Well that looks kind of anticlimactic.

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2. Louis Vuitton Loses Ground as World’s Most Valuable Luxury Brand [Business of Fashion]
3. VIDEO: Inside Microsoft’s ‘Geek 2 Chic’ Fashion Show [Techcrunch]
4. The Rise of Hijab Fashion Bloggers [The Daily Beast]
5. Victoria’s Secret Won’t Make Mastectomy Bras After All [Fashionista]
6. Dine At The World’s First Armani Cafe [Vogue]

“I have a Nivea chapstick that I can’t live without. It keeps my lips moisturized. When I don’t have to wear a lot of makeup I try not to so I love just a little bit of Stila mascara, Nivea chapstick, and then June Jacobs makes this incredible moisturizer that makes you look like you’re wearing foundation but you’re not.”

Check out three of her other staples here, and watch the video to go backstage with the designer:

We’re talking to Ellen Paige, Zoe Kazan, and especially, Brit Marling. You co-wrote and star in this film — this was your time to shine, girl! We love a hot-off-the-runway Prabal Gurung look as much as the next guy, but we would have loved to see Marling in a vibrant print or high-octane hue.

Take a look at the one-note styles (we threw in Alexander Skarsgård for good measure), and if you’re as starved for pigment and flourish as we are, take a moment to bask in all of the bold Cannes confections.

The category of visa in question is the H-1B, a temporary work permit for “highly-skilled” employees with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or its equivalent. Bloomberg came out with a report yesterday with the headline “H-1B Models Strut Into U.S. as Programmers Pray for Help”, which may seem rather dramatic, but the numbers tell a similar story (plus they really did find tech workers at the temple in Delhi.) The visa has an annual cap of 65,000 — a remarkably low number, and one that was reached in a mere five days this year after the government began accepting applications on April 1, necessitating a lottery draw just to deal with the surplus.

Debates in the Senate are underway in a move to raise the cap to 110,000, and rallies, demonstrations, and other campaigns for immigration reform have been held across the country to try to push the conversation forward. One thing some of them are talking about? The bizarre inclusion of fashion models under that oh-so-limiting cap.

The phenomenon dates back to 1990, when workers like nurses, artists, farmers, and more were split up into different categories and placed under different categories. Alas, they neglected to make one for models — apparently Congress weren’t big Vogue readers at the time — and so the poor, forgotten catwalkers were lumped in with scientists, engineers, and other less genetically blessed members of the work force.

In 2007, the now-notorious former Congressman and (ugh) potential NYC mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner sponsored a bill that would have moved models to the same category as performers and athletes, opening up a new visa for up to 1,000 to work in the United States and, as he then argued, encouraging companies to stage photo shoots and fashion industry events inside the country. But even with the sizable amount of support that he got, the legislation got tied up in the House and failed to pass.

Now, it goes without saying that the number of model H-1B applicants each year is far, far lower than that of other professions. Fewer than one percent of the H-1B permits are granted to the lanky stunners who grace the runways of New York Fashion Week and beyond. But according to rough figures compiled by Bloomberg from U.S. Labor Department data, models are almost twice as likely to have their visa applications approved as are computer programmers. The Brookings Institution, a Washington-based research organization, found that more than half of H-1B models have no high school diplomas, versus the 99 percent of total applicants with at least a Bachelor’s degree. One in four come from Brazil, and the overwhelming majority are seeking employment in New York.

These aren’t just any new faces, mind you. According to the USCIS, they do have to qualify as a “fashion model of prominence” with “distinguished merit and ability”, a fact which shows in both their agency’s willingness to pony up for the costly application process and their $161,000 median salary — although no word on how much Bündchen’s $45 mill per annum skews this figure. It would stand to reason that these kind of qualities would put them right in line with the many immigrant actors, artists, and athletes who make big money for their unique place in society and “extraordinary ability and achievement”.

Modeling requires energy, patience, personality, and, yes, long limbs, but one thing it doesn’t require is higher education and the kind of skills that professionals like engineers bring to the economy. And, unlike desk workers, they spend a significant portion of their time traveling outside of the country. It isn’t that the next Gisele Bündchen should be blocked from earning a paycheck in New York — she just shouldn’t be doing it on the same visa as the next Eric Schmidt.

Milla Jovovich also stopped our snooze-inducing photo cruising with a rib-revealing look that could be cause for concern. Not that we’d expect a model-slash-actress to boast particularly meaty bones, but the completely open back and sides of her Prada gown seem to showcase her extremely slight frame. Since this one makes us sad and uncomfortable, let’s bring it back to the sillier sartorial choices. How about Araya Hargate’s crotch-grabbing Disney princess gown by Zac Posen?

