Photo: Image Amplified

Roitfeld curated a fashion show — the first in Cannes’ 65-year-history — featuring designs by Tom Ford, Versace, Christopher Kane and Lanvin, with the clothes auctioned off as a single lot for €300,000 (about $377,000).

Other big ticket items included a role in a short film directed by Karl Lagerfeld and produced by Harvey Weinstein, which went for €850,000 ($1,069,000); a private photo shoot with legendary lensman Peter Lindbergh was auctioned off for €90,000 ($113,000); and a signed print of Andy Warhol‘s Marilyn 29, 1967 sold for €600,000 ($754,000). [Telegraph]

Photo: Image Amplified

- Carine Roitfeld staged her all-black runway show during the amfAR Gala featuring models Lindsey Wixson, Karolina Kurkova and Lily Donaldson in looks by Chanel, Balenciaga and Versace. [Styleite]

- True Blood‘s Grant Bowler will play Richard Burton to Lindsay Lohan‘s Elizabeth Taylor in Lifetime’s Liz & Dick. [Deadline]

- Beth Ditto on Karl Lagerfeld calling Adele fat: “First of all, Karl Lagerfeld is not even sane…[and he] used to be this really fat, eccentric dude. He always had that fat kid fan with him too. To me, only a person who was fat could get away with saying something like that.” [Vogue UK]

- This is what the debut of Kanye West‘s mult-screen film debut at Cannes looked like. [High Snobiety]

- Happy Fleet Week, sailors! Here are some events for the queer seamen that will hopefully be in all of us. [Paper]

- Britney Spears walked out on the taping of an episode of X Factor, much like Paula Abdul did last season. And also like Paula, I’m assuming there’s a mix of meds involved. [Deadline]

- Keira Knightley is engaged to boyfriend James Righton from British indie rock band Klaxons. [Telegraph]

Eva Longoria looking stunning as always in a black Alberta Ferretti gown.

Angela Ismailos donning an ornate gothic gown.

Marie Gillain looking chic in a simple black dress.

Hilaria Thomas in a sultry, black lace gown.

Freida Pinto turning heads in a black Versace gown.

Lana Del Rey looking simply beautiful in a black Alberta Ferretti dress.

Diane Kruger wearing a sleek black dress.

Eartha Kitt - "Santa Baby" (1953) Lyric: “Come and trim my Christmas tree/With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s.”

Sister Sledge - "He's the Greatest Dancer" (1979) Lyric: "He wears the finest clothes/ The best designers heaven knows/ Ooh, from his head down to his toes/ Halston, Gucci, Fiorucci/ He looks like a still/ That man is dressed to kill."

Klymaxx - "Meeting in the Ladies Room" (1985) Lyric: (Spoken Intro) "I had to leave my condo to come to this/ Well I'm back/ But this time I'm with my man/ And these women are puttin' their hands all over his Yamamoto Kansai sweater that I bought/ And I'm much, much unhappy about that/ I'd hate to come down to their level and become a BW/ A basic woman/ But if they don't stop/ It's gonna get SCANDALOUS."

Run-D.M.C. - "My Adidas" (1986) Lyric: "NOOOOOOOW/ Me and my Adidas do the illest things/ We like to stomp out pimps with diamond rings."

The Notorious B.I.G. - "Hypnotize" (1997) Lyric: "I put hoes in NY onto DKNY/ Miami, D.C. prefer Versace/All Philly hoes, dough and Moschino/ Every cutie wit a booty bought a Coogi."

Lil' Kim - "Crush on You (Remix)" (1997) Lyric: "You got to hit me off/ Buy this girl gifts of course/ So I look slick in my 6 with my Christian Lacroix (pronounced Lacross)

Jay-Z - "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It to Me)" (2000) Lyric: "What do you say me, you and your Chloe glasses/ Go somewhere private where we can discuss fashion/ Like Prada blouse/ Gucci bra/ Filth Mart jeans/ Take that off."

Gwen Stefani - "Rich Girl" (2004) Lyric: "Think what that money could bring/ I’d buy everything/ Clean out Vivienne Westwood/ In my Galliano gown."

Beyoncé - "Upgrade U" (2006) Lyric: Audemars Piguet watch/ Dimples in ya necktie/ Hermès briefcase/ Cartier top clips/ Silk-lined blazers/ Diamond-creamed facials/ VVS cuff links/ Six-star pent suites."

Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" (2008) Lyric: "As a young girl/ Louis Vuitton/ With your mother/ On the sandy lawn"..."Can you stay up/ To see the dawn/ In the colors/ Of Benetton."

Kanye West - "Niggas in Paris" (2011) Lyric: "What's Gucci my nigga?/ What's Louis my killa?/ What's drugs my deala?/ What's that jacket Margiela?"

Lady Gaga - "Fashion of His Love" (2011) Lyric: "You know that I'd never cheat on a man/ 'Cause I'm not like that/ I'm physically crafted to be/ As fitting as McQueen." Add your favorite fashion lyrics in the comments below!

Feat! -- Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen, 2011 Guinness literally made an event out of her getting ready for the ball and it payed off with a fitting and flawless tribute to the designer whose "Savage Beauty" was just beginning its historic run.

Fail! -- Madonna in Louis Vuitton, 2009 Louis Vuitton had a banner year in 2009 for providing the worst looks per celeb capita than any other brand, but Madonna's woefully mistaken, thigh-highed misstep best represents the entire lot.

