Fashion
Jan 14, 2009
Ad aware
First Look: Katie Holmes For Miu Miu

Victoria Beckham isn’t the only A-list celebrity fashionista making headlines today with the release of a new ad campaign, Katie Holmes (Vicki B‘s supposed American BFF) is also trying to steal some of the spotlight today with the release of the first photo from her new ad campaign for Miu Miu. As you may recall, we learned back in November that Katie would be appearing in the Spring/Summer ’09 campaign for the fashion house and today we get our first look at that campaign:

This morning, Miu Miu unveiled its eagerly-anticipated spring/summer 2009 campaign starring Katie Holmes looking positively feline in one of Miuccia Prada’s graffiti-spattered day dresses. Shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in New York last November, we’re told the idea was for Holmes to depict a “luminous icon radiating a sense of mystery and theatricality” in the images, which were inspired by the films of Fellini. Coincidentally, Holmes’ close friend Victoria Beckham is also stealing the limelight today with her first ads for Emporio Armani’s underwear line (the men’s version of which Beckham’s husband David famously provides the face – and body). Mert & Marcus are behind these too; reclining in a hotel suite in the black-and-white photographs, Beckham – who Armani lauds as a “stylish and intriguing woman” – models the label’s spring/summer 2009 collection, which comes in a sweet palette of periwinkle blue, green and pink.

It is coincidental that both ad campaigns have been released on the same day, isn’t it? I’m sure there is no rivalry at all between the ladies and the releases were not intentionally planned to clash on the same day. Katie has got a serious case of fierce face going on in this photo … she even looks a helluva lot like Posh does, don’t you think?

Same hair, same make-up. HMMM. The dress that she is modeling is pretty amazing, it’s a stunning piece of fashion … but I still have a hard time taking Katie Holmes as a serious fashion plate. Her fame has just skyrocketed to astronomical proportions since she got involved with Tom Cruise, I just cannot believe that she would be enjoying such levels of attention if she had never hooked up with Tom. Honestly, tho, she’s put in a lot of work with him and I feel is deserving of this new plateau of fame … she earned it. In any event, I suspect that we’ll be seeing the rest of Katie‘s Miu Miu campaign photos when MiuMiu.com gets updated (currently, last season’s campaign photos featuring Vanessa Paradis is still on display on the site). What do y’all think of this photo … does Katie have the chops to be a serious fashionista?

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Like hubby, like wifey
First Look: Victoria Beckham For Armani Underwear

Just like her husband before her, Victoria Beckham has been tapped to be spokesmodel for Emporio Armani Women’s Underwear and today we get our first look at the first two photos from Armani‘s new Spring/Summer ’09 season. You may recall that news broke in October that Vicki B. would be appearing in the women’s underwear campaign … and today, that campaign is finally upon us … here is the first photo:

VICTORIA BECKHAM has copied husband DAVID by stripping off for a steamy new Giorgio Armani advert. The style-conscious former Spice Girl has previously turned down offers of lingerie photoshoots after moaning she looks “really awful naked”. However Victoria looks anything but in her FIRST ever underwear shoot for the fashion house’s Spring Summer campaign. The £12million modeling deal follows the huge success of David’s eye-popping Armani campaign last summer. He caused mayhem in San Francisco when billboards of the footie star showing off his well-endowed lunchbox were unveiled. And we’re certain body-shy Victoria will cause similar waves after baring almost all. In one snap the singer-turned-designer sprawls provocatively in a polka dot design and high heels on the floor of a dimly-lit hotel room. While in another, Victoria shows off her toned physique as she sits on the edge of an unmade bed. The pictures of Victoria, shot in location in Los Angeles by renowned fashion photographers Maert Alas and Marcus Piggott, are the first in the three-year multi-million pound deal. She said: “It’s an honour to have been selected by Mr Armani to represent the Emporio Armani Underwear brand and to execute his vision with the incredibly talented team of Mert & Marcus.” While Armani himself praised Victoria as “a style icon, a dynamic lady whose influence and recognition will add great excitement to the continued international growth of our Emporio Armani women’s underwear business”.

