Looks like the fashion industry just woke up and smelled the nonfat, triple soy latte. The WGSN fashion press bulletin reports that Calvin Klein will show its men's fall/winter show in New York instead of Milan. (This is the first time in a decade.)
"I am very excited to show the Men's Collection in New York. I think this is a very exciting time for menswear here, as there are a lot of new and interesting young designers working in New York now," added Italo Zucchelli, creative director of the men's Calvin Klein Collection.
No doubt, Zucchelli is also very excited that he won't have to listen to his bosses bemoan the weak-as-diner-coffee dollar and frown at every freaking euro spent. Not to mention the cost of a full-blown fashion party in Milan because Calvin Klein -- the company, not the man -- turns 40 next year too. You may recall that Valentino celebrated its 45th with a weekend of Champagne-soaked bashes in Rome and a dinner for 900 at the Temple of Venus in front of the Colosseum. Gucci recently toasted 70 with lavish parties and suppers in Rome too. Yes, I know that both companies are Italian and would host soirees in their hometown, but Calvin Klein would have to throw some sort of bash in Italy after its show. And that is not a Prosecco crowd, people.
Right now, Betsey Johnson is celebrating her 30th with parties at malls across the country (parties that she is not attending). At this point, there's no word on the plans for the big 4-0 for Calvin Klein. Hopefully, there will be cupcakes.
Who: Hayden-Harnett, a Brooklyn-based design team (Ben & Toni) who consistently put out unique accessories and clothes that won't detonate the debit card. Their looks are bohemian, but not in a precious Tory Burch way -- more the bags you would stumble upon at a bazaar in Turkey or a flea market in Paris.
Why: The color choices are bold and I dig their fixation with geometrics and interesting patterns. The Mosaique hobo (right, $450) makes my mouth water. And check out the oversized Floripa clutch ($427). They do limited edition runs of bags like the Beatrice satchel, (left, $590), which is a pattern by French textile artist Madame Paule Marrot.
What else: The duo also designs frocks, peacoats, capes, duffel bags and utterly awesome cuff bracelets that sell for less than $100 and are worthy of super heroines. Next up for the brand is a line of shoes. Word has it that Hayden-Harnett has been tapped for a Target Go collection, so now would be a good time to buy before they blow up big time.
Ever drink a few glasses of Merlot and mutter to yourself, "I could have created that Google search engine!" Keep boozing. Meet Anna Patterson. She engineered the Google search engine while working for the empire and has invented a new engine called Cuil. (It's Irish for knowledge and pronounced like "cool.") A quick peek at Patterson's look -- while at Stanford, left, courtesy of the college database -- shows that she wasn't doing beer bongs and flat ironing her hair on Friday nights.
According to her bio, she was a research associate to Formal Reasoning Group in the Computer Science Department at Stanford and her interests included: programming languages, concurrency and verifications and analysis of distributed systems. Her side interest? Visualizing structures using 3-D imaging techniques. (Cuil!) Photo: www.formal.stanford.edu
The premiere of 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,' which really should just be called 'Mo' Mummy,' took place Sunday at Universal City beneath an angry, hateful sun. Unfortunately, squinting and see-through debacles ensued for some. Winner: Maria Bello claims victor because she smartly opted for a tousled updo that couldn't wilt in the heat and a chic toga dress that grazed just above the knee. The actress, who's been known to wear stripper shoes with Chanel and dates a guy who is 28 to her 40, always opts for an interesting cut or color. Here, she's as fresh and appealing as a Handi Wipe at a barbecue.
Loser: Jo Champa, an L.A. socialite, actress and contributor for Italian Vogue. (Physically, she looks like a head-on collision of Teri Hatcher and Brittany Murphy.) This is the second time that Champa has opted for transparency on a Sunday afternoon -- last time it was at 'Meet Dave' -- and we get it, lady: The produce is ripe.
Talented costume designer Katherine Jane Bryant (left) goes by "Janie" and oversees the sartorial look of my favorite show, "Mad Men." She won an Emmy for her work on the dearly departed "Deadwood" and "Mad Men" just got nommed for 16 Emmys--the first episode received a nod for costume design by John A. Dunn. The second season debuts tomorrow night and I already have a bottle of Scotch and a pack of Pall Malls ready to go. Bryant, a Tennessee native, is mad for good manners and well-dressed crowds. Here's the skinny on her personal style:
Amount of pressure a costume designer feels on Halloween: People always ask me, "What should I be for Halloween?" My stock answer: "Be creative and really, really scary." I ask you, what happened to being scary on Halloween?
