Top 10 fashion trends of 2011

In 2011, fashion was more accessible than ever before. The world's newest fashion icon and royal, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was photographed shopping at affordable chain stores. Designers talked directly to fans on TV and Twitter, and sold cheap chic collections on EBay, at H&M, Target and Macy's. There was so much information and so many opinions out there about fashion, that at times, it was difficult to find any consensus, much less a trend. But here are my picks:

1) Hot hues. Bright color is a trend that we saw simultaneously on the red carpet (Emma Stone, top left, in that pink-and-red Giambattista Valli dress at the "Friends With Benefits" premiere) on the runways (at Jil Sander, 3.1 Philip Lim, Prabal Gurung, Roksanda Ilincic) and on the streets, or rather, the fields at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, where neon reigned supreme. And it's only going to get stronger for spring 2012.

2) Dip-dyed hair. Kate Bosworth, Katy Perry and Lauren Conrad are just a few of the celebs who sported rainbow-colored tips this year. But I knew it was officially a trend when the 10-year-old boy sitting next to me at Sally Hershberger was getting a (very expensive) blue streak put in his tresses. Only in L.A.

 

3) Colored denim. Are you seeing a theme here? Skinny jeans didn't go anywhere this year. In fact, they were more popular than ever thanks to a widening range of color options available everywhere from J. Brand (above) to Forever 21. 

4) Native accents. Fair Isle knits and Native American prints were splashed across everything from 1980s-era cropped tops, to chunky scarves, leggings and sweaters. If you're looking for the source, think back to the fall 2010 D&G runway (a Fair Isle fest as seen in the top right photo), Proenza Schouler's fall 2011 collection inspired by Santa Fe, and the music festivals.

5)  Women in tuxedos. Beyonce wore a sequin Dolce & Gabbana tux at the VMA Awards, and Kim Kardashian (who is not one to cover up) wore one to pose for her family Christmas card. Tory Burch custom made her first tuxedo for pal Kanye West to wear to the Costume Institute Gala in May, then debuted her own range of tuxedos for women. But really, on a woman or a man, tuxedos (or le smoking as Yves Saint Laurent called them) are timeless.

6) Designer duds for a song. Missoni at Target (above right) and Versace at H&M, both out this year, were two of the most successful cheap chic collections of all time, as designers continued to go downmarket to increase the visibility of their brands and bring their style to a new generation of shoppers. The Missoni collection was a zippity zig-zag joy, and the Versace for H&M collection -- more Gianni than Donatella, more South Beach than Milano -- may have been the best Versace collection in years.

7) The new sobriety. Thank you Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (above left) for bringing modesty and appropriateness back to the public forum with your demure shift dresses, tailored coats and classic pumps. 

8) McQueen mania. It was the royal wedding of the century, and the bride wore Alexander McQueen. The bad boy British designer may have died last year, but his fashion label has never been more popular thanks to the stunning designs of artistic director Sarah Burton, who is carrying on his legacy. More than half a million people went to see "Savage Beauty," the retrospective exhibition of his work, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, kicking off a frenzy among museum curators the world over to come up with more fashion programming.

9) Fur and feathers flying. From feather hair clips to feather earrings, ombre fur coats to oversized fur handbags, this year we fawned over fauna. Except in West Hollywood, where last month, the City Council passed a ban on fur sales that will take effect in 2013 -- and could push some high-end fashion retailers out of the neighborhood.   

10) Shock and awe. It was a clash of tutus, animal prints and fried chicken necklaces, as Nicki Minaj (above left) and Lady Gaga (above right) tried to out-weird each other with wacky outfits this year. But fashion's tolerance for weird is high (how else to explain the fascination with Daphne Guinness?) and we loved it.

-- Booth Moore 

Top left photo: Emma Stone attends the "Friends with Benefits" premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on July 18, 2011 in New York City wearing Giambattista Valli. Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

Top right photo: A model wears a fur and Fair Isle creation of D&G by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week fall-winter 2010/2011 in Milan. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Stigter / For The Times

Second left photo: A model in a pink ombre fur jacket at the Prabal Gurung autumn-winter 2011/2012 runway shows. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Stigter / For The Times

Second right photo: Colorful jeans from J Brand. Credit: J Brand

Third left photo: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at the University of St. Andrews on Feb. 25 in St Andrews, Scotland. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images.

