The Cut

7/ 3/08

Happy Fourth!

Lacroix, darling.Photo: Imaxtree

We’re taking off for a long weekend of fireworks, Champagne, and a little more drooling over the Lacroix couture collection. Happy Fourth, guys! Back Monday!

More: Run Through

Adidas and Cynthia Rowley Move to China

Do you feel the Olympic spirit?Photo: Getty Images

Today might be a slow news day here in the U.S., but WWD went all the way to China with not one but three stories about store expansions and luxury brands opening in the Middle Kingdom — right in time for the Olympics! Adidas, ready to cash in on the sports fervor gripping the nation, threw open the doors to its first-ever Beijing flagship on Saturday. Fitting, as the brand spent $80 million so far to be a sponsor of the Games. The store, at 34,000 square feet, is the biggest ever for Adidas, and 1,000 more stores are planned by the year 2010. Go for the gold!

Jumping into the mix is Cynthia Rowley, whose new store joins other fashiony ones like Vivienne Westwood and Calvin Klein on Hong Kong's Fashion Walk area. All this expansion comes right on the heels of a report by market consultancy firm KPMG China on China's luxury consumers, reports WWD.

More: Run Through »adidas, china, cynthia rowley, hong kong, olympics

Fashion Album

7/ 3/08

12:30 PM

The Most Amazing Looks From the Menswear Shows

Just two of our favorite moments.Photo: Imaxtree

The spring 2009 menswear shows seem like a distant memory, and yet they only just wrapped. Designers finally proved that the boys can have just as much fun as the girls (thank you, John Galliano!). But it wasn’t all a spectacle full of Speedos and mankinis. Oh no, the models were the real highlight. From our hunky true love at Vivienne Westwood to Ann Demeulemeester’s older gentlemen, we had a real feast for our eyes. And so shall you, readers, with our highlights from the shows. Click through, enjoy, and you’re welcome.

Slideshow: Our Favorite Moments From Spring 2009 Menswear

More: Fashion Album »alexander mcqueen, ann demeulemeester, burberry, dior homme, fendi, givenchy, john galliano, prada, sergio lo re, vivienne westwood

New York Fugging City

7/ 3/08

11:15 AM

Which Celebrities Can Pull Off Couture?

Armani Privé, Chanel, and John Galliano.Photos: Imaxtree

Nothing against our beloved New York Fashion Week, but thanks to the couture collections' froth and fantasy, and the Technicolor head-trip that is menswear, this is one of our favorite times of the year. After the recent slew of shows, we are dying to see which impressionable celebrities dare to try this stuff at home; many of them will, and a few might — might — even succeed. Based on our personal highlights from this week's shows, we're predicting which stars can pull off that walk on the wild side, and who'll fall through the wormhole and come out on the worst-dressed list.

More: New York Fugging City »armani prive, bernhard wilhelm, chanel, christian dior, christian lacroix, couture, couture collections fall 08, d&g menswear, givenchy, jean paul gaultier, john galliano, maison martin margiela, paris fashion week

Beauty Marks

7/ 3/08

10:30 AM

Since When Is Going to the Gyno a Spa Experience?

Yeah, we're crossing our legs, too.Photo: nytimes.com

Usually we're all giddy about spa openings, but sometimes even we have to stop and say, no, really? Phit, a 58th Street newbie (as seen in today’s Times' Thursday Styles section), is a … different kind of spa. Because it’s for your below-the-belt region, and we ain’t talkin' bikini waxes. It's a "gyno spa." Wait a second, let it hit you. Yes, we said gyno spa.

Basically, you book an appointment at Phit — which stands for Pelvic Health Integrated Techniques — to check if your goodies are too tight, loose, strong, or weak for overall "pelvic fitness." To put it bluntly, you go to Phit to tone your vag. For example, one of their vaginal-rejuvenation treatments is called "The Other Face Lift." Go ahead, fill in the blanks. The founder, gynecologist Dr. Lauri Romanzi, tells the Times her treatments are "the dental floss of feminine fitness." We just crossed our legs even more.

