Gifts for Grads: On top of the world

It’s graduation season, and while that sheepskin confirmation of work well done may be all the newly minted diploma-holder needs, we know you want to add your bravos in a tangible way too. This week, we’re sharing some ideas to inspire your gift-giving.

Help the girl grad keep her homeland close at heart, even if she’s flown the coop, with Los Angeles jewelry designer Maya Brenner’s state necklaces. This one, decked out in pave diamonds, is worn by Katy Perry in her “Teenage Dream” video.

Necklaces are available in the shapes of all 50 states, and in a bicoastal design that couples our great state with a New York apple — just in case you’re shopping for a jet-setter. Prices span the spectrum including the custom 14k white or yellow gold Pave Diamond State ($1,040), and the 14k gold ($250- $300) or sterling silver ($130-$160) versions. The higher price point for gold and sterling includes a single diamond that is placed along the state’s border on the spot closest to the recipient’s hometown. While placing the order, you simply submit a city name. How cool is that?

Another gift idea: couple a home state necklace with another one representing the grad’s future destination. All at mayabrenner.com; non-custom pieces also at Nina at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, 310-458-8820.

 
And here’s a little something for the globetrotter, who dreams of traveling the world and is destined to split the second he or she has a diploma in hand. Louis Vuitton’s silk Monogram Map Scarf Square is sure to spark wanderlust with its pattern play of world maps and Marc Jacob’s Tahitienne print, framed by steamer trunk nailheads and corner bumpers. $350 in six colors or $145 for bandeau in five colors, at Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills, (310) 859-0457 or at louis vuitton.com.

 
Map downloads and digital GPS systems aside, we’re still fans of the old-school globe, particularly when it’s made new-school in sleek silver and black. Why not put the whole world in their hands? $69.95 at  ZGallerie.

--Ingrid Schmidt

Tuesday: To a noteworthy future

Photos, from top: Maya Brenner California necklace (credit Maya Brenner); Louis Vuitton's Monogram Map Scarf Square (Louis Vuitton); globe (ZGallerie).

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: A nonroyal wedding for Sarah Palin's son. A fairy-tale wedding for Tamera Mowry. And the Kardashians team with OPI.

Sarah Palin's Army reservist son Track, 22, has married his high school sweetheart, Britta Hanson, 21, in a small ceremony in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, and it seems to have been a much more low-key event than the recent royal wedding across the pond. Photos released by the Palins on Thursday show the bride and groom and both sets of parents in jeans, corsages and boutonnieres, with Hanson holding a bouquet of red and white flowers. They are standing outdoors, snowy mountains in the background. The couple reportedly plan to have a larger celebration sometime next winter. [People] 

More details are out now about Tamera Mowry's fairy-tale wedding to Fox News correspondent Adam Housley (that's the couple, pre-wedding at this year's NAACP Image Awards) over the weekend. Mowry wore a strapless Carolina Herrera gown with a long trailing veil, diamond earrings and a canary-and-white diamond necklace by Erica Courtney. Her nine bridesmaids -- including  twin sister Tia -- were in blush gowns, each cut differently. (This is an idea I really like; each young woman was able to wear her own most flattering style.) Then Mowry changed into Dolce & Gabbana for the reception dinner, and again into Herve Leger for the after-dinner dancing. Um, no word on whether Housley changed clothes!  [People]

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana hosted a cocktail party for A.C. Milan in their Milan, Italy, men’s store here Thursday night to celebrate the soccer team's 18th national championship. The party also introduced a book called “Milan Fashion Soccer Players Portraits,” filled with black-and-white studio portraits of the players taken by photographer Marco Falcetta. [WWD]

Louis Vuitton's upcoming ad campaign for fall 2011 has the usual beautiful models, but also has vintage cars and really cute dogs. Something for everyone! [WWD]

It was only a matter of time: Khloe, Kim, and Kourtney Kardashian are collaborating on a nail polish collection with Nicole by OPI. The shades will capture the "glitz and glam" of Planet Kardashian, says Kim. [BellaSugar]

