The Cut

5/15/08

Beauty Marks

5/15/08

6:10 PM

Tweens Spend $500 Million a Year on Beauty Products

The new Vincent Longo line.Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Longo

MAKEUP
• Fragrances and body sprays are the most popular beauty product among 8- to 12-year-old girls. That might sound a little young for beauty shopping, but this age group spends $500 million on beauty products each year. Thanks, Miley Cyrus! [WWD]

• Vincent Longo's summer collection is called Shimmer, Glimmer, and Shine and, like every other new makeup collection this season, it's all about bronze. This line includes a hydro stick, gloss, and liquid shadow and looks wearable. [Face Candy]

• If you curl your lashes with an eyelash curler before and after applying mascara, your eyelashes will fall out. So don’t do that. [BellaSugar]

FRAGRANCE
• Artists Yoon Lee created a limited-edition bottle for the DKNY Be Delicious scent. It’s $68 at Macy’s. [Teen Vogue]

• The signature fragrance from Agent Provocateur was so successful, the company is launching two follow-up body products with the same scent. These will also include Damiana, a natural aphrodisiac. No word on if they'll put out any new Internet movies featuring Kate Moss in her panties to promote them. [British Vogue]

More: Beauty Marks »beauty, fragrance, makeup

Fashion Album

5/15/08

5:35 PM

A Peek Inside Karl Lagerfeld's New Book

Photo: Courtesy of Pace/MacGill

Tomorrow is the launch party for Karl Lagerfeld's new book, Metamorphoses of an American. It "traces the physical and emotional development of Brad Kroenig … the world's most sought-after male model." The book consists entirely of photographs of Brad shot over the last five years by Karl himself. One of the images is above. But more important, next to it is the invitation to the soirée, which explicitly boasts, "Karl Lagerfeld will be present." Obviously, we'll be there, hyperventilating from being in such close proximity to him. We'll try to survive long enough to ask him some burning questions. In the meantime, we're trying to keep calm in a way Karl might: meditating on images of Brad. Won't you join us? After the jump, we have a selection of photographs from the book.

Marvel at his versatility! »

More: Fashion Album »brad kroenig, karl lagerfeld, metamorphoses of an american, parties

Run Through

5/15/08

4:15 PM

Express Sues Wal-Mart in the Latest Copyright Dispute

Photo: Getty Images

We couldn't let a week go by without a fashion copyright suit, could we? Today we learn Express is suing Wal-Mart because of its "Express for Less" ad campaign. Express says the campaign implies "a discount retailer with an overwhelming nationwide presence, is offering genuine Express-branded apparel of the same quality, but 'for less,' at a lower, 'unbeatable' price," WWD reports. Now, let's just imagine here that we one day walk into Wal-Mart to browse for, say, a shower radio. Let's say as we're digging through the bin next to the $5.99 DVDs with a refrigerated case full of steaks behind us, we see a sign that says "Express for Less." We would assume they mean we can get all of our shopping done quickly by buying our steak, shower radio, and bad movies in one place and that everything will be reasonably priced. We wouldn't think, "Jackpot! Now I don't have to go to the mall later to get that Express dress I had my eye on! And I don't have to pay full price for it!" Then again, maybe we don't fully understand the psyche of a Wal-Mart shopper.

Express Sues Wal-Mart Over Ad Campaign [WWD]

More: Run Through »copyright, express, walmart

Party Lines

5/15/08

3:26 PM

Our Chat With ‘Top Model’ Finalists Anya, Whitney, and Fatima

Fatima, Anya, and Whitney.Photo: WireImage

Last night at the 30th Annual American Image Awards, the three finalists from America's Next Top Model made a brief appearance just one hour before Whitney was announced as the winner. Since we were at the awards and missed the finale, we got our ANTM fix by chatting with the lucky ladies — Whitney, Anya, and Fatima — in person! They dished about what happened behind the scenes (drinking!), making up board games to pass the time (Model-opoly, anyone?), confirmed Miss J is a "she," and pontificate on why past winners never reach the Top.

We know a lot of funny stuff doesn't make it to air. Care to fill us in with many funny anecdotes we missed?
Whitney: There was one point — I know it was around Christmas time — when Anya, Stacey, Ann, and I went to this hotel. And we didn't have any music in the house, and the hotel had all these Xmas CDs. We put in the CDs, and we were singing these carols and dancing around the house like crazy women. The cameramen weren't there, thank God. We let loose.

So what else happened that we didn't see?
Fatima: There's so many to choose from.
Whitney: I'm kind of scared to tell you.
Fatima: Me, Kat, and Lauren — one night went to the castle thing. We were trying to do push-ups, and we were so tipsy we were falling down.