HMMM … I must admit, VB‘s campaign doesn’t have quite the same OOMPH that hubby David Beckham‘s campaign had. I recall when we got our first look ever of Becks all squeezed into those tight little white Armani undies … his first photo sent shockwaves around the world. I don’t think that Vicki B‘s photos will resonate with the same gusto. After the jump, check out the second Armani campaign photo that features VB in her skivvies to see more …

Jan 11, 2009
Because he can
David Beckham Buys Wife Victoria A £80,000 Purse

Victoria Beckham is a very lucky woman. Not only is she married to arguably the hottest soccer player on Earth, one David Beckham, but she’s also married to a guy who is willing to spend £80,000 on a single gift for her to show his appreciation and love for her … in the form of an Hermès Birkin Himalayan handbag. Whether it’s love or overly exaggerated wasteful spending, Becks decided that his wife was worth owning one of the most exclusive purses in the world … which she happily showed off at Becks‘ debut soccer match as a new member of Italian soccer team AC Milan earlier this week:

CHUFFED VICTORIA BECKHAM shows off her Christmas prezzie from husband DAVID — an £80,000 HANDBAG. The diamond-studded Birkin Himalayan by designer Hermes is one of only three in the world. It cost £10,000 more than a flat up for sale in Victoria’s home town of Harlow, Essex. Posh, 34, showed off her new piece of kit for the first time as Becks made his debut for AC Milan in Dubai. It is named after British-born French actress JANE BIRKIN and has hundreds of diamonds, including a three-carat sparkler on the lock. The bag cost nearly a week’s pay for Becks, 33, while he is playing for Milan — and he and his team-mates looked like fashion victims in Rome yesterday as they wore matching Dolce & Gabbana jackets. A source said: “It’s not as easy as everyone would think for David buying his missus a present every year. She is the woman with everything. But David knows the French fashion house is her favourite and he sorted the gift in Los Angeles from one of the few powerful fashion buyers who could get one. She was delighted, a relief at that price.” Customers must wait six years for some Birkin pieces. But the waiting list for the Himalayan is closed — and those already on it have to wait four years.

Damn. That’s one pricey accessory. I cannot imagine carrying around a bag that is equal to the cost of an entire home but, then again, I cannot imagine what it must be like to be married to David Beckham either. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … Vicki B. is one lucky beyotch!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Jan 9, 2009
"Diva tasting, self confident and above all glamour."
Lindsay Lohan Is The New Face Of Fornarina

Last May it was reported that Lindsay Lohan signed on to be the new face of Italian design company Fornarina, which is opening a new flagship store in NYC and hopes to crack the US market, and today we get our first look at some of the images shot for the Fornarina Spring/Summer ’09 campaign:

From the press release: Lindsay Lohan is the new model for Fornarina, the Italian fashion brand. The new campaign illustrates overwhelmingly feminine images in which Lindsay Lohan, described by Fornarina as “the Hollywood celebrity testimonial of the brand,” is the main protagonist: Young, beautiful, eclectic, with great talent and a great personality, Lindsay Lohan immediately appeared as one of the few in the show-biz able to represent the glamorous style of Fornarina. The unmistakable personality of Fornarina, the fascination of Lindsay Lohan and the intense light of Los Angeles that overflows the Stahl House, one of the most exclusive locations in Hollywood, have rendered it possible to have an extraordinary photographic campaign that expresses in the most absolute way, the DNA of the brand. The magnetic appeal of Lindsay’s poses, the suspended aerial transparency of glass views, the brightness of the light and the unmistakable skyline of Los Angeles, gave life to a perfect synergy between the Hollywood actress and the world of Fornarina world. A unique vision of femininity, a unique way to live fashion: Fornarina expresses the attitude of the ultimate rock-diva. The result is a precise and multi-faceted identity at the same time, able to cross the everyday life with that taste of exclusivity and fascination that a star only has: the Fornarina style. In order to live the most glamorous dream.

After seeing L. Lo‘s new Interview magazine February photospread yesterday, I’d have to say that this is her second amazing photospread of the week. It looks like the photos were shot here in SoCal (the smog in the background distance looks a lot like LA) but I’m not sure exactly when they were shot. As you may recall, Lindsay spent a couple of days in a private residence in the Hollywood Hills over the Summer shooting a photo campaign (she even tangoed with girlfriend Samatha Ronson in between takes) but I don’t think it was for this campaign. In any event, Linds has that All-American look that I think the campaign is going for … she looks great. I wonder what other new campaigns/photospreads are on the horizon for Miss Lindsay.

[Source]

Jan 4, 2009
A new batch of LV S/S 09 photos
More Images Of Madonna For Louis Vuitton

Here are a couple new images of Madonna modeling some of the new fashions and accessories for the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer ’09 collection:

As you may recall, we got our first look at the first images of the Madonna/Louis Vuitton campaign earlier this month so these new photos have yet to be widely seen. The setting and motif is the same … which I’m not sure it necessarily a good thing. Overall, tho, I really like this sultry campaign. After the jump, check out a couple more photos from this LV campaign …

Dec 30, 2008
Big break
Justin Gaston & Kate Moss For Roberto Cavalli

Last month we learned that Justin Gaston, underwear model and older manfriend to poplet Miley Cyrus, was chosen to appear in a new ad campaign for Roberto Cavalli and it turns out that the ad has already been shot … AND it also features supermodel Kate Moss! This is, by far, the biggest modeling gig that Gaston has been able to score in his short modeling career … there’s just one minor problem — you can barely see him in the ad:

Yeah, apparently Justin wasn’t really needed for anything other than a face down body for Kate Moss to lay on. Hmmm … doesn’t sound very glamorous, does it? You can’t even seen an arm. I sincerely hope, for Justin‘s sake, there are more Cavalli ads to come cuz … if this is all he got, then he got robbed.

