It's strictly for the catwalk. But this heavyweight hairstyle helped earn a Takapuna stylist the top prize in an Auckland hairdressing competition.

It also booked Zeus senior stylist Becs Davies a place in a competition for top New Zealand and Australian hairdressers.
She had just 35 minutes to put the hairpiece together. It was polyurethaned beforehand to keep it stiff.

posted by Niko @ 7:02 AM  0 comments Permalink

Stella McCartney has found herself embroiled in a campaign by animal rights activists over the use of kangaroo hides by the sporting giant behind her latest women's wear range.

McCartney, a long-time vegetarian who has previously attacked designers who use fur, is just weeks away from unveiling her new sportswear range for Adidas at London Fashion Week.
But in an embarrassing twist, animal rights campaigners have begun publicly attacking Adidas for fuelling the "largest wildlife slaughter in the world" by using kangaroo skins to make football boots.

"Adidas' use of kangaroo skin is inexcusably cruel," Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler told The Independent on Sunday newspaper.

"On the question of Stella McCartney's alleged silence, we know she opposes animal cruelty and presume she is taking the steps she feels appropriate to press the company to stop the use of kangaroo skins."

The group last month scored a major victory in the United States when the Californian Supreme Court banned the sale of football boots and other products made from kangaroo skins.

posted by Niko @ 6:59 AM  0 comments Permalink

As fashion continues its migration to the Internet, MySpace, the online community that generates 115 million unique monthly visitors worldwide and is the top-ranked Web domain in terms of page views, will kick off a newly designed fashion section on Tuesday called MySpace Fashion. Currently, MySpace has a page on which it features designers and fashion-related videos. It will beef up fashion content with new programs such as MySpace Presents: The Fit, a behind-the-scenes look into the closets of celebrities and musicians, and MySpace Muse, in which editors scope out profiles of MySpace members to feature fashion stars in the making.

Even without a dedicated section, MySpace has already made connections on Seventh Avenue. Companies that have profiles on the site include A/X Armani Exchange, Hollister, Bongo, Victoria's Secret Pink and Hennes & Mauritz. Last week, Paris Hilton gave the site access to her clothing launch at Kitson, and Alexander McQueen used MySpace to help cast the campaign for his diffusion line, McQ.

posted by Niko @ 6:46 AM  0 comments Permalink

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 PRNewswire - At 727 advertising pages, SeptemberVogue sets the record as the most advertising pages ever published in amonthly consumer magazine. This year, the 115-year old magazine surpasses its own previous records with a total of 840 pages, weighing 4 pounds, 9 ounces.

Vogue Publishing Director Tom Florio says September Vogue generated an extraordinary amount of advertising due in part to the debut of ShopVogue.TV, the video online shopping and entertainment network. Premiering today August 21st, this broadband network will feature four channels of original programming: 60 Seconds to Chic, Behind the Lens,Trend Watch and The Collections. In an industry first, viewers will be able to shop these shows as they watch them.

ShopVogue.TV will be live beginning August 21st. Images, video andinterviews are available upon request. For more information visit http://www.shopvogue.tv/

posted by Niko @ 7:22 AM  0 comments Permalink

New York's second annual Pet Fashion Week offered everything a pampered pooch could ever want, from jewel-encrusted leashes to doggy perfume.

The show lasted a good hour, featuring dogs modelling designs from 20 or so pet fashion houses to a pounding disco soundtrack.
Although it was mostly dogs on show, a black cat in a golden collar did make an appearance on the runway towards the end, carried by a young girl.

"It's fantastic, much more than we expected," said Rie Nishimura, a Japanese buyer from Pet-a-Porter Life, Inc., who flew in from Tokyo.
After watching the show, she put in her orders to be delivered to Japan.
"We bought hundreds of things for dogs and accessories. It's a huge industry, and Americans are the leaders," she said.

posted by Niko @ 7:00 AM  0 comments Permalink

We're off to South Beach for the Trafik tradeshow but will hopefully have a minute to post a few updates & info bits from the show.


Best,
Niko

posted by Niko @ 7:30 AM  0 comments Permalink

TONIGHT, Wed.

6-8pm

CK Steel, Calvin Klein's new underwear line, launches tonight. Pop by Bloomingale's to celebrate. Bloomingdale's, 1000 Third Ave., at 59th St. 212-705-2000.

