“Carine Roitfed. She has such great style.  I would love to raid her closet, for her shoes. We have the same size shoe and we used to share shoes.” I ask her if there are any shoes in particular she would snatch. “All of them.” Well-played, Lara Stone. Well-played.

Stone, the official fashion ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, is whisked away in a tornado of Prager’s creation as part of the automaker’s “Icons of Style” campaign, featuring the SL Roadster. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Vertigo and a bit of the Brothers Grimm, Prager tells a modern day fairytale with Stone as the beautiful blonde “with dark, suspicious undertones,” to borrow the photographer’s words. To achieve the “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore” vibe, the super was strapped into a harness and flown around the air — a process she actually enjoyed.

“My favorite part of working with Alex was all of her crazy ideas!” Stone says. “Hanging in a harness was so much fun and a great change from just standing around [posing].” Of course, at this point in her career, Lara Stone is no stranger to uncomfortable situations. When I ask her what was one of her favorite shoots, she immediately mentions her latest campaign for Calvin Klein, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

“The rocks were so sharp! I love that campaign, all those bright, different color jeans, but laying on the rocks was very uncomfortable,” she says with a laugh. “They were sharp and it was hot with big waves crashing over us. Very scary! When I saw the final shots though, it was totally worth it. I always love working with them [Mert and Marcus].”

Wondering what, if any, of her plans were outside of modeling, Lara responds simply, “I just got a puppy and I want to hang out with him. His name is Bert and he’s a boarder terrier.” I’ve never been much for dogs, though lately I’ve been contemplating getting one, so I took this opportunity to do a little research. “What size is he?” I ask. “Oh, you know…dog-sized.” She then  attempts to approximate Bert with her  arms, and he seems a little big for my taste.

“We have sort of an office dog,” I venture. In truth, we have like five office dogs —  one of them’s wandering around now as I write this. But I single out the pug, who makes the most regular appearances in the FashionIndie office. “Oh, they’re so cute!” she exclaims and we discuss the general cuteness of the tiny little monsters and their giant bug eyes. Then I mention that his name is Napoleon. “Does he have the complex?” she asks, not missing a beat.

Meanwhile, I wish I  had brought along a rimshot if I had known Lara Stone would be serving shtick.

- “Our campaigns exist at the intersection between fitness and fashion; they are intended to be thought provoking and to generate discussion through their deliberate synthesis of personal motivation and high fashion photography.” Equinox on its controversial Terry Richardson ads. Translation: gotcha bitches. [WWD]

- Heather Locklear was rushed to the hospital Thursday afternoon, allegedly for a mix of booze and prescription pills, but she seems to be doing fine and is said to be in “no danger.” [E!]

- Lil Wayne launched a T-shirt line called Trukfit, which is short for “The Reason You Kill For It.” When asked to describe the name in two words, Weezy responded: “‘Un…Usual,’ he said with a grin that broke into a croaky laugh. ‘That’s one word.’” [WWD]

- Lara Stone gets carried away by a tornado, Wizard of Oz style, in a new ad for Mercedes-Benz. [Huff Po via Nowness]

Lara Stone: American Fairytale on Nowness.com.

- Halle Berry has decided to earn her diva stripes by walking down the aisle a third time. The Oscar-winner is engaged to fellow gorgeous person Olivier Martinez. [Us]

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.

Milk is now represented by Creative Artists Agency and has brought on Lexus and American Express as sponsors in addition to original partner MAC Cosmetics.  This partnership has also gone through some changes and beginning this Fashion Week MAC & Milk shows will be under the name of Made.

Lincoln Center on the other hand has IMG, Mercedes-Benz and Maybelline, as well as AmEx with MAC also providing make-up for many a MBFW show.

While Made focuses on emerging designers and does not charge to rent their space — MAC is the exclusive make-up provider leaving models and music on the bill — Lincoln Center caters to more high-profile designers, who in addition to paying for the venue also have to dig deep for models, hair, music and makeup. And these are just a few of the differences:

Number of Shows:

Made – 35

MBFW – 98 (81 on-site, 17 off)

Sponsors:

Made – MAC, American Express and Lexus

MBFW - DHL, Maybelline New York, American Express, TRESemmé, W Hotels Worldwide, Fiber One Bars, ideeli, Fiji Water, AriZona Beverages

Designers:

Made - Sophie Theallet, Cushnie Et Ochs, Peter Som, Erin by Erin Fetherston, Billy Reid, Simon Spurr, Ohne Titel, Jeremy Scott, Nahm

MBFW - BCBG Max Azria, Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller, Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam, Tracy Reese, L.A.M.B., Diane von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Diesel, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, J.Mendel, Milly by Michelle Smith, Anna Sui, Elie Tahari

With Fashion Week just around the corner and all those sponsorship dollars, designer reputations and AmEx black cards floating around, the stage is set for a good ole-fashioned walk-off between Milk Studios and Lincoln Center. [WWD]

Josh Linam: Mercedes Benz is such a cool company. What do you think of Mercedes-Benz as a brand?

Karolina Kurkova: Well it’s a very classic, timeless brand. It’s innovative. They always have the safest cars. It’s luxurious but subtle without being too flashy. And I think it’s wonderful that they’re creating this event and supporting all these different fashion shows around the world where people can show their work.

Yes, actually that leads into my next question – what does it mean for Mercedes-Benz to sponsor Fashion Week, which is the epicenter for all things stylish?