I first played dress up with: My grandmothers' closets. My Barbies, my friends, my baby sister Anna, and my cousin were all subjects of my visions!
Cinematic style icon: The ever so glamorous and sultry Norma Shearer.
Go-to outfit: Black Valentino buckled boots with Swarovski crystals, J Brand skinny dark blue jeans, majestic light gray henley style-shirt, 1970s vintage leather jacket with leather appliques on the pockets, a pair of vintage sweetheart bracelets, and gold hoop earrings.
Favorite on-set experience: Would have to be on the set of"Deadwood." It was season one and was the first time the principal actors and 150 background actors were together all in period costume! Definitely a moment of WOW!
Purse du jour: The Maison by Valentino in burgundy patent leather, gorgeous.
Men should never skimp on: Manners!
Women should always skimp on: Men with no manners!
Animal I most resemble: A Siamese cat.
Top three vintage stores in Los Angeles: Play Clothes (11839 Otsego St., Valley Village; [818] 752-6569), The Way We Wore (334 S. La Brea Ave., L.A.; [323] 937-0878), and Golyester (136 S. La Brea Ave., L.A.; [323] 931-1339).
If I could makeover anyone, it would be: Middle America.
Memo to designers: Always be true to yourself.
Barneys Warehouse Sale or Fred Segal Sale: Barneys Warehouse Sale.
Worst fashion blunder: I'll have to go with panty lines or a fanny pack.
Right now, I am collecting: Positive thoughts.
My mother always told me: "You can do and have anything you want, you just have to put your mind to it" and "No use crying over spilled milk."
Makeup must-have: False eyelashes.
I dig fashion because: It's a way in which each one of us can express ourselves. Fashion is outrageous, creative, beautiful, opulent, minimal, whimsical, understated. Fashion is always evolving. It's everything.
"Photo bombing" has yet to achieve mainstream attention with a Wikipedia page. Then again, do you really need someone to explain to you what it means? In essence, the goal is to stealthily terrorize a picture by any means possible. Nudity is extremely popular, as are obscene gestures. But that's obvious. The best photo bombers, in my opinion, are more skillful, agile and, above all, brave.
Masterful photo terrorists find the most insidious way to disrupt the composition of a shot and mock the subjects at the same time. (The guy who's photo bombing this shot of the three blond amigos with big egos achieves both. The Caucasian thug below takes a different approach and mocks himself.)
Funniepicturez.blogspot.com has a great gallery of photo bomb pictures -- scroll down to the photo bombing feature. Googling the term brings up the very same shots, so it's a movement in its infancy -- like Dadaism during WWI. (None of the photo bombed pictures on the site I mentioned are X-rated shots, but a few images might offend -- so visit at your ownrisk.)
Critics will say that photo bombing hardly constitutes "art intervention," which is the intentional meddling into a preexisting piece of artwork or even an art venue, like a gallery or museum. (The performance artist who took a hammer to Marcel Duchamp's famous urinal -- titled "Fountain" -- in Paris in 2006 and called it his own "art" is a good example of an art interventionist. Same goes for an artist who manages to sneak his work into a museum.)
But I think photo bombing is a genius poke at our society's rampant exhibitionism, fueled by the Internet. Flickr has enabled people to turn the Web into boring photo albums. Or one giant mirror. Hot girls post pictures of themselves and ask commenters to rate their assets. Pictures from weddings, family reunions and proms are uploaded without any artistic censorship. No shot is left behind, alas.
On CNN
this morn, an article about how a company in Lincoln, Nebraska has three full-timers devoted to "wellness." The 565 employees have mandatory quarterly check-ups to measure body fat, weight and flexibility. The program has been around for 16 years and those who achieve optimum results get a company-paid trip---to climb a mountain.
(These Buddhist monks, above, pay 10 to 15 cents to weigh themselves on a bathroom scale in Phom Penh.)
