LV EXOTIC LEATHER NEVERFULL MM HANDBAG REVIEW| LOUIS VUITTON HANDBAGS

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Eat, Pray, Love, Shop: Julia Roberts Film Inspires Urge to Spend

Javier Bardem and Julia Roberts star in 'Eat Pray Love,' based on the best-selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert.

A sneak preview of Eat Pray Love at an event celebrating the vendors partnered with the film had us salivating over the abundant food, exotic locations and sensuous romance in the screen adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir about her travels of self-discovery to Italy, India and Bali, Indonesia. The lush beauty of each locale leaps right off the screen — and makes us want to book a trip to all three!

Adapting the popular book posed many challenges, from the script to logistical ones involving huge location moves, weather concerns and small armies of translators. First, “You don’t want to take out things. You want to honor the readers,” notes producer Dede Gardner. The 3½-month shoot “was very precisely timed for weather reasons because we were heading into the rainy season.” Filming in the order of Gilbert’s actual journey fortuitously resulted in perfect weather and “really served the character,” she adds.

It also made sense for Julia Roberts, who portrays Gilbert in the movie. She gained 10 pounds eating her way through Rome, “and then went to India and lost the weight, which is what happened to Liz Gilbert,” points out director and co-screenwriter Ryan Murphy. “There’s a scene where Julia struggles to button jeans that I think every woman in the world has gone through.” Later, in India, Roberts wears a more figure-forgiving sari, one of her favorite outfits, according to Murphy.“Not since Scarlett O’Hara has there been a woman who has more costume changes,” he says.

Anticipating a craving from captivated audiences for Roberts’ wardrobe and other things Italian, Indian and Balinese, Sony Pictures teamed up with a raft of vendors for collections of items inspired by the movie, including scents from Fresh, jewelry from Dogeared, teas from The Republic of Tea, sweepstakes travel packages from STA Travel, and everything from Indonesian batik fans to Indian incense from Cost Plus World Market.

HSN.com is currently selling merchandise inspired by the film, and fashion designer Sue Wong has issued a limited-edition collection of embellished silk georgette pieces in the $165–$450 range, available at Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue stores. “It’s sexy, it’s fluid, and it has a cocoon wrap that’s a great coverup,” says Wong.

For her part, Gardner hopes that audiences come away from Eat Pray Love appreciating the value of travel and, for women especially, “the value of going outside your comfort zone and doing what you want to do even if it’s unpopular, or hard or scary.”

For more inspiring female-focused media, check out “A Celebration of Second Acts” in the July/August issue of VIVmag. And tell us: Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?

Shape Up! Brow Power Makes Perfecting Your Arches Easier

Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil can match any brow shade and encourages brow growth from damaged follicles.

We often find ourselves wishing we could pull off dramatic, full eyebrows the way stars like Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek do. But over the years we’ve plucked and waxed our brows (losing some brow hair along the way), and can’t seem to get that glamorous look just right.

To help women like us create the perfect brow, IT Cosmetics just launched the Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil ($24), which works with all brow colors and encourages regrowth of eyebrows after overplucking. According to IT Cosmetics co-founder Jamie Kern, many women overpluck their eyebrows, which can damage hair follicles and leave them with sparse spots. In addition, eyebrows tend to thin out as we get older. Some of the ingredients in Brow Power, such as green-tea and grape-seed extracts and horsetail flower, work to restore damaged follicles, while scientific studies link other ingredients (like biotin, panthenol, and vitamins A, C and E) to hair growth. This combination is designed to stimulate circulation and to reduce inflammation, creating optimal conditions for follicle health.

The pencil’s oval shape allows you to make a thick line or a thin line, depending on the shape you want. Using lighter, softer strokes produces a light color for fairer brow shades, while pressing harder yields a darker shade. The pencil is waterproof, sweatproof and smudge-resistant. We used Brow Power right before a hot summer night out and our brows held their shape despite the sticky heat.

For every Brow Power pencil sold, one is donated to the Look Good…Feel Better program, which helps women cope with the cosmetic effects of cancer treatment by offering workshops where volunteer beauty professionals provide a skin-care and makeup application lesson and discuss options for dealing with hair loss. The product has been approved by the American Cancer Society chemists as safe for ultrasensitive skin.

