LVMH Buys A Big Chunk–$2 Billion–of Hermes!!!” y 11 mas

LVMH Buys A Big Chunk–$2 Billion–of Hermes!!!
Best Dressed: Kate Bosworth, Sofia Coppola, Elle Fanning and More
Why is this Miu Miu Dress Still Getting Shot?
Express Runway: Rock The Sidewalk
Street Style: Luz Loves German Disco
Honor Seeks a Fashion Design Assistant!
Lulu Kennedy is Amazing, Not Only Because She Said ‘Fashionista’s Got Balls’
Last Night’s Party: Taylor Momsen Flashed Her Tits While Performing at Don Hill’s; Stoned Models Didn’t Notice
Would You Rather…? The ‘Team Zoe of One Mind’ Edition
Pierre Hardy X Gap Release Date Changed, Again, to October 25
Vanessa Bruno Storms Los Angeles with Erin Wasson, Rosario Dawson, and the 90210 Girls
Fashion News Roundup: Jody Quon Out at W, Kaiser to Address CFDA, and Kim Kardashian Says No to Diamonds

LVMH Buys A Big Chunk–$2 Billion–of Hermes!!!

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 07:12 AM PDT

The world’s two most powerful luxury brands are getting a bit chummier.

My WWD idol, European editor Miles Socha, reports that LVMH has taken a 14.2% stake in Hermes International. The stake is worth about $2 billion.

Hermes is a public company, but the family behind the brand still owns a controlling stake. (Their share is 71%, to be exact.) LVMH will announce on Monday that they’ve invested in Hermes to “be a long-term shareholder of Hermès and to contribute to the preservation of the family and French attributes which are at the heart of the global success of this iconic brand.”

Does this mean they’re going to try and buy all of Hermes? Probably in the future, but not at the moment.

Hermes is to luxury as Apple is to gadgets. It’s the crown jewel. From the simple Twilly scarf to the coveted Birkin, it’s the ultimate acquisition for the luxury–and fashion–consumer. The company, which also owns high-end cobbler John Lobb, was barely touched by the recession. And its stock has jumped more than 88% over the last year.

For LVMH, Hermes would make them untouchable. (Louis Vuitton already does a good job of that, but nothing competitors PPR or Richemont could offer up will ever come near Hermes in terms of quality, heritage, and overall desirability.)

At this stage in the game, the Hermes family still holds the cards. Will they swiftly buckle to LVMH? Or will this be the lock-down, drag-out, luxury battle of the decade? (We’re kind of hoping for the latter.)

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best Dressed: Kate Bosworth, Sofia Coppola, Elle Fanning and More

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 03:30 PM PDT

This week, Kate Bosworth glammed it up in Derek Lam. Sienna Miller sported a perfect daytime look of cropped trousers and white sweater by Topshop. Freida Pinto looked gorgeous as usual in a bold Alexander McQueen number. Finally, Elle Fanning and her Somewhere director Sofia Coppola both looked lovely in Marchesa and Celine, respectively.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Why is this Miu Miu Dress Still Getting Shot?

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 03:00 PM PDT

That Miu Miu dress that covered four magazines this August still won’t die. While it hasn’t made a cover since W, British Vogue, Swedish Elle and British Elle all used it in the same two months (because that would be repetitive), it has made it its way into the editorials of American Vogue, Muse and The Block. Click through to see the dresses on Tiah Eckhardt, Eniko Mihalik, Crystal Renn and Anne Hathaway.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Express Runway: Rock The Sidewalk

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 02:15 PM PDT

Express decided to do things differently for their Spring/Summer 2011 show. Hitting the streets of Manhattan’s Flat Iron District, the brand turned the corner of Broadway and 23rd Street into a public fashion show, inviting everyone to watch. As curiosity built up, a crowd of tourists, teens, and even nearby food vendors started to gather along the catwalk. By the the time the first model stomped the runway, we had ourselves a full-on outdoor fashion show–eclectic crowd and all.