Studies show that people who weigh themselves daily gain less weight. I might weigh myself at work if there was a more private scale--maybe with a discreet LCD read out instead of that sliding reader--that wasn't crammed next to a vending machine that burps out Pop Tarts and Snickers. (Into my eager hands, of course.)
But I wouldn't want the Los Angeles Times to make weigh-ins obligatory. It's fascist and fatist. Not to mention the fact that with all the recent and brutal cut backs here, I think we've done enough corporate downsizing.
The dude selling these Converse "Joker" sneakers--issued for the 1989 Tim Burton Batman
movie--is so glad that he didn't let his Mom chuck them.
Right now, there are four pairs available for bidding on eBay--click here--for anywhere from $10 to $140--the first auction ends at 3:30 pm tomorrow, Saturday. One pair is brand new, with tags attached. Others are slightly worn and scuffed.
A quick search of "Batman" on eBay revealed lots of Bat crap. These kicks, however, stand out for their cool nod to comic geekdom. Plus, you can run away really fast if some big bully goes in for the "Ka-Pow!"
Who: Alison Moyet, zaftig lead singer of "Yaz" -- a syntho Brit band that captivated the hearts of cool kids in 1982 with the angry, plaintive single, "Don't Go." Why: Moyet, a precursor to Beth Ditto, empowered husky girls to play up the eyes with enough eyeliner and smoky shadow to graffiti a bathroom wall. Her thin lips and shorn coif--all Frank Gehry curves and jutting edges--made her look like a sexy and insouciant wet cat.
How: See more pictures at Yazooinfo.com. You can also purchase the new remastered versions of classics, 'Upstairs at Eric's" and "Don't Go." Or the 4-disc set, "In Your Room." To get Moyet's Mata Hari look, define those eyebrows into worthy arches and apply the requisite smoky eye. Refer to this past post, a primer on how to get the raccoon eye, for more instruction.
photos: Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet; Moyet now -- both courtesy of Yazooinfo.com
What: The wallabee, a species of shoe known for its ability to bounce high and conquer grassy lawns, moonlit hikes and cracked city sidewalks, deserves to hop into your fall wardrobe. (OK, I might have run too far with that, but wallabees bring out my inner fourth grader.)
Why
: They're retro and cute and cost less than 25 lattes. These zebra pony hair wallabees from Oak (a super cool New York boutique) sell for $120. You can get them in electric blue leather or more subdued black too, for $110.
Kevin Costner--seen on the red carpet for the premiere of his new flick, "Swing Vote"-- has adopted some interesting facial hair. With the triangle shaped goatee pointing downward, the observer's eye is gently prodded south too. Perhaps to his open shirt, where even more chest hair begs for ogling? Maybe not. Costner has made great
use of
those honey-hued wisps that soften a hairline on the run.
Billy Bob Thornton also employed this tactic recently,
with a copious tuft vomiting from his lower lip. I'm less enthralled with the overall effect. Over at GQ's men.style.com, the style guy says: "Facial hair will undoubtedly distract the eye from your hairline."
Online outlet Haute Look tempts you to take a stiletto to the piggy bank by clearing the shelves of upscale consignment shop, Decades Two. Expect current, impeccable handbags galore by Chanel, Prada, Gucci and other designers to hit the site at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morn. This $3,000 Chanel tote will sell for $2,200 and there are 249 others to be had. Last time, Haute Look and Decades Two collaborated, the loot sold out in less than an hour.
Mariah Carey's "kiss my bling" stance doesn't put a smile on Elmo's face. (See left) He hates when a woman throws out her left hand and wiggles her fingers to show off a huge rock that signifies her self-worth. (And the presumed net worth of her new husband or fiance.) Elmo is a muppet and he can't afford diamonds. Not to mention the fact that he has no pockets and can't save money.
Seriously, that showing off the ring crap needs to go. Even Mariah Carey--who could probably afford to swallow a small diamond every morning like a multi-vitamin--buys into the anti-feminist ideal that the bigger the cushion cut, the better the bride.
According to diamondmarketwatch.com, the average carat size of a diamond engagement ring is highest in California, (specificallly, the La Jolla/Del Mar areas) at 2.75 carats. In Europe, it's .30 carats. Maybe Elmo needs to move to Berlin.
