Style Fix

Over on the fashion blog My Fashion Life blogger Anna Winston created her dream guest list if she could have dinner with any five fashion icons, living or dead. She chose Coco Chanel as her top choice, followed by Katherine Hepburn, photographer Cecil Beaton, Marie Antoinette, Vivienne Westwood, and Debbie Harry. I won’t heckle Anna for her counting skills, but I will jump on her bandwagon and create my guest list for a dream fashion icon dinner party. Assuming Coco Chanel is a given and a freebie, here are my five “other than Coco” guests:

1. Kate Moss. I don’t understand my obsession with Kate; I think it started because she was one of the top models in magazines when I first started getting interested in fashion back in the ’90s.

2. Diane von Furstenberg. Browse this blog for a few seconds and you’ll know that I love her. I love her designs, but I also love her story and would love to hear it first hand from her. I see her as a strong business woman that didn’t sacrifice her self in order to get ahead. She deserves every success she has in life.

3. Gwen Stefani. Her style is not only over the top unique, it is also stylish - a hard combination to pull off. I would steal her away from the dinner table for a few minutes to help me put together an funky outfit.

4. Heidi Klum. More for her personality then her style, but Heidi would definitely top my list for a party.

5. Bill Blass. I love his designs, but again, as with Diane, I am a sucker for stories of overcoming hard times. A young Bill first found his artistic outlet when his father committed suicide. Plus, we’ll need some testosterone to even out all the females!

Runners up include Jackie O, Cindy Crawford, Stella McCartney, Niki Taylor, Marie Antoinette, Betsey Johnson, Twiggy, and Audrey Hepburn. Who would you invite to your party?

Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue cover model Bar Refaeli joined Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Robert Buckley of Lipstick Jungle, and Frankie Delgado of MTV’s Bromance and The Hills at House of Blues Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, February 25, to judge “Walk the Walk,” a fashion design competition developed by skating clothing company Hurley. Hurley founder Bob Hurley and Rosemary Brantley of OTIS College of Art and Design also joined the celebrity judges.

The competition allowed artistically inclined high school student to express their fashion sense. Hurley collections were redesigned by high school students and paraded in front of the judges in theatrically staged and performed shows. The shows were modeled, produced, and produced entirely by local high school students.

Fountain Valley High School took home top honors, which came with a hefty $5000 donation to its art and music program. Gahr High School won a special design challenge and will see their two original head-to-toe designs featured in a future Hurley collection.

And Hurley is not stopping there for inspiring young, upcoming designers! This event also served as the launch of the Hurley Microphone for Youth t-shirt design competition. Now through March 30, aspiring designers and artists can submit their artwork at Hurley’s Web site for the public’s vote. The designer of the winning tee will be announced on April 1, 2009 on Hurley.com, will receive a prize of $5,000, and will have their design sold through Hurley’s online store.

Through all of their contests, Hurley hopes to inspire creativity and confidence among future generations.

I never cease to be caught off guard by celebrity spokesmodel choices made by companies or the endorser. In this case, it’s more the willing model that surprises me …

Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bundchen will appear in Rampage’s 2009 marketing campaign.

Gisele. As in the world-renown face worth an estimated $150 million. The woman whose resume boasts Victoria’s Secret, Versace, and Dior. The name that’s been in Forbes and the Guiness Book of World Records.

Yes, that Gisele.

“What I like about Rampage is that it works for everyone,” said Gisele Bundchen.

And yes, the Rampage clothing brand that teens buy at department stores. I’m not judging, just expressing my shock at a seemingly mismatched duo. Perhaps she is using her super celebrity powers to help Rampage reach their goal of expanding to higher-end department stores later this year.

Another resurgence of celebrities posing as models for designers is upon us. There are some new players - like the multi-talented, actress and singer Zooey Deschanel. And then there are the regulars - like Madame Victoria Beckham, who will forever be in someone’s ads.

The delightfully quirky Miss Deschanel was snagged by eyewear designer Oliver Peoples for the spring/summer 2009 campaign. While I’m on the subject of Zooey, who first won my heart as the shower crooner in Elf, might I suggest checking out her band She & Him? They’re easily my favorite musicians right now.

Anyway, back to celebrities posing in ads …

Victoria Beckham is no stranger to designer ads, but this new Armani underwear one takes a new angle. Mrs. David Beckham plays a sexier, darker character this time. Nonetheless, her signature mega heels are present, even if her bug-eyed sunglasses and tight, mini dress have been shed.

And rounding out the trio of brunettes, Katie Holmes posed for Miu Miu. Looks to me like she’s channeling some of her new found stage actress skills.

Have you ever spent an evening watching America’s Next Top Model and thought: “I could totally do that. I should be a model. I should be on the next top model”? If so, your access to participating in Tyra’s world is closer than you may know.

On November 7, animation publisher Eidos will be releasing an America’s Next Top Model video game for Nintendo DS.

I’m sorry, I need to repear that. There will soon be an ANTM video game.

Nope, not even saying it twice helped me comprehend it.

