FashionIndie » Sports Illustrated

Kate Upton’s No (Victoria’s Secret) Angel, MOBama Hits Target and Marc Jacobs Robs the Cradle

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:51:34 +0000

- “She’s like a footballer’s wife, with the too-blond hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy.” — casting director Sophia Neophitou on Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton‘s prospects of walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. [The Cut]

- 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]

Kate Upton Is Wearing the Itsiest, Bitsiet, Teensiest, Weensiest Bikini on the Cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:31:15 +0000

Seriously, is that even considered a swimsuit? A mild wave will sweep that bikini bottom right off, lady. But as we all know, Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit Issue, an annual love letter to horny teenage boys and fully-grown pervs alike, is not about swimming. It’s about hot models in barely-there bikinis and any model who graces its cover immediately becomes a household name. So welcome Kate Upton into your homes, fellas. And she’s brought along a few friends including Bar Refaeli, Irina Shayk, Chrissy Teigen, Adam Levine’s main squeeze Anne V and supermodel of the world Crystal Renn. Check out the ladies after the jump.

And to get your fill of beachy gals, head on over to Sports Illustrated.

Photos: High Snobiety

LOOKBOOKS Interview: Lorenzo Martone and the Power of Social Media

Lester Brathwaite — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:31:24 +0000

Lorenzo Martone has made a business out of socializing that has taken him around the world and introduced him to a bevy of interesting personalities. With Ryan Brown, he co-founded the PR agency ARC NY whose clients include supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio (DNA) and recent Sports Illustrated cover girl Irina Shayk (Marilyn). Here, Lorenzo discusses how he handles the inevitable cross-pollination between his professional and professional life and how social media has changed it all.

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!

INDIE REWIND: The Greatest Supermodels of the 80s (and Early 90s)

Lester Brathwaite — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:51:29 +0000

When you think of “supermodel,” you can’t help but think of The Big 3. Or The Super Six. Or my favorite grouping, The Legion of Doom. Spawned from the decadence of the 80s, these gals became more than supermodels — they became divas. From Linda Evangelista refusing to wake up for less than $10,000 a day to the phone-throwing, blood diamond-wearing, catwalking behemoth known as Naomi Campbell, there have never and will never be supermodels the likes of these ladies. Yet their dominance over the zeitgeist was short-lived as they were replaced in the mid-90s by a series of bland waifs whose personalities would not detract from the clothes, i.e. they got knocked from their high horse. But you can’t keep a good super down and they are as in demand today as they were 25 years ago.

The 25 Greatest Supermodels of the Past 50 Years: The 90s and 00s

Lester Brathwaite — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:07:46 +0000

The 90s began with the biggest names in the business and then they were all but wiped out when 15 year old Kate Moss slouched onto the scene. Like Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Penelope Tree (who bears a striking resemblance to Kate) before her, Kate ushered in a new body image for women to aspire to. That image was the definitive shape for the past two decades and only now are we seeing curves reappear on the runway and in advertising. We’re parking this model mobile in the here and now!

Stephanie Seymour (July 23, 1968) As a muse for the late Richard Avedon, Stephanie Seymour created some of the best fashion photographs of the 90s, then upped the iconic ante when she strolled down the aisle as Axl Rose‘s bride (the two were dating at the time) in Guns and Roses‘ classic “November Rain” video. Though supermodels appearing in music videos was nothing new in 1992, very few looked as perfect as Seymour in that epic wedding dress. Perhaps a little too rock & roll for a royal wedding, but I would at least consider it, Kate Middleton.

Claudia Schiffer (Aug. 25, 1970) Reminiscent of a young Bridget Bardot, Claudia Schiffer’s sultry good looks catapulted her to supermodeldom in the early 90s. Though she made a comeback in a series of gorgeous ads for Salvatore Ferragamo in 2007, don’t expect to see Schiffer on a runway anytime soon; the German stunner maintains that she’s “very shy.” I’m the same way until I get a little liquor in me, hence, we just need to booze up Claudia and throw her — heels first — onto that catwalk. ASAP.

