Sole Searching?

Published on April 8, 2011 in designers. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Christian_Louboutin_Shoes-213.jpg 600×399 pixels

Knock-offs. Designers for a long time now have had to accept that this is just a part of life/business. Some even say imitation is the biggest form of flattery?! After the Manolo Blahnik craze calmed down (a bit) and was replaced by the Christian Louboutin obsession I wondered who would be the first to knock off or imitate is some way or the other his signature red sole?

Who would have ever guess that it would be none other than – no, not Steve Madden- but luxury brand YSL!!!
And needless to say, Mr. Louboutin is not too happy about this. Can you say “je vous verrai au tribunal?”
And for anyone who does not parlez vous francais that simply means “See you in court”
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Check out the Huffington Post for the whole story!

Madonna meets Miu Miu

Published on August 31, 2010 in celebrities. 0 Comments Tags: , .


The story goes Madonna stopped by the studio to meet her good buddies Mert Alias and Marcus Piggot for dinner and it just so happend they were shooting the Miu Miu Fall campaign and she “asked if she could direct the video” and they, of course, said yes!
Does this woman ever have bad timing? And it’s not like these guys need one more feather in their caps! Madge by the way, did not get paid for her efforts.

Anyhow, the end result is pretty cool and you can definitely see the Madonna influence. The dress worn by the models is the same one that appeared on 3 different magazine covers.

On the runway
Miu Miu Dress On Three July Magazine Covers (PHOTOS)

on Elle

Miu Miu Dress On Three July Magazine Covers (PHOTOS)

and Vogue

Miu Miu Dress On Three July Magazine Covers (PHOTOS)

(I’m voting for the W cover with Eva Mendes as my fav)
Miu Miu Dress On Three July Magazine Covers (PHOTOS)
and the score is a remix of Boy George’s ‘Generations of Love”.

Linda Evangelista does Talbots!

Published on August 24, 2010 in Business deals and celebrities. 0 Comments Tags: , .

InStyle.com What's Right Now : Linda Evangelista2019s Talbots Ads Revealed!

Well if Cindy Crawford can do a line of bedding for JCPenney’s, then I suppose Linda Evangelista can shoot a catalog for Talbots.

WHAT???

InStyle.com What's Right Now : Photo Gallery

Yes, it’s true. Linda Evangelista will be the new face of Talbots, as the stodgy fashion line undergoes a rebranding guided by chief creative officer Michael Smaldone. The supermodel and mom of 3-year-old Augustin shot the new ad campaign at Jack Studios in Chelsea with photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Talbots CMO Lori Wagner had this to say “she possesses this timeless yet spontaneous glamour that’s irresistible in our minds”. Whereas CEO Trudy Sullivan told WWD “We feel she represents a successful woman that speaks to 40-plus-year-old women,” CEO Trudy Sullivan told WWD. “This is Talbots’ moment of profound change.”

That is an understatement right? Perhaps the Talbot customer is a bit timeless herself with the average age being 68! Well, it certainly is a great way to shake things up and it will be very interesting to see how the tried and true customers react (remember St. John and Angelina Jolie?) and if Talbots can catch hold of the younger generation.

Although I think the ads are beautiful I do think they went a bit overboard with the eye make-up, but that’s just my opinion!

InStyle.com What's Right Now : Photo Gallery

I did get a look at the first Fall catalog (September 2010) with no Evangelista in it. Perhaps this is the warm up to her big debut. But this catalog definitely goes for a much more modern feeling using some “real women” with an emphasis on denim as well as the little black dress and everything in between. I think they are doing a pretty good job in revamping their image and making things exciting and interesting. Lets see how their true customer reacts and if they can grab onto the younger market they so desperately need and want!

A classic in a classic!

InStyle.com What's Right Now : Photo Gallery
And just because, some vintage Linda!
57384946_o.jpg image by Fcarter89 - Photobucket

Talbots really needs a win this season although they are on a slightly upward curve with a second quarter loss of only $4.4 million, or 8 cents a share, compared with 2009’s loss of $23.6 million, or 44 cents a share. There were also incremental gains in net sales to 4.7 percent and comps increased 2.4 percent.

