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]

While one could argue that the statement — “Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today she weighs 23% less.” — doesn’t take into account the fact that women 20 years ago probably weighed less than they do now — two decades of fast food will do that to you — one only has to consider who the average fashion model was 20 years ago. Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Linda Fucking Evangelista…these women were Amazons and Glamazons; healthy, gorgeous and glowing with the energy of life and $10,000 a day paychecks. Then Kate Moss came shuffling in and changed the game. Despite the veracity of the facts, if anything the spread stimulates a debate. And more importantly, it offers images of a beautiful woman who is not only clearly proud of her voluptuous body, but also pretty damned flexible to boot. [Buzzfeed]

Triskaidekaphobia, the morbid fear of the number 13, has led to buildings without a thirteenth floor, airports without a 13th gate, a neverending film franchise and of course, the most notorious day of the year. For your Friday the 13th viewing terror, here are 13 style superstitions to heed and fear:

1. Crack a coke mirror, get 7 years of bad blow.

2. Cross a black catwalk, fall on the runway.

3. Naomi Campbell-walking under a ladder will bring several dirty looking pebbles to you in the night.

4. Botox a day keeps the wrinkles away.

5. Listening to Lady Gaga will make you gay — as will  one drunken time in college.

6. Step on her crack, Whitney Houston will break your motherf*cking back.

7. Opening an umbrella indoors makes it rain on a whore.

8. For the lucky bride — something old, something new, something borrowed, and no pre-nup, boo.

9. Hanging Sarah Jessica Parker‘s shoe on the wall will bring good luck.

10. Never wear Uggs after Labor Day — or ever.

11. Find a tranny on her head pick her up, all night long you’ll get free shots.

12. Kissing a toad gives you warts — as will kissing a guido.

13. Garlic protects you from vampires, evil spirits and ever having a date.

Take it easy out there today kids for as a wise blind man once said, “Superstition ain’t the way.”

- 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]

“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]

After a few seasons, the legendary supe has returned to Pinko and effortlessly takes our breath away, giving us Mothra realness. Grab your kids and run from the fierceness!

Photo: DesignScene

Campbell will, according to a press release, ” regularly meet great and outstanding personalities for this in-depth feature interview.” And if those great and outstanding personalities don’t want an iPhone-shaped bruise about their temple, they’ll oblige the catwalker-turned-writer.

If they cooperate, they can talk all about current affairs and world events, like what Naomi wore to have dinner at Nelson Mandela‘s house. Sadly, Naomi’s original, candid opinions will most likely be in German and Russian, and I doubt Google Translate can actually capture the bitchery intricacies of that much brilliance. [The Cut]

The chameleonic Evangelista has never been more gorgeous as snapped by Steven Meisel while Uncle Karl wanders through a forest of bare legs and buttocks, camera in hand. As for Naomi, she does what she does best — give face. A lot of it, courtesy of Guido Mocafico.

Photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

Jonas Akerlund directs the mini-movie chronicling a day in the life of a rag-tag rock and roll band who just happen to have legs up to their necks and cheekbones from which the world hangs. Naomi, of course, plays lead singer Simon Le Bon but I must say Eva Herzigova steals the show as a cavalier and spaced out Nick Rhodes.

Meanwhile, Helena Christensen as Roger Taylor gets wheeled about on a hotel dolly, clearly half in the bag and loving every minute of it and Cindy shows she can still work overtime as John Taylor, hanging out the window of her limo as it speeds down the streets of London.

With Yasmin rounding out the group as an unnamed guitarist, the ladies wreak general havoc on a hotel room, snog groupies, pose for their Harper’s Bazaar UK cover and film amusic video, all while looking hopelessly galmorous.

Check out the nine-and-a-half minute video and see if you can spot the real Duran Duran popping up here and there.

North America : Canada

Jessica Stam

Coco Rocha

Shalom Harlow

Linda Evangelista

Seb Janiak captures the supermodel in all her glossy glory. proving once again that fab don’t crack. [Photo: Design Scene]

And less like Lindsey Wixson at Versace. 

1. Walk like a model. Models are specifically trained to walk in the manner that best carries them on any heel. Check the breakdown beneath Karlie Kloss in Lanvin:

As if a string is attached to the crown of your head, pull your neck upward, then bring your chin down.

