fashion
Are You On Anna Wintour's Guest List?
The Cajun Boy · 08/12/09 09:06PMThe Knives Are Out For JCPenney
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• Cintra Wilson is not impressed with the NYC's very first JCPenney: "Why would this perennially square department store bother to reanimate itself in Manhattan—in the sleekest, scariest fashion city in America—during a hair-raising economic downturn, without taking the opportunity to vigorously rebrand itself?" Making matters worse, she says even the mannequins are obese: "It's like a headless wax museum devoted entirely to the cast of Roseanne." [NYT]
• Contrary to recent rumors, Kanye West is not interning at the Gap. [FWD]
• It looks like Escada is the latest fashion house to go bust. [Bloomberg]
• Anna Wintour will appear on Dave Letterman's show on August 24. (Set your DVR!) In other Anna-related news (and despite recent budget cuts at Condé Nast), the Vogue editrix will be making the trip to London Fashion Week.
Dead Body Found on Roof Above Hipster Fashion Mecca
John Cook · 08/12/09 02:00PMBrave Models Scale Scary Skyscraper to Sell Bras
The Cajun Boy · 08/11/09 08:22PMBee Shaffer Will Do What She Pleases
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• Bee Shaffer says she has no plans to follow in mom Anna Wintour's footsteps. "I really don't want to work in fashion. It's just not for me. I respect her, obviously, but it's just a really weird industry." She concludes by saying that people who think fashion is life are lame and she'd much rather become a lawyer, thank you very much. [Fox News]
• Charlize Theron appears on the cover of Vogue's September issue. It also touts the fact it's 584 pages, though that's down last year's 798 pages. [Cut]
• Be careful if you spend your days walking around in flip-flops. If you're not, you could pick up a deadly germ and if you happen to cut your foot, the germ will enter your bloodstream and kill you. Enjoy the rest of summer. [NYDN]
What You Wear to a $50 Million Deal Closing in Silicon Valley
Ryan Tate · 08/11/09 10:44AMWal-Mart Eyes NYC, Calvin Klein Falls Victim
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• Great news for those of you who have been dying to get your hands on Miley Cyrus' clothing line for Wal-Mart: The retail giant is scouting for a NYC location again. [Crain's]
• Rich parents aren't buying super-expensive designer clothing for their bratty kids quite like they used to, not surprisingly. [WSJ]
• First the Calvin Klein billboard on Houston Street was targeted by people who objected to its raciness; now it's been targeted by vandals. [Jezebel]
• The Calvin billboard isn't the only victim. Calvin Klein became a crime statistic himself when a thief ripped the East Hampton beach parking sticker off his Porsche. The police are now conducting a thorough investigation. [NYP]
Peaches Geldof Would Like to Speak to You About Denim
Hamilton Nolan · 08/10/09 03:21PMPeaches: "If you had to sum up jeans in one word, what would that word be?"
Reply: "The hottest thing to wear."
NYT Infiltrates Fashion Meets Finance, Possibly Leaves Scarred For Life
Foster Kamer · 08/09/09 04:30PMThis September Is Different
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• The September 2009 issue of Vogue looks nothing like the issue from 2007, the making of which is detailed in R.J. Cutler's new period picture, The September Issue. Take a sec to let the image of the 840-page behemoth from two years ago—the largest issue ever—burn itself into your memory. Given the way things are going, you may not see anything like it ever again. [NYT]
Harvard Gets Desperate
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Good news, Harvard graduates! Your esteemed university has handed over its vaunted name to Wearwolf Group, a garment maker that plans to "take advantage of a taste for seersucker, khakis, loafers and other 'preppy' attire" with a line of clothing called "Harvard Yard." According to Wearwolf, which has done work for other prestigious brands in the past like Jos. A. Bank, trousers will start at $195, shirts will retail for $160 and up, and sportcoats will go for $495, and they will all "reflect Harvard's quality, heritage and excellence." Even better: It shouldn't be long before the university is able to begin serving hot meals to students once again. [Bloomberg via Dealbreaker]
Bair's New Look
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Sheila Bair, the chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, wasn't sufficiently "glamorous" to earn herself coverage in Vogue recently. But she's making progress! Business Insider's Moe Tkacik reports Bair unveiled a new haircut and color this week when she appeared on Bloomberg TV. Maybe Anna Wintour was watching and has since reconsidered? Let's hope so. [Business Insider, previously]
September's Harper's Bazaar, Rodarte For Target
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• The September issue of Harper's Bazaar features Susan Boyle in her first-ever fashion shoot. More importantly, Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester, who appears on the cover of the issue, shoots down the recent rumors that she took part in a sex tape. [Harper's Bazaar, Us]
• Rodarte's Laura and Kate Mulleavy will be designing a line for Target as part of its Go International series. Sweet. [WWD]
• Roberto Cavalli appears to have changed his mind for about the 20th time and decided against selling a stake in his company. [Reuters]
Scientology's Creepy New Uniforms
Ryan Tate · 08/05/09 05:08PMThe Ronsons Have Some Sneakers To Sell You
cityfile · 08/05/09 12:18PMMichael Bloomberg, Fashion Icon
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• Vanity Fair's rather dubious "International Best-Dressed List" is now online. Take a few minutes to browse through the slideshow to see the obvious picks, close personal friends of Graydon Carter, Condé Nast employees, precious Vanity Fair advertisers, as well as a few exciting new entrants such as Michael Bloomberg, who, as you can see above, always dresses to impress. [VF]
Life in the Not-So-Fab Lane
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Kimora Lee Simmons owns the word "fabulosity." (Really, she does.) The definition, though, appears to have changed a bit. Back when the going was good, such fabulosity might have included a Perrier-Jouët champagne pedicure. Now? "Fabulosity is being able to buy an outfit for under $100," she explains WWD. Fortunately, her attorney appears to be one step ahead of her. In addition to "mesh shopping bags" and "imitation leather key chains," in the future she will also be free to stamp the "Fabulosity" name on such items as "vinyl and leather pouches for holding disposable bags to place pet waste in."
Dov Charney: I Do Employ Uglies
Hamilton Nolan · 08/04/09 10:42AMRachel's New Site, Kanye's Rumored Line, Thom's Savior
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• Not to be outdone by Gwyneth Paltrow and her GOOP newsletter, Rachel Zoe is launching a lifestyle e-newsletter of her own tomorrow. [RachelZoe.com]
• Is Kanye West designing a line for the Gap? That's the rumor. [Cut]
• Thom Browne has had a rough time recently, but it looks like that may be all behind him. Japan's Cross Company has taken a stake in his company and plans to help him expand. [Style.com]
• It looks like the fashion set will be dividing its time between the tents in Bryant Park and Milk Studios this coming Fashion Week. [Fashionologie, FWD]
• Gisele Bundchen is lending her voice to a new children's cartoon. She'll play Gigi, "a supermodel by day, environmental superhero by night." [Elle]
• Ready for retailers to start Christmas promotions? No? Too bad! [WSJ]
• Related: Retailers have gone discount-crazy, as you may have noticed. [NYT]