Paris Fashion Week: Jonathan Adler for Lacoste collection coming in November

Lacoste unveiled at Paris Fashion Week the latest in its holiday collector series -- a collaboration with designer Jonathan Adler, a limited-edition run of shirts that gives the iconic French brand Adler's distinctive "happy chic" twist.

The story behind this collector series "involves a nun," volunteered author Simon Doonan (married to Adler in 2008), who was on hand for the press preview on the portico of Paris' Petit Palais. "No, really it does." 

Doonan wasn't, it turns out, just being his usual wise-cracking self. But any tale that involved Jonathan Adler, crocodile shirts and a nun was worth hearing from the beginning, so Adler obligingly took a minute away from gladhanding visting dignitaries to walk me through the collection.

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Chelsea Davy's royal-wedding look revealed. Blake Lively goes red.

We may not know what Kate Middleton will wear as she walks down the aisle Friday morning, but we do know what Prince Harry's sometime girlfriend Chelsea Davy, at left, will have on. She has two Alberta Ferretti outfits for the day. For the ceremony, she'll wear an aqua green bias reverse satin dress with a jacket. In the evening, she'll switch to a midnight blue crepe satin gown. [People]  

Women's Wear Daily goes way out on a limb here and calls Prince William the "groom of the decade." Gee, ya think? [WWD] (Subscription required.)

The woman behind much of the royal wedding planning is 71-year-old Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth who has been in the party-planning business for 50 years. Her strategy? "You have to really look on these things as military operations. You have to attack -- in your own mind," she said. [WWD] 

OK, enough about the wedding -- for now, at least.

The Time 100 gala this week was fairly crawling with celebrities and politicos -- such as Sting, Amy Poehler, Martha Stewart, a governor or two. But the biggest stir was caused by Blake Lively, fashion's reigning "it" girl. The attention she attracted was due to her new red hair color more than her sea-green gown by Zuhair Murad, even though the gown was lovely. (BellaSugar calls Blake's flowing red locks "Ariel-esque.") Lively said she'll wear Chanel at the Met Ball next week and that her escort will be Karl Lagerfeld -- of course. [WWD]  

The new ad campaign for Ralph Lauren's Romance fragrance features a real-life romance. Polo player Nacho Figueras and his photographer wife, Delfina Blaquier, are shown riding horses in the Argentine countryside. The ad was shot at Blaquier's family estate in Buenos Aires, where Nacho courted her and then wed her seven years ago. [BellaSugar] 

Wearing red lipstick can be daunting. How to find the right color? Celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn has a neat trick: Don't pick your shade based on your complexion; instead, make sure it works with your eye color. [BellaSugar]

Lacoste has opened a gleaming new flagship "showcase" on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris, aimed at rejuvenating its image. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

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Interactive: Your guide to the royal wedding

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Chelsea Davy, Prince Harry's on-again-off-again girlfriend, will wear Alberta Ferretti to the royal wedding. Credit: Nigel Roddis / Reuters 

 

 

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Palm Springs Fashion Week opens, Keira Knightley debuts steamy Chanel ad

Just when you thought the fashion week "season" was over, along comes Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Springs/Palm Desert. It runs through March 27. [Style Section LA]

Keira Knightley reunited with director Joe Wright (they worked together on by "Pride & Prejudice" and "Atonement") for her new mini-movie ad for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle fragrance. The film starts with Knightley waking up in nothing but Coco Mademoiselle perfume, before zipping up her beige catsuit and heading off on a motorcycle for some racy driving around the streets of Paris. More happens involving a photo shoot, a handsome photographer and the unzipping of the catsuit. [Telegraph] [BellaSugar]

Evan Rachel Wood hit the red carpet Monday night for the premiere of HBO's "Mildred Pierce" miniseries (which debuts on Sunday) wearing a plum Elie Saab gown. But the real news was her honey blond hair, newly changed from the magenta red she's been wearing lately. [StyleList]

Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour is featured on the cover of WSJ's April issue and in a rare profile. "She's a really powerful figure in America ... someone whose power extends beyond what she does," says WSJ Editor Deborah Needleman. [Yahoo News]

Could this be the ultimate in a girly good time? Former model Stacey Schieffelin's yearly Pajama Party at Sea is scheduled this July. The Royal Caribbean cruise from Miami, with three island stops in the Caribbean, includes beauty makeovers, life-coaching sessions and a goody bag filled with $500 worth of beauty products. [BellaSugar]

Katie Holmes stars in a film promo for John Frieda Professional Hair Care's new at-home foam hair color. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

Lacoste plans to launch its new Catherine Malandrino collection in April. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Keira Knightley. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Bristol Palin on 'DWTS' costumes. Juicy Couture on fewer shelves. Lea Michele on Glamour cover.

