Alessandra Ambrosio says that she was worried she might not be able to do the Victoria’s Secret show if the company knew she was eight weeks pregnant. “When I first found out I was pregnant I thought, ‘Oh my gosh I don’t think I’m going to be able to walk on the show,’ and I didn’t tell anybody so no one knew at the show that I was pregnant,” she says. “A week before, I told my booker I don’t think I’m going to be able to fit into the clothes because I gained a few pounds already, but we were just quiet.” Apparently, she was nervous enough about it that she worked out and dieted before the show: “I cut all the sugars and sweets 10 days before and I got my trainer — the one I usually get — and we were doing lots of glutes and arms and back exercises.” The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has described pregnancy discrimination as the fastest-growing kind of workplace discrimination — and as independent contractors, models have even less protection from pregnancy discrimination than the majority of American women who are classified as employees. [Us]
Meanwhile, Ambrosio published this photo of herself, now four months along, on the beach with her daughter, Anja. [Facebook]
Here is Emma Watson‘s first Lancôme print ad. [WWD]
Bottega Veneta got artist Jack Pierson to shoot its spring campaign with Karmen Pedaru. [WWD]
Chloé is launching a new perfume in February, Eau de Chloé. [WWD]
- Holiday sales this season appear destined to overtake 2007’s record total of $251.7 billion. Assuming current projections prove accurate, Americans will have spent $252.3 billion, some $10 billion more than last year. What recession? [WWD]
- At least some of the people who ordered Missoni for Target items online, only to find that their selections were unavailable due to Target’s poor stock-keeping, are now, months later, being shipped those items — for free. In an email to customers, Target even suggested that if the items were no longer wanted, shoppers should donate them to a local shelter or charity rather than returning them to the store. Customers had already been refunded for the Missoni orders Target was unable to fill, and some had been given gift certificates. [The Cut]
- American Airlines seems to have lost one of Rachel Zoe’s suitcases. It contained vintage Tom Ford and a lot of Missoni not-for-Target caftans. [P6]
- Model Jasmine Tookes started working at 15, but didn’t walk for Calvin Klein until she was 21. She’s reading Cry, The Beloved Country and says if she could change one thing about the industry, it would be “Fashion Week castings. I would put all the designers in one big room and hold a casting for three days. That way all the designers get to see you and you’re not running around like a madwoman trying to make it to every one!” [The Cut]