Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Calvin's Controversy


It seems like just yesterday when Calvin Klein stirred up controversy with his jeans commercial starring Brooke Shields purring "you want to know what comes between me and my Calvins, nothing". That was 1980 and the motto, the more things change, the more they stay the same, echos some truth. A fifty foot billboard ,in Soho, NYC, features a barely clothed denim clad female and a male kissing on a sofa. Another man is on the couch lying back , waiting or watching. Yet another man is on the floor with no clothes except a pair of unzipped jeans. Some people have been interviewed and say it is inappropriate. Others think America is too puritanical and the more publicity the billboard gets , the more sales and attention is drawn over something "harmless". The commercials in the 80's drove CK jeans sales up into the millions. In 1995, there was another series of ads banned featuring teens against a wall, while an older male voice asked them suggestive questions. Two perfume ads, one for Escape starring Milla Jovovich and another with Eva Mendes for Secret Obsession were deemed too risque for TV. Klein plays with the theme of Lolitaesque innocence and sexuality, but when do these ads cross the line between tasteful and semi-pornographic?

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Farrah Fawcett is now with the Angels


Farrah Fawcett best known for her role in hit TV series Charlie's Angels has lost her battle with cancer. She died this morning with long time companion Ryan O'Neal and friend Alana Stewart at a Santa Monica hospital. Fawcett was usually recognized for her feathered hairstyle and bright smile. A poster of her in a red bathing suit was an icon for bedroom walls across the country. She was also well known for her role in "The Burning Bed" where she defends herself against an abusive husband. Charlie's Angels was one of the first TV shows that empowered females to be able to fight back against crime, in this case, and retain their femininity. Most recently she documented her battle with cancer entitled Farrah's Story which encouraged people to not give up on this disease.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics on the Couch?


The makeup line Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics has designed something out of an art class. It is a lip product named Lip Tar. It can be used alone, with a more neutral tone like Melange. The tube of lip paint can also be mixed so one can take the white gloss,"Feathered", and mix it with bright "Safety Orange" that results in a coral shade. If one takes the magenta "Pageant" and lightens it, lips will become a subdued lilac color. The makeup line is creative with its' name and philosophy. The plus is it retails for $12.50 and one can always say nice paint job. The line is also vegan and cruelty free, it contains vitamin E,peppermint oil and some other healthy ingredients. It photographs well for high definition and digital camera work. OCC was developed in 2004 and began with the white color "Feathered" and black "Tarred", in order to either darken or lighten lips. The product is a cross between a gloss and a lipstick. This fun minded cosmetic line has airbrush and foundations, eye shadows, and glitter. Their slogan is for people who like to color outside the lines.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Splash at Sephora


Sephora is offering a Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler($65) value. All the waterproof eye products one would want is included in one box. This is a limited-edition set which features deluxe samples from mascaras to eyeliners. The promise is to make eyes stay picture perfect whether there is sun or rain. The set includes 0.1 oz of Tarte Lights Camera Splashes, 0.169 oz of Too Faced Mini Lash Injection, 0.1 oz of Make Up Forever Aqua Smoky Lash, 0.85 Make Up Forever Sens'Eyes Make Up Remover, 0.025 oz of Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes, ,0.03 oz of Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Electric, and 0.26 oz of Urban Decay Big Fatty Waterproof. The Sephora favorites summer 2009 preview is coming on June 17th, 2009, rain or shine.

Jimmy Choo Chooses H&M



Jimmy Choo is going to carry the brand at H&M department stores. The designer is set to carry a lower priced line consisting of shoes, bags,clothing, and accessories. The downsizing of the economy is possibly a reason for Jimmy Choo to place its' merchandise in H&M, but other haute designers have also carried a less expensive version of their lines. Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli are just two of the other designers who have lower priced lines for the department store.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Mont Blanc Signs on with Lauren Bush


The haute pen company Mont Blanc salutes George Bush's niece Lauren as a New Yorker Who Makes a Difference. Bush is a UN World Food Prograramme contributor and is a helping hand to FEED Projects, which fights world hunger. Mont Blanc has featured Lauren in their ad which is a black and white penned sketch of the famous model from an American political family. At least people will not ask for her John Hancock. Lauren Bush has modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and Abercrombie and Fitch, designers which show a lot of iconic American images. L.B. is also creating her own eco-friendly clothing. She is also coincidentally dating David Lauren, son of Ralph Lauren.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Byrdie Bell goes for Fendi as the Southern Belle


Socialite, upcoming model and actress, and southern belle Byrdie Bell is promoting the Fendi to you bag at the Gramercy Park Fendi for You Luncheon. Byrdie Bell is doing some small budget movies and hanging out with fashionistas,she's especially seen on the internet website Fame Game. She is stylishly dressed and is trying to promote Fendi and the rest of the haute couture ensemble. Her ancestors founded Richmond,Virginia and her mother's uncle married the princess of Norway/Sweden.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Cat Fights after the Metropolitan Costume Gala


The Metropolitan Museum hosted a gala for the "Muse-Embodying Fashion" where Marc Jacobs and Conde Nast showed off the history of fashion. The star studded exhibit went well until the after nightclub party brought trouble with Kiefer Sutherland allegedly attacking Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler. Sutherland claims he was defending Brooke Shields from problems and the charges against him were dropped.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cartier LoveDay