Elongate your torso by bringing your shoulders back and down.

With a slight lean back, bring the bottom of your ribcage in toward your spine.

Tuck your pelvis under and forward.

Your stomach should be flat and your abs engaged. This takes the pressure off of your spine and onto your muscles.

Smize.

On Monday, Andy Capper, editor of Vice UK, will debut the mag’s new feature, “Fashion Week Internationale” at Vice‘s office in Williamsburg — the birthplace and subsequent burial ground of post-ironic irony. The series will cover oft-neglected fashion weeks in politically and economically unstable countries such as Columbia, Islamabad and Russia. They’ve also got a new book out, Fashion Cats, featuring two cats in the latest Japanese fashion — which basically has New York Times bestseller written all over it. Anticipating the feline fashion frenzy, Urban Outfitters put in an order for 10,000 copies, but it’s available wherever books are sold…i.e. not Borders. #sad

As for Elektra’s future as a fashion critic…well, let’s just say Cathy Horyn she is not. Her observations went along the lines of ”I’m intensely tripping my shit” and ”I was too overwhelmed by the music and the people. I didn’t even really look at the clothes.” Then there was a run-in with Naomi Campbell that left the poor girl “in a very bad place” — “I got really bad vibes off of her. I don’t feel very well now. I thought she was going to hit me.”

And now Elektra knows what it’s like working for Naomi Campbell. This was a valuable learning experience after all![WWD]

Izabel Goulart, a Brazilian model whom Carine discovered at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, turns it in a Mugler top.

For a cut-out zig, zag into this ribboned and mesh-topped tunic from Topshop for $66.

For the zag on a long sleeve shirt, check out what Karl Lagerfeld did for Macy’s for $99. Pair it with Tom Ford sunglasses for a killer downtown look.

Models on Todd Lynn's Spring 2012 runway / Style.com

According to Carole White, founder of Premier Model Management and not the biggest Naomi Campbell fan, ”We’re not just talking about one or two big girls. Jacobs had numerous models holding on options right up until the day of his show meaning they all stayed in New York just in case they got cast.”

White goes on to say, ”Gucci demanded that girls fly to Milan on Saturday to meet Frida to see if she would consider them for her show, which meant Saturday got trashed. Then the girls were expected to fly straight back to London, and if Gucci were interested, fly back to Milan again on Sunday for another round of casting, then for fittings on Monday. Only a tiny fraction of them realistically have a shot at being in that show — we all know it will be full of mega girls. I find it insulting that a designer like Frida thinks London is so insignificant that she would do that.”

For agents and models alike, Gucci and Jacobs are major gets, but that leaves the already packed London schedule of designers feeling like fashion’s bastard step-children. A source at Todd Lynn claims to have “lost 10 out of 19 girls,” with agents calling them in the middle of the night to pull their girls and some models not even showing up for fittings because they’ve flown off to Milan.

Also not helping matters is LOVE magazine editor Katie Grand — damn you Katie Grand — who styled for Jacobs and also styled for the London-based designer Giles Deacon. Grand demanded a five-hour call time — which one “fashion insider” calls ”unnecessary, absurd, selfish and wrong,” citing Paris’ strict two-hour limit — thus monopolizing any girls left in town after Burberry.

Amidst fears that London Fashion Week may be squeezed out all together, the British Fashion Council is beginning to feel the heat. The BFC is being accused of mismanaging the show calendar and for not standing up to the organizers behind the  New York and Milan fashion weeks.

Meanwhile, CEO of the BFC, Caroline Rush, insists that something is being done. She’s not particularly clear what that something is, but the Council has “invested time in developing direct relationships with model agencies to better understand their challenges and encourage them to send more internationally-recognised catwalk models to London. This season, the models at designers such as Jonathan Saunders, Erdem, Christopher Kane and Tom Ford have been of a global standard.”

Well, for those handful of shows, good for you. But for everyone else suffering at the model-grabbing claws of New York and Milan: damn you, Caroline Rush. [Telegraph]

The Editor-in-Chic

What you’re thinking: I’ve got places to go, people to fire, careers to kill and not enough time to worry about getting my goddamn photo taken. But as a fashion professional, I’m never caught with my palazzo pants down so take your goddamn pic and get outta my goddamn way, trash.

