Kirsten Dunst Off the Wagon Again?The recently rehabbed starlet was spotted with Champagne glass in hand, and more celebrity mishaps in our morning gossip roundup.
Robert Pattinson Got Hit by a Taxi!Don’t worry, his face is okay. His perfect, angular face. Some other things happened to celebrities too, in our morning gossip roundup.
Fabian Basabe Goes in the Back DoorThe former “It” boy is relegated to sneaking in the back door of a party. Also in our gossip roundup: Ryan Phillippe’s new girlfriend creepily gets the same haircut as ex-wife Reese Witherspoon, and the honor for most annoying book deal of the year so far goes to…
Anderson Cooper Morphs Into an I-Banker Before James Carville’s Very EyesThe flap over Democratic strategist James Carville’s calling New Mexico governor Bill Richardson a “Judas” for his recent endorsement of Barack Obama had people hot and bothered up and down the Beltway and the airwaves yesterday.
early and often
Eliot Spitzer: Disgraced Governor, Chronic ExpectoratorThe rapidly deteriorating economy, the five-year anniversary of Iraq, and new governor David Paterson’s seemingly limitless libido all may have distracted you from what’s going on with our fallen former governor. But news is still dribbling out about the Spitzer affair, and perhaps more importantly, so are sexy pictures of hookers!
in other news
Potential ‘Gossip Girl’ Fashion Show Thwarted by Super BowlNow, we’re not too familiar with menswear designer Antonio Azzuolo. According to the Times’ Moment blog, he’s worked at Hermès and Ralph Lauren. And this Fashion Week, he showed a line of extremely preppy suits, coats, and accessories under his a.a. label. So why do we here at Daily Intel care? Because according to the Moment, Azzuolo had a very unique source of inspiration. Not something pretentious and normal like, say, “German Expressionism” or “The films of the 1930s.” No, no, no. His inspiration was Gossip Girl! Bouncy Times blogger Jonathan S. Paul had the following conversation with the designer:
Paul: Do you watch Gossip Girl?
Azzuolo: Oh yes — we went for that kind of character. Very Upper East Side. We were going to get the guys from the show to model but two of them were at the Super Bowl today so it fell though.
OMG, Nate and Chuck and Dan in a fashion show?? We would die a thousand deaths of joy. What an unfair world it is in which something as glorious as last night’s game cannot coexist with something as stupendous as an all–Gossip Girl fashion show. We’re sure we’re not alone in caring about both. Okay, maybe we are.
Chuck Bass in a.a. [The Moment/NYT]
in other news
Valentino Scorches His Fellow Designers on the Way OutNobody knows how to burn bridges like a fashion designer on the way out. Valentino, the Italian womenswear legend who retires this month after 45 years in the industry, decided to go right for the toiles in an interview with reporters this week. “I certainly won’t miss the fashion world. It’s ruined! Everybody’s doing the same things. What’s missing is challenge, creativity, cheerfulness. These days it’s all about numbers! To continue working in an environment which says nothing in particular to me would be a bore,” he sniffed. “This environment is no longer stimulating.” In case that criticism wasn’t specific enough for you, the 77-year-old took aim at some of his longtime colleagues in the industry.
On Miuccia Prada: “[She] knows what she wants … even if we don’t share ideas about clothes.”
On Giorgio Armani: “In the course of 40 years, he has created a great style — but vulgar.”
On Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana: “[They were] shy at the beginning — now arrogant.”
On Donatella Versace: “[Her brother] Gianni’s talent was unique — but what grit she has!”
Valentino will be replaced at his eponymous company by former Gucci designer Alessandra Facchinetti as the company tries to expand. Asked about her talent, Valentino turned generous. “I’ve met her,” he said. “She’s pretty.”
Valentino takes parting shot at ‘ruined’ industry [London Independent]
gossipmonger
The Nine Media Lives of Tina BrownTina Brown signed a deal to develop story ideas and shows for HBO. Donny Deutsch celebrated his 50th-birthday party at the Jazz at Lincoln Center with lobster tail and foie gras. Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman are having trouble yachting around on their Caribbean honeymoon because there’s a massive fuel strike on St. Barts. (Weinstein’s friends also sent him a lot of video congratulations on the day of his wedding.) Lydia Hearst is mad that her name is being attached to Darfur awareness events without her permission. Gay activist Allen Roskoff keeps George Bush toilet paper at his Jane Street apartment.
