Elle Canada - The Elle Word

                                               Image courtesy of FRY

Marc Jacobs and street artist Kidult are feuding. It all started when Kidult defaced the storefront of Jacobs’ SoHo boutique with gigantic pink letters spelling out the word “Art.” So, Jacobs did what any sensible fashion designer would do: he released a set of limited edition T-shirts featuring the store’s graffiti-tagged image, with a line that read: “Art by Art Jacobs.”  (They retail for 689 bucks). Then, designer FRY got in on the action, and created a T-shirt depicting a picture of Marc Jacobs’ T-shirt. Now Kidult’s got a T-shirt too, with an image of him defacing Jacobs’s store and the tagline “Not art by Kidult,” which is on sale for a symbolic price of €6.89. And the dance continues. [Fashionista]

Speaking of feuds, Kelly Cutrone has declared war against a former assistant on Twitter. The People’s Revolution PR guru/America’s Next Top Model judge tweeted this yesterday: “One of my old assistants is getting arrested this week for grand larceny—stealing money from People’s—cannot wait—revenge is sweet.”

She followed it up with: “@HussyChildPlz you better run cause you are going down CLOWN.”

And topped it off, for good measure, with: “I wonder if my former assistant will be wearing stolen clothes from our showroom when HE gets arrested…”

Quick question: who places their trust in someone with @HussyChildPlz as a twitter handle?  [Twitter]

It’s hard being Chloë Sevigny, you guys. The hipster style icon was quoted as saying that she hates attending runway presentations. “I don’t enjoy going to fashion shows. It’s very high school, it’s very ‘the popular kids in the front row.’ And everybody’s checking everybody else out, and you have to do all this press and get your picture taken…It’s not fun for me, it’s work.” Fair enough, the paparazzi can be vicious, but before you start feeling too sad for her, she added. “
I go occasionally to friends’ shows to support them — or if I’m getting paid, if you want to be honest.” Celebrities can make up to $100,000 dollars to sit in a front row. Fashion shows last, on average, about 15 minutes. The average salary in Canada is $46,000 a year. Just saying. [The Cut]

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Choupette the kitten, as tweeted by Karl Lagerfeld yesterday. #adorable

Happy Friday everyone!

First things first, friends—let’s talk about Met Ball drama. What’s the juiciest story to come out of fashion’s biggest night? Anna Wintour reportedly has a hate-on for Kim Kardashian. Page Six reports that the reality TV star was deliberately left off the Met Ball invite list by the Vogue editrix, who approves every star who attends the gala. “Kim and her camp will deny that she wasn’t invited, by saying she had business in LA, but that’s a lie. She would have done anything to be there with all the A-listers.” Apparently she wasn’t even allowed to buy her way in, unlike Kate Upton. The Sports Illustrated babe reportedly wrote a big fat cheque to get into the gala. [Page Six]

Speaking of the Met Ball, who else thought that listening to the photogs try and get their shot was even better than watching the celebs arrive? Our favourite moments: “Could you text somewhere else please? Would that be possible?” and “That shot would have looked great except for the idiot behind you!” [Met Ball livestream]

My boyfriend Tom Ford sat down to speak with Fern Mallis for the 92Y Fashion Icons Series in New York. Among his revelations: he hated carrying a knapsack as a child because he “thought it looked messy.” He also said never to hire anyone you wouldn’t want to have dinner with. On his advice to aspiring designers, Ford told the crowd: “If you love it, you’ll have a great life. But if there’s anything else you could be happy doing, do that. It’s a tough, tough business.” Word. [Styleite]

Refinery 29 asked Jeanne Beker to pinpoint a few of her favourite fashion moments from 27 years of filming Fashion Television, and the style maven didn’t disappoint. “I remember standing on the hood of a car in the snow in front of an old synagogue on the Lower East Side filming Anna Wintour being locked out of Alexander McQueen’s first New York show,” she dished. “Once, I was almost trampled to death trying to be the first one to shove my mic into Lindsay Lohan’s face after her design debut for Ungaro. What a total joke!” [Refinery 29]

“I don’t trust Prada. From what I know, the devil wears Prada and this is a Christian nation!” –Stephen Colbert to Anna Wintour [Comedy Network]

And finally, we were saddened to hear of the passing of Vidal Sassoon, one of the true beauty legends of our time.  [The Guardian]

    Photo courtesy of Denis Desro.