Third right photo: The Missoni for Target collection debuted to unprecedented demand on Sept. 13, bringing the designer label's signature prints and patterns to apparel and accessories ranging in price from $2.99 to $599.99. Credit: Target

Bottom left photo: Nicki Minaj performs during the Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York on Nov. 9. Credit: Brad Barket / Associated Press

Bottom right photo: Lady Gaga, wearing Alexander McQueen, poses with her International Pop award during the Bambi awarding ceremony in Wiesbaden, Germany, on Nov. 10. Credit: Daniel Roland / AFP/Getty Images

Fashion: Selena Gomez stylish as Justin Bieber fights paternity suit

As her boyfriend Justin Bieber began fighting a paternity suit accusing him of fathering a fan's child out of wedlock, Selena Gomez put aside any upset she could be feeling to attend the "Stars" gala at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday night. The affair benefited the Fulfillment Fund, which provides mentoring and scholarships for disadvantaged students to help them achieve a college education. Gomez wore a sparkling, one-sleeved cocktail dress with strappy sandals as she posed on the red carpet. "The Wizards of Waverly Place" star said she was there to support the evening's honoree,  Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross. [Society News LA] 

Anne Hathaway wore a cocktail dress with a sparkly golden glow from Valentino's 2011 Couture Collection to the Princess Grace Foundation Annual Gala in New York on Tuesday. [The Cut]

Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton has been giving quite a few interviews lately, including one in the December issue of British Vogue, on sale Wednesday. In it, she talks about her memories of the late McQueen (he liked "Friends") and also about keeping Kate Middleton's wedding dress a secret for so many months. Even Burton's parents only saw the dress on the royal wedding day, and then they viewed it from a street in London, using a periscope to see over the crowd. [Telegraph] 

Chanel's creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, had created a line of makeup for Sephora, as well as a snow globe containing a figure that looks like the designer himself. How over the top is that? [WWD]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Selena Gomez strikes a pose at the "Stars" gala Tuesday night. Credit: Vince Bucci

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Fashion News: Missoni for Target floods EBay

Target's launch Tuesday of the much-anticipated Missoni for Target collection was full of problems -- long lines at stores, empty racks, a crashed website, as I wrote at the time. Some customers walked away empty-handed and fuming; others scored big time (All the Rage commenters reported seeing shopping carts in stores brimming with merchandise scooped up by the greedy fortunate). Patience paid off for my colleague Jenn Harris and me when, after several hours , Target.com refreshed itself and we were able to log on and scoop up a few things (non-greedily, two pieces each). About the same time, Jenn noticed that EBay was beginning to fill up with items from the collection. As I write now, EBay lists 21,991 Missoni for Target results. Oops. Make that 22,132 -- er, 23,736 -- and growing! [EBay] 

-- Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at left, may have a ladylike style that is copied by the masses, but that doesn't make her a fashion trendsetter, say some fashionistas at New York Fashion Week. She's no Kate Moss, says Elle fashion news director Anne Slowey. [Telegraph]

-- First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with "Project Runway" guru Tim Gunn to host a luncheon on Tuesday for winners of the 2011 National Design Awards, which are presented by the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City. She also invited 15 high school students to join honorees hailing from the worlds of fashion, interactive computer design and other design fields. [Bloomburg Businessweek]

-- Michelle Williams is on the cover of Vogue, styled to look like Marilyn Monroe. [Vogue]

-- Dolce & Gabbana has come out with a book (published by Rizzoli) about male model David Gandy -- who happens to be the face of Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue fragrance. Titled (fittingly) "David Gandy by Dolce & Gabbana," the tome is filled with photos and some "insights" such as "I don't know why my parents named me David." [Telegraph] 

-- I did not see this one coming: Kirstie Alley walked in designer Zang Toi's runway show on Tuesday during New York Fashion Week. [The Cut]

-- Conde Nast UK, the publisher of magazines including British Vogue and GQ, is setting up its own fashion school, with courses in design. [WWD] (subscription required)

