Guest commentators on the financial cable shows tend to be shouty men in striped shirts. But a rather different face has been showing up on CNBC lately, one that's familiar to New York's social and media types: Vicky Ward, Talk magazine survivor and current Vanity Fair contributing editor. Ward credits her new gig as a talking head to "stalking" the channel's senior VP, Jonathan Wald, whom she met through mutual friend Dan Abrams. ("You can never know enough people," she counsels.) So far, the blond Brit (wait, this is CNBC, not Fox News, right?) has sounded off on everything from the declining newspaper business to the booming call-girl industry—the latter is becoming a bit of a journalistic obsession for the writer, who has profiled Jeffrey Epstein and the D.C. Madam. Speaking to Ward about what it's like to appear on TV, Style.com was quick with the tough questions: What's it like, for example, sitting through all that hair and makeup? "The traditional helmet hair and power-shoulders look is far behind us," she said, sounding relieved. "But I've learned that what looks great in real life can be horrendous on camera. I've worn the same dress about five times, as it was the only thing in my wardrobe that I realized worked." Now it seems all she needs is one of those catchy television nicknames, though we hear Money Honey is already taken.
Just in time for the warm weather (not that we're getting so much of that today in New York), L.A.-based artist Kimberly Brooks brings her dreamlike canvases to Culver City's Taylor De Cordoba gallery for an exhibit called "Technicolor Summer." The new series of oil paintings, which focuses on a family grappling with illness in the midst of a California summer, features Golden State backdrops such as Yosemite National Park's forests and the Pacific Ocean. "Unlike other shows that have very specific ideas tied to them—like a musical artist releasing an album, where each painting is a song—I think I will be painting this show, in some form or another, for the rest of my life," says Brooks. "Technicolor Summer" will be on view from May 10 to June 14.
—Victoria Namkung
Kimberly Brooks, "Canon Drive," courtesy of Taylor De Cordoba
charlotte moss tells some, not all
Members of the Park Avenue A-list abounded at Charlotte Moss' showplace-cum-retail store on the Upper East Side last night to celebrate the launch of her newest tome, "A Flair for Living," available now from Assouline. Among the well-heeled guests sipping wine and browsing in the three-story town house were fellow interior doyenne Nina Griscom, Vogue's Hamish Bowles, Billy Norwich (above, with the author), and Gillian and Sylvester Miniter. "I design every day, so that comes easily, but it's harder to actually sit down and put the pen to paper," said Miz Moss about writing her sixth work. "But once you get me going, it's hard to get me to stop!" When asked if she feels like someone might just study her beautiful books in lieu of contracting her services, she laughed. "I'm not worried, as I'll never reveal all my secrets. I'm not writing a tell-all!"
Mother's Day is one of those holidays for which you're duty-bound to give a present, but with all the cheesy gift sets, predictable flowers, and fattening chocolate that make up the usual range of possibilities, you're faced with a dearth of interesting options. For one that won't wilt or melt, present Mom with a luxurious robe from Jo Malone, new in stores this month. The full-length wrapper is made of semi-sheer, breezy Irish linen—perfect for lounging by the pool, taking breakfast in bed, or looking polished while getting ready for a night on the town—or, depending on the lady, all of the above. They're available for $245 at Jo Malone flagship stores, www.jomalone.com.
—Kat Thomsen
Photo: Nicola Kast
fashion people do read!
The door policy at Norwood is notoriously tight, but at last night's launch party for new journal Dossier, the fashionably late had to consider themselves lucky if they made it up as far as the top step of the club's well-groomed stoop. While management downstairs was busy turning the new arrivals away, upstairs the party was bustling—perhaps oddly so, given that Dossier is an upstart publication with the temerity to consider itself literate. "We wanted to create a magazine that solved the problem of airplane reading," explained Dossier founder and editorial director Katherine Krause. "Like, what if instead of buying six different magazines—a few to look at, and a couple to read—there was just one that had everything you liked?" A tall order, but then Krause and her Dossier co-founder, Skye Parrott, are both industry vets, and for the debut issue of the biannual publication, they dug deep into their Rolodexes and pulled out contributions from the likes of Mario Batali, Nan Goldin, and Zac Posen, as well as numerous other names familiar from bylines and mastheads. Dossier's appeal to contributors was a no-brainer, according to Parrott. "Just because you like fashion," she said, talking over the din of the crowd, "that doesn't mean you don't like to read." And apparently, just because you like to read, that doesn't mean you don't like to party.