Heidi Klum (June 1, 1973) The ultimate Victoria’s Secret Angel, Klum hung up her wings for good in 2010 to focus on her thriving businesses: in addition to producing the Peabody Award-winning Project Runway (yeah, Heidi Klum has a Peabody), Klum has tried her hand at design, acting, painting not to mention re-populating the world with the help of her virile husband Seal…seriously, Heidi’s been pregnant nonstop for like the past ten years. I’m just going to say it, someone needs to separate those two.

Kate Moss (Jan. 16 1974) The kittenish face of “Heroin Chic,” Kate Moss’ arrival in 1990 sparked a sweeping change in the world of modeling. The glamazons of the 80s and early 90s now seemed outdated compared to the 5’7 Moss when she appeared in The Face magazine, shot by the late Corrine Day. Notoriously private — she rarely gives interviews — Kate Moss is still the most ubiquitous face in modeling of the past twenty years. As a regular in ad campaigns and a favorite muse for many photographers, Moss also practically owns the cover of British Vogue. Despite her amazing career, Kate has had her share of ups and downs…both fueled heavily by cocaine.

Photo: Harper's Bazaar

Tyra Banks (Dec. 4, 1973) Tyra Banks started off a rail-thin high fashion model before morphing into a voluptuous swimsuit cover girl, then a Victoria’s Secret Angel, then a fat-ass Emmy-winning talk show host and the professional smizer/creator of the now international Top Model series; in short, she is the ultimate model as mogul. And while I and a generation of other girls have learned everything we know about modeling from Ms. Banks (admittedly it took me a while to figure out how to find my light), she still has a few tricks up her sleeve (or in this case, turban), such as this shot from Vogue Italia’s iconic “Black Issue.”

Gisele (July 20, 1980) The last of the true supermodels, Gisele came along during the wave of Brazilian bombshells in the late 90s. With her athletic body and distinctive horse trot, she’s stayed at the top of the model heap for the past ten years, earning the one-name recognition to which all supers are entitled. Though there are several heirs to the throne (Karlie Kloss, Chanel Iman, Coco Rocha, Hilary Rhoda, Agyness Deyn, Anja Rubik, Jessica Stam, the list goes on and on…), the queen is not abdicating anytime soon.

Photo: Models.com

The 25 Greatest Supermodels of the Past 50 Years: The 80s

Lester Brathwaite — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:41:26 +0000

When you think of “supermodel,” you can’t help but think of The Big 3. Or The Super Six. Or my favorite grouping, The Legion of Doom. Spawned from the decadence of the 80s, these gals redefined who the supermodel was and her influence on fashion and popular culture; yet their dominance over the zeitgeist was short-lived as they were soon replaced by a series of bland waifs whose personalities would not detract from the clothes. You can’t keep a good super down, though, and they are as in demand today as they were 25 years ago. Bust out the parachute pants, we’re breakdancing into the 80s!

Christie Brinkley (Feb. 2, 1954) Billy Joel‘s Uptown Girl was the reigning supermodel of the early 80s thanks to her three consecutive Sports Illustrated covers (1979-1981). After signing a record 20-year contract with Cover Girl, Brinkley came to embody the perpetually perky All-American girl of the decade. Recently, though, she went through a very public and very messy divorce and proved in a 2006 editorial in W magazine there was some grit beneath all that goddamn cheer.

Photo: John G. Zimmerman/ Sports Illustrated

Linda Evangelista (May 10, 1965) If you watch Isaac Mizrahi’s seminal fashion documentary Unzipped (1995), you won’t be able to help but think Linda Evangelista is a whiny bitch. She complains about everything the entire movie. You wonder why Mizrahi and everyone else puts up with it. Then, moments before she goes on the runway for his Fall 1994 collection, she stares directly into the camera, seduces you in a second then turns it out all the way down the catwalk. The super among supers who once notoriously purred, ”We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day,” was worth every penny. She’s fashion’s reigning chameleon, able to go from high fashion to commercial with the raise of an eyebrow.

