The knighthood, bestowed by president Nicolas Sarkozy, recognizes Hayek for her “services to the French Republic,” notably, her work as ”director and producer (and) active member of charitable foundations for 23 years.” The fact that Hayek’s old man is Francois-Henri Pinault, a close friend of Sarkozy and the head of PPR thus the owner of pretty much everything including Gucci, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, I’m sure had nothing to do with it. Nor does the fact that Hayek’s father-in-law, Francois Pinault is simultaneously being named a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.

But the French are croaking their disapproval nonetheless, calling Hayek’s appointment a joke, “an insult to France” and as a result Napoleon Bonaparte, who instituted the honor in 1802 in an attempt to replace the nobility, is “turning in his grave.” One honoree has even refused to accept the award. Henri Torre, the crotchety 78-year-old  former minister and member of Sarkozy’s ruling party sassed, “Too many people have been nominated who do not deserve to be honoured” and claimed that the award had been tainted with “croneyism” by “naming any old people.”

It’s one thing to say that the Mexican actress is undeserving of being made a French knight, but calling her old is really stepping over the line, France. [Telegraph,Vogue UK]

- The Wall Street Journal called in an expert to explain why Linda Evangelista‘s son needs $46,000 a month from his father, billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault-Hayek. Turns out young Augustin James is ballin’ out of control. [The Cut]

- A report that Jay-Z bought Billionaire Boys Club – Pharrell‘s clothing line — have been refuted by Jigga himself, who claims he’s only “partnering” with the Neptune. [GQ]

 Who’s fault is it? Salma, I’m looking at you.

Pinault, chairman and CEO of PPR — the conglomerate behind Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and a slew of other brands — is one of the richest men in the world…and Evangelista is getting hers.

If the super gets her way — and when doesn’t she? — that 46K “would probably be the largest support order in the history of the Family Court,” says some professional legal dude.

While Pinault is busy making it rain for Valentina, his 3-year-old daughter with Hayek, there’s a draught when it comes to Evangelista’s 4-year-old son, Augustin James — meanwhile, you do the math — with Linda’s lawyer claiming, ”He’s just been sitting back, paying zero.”

Among the costs Evangelista is looking to gouge Pinault on are an $80,000/year nanny and private, gun-toting drivers at $175,000/yr. While the judge seemed sympathetic to those costs — after all, we’re talking about a star here — he immediately dismissed the $7500/month vacation expenses. Scrooge.

Evangelista, who’s worth some $8 million — “and she earned, last year, $1.8 million” — is still a working mother and boy was she working that day in court. When the judge asked her just how many hours she worked in a given week, Linda calmly responded:

“On days when I do not work, I am working on my image. I have to hit the gym. I have beauty appointments. I have to work toward my next job and maintaining my image, just like an athlete.”

And she’s running circles all over this case. In stilettos, too. Good luck, mama! [NY Post]

]]> http://fashionindie.com/linda-evangelista-doesnt-get-out-of-court-for-less-than-46000-a-month/feed/ 0 http://fashionindie.com/red-carpet-report-card-salma-hayek-in-gucci/ http://fashionindie.com/red-carpet-report-card-salma-hayek-in-gucci/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:59:29 +0000 Amanda Gabriele http://fashionindie.com/?p=197309 In this edition of Red Carpet Report Card, Salma Hayek will be graded on her Gucci dress and peep-toe pumps worn to ‘Il Mondo Vi Appartiene’ Dinner during the 54th International Art Biennale at Fondazione Cini in Venice, Italy. See how she looked after the jump.

Salma will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 4

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 3

Styling: 4

Shoes: 5

Hair: 5

Makeup: 5

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

DAMN. Salma Hayek is a movie star! Look at those curves in this dress – Gucci has made her a lethally sexy woman. The whole thing is a little matchy-matchy for my taste, but somehow it works perfectly on her. Salma has been turning it out lately, and I can’t wait to see what she wears next.

