The Biz: Costa for Macys & Marc Does Makeup

Francisco Costa is the latest designer to team up with Macys. The Calvin Klein creative director, is launching a capsule collection with a Brazilian theme. Ties right in with the rainforest theme of the megastore’s flower show.

Marc Jacobs heads into the beauty biz with a partnership with Sephora If Marc’s quote is anything to judge by we can expect a whole lot of gilded fun “I love the opportunity, wherever there is one, to adorn, to decorate, to scent, to dress. That’s what fashion’s all about. It’s not necessary, it’s something you want — it’s a fancy and a whim.”

Take a look at Franca Sozzani’s Harvard speech on the fashion industry’s role in the fight against eating disorders.

The social commerce landscape heats up with Gilt and Pinterest joining forces, but turns out Twitter is the social media outlet that actually gets users shopping.

Amazon.com takes a stab at Apple and plots to change the way we shop with an app that lets tablet users make mobile purchases.

Did you think that Simon Spurr’s label was stopping now that he’s stepped down? Think again – executives plan to move forward without the designer.

Coco Roca in "Coco Pops"

Coco Rocha in 'Coco Pops'
Photographed by Simon Upton
Scanned by visualoptimism - BlackBook Magazine April/May 2012

The Biz: CR Fashion Book

After months of speculation and waiting we’re finally given a peek into Carine Roitfeld‘s new magazine – CR Fashion Book. Or more accurately a peek into the issue 0 mock up, this edition isn’t the same thing that will hit newsstands in September but it gives readers a good idea of the kind of content Carine & co. will bring to the market. The new publication is set to be published by Fashion Media – the company behind industry leaders like V & Visionaire and we’re sure to expect the same level of quality. In her interview with WWD, Roitfeld quoted the old Apple slogan “Think Different” as her motto for CR Fashion book and it seems she’s already changing the game. Unlike most glossies, the new magazine has no front of the book section. The focus is all on editorials and long form articles – a creative choice that is sure to please fans of evocative imagery and in depth interviews.

Can the Hunger Games’ intricate costumes provide a window into fashion’s future? The New York Times seem to think so. 

Who says gamers can’t be fashionable! PRADA enters the virtual sphere with an unusual collaboration with Final Fantasy,characters from the latest game sport looks from the line’s menswear collection.

There is a lot of talk about China’s influence on the fashion industry, but who are the key movers and shakers in the Chinese market? Business of Fashion provides a thorough rundown with a few names that might surprise you.

The race for magazine of the year is heating nominees announced – we cant say we’re surprised that W Mag is leading the nominations in the fashion category.

Vogue Paris to Start English Edition

All of today's news, here in our daily roundup.

• Vogue Paris tweeted that it's getting ready to launch an English edition, meaning non-French speakers the world over will finally be able to read the magazine's stories. "France gave the US the Statue of Liberty, now we are taking Vogue.fr to the wider world... get ready for #VogueParisinEnglish," the tweet read. Whether the translation will extend across both the magazine's print and Web editions remains to be seen. [Fashion Etc.]
• LVMH chief Bernard Arnault told his shareholders this week that Dior is extremely profitable — even without a creative director. "Profits more than doubled to 85 million euros, or $118.4 million, as sales in its own stores advanced 28 percent," he said. That must mean John Galliano's interim replacement Bill Gaytten is doing a good job. [The Cut]
• Victoria Beckham wears some pretty major statement jewelry on the cover of Harper's Bazaar China this month. Oh, the drama. [The Fashion Spot]

The Look of Daniele & lango

There are a lot of talented people on the scene, but it is rare to see a fresh photographer break through the glass ceiling. Let’s face it – most of the high profile work still goes to names like Testino / Lindbergh / Meisel, etc.  and while we love all those greats – charting the progress of newer talent can be riveting.  Daniele Duella and Iango Henzi are in the midst of an editorial moment right now, with beautiful work appearing in i-D Magazine, Vogue Japan, Vogue Germany and V Magazine.                                                                                                       The duo showcases a great deal of versatility within their work, but each image is marked by a certain off-kilter elegance. Whether it is China Machado carefully adding a Rick Owens hair comb to Shalom Harlow‘s up-do, or Natasha Poly posed like a debutante in seafoam Chanel, the pictures are always refined: every detail just so, not a hair out of place. Speaking of which, Danielle and Iango’s refined style is always enhanced by the genius hair stylings of their frequent collaborator Luigi Murenu.

