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

Pope Benedict XVI - www.moonbattery.com

An Italian animal rights group has launched an online petition to persuade Pope Benedict XVI to stop wearing fur and instead switch to synthetics.

The pontiff, who has a fondness for fur trim on his hats and capes, has come under fire from the Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment, which had by yesterday gathered 2,260 signatures for its petition, according to the Guardian.

"The pope has often talked about protecting the environment and we are asking that he acknowledges that animals, as God's creation, also deserve respect," said Lorenzo Croce, head of the said organization.

Continue reading 'Anti-Fur Activists Want Pope To Stop Wearing Fur'

Isis - www.msnbc.msn.com

Top-rated reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model”, is set to make TV history with the inclusion of a transgender contestant for its 11th cycle.

Isis, a 22-year-old former non-profit worker from Prince George’s County, Maryland, will compete with a host of other pretty faces for a modeling contract and an advertising campaign.

“My cards were dealt differently,” Isis told Us Weekly about herself. Isis, who identifies herself as “a woman born physically male”, also said “I like to help people, but I’m here to follow my dreams”, when asked about being a role model for other people.

Continue reading 'Transgender Contestant Makes “Top Model” Cast'

Agyness Deyn - nymag.com

For the second year in a row, Agyness Deyn has found herself at the top of Grazia Magazine’s annual Best Dressed List.

Landing second spot was Gwyneth Paltrow, who has recently reinvented herself with her fully-clothed but sexy turn in the summer blockbuster “Iron Man”. Third place went to Sarah Jessica Parker, star of the hit “Sex and the City” movie. France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is at number 4, while up and coming model Daisy Lowe round out the top 5.

Continue reading 'Agyness Deyn Tops Annual Grazia Best Dressed List'

Size-Zero Model - www.moonbattery.com

The British Fashion Council has backed out of plans to ban "size zero" models from the London Fashion Week catwalk, saying the initiative lacks international support.

"This will only work if it's an international solution," Hilary Riva, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, tells the Times. "I would love for there to be a simpler solution. If we could just tick a box and move on it would make everyone's life easier but now this really is along-term educational and behavioural campaign".

Continue reading 'No London Ban On Size Zero Models'

For the first time, Spanish fashion chain Zara has overtaken American retailer Gap en route to becoming the largest clothing retailer in the world.

Zara, which was founded in 1975 by Spanish tycoon Amancio Ortega, now boasts nearly 3,900 stores across 70 countries, way more than the 3,139 stores being operated by Gap all over the world as of October 2006.

Aside from number of stores, Zara has also overtaken Gap financially, reporting a nine percent increase in sales, totaling €2.22bn in the first quarter of its financial year compared to the US retailer's sales of €2.17bn in the same period.

Continue reading 'Zara Unseats Gap As World's Largest Clothing Retailer'

Penelope Cruz - hotmusicbeat.com

Spanish fast-fashion chain Mango has decided to keep celebrity siblings Penélope and Mónica Cruz for next season.

With the renewal, the Cruz sisters will be joining Mango newcomers Alice Dellal and Lauren Hutton for the retailer's fall line-up.

Also rehired by Mango to shoot the collection’s campaign again are photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. This will be Alas and Piggott’s fourth season shooting images for the Penélope & Mónica Cruz for MNG line.

Continue reading 'Mango To Retain Cruz Sisters'

Kate Moss - www.fadedyouthblog.com

Kate Moss is reportedly making plans to marry boyfriend Jamie Hince this December on a rural country farm in Ireland.

According to Irish newspaper the Herald, the English supermodel reportedly told her friends at a party to "keep December free, for my wedding ceremony". She then proceeded to tell them that she’s already arranged the venue, which is a farm in Ireland owned by her hairdresser, James Brown.

"She likes it because the farm is in the middle of nowhere. It's off the beaten track, so there's no chance of anyone uninvited turning up", says a close friend of the supermodel.

Continue reading 'Kate Moss Planning Rural Wedding In Ireland?'

Tamara Mellon - www.handbag.com

Cosmetics giant Revlon has elected a high-profile fashion name into its board of directors in the person of Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon.

Mellon, who has steered Jimmy Choo into its current position as one of the world’s top women's shoes and accessories brand, is quite happy with her new position, and is determined to prove her business mettle in the cosmetics industry as well.

Continue reading 'Revlon Appoints Tamara Mellon To Board Of Directors'

Agent Provocateur already has 40 boutiques across the globe, but that, apparently, is far from enough for the British lingerie brand’s bigwigs.

"We are planning two new launches in the US, a boutique in Boston in October on Newbury Street, and a second in Chicago in November on East Oak Street. There's also been a lot more openings around the world," says Joe Corre, who
co-founded the label with Serena Rees in 1996.

And there’s more.

"I just opened a boutique in Bahrain [in July], as well as Geneva and Puerto Barres, a sexy destination in Spain. There also are more openings in Madrid, St. Petersburg and Germany," Corre tells WWD.

From all indications, Agent Provocateur is all set to take over the world.

Continue reading 'Agent Provocateur To Open More Stores Worldwide'

Stella McCartney - www.celebritymound.com

A furious Stella McCartney has demanded that fur label Hockley remove one of its new-season ads that feature one of her lingerie designs.

McCartney, who is a dedicated animal rights campaigner and a strict vegetarian, was reportedly angered by the sight of a sheer bra from her new lingerie collection worn by a model underneath a mink coat in an ad in fashion bible Vogue.

Continue reading 'Stella McCartney Demands Removal of Fur Ad'