H&M has announced that “fashion maniac” Anna Dello Russo will create a special collection of accessories for the brand. In other ADR news, the eccentric editor-at-large revealed in an interview with the Financial Times that she once had to move houses to accommodate her 4,000 pairs of shoes. “When I moved…I had 4,000 pairs of shoes. I had to buy a bigger home to store all the clothes, because I need closets, not kitchens. I’m super tidy so every item is cataloged, stored in garment bags, with tissue paper, perfumed, and on hangers that are the same,” Question: if that’s how many shoes she had 10 years ago, what’s the footwear count now?  [Financial Times]

Speaking of fashionable eccentrics, Linda Evangelista has asked for a record-breaking amount of child support from PPR’s chief executive (and Salma Hayek’s partner) Francois-Henri Pinault. The supe, who was once famously quoted as saying top models don’t “wake up for less that $10,000 a day,” has asked for $46,000 a month for her 5-year old son. “When I work, it can be a 16-hour day,” Evangelista told a judge in family court. “On days when I do not work, I am working on my image. I have to hit the gym. I have beauty appointments. I have to work toward my next job, and maintaining my image, just like an athlete.” So…yeah. There’s that. But before you start feeling too sorry for Pinault, just remember: He’s heir to an 11.5 billion dollar fortune and owns Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci. I’m inclined to think he can cough up the cash. [NY Daily News]

All 19 international editions of Vogue have pledged to use only healthy models in the pages of their magazine. “We will not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 who appear to have an eating disorder,” they said in a press release. They also vowed to create a healthier backstage working environment, and say they are going to “encourage designers to consider the consequences of unrealistically small sample sizes of their clothing.” What do you think of Vogue’s new manifesto? [Fashionista]

Cameron Diaz recently told Jay Leno that she cried after a miscommunication resulted in her hair getting cut super-short by a friend. “It was one of those moments, I couldn’t…I just started bursting into tears. I felt so vulnerable. For a woman to all of a sudden have no hair, oh my God! …[My friend] felt really bad. I felt really bad. She started crying. I started crying.” I think all of us can relate to the trauma of a bad haircut—there are certain photos of me floating around from elementary school that should be burned—but luckily for Cameron, she could go bald and still be a knockout. [The Tonight Show]

Paco Rabanne announced today that the house has cut ties with artistic director Manish Arora. The atelier, which launched a women’s ready-to-wear line last year, says it was a mutual agreement. Does anyone else feel like this designer’s musical chairs situation is like a real-life Project Runway? Every time I read about another dismissal, I think about the show’s depressingly true tagline: “In fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out…”  [Channel News Asia]

Photo courtesy of Leda & St. Jacques.

Sad news, fashion fans: Betsey Johnson has filed for bankruptcy. Forbes is reporting that the filing will likely result in the loss of 350 jobs, and the closure of Johnson’s 63 stores. This has been a really sad month for the style industry—first Fashion Television gets canceled, now poor Betsey’s closing up shop? Are we in fashion bizarro world? Will we be seeing paparazzi shots of Anna Wintour in sweatpants soon? [Forbes]

Alistair Carr is out as the creative director of Pringle of Scotland after just over a year in the position. Apparently it was a “mutual decision” and Carr will still direct the brand’s fall campaign. I was lucky enough to score an invite to the Pringle show during London Fashion Week last season, and thought the collection was beautiful. It also got great reviews from all the major fashion critics. So…who’s got the dirt on why Carr decided to leave? Anyone? Bueller? [Vogue UK]

Coco Rocha is blogging mad, y’all. The supe is furious at ELLE Brasil for photoshopping their cover to make her look nearly nude under a dress. “[I] recently discovered that the body suit was Photoshopped out to give the impression that I am showing much more skin than I actually was or am comfortable with,” she wrote on her personal website Wednesday. “This was specifically against my expressed verbal and written direction.” Not cool, ELLE Brasil. [Oh So Coco]

Now, let’s catch up with former Rachel Zoe Project assistants Taylor Jacobson and Brad Goreski. Recently, each deposed stylist was asked (separately) whether they’d patched things up with Zoe. “No,” says Jacobson. How ’bout you, Brad? “I am not trying anymore. I’m over it.” Okay, good to know. Moving on… [Fashionista, NBC ]

Now, a moment with Simon Doonan. “There’s a horrible epidemic of man boobs, and I keep telling—people are clutching their man boobs now, I can see it!” Doonan told Conan O’Brien while promoting his new book Gay Men Don’t Get Fat. “Man boobs are like hyenas, and mosquitos, and red ants, and sharks. They don’t need to exist. They’re horrible. So I’m on a one-man campaign to rid the world of man boobs. A lot of straight dudes, they don’t care, they’re, like, farting and watching TV.” [Huffington Post]

And finally, because it’s Friday, here’s an adorable video of a cat enjoying an electric neck massage. Awwww. [Jezebel]

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, why not treat mom to a gift that keeps on giving? We’ve rounded out the best philanthropic fashion of the season.

