumors that Alice Dellal is the newest face of its Boy Chanel handbag campaign, shot by Karl Lagerfeld himself. [WWD]

- Speaking of the industrious Herr Kaiser, more images have been released from his upcoming Karl line. [Vogue UK]

- Iris Apfel may well be nearing the 3,000-year-old mark, but she’s showing no signs of slowing down. The bespectacled harridan‘s MAC cosmetics line will launch on January 5. [Fashionista]

- Miss Sixty’s creative director Wichy Hassan passed away today after a long battle with cancer. [WWD]

- The trailer for the new Halston documentary, Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston, looks fucking awesome — particularly since Liza Minnelli crawled out of whatever gutter she’s been jazz-handing in to provide commentary. [The Cut]

[Styleite]

Photo: Another Mag

Simons has been with Jil Sander since 2005 and his contract was recently extended for an unknown duration, meaning Dior will most likely have to buy him out of it. Should that prove easily said and done, Simons still won’t be able to produce a ready-to-wear collection by March, let alone a couture collection by January; therefore Bill Gaytten and the Dior atelier would continue to handle design duties in the mean time.

There might be an even bigger hurdle on the horizon, however, as Yves Saint Laurent reportedly has their eye on Simons as well. Stefano Pilati, if rumors are to be believed, is always on the verge of being fired and his contract expires in March. YSL hasn’t indicated whether they will extend Pilati’s deal or not, but considering that his role is a constant source of speculation, it’s hard to put much weight behind this.

Meanwhile, there’s no time frame for Simons’ appointment, and Dior — of course — has neither confirmed or denied these reports. But of all the names bandied about since John Galliano‘s dismissal earlier this year, Raf Simons is one of the strongest and most viable, don’t you think? [WWD]

Photo: Vogue

In a plot that sounds like the long-discarded gay Ocean’s 11 sequel, Ocean’s 69, a gang of five masked robbers “neutralized” a security guard and four employees at the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport terminal on Friday, before making out with 10 pallets of Louis Vuitton goods.

Authorities are currently looking into the matter, but they had better look quick. The rule of 3s dictates that another crime will take place and the smart money is on Dior, as everything Marc Jacobs seems to touch — whether he wants to or not — goes missing. Meanwhile, this sounds like the long-discarded Woody Allen gay dramedy, High Fashion Crimes and Miss-Dior-meanors. [WWD]

The 14-year-old Steinfeld is seen sitting on a railroad track, wiping away what appears to be tears, in this image from Miu Miu‘s fall 2011 campaign, shot by Bruce Weber. Following their ban on fellow underaged starlet Dakota Fanning‘s “sexually provocative” ad for Marc Jacobs‘ “Oh Lola!” fragrance, the ASA has deemed the Miu Miu ad “irresponsible” for depicting a child in an unsafe location.

Parent company Prada argues that the allegedly offensive photos is  ”part of a serious, high-fashion campaign” and “based on the set of an imaginary film,” adding that Steinfeld ”could have easily moved from where she was sitting because she was not restrained in any way.” But considering her age, the ASA is standing their moral-high ground. [Telegraph]

Working with The Creators Project, Chalayan and fashion show director Alex de Betak rigged champagne flutes with tiny, battery-powered, wireless cameras that activated when titled 15 degrees. The models received their champagne from a be-wigged Chalayan, disguised as a waiter to observe the action — then turned their attention to a blank wall behind the runway. Taking a sip, the cameras automatically lit up and projected onto the canvas an in-depth view of the models’ mouths and throats. Part performance art, part fashion show, Hussein Chalayan once again demonstrated his unique ability to utilize technology  in his vision for fashion’s future. For him, technology is “really the only thing through which you can do new things.” [The Creators Project]

What’s the most memorable party you’ve organized?

Last year was our ARC NY Fashion Week party in combination with Gwen Stefani. It happened on the night of her L.A.M.B. show and it was such a sexy, fun and magical night! We partnered with the artist Mr. Brainwash (of Banksy’s 2010 Oscar-nominated documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop-fame) and he painted all of our models—Gwen too! We had the party in New York and everyone came—Kanye West, Marc Jacobs, Gwen, of course, Ciara, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk—with so many beautiful and interesting people in the room. A memorable party for me is the one that you hope will never end!

What’s your favorite social media tool? And why? 

I like Twitter the most. It’s become a great source of information for me. I wake up, look at my emails and immediately read the Twitter feeds just because I follow a good and qualitative amount of people that keep me informed of things I find interesting and funny. It’s replaced me glancing at the newspapers every morning. Facebook is a great database but it’s the dynamism of Twitter that keeps me intrigued.

Do you remember the first thing you ever Tweeted? 

That’s such a good question. I can almost guess it was an introduction of who I am, what I do, where I live, etc. And right after that I was just tweeting a lot about our models and some of their pictures. I’m going to try to find the first tweet and will “retweet.”

[Editor’s note: On March 31, Lorenzo tweeted about a girl bribing him for tickets to a movie premiere in hopes of meeting Jake Gyllenhaal.]