Oyster bar

Oyster‘s latest issue has music on the mind and as always the magazine marches to the beat of its own drum. The smiley face rhinestones attached to Anais Pouliot‘s forehead on the cover, get you ready for an issue that makes you grin from cover to cover. Whether it is actress / musician / Balenciaga muse Charlotte Gainsbourg posing for photos on the floor of her living room, or Tatiana Cotliar as a screaming Beatles fan, the imagery is upbeat, beautiful and perfectly suited to the musical theme.

Anais Pouliot by Will Davidson - creative direction Stevie Dance

Charlotte Gainsbourg by Will Davidson - creative direction Stevie Dance

Tatiana Cotliar by Benny Horne - fashion by Morgan Pilcher

Deja Vu: Flower Girls

When we first saw Craig McDean‘s gorgeous new story in the latest Interview we were blown away. The combo of Katryn Kruger, a floral overlay and Stella McCartney‘s clothes made for an especially appealing series of images (see the full story on Interview Mag.com) but then we got to thinking – what did McDean’s shots remind us of?                                                  There aren’t many wholly original ideas out there, so if you look back far enough you’ll find a recent editorial image that looks like something from the past. Turns out we didn’t have to look back very far since Sølve Sundsbø‘s beautiful images of Edita Vilkeviciute from last year were also sort of in the same vein. Fun coincidence, but not a real trip on the way back machine. Take a look at Emil Cadoo‘s double exposure images that look eerily similar to McDean’s shots but predate them by nearly 50 years. Twenty years before that the great fashion photographer, Horst P. Horst created his own spin on the theme with a singularly gorgeous shot in Vogue. Four photographers, one visually appealing concept and 65 years separating them. Who do you think captured the idea best?

2012: Katryn Kruger by Craig McDean for Interview

2011: Edita Vilkeviciute by Sølve Sundsbø for Vogue Japan

1963 & 1968: Emil Cadoo

1947: Horst P. Horst

Russh's Rebels

The Russh perspective is all about a certain kind of girl; youthful, instinctively cool and the type to wear her heart on her sleeve rather than a label. The April/May issue focuses on staying true to your passions while keeping it real and features a series of women who fit right in with the mag’s artsy-chic ethos. Jane Birkin, Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and actress Clémence Poesy could all be considered Russh girls and the insightful interviews of each are a real treat.Editorially the issue takes its cues from the women who inspired it with a series of dreamy editorials that feel natural and unfussy. Whether it is Josefien Rodermans sipping a milkshake or Jess Gold lounging in the season’s knitwear, these stories look like they could be pulled from real life. Even the stark studio shoot with Jessica Miller, doesn’t feel forced or unnatural.

Josefien Rodermans by Nick Dorey | Styling by Gillian Wilkins

Jessica Miller by Amy Troost | Styling by Gillian Wilkins

Jess Gold by Stephen Ward | Styling by Billie Iveson

Cover Girl: Kate Moss For Vogue

Cover girl: Kate Moss for

Vogue UK August Issue

Supermodel Kate Moss graces the covers the August issue of Vogue UK photographed by Mario Testino.Wearing a peach sequin and embroidered dress by Miu Miu, Moss looks every inch her supermodel self in her very Forties-esque shoot with a soft curled up ‘do and ruby red lips. Inside the mag she dons vintage-inspired pieces from Moschino, Louis Vuitton and Gucci.On the cover, I like the contrast between her pale skin, and the strong red lip color which balances the lower intensity of her outfit and the title font… Enjoy!