Considering that designers such as Yigal Azrouël, Narciso Rodriguez, Christian Siriano and Thakoon all opted for their models’ brows to be ultrafull when displaying their collections during fall Fashion Week, it might be a perfect time to give brows a boost.

Do you have any tips for maintaining perfect brows? Share them with us!

Drink in the Last Days of Summer: Enjoy National Lemonade Day

August 20 is National Lemonade Day.

We think mixing a tall pitcher of lemonade or stopping by a young entrepreneur’s stand is integral to an idyllic summer — on par with outdoor festivals, beach trips and porch swings. Varying legends place the origins of the popular beverage in 14th century Egypt as well as 17th century France, but stateside we can celebrate with National Lemonade Day on Aug. 20.

The date is supposed to coincide with the day it was introduced in Paris in 1630. Pink lemonade has an even more uncertain — but appropriately colorful — past. While some say the beverage originated with Native Americans, who used crushed red sumac berries in beverages, others say Henry E. Allot, a turn-of-the-century circus traveler, accidentally created the drink when he dropped red cinnamon candies into a tub of regular lemonade. Another story says that Pete Conklin created the first batch in 1857 when he ran out of water for his circus lemonade stand, then hastily refilled with water from a laundry tub where a horseback rider had previously washed her red tights.

Today, there are plenty of lemonade variations that don’t call for old laundry water. Santa Cruz Organic, which makes USDA-certified organic lemonade — including strawberry, mango and raspberry flavors — suggests creating a fizzy French-style drink by mixing one-part sparkling water to three parts lemonade. For cool melon flavor, Santa Cruz recommends pureeing watermelon, then freezing into cubes and adding to its bottled lemonade. For a twist — no pun intended — add a hint of lime. Or make basil simple syrup and add to taste; we found this recipe on eHow. For an herbal version lower in sugar, add a few springs of basil or rosemary.

Following is a recipe for classic lemonade from Sunkist, which also offers alternatives like orange lemonade, lemon-melonade and gingered fresh lemonade. Though a lemon wheel is suggested, the Sunkist website also offers distinctive garnish ideas, such as citrus shells and lemon boats.

Fresh Lemonade

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

¾ cup sugar

4 cups water

1 lemon, unpeeled, cut into wheels for garnish

Ice cubes

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice and sugar; stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the remaining ingredients and blend well.

Serves 6.

NUTRITION SCORE (per serving)

108 calories

0% fat

Fat 0 g

Carbs 29 g

Protein 0.2 g

Fiber 0.2 g

Calcium 3 mg

Iron 0 mg

Sodium 0.7 mg

We think mixing up a batch of lemonade is a must for the end of summer. Plus, it’s packed with vitamin C and healthier than many other offerings you might find at a local festival or state fair, such as the Krispy Kreme cheeseburger. What summertime fare do you plan to enjoy as the season winds down?

Photo credit: Courtesy Sunkist

Liz Claiborne’s rise and fall, Zero waste design, Bigging up bloggers, Fashion’s arty side, The Missoni dynasty

Liz Claiborne | Source: Archive

Targeting Younger Buyers, Liz Claiborne Hits Snag (WSJ)

“In an effort to attract a younger audience, Mr. McComb decided to focus on the company’s contemporary brands with the most potential… But he made a series of strategic blunders… The decision to realign the company’s portfolio ‘was a disaster waiting to happen’.”

Fashion Tries on Zero Waste Design (NY Times)

“Zero-waste design strives to create clothing patterns that leave not so much as a scrap of fabric on the cutting room floor. This is not some wacky avant-garde exercise; it’s a way to eliminate millions of tons of garbage a year.”

The Rise of The Blogger (Footwear News)

“Industry players said blogs have gained clout and relevance because they can post information about a company or show its product much faster than traditional media… The blogs also serve as marketing tools that can go beyond conventional advertising.”

Fashion Gets a Deserved Night Out (WSJ)

“Though the evening is devoted to commerce, it is balanced with an artistic side. A glance at the event’s website, Fashionsnightout.com, which launches Monday, reveals that brands across the spectrum… are exploring the interplay between fashion and the arts.”

Missoni: a family always in fashion (Guardian)

The Missonis have survived the years intact, with no scandals, shootings or skeletons falling out of the cupboard. And they remain in control, having resisted buyouts… As Angela says: ‘… To my mother that was the most important achievement. Family harmony was always her goal.’”