company town
Jon Stewart Suddenly Not Looking Like the Nice GuyMEDIA
• Is Jon Stewart really the only late-night host not currently covering the salaries of his laid-off, non-striking employees? [Mixed Media/Portfolio]
• The key lines from the n+1 essay that helped convinced Choire Sicha and Emily Gould to quit: “The purpose of Gawker Media was always to improve on the print publishing business model. It was never, as the content of Gawker sometimes seemed to suggest, to produce critiques of the waste that model created. The content at Gawker, like most Condé Nast titles, is a service to the advertisers. … You could say that as Gawker Media grew, from Gawker’s success, Gawker outlived the conditions for its existence.” Joshua David Stein announced his own departure, due mostly to personal loyalty, on Saturday. [n+1, Media Mob/NYO]
• Meanwhile, Portfolio’s Jeff Bercovici proves that Condé and Gawker really are at the same level: “By the way, those who feel wronged by Gawker over the years can take some satisfaction in the uniquely terrible timing of the walkout for Denton, who is pumped full of painkillers after a recent back injury. Last week, the pain became so intense he needed an ambulance to get to the hospital. As he was being loaded into the ambulance, he says, his greatest fear was that he would be spotted by someone from Gawker, which is headquartered just down the block from his home.” [Mixed Media/Portfolio]
intel
Emmy Rossum Combats Impending Irrelevance With New Music Video
When Emmy Rossum blossomed onto the New York scene in 2004, with her starring roles in Phantom of the Opera and The Day After Tomorrow (she got to make out with Patrick Wilson, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Gerard Butler all in one year, the harlot), it was an exciting day for preppy teenage girls. Here at last was a role model: She wasn’t a party girl, she studied opera and dance as a child, and she looked hella good in a Ralph Lauren dress (in fact, that’s all she seems to know how to wear). The girl went to Spence, for Tiffany’s sake! She was perfect. But predictably, mainstream pop culture wasn’t ready for such an iconoclast, so she faded away into general socialite-dom. Until now! Rossum is back with a new music video, and boy is it um ethereal. Rossum’s new album, which owes a substantial creative debt to Enya, is described as “ambient pop.” When you listen to it, you’ll forgive us for being so tempted to make a reprehensible “popping Ambien” pun.
Emmy Rossum “Slow Me Down” Music Video [Just Jared]
in other news
64 New Yorkers Make ‘Forbes’ 400You haven’t, by any chance, been feeling rich lately, have you? Sort of feeling a little bit smug that the burst of the real-estate bubble won’t splatter all over you? At least a little bit excited that in November, your every-other-Friday paycheck will come three times instead of twice? Well, just in time for all that, Forbes has released its annual list of the 400 richest people in America. And guess what? Sixty-four of them are New Yorkers! The top 100 billionaires, in fact, include household (okay, apartment-hold) names like shareholder activist Carl Icahn, Revlon CEO Ron Perelman, designer Ralph Lauren, Condé Nast chairman Si Newhouse oh yeah, and Mayor Bloomberg, who at $11.5 billion is America’s 25th richest man. According to Forbes, he more than doubled his wealth from last year, which was enough to leapfrog over rival media magnate Rupert Murdoch in the ranks.
gossipmonger
Why Does Peter Kalikow Have a $1 Million Ferrari?Billionaire financiers Stephen Schwarzman and Henry Kravis don’t like each other, and refuse to socialize at billionaire financier-type events. Speaking of billionaire financiers, Jeffrey Epstein hired former Whitewater special prosecutor Ken Starr to help defend him against charges that he solicited prostitutes. Tim Gunn claims that he wasn’t allowed to reference Project Runway in his book for fear of being sued by publisher (and Runway co-producer) Weinstein & Co. MTA chairman Peter Kalikow’s $1 million Ferrari sustained $32,000 in damage in transit from Zurich to New York last may. James Gandolfini says we should “shit or get off the pot” regarding Iraq, and wants to reinstate the draft. Some designers are angry that Ralph Lauren is hoarding models for his Saturday show.
company town
Today, Andy Rooney and Charlie Gibson Equally UnfunnyMEDIA
• Don Imus, his big settlement with CBS finally behind him, is now looking to make a comeback on ABC radio. [NYP]
• Andy Rooney apologizes for crossing the line from crotchety to racist – sort of. [NYT]
• Charlie Gibson wants you to remember that he, unlike Katie Couric and Brian Williams, is humorless. [NYT]
gossipmonger
Ba Ba Ba, Ba BarbaraleeHollywood players like Ben Stiller, Toby Maguire, and Steven Spielberg can’t figure out which Democrat to support for president, so they’re donating to multiple ones. (Tom Hanks, Will Smith, and Jennifer Aniston, however, are firmly in Camp Obama.) Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel was passed over for appointment as executive director of New York State Council of the Arts, perhaps because she has donated money to Spitzer, who’s now trying to look ethically pure. Gwen Stefani loves breast-feeding even though she’s been getting bitten. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz refused to be photographed with their KY Intimacy Kit swag bags at Lollapalooza because they were scared of Joe Simpson. Tracy Morgan wants to get his SCRAM ankle bracelet “blinged out” at Jacob the Jeweler.