Feat! -- Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs, 2009 Marc Jacobs did better by his girl Kate Moss, however, and the two were the clear belles of the ball. Crafty, crafty, crafty.

Fail! -- Katie Holmes in Giorgio Armani, 2008 While everything is wrong with this look -- the makeup, the bob, the dress, the shoes, the necklace, the shoulder purse in the shape of Tom Cruise -- Katie tried to pawn off responsibility on the blue pumps to her daughter Suri, whom she claimed picked them out. Based on Suri's exquisite taste, I highly doubt it.

Feat! -- Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture, 2008 A controversial choice, I know, but hear me out. Anna Wintour so often goes the very safe and classically chic route, but for the Met's "Superheroes" exhibit, the editrix showed a whiff of whimsy by way of Wonder Woman. However, never one to not keep it real, note that she's still in Chanel and it's still haute couture.

Fail! -- Serena Williams in Oscar de la Renta, 2011 I'll preface this by saying the Royal Wedding had recently happened at this point, so fascinators were just beginning their ascent into the pop culture atmosphere. Williams opted for the burgeoning trend, thus sending this outfit into costume, not Costume Institute, territory.

Feat! -- Gisele in Versace, 2008 Gisele came to the ball in 2008 for one reason and one reason alone: to serve sex on a platter and have the world take a good long taste. So what better dressing than Versace and its history of jaw-droppers?

Fail! -- Shalom Harlow in Bob Mackie, 2009 Sure it looks like Shalom Harlow just rolled out of the dumpster and into a mutated Hefty bag, but dammit she's committed to it and for that I say, "Respect."

Feat! -- André Leon Talley being escorted by Alber Elbaz, 2007 I'm assuming this cape was by ALT's go-to haberdasher Chado Ralph Rucci, but if I'm mistaken who cares because this scene is all one needs to know about the Met Gala. Or anything.

Fail! -- Christina Hendricks in L'Wrenn Scott, 2010 Christina Hendricks has the best kind of problem because of her, shall we say, ample assets. You know, her giant cans. Therefore it's hard to find a dress that accentuates without advertising and the girls are on a mutli-season campaign in this number. But at least they serve as a distraction from whatever's happening with the hair and makeup.

Dida Ritz And the category is...CHEESECAKE! Beauty Tip: Just make sure you wash your face. I don't think a lot of queens really understand that you have to fully exfoliate. And not just like a little five minute wash, I'm talking like a good fifteen minute scrub. You gotta get in the nooks and crannies, where you put makeup at and you gotta wash. Style Inspiration: I try not to follow trends. I don't necessarily like doing what every other drag queen does. I'm really inspired by real women. I'm inspired by, of course Beyoncé and all those girls I love, but I'm really inspired by real women. I'm inspired by the girls I went to school with, I'm inspired by the girls I hang around on a daily basis, I'm inspired by my best friend who's a single mother and literally is always fly and fierce, but also has a son that she has to feed. I'm inspired by really powerful women who still keep themselves up and march to the beat of their own drum. They're not about wearing a Louboutin because everyone else is wearing a Louboutin; they're about wearing a Louboutin because they want to wear a Louboutin.

Jiggly Caliente Keepin' it 1-0-0. Beauty Tip: Always -- ALWAYS -- before you go to bed: wash. your face. And I mean really, really wash your face. Just wash the shit, all the gunk outta your face. End of the night, no matter how tired you are, ladies! Don't matter! After a drunk night at the club, you better wash your face girl! Makeup Bag Essentials: MAC lip gloss, Urban Decay eye palette, bareMinerals kabuki brush, eyelash curler and my mascara. Style Inspiration: Right now my whole look, my whole theme is very much Basketball Wives. Huge earrings, chunky bracelets. Evelyn [Lozada] is getting a lot out of my pocket right now. I like it to be urban, classy, but edgy at the same time.

Latrice Motherfuckin' Royale Jesus is a biscuit, let him sop you up. Favorite Moment from RPDR: This is gonna sound kinda shady but when Willam got disqualified it was sickening, bitch. That was good ass TV. Puking. We had just won the challenge. And then...surprise, surprise. I was like, YES! Beauty Tip: It doesn't necessarily have to be cosmetics. For me it's all about body proportions. I have to be hip to ass to titty. Body beautiful, baby.

Chad Michaels A PROFESSIONAL. Beauty Tip: Have a good foundation. Mine might not look so good right now, but a good foundation is your base for everything. Whether it's a light one or a full coverage or just a powder, even out that skin tone and that's what you start on. Makeup Bag Essentials: Well, for me as a drag queen, my Elmer's glue stick to glue down my eyebrows, obviously my foundation and my color palette. That's where all the magic comes from. And I've got about 12 colors that I work with and I just push 'em around and make it happen. If She Could Have Done Anything Differently: During the Gay Pride challenge, I would've painted my boat to look like the Titanic. And I would've been Celine Dion. And took that effin' Heart [of the Ocean] and thrown it at RuPaul's feet and won that challenge! Style Inspiration: I love trends but I also like to be classic, I like to be timeless. Love my Versace. I wouldn't say I have one style -- I like to feel good. And I wear what makes me feel good. It may not be what everyone likes but hell!

Sharon Needles Sharing responsibility. Style Inspiration: You know, I don't follow trends. I like to look at fashion magazines but I never remember who the designers are. The only designer I can ever identify is an Alexander McQueen. I just take three concepts: it has to be beautiful, it has to be spooky and it has to look stupid. And if those three things aren't met then it will not go on my body. Beauty Tip: Shave your eyebrows off, it'll save a lot of time gluin' 'em down. Makeup Bag Essentials: The most important thing in my makeup bag is alcohol.

