The Shophound

Domestic Superstars: Dolce & Gabbana Put Madonna In The Kitchen

Usually, we don't report on designer advertising campaigns that much because that would be a completely different blog, but we couldn't help our amusement at the upcoming Dolce & Gabbana campaign by Steven Klein featuring one of the pair's longtime muses, Madonna. These first images have been released by the designers from Vanity Fair Italia.
The superstar famously gave the designers a major boost in the early '90s when she asked them to design her "Girlie Show" tour, and has been an avid supporter ever since, but this is the first time she has appeared in their advertising in an official capacity. What tickles us is that, rather than portraying her as a waxen figure Photoshopped to a gleaming finish, as she has appeared in recent Louis Vuitton and Versace campaigns, Klein has put her in the kitchen on a set that looks like it may have been plucked from one of the "Godfather" films. 
The design duo tell their SWIDE magazine that they were inspired by Italian star Monica Vitti whom they claim is Madonna's favorite actress. It hardly seems possible that after all these years, the only way to show Madonna as you have never seen her before, is to show her doing the dishes and scarfing pasta, but there you are.
Madonna In The Dolce & Gabbana Campaign: The Images (SWIDE via Towleroad)

Two more shots after the jump

Today In Underpants: Armani Switches Footballers Beckham Out. Ronaldo In.

Giorgio Armani has a new sports icon to plaster all over town.
Portuguese football star and international heartthrob Christiano Ronaldo (right) has been named the new "official worldwide testimonial" for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans. We assume this means he will be appearing in his underpants on billboards all over the world starting early next year. He replaces David Beckham who declined to renew his contract with the designer. So far no new images have been released, so we have to rerun these old Beckham pictures. We know it pains you to have to look at them again, but as soon as we have the fresh media we promise to get it out to you as soon as possible. Beckham is said to be pursuing an underwear deal of his own, so you can still expect to see him in him in his skivvies for years to come.
Basically it's a win-win.
Fashion Scoops: Beckham Said Seeking Underwear Deal (WWD) & Shophound Inbox

Paris Runway Schadenfreude Report: Linsday Lohan's Ungaro Début Is The Bomb ...And Not The Good Kind

We certainly won't be the only ones to comment on this story, but we're just as morbidly fascinated as everyone else as everyone else to discover the results of Lindsay Lohan's unlikely new job as "Artistic Advisor" for the eminent Parisian couture house Emanuel Ungaro (and she gave us the opportunity to use the word 'schadenfreude' again, so thanks, Linds).
It looks like the press had their knives sharpened and ready to skewer the actress-turned-leggings-peddler, and they weren't disappointed.
See the slings and arrows in action:

• “Pas possible,” said Fabien Baron, the noted French art director shortly after the Emanuel Ungaro show on Sunday. “Call the fashion police!”
“We love Lindsay Lohan — as an actress,” Mr. Baron said. “Period.” At the next show, Greg Kessler, a photographer for Style.com, was snapping pictures of front-row guests and asking them to pose as Ms. Lohan by holding up their hands, ashamedly, in front of their faces.

-Eric Wilson, The New York Times

• This quickly devolved into a bad joke of a fashion show, one with questionable color combinations, "bad eighties" draped silk jackets and drop-crotch pants, old-fashioned and ill-judged fur stoles, and, yes, tasteless sequin pasties. To top it off, the fabrics and the construction lacked the finesse you expect from a famous Avenue Montaigne brand.

-Nicole Phelps, Style.com

• As for the clothes, they looked cheesy and dated.

-WWD

• It was hard to imagine that Ms. Lohan and [chief designer Estrella] Archs could concoct a collection that is as cringe-worthy as this.

-Christina Binkley/The Wall Street Journal -Heard On The Runway

• The result of the last-ditch collaboration between Archs and Lohan was better than expected, though it must be added that expectations were rock bottom.
More questionable looks included a white bustier dress so short it left the model's rear hanging out, spandex bandeau tops and a suit worn with nothing more substantial underneath than sparkling heart-shaped pasties. Bafflingly, many of the models had larger versions of the pasties affixed to their foreheads.

