Don't Quote Me

"Lo: 'Are you kidding? That's laughable, you would never do that!'
LC: 'It's insulting on so many different levels. And she's saying that I would hook up with him. Yes, Audrina, I did! You know what, I couldn't resist his charm, his manners, his impeccable hygiene. I was under the Justin Bobby spell.'"- A conversation between Lauren and Lo on the latest episode of The Hills

Campaign Alert: Madonna Rocks the Vuitton

It seems as though Her Madgesty has a lot going on in her life (both personal and professional). Currently completing the North American leg of her Sticky & Sweet tour and having just recently settled her divorce with Guy Ritchie, Madonna has been offered $10 million to be the face of Louis Vuitton's Spring 2009 campaign. While it was originally rumored that the ad would be shot by the legendary duo Mert & Marcus, it has since been confirmed that Madonna will be shot by none other than Steven Meisel.

Check out Madonna jumping right into her new role as a walking billboard for Vuitton's handbags below. Now, let's just hope the Queen of Pop doesn't come away from this gig with a French accent, too!

Madonna wearing a dress from the Vuitton S/S 09 collection to the GUCCI benefit party last week at the Plaza Hotel in NYC

Finally, the attention we deserve...

The men's fashion trade publication DNR (Women's Wear Daily's male counterpart) published a great article last Monday about how more and more men are being targeted by some of Europe's hottest fast fashion retailers like H&M, Zara, Mango, and Topman (and a few American stores such as J. Crew). These shops are re-vamping their men's collections, opening men's only flagship stores, and bringing in high-fashion designers in an effort to attract a larger number of male consumers with an increasing appetite for the latest trends. I say keep it up!

How cool are these shades!

On December 3rd you can either stop by the Sunglass Hut in Soho or log on to SunglassHut.com to purchase one of the 100 limited-edition Ray Ban Wayfarers hand painted by New York artist Chris Mendoza. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Miro, Kandinsky, and Franklin Lloyd Wright, Mendoza combines the architectural draftsmanship he learned from his father while growing up in Nicaragua with the letters, faces, and forms that cover the subways of New York City. All of this talent undoubtedly makes for a mean pair of sunglasses!

Hot Topic

O.K. guys, here's something new! At the end of each week I'll post some sort of trivia question for you to answer. You'll have all weekend to search for clues and give your response. I'll post the answer on Mondays and whoever gets it right can bask in the glory of being a genius! I'll make the first one super easy for you. Here goes: Which pop star just recently settled a divorce with her movie producer husband in which he chose the kids over her $300+ million fortune?

This Week's Picks

Model Profile: Caroline Trentini

Nationality: Brazilian
Birthday: July 6, 1987
Born in: Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Height: 5.11
Agency: Marilyn Model Management, Select Model Management, Why Not Model Management
Modeled for: Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Rosa Cha, Victoria's Secret, DKNY, Express, Vogue Italia, Harper's Bazaar, American Vogue

Campaign Alert: Katie Holmes the New Face of Miu Miu

It's just been announced that Katie Holmes has been asked to sign on as the star for Miu Miu's S/S 09 advertising campaign. This is the first campaign Holmes has signed on to do since her 2001 deal with Garnier. From hair color to handbags, Katie? Former faces of Miu Miu include Lindsay Lohan, Vanessa Paradis, Drew Barrymore, and (my favorite Miu Miu campaign to date) Kirsten Dunst.

The advertisement, which some sources report to have occurred yesterday due to Holmes leaving a studio with full hair and makeup, will feature the actress being surrounded by models who seem to be "accessorising" the star while she herself serves as the high-fashion focal point. I'm not quite sure why Miu Miu chose the tabloid wife and Broadway performer. Maybe they wanted to appeal to a more American audience, or perhaps they just didn't want to feature another "it" girl. Whatever the reason, Holmes has been making quite the name for herself as a burgeoning fashionista and this new partnership with a high fashion brand will do nothing but help solidify her standing as a style icon.