What you’re doing: Spotting the photog out of the corner of your eye while pretending not to see him and stomping by in a controlled rush to be properly preserved.

(L-R, Kate Middleton – notedly not Catherine yet, Anna Della Russo, Demi Moore)

A brief history of the fascinator:

- But of course we have you covered for all your Hurricane Irene needs with a handy guide to surviving this natural disaster in style. [FashionIndie]

- And finally, someone has their priorities in order. Sure there’s a potentially deadly storm heading our way, but what about the Barneys Warehouse Sale? Won’t someone think of the Warehouse Sale?! [Racked]

- Naomi Campbell‘s BFF (thank you), Nelson Mandela is following in her graceful, catwalk strides by starting his own fashion line called 46664, his prison number from those 27 years he was incarcerated. [Styleite]

Photos: Homotography

from “Atonement” by Andy Houghton

- Speaking of the Germanottas, here’s the Gaga before she was a Lady. [The Vie Society]

- Cindy Crawford, much like a fine wine or a cheap fling, just gets better with time in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore. [Image Amplified]

(Image courtesy of WWD)

- Getting gay married just got super convenient. And kinda trashy…er. [Refinery29]

- Alexander McQueen left the majority of his $26 million estate to charity, but not without providing for his loved ones: that includes $410,000 to each of his three sisters and two brothers; $82,000 each to his housekeeper, godson, nephews and nieces; and another $82,000 to his dogs. Those nephews and nieces probably should have paid a few more visits to Uncle Alex. Or at least peed on his rug. [Fashionologie]

Riccardo Tisci’s muse Mariacarla Boscono joins an all-stars cast of models including Naomi Campbell, Kristen McMenamy and Natalia Vodianova in this fierce fall 2011 campaign for Givenchy shot by Mert & Marcus. The upside to that many supermodels at one photoshoot is that you don’t have to spend any of the budget on the catering.

White reminisces on so-called “happier times” in the Telegraph for no other reason than to spill this photo of of herself with Naomi — wearing a little Whitney Houston on her face — and BFF Christy Turlington before the Burns.

Picture it, the early 1990s. White’s three major clients, the Holy Trinity — Naomi, Christy and Linda Evangelista — command a staggering £300,000 for a campaign (that’s like half a mil in $$) and won’t even get out of bed for less than $10,000.

Naomi, surprisingly, let all that success and ferocity go to her head; or as Carole puts it “when everyone is telling you that you look fantastic, showering you with gifts and wanting to befriend you, your perception of life gets distorted.”

Tell me about it, that’s the story of my life.

While Christy was “a dream, very professional and calm” Naomi was” less disciplined,” often showing up late to shoots if bothering to show up at all. White then points to this one time Naomi apparently wiped out an entire genus of plant:

[A] Dutch nursery named a rare black tulip after her and asked her to promote it. Hundreds of the flowers were driven to London in a refrigerated van to fill a studio. Naomi was supposed to lie in the middle of them for a commercial, but she didn’t turn up for the shoot – she was sick. These poor guys watched the tulips wilt in the studio and the ad never happened.

White’s article abruptly ends there probably — I’m assuming — because Mia Farrow, as usual wanted to put in her two cents and decided to finish it her damn  self. [Telegraph]

Sophia Coppola, Kanye West and Donatella Versace – who, it seems, invited herself – were among those lucky and not-Anna-Wintour enough to reside front row during Alaïa’s show. They got to see, up close and personal, the wool — being couture it was no less than Mongolian lamb —  the knitwear —  a “miracle” according to Style.com‘s Tim Blanks —  the cinched waists and full skirts — an ode to the designer’s trademark body-consciousness — and my favorite ladies wear staple — the coat-dresses — that made up the collection’s 25 looks.

Whatever caused the riff between Azzedine and Anna — there was a snub at the Met Gala a few years back causing longtime muse Naomi Campbell and her super friends to boycott, but methinks it goes back even further than that — readers of Vogue are the ones truly suffering. They’ll never see these gorgeous creations within those hallowed pages as long as one of them lives. And I think we all know, as per an agreement signed in blood eons ago, Anna’s not going anywhere for the next few hundred years.