Photo: WWD

“It is with tremendous emotion that I return to the Ritz where I shared so many special moments with my brother,” Donatella Versace said. “The closing of the Ritz Paris for two years represents the end of an era but also the beginning of a new one, so to be able to show Atelier Versace there one last time will be a memorable milestone.”

Between 1990 and 2004, the Ritz saw many an Atelier show, though last year was the first in several that Atelier Versace returned to the couture calendar.  It’s presentation at the Quai Malaquais, however, raised a few eyebrows.

Okay, raised Cathy Horyn‘s eyebrow.

In her not particularly flattering review of the spring 2012 haute couture collection, Horyn harped on the collection’s awkward staging, describing a tense and unwelcoming atmosphere that “might have been eliminated had Ms. Versace just staged a normal show.”

Well,  Cath, you’re getting your wish. Donatella and co. will go back to the runway in the hotel’s Salon Vandome on July 1, hosting not one but two shows. [Vogue UK]

Peruse the gallery for deets on the pleats.

With slits hiding in the pleated folds, this sweeping maxi steps up.

Sun shiny days bring textured yellow to light.

Having revolutionized pleating in the 90s with the tiniest folds, this skirt is a woven that truly stretches in its shape.

Pleats are a classy classic. Versace may be neither of those things, but this vintage skirt says otherwise.

It's not bifurcated, but the colors will set your legs apart.

Silk chiffon boxes out the patterned skirt.

Wide pleats take the look back to the schoolgirl. This brocade-like floral makes it regal.

This metallic blue pleather skirt escaped my 5th grade wardrobe, and got a hold of a Conair crimper. The Spice Girls clearly had a heavy hand in my upbringing.

A rounded yoke softens the linear pleating.

"Pleats Be Red-y" requests the pun-happy kids at

Prada had its “best year ever,” according to CEO Patrizio Bertelli,– a year that includes the debut of the luxury firm’s IPO on the Hong Kong stock exchange. With a 72% increase in profits to €432 million (or about $577,324,768 at current exchange rates) thanks in large part to sales of shoes and handbags to Asian consumers and revenues totaling €2.6bn (about $3,462,388,818), Prada is now on par with the likes of Hermès.

Ferragamo also went public last year, albeit locally in Milan, and its profits surged almost 70% to €100 million (about $133,216,482) with record sales to Asian, Brazilian and American customers. But Versace perhaps has the biggest reason to celebrate.

Donatella and co. finally turned a profit after three years and a near financial collapse, with earnings of €8.5 million (about $11,324,004) last year; up from a  loss of €21.7 million (about $28,909,517) in 2010. Unlike Prada and Ferragamo, Versace accomplished this sans an IPO and does not plan on going public anytime soon.  Rather, CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris credits the growth to sales in emerging markets, particularly Greater China.

Capitalizing on their international appeal, all three Italian firms plan on expanding their sphere of influence around the world. Prada has 80 store openings in the works for 2012 and 2013 — adding to the 75 stores it opened last year — while Versace plans on opening stores in New York, Los Angeles, Asia and the Middle East and Ferragamo is launching ecommerce in Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Mexico and Canada.

Soon we’ll all be shopping so much we’ll be speaking Italian, to paraphrase our modern day poet laureate. [Vogue UK, FT]

Dagens Industri, a Swedish financial rag, first  reported the story, claiming that H&M will offer a luxury brand more expensive than its high-end COS — Collection of Style — chain and helmed by Swedish designer Behnaz Aram.

A spokeswoman for H&M would neither confirm or deny the report, but stated, “We are constantly looking at new ideas; it’s a natural part of our work. However, there is nothing new that we can [talk] about for the moment.”

Which I think we all know means “yeah it’s happening, but keep it under your toup.”

Though luxury seems to go against everything H&M stands for, it would be the next logical step. And presumably their high end goods wouldn’t fall apart after three months. Do you think H&M can pull it off? [WWD]

- Abercrombie & Fitch employees are apparently forced to do push-ups and squats as punishment, which seems excessive since breathing in that tonic water they call cologne on a daily basis is punishment enough. [Huff Po]

- Damn you, Demi Moore, do you know what you hath wrought? Jessica Simpson is the latest, but certainly not the last, starlet to jump on the exposed and expecting bandwagon, as she bares her belly for the April issue of Elle. [Elle]

- Five designers imagined the wedding dress of another preggers “celeb” “mom,” Snooki, and as you can imagine, it’s an exercise in pure class. [R29]

- Marc Jacobs, eat your heart out because Karl Lagerfeld‘s got the market cornered on underage models. Hudson Kroenig, the adorable offspring of male supermodel Brad Kroenig, walked the Chanel show after Uncle Karl literally came calling. [NYT]

- Speaking of Ms. Jacobs, his name was once again brought up for the Dior job courtesy of Miu Miu‘s front row gossip. Just let it go, kids. [Vogue UK]

Photos: Image Amplified

While Angelina Jolie's right leg is photo bombing the world, Milan got leg bombed with slits that hit the pelvic bone. Even in plaid.

Enough with this leg bombing! The Military cometh to lay down some laws. Ferragamo is still in the trenches while Cavalli is coming home decorated victoriously.

Curves are being created on nearly every runway with optical side panelling or lacing. The inward jut of black or blank space creates a waist, and the curve of the center panel creates the hips. If you're skinny, you'll look curvy and if you're curvy you'll appear thinner.

