Vogue Italia‘s editor in chief, Franca Sozzani, recently took to the blogs to express how hard she’s found it to write a speech for her appearance at Havard University on April 2. She has decided to discuss the controversial topic of body image and explained, “It’s a commitment and nothing must be left to chance. You speak and know that each word carries weight and consequences.” [Telegraph]

J Brand, which expanded its denim offerings to a full ready-to-wear line earlier this year, has announced plans to open the brand’s first flagship stores in New York and London within 15 months. Handbags and shoes, says J Brand CEO Jeff Rudes, are also not too far on the horizon. [WWD]

Former O.C. starlet Mischa Barton has just launched a shopping Web site called Mischa’s Place. Barton collaborated with her mom on the e-commerce endeavor, which offers cosmetics, handbags, and clothing. [Telegraph]

With Madonna clad in Agent Provocateur on the cover of her new single “Girl Gone Wild” and stars like Kylie Minogue and Elle Macpherson launching their own lingerie collections left and right, The Wall Street Journal reports that über-sexy undergarments are becoming more mainstream. And the numbers tell all—following celebrity endorsements like Madonna’s, sales of the Vivienne Westwood-backed Provocateur label have risen 12.5 percent in the last year. [WSJ]