"Every once in a while, you meet someone in life who's like a Mother Teresa," said Saks Fifth Avenue's Terron Schaefer at a luncheon yesterday celebrating the exclusive launch of Hermès' new fragrance, Un Jardin Après la Mousson. Schaefer was referring to Scott Harrison, a former nightclub promoter (his first gig was Nell's) turned humanitarian. Just under two years ago, Harrison founded Charity: Water, an organization that builds wells in impoverished countries. Inspired by Harrison's commitment, Hermès donated a well in Kerala, India, the romantic locale that inspired the company's latest perfume. And in just two weeks, Saks has raised $151,000 dollars to build wells in developing countries through the sale of $5 bracelets and $20 Mother's Day e-cards (available at www.saksfifthavenue.com and www.charitywater.org; Saks is donating 100 percent of the profits from sales). The next big wave? Saks' Water Ball on June 10.
Thanks to Margherita Missoni, anyone who thinks shopping is merely a recreational hobby need no longer feel guilty. At least not if they buy the bracelet she commissioned from Greek jewelry designer Ileana Makri. Proceeds from the piece, which went on sale this week at Jeffrey in Chelsea and online at Yoox.com, will go to OrphanAid Africa, a charity that Missoni has been affiliated with since traveling with its founder, Lisa Lovatt-Smith, to Ghana. "I ran into [Lovatt-Smith] at a time in my life when I needed to reassess my values," Missoni says. "She told me what she was doing, and two weeks later I was with her in Africa. When I came home I founded an Italian chapter of OrphanAid Africa." In addition to raising awareness, the bracelet will raise much needed funds for the charity. As Missoni explains, "A steady income is what many African charities need to plan for long-term goals." Hence her idea to launch different types of products for the charity, each one a collaboration with one of her fashionable friends, every three to six months. Next up will be a sneaker she designed with Pro-Keds and Damon Dash, to be followed by a project with Rachel Zoe. "The trick is make it cool enough that someone wants to buy it on its own—and then when they find out it's for charity, they can't stop themselves." In the upcoming weeks, Makri's design will be sold at Colette in Paris, Matches in London, and 10 Corso Como in Milan. But the trinket has already found itself onto the wrists of some stylish ladies, including Victoria's Secret angel Selita Ebanks (who is also fronting the bracelet's campaign), Karolina Kurkova, Joy Bryant, and Mischa Barton.
Yesterday evening, for the second time in three days, Olivier Theyskens filed through the brand spanking new "Superheroes" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. This time, though, the Nina Ricci designer was the main attraction—as opposed to the parade of dolled-up Hollywood folk who came through the space at Monday's gala. Congregating in the Carroll and Milton Petrie Sculpture Garden, a few lucky ladies, including Fabiola Beracasa and Shoshanna Gruss, listened intently as the Costume Institute's curator in charge, Harold Koda, spoke to the designer about the heritage of Nina Ricci. Joining him were three of his creations, including a ruffled gray number the museum staff affectionately calls the Gray Monster and a wedding dress recently worn by a well-publicized high-society bride. The two spoke about Theyskens' childhood—his parents were surprisingly unconcerned when an adolescent Olivier spent a lot of time with dolls (he compared it to a future football star being very good with a ball at a young age)—his excitement at joining the house of Nina Ricci, and how Ricci herself valued the creation of one couture garment. On that point, Theyskens referred to the voluminous, amethyst-based dress that Bee Shaffer wore on Monday night. "At Nina Ricci we do not hesitate to do an incredible dress. We're able to do real couture." A few laughs came when Theyskens told a couple of anecdotes, one about how he once got color inspiration from a meal of mussels and fries at a café in Belgium ("I wanted THAT yellow"), and another about a woman who asked about the cleaning instructions for her Nina Ricci suit. After the talk, the long-tressed designer was all smiles at the bar. "Ah, wait," he said, suddenly remembering the Paris luxury dry cleaner that he favors, "I should have just given that woman the number for Delaporte!"