There's more TMI coming up! »

More: Beauty Marks »phit spa, spas, thursday styles, women's health

Loose Threads

7/ 3/08

9:45 AM

Despite the Heat Wave, Couture Soldiers On

Dior's architectural silhouette.Photo: Imaxtree

• Cathy Horyn on Paris couture: Chanel had challenging (weird?) shapes and the best of Karl's "Germanic darkness"; Galliano's Dior is "ultra-feminine," architectural, and less romantic than in the past. Lacroix, meanwhile, was "heavenly," with variations on black with bursts of color. [NYT]

• Alas, some show-goers may have been distracted from the clothes by the heat wave hitting Paris right now. Sun beat down through the glass roof of the Grand Palais, where Chanel showed, and models had to be fanned backstage at Givenchy. Stay hydrated, gang! Champagne doesn't count. [Fashionologie]

• Marimekko is fighting Dolce & Gabbana: More specifically, the sleek Italians filed a request that the cute Finns' trademark on their Unikko textile be declared invalid. Cue the intellectual-property debate. [WWD]

More: Loose Threads »anna wintour, carine roitfeld, chanel, christian dior, christian lacroix, claudia schiffer, couture, dolce & gabbana, french vogue, givenchy, john galliano, karl lagerfeld, lacoste, marimekko, mario testino, naomi campbell, paris fashion week, rachel roy, retail, steven alan

Fashion Calendar

7/ 3/08

9:00 AM

Weekend Sales: 70 Percent Off Kenneth Cole; 60 Percent Off Helmut Lang

STARTING TODAY
• Skin care and bath products, body scrubs, and makeup from the Body Shop are over 50 percent off in stores and online. Stock up on the pomegranate body butter for $10 a tub (was $20). Click here for stores.

• Kenneth Cole's website says Beware of the Falling Prices. Cheesy, but true! They're knocking 70 percent off retail of men's and women's collections. The strappy Stretch-N-Go sandal was $175, and is now $60. See store locations here.

• Stop by Mayle for discounts on almost all items. Find up to 60 percent off dresses, bags, and accessories while supplies last. 242 Elizabeth St., nr Prince St. (212-625-0406); Mon.– Sat. (noon–7), Sun. (noon–6).

More: Fashion Calendar »sales, shopping

7/ 2/08

Run Through

7/ 2/08

5:30 PM

Nigel Barker’s Pun-tastic Baby-Seal Photography Exhibit

Go one, go all.Photo: Courtesy of Think PR

A while back we told you noted fashion photographer and America's Next Top Model eye candy Nigel Barker traveled to eastern Canada with the Humane Society to photograph and videotape baby harp seals in their natural environs. He also documented the annual commercial hunt of the fluffy white creatures sought after for their fur. At the end of the month you can see the fruits of his adventures in his photo exhibit "A Sealed Fate?" (Get it? "SEALed" fate?!) Yes, it's arrived at last! The traveling exhibit will open to the public on July 25 and run through July 27 before moving on to the next city. It even includes a video documentary of Nigel's mission. Nigel says in a press release about the exhibit:

Every year hundreds of thousands of baby seals are clubbed and shot to death for their fur. Their carcasses are discarded like waste and left on the ice. It is my strong opinion that this is bigger than making a fashion statement. This is about making a life statement. If we call ourselves human we must act humanely.

Talented, good-looking, and poetic? It's just too much. The whole thing kicks off with a swanky party on the evening of July 24 complete with a white carpet. If you're not a member of the media or a celebrity or other generally important person and don't have an invite to the white-carpet event, you can still interact with Nigel in person. He's hosting a series of one-hour tours and lectures from 2 to 5 p.m. each day. If he's so poetic in the press release, just imagine what he's like in the flesh.