-- Italian fashion house Marni has landed a fragrance deal with Estee Lauder. [Telegraph]

-- Hermès hosted a cocktail party Tuesday at its Paris flagship on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré to celebrate the French premiere of its documentary “Hearts and Crafts.” The short film directed by Frédéric Laffont and Isabelle Dupuy-Chavanat showcases the artisans who make the label's luxury goods. It will go into general release in France in October. [WWD]

-- British socialites Petra and Tamara Ecclestone -- the daughters of Formula One racing mogul Bernie Ecclestone -- have arrived in L.A., younger sister Petra moving into Candy Spelling's former home and Tamara reportedly looking for a place. Good news for our shopping districts as they've been spotted out and about. [PopSugar LA]

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, looking ladylike as she attends a polo match. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press Photos.

Duchess of Cambridge designer favorite comes to L.A.

 
American fans of the Duchess of Cambridge's long, lean coats and slim-tailored hacking jackets can now get the royal treatment themselves. Katherine Hooker, the London-based fashion designer who has worked with her since 2005, back when she was Kate Middleton, is holding her first Los Angeles trunk shows.

Sept. 6 and 7, she'll be taking up residence at the London Hotel in West Hollywood, appropriately enough, showcasing designs such as the tailored-yet-feminine Buxton coat (above, middle), worn by the Duchess to the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Palace in June. (The coat is paired with Hooker's matching Scout dress.)

The Duchess chose to keep the ensemble monochrome, in dove gray. But the thing about Hooker's designs is that they are all individual. Each piece is made by hand in England, so Hooker will come armed with hundreds of swatches, buttons and trims, tweeds, silks, linens and cashmeres, to choose from. Clothing, $860 to $1,200, takes four to six weeks to complete.

 
Hooker started her collection of elegant coats in 2001, after a career in film set decorating. To hear her tell it though, she's been obsessed with coats since she was 18 years old, when she spotted the fashion find of a lifetime in a junk shop in Jerusalem: a vintage black silk coat with the perfect slim fit. 

"It was hand-made for a 14-year-old Hasidic boy,” Hooker told the New York Post back in March, when she visited New York for a trunk show. “It just so happened that I was the right shape for it, with tiny little shoulders, and it was cut really high in the arms . . . I wore it to death.”

So, on a break from films, she took a trip to India and had six sample pieces made. Her business took off, though she wasn't really thrust into the spotlight until Middleton was. Hooker has a shop just off Kings Road in London, which is a favorite with Brit "It" girls Plum Sykes and Jemma Kidd.  Los Angeles is the latest stop in a multi-city trunk show tour for the designer, who is focusing on expanding her business in the U.S.  

Katherine Hooker will be at the London Hotel on Sept. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. She will be at the Gebert Gallery on Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 1345 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. No appointment necessary.

For more information, go to www.katherinehooker.com.

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-- Booth Moore

Top photo: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby watch the Garter Service on June 13 in Windsor, England. The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing an ensemble by designer Katherine Hooker.Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/ Getty Images. 

Bottom left photo: Kate Middleton, in a Katherine Hooker hacking jacket, attends the final day of Cheltenham Festival on March 16, 2007, in Gloucestershire, England. Photo credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. 

Bottom right photo: Prince William and Kate Middleton, in a Katherine Hooker coat, wave to the crowds after officially launching the new RNLI's lifeboat 'Hereford Endeavour' at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey, on February 24. Credit: by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
 

2011 Vanity Fair best-dressed list is flush with royalty

The duchess of Cambridge was among the women named to the 2011 Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List, which the magazine announced Wednesday morning.

The former Kate Middleton wasn't the only royal in the rankings, which included Princess Charlene of Monaco and Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser of Qatar. Also among the top 10 are France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy,  actresses Carey Mulligan and Tilda Swinton, and Christine LaGarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

PHOTOS: Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed list photo gallery

The men's side of the 2011 international list is dominated by fashion-savvy money men including financiers Arpad Busson and Alejandro Santo Domingo, shipping heir Stavros Niarchos and Mario D'Urso, the chairman of Mittel Capital. Hollywood's contribution included actors Armie Hammer, Justin Timberlake and Colin Firth.

