Gustavo Kuerten new face of Lacoste -"Unconventional Chic" campaign

French fashion brand Lacoste has chosen retired Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten as the new face for its "Unconventional Chic" campaign.
The three-time champion of the French Open (between 1997-2001) appears in the company's new ads, some of which were shot in black and white.
When the choice was announced by the brand behind the crocodile logo, the tennis player described the French Open and Lacoste as being part of his childhood dreams, now "become reality."
Kuerten, nicknamed "Guga," is also involved with an institute designed to help disabled and underprivileged children take part in sports activities.

Behind the Scenes in Paris with tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten and Lacoste Creative Director Felipe Oliveira Baptista at Paris’ historic Ecole des Beaux Arts.

The Brazilian tennis champion,"Guga", shares with Lacoste a very special link with French Open "Roland Garros".  "When I was young, Roland Garros and Lacoste were part of my dreams. Today I live this spectacular reality, it's another magic lifetime experience" said Gustavo Kuerten, who perfectly embodies Lacoste's brand values of relaxed elegance, style and "joie de vivre".
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Beth Ditto wants IKEA-inspired plus size clothing fashion line

Beth Ditto - Jean Paul Gaultier

Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto has spoken out about her plans for a signature plus size fashion line comprising simple basics, which she says would be "the IKEA of clothes for fat girls and boys."

"It wouldn't be crazy designs - it would be simple. I want to make the IKEA of clothes for fat girls and boys. Cheap, affordable, basic - but ethically made. Basics, you know?" Ditto told vulture.com in an interview May 24.
The musician is also interested in nurturing her passion for vintage attire via an online store and is looking for the right partner for such a project.
"I want to do a ‘buy the outfit' function, and I want to show how outfits look on all kinds of different body types, even boys and butches," she added.
"It's high concept, and I don't have time. I'd need to find someone to work with me on it, but I'm also very controlling about this, just like I am with Gossip stuff."
Ditto also commented on the controversy following Chanel creative director and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld's comments earlier this year that songstress Adele has "a divine voice and a beautiful face," but is "a little too fat."
"First of all, Karl Lagerfeld is not even sane. Second of all, he's not the end-all, be-all of what he does. He's really talented, but that doesn't mean he's right," said the singer.
"Third, Karl Lagerfeld used to be this really fat, eccentric dude. He always had that fat kid fan with him, too. To me, only a person who was fat could get away with saying something like that."

CFDA Fashion Awards

Following hot on the heels of the Met Ball debut live stream earlier this month, the upcoming Council of Fashion Designers of America- CFDA Awards will be broadcast online in their entirety for the first time.
Until now, the prestigious annual ceremony has never been televised and has been strictly industry focused, although fashionistas will be able to catch all the action from the 2012 edition when it is broadcast on Style.com a day after the June 4 awards.
Style.com staff will also update fans live on social media, Instagram and Tumblr as the New York ceremony takes place.
In a similar fashion to the Met Ball stream, in which reporter William Norwich and model Elettra Wiedemann hosted red carpet coverage, fashion journalist Tim Blanks will be providing interviews and other exclusives as part of the CFDA Awards broadcast.


Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA said, “We are thrilled to be able to share American fashion’s biggest night with the public for the first time and to be working with Style.com on this incredible project.  This is an amazing opportunity to expand our audience as we open this exclusive industry event to fashion lovers around the world. It is not to be missed. Tune in and watch as we celebrate this year’s winners.”

“We are excited to team up with the CFDA on the first-ever digital broadcast of one of fashion’s most important events,” said Dirk Standen, Editor in Chief of Style.com.  “From the beginning, it has been the mission of Style.com to use technology to bring our global, fashion obsessed audience behind the closed doors of fashion.  This 50th anniversary show gives us an opportunity to do just that while allowing us to celebrate and give broader exposure to the incredible work of American designers.

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The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association of over 350 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. As of 2009, Diane von Fürstenberg is the group's President and Steven Kolb is the Executive Director. Founded in 1962, the CFDA continues to advance the status of fashion design as a branch of American art and culture; to raise its artistic and professional standards; to define a code of ethical practices of mutual benefit in public and trade relations; and, to promote appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in quality and aesthetic discernment.
In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization is committed to nurturing the development of the American fashion industry’s future designers. The CFDA’s Educational Initiatives provide support and resources for students at the high school, collegiate and post-graduate levels. In addition, CFDA supports working designers in the early stages and throughout their careers. Among those efforts include the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Business of Fashion and the Business Service Network (BSN). The CFDA, through the CFDA Foundation, Inc., mobilizes its membership to support important charitable causes: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, The CFDA Health initiative and The CFDA-Vogue Initiative for HIV and AIDS (7th on Sale).