Putting aside the fact that it was colder than it has been so far this year, the overall energy of the show was positive and lively. The models strutted down the runway in short black mini-dresses, pink printed tops, and leather jackets to an upbeat mix of oldies and top hits. The male models were also looking dapper as they walked out in button down shirts and swanky jackets. As the show went on, the crowd took pictures of models on their cell phones and cheered when the wind lifted up a models skirt, a la Marilyn Monroe. Erin Heatherton closed the show in a black crinoline skirt, white top, and leather jacket.

While we thought the public show was enough of a display, Express took it up a notch by having Greg Kadel simultaneously shoot their spring 2011 marketing campaign imagery and look book. Everywhere you looked, a photographer was positioned, hoping to get the perfect billboard image.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Street Style: Luz Loves German Disco

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 01:30 PM PDT

Name: Luz Pavon

Occupation: Designer/Model/Producer and sometimes DJ

What are you listening to? Studio 54 music

Any examples? Silver Convention and so many others

What is your favorite dessert? Green tea ice cream…I just love it!!

How would you describe your style? Very original. I love to use kids things and I think my hair is the strongest part of my style.

What are you wearing? H&M boots, Versace jeans, Alexander Wang sweater and a Hello Kitty bag.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Honor Seeks a Fashion Design Assistant!

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 01:00 PM PDT

New RTW women’s designer fashion brand HONOR (that we love), is looking for a design assistant. HONOR recently launched its first collection for SS2011 in September and can be viewed here.

Requirements:
- Degree or certificate in fashion design, graphic design, or equivalent
- Excellent knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
- Strong technical drawing skills
- Knowledge of Construction, Fabrics and Hardware

Ideal candidates are self-starters who are communicative and extremely detail-oriented. If you meet the requirements above and would like to join their team, please send your resume, cover letter, and portfolio (sketches of flat’s too!) to: HONORNYCJOBS@GMAIL.COM.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Lulu Kennedy is Amazing, Not Only Because She Said ‘Fashionista’s Got Balls’

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 12:00 PM PDT

LONDON–Fashion East, the London launchpad for raw young talent, celebrated its 10th year with the launch of a 10-piece range under new label Lulu & Co. Each look, some of which were only seen on the runway–never in stores–were handpicked by Fashion East founder Lulu Kennedy from the archives of alum like Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders and Henry Holland.

To mark the occasion, the East End fashion pack brought the party West to Harvey Nichols in London’s posh Knightsbridge neighborhood for a Mexican-themed disco replete with fish tacos, hibiscus margaritas, and wonderfully kitsch gold palm trees. Everyone from Roisin Murphy and Pixie Geldof to supermodel/presenter Jade Parfitt spun around in their favorite pieces from the range, while a tagteam set was DJ’d by Princess Julia, House of Holland and Hazel. We nabbed the ageless fairy godmother of London fashion, Lulu Kennedy, dressed in a fiery organza gown by Jonathan Saunders, to talk disco and a decade of designers.

Hard to believe Fashion East is in its tenth year!
I am freaked out, it crept up on me. I’ve been doing this since I was 30 so it’s kind of a blur. The designers I work with have become genuine friends not ‘fashion friends’, if you know what I mean.

What was significant about it being East?
We were all working and living in the East end of London. As we got more established we moved closer to the center. We’re not more mainstream, but we try to make it more accessible. It’s an easy no-brainer for journalists who are really short of time. A bit like the way the music industry gets bands signed in a showcase.

For the MAN show during fashion week you built little wooden cabanas outside the tents, they were like these fantastic menswear stables. What’s tonight’s flavor?
Tonight is sort of like Mexican disco. It’s really random. Basically we indulged ourselves with our favorite things. I have a thing about Mexico and I love disco, it’s really, really relevant.

So you must of caught (disco act from NY) Hercules & Love Affair last Friday?
Don’t talk to me about it, I missed it! Everyone I know went but me and I’m really upset. You know what I was doing? You’ll die. I was dealing with all the shipping documents to get the Lulu & co range delivered into the UK while that was happening. Literally, crazy customs issues. It’s a whole new ball game. I can do parties, I can do fashion shows, but manufacturing and shipping of goods is a whole new thing which I’m learning via the Lulu & Co. range..it’s not easy.