"I'm retired, you know. So I don"t really do this type of thing anymore," James Galanos said last night at FIT's Fashion Design AAS Exhibit, sponsored by the Simms Foundation. "But Mr. Simms invited me, so here I am." Galanos, who dressed Doug Simms' mother, Marie, in the 1950's and '60's, along with Betsy Bloomingdale, Diana Ross, and Nancy Reagan, took in a fashion show featuring his one-time client's wardrobe (now part of the museum's permanent collection) and assessed the graduates' modern-day takes on his creations. "What they tried to do was show these students the quality of workmanship in my clothing," Galanos noted. "Design-wise, I don't see anything in this group that looks like anything of mine. However," he added, "they're very nicely done." Since the majority of the beaded, tiered, and ruffled looks were fashioned with premieres and parties in mind, we asked Galanos whether he thought young Hollywood was getting it right. "I look at the red carpet—same bodies, same clothes, same hairdos. There's no individuality, frankly." And what about the average urbanite? "I just hope that young people today can get back to dressing and looking like something instead of just wearing blue jeans every day, all day long," Galanos sighed. "They look messy. They just don't know how to put it together anymore. But," he conceded, "I'm an old-timer."
Hipsterdom from near and far turned out last night for the opening of Rogan's second New York outpost. Rogan Bouwerie is located in the old Bouwerie Lane Theatre, and effort was made to retain the history of the space. "I have a weird anti-commercial thread, which is why I chose the Bowery," said Mr. Gregory. "It has a lot of history and it fits our brand well." The original theater lights cast lights and shadows across the space, while the crowd—dressed in mostly monochromatic tones—danced to tracks provided by the DJ located upstairs. More subdued guests chose to lounge (and pose) on the store's Donald Judd-inspired benches, designed by Rogan himself. Still others guzzled forties with custom Rogan-designed tags that read "You Can't Stop What's Coming." You most certainly can't.
"Here's to not wasting our brainpower on counting the calories of our lunch," toasted "Big Love" star Ginnifer Goodwin, the recipient of Women in Film and MaxMara's Face of the Future award in Los Angeles yesterday. Wearing a tie-dyed silk sheath by the designer, Goodwin joined Lauren Graham and co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn for the lunch given in her honor at the Sunset Tower Hotel. Not even a walking cast could keep Rose McGowan from attending the event, held as a precursor to June's Crystal + Lucy Awards. There to cheer on the progress women have made in the industry, Goodwin also warned the female-heavy industry audience of the obstacles yet to come. "Celebrating women in film is extremely important," the actress asserted. "And bonding together and being aware is what will help propel us forward."
Linda Wells hosted Allure's Most Alluring Bodies photography exhibition and silent auction to benefit skin cancer research last night and brought out the likes of Hilary Duff, Katharine McPhee, Paula Patton, and Olivia Palermo to strut their own seemingly flawless bods on the red carpet. But the real action was on the walls inside Skylight Studios—nude photos of Kate Moss (by Craig McDean), Naomi Campbell (by Mert & Marcus), and Scarlett Johansson (by Annie Leibovitz) were up for bargain price bidding. "I really want this one!" said Rachel Zoe, jotting down her name under the sexy Moss photograph. The master stylist clearly knows a thing or two about alluring forms. "The women I work with have unbelievably beautiful bodies in totally different ways. Jen Garner has the most flawlessly toned body that makes me want to work out when I see her; Cameron has legs to here; and Eva has that perfect Old Hollywood face. They're inspiring to be around!" she said. The evening's host was busy checking out her own favorites, including Pamela Hansen's nude Carla Bruni-Sarkozy photo from 1994 and a piece by Marilyn Minter. "I really want to bid on it, but it's very boob-y," said Wells of the latter. "I wouldn't know what to do with my kids."
