BoF Daily Digest | Reinventing Savile Row, Luxe boom to slow, Marc Jacobs’ chinoiserie, Elite buyer reviews, Boys to men

Saville Row Street Sign | Source: Comcast

Reinventing Savile Row (WWD)

“Faced with constant pressure from the bottom end of the market, such as low-cost operations that claim to offer ‘bespoke’ goods… and the top end, in the form of slick designer labels… Savile Row’s tailors had a choice —evolve or go extinct.”

Luxury goods boom set to falter (FT)

“The US and Asia have been behind an unexpectedly strong recovery in luxury spending this year but sales are expected to slow in 2011… partly due to the dollar continuing to weaken against the euro and because of the strength of sales in 2010.”

Marc Jacobs’s Chinoiserie: Obsession or Opportunism? (Jing Daily)

“Beyond the playfulness and glam, reviewers clearly picked up on the Asian influence, seeing it as an acknowledgement of the growing industry influence of China and other Asian countries, or perhaps a play for their consumers.”

Luxe Lowdown: Sites Begin to Invite Buyer Reviews (WSJ)

“More than a decade after book and electronics retailers embraced online customer reviews, the most elite stores in the U.S. are opening their websites—and the brands they sell—to the slings and arrows of public opinion.”

From Boys to Men (NY Times)

“It’s also, like comfort food, about the economy…Look back to movies during the Depression, and all you saw was real guys like James Cagney. In tough times, people want a strong man.”

Kate Moss Secretly Got Married This Summer (UPDATE: Maybe Not)

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince, her boyfriend of three years, tied the knot this summer in a secret wedding in Sicily, the Daily Mirror is reporting.

According to British tab, Kate, 36 wed Kills’ guitarist Jamie, 40, in a very low-key but very romantic ceremony on August 7th that culminated in dancing under the trees (“Minutes after tying the knot, the giggling newlyweds were outside the church, dancing under trees,” according to the Mirror’s source). Kate was reportedly barefoot and wore a see-through gown, and her daughter Lila Grace was a ring bearer.

Even though the ceremony was reportedly small with only close friends and family in attendance, after Kate and Jamie got hitched, locals from the town in Sicily joined in on the partying.

More details according to the Mirror’s “source”: “[Kate's] never been one for convention or tradition, but Jamie’s been there for her through thick and thin, and she simply felt the time was right. They planned the day for weeks and were so excited. Kate didn’t want a stuffy, formal do, but something spiritual.”

Kate’s been on a more wholesome tack lately what with her jam making so maybe this marriage thing will stick.

UPDATE: Moss’ camp is denying the wedding took place. According to Vogue UK’s site: “Kate Moss’ agent denied more rumours this morning that the supermodel married her long-term boyfriend Jamie Hince over the summer, confirming that she is not married and that a ‘low-key ceremony in Sicily’ never happened.”

Oh well. That was fun while it lasted.

Katy Perry’s Fragrance Campaign Revealed (And Other Celeb Fragrance News)

Katy Perry is not known for subtlety, so I was not expecting an artsy black and white image for her Purr fragrance campaign. True to her campy form, she is posing as a cat. A pink and lavender, latex-clad, stripper-heeled kitty cat. With a giant pink ball of yarn.

The ad was shot by Miles Aldridge and is meant to complement the design of the Purr bottle which will be shaped like a lavender cat with jeweled eyes and metallic accents. The message here is quite clear. No abstract art for Katy. Meow.

In other celeb fragrance news, Beyonce is releasing her second scent, called Heat Rush, which will hit stores in February 2011. It’s intended to be a less sexy, more daytime-appropriate scent than her original Heat, according to WWD. Beyonce’s first scent was in the top ten of new launches, and she is expected to hit $150 million in retail sales, putting her in the same gilded ballpark as fellow diva-turned-perfumier, Jennifer Lopez.

And finally, news that makes me think ANYONE can launch a scent: Kate Walsh, formerly of Grey’s Anatomy and now the star of Private Practice, has created a fragrance line called Boyfriend. After a break-up about five years ago, she was shopping in men’s fragrances because she missed her guy’s scent. She told WWD she had a revelation: “Wait a minute, you don’t need a boyfriend to have a Boyfriend! Ding ding ding!”

Her five-piece fragrance line will launch on HSN on November 11 at 8pm EST. The bottle was inspired by Chanel bottles (I hope she checked with her lawyers very carefully on that one!) and has the names of former boyfriends printed on it in ghostwriting. That’s more than a little creepy. If that weren’t enough, Terry Richardson shot the print campaign. The ads will feature Kate lolling on a bed wrapped up in a sheet. The print “Boyfriend” and “Wear Him” will accompany the images.