With the military comes censorship. Unlike the breast baring all over NYFW, Milan has thrown a censor bandeau under the sheers.

Now to the cat with a million lives. Leopard lives on the runways and on the structured jackets of next fall.

What could the Charming former Ms. Manson want in her dream closet? "McQueen. Margiela. Schiaparelli. Versace from the 80s. Oscar gowns. Valentino gowns. Dolce gowns. I just got five Tim Ford tuxes though, so I've got my fix." She spent her childhood in wool utilitarian dresses, and turns out, she's allergic to wool. "This is my revenge on the hippies. I would see girls with pink tutus and Barbies and I didn't have those, so this is my revenge retroactively."

This guy was on Project Runway in its prime, A.K.A. Season Three. And now he gets the distinct pleasure of designing for Barbie, "There are no limitations. She looks good in everything! She's here to entertain and teach people to aspire." He fills Barbie's dream closet quite literally, but what's in his? "Classics. A beautiful perfect trench and harem pants. Dior suit. Hermes jewelry. Lots of little stripes, sweaters, ooh! A patent leather trench. Anything sparkly, shiny, fur."

Rose McGowan's makeup artist dreams closet full of "Helmet Lang. And Madonna's closet, the whole thing."

Her son (see left) alleges that his mother (center) created the jumpsuit. If that be true then Thank You! Her dream closet is a sea of, "Fabulous shoes, gloves, vintage. I get designer and alter them perfectly. I love Prada. And I need Barleans coconut oil on everything for everything."

The other half of him is a designer, artist, musician, etcetera. His dream closet would contain "Thousands of hats."

She manages The Drums, and the way she dresses, I'd want her backstage too. In her dream closet lies, "Everything Vivienne Westwood. And Miu Miu. Literally everything they make, I want it all."

A thousand years old, and with more storage square footage than years, her dream closet already exists several times over. What is missing from it? "That gold dress. [on Barbie] That's about it. I have a 1400 storage compartment. I go on a tirade giving away my clothes. I always give to

Set Designer Barbie's dream closet would be rather magical. In it would be "Narina. I keep feeling the end of the wall. It needs to go farther."

Werq gurl. This Ford model knows exactly what's missing from her dream closet, "Balmain gown. Corseted. Made of suede and silk. I tried it on, $25,000 that's what I want."

This Jackie O' all trades skirted around the answer, "My dream closet is not completely fulfilled. I want it all. I leave it open to the universe to give me everything I need to wear. Each season there's always something and then another the next. It's always moving."

This jewelry designer dreams of a closet stocked with, "Fur. Lots of fur. Snakeskin. And jewels, anything that shines." Jatalika is an accessories designer. Dropping a line in 2 months time.

We four had a fashion lovefest over Barbie, and by Barbie I mean what the other was wearing. From left to right, Thomas wants an "All gold suit; shiny, rock n roll." Adtresa's dream closet lacks but a "Coco Chanel purse." Stylist Chris Pearson is precise about his need for an Alligator bag.

As the creator of the fringed record bag and silk jacket, the thing that she needs in her dream closet is a "Beaded Fur Kimono."

Via: USDish.com

Commentary: "She looks like she's slithering out of her own skin...and for good reason."

Lose the jacket and you've got yourself a stunner. And I'm talking to you Jessica Chastain

Commentary: "I didn't realize the circus was in town. Tell me, how many clowns can she fit under that tent?"

Perhaps a little too heavy on the beading, but the stars will be out once the cameras start flashing.

Commentary: "Gone with the picnic table. Even Scarlett O'Hara couldn't pull this one off."

Simple and chic but the sheer skirt keeps this from waltzing into comatose couture.

Commentary: "She's going commando! Literally, she skydived onto the red carpet, then wrapped the parachute around her and marched into the show."

It was hard finding anything suitable for the Oscars on Gaultuier's runway, but this scoop-back ditty hit all the right notes.

Commentary: "Looks like she came to her senses a little too late and was only half successful in taking her dress off in the limo ride here."

Pretty much everyone and their mother wants Rooney Mara in Givenchy and this is the closest thing to perfection she'll get.

Commentary: "Tilda you look amazing! Anyone else might receive a public stoning."

When in doubt, always go the ethereal route.

Commentary: "Did a hurricane sweep through every retirement community in Boca Raton and land directly on her?"

Black is always a popular choice on any red carpet so a stunning pale yellow like this will surely have heads turning,

Commentary: "Little ho on the prairie."

All this look needs is a high chignon, a Judith Leiber clutch, and a pair of statement earrings OR a statement necklace...not both.

Commentary: "The dress is wearing her. And it wants off."

It don't get no more chic than this. Give me a two-tone and I'll give you a star.

Commentary: When did the ghost of J.Lo's career show up?"

Miss Havisham knocked a few back and now she's ready to party.

Although it’s easy to be underwhelmed by any dresses coming before the Oscars, there are some ladies who really turned it out last night. We put our top 10 at the beginning of the gallery for your viewing pleasure. All photos from Huffington Post Style.