A magazine war has taken hold of Britain's capital. Vogue, Pop, and Dazed & Confused have all formed rival DJ gangs (the Voguettes, the Popettes, and the Dazed Invaders) that are playing to well-heeled crowds across London. Casting circulation figures aside, it's the music that dictates who's nosing ahead of the competition. Last night saw two of the competing DJ troupes, the Voguettes, who've already been booked to perform at Glastonbury, and the Dazed Invaders, go head-to-head at designer Henry Holland's club night, Fash Bash 2. (Only Holland, it should be noted, could persuade the East London Boombox crowd to defect to the West End for a fashion face-off.) "Fash Bash is all about having fun," he beamed from the dance floor, while his friends—designer Francesca Versace, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and the denim clad, ponytailed Scarry sisters—formed a ménage of plaid and oversize bows in the background. Last night's party had a definite nineties twist, with Sisqó's "Thong Song" the crowd-winning hit. Notable in her absence was British Vogue's cover star and Henry's bestie, Agyness Deyn, who's currently decamped to New York.
"One guy had a limp. One guy had an eye patch, which he swore was a temporary flaw. One guy liked Stephen Sondheim a little too much," reminisced writer Alix Strauss, editor of "Have I Got a Guy for You" (Polka Dot Press), a new collection of essays about the men with whom mothers have fixed up their daughters. We caught up with Strauss last night at the book party at Alice + Olivia. She continued, "My mom is great at picking out a pair of black pants for me. She can call me up and say they're winter weight or they're summer weight, they're thin, they'll hug your body, but only I can buy jeans for myself. Sometimes, I think your love life is like a pair of jeans. You know, you have to try them on to see how they fit and they all fit very differently. She could never walk into a store and say, 'Here are jeans that'll work for you.' There are like 80 million different kinds of jeans!" When Strauss began sharing her wretchedly funny (though touching) war stories with other literary friends, she realized she was not alone, and the book idea was born. There's still a glimmer of hope, though: To round out the collection, Strauss included one story of a young woman who met her husband through her mom.
When skeptics question whether the Middle East is really receptive to contemporary international culture or dispute the assertion that the region is on its way to becoming the next global cultural hub, the Third Line gallery in Dubai is a powerful rejoinder. More than just evidence that the region has a world-class art scene, the Third Line is in a league all its own. Third Line gallery's opening of a second space in Qatar will ratchet the quality and visibility of art in the area to a still higher level. The new space will be located in Doha's Souq Waqif, now being renovated to resemble the original 1950's-era market but filled with a network of brand-new chic shops and design show spaces. The kickoff show of hand-painted images of old film-star glamour by Egyptian-born, New York-based photographer Youssef Nabil—who has shot Tracey Emin, Nan Goldin, David Lynch, Louise Bourgeois, and Kate Moss—will set the tone for the gallery's roster of regional and international exhibitions. So if anyone asks, there are now officially two front-running, big-time exhibition spaces in the Middle East.
Little-known fact: Before there was Mickey Mouse, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?). Oswald was Walt Disney's first character, but the animator lost the rights to the rabbit when he neglected a clause in a contract, thus relegating him to obscurity. Now Oswald, a bunny doppelgänger of Mickey's, is being revived in the most unlikely of ways: on a jelly shoe by the blockbuster Brazilian brand Melissa (which has previously teamed up with Vivienne Westwood and Zaha Hadid). The style just hit Colette in Paris and is due to arrive at London's Harvey Nichols and Browns next week. Will Oswald be able to muscle in on the territory Mickey has staked out with fashionistas? Only sales will tell.
"I love symbols, but I'm not a mystic," says Parisian jeweler Lydia Courteille, whose dragonfly pins, butterfly necklaces, and ebony skull rings look as though they were stolen from the fairies. Courteille has a shop just around the corner from the Place Vendôme, where Boucheron, Chaumet, and Van Cleef & Arpels hold court. But her work is decidedly on the wilder side, mixing vintage pieces like nineteenth-century cameos with exceptional stones; carved jade, coral, and turquoise flowers; and enamel animals and insects in oxidized-gold settings. One of the forerunners of the current botanical trend in fine jewelry, Courteille is inspired by the opulent and eccentric style of legendary jewelers such as Jean Schlumberger and René Boivin. "I like mixing expensive materials with inexpensive ones," she says. "But the result has to be exceptional."