Chanel growing old, Chinese spending power, Macy’s posts gains, The laws of fashion, Angela Ahrendts cashes in

Chanel Ad Autumn/Winter 2010 | Source: 829

Chanel’s luxury dream is turning to dust (Marketing Week)

“According to the company’s 2010 estimates… [Chanel] lost 11% of its brand value over the past 12 months. It’s a rare glimpse into the actual state of Chanel’s brand health.”

Chinese spending power underestimated, study says (Market Watch)

“Chinese households have far more money than previously thought… property companies and even European luxury goods makers could be about to benefit from the rise of these deep-pocketed consumers.”

Macy’s gains market share, sees better sales (Reuters)

“Macy’s Inc quarterly results showed the department store operator boosted sales and gained market share without relying as much on discounts as its rivals to get shoppers into stores.”

Laws Of Fashion (Vogue.com)

“The Institute of Fashion Law has been set up by Fordham University Law professor Susan Scafidi in partnership with the CFDA, to provide help and support to designers in need of legal aid.”

Burberry chief Angela Ahrendts takes profits on 400,000 shares (Telegraph)

“The chief executive of Burberry has raised about £3.4m by selling almost 400,000 shares in the luxury goods retailer… Of the amount that Ms. Ahrendts raised, about £814,000 was used to cover tax liabilities, the company said.”

Mango for JC Penny, Lanvin’s wonderland, Hats comeback, American Apparel’s losses, Business mentors

Scarlett Johansson for MNG at J.C. Penney | Source: Nitrolicious

Penney Weaves New Fast-Fashion Line (WSJ)

“J.C. Penney Co. is going to try running with a faster crowd. [Unveiling] an unconventional collaboration with Mango, the closely-held Barcelona chain known for whipping up cutting edge looks that go from design studio to store shelves in as little as four weeks.”

Societies May Fall, but Prices Do Not (NY Times)

“What surprises most when entering Lanvin’s new three-floor shop on Madison Avenue is how packed with merchandise it is, and how intime it feels. At barely a month old, it already evokes a feeling of having been lived in.”

Discovering Hats (WSJ)

“Gap and J. Crew say they have witnessed strong hat sales this spring and summer while department stores like Barneys New York have been expanding their assortments after years of general indifference to hats.”

American Apparel warns of likely sales drop, loss (LA Times)

“Troubled clothing firm American Apparel Inc. said Tuesday that its second-quarter sales probably fell compared with a year earlier and that it expected to report a loss.”

Things my mentor taught me (FT)

“Starting a business can be lonely and prone to failure – which is why many entrepreneurs take advice from those who have done it before. Five business founders speak about the people whose advice they valued.”

China’s top bloggers, Frugality in fashion, The enduring espadrille, Battle brewing for NYFW, Smith’s new virtues

Street style featured on stylites.net | Source: Stylites

China’s Fashion Bloggers: Five to Watch (Jing Daily)

“In the US and the UK, fashion bloggers have long been considered ahead-of-the-curve influencers… With China’s growing appetite for luxury, there’s room for China’s fashion bloggers to gain industry traction as well.”

Frugality in Fashion Amid Economic Slump (WWD)

“Never before has it been so chic to be cheap. And the looming threat of a double-dip recession means consumers aren’t about to abandon that mind-set anytime soon, according to industry observers.”

All Hail the Humble Espadrille! (IHT)

“Today, the Castañer factory, founded in 1927, creates luxury, high-heeled espadrilles for 15 designer labels… one of several family-run Spanish shoemakers who are capitalizing on traditional craftsmanship to carve an international niche.”

Ugly Battle Brewing Over Fashion Week (WSJ)

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week could be burdened by a decidedly inelegant accessory during its inaugural run at Lincoln Center: a picket line… the union will hold an emergency board meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss its options..”

Vice Magazine’s Shane Smith Grows Up (Just Enough) (NY Times)

“To hard-partying urban readers, he is a voice of a generation of too-cool D.J.’s and artists who wear rolled selvedge jeans and chunky glasses. But he is also a conduit for corporate America to reach that elusive audience.”