-Jenny Barchfield/Associated Press via The Washington Post

• Nothing in the collection evidenced any real skill or discernible design work. In fact, you could probably find a lot of it already on the shelves at Kitson. I did hear someone remark that they liked the shoes, which had narrow, stair-step heels. 
Still, there's really no defending this misguided collection, other than as a desperate bid for attention from a house that hasn't mattered since its founder retired in 2004. I just don't think it's the kind of attention they had in mind.

-Booth Moore/Los Angeles Times Blog

• [Regarding the after-show party] Bigger crowds have turned out for free champagne at store openings.

-Christina Passariello/Wall Street Journal-Heard On The Runway

• For a start, there were not as many of the visible bras that have been out there on other catwalks. But that was because there were often no bras at all — only wardrobe malfunctions, bits of black masking tape or sequined pasties popping from jackets tricked out with hearts.

-Suzy Menkes/The New York Times-International Herald Tribune

• It was entertaining, certainly, but quite what any of it had to do with a name that once stood proudly for bourgeois elegance and, even more so, Parisian sophistication is less clear.

-Susannah Frankel, The Independent

• The best that can be said is that they tried.
There were some truly hideous fashion faux pas. Silver sequinned "pasties", for example, belong in a lap dancing club

-Hilary Alexander, The Telegraph

In fairness, many expressed sympathy for new designer Estrella Archs and noted that she had only three weeks to pull the collection together, but a look at the runway photos is a grim experience, despite the forced merriment of all the hot pepto-pink minidresses and apparently frequent boob-flashing featuring the sparkly pasties. (The pictures keep reminding us of Kira Plastinina. It's that bad.) Ms. Archs, it appears will be given the benefit of the doubt. La Lohan, not so much. Many suggested that the still very much alive Monsieur Ungaro must be mortified to see what has happened to the house he worked so hard to build, but if he is wise, then he will have simply averted his eyes from the entire revolving designer affair that has plagued his label for a long time now. Also widely reported on was the crush of press and paparazzi outside the show, and a bloated photographer's pit. Lohan was reported to have had tear-filled eyes at her runway bow, though they have been variously described as tears of joy at her accomplishment or of humiliation at the tepid response from the audience. Apparently, reality had fully set in by the time of the post-show party at the Hotel Plaza Athenée, which was described as subdued and poorly attended.
The real result of this whole effort will be revealed in a few days —maybe a week— after the Spring orders are evaluated. At that point, the true verdict will be in on Ungaro CEO Mounir Mouffarige's gamble, and by all reports, it's not looking too promising.

Anna Goes To The Outer Boroughs: Fashion's Night Out Takes Shape

Fashion's Night Out, the CFDA/Vogue/NYC&Co. initiative to stimulate shopping scheduled for September 10^th has unveiled its own website and an ever growing schedule of events which will apparently include Anna Wintour's appearance at Macy's.
In QUEENS!.
Talk about going out of your way.
Wintour's appearance will also include a visit with Michael Kors and a performance by the cast of Hair. We think it will probably be worth going just to see them drag La Wintour into their signature sing-a-long of "Let The Sun Shine". We doubt Kors will need any prodding.
Her friend Andre Leon Talley will be staying closer to home at Bergdorf Goodman where he is scheduled lead a fashion gameshow whose contestants are reported to include Donna Karan, Linda Fargo and Robert Verdi, and these are just a few of the events planned for the one night (that's right, one night) when stores will be open until at least 11 PM.
Every retailer, designer and editor in the city appears to be brimming with enthusiasm about the event, so we wouldn't dream of  questioning what happens a week or a month after an entire industry has focused its efforts to revive business on one single all-or-nothing night in September.
We're just trying to figure out how we are going to cover even a fraction of the goings on after we've been through what is usually a busy first day of Fashion Week.
Fashion's Night Out (Official Site)
Fashion's Night Out Gains Steam (WWD)