Christian Siriano's new collection has hit Bluefly, with six looks selling on sale for anywhere between $96 to $590. The gold metallic silk shift dress ($325) is cute and flirty and I dig the epaulet-like detail at the shoulders. The sly empire waist is great design too. But the accompanying description -- "Christian says he designed this metallic mini specifically for a 'Haute' night
out!" -- puts me off. Enough with the "fierce" and "hot mess" and "tranny" references. Siriano is now parodying himself and it's about as fresh as the banana peel under my car seat.
My favorite piece is this plaid silk taffeta jacket ($480), in black and gray with a standing collar
and puffed sleeves. I love the grittiness of black plaid, contrasted by the girlish elements. Wear this jacket with jeans and a white tank and primary colored pumps in red or yellow. The description reads: "Christian hopes you'll love as much as he does the boxy ruffle detail of this cropped bolero (a big Fall trend) and suggests pairing it with a long sleeve top underneath for ultimate fierce-ness."
Bluefly lists the designer as Christian V. Siriano and offers a live
chat with customer service. So, I typed in a Q: "What does the initial V stand
for?
I got back, from Suzanne at Bluefly: "Christian is very artistic, so
it's possibly his creative flair by putting his middle initial." Tim Gunn would say, "Stop trying to make it work so hard." photos: Bluefly.com
Did mummy hug Mickey Mouse? Um, no. Did mummy see the Hollywood sign? Fraid not, love. Then, what was mummy doing in Los Angeles, anyway?
Well, according to one plastic surgery clinic, the Brits are coming to get face-lifts and nose jobs and hair transplants. The waning dollar and mighty euro have made the price of a Beverly Hills chin tuck more affordable.
"We have seen an influx of patients from the U.K. taking 'vacations' to Beverly Hills and coming to our office for surgery so they can have Beverly Hills doctors work on them for a lesser price because, in comparison to the dollar, the pound is booming right now," says Dr. Toby Mayer, co-director of the Beverly Hills Institute with Dr. Richard Fleming. "U.K. patients are coming to see us for multiple facial procedures, fillers and hair replacement surgery. They are taking full advantage of our weakening economy for their own cosmetic benefit."
Of course, these doctors are promoting themselves, along with their premise. Still, it makes sense that Europeans would visit the cosmetic surgery capital of America to get the Hollywood makeover. The WSJ reports that New York, California and Florida are the top destinations for Europeans seeking "work done." A July 8 article reports:
U.S. hospitals and prominent plastic surgeons have begun to tailor marketing campaigns targeted at Europeans, touting both their medical expertise as well as lower cost. Some U.S. plastic surgeons are promoting themselves through in-flight magazines read by international travelers. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan, one of the U.S.'s oldest specialty hospitals, is preparing to launch a marketing campaign in London. The initiative is "capitalizing on the value of the dollar" as well as a recognition that New York is "very much a destination," says Allan Fine, a hospital vice president.
Actress Natalie Portman will help Heidi, Michael and Nina decide who of the 15 remaining designers are "in" or "out" on Wednesday night. The theme is "green."
How to woo Portman? Here's a cheat sheet for contestants:
Favorite designers: Lanvin (she wore it throughout her stint as a judge at Cannes this year), Zac Posen, Helmut Lang. Don't incorporate: Bacon as trim. Portman is a strict vegetarian and even has her own line of vegan shoes with the label, Te Casan. In fact, her collection is on sale right now -- including this dainty style, Perla, selling for half-off at $171.50. (Animal prints are highly discouraged too.)
Fun fact: She does a killer Lily Tomlin impression. Who knew? Um, Natalieportman.com -- natch.
Pint-sized, petulant "Project Runway" victor Christian Siriano begins his fierce Hollywood takeover with "Eloise in Paris." The designer will create a couture collection, which will be unveiled in the Paris Fashion Week scenes at the movie's finish. Uma Thurman stars, alongside Aussie newcomer Jordana Beatty as the precocious tot. And three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Milena Canonero ("A Clockwork Orange"; "Marie Antoinette") will act as visual consultant. Imdb.com reports:
"Based on the classic 1950s children's book by Kay Thompson, Eloise jets off to Paris for Fashion Week and, along with one of Europe's top designers, finds herself chasing after a stolen dress."