President Obama and the first lady made the grade in the "couples" category, NBC News anchor Brian Williams is elevated to the "Best-Dressed Hall of Fame" (we hope the perks include taking any front row seat at any fashion show he wants), with Lady Gaga and the Dragon King of Bhutan among those singled out as "fashion originals."

The complete listings are featured in the September issue of Vanity Fair, which hits newsstands in Los Angeles and New York City Wednesday and nationwide on Aug. 9.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo:  Catherine, the duchess of Cambridge, shown during a July 9 visit to Los Angeles, is among the royalty named to the 2011 Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed list, announced Wednesday. Credit: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times.  

PHOTOS: Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed list photo gallery

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Kate Middleton's bridal gown was "a real feat of engineering," designer Sarah Burton says. Burton's comment comes in a film that is part of the Buckingham Palace display of the dress, shoes and earrings that Middleton -- now duchess of Cambridge -- wore when she married Britain's Prince William in April. Burton explains that the gown has a  hidden bustle and weighted panels to ensure it "didn't collapse" when the duchess walked the aisle of Westminster Abbey. [Telegraph]

Nicki Minaj, left, and Ricky Martin will be the new faces of MAC's  2012 VIVA GLAM campaign, the cosmetics company announced. Proceeds from MAC's VIVA GLAM products benefit the MAC AIDS Fund, which has reportedly raised $224 million to date with help from former celeb spokespeople such as Lady Gaga, Boy George, Elton John and Chloë Sevigny. [StyleList]

French beauty brand Clarins is teaming with Lauren Bush, co-founder of the FEED Projects, on a fundraiser that channels money from your beauty buys into meals for undernourished children around the world. Clarins and FEED collaborated on the “FEED 15″ pouch, a bag of three Clarins products available at Nordstrom for $30. Proceeds from the sale of each bag will provide 15 meals through the United Nations World Food Program. The plan is to sell enough to feed 1 million children in two years.  [People] 

Twenty-five California designers -- and we mean transplants as well as native Californians -- tell Vogue why they like it here. Reasons include geographic inspirations such as Big Sur, local artisans, Hollywood's costume archives and even the freeways! [Vogue]

Photographer David LaChappelle is suing Rihanna because scenes in her "S&M" video resemble some of his images. A court date has been set for August. [Cut]

Ralph Esmerian, one-time chairman of luxury jeweler Fred Leighton, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for fraud. Esmerian, who counted many celebrities among his clients, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in April. [WWD] (Subscription required)

Michael Kors' new jewelry collection hits stores in August, with gold cuffs, bangles, earrings, neckpieces and more that blend chain details, hardware and leather. The collection includes drop earrings for $65 and multichain necklaces for $350. Prices top out at $500. [Cut].

Pamela Anderson is getting back into the lingerie business after a seven-year hiatus. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

Plans are for Alexa Chung to host a new fashion show on the Lifetime channel. Working title: "24-hour Catwalk." [Telegraph]

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: Nicki Minaj at this year's Billboard Music Awards. Credit: Glenn Pinkerton / European Pressphoto Agency

 

Fashion Report: Fendi's farewell to Amy Winehouse

Here's a news flash: Middle-aged moms copy their daughters' style. Case in point: Carol Middleton, mother of current fashion darlings Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa. In this case, why not? Both girls have great taste (in fact, it's pretty likely they learned at least something about style from Mom). But it would be a whole different story if, say, Lady Gaga's mother took a fashion cue from her. [Telegraph]

Meanwhile, the Buckingham Palace display of the Catherine's beautiful Sarah Burton wedding gown opened Saturday, but not before Queen Elizabeth II took in a private viewing, accompanied by Kate. The queen reportedly was not pleased. Displaying the gown on a headless mannequin was "horrid," she was overheard to say. Somehow, I don't think the half a million or more people who are expected to traipse through before the exhibit closes in October will care. [Telegraph] 

Galaxy midfielder David Beckham spent two days shooting the ad campaign for his latest scent, Homme. The print and television ads were shot with photographer Alasdair McLellan and director Anthony Mandler in Los Angeles and feature a shirtless (of course) Beckham taking a running jump and landing on a mattress. [Telegraph]