Fashion Feed
We were so excited to learn that Holt Renfrew, FEED and Tory Burch had teamed up to create a limited-edition tote.  “I’m thrilled to partner with FEED for this initiative,” says Burch. “I’ve always admired the organization’s mission to help children around the world.” Beginning next week, the tote will be available online for $50

Tote time
Stella McCartney may be best known for her passionate animal rights activism, but she also works with the International Trade Center’s Ethical Fashion Program, which helps to reduce poverty by providing work that supports communities in Africa. For Spring 2012, McCartney designed a large python print tote and flat sandal—they’re both hand made in Nairobi, Kenya from recycled tent canvas.

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Every Friday we round up the best style stories and fashion gossip on the web. Let’s get to it!

There’s been a major shake-up in the world of America’s Next Top Model: After 18 seasons, Tyra Banks has axed stars Jay Manuel, Nigel Barker and Miss Jay. Things aren’t looking good for the reality series: Not only are ratings way down, but rumours continue to swirl that appearing on a cycle is bad for contestants’ careers. Plus, ANTM’s fashion lexicon—pot ledom, smize, fiercely real, booty tooch—is painfully grating. Do you think it’s time for America’s Next Top Model to be put out of its misery? [Page Six]

Sad news for Toronto fashion fans: The Toronto Standard reports that the Fashion Collective—a creative production and management group that represents emerging Canadian design talent—have disbanded. The Collective was responsible for putting Juma, Chloé Comme Parris and Label on the runway, not to mention bringing Rad Hourani back to Canada. [Toronto Standard]

Betsey Johnson has landed a new gig: reality TV star! She’s set to appear in Betsey + Lulu, which will follow her day-to-day life in Manhattan. Johnson is famously eccentric: last year, her assistant Stephanie Wagenman dished to Daily Front Row that the designer drinks champagne out of coffee mugs, doesn’t know how to make a cell phone call, and calls her office “Pink Tank Think Tank.” We think it will make for compelling TV. [Racked]

Speaking of must-see TV: Karl Lagerfeld has been booked to give live commentary on French TV during Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. We can’t wait. Does anyone remember when he said the royal wedding was full of “short skirts on fat legs” and “ugly hats?” [Fashionista]

Donatella Versace is a fan of the Dowager Countess. “If I am on my own, I might watch some TV,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “…Recently I watched The Help, The Ides of March, and Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy. I’m also a big fan of Downton Abbey.” How amazing would it be to watch Downton with Donatella? [Harper's Bazaar]

Is it just me, or has this week been the absolute longest ever? But TGIF, friends. It’s finally time to pour a glass of pinot noir and indulge in some bargain bin chocolate bunnies while reviewing the top style stories and gossip. Let’s get to it!

First, a moment of silence for the passing of Fashion Television, which was canceled this week due to low ratings. Host Jeanne Beker tweeted on Wednesday: “So surreal. This dream is over: After 27 glorious years, FT production ceased today. So sad to see some of my closest colleagues move on.” It’s truly the end of a fashion era for anyone working in the Canadian style industry. Jeanne Beker was my first fashion teacher, and some of my earliest memories are of watching FT on Sunday nights before Magical World of Disney came on. We’ll miss you, FT! [Twitter]

OMG, OMG, OMG. Brangelina are engaged, you guys. Angelina Jolie was just photographed wearing a (giant) rock on her left ring finger. Luxury jeweller Robert Procop told The Hollywood Reporter that he “did indeed design an engagement ring for Angelina Jolie, in collaboration with Brad Pitt.” It make sense that Procop was involved in creating the ring: he famously collaborated with Angie on her bauble line “The Style of Jolie,” which was so exclusive that people could only shop the pieces by invitation only. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Marie Claire‘s accessories editor Kyle Buchanan has been documenting how much cash he spends on the weekends for Daily Front Row, and he just reached a milestone: In five months, he’s dropped $51,308. 32—which is more than the total yearly income for the majority of families in the United States. Um…congrats?  [Daily Front Row]

Remember how last week I begged everyone to stop speculating about the new Dior designer? Looks like my prayers have been answered, because Raf Simmons was appointed to the exalted position earlier this week. Since some industry tongues are already questioning how Simons’s minimalist style is going to mesh with Dior’s signature frilly femininity, we can’t help but wonder how the designer will hold up under the intense pressure and scrutiny that the next couple fashion seasons are sure to bring. We’re rooting for you, Raf! [The Cut]

ELLE Canada favourite Crystal Renn dyed her hair (and eyebrows) platinum blonde. “People can’t believe the transformation. I had black hair and now I have white hair,” Renn told People magazine. “That’s what’s so exciting. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to show up as a different canvas at a shoot. It’s a very extreme look but very beautiful. Though it’s nothing conventional.” What do you think of the new ‘do? Let us know in the comments section!  [People]

photo courtesy of Bang

Happy day off! The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, and you can sleep in until noon for three days straight if you feel like it. Unfortunately, there’s never anything to read on the Internet over long weekends. But don’t worry, cause we’ve got you covered: Here’s our round up of the top stories and gossip in fashion world this week.