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

Gretchen Mol in L'Wren Scott

Jayma Mays in Reem Acra

Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham

Judy Greer in Collette Dinnigan

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Tilda Swinton in Lanvin

Viola Davis in Marchesa

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture

Tina Fey in vintage Verasce

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa

Shailene Woodley in L'Wren Scott

Sarah Hyland in Temperley

Naya Rivera in Naeem Khan

Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli

Michelle Williams in Valentino

Meryl Streep in Vivienne Westwood Couture

Melissa McCarthy in Badgley Mischka

Maya Rudolph in Naeem Khan

Lea Michele in Versace

Kyra Sedgwick in Pucci

Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga

Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza

Julianna Margulies in Calvin Klein Collection

Jessica Lange in David Meister

Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein Collection

Jenna Ushkowitz in Rebecca Minkoff

Jane Lynch in David Meister Signature

Jane Krakowski in Antonio Berardi

Glenn Close in Zac Posen

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera

Diane Lane in David Meister

Bérénice Bejo in Ralph Lauren

Angela Kinsey in Romona Keveza

Amber Riley in Badgley Mischka

The silhouette of a mountain troll on the palette of a dandy with a Victorian harking makes for one time and bodily twisted trip at

Versace plays to the color hungry eyes of the psychedelically tripping.

Serious double take! Moschino and Jean Paul Gaultier both dabbled in brick laying for Fall 2012.

I have a vision, let me show you mine... It's Derelict! Seemingly made from garbage bags with the pull tab handles, this jacket is playing mind games.

'Tis a trick of the eye as a different cartoon suit is painted overtop the three dimensional suit.

Stars, Stripes and Skirts for the men at

Cascading hardware makes for trippy visuals.

The wonderfully weird Thom Browne keeps the athletes on their toes for

It looks like a glowing ball of light that I want to move with to the music.

The expert surrealist Rei Kawakubo mashes at least four colors onto this jacket, and has you wondering if your actually looking at Joan Jett in prep school.

- Neil Patrick Harris and house husband David Burtka need to get a room, but instead the happily married queens put their love on display for the February issue of Out magazine. [Out]

- Grammys Love Cool J. Rapper/actor/my baby daddy LL Cool J will host the 54th annual Grammys, the first time the “awards” show will have a proper host in some seven years. [Deadline]

- After 14 years of clandestine lovin’, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis are allegedly hitting the proverbial rocks. [People]

- PETA is taking issue with fox fur merkins. Because a fox and a pussy should never cohabitate. [Huff Po]

- A commissioner in Shreveport, LA is pushing to have pajamas banned in public. And I say bravo. Back in my day you didn’t step out of the house without a full face — and by “you” I clearly mean “I” and by “my day” I clearly mean “yesterday.” [Shreveport Times]

- Funny ladies/Cover Girls Ellen DeGeneres and Sofia Vergara apply a little lip-shtick on the former’s daytime show.

“I appreciate everyone’s support for my clothing line but I wanted to clarify a few things…The name of the line is Kanye West not DW… The Dw was a design element placed on the invite in homage to my mom : )…I really appreciate the fake DW twitter page but since it’s not official I can’t co sign any information on it,” West revealed in a series of tweets.  He further explained that he funded his first show out-of-pocket and that he’s “been working at this for 8 years now …from the first offers to do urban clothing lines that I turned down.”

Among other opportunities Kanye turned down included a position, one assumes an internship, at Versace “wich [sic] I could not take due to my contract with LV which was for 2 years.” After designing his Kanye West for Louis Vuitton shoe collection, West expressed his disappointment that he wasn’t asked to do  a second. He did, however, work “at Fendi for 4 months under cover,” alleging he was “there to give ideas for the men’s collection.” West then continued his covert couturier career when he “snuck [into the] Giuseppe Zanotti Factory still under contract and learned to design woman’s shoes for 2 years before” his first show.  While in Paris, Azzedine Alaïa, whom Kanye refers to as “the master,” even came to pay his studio a visit.

From there, he talks about creative directing the Jetsons movie (?), his love/hate relationship with the Grammys, the pressures of fame, the problems with the public school system and his desire to make a difference. West also announced the creation of a new company called DONDA (“the best name ever of all companies of all time!!!”), which he describes as “a design company which will galvanize amazing thinkers and put them in a creative space to bounce there dreams and ideas.”

My first impression is to wonder what Kanye was on at the time, but as he explains, it was his dreams that kept him “woke” and tweeting from London at 5 am. Yeah, I’ve been there — must be some quality, uncut dreams. Either way, I’m fully supporting everything that West alleges, if only for the image of Kanye West sneaking into a Giuseppe Zanotti factory and chillin’ with new BFF Azzedine Alaïa.

Backstage at Parke and Ronen

Images via Design Scene

Photo: Daily Telegraph

Kensington Palace is undergoing a $19 million renovation for the 2012 London Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II‘s diamond jubilee, so they’re using the occasion to cart out a handful of the late princess’ greatest stunners — some of which have never been shown in the U.K.

Included in the exhibit simply titled “Diana” are the black taffeta Emanuel gown she wore to her first official engagement with Prince Charles in 1981; a silk, fuchsia sari-style Catherine Walker dress worn to Thailand (shown above); another Catherine Walker dress, this one in ivory silk crepe; a Bellville Sassoon Lorcan Mullany (yeah, I have no idea who that is either) white cocktail dress and a black Versace shift. [WWD]

Gisele and Ryan Barrett were shot by the imitable Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and styled by Joe McKenna and David Bradshaw dramatically entering a pool somewhere in the California desert.

