Derek Lam, Tod’s creative director, had kind words to say about the actress: ”What makes this collaboration with Anne so perfect is that not only is she a young actress with accomplished roles to her credit, she is also one to watch for her creative choices. She generates excitement based on the quality of her work, modern beauty and intelligence.” Clearly someone didn’t see Love and Other Drugs…nor should he.

The Signature Collection is geared towards the younger and “more fashion-forward” and is inspired by Andy Warhol and French fashion photog Guy Bourdin. The bags come in ”strong, decisive tones” such as deep red, black, electric blue, fuchsia , lavender, beige and cream. I don’t know when beige became a strong and/or decisive tone, but I digress.

Hathaway, for her part, chimed in with this about the collection: ”The designs are classic and the materials are of the highest quality. As a result, they don’t grow older, they only grow better just like a woman.”  [Telegraph]

Then he kicked Miuccia Prada in the ladyparts by blasting her house’s recent IPO (initial public offering) stating that he didn’t need to go public since his company is a strong black woman –  independent and debt-free — while his clothes make men more handsome and elegant.

Enter noted old-man-beater and Tod’s chairman, Diego Della Valle. Valle, referring to Armani as a “sprightly old man,” said the designer’s attack didn’t “make any sense” and instead of playa-hatin’ he should just get in the game and go public himself:

“Rather than criticizing Prada’s strategies, Armani should do the same thing, invest in the territory, as I did in Rome, contributing to the restoration of the Colosseum. In a moment of crisis, it’s important to be part of a team, and it’s our duty to give a signal, not waste time in useless attacks.”

Round 3: Armani takes it to the streets. Armani wrote a letter to Corriere della Sera, Italy’s top newspaper, explaining that he would never compromise his creativity and his freedom by going public:

“I don’t need alliances, complicity, or need to surround myself with international jetsetters. I have too much respect for myself, for the public, and for the people that work both with me and the fashion industry to renounce any sort of intellectual honesty that influences and orients my life, even at the expense of attractive economic opportunities….I don’t need any of the money from the stock exchange — not for growth, not for globalization, not to aggregate my brand.”

The gauntlet has been thrown, or rather, limply tossed out since Giorgio Armani is literally 1000 years old. On the one hand, it’s understandable where he’s coming from. Once you have someone else to answer to besides yourself, there’s a definite loss of freedom. But on the other hand, Armani’s reaction seems more like a defense against the idea of change.

He’s been doing this fashion shtick for 900 years (he got started later in life); he’s used to dressing men a certain way, used to running his business a certain way but fashion never gets used to anything. Prada, which initially resisted an IPO, went public as a strategic business move that will allow for further expansion of the brand worldwide. Whether this will dilute or drastically alter the aesthetic vision, however, is something we’ll just have to wait to see. [WWD]

Nothing says Easter or Sunday in that matter then a good old fashioned brunch. According to the weather it is going to be a nice and warm Easter so be prepared to sit outside and make passersby envy your amazing  outfit.

The theme for this outfit is going be simple, clean, and casual. For starts this ARDT tee under a chambray blazer is going to keep you light and cool. This spring it is all about pinstripes You can get a pair of pants or shorts from American Apparel. You can finish off you outfit with a pair of comfy Tod’s loafers.  Throw on a pair of  Dolce & Gabbana aviators to block the rays and the fact you are hungover.

President of the Tod’s Group, Diego Della Valle said, “We believe that because the Tod’s Group is a strong global representative of ‘Made in Italy’, it is both an honour and our duty to contribute to the support of our country’s image and credibility, as well as it’s cultural heritage.”

I’m Italian, maybe Tod’s can finance my cultural relocation to the homeland.

LINK LOVE: Grazia Daily

LINK: Hogan Gets An Unkle!

Add Your Own Stories on ENVY The Fashion Network

1. Daisy Lowe at Chanel in London
2. Carine Roitfeld, Karl Lagerfeld and Emmanuelle Alt
3. Alexis Roche, Estelle Lefebure, Serge Brunschwig
4. Letizia Moratti and Donatella at the Versace store in Via Montenapoleone, Milan
5. Richard Nicoll and Yasmin Sewell at Liberty
6. Vogue presentation at Topshop
7. Philip Green at Topshop
8. Jasmine Guinness at Burberry
9. Pixie Geldof and Daisy Lowe
10. Justin Portman and Natalia Vodianova
11. Mario Testino and Marie Helvin at Burberry
12. Lara Stone and Anja Rubik at Burberry
13. Claudia Schiffer and Jacquetta Wheeler
14. Alexandra Shulman and Christopher Bailey at Burberry
15. Bay Garnett at Burberry
16. W. Brown at Gap in London
17. India Hicks at Burberry
18. Laura Bailey at Burberry
19. W. Brown performing at the Gap in London
20. Carine Roitfeld and Marisa Berenson at Dior
21. Mob Scene at Dior
22. Emma de Caunes at Armani
23. Candy at Manoush
24. In front of Manoush
25. Buying at Vuitton
26. Eva Cavalli at the Roberto Cavalli store in Milan
27. Outside Dirk Bikkernberg’s store in Via Mazoni
28. Outisde the Tods store in Via Della Spiga
29. Customers at the Missoni store in Via Sant’Andrea
30. Outside the Versace store
31. In front of the Chantecler store in Milan
32. Angela Missoni at the Missoni store
33. Bartenders at the Giorgio Armani Store
34. Roberta Armani, Letizia Moratti, Giorgio Armani, Franca Sozzani and Eva Herzigova
35. Shopping at Hermes in Berlin
36. Designer Gabriele Strehle at Strenesse in Quartier 206 in Berlin
37. A smoky spread at Boss in Berlin
38. DJ Hell’s Angel at YSL in Berlin
39. Waiting to get into Galeries Lafayette in Berlin
40. Vogue Germany’s Christine Arp, Berlin mayor Klaus Wowreitt and KaDeWe’s manager Ursula Vierkotter
41. KaDeWe’s luxury Blvd. in Berlin
42. Sahling at Galeries Lafayette in Berlin
43. Provocation’s agent at Galeries Lafayette in Berlin
44. Berliner Luft at KaDeWe

(WWD)

LINK LOVE: http://www.cultindie.com/xn/detail/2394740:BlogPost:72543

In attempts to salvage her reputation with PETA for wearing a fur stole in a recent Tod’s campaign, Paltrow had this to say:

“It was a daylong photo shoot on a boat near Capri, and there were all sorts of poses with all kinds of clothes — none with fur. During one set-up, a stylist came up from behind and draped a stole around my shoulder. I didn’t pay much attention to it, and when I noticed it was fur, I assumed it was fake fur, but did not ask, so it’s my fault. I know it’s not a great excuse, but I hope you and your members understand.”

Fake fur? If you’re a multi-millionaire actress, I’m almost positive you know what real fur feels like. And really, you couldn’t feel the plush stole draped around your neck? What, do you have defective nerve endings too? Nice try Paltrow, it’s time to confess to PETA that you could care less about the fox around your neck and care more about the money in the bank.

Thanks NY Mag!