On June 11th, Cartier will celebrate LoveDay-a symbol of commitment to charitable organizations worldwide. Cartier will donate 10% of its' sales from the Love Collection which will be given to 24 of the companies' participating charities. To extend initiative, Cartier will re-launch its' Love bracelet and the ring in pink gold with a diamond, the necklace features a colored cord. Cartier will give $150 to one of the charities with each purchase of these lovely items.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Hermes Helicopter


Helicoptere par Hermes, the world's first 6 million dollar helicopter was purchased by Abu Dhabi. It is a mixture of design and fusion. Hermes worked in conjunction with Eurocopter and delivered this luxury air craft styled in brown and cream with their signature orange color. The seats and banquettes are all natural grained Hermes leather and there is a glass partition between the VIP/business section and the crew. Their classic "Toile H" is used to cover the cockpit. Ironically, Hermes is opening its' 23rd boutique,in East Hampton, NY, this season. It will be a small boutique selling scarves, hand bags, and beach towels, but the CEO does not predict the economy is an asset. Two were also planned to open in China. At least someone is flying the friendly skies with Hermes.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Picture Me


Model Sara Ziff has been a model for awhile and has been through her trials and tribulations within the fashion industry. After seeing young girls being or at least feeling exposed and "exploited" by mainly older men ie. some photographers, agents, and other industry professionals, she decided to co-produce, with another woman Olha, a documentary on the subject. Ziff was discovered as a teen and has been in major ad campaigns, but was innocently discovered by a couple with a baby stroller. She does reveal later on that during one photo shoot, she was asked to take off her clothes and show her bra and underwear. Another story Sara Ziff tells is of a model who went for a Gucci test shoot and was touched in a way that was inappropriate. The official title is "Picture Me: the truth about modeling" and is analogous to Micheal Gross' book The Ugly Side of Modeling. Sometimes the model becomes an object of fantasy and ceases to be recognized as a person.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

New Associate for Anna Wintour's Vogue


Claiborne Swanson has just been hired to head up Vogue with honcho Anna Wintour. She was working in the magazine's public relations department, but has been promoted. Her family hails from California and owns a wine vineyard in Sonoma, California. Her sister Alexia is married to author Danielle Steel's son. Claiborne is on May's Quest Magazine cover, a publication for society, upscale lifestyle, and luxury goods.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Henri Bendel Bends Towards Cosmetic Market


Henri Bendel department store opened in 1895 and is renowned for its brown and white striped shopping bags. The owner, Bendel a milliner, was the first to bring over Coco Chanel couture and it has been an upscale store ever since. It has locations on New York City's Fifth Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida, one near Miami and its original store in Cleveland,Ohio. Bendel's plans to make a change in its' merchandise is a sign of the economic downturn, but the store is going to focus on accessories and makeup. It will carry high end cosmetics, perfume, and candles. The hair salon Frederic Fekkai is located on the top floor and will probably remain in residence.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wildlife Photographer and Upcoming Model


Amber Myles Arbrucci has been in a fair number of campaigns including such brands as; XOXO,covers and editorials in major fashion magazines, True Religion, Victoria's Secret and has modeled for many other high fashion and casual wear companies, and won a top contest in the UK. She has worked with well known photographers; Bruce Weber, Ellen von Unworth, and Sante D'Orazio. She herself is a photographer and does her own nature exploration pictures, in addition to working with publications like National Geographic. She swims with whales and hikes with elephants. She did a portfolio that was featured in the leading Israeli newspaper. Amber has traveled to locales like Rwanda, Israel, and Kenya. A famous photographer states that capturing a picture in images is like immortalizing life before the eminent finality of death.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Face of Lancome


Elettra Wiedemann is a top model for Lancome, endorsing Hydra Zen Moisturizer and One Perfect Color Foundation. She is the daughter of Isabella Rosellini and Roberto Rosellini. She did not plan on becoming a model, but has followed in her mother's footsteps. The dark haired beauty was born and raised in NY and has been continuing her academic plans in international relations and bio medicine. She also is on onefrickinday.com which is a world wide charity. Elettra helps provide solar panels for Burundi, Africa and gives other amenities to countries in dire economic straits. She fits the silver screen image that her grandmother Ingrid Bergman and her mother have used to capture beautiful pictures. She is beautiful on both the outside and inside.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Prince Harry Plays Polo


Prince Harry of Great Britain made an overseas journey to New York this past weekend to visit Ground Zero and the World Trade Center's English memorial gardens, in addition to a trip at a school in Harlem. He played a polo match, on Governor's Island, sponsored by Veuve Cliquot and their CEO Mark Cornell with hosts Cornelia Guest, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner. Prince Harry's chief competitor was Nacho Figueras ,the Argentinian star,who is also the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo Black cologne. The money from the match will go to Sentebale, a charity that helps African orphans and children with HIV/Aids. The prince was working on this mission with Lesotho Prince Seeiso. Let's hope the champagne, big hats, and charity contributed to a nice afternoon. Ascot look out.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The Muse at NYC's Museum


The NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art had a recent gala to celebrate the opening of the Costume Institute Gala, The Muse: Embodying Fashion. This exhibit shows fashions, designers, models, and other key industry players on the Tisch second floor. Many celebrities in the acting/modeling world showed up at the exhibit which was sponsored by Conde Nast, Justin Timberlake, and Marc Jacobs. The display began in May and will end in August, which gives one enough time to glimpse the history of haute couture.