To read the rest of the interview, visit our sister site, LOOKBOOKS.com!

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

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

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

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

Photos via Fashion Gone Rogue

After a series of complaints from a bunch of teetotaling busybodies, the ASA responded with this bit of lameness: “We noted that the model was holding up the perfume bottle which rested in her lap between her legs and we considered that its position was sexually provocative. We understood the model was 17 years old but we considered she looked under the age of 16. We considered that the length of her dress, her leg and position of the perfume bottle drew attention to her sexuality. Because of that, along with her appearance, we considered the ad could be seen to sexualise a child.”

Coty, the makers of “Oh Lola!,” disagree with the ASA, saying that Dakota is not “inappropriately sexualized” as there are no “private body parts or sexual activity” on display and that the ASA is just a bunch of sicko pervs in need of a good lay. Okay, that last part was my own little addition.

Describing the scent as “sensual” and being “more Lolita than Lola,” Jacobs, for his part, knew exactly what he was doing when he cast the elder Fanning after seeing her get all lesbionic with co-star  Kristen “Dead Eyes” Stewart in The Runaways: being banned is the highest form of flattery.

Just ask Tom Ford. [Telegraph]

Karachi Fashion Week

One must also consider the undeniable impact of the internet and blogs, bringing the latest and greatest in fashion to anyone with a decent internet connection. Now a teenager in Ohio can gasp at the fantastical creations from Beijing Fashion Week as a blogger in Thailand livestreams the latest Marc Jacobs runway show. But with this democratization of the fashion industry comes its inevitable oversaturation. “Every other city is doing a fashion week. I think there can be only one market in the U.S., and that’s New York,” Kolb opines. So fashion weeks in Moscow, Karachi, Berlin, Zurich, Huston, Dubai, Portland, Rochester, Islamabad and Tel Aviv won’t garner the kind of respect or attention paid to London and Paris; clothes from its runways won’t land in Elle or W – nor might they ever be worn outside of their respective countries. However, Glenda Bailey’s or Anna Wintour‘s is not the only eye foreign designers hope to capture.

For participants in Islamabad Fashion Week, fashion is a new form of expression that further immerses them in the global culture of the 21st century. When filming Fashion Week Internationale for Vice.com, hostess Charlet Duboc was surprised at the presence of women in full Burkas volunteering backstage:  “I couldn’t quite believe it. How does that work? How can you look at that and admire it and yet know you can’t wear it? But they were there, they were appreciating it and it didn’t feel like there was a divide. Like, ‘You do your thing, I do my thing’ and everyone got along.” Fashion transcends more than just clothing to become a force for cultural change. And a force for economic change. Speaking with the Wall Street Journal, Zurain Imam observed,  ”Fashion in Pakistan for a long time has been an entertainment sport; at [Karachi Fashion Week], we are trying to really make it about the business of fashion.”

While Kolb concedes that smaller fashion weeks can be good training ground for prospective designers, some bigger names are flocking abroad to show their collections. There probably is no hotter designer in America than Singapore-born, Nepalese-raised Prabal Gurung, whose last two presentations at New York Fashion Week met with near universal acclaim. Even he is considering showing his wares abroad in Moscow, Turkey, London and his native Singapore, saying, “There are so many emerging markets that we want to in some way be a part of, and I would love to showcase my collection in a more global way.” With a crowded and contentious calendar, Glenda Bailey won’t likely end up in Richmond, VA, but who’s to say that she won’t be stomping through a Singaporean jungle for the latest in spring ready-to-wear?

Photo: Terry Richardson...duh

I would’ve thought that Marc was already on the board, if not president Diane von Furstenbrerg‘s girl Friday, but mazel to the kids, who were nominated by the board of directors way back in July. They’ll be joining the ranks of 26 designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Narciso Rodriguez, Tory Burch, Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa and Norma Kamali. Meanwhile, Nicole Miller, John Bartlett and Richard Lambertson are leaving the board of directors to join the Emeritus board. [WWD]

Editorial styled by Julia von Boehm. All photos from Fashion Gone Rogue.

Katie Grand will receive the fashion innovator award, presented by friend and frequent collaborator Marc Jacobs. Ai Weiwei is the recipient of the art innovator award, but considering he’s under figurative lock and key in China, Marina Abramovic will accept it on his behalf and Jonathan Safran Foer will present Chipotle founder Steve Ellis with the food innovator award. Elon Musk is the technology innovator, Joris Laarman for design, Bjarke Ingels for architecture while Bill Gates and Warren Buffett will receive the philanthropy innovator award.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Museum of Modern Art on October 27th followed by WSJ‘s “Innovators” issue hitting newsstands on October 29th. [WWD]

Can you describe BabeWalker.com in 3 words?

No, can you? That was 3 words, right?

What do you think of all the other twitter handles that try to have similar style to yours (i.e. nycgrlproblems)

I mean, am I a visionary? Maybe. A revolutionary? It’s been said before. The truth is I hate it when anyone copies me, but the fact that all these other accounts are out there is very flattering and cute.