Shoe lovers, top this: Professional poker player Beth Shak buys a new pair of shoes almost every time she competes. She's at 1,200 pairs and counting. Oh, and 700 of them are Louboutins. [WWD] 

Little Skyler Berman, son of Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman, has been showered with designer gear, as our Booth Moore pointed out in a recent story. The latest is a Louis Vuitton diaper bag. Mom can alternate it with the Alexander McQueen one, or the Chanel. [Lilsugar]

Katy Perry's transition back to being a blond is complete, and she showed off her new look on MTV. [Coco Perez]

Singer Amy Winehouse, found dead over the weekend, had the possibility of becoming a fashion icon, but never really reached her potential. She inspired Karl Lagerfeld in a Chanel show in December 2007 and collaborated with Fred Perry on a collection, but was largely absent from the fashion scene. Fendi issued a statement: "We are very sad for the loss of such a unique talent that in many ways transcended music, fashion, and culture." [The Cut] 

--Susan Denley

Photo: The wedding gown the former Kate Middleton wore to marry Prince William in April is readied for its display at Buckingham Palace. Credit: Lewis Whyld / AFP/Getty Images 

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Fashion Report: Former Kate Middleton's wedding gown on display

 The Duchess of Cambridge's exquisite wedding gown is going on display in an exhibit opening Saturday at Buckingham Palace. Besides the gown, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the exhibit will include the former Kate Middleton's earrings, tiara and shoes. The items showcase "British craftsmanship, British skill at its best," curator Caroline de Guitaut says. Record crowds are expected: 127,000 advance tickets ($28 for an adult) have already sold for the display, scheduled to run through Oct. 3. [USA Today]

Have you noticed all the celebrities wearing "mullet dresses" -- short in front, long in back?The Telegraph has and is calling it a trend. Think Stella McCartney at this year's MET Ball, and Courtney Love, left, at the AmFar gala in Cannes in May.  [Telegraph]

Stylist Brad Goreski -- onetime assistant to Rachel Zoe -- is scheduled to give fashion advice from 3 to 5 p.m. EDT Friday  on Fashism.com, a website and iPhone app that gives instant fashion advice from users and experts. [People]

Versace has joined a campaign to end the practice of sand-blasting denim to give it a faded look. The practice was outlawed in Europe in 1966 because it is dangerous for the workers who do it, but it still goes on in countries that include Bangladesh, China, Egypt and Mexico. Other leading brands in the campaign include Benetton, Burberry, Levi-Strauss and H&M. [Telegraph]

Christina von Messling of Los Angeles' blog Mondette shared her list of top 10 places to shop for vintage fashion, including the very exclusive Lilie et Cie and Decades Two, and the more populist Rose Bowl Flea Market. [JC Report]

Celine Dion has a new fragrance for women, Signature, coming on the market in September. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Sephora, which already has an iPhone app, introduced an app for the iPad this week. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Tavi, the now 15-year-old style blogger who somehow became a darling of the fashion industry as our Booth Moore explained awhile back, has a book contract. Congratulations to Tavi. But the sound you hear is me banging my head against a wall. [The Cut] 

--Susan Denley

Photos: Top, Prince William and Catherine on their wedding day in April. Kate's Alexander McQueen gown will be on public display. Credit: Associate Press Photos. Bottom, Courtney Love wears a mullet gown to the AmFar Gala. Credit: George Pimentel /Getty Images.

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Catching up with designer and royal favorite Jenny Packham

British designer Jenny Packham is well-known for her romantic and delicately beaded bridal gowns, as well as a ready-to-wear line that boasts elegant evening wear and special occasion attire that generally  has a vintage feel perfect for her fans, such as Dita Von Teese, Reese Witherspoon and Emma Roberts. But the designer has been in the limelight lately because in addition to the bevy of actresses donning her dresses on the red carpet (Angelina Jolie, J Lo and Elle Fanning), the Duchess of Cambridge has worn her dresses several times, including the dazzling beaded gown she chose for the ARK gala dinner -- arguably Catherine's most show-stopping appearance since her wedding day. 