"I've read Interview since I was 15," said Marc Jacobs at the party for Brant Publications' new editorial management at Mr. Chow last night. "When I was in art school and high school, I would redraw the covers. I always dreamed of being in it." "A lot of people have come up to me and said how excited they are about it," said Chris Bollen, the new editor in chief. Aside from Jacobs, who has already collaborated with the Interview team (though he would not disclose any details), Bollen's friends Ryan McGinley, Rita Ackermann, and Dan Colen are excited about contributing to the magazine. Of editorial director Glenn O'Brien, who first worked at Interview under founder Andy Warhol and is returning for his third stint there, Bollen sighed, "He's cooler than I'll ever be. I can already tell. He's got life down so well." O'Brien certainly does. "I haven't been in an office in a while," he told us. "I think I was the first editor at large, ever. At a certain point, I decided I didn't want to go to the office. I was actually working for High Times. I said, 'I still want this job, I'm just not going to come to the office.' But we have a nice office. It's only a five-minute walk from my house and I'm the boss, so I can go to work anytime I want."
Considering a little Botox, or perhaps some lipo or a face-lift? Don't even think about it without Heal, a new cream from London that's just hit the shelves and is already causing a frenzy across the pond. Developed by five cosmetic surgeons who call themselves the Firm, Heal is meant to speed up post-op healing. According to Firm member Dr. Peter Butler, most other products on the market "do not contain enough of the active ingredients needed to have an effect. The difference with Heal is that the key ingredients are present in the right formulations to ensure they penetrate the skin's surface and actually have a dramatic effect on the end result." Two more benefits: Heal makes the skin glow and is great for cuts and bruises, making it a sort of holy grail for beauty junkies and mothers alike. Yet it's a strangely affordable £28 (about $55), which is no doubt why it's selling out. Order yours at www.healgel.com.
Rogan Gregory, Kim Gordon, Ryan McGinley, and Claire Danes sipped Champagne at Opening Ceremony last night while they gawked at the store-exclusive line of Nike x Liberty of London floral-print Dunks. "It's such a perfect partnership for us because when we launched the Chloë Sevigny line, her first words were, 'I need Liberty prints,' and it's all over her collection," said Opening Ceremony co-owner Humberto Leon. "Most athletic shoes for women aren't that good and the guys get the best colorways, but taking the feminine theme so far actually works and looks cool." So cool, in fact, that we're sure men will be lining up to get the limited-edition kicks, but they'll have to have small feet: The shoes go up to size 12 women's, which is roughly 8 1/2 men's. One guest not poring over the shoes but chatting it up was Danes. "I'm not really a sneaker fan. I'm an Humberto fan and Opening Ceremony is just the best store. I shop here a lot," she said. Any favorites? "Alexandre Herchcovitch," she said. "But I just like how well the store is curated overall." Come September, the selection at Opening Ceremony will become even stronger with the launch of 15 Japanese designers. And as for the Olympics—which loosely inspired the store's name—Leon promises they will be hosting "something amazing" for the Beijing games.
Apparently even Kate Moss can be taken in by the image of Kate Moss. At least that was the case last night when the model walked into Milk Studio for the party she was hosting with Agent Provocateur in celebration of the new bridal collection campaign, of which she is the face. Getting off the elevator, Moss turned to see her Nick Knight video projected on several walls. "Oh, that's me!" she said, blushing. "It's awfully big." The rest of the crowd, including Lake Bell, Rinko Kikuchi, the Costello Tagliapietra guys, Phillip Lim, Richard Chai, all three members of the MisShapes, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Sari Gueron, and Byrdie Bell (in a sheer top from the lingerie line), seemed duly impressed with the imagery (words like "icon" and "amaaazing" were being tossed around like rice at a wedding). Joe Corre, the man behind the kinky products that Agent Provocateur has become famous for—and the son of the equally provocative Vivienne Westwood—was in the middle of it all, looking dapper in his checkered bow tie. "I can't say that I actually like to travel," he responded when asked about his visit to New York. "And first arriving in New York—with all the perfect blocks and busy streets—can feel a little artificial. But after a few days I don't want to leave. When I arrived it was chilly, but now it's warm out and I'm having fun and I'll be sad to go back."