Have no fear Linda, we believe if anyone can save Talbots, you can!

linda-evangelista4.jpg image by shockthepilgrim - Photobucket

Leslie loves Louis!

Published on August 24, 2010 in designers. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010-11 Ad Campaign | nitrolicious.com

Wow, Marc Jacobs has really outdone himself on this one! The new Louis Vuitton is beyond beautiful and using 3 generations of supermodels didn’t hurt either!

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010-11 Ad Campaign | nitrolicious.com

The campaign was shot in New York by Steven Meisel and the 3 decades of supermodels are respresented by a blonde (Natalia Vodianova – the “baby”), a redhead (Karen Elson for the 30’s) and stunning Christy Turlington for the 40’s. Marc Jacobs had this to say:
“The strength of Louis Vuitton is its almost magical ability to reinvent itself every season,” says Artistic Director Marc Jacobs. “Last season was all about the idea of the New Age traveler. This season was a manifesto for beautiful, ladylike clothes. Two different collections, two different campaigns, but one Louis Vuitton.”

This is ladylike personified and something I’d say we haven’t seen in quite a while. How refreshing!!! Take that Boho!

If this doesn’t bring back the ponytail, I don’t know what will!!!

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010-11 Ad Campaign | nitrolicious.com

it is refreshing to see really beautiful clothes, now lets see what else the new Fall season brings us!

How do you like them apples?

Published on August 23, 2010 in Business deals, celebrities and designers. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Cindy Crawford Poses In Lingerie Surrounded By Apples For Russian Department Store TSUM (PHOTOS)
I think the first thing I wonder if how much Cindy got paid for this job and I’m pretty sure it must have been a ton!

Cindy Crawford models lingerie for Russian department store TSUM. Shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, here she is doing what she does best – with sultry eyes, blood red lips, wearing Dolce and Gabana, Stella McCartney and more. Helmet Newton would be so proud!
Cindy Crawford Poses In Lingerie Surrounded By Apples For Russian Department Store TSUM (PHOTOS)

I’m guessing the apples have nothing to do with a “back to school” theme (!), If they were going for the “temptations” theme, I think they’ve clearly succeeded, the shots are really stunning!
Cindy Crawford Poses In Lingerie Surrounded By Apples For Russian Department Store TSUM (PHOTOS)

TSUM is the largest department store in Eastern Europe and previously they have used Daria Werbowry, Naomi Campbell and Milla Jovovich in their campaigns and sell major designer labels including Rouland Moret, Carolina Herrera and Victoria Beckham(!).

I think I definitely prefer this campaign to her JCPenney’s bedding line but hey, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do…………

Here’s $100k, now take a seat……..

Published on February 5, 2010 in Business deals, celebrities and designers. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Fergie Pictures - Max Azria - Front Row - Fall 08 MBFW - Zimbio

Thats what designers will pay Rihanna to sit in their front row! Poor Anna Wintour, it must drive her crazy! Take a look at this list from Fashionista of who gets paid what to sit in the prestigious front row and note there is one upgrade and several very amusing downgrades (aka UNINVITED…can you imagine? one minute you are on top of the world and the next you can’t even get in the door? I guess when it comes to someone like Paris Hilton there is no explanation needed!

A-List
Rihanna ($100,000 or more)
Beyonce ($80,000-$100,000)
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen ($80,000 each)
Julianne Moore ($60,000)
Maggie Gyllanhal ($60,000)
Chloe Sevigny ($60,000 or more)
Jennifer Lopez (circa 2005: $80,000; circa 2010: $30,000)
Lindsay Lohan (circa 2006: $60,000; circa 2010; UNINVITED)
Colin Firth (pre-A Single Man: $5,000; post-A Single Man: $15,000)

B-List
Blake Lively ($50,000)
Leighton Meester ($40,000)
Hillary Duff ($40,000)
Other Gossip Girl cast members ($25,000 a piece)
Jared Leto ($25,000)
Cliven Owen ($10,000)
Kristen Bell (unpaid, but airfare, makeup and clothing are taken care of)

C-List
Kim Kardashian ($35,000-$50,000)
Amanda Bynes ($25,000-$30,000)
Eliza Dushku (unpaid, but airfare, makeup and clothing are taken care of)

D-List
Paris Hilton (free or UNINVITED)
Jersey Shore cast (UNINVITED)
America’s Next Top Model Winners (free)

Get your Oscar dress on Sandra Bullock!