Much like La Bündchen, I know that if and whenever I go for a swim, there’s always a Lucite platform involved. [WWD]

Kim counts Taylor as her “idol” and “icon,” so it comes as no surprise that the Big K would shell out some clams to have a piece of Liz in her life: “If you have a piece of jade, the energy goes into the piece and you absorb the energy,” Kardashian said via phone. “So I can feel Elizabeth in the piece.” Good for you, Kim, feeling up Elizabeth Taylor — but you’re going to need a lot more than one failed marriage if you’re going to “Keep Up” with that legacy.

Among the most popular items was a Christian Dior evening gown and matching clutch that fetched $362,500, over 60 times its estimated worth, and a Versace jacket featuring Taylor’s iconic face emblazoned in rhinestones all over it (#dead), which sold for $128,500.

The Gina Fratini wedding dress Liz wore for her second marriage to Richard Burton went for $62,500, while the yellow chiffon dress she wore to their first wedding was removed from auction at the last minute and will instead be donated to an institution. Two diamond and gold wedding bands from both Burton nuptials, however, were sold for $1 million — 125 times more than its estimated $8000 worth.

The big ticket item of the night was a  lithograph of Liz  by signed by Andy Warhol — “To Elizabeth, with much love”; estimated at $30,000 to $50,000, the painting sold for $662,500. The Liz Taylor auction continues tonight and into tomorrow, giving more reality TV stars and alleged socialites plenty opportunity to claim a piece of Taylor for her own. [Telgraph, Forbes, Bloomberg]

Gina Fratini wedding dress ($62,500), Versace "Face" jacket ($128,500) and Christian Dior gown ($362,500)

Andy Warhol lithograph, $662,500

The first Taylor-Burton wedding dress

Photos: Vogue UK

Military Styled Coats

Outerwear is highly important when the winter season rolls around. Everyone loves a great looking winter coat, and for men the military styled coat is stylish but still masculine. These coats lie a bit beyond the waist and have a lot of design details that give it more of an edge than your average pea coat. Buying in a darker color, such as a deep navy or charcoal, is a sure way to complement any outfit this winter season.

Preppy is Still In

Preppy winter clothing has yet to go out of style, and is a great way to add color to your winter wardrobe. Preppy styles for men are comfortable, casual styled clothing that come in a wide variety of styles and bright colors. Brands to try: Tommy Hilfiger, D&G

Say Yes to Exotic Fabrics

Velvet is still in this season as far as fabrics are concerned. Men don’t need to stick to boring cottons or wools to have their winter wardrobe fit in. Cashmere, leather, and even fur is in this season for men. Brands to try: Versace, Etro

Heavy Knit Sweaters

Sweaters with a chunky knit in bright colors are definitely a wardrobe must have for any man along with Nordic sweaters. These sweaters will not only keep you incredibly warm during the colder months, but will also keep your wardrobe interesting and from running on the bland side. Brands to try: Versace, Hermes, John Varvatos

Go Gray Not Black

While black is classic and sleek, let’s not forget about the stylish neutral gray.  Gray suits and overcoats pair nicely with the bright garments that are in this winter, and complete an outfit without having to be so traditional.

Just because winter is upon us doesn’t mean that men can get sloppy. Keep yourself looking good by remembering a few of your favorite winter trends.

“The Great Designers” will also be accompanied by the book The Great Designers: Fashion’s Hall of Fame from A to Z, highlighting 500 of the museum’s masterworks by 100 of the 20th- and 21st-century’s most important designers. Publishing in April 2012, the book will include an essay by museum curator Valerie Steele on the history of fashion museums and exhibits,  along with short bios on the 100 designers. Click through the gallery for some of the designs featured and to keep you occupied until you can make your way to the FIT Museum to see them in person. [WWD, FIT]

Boudicca, Fall 2006

Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, 1986

Givenchy by Alexander McQueen, Fall 1997

Thierry Mugler, c. 1987

Rick Owens, Fall 2008

Prada, Fall 2011

Gareth Pugh, Fall 2007

Elsa Schiaparelli, Fall 1935

Valentino, Spring 2008

Gianni Versace, 1991

Marni’s founder and creative director, Consuelo Castiglioni – above with H&M’s Margareta van den Bosch – mined some of her favorite pieces and the label’s predilection for prints to create the capsule collection, with styles for both men and women.

Well, with spring around the corner…and down the block, across the street and a bit to the left, the Marni x H&M collabo might arrive just in time. If the runways were any indication, the season will be popping with prints and combusting with color — but what do you say, dear readers: are you excited for some marked-down Marni? [WWD]

Palazzo Versace, Australia

If you didn’t get to shop the Versace x H&M collection, have no fear – you can still get into some Versace design. The Palazzo Versace, designed by Donatella herself, drips with glamour. Indulge in your in-room spa, drink from designer glasses and teacups and boast to your friends that camped outside for Versace x H&M you are indoors relaxing on Versace ground. Plus, it’s summer in Australia. Extra plus, if you stay for New Year’s Eve, you can party in style on a golden playground.

Versace for H&M proved a retail juggernaut with lines wrapped around H&Ms around the world, the H&M website pulling a Target website and crashing last Thursday — it’s not up as of this post’s publication, FYI —  and items flying off the rack in minutes.  With an online-only collection, at least one can avoid the shoving and the pushing and the elbowing of overzealous shoppers — sorry, by the way, to that little girl I elbowed in the eye last Friday but there was a bustier with my editor’s name on it.  [WWD]

Now having seen the collection we’ve been going bananas over for months, here’s the scoop:

The collection was chock full of hit and misses, but admittedly mostly hits. And though there were the luxuries of pomegranate boozing whilst shopping, and indulging in dime sized hors d'oeuvre of petite spaghetti and meatball, spicy tuna tartar and more, the lines for the dressing rooms were no picnic. Many, like me, went rogue and tried on dresses over the clothes in the midst of the crowd. It werqs. Check the best and the worst of the collection and WHO was shopping ahead.

