Style Fix

What do you get when you mix one part badass, twenty-something man with one part sarcastic, cupcake-loving boy?

Johnny Cupcakes, of course!

John “Johnny Cupcakes” Earle, the 25-year-old creative, business mind behind this clothing venture, can tell you flat out what makes his kookiness successful:

“I started this as a joke, from the trunk of my beat up 89′ Toyota Camry.” Mr. Cupcakes says on his Web site. “A college drop out — drug and alcohol-free lifestyle — turned down a lot of investors — Took countless risks — kept my shirts out of heaps of chain stores.”

I say it’s all about persistence and a gimmick - the gift cards come in ovens, the gift boxes are bakery-style boxes, the Web site is oven-themed, and new designs are labeled “freshly bakes.”

And now his tenacity, wit, perseverance, and self-belief is paying off. Johnny Cupcakes is opening a Melrose Avenue (Los Angeles) boutique next month, where he will sell his cult cupcake tee shirts and accessories.

So … let me get this straight: He’s my age, successful, cute, funny, smart, AND he doesn’t drink or do drugs? Is he single? Sign me up!

Those who don’t live in or near L.A., nor Boston where Johnny originated his calorie-free cupcake business, can buy and browse Johnny’s numerous designs - including a cupcake and crossbones, a boy writing “Johnny Cupcakes” graffiti with icing, ovens spewing cupcakes - online.

The Miley saga continues.

Post-controversy measures are flying fast around anyone and everyone involved in Miley Cyrus photo scandal du jour.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz is, obviously, still defending her shoot of the young teen sensation for Vanity Fair, saying repeatedly that the photo was meant to show Miley’s innocence.

Miley herself first reported thinking the shoot was fun and cute, saying that it was “really artsy. It wasn’t in a skanky way. And you can’t say no to Annie.” Later, however, formal statements - purportedly her thoughts - were released, all with a perfectly scripted tone about how “embarrassed” she is.

Vanity Fair just keeps repeating that her parents were there, and that she and they saw and loved all the digital prints.

Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus claim they left right before the most controversial picture was styled and taken.

Disney - essentially her Hannah Montana boss - says they won’t be taking action, but decision like these obviously effect her fame with her current fans. Gary Marsh, the president of entertainment for Disney Channel Worldwide said, “For Miley Cyrus to be a ‘good girl’ is now a business decision for her. Parents have invested in her godliness. If she violates that trust, she won’t get it back.”

The latest point of view to be tossed into the mix of scripted opinions, is the stylist himself, Michael Roberts. His statement led to a three page article in Women’s Wear Daily yesterday. Essentially, he said … Americans are crazy; he’s European and over there this would portray innocence. It was not a bed sheet, it was a dress. It’s all a joke, but not funny because he is offended.

And, of course, I am sure that you have all been on the edge of your seat, waiting for what I believe to be the best thoughts on the matter yet. My mother’s (summarized, because that would just be weird if I tape recorded our convos):

1. Why is nobody mentioning the creepiness of the daddy-daughter pose?

2. That was by no means an innocent shot.

3. She looks sweaty, makeup-less, and … well … post-sex.

4. Hopefully, she gets through this okay, and can move on with her life.

For more on this … oh, nevermind. There is no way that you want to hear more about this, is there? Turn on your TV, open the newspaper, or just Google “Miley Cyrus” and you’ll be flooded.

The snapshot of the daddy-daughter duo shown here is from backstage, before the 2008 CMT Music Awards.

Miley Cyrus - the 15-year-old ubiquitous daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus - has been making headlines and topping Internet searches for a reason new to the Disney channel starlet: She’s been getting naked. A lot.

First, there were the self-portraits taken with a female friend, one step away from making out with each other.

Then, she took it one step further, snapping pics of her tugging at her tank top to show off her underwear. And more of her laying atop a boy’s lap, with her shirt pulled up to show off her belly. Although the Internet world spread these quickly alongside questions of validity, Miley (a.k.a. Hannah Montana) has since apologized thus accepting their legitimacy.

But now, she has more help than just a digital camera, mirror, BFF … now, Vanity Fair magazine and photographer Annie Leibovitz are helping the young teen to show her goodies.