I think it’s a great collaboration. Mercedes-Benz is very stylish and modern; it’s innovative, and it’s luxury. And it goes very well with fashion. It’s about trends, the newest and best things. Also, Mercedes-Benz is a lifestyle brand. It’s just not about the cars – it’s what they represent. You’ll see a lot of people who are a part of fashion week, designers, models and celebrities driving the cars.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week incorporates some of the best technology around. How do you see technology changing fashion?

I’m always amazed how technology is pushing the envelope and how it’s changing so quickly. You can see everything online right away. The things that are happening simultaneously, everyone can see it. I have a fan page on Facebook. It’s amazing how quick things happen. It’s so instant!

Are there any drawbacks about technology becoming such a part of fashion?

Sometimes there’s not that mystery or surprise or privacy. Almost everything is out there. People want everything right away. Maybe it’s not the greatest for the young generation who spends so much time online. They get so much into that world, and there’s so much more to see outside the Internet.

What are your favorite fashion Web sites or blogs to check out?

Well I just got to meet this guy, Bryan Boy. He’s so crazy, but he’s very sweet, very real and so true to his roots. He’s from the Phillipines, and he still goes back there. He’s very trendy and he’s a big fashionista, but he’s not affected by it. He’s still a true, real person, and I can feel that. I think he’s fun, and I like his style.

Last question for you. What’s your favorite thing to wear on a night out?

Well, I don’t have just one look. I’m someone who dresses by mood, by the weather and by where I am, my location. It could be from jeans to boots to a t-shirt and leather jacket to a beautiful Hervé Leger or Azzadine Alaïa dress with flats or high heels. So I’m really someone who dresses by where I am. It’s got to be comfortable, look effortless and classic, and have a personality.

Karolina’s newest, sizzling spread for Mercedes-Benz:

One obvious reason Karolina Kurkova has seen such success in modeling – she is outrageously beautiful. However, some may not know the real reason people love working with Karolina. The supermodel beams with positivity, and she is perhaps even a little bit of a jokester.

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Karolina turned the tables on me in our interview. Right from the start she humorously tried to throw me off with a big smile on her face. (Clearly, it worked.)

Karolina Kurkova: Wow, you’re so handsome. So are you dating anybody?

Josh Linam: Well, I’m kind of new to New York City.

So you’re looking for the right people? Call me. I can help. Ohh, I can help.

Wow, thank you; that would be amazing! So I’m from Fashion Indie, and I just had some questions for you.

So wait, you’re saying you’re new to New York. Where were you before?

I was in Texas.

In Texas? You lived and blogged about fashion in Texas?

Actually I lived in Texas, but I was writing a different project. So yeah, I just moved and I’m pretty new to New York fashion.

So this is kind of your first, big fashion week?

This is the first!

So is it a little overwhelming for you?

It’s new. Everything’s new. Overwhelming a little, as far as the shows and the partying I think.

And the tent. Isn’t it beautiful how it’s done? It’s not just going from show to show. It’s almost like a creative space where people can work and talk and see shows and connect.

It seriously is amazing how they can transform it into such a functional space. I love Lincoln Center!

Don’t forget to check out Part 2 with Karolina, where Fashion Indie questions the supermodel about her new partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

ARRONDISSEMENT AQ1 Website

LINK LOVE:ARRONDISSEMENT AQ1 SPRING/SUMMER 2011 WOMEN’S COLLECTION / BERLIN FASHION WEEK

NOTE: I am not one to get star-struck easily. Last night was a major exception.

LINK LOVE: Dirty Flaws

Mercedes-Benz released their first concepts of the SLS AMG Gullwing and I’m in love. If any of you amazing readers would like to order me one I would be more than willing to take you for a trip around the city (doors up of course).

Thanks HighSnobiety

I must admit that before this weekend, the extent of my knowledge about the sport of polo revolved around what I’d discerned from the Ralph Lauren logo—I knew there were horses and mallets involved, but that was it. After venturing this weekend to Bridgehampton for the Opening Day of the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge, I still know nothing about the sport, but I have learned that it’s the quintessential Hamptons society activity during the summer.

Polo in Bridgehampton is hardly about who wins or loses—I don’t think that anyone even pays attention to the announcer—it’s about which spectator has the best time—and looks the best while doing it. Held every Saturday at the Blue Star Jets Field up until August 22nd, the fabulous and famous crowd together beneath the white tents for some polo watching and some people watching. The latter was what most interested me so I was out observing the fashions.

Instead of the wide hats and Oscar de la Renta dresses I half-expected to see, women dressed much more casually, preferring sundresses and the sort. Surprisingly, most of the peacocking came from the men, who sported a wonderful array of colors. White jeans were predictably popular, along with tailored sports coats and bright accents. It was really all about the color, and it was refreshing to see so many men dress so boldly.

Guests mingled and enjoyed the beautiful weather, fueled by libations from the open bar as well as an assortment of snacks and hors d’oeuvres. I personally couldn’t get enough of the mini cupcakes passed around in the VIP tent—I must have eaten an entire passed tray throughout the two-hour-long event. Celebrity wattage came from famous faces like Star Jones, Chase Crawford (who hosted last year’s opening), Beth Ostrosky and several realty TV stars.

Even though I was a polo neophyte, I still knew about star player Nacho Figueras from the Ralph Lauren fragrance ads and so the day’s highlight may just have been spotting him in the front of the Ralph Lauren Black Watch tent. And yes, he’s just as beautiful in person as he is in those pictures.

Adrien Field

Editor-in-Chief Garcon Mag

Which do you think was photoshopped in?

Julia Stegner posed in an Anne Valerie Hash dress with a Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CGI Grand edition.

The red-carpet-suggestive promotional images were shot for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin.

Stegner, who has walked the runway for pretty much everyone, was born in Munich.

Style Frizz.