Don't call Edward Bess a makeup artist--he's a makeup designer, thank you very much, and though a mere 22, he's eager to preach his color gospel. His collection, now in its second season, is, in his words, "very much my vision of how women should look, whether impeccably groomed or naturally seductive." Fans of Edwards' lacquered boxes of lip gloss include Bianca Jagger, Marisa Berenson, and Farrah Fawcett. Since the disco era is a major source of inspiration for him—"My favorite architecture is from that time, as are the fashion images that have most inspired me"—that makes a nice parallel. Edwards recently added eye shadow to the line and, come fall, his products will be available at the new spa at the Carlyle Hotel, which just happens to be he and partner Ruven Afanador's favorite watering hole. Another nice parallel.
Tereza Santos is one of Brazil's most established, fashion-forward designers. A steadfast modernist, she came to fame in the 1980's via her brand Patachou, which was known for experimental knitwear with a sexy edge (this is Brazil, after all—even a sweater's got to have sex appeal). A native of Minas Gerais, Santos has spent almost her entire adult life in the metropolis of Belo Horizonte. She sat down with Style.com to shed some light on her home state's appeal.
You've had one of the most successful careers in Brazilian fashion. Can you describe your career arc?
I started to work with fashion in 1978, with one of the first boutiques in Belo Horizonte. After that I started Patachou in 1981. The Tereza Santos brand started in 2002, and in 2007 I sold Patachou. After I left Patachou, I also started TS Studio, with a focus on fashion consulting, corporate identity, private labels, and visual marketing.
What is the history of Minas Gerais in relation to the fashion industry?
Minas reflects all of the different regions of Brazil, bringing together many different influences. They have a signature of handmade, embroidered products, along with many technological developments. That's one of the reasons for the Minas Trend Preview.
What do you think Minas stands for?
Contemporary, creativity, and the value of the handmade influence.
Do you think it can become a center of fashion to rival São Paulo or Rio?
I think it will be more of a business center, while the big shows will still be in São Paulo and Rio.
Why have you remained loyal to Belo Horizonte all these years?
I think that the city is absolutely comfortable—it has great light and energy. I have many friends here and it's well-placed between Brazil's big cities, so it's convenient for my work. It's a very special place.
"You literally can't spit in here without hitting someone famous." So said one familiar face at the Armani-hosted party at Bungalow 8 after the Met ball last night, which also served as a birthday party for George Clooney (Amy Sacco raced out of the Met early to prepare for the festivities, causing a few tongues to wag). And the observation wasn't an overstatement—walking through the middle of the legendary late-night establishment (which was no easy feat, by the way) was like walking through the pages of a glossy magazine. Eva Mendes, Amber Valletta, and Francisco Costa chatted with Kelly Klein and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer at the first circle booth on the left; CBS's Leslie Moonves held court at the polka-dot booth on the right; next to him was Valentino Garavani's table; three tables in on the left had Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Harvey Weinstein, David and Victoria Beckham, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, and Dita Von Teese, the last propped up on a palm tree; across from that table was Allegra Versace, Hilary Duff, Brendan Shanahan, and Sean Avery, in a tuxedo jacket with beaded lapels; at the bar were Chace Crawford, Cat Deeley and Christopher Bailey, and Scarlett Johansson; and in the upstairs lounge, Mary-Kate Olsen, Jacquetta Wheeler, and Byrdie Bell found space and a view. "This is the most glamorous crowded disaster ever," one Oscar nominee sighed. But many would agree that the close quarters were worth it, especially when, a little after midnight, John Mayer led the room in a round of "Happy Birthday" and then crooned out a couple of Sinatra-esque hits with Fergie. From her seat in the last circular booth on the left, Ellen Barkin put it best. Nudging Sacco, she said, "Just another night at Bungalow, eh?"
Joining the slew of other designers (Proenza Schouler, Erickson Beamon, Theory) who've launched eyewear collections this season is Alberta Ferretti, whose colorful shades hit stores this month, priced from $250 to $1,000.