But WHO will play one of Europe's top designers? Please, make it Karl Lagerfeld. Who needs Eloise? Call it "The Kaiser and the Kid."
Imagine the delight on the faces of troops in Iraq when Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt arrive to put on a
show. One can only assume that Montag will sing and Pratt will glare at soldiers with his simultaneously vacant and menacing Svengali leer. People.com reports that the reality show duo will visit the troops in homage to Montag's stepbrother, who served as an airborne ranger before he died in an accident stateside.
Apparently, John McCain's daughter Meghan plans to help the two with their travel plans. From People:
“She’s very sweet,” Pratt told Extra. “I think Meghan McCain is helping organize Heidi and our Iraq trip. Her dad definitely has some pull with the military. I think she’s going to put that together for us.”
I love the way Pratt makes it sound like McCain's daughter is a travel agent, who will upgrade them to first class and pour the Merlot with a heavy hand in the cabin. Oh and maybe--just maybe--Senator McCain can land them a corner bunk? People goes on to report:
Also on the horizon for the couple: a new video game, which Pratt says will be sold at Kitson. “It’s top secret,” he says. “Get ready. All your wildest dreams are going to be in it.”
It's great that Pratt manages to also insert a plug about their next money making scheme: a video game. Will they be for sale after the Iraq show too?
Ever drink a gallon of Diet Coke and sit for two hours with your legs crossed? Oh and then -- just when it seems like Gotham is safe and credits will roll -- suffer through another 32 minutes of clenching your nether region muscles?
Clearly, the director of "The Dark Knight" and the auteurs behind other interminable fan boy action movies such as "Iron Man" (126 minutes) don't know that a woman's bladder is about the size of a salted cocktail peanut. Men have bladders that are walnut-sized. And those very gals, after silently praying that the Joker will die or Batman will retire or everyone will just perish en masse and the movie will end, tend to be seated in the centers of theater rows.
Yesterday, at the two-hour mark, I watched no less than seven women get up and crab shuffle their way to the aisles to hit the loo. It was interesting to note that one woman -- like a suffragette, of sorts -- led this brigade to the bathroom. Once she stood, others followed.
But it struck me that maybe fan boys are finally getting their revenge on women who mocked them for their comic collections and Spiderman Underoos. Is this comic craze in movies just another Hollywood conspiracy against women? (But "Sex and the City" clocked in at 2 hours and 28 minutes, you protest. Yes, and many women chose to dash off when their least favorite lady hit the screen. Not to mention the fact that it was directed by a man.)
Zack Snyder, director of upcoming geek boy extravaganza "Watchmen," has told the New York Times:
"The main picture is nearing three hours long, and I know I have a fight on my hands just with that."
Um, more like a "flight" on your hands at 124 minutes, when a dozen chicks run for the aisles. How about an intermission for the geek girls?
Are they egomaniacs or idiots? Every week, there's a new story about a famous husband or wife gone astray. Actor Balthazar Getty exits his family for a fling with Sienna Miller, reports People, and his wife is "humiliated." Well, of course she's humiliated. Her rejection has become headline news. Even more damning? Her husband's mistress is acting like an extra in "South Pacific." Here's a snippet from the People story:
"Miller, sporting a sailor's cap, was also spotted topless on the balcony of an Italian hotel room kissing Getty."
Topless? A sailor's cap? Come on, Sienna Miller. Could you be just tad a more discreet? What's next? Miller, wearing a tennis dress and a diamond tiara, is spotted making out with Getty on the front lawn of the White House?
Whatever happened to the day when people hid their affairs and would sneak off to meet in supermarkets wearing sunglasses and trench coats? Remember this shot of Barbara Stanwyck -- going overboard in the incognito department -- in the 1944 classic 'Double Indemnity'? Hell, at least she tried to disguise her infidelity.
It's amazing how selfish celebrities can be, when it comes to lust or love or the limbo in between. Getty, married with four children, picked a sartorial exhibitionist and chose to flaunt their affair. Would it have killed the guy to start divorce proceedings or officially separate before he and Miller took their romance public? Or, at the very least, said to Miller: "The sailor hat is just making it worse for everyone, babe."