But feel free to peruse some of the best looks from Alaïa Fall 2011 couture and take comfort in imagining what magic Grace Coddington could conjure up if she were given the chance.

- Kate‘s epic wedding guest list also includes Daphne Guinness, Vivienne Westwood, Jude Law, Jade Jagger and reportedly, John Galliano. [Styleite]

- Blogger Rachel Kane of  WTForever21 might have to change the name of her blog to WTorever21 because she clearly doesn’t give an F. [Fashionista]

- Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld is precociously stunning in Miu Miu‘s new Fall 2011 campaign, shot by Bruce Weber. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

- Meanwhile, Raquel Zimmermann is sleekness defined for YSL by Inez and Vinoodh. [Models.com]

- The Huffington Post assembled 21 of Spring 2012 Men’s Fashion Week‘s “zaniest” looks. Some are actually zany, some are pretty fierce and some just need to stop pretending. [HuffPo]

- Jennifer Lopez will be on HSN this weekend, and while her team of handlers explain what an HSN is, J.Lo found her light and showed some gam for new fragrance Love & Light‘s ad campaign. [People]

Photo: Daily Mail

Never a conventional lady (cocaine scandal anyone?), model (a 5’7″ super among the 90s Glamazons) or celebrity (she’s notorious for not giving interviews), one would expect Kate Moss to be an unconventional bride:

Alexander McQueen – Resort 2012

Kate’s dear departed friend would be an obvious choice, but not even Moss could compete with the Duchess of Cambridge’s gorgeous gown by Sarah Burton.

Vera Wang – Fall 2011

Vera would be an obvious choice, but Kate would wear the Wang in a non obvious way, like this almost Victorian number from Vera’s Fall ready-to-wear line.

Marc Jacobs – Resort 2012

This jumpsuit from buddy Marc’s Resort collection is too casual for a wedding, but I would nonetheless love Kate in a pant and a sky-high heel.

Louis Vuitton – Fall 2011

Or perhaps a look from Marc’s futuristic-by-way-of-Blade Runner BDSM Louis Vuitton show, which Kate naturally stole, would be more her speed.

Lanvin – Resort 2012

Short but sweet, this little flirty Lanvin dress would be a modern turn for the bride-to-be, or a chic possibility for her bridesmaids. God knows Naomi loves to show some gam.

Valentino – Resort 2012

Kate would look lovely in Valentino, especially when dropping it like it’s hot to musical guest, Snoop Dogg.

Stella McCartney – Resort 2012

BFF and definite wedding guest Stella McC is another frontrunner for Kate’s wedding gown. This look from her 2012 Resort collection is a little on the old maid side, but chop those sleeves off and either shorten or lengthen it and now we’re talking.

Chanel – Resort 2012

Kate’s good ole Uncle Karl would probably jump to dress his little girl in Chanel like the lady she really isn’t but we can all pretend that she is.

Versace – Resort 2012

Throw a 40-foot train on this Versace number and you’ve got yourself one sexy bride, not to mention an updated Stephanie Seymour à la “November Rain” thing going on.

Christian Dior – Resort 2012

The likelihood of Kate wearing Dior is slim to none, but this simple asymmetrical dress would be a classy and understated choice. But this is motherfucking Mosstock and thus neither the time nor place to be classy and understated.

Which look is your favorite?

Photos: Style.com

Maintaining a zen-like calm amidst a flurry of phone calls, text messages and BBMs, I was lucky enough to sit down with Unik and he was lucky enough to find time to eat. Turning 40 this Sunday, Unik revealed to me that among the things he’s learned is that with getting older, there’s no need to stress. “It doesn’t help anything.”

How he maintains that calm is a wonder, however. A highly in-demand promoter, Unik has worked for brands like Nike, Diesel, La Perla, Valentino, and Microsoft, while organizing events for the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals as well as New York Fashion Week. But the subject closest to his heart is his home country of Haiti.

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Unik settled in America permanently in 1990 and immediately got to work. He parlayed his love of partying into a successful career and uses his high-profile contacts to help out his native land. For his 35th birthday, instead of gifts, he asked his friends to donate to any foundation that helped the children of his country. After raising $15,000, he decided to keep the tradition growing and the following year Edeyo was born.