How has it evolved?
It’s exactly where I want it to be. We are still selecting designers that go on to do well. We’re the stepping stone between college and the next level of sponsorship

At the time there were few if any people creating such a platform. Now there seem to be dozens.
It could get a little bit over-saturated and then you kinda lose quality control. I’d rather not do a show than show some designer I didn’t really feel.

What was the selection criteria for the Lulu & Co. range?
Some were about me knowing immediately. Like this Jonathan Saunders dress, when I saw it at the show I just welled up. Then with Henry Holland we kinda sat around going ‘ooh they’re all so much fun and young…but let’s produce something that you can’t actually get, something I saw on the runway that never made it into stores.’ Louise Gray’s stripey (four of which were made) dress was another.

It appeals to different people’s tastes, body sizes and price range. We’re really looking to work with the manufacturers so we can get those prices down.

Thanks again for a your time and for speaking with Fashionista
I LOVE Fashionista, a great site…it’s got balls!

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Last Night’s Party: Taylor Momsen Flashed Her Tits While Performing at Don Hill’s; Stoned Models Didn’t Notice

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 11:30 AM PDT

Paper Magazine and Express threw a party last night at fashion hot spot du jour Don Hill’s to celebrate the wrap of the brand’s Spring 2011 spring campaign and runway show. Never mind how Paper and Express make sense together (they don’t really)–Taylor Momsen’s band, “The Pretty Reckless,” performed. So we had to go.

The expectations for Momsen were high: She recently told Revolver that she likes a good sex tape but “wouldn’t fuck Tommy Lee,” so we were counting on her to do something obscene. And she didn’t disappoint. During “Make Me Wanna Die,” she caressed herself and then pulled down her low-cut shredded rock concert tee down to flash the audience. Don’t worry, her nipples were covered by duct tape x-es (it might have been electrical tape–either way, ouch). Which also means this was a premeditated move. Unless Tay just walks around with duct tape x-es over her nipples, which, considering her proclivity for stripper-wear, is entirely possible. Either way, I was a bit taken aback. I know she’s trying to be super punk rock right now but she is only 17. The models however, the ones who walked in the Express show earlier (including Jessica Hart, Eniko Mihalik, and Erin Heatherton), were completely unfazed. Probably because they’re all the around the same age as Momsen, have to get naked a lot for their work, and mostly because the handful crowded in front of us (we’re not sure which ones) were too busy smoking a joint.

Here’s the thing, though: Momsen’s performance was awesome. She has a fantastic voice, one that she’s completely in control of and that sounds like it belongs to a much older person, and she’s got great stage presence, despite (or because of?) her sexual precocity. She tossed around her wayyy too long blond extensions like she’d been doing it for years. Ditto the way she shot one arm straight up over her head whenever she belted out the high drama sections of her set. So hate all you want but I’m admitting it– kind of a fan of Momsen and The Pretty Reckless.

**All photos from MTV News and HollywoodLife.com

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Would You Rather…? The ‘Team Zoe of One Mind’ Edition

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 11:00 AM PDT

Rumors are surfacing that Brad Goreski’s departure from Team Zoe happened far earlier than the Oct. 1 date announced to the public.

Brad’s solo styled shoot for October’s Harper’s Bazaar offers some proof to this, as does the fact that both Brad and Rachel styled the same Stella McCartney striped look for separate shoots. Rachel styled Ginta Lapina in this striped Stella dress for LOVE #4 which debuted in late August, so either Brad knew of Rachel’s styling choice, or he had already left Rachel when she did the LOVE shoot….

Either way, Rachel’s influence on her ducklings is obvious.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Pierre Hardy X Gap Release Date Changed, Again, to October 25

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 10:49 AM PDT

It looks like logos aren’t the only thing Gap can’t make up their mind about. First, they reported that only the black suede lace-up wedges would be produced and would go on sale October 19. Then, we were told that the release would be postponed to October 28.