Project Runway On Sale: Champ Leanne Marshall Makes Her Bluefly Début

The most recent Project Runway champion, Leanne Marshall has finally made it to Bluefly today with her exclusive collection, and it's 20% off on day one.
We're not really sure if something actually can be 20% off if it has never been offered at "full price" to begin with, but we digress.
The tiny capsule collection looks good —based on the elegant creations Leanne came up with at the end of the season rather than the tricky, overly artsy things she made at the beginning (can you actually remember back that far?).
Leanne is not the enthusiastic media figure that her predecessor Christian Siriano is, so the PR dial for her has been set a little bit lower. Bluefly is featuring an "interview" with the charming designer by a bedraggled looking Kelly Cutrone of People's revolution and "The Hills" fame, who makes sure to plug her own upcoming show on Bravo, confirming to all who her number one client really is (hint: it ain't Leanne). But here we are talking about Kelly. We shall speak of her no more.
Back to Leanne. The collection, made from organic fabrics, ranges in price from $98 to $990 for a strapless silk gown. It looks pleasingly salable without being boring, and though she hasn't been able to whip up Siriano's frisson, it shouldn't last too long on the web page, so start your clicking.
Project Runway will finally return with its Lifetime début on August 20^th.
Leanne Marshall on Bluefly (Official Site)
Kelly Cutrone Interviews Leanne Marshall (Fly•Paper)

Legal News: Woody Allen Settles With American Apparel

American Apparel and Woody Allen have settled their lawsuit for $5 million.
You may recall that Allen was suing the growing chain for its California billboard (pictured above) which used an image taken from his film, "Annie Hall" without authorization. Allen sued the chain, asking for $10 million in damages. The billboard was removed after a week.
AA Chairman Dov Charney indicated that the settlement was at the behest of his company's insurance carrier, which would seem to suggest that the case would inevitably have been a loser for the company. Charney released the following statement regarding the settlement:

“Naturally there is some relief of not having to go through a trial but I also harbor a sense of remorse and sadness for not arguing an important issue regarding the First Amendment, particularly the ability of an individual or corporation to invoke the likeness of a public figure in a satiric and social statement.”

Is there anyone out there who thought that Charney had a snowball's chance in hell beating the suit.
Anyone?
American Apparel, Woody Allen Settle (WWD)

Personal Appearance Watch: An Angel Lands At Kmart

Yesterday afternoon, Kmart held a "Trunk Show" at its Penn Station branch for its various proprietary brands. Normally, we'll admit, its not the sort of thing that would get The Shophound out on a drizzly day, but then we saw that smack in the middle of the promotional schedule was a special appearance by one Jaclyn Smith, also known as our favorite of all the Charlie's Angels. Oh, sure, we have affection for all of the Angels (even the much maligned Shelley Hack), but something about Smith's sultry Kelly Garrett, (the only one who stayed on the show for all five seasons) always struck us. She was "The Sophisticated One".
It turns out that she was also "The Smart One" (sorry, Kate Jackson). After nearly 25 years, Smith has one of the most successful celebrity labels ever, and rivals designers like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren in brand awareness.
So there was a nice little crowd gathered in the middle of Kmart yesterday afternoon that was thrilled when Smith breezed in to say "Hi" and talk about her Spring line. She still looks good–not egregiously Hollywood plasticky– so whatever she's doing (and she's gotta be doing something) seems to be working. The genial actress, still slender and youthful, thanked her customers for their support, talked about keeping prices down and quality up and was swept away to prepare for an extended autograph signing session.
And so ended one successful celebrity experience.

Today In Narcissism: Creepiest Non-Auction Ever

Our friends at Racked pointed us to comedian Paul Scheer's Flickr set of photos taken at the exhibition of Michael Jackson's possessions that were planned to be auctioned off next month at Julien's in Beverly Hills.. The auction has been canceled, but the exhibit continues, and it gives us a creepy glimpse of what life was like at the Neverland Ranch.
Is there a verb form of Narcissism? If there is, then it looks like that's pretty much what MJ did all day long.
There are wax figures of the singer and also several of children, along with a disturbing number of paintings featuring the singer in various forms of regalia, even one where he's knighting himself. Then there are the ones depicting him alongside various fictional and cartoon characters, and the one pictured that puts him in the company of the Mona Lisa, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Albert Einstein and E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial, all in matching aviator shades. The centerpiece is a huge painting that shows Jackson leading a throng of kids of all ages like a Pied Piper, which Scheer has documented in detail.
It is truly the heights and depths of navel-gazing, even by Hollywood standards. None of these 49 photos are to be missed.
Michael Jackson Auction: My Favorite Items (Paul Scheer/Flickr via RACKED)
Previously, Celebrity Freakshow Averted: Michael Jackson Auction Canceled