Tonight, Unik once again gathers his celebrity pals to raise money for the children of Haiti and bring light to their cause. Naomi Campbell and her boyfriend Vladimir Doronin donated their custom Lotus for the event’s auction, which also includes two trips to the Caribbean. But when I asked Unik what the night’s  biggest surprise would be, he responded in his Unik Ernest manner: “Raising $100,000.”

Here’s hoping he gets his birthday wish.

- Naomi Campbell is digging her coke spoon into a big ole pile of Studio 54 nostalgia with her just-announced denim line with 70s style staple, Fiorucci. [Styleite]

- Urban Outfitters‘ board is not only racist, but also in denial about it. Other objects of their incredulity: evolution, the Holocaust, homosexuality and quality fabrics. [The Cut]

- Supermodel Liya Kebede will be giving face for L’Oreal, her first gig as a major brand ambassador. [Fashionista]

- A teaser of Nicola Formichetti‘s homoerotic film for Mugler Mens debuted today and I’m already on board. [Hint]

- The disgruntled and dismissed Marc Jacobs employee who’s suing his former employers over the alleged sexually-charged atmosphere, Patrice Lataillade, is being sued by Marc for more or less embezzling money and inflating the company’s profits. Both sides says the other is lying/deflecting/hamming it up but no one’s paying attention to poor Helena Bonham Carter who apparently lost her shit while all of this was going on. [Styleite]

- Target‘s CEO Gregg Steinhafel still living down that Gaga gaff. [The Cut]

- Some people just shouldn’t have kids. People like me or Amy Winehouse or Anthony Weiner and of course Botox mom. Recently added to that list: Sarah Burge, who gave her seven year old daughter, Poppy, a £6,000 voucher for breast augmentation surgery as a birthday present. That is unless she develops juicy melons all her own. In that case she’ll just use that money for therapy. [Styleite]

- The sky is falling! The sky is falling! At least that’s what Chicken Little would have said if she (he?) was shopping at Forever 21 in Times Square. But she/he’s more of an H&M gal/guy. [Racked]

- Michael Jackson‘s iconic jacket from the “Thriller” music video is going up for auction with an estimated value of $400,000. [Mogulite]

- Duran Duran‘s supermodel-stuffed music video for “Girl Panic” is quickly approaching. Jonas Åkerlund directed the clip featuring Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Eva Herzigova, Helena Christensen and Yasmin Le Bon. Also aboard were Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana who styled the ladies for the video, which will also serve as a photoshoot for Harpers Bazaar UK. [Fashionologie]

- Lady Gaga and Marc Jacobs got all speechy at the CFDA Awards. [Fashionologie]

- Iggy Pop in a dress carrying a Lady Dior handbag. Yeah, move over Marion Cotillard. There’s a new spokesmodel in town. [Fashionista]

- Marlon Texeira is super adorable and kind of a giant mo. But then again, everyone’s kind of a mo with Terry Richardson behind the lens. [Image Amplified]

- Legendary actress and the reason behind Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, is auctioning off some of the most iconic pieces of film fashion later this month, including Marilyn Monroe‘s white halter dress from The Seven Year Itch, Judy Garland‘s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz and Elizabeth Taylor‘s headdress from Cleopatra. I see she’s finally getting Liz back for that Eddie Fisher thing. [Styleite]

- Forever 21, seriously WTF? [NY Daily News]

- High fashion girl fight! Iselin Steiro and Kinga Rajzak throw down for Steven Meisel in this Lanvin video. [Fashionista]

- In another video, Daphne Guinness gets Undressed for director Brennan Stasiewicz, who created a short film around her Barneys window experience. [Racked]

- For Haider Ackermann — and, you know, everyone else — the streetstyle blogger craze is getting a little on the “absurd” side. [The Cut]

1. Madonna – Blond Ambition Tour (1990)

Always lauded, and at times harshly criticized, for her chameleon-like reinventions, she is nevertheless the artist who most brilliantly illustrates — and has done the most to encourage — the symbiotic relationship between music and fashion. Madge reached her sartorial high point during her wildly successful Blond Ambition Tour, featuring costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier who designed the now legendary cone bra.

2. Michael Jackson – “Beat It” music video (1983)

Perhaps the most iconic single article of clothing in pop music history, MJ’s red leather jacket was a cultural watershed moment because it became almost synonymous with Thriller, i.e. the biggest album of all time. The ankle-baring trousers — a nod to Fred Astaire – white socks and black shoes were also trademarks of the 80s and still loom large over the singer’s incredible legacy.