Betting on E-commerce, Painting Pringle, Sak’s Sadove sits down, Bar code check-in, Saboteur’s geek chic

Handmade apparel on Etsy by Qinliumei | Source: Etsy

Why e-commerce IPOs will soon be the smarter buy (Venture Beat)

“In Silicon Valley, market-watchers are looking to digital media in its many forms — social networks, tablet apps, user-generated content — to revive the IPO market… But there’s a smarter bet for investors: e-commerce.”

Pringle of Scotland: painting by jumpers (Telegraph)

“To celebrate Pringle’s 195th birthday, it has partnered with the Serpentine Gallery in London… Together they have invited a group of Scottish artists to lend their aesthetic to reinterpreting the twinset and the Argyle pattern.”

Saks’s Sadove Interview on Luxury Retail Sales (Bloomberg)

“Stephen Sadove, chief executive officer of Saks, talks about the retailer’s sales strategy and the luxury goods market. He speaks with Pimm Fox on Bloomberg Television’s ‘Taking Stock.’”

Sequins, Fur and Bar Codes (WSJ)

“The hottest accessory at New York fashion week this year may be a bar code… The new check-in technology, though common in other industries and even a few individual fashion shows, hasn’t been used in other major fashion weeks in Milan or Paris.”

Designer Hopes to Bring Chic to Geeks (NY Times)

“Internet entrepreneurs are not known for their keen fashion sense… Which is why Kristen Slowe, a product developer and fashion designer, is hoping to cater to geeks who want to dress a little bit sleeker with an online clothing line called Saboteur.”

BoF Daily Digest | Profiling value retailers, Selfridges and D&G fall out, Men’s suits’ sweet spot, Sales up at Gap, Street style e-commerce

H&M Autumn/Winter 2010 Looks | Source: Style Pantry

Profiling the Value Retailers (WWD)

“Stores, like people, have personalities. Whether that personality determines the customer, or the customer the personality, is one of those chicken versus egg questions that’s a matter of perennial debate (well, at least among retail nerds).”

Selfridges and Dolce & Gabbana in ‘giant falling out’ (Telegraph)

“From next spring, the chain’s department stores will not offer the premium label or its D&G line. There were claims the retailer and the designer parted on bad terms after Selfridges proposed a change to the lines’ in-store positions.”

Men’s Suits Under $500: The New Magic Price Point (WWD)

“There’s a new sweet spot in the men’s suit market. With their popularity bolstered by the lingering recession, branded and private label offerings hovering in the $500 retail range are continuing to gain traction.”

Gap profit beats as sales edge up (Reuters)

“Yet, despite improvements in many lines of business, same-store sales at Gap’s namesake stores in North America, which account for about a quarter of overall sales, continued to slip, falling 4 percent.”

A Paris House and a Playful Street Link (NY Times)

“We’ll see more sites that essentially serve as a bridge between street style and e-commerce… customers want styling tips — and buyers are picking up ideas from visual blogs and user-generated sites that help them present trends.”

Ten Questions For Project Runway

1) Do you think Philip Treacy ever throws a diva fit and just hollers and screams at everyone? His reserve is impressive.

2) Did Ivy say she was inspired by hospital curtains?

3) The upside down rose hat didn’t work with Heidi’s mom-shag, did it? At least now we know why she was wearing it a few months ago.

4) Did anyone else wrongly assume that Christopher’s dark taffeta would be in the top 3 and Michael C’s boring “goddess of the sea” dress would be panned? I no longer trust my own taste. I may have been watching this show for too long…

5) …although can I feel slightly vindicated that Philip Treacy also hated–even though the other judges loved it–Valerie’s dress and that hideous white shrug?

6) What is the Tim Gunn word of the week, you ask? It was not his most loquacious week, though you may use “precipice” if you’d like.

7) Why didn’t the judges appreciate April’s triple panty diaper look? Designer diapers are all the rage now, of course.

8) Did Kristin’s orchid hat-inspired dress have hot pink Kleenex coming out of the bustline?

9) At least Mondo is still keeping it real, yes? The model in moustache. The comment: “There are a million trillion fabrics and they all have voices.”

10) When is Casanova going home? I’m ready to take out a restraining order. He is creepy.

Is Ann Taylor’s “J.Crew” Strategy Paying Off?

Over the last two years, Ann Taylor has made a noticeable effort to bring its apparel and accessories offerings out of the naughts and into the new, uber-fashion-conscious decade.