File this under hilarious April Fools Day pranks. On April 1st, Fashionista reported that Kanye West was in final negotiations to take over at Dior. In other news, I motion for the whole fashion community to take a break from speculating on Dior rumours until someone has been formally announced. I’m all Dior’d out.
[Fashionista]

Speaking of Kanye, he’s dropped a new single called “Theraflu” that addresses his foray into the fashion world.  “Dinner with Anna Wintour, ran with Anja Rubik/  I told you it was more than the music.” Then, later, “We flying with the parakeet, floatin’ with no parachute, $6,000 pair of shoes, we made it to the Paris news!” Am I the only one that thinks that Kanye has the soul of a poet? [Perez Hilton]

Here are words I never thought I’d type: Tom Ford is opening an outlet store. It has a tentative opening date of July 15th  at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley New York. You probably still won’t be able to afford anything, though.
[Lucky Mag]

Karl Lagerfeld’s been in the news a lot this week. First it was revealed that he had sent a pile of Chanel handbags to Adele to apologize for the whole “fat” fiasco. Then, the May cover of French Architectural Digest, which the Kaiser guest-edited, was revealed. According to WWD, Lagerfeld admitted he used to write about decorating for different French glossies under the pseudonym Magnus Dancourt. Magnus is his middle name, and Dancourt, because “it’s very French.”
[WWD]

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It’s the most wonderful time of year: HBO’s masterful Game of Thrones has finally returned to our TVs. Nerd alert: I experienced such intense withdrawal after season 1 ended that I read the entire “Song of Ice and Fire” series by George R.R. Martin on my iPad in one amazing five month period. I now consider myself ELLE Canada’s resident GoT expert. And friends, let me tell you, some crazy stuff is about to go down in Westeros. In honour of season 2′s return, we’ve decided to recap episode one, “The North Remembers.” Let’s consult our (brand new!) apocalypse index.

Winter is coming

1) Is it just me, or did Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) get extra dreamy over the break? Here’s a quick backgrounder: Jon Snow is the bastard son of recently beheaded hero Ned Stark (Sean Bean). Snow is a member of the Night’s Watch, who have the super un-fun job of guarding the realm against Wildlings and things that go bump in the night. Recently, the Night’s Watch discovered the White Walkers, mythical ghost zombie things that reanimate dead people into killing machines. The Night’s watch have ventured North to try and find information that could help stop an army of undead invaders from killing everyone.  Apocalypse potential: +1,000

2) The Night’s Watch decide to crash at their creepy acquaintance Craster’s house in the middle of the forest. Small detail: Craster (Robert Pugh) lives with a harem of daughter-wives. Yes, I said daughter-wives. Craster marries all his daughters. “What does he do with the sons?” Jon Snow wonders uneasily. We have a feeling that whatever it is, it’s not pleasant. +250

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Welcome to the first Friday Fashion Round-up, our weekly compilation of fashion news and style gossip from around the web.

Get excited, people—Andre Leon Talley has landed his own Bravo reality show. The series is tentatively titled Fashion Stories of NYC and will follow four design teams as they create collections under the watchful eye of ALT himself. We predict Talley’s show will include voluminous, dramatic capes, punchy catchphrases and guest appearances by famous besties Whoopi Goldberg and Tyra Banks. [Coco Perez]

Speaking of Tyra Banks, the latest episode of America’s Next Top Model had contestants vying to appear on the runway during Toronto Fashion Week. The girls were sent on castings to designers Martin Lim, Triarchy, Pink Tartan and, of course, Attitude Jay Manuel. At a later photo shoot, the models were challenged to pose wearing strategically placed autumnal leaves while someone dumped maple syrup all over their heads. Just like we do it in Canada! [America's Next Top Model]

Have you ever heard of Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis of Germany? Apparently she’s a real person with a real job as the editor-at-large for Vogue. And she has a Twitter account. Sample tweet: @ElizabethTNT: “Sprinted in 25 min late and MK show had started! Impossible to get to my seat…So I climbed to the standing section & saw the show from there. Guess now I know what it feels like to see a show standing! It sucks!” [Fashionista]

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