What: A Sealed Fate?
When: Exhibit open to the public Friday, July 25, through Sunday, July 27. Nigel Barker will host a series of one-hour tours and lectures from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. each day.
Where: 401 Projects at 401 West Street, New York, NY

More: Run Through »fur, nigel barker, photographer, special events

Beauty Marks

7/ 2/08

5:00 PM

Oscar de la Renta Sues Elizabeth Arden; $800 Lipo Discounts

Naomi Watts at the Thierry Mugler fragrance press
conference in Paris.Photo: WireImage

FRAGRANCE
• Oscar de la Renta sued Elizabeth Arden last week, claiming that the design of its new perfume packaging infringed on an Oscar de la Renta trademark. Elizabeth Arden responded yesterday, calling the complaint "without merit." Drama! [WWD]

• Thierry Mugler revealed the bottle for its new fragrance, the campaign for which stars Naomi Watts. Looks lovely. [15 Minute Beauty Fanatic]

• For the first anniversary of Marc Jacobs's Daisy scent, he'll release Daisy Black, a limited-edition perfume launching in Europe this August. There's no mention of when it will come Stateside. Sniff. [Now Smell This]

PLASTIC SURGERY
• Here's how the cosmetics industry is keeping business going during the recession: lipo discounts! One Website offers $800 coupons. [PRNewswire]

Peel-and-stick eye shadow. »

More: Beauty Marks »copyright, elizabeth arden, fragrance, lawsuits, makeup, marc jacobs, nails, naomi watts, oscar de la renta

First Looks

7/ 2/08

4:20 PM

New Couture From Paris: Martin Margiela, Christian Lacroix, and More!

From left, Maison Martin Margiela, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier.Photo: imaxtree

We cannot stop marveling over the tulle, satin, lace, and balloons coming out of the Paris couture shows. Yes, we said balloons. Though some of us wait months for the Christian Lacroix show to walk, Maison Martin Margiela upped the ante by showing some rather unconventional materials. So won't you join us by checking out our new runway slideshows?

Paris Couture Fall 2008
Maison Martin Margiela
Christian Lacroix
Jean Paul Gaultier
Givenchy
See all the Fall 2008 Couture Shows

More: First Looks »christian lacroix, couture collections fall 08, givenchy, jean paul gaultier, maison martin margiela, paris

Passing Judgment

7/ 2/08

3:40 PM

Why Are Shorts Suddenly Okay This Summer?

Oh, look! Shorts! (Badgley Mischka, spring 2008.)Photo: imaxtree

Today's Observer tackles the question of why so many women are in love with shorts this summer — or why, really, this seems to be the summer when even non-shorts-wearing types are wearing shorts, even to go out at night. It's reported that offices across the city are in love with them — women in shorts even mix with women in business suits! But still — why shorts? Why now? One woman chalks it up to the trend effect du jour, the crappy economy. That must be why shorts are so big this year! But Vogue's Sally Singer isn't going to hear any lame financial excuses. She notes that shorts were all over the runways last spring and that the profusion of shorts isn't news. In fact, we're all missing the real story:

Ms. Singer argued that shorts are not really news. “What is new is the profusion of funny pants on the runway,” she said. “The droopy crotch, I Dream of Genie type of number that blurs the line between skirt, pant and odd object—that have made the Bermuda or the abbreviated clam digger suddenly seem very neat and tailored.”

So just as urban women come to terms with their upper thighs, we have to move on and tackle droopy crotches? Well, it's not like arguing will do you any good. Consider this a heads-up for early September.