Again I ask: Who buys these fragrances?

Ten Questions For Project Runway

1) In a challenge inspired by New York City, the designers chose the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge? I’m not suggesting the Upper West Side as inspiration, but how cliché.

2) What was the point of the Mandarin Oriental scene? It made me want champagne. There was too much filler on the show this week.

3) Speaking of filler, was that the longest Garnier commercial ever? In the middle of the show?

4) Did Gretchen deliver her most passive aggressive comment to date? “Michael C reminds me of myself five years ago.” What does that mean? When you had more humanity and a sense of humor, Gretchen?

5) Don’t you love that Andy embraces his “just this side of slutty” aesthetic? The “Chinese prostitute strolling through Central Park” image was killing me.

6) Isn’t Christian Siriano cute as a button? I want to carry him around with me. We could do each other’s hair.

7) Did Gretchen’s “not uptown, not downtown…it’s midtown” outfit make anyone else cringe?

8) Really? Was Michael C’s dress that good? Did he really not know what fabric he used? Was he really the first to be chosen to go to Fashion Week? And doesn’t his crying always look fake?

9) Is it bad to say that I’m not that sad to see April’s Stevie-Nicks-in-hot-pants theme go?

10) Sorry, this one is a statement: The best episode of every season is coming up next week. Lots of Tim-isms and uncomfortable family scenes make for thoroughly entertaining television.

Fashion News Roundup: Marriage and Baby Rumors, Anne Hathaway Covers Vogue and Did Theyskens Turn Down ODR?

A Weighty Issue: According to a blind item, some mysterious celebrity is holding off a pregnancy announcement because of her husband’s concern about an eating disorder. The item reads, “While he really, really wants this baby (even more than she does), he is very concerned that she is obsessing about her weight.” Who do you think it is? We have one guess. {Blind Gossip}

But the Brother Says… Meanwhile, yet another “exclusive” with celebrity gossip mag In Touch confirms that Zoe is in fact pregnant (after OK! and Us Weekly confirmed the same thing). This time, the source is Rachel Zoe’s brother-in-law. The supposed parents-to-be are still laying low. {In Touch}

Are they or aren’t they? Earlier today, the Daily Mirror reported that Kate Moss secretly married Jamie Hince in Italy this summer. Now Moss’s agent is denying the rumors. Hmm. {Fashionologie}

Hidden YSL: Here’s how to get your hands on a Japan-imported YSL tote for under $25. {Racked}

Andy Makes It to the Cover: Anne Hathaway does that whole big, elegant, romantic ball gown thing on the cover November Vogue. {The Cut}

So Many Rumors: Was Olivier Theyskens asked to replace an ailing Oscar de la Renta? Rumors are continuing to swirl around the designer’s many impressive job offers. Supposedly, he turned this one down, but again, these are all just rumors. {The Cut}

Bilson’s Stylist: Meet the stylist of Best Dressed regular Rachel Bilson. Nicole Chavez, who also styles Kristen Bell and Scarlett Johansson, says of Bilson, “If she wasn’t an actress, she would be a fashion editor.” {Fabsugar}

Brooklyn Moms Welcome Barneys: You won’t find organic groceries at this new Brooklyn Co-op. Barneys’ newest outpost opened today next to Trader Joe’s on Atlantic Avenue. Co-op staples like Rag & Bone and Richard Chai Love were all there, as was Simon Doonan who helped customers carry strollers down the stairs. {Racked NY}

Labels To Watch: Kain and Strong & Dickerson

Earlier this week, I stopped by a cozy little suite at the Bryant Park Hotel to preview the spring collections of Kain and Strong & Dickerson.

Kain, an LA-based label popular among Hollywood poptarts like Lindsey Lohan and Audrina Patridge, makes perfectly draped worn-in tees. No really, I felt them, and they are the softest pieces of clothing I’ve ever felt.

For spring, Kain is incorporating different fabrics beyond their standard cotton. They played with chiffons and knits, and small details–like a breast pocket or a cuff at the sleeve–made each basic tee a bit more unique.

After swooning over the softness of Kain’s tees, I moved on to Strong & Dickerson. Strong & Dickerson was created by Heidi Kim, who previously designed for Armani and Rock and Republic. Her line is all about affordable, modern wardrobe essentials with a twist. An off-the-shoulder sweater had tight-fitting leather sleeves and sleeveless trench dresses had cut-outs at the back. I also loved these trench-inspired capes in camel that tied at the waist.