Salma will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 4

Trendiness: 3

Styling: 5

Hair: 5

Makeup: 4

Pose: 4

Confidence: 5

Salma looks breathtaking in this gown, and I love the jewelry she chose to go with. I feel like we see her in looks similar to this quite a bit, and it’s a little princess-y, but I don’t have anything super negative to say. I want my hair to look like this every day.

- André Leon Talley ranks Beyoncé in Emilio Pucci as his best dressed from the Met Gala last night, though he modestly put himself at the lowly position at #12 when in reality he was the only lady to really turn it out on that carpet. [Vogue]

- Livia Firth, wife of this year’s Best Actor Oscar winner Colin Firth, had a meeting in the ladies room at the Met Ball with Stella McCartney, Lauren Hutton, Yoko Ono, Salma Hayek, Rihanna and Hilary Alexander and was gracious enough to tweet pics of it. [Refinery29]

- Mert & Marcus by Mert & Marcus. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

- John Galliano fired his lawyer, Stephane Zerbib over “apparent irregularities in respect of his firms administration of Galliano’s financial affairs over a number of years.” Sounds like someone had their hand in the couture cookie jar. [Vogue UK]

- Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, also known to commoners as Kate Middleton, wore White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum on her special day, thus ensuring that White Gardenia Petals by Illumnum will sell-out in a matter of minutes. [Grazia]

Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, this high fashion photo medley channels Salma’s inner Mexicana flair.

There’s something about a Latin lady in a red dress. (Doesn’t hurt if it’s Salma Hayek in that red dress.)

Recently, the fashion giant tried to command and conquer the people’s beloved luxury brand, Hermés.

How is family-owned Hermés fighting back?

With the POWER OF SALMA HAYEK!!

To publicly “brush its shoulders off” LVMH, Hermés invited Salma Hayek and husband to a large, private party celebrating its new store opening in Paris.

But wait a tick… Salma is an A-lister – she goes to lotsa red carpet events.Why does this event hold special meaning?

Because of the spicy Mexican actress’ husband, François-Henri Pinault. The man is famous for denying LVMH from taking over Gucci in 1999. (Pinault owns PPR, LVMH’s biggest competitor.) I don’t think it’s a coincidence Pinault and Salma were smiling at the Hermés celebration. Those cheeky smirks were aimed directly at evil LVMH.

Lesson learned: when in doubt, call Salma. Her hotness has the power to make snakes dance and fire appear. TAKE THAT LMVH.

Pics of the packs after the jump.

Some celebs tapped to design the bags include: Salma Hayek, Matthew McCounaghey, Shakira, Eva Longoria, Sheryl Crow, Jade Jagger and Slash.

While we’re at it, can we do something about that hideous t-shirt/short combination? I get the explorer theme and all, but a safari jacket never hurt anyone.

I think the look is sloppy on Hayek. The turban is too casual for her tailored outfit and the hair is completely wrong. This turban should be worn with a bohemian-style dress and the hair completely up. It really looks like she forgot to take off her shower cap. What do you indies think, rad or bad?

LINK LOVE: Fab Sugar

The second dress that has hit the red carpet from Gucci‘s hush hush Premiere collection has been bestowed upon Naomi Watts. The Aussie looks amazing in this gown and we’re holding our breathe to see what else premiere’s from Premiere since seeing the amazing dress Salma Hayek rocked a few days ago.

(Photo by Tony Barson/WireImage)

Following months of rumors, it seems that Gucci has in fact entered the world of couture. Salma Hayek arrived at the Robin Hood premiere at Cannes wearing a one-shoulder, crystal-embroidered silk georgette gown from the Gucci Premiere collection, a new line that was created specifically for women of substance. We’re hoping this is the first of many looks from this fashion house.

I have shoe envy! Salma wore these stunning Balenciaga S/S 2010 boots Christie’s Green Auction: A Bid To Save The Earth event.

Image via Just Jared

François-Henri Pinault (owner of PPR and Salma Hayek’s hubby) is about to buy Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, and Abercrombie & Fitch.