The June issue may have Bobby Kennedy on the cover, but inside the pages lies a topless Miley, draped in only a satin sheet. There are a few of Miley in clothes, but she is creepily, sexy looking as she drapes herself over her father.

This latest stunt is already flashing itself in the NY Times business section, parenting and gossip blogs worldwide, CNN celebrity news, Entertainment Tonight, radio shows nationwide … but not (anymore) on Vanity Fair’s Web site. You can find the photo of her with her dad (shown here), and a brief write up, but all the links to reading or seeing more now lead to pages that are not available.

Photos from the current controversy (shown second) aren’t even flattering. She looks ragged, tired, and gothic. In fact, she looks more like the dead girl from The Ring movies than herself.

So, will be seeing all of Miley come June? Or has the Disney legal team worked some kind of backwards magic to have the story changed?

For more, I recommend checking out Bitten and Bound where blogger Meg has provided links to all of the photos, quotes from several sources, and pics from German Vanity Fair’s inclusion of Hannah/Miley.

There have been some wacky headlines in the fashion world lately!

**Fun Slime-Fueled Shoes Set to Propel Kids Coast-To-Coast**

**Christian Lacroix Announces Joint Venture With Kuwaiti-Based Property Developer Abyaar**

**Barefoot Boy with Shoes On**

**Drainpipes are for boys - men’s jeans need pleats**

**Weird world inside a bag**

**Saks Fifth Avenue Partners With charity: water to Bring Safe Water to Impoverished Communities**

Reading the headline alone is entertaining (and often perplexing) enough, but you can also click on each one to read the whole story.

Believe it or not, not every celebrity turns to reality TV shows when they have a lag in their work schedule. Surprisingly, there are some who even find activities, hobbies, and jobs completely outside of the realm of Hollywood and into the world of doing good. Check out what these busy bees are up to …

* Cindy Crawford just started writing a blog for Vanity Fair. The topic? Environmentalism.

* Chloe Sevigny takes the New York City subway to get around town.

* Rachel McAdams hosts the enviro-friendly site Green Is Sexy with two of her friends.

* Zooey Deschanel teamed up with singer-songwriter M. Ward to create the band She & Him. Together, they released an album - Volume 1 - and are promoting a Barneys tee shirt recycling project.

* Kristen Bell raises money for children with autism.

* Ellen DeGeneres is producing her own pet food. She bought part of the all-natural company Halo, and is now a co-owner.

* Elizabeth Hurley bought an organic farm! She is loving life as a farmer so much that she has retired from show business.

Has Brad Wilson ever got a deal (or two, or one thousand) for you! He is the man of the Internet hour with his Web site Brad’s Deals making headlines everywhere.

Sure, he’s a computer guy so the deals and sales that first get noticed are those for companies such as Dell and HP, but Brad’s Deals go above and beyond just techy stuff. His site highlights bargains on books, flowers, sporting goods, kitchen gear, cell phones, movies, food, and fashion! Brad’s far surpasses other coupon code lists out there.

Skip right to the apparel or Health and Beauty section, and you will find awesome discounts, coupons, and sale notifications for fashion merchandisers.

Here are a few current examples:

* Through April 15 Bluefly is offering an extra 10% off everything on their site during their 2008 Tax Relief Sale. Shoppers can also add a coupon code at checkout ($15 off $100 via code AFF15 or code VISA08) to save even more.

* Finish Line currently has 8 styles of Rocket Dog Shoes on sale for $19.97 each, before 10% off coupon code 141705 (expires 4/30) lowers them to only $17.97!

* Originally $179, a plant-based, sunless, spray-on, self-tanning system is now on sale at Gaiam for $59.99. Take 15% off with coupon code CCAB (expires 6/30), and lower the price to $50.99.

Brad, along with a hardworking team of deal hunters, also provide direct links to designer’s sale and clearance pages, exclusive “Brad’s Deals” coupon codes and promotions, notifications of what deals are ending soon, e-mail updates, tips on hot sale items, detailed shipping and tax costs, and every other deal-related tidbit possible.

Sign up for Brad’s Deals’ newsletter and get a special, one-time deal, too!

Project Runway is stirring up some controversy in the off-season.