3. The Beatles - The  Ed Sullivan Show (1964)

When the Beatles invaded America, they brought along with them enduring and generation-defining trends such as the Beatle boot, collarless suits and the mop top — not to mention hysteria the likes of which Justin Bieber could only dream.

4. David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust Tour (1973-74)

Without Ziggy, Elton John would never have discovered his love of feathered headdresses, LaBelle wouldn’t have strutted around New Orleans in their silver lamé and simply put, there would be no Lady Gaga. A high-concept album with a high-concept look, David Bowie introduced androgyny to the pop culture masses, and decades later his seminal faux rocker is still a fashion favorite.

5. Diana Ross and the Supremes – “Come See About Me” on The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)

Three black girls from Detroit became the epitome of style, grace, beauty and glamor in the midst of social upheaval and racial injustice. Oprah said it best (as she does with everything): it was life-changing.

6. Ramones – Ramones (1976)

While the Beatles inspired bands to dress up, the Ramones’ relaxed, almost comalike coolness influenced other bands to keep it simple — years later their pared down style still feels like quintessential New York. Especially with all the hipsters dragging their Converses, skinny jeans and leather jackets around.

7. George Michael – “Freedom! ’90″ video (1990)

George Michael’s identity crisis led to the zenith of the supermodel explosion. Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Tatjana Patitz took the place of the singer — reluctant to appear in his own video — and  lip-synched their way to iconic status in the clip directed by future friend of Facebook, David Fincher.

8. Nirvana -  “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video (1991)

Marc Jacobs‘ landmark Grunge collection for Perry Ellis in 1992 may have led to his dismissal, but it also cemented the enormous cultural impact Kurt Cobain and Nirvana had inadvertently etched out for themselves thanks to the success of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Till this day the sight of plaid inspires those famous first notes and the image of zombie cheerleaders dancing through my head.

9. Run-D.M.C. – “My Adidas” (1986)

Hip hop has long been obsessed with fashion and material goods, but we wouldn’t have Kanye “The Louis Vuitton Don” West rapping about haute couture if we didn’t have Run D.M.C. extolling the virtues of their shell tops.

10. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance” music video (2010)

Gaga went from popstar to phenomenon on the heels of her Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes. The video stands as an homage not only to McQueen and his legacy, but to the woman most responsible for Gaga’s amazing aptitude for reinvention: Madonna. And she’s been paying homage ever since.

“I’m pleased that Cadbury have made a ‘sincere apology’ in regards to their Bliss ad campaign. The advertisement was in poor taste on a number of levels, not least in the way they likened me to their chocolate bar. It is also a shame that it took so long for Cadbury to offer this apology.”

Note the quotes around sincere apology. That’s sarcastic shorthand for you’re full of shit.

Nomes went on to say:

“I hope they and other multinationals can learn from this; that offence may not be their intention, but when it is shown that it has caused offence a sincere apology straight away goes a long a way.”

Translation: “I will sue a bitch.”

And then she brought it on home:

“Better still they should avoid causing offense in the first place which is best achieved by having greater diversity at board and senior management level.”

Translation: “My best friend — NELSON MANDELA, thank you very much — would want it that way.”

Link Love: Guardian

Twriling : NYT

- Got Klum? Heidi lands her third “Got Milk?” campaign. Little known fact: one of those three times, that wasn’t milk on her face. [Modelina]

- Rumor has it rapper/budding fashionista Kanye West has moved to Paris to work on his own high-end fashion line. He’s befriended Central Saint Martins‘ professor Louise Wilson in the process and will present new BFF Céline‘s Phoebe Philo an award at the CFDAs. The most surprising facet of these rumors is that anyone would let Kanye near any awards show. [Daily Telegraph]

- Alleged magazine FHM issued a half-ass apology to Andrej Pejic after referring to him as “it” and a “thing.” Note, “it” was not followed by “girl” and “thing” not preceded by “Miss.” [Styleite]

- Hedi Slimane‘s fashion diary features images from Yves Saint Laurent‘s final runway show from 2002, including stunning candids of Naomi Campbell and Jerry Hall. [Hedi Slimane]

- Karl Lagerfeld kind of openly hates everyone, especially “lazy pig” biographers who would dare relate his life story. [Elle]

The fashion house has gone from haute couture to household name in a mere year, with help from a diverse range of celebrity faces including Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, and most recently, Kate Middleton.