TOMORROW, 8/16

through 9/3

This is one to RUN to NOW...The Barneys Warehouse Sale

255 W. 17th St. (bet 7th/8th Aves)

Shop designer clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as items for the home at up to 50-75% off regular prices. Find merchandise by Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenburg, and more.

THIS WEEK

through Saturday, 10-8pm; Sunday noon-7pm
A limited amount of copies of the new MisShapes book are being sold at Henri Bendel. Each book is priced at $25. The MisShapes will also be D.J.-ing today at the store to celebrate the book launch.712 Fifth Ave., nr. 56th St. 212-247-1100

through Saturday, 11:30am-7pm

At Hollywould, flirty summer dresses (now $175), satin evening clutches (now $60), and cheery flats (now $65) are on sale. 198 Elizabeth St., nr. Prince St. (212.219.1905)

posted by Niko @ 7:03 AM  0 comments Permalink

New Delhi, Aug. 13 (PTI): In a grim reminder that women in the capital are unsafe, two unidentified men have allegedly attempted to burn alive a fashion designer outside her residence in a posh South Delhi locality, police said Sunday.
The attackers, who came on a motorbike, poured kerosene on Darvin and threw a lighted match stick at her in Greater Kailash II Sunday evening, police said. Investigators did not confirm reports that acid was also thrown on Darvin.
The fashion designer, with 80 per cent burn injuries, was first taken to Holy Family Hospital from where she was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital owing to the serious nature of the burns, police said. Her condition is stated to be critical...more The Hindu News

posted by Niko @ 7:38 AM  0 comments Permalink

School of Visual Arts (SV) presents "Click Chic: The Fine Art of Fashion Photography," an exhibition documenting the vitality of fashion photography as a vehicle for creative expression, formal experimentation and social commentary.

On view will be nearly 50 images by six emerging and established photographers based in New York who have created distinctive bodies of work in fashion: Roderick Angle, Guy Aroch, Maki Kawakita, Ryan Michael Kelly, Chiun-Kai Shih and Sarah Silver. With cultural reference points as rich and varied as Art Nouveau, Buddhism, film noir, modern dance and Japanese Kabuki theater, they have made fashion photography their primary practice, applying a conceptual and formal rigor traditionally associated with fine art.

Exhibition runs September 6 - October 6, 2007

Reception: Monday, September 10th, 6 - 8pm

posted by Niko @ 7:33 AM  0 comments Permalink

The mating dance between fashion retailers and like-minded brands has produced another partnership, this time between Nylon magazine and Urban Outfitters. Nylon in September will launch in-store shops featuring apparel, music and books in Urban's 113 locations....WWD

posted by Niko @ 7:11 AM  0 comments Permalink

Now YOU can pick up a Colette Collectible

Tonight from 6-10pm

Selected clothing from Colette's Famous Closet displayed in her last Manhattan exhibition The Apartment at HPGRP Gallery will be on view and for sale at her Studio in Tribeca. Clothes will be on sale from $10 to $100, making it possible for all to own a Colette Collectible.
Colette has exhibited in Museum and Galleries worldwide and is also know for presenting her works (since the early 70's) in unorthodox art venues, ex-the streets, shop, windows, nightclubs...in order to reach multi-audiences high and low.

RSVP ONLY
Friday, August 10
6-10pm
Tribeca: 213 Pearl Street (between Maiden Lane and John Street)
Cost: FREE!
Official Site: http://www.collectcolette.com/

posted by Niko @ 7:25 AM  0 comments Permalink

Souled Out 3
Buy, Sell, Trade Sneakers
Sat. Aug 11 (Noon)
210 Elizabeth St., NYC

Step your sneaker game up... At Souled Out 3 you can trade and sell your kicks, as well as buy from over 30 vendors. And nothing but exotics & Limited sneaker runs here. There will be free giveaways all day long, (yes all day this is a DAYTIME EVENT NOON - 7 TOMORROW) Complex, Yamez, King Cut, & Iron Lyon will be spinnin' joints to make you get out of your socks... Come through early as these events tend to get packed, as well as bring some spendin' cash for some rare new kicks...and some lucky rsvp's in attendance at the event will be chosen for some FREE SNEAKERS!!!