Published on February 5, 2010 in celebrities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Sandra Bullock Thanks Her Hot Husband After SAG Awards Win - Screen Actors Guild 2010, Sandra Bullock : People.com

I recently decided that I love Sandra Bullock. She is smart, funny and actor and a businesswoman. And she does a lot for charity. Especially love that she never looks like a bimbo. Ever!

But I was surprised to read on Huffington Post that when Ms. Bullock walks down the red carpet, her dress sells like crazy!
Between you and me I don’t often even remember what she wore, she usually just doesn’t get it right. She can’t hold a candle to Angelina or Renee. Even Jennifer Aniston who used to be the “girl next door” before she became too thin and too tan!

Apparently women related to Sandy B and according to the Wall Street journal, other big sellers this year will be Meryl Streep and Gabourey Sibdibe which I think is great. Additionally they also mentioned Kate Hudson and Drew Barrymore. Well, to each his own…..it certainly will be interesting to see what designers end up on whom!

How Smart is that? The Gap does Pop Up Stores in a Gym!

Published on January 25, 2010 in Business deals. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Facebook | Photos from Gap and Crunch open the Fitness Lab in NYC

Partnering with the fitness chain Crunch, the Gap has set up temporary “fitness lab” in NYC which combines their new GapBody Sport collection with demonstrations by Crunch personal trainers, discounts and the chance to win free stuff. And to sweeten the deal, every day one lucky winner is chosen to receive a free, year long all access Crunch member ship. Existing Crunch members can enter to win a $500 Gap gift card.

The pop up store seems to be gaining strength and clever tie-ins are a marketer’s dream – let’s see who’s next!
Funny though I just checked out both Gap and Crunch websites and there’s no mention of this promotion which I find a little odd – it only lasts until Feb. 7th – I say milk it!

Ivanka Trump gets a step up!

Published on January 18, 2010 in Business deals and trends. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Into the shoe business that is!

Ivanka Trump Pictures - Brian Reyes - Front Row - Fall 09 MBFW - Zimbio

Ivanka has just signed a deal to design a line of shoes for Marc Fisher. As you probably know, she already designs a line of jewelry which is available at her gorgeous flagship Madison Avenue store. There are also rumors she will head into clothing and accessories (read handbags…). And remember, she’s only 28 years old!

Citing Christian Louboutin as her favorite shoe designer we can expect some high heels as well as flats coming out of her new collection. I’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, check out Ivanka’s Jewelry website – she has a GREAT BLOG with current behind-the-scene video of Rhianna’s W shoot showcasing lots of Ivanka Trump jewelry!

Double Whammy: Kate and Sarah strike deals!

Published on January 15, 2010 in Business deals, Models and celebrities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Like these two women don’t have enough going on already!

Kate Moss Longchamp Fall/Winter 2008/2009 Ad Campaign Photos

First, Kate Moss has a new contract with Longchamp – not as a model but as their designer! The supermodel will create a line of handbags which will arrive in stores February 11th and her” long-term contract” requires she do 2 collections a year. Wow!

Sarah Jessica Parker : People.com

Over at Halston, Sarah Jessica Parker is now entering into a deal to become the “active designer” for the Halston Heritage line (the companies just launched secondary line featuring updated Halston archival pieces at contemporary price points).

The rumor continues that she may even be signing on a the Creative Director. This is the 2nd dabble into fashion for SJP, her first being an inexpensive denim line for Steve and Barry called Bitten in 2007. The line lasted one year but Steve and Barry closed their doors in January 2009.

What I wonder is how Patricia Field is feeling these days as she is really the one who put SJP on the fashion map. What do you think?