Click through for looks from each line.

Weird Contest: Make Like Terry Richardson And Win Your Weight in Art Books

You know those body parts books, published by Taschen? It started with The Big Book of Breasts, which came out in 2006. The cover was, well, a large image of large breasts. The Big Penis Book, Big Book of Legs, and Butt books followed, and I guess people started holding the books over their appropriate body parts and taking photos. Just like Terry Richardson and Benedikt Taschen in this hilarious photo. Thumbs way up guys!

Now Taschen is holding a contest to get rid of inventory. All you have to do is submit a creative jpeg of yourself holding up one of Taschen’s body parts books, and the winner gets their weight in art books. Enter here if you think you can come up with a better pose than Terry. The contest ends November 30th.

First Look: Collina Strada Spring 2011 and Exclusive Collab With Need Supply

We met designer Hillary Taymour four months ago and proclaimed her eco-friendly handbag line Collina Strada a Label to Watch. Seriously, if you’re thinking of jumping on the backpack trend, now is the time do it and Hilary makes the cutest ones.

She told us then that her next collection was going to be “insane” and if by that she meant insanely awesome, she wasn’t lying. Spring 2011 builds upon signature unique pieces that strike a perfect balance of vintage and modern, expanded into bolder shapes and colors. New pieces we love include a cross-body harness, a bike bag and an adorable mini backpack.

Collina Strada also just launched a collaboration with Need Supply, which includes a canvas and leather pouch bag and an amazing cashmere/wool blend backpack. Both are available now at Need Supply Co. in Richmond, VA and NeedSupply.com.

As the lookbook shows, these soft leather and canvas bags look as good on a fashionable nature retreat as they would on the arm of a stylish girl strolling through the city. Take a look.

Street Style: Catherine is Mad Men-Meets-Daria

Name: Catherine

Age: 24

Occupation: Graphic designer

How would you describe your style? Mad Men meets Daria Morgendorffer

What are you listening to? The Drums, My Bloody Valentine, Guided by Voices

What are you going to be for Halloween? Lydia from Beetle Juice

What is your favorite type of candy? Swedish Fish

What is your go to shop? Screaming Mimi’s

What are you wearing? A Levi’s jacket, Barneys shirt, Quail pants and the brooch is from a market in Brooklyn.

**All photos by Ashley Jahncke.

Roger Vivier is Looking for a PR Intern!

Are you a shoe-horse? Then this might be your dream internship. Roger Vivier, the creme de la creme of shoes, needs a PR intern for their New York office.

Responsibilities include:
- Sending and receiving samples
- Logging in and out sample loans
- Organizing samples closet
- Log in new merchandise and take photos
- Scanning credits in newspapers and magazines
- Researching credits online and using Paint program to create clean presentation of each credit
- Updating editorial coverage books
- Helping with Credit Requests from magazines
- Helping with weekly and monthly reports, presentations
- Updating editorial contacts database
- Creating editorial library
- Helping where needed with events

Please send all resumes to: s.hauser@rogervivier.com

16 of the Best Silk Button-Down Blouses

You can’t get much chicer than a silk button-down blouse. Ever since I saw Clémence Poésy in this photo (left), I’ve been on the lookout (and that was at least a couple years ago so it’s been a while). Luckily, there are tons to choose from right now–from classic styles made by Equipment and Elizabeth and James to printed ones by Rachel Comey and Rag & Bone.

Take a look.

Best Dressed: Carey Mulligan, Michell Williams, Selita Ebanks and More

Never Let Me Go stars Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan looked lovely at the film’s European premiere. A platinum-haired Michelle Williams wore a gorgeous Erdem number with leopard print pumps. Caroline Sieber looked chic in Mark Fast. And Selita Ebanks rocked an intense Ferragamo frock.

Kanye West Only Follows 15 People on Twitter and They’re All Models

Kanye West has always been into following models. He dates models. He watches them on the runways during fashion week. He raps about them, shouting out 21 models by name in his new single “Christian Dior Denim Flow.” And now he’s literally following models. On twitter.

West’s popular twitter is followed by 1.4 million people but right now he only follows 15 (he follows two different Alessandra Ambrosio handles). He’s notoriously picky about whom he deigns to follow on twitter, so it’s safe to say his chosen 15 are special people.