Ladies Retort With—Good Lord!—a $990 Cocktail Short [NYO]

More: Passing Judgment »pants, sally singer, shorts, trends, vogue

Cult of Personality

7/ 2/08

2:10 PM

Tinsley Mortimer Explains How to Become Popular

Tinsley with friends Fabiola Beracasa and Max Azria.Photo: Getty Images

We just received our very own copy of The Park Avenue Diet (beach body here we come!). In addition to groundbreaking weight-loss tips (don't overeat! Avoid processed foods!), the book offers tips on how to feel beautiful on the inside. Tinsley Mortimer penned the chapter on interpersonal skills. Her "winning combination of charitable contributions, elegant beauty, and entrepreneurial savvy" and the fact that she "has excelled at tennis" make her an expert on the topic. She writes:

Maybe you are not the tallest or the prettiest person, but this is your one chance on Earth to enjoy the beauty of life. And one of life's greatest joys is the blessing of companionship, the bonds between you and others whether friends, family, or new acquaintances. Close, honest relationships will in turn make you a happier persona and will also make you want to focus even more carefully on your appearance and behavior.
…The more you love yourself — and prove this by taking care of yourself — the more people will want to be your friends.

So being self-obsessed but not letting anyone know will make us popular? How do we do it, Tinz?!

We'll tell you what she said! »

More: Cult of Personality »park avenue diet, tinsley mortimer

Run Through

7/ 2/08

1:20 PM

Agyness Deyn to D.J. at the Plumm Tomorrow

Photo: Courtesy of the Plumm

Since when did D.J.-ing become that thing all the cool fashion people do? Just the other day we learned Naomi Campbell, Alexander McQueen, and Stella McCartney would D.J. live on Nick Knight's Website starting July 9. And today we learn Agyness Deyn is jumping on the D.J. bandwagon with a guest stint at the Plumm tomorrow. She's really holding fast to this whole music thing, bless her heart. A rep from the Plumm tells us Deyn will spin a "heady mix of her favorite rock groups, featuring songs by The Strokes, Sex Pistols, and The Ramones." (The Strokes are obviously one of her favorites since she's dating one of its members, Albert Hammond Jr.)

You have Friday off, so you have no excuse for missing this one. After all, isn't the flyer enticing? It's so spunky, so punky, so … Deyn.

More: Run Through »agyness deyn, albert hammond jr., alexander mcqueen, djs, models, music, naomi campbell, nick knight, nightclubs, plumm, stella mccartney, the strokes

Model Tracker

7/ 2/08

12:35 PM

Meet the New Girl: Sigrid Agren

Photo: Elite Paris

You may not be able to pinpoint the Caribbean island of Martinique on a map, but you’ll definitely be able to spot its newest and hottest export: Sigrid Agren. The blonde looker with hazel eyes entered modeling after winning an Elite Model Look contest in 2004. After signing with Elite Paris the year after, Agren actually decided to take a break from her modeling career in favor of school. Smart girl, right? This year she's back on the runways after signing with New York Model Management. And she’s already hit the pages of June’s Teen Vogue, July’s Flair, and closed the Prada resort show. Damn, she makes it look so easy. —Kendall Herbst

Model Profile: Sigrid Agren

Browse over 350 other beauties in our ever-expanding Model Manual .

More: Model Tracker »elite model look contest, models, new york model management, prada, sigrid agren

Cult of Personality

7/ 2/08

11:50 AM

Anna Wintour’s New Favorite Dress

From left: Wintour at Ferragamo, Chanel, and Wimbeldon.Photo: WireImage, Getty Images, Reuters

We've seen Anna Wintour latch onto dresses before. During the last round of Fashion Weeks, she was photographed in the same Prada dress three times. Her new favorite number is a specially modified floral Carolina Herrera shift dress from the resort collection, and she's been photographed in it on three separate occasions in just two weeks. That's love, people. First she wore it to the Salvatore Ferragamo show in Milan, then she wore it to Wimbledon, and yesterday she wore it to the Chanel couture show.

We know she's not short on the clothing allowance, so maybe she just likes to pack light. Whatever her reasoning, we're all for this, because if Anna does it, that means it's a fashion "do" — something people like us, who are short on the clothing allowance, can certainly get behind.

'Vogue' editor Anna Wintour wears same dress three times [Telegraph]
Related: Anna Wintour Continues to Wear This One Prada Dress