Photos: Sienna Miller. Credit: Getty Images; Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray in "Double Indemnity." Credit: Paramount Pictures
The tights, mask and cape may make the superhero, but even Batman likes to look good out of costume. In "The Dark Knight," opening this weekend, Christian Bale wears this sleek Belstaff leather blouson jacket ($1,250) while he's off duty.
And the legendary motorcycle-gear outfitter has presold 6,000 of the jackets on its website,
www.belstaff.net. Talk about product placement.
But you, a mere mortal, can also find one at Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-4400. www.barneys.com
'Righteous Kill' is a new movie--opening in September--starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino as partners in crime. Fighting crime, that is. In the trailer, the duo talk tough, grimace often and kick butt in their inimitable ways. Sample dialogue:
De Niro: "Watch your back. Hey, watch your back." Pacino: "That's right. You keep smiling."
De Niro opts for ties; Pacino prefers a black, leather blazer with an open shirt. It looks like they hang out in night clubs and love the smell of gunpowder in the morning. Does anyone else see
the resemblance to the men of 'Miami Vice?'
According to imdb.com, De Niro and Pacino go by "Turk" and Rooster."
Over at People.com, there's a story about Lauren Conrad failing to fulfill her obligations at a dog fashion show. Dog fashion show? But what piqued my nausea even more was the new term --"celebridog" -- that came out of this kerfuffle. Are we that desperate to find yet another category of celebrity to worship that we will report on the dumps and hairballs of their pets?
Back in the day, a pet had to earn his celeb status. Imagine how hallowed and hard-working animals like Freeway ("Hart to Hart") and Tiger ("The Brady Bunch") must feel when they find out that Jessica Simpson's maltipoo Daisy is famous for nothing. Oh, and what about Mr. Tinkles (right), who worked his fluffy caboose off in "Cats and Dogs"? I bet that he's higher than the Seattle Space Needle on Columbian catnip right about now.
Not to mention the fact that "celebricats" get the shaft because they can't make red carpet appearances or trot alongside their masters and mistresses on hikes. And yes, there is a site devoted to this lunacy called Celebrity Dog Watcher, which reports on topics like "Jada Pinkett Loses Dog to Rattlesnakes" and "It's Playtime for Jack and Hilary Duff."
Make it go away, Mr. Tinkles. And quit hogging the nip.
Tasha Nita Adams is the ultimate shop girl. Last April, she helmed the launch of Racked LA -- a site devoted to every fiber of local style and retail. The Rage asked the "Rack" a few questions about our much maligned fashion scene and the local economy: How would you defend L.A. style to a snotty New Yorker who says that Angelenos only wear flip-flops, tight jeans and $300 T-shirts?
Adams: "I think one of the greatest benefits of L.A. is that we're not tied to wearing designer labels in the the same way that New Yorkers are, which lends to a lot of creativity. I would say at one time that the stereotype was a lot truer than it is now. L.A. has become much more sophisticated in the past five years; sure people wear jeans, flip-flops and tees, but if they're going out, it's much more dressed up, while still maintaining an aesthetic reflective of living in a warm climate and so close to the ocean."
"I would also drop a few names: Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, Cynthia Vincent, Geren Lockhart of Geren Ford, Jenni Kayne, Rami Kashou, Corinne Grassini of Society for Rational Dress, Michelle Mason, Juan Carlos Obando (who was just nominated as a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist) — amazing designers come out of L.A."
We're in a recession, but Melrose Place is booming. Is anyone shopping down there?
Adams: "That's a very good question. I've been down there on a number of weekends lately and it's been quiet but for the Sunday farmers market. Often retailers will tell you that everything is "fine" despite the economic climate, but I don't think any retail -- from luxury designer to the little indie shop -- is immune to the economy right now. Many, many retailers have told me that it's very tough right now, even worse than post-9/11, one boutique owner reported."
The smoky eye may seem dramatic, but check out the amped-up version seen recently on Claire Danes, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Olsen. Call it the raccoon eye.
Instead of softening and smudging the eyeliner, the new style is a bold, black line that encircles the entire eye --even the inside corners. A waterproof liner is a must, since you’re applying on the inner lid. Try Lancome’s Le Stylo in noir or minuit (a deep navy blue), $23.50, at sephora.com.