See what we’re talking about in the gallery below, then keep up with nonstop Cannes with Marion Cotillard in fresh-off-the-runway Dior, and an entire weekend of parties and premieres.

Last June, we reported that Lydia Maurer, previously of Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent, had been appointed as the new artistic director of Paco Rabanne. Now, just shy of a year later, the French fashion house has announced that they are parting ways with the young designer.

While the company has remained mum about the split, they released a statement via WWD, which said Maurer “brought a new spirit of femininity and modernity” and “contributed to raising the profile of the house on the international fashion stage.” That sounds amicable to us.

The designer shakeup might seem sudden, but considering that Maurer succeeded Indian designer Manish Arora, who only stayed with the brand for a two-season collaboration, we can only speculate that the label might be in the midst of some sort of identity crisis.

Whatever their next step is, we hope that Paco Rabanne holds onto its cool factor — and by that we mean our fingers are crossed for another campaign appearance by Iggy Pop.

[WWD]

While we always appreciate a vintage-inspired look — and Bradley Cooper appearance, for that matter — it pains us to say that the actor’s burnt orange ensemble left us scratching our heads and nostalgic for one of his more debonair looks. Cooper was joined by his partners in crime, co-stars Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, and Justin Bartha, who also took less traditional approaches to suiting up.

Heather Graham was on hand in a sexy teal gown by Herve L. Leroux, which she paired with a blinding diamond-and-emerald-encrusted necklace and sideswept hair. Also sporting an asymmetrical coif was Jaime Chung, who had the slinky look down pat in a black silk Giorgio Armani gown with lace-adorned sleeves.

See all of the looks below, and should you find yourself channeling the wolfpack, don’t miss our shopping guide for what to wear if you’re nursing a hangover.

But despite all of this, we have got to give our highest marks of the day to Selita Ebanks. The back of her gown was so stunning, we’re toying with the idea of making it our desktop background.

UPDATE: We’ve also added photos of Jessica Chastain, Rosario Dawson, and more from today’s Cleopatra premiere. More looks, more to love!

Check out all of the images below, and see past posts from the weekend’s premieres, the Opening Ceremony, and the first photocalls to really get your Cannes fix:

Read the rest of this entry »

WWD reports that Madonna will join Blake Lively, Zoe Saldana, Gloria Steinem, and more as a presenter at the June 1 event at Twickenham Stadium, while musical acts will include Florence and the Machine, Jennifer Lopez, and, of course, Bey.

In a statement, Madonna referenced her own work as a founder of the Ray of Light Foundation, whose emphasis on aiding children dovetails well with the Chime for Change mission.

Queen Bey, Her Madgesty…all it needs is a cameo from Queen Elizabeth and modern monarchy will all be under the same roof.

[WWD]

Once we got word that Pharrell Williams would be a mentor on Rihanna’s upcoming fashion reality show Styled To Rock, we didn’t think it could get much cooler. But leave it to RiRi to keep us on our toes by announcing that fellow queen-of-cool, model Erin Wasson will also be joining the series.

Sartorially speaking, we can’t wait to see what the 12 up-and-coming designer contestants have in store as they battle under the guidance of Wasson and Williams for the chance to dress Rihanna for a so-far-unnamed high profile event. There’s no telling just how fierce the competition’s going to get, but we’re sure about one thing: the two tatted-up stars will bring the necessary edge to keep up with our favorite bad girl.

Salaam Coleman Smith, president of Style Media, seems to agree, sending the following statement in a press release this morning:

“We could not have asked for a better addition to our team.  As a leading model and mainstay in the fashion industry, Erin’s unapologetic approach to fashion and free-spirited style will give the Styled to Rock designers invaluable insight. With Rihanna as executive producer and Pharrell and Erin as mentors, our designers will gain incredible experience while also being challenged in new ways as they compete to earn the title of America’s next trendsetting designer.”

For more Rihanna news, see why she’s reportedly suing TopShop for $5 million and read more about Styled to Rock right here.

Asking us to take a side in the Vans vs. Converse vs. Bensimon debate would be like asking us to choose between L.A., New York and Paris. We could never pick a favorite city or sneaker, but these achingly cute low-tops have us seriously considering the Chucks camp.

We’re suckers for anything CDG, so stamp a googly eyed heart on the standard black model we’ve been running around in since middle school, and we’re smitten all over again. And just like we did in seventh grade, we’ll be tossing these on with dresses, shorts and everything in between.