Source: CFDA.com

Luxe stationery: Louis Vuitton to ‘pump up' writing category

Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2012 2013 

Despite its increasing innovations in the online arena, Louis Vuitton hasn't forgotten the art of letter writing, with reports that the French luxury house is planning to expand its stationery offerings with more "paper goods and related paraphernalia."
The expansion plans follow the house's announcement earlier this year that it will be venturing into the realm of perfume, and is said to tie in with the development of its boutique in Paris's Saint-Germain-des-Prés literary neighborhood - famous for its past associations with writers such as Ernest Hemingway.
While there has not yet been an official announcement, sources told WWD this week that the leather goods label will be adding to its existing offerings which include pens, agendas and notebooks, with plans to "pump up its writing category."Other luxury labels to have ventured into the realm of stationery include Tiffany & Co. and Mulberry, while last year Oscar de la Renta revealed its collaboration with US luxury stationery firm Mrs. John L. Strong. The ornate set includes place cards, notecards and invitations adorned in bows and other common Oscar de la Renta motifs. (AFP Relax News)

Dolce & Gabbana releases its video campaign with Bianca Balti

Bianca Balti in a 1950s look for Dolce & Gabbana's new eyewear campaign

AFP Relax News - After releasing some teaser photos in February, Dolce & Gabbana has now unveiled the advertising film for its new line of eyewear -- frames and sunglasses. Directed by Luca Finotti and photographed by Giampaolo Sgura, this new campaign features Italian model Bianca Balti, who appears in a retro look with strong 1950s influences.
The Matt-Silk collection by Dolce & Gabbana uses classic shapes and colors like cherry red, taupe, cerluean blue as well as lipstick pink, earth brown and jet black.
In the words of the brand, the collection is "cool, pretty and perfectly in tune with this season's main trend: Fifties."
The spokesmodel for this new line, Bianca Balti,  was also featured in the design duo's 2012 spring/summer jewelry collection.

65th Cannes Film Festival - Best Dressed on Opening Night

Diane Kruger in Giambattista Valli

The Cannes Film Festival, historically intended to attract attention to the film industry, is also in part a competition. A select jury, comprised of actors, directors, and designers, will have to choose which outstanding movies deserve the prized awards. One member of the jury this year is the stunning Kruger, who looked flawless last night in a mint colored, floor sweeping gown.

Eva Herzigova in Dolce & Gabbana

With a body like that, it is no wonder supermodel Herzigova opted for a tight fit.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

The redhead-of-the-moment looked stunning and sophisticated.

Eva Longoria in Marchesa

Undoubtedly the belle of the ball, the Desperate Housewife star was sensational in her form-fitting bodice and never-ending train.

Freida Pinto in Michael Angel

A splash of color is just what this festival needed.

Lana Del Rey in Alberto Ferretti

The songstress kept her look elegant yet chic.

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior

The beautiful peach color compliments Cotillard's complexion and is a perfect choice for spending time in the French Riviera.

Burberry Earns $100 Million In Counterfeiting Lawsuit

BURBERRY was awarded $100 million yesterday by a Manhattan Federal court, which ruled that a network of Chinese internet counterfeiters had infringed upon the brand's trademark.

WWD report that the defendants, who ran websites such as yesburberryvision.com and buyburberry.com, were known to have sold at least 22 different product types all bearing imitations of the British heritage brand's various trademarks, such as its iconic plaid check and equestrian knight logo.


The resolution of the case, which was originally filed in January at Manhattan Federal Court, comes after months of waiting for the defendants to reply to the accusations and appear in court - neither of which was ever done.
The domain names for all the infringing sites will now be transferred to Burberry, allowing the brand to cut off any associated internet providers, web designers, sponsored search engine or ad-word providers, merchant account providers, payment processors and others from doing business with the defendants in this matter.
Additionally, Burberry has won the right to intercept any associated monies held by PayPal Inc - the payment processor for the counterfeit sites - and will also now be able to hold third parties such as Google, Twitter and Facebook accountable for associating with the various sites.
Last month, Hermes was also awarded approximately £63 million after winning their case against 34 counterfeit websites.