More: Party Lines »america's next top model, anya hindmarch, miss jay alexander, tyra banks

Run Through

5/15/08

2:10 PM

A Video Tour of the Costume Institute's ‘Superheroes’ Exhibit

We know you've been meaning to go to the Met and check out the Costume Institute's new “Superheroes” exhibit, but you just haven't had the time. That's where we come in! We sent resident superhero expert and Vulture editor Dan Kois for a video tour of the exhibit with curator Andrew Bolton. Bolton shows off clothes by designers like Thierry Mugler, Giorgio Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana and gives insight into the collection, noting that Catwoman's costume was born from sadomasochistic inspirations and calling superheroes flamboyant. Watch and find out which costume he labels the "ultimate dandy."

More: Run Through »catwoman, costume institute, dolce & gabbana, giorgio armani, super heroes, thierry mugler

New York Fugging City

5/15/08

1:20 PM

Whitney Is America's Next Top Model — Let's Discuss

Ta-da!Photo: Courtesy of CW

Well, well: Miss Tyra threw us a curveball! Instead of handing the America's Next Top Model title to the stunning size-nothing Anya, Tyra anointed Whitney, the plus-size dark horse who is not just the only girl with boobs and a booty to win, but the first even to get as far as the abroad episodes. Still, even though we gave Whitney the longest odds, we're not that surprised — after all, Ms. Banks is nothing if not an Issues Girl. (We can see it now: an entire episode of The Tyra Banks Show about Whitney's success, wherein the audience is forced to wear unitards with their BMIs printed on the ass.) But the question is, was Whitney really the best? Did she genuinely deserve the big win and all its riches?

More: New York Fugging City »america's next top model, fug girls, reality tv, tyra banks

Run Through

5/15/08

12:52 PM

Oh, Joy: Nina Garcia Stays on ‘Project Runway’!

Another piece of the Nina Garcia–Elle–Project Runway puzzle has fallen into place. Hooray! We hope at this point you all care about this almost as much as we do: Fashion Week Daily reported today Garcia will stay on as a contributing editor at Elle until she takes up her new gig as fashion director of Marie Claire, and she'll stay on as a judge on Project Runway for season five. Elle editor-in-chief Robbie Myers officially announced today Garcia will stay on through September 1 (her Marie Claire gig starts September 2). The next season of Project starts airing in July, if you can believe it, and this gives us one more reason to get excited. Now if Michael Kors could just nail down his spot on that judging panel, we could concentrate all our pending Project worry on season six on Lifetime. It hurts to type that every time.

Project Runway Status Confirmed [Fashion Week Daily]

More: Run Through »elle, lifetime, marie claire, project runway, reality tv

Run Through

5/15/08

12:30 PM

Science Proves Shopping Really Is a Drug

Photo: iStockphoto

The Wall Street Journal tells us a nice tale today about the time homemaker Donna Hoffman visited New York from South Carolina, went antiquing, and dropped $400 on a magnifying glass. She didn't really want a $400 magnifying glass, so why did she do it? Those little devils serotonin and dopamine in her brain got the best of her. Research shows that when we shop our brains release chemicals like these, creating brief euphoric moments — when we discover new things (like handbags), turn onto a new uncluttered aisle, see a nice store display, or encounter a friendly sales associate. So the whole idea of retail therapy — that shopping makes us feel better — is a scientifically proven phenomenon. But it doesn't always work in our favor: Studies show when we shop when we're feeling blue, we're more likely to spend unwisely.

A writer from the Journal put on some brain-chemical monitors and went shopping at T.J. Maxx and Intermix to test this whole thing out. Her happy chemicals spiked when she looked at a handbag that reminded her of a Marc Jacobs one she once wanted. They also soared when she looked at brightly colored clothes and turned onto a new aisle full of clothes she wanted to explore. But fishing through crowded racks of clothes killed her spike, and nothing happened when she tried on items she was seriously thinking about buying. Which explains Donna's weird $400 magnifying-glass purchase and subsequent return just hours later.

Retailers commission studies on stuff like this so they can create stores that'll make you super happy so you super spend. The obvious thing to do now would be to warn you not to shop after breakups and bad days. But you know what? Where's the fun in that? We're going to peer-pressure you to shop more. Because we like that shopping high and we trust ourselves (and you!) not to abuse it like we have other things in the past (kidding!). And if we overspend, so what? Everyone's gotta have a vice. And that's why they invented returns.