These canvas trainers may have won out today, but we won’t be trading in our sneaker collection any time soon. Tomorrow’s another story — and another pair of shoes.

Find more Goods that are close to our hearts right here:

The whole idea came from a memorable, if not exactly successful, AGT contestant who dressed up like an alien, donned lederhosen, and took the stage to give what Klum thought was a rather weak performance. To back up her assertion that the martian minstrel wasn’t adequately projecting, she performed her own “yodel-ay-hee-hoo” on the spot.

Something tells us she didn’t get that opportunity often on the set of Project Runway.

Watch Klum’s segment below and for her last appearance on Leno, in which she desk-danced in a precariously sheer dress, check it out here:

Something’s not right about this photo for their Dorothy Perkins collaboration. And by ‘something’ we mean pretty much everything.

1. How Is the Kardashians’ New Clothing Collection Not Called ‘Photoshop for Dorothy Perkins’? [Vanity Fair]
2. A Ferragamo Fairy Tale [Style.com]
3. 25 Hacks For Your Tiny Closet [BuzzFeed DIY]
4. So, Robert Pattinson’s New Girlfriend Is… [Refinery29]
5. The Beauty School for Former Sex Slaves [The Cut]
6. Hot Male Celebs Cuddling With Cute Puppies (Photos) [Perez Hilton]

The collection follows similar projects with Calla Haynes and Nicolas Andreas Taralis and consists of a tightly edited range of eye-catching jewels and one chaotically embellished clutch. In an interview with Pieters, Tanudiredja spoke to the unique inspiration behind the line:

“For our Honest by capsule, the starting point was the same as my current collection – the beauty behind mental disorders. Which sounds a bit dark but it’s this beautiful chaos that I am fascinated with. I tried to create this by way of movement, via my ornaments. In this case it’s gold plated hands and chairs paired with vintage crystals.”

Even cooler? Because of Honest By’s commitment to supply chain transparency, the origins of each and every crystal used are outlined online, so you know exactly where your money is going, plus the pieces come with a lifetime warranty.

Take a look through select images of the pieces and the Pieters-lensed campaign below, and for another collaboration we’re loving right now, check out the “quirky elegance” of Peter Som’s Anthropologie wares:

Since the occasion happened to be a presentation of Stella’s Fall/Winter collection, it’s no shock that Mademoiselle came representing the designer. She wore a modified look from Spring 2013, with a white swatch filling in the formerly chest-bearing mesh panel. That change might’ve been made to better suit the room — this party happened to take place at the British embassy — or because, like most human beings, she’s shorter than a runway model and the see-through pane just didn’t land in the right spot. Or because Emma Stone wore it the same way. Whatever the motive, we are picking up what this Mademoiselle’s putting down.

It’s not just the dress that’s got us glancing back again and again. Her better-than-Katy-Perry blue hair is a bold move, especially in contrast with the sunset style eye makeup. It kind of looks like she’s setting her sights on a MAC collaboration with all those brights and we’d certainly take the bait if one should arise. While checking out our OOTD in the gallery below, take note of the snooze-inducing party room and the “entertainment” which appears to be water-color caricatures. Fun?

Styleite: So tell us a bit about this partnership.

Rebecca Minkoff: Diet Coke for the second year is now teaming up with me and their previous partner, Target, and it’s the Young Designer Challenge so any aspiring designer can enter, which is different than last year. You have to be 18 or older and you get the chance to win $10,000, meet Taylor Swift, and of course have your winning design in Target stores nationwide.

What will you be looking for in the winning design?

The three things I’m looking for are innovation, creativity, and being individualistic.

Why did you want to partner with Diet Coke?

I’m a big Diet Coke drinker, so when they approached me to be one of the judges it resonated with me because I, too, started with a t-shirt [Ed note: it was this one, in 2001]. So if you can start with a t-shirt and end up with a lifestyle brand like I have now, I think it’s a great opportunity to give that exposure to aspiring designers anywhere.

Will you be tagging along on the trip to Nashville to see Taylor Swift perform?

If I could I would. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it but I’ll be watching from afar.

Have you seen Marc Jacobs’ shirtless Diet Coke ads?

I have and I think they’re incredible.

Fashion designers are partnering with everything from ice cream brands to hotels these days. Is there anything out there that you would love to get your hands on?

I don’t have anything that comes to mind right now but I’m always open to new opportunities and if it’s the right fit like Diet Coke was then I’ll definitely explore it, but right now my partnership is with them.