Cost: $10
RSVP at the official site... http://www.souledoutnyc.com/

posted by Niko @ 7:15 AM  0 comments Permalink

taxi driver/mean streets doubleheader

2 for 1 admission

taxi driver (1976, MARTIN SCORSESE) "You talkin' to me?" The last word on Big Apple paranoia and short circuit energy, as Robert De Niro's insomniac hack Travis Bickle yearns for a rain that'll "wash all the scum off the streets," transforming himself into a mohawked, armed-to-the-teeth avenging angel, meeting his own judgment day in the form of child hooker Jodie Foster and her pimp Harvey Keitel.

mean streets (1973, MARTIN SCORSESE) Guilt-ridden hood Harvey Keitel keeps a low profile, but out-of-his-friggin'-mind cousin Robert De Niro doesn't give a flyin' pasta fazool about those gambling debts. Exteriors shot in and around his Elizabeth St. home turf.

Sun. Aug 12 7:50 PM) at Film Forum 209 W. Houston St
Cost: 10
Official Site: http://www.filmforum.org/films/nycnoirfilms.html#730

posted by Niko @ 7:08 AM  0 comments Permalink

posted by Niko @ 7:18 AM  0 comments Permalink

White Stripes frontman Jack White and his wife, Karen Elson, are the parents of a baby boy.
The couple's second child, named Henry Lee White, was born Tuesday, a publicist for White said Wednesday.
White and Elson have a 15-month-old daughter, Scarlett Teresa White.
"The new child and his mother are both feeling very healthy and happy," White's representative, Chloe Walsh, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
White, 32, married Elson, a 28-year-old model, in 2005. The White Stripes are on a break from their North America tour, which will resume Sept. 13 at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Karen famously opened Marc Jacobs autumn/winter 06/07 show when she was pregnant with her daughter Scarlett. She wore a voluminous coat to cover her bump.

posted by Niko @ 7:11 AM  0 comments Permalink

Vera Wang is doing it. And Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld and Proenza Schouler all did it while some in the rarefied fashion world gasped.
Now Libertine, Chip & Pepper and Roberto Cavalli are adding their names to the growing roster of high-end designers out to beat knockoff artists to the punch with budget lines for the fashion-starved masses.
"It's very exciting to think a million pieces of our product are going to be out across America," says LA-based designer Johnson Hartig, whose red-hot Libertine line recently became the seventh sought-after designer label in rotation as part of Target's Go International Flights of Fashion campaign.
Previous Go collaborators include red-carpet favorite Proenza Schouler, Sophia Albou of the French label Paul & Joe, and 40-year-old Patrick Robinson, recently named head of design at Gap.

posted by Niko @ 7:06 AM  0 comments Permalink

SJP talks about the upcoming film and...Carrie Bradshaw v the real life city girl.

On all those Big Cosmos: "I don't drink much of anything. I like a good Cabernet, but I never drink a hard cocktail. I've had many Cosmopolitans sent across when I'm in bars, but I always think, 'God, if I can get this in a bottle, I could clean so much stuff at home."

On the many Manolo scenes: "I used to spend 18 to 20 hours a day filming in heels. Now I spend a much shorter day in them and I'm, like, 'Owww!' I've really destroyed my body by running and dancing in heels. My knees are shot."

posted by Niko @ 7:29 AM  0 comments Permalink

Design duo Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi who make up Preen have announced they are upping sticks and moving to New York for the Spring/Summer shows next month. Thornton told Vogue: "We're always looking for ways to push things forward and build the label. We've been looking into doing something like this for a few seasons and suddenly, everything just fell into place. We work on gut instinct and, happy as we are in London, we're really excited about the move; it just feels right."

Thornton hinted at something exciting for their September 2nd show at the Soho Grand: "It will be very Preen!" he laughed. "We always work from our archives, trying to hone the look from season to season. We're looking at a mix of soft shapes and a sexy, structured silhouette."

posted by Niko @ 7:22 AM  0 comments Permalink

The famed fashion houses of Chanel and Gucci are suing a 15 year old boy from the west coast city of Gothenburg for copyright infringement.

The teen is being sued after Swedish Customs confiscated three packages containing pirated sunglasses, sent from China, and addressed to the boy.
Bengt Eliasson, a legal representative for the House of Chanel, admits to the newspaper "Metro" that it is unusual to take legal action against a 15 year old boy, but says the alternative is to allow the sunglasses to reach the open market.
The boy denies he is involved and says he has no idea who sent the glasses.

posted by Niko @ 7:14 AM  0 comments Permalink

Iconic Peanuts Characters to Inspire Group Designer Fashion Show; Auction to Follow

"Good grief" turns into great fashion relief as MetLife will present a group designer fashion show on Friday, September 7th at 6:00 p.m. as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Many of fashion's favorite designers are confirmed to participate including Heatherette, Isaac Mizrahi, Betsey Johnson and Pamella Roland, among other leading designers from around the world. Each designer will take inspiration from their favorite Peanuts character to create a couture runway outfit, making a bold leap from their black and white sketches to vibrant color.