In fact, many industry insiders we’ve spoken to about AT’s reformation have noted: “They’re trying be J.Crew.” Evidence of this marketing scheme can be found in the retailer’s newfound preppy-meets-glam aesthetic. The company also recently inked a deal with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund to host a runway show in Los Angeles this October.

Well, whether or not Ann Taylor has taken a page from J.Crew’s playbook doesn’t really seem to matter today. The New York-based retailer reported a very successful second quarter, with overall sales increasing by 2.8% to $483.5 million (when compared with the same quarter in 2009).

Comparable store sales–or sales in stores that have been open for at least one year–were up 6.1%, compared to a 22.4% decline last year. And e-commerce was up 28.5%.

Overall sales for the first half of 2010 were $959.7 million, up almost 7% from 2009.

While these numbers aren’t mind-boggling, they are an improvement. It looks like Ann Taylor’s strategy might be working. For now, at least.

Fashion News Roundup: Betsey Helps You Get Your Eyebrows In Line, D&G Has A Lover’s Spat With Selfridges, & Madonna Can’t Get A Break

The Big Tweeze: Tweezing: we do it to look good, but we rarely look good while doing it (just watch the faces you make in the mirror next time you start plucking). Until now, that is–Betsey Johnson, in yet another somewhat strange collaboration, will release her line of designer tweezers for Tweezerman starting September 1. {Bella Sugar}

Dolce Dispute: Dolce & Gabbana and Selfridges have come to an allegedly mutual agreement to stop their partnership, come next spring. While neither party has pointed fingers, we can’t help but look on this with the same skepticism we have when couples “mutually” split–c’mon, guys. One way or another, somebody’s getting dumped. {Vogue UK}

Causing A Commotion: A Los Angeles clothing company is suing Madonna in regards to her new clothing line for Macy’s, claiming that they have been using the name “Material Girl” for years. Wait, who’s ripping off whom? Didn’t Madonna invent that phrase? Yeesh. {TMZ}

Chrissie Hynde is Still the Coolest: She’s currently collaborating with her ex-boyfriend, who is half her age, on both an album and a fashion collection. We wish we could handle something like that. {WWD}

The Aisle New York Gives Brides What They Really Want, Offers Fashionista Readers Instant Membership

As I’ve mentioned before, finding a wedding dress, a wedding veil, wedding shoes, what-have-you, are not easy tasks to accomplish. There is a ton of product, plenty of ugly product, and not really many places–stores, magazines, or websites–that offer trustworthy suggestions.

That’s all about to change with The Aisle New York, a members-only website, set to launch the first week in October, that aims to offer brides-to-be a place to shop for everything, get ideas, and just enjoy the whole pre-wedding experience.

Yesterday, I met with site’s co-presidents, WWD and W vet David Yassky and former corporate lawyer Shara Levy. Essentially, the duo–along with renown bridal boutique owner Mark Ingram (who serves as chief merchandising officer) and former Vera Wang creative director Deborah Moses (who serves at chief creative officer)–have built an online world for brides interested in more than cupcake dresses and tiaras. (Although there will be some of that, of course. It’ll just be well-edited.)

With the decline in high-end bridal boutiques–Saks got rid of all but two in the last couple of years–many brides just don’t have access to the Oscars, Veras, and Moniques of the world. They end up spending a ton of money coming to New York for a weekend of trying on dresses. Personally, I’d rather put that $2,000 or however much the trip costs towards a dress.

What’s more, there are a ton of niche bridal dress and accessory designers, as well as milliners, that most of us have never even heard of. Yassky, who spent years covering the market for WWD and Ingram, who’s been running a successful bridal boutique in Manhattan for years, know those designers. Which means we’ll be introduced to many under-the-radar hat makers and bridal experts, whether it’s through sales or the site’s editorial section.

The best news? Everything is discounted! The pieces are usually a season or two behind, and most are discounted by 50%. And it’s flash sales, which you’re surely familiar with. Each item will remain on the site for 72 hours. Along with the aforementioned designers, The Aisle New York will initially feature Angel Sanchez, Marchesa, Lela Rose, Reem Acra, Alberta Ferretti, Elizabeth Filmore, Jenny Packham…the list goes on.

