Posts for March 26, 2008 -- The Cut: New York Magazine's Fashion Blog

March 26, 2008

Dress Code

3/26/08

6:25 PM

Confessions of a Cross-dresser

Photo composite: iStockphoto

Maybe it's because Christian Siriano is shouting "hot tranny mess" from every rooftop in New York, or perhaps we've been looking at more cross-dressers than usual with Heatherette's new M.A.C line and all, but this whole men-as-women thing seems a hot topic as of late. How else to explain the London Times essay by a straight cross-dresser who's struggling with how to reveal his affinity for ladieswear to his girlfriend of two years? They're about to move into an apartment they've bought together, and he's afraid she'll discover his habit, which began when he started sneaking into his sister's room at 15 to try on her clothes:

I'd put on her high heels and totter around the bedroom, catching glimpses of myself in the mirror. I particularly enjoyed the miniskirts. This gave me quite a sexual thrill … Then I graduated to her underwear. I loved squeezing into her knickers, especially the thongs. Also I would put on her bras; black was best. Sometimes I'd strut around the bedroom in bra, thong and high heels. I was always terrified that she would come in, but this added to the excitement.

Now 23, he's acquired his own stash of women's "gear," which will be difficult to hide in his new living situation. He's straight as an arrow and would like to come clean to his girlfriend but worries, naturally, she won't be so cool with it. He adds:

It makes the sex better? »

More: Dress Code »christian siriano, heatherette, trannies

Beauty Marks

3/26/08

4:45 PM

Elle Macpherson Inks Revlon Deal; Wash Your Hair in Caviar

"The Body" is now The Face (of Revlon)Photo: WireImage

MAKEUP
• Elle "the Body" Macpherson joins the Revlon brand as a "global representative." She'll do both ads and philanthropic activities for Revlon and joins other big faces such as Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, and Beau Garrett. [WWD]

HAIR
• Just because a hair-color product calls itself organic doesn't mean it is. Technically none of them are organic — berries from the forest or sunflower petals alone won't perma-color your strands without some chemical help. [Beauty Brains]

• Alterna makes hair-care products with things like caviar, Champagne, and white-truffle oils. Now that ought to bring out some luscious (or delicious) locks. [Daily Obsession]

• Whitney Port attended The Hills premiere with a voluminous Farrah Fawcett–esque do. [BellaSugar]

NAILS
• Chanel's galloping away from the satin craze. Its latest limited-edition nail lacquer, Antelope, is a pearly beige and costs $19. [Blogdorf Goodman]

FRAGRANCE
• If Sarah Jessica Parker fragrance and lotion isn't impressive enough for Mom this year, the actress' Mother's Day gift set also comes with a pair of tickets to Sex and the City: The Movie and a chance to win two tickets to the film's red-carpet premiere. [Shake Your Beauty]

More: Beauty Marks »elle macpherson, fragrance, hair, makeup, nails, sex and the city movie

Model Tracker

3/26/08

3:45 PM

Meet the New Girl: Jen Messelier

Photo: Imaxtree

Seventeen-year-old Jen Messelier debuted on the Milan runway as an exclusive this past September. Fashion momentum is propelling her through 2008, and it’s only March! She was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier for February’s Italian Vogue, racked up a Miuccia-approved casting at Miu Miu, and recently shot a Benetton campaign with David Sims. Looks like this green-eyed French girl won’t be fading away anytime soon. —Kendall Herbst

More: Model Tracker »Jen Messelier, models

Run Through

3/26/08

3:23 PM

An Open Letter to Marc Jacobs on the Matter of His New Beau

Marc and Austin at a good momentPhoto: Michael Wright/WENN

Dearest Marc,

We live in New York, so we understand finding nice, normal guys to date is about as rare as Hillary Clinton wearing Heatherette. But "Page Six" has an item today about your shenanigans with your new "friend" Austin A, and we're a little concerned. It's not because you kissed him and another guy who looked "just like" your ex, Jason Preston, at the same time. If threesomes float your and Austin's boat, that's totally cool by us. May you have them safely to your heart's content. And if you acted a little crazy while you're at it, like they're saying you were, more power to you: Who doesn't party in the singles arena after a long-term relationship? We want to see you celebrating your freedom and having that weight off your nicely toned shoulders.