According the NY Magazine’s daily fashion blog The Cut, each player selects a model (no word on if they are actual former contestants or custom avatars) and guides her through challenges and photo shoots, just as the models do every week on the TV show. Also just like the show, one contestant will be eliminated after each judging. If the eliminated girl is your player … game over! The goal remains the same: don’t get eliminated, make it to the final runway show, and become … America’s Next Top Model!

This past spring, TV Land network brought us a model reality show about women 35 and older - She’s Got the Look. I tried to watch it, but didn’t get more than two episodes in before I was bored. Apparently, however, I was alone in my opinion: the show was declared a hit (by TV Land, keep in mind) and is now casting for its second season.

So if you are at least 35, and are rockin’ a tall and skinny body, consider auditioning. The winner will receive a contract with Wilhelmina Models, a photo spread in a yet-to-be named national magazine (season one was Self), and an additional prize this season of $100,000.

Find directions for auditioning at TV Land’s She’s Got the Look page, including specific locations for the four regional casting calls to be held in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and New York.

It is not a good thing to be notorious. It means that you are “widely and unfavorably known.” People remember notorious, sure, but it’s not in a good way. Murderers that made headlines and became famous, are notorious. The punk teenager that is known around the neighborhood for causing trouble and being rude, is notorious. Listen to me people, it is not a good thing to be notorious.

That being said, Ralph Lauren created a new fragrance line. Victoria’s Secret uber model Laetitia Casta (shown here), who is now a happy family woman living in France with her husband and two children, is the face of this new perfume.

So why then is it called Notorious?

I don’t want my scent to be “widely and unfavorably known,” and furthermore, a sexy, classy, family woman is hardly “widely and unfavorably known.”

So why, Ralph Lauren, is your new fragrance called Notorious?

Victoria Beckham officially debuted as a fashion designer this Sunday as she showed her dress collection to a small, classy crowd in the Park Avenue Waldorf Hotel at 9 a.m., kicking off the third day of New York Fashion Week Spring 2009.

The fashion editor for the British Times Online wrote a well-written, full recap of her first-hand experience seeing the dresses: Click here to read it and see snapshots of four of the sleek, tailored dresses meant to suck you in and shape your body.

In other Victoria news …

Victoria’s Secret is debuting a new fragance and a new angel at the Victoria’s Secret store at Herald Square, New York on September 18 at noon. Supermodel Marisa Miller, with a resume including seven years of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editions under her belt and the top spot on Maxim’s Hot 100 list for 2008, will be signing and giving away bottles of Very Sexy Dare perfume at the appearance.

Marisa has been working with Vicky’s Secret for awhile now, but she was not previously an angel. The cover shown is Marisa on the VS Swimsuit 2008 catalog.

Two people well-known in the fashion business passed away in the past few weeks.

Jerry Ford, who founded Ford Models agency with his wife Eileen, died Sunday, August 24, at the age of 83. Together, the Fords pioneered turning modeling from a hobby into a well-paid career and flourishing industry. Before Ford, models had to handle most of their own booking, promotion, and billing. He also negotiated the first contract for a model to exclusively represent one brand when he connected Lauren Hutton and Revlon in 1974. Ford Models began in the 1940s, and is still one of the most respected modeling agencies worldwide. According to his daughter Katie Ford, Jerry died from complications of endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, in Morristown, New Jersey.

Italian fashion designer Mila Schon died yesterday, September 4, at age 91. Mila first gained her love for fashion as a consumer of Balenciaga’s creations. She established her own fashion house in 1959, and was receiving great recognition by 1965. Schon was known for her crisp, tailored looks, double layers of fabric, and ties with a solid color border and her signature “M” at the bottom. She died in her Piedmont, Italy, country home of causes simply described as “old age.”

Click on a logo to see that person’s company’s Web site.

Want a bag designed by Gwen Stefani without the price tag of L.A.M.B. or the teenage appeal of Harajuku Lovers? Would you do “Whatever It Takes” to tote her - and other famous designers, entertainers, and artists of all kinds - designs around, especially if it benefited deserving charities at the same time?

21st Century Artists is a unique project that collects artwork from leaders in all different fields, even including athletes, Nobel winners, and writers. Each participant is asked to create a piece of art that promotes and inspires hope. The collection of these goods are then produced and sold online at Whatever It Takes. Proceeds benefit a variety of charitable causes including children, foreign poverty, and the environment.

The team behind 21st Century Artists has set a goal of raising $3 million over three years. With designs like the pink Stefani-designed bag shown here retailing at about $14 (actual cost is £9.99), and Ewan McGregor’s landscape plate for $16 (£10.99), it’s easy for you to help them reach their goal while snagging a stylish piece of artwork.

In addition to plates and bags, the collection also currently includes mugs, t-shirts, wristbands, Eastpak backpacks, canvas prints, and Vans sneakers. Designers also include musicians Ozzy Osbourne and David Bowie, models Claudia Schiffer and Heidi Klum, actors George Clooney and Minnie Driver, fashion designers Giorgio Armani and Donna Karan … the list goes on - check it out for yourself!