And maybe even more important: There’s a great return policy! If you’ve tried on a dress before and you know that it fits, you don’t need to worry. But if you haven’t, you can purchase dress insurance for around $200. The insurance allows you to receive a full refund on the dress, and includes return shipping, etc. (Most sites that sell high-end bridal gowns, particularly at discount, only offer store credit on returns. Which, if you’re spending several thousand dollars on a dress, is pretty insane.)

The Aisle New York is offering automatic membership to Fashionista readers, so click here to sign up. And please, enjoy this experience! It’s supposed to be fun.

Amanda Loves L.A., Cake Batter Ice Cream, And Twirling

Name: Amanda

Age: 24

Occupation: Model

What is your favorite country that you’ve visited? Samoa

What is your favorite dessert? Ooh that’s a hard one, I love all desserts! I love cake batter ice cream.

What is your current favorite song? “Love Lost” by The Temper Trap

Where are you from originally? Upstate New York



If you were to get a tattoo today, what would it be? A black outline of California, with a red heart over LA [home of her boyfriend].

Where is your dress from? M Frederick in LA

How about your jewelry? My necklace is from Torvata and the bracelets are an assortment from Bali and Uganda.

**All photos by Ashley Jahncke

Racked Dealfeed: Barneys, Temperley London & More

Temperley London

Deal: Up to 70% off past merchandise. Be sure to friend the label on Facebook—Temperley London Facebook fans get an additional 10% off sale prices!

When/Where: Friday, August 20 through Sunday, Aug. 22. Fri 9:30am—7pm, Sat 10am—7pm, Sun noon—6pm. 453 Broome St at Mercer St, second floor (212-219-2929), New York

Barneys Warehouse Sale

Deal: 50% to 75% off designer clothing, shoes, and accessories, plus housewares

When/Where: Thursday, August 19 through Monday, September 6. Thurs August 19—Fri August 20 8am—9pm, Sat—Sun 10am—7pm, Mon—Fri 10am—9pm, Mon September 6 10am—7pm. 255 W. 17th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-450-8400), New York

Saks Fifth Avenue

Deal: Extra 25% off already reduced prices on merchandise from Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Ann Demeulemeester and more

Where/When: Online through August 23



Karmaloop

Deal: Enter code VAULT15 at checkout to save 15% off your order

When: Ends August 23, 2010

Crystal Renn On Her New Chanel Campaign, That Whole Retouching Scandal and Acting: “I’m Absolutely Freaking Out”

Perennial model-in-the-spotlight Crystal Renn stars in Chanel’s newest campaign for the reopening of the brand’s SoHo store, and we got her reaction to the campaign just minutes after she had seen it herself.

“I’m absolutely freaking out,” she told us. “Working with Chanel has been my dream forever. As long as I’ve been working as a model I’ve been thinking about Chanel and working towards Chanel and this campaign is the proudest moment of my life.”

While Renn’s most recent campaigns (including that notorious retouched shoot for nonprofit Passion For Fashion) have brought attention to the so-called “plus size” model’s shifting body size, her latest print work for Chanel focuses on the model’s gorgeous face while a sultry Baptiste Giabiconi reclines topless in the background.

Renn believes her latest coup speaks to positive changes in the industry.



“I think the fashion industry is changing and is more open to a new ideal,” says Renn. “It’s about a personality and a moment captured..it’s not about body size it’s about talent and effort…I hope the industry sees this [campaign] as an example of that.”

As for that retouching scandal that landed her on the Today show? “Retouching happens,” says Renn. “It’s happened to other actresses and models and a lot of times models won’t come forward and they’re even relieved to be retouched. Don’t get me wrong, I love retouching but I”m very proud of my body and to portray me as a size zero or a two when I’m a ten, that’s inaccurate and I was concerned with how people who look up to me would see those ads.”

But she’s moved on. This is the second time Renn has worked with Lagerfeld (she walked in his 2011 resort show in Saint Tropez), and she sees no reason why the partnership won’t continue.

“Karl is a genius,” Renn says. “He’s a Virgo so we’re compatible and we got on really well.”

For the campaign, which was shot in a studio in Paris a few months ago, Lagerfeld asked Renn and Giabiconi to envision themselves as lovers in a glamorous movie. “He said, ‘You’re not a model right now, you’re an actress,’…the only difference between modeling and acting is that models have one second to tell a story and actresses have two hours.”