They happen to be very tall pretty people, too. They’re all top models that he named in his latest song, “Christian Dior Denim Flow”: Alessandra Ambrosio, Esti Ginzburg, Anna Rubik, Kate Moss, Coco Rocha, Bar Refaeli, Jourdan Dunn, Lara Stone, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Veronica Webb, Doutzen Kroes, Chanel Iman, Selita Ebanks and Jessica Stam.

The NY Post tried to figure out just why West had decided to follow these girls, overlooking the fact that he recently rapped about them, and decided the one thing they all had in common was narcissism, seeing as how they all had tweeted photos of themselves in magazines. Could it be because they’re, uh, models? Seems more like clever promotion to us.

The lyrics to “Christian Dior Flow” which was released just over two weeks ago:
“I’m in my Christian Dior with a Veronica Webb
Noemi Lenoir she know Sessilee Lopez
Arlenis Sosa, Selita Ebanks
If you work with my people, speak that Jourdan Dunn language
Make a phone call, out to Joan Smalls
I wonder how it feel to lower Stones walls
Jessica Gomes, yall, I would damage her
And see, uh Jessica Stam got the stamina
I’m in the car with Leo and the Benz swerve
I heard Bar was friends with Esti Ginzburg
Coco Rocha, Kate Mimosa
Alessandra Ambrosia, Anja Rubik, get Olga
Kurylenko tell her I’m very single
Abbey Lee, too I’m a freak boo
I’m wylin I’m on a thousand
I wanna see Irina Shayk next to Doutzen.”

That’s some serious model love.

Rethinking outlets, Luxury rebound, UK high street crisis, Tommy Hilfiger radio, Shulman on luxury shopping

Nordstrom Rack Union Square | Source: Stylist

Why Luxury Goods Are Scarce at Outlet Malls (Bloomberg)

“You don’t have nearly the quality you had in the recent past and you don’t have the degree of discounts…It’s hard to believe all of these players can operate 50 to 100 outlets successfully. There’s going to be a shakeout.”

Luxury sector in solid rebound (FT)

“As restocking effects are now over across most luxury product categories, third quarter sales trends at LVMH and the broader sector are more closely aligned with underlying consumer demand – a positive in the run-up to Christmas.”

UK high street faces more than 26,500 shop closures by 2015 (Telegraph)

“As the UK’s economy slowly crawls back to health, more than 26,500 retailers will be forced to close by 2015, according to research by BDO. The figure includes 15,400 fashion shops.”

Tommy Hilfiger debuts its own digital radio (Independent)

“The unique digital radio station will be broadcast seven days a week and 24 hours a day by a team of professional programmers, DJs and on-air disc jockeys from the Goom Radio studios in France and the US.”

Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman on luxury shopping (BBC)

“Whilst some of us are tightening are belts, some of us are buying expensive ones. It seems for some people the age of austerity is now well and truly over…Alexandra Shulman, editor in chief of British Vogue told the BBC why people spend money on luxury brands.”

Back to ‘School’ for Cheryl Hines

We love a good makeover show — it’s always inspiring to see how tweaking makeup, clothing and even home décor can lead to inner transformation. Now schools are getting the face-lift treatment, courtesy of the reality show School Pride, an NBC series debuting Friday, Oct. 15, with Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines as its co-producer. With the new documentary Waiting for “Superman” shining a harsh light on the many flaws in public education, it’s refreshing to hear about people doing something to make things better.

“I think the state of education is in dire need, and being a parent I’m more aware of it,” says Hines, the mother of a 6-year-old whom she sends to private school. “You know that we’ve hit rock bottom when you go into a school and the history book only goes up to 1974.” While volunteering for Read Across America, something she’s done for four years, Hines asked how she could help in other ways, which led to the renovation projects featured in the series. Enterprise Middle School in Compton, CA, is the first to get the spruce-up treatment, with the help of a volunteer army of 4,500 parents, kids and community members. Check out the clip below for a preview.

“When kids walk into a school and the school is taken care of, they feel like somebody cares about them, and they start caring about themselves. They start feeling a sense of pride, they want to do better; they want to be at school. It’s a nice place to go, and it’s a safe place,” says Hines, noting that graffiti has decreased dramatically at the renovated schools. “As parents and educators, we all care about our kids, and we’re trying to show people what they can do in their communities.”

Hines, 45, confirms she’ll be part of the eighth season of Curb Your Enthusiasm when it returns to HBO in 2011. In the meantime, she’s enjoying her behind-the-scenes role as a producer of School Pride. “I think it will inspire people to have conversations about the big picture,” she says. “When you start to empower people, you can start getting something done.”

What would you like to change about your community?

Photo credit: Trae Patton/NBC