Packham was in L.A this week shooting a campaign for her next bridal collection (it's her first campaign shot in Southern California, set in an impressive home in Malibu). We caught up with her to see what she’s working on and how this royal frenzy has affected her.

So much attention has been put on what Catherine is wearing, whether she’s stepping off a plane or walking the red carpet. Has it been interesting to see her in your dresses multiple times?

I think she’s been an amazing ambassador for British fashion, especially in the way she marries designer clothing with high street fashion. The first time she wore one of our dresses was at the Ark gala. But we’ve got Angelina Jolie and so many exciting people wearing the dresses as well.

You’re well-known for your romantic, often vintage-inspired bridal gowns. Do you ever cross over with ready-to-wear and bridal?

The lines are very separate to me as far as businesses go. With bridal, every single dress has to have something that makes it extremely special. The ready-to-wear does too, but for bridal a woman really has to fall in love with the piece. Also, each market is so specific for bridal. Certain markets like different styles. Some can wear this and not wear this, some need sleeves … but it’s nice that sometimes we do get a shape that works in both collections.

Also, the jewelry and head pieces we make tie back into the bridal dresses. I think we’re finding a lot that brides want to buy into the whole look. They can be so overwhelmed by all the choices on how to look, so with the campaigns and accessories, we’re presenting an image that’s strong enough to appeal to somebody who might want to look like that.

And that goes for the lingerie line too? It’s very glamorous  lingerie.

Yes, it’s very decadent and luxurious. Many pieces have beading and feathers. Strangely enough, the  pieces that are really selling are the more elaborate pieces. A lot of people get them as wedding night outfits. It’s not lingerie to sleep in.

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-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos (from top): The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the 10th annual Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) gala dinner at Kensington Palace in London on June 9. Credit: Arthur Edwards / Reuters. 

Catherine at the Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet club last week. Credit: Jae Hong / Associated Press

A bridal gown from Jenny Packham's 2011 bridal collection. Credit: Jenny Packham

Catherine arrives at Calgary Airport on July 7. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: The Beckhams welcome baby Harper

David and Victoria Beckham welcomed a baby girl in Los Angeles on Sunday. The newborn, named Harper Seven, is the first daughter in a family that includes three big brothers. She already inspired her fashion-designer mother to create a collection of "girly-girl" dresses while pregnant. Word is that Christian Louboutin is sending over a pair of custom red-soled booties. We think this will be one of the most fashionable baby girls ever. [Telegraph] 

And why, you may ask, the middle name "Seven"? Not a firm answer on that one, but there are theories: it was her soccer-star dad's jersey number when he played for Manchester United and for the English National Team. And it's considered a lucky number. [People]

Camilla Al Fayed, the daughter of ex-Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, has bought a controlling share in one of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge's favorite labels, Issa. Catherine wore a blue dress by Issa designer Daniella Helayel for her first engagement photo, and a couple of Issa frocks on her Canada/U.S. visit. Camilla Al Fayed's 51% stake will provide funds to help Issa grow. [Telegraph]

Kate Spade is teaming with Current/Elliott designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott for a capsule collection of street-style handbags. Prices in the Westward by Emily and Merritt for Kate Spade collection will range from $245 to $1,295, and the bags will go on sale in August. [FabSugar]

Socialite Cornelia Guest, a committed vegan, is debuting a line of vegan handbags. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

PopSugar L.A. got a peek inside the hidden VIP room at the new What Goes Around Comes Around boutique on LaBrea in Los Angeles. The room is reserved for celebrity clients, costume designers and stylists who want a more private shopping experience. Inside there's "a treasure trove of amazing vintage pieces, everything from Chanel to YSL to more theatrical pieces and glitzy eveningwear," said writer Melody Nazarian. [PopSugar L.A.]  

Lingerie purveyor Frederick's of Hollywood plans to open its first flagship in Abu Dhabi this month. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

Victoria's Secret angel Candice Swanepoel looks downright devilish vamping in the new fall ad campaign for Tom Ford women's wear, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The ads were shot outdoors in London, in a spot overlooking the Thames River, and will be seen in the September issues of fashion magazines. [WWD]

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, wearing an Issa dress in her engagement photo with Prince William. Credit: Ben Stansall / AFP/Getty Images