Abercrombie & Fitch opened a flagship on Paris' fabled Champs Elysee.  And it wouldn't be Abercrombie if there wasn't a lot of flesh on display -- in this case with a passel of bare-chested and hunky male models. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

A lacy white Dolce & Gabbana frock is popping up on magazine covers all over the world. Constance Jablonski wore it in February on the cover of Spanish Vogue, and this month on the cover of Greek Vogue. In April, the dress was worn by different models on the covers of Vogue Paris and German Vogue. Apparently fashion is the same everywhere. Or something. [The Cut] 

--Susan Denley

Photo: Tamera Mowry and Adam Housley are all smiles at this year's NAACP Image Awards, just days before their fairy-tale wedding. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Paris Fashion Week: Louis Vuitton's fetish ball

Marc Jacobs threw himself a fetish ball on Wednesday morning, complete with working elevators front and center to bring models up to the runway from the backstage below.

It made for an eyeful of earthy delights at the early hour of 10 a.m. -- crocodile handcuffs, headbands with harlequin masks, patent leather corset belts and Peter Pan collars.

There was an outfit and accessory for every fantasy: the bodacious bellhop (uniform-like suits and LV monogrammed caps), the French maid (tweedy black dress and an ostrich feather duster), the school girl ("conversational" silk crepe dresses in whimsical stiletto and mask prints and strappy Mary Janes), even the dominatrix, starring none other than Kate Moss in hot pants, sucking on a cigarette. 

Besides working with the finest furs and silks, Jacobs also played with unusual materials, just like he did with his namesake collection in New York. Who else would do a black rubber lace dress? It actually looked great. So did a green clipped Mongolian lamb jacket with a "car paint" bodice. and a glossy red "python" pailette skirt the color of lipgloss.

It all made for a fun romp around the runway. And Jacobs could be onto something. Luxury fetish clothes and sex toys are probably a growth market.

-- Booth Moore in Paris

PHOTOS:

Louis Vuitton fall-winter 2011 runway collection photo gallery

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Photos: Looks from the Louis Vuitton fall-winter 2011 runway collection shown during Paris Fashion Week. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Stigter / For The Times.

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton rumored to design Kate Middleton's wedding gown

The latest rumor about who will design princess-to-be Kate Middleton's wedding dress? Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, sources say. McQueen is issuing denials -- but in a case like this, where the royals have made it clear they want the secret kept -- a denial is meaningless. [Telegraph] 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the luxury conglomerate -- is taking control of Bulgari in a merger. Bulgari's Francesco Trapani will head the group's watch and jewelry division. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Blake Lively was feted by Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel on Saturday night, celebrating the “Gossip Girl” star’s advertising campaign for the French house’s new Mademoiselle handbag. [WWD]

Reality TV celeb Bethenny Frankel, left, has a licensing deal with Dreamwear Inc. for a shapewear line, Skinnygirl, which will extend Frankel's lifestyle brand, which includes a range of Skinnygirl alcoholic beverages; a third book by Simon & Schuster, out March 28, called “A Place of Yes,” and a skin care line, which is being developed.  [WWD] 

Eva Mendes is the new brand ambassador for Reebok EasyTone workout shoes. [FitSugar]

Russian model Natalia Vodianova ran the Paris "Semi Marathon" (21.1 km, which is 13.1 miles) Sunday morning to raise money for charity. Then she dashed off for the Palais de Tokyo to strut the catwalk for Givenchy's fall-autumn show in the evening. [Telegraph]

Givenchy's was one of several Paris Fashion Week shows on Sunday. One of the most talked about was the showing of John Galliano's collection -- without John Galliano, as our Booth Moore reported here. 