Following the MetLife Snoopy in Fashion show, Peanuts fans and fashionistas alike will share the opportunity to bid on the designer unique runway creations in an eBay auction. Proceeds from the MetLife Snoopy in Fashion auction will benefit Dress for Success, a non-profit organization which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life....more at CNNMoney

posted by Niko @ 7:31 AM  0 comments Permalink

Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon will serve as Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation and will also appear in the company's international ad campaigns as part of a multi-year agreement.

"I feel a great responsibility in my own life to give back to society," said Witherspoon at a press conference held yesterday in Beverly Hills. "Now, as the Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation, I am proud to be joining in the great philanthropic work that is already underway."

posted by Niko @ 7:18 AM  0 comments Permalink

GIORGIO ARMANI may be an unlikely new addition to the England football club Chelsea but his off-pitch skills have been put to good use by stylish club boss Jose Mourinho (photo, left) - who called on the legendary designer to not only create the club's new official suits, but also kit out an area of its Stamford Bridge stadium. The team, management and backroom staff have been fitted for the new look - which comprises a lightweight wool gabardine suit, a classic three button cashmere coat and a single-breasted knee-length nylon raincoat, all in a navy interpretation of Chelsea's blue.

Armani Casa's Interior Design Service, meanwhile, was responsible for the redesign of the club's Directors' Suite, which has since been renamed the Armani Lounge. "It is an honour to have collaborated on a new look for the Directors' Suite at what is certainly one of England's most historic football grounds," Armani says. "Jose has been a long-time enthusiast for my designs and was personally involved in reviewing all of the sketches and fabrics."

Fans will be able to buy replica suits at Emporio Armani stores worldwide.

posted by Niko @ 7:07 AM  0 comments Permalink

Amazing Sample Sale

Thu. Jul 26 - Sun. Aug 5 (Times vary)

Denim Sample Sale 76 Greene St (Bet. Spring and Broome) NYC

Enjoy 30%-90% off men's and women's denim from:

Seven 575, Chip & Pepper, Diesel, True Religion and More!

Tops and dresses from:

BCBG, Betsey Johnson, Diesel, Zooey and More!

*Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accpeted
*New shipments daily
*Full fitting rooms available

posted by Niko @ 7:42 AM  0 comments Permalink

Friday, August 3rd...TurnTables on the Hudson present...

TOTH + BILLIE HOLIDAY REMIXED & REIMAGINED CD release party

Two part party:
7PM - 9PM at the River to River Festival on one side of Pier 17
9PM -4AM After Party @ Spiegelworld on the other side of the building.

Artists include: DJ's Nickodemus, Jazzy Nice, Logic, Mariano + Nappy G & Christian Rogers on percussion & Jay Rogiguez on sax & flute. Special guests all night.

posted by Niko @ 7:33 AM  0 comments Permalink

this is the last weekend...a must-see exhibit for anyone in the fashion industry

Poiret: King of Fashion
The Met
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street

May 9, 2007-August 5, 2007
Special Exhibition Galleries, 1st floor
General Information: 212-535-7710

In the annals of fashion history, Paul Poiret (1879-1944), who called himself the "King of Fashion," is best remembered for freeing women from corsets and further liberating them through pantaloons. However, it was Poiret's remarkable innovations in the cut and construction of clothing, made all the more remarkable by the fact that he could not sew, that secured his legacy.

posted by Niko @ 7:03 AM  0 comments Permalink

Mikhail Gorbachev, 'the man who changed the world', has made advertising history by becoming the first former head of state to appear in a fashion campaign.

Mr Gorbachev, 76, who ruled the Soviet bloc from 1985 to 1991, is one of the stars of a new advertising campaign for the French luxury fashion and leathergoods brand, Louis Vuitton.
Dressed in a Louis Vuitton suit, Mr Gorbachev is pictured on the back seat of a chaffeur-driven, vintage Chaika GAZ 13 Russian limousine, looking out the window as he is driven past some remains of the former Berlin Wall, the infamous divide between East and West Germany which was finally dismantled during his term of office.

The advertising campaign, known as 'Core Values', focuses on travel and features internationally renowned figures who have made extraordinary personal journeys in life.