Fill us in on your book White Girl Problems: your memoir, that comes out in stores on January 31,2012?

I was nearing the end of a 28-day rehabilitation program for a shopping addiction and I’d come to a crossroads in my life. Nobody was appreciating me/my struggles, so I decided to take a bunch of Adderall and write down all my grievances with the world. I wrote 250 pages in 48 hours. These stories later became my memoir.

Photo: Style.com's Photo Wall

“I could never do this anywhere else, do you know what I mean? Not just the Paris thing, but Vuitton, allows me,” Jacobs enthusiastically told the Daily Telegraph after the show. The Telegraph also reports that the negotiations between Jacobs and Dior may have hit the proverbial wall — again —  thanks to the designer’s insistence that his entire LV team come with him.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times‘ Vanessa Friedman seems to think that Christian Dior’s collaboration with German contemporary artist Anselm Reyle — the luxury house’s first — on a line of accessories is a sign that Jacobs is indeed on his way to Dior. “As it happens, the driving force behind the Dior/Reyle partnership was Delphine Arnault…deputy general manager of Dior Couture [who] is also reportedly one of the most vocal proponents of moving Mr Jacobs to Dior, an eventuality that is looking more and more likely.”

The Dior announcement is weeks away, according to Sidney Toledano and he wants us all to just hold our horses and show a little patience. But dammit it’s 2011, no one has an attention span longer than a gnat and patience is so last millennium. Just rehire John Galliano and stop boring me. [Daily Telegraph, Financial Times]

Wolter’s Ford agent Gary Dakin says she’s “absolutely thrilled about the move.” I would be too if I could eat again… or would I?

LINK LOVE: The Cut

Sherry Lehmann Wine.  Arizona Iced Tea. Fiber One. No, these aren’t the contents of your grandmother’s kitchen cabinet. These are three of the big-name sponsors for New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the biggest and least important of the four major Fashion Weeks. But is New York’s continued dwindling in importance a direct result of the less than fabulous coterie of sponsors, or is it the other way around? And who’s to blame?

The Hardy Gays are on the case!

The main culprit is Milk Studios, whose latest incarnation as MilkMade has stolen much of the luster from Lincoln Center. But whereas they compete for sponsors, MilkMade usually draws smaller shows…however, the Marc Jacobses and the Ralph Laurens don’t show at the Tents either. Rather, they show offsite, effectively spitting in the faces of IMG Models and CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, who dutifully shows at Lincoln Center each season.

Why not show a concerted effort to make NYFW a juggernaut of influence and taste rather than a discombobulated hydra sprawling all over Manhattan with each head unaware of what the other is doing?

The Tents at Bryant Park were home to New York Fashion Week for seventeen years and the move to Lincoln Center was a controversial one that left many fashion followers scratching their thinning scalps. Aside from being convenient, Bryant Park’s proximity to the Garment District earned it the distinction as the fashion industry’s backyard. But as Fashion Week grew bigger and more and more sponsors came on board — from Dunkin Donuts to McDonald’s — designers became more and more disenfranchised. And Bryant Park became more and more annoyed. Now, the Tents at Lincoln Center resemble a circus rather than a legitimate gathering of professionals and creatives.

Which brings us to Fern Mallis, the lady behind those seventeen halcyon years. She helped organize the move of NYFW from warehouses and studios all over the city to one central location, but with the Tents’ dissolution everything is scattered once again. Just last year Mallis evacuated her role as Senior Vice President of IMG to reportedly start her own consulting business. Interesting timing…

Perhaps she felt disillusioned over what she hath wrought. Perhaps she struck a deal with Bryant Park to kick fashion week out of its lush lawn. Perhaps she poisoned  major designers against her former lover, one Diane von Furstenberg to gain revenge for breaking her heart when she married Barry Diller, effectively ruining Fashion Week and leaving Fiber One as one of the few legitimate sponsors who would touch MBFW with a ten-foot pole!

Cue lightning flash and dramatic music.

Perhaps this is just speculation and hearsay. Perhaps we don’t really care because as far as Mac and I — and the bottle of vodka we’ve already opened to celebrate — Absence of Mallis: The Case of the Lackluster Tents is closed.

- The always pragmatic Rachel Zoe came to Paris Fashion Week with 11 suitcases. Because those caftans and block wedges aren’t going to fly transatlantic by themselves. [Fashionista]

- Tom Ford, in a position to which he has grown suspiciously accustomed, for Russian GQ. [Image Amplified]

- An Irish farmer kicked a scantily-clad Rihanna off his land, hoping RiRi and her friends “acquaint themselves with a greater God,” i.e. Beyoncé. [BBC]

- Crystal Renn was accused of being too skinny by a plus-sized designer; there have been worse insults. [Fashionista]

- Natasha Poly, 52 years after entering the game (in model time) , is the hardest working model of Milan Fashion Week. [The Cut]

Photo: Models.com

Karlie Kloss – The supermodel of the moment, Karlie’s stardom was cemented with her special cover of Life magazine and her transition to grown-ass woman cemented by her nude spread shot by Mario Testino.