 

Juicy Couture, once sizzling hot, is going to be harder to find in stores this fall. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Political-celeb offspring Bristol Palin, 19, plans to wear only the most modest costumes on "Dancing With the Stars." "That's who I am," she said. [People]

Designer Catherine Malandrino is in a new collaboration with Lacoste [WWD], which has a new artistic director, Oliveira Baptista. [WWD]  (Subscription required.) 

One of the looks the fashion-savvy Venus Williams will wear during the U.S. Open is a black-and-white halter-neck outfit designed by Olivia Oram of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., a fan who won a contest sponsored by Tide with Febreeze Freshness Sport. [People]

Leandra Medine's fashion blog, The Man Repeller, spotlights clothes women love but (straight) men hate. Or so she says. You know, things like harem pants, big shoulder pads, overalls and clogs. [Telegraph]

British fashion photographer Corinne Day, who helped propel model Kate Moss to fame, has died at age 45 after a recurrence of a brain tumor that was first diagnosed in 1996. [WWD] 

Faye Dunaway, Ali McGraw and the Charlie perfume girl who is seen striding confidently through the fragrance's old ads are all inspirations for this season's '70s look. [Telegraph]

It's Sept. 1 -- so of course that means we are looking ahead to October magazine covers. Glamour is featuring "Glee's" Lea Michele in a lingerie-baring sweater looking considerably more grown-up than her high-school character, Rachel. [JustJared]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Lea Michele as "Glee's" Rachel. Credit: Fox

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Lindsay Lohan asks for help; jeans show up on the golf course; and another glam red carpet walk for the 'Sex and the City' foursome.

 
Gen X makes itself heard: Accustomed to wearing jeans everywhere, they are insisting that stuffy country clubs change their dress codes. Denim takes to the golf course! [Wall Street Journal]

The "Sex and the City" gals shone on the red carpet at the "SATC 2" London premiere Thursday night, where the red carpet was more fun than the movie. They represented for Mugler, McQueen, Narsico Rodriguez, Choo and, of course, Manolo. [Telegraph]

More about Christophe Lemaire, designer for Lacoste, replacing Jean-Paul Gaultier at Hermes. [Wall Street Journal]

An urban vibe, military uniforms and hints of the '70s mark Frida Giannini's Cruise 2011 collection for Gucci. [WWD] 

New Coach fragrance Poppy will hit stores this summer. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Celebrity makeup artist Carmindy, she of "What Not to Wear," is teaming with Glowelle to make a new "beauty" drink. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

I've been a little cranky this morning, but I cheered right up when I saw how cute Zac Efron looked Thursday night cheering on the Lakers in his plaid shirt, green jeans and casual T. [People]

Today's dispatch from the size wars: Plus-size model Crystal Renn denies rumors that she is trying to lose weight. It seems she naturally fluctuates from a 10 to a 14. [People] 

L.A.'s Found By boutique is precise, not pretension, when it comes to vintage. Take a peek inside. [Mondette]

One has to say she is irrepressible: Lindsay Lohan asks Chanel to help glam up her alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet. [OK!]

Cynthia Rowley is launching a line of affordable bridesmaid's dresses, priced under $220. [Racked NY]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Lindsay Lohan at a court appearance with attorney Shawn Chapman Holley Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

Shopping, Cyber Monday deals: Tucker Blair, Levi's, Adidas, Lacoste

Tucker Blair Today (Nov. 30): Tucker Blair is taking 20% off all preppy needlepoint accessories today only (the "Frosty" holiday belt is $80 before discount) until 9 p.m. PST. Enter holiday09 at checkout.