Others appearing in the campaign are the film icon, Catherine Deneuve, and the husband-and-wife tennis stars, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. Louis Vuitton is making a donation to The Climate Project, spearheaded by Al Gore, on behalf of Deneuve, Agassi and Graf.....more

posted by Niko @ 7:32 AM  0 comments Permalink

Levi's have created a new shape of jeans inspired by Madonna's Material World.

The jeans giants have launched the new 471 High Waist Skinny as part of their Red Tab Girls Autumn/Winter 07 collection.
The new style combines the high waist jeanswear trend of the 1980's with a modern skinny silhouette.

This latest creation is part of Levi's attempt to revisit their heritage in music by designing a casual collection of jeans inspired by the Kings and Queens of Music.

Levi's 471 are available in a range of finishes including 'Black Dipped' and 'Light Hazy' a washed out 80's denim.

posted by Niko @ 7:23 AM  0 comments Permalink

Madonna and Justin Timberlake's long-waited collaboration has been leaked on the internet.
The track, called Candy Shop, appeared on putfile.com, but was removed following copyright issues.

It is believed the song - a mix of dance, pop and hip-hop - will appear on Madonna's forthcoming album, scheduled to be released in November.
The track is just one of several the pop star has worked on with Timberlake and producer Timbaland.

Pharrell Williams and Mika have also been involved in the album.

posted by Niko @ 7:18 AM  0 comments Permalink

Look out all you John Mayer fans, the husky-voiced heart throb has just bagged himself a modelling job as one of the new faces of Gap. With their new fall campaign, the US retailer has decided to stick to what it does best - promoting casual classics, with the help of some fairly famous folk...

Joining Mayer in the black and white photos taken by Annie Leibovitz are Selma Blair who appears to be sporting a similar 'do, Lucy Lui and Forest Whitaker just to name a few.
Like Selma's striped sweater (nautical is all the rage right now)? It will retail for $44.50 when it goes on sale in the fall.

posted by Niko @ 7:05 AM  0 comments Permalink

TONIGHT...

Six hungry twentysomethings plunge headfirst into the New York worlds of fashion, beauty, public relations and magazine publishing. In their first week on the job, they live out their fantasies and endure painfully rude awakenings at the same time. Will they prove themselves as lowly assistants and end up with the glamorous careers they dream of?

Watch The Fashionista Diaries Wednesday (8/1) at 9p et/pt on SoapNET

posted by Niko @ 7:21 AM  0 comments Permalink

The Chinese Olympic soccer team is touring Europe this summer and it's doing so in Italian style. Dolce & Gabbana is providing off-the-field looks for the Chinese athletes. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana selected slim single-button black "Martini" suits, black skinny ties and trim white shirts for a streamlined, modern look. More casual pieces include silver nylon bombers, jeans, Ts and sweaters with satin hoods.

The venture follows similar deals with AC Milan and with the Italian National Team, winners of last year's World Cup. The Chinese players are playing exhibition games in Europe, a surefire warm-up to next year's games in Beijing.

posted by Niko @ 7:01 AM  0 comments Permalink

Uniqlo the relatively unknown retailer that's often described as being the Gap of Japan has been such a success in its homeland, the brand is now turning its attention to expanding its overseas market. Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company is looking to open Uniqlo outlets across Asia and Europe and has just welcomed a huge flagship store in Manhattan's trendy SoHo district. The company has also made a takeover bid of $900 million for Barneys New York in the hope to balance out its good-quality basics with luxury apparel.

On Monday, Uniqlo announced further plans for a new store on London's Oxford Street to help increase brand awareness. Fast Retailing Chief Executive Tadashi Yanai said. "Uniqlo has grown into one of the largest apparel retailers in Japan and the first major Japanese apparel brand to go global."

posted by Niko @ 6:51 AM  0 comments Permalink

David and Victoria Beckham have been named in a poll of the world's best dressed people.

The couple made the Top 10 of the Vantity Fair 2007 list alongside Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.

The 68th annual list was compiled from a poll of world fashion experts and also included the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Actresses Renee Zellweger, Tilda Swinton and Charlotte Gainsbourg made the best dressed women list, while actor Richard E. Grant and rocker Lenny Kravitz are among the best dressed men.

Explaining why Mr and Mrs Beckham are on the list, the Vanity Fair entry says: "Because the whole is greater than the sum of the parts."

The magazine also points to Steve McQueen and Audrey Hepburn as the David and Victoria's style icons.

posted by Niko @ 6:46 AM  0 comments Permalink