Photo: The Fashion Spot

Cindy Crawford (Feb. 20, 1966) The mole that launched a thousand magazine covers, Cindy Crawford was perhaps the most iconic of the supemodels to emerge in the 1980s. She was the approachable bombshell, the girl next door who just happened to be walking a Chanel runway in Paris. Cindy is rarely seen on a runway or in an editorial these days, but whenever she crops up it’s a pretty big deal, like mama bird coming home to the roost.

Christy Turlington (Jan. 2, 1969) Quietly stunning, Christy Turlington can nonetheless pose anyone off the page. Perhaps it’s all those years of yoga, but her inner serenity and ferocity when it comes to her body language go hand in hand. She can be dynamic, she can be avant garde, she can be powerful, but she’s always amazing.

Naomi Campbell (May 22, 1970) What can be said about Naomi Campbell that hasn’t already been said that won’t land me in jail? The preeminent black supermodel of the past 50 years, Naomi recently celebrated her 25th year in the modeling industry, though her personal life remains front page material. Famous for her temper, the super has managed to stay in the spotlight because she’s got more to offer than just a cell phone to the head. A versatile editorial model, she also possesses the best walk ever seen on a runway.

Photo: Olsen Twins News

Muse of the World: Dollnasty

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:45:04 +0000

Finally, the dolls of my dreams have bitch-slapped their way onto store shelves; Lauren Conrad is apparently classier than Snooki (yeah, right); and Elle Fanning is clearly outshining older sister Dakota thanks to the Mulleavy sisters.

- Alexis and Krystal Carrington have been turned into Barbie dolls for the 30th anniversary of Dynasty. Mattel has somehow perfected Alexis’ signature snide British bitchery though I was hoping Krystal would have the linebacker shoulders of her real life counterpart. They should’ve just dressed Ken up in drag…not like he has any business to tuck. [Gawker]

- Lauren Conrad claims that her new reality show, which would follow the creation of her new line, was “too high brow” for MTV. Of course in MTV speak, “high brow” means boring and lacking enough jacuzzi’d threesomes. [Fashionista]

- ESPN‘s manly “commentators drool over other men’s abs, thighs and guns. ESPN The Magazine’s response to the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is its Body issue, which features entirely naked men (and some women).” Meanwhile, when I drool over other men’s abs, thighs and guns it’s all, “Dude, stop filming me in the shower.” Double standards. [NYT]

- Gaga may lend a helping claw to stylist/bff/Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti by wearing Mugler to Grammys. Fingers crossed for a “Paparazzi”-themed robotic body cast! [NY Mag]

- People still care about Michelle Obama‘s McQueen dress. Meanwhile, in other news Egypt is falling apart. [MSNBC, The Daily Beast]

- Elle Fanning stars in The Curve of Forgotten Things, a short film in collabo with Rodarte, which will premiere tomorrow on Nowness.com. Let’s hope Kate and Laura negotiated their credits better this time around. [WWD]

- Gemma Ward returns for her first editorial in literally one hundred years. A little flat, but then again it’s for some Australian magazine no one cares about. Call me when she’s in a European Vogue and I might pick up. [Fashionista]

- Even Steven Shia LeBouf was handcuffed after getting into a bar fight in L.A. The fight erupted after some guy called the Transformers star a “f*gg*t,” but when Shia lunged at him he got ka-powed in the face and suffered a split lip. That’s not nice at all! Leave that little f*gg*t alone! [Daily Mail]

8 Supermodel Empires, Which Face is Worth More Than Tyra Banks

Nicole Vardo — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:41:30 +0000

I guess only in a model’s glamourous life, they really can buy things with their looks. We know they have ” a lot” of money but how much is a lot exactly?

Molly Sims

Sims got her start as a Victoria’s Secret runway model, but soon transitioned to a Sports Illustrated bikini babe and is best known as a Cover Girl model and for her peppy Old Navy ads. In 2009 Sims launched a line of jewelry, Grayce by Molly Sims, sold on graycebymollysims.com. It has taken off, and now sells through Henri Bendel and a handful of boutiques, including Scoop, Ron Herman and Matches London. Items in her new collection retail for between $135 and $795 (at full price). Sims also starred for five years on NBC’s Las Vegas, and has appeared in various big-screen titles.