Weinstein Co., the creative owners of Project Runway, announced a five-season, $150-million deal with Lifetime Television Network to move the fashion reality goldmine to Lifetime beginning this November, Season 5.

If that isn’t shocking enough, as the show was oft referred to as Bravo’s Project Runway, upon hearing the news NBC (owner of Bravo) is suing Weinstein Co. to return to Bravo, Project Runway and Heidi in hand.

Apparently, Weinstein wants to lump all of their projects together, but Bravo only wanted Runway. Enter Lifetime offering to buy everything.

Follow the drama at CNN.

I admit to having had a school girl crush on Joey from New Kids on the Block, but that was over 15 years ago and today I have moved on. I no longer need to see (L to R in photo) Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, or Jonathan Knight sing and dance like five coordinated MC Hammers.

However, the boys of New Kids do not seem to care what I think. After about a year of rumors on a possible NKOTB reunion, the band is back together and hitting the scene - starting with NBC’s Today on April 4.

I bring the early ’90s phenomenom of “Oh oh oh ohs” and swooning fans because, despite my disbelief in their comeback, I am impressed with their ability to dress their age without losing the boy-band, matchy-matchy feel.

Just one thing though … what’s up with Danny’s tan?

Here, in the second photo, the five hang tough (I couldn’t resist) in a publicity shoot for their brand-new reunion Web site. I love it: you can see each man’s personality through his style.

AND … let’s relive, for just one moment, what these guys used to consider the right stuff:

Supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested this afternoon at Heathrow Airport, London, England.

Any guesses what her criminal act was?

No, she didn’t throw her cell phone at anyone. She didn’t even physically attack anyone this time.

Diva Naomi Campbell did something super glam to get her in cuffs today: she spat on a police officer at the airport.

The London Metropolitan Police is, of course, not yet confirming who the suspect in custody is, but CNN is confident enough to report that is was her.

“H” must be a lucky first letter for a retail name, because that is the only similarity that I can see between two industry stores that are seeing profits rise at a time when most retail companies are struggling to stay afloat.

Both Hermes - the top name known for gorgeous, expensive, silk scarves - and H&M - a haven for $8 cotton tees, cheap accessories, and affordable teen trends - have reported impressive increases in sales lately.

Top dogs are coming and going lately at several fashion design houses and luxury retail companies. Here are the latest such changes to be made:

* Craig Leavitt has been announced as the new Co-President and C.O.O. for Liz Clairborne, Inc.’s Kate Spade brand. Leavitt has previously worked with (most recent first) Link Theory Holdings, Diesel, and Polo Ralph Lauren. His new position with the hang bag guru becomes effective this April.

* Anna Sui President Michael Pellegrino is retiring after four decades in the fashion business.

* Retailer Limited Brands Inc. is cutting back corporate staff to reflect a smaller retail company (read: they haven’t been making money), and will be turning their focus to lingerie and beauty. On that note … Len Schlesinger resigned as COO of Limited Brands, Inc.. Anne Martin-Vachon resigned as CMO of Bath & Body Works, and President and CEO Beth Pritchard announced her resignation in January. It’s not looking good for the ’90s fashion must-shop. Word is they are selling off most of the Express
brand, and still trying to figure out what to do with The Limited.

* Coach announced a three-fer: President and COO Keith Monda will be retiring later this year, Jerry Stritzke (a victim of the Limited’s eminent death) will take his place, and creative director Reed Krakoff’s contract was extended to 2014.

Here’s a few of the recent occurrences in the fashion biz world that have been caught by my radar and sparked my interest:

* Paulo Melim Andersson, who became creative director of Chloe in October 2006, is no longer with the company. Neither side is commenting right now, but stats show that the label’s sales slowed under Andersson’s direction. Hannah MacGibbon, 38, who previously worked under Phoebe Philo, has been introduced as Chloe’s new creative mind. MacGibbon will show her first line with the luxury company in Paris Fashion Week, October 2008 for the spring 2009 season.

* Design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were sentenced the Italian equivalence of approximately $3 million for tax evasion after a third-party distributor of the high-end company sold more than 100,000 D&G pieces under the table. It’s no sweat off their wallet, though. The fashion team is still discussing buying a $38 million-valued former-monastery Italian property. Must be nice.