Theophilus London, Mickey Boardman and Robert Verdi got their diffusion shopping ON.

These lackluster hearts lacked love. In fact, they are some of the only items to remain in the store after it was ravaged by fashion bloggers, editors and the dedicated early bird shopper (even through today). Though the 90's are decidedly back, no one seems to be loving the heart print.

This outrageous palm-glam classic versace print translated best in the collection.

Of all the prints Versace could have mustered, this one lagged a bit. Sure the two-tone is kind of awesome, but it looks childish and too cheap in the first person.

This print was definitely the star of the men's department, which was considerably smaller than women's. The majority of the men's options were solid blinding pink and aqua, and studded black. This jumps out if you want something optical.

This little leather dress is stunningly studded and form fits to just the right shape. It's a little splurgier than the rest of the finds, but the $200-range for Versace still ain't bad.

At the end of the day, this shopper's hat summed up the experience. Versace x H&M was pretty epic, but seriously...

Cookie Monster :: Helen Yarmak

Kermit the Frog :: Akris

Fozzie Bear :: Michael Kors

Statler & Walter :: Rick Owens

Gonzo :: Tom Ford

Bert and Ernie :: Paul Smith

Hilda :: Tavi* *not runway, but priceless.

Link Hogthrob :: Alexander McQueen

Marvin Suggs :: Versace

Newsman :: Thom Browne

Sam Eagle :: Just Cavalli

Animal :: Christian Dior

Zoot :: Gucci

Scooter :: Isabel Marant

Janice :: Donatella Versace

Sgt. Pepper Floyd :: Vivienne Westwood

Stagehand :: Marc Jacobs

Sweetums :: Dennis Basso

Donatella Versace herself crawled out of her crypt uncharacteristically before noon to pay a visit in London, decked out in a studded silk pink dress and studded black leather trench, her bleach blond hair casually swept over her oversized sunglasses. “I feel very emotional,” she told WWD. ”I really want to see how they are going to mix and pair the clothes, how they will wear them.”

Arriving at 8:30 am, when the line was already around the block, Donny also also expressed her approval of the quality of the garments that had produced such a clamor:  ”Do you see these studs? Usually, with low-cost clothing, they’re pressed on but these are real. And I only worked with pure materials – 100 percent silks and real leather.”

In Milan, a transportation strike did not deter Versace devotees from lining up while in Paris, the racks were picked clean within fifteen minutes. Some shoppers, however, were luckier than others as the night before, French Vogue‘s Emmanuelle Alt hosted a special preview shopping party for 1,000 winners of a contest the magazine had conducted.

Some 300 people lined up in Hong Kong for the store’s 8 am opening and in Berlin, lines started forming at 4 am.

In Shanghai, professional queuers waited on behalf of shoppers too smart and/or lazy to wait in line themselves. Mingling with migrant workers who were also paid as placeholders, a fight broke out amongst the predominately male stand-ins before doors opened. In fact, most of the customers in line were male, with some openly admitting they were there to snatch up as many covetable items as they could to re-sell online.

Besides that slight altercation, H&M’s well-organized, and well-documented, process has been rather smooth. But we’ll see once the doors open stateside this Saturday. [WWD]

Donatella

UK

UK

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Shanghai

Shanghai

Photos: The Fashion Spot, Bellazon

H&M then responded to said hubub:

“We are very surprised by the NY Daily News article and do not understand how they came to this conclusion. We can only explain it as a misunderstanding and a series of miscommunication. H&M is a democratic fashion brand and it is not our policy to decide models for fashion features in media. Both H&M and Versace have, over many years, cast from a wide and diverse pool, not only of models, but of celebrities and personalities reflective of all ethnicities, gender, ages and sizes.”

Will these recent developments deter you from clamoring for the collection when it hits stores on Saturday? Or did all the rules and stipulations already do that?

[NYDN, Racked]

Kill two birds with one stone with this method. Stretch pants will allow for slight expansion, as your turkey baby grows inside of you. Wild patterns will camouflage any food that lands astray as your tripping on tryptophan.

The name of the game is Slouch. Find something with a wide set body that tszujes at the sleeves. This way you're totally concealed from the bloat. Or from a baby for that matter. With these, I recommend a pair of leggings, so at least part of the body is slim.

Some extra fabrication will conceal any bloat you incur from the lavish spread before you. Pleats expand and contract without much notice.

This might look similar to the pleating concept, but I assure you, there's a difference. With this, we advise you find a skirt with an elastic band and gathers at the waist. It's not that you're going to get fat over one gigantic meal, but between the salt, the all-American butter and that the majority of your day will be dedicated to eating, you're going to want some wiggle room.

Photo: Racked

- Firstly, the collection hits stores statewide this Saturday, November 19th. There will no doubt be lines before the stores open — generally around 9 am — so bring some coffee, a flask and a friend to keep you company.

- Secondly, the first 280 people in the store will receive one of 14 different color bracelets, 20 people per bracelet color. The bracelets are only needed for shopping the Versace women’s collection, not the men’s or H&M’s other collections. So for the first time in…well, forever, I’ll be eschewing the ladies section. The bracelets will have a specific time for shopping and once your slot comes up, you’ll have 15 minutes to get down to business.