Louis Vuitton F/W 08 Damier Graphite Collection

In case you didn't know, Louis Vuitton kicked off it's men's F/W 08 season by introducing the new Damier Graphite Collection. After the re-launch of Vuitton's Damier back in 1996 by Marc Jacobs (a pattern which now accounts for one third of the label's bag and accessory business), Paul Helbers, men's design director for Louis Vuitton, updated the classic print with a sort of understated, and very masculine, elegance by presenting it in a black and grey pattern. "Graphite gives things a more masculine image and finish," Jacobs has said. The new line has been available in Louis Vuitton boutiques worldwide since late August and is now available on eLuxury.

R.I.P: Polaroid, 1947-2008

The use of Polaroid instant film has been an industry standard for years among those working in the fashion industry: from fashion editors and stylists to photographers, modeling agencies, and casting directors. However, an announcement made earlier this year sent shockwaves throughout the fashion industry and beyond: Polaroid has discontinued production of its iconic instant cameras.

The company issued a statement in February 2008 revealing that they will be abandoning instant film to focus on the rapidly expanding, and far more lucrative, digital film market. Polaroid is no doubt seeking to build a more profitable platform for business operations after, first, having to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001 and, then, being acquired for $426 million by Peters Group Worldwide, a private investment firm, in 2005. Polaroid already ceased production of its instant film and has shut down two of its production facilities, resulting in the termination of more than 150 employees.

The sudden and untimely loss of Polaroid instant film is going to force many in the fashion industry to find a new system of doing things. Magazine editors have been known to use up to 350 polaroids in the production of a single issue and stylists can spend hundreds of dollars on film as they photograph their favorite looks in showrooms or backstage at fashion shows. Modeling scouts and casting directors will no longer be able to snap quick photos of fresh talent they may meet on the streets and immediately post the faces up at their agencies for further discussion. Polaroid film has also been long favored by artists and fashion photographers by the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Rankin, and Jeremy Kost, who has been referred to in New York City art and social circuits as “the Polaroid artist”.

While Polaroid does believe that they have produced enough film to stock stores and continue selling throughout 2009 it just goes to show that one minute you’re in, and the next minute you’re out.

Where Are They Now: Jaslene Gonzalez

So, after investing a lot of time and interest into fashion-themed reality television shows I often wonder where the winners (and some of the other top contestants) actually ended up. You don't see last season's ANTM winner Whitney gracing the cover of W or Vogue. In fact, an ANTM winner has never landed the cover of a top fashion magazine. Or how about Jay McCarroll, season one winner of Project Runway? Apart from the occasional cameo on Bravo or the Style Network, I've yet to see his rise to fame. Therefore, I've set out on a weekly journey to find some of these "winners" and see what they've really been up to. My first subject: Jaslene Gonzalez (Winner, Cycle 8, America's Top Model).
Print Work: Latina Magazine cover, 8-page spread in Colures, Scene Magazine spread
Runway: Ashley Paige (Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim 08), Armani Exchange, Jillian Lewis (Project Runway), Jose Duran, Indashio, Custo Barcelona, Adolfo Sanchez
Other: "Love is Not Abuse" campaign by Liz Claiborne, two billboards in Times Square, ShopBop online ad campaign, Ryan Leslie's "Addiction" music video

Chanel Mobile Art

I wish I was in New York City right now to catch the international Chanel Mobile Art exhibit (October 20-November 9)! Touring Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, London, Moscow, and Paris, "Chanel has decided to make the legendary quilted bag the focus of an event on an international scale: MOBILE ART....in a futuristic pavilion created by the architect Zaha Hadid, 20 international contemporary artists will exhibit work inspired by the elements that give the emblematic quilted bag from Chanel its identity." And not only is there art inside the exhibit from Soundwalk, Blue Noses, Yoko Ono, Stephen Shore, and other artists, but the Bauhaus inspired museum itself is a work of art! One of the first mobile museums that can travel, the pavilion can be taken apart for transport to different locations around the world and then reassembled. Click here to be completely blown away!