* Tommy Hilfiger launched a new, interactive site - Dreaming About You - where visitors can have dreams interpreted, talk to a dream expert, confess about their wild dreams, see behind-the-scenes footage of Tommy’s ads and more, and learn about the new line from Tommy Hilfiger including the perfume Dreaming.

* Interior decorator and former president of Anne Klein Design Studio, Burt Wayne, 76, passed away Thursday from cancer complications.

* Photographer and America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker has been a busy man lately. Barker traveled to Canada to photograph seals in an effort to help bring to light the annual fur hunt going on this month. He also joined with David’s Bridal to establish the perfect prom look for every girl, every body, and every budget.

* Spider-Man Tobey Maguire made headlines when guests of his revealed to the media that he did not allow leather of any kind to enter his house. Celebrities have been seen leaving thousand-dollar handbags, belts, shoes, and more outside the Maguire mansion.

Katoucha Niane - the first African woman to gain international fame - was a French supermodel in the 1980s, working for years until she turned her focus toward activism against female mutilation.

Since leaving the modeling world, Niane started a family including three children; wrote a book about her personal, painful circumcision at age 9; and setup her own label.

Niane lived in a houseboat along the Seine River, Paris, France. The same houseboat where, on the morning of February 2, her purse was found untouched, outside of the door. Niane was never again seen … until this weekend.

Missing since her return from a party on February 1, the body of the African-French beauty was retrieved from the Seine this Friday, February 29. Her autopsy shows no signs of foul play; police believe that it was an unfortunate accident, that Niane fell into the river.

Niane had worked with Christian Lacroix, was considered a muse for Yves Saint Laurent, and welcomed names such as Cher to her own shows.

The fashion world, Africa, France, women’s rights, and her own three children mourn the loss of an exquisite woman, as the month long mystery of what happened to supermodel Katoucha Niane

More celebrities are coming out with their own lines of products: no surprise there. Today, everyone has a perfume or a clothing line, or two or both.

Usually the celebrities make sense, however. Sarah Jessica Parker has a classic sense of style and starred in a hit, fashionable show … and has her own clothing line. Amanda Bynes is cute, sweet, and has a throng of teen girl fans … and has her own clothing line.

But now it is just getting ridiculous. Here’s three recent announcements:

1. Amy Winehouse: forget the drug and rehab scandals and what do you have? Bad makeup and horrid hair … and her own line of beauty accessories. That’s right ladies and gents, you too can now have a matted rat’s nest atop your head (product: hairspray) and eye makeup that looks like you used an extra thick magic marker (product: liquid liner). But don’t forget the clothing accessories, too (product: animal-print head scarf).

2. Jill Scott: she’s got a big voice, a big heart for children and her hometown of Philadelphia, and big boobs. I said it. Jill Scott has some tatas on her, but now she’ll have better support. The soulful singer has teamed with company Ashley Stewart to design the
Butterfly Collection by Jill Scott, a lingerie line for plus-size girls and their “girls.”

3. Luke Wilson: he loves golf; girls love him. Next rational career step? Of course! Design a clothing line for golf-playing men! The actor and “Top 40 Hollywood Golfer” (according to Golf Digest) has teamed with athletic clothing-giant Puma and Swedish athlete Johan Edfors (shown here with Luke) to create clothes inspired by the “more sophisticated” style of 1950’s sportswear.

Any guesses for whose next? A collection of shirts by the ever-shirtless Matthew McConaughey? Bronzer by the ridiculously fake tan Lindsay Lohan? Perfume called “Sanity” by Paula Abdul?

Past spokesmodels Fergie and Destiny Child’s did not really fit the Candie’s branding in my opinion. These sweet-yet-sexy clothes - sold exclusively at Kohl’s - come in junior sizes only. Hilary Duff made much more sense.

But that’s all a moot point.

The affordable fashion line has just announced that Miss Heroes herself, Hayden Panettiere, is the new girl for them. Her promo shot is shown here, and she’ll also be making appearances on behalf of the company … because she doesn’t have enough to keep her busy. What with saving the whales, starring in a hit TV series, and making movies on the side.