- Thirdly, once the first 280 have gone at the collection, every one else will get their chance to shop. But don’t worry because…

- Fourthly, there’s a shopping limit. Every customer is limited to a maximum of two pieces per product, so you can buy two sizes in a shoe or a garment or two of the same accessories but that’s it.

- And finally, to ensure your local H&M carries the collection you want, there’s a convenient store locator on the site for Ladies, Men and Home goods.

Sure, this sounds like a gigantic pain in the ass, but it’s Saturday morning and you’re going to be hungover anyway. Just keep drinking and by midday you’ll have the most coveted diffusion line of the year.

Photo: Racked

Photos: Zimbio

The Purple One and the Pink One will add some extra color to the collection’s ultra bold and bright prints, much to Donatella Versace‘s sheer delight. “I am so pleased to share with so many the excitement of this collaboration with H&M,” shared the designer. “To have my friend, the great, the amazing, the one and only Prince, and the extraordinary Nicki Minaj both perform at the event, will create exactly the feeling of joy and glamour I want this partnership to express.”

For those of us not invited to said press preview on November 8th — a-hem! — the Versace x H&M line launches worldwide November 19th. [WWD]

Link Love: Vogue.com

Photos: Fucking Young! 

*Kate Middleton‘s Alexander McQueen was a late addition and Rubenstein had to cut one of the dresses to keep the list to 100. So it was sayonara Nancy Reagan and her white one-shoulder inauguration ball gown. Michelle Obama‘s Jason Wu, however, remained in tact. [WWD, sub req'd]

Reese Witherspoon in Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci, 2007 Golden Globes: “Witherspoon’s slimmer figure, now snugly zipped into a strapless, canary-yellow silk brocade Nina Ricci cocktail dress, screamed, ‘Screw you, buddy!’”

Chanel RTW spring 2011: “Models rarely smile these days, but you can sense when they enjoy what they’re wearing. Kass could barely contain her delight.”

Rita Hayworth in Jean Louis, 1946,“Gilda”: “Strapless dresses owe their enduring popularity to Rita Hayworth.”

Julia Roberts in Marilyn Vance-Straker, 1990, “Pretty Woman”: “No matter how many times you have seen the film, the moment you can clearly recall is when you fell hopelessly in love with Julia Roberts — and that moment is marked by a dress.”

Michelle Obama in Jason Wu, 2009 Inaugural Ball: “Wu and the three women on his team set to work, spending more than three hundred hours making the gown.”

Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 Academy Awards: “Because the gown was so right on her, it is the only one we ever imagine her in, regardless of how many premieres she graces.”

Princess Diana in David and Elizabeth Emanuel, 1981: “Let’s be honest. The gown is hideous…but it became one of the most copied Big Day gowns in history.”

Charlize Theron in Vera Wang, 2000 Academy Awards: “’We came real close,’ said Wang about the how-low-as-you-can-go open back.”

Marilyn Monroe in William Travilla, 1955, “The Seven Year Itch:” “Why the continued frenzy for an almost 60-year-old summer halter? Because of how it looked on the woman who wore it.”

Nicole Kidman in John Galliano for Dior, 1997 Academy Awards: “This wasn’t merely a sensational creation. This was haute couture-claiming turf.”

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen, 2011: “The legendarily loose-lipped House of Windsor became so close-mouthed it was as if there’d been a run on duct tape.”

Jennifer Lopez in Donatella Versace, 2000 Grammys: “No single outfit has ever caused more commotion on any red carpet anywhere.”

Madonna in Dolce & Gabbana, 2009, premiere for “Nine”: “The Sicilian dress is the essence of Dolce & Gabbana, the brand’s sartorial touchstone.”

Tilda Swinton in Alber Elbaz for Lanvin at the 2008 Academy Awards: “Amplifying Swinton’s translucent alabaster complexion, vibrant titian hair and knowing exoticism is a fashion sense that revels in her own singularity.”

Prada RTW spring 2004: “This Prada dress was striking for its level of ease.”

Gareth Pugh

Prada

Numêro / Models.com

W's "Transformers" by Steven Meisel

Pop Magazine Fall/Winter 2011 by Gillian Wearing / Models.com

Versace x H&M

Versace spring 2011

cK One spring 2011

Balenciaga spring 2011 runway

Barney

Harper's Bazaar Australia November 2011 / Models.com

Models.com

Vogue September 2011 / Fashion Gone Rogue

Hitler John Galliano

Why not dress like the most controversial man in 2011 news? Add a Hitler mustache and Nazi uniform to the mix and you’ll have the most ferociously offensive costume at the party.

Essential Supplies

Hitler..errr “Chaplin” Mustache

Swastika Armband

Crown

Mert and Marcus shot this latest in the Versace x H&M fall campaign. Still a full month away, it’s not too early to say that this diffusion line might be the best thing that ever happened to anyone ever. And that’s putting it lightly. [Design Scene]

On pregnancy and motherhood: “It was important to me that I gave myself time to focus on becoming the woman I want to be, building my empire, my relationship, and my self-worth, before I became a mother,” she says. “Now God has blessed us with the ultimate.”

On her husband, Jay-Z: “We have been together since I was 20 years old. We took our time and developed an unbreakable friendship before we got married. I admire his ability to inspire others. To me, Jay represents the American dream. Jay’s music has helped define our generation. All that he has overcome and worked to achieve gives millions hope that they can become whatever they want to be. I respect him so much; he is a great man and a great artist.”