In the first four minutes alone, Fashion Star, which premiered last night on NBC, proved to be an overproduced mess, with cheering, dancing, strobe lights, quick cuts, weird camera angles, throbbing music, pyrotechnics and forced applause. Not to mention shilling Elle McPherson's lingerie, like an infomercial. There …

For many the holidays are about spending time with family and reflecting on the coming new year, but for others they're about elbowing people out of the way so they can buy more stuff. On Monday, the day when rabid bargain hunters took to stores in search of post-holiday sales, the traditionally upscale and even…

With models like Crystal "Vogue Paris" Renn becoming true crossover stars, and agents like Gary Dakin of Ford+ reporting so much demand that he turns work down, it seems like the fashion industry is finally starting to recognize the beauty of bodies that aren't runway-sample-sized. Here are five plus-size models we think …

• Worst-selling, that is. Swift's April Elle issue sold the fewest copies of the year, and her covers of Glamour and Marie Claire were nearly as bad. Blake Lively bombed on Vogue and Esquire, but weirdly sold well for Allure. [WWD]

The troubled economy — along with changing style trends — have had a big impact on black hair salons. But is there an upside?

• Angelina Jolie is shilling fine jewelry again, with former Asprey executive Robert Procop. This black necklace she wore to a Salt premiere is one of their pieces. The jewels will be "priced individually," with proceeds going to Jolie's charity. [WWD]

• Krazy Kaiser Karl, on Kate Middleton and Prince William: "For the royals, apparently the royal blood is not in demand any longer." But no matter, because Middleton is "beautiful and elegant," and "chic in a way the position needs." [WWD]

• American Apparel is struggling along. But in addition to its other problems, it is facing a "cash crunch." Dov Charney is reluctant to sell to more outside investors, however, because he wants to hold onto his 53% majority stake. [NYPost]

• The Hells Angels is suing Alexander McQueen and Saks Fifth Avenue for selling clothing and accessories featuring skulls. Apparently the Hells Angels believe they own skulls? We guess we wouldn't want to be the ones to tell them otherwise. [NYPost]

• Here's Russian model Natasha Poly, rocking brown hair and bright eyeshadow on the November cover of Vogue Paris. [@VogueParisLive]
• Victoria Beckham Tweeted a super-close-up picture of her husband looking hunky and wearing a pair of her new sunglasses. [@victoriabeckham]