Celebrity Freakshow Averted: Michael Jackson Auction Canceled

You could argue that most of Michael Jackson's life has been a celebrity freakshow, but the eccentric singer has managed to reach a settlement that will return the former contents of Neverland Ranch back to his personal possession. They were to have been auctioned off by Julien's later this month, and an exhibition of the items opened on Tuesday in Beverly Hills running through the April 25^th. The exhibition will continue, and included items like the singer's iconic crystal studded gloves, quasi-military outfits and many paintings and sculptures depicting himself as well as juvenile fanboy memorabilia like life-sized superhero and Star Wars character figures. The folks at Luxist have an amusing slideshow of the display. According to Julien's, who had spent an estimated $2 million preparing for the sale, arrangements are being made for some sort of permanent exhibit of the items.
Sadly, we may have to wait until the singer's next financial crisis (which, given his track record, can't be too far off) for our chance to bid thousands of dollars for a piece of Jackson's bizarre legacy, but that's something worth waiting for, no?
Michael Jackson Auction Canceled (Luxist)
Michael Jackson auction canceled, exhibit continues (Reuters)
The Collection of Michael Jackson (Julien's Auctions)

Oscars 2009 The Best And The Worst

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So everyone will be talking about the Oscar Fashions for about the next 24 hours. At the risk of disagreeing with the Bozos who will be reviewing it on E! tonight, we will get our opinions out with as little fuss as possible. More people looked good than bad, and there were some exceptional choices by Anne Hathaway in Armani, Halle Berry in Marchesa, Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli and even our lady of the waxy forehead, Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott. We liked Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent, but we suspect many people didn't. The gaffes weren't horrific (Sally Kirkland, we miss you!) but considering the professionals involved, the results should have been better.

• The Most Improved From The Screen Actors Guild Awards Award goes to the Jolie-Pitts, Brad & Angelina, who managed to pull themselves together. Brad's still got the unflattering mustache, and he has added a goatee which is equally distasteful. However, he found an appropriate tie, and his trousers appear to have been hemmed at the right length. Angelina, for her part, has rediscovered her shapely figure in Elie Saab, to everyone's relief, and finished off the look with some spectacularly huge emeralds for which she cannot be faulted.
• The Second Most Improved From The Screen Actors Guild Awards Award goes to Meryl Streep, who actually got a dress this time, a very flattering Alberta Ferretti, prepared for the possibility that she might actually win.
• The Third Most Improved From The Screen Actors Guild Awards Award goes to Robert Downey Jr. who shaved and found some proper shoes.
• The I've Been Failed By Prada Award goes to the ordinarily gorgeous Jessica Biel whose otherwise simple white strapless dress appeared (in the words of a dear friend) to be throwing up fabric in the front.
• The I've Been Failed By Carolina Herrera Award goes to Amy Adams whose skirt was strangely pinned between her boobs in an otherwise attractive dress.
• The FedExed From The Runway Show Award goes to Leslie Mann and her sparkly Pamella Roland.
• The Who Needs A Stylist Award goes to shoo-in winner Penélope Cruz in vintage (real, decades old vintage) Pierre Balmain, which she claims to have discovered years ago.
• The Most People Won't Get It Award goes to repeat winner Tilda Swinton, true to her own sophisticated style in Lanvin.
• The Quietly Adventurous Award goes to Natalie Portman who may be the first person to wear Rodarte to the Oscars. For their part, The Mulleavy sisters, Rodarte's designers, proved they could adapt their artsy style in a more commercial way.
• The Dyed To Match Award goes to Melissa Leo. At a fragrance launch last week, Mark Badgley and James Mischka told us they were making a dress for an unnamed Best Actress nominee. They didn't tell us it was going to match her hair. Overall, not their best work.
• The Why Must We Be Subjected To You At Every Turn? Award goes to Miley Cyrus in a copy of a copy of a copy of a famous, classic Dior ballgown from Zuhair Murad that was far too ornate for a teenager ...or maybe we are just sick of her... or both. At any rate, it pales in comparison to the original (right).
• The One False Move And It's The Boobs Show Award goes to Sarah Jessica Parker for her genuine Dior Haute Couture gown, and, hopefully, some double stick tape.
• The High Drama Award goes to Marisa Tomei who pulled off a spectacular Versace gown with what appeared to be the largest train of the evening. 

• The Well-Advised Costume Change Award goes to Queen Latifah who ditched her ungainly Georges Chakra Red Carpet gown for something much more flattering when it came time to sing.