What are you most excited to start wearing this summer?

Well it’s finally starting to warm up here in the city so I’m excited to be able to start wearing tank tops, dresses, bright colors — anything that feels more summery than wintery at this point.

Dressing for the office is always particularly challenging when it gets hot and humid out. Do you have any tips?

I think one thing that I try to do in my design is make things that can take you from day to night so that if you’re wearing a great dress with a blazer over it you can take the blazer off for you to go out. I know for me I don’t go home and change before I go out and I don’t think my customer does, so I really try to focus on making sure she can transition into leaving the office.

To take a crack at the Young Designer Challenge, submit your design at here before May 31.

As part of a traveling project called Barrique – The Third Life of Wood more than 30 leading furniture designers (plus those fashion collaborators) crafted exclusive items out of repurposed wine barrels (barriques, in Italian).

Not only are the items on the eco-friendly trend (recycling!), they have a philanthropic angle. The collection is being produced at the San Patrignano rehabilitation facility in Italy, which provides rehab completely free of charge to drug addicted adults. Famed Italian wood designer Maurizio Riva conceived of the project after visiting the facility in 2012, and seeing an opportunity to bring back the craft of salvaging barrels, while helping patients at the clinic gain crafting skills.

As the pieces travel around the United States, hitting mainly galleries on the East Coast, items are available for sale with proceeds going, you guessed it, back to San Patrignano. See portraits of the designer collabs and even more enviable home goods in the gallery below, plus a few on display at SoHo’s Poltrona Frau Showroom this weekend.

Lawrence, who’s in town for the second installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, was photographed in not one, not two, but three Christian Dior looks, although our favorite by far was the all-white strapless number paired with electric pink pumps. Jessica Biel likewise landed on our Best Dressed list with her Marchesa confection and Bulgari snake necklace, but no one was as show-stopping as Carey Mulligan, whose Dec-inspired Vionnet dress was as close to perfection as a gown can get.

Check out all of the looks below, and watch the video to get the lowdown on the million dollar jewel heist that hit the festival last week:

Stop what you’re doing right now and start emptying your change jars and shaking down your friends for money they owe you. You’re going to need all the liquid assets you can get, because now you can bid on a chance to get ready with Beyoncé.

Bey is auctioning off the opportunity to join her backstage at the July 1 Mrs. Carter Show in L.A. to benefit Miss A Meal, a Houston nonprofit that feeds the hungry. The (unbelievably lucky) winner will “receive a personal meet and greet with Beyoncé,” a day on her Styling Team, lunch with Tina Knowles and two VIP seats to the concert, as well as a gift bag with “some of Beyoncé’s favorite things.” You know what that means, right? Givenchy.

We checked the Charity Buzz page, and the current bid is a still-affordable $5,750, although the estimated value is $25,000. It’s sure to skyrocket by the 3:00 PM EST June 11 deadline, so call up everyone you know and start prepping for your photo op.

Get excited for Bey-time with the videos below, and see some luxe hand-me-downs we think baby Blue should pass on to her sibling-to-be.

Read the rest of this entry »

Princess Charlene of Monaco cemented her status as a front row fixture at the tony event in her principality, taking her seat beside celebs like Marion Cotillard and Jessica Biel. And forget wearing a piece from a past collection — the royal donned a custom frock that had yet to even walk the runway! Like many of the resort wares, the dress was a sporty take on classic Dior codes, with Simons’ signature deft use of color on full display.

WWD notes that the collection was the designer’s first time using lace, a material that he usually considers “too fragile.” He subverted this quality, however, by rendering the fabric in acid colors and unusual shapes, with lamé briefs and bra tops peeking out underneath. Accessories-wise, the neck scarves Simons has sent out in seasons past again made an appearance, while lemon yellow and orange ombré provided a fresh take on the the classic structured handbag.

See the runway looks and stylish attendees below, and watch the video for a look at Simons’ fall 2013 collection:

The Duchess was attending the nuptials of Rosie Ruck Keene and William van Cutsem, whose niece we all know as the tiny, pouting flower girl from the royal wedding, when the blustery day got the better of her minidress — as it has before on more than one occasion. Naturally, paparazzi were there to capture the malfunction, although Kate avoided any serious embarrassment with a quick save of the hand. The Daily Mail has the photos, and for more of the same (now sold out) Topshop dress, check out photos of the royals’ trip to Hogwarts last month.

[Daily Mail]

Marc Jacobs always says it best: “What is the most decadent thing anybody could ever do? Get all dressed up, do their makeup and stay home.”