Last night's New York premiere of the long-anticipated "The Dark Knight" brought out stars, reality show fixtures and plenty of fashion. Perhaps -- because of the recent untimely death of co-star Heath Ledger -- many celebs opted for somber ensembles of black and monochrome colors. The final tally: Winner: Maggie Gyllenhaal, who also stars in the movie as Christian Bale's love interest. Why: Her elegant black column gown, emblazoned with a spray of vivid florals, manages to play the forces of good and evil across her front. I also adore her two-toned sandals -- maybe Jimmy Choos? -- and unadorned clavicle.
Gyllenhaal has always been a study in stoicism on the red carpet. She rarely overdoes it with accessories or florid get-ups. Her simple, pulled-back hair and low-key earrings don't distract from her face. The red lips and light makeup complete the elegant palette.
Loser: Penn Badgley, of "Gossip Girl" fame and beau to Blake Lively. Um, Penn, did someone grab you en route to the dry cleaner and say, "Hey! I got an extra ticket to the premiere of the hottest movie of the summer. No! You look great! Come on!"
Why: The smarmy expression, coupled with jeans and a lame v-neck T-shirt, broadcast an unabashed lack of effort. Badgley looks like he thinks: "Batman? Big deal. And I had Joker Underoos back in the day. Whatevs, man, whatevs." Photos: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
Lately, websites such as Jezebel have become vigilant on reporting the cover misdeeds of magazines such as Redbook, Glamour and Vogue. It was Jezebel who published a "before" and "after" shot of Faith Hill from the July 2007 cover of Redbook that showed how a prominent clavicle or a freckled forearm are forbidden and quickly airbrushed to perfection. See it here and check out their recurring "Photoshop of Horrors" features.
Anyway, over the weekend, I was browsing the Museum of Hoaxes photo gallery and came across the worst case of photoshopping ever. The Aug. 26, 1989, cover of TV Guide, left, didn't just elongate Oprah's neck or add a waist and sexy biceps. Hell, no! They took a picture of the TV titan's head and transposed it onto the body of Ann-Margaret. (The shot of the iconic redhead had been taken in 1979.) Of course, it was clear that Oprah would not have posed on a pile of money. But it wasn't until the designer of the purple dress spoke up that TV Guide admitted to playing Freaky friday with the photos.
Fun fact: In 1990, Glamour ran a cover of Madonna in which they closed that gap between her front teeth. Madge seethed and the mag apologized.
If you thought the Cannes film fest heated up the South of France, just imagine the ballyhoo
over the birth of Angelina Jolie's twins. She and Brad Pitt are now the parents of Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline--that makes six kids. Call it the Brangelina bunch.
The people of Nice are already paying their respects. This young girl, right, brought flowers to the Fondation Lenval maternity clinic, where Jolie underwent a 30-minute Caesarean section. Nice's mayor even made an appearance to be photographed holding the birth certificates.
photos: Francois Guillot/AFP; Eric Estrade/AFP/Getty Images
My mom has been handling a family crisis with an awe-inspiring amount of cheer and
emotional elbow grease. So I sat and thought about sending flowers or candy and then stumbled on this $30 plush heart of gold from fredflare.com. Who wouldn't be thrilled to receive a "thank you" or "I adore you" in the form of a wee, ebullient thumper with its own protruding pulmonary veins? (Only 200 were made, so act quick. I ordered a few extra hearts of gold to bring to dinner parties as gifts and pass along to BFFs.)
New York designers William & Augusta, a mother and son team, hosts its first L.A. sample sale and East Coast expats take note: The looks are ladylike and classic -- more Connecticut country club than Orange County happy hour. Example: This chiffon blouse reduced to $150 from $750 and black gore skirt selling for $165, down from $800. When: Sunday, July 13th; 12-6pm Where: Melrose Lightspace 7600 Melrose Ave., 2nd Flr. (corner of Curson Ave.), Los Angeles, CA, 90046 310.704.2597; Visa and Mastercard accepted. www.william-augusta.com photo: courtesy of designer
Over at Top of the Ticket, Andrew Malcolm notes that Hillary Clinton recently told a group of New York women:
"Because during the campaign, I'm sure you've read, Barack would get up faithfully every morning and go to the gym. And I would get up, and get my hair done."
