Chloe Sevigny is on the cover of the new Out. And she has some strong words for comedian Drew Droege, of "Good evening America, I'm Chloe Sevigny..." fame:
"At first I thought, Oh, they're funny. They're not even really me, they're these weird art pieces. But I've turned a little. I'm slightly offended because he's calling me pretentious, and I'm not."
Oh, Chloe "TO-AST" Sevigny, that is the most pretentious thing you could have possibly said. Not familiar with Droege's oeuvre? Take a gander:
The actress also says that she's not a total borrowed-clothes-horse. In fact, she sometimes has trouble even calling in samples to wear to film premieres:
For the British premiere of Hit & Miss she requested about 20 dresses for consideration, but only received two. "Aren't I one of the top searches on Style.com, for crying out loud?" she says with mock disgust. "How hard is it to get a fucking dress from Valentino?"
[Out]
Four people fainted during Dolce & Gabbana's first couture show — which was a two-day affair that included a private opera performance, a firework show in front of Mt. Etna, and some 80 clients flown to Sicily via private jet. The Telegraph, along with Corriere Della Serra and Le Figaro were the only press organizations that agreed to attend under the following muzzle of conditions: no tweeting, filming or publication of any unauthorized photographs of the show or its guests. First, two clients fainted from the heat on Sunday.
Then, when the event began with a launch of Bellini's Bel Canto opera Norma in the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the fashion editor toppled, too. She fell (elegantly) to the floor just in front of the orchestra pit. First aid was provided by a doctor dressed as a druid who happened to be in that evening's chorus. He prescribed ice-cream, and she soon recovered. Later, on a terrace facing Mt Etna, guests picked at a 30ft long trestle table heaped with Sicilian sweetmeats, watched an outrageous firework display set to Verdi's Valzer Brillante, and danced.
A fourth unlucky person fainted on Monday, at the beach. [Telegraph]
Marion Cotillard bagged the August cover of Vogue Paris. [Fashionising]
Here's the campaign video for Yayoi Kusama's collection for Louis Vuitton. Yesterday, the elderly artist rolled up to the New York Louis Vuitton flagship to fête the collection in a polka-dotted wheelchair. [YouTube]
Archie Comics is launching a makeup line with M.A.C. next spring. The theme will be "Archie's Girls" — Betty and Veronica — and this will be the logo. [USAToday]
Dior Homme designer Kris Van Assche is on the cover of Manifesto. [DS]
Here's who's going to be on the September issue covers, according to rumors:
Vogue, Lady Gaga
Elle, Katy Perry
Harper's Bazaar, Gwen Stefani
W, Penelope Cruz
Glamour, Victoria Beckham
Marie Claire, Miley Cyrus
InStyle, Jennifer Lopez
Teen Vogue, Selena Gomez
Cosmopolitan, Lucy Hale
V, Nicole Kidman
[Fashionista, WWD]French single-name actor Maïwenn is a face of Chanel. "I always vote, I go to demonstrations, but I also go to fashion shows," she says. "It's not like you have to pick between one and the other. I can very well watch a Chanel fashion show and follow the news." [WWD]
British people are buying red, high-gloss home decorating paint to slap on the soles of their high heels in imitation of the red soles of Christian Louboutin shoes. DIY Louboutinss! A 24-year-old P.A. from Croydon confesses that before a cousin's wedding, she went to a high street store — and then a hardware store:
"There was no way I could afford to buy a pair of Louboutin heels, but I had my heart set on them and felt the pressure to be fashionable at the occasion.
"I bought a £20 pair of plain black shoes and a tester pot and recreated the designer look at home. I carefully painted the soles, let them dry overnight, and by the next day they were ready to wear.
"I received so many compliments at the wedding about my gorgeous shoes but I didn't have the heart to confess they were DIY fakes. It was such a success I plan on doing the same for another pair of heels."
J.C. Penney is cutting another 350 jobs, as part of the company's effort to trim some $900 million in costs by the end of this year. Three months ago, the chain laid off 600 employees at its Texas headquarters, and let go an unspecified number of store employees. It also just closed a call center in Pittsburgh, at a cost of 321 jobs. [WWD]
The Museum at FIT is planning an exhibit called Queer Style: From the Closet to the Catwalk, will focus on gay designers. Says director Valerie Steele, "Everybody knows that there's lots of gay people in fashion, and there have been lots of gay designers: Dior, Saint Laurent, Versace, et cetera. But nobody's ever really thought consciously to put the gayness back into fashion history and say, 'Why are there so many gay people in fashion?' and 'Is there a gay aesthetic?' and 'What have been the influences of having so many gay people in fashion?'" [Fashionologie]
Vera Wang and her husband of 23 years, businessman Arthur Becker, have separated. Becker is closely involved in the management of Wang's company, but an unidentified couple says, "They will not let this impact the running of the company. They have worked too hard to build it up." [WWD]
Naomi Campbell is casting would-be model contestants for her forthcoming reality show, The Face. Here's who she's looking for:
"I'm looking for contestants who have the whole package — a beautiful face; healthy, toned body; unique look; interesting personality; confidence; and, above all, strong work ethic and drive. I'm seeking someone who possesses a global, worldly outlook, but can also be seen as a home-grown girl next door. Most importantly, I'm looking for a model with a fearless spirit who can completely transform like a chameleon, and take you on a unique journey that makes you believe that even the impossible is possible. If I find that, I'll find a truly great model!"
[Styleite]
Burberry's stock price fell 4.8% in Tuesday's trading, even though revenues during the quarter just ended rose year-on-year by some 11.2%, to $644.6 million. Sales increased by 14%. But that wasn't enough for shareholders, who see those numbers as a slowdown — the quarter before, Burberry revenues rose by 16%, year-on-year. [WWD]
Levi's had a genuinely bad quarter. Net income fell by 36.9%, year-on-year, to $13.2 million. Revenue fell by 4.2%, to $1.05 billion. In terms of sales, flat was as good as it gets: the company saw a 1% rise in the Americas, but 9.6% and 11.7% declines in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, respectively. [WWD]
Stella McCartney is launching an "everyday" line of lingerie. Bras will be $55, and underwear $26. [T]
Following threats of a general strike, the Cambodian government has moved to increase minimum wages for garment workers — apparel and textiles manufacturing is by far the largest sector of the Cambodian economy — from $66 to $73 per month. Workers will also for the first time be guaranteed a monthly transportation allowance of $7 (and an attendance bonus of $3). [WWD]
Kate Spade is rumored to be launching a lower-priced brand called Kate Spade Saturday. A trademark application for that name was filed last August, and granted in February. [NYDN]
Troubled discount chain Daffy's — one of the only remaining competitors to Loehmann's, now that Filene's Basement and Syms are dead and gone — is reportedly exploring all options in its current credit crisis. Including bankruptcy and liquidation. [WWD]
Paper, Denim & Cloth — which consumers may remember as one of the first "premium," i.e. really expensive, jeans lines — is being relaunched by one of its original founders. It shuttered in 2006. [WWD]