gossipmonger
Regan Outfoxes News Corp.?Judith Regan has secret tapes that may help her $20 million lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch. The Land Rovers and helicopters used to launch a new Ralph Lauren cologne may have disturbed a community of East Hampton piping plovers. Cindy Adams, who has a vendetta against Larry David because he dissed her once, claims that Laurie had been stepping out on him for quite some time (and that he’s being set up with Ellen Barkin). Olivia Newton-John really liked Xanadu. OK! dropped $400,000 on sex pics of Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo, but the mag won’t publish them. Claire Danes may have landed the lead in the Pygmalion revival because the director directed her boyfriend in Journey’s End. Annie Leibowitz angered the Queen of England by asking her to remove her crown during a photo shoot.
gossipmonger
Guv Love?The “tall and attractive” 25-year-old aide whom Jon Corzine may have been sitting next to at the time of his car crash was reassigned last month because she and the governor were allegedly getting too close. Larry and Laurie David may have split because Laurie had an affair with a married man on Martha’s Vineyard. Some Columbia Records staffers are worried that producer Rick Rubin has been named co-head of the label, given that he has no executive experience. Richie Sambora dumped Denise Richards during a Hawaii vacation a few months ago; she’d been expecting him to propose. Michael Jackson placed a number of odd, ill-timed room-service orders at an inn in Maryland, but he did bless the manager. Oliver Platt is an ardent supporter of the business tactics of George Steinbrenner, whom he plays in The Bronx Is Burning. Lindsay Lohan is dropping booze for bottled water.
gossipmonger
Not a Good ThingMartha Stewart’s driver was arrested for undisclosed reasons, and Stewart flipped out because he is Egyptian. Paula Abdul whines and moans a lot on her upcoming Bravo reality show, but it’s good TV. Actors from the Lord of the Rings trilogy are suing New Line, claiming the studio owes them a cut of merchandising revenue. Jean-Georges Vongerichten is set to open an authentic Japanese eatery where 66 used to be in Tribeca. HBO co-president of programming Richard Plepler, ICM agent Esther Newberg, and Lorne Michaels all back Chris Dodd for president. Barbra Streisand may star in a one-woman show on Broadway after her European tour.
show and talk
Walking the CFDA Red Carpet With Jack, Lazaro, and Oprah
The big winner at the CFDA awards last night was well, actually, it was two winners: The venerable Oscar de la Renta shared the Best Picture–ish womenswear award with Proenza Schouler whippersnappers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Ralph Lauren won for menswear, Derek Lam for accessories, and Lauren was awarded the first-ever Fashion Legend Award. But the real question remains: What did they all wear? Our fashion folks can answer that for you, no problem. Check out our CFDA slideshow to see what Ralph, Derek, Jack, Lazaro, Oscar, Anna, Oprah, Tinsley, and many, many others wore on last night’s red carpet.
The 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards [Slideshow]
company town
Tyra’s Audience Yearns for ‘Oprah’ TicketsFASHION
• Tyra makes audience wear swimsuits and flaunt their weight. No car giveaways here. [Fashionista]
• Jeweler Raymond Weil’s breach-of-contract suit against Charlize Theron (he says she wore Dior) moves to federal court. [British Vogue]
• Ralph Lauren and Johann Rupert join up for a new luxury watch and jewelry line. [WWD]
intel
Ralph Lauren to Open Hamptons Eatery, No Doubt to Be Filled With Old-Time AmericanaAt last, there’ll soon be a chance for East Enders to actually eat at Ralph’s. Designer Ralph Lauren, who owns the steak-and-seafood joint RL in Chicago, is taking over the space in East Hampton that for 25 years has housed the popular, unprepossessing, vaguely surf-themed Blue Parrot. “They signed the contract, and we should close in a couple of weeks,” confirms Parrot owner Lee Bieler, who is moving to L.A. to pursue an acting career. “They said they wanted to renovate the building and do a restaurant. His designer said it would be a concept similar to the Ivy in Beverly Hills.” The restaurant, complete with outdoor patio, is next door to the Polo player’s East Hampton boutique. Word is it’ll be open for business by the spring. —Beth Landman
gossipmonger
The Enemy of My Sumner Is My FriendTom Freston and Tom Cruise bond over a mutual hatred of Sumner Redstone. A paparazzo in a minivan rear-ended Lindsay Lohan’s Mercedes; she’s shaken, but not hurt. This just in: Pamela Anderson was acting during the denouement of Borat. Rumored Ryan Phillipe–Reese Witherspoon homewrecker Abbie Cornish was a no-show at a screening of her new movie. Five socialites compete for the lead role in a new TV pilot. (Our fingers are crossed for Melissa Berkelhammer.) Arianna Huffington has no chance of being Time’s “Person of the Year,” given that she’s on a panel to pick the winner. Paul McCartney gets lots paparazzi attention over his divorce, also stops caring about land mines. Some people eat at Mr. Chow’s house. Lee Radziwill saw Grey Gardens, a play partially about her. Jane’s help-us-deflower-a-virgin stunt has failed. Playful high jinx went down at a fund-raiser for the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Will Ferrell played hoops at Chelsea Piers. Regina King and Ian Alexander are getting a divorce. Liz Smith likes Janet Jackson. Foodies, rejoice: New York will host the first Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival but not till fall of next year.
