- Lagerfeld talks recession: “This… crisis is like a big spring housecleaning — both moral and physical… Bling is over. Red carpetry covered with rhinestones is out. I call it ‘the new modesty.’” [NY Times]
- As part of Barbie’s golden anniversary blitz, Stila’s offering a Barbie makeup palette so you can (literally) replicate her natural look at home. “The collaboration features a talking palette (so you can follow along as a Stila makeup artist gives you step-by-step instructions on mimicking Barbie’s pastel lids) as well as four “Decades of Beauty” cans. The cans each channel a different decade in Barbie history: #1 Ponytail Doll is all about Barbie’s black cat-eye liner and red lipstick, Malibu Doll mixes a baby blue shadow with a shimmering bronzer, Foxy Doll gets you a more sultry look, and Jewel Doll is, well, all about sparkle and shimmer.” [Nylon]
- Flamboyant designer Roberto Cavalli is selling a minority stake in his fashion house to private equity company Clessidra. Hard times. [NYT]
- Valentino, meanwhile, is being accused of massive tax fraud! [WWD]
- Diane Von Furstenberg on her (presumably) mariage blanc to gay tycoon Barry Diller: “Barry respects me so much…We don’t live together during the week, although we go out together. I live on top of my shop; he lives at the Carlyle hotel. It doesn’t feel strange at all. I just need a little bit of space. If I can’t be alone a little bit, then I lose myself—and I cannot lose myself.” [Racked]
- Agent Provocateur‘s new “Virgins” line is being touted by “nymphs and satyrs cavorting in approved Dionysian style.” The lingerie is pretty. [Luxist]
- Party-pooper Marc Jacobs conscientiously cancels his fashion week afterparty. [Fashionista]
- Elite modeling agency says its recent cuts weren’t about belt-tightening: “Periodically every model agency reviews its roster and evaluates the performance and re-evaluates the potential of each model. Last fall, Elite conducted such a review and decided it was mutually beneficial to release several contracts.” [New York]
- Goody’s Family Fashion formally files for Chapter 11, following last week’s announcement of their bankruptcy. [Breitbart]
- Meanwhile, struggling Liz Claiborne warns retailers of 4th quarter losses. [WSJ]
- On the other end of the spectrum, Tiffany fell a full 30% this year. [FT]
- The (possibly mythological) New York Topshop wanted to sell liquor; was prevented by puritanical old Americans. [Racked]
- American Eagle, for its part, is now successfully vending deodorant. [Nylon]
- Uh oh. Nina Ricci sues tween “Twilight” fragrance for ripping off her bottle. [Now Smell This via New York]
- Sonia Rykiel’s anniversary book looks awesome…if you like fashion coffee-table books. [Fashion Week Daily]
- Carine Roitfeld’s son, Vladimir, is curating some photography show during Fashion Week. [Fashionista]
- Tim Gunn‘s soft-spoken anti-fur documentary convinces Donna Karan to abandon the pelts. Score one for the silver fox! And, we guess, foxes generally. [Racked]
- Iconic 60’s model Jean Shrimpton bites the hand that photographed her: “I gave up modelling at 28 because I’d grown away from it. I’m lazy with clothes. It’s boring pouting at a camera after the age of about 25 and if you’ve got a brain and everybody around you is more creative, you’re just the person pouting at the camera. You end up feeling a fool.” [Daily Express]
- Banana Republic launches a “heritage for women” collection, which sounds kind of like their regular collection. [WWD]
- Louis Vuitton customers are equally divided amongst the sexes. Not, we’re assuming, the tax brackets. [BigThink]
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