As anyone who's been to Copenhagen fashion week knows, getting into a Mads Nørgaard show is almost as difficult as gaining entrée to Marc Jacobs. And the Danish designer's cool mix of basics with a street influence attracts a similarly interesting and devoted crowd. Last week, Nørgaard won a Dansk Fashion Award for his recent ad campaign—a trilogy of short moody, urban films for which he snagged as stars Denmark's leading models Freja Beha Erichsen and Eddie Klint, titled "The Copenhagen Experience." "I think the films are great," said Erichsen, who won a Dansk award for top female model (Klint was nominated on the men's side). "It's an interesting way to do a campaign, instead of stills." (Nørgaard was also recently tapped to design a theme for new artists' project iGoogle, an honor shared by Dolce & Gabbana and Philippe Starck.) Here, a peek at the model duo off of the runway. See the entire video at www.thecopenhagenexperience.dk.< p>
Los Angeles is getting a lot greener today. Over in Westwood, the Hotel Palomar is opening, with 268 guestrooms and suites, views of the city's skyline, and more than 40 eco-friendly practices (including in-room recycling bins, energy-efficient lighting, and organic food and beverages in the minibars). Special introductory rates start at $229; see www.hotelpalomar-lawestwood.com for more information. And over on Robertson Boulevard, the latest edition to the H. Lorenzo retail empire is ready to welcome shoppers (on-again BFFs Katie and Posh are fans of the mini-chain) with a solar-powered boutique designed by Oliviero Baldini. The 4,000-square-foot shop, which stocks Zac Posen, Viktor & Rolf, and Veronique Branquinho, is completely paperless—meaning your Balmain purchase will be tucked into a reusable linen shopping bag and you'll get an e-mail receipt.
Emerging markets are hotbeds of undiscovered design potential, and Brazil is no exception. The country has already given the world its fair share of fashion moments (Alexandre Herchcovitch, Gisele Bündchen), but a new name to note just popped up on the radar. Rogério Lima: the designer of a line of handbags called A Fábrica. Lima recently renovated his studio and decided to recycle the empty cement bags that were left behind by the construction workers. The results ride the green trend, while adding of-the-moment bold brass hardware, crystal, and leather to the mix. Lima doesn't sell his own collection outside of Brazil yet (is a Barneys buyer reading this?), but we're predicting it's only a matter of time before his creations pop up at a retailer near you.
A designer and a consultant working for separate mass-market brands head to Hong Kong on a production trip. In a hotel lobby one morning, they randomly pass one another, and love at first sight ensues. Coincidental fact number one: Both are based in Holland. Coincidental fact number two: Though both are bound by exclusivity contracts stating they cannot work for other brands, each secretly harbors a desire to fuse fashion and art into a business venture they can call their own. Seven years later, not only is the relationship on track, but the pair have realized their dream and are creating luxury knits with an arty twist under the label KIND—in fact, they identify themselves only as Mr. and Mrs. KIND and won't reveal their names. Their Fall '08 collection of sweaters, skirts, and dresses was inspired by iconography, circuses, and the golden age of Hollywood. Think fancy argyles, eccentric embroidery, and pompoms. There are also plans afoot for an upcoming men's collection and a boutique in Antwerp. Which just goes to show—you never know where a chance encounter in a hotel lobby will lead.
"I only tie up a woman, because I cannot tie up her heart," Nobuyoshi Araki perenially professes to journalists while roping in and locking up scores of international exhibitions, magazine articles, and admirers of his fetishistic photographs. His latest show, called "Kinbaku," at Berlin's Jablonka Galerie, the first to show the Japanese photographer's work in the West, exhibits the photographer's binding obsession in 100 black-and-white photographs of Kinbaku, a ritualistic form of Japanese bondage that takes its cues from traditional forms of packaging and flower decoration. For a short time—until this Sunday—another 100 color photographs from the series will be concurrently presented at the Kestner Gesellschaft gallery in Hanover. Despite the dark connotations of Araki's bondage imagery, the 68-year-old Japanese answer to Helmut Newton takes a more conventional, gentlemanly approach to relationships between the sexes than the younger generation of art-porn masters like Terry Richardson or Richard Kern. "Meeting a woman anywhere teaches you more about the world than meeting Balzac," he said through the gallery representatives. "Whether it be a wife, a woman encountered by happenstance, or a prostitute, she will teach you more about the world." But, he added, "I prefer photographs to sex. Recently, I have declined offers to date…because everyone wants to have sex. They are not satisfied with only having dinner together."
—Ana Finel Honigman
Photo: Nobuyoshi Araki, courtesy of Jablonka Galerie
