Around...

• Sessilee Lopez in Vogue Italia June 2009
• Word on the street is now, that after the huge high heel phase, designers may be returning to a more realistic approach to footwear, as Andre Leon Tally specualated yesterday.
• After posing for the May 2009 issue of Vogue, Chanel Iman and her rapper boyfriend, Tyga, have split. She tweeted today "Been single for a while feeling so good!!".

• Raquel Zimmerman shows off those cheekbones for her Fall 09 Armani campaign.

Mixte's Flashback.

Katie Fogarty on Mixte's looking back issue.

Harper's Bazaar: This is What Our Readers Want

Harpers Bazaar has responded to the tabliod-like cover controversy. A spokesperson for the magazine blamed the cover on the wants of its readers: "In a recent poll, our readers told us they are completely fascinated by Angelina Jolie. For us, it's about giving readers what they want, when they want it, so we contacted Naomi Wolf to explain the Angelina phenomenon. Her conclusion — that women not only want to be Angelina, but sleep with her, too — got all of us talking, and we decided to publish it immediately as our newsstand cover story for July. Harper's Bazaarinnovated the two-cover concept in 2001, so for our subscribers, who desire a more fashion-forward image, we've got the next great supermodel, Doutzen Kroes, shot for us by Terry Richardson. Either way, the reader wins."

Harper's Bazaar July 09

The new Harper's Bazaar was a shock to me. These two covers are both for July 2009, but the subscribers get one with the beautiful Doutzen Kroes on the cover, with an accompanying editorial inside, shot for the magazine by Terry Richardson. The photo of Angelina Jolie, though, is a paparazzi pic of her on the red carpet, pulled from a photo service. The article on the actress is complete and utter praise, though i inside there's not even an interview. The first cover is what a fashion magazine should look like, and the second looks like it belongs right next US weekly on the news stands. Glenda Bailey writes "For a magazine, the best accessory is a beautiful woman on the cover. This month, we have two." inside the mag's editor's letter. Questions why Angelina didn't pose for the cover or give an interview, and why they didn't just use Doutzen's cover for newsstands too.

Stella McCartney Cruise

This collection was just beautiful. It was casual, easy, wearable and feminine. The shapes of the coats reminded me of those in her addidas collection, and I just love the black and white.

Zac Posen Around

Is it just me or have we been seeing particularly large doses of Zac Posen lately? His cruise show, his talk with students at the Scholastic Art & Writing awards, and his upcoming TV show. First, Posen described his cruise collection as "market driven", including that he doesn't follow trends or conform to what some people may want: "There's definitely fashion editors who get really bothered by the fact that I'm out and about and promoting my work. It's not what they desire as 'cool,' or what they think is interesting, and it probably de-myths their own existence." When asked about his TV show, he confirmed that it is in the very early stages, but is indeed happening. He will be playing himself, but when approached about writing, he said

"I'm not a script-writer, but I'm very interested in writing in the future, whether it's a book or for a film or theater." He's also mentioned he would like to do a collection that was very wearable next, and even hinted at inspiration coming from Facebook.

Karl Lagerfeld to Leave Chanel?

I was appaled to read this! Rumor has it, though, that once his contract is up at Chanel he won't renew it, and the house will bring in Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz. Elbaz's spot at Lanvin, then, will be taken by the still unemployed Oliver Theyskens. Absoloutely nothing is official yet, and the last anyone knows on Lagerfeld's retirement was that he said he wasn't planning on it. I hope he stays at Chanel for a little longer, I can't bear to see him leave, but I very much enjoy what Elbaz has done at Lanvin, and Theyskens has the potential to do amazing things there. Thoughts? 

The Cruise Roundup

First of all, I am so sorry I haven't been on here in a few days! I'm just so busy right now, and it just so happens to be cruise season. First, after Chanel, nothing measures up. That show was just beautiful. 

First off, just a little heads up for Alexander Wang: this fall's most commercial designer trend is the minimalist one, as many chain stores are making clothes with the same concepts, so the spotlight is on him to make beautiful clothes- and ones that don't resemble something you can't buy at Forever 21. This collection was a little less edge a little more focused on easy casualness that he presumably hopes to sell well. 

Marc Jacobs. This is complete and utter Marc Jacobs perfection. It embodies the purpose of a resort collection while wholy reflecting the brand and its principles. In a whole, it's made up of components that aren't always cohesive,  (a little vintage-like, a little fantastical detailing, and a few tiers here and there) but he clearly understands how to get back to square one in all of the chaos. Good job Marc.

Anna Sui. Two words: love it. Can you not see someone like Daisy Lowe looking adorable in this? I just love the combinations: Just enough classic Anna Sui punk-y edge, cute prints and sophisticated dresses, and plenty of the not-too-serious resort feel. 

Prada. I found this collection interesting mainly because, especially after the dark, gloomy feel of the Fall 2009 show, it almost seems out of character. She mixed up prints, chose newer silhouettes, and infused cool colors anywhere she could. The bottom line: this is a cruise collection, and I'm so so glad she didn't try to do some more dark glam for resort.

A Look Inside the CFDA Jounal

Marc Jacobs puts on his Louis Vuitton bunny ears, Alexander Wang and Jason Wu strike poses, and Kate and Laura Mulleavy blush a little, and Pronenza Shouler designers use their handbags as weapons. The journal isn't available to the public, but WWD has a look.The CFDA awards are on June 15.

Lacriox Updates

After filing to the French equivalent of chapter 11 bankrupcy last week there are mew details about the designer and the company: apparently, Lacriox himself is owed about $1.7 million, and he has been designing free of charge for many months. He wrote a letter to the house's employees, saying that he is "not ashamed" to say that he is owed the money, and promised to give "200 percent" to keep the house going through this. The question now, though, is if the couture show, which is scheduled to go on in early July, will in fact occur. All a rep could say was that they "cannot yet confirm" if the show was going on.  

White Heat

Anna Maria Jagodinska in Numero #104, "White Heat"

Gucci Cruise 2010

Frida Gianni took Gucci's 2010 cruise collection with stride, as everything should be done in these times. Simplistic silhouettes and easy shapes created a wonderful palette for zipper detailing and those little tweaks she made to the fabric to make it Gucci. Possibly the most fascinating thing about this collection is, that without the small distinctions, you'd be able to find replicas of these in department stores everywhere, and soon enough  we'd be seeing these pictures on those "fashion" tv shows in which they attempt to remake runway looks that have already suffered the shame of being said to be able to remade for under a certain amount of money. These peices are oh so special and unique; totally saved from tv show doom. And for that, we love you Frida.