Latest in Fashion, Designers, and the Models Who Help Make it Happen

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Karl Lagerfeld to Design Isla Moda Houses

Karl Lagerfeld - nymag.comKarl Lagerfeld - nymag.com

Karl Lagerfeld has signed a deal with Dubai Infinity Holdings to create 80 homes on Isla Moda, that man-made island being constructed in Dubai with the aim of making it an island devoted entirely to fashion.

Surely, Lagerfeld’s expertise fits in with the scheme of things.

"Dubai is a fashion bud on the verge of blossoming into the next fashion hub of the world. The city is alive with culture and rich in personality, making a perfect place for aesthetics, fashion and design to flourish," Lagerfeld tells WWD.

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Gucci Kicks Off 70th Birthday Celebrations

Legendary fashion label Gucci launched last night the festivities for its 70th birthday this year by holding its first formal cruise collection catwalk show in Rome.

The collection showcased last night had a very sexy Seventies feel to it. Composed of trouser suits, silk blouses, floaty dresses and relaxed tailoring, the collection was inspired by Jane Birkin and Talitha Getty, according to creative director Frida Giannini.

After the show, more than 300 guests, including a number of celebrities and big names in fashion, were treated to a sumptuous dinner, as well as an after party at the grounds of Rome's Villa Aurelia where the show was held. British band Goldfrapp was among the performers.

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Asian Superstar Is Emporio Armani's New Man

Takeshi Kaneshiro - www.asianpopcorn.comTakeshi Kaneshiro - www.asianpopcorn.com

Giorgio Armani continues his tradition of choosing only the most attractive men to front his iconic fashion label with his choice of Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro to be the latest face of Emporio Armani Underwear.

Kaneshiro, who has starred in more than 30 films, including The House of Flying Daggers and Red Cliff, follows in the footsteps of British soccer star David Beckham, whose Emporio Armani ads have caused quite a stir. He is also the first Asian model to appear in one of the brand's advertising campaigns.

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Cavalli Calls Off Company Sale Plans

Roberto Cavalli - www.popcrunch.comRoberto Cavalli - www.popcrunch.com

Roberto Cavalli has declared that he would no longer be pushing through with the sale of his fashion label.

WWD reports the Italian designer told Italian financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore that he wouldn't consider selling before 2009 because of the market conditions and lower than expected valuations of his business.

"I'm not selling the company. The timing is not ripe yet for such a step. What's more, as I have already said a thousand times, we don't need [to sell]," he reportedly said in the interview.

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Valentino Appoints New Chief

A woman is now at the helm of one of the top fashion companies in the world.

Wendy Kahn has just been appointed chief executive officer of Valentino US and V.F.G USA and Canada. Kahn, who has previously held the position of their senior vice president of sales, marketing and retail, replaces Graziano de Boni, who became president and chief operating officer of Prada in May.

"Wendy is a talented and knowledgeable executive and is an important part of our management team," said Stefano Sassi, chairman of the Valentino Group, in a statement. "We believe she will contribute enormously to the company's future."

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Matthew Williamson To Open Flagship Store In New York

Matthew Williamson - www.fashionafrica.comMatthew Williamson - www.fashionafrica.com

Good news for all Matthew Williamson fans in the United States: the luxury fashion house will be setting up shop in New York next year.

The shop, which is scheduled to open in early 2009, is located at 413, West 14th Street.

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Jones To Do Hats For Chanel Biopic

Audrey Tautou as Coco ChanelAudrey Tautou as Coco Chanel

The fabulous hats of Stephen Jones will soon be making their film debut via Coco Avant Chanel, the movie about the life of legendary designer Coco Chanel that is due for release next year.

And Jones is only too happy to have actress Audrey Tautou play the fashion icon and wear his creations in the movie, which explores Chanel’s life before shooting to the top of the fashion world with her creative talents.

"She will make a wonderful Chanel, she is equally as petite. We have had to adjust everything. We put a little flower on her head and it looked like a cushion," Jones tells WWD.

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Lily Cole for Rimmel

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - catwalkqueen.tvSophie Ellis-Bextor - catwalkqueen.tv

Rimmel has a pair of new faces in the persons of singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and model Lily Cole.

The cosmetics brand, however, will retain the services of supermodel Kate Moss as its official face and spokesmodel.

Bextor and Cole, aged 29 and 20 respectively, will be starring in campaigns for the brand, which chose them because they represent "two visions of modern British beauty".

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Models Could Boycott LFW Due To Health Rules, Says Storm Boss

Sarah Doukas - www.dailymail.co.ukSarah Doukas - www.dailymail.co.uk

The new health rules that will be implemented in the upcoming London Fashion Week may turn some models off the fashion event and stay away, according to Storm agency boss Sarah Doukas.

While Doukas is okay with most of the 14 new rules, such as the ban on models under 16, as set out by the British Fashion Council's Model Health Inquiry of which she is a panelist, she has issues with the rule which asks models to offer doctors certificates "attesting their good health".

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Sheryl Crow To Create Clothing Line

Sheryl Crow - www.boston.comSheryl Crow - www.boston.com

Another day, another celebrity hopping on the celebrity clothing line bandwagon.

Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow has announced her plans to create her own range of eco-friendly fashion for Western Glove Works. To be called Bootheel Trading Co. By Sheryl Crow, the collection will include jeans, vintage tees, and vests.

“She’s incredibly excited,” a pal tells Star. “She’s heading to Australia in October to meet with her partners and start production.”

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