What's worrying us, however, is that you and Austin are already having screaming matches (at the Beverly Wilshire? So embarrassing). Isn't that why you stuffed your ex onto a separate jet when your Turks and Caicos vacation came to a brutal halt? Are you really interested in another bottomless on-again-off-again sundae sprinkled with ugly fights? No cherry on top is going to sweeten that unappetizing deal, and you know it.

Anyway, we love you. Enjoy singlehood. You look fabulous. Ciao!

XOXO,
The Cut

One Guy's Just Not Enough [NYP]

More: Run Through »austin a, jason preston, marc jacobs

Video Look Book

3/26/08

2:00 PM

When Mom Wears Comme des Garçons, Daughter Does Too

Eiko Berkowitz moved to New York from Japan 21 years ago, and she's got the international-label thing down pat: Her favorite designers include Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, and Issey Miyake — all labels her mom wore when Eiko was growing up. But what about that vest she paired with her Comme des Garçons shirt? Watch the Video Look Book to find out the secrets of Eiko's style.

More: Video Look Book »comme des garcon, issey miyake, videos, vintage, yohji yamamoto

Run Through

3/26/08

12:52 PM

Banks Quitting ‘ANTM’? Our Picks for Her Replacement

Banks: Sayonara models! Hello pols.Photo: Getty Images

The CW plans to run America's Next Top Model for at least two more cycles after this current run, but Tyra Banks may not stick around for it. According to OK magazine, Banks is feuding with photo-shoot creative director Jay Manuel to such an extent that the two don't even speak. OK also reports that Banks barely hangs out with the contestants and shows up only on judging days. So what happened to the Best Girlfriend/Mother Hen Tyra we grew to love over ten (and yes, it took all ten) cycles? She wants people to take her seriously, it turns out, and ANTM just isn't part of that vision:

“She’s really throwing all her weight behind her talk show,” according to a source familiar with “The Tyra Banks Show.” “She’s putting lots of pressure on her staff to keep her show on the map. She had Barack Obama on, she had Hilary Clinton on — she got a taste of playing with the big boys and now ‘Top Model’ seems to detract from her big plans.”

We wonder if her big talk-show plans will include having the cast of the Bad Girls Club back on the show, or perhaps Naomi Campbell for a second go? You know, the "filler" between the political stuff.

Banks is supposedly looking for a supermodel to replace her on ANTM. After the jump, we've compiled a list of models we'd like to see in that center seat on the judges' panel.

Tyson Beckford will need a new gig soon »

More: Run Through »agyness deyn, america's next top model, gisele, jay manuel, karlie kloss, kate moss, may andersen, naomi campbell, tyra banks, tyson beckford

Cult of Personality

3/26/08

12:15 PM

Tom Ford Wants a Kid, Doesn't Miss Gucci

Chest hair concealed!

Fantastic Man magazine boasts Tom Ford as its current cover model — we've always thought Ford was pretty fantastic, so this makes sense. But when we noticed that he was mugging with his chest hair hidden underneath his shirt, we were downright intrigued. Apparently we're not alone: Some pavement pounding and fervent phone calls reveal that the issue is sold out on magazine racks all over the city. Before we could douse our sorrows in Moët, however, we were fortunate enough to catch an excerpt of the Ford Q&A on the Fashion Spot. Some fantastic highlights:

The clothes he designed at Gucci may have been fabulous, but working there? Not so much:

"…having to design 16 collections a year and make a lot of silly stuff I really didn't care about. Leaving Gucci taught me a lot about who is a real friend and who is a friend for business. The Gucci experience was horrible. I was burnt out from working too hard and I was exhausted from the experience and a certain disillusionment and an inability to see my future."

There's a bun in the surrogate oven! »

More: Cult of Personality »fantastic man, gucci, richard buckley, tom ford

Party Lines

3/26/08

11:25 AM

Heatherette Launches M.A.C Line, Turns Into Unicorn

Last night at Heatherette’s launch party for their new M.A.C cosmetics line, Jada Yuan and our cameras captured all the pink, bubblegum action. Learn about the proper use of ironic glitter; why unicorns are Heatherette’s favorite mythical beast (“everybody’s horny, right?”); and who considers Richie Rich and Traver Rains to be her “second moms.” If you’ve needed a Heatherette fix since they skipped last Fashion Week, watch the video. Then snort some glitter!

More: Party Lines »heatherette, mac, makeup, richie rich, traver rains

Model Tracker

3/26/08

10:45 AM

Is Kate Moss Engaged?!