Like Marc (and André Leon Talley), we’re all about “lounge and louche,” which is why we’re presenting you with this relaxed pajama set for taking a lazy weekend attitude all the way into Monday.

But fear not — in this timeless notched-collar navy set with white piping ($119), no one would dream of accusing you of sloppiness. Roll out of bed, put on some white jeans and spectators, and you’ll be mistaken for a movie star who took a detour on her way to Cannes. Or Ryan Gosling, who wore this exact outfit in 2011.

For more Goods you’ll lose sleep over (unless you buy them, that is), click through the gallery below:

The competition was indeed fierce this year, with Jennifer Morrison in a bustier-topped, wide-legged jumpsuit — the legs, of course being sheer chiffon. While singer-songwriter Nayer turned the event into a girls night out with, well, her girls pretty much out. Selena Gomez rocked a sculptural white Atelier Versace gown with neon trimmings that revealed large swaths of skin and Jennifer Lopez, never one to disappoint, had a glittering gown that was halfway between naked and the most gorgeous thing we’ve ever seen. So, the most gorgeous naked thing? We’re not ready to reveal that yet.

In the peek-a-boo camp were Emmy Rossum in a Zuhair Murad gown that with almost modest with a keyhole neckline and sheer, polka-dot paneling. But — surprise! — when she turned around, nearly the entire back was see-through. The look came off classy and courageous, and for a star who’s had some sartorial mishaps in the past, we were glad to see her take a risk that paid off.

Ke$ha, not at all a surprising addition to this list, had us scratching our heads when we first saw her bulky and ruffled little black dress. When she turned around to show major side-butt seemingly splitting its way out of the short skirt, the look made more sense. Sadly, the overt butt reveal and the completely ill-fitting front made this one of the night’s worst.

Take a look at the brazen babes in the gallery below and let us know who you think wins the nudie award tonight. Then, hop over here for every single look from the blue carpet. For some recent history in revealing red carpets, revisit last month’s MTV Movie Awards.

Every photo of every star in the skin-baring, metallic-sculpture-having outfits on the blue carpet.

The nakedest celeb looks from the red carpet are all right here.

Don’t say we never gave you anything.

1. Reports: Aslaug Magnusdottir Out at Moda Operandi [The Cut]
2. Chris Brown Starts New ‘Channel’ To Share His Life… ‘Really’ [MTV]
3. The Ultimate List Of Fictional Boyfriends We Wish Were Real [Refinery 29]
4. Getting Ready for the Cannes Film Festival with Lea Seydoux [Vogue]
5. Stars Align at Charles Finch Dinner [WWD]
6. Noted Fashion Photographer Nigel Barker Get Into Cosmetics [The Gloss]

The idea came to Coppola after reading a Vanity Fair feature about the gang, by Nancy Jo Sales titled “The Suspects Wore Louboutins.” The real suspects of The Bling Ring were teenage criminals who targeted stars including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Orlando Bloom from 2008 to 2009.

Coppola told WWD, “It’s such a great story for a movie. It fascinated me. It felt so contemporary and said so much about our culture today.”

What’s really lush about the film, however, are the luxury items loaned to shoot it from fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

“I think it’s not the ideal way they want to be portrayed. Louis Vuitton is this brand based on heritage and great craftsmanship, and that wasn’t the side that we were celebrating.”

“They wanted to be associated with my work, and they trusted me and helped me. There’s a side that I appreciate about Louis Vuitton and Chanel, that they have this heritage and great quality, but the kids in the story are more interested in the bling aspect, kind of the status of those brands.”

In approaching the film, she actually used Paris Hilton’s home for added realism. She uses clips from Facebook posts, snippets from celebrity blogs, and real-life propaganda. The script even pulls inspiration from transcripts of the interviews conducted with members of the real-life gang, as well as their media appearances.

“There’s a lot of humor in the story, and a lot of the quotes and the moments are kind of so absurd that it’s hard to believe they’re real. I couldn’t have made that up. They sound kind of over-the-top, but I tried to make them human and tried to show that they’re caught up in this world that has a funny side, but they’ve just taken it too far.”

See how the cast is getting ready for the June 14 opening of the film in Cannes.

[WWD]

The world has seen Kanye through multiple groundbreaking albums, many an on-stage performance (and denouncing of Taylor Swift’s award winnings), and many, many style inspirations. Last night Kanye hosted the season finale of SNL, looking his usual sharp. But remember Kanye back in the day? Here we take you on a little Kanye joyride, to remember some of the more unlikely pre-Kardashian Kan.