Laure De Sade of Isabel Marant has been tapped to design See by Chloé. Her first collection will be for summer 2012. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

--Susan Denley

Photos: Top, Kate Middleton and fiance Prince William. Credit: Ben Stansall / AFP/Getty Images; Left, reality star Bethenny Frankel. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times  

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: The show goes on at Dior, Lady Gaga says 'I do,' Christophe Decarnin says he's not feeling well and Blake Lively says yes to a White Swan-looking dress

Just days after termination proceedings against its designer John Galliano commenced, the much-anticipated Christian Dior show took place -- as scheduled -- at Paris Fashion Week. Our fashion critic Booth Moore has all the details fresh off the runway. All The Rage

Lady Gaga said "I do" to a CNN camera operator. Thoughts of what the wedding dress would look like won't stop running through my mind. CNN

Balmain designer Christophe Decarnin was absent from the label’s recent runway show and is reportedly undergoing treatment at a mental hospital where he's apparently been since January. Fashionology

Blake Lively attended a Chanel dinner looking like the White Swan. She didn't wear Chanel on her feet however, the Gossip Girl is loyal to Louboutin after the designer recently named a pair of shoes after her. Daily Mail

Carla Bruni Sarkozy, France's first lady, paired trendy lacy (and a tad racy) black tights with her cocktail dress for a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris last night, raising quite a few eyebrows. I think she looks chic, but it would be nice to see her out of ballet flats once in a while. Stylelist

Louis Vuitton has settled a lawsuit in which a man who purchased Takashi Murakami pieces from MOCA sued the French luxury house after learning the artwork was not limited edition as advertised, but made of the same material used for LV's coveted bags. Los Angeles Times

UGG Australia steps up its game and adds a luxury line of shoes and bags to the otherwise casual collection that until now has been a perfect fit for the college crowd and Snooki, who has in the past name the brand as one of her favorite "designers." WWD

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Blake Lively, the new face of Chanel's Mademoiselle handbag, in New York on Wednesday. Credit: Billy Farrell, Chanel

 

Kim Jones to helm Louis Vuitton menswear

With all the kerfuffle over John Galliano -- and the rampant speculation of who might replace him at Christian Dior -- we almost missed the announcement of another personnel change in the French fashion world that landed in our inbox Tuesday. Kim Jones is replacing Paul Helbers as men's studio director at Louis Vuitton.

 Under artistic director Marc Jacobs, Helbers has been at the helm of the LV men's business for the last  five years -- a time period which saw the men's business nearly double, and included runway collections  inspired by African royalty, New York City bike messengers, the Wiener Werkstätte and, most recently, a mix of Amish simplicity and David Lynch creepiness.

Succeeding him in the position, effective Tuesday,  is Jones, who served as creative director of the century-old Alfred Dunhill brand for 2 1/2 years before leaving that post in September 2010.

I always thought Jones had a knack for interpreting and updating Dunhill's DNA -- not just in the clothing but accessories as well -- elegant Art Deco fountain pens, silk map-printed pocket squares and jump-drive keyfobs among them -- and I can't wait to see what he's going to do once he's turned loose in the vast archives of Louis Vuitton.

-- Adam Tschorn

"Witness" meets "Wild at Heart" at Louis Vuitton

 Photos: At top, the finale of the Louis Vuitton menswear AW11 runway show on Jan. 20, the last under men's studio director Paul Helbers. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Stigter / For The Times. At bottom, Kim Jones, who succeeds Helbers in that position effective Tuesday. Credit: Josh Olins.

Gifts: A Valentine's Day present to have and to hold

 
Here’s a hint, boys: This is not just any little bag. It combines three of any stylish girl’s larger-than-life obsessions — influential designer Marc Jacobs, edgy artist Stephen Sprouse and forever-fashionable leopard print. So if you’re in the dog house, you’re bound to score big points here.

With all the wild patterns on spring runways, what better time for Louis Vuitton to bring back the iconic, highly coveted Sprouse leopard print in the form of a chic, heart-shaped patent coin purse ($490, also in white and blue, at louisvuitton.com and the company’s Rodeo Drive store)? The golden brass chain trimmed in a matching heart charm is designed to clip into your bag (or possibly onto your beau, if he’s not behaving). But we trust that he is if you have your hands on this.

-- Ingrid Schmidt

Photo: Louis Vuitton

We know you can use gift ideas any time of year. Starting Monday, we'll give you some ideas inspired by Presidents' Day.