Levi’s Today (Nov. 30): Take an additional $25 off when you spend $100 or more plus free shipping until 11:59 PST. Gift ideas include the Obey x Levi’s collection, including a slim denim trucker jacket ($148 before discount).

Adidas Today (Nov. 30):  Take 25% off any online order until 11:59 PST (some exclusions apply). Free shipping on $49 or more.

Faire Frou Frou Today (Nov. 30):  Intimate-apparel retailer offers exclusive online deals on brands Fifi Chachnil, Vannina Vesperini, Only Hearts and others.

Lacoste Today (Nov. 30):  French tennis-inspired heritage brand is giving shoppers a 30% discount online (enter code thanks09) or in its local boutiques: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Center, Americana at Brand and Westfield Topanga.

Photo: Tucker Blair "Frosty" belt. Courtesy: Tucker Blair

In the pink: Lacoste’s Pink Croc Collection supports breast cancer awareness

October is breast cancer awareness month and each year the offerings from

designers get cuter and most importantly, do good for an important cause.

I was particularly drawn to Lacoste’s Pink Croc Collection for its pink and preppy aesthetic. The sunglasses are very stylish and the pale pink and white striped tote is adorable and super practical.

Ten percent of sales from the Lacoste Pink Croc Collection will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Items can be purchased in Lacoste stores or at www.lacoste.com starting Oct. 1.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Items from Lacoste’s Pink Croc Collection. Photo credit: Lacoste

Fred Segal and Lacoste to collaborate on limited-edition line

Legendary L.A. retailing brand Fred Segal and French sportswear label Lacoste are teaming up for a capsule collection of polos, sweater vests and cardigans slated to roll out in September, according to a report at men.style.com. In a red, white and blue color scheme that evokes (though doesn't appear to quite match) the Fred Segal signage and made of cotton-cashmere blends, the Fred Segal for Lacoste collection has retail prices that are reported to run from $98 to $215 with pieces available online at lacoste.com, fredsegal.com and at the Melrose and Santa Monica Fred Segal Center outposts.

Lacoste reps promised that additional details and photographs of key pieces would be available early next week. We'll post more details then.
-- Adam Tschorn

Rock the croc: Lacoste celebrates reptile style with limited-edition kicks

Ever wonder how the crocodile ended up as the brand ambassador for a line of French polo shirts? Today Lacoste leverages its famous emblem with the launch of a website and viral YouTube videos dedicated to the cult of the croc, which kicks off a series of limited-edition Lacoste sneakers that reference the animal's place in mythology and urban legend around the world.

From the flushed pets that become Manhattan's sewer-dwelling terrorists to Sobek, the Egyptian half-man/half-crocodile (manodile? cran?) said to have created the world, the site showcases nine such tales each with a pair of myth-inspired kicks to match. The footwear will be rolled out three styles at a time to a small selection of boutiques nationwide (consult the store locator at the website for specifics).

My favorite is in the first crop out of the gate on April 1; the Tiller Egypt (pictured, $120), with a green shade inspired by the belly of the Nile crocodile and a canvas upper with laser-etched pyramid designs that resemble the croc's skin.

But back to the origin of the emblem in the first place. Here's the way the company explains it:

"It began in 1925, when Rene Lacoste, the founder of the brand, made a bet with Pierre Gillou, the French Davis Team Captain, the prize being a crocodile skin suitcase that Rene had spotted in the shops of Boston.

To win the bet Rene Lacoste had to win his next Davis Cup match against the Australian player Anderson, during the days that followed the story of the bet was recounted to George Carens a local journalist. Following the match, which Rene Lacoste did not win, Mr Carens wrote “The young Lacoste has not won his Crocodile skin suitcase but he fought like a real crocodile”.

The nickname stuck and Rene Lacoste adopted the crocodile as his emblem and soon had a crocodile embroidered onto the outside pocket of his jacket and the legendary brand logo was born."

-- Adam Tschorn

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Photo: The Tiller Egypt, the first of nine limited-edition Crocodile Mythology Lacoste sneakers celebrating the reptile's place in pop culture. Credit: Courtesy of Lacoste.