Additionally, Teen Vogue magazine managed to uncover an old modeling Polaroid photo of Justin Gaston back in his early modeling days. In fact, he looks about as young in the pic as the girlfriend he is reportedly romancing these days. After the jump, check it out …

Dec 22, 2008
Like a kid in a candy store
Vicki B. Makes Herself At Home In Milan

David Beckham, who was officially introduced to the people of Milan, Italy this weekend as the newest member of the AC Milan football club, has denied that he decided to make the temporary move to Milan for “fashion” reasons and is only doing so in order to better his soccer game. It appears that the same cannot be said for wifey Vicki B. who looks absolutely thrilled to exploit all of the fashion options that are available to her in the Italian Fashion Mecca. Here are a few pics of VB‘s first hours in Milan this weekend … you will note that she took the opportunity to change outfits a few times to show the people of Milan just how fashionable she really is:

Sometimes, one fabulous frock just isn’t enough. Victoria Beckham obviously felt she needed to trot out four within 15 hours, while helping her husband David settle in at AC Milan on the weekend. She might simply have been trying to do him proud as he met his new teammates. Or she could be helping him with his Italian … But the fact that all the frocks were from her dVb collection suggests she was trying to make her own mark on the fashion capital.

Hahhahaha … as “posh” as VB is, she seems to have no probs becoming a walking billboard to peddle her dVb wares to the fine folks in Italy. Shameless. I love it. Additionally, VB hooked up with fashion designer BFFs Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for a little shopping spree yesterday afternoon … here are a couple of pics of the happy threesome:

While Becks may proclaim that he’s only got soccer on the brain while he’s in Italy, I think it’s safe to say that we know what’s on VB‘s mind. It looks like Les Beckhams are going to enjoy their time in Milan over the next few months … I just hope they don’t get too comfortable there ;)

[Photo credit: X17; Source]

Dec 15, 2008
A star is born
Ryan Lochte Does ‘GQ’ Magazine

Earlier today we got to see a fun photospread in the new issue of GQ magazine that featured Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley modeling the essential must-haves for guys lookin’ to rep American Style this season. Olympic Gold-Medalist and all around hottie Ryan Lochte is also featured in the new issue of GQ in his own fashion spread of classic American SoCal Style clothing … behold:

Nothing’s more genuinely American than the beach-inspired style of Southern California. And this season, nothing’s more affordable. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte throws on some threads (for a change).

Um, yes please! I am ALL for more Ryan Lochte appearing in magazines and various photospreads. I’m very pleased to know that he has signed on with PMK pr firm and will be appearing in underwear ads for Calvin Klein. Methinks that 2009 is going to be Ryan Lochte‘s year. I can’t wait to see what’s in store … and how little he’ll be wearing to show off ;) Soooo … which do y’all prefer — these pics or Penn‘s?

[Source]

Fashion plate
Penn Badgley Does ‘GQ’ Magazine

Penn Badgley, of Gossip Girl fame, is featured in the pages of the new issue of GQ magazine (the one with the very nekkid, very hawt Jennifer Aniston on the cover) posing in various American style fashions. Here are a few pics from his new GQ photospread:

It’s not just our dashing, thoroughly modern President-elect drawing the world’s attention — it’s our clothes, too. As the next twenty-six pages demonstrate, classic American Style has reinvigorated the world of fashion. And it all starts with actor Penn Badgley and these essential pieces for you to short-list this spring.

I am so happy that Penn is getting his own face time in a major magazine like this. No other Gossip guys are included in this GQ feature and Penn is highlighted in the most photos. Other models in this 26-page spread include actor Jeffrey Wright (Quantum of Solace, W.) and Olympian Ryan Lochte (whose photos are so hawt, I’ll have to post them all by themselves a little later on). After the jump, check out another set of photos of Penn Badgley modeling the essential must-wears for dudes this season …

Dec 8, 2008
It's all part of the job
Marc Jacobs Gets Nekkid For Louis Vuitton

Fashion Designer Marc Jacobs is appearing completely nekkid in new promo photos to celebrate the release of the new Stephen Sprouse book and exhibition that takes a look back at the late designer’s hugely successful collaboration with Louis Vuitton eight years ago. Here is one of the new Marc Jacobs promo pics (with only a Sprouse embellished LV carryall bag to protect his manhood) and some info on the original Jacobs/Sprouse collabo:

October 2008. Marc Jacobs is in a photo studio in downtown New York, stripped down to a tiny pair of American Apparel underpants while his naked legs are silk-screened with the words LOUIS VUITTON in fuchsia paint. He’s trying to decide if a cigarette would make him feel less self-conscious, in spite of the fact that he’s wearing a nicotine patch — and in spite of his new fabulously healthy and trim physique, decorated with and celebrated by loads of tattoos, including one of Elizabeth Taylor’s visage on his back. The lettering is poppy and familiar. It’s the graffiti done by Stephen Sprouse as part of the duo’s collaboration for the French house eight years ago. This time the graffiti is blindingly bright: neon pink. Stephen Sprouse died in 2004 at the too-young age of 50. “It’s an homage,” Jacobs says of the new collection, which features clothing, bags, and other accessories. It’s a limited release, timed to coincide with the opening of a Sprouse retrospective at Deitch Projects this month in New York and the publication of Rizzoli’s The Stephen Sprouse Book. “Stephen was one of the first people to deliberately eliminate the boundaries between fashion, art, music, and design,” says gallerist Jeffrey Deitch. It was Deitch who approached Jacobs and Vuitton with the idea for the collection. “And product,” he says, “is a great way to get a message across.” The story of Marc Jacobs, Stephen Sprouse, and Louis Vuitton began in the late ’90s, when Jacobs found himself thinking about Marcel Duchamp, the French artist who once sullied an image of the Mona Lisa with a funny little beard and mustache and called it L.H.O.O.Q., which, if you say the letters fast in French, roughly translates to “she has a hot ass.” “It’s about taking something that’s very iconic and revered and defacing it and creating something new, somewhat rebellious, and kind of punk,” Jacobs explains. “Cut from Marcel Duchamp to me going to see Charlotte Gainsbourg’s apartment,” he continues. “She had, by the side of her bed, a Louis Vuitton trunk that had been painted black by her father, and the Monogram was sort of peeking through.” Suddenly it was very clear what Jacobs needed to do. He needed to deface the revered and iconic Monogram canvas, and he needed to do it in a way that was modern enough to attract a new customer to the big old French brand. To do this, he reasoned, he needed Stephen Sprouse. Sprouse was one of the first high-fashion designers in the ’80s to make clothes that were painstakingly constructed, as well as hip and young and cool. A mantle, perhaps, inherited by Jacobs himself? “God, I can’t say that,” Jacobs says, still clearly in awe of his late friend. “I mean, you could say that, but I never could.” The parallels are difficult to ignore: “He had this desire to take what he saw in the streets and elevate it,” Jacobs says of Sprouse. “He was using all this stuff that was so costly, really beautiful materials, and he was doing it all so beautifully. There are so many people who try to affect a street style, but it doesn’t have the integrity. Stephen’s work was so stylistic, and it had street cred. You can’t calculate that. You have it or you don’t, and Stephen did.” It took some time for Jacobs to convince the Vuitton powers that be that scrawling all over their time-tested bags was a good idea, but Vuitton did, eventually, come around, and Sprouse came to Paris. The rest, of course, is It-bag history. “They thought the bags would be for the show,” Jacobs says, “or for editorial.” But as names on wait lists piled up, the bags were produced. And Jacobs was a genius. Vuitton did reach a new customer — $300 million worth of them, Jacobs has said — and has continued to do so through similar partnerships with artists like Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince. Each of these bags has been a triumph. They have been shown — and sold! — in fine-art museums. Jacobs doesn’t live in a vacuum: He knows that these luxurious, spirited bags will hit the market at a touchy economic time for conspicuous consumption. But he shakes it off. “Retail therapy,” he says, offering his leg up to the silk-screen artist. “It seems to work. It’s not the longest-lasting therapy in the world, but it does its job. I’m not pretending to cure the nation’s economy, but we do what we do, and if people enjoy it, even better.”

While I didn’t really love the Sprouse LV bags and accessories the first time around, I gotta admit that I really like the new neon-colored collection:

As a child of the 80′s, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the day-glo prettiness of neon colors. Unfortch, tho, I thought that the neon craze was already over. That being said, I’m pretty sure that Louis Vuitton will have *no problem* selling these expensive accessories no matter what the economic climate is. And Marc Jacobs is gonna do everything he can to help sales … including using his nekkid body. After the jump, check out another more NSFWish photo of Marc Jacobs nekkid — this time without the bag to cover his naughty bits …