Paris Fashion Week: 'Witness' meets 'Wild at Heart' at Louis Vuitton

At first glance, the show notes for the Louis Vuitton Fall and Winter 2011 menswear collection seemed like a "Brüno"-level fashion prank: an exploration of Amish style with a hint of David Lynch strangeness.

But men's studio director Paul Helbers used the simplified, stripped-down design elements associated with the Amish as a way of paring the luxury brand back to basics, and the Lynchian sense of foreboding and uneasiness to inject a sense of tension into a collection that was nearly all black.

The focus here was on cut and construction, with square-shouldered, peak lapel, double-breasted  jackets, belted knit cardigans, puffer vests, and a feather-filled jacket that sculpted the torso like armor.

 Several of the jackets included "travel tails" - garments that could be worn either as a second layering piece or attached to the back waistband and sides of the outer layer (i.e. a "tail") to create the effect of a longer coat. The double-jacket combinations on the catwalk included a wool jersey and washed corduroy dress jacket with a cotton jersey sweater, and a tailored nylon jacket with a dangling puffer vest.

Although black was the predominant color in the collection, it was punctuated by flashes of a vivid red-orange shade similar to the bright shades that have been popping up on runways in Milan and Paris for the last week and a half.

"It's the color of the neon motel signs that pop up at the end of David Lynch films," Helbers said. "There's this aurora that happens as the neon gas starts to fill the tube and it's somewhere between red and orange."

The menswear Fall and Winter 2011 runway presentation also marked the introduction of a new iteration of the Louis Vuitton Damier check called Damier Infini, which appeared on several of the bags in the show.

Instead of printed on canvas, this version is embossed onto soft leather, which has the effect of making the less-noticeable cousin of the iconic LV monogram logo nearly invisible to the untrained eye.

Which might just make the new Damier Infini check the stealth luxury branding equivalent of the batwing B2 bomber.

   -- Adam Tschorn, reporting from Paris

 
Photos: At top, looks from the Louis Vuitton Fall and Winter 2011 menswear runway collection, shown on Thursday, during Paris Fashion Week. At bottom, a down puffer vest "travel tail," which can be removed and worn as a layering piece. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson & Peter Stigter.

Golden Globes: Jennifer Love Hewitt's crumb catcher and a red-carpet coup for Louis Vuitton

 

Jennifer Love Hewitt is wearing Romona Keveza. It's a white (or ice blue?) strapless dress by the designer, who does mainly bridal wear. The bodice has a built-in crumb catcher. Odd. 

I prefer Julia Stiles' Keveza, a glammy, black, one-shoulder, mermaid-style gown. And her hair looks adorable.

Jennifer Lawrence is wearing a black ruffled Louis Vutton gown. You don't see a lot of Vuitton on awards show red carpets, so it's quite a coup for the brand. It's really high drama, that's for sure, and undoubtedly will spark a lot of opinions, favorable and not. "Sexy saloon girl," says George Kotsiopoulos on E!

-- Booth Moore

Photo (left): Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. Credit: Jason Merrit /Getty Images

Photo (center): Actress Julia Stiles. Credit: Jason Merritt /Getty Images

Photo (right): Actress Jennifer Lawrence. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

 

Holiday Gift Guide: Liquor, Louis Vuitton-style

 
Gift-giving around the holidays usually means practical presents like socks, a scarf, a new hooded sweatshirt, an iPad or Kindle if you’re lucky. That doesn’t mean we can’t dream about the most extravagant items that we’ll probably never get or give, but the sheer idea of them makes us happy and happiness is what counts.

One such item is this whiskey cave from Louis Vuitton. It’s part classic LV trunk, part liquor. Who could come up with a more drool-worthy combination? It comes with all the accoutrements a whiskey aficionado (or just someone who loves luxury) could want. Well, sans whiskey that is, but anyone who owns this probably has a very special bottle for the case.

We’ve included the case in our 2010 Image gift guide, along with a slew of other amazing items that will leave you inspired to get that perfect present for all the personalities you’re buying for this year.

Check out the 2010 Holiday Gift Guide this Sunday in the Image section.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Louis Vuitton Whiskey Cave, $23,500 by special order at Louis Vuitton, 295 N. Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills. Credit: Louis Vuitton