Is it likely that Clinton could have beat Obama if she had forgone coif time? Nah. Not to mention the fact that critics would have lambasted the senator if she ever appeared with a hair out of place. But it's worth musing on the stat that women spend about three years of their lives primping -- according to a study conducted last November by British beauty brand, Nephria. They also spend an average of an hour and 12 minutes to get ready for a big night out -- in my world, that includes about an hour of consuming wine and 12 minutes for hasty lipstick application and hair adjustments.
But seriously, three years of mirror time? In three years, I could write three novels, birth three children, gain and lose about 30 pounds, and have a lot more sex.
What: Monique Lhuillier Bridal and Ready to Wear sample sale, with everything priced at
40%-90% off. Merchandise is ‘as is’ and all sales are final. No
alterations provided.
When & where: Sunday, July 13th 10am - 5pm 1201 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90015
Three syllables that inspire dread in most women. Just whisper it aloud -- "bikini" -- and it sounds suspiciously like a playground taunt from a sharp-boned, blond bully.
This season, just say no to the ordeal. One-piece suits are not only more merciless, but also much sexier. This Ralph Lauren racerback with a plunging neckline and girlish ruffle shows off the right amount of skin. It's racy enough for a Bond girl, but tastefully suited to a mom too.
Better yet, it's on sale for $129 at RalphLauren.com, reduced from $160.
There's a cute matching cover-up, (see above left), for $59 too.
The insatiable cravings for pictures of celebrity babies confound me. Newborns -- no matter their genetic bounties -- look like lumps with nostrils.
Still, that hasn't stopped the celeb rags from fighting over exclusive photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's soon-to-be-born twins. According to TMZ, the bidding is up to $16 million. (And rumor has it that tabs will go as high as $20 million.) There is one restriction though: The couple reportedly hates to be known for their mash-up moniker "Brangelina" and will not allow it to be used with published photos.
My past post that criticized J.Lo for pocketing money for her baby pictures summoned a lot of flack. But I stand by my stance. Selling pics of your babies, while grousing about the paparazzi, is like buying a dozen Hummers and joining Greenpeace. Most likely, Jolie and Pitt will donate their loot to charity.
Oh, and don't expect shots of Jolie in labor. TMZ also reports that the hospital in France, where she will give birth, has treated its windows with paparazzi proof coating to prevent snaps.
As Anna Wintour comes up on a 20-year tenure at Vogue, Washington Post style writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Robin Givhan, right, sums up the accomplishments of the empress who has too many clothes here.
Choice cut:
"No other American fashion magazine exudes such an unapologetic, cool-girl, gloriously elitist attitude about style. It does not explain fashion or gently lead its readers into the next season. It is a monthly fix for those who understand the futuristic appeal of Balenciaga and the wry wit of John Galliano."
"Vogue treats fashion the way that Sports Illustrated treats athleticism: as something glamorous and in need of neither explanation nor validation."
No one could touch Gabrielle Union at Tuesday night's "Meet Dave" premiere. Her long, '70s-inspired magenta dress is the perfect shade and fit. It's also a refreshing style, in a sea of oversized Maxi dresses and flouncy frocks that have dominated the carpets lately.
I also love that she kept the accessories to a minimum with a bold pendant necklace that complements the jewel tone of her gown, and a sexy clutch adorned with jade. (Will find out who designed the dress and bag and update accordingly, ASAP.)
Union is a study in knockout sartorial simplicity -- proving that a potent one-two punch of color and fit always wins.
The Rage hates to come down on usually
affordable J. Crew. But with these new pretentious, overpriced jeans selling online, they need to sober up. The "Painted Selvedge" denim (priced at $285) is part of
the their 'collector's items' editions--um, whatevs--and features hand-distressing and
paint splatters.
That distresses me quite a bit. For that price, you can buy madras
bermudas ($59.50, right), a matching dog bed for the loyal black Lab ($118), Jack Purcell sneakers ($65), and two striped polos ($19.99 each). Whew!
Unless Jackson Pollack came back from the
dead to go ape with his brush, these jeans are a sad and expensive excuse for individuality. J.Crew claims that only a handful were made, so there's no cha
fashion press bulletin reports that Calvin Klein will show its men's fall/winter show in New York instead of Milan. (This is the first time in a decade.) 