Elizabeth Hurley

The former Estée Lauder model, now 45, launched a swimwear line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, in 2005; it now includes tunics, sarongs, shorts and kids’ wear. In 2009 she began manufacturing food products with ingredients grown on her 400 acres in the Gloucestershire countryside. Elizabeth Hurley Food’s organic snack line is sold at London retailer Harrods. Hurley raises her own pigs, cows and sheep at her farm, and sells their shanks at butchers across Britain. She recently partnered with Prince Charles’ organic food company, Duchy Originals, though the new line has yet to hit stores.

Cindy Crawford

The original supermodel, now 42, known for her Clairol and Pepsi campaigns, among others, had a hugely successful line of workout videos. In 2005 she partnered with HM Richards on an eponymous line of home furniture, sold through retailers like Rooms to Go, Art Van and Raymour & Flanigan. She recently partnered with JCPenney to sell a home décor line and a mid-range jewelry collection, One Kiss. She also has a line of anti-aging skincare, Meaningful Beauty, and a branded shoe collection sold through European retailer Deichmann. Crawford still strikes a pose for the likes of Omega Watches and Russian department store TSUM.

Elle Macpherson

In 1990 Elle “The Body” Macpherson, best known for her record five Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition covers, teamed with Bendon Limited Apparel to create an eponymous line of intimate wear, now a global seller. The line, which includes maternity bras as well as lingerie, has been so successful that the bombshell now out-earns her best years as a supermodel, with an estimated yearly $10 million paycheck. Now 47, Macpherson also has a line of skincare, The Body, sold in Europe. MacPherson took over as the host of Britain’s Next Top Model, and also serves as executive producer.

Marissa Miller

The Victoria’s Secret Angel has also graced the cover of the 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Fashion clients have included Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, DirecTV and True Religion jeans. In 2008 she launched a shoe line with skateboarder/surfer-oriented company Vans. In 2009 Harley-Davidson made Miller, 32, its first ever brand face; a co-branded clothing line is in the works. This year she became a “First Mate” for Captain Morgan Spiced Rum (playing the captain’s sexy sidekick in a viral video and commercial) and an NFL spokeswoman. In 2010 she designed a women’s paddle-up board for Surftech; it comes in pink and purple and bears the model’s name.

Erin Wasson

Since 2002 this former Victoria’s Secret beauty has been the face of Maybelline in print and TV ads worldwide. In spring 2009 she dovetailed her love of surfing and fashion by launching a line of eponymous beach-inspired women’s apparel through skating and surfing lifestyle company RVCA. Wasson also partnered with Mouawad (Heidi Klum’s jewelry partner) to brand a collection of chain-inspired jewelry, LowLuv, now sold in dozens of boutiques in the U.S, Canada, Europe and Japan. She is also an investor in 100 Lafayette, a hip New York City dance club. She recently raised $12,000 in an hour for Best Friends animal sanctuary by selling her designer cast-offs.

Heidi Klum

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit model turned Victoria’s Secret Angel hung up her wings in September 2010 after 13 years with the lingerie giant. But the gorgeous German, now 36, is busy as ever (evidenced by her $16 million take-home pay from June 2009 through June 2010). Stateside, Klum hosts the designer reality show Project Runway and, in her home country, Germany’s Next Top Model (Klum gets a cut of all her GNTM discoveries’ revenue.) The mother of four also hawks jewelry; an anti-aging skin care line, In an Instant; two maternity wear lines, Loved and Lavish; and gadgets on her website. In October she launched a line of fashionable sporty clothing, with New Balance, sold exclusively on Amazon.com.