Tyra has officially lost it this time. This thing that she has done now is worse to many than any rant or rave that she has ever gone off on. Her offense so great.

Cycle 11 of America’s Next Top Model debuts Wednesday, September 3 at 8 p.m on the CW. No problem yet. The first episode will be a two-hour casting special, lasting unti 10 p.m.

And there’s where the issue comes in: She is trying to compete with Heidi and Project Runway, which airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

What will I do? Oh, the horror! Will I flip back and forth during the 9 to 10 stretch, missing pieces of both but catching the general occurences? Will I pick ANTM because PR gets replayed the next day? Will I choose PR since I already know who the contestants will be for this Top Model season?

Decisions, decisions.

Catch up on any of ANTM Cycle 10 that you missed today with MTV’s marathon showcasing the whole season.

September 3 will mark the beginning of the 11 millionth season of Tyra Banks’s America’s Next Top Model. On that Wednesday, starting at 8 p.m., the standard two-hour premiere where applicants are whittled down to the main contestants will air. But viewers don’t have to wait until then to learn more about the 14 chosen ones - they’ve already been announced.

This season, sorry, I mean cycle, has a “Feel the Love” theme and catchphrase which apparently effected their selections for contestants. Tyra and crew are so proud of themselves: this year they accept people that they never would have glanced at previously.

It’s a younger - almost realistically aged for starting in the modeling world - crowd. There are two 18-year-olds, eight 19-year-olds, and not one above 23. This should make for some good drama!

There’s a go-go dancer, a career which makes Tyra cringe. There are two Europeans. Oh yea, and there’s Isis. She used to be a he.

Isis, 22, has GLAAD shouting for joy over her acceptance onto the show. Isis describes her situation as having been born physically a male, but mentally a female. She also says that, while she loves helping others, her focus on the show is to compete and win, not be a spokesperson or role model.

The international destination is Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, and the prize is: a contract with Elite Model Management, a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, and a cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.

It seems to me like there is an unspoken battle going on over which model show can be the most inclusive.

1. ANTM featured Heather Kuzmich, who has Asperger Syndrome, in September 2007.

2. The U.K. raised the betting field with the July 2008 debut of Britain’s Missing Top Model which, although it may sound like a search for kidnapped catwalkers, was a show where all of the contestants were “missing” something … like their hearing, a leg, an arm, the ability to move …

3. ANTM responds with a transgendered woman. Top that Britain.

Anya Rozova (formerly Kop, shown here attending the July 17 Vans by Marisa Miller event), now back to her natural brunette coloring, and Katarzyna Dolinska are the latest girls from America’s Next Top Model to sign with Elite Model Management, the agency that awards contracts to the winners. (Read more on these two specifically at NY Mag.)

Previously, Elite has snatched up several other contestants within seconds of their eliminations. Still working with Elite are: Shannon Stewart, first runner-up, Cycle 1; Ann Markley, 4th place, Cycle 3; Mollie Sue Steenis-Gondi, Cycle 6, placed 9th; Megg Morales, 10th place, Cycle 7; Samantha Francis, Cycle 8, placed 12th; and Sarah VonderHaar, 8th, Cycle 8.

Elite also signed a few girls who have since moved on, including: Sara Albert, Cycle 6, placed 4th; Nicole Linkletter, winner of Cycle 5; and Kim Stolz, 5th place on Cycle 5.

Winners of cycles 7, 8, 9, and 10 are all still with Elite. In order, they are: CariDee English, Jaslene Gonzalez, Saleisha Stowers, and Whitney Thompson.

As June faded out, so did the lives of two fashion-minded folk. While neither is quite as newsworthy of a passing as Yves Saint-Laurent on the first of June, all death deserves respect and all life, remembrance.

In the afternoon, on Saturday June 28, European Vogue model Ruslana Korshunova, 20, fell from her Manhattan apartment. Her death is under investigation, but for now is being ruled a suicide.

Ruslana, shown in the picture here, was formerly from the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan, and had appeared in advertisements and on runways for top designers, including Marc Jacobs, Nina Ricci, and DKNY. British Vogue, where she had been a featured cover model, deemed her “a face to be excited about” in 2005.

A few days later, on Tuesday July 1, the founding editor of New York magazine, Clay Felker, 82, died in his New York City home from causes related to his battle with throat cancer.

Felker was revered as a revolutionary figure in the magazine world, particularly with the city-specific genre. His editorial format, bold layouts, and new style of journalism have been the inspiration of several top magazines and editors.

Read more about Felker’s life, friends, and enemies in the publishing world.

The photo shown here is of Ruslana Korshunova walking in the Spring 2008 Ready-to-wear show for Cynthia Rowley. See more of Ruslana’s runway snapshots.

There’s more and more of the same concepts appearing in ads today. This Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2008/2009 advertising campaign staring male model Cole Mohr is more half-naked men, as with David Beckham for Armani, and more phallic placements (note the detailing on the front of the purse), as with Lucky Brand’s e-mail ad.