If you have a spare slot in your television schedule, perhaps you should make room for Remodeled, the brand new modeling reality show from the CW. The show features veteran modeling agent Paul Fisher—who helped launch the careers of modeling heavyweights such as Naomi Campbell and Carol Alt, just to name two—as he takes on the task of “remodeling” struggling model agencies in small towns across America. To be a little more specific, Paul is trying to make sure that these smaller agencies no longer get taken advantage of by the big New York agencies—especially when they scout a major face! Remodeled airs every Wednesday at 9/8c on the CW. Tell us: are you watching already? If not, will you watch?
The impact of the Council of Fashion Designers of America can be felt far and wide, but if you want the true history, make sure you check out this new book, IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA, by Patricia Mears. With an introduction from Cathy Horyn and a foreword from Diane von Furstenberg, the current president of the CFDA, this book is sure to have all the nitty-gritty details.
So, what will you find inside? Mears has written an essay on the history of the CFDA, which is anchored with over 300 “personal impact statements” from some of the designers that the CFDA has helped propel to stardom—including Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren, just to name a few. In addition, you will find never-before-seen images from these designers, highlighting the true impact that the CFDA has had on their careers.
IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA ($60) is available now at Amazon.com. The book accompanies the upcoming exhibition of the same name, which will take place at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York from February 10 through April 17.
While you may not have heard of Susan Ashbrook, you have definitely seen her work in action. Susan is responsible for introducing Monique Lhuillier to Britney Spears and Escada to Kim Basinger, to name just a few of her celebrity/designer match-ups. Now, Susan is revealing how she created these partnerships, plus a whole lot more, in her new book, Will Work for Shoes. We sat down with Susan to discuss the nitty-gritty of product placement, celebrity seeding, and what she plans to do next. Read on!
Can you tell us a bit about your career in product placement and how you got started?
I was working for Los Angeles-based fashion designer Richard Tyler, as his Director of Public Relations. Richard had many big-time celebrities as clients, such as Julia Roberts, Anjelica Huston, and Mick Jagger. What he didn’t have was publicity and name recognition. I started calling fashion editors to tell them about Richard and mentioned his celebrity clients. They started writing about him and publicity followed. At about this same time, I decided to create my own business representing fashion designers—essentially, becoming an “agent” for them—to connect them to Hollywood.
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Would you miss an opportunity to take a tour of Jason Wu’s studio? Not likely! Well, dear readers, here is your chance. In a one-hour interview special titled Out of Character with Krista Smith, Jason Wu will take Vanity Fair’s west coast editor Krista Smith on a tour of his studio in the famed Fashion District in New York, chatting with Smith along the way. And as if that wasn’t enough, the one-hour special will also feature a segment on Gwyneth Paltrow and her favorite family recipes. Excited yet? Out of Character with Krista Smith will premiere tonight at 11/10c on USA. We’ll see you there!
It has been over a year since Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, but on December 26, it will arrive in cinemas. The film tells the story of legendary designer Halston and his heyday in the 1970s, when starlets like Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Bianca Jagger, and Lauren Bacall were lining up to wear his clothes and be seen on his arm. Many considered Halston to be the first celebrity designer, thanks in part to his constant presence on the New York disco scene and the people he surrounded himself with. On that note, we suggest you check out the trailer for Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston by clicking through to HalstonMovie.com, where you can see for yourself what makes this documentary and its subject so alluring.
Have you heard about The Beauty Book, a new coffee-table tome by Darren Tieste? If not, make sure you take the time to check it out. The Beauty Book is a 312-page hardcover collectible book that features page after page of celebrity portraits—with over 120 actors, musicians, and models taking part. And despite the fact you will see stunning photographs of celebrities like Jessica Alba, Scarlet Johansson, Miranda Kerr, Leighton Meester, Kate Bosworth, and Zoe Saldana, that is not what makes The Beauty Book such a must-read. The most important thing to know about this book is that all the proceeds are being donated to help fund brain cancer research. So, if you are still looking for a perfect gift for your celebrity-loving friend, make sure you place this at the top of your list. The Beauty Book ($39.99) is available now from Amazon.com. Click inside for some more images.
More images inside!
Although there is something slightly mythical about Daphne Guinness, something hard to put into words, it has been done. Valerie Steele, the director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT in New York, has just published Daphne Guinness, a coffee-table tome that serves as an extended interview with Guinness herself.
Inside, Guinness explains to Steele the roots of her sense of personal style, the characteristics that she believes define her, the friendships that have served her, the collaborations that have inspired her, and more. And if you know anything about Daphne Guinness, you know that these aren’t unknown people. On the contrary, Guinness counts Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino Garavani, and Azzedine Alaia as friends; she was also incredibly close with the late designer Alexander McQueen. In addition to her stories, you will find illustrations and photographs, putting the spotlight on the world Guinness lives in.
Daphne Guinness (29.70) is available now at Amazon.com. Our verdict? Consider this a must-buy gift for the fashion lover in your life.
Another day, another fashion reality show. In this case, that show is 24 Hour Catwalk, a new show from Lifetime that will be hosted by Alexa Chung and judged by designer Cynthia Rowley, writer Derek Blasberg, and fashion publicist James LaForce. So, how will it work? In 24 Hour Catwalk, four designers will be asked to create a three-piece collection within, yes, 24 hours. First, they will compete in an opening challenge, before being whittled down to two. Then, they will have just one day and the opinions of a sewing team to deal with before presenting to the judges. The prize will be $10,000 in cash. Excited yet? Click inside to watch a preview video and make sure to tune in on January 10 when the show premieres.
Watch the video!