The Neuroscience of Retailing [WSJ]

More: Run Through »psychology, retail, retail therapy, shopping

Loose Threads

5/15/08

11:30 AM

Magazines Vie for ‘Project Runway’ Spot; DVF Makes Walk of Fame

Diane Von FurstenbergPhoto: Getty Images

• These five magazines are competing for the Project Runway sponsorship for season six, the show's first on the Lifetime network: Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar and In Style. Guess how the Weinstein Co. will choose the winner? By whoever pays the most! [WWD]

• Liz Claiborne and Diane Von Furstenberg will be added to Seventh Avenue's Fashion Walk of Fame. We wonder if any parties like P. Diddy's Hollywood Walk of Fame fête are in the works. [WWD]

• Nike's CEO thinks Olympics boycott efforts in China won't impact the event too much. It would suck for them if it did since Nike is dressing a majority of China's teams. [WWD]

• Macy's lost $59 million in its first quarter. Its women's merchandise just ain't selling like it used to. [WWD]

• Puma is entering a yacht in a ten-month sail-around-the-world contest. They hope this will help them sell more performance sailing gear and nautical-inspired lifestyle apparel. That reminds us! We simply must finalize our summer yachting wardrobe. [WWD]

• Conservative, retro swimwear is back! (Think boy-cut shorts and one-pieces.) Why? Women are finally over showing off the goods. [NYT]

Simon Doonan, Victoria Beckham, and Cynthia Nixon! »

More: Loose Threads »barneys, china, cosmopolitan, cynthia nixon, diane von furstenberg, diet, economy, exercise, fashion walk of fame, glamour, harper's bazaar, in style, kanye west, katie holmes, liz claiborne, macy's, marie claire, marriage, nike, olylmpics, phillip bloch, project runway, puma, reem acra, rogan, sailing, simon doonan, swimwear, target, tom cruise, victoria beckham

Run Through

5/15/08

9:45 AM

Lagerfeld's Miami Resort Show: One Splashy Affair

Pure. Genius.Photo: Getty Images

Today Karl Lagerfeld will show his resort collection for Chanel in Miami at the Raleigh Hotel. Naturally, it won't go down without more pomp and circumstance than that at every graduation ceremony across the country combined, and then some. WWD reports that more than 120 people have been flown in for the occasion and the hotel has been shut down to the general public for four days with "tight security protecting the property like a fortress." A Fortress of Fabulous, that is! The show will feature more than 60 looks; reportedly there will be a performance by ten synchronized swimmers from the U.S. Olympics team plus eight more wearing swimsuits designed by the Kaiser himself, each bearing a letter:

The swimmers are expected to jump into the pool and do a ballet performance that will reach its finale when they will line up to spell out Chanel. It's an appropriate nod to the Raleigh, which played host to several Esther Williams films. "As a child, I loved Esther Williams movies," Lagerfeld said. "I am actually staying here in a suite called the Esther Williams Suite."

See, folks — he was a child once! Now we shall return to hating this day, if only because we couldn't squeeze pool time at the Raleigh into our schedules. Damn.

Karl at the Beach: Chanel Cruises Into Miami [WWD]

More: Run Through »chanel, karl lagerfeld, miami, resort collections 2008

Fashion Calendar

5/15/08

9:00 AM

Events and Sales: Tinsley Mortimer at Saks; 75 Percent Off Steven Alan

EVENTS
• Tinsley Mortimer stops by Saks to promote Dior's Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Tinsley Pink. Meet the socialite and learn how to mimic her look. Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave., at 50th St., main fl. (212-753-4000); noon–6.

SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Gryson, Loomstate, and the house label are up to 75 percent off at Steven Alan. A Demylee cashmere cardigan is now $91. Through 5/17. 103 Franklin St., nr. Church St. (212-219-3305); Thurs. and Fri. (8:30–8); Sat. (noon–7); Sun. (noon–5).

• What Comes Around Goes Around is having its annual spring sale. Vintage boots are now just $30. Through 5/18. 351 W. Broadway, nr. Broome St. (212-343-9303); 5/15 (1–9); 5/16–5/18 (11–8).

• The handbags of Rebecca Minkoff are 50 percent off starting today. Through 5/18. 33 W. 17th St., nr. Sixth Ave. (212-677-7829); Thurs. (noon–8), Fri.–Sun. (10–8).

More: Fashion Calendar »sales, shopping

5/14/08

Party Lines

5/14/08

6:15 PM

Chloë Sevigny Doesn't Want to Call Herself an Eco-Nazi, But...

Glasses!Photo: WireImage

After missing her Nylon party in April, we were worried Chloë Sevigny might not show to Women's Health magazine's "Down to Earth" party last night. But this time, she showed! The green-themed evening was ripe with canvas-bag-toting, eco-talking partygoers so we felt obliged to ask our hostess about keeping it green since, well, we didn't bring a Feed Bag and wanted to show we care. "I'm really green, yeah. I annoy everybody, all my friends. Well, I have some friends that are really green, but most of them — I don't want to use the term Nazi, but I'm very extreme," Sevigny said. "I don't ever use plastic bags. Um, I always bring my own to the grocery store. Even when I go to my local bodega, they're like, 'No bag, right?' They always make jokes about me." Wow, way to keep it real, girlfriend. But wait, there's more! "I try to take smaller baths, I try to eat less meat, I try to only buy organic, and I don't dry my clothes in the dryer — I hand-dry them." She "hand-dries" all of her clothes?! "Sometimes I'll put them in the dryer for five minutes just to soften it up," she confessed. But what if she wants to wear something last minute? "I don't," she said. "Ever."