And acting as if Giabiconi was her lover was, shockingly, not so hard to do. “He is the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen hands down,” Renn gushes. “I remember being on set and trying not to stare but staring at him methodically nonetheless to try to figure out how perfection in a male looks. It’s insane when you look at him. ”

So, we had to ask, is the next step for Renn acting?

“I haven’t been actively seeking acting roles but if the right opportunity came up, absolutely,” says Renn. The right part for Renn would be something dark and intense and challenging–no RoCo’s for this chick. We’d shell out $12 to see her on the big screen.

Something For The Boys: Rebecca Minkoff Dishes On The Man Bags You’ll Want To Steal

Rebecca Minkoff stole out hearts years ago with the so-called Morning After Bag (MAB, for short), and now she’s out to steal our men–or the spot on their arms, at least–with the introduction of Ben Minkoff. Inspired by her grandfather, a World War II fighter pilot, the collection-for-guys promises all the rugged durability and old-school details we love…and, with any luck, the cool factor required to make your significant other spring for a new look. We won’t tell if you want to take one for a spin, either.

Fashionista: Many times, designers going from catering to women to targeting men will just add chunkier hardware and adopt a more rugged design. But your products tend to be hardware-heavy and durable to begin with. Was it difficult to really make this line stand out and feel more masculine?

Rebecca Minkoff: With the Ben Minkoff collection, it was important to take a step back from our female customer and think about what men are really looking for in terms of functionality of a man bag. We did include similar brass hardware that we use in the women’s collection because I love the aged look. And it’s not super shiny, which gives the bags that vintage feel. I believe in the little details that make things unique, whether it’s a bag for a man or a woman.

The Ben Minkoff line is visibly inspired by the 1940s. Where specifically did these bags come from? Does each one cater to a slightly different person?

The spring 2011 collection was inspired by the bags the Air Force used during the ’40s and were based off of the three classic bags–the map, mail and motorcycle.

Who do you imagine are the men who will use these bags? Can you describe your dream client?

We pictured a west coaster-meets-urban kind of guy who would look at the bags and see classic, functional, but stylish pieces. My dream client is simply a cool guy looking for versatile pieces with a timeless feel. We’ve even had an incredible response from our female customers who wanted a more masculine bag!

How cohesive does this line feel in terms of your past work? Did it feel like a very different direction for you when designing it?

Designing Ben Minkoff was a natural next step for me as it’s a great way to grow the Rebecca Minkoff brand into more of a lifestyle brand. We had an abundance of requests to create a men’s line and felt it was the right time to introduce the collection to our customers.

What are you inspired by lately? What influences can we expect to see in your next line?

I get a lot of inspiration from vintage pieces and traveling. Being absorbed in history and other cultures is pretty inspiring. Before I set out to design a collection, I typically put together a mood board with a mix of vintage designs, beautiful photography, sketches and mementos I’ve picked up from my travels.

The line will be available this spring at BenMinkoff.com.

Paging Gertrude Stein: Kiki de Montparnasse To Host “Intimacy” Salons this Fall

So it’s not 27 Rue de Fleurus, but this fall 79 Greene St. will be hosting a series of intimate salons, inspired by cultural gatherings like the ones Gertrude Stein hosted at that famous address.

Kiki de Montparnasse’s SoHo store will host four salons lead by the mysterious “Domina K” to school attendees in the art of love: partner play (open to couples), celebrating the sensual self (women only), the art of seduction (men only), and bedroom games (couples).

Guests will learn “sensual techniques,” learn about different “instruments of pleasure,” and “explore fantasies with joy and abandon,” while sipping on champagne and eating from a buffet of aphrodisiacs.



So if you’re looking to jump start your love life, try the salon. You might not see Picasso there but it still sounds like a good time. Each salon costs $65. Click here to RSVP.

Historic Meets Handmade: The Best Vintage Shops On Etsy

Vintage shopping is an exhausting (yet rewarding!) indulgence for even the most fashion-forward folks. But what if you want a sweet retro find and don’t have time to explore racks upon racks of cast-offs? Well, thanks to everyone’s favorite handmade-and-more source Etsy, the soreness that was once synonymous with vintage shopping is no more. Here, we round up our top five vintage curators on Etsy. The best part? You won’t leave smelling like Grandma.