Moss and HincePhoto: Getty Images

Kate Moss took a romantic vacation to Amsterdam with boyfriend Jamie Hince; one night they stumbled out of a bar together, and Kate said she was getting married. Just like that! An "onlooker" told the Sun:

“The pair were in a bar looking very loved-up. Kate was so excited it looked like she had just accepted his proposal there and then. She was very happy.
“She came out giggling and seemed a little bit tipsy. Lots of fans were taking her picture on their mobile phones. She told them, ‘I’m getting married.’ One girl asked her when, and she said, ‘Soon’.”

She supposedly also told a fashion journalist in Amsterdam's Cafe Tabac the same thing, so unless Kate just has an affinity for getting tipsy (or, you know, whatever one does in Amsterdam) and waxing about marriage, this might not be utter blather. We're keeping our fingers crossed it's true because, well, remember what she wore to her birthday party? We could totally go for a marriage-themed sequel to that outfit.

Kate Moss: I'm getting married [Sun]

More: Model Tracker »jamie hince, kate moss, marriage

Fashion Yearbook

3/26/08

10:10 AM

Demi Moore Gets Frayed, Olivia Palermo Gets Frisky

On Monday night, a bunch of fashion-y folk gathered to watch Flawless and then celebrate it with a party in the Soho Grand penthouse. Some pretty funny photos of famous people emerged, which we will now judge. Along with their outfits, of course.

This is Demi Moore with some frayed seams on her coat. We guess she was going for a cowgirl look with that belt and all. She glommed on to Donna Karan, as would we because Karan is freaking awesome. On the right she's with her youngest daughter, Tallulah. Yeah, we wore fur coats when we were 13, too.Photo: Patrick McMullan

Andre Leon Talley, Christian Siriano, and Olivia Palermo! »

More: Fashion Yearbook »andre leon talley, christian siriano, demi moore, donna karan, marcus schenkenberg, olivia palmero

Loose Threads

3/26/08

9:45 AM

Tom Ford Spreads; High Fashion Excludes Big Breasts

Hello, beautiful.Photo: Getty Images

• Tom Ford opened his first store outside the U.S. in Osaka, Japan. He plans to open 87 more locations in Asia over the next decade. Go, Ford, go! [WWD]

• High fashion is not cut for women with big breasts — since obviously those ladies come off as trashy. Nonetheless, 3,000 British women said the push-up bra was the greatest fashion invention of all time. Seems Anna Wintour was right about designers being out of touch. [Telegraph]

• Marchesa has confirmed its bridal collection, which is what everyone suspected Georgina Chapman would be working on after her wedding to movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, for which she designed her own dress. [Fashion Week Daily]

• The Chanel Mobile Art exhibit will plunk down in New York in September for Fashion Week. It will probably land wherever it can fit, since it's so darn huge. Also, it takes two weeks to dismantle the structure and three weeks to assemble it. But do we really expect something less than high maintenance from Karl Lagerfeld? [Racked]

• Keepin' it green as usual, Stella McCartney is opening six stores in India with the same distribution company that's helping her save Bengali tigers. [WWD]

Trannies, Mary J. Blige, and the new miracle bra! »

More: Loose Threads »bras, chanel, chanel mobile art exhibit, jean paul gaultier, kylie minogue, marchesa, mary j. blige, stella mccartney, tom ford, trannies

Fashion Calendar

3/26/08

9:00 AM

Sales: 80 Percent Off Marchesa; 50 Percent Off Smashbox

STARTING TODAY
• Red-carpet favorite Marchesa Couture and Notte by Marchesa are 40 to 80 percent off: Notte by Marchesa gowns are now $425. Through 3/29. Warwick Hotel, 65 W. 54th St., at Sixth Ave., second fl., Oxford Ste. (212-247-2700); 3/26 (noon–7); 3/27 (10–8); 3/28 (10–7); 3/29 (10–3).

• Men’s and women’s silk tuxedo shirts (now $75), linen pants (now $57), and floral dresses (now $99) from DDC Lab are on sale. Through 3/30. Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., nr. 15th St. (212-741-9260); 3/26–3/29 (10–7), 3/30 (11–6).

• Need some animal-print skirts or a cute halter dress? Hit Derek Lam's spring trunk show. Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., at 57th St., third fl. (212-753-7300); 1–4.

More: Fashion Calendar »sales, shopping