Gisele Bundchen

This former Victoria’s Secret Angel and wife of NFL quarterback Tom Brady recently caused some controversy by saying that mothers should be legally required to breastfeed. The mostly highly paid model in the world, earning $25 million a year, has both high-fashion clients, like Balenciaga and Versace, and mass retail brands like H&M. Ipanema by Gisele, a line of sandals with Grendene, a Brazilian sandal maker, is available in 80 countries; her take from the 30 million pairs sold in 2009: about $8 million. Bündchen also owns a hotel, the Palladium Executive, in Brazil. Last year she founded Sejaa, an environmentally friendly skincare line.

(credit: Forbes)

ESPN Magazine Finally Brings Us Some Sex

McArthur Joseph — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:36:44 +0000

Tired of Sports Illustrated showing you models in their swimsuits. Well ESPN Magazine takes it a step further and bring you real female athletes in their natural uniforms.

I love seeing magazines displaying real bodies even though these belong to world class athletes.

LINK LOVE: Jezebel

Fashion Indie Hosts VIP Signing of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Saynt — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:44:35 +0000

On Tuesday, February 23rd Fashion Indie teamed up with ARC NY and the CFDA to host a private signing of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The event was hosted at Rothmans Union Square and featured models Jessica White, Julie Henderson and Irina Shayk.

The two-hour signing attracted over $1500 in donations for the Fashion for Haiti fund.

Thank you to the amazing beauty team!

Make-up Provided by: Make-Up Artist and Founder of Chic Studios NYC, Amy Nicole

Hair Provided by: OC61 Salon, Styled by Mylo Carrion and Leya Sifflet.

Gallery on Envy

Photography by Samantha Williams

INVITE: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Signing for Haiti

Saynt — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:28:21 +0000

FashionIndie.com has partnered with ARC NY TALENT PR for a VIP Signing of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue featuring models Irina Shayk, Jessica White, Julie Henderson & Julia Ordon in support of the CFDA’s Fashion for Haiti Fund. Get your issue signed by all four models tomorrow at Rothman’s Union Square. There is a $50 suggested donation per issue.

Join us tomorrow for cocktails and a private reception.

RSVP at saynt@fashionindie.com.

SPONSORED BY: ARC NY Talent PR, CFDA, ROTHMANS UNION SQUARE, CHIC STUDIOS NYC

COVER: Brooklyn Decker for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Rebecca Alexander — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:04:01 +0000

Yesterday we posted a behind the scenes look at the making of this issue, today the cover was released!

VIDEO BEHIND THE SCENES: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover

Rebecca Alexander — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:10:29 +0000

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover will be revealed tonight on David Letterman, but in the meantime Just Jared reports that this year’s cover model is Brooklyn Decker.

LINK LOVE: Style on HuffPo

Sauipe Swimwear Bathing Suit Giveaway

Rebecca Alexander — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:29:06 +0000

With bathing suit season on its way, how will we know which suit to choose…LA based Brazilian designer, Marcia Hacker, knows everything there is to know about suits (and cover ups). Recently, Sports Illustrated took notice and endorsed her line by featuring three sexy suits on some of the world’s top models in their 2009 Swimsuit Edition and three more in the highly anticipated issue’s online version.

Inspired by Costa do Sauipe, one of the most beautiful and evocative destinations in the Brazilian state of Bahia, Sauipe Swimwear reflects the rich natural beauty of Brazil’s beaches, people, and traditions. Original designs and exclusive prints play out on high quality textiles, many of which are finished with one-of-a-kind hand-beaded details. Sauipe’s ‘modified Brazilian’ cut maintains sex appeal while offering wear-ability and more coverage than the typical Brazilian bikini.

We have two amazing suits to give away (pics above, size M). Comment and let us know why think you deserve them and I will pick one lucky winner at the end of tomorrow and ship them to you.

Bar Refaeli to Host House of Style

Andy Wass — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:30:22 +0000

Bar Refaeli has confirmed with Time that she will be hosting the remake of MTV’s House of Style.

She seems to be quite the model of the moment right now, given her big Sports Illustrated cover. I still couldn’t pick her out of a line-up, though. Sorry, Leo.