The new head of the fashion house, Sarah Burton, has done an unabashedly good job of pairing McQueen’s unique whimsy with a shrewd business sense, and this new venture is sure to be a successful one.  Plus, FashionIndie would never pass up a possibility for turbans!

Link Love:

http://www.styleite.com/media/alexander-mcqueen-scarves/

- Testino might as well open up a bridal portrait studio as he will also be Kate Moss‘s official wedding photographer. [Fashion Collections]

- Tranny supermodel Lea T. shot her first swimwear campaign for Brazilian label Blue Man. Terry Richardson captures Lea romping on the beach with hottie Marlon Texeira and a bevy of Brazilian boy beauties. Some aspirational girls get all the luck. [Fashionista]

- Lea’s partner in the andro-super game, Andrej Pejic was voted the 98th sexiest woman in the world by FHM (take that Gaga!), which subsequently buried the accompanying (and kinda cunty) article about him. Leave the snark to the pros, FHM. [Stylecaster]

- Unofficial American diplomat, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi crashed into a police car in Italy yesterday and as a result lost her driver’s license. A day later, she’s wearing a neck brace only to toss it into the air à la Mary Richards. Love is all around, Snickers! — and she will smoosh all of it. [Socialite Life]

- “Move over Naomi,” warns Cadbury‘s new ad, “There’s a new diva in town.” Well, Ms. Campbell has a team of lawyers, a cell phone cocked and ready as well as a stash of blood diamonds that begs to differ. Naomi is threatening to sue Cadbury over its ad because its “racist,” though methinks she just wants them to know that no one outs Naomi in the corner. No one! [Gawker]

The reclusive designer announced yesterday that he would present a line of “semicouture” during Paris’ Couture Fashion Week, which runs from July 4th-8th.

After the death of his sister in the mid-90s, Alaïa chose to retreat from the spotlight and presented only to a chosen few at his studio. Despite this, his designs remained popular with Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Carine Roitfeld, Michelle Obama and of course, adopted daughter, Naomi Campbell. [Vogue UK]

Poor Lindsey Wixson. The teenaged super in training fell about four times on her catwalk down the runway, eventually crawling her way backstage where Naomi was no doubt there waiting with motherly open arms rather than brandishing her usual cat-o-nine-tails to punish Wixson’s lack of coordination. After all it was charity! The audience didn’t mind and even cheered as the young model was engulfed in a sea of fabric on her numerous tumbles.

Then along came Whoopi.

After Tyra spoke — with obvious bemusement — about a girl’s foot getting mangled after tripping on a rose petal (first hint that you should hang up the stilettos) during the Top Model finale, Whoops Goldberg subtly brought up the models falling at Fashion for Relief to the shock and amusement of the live studio audience.  Joy, always the voice of instigation asks if something was wrong with the show itself…

But Tyra’s too smart for that.  She plays it off, explaining that, “Sometimes it’s the runway. Sometimes it’s the floor. Sometimes it’s the shoes. And sometimes it’s the damn model.” Behar, like a dog with a bone, won’t let it go, saying “It can’t be the damn model cause too many of them had fallen…” before the ladies erupted into a cacophony of squawks and squeaks at each other. But amidst the chatter we hear Tyra say, “I wasn’t there…I don’t know.”

Ay, that’s the rub. Tyra might not have been in Cannes for the Fashion for Relief show, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t drop by earlier to grease the runway and saw off some heels to re-pay Naomi the snub of not getting invited. Is this all conjecture and hearsay? Of course. Is it all true? Eh, maybe. But the ball is in Naomi’s court. And that bitch does not play fair. [NY Mag]

In collaboration with Vogue Italia, Campbell staged the runway show in Cannes and paraded looks by Yves Saint Laurent, Marchesa and Alexander McQueen.

Fonda, who at 73 gave a lot of the other models a runway run for their money — particularly these girls — came out to raucous applause as she closed the show in a Marchesa gown. [Telegraph]