Yes, we talk about polygamist fashion. »

More: Party Lines »big love, chloe sevigny, opening ceremony, parties, television

Loose Threads

5/14/08

5:10 PM

Christian Dior Resort Images Are Up! Naomi Campbell to Walk for Lagerfeld?

The Dior resort show. The runway was supposed to be a pool. Neat, huh?Photo: imaxtree

• Images from the Christian Dior resort show are up! Skip that afternoon cookie and take a gander. Trust us — they're just as satisfying. [Christian Dior Resort/NYM]

• Naomi Campbell might walk in Karl Lagerfeld's resort collection show for Chanel in Miami tomorrow. If she's flying we really hope she makes it. (You knew that was coming.) [Fashion Week Daily]

• Here's a peek at Christian Siriano's collection for Bluefly. By peek we mean there's a photo of his sketches and another one of him sitting next to some fabric swatches. [Flypaper]

• Tori Spelling is the new face of Skechers. It's all part of their plan to target the family market. Admit it, somewhere deep down Tori gives you the warm fuzzies. [Sassybella]

• Cate Blanchett will wear only Armani during the Cannes Film Festival. [Fashionologie]

• The leggings in Lindsay Lohan's new line have built-in knee pads. Also, it appears she used a blonde model in her promotional event in L.A. Will she go against her casting call and use her in the ad campaign? Suspense! [Hollywood Crap]

More: Loose Threads »bluefly, cannes film festival, cate blanchett, chanel, christian dior, christian siriano, karl lagerfeld, leggings, lindsay lohan, models, naomi campbell, project runway, skechers, tori spelling

Cult of Personality

5/14/08

4:30 PM

Howard Socol's Job at Barneys Is Very Special

Howard Socol with Donatella Versace and Anna Wintour.Photo: Getty Images

Yesterday Howard Socol resigned from his job as CEO of Barneys. Now the retailer has the enormous task of replacing him, which they'll do with the help of a search firm. His successor has veritably clown-size shoes to fill: Socol brought the company from bankruptcy to profitability and opened 21 stores in his roughly seven-year tenure. Also, running a luxury company like Barneys is a toughie not made easier by These Economic Times. Though everyone speculates Socol is departing because he disagrees with Barneys' new owner Istithmar's plans for global expansion, he told WWD that really, he just wants a little "me" time. Though it sounds like he will miss this very special job:

"This is a full-time, seven-day-a-week job. There are a lot of things I love to do. I plan to enjoy life, travel a lot, and expand my mental and physical capacities. There is a lot on my "'I want' list." Taking another job in retailing, said the 62-year-old Socol, is not on the list. "I have no inclination to do that."
…"This is a very special job," Socol continued. "It's all about creativity, energy, fashion. It's not about price. It's not about promotion. It's about the things that get a lot of retailers' juices going." Barneys is not so big so you can still be a merchant, Socol noted. "On this job, you can be a merchant, and a businessman. You can touch and feel the merchandise. You can touch and feel the people," he said.

No wonder everyone loves shopping there so much.

Finding the Right Fit: Barneys' Socol Quits, No Clear Successor [WWD]
Related: Breaking: Howard Socol Resigns From Barneys

More: Cult of Personality »barneys, economy, howard socol, istithmar, retail

Beauty Marks

5/14/08

4:00 PM

Josh Hartnett Mugs for Armani's Diamonds for Men

We're guessing he'll get a shave and a haircut before
the shoot.Photo: WireImage

FRAGRANCE
• Josh Hartnett is the new face of Armani's Diamonds for Men scent. (You may recall Beyoncé fronted Diamonds for Women last year.) The company promises “a memorable print and TV campaign.” Golly, we hope that means a naked Josh with strategically placed paste-on diamonds. [WWD]

• The first-ever Perfume Expo America closes today in New York. Oh, you didn’t hear about it? Sounds about right. Vendors are complaining about the low turnout. [Cosmetic News]

MAKEUP
• Christian Dior will launch the Dior Beauty Institute with the Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris this September. It’s going to be the only one of its kind — featuring skin-care and beauty treatments. Can we go? [Cosmetic News]

• Beauty rules from Bobbi Brown: Don't keep mascara more than six months; don’t use a pencil for brows because it never looks natural — opt for a shadow instead; finally, test your lipsticks without any other makeup on — that’s how you find a keeper. [Makeup Divas]

• The eye shadows in M.A.C's new Electroflash line look like potted planets. Love. [Temptalia]