Today, in what we’re hoping is the final word in the Pierre Hardy X Gap conundrum, Gap announced in a press release that both the Pierre Hardy black suede wedges and Gap brand brown leather lace up ankle boots will be sold–three days earlier than last reported. The shoes will hit select New York, Chicago and Houston stores on Monday, October 25th and The Grove in L.A. and the Flood building in San Francisco on the 28th.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Vanessa Bruno Storms Los Angeles with Erin Wasson, Rosario Dawson, and the 90210 Girls

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 10:30 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES–Last night's soiree at Vanessa Bruno's first US boutique in Los Angeles brought some serious Parisian flair to Melrose Ave. The white, minimalist space provided a fresh backdrop to the bright florals and neons of the spring 2011 collection, which Bruno described as channeling an "urban, tropical spirit.” As for choosing a location for her stateside flagship, Bruno told us, "I love the spirit of LA, the laid back girls, everything about it. The first place I wanted to be was in LA."

Splashed across one wall, a giant blue and neon yellow mural-in-progress (by French artist Cyprien Chabret) mimicked the colorful clothes and accessories on display. Adding to the carefree, youthful atmosphere were models in breezy silk dresses and bold florals perched atop swings the entire night. Not a bad gig, if you ask us. Throughout the evening, some seriously stylish Angelenos came out in support of the French designer. Among the fashion lovers, we spotted Erin Wasson, Rosario Dawson, Minnie Driver, Leslie Mann, Atlanta De Cadenet, and 90210's Shenae Grimes and Jessica Stroup.

Needless to say, we have a feeling that the store will be getting a lot of love in the months to come.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Fashion News Roundup: Jody Quon Out at W, Kaiser to Address CFDA, and Kim Kardashian Says No to Diamonds

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 09:45 AM PDT

Who, What, Why? Jody Quon, W‘s creative director of only five months, has abruptly resigned from the magazine. “It was a mutual decision and her position won’t be filled,” a W spokesperson told The Daily. Stefano Tonchi, who hired Jody in April, seemed very excited about her work on their first issue, so the departure is pretty surprising to us. Could it have had something to do with naked Kardashian fallout? {Daily Front Row}

These Tights Will Tone Your Ass: You’ve heard of shoes that promise to give you a better ass while you go about your day: There are FitFlops, MBT shoes, and Reebok’s EasyTones to name a few. Now there are tights that promise to do the same and more. Shapewear brand ShaToBu–that stands for the “tummy SHAping, muscle TOning, calorie BUrning workout you wear”–cite independent studies conducted by the University of Virginia to show that ladies who wear ShaToBu (agh that name!) “burn UP TO 12% MORE calories during daily activities like walking or climbing stairs.” Just by walking guys. Imagine that. {She Finds}

Befriending Burberry: Burberry recently reached 2 million Facebook followers–pretty impressive, as it took a year for them to gain one million users and only six months to double that. Perhaps they’ll reach four million by January? {Burberry’s Facebook}

Keynote Karl: Karl Lagerfeld will land in New York for the second time this fall, this time for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund gala. He’s been tapped as the event’s keynote speaker. The gala will take place on November 15 at Skylight Studios. {WWD}

New Media: The London College of Fashion is pioneering a new degree to keep up with this ever-changing industry–specifically, the rapidly increasing importance of new technologies. “MA Fashion Media and Production encourages students to embrace new digital formats, providing training on how to interpret fashion in its many different formats, from film and podcasts to traditional practices, including print journalism and photography.” {Vogue UK}

Terry and Christina: Good old Terry Richardson’s blog has some fun new updates. There’s a post of him with Christina Hendricks and her Harper’s Bazaar spread, in which there is no mention of the spread’s striking similarity to Crystal Renn’s shoot. There’s also a shot of Azzedine Alaïa cooking steak. {Terry Richardson’s Diary}

Model-Turned-Actress: In her second acting gig, Natalia Vodianova will play leading lady in a new film version of Albert Cohen’s 1968 novel Belle du Seigneur. She’ll play opposite Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and the two very attractive people will begin filming in Geneva this month. {Vogue UK}

Diamonds Aren’t Kim’s Best Friend: A recently 30-year-old Kim Kardashian was so not excited to hear that Manhattan restaurateur Nino Selimaj made her a $1 million diamond-encrusted cake as a birthday surprise. She refused to accept the extravagant dessert to the dismay of GLO Night Club’s Danielle Orsino, who said, “It’s a shame that she couldn’t just enjoy it for what it is, a record-breaking diamond-encrusted cake gifted her, a lover of diamonds.” {Radar Online}